Royal Order Of Scotland.

The visitors then adjourned to the dining-room , where ample repast awaited them , and where they were ? " ed by Mrs . Valentine , the Misses Valentine , and Mr . Vhn Valentine , and after the removal of the cloth two or h ee of the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given received

, . S The remainder of the day was taken up by a visit to th church , which has been beautifully restored during Bro . Valentine ' s incumbency , and by Masonic gossip and cigars the lawn , and , as the shades of evening drew near , the Snnv euests took leave of their hospitable host and his

( L ily some en-route for the railway station , and others frYork by road , to catch their trains for York , Durham , Pontefract , and other places .

Picnic Of The Lodge Of Affability, No. 317, Manchester.

PICNIC OF THE LODGE OF AFFABILITY , No . 317 , MANCHESTER .

On Thursday , the 12 th inst ., the members of this lodge had their annual summer outing , selecting Chester as their destination . The weather throughout the week had been uything but pleasant , and it was feared Pluvius would thrust his unwelcome presence upon the company , _ but the fears and

fortunately , proved groundless , a very enjoyto was spent . The company , numbering 35 , assembled at the Central Station , Manchester , at 9 . 15 , and soon afterwards took their seats in a very comfortable saloon carriage , provided by Bro . Bell , the courteous station master , and departed for Chester at 9 . 33 . The picturesque old town was reached at 11 . 10 , and the party made their way to the

Golden Lion , where a very substantial lunch awaited them and to which ample justice was done . At 12 . 30 the company went on board a steam launch , specially provided , and had a very pleasant sail up the ancient and famous river Dee , on both sides of which is some truly beautiful scenery . It had been arranged to visit Eaton Hall , which is usually done by picnic parties by permission of his

Grace the Duke of Westminster , but in consequence of the recent death of one of the Duke's sons ( Lord Robert Grosvenor ) , the hall was closed to visitors . As it was , however , the company walked through the grounds , and after finishing their walk sat down near the Iron Bridge , and regaled themselves with strawberries , & c , which had been thoughtfully provided bv the genial and zealous

W . M ., Bro . W . B . Akerman . After thus refreshing themselves , they returned to Chester , and proceeded to the Golden Lion , where a capital dinner was served . During dinner , " The Health of the Ladies" was proposed in felicitous terms by the W . M ., Bro . Akerman , and responded to on behalf of the fair sex by Bro . Charles Daber , J . D . The toast of "The Stewards " was

proposed by Bro . H . Walmsley , P . M ., and responded to by Bro . James Wilson , P . M . Last , but not least , "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . John Bladon , P . M ., and responded to by Bro . Akerman in appropriate terms . The company shortly afterwards wended their homeward way , reaching Manchester at nine o'clock , having spent a very pleasant and enjoyable day .

Amongst the company were the following : Bro . VV . B . Akerman , W . M ., Mrs . Akerman , and Mrs . John Clark ; Bro . J . Robinson , S . W ., and Mrs . Robinson ; Bro . E . C Chesworth , J . W ., and Mrs . Chesworth ; Bro . V . M . Vultchoff , S . D . ; Bro . Charles Daber , J . D . ; Bro . John Bladon , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , D . C ; Mrs . Ward and Mrs . Whittle ; Bro . W . Garside , Steward , and Mrs .

Garside ; Bro . J . and Mrs . Marsden ; Bro . and Mrs . Macalister ; Bro . J . Dawson , P . M ., and Mrs . Dawson ; Bro . John Garside , I . P . M ., and Mrs . Atkinson ; Bro . J . Smethurst , P . M . ; Bro . J . W . Edwards , P . M . ; Bro . J . Wilson , P . M ., Miss Wilson , and Mrs . Eddoes ; Bro . H . Walmsley , Mrs . and Miss Walmsley ; Bro . S . and Mrs . Hamer ; Bros . C . J . Roscoe , T . Sumner , and G . Jackson . Great satisfaction was expressed by all present at the excellent luncheon and dinner provided by Mr . Watkins , of the Golden Lion , Chester .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

CONSECRATION OF THE ANGLOAMERICAN CONCLAVE , No . 6 . There was a numerous attendance of the brethren of this Order on Thursday , the 12 th inst ., at the Criterion , nccadilly , when a new conclave , to be designated the Anglo-American Conclave , No . 6 , was consecrated , the ceremony being very beautifully performed by R . W . Bro .

