Allied Masonic Degrees.

Allied Masonic Degrees .

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ( T . L ) -This old council met at the Masonic Hall , Red Lion-square , on the 27 th ult . Among those present were Bros . R . L . Loveland , W . M . ; T . C Walls , A . G . D . C , P . M ., acting S . W . j T . Cubitt , S . D ., acting J . W . ; G . Powell , Treas . ; H . J . Lardner , Sec . ; Pakes , West , and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Baron de Ferrieres was unanimously elected W . M . for the year ensuing ; Bro . Geo . Powell

reelected Treasurer j Bro . Mills , Tyler ; and Bros . Capt . "Williamson , J . P ., and T . Cubitt , Auditors . A P . M . ' s jewel vvas unanimously voted to the W . M . for his services . Bro . Lardner having given a notice of motion as to an alteration in one of the by-laws , letters pleading inability to attend were read from Bros . Baron de Ferrieres , Capt . Williamson , Capt . Anderson , and many others . The council was then closed , and adjourned till April , 18 S 9 . There was no banauet .

Mark Masonry In Devonshire.

MARK MASONRY IN DEVONSHIRE .

LAYING OF A FOUNDATION STONE . The annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Maik Master Masons for the Province of Devonshire , vvas held on Monday , at Rose Ash , near Southmolton , for the purpose of laying the corner-stone of Rose Ash Church on being restored . As this vvas the first time in the history of Mark Masonry in England that such an interesting ceremony

— the combining of practical vvith symbolic . Masonry ¦—was performed , there was a goodly attendanceof brethren . Although Rose Ash is a difficult place to visit , being several miles from any station , the brethren attended in larger numbers than vvould otherwise have been the case on * account of the fact that the ceremonial was arranged out of respect to the late P . G . M . M . M . of Devon , W . Bro .

Lieutenant-Colonel Tanner-Davey , J . P ., the announcement of whose death in April of last year was received with manifestations of regret by thewhole province . Thebrethren travelled by train to Eggesford , where conveyances were waiting to convey them to Rose Ash , a distance of 13 miles . The journey to and from vvas accomplished safely , although the roads were heavy , and the vehicles , on

account of some misunderstanding , somewhat overladen . On arrival at Rose Ash the party was kindly received by Mrs . Tanner-Davy , at her charming residence , the grounds of which were much admired . The Prov . Grand Lodge vvas opened at the Board schoolroom , vvhich vvas nicely decorated for the occasion . There was a choice lot of flowers and exotics , in addition to

some bunting and appropriate Masonic Mottoes and devices . The lodge furniture was kindly lent by Lodge Fortescue , No . 6 , and included a handsome oak W . M . 's chair , vvhich bore the following inscription ; "This chair was presented to the Loyal Lodge of Industry , No . 610 , by Bro . J . Tanner-Davy , of Rose Ash , on his installation as W . M ., January 5 th , 1 S 60 . " Bro . W . Cole , P . M . 9 , assisted Bro . 1 niA \~ .. E > 1 W 1 P f * . Tvlor * n / Ip ^ nr ^ t-lnn- t \ , t . tan , o « r « .... viluic ! 1 i ...^ .. ^

J . ** , ... ' « ., . . * -.. * j .--, « v-u ....... > L lodge-room . The Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Chas . Spence Bate , F . R . S ., P . M . 35 , sat on the throne . There were also present Bros . John Lane , P . M . 319 , P . P . G . M . O ., P . S . G . O . Eng ., as D . P . G . M . M . M . ; John Stocker , P . M . 15 , P . S . G . W . ; E . Aitken Davies , P . M . 9 6 , P . P . I . G . D ., as P . J . G . W . ; A , TroutP . M . 76 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; G . R . Barrett , P . M . 35

