R. M. I. Girls

R . M . I . GIRLS

IT is with considerable satisfaction we are able to announce that the Right Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , D . L ., Prov . Grand Master of Somersetshire has consented to preside at next year's Anniversary Festival of this Institution , when we hope the Brethren of his district , and members from every other part of the country will unite in securing a satisfactory total of subscriptions .

Devonshire.

DEVONSHIRE .

THE next Provincial Grand Lodge is to held at Paignton , on Tuesday , 26 th July . The Committee of Petitions will assemble in the Masonic Hall , Paignton , at 1 . 45 p . m . on the same day . The meeting is expected to be a large one , as there are now fifty-seven Lodges , returning 3 , 670

members , and the Provincial Grand Master the Hon . Sir Stafford ' Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., who willpreside , is very popular throughout the county . So also is the Deputy Provincial G . M . Major G . C . Davie P . A . G . D . C . of England . The business to be transacted is of the usual routine

character , save that Major G . S . Strode Past Prov . J . G . W . will propose that " fifteen guineas shall be paid annually to the Devon Widows' Annuity Fund , in consideration of which every Lodge in the Province shall have one vote at every election , " as with the Devon Masonic Educational Fund .

The reports of the various Committees and funds are anticipated to be of a favourable character . The Officers for the ensuing year will be appointed and'invested , the Prov . Grand Treasurer being elected as usual . The annual banquet will be held at 5 p . m .

The railway companies will grant return tickets for fare and a quarter , unless lor a number , when single fare will be allowed .

There' was an old Lodge at Paignton so far back as the year 1772 , but if was erased before the new numbering ofthe Lodges in 1832 . From 1732 some ninty-two Lodges have been warranted in Devon , fifty-seven of which are still active in the Province , and three are at work in other Provinces . — "Western Morning News . "

Coloured Masons.

COLOURED MASONS .

IT is reported that the Grand Lodge of Washington has " resolved to recognise the coloured Masons as members of the Craft . The distinction of race is not recognised in Lodges in this country , remarks "TheMallet , "in " Glasgow Evening News , " but in America the race question is a vexed

subject , and has been for many years . Bro . R . F . Gould , the Masonic historian , gives it as a fact not generally known that there are coloured Grand Lodges in thirty-one states of the Union , exclusive of the "National Grand Lodge . " These coloured or "lesser Grand Lodges" have hitherto

failed to secure recognition by any of the American Masonic jurisdictions , though they have been moire or less recognised as legally constituted bodies in France , Italy , Germany , Hungary , Peru , and Liberia . A decided step in the

direction of recognition was made by the Grand Lodge of Ohio , in 1875 , but the resolution whereb y the White acknowledged the regularity of the Black Grand Lodge in that state was ultimately thrown out in 1876 .

Elsewhere will be found an account of a very interesting meeting of the Ranelagh Lodge of Instruction , No . 834 , when a handsome presentation was made to Bro . Craggs P . M . 834 , one of the most Jealous Masons in West London , on the

occasion , of his marriage . We add our good wishes to those tendered by his Brethren on the occasion , and hope he may long be spared to continue his many efforts on behalf of the Craft and its Charities .

Dedication At Torrington.

DEDICATION AT TORRINGTON

FOUNDED in 1881 , Lodge Torridge , No . 1885 , Torrington , has met in the Market Hall . About twelve months ago if was determined to secure a home of its own , and this has been provided on ground belonging to Bro . "W . H . Turroll , adjoining the church . An excellent Lodge Eoom , 35 fb . by 16 , with an ante-room ( 14 ft by 12 ) and offices have been specially built , and the Lodge is to be ccngratulated upon having prospered sufficiently to meet

Dedication At Torrington.

such an undertaking . An American organ has been purchased for the Lodge . On the 11 th insfc . fche Lodge quarters were dedicated by the Deputy Prov . G . M . Brother G . C . Davie P . A . G . D . C . England , in the presence of a distinguished company .

A recent speaker at a Masonic function thus relates some of his experiences of Freemasonry : Once thrown into prison by the Spaniards for taking photographs , he was released through making his Masonry known . In the desert , when rations were

scarce and a cup of water hardly fco be had , there was food and drink for him because he was a Mason . When he and his party were surrounded by robbers , he found a Mason under the shadow of Mount Sinai , and the whole party were unmolested in consequence .

