Mark Masonry.

t The toast of " The Initiate " followed , and Bro . Nichols returned thanks . In responding to the toast of "The Visitors" Bro . Weston complimented the I . P . M . and his officers upon the admirable manner in which the ceremony of initiation had been performed . He might refer to the W . M . in the words of the song , "'Tis thirty years , my old friend John , " for they had been boys together , and in Bro . Sculley ' s hands

they might be sure the lodge would not go back , but increase in honour and prosperity . Bro . Richey , as a Mark Mason from the Province of Colchester , was proud to be present , and although this was his first visit it would not he trusted be the last . The name of the lodge , Florence Nightingale , was one that stirred a thrill in every soldier ' s heart , and long may it prosper . He was proud to meet Bros . Spinks and Denton ,

two good and distinguished Masons . He congratulated the lodge upon its W . M . and the VV . M . upon his lodge , and wished him and it continued prosperity . The toast of " The Past Masters " followed , and Bro . Sweny responded , referring wilh pleasure to the Master who had preceded him ( Bro . Major Gordon ) who was now in India , and who declined to be a foreign member , insisting

on paying his full subscription . That brother was a good Mason , and he wished him a safe and speedy return home should he desire it . The other toasts were "The Officers , " severally responded to by the principal officers , "The Masonic Press " and the Tyler's toast . Bro . Nichols presided at the piano , and some good singing enlivened the proceedings .

WIGAN . —Rose and Thistle Lodge ( No 158 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the nth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Kingstreet , Bro . J . W . Murray , W . M ., P . G . A . D . C , in the chair . The other brethren present were Bros . VV . Dean , S . W . j T . Milner , J . W . ; T . Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . M . O ., Treas . ; H . T . Byron , Sec . ; H . H . Crossley , M . O . ; VV . Johnson , S . O . j R . B . Seddon , J . O . ; J . Browne , S . D . ;

W . M . Wylde , J . D . ; Jno . Marsden , R . of M . ; W . H . Honnocks , I . G . ; XV . A . Bvrom , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; and W . A . Bvrom , P . M ., P . P . G . R . of M . ; J . M . Kerr , J . Wilson , W . Holt , R . Leyland . Visitors : Bro . J . F . Roberts , P . M . ; Lathom , and J . Lawren , VV . M . elect of the Lawrence Lodge , Chorley . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes and the reception ot the Auditor's report , Bro . William Dean ,

the W . M . elect , was duly installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , and appointed his officers as follows .- Bros . J . D . Murray . I . P . M . ; T . Milner , S . W . ; H . T . Bvrom , 7 . W . ; T . VVilson , P . M ., Treas . j VV . Johnson , M . O . ; R . B . Seddon , S . O . j J . Marsden , J . O . ; A . H . Crossley , Sec ; J . Browne , R . of M . ; C . D . Mortimer , Org . ; G . L . Campbell , D . C . ; XV . M . Wylde , S . D . ; W . H . Horrocks ,

J . D . ; J . VVilson , I . G . ; VV . Holt , S . S . ; R . Knowles , J . S . ; and VV . A . Patterson , Tyler . Bro . Murray then delivered the charges to the W . M ., officers , and brethren of the lodge . y , The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjdiirned to a choice banquet . The usual toasts followed , and a most delightful evening was spent , in which music and singing bore an important part .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

HULL . —Antient York Chapter of Redemption ( No . GS ) . —This chapter was opened by the M . W . S ., 111 Bro . J . H . Scherling , 30 , assisted b y the officers of the chapter . Bros . Walter Charles Whiteside and Thomas Oates , both of the Minerva Chapter , were perfected by the M . W . S . most impressively , 111 . Bro . Walter Reynolds , 3 i ° , acting as Grand Marshall in the unavoidable absence

of that officer ; the ceremony was finely rendered , the anthems and music perfect , which was acknowledged and commended by III . Bro . C J . Banister , 33 , I . G ., northern district j indeed , all the officers discharged the duties of their several offices with great credit to themselves . III . Bro . Banister , 33 ° , was most cordially welcomed back from his tour through Canada and the United States , and

after a fraternal address to the brethren assembled the chapter was closed in due form . The 111 . and Ex . and perfect brethren retired to the dining hall and spent a very happy evening under the presidency of the M . W . S . A chapter of instruction is occasionally held in the hall , which is a great assistance to the officers in rendering the ritual perfectly .

