Freemasonry In The Law Courts.

tice of book canvassers calling upon working men and inducing them to buy books to the value of £ 4 10 s , which really contained very little general instruction beyond what was connected with Freemasonry , and

he added that book canvassers who went about making all sorts of statements with a view to inducing people to purchase books did so at considerable risk , while the practice was one which ought to cease . "

Here is a case where Freemasonry is brought into disrepute on a manifestly side issue ; one which , in reality , has no association with the Order itself , although the evidence of those defendants who urged

that the canvasser stated he had been deputed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland to call on Freemasons , gives the subject a more than usual Masonic bearing , and would even seem to call for official inauirv . bv . — — . _

___ _ — _ _„_ ^ ^ ^ the body concerned . We are sorry such a dispute should have arisen in connection with Bro . Gould ' s History , as the case has been very freely commented

upon by Scottish papers , and opinions have doubtless been formed in many quarters by no means beneficial to Freemasonry , its members , or the book in question , and all the more damaging because they are based on error and the confusion of a work bearing a Masonic title with Masonry itself .

Dorsetshire.

DORSETSHIRE .

A VERY brilliant gathering was held at the Masonic Hall , Weymouth , when tbe Provincial Grand Lodge assembled under the banner of All Souls Lodge , of which the Worshipful Master for the year is Brother Herbert J . Groves . The beautiful Lodge room , said to he one of the most

elegantly equipped in the kingdom , is admirabl y adapted for such a meeting , and when the Provincial Grand Master took the chair at one o ' clock , in tho presence of about 200 brethren , a vory impressive scene was presented . The Provincial Grand Master and his Officers entered the Hal !

in procession , the grand march from " EH " being played by tho Provincial Grand Organist ( Bro . E . Newman ) . On the dais with the Provincial Grand Master wero the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . Colonel Brymer , M . P . ) , Bros . Rev . Mortimer Heath P . G . Chap . Eng ., G . Burt

P . G . A . D . C . Eng ., and the Chaplain for the year , Bro . Rev . C . K Hilton , with many others . The roll of Lodges was called by the . Provincial Grand Secretary , every Lodge being represented , After the minutes of the last annual Provincial Grand Lodge , held

at Dorchester , had been read and confirmed , the Provincial Grand Chaplain delivered a most impressive lecture on the moral duties of Freemasons , and the beneficial influences to be exerted by true members of the Craft on the outside world .

The Provincial Grand Master then addressed the breth - ren on tho state and progress of the Craft and general business of the Province . Congratulatory allusion was made to the marriage of H . R . H . the Duke of York and Princess May , and it was proposed by the Provincial Grand

Master that a vote of congratulation be sent to tbe Grand Master on the happy event . The Provincial Grand Master alluded with pleasure to the fact that the work done during the year had been satisfactory , and that there " were now 674 members on the roll , 201 of whom were Past Masters .

He congratulated the members of the Charit y Organisation Committee on the results of their exertions , and on the fact that they had succeeded in carrying their candidates for two of the great . Benevolent Institutions . Feeling allusion was made to tbe Joss the Province had sustained by the

death of Bros . Yearsley , Daniels , Luff , and Turner , and l . e moved that votes of condolence be sent to the families of the deceased brethren . Allusion was made to the retirement of Bro . Long , who for many years has served the

Province as Provincial Grand Tyler , and who , it is hoped , will shortly obtain the benefits of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons . His successer in tbe Province is Bro . Simmonds , the veteran Tyler of the Weymouth Lodge . The Provincial Grand Treasurer presented bis accounts ,

Dorsetshire.

which showed a sound condition of tho finances , and the roporfci of tho Dorset Masonic Charity and the Charity Organisation Committee , both of which were satisfactory ! wero also presented . On the proposition of Bro . Rev . If . Heath , seconded by Bro . Chickmay , Bro . R . D . Thornton was unanimously re-elected Treasnrer .

It was proposed by Bro . Dngdale , seconded by Bro . Buddcn , and agreed that £ 50 be voted from the fnnda of tho Provincial Grand Lodge as a donation to tho Dorset Masonic Charity .

Bro . Zillwood Melledge proposed , " That in accordance with bye-law xi ., £ 1010 s be granted to ' All Souls ' Lodgo towards the sum necessary to qualify that Lolge as "Vice-Presideot of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows . " Agreed .

Tbe Provincial Grand Master then invested his officers for tho year . It was decided to accept the invitation of Bridport Lodgo to hold the next Provincial Grand Lodge in that town . The Provincial Grand Master proposed a hearty vote of

thanks to the Worshipful Master , Officers and Brethren of All Souls Lodge for thoir reception of Provincial Grand Lodge , which was carried by acclamation . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed . The annual banquet took place at the Imperial Bnrdon

Hotel , when more than 150 brethren safc down to a sumptuous repast under the presidency of the Provincial Grand Master . The Provincial Grand Master proposed the Pro Grand

Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the Officers Present and Past of Grand Lodge , coupled with the names of Bros . Rev . Heath , George Burt and Colonel Brymer . The name of Burt was a household word in Dorset the

Provincial Grand Master said ; Bro . Heath was one of the oldest Freemasons in Dorset ; and Bro . Brymer thoroughly deserved the honour the Prince of Wales had dono him . Bro . Burt , in reply , said it was a source of great

gratification to him that in the small province of Dorset they had a list of Present and Past Officers of Grand Lodge of which many a larger Provinco would bo

proud . He was only sorry Sir R . N . Howard was not present , as he would have been another representative of the honours conferred upon Dorset by the Prince of Wales . Bro . Rev . M . Heath said the remembrance of his office

in Grand Lodge was beginning to fade , but he should always remember with gratification the work which was done by members of Grand Lodge for tho consolidation and advancement of the Craft . Bro . Colonel Brymer , who had a specially warm reception ,

said he felt it a high honour when the Prince of Wales offered him an office in Grand Lodge . Ho considered the honour belonged as much to the Province as to himself , and he assured them he should always try to do his best so long as he was a member .

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master then proposed the health of the Provincial Grand Master . Colonel Brymer expressed the conviction that Bro . Guest had done more for Freemasonry in the Province than any other man , and they owed him a deep debt of gratitude for the manner in

which he had discharged his duties . He did not believe the Craft flourished in any Provinco in England more than in Dorset , and especially he alluded to the excellent work done by the Dorset Masonic Charity . This splendid instrument of benevolent work had been provided largely

through the efforts of the Prov . Grand Master , and it had mado a leputation for the Province throughout England . Ho mentioned there was not a similar organisation south of Lancashire , and their thanks were greatly due to the Provincial Grand Master for his foresight in establishing it . The toast was received with musical honours .

The Provincial Grand Master said it had always been a source of pride to him to be at the head of the Province of Dorset—a position he considered equal to any in the country . Having thanked them for their kindness towards him , he proposed the health of the Deouty . He remarked

lhat his choice could not possibly have fallen on a better man , as Bro . Brymer was active , energetic , and universally popular . No one could havo a higher qualificntion for the office , as he combined so mauy excellencies in himself , and

the way in which he was always received was a source of pleasure and gratification to himself . He need hardly say he considered himself fortunate in having secared so excellent a Deputy .