Next Week.

NEXT WEEK .

nnHE next few days promise to provide a busy time for - * - members of the Graft , for in addition to the Quarterly meeting of United Grand Lodge , to be held on Wednesday next , there is the special Masonic Service at St . Paul's

Cathedral—to celebrate the bi-centenary of the re-opening of the Cathedral—the following day , preceded ( on Tuesday ) by the Quarterly Communication of Mark Grand Lodge .

The popularity of the service at St . Paul ' s Cathedral may be guaged from the fact that some 13 , 000 tickets have been applied for , more than half of which applications

must be refused , as the Cathedral will only hold about 5 , 100 persons . The gathering promises to be one of the most important ever held in connection with the Order .

There is little calling for notice on the agendas for the meetings of the Grand Lodges , if we except the one notice of motion to come before the Craft on Wednesday Bro . Lamonby having been so ill advised as to repeat his

proposal to prohibit canvassing . If he would suggest something workable r we believe he would have general support , but such a drastic regulation as he now submits would defeat the very object he has in view , as it would be quite unworkable .

R. M. I. Girls.

R . M . I . GIRLS .

WE are very pleased to be in a position to announce that Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . Warden of England has kindly consented to preside at the 110 th Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , of which he is a Patron and

Treasurer , and that the celebration has been fixed for Wednesday , 18 th May next . We wish our distinguished Brother , as well as the Charity in which he takes so much interest , a successful return on that occasion .

Derbyshire.

DERBYSHIRE .

THE annual festival of this Provincial Grand Lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , Derby , on Wednesday , 24 th inst . In the unavoidable absence of the Provincial Grand Master the Duke of Devonshire , K . G ., the Deputy P . G . M . presided . The attendance was exceedingly large and influential , every Lodge in the Province being represented .

The Worshipful Masters of the various Lodges presented their reports , which testified to the prosperity of the Craft both financially and numerically . The Charity Committee reported that about £ 500 had

been contributed during the past year to the various Masonic Charities , and in view of the approaching Centenary Festival of the Boys School it was resolved that Provincial Grand Lodge should next year make a special donation of fifty guineas towards that Institution .

The Deputy Grand Master moved a vote of condolence with'the Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Master of England upon the death , under such tragic circumstances , of the Countess . Bro . J . M . McLeod P . P . S . G . W . seconded the motion , which was carried . Jn the evening the annual banquet was held .

Sussex.

SUSSEX .

ON Friday , 12 th inst ., the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex held its annual meeting at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , and was presided over by H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught Earl of Sussex Past Grand Master and Provincial Grand Master . His Royal Highness travelled by ordinary train , and reached Brighton at 11 . 30 , being accompanied by

Colonel Egerton , his equerry , who is also a distinguished Mason and wears the purple of the Grand Lodge of England . The Duke was received by the Mayor of Brighton ( Sir John

Blaker ) and Sir W . T . Marriott Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and drove to the house in Queens Road which has just been opened as a Masonic club . There he was received by Bro . A . Lloyd ( chairman of the directors ) , and others .

His Royal Highness here laid the foundation stone of the contemplated extension of the Club House , arid , wishing the Club every success , said it gave him great pleasure to accept the invitation extended to him of becoming a Patron of the institution . Before the meeting of the Provincial Grand

Lodge was held some 80 brethren sat down to a luncheon in the banqueting room , the Duke of Connaught presiding . There was a very large attendance of Brethren at the Lodge meeting held in the music room , and we may draw aside the veil , says the "West Sussex Gazette , " sufficiently to say that numbers had to stand throughout the proceedings ,

which drew forth a sympathetic remark' from the Royal Mason in the chair . Whether the supply of chairs at the Pavilion is limited , or whether those responsible for the arrangements miscalculated the loyalty of Sussex Masons it is not for our contemporary to say .

The usual reports were read , and 100 guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . In the course of his address to the brethren the Duke of

Connaught said : It is with much pleasure I find myself able to-day to preside , as I promised , at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge . I was so sorry to disappoint the Brethren and Corporation of Hastings last year through my severe indisposition , and again this year , owing to the

death of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Teck , whose loss we all-nibst sincerely regret , I was prevented at the last moment from fulfilling my engagement at Hastings last month . } I am . glad to be able to say that the Province continues . to prosper . During the year a new Lodge has

been consecrated at Eastbourne , the one established five years ago having obtained so many members that Brethren thought some relief should be given to it . As neither of the other Lodges had suffered , and such a powerful list of names was appended to the petition , I felt bound to

recommend it , and the Warrant , having been granted , the Lodge was consecrated' early in October , under most favourable auspices , by my worthy Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and ma } ' it have a long and prosperous career . This seems to have stimulated the Brethren of Hastings ,

and I have now under consideration a petition for a new Lodge in that town . There is one in the neighbourhood which has recently removed from Pevensey to Bexhill ,

which has a fair complement of members , and I will , as soon as possible , give my decision . The year has been a memorable one , and we must all feel proud of the position our Craft has taken in the sums allotted in celebration of the

jubilee from Grand Lodge to the several Masonic Institutions and the Prince of Wales ' s hospital fund ; nor must I omit to mention that grand gathering at the Albert Hall where so many- Masons assembled to do honour to -her most Gracious

Majesty the Queen and support our Most Worshipful Grand Master in his loyal address of congratulation . Ha ' d the hall been larger many more would have been present , but the result was most gratifying that so many Brethren should have taken the trouble to attend . I was sorry that on that