Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , Bros . J . M . Clabon , P . G . D ., President , in the chair , Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., Senior Vice-President ; James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President . Amongst the other brethren present were Bros . Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C . ; A . J . D . Filer ,

P . G . S . B . ; Henry Murray , P . D . G . M . China ; J . M . P . Montagu , D . P . G . M . Dorset ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; T . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; E . P . Albert , P . G . P . j W . T . Howe , G . P . ; S . G . Foxall , A . G . P . J J . Mason , P . G . S . B . * , Col . Somerville Burrey , Alderman Randall , P . G . T . Oxford ; C . E . Willing , G . Organist ; John Walker , W . M . 27 ; W . Henry Famfield , W . M . 1716 ; W . Browne Kidder , W . M .

12 ; A . Rixon , W . M . 34 ; Joseph Smith , P . G . P . ; Griffith Smith , P . G . S . ; Herbet Dicketts , P . G . S . ; W . Stephens , W . H . Myer , F . Koch , W . Mann , C . P . Cobham , J . Stevens , P . M . 1426 ; H . Massey , ( Freemason ) ; H . Garrod , H . T . Thompson , W . Smith , C . E . ; T . Bull , C . F . Hogard , J . Constable , Edward Terry , W . M . 1319 ; S . R . Speight , W . M . 147 ; Geo . R . Corner , I . P . M . 1139 ; T . J ,

Cusvvorth , W . M . 8 n ; G . King , jun ., P . M . 1260 ; T . Randall , P . M . 340 ; H . C . Soper , W . M , 704 ; Capt . R . P . Leeson , W . M . 1615 ; J . Defriez , W . M . 45 ; S . V . Abraham , P . M * 1117 ; R . F . Gould , R . J . More , W . T . Greenwood , Nelson Reed , Charles Atkins , P . M . 27 ; F . Browne , Walter Hopekirk , James W . Lambert , H . Keeble , H . J . Lewis . W . Ough , P . G . P . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , G . D . ; J . H .

Hammond , W . M ., 1216 ; H . Bartlett , W . H . Perryman , T . H . Meredith , R . S . Campbell , B . H . Swallow , H . Collier , J . Sanelilanels Ward , W . M . 172 ; Geo . Wilson , Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C . j Henry J . Lewis' P . M . 907 ; Joseph Nunn , P . M . 72 ; G . W . Taylor , W . M . 917 ; Edwin Barr , A . Silberbcrg , Thos . Moring , J . A . Famfield , W . Masterman , W . Macrow , W . Moult , W . F . Nettleship , P . G . D . ;

Chas . F . Poupard , James Long , Chas . R . Vine , Alfred Green , James Garner , John Hervey , G . S . ; H . G . Buss , Asst . G . S . ; A . A . Pendlebury , and C . B . Payne , G . T . Grants to the amount of £ 265 made at last Lodge of Benevolence were first confirmed , and the brethren then proceeded to the consideration of the new cases , of which there were no less than thirtv-tvvo on the list . One case

was dismissed , and three were deferred . The remainder were relieved with £ 653 , consisting of two £ 100 ( . £ 200 ); one £ 5 ° ( -Cs o ) J one £ 40 ( £ 40 ) ; three £ 30 ( £ 90 ) j seven £ 20 ( £ i 4 ° ) j two £ 15 ( £ 30 ); nine £ 10 { £ 90 ); two £ s ( £ 10 ); and one £ 3 ( £ 3 ) . The lodge was then closed , alter sitting nearly four hours .

Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND .

The action of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Ireland , refusing any longer to recognise the Grand Orient of France as a Masonic body , from the latter having altereel its fundamental constitution of belief in a personal Deity and the immortality of the soul , has won approval from a source where approval was most expected . The Dublin

