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Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. ← Page 3 of 3 Article INSTRUCTION. Page 1 of 1 Article INSTRUCTION. Page 1 of 1 Article Royal Arch. Page 1 of 1 Article FUNERAL OF BRO. TAMES NORRIS. Page 1 of 1 Article THE THEATRES. Page 1 of 2 →
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
J . H . Johnson , could not be present , the chair was , however , ably filled by the S . W ., VV . Bro . VV . J . Nunn , VV . Bro . C . R . Young , P . M ., occupying the S . W . 's chair , and VV . Bro . C . Hempson , P . M . 197 ?; P . P . G . A . D . C , that of the J . VV . The other brethren present included Bros . W . M . Foxcroft , S . D . ; VV . T . Hook , J . D . ; Fred . J . Nunn , Sec ; VV . Cattermole , I . G . ; T . H . Baker , Steward ; H . Hart , Tyler ; VV . Wrench Towse , F . Wallis ,
R . Womack , J . P . Allan , John Dean , P . M . ; N . Demaid , G . F . West , VV . F . Reed , and J . S . Joice . Bro . C . Allen , 1056 , was a visitor . Two brethren were advanced to a superior Degree , and there were three initiations into the Order . During the evening the acting W . M . decorated Bro . Fred . J . Nunn , Secretary , with a very handsome founder's jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Kenning ) , most kindly presented
by Bro . Fred . Wallis . Bro . Nunn , in suitable terms , thanked Bro . Wallis for the valuable present . After lodge duties the brethren adjourned to refreshment , a capital repast being provided by the host , Bro . Wallis . The usual toasts were given , several brethren adding to the harmony by singing some capital songs . W . Bro . Foxcroft specially delighted the brethren by a very touching and thrilling recitation .
Instruction.
INSTRUCTION .
FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —The weekl y meeting of this lodge was held on the 30 th ult ., when the W . M ., Bro . Lovegrove , was supported by Bros . Chretien , S . W . ; Swain , J . VV . ; Stroud , S . D . ; Davis , J . D . ; Mount , I . G . ; Cottebrune , Preceptor ; Cross , Sec . ; Hunt , Cobham , Collens , Beazley , Robinson , Sheppard , and Weeks . Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The
ceremony of initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . Beazley being the candidate . The W . M . afterwards recited the charge in a very fluent and impressive manner . The ceremony of raising was next rehearsed , Bro . Sheppard being the candidate . The S . W . was unanimousl y elected VV . M . at the next meeting , and appointed his officers in rotation . The Preceptor took the opportunity of wishing the brethren a " Happy and Prosperous New Year . " All Masonic business being ended , lodge was chised in perfect harmony .
PRINCE FREDERICK WILLIAM LODGE ( No . 753 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday evening , the 23 rd ult ., at the Eagle Tavern , Clifton-road , Maida Hill , when there were present Bros . Holcombe , W . M . ; Harvey , S . W . ; Humfress , J . VV . ; Baker , P . M ., Treas . and Preceptor ; Thomas , Sec ; Wilde , S . D . ; Mellier , J . D . ; Coleman , I . G . ; Wickens , W . S . ; Powell , P . M . ;
Kempton , Flint , R . P . Stevens , Hunt , James Stephens , Edmands , Mitchell , and Howe . The lodge having been opened in due form , and minutes of last lodge read and confirmed , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Flint being the candidate . Bro . Holcombe having vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Kempton , the ceremony of installation was rehearsed , and Bro .
Edmands duly installed into the rhair of K . S ., according to ancient custom . The following brethren were elected members of this lodge : Bros . Edmands , Kempton , R . P . Stevens , VV . Mitchell , and Flint . Bro . Harvey was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and the officers were appointed in rotation . Bro . Baker , P . M ., the Preceptor , delivered
the closing address , and all Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed in due form and perfect harmony . Brethren at the West-end of London are invited to pay a visit to this old-established lodge of instruction . The furniture and appointments are the same as in a regularlodge , and the ceremonies are rendered in strict accordance with the ancient landmarks of the Order .
