The Rahere Almoners.

shoulders of stalwart men , and keepers from Eppiug Forest , preceded by sonnd of trumpet , and followed by choristers in procession , -w \ w vocalised " The Boar ' s Head " most pleasingly . This carol is annually sung at Queen ' s College , Oxford . The refrain was excellently-well sustained ,

namely—Caput apri de fero , Reddens landos Domino . On tho rcnir . val of tho cloth tho usual loyal and patriotic toasts wero given and pledged right heartily . Then followed the Army , Navy , and Reserve Forces , to which Major-Goneral B . Milman , C . B ., Constable of tho Tower of London , responded . Frater Thomas Simpson ,

in an eloquently-forcible speech , proposed , The Corporation of the City of London , which compliment was acknowledged by Mr . Alderman and Sheriff Do Keyser . The Lord Mayor next proposed , Yo Antiente Fratcrintic of ye Habere Almoners , in the conrso of which he mndo honourable mention of the Almoners , inasmuch as ho personally knew that they had effected groat good among thoso who

would rather suffer privations than resort to parochial assistance . Ho warmly recommended tho claims of tho Almoners to all around him , and added that in that great , rich , and also poor city , no institution deserved more aid and sympathy than the one then before them . Although the good work they had in hand extended only over a very short period , evidence had been given that earnest men , and

no less earnest women , had been engaged in the great work of doing good , and that without parade or ostentation . His Lordship thon feelingly nnd gracefully alluded to Brother James Stevens and Mr . Sangster , nnd tho efforts thoy had made in fostering and furthering tho objects of the Fraternity , to whom all hononr was due . Tho citizens of London , who had evinced heretofore

an anxiety to do good , wherever and whenever appeals were made to them , would no doubt fill the coffers of the Almoners , so that every case that they deemed deserving would be relieved as fully as conld be desired . His lordship coupled the name of Bro . James Stevens with the toast , which was pledged with acclamation . Bro . Jamea Stevens , in an able speech , responded , and in a manner peculiar to

himself , gave a succinct history of the Fraternity since ita resuscitation in 38 . 81 . The idea had been taken taken up by a few individuals , and tho funds at first amounted to shillings only ; thanks , however , to his friend , Mr . Sangster , and others who had rallied round them , they had now money nt command , and therefore were enabled to render assistance to many who were in indigent circumstances . It

would bo remembered that their first anniversary featival was celebratrd at the Crystal Palace in August last year , at which he ventured to predict that the time "was not far distant when the Lord Mayor would preside over their festivities . That prediction had been verified already , as they could perceive . The executive called for co-operation , so that their usefulness might he extended , and

every appeal to them from their poorer brethren might not be made in vain . These with whom he laboured found cases outside tho domain of parochial aid , cases -which involved much outlay , and extended over considerable periods of time . They did not intend to leave persona aa they found them ; on tho contrary , they endeavoured to place them , after

their poverty had been bridged over , in positions in life where they could earn an honest living , and start afresh in the world with a good courage . Several other teasts followed , in rapid succession . Bro . James Stevens proposed tbo press in eulogistic terms , which wns responded to by Bro . J . J . Brinton , as the representative of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . Bro . F . Toole acted as

toastmaster , and the vocalisation of Messrs . E . Roberts , F . Paton , G . S . Graham , W . Sexton , "Madame Worrell , Miss Florence Cater , Miss Maria Norton , together with tho Minstrels , added much to tho pleasures of tho evening . Frater J . Lorring directed tho musical arrangements . Bro . J . Stevens , when the guests wero abont departing bade , in the words of

Scott" To all , to each , a fair good night , And pleasing dreams and slumbers light . " In addition to what we have already stated , we ought to mention that the majority of those present were brethren . Thus proving that they do not narrow their sympathies exclusively to Masonic Institutions , but are " ready to do good unto all men" without stint , or letting their left hand know what their right hand doeth . So mote it be !

The Late Bro. John Fawcett.

THE LATE BRO . JOHN FAWCETT .

