"Across The Walnuts And The Wine."

suppose on the samo principle that there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it . Tho setting and tho rising suns are equally radiescent ; and the heroes of the hour are exalted to the " proudest moment of their lives , " until next year brings another constellation info the ascendant .

And so ad infinitum . Of course , a great deal of this is unavoidable ; in every such assembly the principles of mutual admiration must crop up to a greater or less degree . But what is to be regretted , amidst all this well-intentioned exchange of compliment , is that greater stress is not

laid upon the solid lessons which aro inculcated within the Lodge , and that the occasion is so seldom improved by new glimpses of Masonic teaching , from which the whole of the brethren may derive some small grains of abiding profit . As a rule , onr after-dinner periods aro not so much those of observation and well-timed discourse as

they might be ; and the reason is , as we have already pointed out , that tho samo set snbjects are relegated to thoso who either cannot or will not take the pains to enrich their speeches with some new gems of thought . It may be vain to hope for any general improvement in

this respect ; but when such is the case , we always witness a corresponding increase of interest on the part of those who attend , and discern tho superiority of intelligence which presides over the Lodge whence such utterances emanate . A word in season may also he taken not unkindly by those who think , with Moore , that

. " Tho best of all ways To lengthen our days la to steal a few hours from the night . " This tendency to prolong the season offrelaxation and enjoyment has happily diminished of late years , and it is well

that the W . M . —who is eminently to be pardoned for the satisfaction to be derived from presiding over a goodly company—should ever bear in mind that there is safety in early hours , and that the ladies especially , whose health is always received so gallantly , would mnch prefer that tho

compliment should be paid them at a period of the evening which allows their husbands and brothers to reach home at a reasonable time of night . Frequently brethren travel a considerable distance in order to participate in those amenities which are so agreeable an adjunct to the real business of the Craft : and it sometimes occurs that the

exigencies of " tune , tide , and train" compel them to leave before the official toast list is nearly got through . A judicious W . M . will wei gh these considerations , and adapt ^ himself to the circumstances ; thus , whilst dispensing his hospitality and assisting in the unrestrained flow

of generous fraternity , he will so gauge the fleeting hours as to suit the convenience and comfort of thoso by whom he is surrounded . Speaking generally , our Masonic assemblies aro marked by much moderation and good

sense , and the closer this principle is adhered to the more it will redound to the credit of our Order , and the fostering of those true and genuine sentiments of peace and harmony with which every Lodge meeting is intended to conclude its operations .

Consecration Of Trinity College Lodge Of Mark Master Masons, No. 244.

CONSECRATION OF TRINITY COLLEGE LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS , No . 244 .

ONE of tho most ploasing ceremonials at which it has been onr pleasuro and duty to "assist" for sometime past was that Dial-king tho inauguration of Trinity College Lodge of Mark Masters , which took place under tho most gratifying auspices ou Tuesday last . It is not a great while sinco tho academical members of this well-known educational establishment in Weymouth-street , Portland

Place , W ., added to the otherwise great attractions of that institution a Lodge in which the brethren of the Craft could assemble at stated periods for study and Masonic work . And so spiritedly was this Lodge maintained and increased that the natural outcome was a desire to extend the base of operations by tbe formation of a Mark Lodge . Accordingly a petition was presented to Grand Mark Lodge , bearfne

tho signatures of the following brethren as founders—Bros . Dr . E . Passavcr S . W . No . 5 , P . P . I . G . Middlesex and Surrey , Rev . Henry Bouavia Hnnt Mas . Bac . Oxon , Jnmes Phili p de Orellance , Humphrey J . Stark Mus . Bac . Oxou , Edward John Hoarc , and F . Drooge . The petition , having received the cordial assent and support of the R . W . Bro . Colonel Burdett 32 ° ( lie Prov . G . M . and other Grand Officers , was favourably received , and a warrant promptly granted . Tuesday last ,

as we Lave said , was fixed for tho consecration , aud at hnlf . past four o ' clock a goodly number of tbe brethren , including a spriukliug of Prov . Grand Officers , assembled at the College . Tho Lodgo " was opened in accordance with ancient rite , under the presidency of the W . Bro . W . G . Biigbten G . Supt . ofWks . Prov . G . Sec . of Middlesex and Snrrey , tho officers of the now Lodgo , pro tern , occupying thoir respective chairs . Amongst the visitors who supported the conse-

Consecration Of Trinity College Lodge Of Mark Master Masons, No. 244.

crating officer were—Bros . Frederic Davison Doputy Prov . G . M . of Mid . and Snrrcv , J . IT . Cambridge-P . M . 15 , J . H . Rogers Harrison P . M . 5 , Charles Hunter P . M . P . P . G . S . W . of Cheshire , J . B . Shackleton G . S . B . 190 , J . \ V . Baldwin W . M . 211 , J . L . Hunter LitUc P . M . 211 and Prov . J . G . O . Hon .. Walter L . Nichil S . W . IDS , J . Mason P . M . 211 Prov . G . M . O ., C . H . Doding 7 Prov . G . J . W ., A . Torkington

