Masonic Exhibition At Plymouth.

the string forms a triangle on either side . There are two Chinese pillars , and the snn , moon , and stars depicted . It is supposed to be of B . C . 1200 ( Circa ) . The Mark certificate of Lieutenant John W . Bake , E . N . ( uncle to the exhibitor ) , granted by Lodge 170 ( now 105 ) , dated 6 th March 1829 , a cnrions and interesting relic , which , if

known at the time when the Fortitude Mark Lodge obtaiued its oharter , would have placed it among the " Time Immemorial " Lodges which worked the degree prior to the formation of the Mark Grand Lodge . Three of the Officers who signed the certificate Bro . Hughan has traced ns follows : —Dr . VV . P . Baldy

P . P . J . G . D . ( "CO . " ) ; A . G . Whitfield P . P . G . Reg . ( " S . O . " ) ; and Sir George W . Magrath , M . D ., P . P . G . S . W . of Devon , names familiar to the Benior brethren of the Three Towns and to other old residents . Over eighty charming jewels of various degrees—medals , snuff-box , with chased silver emblem ? , paintings on ivory , & c . —are

contributed to the exhibition by Bro . T . Lamb-Smith P . P . G . D . Worcester , Hon . Mem . 1247 . These are of great variety and interest . Lodge of Love ancl Honour , No . 75 , Falmonth , exhibit a Master ' s jewel with Freemasons' Hall medal attached , presented between 1770 and 1790 , and the Volubian Chapter No . 75 , ten Officers' Royal

Arch jewels 1825 , and five head-dresses for principals ( same period ) . Miss Boger , 1 Peulee Villas , Stoke , has sent an interesting relic in the form of a handsome Rose Croix jewel , silver and paste brilliants attached to ring and black ribbon . The account which has been handed down with this souvenir is to the effect that Napoleon took

it off his own neck aud placed the decoration on the neck of Michael Mourning , a seaman on board the Northumberland , who pulled the " stroke oar" of the boat in which the Emperor was taken from the ship to the land when being couveyed to St . Helena . On the edge is the inscription " Napoleon 1 st at Torbay , 28 Joly , 1815 . " By

permission of Lodge Harmony , the fine oil painting of a Masonic procession of the province of Devon entering St . Andrew ' s Church in 1860 , adorns the wall of the Lodge Room . The Associated Lodge Nos . 70 , 105 , and 156 contribute a curious and rare biographical sketch of H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex M . W . G . M . of England , in the

form of an etching , with a portrait and biographical memoir of onr Masonic sister Mrs . Aldworth . One of the finest , most varied , and most interesting collections in the exhibition is that shown by Bro . W . J . Hughan P . G . S . D . of England , the indefatigable editor of the oatalogue , which is admirably compiled , and but for whom the

exhibition would not have been held . The Masonic portrait gallery is exceedingly good , and the old Masonic certificates , histories , by-laws , & c , well worthy of attention . Other <> xhibitors are Metham Lodge No . 1205 , Bros . Com . G . H . B . Reed , R . N ., P . P . G . S . B . Cornwall , the Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., 320 P . M . and Chap . 189 P . P . G . Ch ., the

Misses Trego , Mutley , St . John the Baptist Lodge No . 39 , Exeter ( the senior Lodge in Devon , possessing the oldest original charter known in England ) , James Jerman P . P . G . S . Wks . Exeter , A . Hope 39 ( who exhibited tbe original acacia plant ) , tho Rev . G . E . Carwithen , M . A ., Stoke , T . C . Betty J . W . 557 , VV . Gatley James , Trewarthian ,

Newlyn East , James McBryde 1251 , Waterman 105 , True Love and Unity Lodge 248 , Brixham , St . John's Lodge 70 , Fortitude Lodge 105 , Harmony 156 , St . John's Lodge 1247 , Dnndas 1255 , Prudence 1550 , Bros . H . Pole P . M . 1164 P . P . G . A . Secretary Cornwall , T . B . Whytehead P . P . G . S . W . York , hon . member 70 , C . E . Mayer P . M . and

ohairman Library Committee Pennsylvania , U . S . A ., hon . member 131 Truro , E . D . Anderton P . G . Secretary Cornwall , Mr . Beavil , Plymouth , Bros . Wm . Coath P . M . 893 , J . Leonard 202 , R . H . Rae 189 P . P . G . D ., F . Westcott W . M . 70 . The various banners , warrants , centenary jewels of Lodge , clothing and jewels of various degrees

make a most pleasing show . Bro . Hughan , in opening the exhibition , delivered a very interesting address . It afforded him great pleasure to welcome them there , ou behalf of the committee , who hoped that the arrangement of the large number of exhibits was such aa would conduce to their

information and understanding as far as possible . Having referred to previous Masonic exhibitions , he said he thought it a remarkable thing that they shonld be able to get together from brethren connected with Devon and Cornish Lodges over 1 , 000 exhibits , many of

which were unique in character and of priceless value . Bro . Hnghan pointed out the chief and most important articles in the exhibition , and said the exhibition was not held for urcbiclogical or Masonic inquiry , but to appeal to them on behalf of the Devon Masonic Educational Fnnd . He was "ratified to find that there was an increasing

interest among Masonic brethren in that excellent fund , but it was a great shame that in a province of fifty-oue lodges so large a proportion of subscriptions shonld come from brethren of the Three Towns . It would be a disgrace to tho province if the income of the Devon Masonic Educational Fund did not reach £ 500 per annum .

