Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The Board of Benevolence held its regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday evening . In the absence of the President , Bro . James Brett , P . G . D ., Senior Vice-President , occupied the chair , while Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , acted as Senior Vice-President , and Bro . Henry Garrod as

Junior . The Board having confirmed grants at the December meeting to the amount of ^ 3 80 , proceeded to consider the petitions of 41 applicants , hailing from London , Cheshire , Berks and Bucks , Cornwall , West Lancashire , Bombay , West Yorkshire , Nottinghamshire , and

other provinces . Of these 41 cases , one was dismissed , four deferred , and 3 6 relieved with grants amounting in the aggregate to £ n $ , namely , three with grants of £ 50 each , three of £ 40 , seven of £ 30 , five of ^ , " 20 , five of _ £ 'S , n of ^ 10 , and two of ^ " 5 each .

Masonic Concert At Lurgan.

MASONIC CONCERT AT LURGAN .

One of the largest and most fashionable concerts ever given in Lurgan was held on Friday , the 17 th inst ., in the Town Hall , under tbe auspices of tbe Acacia Lodge , No . 24 . The hall was beautifully decorated , and reflected the greatest credit on the officers of the lodge , viz .: Bros . Thomas Fallon

W . M . ; J . W . Moffett , S . W . ; J . H . McCann , J . W . ; A . S . Lynn , P . M ., Sec . and Treas . ; Alex . Moorehead , S . D . ; J . Parke , J . D . ; and Thos . Elliott , I . G . The entertainment was under the patronage of the Right Hon . Lord Lurgan and Messrs . James Malcolm , D . L ., George Green , J . P ., High Sheriff ; and Claude

Brownlow , J . P . A most select and varied programme was executed , and every item was presented in a masterly manner to an audience of critical taste and judgment . Amongst the performers were such talent as Messrs .

R . Dempster , E . Lee , W . E . A . Reilly , J . Dixon , R . Hill , W . S . North , St . G . J . Braddell , G . McLeary , J . North , C . Campbell , Miss Lily Rosa , Miss Bayley , and others , and amongst the audience were the elite of Lurgan and the County Armagh .

Opening Of A New Masonic Temple At Newtown, North Wales.

OPENING OF A NEW MASONIC TEMPLE AT NEWTOWN , NORTH WALES .

Special interest was attached to the regular meeting of the Cedevvain Lodge , No . 1 594 , held on Thursday , the 16 th inst ., because on that occasion the brethren of this prosperous and well-conducted lodge met for the first time in their new home . Last summer the lodge purchased an iron church , with furniture complete , also

a portion of land for a site . Ever since then the work of erection has been going steadily on . The necessary internal alterations have been most successfully carried out , and everything has been done to make the temple suitable for the requirements of the lodge , New polished oak pedestals have been generously presented

by Bro . A . D . Dawson , W . M . Altogether the rooms presented a very handsome appearance , and at the same time are thoroughly commodious and comfortable . The idea of purchasing such a building first originated in the mind cf that energetic Mason , Bro . Evan Humphreys , I . P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Bros . T . M . Taylor ,

P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Danily , P . M , P . P . G . S . B . ; Forster , P . M ., Sec . ; and R . Jones , S . W ., Treas , also agreed to the scheme , and assisted to the utmost of their power . The lodge in general must be congratulated on having become the owners of such valuable property . On the opening night the brethren met at six o ' clock p . m , and

as soon as possible a procession was formed by Bro . W . Francis , D . C . After the opening hymn Bro . Rev . D . D . Peirce offered up a dedicatory prayer , and read the ancient charges from the Book of Constitutions , in the absence of the Chaplain , Bro . Rev . J . Pryhe Morgan , who was

unfortunatel y kept away by illness . Next came the hymn " Lord ' of heaven , and earth , and ocean , " after which Mr . Thomas Williams was initiated in an able manner by the W . M . The ceremony was very interesting and impressive , Bro . Williams being the first candidate . Appropriate music was interspersed at

intervals , and added to the solemnity of the proceedings . Bros . Milnes and Buckley successfully performed their duties as Deacons . On account of the extra opening ceremonies Bro . John W . Jones agreed to the post ponement of his passing until next lodge . Before the lodge was closed Bro . J . Danily received

a hearty and unanimous vote of thanks for his care and attention during the erection of the temple . Similar votes were given to the W . M . for his munificent gifts towards furnishing the lodge rooms , and also to Bro . Clement Norton , I . G , for the very successful manner in which he had carried out the arrangements for the

Masonic ball . Bro . H . Chapman , Org , accompanied in the musical portions of the servire . A capital supper was served up in the banquet hall , after which the W . M . gave the toasts of "The Queen and the Craft , " and " The Initiate . " Bro . WILLIAMS responded in a neat speech , and thanked the Iodge for the honour they had conferred

"pon him—the first to be received into Masonry in that new temple . It is to be hoped that lodges of instruction will be started at the earliest possible date , and that every effort will be made by the officers and brethren to support the W . M . in carrying out the work of the lod ge to the hi ghest state of perfection . . Bros . Edward and J . Owen , of 99 8 , were among the invited guests .

