Lodge Of Prosperity, No. 65.

been playing various pleasing selections during the dinner , accompanying the numerous dancers . Those ladies and gentlemen who did not indulge in dancing paraded the lawns and the southern drawing-room , the lower suite of rooms and the eastern lawn being at their disposal . Bro . R . Dyson , W . M ., assisted by Bros . Walker and Haller , had the difficult task of directing the proceedings

at the banquet , and entertaining those guests who did not dance , whilst the Director of Ceremonies was Bro . C . J . Rich , P . M . of the lodge , who performed the duties of that post admirably . The dancing was personally superintended by Bro . and Mrs . Hayners . After one of the pleasantest days possible—a day to be remembered—the party , of nearly 150 ladies and gentlemen , returned by the S . 30 train to London .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

THE TESTIMONIAL TO MISS DAVIS . Since our last issue several names of brethren have been added to the Committee , and we append a complete list Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , F . S . A .. President ; Bro . Frank Richardson , Vice-President ; Bro . Herbert Dicketts , Hon .

Sec . and Treas . The following are the Committee : Bros . William Bailey , Robert Berridge , "Edgar Bowyer , % G . Chancellor , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Ralph Glutton . E . C . Davies , Charles W . Duke , John Faulkner , Thomas Fenn , Robert Grey , Charles Hammerton , F . R . VV . Hedges , C . F . Hogard , T . S . Howell , T . A . S . Howell , H . A . Hunt . George Kenning , Thomas Kingston , F . S . Knyvett ,

Charles Lacey , Edward Letchworth , Peter De Lande Long , Horace Brooks Marshall , E . C . Mather , J . L . Mather , Chas . F . Matier , J . H . Matthews , James Moon , VV . F . Nettleship , Joshua Nunn , Col . James Peters , F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Capt . N . G . Philips , William Roebuck , J . A . Rucker , Henry Smith , Raymond H . Thrupp , Henry Venn , and C . H . Webb .

The New Furniture Of The Mark Grand Lodge.

THE NEW FURNITURE OF THE MARK GRAND LODGE .

It is just as well , perhaps , that the demands on our space at the time of the Prince of Wales's installation as Grand Mark Master were such as to preclude our giving any description of the new furniture which has been purchased by the Mark Grand Lodge , and was used for the first time

on the occasion of his Royal Highness ' s induction into the chair of A . VVe have had leisure to take stock of it—as the familiar phrase is—and are , therefore , in a far better position to give our readers a full and particular account of its character and quality . It is almost enough to say as regards these that it was manufactured specially by Messrs . Gillow and Co ., of Oxford-street , whose reputation for

artistic work is universally recognised . But our readers will , no doubt , prefer to have some details , and we think the following description will about suffice to meet their wishes : — "The chairs , pedestals , and footstool are all made of oak , relieved with gold , and covered with purple Utrecht velvet , made expressly , and trimmed with crimson and gold ,

to match the collars and aprons worn by the brethren . On the back of the M . W . G . Master ' s chair are the Prince's feathers carved in oak , with motto " Ich Dien , " and surmounted with the rose , shamrock , and thistle ; above this are his Royal Highness ' sarms , alsorichIycarved in oak . The two Wardens' chairs are very similar to this , but a little

smaller , with the emblems carved on the backs . The pedestals have fluted pilasters , relieved with gold , with the emblems in front , gilt and shaded . The three Overseets ' chairs are all ensuite with the others ; also the Angle pedestals with their respective emblems . The platforms on which the chairs stand are all covered with crimson velvet-pile carpet . "

The Queen Eleanor Cross At Waltham.

THE QUEEN ELEANOR CROSS AT WALTHAM .