R . W . Bro . John Fawcett Past Provincial Grand Master of Durham , died at half-past eight o ' clock ou Saturday night . Although the deceased gentleman had reached tho advanced age of 83 years , he retained his faculties in a remarkable degree up to the very last . Indeed , so late as Wednesday he was ono of tho magistrates present on the bench at the Durham Quarter Sessions . Ho took his usual

walk on Friday , but fooling unwell on Saturday , he retrained in his room . On Saturday evening lio had dinner served in his bedroom a litllo earlier than usual . On the butler soing up about halfpast eight o'clock , ho found his master dying . Dr . Barron was sent Tor , but Bro . Fawcett was dead before tho doctor anivod . He waa born tho Gth of May li ' J'J , and was tho eldest ton of

tho late Rev . John Fawcett , by Mary Anno , daughter cf the late Raljih Bates , of Melbourne , Northumberland . Tho deceased gentleman was educated at , Balliol College , Oxford , and took his B . A . degree in 1821 , and tbat of M . A . in 1821 . IIo wns a Justice of the Peace for tho counties of Notiliuinbcrhiud aud Durham , and

in 18-47 ho was High Sheriff of the county ot Durham . He also had conferred upon him tlio honorary title of D . L . The deceased gentleman had the henonr of being tho ohlvst Provincial Grand Master in the United Kingdom . For moro tiirui half a century ho lias been prominently identified with tho Masonic ; Craft . Ifo was initiated into the mysteries at tho Apollo Lodge , Oxford , on the

The Late Bro. John Fawcett.

ISth October 1820 . On leaving Oxford he joined the Marquis of Granby Lodge ( 12-t ) at Durham , of which he became Master in 1823 and ho became Grand Master of tho Northern Province on the 6 th November 1847 , a position he held until two years ago , when failing health compelled him to resign , and he waa succeeded b y the Marquis of Londonderry . On hia resignation the members of the

Craft presented Bro . Fawcett , as Provincial Grand Master and as Past Provincial Grand Superintendent of the Roynl Arch Masons , with a beautifully illuminated address , " for the marked manner in which for upwards of 32 years hia lengthened and ablo administration had advanced and adorned the Order , and for the calm and wise judgment and gentlemanly courtesy , untiring and able energy , and

unvarying impartiality and firmness exhibited by him in the disohar « e of high and responsible office , and praying that tho Great Architect of the Universe might during hia remaining years seo fit to grant him all peace and happiness . " During the period in which he held the office of P . G . M . of the Northern Province , Bro . Fawcett had the dis . tinguished honour of installing His Royal Highness the Prince of

Wales as the Worshipful Master of a Craft Lodge , and he also assisted in the installation of the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of England , which took placo in the Albert Hall on the 28 th A pril 1875 , being one of tbe largest and most brilliant assemblies of the Craft ever witnessed . The deceased gentleman took a warm interest in several of the public institutions in the city of Durham . Bro .

Fawcett is claimed to be one of the oldest Freemasons . It is quite trne that he was in that rank , but he was not the oldest Freemason . He was initiated , as already stated , in the Apollo ( Univeraity ) Lod ge at Oxford on the 18 th October 1820 , at the age of twenty-one , and at the time of hia death had been therefore sixty-three years a Mason .

But Bro . Philip Chetham , of Stockport , Cheshire , was initiated in the Lodge of Peace , Stockport , on the 3 rd of October 1811 , more than nine years before Bro . Fawcett . There ia now living a Bro . James Norris , a resident in the Masonio Benevolent Institution at Croydon , who was initiated in the Lodge of Sincerity , London , on 10 th March 1812 .

New Finsbury Park Lodge, No. 1695.

NEW FINSBURY PARK LODGE , No . 1695 .

