Egypt.

"The Visitors" were duly honoured , and the Masters and representatives of the various lodges responded , the English , French , Italian , German , and Arabic languages being employed in the congratulations . Bro . Philip referred to the excellent vvork rendered that evening by the I . P . M ., and to the ready cheerfulness with vvhich he at all times did his duty and served the interests

of the Craft , and how that , following in the footsteps of his predecessors , he had been successful in cementing and strengthening the bond of unity between the lodges and brethren in Egypt , and he hoped that in future years , when possibly far distant in other lands , he would remember the pleasant hours he had spent in that lodge while its Master , and he called upon the brethren to drink his health without

heel-taps . Bro . Sergt .-Major Hathaway , I . P . M ., in rising to respond , vvas greeted vvith rounds of applause . He thanked the lodge for the honour and kindness they had conferred upon him in making him their Master , and assured them he should ever remember it as one of the brightest privileges of his life , and which gave to him the greatest satisfaction

ever enjoyed ; it vvould ever be to him a red-letter year in hislife , and now that he had passed from the chair heshould use the utmost of his strength and ability to aid the W . M . in thc fulfilment of his pledges . _ He concluded by counselling the members to support their head , as it vvould be impossible for the Master alone to make it a thriving and

successful lodge . "The Officers , " "Ladies , " and Tyler's toasts having been honoured , the brethren united in singing the " Queen " and "Auld LangSyne , " and the company separated , each and one and all evidencing the delight they had realised in the privileges and enjoyment of the evening . Thanks weie due to Bros . Warwick , W . M . 707 ( S . C ) , Wakefield , Roberts , Schinzinger , and Bent , for the harmony they had contributed in song and recitation .

South Africa.

South Africa .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NATAL . The eleventh half-yearly Communication of the above District Grand Lodge vvas held in the Masonic Hall , Smithstreet , Durban , on Monday afternoon , March 26 th , under the presidency of R . W . Bro . R . I . Finnemore , the District Grand Master . There vvas a large attendance of brethren from all parts of the colony . The minutes of last regular Communication having been read and confirmed , the roll of

lodges was called as follows : Port Natal Lodge , Durban , 738 ; Prince Alfred Lodge , Maritzburg , 956 ; Inanda Lodge , Avoca , 1192 ; Natalia Lodge , Maritzburg , 1665 ; Carnarvon Lodge , Richmond , 16 S 4 ; Skelmersdale Lodge , Maritzburg , 1729 ; Umvoti Lodge , Greytown , 1 S 67 ; St . John ' s Lodge , Kokstad , 1 S 86 ; Addington Lodge , 1937 ; Umlazi Lodge , Pinetown , 1976 ; Biggarsberg Unity Lodge

Dundee Proper , 20 S 4 ; Newcastle Lodge , 2097 ; Umzimkulu Lodge , 2113 . All 13 lodges were found to be duly represented . R . W . Bro . FINNEMORE , in addressing the brethren , said that it afforded him great pleasure , on this the occasion of his entering upon the sixth year of rule over this Masonic district as their District Grand Master , to see such an assemblage present in answer to his summons , including

many who had travelled long distances in order to be present at that meeting . He felt very grateful to them for their attendance and support , the more so that , although his interest in Freemasonry vvas unabated , and his attention to the details of district vvork had been unremitting , he had , in the matter of personal visiting of lodges , been compelled , owing to the many urgent claims upon his time ,

to press rather heavily upon the indulgence of the brethren of the district ; and he was very glad to have that opportunity of meeting his brethren in the Craft . Theirs vvas but a small district in point of numbers of lodges when compared with other districts under the rule of his Royal Highness their Grand Master ; but they had hitherto been characterised by the greatest unanimity and bound together

by the strongest ties of friendship and good feeling . He sincerely trusted that it might always be so . The returns from their different lodges—vvhich , by-the-vvay , he trusted they would make a point of sending in regularly , so as to lighten as much as possible the duties of their valued Secretary—nere fairly satisfactory . Each year had witnessed some advance in the growth and progress of their

district . The Kokstad Lodge had now voluntarily come under his jurisdiction , so that this district now included two lodges meeting at places beyond the boundaries of this colony , viz ., St . John's , Kokstad , and the Umzimkulu Lodge . Other lodges vvould have been established in the Transvaal , had it not been for the decision of the M . W . G . Master that no more charters or warrants should be granted

for that territory now that it had ceased to belong to the British dominions—a decision which , in his humble opinion , vvas greatly to be regretted on account of the large number of English Masons in the Transvaal , who are anxious to retain their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England . Although he had been precluded from personally visiting lodges during the year , he had had a fair share of business

to attend to in the way of correspondence , granting dispensations , perusing and considering new by-laws and amendments of existing by-laws , and giving opinions and rulings upon points of Masonic jurisprudence and practice , in all of vvhich the District Grand Secretary , Bro . J . B . Cottam , had rendered valuable assistance . He gladly recognised the efficient help vvhich he ( Bro .

