Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

provincial / Ifteetiitcjs . PLYMOUTH . Concord Chapter ( No . 223 ) . —The annual convocation of the above chapter was held on the 30 th ult ., it the Freemasons' Hall , when the following companions were Insralledas Principals : Comps . J . Hoyten , asZ . ; P . H . Bridgman , H . ; and A . Trout , J . Comps . J . M . Hifley , P . P . G . Std ' Br . ; and J . W . Cornish were the Installing- Officers .

. The Board of Installed Principals also included Comps . \ V . Browning , P . P . G . O . ; J . Moysey , T . C . Lcvvarn , W . J . r Hannaford , H . Miller , 223 ; the Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., , Sn , P . P . G . P . S ., P . P . G . J . ; S . Jew , 105 , P . P . G . T . ; I I ord , 70 , P . P . G . T . ; A . Aitken-Davies , 159 , 1099 , P . P . li Reg-: J- B - Gover , 7 ° ' P-P-G-P-S- ! VV . Allsford , 1 Bray , 202 ; R . Pike , 230 ; J . Wallis , 1255 ; J . Gidley , lO v 1205 ; and W . H . Williams , H . 159 . The officers invested were Comps . J . M . Hifley , S . E . ; C . B . Gale , SN . ; VV . Browning , Treas . ; | . Jermyn , P . S . ; T . Lillicrap , ist A . S . ; G . W . Bell , 2 nd A . S . ; C . H . Tozer , D . C . ; A . E . Bridgman , A . D . C ; P . Hannaford and T .

A . Stephens , Stwds . ; and W . H . Phillips , Janitor , lwo guineas were voted to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund towards entitling the chapter to a Governorship of that Institution . The day of convocation was changed to the first Thursday in October , January , April , and July , instead of the third Wednesday .

STANMORE . Stanmore Chapter ( No . 1549 ) . —The installation meeting of this rapidly-increasing and prosperous chapter vvas held at the Abercorn Hotel on the ioth ult . l- ' rom a combination of circumstances , the attendance was smaller than usual , but the report as presented by the Audit Committee vvas voted highly satisfactory , no less than six

exaltations having- been performed during the past } 'ear . I he three Principals—Comps . l'L . B . Haynes , M . E . Z . ; Dr . VV . A . Rogers , H . ; and R . H . Blatchford , J . —opened the chapter . The minutes of the previous meeting in May vvere confirmed . Two candidates were entered for exaltation , but being both unavoidably absent , the ceremony of installation was proceeded vvith , Comp . C . H . Webb , P . Z ., very ably placing

Comps . Dr . Rogers in the chair of First Principal ; R . H . Blatchford , Second Principal ; and C . B . Todd ( by deputy ) , Third Principal . The M . E . Z . afterwards invested the following officers : Comps . C . Veal , S . E . ; D . R . Soames , S . N . ; W . Fraser , Treas . ; J . Best , P . S . ; W . R . Shutt , istA . S . ; E . C . Kilsby , 2 nd A . S . ; J . S . Eraser , P . Z ., Stwd . ; and T . Middleton , Janitor . After making the

usual inquiries , the M . E . Z ., in the name of the chapter , presented Comp . Haynes with the usual handsome P . Z . 's jewel ( manufactured by Comp . George Kenning- ) , and highly complimented him on the very successful year he had passed through , and for the superior manner in which he had carried out his duties . A vote of thanks , on the proposition of Comp . Haynes , vvas also passed to those ollicers vvho had so energetically succeeded in procuring

worthy candidates , and so placed the chapter financially in such a prosperous condition . The chapter was then closed . A choice banquet followed . lhe usual toasts vvere given and responded to . Letters of regret for unavoidable absence were read from the Grand Supt ., Sir Francis Burdett ; Comp . Lord Halsbury , and many others , and the companions dispersed with every satisfaction .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

provincial Meetings . PLYMOUTH . Charity Lodge ( No . 7 6 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge vvas held at the Freemasons' Hall , Princesssquare , on ' the 2 fith ult ., to instal Bro . W . Stenlake as the W . M . for the year ensuing . The Installing Ofiicers were Bros . F . Crouch , iS ° , P . M . 16 , P . G . D . Eng ., and P . A . G . Sec . ;

