The New Scottish Rite Cathedral In Philadelphia.

that city . A full two-page and two single pages of illustrations , besides a page of text , may surely be taken as proof of the extraordinary growth of the Craft in America , and the great interest that is taken in all that concerns its welfare by the public and the press . The building itself is quite in the Ecclesiastical style of architecture , and is most imposing in size and character . Doubtless the main features of the structure are due to the

fact that it was formerly used by the Seventh Presbyterian Church , from whom the brethren purchased the building for £ 7000 . The remodelling has been most thorough and and very costly , the result being the finest suite of halls for the exclusive use of the " Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite" in the world , and a fine organ , costing £ Soo , has also been acquired , so that the ceremonies will continue to

be worked with all the perfection of the surroundings , which have so long distinguished the members of that Rite in Ohio . The portraits of Bros . E . T . Carson , Rev . VV . B . Melish , M . J . Mack , and H . C . Urner are given , and we feel assured that the Rite will eventually be no loser by the late disastrous fire , save by the loss of numerous Masonic curiosities that cannot be replaced .

Grand Lodge Of South Australia.

GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA .

The Annual Communication of the South Australia Grand Lodge was held on VVednesday evening , April 21 st , in the Freemasons' Hall , Flinders-street , Adelaide . The Grand Master , the Chief Justice Hon . S . J . Way , presided . He was supported by the D . G . M ., Bro . H . E . Downer , M . P ., and the other Grand Lodge Officers . The minutes of the last Quarterly Communication , held

on January 30 th , having been conlirmed , the report of the Board of General Purposes , Bro . S . Solomon , President , was presented as follows : A statement of receipts and expenditure and balancesheet , showing assets and liabilities for the year ending December 31 st , 1 SS 5 , duly audited , is herewith presented . Accounts amounting to £ 217 3 s . 6 d ., due by lodges , have been paid since this date . Notwithstanding the heavy

demands upon the Benevolent Fund during the past year , the balance to credit is fairly satisfactory . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the M . W . the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England , has appointed the M . W . the Grand Master , the Hon . S . J . Way , as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of England to this Grand Lodge . The Grand Lodge of England have suggested the appointment of R . W . Bro .

Robert Cunliffe , Past Grand Warden , as Grand Representative to that Grand Lodge . The Grand Lodge of Ireland have suggested the appointment ot W . Bro . Sir Thomas Alfred Jones , P . M ., as Grand Representative to that Grand Lodge . The Grand Lodge of Ohio have suggested the appointment of W . Bro . Jesse R . Purnell , P . M ., as Grand Representative to that Grand Lodge . The Board recommend the appointment of these brethren . The G . L . of Scotland

have , for some reason at present unknown to your Board , resolved to withdraw the recognition granted to this Grand Lodge . As doubtless this arises from some misunderstanding , it is hoped that the difference , whatever it may be , will speedily be satisfactorily arranged . The correspondence upon this matter is published herewith , for the information of the Craft . " Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , " September 3 rd , 18 S 5 . " R . W . Sir and Dear Brother ,

" 1 have the honour to inform you that at the quarterly communication , held on August 6 th , the Grand Master Mason presiding , the Grand Lodge of Scotland unanimously resolved to recognise and open fraternal relations with the recently formed Grand Lodge of South Australia . Further , that , as petitioned for , permission be given to the Lodges Nos . 341 , 555 , C 28 , 629 , 672 , and 686 to retain in tlieir possession the charters under which they

have worked , to be held by them in affectionate remembrance of the connection with the Scottish Constitution , and as a mark of their appreciation of the benefits received from their parent Grand Lodge . And that Bro . Hugo C . E . Muecke , ex-Distiict Grand Master , be cordially thanked for the services he has rendered to Grand Lodge .