Hughan's "Apollo" Lodge.

HUGHAN'S "APOLLO" LODGE .

The history of Freemasonry is mainly comprehended in the history of lodges , hence the importance of examining old minute books and similar Masonic records , and making known their contents to the Craft . Bro . Hughan , one of the two foremost Masonic

historians of England , has just performed this work for the Apollo Lodge , at York , and has had the results published in a handsome volume of 128 pages , octavo , with a fine frontispiece representing the George Inn , with its curious engraved front , in Coney-street , York , where Apollo Lodge met from 1773 to 177 6 .

All lodge histories of the last century are interesting , and this one especially , as Apollo ' s early mention of the " Sublime Degree , " its appointment of Chaplains , and the numerous " Masters' Lodges " it held , are , as Bro . Hughan says , suggestive , and deserve consideration . This lodge is now extinct , but its minutes are in the

archives of the Humber Lodge , No . 57 , of Hull . York is both traditionally and historically the most interesting Masonic city in England . Our Pennsylvanian warrants all refer to it , and the Grand Lodge of all England , at York , was once an important body , although it arose from a single lodge . The lodge

existed in 1705 , and became a Grand Lodge in 1725 . Apollo Lodge , York , was warranted b y the "Moderns" Grand Lodge of London in 1773 . The next year it had " a Masters' Lodge . " Out of about one thousand lodges chartered by the "Moderns" up to 1813 , only 3 6 were " Masters' Lodges . " In 1774 , we

also read , tbat " Bro . Volans was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason , " this being the earliest instance of the use of this now familiar term with which Bro . Hughan has yet met in England . In the lodge at Joppa , Maryland , however , the term is found as early as

1765 . In this matter , at least , we appear to have preceded our English brethren in the use of appropriate Masonic phraseology . ... This lodge evidently had a lending library of Masonic works , since there are memoranda of gifts and loans of

books . . . . Bro . Hughan gives a sketch of Royal Arch Masonry from 1744 to 1830 , in its relations to Apollo Lodge . The Royal Arch Degree was evidently worked in York , London , and Dublin " about 1740 in a systematic manner . " Dunckerley tells '•us "he was exalted at Portsmouth in the year 1756 , " which must have been in

a " Modern " lodge . The Ancients were not the orig inators of the Degree , they only amplified it and emphasised it . In 1762 there was a Royal Arch lodge at York , and Bro . Hughan says : " One fact is patent , the ceremony at first was wholly under Modern auspices . " . . . We conclude our notice of Apollo Lodge with several noteworthy quotations from the by-laws of 1773 and

1779 . ... We close our review of this interesting history of Apollo Lodge , York , with thanks to its historian , Bro . Hughan , for his excellent sketch of its career . It is a valuable contribution to the history of the universal Craft . —( From the Keystone , U . S . A ., 28 th December , 1880 . )

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Bro . G . A . Sala has lately been bewailing the demise of the old-fashioned pantomime , but if he goes to the Surrey Theatre he will there find it still in its prime in the form of " Dick Whittington . " We made our annual visit to the old house over the water , which to the general run of theatrical folk , although within a

shilling cab fare of Charing Cross , might be a provincial theatre . Here we have fun and frolic of the good old sort , lots of knockabout business , and puns , without the elaborate processions so much in vogue of late years in the West end . Mr . George Conquest reigns

supreme here , and caters well for his patrons , and is ably assisted by Miss Moxon , Mr . Spry , Messrs . F . and A . Conquest , and the Albert and Edmunds Troupe . We always enjoy our Surrey pantomime , and this year is no exception to what we have found there as the bill of fare .

The circus at Covent Garden , under the management of Bro . Augustus Harris and Mr . Freeman Thomas , is still drawing good houses , and it certainly is the best circus we have witnessed for many a long day . The clowning is very droll , but the chief draw is the trained equestrian lion . Gou Gou and his trained pig is another amusing feature in the circus . The

porker is not as we ordinarily see him , but quite a dainty animal , and has more sense than he is usually given credit for possessing . The pantomime "Cinderella , " played by 200 children , is well done . From every part of the house one can see well , and altogether a very enjoyable evening or afternoon can be spent at Covent Garden Circus .