Freeman ' s Journal applauds the action with all the energy at their command , which is not by any means small . This paper , for many years , was owned by a Protestant , Sir John Gray , but under him it was conducted on Roman Catholic principles . Mr . Dwyer Gray , the present proprietor , was , until lately , a nominal Protestant , but he has gone over to Paul Cullen , and his journal has become ,

if possible , more Roman than before . The well-known antagonism to Freemasonry evinced by the Roman Church is amply shown in a leader published in the Dublin print this week . After applaueling the action of the Irish lodge , the writer of the article goes on to say , that to the outside world it would stem that it did not require a gigantic effort to sweep away the veiy vague and shadowy

professions in which a Freemason is asked to assert his belief in the Divine Existence . While admitting that the formularies ot Freemasonry talk of a Great Being , a Supreme Architect , the formularies themselves are declared to be grotesque , semi-idiotic , barbarous , and frequently blasphemous and revolting ; the name of God is dragged into the midst of inhuman oaths anel

invocations , but it is not the God of the Christian religion , but such a God as Voltaire , Rousseau , Stiauss , and Renan have fancied , to be set up and destroyed by them as their whims or their atheism might suggest—robbed according to their impious creed of His very existence . This is something like a sweeping condemnation of the Freemason ' s God , which we should like to sec answered by

one of the leaders of that society . In Yorkshire and Lincolnshire , perhaps , more than in any other part of England , Freemasonry flourishes , and it is therefore all the more desirable to know whether tbe Hibernian is right in his desciiption of the Craft ' s belief , or if he be not uttering a gross calumny on an organisation which the outside public has always understood to be conducted on

principles having Christian lov e as their very essence . The step taken by the Irish fraternity is urged by the Dublin journalist as one which must have further results . The Italian brotherhood must also be dismissed from all fellowship , for if the Orient of Fiance is gross and disgusting in its infidelity , it is far surpassed by the atheistic principles and practices of the lodges of the Italian kingdom . The

lodges of Frankfort and Berlin , we are further told , reek with the abominations of a Godless rationalism . If this be the case—and the Irish scribe says so , and must surely know—then the Grand Lejelge of Ireland may be regarded as a mighty saviour of the purity anil orthodoxy of the mystic brotherhood . The English lodges are warned that

unless they break off with the French Onent the Irish Freemasons must logically sever their connection with tbertv , and , in fact , with all Masonic associations that will not disown the French Orient . What the English Freemasons will do we are not aware , but we have sufficient confidence in those who are at the head of affairs in the English fraternity to believe that when the time comes for a

Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

deliverance on such an important subject , it will be such as all good and ' genuine Masons will accept . The secret of the attack against the Craft in the Irish paper is not far to seek ; the organisation is a secret society , and the Church has condemned all secret societies . There must be nothing secret from the- Church , say Pio Nono , anel as I do not know your proper constitution , I shall elo my best , by abuse

and misrepresentation , to annihilate you . This old man says that Freemasonry has always cherished an alliance with revolution anel irrcligion all over the world ; that it has been made such a thing that Catholics cannot touch it ; that its influence is suspected and feared . in our law courts , and its operations unjustly extended to the domains of politics , literature , and commerce ; and that its charity

is most selfish , and its benevolence quite bounded . All this , and more the enemies of the Craft are continually urging , and especially in countries where the priests have any power . Freemasonry , as we take it , is not an organisation confined to any particular sect of Christians , and it can well afford to meet openly and fearlessly all the charges brought against it by those whose opposition spring from chagrin and priestly hate . —Hull Packet .

Public Amusements.

Public Amusements .

HER MAJESTY ' . —When Mr . Mapleson announced his intention of g iving an autumnal season the wiseacres predicted a dismal failure : they urged that thejlist of artistes engaged comprised no great stars to draw , that the hour when the opera commences would not suit the fashionables , and maintained generally that London at this time of the year was full only of " blase'" and dyspeptic individuals

like themselves . Mr . Mapleson however thought otherwise , he calculated that though not one of the artistes at his command could be said to have earned a world-wide reputation , still there was not one who was not excellent in his or her particular line , and who was not more or less a favourite w ' uh a large section of the opera-going public j that though the hour for alighting at the iloors of the

theatre might not be fashionable , the hour for leaving and getting home would sure to be popular ; and he ma intained generally that there existed in London , even in the usually black and suicidal month of November , beings who had souls , and were " moved with the concord of sweet sounds . " Mr . Mapleson was right and the wiseacres were wrong ; up to the present the season has been a great

success and there is every promise of a brilliant finish . ADELPUI . — "After Dark" having had another long run at this house , has made way for " Formosa ; " in other words , we may say that after dark cometh light . We hold " Formosa" to be . without exception , Dion Boucicault ' s best work , and this is saying a great deal , for this dramatist has scored more successes in the sensational

department of dramatic literature than any playwriter living . Touching the morality or immorality of this piece , it appears to us that the aim and end ate good , and to object to its production , as has been done , because the fallen sisterhood are introduced , is to betray a strait-laced squeamishness of mind that declares the semi-fool , or , which is worse perhaps , the hypocrite .

