Rosicrucian Society Of England.

C . N . ; A . Haigh , Organist ; D . Grant , Herald ; T . Trevor , VV . F . Tomlinson , and J . Monks , Past Celebrants ; R . M . VVilkes , J . Maddison , C . H . Sharp , C . Palliser , Rev . J . H . Evans , J . K . Wilkes , VV . Swales , H . Thompson . T . Masterman , and J . R . Dore . After the reading of the minutes , successful ballots were taken for five candidates , whose names had been proposed at the previous meeting . Frater J . R .

Dore then moved the following resolution , pursuant to notice : " That , in grateful recognition of the many valuable Masonic services rendered by our Chief Adept , Frater T . B . Whytehead , and in commemorati n of his having obtained Grand Lodge rank , this college do present him with a full set of Grand Lodge clothing . " The resolution was seconded by Frater J . Monks , and supported by Fratres Tomlinson , Trevor , Maddison , VVilkes , Brown , and Grant .

The Chief Adept was shortly afterwards announced , and , on entering the M . C . was informed of the resolution that had been passed . The Chief Adept thereupon thanked Frater Dore and the Celebrant , as well as the other members present , for the kindness of heart that had prompted their gift , and said that he had derived far more pleasure from the large number of kindly and congratulatory letters he had received within the past few days than from the actual honour that he had received from the

Grand Master , because it had confirmed and justified his faith in Masonry and in the really wide-spread and earnest fraternal feelings that its prosecution engendered . A discussion then took place on a translation of an old German work of Frater Schnitger , entitled " Discovered Fragments of Ancient Egyptian Initiations " which had been circulated

amongst the members . Frater Grant opened the discussion , and quoted largely from Piazzi Smith's workson the Pyramids , maintaining the view that the old German original was one of those baseless and mythical compilations quite unworthy of any credence , and absolutely unjustified by known facts . At the conclusion of his remarks the time was found

to have so far advanced that further discussion was adjourned to the next meeting . A vote of condolence was passed with Frater C S . Lane , who would have been present at the meeting except for the accidental death of his wife by drowning at Hartlepool . Votes of thanks were passed to the trustees of the hall for their kindness in lending the rooms for the use of the college , and also to the

Darlington fratres for their admirable arrangements . The C . A . then addressed the college on certain matters connected with the extension of the Order in the North of England , and stated his views on the subject , in which he was supported by all the members present . He also gave notice of a motion regarding the relations of the York College with the

High Council , and the payment of annual fees thereto . The city of Lincoln and the Abbeys of Rievaulx and Byland were suggested as meeting places for the quarterly gathering in August , and the M . C was dissolved . The members afterwards met at the King ' s Head for high tea , and a pleasant return drive to Darlington in the cool of the evening ended a very pleasant day .

Cryptic Masonry.

Cryptic Masonry .

Grand Masters' Council ( No . i . )—This distinguished council met at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , on the 15 th inst . Among those present were Bros . R . L . Loveland , T . l . M . ; H . J . Lardner , P . C . W ., T . l . M . elect ; Capt . Walls , P . G . D . M ., P . T . I . M ., Recorder ; B . R . Bryant , D . P . Cama , Perkins , Baron de Ferrieres , Claridge , A . McDowall , Robert Berridge , Frank

Richardson , Deputy G . M . ; C . F . Matier , Grand Recorder ( Hon . Member ); T . Cubitt , E . Storr , R . Roy , M . A ., B . Stewart , J . N . Frye , Dr . Pocock , L . Steele , J . J . Thomas , Capt . Williamson , J . P ., N . Prower , M . A ., and others . Among the visitors were Bros . Lord Dungarvan , Major Fairclough , R . A ., P . D . G . M . Canada ; Capt . Thackwell , E . M . Money , Monson , Freeman , VV . Vincent , Oxford , and others .

The minutes of the previous council having been read and confirmed , Bro . C . F . Matier impressively installed Bro . H . J . Lardner as T . l . M . The following appointments and investitures then took place : Bros . Loveland , P . D . M . ; Major Dunbar , D . M . ; Bryant , P . C . W . ; Gravelly , Treas . ; Capt . Walls , Recorder ; Rev . Dr . Lemon , Chap . ; Rev . R . Peek , Asst . Chap . ; E . Storr , C . of Gds . ; G . Powell ,

C . of C ; H . H . Shirley , ist Marshal ; R . Roy , 2 nd Marshal ; J . Brittain , 3 rd Marshal ; A . McDowall and Scurrah , Stwds . ; Capt . Williamson , Warder ; Catterson , Inner Sentinel ; and Mills , O . S . A vote of thanks was passed to the Installing Officer for his services . It was proposed by the Recorder , and seconded by the I . P . T I . M ., that Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Euston be elected an honorary member .