UH . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . S . U ., and R . W . Bro . W . J . fpratling , B . Sc , G . R ., who were ably assisted by the following distinguished brethren : M . W . Bro . Dr . 1 . Zacharie , ^• S . R . ; R . W . Bros . Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . S . R . ; J . Urns-Thomas , D . R . O . ; W . G . Lemon , LL . B ., G . V . ; and _ W . Bro . E . C . Mulvev . G . S .: also the following

™ tmbers , who had been already inducted at M . W . Bro . DA . A Zacharie ' s house , viz .: Bros . George Lambert , 1 u , ; A - Clark > w - Hancock , H . W . Jones , Dr . j ! h Wed gwood , J . B . Cumming , A . G . Wulff , J . Skinner , Al L - * F > J ackson , and C . A . Burgess . k » t > vi ? . uest of the G . S . R ., the conclave was opened Dv K . W . Rro . W . I C .. Mino . „ fh . . „ . „ £ , „•

unanimous for the following brethren , all being M . Ms ., in » | L sented themselves for induction : Bros . C . Lambert , 2 ? oi . D r \ dge ' 9 'J J- Rowe , 2191 ; C A . Burgess , n , „ ' u - Kees > 2 I 9 'J J- Woodward , 2101 ; W . fa ? H V * F- W- Frie ° ut > ' 7 J Dr - R - L - Ver 'ev > 210 ' ,. ^ T nie , lV . 2101 ' J- - Langlois , 63 ; G . Reynolds , yi , and J . bkinner , 2101 . The ballot was also

unanivisT '" ur of the { ollmvin » brethren , who attended as j i'Ors , and were inducted , being desirous of receiving the ino- gree m order that tney m 'S ht be able t 0 ass'st in form-1707 T CiavS in B « ehton > viz - : a" > s . J . C . Bucknell , over !» , ; , F > Lamotte , 791 . The consecration being rll j - BroTHTiiton was installed as of the

, . . . S . R . Enclave , and appointed his officers as follows : VV . Bros . Cuiw er & 33 , P . G . S . B ., C ; A . Clark , G . ; J . B . ] 5 ? *» T . ; G . Reynolds , Sec . ; W . Hancock , D . C . ; 0 , S S f' - Ked * e > S . V . D . ; C Corby , V . D . l , „ i J * J- Wedgwood , V . D . ; C Lambert . V . D .: F

5 . R » £ u " } and Rl Potter > S > 0 n the motion of the best ill £ wasdu , y seconded , it was resolved "That the to M S " n of th ' conclave be , and are hereby , tendered ShadS * £ R , r" J- Zacharle > G-S-K-: R-W . Bros . Col . P . GSR H - c >« ke , P . G . S . R . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , M , 0 , K -i J . Lewis-Thomas , D . R . O . ; W . G . Lemon )

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

LL . B ., G . T . ; W . J . Spratling , and W . Bro . E . C . Mulvey , consecrating officers ; that they be made honorary members of the Conclave ; and that they be presented with the jewel of the Conclave . " R . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke expressed to the brethren his thanks and those of the consecrating officers for the honour conferred upon them , and wished the conclave every success . A

Committee was appointed for the purpose of drawing up by-laws for the conclave . Several brethren were proposed for induction at the next meeting . Nearly all the brethren ( with the exception of the consecrating officers ) who had been and were inducted , are founders of the conclave . There are twenty-four members of the Anglo-American

Lodge , No . 2191 , among the founders . Among the visitors were W . Bros . P . J . Dunbar , G . T . No . 5 Conclave ; Richard Eve , Alfred Meadows Conclave ; Lennox Browne , A . Sansom , G . C . ; and others . The conclave having been closed , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet in the Prince's Room , served under the personal superintendence of Bro . G . B . Bertini , the

manager . At the banquet table the Grand Secretary , R . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , in proposing the S . R . ' s health , said that Bro . Theodore H . Tiiton was well known amongst them as a most indefatigable Mason , hailing from America , and he wished the Anglo-American Conclave , No . 6 , every success , and alluded in pleasing terms to the success

which had attended the Anglo-American Lodge , No . 2191 . He also said it was only just over a year since the Anglo-American Lodge had been formed , and which he consecrated , and should always remember the consecration with pleasure . Now they had formed a conclave , which had the appearance of being another success , and he hoped the conclave would be well supported by the members of the lodges .

Masonic Lecture At Sunderland .

MASONIC LECTURE AT SUNDERLAND .