Finnemore ) had received in the discharge of his duties from Bro . Wesley Francis , his Deputy , upon whom , he vvas glad to say , the M . W . Grand Master had been pleased , in celebration of the Jubilee year , to confer past rank in Grand Lodge . They had also , under authority from the M . W . Grand Master , selected Bros J . B . Cottam , D . G . Secretary , and S . Marriott , D . G . Treasurer , for the honour of being made Past District Senior Grand Wardens , in

recognition of their services , and to mark the Jubilee year of her Majesty . That these honours had been honestly earned and were worthily conferred , would , he doubted not , be the unanimous opinion of the members of this District Grand Lodge . Might the blessing of heaven rest upon their labours during the present communication , and wisdom from on high direct and guide them in all they undertook for the advancement of their noble art . The following officers for 188 S-8 9 were appointed :

Bro . Thos . Cook Dist . S . G . W . „ W . Sink Dist . J . G . W .

South Africa.

Bro . The Rev . J . Oxley Oxland , F . R . *) G . S I Dist . G . Chaps . „ The Rev . T . E . Robinson ) „ S . Marriott Dist . G . Treas . „ J . Crowe Dist . G . Reg . I . Schulz . M . D Dist . P . of B . G . P

„ J . B . Cottam Dist . G . Sec . „ G . O . Matterson Dist . S . G . D . „ R . Willis Dist . J . G . D . „ Capt . F . Dickinson Dist . G . S . of W „ W . H . Kinsman Dist . G . D . C . „ G . H . Edmonds Dist . A . G . D . C . S . Knox Dist . G . Swd . Br „ C . G . Wilson Dist . G . Std . Br uisc oiu

„ i . IN . Price . VJ . . or „ G . Pullock Dist . G . Org . „ H . W . Hampton Dist . A . G . Sec . „ R . D . Clark , M . A Dist . G . Purst . „ G . H . Fowle Dist . A . G . Purst „ A . Juckes Dist . G . Tyler .

At the conclusion of the District Grand Lodge a meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge vvas held , at vvhich all of thebrethren vvho had attained the rank of Mark Master Mason attended . R . W . Bro . Finnemore , in his capacity as Provincial Grand Mark Master , also presided over this meeting . The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year : — Bro . ] . Schulz , M . D Prov . S . G . W . „ M . H . Emanuel Prov . J . G . W . „ E . S . T . Stantial Prov . G . M . O . „ W . F . Stanton Prov . S . G . O .

„ J . Crowe Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . J . Oxley Oxland , F . R . G . S . Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . P . F . Cadman Prov . G . Chap . „ Capt . F . Dickinson Prov . G . Reg . ,, W . H . Kinsman ... Prov . G . C . ofG . P „ W . H . Hampton Prov . G . Sec . ,, H . Rutherford Prov . G . Treas . G . Leask Prov . S . G . D .

„ „ J . H . Isaacs Prov . J . G . D . „ J . Fletcher Prov . G . I . of W „ I * . L . B . Tuckett Prov . G . D . of C „ R . D . Clark , M . A Prov . A . G . D . C . „ J . Wright Prov . G . Swd . B

„ W . H . Morse Prov . G . Std . B . „ G . Pullock Prov . G . Org . „ H . Crowder Prov . A . G . Sec . „ C . H . Dunn Prov . G . I . G . ,, A . Juckes Prov . G . Tyler . The business in both Craft and Mark Masonry being terminated , the brethren parted , to meet again in the evening at a banquet in honour of the occasion .

Centenary Celebration Of The Unanimity And Sincerity Lodge, No. 261, At Taunton.

CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF THE UNANIMITY AND SINCERITY LODGE , No . 261 , AT TAUNTON .

The centenary celebration of the Unanimity and Sincerity Lodge , No . 261 , took place on Wednesday , the 16 th ult ., at Taunton . The lodge vvas established in May , 17 S 7 , at Ilminster , under the name of Unanimity , and was held at the Swan Inn , in that town . It migrated to Taunton in the latter part of 1707 . The hundreth year of its existence

was accomplished on the 6 th of the present month , but it vvas not found practicable to hold the celebration on that day , owing to the presence of the Yeomanry in the town , and it vvas therefore postponed until the ordinary lodge meeting , vvhich fell due on Wednesday , the 16 th ult . The records have been uninterruptedly kept since the first meeting , and on application to the Grand Lodge there vvas no

