Channel Islands.

progress of humanity . He , in fine , is a Mason whose device is , " Intelligence , faithfulness , kindliness . " In bufc a few words , I have sought broadly to sketch out for you that which Ave consider Masonry to be ; to explain to you how ive practically translate the ivord " Mason . " Our interpretation of ifc , there is no doubt , my newly-initiated brother , Avill not only be accepted by you , bufc lvelcomed with joy and eagerness ; and in that conviction ,

Ave fraternally grasp your hand . " The acting W . M . proposed a highly respectable candidate for initiation . The business being over , the loclge was closed afc half-past nine o'clock in love and perfect harmony .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . DR . JOHN THOMPSON . Bro . Dr . John Thompson , of Whitehaven , died on Sunday morning , the 28 th ulfc ., after a protracted illness . He was one the many martyrs fco his laborious profession . About three years ago a bad fever visited Whitehaven , and caused great mortality . During the prevalence of thafc epidemic , Bro . Thompson ' s labours by nighfc and day ivere literally incessant-.

The fatigue Avhich lie then underwent shook a constitution naturally robust . A long rest might have restored him . Bufc le found no rest ; and until exertion became impossible he continued to exercise his profession . His age was only forfcy-• five . He will be much missed by rich and poor . Few men have passed from among us more generally beloved . All that was mortal of him was laid yesterday in the cemetery near our town : The chief mourners on fche occasion were John ThompsonEsq

, ., ¦ of Kelswick House , father of the deceased ; Master W . Thompson , deceased's eldest son ; his Grace the Archbishop of York and Capt . Edward Thompson , brothers of the deceased ; ancl W . Jefferson , Esq ., London , his brother-in-law , and Dr . Henry . The attendance of townsmen , in carriages and on foot , was unusuall y large , almost everyone having turned out in token of respect to the memory of the departed , and of sympathy with

his bereft and grieving family . Tho Craft , including Bros . Busher , of Kendall , and Greaves , of Penrith , joined in pro-• cession , the deceased brother having held posts of honour and trust in the Craffc . The burial service ivas read by the Rev . Mr . Payne , curate of St . James ' s . We need only add that the deceased ivas a pre-eminently skilful surgeon ; ami of good reputation as a general practitioner . Shortly before his death the critical state of his health induced him to form a

partnership ivith his assistant , Dr . Henry , AA'ho , ive understand , will continue the practice of fche firm . The late Bro . J . Thompson was initiated October 15 th , I 860 , in the Sun , Square , and Compasses Lodge , No . 119 , Whitehaven ; was first J . W ., ancl served the office of W . M . in the Lewis Loclge , No . 872 , Whitehaven , and was also afc the period of bis decease , Grand Treasurer of the province of Cumberland ancl Westmoreland . He was universally beloved by the bretbren ,-ivho will deeply feel the loss of so true ancl so zealous a Mason .

Masonic Festivities.

MASONIC FESTIVITIES .

CHESHIRE . On Monday evening , the 29 th ult ., the second amateur dramatic performance in aid of the funds of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution , under the distinguished patronage of Bro . the Lord do Tabley , R . W . Prov . G . M . Cheshire ; Sir T . G . Hesketh , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . West Lancashire ; Sir W . IV . Wynne , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . Shropshire and N . Wales ; Lord Viscount CombermereD . Prov . G . M . Cheshire ;

, , G . B . Leigh , M . B ., Prov . S . G . W . Cheshire ; John Laird , Esq ., 31 . 7 ., Birkenhead ; W . Hind , Esq ., Chairman Birkenhead Commissioners ; G . Harrison , Esq ., Major \ V . Laird , J . Laird , Jun ., Esq ., H . K . Aspinall , Esq ., albj of Birkenhead ; & c , took place in the Theatre Royal , Birkenhead , before an overflowing house . The pieces selected for performance were calculated to put to a severe test the capabilities of amateursthe first being Messrs .

