Female Freemasons.

Masonry , and make speeches afterwards which excite frantic applause are very mnoh akin to the " strong-minded women " with whom the satirists have made ns familiar . A few of them in a Lodge would certainly make it anything bufc a Paradise . In all likelihood they

would very soon have it all to themselves . But then there happen to be loquacious and self-assertive men who are , in every respect , as objectionable ; and possibly Masonic Lodges may not bo altogether unacquainted with them . We men—it mnst be admitted with as much candour as circumstances will allow—are not altogether

faultless . Perhaps a judicious blending of the sexes in a Masonic Lodge would have a beneficial effect , when the novelty of innovation had onco wore off . Masonesses would be quite as zealous in works of Charity as Masons , aud possibly they would tone down the exuberance which sometimes characterises the ceremonial of "tho Knife and Pork Degree . " Still , the day is no doubt distant when " sisters "

will be allowed to take parfc in English Masonry . There is no more conservative institution in the world , and the very suggestion of the admission of women , put in any serious way , would probably shake tbe Grand Lodge worse than an earthquake , and upset the equanimity of all the P . P . G . M . ' s and P . M . ' s , and other alphabetical enigmas of the Order , so that they could not attend banquet for a month . In the days , of tho millennium , when the lion lies down wifch the lamb , such a thing may be possible , but hardly before .

Freemasonry In The United States.

FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

THE following are the principal Officers of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina for the current year , namely : —Bros . H . F . Grainger Grand Master , James W . Reid Depnty Grand Master , Robert Bingham Senior Grand Warden , C . H . Robinson Junior Grand Warden ,

William E . Anderson Grand Treasurer , Donald W Bain Grand Secretary , Rev . P . T . Penick Grand Chaplain , William T . Kennedy Senior Grand Deacon , Samuel H . Smith Junior Grand Deacon , A . H . A . Williams Grand Marshal , H . W . Reinhart Grand Sword Bearer , D . A .

Sugg Grand Pursuivant , Miles Goodwin Grand Tyler . The present Officers of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Massachusetts are as follow , namely : —Grand Lodge : Bros . S . Crocker Lawrence Grand Master , Edwin Wright Deputy Grand Master , W . Babson Grand Senior

Warden , C . 0 . Spellman Grand Junior Warden , S . Wells Grand Treasurer , S . D . Nickerson Recording G . Secretary , Rev . Charles H . Leonard , D . D ., Rev . Fielder Israel Grand Chaplains , Frederick D . Ely Grand Marshal , Charles M . Avery , J . Francis Lotts , Samuel B . Spooner Grand

Lecturers , Charles W . Stack Senior Grand Deacon , Charles Harris Junior Grand Deacon , William T . R . Marvin Senior Grand Steward , George H . Rhodes , James Mills , Ashley B . Wright Junior Grand Stewards , John L . Stevenson Grand Sword-Bearer , Z . L .

Bicknell Grand Standard-Bearer , Darius A . Green , James M . Gleason Grand Pursuivants , William H . Gerrish Grand Organist , Henry J . Parker Grand Tyler . Grand Chapter : Companions Albert C . Smith Grand High Priest , Joseph S . Barney Deputy Grand High Priest ,

Charles Harris Grand King , William Humphrey Grand Scribe , Richard Briggs Grand Treasurer , Zeph . H . Thomas Grand Secretary , Richard Briggs ex off , Daniel W . Lawrence and Henry Endicott Trustees of the Funds , Albert L . Richardson Grand Captain of the Host , Erastus

Chase Grand Principal Sojourner , Nathan J . Simonds Grand Royal Arch Captain , Robert R . Fears Grand Master Third Vail , Henry F . Smith Grand Master Second Vail , Othello A . Fay Grand Master First Vail , Rev . John P .

Bland Grand Chaplain , Rev . William H . Ryder Grand Chaplain , Rev . John Wright Grand Chaplain , William H . Young Grand Steward , James Donaghy Grand Steward , Eugene A . Holton Grand Lecturer , Benjamin F . Nourse Grand Tyler .

The annual ball of the Bnrdett Coutts Lodge will take place on Tuesday next , at the Cannon-street Hotel , under the management of the W . M . of the Lodge and an efficient body of Stewards . The proceeds of the ball will be devoted exclusively to the Masonic Charities . The

Committee , thei * efore , solicit the kind support of Lodges and members of the Craft . Dancing will commence at nine o ' clock . The price of tickets , including supper and light refreshments during the evening , are—20 s double , or JOs 6 d single .

nl , ' rw ' . ' ? - Wino Merchant ( Experts anti Valuers ) . Well fermented "i "Tme ^ ana . matureil Spirits . 2 Albert Mansions , Victoria-street , London , S . W .

Presentation To Bro. Henry E. Tucker.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . HENRY E . TUCKER .