HYDE PARK LODGE ( N 6 . 1425 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Fountains Abbey Hotel , 111 , Praed-street , Paddington , VV ., when there were present Bros . J . H . Wood , VV . M . ; VV . J . Mason , S . W . ; R . P . | . Laundy , J . W . ; G . Read , P . M . 511 , Treas . ; H . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , P . P . G . S . D . Essex , Sec ; W . H . Chalfont , I . P . M . 1425 , S . D . ; T . C . Edmunds , J . D . ;
G . A . Laundy , I . G . ; H . Moss , Steward ; V . W . Bro . Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C . Eng . ; Bros . James Stevens , P . M . 720 ; M . S . Speigel , P . M . iSS ; Capt . A . Nicols , P . M . 1974 , P . D . G . S . of W . Punjaub ; C . Andrews , P . M . 77 ; H . Dean , P . M . 417 , P . P . G . S . D . Dorset ; George Gregory , P . M . 153 S ; D . Cama , P . M . 1159 , P . G . D . C . Middx . ; H . Higgins , P . M . 13 S 1 ; J . Greenway , D . Stroud ,
C . R . Wickens , I . J . Humfress , C G . Wetzler , J . J . Thomas , C . S . Mote , Jos . Lichtenfeld , J . Seagrave , M . J . Green , and H . Robinson . Visitors : Bros . N . D . Fracis , S . D . 255 , and VV . Brindley , W . M . 1604 . ^ The lodge was opened in ancient form . ' andjjthe minutes were read and confirmed . The lodge was called off and on . The VV . M . then introduced V . W . Bro . Rev . A . F . A .
Woodford , who proceeded to deliver a lecture on the History of the English Ritual . Bro . VVoodford said that it was just possible , though so many " bright" Masons were assembled , perfect in their ritual performance , they might yet not have Jstudied the history of that beautiful ritual of theirs , which usage had made familiar and practice had endeared to them all . His lecture to-night was only an
outline , to be filled in perhapson futureoccasions . He was one of those who believed not only in the beauty , but the antiquity of their ritual . Historically , we must trace our Grand Lodge to 1717 , when it must have had a ritual , but our ritual was older in many parts than . 1717 . Of course it had gone through alterations , modernizations , and so-called improvements , but much of it was
much anterior to 1717 . There had , indeed , been theories started that to Desaguliers and Anderson we were indebted for the main part of our present working between 1720 and 1723 , but he felt convinced from various evidences that they only adapted and expanded probabl y what was extant in those days and in use . Indeed , if early affected explanations of the ritual , whether from friend or foe , were to be accepted , there were traces of an archaic form and
rythmical couplets which , as all experts knew , if genuine , betokened a much earlier use . It was not very easy to trace the progress of the ritual in the eighteenth century , as almost everything depended on " it is said ; " but there could be no doubt that towards the end of the last century , Wm . Preston adapted and modernized the older working , which henceforward was called Prestonian . Preston was believed , with good reason , to have made the old York working the basis of . his system , and to have borrowed
Instruction.
part from the Moderns and part from the Antients . There were then four workings prevalent up to 1 S 13 , Modern , Antient , York , and Prestonian , the York apparently passing away and being now almost unknown , except so far as it is absorbed in the Prestonian . When Barton Wilson came to Yorkshire , some years back , he stated that the so-called old York working , which they thought they
kept on , was simply Prestonian . After the Union the Lodge of Reconciliation was formed , and Bro . Hemming , to whom the reajustment of the two systems was committed by the Duke of Sussex , prepared his working , which was extensively adopted . Complaints being made that it was too diffuse . Bro . Williams . Pro . G . M . for Dorsetshire , was ordered to revise it , and he did so . The two systems are
represented now by the Stability Lodge of Instruction , where " Old Mug " of much celebrity has worked so . Iong and so well , and the Emulation Lodge , which , under Bro . Fenn , has risen to great reputation , its present able Preceptor being Bro . Sudlow . The Emulation working is spreading , and may be described as being more condensed and less redundant than earlier workings . The Prestonian working
still exists , and in some parts of the North of England the so-called Antient working is preserved in originally Atholl lodges . There is also a so-called Oxford system , and in the West of England there are certain peculiarities of work and verbiage . It had been said by a great teacher that the pendulum of truth always oscillated between two extremes , and just as perhaps we ; were formerly a little flowery and
tautological , so now we are becoming a little bald and common-place . Bro . Woodford gave one or two illustrations of this view as applied to the First Degree , which appeared to chime in entirely with the opinions of the meeting . He ( Bro . VVoodford ) disapproved of the system of displacing older words for modern words , without a very good reason , because thereby the collocation of
words and the sequence of symbolic ideas were interfered with and got rid of . Bro . VVoodford concluded his short sketch , which lasted three-quarters of an hour . by urging his hearers to frequent lodges of instruction , and to keep up the oral teaching of Freemasonry . It was a mistake to suppose that the brother who went to unauthorised sources of socalled instruction could not be detected by the expert Mason , —he could ; and just as lodges of instruction were
the specialty and pride of our English system , so they had helped in wonderful measure to preserve that ancient ritual , which we all loved so well , in all of its old reality , and all of its effective soundness . A cordial vote of thanks was unanimously carried to Bro . Woodford . Bro . Mason was elected VV . M . for next meeting . Bros . D . P . Cama and N . D . Francis were elected members . The lodge was then closed .
