Diary For The Week.

j 766—William Pre 9 ton , St . Andrew ' s Tavern , Goorgo St ., Baker St ., at 8 . ( In ' 780—Royal Alfred , Star and Garter , Kow Bridgo , at 8 . ( lustructioa ) J 834—Ranelagh , Six Bells , Hammersmith . ( Instruction ) 1056—Metropolitan , Portugal Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., at 7 . ( Instruction ) 11 S 5—Lewis , Fishmongers' Arms Hotol , Wood Green , at 7 . 30 . ( Instruction ) 1223—Beacontree , Green Man . Lovtonstono . ( Ecstmetiou )

1275—Star , Ship Hotel , Greenwich 129 <— Roval S andard , \ lwyno Castlo , St . Pail ' s Road , Cauonbury , at 3 . ( In ) 1365—Clapton , White Hart , Lower Clan ! on , at 7 . 30 . ( Instruction ) 1381—Kennington , Tho Horns . Konu'ng on . ( lustra tiou ) 1489—Marquess of Ripon , Metropolitan 'Socioties \ s . du n . Balls Pond Road 1642—K . Carnarvon , Ladbroko Hall , Xottiug Hill , at 8 . ( lustructiou )

1716—All Stiints , Town Hall , Poplar 1815— Pcnge , Thicket Hotel , Anerley 2030—Tho Abboy Westminster , King ' s Arms , Buckingham Palaco Road , S . W ., at 7 . 30 . ( Instruction ) R . A . —Panmure C . of Iraprovoinout , Stirling Castlo , Church Stroet , Camborwell R . A . 79—Pythagorean , Portlaad Hotel , London Stroet . Groeuwich . ( Inst ) . R . A . 95—Eastorn Star , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall Streot R . A . 259—Princo of Wales , Willis ' s Rooms , King Street , St . James ' s

R . A . 820—Lily of Richmond , Greyhound , Richmond , at 8 . ( Improvement ) R . A . 890—Hornsoy , Porchoster Hotel , Loinstor Place , Clovolaad Square , Paddington , W . ( Improvoraont ) M . M . —Old Kent , Ciowu aud Cushion , London Wall , E . C . ( Instruction ) M . M . 355—Royal Savoy , Tho Moorgate , Finsbury Pavo nout , E . G ., at 7 . 30 . ( In )

44—Friendship , Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-stroot , Manchostor 81—Doric , Private Room , Woodbridgo , Suffolk . 127—Union , Freemasons' Hall , Margate 219—Prudence , Masonic Hall , Todmordon . 242—St . George , Guildhall , Doncaster . 306—Alfred , Masonic Hall , Kolsall-streot , Loods

442—St . Peter , Masonic Hall , Peterborough 463—Chigwoll , Public Hall , Station Road , Loughton , at 7 . 30 . ( Instruction ) 521—Truth , Freemasons' Hall , Fitzw Hi a n-strer ,, IE id I HM iel I . 837—De Grey and Ripon , Town Hall , Ripon 1096—Lord Warden , Wellington Hall , Deal 1102—Mirfield , Assembly Rooms , EastthorpoMirfiold

, 1387—Chorlton , Mnsonic Rooms , Chorltoa 0 in He ly 1393—Hamer , Masonic Hall , Liverpool , at 8 . ( Instruction ) 1528—Fort , Masonic Hall , Newquay , Cornwill . 1557—Albert Edward , Bush Hotel , Uexuum . 1561—Moiecambe , M & sonicHall , Kdward-streot , Moreca U ' , L lucasaira .

1648—Princo of Wales , Freemasons' Hall , Salom-ssro ; t , Bradford . 1664—Gosforth , Freemasons' Hall , High-street , G ) sbrth General Lodge of L struction , Masonic Hall , Mew Street , Birmingham , at 8 R . A . —General Chapter of Improvement , Masonic Hall , Birmingham R . A . 1466—Hova Villa , Old Ship Hotel , Brighton

SATURDAY , 2 nd JUNE .