ana H . Langmead , 18 ° , I . P . M . lfi , P . P . G . Purs . Among the Board of Installed Masters present were Bros . . •M . Hifley , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Browning , P . M ., P . P . J-G . O . ; A . Trout , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; Jas . Hollard , 1 -M ., P . P . G . S . of W . j the Rev . T . W . Lembn , M . A ., 31 ° ¦ \ -M- 35 , P . G . Chap . Eng ., P . J . G . W . ; S . jew , P . M . ' »••P . P . G . T . ; T . C . Levvarn , P . M . 7 6 , P . P ' . G . D . ; J . -avers , P . M . 76 , P . P . G . D . C . ; | . Moysey , P . M . 7 6 . ••-J . G . D . ; H . Millar , P M . 91 , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . Ail * ' ?' d , P . M . 16 , P . P . G . M . 0 . ; J . B . Gover , P . M . 50 , P . P , ii £ ' J- ' * - •Lord , P . M . 50 " , P . P . G . T . ; F . 13 . West-1 , nV ? - * 50 , P . P . G . M . O . ; H . Langmead , P . M . 16 , , ' * -G . P . ; J . Gidley , P . M . 16 9 , P . G . T . ; and W . J . l'L , Hannaford . P . M . 7 f > ¦ . J

1 he officers invested vvere as follows : Bros . W . J . E . lann a - ; I . p . . ; J . A . Lavers , S . W . ; A . Revill , •l V D . S . Stanbury , M . O . ; P . Hannaford , S . O . ; L . \\ - Lourt , J . O . ; T . W . Lemon , P . M ., Chap . ; VV . '' owning , P . M ., Treas . ; S . Yeomans , R . of M . ; J . M . 1 " «•>'•P . M ., Sec . ; J . G . Tozer , S . D . ; G . B . Gale , Si . „ i ! J-VV . Cornish , " l . G . ; T . Lillicrap , D . C ; T . A . () ri •,- ' -C- ; VV . Biscombe , Std . Br . ; C . H . Soper , ¦>¦ ¦ 1 •Taylor , Stwd . ; and W . H . Phillips , Tyler .

Lodges And Chapter Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapter of Instruction .

" n ffi ^? J ° < ' 34 ) --A meeting was held Hamm 7 ' -LX lnst " at the Six Be » s Hotel , Oueen-street , I- Conll'T Present : Bros . H . Perdue , W . M . ; W . Wp or ° D ' s - , - -J" navi . sj . W . ; j ! Sims , P . M ., Thelnrl' ' ° » ' SeC- 5 and T- Jobs 0 n- ' -G' ¦ 'e last m f- ° P -l in due form , and the minutes of ° Pened in fi " ? c read and confirmed . The lodge was S-L'ven nmnf c , ? econd Degree , and Bro . Long having , va * cUrmi ° * h , s , P rot-eiency , was entrusted , fhe lodge t enecl , „ the Third Degree , and the ceremony

Lodges And Chapter Of Instruction.

rehearsed . The W . M . rendered the traditional history in a very able manner . The lodge vvas resumed to the First Degree . The W . M . having risen , Bro . Coplestone , the W . ~ M . of the mother lodge , vvas unanimously elected W . M . for the next meeting . After " Hearty good wishes , " given and acknowledged , the Iodge vvas closed .

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1614 ) . —The usual weekly meeting vvas held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , S . W ., on the 25 th ult ., vvhen there vvere present Bros . R . E . Cursons , W . M . ; W . Groves , S . W . ; G . H . Foan , J . W . ; J . Green way , Deputy Preceptor ; F . M . Noakes , acting as Sec ; J . D . Graham , S . D . ; W . Barringer , J . D . ; VV . Hoggins , I . G . ; T . E . Weeks , Tyler ; Victor Le Huray ,

K . L . Berry , W . Fovvles , G . H . Reynolds , A . Clark , and Robert Kirk . The lodge vvas opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting vvere read and confirmed . The VV . M . worked the ist , and and Bro . J . Greenvvay the 2 nd Section of the First Lecture . The lodge vvas opened in the Second Degree . Bro . G . H . Reynolds having offered himself as a candidate to be raised to the Third Degree , vvas duly

examined , entrusted , and retired . Ihe lodge was opened in the Third Degree , ancl the W . M . ' rehearsed the Degree of M . M . The lodg-e was resumed to the First Degree . On rising for the second time , Bro . VV . Groves , S . W ., vvas unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . On rising for the third time , nothing further offering for the good of Freemasonry , the lodge vvas closed .

