Fitzwilliam Lodge.

FITZWILLIAM LODGE .

MASONEY in Peterborough has been flourishing for many years past . The St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 442 , was established or re-organised in 1808 , and has always held a very high position in the Province of Norths , and Hunts . The membership has gradually increased , so much so , that for the

past two or three years it had been thought advisable that a new Lodge should be formed , so that the younger members , whose heart was in the Craft , might have a greater opportunity than they otherwise would of taking Office . This met with some

little opposition at first , says the " Peterborough Standard , " but that was gradually overcome , and in the end it was decided to form a new Lodge to be called the Fitzwilliam , after Bro . G . C . V 7 . Fitzwilliam , who has taken a lively interest in the success of Masonry in the Province .

The ceremony of Consecration was fixed by the Provincial Grand Master the Earl of Euston for Thursday , 21 st ult ., at Deacon's School , kindly lent for the occasion by the Trustees ,

when , in addition to the Prov . Grand Master , there was a good attendance of the members of the St . Peter ' s Lodge , and also of Brethren from different parts of the Province , the number present being between seventy and eighty .

The Lodge was opened at half-past one , the Consecrating Officers being the Prov . Grand Master the Earl of Euston , Bros . C . F . Matier P . G . S . B ., Rev . T . Hodgson W . M . 373 ; and G . Ellard Prov . G . D . C . P . P . G . Std . B . The petition and warrant were read by Bro . Matier , and the

Consecration ceremony was admirably and impressively performed by the Prov . Grand Master . The Prov . Grand Chaplain Bro . the Eev . T . Hodgson delivered an excellent oration on the nature and principles of the Craft . The Lodge was subsequently dedicated

by the Consecrating Officer . The Worshipful Master Designate Bro . G . C . Caster P . M 442 P . Prov . S . G . W . was then installed as Master by the Prov G . M . who was assisted by Bro . F . G . Buckle P . M . 442 P . Prov S . G . W . Prov . G . Sec .

Various propositions for initiations and joinings were then received , and the Lodge was closed in due form at four o ' clock . The Brethren afterwards sat down to a banquet at the Angel Hotel , which was admirably served by Host Brother J . Clifton . The new W . M . presided , and was supported on the

right by the Earl of Euston and Bro . F . G . Buckle , and on his left by Bro . C . F . Matier and Eev . T . Hodgson , & c . At the conclusion of the banquet the loving cup was passed round . The usual toasts followed , and altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent . During the evening , a charming musical programme was given .

Iris Lodge.

IRIS LODGE .

ON Monday , 25 th ult ., afc the Rainbow Tavern , Fleet Street , this Lodge was consecrated by Bro . E . Letchworth Grand Secretary , who was assisted by Rear-Admiral Markham asS . W ., Dr . Clement Godson as J . W ., Eev . J . S . Brownrigg as Chaplain , Frank Eichardson as D . C , and A . J . R . Trendell , C . M . G ., asI . G .

After the ceremony Bro . Lennox Browne , F . E . C . S ., Deputy Grand D . C . was , installed' as the first W . M ., Philip Hickson Waterlow was appointed to act as I . P . M ., George J . Fowler was invested as S . W ., Langbourne Waterlow as J . W ., Dr . William Holloway Treasurer , T . E . Armstrong Secretary , William

Chaplin S . D ., Edgar J . Waterlow J . D ., Frank Jameson P . M . D . C , Charles T . Holloway I . G ., S . W . Lambert P . M . and John D . Geddes Stewards , and H . Evenden P . M . Tyler . Among the visitors were : — Sir J . B . Monckton , P . W . Waterlow , Edward Terry , Thomas Catling , P . deL . Long , Dr . Trollope , A . Lucking ,

and Frederick Hilton . The new Lodge is numbered 2 , 545 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . A banquet followed the ceremony , at which the customary toasts were proposed . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Wilhelm Ganz P . G . Org .

Astonishment has been created in religious circles by an arrangement for a very curious gathering to be held at the Highbury Quadrant Church to-morrow ( Sunday ) evening . The pastor , the Eev . W . J . Dawson , who recently resigned his connection with the Wesleyans , is a clever young man , both

with his tongue and pen , and he has moreover shown a startling boldness in relation to his methods of church work . His latest scheme crowns all past efforts . He is going to have what is called "A Freemasons' Festival . " The Prince of Wales has

been applied to , and has granted a special dispensation for Masons to appear in full regalia . A London military band is to supply the music , and two professionals will sing . What would the late Mr . Spurgeon have said to this?—" Morning" ( 23 rd February ) .

