Consecration Of The West Middlesex Lodge, No. 1612.

Hervoy was fully entitled to their recognition as a Grand Officer . Personally , he owed a great debt to Bro . Hervey , who had guided his steps into the right path whenever he had consulted him on tho business of tho Lodge , and whoso knowledge of tho Constitutions had been of great service ; and they had to thank him for tho great service ho had performed in consecrating the Lodge , tho ceremony ,

which had occupyed upwards of two hours , being most perfect . Bro . Hervey acknowledged tho toast , and concluded by proposing tho health of the W . M . ; tho Lodge , ho said , was sure to prosper under his Mastership . Bro . Beasley said he would not detain tho company . He could not allow a moment to elapso ere he acknowledged the toast which had just been honoured . All ho had dono had been

with a hearty good will , for the common good , and for their Lodgo in particular . A Lodge at Ealing had been proposed for somo time , and when ho was asked to be tho first W . M . ho was extremely gratified . He had been greatly assisted in tho formation of the Lodge by Bro . Roe , the Secretary , and ho was snro no better Secretary could be found . During his year of office ho was glad

to havo so ablo an assistant . Ho would endeavour to set an example to his successors , and always do his best for tho West Middlesex Lodge . Tho toast of tho W . M . of " The Recommending Lodge " was then given , and Bros . Gardiner W . M . and Hilton I . P . M . the Alfred Lodge responded . Bro . Hilton congratulated tho W . M . on his occupying the

chair of the West Middlesex Lodge . " Tho Chaplain and other Assistant Consecrating Officers " was then given , the W . M . thanking them personally for their assistance . Bros . Perrott , Buss and Weaver responded . Tho Secretary , the Treasurer , tho Visitors and the Press were severally honoured by toasts , and each was responded to . The " Officers of tho Lodge " and the Tyler's toast terminated the proceedings .

Amongst the visitors wero Bros . John Hervey , T . Fonn , Rev . 0 . G . D . Perrott , R . E . Hannis , J . Laye , E . H . Taylor , Thomas Lawler , Gardiner , W . Goss , Tyrrell , Hilton , Bourne , J . W . Fisher , B . Sidney Wilmot , J . Green , Wm . Hilton , C . B . Payne , A . M . Yetts , J . B . Lancaster , R . Kershaw , W . F . Savage , W . T . Wrighton , Geo . Watts , James Weaver , W . Savage , W . J . Murlis , F . Lawrauce , C . J . Taylor , C . F . Fogarty , R . Cocker , H . Massey , W . W . Morgan , & c .

Summer Excursion Of The Lodge Of Fidelity, No. 3.

SUMMER EXCURSION OF THE LODGE OF FIDELITY , No . 3 .

NOTHING is , of course , more highly essential to the success of a summer oxcursion than fine bright weather : wanting this element , all the arrangements , though faultlessly made , and after tho maturest consideration , and , though tho localities chosen to be visited may be the loveliest existing in this fair creation—tho ladies tho most charming and the gentlemen the most chivalrous , —yet ,

when Damo Nature puts on her garbs of sadness , and appears , to a fanciful view , to be shedding " tears of regret for tho loss of the sun , " all efforts seem to bo in vain , and that which was hoped to be a bright memory in tho futuro , becomes only a sad regret when it has passed away in tho ever rolling stream of time . When , however , everything is the reverse of this—when the sun beams high , and scatters his genial rays all round—when gentle

breezes mako tho " littlo leaves to sing ; when glorious weather induces the finny tribe to dart about , and the hearts of all to leap with over increasing pleasure , when tho verdure is in its gayest green , presenting an infinito variety of charming objects , panoramas of Jiving loveliness , " ever fresh aud ever fair , " on every handwhen birds chirp and summer airs sigh—wo feel that the world is full of beauty , and that "Nature is the chart of God , mapping out all His attributes .

Such a glorious day was Thursday , tho 13 th instant , the day chosen by the members of tho Fidelity Lodgo for their annual excursion , in tho Maria Wood , on tho Thames . Tho place selected for the starting point was Kew-Bridge , the hour twelve o ' clock . Previous to this , just 111 ladies and gentlemen , including several friends of tho brethren , had assembled , at an elegant

dejeuner , awaiting thoir arrival , and Edward ' s Loudon Nobility Band prepared to furnish thoso lively strains withont which , what has been named by Schiller " corporeal poesy , " becomes , if not impossible , at least exceedingly tamo . At 12 o'clock tho guns wero fired , and , drawn by seven horses , we proceeded at tho majestic pace of about half a mile an hour towards the fair town of Richmond . A well selected programme of dances had been prepared , and ,

onco " on tho wing , " this ever favourite pastimo was commenced . Wo had not " sailed" far before , notwithstanding tho consummato skill of two " trusty and well-beloved liegemen" at the helm , we ran aground , in consequeuco of tho lowncss of tho tide . This occurred on two or three other occasions during the day , but many wero so intent on saltatory exorcises as not even to uotico the temporary cessation of progress .

For—What care we for wind or tide , Whether wo ground , or whether we glide ? On , ou with the dance , let mirth abound , With landscapes peering all around . On approaching Richmond , tho band , with that inherent sense of just appreciation , which is not uncommon amongst Englishmen ,

complimented the inhabitants by playing that most delightful old ditty , " Tho Lass of Richmond Hill , " and the company soon after , between threo and four o ' clock , loft the covered deck , which was crowned with an awning , aud went below , where tho bariqnefc was served , supplemented by a magnificent dessert . Tho temperature of tho weather

being exceedingly high , mado the libations of iced champagne and claret cup peculiarly acceptable , especially to tho dance-fatigued company . Tho repast over , a few speeches appropriate to the occasion were made , and cordial thanks given to all who had so successfully organised the day ' s excursion , the names of Bros . J . Phillips W . M ., H . Dearsley P . M , Treasurer , J . Squire P . M . Secretary , and

Summer Excursion Of The Lodge Of Fidelity, No. 3.

