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Article THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FESTIVAL. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FESTIVAL. Page 2 of 2 Article THE THEATRES. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Benevolent Institution Festival.
shortly as he conld , what the Institution did , how \ i did n , and why ifc was worthy of their snppprfc . Since the Institntion was started it had aided wifch its annuities more than one thousand brethren and widows of brethren . Afc the present time 170 old Masons and 203 widows were in receipt of sums of £ 10 ancl £ 32 a
year respectively and this was done at a cost of something like £ 15 , 000 a year . How was this sum provided ? He believed that not more than £ 3 , 600 per annum arose from any certain source of income ; thus there was something like £ 11 , 500 dependent annually upon the charitabb gifts of tlio English Craft , to meet merely the
present liabilities of the Institntion , and it would be impossible , he ventured to say , for snch an association as English Freemasonry to disappoint ; the old people of tho pension which they legitimately reckoned on receiving . But even moro was required year by year , as more and more candidates camo forward for tho benefits of the
Institution . At tho present moment there wore 119 approved candidates awaiting election . The Committee woro proposing to elect nineteen moro thau tho vacancies would warrant , but even then thoy could only elect , with a reasonable
regard for safety , 35 out of the 119 ; ho therefore felt the brethren had a reason for the utmost liberality they could exorcise that ni <» ht . Tho Institution was only some forty-three years of age—a part of it even less—and at its initiation it had to withstand severe opposition . There wero manv at its formation who felt that ifc wonld encroach
on the then existing Institutions , who donbted whether tho Craft could maintain another Charity , and who felt that the Board of Benevo lence sufficiently supplied tho needs of decayed brethren . All theso donbfcs had to bo met , and he ventured to say that tho Institution at its birth must havo been very strong and vigorous or ifc wonld have
perished before it camo to perfection . Bufc the difficulties and doubts wero surmounted , and tho way in which they had been surmounted wag perhaps the most extraordinary event iu the charitable records of this charitable country . Thirty years ago there was not onetenth of tho interest taken in this Institntion thiifc there was at the
present time , neither was there one-tenth tho number of Stewards of one-tenth the amount contributed . The Charity had grown with marvellous rapidity , and ho looked to tho brethren that night to provide for a further extension of the work of the Institution . The candidates were deserving objects—nofc men who had entered
Masonry in order to profit by it , but brethren who had been a credit to the Order , while the > widows htul been tbe dear partners in life of such brethren . Every case which appeared on the list of candidates was that of a person who had been well to do in past life , often wealthy , and utterly unfit ; to cope with the workhouse ,
which their refinement and edncation would make a veritable purgatory of . By their charity tho brethren delivered them from what in many cases would be worse than death itself , and in delivering them the brethren maintained fche character of tho Craft . Some might think that the claims of helpless children appealed more strongly to
their sympathies than those of the Old People . He wished thafc any one who did think so would do as he had done last Saturday—pay a visit to the Institution at Croydon—he would then seo the quiofc , peaceable way in which the liberality of tho Craft enabled these old people to live , and would bo touched by the gratitude which these
old people testify to the bounty of the Craft , and by tho anxiety which they show that this Festival shonld bo a success , not so much for their own sakes , but that others might share similar benefits to those they enjoy . He earnestly believed that the toast he recommended was success to that which was a true Charity . All the
contributions of the brethren went directly to its benefit . In conclusion , he felt he had only to refer the brethren to the day when fchey were each admitted as candidates to Freemasonry , poor and penniless , and to the admiration which they then expressed for the Virtue
Charity , which is nofc only one of the principal articles of the Masonic creed , but also the distinguishing virtue in the heart of every true Mason . He hoped that clay wonld be a memorable one , not only to those who had subscribed , but to the old folks on whoso behalf he , however feebly , had tried to plead .
