Royal Arch.

nothing be wanting on his part to assist in continuing the prosnerity of the chapter . As some work had already been provided for him , he would do his best to carry it out . Comps . W . T . Nell , 'H . j and S . Soloman , J . ; also responded . In reply to the toast of " The Visitors , " Comp . J . Eastes , Prov . G . H . Kent , expressed his satisfaction at the kind reception which had been given bim , and a \ so his interest in the Degree of the Royal Arch . He was pleased

to remark the prosperity of the chapter , and , from his own experience , was quite sure that it was much better in each province to have a few chapters in good working order and well supported rather than to have many and some unsuccessful chapters . Comps . Bindley , P . Z . G 24 j W . T . Alarriott , Q . C , M . P ., 6 ; and C . J . Smith , Prov . G . Std . Br ., Z ; I 4 GG , also responded . The other usual toasts followed ; and the Janitoi ' s toast wound up a most enjoyable

evening . The AI . E . Z ., Comp . J . AL Kidd , had determined that nothing should be wanting to promote the success of the meeting ; he had , therefore , entrusted the musical arrangements to Aliss Bertha Aloore , who had engaged Aliss Alary Beare , Miss Lilla Reynolds , and Mr . R . IT . Cummings to assist her , and Bro . VV . Roe , Prov . G . Org ., as accompanyist . Their efforts were highly appreciated , and much applauded by the companions .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

HAMMERSMITH LODGE ( No . 211 ) . —The members of this lodge assembled in good numbers on the 19 th ult . at the Windsor Castle Hotel . Among those in attendance werc Bros . Alfred Tisley , W . AL ; Haynes , P . G . S . England , S . W . ; Goodall , J . W . ; T . C . Walls , G . S . B ., P . M ., acting Secretary j Lawson , ALO . ; Alillis , S . O . ; Page , J . O .-, Pearson , acting LG . ; Gilbert , G . S . England , P . AL ; and Reinardt , acting Tyler .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the election of W . AL , Treasurer , and Tyler , resulted unanimous , in favour of Bros . Haynes , J . VV . Baldwin , and Potter . The following notice of motion , proposed by the W . AL , vvas discussed , seconded , and unanimously passed , "That the regular meetings of this lodge be the fourth Friday instead of the third Saturday in the months of January , Apriland November . " Bros . Lawson ,

, and Pearson having been elected Auditors , the W . AL invested Bro . Weber as S . D . A Past Alaster ' s jewel having been voted to the VV . M ., several communications were read , among them being one from Bro . Baldwin , P . AL , p leading painful indisposition as the cause of his absence . Previously to the lodge being closed , Bro . Lawson proposed Bro . Skinner , of the Great City Lodge , for

advancement at tbe next meeting . An excellent banquet was then served , most genially presided over by the VV . M . Upon the removal of the cloth the toast of " The Queen and Mark Alasonry , " " The W . AL , " " The Past Alasters , " and " The Officers , " v ' vere duly proposed , drunk , and acknowledged . In the intervals the VV . AI . and Bros . Weber and Goodall vocally and instrumcntally entertained the brethren .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

SHEFFIELD . —Talbot Chapter ( No . 16 ) . —This very flourishing chapter vvas opened by Bro . Dr , W . R . Thomas , AI . VV . S ., assisted by his officers . Six candidates were perfected by the Al . WS . most impressively , in the presence of the Inspector General of the Northern District , 111 . Bro . Charles Janies Banister , S . G . I . G . 33 " > who explained theacolayde .

There was a large attendance , nearly sixty members , who after the business of the chapter was over adjourned to the banqueting hall , where an excellent banquet was provided , and greatly appreciated by all present . The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts where given , received , and responded to most heartily , and the meeting thoroughly enjoyed by all its members .

BOLTON . —St . Peter ' s Chapter ( No . 31 ) . —A meeting of the above chapter vvas held on Saturday , the 2 Gth inst . The chapter vvas opened by Bro . Josiah Win . Taylor , ALW . S .. assisted by his officers . Five candidates were perfected in the presence of the Inspector General of the Northern District , 111 . Bro . Charles James Banister , S . G . I . G . 3 J ° , who explained the acolayde . There vvas a

large attendance of members , who , after the chapter was closed , dined together at the Swan Hotel , under the presidency of the AI . VV . S . Bro . Max Blume , professor of music , presided at the pianoforte , perfectly charming the brethren with his melodious pieces and wonderful execution , between the loyal and Alasonic toasts being proposed and responded to .

Rosicruncian Society.

Rosicruncian Society .