HUDDERSFIELD . —Prince of Wales Chapter ( No . 69 ) . —In consequence of the death of Bro . J . XV Sykes , M . W . S . elect , Ian emergency meeting was called , when Bro . John Marshall was unanimously elected M . W . S ., and this being the regular day for the installation the M . VV . S ., Bro . Henry Woodhouse Woigley , asked 111 . Bro . C . J . Banister , S . G . J . G ., 33 , and I . G . of the northern

district , to open the ' ehapter and confer the degree on the three candidates who had been unanimously elected , viz ., Bros . Jeremiah Leech Atherton , P . M . j Joseph Woodhead , Monckman , P . M . ; and Charles Crabtree , P . M ., which he did with his usual care . Bro . John Marshall , M . W . S . elect , was then presented to the 111 . brother for installation by 111 . Bro . Jonas Craven ,

3 o , who performed the ceremony with great precision , and addressing the brethren on the beauties and christian excellence of the degree . 111 . Bro . C J . Banister , 33 , was warmly welcomed on his safe return from America , and a vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation to him for presiding , and regret that he was unable to stay for the banquet .

LEEDS . —Leodiensis Chapter ( No . 77 ) . —The chapter was opened by the M . VV . S . Bro . W . P . Tomlinson , assisted by his officers . Thc minutes of the last chapter Were read and confirmed . . 111 . Bro . C J . Banister , S . G . I . G ., 33 ° , and I . G . northern district , was received under an arch of steel and accorded

a hearty welcome on his return from Canada and the United States . He gave a pleasing account of his visit to the Rose Croix chapters in that country and of the kindness in which he was received by the various consistories in that vast country . The chapter being closed , the brethren assembled in the dining hall and spent an enjoyable evening .

Cryptic Masonry.

Cryptic Masonry .

LIVERPOOL . —St . John ' s Council . —( No . S . )—The annual meeting of the members of this council was held at the Adelphi Hotel , on the 14 th inst ., when the folfollowing were present : Comp . J . Thomson , T . I . M . ; VV . Milner , Dep . T . I . M .,- R . Young , Past T . I . M ., Treas . ; J . D . Murray , Recorder ; VV . M . Wylde , Capt . of Guard ; A . H . Jeffries , Con . of Nov . ; R . G . Brook , Marshal ;

F . A . Huet , Stwd . Bros . E . Barber , W . Wainman , Cottom , and H . Gifford , 113 , were admitted to the Degree of Most Excellent Master , Royal , Select , andSuperexcellent Master by Comp . W . J . Thomson , assisted by the officers . Comp . VV . Milner was duly installed as T . I . M . for the ensuing year by Comp . R , Young and appointed his officers as tollows : Comp . VV .

Brackenbury , Dep . T . I . M . j J . D . Murray , P . Con . of W . j W . M . Wylde , Recorder ; A . H . Jeffries , Capt . of Guard ; R . G . Brook , Con . of Nov . ; W . J . Thomson , Chap . ; R . Young , Treas . ; F . A . Huet , Marshal ; E Barber , Sub-Marshal ; VV . VV . Cottom , S . D . ; and H . G . Bell , J . D . ' 1 he council having been closed , the companions adjourned to the banquet , which was ably presided over by the newly-installed T . I . M .

American Knight Templars Coming.

AMERICAN KNIGHT TEMPLARS COMING .

We have just learned that a large and distinguished party of American Knight Templars are intending to visit England this summer . Apollo Commandery No . 1 , of Chicago , under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Knight Templars of Illinois , had made every

arrangement to make an excursion to San Francisco on the occasion of the forthcoming triennial meeting of the Grand "Encampment of the United States in August next , but , finding it impossible to secure -suitable hotel accommodations in San Francisco , have decided not to attend that meeting , but will come to Europe instead . They have entrusted their travelling arrangements to Sir Kt . E . M .

