Grand Lodge Of Monmouthshire.

Snp ta . of Works ; Prov . G . Supt . of Works , Bro . R Weig hts ; Past Prov . G . Deacons ; Past Prov . G . Registrars ; Prov . G . Assist . Secretary , Bro . A . Taylor , with Book of Constitutions ; Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . A .

HcMahon ; Prov . G . Registrar , Bro . E . Baker , with { jag ; Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . W . Pickford ; Past Prov . Gr . Chaplains ; Prov . G . Stewards with wands ; Prov . G . Chap lains , Bros , the Rev . J . W . Os-nan ancl D . Wilks .

The Sacred Law , on a cushion , was borne by four Masons ' sons , and was opened at the tenth chapter of the Book of Numbers . After the Provincial Grand Chaplain came the past Provincial Grand Wardens , the Corinthian , Doric ,

and Ionic lights , borne by Masters of Lodges ; the column of the Provincial Grand Junior Warden , borne by a P . M . of a Lodge ; Bro . J . 0 . Marsh Prov . G . J . W ., with plumb rule ; the column of the Prov . Grand Senior Warden ,

borne by a P . M . of a Lodge ; Bro . W . Watkins Prov . G . S . W ., with a level ; Bro . W . R . Eames P . G . S . Prov . G . J . D ., Standard Bearer of the Prov . Grand Lodge , with wand . Yisitors of distinction followed , namely , Bros .

Captain S . G . Homfray W . D . P . G . M . P . G . A . D . C ., J . Jones P . G . Sword Bearer , Col . 0 . Lyne R . W . P . G . M ., Colonel C . Lyne , C . W . Widdowson P . G . S . D ., and Bro . Preece P . G . Tyler , with drawn sword . Having arrived

at the western entrance to St . Mary ' s Church , the procession halted , the brethren opened right and left , facing inwards , allowing the Provincial Grand Master to pass up the centre , preceded by his Standard and Sword Bearers

the Provincial Grand Officers and brethren following in inverted order of procession . The brethren were accommodated with , seats ia the nave , and presented a truly

imposing appearance . The service was conducted by Bro . the Rev . D . Wilks P . P . G . C , assisted by the Rev . J . Rees and Bro . the Rev . J . W . Osman .

The Provincial Grand Chaplain preached an excellent and appropriate sermon , from Psalm xli . 1 : " Blessed is he that considereth the poor : the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble . " The following was the order of the

Service : Introductory , voluntary Andante in E ( H . Smart ); Processional Hymn , " Onward , Christian Soldiers ; " Prayers for Evening Service ; Psalms Ixvi . Turner in A , and Barnby in D ; cxxxviii . Tonus Peregrinus ; cl . Walrosley

in F ; First Lesson , 2 Chron . i . ; Magnificat , Goss in A ; Second Lesson , Sfc . Luke x .-xxv . ; Nunc Diniitfcis , Goss in A ; Anthem , Psalm cxxxiii . ; "Behold how good ancl joyful "—( Whitfield ); Bass Solo , Mr . Way ; Soprano

Duet , Mrs . Pegler and Mrs . T . Biggs ; Hymn before Sermon , " Jesus , my Lord , my God , my all : " Sermon ; Hymn after Sermon , 0 Lord of Heaven and earth and sea ; concluding voluntary , chores in D major ( Gnilmant ) . The

musical part of the Service was under the direction of Bro , Samuel Cross , assisted by Mr . Throne Biggs , organist of St . Mary ' s . After Service the brethren formed into procession again and returned to the Lodge . Several of

the tradespeople did honour to the occasion by displaying flags and bannerets from their windows . At four p . m ., the business of the Lodge having been concluded , the brethren repaired to the Greyhound Hotel , where a banquet of a recherche description awaited them .

Laying A Foundation Stone In Dundee.

LAYING A FOUNDATION STONE IN DUNDEE .

ON Monday a most successful ceremonial of laying a foundation atone took place in Dundee . The building ia the completion of the upper end ( west ) of Whitehall-street , and is to be one of the most prominent of all tho structures put up under the new Towns Improvement Scheme . The street takes its name from the Eoyal Palace of Whitehall , which stood on the same site as the present

building is to occupy . Our readers are referred to Grant s " Yellow Frigate" for an interesting account of that lloyal residence . Mr . Blackney will own the whole block , and is to occnpy the basement , first and second floors aud saloons , as an immense retail drapery , haberdashery , and house furnishing establishment . Every

modern appliance for the comfort of the public and the assistants is amply provided for . Some time ago Mr . Blackney conceived the idea of getting the edifice founded in true and proper form , and accordingly he made application to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . The Grand Lodge waa consulted as to precedent , and crave

no opposition . The Provincial Grand Master , the Hon . P . Lyon , ot Olamis Castle , then consented to perform the work . The Lodges Of town and conntry were summoned to obey the commands of fche Provincial Grand Master , and the result was a gratifying response , to the extent of threo hundred Craftsmen to snpport him . Provincial

