Masonic Lifeboat Fund.

striking analogy , that the Master Mason cannot be deemed perfect in the glorious science until , by the cultivation of his intellectual poAvers , he has gained such moral government of his passions , such serenity of mind , that in synonymous opposition with mastership in operative art , his thoughts , like his actions , have become as useful as human intelligence will permit , and thafc , having

passed through tho trials of life Avith fortitude and faith , lie is fitted for that grand , solemn , and mysterious consummation by which alone he can become acquainted with the great security of eternity . Unlike the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft , who each anticipate improvement as they advance , the Master Mason can learn nothing beyond the Third Degree ; his hopes , therefore ,

with bis thoughts and Avishes , should be directed to the Grand Lodge above , where the world's Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . The ceremonial and the lecture beautifully illustrate this all-engrossing subject ; and the conclusion Ave arrive at is that youth properlydirectd leads us to honourable and virtuous maturity ; ancl the life of man , regulated by morality , faith , and justice , will

be rewarded at its closing hour by the prospect of eternal bliss-The Third Degree is followed by ancient ceremonies , installation of Grand Officers , laying foundation stones , and other similar services . The funeral sei * A * ices and the lodge of SOITOAV complete this truly valuable work . In our nest paper we Avill notice the Royal Arch , as explained by Bros . Sheville and Gould .

Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

HAYMARKET THEATRE . Fietra—tlie production of Herr Mosenthal , the author of Leah—was produced at this Theatre on Monday , the 7 th inst ., when Miss Bateman achieved a success fully equal to her "Leah . " Whatever question there may be as to the merits of the play , there can be none with respect to the actress . Gradually and surely she raised

her audience to a pitch of enthusiasm , which expressed itself at the end of every act , aud more strongly than ever at the termination of the piece . In this play Miss Bateman is able to display all her poAver , aud in filling up the outline of Mosenthal she has achieved a creation of her own . Miss Bateman was ably supported by Mr . Kendal as the lover " Manfred" ; Mr . Chippendale as * ' Liso di Oampetie "; and Mr . Howe as " Gasparde . " Mr . O'Connor's new scenery was very effective .

PRINCE OF WALES' THEATRE . The comedy of Tame Cats , written by Mr . Edmund Yates , was produced at this theatre on Saturday evening , the 12 th inst ., with decided success . Miss Marie Wilton made her first appearance this season in one of the principal characters of the new piece . THE GAIETY THEATRE .

This theatre , under tbe lesseeship of Mr . John Hollingshead , will open on Monday next . The entertainments will consist of an operetta , entitled The Two Harlequins ; a comedy , On the Cards , adapted from the French ; and an operatic extravaganza by Mr . Gilbert , entitled Hubert tlie Devil . ROYAL GALLERY OF ILLUSTRATION .

Mr . and Mrs . German Reed ' s entertainment will again be presented to us on AA ednesday , 23 rd inst ., the opening night of the forthcoming season , Avhen Mr . Bumand ' s clever production , Inquire Within , will be given . During the absence of Mr . John Parry , Mr . Frank Matthews Avill take his character , and a debutant eoinvxCti promise , Mdlle . Rosa D'Erina will appear , not only in Inquire Within , '' but as the heroine of a new musical extravaganza , Avhich has been taken from the French by R .

Public Amusements.

Reece , and will be brought out under the title of The Last of the Paladins . Mr . German Reed has secured a well selected company to do full justice to the light and pleasing strains of this popular class of composition .

Metropolitan Lodge Meetings, Etc., For The Week Ending December 26th , 1868.

METROPOLITAN LODGE MEETINGS , ETC ., FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 26 TH , 1868 .

MONDAY , December 21 st . —Lodges : Grand Masters , 1 , Freemasons' Hall . British , 8 , Freemasons' Hall . Emulation , 21 , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . Felicity , 55 , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-street . Tranquility , 185 , Radley ' s Hotel , Bridge-street , Blackfriars . Panmure , 729 , Balham Hotel , Balham . AA hittington , S 62 , 14 , Bedford-row . Royal Albert , 907 , Freemasons' Hall . Gooch ,

1 , 238 , Prince Alfreds Hotel , Southall , Middlesex-TUESDAY , December 22 nd . —Lodges : Moria , 92 , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-street- Industry , 186 . Freemasons ' Hall . Israel , 205 , Radley ' s Hotel , Bridge-street , Blackfriars . Southern Star , 1 , 158 , Montepelier Tavern , AA al-Avorth , Urban , 1 , 196 , Old Jerusalem Tavern , St . John's GateClerkenwell . Chapters : Royal

YorkPerse-, , verance , 7 , Freemasons' Hall . St . Alban ' s , 29 , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . WEDNESDAY , December 23 rd . —Lodge of Benevolence , at 7 precisely . Mount Moriah , 34 , Freemasons' Hall . United 'Pilgrims , 507 , Horn ' s Tavern , Kennington . High Cross , 754 , AVhite Hart Hotel , Tottenham Station-Chapter : Lily of Richmond , 820 , Greyhound Tavern ,

Richmond . THURSDAY , December 24 th . —House Com . Female School , at 4 . Prosperity , 65 , Guildhall Coffee House , Gresham-street . South Middlesex , 858 , Beaufort House , North End , Fulham . FniDAY , December 25 th . —House Com . Boy ' s School , at 3 . Lodges : Universal , 181 , Freemasons' Hall . Fitz Roy , 569 , Head Quarters of the Hon . Artillery Company , London .

Poetry.

Poetry .

FAREAVELL TO THE CLOSING YEAR . By T . J . S AVAIN * . ParOAVoll , IaroAvoll 1 to fbo closing year , Its days aro roducod to a span ; Soon 'twill bo number'd Avith other years past . And tho sands of its hour-glass bo ran . FaroAA-oU to tho griofs aud joys that mark'd

Its months as thoy roll'd along ,-FaroAA'oll to tho hours of pleasure and pain . That SAvift in my memory throng . AA o ara drawing noarc-r otaA-nity ' s shore , And not ono of earth ' s children knoAvs That tho year just approaching unto onr A-IOAA-. May not boar him aAvay oro its close .

Wo should live Avith this thought boforo onr minds , AA o should road Avhat tho Scripture saitb , " As a vapour tho lifo of man passeth away . In tho midst of that life we ' re- in death . ' ' Yot lot us welcome tho coming year With faith in God ' s mercy and lovo ; And thro' every trial that it bringotb us here

. Lot us place our rolianco above . FaroAvoll , faroAvoll 1 to tho closing year As it vanisboth into tho past , Lot us thankfully look back upon its joys , And pray that its mercies may last .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

SEVERAL notices of Lodge Meetings and other reports stand OA-er until our next issue .