Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

initiating his son into Masonry , it was with especial pleasure that he responded to this toast . It was always pleasurable to attend that lodge , where he met brethren with whom he had been associated for many years . He trusted that the Citadel Lodge would always prosper , and that in the tuturc it would always bear as good a reputation as it did at the

present time . , _ .,,,., _ The I . P . M ., Bro . Mayes , in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said that the brethren looked forward with pleasure to the coming year . The VV . M . had already got some work to do , and ne hoped Bro . Bird would have a very considerable quantity , and more than he himself had during the past year . He ( Bro . Mayes ) owed sincere thanks to his officers , than whom no officers could be more

efficient or more punctual , and he hoped they would support the present VV . M . as they had supported his predecessor . He hoped they would all join with him in drinking health and happiness and a good year of office to the VV . M . Bro . Bird said he did not know how to express his gratitude for the kind words Bro . Mayes had used , and for the equally kind manner in which the brethien had received the toast . This much he would say , that during the time

he had been an officer of the lodge they had done him the credit of saying that his heart was in his work , and as he had not missed one meeting of the lodge he thought he might promise regular attendance , and that he would do everything he could to make the lodge stand high , and as far as lay in his power would advance the interests of the lodge , of the province to which it belonged , of the brethren of the Iodge and of the Craft generally , the very best

, services he could render the brethren should have during his year of office . He relied upon the brethren supporting him in- the same manner as they had supported Bro . Mayes in his year of office . In proposing " The Health of the Initiate" the W . M . said that Past Masters were said to be the backbone of a lodge . They had only one P . M . present , Bro . Mayes , and no doubt he was a very good backbone , but the backbone

was not much use without the sinew and the flesh , and these must be supplied by the introduction of initiates ; they might have numerous joining members , all of the best possible quality , but nothing would make up to a Iodge or to a Master whose heart was in his work for the lack of initiates . Initiates were the foundation stones , the other degrees being added stones until at last if they persevered the keystone perfected the Masonic structure . With this brief introduction he proposed " The Health of the Initiate ,

Bro . W . R . Stephens . " Bro . Stephens , jun ., having replied , the VV . M . proceeded with the remaining toasts , which included " The Visitors , " "The I . P . M ., " "The Masonic Charities , " and "The Officers of the Lodge . " During the evening the intervals between the speeches were enlivened by some very good music both vocal and instrumental , contributed by various brethren and by Bro . Wright , the lodge Organist .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

CORINTHIAN LODGE ( No . 1382 ) . —A very interesting meeting was held at the George Hotel , Cubitt Town , on Tuesday , the 12 th inst . The brethren of the lodge had invited Bro . G . H . Stevens to work the Fifteen Sections , and that brother having selected 15 trusty draftsmen to assist him , the time was devoted to giving the brethren of the lodge an exposition of lhe beauties

of the ritual of our grand old Order . The chair was taken about six p . m . by Bro . G . H . Stephens , J . W . 1623 , 13 S 2 , and 89 S , who was supported by the following brethren , including among the numerous attendance some of the most prominent and able workers in the East End , and a strong muster of the members of the parent lodge to do honour to their visitors : Bros . W . Musto , P . M . 1349 ,

as S . VV . ; W . H . Myers , P . M . S 20 , and 144 s , J . VV . ; B . Cundick , P . M . 1421 , I . P . M . ; C . H . Webb , P . M . 1607 and 174 , S . D . ; VV . J . Musto , S . D . 1349 , J . D . ; W . Millington , P . M . 13 S 2 , I . G . ; W . Delves , P . M . 1382 , Preceptor ; W . Carnaby , P . M . 13 S 2 , Treas . ; S . G . Bonner , 1382 , acting Secretary ; VV . Clark ( host ) , Stwd . ; G . T . Limn , P . M . 13 S 2 ; C Searell , P . M . 13 S 2 ; W .

Shayes , P . M . 1382 ; G . B . Smith , W . M . 13 S 2 ; W . Stapleton , S . VV . 13 S 2 ; VV . Doring , J . W . 1382 ; J . T . K . Job , P . M . 1076 ; J . S . Fraser , W . M . 174 ; H . Cottcv , P . M . 554 ; j . L . Anderson , J . W . 206 ; R . Hirst , 1421 ; C . H . Bardouleau , 1421 ; B . Stewart , W . S . 127 S ; D . Moss , S . D . ; Dr . T . Loane , J . D . 1421 ; J . West , J . D . o-i-i ; 1 . Warskitt , 554 ; F . Robinson , S . VV . 7 S 1 ;

