Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

thc usual address on thc appointment of officers , which brought the installation ceremony to a close . " Hearty good wishes" rvere then given by the visitors , and the lodge was closed by the VV . M . The brethren shortly afterwards assembled at the banqueting tables under the presidency of the newly Installed Alaster . At the conclusion of the banquet the

W . M . gave the toast of "The Queen , " coupling with it prosperity to the Craft , which toa ^ t was duly honoured , as were also those of "The Grand Masrer , " 'The Prov . Grand Mister , " " The Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Officers . " Bro . Ili ' "f in a few well ch isen remarks proposed " The Health of the New Worshipful Master " which was received with special cordiality , and the W . M .

in responding , said that ever since his entrance into Masonry the height of his ambition had been to attain the chair of K . S ., and he most heartily thanked the brethren for having unanimously conferred that honour upon him ; and assured them that his utmost efforts would be exerted to promote the welfare and retain the esteem of the brethren of the lodge . He then proposed "The Health of the Immediate

Past Master " and spoke in eulogistic terms of the efficient manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office during the past year , making special reference to the success of the lodge during that time , and in the name of the brethren heggedhis acceptance of a Past Master ' s jewel , a . s a mark of the respecrand esteem in which he was held by them , and in recognition of the valuable services he had

rendered to the lodge . The toast was most cordially received and drank with Masonical honours . Bro . Taylor , on rising to acknowledge th- compliment paid to him , thanked the brethren for the kindness shewn towards him by their generous gift and the way in which they had received the toast , remarking that he was the first who had occupied that chair after passing through tbe whole ot the offices in the lodge . He trusted his successor would have a

prosperous year and plenty of work to do , and it would be a pleasure to him as I . P . M . to render the W . M . all the assistance he possibly could in the discharge of his onerous duties . "The Visitors" and several other toasts were proposed and honoured , and altogether a most enjoyable evening was passed , which was much enlivened by an attractive selection of vocal and instrumental music contributed by Brns . Dumville , l . ewtas , Mills , Dale and others with Bro . Mann accompanyist .

LIVERPOOL . —Pnnce Arthur Lodge ( No . 1570 . ) . —On the 20 th inst the brethren of the above lodge kept the festival of St . John by installing their W . M . elect at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , for the first time in their new domicile , the lodge having formerly met at the Masonic Rooms , North Hill-street . Owing to the lamented death of Bro . Ralph Webster , S . W ., during the past year , the

members had re-elected the retiring VV . M ., Bro . H . Worthington , who presided at the opening , supported by his officers as follows : Bros . Walter VV . Thomas , J . W . ; S Hikin , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . P . Vines , Sec ; P . Morris , S . D . ; VV . Bennett , J . D . ; Joseph Hunter , I . G . •' Robert Roberts , T . P . M . ; H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , ; and A . C . Morrison , P . M .

For the reason above mentioned the ceremony performed by Bro . R . Roberts , P . M ., was somewhat abbreviated , and , after the usual honours , the following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . VV . VV . Thomas . S . W . ; VV . P . Vines , J . W . ; S . Hikin . P . M ., Treas . ( re-elected ); D . Morris , Sec . ; A . C . Morrison . P . M ., M . C . ; VV . Bennett ,

S . D ., J . Hunter , J . D . ; John Holded , I . G . ; and P . Larsen , P . M ., Tyler . Several interesting presentations of various requisite articles of lodge furniture were made by the W . M ., Bros . A . C . Morrison , P . M ., and John Kenwright , and on the motion of Bro . H . S . Alpass , a cordial vote of thanks was passed for the same . The brethren afterwards dined together , when a pleasant evening was spent .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

DALHOUSIE LODGE ( No . 860 ) . —A regular meetingof the above lodge was held on the 20 th inst ., at Bro . Smyth ' s comfortable hostelrj-, the Sisters' Tavern , Pownall-road , Dalston . Present : Bros . Glass , VV . M . ( for the first time ); T . Clark , S . W . ; Dignam , J . W . ; Edwards , S . D . ; Christian , J . D . ; Smyth , I . G . ; F . Carr , Hon . Sec .: Brasted , P . M ., acting Preceptor ; VV . H .

