Scotland.

Comp . Charles Stewart . The chapter then proceeded to elect office bearers for the coming session , when the followino" were unanimously elected : Comps . Charles Stewart , M ° E . P . Z . ; James Leitch , M . E . P . H . ; John Wright , M . E . P . J . ; J . M . Campbell , E . S . E . ; John Barr , E . S . N . ; T . M . Campbell , Treas . ; Wm . C . Bunten , ist Soj . ; J . W . Hart , 2 nd Soj . ; Chas . J . Dunn , 3 rd Soj . ; Thomas Arthur , Supt . of Works ; Adolphe Hagmann , Std . Br . ;

. and James Gray , Janitor . I he several otlice bearers were then installed , and received full instructions as to their various duties , the Installing Companions being Comps . J . Terris , P . P . Z . 6 g , and VV . J . Donaldson , P . Z . 79 , who were assisted by Comps . John M'Innes and J . B . M'Nair , both P . P . Z . ' s 6 g . Votes of thanks being awarded to the presiding companions , the chapter was closed in due form .

ARDROSSAN . —Neptune Kilwinning Chapter ( No . in ) . —The annual meeting for the election of office bearers in this chapter was held on Wednesday night , the 23 rd ult ., when the following companions were elected : — Comps . Robert Marshall , First Principal Z . ; John Bain ,

Second Principal H . ; John Treddan , Third Principal J . ; John Robertson , S . E . ; Wm . Marshall , S . N . ; W . Ross , Treas . ; Thomas Tyrell , ist Soj . ; John Adair , 2 nd Soj . ; Peter Sharp , 3 rd Soj . ; and Henry Barr , Janitor . The chapter is in a prosperous condition , the funds being in a good state .

Bro. Darasha R. Chichgur In The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

BRO . DARASHA R . CHICHGUR IN THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

At the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Scotland on the 7 th August last , the Grand Master before proceeding to the ordinary business , introduced Bro . Darasha R . Chichgur , Honorary Substitute Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , who , it will be remembered , was , on the eve of his departure from Bombay for England , the recipient of many hearty : ; ood wishes for a pleasant and

successful journey , and who , after acknowledging the kind reception accorded him by his brethren in Grand Lodge , delivered the following address , which , we doubt not , will prove interesting to our readers : Bro . CHICHGUR , addressing the Grand Master , said : I come from a distant country called India , and one of its towns , Bombay . I belong to the Provincial Grand Lodge of India , and , being a native of India , it will be a surprise

to you that I have attained so high a Masonic position under the Scottish Constitution . 1 have to congratulate myself at being able to be present at the Quarterly Convocation of this Grand Lodge during my travels in England . I am thus enabled to pay my respect , and show loyalty and fidelity to the fountain head from which we in the East have received the benefits of Freemasonry . It is true Masonry had its origin in the East ; but , owing to the

decay and downfall of civilisation , and consequent spread of the spirit of religious intolerance , it left its shores , and entered on a far congenial sphere in the West . When the great sons of Caledonia came down for the purpose of trading in the East , they brought with them this noble plant , and planted it on the fertile ground of India . The soil being congenial , the plant , under the guidance and care of the British , developed once more , and soon came to

maturity . The sons of the East , on whom the rays of education were then just beginning to dawn , came forward to cultivate the tree which once belonged to them . It was with great difficulty and hesitation this right vvas given to them . The chief advocate for spreading the benign influence of Freemasonry among the natives was Dr . Burnes , a relative of your renewed poet Burns . The first native gentleman who urged to get the Masonic portals opened to

us was Bro . Manockjee Cursetjee , who has made a name as the foremost advocate of female education in India . Lodge Rising Star vvas thus started under the Scottish banner as the first native lodge . It has up to now held its own against many others , and is reckoned one of the best lodges in Western India . In illustration of this , I may be allowed to mention a few distinguished names which have been connected with this lodge , which of itself will show

that it has admitted the best and foremost men of Indian society : Bro . Manockjee Cursetjee , an ex-judge ; Bro . K . R . Cama , a great Oriental scholar ; Bro . Pestonjee C . H . Cama , a well-known merchant of Bombay , whose liberality was lately shown by hid giving in charity £ 20 , 000 tor building an hospital for the sick and infirm of all denominations , and whose son is a member of the Grand Lodgeof England ; Bro . M . C . Murzban , the well-known executive

engineerof Bombay ; Bro . Pheerozshah M . Melita , barrislerat-lavv , twice elected as Chairman of the Municipal Corporation of Bombay ; Bros . Nowcojee Furdoonjee and Sorabjee S . Bengalee , eminent citizens of Bombay , on whom , for their distinguished public services , the Government conferred the title of Companions of the Indian Empire ; Bro . Dadabhoy Nowrojee , a gentleman of great renown and reputation , who established in London the East

