Grand Concert In Liverpool In Aid Of Masonic Charities.

rendcriogof Verdi's sccna , " Ernani , involami ; " Mr . J . W . Turner brought down the house with "The Bay of Biscay ; " and the vocal members were effectively finished by Mr . G . H . Snazclle , who gave "The Tar ' s Lass" in good style . A conspicuously satisfactory feature of the concert was that no encores were insisted on , although each of the celebrated vocal principals were called at thc close of their several appearances . Bro . E . Glover , leader of thc Carl

Rosa Orchestra , played a fantasia on airs from "The Daughter of the Regiment" in a most brilliant style ; Bro . J . F . Rudersdorff , a worthy Mason and excellent musician , created a profound impression by the breadth of tone and marvellous manipulation he displayed in his performance of Popper ' s gems ; and Bro . Van den Berg also secured much applause by his solo " Melancholic" Bro . John Pew , the conductor on the

occasion , merits the highest praise for his skilful pilotage of the forces , and as a result thc oldest musicians in the audience concurred in the opinion that the well-known overtures ( " Freyschutz " and "William Tell" ) and the celebrated " Athalie " March could hardly have been better played than they were on this occasion by the noble band of fifty . The pianoforte accompaniments were exceedingly well played by Bros . J . J . Monk , 1609 ; J . W . Collinsbn ,

1609 ; and R . Burgess , Organist 1609 . Ihis is the third occasion upon which the members of the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge have come to the front in their efforts for pure charity , and it is satisfactory to know that they have never yet experienced a disappointment . The first dramatic venture at the Amphitheatre realised £ 100 , given to thc Decoration Fund of thc Masonic Hall ; a second similar

effort brought in upwards of £ 50 , sent to the Boys' School , London ; and now it is expected that the Carl Rosa concert , so admirably carried out , will produce not far short of jfioo , to be allotted to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution and the Benevolent Fund of the " Dramatic " ( the first time , be it noted , the members have ever sought any part of the proceeds of their performances ) .

Bro. Manuel Prado Y Sanchez And Freemasonry In Spain.

BRO . MANUEL PRADO Y SANCHEZ AND FREEMASONRY IN SPAIN .

The following letter , the original of which is in Spanish , has been forwarded to us by its writer , with a request that it shall appear in our columns . Our readers , if they will refer to No . 59 J of the Freemason , for August 14 II 1 , 1 SS 0 , will find that Bro . Manuel Prado y Sanchez is the brother

whom Bro . Juan Antonio Perez professes to have legally replaced as Sovereign Grand Commander of the true Grand Orient of Spain , after having received the Thirty-Third Degree from Bro . Prado y Sanchez . This letter confirms what our writer of the articles on " Freemasonry in Spain " says in regard to Bro . Perez , and his claim to recognition as a legally appointed Sovereign Grand Commander , and

shows that Bro . Perez's claim to such recognition is entirely repudiated by the very " authority" at whose hands he claims to have received his Grand Commandatorial powers . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Much appreciated Brother , — In No . _ 597 of your excellent journal I have seen an interesting article entitled "Bro . Juan Antonio

Perez , and Freemasonry in Spain , " in which you comment upon the contents of a letter which you had received from Bro . Juan Antonio Perez , giving particulars as to his connection with Freemasonry in Spain . In this letter of Bro . Perez , he declares that "Manuel Prado y Sanchez elevated Perez to the Thirty-Third Degree , and assumed the Grand Commandcrship " of the

Orient over which Bro . Perez now presides , but he refrains from entering into particulars . I desire , therefore , to make certain statements with the intent that the whole truth shall become fully apparent . Being at the time member of , and one of the original founders of , the"Oriente de Ibero " at Madrid , I found myself , in the year 1 S 75 , retired from all active Masonic

work . In that year I was waited upon by a commission of Masonic brethren _ belonging to various Degrees , who explained the position in which Masonry in Spain then was placed , and who urged me to assume the Grand Mallet , and thus put an end to the dissensions which unhappily existed at the time . I accepted—although only provisionally—the arduous task required of me , with the sole desire

to re-organise the Grand Orient of Spam , and then , when such a desired end was obtained , hand over my mallet to some fully competent brother able to assume the direction of my Masonic patria . It was not long , however , after I had taken office , before I began to fear that the personal ambition of Bro . Perez would frustrate all my endeavours , and cause fresh division

in our ranks ; and a very short period elapsed before my fears were fully confirmed . Although myself only anxious to surround the high office I had assumed with brethren of acknowledged Masonic worth and prestige , both in the Masonic and in the outer world , I found myself opposed by Bro . Perez , who had only his own personal ambition to guide him . He annulled my appointments ; he obliged

