The Theatres.

heard of at the Empire in " The Lady of the Locket , " is admirable as Bolislas . Our only doubt is that he is too good . He not only acts with spirit , but his baritone voice is so rich and clear that he becomes a great acquisition to the stage . We should venture to say that unless other arrangements are already made there will be little need to change the programme for some time . Bro . D'Albertson is once more the acting manager , his assistant being Mr . Dove Keighley . In the hands of these gentlemen everything goes swimmingly .

* # * A painful , but somewhat entertaining dispute is being carried on in "The Era " respecting the authorship of "The Silver King , " which was announced to be the joint work of Mr . Henry Herman and Mr . H . A . Jones . From their own letters the outside public can judge but little , probably the only person who could settle the affair would

be Bro . Wilson Barrett , but he is not likely to intervene . One writer claims to have conceived the plot , whilst the other claims the authorship because he wrote the dialogue . It is a pity that they have taken to wash their dirty linen in public , for the general public do not care in the least how much either had to do with it ; suffice it for them that " The Silver King" was one of the finest of the dramas of this age .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held on Thursday evening at Freemasons ' Hall , Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., in the chair . There were also present Bros . Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; C . Hammerton , G . Swd . Br . ; J . H . Matthews , P . G . Std . Br . ; lames Peters , P . G . Swd . Br . ; E . H . Finney , H . Massey ,

Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Arthur E . Giadwell , F . Adlard , and F . R . W . Hedges ( Secretary ) . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the former meeting and of the House Committee for information , an additional vacancy was declared for the October election in consequence of the withdrawal of Beatrice Elizabeth Wright from the School . On the motion of Bro . J . H . MATTHEWS , it was resolved

that a sum not exceeding £ 20 be allowed to enable S . L . Bellamy and H . L . Ward to take lessons at the Crystal Palace in the theory and harmony of music . Bro . Matthews explained that these girls had shown great taste for music , and they were being retained in the School on account of the taste they had shown . He thought it would be greatly to the advantage of the School that these girls having displayed so much taste should be encouraged in

their pursuit of the knowledge of music . The next business was the consideration of the recommendation of various meetings of the House Committee as to the purchase of certain land adjoining the School grounds at Battersea-rise . The object of the proposed purchase was to prevent a depreciation of the Institution's property by the erection of small houses on the north and east sides of the Institution .

Ihe CHAIRMAN in proposing that a special meeting of the general meeting be called for Tuesday , October Gth , at four o'clock in the afternoon , for the purpose of considering a motion of which he gave notice— " That the provisional extract , dated 23 rd September , 1 SS 5 , for the purchase of £ 5 , 700 of the land on the north and east sides of the Institution at St . John's-hifl , Battersea-rise , as shown upon the plan annexed to such contract be approved ; and that the

trustees be authorised to carry the same into effect , " said that some time ago the Institution had the whole of this property offered to them for the sum of £ 36 , 000 . That subject was brought before the general body of subscribers , and the offer was refused . Since then plans had been laid before the Committee ot the proposed laying out of the estate for building purposes , and it was found that by that scheme the School would only have a frontage of something

like 30 feet in the Wandsworth-road , but by purchasing the strip of land now proposed to be purchased they would have a frontage of 754 feet in addition to that which they already possessed . It would most heavily depreciate the Institution ' s property if it only had its present frontage , and allowed the north and east sides to be built upon with small houses , the ground-rents of which would be only £ 7 to £ 10 . The back gardens of these houses would come directly up

the walls of the School grounds , which would consequently be overlooked . If at any time the Institution wished to sell its property at Battersea-rise the value of it would be very much more having the frontage which the proposed purchase would give than without it . There had been an offer made by the proprietor , Mr . Heaver , to let the Institution have the land for £ 5700 . In 1 S 77 an additional piece was bought for ^ 2500 , which was at the price of

, £ . 5000 an acre . The present offer was not cheap . The piece , offered for £ 5700 was really more to the advantage of the Institution than the whole property which was offered for £ 3 6 , 000 . Considering these circumstances the Committee authorised the Secretary to draw up a provisional contract for the purchase , and when this was done it was signed subject to the approval of the General Court . He should give notice for the next Quarterly Court in the terms above

quoted , but as it was necessary that the subject should be discussed at the General Committee , and recommended by the Committee to the General Court , he would move " That a special meeting of the General Committee be called for Tuesday , the 6 th of October , at four o ' clock in the afternoon , to discuss this notice of motion . The motion having been seconded , was agreed to , and the Committee adjourned .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

