Speaking To Time.

SPEAKING TO TIME .

\ A / E in England are very apt to think that our » ? customs and arrangements are far in advance of " less civilised " parts of the world , and this holds good so far as Freemasonry is concerned , just as it

does elsewhere ; but there is no gainsaying the fact that in many matters we are far behind our fellows , and , if we are not too bigoted to learn , there are many ways in which we may benefit by imitating those who

are frequently regarded as our inferiors . Such an instance was brought into prominence at the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , held at Brighton , on the 28 th June last ,

when Bro . George Richards , in proposing the toast of the , chairman of the day , said he hailed from a land where speech was silvern , and silence was golden . He

then went on to say that in the old Dutch Lodges they had a rule that no speech should occupy more than six minutes ; and if any Brother offended in this respect he was never called upon to speak again .

Here is a splendid opportunity for English Masons to profit by the example set them by Lodges which , no doubt , very many among us would regard as less advanced than those at home , were they asked to

express an opinion on such a point . We can hardly imagine the pleasures that would be experienced were we to attend a meeting at which a reasonable time limit was imposed on the different speakers , and

religiously observed , especially . if , as most of us would probably desire , the limit was fixed at two , or perhaps three minutes only . Under such conditions we mi ght even find it enjoyable to listen to the speeches , which

being short would in all probability be somewhat to the point , and by putting a Brother on his mettle to say all he wanted to in the limited time , might induce him to

curtail the usual introductory "palaver" so generally indulged in by speakers at Masonic meetings . Who will be bold enough to first introduce into this country the rule observed in these old Dutch Lodges ?

Richard Eve Lodge.

RICHARD EVE LODGE .

THE Warrant for this new Lodge has just been granted by the Prince of Wales Most Worshipful Grand Master . The Officers named in the Warrant are Bros . Richard Eve P . G . Treasurer W . M ., Harry Manfield . of

Northampton , S . W ., and Bro . J . Morrison McLeod Secretary of the Boys School J . W .-designate . The majority of the founders are members of the governing bodies of the Boys School , with the management of which the Officers named

are intimately connected . Bro . J . Percy Fitzgerald is the Acting Secretary . The Lodge is to be consecrated in October , at the Freemasons' Hall , London .

At the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of ^ urrey , referred to elsewhere in this issue , . the Earl of Onslow thanked the Brethren sincerely for 'the welcome accorded him as Provincial Grand Master . No Provincial

Richard Eve Lodge.

Grand Master had been more cordially supported by his Province than he had been on every occasion . At the great meeting at the Albert Hall Surrey came out on the list of Provinces in a place which was worthy of its reputation . Surrey had always been to the front in everything that

concerned the Charities , and this year was one upon which he could congratulate them more particularly . There was not a single Lodge that was not now represented on the Charity Committee of the Province . That Committee was of recent birth , and it started under auspices which were

perhaps not altogether favourable . There were some Lodges which thought that the system of handing over their votes was not altogether a wise and prudent one , but it had been proved that the policy was one which had met with almost general approval . The consequence was that the cases for

election to the Institutions which came from Surrey were supported by the votes from the Province , and were successful . His earnest desire in administering the affairs of the Province was that there should be no favour shown to any Lodge or individual , but that Masonic work and contributions to the Masonic Charities should alone

entitle members to preferment in Provincial Grand Lodge . There was a time when Provincial Grand Lodge meetings . were held under the banner of a particular Lodge , and that Lodge expected to be exceptionally treated with respect to Provincial honours . That was no longer the practice . His

hands were now absolutely free , and he did his best , with the valuable assistance he received from the Deputy Prov . G . M . and Prov . G . Sec , to see that the Provincial honours were conferred without fear or favour . Those who resided in Woking , the Prov . Grand Sec . and others , and who were

responsible for the arrangements of the day , were to be congratulated on the way in which everything had been carried out . The Provincial G . M . proposed the Deputy Provincial G . M ., and Provincial G . Officers , and referred to the very valuable services Bro . West had rendered in Surrey

for so many years past . Bro . Fredk . West Deputy Prov . G . M . responded , and said that in conjunction with his colleagues he was proud to serve under such a Provincial

Grand Master . Bro . J . M . McLeod P . G . S . B . Secretary R . M . Institution for Boys replied for the Visitors , and expressed the hope that the day was not far distant when the Provincial Grand Master of Surrey would preside over a Festival of the Boys School .

A correspondent of "Scottish Life" draws attention to what he believes to be a unique event in the annals of Freemasonry . On the occasion of the recent visit of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales to Edinburgh , a dinner of H . M . Bodyguard for Scotland ( the Royal Archers ) took place in

the ancient Palace of Holyrood , when , observes the writer , the three Grand Masters were present , —H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master Mason of England ; His Grace , the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master Mason of Ireland ; and

Lord Saltoun , the Grand Master Mason of Scotland . Although not a Masonic function , concludes the correspondent , such an event as the three Grand Master Masons dining together in historic Holyrood is an event worthy of notice .

Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) has lately completed his fiftieth year of active Freemasonry . To commemorate the event several eminent members of the Fraternity took luncheon with Sir Albert and Lady Woods , at their

residence in St . George's Road , and , in the names of many Brethren , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., presented Sir Albert with a massive silver salver , suitably inscribed , and Lady Woods with a handsome and valuable article of jewellery , as tokens of respect .