, P . J . G . O . ; J . Holland , P . M . 7 6 , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; T . W . Lemon , P . M . and Chap . 35 , P . G . Chap . Eng .. as P . G , Chap . ; C Pope , P . M . 21 ¦*; , P . G . Treas . ; VV . R . Lisle , P . M . 15 , P . G . Reg . ; H . Stocker , P . M . 15 , P . G . Sec ; G . Bray , P . M . 16 , P . S . G . D . ; F . R . Goodyear , P . M . 76 . P . J . G . D . ; H . Langmead , P . M . 16 , P . P . G . Purst . ; F ] Crouch , P . M . 16 , P . G . D . Eng ., P . A . G . Sec . j ] . D ,

Cobledick , P . M . 109 , P . A . G . D . C ; W . A . Staton , W . M . g ( 5 ; C Hunt , S . W . gr ; J . H . Carty , 383 ,- W . V . Harris , W . M . 91 , P . P . G . I . G . j F . C . Frost , 316 ; R . Brickwood , M . O . 383 ; J- Bray , P . M . 16 ; H . S . Rest , S . W . 64 ; J . Gidley , P . G . Tyler ; J . M . Hifley , P . M . 7 6 , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . Lavers , P . M . 100 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; John Furse , P . M . 9 , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . Cole , P . M . 9 ; J . Drew , W . M . 23 ; A . VV . White , W . M . 35 ; C .

Perkins , P . M . 169 ; W . M . Robins , S . W . 35 ; Frank R . Thomas , J . W . 35 ; J . P . Maunder , J . W . 76 , * W . H . Comer , D . C 61 ; J . Neno , D . C . 76 ; H . W . Michelmore , 15 ; D . McGivern , 16 ; and J . Gliddon , 7 6 . The minutes of the last meeting having been confirmed , the P . G . S ECRETARY read a letter from Mrs . Tanner-Davy thanking the P . G . Lodge for its kind vote of

sympathy and condolence on the irreeparable loss she had sustained by the death of her husband . The P . G . SECRETARY reported that all the brethren appointed to office at the last Prov . Grand Lodge , with the exception of one who died shortly after his appointment , had assumed their rank and paid their fees of honour . During the past year there had been 44 advancements ,

and allowing for losses by death and otherwise there had been an increase of one subscribing member , the number in the province being 455 as against 454 in 18 S 6 . In accordance with the resolution passed by the Prov . Grand Lodge at St . George ' s Hall on June 15 th , 1 SS 7 , he forwarded a lletter to the Grand Secretary intimating that the brethren present at the lodge meeting unanimously

resolved to recommend to the G . M . M ., W . Bro . C Spence Bate , D . P . G . M . M . M ., for the office of P . G . M . M . M . of Devonshire . A reply vvas received on the following day to the effect that the letter should receive attention . In reply to the P . G . S . W ., the P . G . SECRETARY said no further reply had been received . Bro . STOCKER inquired if Bro . Bate had received any intimation .

The D . P . G . M . replied in the negative . He received a circular a week or two since notifying the fact that Bro . Ferrieres would be installed at Cheltenham as P . G . M . of Gloucestershire . As that had occurred since he ( Bro . •Spence Bate ) was nominated , he felt their province must have been been slighted , and he should call a special

meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge to consider the matter , as the premier lodge of England ought not to be without a Grand Master . The P . G . SEC , reported that since the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge two new Mark lodges had been consecrated in that province by the Dep . P . G . M ., viz ., St . George's , 383 , on January 6 th , and De La Pole , 372 , on March 7 th . The Committee appointed to provide a suit-

Mark Masonry In Devonshire.

able memorial to the memory of the late P . G . Master had decided that a mural tablet be erected in Rose Ash Church , bearing a proper inscription , and that an appeal be made to the Mark lodges and brethren in the province to subscribe funds for this purpose . The erection of thc tablet had been delayed on account of the restoration of the church . The P . G . Secretary ' s report vvas adopted .

