A First Rehearsal.

Mellington , for he felt convinced that the popular soiibrelte would give Slagg a setting down that would serve him for some time . The wished-for storm burst very shortly . Miss Mellington had not yet commenced her part . She did not appear at the beginning of the piece , but at length the cue for her entrance was given , and she came smiling on to the stage , neat

gloves , distracting bonnet , aud coquettish little parapluie , and all . "Halloo , hallo ! " exclaimed Shgg , who had snatched the manuscri pt indignantly from the feeble hands of Mr . Minns , " what ' s that you ' re saying , Miss Mellington ?" "I beg your pardon , " observed Miss Julia with a sweet smile .

\ Vhy don t you commence with the dialogue with Miss Pimlico ? " " Oh , I ' ve cut that out . " " Cut it out , madam 1 " . " Yes ; it seemed to drag a little there , and so—" " Seemed to drag ! I think I ' m the best judge of that . "

"I beg to differ with you there . " "I ' m the stage-manager , and I wont allow it ! " " I have to play the part , and I mean to do it as I ' m doing it this morning , or not at all ! " and Miss Mellington , without appearing iu the least angry or excited , looked as if she meant what she said , aud puckered up her pretty little mouth in a comically

determined manner . " You will do it as it is written , of course , madam , " spluttered Slagg , who was very red and furious . " Don't dictate to me , Miss Mellington . "

" 1 didn't dictate to you ; it was the other way . " " Well , what do you say , Mr . Bentham ? " asked ihe stage-manager , turning to Horace abruptly . Slagg knew the author ' s name well enough , but he considered it imposing to call him by a wrong- ono . Slagg always did this with fresh hands , as heimagiued it put them in their placeand let them see they were

, nobodies . The fair Julia , seeing Horace was rather at a loss how to reply , relieved him of the responsibility , and answered Slagg herself . " Oh , Mr . Slagg , Mr . Bentley , the author , and I have settled it , so there needn't be any more squabbling . "

" Oh , if you and the author have settled it , that ' s a very different matter . " The stage-manager shrugged his shoulders as he said this , pulling down his mouth and elevating his eyebrows in the most significant manner . Giggley forgot his surliness for a moment , and winked

knowingly at Miss Pimlico , who laughed immoderately , whilst Horace felt himself scarlet to the small of the back . There was no more fi ghting after this , the opposing parties imagining each had come off victorious , Miss Mellington having carried her point , and Slagg having , as he fanciedsaid something very clever and

, cutting . The rehearsal " dragged its slow length along , " and at length the " tag" arrived . Here Giggley , who had boggled and stammered through his part , gave it as his opinion that the finish must be altered . Miss Mellington , being a vocalist , suggested a little musical finale . Miss Pimlico thought that if

she could go off just before , and something could bo done whilst she was putting on a riding-habit ( which as she played the Avif ' e of a milkman , Avas of course a most natural thing to do ) , the piece would receive a

A First Rehearsal.

" fillip , " whilst Montrose declared that uuless there Avas some rhyme all round in which he could take part , his character might as well be played by a " super . " But Giggley wouldn't listen to any of these propositions . " What's the use of singing anything when the people are all going out ? and as for

rhyme , I can't study any rhyme by Monday , even if it had a chance of being heard . No , look here ; Avhen I discover it ' s my wife , I giA'e a shriek and a jump ; you cry out , 'What , Timotheus Tootsictmi , " don't you knoAV me ? ' We rush past each other , missing the embrace ; you fly into Captain Fitzwhiskers' arms

; I am about to salute Mrs . Fitzwhiskers , Avhen she pushes me into the pan of buttermilk ; general scream , and ' ring down' on the roar . " —Byron ' s " Paid in Pull . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

K 5 TGHTS OF CONSTANTINOPLE . Is the new—they call it " ancient aud illustrious " " —degree of Knights of Constantinople another version of the Knights of Constantine , or is it tomfoolery ? ¦ —TRIPLE TRIANGLE .

MASONIC DEGREE MANUFACTORY . Where is the Masonic degree manufactory which has lately turned out a new " ancient" and , of course , " illustrious " batch of Kni ghts of Constantinople ?—ORDERICUS VITALIS .

COAVPER , GRAND SECRETARY . Was the Brother Cowper who officiated as Grand Secretary , soon after the revival of Grand Lodge , any relative of Cowper the poet ? If not , to what family did he belong?—M . A .

THE TOAST OE FREDERICK THE GREAT . Is the toast of Frederick the Great ever drank in solemn silence at Masonic meetings in England . It is so honoured here occasionally .- —A READER , Boston , U . S . —[ At the institution of the Supreme Grand Council of London it was , on one or two occasions , so observed , but it has long since been discontinued . ]

DECEASED MASOXIC CELEBRITIES . I shall be obliged to any brethren who will kindly furnish me with the names and particulars , briefly or in extenso , of deceased brethren celebrated in the annals of Freemasonry , or distinguished in the various professions of the outer vrorld . —MATTHEW COOKE .

MASOXIC POCKET-HANDKERCHIEFS . I had read of Masonic bed-quilts , Masonic dinnersauces , Masonic Avalking-sticks , Masonic clocks , & c ., but I think the ne plus ultra of Masonic articles has just been shown me . It is a Masonic pockethandkerchief . The very idea of such a thing is as uncomplimentary to Freemasonry as anything can Avell be . —A PROVINCIAL BROTHER .

DR . ARNE . Was Dr . Arne , the composer of "Rule Britannia , " the opera of Arlaxerxes , and many other well-known pieces of music , a brother Mason ? I am led to ask this because a Masonic hymn , "Almighty Sire , " is set to music by Dr . Arne . —M . C .