ROYAL ALFRED CHAPTER , No . 777 . THE installation meeting of this young but flourishing Chapter was held on 'Wednesday , 22 nd ult ., at the Angel Hotel , Guildford . The balance sheet and report of the Audit Committee were read , received , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . Ballots were taken for Bros . Harvey Georgo Herbert W . M . of the Bramston Beach Lodge , Godalming , No . 2101 , and G . J . Hoare Tyler 777 , the latter as a serving Brother ( by dispensation ) , which , proving satisfactory , they were admitted and exalted .

Comps . B \ Dowse , E . Miles , and Alfred Gibbs were then installed in the chairs oi M . E . Z ., H . and 3 . respectively , by Comp . G . T . Tyler . Comp . Alfred Gibbs was elected Charity . Representative , in the place oi Comp . T . Aitken , who had resigned . The absence of the I . P . Z . Comp . M . Dodge , through illness ; was mnch deplored , and Comp . C . T . Ty ler was warmly thanked for performing the duties that would have devolved in the natural course upon the retiring M . E . Z .

SECRET MONITOR CONCLAVE , No . 8 . THE Installation meeting of this Conclave , which is usually held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , took place at the Masonic Hall , Watford , on Saturday , 2 nd inst ., when Bro . 3 . P . Taylor P . G . Std . was installed Supreme Ruler . The ceremonies were most impressively performed bj' Bro . W . 3 . Spratling B . S ., P . G . S . Grand Recorder , assisted by Bro . 3 . 3 . Pakes .

The following Officers were appointed for the ensuing year : —Bro . C . L . Nelson Counsellor , 3 \ Adams Guide , Colonel Hugh M . Gordon Treasurer , L . M . Biden Secretary , J . Rogers , W . T . Boydell , S . Goodchild , and Rice-Oxley Visiting Deacons , Newton Crane Guarder , W . Renshire Sentinel . A pair horse brake was in attendance , and took the Brethren for a drive to Aldenham Church , and afterwards to view the site of the new Masonio Boys School , after which they partook of a splendid banquet , the usual toasts following . The Brethren returned to town by the 9 . 30 train , after having spent a very enjoyable day .

WARRINGTON PICNIC . THE members of the Lodge of Lights , No . 148 , and the Charity Lodge , No . 2651 , took part in a joint picnic on Thursday , 23 rd ult ., when Chester was visited . There were sixty-seven in the party , including the wives and friends of the members , and they left Warrington by the 1 . 40 train . On iheir arrival at Chester they drove to Baton Hall , and spent a pleasant tima in' viewing the Hall and gardens . Returning to Chester they repaired to Messrs . Bolland's , where they partook of a substantial tea , and returned home by the 8 . 30 train after having spent a most enjoyable afternoon .

SUMMER EXCURSIONS . THE Midland Railway Company announce a series of weekly excursions to the Isle of Man / the Lake District , Buxton , Matlock , Scarborough , & c , available for different periods at specially reduced fares . Tho trips to the Isle of Man are arranged to leave St . Pancras every Wednesday at midnight during the season , and on Thursday mornings at 5 . 15 a . m ., for 5 , 8 , 12 , or 15 days .

The Lake District , Buxton , Matlock , Scarborough , & c . tickets are available for 6 , 9 , 13 , or 16 days , and special facilities are also offered foi tourists desirous of visiting any of the many other health resorts served by this Company . On Friday and Saturday next general excursions will be run from St .

Pancras and other London Stations to the chief towns of the Midlands , to Lancashire , Yorkshire and the North of England , full details in regard to which may be learnt from the bills and programmes to be obtained at any of the Company ' s Stations or City Booking Offices , or from any of the branches of Messrs Thos . Cook and Son .

WE have previously directed attention to the splendid series of engravings—under tlie title of " Her Majesty's Pets "— -now being offered for sale by Messrs . Woodcock and Co ., of 17 Farringdon Street , London , B . C ., but there is lunplo excuse for again referring to them , in view of the fact that the edition ( Artst ' s Proofs ) being limited to one hundred copies , there are now very law nets remaining of these splendid specimens of the engraver ' s art . Tlie sets—which consist of twenty engravings after Sir

Edward Landseer , . U . A . —must become more valuable year by year , not only by reason of their association with the life of Her Majesty , but also from the fact that mich plate was engraved by hand , from originals by Landseer—the grenti-at of animal painters . Tho set of twenty Artist ' s Proofs is onolosod in a handsome portfolio , 30 in . by 22 in ., and is offered at the low price of twenty guineas . We believe Messrs . Woodcock will be pleased to send a set on approval , to any Brother desirous oi inspecting fche pictures before purchase .