Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

THE PUPILS AT THE MANSION HOUSE .

The ancient Guildhall has seldom been more prettily peop led than on the afternoon of Saturday last , when the Lord Mayor ( a member of the House Committee ) and the Lady . Mayoress invited the children to be their guests in the City for a few hours , en route to the Mansion House . The giris who , with the members of

the staff accompanying them , numbered some 200 , were taken over the Guildhall , the Museum , and the Art Gallery—entirely novel sights to them all . Before leaving the new Council Chamber they sang with heart and voice " God save the Queen , " in honour of its being the eve of the birthday of her Most

Gracious Majesty . By the friendly aid of the City police , the whole party were then safely escorted to the Mansion House , which was reached at 4 o ' clock . The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress received their little guests in the saloon , and cordially shook hands with each one . His lordship then conducted them over the

whole of the Mansion House , arriving finally at the great Egyptian Hall , where several long tables were laden with a substantial tea , to which most ample justice was done . The little girls in blue were then introduced to Bro . Charles Bertram , the prince of conjurors , who for upwards of an hour puzzled and

entertained them to their hearts' content . Two or three part songs were then charmingly sung under the able baton of Mrs . Roworth , the singing mistress , and the Lord Mayor having kindly and feelingly addressed the children , and , with the Lady Mayoress , received their hearty and appreciative thanks , they were taken home to ponder at their leisure over some of the

wonders of the great City of London . Miss Davis and Miss Buck , with several members of the staff , were present with the children , as were Bros . Charles Hammerton ( Chairman of the month ) , Sir John B . Monckton , E . Letchworth , Peter de Lande Long , J . H . Matthews , Col . James Peters , Frank Richardson , and James Moon , members of the House Committee .

Consecration Of The Croydon Lodge Of Royal Ark Mariners.

CONSECRATION OF THE CROYDON LODGE OF ROYAL ARK MARINERS .

Mark Masonry having flourished so steadily in Croydon during the past few years , principally through the indefatigable exertions of Bro . Hugh M . Hobbs , G . Stwd ., it was but natural that success should attend the effort to establish a Royal Ark Mariners lodge , to be attached to the Croydon Lodge , of Mark Master

Masons , No . 198 . The consecration ceremony was performed at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , on Saturday , the 9 th inst ., by Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , assisted b y Bros . C . H . Driver , P . G . M . O ., G . I . of W ., as J . ; A . R . Carter , P . G . Std . Br ., as S . ; Rev ; J . Cater , Prov . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; Robert

Berridge , P . G . W ., G . D . C , as D . C ; and W . Vincent , P . G . I . G ., as G . The following brethren were also present : Bros . H . M . Hobbs , Grand Stwd . ; W . J . Nicholls , H . E . Vickers , H . Burgess , C W . Mapleton , B . W . Wilson , T . G . Eldridge , W . Phillips , J . S . Fraser , G . Yaxley , P . C . N . ; W . G . Fenn , W . J . Dyer ,

Fredk . West , P . C . N . ; W . I . Day , J . R . Hooper , W . Ebbetts , Gordon Smith , H . Magee , W . Fox Hawes , C . H . Webb , J . Latham , J . H . Williams , W . H . Gates , S . Lee Smith , T . Griffiths , A . Tipson , and G . Pearson . Visitors : Bros . C . Hammerton , Deputy Prov . G . M . Middx . and Surrey ; T . Poore , P . C . N . 22 ; J . R . Green , P . C . N . 112 ; T . C . Edmonds , S . W . i-tq , Prov .

G . D . ; J . Skinner , 4 ; C F . Hogard , P . G . S . B . ; E . M . Money , E . J . Mills , P . A . G . I . G . ; H . W . Schartau , S . Scott Young , 139 ; W . W . Lee , and others . Previous to the consecration ceremony a Royal Ark Mariners lodge was opened , and 24 brethren were elevated to the Degree by Bro . W . Vincent , P . G . I . G ., assisted by Bros . E . M . Money , T . C . Edmonds , and others .

The Grand Officers then entered in procession , and the CONSECRATING OFFICER having taken the chairand appointed his officers pro tern ., addressed the brethren ° n the nature of the meeting . He expressed the

gratification it afforded him to be present to carry out the wishes of the founders , and his assurance that under able officers the new Royal Ark Mariners lodge would progress as satisfactorily as the Croydon Mark Lod ge had done . Good evidence of this was

forthcoming m the fact that a large number of brethren had been elevated that evening , and this was a good augury for the future . The founders were then arranged in order , and the warrant having been read , they expressed their approval ot the officers named in the warrant . An excellent oration appropriate to the occasion was

next delivered b y Bro . Rev . J . CATER , Prov . G . Chap ., and the Consecrating Officer proceeded to dedicate and constitute the lodge with the customary solemnities . Bro . Hugh M . Hobbs , G . Stwd ., W . C . N , designate , vas enthroned , and invested the following officers : — " jos . W . J . Nicholls , J . ; H . E . Vickers , S . ; H .