LAYING FOUNDATION STONE OF A HOSPITAL IN AUS - TRALIA WITH MASONIC HONOURS . On the Sth July last , almost in the centre of the great Australian continent , an interesting Masonic ceremony took place , viz ., the laying the corner-stone of a hospital for the little bush town of Narrandera , in New South Wales . In this place there is a lodge , under the Scottish Constitution , onl last

y opened year , under the title of the Leopold , No . 70 O . The first and present R . W . M . is Bro . T . C . Robinson , P . M . of Skiddaw Lodge , No . 1002 , Cockermouth , England , who has not been three years a colonist , yet has not allowed the grass to grow under his feet . Bro . Robinson and the brethren of the Leopold Lodge were invited to perform the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the

The Craft Abroad.

hospital . The lodge was opened in the First Degree , on the date mentioned , when the brethren formed in procession , headed by a band of music , and marched to the site of the building , round which a large assemblage had gathered , some of whom had travelled many miles . Bro . Robinson opened the proceedings as follows : — " In all ages it has been the custom for Freemasons to lay the foundation-stones of sacred edifices , public buildings , and

charitable institutions . We appear before you to-day on the invitation of the hospital committee , and to follow the example of our ancient brethren , to lay the corner-stone of this building . As all our ceremonies are begun by asking the aid of the G . A . O . T . U ., we ask you to join us in imploring His blessing and assistance in the work we have in hand . " A newspaper and scroll were then placed in the cavity

under the stone , and the latter being lowered with three distinct pauses , it was tested by the J . W . with the plumb , by the S . W . with the level , by the Sub . M . with the square , and by the R . W . M . with the mallet , he saying : " May the G . A . O . T . U . deign to look down with benignity on this our undertaking , and may this edifice , of which we have just laid the corner-stone , lie crowned with every success . " The R . W . M . then scattered corn on the stone , saying : " I

scatter corn over this stone , the emblem of abundance and plenty . May the building ever be blessed with pecuniary and skilful support . " After pouring out wine , he said : " I pour wine over this stone , the emblem of strength and gladness . May all who come within these walls recover their strength and rejoice in renewed health . " Then sprinkling oil , he said : "Lsprinkle oil on this stone , the emblem of peace and harmony . May everything in future in

connection with this building and its arrangements be conducted in peace and harmony . " After prayer , the Sub . M . addressed the assemblage , and was followed by Messrs . A . Robertson and H . Douglas , the president and vice-president of the institution . The sum of £ 75 having been laid on the stone , the proceedings terminated , and the brethren returned and closed the lodge . A dinner was held in the evening , presided over by Mr . A . Robertson , Bro . Robinson , R . W . M ., being croupier .

GRAND LODGE OF DAKOTA . The eleventh annual communication of this Grand Lodge was held at Fargo on the gth-i ith June last . Owing to the state of the roads , Grand Master F . Schrader was unable to be present at the initial proceedings , and his place was occupied during the first day by Bro . William Blatt , D . G . M ., who was ably seconded by the rest of the Grand Officers . There were present the representatives of 56

chartered lodges and nine lodges under dispensation . The Grand Master , however , was present on the second day , and his address , which was of a most encouraging nature , was listened to with the greatest satisfaction . The work of the year included the constitution of eleven new lodges and the issue of dispensations for the formation of eighteen additional ; two corner-stones had been laid with the accustomed ceremonial , and three halls dedicated to the uses of

Freemasonry . Great progress had been made generally both as regards the numerical strength of the lodges in the jurisdiction and in the organisation of means to promote excellence of work . The Grand Lecturer ' s report , which showed that he had visited forty lodges and held schools of instruction in twenty-three of them , was also most acceptable , and it was resolved that his labours , having proved so beneficial , should be continued . The Grand Secretary

reported that he had purchased a set of Grand Lodge jewels . Fifty dollars were voted for the purchase of bookcases for the Grand Lodge library ; and Bro . T . S . Parvin having rendered valuable services to Dakota , it was resolved , in order to show the sense entertained b y the brethren for what Bro . Parvin had done , that a testimonial should be organised , and a hundred dollars was at once voted for the purpose . A committee was appointed to revise the

byelaws of G . Lodge , and Bros . Oscar S . Gifford , P . G . M ., and George H . Hand , P . G . M ., were presented , the former with a Past G . Master ' s jewel , and the latter with a gold watch and chain with a P . G . M . ' s jewel engraved thereon . The returns show a total of 79 lodges chartered and under dispensation , with a membership of 2644 . The finances are in a most flourishing state . Bro . W . Blatt is the new Grand Master , and Bro . Charles P . McCoy was re-elected Grand Secretary .