General Committee Boys' School , Freemasons' Hall , at 4 179—Manchester , Yorkshire Grey , London St ., Tottenham Court Rd ., at 8 . ( in ) 198—Percy , Jolly Farmers ' , Southgato Road , N ., 8 . ( Instruction ) 1275—Star , Five Bells , 155 New Cross Road , S . E ., at 7 , ( Instruction ) 1288—Finsbury Park , Cock Tavern , Highbury , at 8 . ( Instruction )

1364—Earl of Zotland , Royal Edward , Triangle , Hackney , at 7 . ( Instruction ) 1624—Eccleston , Crown and Anchor . 79 Ebury Streot , S . W ., at 7 . ( Inst ) 2012—Chiswick , Windsor Castlo Hotel , King Streot , Hammersmith , at 7 . 30 . ( In ) Sinai Chapter of Improvement , Union , Air Street , Regent Stroot , W „ at 8 R . A . 173-Phoenix , Freemasons' Hall , W . C . R . A . 975—Rose of Denmark , Star and Garter , Kew Bridgo

1223—Amherst , Amherst Arms H > tel , Riverhead , noar Sevonoaks 1362—Royal Albert Edward , Market Hall , Redhill 1458—Truth . Private Rooms , Conservative Club , Newton Hoath , Manchester 1466—Hova Ecclosia , Old Ship Hotel , Brighton 1567—Elliot , Railway Hotel , Feltham 1929—Mozart , Greyhound Hotel , Croydon 2148—Walsingham , Masonic Hall , Walsingham , Keut 2205—Pegasus , Clavendon Hotel , Gravesend , Kent

A Lodge Of Sorrow.

A LODGE OF SORROW .

THE late Emperor of Germany was a very prominent Freemason , holding , in fact , a position quite unique in its importance , and having an unusually long record of official service . He was initiated into the Craft under peculiar circumstances . About the year 1830 the three Berlin Grand Lodgo 3 had after some

misunderstandings restored friendly relationships . To ensure permanence for this desirable harmony of feeling , a Union of Prussian Grand Masters was established on 28 th December 1839 . One of the first acts of this Union ( records a Masonic historian ) was a very important one . At a meeting held on 18 th May 1840 , it was

announoed that Prince William of Prussia ( the deceased Emperor ) had obtained his father ' s permission to join the Craft , provided he could be made iu the name of all three Grand Lodges and belong to them jointly . In that case he was to assume tho Protectorate of the entire Craft in Prussia . For such a purpose the Union was

exactly fitted , and on 22 nd May 1840 the Priuce was initiated . " He swore trnth and silence to all three Grand Masters , and then in his capacity of Protector received their vows of fealty in return . " His accession proved of great service to the Fraternity on the Continent

at a time when that service was greatly needed . It was fitting , therefore , that the Freemasons nnder the South Australian Constitution should—especiall y in view of the large representation of onr German fellow-colonists in the Australian branch of the

Craftcelebrate the mournful event of the Emperor ' s death with due solemnity . The Lodges which have met during the last few days have appropriately draped their halls , and arranged their ceremonies and their music accordingly . Upon Concordia Lo . ige , however , tho sacred obligation seemed to rest with peculiar weight . In all

Anstralia that is the only Masonic body whose degrees are worked entirel y in the German language , though the institution , whilst loyal to the earlier traditions of its members , still feels itself bound by the common communion of Freemasons in this Colony , as it waa one of the first to range under the banner of the South Austmlian

Constitution . Universally throughout Freemasonry here a sympathetic response was made to the invitation seut by the Worshipful Master ( Bro . C . L . Meyer G . S . ) to his fellow Officers to join him in a

' Lod ge of Sorrow , " ou Monday niyjht , 19 th March . So many of the brethren indeed wished to attend that the Masonic Hall iu Flinders-street was far too small to accommodate them , and the Albert Hall , which was afterwards obtained , was filled , The draping

A Lodge Of Sorrow.

of the room was in perfect harmony with the purpose of its engagement . Wreaths of crape reposed upon and encircled the most sacred emblems of a Masons' Lodge ; weeping willows drooped in various parts of the hall ; whilst upon a pedestal stood in a conspicuous position , a white nvirble statue of tho late Emperor , surmounted by

the ermine mantle typical of Royalty , likewise crossed with black crape . Tho Lodge was opened in Gorman , in the three degrees , the visiting brethren being admitted in the second . The company , numbering altogether 400 , included many of the Grand Lodge Ofricors , with Grand Master Chief Justice Way and D . G . M . Downer at

their head , the Worshipful Masters and Officers of nearly all the City and Suburban Lodges , a large representation of the ordinary Master Mason in modest blue , and various brethren typical of Mark Masonry . The customary brightness of the beautiful regalias was shaded by loops and rosettos of black crape . —Smith Australian Register .

