Mark Masonry.

new W . M . appointed and invested his officers ( those who were present ) as follows : Bros . C . ] . Clapham , I . P . M . ; E . Bryceson , S . W . ; J . O . Cook , J . W . ; G . R . Nichols , M . O . ; S . Horton , S . O . ; J . Clarke , J . O . ; the Rev . C . A . Solbe , B . A ., Chap . ; W . C . Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; A . W . Orwin , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Reg . of Mks . ; F . G . Nichols , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec . ; W . Sanders , S . D . ; Lieut . I . Christian , J . D . ; the Right Hon . Lord Pirbright . D . C . ; Dr . C . W . Moore Keys , Col . A . M . D ., I . G . ; and H . Mason , P . M ., P . P . J . G . O ., and B . Hammond , Stewards .

Bro . Nichols was complimented on all sides for his splendid working of the ceremony , and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks , the same to be recorded on the minutes of the lodge , for which he thanked the brethren . Bro . Clapham , I . P . M ., was presented with a handsome and valuable Past Master ' s jewel for valuable services rendered the lodge during his year of office and as a mark of the esteem of the brethren , for which he returned thanks , and then the lodge was closed . „ .,.., The banquet was served in the assembly room of the hotel , and was all that the most fastidious could desire . _ _

.. Among- the brethren present were Bros . C . Coupland , P . M . 226 , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Stwd . England ; A . H . Bateman , W . M . 332 , P . P . G . O ., & c . ; J . Farrier , W . M . 226 , P . G . Stwd . ; E . B . Hobson , S . W . 226 ; C . J olly , P . M . 22 C and 332 , and P . P . I . G . D ., & c . The usual loyal and Grand Mark toasts having been duly honoured , That of "The R . W . the P . G . M ., the V . W . D . G . M ., and the rest of the P . G .

Officers , " was drunk with enthusiasm . In putting the latter toast , the W . M said , as they were well aware , they were honoured that evening by the presence of their esteemed D . P . G . M .. Bro . Hughes Hallett , whom they heartily welcomed , and trusted to see often at their meetings , if it were possible . He hoped Bro . Hallett would go away pleased with what he had seen of them , and , as he before said , that they might see his happy and genial face amongst them on

many . Bro . Hugh Hallett was cheered heartily as he rose to respond . He said he could assure them that it gave him the utmost pleasure to be with them that day . . He was at present quite a novice with respect to the duties attached to the position he occupied in the province , but God willing , he was determined to become better acquainted with them shortly . He was proud of holding such a distinguished position in the county in which he was bred , and had lived so longand hoped to pass the rest of his days in . He then in glowing terms alluded to their P . G . M ., Lord Dungarvan , whose splendid Masonry was only equalled by his genial nature and high accomplishments . When he ( Bro Hallett ) went to

Canterbury on the occasion of their last Prov . Grand meeting , he expected to see only a few brethren present , but tohis agreeable surprise hefound over ioobrethren assembled to greet his lordship and welcome him as their new Grand Master . They had 20 lodges in the province , and he did not wish to see a great increase of the number ; they wanted not numbers , merely , but gocd Masons ; the strength of a lodge or a province depended not so much en the number as the quality of its members . He felt the difficulty of following such an excellent Mason as Bro . Cummings , but if his life was spared for the next nine or 10 years , he hoped by that time to have rendered the Degree in the

province , if not such excellent service as Bro . Cummings had , at least so much as would , he trusted , entitle him to a goodly portion of the respect and esteem they all felt for Bro . Cummings . He hoped to be enabled , and intended , if in his power , to visit in turn every lodge in the province , and trusted , whenever he saw them , they would not for a moment fail to recognise him—come to him and say— " How are you , D . G . M . ; " for , above all things , he wished to make friends with every Mark Master in the province , wherever in it he went . He deeply regretted being unable to be present at the installation of Bro . Bateman at the Borough of Greenwich Lodge , having an engagement at

another lodge the same evening . He spoke briefly of the late G . M ., the lamented Bro . Robinson , and of the splendid working of Bro . Nichols , the Installing Officer that day . He congratulated the W . M . on his achieving the proud position of W . M . of such an excellent lodge , and concluded a long and interesting speech , of which the above is a mere outline , by thanking them heartily for their cordial welcome and hospitality . Bro . Claoham proposed the toast of " The W . M . " He said he had the pleasure

of knowing Bro . Mitchell for the last 40 years , and took it as a very great pleasure to have to propose the toast of his health . Bro . Mitchell was a proper man and a good Mason , and was an honour to the Florence Nightingale Lodge . He asked the brethren to bring the W . M . as many recruits as they could , providing they were good recruits , Bro . Mitchell had that day come into a goodly heritage as Master of their lodge , and he wished him every good wish for his success and the success of the lodge . to make himself

Bro . Mitchell assured them that it would be his bounden duty worthy of the confidence placed in him by the brethren of the lodge . He hoped they would rally round him and bring him plenty of work . He should do his utmost to increase the prosperity of the lodge , and , as the D . G . M . had said , make it one of the best in the province . With the assistance of the Past Masters , Officers , and brethren he hoped to be able to carry out the wishes of the D . G . M ., and heartily thanked them for their kindly reception of the toast . Bro . Clapham having responded for " The Past Masters , " Bros . Farrier and Bateman responded for " The Visitors . "

Several other toasts followed , and the proceedings , which were most enjoyable , terminated .