Raiker , Turton , Limn , jun ., Pitt , Nye , Lowrie , Wray , Gale , Russell , C . Smith , McLeo ' d , S . Hurdle , VV . Marsh , Sec , and others . The Sections were worked as follows : First Lecture-First Section , Bro . W . J . Musto , S . D . 1349 ; Second , Bro . P . McCarthy , P . M . 1076 ; Third , Bro . Dr . T . Loane , J . D . 1421 ; Fourth , Bro . VV . Richardson , 174 ; Fifth ,

Bro . B . Stewart , W . S . 1278 ; Sixth , Bro . C . H . Webb , P . M . 1607 and 174 ; and Seventh , Bro . B . Cundick , P . M . 1421 . Second Lecture—First Section , Bro . | . West , J . D . 933 ; Second , Bro . D . Moss , S . D . 1275 ; third , Bro . ] . T . K . Job , P . M . 1076 ; Fourth , Bro . VV . H . Myers , P . M . 820 and 1445 ; and Fifth , Bro . J . H . Pringle , J . W . 7 S 1 . Third Lecture—First Section , Bro . W . Musto , P . M . 1349 ; Second , Bro . J . J . Berry , P . M . 554 ; and Third , Bro . J .

Taylor , J . W . 554 . At the conclusion of the working , which was listened to with rapt attention throughout , Bro . Smith , W . M . 13 S 2 , expressed on behalf of the lodge the great indebtedness they felt to Bro . Stephens and the team of brethren whom he had brought down with him to give the Corinthian brethren so great and intellectual a treat . He could hardly

have believed Masonry had connected with it such beautilul language explaining the meaning of the ceremonies , and it had been a source of great pleasure to hear the responses given by such capital working brethren as had honoured the Corinthian Lodge . Other remarks from Bros . W . Delves , Preceptor ; C . Searell , VV . Millington , G . T . Limn , all Past Masters of the parent lodge ; and Bro . Stapleton , its S . VV . ; embodied

in practical form eulogy upon the W . M . for presiding so ably , and to the brethren for ably assisting him , all uniting in a wish to be afforded an opportunity of again hearing the Fifteen Sections worked in the lodge . Formal votes were ordered to be endorsed upon the minutes , and Bros . Stephens , Musto , 'Myers , and Cundick were unanimously elected honorary members of the lodge , and kindly promised to render any assistance in their power to the brethren of the Corinthian Lodge .

Instruction.

A large number of brethren were admitted to membership of the lodge , and the proceedings terminated in peace and harmony at a convenient hour for the visitors to catch the train to town . Bro . Stephens and his colleagues may be congratulated upon the great success of the entire proceedings , having realised the Masoniclprecept to be happy themselves and communicate happiness .

MARQUIS OF RIPON LODGE ( No . 14 ( 38 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the nth inst ., at Pembury Tavern , Amhurst-road , Hackney . Present : Bros . Crane , W . M . ; Hildreth , S . W . ; Twining , J . VV . ; Clifford , Treas . ; Hildreth , Sec ; Gray , S . D . ; Roberts , i . D . ; Hunt , I . G . ; Forss , Preceptor , and several visitors , odge was opened in due form , and the minutes read and

confirmed . Bro . Hunt , acting as candidate for passing , was interrogated and entrusted . The ceremony in the Second Degree was next rehearsed , Bro . Hunt again candidate . Bro . Forss then gave the lecture on the second tracing board , and afterwards , assisted by the brethren , worked the First Section of the Lecture . The lodge was then closed in the Second Degree . Bro . Hildreth was elected VV . M . for the ensuing meeting .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT CHAPTER ( No , 1524 ) . —The installation meeting of this chapter took place at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., tne following companions being present : Comps . VV . H . Brand , Z . ; F . Brasted , J . ; Neville Green , P . Z ., and S . E . ; Henry F . Bing , S . N . ; J . L . Payne , Pr . Soj . ; VV . Beasley , ist Assist . Soj . ; A . Clark , 2 nd Assist . Soj . ; R . A . Steel , Treas . ; VV . H . Lee , P . Z . ; T . C . Chapman ,

P . Z . ; H . G . Buss , Assist . G . S . E . ; also Comps . A . J . Berry , S . Smither , A . Eldridge , Thomas Clark , J . H . Hoit , VV . Simpson , M . L . Levey , J . H . Rich , L . V . Walker . I . Funston , and J Andrews . Visitors : Comps . George E . East , J . 495 ; and Bircham Cooper , 1366 . The chapter having been duly opened by the Principals , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved ; also the report of the Audit Committee , from

which it appeared that the chapter was progressing very satisfactorily . A ballot was taken for a candidate , but as he could not attend his exaltation was deferred till October . A convocation of Installed Principals being then formed , Comp . VV . H . Lee , who performed the various ceremonies in a most excellent manner , installed Comps . F . Brasted , as Z . ; H . F . Bing , H . ; and A . Clark , J . ( the Z . and H . being by dispensation ) . The M . E . Z . then invested the

following officers elected in April : Comps . Neville Green , P . Z ., bcribe E . ; VV . Beasley , Scribe N . ; and J . L . Payne , P . Soj . ; who invested Comps . J . Funston and M . L . Levey as his two assistants , Comp . J . J . Alarsh being again invested as Ianitor . The chapter was then closed and the companions sat down to an excellent dinner , after which the usual toasts

were proposed and duly honoured , Comp . H . G . Buss responding fur the Grand Officers . The M . E . Z . in proposing "The Health of the Past Principals " took the opportunity of presenting the P . Z . jewel to Comp . Brand for his services during the past year , allusion being made to the fact that all the P . Z . ' s were then present .