PRINCE LEOPOLD LODGE ( No . 1445 ) .-The usual weekly meeting was held on the 29 th ult ., at the Printing Works , 202 , Whitechapel-road , E ., when there were present Bros . W . H . Myers , P . M ., Preceptor ; VV McDonald , P . M ., W . M . ; Kimbell , S . W . ; Dale , J . VV . J . Robson , Sec . ; Winkley , S . D . ; Holdom , J . D . ; Heath , I . G . ; Doming , Twinn , Loane , and Lister , P . M .
The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Loane was presented to the VV . M . as Master elect , and the ceremony of installation was then rehearsed by the VV . M . in a mo = t careful and finished manner , the charges being very impressively given , and Bro . Loane was duly installed into the chair of K . S ., and saluted in the three degrees . The
ceremony of initiation was ably rehearsed by the then VV . M ., Bro . Doming being the candidate . Bro . Dale , the J . VV ., worked the First and Second Sections of the Lecture , assisted by the brethren . After a vote of thanks had been unanimously passed to Bro . McDonald , P . M ., for the very excellent manner in which he had rehearsed the ceremony of installation , Bro . Kimbell was elected VV . M . for the next meeting , and the lodge was closed in due form .
WANDERERS LODGE ( No . 1604 ) . —A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 24 th ult ., at the Adam and Eve , York-street , Westminster . Present : Bros . Coughlan , W . M . ; Fraser , S . W . ; Greenway , J . VV . ; Wray , Preceptor ; Hayes , acting Secretary ; Grist , S . D . ; Chilcott , J . D . ; Bowen , I . G . ; Taylor , P . M . 1 G 24 ; Ray , Foulson , Purnell , sen . ; Purnell , jun . ; and Power . The lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of
the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Grist candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair , which was taken by Bro . Foulson . Bro . Power answered the questions and was entrusted . The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Power candidate . Bro . Fraser was elected VV . M . for the ensuing week . All Masonic business being ended the lodge was closed in due form and perfect harmony .
Royal Arch.
Royal Arch .
PRESTON . —Unanimity Chapter ( No . 113 ) . — A meeting of this chapter was held on the 21 st ult ., at the Bull Hotel , Fishergate . The chapter having been opened , two Master Masons were exalted . Comp . VV . E . M . Tomlinson , who was elected a joining companion nearly a year ago , attended this chapter for the first time , and at the supper afterwards said he had with much pleasure witnessed
the admirable working of the chapter under Comps . Bell ( First Principal ) , Roe ( Second Principal ) , and Sumner ( Third Principal ) , and had been greatly impressed with the manner in which the closing lecture was delivered by Comp . Cottam , P . Z . He ( Comp . Tomlinson ) proposed " The Healths of the new Companions , " which were cordially drunk .
Funeral Of Bro. Tames Norris.
FUNERAL OF BRO . TAMES NORRIS .
The remains of our late Bro . James Norris , Warden of the Benevolent Institution at Croydon , were interred at Croydon cemetery on Saturday last . The funeral was attended by Bro . James Creed Norris , the son , and the three grandsons as chief mourners ; and there were likewise present , to pay the last tribute of respect to the
deceased , Bros . J . A . Farnfield , Cubitt , P . G . P ., and Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., on behalf of the House Committee ; Bros . James Terry , Secretary ; John Mason , Collector of the Institution ; Dr . Strong , and Dr . Adams ; and on behalf of the inmates of the Asylum , Bros . Shoving , Everest , Munn , Beckett , Maxwell , Mobbs , Churchouse , Hole , and Seabrook ,
The Theatres.
THE THEATRES .
The Alhambra has for many years been the recognised home of the "ballet , " and at this season of the year it is keeping up its reputation by having two ballets every evening . "The Swans" is very pretty ; but the chief attraction is " Melusine , " the principal dancers being Mdlle . Palladino and Mdlle . Sampietro . A variety entertainment is also part of the programme . During the last week the house has been so crowded that ' . late comers could not get even standinsr room .
* * The " Standard" pantomime is "Cinderella , " and its chief performer is Mr . Arthur Williams , whom our readers best know as the popular low comedian of the Gaiety . We are quite sure his drollery and gag will be
warmly appreciated by the dwellers in East London . Bro . Douglass has produced his pantomime in his usual elaborate style , the most brilliant display being the arrival of the guests at the fateful ball . The transformation scene keeps up to the old traditions of the Standard .