Indian Association ; Bro . Jamsetjee D . Wadia , master builder in her Majesty ' s Dockyard ; Bro . Doossabhoy F . Kurraka , the author of the "History of the Parsees , " a magistrate of Bombay , who was lately made a Companion of the Star of India by Her Majesty ' s Government ; Bro . Doctor Atmaram Pandoorang , an eminent medical practitioner , ex-sheriff of Bombay ; Bro . Rhaimtoola Sayani , solicitor , the present Sheriff of Bombay ; Bro . Hormusjee

Dadabhoy , a distinguished pleader aed ex-judge ; Bro . M . M . Bhownuggree , barrister-at-law , agent to his Highness Jhe Thakoreshaeb of Bhownugger , and an officer of this wand Lodge ; and many others who belong to the noble profession of medicine and law , with various University honours attEched to their names . The present Master of this lodge is Bro . Rustom M . Chichgur , a chip of the old block to which I have the honour to belonsr . It sneaks

kiT c a brother , who now holds the Hiram of India , on behalf and under the Grand Lodge of Scotland , to have introduced into his Provincial Grand Lodge some of the above distinguished Masons , and given them the highest positions , without distinction of caste or creed . Under the judicious management of Bro . Captain Morland , and the conspicuous support of this Grand Lodge , lodges in India nourish . Being Executive Officer of the Indian Grand

an | j ° dge of Scottish Freemasonry , I cannot but testify , on tenr 1 PrCS i occasion > to 'he kind support and good advice tar n to us * t-me to t ' ° y your worthy Secreta !? ' A ° ' Murra */ Lyon . It depends much upon the wet and judgment of the Executive Officer to promote or ™ ar the interests of the Craft . I take this opportunity •» congratulating the Craft in having such a worthy Secre-

Bro. Darasha R. Chichgur In The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

tary to represent the Scottish Constitution . If I may be allowed to make a remark here , I would venture to saylet the efforts of the Grand Lodge be to give us few lodges under its Constitution , and they should be constituted , supported , and ruled by brethren of real culture and ability , as by so doing the stability of our Craft will increase tenfold , and induce many more good men to join the Craft ,

and thereby the Institution will be better able to spread the doctrine of humanity and sympathy hundredfold in time to come . These cultured men will be able to expound the beautiful teachings of Freemasonry in a manner that will tend to make Masons more tolerant of one another , and more sympathetic in their hearts towards their fellow-creatures . With narrow mind and blind zeal , the working of the

ceremonials will never bring good results . It is therefore better for our brethren to give way to the educated and cultured men of the Craft in assuming high offices in the lodge whenever they are available . Now , Most Worshipful Sir , as long as this Grand Lodge continues to administer justice without fear or favour , the Provincial Grand Lodge of India , and the daughter lodges working under itwill

, remain firm , staunch , and faithful to their mother Grand Lodge , and will ever try to enlist her sympathy and goodwill by upholding the prestige of the Scottish Constitution in India . In conclusion , I have personally to thank you most warmly and sincerely for the hearty reception given to me by you , sir , in particular , and by the brethren of the

Scottish Constitution , individually and jointly . This act of kindness and courtesy , I have no doubt , will be reciprocated by my Indian brethren in displaying their allegiance and loyalty on all occasions . It shall be my earnest endeavour , so long as I am a member of the Indian Grand Lodge , to promote friendly feelings between the fountainhead and the daughter Grand Lodge .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

In common with all our contemporaries , and with the public who have already had the pleasure of visiting the Haymarket , we tender our most sincere congratulations to the new lessees—Mr . Edward Russell and Bro . Captain S . F . Bashford—on the undoubted success which has attended their efforts in taking over this famous and well-known theatre . " Dark Days , " as dramatised by Mr . Comyns Carr from the late Mr . Fargus's ( Hugh

Conway ) book of that name , is one of the strongest , most interesting , and charming plays we have ever seen . On the play itself , the stage mounting , the company who represent the characters , and all the surroundings it would be not possible to say too much . It was a big venture and a heavy responsibility to follow in the management of the Haymarket after such lessees as those who have from time to time had the house ; but especially the late managers—Bro . and

