Presentation To Bro . John Osborn, P.P.G. Std. Br., Middx.

each other ' s views . The brethren had heard a rumour that a large amount of gold had been found in Wales , but however pure that might be , there was no better or purer article than they had in the sterling qualities of Bro . Osborn . All present knew his merits so well that it would be presumption to detain them with lengthy remarks . He had before him a watch that had been

subscribed for by the lodges and chapter with which they were connected , as a mark of their esteem and regard for Bro . Osborn . The idea was mooted a long time ago , but it was a cowardly attack made upon their respected brother on his return journey from a lodge meeting , that had brought the idea to a successful issue . The watch stolen from Bro . Osborn was one highly prized by him ,

having received it from his father on his death bed . I hat watch could never be replaced , but on looking at the one he had now the pleasure to offer for the acceptance of Bro . Osborne , he would be reminded of the esteem in which he is held . They hoped he would wear it as long as he lived for it carried with it the loving and fraternal good wishes of the subscribers .

Bro . J . OSBORN , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . in returning thanks , said , the present occasion was a proud moment of his life . He thanked Bro . Weston sincerely for the loving sentiments and kindly manner in which he had spoken of him , and the brethren for the enthusiastic reception accorded those few remarks . As they had heard , Bro . Weston and himself had been associated for many years in

Masonry , and he was indebted to that brother for kindly counsel and advice . They had worked together and done their best for the benefit of the lodges and chapter . It had , however , been a work of love , although he had but attempted to do his duty . His Masonic life had enabled him to make many friends whom he respected and loved , and whom he would not have known but for Masonry . He

thanked them most cordially for their handsome present . The watch stolen from him he had worn for twenty years , having received it from his father . He felt considerable pain at losing it , but the loss of one had been the gain of another , which carried with it friendship and esteem , and he hoped that their friendship would exist as long as he lived . He thanked them from the bottom of his heart , for

he appreciated their kindness , and whenever he looked upon the watch he should think of the present moment when he was surrounded by such a number of old and tried friends . The watch , which was a handsome gold hunter , bears the following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . John Osborn , P . M . 1602 , 1 S 97 , P . Z . 1602 , by the brethren of the Sir

Hugh Myddelton and Citadel Lodges , and the Companions of the Sir Hugh Myddelton Chapter , and others as a token of esteem . 23 rd December , 18 S 7 . John Weston , P . Z . for the Sir Hugh Myddelton , R . A . C 1 C 02 ; Edwin Woodman , I . P . M . for the Citadel Lodge , No . 1 S 97 ; Reuben A . Homan , W . M . for the Sir Hugh Myddelton Lodge 1602 ; Jno . Greenfield , P . M ., I . P . Z ., Chap . 1602 ,

Treasurer ; W . C . Wigley . Chap . 1 C 02 , Secretary . " "The Health cf Bro . Greenfield , P . M . " having been given , the case of Mrs . Somers , who is a candidate for election in the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was mentioned , the brethren unanimously agreeing to endeavour to secure her election . Other toasts having been given , the brethren separated .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee of Subscribers to this Institution met on Thursday at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . J . H . Matthews , P . G . S . B ., in the chair . The other brethren present were Bros . Peter de L . Long , E . H . Finney , G . H . Newington Bridges , C . H . Webb , Thomas Massa , H . Massey , Charles F . Hogard , J . J . Caseley , John French ,

SamuelH . Parkhouse , J . S . Cumberand , and Bro . Peachey , in place of Bro . F . R . W . Hedges , Secretary , who was unfortunately absent through illness . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , some grants and additions to salaries were made in accordance with the recommendation of the House Committee . Eleven vacancies were declared for the April election , and the

chairman was authorised to sign cheques according to list . The brethren then considered the petitions for admitting children to the list of candidates for election into the School in April . Of these petitions there were 22 . Two were deferred for further information , and one was rejected as not coming within the 1 tiles . The remaining 19 were accepted , the list for April thus standing at 42 , with which

the 11 vacancies were recommended to the Quarterly Court in January , 1 SS 8 . On the motion of Bro . WEBB , seconded by Bro . PARKHOUSE , a vote expressive of the regret of the Committee at the death of Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C

Vice-President of the Institution , was passed , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed by Bro . CUMBERLAND , and seconded by Bro . WEBB , was passed ; and a vote of regret at the Secretary ' s illness was likewise agreed to .

