Masonic Portraits. (No. 59.)

purely as ifc now is in Wales . In the clays of our Saxon and Roman ancestors tbe two westernmost counties formed the Principality of Cumbria , and the Kings of Scotland did homage to tho Kings of England for these and the other lands they held south of the Tweed . In the many wars

that took place between the two kingdoms these border counties had the most considerable share ; indeed , the Wardens of the Marches were among the most important officers under the rival sovereigns , for on their sleepless vigilance and energy the safety of the frontiers depended .

Even in the middle of last century , when the final effort to recover the throne of Britain for tho Stuarts was made , we read of Carlisle being taken aud retaken , and of fighting in tbo neighbourhood of Kendal . Since then , however , Avhcre once wero continual forays , and cattle-lifting and other

deeds of laAvlcssness Avere of frequent occurrence , the land has enjoyed an uninterrupted course of prosperity , and the history of these counties has been one of peace and plenty . No Avonder then thafc Freemasonry should have established itself here , and having regard to tho moderate extent of

tho population , to a degree that may bo described as respectable . HOAV soon it made its appearance in Cumbria is of no great moment , for in the state of society Avhich formerly prevailed here , ifc Avould bo difficult to obtain authentic records . Probably , in tho old border days ,

there Avas a something Avhich corresponded Avith our modern Freemasonry ; for though men Avere breaking each other ' s heads from a sense of duty one day , they were clinking glasses from a sense of good felloAvship another . Ifc is probable , therefore , there

Avas some mysterious bond of union which brought these rough but good-hearted felloAvs together at the festive board ; and if they Avere nofc Masons in a speculative sense , seeing that the fracture of pericrania forms no part of our Masonic rites and ceremonies , they bad an excellent idea

of our fourth degree and its adjunctive properties , such as geniality and kindness , and the like . However , Ave must leave , Avithout more ado , the consideration of this interesting problem , in order that Ave may sketch the career of a Avorthy Cumbrian , Avho , for over a decade of years , has held

the supreme Masonic authority over the Counties of Cumberland and . Westmoreland , and who , in the nature of things , may be expected to retain that authority for even , a longer period . He is yet in the prime of life , having been born in the year 1844 . After tho usual course of stud y at Eton ,

he Avas entered afc Christ Church , Oxon , and , during his stay there , was received into the mysteries of Craffc Masonry , within the precincts of the Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 . This Avas in 18 G 3 , and though the shortness of his career at Oxford did not admit of his making any sign

of his proficiency in the Royal Art , it is evident he must havo taken very considerable interest , and made unusual progress iu it , for in tAvo years' time , Avhen the Underley Lodge , No . 1074 , Kirkby Lonsdale , Avas chartered , Ave find him occupying the position of Worshipful Master , and so

satisfactory to the members Avas his discharge of tho duties of that office , that he Avas elected to fill it for the folloAving year . In 18 G 7 , he Avas appointed by the late Earl of Zetland to be the Grand Master of the Provinco , and in that capacity ho has gone on winning golden opinions from all

classes and conditions of Freemasons . In 1869 , he became a joining member of the Westminster and Keystone Lodge , No . 10 , and in the same year , as exemplifying the favourable impression his rule as Prov . G . Master had mado among his brethren of the Province , a Lodge ( No . 1267 ) Avas

founded at Egremont , bearing , as its name , oue of the titles Avhich belong to his family . In 1875 , a second Lodge was founded at Carlisle ( No . 1532 ) , and in this instance , likewise , the compliment Avas paid him of naming the Lodge after another of the family titles . If we add that during

the period he has ruled over the Province the number of its Lodges has been increased from thirteen to nineteen , or by about thirty per cent ., AVO shall see at once that these compliments Avere nofc the meaningless things which compliments , unfortunately , too often are . There is , indeed ,

no doubt whatever of his popularity as a ruler , and Cumberland and Westmoreland Masons must rejoice , in season and out of seasou , at the wise selection made by the late Earl of Zetland , Avhen he appointed him to be their chief . We are nofc aware that he has at any time held office in

Grand Lodge , Avhero he is entitled to sit by virtue of his Prov . G . Mastership , bufc be is the chosen representative of the Grand Lodge of Greece in our Grand Lodge , and in selecting him for his Legate , Grand Master the Prince Rhodocanakis could hardly have made a Avorthier choice .

