Why Mrs. Herbert Loved Masonry.

timely sympathy and care is only equalled by her own , who says that her experience in your city has added a new chapter to her reasons for loving Alasonry . " Should any of you visit Boston , do noe fail to call upon us , that we may return our thanks in person , and invite you to tbe hospitalities of our home . " — Our Home Companion .

Bow And Bromley Institute.

BOW AND BROMLEY INSTITUTE .

The old adage that the ' ' Wise men came from the East , " was exemplified on the 14 th inst ., when Bro . Blain started a movement that ought to extend throughout the length and breadth of the land , that of giving a concert on behalf of the Alasonic Institutions . Bro . Blain , anxious to assist those worthy institutions ,

conceived the idea of getting up a concert , and thus affording his brother Alasons an opportunity of displaying their generosity , an opportunity , which they liberally availed themselves of . Of the concert itself , it is only necessary to say that it was largely and fashionably attended , and appeared to give every satisfaction to the crowded audience . The artistes' services were gratuitous , and evidently

did their best to please . Mesdames Royd , Wensley , Coyte Turner and Harries particularly distinguishing themselves , by their charming singing , Messrs . Hooper , Weigl , Durger , Swarbreck , Palmer , and Farquharson , also contributing to the success of the evening . We must not omit to add that thc violin solos of Miss Cecile Bronsil , and the organ solos of Aliss Conves were much admired .

Miss Conves and Bro . Farquharson accompanied the songs with their usual ability . At the close of the concert , Bro . Binckes in a short speech proposed a vote of ( hanks to Bro . C . Blain for not only thc success of the concert , but also for the pecuniary results of his efforts , and expressed the hope that others

" would go and do likewise . " Thanks were also given to Bro . Moore and the other stewards who assisted in the disposal of tickets , and seating the audience . The hall in which thc concert took place is one of the handsomest in London , and worthy to become thc head-quarters of Eastend Masons .

THE LOUD CHAMBERLAIN- AND THE THEATRES . —The following are extracts from a letter addressed from the Lord Chamberlain ' s Office , dated Dec . 16 , 1876 , to a correspondent who wrote to advise stringent precautions being recommended by the Licenser of Theatres against possible fire or panic arising in the course of the Christmas holidays , when crowded audiences may be expected to

assemble . Bro . George T . Hertslet , chief clerk , Lord Chamberlain's Office , writes : — " This department having always considered the question of the safety of the public very carefully , has now naturally , in consequence of the recent catastrophe at Brooklyn , turned its serious attention to the question , with a view of introducing every possible means of preventing a similar

calamity here . The Lord Chamberlain furttur desires me to enclose for your information a copy of the regulations in existence with regard to theatres under his jurisdiction , together with those of two circulars which have been issued from this department , one in the month of September last year , and the other in February of this year . I need hardly add that from time to time

this serious question has for several years been duly weighed , and any precautions acted upon , whenever an oppoitunity may have occurred . " It appears from one of thc circulars received that the " Rules for Theatres Licensed by the Lord Chamberlain " were " put together and printed for thc first time " early in the present year , viz ., February , 1870 , but that " they do not differ in any

material respect from those which have always been understood by the managers to be the existing rules of this ( the Lord Chamberlain ' s ) department . But thc Lord Chamberlain has come lo thc conclusion that they should be communicated in writing to the managers and their sureties , in order that there may be no misunderstanding as to the responsibilities which they undertake on executing the bond required by the Act 6 and 7 Victoria on the

issue of licences for theatres . The Lord Chamberlain takes this opportunity of impressing upon the managers the very serious responsibility under which they must personally be held with regard to the safety of the public and of the artistes' engaged in their theatres , in case of fire , or panic arising from an alarm of fire , and the consequent importance to them by every means in their power of carrying out the rules for free exit from the theatre in such a contingency .

The Mystic Gate.

THE MYSTIC GATE .

BY VV . VV . HIIIIU-N . There is a gate which all must enter , One by one wc pass thc goal ; Down life's pathway—ru we venture

Only conscious of thc soul . Far behind we leave the mortal , Alingling with its native dust ; While thc soul moves through thc portal , On to him we all must trust .

In the worlds of mystic greatness , —¦ Broad as lift- and sweet as love—Each shall find his sphere of happiness . As he fills the laws above .

Then—as angels—in our goodness , We'll be happy only there , tn proportion to our fullness To relieve our brother ' s care . Masonic Advocate .

A Shakesperian Menu.

A SHAKESPERIAN MENU .

