The Late Bro. David Smith, M.P.

plate , was taken off and borne through the archway . The inscription on the coffin plate was as follows : —

Alderman DAVID SMITH , M . P ., J . P ., Mayor of Brighton , 1880-81 . D . L . County of Sussex . D . L . City of London . Died on November 3 rd 1886 ,

Aged 60 years . The interment took place in a vault at the rear of the chapels , the Rev . Clifford Astor officiating . —Southern Weekly News .

The Ritual And Ceremonial Of The Symbolic Degrees In Freemasonry, 1813-1886.

THE RITUAL AND CEREMONIAL OF THE SYMBOLIC DEGREES IN FREEMASONRY , 1813-1886 .

THE above comprehensive title is that chosen by Bro . James Stevens P . M . P . Z . for his new lecture , whioh was delivered by him on Saturday last in the Hampshire Lodge of Emulation , No . 1990 , at Portsmouth . Having twice previously given his lecture on the Ceremonial of the First Degree nnder the auspices of the same

Lodge , considerable interest was manifested in the continuation of his exposition of ritual in connection with the subsequent degrees , and a goodly muster of " rulers in the Craft , " the Lodge being composed entirely of Installed Masters , resulted . The Lodge was opened at 3 p . m . by the W . M . Wor . Bro . Asher Barfield P . M ., and P . Prov .

Grand Deacon Hants . Amongst those present were Worshipfnl Brothers R . J . Rastrick Prov . G . Treasurer S . W ., Frederick Newman P . P . G . W . J . W ., Thomas Francis P . P . G . S . D . Sussex S . D ., John Brick , wood Prov . G . J . D . J . D ., G . L . Stobbs P . P . G . Steward acting I . G ., G . F . Lancaster Prov . Grand Registrar I . P . M ., C . S . Main P . P . G . D . O .,

S . R . Ellis P . P . G . A . D . C ., the Rev . J . N . Palmer Grand Chaplain P . P . G . S . W ., R . W . Mitchell P . P . G . D . C , E . Nayler P . P . G . S ., James Gieve P . P . G . D . C , John W . Gieve SecI . P . M . 903 , R . Boughton Smith P . P . G . S . D . Leicester arid Rutland , A . Dashwood P . P . G . S ., Albert Wendover P . M . 1069 , Louis Bryett P . P . G . Supt . of Works Berks and

Bucks , F . Sanders Prov . G . Std ., Geo . W . Dixon P . P . G . S . D . Berks and Bncks , J . J . Brascombe W . M . 804 , Franois Powell P . G . A . D . C . and others . Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from W . Bro . J . E . Le Fenvre , the Deputy Grand Master of the Province , and several other distinguished present and past Provincial Grand

Officers . The lecturer , on introduction by the W . M . presiding , was very cordially received , and the closest attention was paid to his remarks throughout the whole of a lengthy and interesting address . Briefly recapitulating the most important points in his former lecture , " Knobs and Excrescences , " in order to take up the thread of a

narrative relating to Ritual and Ceremonial from the date of the Union of the Grand Lodges prior to 1813 , to the present time , Bro . Stevens led his hearers to a consideration of some of the beautiful conceptions of those talented brethren who were entrusted with the revision of the rituals in use at the former date , and the preparation

of a perfect ceremonial for observance by nil Lodges under the rule of the United Grand Lodce of England . Ho pointed out in the most direct manner the many innovations which had been made of late

years in the ceremonies and verbiage of tbe F . C . and M . M . degrees , aud in numerous instances produced convincing testimony as to the correctness of his assertion that all pretence that the " same usages and customs" which had been decreed as constitutional was at an

end . In our pages we cannot , of course , directly specify the many points he touched upon ,- it will be sufficient for us to say that they are of an important character , and that our worthy Brother ' s address should be heard to be appreciated . After speaking without cessation for two hours , Bro . Stevens resumed his seat amidst Masonic