Masonic Portraits. (No. 59.)

In other branches of the Masonic Art , he has attained to equal eminence . He is a Royal Arch Mason , and Avhen the Bective Chapter , No . 1074 , Avas consecrated , ho Avas appropriately enough installed its First Principal , and at the conclusion of the ceremony he was

installed as first Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch Chapter of tho Province . This auspicious event happened as recently as the month of October of last year , and as a someAvhat lengthy account Avas given in these columns , we need not say more than that the muster of Companions

was in every Avay worthy of so rare an occasion as tho consecration of a neAv Chapter , folloAved by the constitution of a neAv R . A . Province ; Avhile all present congratulated themselves on the admirable appointment , by His Royal Hio-hness the Grand Z ., of one Avho already enjoyed such

considerable experience as Craft ruler of the Province . Our respected brother is also a Mark Mason , and of high degree . He is a joining member of the Cumberland Mark Lodge , No . GO , Carlisle , a Past Grand Senior Warden of the Mark Grand Lodge , and was appointed Prov . Grand

Mark Master Mason for the counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland in 1872 . Thus he combines in his own person the supreme rule over these counties in Craft , Arch , aud Mark Masonry , a further evidence , Avere any needed , of his Masonic ability and tho esteem in Avhich he

is universally held . Ifc Avas , indeed , only a feAV days since thafc his Province was tho scene of a very considerable gathering of Mark Masons . On that occasion a Moveable Grand Lodge Avas held at KesAvick , under the auspices of his Provincial Grand Lodge , the business being the

consecration of two new Mark Lodges , the Fletcher , No . 213 , and the Henry , No . 21 G , and the installation of their respective Worshipfnl Masters . Everything passed off most admirably , and—need AVO say it ?—there Avas great rejoicing thafc clay in KesAvick , nay , in the Avhole of the

Province , over so unusual an event . Besides his Craft , Arch , and Mark honours , he is also a Past Grand Sovereign of the Masonic and Military Order of the Knights of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantino , and for aught Ave know to the contrary , still further honours may aAvaifc him in

these and other branches of Masonry . However , enough has been achieved in the fifteen years since he obtained his first insight into the secrets of Freemasonry to satisfy the most ardent ambition : though if AVO bear in mind that his father

is afc the present time the Grand Senior Warden of Ireland , and therefore that his love of the Royal Art is in some measure hereditary , we may find him directing his energies to the attainment of still further and lusher distinctions . As

regards those Institutions in which all true Masons take such honest pride , the Province is a liberal supporter of them all , and he himself has set them an admirable example by enrolling himself as a Vice President of the Boys '

School , and a Life Governor of the Girls School and of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Moreover , ho has served the office of Steward in the case of our two Schools , and has thus actively as Avell as pecuniarily promoted their claims on the support of all Craftsmen .

Such are the main features in the -Masonic career of the Lord of Underley , and a few Avords respecting his public career will serve to bring this sketcb to a fitting

conclusion . During close on fifty years the county in which he resides had had as one of its representatives in Parliament his maternal grandfather and his father successively , and he himself was elected to succeed the latter on his

elevation to the peerage , early in 1871 . He is likeAvise a J . P . and D . L . of the county , and in 1868 he filled the important office of ' High Sheriff . But ifc is chiefly in

connection Avith agriculture , and especially as a breeder of cattle , that our brother has made for himself a name among the general public . Some of the most magnificent specimens of the famous short-horned breed have been reared

on his estate , and the prices Avhich many of the principal among them have fetched are almost fabulous . Many may regard the deep interest he takes in these pursuits as a simple hobby , but Ave are inclined to regard ifc as of far greater importance . Wc consider that the man Avho devotes

a considerable part of bis energies to the encouragement of agriculture , and especially to improving the breed of cattle is , in fact , rendering a great national service . The societies that have been established thonghont the country , the

exhibitions Avhich are annually held , and the Royal and noble patronage which is so liberally bestowed upon everything connected with agriculture , all these are proofs that the agricultural , nofc less than the manufacturing and commercial prosperity of the country , is a matter of