Phis motion was unanimously carried . The report of the Audit Committee having been received and adopted , apologies was received from Bros . Rev . Dr . Lemon , Major Lambert , Major Dunbar , G . Powell , J . Brittain , Hay , Shilcock , Parkhouse , Carman , and others . The council was then closed , and the members

subsequently dined with the Grand Council at the Holborn Restaurant under the distinguished presidency of Bro . Lord Euston , G . M ., who was supported by Bros . Frank Richardson , D . G . M ; Lord Dungarvan , G . C . W . ; R . Berridge , G . Treas . ; C . F . Matier , G . R ., and other Present and Past Grand Officers .

The Gold And Silver Wyre Drawers' Company At The Military Exhibition.

THE GOLD AND SILVER WYRE DRAWERS ' COMPANY AT THE MILITARY EXHIBITION .

This ancient Company have had fitted up a large upri ght exhibition case , which forms a conspicuous object in the north gallery . It is filled with specimens of work in " gold and silver wire in all its various forms and kinds , " and it includes articles illustrative of use to which the wire may be applied in the way of

ornamenting military and naval uniforms of the most ornate description—uniforms fit for princes , kings , or emperors—and also a number of " valuables " that the Company have pride in possessing , as illustrat-¦ ng not onl y its age but its utility . The two

compartments into which the case is divided contain a number ° f glass cups , saucers , and shades filled with the Material from which the gold and silver wire is ultimatel y drawn . Then there are reels of gold and silver wire . They show to the careful observer what

The Gold And Silver Wyre Drawers' Company At The Military Exhibition.

no general visitor would , casually looking at the case , discover . For instance , one of the reels is filled by gold wire so finely drawn that there areare no fewer than 3000 yards to the ounce ; but this marvel is surpassed , for another reel of the same dimensions is stated to contain as many as 6000 yards to the ounce . Among

the illustrations of silver wire drawing there is a reel containing a thread so fine that it takes 4000 yards to make up an ounce . Other reels there are of both gold and silver wire , and of silver gimp , and of gold and silver cord , but none can compare with the remarkable results just mentioned .

The utility of the Company ' s productions , as seen in this case in the Military Exhibition ( they are mostly yellow or golden ) , was illustrated in the composition of the banneret on a large shield , which contains at the foot this motto , " Domine Dirige Nos , " and on an even larger shield , which bears the following

inscription : "Presented to the Lady Mayoress ( Mrs . De Keyser ) by the Court of the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers during the Mayoralty of the Right Honourable Polydore De Keyser , member of the Court of the Company . James Knapton Abel , Master ; Horace Frederick Stewart , William Hays ,

David Evans , J . P . ( Alderman ) , Gabriel Lindo , C . C , Wardens ; and Wynne E . Baxter , J . P ., D . L ., Clerk . " The exhibit reflects the greatest credit upon the Company and upon its energetic and popular Master , Bro . Gabriel Lindo , C . C , to whose exertions the successful new departure of the Company is mainly due .

The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, Limited.

THE COLONIAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY , LIMITED .

The annual meeting of this Society was held on the 31 st March last when the directors were able to give a most satisfactory account of the proceedings of the past 12 months . The number of proposals for insurance made during that period was 6452 , but 922 were declined or not proceeded with , while 860 are in

various stages towards completion , so that the number completed was 4670 , the policies issued for these amounting in the aggregate to £ 1 , 895 , 563 . Of these 4 670 , all were for life assurance except 159 , which were for endowments . The present income from premiums and interest exceeds £ 350 , 000 , while

the claims matured b y death and otherwise , under 26 4 policies , amounted , with declared and immediate bonuses , to £ 74 , 209 13 s . iod ., of which £ 9139 14 s . 6 d . was for endowments . The addition made to the assurance fund is £ 187 , 292 4 s . ud ., and the rate of interest realised on the fund of the society has been

fully maintained . There has thus been a great increase in the business of the society , while at the same time a further reduction in the expenditure , to the extent of upwards of 2 per cent ., has been effected . It is needless to say that a report which proved so eminently satisfactory

was adopted by acclamation , and votes of thanks to the Chairman who presided , the various directors , as well as the managers and officers of the society were proposed and adopted . We learn , further , from the balance-sheet appended that the Assurance Fund now

amounts to £ 1 , 050 , 573 11 s . gd ., while the loans on moitgage are upwards of . £ 430 , 180 , the freehold and leasehold property is valued at £ 371 , 6 34 and a fraction , loans on policies within surrender value £ 99 , 821 , and cash at bankers , on deposit , & c , within a fraction of £ 4 8 , 180 .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

One of the greatest charms to our mind about Mr . H . A . Jones' new play , "Judah , " at the Shaftesbury is its unconventionally . At last we have reall y broken away from what is supposed to be necessary as the plot of a play . We have always admired Mr . Jones as an author . His " Saints and Sinners " we remember with

pleasure . Who did not laugh and weep over the " Silver King r " and " Wealth , " the late Haymarket play , was , we thought good , but the public thought differently . We look on with interest whether the public will appreciate his latest work . It is a triumph of authorship , acting , and stage production , and is

written with brilliancy and power . We have always been against what are known as preliminary puffs , and have refused to put about paragraphs concerning the plotof a coming play . Generally the appetite has become whetted thereby , and then when one goes to the theatre one finds the fare very meagre indeed . In this

instance it has not been so . Mr . Jones allowed it to be known that the audience might expect something which would startle them , and trul y they were surprised . Vashti Dethic , under the compulsion of her wicked father , who has been a conjuror , pretends to work miracles on people by . fasting . We all know that there

are ailments which can be removed by the strong will of some one else , but that power is not in any way spiritual . A young Welsh minister , who has seen cures effected by this girl , persuades Lord Asgarby to let his daughter Edith come under Vashti ' s influence .

