The Masonic Female Orphan School.

before they are old enough to enter with full advantage upon their calling in life . It is earnestly hoped that s' * eps will be immediately taken , in every Masonic Province , in every leading Lodge , nnd by all the friends of the School at home and abroad , to forward the success of this Festival . —Belfast Netvs Letter .

Papal Attacks On The Order.

PAPAL ATTACKS ON THE ORDER .

rpO waste time shielding the Masonic Order from the - * - periodical attacks of the Romish Church wonld be about on a par with the action of the Irishman who held his umbrella over a duck ' s back on its journey to the village pond , and yet we suppose there are some among us

who yet believe there is cause for alarm m these regular outbursts of the Pope and his followers . Well , it may please them , and it certainly does not hurt English

Freemasonry , so that we ought not to begrudge the followers of the Papacy this small amount of enjoyment they derive from their onslaughts . Tho Daily Telegraph recently announced that Freemasonry was : —

The objective of tbe vigorous verbal attacks delivered at the Twentieth General Assembly of French Catholics held in the Geographical Society's Hall , Boulevard Saint Germain , Paris . Cardinal Eichard , Archbishop of Paris , presided , being supported by Senator Chesnelong and the Maronite Archbishop of Lebanon .

M . Chesnelong was the most energetic of the speakers , and called for bold action on the part of hia co-religionists in order to resist those who intended to effect their min . In order to fight with ¦ success Catholics should unite , contribute funds , and start an effective political campaign in view of the Elections . An address which was

to be sent to the Pope was also read . It set forth that the struggle was between Freemasonry and Christian liberty in France . Cardinal Bichard said thafc the question—would France remain Christian or cease to be so ? was now the principal one , and he advised his hearers

that , aa there were perilous times in store for Catholics , they should seek the counsels of their bishops , and act henceforward in a determined aud resolute manner , in order to check the tide of impiety .

Such remarks as are here accredited to the speakers would hardly be possible among us in England , but that consideration does not wholly rob them of their interest to English Masons , who , despite the peculiar laws governing their French brethren must nevertheless regard them as a

part of the great Masonic family . It is very much to be regretted that French Masonry allows its followers to adopt such peculiar lines as they do adopt , and very much of the abuse showered on the Craft in that country is really brought about by the peculiarities of tho members

themselves , and we should like to hear that Freemasonry was to ho restored there , at no distant date , to its regularl y recognised channels , and kept perfectly clear , as it should be kept , of the dangerous considerations of politics and religion . Until this happy time arrives French Masonry

will present a target for attack , not only so far as its own followers may be concerned , but in a lesser degree , in association with the entire Masonic family , whose members far and near have to bear blame for this one particular section of tm-Masonie Masons .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . W . I . SPICER ( MAJOR H . A . C . ) BY the death of this ever popular brother , which sad event occurred on Sunday , the 3 rd inst ., his comrades in the Honourable Artillery Company , and the members of the Fitzroy Lodge , have lost a genial and kind-hearted companion . He had been a member of the H . A . C . for nearly

thirty years , and will ever be remembered as one of the champion athletes of that popular body . The late Bro Spicer , some short time since , had intimation made to him that he was suffering from a serious ailment that it was feared wonld eventually necessitate a painful operation .

Our gallant brother lost no time in seeking for a verification or otherwise of this mournful prognostication , with result that some four weeks back he determined to run the gauntlet of medical observation , and a surgical operation at St . Thomas ' s Home , St . Thomas ' s Hospital . Notwithstanding

all that was done , however , our dear brother succumbed to the disease ( cancer ) . In private circles , and in his official connection with the Accident Insurance Company , of St . Swithin ' s-lane , his loss will be keenly felt . He was a Past

Master of the Fitzroy Lodge , and a member of the Constitutional Club . Further , he served for many years as a member of the Court of Assistants of the H . A . C . We tender to his widow and relatives our deep sympathy with them in their heavy affliction .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER . HpHE Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter - * - wns held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . Comp . Colonel Robert Townley Caldwell , M . A ., Grcnd Superintendent of Cambridgeshire acted as M . E . Z ., Col . Addison Potter Grand Superintendent of

Northumberland as H ., and Gen . Randolph Grand Superintendent of Sussex as J ., Col . Shadwell H . Clerke G . S . E ., Capt . N . G . Philips as G . S . N ., Sir Reginald Hanson as P . S ., and alargo number of Grand and Past Grand Officers were present . The Chapter having been opened , and tho

minutes of the February Convocation read and confirmed , Comp . Shadwell H . Clerke said that the resolutions he had just read , appointing thoDukefof Connaught and Strathearne , KG ., Past Grand First Principal , and presenting him with the Grand Chapter clothing of that

rank , which were carried at the last meeting , had been duly communicated to his Royal Highness , and his Royal Highness had commanded him to express to Grand Chapter his high appreciation of the honour which was paid him in giving him the very exalted position it had

conferred , and he had also asked him to convey to Grand Chapter his best thanks for tho handsome present of tho insignia of his office . The M . E . H . R . H . the Princo of Wales was then proclaimed Grand Z ., and the Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Z . Tho other appointments resulted as follows : —

Earl of Mount Edgcumbe H . Lord Leigh J . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke S . E . Sir John B . Monckton S . N . Eobert Gray Pres . Com . G . P . George Everett Treasurer

F . A . Philbrick , Q . C . Begistrar Rev . 0 . J . Grace P . S . John Aird , M . P . lst A . S . Hamond L'Estrange 2 nd A . S . E . K . Bayley Sword Bearer A . J . Trendell , C . M . G . 1 st Standard Bearer

Thos . Hastings Miller 2 nd Standard Bearer Richard C . Clowes 3 rd Standard Bearer G . J . McKay 4 th Standard Bearer Frank Richardson , P . A . G . S . Dir of Cers . George Bne Assist . Dir . of Cers .

Walter Hopekirk lst Assist . Dir . of Cers . Thomas Webb Whitmarsh 2 nd Assist . Dir . of Cers . Michael Maybrick Organist A . A . Pendlebnry Assiat . S . E . Henry Sadler Janitor

Col . Townley Caldwell announced that tho M . E . Z . had conferred the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer upon Companion Henry Arthur Hunt . After the investment , the agenda paper , as published hy

us last week , was considered . The several recommendations were agreed to , and the report was adopted . Col Caldwell said the Prince of Wales had nominated Comps . Robert Gray , Sir G . D . Harris , and E . Letchworth as the members of the Committee of General Purposes .

Capt . T . C . Walls , Charles Keyser , L . G . Gordon Robbins , W . A . Scurrah , Dr . Lennox Browne , and Fredk . Burgess were the only six companions nominated for election , and were declared duly elected . Grand Chapter was then closed .

Prov. Grand Chapter Of North And East Yorkshire.

PROV . GRAND CHAPTER OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

THE annual meeting was held at three o clock on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., at the Eboracum Masonic Hall , St . Saviour-gate , York , on the invitation of the Eboracum Chapter , No . 1611 . There was a large attendance of members of . the Order . The Hon . W . T .

Orde-Powlett , M . E . H . of the Province , presided , in the absence of the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and Grand Superintendent of the Province , through official duties . After the confirmation of the

minntes and balance sheet , the various Chapters communicated their returns , showing a considerable increase in tbe membership . The sum of 25 guineas was voted to tbe Educational Fund of the Province . Comp . Reynolds was again unanimously elected Treasurer . The acting Grand Superintendent then made the following appointments : —