Mark Masonry.

to-day was at ITio discretion of the brethren , Past Masters , ivhose long experience was a sufficient guarantee that nothing ivhich was essential would bo omitted , and who have so kindly , nay , generously , come forward to perform tbe ceremonial necessary to . enable us to commence operations as a regularl y constituted lodge . Had they refused their aid we could not have complained , because the jurisdiction under which their Mark Lodge exists is different from oursand it must be

con-, fessed that ive may very considerably interfere with their interests . They have , however , acted with true Masonic feeling , and in tho spirit of universal brotherhood , notwithstanding that in the Craft generally we aro not called upon to do anything which may be ' detrimental to ourselves or our connections , ' by accepting our invitation in the most disinterested manner . AA ' e must all admit that the stle and efficiency of

y their efforts have been admirable , and in perfect accordance with tho tliccYfuAncss ana pTompitiule whicli characterised their response to our call . Therefore , our first duty is formally and heartily to acknowledge thc obligation we owe to them . " I propose "That the best thanks of the Cesarean Lodge of SI ark Masters ( No . 7 . 1 ) bo presented to Pro . Grimmond , P . M ., for conducting the ceremony of installation , and to Bro . Dr . Blood , AALM .

and P . M ., and Bro . Hastings , P . M ., for their kind assistance and co-operation therein ; with an expression of tbe appreciation tho brethren entertain of the skill and ability with which the ceremony iias been administered , as well as of the generous feelings which have prompted a ready and cheerful compliance with their request ; and , farther , that the Secretary be instructed to transmit a copy of this resolution in writing to each of these Past Masters . " The preceding resolution was seconded by Bro . Dr . Small , S . AAL , and carried unanimously , after whicli the AALM . resumed his address as follows : —

Brethren , having discharged this first duty , it now only remains for mo to state my own sense of the honour you have done mo personally , by the confidence you have displayed in placing me in tho high position of thc first Master of a Mark Masters' Lodge under English jurisdiction in Jersey . AA'hen I came to this island seven years ago , I was by many regarded with distrust and suspicion . My only course , therefore , was to labour on in the Craftto endeavour by my conduct to prove

, myself at least not an unworthy member of it , and to endeavour to entitle myself to that respect and consideration which each among us owes to every other who faithfully carries out the great principles of Masonry , whether hailing from this or from any other province . The rank I have held in a Craft Lodge in Jersey , and that whicli your favour has now conferred upon me bear testimony to your kind regard as the reward of my

feeble efforts , for ivhich I am truly grateful , and I trust that when my term of office shall have expired you will have no reason to regret a misplaced confidence . I confess that in tho position ivhich Mark Masonry now holds , particularly in this province , there are some difficulties to encounter , and there may bo some obloquy to bo incurred . I rely most confidently on your support and assistance in overcoming them all , and ivhere differences of opinion occur I trust that they will bo regarded with feelinss of charity , without

however calling for any sacrifice of principle . Let us bear in mind that whatever may be our private opinions ou the various questions that may arise , all are bound by the constitutions of each branch of the fraternity to whicli they belong , and that those who hold high office aro further pledged by certain obligations of a more stringent character which they dare not violate . There may be different views as to the extent of those obligationsespecially where two different sources of authorit

, y appear to clash or to be inconsistent witlr each other , whatever amount of care is taken to prevent it , and tho opinions and actions of such of us as are in responsible positions , must as far as possible , be respected , as to the mode of carrying them out when it-can be done without compromise . Unhappily this Mark degree is not recognized by the Craft Grand Lodge of 1-iigland , and hence there may bo conflicting interests which it

may be difficult to reconcile . Although we are amenable only to the Grand Mark Lodge , without the intervention of a provincial jurisdiction , tho establishment of ivhich would , I conceive , be a mistake , yet ive must bo careful not to give cause of offence to the local Craft authorities , but endeavour by our moderation and our regard to our earlier Masonic obligations , to win their respect and consideration , as having a concurrent sphere of usefulness , without infringement on established rights and privileges . AVhile on this topic allow me to express my

Mark Masonry.

satisfaction aud grateful thanks , that without exception the whole of our members present haye complied with the request made in the circular of summons by appearing in the costume appropriate to the Mark degree , for while I have very high authority , that by which I intend to be guided , for allowing Craft clothing to be worn in this lodge under certain circumstances , it is still most desirable tbat we should maintain uniformity in that respect as well as iu ritual .

