Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

CHESHIRE EDUCATIONAL MASONIC INSTITUTION .

Our readers arc doubtless aware that an institution , having for its object the education and advancement in life of the children of distressed and deceased Masons , connected with the province of Cheshire , Avas established about two years ago on similar principles to one already in existence iu tho sister province of West Lancashire ;

but they may not be aware that owing to the exertions of tbe originators , foremost amongst Avbom must be named Bro . J . P . Piatt , P . M . of the Zetland Lodge , Birkenhead , and P . Prov . S . G . D ., bids fair to rival in prosperity , as in usefulness , every other institution of the kind . "Wo have in Birkenhead a theatre , Avhich for

excellence of arrangement , as well as archifcecfcui-al tasto and ornament , is alike creditable to the rising town , to the proprietors , as also to the architect , Bro . LewisHornblower , P . Prov . G . S . of Works , but Avhich has not been so successful as Avas anticipated . A short time ago it was projected to " get up " in this building an amateur

dramatic performance for the benefit of the noble institution already alluded to . Bro . J . P . Piatt again became as active as ever , and he was ably seconded by the Masters ,

P . M . s , and primary officers connected with the Mersey , the Zetland , and Combermere Lodges . The following noblemen and gentlemen became patrons , viz . Bros . Lord de Tabley , Prov . G . M . Cheshire ; Sir Thos . G . Hesketh , Prov . G . M . West Lancashire ; Sir Watkin W . Wynn , Prov . G . M . Shropshire and North Wales ; Viscfc .

Combermere , D . Prov . G . M . Cheshire ; Lord Richd . Grosvenor , Prov . J . G . W . Cheshire ; Geo . C . Legh , M . P ., Prov . S . G . W . Cheshire ; W . Hind , chairman of the Birkenhead Commissioners ; Geo . Harrison ; also Mr . J . Laird , the worthy member for tho borough . The 25 th ult . was fixed for tho event to come off , and proved a complete

success . The elegant theatre was filled in every part ; the boxes were crowded , chiefly with the beauty and fashion of the neighbourhood , proving that the mystic Order is most popular . Tho members of the Craft , however , mustered in great numbers , a large body of Avhom and their friends being brought iu a special train from

Chester . The performance commenced with tbe following prologue , Avritten for the occasion by Mr . Robert Crompton , and spoken by his brother , Mr . William Crompton :

Ladies and gentlemen ,-. I come to say A few words ere the opening of our play -. Words for the actors , whom you sooo . Avill see : The cause they servo requires no words from me . Oh , such a motley crowd the green-room throngs ; Here the musicians practising their

songs ; The villains there , hob-nobbing with iocs ; The love-lorn sigher thinks not of his woes . The heavy father , —sire of other sort , — Lighthearted , views the scene , and thinks it sport . No discord yet they know , no strife , no fear : The prince and constable are brothers here .

Stay . ' did I say no fear ? I must recall What illustrates my meaning not at all . Would you could see some others nervous stand—One with his book or written part in hand ; One , spite of paint , with pallor in his face ; One at the mirror , practising somo

grace—A bearing dignified or posture striking , Yet can ' t get his deportment to his liking : One's Avig don ' t fit , but from his head will fall ; One pants because his pants are much too small The Rindorpest , committing havoc now , Makes every farmer anxious for his cow ; Ono amateur tbe farmers' terrors halves , But his anxiety ' s about his calves .

But to be serious avrhile . I stand Deputed to thank friends on every hand . Adversity may come , death bring to naught The head that planned , the skilful hand that wrought ; And thus you aid to dry the orphan's tears , To rear and care for him in future years . Sinccrest thanks to each , and all of you—Not words alone , but deep-heart thanks . Adieu !

In the first piece , * ' Much Ado about Nothing , " the character of Benedick was sustained by that most popular of amateurs , Mr . B . B . Cummins , whose finished elocution , appropriate gesture , and perfect sang froid , Avould lead a stranger to suppose that he was an experienced professional of high standing . Miss Hill played the part

of the quick-witted and sharp-tongued Beatrice admirably , and both she and Mr . Cummins were called before tho curtain . Mr . Maysson , as Don Pedro , looked every inch a prince ; and Avhen tho slight nervousness Avhich he naturally at first felt in facing so large an audience had worn off , he played his part capitally . Mr . A . T .

Haddock Avas very effective as the young Florentine lord , Glaudio ; Mr . E . Crompton , as Leonato ; and Mr . S . Drielsma-, as Antonio . " Brother " Holden , too , made a very good " heavy villain " as Borachio ; but the Bon John of Bro . T . E . Hignett was scarcely " heavy" enough , arising probably from a little diffidence on his part .

Bro . W . J . Hammond was most amusing as Dogberry , and most truly did Dogberry say that Verges ( Bro . Coulter ) was " a good old man , " for Mr . Coulter ' s was au admirable make up . Bro . Tom Taylor , as Gonrade , had not much scope , but what littlo he had to do Avas done well . Indeed the acting altogether was unusually good for amateurs . We ought not to omit stating that Miss Eignold , as Hero , was one of those whom the audience delighted to honour . During the piece "Sigh no more ,

Ladies , " Avas sung as a quintet , in which Bros . Unsworth . Ycatman , Cummins , Davies , and Wright took the predominant part-, and so admirable was the performance , that it elicited a warm and enthusiastic encore . This was followed by Madison Morton ' s farce of " Box and Cox , " and J . Stirling Coyne ' s farce of ' * Binks the Bagman . " In " Box and Cox" the case was as follows-.

—John Box , Bro . W . Hammond ; James Cox , Bro . T . E . Ilignett ; Mrs . Bouncer , Mrs . Power ; and in " Binks the Bagman" the cast consisted of the following : —Binks , Mr . S . Drelama ; Kit Crimmins , Bro . Holden ; Jack Jloliimon , Mr . E . Crompton ; Tom , Mr . Gibbs ; _ Mrs . Crimmins , Mrs . Power , & c . The former was admirably played , the Avhole company , evidently being greatly lau

amused , testifying their appreciation by frequent pdits , and at tbe conclusion calling for the brothers Box and Cox before the curtain . Of the latter piece it may be sufficient to say , that though approaching tbe " wee short hour" before the conclusion , yet nearly the whole audience remained , thus testifying their appreciation . We ht not to lect stating that the ladartistes

oug neg y appeared Avith the kind permission of Bro . W . E . Coupland , the esteemed proprietor of the Theatre Eoyal and Royal Amphitheatre , Liverpool . It is most gratifying to add , in conclusion , that a handsome sum will be realised for this excellent charity , reflecting the greatest credit on its promoters , and proving that in this neighbourhood Ereemasonry is justly appreciated .