Annual Banquet Of The St. Osyth Priry Lodge Of Instruction No.2034.

would be maintained in the future . An increase in numbers , finances , and interest in the working had been with them during the past year . The next toast was " The Stewards and Committee , " coup led with the names of Bros . Starling , S . W . 206 3 ; VV . Schofield , I . G . 1799 ; F . G . Wallis , C . V . Harman , p C . Noble , jun ., Org ., and A . Quick , 2063 .

Then followed a toast to "The Visitors , " which embraced Bros . Bowman , 441 ; W . Wright , F . C . Hill , and Wallace Sargeant . Another toast that commanded general approval was that to the able and courteous Preceptor ; and , in his reply , Bro . FINER spoke of the great pleasure he found in the work , and stated that several more members of the

mother lodge had signified their intention to become identified with the lodge of instruction . Further toasts— " The Vice-Chairman " and " The Ladies "—brought a most agreeable gathering to a conclusion , the pleasure of which had been greatly enhanced with songs by Bros . Capt . Frayling , M . Brown , F . VV . Reed , Wilkinson , l . P . M . 1799 ; Wooding , Middleton , and C . V . Harman .

It should not be omitted to be mentioned that the hall had been beautifully decorated with bunting and Masonic emblems in which the nautical taste of Bro . Schofield , who is coxswain of the lifeboat "Albert Edward , " stationed at Clacton-on-Sea , was evident , and who had been industriously assisted by Bro . Starling , while the setting out of the tables with flowers and ferns was most pleasing and artistic .

Annual Festival Of The Vectis Lodge Op Instruction , No.173.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE VECTIS LODGE OP INSTRUCTION , NO . 173 .

The 10 th annual festival of the Vectis Lodge of Instruction was held at the Masonic Hall , Ryde , under the presidency of Bro . Francis Newman , W . AI ., when the Fifteen Sections were worked by the under-menlioned brethren : First Lecture : 1 st Section , Bro . I . H .

Down ; 2 nd , Bro . F . P . Ansle , P . M . 551 ; 3 rd , Bro . Sheppard , S . W . 551 ,- 4 th , Bro . E . S . Hope , I . G . 551 ; 5 th , Bro . E . G . Stroud ; 6 th , Bro . E . R . Ratcliffe ; and 7 th , Bro . E . Groves . Second Lecture : 1 st Section , Bro . T . W . Fair ; 2 nd , Bro . H . Durrant ; 3 rd , Bro . A . S . Marlow ; 4 th , Bro . J . Ellery ; and 5 th , Bro . E . Groves . Third Lecture : 1 st Section , Bro . H . Durrant ;

> nd , Bro . W . Watts ; and 3 rd , Bro . VV . H . Long . The members of this flourishing lodge are to be congratulated on the admirable way in which the working was performed . Bro . Newman asked the questions in liis usual impressive manner , and the working of Bros , Durrant , Ellery , Ansle , Hope , and Sheppard were specially good , the elocution being perfect . At the close , Bro . RinnKTT proposed that a hearty

vote of thanks be given to the brethren of the Yarborough Lodge , No . 551 , for their kindness in coming from so great a distance as Ventnor to assist them . Bro . ANSI . K responded , and thanked the members of the Vectis Lodge lor doing them the great honour of inviting them to take part in the working , and hoped on some future occasion to again have the same pleasure .

Annual Supper Of The Brownring Lodge Of Instruction, No.1638.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE BROWNRING LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1638 .

On Wednesday , the nth inst ., a successful and profitable season of this lodge was closed at the Alexandra Hotel , Kingston Hill , with a repast , modestly styled a supper , but which for all round excellence was superior to many dinners . The hosts , Bros . Curtis and Willis ,

are both members of the Brownrigg Lodge ( the latter being VV . AL this year ) , and have taken a real interest »> 'bat affiliated with it for educational purposes . To 'hern the existence of the lodge and its survival through ; i critical crisis is mainly due . Among those who assembled to assist to close the session were Bros . Abel Laurence , P . AL 1638 and

