The Grand Conclave Of Knights Templar At San Francisco.

THE GRAND CONCLAVE OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AT SAN FRANCISCO .

The following description of some of thc proceedings at the above festival is extracted from a letter written by a non-Mason and sent to a brother in England , who has placed it at our disposal , and we think it of sufficient interest to reproduce it in the Freemason : — The whole city has been in an immense state of

excitement for about io days , and it will continue about a week more , His the 22 nd Grand Triennial Conclave of Knights Templars , if you know what that is , and all the high Freemasons iron ) every state and territory in the Union are hereon a "pilgrimage . " lt is the most arrant nonsense you can imagine in theory , but in practice it has been an event in the history of California , a sight I am glad to have seen , and do not expect to see again , for thc conclave wil ' not bc here again fur 6 3 years .

In the Iirst place the entire city is decorated with all the Hags of the Masonic orders , garlands , wreaths , festoons , banners ; all the wide streets have long strings of flags across them at intervals of 50 feet ; every window sports banners and Hags . There are two immense triumphal arches in different parts of the town . Every evening the town is illuminated—there are fireworks , balls , banquets , meetings , promenade concerts , seven theatres in full blast , besides three operas ; indeed , the festivities are too numerous

to mention . There are 5000 visiting Knights Templars , most of whom have brought their wives and families , besides which there are several hundred Freemasons from different parts who are not as high as knights . Then every country town and village throughout California and Nevada has emptied its entire population into San Francisco to see the show . There arc cheap trips from every city in the United States . The

hotels , boarding and lodging houses , are all full to overflowing , streets almost impassable . Seventeen hundred people sat down to breakfast on Sunday at the Palace Hotel alone . Twenty-seven thousand people arrived from the bay on Saturday , and on Monday ( the day of the grjat procession ) there was said to be 75 , 000 strangers in town , besides our usual population . I have never seen anything like it anywhere . The gala dressed ciiy , the bands , the

crowds—it is a marvellous arrangement . On Sunday I went to the Masonic service at the Pavilion . Spectators were only admitted by tickets of invitation ; but 1 was to the fore , as usual , in a good place . The entire building , ceiling , walls , and galleries were hung with Masonic flags , orders , ' and what not . The procession came in as follows : 100 chorister boys , singing " Onward , Christian soldiers , " followed by 24 clergy and two bishops ,

these being followed by 5000 Knights Templars ( three abreast ) , in full uniform , with aprons , scarves , medals , and swords—a splendid looking set of fello . vs . They all marched up the centre aisle , and thence passed off in battalions to their seats . The service was the usual Episcopal afternoon service , minus a few of the prayers and one lesson . At thc " Belief " they all partially drew their swords and said the creed with the right hand clasped in the cross

of the hilt . In the hymns they all sang . Fancy the magnificent volume of male voices . Then in the Recessional , as the clergy and choristers passed down the aisle , they all stood at " Present , " that is to say , with the sword held in the right hand straight up , with the cross hilt just below the eyes . It was a most imposing service . Then , on Monday , it was a general holiday ; all the world turned out to see the procession . VVe had a

splendid place , from a friend's house in the Van Ness-avenue . It was a splendid procession , especially the horses ; they were all black and about a height , and with their saddle cloths heavy with silver fringe and stamped with the Maltese cross , and their riders in black velvet and silver , with tho cross on the left shoulder of lhe cloak , it made one think of the old days of crusaders and chivalry . Some were on foot , nf course ; indeed , most of the Eastern knights were , lor

they could not all bring their horses so many thousand miles ; but they inarched well , and each battalion inarched in some different form . The Ohio knights formed a triangle , and marched in that way ; the Bostonians marched in the form of a cross ; the Pennsylvanians in a Maltese cross , & c . The bands were ill good , especially the Hawaiian band of native Kanackas , sent by compliment from Honolulu by King Kalakaui , who is a " free and accepted Mason ; " they played splendidly . Altogether 1 cannot

tell you a quarter of the doings , but can only give you some little idea of the universal and all-pervading excitement . Next Friday there will be another general holiday and another immense procession to the park , to lay the cornerstone of the Garfield mounment with full Masonic honours . Il is a true saying that " San Francisco periodically goes mad ; " but 1 think this time we are madder than we have ever I'Ecn before .

