Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the agenda of business to be transacted in Supreme Grand Chapter , on Wednesday , 2 nd May

next : — The following is the business to be transacted ? The regulations for the government of the Supreme Grand Chapter during the time of public business to be read . The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation . Installation of Principals and appointment and investiture of officers for the ensuing year .

The report of the Committee of General Purposes . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England , The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 17 th January to the 17 th April , 1 SS 3 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : To Balance , Grand Chapter £ 681 o 7

„ „ Unappropriated account ... 232 14 5 „ Subsequent receipts 432 6 8

£ 134 6 1 S By Disbursements during the quarter ... £ 223 19 11 „ Balance 912 14 5 ,, „ in unappropriated account ... 209 7 4 -C 134 6 - s Which balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch .

The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : — 1 st . From Comps . John Derby Allcroft as Z , the Rev . Philip Honore Ernest Brette as H ; Alfred Brookman as J ; and 10 others for a Chapter to be attached to the Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 , London , to be called "The Aldersgate Chapter , " and to meet at the Castle and Falcon Hotel ,

Aldersgate-street , in the City of London . 2 nd . From Comps . Frederick Howell , as '/ .. ; Edwin Farley , as H . ; and James Gladwell , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Chiltern Lodge , No . 1470 , Dunstable , to be ; called the Chiltern Chapter , and to meet at the Sugar Loaf Hotel , Dunstable , Bedfordshire .

3 rd . From Comps . Walter Goddard Rogers , as Z . ; William Robert Woodman , M . D ., asH . ; and Mark Farrant , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Lodge of Union , No . 444 , Starcross , to be called the Chapter of Union , and to meet at the Courtenay Arms Hotel , Starcross , in the county of Devon .

4 th . From Companions the Rev . Hayman Alfred J . Cummins as Z . ; the Rev . Robert Jamblin as H . ; Henry Tuff as J . ; and ten others , for a chapter to be attached to the Lulhngstone Lodge , No . 1837 , Farningham , to be called "The Lullingstone Chapter , " and to meet at the Lu ' . lingstone Masonic Hall , Hawley , in the county of Kent .

5 th . From Companions Arthur Edwin Taylor as Z . ; William Howard Paddle as H . ; George William Saul as J . ; and six others , for a chapter to be attached to the Ewell Lodge , No . iSst , Kingston , to be called "The Ewell Chapter , " and to meet at the Sun Hotel , Kingston , in the county of Surrey .

The foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , the committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have further to report that they have received a memorial from the companions ot the Cana Chapter , No . 116 , Colne , in the Eastern Division of Lancashire , praying ; for charter authorising them to wear a centenary jewel , in accordance with the resolution passed by the

Supreme Grand Chapter on the 1 st February , 1882 . This memorial being in form and the chapter having proved an uninterrupted existence of one hundred years , the Committee recommend that the prayer thereof be granted . The Committee have also to report that they have recently had before them several cases where , through neglect of the law as contained in Article 67 , page 22 of the

Royal Arch Regulations ( Edit . 1 S 79 ) , candidates have been exalted at a less period than 12 calendar months from the date of becoming Master Masons—one case in particular having occurred 20 years ago , though having only now come to light . The Committee have in each cas e admonished the chapter to be more observant of the law in the future , and have ordered the candidates in question to be reobligated . They now call attention to this serious

irregularity with a view to greater care being taken in future , that the " satisfactory proof" required by the above-quoted regulation be previously obtained , in every instance . ( Signed ) J CREATON , P . Pr . G . Soj ., Grand Treasurer , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 18 th April , 1883 . Election of the Committee of General Purposes for the ensuing twelve months .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday last , under the presidency of Bro . Col . Creaton . The following brethren were also present : Bros . J . H . Matthews , Frank Richardson ,

John A . Rucker , Robt . Grey , A . H . Tattershall , Henry Venn , E . Letchworth , E . M . Money , VV . G . Kentish , Peter de L . Long , Edgar Bowyer , J . J . Caney , Joseph Cleaver , James Peters , S . H . Parkhouse , John French , H . A . Dubois , C Hammerton , C H . Webb , and E . C . Massey ( Freemason ) .