Lastly , whilst for myself individually determining not to participate in what are called the high ranks of Masonry , consisting of various orders of knighthood , ivhich , though tacked to our order , have still I conceive nothing to do with it , I do claim attention to the Mark degree as being intermediate in the Craft course , cordially recommending that it should bo generally taken by Freemasons : and I call upon you all to

endeavour to induce your Masonic friends , members of your respective Craft lodges , to become candidates for advancement at our quarterly meetings , ' and thus secure success to our undertaking this evening so auspiciously inaugurated . The AALM . invested his officers as follows : —Bros . Grimmond , P . M . ; Dr . Small , S . AAL ; P . AAL Benham , J . AAL ; E . D . Lo Contour , M . O . j J . Durell , S . O . ; G . Rogers , ' J . O . ; P . AAL Lo Quesne , Treas . ; AAL Adams , Reg . ; AAL T . Pugslcy , Sec . ; Josh .

Stevens , S . D . ; J . Oatley , J . D . ; A . Schmitt , Dir . of Cers . ; P . Binet , I . G . ; H . Du Jardin , Tyler . A ballot was then taken for eleven candidates for advancement , and for Bros . Ph . Lo Brun and Geo . Britton as joining members , all of which were unanimous in their favour . Of the candidates only the following five made their appearance in time for the ceremony : — Bros . " C . Le Sueur , Dr . R . G . F . Smith , AV . H . Long , L D . Chevalier , aud Philip Blampied . These brethren having been

introduced and properly proposed , were duly advanced as Stark -. raster Masons by the AALM ., ivho also delivered the lecture in explanation of tho traditionary history of the degree . Several brethren were proposed for advancement at the next meeting . The AALM . was requested to make arrangements for printing the by-laws , ivhich , having been adopted at a previous meeting , ivere confirmed with tbe minutes this evening . The lodge haying been closed in the usual formand with solemn prayer

, , at eight o'clock the brethren adjourned to tho banquet'mgi-oom for supper , after ivhich due honours were paid to the Queen and Craft , the Grand Master , the Installing Past Masters , the newly advanced brethren , the AALM ., and officers , & c . ; and by ten o ' clock thc proceedings of the evening , which liad been of a most satisfactory character , were brought to a close .

Public Amusements.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS .

DRURY LANE THEATRE . All tho associations of a thoroughly English holidaymaking ivove to bo found at this theatre on Monday night . The play of "The Fool ' s Revenge" commenced the entertainments , Mr . Phelps as the hero , Bcrtuccio , ivith

quickly bandied jests amidst the dissolute noblemen , but deep utterances of emotion ivhen he finds his oivn daughter has become tho victim of his vengeance , securing the frequent acclamations of tlie auditory . Tho play ivas followed ' by Milton ' s "Masque of Oomns , " ivhich , whilst furthering thc object of the present management , ivho are making laudable exertions

to keep thc poetical drama on tho stage , gives as much scope for musical and scenic embellishment , as any of those Easter pieces ivhich thc tiro larger theatres ab this season used regularly to bring fonvard . That " Gonitis" had its origin in a real incident , occurring at Ludloiv Castle in 1631 few will need to be told . When the Earl of Bridgcivater entered on this his

official residence , ho was visited by a large number of the neighbouring nobility and gentry . His sons , the Lord Braehley and Mr . Thomas Egerton , and his daughter the Lady Alice , being on their journey to join him , were benighted in Haywood Forest , in Herefordshire , and tho ladj for a short time was lost . The adventure being related to their father , Milton , at tho request of his friend Henry Lawes , who taught music in thc family , wrote the masque . Lnivcs set it to music , and