Royal Arch.

sion of which thc usual Royal Arch loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly acknowledged , and the remainder of the evening spent in a very pleasant manner . DEVONPORT . —St . Aubyn Chapter ( No . 954 ) . —The annual meeting of this chapter was held on the iSth inst ., at the Ebrington Masonic Hall , when Ex . Comp . Jas . Osborne was installed as H . ; Ex . Comp . J . T . Crossley ,

J . ; the Z . elect , Ex . Comp . James Redgate , being unfortunately absent through illness . Ex . Comp . James Gidley , P . Z . 70 and 105 , was the Installing Officer , with the following Board of Installed Principals : Ex . Comps . T . Heath , Z . ; C . Watson , P . P . G . D . C ; and Jno . Allen , P . P . G . S . B ., 954 . At the close of the installations the following were invested as the officers : Ex . Comp . T . Heath

remained as Z . for the present ; Comps . J . Jollifie , S . N . ; Lieut . E . L . Wilson , S . E . ; Henry Best , P . S . ; F . T . VV Curtis , 1 st A . S . ; N . R . Raymond , 2 nd A . S . ; J . Baxter , Treas . ; J . Allen , Reg . of Marks ; T . Goodall , Org . ; and Samuel Harvey , Janitor . The balance-sheet of the audited accounts submitted presented a very favourable aspect of the finances of the chapter .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

EARL OF CARNARVON CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT ( No . 1642 ) . —The first meeting after the recess of this chapter was held on Tuesday , the 23 rd inst ., at Ladbroke Hall , Notting-hill , W . The following were present : Comps . A . Nicols , M . E . Z . ; S . H . Parkhouse , H . ; S . Smout . jun ., J . and S . E . ; J . H . Wood , S . N . ; A . Escott , P . S . ; G . Davis , Preceptor ; Elborn , Pratt , Moss , Goodall , Edmonds , Schofield , Hatton , Capt .

Andrews , Chalfont , French , Forge , Wa . dh . am , Green , Dehane , and Matthews . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed by Comp . Capt . A . Nicols , Comp . W . Mathews being the candidate . The lectures were given respectively by Comps . S . Smout , jun ., S . Parkhouse , and Capt . A . Nicols , in a manner that reflects upon them every credit , and if such working

continues under the Preceptorship of Comp . G . Davis , we may safely say that this chapter of improvement will be a landmark , and its prosperity a certainty . Comps . Escott and Mathews were unanimously elected joining members . A vote of thanks was recorded to Comp . Escott for the very correct manner in which he performed the duties of P . S . The chapter was closed in due form , and we arc requested to announce that it will meet on November 6 th , and alternate Tuesdays at S p . m .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE ( No . 223 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Red Lion-square , on the it ) tW inst . Among those present were Bros . T . Butt , W . M . ; J . F . Van Raalte , S . W . and VV . M . elect ; Greenwood , J . W . ; E . Gilbert , P . G . S ., Treas . ; W . Pennefather , Sec . ; Appleton , M . O . : Brasher . S . O .: Brickdale , J . O .,- P . H . Clisby ,

S . D . ; Rumball , J . D . ; H . K . Clisby , I . G . ; H . J . Lardner , P . G . S ., P . G . S . O . Middlesex and Surrey , l . P . M . ; and others . Bro . T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B ., P . G . W . Middlesex and Surrey , was a visitor . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Lardner , by permission of the W . M ., took the chair and installed Bro . J . F . Van Raalte as

W . M ., for the year ensuing . He was assisted by Bros , Butt , as S . W . ; Gilbert , as J . W . ; and Walls , as D . C . The manner in which the whole ceremony was performed was most creditable and the Installing Officer fully deserved the vote of thanks which was subsequently passed to him . The officers invested are as follows : Bros . Greenwood , S . W . ; Appleton , J . W . ; Brasher , M . O . ; Brickdale , S . O .: P . H . Clisby , J . O . ; E . Gilbert , Treas . ;

Pennefather , Sec , Reg . of Mks . ; Rumball , S . D . ; H . K . Clisby , J . D . ; C . J . Smith , I . G . ; Ewen , M . C ; Smith , Tyler . The report of the Auditors' having been received and adopted the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where a most elegant banquet was served . Upon the removal of the cloth a long list of toasts was gone through and the company separated at a late hour .

PLYMOUTH . —Temple Lodge ( No . 50 ) . —The annual meeting of the brethren of this Mark lodge was held on the iSth inst ., at the Huyshe Temple . The W . M . elect , W . Bro . Francis Beer Westlake , was installed by VV . Bro . James Gidley , assisted by W . Bros . J . B . Cover , P . P . G . M . O . ; Samuel Jew , P . P . G . M . O . ; with the following Board of I . Ms .: VV . Bros . L . D .