The Masonic Difficulty In Quebec.

THE MASONIC DIFFICULTY IN QUEBEC .

liein the Montreal Daily Witness , September 13 th , 1 SS 3 . For . some time past there have been discussions of differences between the lodges of English Register and those of the Grand Lodge of Quebec . These have assumed so public a character as to become a subject of general

interest , even outside of the Craft , owing to recent publications reflecting very seriously upon the conduct and good 's : tfi of the English lodges , and misrepresentations of the Position of William Ross , YVorshipful Mastcr of St . George ' s Lodge , English Register , in particular . Proceedings for libel were resorted to by him for the purpose of vindicating his own position and adjusting to the satisfaction of the

Lraft the unhappy differences that existed , and had been , h y the publication of certain letters in the public press removed beyond the privacy of Masonic jurisdiction . The circumstance which led to the present affair was the secession of King Solomon Lodge , Scotch Register , for the

Pin-pose of affiliation with the Grand Lodge of Quebec . Mr . Ross , with seven other members , objected to the change of allegiance , still maintaining their loyalty towards •he Grand Lodge of Scotland , with which they have been so long identified . The body who unconstitutionally ren ° Unced their former authority not only continued the name 01 Mr . Ross and his confreres who had refused to secede

The Masonic Difficulty In Quebec.

but ever , went the length of declaringhim suspended for the non-payment of dues , which was subsequently reported to the Grand Lodge of Quebec , and published in the widely circulated annual ' report of the Grand Secretary . The remonstrances of Mr . Ross to Mr . J . H . Isaacson , the Grand Secretary , of the Gth and 13 th or June , seeking for an amicable erasure of his suspension and settlement having been unsatisfactory , took legal proceeding at once .

Although the legal proceedings had been commenced , Mr . Ross was even at that date not averse to an amicable settlement of the difficulty , providing justice was done to him and his lodge , and when it was proposed to him that his suspension be erased , and a correct statement of affairs and an apology approved of by him should be published , he consented on these terms to discontinue thc proceedings upon thc payment of costs . Mr . Ross accordingly accepted the following letters :

" The Grand Lodge of Quebec , A . F . & A . M . " Grand Secretary ' s Office , "Montreal , uth September , 1 SS 3 . "V \' .: < . kess , Esq ., Wor . Master St . George's Lodge , No . 440 , E . R . '' \ Vcr . Sir and Bro . —I thavingbeen found on investigation that you should not have been returned by Kin : ? Solomon

Lodge under this jurisdiction as a suspended member for non-payment of dues , I regret that , in my capacity as Grand Secretary having charge of the printing of Grand Lodge proceedings in which such return appeared , I was instrumental in publishing such suspension . — I am , yours , ( Signed ) " J II . ISAACSON , : — "Grand Sec . "

"The Grand Lodge of Quebec , A . F . & A . M . " Ollice of the Grand Master , "Stanstead , Sept . 5 th , 1 S . 33 . "Dear Sir and VV . Bro . —Having had my attention called to a return made in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Quebec tor the session cf 1 SS 1 , in which your name appears as having been suspended by King Solomon Lodge for r . on-payment of dues , and having carefully

investigated the circumstances connected therewith , I find that you should not have been so returned , not being a member of that lodge . Itis deeply regretted that all the facts connected with the case were not eariier brought under the notice of the Grand Master . 1 consider it my duty to cause the suspension to be removed with the least possible

delay , and trust that this will take away all cause for complaint . —I am , fraternally yours , ( Signed ) " E . R . J OHNSTON , " G . M . G . L . A . F . & A . M . Quebec " William Ross , Esq .. VV . M . St . George ' s Lodge , " No . 440 , " A . F . & A . M ., R . R ., Montreal . "