, Tom Taylor and Chas . Reade ' s semi-historical drama of " The King's Rival , " followed by John Poole ' s still very popular farce of " Deaf as a Post . " Tho " brotherhood , " however , were equal to the occasion , and a A'ery agreeable performance Avas the result . The drama ive may remind our readers , turns upon the foibles

of that king who " never said a foolish thing , and never did a wise one . " The wandering glances of the merry monarch have ¦ fallen on the handsome Mistress Stewart , who is beloved by and gives her heart in return to the brave Duke of Richmond . To protect herself from the King's importunities , by having her lover near her , she persuades the monarch to deprive , the duke of a dangerous naval command . Bufc the duke misunderstands

her motives , suspects her of cold-hearted treachery , and a wish to rnin him , anil , under the torture of this feeling , plunges into a vortex of dissipation , and is now led by a remaining fifth monarchy man into a treasonable plot against his royal master and rival . Mistress Stewart sees with pain his altered feelings , ancl suspects him of being , after all , but hollow-hearted . Through the generosity of Nell Gwynne , with whom the duke has become enamouredancl whose best sympathies are awakened

, by his sufferings , the lovers are brought together , happily married , —in rataer an off-handed way , by-the-bye , —and all parties to the treason escape through the influence of fair Nelly . The piece is full of striking situations and lively dialogue , which was on the whole well delivered . Miss Stewart had a fitting representative in Miss Ness , of the Royal Amphitheatre , and Miss Bessie Harding was a sprightly Nell Gwynne , and looked

the part to perfection . The little that had to be . done by-Catherine of Braganza , the slighted queen , was well clone by-Miss Jenny Lemoine , and all the ladies , being members of either Mr . Henderson's or Mr . Byron ' s companies , were of course ivell up fco their business . Of the gentlemen amateurs we are able to speak in terms of general commendation , bufc Mr . R . B . Cummins , as the Duke of Richmond , Mr . W . N . Nufctall as

Samuel Pepys , Mr . Alfred T . Haddock as King Charles the Second , and Mr . S . Pearson as Major Wild-nan , the moving spirit of the conspiracy , deserve special mention . Mr . T . Walters as Lord Buckhurst , occasionally lacked animation , and , if he

will pardon us for saying so , a more accomplished bearing for such an experienced roue ns his lordship . The set speeches , with which fche piece abounds , took amazingly with the audience ; and ivhen , in the midst of the mad orgie , the Duke is awakened to reason by the guns of the Dutch invaders afc Chatham , and gives a parting toast in the presence of the masked king and his fellow revellers , his apostrophe to Cromwell"the protector of all that was good and great in this

, country , " literally "brought down the house" in thunders of applause . The piece ivas well put upon the stage ; the dresses supplied by Mr . Henry Jeffreys , ivere suitable to the royal character of tlie play ; and , under the direction of Mr . Norman Hill , the stage business Avas well managed . In the farce , Bro . W . J . Hammond ' s Tristram Sappy stood out distinctly as an excellent conception , and Bro . T . E . Hignett as Capt .

Templeton , hacl all the ease of a finished actor . The female characters Avere Avell filled , and Miss Bessie Harding was a most lively Sally Moss . Perhaps the best complimeat to the whole of the actors and actresses was paid in the circumstance of the audience , almost ivithout exception , staying to the very last . Amongst those present , ive noticed Mr . W . Hind , chairman of the Birkenhead Commissioners ; Capt . W . Homer , and

Lieutenant Roper , 2 nd C . U . V . ; Mr . Thomas Gaskell , Mr . E . Gaskell , Mr . James Darbyshire , and other well-known gentlemen . The orchestra was well filled by the band of the 2 nd C . R . V . During the drama an incident occurred ivhich showed the bravery of Miss Bessie Harding . In the burning of the treasonable documents which implicated Richmond , the management hacl forgotten to supply a " practicable" fireplaceancl the

, scenery took fire , to the alarm of some of the audience . Nell Gwynne , however , with characteristic promptness , assisted the King to extinguish the flames , and somebody behind the scene was so active in the emergency that it was generally suspected his Grace of Richmond had a hand in it . Confidence was

restored almost ere it had begun to be lost , and what might have been a serious accident happily avoided . The institution is well worthy of support . It is now in its fourth - year of existence , and the objects of it being for the education and advancement in life of the children of distressed ancl deceased Masons , it is patronised by all the distinguished ancl influential Masons in the county , but its origin and success are mainly owing to the exertions of Mr . J . P . PiattIt has at present

, under its care eight orphans , children of deceased and decayed Masons , and has a funded capital of £ 500 . The success of the performance and its patronage was mainly owing to the exertions of the various Masters , Past Masters , ancl officers of the Mersey , Zetland , and Combermere Lodges in Birkenhead and Seacombe , and to the Chester Lodges ; but a generous public came forward