Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Northern Lights.—No. Iii.
onr working to those who arc willing to learn ? Theso are the pillars of Masonry , and when we find a Province or Lodgo enjoying great prosperity , be sure it numbers amongst its members men who have taken a delight in studying the intricacies of Freemasonry .
It is surprising what the efforts of one mmd will do , and how its influence is felt far and near . What the Province of Northumberland owes in this respect to its Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies is not easil y told in the limited space devoted to one of theso sketches .
In the discharge of the duties of his peculiar office , onr worthy brother brings to bear all the energy of a mind singularly in accord with his position . His early dramatic culture gives him a keen eye to effect , and nnder his direction our ceremonials gain a warmth of
tone and a breadth of colour that add greatly to th eir solemnity . Officers seem to glide imperceptibly into doing the right thing , and the working proceeds as smoothl y as if every one concerned were to tho manner born . The great gift , however , of our respected brother is his natural
eloquence , added to the charm of a highly-cultivated elocution . It is here that he shines out so pre-eminently . In Chapter he is a Most Excellent Light ( holding the office of P . G . H ., and being P . Z . of no less than five Chapters in this and the adjacent Province ); his rendering of the
grand Ceremony of Exaltation is an intellectual treat to all , and very many Companions of the R . A . have said that they knew very little of the supreme degree till they had heard him expound it . That the subject of this sketch should be greatly esteemed is but natural , and that his
opinions and advice carry weight , is evident from the support given to our Charities , of which he is ever a persistent advocate . Very few of those present will readily forget the burst of eloquence in which he urged the claims of the Masonic Institutions at thelast installation banquet of Lodge
24 . It is only on matters of this kind that our worthy brother speaks afc length during the fourth degree . Ho is not generally given to after-dinner eloquence , and consequently never runs the risk of becoming tiresome . For
this pleasing trait of character he deserves our heartfelt gratitude . In private life our brother has made many friends ; in fact , we may say their name is legion ; in all circles , Masonic or otherwise , ho shines steadily , as a sturdy English gentleman , and a Most Excellent Light .
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Berks and Bucks will be held , under the presidency of R . W . Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , the Prov . G . M ., on Monday , the 25 th inst ., at the Town Hall , High Wycombe . Lodge will be opened at 1 . 30 p . m ., and after the business of the Province has been
transacted , the brethren will adjourn for banquet to the Red Lion Hotel . Tickets for the banquet ( 7 s 6 d each ) may be obtained of Bro . W . S . Cantrell , W . M . 1501 ,
Thamesstreet , Windsor . Special arrangements have been made with the Great Western Railway whereby return tickets will be issued at single fares from London and other of their principal stations .
Bro . Fred . Albert announces his farewell benefit for the 22 nd inst ., at the Cambridge Hall of Varieties . A host of talent will supporfc him on the occasion . Bro . Albert will present the audience with 1 , 000 copies of one of his popular songs , and also with 100 photographs .
We learn from the Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette that by means of the concert recentl y given under the auspices of the Phoenix Lodge , No . 257 , Portsmouth , in aid of the funds of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,
an amount was realised sufficient , with that already standing to the credit of the Lodge on account of former subscriptions , to complete the sum of 100 guineas . This gives the Lodge ten votes in perpetuity and the privileges of a Vice-Presidency .
ERRATUM . —In our article on the " Removal of Lodges , " for " into the coffers of our three Masonic Institutions , " read " into the coffers of the Charit y Fund . " The mistake in no wise affects the argument . It will be obvious to our readers that the error is due to a lapsus calami , as the latter half of the sentence in which the words we should have
used occur waa quoted from the title page of Grand Lodge Calendar .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Review should 'be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 67 Barbican , E . C . The Knot Tied . Marriage Ceremonies of all Nations . Collected and Arranged byWilliam Tegg , F . R . H . S ., Editor of " The Last Act , " " Wills of their Own , " Ac , & o . London : William Tegg and Co .
Pancvas . lane , Cheapside . 1877 . THIS is a highly interesting work , in two parts . Part I . contains the marriage customs of different nations , together with particulars relating to novel , eccentric , and irregnlar marriages , the Dnnmow Flitch of Bacon , & o . Part II . notes the various superstitions relating to marriage , and many curious details respecting wedding rings ,
golden weddings , aristocratic and historical marriages , besides anecdotes and other matter connected with the marriage ceremony . It mast have been a laborious task to compile so much matter , and Mr . Tegg has evidently had his heart in the work . He has not only pnt his materials together in a manner which is highly creditable , bnt he has likewise shown great judgment in their selection .
