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rank second to none bnt those of the Lodge . The Mark decree in its symbolism and teaching exemplifies the most beautiful trait that can animate the human mind . The Most Excellent degree is the reverent celebration of tbe comp letion of the great work of our ancient brethren , and where can be found the equal in sublimity of that

matchless invocation in which Israel ' s King asks the blessing of the Almighty upon His chosen people and the superb creation of their hands ? The Royal Arch , the crowning sheaf of ancient Free Masonry , has an historical

importance which cannot be estimated . What thinking Free Mason ever failed to comtemplate with wonder and admiration that which perfects and completes the Master Mason ' s degree and makes him a better Mason than he could ever be without it ? A writer already quoted says

" If we except the Master ' s , there is no other degree in Masonry that has been so extensively diffused , or is as important in its historical and symbolical import , as the Eoyal Arch , or , as it has been called , on account of its sublime significance , the ' Holy Royal Arch . ' It ia called ' the root , heart and marrow of Masonry , ' and

is indescribably more august , sublime and important , than any which precede it , and is , in fact , the summit and perfection of Ancient Masonry . It is found , in fact , in every rite , in some modified form , and sometimes under a different name , but always preserving those symbolic relations to the Lost Word which constitutes its essential character . "

" Whoever carefully studies the Master s degree in its symbolic signification will be convinced that it is in a mutilated condition ; that is , that it is imperfect and unfinished in its history , and that , terminating abruptly in its symbolism , ifc leaves the mind still waiting for something that is necessary to its completeness . This

deficiency is supplied by the Royal Arch degree . Hence , when the union took place in England , in 1813 , between the two rival Grand Lodges , while there was a strong and hereditary disposition on the

part of the English Masons to preserve the simplicity of the Old York Rite by confining Free Masonry to the three symbolical degrees , ifc was found necessary to define Ancient Craft Masonry as consisting of three degrees , including the Holy Royal Arch . "

Those superficial members of our fraternity with whom the essence of Free Masonry is public pomp and show might not miss us , but the Masonic scholar and student

cannot spare the Chapter . At the meeting of the Grand Encampment of

Knights Templar of the United States , held at Chicago , in August 1880 , an amendment to the Constitution was offered , dispensing with the Chapter degrees and making a Master Mason eligible to the Orders of Knighthood ;

but to the honour of the Grand Encampment be it said , the loyal sons of the Chapter outvoted their disloyal brethren and the amendment met the fate ifc deserved , — prompt and inglorious defeat . May it ever be so , and let

us hope tho day will never come when the Chapter , shorn of her strength , sits sorrowful and forlorn among the neglected and forgotten . To him who desires it we say : "Blistered be thy tongue for such a wish . "

The condition and status of our Grand Chapter is such that we have just cause to feel proud of it . Our financial resources exceed our most extravagant desires were we disposed to be extravagant , and we are enabled to

contribute of our abundance to any worthy object . We are united among ourselves , and our relations with other Grand Chapters are fraternal and harmonious . Here , in the metropolitan city of our jurisdiction , her proper home ;

in the most magnificent building ever erected to Masonry , in any era or any country , our Grand Chapter sits in the quiet dignity of an honourable old age ; acknowledging no superior , brooking no dictation ; jealous of her own

rights , but trespassing upon none ; and from here her good influence extends , not only to the most remote portions of our own territory bufc even to the ends of

the earth , for wherever Royal Arch Masonry is known , the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania is honoured and respected .

Let us appreciate the blessings we enjoy , and enter upon the duties of the new year with thankful hearts , enthusiastic for our cause , trusting in each other , and "with a firm reliance on Him who holds us in the hollow of His hand and without whose blessing and guidance our labours will be fruitless .

THE Liverpool Exhibition will present some very attractive features . There wiil be gardens and an electric fountain like that so popular afc South Kensington , and an accurata reproduction of an old Lancashire village . The refreshment contract has been secured by Messrs . Spiers and Pond , who have had more of such

experience than any other firm in the kingdom . A collection of old arms and armour will comprise contributions from the Government , and the war nshibifcs intended to illustrate the chief wars of the present reign will form a notable and novel attraction to the Exhibition .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

