Grand Lodge Representatives.

ind have abandoned all interest in the working Tme Craft . T ke the representative of England and Wales , Sir John A . Macdonald . To say that be was a ^ ° ' l Mason would be the quintessence of flattery . It ? °° dozen years since he passed the Tyler , but it is ' cd that his social position lends dignity to the apiir ' \ tment , and the name looks well in type . P ° , pl ie provinces of the Dominions are represented as n ws •Ouebec , Robt . Mackay ; British Columbia , tT Creasor , O . C . ; New Brunswick , Hon . T . B . Gee QC ; Manitoba , M . Irving , Q . C . ; Nova

Votia G . J- Waugb ; and Prince Edward Island , L ' ° tf ll ' Murray . Of these Bros . Murray and Creasor ! v De regarded as the active ones . Bro . Mackay rtaily cannot claim to have done much for Quebec , f fact after allowing the Quebec question to be disused ' all over the jurisdiction without taking part in

., t ' | ie expectation that he would gracefully step down ' nd out was but natural . But he is there yet . •Bros , jrvin" and Pardee have not been twice in a Craft lodge . , / years . Ill-health has certainly visited the latter , re ? ret to say , but we speak of the days when his nresence mig ht have stimulated others .

The list of representatives of the Grand Lodge of the United States would stand a revision without hurt to any body . Some of those honoured brethren know as much of the Craft to-day as they do of the inner circle of the Clan-na-Gael . Louisiana , Wyoming , and \' ew Mexico , for instance , are represented by Bros .

G . S . Birrell , of London ; R . P . Stephens , of Toronto ; and P . J- Brown , of Ingersoll , respectively . If those brethren , who have lapsed , Masonically speaking , into innocuous desuetude , have not the grace to voluntarily resirm those positions , the Grand Master should assist them down .

Cumulative representation may be witnessed in the persons of Bros . J . K . Kerr , who embodies the dignity of the Grand Lodges of Indiana , Missouri , New Jersey , Texas , and Utah ; J , J . Mason , Florida and Kansas ; David McLellan , Illinois and Georgia ; S . B . Harman , Tennessee and Alabama ; A . A .

Stevenson , Connecticut , Minnesota , and Brazil ; D . Spry , Kentucky , Greece , and New South Wales ; Judge Macpherson , Maryland and Uruguay ; Otto Klotz , Washington Territory and St . Domingo ; and Jas . Moffat , Idaho and Pennsylvania . All these are worthy , active , and highly esteemed brethren , for all or any of

whom the Freemason would do much , but would it be committing the unpardonable sin to impress on them the fact that a little ought to go a long way , and that there are others , perhaps , equally as enthusiastic who would appreciate a more equitable distribution ? The "hog" business in Masonry will never be an incentive

to progress . It is no doubt true that our Grand Master does not make the appointments , but as he is asked to nominate , why should be not be careful , and give to those who have not ? In Grand Chapter and Grand Council we observe the same ground for complaint . In the former Comp .

Henry Robertson represents Mississippi , New York , and Dist . of Columbia ; Comp . D . Spry , New Jersey and Quebec . In the Grand Council Comp . J . Ross Robertson monopolises the General Grand Council of United States and California ; Comp . D . Spry , Vermont , New York , Maryland , and South Carolina . By

a singular omission North Carolina is not represented . Comp . D . McLellan has England , Georgia , and Missouri , & c . It should be a rule of all these Grand Bodies that no brother hold more than one Grand Lodge credential . Forei

gn jurisdictions , too , would do well to consider the matter , and restrict their representative to not only the ° ne appointment , but insist upon a yearly report to show that he is alive , not only in the flesh , but in affairs pertaining to Masonry . —Toronto Freemason .

Chinese Masons.

CHINESE MASONS .

The " Chinese Masons "met at this place last week , and marched a number of Celestials through the solemn mysteries of that Order at § 15 per head . The Chinese jf ™ 1 * at their 0 rder is " Alle same Melican man ' s a . sons , but a little hie-herprnde . more ancient , srrand

!" ystical , and richer in the lore and magnificent achings of antiquity . Judging from the ceaseless J- ' bering kept up for 24 hours , they must be accorded palm for the most copious flow of ceremonial ' S"age of an initiatory nature . The impression an 1 p ° " weary candidates cannot fail to be deep 1 1 , lst ; i ng . A march of 24 hours through changing

soo ^ f u arcna 5010 g ' cal mysteries is something not Chi " if ? S otten - The meeting was a big affair , A CfT '" attendance from a " P arts ot * "he basin , n-u . lnam an who was interviewed in regard to the

eoul i •Order gave as much information as he " Hin ^ giv ' lng away the sacred secrets . He said : , m alle same Melican Mason . Him better . Chinese M '"' Mme ivielican Mason . Him better . Chinese

ni'dde "" like bludder - 0 lle Chinaman he Mason , '' Khte ' v man Mason too ; he no quarrel ; he no nil u m - S ' pose he fi ghtee Chinaman no Mason , lickep u ° " P him—and man no Mason , all Mason heaD 1 ; u e hellee - Two Chinamen , if he no Masons , Mi , "ghtee , all lio-Vif- lU ^ nn nn lush in n ,-, rl c „

•WiYM- matter now ? ' He Iette him fi ght alle alle s-i £ man . No matter . Melican Mason no fi ghte ? judder like China Mason . Melican Mason alle samri MaSOn alle same ' n 0 matter - He no now / ii e ' men got one mudder . You heap savey of DeCe u £ extracts fr ° m the Pittsburgh Dispatch '" encori " Iotn sllow that tne Celestials have com-^ operations in that city .

