The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

GRAND COUNCIL ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS OK CANADA . The annual assembly of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Canada was held in Windsor on the 16 th July . The D . G . M ., U . 111 . Comp . Raymour , presided . The various councils throughout the Dominion were well represented . The address made special reference to

the loss sustained by Cryptic Masonry in the death of Grand Master Robert Ramsay , and paid a touching tribute to his many sterling qualities . The report of the Grand Recorder was listened to with attention , and the recommendations therein contained were generally adopted . The

following officers were elected : Comps . E . H . Raymour , Grand Master j S . G . Fairtlough , Deputy Grand Master ; G . J . Bennett , G . P . C . W . j D . McLellan , Grand Treas . ; J . Ross Robertson , Grand Recorder ; VV . J . Doherty , Grand Captain of Guard ; W . R . Howse , Grand Lecturer ; and Rev . A . Anthony , Grand Chaplain .

GREAT PRIORY OF CANADA . Illness again prevented the venerable Grand Master of the Order from attending the annual meeting of the Sovereign Great Priory at Windsor on the 13 th July , and many were the regrets expressed . Col . McLeod Moore has grown old in the service , but the desire that he may be spared to the work he loves so well is general . In his

absence the throne was filled by the genial D . G . M ., R . Em . Dr . Henderson . The Grand Master's allocution as usual gave evidence of the deep interest he feels in the welfare of the Order , and his untiring zeal as a Masonic student . The election of officers resulted as follows : Sir Knts . Col . 1 . B . McLeod Moore , G . M . j J . A . Henderson , Q . C ,

LL . D ., D . G . M . j Daniel Spry , G . Chan , j J . A . Grosscup , G . Con . j James Douglas , G . Marshal j D . McLellan , G . Treas . j and S . G . Fairtlough , G . Reg . Provincial Priors : Sir Knts . E . T . Malone , Toronto j T . Hood , Hamilton j J . H . Stearns , Quebecj li . H . D . Hall , Ottawa and Kingston j J . C Hathaway , New Brunswick ; E . H . Raymour , London ; and VV . Taylor , Nova Scotia .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

The new play at the Comedy Theatre , " Sister Mary , " is a noble play , splendidly written by Messrs . Wilson Barrett and Clement Scott , with an interesting plot , and a line moral . It is a long while since we have enjoyed a play so much throughout , and we have come to the conclusion that no one could see "Sister Mary" without going away the better for it . Its story shows how a man , lost to all sense of self respect , and having led a life

of immorality , and drunk deep of the cup , is snatched as a brand from the burning , saved , and becomes a respectable citizen through the influence of a good woman . If , as some assert , the characters in the piece are given to too much sentimental speechifying , it is sentiment of a proper sort , and , in this age of materialism , it is refreshing to be pulled up now and then and reminded of better things , even though it be by sentiment . The scene opens at

Rivermead-on-Thames , where lives a Mrs . Reade and her little boy . The people about there suppose Mrs . Reade , who is a milliner , to be a widow , but it appears that she has never been married , but has been the lover of a certain Walter Leigh , a subaltern in the army . Leigh , we are told , has had moments of penitence , and has sought , but without success , for the woman he has wronged . Full of remorse , and having tasted every sort of vice , he almost

contemplates suicide whilst under the influence of drink . It is now at the very door of his mistress that he meets her who reclaims him , and becomes an angel of light and guides him in the narrow but straight path . His . hand is raised to drink out of his flask , when Mary Lisle begs him not to touch the spirit , but to give it to her , for there is a poor old man very ill , and perchance that brandy might prolong his life a few days . After a struggle with the

demon in his breast , Leigh hands the flask to Mary . She has promised to educate Rose Reade's little boy , and has made herself a sister to the fatherless boy's mother . A rough sort of fellow , who loves Rose , appears on the scene , and is about to assault both her and Mary , when young - Leigh comes up and knocks the fellow down . Leigh , of course , does not know who Rose is . In the next act , which takes nlace a vear after these events , Leigh has returned

from the South African campaign the winner of the Victoria Cross , and with many other honours . He hates a fuss bein ? made about his noble deeds , and betakes himself to North Wales on a sketching tour . Staying also at Bettws-y-Cold are Colonel Malcolm , his daughters , and niece , Mary Lisle . Captain Walter Leigh , who seems to be an adept also with the brush , has painted an ideal portrait of Mary , who sees it while he happens to be away .