Vaudeville . — The poetical one-act play by Mr . Robert Buchanan , "A Dark Night's Bridal , " was duly produced afc this theatre on Saturday last . The work , whioh is founded on a prose sketch by Mr . R . L . Stevenson , and as presented on Saturday , records a most improbable story , with but little interest , unless ifc be

to mystify the audience . This it certainly did on its production . The scene is laid at Castle Chasseloup , in Burgundy , where an old baron resides , with an attractive neice , Blanche , who as a matter of course has secured a lover . Some idea of this state of affairs becoming known to the baron , he resolves to assist the lovers , and

when a cavalier , Henri de St . Valery , seeks refuge at the caatle from a storm , the baron at once mistakes him for his niece ' s admirer . He tells Henri that unless he agrees to marry Blanche in half an hour he shall die . Henri declares he would rather die than marry , and even when left alone with Blanche he is still of the same

opinion . Nevertheless , as can be seen from the opening , the young couple find that after all marriage will be better than death , oonsequently they are prepared for the ceremony when the baron returns . That Messrs . Royce Carleton , Fuller Hellish , and Miss Kate Rorke have taken a wrong view of the story will readily be conceded ; they

were in doubt whether to make the thing serious or the reverse . That they acted well we cannot deny , bufc certainly they did not en . lighten their audience as to the motive or idea with which the piece was written . " Sophia , " now fast approaching its 300 th representation , goes as well as ever .

Gaiety . —On Saturday evening last was celebrated the 100 th per . formance of the popular burlesque " Monte Cristo Jan . " Certain alterations have been made , but these are by no means numerous ; still the fact that four ladies had been engaged for new parts helped to add to the attractions of the evening . The new comers—Misses

Letty Lind , Jennie Hilton , Ada and Addie Blanche—all did well in the songs and dances allotted them . Miss Lind engages in a dance with Miss Sylvia Grey and Mr . Ross , and well , indeed , she acquitted herself . Miss Farren once more delighted her audience by her

inimitable acting and singing , while Mr . Fred Leslie , if possible , showed improvement as Noirtier . Mr . E . J . Lounen is a capital De Villefort , his song , " Ballyhooley , " is always enjoyed . Altogether a more successful performance could not be wished for .

Glob © . — "The Private Secretary" was revived at this theatre last Saturday , and again secured acknowledgment of its popularity from a full audience . Mr . Fenley resumes his impersonation of the meek curate the Rev . Robert Spalding '; this gentleman seems to have benefited by the rest he has lately been compelled to take . Mr . Hill is still the bluff Mr . Cattermole . Miss Vane Featherstone

and Miss Blanche Horlock are bright and winning as the cousins , while Mrs . Stephens and Messrs . Wilfred Dracofcfc and A . G . Andrews resume their original parts . As we last week intimated , Mr . F . C . Burnand ' s " La Doctoresse " will be the next production here . Olympic . —West-end playgoers have at last the opportunity

of witnessing tbe much-talked of boat race at Henley , introduced in Messrs . James Willing jun . and John Douglass ' s sensational drama , "A Dark Secret . " The gigantic tank has been brought from Shoreditch and set up here , though , as might have been anticipated , it has been made smaller . Still the interest of the race has not lost

much ; the representation is as complete as before . Messrs . Bassett Roe , Louis Calvert , Stanley Pringle , Misses Amy Steinberg , Stella Brereton , and Dolores Drummond repeat their finished renderings of the several parts .

Considerable interest is being manifested amongst local athletes in Southwark in a match , which has been arranged to take place on Jubilee day ( 20 th June ) , between Mr . Phillips , the popular and esteemed manager of the " Colleen Bawn " Tavern—terminus of Willing ' s omnibuses—and Mr . F . Hill , a well-known engineer and

patentee residing in the neighbourhood . The stakes are £ 10 a-side , and the contest is fixed to take place within tbe picturesque grounds of Southwark Park . First there will be a match of single wiokefc , and afterwards a flat race of 100 yards , Mr . Phillips giving his

opponent 20 yards start . In spite of other attractions on that day , it is expected that the sport will be witnessed by a larga number of spectators , both competitors being well known and deservedly popluar in Southwark and the district . Mr . May has kindly consented to officiate as referee .

THE CHILDREN ' CELEBRATION OF THE QUEEN ' S JUBILEE . —We learn that the Editor of Little Folks magazine has , during the pasb low days , received many thousand literary , artistic , and other contributions from children residing in Great Britain and the Colonies iu connection with the Special Scheme which he inaugurated to

enable girls and boys to take part in the Jubilee Celebration . The Competitors range in age from four to sixteen years , and the list of successful candidates , together with various selections from their work , will appear in the number of Little Folks magazine , published daring the Jubilee week .

An important work , entitled " The Australasian Federal Directory of Commerce , Trades , and Professions , " has been in preparation some time , and will shortly be published in London under the direction of Mr . J . W . F . Rogers , of Melbourne and Sydney , at 57 Chancery Lane .

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