Craft Masonry.

LYMINGTON . JVjeW Forest Lodge ( No . 319 ) . —At a monthly meetingof this lodge , held at the Bugle Hotel on Tuesday , fhe nth inst ., the principal business was the selection of a brother to succeed Bro . A . Bist as W . M . for the ensuing vear . The choice of the brethren was unanimously in favour of Bro . R . E . Jackman , the J . W ., who will be duly

installed at the next meeting . the W . M . elect appropriately returned thanks for the great honour somewhat unexpectedly conferred on him . Bro . H . Doman , P . P . S G . D ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer for the 21 st ' ,, ' in succession . The lodge unanimously voted a Past

Master ' s jewel in gold to Bro . A . Bist for his efficient services during the year , and his kind and genial management . The presentation will be made at the next meeting . p . sum of five guineas was voted to the new charities lately established in the lodge . _ At the close of the business the brethren adjourned to a banquet , and spent a pleasant evening together .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

RANELAGH LODGE ( No . 834 ) . —A meeting was held on Friday , the 12 th inst ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Queenstreet , Hammersmith , when there were present Bros . J . Banks , W . M . ; R . Reid , S . W . ; R . H . Williams , J . W . ; D . S . Long , Sec . ; W . Hide , S . D . ; H . Blackman , J . D . ; and A . Williams , I . G . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The lodge

was opened in the Second and Third Degrees . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Long offering himself as a candidate for initiation , the ceremony was rehearsed . The ist Section of the Lecture was worked by the brethren , under the direction Bro . A . Williams , P . M ., and the 2 nd Section under the direction of Bro . D . S . Long , P . M . The W . M . having risen , Bro . R . Reid , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the next meeting , and the lodge was closed .

CREATON LODGE ( No . 1791 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , 'the nth inst ., at the Wheatsheaf Hotel , Goldhawk-road , Shepherd ' s Bush , W ., when there were present Bros . Austin , P . M ., Treas ., W . M . ; Taylor , P . M ., S . W . ; Speigel , P . M ., J . W . ; Higginson , Deputy Preceptor ; Larter , S . D . ; Kirkham , J . D . ; Arnot , LG . ;

and Sheen . The lodge was duly opened , and the reading of the minutes was postponed . A discussion took place respecting the removal of the lodge , when it was decided to remain at the same place . The W . M . rose for the first and second times , and Bro . Taylor , P . M ., was elected W . M . for the next meeting . The lodge was then closed .

CHISWICK LODGE ( No . 2012 ) . —A meeting was held on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , King-street , Hammersmith , W ., when there were present . Bros . W . Hillier , W . M . ; Reed , S . W . ; Gumming , P . M ., l . W . ; A . Williams , P . M ., Preceptor ; Sims , P . M ., Deputy Preceptor ; M . Spiegel , P . M ., Sec . ; S . Woods , S . D . ; Cox , J . D . ; Hide , I . G . ; Fox , Kirkham , and Jobson . The lodge was duly opened , and the minutes of the

previous meeting were read and confirmed . The W . M . worked the ist and 2 nd Sections of the Lecture , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Fox offered himself as a candidate for passing , and was examined and entrusted . The W . M . opened the lodge in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Reed was unanimously elected W . M . for the next meeting . The lodge was then closed .

HORNSEY CHAPTER ( No . 890 ) . —A meeting of this chapter was held on Friday , the 12 th inst ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , corner of Eastbourne-terrace and Bishop ' sroad , Paddington , W ., when there were present Comps . l . C . Edmonds , P . Z . 1507 , M . E . Z . ; W . J . Ferguson , P . Z . lOjC , H . ; George Gregory , P . Z . 1538 , P . P . G . Treas . Middx ., J . ; H . Dehane , P . Z . 890 , S . E . ; G . March ,

^•733 , S . N . ; W . Hillier , 834 , P . S . ; T . Jobson , 733 , 1 st A . S . ; J . Bailey , H . 1602 ; J . Cruttenden , 779 ; W . N . Hatton , 1 C 42 ; and S . Ccchrane , 3 . The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Cruttenden being the candidate