Grand Lodge was opened in the ancient hall , and stood adjourned until the completion of the ceremony . Tho stone was laid in the presence of a vast number of spectators , Lady Anna Lindsay , of Balcarras ( wife of tho Provincial Grand Master ) , accompanying him to tho platform bwide the stone . Several hundred ladies and gou-

Laying A Foundation Stone In Dundee.

tlemen were invited to a grand stand , erected by Mv . Blackney , having a good view of the proceedings . Tho usual symbolic formula having been performed , the Hon . F . Lyon delivered an address , complimenting the town on the vast improvements made under its wise and capable Conncil , and Mr . Blackney on the grand spirit of enterprise

that led mm to push tho old and clumsy system of business aside , and join in the general , improvement of Dundee . A cake and wine banquet , to which about four hundred sat down , closed the proceedings of the day , every one expressing satisfaction at being present . The Provincial Grand Master hus thus earned his first silver trowel —a handsome one—given by Mr . Blackney .

Correspondence

CORRESPONDENCE

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name and , address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

The Equality Of Freemasons

THE EQUALITY OF FREEMASONS

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your last issue contains three direct and striking references to the equality which exists among Freemasons , and whioh has been so frequently referred to by Masonic writers and speakers in the past . I presume the three references are accidental

so far as similarity is concerned , as they appear to have such varied origins , and can hardly have been written as three illustrations of one person ' s idea , inasmuch as the reasons for each are manifest . The first case is where you speak of the position occupied by H . R . H . the late Duke of Albany and H . R . H . the Prince of Wales in

Oxfordshire Freemasonry , as a practical illustration of the equality which Freemasonry induces ; the next occurs in an article headed " Masonry ' s Mission Now , " the writer of which speaks of the equality of Freemasonry being resorted to for the purpose of arranging disputes between capital and labour ; while the third is in a report of a

Masonic banquet at Wimbledon Camp , when the Worshipful Master ' , in proposing the health of the Prince of Wales Grand Master of Masons , referred to the installation by His Royal Highness of the Duke of Connaught as Provincial Grand Master of Sussex , when the Prince of Wales is said to have thrown off all reserve , " leaving all

royalty except his title behind him , and completely identifying himself with the brethren by whom he was surrounded . " These three references , although they all point to one great Masonio truth , serve , I think , to illustrate very opposite ideas . Equality exists in Freemasonry perhaps more than in any other

section of society , yec I cannot believe that it is to overweigh all other considerations ; nor do I think it would be wise to allow the equality of Freemasonry to have any influence on outside matters . My reason for writing thus is to offer , my protest against the views set down in the article on " Masonry ' s Mission Now , " to which 1 have

already referred . Surely ifc is not the general wish of Freemasons that the equality which they enjoy among themselves shall be made use of to influence trade disputes ? If so , I fear the worst results must ensue . If Masonry connects itself with the quarrels between capital ancl labour it may be asked to act similarly in connection with

other disputes , and eventually the Order will be brought into the position usually occupied by those who interfere in the quarrels of others—abused by all concerned . This is hardly the equality I imagine to be taught by the lessons of Freemasonry ; the other two references being more in accordance with my view of the case .

Freemasonry teaches equality—that equality which allows one member of the Royal Family of England to take a humble office in a Lodge and serve in conjunction with others far beneath him in so far as birth and rank is concerned ; while another member of the same familythe heir to the throne—can meet the brethren of a large Province ,

and others who choose to visit it , on perfect terms of brotherhood . But neither of these latter could be said to afford au opportunity of discussino- with the Royal Family of England subjects outside the scope

of Freemasonry ; nor shonld the brotherly tie which exists between the capitalist ancl the labourer bo violated by the discussion of any . thing not connected with the Order . Yours fraternally , CELTIC .

Queen Eleanor Cross, Waltham.

QUEEN ELEANOR CROSS , WALTHAM .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND B ROTHER , —Allow me to thank you for tho space yon have previously given iu your columns for reference to tho restoration of the Eleanor Cross , at Waltham . Will you again enable me to acknowledge our indebtedness to tho Lodges that havo already

subsciibed , and to furnish the following particulars ? Several tenders have beon received for part of the work , and that of Bro . Harry Hems , of Exeter , has been accepted . For the complete renovation and preservation of this ancient and artistic monument there is - till a deficiency to m . ko up , of about

£ 000 , and it is to be hoped that brethren and Lodges that can a fiord it will send a small amount to help iu this endeavour to preserve ono i . f England ' s best monuments . This gem of media , val art could not have been placed in better hands than that of Bro . Harry Hems , who has to

has worked at over 1000 cathedrals and churches . One only visit St . Alban ' s Abbey to see the loving tenderness with which he treats his work , as shown iu the restoration of the great altar screen , which Bro . Hems has been engaged on for about three years . Thia screen comprises nearly a hundred figures—icwiy hfa-Bi . o—of kmgs ,