The P . G . TREAS . reported that the year was commenced with a balance in hand of £ 21 os . 6 d ., which , with dues from lodges , £ 25 3 s ., and £ SSs . Sd . from Grand Lodge fees , brought the total up to £ 54 12 s . After paying the expenses , and £ 5 5 s , to the Mark Benevolent Fund there was a balance in hand of £ 42 19 s . 5 d . The report was adopted . The Provincial Committee recommended that 20 guineas

be given to the Mark Benevolent Fund , and placed on Bro . Stacker ' s list , £ 10 ios . to Rose Ash Church Restoration Fund , and £ 5 5 s . to the Boys' School , to be placed on Bro . Lemon's list . On the proposition of Bro . GEO . R . BARRETT , seconded by Bro . J . LANE , Bro . J . T . Bond , J . W . 3 S 3 , vvas unanimously elected Prov . G . Treasurer for the year ensuing . The brethren then formed into procession and marched

to Rose Ash Church , where a short service was held , the Rev . H . G . SOUTHCOMBE , the rector , officiating , and Bro . the Rev . T . W . LEMON , M . A ., reading the lesson . The service over the brethren proceeded outside the church . The rector presented the D . P . G . M . with a silver trowel and he laid the foundation-stone , in the cavity of vvhich were placed some coins , after vvhich he duly proved it by the plumb rule , level , and square . Corn , wine , and oil

were thrown over the stone with the accustomed ceremony . The builder was then presented vviih the several implements and also the plan and elevation of the building . The inscription on the stone ran as follows : "July 23 , 1 S 88 . This stone was laid in open lodge by the D . P . G . M . M . M . of Devon in memory of Bro . John Tanner-Davy , Lieutenant-Colonel and J . P ., the late G . M . of the Premier P . G . Lodge of M . M . Masons of Devon , who died April 19 , iSSo , and

lies buried near this post . " The D . P . G . M ., addressing the brethren , said they met on that occasion for the first time in the annals of Mark Masonry to lay the foundation stone of a temple for the worship of the Most High , whose name and all-seeing eye were prominent objects in every lodge of Free and Accepted Masons . After referring to the progress of Masonry and its far-reaching effects , he said : Masonryappeared to him

to be in a transitory stage , vvhich arose from no variation m the inherent character of Masonry , but largely in consequence of the higher moral standard of modern civil ' sation and the systematic efforts so largely in vogue for the amelioration of those who had received a lesser am , unt of social advantage ; and , after enlarging on the necessity of thrift among the industrial classes , said the great object of Freemasonry was to encourage the combination of practical

with symbolic Masonry . The brethren returned in procession to the church schools , when the D . P . G . M . appointed the following brethren as his officers for the year ensuing : Bro . the Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., P . M . and Chap . 35 , P . G . Chap . Eng ., P . P . G . Chap Prov . S . G . W . „ G . R . Barrett , P . M . 35 and 3 S 3 ,

P . P . J . G . O Prov . J . G . W . „ G . T . S . Lowe , 50 , P . P . G . S . B .... Prov . G . M . O . „ W . A . Staton , W . M . 9 6 , P . M .... Prov . S . G . O . „ A . W . White , W . M . 35 Prov . J . G . O . „ J . T . Bond , J . VV . 3 S 3 Prov . G . Treas .

I . Dnrloe . tin . ... ... ... Prov . G . Ree . „ J . Dodge , 319 Prov . G . Reg . „ H . Stacker , P . M . 15 , P . P . J . G . W . Prov . G . Sec . „ G . Perkins , P . M . 16 9 Prov . S . G . D . „ J . H . Kersleman , 316 Prov . J . G . D . „ F . C . Frost , 316 Prov . G . S . of W .

„ J . Drew , W . M . 23 Prov . G . D . C . „ C . H . Fulford , 15 Prov . A . G . D . C . „ C . Hunt , S . W . 91 Prov . G . S . B . „ H . Imbert-Terry , 15 Prov . G . Std . Br . „ G . Sellick , W . M . 50 Prov . A . G . Sec .