Chinese Masons.

It is popularly presumed that he who " rides the goat" into so great a secret society as the Masonic , does so to the intense amusement of the spectators . But what shall be said of Western Pennsylvania ' s unique Masonic events recently ? The Chinamen of the two cities were in great glee .

They were togged out in their best clothes , and their pig-tails were g iven extra oiling and an extra curl . Many a fat duck and healthy chicken had its neck twisted for the benefit of the Celestials , while music and sweetmeats were distributed with lavish hand . Cigarettes , the absorption of sweet Chinese liquids ,

and the deglutition of their peculiar dishes took the place of washing for the Melican man . All this joviality was brought about by the arrival in the city of some Chinese hig h rollers from the East , who had come here to organise a branch of the Chinese Freemasons . Chinamen from all the surrounding

towns in Western Pennsylvania have been arriving in the city within the past day or two , and at 11 o ' clock last nig ht they all adjourned to a hall in Liberty-street , near Fourth , and there they began a session of Chinese Freemasons . A big policeman , one of Chief Brown ' s finest , stood at the door of the hall and saw that none

but those of the Celestial tribe got in , and that the Chinamen were not disturbed . It has been generally known that many of the Chinese are Masons , but this is the first attempt to organise the brethren here . Quong Yuen Long , of 315 , Grantstreet , is indicated as the boss of the big affair , and so

a reporter paid a visit to his establishment . He has a pleasant , round face , and a pretty fair idea of how to make himself understood in English . When he was asked to explain the meeting , he said that they were to meet to organise a lodge of Freemasons . There are many Chinamen in this section now , and it was decided to get certain ones of them into the lodge .

Two big Chinamen from New York , and perhaps others from various big cities , would be present to conduct the proceedings . He also said that there is a proposition on foot to erect a magnificent Freemason Temple in New York city , and that the Chinamen from all the cities of the country , including Pittsburgh , are to contribute to its erection . —Idaho World .

Canada's Masonic Centennial.

CANADA'S MASONIC CENTENNIAL .

In the course of his interesting lecture the other evening in the Toronto-street Masonic Hall , Bro . J . Ross Robertson offered two valuable suggestions which should not be lost sight of by the Craft in this province , and , indeed , throughout Canada . The first was that the gratitude of the brethren of to-day should be

embodied in a fitting memorial to that zealous Canadian Masonic pioneer , John Dean , who did more in the infant days of the Craft to place Masonry upon the foundation which g ives it its present greatness in this country than any other man then or since , and the second was that the centennial of Masonry in Canada , which occurs in 1892 , should be properly celebrated .

Undoubtedly an event of such importance as the hundredth year of the existence of the Craft in Canada should not be allowed to pass unmarked . There are abundant ways in which the brethren could celebrate so auspicious an era . Every Grand Lodge should mark tbe occasion , and each district under each Grand Lodge should devise it own scheme for a festival or re-union .

Why not make the St . John's Day in June of that year the day on which every Canadian lodge should meet and hear the story of Masonry ' s birth and growth in Canada recited to them by some competent brother or brethren , and close the celebration with a banquet or an " at home . " In the larger and wealthier centres

something more tangible and lasting might be added . Toronto mig ht fittingly mark the era by laying the corner-stone of a temple that the whole Dominion would take pride in . Now is the time to begin . Moreover , the D . G . M . ' s suggestion with reference to the Dean memorial should be taken up by the whole Craft , and

a monument unveiled in the centennial year that would perpetuate that good brother ' s memory , which is even now a shining example to us all . The Freemason will be only too happy to receive and publish opinions or suggestions to this end . Let us make our centennial celebration something worthy of a Fraternity that was ancient even 100 years ago . —Toronto Freemason .