. A cordial vote of thanks , to be entered on the minutes , was unanimously passed to Comp . Ferguson for the very able manner he had rehearsed the duties of H . for the first time in the chapter of improvement , which com-E '' ment was duly acknowledged by the worthy companion , the M . E . Z . having risen the usual number of times , Heart y good wishes " were accorded , and the chapter was closed .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

PORT ELIZABETH . Lodge Good Will ( No . 711 ) . —The members w this lodge , with numerous visitors , assembled at their icmpie on the Hill on the 24 th June , St . John's Day , in , 7 ' ? assist in or witness the imposing annual ceremony "' the installation of the W . M . elect , and the investiture of Ulcers for the ensuinrr vear . The rratherinrr was Mnnsnallv

lj ! S > the Temple being crowded . The retiring W . M ., . ¦ ? ' , "•C . Johnson , presideJ , and conducted the ceremony ™ n "' e usual formula . The following is a list of theofiice-WM , Uros - - - Johnson , I . P . M . ; R . E . Atkinson , MA : , , J ; H - Wilson , S . W . ; Rev . A . T . Wirgman , "LA ., J . W . •Geo . R . Pen-Ins . Treas . •Alfro . 1 RrnnW

C VL J- B . Kemsley , S . D . ; E . M . Searle , J . D . ; Geo . m ' „ n ' - - ' Dr . W . T . Harris , I . G . i P . Ouarteranrf A «?•' ' Chas - - Miles and H - E - Martin , Stwds . ; Th ? ? ter £ ° n > Tyler , adiou j s ' ness of 'he evening being over , the brethren had 1 / to tne banqueting room , where a capital spread Club ? ° st tasteful ' y Prepared by Mr . Whitford , of the J whose catering was much appreciated .

RAWAL PINDI , PUNJAB . insM ^ orl'ch Lodge ( No . 219 , E . C . ) -The 'he 7 h if " Z etin S of this lodge was held at Murree , on / n ult . The ceremony of installation was performed

The Craft Abroad.

by Bro . F . A . Bowles , I . P . M ., and Bro . J . H . Leslie , D . G . Stwd ., was installed in the chair for the ensuing year . The W . M . appointed the following brethren as his officers : Bros . W . G . Hall , S . W . ; C . J . Dennys , J . W . ; F . E . Roy , M . O . ; R . Griffin , S . O . ; R . E . Home , J . O ; J . Craig , P . M ., P . D . S . G . D ., Treas . ; F . A . Bowies , P . M ., D . S . G . D ., Sec . ; O . D . Pestonji , R . of M . ; H . Howe ,

S . D . ; T . Duthie , J . D . ; C Johnson , I . G . ; and W . J . Edwards , Tyler . After the lodge was closed , some 24 brethren and visitors sat down at the banquet . Speeches followed , the usual toasts of obligation being proposed by the W . M . Bro . D . F . Camadore , P . S . G . D . " , returned thanks for "Grand Lodge , " and Bro . H . J .

Spence-Gray , D . G . Chap ., for "District Grand Lodge . " Bro . F . A . Bowles , in giving the toast of " The W . M ., " said it gave him particular pleasure to propose it for three reasons . First , because lie knew it must be one which would be enthusiastically received by all present . Second , because Bro . Leslie was personally a great friend , and third , because he had been so closely associated with Bro .

Leslie throughout his Masonic lite , that he felt any Masonic event in Bro . Leslie ' s career would not be quite complete if he had not something to do with it . He had initiated , passed , raised , and exalted him ; had acted as S . W . at his advancement ; and had now just had the pleasure of installing him as W . M . in the Mark , and trusted that at no very distant date he might have the pleasure of installing

him in other chairs . Bro . Leslie , though comparatively a young Mason , was one to whom he could with perfect confidence resign the Mastership . He had in many ways already proved his capability and warm zeal in Freemasonry , and it certainly would not be the Worshipful Master's fault if the year just opened was not a truly prosperous one . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said that in succeeding

Bro . Bowles his task was no easy one , but that he would do his best . He told a story of a gambling saloon out in the far West , where all its frequenters lived with revolvers and bowie knives on their persons , and the gentleman who presided at the piano had a placard hung round his neck to this effect— " Don't shoot the pianist , he is doing his best . " He asked the brethren to look on him as the pianist .

