Royal Arch.

There being no other business the Chapter was closed , and the Companions adjourned to the Banquet Room , where a recherche repast was served . Tho usual Loyal and Arch toasts were honoured , Comp . W . Shurmur proposing the Provincial Grand Officers , for whom Comp . W . E . Dring responded , and concluded by submitting the health of the M . E . Z . who , he said , had worked up through the various offices to the complete satisfaction of the Chapter .

Comp . James Speller returned thanks for his election to the position of First Principal , for he was indeed proud to preside over the Shurmur Chapter , which boasted of some of the best working Masons in the Province . It would ever be his aim to promote its prosperity , but be was assured of a successful

year of office because ho had such excellent Officers to assist him . He regretted the unavoidable absence of Comp . Byford that evening , but both he and Companion Johnson wero bard working Masons , and would do justice to their positions . The compliment was briefly acknowledged by Companion Johnson .

Companion Dring proposed the Exaltee , to whom he assured a cordial welcome , as ho came to them with an excellent reputation as a good Mason . It was always a mystery to him why Craft Masons wandered about having only a rush candle instead of the glorious sunlight of Royal Arch Masonry . He always found that it was the best Masons who came to the Chapters .

Comp . Lowman , in response , said that the ceremony had made a deep impression upon him , and be had been much enlightened by what he had heard .

Comp . William Shurmur , responding for the Past Principals , said he had tho greatest pleasure to instal the M . E . Z . in his chair , for Comp . Speller was a most distinguished Mason , and he now held the almost unique position of being at the same time M . E . Z . of this Chapter , W . M . of a Craft Lodge , and Master of a Mark Lodge .

_ Comps . Bromhead , Tijou , Knight , and Wildash returned thanks for the Visitors , and the Janitor ' s toast brought the proceedings to a happy termination .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

OFFICIAL VISITATIONS .

To the FBEEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I occasionally see reports in the local papers of " official " visits paid by the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham to the different Lodges in that county , and it strikes me as being somewhat of a novelty . I enclose you a cutting from the "Newcastle Daily Journal " relating to such a visit , from which you will see the local ruling body was well represented at the meeting .

I have not noticed any such official visitations in other English Provinces , although I believe something of the sort is regularly practised under the Scottish Constitution . Does the fact of Durham being so nearly adjacent to the "land o' cakes" account for this feature—which I think is a very commendable one—or is it practised elsewhere in England without my knowledge ?

Yours , & e . Oil THE ROAD Newcastle , 29 th November 1895 .

MUSIC AT GRAND LODGE .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —May I be allowed to ask our Grand Organist , through you , to give us the full benefit of his talent during the long and weary wait previous to tho entry of the Grand Lodge Officers into the Temple ?

We have heard so much ol the magnificent performances of Bro . Hoyt that it seems a great pity that he selects such a very minor koy for the selections upon the organ . On Wednesday tho instrument could not be heard even at a short distance , so those Brethren at the end of the Hall were entirely debarred from hearing those delightful strains .

Yours fraternally , P . M London , 5 th December 1895 .

MASONIC CONCERT AT PLYMOUTH .

A VERY successful concert was given in aid of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , in Plymouth Guildhall , on Wednesday of last week . To form a special feature for the concert Brother W . W'illoughby , Mus . Bac , Oxon ., bad written and composed a charming operetta entitled " The Children ' s Harvest , " in which 150 children took part , and this was eminently

successful . Tho Orpheus Glee Singers provided the second part of the programme , which was enthusiastically received . The Masonic Fraternity must have secured a substantial addition to the funds of its excellent Educational Charities , says a local report , the hall being so full that a considerable amount of money had to be refused at the doors .

FREEMASONRY BY LIMELIGHT .

A VERY interesting lecture was delivered by Bro . James Stevens P . M . P . Z ., at the Hornsey Lodge of Instruction , No . 890 , at Lewisham , S . E ., on Thursday , 28 th ult . So far as we are aware , for the first time in connection with MaFonic instruction the aid of the limeiight lantern was brought into requisition , under the able direction of Bro . Walter Clement Tyler S . D . 8 G 0 , with the result that a full and lucid exposition of the hidden meaniDg of the most important Masonic Symbols , and their moral

Correspondence.

significations , was presented to a highly appreciative audience . Some sixty beautifully coloured representations connected with Antient Freemasonry were exhibited and explaiued . Bro . Stevens kept his auditors in earnest attention for two hours , and at the termination of their labours both Bro . Tyler and himself were the recipients of a very hearty and cordial vote of thanks . About eighty Brethren were present , and but for the inclemency of the weather doubtless the attendance would have been far larger .

A CHRISTMAS GIFT . A MUNIFICENT and probably unique act of generosity has to bo recorded in connection with the Alhambra Theatre . On Saturday morning the sum of nearly £ 1 , 000 was handed to Mr . Alfred Moul , the General Manager , by Mr . William L . Winans , for distribution amongst the lady principals , the members of the corps de ballet , and all children taking part in the performances of the ballet of" Titania . " The distribution of this

large sum was made by Mr . Moul under precise instructions from the generous donor , according to the rank and status of each performer , and the fortunate recipients of the gift were each handed their allotted sum by the General Manager at the usual hour of treasury . The number of performers so participating iu the gift amounted to one hundred , and in no instance was a smaller amount than M ( that sum being for each child ) apportioned , whilst the majority received JB 10 , or over that amount .

absolutely the cream of the cycle industry , and not one of them has exhibited at any other show . Hundreds of machines of the newest design ond with the latest improvements will be on view . There will be a fine show of ladies ' safeties . The fact that cycling is now the rage amongst the fair sex has led to a special effort being made to produce machines which are light , graceful ,

Crystal Palace . —The fourth National cycle show was opened at the Crystal Palace yesterday ( Friday ) , and will remain open for eight days , closing on Saturday , 14 th inst . Year by year this Show has been steadily increasing , until not only the Grand Central Nave and Transcepts , but also the Courts , and every available nook and corner , is this year occupied by cycles and accessories . The exhibitors , who are the oldest and largest firmsare

in design , and simplo in construction . During the cycle show week entertainment will reign supreme . Concerts—choral , promenade , smoking , and orchestral , with first-class solo vocalists and instrumentalists ; the Zerega Spanish Troubadours , variety shows , dramatic performances , wonderful trick cycle-riding , Carl Hertz in his great Japanese illusion , & c , & c . All these attractions will combine to render the week a veritable cycling carnival .

Lyric Theatre . —Miss Florence St . John made her first appearance as " Sylvia , " in " Tho Bric-a-Brac Will" at the Lyric Theatre , on Tuesday night of last week , and scored an instant success . At the fall of the curtain Miss St . John was recalled by a house crammed in every part . Signor Emilio Pizzi ' s charming music ( including some new songs specially composed for Miss St . John ) , combined with a superb stage production , in which Mr . Hugh Moss has surpassed himself , is now drawing crowded and enthusiastic houses nightly to the Lyric Theatre .

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