C O N T E N T S. - PAGE.LRADERS—

Freemasonry Abroa d ... ... ••. ••• ••• 6S3Masonic Clothing and Regalia ... ... ... — 68+

The Story of the Old Charges ... ... ... ... ... 6S5Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire... ... ... ••• GS5Provincial Grand Chapter of Nottinghamshire—Installation of Comp. Judge W.

Masterman as G. Supt. of Nottinghamshire ... ... ... 6S6Consecration of the Leyton Lodge, No. 2626 ... ... ... 687M ASONI C N OTES—

Christmas Greeting... ... ... ... — .... 6S9Approaching Festival of the R.M.B.L ... ... ... ... 6S9Centenary of the South Saxon Lodge, No. 311 ... ... ... 6S9

Correspondence ... ... ... ... ... ••• 690Great Priory... ... ... ... ... ... ••• 690"Send-off " Dinner to Bro. Will E. Chapman ... ... ... 691Craft Masonry ... ... ... ... ... ... 692Obituary ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 694Board of Benevolence ... ... ... ... ... ... ^94Our Portrait Gallery ... ... ... ... ... ... C94Masonic and C—>eral Tidings ... ... ... ... ... 696

PREEMASOARY ABROAD.

Our annual review of Freemasonry in the British Empire in-variab ly occup ies so much of our time and the space at our dis-posal that the remarks we may have to make on the Craft inother countries are usual ly relegated to a separate article andeven then we are unable to do more than furnish a few particularsof a more or less general character. As regards Freemasonryin Europe , the facts that have commanded our notice are few innumber. We remark that the Protectorsh ip of H.R.H. PrinceFREDERICK LEOPOLD OF PRUSSIA , winch has hitherto been limitedto the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes at Berlin , has now beenextended to the other Berlin Grand Lodges, namely, the GrandNational Lodge and the Grand Lodge Royal York of Friendshi p,but the changes in the personnel of the three lod ges are few innumber , the most important beingthesubstitution of Bro. HERAiANNMUMMENTHEY for Bro. CARL A. BOUCIIE as Grand Secretary ofthe Grand Lodge Royal York of Friendshi p. Bros. General VONREINHARDT and FRIEDRICH ENGEIL are Grand and Deputy GrandMasters respectively of the Grand Lodge of the Sun at Bayreuth .Bro. HENRI BERGE is Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Bel-gium , while the vacant office of Grand Master of the UnitedGrand Orient of Portugal , has been filled by the election of Bro.Dr. BE R N A R D I N O A LACHADO . As to the character of the Craft onthe continent of Europe, there is no reason to suj>pose that it hasaltered in any respect. In Germany, Sweden , Denmark , andone or two other States, it adheres more or less strictl y to that ofFreemasonry in the United Kingdom , but elsewhere it concernsitself very particularl y with the political and religious controver-'~- of the day and is as unlike the Freemasonry we preach and

practise as possible. Hence the antagonism which existsbetween Masonry and the Roman Catholic Church and whichseems to become more and more bitter every year ;though why the Romish priesthood should persist in condemningthe whole Masonic body, because certain sections of it deliber-ately violate both the letter and sp irit of its laws, passes ourcomprehension. The anti-Masonic Congress, which met atTrent during the autumn , has certainl y not done much towardsstrengthening the position of the Romish Church as againstMasonry, and for this princi pal reason—in Protestant countriesthe Freemasons are indifferent to the anathemas which arelaunched against them ; in Roman Catholic countries they treatthem with contempt or resent them. Possibly, however, somegood may result from the determination of the Congress toestablish Charitable Institutions wherever such have been alreadyestablished by the Freemasons. It is difficult to imagine that

two antagonistic bodies can work together, side by side, in behalfof the same laudable object without acquir ing a knowled ge ofeach other 's merits, and in time, perhaps, exchang in<r courtesiesand compliments. If such a result as this should follow from theanti-Masonic Congress of the present year, it will not have beenheld in vain.

But , though we admire and respect the Craft in Germany,Sweden, Denmark , and wherever else in Europe it abides , as wehave said , more or less closely by its fundam ental pr inci ples ,when we think or speak of Freemasonry abroa d, it is towards thebrethren in the United States that our attention is more especiall ydirected. Though more than a hundr ed years have elapsed sincethose States—or at least such of those as were once BritishColonies—w ere separated from us, both politicall y and Masoni-cally, and though , in the course of time, some of the GrandLodges then established have deviated from sundry of the ritesand observances of Freemasonry—matters which are ceremonialrather than essential—we still hold them to be a part of ourMasonic system. What are now the Grand Lodges of NewYork , Massachusetts , Pennsy lvania , &c, were originall y Pro-vincial Grand Lodges under our Grand Lodge. Their lawsare derived from or modelled after our laws ; and their ritualis in the main ours. And as those earlier Grand Lodgesderived from us, so their middle-aged—if the word may be app liedto bodies corporate—and younger G. Lodges have derived fro mthem. In fact, the Masons of the United States, though rano-edunder 50 Grand Lodges, with those of the United Kingdom , itsColonies and possessions, form one immense family, having butone Masonic faith in common , and iiUreprcting the articles ofthat faith uniforml y, at least, in all things essential. Thus whathappens in the jurisdictions of the several Grand Lodges of theUnited States creates amongst us almost as deep an interest aswhat happens in our own lodges and Provinces. Hence itis that we rejoice always when we hear that Freemasonry in thisEnglish-speaking country is prosperous , and grieve when thereis rumour of anything happenin g which has seriously affected , oris likel y to affect , its fortunes. Happ ily, the course of its pro-gress has been seldom interrupted. Some 70 years ago therewas a strong Anti-Masonic fever set in , but it had its origin forthe most part in the keen rivalry of political parties, and quickl ydied out. Now, though the Craft , no doubt , has its enemies ,those enemies are able to do it but little harm. The fewhundreds of brethren on the lodge rolls a century since havegrown to some hundreds of thousands, while the Chapters , theCouncils, the -Consistories, &c, are proportionatel y numerous.It is. indeed, marvellous, how the Americans of the United Stateshave taken to Freemasonry, and how numbers upon numbersof its foremost citizens delight in preaching, and , what is more tothe pointj practising itstenetsand princi ples. Latterly the brethrenin several of the j urisdictions have given a more practical turn totheir Freemasonry, and have devoted their energies to the establish-ment of Masonic Homes for the Aged, the Widow , and the Orp han ,some of these Homes being entirel y educational , while othersare intended for the poor brother and his widow. The resulthas been the institution of the Home at Utica by the GrandLodge of New York , of that in Philadel phia by the Grand Lodgeof Pennsy lvania , and of others in other States, the outcome ofthe latest effort in this direction being the raising of a sum of50,000 dollars towards the Kentucky Masonic Home, which itis proposed to establish a short time hence when the GrandLodge celebrates the centenary of its constitution , as a memorial

of that ausp icious event. We take the greatest pleasure inreadin g of these efforts , and we trust that not many years willhave elapsed before some such Charitable Institution has beenfounded by every Grand Lod ge in the United States, not onl yfor the sake of the benefits they will confer on those brethre nwhom misfortune has overtaken , but also in a very minordegree because it will li ghten the anxiety which is felt in manyparts of the country in respect of the non-affiliate, who, if wemay jud ge from some of the speeches which a'-e every now andthen delivered about him , has been having a rather warm timeof it for some years. Moreover ,when the thoughts of the brethrenare directed to this channel they will be less likely to concernthemselves about the question , whether what is given in Charityto a poor brother or his belong ings should be. recouped by thelod ge of which he was, or had once been , a member. In short ,this and other matters of primary importance will so absorbtheir time and so abstract their attention from the petty formali-ties of Masonry, that they will be unable to give a thought tothe non-affiliate, to the doctrine of perpetual j urisdiction , andsuch like matters. In the meantime , let us congratulate ourAmerican brethren of the United States on the splendid pro-gress they have made in strengthening and extending the basesof the Craft , and let us hope that that progress may be continuedindefinitel y and with an ever-increasing tendency towards agreater and still greater condition of prosperity .

MASONIC CLOTHING AND REGALIA*

In our Note of last week, in which we acknowledged thereceipt of this handsome book , we referred to it as a valuable andcomprehensive work , from the number of plates with accompany-ing letterpress descript ions of the Clothing and Jewels by GrandOfficers , Prov. or Dist. Grand Officers, and officers and mem-bers of private lod ges in Eng land , Ireland , and Scotland , respec-tivel y, as well as in the jurisdictions of the different ContinentalGrand Lodges and Grand Orients. Welikewisespokeintermsofjust commendation of the exceeding accuracy and comp letenessof the information which Bro. CROWE ,after infinite pa ins and labour ,has succeeded in bring ing together and arranging methodicall yso that the reader has no difficulty in satisf ying himself as to theleg itimacy and correctness as to pattern and design of anyjewel or article of clothing that may be worn at a Masonicgathering . In the present review we purpose going more full yinto particulars , but wedo not th ink we shall beablc to addto thepraise which we have alread y bestowed upon the work and whichit so justl y deserves.

The Plates are 36 in number , four of these being assignedto the clothing and regalia of the Grand Lodge of England andits Provincial or District and private lod ges, six to those of theGrand Lodge of Scotland , and three to those of the GrandLodge of Ireland ; while the remainin g 23 Plates illustrate thoseworn by the Grand Orients of the Netherlands (two Plates), Bel-guim , France , and Italy ; the Grand Lodges of Switzerland(" A'p ina "), Greece , Denmark (two Plates) ; the Grand Orient(extinct), St. John 's Grand Lodge (extinct) , and present GrandLodge of Hungary (two Plates) ; sundry of the German GrandLodges—Three Globes , National Grand , and Royal York ofFriendshi p, in Berlin ; the Eclectic Unio n , Frankfort-on-Maine ,and Hamburg—with a representative selection of German lodgejewels (six Plates) ; the Grand Lodge of Norway (two Plates) ;National Grand Orient of Spa in ; the Grand Lod ge of Swedenand Grand Orient of Portugal , together on one Plate ; and theGrand Lod ge of Egypt (two Plates). The illustrations in thisseries of Plates are very beaut iful l y drawn and correctl ycoloured. This much , at least, is the case as regards those re-lating to the Grand Lodges of the United King dom , which havebeen taken from patterns very k ind l y p laced at Bro. CROWE 'Sdisposal for Ihe purposes of this book by the well-known firm ofMasonic j ewellers , Bro. GEORGE K E N N I N G and SON , of LittleBritain and Great Queen-street , London ; and Liverpool ,Manchester , and Glasgow ; while , as regards those

* M ASONIC CLOTHING A N D R EGALIA , British and Continen tal , by Fred. J. W.Crowe, Past Provincial (',. Org. Devon , &c, &c, author of " The Master Masoa 'sHar.dbi ok , " The So Itish Master MasJn 's Handbook ," " The Irish Master Mason 'sHandbook, " &c. Edinburgh : T. C. and E. C Jack , Grange Publishing Works, 1897.

relating to Continental Masonry, Bro. CROWE tells usin the letterpress to Plates I. and II. that they have been" reproduced from original specimens in my own large collectionof such articles , with very lew exceptions." As regards thedescriptive articles which accompanythe Plates and exp lain theillustrations they severally contain , when we say that the leadingparticulars concerning bur English clothing and regalia aretaken from our Book of Constitutions , while those relating tothe Scottish and [Irish clothing, are derived fro m similar orequall y authentic sources , and those relating to ContinentalMasonry from sources which are trustworth y, the reader will feelthat he is on safe ground and may unhesitating ly accept thedescriptions which the author has been at such pains in furnish-ing. Indeed , throughout the whole of his elaborate volume Bro.CROWE shows himself to be a thoroughly competent guide in allthat relates to the clothing and regalia pertaining to CraftMasonry in the United Kingdom and on the Continent , and ashe has succeeded so well in the portion of the task he has com-pleted, we trust it will not be long before he extends his laboursstill further and does for the Craft in America and Australasiawhat he has done so admirably for the United Kingdom andEurope. Perhaps, too, he may some day venture still furtherand enli ghten the Masonic public general ly on the " symbolism "—to which he refers in passing in his Preface—of our clothingand regalia, and by so doing extend the numerous claims he hasupon our gratefu l consideration.

TEE STUDY OF THE OLD CHARGES.

In the new edition of his " Old Charges of British Free-masons," Bro. William James Hughan , introductory to someexceedingly kind comments upon a paper which I contributedto ArsQuatuor Coronatorum (VII. , 119), and which he was pleasedto call "an original and pioneer attempt to f ix the true text oi theoperative Constitutions ," savs :

Mr. Gould and I have had some interesting correspondence as to theoriginal Text , and likewise as to an arrangement which shall include all theessentials of the various versions according to the relative value of each Tradition ,Law, or Charge, based upon the testimony of the Rolls, but we do not considerthe time as quite ripe for such a compilation.

Surel y no one will question the pre-eminent qualification ofBros. Gould and Hughan to say when the time is ripe ; but Iquestion whether the time has not been brought much nearer bythe publication of the Book from which I have quoted. Thei8g5 edition not onl y presents , in a popular way that any tyromay understand , an accurateaccountof each of the old MSS. ; but—besides pre senting many valuable suggestions not to be foundelsewhere—it collects in convenient form for the expert , manyof the pecu liarities of each version , and saves him much of thepreliminary drud gery of making memoranda. The publicationof this book , and the fact that all the more important versions ofthe Old Charges are now within reach of students , seem tome to make the time ripe for a more critical examination of thetext than has yet been made. Indeed , while such a variorumedition of the MSS. as Bros. Hughan and Gould seem to havecontemp lated might greatly aid such an examination , I believethe critical study referred to is essential as a preliminary toa variorum edition of the -greatest value , and of permanentauthority . I do not write in ignorance of the splendid workwhich Dr. Begemann , Bro. Hughan ,and others have already donein this field ; but hone will be more prompt than they to admitthat very much more remains to be done. This is, I think ,especiall y true of the Charges proper, as distinguished from thelegendary history ; and I think further study may result in aconsiderable modification of views now held by the leaders inthis field of investi gation. After a minute examination of allthe versions , more particularl y of the legendary history , I shouldsuppose—for I have not seen his article—Dr. Begemann , in theZirkel Correspondens presents conclusions which Bro. G. W.Speth translates as follows :

First of all the author of the Cooke MS. compiled , with the help of " OldBookys of the Chargys," and the current histories of his time , about 1410, aHistory of Misonry ; this was revised and expanded about 1480 into a versionwhich served as a model for the William Watson MS. ; about 1520 or 1530 thiswas again revised and condensed into a version of which the Tew MS. miy beconsidered an examp le ; this was further revised and portions omitted to give usthe version to which the Atoheson-H wen , Buchanan and Beaumont MSS belong;then came a last revision , which produced the parent form of the majority of themanuscri pts known to us , and which belong partl y to the Sloane and partl y tothe Grand Lod ge Families : from the first sprang later the Roberts family, andfro m the second the youngest group of all—the Spencer family.—Ars. Q.C, ix. 2tt.

In these conclusions it will be observed that Dr. Begeman nconcedes the existence of MS. Charges (proper) before the

Cooke MS. But what does he mean by " first of all ? " Doeshis language not appear to assert not only that the first legen-dary history was " compiled " by the " author of the CookeMS.," but that all other versions of the history are descendedfrom the Cooke ? And he fixes the date of the origin at about1410. But we do not understand that he questions that theRegius M.S.—which contains a legendary history—is older thanthat. While the existing manuscri pt called the Regius wasdoubtless transcribed near the end of the fourteenth century, Ihave long been satisfied that the language of the poem is ofabout the year 1340. The second part of the Cooke MS., whichI believe all scholars admit to have been taken from a MS.older than the original of the Regius, contains a considerablefragment of legendary history . Hence the conclusion seems tome unavoidable that a legendary history—used by the compilersof both the Regius and the Cooke—existed nearly a centurybefore the date (14 10) which Bro. Begemann denominates the" first of all. But if , as I am hall inclined to believe, Bro.Begemann did not mean his " hrst of all " literally, nor mean by" Bookys of the Chargys " books which contained no legend , stillI am as confident as it is prudent to be, that the ultimate verdictwill be that the " ordinary versions " did not descend from theCooke, but from older and purer versions ; and that theCooke was, as I have elsewhere suggested , the result of anattempt of some prehistoric James Anderson to " digest into anew and better method " the legends , already ancient in his day,which are more fairly preserved in some of the "late versions."

In the quotation given , it is pointed out that from the Watsonto the Tew, and from the Tew to the Atcheson-Haven MS., thelegend was condensed. But I think the minute study I haverecommended will disclose that during the same period theCharges proper, instead of being condensed , were expanded ;and will supply data for answering the curious question , howoften the author of a new version of the legend appended anunchanged copy of the Charges ; and how often a revised editionof the Charges was attached to an unaltered copy of the legend.

I have given some study to the question of the originaltext of the Charges proper , but other demands upon my timehave prevented me from yet reaching a point where I should feeljustifie d in expressing any positive conclusion. But as illustratingthe curious results which may flow from an app lication of thecanons of textual criticism to our MSS., I may say that anexamination of sixty versions—including all the more importantones—lead s me to conclude that the original form of one of ourcharges was in modern orthograp hy, substantially as follows—the punctuation being important :

That no Master nor Fellow take no A pprentice but for seven years ; and yeApprentice to be able, of birth freeborn , and of limbs whole as a man oughtto be.

In course of time three princi pal corruptions—each in turnproductive of other errors—crept into this simple charge.First—I do not here use the word chronolog ically—some scribe,to make the meaning more clear , inserted the words " to belearned " after the word " Apprentice " where it first occurs.Our . ancient brethren did not observe the modern distinctionbetween the words " teach and " learn. This corruptionoccurred before the fifteenth century ; for we have " prentis forto be lerny d" in the Cooke MS., and " Hys craft to lurne " inthe Regius ; but the older and shorter form is preserved in manyof the despised " ordinary versions "—fo r examp le in the Dow-land—as well as in the Schaw statutes in Scotland. The gloss" learned " was subsequentl y corrupted , by some copy ists , into"allowed " as in the Tew MS. Second , scribes in attempt ingto express more clearly the idea conveyed to them by thewords "but for seven years "—found in the William WatsonMS.—in some cases elaborated them ; as, into, " for lasse termethan vii yer at the lest " in the Cooke ; and in other casesentirel y lost their meaning, as in the Tew, where we have "anylongr than Seven Years." Third , the last clause was read asthough punctuated thus : "And ye Apprentice to be able ofbirth , freeborn , and of limbs whole ," etc. ; and immediatel yvarious glosses appeared , in the vain attempt to show whatwas meant by " able of birth." Thus, the Dow land MS. pre-serves the reading " able, of birth freeborne ," but many closelyallied MSS. have " able of birth , that is to say , freeborn. " Ina somewhat similar charge, "able, of degree freeborn ," etc.,was read as though punctuated "able of degree, freeborn ; "and then followed , " able in all degrees " (Lansdowne), " ablein all manner of degrees " (Philli ps No. 1), "abell in all maincrof Deuties " (Ancient Stirling), " able ou ' all sciences " (Sloane3323), " able over all Syers " (Briscoe), "able our all Iyers "(Lechmere), "an ' ena within all Sides " (Wm. Watson)," etc. ;and each of these meaning less phrases is , as a rule , gravel yfollowed by the clause , " that is to say , treeborn ," etc.

Take another examp le. What are we to understand by thecharge which reads , in the Tew-MS., as follows :

Also, that no Master or Fellow take no Allowance to make Maso ns Withoutsix or five at the least of Fellows to give their Assent.