Wallirgtt-n , P . M ., Preceptor ; Lamb , Robinson , C . Lorkin , and others . After lodge was opened , and minutes read and confirmed , Bro . Glass worked the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Lamb candidate . Lodge was advanced , and Bro . Lamb having answered the questions necessary to raising , lodge was opened up by Bro . Wallington , P . AL , who had assumed the

chair , and the ceremony of raising was ably worked , Bro . Wallington also giving the traditional history ofthe degree . The last Section of the Third Lecture was worked by Bro . C . Lorkin and the brethren , and lodge was resumed , and Bro . Glass again occupied the chair . Bro . Clark was

elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and the sum of £ 1 is . was voted on behalf of the Christmas festivities of the old people . The services of Bro . Glass , as VV . M . for the first time , were acknowledged by a cordial vote of thanks , and lodge was closed in harmony and with seasonable good wishes .

——. DORIC LODGE ( No . 933 ) . —A regular meeting of the above lodge was held on the 23 rd inst ., at Bro . J . Clayton ' s , Duke's Head , 79 , Whitechapel-road . E . Present : Bros . J . West , W . M . ; A . Benabo , S . W . ; Dovey , J . W . ; J . Gaskell , P . M ., S . D . ; Macgregor , J . D . ; J . Siegenberg , I . G . ; also Bros . VV . Musto , P . M . Sec ; I . P . Cohen , P . M . acting Preceptor ; E . Nathan , Clayton ,

Jachtman ( Visitor I ; Mansfield , P . M . 1137 , P . G . S . D . of " the District Grand Lodge , New Zealand ; Stephens and others . After necessary formalities the ceremony of initiation was ably worked , Bro . E . Nathan candidate . Afterwards the VV . M . worked the First , Second , and Third Sections of the Lecture , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Benabo , S . W ., was elected VV . M . for the ensuing lodge me-ting , when

according to the bye laws as many Sections will be worked as the usual hours of meeting will permit . A brother having made an appeal to the lodge on account of bad health , and being in great want , was unanimously granted £ t is . from lodge funds to help bim over the Christmas season . This amount was considerably augmented privately , and will no doubt prove very serviceable to him in his distress . Another brother visitor was also relieved by the brethren , and lodge adjourned .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

ROYAL JUBILEE CHAPTER ( No . 72 ) . — The installation meeting of this chapter was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Thursday , the Sth inst . I he chapter was opened by Ex . Comp . T . Foxall , P . Z ., as M . E . Z . ; F . Dunn , H . ; and H . Lovegrove , Prov . G . Std . B . Middx ., J . Bros . G . Edward and W . M .

O'Donnell were duly exalted into Royal Arch Masonry . The Lectures were given by Comps . Foxall , Nunn , and Love grove , Ex . Comp . Foxall then proceeded to instal Ex . Comps F . Dunn , as M . E . Z ., and H . Lovegrove as H ., the companion elected to the other chair being unable to attend . The companions dined together at the close of the proceedings .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

INVICTA CHAPTER ( No . 10 ) . —The installation meeting of this old chapter was held at 33 , Goldensquare , on the lOth inst . The ceremony of perfecting a candidate ( Bro . Brook Sampson "! was ably performed by the M . W . S . Bro . Rev . H . J . Hatch , M . A ., and afterwards Bro . A . J . R . Trendall , 30 , was installed as M . W . S .

by the veteran , Bro . Jas . Glaisher , 32 . There were present Bros . VV . M . Bywater , 30 , Treas . ; G . Powell , Recorder ; E . B . Grabham , E . Howard , J . Hughes , M . D ., G . F . Legg , VV . Ackland , VV . G . Lemon , H . Lovegrove , G . Mickley , M . A ., J . Read , 30 ; C . W . Thompson , Major Dunbar , and others .

Amusements.

Amusements .

ROYALTY . —This house—one of the smallest of the London theatres — re-opened on Boxing-night for the st-ason , and we sincerely hope that with such an ample bill of fare , and so sumptuously put on the table—we mean the stage , and such a company of artistes , it will not fail to attract appreciative audiences . Judging from the first nights , and the singularl y praiseworthy manner the daily press , without one exception , has accorded to Bro . Byron ' s

latest burlesque , we may go to the Royalty months hence and still witness the same performance . Neither pains nor expence seem to have been spared on the production of " Pluto , or Little Orpheus and his Lute . " Bro . Byron , we venture to think , has outdone any of his previous efforts at this style ol amusement . As far as comedy is concerned , he cannot ever hope to write a prettier one than "Our Boys . " What "Our Boys" is in cmncdy " Pluto" must

tike thc same place in burlesque—that is at the top . \ et it is more difficult , we believe , to prophesy the run a comic opera , or light burlesque , will have tnan it is to speak of a comedy or tragefy . Although both are dependent on the support of the public , the public is very capricious in the matter of musical plays ; but , as Bro . Hollingshead has for fourteen years kept together an audience of his own at the Gaiety , we cannot but think for such a small theatre as