« « * Mr . Harry Paulton is ni g htly at the Avenue Theatre giving a funny entertainment ; the piece which he calls a " What-you-will " being written by himself , and entitled " Lillies ; or , Hearts and Actresses , " and is a skit
on the rage of the aristocracy for going on the stage , and the same people falling in love with actresses . The "What-you-will " is very light in its character , and leaves nothing with one to carry away , but is nevertheless very amusing for . a couple of hours , if we ; wish to while them away easily . * * s
Mr . Arthur Cecil and Mr . John Clayton have shown much discretion in starting what we believe is a novel enterprise , viz ., mid-week matinees of various pieces . There have now been several of these Wednesday afternoon light plays , and at all of them the Court Theatre has been filled . Each week there is a new programme . On Christmas-eve the audience was entertained with
"Twenty Minutes under an Umbrella , " in which Miss Norreys and Mr . Reeves Smith played with much sympathetic feeling . "Cox and Box" followed , set to music by Sir Arthur Sullivan , and splendidly acted by Bro . R . Temple , Mr . Furneaux Cook , and Mr . Arthur Cecil . The afternoon concluded with " My Milliner's Bill , " written by Mr . Godfrey expressly for Mrs . John Wood and Mr .
Cecil . To hear Mrs . Wood sing " His heart was true to Poll" is alone worth going to hear , and her smart sentence " It ' s all through that woman Eve we are cursed for clothes ; I ' m sure the serpent must have been a dressmaker . " " Young Mrs . Winthrop" is drawing crowds in the evening .
One of the most , if not the most , laughable pieces ever seen in London is " Babes ; or , Whines from the Wood , " by Mr . Harry Paulton ; but it has been so much added to and improved upon , that even its author would not recognise some parts of it . Toole ' s Theatre resounds with laughter just now as much as when Bro . Toole is himself there . A slight change in the cast has been
made . Miss Grace Huntley has been succeeded by Miss St . George , and Bro . Tom Squire ( a recent initiate ) is now the mel-uncly guardian of the babes . There is scarcely any sequence in the burlesque , and it may be described as a lot of nonsense , at which no one can help laughing . Among the new feature introduced for Christmas is a spelling lesson , conducted by Dolly and Tissy , and a laughing duet
between the " babes , which is contagious throughout the house . Mr . Edouin and Miss Athertcn not only laugh in tune , but laugh as though their merriment was spontaneous . Bro . Lionel Brough is provided with a splendid song in the book , " Don't , " and a song about making the Christmas pudding , and after it has been stirred " the pudding won't be fit to eat . " We
think we can trace a good deal of Bro . Lionel Brough ' s own handiwork in his part . In the spelling lesson Dolly asks his pupils to spell " trouble , " they readily respond by each holding up a letter which forms the word "Egypt "; they are then asked for "ham , " when the letters "am" are put up , Bill Booty remarking that , being a Cockney , he has dropped the "h . " When asked to spell "success , " the pupils respond by holding up the
letters forming " B-a-b-e-s , " to which the audience give a hearty cheer , showing their approval . Miss Atherton ' s ( Mrs . Edouin ) make up of a girl in short frocks is the best we have ever seen . " Babes" seems likely to keep on the boards during the tenure of Mr . Edouin and Bro . Brough . VVe may add that Mr . Wm . Greet , brother of Mr . Ben Greet , the well-known actor at the Lyceum , is now the acting manager , this being his first management of a London theatre .
* * Mr . Hollingshead , in a manifesto he publishes every year , informs the public that the " Empire" is now practically one and the same concern with the " Gaiety . " VVe cannot congratulate him on his managerial instinct . A new comic (?) opera , which never ought to have teen the light of day , was brought out on Boxing night at the
Empire . The less said about such stuff the better . There is not a song , chorus , or line of dialogue worth listening to . Miss Lillian Russell was the redeeming feature , and had it not been for her , " Pocahontas" would have been more severely dealt with . VVe were sorry that such talented people as Bro . H . Ashley , Mr . J . L . Shine , Mr . Celli , and . Miss Alice Barnett should have such a wretched piece to appear in . The opera does no credit to either its composer
( Mr . Edward Solomon ) or its writer ( Mr . Sydney Grundy ) , and the sooner they give us something else the better . Both these gentlemen have more often been fortunate . VVe shall not be surprised , but hope , to see the programme changed very soon . Mr . Hollingshead has not here " struck ile , " and shows a want of what he modestly terms " managerial instinct . " The mounting of the opera , scenery , dresses , & c , were all that could be desired .