OLVMPIC . —On Monday last , Bro . Neville reproduced Mr . Tom Taylor ' s adaptation of Mrs . Braddon ' s popular novel " Henry Dunbar , " the popular manager himself taking of course his old part of the hero-villain . The drama itself is too well-known tu call forth fresh criticism , anel if we cannot honestly congratulate the author upon a play teeming with inconsistencies and clap-trap situations ,

we can highly commend theexcellent all-round acting that does more than justice to the piece . First and foremost for praise comes Bro . Neville as " Dunbar , " a conception as masterly as it is powerful , and when the curtain ele scendeel our wonder that such a play should have re-seen the lig ht was dispelled , for his acting alone should fill the house during the

short run that is intended . Miss Bella Pateman naturally takes the part of "Margaret Wentworth , " formerly played with such success by Miss Kate Terry . Well as she played it , however , wc prefer her in the " Moonstone , " but in that she was perfection ; and having paid her this , the highest compliment we can , we feel sure she will not be offended if we suggest a little mollification , in

the scene where to shield her father she burlesques amaidof-all work , would be an improvement . Mr . G . W . Anson has never maele a greater hit than " The Mayor , " a good , but by no means orig inal character . Mr . Forbes Robertson as the young lover struggleel manfully to tone elown the raw sentiment that pervades his part , and of the others Miss Ellen Meyrick and Mr . Pateman did all that was

required of them worthily . We will not mention Mr . W . J . Hill as the waiter a part that should have been entrusted into the hands of an ambitious super if one could have been found to undertake it , but will congratulate him on his impersonation of "Cousin Joe , " * in the farce of "A Rough Diamond , " that preceded the drama , and in which Miss Gerald , also scored a . elecMed success as " Margery . "

GLOBE . —The matine ' e performance at this house every Saturday continue to draw crowded houses . Last Saturday " She Stoops to Cone-uer " was played with consielerable success . Space forbids a detailed criticism , but we must commend Mr . Righton for his impersonation of "Tony , " Mr . Macklin as " Hastings , " and Miss Sanger and Miss Blanche Stammers as the two heroines . Mrs . Chippendale and Mr . Farren are above praise ; some of the

others ate not—far from it . ALHAMBHA . —Mr . Charles Morton , the new manager of this popular house , inaugurated his appointment by a revival of the ever popular " Fille de Madame Angot . " Nothing new can be said of Lecocq's masterpiece , but we can say that full justice was never done it until now . It requires no prophet to predict a long run for " La Fille de Madame Angot , " and when the race is over a full treasury for " The Alhambra . "

Public Amusements.

NOTES ON ART , & c . THE UNITY OF ART . —I understand that , following Mr . Leighton ' s example , Mr . Watts is at work on a piece of sculpture for exhibition at the Academy next season . — -IVorld WHAT MUST ITS CONTENTS BE !—Here is the title of a book taken from the catalogue of the fair at

Lcipsic : — "Goring , fiber die Porabromrnetasulphenylpropionsaure und die Metasulphenylpropionsaiire . "—Truth , THE ROYAL SCOTTISH ACADEMY . —On Wednesday last week at a meeting of the Roj al Scottish Academy , held in Edinburgh , Sir Daniel Macnee , President , in the chair , Mr . W . D . Mackety , Edinburgh , Mr . D . W . Stevenson , Edinburgh , and Mr . J . Docherty , Glasgow ,

were elected Associates . The copyright of Mendelssohn ' s works expired , writes a German correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazelle , on the 4 th inst ., the thirtieth anniversary of his death . A Russian Musical Academy is to be established on the model of the French Conservatoire in order to develope native talent . Students will be trained for the opera ,

concertroom , and the stage , and will also be instructed in literature and physiology . BENEFIT SOCIETIES . —A case of considerable importance as affecting benefit societies was heard recently by the magistrates at Billericay . The guardians of the Billericay Union applied for an order making the sick allowances due from the Essex" Provident Society to J .