Shall we say that the scribe of the Haddon MS. preservedthe ancient language ; or that , prompted by the perp lexing ques-tion , "From whom should the ' allowance ' be taken ,?" he sus-pected a corrupted text , and undertook to re-construct theoriginal ? We fear the latter. He gives, " And also that noMaster , nor no Fellow take nor allow any to be made Mason ,"etc. "Take nor allow any " might readil y be corrupted into"Take no allowance," but the very patness of the Haddon ver-sion awakens the susp icion of the expert. Nor is this all : Thevarious scribes understood this charge in at least four differentways, viz. : (1) Some understood it as in the Haddon version :while others took it . to be a restriction on taking permission (2)to make Masons (Tew MS.), or (3) to be made a Mason (Wat-son MS.), or (4) to be made a Maste r (Waistell MS.).

I think I hav e said enough to indicate that the Old Chargeswill still bear much study, and that such study will afford pleasureto the student and profit to the Craft. And it is not a stud ywhich need be left to those bearing great names in Masonry , orfor which any one man may file a caveat. The collected resultsof the work of manyunpretendin gstudentsiswhatthe Craft needs.My own slight investigations have already led me to two conclu-sions: first , that the book of charges was very old atthe beginningof the fifteenth century ; second , that most of the copy ists werespeculative Masons only and did not understan d the technicalterms of the operat ive Craft ; for they made more errors intranscribing charges containing such terms than in any otherpart of their work.

WM. H. UPTON.Walla Walla, Washington , U.S.A.

The Hon. W. H. Upton has sent me his interesting articleon " The Study of the Old Charges " for publication in theFreemaso n, and I shall be glad to add a few words on thesame subject.

To my mind , Bro. Upton 's duties as a Jud ge (in the State ofWashington) peculiarl y fit him to examine into the conflicting"testimony of the numerous cop ies of the Old Charges , and toweigh most carefully the divergent text of these ancient andimportant documents of the Masonic Fraternity."

It is most gratif ying for me to hear that my last work on the"Old Charges of British Freemasons " has proved so hel pfulto my esteemed fellow Masonic student and other experts , thatBro. Upton considers " the time is now ripe for a more criticalexamination of the text than has yet been made." I quitebelieve with him that such a critical stud y of these "Old Charges ""is essential as a preliminary to a variorum edition " beingpublished of these invaluable Manuscri pt Constitutions , anddesire to add that the sooner it is made the better.

Doubtless Dr. Begemann, who has done such excellentwork in this direction , will more full y exp lain his remarks asquoted by Bro. Upton , for I believe he shares with me theopinion as held by other students , that the " Old Charges " werein use antecedent to the Regius MS. ; and also that " theordinary versions did not descend from the Cooke, but olderand purer versions."

The few app lications of the canons of textual criticism notedby Bro. Upton are in the right direction , and I trust he will soonfavour us with more of a similar character , as I am persuadedt'hat the fringe of the subject has onl y yet been touched , andthat the study will amply repay us all for the time thus devotedto the inquiry . Years ago, the late Bro. the Rev. A. F. A. Wood-ford and myself were left almost alone : now it gladdens me towelcome so many competent investi gators , whose researches Ieagerly peruse from time to time , and am anxiousl y awaitingthe receipt of more . vy, T HUGHAN.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OFNOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held atthe Masonic Hall , Nottingham , on Thursday, the ioth inst., when therewere present—Bros, his Grace the Duke of St. Albans , Prov. G.M.; Lieut.-Col. Wm. Newton ,P.G.D. Eng land , D.P.G.M.; Thomas Salisbury, Prov. S.G.W. ; G. H. Hibbert ,Prov. J.G.W. ; J. H. Bradwell , Prov. G. Treas. ; R. A. M. Webster , Prov. G.Reg. ; Arthur Stubbs , P.P.G.W., Prov. G. Sec ; Captain W. H. TomassonProv. S.G.D. ; H. E. Wilso n, Prov. J.G.D. j John Howitt , Pro v . G.S. of W. ;Jacob Levy, Prov. G.D.C ; H. Hallam , Prov. A.G.P. ; Parker Woodward , Prov.G.S.B. ; W.J . Lazenby and J. W. J. Barnes , Prov.G. Std. Brs. ; J. G. Carver ,Prov. G. Org. ; J. P. W. Marx , P.P.G.D.C , and F. W. Fox , Prov. A.G. Sees. ;J. J . Turner , Prov. G. Ty ler ; T. Mallendcr , Prov. A.G . T y ler ; J . Wilford , T.Kni ght , W. J. Rorke , J. Greenwood , J. Page, and J. D. Fuller , Prov . G. Stewards;William Wilher Bramston Beach , Past Grand Warden , Piov , Grand Master

Hants anj Isle of Wight ; William Hading Sissons, D.P.G.M. Lincolnshire ;His Honour Jud ge William Masterman , Past Grand Deacon of Eng-land ; Edwa rd Letchworth , Grand Secretary ; T. W. Robinson , C W.Wragg, R. Fitzhug h , Rev. A. J. L. Dobbin , C. B. Truman, H. George,Sir S. G. Johnson , J. T. Spalding, and A. H. Bonsor, P.P.G.Ws. ; Revs. JamesFarmer , E. S. Morse, T. B. B. Ferris , and H. W. W. Ffoulkes , P.P.G. Chaps. ;Chas. Rogers, J. A. H. Hurst , and T. Roberts, P.P.G.Ts. ; A. Page, S. Pegler ,and J. Pauson , P.P.G.Rs. ; J. Townrow, A. App lin , and N. Ashurst , P.P.G.Ds. ;R. C. Sutton , J. J. Gee, Lieut.-Col. H. Walker , and G. S. Fish , P.P.G.S. ofWorks; W. j. Rogerson , G. W. Dominy, R. F. Vallance, S. V. Holgate,C. A. Bolton , F. C. Parker , and Dr. W. H. Wright (Derb y), P.P.G.D.Cs. ;Chas. Butler , C. H. Gascoyne, E. G. Loverseed , and J. T. Shadlow (Derb y),.P.G.S.Bs. ; G. G. Bonser, G. Clarke , and G. Alter, P.P.G. Std. Brs. ; G. Essex,P.P.G.O. ; Jno. Tay lor, Jno. Severn , J. V. Thomas , W. Bradley, and J. Brooks,P.P.G. Pursts. j ]. Dooly, R. Noon , R. Watkin , and J. Falconbridge, P.P.G. Ty lers ;together with the Worshipful Masters, Past Masters, Wardens, and othermembers.

Provincial Grand Lodee having been opened , the Prov. Grand Master,Bro. W. H. Sissons, D.P.G.M. Lincolnshire, and Bro. His HonourJudge Wm. Masterman were saluted according to antient custom.

The circular convening Provincial Grand Lodge was taken as read , andthe roll of Provincial Grand Officers , as well as of ihe Worshipful Mastersand Wardens of lodges of the province, were called .

The minutes of the summer meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge, held atMansfield , on the Sth July last, were taken as read and confirmed.

Bros. W. Wither Bramston Beach, P.G.W., Prov. G.M. Hampshire andthe Isle ot Wight , and E. Letchworth, G. Sec, entered the lodge, and weresaluted in aiui-nt form.

The Prov. Grand Treasure r's report was received and passed.Letters of apology were received from various brethren.Bro. Riv. A. J. L. DOBBIN , P.P.G.W., Vice-Chairman , presented the

report cf the Committee of General Purposes , which was received andado; ted.

Bro. C. B. TRUMAN , P.P.G.W., Vice-Chairman , presented the report ofthe Bent volent and Educational Committee, especially calling a t t ntion tothe last paragra ph, and hoped that the lodge would not too frequentlychange their representat ives.

Bro. A. H. BONSER , P. P.G.W., observed that he considered the amountof £81 5> . subscribed to the Educational Fund too little, and thought thatthis Fund deserve d larger support considering the good it was doing.

The report was then received and adopted.B-r». H ENRY GEORGE , P.P.G.W., on behal f of Bro. Rev.

Jas. Farmer, P.P.G.C, the Treasurer of the Bussell Memorial Fund , re-pot ud the amount sut scribed had been ^202, and that Bros. Lieut .-Cd. Wm. Newton , D.P.G.M., Rev. Jas. Farmer, P.P.G.C, and HenryGeorge, P.P G.W., had been appointed trustees with the intention of usingthe Fund for the education and advancement of the eldest son of the lateBro. Busstll.

The repoits of the W.Ms, of the lodges of the province were read andpresented.

The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY reported that the increase in the numberof brethre n during the last year was the largest there had been for minyyears, namely, 36, chiefl y resulting from a new lodge—the Old Priory, No.2594—having been consecrated at Beeston last January ; there had been agreat improvement in the number of brethren returned to Provincial GrandLodge a? in arrears, the number of 50 last year having bsen reduced to 35.The subscriptions to the Charities amounted to £435 13s., being larger thanin any previous year. He wished to impress upon the lodges the advantageit was to themselves and the saving of unnecessary trouble it was to himwher. an experienced Past Master was St cretary to a lodge.

The PROV. G. M ASTER nominated Bros. T. W. Robinson , R. Fitzhugh,and Sir S. G. Johnson , P.P.S.G.Ws., to represent Provincial Grand Lodgeon the Committee of Gene ral Pur poses.

The PROV. G. MASTER nominated Bro. C. B. Truman , P.P.S G.W., to represent Provincial Grand Lodge on the Benevolent andEducational Committee.

The nominati on of Bro. R. T. Ingra m, P.P.G.D., for the ofiice of Prov.Grand Treasurer having been withdrawn , Bro . Sir S. G. JOHNSON , P.P.G.W., proposed, and Bro. G. CHAPMAN , P.P.G.D., seconded—" Bro. Geo.Clarke , P.M. of the Newstead Lodge, No. 47, P.P.G. Std. Br., for theoffice ol Prey . Grand Treasurer f t r the ensuing jear." The proposerstated that in order to avoid a contest last year , Bro. G. Clarke retired ,and he hoped on this occasion the election would be unanimous.

Bo . J. T. SPALDING , P.P.G.W., proposed and Bro. A. STUBBS ,P.G.S., stcondid Bro. G. Alter , P.P.G. Std. Br., P.M. of the NewtonLodge, Newark , No. 1661, not for ihe purpose of having any contest on thisoccasion , but with a view of bring ing forward the name of a brother from alod ge meeting outside of Notting ham ; the Treasurer 's duties now beinglargil y performed by the Secretary , he thoug ht those lodges should have theirshare of these appointments , but Bro. J. T. Spalding having withdrawn thenomination , B-o. Sir S. G. J OHNSON said he should certainly give his sup-port to an ouiside lodge next year ; and Bro. Geo. Clarke was unani-mousl y elected Prov. Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year.

The Provincia l Grand Officers for the ensuing year were appointed andinvested as follow s:B'0. Ai red P«ge ... ... ... Prov. S.G.W.

„ C. Bu ler ... ... ... ... Prov. J.G.W.„ Rev. H. T. Hayman , P.P.G.C. ... • r .p „ n ri.", Rcv. W.J . B. Keir j Prov. G. Chaps.„ George Clarke ... ... ... Prov. G. Treas.„ J. H. White ... ... ... Prov. G. Reg.„ A. Stubbs , P.P.G.W. ... ... ... Prov. G. Sec.„ W. Bradley ... ... ... Prov. S.G.D.„ Joseph P„ge ... ... ... Prov. J.G.D.„ John Wilford ... ... ... Prov. G.S. of W.„ j .hn Severn ... ... ... Prov. G.D.C.„ VV. J . Rorke ... ... ... Prov. A.G.D.C.,, [ohn Greenwood ... ... ... Prov. G.S.B.

;; knight ::: ::: :::}p»v. G. sld. Br- .,, G. H. Wooahouse ... ••• ... Prov. G. Orjr.,, j .P . W. Marx , P.P.G.D.C. ... ... Prov. A.G. Sec.

Bro. J. T. Byng ... ... ... ... Prov. G. Purst.„ F. H. Spenser ... ... ... Prov. A.G. Purst.„ S. J. K. Marsland ... ... ...~|,, Henry Bland y ' ... ... ... |„ Frank Farrands ... ... ... D „ /-. c. ,I! Herbert Kiddier j -Prov. G. Stewards.„ S. E. Berry... ... ... . ... |„ Nathan Ashurst ... ... " ...J,, J. J. Turner ... - ... ... ... Prov. G. Tyler.„ Jas. Dooley ... ..-. ... Prov. A.G. Tyler.

The following resolution was moved by Bro. THOS . SALISBURY ,P.S.G.W., seconded by Bro. Sir SAML . JOHNSON , P.P.S.G.W., andcarried by a large majority ; " That the action of the Board of Managementof the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys as to the proposed removal of theBoys' School to a more desirable locality commends itself to thisProvincial Grand Lodge as worthy of the hearty and liberal sopport of allSubscribers to the Institution and of the Craft generally."

An invitation to hold the summer meeting of Prov. Grand Lodge atNewark, on or about June 1 ith, was received from the W.M. of the NewtonLodge, No. 1(161.

The PROV. GRAND MASTER thanked the Newton Lodge, and would giveconsideration to the invitation but could not at present fix a time.

There being no further business, Prov. Grand Lodge was closed.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OFNOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

INSTALLATION OF COMP. JUDGE W. MASTERMAN ASGRAND SUPERINTENDENT.

The annual meeting of the above Prov. Grand Chapter was held atthe Masonic Hall , Nottingham, on Thursday, the ioth instant , when theThree Principals' chairs were occupied by Comp1:. William Wither BramstonBsach, G.J., as M.E.Z. ; and Comps. E. M. Kidd and J. M. Perry, as H.and J. respectively.

There was a large attendance, among those present being—Comps. Arthur Stubbs, P.P.G.H., P.G.S.E.; G. G. Bonser, P;Z., P.G.S.N. ;Alfred Page, P.Z., P.G. Treas. ; Thos. Roberts, P.Z., P.G. ist A.S. ; R )bt . Cirlin ,P.Z., P.G.S.B. ; Alf. Aplin , P.Z., P.G. Std. Br. ; Jacob Levy, P.Z., P.G.D. of C.R. F. Vallance, P.Z., P.A.G.D. of C; Chas. Rogers, P.Z., P.G. Og. ;J. P. W. Marx, P.Z., P.A.G.S.E. ; J. J. Turner , P.Z., P.G. Janitor.W. Harling Sissons, G. Supt. Lincolnshire ; Edward Letchworth , G. Scribe E.;Lieut.-Col. Wm. Newton , Past G. Std. Br. ; C. G. Wragg, P.P.G J.; C. BTruman , P.P.G.J.; J. T. Spalding, P.P.G.J.; G. H. Hibbert , P.P.G.S.N. ; WJ. Rogerson , P.P.G.S.N. ; G. G. Bonser, P.P.G.S.N. ; Hy. George, P P.GReg. ; J. A. H. Hirst , P.P.G. Reg. ; the Rev. A. J. L. Dobbin , P.P.G.S. ; AH. Bonser, P.P.G.S,; Lieut.-Col. H. Walker, P.P.G.S.; Thos. Salisbury, P.PG.S.; C. A. Bolton , P.P.G. Std. Br. ; G. Alter , P.P.G. Std. Br. ; G. G. Bonser,P.P.G.D.C. ; G. W. Dominy, P.P.G.D.C. ; J. Townro w, P.P.G. D.C. j the Rev.H. W. W. Ffoulkes , M.E.Z. 402 } the Rev. Jas. Farmer, M.E.Z. 4 11; S. V.Holgate, M.E.Z. 1435 ; W. Bradley, M.E.Z. 1661 ; J. Val py-Thomis , M.E.Z.1802; Hy. Hallam , M.E.Z. 1909 ; the Rev. T. B. B. Ferris, P.Z. 47 ; Col, Jos.Wri ght, P.Z., and the Rev. E. S. Morse, P.Z. 402 ; J. G. Martin , P.Z., and G.S. Fish , P.Z. 4 11; N. Ashurst, P.Z. 1435 ; S. Pegler, P.Z., and C. Butler ,P.Z. 1802 ; T. F. Walker , P.Z. 1908 ; W. J. Rorke, H. 411; J. D. Fidler , H.1909 ; ]. Howitt, ]. 411; W. Falconbridge, J. 1802 ; J. L. Pawson, j. 242;J. Alec Atkin , J. 2488; and E. Skor, J. 256.

The circular convening the meeting was taken as read, and the roll ofProv. Grand Officers was called , as well as that of the chapters.

The minutes of the last Prov. Grand Chapter, held at Nottingha m, onFebruary 13th last, were read and confirmed.

Lette rs of apology were received from Comps. J. G. Dimock, P.G.P.S. jR. T. Ingram, P.P.G.S.N.; R. C Wills, P.P.G.R. ; J. H. White, P.Z. ;G. Baxter , M.E.Z. 47 ; and A. W. C Peskett, J. 402.

The G. Superintendent designate, Comp. his Honour Jud ge WilliamMasterman , was announced , and his patent of office having been p-esentedand read , a deputation was formed , and he was admitted in due form , andafterwards installed and invested G. Superintendent of Nottinghamshire byComp. Wm. W. B. Beach, G.J ., and saluted in ancient form by the largeassembly present.

Comp. E. M. K IDD, P.G.H., then rose to move a hearty vote of con-gratulation to the Grand Superintendent on his appointment , which heassured him was a most popular one. He felt sure the province would bewell presided over by him, and that he wo old have the hearty gj od wishesof every R oyal Arch Mason. He was sure he was expressing the sentimentsof all those present when he hoped' that the Grand Superintendent mightlong have health and strength to preside over them.

Comp. J. M. PERRY , P.G.J., seconded, and the vote was carried withacclamation.

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT replied that he received with muchgratification the kind congratulations of the companions of that ProvincialGiand Chapter. It would be his earnest desire to deserve the cordialexpressions of the mover and seconder by his conduct in the chair to whichhe had been appointed by the M.E. ist Grand Princi pal. He would certainlyendeavour to do his duty, and to act rightly and fairl y by all under hissuperintendence. He was glad that he had been able in his first act to temperjustice with mercy by inducing the Prov. Grand Chapter to excuse the finesof the two companians who had, probably unintentional ly, infring fed the pro-vision of an important by-law. He begged to thank the companions fortheir vote and for the large attendance that they had made on an occasionso interesting to himself. Before resuming his seat, he wished to expresshis personal thanks to the very eminent companions sitting near him , andto ask the chapter to' concur with him in a hearty vote of thanks to the M.E.Comp. W. W. B. Beach, Grand J., who had come so far fro m his Hamp-shire home to perform the ceremony so ably and feeling ly as he had done.To Ex. Comp. W. Harling Sissons, the Gran d Superintendent of Lincoln-shire, who represented the fraternal sympathy of a nei ghbouring province ;and to his old friend , Ex. Comp. Edward Letchwo-th , the Grand ScribeF.., who was no stranger among them , or, indeed , anywhere where Masonicwork had to be done, and who, he venture d to say, was then , and alwayswould be, a very welcome visito r to him (the Gran d Superintendent) and toall Notting hamshire Freemasons.

Comp. Wil. WITHER BRAMSTON BEACH , Grand J., said he was alwaysglad to be of use in promoling the welfare of Freemasonry. It had been apleasure to him and his companions io attend that day and assist in install-ing the Grand Superintendent. He congratulated Corrp. Jud ge WilliamMasterman in having attained sohi y h a position in a province so nourishingas, fro m what he had heard in Provincial Grand Lodge as well as Pro -vincial Grand Chapter , Nottinghamshire evidently was, aid he hoped andbelieved that the province would continue to flourish under its new Gran dSuperintendent. On behalf of hims-lf and the other Grand ChapterOfficers , he brgged to thank the chapter for their kind reception of theGrand Superintendent 's proposal.

The report of the Auditors , showing a balance of £46 3s. sd. inMessrs. I. and I ". C. Wright 's Bank , was received and the ace nuns passed.

Comps. T. Roberts , P.G. ist As^t. S., and H. Hallam , P.Z., w e e re-appointed Auditors for the ensuing year.

The annual reports of the chapters of the province were read and pre-sented .

The annual report of the Prov. Grand Scribe E. was presented.On the morion of PROV . GRAND SCRIBE E., seconded by Comp.