me to dissolve the Supreme Council , which , in an evil hour for Spanish Masonry , I had been induced by him to create ; and , finally , he induced me to declare null and void all my official acts and all the proceedings of the said Council , and to renounce in open Grand Lodge my pretended authority over it . But before doing this I was induced by Bro . Perez to confer upon him the Thirty-third Degree , although

certain it is that I also subsequently annulled this act , and declared it irregular , as well as all the other acts which my excess of zeal induced mc to perform whilst in exercise of the high office which I feel that I should never have agreed to accept . So soon as brethren of position and inlluence came to know that I had separated myself from Bro . Perez , they

rallied round me , with but few exceptions , and those who continued to support Bro . Perez were few in number , as well as in prestige or influence ; but these few still continue to disturb the majestic march of Freemasonry in Spain , as represented in the person of the illustrious brother His Excellency Praxedes Mateo Sairasta , the Grand Master of the

Grand Orient of Spain . The above is thc true account of the proceedings which gave rise to the assumption by Bro . Juan Antonio Perez of the headship of the so-called "Oriente de Perez , " and to his elevation to the Thirty-third Degree , and to the Grand Commandership and Grand Mastership , to which he is selfappointed ; Very often , even with the best intentions , the hallucinations of a moment will lead us into error , of which

Bro. Manuel Prado Y Sanchez And Freemasonry In Spain.

wc very speedily repent . When such happens then selfabnegation should give us courage to confess that we did wrong , so that we may repair as much as possible the effects of our error . Thus animated , 1 made full atonement to the Grand Lodge of Spain , and I desire to confess my mistake in this , my present communication to you . I am also willing to repeat what I now say at an ) ' future time when necessary , as my conscience tells mc this is

right , whilst I anticipate the favourable support of thc Masonic world . I cannot allow thc present occasion to pass without expressing my thanks to the brother who wrote for the Freemason those interesting articles on " Freemasonry in Spain , " showing , as he does , in these not only veracity

and perfect impartiality , but also a profound knowledge of my country , and of our customs , and also of Spanish Freemasonry . I beg of you , brother Editor , to do me the favour of giving insertion to these' lines , and allow me to assure you of my high esteem , respect , and fraternal regard . MANUEL PRADO Y SANCHEZ .

The Masonic Swindler At Newport.

THE MASONIC SWINDLER AT NEWPORT .

On Monday , the 17 th inst ., John Baker was brought up on remand , at Newport Police-court ( before Messrs . A . J . Stevens , H . R . Evans , T . P . Wansbrough , and J . S . Stone ) , charged with stealing a Masonic certificate , thc property of Joseph Richards . There was a large number of Masons present during the inquiry . Mr . G . H .

Llewellyn appeared for the prosecution . Prisoner was very subdued in his manner , and sought in no way to impeach the testimony given against him . He was also charged with forgery , which he did not deny . The evidence on both charges was briefly as follows : — Bro . J . Richards , waterman at the Alexandra Dock , and a Freemason , said on the 15 th of December he met the

prisoner on board a steamship . Prisoner asked him if he knew where there were any Masons , and witness replied , "Are you a Mason ? " Prisoner said , "Yes , try me . " Tried him , and found he was a Mason . Gave him a shilling , and took him home , where he gave him a dry suit of clothes , and fed him . Prisoner asked witness if he had a certificate , and showed him the one he had . Prisoner saw where he took it from . That night prisoner went to a lodging

house . Next day and following day prisoner was at witness ' s house , and on the latter day left him in the house . Did not see him again . On Sunday , the 2 nd inst ., witness missed his certificate from the case in which he kept it . ( Certificate produced . ) It would cost a guinea to replace the certificate . Alfred Jones , labourer , Pcnhow , said he was in the prosecutor ' s House on the 17 th of December , when prisoner was there . Saw prisoner take the certificate out of the case , and fold it up , turning his back to witness as he did

so . Inspector Wilcox proved that he brought prisoner from St . Helen's to Newport . He produced the certificate which was taken from the prisoner at St . Helen ' s . In reply to the charge prisoner said he took the certificate to enable him to get some clothes . Mr . Llewellyn then charged the prisoner with the offence of forger ) ' by altering a request for the payment of 2 S . Cd .

into 5 s . He said the prosecutors were very anxious that the prisoner should be committed for trial at the assizes , as he had been going all over the country and defrauding Masons . He had defrauded the superintendent of police at Abergavenny , and the like official at Hereford . William Pickford , potato merchant , said he was Treasurer of the Silurian Lodge of Freemasons . On the iSth

of December , 1 SS 0 , prisoner came to him with a note , and wrote on the back , in pencil , the words " Dear Harry , give bearer 2 s . ( id ., and take his receipt . " Directed prisoner to his son , and next morning when he saw the receipt he saw the 2 s . Cd . had been altered to 5 s . His son handed to him prisoner's receipt for the 5 s ., and there was an impertinent observation by him as well .

