Royal Alhambra Palace.

ROYAL ALHAMBRA PALACE .

In addition to the usual attraction to this popular p lace of amusement , Bro . F . Strange , the enterprising managing director , has produced another new mythological ballefc , arranged by Mr . Milano , entitled " A Strange Dream ; or , the Festival of Bacchus , " it being the means of introducing a now dancer , Mdlle . Pitteri , whose graceful action and exquisite dancing has not been

equalled since the celebrated ballets produced at Her Majesty's Theatre , under the management of Mr . Lumley . The scenery is very beautifully painted by AV . Callcott , and tho ballefc was well supported by Mdlle- Kiraifl , Miss AVoods , the Brothers Kiralfi , and the celebrated Alhambra coryphees . A new song , composed and sung by Bro . E . Green , was received with great enthusiasm .

The First Masonic Funeral In California.

THE FIRST MASONIC FUNERAL IN CALIFORNIA .

An American Contemporary gives the following incident in connection with the Masonic funeral in California : — The first Masonic funeral that ever occurred in California , took place in the year 1849 , and was performed over the body of a brother found drowned in the bay of San Francisco . An account of the ceremonies states

that on the body of the deceased was found a silver mark of a Mason , upon which were engraved the initials of his name . A little further investigation revealed to fche beholder the most singular exhibition of Masonic emblems that was ever drawn by the ingenuity of man upon the human skin . There is nothing in the history or traditions of Freemasonry equal to it . Beautifully

dotted on his left arm in red or blue ink , which time could not efface , appeared all the emblems of the entered apprentice . There were the Holy Bible , the square and the Compass , the 24 in . Gauge , and the common Gavel . There were also the mosaic pavement representing the ground-floor of King Solomon ' s Temple , the indented tessel which surrounds itand the Blazing Star in the

, centre . On his right arm , and artistically executed in the same indelible liquid , were the emblems pertaining to the Fellow Craffc degree , viz .: the Square , the Level , and the Plumb . There were also the five columns representing the five Orders of Architecture—the Tuscan , Doric , Ionic . Corinthian , Composite .

In removing the garments from his body , the Trowel presented itself , with all the other tools of operative masonry . Over his heart was the pot of Incense . ~ On the other parts of his body were the Bee Hive , the Book of Constitutions , guarded by the Tyler's Sword ; the sword pointing to a naked heart ; the all-seeing Eye ; the Anchor and Ark , the Hour Glass , the Scythe , the

fortyseventh problem of Euclid ; the Sun , Moon , Stars , and Comets ; the three steps emblematical of Youth , Manhood , and Age . Admirably executed was the weeping Virgin , reclining on a broken column , upon which lay the Book of Constitutions , In her left hand she held the pot of Incense , the Masonic emblem of a pure heart , and in her uplifted hand a sprig of Acacia , the emblem of the

immortality of the soul . Immediately beneath her stood winged Tiiie , with his scythe by his side , which cuts the brittle thread of life , ancl the Hour Glass at his feet , which is ever reminding us that our lives are withering away . The withered and attenuated fingers of the destroyer were placed amid the long and gracefully flowing ringlets of the disconsolate mourner . Thus were

the striking emblems of mortality and immortality beautifully blended in one pictorial representation . It was a spectacle such as Masons never saw before , and in all probability , such as the fraternity will never witness again . The brother ' s name was never known .

Poetry.

Poetry .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR AGED FREEMASONS AND THEIR AYIDOWS . Within this calm retreat , Raised by Masonic love , AA o aged pilgrims como To rest our woaiy foot .

With joyful stops we como , From toil and caro set free , To our Masonic home , ¦ And nearer still to Thee . Nearer to Thee , my God I Great Architect divino I 0 . ' teach us so to live ,

That wo may all bo Thine . 1 love the noble Order—A woman tho' I be—¦ Its steadfast faith , Its lovo to God . And boundless charity ! Then comoMasonic sistersdear

, , , And join your prayers to mine , That God will bless our brethren bore , Iu every ago aud clime . For thoy tho holy footpath keep , Tho path our Saviour trod , Thoy soothe our woes , dry orphans' tears . And teach the way to God .

And by thoir sacred boud of birth , Thoir noble actions , too , Thoy show , while here thoy dwell on earth , AVhat other men . should do . CHARLOTTE G ., Croydon .

Sonnet.

SONNET .

Thro' many an age , amid tho shook of arms , Religion's jars , and party's fell alarms ; 'Mid Folly ' s lies , and Slander ' s forged stains , Still unsubvortod , Masonry romains ; Begot by Wisdom , and upheld by Truth , Still feels tho vigour of unfading youth . The mystic building stands ' mid Envy's flood ,

And Evil finds itself o ' orcomo by Good . Still locked in secrecy , tho hallowed tie , Its generous virtues moot tho public eye ; And actions now aro candidly confest To show tho hidden motives of tho breast . Hypocrisy awhilo ma 3 ' cheat tho light , Rut Time will briug tlio snaky post to light . Ages havo stainpt a value ou our art

, But 'tis our deeds that must convince the heart . Tho Mason views yon glittering orbs on high , Fix'd in tho vast o ' or-kanging cauopy , And from tho Architect benignant draws His humbler actions , less oxtonsiro laws : Benevolence is henco his darling theme , His waking monitor , his midnight dream ; Ho views tho various races of mankind .

And views them always with a brother ' s mind : No modes of fviitli restrain his friendly zeal , Tho world is but ouo larger common weal . Yet not alone tho fruitless will to bless , The Mason ' s heart is open to distress ; His oyo sheds Pity's dew , his hand is near To wipe away Affliction ' s starting tear : Tho widow smiles ; Compassion waves her wing ;

Tho prisoner loaps for joy ; the orphans slug . 0 , brethren ! still pursue tho task divine ; For us hath rectitude mark'd out tho lino . Behold Humility the lovol boar , And Justice , steady-baudod , fix the square . T .