On receipt of your recommendation of a brother to represent the Grand Lodge of Scotland in the Grand Lodge of South Australia , a commission will be issued in his favour . "D . MURRAY LYO . , Grand Secretary . " " Freemasons' Hall , " November 23 rd , 1885 . " R . W . Sir and Dear Brother ,

"On September 3 rd 1 informed you that Grand Lodge had resolved to recognise and open fraternal relations with the Grand Lodgeof South Australia . At the quarterly communication this month , the said resolution was cancelled . The Grand Lodge of Scotland does not therefore recognise the Grand Lodge of South Australia . "D . MURRAY LYON , Grand Secretary . " " Freemasons' Hall , Adelaide , "January nth , 1886 . " R . W . Sir and Brother ,

"I have to acknowledge receipt of your favour of November 23 rd , conveying the intelligence that your M . W . Grand Lodge had at its Grand Communication in November cancelled the resolution according recognition and fraternal relationship to this Grand Lodge , unanimously passed at the previous Grand Communication in August . The Grand Lodge of South Australia has been formed upon truly Masonic lines , and in accordance with constitutional

law and acknowledged Masonic usage , its proceedings have been approved of by the Grand Lodges of England and Ireland , and many other Grand Bodies in various parts of the world , and have never been impugned . VVe are at a loss to understand why , after cordially welcoming us into the family of Grand Lodges , the Grand Lodge of Scotland should summarily withdraw the recognition granted at its previous Communication , and that without any intimation

of any difference with us , and without giving u-i an opportunity of explanation should a misunderstanding exist . Undoubtedly we have a right to demand some reason for this extraordinary proceeding . We feel certain that the determination of which we complain must either have been arrived at without due consideration or under some

misapprehension , which enquiry would remove . I have therefore to request that you will , acting for the Grand Lodge of Scotland , with as lit' ledelay as possible make us acquainted with the reasons which have led to the withdrawal of recognition of this Grand Lodge . 1 he exchange of frank explanations on either side will , I feel assured , lead to the

Grand Lodge Of South Australia.

restoration of fraternal relations between our respective Grand Lodges . "J AMES H . CUNNINGHAM , G . S . S . A . " The Board have had an opportunity of securing for the Grand Lodge library an excellent selection of Masonic works , and have availed themselves of the offer , and made the purchase . This addition to the library will make it more complete , and will doubtless be appreciated by the

Craft . The Board have thought it advisable that the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary should give a guarantee bond ; they have accordingly made arrangements for this being done , the premium to be paid from Grand ( Lodge funds . Reports of proceedings have been received from the following Grand Lodges , and are hereby acknowledged : Arizona , Columbia , Colorado , California , England , Illinois , Iowa , Liberia , Louisiana , Maine , Manitoba ,

Michigan , Massachusetts , Nevada , New South Wales , Nova Scotia , Ohio , Scotland , South Carolina , Tennessee , Utah , Washington , West Virginia , Wisconsin , and Victoria . The Board desire to suggest that the honorary rank of Past Senior Grand Warden be conferred upon Grand Representatives . Election of Grand Lodge officers , 12 Grand Stewards , two Auditors , and six members of the Board of General Purposes , in place of five who retire by effluxion

of time , and one in place of Bro . Sansom , who , by the election to the office of Junior Grand Warden , becomes an ex officio member , will have to take place at this meeting of Grand Lodge . The Board have held 12 meetings during the year . The attendance has been good . The Board have much pleasure in congratulating the Craft upon its sound financial position and its steady prosperity . Notwithstanding the severe depression of the

times , the roll of membership shows a gain in numbers of 3 6 for the year ending Sept . 30 , 1 SS 5 , although no less than 2 S 3 names have been removed from membership for various reasons . The return of lodges gives the number now established as 36 , representing 2277 members . The proportion of individual lodges is as follows : —Adelaide , 16 9 ; United Tradesmen's , 145 ; Unity , 140 ; Friendship , 127 ; St . Andrews , 116 ; Harmony , 06 ;

Vlac-Donnell , 93 ; Truth , 89 ; Union , 77 ; Leopold , 75 ; Faith , 74 ; Duke of Edinburgh , 70 ; Flinders , 6 9 ; Areas , 65 ; Prince of Wales , 64 ; Victoria , $ f > ¦ Semaphore , 50 ; Fidelity , 50 ; Light , 49 ; Concordia , 49 ; Mount Gambler , 47 j Pirie , 46 ; St . John's , 4 6 ; Concord , 45 ; Emulation , 44 ; Mostyn , 40 ; Koorunga , 39 ; St . Vincent , 39 ; Clare , 37 ; Wooroora , 36 ; Holdfast , 34 ; Princess Royal , 30 ; St-James ' s , 29 ; Corinthian , 23 ; St . John