Lodge Of Instruction.

Lodge of Instruction .

LA TOLERANCE LODGE , No . 53 S . A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxtord-street , W ., when there were present Bros . H . Parker , W . M . ; H . Mullins , S . W . ; H . Pinnell , J . W . ; J . Paul , P . M ., Preceptor ; G . Hill , P . M ., Treas . ; T . W . Smale , P . M ., Sec ; T . Bowden , S . D . ; J . Goldstein , J . D . ; H . Raphael , I . G . ; W . Proctor , Tyler ; L . Genese , P . M . ; F . Zeppenfeld , J . Davies , J . Leather , and Hammond . Visitors : Bros . A . Jones , J . D . 40 , and W . E . Neck , 1964 .

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes were read and confirmed The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Raphael being the candidate . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and Bro . Davis , being a candidate for passing , was duly examined and entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Davis being the candidate . The lodge was resumed in the First Degree , and at the first rising , the dues were collected . At the second rising , Bro . Mullins , S . W ., was elected VV . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed the officers in rotation . At the third rising , the lodge was closed .

Ad01403

What is the British Workman ' s ? It is the Ideal Life Office—The Life Office of the People What its Business ? Life Assurance—Ordinary and Industrial . What the Secret of its Wonderful Success ? The Equity and Liberality of its Terms . What has it done ? It has Popularised and Perfected Life Assurance . What its Annual Income ? It is rapidly approximating to Half-a-Million Sterling . What its Rank ? Though only 30 years old , it stands with respect to Premium Income the tenth in a list of British Life Offices .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

J UST ON GOING to press we are informed that H . R . H . the Most Worshipful Grand Master has graciously given permission for the publication of the fact that he will preside at the celebration of the Centenary of the Boys' School in 1 S 9 S . The exact date will be fixed by his Royal Highness later on . DOWN TO THURSDAY night the Indian Famine Fund amounted to £ 50 ( 5 . 500 , including donations from the Worthing Lodge , No . 351 , of £ 30 , and the Sherborne Lodge , No . 702 , of £ 14 is . 6 d .

THE FOLLOWING LODGES have contributed to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' s Fund : the Belgrave Lodge , No . 745 , £ 5 5 s ., and the Royal Oak Lodge , No . S 71 , £ 2 15 s . H . R . H . THIS PRINCE or WALES has fixed Friday , the 2 Sth inst ., for the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new buildings of the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital , Moorfields . THE IITH ANNUAL DINNER of the Old Masonians , will be held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , E . G ., on Friday , the 7 th inst ., at G . 30 for 7 p . m ., under the chairmanship of Bro . W . H . Bailey , Past Grand Treasurer , President of the Association .

WE OMITTED recently to announce that Bro . C . D . Cheetham , P . M ., P . G . W . East Lancashire , was elected Chairman , and Bro . T . J . Hooper , P . M ., P . P . G . T . East Lancashire , Vice-Chairman of the Charity Committee of the Province of East Lancashire at the meeting held in March . THE GRAND ORIENT SUPREME COUNCIL , 33 , for Greece , has formed two ambulances of students of the Athens University , organised and taught by Bro Mehssinos ; both have been sent to the frontier to treat all wounded soldiers , regardless of their faith and nationality .

A NUMBER of distinguished people called on Thursday at the new Bas relief Studios , which were formally opened by Mr . I . W . Taber , at 3 S , Dover-street , Piccadilly . A concert was given by Tziganes , and tea , served in the Japanese room , was handed to thc guests by a prettily-costumed Japanese girl . THE NEXT OF THE series of the introductory Lectures in connection with the Imperial Victoria Exhibition at the Crystal Palace ( which will be opened on the Gth inst . by the Princess Christian ) , will be delivered by Dr . J . F . Bridge ( Gresham ) , the subject being , "Sixty Years of Music . " Sir George Grove will preside .

BRO . BANCROFT has promised to give his reading ot Dickens s "Christmas Carol " in aid of the Colonial Nursing Association , at the Imperial Institute , on the afternoon of Thursday , June 3 rd , when many Governors of British Dependencies and Colonial officials will be in London . The reading will be under Royal patronage . AT A MEETING of the Lodge of Joppa , No . iSS , held at Freemasons' Tavern , on Monday , the 26 h ult ., Bro . Davy , W . M ., in the chair , it was unanimously resolved , on the proposition of Bro . Lewis Lazarus , P . M ., Sec , that the sum of 100 guineas be given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution to commemorate the Oath year of the Queen ' s reign .