YORK . —York College . —This body held its quarterly meeting on the 26 th ult ., in the Alasonic Rooms , Oueen ' s Hotel , by permission of the W . AI . and brethren of the Eboracum Lodge . Thc following members were present : Fratres T . B . Whytehead , IN , Ch . Adept ; J . S . Cumberland , VII , as Suffragan j T . W . Holmes , Vl ° , Celebrant : 1 . C . Thompson , 1 ° , as ist A . ; J . Todd , P ,

as 2 nd A . ; C . R . Fry . 1 ° , as 3 rd A . ; J . T . Atkinson , 1 ° , as 4 th A . ; J . Gates , 1 ° , as G . T . j A . T . B . Turner , IP , Org . ; and J . Redfare , Acolyte . In consequence of thc holding of thc Provincial Pnory of West Yorkshire at Bradford on the same day , the West Riding fratres were many of them unable to be present , and letters of apology were read from the following absentees :

Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , J . VV . Woodall , W . Lawton , C . L . Alason , VV . Rowley , S . Aliddleton , C . S . Lane , W . Rowley , W . C . LuUis , T . J . Wilkinson , W . Paley , J . Alafiey , R . W . Aloore , AL Alillington , and others . Successful ballots were taken for Bros . T . AL Barron and S . Wilson , both of the Alarnuis of Ripon Lodge , No . 1379 .

Frater J . C . Thompson reatl a deeply interesting paper , entitled "A , ' cvv short Notes by a , Mason | in Egypt , " in which he gave a short sketch of some of the discoveries made , and endeavoured to indicate the similarities between the ancient Egyptian faith and the teachings ol Alasonry . Frater T . B . Whytehead thanked Frater Thompson for his able paper , and referred to the study of Egyptology as one of the most interesting sciences of thc day . He alluded

Rosicruncian Society.

to several works in existence on the subject , and to the Boulak collection , and expressed a wish that all Alasons on their travels would , like Frater Thompson , make notes for thc benefit of their brethren at home . It vvas agreed that Frater Thompson ' s paper should be published . Several Masonic relics and curiosities were then produced by the members and handed round for examination . Frater

Cumbeiland exhibited Ins interesting collection of Alasonic jewels , several of them being old and rare . Fra . Whytehead showed a curious old cartoon , or emblematical illustration , published by a Dutch androgynous lodge in the last century , which had been forwarded to him by Bro . Thos . Francis , of Havant , and some immortelles ancl sprigs of yew from the casket of the late Bro . J . A . Garfield , forwarded

President of the United States , by Bro . C . E . Aleyer , of Philadelphia . 'The name of a candidate was proposed for ballot ; and the Chief Adept announced that for the annual meeting to be held at York , in February , two papers had been promised , one by Fra . C . Z . Alason , of Leeds , on the Legend of the Third Degree , and one by Fra . the Rev . VV . C . Lukis on the Papal Bulls against Freemasons , and some Replies thereto . The college vvas then closed . The members afterwards partook oi tea together .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF MIDDLESEX .

The eighth convocation of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held at the Grotto Hotel , Twickenham , the unusually long period of two and a quarter years having elapsed since the last meeting at Enfield , in 1 S 79 . The M . VV . G . Superintendent , Comp . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., presided , with Ex , Comp . IT . C . Levander , P . G . IT ., and F . Davison , P . G . J ., as P . G . D . ; and Ex . Comp . Buss , acting G . S . E . The companions present besides those appointeiHo office Alassa

were Comps . C . Veal , R . Roy . F . R . W . Forge , T . , J . Gordon , Dr . Ramsey , and others . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes . and the presentation of the accounts , the appointment of officers was proceeded with . The GRAND S UPERINTENDENT announced that he appointed Ex . Comp . Sir Charles Bright as P . G . H ., and Ex . Comp . R . H . Thrupp as J ., but those companions were unavoidably absentat the installation must be postponed .

The election of Treasurer followed , and resulted in the unanimous re-election of Ex . Comp . IT . G . Buss . The complete list of Provincial Grand Officers is as follows : — Ex . Comp . Sir Chas . Bright Prov . G . H . „ Raymond , H . Thrupp ... Piov . G . J . H . C . Levander , AL A . ... Prov . G . Scribe E . „ W . Stephens , P . P . G . S . Kent Prov . G . Scribe N . J

„ H . G . Buss , l ** . l _ i . Std . br . lrov . U . ireas . J . Tickle Prov . G . Reg . G . Tidcombe ... * ... Prov . G . P . S . „ R . L . Sindall Prov . G . ist As-1 . ,, Rushworth Prov . G . 2 ndAsst . Linsell Prov . G Sd . Br . „ IT . Lovegrove Prov . G . Std . Br . Honeywell Prov . G . Org .

J . Alason Prov . G . D . C . ,, J . Gilbert ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Janitor . The majority of the companions afterwards dined together .