Chine Lodge, No. 1884, Shanklin.

CHINE LODGE , No . 1884 , SHANKLIN .

The regular meeting of the Chine Lodge , No . 1 S 84 , Shanklin , Isle of Wight , was to be held in the Masonic Hall on Thursday , the 29 th instant . The agenda paper contained a considerable array of business , among . the propositions to be submitted being those for the election of W . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler for the ensuing year , and one by Bro . Greenham , VV . M ., to the effect that Bros .

W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . Master of Hants and isle of Wight , J . E . Le Feuvre , D . P . G . M ., E . Goble , Prov . G . Sec , W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . Eng ., and George Taylor , Prov . G . Sec . Worcestershire should , in consideration of their services to the lodge , be elected honorary members . Afterwards the lodge was to be called in order that the ceremony of inscribing the marble tablet which had been placed in the Hall to serve as a memorial of the kindness

of those who assisted by their contributions in reducing the mortgage on the building by the large sum of £ 200 , as well as of the Jubilee year of her Majesty ' s reign , may be performed by VV . Bro . Dr . G . H . R . Dabbs , who had the honour of being the first W . Master of the lodge , and who on all occasions since his retirement from the chair has been ready to do any service in his power to promote the success of the lodge . Bro . Dr .

Chine Lodge, No. 1884, Shanklin.

Dabbs is well known as the author of sundry plays which have been very successfully played at Shanklin— " Black-Mail , " " The Under Study , " and " The Contractor " being his latest and best known pieces . Consequently his general popularity will no doubt have the effect of exciting

additional interest in the unusual Masonic occurrence fixed for Thursday , the 29 th inst . We have no doubt that when the reports of the proceedings reach us it will be found that the ceremony of unveiling was very successfully carried out by all concerned , but especially by Bro . Dr . Dabbs , P . M .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Not to be outdone by its formidable rival the Alhambra management has put on the stage a new ballet , entitled , "Enchantment . " Second to none is this divertissement which has been arranged by M . Cassate , and to which some of M . Jacobi ' s stirring and clever music has

been composed . Each of all its four scenes are pictures of beauty and delight . Signorina Bessone is the admirable premiere danseuse . A variety entertainment is given in the intervals between the ballets . Whilst the Alhambra has such attractions it need not fear any lack of public support . #

* * The re-opening of the Empire Palace as a music hall on Thursday , the 22 nd inst ., brought together the largest gathering ever met in a place of amusement , excepting Drury Lane . It would be easier to say who were not there than to enumerate who were—of the social , theatrical , press , or political world . We will , therefore , only

mention one name—that of the first gentleman in the realm . The syndicate ought to feel highly honoured that our Grand Master " assisted" at the first performance , of what , we believe , will prove a great financial success as long as Bro . Augustus Harris is responsible for the entertainments , and Mr . George Edwardes for the other side , and with the experienced Bro . Hitchens as acting manager . A vast sum

of money has evidently been spent on embellishments , the decorations of the Palace are superb , Persian being its character . The colouring is in torquoise , indigo blue , crimson , with black and gold . The entrance hall is Indian in style , whence one passes into a Japanese vestibule , complete with bamboos , birds , butterflies , and lanterns . On account of its vast size , the Empire is to be a home of ballet

more than the ordinary music hall . The two which just now are the talk of the town are named "Dilara , " which is an Eastern story , and the last " The Sports of England . " This , to our mind , is the best , because it appeals to every Englishman , for all of us are fond of some , if not many , sports . Represented faithfully in every detail are boating ,

cricket , polo , football , cycling , hunting , lennis , and shooting . Our boys will enjoy this , and so will the girls . The Two Macs are to be seen here , as also a very clever juggler , Bellonini , and a girl gymast , who calls herself "La Petite Amaros . " We have no fear but that the Empire Palace has entered upon a long and prosperous career .