The Worshipful Master , in proposing " The Health of the I . P . M ., " said that as at the Universities , at school , or on the turf , years were looked back upon and distinguished as so and so ' s year , or such and such a horse ' s year , so he thought this lodge might look upon the past year as Bro . Bowles' year , and that his name might be enrolled among the Past Masters in letters of gold . Bro . Bowles came all

the way from the Black Mountains last year to be installed as W . M . ; he had not missed a single lodge during his year of office , and had that day ridden 22 miles to perform the installation ceremony . The W . M . concluded by wishing him long life , and the best of health to enjoy it . In replying to the toast , Bro . Bowles said that it was always rather a sad period in his Masonic career when he had to resign the Mastership of a lodge . He had once

heard at an installation banquet the I . P . M . say that he was thankful that his year was over , and he could not help feeling that any Master in quitting his chair who could express such a sentiment must have been one whom the brethren of his lodge would be equally glad to be rid of . The felling of regret was lightened on this occasion by the knowledge that his successor was worthy of the office , and that the lodge would not deteriorate under his rule . After a few remarks

on the working of the lodge during his year of office , he concluded by expressing his thanks to the officers who had so ably supported him in every way , and wished the W . M . and the lodge a still more prosperous year than the one just completed . Other toasts followed , and some excellent unaccompanied part songs and solos were rendered by Bros . H . J . Spence-Gray , J . H . Leslie , W . J . Ward , E . Benedict , and Messrs . Child and Joseph . The Tyler ' s toast was given at midnight , bringing to a close a most successful evening .

SIMON'S TOWN . Phoenix Lodge ( No . i 860 ) . —The installation of the W . M . and investiture of the officers of this lodge took place on Saturday , July gth , in the Masonic Temple , and was a very successful gathering . The ceremony was honoured by the presence of the Deputy District Grand Master , who was supported by a large number of

District Grand Officers . Most of the lodges of the district were well represented , and a large number of the brethren from Cape Town were present . The installation working was impressively carried out by all concerned , and it augurs well for the year of office of the new W . M ., Bro . II . G . Crane , that all his officers should be so well up to their

work . After the labour of the evening the brethren adjourned to the banquet at the British Hotel . No less than 85 members of the lodge and visitors sat down . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received with characteristic fervour .

Masonic Literature.

MASONIC LITERATURE .

It has always been a matter of great wonderment to us why there are so few Masons who take any special interest in Masonic literature . It cannot be because it is of no value or interest to them , for every reading Mason will bear testimony to the contrary . More than that , it is essential to every Mason who would acquire

a sufficient knowledge of Masonry to enable him to appreciate its purpose and enjoy its benefits . There are hundreds and thousands of Masons who know nothing of Masonry beyond the little communicated to them while receiving the various degrees . They were then simply learning the alphabet of Masonry , and were thus given the right and privilege

to attain a more complete knowledge of the marvellous wonders of this great and mysterious Institution . Stopping at this point in their search for light and knowledge , they may appropriately be compared to the child who has just entered school and learned his

letters . Much more must be acquired before he becomes a ripe scholar . Again , it seems strange that men will go and take all the Degrees and Orders in the several branches of Masonry , at an expense of some ^ 200 or more , and thus entail upon themselves the payment annually of

Masonic Literature.

quite a sum of money in the way of dues , and be content to get so little in return . Having satisfied their curiosity , their interest likewise seems to be satisfied . They might advance and explore the vast fields of Masonic history , traditions , symbolism , laws and regulations for the government of the Craft , all of which are exceedingly interesting and instructive . Eminent and

learned authors have furnished valuable works on these and many other Masonic subjects . The Masonic journals of the day enable their readers to keep posted in all important events as they transpire , and present to them the best thoughts of well-informed brethren on all matters affecting the welfare of the

Craft . At a verv small sum in addition to what he has already invested , a Mason can thus acquire a knowledge of the science of Freemasonry which will benefit him a hundredfold more than the little smattering of it unfolded to him while taking his Degrees . —Masonic Advocate .