THE installation meeting of thia rising Lodge WAS held on Tuesday ' the 17 th inst ., at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel . Present : — Broa . Davies W . M ., Thompson S . W ., Edmunds J . W ., P . M . Eldridge Treasurer , Berry Secretary , Bnstable S . D ., Speller J . D ., Tibbits I . G ., Richmond jun . Steward , " Very Tyler ; also Bros . Booth , E . Cattermole , W . J . Cattermole , Ayden , Chntter , Earl , Frampton , Hawkes , Lewis , Lang , Perfect , Swinyard , Scott . The Visitors were : —Bros . Butt P . M . 907 , Bond P . M . 141 , Fenner P . M . 1227 and 1 G 93 , Follett

P . M . 45 , Meekham P . M . 1288 , Mullord P . M . 1288 , Oliver P . M . 1328 , Pigot P . M . 753 , Rowe P . M . 167 , Forge W . M . 1950 , Brown 350 , Pierpoint 1828 , Butt 1623 , Matthews 1766 , Baker 1471 , Hoare 1765 , Wilkinson 167 , Barber 1314 , Humphreys 167 , Nunn 1531 , Side 1507 , Fowler 754 . The Lodge being duly opened and the minutes of tho last meeting read and confirmed , Bro . Booth was passed to the

second degree , and Bros . Lang and Lewin raised . The ceremony of installation was then most ably performed by Bro . Davies the retiring W . M ., and Bro . Thompson was duly inducted into the chair of K . S . The following Officers were appointed by the W . M .: —Bros . Edmunds S . W ., Bastablo J . W ., Eldridge P . M . Treasurer , Frampton Secretary ,

Speller S . D ., Tibbitts J . D ., Richmond jun . I . G ., Earl Steward . All business being ended the brethren adjourned to a recherche banquet , provided in the well-known style of Spiers and Pond . A most enjoyable evening was passed , the proceedings being enlivened by tho vocal abilities of several of the brethren

Montefiore Lodge , 1017 . —This excellent working Lodge , which is named after that noble philanthropist Bro . Sir Moses Montefiore , who on the 22 nd inst . completed his ninety . eighth birthdny , met on tho 25 th inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , Air-street , lletrent-strcet , nnder the prepidency of the W . M . Bro . S . V . Abrahams ; Bros . P . M . Marks as S . W ., Syer J . W ., L . Jacobs Treas ., E . P . Albert P . G . P . Secretary , G . T . Mann S . D ., Benjamin J . D ., M . Leverton I . G ., N . P . Vallentino Steward , D . M . Davis Organist ,

Gulliford P . M . M . O . ; P . M . ' s Grnnebaum , J . Lazarns , Chev . Pollitzer , A . Blumcnthal , and a numerous attendance of members and Visitors . Amougst tho latter being Bros . S . Marks W . M . 368 , Coleman J . W . 1 / 5 . 14 , J . B . Kysho P . M . 235 , E . Cleaver ( Granite ) , G . Chines ? , F . lynn 30 , S . M . Lazarus P . P . G . W . Wilts , Ellis Jones 28 , S . Gencsc

188 , H . M . Levy P . M . 188 . Tho Lodgo was opened , and minutes were confirmed . Bros . Panl Levy Chaucer Lodge , ancl E . Sauuderson P . M . 153 , were unanimously elected joining members . Bro . John Nathan waa passed to tho second degree , and Messrs . J . Sax and Percy Harbury , being dnly •balloted for and unanimously elected , were duly initiated into the Order by Bro . W . K

Gulliford Past Master , who , by tho conrtesy of tho Worship ful Master , was permitted to preside . The Lodge was then closed , and tho brethren sat down to a very excellent banquet and dessert , provided by Brother Nicols , and superintended by Brother M . Silver . The W . M . proposed tho usual Loyal and Masonic toasts . Iu speaking of tho Grand Officers ho made some

, feeling remarks on tho late lamented Lord Tenterden , Prov . Gra "" Master Essex ; all Masons in that connty regretted his loss . W'lj tho toast ho wonld couple tho name of Brother E . P . Albert P- « -J- After the toast had been acknowledged by Bro . Albert , the W . JL said he had great pleasure in proposing tho health of one , in honourkit

ing whom ho might say they wero honouring themselves ; Bro . Moses Montefiore ; whoso honoured name ia associated with the goof work- of the Lodge . All wish him continued health . He would can on Bro . Myers to respond . Bro . Myers said he had had the honom ' and pleasure of seeing Sir Moses a few days siuco ; he waa p leased o say ho was in good health and spirits . He would convey to him t » kind expressions of tho W . M . and the members of tho Lodge . la