A most interesting lecture was given on the 17 th inst ., in the lodge-room of the St . John Lodge , No . So , Masonic Hall , Park Terrace , Sunderland , by Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . of England , and P . S . G . W . of Egypt , the wellknown Masonic historian , on "Sketches of British Freemasonry : a Retrospect of Five Centuries . " The Rev . Canon TRISTRAM , D . D ., D . P . G . M ., occupied

the chair , and in introducing the lecturer expressed the great pleasure it gave him to introduce so learned a brother to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham . A link with the past was one of the most valuable heritages a nation could possess ; and in the Order pf Freemasonry they retained the connecting link with the best aspirations and deeds of mankind in the past ages . No one was better

able to trace the early history of our Order than Bro . Hughan ; and he was sure the knowledge gained would be interesting and profitable . Bro . HUGHAN then proceeded with his lecture . He first dealt with the use and abuse of the legends of the Craft , and then went on to describe the old charges of British Freemasons , which were illustrated . He also gave a very

interesting resume of the customs of the Fraternity from the 14 th century , and explained why the " secrets " had to be concealed and never revealed . He referred to the derivation of the Scottish versions of the " old charges " from South Britain , and gave several instances of noblemen and gentlemen joining the "mystic tie" a couple of centuries ago . He then dealt with the origin of the

Premier Grand Lodge in 1717 , and of the "Three Degrees , " and next described the formation of the "Grand Lodge of all England , " at York , in 1725 . He also dealt with the rise of additional Degrees , especially of the Royal Arch and the constitution of the schismatic Grand Lodge in 1751 . In conclusion , he traced the formation of the third Grand Lodge in London , under York auspices , in 1779 , of the

decadence of " York Masonry , " of the inauguration , in 1 S 13 , of the United Grand Lodge of England , and the progress of the Order in England since . At the close , a hearty vote of thanks was given to the lecturer and the chairman . The lecture was in connection with the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham , and was attended by representatives from all parts of the provinces .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

On the 31 st instant the Daly Company leave the Gaiety Theatre lo commence a short provincial tour prior to their return to the States . We , therefore , recommend our readers not to let the company leave without having seen the Daly version of "The Taming of the Shrew . " Excellent business has been done in the more

expensive parts of the house since the production of the Shakesperian comedy . We regret that the management is unable to give us a repetition of the other popular pieces such as "A Night Off , " "Nancy and Co ., " & c , but vve sincerely hope it may not be very long before this clever company of artists are induced to re-visit our shores where they have on all three occasions received such a hearty welcome .

# # # Bro . Lionel Brough has taken advantage of Bro . Toole ' s absence , and produced , at the little house in King William-street , a play called " The Paper Chase , " which was recently produced at a matinee at the Strand . The author—Mr . C . Thomas—is to be congratulated on his work —we believe his first attempt at play writing . We are

reminded a little of "The Scrap of Paper , " for the foundation of the plot , as in the latter play , the whole interest centres in the changing from hand to hand a of certain compromising letter . In "The Paper Chase , " a recipe for Indian curry is the motive power—a somewhat weak one , but , wberefrom a capital farcical comedy is made the result . A pleasant love story , and some matrimonial

jealousies , added to the hunt of the curry recipe , make the ingredients of a most diverting comedy . As the theatre is only held by Bro . Brough for three weeks from now , the place ought to be filled every night . Nowhere will a more laughable piece be seen . Bro . Brough has a part which fits him like a glove . He never overdoes it . His dress make-up and gait add to the effect of a most artistic per

The Theatres.

formance , which is very humorous , but exceedingly natural . His daughter , Miss Margaret Brough , makes her debtlt on the London stage , in a small part , and promises well . That excellent actor , Mr . E . D . Ward , is included in the cast , as are also Mr . E . W . Garden , Miss Kate Phillips ,

and Miss Helen Leyton . The piece is preceded by the ever popular "Good for nothing Nan , " in which Bro . Brough is seen in one of his best characters , and ably supported by Miss Leyton . We advise anyone who means to see "The Paper Chase , " to be in time for the curtain

. * # * We did not see Mrs . Coffin ' s play " Run Wild " until it had been played for a fortnight at the Strand , and we are sure that it must have been vastly improved in construction and acting since the date of its first appearand . There are in it all the elements of a most interesting play .

Its two faults is that it is a mixture of a farcical comedy and a strongly pathetic play , and that the interest is shifted during the acts from one character to another . We doubt whether any one supposed Mr . Edouin capable of appearing with such success in an emotional part , having for so long seen him in burlesque and other funny characters . " Run Wild " teaches a lesson to undutiful sons and snobs .