VVe have previously drawn attention to thc steps which are being taken with a . view to the restoration of this ancient monument , and we are glad to find that the scheme piogresses so satisfactorily . A short time since advantage was taken of a visit paid by the Duke of Cambridge to the

Small Arms Factory at Enfield , to invite his Royal Highness ' s inspection of the Cross , and also to submit to him the plans for the proposed work . The Duke expressed himself in very favourable terms of what was shown and explained to him , and pointed out bow great an improvement would be effected if—as , indeed , is contemplated by the architect—the Falcon Hotel , which adjoins the Cross ,

were set back . The report and plans , which we have had the opportunity of inspecting personally , and which have received the hearty approval of the British Archaeological Association , may be seen at Bro . J . Tydeman's , Four Swans Hotel , Waltham Cross , by whom any further intormation that may be desired will be most willingly furnished . As to the proposed restoration , it has

already found favour with a large number of thc brethren , who look upon the Cross not only as an historical monument of exceeding value , but likewise as a relic of the skill of our Operative predecessors , which it cannot be otherwise than desirable to preserve , and hand

down in as perfect a state as possible to future generations of Speculative Craftsmen . Some thirty-five lodges have subscribed towards the funds necessary to carry out the design , and we have no doubt that others will be induced to follow so excellent an example , and that many individual brethren will be drsirous of lending a helping hand .

Installation Meeting Of .The Bard Of Avon Lodge, No. 778.

INSTALLATION MEETING OF . THE BARD OF AVON LODGE , No . 778 .

lhe installation meeting of the Bard of Avon Lodge , which was held at the Mitre Hotel , Hampton Court , on Wednesday evening , the 21 st inst ., was attended by many circumstances which gave it a peculiar interest and

importance . Bro . J . E . Fenn ( an initiate of -the lodge ) was inducted into the Master ' s chair by his father , the President of the Board of General Purposes , and the appointment of Bro . Edmund Yates as S . VV ., and Bro . Dr . W . H . Russell , LL D ., as J . W ., presented an additional attraction to many brethren connected with literature and journalism . The Grand Officers were represented by R . W . Bro . Sir

Installation Meeting Of .The Bard Of Avon Lodge, No. 778.

John Monckton , P . G . W . ; R . W . Bro . Sir George Elliott , M . P ., P . G . M . of the Eastern Division of South Wales ; W . Bros . J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; P . De Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Letchworth , P . G . D . ; Stewart , P . G . A . D . C ; Harding , P . G . A . D . C ; Samuel Pope , O . C , G . S . D . ; R . G . Glover , G . D . of C ; W . Roebuck , G . S . B . ; J . H . Paul , and several others ; and Bros . A . M . Broadley ,

P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; Augustus Harris ; S . B . Bancroft ; Robinson , P . M . 2 jg ; and Baker , P . M . S 3 , were amongst the visitors . The lodge was opened by Bro . Octavius Hansard , who vacated the chair in favour of the Superintendent of the Board of General Purposes , W . Bro . Thomas Fenn , who performed the ceremony of installation in the most

impresmanner . After the investiture of Bros . Edmund Yates , S . VV . ; VV . H . Russell , J . VV . ; and the other subordinate oflicers , the brethren adjourned to a banquet which did special credit to the noted cuisine of the ancient hostelry in which the lodge meets . Bro . Sir J B . MONCKTON , in a felicitous speech , responded for "The Grand Officers . "

Bro . J . C . PARKINSON , in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " sketched , with the skill and eloquence of which he is Master , the rise and progress of the lodge from its foundation on the shores of the Avon , and its transfer to the banks of the Thames down to the present day . Bro . BROADLEY , in answer to the toast of" The Visitors , " dwelt on the peculiar interest of the meeting , and the pleasure that ho . d been experienced by all present in witnessing under such auspicious circumstances the masterly

rendering of the ceremonial by Bro . Fenn . He sketched briefly the career of Bro . Dr . VV . H . Russell , who had been initiated into Masonry under the auspices of the Grand Master himself in the district over which he had himself ruled as Deputy Grand Master , on whom 10 years later he had conferred the Second Degree in the Bulwer Lodge at Cairo , during the memorable trial of Arab ! Pasha , and who finally had received the mysteries of the Third Degree

at the hands ol that illustrious exponent of Masonic ritual , Bro . Parkinson , in the Drury Lane Lodge , of which so many brothers of the Bard of Avon Lodge were members . In conclusion , Bro . Broadley expressed the hope that in the hands of Bros . Yates and Russell , the Bard of Avon Lodge would enjoy a long continuance of its present prosperity , and asked the lodge to accept as a memento of the occasion his "History of Freemasonry in Malta , "