Mary and Leigh meet , and just after they have patted , jack Davis—Rose Reade's lover—and another tramp demand money of Mary , and are about ill-using her when again Leigh appears , and in the scuflla his arm is broken . Mary asks him if he is hurt , and he then declares his love . In the next act the wedding morn has come . lhe bells of Rivermead Church are ringing out the marriage peals , the bridesmaids have admired the bride—and

themselvesand been admired by the gentlemen of the party , when Rose Reade bursts in to wish Miss Lisle every happiness , having only just heard that she is to be married . What more natural—although Mary has long known Rose's historythat Mi > s Lisle should wish to know the name of Rose ' s boy's father whom she is going to educate ? When Rose Reade says the name , Walter Leigh , Mary is overcome , but she tries to believe that it is only a coincidence , for only a few minutes ago she had asked her fiancee if there is

anything in his past life which could come between their happiness . Here is rather a weakness in the play . For how could a man forget such a sin of his youth as Leigh s , and , if he did not forget , he tells his bride a he when he replies to her question that there is nothing can mar their union ? Rose shows a portrait of her lover in a locket , then all hope is lost . She tears up her bridal veil and wreath , and sends for Leigh . She bids him to look on the face of his own boy and dismisses him . She has made herself a sister to Kate , and promises to help her to make Walter

The Theatres.

Leigh make amends , though she herself loves him . In the fourth and last act we have the scene of the Majuba Hill disaster , Leigh has been made commandant of the forces against the Boers . Mary Lisle , her cousin , and Rose Reade are all out there as hospital nurses , not knowin" of Leig h ' s appointment . Jack Davis , who is now a reformed character , is in the non-commissioned ranks . Those in the camp are expecting every moment an attack by the Boers ,

and are aware of being in great danger , when a message arrives that Major Leigh has been ordered to assume command of the camp . A convoy leaves the hospital for Bunker ' s Farm , in which Rose is the nurse . They are attacked by the enemy , who , under Leigh , are repulsed , but not before poor Rose has been shot down . With her dying breath she forgives Leigh , and requests Sister Mary to marry him . There is another weak part . For it is so

easy for a dramatic author to get rid of a character in this way ; but , taking it all in all , "Sister Mary" is a grand drama , full of good and without a particle of vice . Of course , Miss Lingard carries off the palm in her beautiful rendering of Sister Mary . Miss Lingard is eminently fitted for such a part . She is so gentle that she carries the sympathies of her audience throughout . Mr . Leonard Boyne , as Walter Leigh , is everything that can be desired .

Miss Maggie Hunt , as Rose Reade , has a part which she makes very effective . The comedy parts are played by Miss Horlock , Mr . Perceval Clark , and Mr . Darnley , who are most amusing . The scenery leaves nothing to be wished for . " Sister Mary " will stand out as a drama amongst dramas as exciting and interesting without being

in any way nasty and vulgar . Special commendation must be given to actors and actresses in thesceneat the end of the third act . Mr . Knox Furtado , so long with Mr . VVison Barrett at the Princess ' s , now reigns as acting manager , and every one knows that Mr . Furtado is politeness itself .

« A crowded and enthusiastic , but quite genuine , audience assembled at the Princess ' s on Saturday night last to witness the first performance of Mr . H . Hamilton ' s new drama , " Harvest , " of which the most favourable rumours had been current for a week past . These reports turned out to be quite correct . If we will forget a few flaws , such as the technicalities of the Scotch law in marviace and

the unnatural vindictiveness of a woman , then " Harvest " must be allowed to be a powerful and thrilling drama , well staged , magnificently acted , and replete with interest . It is sure to have a successful run . The curtain goes up on a prologue , wherein we learn that Noel Musgrave has entered into a marriage with Brenda , daughter of a Scotch minister . The marriage having taken place in the presenceof witnesses , both partiesbelieveittobelegal . Musjrraveisan

idle sort of fellow , and , after a few years of married life , a son having been born , he reproaches his wife with having been the cause of his falling in love with her pretty face . Musgrave seems to confide a great deal in a friend of his , a certain Captain Tressider . The latter soon finds out that Musgrave is not happy in his union , and informs him that he is not married , for the place , although on the borders , is not in Scotland . Musgrave is cad enough to

take advantage of this technicality . His wife overhears the conversation betwixt Musgcave and Tressider , and asks him if he means to make her his wife . When she is repulsed , and gets for her answer , "No ! " her wrath asserts itself , and , in a loud voice , with her finger pointing at Alusgrave , she bids him beware , for " Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap , " and assures him that he will repent this . Musgrave goes to take the childbut