* s To say that Bro . Augustus Harris has surpassed himself in his ninth pantomime is only to utter a hackneyed phrase which we in common with most journals have used towards the Drury Lane pantomime ' one year after another . After the experience of this latest stupendous work we will not say that Bro . Harris cannot possibly excel his new

production , for he has himself led us on and on year by year to something more grand than the previous annual that we are sure that the pantomime of 1 SS 8-9 will be even finer than the one which has already taken a firm hold of his patrons . " Puss in Roots , " produced on Boxing Night in a scale of magnificent and tasteful splendour , is a pantomime to be seen again and again . The plot wh ' ch

one can follow thanks to Mr . Blanchard , who writes for the eleventh time ; its jokes , thanks to Bros . Herbert Campbell and Harry Nicholls , and we must add Bro . Rignold and Mr . Danby ; its ballets , thanks to Miss Katti Lanner ; its music , for which we thank Mr . Slaughter ; its scene-paintings , again thanks to Messrs . Emden , Beverley , and Craven , and its whole production , for

which much thanks to Bro . Augustus Harris , cannot fail to fill old Drury Lane every afternoon for the next two months , and each evening for the ensuing three . " Puss in Boots , " is at once a children's and an adults' pantomime , all can enjoy and understand it . It has no competitor , for nothing at any other theatre , in or out of London , can hold a candle to it . The topical illusions and sly jokes

brought down to date—including the recent prize fight and Jockey Club quarrel—aie genuinely comic and perfectly clean . We cannot give even an epitome of the various scenes , nor is it necessary , but we will allude to the two grand set-scenes only . The reception of the King and Queen seated on their thrones surrounded by their court , numbering some hundreds of

supers , to receive the suitors for the hand of the Princess is a spectacle beyond all previous efforts of Bro . Harris . The blending of uniforms and dresses made of rich goods of all . colours and designs make up a sight not easily forgotten . The other grand scene is that of a staircase—a sort of Jacob ' s ladder by its great height—descending which we have a procession representing every specimen

and type of England's chivalry all clad in various sorts of armour . The lime lights on the metal make the stage a blaze of brilliancy . Miss Wadman , who is the lover , we were agreeably surprised to find , easily fills the house with her voice , and besides the songs she renders so exquisitely she enters into the fun of the pantomime . Miss Lctty Lind ( the Princess ) , dances most gracefully . We take credit to

ourselves that we were one of the first London journals to mention the latent talent of this young lady , who appeared about five years ago at the Avenue Theatre in a short off season in a small part . We singled her cut for special mention , and are glad to find our prophecy that Miss Lind would develop into a first rate dancer , has been realised . It is a pity her voice is not stronger , but she evidently has

pleased her audience by her coquettish and sweet style of dancing . Bro . Lauri , jun ., is the cat , and gets an encore for a solo dance . Bros . Herbert Campbell and Harry Nicholls , respectively , the King and Queen , are full of humour in both speech and songs . Already the fun is going well and requires no pulling together , but something must be cut out to get the performance over a little earlier ,

The Theatres.

We shall conclude by saying that the dresses , dances by Miss Lanner's children , and whole production defy description . Every one must , and we believe will , go to see for themselves . Compression is the only thing needed and otherwise " Puss in Boots " must be said to be composed of everything gratifying to eye and ear which commences at the outset and continues without any intermission till the curtain falls .

* # * The new burlesque of "Frankenstein , " written by the successful author of "Monte Christo , Jun ., " and " Miss Esmeralda , " was seriously handicapped on the night of its advent at the Gaiety Theatre . Whether Christmas Eve be a bad night for a first production on account ofthe "Iarkish" mood some of the youngsr

members of society feel in . Whether to a fancied insult offered to the occupants of the pit , or the piece beginning somewhat after the advertised hour , or whether a clique had been sent in we are unable to say exactly why there was so much disturbance on Saturday , but certain it is that " Frankenstein " did not meet with that cordial reception which all of Mr . George Edwardes' burlesques

have had since he became the lessee of that house . We are inclined to think that the suggestions we have hazarded had all something to do with the inharmonious reception . Respecting an encroachment on the pit by the stalls , we have ascertained for ourselves that not a single extra row had been added to the ordinary number according to the plan of the house which prevails there every night except

during the hot summer nights . So serious did the hooting and yelling become that the normal apathy of the sitters in the dress parts of the house became aroused , and it became developed into a pitched battle between applause and hisses in which the " ayes" had it , and so a favourable verdict was passed on Mr . Richard Henry ' s latest melodramic burlesque . We sympathise with some of the

discontent , but it was delivered with too much unfairness . What " Frankenstein " burhsques it is difficult to say , for there seems to be no plot . Besides , how many people have read Mrs . Shelley's wierd story ? VVe asked several friends on the first night this question , and all replied they knew nothing of the book . To be popular a burlesque should be a take off on something well

known . The music and songs are for the most part not so catching as the three last burlesque dramas , but the dresses and scenery , mounting , and general effect given to the piece are quite equal , if not surperior to any of Mr , Edwardes and Bro . Charles Harris' former productions . The company , including such talent as Miss Farren , Miss Sylvia Grey , Bros . Fred Leslie , F . J . Lonnen , Mr . Gsorge

