New Hall At Ilfracombe.

and Ilfracombe . The ceiling , which is arched and divided into panels , is sky blue , on which are represented the constellations of the zodiac , while in the triangular panels near the dome are the northern qrown , Herscheli's telescope , Medusa ' s head , and the Dolphin constellation . Ini the east

end of the Lodge are depicted Saturn , Jupiter , Mars , Venus , and Mercury . The walls are surmounted by a large cornice , neatly painted in cream , blue , and salmon colours . The freize underneath is ornamented with various Masonic emblems . Around the Lodge is a dado in red , with black

panel lines , and fluted uprights dividing same . In the centre of each panel , in blue and black , are tastefully painted the insignias of the respective Offices . In the east of the handsome Temple is an elaborate representation , in gold , of the rising sun , while in the south it is at its meridian , and setting

in the west . The decorations were designed and executed by Bro . J . C . Clarke P . M . 1351 . The portraits of the Past Masters , hung around the walls , were the gift of Bro . E . D . Perceval . The carving of the front is the work of Bro . J . P . Huxtable I . G . 13 51 . — " Building News . "

***** ** ******* * *** Alderman Sir Joseph Dimsdale P . G . Treas ., the next Lord Mayor of the city of London , is thus referred to by a contemporary : " A keen though generous politician , a man

high in Freemasonry and Primrosery , the future Lord Mayor has cultivated a good platform style , and his voice , if not strong , is clear and penetrating . The social amenities of the Mansion House will not suffer in his hands . "

********** An enjoyable afternoon was spent by some friends of Bro . Richard Anderson , proprietor of the Hadley Hotel , New Barnet , on Thursday , a little coursing being arranged for the occasion , followed by " refreshment after labour " in

the evening . We are afraid our education in the field of sport has been sadly neglected , but we could not refrain from entering into the enthusiasm of the party , who were kept fully alive by the activity of the dogs they had brought out for exercise , they giving a very good account of themselves in the trials of speea which took place .

********** At the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Somerset , Bro . R . C . Else announced his intention to retire from the Office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , which he has held for about a quarter of a century . A strong hope

was expressed that he would reconsider his decision , and this has since been emphasised in a more formal manner ; but when present at the Brislington Lodge meeting last week , Bro . Else said he felt it would be to the advantage of the Province if he stood aside as soon as' the Provincial

Grand Master Lord Dungarvan had decided upon a suitable Brother to take his place . In the meantime he would do his best to discharge the duties of the Office . Bro . Else is an ex-Mayor of Bridgwater , but he now resides at Clifton .

********** The long vacation in Freemasonry is much more protracted than the long vacation at the Law Courts , as it commences early in the month of June , and does not close until the beginning of October . There is very little doing

in Masonry , therefore , in the summer and early autumn months , except the holding of Provincial Grand Lodges , the quarterly communications and convocations of Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , the quarterly meetings of Grand Mark Lodge , and the monthly assembling of the Board of

Benevolence , and at all these gatherings there is not much stirring . The most marked difference in work is at the Board of Benevolence , where , beginning with the last Wednesday but one in the month of June , and going on until the similar day in November , the petitions for assistance come down to

almost half the customary monthly number . Masonic events however , continue to crop up gradually , and in the course of three months a distinct arrear accumulates which demands attention . The Brethren of the Mystic Tie have perhaps almost forgotten that already during the dull season in

Masonry , even although there are nearly two months of it yet left unexpired , they have had four vacancies created in Provincial Grand Masterships . Sussex has lost the Duke of

Connaught by his election and installation as the head of the Craft , the death of Colonel Lyne has left Monmouth in charge of his Deputy ; Lord Wantage ' s decease commits Berkshire to the care of Bro . John Thornhill Morland , M . A ..

New Hall At Ilfracombe.

Past Grand Deacon ; and the fatal accident to the ** Father of the House of Commons" has placed Hants and the Isle of Wight under the management of Bro . Edgar Goble , M . A ., Past Grand Sword Bearer . The new Masonic season should

therefore , be inch in fresh appointments , and perhaps in some surprises . But , though Masonry has settled down into the dull season , I find there are some new Lodges in London to be Consecrated , while the Craft generally is reposing . — " Birmingham Daily Post . "

********** A Lodge which is content to let its armour rust for three or four years , which does not have interest enough in

Masonry to hold regular meetings and keep up its knowledge of the ritual , which cannot find members who will learn the Officer ' s work and fill the stations , is not entitled to be continued . —Chas . E . Whelan , Wisconsin .

********** It is our belief that Lodges in obedience to a Grand Lodge are its subordinates even if they are its constituents .

In Vermont " secular " is the word . No dictionary definition warrants its use in this connection , but from time immemorial a Masonic definition has warranted its application to Lodges subordinate to the Grand Lodge . —Marsh O . Perkins , Vermont .

** ***** ** The prayer of every Mason ' s heart should be that all men were Masons and all Masons true . Then white-winged peace would hover over all lands . Nations would learn war

no more . " Swords would be beaten mto ploughshares and spears into' pruning hooks . " Brotherly love would prevail and every moral and social virtue would cement us . —Henry Banks , Georgia .

JUUUUL ^ JUUUt r * n H tt n n n R n w There are no degrees in disability . If it exists , so that the slightest violation of the perfectness is cognizable , it is as fatal to the man as though it took away his arm , hand , finger ,

leg or foot . There is not in Freemasonry a positive , comparative or superlative disqualification . It is the disqualification per se , the simple , naked fact , that the standard , of a perfect man is not attained , that ends the question . —Geo . E . Wagner , Pennsylvania .

If it be the eternal and not the external qualifications of a man that Freemasonry regards , then a too rigid insistence on the letter of the operative law does grievous violence to the spirit of the speculative institution . The Craft is

unnecessarily deprived of the support of many who would make good members , while the man who has had the misfortune to lose a limb , perhaps in his country ' s service , has his misfortune aggravated by its being made a bar to membership in a society towards which he feels himself attracted . —Dr . R . S . Thornton , Manitoba .

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