Royal Arch.

In proposing the toast of the Provincial Grand Lodges of Devon and Cornwall a recent speaker said Western Masons flattered themselves that in their Prov . G . Ms . they were as well served as any Provinces in the world . Devonshire heard recently with regret that the Hon . Sir Stafford

Northcote , for considerations of health , had been compelled to relinquish some of his public duties , but Masons received with gratification the assurance that he would continue to serve his native county as Prov . G . M . Cornwall's Prov . G . M . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was known to thousands as the

nobleman who maintained a beautiful park largely for the enjoyment of his neighbours . Figuratively , his lordship one day a month sat among the sylvan beauties of Mount Edgcumbe , and called across the sea to the teeming population of the Three Towns , " Let 'em all come . "

Bro . C . Lorkin P , M . and Sec . of the Duke of Connaught Lodge , No . 1524 , has a record of Masonic work of which any Brother might justly be proud—as we believe he is . Ope of the earliest initiates of his Lodge , May 1876 , he rose to the dignity of Master in 1883 , and recently commenced

his tenth year of office as Secretary of his Lodge . But he has always taken an active interest in Freemasonry , devoting himself more particularly to work in Instruction Lodges . He has held the Office of Preceptor in three such Lodges , and has won the distinction of Honorary Member of no less

than twenty-two Lodges of Instruction for Sectional working . As long back as 1882 our worthy Brother was presented with a gold medal for his conduct of the Fifteen Sections in the Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction . We wish him long life and good health to continue his useful career .

The long list of benefactions which Bro . Passmore Edwards has conferred upon the poorer and more crowded districts of the metropolis was added to on Wednesday , when the handsome public library which his donation has been the means of providing for the inhabitants of the

Borough was formally opened by the Right Hon . James Bryce , M . P . There was a large attendance of prominent residents . The new building is a very handsome and suitable structure . It contains all the arrangements necessary for a public library ; it is well lighted and heated ; and will constitute

not only a valuable educational centre , but an ornament to a somewhat dingy thoroughfare . The library at present contains nearly 7 , 000 volumes , and the cost of the structure and books has been £ 14 , 515 , of which nearly £ 4 , 000 still remains as a debt upon the building .

The Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., has attained the Jubilee of his membership of the Economy Lodge , No . 76 , Winchester , having joined it in 18 49 . For many years past Bro . Beach has been a regular attendant at the annual

Festivals of the Lodge , and was only prevented from being present this year'in consequence of a previous engagement to attend a Peace Crusade meeting at Andover . Naturally his absence was very much regretted on such a special occasion

as a Jubilee celebration of membership , but no doubt our worthy . Brother will take an early opportunity of paying a visit to the Lodge , when he will be sure to receive the hearty congratulations of his fellow members .

A matter which seems to be of considerable importance to the Craft under the English Constitution , as well as its sisters of Scotland and Ireland , was recently brought before the Grand Lodge of Scotland , in the form of a report of a memorial from the Lodge Star in the East , Yokohama ,

showing that the effect of certain laws about to come into force in J apan would be to close the British holding Lodges , at present working in that country , and praying Grand Lodge to take immediate action to secure that Masonic

Lodges be allowed to retain their present privilege of meeting under their respective Charters . We wonder whether anything of a like sort has reached the authorities of the English Constitution ?

A monument of an unusual kind has just been added to those in the cemetery at Kingston , by the members of the United Service Lodge , No . 1428 , Portsmouth . It consists of a tall column of polished red granite , with a Corinthian

Royal Arch.

capital surmounted by a sphere , the column being mounted on a substantial block also of red granite , with a base of grey . An inscription on the base gives the names of the principal

Officers of the Lodge , and notifies that the monument , which occupies a prominent position in the central pathway , is erected by the members "in fraternal memory of their deceased Brethren . " The memorial is the work of Mr . C . Beaton .

Referring to the coming contest for the position of Grand Treasurer , a Provincial contemporary says : There has not been a real fight for the Grand Treasurership for five years , and it takes place now because the Provinces feel they

have not had equal representation in the metropolis in the high position of Grand Treasurer , which is entirely in the vote of those members of the Craft who are entitled to a seat

in Grand Lodge . Since 1879 London has had a Brother for Grand Treasurer sixteen times , and the Provinces only five times . It is this inequality that Provincial Brethren are now trying to remove .

Under the patonage of the Duke of Abercorn Grand Master of Ireland , and the Duchess , a grand ball will take place in the Town Hall , Rathmines , on Friday , 7 th April next , under the auspices of St . Cecilia Lodge , No . 250 ( I . C . ) ,

in aid of the Victoria Jubilee Masonic Annuity Fund . The members of the Lodge have an enviable record with regard to the entertainments they have organised for Masonic

charities , and the event of April next will , no doubt , . also redound to the credit of the Lodge , and will result in a considerable addition to the Annuity Fund .

A sum of five guineas was voted to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution at a recent meeting of the Peace and Harmony Lodge , of Southampton . The I . P . M . of that Lodge , at its last meeting , responding to the toast of his

health , remarked that it was on the 16 th January 1892 that he was put ashore as a shipwrecked seaman on the Isle of Wight . He had been rescued by the lifeboat , and the

Brethren would then understand why he advocated a grant to the Lifeboat Institution so strongly at the previous meeting . -.

The first annual banquet and concert ( Ladies night ) of the Alfred Newton Lodge , No . 2686 , takes place this evening ( Saturday ) , at the Royal Palace Hotel , High Street ,

Kensington . There will be a reception at 6 * 15 , the Banquet at 7 , and the Concert at 9 o ' clock . We hope to report a successful gathering in our next issue .

The fifth annual supper and Ladies night of the Citadel Lodge of Instruction , No . 18 97 , will be held as usual at the Holborn Restaurant , on Friday next , 17 thinst ., commencing at 7 o ' clock sharp , under the presidency of the worthy Preceptor Bro . Fred Dunstan P . M . and Secretary 1326 P . A . G . D . C . Middlesex .

The Coborn Lodge of Instruction , No . 1804 , has been removed to the Eagle Hotel , Snaresbrook , and will meet there in future on Friday evenings , at eight o ' clock . Bro . M . H . Cleaver is the Hon . Sec , and he will be pleased to welcome visitors at any time .

The Ladies night and dance of the Prosperity Lodge , No . 65 , will take place at the Holborn Restaurant , on Monday next , the reception being set down for 5 * 30 p . m . The banquet will be served at 6 o ' clock , and will be followed by dancing , from 8 to n' 45 .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

ON Wednesday the remains of Bro . Henry Brown were interred in the Anfield Cemetery , in the presence of a large gathering of sympathetic friends and relatives . The deceased was one of the oldest tradesmen in the district , and he was held in high esteem . ' Among those present at the graveside were representatives of the Mariner ' s Lodge , No . 249 , of which Bro . Brown was P . M .