Jenkins , the well-known American tourist agent , who was formerly a partner with Thos . Cook and Son , and who has , ive learn from Sir Kt . Jenkins' son who manages his fathers business at No . 124 , High Holborn , made forthe party the following arrangements . They will leave Chicago by a special train of palace sleeping cars on Thursday evening , July 12 th , will travel

to New York by way ' of Niagara Falls , and will embark on the great steamship City of Rome , on Saturday , July 14 th . They may expect to reach Liverpool on Monday , July 23 rd , and London the next day . They will spend some days in London and will then visit Paris and Switzerland . The Commandery will be under thc command of Eminent Sir Norman T . Cassette , the eminent Commander , and will be

accompanied by several distinguished members of the Order from Illinois , among them the Hon . Mr . Aldrich , the Member of Congress from the Chicago district . There will bc many ladies with the party , which will number fully 200 .

Apollo Commandery is the largest Masonic body in the world , numbering between 600 and 700 . Eminent Sir Cassette is well known by reputation to his English Fraters , and was the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements when the Grand Encampment met at Chicago three years ago . VVe hope our American brothers will have a pleasant visit .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN COOMBE , P . M . 450 , HAYLE . Another Masonic worthy has departed , the Craft being all the poorer by the decease of our lamented friend and brother , John Coombe . Initiated in the Cornubian Lodge , No . 450 , Hayle , on 12 th June , 1 SG 2 , he had nearly served the full 21 years in his beloved society , when the " Leveller of all human greatness " issued his peremptory summons ,

and after only four days illness his life here , became extinct on the 5 th April , 1883 . His lodge did its best "to pay the last sad office of respect to departed merit , " and neighbouring lodges , of which he was a member , No . 1272 , 81 . Ives , and No . 1544 , Camborne , with many brethren representing other lodges in the province attended the funeral , and each deposited an " emblem of immortality" in the

grave that contained all that was mortal of their brother . Although in comparatively humble circumstances and surroundings , he had many friends . beyond his station in life , who were only too pleased to enjoy his genial society occasionally , and glad to co-operate with him in his labours on behalf of local and general Masonic charity . As the Steward of the Lodge for the Central Masonic Charities he

was a most persistent and invariably good humoured advocate of their claims , and set an example in his own unselfishness and liberal donations that fully proved his sincerity and earnestness . As one of the Stewards of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , London , in 1 SS 2 , he represented Cornwall with a list of subscriptions amounting to nearly £ 200 , the members of his lodge , always ready to

attend to such calls , assisting him most heartily , and were exceedingly proud to notice how warmly his appeals were responded to by the Cornish Craft . As a Life Governor of that Institution , and a Life Subscriber of the Royal Masonic Institutions for Girls and Boys , his votes therefrom are now lost to the province , amounting to 20 in all . As a matter of fact , whenever aught touching the interests of our

Charities occurred in the neighbourhood of Hayle , it was always said , "Ask Bro . Coombe , " or , " get Bro . Coombe to work it , " and he never failed to justify the good opinion of his brethren , neither did he ever turn a deaf ear to the wants of the afflicted or needy . The brethren elected him as their VV . M . in 1 S 67 , and the Provincial Grand Master appointed him a Provincial Grand Deacon in 1 S 71 . In the

Royal Arch he was connected with the chapter meeting under the wing of No . 450 , and served as its First Principal in 1 S 76 . As one of the founders also of the Mark Lodge assembled under similar auspices , he occupied its chief chair in 1 S 75 , and served as Provincial Grand

Superintendent of Works in 1 SG 9 , and Provincial Grand Master Overseer in 1 S 7 G ; also Grand Mark Steward of England . He was a hearty supporter of Masonic literature , and had amassed a capital collection of works relating to the Craft , being a subscriber generally to all that was issued in this country on the subject of its antiquities and history generally . He was much respected by his employers , Messrs .

Obituary.

Harvey and Co ., the renowned iron founders of Hayle , and had been a most faithful servant of theirs nearly all his lifetime ; their interests being his chief concern in the responsible position he filled on their behalf for many years past . Ihe memory of John Coombe will long be held in veneration by the " Cornubian " Freemasons , for to his utmost he zealously devoted his spare time to advance the principles of the I'raternity amidst brethren who were always ready to support him with their sympathy , services , and means . W . J . H .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . Merivale ' s beautiful play "All for Her " is now being played at the Court , Mr . John Clayton taking Hugh Trevor , in which he made his name some years ago . It is warmly received and many will be glad to have the opportunity of once again seeing the play .