The marriage service according to the Church of England naturally takes precedence , and then are noticed any peculiarities in Scotch and Irish marriages . Jewish , Greek , and Roman marriages , both ancient and modern are described , as likewise marriages among the Babylonians and modern Egyptians , in China , Japan , Mexico , Eussia , Hungary , Peru , Australia , and , indeed , nearly all the world over . Ifc
will be easily imagined that many quaint customs are alluded to . One of the most entertaining of these accounts is that of a Hungarian Wedding , taken from the Evening Hour . The writer was roused from his bed , to which he had retired early in the evening , and solemnly invired to a wedding feast . He went accordingly , and was ushered into a large-sized apartment , where some sixty guests were
assembled , the gentlemen with their backs to the wall , and the ladies opposite . He was hoisted into the seat of honour , which was afc the furthest corner of the wall , among tho old gentlemen , who sat to hia right and left , " sedate , solemn , but most courteous , all attired ia vests , tight breelcs , and boots , with linen sleeves of immense magni . tnde . " The bride and bridegroom are described as a fine and
well-todo couple . The former " wore a large circle of white roses in her hair , short sleevc » , a handsome bodice , twenty petticoats , I believe , and red boots ; " the latter " alone kept his hat on , which was decorated with ribbons , and ono large black ostrich feather , a bare neck , with a large white collar , and a black handkerchief , bordered with gold fringe : immense shirt sleeves of the finest cambric , with a border
( no coat , of course ) , and a blue vest and breeks . There was one drawback—that none of the party spoke German , and the writer was somewhat at a loss , bnt he seems to have fared well . The feast waa conducted simultaneously at the houses of the bride and bridegroom —it is of the latter entertainment the account is given—the provision being the same , " namely , two oxen , forty geese , and sixty eimera
of wine in all "—an eimer , we are told , is a cask containing from sixty to eighty quarts . The supper lasted two hours . There were ten courses in all . The old gentlemen ate and drank abundantly , and spoke well and affably , but the young remained silent . The writer ' s health was proposed , and he returned thanks in a composite Ianguage , made up of Gaelic , English , French , and every language ha
knew , concluding with a Highland toast . Then came the dancing . " In the most solemn aud sedate manner arms were akimbo'd . and nothing could exceed the astonishing burlesque of the commencement , which lasted about ten minutes . Every species of gymnastic dislocation was performed with the gravest countenance , and in the proudest and slowest manner possible , heel and toe , and knee and toe , and toe
and heel , and walking after yonr partner , and slowly steering round , and when the quick step began , the old gentlemen actually flew round , clapping their spurs and their boots with their hands , till I was per . fectly ashamed of my performance . " We are told that" the oldest man in the room was at the taking of Mantua in ' 97 ; but , " I scarcely , " adds the writer , " saw a young man dance better , though a bulky , fafc
man , and he kept it up till the morning . " The f & te lasted three days , bufc though a good deal of wine was drunk by the old gentlemen , the young ones drank little , and none were intoxicated . In China , among the opulent classes , marriages are settled by the parents . The intending husband sends a sum of money to the bride , which is laid out in clothes , & c , & c . When the day fixed for the
nuptial ceremony arrives , the bride is put into a sedan chair , magni . ficently adorned with festoons of artificial flowers , her clothes , & o ., being earned by her servants or hired attendants , who bring up the rear of the procession , which is farther set off by lighted flambeaux , even though it be noonday . The nearest relative carries the key of the sedan , which is completely closed , and on arriving at the bridegroom's
he gives it to the latter . As the couple have never seen each other before , there is naturally great curiosity on the man ' s part to see his intended . Sometimes he is dissatisfied , and shutting the door again , lets her return to her friends , putting up with the loss of hia money , rather than marry one he does not like . This seldom happens , however , and when the bride steps out of the ohair , the bridegroom
hands her into a hall , where is a table specially set apart for them , the guests being at other tables . Before sitting down , they make four reverences to Tien , a spirit , and before eating they pour wine on the ground , also setting apart some provision for their idols . The moment each has tasted of the viands , the bridegroom invites the bride to drink , and she returns the compliment . Two cups of wino are then brought , of which they drink part , and pour the
remainder into another cup , of which they drink alternately , this latter part of the ceremony ratifying the nuptials . Tho pair then separate for the day , the bride going among the ladies , and the bridegroom entertaining his friends in a separate apartment . Tha marriage is preceded by three days' mourning , as the marriage of their children is regarded by the Chinese as a presage of their own death . The day after the ceremony , the newly-married couple visit the nearest temple and offer sacrifices to their gods , at the same time having
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Northern Lights.—No. Iii.
onr working to those who arc willing to learn ? Theso are the pillars of Masonry , and when we find a Province or Lodgo enjoying great prosperity , be sure it numbers amongst its members men who have taken a delight in studying the intricacies of Freemasonry .