the Royalty there can be found plenty to fill it whilst such an excellent entertainment is provided as now is put before us . We believe Miss Lawler last year netted a good sum with the burlesque—by the way also by Bro . Byron— " Don Juan , Junior . " We notice on the programmes Bro . Byron calls his new piece a classical love tale . The scenery and some of the dressses arc highly classical . VVe cannot , though , vouch , and , probably , Bro . Byron

cannot either , for the facts in which the tale is founded , most likely they are not to be found farther back than the author ' s fertile brain . At any rate our reading of Ovid , Virgil and Julius Cxsar does not convey to our mind the impression that the ancient Greeks and Romans were " frivolous" in love making . We are not to be severe . It matters not a jot on what the love talc is founded . It is one of the most lively and taking

pieces lately put on the boards of any theatre , and so the audience thought by the way they received it . Probably a Christmas audience is nure easily amused than any other . At that time morcpeople go not to criticise but to be amused and applaud . They appeared to receive all the puns , whether very good are very far fetched , with equal good humour , " wiss Lydia Thompson { Orpheus ) , is as clever as ever , delightful as ever , and graceful as ever ,

Orpheus is husband of Ettrydicc ( Miss Wadman ) , but fancying she is flirting with Aristwits ( Mr . C . Glsnney ) , he makes his way across the Styx , whose ferryman is of course Charon ( Miss Ella Chapman ) , and has been provided by Apollo ( Miss Maude Branscombe ) with a golden lute , to act as a sort of talisman . Orpheus finds himself in the King's palace—we will give it that name—and falls in love with Proserpine , the Oueen , but not before Pluto , the

King ( Mr . W . J . Hill ) , has become enamoured of Eurydicc . Apollo comes to the rescue and puts each husband and wile in unison with one another . But it is not the story which attracts one , bijt the songs , dances , and music . Mr . Conolly deserves the highest praise for having arranged the incidental music . Miss Lydia Thompson and Miss Wadman sung some pretty duets . Miss Maude Branscnrnliedelhrlits ns w ' fh .-rVnnd snnrr . ns well as a

nrettvfarevide her photograph in every photographer's window . Miss Maude Taylor , Proserpine , and Miss Ella Chapman came in for their share of applause . The latter sings some very taking songs , added to which she dances neatly and plays the banjo in an expert manner , and duly received several encores . The parody on " Glou , Glou , " in "The Mascotte , " is perhaps one of the best songs . This duet is sung by Mr . Hill and Miss Wadman . Th-n , again , a

whistling song and chorus by the infernal deities was rapturously appropriated by thc gods . The representation of the inhabitants of the lower regions was not what one sees usually depicted , for these at the Royalty are pretty young girls . But perhaps thc most appreciated song was the medley at the end , in which Mr . Hill , and the Misses Thompson , Chapman , Wadman , and Taylor took part , lt is a parody on various events of the day , each verse being sung to some popular air ; for instance , Miss Thompson ' s

verse" There ' s a young man sitting down there , To me he's a perfect riddle ; He's coming to see us every night , And he parts his hair in the middle . "

produced much merriment . The puns are numerous , in fact , it is riddled with them—we don't mean this for a pun . These are mostly relegated to Mr . Hill , Pluto , whose portly figure is somewhat ludicrous . " Elixir " is made " Who licks her . " " Orpheus , let me awfyou ( off . r you ) a cigar . " In the scene of crossing the Styx , Charon tell- Eurydicc to " hold your rudder , sir , " who replies , " I ' ve got a skull ( to row them over ) , alas ! poor Yorick I JP Into proposes a

Suez Canal , and Irish affairs come in for" their share of being made fun of , but all is quite harmless . We did not hear a hiss , and the audience could not be all of one mind except that Pluto is a thorough and grand success . Author , actors , Bro . Hitchins , and th < public , too , are to be congratulated . We feel Bro . Byron is emulating the noble poet of the same title in cleverne-s . "The