Prefix or , Chairman ; W . Lane , P . M . 1638 , Vice-Chair' " »»; H . Willis , W . M . 1638 ; A . M . Levy , W . AI . S 8 9 ; J ; 'I- Sumner , Pennington , Cockle , Edwards , Lockett , " -row , Curtis , Harding , Packington , Lewis , and others . After the very inviting " refreshment " had been disc'is i . d , and highly appreciated , a few toasts germane , 0 the gathering were givenand a welcome extended

, , C | the visitors from other lodges . "ue acknowledgment was made of the able and j " g-continued services of Bro . Laurence as Preceptor , •'" d the kindness of Bros . Curtis and Willis in allowing ne Nid ge the free use of whatever rooms were required . "p ., t > »*•** > 1 L h . U . JL Ul If llUll ^ f V > l ( UU 1 IIJ ( 11 . 11 , ll . UIIIll . Ui

I " - benefit which has accrued to those who have '"ended the Brownrigg Lodge of Instruction was also , es 'ified to by several . Uro . Packington , of the Sir Charles Bright Lodge , resided at the piano , and vocal and instrumental "" sic enlivened the proceedings .

Annual Festival Of The Working Mulation Lodge Of Instruction No.1561.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE WORKING MULATION LODGE OF INSTRUCTION NO . 1561 .

No . lolil , the \ i nnnila ' festival of the above lodge was held at i-ik •on ' Hall , Woking , on Tuesday evening , the j / " . '" st ., on which occasion Bro . Wm . W . B . Beach , , rj vir . cial n .--, r ., l M .,.., „ .. ., f « , „ i .. ., „ , ! i ^ -u ni u ;; .. v , t ¦ - ¦

" Sdli ' i , 11 """ """•¦«•' " ¦ " «>»•- ••»"" •" - " ¦ "" K "' t prr-v y consented to preside , but was unfortunately alj i en ' ed from being present , his place being most J taken by Bro . R . Eve , P . G . Treasurer . " lod ge was opened by Bro . J . J . Black , P . M .,

Annual Festival Of The Working Mulation Lodge Of Instruction No.1561.

Preceptor , as W . M ., when the Second Lecture was worked as follows : 1 st Section , Bro . C . F . Passmore , J . W . 2317 ; 2 nd , Bro . R . Mossop , 1395 ; 3 rd , Bro . A . W . Sowman , l . P . M . 1395 ; 4 th , Bro . J . VV . H . Littleboy , I . G . 2317 ; and 5 th , Bro . A . G . Jackman , 2317 . Among those present we noticed Bros . R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br . ; C . T . Tyler , P . P . J . G . D . ;

Knight , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . B . Lancaster , P . M . ; A . W . R . Sowman , P . M . ; J . Gayton , P . AL ; T . Aiken , P . M . ; W . Askham , P . M . ; C . Baverstock ; C . E . Passmore , Jackman , Salter , Cheel , Knight , Clinton , Mossop , Marshall , White . Howlin , Griffin , Agate , Soundes , and many others . Bros . EVE and Suoi . ow most highly complimented the Preceptor Bro . Black , and the Section workers on

the admirable way in which the various Sections had been rendered , and pointed out to those present the very strict manner in which the teaching of the London Emulation Lodge had been followed . During the banquet afterwards , songs were contributed by Bros . Eve , Soundes , Jackman , Clinton , Black , and others , the musical arrangements being under the direction of Bro . C . E . Passmore , Mus . Bac , the Secretary of the lodge .

Bro. Hughans Lectures.

BRO . HUGHANS LECTURES .

On Tuesday , the 17 th inst ., Bro . Hughan delivered a lecture under the wing of the United Industrious Lodge , No . 31 , Canterbury , an emergency meeting being convened for the purpose . Bro . the Rev . H . AL Maughan , M . A ., P . AL , P . P . G . Chap ., & c , the present VV . AL , was in the chair . Several visiting brethren were present from the other lodges held in the city ,

Whitstable , & c , the indefatigable Secretary of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 ( Bro . G . W . Speth ) , being also present . The following is a summary of the interesting address by Bro . Hughan , P . S . G . D . England , which was well received , and was followed by an

instructive discussion , and numerous questions , to which the lecturer replied . Bro . Hughan was warmly thanked for his lecture , and elected an honorary member of the lodge . He was the guest of Bro . H . Ward , P . P . G . VV . Kent , during his sojourn in the ancient city .