HASTINGS . —Emulation Chapter ( No . 40 ) . — The installation meeting ol this chapter was held at the Castle Hotel , Hastings , on Monday , iSth inst . Among those in attendance were : Comps . T H . Cole , M . A ., M . E . Z . ; F . Kossiter , H . ; Capt . E . VV . J . Hennah , J . ; J . B . Sargent , S . E ; Wm . Dawes , S . N . ; Major Fredk . B . Cooper , P . S . ; Foster , J anitor ; Thomas Trollope , M . D ., P . P . G . P . S ., P . Z . ; Charles VV . Duke , Prov . G . S . B ., P . Z . ; P . Robinson ,

P . Z . ; J . Ford , Jennings , B . Harrison , and others . After the chapter had been opened and the minutes of previous meeting in March confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bro . R . Hughes , M . M . Abbey Lodge , 1184 , and he was declared unanimously elected , and will be exalted at the next convocation in September . The Installing Principal , Comp . T . Trollope , P . Z ., then ascended the throne , and that zealous student of Masonic ritual duly installed the three newly-elected Principals into their respective

positions , viz ., Ex . Comp . r . Rossiter , M . E . Z . ; Capt . E . VV . J . Hennah , H . ; William Dawes , J . The following officers were also invested : Comps . J . B . Sargent , S . E . ; W . H . Russell , S . N . ; Major Fredk . B . Cooper , P . S . ; Foster , Janitor . The sum of £ 10 ios . was voted towards Comp . Trollope ' s list for the Boys' School . Propositions having been made the Chapter was closed . The companions then adjourned to an excellent banquet . The usual R . A . and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a very agreeable evening was passed .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" The Queen ' s Favourite , " produced at the Olympic on " the occasion of Mr . W . H . Vernon ' s benefit , is an acknowledged adaptation of Scribe ' s comedy , " Le Verre d'Eau . " Why Mr . Sydney Qrundy should have gone to a French author for the groundwork of a play founded on English history he knows best himself . The Oroarramme states that the comedy makes no pretension to

historical accuracy . It is well this is allowed . Those who know the history of England between 1702 and 1714 WUI readily discern that " The Queen's Favourite" wanders very far from the truth . HavTng said this we must acknowledge the comedy Miss Ward has now put on the Olympic boards is one of the best pieces she has produced during her tenure of the house . It sparkles with interest and never ( lags . The plot is somewhat intricate and therefore

difficult to describe , but the scenes are so lull of deep interest and amusement that one cannot fail to come away pleased with the performance and performers . Mr . Grundy makes Queen Anne appear a much weaker woman than history teaches us to believe . From the comedy we can only liken her to a shuttlecock tossed about by the battledoors of Sarah , Duchess of Marlborough , and Viscount Bolingbroke . These two almost play a game of chess with their queen . Each strives his and her utmost to

The Theatres.

checkmate the other * We haVe therefore intrigue upon intrigue . The duchess has the queen in hand , opens her letters and only lets her Majesty see those she chooses to . In fact the country and court are ruled by the Duchess and the Queen is a mere puppet . Then we have Mr . St . John hanging about the court , wanting to get into office and using any one and every means he can to obtain his desire . By the assassination of his

cousin he becomes Viscount Bolingbroke . He obtains the queen's ear , and to further his own purposes gels a young lady , Abigail Hill , in the household as lady-in-waiting to the queen . Though a relative of hers , the duchess objects to this , and poisons the queen's mind against this young person ; but Bolingbroke , however , prevails . As we have said , the story is not very simple , and is so wrapped up in intrigues that it would be a hard task to describe it at all

clearly to our readers . Nevertheless , it is none the less interesting for all that . From the rise of the curtain in the first act to its fall after the fourth act there is not a moment in which one can feel the interest of the story is fading . To many it will be interesting from the insight it gives to court life , no doubt most of it faithfully depicted . There are several opportunities in the piece for the display of elocution . In the first act Mr . Vernon , who plays

Bolingbroke , takes advantage of this with great effect . In his first speech the audience applaud his rhetoric loudly , his vigourously dashing manner contributing not a little to the success of the comedy , and evidently enjoying thesatire with which his speeches abound . Miss Genevieve Ward is admirably suited to the part of Sarah , Duchess of Marlborough , her cold , heartless rendering of the character is a practical illustration of one who could smile on murder .