The plot and subsequent working out of thepiece would take up more room in our columns than we can spare , and we will conclude by saying there are many excellent lines in it , sometimes it is very laughable , and another time extremely pathetic , that move even men to tears . It is one of the plays to see again and derive benefit and pleasure from . Mr . Edouin is ably assisted by his wife , Miss Atherton , as a tom-boy young lady ; Miss Susie Vaughan , an always

pleasing actress , Mr . B . Webster , who makes a lot out of a rather poor part , Mr . C . Fawcett , as a fine manly and amusing young fellow , and Mr . Chevalier , as an amusing and not overdrawn kind of butler . We trust Mr . Edouin will find his new play a big draw . In every sense of the word " Run Wild" is a capital piece , and ought to be re-noticed by the critics . It is preceded by a pretty little farce called "Cycling , " the characters being sustained most efficiently by Miss Atherton , and Messrs . Fawcett and Cheesman .

s * # The Empire , which is actively managed by Bro . Harry Hitchins , also presents an attractive programme , in the way chiefly of two beautiful ballets , arranged by Bro . Augustus Harris , and assisted by Mdme . Katti Lanner , than which we have never seen anything more gorgeously mounted and pleasing to the eye in the way of colour ,

grouping , dresses , and dancing . Of the many songs , perhaps the most popular—as it is encored again and againis the parody on Mr . Haydn Coffin ' s song , "Queen of my heart , " entitled " I ' m waiting for him tonight . " It is very funny , and free from all

vulgarity . The Empire Palace has been altered since its opening and re-decorated , andaltogethergreatly improved . We hear the receipts have reached a fabulous sum , therefore with judicious management the shareholders ought to come off well . The weather seems to make no difference to this popular place of amusement .

Bro . the Earl of Onslow presided at the centenary festival , held at the H 6 tel M & ropole , on Tuesday , of the Philanthropic Society's Farm School , Redhill , Bros , the Lord Mayor and Sheriff Higgs being among the guests . THRIFT ON THRIFTY LINES . — Latter-day experiences have considerably modified the belief that "the wise men came from the East . " Indeed the old

world has , since at least the beginning of the present century , been so favoured with trans-Atlantic novelties that now a days it is customary to assume , without enquiry , that a new thing , whatever the thing may be , is of American origin . And according to the latest apostles of Thrift , who have visited our shores , this is so in the case of life assurance as in most other matters . Little more than a

twelve month ago the Mutual Reserve Fund Life Association of New York—a life office based upon new and particularly attractive lines—having carried on business in the States for upwards of seven years , each year with largely increasing prosperity , determined to push its operations yet farther afield . Forthwith , a small band of resolute representatives departed for Europe ,

establishing themselves first in London , then in Liverpool , and next proceeding to the Continent , where branch offices were opened in Paris and elsewhere . The results following upon the publicity thus given to the principles and practice of the new "Common-sense" life insurance have been of an eminently gratifying character ; and on Thursday last a banquet was held at the Holborn

Restaurant to celebrate , with appropriate rejoicing , the successful close of the first year of the Association ' s labours in this country . The occasion was also made to serve the second purpose of welcoming the President of the Association , Bro . E . B . Harper , one of the officers of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York , who is now on a visit to the European offices of the Association , and who

is one of the Committee appointed by Grand Master Laurence to investigate the workings of the Royal Masonic Schools . Under these peculiarly inspiriting circumstances , there was naturally a great outpouring of eloquence , and the guests of the Association enjoyed the happy privilege of listening to more than one exposition of the advantages offered by the the Mutual Reserve , delivered in the best of

style of American oratory—a style that is as charming as it is novel . Among the more noteworthy speakers were Bro . Hayward , of the Fitzroy Lodge , the indefatigable manager of the London office of the Association ; Bro . Tyng , the chief of the Continental business ; Bro . T . H . Tiiton , Bro . Bloss , one of the vice-presidents of the Association ; Mr . E . D . Jones , superintendent of agents ; Sir

W . Guyer Hunter , M . D ., M . P ., chief medical officer of the Association ; Mr . T . Fry , M . P . ; Col . Griffin , and others . From their speeches it was to be gathered that the distinguishing and novel feature of the Mutual Reserve , is that it charges its members what is rightly called a " natural" premium , instead of the exorbitant amount demanded by the old English life offices , which only goes to build up the reserve funds far in excess of any possible

requirements , as is shown by the fact that divisions of profits are made from time to time . Under the system so successfully carried on by the Mutual Reserve , and which may best be described as "life assurance at cost price , " the advantages of this inestimably valuable form of thrift are brought within the reach of the most modest means . It is in this fact that lies the paramount claim of the Mutual Reserve to public notice .