In that room there was a chair belonging to Lodgo Fortitude which there was every reason to suppose was sat in by the Duke of Clarence , afterwards William IV ., after his initiation . Brunswick Lodge had sent a very antique Masonic chair , whilst the W . M . ' s chair in the Temple was used by H . R . H . tho Prince of Wales on the

ooca-Bion of his opening the Guildhall . He had much pleasure in declaring the exhibition open , Bro . Gover said the work of preparing the catalogue must have been enormous , and he only hoped that the success of the exhibition wonld be proportionate . On behalf of the committee and members

of tbe Lodges assembled , he had great pleasure in thanking Bro . Hughan for opening the exhibition . There was no better or more enthusiastic Mason in the world than Bro . Hnghan , ancl no better advocate for the Devon Masonic Educational Fund . Ho hoped after what had fallen from Bro . Hnghan that other parts of tho jn'ovinee

would take an increasing interest iu that fnnd . Bro . Hughan , in reply , thanked Bros . Gover , Goodall ( who had proved au excellent secretary ) , aud Macey for the assistance they had rendered him . Tho catalogue reflected credit on Bro . Westcott , the priuter , and he would couclude with " Success to the Plymouth Exhibition of 1887 . "

Histrionics At The Masonic Schools.

HISTRIONICS AT THE MASONIC SCHOOLS .

SPEAKING of the recent distribution of prizes afc the Boys' Institution at Wood Green , the Era observes that : — For some time past the study of elocution and histrionics has formed part of the curriculum at this school , and the result of this action on the part of tho head-master and his staff has been made apparent on various occasions , when dramatic representations have been given by the youthful amateurs , as a means of enlivening the long , and otherwise dreary , evenings of winter . A fresh impetus has

been given to this department of educational exercise by prizes offered by the Master of the Drnry-lane Lodge , and the lads have shown their thorough appreciation of Bro . Harris ' s considerate kindness . Care has been taken by the preceptors not to overtax the capabilities of the youngsters , and the pieces selected for them have

invariably been of a simple character . Still , with careful and judicious training , tho lads have made the most rnarkod improvement in their study of tho art , and their efforts last Satnrday were rewarded with rounds of genuine approbation by a " crowded house . " The two piece * produced went with a swing and verve that would

have done credit to older amnteurs , and gave evidence of what can be achieved , in a comparatively short time , by encouragement such as that which Bro . Harris and his friends have given . The " make-up "

of the youths who sustained tho female parts caused the utmost amusement , not to say admiration , amongst the ladies in the audience , and the smartness displayed by the juvenile artists kept everybody in a constant titter of merriment .

The Stage , referring to the same subject , says : — The cultivation of elocutionary powers seems to have takeu a high place amongst the branches of education imparted at the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys at Wood Green . Twelve months ago special prizes were offered by Bro . Augustus Harris ( now Worshipful

Master of the Drury-laue Lodge of Freemasons ) for the best English essay and for dramatic ability , and at the annual distribution of awards at that School , on Saturday last , the Secretary , Bro . F . Binckes , said ho had innch pleasure in announcing that the popular lessee of the National Theatre hud renewed his substantial awards

for those subjects . Reference was made to the progress many of the pnpils had shown in histrionic ability , and this was in a great measure attributed to tho stimulus given by Bro . Harris in presenting the prizes alluded to . Dramatic representations are frequently given in the members' rooms during lha winter evenings , and tho boys

appear to have t . ikeri very kindly to this very wholesome form of relaxation . The programmo included two farce ? , both of which went exceedingly well , and reflected great credit both upon the boys who

undertook parts and upon their' preceptors . The smartness of acting and tho excellence of the mako-np of tho youths who sustained the female parts kept tho house in a constant titter , ancl tho young actors wero rewarded with frequent and hearty applause .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

PHILADELPHIAN CLAIMS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BUOTHEU , —Since I wrote my last a friend has pointed out that tho word " anuounced" iu Bro . Norton ' s letter to you , in the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE of 25 th June , ought to read " renounced . " If so , all mv criticisms of Bro . Norton ' s rmssarre nnflnt

Coxe's Patent fall to the ground and are " out of Court . " Indeed he probably takes the same view as Bro . Gould and myself . Tho date of Coxe ' s Patent is not , as appears iu your last , 5 th June 1710 , but 5 th June 1730 . I will call attention next week in yonr

columns to Brother C . MacCalla ' s Review of Bro . Gould ' s History in his issue of tho Philadelphia Keystone of 11 th June . Fraternally yours , A STUDENT OF BRO . GOULD ' S HISTORY .

WAS oHAKBSPEARB A FREEMASON ? To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I think there is evidence that Shakespeare was one of us ; and 1 shall ba glad if some of your readers will express an opinion ou this interesting question . Head King Henry V ., Act II ., Scene 1 : — Pistol ( loq ) . An oath of mickle might ; and fury shall abate .

Give mo thy list , thy fore-foot to me give ; Thy spirits are most tall . Nijiii . I will cut thy throat , one time or other , in fair terms ; that is the humour of it . Vistol . Coupe le gorye , that ' s the word ? Agaiu , take this passage , from Hamlet , Act II ., Scene 2 : —

Polonius . If circumstances bad me , I will find Wlie-d truth is hid , though it were hid indeed Within the centre . Yours fraternally , HENRY NASH , 211 .