Freemasonry.

Order , did not make lodges for women . Perhaps he was afraid if he did all his wives would want to stay out at night , would require money to pay their dues , and generally keep out of his control . At any rate , he founded no female lodges , and his caution has been observed to these times . Stay—there are in America some lodges which ladies

join ; but they are not , of course , regular Masonic lodges . They have , however , pass-words and signs , and only Masons' wives , sisters , or daughters can belong to them ; but the terrible ordeal through which every Mason has to pass is unknown to them . As , however , we have nothing in England to correspond with these , let me chat a little about Masonry , premising

that 1 am inclined to do this by the fact that 1 SS 8 sees nearly two thousand two hundred lodges of Craft Masons established in Great Britain alone . Yesterday , Sir John Gorst , M . P ., was installed as the Worshipful Master of the Drury Lane Lodge . Only last week the Queen sent the gavel with which she laid the foundation-stone of the Imperial Institute to the Savage

Club Lodge ; and men so widely differing vn politics as Lord Herschell , the Duke of Abercorn , the Earl of Lathom , and Lord Londesborough ; were arrayed round one and the same chair . What does it all mean ? Simply this—that gradually Freemasonry is covering England , knitting men together for deeds of charity , and laying the foundation of that universal Brotherhood which Masons hope shall at

length put an end to war , desolation , and destruction . Having been a Mason for many years , I may tell you that I have often found the Craft of service to me in my wanderings round the globe . Some years ago—in 18 7 6—I met on the banks of the Morava an Arab Colonel who was as enthusiastic a Mason as ever held a gavel in an English lodge . I was hungry ,

and he gave me part of his slender stock of provisions ; without shelter , and he offered me a portion of his tent ; my horse was injured , he lent me another ; and , finally , furnished me with a guard to send me on my way next morning . Yet Ibrahim Pasha and I had never met before , and cound never have been friends but for the mystic rite . A long while ago , an instance of the beneficent effects

of Masonry came under my notice . A barrister of much learning , and but little power of utilising his knowledge , got into very low water indeed . His relatives were wealthy , but they did not care to help him , and he would have starved but for the interposition of their manager , who , being of the Craft , determined to befriend the barrister . Giving him work of a literary kind , he engaged him at a

regular salary , without troubling to communicate the fact to his principals . It was some time before the pious piece of deception was found out , and , when it was , it led to a reconciliation between the relatives , which has lasted , to their mutual gain and satisfaction , to this day . A duel of a particularly grievous sort was prevented by Masonry a few years ago at Bucharest , the capital of

Roumania . Two brothers , who had not seen each other for years , quarrelled over some property , and at length one challenged the other to fight a duel . In spite of the reasoning and entreaties of iheir friends , they insisted on meeting , and were about to fire at each other when it was suddenly discovered that both were Masons . The ties of brotherhood had not held them back , but the bond of

Masonry was too strong to break , and they stopped ; the quarrel was satisfactorily adjusted , and they became the fastest of friends . I apprehend that , in a political sense , should ever Revolution attack society in this country , Masonry will prove one of the strongest stays to its progress . It is certain

that a civil war would be impossible in a country like this , were Masons to do—as in all probability they would—their duty . Either some modus vivendi or the abdication of rights by one side or the oiher would be resolved upon ; the two thousand two hundred lodges could never be arrayed in battle one against the other . ABOUT TOWN .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

GRAND LODGE OF MONTANE . The 23 rd annual communication was held at Helena , on the 5 th—7 th October , 18 S 7 , under the presidency of Bro . Samuel Wood , M . W . G . Master , there being 25 lodges represented , and a large attendance of Present and Past Grand Officers , while Bro . Rob . Morris , Past G . Master of Kentucky , as a distinguished visitor , received the honours due to his rank . After the G . Master ' s address , relating

chiefly to matters of local interest , had been delivered , Bro . N . W . M'Connel ) , Past G . Master of Tennessee , and Chief Justice of Montane , was introduced and received the usual salutations , and then Bro . Morris delivered an interesting lecture , and recited some of his poems . A new compilation of the Constitutions and By-laws was ordered , and a standard titual adopted . Bro . James W . Hathaway was afterwards elected and installed G . Master , and Bro . Cornelius Hedges re-elected G . Secretary .

GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA . ' The Grand Master of Pennsylvania , Bro . Joseph Eichbaum , made a grand visitation to Union Lodge , No . 121 , Philadelphia , on the 12 th January last , this being the first occasion for many years in which a lodge in Philadelphia had been thus honoured . Among the Grand Officers accompanying Bro . Eichbaum were Bros . Clifford P . MacCalla ,

D . G . M . ; the Hon . ] . Simpson Africa , S . G . W . ; the Hon . Michael Arnold , J . G . W . ; Thomas R . Patton , G . Treas . ; Michael Nisbtt , G . Sec ; Rev . Henry S . Getz , G . Chap . ; C . M . Swan , J . G D ., as S . G . D . ; J . Wesley Miller , as J . G . D . ; G . S . Wagner , as G . S . B . ; Wm . J . Kelly , G . P . ; and VV . A . Sim , G . Tyler . An interesting address was

delivered by the Grand Master , which was attettively listened to by the large gathering of members and visitors present , after which , at [ he invitation ot Bro . Knauff , the W . M . of the ledge , the Grand Officers and others sat down to a choice banquet , the after-dinner speeches being interspersed with some excellent vocal and instrumental music by the Mozart Quartette and Bro . A . K , Gregory .

PENNSYLVANIA MASONIC HOME . The annual meeting of the Masonic Home in Pennsylvania was held on the 13 th January , at the Masonic Hall , Philadelphia , the attendance of subscribers and friends being very numerous . From the report of the proceedings

The Craft Abroad.

in the Keystone , we learn that everything passed off and that the various reports proved highly satisfactory , that of the Finance Commitiee showing that the Home was free from debt , and that the permanent fund amounts to a goodly sum . Among the propositions submitted was one for constituting annual subscribers by the payment of five dollars a year . Regret was generally expressed that Bro . Thomas Jacobs , the Secretary , owing to the pressure of

his daily avocations , had resigned his office , and declined re-election , and Bro . Stocton Bates , of No . 201 , Chestnutstreet , Philadelphia , was appointed Secretary pro tem ., the election of a successor to Bro . Jacobs being deferred till March . The principal officers for the year are Bros . Louis Wagner , President ; George VV . Kendrick , jun ., Vice-President ; Thomas R . Patton , Treasurer ; and Clifford P . MacCalla , Solicitor .

GRAND CHAPTER OF MASSACHUSETTS . The 67 th-annual convocation was held at the Masonic Hall , Boston , on the 13 th December last , the morning and afternoon sessions being devoted to the exemplification of the capitular Degrees by Comps . E . A . Holton and S . Bowen , G . Lecturers . In the evening Comp . Fred . T . Cornee , G . H . P ., presided , and the following were elected

and installed in office as G . Officers for the year , namely , Comps . A . G . Pollard , G . H . P . ; Will . R . Johnson , Dep . G . H . P . ; John B . Whittaker , G . K . ; Solomon A . Bolster , G . Scribe ; Richard Briggs , G . Treas . ; and Alfred F . Chapman , G . Sec . Comps . Fred . H . Spring and Alex . K . Bryer being appointed G . Capt of H . and G . Tyler respectively . Subsequently , at the close of the chapter the Order of High Priesthood was conferred .

GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA . The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania held its regular Communication at the Masonic Hall , Philadelphia , on the 7 th instant , Bro . Joseph Eichbaum , G . M ., presided , and there was a large attendance of Grand Officers as well as of brethren from all parts of the jurisdiction . The reports from the various Committees were received and proved very

satisfactory , that of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund showing that there was a total in hand of 382 , 000 dollars , of which 10 , 000 dollars was in cash , and 372 , 000 dollars invested . The Grand Secretary ' s report showed that on the 27 th December , 1 S 86 , there were 379 lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge , and a total membership

of 37 , 817 . The following were re-elected Grand Officers for the New Year , namely , Bros . Joseph Eichbaum , G . Master ; Clifford P . Macalla , D . G . M . ; the Hon . J . Simson Africa , S . G . Warden ; the Hon . Michael Arnold , J . G . Warden ; Thomas K . Patton , G . Treasurer ; and Michael Nisbet , Past G . M ., G . Secretary .