Mr . Rowe s comedy-oddity " Fun on the Bristol" has been transferred from thc Standard to Sadler's Wells , thus giving the people in tho north of London a chance of seeing one of the funniest pieces on the stage . Mr . Sheridan still plays the Irish widow . * * #

Mr . Arthur Law has written the new comedy for Bro . Toole . It is in active rehearsal and may be "xpected within the next week or two . In the meanwhile Mr . Burnand ' s " Artful Cards " is drawing full houses . * » * Mrs . Stirling being * released from the Haymarket on the termination of "Caste , " has gone back to the Vaudeville , and again plays Mrs . Malaprop in "The Rivals . " This comedy has now run longer than it ever has done before , it having reached its 150 th night .

On Monday , Mr . Edgar Bruce opens the Imperial with " Camillc . " A new piece is being written for him to be produced at the same house .

# # # Bro . Henry Irving ( Jerusalem Lodge ) is the subject of a biography now being written by Mr . Brereton . 'The book will be illustrated with pictures of our distinguished brother in some of his chief impersonations . Mr . David Bogue will publish the work .

* it # Bro . Harris resumes his old character in "Youth" on its reproduction at Drury Lane after the closing of the opera season . Mr . Herbert Standing , Mr . John Ryder , and Miss Lydia Foote will be amongst the company .

* * * " Vice Versa , " from Mr . F . Anstey ' s popular and amusing book , was brought out at a Gaiety matinee last week , but only received a tolerably favourable approval .

« * # Mr . Sydney Grund y has written a new drama called " Rachel . " This was brought out by Miss Genevieve Ward at the Olympic on Saturday . The play is a httle difficult to follow , and would be better if composed into two acts . Being somewhat complicated its reception is not of the warmest . The company are better

than the melodrama they represent . In the prologue we are introduced to Margaret Walters , the famous baby farmer . Here a mother is made to sell her own child by mistake to her brother-in-law . Sir Philip Grant loses his wife , who leave ; -, all her money to her only child , a girl . This daughter dies , and to prevent the property going away the father obtains a child trom Mrs . Waters .

and brings her up as his daughter . The play itself begins 15 years after this , when the stolen child has grown up . Rachel , her mother , wbo has been committed for child stealing , now appears on the scene , and is engaged by Sir Philip as companion to the young lady . She watches carefully over her daughter , to whom she cannot yet make known her relationship . To help out her plans she consents , after

pressure , to become Sir Philip ' s wife ; but just when he is introducing her to his tenantry as his intended wife , his old accomplice turns up and frustrates his scheme . This villain , Craven , desires to marry Gladys , and says he meant when he stole her 15 years ago to marry her at the proper time . She is in love with Harold Lee , ancl Craven calls upon Sir Philip to turn young Lee away and consent to his

engagement . Sir Philip Grant is nearly doing so under threats of exposure , when Mrs . Athelston , the girl ' s mother , interferes and saves her daughter . When she shows these two men up m their true character , it turns out that , as Gladys is not Sir Philip ' s daughter but only his neice , then the property instead of being hers goes to Harold Lee , a more distant relative , and she after all is poor . But when she finds out

that her mother was a convict she gives up Harold as not being worthy of her love . The young man , however , as an honest man should do , when he learns the truth that he is the heir , is still anxious to marry her , notwithstanding her mother s history . Craven , who turns out to be a forger as well , does not come into the hands of justice , as Rachel withdraws all charges . Miss Genevieve Ward as Rachel

of course is very good in her impersonations , as the cold heartless woman , but especially where she has entrapped her victims and has them well under her power . Mr . Vernon as Sir Philip is not so well suited as we have often seen him , for instance in " Mother-in-Law . " The character and piece do not give him scope . Mr . Herman vezin

, who takes Lraven , is of course splendid in elocution ; the character of a deep dyed villain under the guise of a gentleman is always suited to him . Miss Lucy Buckstone Mrs . Leigh Murray , Mr . Bindloss , and Mr . Blatchley all deserve mention , but the drama cannot be said to be likely to be a permanent success . We may add Bro . Bashford , of the Waterford Lodge , is Miss Ward ' s acting manager . #

* * Mr . Fred Irving has been engaged by Miss Hilton to play in " Frou Frou" at the Opera Comique . As " School" can onl y be played for a limited number of nights at the Haymarket we advise our readers to go at once and see Bro . and Mrs . Bancroft in their old characters , positively for the last time .