J . W . Squiro M . C ., being particularly specifiod , each and all of theso brethren were indefatigable in their exertions thonghout . Somo excellent songs succeeded , after which daucing was resumod aud continued till the programme was exhausted . Tho greatest distance traversed was a littlo below Richmond , and at eight o ' clock Kew Bridgo was regained . But the compauy , who had cujoyed so brilliant a day , felt little disposed to separate at that early hour , and

a number of extra dances wero added whilst tho bargo remained moored in tho middlo of tho river . At length , at nino o ' clock , tho " National Anthem" was played , and soon tho gratified company wero landed in boats , whence by rail aud road thoy speedly reached their homes onco more , thoir only regret being that so long a period as twelve months must olapso beforo another excursion of tho " Fidelity " will take place , and " joys then sweet , now sad to mention " can bo renewed .

A word of praiso is most certainly due to thoso who so successfully organized and brought to conclusion tho proceedings of a day , charming in every aspect . —^ Communicated . ' ]

In Memoriam.

In Memoriam .

FRANK W . CHURCHILL SIMMONS , Obit 15 th May 1876 . A mind as pure as the purest His genius loved to form , A tongue framed to words of kindness , A heart that was true and warm . Warm and impulsive ever ,

The ready hand to guide , In assisting a suffering brother , Fainting by life ' s way-sido . Cheerfully bearing the burden 'Mid the heat of tho toilsome day ;

Long ere the hour of sunset Tho workman was called away . From tho sorrow , tho care , and tho labour , To tho rest that tho weary crave , From hearts that , bowed by their sorrow , mourn The scholar , man , friend , and companion , gone ;

" May the earth rest light on his grave . " IT is our painful duty to announce the sudden death of Brother tho Rev . Frank W . Churchill Simmons , Past Grand Chaplain , District of Otago , N . Z ., tho Head Master of tho Nelson College , who was found dead iu his bed at Foxhill , on tho morning of Monday , 15 th May inst . For somo weeks past our brother had been suffering acutely from

rheumatic fever . Last week , however , he felfc bettor , and ou Saturday loft Nelson for Foxhill , in company with Mrs . Simmons , intending to return yesterday . On Sunday evening Bro . Simmons appeared well and in good spirits . He retired to rest early , but was unable to sleep , and in consequence took a doso of chloral , which proving inefficacious , at a later hour he took a second doso of tho drug , with

( aa was proved at the inquest ) fatal effect . In tho morning Mrs . Simmons called him at half-past six , to enable him to return to town by the early train , when tho discovery was made that he was dead . The Rev . Frank W . Churchill Simmons was educated at Rugby and Lincoln College , Oxford , whero ho graduated in 1852 . Ho was appointed Head Master of tho Dnnediu High School in 1865 , iu

succession to tho Rev . Mr . Campbell , who was drowned in Dnnedin Harbour just after his arrival iu the Colony . Tho Rev . Bro . Simmons continued to discharge tho duties of tho office to which he was appointed with conspicuous ability , and speedily won for himself a scholastic reputation , and for tho school over which he presided tho first position in the Colony . Thou came tho episode of his humorous

letter to his old friend the late Bishop of Brechin , who having in a rash moment put tho epistle into print , caused a commotion among the " unco guid" in Dunedin , who straightway , with all tho ferocity of narrow minds , fell upon tho writer , aud by imputiug evil whero none existed , succeeded in making Bro . Simmous ' s position a vory uncomfortable one . So successful were his detractors , that he was

glad at the end of 1867 to embrace tho chance of changing his placo of residence by accepting the Head Mastership of Nelson College . Of his work here it is impossible in a short obituary notico to speak in adequate terms . It may bo all summed up in this , that Nelson College is in tho first rank of the educational establishments of tho Colony , and this is chiefly due to the remarkable power possessed

by our deceased brother to impart the knowledge of which he possessed an extraordinary store . So much for his public career . Thoso who knew him privately—as friends know each other—can tell how thorough and true a gentleman he was . Never prone to resent , aud ever ready to forgive au affront ; ([ nick to apologise if oven inadvertently ho had , as he thought , hurt any one ' s feelings ; liberal

with his purse in any chavitablo direction , full of true sympathy with real distress of every kind , genial and hospitable , with weaknesses like tho rest of as , such was our Bro . Simmons . Deceased was a member of tho Southern Star Lodge , Nelson 735 ( E . G . ) , and a Companion of Trafalgar R . A . Chapter 1 G 7 ( S . C . ) , and his fellow-workmen mourn for him as a worthy brother called by tho Grand Master from

labour to rest . The funeral was attended by a very large number of tho friends of the deceased gentleman . The mournful corlcye left tho College at half-past two for tho Stoke Cemetery . Immediately after the hearse were coaches containing the nearest and dearest relatives and friends of the departed , and behind these came the Collegiate scholars , followed by a great many young men who had left tho

institution , but bore in grateful and respectful remembrance tho valued services of a kind and able master . After these a carriage containing tho College Governors and tho masters of the various public schools , then came three carriages occupied by well-known members of the Masonic fraternity ( without tho regalia of the Order ) and tho sad procession closed with a long string of vehicles of every kiud ,