Suppressed Loyalty.

Lodge Office hold themselves up as authorities on Masonic practice , and lay down unwritten laws it is impossible to disregard without appearing discourteous . On another recent occasion some Past Officers of Grand Lodge objected to the usual speeches in connection with the toasts , during the

period of mourning , but in that case the Master of the Lodge very wisely took the matter in his own hands—as he is distinctly enjoined to do , by Rule 133 of the Book of Constitutions—and acted as he thought consistent with the instructions of Grand Lodge as to Masonic mourning . But

with all these different opinions as to what is right and proper it is very difficult for a Worshipful Master to know how to act , and we hope ere long to be able to point to some authoratative ruling on the point , as there is ample time yet for unpleasantness and trouble to arise between those who entertain different opinions on the subject .

We have known several periods of Masonic mourning during the twenty-five years we have been associated with the Craft , but we never knew of things being carried to the extent some of our leaders are attempting to enforce on the present occasion . The circumstances , it may be urged , are

different , and in a way special , but there is no Masonic ground for such an assertion , all being equal in the teachings of Freemasonry ; besides which , we consider the mere request of the Queen to have a military funeral to be evidence that she herself desired ordinary affairs to go on as usual ,

the general idea in regard to a soldier s interment being to show all respect so long as the body is above ground , and to turn to the stern necessities of life immediately after the

interment . Such—to our thinking—should be the course of action in regard to our Masonic mourning at the present time . We can best show respect for the dead by considering the living .

Some Lodges seem to have over-estimated what is expected of them in the present period of mourning . " Harmony , " as understood , with songs and other light forms of entertainment , is out of the question until the three months , dating from 28 th January , is completed ; but annual festivals

are not included , nor should refreshments , which give occasion for Loyal and Masonic toasts , be denied the Brethren . We owe a duty to the living as well as to the dead . There is now a King , and there is a strong desire to

express , and to join in the expression of loyalty to King Edward . Have refreshments and toasts by all means , but let everything be becoming , and consonant with our sorrow for the loss to the nation of the " Queen of Queens . "" The Maillet , " in " Glasgow Evening News . "

The Duke of Connaught having been nominated for the Grand Mastership , his election to that high office , on 6 th March , is secure , as no other Brother has been put in opposition . When the Royal Duke is elected to the Throne of the Craft steps will have to be taken for his installation ,

which should be performed on 24 th April , but of this event there is as yet no information . The Wednesday next following St . George ' s Day is the day fixed for Grand Festival every year , and it was on that day that the present King was installed in 1875 . I have never but once known the day of

the Grand Master ' s installation altered , and that was in 1870 , when all the preparations had been made for the Marquis of Ripon being enthroned as head of the Craft . His brother-in-law had been murdered by brigands within a week of the appointed day , and the installation did not

occur until July , in the presence of King Edward VII , then the possessor of brevet rank in Grand Lodge as a Past Grand Master . The death of the late Queen may upset the usual course for this year , but although the time is short for preparation if the ceremony is to be as great as it was on

28 th April 1875 , seven weeks were sufficient then , and they should be now . The satisfaction which is felt in Masonic circles at the nomination of the Duke of Connaught for Grand Master is deepened by recollection of the fact that he has taken the chair for each of the Masonic Charities , and

laid the memorial stone of the new buildings at Bushey for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . He is District Grand Master of Bombay , Provincial Grand Master for

Sussex , and has the rank of Past Grand Master in the Mark Degree . It is of interest to know that , as all but one of the principal Offices in Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons follow those in the Craft , there is no appointment to these

Suppressed Loyalty.

Offices , except that of J . Thus , if the Duke of Connaught is installed as Grand Master , and has Earl Amherst for Pro Grand Master , and the Earl of Warwick for Deputy Grand Master , the Duke of Connaught will be M . E . Z . in Supreme Grand Chapter , Earl Amherst Pro Z ., and the Earl ' of

Warwick H . The Duke of Connaught is already P . Z ., and , therefore , will not have to be installed in the three Principals ' chairs , as his eldest brother had to be on 5 th May 1875 , a * " the late Duke of Albany the same year , prior to his installation as Provincial Grand Z . of Oxfordshire . — " Birmingham Daily Post . "

For some inscrutable reason the Vatican refuses to distinguish between Continental Masonry , upon which is often grafted a parasitic growth of " secret political intrigue , and English Masonry , which , to say nothing of its traditions , was participated in by several of the sons of George III . An

Institution in which lord lieutenants of counties at home and colonial governors in distant parts of the Empire take part can scarcely be subversive of the constitution . Still it seemed a staggering blow when the Grand Master for the time being resigned because he had , as the saying is , gone over

to Rome . But the Prince of Wales stepped into the breach , a final answer to any suggestion that the Order was subversive of loyalty or even a participant in political intrigue . His Grand Mastership has been a powerful help to the Order , and in return has probably helped to cement that

earnest loyalty which has marked the accession of the new Sovereign . The expression of the hope that King Edward VII . would not have to vacate his Masonic Office was a natural expression of that sentiment of gratitude and affection which his happy rule had engendered . But English

precedents point m the opposite direction , and there would be a manifest difficulty in the Sovereign , who is the fount of honour , dispensing those titles and distinctions which are only valid within the special society to which they belong . So it was announced that the King would cease to be Grand

Master , but would become Protector of the Order , a happily chosen title which avoids the aloofness of a patron and continues the idea that , in spite of his exalted position , he

is still a member . The Duke of Connaught , who . is . to take his place , has ' shown a " real interest in the' Craft , both in India and in England , and a more worthy and acceptable successor could not be found . — " Bristol Mercury . "

* * * It is with great regret we have to announce that our Brother John Worth W . M . of the Earls Court Lodge , No . IQOI P . M . of the Ranelagh Lodge , No . 834 and H . of the Ranelagh Chapter has met with a serious accident . On

Sunday , 10 th inst , some drapery attached to his dining room mantlepiece became ignited , and in extinguishing the same Bro . Worth was most fearfully burnt about the hands and arm . He was immediately conveyed to the West London Hospital , where he was attended to and afterwards removed

to his residence in North End Road , Fulham . We are glad to state that he is slowly improving , and his medical man hopes that in a month he may be able to get about . Brother

Worth is well known in the West End Masonic circle , where he is the Preceptor of one or two Lodges of Instruction and will , we are sure , when he is able to return to his Masonic duties , be heartily welcomed .

There is a proposal to work in a Masonic fete day during the run of the Glasgow Exhibition . Should such a scheme be agreeable to the Exhibition Executive when they are approached , not only Glasgow , but other Provinces in Scotland and our Irish . and English Brethren would no doubt join in making the day a big success , says " The Mallet . "

As already announced in our pages the annual supper of the West Smithfield Lodge of Instruction , No . 1623 , will be held on Wednesday next , 27 th inst , at the City Scotch Stores , 27 Knightrider Street , E . G ., the Worshipful Master of the Mother Lodge ( Bro . G . A . Barter ) in the chair . A very enjoyable gathering is expected .

The twentieth annual banquet of the Logic Club will be held to-morrow , at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , at 6 o ' clock . A brilliant gathering is anticipated , and we hope to report the proceedings in our next issue .