William Henry Pickford , son of the previous witness , said the prisoner came to him with the request for 5 s ., and he paid him 5 s . ( The impertinent observation was that the money would be repaid when he got to Liverpool , and the Master of the lodge would be reprimanded because he

had refused to relieve him . Ihe note sent to the Master was written by Mr . Chambers , who hoped the Silurian Lodge would do what it could for " Bro . Baker , " who had been shipwrecked , and wished to go on to Liverpool . ) Prisoner said the forgery was done at his instigation , and not by himself . Thc Bench committed him for trial at the assizes .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held on Thursday afternoon at Freemasons ' Hall , Lieut .-Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , in the chair . There were also present Bros . James Peters , Frank Richardson , Charles H . Webb , A . II . Tattersiiall , Thomas

Massa , Joshua Nunn , P . de Lande Long , J . H . Matthews , F . R . W . Hedges ( Sec ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , and the reading of the minutes of the House Committee for information , the Chairman was authorised to sign cheques for £ iSjofor bills . On the motion of Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , seconded by Bro . Col . PETERS , the salaries of several of the teachers

were increased , and two more teachers were added to the staff , the increase being necessitated by the addition of Lyncombe House to the School . Bro . J OSHUA NUNN gave notice that he would move at next meeting that £ 100 a year be added to the salary of

Bro . Hedges , the Secretary , from the 1 st of January last , in consequence of his great exertion , on behalf of the Institution , and the successful result of those efforts during the past year . One candidate was placed on the list for election in October next . The Committee then adjourned .

"Olivette" readies its 125 th night on Tuesday next , and is as successful as on its first night , having lost none of its popularity , the handsome little theatre , thc Strand , being completely filled every evening .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Jfcoitrg *

LODGE OF PRUDENT BRETHREN ( Nc . 145 ) - —The installation meeting of this centenarian lodge was held on Tuesday , the 25 th inst ., at the Freemasons ' Hall , Great Queen-street , and was numerously attended . There were present Bros . W . R . Lister , W . M . ; John H . Leggott , l . P . M . ; Dr . W . Whitcway Wilkinson , S . W . and W . M . elect ; Charles Woods , J . W . ; Thomas Bull .

P . M ., Treas . ; E . H . Thiellay , P . M ., P . G . S . B . Middx ., Sec ; John Clunnery , S . D . ; Albert Daw Kerrell , J . D ' . j James Curtis , I . G . ; John Reid , D . C . ; Herbert C . Brock , W . S . ; L . G . Rcinhardt , Tyler ; George Purkess , P . M . ; David Haslett , P . M . ; G . Spencer States , P . M ., P . G . S . ; C . V . Smith , G . Banks , J . Detraz , W . V . May . H . Dears , J . B . » Lambe , W . F . Masters , D . Frost , W . Walker , H . Brooks , W . Harris , C . Parnacott ; and the following

visitors : Bros . H . Lovegrove , P . M ., P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; W . J . Ponton ; C . J . Pcrcival , P . M . ; E . Lloyd ; J . Bingcman , P . M . ; J . B . Docker , W . M . ; H . Venn , P . M . ; J . Dalde ; C . F . Marriner ; H . Pocock ; H . Santer ; F . Foxley ; O . Lall Latreille ; A . F . Spellet ; F . D . Hume , P . M . ; J . Finch , W . M . ; W . Dawson ; J . Green , P . M . ' - ; R . Roberts , P . M . ; T . L . Wilkinson ; W . Bohm ; Alex-. Pringle ; J . Sothcott ; II . M . Levy , P . M . ; G . T . Carter , P . M . ; and Theo . Distin .

The lodge was opened in due form , and thc minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . J . H . Leggott presented Bro . W . Whiteway Wilkinson to the W . M . to receive the benefit of installation . A Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Dr . W . Whiteway Wilkinson was duly installed in King Solomon ' s chair as W . M . of the lodge for the ensuing year , proclaimed and

saluted accordingly by the members , and generally congratulated by all present . The W . M . then invested the following brethren as his officers : Bros . W . RobinsoD Lister , l . P . M . ; C . A . Woods , S . W . ; A . Daw Kerrell , J . W . ; T . Bull , Treas . ; E . H . Thiellay , Sec . ; J . Curtis , S . D . ; J . Reid , J . D . ; H . C . Brock , I . G . ; G . Bants , D . C . ; W . Masters , W . S . ; J . B . Lambe , A . W . S . ; and Reinhardt , Tyler . The usual P . M . ' s jewel was presented to the

I . P . M ., Bro . W . Robinson Lister , on his retiring from the chair , and as a mark of esteem . There being no further business , the lodge was closed , and adjourned to Tuesday , the 22 nd of February . The brethren banqueted in their usual Crown-room at the Freemasons' Tavern , ' under Bro . Best ' s customary , elaborate arrangements . The musical entertainment was under the direction ot Bro . Theo . Distin , and was received with entire approbation .

