Gleanings.

GLEANINGS .

Bro . AV . J . Hnghan ' s work on the " Origin of the English Eite of Freemasonry , especially in relation to the Royal Arch degree , " is one well known to all readers , and is regarded as a Masonic text-book of great merit . But since 1884 , the date at whioh it was published , the study of tbe subject has been further advanced , and we ire constantly being reminded that our knowledge of no division of the

diffuse theme is so complete bnt that something more is to be found out aboat it . Therefore , since the above year , an additional fact or two has come to light which throws a further gleam over the obsonrity , and Bro . Hnghan , ever on tha alert and quick to catch at every vantage , has collated all that has been ascertained down to date in a paper prepared for Lodge Quatuor Coronati , and since reprinted from the

Transactions , for distribution among the members . The title of this is " English Eoyal Arch Masonry , 1714-65 , " and in the introductory remarks he says : — "A great deal has been said and written abont tbe origin of tbe Eoyal Arch degree , but notwithstanding all our researches , we have not , even now , an authentic account of the actual origin of that interesting and instructive ceremony . Recent

investigations , however , enable as to fix with more precision the period of iti advent ; and hence , though we know no more than we did as to the actnal brother or brethren who arranged or fabricated the degree , we are led to the conclusion that it ia most probable of English origin , about 1735-40 , and mainly of British and American growth . " In the monograph now nnder review , Bro . Hnghan relies

on information contained in a historical sketch of the Fredericksburg Lodge , Virginia , U . S ., by Bro . S . J . Quinn , in whioh it is recorded in a minute of that Lodge that the ceremony was worked on 22 nd December 1753 , and he ( Bro . Hughan ) declares this to be the earliest minute of tho degree being conferred hitherto known . A fac simile of . the entry , reproduced from a photo supplied by Bro . Qoinn , enhances

tbe value of the evidence and the interest of the contents of this latest contribution of Bro . Hughan ' s to reliable Masonio history . In Fredericksburg Lodge , it may be noted , George Washington was initiated November 1752 . It was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1758 ; bat , oar author remarks , " of its precise origin nothing certain ia known , and even its warrant is not given in the liati published by authority of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in the

Books of Constitutions for 1836 and 1848 . " There is mnch more in Bro . Hnghan ' s Paper whioh we have not space to allude to ; but to those who belong to this degree and desire to ltarn all that has been collected and published , through careful investigation and diligent study of contemporary writers , we commend it to onr readers as the latest and most authentic record of a branch of Masonry whioh has many intense admirers both here and everywhere . —South Australian Freemason .

The February issue of the Masonic Review completes the third volume and it now enters npon the fourth year of its existence . When this periodical was started it was intended to sapply the want which was felt for a Masonic organ for Southern India . Since that time the other Masonio publications then in existence in India

have ceased to appear , leaving the Madras Masonic Review the sole occupant of the field of Masonio literature in all Asia . Under these circumstances it has been represented that the Eeview should enlarge its borders and extend its " sphere of influence " over the whole of India , and the promoters have been urged to take upon themselves a title which shall embrace a wider field than thar , whioh

was originally fixed . It baa therefore been decided to change the name of the paper from " Madras Masonio Eeview " to tbe Indian Masonic Review , and to open its columns to the Matonis news of all parts of India , Burma and Ceylon . An addition will be made to the nnmber of its pages to accommodate new matter , and consequent additional colt of production . We command the Masonic Review to all Indian Craftsmen .

EXCHANGING OVEKCOATS AT LODGE . —Occasionally some brother , in his haste to fill a forgotten engagement , will encase himself in bis brother's coat or hat , but the mistakes are discovered and exchanges and apologies follow . On one occasion an error about an overcoat occoured , and the brother did not discover his mistake until the next

morning , when he requested his wife to hand him a package from bis overcoat pocket , in hunting for which she discovered a cabinet size photograph of a very handsome and attractive yonng lady , with the following inscription : "I am thine until death , your loving J . C . " Explanations were immediately in order , but were not satisfactory . The brother had not discovered that it was the other fellow ' s coat .

While the argument was in progress , Bro . Wash . Nicholson , of Baltimore , who had discovered the mistake , bronght the right overcoat in . An " alibi" was immediately proven , and Bro . Nicholson , from that time forward , has at least one friend he can swear by . — Baltimore News .

THE MASONIC GHIP . —Sir A . Alison , at a Masonic Festival at Glasgow , related the fooling anecdote : —In the Crimean War , during the assault on the Redan , an English officer led a small party oi soldiers np to one of the guns placed in a recess of the Redan , and most of the men fell before the tremendous fire with which they were

received . The others were attacked by a body of Russians , and the English officer was about to bebayoneted , when be chanced to catch the hand of a Russian officer , and had presence of mind enough to give him a Masonic grip . The Russian in a moment struck up the bayonet of the soldier , led bis newly-found brother to the rear , and treated him with all the kindness of a Mason . —Scraps .

Gleanings.

Eseter—writes a correspondent—has lost one of its oldest citizens daring the past week . Mr . George Curzon , so well known some years ago as the bookseller in High-street ( the business having been commenced by his father nearly a century since ) , passed away on Friday , at tho ripe age of 83 . The shop No . 17 , High-street , was

the centre for all the gossips of the city , and within its precincts nil the questions of the day and all the sensational subjects relating tr » the ancient city formed an inexhaustible fund of conversation . The first Heading-room and Library was established here , before the foundation of the Institution in the Cathedral Yard . After bis

retirement from business , and before the formation of the Charity Organisation Society , Mr . Curzon , living a life of perfect self-denial , hnd a nnmber of humble pensioners , whom he helped with trifling sums from his small income . He was well known as a pedestrian , and not an old road or a pleasant by-path bnt knew his footsteps .