Stone , Mr . F . Thornton , Miss Marion Hood , Miss D'Arviile , and Miss Emily Cross are beyond reproach , and it is our opinion that the new entertainment will settle down into another Gaiety success . Probably some new fun and songs will be imported . The laboratory scene in the first act gives Bro . Leslie and Mr . Stone an opportunity for an immense amount of real drollery in representing statues in

terra cotta , made by Frankenstein ( MLs Farren ) , which come to life . The boxing scene between the pair and the reference to the late prize fight were heartily recognised as genuine fun , as were the allusions in the last act to the Pelican Club and the special constables , Bro . Leslie causing much laughter by unscrewing the top of his truncheon and using it as a spirit flask . Of the songs , the most favoured

was "The five ages , " cleverly sung as a duet by Miss Farren and Bro . Leslie . The popular lady also sings " One of the boys , " and " hs a funny little way I ' ve got , " both of which went down well . Bro . Lonnen is not provided by Mr . Martin , in "The Dispensary Doctor , " with such a genuinely comic ditty as he has had before . Miss Marion Hood ' s sweet voice is heard to perfection in " Sweet pearls

of Gianada . " Miss Sylvia Grey dances charming , ala Kate Vaughan . As a spectale , " Frankenstein " lias probably never been excelled . Much credit is due to Mr . Percy Anderson for the beautiful dresses he has designed , and taste displayed in arranging the colours on the stage by Bro . Chas . Harris . A second addition of "Miss Esmeralda " is being given every afternoon at the same theatre , where

Miss jenny Rogers proves herself a worthy successor to Miss Fanny Leslie . Bro . Lonnen ' s song , " Killaloe , " is encored again and again , and both he , Messrs . Stone and Thornton , and Miss Florence Dysart keep the fun going all the afternoon . The two Macs have been added to the cast , and we need scarcely say they provoke roars of laughter all over the theatre .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

GRAND COUNCIL , R . and S . M ., NEW YORK . The following are the Grand Officers installed and invested for the current year at the annual meeting of the Grand Council of R . and S . Masters held in New York on the Gth September , namely , Comps . John L . Brothers , G .

Master ; R . C . Christiance , D . G . M . ; John L . Macomb , G . P . C of W . ; John F . Baldwin , G . Treas . ; Geo . Van Vliet , G . Recorder ; Alex . B . King , G . C . of G . ; George A . Newell , G . C . of C . ; Thomas J . Bishop , G . Marshal ; Rev . John G . Webster , G . Chap . ; Samuel C . Pierce , G . Lecturer ; John G . Barker , G . Stwd . ; and John Hoole , G . Sentinel .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF CANTERBURY ( N . Z . ) . A regular Quarterly Communication of this Dist . G ' . Lodge was held in the St . Augustine Masonic Hall , Christ Church , N . Z ., on the 20 th October last , under the presidency of Bro . Deamer , D . Dist . G . M ., as Dist . G . Master , the Dist . G . Officers present including Bros . F . J . Smyth , Dist . G . Reg ., as Dep . D . G . M . ; S . Uerbidge , D . S . G . W . ; W . B . Allwright . asD . J . G . W . ; W . R . Mitchell , D . G . Sec ; H . Sawtell , D . S . G . D ., A . bharland , as D . J . G . D . ; W .

T . C . Mills , D . G . D . C .. ; J . C Revell , D . G . S . B . ; J . G L . Scott , D . G . Purst . ; and Rich . Stevens , D . G . Tyler . The business was of an unimportant character , and the only point worth recording is that the Dist . G . Treasurer's statement of accounts showed a balance in bank and in deposit , amounting to upwards of £ 577 .

The Corporation of London have recentl y determined to confer the freedom of the City on Bro . the Marquis of Hartington , M . P ., and his lordship has expressed the pleasure it will give him to accept the honour , but , at the same time , has requested that the formal presentation may be deferred until after the meeting of Parliament ,