„ J . H . Carty , J . O . 383 Prov . G . Org . „ U . S . Best , S . W . 64 Prov . G . I . G . „ J . Bray , P . M . 16 and 295 ... \ „ H . Mitchelmore , 15 ( r n . , „ Frank R . Thomas , J . VV . 35 ... f U btwds * „ W . M . Robins , S . W . 35 J ,, James Gidley , P . M . 16 9 Prov . G . Tyler . The following brethren were appointed as a Provincial Committee : Bros . S . Jones , John Lane , W . Vicary , F . Crouch , G . R . Barrett , and E . Aitken Davies .

The D . P . G . M . intimated he should call the Committee together shortly to consider the question of the absence of a P . G . M . The Prov . Grand Lodge vvas then closed .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN BUTT , W . M . 903 . We regret to have to announce the death , altera painful illness , of Bro . John Butt , for many years in business as a builder in High-street , Gosport . As a Freemason he passed through the various offices in a manner that vvas highly creditable , and he always displayed the keenest interest in

a'l matters connected with the Craft , and by his death the Gosport Lodge , No . 903 , loses its Worshipful Master . As a townsman he was highly respected , although he at no time occupied a public position . His death took place at an early hour on Thursday morning , the 26 th ult ., the primary cause being heart disease and dropsy .

BRO . NATHANIEL CRISP , M . R . CS . E . AND L . S . A . L . On Friday , the 20 th ult ., an inquest was held on thebodj of Bro . Nathaniel Crisp , M . R . CS . E . and L . S . A . L ., whose sudden death took place on the 17 th ult ., at his residence , Chandos House , Keynsham . After hearing the evidence of the widow and Dr . A . W . Fox , of Bath , who was consulted by the deceased a few days before his deaththe

, jury returned a verdict in accordance vvith the medical testimony , that death vvas caused by " angina pectoris . " At the close of the inquiry the jury passed a vote of sympathy and condolence with the widow and family of deceased . I'he funeral took place in Chew Magna churchyard on Saturday , the 21 st ult ., and the service vvas read by the Rev . C . H . Tyke , vicac of Rodney Stoke . The

Obituary.

vault vvas beautifully lined with ferns , moss , and flowers and the coffin vvas covered with beautiful crosses and ' wreaths , sen tby . amongothers , Lady Stee ! e , the Misses Crisp Mrs . Crichton , Mr . and Mrs . Collins , Mrs . Butlerand Miss Shellard , Mr . and Mrs . Canning , Mr . and Mrs . Holland Mr . Edgecurnbe and family , Mrs . Coates , the servants '

Mr . Abbott , Mrs . Hicks , Mr . and Mrs . H . Cox , the St Keyna Lodge , No . 1833 , Mr . and Mrs . G . O . C Parnell ' Miss Zoe Parnell ( god-daughter ) , Mrs . Willett , Mr . and Mrs . J . C Lock , Mrs . Miller , the Misses . Ramsay , and others . A number of the brethren belonging to the St

Keyna Lodge , No . 1833 , and also a number of Foresters accompanied the funeral procession to Chew Magna ' showing the high esteem and respect in vvhich the deceased vvas held by his fellow townsmen . The bells of both churches rang muffled peals .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

A first night at the Adelphi occurs now but about once a year . The authors have so nicely gauged the tastes of the frequenters of this popular home of the drama that failure is almost unknown , and each succeeding piece has a run for a year . When most other theatres are closed or are preparing to close , the Messrs . Gatti choose that time to inaugurate their new drama . The Adelphi is

essentially a pit and gallery house , and with the great space and comforts now provided will become still more so . The audiences are not too fastidious . Every play here must have a strong love interest , and after the hero and heroine have passed through any number of vicissitudes end with a happy marriage . "The Union Jack , "—splendid title—by Messrs Pettitt and Grundy , is no exception to

the usual run . In the Ranks" was a story of military life ; "The Harbour Lights" was a nautical tale , the hero it will be remembered being Lieut . Kingston , R . N . ; " The Bells of Haslemere " vvas more pastoral ; but the authors of " The Union Jack " have given us the two popular forces blended , so that at one time the story deals with camp life at Aldershot and then goes off to a ship ' s

