Study Among Masons.

reason erect and haughty on its stalk . One of the great Greek philosophers who had deeply penetrated human wisdom and never abandoned study , used to say with the conscience of a true sage : " I only know that I know nothing . " We who are at such considerable intellectual distance from that great philosopher , let

us repeat his words and dedicate ourselves to study . The sublime Institution of which we are links as members of its great chain exacts this from us so that we may serve it better . Let us curtail some of the time we devote to the ephemeral pleasure of the senses , and dedicate it to the strength of our spirits in search of that which is stable , fecund and true ; let us abandon frivolities

and lend our attention and aid to that which is serious and transcendental . If the labours of the thought that battles with faith in truth , oppressed by sacrifices and the issue . of blood from its wounds , are not capable of lifting up our spirits , let us at least endeavour not to extinguish with the cold breath of our moral debility even the most feeble and paltry torch placed on the peck . — " American Tyler . "

Ladies Night At Tunbridge Wells.

LADIES NIGHT AT TUNBRIDGE WELLS .

LAST year the Pantiles Lodge , for the first time in the history of Freemasonry in Tunbridge Wells , organised a " Ladies evening , " so that lady visitors and friends could be entertained at a banquet and dance . It was such a signally successful event and gave such a great deal of pleasure , that it wa 3 not surprising that another function , of an exactly similar character , should be introduced this year , and now again has the same large mensura of success to he chronicled .

The Worshipful Master Bro . W . Rule , assisted by that most efficient and indefatigable of Secretaries Bro . Rufus Stevenson and Committee , worked hard at the numerous details necessary to ensure success , and the result was eminently gratifying all round , the entertainers and the entertained being highly delighted with the smooth and happy manner in which everything went off .

In the afternoon the customary Lodge meeting was held , and subsequently a reception took place in the reading room of the Nevill Club , which , like the Pump Room , had been prettily decorated by Mr . Sumner . The Worshipful Master , who was accompanied by Mrs . Rule , and the Officers of the Lodge , quickly made everyone feet perfectly at home , and what

with the Brethren being clad in Masonic attire and jewels , of various degrees , and the ladies' pretty and tasteful costumes , quite a picturesque and animated appearance was presented wherever the eye rested . The company , which numbered about 120 , then adjourned to the Pump Room , where Bro . H . Adams provided an excellent repast .

Following out the excellent rule laid down last year , only a few toasts were given , this giving an opportunity for social intercourse , music , and dancing . The Worshipful Master ( who was supported on his right by Mrs . Rule and the Mayor , and on the left by Bro . A . Burslem and Mrs . Burslem ) , in giving the Queen and Craft , alluded to the loyalty and allegiance paid to the throne by all Masons , and the keen interest taken in the Order by her Majesty ' s father , the Duke of Kent .

Bro . J . Burton gave the toast of the ladies , in a little speech of dry humour ( incidentally remarking that ladies , as a rule , were characteristic by such " charity "—one of the fundamental qualities of Masonry—that they had been know to " give their best friend away " ) , and Bro . B . Waymark and E . Sanderson gallantly responded .

Bro . A . Burslem gave the Worshipful Master , and after congratulating him on what he hoped was a complete recovery from his recent illness , alluded to the great success of the evening . He also touched on his genial qualities , warm zeal for Masonry , and the excellent manner in which he had performed his Masonic duties .

The Worshipful Master , replying , expressed his pleasure that the evening had been such a auocess , and said there was no more honourable position to aspire to than in being elected by the goodwill of one's fellow Masons to preside over them . He thoroughly appreciated the honour , and he would like to say how much be felt indebted to the Secretary and Officers for the cordial

assistance they had given him , the bulk of the work having , of course , fallen on the broad shoulders of the ever-ready and trusty Secretary Bro . Stevenson . He hoped his successors would perpetuate that pleasant and successful function , and , concluding , he thanked them all most heartily for drinking the health and happiness of himself and wife .