King payable to them , on the ground that King is and has been since the 8 th of March , 1875 , inmate of the pauper lunatic asylum at Brentwood , and chargeable to the common fund of the Union . The Society has hitherto paid the sick allowance , amounting at first to 9 s . 2 d ., and

more lately to 4 s . 7 d . per week , to the lunatic ' s wife and family , holding that their rules required them to do so . It was also contended that , the member being practically an inmate of a union house , no allowance at all was properly due . The magistrates , however , ordered the Society to pay 2 s . per week to the guardians .

It has leaked out ( we hope that it is not true ) that the coloured Grand Lodge of Masons , in session in this city , dispersed in bad humour . A high functionaiy of the Order , who carried the funds , absented himself shortly before adjournment , and the members were left without their per diem and mileage . Many of them had to borrow money to pay their railroad fare home—Indianapolis News '

The Hall of the Scottish Corporation , in Crane Court , Fleet Street , which was built by Wren in 1665 , was on Wednesday week totally destroyed by fire . Amongst the treasures were some very valuable paintings , none of which could be saved . The Model of Cleopatra ' s Needle mParliament

Square has been increased in height by the alteration of the pedestal , which has been made slightly tapering , according to Egyptian custom , and the addition of a stylobate between the pedestal and the steps . The total elevation of the obelisk is now neatly 91 feet—the supports measuring 22 J feet , and the shaft from base to apex 68 feet si inches—10 feet higher than previously .

PRINCESS MARY ' S VILLAGE HOME FOR LITTIE Gim . s . —H . R . H . The Prince of Wales has consented to preside at a dinner to be held in March next , in aid of the funds of this institution , situated at Aildlestone , Surrey . Upwards of 150 little girls are now in these homes , for whose maintenance funds are urgently needed . SELBORNE CHURCH . —The parish church of

Selborne , the little quiet village 111 Hampshire made famous by having been the scene of the life-long observations of the Rev . Gilbert White , the naturalist and antiquary , has fallen into a state of very serious decay . It has now unelergone partial restoration , great care being taken to preserve all old features , however insignificant . It was opened on Thursday afternoon , when a very

appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev . Dr . Riding , of Winchester College . A collection was made in aid of the funds , which are still insufficient for the reparation of the south aisle , the porch , and the tower . The north transept has been almost entirely rebuilt , the roof of tbe nave renewed , and the whole of trie high-backed pews replaced with open benches on new floors . Some old

coffinlids and many interesting tiles have been found and placed on a raised foot-pace at tbe east end of the south aisle . The work of restoration was commenced by the late vicar , the Rev . F . J . Parsons , with a local committee , partly by way of memorial to Gilbert White The work has been continued by the new view , the Rev . E . R . Bernard , under the direction of Mr .

William White , F . S . A ., grand-nephew ot the great naturalist . THE MOONS OF MARS . —A correspondent wiites to express surprise , that was shared by most of the hearers of Mr . Proctor ' s last lecture , at St . George ' s Hall , Regent-street . It was announced in large posters , and in the handbills , that the recent great eliscovery in August

last , of the Moons of Mars would form a part of Mr . Proctor ' s lecture , anel great was the disappointment when the lecture was concluded without a word being said about these veritable new moons , set forth in Mr . Proctor ' s svllabus as the Martian system . Some of the audience ( which wa . " really large ) , expressed their doubts as to the truth of

the discovery , but the Secretary to the Lecture Society , when subsequently referred to , assured the doubters of the correctness of the report , anil that they were named the Bedford and Hall Moons ; Bedford , because Bro . Dr . Bedford pointed them out twenty-three years before they were discovered , and Hall , because Professor Hall of the . Washington Observatory found them .

A series of Saturday morning performances of an attractive ottlcr , are announced to take place at the Criterion Theatre .