GRAND LODGE OF FLORIDA . There appears to have been an exceptional amount of activity in this jurisdiction during the current year . The 56 th annual communication was held at Jacksonville in the latter half of January . There were present the representatives of 63 lodges , and the proceedings passed off satisfactorily . Bros . Robert J . Perry and De Witt C . Dawkins were re-elected Grand Master and Grand Secretary

respectively , and a Past G . Master ' s jewel was presented to M . W . Bro . Z . H . Mason . Portraits of Bros . Thomas Douglass , P . G . M ., Samuel Boardman , D . G . M ., G . F . Baltzell , P . G . S . W ., and Z . H . Mason , P . G . M ., were presented to Grand Lodge , as well as a gavel made from the old cherry tree which stood by Bro . General George Washington's residence at Mount Vernon . A special communication was

held at Gainesville in February for the purpose of laying the corner-stone of the new Court House of Alachua County , when all the ceremonies were conducted by M . W . Bro . VV . A . McLean , P . G . M ., who delivered a most suitable and interesting address . Three new lodges were constituted during the past year , while the death of only one conspicuous brother was reported , that of Bro . H . S . Reeves , D . D . G . Master .

DISTRICT G . LODGE OF CANTERBURY , NEW ZEALAND . The regular quarterly communication of this District G . Lodge was held in Freemasons' Hall , Christchurch , on the 16 th April last . R . W . Bro . B . H . Thompson , D . G . M ., presided , and among the D . G . Officers and others present were Bros . W . Deamer , D . D . G . M . ; E . Williams , D . G . S . W . ; W . B . Allwright , D . G . J . W . ; Francis J . Smith , D . G . Reg . ; W . R . Mitchell , D . G . Sec . ; Keith Wilson , D . G . Asst . Sec ; C P . Hulbert , D . G . J . D . ; C . E . Briggs ,

D . G . D . C ; M . Sandstein , D . G . S . B . ; W . H . Messenger , D . G . Org . ; M . Lyttelton and R . Webster , D . G . Std . Bis . ; W . S . Smith , D . G . Purst . ; L . Haskins , R . Pitcaithley , and VV . Kitchingham , D . G . Stwds . ; C . A . C . Hardy , P . D . G . S . W . ; R . Smith , P . D . G . S . D . ; and R . Stevens , D . G . Tyler . District G . Lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous communication having been read and confirmed , apologies from sundry brethren were read regretting

The Craft Abroad.

their inability to be present . The D . G . Treasurer's balance showed a total of over £ 306 to the credit of D . G . Lodge . Proceedings from the United Grand Lod ge of England and sundry D . G . Lodges were laid on the table , as well as certain correspondence . The Standing Committee ' s Report was adopted . A motion for referring the question of extending the powers of the Board of Benevolence to a Committee , for them to report upon at the next

quarterly communication , was agreed to , the Committee to consist of Bros . W . Deavner . ' D . D . G . M . ; F . J . Smith , D . G . Reg . ; W . R . Mitchell , D . G . Sec ; C . P . Hulbert , D . G . J . D . ; W . T . C . Mills , P . M . 104 S ; C . E . Briggs , D . G . D . C . ; W . B . Allwright , D . G . J . W . ; G . Gordon , P . M . 1737 ; and W . Cumming , W . M . 1923 . A number of patents of office were directed by the D . G . M . to be cancelled , and the report of the D . G . Registrar , showing a

diminution in the number of subscribing members for the year 1 SS 4 , as compared with 1 SS 3 , from 996 to 9 64 , having been submitted , D . G . Lodge . was closed according to ancient usage . D . G . Lodge met again in quarterly communication on the 16 th July , when R . W . Bro . H . Thompson , D . G . M ., presided , and among those present were Bros . VV . Deamer , D . D . G . M . ; C . A . C . Hardy , P . D . G . S . W ., as D . G . S . W . ;