The minutes of the last meeting of the Committee ( 29 th March ) were read and verified . The minutes of the Quarterly Court ( 14 th April ) , the House Committee ( 19 th April ) , and Audit Committee ( 24 th April ) , were read for information . The Chairman was authorised to sign cheques for the tradesmen ' s bills for the past month .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

Four petitions , including one on behalf of a child of the late Bro . Weber , senior clerk in the Secretary's office , were considered and approved , and the names added to the list of candidates for election . The following brethren were nominated for election in the House and Audit Committees :

HOUSE COMMITTEE . —Bro . James Moon , nominated by Bro . Matier ; Bro . Edgar Bowyer , nominated by Bro . Grey ; Bro . Ralph Clutton and Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp , nominated by Bro . Samuel Glover ; Bro . A . H . Tattershall , nominated by Bro . Col . Creaton ; Bro . Joseph Cleaver , nominated by Bro . J . J . Caney ; Bros . Edgar Bowyer , Dubois , Grey , Hammerton , Letchworth , Long , Mather ,

Matthews , Nunn , Col . Peters , Richardson , and Rucker , nominated by Bro . J . M . Case . AUDIT COMMITTEE . —Bro . G . Drysdale , nominated by Bro . R . Grey ; Bro . E . C Davies , nominated by Bro . Venn ; Bro . VV . J . Murlis , nominated by Bro . Parkhouse ;

Bro . George Brown , nominated by Bro . Tattershall ; Bros . VV . Bailey , J . G . Chancellor , J . Cutbush , Herbert Dicketts , Thos . Kingston , H . C . Levander , VV . Roebuck , and H . J . Venn , nominated by Bro . F . Richardson . Bros . Earney , Newton , Stevens , and Tyerman were appointed Scrutineers .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Bro . Alexander Henderson has secured for the Comedy Herr von Suppe ' s last opera , "The Voyage to Africa . " It is just now being performed in the Austrian capital . Probably it will succeed " Rip van Winkle . " The latter is still drawing crowded houses and has passed its 150 th night . Mr , Kelleher took the part of Mr . Leslie one evening last week , the latter being away from indisposition . #

« * Next Thursday we be ^ to remind our readers is Miss Kate Vaughan's benefit at the matinee . We hope those whom she delights in the evenings at the Gaiety with her dancing , and now with her display of impersonation of Sarah Bernhardt in "Blue Beard , " will rally round her and make the benefit a real benefit . Miss Vaughan will herself appear in the title role in " Amy Robsart . " She will be supported by Messrs . VV . Terriss and James

Fernandez , b y kind permission of Bro . Henry Irving . Mr . E . D . Ward will play Trevelyan and Miss Constance Gilchrist Flibbertigibbet . It is time this young lady had a benefit . We do not fear should she advertise one that it would not be responded to well , possibly in a manner surprising to her . Many would be glad to give a practical proof of their admiration for her as a burlesque actress , and who has comedy talent in her only waiting to be displayed . * « «

A new play by Wilkie Collins is in rehearsal for Mr . Edgar Bruce at the Imperial , pending the building of his theatre in Coventry-street . The author intends to protect himself by bringing out the play before the novel from which it is dramatised .

* * Mrs . Alfred Maddick who only recently made her debut as a professional has been engaged by Bro . Augustus Harris to play in " Youth " to-night . Amateurs may yet take courage after this . Miss Lydia Foote , Mr . Ryder , and Mr . Standing are also in the cast . Two new Gatling guns have been cast in Birmingham specially for the Egyptian war scene .

# * * The Duchesses of Edinburgh and Connaught went to the Haymarket last week to see " School " on its revival . They were accompanied by Bro . General Lord and Lady Wolseley . Few playgoers there are who do not know "School . " Therefore to recapitulate the story is

unnecessary . Only Bro , and Mrs . Bancroft remain of the original caste . They resume their old parts—Jack Poyntz and Naomi Tighe respectively , and of course are as admirable as ever they were . Without doubt "School "is one of the best of the many excellent comedies of the late Mr . Robertson . It is meeting with a reception it deserves for its own merits and present representation .