"Montreal , 12 th Sept ., 1 SS 3 . " Wm . Rcss , Esq . " Dear Sir and VV . Bro . —I will , as Master of King Solomon Lodge , call the lodge together with the least possible delay , will then submit to them and endeavour to have passed a resolution cancelling your suspension effected the fth Septemocr , and when passed will send you certified copy of such resolution . —Yours , & c , ( Signed ) " Clis . BVRU . "

Messrs . Maclaren , Leet & Smith were counsel for Mr Ross , and Messrs . Tait , Q . C , and T . P . Butler for Air J . II . Isaacson .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

' •The Glass of Fashion" is still drawing crowded audiences at the Globe . # #

* " The Millionaire , " not " Self , " is to bc the title of the new comedy at thc Court , adapted from novel of "Kissing ihe Rod . " * s * Miss Kate Vaughan we learn is " doing good liiisine .-s " in the provinces with her company in " The Countrv Girl . "

In addition lo his Drury Lane pantomime , Dro . Harris h . - is arranged for the pantomimes at the Gaiety 'Theatre , Glasgow , and the Crystal Palace , Sydenham . * * » The Vokcs family are , wc understand , arranging a short ti cr through the principal towns of Kngland and Scotland , r reparatory to their return to America .

"The Princess" will be the name of the new opera at thy Savoy shortly to succeed " lolanthe , " and on which Sir Arthur Sullivan and Mr . Gilbert nre engaged . It is from Tennyson ' s 1 : 0 cm of lhat name . * s * is

' •Kip Van Winkle '" at thc Coined ) , and " lular . thc ' ¦ ' at the Savoy , each reached their juuth performance last Saturday . At the Savoy all the ladies in the stalls and dress circle were presented with a bouquet of Mowers—a ^ jift much appreciated .

Messrs . Gatti having decided not to produce pantomime at their theatre next Christmas , Miss Leslie , who was engaged to them , has been engaged by Bro . Hollingshead for his pantomime at the Princes 'Theatre , Manchester .

* » Mr . VV . S . Gilbert is said to be writing a one act play for Miss Mary Anderson , to be performed when she essays the character of Galatea , arrangements have been made for her to perform in Mr . Gilbert ' s comedy of " Pygmalion and Galatea . "

* * * Miss Kate Vaughan has been engaged at the largest salary she has ever received , and at the largest salary overpaid at Drury Lane or elsewhere for any artist to appear in a Pantomime . Every one of the charming steps Miss Vaughan will dance in the Pantomime will cost untold gold .

The Theatres.

Bro . George R . Sims ' s " Merry Duchess" has been produced at thc Standard Theatre , New York , with brilliant success . * * * The new Gilbert-Sullivan opera , now being rehearsed at the Savoy Theatre , will be produced there in November .

* * « Madame Albani-G ye and her sister had the honour ot being- received by her Majesty at Balmoral Castle on Monday , and afterwards lunched at the castle . * * * The London Stereoscopic Company have sent to New York 30000 sets of photographs of Mr _ Irvj Matluasin Ihe Bells . " There are 12 portraits in each set

15 * * " In the Ranks , or the Soldier ' s Wife , " the new drama for the Adelphi Theatre , in which Miss Bateman will appear , is definitely fixed for production on Saturday next , the American arrangement for its reoresentation in New Vork being a fortnight later .

* * * Bro . Augustus Harris is in treaty with thc managers of t . ' icChatelet Theatre for the production of "Youth " in Paris . The play has been translated and accepted by the management , and the terms on which Bro . Harris will take over his Drury-lane scenery , properties , & c ., is now the only question to be discussed .

lhcre is some hope that Bro . Sir A . Sullivan ' s long promised grand opera may now be completed , possibly in time for the next season at the Royal Italian Opera 1 he work is understood to be " Alary Stuart , " which was projected many years ago , and the Knglisli libretto of which was sketched by the late Mr . II . F . Chorley

* * # , ; We regret to announce the death of Miss Orndge , which occurred on Sunday week in Guernsey where she had gone ( 0 join her famil y for a holiday The cause of her death was typhoid fever , contracted in London from drinking milk contaminated by sewage gas The event is all the more melancholy inasmuch that she

was engaged to be married to Mr . Harry Seligmann , who had conducted the concerts at which she san" - Miss Orridge studied at the London Academy and abroad She had gamed many of the best prizes , and was looked upon as a rising artiste . In private life , in which we have known her since girlhood , she was beloved by all . She died at the age of 27 .