The Mayor ( Bro . F . W . Stone ) gave the Masonio Charities—in happy terms , remarking that he always looked upon ladies as bubbling over with charity and love . Although it was not right for Brethren to divulge Masonic secrets , they could certainly tell them all about the Masonic Charities , and the grandly philanthropical work they did . Speaking of these Charities , the

past year had been a record one . As Bro . Terry , the Secretary to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , would no doubt tell them , no less a sum than between £ 160 , 000 and £ 170 , 000 had been subscribed . Just think of the immense amount of good they were able to do for the boys and girls and aged Masons who required assistance in their days of need .

Bro . J . Terry , responding , corroborated Bro . Stone's statement as to the amount subscribed , and mentioned , in passing , that £ 140 , 000 of this had been given in one night at the record meeting at the Albert Hall , over which the Prince of Wales presided , and at which ladies were present . As an evidence of the good effected , he mentioned that at the present time 275 girls and 286 boys were being clothed , educated , and trained in order to fit them to take their place as good citizens of the world—all children of

Freemasons like themselves , and who had they been alive would have wished their sons and daughters to receive the same good training as that which they now received . Speaking of the old men and women , the Institution had on their books no less than 475 annuitants , the men receiving £ 40 per annum , and the women £ 32 , and they could readily realise that they thanked

God there was such a thing as Freemasonry . He concluded by grateful ' y thanking the Lodge for their donation of ten guineas that evening to the Old Peoples' Fund , and likewise acknowledged with thanks the help the local Brethren extended to the Boys and Girls , who by their kindness were enabled to fight the battle of life in a way that would be impossible but for such timely and considerate help .

The company then broke up in order to pay a visit of exploration to the Lodge Room , after which ( with the further addition of friends ) dancing was enjoyed till the small hours of the morning , the Mayor , with Mrs . Rule , and the Worshipful Master , with the Mayoress , leading off with the first dance ,

Ladies Night At Tunbridge Wells.

WEST LONDON MASONIC ELECTION ASSOCIATION . A WELL attended meeting of this excellent society was held on Thursday 2 nd inst ., at the Town Hall Tavern , High Street , Kensington , under the presidency of Bro . W . Hillier . The accounts were submitted for passing by Bro . Craggs the energetic Treasurer , and found to be in excellent order , showing a substantial balance in hand , after every outstanding account had been paid .

The mght of meeting has been altered to Thursday , as being more convenient to the members . The President , Vice President , Treasurer and Secretary were re-elected for the present year . Brother Hillier , in" a speech of some length , impressed on those present the importance of the work done by the Association , and showed how combination of force , coupled with hard work , had enabled them to carry every candidate successfully to the poll .

The name of a candidate for the Girls School was then proposed and passed . The Secretary ( Bro . Arthur Williams ) in a few well chosen remarks expressed his thanks for re-election , and stated that although his engagements were so numerous he would always endeavour , to do his best for the Association . Bro . J . H . Cumming was elected Assistant Secretary , and after some formal business the Brethren adjourned .

Appeal For Votes.

APPEAL FOR VOTES .

THE following letter appeared in the " Local Government Chronicle . " Sir , —I wish to call the attention of Poor Law Officers generally to the case of Edmund W . Hayes , son of the late Mr . Job Hayes , for many years master of the Brentford Workhouse , and who died shortly after his retirement from such office Bro . Hayes was a subscribing member of the Elliot Lodge ,

1567 , at the time of his death . The son above mentioned is the youngest child , and owing to the age cannot appear on . the lists again . I appeal to the Brethren who have votes to support the case . The late master has to my knowledge worked hard , and has sacrificed his time and money for twenty-five years in the cause of superannuation , and it was with such men

as he at the backs of our Presidents that the work was carried through successfully , and I think we can show our gratitude by supporting this case , and with such support , the case is certain to go in . I will be pleased to receive any votes on behalf of this boy . I am , Sir , & o ., JOSEPH J . SIMCOX , Master , P . M . 1501 , P . Z ., & c , & c , Prov . Grand Treas . Bucks .

Major Arthur Griffiths' new work , " Mysteries of Police and Crime , " has already been reprinted by Messrs . Cassell and Co ., to meet the large demand .

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