A MASONIC RETROSPECT OK FIVE CENTURIES . Legends of the Craft , their use and abuse . The Old Charges of British Freemasons . Assembly at York and ancient charters . Christian character of the oldest documents of the Fraternity . Original secret of the Society . Masonic monopoly and combination . Uses of ancient lodges and import of the prefix free .

Speculative members in early days . What had to be heled , concealed , and never improperly revealed . " Religious , loyal , and benevolent men only eligible as members then , as now . Oldest preserved records . Senior lodges in Great Britain . Alany of the present customs of great antiquity , such as Provincial and general organisations , joining members , the setting of " essays , " the

three grades or positions , ancient and modern . ' •Cable tows , " oath of secrecy , uniformity in things essential , as also strict adherence to the laws of the land and the Brotherhood . Importance of Scottish records and English Constitutions . Continuity of the Freemasons proved by actual lodge records from 1599 and from " Old Charges" back to the 14 th century . Origin of

the premier Grand Lodge of the world in London , A . n . 1717 . Four Grand Lodges of England , and finally the formation of a United Grand Lodge in 1813 . York Masonry died in 1792 and left no representative . Origin of Royal Arch Masonry . Beneficent character of the Fraternity . A rapid glance , forwards and backwards . What the Craft has been , is , and may become .

Conclusion , On Wednesday , the iSth inst ., our well known and respected Alasonic historian lectured at Chatham , the entertaining lodge being Royal Kent of Antiquity , No . 20 , which is the senior provincial lodge in England , having been constituted as far back as the year 1723 , The following is the syllabus :

OLD LODGES IN ENOLAND , Origin of lodges—their Christian character at first , but subsequently Cosmopolitan , on a religious basis . Earliest references to lodges in England . Old lodges at York , Warrington , Chester , Stafford , Gateshead , Alnwick , Scarborough , London , & c . Formation of the premier Grand Lodge , 1716-17 , by " Four old

lodges " and others—three of these still on the roll . Firstconstitutedlodgein England . Thesenior provincial lodge . Oldest original charter ( England ) . Difference between " Constitution " and " Warrant . " Many lodges working prior to their regularisation . Grand Stewards and " Red Apron " lodges . Alasters' lodges . F'reemasons protected by an Act of Parliament . Returns

to Clerk of Peace . Engraved lists and calendars . Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity , No . 20 , Chatham , on all such Registers . Lodge enumeration . Four rival bodies . Union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 . Peculiarities of the Revised Registers , 1815-1892 , and injustice to old lodges . Warrants granted from 1721 to 1891 . Centenary and sesqui-centennial lodges . Class lodges . Loyalty and Charity .

The largest gathering of a Masonic character ever held under this old lodge assembled to hear Bro . Hughan , fully 100 brethren being present , numerous visitors attending , and Bro . E . Alacbean representing No . 2076 , London , on the occasion . Bro F . H . Collins , VV . AL , occupied the chair . Bro . Hughan ( who was the guest of his friend , Bro . T . S . Warne , P . P . G . W . Kent ) , was warmly thanked for his address , especially as he had communicated so much valuable informa-

Bro. Hughans Lectures.

tion respecting the Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity , hitherto unknown to the members , and which will be duly prepared in a concise form for publication in the Kent " Masonic Manual" for 1 S 93 , edited by Bro . T . S . Warne .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Amongst the many travesties we have seen it has never before been our good fortune to witness one more clever than Mr . Brooklield ' s , " The Poet and the Puppets , " which , set to music by Mr . J . M . Glover , Bro . C . H . Hawtrey has recently produced at the Comedy Theatre . It plays for just an hour , so is not too lengthy to become tedious , and it is quite free from

viciousness , although it caricatures with utmost precision several well-known authors and actors . We are sure Mr . Oscar Wilde cannot feel offended at Bro . Hawlrey ' s exact imitation of him in dress , speech , and attitude , or at Mr . Brooklield ' s splendid burlesque of his peculiarities as a writer . It would be impossible to say too much in praise of "The Poet and the

Puppets . " It is certain that Bro . Hawtrey will require for a long while to come several extra rows of stalls , and that every one who goes to the St . James ' s Theatre to see " Lady Windermere ' s Fan " ' will forthwith journey to the Comedy hard by and laugh their sides over its funny travestie , conceived and acted in the very best spirit and smartest vein of humour . Mr .