GRAND LODGE OF IDAHO The 20 th annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Idaho was held at Boise City , on the 13 th—15 th September of last year , the throne being occupied by Bro . George H . Davis , M . W . G . M ., whose address was of a more than usually eloquent character , and was deeply imbued with the true spirit of Freemasonry . The Grand Lodge has

only been established for some 20 years , and the territory of Idaho is by no means thickly populated , yet , according to the Grand Secretary's returns , of the 21 lodges which have been constituted , 17 remain , and the number of subscribing members would appear to be not far short of 700 . Financially , too , the Grand Lodge seems to have attained

to a high degree of prosperity , lis receipts for the past year amounting to 3416 ^ dollars , and the expenditure to close on ib 2 S dollars , the total fund being slightly in excess of 7340 dollars . The Grand Master for the year is Bro . Edwaid H . Stevenson , and the Grand Secretary Bro . James H . Wickersham .

THE NEW YORK MASONIC FAIR . The New York Masonic Fair in aid of the Hall and Asylum Fund was inaugurated on the 27 th January , by the M . W . G . Master of New York , Bro . Frank R . Lawranee , who , in the course of a most appropriate address , pointed out the difficulties which the originators of the Fund had had to contend with . In more than a generation , Ihe

good work which was begun nearly 50 years ago , was prosecuted with the utmost vigour , but when the building was completed , it was so encumbered with debt as " not only to prevent the use of its revenues for their intended object , but also , for a time , to threaten ruin to the entire undertaking . " The interest charges were so heavy , that " the debt itself could be reduced but little from year to

year , " and at length vigour was succeeded "by a degree of apathy almost akin to despair , and for an extended period the debt lay heavily upon us , exhausting the resources of the lodges , and blighting the energies of their members . " He mentioned that two years ago the indebtedness amounted to 500 , 000 dollars , now happily reduced to 160 , 000 dollars , and that , owing to the kindness

and generosity of their friends , who had contributed to the Fair , there was every prospect that this balance would be cleared off . He then declared the Fair open . According to the Keystone for which we are principally indebted for these particulars ,

nearly 100 , 000 dollar ' s worth of goods had been sent in to the Masonic Fair , Mrs . Lawrence , wife of the Grand Master , having given her cheque for 1000 dollars , and having obtained from her friends a long array of valuable articles , and many others having acted with similar generosity .

Bro . Lord Randolph Churchill , M . P ., was present at the debate which took place at the Oxford Union Society on Wednesday , and met with a very enthusiastic eception . Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , M . P ., presided at the annual Court of Governors of the Seamen ' s Hospital Society , which was held at the Hotel Metropole on Wednesday . The report for the past year was adopted ,

and a vote of thanks passed to the Chairman for presiding . The Voice of Masonry for the current month records the death , on the 6 th January last , of Bro . Leland Fairbanks , of Bennington , Vermont , who was born on the 20 th November , 1793 , and initiated into Freemasonry in the Mount Moriah Lodge , No . 16 , Vermont , on 16 th April , 1 S 15 . He was W . M . of the Mount Anthony Lodge , Bennington , in 1853 and 1854 .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

On the 100 th performance of " Arabian Nights " at the Comedy a new curtain raiser was produced , called by Mr . Jerome K . Jerome , the author , "Sunset . " : It differs very much from the chief piece of the evening , and deals with a subject not new to the dramatic stage ; but it interprets the story in a new wav . Two half-sisters have fallen

in love with the same man , and confide in each other their passion . When the young man makes his appearance , the elder sister , seeing that he now loves her younger Sister , displays no emotion to cause jealousy , but makes a noble self-sacrifice , and gives up her lover , who has not been constant , to her younger sister . Miss Cissy Grahame charmingly and pathetically plays the heroine , whilst Miss Cudmore is the younger sister . Mr . Andrews acts well as a

country swain , and Mr . Wyes is the lover who is loved by the two maidens . Surely Mr . Wyes is a brother of Mr . Hawtrey . His voice , style of acting , and appearance are very similar to those of Mr . Hawtrey , or perhaps Mr . Wyes has been under-study to Mr . Hawtrey . " Sunset " is well worth going to be early for . The " Arabian Nights " is

flourishing just as we predicted from its first performance . We shall not wonder if the 1000 th night were reached . Bro . Penley , Mr . Hawtrey , and Miss Lottie Venn between them keep the fun going from beginning to end , and it is of a harmless order . Every one should make it a point to see "The Arabian Nights . "