A FEW evenings since a number of gentlemen and tradesmen of Ealing assembled at the Feathers' Hotel , for the purpose of giving practical demonstration of their esteem and regard for Bro . Henry E . Tucker , who has for the past seven years successfully managed the affairs of tho Ealing Branch of tbe London and South Western Bank . The proceedings were of a semi-private character ,

but we have no doubt that our readers will bo glad to learn that tho assiduous labours of Bro . Tucker , both iu his public and private capacities , havo been thus befittingly recognised . Those who assembled to witness tho ceremony of presentation , wero firsfc of all entertained at an excellent dinner providedby Bro . Stephens . Tho loyal toasts having beeu duly honoured , Bro . H . Kasner ( chairman ) ,

in proposing tho toast of the evening , conld say of Bro . Tuckerand what he said would be cordially endorsed—whether in his official position , or connected with the numerous institutions in tho town with which his name was identified , was essentially the right man in the right place . He had been amongst them now between seven and eight years , and during that period he bad associated his name ,

and lent his valuable assistance to whatever had been brought forward for the benefit of tho town and neighbourhood . It mattered not whether the matter was a small ono or a large one , if ifc wero for tbe interest of the town and its inhabitants Bro . Tucker afc once throw his heart and sonl into tho movement . The same remarks would apply to his official position , as those who had dealings with him

could fceatifiy ; if he could assist any one of them he would willingly do so . He was sure the astute and clever body of men at the head of the South Western Bank were aware of tho value of Bro . Tucker , and the esteem in whioh he was hold in Ealing . The testimonial , which it was his privilege to hand to Bro . Tucker , certainly proved the esteem in which he was held by those who more immediately

knew him . As regarded the town generally , what was there ever got up for the happiness or welfare of the people , thafc Bro . Tucker , since bis residence there , bad nofc been identified with ? It wonld be difficult to find any one to tako his place , and impossible to find any one to excel him . He could say a great deal more respecting their friend , but he would pnly add , that in getting up this little

testimonial tbe promoters , being his more immediate friends , had not made any public appeal to the inhabitants ; and the success of the testimonial was entirely owing to those good qualities which Bro . Tucker was well known to possess . Without saying more , he would at once proceed , in the name of the subscribers , to make fcho presentations . The firsfc thing he had to present was a handsome marble clock , which bore the following inscription : — Presented to

H . E . TUCKER , Esq . with a GOLD WATCH AND PUESE OF 65 GUINEAS , by bis Friends in Ealing and District , January 1882 .

The maker assured the Committee that this had something to do with that venerable old ' clock which went ninety years without slumbering , and ifc was hoped that the recipient would live many years to hear it tick , and thafc ifc would be handed down to his children to show the esteem in which their father was held , and to lead them in his footsteps . He next had to present a gold watch for Mrs . Tucker

who was esteemed equally wifch her hnsband , by those who knew her . He was nofc going into the question of tho little ones—bnt feeling that a father knew what was best for his children , ho also had tho pleasure of presenting Bro . Tucker with a purse containing sixty-five guineas . In conclusion , Bro . Kasner said Bro . Tucker ' s great aim of life had been to impart ; happiness to others , and the sincere wish of

the subscribers to this testimonial was thafc he might live many years in Ealing , and enjoy happiness and prosperity . Bro . H . E . Tucker rose , wifch feelings of great emotion . Ic was rarely thafc a man who had been only seven years in a place was called upon to receive such a recognition from his friends . He was very proud indeed to be called upon to receive so handsome a

testimonial , especially as it came from tbe hands of one who was tbe fiisfc to show his friendship on his coming to take charge of the bank . He also saw around him gentlemen whom he had to meet ia daily life ; he was proud to say the same feeling was exhibited in public as in private relations . Ever since he camo onfc in public be had been actuated by one desire , and that was to steer a straight course , and

as long as he continued to hold his present , or any other office , he should strive nofc to deviate either to the right or to the left . Ifc was particularly gratifying to him to receive the testimonial afc the present juncture , when , acting on medical advice , he had been obliged to give up several appointments he held in connection with tbe town . Tbe fact was , be had been trying to do too mnch—attending two or

three meetings almost every evening—but he found his health would nofc permit of this great strain upon his constitution , hence ho had been obliged to relinquish several offices . It was with much regret thafc he had been compelled to do so , as when he set his hand to the plough he did not like to turn back . If , however , he remained in

Ealing , as he hoped he might do—for that appeared to him his homeho should continue to do his duty , trusting to retain the many friendships which ifc had been his happiness to form ; he had endeavoured as far as possible to promote the welfare of those by whom he waa surronnded . —Middlesex County Times .

Bro . D . M . Robinson , a very old and highly respected Craftsman , was on Wednesday unanimously elected W . M . of the Vitruvian Lodge . At the same time a valuable Past Master ' s jewel was voted to the retiring Master , Bro . John Skirving , who has performed the duties of the office with honour to himself and credit to the Lodge .