Masonic Libraries.

MASONIC LIBRARIES .

, ' p HE second session of the Library Association was held last week , at University College , Bristol , Sir Edward Fry presiding , when a paper on " Masonic Libraries" was read by Mr . Samuel Smith , city Librarian of Sheffield , who

said the subject had not hitherto received the attention which it deserved , for Masonic libraries had been formed by Masonic Lodges and private collectors who were Freemasons in all parts of the world .

The first Masonic library was that of Cedar Rapids , Iowa , and it was the pride of every American Freemason . It contained valuable curios , proceedings , addresses , sermons , diplomas , charters , manuscripts , jewels , medals , all the standard works on Freemasonry , histories of the Craft , also

fare and valuable works conveying information respecting Masonic personages and events , rituals and ceremonies , and the laws and regulations of the Order . There was also a semi-Masonic department and a general library of valuable

works of reference on art , architecture , archaeology , mythology , crusades , chivalry , & c . A collection had also been made of local books , and this was known as the Iowa Department . The building was a strictly Masonic library building , and the only one of its kind in the world .

Other American libraries were those of the Grand Lodges of Kentucky , New York , Wisconsin , & c . The library of the Grand Lodge of England was contained in a magnificent new room specially provided in the Freemasons' Hall . The collection comprised upwards of 7 , 000 volumes and a large

number of engravings , medals , and other Masonic coins . The library of the Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , London , was most valuable and extensive . It contained about 5 , books , pamphlets , and objects of interest to the Craft , and the books were issued to members on loan for an indefinite

time , under , certain conditions . Under the loving guidance of Bro . W . Watson , of Leeds , the Province of West Yorkshire had formed a large Masonic library , and Bro . Watson was also the possessor of a fine private collection . Bro . Thorp , of Leicester , had charge of

the library in Freemasons Hall , Leicester , and had succeeded in making that collection one of the best in the Provinces . In Hull , renewed interest was being taken in the small library possessed by the Craft . The Reference Library at Wigan had a division devoted to Masonry , which originated in a

valuable donation of books made by Lord Crawford m 1880 . Mr . Folkard , the librarian , had privately printed a catalogue of the section . The catalogue of " Books , Manuscripts , Articles , Engravings , Aprons , and other curios relating to Freemasonry , and now forming the Worcestershire Masonic

Library and Museum , " issued in 1891 , was a handsome volume of nearly 200 pp . Other Masonic libraries , colonial , foreign , private , & c , were instanced . Most of the famous Lodges had their printed histories . It was gratifying to know that

nearly all the Masonic libraries had Masonic Literary Societies in connection with them , and their objects and results were recorded in the shape of printed or written volumes of " Transactions . " The high aims of true Freemasonry were then briefly dealt with .

I have just heard of the curious manner in which the body of a soldier and Brother o'f the Craft under : the Irish Constitution was identified on the battlefield in South Africa . The details came to the young man ' s family last week in confirmation of the official report , from Lieutenant Ferrar ,

of the 6 th Mounted Infantry , who relates that during the march of General Hunter ' s column out of Lindley on the 12 th August , the Lieutenant ' s company formed the left flank guard to the column , and when passing " Yeomanry Hill , " where the Irish Yeomanry were cut up some two months

previously , they found a few bodies in British uniforms . One of them wore a gold Masonic finger-ring , with the inscription inside , " Presented by a few friends to T . Lecky , Bloomfield Factory , on joining the Imperial Yeomanry , 1900 . " The body of Brother Lecky and of the others were decently

buried , the Chaplain of the Highland Brigade being requisitioned to conduct the funeral service . " Poor fellows , " adds the Lieutenant , " they all died game , as the ground around was covered with empty cartridge-cases . " Bro . Thomas

Lecky , whose identity was proved through wearing the gift ring with Masonic emblem , belonged to Belfast , and was a member of the Abercorn Lodge , No . 114 ( I . C . ) . He was a great favourite among his fellows , and I learn from Bro ,

Masonic Libraries.