Mrs . Bancroft—who were so popular with all classes ; and we are alluding particularly to their management as separate from their playing . But we read and hear on all sides only one tone of praise and conviction that the prestige of this , the first play-house in London , has not in the least diminished since it has passed into new hands . This is why we join in the unanimous verdict , because the grand continuity—a principle so dear to a Mason—remains

unbroken , and the traditions uninterrupted . Were it not that Bro . and Mrs . Bancroft , instead of being on the stage , occupied a box on the first night , no one , unless told so , would have known that any change had taken place . There is very little of the book to be recognised in the play of " Dark Days , " except that the heroine believes , as does her faithful lover , that she is the murderer of her wicked husband until , by the confession of the real culprit , the

selfreproach is lifted , so that Mr . Comyns Carr may almost claim the play to be original . A young medical man , Basil North , is in love with a girl named Philippa ; but his proposal of marriage comes too late , ior she has allied herself to a man she hates , partly to please her mother , and partly because North did not tell her of his love . This husband , Sir Mervyn Ferrand , is a scoundrel , and already is married to the sister of a man , one William Evans , who bleeds the

baronet for 15 years to keep the secret . Philippa and North go to Sir Mervyn to inform him that in future she means no longer to hide the shame ; but will go by his name , although separated , that the world may know his villany . He taunts them with being lovers in a guilty sense , and then dares Philippa to proclaim his marriage to her to the world , and informs her for the first time that that was not a legal marriage , for he was then the husband of another

woman . Her hatred for him becomes intense at this . The extortioner Evans now threatens him , unless he hands him a sum of money which he demands . The baronet refuses , but at last yields , and tells him to meet him at a certain place and a certain time . Sir Mervyn does not keep the appointment , having discovered something by which he thinks he may rid himself of this man , who has lived on him for so many years . Exasperated at not getting the

money , Evans tracks Sir Mervyn in a wood , the snow coming down fast , and after a long wrangle Sir Mervyn offers to pay him the next day , but having been lied to and threatened by the baronet , Evans fires a p istol and kills his victim , having obtained the pistol surreptitiously from the house of Dr . North . Like Pauline , in " Called Back , " Philippa's reason has left her , and she is haunted by fright , and m her delirium rushes out of the

house into the wood and comes upon the corpse of her bigamous husband . Basil North follows her to take her back to his mother ' s house , and is horrified to find her over the dead body with his own pistol on the ground , and believes her to have murdered Sir Mervyn in her madness . They go to Seville for a change of scene and life , and there read that a man has been arrested for the crime . North resolves to return home in order to save the man he believes

to be innocent . The last act shows us a Court of Justice , in which Evans is being tried for the capital offence . Dr . North is called as a witness to prove that the pistol found near the murdered man was his , and he affirms that on the day of the murder he had had a visit from the baronet of an unpleasant nature and had prepared his pistols .

Suspicion falls on him now , and at this juncture Philippa rushes into the Court declaring she killed the man . Evans on seeing her is so frightened , thinking she is a spirit , that he acknowledges to being the murderer , and so the play ends . To Miss Lingard , as Philippa , falls a task somewhat similar to that as Pauline , in " Called Back . " We

The Theatres.

need scarcely say she plays it with a tender and sympathetic spirit . Mr . Barrymore , as Dr . North , is dignified , manful , and earnest , if a little heavy . The Sir Mervyn Ferrand of Mr . Beerbohm Tree strikes us as the best played part . He faithfully portrays the character of the wicked and coldblooded cynic ; and though Mr . Beerbohm Tree gives us a lot of dialogue which is outside the plot , yet it is not

wearisome from him , but entertaining . Bro . Robert Pateman is the vulgar villain Evans , and he represents the part much as he did that of the process-server at the Adelphi lately , that is , " par excellence . " Miss Lydia Foote and Miss Helen Forsyth display great aptitude for their respective parts . Mr . Sugden makes a good Hon . Percy Pentland , who , though not very brilliant in talents , is a well meaning fellow and affectionate

lover . Messrs . Russell and Bashford have introduced two changes for the comforts of their audience . The second circle seats are reduced to two shillings—as a pit—and opera glasses are lent to the occupants of the stalls and balcony . We suppose the next move will be the compliment of a burlesque on " Dark Days . " We only hope the new lessees will go on as they have commenced .