applause . Bro . S . C . Main P . P . G . D . C . proposed in very eulogistio terms " That a vote of thanks for bis excellent and interesting lecture be given by the Lodge to Bro . Jame 3 Stevens , and that ths same be lejorded on the minutes . " This was seconded by the W . M . Bro . Barfield P . P . G . D .. who expressed his opinion that the information

which had been nffordrd was of a most instructive character , beneficial alike to the newly . made M . M . and to those who had arrived at the highest honour which a Lodge could confer . He felt sure that every member and visitor present had been highly delighted with the exposition , which it must have taken Bro . Stevens much time

and considerable consideration to prepare , and which he had so excellently delivered . It was impossible that such information as they had received could be given to the Craft except in open Lodge , or Lodgos of Instruction , and he had no hesitation in saying that what tbcy had hoard that evening ought to be repeated for tho good of tbe

Order in every Lodge throughout the country . He cordially endorsed Bro . Main's expression of gratification , and believed the brethren would as cordially respond . The vote was unanimously agreed to , and Bro . Stevens gracefully acknowledged the formal announcement by the W . M ., adding that in reference to the W . M . ' s observation that

every Lodge throughout the country should hear the lecture , he was quite ready to do his part towards that end by arrangement with any Lodge desirous of receiving him . The Lodge was then closed , and the brethren dined together , separating at an early hour , in view of a rp-nnion at tho Consecration of a new Lodge , tho Osborne , No . 216 J , at East Cowes , Isle of Wight , on the Monday following .

"We anticipate there will be a large gathering of Craftsmen at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Monday , 29 th inst ., at the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge of Instruction . A very interesting programme has been arranged , and the names of

those engaged offer a suret y that the arrangements will be efficiently carried out . Lodge will be opened at 6 . 30 , and Morning Dress with Masonic clothing is the rule to be observed .

The Theatres, &C.

THE THEATRES , & c .

— : o : — Covent Garden . —The following extraot from the London Era , of 6 th November , will be read with interest : — " Through the agenoj of Mr . S . A . De Parravioini , several artists new to this country will appear at Covent Garden Cirons during the forthcoming season .

Indeed , Mr . William Foster , who will undertake the management , and Mr . A . Henry , the equestrian direotor , are to be complimented on an array of talent that may already be pronounoed brilliant , and it is to be hoped that Mr . Douglas Cox , who will again be aoting manager , will find full employment in providing places for eager

sight-seers . The list of artists will comprise the celebrated Renz Family ( five in number ) , including the bareback somersault rider , Mdlle . Louise ; Signor Alessandro Ciniselli , with his splendid manege and liberty horses ; Mr . G . Palmer , who is called the greatest juggler on a bareback horse in the world ; Mr . George Gilbert , the great

jockey act rider ; Mr . Archer O'Brien , the renowned leaping ' act and somersault rider ; Miss Jennie O'Brien , the suooess of last season ; Madame Cinquevalli , haute eoole ; Mdlle . Jenny , haute eoole ; Mdlle . Aguzzi , bareback rider ; Miss Dolinda Cattrelli , trick act ; and Miss Rosita de la Plata , the celebrated female jockey act rider . Amongst

the various gymnasts and acrobats and speoialites we may mention Mdlle . Bianca , L'Etoile des Equilibristes ; Mdlle . Alcide Capitaine , the O'Meer's troupe , the Johnson troupe , the Lavater-Lee troupe , Walton , with his great troupe of performing dogs and monkeys , and

Lockhart , with his performing midget elephants . More than twenty downs are engaged , amongst them being Herr Emil Nanoke , and the celebrated Continental droll , ' Gou-Gou . ' The musioal direotor will be Mr . W . C . Levey . "