ISRAEL LODGE ( No . 205 ) . —This flourishing old lodge held its installation meeting on Tuesday , the 25 th inst ., at Cannon-street Hotel , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . L . Norden . There was a large number of members and visitors present , the latter including Bros . Edgar Bowyer , G . S . W . Herts , P . M . 1580 ; George Kenning , Past G . D . Middx ., W . M . 1657 , P . M . 192 'j Wm .

Russell , Past G . D . Kent , P . M . 77 ; R . Baker , W . M .. 1 S 8 ; C . Wellard , W . M . 1319 ; B . D . Barnett , W . M , 166 S ; H . W . Gladwell , l . P . M . 129 S ; D . Nicholson , P . M . 19 ; S . M . Lazarus , P . M . 55 , 95 ) C . W . Webb , P . M . 174 ; S . L . Hickman , P . M . iSS ; L . Lazarus , P . M . 1 S 8 ; C . Hunt , P . M . 194 ; J . Lazarus , ; P . M . 1017 ; J . Grinnebaum , P . M . 1017 ; A . B . Castman , 23 ; B . Newstead ,

142 ; H . E . Batchelor , 153 ; F . J . Vanderpank , 162 ; A . Myer , 1 S 5 ; C . VV . Cox , iSS ; C . W . Bowley , 24 S ; D . M . Davis , 1017 ; R . Callingham , 117 S ; Thomas Frame , 134 S ; E . George , 14 S 7 ; J . R . Johnson , 1541 ; B . Cohen , 165 S ; H . Cohen , 1 C 5 S ; G . F . Smith , 1706 ; W . H . Ginningham , 1707 ; and F . A . Kelly ( Freemason ) . The lodge was opened in due form by the W . M ., Bro . L .

Norden , assisted by the following officers and brethren Bros . H . J . Phillips , S . W . ; Joseph Da Silva , J . W . ; A . M . Cohen , P . M ., Treas . ; Chas . Frederick Hogard , P . M ., Past G . S . of Works Essex , Sec . ; A . Bassington , P . M . ; S . W . Harris , P . M . ; H . M . Harris , P . M . ; J . P . Cohen , P . M . ; A . A . Abrahams , J . D . ; John A . Gartley , I . G . ; E . J . Ward , Steward ; J . RawIes , Tyler ; C . M .

Anderson , A . L . Gartley , E . Richmond , A . P . Cohen , B . Boas , S . Gompcrs , E . H . Norden , E . Schumann , A . Abraham , A . Cohen , Solomon Jacobs , 'Joseph Jacobs , M . Jacobs , H . Shanly , and others . The minutes' of the last regular meeting having been submitted , were unanimously confirmed , as were also the minutes of the Audit Committee . The Treasurer ' s report

was also received , showing a satisfactory balance sheet of the receipts and general expenditure of the lodge , also of the Benevolent Fund , the latter ^ showing a balance of ] CsSo invested in Consols . The ballot was then taken for Messrs . Samuel Henry Philcox and Phillip Oesterman , two candidates for initiation . The result being in their favour , they were , after due preparation ,

introduced , and impressively and solemnly initiated into the mysteries of our ancient Order . Bros . J . Jacobs , M . Jacobs , S . Jacobs , and C . M . Anderson were afterwards passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft , both ceremonies being ably performed by Bro . Norden . Bro . Joseph Saber , of the Israel Lodge , No . 1502 , Liverpool , was then balloted for as a joining member , which proving in his favour , that brother

was duly admitted into thc lodge . The installation ceremony was the next business—Bro . L . Norden in the chair of K . S . ; Bros . Edgar Bowyer , P . M . 1580 , and C . W . Webb , P . M . 174 , acting as Wardens . The W . M . elect , Bro . Humphrey J . Phillips , was then presented by Bro .

Bassington , P . M ., and having assented to the ancient charges , forcibly delivered by Bro . Hogard , P . M ., he was duly obligated , and the brethren below the chair retired . On their re-admission , the newly-installed Master was proclaimed in the Three Degrees , and saluted by the brethren according to ancient custom .

riie W . M . invested as his officers for the ensuing year the following brethren : Bros . Joseph Da Silva , S . W . ; A . Abraham , J . VV . ; A . M . Cohen , P . M ., Treas . ; Chas . F . Hogard , P . M ., Sec . ( re-appointed ); A . A . Abrahams , S . D . ; J . A . Gartley , J . D . ; E . J . Ward , I . G . ; H . M . Harris , P . M ., D . of C ; E . H . Norden , W . S . ; and J . Rawles , Tyler . ' Thc addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren were , then given by Bro . L . Norden , who performed the whole of