Bro. Sir Erasmus Wilson, F.R.S.

BRO . SIR ERASMUS WILSON , F . R . S .

An admirable portrait of our distinguished brother ¦ appeared in the Illustrated London News of November 2 Gth , with the following sketch of his services to science and literature * . — "This eminent member of thc profession of surgery and munificent public benefactor vvas not long ago

distinguished afres . by his liberality and enterprise in paying the cost , £ 10 , 000 , as at first estimated , of bringing 'Cleopatra * Needle" from Alexandria to London . As the son of an officer of the British Army who served in the campaign against the French'in Egypt at the beginning of this century , he had been led to bestow much study upon the historical antiquities of that country . He was born in

1 S 09 , and in 1 S 31 was elected a member of the Royal College of Surgeons . He is the author of several anatomical and medical works ; but his most important treatises are those whicii relate to cutaneous diseases . Among these are ' Diseases of the Skin , ' ' On the Alanagement of the Skin as aAleans of Promoting and Preserving Health , ' ' Portraits of Diseases of

the Skin , ' ' Lectures and Papers on the Diseases of thc Skin , and Cutaneous Syphilis , ' and other scientific works . He is also the author of ' A Three-Weeks' Scamper through the Spas of Belgium and Germany , ' ' The History of the Aliddlesex Hospital , ' and ' Cleopatra Needle , with Brief Notes on Egypt and Egyptian Obelisks . ' He has been for many years consulting surgeon to St . John ' s

Hospital for Diseases of the Skin , and editor of the ' Quarterly Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Diseases of the Skin . In 1869 he presented to the Royal College of Surgeons his collection of specimens illustrative of the normal and abnormal structure of the humanskin , and alsothesum ol £ 5000 for the endowment of a professorship of dermatology . He accepted the offer made to him to become the

first occupier of the chair , and in February , 1 S 70 , he commenced his first series of dermatological lectures . He nows holds the high office of President of the Royal College of Surgeons , having been elected a Fellow in 1843 , and a member of the council in 1 S 70 . The Queen has been pleased to confer uoon him the honour of knighthood , * in consideration of his munificent gifts for the support of

hospitals ancl the encouragement ol medical study . ' Sir Erasmus Wilson has recentl y published a volume entitled 'The Egypt of the Past , 'which is an excellent compendious account of what is known of Egyptian history to the end of the thirty-first native dynasty , the last of the Piaraohs , about three and a half centuries before the Christian era . This volume , which is issued bv Alessrs . Ketran . Paul .

Trench , and Co ., is an acceptable contribution to the literature of the subject , and an additional proof of the varied accomplisments of the distinguishing author . " We may add that Bro . Sir Erasmus Wilson is nolessdistingui lied as a Mason , being a liberal contributor to its charities , and a Vice-Patron of the three Institutions . He is a Past Grand Deacon of England , having been appointed by the Grand Master in 1 S 7 S , is a P . AI . of the Lodge of Antiquity , P . Z . of the St . James' Chapter , and was the first P . M . of the Lodge which bears his name .

Bro. Sir Erasmus Wilson, F.R.S.

Freemasonry has numbered amongst its members many names inscribed on the roll of fame , and whether we consider his claims as a man of science , a literary man , or a public benefactor , in each and every case they arc sufficient to make good his claim to be numbered among the worthiest of Her Majesty ' s lieges .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THOMAS BATES . ' All Saints' Lodge , Poplar , No . 1716 , has lost a valuable and energetic member and officer by the untimely death on the 22 nd ultimo of Bro . Thomas Bates , S . W . of that lodge . Bro . Bates , who vvas but forty-nine years of age , was appointed S . W . of the All Saints' Lodge in October last , and his great ambition was to fill the position of W . M . He was

also P . S . of the All Saints' Chapter , and a member of St . Aiartin ' s Lodge and Chapter . Bro . Bates was one of thc first initiates of lodge 1716 , and smce he was received into Alasonry , in that lodge , he had devoted both his time and purse fo the furtherance oi its principles . He was Life Governor of the Boys' Institution ; had given his name already as Steward for the Institution for Aged Freemasons

and Widows of Freemasons in 1 SS 2-3 ; and was , even while on a bed of sickness , terminating only with his death , occupied in promoting a lodge in Essex , with whicii province he was Connected by family ties . His loss has been deeply felt by the brethren in Poplar , and his remains were followed to the grave on Saturday last by a large contingent from All saints' Lodge and Chanter

and St . Alartin s Lodge . Amongst those vve observed Bros . Nazer , Orkins and Parkes ( St . Aiartin's Lodge ); Kernot and IT . Ellingford ( Merchant Navy ); Andrews ( Upton ); and the following from All Saints' Lodge : Bros . W . II . Farnfield , P . M . ; J . Dennis , P . AL ; Leonard Potts , P . AL ; J . Kemp Coleman , P . AL ; W . C . Young , W . AI . ; House . J . W . ; Hancock , Witherstone , J . SmithC . A .