Bro . Frank Richardson , as Vice President of the Institution , responded . Ho thanked tho Chairman for the way in which ho hacl proposed Success to the Institution , ancl on behalf of the Institution for the able manner in which he had presided thafc day . Ho also thanked the Stewards for the way in which they had seconded
their Chairman s efforts . Bro . Terry then announced the totals of the several lists , of which we append details , giving as the sum of the contributions the grancl total of £ 17 , 636 6 s 8 d ; tho Provinces , represented by 186 Stewards , sending up £ 7 , 825 10 s 8 d ; and London , represented by 164 Stewards , £ 9 , 810 16 s . This was the highest sum
ever announced in the history of the Institution , being £ 3 , 200 in advance of last year ' s total , which was afc the time the largest . Bro . Col . Lyne proposed the health of Bro . Sir Michael Hicks Beach , paying a high compliment to thafc brother for the part he had taken in securing the success which had been achieved . Bro . Beach
tendered his hearty thanks for fche kindness with which ho had been received and also for the kind way in which the toast hacl been welcomed . Ifc had been to him a matter of the deepest satisfaction and thankfulness that the Festival shonld have had so triumphant a result as had been announced that night . If he had had the smallest
share in bringing about that result , ho was more than rewarded for anything he had done . He should say no more about himself but might be pardoned for a little egotism , and he wanted to say something of the Province over which he ruled and of which ho was very proud . There were bufc some 600 Masons in Gloucestershire
and they were not too well off . Every one of its Lodges and Chapters had sent a Steward to fche Festival , some of them " several . Out of every ten members in his district one was a Steward and between tbem they hacl raised a sum of £ 1200 . This result ' was
principally due to the exertions of Bro . Vassar-Smitb , but was also the outcome of the true Masonio spirit of tho brethren of his Province . He did not mention these facts for the sake of making invidious comparisons , but would say to the brethren of other Province ' s "Go and do likewise . " What Gloucestershire had clone could be
The Benevolent Institution Festival.
doutt by every Province in England , and be felt sure those present would join him in thanking the brethren of Gloucestershire for what thoy had accomplished . He was proud to represent such a Province , and was thankful to havo had the opportunity of presiding over the Festival . He did not think he should ever forgot the
triumphant result , or the share which his own people had had m it . Bro . Rev . C . J . Martyn proposed success to the other Institutions , and Bro . Hedges responded . Col . Shadwell II . Gierke gave the Stewards , aud the toast having been replied , to , that of the Ladies was given , and the brethren separated . A concert followed in tho Grand Lodgo Temple , which was crowded by ladies and brethren .
The Theatres.
THE THEATRES .
LYCEUM .
A FRIVOLOUS modern audience might well desire thafc the " Hunchback " and his family could retire , with tho " Stranger " and fcho " Gentle Faulk ' . and , " to somo homo foraged Christians , where they could blank verse ench other ancl relieve tlio unconverted of thoir " Morality . " But Master Walter bns an exasperatingly strong constitution , and
Miss Mary Anderson summoned the shade of Sheridan Knowles , with his cabinet of curiosities , " somo of them Jiving and some of them stuffed , " to occupy tho stage of the Lyceum . A fnll house gathered to do honour to tho event . The first scone passed quietly , though both ilr . Arthur Stirling and Mr . Terriss hacl a hearty
welcome . In the second scene tho curtain vises on a lovely garden , rich with flowers , a closely-cropped lawn and wonderful mossy gnai'led old trees . In the scene with Helen ( Miss Bella Pateman ) Miss Mary Anderson was afc her best ; the girlish innocence , tenderness and ioyousnoss of Julia could rarely have been more gracefully
rendered . Thafc Miss Anderson looked lovely in her Henrietta Maria gowns wo need not say . Her smiles and laughter , touched with soft refinement , gave a charm and interest to the opening of the play which even the gifted Adelaide Neilson failed to attain . Tho little bit of lovo making wifch Clifford ivas pretty enough ,
though Mr . Terriss seemed ill at ease , and rather suggested an under . study of Modus cropping through the jeune premier . As the action proceeds , and the heroine mounts the crescendo of grief and despair , Miss Anderson failed to give vitality to tho parfc ; she now and again seemed to feel a momentary inspiration of real emotion , bufc
before she could arouse the sympathies of the audience it was gone . A beautiful girl in a striking attitude stood on the stage , bufc why she so appeared stirred the heart of no one present . The mosfc unreal and stilted sentiment if vivified by the passionate soul of a great actress will thrill the pulses aud command the tears of an audience ;
bufc tbe audioncu on Tuesday night sat watching for Ishe next pose , ancl gave up hoping for anything more . That Miss Anderson is illadvised to attempt to galvanize this fossilized play into life , she herself will doubtless feel . Let her abandon high pressure sentimental heroines , and let ns appland her in some bright
and wholesome comedy , her winsomenes and grace will assuredly command delighted appreciation where now a melancholy crowd is tempted to yawn , and sometimes irreverently to titter . We are sorry for Mr . Terriss , thafc fate condemns him for a " certain term to walk the night" with scarcely less depressing results than those
attending Hamlet Pore ' s proceedings . Sir Thomas , is an insufferable prig , bnfc could not Mr . Terriss infuse a little " Sherry " into him to correct fche too much " Knowles ? " Mr . Arthur Stirling played studiously as Master Walter , but why does he adopt those peculiar twists of the head , turns of the eye , and twitches of the eye-brow we
associate with the " Master " of the Lyceum ? Miss Pateman struggled hard to lift tho weight thafc seemed to settle on the spirits of the audience , ancl in the favourite scenes with Modus gained fche firsfc really hearty applause of fche night . She played as so careful and excellent an artist must play , with delicacy ancl finish ; but her gaiety wanted
the ring of spontaneonsness , ancl her efforts wero too evidently pre . pared . Helen is a part little suited to Miss Bella Pafceman ' s gifts , though these aro unquestionable . We cannot bufc think the play would greatly gain if the two ladies exchanged parts , Miss Anderson would thus have better opportunity of showing her comedy powers .
