Ancient And Accepted Rite.

30 ° ; Woodford , 30 ; and E . and P . Bro . Shirley , 1 S , M . W . S . 107 . Visitors : E . and P . Bros . C . B . Cooper , 107 ; and Felix Weiss , 107 . The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The candidate whose name was on the agenda for perfection not being present ,

only the usual routine business was transacted , and the chapter closed , 'Ihe brethren then adjourned to the Criterion to banquet , at which the M . W . S . presided . After dinner a few toasts were given , and a very agreeable and pleasant evening was brought to an early close .

Red Cross Of Rome & Constantine.

Red Cross of Rome & Constantine .

BELVEDERE . —Saye and Sele Conclave ( No . 122 ) . —The election meeting of the above conclave was held at the Masonic Rooms , on the 19 th inst ., Sir Knight Abel Penfold in the chair of M . P . S . After the ordinary conclave business was gone through , Sir Knight

C . Jolly , V . E ., was unanimously elected M . P . Sovereign for the ensuing year . Sir Knight Robinson , P . G . S ., and the S . G . and J . G . in succession were duly elected . The banquet was partaken of in the dining room attached to the institution , and it was unanimously determined to try and make Sir Knight Jolly ' s year a successful one .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON CONCLAVE ( No . 2 ) . —A meeting of th s popular conclave was held on Saturday , the 9 th inst ., at the Holborn Restaurant , when there were present Bros . F . Ernest Pocock , M . D ., G . Stwd ., Supreme Ruler ; A . E . Sansom , Treas ., and Grand Councillor j F . G . Lemon , G . Stwd ., Sec . j W . G . Lemon , P . G . S . R . j W . J . Spratling , B . Sc , G . Recorder , * Chas . Gross , and Dr . Zacharie , Grand Supreme

Ruler of the Order . Bro . Henry Wright , 1 , was a visitor . The business was to induct Bros . Sir Robert Fowler , M . A ., M . P ., P . M . 2033 , P . S . G . W . j P . S . Jackson , 2033 j and Beaumont Morice , LL . B ., 2033 . The latter being in attendance was impressively induced by the S . R ., warm compliments being expressed as to the way Bro . Pocock

did his work . The brethren afterwards dined together , and the usual toasts were given . With " The Queen ' s" was coupled " The Order of the Secret Monitor . " Bros . Dr . Zacharie and VV . Lemon responded for " The Supreme Grand Conclave . " "The Health of the Inductee" was heartily received .

Bro . Beaumont Morice , in eloquent terms replied , and said he had been much impressed with the ceremony of his induction . The various Officers responded for their health . Bro . Henry Wright replied for " The Visitors , " and said he was proud of being a member of the Premier Conclave , " and added that his old friend , Bro . Morice , whom he helped to initiate in his own lodge , would be a

credit to the University of London Conclave . Bro . Dr . Zacharie mentioned to the brethren that he hoped all those who could would be present on the following Friday at the consecration of the Queen's Westminster Conclave , when the Grand Officers' robes were to be dedicattd . The brethren afterwards were invited en bloc to the Granite Lodge , which was meeting in the Venetian Room , and there they finished the evening .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The quarterly meeting of the Board of Masters for the monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence vvas held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., President of the Board , occupied the President ' s chair j Bio . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , took the Senior Vice-President ' s chair j and Bro . VValter Hopekirk , G . P ., had the seat of Junior

Vice-President . The Grand Secretary , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke ; the Assistant Grand Secretary , Bro . A . A . Pendlebury j Bro . W . Dodd , Bro . Neville Green , and Bro . W . H . Lee , represented Grand Secretary's Office . There were also present , among a numerously attended body of brethren , Bros . W . P . Brown , F . R . Spaull , Chas . Fredk . Hogard , Henry GarrodDavid D . MercerJ . H , MatthewsJ . B .

, , , Grieve , L . C Haslip , W . M . Bywater , G . P . Britten , Charles Dairy , T . W . Whitmarsh , George A . Cundy , John Davis , W . H . Perryman , W . Thos . Jordan , Edward W . Braine , Jesse Reeves , J . P . Parkes , J . Botibol , William H . Hedger , F . Low , G . Reynolds , J . H . Morgan , Geo . B . Chapman , D . Glass , Eustace Anderson , jun ., George R . Langley , W . A . Scurrah , lames Vine , 1 . Swine . VV . W .