, Smith , Mills , and Snowden Kirk . Bro . the Rev . R . H . Atherton , Chaplain 1 S 04 , rendered the funeral service most impressiveli , and the coffin was literally covered with wreaths sent by sympathising friends , including one contributed by the members of All Saints' Lodge and in which wreath was interwoven Craft and Royal Arch Alasonic emblems .

BRO . J . W . L 1 GHTBOUND . The Freemasons of Liverpool have again been called upon to mourn over another break in the brotherhood by the death of Bro . John Waring Lightbound , vvnich took place on Tuesday week , the 22 nd ult . The deceased was a highly respected member of the Select Vestry of the city , and a large number of his colleagues assembled at his

graveside in Smithdown Cemetery , on Friday , the 25 th ult ., to pay their last tribute of respect to his memory . The deceased vvas also a much esteemed member of the Alarlborough Lodge , No . 1 G 20 , which meets at Derby Hall , Tuebrook , near Liverpool , and a number of the brethren connected with the lodge were also present at the funeral . The burial service was read bv the Rev . Canon Lefroy .

Thc chief mourners were Alcss ' rs . J . S . and I . H . Lightbound , sons , and W . Lightbound , brother of the deceased ; IT . Hargreaves , F . Hargriiaves , Grossman , Bainbridge , Hignett , Whitby , T . Lightbound , Crewe , and Bagnall ( Knotty Ash ) . There werc also present Councillor Dr .

. Marsh . Bro . Councillor IT . Vaughan , and Bro . Councillor I , Ball , VV . AI . G 73 , the Rev . R . Hobson , Bros . Dr . Pitts , W . AL 1 G 20 J J . Henderson , S . W ., Woods , P . AL ; Ingham , Harvey , Carr , Barry , Fletcher , John Ellis , Joshua Heitshaw , and others . Ihe funeral arrangements werc conducted by Alessrs . Sykes , of Church-streel , Liverpool .

BRO . JOHN HEAIERY . It is with sincere regret that we record the death of Bro . John Hemery , P . P . J . W . Kent , which occurred at his residence , Barton Field , Canterbury , on the 23 rd ult . Bro . Hemery was deservedly esteemed and popular in

Canterbury , and served the city with distinguished ability , in the office of Chief Alagistrate . He was a Justice of the Peace , and Alderman of the city , until his illness compelled him to retire from the Council j hc also filled , during many years , the responsible position of local manager ^ of the London and County Bank .

Amusements.

Amusements .

STRAND THEATRE .-AIiss Florence St . John ' s health being so weak she has been ordered to winter abroad , and will take up her abode at Nice . On the withdrawal of " Olivette" Airs . Swanborough intends enlarging- her theatre , and bringing out a new comic opera . An alteration has been made in the cast of " Olivette " the part of the Countess of Rousillon has been relegated to Miss Alaud laylor , in whom it loses none of its

attractiveness , and her words can be understood better than Mdlle Olga Alorini , who played it before ; she is an Italian , and can only speak broken English . Valentin is now played by Bro . Ashley , in place of Air . Parry . The piece vve believe , is still adding considerabl y to the coffers of ' the theatre . On Tuesday last it attained its 400 th representation , but Bro . Swanborough has lost a jewel in Miss St . John , however unavoidable it may be . With that exception ' the other alterations are , we think , for the better . '

COAIEDY THEATRE .-Bro . Lionel Brough , it is atserted , has a share in " The Alascotte , " and a Alascotte is is proving to the proprietors , which is no doubt due partly to Bro . D'Albertson , the manager . Bro . Lionel Brough and Bro . Henry Bracey , with Aliss Violet Cameron AlY . Haynes , and thc chorus , have been photographed by Alessrs . Frv . of Brir / hton . bv tho init . ini-.... ^ ... _ ¦ j -- ¦ - uiucess

,, . - .- . - *> -- -. - .. *** wv . wus during the playing ot the piece . All the pictures are good , and we could not say one is better than another , thou-rii of course , some arc more popular , as those , for instance ' of Bro . Lionel Brough as the King , and afterwards tlie Minstrel ; bro . Bracey as the Crotvti Prince ; and Aliss Violet Cameron . This lady has felt it necessarv t „ , vr \ te

to the newspapers , explaining that she has never seen nor spoken to Lefroy , who has mentioned her name before the public , and who indicted a lc . ter to her whilst in Le . ves Goal , such as a mailman would write . We trust both she and the public will forget the occurrence now the author of it is likely to be forgotten .