, Brenda reminds him that the children of parents born in wedlock belong to the father , but out of it they take the mother ' s name , and are hers , and she keeps the boy . This scene is called " Sowing . " In the first act , " Ripening , " twenty years are supposed to have elapsed , and Musgrave has married a widow with a daughter , who is a rich heiress , and owner of property in Ireland , Sir Noel—as he his now—is a widower , and is theo-uardiannf this

young lady—Lettice Vane . He is very sad that he has no heir to his baronetcy , and the more so when Colonel Tressider tells him that by remarrying his first wife , his son , under the Scottish law , would become legitimate . Mrs . Marston ( Brenda ) has come with her son Geoffrey to stay at Connemara . The young man falls in love with Lettice , as she with him . The mother recognises in Sir Noel Musgrave the father ot her son Geoffrey , and at once

takes a hatred to Lettice , and makes her boy , who is a devoted son , take an oath to her to obey her wishes . Geoffrey is unable to understand his mother ' s dislike to Lettice ; from the latter he receives a ring , which he has promised only to return to her should he change his mind about her . In the second act , " Reaping , " Mrs . Marston confronts Sir Noel , who begs for forgiveness , and wishes to marry her , and take her son as his son , and marry

Geoffrey to Lettice , but she will not hear of it . She reminds him of twenty years ago , and her words then , that " Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap . " Her time has come now , and Sir Noel is reaping of that he soweth . She makes her son act upon his oath , and the lad has to hand the girl back her ring . It is Miss Amy Roselle ' s fine acting of the part of Mrs . Marston which saves the playfor

, who would have sympathy with such a woman as Mrs . Marston . ' Sir Noel has suffered , and that deeply , for years , for the wrong he committed in the past , and it is not in human nor in Divine nature not to forgive when penitence is shown . "Judge not , that ye be not judged , " and here is Mrs . Marston unrelenting , vindictive , thirsting after all these years of time for vengeance , and even wrecking the happiness of two young people , one of them her

own son . She may be within her rights , but one loses all sympathy with such a person , whether in real life or on the stage . In the third act called , " Gleaning , " after a great deal of talk , we learn that Sir Noel is forgiven and we suppose the marriage takes place ; Geoffrey and Lettice are united , and so are Col . Tresider and an Irish Old Maid and Mr . Brooke and Miss Fitzgerald ; the two latter are most essential to the play and are represented bv Mr .

L . H . Hawtrey and Miss I'anny Brough , who play in the true comedy vein . Whenever they were talking the audience were laughing at their humorous dialogue . We do not at all agree with the . criticism of a leading contemporary that it is a pity that because Mr . Hawtrey brought out the drama he should use his undoubted position to cast himself in the play . We are sure the audience on Saturday night were of one way of thinking , for Mr . Hawtrey added much to the success of " Harvest . " It is true that he has smart lines , but he makes them smarter

The Theatres.

His and Miss Brough ' s funny allusions to Ireland , Home Rule , and the Irish were received with rounds of applause . When asked " What are your favourite names for a man , " he replies "That depends upon how much he has riled me and if ladies are present . " When asked " What are his favourite qualities in man , ' he replies " Good clothes , " but is told that clothes are not qualities , " Yes they are , for there is good and bad quality

in clothes . " Miss Edith Chester as Lettice Vane , if a little too conscientious , played very neatly her pait . Mr . Yorke Stephens is always a good actor and delivered his lines well , for his part of Geoffrey is not an easy one . Mr . Arthur Dacre throws himself heart and soul into whatever he does that he was sure of being successful as Sir Noel Musgrave , but we would like to see Mr . Dacre in something different from the gentleman villain . His

acccomplished wife , Miss Amy Roselle , is perfection , as she always is , and were it not for her grand acting we do not think " Harvest" would have won thesympathiesof the audience so easily . The first and third acts are lovely to look upon j in the former a waterfall is made to run from the top of the house to the stage , and in the latter we have a beautiful ruin of a castle . There were loud calls at the close for the

author , Mr . Hamilton , as well as the manager , Mr . Hawtrey , both of whom responded . We noticed amongst the audience Bros . Bancroft , Augustus Harris , S . W . 2127 , A . M . Broadley , P . P . D . G . M . Malta , W . Downey , Mizpah Lodge , Messrs . Geo . Edwards , Gaiety ; VV . Mortimer , E . Righton , Arthur Sugden , W . Henley , Duclacher , Oscar Wilde , Willie Wilde , Edward Ledger , A . Pinero , Dr . Frost , Lord Clarence Paget , and Miss Edith Bruce .