Brookfield ' s mimicry of Bro . Bancroft , Mr . Tree , and Air . Pinero , and Bro . Hawtrey ' s take off on Mr . Oscar Wilde and Rutland Barrington , and Miss Lottie Venne ' s faithful imitation of Mrs . Tree and Miss Marion Terry are so amusing that the run of luck now set in at the

Comedy is richly deserved . The songs and the music of Mr . Glover ' s are only equalled by Mr . Brookfield ' s witty dialogue . "A Buried Talent , " by L . A . Parker , is a pathetic little play excellently acted by Mr . Brookfield , Miss Vane Featherstone , Messrs . Wise and Nelson , as a first piece .

* * * Nothing more delightful for a light entertainment can be seen than that now at the Court . A triple bill consisting of a very short play— "The New Sub "which is so good that Mr . Hicks should be encouraged to try his hand again in a bolder way ; " Rosencrantz and Guilderstein , " Air . VV . S . Gilbert ' s burlesque on

Hamlet ; and the ever-welcome and imperishable " Pantomime Rehearsal , " which seems destined to go on , like the brook , for ever . Having survived a run at already three different theatres , this entertaining musical piece seems likel y to fill the Court for at least the rest of the summer . With such capable artistes as Miss Gertrude Kingston , Aliss Ella Terriss , Miss

Decima Moore , and Alessrs . Brandon Thomas , Weedon Grossmith , C . Little , and W . Draycott , the patrons of the Court Theatre are sure to get their money ' s-worth of amusement . Mr . Arthur Chudleigh , whom we welcome in the position of sole lessee , has begun well his regime as manager , and we trust good fortune will always pursue him .

At a matinee on the 8 th prox . and on the evening of the nth—we believe for these two times only—Bro . Henry Irving will give his great character of Richelieu . We think his admirers , and their name is legion , having seen him as the great English Cardinal and Statesman Wolseyin "Henry VIII ., " will be glad to see our leading tragedian as the great French Cardinal Richelieu . In

Buhver Lytton ' s play Bro . Irving is on the stage nearly all the evening , and does more of his mannerisms than in some of his more recent characters . Bros . Arthur Stirling , VV . Terriss , and Miss Millward are the other chief exponents in this grand play . It is perhaps quite

superfluous to add that " Richelieu " is staged in the masterful way for which the eminent lessee of the Lyceum has become renowned . In years gone by we have several times seen " Richelieu , " but never have we felt more the full force of Bro . lrving ' s great acting as we did a few nights ago jn this , one of his best and chief characters .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CONSECRATION OP ST . PAUL'S t'UAPTEU , No . 2- ' 7 " , LIMASSOL . The consecration of this chapter , the first established in Cyprus , took place at the Masonic Rooms , Limassol , on Friday , April 15 th . The consecration ceremony was most ably carried out by Comp . White , the first Z .

of the chapter , and who , in order to perform the ceremony , had been installed in the chair of Z . at the Zetland Chapter , Alexandria , Egypt . After the consecration had been completed , Comp . Harriott , P . P . G . M . Wigton and Kirkcudbright ( S . C . ) , was installed in the chair of H ., and Comp . F . O . Harvey , W . M . St . George ' s

Lodge , No . 2402 , Larnaca , was installed in the chair of J . The chapter , although attached to St . Paul ' s Lodge , will work in connection with the two Craft lodges established in Cyprus , and will meet alternately at Limassol and Larnaca . Twelve proposals for

exaltation were received and one for joining . The companions afterwards dined together in the banqueting room attached to the Masonic Lodge of St . Paul ' s . The chapter was furnished byComp . George Kenning ,