Masonic Festivities.

being opened Era the benefit of Bro . Newcombe , the manager . The Masters of the different lodges being held responsible for the orderly conduct of their respective members . " It is , hoivever , to be understood that the permission now granted is not to be drawn into a precedent , as it is contrary to the usages of the Craft to appear in public in the badges of the Order , unless ivhen employed in assisting in laying the foundation-stone of some building for pious or charitable

purposes , or ivhen attending Divine service , or at the interment of a deceased Master Mason . " You will take the necessary steps for communicating the substance of this letter to the Masters of the lodges on ivhose behalf you ivrote . —I have the honour to be your faithful servant and brother , "AVM . GRAY CLAEKE , G . S . " To . Bro . AVilliam Hunt , Secretary of the meeting of Masters of Lodges , St . George's Hall , Plymouth . "

Bro . Newcombe , addressing Dr . Dowse and the Freemasons , said : —AVorshipful Sir and Brother Freemasons , —Though my words be few , believe me I am deeply grateful for to-night ' s benefit , and for this handsome record of your kindness . As a Freemason , I am sensible my devotion to tbe Order has been . far too small to merit tbe applause of my more zealous brethren . Hacl I , like many of the brethren present , been devoted to my lodge duties , ancl always burning ivith zeal for the good of tbe

Craft , to have been honoured with the sympathy and the help of the brethren ivould not have been remarkable , for under such circumstances I might have felt I hacl some sort of Masonic merit , some claim to fraternal notice . As however , . bis is not the case , I cannot but feel all tbe more grateful for your consideration and kindness . You , brethren , have been good enough not to look at my shortcomings as a Freemason , but you have looked to the manner in which I have discharged my duty as a

member of that great lodge " Society , " ancl have been pleased to think I have acted my part on the stage of the Avorld so as to deserve your good Avill and your praise . Some seven years ago you applauded me for doing acts of kindness ancl succour to some ivho were then under the hands of sore affliction , and now you praise me for fortitude in adversity , ancl for perseverance in surmounting difficulties . AAlien the disaster

happened , out of AA'hich this benefit has arisen , I endeavoured to do Avhat under the circumstances I deemed to be my duty to myself and to others . At the worst ancl most trying moment I did not despair , and happily I was enabled to take such steps as prevented the calamity becoming much more serious to many persons connected ivith me by promptly putting the Theatre in a condition which admitted ofits being re-opened . The result has shown that sofarI was " Not a Bad Judge" since in doing

, , , what I considered to be right I have mot with your approbation , and the approbation of tbe highest authority in Freemasonry . I will not longer detain you . I thank you for giving me the opportunity afforded by the presentation of this address and dispensation to preserve a memento of your kindness , for which I am profoundly grateful . ( Continued applause . ) At the termination of the gratifying ceremony the entire

company testified their respect and goocl will for Mr . Newcombe by loudly applauding him . The performance then proceeded , the next piece being , I couldn't Help it , in which Mdlle . Johanna Claussen tock the principal character . The orchestra then played " God save the Queen , " all present rising . After a ballet , the drama of Blue Jackets concluded the evening's entertainment . — Western Sews .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

YORKSHIRE ( AVEST . ) SHEFFIELD . —De Furnival Encampment . —A meeting of this encampment was held in Freemasons' Hall , Surrey Street , on Saturday , 21 st inst . Sir Knight , Graham Stuart , E . G ., presided , and was assisted by Sir Knights , AA'illiam White , Jun ., P . E . C . and A . G . D . C of England ; Joseph Rodgers , 1 st . Capt . ; E . Drury , 2 nd . Capt . ; H . J . Garnett , Registrar . ; AA alter Reynolds ,

Expert ; Robert Arnison , Capt . of Lines ; J . C . Thomson , Equerry , & c Comp . Gilbert Wilkinson , of the Minerva R . A . Chapter . No . 311 , Hull , having been duly elected , was ably installed by the E . C . ancl his officers .

Poetry.

Poetry .

TEARS . BY THE LATE BEO . DE . JOHN TAYIOE , AYE . How vain is each sorrowing tear , Th ough in bitterness oft it will start ; Can it bring us back a friend once dear , Of give strength to the fainting heart ? Can it chase one harroiving thought away ,

Or gild Hope's car with a brighter ray ? Can each crystal drop that flows E ' er stifle memory ' s power ? To the beating heart can it bring repose , Or lighten one lveary hour ? AVill it blot one line from affliction's page , Give enjoyment to youth , or repose to age ?

Can it gladden the heart ?—Ah , no !—¦ Or brighten the fading cheek , AAliero the scalding drops , ivith their silent flow , In lasting furrows speak ? Like the rivulet ' s course down its rocky bed , They but cut the deeper the more ive shed . Some say they're a pleasure ; but I

Have wept till my eyes are dim , These fountains of grief have long been dry , Yet still is the sorrow within ; No draught of forgetfulness have they brought , No rescue from pain , no release from thought .

The Week.

THE WEEK .

THE COUET . —Her Majesty , with the Prince and Princess of AA ales , and other members of the family still continue at Windsor . Her Majesty takes daily exercise , accompanied by one or other of the members of the family . The addresses from the Corporation of London , Dublin , and Edinburgh were received by the Queen on Thursday , at Windsor Castle . The reception ivas not a state one . According to announcement the

Prince and Princess of AA ales held a reception at St . James ' s Palace on the evening of Friday , the 20 th . There was a brilliant assemblage—in tact quite a . furore was created in aristocratic and fashionable circles to be present at the first reception of their Royal Highnesses , ancl to offer to the exalted lady who has now become a member of the reigning house their

congratulations . The Prince and Princess looked extremely well . Prince Christian of Denmark , ivith his family and suite , left England on Tuesday for the Continent . They embarked at Dover on board the Admiralty packet Vivid , and proceeded on their voyage to Calais . Previous to embarkation the corporation of Dover presented a congratulatory address , to which the Prince made a

suitable reply . He arrived at Brussels on AVednesday . Prince Alfred has left Malta for Marseilles , where he is expected to arrive on Saturday ( this day ) on his way home . IMPERIAL PAEIAMENT . —In the HOUSE OE LORDS on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., the Union Relief Aid Act Continuance Bill ivas read a third time and passed . Lords Dalhousie , Taunton ,

and Overstone urged the amalgamation of the Metropolitan and City police " forces ; " but Lord Granville said he could make no promise on the part of the Government with reference to the subject , as the incidents of the 7 th and 10 th instant were in course of investigation . The Duke of Cambridge stated that he offered the services of a body of cavalry to assist the City authorities in maintaining order , but that the offer was declined . On Friday there ivas no business ivorthy of notice . On Monday Lord Stratheden delivered his often-postponed