Thc following menu was got up for the installation banquet of the Wentworth Lodge , No . 1239 , on the 4 th December , 18 7 6 , at the Cutlers' Hall , Sheffield ; Bro . S . B . Iii lis , W . AI . . — " You are welcome . " —Merchant of Venice . " Here is the place appointed . "—As You Like It .

" Meet in the hall together . "—Macbeth . " 'Tis ever common that men are merriest when they are from home . "—Henry V . " Let us carry with us ears and eyes for thc time , but hearts for the event . "—Coriolanus . WINE--. —Port , Sherry , Burgundy , Claret , Hock , Champagne .

" Praise us as wc are tasted , allow us as wc prove . "Troilus and Cressida .

LIST OF TOASTS . " Brevity is the soul of wit . "—Hamlet . " Let me speak , sir , and the words I utter let none think flattery . "—Henry VIII . " Say as you think , and speak it from your souls . "Henry VI ., Part 2 . " Where words are scarce , they are seldom spent in

vain . "—Richard If . " Fill full , and drink to the general joy of thc whole table . "—Macbeth . " Beseech you , sirs , be merry . " —Tempest . " Your fair discourse hath been as sugar , making the

hard way sweet and delectable . "—Richard II . " Stand not upon thc order of your going , but go at once il '—Macbeth . " A thousand times , good night ' . "—Much Ado . " Then shall our names be in their flowing cups freshly remembered . "—Henry V .

Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . " God and His angels guard your sacred throne , and make you long become it . "—Henry V . His Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master . " Wooing poor craftsmen with the craft of smiles , and patient under bearing of his fortune . "—Richard II . The Rt . Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro G . M . ;

thc Rt . Hon . thc Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . D . G . AI . ; and the rest of thc Grand Officers , Past and Present . " Flatter , and praise , commend , extol their graces . " — Two Gentlemen of Verona . " Dane the worthy service . "—Tempest . Lt-Col . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., J . P ., D . L ., R . VV . Provincial Grand Master ; and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , Past and Present . " All members of our cause . "—Henry IV .

The Worshipful Master of the Wentworth Lodge , Bro . S . B . Ellis . " Here ' s to thy health . "— -Hamlet . " New honours come upon him . " —Macbeth . The Immediate Past Master of the Wentworth Lodge , "VV . lW Wm . White . " He has done nobly , and cannot go without any honest man ' s voice . "—Cr ; ric __ nus .

The Installing Officer , W . Bro . A . Scargill , P . AI . "We almost with ravished listening could not find his hour of speech a minute . " —Henry VIII . The Sister Lodges . " You are welcome all . " —Taming the Shrew . The Visiting Brethren . "Come let's all take hands . " —Antony and Cleopatra .

The Masonic Charities . " 'Twerc good you do so much for charity . "— Merchant of Venice . " Who can sever love from charity ? "—Love's Labour Lost .

1 he Past Alasters of the Wentworth Lodge . " So arc they all , all honourable men . "—Julius Casar . " Wc thank you all . " — Henry VI . The Officers of the Wentworth Lodge . " Here comes thc officers . "—Twelfth Night . " Some are born great , some achieve greatness , and some have greatness thrust upon them . "—Twelfth Ni ght .

Bri . i . or FARE . " Will ' t please you taste of what is here ?"—Tempest . " And take your places . " — Midsummer Ni ght ' s Dream . " Dinner' ready ! " —Two Gentlemen of Verona . " The dinner is on thc tabic . " —Merry Wives . Soil ' . —Julienne , Mock Turtle .

FISH . — Iurbot and Dutch Sauce , rned Soles . ENTREES . —Stewed Kidneys , Mutton Cutlets and Tomato Sauce . REMOVES . —Saddles of Mutton , Turkeys , Geese , Chickens Ducks , Ham , Tongue . GAME . —Pheasants , Grouse . CHEESE . —Macaroni , Cheshire . DESSERT . —Biscuits , Grapes , Oranges , Pears , Apples ,

Filberts , Almonds and Raisins . " Pray you , sit down ; for now we sit to chat as well as eat . "—Taming thc Shrew . " There is full liberty of feasting till the bell hath tolled . " —Othello . " Every inordinate cup is unblessed , and the ingredients is a devil . —Othello . " Now , good digestion wait on appetite , and health on both . "—Alacbeth .

Some one who believes that " brevity is the soul of wit " writes , " Don't eat stale Q-cumbers . They'll W up . " SEASONABLE ADVICE . — Renew your subscriptions promptly .

Comical Nuts For A Christmas Party.

COMICAL NUTS FOR A CHRISTMAS PARTY .