* Mr . Edgar Bruce wishes it to be stated that he is not going to play in the new musical piece to be brought out at the Prince's next week , as some papers have announced . The mistake has possibly arisen owing to the fact that on the night of its production he will take up the part of Anthony Sheen , about to be vacated by Mr . Garden . We hear the little piece is to be of a political character , the music by Mr . Walter Slaughter .

* Mr . Hawtrey , of " The Private Secretary , " has purchased the rights of the " Excelsior " ballet , which is now being played under his management , at Her Majesty ' s . We wish him success ; he is plucky to have taken up such a diverse field .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY , K . G . The news that Bro . the Earl of Shaftesbury , K . G ., whose name has been familiar to the public as a doer of good deeds for considerably more than half-a-century , has at length passed from among us , will be received with general sorrow by our readers as by all other classes of the community . The good Earl was known for his active and instinctive philanthropy . There is hardly a scheme which

has been started in our time for the benefit of poor and suffering humanity to which he did not at once give his adhesion , and in behalf of which he did not work both assiduously and cordially . He appears to have taken no active part in Masonry , into which he was initiated in the Apolo University Lodge , No . 357 , in 1 S 19 , the very year of its constitution , but his whole lite has shown that he was deeply imbued with that holy sense of Charity , and that

deep loyalty for things Constitutional , which are of the very essence of the Craft . It is no exaggeration to say that the nation as one man is grieved at the death of one so deservedly respected , and we should feel we had omitted a duty if we had allowed the sad event to pass without expressing our sorrow at its occurrence , and our sincere sympathy with the relatives and friends of our late respected brother .

BRO . VV . M . RIDLAND . The funeral of W . Bro . W . M . Ridland , VV . M . 230 , Devonport , son-in-law of Councillor R . Cawsey , took place at the Plymouth Cemetery on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., and was very largely attended . The deceased had been a member of the Masonic Order for many years , and after passing through the various chairs he was in January last

installed as W . M . of thc lodge in the presence of a very large number of P . M . ' s and brethren . Bro . Ridland had been connected with the firm of Messrs . Hicks and Co ., Plymouth , for about 16 years . He was formerly cashier , but was promoted some few years since to the position of out-door manager , which brought him into contact with a great number of business men , who all recognised his ability

and genial disposition . Bro . Ridland , although hc did not directly associate himself with the public affairs of the town , took an active interest in local politics , and was Auditor of the Devonport and Stonehouse Junior Liberal Association . The brother had been failing in health for some time , and died on Sunday , the 20 th ult ., from disease

of the kidneys . He leaves a wife and three young children . The funeral cortege left the house of the deceased , 2 , Valletort-place , Stoke , at 2 p . m . on Thursday . About 14 carriages containing brethren of the Masonic Order preceded the glass hearse , and then about 20 carriages containing the relatives and personal friends of the deceased .

BRO . W . B . SPENCER . On Thursday , the 24 th ult ., the remains of the late Bro . VV . B . Spencer , of Halifax , were accompanied to the grave by representatives from the four Halifax Lodges , the Howarth Lodge , and the Elland Lodge . The deceased was one of the oldest Freemasons in the district , and was

much respected by the brethren . He was VV . M . of the Howarth Lodge m 1 S 59 , and W . M . of the St . James ' s Lodge , No . 448 , Halifax , in 1 S 60 . He was one of the founders of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 1736 , Halifax , and was also the first W . M . He was ever a zealous worker in this cause , which he had much at heart , and his friendship will be missed greatly by those who knew him .

BRO . H . M . LEVY , P . M ., P . Z . We regret to hear of the death of Bro . H . M . Levy , P . M . and P . Z . of the Joppa Lodge and Chapter . Bro . Levy had been ailing for some time past , but the news , though it may have been anticipated by his family and friends , has come upon as a surprise . Bro . Levy in his day had taken an active part in the doings of the Craft .

He was a Life Governor of all three Charities , and had served as Festival Steward twice for the Girls' School , twice for the Benevolent Institution , and once for the Boys ' School . He had also been a member of the Audit Committee of the Girls' School , and one of the Committee of

Management of the R . M . B . I . The funeral took place on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult ., at the Jews'Cemetery , Willesden and among those present to show their respect for the deceased were several of his Masonic friends . We offer the expresssion of our sincere sympathy with the family of our late brother .