It is surprising what the efforts of one mmd will do , and how its influence is felt far and near . What the Province of Northumberland owes in this respect to its Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies is not easil y told in the limited space devoted to one of theso sketches .
In the discharge of the duties of his peculiar office , onr worthy brother brings to bear all the energy of a mind singularly in accord with his position . His early dramatic culture gives him a keen eye to effect , and nnder his direction our ceremonials gain a warmth of
tone and a breadth of colour that add greatly to th eir solemnity . Officers seem to glide imperceptibly into doing the right thing , and the working proceeds as smoothl y as if every one concerned were to tho manner born . The great gift , however , of our respected brother is his natural
eloquence , added to the charm of a highly-cultivated elocution . It is here that he shines out so pre-eminently . In Chapter he is a Most Excellent Light ( holding the office of P . G . H ., and being P . Z . of no less than five Chapters in this and the adjacent Province ); his rendering of the
grand Ceremony of Exaltation is an intellectual treat to all , and very many Companions of the R . A . have said that they knew very little of the supreme degree till they had heard him expound it . That the subject of this sketch should be greatly esteemed is but natural , and that his
opinions and advice carry weight , is evident from the support given to our Charities , of which he is ever a persistent advocate . Very few of those present will readily forget the burst of eloquence in which he urged the claims of the Masonic Institutions at thelast installation banquet of Lodge
24 . It is only on matters of this kind that our worthy brother speaks afc length during the fourth degree . Ho is not generally given to after-dinner eloquence , and consequently never runs the risk of becoming tiresome . For
this pleasing trait of character he deserves our heartfelt gratitude . In private life our brother has made many friends ; in fact , we may say their name is legion ; in all circles , Masonic or otherwise , ho shines steadily , as a sturdy English gentleman , and a Most Excellent Light .
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Berks and Bucks will be held , under the presidency of R . W . Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , the Prov . G . M ., on Monday , the 25 th inst ., at the Town Hall , High Wycombe . Lodge will be opened at 1 . 30 p . m ., and after the business of the Province has been
transacted , the brethren will adjourn for banquet to the Red Lion Hotel . Tickets for the banquet ( 7 s 6 d each ) may be obtained of Bro . W . S . Cantrell , W . M . 1501 ,
Thamesstreet , Windsor . Special arrangements have been made with the Great Western Railway whereby return tickets will be issued at single fares from London and other of their principal stations .
Bro . Fred . Albert announces his farewell benefit for the 22 nd inst ., at the Cambridge Hall of Varieties . A host of talent will supporfc him on the occasion . Bro . Albert will present the audience with 1 , 000 copies of one of his popular songs , and also with 100 photographs .
We learn from the Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette that by means of the concert recentl y given under the auspices of the Phoenix Lodge , No . 257 , Portsmouth , in aid of the funds of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,
an amount was realised sufficient , with that already standing to the credit of the Lodge on account of former subscriptions , to complete the sum of 100 guineas . This gives the Lodge ten votes in perpetuity and the privileges of a Vice-Presidency .
ERRATUM . —In our article on the " Removal of Lodges , " for " into the coffers of our three Masonic Institutions , " read " into the coffers of the Charit y Fund . " The mistake in no wise affects the argument . It will be obvious to our readers that the error is due to a lapsus calami , as the latter half of the sentence in which the words we should have
used occur waa quoted from the title page of Grand Lodge Calendar .
Reviews.
REVIEWS .
All Books intended for Review should 'be addressed to the Editor of The Freemason ' s Chronicle , 67 Barbican , E . C . The Knot Tied . Marriage Ceremonies of all Nations . Collected and Arranged byWilliam Tegg , F . R . H . S ., Editor of " The Last Act , " " Wills of their Own , " Ac , & o . London : William Tegg and Co .
Pancvas . lane , Cheapside . 1877 . THIS is a highly interesting work , in two parts . Part I . contains the marriage customs of different nations , together with particulars relating to novel , eccentric , and irregnlar marriages , the Dnnmow Flitch of Bacon , & o . Part II . notes the various superstitions relating to marriage , and many curious details respecting wedding rings ,
golden weddings , aristocratic and historical marriages , besides anecdotes and other matter connected with the marriage ceremony . It mast have been a laborious task to compile so much matter , and Mr . Tegg has evidently had his heart in the work . He has not only pnt his materials together in a manner which is highly creditable , bnt he has likewise shown great judgment in their selection .