19 ; and Melville ( opened only in November last ) . The financial statement showed , with a cash balance of £ 11 13 s . nd . brought forward , a total of £ 1368 on the side of receipts , leaving the sum of £ 142 7 s . id . to credit in the Town and Country Bank , the expenditure having been only £ 1225 13 s . id . Of this £ 249 2 s . 6 d . was spent in giving relief to various brethren . The accounts were audited by Bros . E . Cooke and F . Wilton Gardiner ., The

statement of assets and liabilities showed a credit balance ° f £ ? 5 6 ' 5 - lid ., of which £ 486 os . 1 id . is appropriated to the General Fund , and £ 270 15 s . to the fund for benevolent purposes . The year's expenditure is divided as follows : —General Fund , £ 1036 ios . Sd . ; Benevolent Fund , £ 257 5 s . The amount paid under the latter head was about equally divided between local brethren or their representatives , and visitingr brethren or theirs .

The report was adopted . The following resolution , carried at the last Quarterly Communication , was formally approved of : "That the amount payable by lodges to the Fund of General Purposes of Grand Lodge for each of its contributing members be reduced from is . to gd . per quarter . " The Grand Lodge Oflicers were then elected , there being no competition . The list is as follows :

Bro . The Chief Justice , Hon . S . Way G . Master . „ H . E . Downer , M . P D . G . Master . „ J . Ramsay G . S . W . „ Philip Sansom G . J . W . „ The Rev . C . G . Taplin ... ... G . Chap . „ S . Solomon ... ... ... G . Pres . B . G . P . „ VV . L . Ware G . Treas .

„ W . B . Webb G . Reg . „ J . C . Kaufmann ... ... G . I . of Lodges . „ The Rev . F . S . Poole ... ... G . Lecturer . „ J . H . H . Vockins G . S . D . „ F . H . Wigg G . S . D . „ F . Olifent G . J . D .

„ H . Turner G . J . D . „ R . L . Mestayer G . Supt . of Wks . „ G . C . Knight G . D . of C . „ J . G . Jenkins G . D . D . of C . „ J . Le M . F . Roberts G . A . D . of C . „ J . T . McLean G . Swd . Br . „ T . DeCean G . Std . Br . „ D . H . H . Weir G . Std . Br . ,, 1 . Shakespeare ... ... G . Org-.

„ G . F . VVard G . A . Sec . „ A . Simpson ... ... ... G . Purst . „ John Nicholson ... ... G . A . Purst . Bros . F . W . Gardiner , B . H . Laker , A . "V Lindsay , E . Cooke , H . Trevas- j kis , H . D . Cell , C . A . Murphy , \ r c . . C . R . Goode , j . C . Harris , C . f Gl Ste « ards . L . Meyer , A . Kemp , and G . I E . C . Stevens ... ... J

Bros . A . M . Simpson , J . R . Gurner , J . " ) G . Jenkins , D . H . H . Weir , J . [ G . B . of G . P . T . McLean , and W . Sketheway ) Bros . E . Cooke and F . \ V . Gardiner ... G . Auditors . The Grand Lodge Officers were then invested with the customary ceremonials , whicli were admirably performed with the assistance of an efficient choir , under lhe Grand Lodge Organist , Bro . J . Shakespeare . Bro . G . C . Knight , G . D . C , conducted the presentation , and the M . W . G . M .

invested . The investiture was marked by new features , including special addresses to each of the oliicers by the M . W . G . M ., who congratulated the Grand Lodge on the admirable selection they had made for the ensuing year . One of the most special incidents was the announcement by the G . M . that he had received under the hand and seal of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , G . M . of England , a

charter appointing him as the representative of the English Grand Lodge in South Australia . The G . M . made an appropriate speech in reference to the matter . He said he regarded the compliment paid as one ot the highest distinctions which could be offered to the Grand Lodge . At about S o'clock the annual banquet began in the hall below the lodge room . Mr . Jene was the caterer .

Grand Lodge Of South Australia.

Sixty guests were present . The chair was filled by the M . W . G . M . Bro . G . C . Knight acted as Director of Ceremonies . The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Queen and the Craft , " and

R . W . Bro . H . M . ADDISON , P . D . G . M ., gave "The M . W . G . M . " h The CHIEF J USTICE made an appropriate speech in response . He specially referred to the distinction conferred on the Grand Lodge by the receipt of the charter previously mentioned , and expressed the hone that he would

yet have the pleasure of representing the Grand Lodge here in the Grand Lodge in England . He moreover congratulated the lodge on its very satisfactory progress . He then submitted the toastof "Our Sister Grand Lodges , " the response to which was given by R . W . Bro . J . RAMSAY , G . S . W .