J. M. PERRY , P.G.P., .£103. 10s. was voted to the Masonic BenevolentInstitution , to be placed upon Comp. J. H. Bradwell's list as S eward to thenext festival.

On the motion of PROV. GRAND SCRIBE E., seconded by Comp. J. T.SPA LDING, P.P.G.J., £15 was voted towards the expenses of th ; meeting.

On the motion of Comp. J. T. SPALDING , P.P.G.J., seconded by Comp.C. B. TRUMAN, P.P.G.J., Comp. Alfred Page, P.G.T., was unanimouslyre-elected Treasurer.

Comp. J. J. Turner was re-elected Janitor for the ensuing year.The following officers we re appointed and invested—

Comp. Rev. A. ] . L. Dobbin , 402 ... ... Prov. G.H.„ G. H. Hibbert , 1852... ' ... ... Prov. G J.„ A. Stubbs, 47, 402, P.P.G.H. ... ... Prov. G.S.E.„ C. A. Bolton , 47, 1909 ... ... Prov. G.S.N.„ A. Page, 411 (elected) ... ... Prov. G. Treas.,, J. G. Martin, 411 ... ... ... Prov. G. Rpg.„ Rev. T. B. B. Ferris, 47 ... ... Prov. G.P.S.„ Col. J. Wright , 402 ... ... ... Prov. ist A.G.S.„ S. Peg ler, 1S02 ... ... ... Prov. 2nd A.G.S.„ T. F. Walker, 1909 ... ... ... Prov. G.S.B.„ G. Alter, 1661 ... ... ... Prov. .G. Std. Br.„ J. H. White , 1852 ... ... ... • Prov. G.D.C.„ N. Ashurst, 1435 ... ... ... Prov. A.G.D.C.,, C Rogers, 47 ... ... ... Prov. G. Org.„ J. P. W. Marx , 402 ... ... ... Prov . A.G.S.E.„ J. J. Turner ... ... ... Prov. G. Janitor.An invitation to hold the next annual meeting of Provincial Grand

Chapter at Newark was received fro m ihe Principals of the AlexanderChapter.

Several of the other Princi pals .having spoken in favour of the annualmeeting being held sometimes in the other towns ol the provinces wherechapters are held ,

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT promised to take the matter into con-sideration , and , if he thoug ht it advisab le, he would accept the invitation ofthe Alexander Chapter next year.

There being no further business, Prov. Grand Chapter was closed, andthe companions, to the number of 47, adjourned to a banquet , after whichthe usual Royal Arch toast list was duly honoured.

Some excellent speeches were delivered by the Grand Officers and others,who congratulated the Grand Superintendent and the pro\ince generally onthe very prosperous condition of the Royal Arch Degree, and the veryinteresting and satisfactory meeting which had taken place.

CONSECRATION OF THE LEYTON LODGE,No. 202G.

This new lodge was consecrated on Tuesday, the 15th instant , at theNational School Rooms, Leyton. The Consecrating Officer was Bro.Edward Letchworth, Grand Secretary, who was assisted by Bros. MajorC W. Cairell , P.G.S.B., as S.W. ; James Boulton , G. Purst., as J.W. ;Ven. Archdeacon Stevens, G. Chaplain , as Chap lain ; Frank Richardson ,P.G.D., as D.C ; and C. J. R. Tijou , P.A.G.P., as I.G.

Among the other brethren present were—Bros. John Dipp le, P.M. 1598; W. Harris , P.M. 1662 ; G. W. Holmes, J.W.1805 ; W. G. Shadrake , Sec. 1805 i A. S. Bird , S.D. 1805 ; E. J. Davey, P.M.,Sec. 193 ; W. T. Potts, P.M. 1805 ; F. Thornton , J.D. 1805 ; J. Young, 1805 ;R. W. Hunter , P.M. 1685 ; J. J. Keif , 1662; Robert Lamb, 860 ; D. Bartlett ;W. Reynolds J.W. 2184 ; W. Golding, Charles Bowmarker , J . |. Cumine, A. G.Wilson , Charles H. Tanting, Edwin J. Morgan , William Sandle, F. G. Plowrig ht ,E. J. Turnbull , P.M. 1524 ; T. H. Procter , W.M. 1685 ; F. Smithies, 1541 1 C.Reardward , 1598 ; Walter Gladding, 933, 1816 ; W. H. Keddell , C. W. Mans-field , S. B. McClellan , Edwin Barn , C. Sim , H. Massey, P.M. 619, 1928 ; W. JBewels, H. Sadler , G. Ty ler; Edwin Hall , Sec. 2579 ; James W. Gibbs, and AHolmes, I.G. 2256.

After the opening of the lodge, Bro. LETCHWORTH said it wasunnecessary that he should occupy the time of the brethren for manymoments with any words of his own. He was there by command of theM.W.G.M., his Royal Highness's most humble representative, for the pur-pose of undertaking what was a very interesting, and at the same time, avery solemn ceremony—the constitution of a new lod ge and its dedication tothe service of the Almighty ; and sincerely trusted that that new lodgewhich they were about to start might be the means of accomplishing all iheobje cts the founders had in view , and also be the means of advancing thebest interests of Masonry in that, if he might be allowed to call it so,suburb of London.

Archdeacon STEVENS , in delivering the oration , said: The occasion that hadbroug ht the brethren together was one ful l of interest to all who took part in it ,and who valued the princi ples on which the Masonic Order was based , because itwas giving another centre for spreading the tenets of the Order. ' Of late yearsFreemasonry had made very rap id strides , and so far as numbers were concerned ,the growth of Masonry must have struck everyone. But it was not so much thenumbers as the sp irit of the Order which was of importance , and the questionwas whether Masonry had increased in the effects produced by its teachings ,and whether its spirit was manifest outside lodges, so that those who saw it

mi ght j udge by its fruits. The Masonic Charities were the first point in whichthat mi ght be seen ; and he would say to the founders of that new lodge that itwas necessary on the introduction of new members to ascertain whethe r the newmembers were likely to be worth y of them by their conduct in society and in dailylife. Again , the symbols used at the consccraf ion of a lod ge were not mere emptyforms—the corn , the wine , and the oil were meant to represent the unity, theharmony, the joy, and the peace which should abound in the lodvc , whilethe salt symbolised that friendshi p which they trusted they mi ght never lose.And then the incense reminded them that without the blessings of the Most Hi ghall their works were in vain. In days like the present Masonry taug ht us loyalsubmission to those in authority. Some must rule and govern. It was the samein the execution of a bui ldin g; some must design , and others carry on the work ;the execution of the fabric depended on all ranks. So in Masonry, and so in theworl d at large ; all had to do their duty, whatever that duty mi ght be howeverhumble, even to the lay ing of a brick ; but that one brick should be well and trul ylaid. fn Freemasonry, which was very practical , this truth came to them withspecial force. It showed how the 24 hours of the d,\y were to be m,ide use of ; itled us on to that great princi ple to be just and upri ght , and that no slain wasequal to the stain of falsehood and dishonour. Freenvisonry taught us that wehad not reached the goal of knowled ge. At a time when new discoveries werebeing made in art , science , and manufactures , it was well to acknowled ge thatthere was more yet to learn. Masonry taug ht us to be lookin g onward and upwardand to strive for something higher and nobler. He hoped that the lod jre they hadmet to consecrate might be distinguished not only by the excellence of its workingin lodge, but by its loyalty to the who'e fabric of Freemasonry. That this mi ght bethe beginning of a new building-up of Masonry in the nei ghbourhood of Leyton—of Masonry based on the high and noble princi ples of the Craft—was the prayer ,or should be the prayer , of all the founders of the lodge.

The lodge was then formally dedicated and constituted , and Bro. JohnDipple, P.M. 1598, was installed as VV.M. by Bro. Letchworth. Bro.Walter Harris , P.M. 1662 , was appointed to act for the first year as I.P.M.The cthrr brethren invested were Bros. G. W. Holmes, J .W. 1S05 S.W. ;W. G. Shadrake, Sec. 1805, J.W.; A. S. Bird , S D. 2805 Trca> . ; E. ).Davey, P.M. and Sec. 193, Sec ; W. T. Pats, P.M. 1805 S D ; F.Thornton, J .D. 1S05 . J.D. ; J. Young, 1805, I.G. ; R. VV. Hun te r , P.M.1685, D C ; J. J. Kell , 16C2, A.D.C ; Robe t L-*mb, 860, and D. Bm-lett , Stwds. ; and W. Procter, P.M. Tyler. After the delivery of theaddresses, Bro. Letchworth was elected an honorary member of the lodge,and votes of thanks were passed to him and the ether Consecrating Officers.

After some other business the lodge was closed , and the brethiciadjourned to the Three Blackbirds to banquet.

The music in lodge and after the banquet was under the direction of Bro.E. Chatterton , P.M., the other artistes being Bros. II. J. Cnatterton , ErnestJones, VV. Hiles-Smith , and VV. F. Kendall.

Bro. C.J . R. Ti.iou , P.A.G.P., in responding (o the toastof "The GrandOfficers ," said all those brethren endeavoured to show the interest they tookin the Craft by taking part in whatever duty they might be called upon toperform. Among the highest were men like Archdeaco n Stevens who were verymuch occup ied in their ordinary professional and social duties , but still theycame among the brethren and it was a gr. at incentive to M isons to take upthe wotk. That night the Grand Ch ip lain had shown the Grand Secretaryby his remarks the interest he look in Alasonry. As far a; he (IJ-o. Tij >u)was concerned he was alway s ready to do anything for Freem tsonry, and heknew that feeling was carried out by all the Grand Lodge Officers.

Bro. DIPPLE , W.M., gave the toast of " 'I he Consecrating O flicers. '1The brethren had seen that evening hew the Grand Officers did iheir woik ,and they had seen it in other lodges. It was a great pleasure to see them,and the brethren of the Leyton Lodge hoped to see them again.

Bro. Archdeacon STEVENS, G.C, replying, said he should like to nolicethe kind way in which Bro. Tijou had spoken of him. If he was hi gh upin the Craft he had to thark Bro. Tijou for it. For that he had to expresshis gratitude. The duties of a Grand Lodge Officer , if he did them , werenot light or a s necure , but he undertook them and said he would try to dothem. The present was the sixth consecration he had taken patt in , andhe thought these few words would show that he did not lake the office as anornamental thing, but with a great desire like ihe other Grand Officers , to dothe work of forwarding F reemasonry. Some of the brethre n might havebeen at the launching of the ship. If so, they knew there was an awkwirdsound when the dogshores were knocked away ; people were saying " She isnot going to move." That had been the case that night , he thoug ht theGrand Secretary was not coming, being detained by the fog. However , bya good genius he was guided there, and ihe awkward moment passed , andthe ship had been launched , she had taken lo the water like a duck and hehoped would go forward successfully many jcars. That was what theGrand Officers looked forward to. The lodge had been successfully launchedand had a trustwoithy crew. Mi ght the lodge have a good voyage in theworld ! If it had , that was sufficient thanks for the Grand Officers .

Bro. Major C W. CARRELL also thanked the brethren.Bro. W ALTER HA R R I S , acting I.P.M., proposed "The W.M." He

said Bro. Dipple was ve ry mut h respected in Essex where Masonry wasvery strong and where there were a great nun.bt r of thoroug h gocd distin-guished Masons. There was no brother more lespectcd in the east end ( fLondon. He hoped the W.M. would be blessi d wilh good health duringthe coming year, that he might heve plenty of work to do, and that hemight be spared very many years to look back wilh pride on that night.It would be very nice for him if spared to be called the father of the lodge.He was a gcod worker as he had shown in the Ley Spring Lodge.

Bro. D IPPLE , W.M., responding, said he hardly knew what to say alterBro. Harris ' kind remarks. He was reminded of his initiation. Bro . Bearand Bro. Skelt took great interest in him , and he remembered on the nightof his initiation saying ; " VV.M. and Brothers , 1 thank you for drinkingmy health , and I am very pleased to think I am a Mason." The words heused then—which he should not think of using now—were : " It will be myambition to wield the hammer," which hs now called the " gavel." He haddone it in a lodge and gone through it , and now he felt more proud of b ^ingfirst Master of that new lodge than he did when he was Master of his ownlodge. He felt doubly proud. He did not seek tne office. Two bre threncame to him and said they were going to found a lodge, and asked him tojo in them. He said '' Yis, with pleasure , if the-e is a chance of being D.of C" They told him they wanted him for VV.M. , and he said , " Put medown at once." He was both proud and gratified , and he hoped he shouldbe father of the lodge to a good m iny Ma'ions.

Bros. A. S. BI R D and E.J . D AVEY responded to the toast of " TheTreasurer and Secretary ," and Bros. B EAR and DALE to that of "TheVisitors."

" The Officers ' " toast was g'.ven and responded lo, and th; Tylei 's toa.tbrought the evening lo a close.

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Once ajrain the agreeable duty devolves upon us ofwishing our readers the Comp liments of the Season .True, there are none of those appearances which weare accustomed to associate with the presence of OldFather Christmas. The sky, with a few brief , verybrief , intervals of sunshine, has been overcast, and ,instead of ice and snow, we have had more than theordinary allowance of mist and mud. However , weare pretty well accustomed lo these eccentricities ofthe Clerk of the Weather, and may console ourselveswith the reflection—that if the snow of Christmas isjust now consp icuous by its a1 sence, it will probabl yturn up—or , more correctl y ; peaking, come down—

later, perhaps, about Easier-tide, 1897, or later still ,about Derby-day, as it did in Hermit 's year , when therace was very nearl y run in a snowstorm. Still , if theweather is unconventional , our Hearty Gold Wishesare not ; and we sincerel y hope that all our rra^eismay enjoy themselves to the utmost during the presentfestive season.

# # *We are glad to be in a position to announce lhat

Bro. Terry has been making satisfactory progress inobtaining the services of brethre n as Stewards for theapproaching anniversary Festival of the Royal MasonicBenevolent Institution. When we brought the Festivalmore immediately to the notice of our readers in ourarticle of the 5th inst. the Board of Stewards was lessnumerous by between 40 and 50 members than was thecase at the corresponding period of 1S95 with theFestival of February last. Since then , however, hehas succeeded in reducing the difference to about 20.Of course during the next few days Bro. Teiry willhave few opportunities of recruiting for the Board ,and as, we regret to say, Bro. Mason has been too illto attend to his duties , the energies of our respectedbrother and his small staff of assistants have beenseverely taxed. Still there is this advantage attendingthe occurrence of the holidays just now. The rest willgive Bro. Terry time to recruit himself and enable himto set about his task ot enlisting Stewards with renewedvi gour when the lodges have resumed their labours.

* * *Comp. Ensor Drury 's address, as Acting Grand

Superintendent at the recent convocation of the Pro-vincial Grand Chapter of West Yorkshire, containedreferences to several matters connected with RoyalArch Masonry which are well worthy of consideration.Thus , in noticing the progress made by the WhiteRose of York Chapter since its consecration in Marchlast, he remarked that it" now numbers 26 sub-scribing members and six Hon. P.Zs., all , I think ,without exception , enthusiastic Royal Arch Masons,"and he added " I wish , companions, that I could truth-full y use that expression in speaking of Royal ArchMasons generall y." We are afraid Comp. Drury isright , and that enth u siasm is not a prominent featureof Royal Arch Masonry . The reason probably isthat the work of the chapter is ordinaril y restrictedto the annual election and installation of oflicers andthe occasional exaltation of a candidate. The meet-ings, too, are few in number , and take place only atlong intervals. It is difficult to imagine how anybrethren can become enthusiastic about a branch ofMasonry when , as a rule , the members meet only twoor three times a year or , at the most, once a quarter;and it is still more difficult to suggest a remedy. Butif chapters are to meet more frequentl y, they will needmore funds, and people will very soon tire of meetingand incurri ng additional expense , when they find theonly work done is to open and close the chapter.Were the ceremonies occasionally rehearsed or alecture or lectures delivered by a competent com-panion , it might have the effect of creating a littleenthusiasm. We fear there is no alternative but toadmit that enthusiasm is not ordinaril y associatedwith Royal Arch Masonry.

* » *Comp. Drury does not seem to be very full y impressed

with the results of the reduction of the qualif y ing periodfor the exaltation of Master Masons from 12 months toone month . Indeed , from one of the remarks he letfall , it strikes us he does not appreci ate the change." When , said he , " I recollect the eagerness withwhich I and the young brethren of the lodge took theDegree the very earliest day we possibl y could do soafter the 12 months' probation , I am inclined to holdthe op inion that in this, as in most things , peop le donot value that which is too easily obtained." But ifwe remember rightly the principal argument that wasemployed in support of the proposed reduction of theprobatio nary period was that , in consequence of thelength of the prescribed interva l between raising andexaltation many brethren had come to regard theRoyal Arch as a separate and distinct branch of ourMasonic system , and that the reall y essential part ofMasonry, instead of including the Supreme Order ofthe Holy Royal Arch , was limited to what are knownas the Craft Degress of Entered Apprentice , FellowCraft , and Master Mason, ft was, therefore, proposedthat the qua lif y ing period between raising and exalta-tion should be the same as between initiation andpassing, and passing and raising, and it was hoped thatby the adoption of this change, brethren would bri ngthemselves to realise that the Royal Arc h was a part ofFree and Ancient Masonry as defined in our Book ofConstitutior.s.

We agree with Comp. Drury that hard ly timeenoug h as yet has elapsed to enable a true estimate tobe formed of the effect of the reduction in theprobationary period from a year to a month.Fewer warrants for the constitution of newchapters have been granted , but on theother hand there may have been , by way of compensa-tion , an increase in the membershi p of chapterspreviousl y existing. So far , however , from regardingit as "almost incredible " that "only about one Masonout of every three " in the Province becomes a RoyalArch Mason , we feel inclined to congratulate both himand his Province of West Yorkshire on the slightness ofthe disproportion between Craft and Arch. We knowof Provinces in which they stand to each other in theproportion 6 or 7 to 1, and there may be Provincesin which the disproportion is still greater. Indeed , wehave alway s looked upon West Yorkshire as beingexceptionally strong in Royal Arch Masonry, seeingthat it musters 43 chapters to its 78 lodges, while WestLancashire with 115 lodges has only 46 chapters , andEast Lancashire with 111 lodges only 39 chapters.

# * #We have been favoured with a report—which , to our

regret , we are obliged to hold over till next week—ofthe meeting held at the Masonic Hall , Lewes, onMonday , the 30th ult. , for the purpose of celebratingthe centenary of the constitution of the South SaxonLodge, No. 311, and we take this opportunity ofcongratulating the lodge and its members on the dis-tinction which it has thus obtained and, by reason of itscontinuous working and the services it has renderedduring its long and honourable career, so well deserves.At the commencement of this report the lodge is referredto as having been at one time " the Provincial GrandLodge of Sussex, as is testified by a warrant from theGrand Lod ge of Eng land exhibited in the lodge room."The warrant , which we believe is uni que of its kindand will be found in the " History of Freemasonry inSussex," by Bro. Thomas Francis, P.M. No. 56, isas follows :

" To All and every to whom these Presents shall come& may concern.

" Know Ye that I , Samuel Hulse , Esq., LieutenantGeneral of His Majesty 's Forces, Treasurer to thePrince of Wales, Colonel of the 19th Regt. of Foot ,and Provincial Grand Master of Free and AcceptedMasons for the County of Sussex , Do , by virtue ofmy said office , & under the immediate authority ofHis Royal Highness George Augustus FrederickPrince of Wales, &c, &c, Sec, Grand Master ofEngland , first had & obtained espec ially for this pur-pose, hereby nominate, constitute , it appoint the' South Saxon ' Lodge, held at Lewes, the ProvincialGrand Lodge of the County of Sussex, to consist ofthe Grand Officers hereunder named , and twelve GrandStewards (subject nevertheless to such new Electionsas occasion may fro m time to time require) with fullpower to make Masons , constitute Regular Lodges,and to frame and enforce such Bye-laws & Regulationsas may be d eemed necessary for the Good Governmentof the Institution , also to do and execute all & everysuch other Act or Acts, Thing or Things, as appertainto the Duties of a Regularly constituted ProvincialGrand Lodge."