Bur-> . ess , Treas . ; C W . Mapleton , Scribe ; S . Lee and r' | - - ; w-G-Feun ' - ! - ; w - J- D ^ > DC - ; ana G . Pearson , G . un the proposition of the W . C . N ., Bros . Col . Sir PGM 6 " ' Bart ., P . G . M ., and C . Hammerton , Dep . , •-M ., were elected honorary members , for which the Ial * M returned thanks . ihe W . C . N , then asked the brethren to join with him

Consecration Of The Croydon Lodge Of Royal Ark Mariners.

in sincerely thanking Bro . Matier , G . Sec , and his able assistants for their impressive rendering of the beautiful ceremonial , and he moved that the honorary membership of the lodge should be conferred upon them . This was carried nem . con .

Bro . MATIER acknowledged the same for himself and colleagues . A cordial vote of thanks to Bro . W . Vincent and those who had assisted in the ceremony of elevation previous to the consecration was passed , after which the lodge was formally closed . Bro . Herbert Schartau rendered excellent service in the direction of the musical arrangements .

Annual Dinner Of The Old Masonians.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE OLD MASONIANS .

The annual dinner of the above Association was held on Saturday last , at Anderton ' s Hotel , under the able presidency of Bro . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., who was supported by Bros . Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B . ; George Everett , Grand Treas . ; J . M . McLeod , Sec . of theR . M . I . B . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . P . G . W . ; Newton ,

B . Cundick , and other influential Masons . Amongst the Old Boys present were Messrs . C . H . Uwins ( Hon . Treas . ) , R . S . Chandler ( Hon . Sec ) , W . J . Packer ( Hon . Sec ) , R . H . Williams , Francis , Pearson , Scurr , Piatt , Hare , Motion , Kerr , Burgess , Barnes , Dyer , O'Doherty , Deeley , Johnson , Gough , Booser , Lucas ,

and others . Letters regretting their inability to attend were read from Bros . Lord Lathom , Pro Grand Master ; the Rt . Hon . the Lord Mayor , J . Aird , M . P ., Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; Rev . H . Hebb , Head Master of the R . M . I , for Boys ; Sheriff Augustus Harris , W .

Roebuck , S . J . Attenborough , W . Paas , D . P . Cama , F . W . Imbert-Terry , Jas . Motion , Edward Terry , George Read , and others . After a very excellent dinner , and when the toasts of " The Queen " and " The Prince of Wales " had been duly honoured , the CHAIRMAN rose to propose

" Prosperity to the Old Masonians , " and drew attention to the fact that the Association was now entering the sixth year of its existence . He hoped it would long flourish , and each year become more useful and powerful . The HON . TREASURER and HON . SECRETARY

responded on behalf of the Association . Mr . C . H . UWINS ( Hon . Treas . ) , in a vigorous speech , gave a statement of the present financial position , and made an earnest appeal for subscriptions to the Benevolent and Grant Fund of the Association ,

pointing out the necessity for such a fund to assist Old Boys in time of need . Mr . R . S . CHANDLER ( Hon . Sec . ) made a very telling speech . He commenced by saying how pleasant it was to renew and continue the friendship of schoolboy days , quoting Johnson ' s

lines—Friendship , peculiar boon of heaven , The noble mind ' s delight and pride , To men and angels only given , To all the lower world denied . He then went on to say that during the five years existence of the Old Masonians 150 Old Boys had been

enrolled , but a great difficulty had always been experienced in hunting up the very Old Boys , and as a society to be successful must also be progressive , they were obliged to look to the present boys at the School for further members . With this object he had approached the authorities of the School -asking them

to have one day a year set aside to be called " Old Boys' Day , " that the officers of the Association and the boys should become acquainted with each other . He had not as yet received a reply , but hoped Bro . McLeod would take the opportunit y that ni ght of informing them if the Board of Management were

willing to grant the request . - Mr . W . J . PACKER in a few well chosen words proposed "The Past Presidents , " and said how sorry he was that Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., who had promised to be with them , had been unable to attend . The toast of " The Vice-Presidents " was given by

Mr . J . C J OHNSON , and replied to b y Bro . GEORGE LAMBERT , who , in the course of his speech spoke words of good advice to his younger hearers . Bro . R . H . WILLIAMS , in submitting the toast of " Prosperity to the R . M . L for Boys , " hoped that the

Old Boys would not rest satisfied in simply toasting it , but in a practical way show their appreciation first b y joining the Old Masonians and then by passing into the Masonic brotherhood and becoming supporters of the School .

Bro . J . M . MCLEOD ( Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ) , in his reply , said with what pleasure he had come among them that evening , and how he felt by the looks of those before him that the School had done good work in its time . He was willing to do all he could to advance in any way the

interests of the Association , and would always be read y to give a helping hand to any individual member who might be in need of it . He knew the Association was doing a good work , and considered that in helping it he would also be assisting the School , for the old

scholars exemplified the work done by the School . He hoped that the School and the Association would go forward in prosperity . Mr . E . T . PLATT gave the toast of " The Chairman and President . "

Bro . TERRY , in the course of his reply , nominated Major Geo . Lambert as his successor in the Presidency of the Association , observing how great was the interest

Annual Dinner Of The Old Masonians.