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
J . H . Johnson , could not be present , the chair was , however , ably filled by the S . W ., VV . Bro . VV . J . Nunn , VV . Bro . C . R . Young , P . M ., occupying the S . W . 's chair , and VV . Bro . C . Hempson , P . M . 197 ?; P . P . G . A . D . C , that of the J . VV . The other brethren present included Bros . W . M . Foxcroft , S . D . ; VV . T . Hook , J . D . ; Fred . J . Nunn , Sec ; VV . Cattermole , I . G . ; T . H . Baker , Steward ; H . Hart , Tyler ; VV . Wrench Towse , F . Wallis ,
R . Womack , J . P . Allan , John Dean , P . M . ; N . Demaid , G . F . West , VV . F . Reed , and J . S . Joice . Bro . C . Allen , 1056 , was a visitor . Two brethren were advanced to a superior Degree , and there were three initiations into the Order . During the evening the acting W . M . decorated Bro . Fred . J . Nunn , Secretary , with a very handsome founder's jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Kenning ) , most kindly presented
by Bro . Fred . Wallis . Bro . Nunn , in suitable terms , thanked Bro . Wallis for the valuable present . After lodge duties the brethren adjourned to refreshment , a capital repast being provided by the host , Bro . Wallis . The usual toasts were given , several brethren adding to the harmony by singing some capital songs . W . Bro . Foxcroft specially delighted the brethren by a very touching and thrilling recitation .
Instruction.
INSTRUCTION .
FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —The weekl y meeting of this lodge was held on the 30 th ult ., when the W . M ., Bro . Lovegrove , was supported by Bros . Chretien , S . W . ; Swain , J . VV . ; Stroud , S . D . ; Davis , J . D . ; Mount , I . G . ; Cottebrune , Preceptor ; Cross , Sec . ; Hunt , Cobham , Collens , Beazley , Robinson , Sheppard , and Weeks . Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The
ceremony of initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . Beazley being the candidate . The W . M . afterwards recited the charge in a very fluent and impressive manner . The ceremony of raising was next rehearsed , Bro . Sheppard being the candidate . The S . W . was unanimousl y elected VV . M . at the next meeting , and appointed his officers in rotation . The Preceptor took the opportunity of wishing the brethren a " Happy and Prosperous New Year . " All Masonic business being ended , lodge was chised in perfect harmony .
PRINCE FREDERICK WILLIAM LODGE ( No . 753 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday evening , the 23 rd ult ., at the Eagle Tavern , Clifton-road , Maida Hill , when there were present Bros . Holcombe , W . M . ; Harvey , S . W . ; Humfress , J . VV . ; Baker , P . M ., Treas . and Preceptor ; Thomas , Sec ; Wilde , S . D . ; Mellier , J . D . ; Coleman , I . G . ; Wickens , W . S . ; Powell , P . M . ;
Kempton , Flint , R . P . Stevens , Hunt , James Stephens , Edmands , Mitchell , and Howe . The lodge having been opened in due form , and minutes of last lodge read and confirmed , the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Flint being the candidate . Bro . Holcombe having vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Kempton , the ceremony of installation was rehearsed , and Bro .
Edmands duly installed into the rhair of K . S ., according to ancient custom . The following brethren were elected members of this lodge : Bros . Edmands , Kempton , R . P . Stevens , VV . Mitchell , and Flint . Bro . Harvey was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and the officers were appointed in rotation . Bro . Baker , P . M ., the Preceptor , delivered
the closing address , and all Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed in due form and perfect harmony . Brethren at the West-end of London are invited to pay a visit to this old-established lodge of instruction . The furniture and appointments are the same as in a regularlodge , and the ceremonies are rendered in strict accordance with the ancient landmarks of the Order .
