United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

rip HERE was a very large attendance at the Quarterly JL Communication of Grand Lodge held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall , London , the general regret of the Craft at the death of the Pro Grand Master no doubt being the cause of the unusual gathering . A glance at the Lodge lists showed that a very large proportion of the Lodges were

represented , while the fact that even the Gallery of the Temple was crowded afforded additional evidence of the large amount of sympathy aroused by the death of the Earl of Lathom . The portrait of the Earl was draped in black , while the furniture of Grand Lodge also bore tangible marks

of mourning . The Grand Organist Bro . G . F . Smith played Chopin ' s funeral march at the commencement , the Brethren all standing during its rendering , and the Grand Master ' s procession entered at slow time , as . a further tribute of respect .

Earl Amherst Deputy Grand Master presided , supported by Bros . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., the Earl of Euston , the Marquess of Hertford , Robert Grey , John Strachan , Q . C ., Rev . C . J . Martyn , Thomas Halsey , M . P ., Sir Reginald

Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., Vaughaa Morgan , W . Russell , Lennox Browne , Sir Joseph Dimsdale , ' & c ., & c . After prayer by the Grand Chaplain the Lodge was declared open and the minutes were read and confirmed .

In introducing the resolution in the name and on behalf of the Grand Master ^ expressive of the feeling of Grand Lodge on the melancholy occasion of the lamented death

of the Earl of Lathom , Lord Amherst referred to the mournful duty which had fallen upon Grand Lodge twelve months back , when they had to express their sympathy with the Pro Grand Master on the death of the Countess of

Lathom . Now they mourned the loss of the esteemed Pro Grand Master himself . Lord Lathom was no ordinary Mason . He was initiated at an early age , and not long afterwards assumed the chair of a Lodge in Lancashire , while many subsequent honours had

been showered upon him . All the Brethren knew full well how the large and important Province of West Lancashire prospered under his rule . He was a Brother altogether worthy to be the alter ego to the Grand Master . Five times he had taken the chair at their Charity Festivals , and

he had endeared himself to everyone , even those with whom he was obliged to differ . In other branches of life much work fell on his shoulders , and particularly was this the case in connection with his office of Lord Chamberlain , in the discharge of the duties of which he gained the respect

and friendship of Her Majesty the Queen . The loss of such a Brother should not be allowed to pass unnoticed , and he therefore proposed that Grand Lodge should pass a resolution expressive of its sympathy , and so place on record the sentiments of the Craft at the present time .

> --- Bro . Beach made a feeling speech in seconding the resolution , being evidently much moved at the mournful task that fell to his lot .

, ; ,- Bro . Rev . C . J . Martyn supported the resolution , which was carried amid manifestations of general regret . Bro . Colonel Chaloner , M . P ., P . P . S . G . W . Dorset P . P . S . G . W . Wilts W . M . of the Chaloner Lodge , No . 2644 , Melksham P . M . 472 and 1271 nominated H . R . H . the Prince

of Wales for re-election as Grand Master . He considered it a great honour to have the privilege of proposing the Grand Master for re-election , and took the opportunity of conveying the congratulations of the Craft to the Grand

Master on his complete recovery of health . The Prince had endeared himself to all ranks and conditions of people , and would be again hailed with , delight by the- Freemasons , b £ England as their chief . Two Brethren were nominated for the office of Grand

United Grand Lodge.

Treasurer : Brother Alfred H . Bevan , and Brother Harry Manfield , Bro . James Henry Matthews was re-invested as President

of the Board of Benevolence , and Bros . David Dixon Mercer and Henry Garrod elected as Senior and Junior Vice President respectively , while the twelve Past Masters nominated for the same Board were declared elected .

Referring to the Report of the Board of General Purposes , Bro . Richard Eve P . G . Treas . suggested that better accommodation might be provided in the new premises proposed to be added to the existing Freemasons ' Hall for the Secretaries of the Masonic Charities , but it was pointed out that there was no space for such a purpose .

The grant of the proposed sum of £ 500 to relieve the distress in Barbados was agreed to , and Grand Lodge was ' closed , ' the Brethren- remaining standing while the Grand Organist played the Dead March in " Saul . "

Mark Grand Lodge.

MARK GRAND LODGE .

FT ! HE Quarterly Communication was held on Tuesday , at JL . Mark Masons' Hall , London , under the presidency of the Pro Grand Master the Earl of Euston , who was well supported by members of the degree . The minutes having been confirmed , a vote expressive

of the sense of the loss to Grand Lodge by the death of the Earl of Lathom Past Grand Master , and of sympathy with his family in their bereavement , was moved by the Earl of

Euston , seconded by Viscount Dungarvan Deputy Grand Master , and carried unanimously . All the Brethren appeared in Masonic mourning , and the Lodge was draped , as was also the portrait of the late noble Earl .

The Report of the General Board , and the matters arising therefrom were dealt with in accordance with the Agenda , given in our last issue . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was nominated for

re-election as M . W . Grand Mark Master , Bro . H . J . Adams , of Edmonton , on this occasion formally submitting the name of the popular chief . Bro . Manfield proposed Bro . Alfred Bevan for election as Grand Treasurer .

The presiding officer informed the Brethren that he had secured the services of the Earl of Warwick as Chairman for the Festival next July of the Mark Benevolent Fund , and the Grand Lodge was subsequently closed .

An excellent example of returning good for evil is to be found in the action of the Grand Lodge of Catalonia , in Spain , the members of which have just passed a resolution ( says a special telegram to the " Morning Leader " ) praying the rebel leader of the Filipinos to release the Spanish Monks

and other persons for whom Aguinaldo demands such an exorbitant ransom . A Grand Officer of the Lodge will leave by the next mail , to convey the resolution in person to Aguinaldo ; and the Grand Orient of France is to be urged to support the memorial . Our readers may remember

we gave a description some time since of certain Masonic aprons and seals found on the bodies of rebels slain in battle in the Philippines , and therefore we may take it that Freemasonry , of a kind , exists in the Islands . It is to be hoped that the prisoners may be released by means of the memorial .

and thereby afford the monks food for reflection that Freemasonry is not all bad , as they have been led to believe . On ; the ^ pther ^]^ from New York that the War department of the United States has directed General Otis to demand from Aguinaldo the unconditional surrender of the Spanish prisoners .