Bro . Toole must have been well satisfied and gratified at the reception he got on Saturday when he returned to his old house , after being laid by for some weeks with his old enemy—the gout . The curtain rose on a new first piece by Mr . Justin McCarthy , the author of " The Candidate , " which was received favourably ; but its literary merits and plot are not of a deep order . Excellently played

by Mr . Westland , Mr . Wilson , Miss Eliza Johnson , and Miss Eva Moore—the latter quite a new comer—it does well to interest an audience previous to the principal drama" Dot " —in which Bro . J . L . Toole is seen in almost the only character he plays in of a pathetic nature . Bro . Toole is generally associated with plays which woik on the risible organ ; but his Caleb Plummerin " Dot" is totally different

and every one must admire the pathos our old friend and comedian brings into the character of the poor toy-maker . Bro . Toole is ably assisted by Mr . John Billington , the honest John Peirybingle , and Miss Kate Phillips as Dot . The lessee was called upon for a speech , but , although the applause went on for 10 minutes after the fall of the

curtain , Bro . Toole would only come forward and bow his acknowledgments . Mr . and Mrs . Herman Menvale's new comedy— "The Don "—will be produced about . Easter . We hear that Bro . Toole has a splendid part . . Mr . John Donald , who has so ably assisted in front of the house for many years past , is now appointed the manager , in the place of the late Mr . Loveday .

# tt # We paid yet another visit to the Gaiety to see "Miss Emeralda , " which is now only played on Saturday afternoons , and were pleased but not astonished at find . ing the theatre quite filled . Miss Jenny Rogers has taken Miss Fanny Leslie ' s place , and Miss Florence Dysart ( late of "Dorothy , " ) that of Miss Marion Hood . With

these exceptions the cast is unchanged . Bro . Lonnen as Claude Troilo , the monk , still receives unbounded applause in song and dance . His gag is highly entertaining , and he may be said to be the mainstay of the burlesque . We need hardly mention that his song , " Killalloe , " is encored again and again . Mr . Frank Thornton and Mr . George Stone each contribute a

large share ' to the tremendous success of the piece , and Miss l-lorence Dysart , as' t . smeralda , the Gipsy birl , " holds her own against all comers . We know of a critic who writes for one of the leading daily papers , and is an old man who has seen it nearly a score of times , and this when he is often twice a day having to witness some dramatic performance or other . This speaks volumes . It seems almost a pity that it cannot be

an evening bill , but whether it would do at another theatre is a question , as so many plays have dropped their popularity by being transferred . " Frankenstein , " which met with such little favour on its first night ( Christmas Eve ) has , as we predicted then it would do , worked up into a big success . "House full "is the rule rather than the exception . Mr . G . Edwardes is one of the discreet Managers who

accepts advice from candid friends , and does not try to foist upon the public stuff theydon'tappreciate . If other managers would sometimes own to being mistaken they would findby altering their pieces that they would develop has " Frankenstein " has done , into huge draws . A new play called " Lot 49 , " is now played in front of the burlesque , and is distinguished from most curtain risers by the fact that it is well worth seeing . Indeed , no one should miss it who is going to the Gaiety .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN FRANCIS WHITE , P . M . We regret to hear of the death of Bro . John Francis White , P . M . The sad event occurred at his residence 3 '» Guildford-street , Russell-street , on the loth instant , Bro . White being in the 80 th year of his age . The deceased was initiated in the Caveac Lodge , No . 176 , and was one of its Past Masteis , and was a joining member and P . * ' - of the Castle Lodire , No . 16 . and a ioinine member of the tne

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . He was a P . Z . of Jerusalem Chapter , No . 185 , in which he was exalted W the R . A . Degree , as well as a Vice-President of the Gu's and Boys' Schools , and a Life-Governor of the Roya Masonic Benevolent Institution . It is , perhaps , wortn recording that Bro . White was present in the Stability Lodge of Instruction on the 8 th November , 1839 , when tne late Bro . Peter Thompson proposed our worthy Bro . " " * Muggridge , the late Preceptor of that lodge , as a memoer .