Bon Accord , W . K . Porcher 10 , D . Dewar Grand Asst . Sec . and others . A ballot then took place for several now members , under a dispensation granted by the R . W . P . G . M , and in each caso the unanimous approval of the brethren was expressed . Bro- - - Professor Saunders , Joseph S . Gabriel , Henry Evill , Major Godfrey , and Plant Martin were then advanced to the hononrablo degree of Mark Masters , tbe

ceremony being performed in excellent manner by tho Prov . G . Sec . Bio . Brighten , who officiated in the unavoidable absence of the R . W . Bro . Colonel F . Burdett tho Prov . G . M . At the close of this iuterestiu ; rite , which was rendered all tho more beautiful and impressive by the splendid musical service led by Bro . Professor Saunders at the organ , the founders of tho Lodge were arranged in order , and were addressed

by the Consecrating Officer on tho nature of their meeting . He thon called upon tho Acting Sec . ( Bro . M . A . Cnffe LL . D . ) to explain the wishes of the brethren , aud tho steps that had been taken to bring about this happy occasion . Tho Acting Sec , iu response , observed that the Trinity College educational establishment found amongst its motnbors so many Freomasons that they decided some timo ago to

establish a Lodge , for which a warrant was kindly granted by tho Grand Lodge . Their numbers , however , increased to such au extent that within a comparatively short time they found that they had not only good Masons amongst them , but Mark Masons who were also members of Trinity College , and who desired to attach themselves to some Mark Lodgo . A petition was consequently forwarded to the

M . W . G . M . M . praying for a warrant to constitute snch a Lodge iu connection with the College , and the warrant was kindly granted of which the brethren hoped to secure the confirmation to-day . He ccncluded by expressing the hope that their work might not only be to the advantage of Trinity College , bat also of the Mark Degree in general . The G . Assist . Sec , Bro . Dewar , then road the petition and warrant ,

with the names of the founders j and the brethren having signified their approval of the Officers named in those dooumonts , the Consecrating Officer delivered a brief address , in the course of which he spoke of the rapid progress which was being made in Mark Masonry . Not many years ago , when ho took the degree , the number of Mark Lodges numbered 141 , whilst now they numbered 2-14 , an increase of

a hundred in the spaco of something like seven or eight years . Thus they would seo this degreo was making very rapid strides , especially in the Province of Middlosex and Snrrey , where they wero six times as strong as they were four years ago . Ho thought tho explanation was very easy , for a more pleasing degree could scarcely be bronght to the miuds of Masons . Then , the

principlo of marking well which it involved commended itself at once to their natnres , reminding them that as thoy marked well or ill their words and actions would bo observed and recorded by the G . O . T . U . As the stono cast npon tho placid surface of tho lake extended its ripples evon to tho farthest edgo of tho margin , so every mark a man made had its bearing upon those by whom ho was surrounded . Tho

term mark well wa 3 so peculiarly applicable , not only iu this degree , but to Masonry in genoral , and to tho conduct of every good man , that he thought they might easily find a solution of tho question as to why Mark Masonry had made such rapid stridos . At the conclusion of the address , the anthem , " Mark Masons , all appear , " was snng and tho consecration prayer offered , after which the cornncopia was borno

in procession by the Grand Officers , and tho emblems of plenty , joy and happiness , peace , and fidelity were strewn around the pedestal , the brethren singing the well-known verses from tho consecration servico by Bro . Edwin Crowe . Tho censer was then carried round by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , during whioh tho brethren sang the hymn , " Snpreme Grand Master , God of Power , " after which the

consecration prayer was said , and tho concluding anthem , " Glory to God on High , " sung . The Consecrating Officer then dedicated and constituted the Lodge , iu accordance with the usages of this degree , delivering the charges in a finished and masterly style , and with an emphasis that elicited the hearty admiration of all present . The same remark applies to his perfect -working of the installation ceremony ,

wherein , as in the formor , the magnificent organ accompaniment by Bro . Professor Saunders tended materially to heighten the sublime and impressive character of the proceedings . The selection of Bro . Dr . E . Passawer as the first W . M . of this newly-constituted Lodge is unquestionably a step in the right direction , and a presage of that prosperity which the brethren must naturally hope for . The wisdom

of this choice will bo endorsed by all who have known Bro . Passawer in connection with tho Mallet aud Chisel and other Lodges , in which he has ever evinced a deep and earnest interest . The Board of Installed Masters having completed thoir labours , the newly-installed W . M . was saluted in the usual way , and the honours having been accorded , he proceeded to invest his

Officers for tbe year , as follow : —Bros . Prof . Edwin M . Lott , Mus . Bac , S . AV ., F . Drooge , Ph . D ., J . W ' ., Humphrey J . Stark , Mus . Bac Oxon ., M . O ., Rev . Henry Bonavia Hunt , Mus . Bac . Oxon , S . O ., Ed . J . Hoaro J . O ., James Philip de Orellance Treas ., Moore A . Cufl ' e , LL . D ., Sec , Henry Evill Registrar , Bradbury Tnrner , Mus . Bac , S . D ., Joseph S . Gabriel J . D ., Professor Gordon Saunders , Mus . Doc , Organist , Plant

Martin I . G . and G . Harrison Tyler . The following brethren were then unanimously elected honorary members of the Lodge : —Colonel F . Burdett 32 ° P . G . M . of Middlesex and Snrrey , Frederic Davison D . P . G . M . Frederick Binekes G . M . Sec , D . W . Dewar Assist G . M . Sec , and W . G . Brighten G . Snp . of Works and Prov . G . Soc of Mid . dlesex and Surrey . In acknowledging tho compliment , Bro . Davison

said it was one that wonld be fully appreciated , and that he and the other brethren who had been elected ns honorary members wonld ever take a warm interest in the welfare and prosperity of this Lodge . The W . M . then expressed his grateful thanks to the Grand Officers who had so kindly come forward to assist in the consecration ceremony , and tho Officers named briefly spoke of the great pleasure it