W . B . Allwright , D . G . J . W . ; Rev . H . E . East , D . G . Chap . ; R . C . Bishop , D . G . Treas . ; F . J . Smith , D . G . Reg . ; W . R . Mitchell , D . G . Sec ; C P . Hulbert , D . G . S . D . ; W . Sansom , D . G . J . D . ; C . E . Briggs , D . G . D . C . ; S . Derbridge , D . G . S . B . ; VV . H . Messenger , D . G . Org . ; W . S . Smith , D . G . Purst . ; E . L . Hasking , W . Kitchingham , and R . A . Green , D . G . Stwds . ; George Tombs , P . D . G . S . W . ; Jubal Fleming , P . D . G . J . W . ; A . R . Kirk , P . D . G . J . W . ; Richard Smith , P . D . G . S . D . ; and R . Stevens ,

D . G . Tyler . The business was of the ordinary character , the question of extending the powers of the Board of Benevolence being further discussed and again deferred , notice of motion by Bro . C P . Hulbert that it be extended so as to allow of relief being afforded to the widows and children of deceased

brethren being given , with the recommendation that it be submitted to the lodges for consideration in the interim , a second notice of motion being given for the organization of a general Board of Benevolence in which each lodge would have one or two representatives . D . G . Lodge was subsequently closed .

The Doric Club.

THE DORIC CLUB .

For some time past there have been rumours in the air to the effect that it was in contemplation to establish a Club at the West-end of London , to consist of members of the Masonic Fraternity , and these rumours have at length assumed form and shape . The project is now in course of realisation . A Company has been formed on the limited

principle , and a Board of Directors and executive officers chosen . Articles of Association , which can be inspected at the Company ' s offices , 6 , Lancaster-place , Strand , W . C , have been entered into , and prospectuses issued , inviting the Masonic public to support a scheme which , on the face of it , seems well calculated to prove a boon to the brethrenboth Metropolitan and provincial . The preliminary steps

having thus been taken , it now rests with the Craft to show whether or not they sufficiently appreciate what has been done to ensure the success of the proposed plan , and remove from themselves the stigma of being about the only important and influential Society which has no settled quarters where members can drop in when it suits them , and enjoy those comforts which only a well-ordered club will afford .

There is no gainsaying the fact that Masons are essentially a clubbable body of men . They delight in meeting for the purposes of social enjoyment ; they would not be exemplary members of our community if they did not . Ergo , a Masonic Club is one of our chief necessities , and the wonder is that such an institution was not established long ago . No doubt several attempts have been made at different

times to set one up , but they have not succeeded , nor would it subserve any good purpose to inquire into the causes of their failure . At all events , the promoters of this particular scheme appear to have benefited by the experiences of their predecessors in the task of club promotion . They have gone about their work in a business kind of way . They seem to have secured a very considerable amount of

encouragement among Masons of rank and social position . They have chosen the most suitable—ive might almost venture to say the only suitable—spot in London , the very heart of Clubland , for the locality Of this Club . They have bestowed on it a capital Masonic name—the Doric ; and , so far as their plans have been formulated , they strike us as being simple , reasonable , and likely to achieve the purpose in

view . The terms of subscription are moderate , namely , five guineas per annum for London , and one guinea per annum for country members , and no entrance fee will be charged till 300 brethren have been accepted as members . The accommodation will be of the usual character and on an ample scale , and , in addition , provision will be made for holding lodges and chapters of instruction . In short , both

what is usual in the case of all clubs , and what is specially desirable in the case of a Masonic Club , will be arranged for , and we sincerely hope the promoters will have their reward in the hearty and liberal support of the Craft as a body . We have said the company has been started under most encouraging auspices , and this statement will be found

worthy of general acceptance when we mention among the distinguished brethren who have accorded their patronage to the proposal such men as the Earls of Carnarvon and Lathom , respectively Pro Grand and Deputy Grand Masters of England , and a large number of influential Masons . The names of these and the many other brethren of eminence who figure in the list of patrons fully justify

the favourable hopes we have formed of the success of the scheme ; and as there is a good working Board of Directors , with Bro . A . Daw-Kerrell , of 175 , New Bond-street , as Managing Director , a promising Committee of Management , and an experienced Secretary , in the person of Bro . Joseph D . Langton , our hopes in this direction are further the

strengthened , and we shall look forward with interest to inauguration of the Club , in the firm belief that , as supplying a long-felt want , it will have before it a long , useful , and honourable career . We will add that fuller particulars may be obtained on application at the Company ' s offices , as afore described , namely , 6 , Lancaster-place , W . C .