* * *The " Grand Officers hereunder named " include

Lieut.-General Hulse, P.G.M.; Capt. Henry Shelley,D.P.G.M. ; Mr. William Lee , P.A.G.M. ; CaptainJoseph BJagrave, P.G.S.W. ; Mr. W. BalcombeLaneridge , P.G.J.W. ; the Rev. Arthur Iredell , M.A. ,P.G. Chap lain ; the Rev. Francis Josep h Fearon ,M.A., P.D.G. Chaplain; the Rev. Harry West, A.M ,P.G. Orator; the Rev. Robert Briggs, P.D G.Orator; Mr. Francis Whitfield , P.G. Treasurer ; Mr.James Nicholson , P.G. Secretary; Mr. John Charlton ,P.D.G. Secretary ; Mr. Edmiind Scott Scot', P.G.Portrait Painter; Mr. Christop her Kell , P.G. RecordKeeper ; Mr. Joseph Goldsmith , P.G. Architect ;Mr. Edward Egles, P.G. Seal Keeper; Mr. JohnBray Gates, P.G. Master of the Ceremonies ; Mr.lames Cook , P.G. Standard Bearer ; and Mr. ThomasTill , P.G. Sword Bearer. Of the foreg .ing, Bro. theRev. A. Iredell was nominated in the warrant—bearin gdate the 15th October , 1796, under which the lod gewas constituted—as the first Maste r, and Bros. WilliamLee and John Bray Cater—or Cator—as the firs tWardens.

The warrant constituting the lodge as the Pro-vincial Grand Lodge concludes as follows : " Givenunder my Hand and Seal at London , this Seventh dayof March A.L. 580 1, A.D. 1S01," and is signed by " S.Hulse , P.G.M." A ppended is a note—we presumeby Bro. Francis—to the 1 fl eet that "the sea l attachedto the document is an oval a.J in. by 2 in., " with a coatof arms in the centre like the Lewes boroug h seal , butproba bly made for the occasion and bearing the in-scri ption ' ' ' South Sixon ' Lod ge , 357. Presented byBro. W. B.ilcombe Langrid gc—the same, no doubt ,who is given among the G.Os. as P.G.J.W. We wil l addthat the History comp iled by Bro. Francis from whichthese hi ghl y interesting particulars are derived , waspublished in 18S3.

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SATURDAY , DECEMBER 26, 1896.

Correspondence*V/e do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents ,

but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits-free discussion.

THE NEW ZEALAND QUESTION.To the Editor of the " Freemason."

Dear Sir and Brother ,Bro . Wh ytehead is decidedly assuming when he asserts that I know

as well as he knows that the confirmation of the resolution of Jul y to all intentsand purposes settles the matter , i.e., the recognition of a Grand Lodge of NewZealand by the United Grand Lodge of England .

Bro. "Whytehead may depend upon it that recognition will only be accordedby a definite and precise resolution to that effect in Grand Lodge, exactly as wasdone in the cases of the other Australasian United Grand Lodges, and the soonerour brethren holding allegiance to the various Constitutions in New Zealand sinktheir differences and fall into line, the sooner will their supremacy as a unitedbody be acknowledged.—Yours fraternally,

W. F. LAMONBY.21st December.

GREAT PRIORY.

A Great Priory of the United Religious and Military Orders of theTemple, and of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes, and Malta , inEngland and Wales and the Dependencies thereof , was holden at MarkMasons' Hall , Great Queen-street, London , on Friday, the nth instant,A.L. 5900, A.D. 1896, A.O. 77 8, at five o'clock. Present—The V.E. Provincial Prior for Hampshire, W. W. B. Beach , M.P., G.C.T., onthe throne. The V.E. Provincial Priors , for East Ang lia, V.E. Kni ght Capt. N,G. Phili ps, G.C.T. ; N. and E. Yorkshire, V.E. Knight Major J. W. Woodall.K.C.T. ; and Devonshiie, V.E. Knight Major Geo. C. Davie. Great Officers—V.E. Kni ghts the Rev. C. E. L. Wright , G. Prelate ; R. Loveland Loveland,K.C.T., G. Chancellor; Sir Reginald Hanson , K.C.T., as 1st G. Constable ;Col. F. R. Sewell, 2nd G. Constable; Ral ph Clutton , K.C.T., G. Treasurer;Frank Richardson , K.C.T., G. Registrar; C. F. Matier, K.C.T., G. Vice-Chancellor ; Charles Belton , K.C.T., G. Marshal ; the Rev. J. S. Brownri gg,G.C.T., as G. Almoner ; A. W. Orwin , G. Herald ; Alfred Cooper, G. Std. Br.(Vex. Belli) ; H. Percy Harris, G. Banner Bearer; Frederick Mead , 2nd G.Aide de Camp ; E. Kni ghts Dr. N. Goodchild , 2nd G. Capt. of Guards ; andFrederick Bevan , G. Organist. Past Great Officers—V.E. Kni ghts Colonel A.B. Cook, G.C.T., G. Constable ; Richard Clowes, G. Marshal ; E.Kni ght Major H. W. H. Eiwes , G. Herald ; V.E. Kni ght Ralph Gooding, K.C.T.G. Herald ; E. Kni ght ]. Reynolds Green , G. Herald ; V.E. Knight Sir GeorgeD. Harris, K.C.T., G. Standard Bearer ; E. Kni ght Robert Berridge, G. Standard ,Bearer; V.E. Kni ght Gordon Miller , K.C.T., G. Aide de Camp ; E. Kni ght F.N. Molesworth , G. Aide de Camp ; V.E. Kni ght Edward Letchworth , K.C.T.,G. Sword Bearer; and E. Kni ght Major T. W. Richardson , G. Sword Bearer.There were also present the following (London) kni ghts : Walter J. Ebbett , 2ndConstable, Herbert Wri ght , Almoner, and W. John Songhurst , all of Bard ofAvon ; John Dimsdale and E. St. Clair , both of Faith and Fidelity ; H.Thomson Lyon , 2nd Constable, and ]. Harrison , both of Holy Palestine ; HenryW. Kiallmark , P. Preceptor Holy Sanctuary ; John R. Carter, Standard Bearer,and C. Horst , both of Mount Calvary ; E. M. Money, E. Preceptor, and RobertA. Gowan , P. Preceptor, both of New Temple; J. C. F. Tower, E. Preceptor ,and B. A. Smith , P. Preceptor , both of Oxford and Cambridge University ; G.C. W. Fitzwilliam , ist Constable, Majo r C. W. Carrell , Herald , J. S. Tamburini ,and Sir Joseph C. Dimsdale , all of St. George's; H. P. Hay, Preceptor, Shad-well Clerke ; J. W. S. Godding, ist Constable, and Alfred H. Bevan , both ofStudholme; W. J. Batho, United Kemeys Tynte ; (in the Province of Cheshire)the Rev. C. C. Atkinson , Preceptor De Tabley ; (in the Province of East Anglia)Francis A. Brooks , Prudence ; R. Percy F. W. Simpson , P. Preceptor , and Wm.Briggs, 2nd Constable, both of Tancred ; W. Rainforth , P. Preceptor Temp leBruer ; (in the Province of Kent and Surrey ) A. H. Bateman , P., Preceptor ,and William Briant , both of Lullingstone; (in the Province of Lancashire) C.Morton Challender , P. Precep tor Hugh de Payens; Thomas Forrester , Pre-ceptor Rose of Lancaster ; (in the Province of Oxfordshire) D. Cory Wright ,Ceeur de Lion; (in the Province of Staffordshire , Warwickshire,Jand Leicester-shire) Percy Wallis, P. Preceptor Abbey Chapter; Captain H. Wilson lies, E.Preceptor, and George Powell. P. Preceptor , both of Stuart.

The knights having formed the Arch of Steel , the V.E. KnightVV. W. B. Beach , M.P., G.C.T., Prov. Prior for Hampshire, attended bythe Great Officers , entered and took the throne. The Great Priory wasopened in form and the muster roll was called. The minutes of Great Prioryheld on Sth May were read and declared to be correctly recorded.

The GREAT MARSHAL announced the V.E. Knight the ViscountDungarvan , G.C.T., the Great Seneschal nominate, was in attendance.

The following knights were then appointed a deputation , and requested toretire and att end his lordshi p, viz. : Knights Capt. N. G. Philips, G.C.T. ;Col. A. B. Cook, G.C.T. ; Frank Richardson , K.C.T. ; and Sir Geo. D.Harris , K.C.T.

The trumpets sounded.The Very Eminent the Viscount Dungarvan , G.C.T., attended by the

before-mentioned kni ghts, then ente red Great Priory.f he Viscount D UNGARVAN , G.C.I., took the oath as Great Seneschal,

was invested and enthroned , whereupon.the H ERALDS in the east, south-west, and north-west severally proclaimed as follows : By the authority andin the name of the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master, I proclaimCharles Spencer Canning, Viscount Dungarvan , Kni ght Grand Cross, Prov.Grand Master for Somerset , Right Worshi pful Deputy Grand Master ofMark Master Masons, Most Eminent Grand Viceroy of the Red Cross ofConstantine, Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for the County ofSomerset , Colonel of the Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry, &c, &c, kc, hasthis day been appointed Great Seneschal of England and Wales and theColonies and Dependencies of the British Crown. His lordship beingsaluted accordingly.

The Great Chancellor , E. Knight LOVELAND -LOVELAND , K.C.T. : Thefollowing report of the Council having been printed and circulated and putin the hands of every kni ght present, I beg to move that the report betaken as read.

REPORT OF COUNCIL.Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master.

Your Council have the honour to report that in accordance with theresolution of Great Priory on Sth May, 1896, the Statutes as amended and revisedhave been printed , and a copy sent for official use of each Preceptory on the Roll.A copy has also been sent to every member of the Council.

The Loyal Ashton-under-L yne Precep tory of Volunteers , No. 7, meeting atAshton-under-L yne, Lancashire, whose warrant is dated 12th August , 1796, havingpetitioned for a centenary warrant , and having established to the satisfaction ofyour Council that it has had a continuous existence for at least 100 years, yourCouncil recommend that a centenary warrant be granted, with permission forthe subscribing members to wear the centenary jewel , as prescribed in theStatutes.

Your Council report with great pleasure that the De Tabley Preceptory, No100, meeting at Altrincham , in the Province of Cheshire, has been revived , withevsry assurance of future success, and that up to the present 11 brethren have beenadmitted to the Order of the Temple.

The annual conference of the Great Priories of England and Ireland and theChapter General of Scotland was held at the Freemasons' Hall, Dublin , on the17th April , 1896.

The Great Priory of England was represented by the V.E. Knights the Earlof Euston , G.C.T. ; Capt. N. G. Phili ps, G.C.T. ; Col. A. B. Cook, G.C.T. ; FrankRichardson, K.C.T. ; C. F. Matier , K.C.T. ; The Great Priory of Ireland by theV.E. Knights R. W. Shckleton , G.C.T. ; Col. McCammon , K.C.T. ; Lieut.-Col.Davoren , G.C.T. ; and J. C. Meredith , LL.D. The Chapter General of Scotlandby V.E. Kni ghts The Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T., G.C.T., Grand Master ; LordSaltoun, G.C.T. ; Lindsay Mackersy, G.C.T. ; and Major F. W. Allen , K.C.T.

The chair was taken by the V.E. Knight R. W. Shekleton , G.C.T.The first subject discussed related to the designation of the Governing Body

in each country—whether it should be called " Great Priory " or " ChapterGeneral." After hearing the views of the Delegates, those from England andIreland resolved to recommend that the existing name Great Priory and thedesignations of the Great Officers be retained , and the Delegates from Scotlandresolved to recommend to the Chapter General to retai n its name and the designa-tion of its Ofiice Bearers.

It was unanimously resolved to recommend to the three Governing Bodiesthat in future the appointments of Knig ht Commander and Knight Grand Crossshould be made by, and the Patents signed by, the Grand Master in each country,and not by the Sovereign of the United Orders.

It was explained by the Scottish Delegates that under their Constitutionsthere existed the Grade of Knights Companion , which was conferred by theGrand Master ; and on the Patent conferring it was emblazoned the Knight'sCoat of Arms. In England and Ireland there was no such grade, although it wasexplained there was a ceremony of Installation of Preceptors, and that only thosewho had been actual Preceptors could be created Kni ghts Commander. TheScottish Delegates farther exp lained that in Scotland the Order was consideredpurely Chivalric, and that it had no connection with Freermsonry, except that forthe reasons explained in the Constitutions , no one could be admitted to theOrder who was not a Royal Arch Mason , and that they were not prepared to re-commend any change on these grades, which are—(1) Novice-Esquire, (2)Knight Templar, (3) Kni ght Companion , (4) Kni ght Commander, and (5)Knight Grand Cross, Kni ghts Commander and Grand Cross being invested bythe Grand Master or Presiding Officer. It was resolved that each governingbody should be recommended to retain its present grades and modes of inves -titure.

The next subject of discussion was the number required to peti tion for acharter for a preceptory or priory. In England and Ireland the number requiredwas seven ; in Scotland , n. In England a preceptory could be opened by thePreceptor and four kni ghts. In Scotland a priory to be opened required nine,unless a member of Grand Council was present , in which case four others wererequired. After some discussion, the Scottish delegates resolved to recommendto their Chapter General to adopt the same rule, and to allow a priory to beopened by seven , or five, if one of them were a member of Grand Council.

A vote of thanks was accorded to the V. Eminent Knight Shekleton, G.C.T.,for presiding.

In the evening the Delegates visited a preceptory, and saw two candidatesreceived into the Order . After the ceremony , the delegates were entertained at abanquet by the Great Priory of Ireland , the V. Eminent Knight Shekleton in thechair.

The delegates from your Council desire to express their thanks to the GreatPriory of Ireland for the courteous and kind reception accorded to them duringtheir visit to Dublin.

Your Council have adopted and approved a form of opening and closing forthe use of Great Priory, which they recommend should be generally used in pro -vincial priories and private preceptories.

Your Council have authorised the Great Treasurer to purchase the sum of^500 India 3 per cent., on behalf of the General Fund, which has cost the sum of£571 i?s. 6d.

After audit by the Finance Committee, the Great Treasurer 's accounts show,on the 31st August, 1896, a balance of—

General Fund ... ... ,,, ^189 15 5Benevolent Fund ... ... ... 163 12 8

£353 8 1By order of the Council ,

R. LOVELAND LOVELAND ,Great Chancellor,

oth November, 1896.The Great Treasurer , V.E. Knight RALPH CLUTTON, K.C.T. J I

beg to second that.The motion was put and carried.The GREAT CHANCELLOR : I have now to move that the report be

received and entered on the minutes.The GREAT TREASURER : I have the pleasure to second that.The motion was put and carried.1 he G REAT CHANCELLOR : Very High and Eminent acting Grand Master,

the Loyal Ashton-under-Lyne Preceptory of Volunteers, No. 7, meeting atAshton-under-Lyne, Lancashire1, whose warrant is dated the 12th August ,1796 , has petitioned for a centenary warrant , and having established to thesatisfaction of the Council that it has had a continued existence for 100years the Council recommend that the request be granted, and I beg tomove accordingly.

E. Knight F. N. M OLESWORTH , Prov. Chancellor Lancashire : I beg tosecond the motion.

The motion was agreed to.E. Knight Rev. C. CIIETWYNDE ATKINSON ; Very High and Eminent

acting Grand Master , before the motion is made to adopt the report mayI allude to the reference made in it to the resuscitation of the De TableyPreceptory. Thanks to the kindness of Great Priory we have made a goodstart , we have received a good amount of local assistance, and we hopethereby to live a successful life. (Hear , hear).

The report was adopted.Alms were then collected amounting to £3 Ss. 6d., and Great Pricry was

closed in due form.A Great Priory of the Order of Malta was opened in due form. The

Very High and Eminent Great Seneschal , the Viscount Dungarvan ,occupied the throne.

The Great Chancellor, V.E. Knight C. F. MATIER , K.C.T., read theminutes of the previous meeting, which were confirmed.

The GREAT CHANCELLOR then said that he had received the commandsof the Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master to announce that he hadmade the following appointments :V.E. Knight R. Loveland Loveland ... Great Prior.

„ The Earl of Yai b rough ... Great Captai n General.„ Col. F; R. Sewell ... ... Great Lieut. General.,, A. W. Orwin ... ... Great First Lieutenant.„ R. E. Baynts ... ... Great Second Lieut.„ Rev. C. E. L. Wri ght... ... Great Prelate.,, C. Belton ... ... ... Great Mareschal.„ Rtv. C. E. Lefroy Austin ... Great Hospitaller.„ Alfred Cooper ... ... Great Admiral.„ Percy Hanis ... ... Great Conservator.„ Col. H. F. Pudsey ... ... Great Baillie.,, J. A. Robinson ... ... Great Turcopolier.„ C. F. Matier ... ... Grea t Chancellor.,, Ralph Clutton ... ... Great Treasurer.„ Frederick Mead ... ... Great Banner Bearer.„ Capt. Geo. Hearn ... ... Great Sword Bearer.„ I. W. Howard Thompson ... ) r- . r. . • r-, .„ Dr. Nathaniel Goodchild J

Great Captain Outposts.

„ Frederick Bevan ... ... Great Organist.The Great Oflicers took their seats as follows : V.E. Knights R. Love-

land Loveland , K.C.T., as E. Prior ; Ral ph Clutton , K.C.T., as Capt.-General ; and Maj or J. W. Woodall , K.C.T., as Lieut. -General ; E.Knights C. Morton Challender, as ist Lieut. ; Richard Clowes, as 2ndLieut. ; and C. Belton , K.C.T., as Mareschal ; V.E. Knight C. Gooding,K.C.T., as Hospitaller; E. Knights T. Forrester, as Admiral ; Major H.W. H. Elwes, as Conservator ; and Sir J. C. Dimsdale , as B iillie ; V.E.Knight Sir Geo. David Harris , K.C.T., as Turcopolier ; E. Knights GeorgePowell , as Chancellor; and John Dimsdale, as Treasurer ; V.E. KnightRev. C. E. L. Wright , as Prelate ; and E. Knight Major T.W. Richardson ,as Capt. of Outposts.

The following knights were Guard s to Banners : Knight J. S. Tarn -burini , Banner B.; E. Knight R. A. Gowan , Banner L.; Kni ght H.Thom-son-Lyon, Banner D. j E. Knight Percy F. W. Simpson , Banner R. ; andE. Knight J. C. V. Tower, Banner A., The following Knights Templar then received the Mediterranean Passand were admitted into the Order of Malta under the Banner of the HolySanctuary Preceptory, the Accolade being given by the Very Eminent theViscount Dungarvan, Act ing Grand Master ; Ernest St. Clair, Faith andFidelity Preceptory ; H. VV. lies, Stuart Preceptory ; W. J. Batho, UnitedKemeys Tynte Preceptory ; Rev. C. Chetwynde Atkinson , De Tabley Pre-ceptory ; Christian Horsh , Mount Calvary Preceptory ; Dudley Cory-Wright, Cccur de Li on Preceptory ; and Frederick Bivan , Da WarrenePreceptory.

Great Priory was then closed in due form.The Very High and Eminent the Viscount Dungarvan, Great Seneschal

afterwards presided at the banquet supported by the V.E. Prov. Prior forN. and E. Yorkshire, the Great Officers , many Past Great Officers , Pre-ceptors, and other kni ghts.

" SEND-OFF " DINNER TO BROTHERWILL E. CHAPMAN.