The usual weekly meeting of the lodge vvas held at thc Criterion , Piccadilly , S . W ., on the ist instant . Present : Bros . E . D . F . Rymer , W . M . ; G . H . Foan , S . W . ; W . Barringer , J . W . ; W . Brindley , Preceptor ; J . Greenvvay , Dep . Preceptor ; E . L . Berry , S . D . ; F . M . Noakes , J . D . and acting Secretary ; G . A . Bergholz , I . G . ; ancl T . E . Weeks , Tyler .

The lodge was opened in due form , lhe minutes of the last meeting" were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree . Bro . J . Greenvvay , Dep . Preceptor , worked the First Section of the First Lecture . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree . Bro . W . Brindley , Preceptor , worked the First Section of the Third Lecture . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree .

Bro . G . A . Bergholz having offered himself as a candidate for initiation , the VV . M . rehearsed the ceremony . On rising for the first time , Bro . G . A . Bergholz ( 2191 ) was unanimously elected a joining- member . On rising for the second time , Bro . G . H . Foan vvas unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . On rising for the third time , the lodge was closed .

LOUGHBOROUGH LODGE . —The usual weekly meeting of this lodge vvas held on Monday , the 29 th ult ., at the Gauden Hotel , Clapham-road Station ( L . C . and D . R . ) . It being Preceptor ' s night , Bro . Westley occupied the chair . There were also present Bros . Steele , S . W . ; Poole , J . W . ; J . Andrews , Sec ; Cochrane , S . D . ; J . Wright , J . D . ; Hudson , I . G . j Caink , Lyell , Hargrove , Ellsom , Evans ,

Windsor , W . Hill , Smith , henn , J . Mitchell , Langdon , Wig-htman , Russell , and Weeks , Tyler . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting vvere read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , with Bro . Windsor as candidate . Bro . Langdon answered the questions leading to the Second Degree , and vvas entrusted . The lodge vvas opened in the Second Degree , and Bro . Langdon duly

passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft . Bro . Russell answered the questions leading to the Third Degree , and was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and the ceremony of raising worked , with Bro . Russell as candidate . The lodge vvas resumed to the First Degree . The VV . M . rose for the first time , and dues vvere collected . The W . M . rose for the second and third times , and thc lodge was closed and adjourned to Monday , the 12 th inst .

Natal.

Natal .

ADDRESS TO BRO . SIR CHARLES MITCHELL . So soon as it became known that Bro . Sir Charles Mitchell vvas returning to Natal to administer the Government , the local Freemasons prepared an address to be presented to his Excellency on arrival . The circumstances under . which his Excellency assumed the Government prevented this intention being carried out

in ils entirety ; but it was arranged that the presentation should take place on the occasion of Sir Charles ' s first visit to Durban . Pursuant to this arrangement , a number of leading members of the Fraternity assembled at the Masonic Hall , Smith-street on Thursday afternoon , the 27 th June , at 5 p . m ., shortly after which his

Excellency , accompanied by the District Grand Master , Bro . R . I . Finnemore , arrived . Amongst those present were Bros . G . Russell , Past D . S . G . W ., now President of the Board of General Purposes ; J . Fletcher , W . M . 1937 , and acting as Dist . Grand Secretary ; S . Marriott , Past D . S . G . W .,

D . G . Treasurer ; T . Cook , Past D . S . G . W . ; Dr . J . Schulz , P . M . ; J . Pardy , W . M . 73 8 ; J : Crowe , W . H . Nicholas , B . A . ; Mason , C . Dacomb , and other representatives of the Fraternity . The task of presenting the address had been delegated to Bro . FINN KM ORE , who , after severally

introducing the members of the deputation to his Excellency , made a brief impromptu speech , and concluded by reading and handing to his Excellency an illuminated address , vvhich his Excellency cordially accepted and acknowledged . The address and reply were as follows :

" To His Excellency Sir Charles Bullen Hugh Mitchell , Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St . Michael ancl St . George , Administrator of the Government of the Colony of Natal , Commander-in-Chief and Vice-Admiral of the same , and Supreme Chief over the native population , & c , & c , & c .

Natal.