The glorious green lanes of onr beautiful county found him a frequent visitor , and there was no keener admirer of the scenery of the Garden of England . Round the old city he was constantly to be met with , and any one who had the good fortune to draw him into conversation fonnd that his mind was stored with the records of

Exeter , with whose famous men in the present century he had often came in contact . He was very proud of his connexion with the men of note who bore the name of Curzon , by whom be was often sought out . His genial nature brought him many friends , and , although frcm his age he has outlived most of bis early companions , yet

his memory will be very dear to those he has left behind him . As a Freemason of some standing , he won the love of his Lodge —that of St . John the Baptist . Some of our citizens may have led more distingnished lives , for the grand old city has a long roll of heroes , warriors , and statesmen , bat none have filled their days with

more nsefnl work unobtrusively rendered . The funeral took place ou the 23 rd nit ., at the Higher Cemetery , and was conducted by the Curate of St . Matthew ' s—the Rev . L . T . Ward . It was attended by several private friends , and the body was also , fo ! lowed to the grave by members of the St . John the Baptist Lodge of Freemasons . The

mourners included Mr . F . Curzon ( brother ) , Mr . W . Damerell ( cousin ) , Mr . J . D . Venn , and Mr . W . Hannaford . Among the Freemasons present were Bro . W . H . Kelland W . M ., Bros . E . H . Shorto S . W ., Bro . AV . Easton P . M ., and Bro . H . L . Brewster P . M . —Devon Gazette .

We have to record the death of Bro . H . J . Jesty , member of a well-known firm of contractors , of Weymonth . Bro . Jesty , who waa recovering from an attack of influenza , expired at the breakfast " table . The deceased was well-known , and was last ' year W . M . of the Weymouth Lodge .

In an editorial on the Mark Degree , the " South African Freemason " remarks that this interesting degree is taking a new lease of life in South Africa . "We submit , " says the " S . A . F ., " " that the Mark is an advancement for the intellectual Mason . It not only brings before him a most valnablo moral lesson , but it for the first

time leads him into studying the methods of our operative ancestors , and as matter of fact , most enthusiastic Mark Masons are equally ardent students of Masonic history . It provides a fresh object of interest for old Masonp , nnd it is valuable in patting English Royal Arch Companions en rapport with their Scottish Brethren . Every Scotch R . A . hns taken the Mark , and nobody can enter his Chapter

unless he has likewise taken that Degree . It is certain that a South African Grand Lodge will bo formed sooner or later , and then the existing English R . A . Chapters will have to look ont for themselves . The formation of a Supreme Graud Chapter will be made all the ensier by every step tending to bring English R . A . Masonry iu line with that of Scotland , and the general possession of the Mark Degree by English Companions is snch a step .

The ball , which is to take place in tho Town Hall , Portsmouth , on the evening of Tuesday , 10 th of April , promises to be one of the most brilliant and popular balls that has ever been held in the district . Tbe Duke of Connaught expressed his sympathy with the movement and promised his patronage , although , owing to tbe Court

being in mourning , he regretted that he would be unable to be present . Since then , however , he haa suffered another loss through the death of his brother-in-law H . R . H . the Dake of Hesse , so that bis name had necessarily to be withdrawn . Among other promises of patronage , wo may specially mention those received from the R . W . Provincial Grand Master VV . VV . B . Beach , Esq ., His Worship the Mayor

of Portsmouth , Alderman T . Scott Foster , Esq ., Admiral the Earl of Clanwilliam , tho Borough and Connty Members , and the candidates for the Borough and County . Wo are further informed that tho Lodges have-thrown themselves with unusual enthusiasm into the movement , and all the Lodges which have hitherto met have contributed .

A LODGE THAT NEVER WAS CLOSED . —We remember some years ago of reading about a Lodge somewhere out West who were so well instructed in obedience to the Gavel that , upon a warm summer ' s night , tho Master in tho East having called up his Lodge , stepped backwards and fell out of the window and was killed , leaving the

Lodge rtanding waiting for tbe sound of tho Gavel to seat thom . Thoy remained standing , died standing , and years afterwards thoir skeletons were discovered in the Lodgo room . This tradition we can offset by on actnal fact . The Masonic Hall on Chestnut Street , Philadelphia , was destroyed by fire on the evening of 9 th March 1819 . When the fire was first discovered , Washington Lodge ,

No . 59 , was opened aud at w . > rk . Tbo brethren made their escape without ob « erving the usnal forms and ceremonies , and tho Lodge was not closed and has not been closed until this day . It would be au interasting ceremony when Lodge No . 59 , in a few years celebrate * its centennial , for the Master then to close tho meeting of March 1819 . — Keystone .

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TTWDATJT A "WT WlTTfC ThG MAGIC MIHBOB con . LlTlX UXVX Alt X ll VJ . 11 J . EJ , tains invaluable advice on an important subject to men contemplating marriage Information iu matters you ought to know . Send for it to-day , Gratis and Post Free . Address , TUB SBCBBIABI ' , ' 1 Fitzullan Square , Sheffield .