v- MASONIC TEMPLES . We perceive , from time to time , in Masonic publications , representations of buildings honoured with the appellation of Masonic Halls , whose architectural crudities and deformities at first glance convey an impression as to their erection being the product of any other species of labour than that of Masons , who should only know the five orders in architecture , few symptoms of which can be detected in

the fantastic edifices placed before the public gaze . The interior of the buildings may be Masonically correct j but externally they are not , and that digression from propriety most affects the popular impression as to the skill of their architects . In the first piace , it is a common idea with educated Masons that a Masonic Temple should be dedicated to the purposes of Masonry and no others , and , conseque ' ntly , the building should be constructed upon pure

architectural lines . This is the rule universally adhered to by religious associations of every description , so that when a stranger runs across a cathedral , church , or chapel , he is instantly apprised of its character . But when he stumbles upon a Masonic Hall , he is at loss to determine whether it has been originally designed for merchandise vending or any other trading speculation , as far as external

appearances convey symbolic information . Our Boulcott-street Hall is no exception to the rule , as it is no more like our idea of a Masonic Hall than a gridiron , the fence that has been put up is an improvement as far as privacy is concerned j but we certainly think that the Masonic Hall Company might have expended a few pounds in decorating the exterior , and making the building worthy of the name it goes by . —New Zealand Mail .

Bros , the Lord Chancellor , the Chancellor of the Exchequer , Lord George Hamilton , Lord Stanley , and Sir M . E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., attended the Cabinet Council , held on Tuesday , in the Chancellor of the Exchequer ' s room in the House of Commons .

Good news from I ^ ent is snll the order of the day . Last week , on the authority of a Kentish contemporary , we gave some interesting particulars as to the rapid progress which is being made with the new Masonic Hall at Folkestone . Now we are in a position to announce that a Masonic at Dover was opened on Tuesday in the presence of a large gathering of the brethren , and that everything augurs well for a long continuence of prosperity among

the members of our society in this ancient port . The annual meeting of the Lodge of St . George , No . 353 , Irish Constitution , was held at Beaconsfield , Tasmania , on the 14 th July last , for the purpose of installing the VV . M . for the new year . R . W . Bro . H . Conway , Provincial Grand Master , conducted the ceremony , and the officers were afterwards invested severally with the insignia

of office . The following is a list of the brethren who are officers of this lodge for the current year , namely : Bros . J . P . Montgomery , Worshipful Masterj G . Webb , Immediate Past Master j Jas . Crawford , Senior Warden j J . Davidson , Junior Warden ; J . G . Payne , Treasurer ; John Nichols , Secretary j Rev . H . Davies , Chaplain ; W . Lamerton , JSenior Deacon j F . Windred , Junior Deacon ; F . Tregaskis , Inner Guard j and J . Banks , Tyler .

We are glad to be able to announce that it is in contemplation to establish a conclave of the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine in East Greenwich . The William the Fourth has been selected as the place of meeting , and the probable date of consecration will be early in November . Sir Knt . A . H . Bateman , Prov . G . Recorder of Kent , will be glad to receive the names of young local brethren who are already kni g hts of

the Order and may desire to become founders or joining members of the proposed conclave , or of M . M . 's who may be desirous of being installed knights . He will also most readily furnish any further information that may be desired . It should be added that Sir Knt . F . Wood , Intendent General of Kent , has expressed his approval of the

proposed conclave , and consented to become a founder , and that previous to the consecration , a conclave held under the banner of the Sayeand Sele Conclave , No . 122 , will be opened for the purpose of installing such brethren as are not already members of the Order , so that they may be present at the interesting ceremony . A banquet will be held afterwards .

MOLLOWAY ' PILLS . —With the darkening days and changing temperatures the digestion becomes impaired , the liver disordered , and the mind despondent , unless the cause ot the irregularity be expelled from the blood and body by an alterative like these Pills . They go directly to the source of the evil , thrust out all impurities from the circulation , reduce distempered organs to their natural

state , and correct all defective an I contaminated secretions . Such easy ineans o £ instituting health , strength and cheerfulness should be in possession uf all wliose stomachs arc weak , whose minds are much harassed , or whose brains are overworked . Molloway ' s is essentially a blood-tempering medicine , whereby its inlluence , reaching the remotest libtcs of the frame , ett ' ccis a universal good , —[ ADVT , ]