which was published a few years ago by Bro . Geo . Kenning , and which contained an account of the reception of Bro . Dr . Russell on the occasion of the visit of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales to that island during his voyage home from India . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in a few appropriate words , accepted Bro . Broadley's offering ; and in answer to the toast of "The Officers , " Bro . VATUS , with the fluency and fire which has always distinguished him as one of the

ablest of after dinner speakers , paid a high tribute to the ability , zeal , and power of organisations displayed by Bro . Parkinson , who had at a ciitical moment rescued the Bard of Avon Lodge from falling into disuse , and who had by ten years hard work and constant care made it the successful and popular lodge it was to-day . So far as he was concerned no effort should be wanting on his part to carry out the good work which had been begun , and to hand

down to a long line of Masons , unsullied , the warrant which was encircled with so many interesting and unique traditions . Bro . VV . H . RUSSELL also expressed his gratitude for the unexpected promotion he had received that evening . It was true as Bro . Broadley had said , that he was initiated into Freemasonry in Malta some ten years ago ; but he remembered the memorable day just before the Crimean

war , when he and some other officers ( only one of whom , Arthur Hardinge , still survived ) , were assembled in the ante-room of that very lodge at Malta , to receive at the hands of the brethren the Masonic light , when the proceedings were suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a guard , and they were hurried without a moment ' s delay on board the transport which was to carry them to the seat of war . He had experienced great pleasure in renewing the Masonic tie once again in Egypt , and in completing

the cycle of his duties as a Master Mason , under the auspices of the Iodge which meets within the venerable precincts of Old Drury . As the J . W . of the Bard of Avon Lodge he would do his utmost to assist the W . M ., and his old friend , Bro . Edmund Yates , in supporting and extending the best interests of the lodge . The Tyler's toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close , and the brethren slatted on their return journey to London .

In the course of the speeches many allusions were made to the elaborate work on the Bard of Avon Lodge , which was compiled and privately circulated by Bro . Parkinson , on the occasion of the memorable meeting in 1872 , when the lodge was transferred from Stratford-on-Avon to Staines , lhe book in question is full of Masonic and literary lore , and

deserves , for many reasons , to be reprinted for general use , as it would not only be of real historical value from a Masonic point of view , but it would form a fitting memorial of thc work of a man who had in his generation done so much for the advancement of London Masonry , and whose life and name was . indelibly written in the history of the Masonic Province of Middlesex , of which he was once Deputy G . Master .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . J . NEAL YORK , D . P . G . M . CAMBRIDGESHIRE . There is no doubt the Craft throughout England , but especially in Cambridgeshire , has sustained a very great loss through the death of Bro . J . Neal York , at whose funeral on Thursday , the 15 th inst ., there was a very large attendance of brethren all anxious to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory . Bro . York was a Mason of long standing and high position , having been initiated on the

3 rd October , 1 SC 0 , in the Watford Lodge , No . 404 . lhe year following he joined the Scientific Lodge , No . 88 , Cambridge , and in 1 S 65 was elected to its chair as W . M . In 1866 he was re-elected , and again in 1883 the honour was conferred upon him for the third time . _ He was also a joining memberof the Isaac Newton University Lodge , No . 8 59 , Cambridge , and the Royal St . Edmund ' s Lodge , No . 1008 , Bury St . Edmunds , and was founder and first W . M . of thc Etheldreda Lodge , No . 2107 , Newmarket .

Obituary.

He was exalted in the Pythagoras Chapter , No . SS , Cam bridge , on 27 th May , 1863 , and was its Senior P . Z . These services had been recognised in the Provincial Grand Lodge , and when , on the death , in 1 SS 3 , of Bro . J . Deighton , D . P . G . M ., and Prov . G . Supt ., the help of astrongand sterling brother became necessary in order to continue and extend the work of that excellent Mason , the general

feeling was that such a man could only be found in Bro . J . Neal York , and Bro . the Earl of Hardwicke , Prov . Grand Master , showed his appreciation of that feeling by appointing him to the responsible post of D . P . G . M . while the Prince of Wales , Grand Z ., conferred on him the office of Prov . Grand Superintendent of Royal Arch Masons . The result has been such that Cambridgeshire , for its size , is one of our most energetic

provinces , and the result having been such , it will be understood that the loss sustained through the death of Bro . York is the more grievous to be borne . However , as we remark elsewhere , the example set by our deceased brother will no doubt continue to exert a powerful influence for good throughout Cambridgeshire , and it is no mere figure of speech to say that while Freemasonry exists in the country the name of York will always be remembered with respect .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The Lyceum will be closed alter next Saturday , the 31 st inst ., the occasion of Miss Ellen Terry ' s benefit , and re-open , on September nth , with " Faust . " During the recess Bro . Irving and Miss Terry will visit America , but not to play .