A " send-off " dinner to Bro. Will E. Chapman , who, to-day (Saturday), willleave Eng land for South Africa , was given on the 18th inst. at the Hotel Cecil ,and was attended by no less than 120 brethren , notwithstanding that onl y aweek's notice of the projected compliment had been given. The idea was firststarted at the installation meeting of the Empress Lodge, of which Bro. Chap-man was the first Secretary, its original suggester , and one of its founders. Theidea of paying a comp liment was entertained with the greatest confidence fromthe fact that Bro. Chapman is a universal favourite , and for the last dozen yearsin England has been one of the most energetic workers for the good of Free-masonry ; that he has gone through all lodge offices, including that of W.M. ;has assisted in founding several lodges and chapters ; and has obtained from theM.W.G. Master, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, recognition of his services byappointment to Grand Office. There were two Honorary Secretaries to themovement—Bros. J. D. Langton , D.G.D.C, and j. W. Clark, Assistant SecretaryEmpress Lodge, and these two brethren had , for five days previousl y to thedinner , unceasing work in attending to app lications and making the arrangementsfor a successful evening. Their labours , however, were thoroug hl y rewarded , ashe entertainment proved to be an unqualified triump h.

Bro. Sir Joseph C. Dimsdale, Past Grand Treasurer , took the chair , and hadon his right the guest of the evening, Bro. Will E. Chapman. Among the otherbreth ren present were Bros. Sir J. B. Monckton , P.G.W. ; Thomas Fenn ,P.G.W. j E. Letchworth , G. Sec. ; F. Richardson , P.G.D. ; R. Eve, P.G.T. ;W. M. Stiles , P.G.T.; Sir Somers Vine , P.G.D. ; J. D. Langton , D.G.D.C. ;J. S. Cumberland , P.D.G.D.C ; C. Belton , P.D.G.D.C ; Lennox Browne ,P.D.G.D.C ; E. St. Clair , P.A.G.D.C ; Dr. Turtle Pigott , P.A.G.D.C ; F.Mead, P.G.S.B. ; Thomas Bullock , P.G.S.B. ; W. Lake, A.G. Sec. ; Carson ,W.M. 2190 ; Harrison , W.M. 2488 ; Kiralf y, W.M.2581 ; W. S. Hooper , W.M.1987 ; Dan Godfrey, Brandon Thomas , W. J. Fisher , S. Rosenthal , J. PassmoreEdwards, Walter Beard , and W. J. Ebbetts , P.M. 2190.

Bro. Sir J OSEPH DIMSDALE , in g iving the toast of "The Queen and theCraft," said the first toast , as usual , amongst Masons was that of our beloved

Queen and Empress , whose vast experience , unerrin g wisdom , and unsurpissedjud gment had obtained for her the affection and love of her subjects fur a periodextending over nearly 60 years. That was attributable in no small degree to thefact that from the moment she ascepded the throne she resolved to be not thehead of a party, but the ruler of a vast emp ire. " The Queen , God bless her , andthe Cratfe."

Bro. Sir JOSEPH D I M S D A L E next gave "The M.W.G.M., H.R.H. the Princeof Wales," a toast that required no words fro m any Chairman in the presence ofMasons or in the presence of Britishers. What they owed to him they all knew.They appreciated what he had done , and mi ght he long be spare ! to be theGrand Master , and retain the confidence , respect , and esteem of the Craft.

Bro. Sir J OSEPH D I M S D A L E next gave the toast of " Our Guest." He said :Brethren , I am not unmindfu l of the honour you have conferred upon me to-ni ghtby placing me in this chair , but I am equall y conscious of my inability to do jus-tice to the honour. I recognise that this is an informal gathering; it represent s afew friends of our honoured guest gathered round this board at a very momentarynotice ; the whole thing was got up in onl y five days, and Bro. Chapmin must , Ithink , deem it a compliment that around this table there are 120 brethren. Thatnumber would have been quadrup led if wc had had a few days more. I shouldbe wanting if I did not comment upon the regrets of a few amone; the m iny to-night who are not able to be here, hirst , there is our dear old friend and brotherRobert Grey, then comes Bro. Everett and Bro. C. E. Keyser. Thereis also a very dear old friend appreciated by us all—Bro.Edward Terry. Then we regret the absence of Bro . Penley,but we are somewhat compensated for his loss by the fact that we have in Bro.Brandon Thomas, a member of the " Charley 's Aunt Company. " Then weregret the absence of Bros. Fester, Sir Reginald Hanson , J. Lewis Thomas , T.Brodie , and Vaughan Morgan. Those are onl y a few among the many brethrenfrom whom we have letters of regret at not being able to be present , and last , butnot least , we have a telegram forwarded by Bro. Shirley, fro m Geneva , sendinggreetings to our Bro. Chapman. (Hear, hear.) And , now, brethren , I have aserious , and at the same time, a pleasing task. We wish to pay a very safecomp liment to Bro. Chapman. We realise in him one who ha? done an im-mense amounc for Masonry. The fact that he belongs to 17 lodges of the Craftand otherwise , testifies to his energy in the Craft. But those who have beenwith him in Masonry, and those who have seen him work our splendid ritu al witha reverence that inspires respect for the Craft to which we all belong, know thatthat must benefit every initiate who comes within our fold ; those are the bre threnwho can really appreciate what our Bro. Chapman has done for Masonry . (Heir ,hear.) And yet , brethren , that is only one side that we appreciate our Bro. Chapmanfor there are thousands who can act Masonically from the book and who can wordby word and letter by letter carry out the ritual to a nicety, bat there are fewerwho act up to those princi ples in the domestic life, and that to my mind is thereason of this banquet to-ni ght. We realise in Bro. Chapman one who his donehis utmost to inculcate our great princi ples of Masonry into the hearts of 'all whohave come before him; the initiates have carried away the best side of Masonry,and see that it is not only the Fourth Degree ; that we believe there is a greatmorality taug ht by Masonry ; that our great doctrine is that we be lieve and mustproclaim as Masons our affection , love, and loyalty to the Great Being of theUniverse , so it is equall y necessary for us to carry those great doctrines into ourdaily life , and that is what we appreciate in our Bro. Chapman. (A pp lause.)We see in him upri ghtness. Whenever we meet him in Masonic life we see therethe friend , and the true brother , and we feel that however distant he may be fromus, however many thousands of miles may separate him from us—that althoug hwe give him what we call a "send-off " dinner , we shall bs hoping that the timewill be very very short when we shall give him a " home-coming." (Hear , hear,and cheers.) As I said this is an informal gathering; I have prepared nothi ngto-ni ght ; I will not profess to adequately express your feelings ; (but this I do say,Bro. Chapman , and I say what is in the breast of every brother here present , wewish you God speed , and give you our best wishes for your future , whether in thedistant land you are going to visit for a short time , that you may be prosperous ,that you may have an opportunity of spreading the broad and great princi plesthat we Masons look upon Masonry being useful in promoting, and may God'sblessing rest upon you in all your undertakings ! I cannot say more. I wish some-one more competent thr .n myself at this table was addressing you. We regret tosay " good-bye; " we do not like the time that is coming; it is far too near ; butwe wish you God speed and say " God bless you."

The toast was drunk enthusiastical ly and with musical honours.Bro . WI L L E. CH A P M A N , in rep ly, said : Bro. Chairman and Brethr en ,—You

have said , Sir, that I should feel comp limented by this gathering which has comehere to-ni ght to say good-bye and an revoir to me. I am comp limented. Thereare no words adequate at my command to tell you , brethren , how pleased andhow gratified I am to-night to see you befo re me assembled for the purpose whichhas brought you here. But we do not want words to-ni ght. This is a time whichto me is one in which heart meets heart and in which there are ties which havebrought us together and binds us together , which words cannot adequatel ydescribe. There are faces before me to-ni ght which have been fimiliar to me fora quarter of a century ; there are others with which I have been famili ar a fewmonths , and yet I feel no difference ; that the old friends , who are dear old friendsbefore me to-ni ght have become a part of my life ; that wherever I go, whether toAfrica or wherever it may be, you will be with me in sp irit , and that as long asGod gives me senses, and health , and life , I shall never forget your kindness incoming to me so voluntarily, so kindl y to say g03d-b ye to me, and it eases thepang which I feel in leaving you. (Hear , hear.) The Chairman has referredto my Masonic career, and perhaps as you have come to see me I maysay one word or two without preparation for the subject. You know theMasonic life I have led in the last doz?n years. I was made a : Mason25 years ago, and I was always say ing good bye in those days ; 1 had n.tttime to make friend s before I said good-bye to them ; and so I went toAustralia , the West Indies , and other countries ; hut I was only meeting men to-day and parting from them to-morrow. A year being the longest time I had inone place, I naturall y could not make much progress in Masonic work. Butthat 1 did not forsake Masonry, that 1 did not regard Masonry as a thing to betaken up and put off at a moment I may evidence , without flattery to myself , Imust not have done so when in 1884 I visited one lodge—the Royal SolomonLodge at Jerusalem—not having been an officer in my life , I acted as S.W. andwas made an honora ry member for the work done by me that evening. I wasnot an appointed officer , but I had been at some pains to learn the work and toperfect myself as far as 1 could in my Masonic career. Then I came here when 1thought to leave again , and then 1 took up Masonry seriousl y. I have takengreat interest in Masonry ; it has been to me almost everything. It hasbeen obliged by my unfortunate reli gion—I speak respectfull y and advisedl y— by my unfor tu nate reli gion , to accept Masonry as my religion ;I have tried to live up to its princi p les as far as I could , and ,please God, I shall do so as long as I live. (A pp lause.) I belong, as the Chairmanhas s.iid , to seven Craft lodges, three of them my own ch ildren. I am leavingthem to-ni ght ; 1 am say ing good-bye to the W.M. and brethren of those lod geswith regret. I acknowled ge i t ; it is true ; 1 should be wanting in feeling if Ileft you to-n i g ht or the lodges I belong to if I did not say I leave you with regretand sadness. In fac t, I may s ly if I had known what 1 know now ; if I had knownthe feelings , the ties which bind me to all of you , 1 do not think I could have saidgood-bye to you. (Hear , hear, and app lause.) But it must be said. 1 havereceived in return for my work , which has not been work ; it has been p leasure to

me; I have received for it the hi ghest honours that could have been conferredupon me. I have received , in the first p lace, from the head of the Craft a GrandOfficer 's collar ; the Grand Oliicers are my conf reres and colleagues ; I havereceived the great distinction of being admitted as one of their number ; and morethan that even—much more than that—1 believe honestl y this—that I have beenadmitted to a place in their hearts of which I shall ever be proud. (Hear , hear ,and cheers.) I hope you will accept these few halting words ; believe me they arefrom my heart. (Hear , hear.) I say lo you to-night , if I never see you again ,what 1 feel in every nerve in my body - I love you. You are very dear to me all ;you have been very dear to me ; and I shall never forget the happy, happy hourswe have spent together. (Loud and long-continued app lause.)

Bro. E. L ETCHWORTH , G. Sec, in proposing "The Chairman ," said : Fortu-nately for me, and still more fortunatel y for you , the toast which I have theprivilege of proposing is one that requires but few words from me to secure for itthat reception which I know you will accord it. I will ask you , brethren , to joinme in drinking the health of our chairman (cheers), who with such ability andcordiality has discharged the important duties imposed upon him this evening.In addressing the members of the Craft , it is needless for me to remind them ofthe great services rendered to it during a long time by Sir Joseph Dimsdale. Weknow he has alread y filled the highest positions of our Order , how ready he is atall times and on all occasions to identif y himself with everything calculated topromote the interests of the Craft . (A pp lause.) I ask you to join me, drinkingwith all possible enthusiasm " The Health of the Chairman. "

Bro. Sir JOSEPH D IMSDALE -. Brethren, I thank you sincerely for your heartyacceptance of the kind words spoken of me by Bro. Letchworth. I have esteemedthis a very great honour you have conferred upon me by placing me in the chair.But I see around me so many Grand Officers , and my friends and brethren , thatI feel conscious of the inability I have shown to do justice to the post you .haveconferred upon me. However , we came to this meeting with one object alone,and that is to pay honour to our guest to-ni ght , and althoug h the few words I havesaid were inadequate to the ocsasion I cannot express what my heart feels—theycome from the heart. But I am equall y aware that a banquet of this kind requiresa great deal of organisation and of careful consideration , and althoug h it may addone more toast to our list I feel I am bound to do it , and that it is your desireand wish to drink a toast to " The Dinner Committee. " Our Dinner Committeeconsists of brethren from different lod ges of which Bro. Chapman is a member;they have all worked with the greatest energy ; they had but a few days to do thework ; but I think we have all enjoyed a happy social gathering, and we haveendeavoured to show our friend and brother our appreciation of him. Brethren ,we have to give our thanks not to ourselves, but to those brethren to whom thesuccess of the evening is due , and while I see four Masters of different lodgesand one S.W. I beg in to think how I am to discriminate , and I think it is the bestto leave the whole matter in the hands of our Bro. Langton. We express ourthanks to him and his colleagues for making this banquet so successful.

Bro. J. D. LANGTON , in reply, said that he had had the kind co-operation ofthe W.M. and the officers of the Savage Club Lodge, the Empress Lodge, andthe Eccentric Lodge in carry ing out what he hoped had been a successful gather-ing. Certainly all the members of the Committee had had but . one object, tomake it a success for Bro. Chapman. He hoped that Bro. Chapman and all thebrethren around the board had appreciated the work the Committee had done.

Bro. Sir J OSEPH D IMSDALE said he had one more duty to perform , and it wasequally pleasurable as his other duties ; it was to present to Bro. Chapman thefollowing resolution : " We, the undersi gned being present at the Send-off Banquetgiven to you at the Hotel Cecil , London , on Friday, 18th December, 1896, whilewishing you an affectionate farewell and a prosperous voyage, express the hopethat we may on a near occasion welcome you home." That required no words.A ppended to the document were the signatures of everyone present. (He thenhanded the resolution to Bro. Chapman.)

Bro. I M R E K IKALFV , W.M . 2581, next said : Bro. Chapman , on behalf of theEmpress Lodge, I feel great pleasure in presenting to you a Past Master 's jewel ,which has been voted to you unanimousl y by the members of the Empress Lodge.(A pplause.) We hope that you may live in good health for many years to wearit as a small token of esteem. May God bless you. I also present you with adressing-bag. We hope you will return from South Africa very soon—thesooner the better.

Bro. CH A P M A N : I need not say how proud I am of this additional token ofyour esteem and regard. 1 hav e been in close working connection with you , Bro.Kiralfy, for the last two years. I have had the honour of knowing you 35 years.I have found you a kind friend , and the most honest and devoted , and the kindestand best thief under whom I have ever worked . Of Bro. Kiralf y's publicwork the brethre n all know. You have seen the grand things hehas placed before London in years past; but you do not knowthe many acts of kindness he has done—the many acts that have endeared himto me, which I, as one of his subordinates , have known among those manyeventful years ; and I say how I thank him before my friends who know him , andI respect and esteem him. Bro. Kiralf y has been a true and loyal friend to meunder very many try ing and difficult circumstances. To the members of theEmpress Lodge generall y, and the I.P.M., I can only say—" Thanks , and thanksagain ." It will alway s be a pleasurable memory to me, this year in the EmpressLodge. It is only a litt le over a year ago that the lodge was consecrated ; butduring that t ime , by the kindness of our I.P.M., it has been my pleasure to initiate20 members of the Empress Lod ge. It will be a pleasure to me, when far away,to remember that all of those when they come to Masonic lod ges and see thecf i tmcni f s performed will remember that Bro. Chapman , who is away from them ,is the member who initiated them. (Cheers).

The brethren then speht the remainder of the evening in enjoy ing a capitalconcert.

Graft MasonryBritannia Lodge, No. 139.

Considering the anti quity of Sheffield and its intimate association with some verydistinguished noble families—families , repiesentatives of which have played prominentparts in the history of this country, we are not surprised that Freemasonry should havetaken root in its midst at a very early date. Of those families, the most conspicuouswere the Lovelots, the Kurnivals , the Talbots, the Nevilles , the Howards , and theWentworths. When the lirst kd^e of Freemasons arose in Sheffield it is now , un-fortunatel y, impossible to determine. Britannia , the oldest existing lodge, was foundedin 1705 , but evidences are not wanting to show that pievious to that date one or morecommunities of Freemasons had sprung up in the cutlery town. The elucidation ofdifficulties in relation to our Craft settlements in Sheffield , we must leave to local effort ,and , on this occasion at any rate , confine ourselves to some account oi the BritanniaLodge. Of the existing lodges on the West Yorkshire roll , L'idge No. 130 standssecond in age only to Probity, No. ui , Halifax. I houg h it duly celebrated its centenaryin 1S65, there does not seem to have been any record of its history published at thetime. From some brief extracts taken from the minute books and kindly put at ourdisposal by an old and hi ghly esteemed Past Master , we find that on the occasion of thecentenary celebration , the Deputy I' rov. G. Mailer , Uro. Bentley Shaw , was presentand delivered an address , and that a brother named White read a paper on the historyof the lod ge. These were followed by a dinner , which too't place , we are informed , atthe Black Swan Hotel , on Snig Hill—and virtuall y that is all. Reticence is doubtlessa valuable quality and is preferable to extreme verbosity, but the records of Masonic

lodges present instances which are, to say the least, exasperating to the intelligentinquirer. Upon the whole, it may be said that the Britannia has been a prosperous andsuccessful lodge, and that throughout its long career it has maintained a very highstandard of excellence. During the past few years, however , as may be gleaned fromthe words of the speakers, which we reproduce later, the affairs of Lod ge No. 130 havenot been characterised by the same Masonic harmony and good feeling for which thelodge had so long been conspicuous. What the explanation of this condition of thingsmay be it is not for us to ask, neither do we wish to probe the wound from which thisgrand old lod ge is suffering; we are content to express the hope that Yorkshirecommon sense, fair play, and-forbearance will eventuallyassert them selves andputaspeedyend to what can only be described as a lamentable state of things. Once, perhaps theleading lodgejn West Yorkshire, it must be painful for Britannia to be compelled tohide its diminished head and especially to contrast its own inaction with the vigour andenergy shown so eminently by the other and younger lodges of the town. The splendidMasonic spirit and the great Masonic enterprise which , especially of late years, Sheffieldhas shown, we have frequently and favourably commented upon , and we will dismissthe unpleasant subject by saying that from our knowledge of the brethren constitutingthe lodge, we anticipate, under the genial rule of the new Worsh ip ful Master, Bro.John Stokes, that Britannia in the near future will rid itself of the reproach under whichit labours and once more take the place amongst the Sheffield lodges to which itsantiquity and its long career of usefulness fully entitle it.