The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Mr . Van Biene will be the best judge of the wisdom of playing a burlesque at the same theatre and immediately following the original company which has performed it for nearly a year . We believe it is the first time on record that such a venture has been tried . Mr . George Edwardes' talented company headed by Bro ,

Lonnen and Miss St . John , leaving the Gaiety on Saturday to play in the provinces , Mr . Van Biene opened the following Monday with a company of his own , brought together with only a week's rehearsal , and are now playing " Faust U p to Date , " the next being the last week . To be candid , we must say that had we

never seen the originals we should be hig hly delighted with the present company , but , even as it is , we can only speak in terms of the warmest eulogy at the way in which the ladies and gentlemen acquit themselves . Miss Grace Pedley , tbe Marguerite , has tbe advantage of having been Miss Florence St . John's understudy ,

The Theatres.

and played the part for nearly a month , and she has caught all Miss St . John ' s mannerisms , and sings in her style ; altogether she runs Miss St . John very close . This remark may well apply to Miss Millie Marion , the Siebel , who succeeds Miss Robina , but she has struck out a line of her own , and seems to immensel y please

the audience not onl y in her singing , but her dancing . She is a stranger to the London stage , but we hope to see more of her , judging by what she does in Bros . Sims and Pettitt ' s burlesque . Bro . Dallas is exceptionally good , and it is only fair to him to say that he equals Mr . G . Stone . Mr . Payne , who is the

Mephistopheles , would have done better to be more ori ginal , for he is a long way behind Bro . Lonnen ; but then there is , and only can be , one Lonnen . Miss Jenny Dawson is a comely Faust , and we are sure she will be well received , like the other members of the cast , at Southport on the 9 th prox ., where they open for their tour . The originals then proceed to America ,

where we wish them every success , and look forward to their return next year to the Gaiety . Mr . Van Biene has introduced several newsongs and new " business " into " Faust Up to Date , " so that it goes along merrily . We believe it is an open secret that the new burlesque , " Ruy Bias , " will be produced b y Mr . Edwardes about the 21 st September .

* * * " Our Flat" has taken a new lease of life on being moved to the other side of the street b y Mr . Edouin , who has regained the Strand Theatre , and we have no doubt for many a night to come this farcical comedy will fill the little theatre , so excellently is it played by

Miss Fanny Brough , Miss Gowland , Miss May Whitby , Mr . Edouin , Mr . Fawcett , Mr . Forbes Dawson , and Miss Enid Leslie . For a week Miss Whitb y played Miss Fanny Brough ' s part , and showed the capabilities of which she is possessed . When the time comes for this young lady to get a principal part in London we are

sure she will give the same general satisfaction that she has done in leading characters in the province . We recommend our readers who are in want of an evening ' s entertainment to adjourn to the Strand and see " Our Flat , " which is now preceded by a pretty little piece called " Boys will be Boys . "

* * * The theatrical-going public in the provinces have often had an opportunity of seeing Mr . F . C . Burnand ' s melodrama " Proof , " but it has been reserved for Miss Grace Hawthorne to revive this popular play at the Princess ' s , where it is being given to good houses . We

believe it is about 12 years since it was seen in London . Many , like ourselves , doubtless there are who had never seen it before . The subject may be well-worn , nevertheless , it is quite worth reproducing , and going to see , ' specially by the lovers of the strong drama . The cast

includes that excellent actor Mr . J . H . Barnes , Miss Carlotta Leclerq , Miss Marie Illington , and Miss Hawthorne . For a run " Proof " ought to do well , but we hope the lessee will give us the long-promised "Theodora . "

The following is from the columns in the July number of the Canadian Craftsman , headed " Between the Pillars " : " The other evening I was present at the initiation of a candidate in one of the city lodges . The candidate was about as deaf as a stone , and the

W . M . in giving him the charges had to shout them into his ear . It not only amused me , but forced on me the thought that it would be a good idea for some of those Grand Lodge ' s members who are continuall y getting the Constitution amended , to have it amended so as to admit candidates with slight physical defects , or , at least , permit the use of speaking trumpets . * *

... ,. ... A man stands a bad chance of being admitted if he is minus a finger , but if he is minus brains and common sense , if he cannot even read or write , he is eligible as the Constitution at present stands . "

Comp . Drummond has compiled his Royal Arch Table for the year 188 9 , from which it appears that the number of R . A . Masons in North America is 149 , 903 , distributed among 46 Grand Chapters , including the General Grand Chapter , U . S . A . The four Grand Chapters in the Dominion of Canada are those of Canada with 3441 members , New Brunswick with 402

members , Nova Scotia with 510 members , and Quebec with 443 members ; so that the number belonging to the Grand Chapters in the United States is 145 , 107 . The Grand Chapter of New York heads the list with 15 , 332 subscribing companions , Illinois being second with 12 , 508 , Pennsylvania third with 11 , 99 8 , and Ohio fourth with 10 , 817 . The two smallest are those of Delaware , with 292 members , and South Carolina , with 264 members . The Grand Lodge of Connecticut celebrated the centenary of its formation at New Haven on the 10 th July . The proceedings were on a very extensive scale , and included a reception the previous evening by the Grand Master , an historical address , a centennial poem , and a centennial oration . Everything passed off

admirabl y , thanks to the arrangements made by the G . Secretary , Bro . J . K . Wheeler , on whom devolved most of the preparatory steps . It is satisfactory to know that the 12 lodges which took part in the constitution of this Grand Lodge are still on its roll , that tbe

number of lodges now in existence in the State is in , and that the number of subscribing members is close on 16 , 000 . It is evident from these facts that in Connecticut Freemasonry has gone on growing with the growth of the State in population and prosperity .