HYDE PARK LODGE ( N 6 . 1425 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Fountains Abbey Hotel , 111 , Praed-street , Paddington , VV ., when there were present Bros . J . H . Wood , VV . M . ; VV . J . Mason , S . W . ; R . P . | . Laundy , J . W . ; G . Read , P . M . 511 , Treas . ; H . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , P . P . G . S . D . Essex , Sec ; W . H . Chalfont , I . P . M . 1425 , S . D . ; T . C . Edmunds , J . D . ;
G . A . Laundy , I . G . ; H . Moss , Steward ; V . W . Bro . Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C . Eng . ; Bros . James Stevens , P . M . 720 ; M . S . Speigel , P . M . iSS ; Capt . A . Nicols , P . M . 1974 , P . D . G . S . of W . Punjaub ; C . Andrews , P . M . 77 ; H . Dean , P . M . 417 , P . P . G . S . D . Dorset ; George Gregory , P . M . 153 S ; D . Cama , P . M . 1159 , P . G . D . C . Middx . ; H . Higgins , P . M . 13 S 1 ; J . Greenway , D . Stroud ,
C . R . Wickens , I . J . Humfress , C G . Wetzler , J . J . Thomas , C . S . Mote , Jos . Lichtenfeld , J . Seagrave , M . J . Green , and H . Robinson . Visitors : Bros . N . D . Fracis , S . D . 255 , and VV . Brindley , W . M . 1604 . ^ The lodge was opened in ancient form . ' andjjthe minutes were read and confirmed . The lodge was called off and on . The VV . M . then introduced V . W . Bro . Rev . A . F . A .
Woodford , who proceeded to deliver a lecture on the History of the English Ritual . Bro . VVoodford said that it was just possible , though so many " bright" Masons were assembled , perfect in their ritual performance , they might yet not have Jstudied the history of that beautiful ritual of theirs , which usage had made familiar and practice had endeared to them all . His lecture to-night was only an
outline , to be filled in perhapson futureoccasions . He was one of those who believed not only in the beauty , but the antiquity of their ritual . Historically , we must trace our Grand Lodge to 1717 , when it must have had a ritual , but our ritual was older in many parts than . 1717 . Of course it had gone through alterations , modernizations , and so-called improvements , but much of it was
much anterior to 1717 . There had , indeed , been theories started that to Desaguliers and Anderson we were indebted for the main part of our present working between 1720 and 1723 , but he felt convinced from various evidences that they only adapted and expanded probabl y what was extant in those days and in use . Indeed , if early affected explanations of the ritual , whether from friend or foe , were to be accepted , there were traces of an archaic form and
rythmical couplets which , as all experts knew , if genuine , betokened a much earlier use . It was not very easy to trace the progress of the ritual in the eighteenth century , as almost everything depended on " it is said ; " but there could be no doubt that towards the end of the last century , Wm . Preston adapted and modernized the older working , which henceforward was called Prestonian . Preston was believed , with good reason , to have made the old York working the basis of . his system , and to have borrowed
Instruction.
part from the Moderns and part from the Antients . There were then four workings prevalent up to 1 S 13 , Modern , Antient , York , and Prestonian , the York apparently passing away and being now almost unknown , except so far as it is absorbed in the Prestonian . When Barton Wilson came to Yorkshire , some years back , he stated that the so-called old York working , which they thought they
kept on , was simply Prestonian . After the Union the Lodge of Reconciliation was formed , and Bro . Hemming , to whom the reajustment of the two systems was committed by the Duke of Sussex , prepared his working , which was extensively adopted . Complaints being made that it was too diffuse . Bro . Williams . Pro . G . M . for Dorsetshire , was ordered to revise it , and he did so . The two systems are
represented now by the Stability Lodge of Instruction , where " Old Mug " of much celebrity has worked so . Iong and so well , and the Emulation Lodge , which , under Bro . Fenn , has risen to great reputation , its present able Preceptor being Bro . Sudlow . The Emulation working is spreading , and may be described as being more condensed and less redundant than earlier workings . The Prestonian working
still exists , and in some parts of the North of England the so-called Antient working is preserved in originally Atholl lodges . There is also a so-called Oxford system , and in the West of England there are certain peculiarities of work and verbiage . It had been said by a great teacher that the pendulum of truth always oscillated between two extremes , and just as perhaps we ; were formerly a little flowery and
tautological , so now we are becoming a little bald and common-place . Bro . Woodford gave one or two illustrations of this view as applied to the First Degree , which appeared to chime in entirely with the opinions of the meeting . He ( Bro . VVoodford ) disapproved of the system of displacing older words for modern words , without a very good reason , because thereby the collocation of
words and the sequence of symbolic ideas were interfered with and got rid of . Bro . VVoodford concluded his short sketch , which lasted three-quarters of an hour . by urging his hearers to frequent lodges of instruction , and to keep up the oral teaching of Freemasonry . It was a mistake to suppose that the brother who went to unauthorised sources of socalled instruction could not be detected by the expert Mason , —he could ; and just as lodges of instruction were
the specialty and pride of our English system , so they had helped in wonderful measure to preserve that ancient ritual , which we all loved so well , in all of its old reality , and all of its effective soundness . A cordial vote of thanks was unanimously carried to Bro . Woodford . Bro . Mason was elected VV . M . for next meeting . Bros . D . P . Cama and N . D . Francis were elected members . The lodge was then closed .