The installation festival took place at the Masonic Hill , Surrey-street , on the iothinst., and, notwithstanding the circumstances referred to, was a highly successful func-tion. In the unavoidable absence of the W.M., Bro. W. Middleton , who some shorttime ago had the misfortune to break his leg, the lodge was opened by Bro. H. j.Garnett , P.M., P.P.G.S.B. The members of the lodge present compris :d Bros. E,Dickinson, I.P.M.; Simeon Haves, P.M., P.P.G.W.; Joseph Binney, P.M., P.P.G.Reg. ; G. W. Hawkesley, P.M., P.P.G.S. of W.; John Shaw, P.M., P.P.G.S. ofWorks; John Hunt , P.M., P.P.G.D., Treas. ; Joseph Jackman , P.M. ; G. Fordham,P.M. ; John Stokes, S.W. ; Rev. Vaniah Odom, P.M., P.P.G.C., Chap. ; Wm.Gunstone, W.M. 249 1, Sec ; A. R. Fox, S.D. : L. H. Osbaldistone, J.D. ; H.Arnold, I.G. ; T. Leighton, Tyler; C. Wood, Asst. Tyler ; A. H. Boultbee, G.Robinson , S. A. Swann, G. Turner, J. Corvell, C. A. Hahn , J. Dixon , W. G. Skelto n,and others. Amongst the visitors were Bros. Col. Bingham, P.M. 296, P.P.G.W, ;Ensor Drury, P.M. icfi, P.P.G.W.; H. Allen , P.M. 1779, P.S.G.W. ; H. G. E.Green , P.M. 1019, P.G. Sec ; J. Matthewman , P.M. 1019, P.A.G. Sec. ; G. B.Wood, W.M. 296 ; T. Rowbotham , W.M. 1239 ; R. O. Wever, W.M. 1779 ; A. F.Watson, W.M. 220.3 ; W. Gunstone, W.M. 2491 ; G. Hutchinson , W.M. 255S ; A,B. Gunstone, I.G. 2491; A. Deakin , 296; T. W. Hanforth , 2491, P.G. Org. ; F.Cartwright , 249 1 ; W. C. Fox, P.M. 2263 ; J. Barton, D. of C. 1779 ; W. H. Pease-good, Org. 249 1; S.Thorpe, 249 1 ; J. Nodder .S.W. 1309 ; W. b'earnehough, 1239;W. Farrar , 249 1 ; A. Turner, J.D. 249 1 ; W. W. Skelton, 249 1; Rev. G. Ford,S.W. 1239 ; C. Stokes, P.M. 1239 ; A. W. Roberts, 249 1; J. de Solla, 254.; T.Firth, S.W. 1239 ; R. E. Wright, J.D. 2263 ; C. A. Wright, S.D. 2491; Costello,J.D. 250 ; E. Howarth, 2263 ; E. Hall, 1779 ; G. Wish, 2491; W. Hartley, 296 ;C. F. Brindley, P.M. 2491; T. Ward, 1239 ; C. Robinson, 2558; J. Needham, 139;A. E. Kirkham, P.M. 1239 ; and E. Beck, 1239.

It is not usual for a lodge to go outside its own members for an Installing Master.In this instance, however, Britannia Lodge made a new departure. It paid Bro. CharlesStokes the very high compliment of inviting him to perform the ceremony. The expla-nation is simple. Bro. Charles Stokes, P.M. 1239 and I.P.M., and founder of theFurnival , 2558, is the elder brother of Dr. John Stokes, now W.M. of Bri tannia andJ.W. of the White Rose of York Lodge, 2491. The brothers Stokes are both enthusi-astic Masons and highly respected citizens of Sheffield, and the brethren of Britannia ,wishful to show consideration for both , graciously availed themselves of this opportunity.It is needless to say that Bro. Charles Stokes eagerly and gratefully accepted the in-vitation and italso goes without saying that he performed the duties of Installing Masteradmirably. It was a pleasing sight and was witnessed with the greatest interest andpleasure by the large gathering of brethren assembled. The working tools were pre-sented in the respective Degrees by Bros. H. J. Garnett , P.M., Williams, P.M., and E.Dickinson , P.M. Bro. John Stokes invested his officers as follows, giving instructionand counsel in each instance : Bros. W. Gunstone, VV.M. 2491, S.W. ; A. R. Fox,J.W. ; Rev. P. Odom, Chap. ; John Hunt , Treas. ; L. H. Osbaldistone, Sec. ; W. G.Skelton , S.D. ; G. Robinson , J.D.; H. J. Garnett, P.M., D.C; C. Hahn, I.G. ; H.Arnold, Org. ; H. J. Garnett, and Joseph Binney, Stewards; and T. Leighton, Tyler.Bro . Joseph Binney, P.M., was again elected to represent Lodge 139 on the CharityCommittee of West Yorkshire. Other routine business followed after which , hivingreceived " Hearty good wishes " all round, the Worshipful Master closed the lodge.

The usual dinner succeeded, and after the toast of " The Queen " had been suitablyhonoured ,

The Worshipful Master proposed "The M.W.G.M., H.R.H. the Prince of Wales;the M.W. Pro Grand Master, and the Officers of Grand Lodge, Present and Past." Indoing so Bro. J. Stokes pointed out how Freemasonry had advanced recently by leap s andbounds, new lodges constantly being formed both in England and the Colonies, and this ,he thought, was largely due to the great interest the M.W.G. Master had taken inthe Order. He ferventl y hoped that the Prince might long be preserved and that whenin the course of nature he succeeded his illustrious mother his son might take up thepurp le and assume the government of the Craft at present so ably and so wisely con-ducted by the Grand Master.

"God bless the Prince of Wales " was then sung, Bro. John Hunt taking the solo.As there was no Grand Officer present to reply, the Worshipful Master proceeded toNo. 3 on the card, that of " The R.W. Prov. G. Master of West Yorks, Bro. W. L.Jackson , M.P.; the W. Deputy and the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge, Presentand Past.'' In giving that toast Bro. Stokes emphasised the fact that in the matter ofthe Masonic Charities, the province was pissing through what might not unfairly becalled a crisis, but that confident in the wisdom and foresight of their rulers they feltperfectl y safe. He was quite sure that their interests and the interests of the Charitiesmight be left in the hands of their Prov. Grand M ister and thos; whom he hid invitedto share with him the responsibility of looking after the well-being of the province. Inhis (the W.M. 's) experience the Prov. G. Officers were an exceeding ly nice body todeal with , pleasant and comfortable to get on with, and anxious , as was shown not bytheir attendance at the meetings of Provincial Grand Lodge onl y, but by their frequentvisits to private lodges, to keep in touch with the brethren and do everything possible tofurther the good cause of Freemasonry in West Yorkshire.

Here followed the Tyler 's toast. By an unwritten la* in S'icffi :Id smokin . is notpermitted until " the poor and distressed " have beer hoioured , hence its early intro-duction. Wedonot know whether the late William Morris belonged to our Brothe rhood ,but whether he did or not, he could not have written more beautiful or appropriate wordsthan those which, by the happy inspiration of the W.M., appeared on the list in con-nection with this toast. Quotations are often smart , not always relevant and seldomentirel y appropriate ; this was in all respects suitable and therefore we give it. • •

Yet there were some men thereWho drank in silence to the memoryOf those who failed on earth , great men to be,Though better than the men who won the crown.

Bro . Harry Allen, S.G.W., replied for the province. He congratula ted Bra. Stokesupon attaining the position of W.M. of the oldest lodge in Sheffield. The affairs ofBritannia Lodge might not be in the entirel y satisfactory condition they would all wish ,yet, in spite ot that, it was a matter of pride to any min to be elected by his brethre nto so important and responsible a post. As to Provincial Grand Lodge, having had toreply to that toast three times during the past five days, they would , he was sure, seethe difficulty he had of saying anything ori ginal. Bro . Allen , referring to the businessat the last meeting of the province at Morley, went into particulars as to th: resolutionto form a Local Charitable Institution which was th;n come to , and also allu led to theprotest of West Yorkshire in the matter of the li iys' School , moved by th ; Charitymember of Britannia Lodge. It was true it wis l ite, the mischi :f wis apparentl y done ,but he for one was not going to admit that it wis not discorteous on the pirt of theBoard to proceed to so important a step without consulting the brethren who weresubscribers. He heartil y thanked them in the nam ; of the Prov. Grand O.ficers fortheir reception of the toist.

Here let us note, f a r p -trenlhese, that nothing more distinctively mirks the excellentarrangements which the Sheffield brethren make, not on theoccasion of installation meet-ings only, but at ordinary lod ges, than the character and excellence of the mu sic. Speecheswe have with us always; it would be impossible we suppose to attend the " social bj ard "without; we get them usi/ ne ai nauseam. Now giod music never palls. We do not, ofcourse,refer to the music hall ditties—to these, even , the prosiestspeech is preferabl e—we

mean music, instrumental or vocaI,which appeals to all that is best in us. Such it was ourdelight to listen to at Britannia Lodge. The quintette for violins , 'cello , and pianoforte ,played by Bros. C. Slokes, W. H. Peasegood , Rev. G. Ford , M. T. Miner , and T. W.Hanforth was a beautiful lenderirg of the "Alleg ro con spirito " of Prout , and gavethe greatest pleasure all round . This clever party of amateurs , during the evening,also clayed Schube rt's charming "Adagio," as well as a second " Andante " quintette ,by Prout, which had not, we believe , been previousl y heard in Sheffield. In addition ,there were pianoforte duets by Bros. T. W. Hanforth and Peasegood ; songs by Bro.Joh n Hunt; and recitations by Bros. Joseph Jackman , P.M., and H. J. Garnett, P.M.This feature in the evening 's j rogramme was a strong one, and its excellence equalledits strength.

"The .Health of the Worshipful Master, Bro. John Stokes," was placed in thehands of Bro. Joh n Hunt , who said that the pleasure he experienced in proposing thetoast was enhanced by the fact that nine years ago he himself had initiated Bro. Joh nStokes into Freemasonry. He then predicted that their new W.M. would be a credit tothe Order. His prophecy, as they would all admit , had come true, for from the first hehad never swerved , and was now as thick and thin a supporter as they could possiblywish . No rran better deserved the position he had gained than Bro. John Stokes. Itwas amusing that the W.M. of to-night should invest as his S.W. the popular W.M. ofthe White Rcse of York Lodge, and that some few weeks ago Bro . Gunstone should , onhis part, place in the Junior Warden 's chair the equally popular W.M. of Britannia—anice little arrangement , giving mutual pleasure to Bros. Gunstone and Stokes, andccmplele satisfactien to the members of b. th lodges. Their W.M. he (Bro. Hunt) neednot tell them was a good Cra ft Mason , an enthusiastic companion of the Royal Arch ,and had, he believed , "dabbled " in other Degrees, showing that his interest in theOrder was of a stron g and he althy character. A curious feature in their proceedings thatnight was that they had elected and put into Ihe chair a W.M. to do the work of thelodge, and yet, in point of fact , there was no work in the actual sense for him to do. He(Bro. Hunt) would neither whine nor wince, but he could not blink the fact that Britanniawas not in working condition , and it seemed to him rather hard upon the W.M. Theywere like a ship becalmed; they were in a slate of inactivity. What in those circum-stances had be st be done ? In his op inion , their duty lay in bearing this state of thingsas quietly as possible ; violent conduct was neither practicable nor desirab'e. Let themkeep themselves in a position cf readiness ; support their W.M. and his officers, andwait for better times. They were not without friends, as that gathering showed, and ifthey could not add to their numbers by taking initiates, they could, at least, keep up oldties. If charge came, and he trusted it would come speedily, even in the time of theirpnser.t W.M., they would be prepared , and he felt that the destinies of their good oldlodge were in safe and competent hands. Let them drink , then , to the health andj rospeiity of their W.M., Bro. John Stokes, and success to his rule in Britannia.

Here was introduced a new song called "The Master 's toast," the music by Bro.Isidore de Solla, who was present and played the accompaniment. The [song has agood swing with it, carries a chorus, and is distinctly taking in its character. Bro. Huntsang it with spirit, and the brethren thoroughl y appreciated it. Bro. de Solla is amember of the Iris Lodge, No. 2545, which , it we remember rightl y, was consecrated inFebruary, iSg5, and meets at the Rainbow Tavern , Fleet-street. He comes of a musicalfamily, and himself informed us that a relative of his had the honour of giving muiicalinstruction to her Majesty the Queen in her youthful days.

Bro. John Stokes, the W.M., had a most enthusiastic reception. He said :Brethren, there is, I think , some excuse to be made for me if I acknowled ge lo afeeling of nervousness on rising to reply to the toast so kindl y, yet , I fear, flattering lyproposed by our good friend Bro. John H unt. He has attributed to me qualities whichI am dubious of possessing. He has told you , too, that I am placed in a position whichhe fears is one of inactivity ; well brethren if I am destined to do nothing in this chair duringthe coming year,I am at least prepared to do it exceedingly well. He says we are moribund;to this I distinctl y take exception ; personally I think we are anything but that. Lookaround and you will see indications of life and activity which contradict that statementemphatically. Previous to occupying this chair, I was always prepared to maintain thatthe W.M.'s end of the table was a dead-alive sort of situation and not to be comparedwilh the freede m enjoyed by the jovial occupant of the West, but brethren I can assureyou it is no such thing ; it is a remarkabl y pleasant and agreeable situation and I hopeyou may all in your several turns live to occupy it, It carries with it great honour butinvolves serious responsibility. Brethren , I am fully conscious of both . The ceremonyduring the Board of Installed Masters impressed me particularl y, gave rise in my mindin fact to thoughts which I find too deep for words. I am especially gratified also to seethe large number of bre thren who have assembled to greet me to-night , their kindnessgoes to my heart and I only hope 1 shall be able to realise even partially the expectationswhich seem to have been formed in my legard . I shall endeavour to follow the exampleof Bio. Hi nt, who 1 as display ed such wordtrful powers of smoothing difficulties , Imight almcst say of ren ov 'ng mi ut.ta 'ns and if I tan attain such a degree of excellenceI st all r.ot l ave striven n v^ in. 1 am especiall y grateful for the many marks of yourcoi fide nee which I have f. om time to time received ; they will I assure you give mestn ngth lo go forward and to carry out the duties which owing to the circumstances ofour c< ndilion are undoub:edly trying.

"The Immediate Past Master," was proposed by Bro . E. Dickinson , P.M. Thiswas well received and many expressions of r egret at the accident which deprived themof the jovial piesence of Bro. Wm Middle ton , the retiring W.M., \vere expressed.

The W.M. replied, and read a letter w hich he I ad 11 ceived from Bro. Middleton inwhic h he expressed the hope that at no very distant date he would once more be able tojoin his brethren in lodge.

After the "Adagio " to which reference has been made Bro. H. J. Garnett , P.M.,expressed the pleasure it gave him to propose " The Health ot the Ins ailing Maste r, Bro.Chailes Slokes." He complimented him upon the happy, able, and excellent mannerin which he had got throigh the ceremor.y. He (Bro. Gainett) could , as doubtlessmany others could , remember the Masonic infancy of Bro. Charles Stokes. His careerhad been eminentl y successful, for he had worked hard andspared no timeand no troubleto attain that success. It was a privilege for any man to be able to install his ownbrothf r, and in that particular Bro. Charles Stokes was to be envied.

The Worshi pful Maste r also desired thus publicly to thank him for undertaking thece remony and exp lained how much it had enhanced the pleasure and happ iness of theevening that it should be by the hand of his own brother that he was placed in the postof honour in their midst.

Bro. Chailes Stokes, referring to the tie of blood between himself and their W.M.,said how pleased he was to receive an invitation on the part of Britannia to undertakethe installation , and that if he had thereby added to the gratification of his bro iher hewas greatly deli g hted. Bro. Stckes then referred to the condition of Britannia Lodge,declared that he had heard a whisper that work might be had ; that for nine years orthereabouts the minority had had their say and exercised their will ; that now he shouldrecommend tf em to bring fcrwaid candidates and try their fortune again. They hadlone been under a very black cloud , but he believed not only was there a silve r liningto that cloud but t ie lung they would find a splendid hoiizon opening out before them.They were not conquered and he recommended them manfully to face their difficulties.

"The Masonic Chaiiiies " was proposed by Bro. G. W. Hawkesley, P.M.In lesponding, Bro . Joseph Binney, P.M., Charity member for Britannia Lodge,

went into details and particulars in relation to the two great questions which had latelyag itated , and did yet occupy the minds of West Yorkshire. He justified the conduct ofthe province and explained the action which had been taken by the Committee whichhad been nominated to carry out the formation of the local scheme.

" The Sister Lodges and Visiting Brethren " was submitted by the J.W.,.Bro. A. R.Fox, in very felicitous terms, and was happil y acknowledged by Bio. Geo. B. Wood ,W,M. 29G, Sheffield , and by Bro. Costel o, 250.

In proposing " The Past Masters," Bro. Wm. Gunstone, W.M. 249 1 and S.W. ofthe ledge; made a very eloquent speech and was heartil y cheered.

This was suitabl y acknowledged by Bro. Geo. Williams, P.M.The final toast was " The Officers of Britannia Lodge." This was left to the

W.M., who paid a generous tribute to the excellent character of those who had signifiedtheir willirgness to serve under him. He did not doubt , he said , that notwithstandingthe inactivity to which at present they had to submit , they would yet work pleasantlyand harmoniously together, and he trusted the hopeful and very enjoyable evening theyhad spent was an augury of the year upon which they were entering.

1 his having been acknowledged , the proceedings closed.It would have been impossible, but for the admissions of the speakers themselves,

for an outsider to imagine that anything but the comp letes! concord existed in BritanniaLodge. There was not a jarring note, not the faintest indication of discord. This, itappears, was accounted for by the fact that the small body of malcontents on these

occasions have the grace to keep away, so that , though they hinder the work and pro-gress of the lod ge, to do them justice they make no attempt to mar the pleasure of themembers or the enjoyment of their visitors on the occasion of these annual festivals.Comment upon our part upon the conditio n of Britannia Lodge we shall not offer, forwe know the fate of those who interfere in the quarrels of others, but we can cause nooffence by saying how much we lament that a lodge so old , so wealthy, so distinguished ,and so reputable should be hindered in its good work and rendered , if not powerless, atany rate feeble , in up holding the banner of Masonic princi ples which it once triump hantl ybore whilst marching in the van of true Masonic progress.

fat. Ambrose Lodge, No. 1891.The installation meeting of this lodge, which is always held on St. Ambrose Day,

took place at St. James' Hall , Piccadill y, on the 7th inst., when there were present Bros.R. W. Jones, W.M.; W. Ham , S.W., W.M. elect ; G. B. Spicer, l.W. ; P. P.Perry, P.M., Treas ; W. F. Bates, P.M., Sec ; Dr. Ivor Davis, S D.; G. Mav,J.D. ; D. F. Norring ton , I.G. ; F. W. Buxton , P.M. ; E. T. Edwards and A. E.Gadd , Stwds. ; Ludwi g Lichtwilz, P.M. ; J. C. Conway, P.M. ; W. Hoggins,I.P.M. ; A. Strutt , A. Lichtwilz. H. J. Thwaites , E. ]. Calfe , II. C. Parke, J. VV.Morley, P.M.; A. F. Phel o, F. Mason , S. j. Ling, G. W. Thatcher , H. Hudson ,W. H. Page-Nash , W. M'Cutcheon , L. Russell , A. White. F. W. Leeks, G. C. E.Gelardi , A. Lee, H. W. Roach, H. Evenden , P.M., Tyler , and others. Amongthe numerous visitors were Bros. E. C. Mulvey, P.M. 179, P.P.G.D.C. Herts ; JohnBrock, P.M. 299, P.P.S.G.D. Kent; W. Hunt , P.M. I 7 > ; J. K. Harnell , P.M.511 ; W. Kitson , P.M. 54S ; J. Skinner , P.M. 2191 ; W. F. Hughes, P.M. 179 ; E.W. Carter , P.M. S5S ; A. E. Hughes, P.M. 17,) ; H. Leach , 1107 ; A. Simpson ,2432 ; J. Ponsford Taverner, I.G. 1364 ; F. W. Gibbs, 25 12 ; J. Banks, J.W. S34;W. J. Clark , 153 1 ; R . Cawley, 172 ; H. Strickland, 1602 ; W. H. Handover , J .D.1642 ; A. Hayward , 2550; T. B. Tipton , S.D. 2550 ; M. S. Rubinstein , Org. 2535 ;and R. T. West, 1744.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read , the W.M., Bro.' R. VV.lones, raised Bro . G. C. E. Gelardi to the Third Degree, and afterwards passed Bros .P. Habra , A. Lee, and H. W. Roach to the Second Degree. The W.M. then proceededwith the important business of installing Bro . William Ham as W.M. for the ensuingyear, and he performed the duty in a most exemp lary manner. The new W.M. nex tappointed and—with the exception of two absen tees—invested the following brethren ashis officers : Bros. R. W. Jones, I.P.M. ; G. B. Spicer , S.W. ; Dr. i. Davis , l.W. ;P. P. Perry, P.M., Treas. ; W. F. Bates , P.M., Sec; G. May, S.D. ; D. F.Norrington , J.D. ; A. E. Gadd, I.G.; F. W. Buxton, P.M., P. Vincent , FVVhicher, and A. Strutt, Stewards ; E. Rix , Director of Ceremonies; ALichtwitz , Asst. Director of Ceremonies; F. P. Buxton , Mus. Dir. ; and H. Even den ,P.M., Tyler. Ihe delive ry of the usual addresses was ably rendered bv Bro . R. VV.Jones, and he is to be congratulated on the efficient way he carried out the installationceremony. The W.M. then rose and said it was his very pleasant duty to present theI.P.M., Bro. R. W. Jones, with a Past Master 's jewel , which he had well earned andwon for his valuable services in the chair, and he sincerely hoped that he would bespared for many years to do for the lodge the great things he had done in the past.In response, Bro. R. W. Jones, I.P.M., tendered his best thanks for the jewel , whichhe should esteem as long as he lived. The report of the Audit Committee having beenreceived and adopted , and two gentlemen proposed for initiation at the next meeting,other business followed , and the lodge was closed.