A Year Of Life-Boat Work.

A YEAR OF LIFE-BOAT WORK .

THE Eoyal National Life-boat Institution has recently published its Annual Report , which is one of unusual interest . We learn from it that the work of the Society was carried on last year with more than usual activity , and that through its instrumentality several hundred lives were rescued from drowning . Followiug immediately on the disastrous accidents iu Lancashire at the close of 1886 , the

Committee determined to make a thorough and searching investigation into the self-righting and other properties of the Institution ' s boats , and to carry out such trials and tests as might enable them to adopt every improvement which experience had suggested and science developed . After three months of hard work , taken up by

experiments , the examination of numerous witnesses , & c , it was resolved to withdraw many boats from the coast , to be replaced by others possessing vastly improved properties . Medals also were offered for models and drawings of a mechanicall y propelled Life-boat suitable for the conditions of the service , but although a fair response was

made from all parts of the United Kingdom , and even from the Continent and the United States , the judges appointed to examine the various designs were compelled to report that none of them fulfilled the necessary requirements . Notwithstanding this the Committee still hope that at no distant date all obstacles may be

overcome by the triumphs of science . In the meantime no time has beeu lost in building boats of the best type and in improving others , with the result that 59 new boats , for the building of which tenders were received from all parts of the country , were despatched to the coast last year , and 14 others were improved . Both the new and the

altered boats have met with the most cordial approval of the coxswains and crews , who have expressed their satisfaction at the determination of the Committee to afford them every possible opportunity of assisting in the selection of the class of boat in which they are called upon to do service . Within the year new stations

were established at Burry Port , Fleetwood , and Stornoway , so that at the close of 1887 the Institution ' s fleet consisted of 291 Life-boats , by means of which 368 lives and 10 vessels were saved during the year , in addition to which rewards were granted for the rescue of 204 lives by shore-boats , bringing up the grand total of lives saved

through the instrumentality of the Institution to 33 , 243 . It is a matter for thankfulness and congratulation that notwithstanding the 928 times on whioh the Life-boats were launched in 1887 , either for rescue purposes or exercise , there was not a single fatal accident or a serious casualty of any description . The rewards granted for the

saving of life from shipwreck or in recognition of valuable services and endeavours to save life , comprised 8 Silver Medals , 2 Second Service Clasps , 45 Binocular Glasses , 22 votes of thanks inscribed on vellum , and £ 3 , 345 2 s 6 d in money awards . A farther sum of £ 5 , 374 16 s 9 d was paid to the crews for exercising the boats . The

total expenditure , which , owing to the circumstances already stated , was unprecedented in the Society ' s history , was £ 74 , 162 16 s lOd , the receipts from subscriptions , donations , and dividends amounting to £ 56 , 970 Is 6 d . The Report gratefully acknowledges the assistance given to the Institution b y the Local Committees and Honorary

Officials , by the Coxswains and Crews , the Press , the Coastguard , and the Customs Services , and closes with an earnest appeal for funds , not only for the maintenance of the Life-boat Service in the highest and most perfect state ' of efficiency , but also to meet the costl y but absolutely necessary outlay for placing the Life-boat crews in

possession of such improved boats as may enable them with the least possible danger to face the perils to which they are exposed in their noble efforts to save life . Surely the people of this , the greatest maritime country in the world , will not hesitate to respond liberally to such an appeal made in the interests of such a cause .

A Mason who can " parrot" ritual and is in ignorance of its meaning , is an exact epitome of what a talking bird is : he rattles off words mechanicall y , and is a mere talking machine . There is a large amount of such so-called " bright Masonry . "

Every brother on the floor of a Lodge is the peer of his fellow member . Iu the Lodge all are equal , and no swallow-tailed coat or kid-gloved variety of membership can change the simplicity of the Craft .

A CARD . —AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY is announced in the "Paris Figaro , " of a valuable remedy for nervous debility , physical exh iiistion , and kindred complaints . This discovery was ' made by a missionary in Old Mexico ; it taved him from a miserable existence

and prematura decay . The Rev . Joseph Holmes , Bloomsbury Mansions , Bloomsbruy Square , London , W . C , will send the prescription , free of charge , on receipt of a self-addressed stamped envelope , Mention this paper .