Westcott , P . P . G T . ; James Griffin , P . P . G . S . D . ; E . Aitken-Davis , P . P . G . J . D . ; John R . Lord , P . P . G . S . Wks . ; and R . Pengelly , P . P . G . S . B . At the close of the installation thc W . M . invested the following brethren as his officers : W . Bro . James Griffin , I . P . M . ; Bros . John D . Barker , P . P . G . O ., S . W . ; George Sercombe , | . W . ; VV . Bro . John R . Lord , Chap . ; Bros . Chas . Harris , M . O . ; W . J .

Stanbury , S . O . ; R . C Uglow , J . O . ; W . Bros . J . B . Cover , Treas . ; L . D . Westcott , Sec ; Bros . Ihomas Gray , S . D . ; VV . H . Symonds , J . D . ; H . Holbeton , l . C ; W . T . Hocking , D . C ; W . F . Westcott , A . D . C ; A . W . Spinney , Reg . of M . ; M . Joll , S . B . ; J . Gifford and W . Nicholls , Stewards ; and VV . II . Phillips , Tyler . The brethren afterwards supped together on the premises , under the excellent catering of Bro . VV . H . Phillips .

WIGAN . —Rose and Thistle Lodge ( No . 158 ) . —The usual meeting of the members of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , King-street , on Wednesday , the 10 th inst ., when the following brethren were present : Bro . VV . Dean , VV . M . ; T . Milner , S . W . ; H . T . Byrom , J . VV . ; J . D . Murray , I . P . M ., Prov . G . A . D . C , G . Std . Br . ; A . H . Crossley , Sec ; T . Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . M . M . O ., Treas .: W . Johnson , M . O . ; R . B . Seddon , S . O . ; J .

Marsdcn , J . O . j J . Browne , S . D . ; VV . M . Wylde , J . U . ; W . Horrocks , Reg . of Marks ; C . D . Mortimer , Org . ; J . Wilson , I . G . ; W . A . Patterson , Tyler . 1 . Jackson , A . •Hall , R . Knowles , VV . A . Byrom , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; R . Retley , R . Leyland , G . Makinson , H . Riddlesworth , J . M . Kerr , and the following visitors : Bros . J . F . Roberts , P . M . 268 ; P . M . Hunter , S . W . and W . M . elect 2 GS ; James Lawrence , W . M . 313 ; and J . Bradshaw , 313 .

Mark Masonry.

The lodge having been opened Bros . T . Emmot Skidmore , Prov . G . Swd . Br ., 120 ; Leonard Walter Marsh , 42 S ; and Geo . Barlow Cliff , 42 S , were raised to this degree , and the W . M . certainly sustained the hi gh reputation of the lodge through the admirable manner in which he discharged the duties of the evening . A banquet followed , at which the VV . M . ably presided .

CHORLEY . —Lawrence Lodge ( No . 313 ) . —An emergency meeting of this young and prosperous lodge was held on Saturday last , at the Masonic Rooms , Town Hall , when the following brethren were present : Bros . James Lawrence , W . M . ( the Prov . Grand Senior Warden designate ); James Corbitt , S . W . ; J . M . Kerr , J . W . and Treas . ; John Heald , M . O . ; Robert Irving , S . O . ;

J . Bradshaw , J . D . ; VV . Blackledge , P . M . 18 ; T . F . Jackson , Sec . and Reg . ; W . Dornan , D . C ; J . Hopkinson , I . G . ; Peter Yates , Stwd . ; J . B . Withned , Tyler ; James Brindle , L . Eccles , and others . The visitors were Bros . J . D . Murray , P . P . G . A . D . C ., Gr . S . B ., to whom thc brethren are deeply indebted for his ever ready and invaluable assistance ; VV . Dean , W . M . ; and VV . H . Horrocks ,

S . D . 158 . The following brethren having been unanimously elected were advanced to thedegreeof M . 1 M 1 VI .: Bros . J . B . Cardwell , VV . M . ; J . A . Atherton , J . W . and A . G . Bird , Sec . 1032 ; H . Barnes and T . Sharpies , 730 ; and W . P . C . Grimshaw , 1032 . The meeting was a most successful one , the brethren being highly pleased with the well-earned honours conferred

on the VV . M ., Bro . James Lawrence , by the Deputy Prov . G . M . iVL , Bro . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , who will preside at the provincial meeting at Southport on the 19 th inst ., in the absence of the Earl of Lathom , who is on a tour in Canada and the United States . Bro . Lawrence after lodge business was finished entertained the visitors and brethren to a sumptuous tea at the Royal Oak Hotel .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

IN VICT A CHAPTER ( No . 10 ) . —The first meeting of the season was held at 33 , Golden-square on Friday , the 19 th inst . Owing to the very serious illness of Bro . Grabham , M . W . S ., the much-respected Treasurer , Bro . Byivater , presided , and rendered the ceremony in a most effective manner . Bro . Meadon was perfected , and there were present Bros . G . Lambert , 32 , P . Laird , C . VV . Thompson , F . Legge , H . Lovcgrove , G . Edwards , Rev . H . J . Hatch , Geo . Powell ( Recorder ) , Major Dunbar , and others .

