Sussex.

SUSSEX .

SUSSEX is pre-eminently a county in which Freemasonry holds a very high position . Outside the Metropolis there is no district , perhaps , in which at different times more brilliant gatherings have taken place . Brighton , it may be said , has been especially favoured . The handsome suite of rooms which are

available in the quondam palace of royalty , the magnificent building which is contiguous , and the adjacent lawns , afford every facility for assemblies , whether on business or pleasure bent . Then , again , it has been the good fortune of the Sussex Brethren to enjoy the

privilege and distinction of having His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Connaught at their head . And the interest "which His Eoyal Highness has taken in the Order in the county has been of an active rather than of a passive character . At various times he has graced the meetings

held in the Eoyal Pavilion with his presence , and there is one instance on record , if not more , when he has been accompanied by the Prince of Wales , whose deep interest in , and high connection with the Order , as its supreme head , are known to all . In justice to the county , it is

only right to say that in striving to promote and maintain at a high standard the interests of the Order , it has well deserved the Eoyal recognition of which it can proudly boast . Freemasonry has taken deep and abiding root in all parts of Sussex ; and when an appeal

for help is made it is from the small as well as from the large towns that a generous response is received . We need but to quote one noteworthy instance . It was the Freemasons of Sussex who , when the foundation stone of the Eoyal Alexandra Hospital for Children at Brighton

was laid , took a prominent and active part in the proceedings . In many other ways , too , by their practical philanthropy , they have shown themselves to be worthy of the highest respect . The days of ridicule and

contempt are past . Even the ladies have ceased to regard the Order with incredulity and suspicion . The votaries of Mrs . Caudle are extinct . Wives no longer play the part of carping critics . They accept with perfect good faith the assurance of their husbands that a Freemasons

Lodge is not a place where the occult sciences are practised , where instruments of torture are introduced , and where , in order to become duly initiated , one has to pass , so to speak , through a fiery furnace , and be plucked as a brand from the burning . They are aware that their

" lords and masters" bedeck themselves with aprons and jewels , and other regalia ; they know that the Craft has its secrets , which are religiously kept ; they are conversant also with fche facfc that now and again fche Brethren give themselves up to the mild and innocent

enjoyment of feasting ; but besides all this they have likewise acquired the knowledge that there is a thorougly practical side to Freemasonry ; and from time to time

they have brought under their notice the undeniable fact that the organisation is one which does an immense amount of good in an unostentatious but praiseworthy manner . — " Brighton Gazette . "

Devonshire.

DEVONSHIRE .

npHE arrangements for holding the Provincial Grand 1 Lodge at Teignmouth are finally completed , says the " Western Morning News . " The meeting will be held on Wednesday , 1 st August , at the East Devon and Teignmouth Club , the Masonic Hall not being large

enough for the purpose , and will be opened by the Viscount Ebrington the Prov . G . M . at two p . m . precisely . The Committee of Petitions meet at the Assembly Eooms , adjoining the London Hotel , at 11-30 a . m . and

it is anticipated that the Deputy Provincial Grand Master will take tbe chair for the despatch of all the preliminary business . All information , additional to

that supplied on the circulars now being distributed , may be obtained from fche Provincial Grand Secretary , Major Davie , of Bishop ' s Tawnton , Barnstaple .

The banquet will be served by Bro . H . A . McBryde P . M . 105 , at the London Hotel , at 5 p . m ., tickets being obtained previously . It is expected that the meeting

will be a large one , as , in addition to the ordinary business , the esteemed Provincial Grand Master has kindly undertaken to formally hand over fche Centenary Warrant

Devonshire.

to the Master of the Benevolent Lodge , No . 303 , Teignmouth , which has just completed its hundred years of continous working . Eeturn tickets , 1 st and 2 nd class , will be issued by both companies on the usual terms , available from Tuesday to Thursday inclusive . The

returns of the fifty-two Lodges , consequent on the numbers of members in arrears , appear to exhibit a slight decrease from those last made to the Provincial Grand Lodge . There are considerably over 700 Past Masters . The reports generally will be of a satisfactory character .

Victoria Jubilee Annuity Fund.

VICTORIA JUBILEE ANNUITY FUND .

THIS useful charity was founded by members of the Masonic Order in the year 1887 , to commemorate the Jubilee of Her Gracious Majesty ' s accession to the Throne , and although started such a short time ago in

a very modest manner , it has now become one of the recognised charities of the Order , and is doing a valuable work amongst aged and distressed Masons and their widows .

Two candidates recently elected make twenty-two cases that have been substantially relieved since the foundation of the Institution , and leave afc present fourteen annuitants ou the fund , seven of whom are Brethren

and seven Widows . Every case is closely scrutinised by a special committee appointed for the purpose , and their claims duly canvassed , and the Brethren throughout Ireland have this guarantee that their generosity is not misapplied .

We learn from the Treasurer that funds are urgently required with the view of extending the operations of the annuity fund ; aud copies of the report and other

information can be had on application to the Assistant Secretary , A . N . Molesworth , 2 Sfc . Andrew Street , Dublin . — " Irish Times . "

The Trainbands Lodge , No . 2524 , formed in connection with the City of London Militia , was consecrated last week by Bro . E . Letchworth Grand Secretary , Colonel Dundas being installed as the first Worshipful Master .

o o o The annual outing of the Merchant Navy Lodge of Instruction is arranged for Thursday next , 26 th insfc .,

when it is proposed to journey by the Palace steamer , " Eoyal Sovereign " to Eamsgate , leaving London Bridge at 9-20 a . m . Bro . C . Breden P . M . ( 40 Wallwood Street , Burdett Eoad ) is the Secretary .

° ° ° At the venerable cathedral of Limerick a very unique service was held on the 24 th ult ., when in addition to the ordinary congregation the Masons of North Munsfcer

attended in very large numbers and occupied the stalls and central nave , and wore their various orders . The cathedral was completely filled with a most reverent and

attentive congregation . Although over ninety years have elapsed since a similar service was held there , it is to be hoped , says the " Irish Times , " that now henceforward there will be a like annual celebration on

St . John s Day . o o 0 Bro . Alderman Walter Vaughan Morgan , who , as already announced in our pages will be a candidate for the Grand Treasurership at the next election , was

initiated in 1865 in Burlington Lodge , No . 96 , and this year was elected W . M . for the third time since 1874 , when he was first made Master . He is a P . Z . of the

Prince of Wales Chapter , No . 259 , and a member of the Cordwainer Ward Lodge , No . 2241 , which he joined ou being recently elected Alderman of that ward in the City of London , He is a Vice-Patron of all the Masonic Charities . Originally a " Blue , " he left Christ ' s Hospital

on Easter Tuesday , 1846 , and returned to take up his

residence as Treasurer of the Hospital on Easter Tuesday , 1891 . He has been for many years Treasurer of the Benevolent Society of Blues , and is a Donation Governor of the following Eoyal and other Hospitals : —Christ ' s , Bartholomew ' s , St . Thomas ' s , Bridewell , Bethlehem , Westminster , and the Foundling . — " Ironmonger . "