The marriage service according to the Church of England naturally takes precedence , and then are noticed any peculiarities in Scotch and Irish marriages . Jewish , Greek , and Roman marriages , both ancient and modern are described , as likewise marriages among the Babylonians and modern Egyptians , in China , Japan , Mexico , Eussia , Hungary , Peru , Australia , and , indeed , nearly all the world over . Ifc
will be easily imagined that many quaint customs are alluded to . One of the most entertaining of these accounts is that of a Hungarian Wedding , taken from the Evening Hour . The writer was roused from his bed , to which he had retired early in the evening , and solemnly invired to a wedding feast . He went accordingly , and was ushered into a large-sized apartment , where some sixty guests were
assembled , the gentlemen with their backs to the wall , and the ladies opposite . He was hoisted into the seat of honour , which was afc the furthest corner of the wall , among tho old gentlemen , who sat to hia right and left , " sedate , solemn , but most courteous , all attired ia vests , tight breelcs , and boots , with linen sleeves of immense magni . tnde . " The bride and bridegroom are described as a fine and
well-todo couple . The former " wore a large circle of white roses in her hair , short sleevc » , a handsome bodice , twenty petticoats , I believe , and red boots ; " the latter " alone kept his hat on , which was decorated with ribbons , and ono large black ostrich feather , a bare neck , with a large white collar , and a black handkerchief , bordered with gold fringe : immense shirt sleeves of the finest cambric , with a border
( no coat , of course ) , and a blue vest and breeks . There was one drawback—that none of the party spoke German , and the writer was somewhat at a loss , bnt he seems to have fared well . The feast waa conducted simultaneously at the houses of the bride and bridegroom —it is of the latter entertainment the account is given—the provision being the same , " namely , two oxen , forty geese , and sixty eimera
of wine in all "—an eimer , we are told , is a cask containing from sixty to eighty quarts . The supper lasted two hours . There were ten courses in all . The old gentlemen ate and drank abundantly , and spoke well and affably , but the young remained silent . The writer ' s health was proposed , and he returned thanks in a composite Ianguage , made up of Gaelic , English , French , and every language ha
knew , concluding with a Highland toast . Then came the dancing . " In the most solemn aud sedate manner arms were akimbo'd . and nothing could exceed the astonishing burlesque of the commencement , which lasted about ten minutes . Every species of gymnastic dislocation was performed with the gravest countenance , and in the proudest and slowest manner possible , heel and toe , and knee and toe , and toe
and heel , and walking after yonr partner , and slowly steering round , and when the quick step began , the old gentlemen actually flew round , clapping their spurs and their boots with their hands , till I was per . fectly ashamed of my performance . " We are told that" the oldest man in the room was at the taking of Mantua in ' 97 ; but , " I scarcely , " adds the writer , " saw a young man dance better , though a bulky , fafc
man , and he kept it up till the morning . " The f & te lasted three days , bufc though a good deal of wine was drunk by the old gentlemen , the young ones drank little , and none were intoxicated . In China , among the opulent classes , marriages are settled by the parents . The intending husband sends a sum of money to the bride , which is laid out in clothes , & c , & c . When the day fixed for the
nuptial ceremony arrives , the bride is put into a sedan chair , magni . ficently adorned with festoons of artificial flowers , her clothes , & o ., being earned by her servants or hired attendants , who bring up the rear of the procession , which is farther set off by lighted flambeaux , even though it be noonday . The nearest relative carries the key of the sedan , which is completely closed , and on arriving at the bridegroom's
he gives it to the latter . As the couple have never seen each other before , there is naturally great curiosity on the man ' s part to see his intended . Sometimes he is dissatisfied , and shutting the door again , lets her return to her friends , putting up with the loss of hia money , rather than marry one he does not like . This seldom happens , however , and when the bride steps out of the ohair , the bridegroom
hands her into a hall , where is a table specially set apart for them , the guests being at other tables . Before sitting down , they make four reverences to Tien , a spirit , and before eating they pour wine on the ground , also setting apart some provision for their idols . The moment each has tasted of the viands , the bridegroom invites the bride to drink , and she returns the compliment . Two cups of wino are then brought , of which they drink part , and pour the
remainder into another cup , of which they drink alternately , this latter part of the ceremony ratifying the nuptials . Tho pair then separate for the day , the bride going among the ladies , and the bridegroom entertaining his friends in a separate apartment . Tha marriage is preceded by three days' mourning , as the marriage of their children is regarded by the Chinese as a presage of their own death . The day after the ceremony , the newly-married couple visit the nearest temple and offer sacrifices to their gods , at the same time having