This chapter will celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of its consecration on the 21 st December next , when there will be a large gathering of members of the higher degrees of Freemasonry .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN LATTA , P . M . 241 . A large number of brethren will receive the announcement of the unexpected death of Bro . John Latta with the deepest regret . Deceased , who was in his 57 th year , was P . M . and Treasurer of the Merchants Lodge , No . 241 , meeting in Liverpool , ar . d was justly held in high esteem as the result of his many amiable and excellent Masonic qualities and large-hearted benevolence . He was the

principal in the firm of Messrs . McGachan and Co ., cork manufacturers , Paradise-street , Liverpool , and during nearly 30 years connection with that business he secured the esteem and admiration of men of commerce , by the sterling conduct and irreproachable action which he invariably displayed in all his transactions . His death has brought an honourable career to an end , and those who knew him best will miss him most . Bro . Latta , it may be

stated , was taken suddenly ill on Saturday afternoon , the 6 th inst ., whilst travelling by train from London to Liverpool . On the journey he suffered the most acute pain , and on his arrival in Liverpool he was conveyed to a friend ' s house in Norwood-grove , where , after enduring intense agony , he died at two o ' clock on Sunday morning . The quarterly meeting of the Merchants Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , on Tuesday evening ,

the 9 th inst ., when there was a large attendance of members . The W . M ., Bro . James Pendleton , in feeling terms announced the lamented death , after a brief illness , of Bro . John Latta , P . M ., Treasurer of the lodge ; and in the name of the brethren , bore testimony to Bro . Latta's fidelity and usefulness in the course of his long , active , and honourable association with them as a member of the lodge , and to the zeal and

assiduity with which he had helped to carry on every good and charitable object promoted by the brethren . It was unanimously resolved that a letter of sincerest condolence be sent to the bereaved family , expressing the sense which the brethren experienced at the great loss which they had sustained by his lamented death , and accompanied by words of heartfelt sympathy with them in this period of their profound sorrow and affliction . The resolution was

also ordered to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge . The Organist , Bro . A . B . Ewart , having with great feeling and expression played " The Dead March " in " Saul , " the lodge was at once closed , all business being postponed until the next monthly meeting . The mortal remains of Bro . Latta were consigned to their last resting place in Anfield Cemetery , near Liverpool , on Thursday afternoon , the 1 ith inst ., in the presence and amid

the universal regret of a large gathering of Masonic and private friends , amongst the former being the following officers and brethren of the Merchants Lodge , No . ' 41 : Geo . Peet , P . M . ; J . Brotherton , S . W . ; R . White , J . W . ; S . Jude , S . D . ; A . Huther , J . D . ; Lieut . M'Nab , I . G . ; W . Stediford , VV . H . Jones , H . Rigg , ) . Evans , G . Deuchar , A . Morrison , VV . Johnston , D . B . Jones , R . Davies , G . Robson , T . Evans , J . Quayle , VV . Heyes , and R . Richards ; and Bros . H . Firth , P . G . S . ; J . P . Bryan ,

P . G . O . ; VV . bavage , I . P . M . 1609 ; C . P . Titherley , P . M . 1350 ; J . Long , R . Stirzaker , A . Woolrich , J . Kcet , F . W . Barnes , J . T . Alston , A . Child , Dr . Samuels , P . M . 1350 ; T . Saxon , L . Peake , VV . M . 1035 ; M . Gotham , S 23 ; J . M . Harvey , W . Gick , VV . M . 203 ; J . Grierson , P . M . 1756 ; S . P . Gore . Bros . J . Pendleton , W . M . 241 : C . A , Luker , Sec . 241 ; T . Salter , P . P . G . S . D . ; Thomas Whitehead , I . P . M . 241 ; James Winser , P . M . 241 ; Geo . Davies , and Thomas Lee .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" Confusion " at the Vaudeville has been played over 100 times , and is still drawing good audiences . # # # Miss Marian Grahame has been engaged b y Mr . D'Oyley Carte for the new opera at the Savoy .

On Monday * ' Rip Van Winkle " gives way , after being played over a year , to a new comic opera , called " Falka , " by MM . Letterrier and Vaulov , composed by M . Chaissaique , translated bv Mr . Farnie . In the cast will be Bro . H . Ashley , Mr . Harry Paulton , Mr . Kelleher , and Mr . Penley , and Miss Violet Cameron .