Iris Lodge.

The Brethren of Cornwall appear to be thoroughly devoting themselves to the task of supporting their Provincial Grand Master in his chairmanship for the approaching Festival of the Girls School , and we hope their efforts will be crowned with

success . Last week the members of the One and All Lodge , No . 330 , Bodmin , gave a Ball in aid of the Fund , the result of which will enable the Lodge to hand over a goodly sum towards this year ' s total . "

As in the case of the Craft Grand Lodge , the Mark authorities announce that for the convenience of Provincial and other Brethren who desire to attend Grand Lodge solely for the purpose of recording their votes for the election of Grand Treasurer , Grand Lodge will be opened at Three o ' clock p . m ., when the

Minutes of the last Quarterly Communication will be put for confirmation , immediately after which the election of Grand Master will take place . The voting Cards for the election of Grand Treasurer will be given to the Brethren after entering Grand Lodge , in exchange for the voucher received from the

Scrutineer , and may be deposited in the balloting boxes from a quarter past Three o ' clock to a quarter past Six o ' clock , when no more Voting Cards can be taken . The ordinary business of Grand Lodge will then be proceeded wifch in accordance with the Agenda given elsewhere .

The Et . Hon . Lord Skelmersdale Grand Mark S . W . and Prov . G . S . W . M . M . Lancashire , has kindly consented to take the Chair at the coming Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund , which will be held at the Freemasons' Tavern , on 10 th July next . In making this announcement the Grand Secretary of the

Mark Degree touches upon what we venture to think is dangerous ground , the circular sent out containing the following words : — " While the Great Masonic Charities receive contributions from every Masonic Order , it should be remembered the Mark Benevolent Fund is almost entirely maintained by the Mark

degree , and that it is supported by Mark Masons for the benefit of Mark Masons . " This is doubtless true , bufc why seek to create rivalry among the Charitable Institutions of Freemasonryincluding in this connection the Mark Degree , which , in spite of the kindly assistance it renders with others to the Craft Charities ,

is able to well maintain its own special Fund ? The particular point here referred to may nofc be intended to create a spirit of rivalry , but it should not be put forward , lest its meaning may be misunderstood , and opposition commenced by some of those over active Brethren who have been known to allow their zeal to override their discretion .

The Brethren of Scarborough have every reason to congratulate themselves upon the result of the entertainment we referred to last week , and which was held under their auspices at the Theatre Eoyal , Scarborough , on the 22 nd ult . The

concert was decided upon at an informal meeting held at the Masonic Club the previous Sunday . There was very little time in which to make the arrangements , and it is greatly fco the credit of Brothers Maybew ( who gave the use of the theatre ) ,

and Catley and Eaine thafc they succeeded in putting forward an excellent programme . Mr . Eoyle , in conveying thanks , made the gratifying announcement that close upon , if not quite , £ 20 would be handed to the C . O . S . as the fruits of the venture , says the " Scarborough Post . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

ONCE more the task devolves upon us of recording the death of an old acquaintance in the Masonic world , one who has done much to popularise the CHRONICLE , and further our personal interests in Freemasonry . Bro . John Barnett Immediate Past Master of fche Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , and among the most active of the Members of other Masonic bodies , died at noon on

Tuesday , and will be widely missed and generally regretted . His funeral is fixed for to-day ( Saturday ) at Marylebone Cemetery , Finohley , at 2 * 30 , and will probably attract a large number of sympathising Brethren , who will be anxious to show the last

tribute of respect to one who was univerally admired by the many Craftsmen with whom he came in contact , and this was a large body , as was evidenced by the fact that Bro . Barnett was one of the mosb popular members of the Board of General Purposes .

THE death is announced of Captain William Cock , of Hayle , which took place suddenly on the 24 th ult . For many years Captain Cock was in the employ of Messrs . Harvey and Co ., Hayle , as a shipmaster , and was widely known and respected . He was seventy-eight years of age , and was a member of fche Cornubian Lodge .