Fisherdivorce , andsavs , "I'll tell the lawyer , and he'll put thelawin force for us { phosphorus ) . " " I'm a Kingof Kings , and need no sauce , so just please to remember our sta'ion ; " which , being said angrily , Proserpine observes , " King's Cross . " O'phcus exclaims to Apollo , "Talking of the truth , which I admire , perhaps you'll oblige me with my lyre . " Of course political men , industrial schools , the electric light ,

man s Daughter , a new comedy by Mr . Farnie , which preceded " Pluto , " was well acted and appreciated , judging by the ca'ls after the curtain dropped . Mr . Everill played with artistic , finish ; Miss Hilton and Miss Evelyn made the most of their respective parts , but we think it will bear a little cutting down . The story is good and quite natural , and , besides , is interesting . After some minor alterations no doubt it will take the place it deserves

as a good little comedy . With respect to " Pluto , " we can only say further , " we have been there , and mean still to go , " only to the burlesque , not the reality . The Royalty is not a hot-house to sit in , it will be found cool . But why is that odious system adhered to of having to pay sixpence for being shown to one's seat ? Some managers have wisely discarded this system of levying black mail .

AMATEUR THEATRICALS AT THE LEAVESDEN ASYLUM . — " Can ' st thou minister to a mind diseased ? " " Yes , " replies the Superintendent of the Leavesden Asylum , " of course I can , and especially at Christmas time . " And the kind doctor is as good as his word . For a better ministration to a mind , either diseased or healthy , it has never been our lot to witness than the amateur theatricals

provided for the patients at this noble institution during three days of last week . Captious criticism would indeed be out of place concerning such a performance . It must be remembered that the attendants and nurses who acted are obliged to be on duty from six in the morning till ' eight in the evening , and it is only after working hours that the rehearsals are allowed to take place . But , in spite of this

drawback , the amount of talent displayed in ac'ing , singing , and even here and there in dancing , surpassed anything at this asylum we have ever seen attempted , except by trained professionals . Tlie piece selected was " Ivanhoe , " a good , old Strand burlesque , but so interlarded with the most recent jokes and music that it was far from being old-fashioned . •'The part of Sir Brian Bois de Guilbcrt

was ably filled hy the stage manager , under whose directions the piece had been produced . There was a vigour and a knowledge , of stage busines-s about his acting which was refreshing to witness , and which might well be copied by those who have no other duties to attend to except their professional avocations on the stage . Wamba , tlje Court fool , was most admirably represented by one of the nurses ,

whose play of facial expression singularly fitted her for this r 61 e . This young lady displayed an amount of talent which suggested that she had mistaken her calling in life , and that she might possibly do better on the stage than ministering to the mind diseased in an asylum . She was quite the life of the piece , and her splendid acting must be invaluable to such an institution .

Isaac of York was taken by a gentleman whose get up , and extraordinary talent , made one imagine he had acted a great many times before . We were informed , however , that this was his first appearance on the stage in any part , although his powers of elocution are highly appreciated " in another place . " His drinking song , and the one in which he enumerates the prices of his different articles of

attire , were both particularly amusing , and were encored to the echo by the appreciative audience . Rebecca was fairly represented b y one of the nurses , who acted and sang in thc spirit , and who looked the part to perfection . The most talented actress on the stage , however , was the Lady Kotvena , who was evidently an old hand at the business , and who sang with good taste the songs allotted to her .

Ccdric , thc Palmer , Prince John , the Black Knight , De Braccy , and Osteoid were all good in their way , but have yet something to learn from their clever compeers . The scenery was all painted at home . We arc not at liberty to mention names , but we have seen far worse scenery on the stage even at London theatres . More than this we cannot say . It / was appropiate and answered all

the purposes it was intended for . " The apartment at Old Isaac ' s , " and " the Lists at Ashby-de-la-Zouche , " struck us as being by far the best of the canvasses . The music was particularly good . The asylum rejoices in a bandmaster , whose great talent appears to be to unearth pretty old tunes and to arrange them appropriately . His overture was a medley of * 11 the old Strand airs and the most modern selections from " Patience'" and

other popular pieces . Everybody seemed to have one or more songs , some ancient—some modern ; from the old " Skid-a-majink , " down to the ** Prithee , pretty maiden , " from " Patience , " all of which were rendered fairly well . A very pretty idea was developed in Scene III ., where a large golden fan opens , and displays some very tasteful tableaux vivants . The first representing Spring , and being accompanied by the chorus , "Spring , spring , gentle

spring , from " Babiland Bijou ; " and the last , Winter , b y the well-known air , " Twenty-two love-sick maidens we , both excellently sung . VVe have to thank the eminent f-upeiintendent of the Leavesden Asylum , Dr . Case , for having demonstrated to us that it is quite possible to get up a first-rate theatrical performance , even amongst those whose arduous duties leave them but little time or energy to rehearse , if only the preparation is undertaken con amorc with an enthusiastic wish to succeed .

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