The banquet , which was everything that could be desired , was admirabl y servedunder the personal superintendence of Bro. Scott Roberts.

The customary loyal and Masonic toasts having been duly honoured ,The I.P.M., Bro. R. W. Jones, proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Maste r,

Bro. Ham," and said that no words of his were necessary to extol Bro . Ham 's worth .He was one who would do credit to the lodge, which would continu e its caieer as one ofthe best in the West of London , and they had every confidence in entrusting the lodgeto him as he would do everything for its welfare and the happiness of the members. Hehad brought in a large number of initiates and on behal f of all the members he (Bro .Jones) wished him gorod luck and prosperity, and when his time came to vacate thechair he had no doubt it would be with satisfaction to them all , for what he had doneduring his year of office, leaving the lodge in a sound financi al condition.

Bro . Wm. Ham , W.M., on rising to respond , was received with great en '.husiasm.He thanked the I.P.M. for his kind words, and if he could appropriate only a half ofwhat he had said of him he should be gratified. Looking to his splendid predecessors ,it was with diffidence that he took the chair. He should never forget when Bro. P. PPerry was W.M. (whose perfect working made a lasting impression on him) . Bro. F.W. Buxton , who followed , had ably filled the chair for two successive years. Bro. J.C. Conway came next , and his year of ofiice would ever be remembered. The nexton the list was Bro. W. Hoggins who was a perfect W.M. and no better Preceptor couldbe found in London. He was succeeded by Bro. Ii. D. 1' . Rymer , who died during hisyear of cilice, and the last and certainly not the least was the I.P.M., Bro. Jones, whohad been everything. He had mentioned all the Past Masters which would show thehard task he had in store if he followed in their footsteps, which he hoped he would do.In conclusion he said nothing would be wanting on his part to do everything to promotethe interests of the lodge, and he earnestly trusted it would be to their entire satisfaction ;he was honoured by being the Master of such an important lodge which was com-posed of members of the right sort , and he would take care that they would have, forinitiates, as they had alway s had, quality and not quantity .

In giving "The Installing Master , Bro . R. VV. Jones," the W.M. stated that hiswork that ni ght was beyond all praise, and he had never seen the installation ceremonybetter performed. They expected great things of him , and they had not been dis-appointed.

In responding, Bro. R. W. Jones, I.P.M., thanked them for the way they hadreceived him. He had done his very best that evening; but it was certainl y not betterthan his predecessors. 't welve months ago when he was installed , the lodge was in agood position , and he was proud to say that at the end of his year of ofiice it was in abetter one. It was easy enough for a lodge to go down , but somewhat difficult to keepit in a state of perfection. If his working had given satisfaction , the thankswere due to Bro. Hoggins, P.M., and to Bro. F. VV. Buxton , P.M., fortheir tuition , and his reception was a sufficient return for his services.He was now going on the Past Master 's shelf where he would be able to rest , as theW.M. would not require any assistance from him as the I.P.M. In referring to thejewel he said it was the only one he had received in Masonry, and it would be tne mosthonoured , even if it hereafter fell to his lot to get others. The j :wel bore thefollowing inscription. " Presented by the St. Ambrose Lodge, Mo. 1S9 1, to Bio. R. VV,Jones , P.M., in recognition of his services as VV.M. iSo/5."

The toast of " I he Visitors " came next , the W.M. observing that many of themhad been there b ;fore and he hoped they would come again. They had Bro. E. C.Mulvey, P.M., P.P.G.D.C, a household name in London , no one had worked harderfor the Craft and the way he was decorated with jewels, was evidence ot what he haddone for Freemasonry. Then there was Bro. Jno. Brock , P.M., P.P.S.G.D., who wasmore than welcome, and Bro. E. VV. Carter , P.M.—they were school boys t igerher—avery old and dear friend , who had proposed him (the VV.M.) in Masonry, and hadinitiated , passed, and raited him , and he was delighted that he hid honoured him withhis presence at his installation. He mentioned each of the other visitors by name , and ,in conclusion , gave them ail a very hearty welcome, coupling with the toist the namesof Bros. E. C Mulvey, J . Brock , and E. W. Carter.

Bro. E. C. Mulvey, P.M., P.P.G.D.C, responded. It was a great pleasure to himto visit the lodge, which he had attended two years ago. The outgoing Mister had Deenperfect , as was the new VV.M., for the way he had invested his officers showed that hewas the lig ht man in the right place , and the lodge, which had a good balance in handfor a London lod ge, would continue its prosperity under his genial presidency. In Bro.Bates they had a most kind and energetic Secretary, and Bro. Hoggins , whom he hadknown for many years, was a worker ot the ritual who was second to none in theMetropolis. The W.M. had come back from his travels with renewed strength , andthey were all glad to see him restored to health.

Bro. J. Brock, P.M., P.P.S.G.D., said that all the visitors were proud to havehad the privilege of witnessing the ceremonies, which had been worked splendidly, andthe membeis were to be congratulated on having such an efficient W.M., who would ,he thought , be a great success.

Bro. E. W. Carter, P.M., also acknowledged the toast , remarking that he alwayslooked u on Bro . Ham as his young brother. vVhen the W.M. was initiated , he (Bro .Carter) said that he would never rest until he got into the chair, and he was glad that

his fr t impression of him as a Mason had turned out a correct one, and he was confidentthat he would make an excellent ruler.

Bro. Lancaster also responded.The W.M. gave "The Past Masters ," and saidhe was honoure d by bavin? such a

goodly array of them present. He mentioned each by name, eulogis 'n? the great thingsthey had dj ne for the lodge, but making special reference to Bro. F. W. Buxton , P.M.,who, by his efforts, had resuscitated the lodge.

Bro. Ludwig Lichtwitz , the senior P.M. and father of the lodge, responded. Ineloquent terms, he advocated the ca=e of Bro. T. Holland , a candidate at the next elec-tion of the Old People, and he urged the brethren to support it , as they could not havetoo many workers. He was proud to see Bro. Ham in the chair, and he would have apleasant year, which he deserved. He had eight visitors that evening but he would nothave invited them if the lodge was not a good one. He was pleased his son , Bro. AlbertLichtwitz, was coming on, and when his time arrived to go into the chair, he wouldmake a better W.M. than his father had been.

Bro. P. P. Perry, P.M., also responded and referred to the case of Bro. T. Holland.He was sorry that Bro . Geo. White, one of the founders, was not present. It was thefirst time he had ever been absent at an installation meeting of the lodge. The visitorshad stated that the lodge was one worth coming to, and it was gratifying to the PastMasters that the lodge had achieved the great success it had.

Bro. F. W. Buxton said that he was the bashful P.M., but he was delighted to seethe W.M. so ably installed. Every member congratulated the W.M. on his renewedgood health , and they wished him everything he could wish himself, and he felt that itwent without saying that he would have a brilliant and happy year as Master of the St.Ambrose Lodge.

Bro. J. C. Conway, P.M., stated that his health prevented him being present at thelast installation meeting, but he was glad to be there that evening, and it redounded tothe credit of the lodge the way the VV.M. had been installed , and he paid a tribute toBro. F. W. Buxton for his great services to the lodge.

Bro. W. Hogg ins, P.M., said that he was more than proud to be a Past Master ofsuch an important lodge, and he was glad that they were again so well favoured inhaving such a gocd W.M.

Bro. J .W. Morley, P.M., observed that brevity was the soul of wit, and might headd that he was proud of the St. Ambrose Lodge and to find that the officers were allcapable and would hereafter doubtless distinguish themselves. The W.M. would shineas those who had gone before him.

" The Treasurer and Secretary " and " The Office rs," having been honoured , theTyler's toast terminated the happy and successful proceedings.

The musical entertainment was under the direction of Bro. Clement Harris and wascontributed to by Miss Edith Yorke, Bro. George Thatcher and A.White, and Mr. Len-nox Chandler and Mr Morell.

The portrait of the W.M., Bro. Ham, appears in our portrait gallery of thisissue.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE.The last meeting of the Board of Benevolence for the year 1896 was held on

Wednesday e\ening at Freemasons' Hall , when Bro. James Henry Matthews,Past Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, the newly-appointed President ofthe Board , took his seat as head of the Board for the first time. Bro. D. D.Mercer , P.G.P., the re-elected Senior Vice-President , occupied the Senior Vice -President 's chair, and Bro. C. J. R. Tijou , P.A.G.P., took the chair of JuniorVice-President , in the absence of Bro. C. A. Cottebrune, re-elected at GrandLodge of December 2nd .

Before the Board commenced business Bro. JAMES H ENRY MATTHEWSsaid he took his seat for the first time as President of the Board ,and it was impossible, of course, to carry out the duties of Presidentwith effect without the assistance of the Vice - Presidents and of theBoard generally. He knew that the brethren would accord to him thatassistance as heartily as they had given it to his predecessor. He was notgoing to pose as "a new broom ," doing the work as it had not beendone hitherto , but he was asking the assistance of the brethren to help him inmaking the work good , and keep ing it up to its previous standard. There wasone point he would direct attention to—the getting throug h the work quickly.There were no less than 54 cases on the list that ni ght , and no doubt severalbrethren had come to speak to many of them , travelling very probably long dis-tances , and at great inconvenience to themselves. He would ask them , if theyaddressed the Board , to put their remarks in as small a compass as possible. Ifthey would bear in mind that one minute 's speech on each case would make atotal of 54 minutes , he was sure they would do their best not to say more thanwas absolutely necessary. He asked that they should be brief on behalf of theBoard , but not only on their account , but for the sake of the poor brethren whowere without the door of the room , waiting in a state of anxiety to know whatgrants were going to be made to them.

The brethren then proceeded to deal with the list of business before them.They first confirmed the recommendations made at the November meeting, thatthe Grand Master should approve of grants to the amount of .£400. The newlist of 54 cases were qualified throug h lodges in the London district , and at Man-chester , Barrow-in-Furness , Croston , Scarborough , Croydon , Princetown , Chester,Delhi , Sunderland , Eccles, Port Louis , Lahore, Thame, Newport (Mon.), Tedding-ton , Shepton Mallet , Blackburn , Norwich , Tredegar, Kingsbrid ge, Canterbury,Plumstead , Newton Abbot , Hong Kong, Jersey, Ashby-de-la-Zouch , Cheltenham ,Notting ham , Feltham , Dinapore, Wigan, and Birkenhead.

Of these cases one was dismissed , and seven were deferred. The remainderwere relieved with a tctal of j f i 145. One case was recommended to GrandLodge for .£50. Eight were recommended to the Grand Master for .£40 each, 13for ,£30 each , and one for £2$ each. Fifteen cases were relieved with ,£20 each ,four with ,£10 each , and four with £5 each.

©bftuamBRO. HENRY JOHN GILLER, P.M., &c.

Bro. Giller had been many years a Mason, and was much beloved by all whoknew him. He was a P.M. of the Watford Lodge, No. 404, and a P.P.G.P. ofHerts. He joined the United Northern Counties Lodge, No. 2128, in March ,1S86, soon after its consecration in December , 1885, and was WorshipfulMaster in 1892 ; he was also a lounder of the Bolingbroke Lodge, No. 24 17. Bro.Giller was a Governor of all the Masonic Charities , for which he had servedsevera l Stewardships ; he was also a Life Governor and a liberal supporterof the Commercial Travellers ' Schools, &c. He lived beloved and respectedand died regretted. The funeral took place at the Elmers End Cemetery onWednesday, the 23rd inst., when several membersof the United Northern CountiesLodge attended to pay the last tribute of respect to departed merit. The lodgesent a beautiful wreath , attached to which was a card as follows : " F.A.A.M.,United Northern Counties Lodge, 2128, in ever loving memory.—'B ROTHER .'"

BRO. GEORGE S. SMITH , P.M., P.Z.It is with very great regret we announce the death of Bro. George S. Smith ,

P.M., P.Z., P. Prov. G. Organist in both East and West Lancashire , who for manyyears past had occup ied the responsible position ot manager of the Manchesterbranch of the business carried on by Bros. George Kenning and Son. Thedeceased was a most enthusiastic Mason , and was a P.M. of the St. George's,Newall , and Doric Lodges, of the last of which he was a founder and first W.M.,

a founder of the Palatine Lodge, P.Z. of the Hump hrey Cheetham Chapter, No.645 ; P.M . of the St. Andrew 's Mark Lodge; P.E.P. St. Joseph Preceptory ofKni ghts Temp lar ; Prov. G.S.M. of Prov. Priory ; W.C.N. Manchester Lodgeof Roya l Ark Mariners ; a member of the Allied Degrees, the Rose Croix , andthe Secret Monitor , as well as an honorary member of many lodges and chapters.He was, indeed, highly respected , and at the funeral , which took place on Monday,there were present to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory Bros. J. H.Sillitoe, P.M., P.P.G. Std. Br. Eng. ; J. Walker , W.M., P.P.G.D.C, J. M. Veal ,I.P.M., A. H. Boothroyd, P.M., T. Payne, J. Lawrisch, and Metcalf , Tyler, all of23S9; R - Martin , W.M., B. Eckersley, P.M., J. Ogden , and Fetherston , all of 1134 ;Milbourn , 1170 ; C. Shaw, J.W. 1147 ; W. Cole, P.M. 1588, Prov, G. Org, W.Lanes.; F. R. Kenning, 192 ; J. Hardwicke-Marsh, P.M, 1730 ; and W, Ash.worth , 1730 ; the St. Andrew 's Mark was represented by the W.M., Bro. J. M.Veal ; the St. Joseph Preceptory of Knights Templar by the E.P., Sir Knight J.Hardwicke-Marsh , and the E.P. elect, Sir Knight G. A. Myers.

©tt r portrait (Sailer .?.BRO. WILLIAM HAM,

whose installation as Worshi pful Master of the St. Ambrose Lodge, No. 1891, isfull y recorded in another column , is 46 years of age, was born at Tipton, Devon-shire, receiving his elementary education in his native village and afterwards atOttery. In 1876 he married Marion , the second daughter of Captain JohnSteward , of Ryde. For years he carried on a very successful business at Fulham ,but over app lication to it caused his health to break down, and he was ordered byhis doctors to South Africa, and he sailed in October , 1895, for Cape Town. Hewatched the Jameson excitement nearly 1000 miles up country, andlater , the beginning of the Matabele revolt. He visited many African lodgesand all those at Kimberley, and while in that town was shown every detail of thediamond mining industry by a brother and a director of the mines. Our brother

was initiated into Masonry by his old schoolfellow and friend , Bro. E. W. Carter ,P.M., in the South Middlesex Lodge, No. 858, in 1884.. In 1891 he joined theSt. Ambrose Lodge, being invested with a collar the same night of theinstallation for the second year in succession of Bro. F. W. BuxtonP.M., and he was appointed S.W. while in Africa, Bro. Buxton beinginvested in his behalf. On his return from under the SouthernCross—having been absent from the lodge exactly 12 months—he wasunanimousl y elected W.M. Bro. Ham is an enthusiastic Mason, a section workerand a Life Governor of all the Charities. He is now living in retirement at thelovel y seaside resort of Exmouth , in Devonshire, near the scene of his boyhooddays. We have had the pleasure of knowing Bro. Ham for many years and wehave no doubt that the St. Ambrose Lodge will be quite safe in his hands and thathe will be one of the very successful Worshipful Masters in the annals of thatimportant lodge.

WORTH KNOWING ," I've wandered much this weary mortal round, and Sage

Experience bids me this declare,"THE

BRI TISH TOTOXtliLlVEAlN -'S

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LIMITED. Established in 1866. CHIEF OFFICES — Birmingham ;LONDON CITY OFFICES—2 , West Street , Finsbury Pavement. District anelBranch Offices throug hout London and the Provinces. A complete History freeby post on app lication.

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THAT LITTLE DEAF GIRL." HHHAT littl e deaf girl down in Norwich lias thrown more

-*- light' on the subject than all the University Professors."So said Lord Brougham of Harriet Martineau 's " Stories of

Political Economy."Why should the spirit of mortal be proud? Why, indeed ?

Humility best becomes us. lo whom is wisdom likel y to begiven ? Nobody can fortell that. When the eminent statesmenare all at sea as to how to save the country, or the learnedphysicians at a dead loss as how to cure some dreadful disease—what then is apt to happen ? The unexpected , of course. Outof the mouth of some political suckling jn' oceeds a suggestionwhich inspires the Ministry ; or from the pen of some writerwho never saw the inside of a medical college flows a series offacts and ideas which pave the way to the discovery of the righttreatment. Great treasures are not commonl y found by thosewho seek them, nor are valuable truths al ways revealed tocultivated brains.

More than twenty years ago a woman in Germany who hadnever been known—but that pivbably belongs later on in thisarticle. Let it wait.

First comes Mrs. Sarah Cooper 's letter , which runs thus:—"All my life I have never been strong. I felt low, weak, andlanguid. My appetite was poor, and after meals 1 had painacross the chest, and I was much swollen and pu ffed at thestomacli and around the waist. From time to time T sufferedfrom pain at the heart and wind y spasms. I spat up a quantityof thick phlegm, and had a short, irritating cough.

" As time went on I got extremel y weak, and at one timeI had strength for nothing, and spoke in a whisper. In a low,weak state I continued year after year, so retimes better andthen worse, but never properl y well. I consulted a doctor , andtook various kinds of medicines, but got no better until , in thosummer of 1881, I read in a little book about Mother Seigel'sSyrujj, and determined to try it.

" After taking one bottle of this medicine I found wonderfulrelief. I coul d eat well, food agreed with me, and I gainedstrength. I continued with it and got stronger and stronger,and by taking it occasionally I keep in good health.

"Before taking the Syrup I never thought I should live.Two of my sons have been restored by it from serious illness.

In the case of the younger many thought he was in a decline.Mother Seigel's Syrup soon put him in sound health. I haverecommended it to many persons in this district; who werecured by it after other means had failed. You may publishthis statement, and refer any one to me. (Signed) SarahCooper , wife of Mr. George Cooper , baker , High Street, Wood-ville , Btirton-on-Trent , August Gth , 189G."

" For over ten years," says another , " I suffered fromindi gestion and liver complaint. I felt low and depressed. Myappetite was poor, and after eating I had p.iiu ia tho chest andbetween tho shoulders. I was always able to attend to mybusiness, but found it difficult to do so. In this state I continuedfor years, now better, now worse. I took different medicines,but received no benefit fro m them. In August, 1890, I wasadvised to try Mother Seigel's Syrup. After taking one bottleI found considerable relief. I had no pain after meals, and thopain between the shoulders ceased. Since then , if I feel any-thing the matter with me, a few doses always relieve me. Icommend it to my customers. Yon can publish this statementif you think fit. (Signed) Harry Seamark, grocer, FrederickStreet, Woodville, Burton-on-Trent, August Gth , 189(3."

