Masonic Festivities.

proposed " The Queen , " which was followed by the National Anthem , one of the ladies present kindly officiating at the piano . The next toast included all the dignitai-ies of the Craft , and was coupled with the name of Bros . Thomas , I . P . M ., who responded in an excellent speech . The W . M . next proposed " The Health of the Ladies " who were present , remarking that he considered

it their due to obtain such a recognition among the early toasts , and not defer ifc , as was so often the case at non-Masonic toasts , till the company were departing . To the great delight of the brethren the ladies' stewards , who wore white favours , were not called upon to respond , inasmuch as two ladies very pluckily faced the company , and one ( the honoured Secretary ' s wife ) having responded

briefly but emphatically , the other lady ( the wife of the Director of Ceremonies ) enlarged on the theme eloquently giving her adhesion to the principles of tho Craft , ancl complimenting its representatives on that occasion for their thoughtful gallantry and kindness towards their female relatives . The addresses of the ladies were hailed by the brethren with hearty applause . Tbe W . M . next proposed "The Visiting Brethren , " on behalf of whom , by general request , Bro . J . W . Anson returned

thanks m appropriate and eloquent language . Bro . Pope , W . M . of the Manchester Loclge also responded . The Reverend Honorary Chaplain , Bro . Roberts , in an excellent speech , proposed " Success to the Panmure Lodge , " coupled with the health of the W . M ., to whose exertions he attributed much of the success of their festival . The W . M . replied , and proposed "The Stewards , " for whom

Bro . TTuwin responded in a very effective speech . A toast in honour of Royal Arch Masons , of whom there were several distinguished companions present , was responded to by Comp . Stevens , M . E . Z . of the Panmure Chapter . Bro . Smetzer , I . G-., replied to the toast of the officers . "Success to the Masonic Charities , " was proposed , and the claim of those Institutions was eloquently

enforced by Bro . Thomas , P . M . " The Healths of Bros . Bertram and Roberts , " was also proposed , and they were heartily thanked for their attention , and the perfection of their arrangements . It is but right to state that the bill of fare comprised every delicacy of the season , and the wines were really of a first-class character . Several ladies , in addition to musical brethren ( notably Bros . Ramsay , Smetzer , Stevens , & c . ) contributed greatly to the enjoyment of all present by the exercise of their vocal powers .

Notes On Literature, Science, Music, Drama, And The Fine Arts.

NOTES ON LITERATURE , SCIENCE , MUSIC , DRAMA , AND THE FINE ARTS .

Mr . Hepworth Disou has sailed for the United States . Artemus " Ward will commence his lectures in this country in the autumn . Madlle . Nillsen , of the Lyrique , is engaged for next season at Pier Majesty ' s .

Mr . Boucicault ' s new drama has been produced at the Prince ' s Theatre , Manchester . It is entitled "The Two Lives of Mary Leigh . " A new comedy by Mr . T . W . Robertson , author of " David Garrick , " and " Society , " is to be tried by MissMarie Wilton ' s company at Liverpool

_ Miss Fanny Addison and her sister have been inlaying with Mr . Phelps at Birmingham , the former in " The Man of the World , " the latter in " The Fool ' s Revenge . " Mademoiselle Monito , a young girl , is creating some

sensation in Paris . She replies to questions in eighteen languages , and comes out strong in orthography . There was lately discovered at a village near Lyons

a painting by Murillo . It came , it appears , originally from the Lords of Beaujeu , and has been for many years in a farm house , where it was seen accidentally by a connoisseur . Mr . Robert Roxby , for many years stage manager of Drury Lane Theatre , died last week after a longillness . His real surname was Beverley , and he was a brother of Mr . William Beverley , the well-known scenic artist .

A sequel to Mr . Tom Taylor ' s popular drama of "The Ticket of Leave Man . " The new drama is called " Six Tears After , or The Ticket of Leave Man ' s Wife . " The study of Shakespeare does not seem likely to be forgotten at the Antipodes , It appears that a

Shakespeare Scholarship of £ 50 a year was founded in the University of Melbourne , with the funds collected in the colony of Victoria , for the celebration of the Tercentenary Festival . The Oxford Times says that the new curate of St Clement ' s , in that city , the Rev . Arthur Robbins , of Magdalen Hall , is the author of the well-known works of clerical fiction , " Miriam May , ' " Crispin Ken , " and "Black Moss . "

The Orchestra announces that Venice will undergo a treat on the day that it is united to the Kingdom of Italy . Theresa has avowed to sing on that day her " Rien n ' est sacre " and " Venus aux carrottes , " in the Square of St . Mark ! - So England produces crocodiles after all ! At all

events , Mr . G . R . Wright , P . S . A ., describes in the current number of the Gentleman ' s Magazine an animal recently found near Chipping Norton , in Oxfordshire , and whicli both the writer , and Mr . Frank Buckland , and Professor Owen consider to be nothing less than a species of the genus crocodile .

The memorial to the Duke of Wellington subscribed for by the tenantry on the Strathfieldsaye estate , Hants , and erected near the Heekfield Lodge , has just been completed . It consists of a column of grey polished Cornish granite , ancl the column and base weigh about sixty tons . The column is surmounted by a figure of the great duke , the work of Baron Mnrochetti .

The new scenic ballet at the Alhambra , called The Titanic Cascadas , is of some little importance to the parish of St . Martin ' s-in-theFields as a sanitary agent . Every time it is exhibited , at least twenty tons of water , after flowing before the audience for twenty minutes or more , find their way into the sewers , and flush them free of cost to the ratepayers . This is not to be despised in hot weather ancl a close neighbourhood .

The Queen has entrusted the execution of a monument in St . George ' s Chapel , Windsor , to the memory of the King of the Belgians , to Miss Durant , who is already known to tbe public by various statues and busts . In the clay model , which is completed , the aged monarch is represented as stretehed on the bed of deathby the side of w hich lies crouchedbut

, , with head erect , the Belgian lion , on whose shaggy mane the right hand of the departing king has dropped . On the other side of the couch stand two guardian angels , presenting two shields emblazoned with the arms of England and Belgium .