Gaiety . —A faroioal comedy by Messrs . W . H . Denny and Thomas Burnside , entitled " Coercion , " was produced at a matinee at the above theatre on Wednesday afternoon . The authors have managed to introduoe in " Coercion " a fair amount of fun , but , un « fortunately , the pieoe contains but one really good character . This

fault , coupled with the weak construction , will prove suoh a drawback that unless the authors can considerably strengthen their work it cannot prove a sucoess . However , the piece was heartily enjoyed by the kindly audience , and this may , perhaps , induce Messrs . Denny and Burnside to reproduce their comedy at an

early date . The second scene in the second act was strongly objeoted to ; indeed a large majority of the audience exhibited disapproval . The following may be taken as an outline of the piece : —Mr . John Harborne , of New York ( where the action takes place ) , meet , while travelling in England , a gentleman , Hon . Gerald Sydenham by name ,

with whom he is greatly impressed ; he invites him to stay at his house for a short time . He informs his daughters and his niece of the visit , and tells them that one of them will be expected to marry his gnest . The daughters , already engaged without their father ' s knowledge , are naturally rather frightened , but resolve , with the

help of the niece , to make their father ' s guest leave the house as soon as possible . The father is speedily disposed of , by a telegram , supposed to come from his partner in business , but in reality sent by one of the lover 3 . The ladies proceed to play all sorts of tricks on the Hon . Gerald Sydenham , the principal of these being to induoe

him to fight a dual with Arthur Woodroffe , one of the lovers . The revolvers , however , are loaded with blank cartridges , and no harm is done ; still Gerald thinks he has killed his opponent , and is entreated by the young ladies to leave the country . He refuses , and the manservant , disguised as a policeman , enters ; he tries to escape by the

chimney , but descends in the aunt's ( Misa Tabitha Maple ) bedroom . Now follows the objectionable scene we have already referred to . Mr . John Harborne returns , and finds he has been sold ; consequently there is a disturbance ; the girls and his niece however , soothe his troubled feelings , and all ends happily . The character of

Gerald Sydenham was briskly portrayed by Mr . W . H . Denny . The John Harborne of Mr . Sidney Valentine also displayed good acting ; while Mr . Wilfred Draycott as Arthur Woodroffe , and Mr . Laurenoe Cautley as Herbert Dalrymple , the lovers , acted with spirit . Mrs . H . Leigh , as Miss Tabitha Maple , was excellent in parts ; Misa

Fanny Brough , and Miss Edith Chester , were seen to considerable advantage as the daughters Edith and Grace ; Winifred Holmcroft , the niece , was capitally played by Miss Lucy Buckstone . Each of

these young ladies seemed to enjoy the fun heartily . Miss Kate Leigh , as Mary ; Mr . B . Soane-Roby , as Dennis ; and Mr . T . P . Haynes , as Prodgers ; gave the necessary colouring to the minor parts . At the conclusion the authors received an enthusiastic call .

Criterion- —Mr . Charle 3 Wyndham , doubtless under the impression that a good comedy will always draw , produced Mr . T . W . Robertson ' s " David Garrick" last Saturday , with an amount of success that he may be congratulated upon . Mr . Robertson ' s version of the career of the famous Drury Lane actor , is the one the late Mr .

Sothern made ao popular . The move adopted by Mr . Wyndham of jumping from farcical comedy , which has been the fare provided at the Criterion of late years , to the more seriou 3 line of character has been watched with considerable interest . Indeed Mr . Wyndham h ? is not appeared in such a serious character as David Garrick for a

long time . In his interview with the city merchant Ingot , we have Mr . Wyndham at his best , easy and polished ; he appears amused , but yet puzzled at the offer made to him , if he will quit the profession he is so fond of . Then , when ho finds out what a task he has imposed upon himself , he never falters , but goe 3 through in admirable

style . His drunken scene , after Ingot's dinner , is played faster than heretofore ; this we think an improvement , as the audience well know Garrick ' s drunkenness is only simulated . Here , again , Mr ,

Wyndham is enabled to adopt the style of acting he has so long been associated with , and by this means he works up a thoroughly good scene . In the last act the actor often touched the true vein of feeling . Taking Mr . Wyndham's Garriok altogether , it is replete with