PRINCE LEOPOLD LODGE ( No . 1445 ) .-The usual weekly meeting was held on the 29 th ult ., at the Printing Works , 202 , Whitechapel-road , E ., when there were present Bros . W . H . Myers , P . M ., Preceptor ; VV McDonald , P . M ., W . M . ; Kimbell , S . W . ; Dale , J . VV . J . Robson , Sec . ; Winkley , S . D . ; Holdom , J . D . ; Heath , I . G . ; Doming , Twinn , Loane , and Lister , P . M .
The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Loane was presented to the VV . M . as Master elect , and the ceremony of installation was then rehearsed by the VV . M . in a mo = t careful and finished manner , the charges being very impressively given , and Bro . Loane was duly installed into the chair of K . S ., and saluted in the three degrees . The
ceremony of initiation was ably rehearsed by the then VV . M ., Bro . Doming being the candidate . Bro . Dale , the J . VV ., worked the First and Second Sections of the Lecture , assisted by the brethren . After a vote of thanks had been unanimously passed to Bro . McDonald , P . M ., for the very excellent manner in which he had rehearsed the ceremony of installation , Bro . Kimbell was elected VV . M . for the next meeting , and the lodge was closed in due form .
WANDERERS LODGE ( No . 1604 ) . —A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 24 th ult ., at the Adam and Eve , York-street , Westminster . Present : Bros . Coughlan , W . M . ; Fraser , S . W . ; Greenway , J . VV . ; Wray , Preceptor ; Hayes , acting Secretary ; Grist , S . D . ; Chilcott , J . D . ; Bowen , I . G . ; Taylor , P . M . 1 G 24 ; Ray , Foulson , Purnell , sen . ; Purnell , jun . ; and Power . The lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of
the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Grist candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair , which was taken by Bro . Foulson . Bro . Power answered the questions and was entrusted . The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Power candidate . Bro . Fraser was elected VV . M . for the ensuing week . All Masonic business being ended the lodge was closed in due form and perfect harmony .
Royal Arch.
Royal Arch .
PRESTON . —Unanimity Chapter ( No . 113 ) . — A meeting of this chapter was held on the 21 st ult ., at the Bull Hotel , Fishergate . The chapter having been opened , two Master Masons were exalted . Comp . VV . E . M . Tomlinson , who was elected a joining companion nearly a year ago , attended this chapter for the first time , and at the supper afterwards said he had with much pleasure witnessed
the admirable working of the chapter under Comps . Bell ( First Principal ) , Roe ( Second Principal ) , and Sumner ( Third Principal ) , and had been greatly impressed with the manner in which the closing lecture was delivered by Comp . Cottam , P . Z . He ( Comp . Tomlinson ) proposed " The Healths of the new Companions , " which were cordially drunk .
Funeral Of Bro. Tames Norris.
FUNERAL OF BRO . TAMES NORRIS .
The remains of our late Bro . James Norris , Warden of the Benevolent Institution at Croydon , were interred at Croydon cemetery on Saturday last . The funeral was attended by Bro . James Creed Norris , the son , and the three grandsons as chief mourners ; and there were likewise present , to pay the last tribute of respect to the
deceased , Bros . J . A . Farnfield , Cubitt , P . G . P ., and Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., on behalf of the House Committee ; Bros . James Terry , Secretary ; John Mason , Collector of the Institution ; Dr . Strong , and Dr . Adams ; and on behalf of the inmates of the Asylum , Bros . Shoving , Everest , Munn , Beckett , Maxwell , Mobbs , Churchouse , Hole , and Seabrook ,
The Theatres.
THE THEATRES .
The Alhambra has for many years been the recognised home of the "ballet , " and at this season of the year it is keeping up its reputation by having two ballets every evening . "The Swans" is very pretty ; but the chief attraction is " Melusine , " the principal dancers being Mdlle . Palladino and Mdlle . Sampietro . A variety entertainment is also part of the programme . During the last week the house has been so crowded that ' . late comers could not get even standinsr room .
* * The " Standard" pantomime is "Cinderella , " and its chief performer is Mr . Arthur Williams , whom our readers best know as the popular low comedian of the Gaiety . We are quite sure his drollery and gag will be
warmly appreciated by the dwellers in East London . Bro . Douglass has produced his pantomime in his usual elaborate style , the most brilliant display being the arrival of the guests at the fateful ball . The transformation scene keeps up to the old traditions of the Standard .