" Prince Methusalem " is the title of the new comic opera for the Folies Dramatiques , to be opened on the 5 th prox . The composer is Herr Stauss and the author Mr . H . S . Leigh . #

* * Miss Lila Clay before starting for America for two years is going to take her company of ladies into the provinces for a few months . Our country brethren , whereever they may go , will have a treat . We almost hope before Miss Clay sails she will g ive a few farewell performances in London . As a pianist this young lady is perhaps unsurpassed ; her touch is most perfect . We wish her success on her tour .

* * * The Standard opens on Monday with " Blue Beard , " the burlesque at the Gaiety . We believe some of the original company will | appear at the east end theatre . Bro . Douglass will probably find this merry burlesque a popular and profitable piece . As the Gaiety will not take all in . 'the out-crowded had better go to the Standard , even though they will not see Miss Farren and Bro . Terry .

* * * On Monday the Royalty re-opened its doors after its re-construction by Mr . Bradweil , from designs of Mr . Verity , F . R . I . B . A ., the plans being approved by the Metropolitan Board of Works . This theatre from being one of the most cramped is made into one of the most comfortable theatres in London . The stalls now

communicate directly with the street by means of a separate entrance without any obstacles . Its interior has been redecorated with the best taste . The stalls and dress circle are covered tvith pale yellow stuff , on the front of the boxes and around the two galleries are printed portraits of composers , poets and dramatists , the whole of which we hear are by the hand of Miss Kate Santley herself , the lessee . The panels are covered with real , mother of pearl . The

The Theatres.

stage and the front of the house are made fireproof so far as this is at all possible . The comic opera with which it re-opened is by Bro . Sims and Mr . Frederick Clay conjointly . It may well lay claim as far as authorship is concerned to being " a new and original comic opera . " The interest centres in a mare called " Damozel " entered for the St . Leger by the Duchess of Epsom Downs ( Miss Kate Maurse ) , its owner , who is a widow in love with Freddy

Bowman ( Mr . Gregory ) , the jockey . A wager of jfio , ooo has been made with Lord Johnnie ( Mr . R . G . Martin , the Hon . Roger Molineux ) , the latter agrees to lend Freddy to the Duchess to ride the horse . 1 he Duchess is going to marry Freddy provided he wins the race . The jockey gives his aristocratic lover to understand that it is a favour on his part for " the greatest of English jockeys" to give his hand to a Duchess . Dorothy

( Miss Rose ) l > reddy ' s sister , is in love with Capt . Walker ( Mr . Hallom ) but will not bind herself to him until he performs some deed to bring him up to the standing of a sister of an English jockey . Of course the whole plot is a satire on the hero worship of jockeys which a section of the upper classes have lately gone in for . We need net mention that Fred Archer is meant for the jockey , the get up of Freddy Bowman tells this and the Duchess is a celebrated

lady well-known in sporting circles . Damozel is placed in the stable at Farmer Bowman ' s ( Mr . Furneaux Cook ) the night prior to the St . Ledger . The farmer is father of Dorothy and the jockey . Brabazon Sikes ( Bro . H . Ashley ) and his consort Rowena ( Miss Kate Santley ) come to the village . They are what may be termed people " in their luck " not particular as to what they turn their hand to . Brabazon has laid heavy stakes against the horse and

gets his wife to attempt to poison Damozel , reminding her after her hesitation that she vowed at the altar to obey him . She consents , and enters the stable , having changed dresses with the Duchess , for other reasons as far as the latter is concerned . But as luck will have it , Capt . Walker has been first in the stable to hide by his fiancee from the farmer and sees the deed being tried on , and exposes her , and of course , through this heroism , wins