THE Provincial Grand Lodge of Staffordshire will be held at Lichfield during May . In recognition of his services on the occasion of the laying of the foundatien-stone of the Sutherland Institute , Longton , by H . R . H . the Prince ot Wales with Masonic rites , Bro . J . W . Bromley , I . P . M . Etruscan Lodge , No . 54 6 , is to receive the appointment of Prov . S . G . Warden .

ON WEDNESDAY , the 14 th inst ., Bro . Colonel Home Drummond , Past Grand Master of Provincial Grand Lodge , Perthshire West , visited ; St . Kessac's Lodge , No . 269 , inspected the books of the lodge , and saw the office bearers working in the different degrees . At the close , he expressed himself highly pleased with the way in which the books are kept , and with the efficiency of the office-bearers .

THE AGENDA PAPER of Lodge St . Michael ' s , Kilwinning , No . 63 , Dumfries , Scotland , for Thursday , the 29 th ult ., contained the interesting information that Bro . James Smith , P . M . ( 7 / 0 : 11 S . M . ) , the Prov . Grand Treasurer , is to read an essay on " Historical Evidences of Mark Masonry . " Bro . Smith is such a zealous Royal Arch Mason , and takes such an active part in all that concerns the welfare of thc Craft , historically as well as ritualistically , that the brethren must have had a rare treat in listening to his paper .

MESSRS . THOS . FORMAN AND SONS , of Nottingham , are issuing a large chromo lithograph portrait of her Majesty the Queen , in view of the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee , as a companion picture to their portrait of 1 S 37 , which wis one of the most successful of the many published in the Jubilee year . It is a reproduction of an oil-colour speciall y painted from a recent photograph by Messrs . Gunn and Stuart , representing her Majesty as appearing on State occasions . The likeness is faithful and the printing exceedingly good , and the low price of 2 s . 6 J . brings it within reach of all .

GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY ILLUSTRATED TOURIST GUIDE ; 1 S 97 EDITION . — The Great Northern Railway Company have just issued their illustrated tourist guide for the 1 S 97 season . The book is a very interesting and profusely illustrated one and we would strongly urge those of our readers who intend spending their summer holidays in the North of England or Scotland , to obtain a copy . Copies of the book can be obtained free of charge on application at any of the Company's stations and town offices , or from the superintendent of the line , Great Northern Railway , King ' s Cross Station , London , N .

HER MAJESTY ' S DIAMOND J UBILEE . —In commemoration of this event , the directors have decided that , as far as practicable , the 22 nd of June be observed throughout the Midland Railway as a general holiday . The whole of the staff who are regularly employed by the company , and who can be spared from their duties , will be allowed a holiday on that day without loss of pay . Those members of the staff whose duties do not admit of their being absent from work on June 22 nd will be allowed an equivalent holiday , without loss of pay , on a subsequent date as early as can be conveniently arranged .

IN THESE DAYS of improved railway travelling , railway companies realise the fact that careful attention to the comforts of their passengers in every detail , and more espscially to the manner in which refreshments are provided , is not the least point in successful management ; in fact , it has becomj an absolute necessity . The directors of the Fuiness Railway Company , following the excellent precedents of other well-known lines , have appointed Messrs . Spiers and Pond , refreshment contractors to their company , and under this firm ' s management , the Furness Abbey Hotel is being entirely refurnished and renovated throughout before the opening of the tourist season . This will be good news to visitors to the Lake District .

MASONIC CELEBRATION AT THE CAPE . —The scheme of a Masonic commemoration of the record reign of the Queen by aiding the Masonic Education Fund and the Cape District Joint Benevolent Fund has had a good effect , and there is every reason for believing that the effort will be crowned with success . The Masonic Education Fund was established by the joint effort of the lodges in South Africa , working under the

English , Scottish , and Netherlands Constitution , in 1 SS 7 , to commemorate the Jubilee year of the Queen's reign , and it is considered most appropriate that the Masonic action on this occasion would be the putting of the Benevolent Fund on a permanently sound financial footing , it now being entirely dependent upon voluntary contributions . At present 51 children are receiving education at the expense of the Education Fund .

THERE IS at last a chance of students possessing a reproduction of the famous COLE ' S CONSTITUTIONS of 1729 , as Bro . Richard Jackson , of tO Commercial-street , Leeds , as decided to publish a complete and exact facsimile of this extremely scirce and invaluable work . Ihe operative Constitutions arc beautifully engraved as copper plates , and , according to Bro . Hughan , are ot the year 172 G . The text is similar to what is known as the "Spencer MS ., " fully described in the "Old Charges of British

Freemasons , " 1895 . Ihe interesting speech of Drake , the historian , before the " Grand Lodge of all England , " at York , in 172 G , when Junior Grand Warden , and many other items of importance will also be reproduced , as the work is to be thoroughly well done by the publishers . Bro . Hughan has undertaken to write an Introduction , which will be a great help to the proper understanding of this handsome facsimile , and is anxious for its publication as soon as possible . Only 200 copies will be issued at 1 is . post free , application to be made to Bro . Jackson , aforesaid , and it is hoped that many of these little gems will find their way to Masonic libraries in this country ,