« « * Mr . Harry Paulton is ni g htly at the Avenue Theatre giving a funny entertainment ; the piece which he calls a " What-you-will " being written by himself , and entitled " Lillies ; or , Hearts and Actresses , " and is a skit
on the rage of the aristocracy for going on the stage , and the same people falling in love with actresses . The "What-you-will " is very light in its character , and leaves nothing with one to carry away , but is nevertheless very amusing for . a couple of hours , if we ; wish to while them away easily . * * s
Mr . Arthur Cecil and Mr . John Clayton have shown much discretion in starting what we believe is a novel enterprise , viz ., mid-week matinees of various pieces . There have now been several of these Wednesday afternoon light plays , and at all of them the Court Theatre has been filled . Each week there is a new programme . On Christmas-eve the audience was entertained with
"Twenty Minutes under an Umbrella , " in which Miss Norreys and Mr . Reeves Smith played with much sympathetic feeling . "Cox and Box" followed , set to music by Sir Arthur Sullivan , and splendidly acted by Bro . R . Temple , Mr . Furneaux Cook , and Mr . Arthur Cecil . The afternoon concluded with " My Milliner's Bill , " written by Mr . Godfrey expressly for Mrs . John Wood and Mr .
Cecil . To hear Mrs . Wood sing " His heart was true to Poll" is alone worth going to hear , and her smart sentence " It ' s all through that woman Eve we are cursed for clothes ; I ' m sure the serpent must have been a dressmaker . " " Young Mrs . Winthrop" is drawing crowds in the evening .
One of the most , if not the most , laughable pieces ever seen in London is " Babes ; or , Whines from the Wood , " by Mr . Harry Paulton ; but it has been so much added to and improved upon , that even its author would not recognise some parts of it . Toole ' s Theatre resounds with laughter just now as much as when Bro . Toole is himself there . A slight change in the cast has been
made . Miss Grace Huntley has been succeeded by Miss St . George , and Bro . Tom Squire ( a recent initiate ) is now the mel-uncly guardian of the babes . There is scarcely any sequence in the burlesque , and it may be described as a lot of nonsense , at which no one can help laughing . Among the new feature introduced for Christmas is a spelling lesson , conducted by Dolly and Tissy , and a laughing duet
between the " babes , which is contagious throughout the house . Mr . Edouin and Miss Athertcn not only laugh in tune , but laugh as though their merriment was spontaneous . Bro . Lionel Brough is provided with a splendid song in the book , " Don't , " and a song about making the Christmas pudding , and after it has been stirred " the pudding won't be fit to eat . " We
think we can trace a good deal of Bro . Lionel Brough ' s own handiwork in his part . In the spelling lesson Dolly asks his pupils to spell " trouble , " they readily respond by each holding up a letter which forms the word "Egypt "; they are then asked for "ham , " when the letters "am" are put up , Bill Booty remarking that , being a Cockney , he has dropped the "h . " When asked to spell "success , " the pupils respond by holding up the
letters forming " B-a-b-e-s , " to which the audience give a hearty cheer , showing their approval . Miss Atherton ' s ( Mrs . Edouin ) make up of a girl in short frocks is the best we have ever seen . " Babes" seems likely to keep on the boards during the tenure of Mr . Edouin and Bro . Brough . VVe may add that Mr . Wm . Greet , brother of Mr . Ben Greet , the well-known actor at the Lyceum , is now the acting manager , this being his first management of a London theatre .
* * Mr . Hollingshead , in a manifesto he publishes every year , informs the public that the " Empire" is now practically one and the same concern with the " Gaiety . " VVe cannot congratulate him on his managerial instinct . A new comic (?) opera , which never ought to have teen the light of day , was brought out on Boxing night at the
Empire . The less said about such stuff the better . There is not a song , chorus , or line of dialogue worth listening to . Miss Lillian Russell was the redeeming feature , and had it not been for her , " Pocahontas" would have been more severely dealt with . VVe were sorry that such talented people as Bro . H . Ashley , Mr . J . L . Shine , Mr . Celli , and . Miss Alice Barnett should have such a wretched piece to appear in . The opera does no credit to either its composer
( Mr . Edward Solomon ) or its writer ( Mr . Sydney Grundy ) , and the sooner they give us something else the better . Both these gentlemen have more often been fortunate . VVe shall not be surprised , but hope , to see the programme changed very soon . Mr . Hollingshead has not here " struck ile , " and shows a want of what he modestly terms " managerial instinct . " The mounting of the opera , scenery , dresses , & c , were all that could be desired .