Watch , G . J . Judge , Thos . Hawkins , J . P . Fitzgerald , Jcseph Wall , A . F . Meaden , Fred . Levich , Richard Haivey , T . H . Thompson , Henry F . Foale , Samuel bmuher , John Stroud , V . J . Hakim , J . Blount Sherring , A . J . Clark , W . Wynn Westcott , Wm . Rowley , H . Hooper , George Simonds , John Barcroft , W . McNaught , £ F . Ferris , H . Massey , John Harris , Henry Cox , C . G . ll

H' . W . Nicholson , G . Hakewill , C . J . Axford , T . C . Walls , J . D . Graham , Reginald J . Mure , C . J . D'Oyley Mear ? , W . H . Boys , Robert Jackson , S . Lloyd , A . W . VVesion . W . II . Saunders , Chas . H . Freyer , J . Tanner , ™ : C . Brasher , B . H . Joseph , Arthur E . Gladwell , James ^ P'cer , Thomas J . Zob , Thos . Weeks , Henry Esling , J . ] . £ "" pple , Edw . Sayers , John Oliver , E . Squirrell , C . j . p * rr-- * t « - < v »>» , uajci *)) jifiui wiiv-ij * - ¦» uijuu 1 ciij \ s , j ,

£ ' ° ve , J . Bindon , A . Belts , Thos . Henry Gaidiner , and Henry Sadler , G . Tyler . lothe Board of Installed Masters was presented the agenda paper for Grand Lodge of March 6 th , after which . 1 L ° ard of Benevolence confirmed recommendations to met -rand Master made at the January meeting to the j "" nt of £ 390 . On the new list were 38 cases , qualified ° y ' ages in the London district and Torquay , Birkenhead , ° ati e , Hull , Shrewsbury . Milium . Crediton . Rprwink .

"an ngton , Plymouth , Amlwch , Malta , Liverpool , Enfield , uen erara , Newchurch , and Birmingham , win ? ) courieot the sitting one of these petitions was mi « i * ri . two were not entertained , and five were disfsle TU * remainder were relieved with a total sum of l 1 r-7 „ j 1 , s was composed of one recommendation to five ? L dge I . £ ' for £ 75 , and one for £ 50 ; ve recommendations to the Grand Master for £ 40 each ,

Board Of Benevolence.

and six for £ 30 each . Seven grants were made of £ 20 each , one for £ 15 , six for £ 10 , and one for £ 5 . The PRESIDENT had to regret in the case of several country petitions that the certificates of the Provincial Grand Secretaries really gave no information about the cases which they certified , much to the detriment of these cases . Some of the Provincial Grand Secretaries'

certificates are models of what is required , so that the Board is able to gauge the exact worth of the case and mete out adequate assistance ; but others are so scanty that the Board is left in almost entire ignorance of the circumstances of the petitioners . The President hoped that in future all recommending Provincial Grand Secretaries would supply the fullest information in their power .

First Ball Of The Barnato Lodge, No. 2265.

FIRST BALL OF THE BARNATO LODGE , No . 2265 .

The first ball given by the above young and vigorous Iodge in aid of the Benevolent Fund was held at the whitehall Rooms , Hotel Metropole , on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., and was attended by some 230 brethren , with their ladies . The Stewards , viz ., Bros . J . Da Silva , VV . M . ; C . Fredk . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ., acting I . P . M . ; M . J . de Leeuw ,

S . W . j L . Kool , J . VV . j J . Joel , Treas . j M . J . Jessop , Sec . j T . Honey , S . D . j E . J . Acworth , P . G . S . Middx ., J . D . ; I . B . Joel , S . B . Joel , H . Barnato , A . Levy , and H . Walters , were most attentive , and the dulcet strains of Messrs . Coote and Tinney's band proved almost irresistible , so that a most enjoyable evening was spent , and dancing was kept up until " daylight ( almost ) did appear , " and

then many were the regrets expressed at the enforced parting , and all hoped that next year might see another such pleasant gathering , and as the financial result will bring some 30 or 40 pounds to the Fund , there is no doubt the members will again exert themselves as they have so successfully done this year . Being St . Valentine ' s day , a very pretty and appropriate programme was designed by Bro . George Kenning , which was much admired .

Scotland.

Scotland .