The Thretres.

The Thretres .

In these warm days when so few of the regular theatres are open , those who are not fortunate enough to be at the sea-side , or our provincial brethren and country cousins who come up to London at this time of theyear , have always the Empire Palace of Varieties to fall back upon . Since its opening some five years ago , we think we are correct in stating that this popular place of

entertainment has never been closed even for one evening . It appeals to all classes of the community , and in all weathers , summer and winter alike . The new ballet— " Versailles "—is even more sumptuous in its stage mounting than any of those magnificent shows which have preceded it . Words almost fail to describe what there is on the Empire stage to please the eye and

the ear . Madame Katti Lanner , who is responsible for the arrangements of the dancing , is highly to be complimented . Nowhere can such supreme effects of the Terpsichorean art be excelled . Wherever one ' s eye travels beauty of colour is sure to meet it . The story of Louis XIV . and his Queen and her rival are well explained and easily followed in this play

without words—true pantomime . The music of M . Leopold Wenzel is well adapted to the subject of the ballet , and though it is lengthy , one cannot get tired of looking on at the graceful movements of the chief dansetises or ot the efficient corps de ballet . Mdlle . Estrelle Sylvia is no doubt just now a great attraction with her serpentine dancing . She and

several other ladies claim to be the originators of this style , so we cannot express an opinion on this point . The dance , which is very pretty , seems to consist in the manipulation by the arms of a long flowing robe of finely spun silk , fastened round the neck , which the hands move about , and when in full motion it looks

like the twisting and twirling of a serpent round a body . In the different coloured lights it looks very curious as well as pretty . The name the Empire made for itself at the commencement of its career it has kept , and is keeping up , most satisfactorily under the chairmanship of Bro . D . Nicol , and the management of Bro . Harry J . Hitchins .

* * * Mr . Van Biene has made no mistake in reviving Bros . Sims and Pettitt ' s burlesque of " Faust up to Date " at the Gaiety , which he has taken for a short season . Being forlunate enough to obtain the services of Miss Florence St . John , the original Marguerite , and Bro . Arthur Williams , who succeeded as Valentine at

the death of poor George Stone , Mr . Van Biene has now all the elements of a prosperous short run of this popular piece . His successor to Bro . Lonnen is also quite an acquisition . The pas de qttatre as now danced is every whit as popular as when danced by Misses Price , Levey , Wilmot , and Gilbert . In our opinion Mr . Van Biene ' s company is not any way behind Mr . George Edwardes' cast .

» * » "The Faithful James , " the new farcical comedy in one act at the Court Theatre , is quite equal to the other pieces which with it form the triple bill at this comfortable little house . Mr . Weedon Grossmith hits off with exaggerated accuracy all the peculiarities of the waiter at hotels . He has

the able support of Mr . Brandon Thomas , Miss Ella Terriss , and Miss Sybil Grey . The latter lady we have never before seen out of comic opera or pantomime , but we must congratulate her as an actress . The " New Sub , " the smart and pathetic little play by Mr . Seymour Hicks , still is the capital first piece , and " A Pantomime Rehearsal , " now in its second year .

without a break , seems to have in no way lost its hold on audiences at the Court ; its attractions are inexhaustible . Miss Ellalline Terriss is encored again and again in her two songs , which she sings with much humour , and possessed as she is of great personal charms and hereditary talent , Mr . Chudleigh does well

to retain her services . We believe a new play has been written and accepted for this theatre , but , judging by the established success of the triple programme , there cannot be any need of another play for a very long while . Mr . Arthur Chudleigh since he became sole lessee of the Court has had a run of luck , which wc trust will never desert him , for it is well deserved .

Death.

Death .

LANCE . —On the nthinst ., at Kimberley , South Africa , Rev . J . W . Lance , late of Beckenham , and formerly of Newport , Mon ., in his 70 th year .