May it please your Excellency—We , the members of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Free ancl Accepted Masons , desire to offer your Excellency a cordial and fraternal welcome upon the occasion of your return to the Colony of Natal to fill for a time the high office of Governor , the duties of vvhich

you have on previous occasions discharged with credit to yourself and advantage to the community , " As colonists we recognise the skill and abilit y displayed in your Excellency ' s public career ; but as Masons vve are especially proud of your Excellency ' s connection vvith the Craft , and the exalted official

position you occupy as her Majesty s representative in the Colony where you were first initiated into the mysteries of our Order . We , therefore , tender your Excellency our warmest wishes for your prosperous rule over us , and for the health and happiness of yourself and Lad y Mitchell , and beg that you will be pleased to convey to

her Majesty our Gracious Sovereign this expression of our loyal attachment to her Majesty ' s Throne ancl Person . We beg to subscribe ourselves , on behalf of the District Grand Lodge , your Excellency ' s most obedient servants and brethren ,

" ROBERT ISAAC FINNEMORE , Dist . G . M . " GEORGE RUSSELL , Pres . Dist . G . B . of Gen . Pur . " J B . COTTAM , Dist . G . Sec . " The following is the reply of his Excellency : " To R . I . Finnemore , Esq ., District Grand Master , ancl the Office-bearers of District Grand Lodge of Natal .

Right Worshi pful Sir and Office-bearers of District Grand Lodge . " I am much touched by the truly Masonic kindness that has dictated the address of welcome you have given me on behalf of the District Grand Lodge of Natal .

I appreciate very highly the expressions of esteem and regard you convey to me from the Chief Council in the Colony , a body of which I am a very humble member , and I trust that nothing will ever occur to cause either my brother Masons or the community at large to withdraw from me that confidence which it is my happiness to believe I now possess . "

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The preparations for the production of "The Dead Heart " at the Lyceum proceed apace , and very satisfactorily . Miss Terry has not yet returned from Germany , but Bro . Irving has come back from Scotland , ancl , on his way to the seaside , looked in at Wellington-street to see how things vvere progressing . He is now within easy reach of the theatre .

* * * Bro . Edward Terry writes us to caution our reader .-against a man who has been obtaining money for pretended admission tickets to Terry ' s Theatre , vvhich arc forgeries . The man is described as being tall , and vvith a fair moustache . He generally carries bills under his arm , which he asks permission to exhibit .

Miss Minnie Palmer , vvho is at present in London with her husband , Mr . John R . Rogers , starts her next tour through the English provinces on the 26 th of this month , when she begins a fortni ght ' s engagement at the Glasgow Royalty . Thence she goes in succession to Edinburgh , Newcastle , Leeds , Liverpool , Manchester ,

Birmingham , and Cardiff , returning to London at Christmas . It is just possible , we hear , that she may then appear here in pantomime , but on that point nothing is at present settled . If she does not figure at Drury Lane , she will almost certainl y have a theatre of her own , where she will no doubt be seen in "M y Brother ' s Sister , " or " Behind the Scenes , " or both .

Mr . Willie Edouin has in " Our Flat " got a farcical comedy which ought to last him for some time . He has surrounded himself with a good company , including Miss Fanny Brough , Miss Enid Leslie , Messrs . H . Eversfield , Rignold , and Fawcett , the latter of whom is a good mixture of Charles Wyndham and Arthur

Williams . "Our Flat" is by a lady—Mrs . Musgrove —and the curtain raiser , " To the Rescue , " is also by a lady—Mrs . Greet , wife of the genial manager of the Prince of Wales ' . The play of the evening deals with a young couple vvho have eloped , ancl taken a flat in Bloomsbury , and furnished on the hire system .

The husband is a literary man , but can ' t get any one to take his copy , or managers to produce his tragedies . Not being able to pay up the instalments the furniture is seized b y its owners . The wife ( Miss Brough ) ingeniously turns boxes , casks , baths , & c , into impromptu furniture ; for a fender a cornice turned upside down is used . The wife unknown to her

spouse , writes a play , and for plot elaborates their own domestic struggles . It is received by a manager ( Mr . Edouin ) ancl is the making of them . Owing to the cleverness of the authoress and the acting of Messrs . Edouin ancl Fawcett , and Misses Brough , Gowland , and Leslie there is not a dull moment from begining to end . Mr . Edouin is more than usuall y ludicrous , and ought to do well even in August with " Our Flat . "

* __ The Shah has conferred on M . Carnot , President of the French Republic , the highest Persian Order , and has at the same time presented him with his portrait set in diamonds .