R . W . Bro . H . C . MAIS , P . G . S . W ., proposed "The Grand Lod ge Oflicers , " on behalf of whom Bro . S . SOLOMON , President of the Board of General Purposes , responded . Bro . PHILIP SANSOM proposed "The Visitors , " and the other usual Masonic toast ; were honoured . Altogether the gathering was of a most successful character .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Messrs . Yardley and Stephens have taken Bro . Toole ' s theatre for the summer and autumn season , commencing at the end of this month . Having- done well with the various burlesques they have collaborated , these gentlemen think it advisable to produce them themselves .

* * * The Royalty is to reopen on Whit Monday with two new pieces—the first , " Jack , " at eight o'clock , and an extravangaza , " Mephisto , " at ioo ' clock . Mr . E . J . Henley , who has seceded from the Globe , is one of the lessees , and is to play in the new pieces . The cast includes several

wellknown ladies and gentlemen , amongst them being Miss Constance Gilchrist , who makes her reappearance before the public after a retirement of about three years . As the Royalty is often thought to be out of the beaten track of theatres , we may add that it is easily reached by the new street , Shaftesbury-avenue . It is a very cosy little house .

* * * Mr . Charles Wyndham has put on at the Criterion an old play called " Wild Oats , " in which he took part about twelve years ago at the Royalty . " Wild Oats " has been run once since that , about three years ago , when the Compton Comedy Company were at the Strand . But

Mr . Wyndham has greatly altered the original text to suit his volatile audience and himself with a leading and comical character . My Wjndham looks as young in it as he did when he played at the little house in Soho . Admirers of Mr . Wyndham , and their name is legion , should not fail to pay a visit to the Criterion , where the popular and lively lessee is supported by a very strong and efficient cast .

* # Mr . Willie Edouin nothing daunted by his tenure of the Novelty , produced at a matinee at the Vaudeville the other day a piece of wild extravaganza called "Turned Up , " by Mr . Mark Melford . It had been played at Glasgow under another and more catching name . The fun hangs on the part of a sailor , whose wife supposing him to have been dead , marries again , while he has taken to himself a black spouse . The developement of

the fun rests with the children of these reckless parents , whose new pastimes interfere in the households . With the excellent caste who played in the piece it is sure to be popular with thc public . Its incidents are so amusing as to defy description , and vanish from the memory as soon as they have crossed it . Mr . Edouin and Mr . Charles Groves scored a great success . The piece is likely to go on tour at once . But we should like Londoners to see it first , if a theatre can be got . # * *

In our issue of 29 th ult . we stated , with reterence to a dramatic notice which appeared in the Freemason of tbe week before , respecting the play of " Jim the Penman , " at the Haymarket Theatre , that our first statement was incorrect as far as regards Mr . Russell haying bid for the „ play . We amended our notice by sayingfthat the play was bid for by the joint lessees , which , no doubt , is literally true , but the context should stand as it appeared in our paper of

22 nd May , which was substantially correct , viz ., that Sir Charles Young had for two or three years read his play , "Jim the Penman , " to several managers of West End theatres , the Haymarket included , and they all rejected it as having what is known in the profession " no money in it . " VVe then said , as it is so popular with the public , it is only one more instance of what bad judges managers usually are of plays , and that great credit is due to Mr . E .

Russell who , when the play was being acted at a matinee at the Haymarket , and who had not seen it before discerned that it would draw , and secured the play , the bid being , of course , made by the joint lessees . Our first notice theiefore was perfectly correct , and we think it only due to Mr . Russell and the writer of the notice—who is not in the habit of writing what he does not know about—to confirm what we then said . We are glad to say that the play is

drawing crowded houses every evening , and there can be little doubt will last this season . Mr . Broadfield has left the company , having tofulfil an engagement already entered into with Messrs . Hare and Kendal at the St . James's . Mr . Sugden takes his part , and plays it quite as effectively as he does differently . Lady Monckton has much improved since the first week , and seems to have settled down into a thorough professional . * # #

Mr . Augustin Daly and his company will have no cause to grumble at the reception they received at the Strand on the first night of their second visit to England . The applause came not from their fellow countrymen only , but from English playgoers quite as much , and was as genuine as it was unbounded . They have opened with one of their pieces , which has been very popular in the States , called "A Nig ht Off . " Played by any other company the