Of course , it will be understood we are speaking of Miss Ward professionally , and therefore we intend it as a compliment . The dramatic and scornful way she sustains this character indicates the peculiar powers she has at her command . The Abigail Hill of Miss Lucy Buckstone is perfection . This young lady , who has not been long before the world , bears a name revered by all playgoers , and one of which we have the pleasantest memories . The daughter

ofthe celebrated actor now passed away , she seems to be sustaining the family name as a watchword in the profession ; but to her undoubted talents and charming manners must be added the possession of a pretty face . We have watched Miss Lucy Buckstone on the London stage , and each time we see her we note some improvement , either in expression of speech or attitude . Mr . Tom Bindloss , who plays Ensign

Masham ( Abigail Hill ' s lover ) , makes an interesting part . Miss Kellogg , as Queen Anne , perfectl y realises the queen as we know her from familiar portraits . She carries to one's mind the character of the vacillating queen . As " The Queen ' s Favourite " will only be played for a few weeks longer it should be seen at once , as all cannot fail to come away much gratified .

* VVe are glad to say that the Folies Dramatiques in reopening its doors at last seems to have a chance of success . " Estrella , " the new opera , is not to be mentioned in the same breath with the weak p ieces hithetro brought out here . Both dialogue and music are good , the former being written by Walter Parke , one of the authors of ' Manteaux Noirs , " while the musicis supplied by Luscombe

Searelle . To be brief , Estrella ( Miss Constance Loseby ) is in love with Lorenzo ( Mr . Rising ) , but betrothed to the Count Pomposi ( Mr . Aynsley Cooke ) , a rich man , who will pay all her father ' s debts if she marries him . For her parents' sake she sells herself , going through the ceremony of marriage before the Doge of Venice ( Mr . Day ) ; but Lorenzo has arranged that the count shall be carried off by brigands . Directly the ceremony is over the count is

surrounded and shipped off . His wife , not at all disconsolate , and her parents take up their abode in his palace , Lorenzo sees her there , and they renew their old love ; but the count escapes , and in the disguise of a Jew conies to the house and tells a tale how that the count is dead , and that he ( the iew ) is his only friend , and was charged by him to find out is wife and tell her of his death , and to enter into her service . Now she learns the death of her husbandEstrella

, feels free to marry the man of her choice , and . the ceremony is arranged for . The count cannot see his wife marry another man , and therefore he at this ceremony interferes . Throwing off his disguise , he proclaims himself the count . But the count is dead , say the others . The third act pourtrays a novel trial , lt is not often that opera bouffe carries much interest into the third act . In " Estrella" the last act is the finest . Estrella assumes

cap and gown and conducts her own side of the case and argues satisfactorily to the court that the count having given himself out as dead cannot be recognised as alive . Eventually the count agrees to give her up to Lorenzo and part of his wealth too . Brigetta ( Miss Camille Dubois ) , companion to Estrella , has had her " eye" on the count for a long time and becomes his wife . From beginning to end this comic opera is entertaining , lt is mounted in a most magnificent and complete style . There

is a chorus of 50 young ladies , whose services however are not called for so frequently as is usual in opera music . Miss Loseby ' s singing is as only Miss Loseby can sing . We think the prettiest of her songs is a duet with Mr . Rising , an essay on kissing . On the night of our visit this was encored thrice . Miss Dubois also in the last act sings a charming song which is received and encored in a similar manner . Mr . Aynsley Cook we need scarcely say

acquits himself as he always does with great dclat . His fine bass voice is well suited to this house . Mr . Rising is also excellent and has dropped to some degree his French accent he had when at the Comedy . Bro . Geo . Temple unfortunately has not a leading part , but what he has to do he does well and affords much amusement , as does Miss Sallie Turner , who respectively are the father and mother of Estrella . The opera is produced under the management of

Bro . Fairlie , and we sincerely hope will be more successful than the former ventures at this house . The tide now appears to have turned ; how long it will last we cannot predict , but we do know that there is not a more comfortable theatre in London than this the last built . Bro . Emery is the genial acting manager , and is ably assisted by Bro . Jackson , whilst Bro . De Lange represents the proprietors of

the opera , but we would like to see Bro . De Lange on the stage again , Many of our readers will remember how often they have been charmed with his songs in other pieces and at other houses . The choruses are for the most part very pretty . The comic part of the business is assigned to Mr . Day , the Doge of Venice , and the greatest laughter is produced in the last act where he presides as j udgc over the Court to hear the petition of Estrella .