[ We arc indebted for the following mainly to our contemporaries , The Masonic Advocate and Funny Folks . ' ] At a debating society , a wheelwright vvas said to be thc best spokes man . " You wouldn ' t take me for twenty , would you ? " said a young lady who looked much younger to an old bachelor . " Take you f _ r twenty ! " he exclaimed— " yes , for life . "

" Phat a blessing it is , " say . a hard-working Chicago Irishman , " that night niver comes on till late in the day , when a man's tired , and cant work any more at all , at all . A negro was put on the stand as a witness , and the judge inquired if he understood the nature of an oath . " For certing , boss , " said the citizen , " If I swear to a lie

I must stick to him ? " A sagacious countryman , having been asked by a minister why he roamed about the fields on Sunday instead of going to church , replied : Because I prefer sermons from stones to sermons from sticks . " How much for the broad-faced chicken on the fence ? " inquired an Irishman of a farmer . " That's not a

chicken ; it ' s an owl , " replied the farmer . " I don't care how ould he his ; I would like to buy him , " said the Irishman . I don ' t think I ought to pay that bill , " said a man when his physician called on him for settlement . " Why not ? " Because , doctor , you gave me so much medicine that I was sick for a long time after you had cured me . "

Two ladies who contended for precedence at the court of the Emperor Charles V ., appealed to that monarch to decide the matter . " Let the elder go first , " said the Emperor . He was never troubled with such a dispute again . A AIONARCII " PRO THAMES . " —The Sultan . MAHBLEOUS MEANNESS . —Aunt Towzer is much

concerned to hear that the Bri ghton Memorial to the late Sir Cordy Burrows is to take the form of a statue in Sicilian marble . " Well , I never ! " exclaimed the old lady , indign antly . " So they're a-going to put him on a form , just like a schoolboy as has bad marks . And then not to give him a form of his own , but to take one from another statute ! I hate such profundity and desication . "

UNSEASONABLE APPAREL . — " She wore a wreath of roses and eleven other songs . "— . 7 __ advertisements . LATEST LITERARY INTELLIGENCE . — "On the 12 th , the wife of T . C . Bookless , AI . D ., of a daughter" ( see Standard ) . In these days , when " there is no end to the making of them , " it is a relief to know that there is at least one little Bookless in the world .

OBVIOUS . —The Times correspondent at Cairo considers that " any fears of the Alahommedans rising are utterly groundless . " Of course , everybody knows that Alahommedans infinitely prefer lying—to rising . LINKS WANTING . —Professor Huxley has traced the origin of the horse in the Polar bear . But in so doing he has , unintentionally , no doubt , done an injustice to another

animal . How , we would like to ask , could he have proved the connection between the horse and the bear had it not been for the lynx ? "LAWR ' BNCE THESE TEARS . "—In the prosecution of thc East-end S piritualist , Lawrence , it came out last week that one of thc witnesses seized and tore off a piece of muslin in which Lawrence had attired himself a la Ghost . Of course , the Spiritualist wore the flimsy material with 1

the express purpose of muslininquiry . THE FIRST LESSON IN LOVE . — Thc sigh f ' rher ( Cypher ) . From thc following paragraph one would think there is an intention to raise tall students in Wisconsin . An exchange paper says : " Its board of education has resolved to erect a building large enough to accommodate five hundred students three stories hig h . "

IN VAIN . It ' s not that I ' m a reckless man , Nor yet a bad one in the miin ; I seem to live beneath a ban That makes my strongest efforts vain . I ' m fond of sport : but when I try To make the rabbit fatherless , Bfy plans are made conspicuous b y The constant absence of success .

In search of snipe I haunt the bog , Or seek the partridge on the plain ; But if I do not kill a dog , My cartridges are spent in vain . I ' ve waited patiently all night , And vainly plied the rod and line :

But even if a fish did bite , It always took its hook with mine . I send these lines , and I believe 1 shall be asked to try again , And also that I shall receive A little cheque . [ The Ed .: " In vain . " ]

II _ U . OW- _ ' S OI _ __ T A . VU PILLS . —Though it is impossible in this climate of changing temperature , to prevent ill-health altogether , yet its form and frequency may be mm-li mill gated by the early adoption ot remedial measure .. When lu .-irscness . cough , thick breathing , and the attending slight lever Indicate irritation of the throat or chest , Holtowav ' s Ointment should be rubbed upon these parts without delay , and his Pills taken in appropriate doses , to promote ils curative action . No catarrhs or sore throats can resist these remedies . Printed directions cm-elope every package of Holloway ' s medicaments , which are suited to all ages and conditions , and to eiery ordinary disease to which humanity is liable . ~ A . vT .