Major Lambert had taken in all three Institutions , and he knew that in asking him to undertake the position of President , he was doing the best thing he could for the Association . Bro . Terry then announced the various amounts that had been during the evening subscribed to the Benevolent Fund of the Association ,

Mrs . and Miss Terry , Bros . Geo . Everett , J . M . McLeod , C . Newton , and B . Cundick qualifying for Vice-Presidents , by the donation of three guineas each , Bro . Major Geo . Lambert ' s subscription of ten guineas and other amounts bringing the total up to the sum of

thirty guineas . Mr . SCURR , in a most humorous speech , proposed " The Visitors , " which was most happily responded to by Bros . Newton and B . Cundick . A very pleasant evening was spent , the numerous toasts being interspersed by songs and recitations .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

When one goes to see " The Corsican Brothers " it must only be at the Lyceum , for no one else , now Fechter is dead , can adequately either act or stage mount this drama but Bro . Irving . We boast that in the nineteenth century we are not superstitious or have any belief in the supernatural , yet where is the person

who does not revel in a ghost story or not love a ghost play on the stage ? We are inclined to think that time has improved Bro . Irving ' s realistic acting in " The Corsican Brothers , " and that in 1891 it is even more fascinating than it was in 1880 . The word bloodcurdling is often used to throw ridicule upon a

dramatic performance , but we use it here in token only of praise in its highest sense . We leave it to members of the Psychical Society to work out the problem whether there is any truth in the theory propounded in "The Corsican Brothers" that in twins what effects one effects the other , though

distance may part them , and one not know what the other is doing . All we do know is that Bro . Irving , in his acting and by the splendid stage effects he introduces to illustrate the drama , makes everyone in the audience sit breathless waiting for the next word and the next scene . Of the rest of the characters it is unnecessary

to speak , as Bro . Irving is virtually as well as in name the Corsican Brothers . There being no part for Miss Ellen Terryin that tragic play , Charles Reade ' s "Nance Oldfield " has been put on , specially for this gifted lady to appear in a part admirably suited to her electrical style of acting . The story is similar to that of " David Garrick , " with the sexes reversed . Miss Terry has

never done anything better than her rendering of Nance Oldfield , the actress who undertakes to cure a foolish lad of his love for her . She soon convinces the boy that it is the acting and not the actress he is enamoured of . Mr . Gordon Craig ( Miss Terry ' s son ) most ably portrays the stage-struck young man , and gives promise of great things to come .

* * * There are four things which every one seemed agreed upon when they compared notes on Saturday after the re-opening of the commodious and comfortable Shaftesbury Theatre . These are—an excellent and thrilling first act , the abolition of all fees , three scenes of

stage mounting which cannot be surpassed anywhere out of London , and Bro . Cyril Maude ' s splendid acting . We might say five , and add that Mr . W . H . Griffiths is still the acting manager , and the essence of courtesy . Had Messrs . Hamilton and Quinton ' s play , " Handfast , " been as good in its

two subsequent acts as in the first its success must have been phenomenal . When the curtain goes up we learn that Mr . Lewis Waller is dying . He is very rich , and according to the entail the property passes to the widow instead of to the next heir male . Is this as a stage license ? We will allow it , however . Mr .

Waller having succeeded to the property , knows that his predecessor was secretly married . As there would be much difficulty in her ever getting the estate , Mr . Waller , although he is betrothed to Miss Annie Hughes , determines to marry the widow , and so prevent his rascal of a cousin , Cyril Maude , coming into the

entail . The woman is found , and a deathbed marriage takes place with Miss Hughes' fullconsent . Cyril Maude , aided and abetted by a worse man still , W . L . Abingdon , attempts to poison Waller before the marriage can be solemnised , but he is too late . But another thing

happens . The poison comes from the East , and it is declared that , taken in moderation it is life , in excess death . He recovers . Two years after he meets a famous opera singer , with whom he falls in love , and rescues her from the machinations of Mr . Herhert . A

duel is arranged , but when the lady find that Abingdon has goaded Waller on to fight , she makes Abingdon himself go to fight Herbert . Of course Abingdon is killed . It then turns out that the opera singer ( Miss Winifred Emery ) is Waller ' s deathbed wife , and all ends happily . Miss Annie

Hughes gives her hand to Reeves Smith , who has all along loved her much . Miss Hughes re-appeared for the first time since her marriage , and got a tremendous reception . As usual , she played excellently . Miss Emery was sweetly sympathetic . Mr . Lewis

Waller again acted with all that force and nerve he can command at will . Mr . Abingdon was as fine a villain as he always is on the stage , and Bro . Cyril Maude , who has never failed in any part , made the big hit of the evening .