Mr . Standing is dull and clumsy as Modus—who was at least a scholar and a gentleman ; he need not model his interpretation on the Pickwick fat ; boy . Mr . Irish as Fathom was a welcome relief among these doleful creatures . The curtain fell amid but tepid
expressions of approval . One of Maddison Morton ' s old farces , " Your life's iu danger , " was the opening piece of tho evening . Ifc was listened to with tolerable patience , but afc the tag , " Now if our friends iu front approve , " there came a vigorous shower of hoots and hisses .
MOHAWK MINSTKELS . rFIHE grandmotherly care of the Middlesex magistrates in decreeing J - the cloture on worldly play-acting and such carnal follies fell lightly ou tho good people of Islington lasfc Ash Wednesday . Mr . Francis , of the Mohawk Minstrels , organized afternoon and evening concerts , with selections from Verdi , Costa , Rossini , Mendelssohn , ancl other classics . His admirably-drilled band rendered the music
with great delicacy ancl finish . M . Guilmartin , in a euphonium solo , and M . Kottaun , with a cornet , were especially distinguished . Mr . Miles proved himself both a powerful and refined harpist . Among maiiy good vocalists we would especially mention the baratone , Mi * . Gordon , who nofc only possesses an exceptionally fine organ , but sings with the finish and mastery of a true artist .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Benevolent Institution Festival.
shortly as he conld , what the Institution did , how \ i did n , and why ifc was worthy of their snppprfc . Since the Institntion was started it had aided wifch its annuities more than one thousand brethren and widows of brethren . Afc the present time 170 old Masons and 203 widows were in receipt of sums of £ 10 ancl £ 32 a
year respectively and this was done at a cost of something like £ 15 , 000 a year . How was this sum provided ? He believed that not more than £ 3 , 600 per annum arose from any certain source of income ; thus there was something like £ 11 , 500 dependent annually upon the charitabb gifts of tlio English Craft , to meet merely the
present liabilities of the Institntion , and it would be impossible , he ventured to say , for snch an association as English Freemasonry to disappoint ; the old people of tho pension which they legitimately reckoned on receiving . But even moro was required year by year , as more and more candidates camo forward for tho benefits of the
Institution . At tho present moment there wore 119 approved candidates awaiting election . The Committee woro proposing to elect nineteen moro thau tho vacancies would warrant , but even then thoy could only elect , with a reasonable
regard for safety , 35 out of the 119 ; ho therefore felt the brethren had a reason for the utmost liberality they could exorcise that ni <» ht . Tho Institution was only some forty-three years of age—a part of it even less—and at its initiation it had to withstand severe opposition . There wero manv at its formation who felt that ifc wonld encroach
on the then existing Institutions , who donbted whether tho Craft could maintain another Charity , and who felt that the Board of Benevo lence sufficiently supplied tho needs of decayed brethren . All theso donbfcs had to bo met , and he ventured to say that tho Institution at its birth must havo been very strong and vigorous or ifc wonld have
perished before it camo to perfection . Bufc the difficulties and doubts wero surmounted , and tho way in which they had been surmounted wag perhaps the most extraordinary event iu the charitable records of this charitable country . Thirty years ago there was not onetenth of tho interest taken in this Institntion thiifc there was at the
present time , neither was there one-tenth tho number of Stewards of one-tenth the amount contributed . The Charity had grown with marvellous rapidity , and ho looked to tho brethren that night to provide for a further extension of the work of the Institution . The candidates were deserving objects—nofc men who had entered
Masonry in order to profit by it , but brethren who had been a credit to the Order , while the > widows htul been tbe dear partners in life of such brethren . Every case which appeared on the list of candidates was that of a person who had been well to do in past life , often wealthy , and utterly unfit ; to cope with the workhouse ,
