Ars Quatuor Coronatorum.

lt does indeed seem strange that ( not to repeat * . * my statistics ) there should be in Cape Town 17 , in Brisbane ( Queensland ) 15 , in Adelaide ( Sonth Australia ) 14 , aud in Buenos Ayres also 14 , members of our Circle , as compared with eleven , throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion of Canada !

Truly tho " Dark Continent " in this connection , is that of North America , though the darkest of all is the Continent of Europe , and tho one to which tho former expression is commonly applied—Africa—by way of contrast to tho two others , may bo legitimately referred to as a pillar of light .

It is also not a little remarkable that in tho tiny Island of Penang ( Straits Settlements ) , where there are only two Lodges , there should be 10 subscribers to our

Transactions , which affords a striking contrast to the condition of affairs in China , where , with 13 English Lodges , several Scottish , and at least one hailing from tho U . S . A ., tho subscribers do not exceed 8 , all told .

The total number of Lodges in the Straits Settlements ( or Eastern Archipelago ) is seven , and they f « rnish 17 members to our Circle , which is a most gratifying proof of the benign influence exercised by Sir Charles Warren ( the first W . M . of 2076 ) , in tho Masonic jurisdiction of which he is tho honoured chief .

Tho Local Secretaries who assist our Bro . Speth in looking after his vast flock are 54 in number . They are scattered as follows : —Great Britain and Ireland , 21 ; Europe , 4 ; Asia , 6 ; Africa , 6 ; America , 9 ; ancl Australasia , 8 .

The success of the Lodgo has been gradual but assured . Seven and a half years ago its meetings commenced , and a twelvemonth afterwards we created the Outer Circle . In the six and a half years that have since elapsed , we have published five volumes of Transactions , and an equal number

of reprints . These publications constitute our claim to the continued confidence of all who are interested in the History and Symbolism of Masonry—and to such brethren , we appeal , without scruple or diffidence , to assist in the work which is being carried on so successfully and well , under the now familiar title of AES QUATUOR COEONA

TOBUM . The above article has been written on the reminder of my old friend , Bro . Wm . Wray Morgan , part proprietor of the FREEMASON ' CmiO"xicr * E , that whereas I was formerl y in tho habit of reviewing the Transactions of No . 2076 in

his paper , of late I had dropped out of it . B y way of explanation , however , I may state , that as the work of that Lodge has gone on increasing , so have the labours of its active members , and the more our resolute Secretary has required of me , the less have I felt inclined to tender literary

contributions in any other quarter . But it has afforded me much pleasure to comply with the wish of Bro . Morgan , and more particularly , because in the interval between the appearance of the first and last

instalment of the present article , I have been made acquainted with the fact that our Brother lies very serioxisl y ill at his residence , and that his condition occasions the gravest anxiety to his family .

Nearly twenty years have elapsed since the ori ginal publication of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . During all this time it has been printed and published by Brother Morgan , who has of late years been assisted by his son , W . F . Morgan . Week after week he has done his best to

furnish all the requisites of a first class Masonic newspaper . The brethren in this country never have yet , really and adequately , supported any organ of the Craft . This makes the office of purveyor to , and supplier of , their wants , a very difficult task to fill . The highest compliment to be

paid to any Masonic journal is , that it steers a straightforward , honest , and manly course , but with a distinct leaning to the side of authority . This , I think , can be said of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE under the direction of

Bro . Morgan , and that the G . A . O . T . U ., in his infinite goodness , may allow his span of life to be happily prolonged for some further years , will , I feel sure , bo the earnest desire of all with whom he is either personally or editorially acquainted .

The annual meeting of Dr . Barnardo ' s Homes will , this year , as previously , take place in the Royal Albert Hall , the date fixed being Wednesday , the 17 th inst ,

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . WILLIAM WHITEHOUSE .

ON Tuesday , 23 rd ult ., there passed away , at the age of 71 , Bro . William Whitehouse , of the Star Hotel , Bloomfield . Tho deceased brother was well known in tho Black Country , especially in commercial circles . At ono

time ho was chairman of tho Tipton Local Board , and was identified with several public undertakings . He was also a member of the Noah ' s Ark Lodge , No . 347 , who wero represented at , and sent a wreath to , the funeral , which took place on Friday , 26 th ult .

Masonic Sonnets.—No. 53.

MASONIC SONNETS . —No . 53 .

BY BRO . CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D ., 295 , 1214 , 2417 ( E . C . ) , 24 , 761 ( S . C . )

— : o : — I TO THE STARS .

Ye confuse coronota of celestial grace , That gaily gild fche arching dome of Heaven , Say , why ye float amid unending space , By circling whirlwinds furiously driven j Or , brightly beaming through the crystal night , Without the slightest motion , are at rest , Save for the twinklings of aerenest light ,

Wifch which ye have earth ' s creatures ever blest ? Lo ! the stars answer . There shall come a day When all shall fathom things that now seem strange And nought so boundless but will show the way , Whate ' er their vast immensity of range ;

When , like the pages of an open book , All men may learn who pause awhile and look . Winder House , Bradford , lst June 1893 .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Le Comedie Prancaise . —Ever up to date in all matters theatrical , Sir Augustus Harris has taken advantage of the periodical cleaning of the historic house in the Rue de Richelieu , and invited the whole of this celebrated troupe , the first in the world , comprising some fifty-two members , to London , for a series of performances

extending over four weeks . The French Government , without whose authority tbe company cannot perform outside of Paris , have graciously given permission for the invitation to be accepted , aud these clever artistes will therefore make their first appearance on Monday evening , the 12 th instant , at Drury Lane theatre . The

programme includes nearly fifty different plays , as no piece will be performed twice , which range from tragedy to farce by authors both ancient and modern . froraJMoliere , Raeine , and Cornoille , to Yiotor Hugo , Alexandre Dumas fils , and Edouard Pailleron . Our own Shakespeare will also be represented by " Hamlet , " and " The Taming of the Shrew , " so that something will be found to please the

most fastidious of theatrical palates . At their opening performance a special prologue will be spoken by Mdlle . Reiohenberg , entitled " Salufc a Londres , " and at the conclusion of " Le Malade Imaginaire " the entire company will appear on the stage , according to their rank of precedence at the Theatre Francais , taking part in " La Ocremonie , " arranged for this occasion .

Mr . Augnstin Daly announces the opening of his new theatre , near Leicester Square , on the 20 th inst ., when the charming Miss Ada Rehan and Mr . Daly ' s company of comedians from New Tork will appear . Two new comedies , " The Last Word , " and " Love in a Tandem " will be presented , and Miss Rehan will also appear as Julia in " The Hunchback , " for the first time in London .

The first of the Polytechnic Trips for the World s Fair , at Chicago , arrived in New York on Friday , the 19 th inst . These trips will be continued every week up to 5 th August . The parties travel by the Guion Line from Liverpool every fortnight , and from Southampton every Friday and Saturday by the Inman and Hamburg-American Lines . A few vacancies still remain . Full detailed prospectus can be obtained on application to the Secretary , the Polytechnic , 309 Regent Street , London , W .

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