* » s The last ni ghts of "The Merry Duchess" are announced . A new comic opera , entitled " Gilettede Narbonne , " is in rehearsal , and will be produced in a few days . It is adapted from the French by Mr . K . Saville Clarke , the music by M . Audran .

» * # The managers of the Adelphi have fallen on their feet in producing " In the Ranks , " by Bro . Sims and Mr . Pettitt . Without doubt it is one of the best dramas of late years , both as a spectacle and drama . It may be summed up as " another Adelphi triumph . " There is little doubt that Bro . Sims has had a very large proportion of the writing , as his proclivities can be traced in various

portions of the dialogue . . We think in some places he has been too severe , and raises laughter at some one else ' s expense . But be that as it may , " In the Ranks" is a sound and interesting play , in which beauty and art take their place . One cannot help feeling the presence of a fresh influence in melodrama . Bro . Sims has not created the whole play for one actor to pose as a star , but all the characters have parts to play , in which they are in

themselves somebody . Ned Crayton is the hero . Gideon Blake is the villain , whose business it is to try to ruin Crayton . Both . ofthesea . ve in lovevnth Ruth Herrick . No one knows anything about Crayton , except that he is honest and upright . He is about being married to Ruth . Blake makes it his business to blast the character of Ned . Colonel Wynter informs Ned that he ( Ned ) is the son of a convict . The Colonel has adopted Ned out of respect for Ned ' s

mother , but when he hears that his adopted son is about to marry Ruth he gets so angry that he casts Ned adrift and takes up with Blake , and to him he tells the story of Ned ' s brith . The villain has now a handle for his malice to work with . He gets a returned convict topursuade Ned that he is his father , instead of a friend of his father . This ex-convict is engaged in a poaching affray and persuades Ned to meet him at night in Dingley Wood . Here passes

Col . Wynter , who is shot at by the ex-convict and is thought to be dead . The stigma is cast upon Ned of being the murderer . He is arrested whilst leaving the church after his marriage , with his bride leaning on his arm . He is imprisoned , but not on the capital charge . During the time Crayton is in goal of course Blake hopes to win the affections of his wife ; but he doesn't . When he leaves the prison , finding that his friends shun him he enlists as a

soldier . Here the wretch haunts him down again and gets him to commit acts of insubordination . He is determined to find his wife . He leaves barracks without leave—a grave offence in a soldier—finds his wife drugged by a villain who is waiting to rob her of the little money she has earned and saved up to purchase her husband ' s release with . He is discovered by the guard , taken back to barracksthrust in a cellfrom which he

, , makes a daring escape . Colonel Wynter now luckily returns from India , proving he was not killed in the poaching affray , and so Ned is restored to his fond wife , and Blake is disgraced . We . need scarcely say that Ned is p layed by Bro . Warner with determination and in a manner in which he has never acted before . On him depends the success . Mr . Bevcridge is Blake , who receives at the fall of the curtain so many hisses and cheers for his excellent

acting of a villainous part . On Mr . Garden and Mrs . Leign fall the amusing characteristics , and very droll they show themselves throughout . Mr . Ryder is the Colonel , and as he puts his whole life and soul into his part , it is no wonder he is so vociferously applauded . Miss Isabel Bateman as Ruth is earnest and a great acquisition to thc Adelphi . It is not the first time that she and Bro . Warner have played the chief parts together , but never , we think ,

have we admired her more . She sustains the family name handed down to her from her ever-lamented mother , and we think is hardly surpassed by her sisters . Miss Harriet Coveney and Miss Mary Rorke in their small parts are excellent , though we should like to see the latter have something better and more fitting toher skill . Messrs . Hann , Hall , and Smith , the scenic artists , are much to be commended for their striking spectacular displays . It is

almost marvellous how the changes from a pretty glen to a barrack-yard or a church or a gaol are made , and to them and the stage manager a large quantity of the praise is due for the beautiful scenery and mechanical skill . The piece is never stopped for a change . The scenes seem to fold up when wanted , or open out , as the case may be . "In the Ranks " is drawing crowded houses , and every night hundreds of persons are turned away for want of room .

The Calcutta Exhibition.

THE CALCUTTA EXHIBITION .

Among the various exhibits that will attract the attention and gratify the taste of both Europeans and natives , who , in countless thousands , will flock to the Calcutta Exhibition , the large cases sent out by Bro . George Kenning , of Little Britain and Aldersgatestreet , are sure to draw aroundthera crowds of delighted sightseers . In addition to an endless

variety of accoutrements and appointments pertaining to the Naval and Army Services , these cases contain a splendid collection of Masonic jewellery and clothing , incomparable both in style and finish , together with charming specimens of hand embroidery , the whole having been worked regardless of cost . We understand that Bro . Kenning , with that thoroughness so characteristic of him , has sent out his elder son in charge of the above , as well as to act as his Asiatic representative .