which their refinement and edncation would make a veritable purgatory of . By their charity tho brethren delivered them from what in many cases would be worse than death itself , and in delivering them the brethren maintained fche character of tho Craft . Some might think that the claims of helpless children appealed more strongly to
their sympathies than those of the Old People . He wished thafc any one who did think so would do as he had done last Saturday—pay a visit to the Institution at Croydon—he would then seo the quiofc , peaceable way in which the liberality of tho Craft enabled these old people to live , and would bo touched by the gratitude which these
old people testify to the bounty of the Craft , and by tho anxiety which they show that this Festival shonld bo a success , not so much for their own sakes , but that others might share similar benefits to those they enjoy . He earnestly believed that the toast he recommended was success to that which was a true Charity . All the
contributions of the brethren went directly to its benefit . In conclusion , he felt he had only to refer the brethren to the day when fchey were each admitted as candidates to Freemasonry , poor and penniless , and to the admiration which they then expressed for the Virtue
Charity , which is nofc only one of the principal articles of the Masonic creed , but also the distinguishing virtue in the heart of every true Mason . He hoped that clay wonld be a memorable one , not only to those who had subscribed , but to the old folks on whoso behalf he , however feebly , had tried to plead .
Bro . Frank Richardson , as Vice President of the Institution , responded . Ho thanked tho Chairman for the way in which ho hacl proposed Success to the Institution , ancl on behalf of the Institution for the able manner in which he had presided thafc day . Ho also thanked the Stewards for the way in which they had seconded
their Chairman s efforts . Bro . Terry then announced the totals of the several lists , of which we append details , giving as the sum of the contributions the grancl total of £ 17 , 636 6 s 8 d ; tho Provinces , represented by 186 Stewards , sending up £ 7 , 825 10 s 8 d ; and London , represented by 164 Stewards , £ 9 , 810 16 s . This was the highest sum
ever announced in the history of the Institution , being £ 3 , 200 in advance of last year ' s total , which was afc the time the largest . Bro . Col . Lyne proposed the health of Bro . Sir Michael Hicks Beach , paying a high compliment to thafc brother for the part he had taken in securing the success which had been achieved . Bro . Beach
tendered his hearty thanks for fche kindness with which ho had been received and also for the kind way in which the toast hacl been welcomed . Ifc had been to him a matter of the deepest satisfaction and thankfulness that the Festival shonld have had so triumphant a result as had been announced that night . If he had had the smallest
share in bringing about that result , ho was more than rewarded for anything he had done . He should say no more about himself but might be pardoned for a little egotism , and he wanted to say something of the Province over which he ruled and of which ho was very proud . There were bufc some 600 Masons in Gloucestershire
and they were not too well off . Every one of its Lodges and Chapters had sent a Steward to fche Festival , some of them " several . Out of every ten members in his district one was a Steward and between tbem they hacl raised a sum of £ 1200 . This result ' was
principally due to the exertions of Bro . Vassar-Smitb , but was also the outcome of the true Masonio spirit of tho brethren of his Province . He did not mention these facts for the sake of making invidious comparisons , but would say to the brethren of other Province ' s "Go and do likewise . " What Gloucestershire had clone could be
The Benevolent Institution Festival.
doutt by every Province in England , and be felt sure those present would join him in thanking the brethren of Gloucestershire for what thoy had accomplished . He was proud to represent such a Province , and was thankful to havo had the opportunity of presiding over the Festival . He did not think he should ever forgot the
triumphant result , or the share which his own people had had m it . Bro . Rev . C . J . Martyn proposed success to the other Institutions , and Bro . Hedges responded . Col . Shadwell II . Gierke gave the Stewards , aud the toast having been replied , to , that of the Ladies was given , and the brethren separated . A concert followed in tho Grand Lodgo Temple , which was crowded by ladies and brethren .
The Theatres.
THE THEATRES .
LYCEUM .