Dorothy . He seizes the person in the stable , who escapes , leaving a hood in his hand , of course my lady of Epsom Downs claims it , and thereby lays herself open to the charge of running her own horse . At this the " upri ght " jockey disowns her , but Rowena cannot bear the guilt to fall on another , and notwithstanding the petition of her husband declares that she was the one who entered the stable . Rowena begs Lord Johnnie to make Freddy ride

his own horse , Lady Godiva , but being successful , Brabazon tries to get up a fight so as to get the jockey in the police station before the race , and so prevent his riding in the St . Leger . The people won ' t have this , they break open the doors where he is confined just in time to ride . Of course he mounts Damozel and wins , not only the St . Leger , but the Duchess of Epsom Downs . The opera was received with the greatest applause throughout , almost enough to

make it unpleasant sometimes to be near the cheering and to prolong the piece to a very late hour . Encore succeeded encore , not once , but twice and thrice did some of the songs have to be sung . Perhaps the most taking is the chorus of "Tigers , " by some boys—we suppose Noel and Parry ' s—well dressed and well drilled these boys went through parts in marvellous [ style . Miss Santley's song , " The Captive Bird , " and duet , Farewell

" Darling , " are amongst the many pretty songs . The tenor solo of Mr . Hallam , " Take my Message , " and duet between Bro . Ashley and Miss Santley , " Do you Remember ? " should be specially mentioned . There are not perhaps any striking songs which one can carry away , but the whole is undoubtedly good , and Mr . Clay is to be congratulated on his big success . Many of the harmonies are charming ; but we could not help remembering "Spring ,

Spring , " and the opening seranade in " Boccaccio " in two of the choruses . It may be difficult to compose without coming somewhat close to others . The orchestral parts were well performed by an efficient band , under the leadership of Mr . Grutton . As a whole it can scarcely fail to be popular . There are many sharp points in the dialogue . For instance , Brabazon asks for work of the farmer , and is told to "take his hook , " it is harvest time . He says it looks

" sickly . " When bikes dresses up as a Persian Shah , he is spoken to in French , and not understanding it , his wife replies for him— "it is not the language of the Court , " to which he adds , " they don't speak it up our court . " To the duchess he says "you want a song , mum ? " Rowena reminds him " to say your Grace . " He begins " for what we are about to receive . " The police are not forgotten to be taken off . Four of them are set to guard the stable ;

to get them away that Sikes may have the horse poisoned , he draws their attention to a man who has just broken his leg . " Nothing to do with us , " is their reply ; then he points out a burglar : " No business of ours ; " then a match-girl and an old woman picking up a few sticks . At this they all fly to " run them in " — " That is something to do with us . " At the close of the first act the audience called loudly for the company and then for the authorat

, which Miss Santley came forward and very gracefully begged a moment ' s notice to tell them that Bro . Sims and Mr . Clay would rather not come forward then , but would prefer waiting for their verdict at the close of the piece ; a most modest and proper thing to do . As it so turned out at the end the demand was still louder , and these gentlemen came before the curtain and bowed their acknowledgments . It only remains for us to say that the opera is beautifullv

mounted , the scenery and drop curtain by Mr . Emden are very fine , and the stage management of Mr . Barker leaves nothing to be desired . We have spoken of Miss Santley , Bro . Ashley , Miss Rose , Miss Munroe , and Mr . Hallam as the principal characters , and we need onl y say that one and all did their very best on Monday . Bro . Ashley's dry humour greatly added to the success of "The Merry Duchess . " The changes of dresses of Miss Santley and

Miss Munroe delighted every one . Mr . Martin played his little part with great zest , and showed that he is not quite an amateur . This gentleman has felt somewhat hurt at the remarks of the Press on his recent performance at another theatre , and has published a letter in some papers from Mr . Fairlie , who announces to him ( Mr . Martin ) that he is

perfectly satisfied with his acting . We may add that this gentleman was the leader of a company for four years in the Antipodes , so is not an amateur . "The Merry Duchess" showed that it has been carefully rehearsed for some time , there being no hitch in it , as is frequently the case on a first night . We noticed Miss Constance Loseby , Miss Lila Clay , Mr . Mowbray , Mr . Pratt , and other professionals amongst the audience .