*• *•¦ # Next is the last week of Mr . Daly ' s Company at the Strand . Owing to the stir they have made we do not feel sure that seats can be obtained now . We hope this excellent company of comedians will pay another visit to London very soon . #

* * Messrs . Yardley and Stephens having taken Toole ' s Theatre for a season have produced a new burlesque by Mr . Robert Reece called " Herne the Hunted ; or , Windsor Castle re-versed . " The music though not original , is good , the dialogue droll , owing to Bro . Arthur Williams , who is supported by Miss Harriet Vernon , Miss Coveney , and Miss Emily Spiller . Bro . Williams sings an excellent topical song "Just in the old sweet way , " for which he gets vociferously cheered . # #

* We should like to call the attention of our readers to the fact that the Comedy , like most other West-end theatres , passes into other hands for a short space , and next Saturday , the 31 st inst ., Mr . Willie Edouin will bring to it Mr . Mark Melford ' s play , " Turned Up , " which he has been taking round the provinces . It was originally produced at a matinee in London , which we duly noticed , and

expressed a hope that it would be put before the London public . VVe believe a theatre could not be found at the time . Miss Alice Atheitonand Mr . Charles Groves will support Mr . Edouin in this comical play , and Mr . William Greet will be the acting manager , as he has always been wilh Mr . Edouin in England , who is one of the most courteous managers to the public . We hope " Turned Up " will prove as profitable as did "The Babes " two years ago to the same manager .

* » » The summer season has set in with a vengeance . Nearly all the theatres have closed , or at least the regular companies have left them either for a period of test or provincial tours , and some of the houses are let for a short summer season to new managers , lhe St . James ' s is closed , the company having during the last week paid a visit to the standard , Shoreditch , where " A Wile ' s

Sacrifice " was received with much better favour that at Us own home . Mr . and Mrs . Kendal and Mr . Hare will now make their annual visit to Manchester , Liverpool , Leeds , Birmingham , & c , and re-open their own theatre about September . The Haymarket is about to close so far as " Jim the Penman " is concerned . This play , svhich has met with such 'singular success , will be renewed in a

few weeks . Meanwhile Mr . H . B . Conway and Miss Kate Vaughan will become the managers , and bring out some of the Old English comedies in which they have played lately at the Gaiety and Vaudeville Theatres at matinees . Those performances were so well patronised that it is not surprising even with the hot weather that they should give the public a chance of seeing " The School for Scandal , " & c , who are not able to go to theatres in the daytime .

# tf # Bro . Wilson Barrett did well in reviving " Hamlet" as one of the pieces in which to take leave of his many friends and admirers at home , before starting on his American tour , and he would be wise in making "Hamlet" his opening piece in America . Among the many Hamlets that have been presented on the stage , Bro . Wilson Barrett stands alone . It is essentially a natural

Hamlet , and so admirably does this really great actor " hold the mirror up to nature , " that the vexed question of Hamlet ' s madness , as a vexed question , does not present itself to the spectator . Throughout the whole play the consistency with which Bro . Barrett worked out his ideal is very striking , there is not a weak spot in one of the five acts , though of course some scenes are more powerful than others , notably among the choicest

and most delightful is that between Hamlet and Ophelia , beginning " Nymph , in thy visions be al ) my sins remembered , " the feelings of love and tenderness at times so overcoming him that he can hardly sustain his seeming madness . Again , in the closet scene Bro . Barrett is very fine , but where all is so excellent , so original , it is hardly fair to particularize any speech or scene . Although

this is only meant to call attention to the character of Hamlet , still it is impossible to withhold a full mead of praise to Miss Eastlakc's O p helia . The mad scene could not be ; surpassed . The question is , has it ever been equalled ? Most cordially we wish Bro . Wilson Barrett a successful and profitable tour in America , and a safe and happy return to the many friends that will be ready to welcome his reappearance at home .