Julius Keenan J . D . 221 ( I . C . ) that Bro . Lecky was presented with other gifts previous to his departure as a unit in the great fighting force in South Africa , and that the Brethren of the Abercorn Lodge showed their appreciation of their soldier-Brother by presenting him with a purse of sovereigns .

At a recent meeting of the Abercorn Lodge it was resolved to commission the execution of an oil painting of Bro . Lecky , in uniform , to be presented to his sorrowing parents as a

memento of the high esteem in which he was held by his Brethren in Freemasonry . — "The Mallet , " in "Glasgow Evening News . "

The members of the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 1035 , Liverpool , assembled on Thursday , 20 th ult ., to wish Godspeed to . Bro . J . T . Gardner I . G ., on his leaving that city for Leamington . The W . M . ' Bro . T . Hurst , in a very appropriate speech referred to the high esteem in which Brother

Gardner was held , and hoped he would accept a presentation from the members , consisting of a pair of bronze marli horses for himself , and a gold bracelet for Mrs . Gardner . Bro . Gardner suitably replied , and the meeting closed with " Auld Lang Syne . "

A correspondent of the " Lancet" points out there are two " medical" girl candidates ( Nos . 17 and 24 on the list ) , and one "medical" boy candidate ( No . 13 ) , for this month ' s elections to the two Educational Institutions , and he asks

those who are Brother Masons as well as brothers in the medical profession to support them . He has reason to think that previous appeals in the same direction have done much good . We hope he may be equally successful . on this

. * * * The meetings of the Citadel Lodge of Instruction , No

1897 , have been resumed at the Farleigh Hotel , Amhurst Road , Stoke Newington ( on Fridays , from 8 to 10 p . m . ) , and those of the Brondesbury Lodge of Instruction , No . 26 98 , at the Earl Derby , 155 High Road , Kilburn ( on Mondays ) .

* * * The Doric Lodge of Instruction , No . 933 , has resumed its weekly meetings , at the Princess Alice , Romford Road , E ., the gatherings being held on Friday evenings , under the Preceptor ship of Bro . A . Calver .

''A Sprig Of Acacia.''

''A SPRIG OF ACACIA . ''

BRO . FRANCIS LUGET , head of the firm of Luget Brothers , Exeter , died at his residence , Pinhoe , on the 27 th ult . Deceased , who was about fifty years of age , was well known in Devonshire and in many parts of Cornwall .

He was Past Master of St . John Craft Lodge , as well as of St . George Mark Lodge , P . Z . of St . George Royal Arch Chapter ; and a P . Prov . G . Organist in Mark and Chapter . Bro . Luget took' a great interest in the parochial affairs of Pinhoe , both as a churchwarden and chairman of the Parish

Council , an office he held for many years . In , Exeter his energies outside his business were chiefly devoted to political work , he being a Director of the Constitutional Club Committee , a member of the House Committee of the club , and an active worker in St . Mary Major ' s Ward .

rip HE funeral of Bro . John Leftwich , a well known and JL highly esteemed resident at Cowes , took place on Friday afternoon , 21 st ult . When the coffin was brought to the chancel step Bro . T . W . Faulkner took up a place at the head and Bro . J . C . Airs at the foot as Senior Past

Masters of the Medina Lodge . A long line of carriages and representatives of Freemasons , Oddfellows , and other sections of the community made its way to the Cemetery , with signs of mourning at shop windows and the windows of private

houses on every hand . Followers were increased in number at the Cemetery gates , and a large concourse of people gathered round the grave as the committal prayers were impressively read .

BRO . ELLIS PICKERSGILL , Solicitor , a prominent official of the West Riding County Council at the County Hall at Wakefield , and who also acted as crier of the West Riding Sessions Court , expired on Thursday , 25 th ult ., in a sanitorium in Somerset . The deceased had for

some months past been suffering from Bright ' s disease and diabetes , and about two months ago he went to the West of England in the hope of recruiting his health . He was a well known Mason , a noted ' angler , a good Churchman , and a staunch Conservative .