Move than twenty years ago, a woman in G-ermany, whohad never been known, save for her personal goodness and herskill as a nurse, accidental ly discovered tho elements of themedicine which has since made her name familiar to all theworld. The writers of tho above letters have mentioned it, andit is daily praised in all lands by pens, tongues, and typos.What the learned doctors could not do this humble, modestwoman did—sh e cured dyspepsia, with its dep lorable con-sequences. Who can estimate the good she has done —thetrouble and suffering she has driven from a myriad hearts andhomes—the happiness and health she has established in theirplaces ? As Lord Brougham said of " that little deaf girl downin Norwich " so we may say of this other clear-sighted andtrue-souled woman—she has thrown more light on the subject(of disease and how to cure it) than all the doctors.

Was it genius ? or was it simply Providence ? I cannottell , and it does not matter. We need never know whoso handtook the silver from the mine, but tho coined shilling buys meat,j ust the same.

PLEASE HELP TO GIVE THE POOR CHILDREN & HOMELESS POOR A CHRIST M AS DINNER!!I hope the Readers of "The Freemason " will again Help the Friends of

THE FIEL D LAN E RAGGE D SCH OOLS AND REFU GES, &c.THIS WIN TER ««> Committee want to give about 5,000 DINNER S. • ^fe^That is TO 700 POOH, CHILDREN", IS Tj mSj '

TO 3,300 VERY POOR PERSONS AT THEIR OWN HOMES, J Jk f l tW'

TO 800 OF THE HOMELESS POOR. »K#h4tf81s il f W Iff?AU loilling lo Collect should send to the Secretary for a Collecting Card. ; g^ iCTfw ir7RWl?rEl2fl!lKx^^^ :liil

The Committee also appeal for FUNDS FOR THE GENERAL WORK , viz.— I^WI^T S^W ffi?Bfcfe fts-(Many Hundreds Helped Taily.) ' l|HJ|J f|» j__fj[ _^___y^-Jf|?^L4REFUGES FOR THE HOMELESS DESERVING POOR. TRAINING HOME FOR ROYS AND GIRLS. JsT"' i |j | f' l l

'ilTnfaWl WWW = H '" ' 1CRECHE OP BABIES. THI RTY MISSION MEETINGS WEKKI - Y. =^, ,$,1 TO! T',M '

~-Jil "— II i-iXL ii ' j ~l r f_ ufru rTf^&y W W W ill ISmallest Contributions thankfully received. Please say whether Contribution is for iffij f 1 W &MjilEliSllP'ii ii a a if fCHRISTMAS or GENERA L Fund. ^LlJilB^

BANKERS —BARCLAY ft CO., LIMITED , 51, LOMBARD STREET , E.C. - ^_ ITT__rZ^^^^5^-^~, J ^L'-Ll'-i'Bi -TREASURER —W. A . BEVAN , ESQ., 5J-, Lo.iniAitn STREET , E.C. '"w-_i-J'-*~*ii-i3iS -i-: t'''feai^:S^ - J-'THE INSTITUTION .

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DEDICATED BY EXPRESS PERMISSION TOH.R.H. TH E PRINCE OF WALE S, Past and Present Grand Master of England and Wales.

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flfoasontc anb - 'General ZEtbtnas.THE G ERMAN H OSPITAL has received a bequest of £"50 from the executors under the

will of the late Sir David Sassoon.THE OROTAV A, which some time since sunk during the operation of coaling in one

of the docks at Tilbury, was successfull y floated on Monday, several previous attemptshaving - failed to effect the desired object.

T HE _ FIRST MEETING of the General Committee of Advice in connection with theforthcoming Exhibition of Yachting, Fishing, and Life-saving at the Imperial Institute ,has been held under the presidency of H.R.H. the Duke of York.

A PUBLIC MEETING will be held on the 28th J anuary, at which Bro. the Duke ofBedford has very kindl y consented to preside , when attention will be called to theserious financial position of the North London or University College H osp ital.

P RINCE ALBERT SCHLESWIG -H OLSTEIN arrived at Cumberland Lodge, on Sundaylast , on a visit to Prince and Princess Christian , while Princess Victoria of Schleswi g-Holstein also arrived from the Continent , where she has been staying several wieks.

AMONG THOSE PRESENT at the marriage , at St. Paul' s Church , Knightsbridge ,on Monday, of Mr. R. Evelyn Beckett and Miss Muriel H. Paget , daughter of Lordand Lady Berkeley Paget, were the Marchioness of Londonderry, Miss Chaplin , Bro.the Earl of Feversham , Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Hope , Miss Wyndham , Miss Bass , andBro. the Earl of March.

THE QUEEN 'S Christmas doles known as the "Minor Bounty " and the " RoyalGate " alms, were distributed at the Royal Almonry, Crai g's-court , Charing Cross , onMonday, to upwards of 1000 aged , disabled , and worth y persons , who had been pre-viously recommended by the clergy of certain selected parishes throug hout the variousdioceses of England and Wales.

PRINCESS CHRISTIAN and her daughter , Princess Victoria of Schleswi g-Holstein ,were present at the marriage at Old Windsor Church on Monday of Mr. J . H. Speng lerand Miss M. Plvetze , two valued servants of their Royal Hi ghnesses. They also gaveboth bride and bridegroom handsome presents , a reception and wedding breakfastafterwards taking place at Cumberland Lodge.

LADY WOLSELEY , who was accompanied by her husband , Bro. Lord Wolseley,the Commander-in-Chief , distributed the prizes won during the past year by membersof the City of London Fusiliers , of which his lordshi p is the honorary colonel , at St.J ames 's Hall , on Monday evening. At the close of the ceremony a vote of tha nks waspassed to her ladyship and acknowled ged on her behalf by Bro. Lord Wolseley.

PRINCE AND P RINCESS CHARLES OF DENMARK arrived at Copen hagen onMonday morning by express train for Korsor , and were received at the rail way stationby all the members of the Royal Family, the ministers , members of the DiplomaticCorp s, and a large number of naval officers. The station was gaily decorate d, andthere was present a guard of honour with a band , Their Royal Highnesses were heartil ycheered as they drove from the station to the palace.

H.R.H. THE P RINCESS OF WALES , accompanied by her daughter the PrincessVictoria , and attended by Miss Knollys and General Sir Dighton Prob yn left London onSaturday last for Sandringham , where she will spend Christmas. The same day Princeand Princess Charles of Denmark left town for Copenhagen , where their arrival hasbeen long expected and where a most enthusiastic welcome awaits them. Their RoyalHighnesses were accompanied to the Charing Cross Station by T.R.H. the Prince andPrincess of Wales.

THE LADY M AYORESS dist ributed the prizes to the successful member s ofthe 2ndLondon Rifles , in their spacious drill hall on Saturday last , among those present being theLord MayoJ , Bro. Sheriff Rogers , and Col . Oliphant , Grenadier Guards. A letter wasreceived from Bro. Lord Roberts , who is honorary colonel of the regiment , regretting hisinability to be present , and expressing his best wishes for the success of the regiment.The Lord Mayor acknowled ged the vote of thanks accorded the Lad y Mayoress for herkindness in attending.

H.R.H. THE P RINCE OF WALES attended the smoking concert given in MiddleTemp le Hall on Monday evening by the Inns of Court Volunteers. His Royal Hi ghness ,on his arrival , attended by Captain Holford , was received by Bro. Lord Halibiry (LirlChancellor) and Lord Russell of Killowen (Lord Chi:f J us ice), among thise pres mtbeing the America n Ambassador , Lord J amis of Hereford , Bro. Sir Henry Keppel , Br ).Sir Frank Lockwood , Q.C , M.P., Bro. Major-General Lord Msthuen , Lord Chelmsford ,Bro. Sir Edward Clarke , Q.C , M.P., the Lord Mayor , and Bro. Sir Reginald Hanson ,Bart., M.P.

FIELD -M ARSHAL BRO . LORD R OBERTS unveiled the Parkes M imoriil Statuebefore a large concourse ef people on Leinster Lawn , Dublin , on Saturday last. Hislordshi p was accompanied by the head-quarters and district staffs and alien lid by anescort of hussars. A guard of honour was drawn up on the Iavn and a milit i y bindwas in attendance and played some excellent music. A numoer of letters apoligisingfor non-attendance were read , among them biing one from Mr. H. M. Stanlsy, M.P.,eulog ising the career and services of the late Bro. Surgeon-Major Parkes.

M R . A. W ILLIAMS , Mus. Bac , who tor the last four years has been bandmaster ofthe Royal Marine Artillery at Eastney, has been appointed bandmaster of the Grenad :erGuards , in succession to Bro. Lieut. Dan Godfrey. It is understood that there is a move-ment on foot among the present and past officers of the Brigade of Guards to pres entBro. Godfrey with a piece of plate in recognition of his 40 years ' services in the regiment ,H.R.H. the Prince of Wales being Pre sident of the Fund Committee , and Col. P. A.Bute , the Hon. Secretary, to whom at the Guards ' Club , Pall Mall , S.W., subscri ptions

should be sent.THE REMAINS of the late Earl of Darnley were interred in the family vault in

Cobham Parish Church on Monday, among those present , in addition to the members ofthe family, being Earl Stanhope , Lord Lieutenant , and the Hun. Ralph Nevi le, Hi ghShetiff , of Kent , Bro. the Very Rev. A. Pu rey-Cust , Duan of York , Bro. W. W. Hay-ward , Mayor of Rocheste r, the Mayor of G avesenJ , Bro. Abel Smith , M.P., Sir J ohnF. Linnard , Chairman of the Kent County Council , Lieut. -Gen. Sir J ihn Slotter ,K.C.B., Lieut. -G:n. the Hon. Richard Monck , Commander the H in. Francis Pelham ,and others.

T HE CAREER OF Miss El'en Terry, who has been before the public for just over 40years , forms one of the most interesting personal histories of the stage ; and playgoerswill note with pleasure that Mr. Walter Calvert has compiled a " souvenir " of thefamous actress illustrated with a number of excellent portraits. An incident is recalledof Miss Terry 's early days at the Lyceum which may be wprth repeating. " Romeoand J uliet " was witnessed one n'ght by the impetuous Sarah Bernhardt , who afterwardswent bthind the scenes to congratulate the performers. " How can you act in this wayevery night ? " she exclaimed to Miss Ellen Terry ; The latter in her simp le, naturalway, explained: " It is the audience—they insp ire me."

" I DREAMT THAT I DWELT IN MARBLE HALLS " will be the pleasing fancy toevery one who first crosses the threshold of the gorgeous Trocadero Restaurant , whichnow holds such a proud and enviable position in the " New London " starting into liferound and about Piccadilly Circus. But instead of the " vassals and serfs " of the oldsong we shall find a warm and hosp i table welcome from the courteous and spiritedproprietors , Messrs. J . Lyons and Co., Limited , and the proverbial attention andpersonal comfort ever extended to the public by these well-known caterers and restau-rateurs. The basement floor is devoted to the grill room , with the buffet , smoking,reading, and billiard rooms. The entrance floor is occupied by the grand restaurant,with its golden minstrel and great gallery in the style of Louis Quatorze , and attachedto the gold hall and gallery is a splendid adjacent saloon in the style of Louis Quin ze.Small but deliciously cosy dining rooms surround these splendid public rooms. Thefirst floor of the new Trocadero is another welcome surprise , consisting as it does of aball room , a banqueting hall in the Empire period—a most admirable reproduction—andan ante-room in the style of Louis Treize. On the gallery level, at the top of the grandstaircase , will be found a reception room , again in the style of Louis Treize ; a magni-ficent Masonic lodge in the period of Francois Premier , with , of course , the necessaryante-rooms for the comfort and convenience of the brethren of the Craft. Full partic-ulars can be had on application at the Trocadero , Piccadill y Circus.

The Essex Agricultural Show will be held next year at Chelmsford , under thepresidency of Bro . the Earl of Warwick.

BRO . BARON F ERDINAND DE ROTHSCHILD , M.P., has left London to join hissteam yacht , Rena , in the Mediterranean , for a two months ' cruise in the Greek Islesand the Levant.

THE D UKE AND DUCHESS OF TECK and Prince and Princess Adol phus of Teckvisited the Gaiety Theatre on Tuesday evening and witnessed the performance of " TheCircus Gill. "

THE F ISHMONGERS ' COMPANY has forwarded a donation of 100 guineas towardsthe purchase fund for the new head-quarters of the Young Women 's .ChristianAssociation.

PRINCE A LBERT OF SCHLESWIG -H OLSTEIN , Prince Ed ward of Saxe-Weimar ,Bro. A. Akers-Doug las, M.P., Baron Eckardstein , and Mr. R. W. E. Middleton shotover the Childwick Bury covers with Bro. Sir J . B. Blundell Maple on Tuesd iy.

SIR R OBERT M EADE , Permanent Under-Secretary for the Colonies , who recentlymet with a severe accident in Downing-street , was removed from Westminste r Hosp ital ,whither he was taken , for his private residence near the Marble Arch on Saturday last .

H ER M AJ ESTY has been graciously pleased to accept a copy of " Records andReminiscences of Goodwood and the Dukes of Richmond ," by J ohn Kent , formerlyprivate secretary to the fifth Duke of Richmond and Lord George Cavendish Bentinck ,M.P. . . . .

H IS R OYA L H IGHNESS the Prince of Wales on Wednesday evening drove fromMarlborough House to St. Pancras , attended by Captain Holford and Sir FrancisKnoll ys, and proceeded by train to Sandring ham. It is unlikel y that the Prince andPrincess will leave Sandring ham again till they pay their visit to the Duke and Duchessof Sutherland.

THE P ROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE of the Mark Masons of Kent , postponed inconsequence of the death of the late Archbishop of Canterbury, and subsequently fixedfor a date in November , which was found to be inconvenient , is now arranged to be heldat Canterbury, on J anuary 38th next , for the installation of the Prov. Grand M asterdesignate , Viscount Dungarvan , Deput y Grand Master of England.

H.R.H. THE PRINCESS LOUISE (Marchioness of Lome), accompanied by theM arquis of Lome, who were at the time the guests of the Hon. Mrs. Eliot Yorke , atHamble Cliff , Netley, visited the wards of the Southampton Free Eye and Ear Hospitalon Tuesday, and received purses in behalf of the institution. The bells were rung andthe Royal Standard hoisted on the public buildings in honour of the visit.

A LIST OF the naval relics preserved at Chatham Dockyard has just been compiledby the orders of the Lords of the Admiralty. They include a chest taken by Sir GeorgeRooke from a Spanish gallion in 1704, a standard of Oliver Cromwell , a bronze guntaken at the storming of Nankin , souvenirs of the Dutch attack on Chatham in 1667 ;sundry mementoes of Lord Nelson, and one of the ill-fated Royal George , which wassunk in 1782, with a portion of the keel of the ship.

K ENTISH OYSTERS . — As a result of the favourable reports presented by theLocal Government Board experts in regard to the fam >us Kentish native oyster bedsthe business of both the Whitstable Oyster Company and the Ham and Seasalter Com-pany is looking up in a marked degree , large orders having coma to hand from all partsof the country, as also from Germany. Brood to the value of £40,000 have just beenlaid down upon the grounds of the Whitstable Company.

H.R.H. THE P RINCE OF W ALES , President of the St. J ohn's Ambulance Associa-tion , has sanctioned a grand ambulance fete and demonstration , to be held at the CrystalPalace in May or J une , in commemoration of her Majesty 's reign. It will take placeunder the patronage of the Princess Christian , President of the Norwood and GreatWestern Railway Centres , and other members of the Royal Famil y. There will be aspecial challenge shield to be competed for only by the railway classes.

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK concl uded their visit to Bro. the Duke andDuchess of Portland , at Welbeck Abbey, on Saturday last. On leaving, their RoyalHighnesses, accompanied by their hosts , drove to Mansneld .where the streets and publicbuildings wero profusely decorated in their honour and where they were presented bythe Mayor , on behalf of the Corporation , with an illuminated address of welcome, towhich the Duke briefly but graciousl y rep lied. In the evening their Royal Hi ghnessesvisited the Comedy Theatre and witnessed the performance of " A White Elephant. "

" R ICHARD III. " was produced by Bro. Sir Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatreon Saturday evening last , and was received with the utmost favour by a house that wascrowde d from floor to ceiling. At the close of the performance Bio. Sir H. Irvingappeared before the curt ain in response to the unanimous call of the house , and uttereda few words of grateful thanks for the reception. Unfortunately, on Sunday morning,as he was descending the staircase at his house, he _ miss;d the last step, and fallingstiained one of the tendons of the knee-joint. He is progressing satisfactoril y, but itwill be some days before he will be able to resume his part , and in the meantime thetheatre will be closed.

A TERRIBLE FIRE broke out at Headley Park , the residence of Mr. F. Mappin , ofthe Arm of Mappin and Webb, on Sunday morning. A new wing had recentl y beenadded to the building, and it was Mr. Mapp in 's intention to spend Christmas there withhis fi lends. This intention , however , has been frustrated , both the old and the newbuildings having been entirely destrojed , so that nothing remains but the bare walls.1 he housekeeper who was in charge of the premise s perished in the conflagration , whilea servant girl who was with her , only just managed to escape a similar fate by jumpingfrom a window , the floor on which she had been standing collapsing immediatel y after-wards. It is not known how the fire orig inated , but the property was insured , the policyhaving been completed only a few days previousl y.

BRO . H. T. BRICKWELL , one of the chief_ officers of St. Martin 's-in-the-FieldsLodge, has latel y become the lessee of the Garrick Theatre , next door to the home ofhis lodge, and has had a good set-off with " My Girl ," transferred from the Gaiety,where , thoug h it has been played for live months , and with a changed cast now, it bidsfair to have a phenomenal success in its new home. It is not often that ' pieces' dowell when removed , but " My Girl " is going to prove the exception. It affords one ahearty laug h, for it is immensely amusing both in words and songs, and the dances arecaptivating, and the players one and all hrst-rate. Bro. J ohn Le Hay bears the burden ,and is closely supported by Messrs. Ryley, Arthur , Bradlield , and Downns , and MissesSybil Carlisle , Ira Bowman , Florence Djsart , ind L. Belmore. " My Girl " is one o£the best musical comedies we have seen.

THE FIRST MEETING of the Committee of the M UMC Section of the Victorian EraExhibition , which is to be held at Earl' s Court next year , took place on Wednesd ayafternoon in the Chapter Room .of the Cri.erion Restaurant. The gathering includedSir Alexander C. Mackenz ie, who , in the absence of Bro. Sir Arthur Sullivan, took thechair , Signor Randegger , Dr. Parry, Professor.Villiers Stanford , Messrs. R. Cocks, E.Encch , Albert Visetti , Henry J . Wood, W. H. Cummings , and Bro. Imre Kiralf y.Letters were read from several gentleman offering cantribut 'uns of valuable auto -grap hs and other mementos of the progress of Eng lish music durin g the Qiieen 's reign.In this connection , it was pointed out that the most complete a rr angements have beenmade in regard to the insurance , and protection in every way possible, of all objects lentby the public.

THERE WAS A very crowded attendance in the Theatre of the Royal Institution onTuesday afternoon , when H.R.H. the Prince of Wales graciously declared open ,the free chemical and physical laboratory, which has been founded , equi pped ,and endowed , by Dr. Mond , and is named the Davy-Farady Laboratory. HisRoyal Hi ghness was accompanied by the Duke of Teck , and among the more pro -minent personages present were Bros. Earl Percy and Lord Halsbury, Lord Playfair ,Lord Elvin , Bro. Lord Ashbourne , Lord Knutsford , Lord Rothschild , the Right Hon.C. T. Ritchie , M.P. j Bro. Sir Frederick Abel , Sir J ohn Lubbock , Sir H ;nry Thomp-son, Sir William White , Sir J ohn Brunner , Bro. W. H. Preece , Bro. F. Wolf Barry,and others. The Prince having first inspected the premises , took the chair , and calledupon Dr. Mond to address the company, and Dr. Mond hiving complied with the invita -tion , his Royal Hi ghness was pleased to declare open the laboratory, which is ths first ofits kind instituted in this country. Subsequentl y, by the Prince 's disire, Profess Diwargave a lecture , accompanied by a number of highly-interesting expj rim ;nt3 on "TheUse of Liquid Air in Scientific Research. "