* # # So great has been the success of Miss Minnie Palmer , the American actress , at the Grand , Islington , that the lessees ot the theatre are endeavouring to cancel all arrangements alread y made for other companies to appear before Christmas . It is expected that Miss Minnie Palmer will fill the coffers of the house up till that date The performance in which she appears is of that kind of whicli have had several

we specimens from America lately , and which we designated in the columns of the Freemason as 3 mixture of farce burlesque , comedy , and concert . But it is very evident that its popularit y is not at all on thc wane , even though many of us become sentimental on classical plays . 1 here is room for both . Doubtless manv of those who love to see Shakespeare delineated on the stage are also amongst those who ni ghtly cheer and cheer again at the very opposite kind of acting now predominant

at tne urancl . But there are those to whom classical pieces are somewhat of a bore , and who want to be refreshed after a dull day ' s work with something light and enervating I hey have it at the Grand in all its glory , with a charming htde juvenile hdy as the heroine . " My Sweetheart " for such is the name of the piece , has a story which neihansw

scarcely worth relating , being thin and commonplace . The whole thing is Miss Minnie Palmer from beginning to end I hough she makes of what would otherwise be a very dull piece amusement and fun , stiil we would like toscc her in something written a little more in harmony with her lii . rh c | ass acting . As a dancer she is graceful ; as a singer she is delightful ; asan actress , clever ; and withal vivacious , spri'ditly and charmingIt this lad

. appears young y was born in iSCc - was educated in a convent school in New York , from whicli she was taken to Vienna , where she took dancing lessons and showing so much natural talent the professor interested himself , n her . In Pans she learnt singing and completed dancing . She made her Iirst appearance in public in 1 S 76 , at the Brook / and Iheatre , when both and public

press stamped her success as genuine and her genius as great . Owing to her being overworked at an earl y age it is said she has never grown since 12 years of ago . Mr Abbev who engaged Iiro . Henry Irving for America , secured her and her name was made from that date . Before cominto England she entered into a contract not to marry for ive years except under forfeit of £ 3000 . Her face U iiu

ueau . anu un ot expression , sometime too much so , for she has a fault-wc like to call a sonde a suaih .-nf „ m « We trust she will in England drop these vulgarities , llcr voice , s or wonderful compibs and s ^ etnes ^ her manners lull of piquancy and " chic , " with at thesame time the modhat t is not to be wondered at

, there was a rush the first week to see what she is like . She has come and conquered , and made a veritable sensation amongst lovers of the lighter form of drama Miss Minnie Palmer is indeed what she ono ^ t ? t , ! f rSl ; U 7 eleCtr , Ca' - " No SOOner has sl 'C * t ™ ck one attitude and put on an expression of countenance than , like an electric shock , she has changed to so , Et I

peuectiy uiuerent . In less than a twinkle of the eve she can express to an audience what she desires . This is oarticularly noticeable in her method of throwing a kiss to her lover . I he drawback is that before one has time to take in some oddity she has gone to another , producing equal roars of laughter . One requires to keep a close eye on the performance . Mr . Arnold and Mr . Hawkins are the two chief

male performers . Mr . Arnold is excellent as "Tony " but , as we have said , it is a " character " piece . The music is pretty and includes some ol Moore and Burgess ' s songs .

P , t L » fi SON ' S EjunuTiox .-Portrait Models oC Inncc l-. iw .-ml of baxc-Wumar , the Comte tie Paris late Comte de Chamboril , and M . \ Vaddi _> , ; ton . Costly Court Ureses from the bnt Parisian houses Also lUlt Mod ' d ofamisCar -y C Informer . Captain Webb ( taken from life ; . AdiriLfoi 1 is fcx ra rooms id . Open from 10 till 10 . [ ADVT . ]