The Royalty is the smallest theatre in London , and will rarely accommodate all who wish to see its new pieces on their first production . Like many others , we were shut out when " Tra-la-la Tosca " was brought out , but that was rather an advantage as Bro . Arthur Roberts has now thoroughly learned his part , and it now goes as merrily along as its author can wish . Mr . Burnand is now our onl y writer of true burlesque , for

The Theatres.

of late years this word has been misused when applied to extravaganzas and variety pieces . The Royalty play exactly mimics the Garrick one , and takes off all the weak points , and turns into fun all the parts capable of being so construed . "Tra-la-la Tosca " is quite equal to "Paw Clawdian" "Stage Dora , " and

"Airey Annie , " which so well burlesqued " Claudian , " " Fedora , " and " Ariane , " and after the original has been seen the burlesque ought to be visited . In Miss Ayrtoun we have an actress of extreme cleverness . She has copied the voice , dress , appearance , walk , gestures , and all the mannerisms of Mrs . Bernard

Beere . Bro . Roberts , though made up to resemble Mr . Forbes Robertson , soon leaves him for himself , and is still Arthur Roberts . Miss Agnes Delaparte and Miss Liddon add to the effect of the perversion which is conceived in the true vision of burlesque . A very amusing farce , " The Opera Cloak , " precedes "Tra-la-la Tosca , " and is worthy of being there earl y to see .

Mr . Pinero having laid down a sort of a challenge , Mr . George Edwardes has taken it up and is trying to level-up the music hall stage . Every Christmas , for some years past , the principal artistes of the music halls have been in much demand for the theatres , but it is rare that an actor reverts to the music hall . Bro .

Chas . Collette is almost the one exception . But Bro . Edwardes has induced a well-known actress to appear at the Empire , and for the last two weeks Miss Amy Roselle has been giving in costume recitations of a serious character . We think the Poet Laureate ' s " Rizpah " a bit too dry to sandwich between the performance of Mardiaelli , . the man serpent , and the

ballet of " Wealth , " and we understand that Miss Roselle has latterl y recited his " Charge of the Li ght Brigade " and Mr . Clement Scott ' s " Woman and the Law . " We suggest that she should try some of Mr . G . Sims' poems— " Ostler Joe " and " The beautiful Countess May "—amongst her repertorie . At any rate , it is a step in the right direction . The Empire has started—who will follow ?

In the smaller provincial towns when a manager is hard up for a play it is always safe to put up " East Lynne . " In London , when in doubt , " The School for Scandal" is sure to draw . Some years ago this fine old English comedy was put up at the Vaudeville as a stopgap , and it ran , much to the astonishment of the lessees ,

Messrs . James and Thorne , for 400 nights . It has just been revived at the same theatre pending the production of Mr . Buchanan ' s play " Clarissa" from Richardson ' s novel , and is likely to have another good run . This time its chief feature is Miss Winifred Emery ' s rendering of Lady Teazle , which is the best that bas been seen for a long time . The caste includes Bros .

J . Maclean , F . Thorne , and Cyril Maude , and Misses Mary Collette , Owen , and Hanbury . The '" School for Scandal" is a play for all time , and its present production is not likely to make it less popular than it has been for a century past . Lovers of the play never get tired of the wit and sarcasm contained in this old English comedy . We think Mr . Buchanan ' s new piece will not be required just yet .

Apart from its musical charms , its brilliant stagemounting , and tout ensemble , " Marjorie" is sure to draw , because Miss Agnes Huntington is in the comic opera . The management of the Prince of Wales' are in luck ' s way by having engaged this talented lad y for their theatre . Miss Huntington is the only lady we

can call to mind whom we admire in man ' s costume . Outside of pantomime and burlesque , where we suppose it is necessary that the gentler sex should don male attire , we always think women are only seen at a disadvantage . But Miss Huntington is so exceedingly delicate in her action that she looks well in such characters as Paul

Jones and Wilfred . Messrs . Clifton and Dilley have constructed an ingenious plot for " Marjorie , " rather above the average of comic opera stories . Bro . W . C . Slaughter has composed much charming music to the lyrics , and a particularly able company have been selected to sing the melodies , so that •' Marjorie " bids

fair to have a successful run . Miss Camille D'Arville ' s song , " In the still silent night , " a duet , " My pretty maid , don ' t hold aloof , " and a trio , " King of our road the Earl shall be , " seemed to us to be perhaps the prettiest of many tuneful airs . Miss D'Arvilie , Mr . Hayden Coffin , Miss Huntington , and Madame Amadi

well sustain the singing parts , and Bro . Henry Ashley , Mr . Albert James , and Mr . H . Monkhouse may be relied on for the comic dialogue . The two latter ladies we mentioned have one great feature about their singing—that they are always so distinct that every word of their songs can be heard . Miss Ph yllis Broughton

is given , as usual , the solo dances , and , of course , acquits herself of her task in her very graceful manner . We would suggest that a number of lines of Miss Broughton ' s part should be cut out , which bear a strong allusion to certain affairs in a cause celebre of which she has lately been the heroine . Possibly the

authors did not write them specially for this lady , but as she has to deliver them they seem to be personal , and in bad taste . Our lady readers will be glad to know that Mr . Coffin , as the Earl of Chestermere , has a good part , which he renders very effectively . Bro . Augustus Harris , who is a partner in the Carl Rosa

Opera Company , is responsible for the stage production , which it is needless to say is done in that elaborate and perfect manner which he has made his own . "Marjorie" has started well , and as long as Miss Huntington is in the cast the opera is certain to go-