PROVINCIAL VISITATION OF GLASGOW CHAPTER , No . 50 . The Provincial visitation of the above chapter took place on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., in St . Mark ' s Hall , Buchananstreet . There was a large and influential gathering of representative members of the Order , amongst some of the more distinguished present being Comps . Major F . VV Allan and 11 . J . Shields , of the Supreme Committee , and

Comp . R . S . Brown , interim G . S . E ., as well as numerous Principals from sister chapters . Considerable interest had been aroused by the notice that Comp . W . J . Easton , G . Supt ., would lecture on the " Egyptian Mysteries , " but , unfortunately , at the last moment his medical adviser peremptorily forbade this well-known Masonic archaeologist from appearing . Considerable regret was universally expressed ,

but the M . E . Z ., Comp . Edwd . Macbean , made the best he could of the circumstances by reading and commenting on the notes of the intended lecture , which the invalid had sent with his apology . The chapter was closed after Ihe reading of several letters of regret . Comp . VV . J . Hughan , P . Z ., & c , and member of this chapter , sent a characteristic note full of

energy and advice , while Comp . Robert Freke Gould , P . Z ., & c , communicated some valuable hints deduced from his 32 years' connection with the Royal Arch . These communications from such eminent companions were , of course , much esteemed . Honorary affiliation was accorded to Comps . R . S . Brown , Edinburgh , and Wright , from Newfoundland .

At the banquet the usual patriotic and Masonic toasts were received vvith cordiality , song and sentiment helping to make the evening fly on lightning wings . When separating only one opinion was expressed , for , as the Yankees say , all had a " good time . " Comp . Macbean , in replying , as the Z ., to the toast of " Prosperity to Glasgow Chapter , No . 50 , " took the

opportunity of initiating a new feature in such meetings by giving an address , of which the substance is appended , and was much applauded during its delivery : — 1 have very heartily to thank our much esteemed Grand Superintendent for the flattering eulogium he has been pleased to pass on this , his "mother chapter , " and , of course , for the highly complimentary terms in which he

has alluded to me . My highest desire is to be a Masonic scholar j but it is like climbing a mountainous country—as you ascend , another peak conlronts the weary but persistent pilgrim . The mind grows by what it feeds on ; and the more you study Masonry the more engrossing does the pursuit become—how otherwise account for the enthusiasm of such distinguished ornaments as Bros . Hughan , Gould ,

Albert Pike , Yarker , and ( head and shoulders over all Scotchmen ) facileprinceps our own Grand Secretary , Bro . D . Murray Lyon . To this band ot students I feel proud to ally myself j though it does not necessarily fo . Iow that we see eye to eye in every point . I am rather a searcher and inquirer into the occult mysteries . So numerous and representative a gathering as the present deserves at my

hands something more than the ordinary after-dinner platitudes . Although now at refreshment , there can be no incongruity in my referring to what so lately engaged our attention at labour . The ancients , at their banquets , by placing the emblems of moitality before their eyes , emphasised the homely Scotch proverb that "life is not all cakes and ale . " Masonry is duty , duty is labour . " Let

us then be up and doing , " and learn the great lessons taught by our Order : we practise solemn rites , and are bound by our obligations , not merely to familiarise ourselves with the dead letter , but also the living spirit of our rituals . We all know something of the morality inculcated j but what do we know of the allegory ? Can we attach any meaning to the symbols we display ? How many Arch Masons here can instruct us in the teachings which

are conveyed by the triangles , or Tau Cross ? Our jewel tells us that "if we know these things , we know enough . " When we aitain that information , we shall be able to judge for ourselves of the wisdom of that motto . Meantime , we have , all of us , much to leanl . Promoted to this exalted office for one definite purpose—lo instruct my less favoured brethren—1 feel it incumbent on me to sound a note of warning . Once the neophyte crosses our portal ,

Scotland.

he thinks , but too often , his education is complete ! This is a fatal error j his tuition should then begin . The student who enters his name and pays the fees at the Glasgow University does so for the purpose of learning ; so it should be with you . No matter whether exalted last night or long ago , each one of us has still much to acquire . Dismiss from your minds the mistaken idea that because

you have received certain secrets , therefore you are ipso facto Arch Masons j you are only so in namej practically you are in your apprenticeship , and it is cause for regret that so many never advance beyond this initial stage ! Our rituals are embodiments of the doctrines of Pythagoras ; and any intelligent reader of that ancient sage , who has assimilated the esoteric tenets of the Grecian , Egyptian ,