quarterdeck . Bro . William Terriss , as Jack Medway , a sailor who has worked his way up , looks every inch a petty officer of her Majesty's Navy . The noble sentiments which have been written for him to say come with much fervour and naturalness from his lips . His tremendous hold upon Adelphi audiences is marked by the breathless interest aroused in all that concerns him—whether it be as soldier

or sailor . Miss Ethel Arden , as played by Miss Millward , is a charming character , who , of course , is in love with honest Jack Medway . Miss Ivy Arden , her ' sister , excellently pourtrayed by Miss Helen Forsyth—whom we welcome on her return to the stage—makes , with Lieutenant Stanley ( Mr . Laurence Cautley ) , the secondary pair of lovers . The betrayed sister , Ruth Medway , whom we all

feel so much for , at the hands of Miss Olga Nethersole—a new actress in London—is one of the finest parts in the drama , and we wonder Miss Millward did not elect to play the part , for it really is a better part than that of Elhel Arden . For the ex-Army contractor , Sir Philip Yorke , not a better exponent than Bro . Beveridge could be found . Novv-a-days one villain is not enough for the patrons of this

theatre , so in the last piece Mr . Cartwright is brought in for the cold , calculating , gentlemanly villain . Mr . Cartwright ' s death shriek when he is stabbed by Sir P . Yorke is already the talk of the town . So carefully has it been studied , that we know of some one who has paid the Adelphi a second visit in order to witness this scene . From what we have said , it will be understood that lack

Medway is the hero who relentlessly pursues Captain Morton , the betrayer of Ruth Medway , and is assisted by Ethel Arden , whom he subsequently marries . Sir Philip Yorke is the guardian of the t > vo Misses Arden , one of whom he vvould marry in order to escape the embezzlement of their property by him being found out , and helps Morton to many the other ¦ . but because the latter has a certain hold

upon him on account of his forgeries , he kills Morton , having nearly made Jack Medway believe that Lieutenant Stanley is the man who has wronged Ruth . The humorous portion of the play is supplied by Miss Clara J ecks , as Polly Pippin , the lass who loves a sailor . Peter Fly , ably represented by Mr . J . L . Shine—in fact , Shines partthough not essential to the playhas much of the

, , "fat" in it . The Adelphi is now lighted throug hout by electricity , which makes it nice and cool . It is demonstrated that the light does just as well as gas , even better , for the foot lights and stage purposes . The scenery is very elaborate and pretty . Many of the

changes take place without dropping the curtain . T " two winter scenes are the best vve have ever seen . Of '" acts the two first are decidedly the best of the four , but probably by this the interest in the last act has been mote sustained than on the production of the drama . A " patriotic theatre goers should see "The Union Jack .

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess < *» Mecklenburg-Strelitz left their residence in St . J ? 5 - Palace on Saturday last whence , they continued tne journey to Brussels and thence to Neu Strelitz the

following day . It appears from certain statistics recently p * -j " lishedbythe Board of Trade that during the year enaea 30 th June , 1 SS 6 , there were 359 6 vessels which met " JUL ., JUIil ., IUW , UIUE . VV . H . JjyU . L . MV .. 3 , . . . . — •' , ^

g accidents of one kind or another on the coasts 01 United Kingdom , this being less by 168 than the nunio ^ in the pieceding year , while the number of deaths cau by these accidents fell from 478 to 39 6 . Of the above , m were total losses and more serious casualties , loss ot

resulting in 116 of the total losses , while the minor ca ties were 2306 . Between 1 S 61 and the 30 th June , M there were 4199 vessels wrecked on the coasts ot United Kingdom , the lives lost being 19 , 347 in nU k jnd The number of vessels experiencing casualties of any durintr the 10 vears tn thf- end nf lune . 18 S 6 . was ° i > li

the number of lives lost being 22 , 191 , and the number ^_ by the instrumentality of the Royal National hxi Atfehstitution , 2250 , while the number rescued from its est nSi ment in 1824 to the 31 st December last was 33 , 243 Pfi Ja ii * e There is no need after this to recommend this in jj \ institution to the generous consideration of our reade