The earl , who has lost all his children save Lad y Eve through that terrible disease , consumption , yields . The Rev . Judah Llewellyn is madly in love with Vashti , but he thinks her more than a woman . In strong contrast to him is Professor Jopp , F . R . S ., a friend of the earl ' s , who believes in very little . He gets Lord Asgarby to

The Theatres.

put the fasting girl s power to the test , and has her incarcerated in a tower , under the charge of Miss Jopp . Nevertheless , the wily old father contrives to convey food to his daughter . But Judah finds him out . Still , when his eyes are opened to the deception , his love for Vashti does not alter ,

and he takes an oath before the whole household that he has not seen food taken to her . Judah is very popular with the people , and a new church is to be built and endowed for him . But , after a year , he makes up his mind to leave his ministry , for the false oath has been on his conscience ni ght and day . He

entreats Vashti to confess her deception , and the two , loving each other fervently , decide to go forth into the world together . The play ends here , so we do not know what they are supposed to do for a living , but that is not really necessary . With much feeling Bro . Willard illustrates the conflicting feelings of Judah .

and in the very critical part , where he perjures himself , he carried the whole house with him . Miss Olga Brandon ' s Vashti was a great advance , even upon her Esther in "Caste , " and that is saying a good deal . She seemed almost inspired . Miss Bessie Hatton , daughter of Bro . Joseph Hatton , gave a touching

sketch of the Lady Eve . In describing her dream , she got rounds of applause . Mr . Royce Carleton , as Dethic , was excellent , as he always is as an adventurer . The comedy scenes between Miss Gertrude Warden and Mr . F . Kerr could not have been better performed . It was a finished study of egoism on both sides . Love making on scientific principles had in

players as well as author exponents who made the house re-echo with laughter . We wonder whether Bro . Willard will cancel his American tour in the autumn . To break the run of a piece is not always wise , and if he could get a renewal of the Shaftesbury Theatre we believe he would find " Judah " fill it for a good time .

The Tivoli opened its doors on Saturday to a large audience , to whom the directors gave a very varied programme , much after the st yle provided at the Pavilion and Trocadero . The ornamentation is throughout Indian in style . Electricity is used for li ghting . Red , gold , and ivory white are the colours used in every part

of the building ; the stalls and pit are particularly roomy , giving plenty of space to pass in and out , and the seats are comfortable . It is built to accommodate 2000 people . Concrete and iron are used everywhere , so that fire need not be feared . From all parts of the house a good view of the stage can be obtained . Its

position in the Strand , opposite the Adel phi Theatre , is an unique one . At the private view given b y the directors on Friday a good many Masons were " employed , " they consisted not onl y of entered apprentices of Fellow Crafts , but we remarked that it would have been quite easy to have held a Grand

Lodge . Bro . Edward Terry , P . G . Treas ., just back from India , and growing a moustache , was welcomed by many , and was able to say that the decorators had thoroughly succeeded in imitating the Eastern style of ornamentation . Bro . C . F . Hogard was there read y to do Grand Deaconal functions when properly called

upon . Bro . Catling might have been a Grand Recorder , and his successor in the chair of the Savage Club Lodge , Bro . W . E . Chapman , would have willingly assisted . Those who are both actors and Masons were to be seen in multitudes . Bro . Macklin made a good representative of the Lyceum Theatre , the Logic Club ,

and the Asaph Lodge . Bro . Phipps made a splendid Grand Superintendent of Works . Bro . Capt . Dunfer did duty for the Masons militant . Bro . Baskcombe brought the news direct from Marlborough House that Prince Albert Victor had budded out as Duke of Clarence Bro . Hurst looked in to report progress to Bro . Henry Irving , and Bro . Brickwell could not pass without a

call , whilst Bro . F . J . Potter jealously acted as Inner Guard , and never seemed tired of explaining to any one who asked him details of the building , and , with all on his hands , never losing that courtesy which we learn in the charge after the Third Degree is so necessary , and which Bro . Potter seems to have cultivated from his youth up .

During the whole of the present week the National Physical Recreation Society have been holding their annual display at the Royal Agricultural Hall , Islington . The students from Dr . Norman ' s Royal Normal School for the Blind g ive a fine exhibition of gymnastics . There is also a sensational exhibition of a five-storey house on fire , and the Fire Brigade and escapes coming to the rescue .

Why Are So Many

WHY ARE SO MANY

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