A FRIVOLOUS modern audience might well desire thafc the " Hunchback " and his family could retire , with tho " Stranger " and fcho " Gentle Faulk ' . and , " to somo homo foraged Christians , where they could blank verse ench other ancl relieve tlio unconverted of thoir " Morality . " But Master Walter bns an exasperatingly strong constitution , and
Miss Mary Anderson summoned the shade of Sheridan Knowles , with his cabinet of curiosities , " somo of them Jiving and some of them stuffed , " to occupy tho stage of the Lyceum . A fnll house gathered to do honour to tho event . The first scone passed quietly , though both ilr . Arthur Stirling and Mr . Terriss hacl a hearty
welcome . In the second scene tho curtain vises on a lovely garden , rich with flowers , a closely-cropped lawn and wonderful mossy gnai'led old trees . In the scene with Helen ( Miss Bella Pateman ) Miss Mary Anderson was afc her best ; the girlish innocence , tenderness and ioyousnoss of Julia could rarely have been more gracefully
rendered . Thafc Miss Anderson looked lovely in her Henrietta Maria gowns wo need not say . Her smiles and laughter , touched with soft refinement , gave a charm and interest to the opening of the play which even the gifted Adelaide Neilson failed to attain . Tho little bit of lovo making wifch Clifford ivas pretty enough ,
though Mr . Terriss seemed ill at ease , and rather suggested an under . study of Modus cropping through the jeune premier . As the action proceeds , and the heroine mounts the crescendo of grief and despair , Miss Anderson failed to give vitality to tho parfc ; she now and again seemed to feel a momentary inspiration of real emotion , bufc
before she could arouse the sympathies of the audience it was gone . A beautiful girl in a striking attitude stood on the stage , bufc why she so appeared stirred the heart of no one present . The mosfc unreal and stilted sentiment if vivified by the passionate soul of a great actress will thrill the pulses aud command the tears of an audience ;
bufc tbe audioncu on Tuesday night sat watching for Ishe next pose , ancl gave up hoping for anything more . That Miss Anderson is illadvised to attempt to galvanize this fossilized play into life , she herself will doubtless feel . Let her abandon high pressure sentimental heroines , and let ns appland her in some bright
and wholesome comedy , her winsomenes and grace will assuredly command delighted appreciation where now a melancholy crowd is tempted to yawn , and sometimes irreverently to titter . We are sorry for Mr . Terriss , thafc fate condemns him for a " certain term to walk the night" with scarcely less depressing results than those
attending Hamlet Pore ' s proceedings . Sir Thomas , is an insufferable prig , bnfc could not Mr . Terriss infuse a little " Sherry " into him to correct fche too much " Knowles ? " Mr . Arthur Stirling played studiously as Master Walter , but why does he adopt those peculiar twists of the head , turns of the eye , and twitches of the eye-brow we
associate with the " Master " of the Lyceum ? Miss Pateman struggled hard to lift tho weight thafc seemed to settle on the spirits of the audience , ancl in the favourite scenes with Modus gained fche firsfc really hearty applause of fche night . She played as so careful and excellent an artist must play , with delicacy ancl finish ; but her gaiety wanted
the ring of spontaneonsness , ancl her efforts wero too evidently pre . pared . Helen is a part little suited to Miss Bella Pafceman ' s gifts , though these aro unquestionable . We cannot bufc think the play would greatly gain if the two ladies exchanged parts , Miss Anderson would thus have better opportunity of showing her comedy powers .
Mr . Standing is dull and clumsy as Modus—who was at least a scholar and a gentleman ; he need not model his interpretation on the Pickwick fat ; boy . Mr . Irish as Fathom was a welcome relief among these doleful creatures . The curtain fell amid but tepid
expressions of approval . One of Maddison Morton ' s old farces , " Your life's iu danger , " was the opening piece of tho evening . Ifc was listened to with tolerable patience , but afc the tag , " Now if our friends iu front approve , " there came a vigorous shower of hoots and hisses .
MOHAWK MINSTKELS . rFIHE grandmotherly care of the Middlesex magistrates in decreeing J - the cloture on worldly play-acting and such carnal follies fell lightly ou tho good people of Islington lasfc Ash Wednesday . Mr . Francis , of the Mohawk Minstrels , organized afternoon and evening concerts , with selections from Verdi , Costa , Rossini , Mendelssohn , ancl other classics . His admirably-drilled band rendered the music
with great delicacy ancl finish . M . Guilmartin , in a euphonium solo , and M . Kottaun , with a cornet , were especially distinguished . Mr . Miles proved himself both a powerful and refined harpist . Among maiiy good vocalists we would especially mention the baratone , Mi * . Gordon , who nofc only possesses an exceptionally fine organ , but sings with the finish and mastery of a true artist .