Syrian , Chaldaic , and Hindu theosophies stands on a higher platform than the average Mason . We take most solemn obligations , and should not allow our services , for want of proper attention , to become perfunctory ceremonials—because we are unable in their higher ( and natural ) development to appreciate the beauties of the sublime teaching which , as in the case of everything valuable , Wes perdu

till sought for with assiduity and patience . There are many Present and Past Principals here , and if they will ponder over the suggestive hints I have thrown out , this will eventually prove to be indeed a red-letter day for Glasgow Chapter , No . 50 , and the entire province . My immediate predecessor , Comp . J . R . Paton , has earned our lasting gratitude for the successful course of lectures he

inaugurated last session , and Comp . Somerville has this winter given valuable assistance , while Comp . Gardner McLean , our excellent S . E ., has no doubt been able to perform his duties so satisiactotily Irom his legal training . I have also been greatly assisted by our esteemed and enthusiastic Comps . Robt . Morrison and T . W . Brownlee , both Past Z . ' s , and the latter of over 20 years' standing- in the chapter ,

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . HARRIS , P . M . 177 , 19 S 7 . We regret very much to have to record the death of Bro . William Harris , Superintendent of the S or Hampstead Division of Metropolitan Police , and a Past Master of the Domatic , No . 177 , and Strand , No . 1987 , Lodges . Bro . Harris had been laid up for only three days , when he

succumbed on the 15 th inst ., his funeral , which took place on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., at the West Hampstead Cemetery , being attended by a large number of his brother officers and by many brethren , among whom were Bros . Madge , VV . M . 19 S 7 J Jas . Willing , P . M . 177 , and P . M . and Ireas . 19871 J . Stacey , P . M . 19 S 7 ; Cutbush , 1987 , and Leon , Burton , W . M . Stiles , S . W ., J . Hare , E .

Colley , and J . Douglas , P . M ., all of the same lodge ; with Bros . H . Dickey , P . M . 1744 , - J . Holmes , S . W . j and Witlock , 160 S . There was a large concourse of people along the line of route from the Adelaide-road to the cemetery , and the feeling of regret throughout the force , but especially in the S Division , is very keen and very general . Bro . Harris was 47 years of age , but had been 27 years in the police , and for 21 years a superior officer .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

r — A ¦ ri'M— Tr = * > Bro . Oscar Barrett was presented vvith a gold Albert , and Mrs . Barrett with a diamond and sapphire brooch , by the Crystal Palace Pantomime Company on Friday , the 15 th inst . & * s There is much fun and some lively music in the new Empire ballet , entitled " A Duel in the Snow . " The scene opens in a ball masque , where two of the dancers , claiming the same lady as partner , quarreland arrange to

, decide the question by arms forthwith . The fight in the snow , the business in which is , perhaps , rather too prolonged , ensues , terminating in the arrival of the lady and the death of one of the combatants . There are some other good items in the bill , notably , Mons . Brannan's performance on the trapeze . It is a pity that the absurd custom is not yet abolished of representing draped curtains at the wings on either side of a bright landscape scene .

* » * " Ebb and Flow , " a new sensational drama b y Bro . W . F . Field , has been secured by E . D . Griffiths , who was for many years acting manager at the Gaiety Theatre . The music of the drama has been composed by Walter Slaughter , of Drury Lane . An especially powerful

company will be entrusted with the representation of the play , which will be submitted to the public on Monday evening next , at the Theatre Royal , St . Helens , Lancashire . A comedietta , also , by Bro . Field , entitled , "Cupid's Frolic , " has been accepted by the publishers of "The Lady , " and the piece will be published in the columns of that journal very shortly .

* # # With his usual astuteness , Bro . H . Beerbohm Tree has changed his programme before the piece which he was playing had worn itself out , so that we may look for a revival ot "Captain Swift" at a future date . "The Merry Wives of Windsor" having proved a big draw on Wednesday afternoons , the popular lessee decided to give

the public who cannot attend morning performances a chance of witnessing this popular play of the Immortal Bard . Everyone cannot fail to he astonished at the marvellous make-up of Bro . Tree as Falstaff , a part which he plays in a thoroughly masterly manner . VVe think Bro . Tree has never met with moie univer .-al commendation for his acting than in this his most recent character . He is

more than ably supported by a brilliant cast , which includes Bio . Macklin , Messrs . Fuller Mellisb , Kemble , Edward Kighton , and Brookfield , and Mrs . Tree , Mrs . Phelps , Misses Kose Leclerq , and Lindley . The play is beautifully staged by Mr . Edward Hastings , and the scenery painted by Mr . Walter Johnstone . The last act is one of

the prettiest scenes which has ever been seen at this leading home of comedy . As Mr . H . A . Jones' new play is arranged to be produced at a somewhat early date " The Merry Wives of Windsor" cannot have the extended run which might be wished for it . Shakespeare will not be found to spell " ruin" with Bro . Beerbohm Tree * ,