difficulty in obtaining the centenary warrant . The brethren met on the afternoon of the 16 th ult . at two o ' clock , in the Central School-rooms , the school managers having kindly granted permission for them to assemble there . In the school-room the brethren donned their robes , and were arranged in procession by Bro . Bidgood , P . M ., P . P . G . Dir . of Cer ., assisted by Bros . Adams

and Vile . They were formed in the usual Masonic processional order , according to their rank , the juniors preceding , a beautiful silk banner being carried by Bro . Price , P . G . Std . Br . A procession marched from the schoolroom to the Church of St . Magdalene , entering by the west door , where they were met by the vicar ( the Rev . W . H . Askwith ) and the choir . Here the members divided , and

those behind "doubled in , " the seniors coming to the front , in order that the VV . M . might take precedence . The choir marched to their places singing the hymn beginning , " Brightly gleams our banner . " The brethren occupied seats in the nave of the church . Bro . R . Bailey sang the first part of the service , and the first lesson was read by the Rev . J . A . Lloyd , G . Chap , of England , and

one of the P . G . Chaplains of Somerset . The Rev . W , H . Askwith then read the second lesson , and after the anthem , " The Lord is my light , " the rest of the service vvas performed by Bro . H . S . Hume . Bro . the Rev . J . A . LLOYD delivered an eloquent sermon , based on the incident of the Queen of Sheba ' s visit to Solomon , recorded in I . Kings x . Mr . A . P . Standley

presided at the organ . At the close of the service a collection vvas made by the Stewards in aid of the Taunton and Somerset Hospital . After the service the brethren reformed the procession , the W . M . and the elders leading . They returned to the schoolroom , where they disrobed , and proceeded to the Masonic Hall , the Crescent . The lodge was duly opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the last

meeting were read . The W . M . then called upon the Provincial Officers to receive the Deputy Grand Master , Bro . R . C . Else , vvhich vvas done in Masonic form . The centenary warrant vvas read to the brethren . Bro . T . G . WILLIAMS then read a short history of the lodge . The W . M . vvas then presented vvith the centenary jewel of the lodge , and he suitably responded . The lodge unanimously decided to purchase 25 shares from the

Masonic Hail Company to be invested in the chair of the lodge as a centenary memorial . Bro . STOOD made an appeal for a contribution to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , he being wishful to raise 1000 guineas in the Province of Somerset towards the Institution , and the brethren unanimously voted £ 10 ios . towards the fund . Having performed the usual Masonic celebrations the brethren dined in the hall under the presidency of thc W . M ., 85 brethren sitting down .

Centenary Celebration Of The Unanimity And Sincerity Lodge, No. 261, At Taunton.

Amongst those present at the dinner and church w » Bros . Col . Adair , W . M . ; A . Steevens , I . P . M «? Adams , P . M . ; J . G . Vile , P . M . ; J . Blizzard , P . M . I ' Bailey , P . M . ; J . D . Woollen , P . M . ; G . H . P 0 i | ' 3 P . M . ; Price , P . M . ; Dr . Woodford , P . M . ; T . Mevll ' P . M . ; J . Goodman , P . M . ; J . H . Smith , P . M . ; ' c % A ' rant , P . M . ; A . Villar , P . M . ; Col . Ewing , P . M . ; > " * * Ehvorth Williams

y , P . M . ; T . G . , P . M . ; Geo . SauncW jun ., S . W . ; F . W . Aveling , J . W . ; James Show ! ' Treas . ; Alex . Hammett , Sec ; G . C . Strawbrirw S . D . ; W . H . Wake , J . D . ; R . N . Hartnell , D . C ; TH ' Chaffin , Org . ; Josiah Lewis , I . G . j C . W . Barrett ' p R . Roberts , J . G . Loveday , and VV . Potter , Stwds . ; x Tidbury , Tyler ; Jones , Asst . Tyler ; A . A . Somtnervili . ' l ? ¦ *

**> c „„ , „•*•„ r * u „•»„ .., u r c _ : n _ . •"• R . Sommerville , C . R . Humphrey , H . J . Spiller A 1 ' Spiller , W . H . Cooksley , F . W . Gover , J . H . Baxter , " f * " Goodman , Glen Ross , A . E . Goodman , A . D . Wilcocks' G Kite , Baker , T . Shepherd , T . Culverwell , Flower , Luson A . Lewis , C . Lewis , H . T . Carter , T . J . Bunston , Colchinu ' H . Allen , C Baker , W . Baker , C . Sutton , G . S piller , p B . Wickenden , C . H . Samson , A . H . Stringfellovv , H . 1 '

Van 1 rump , A . liaston , VV . bummerheld , li . bloper w Goodland , Whale , Franklin , F . W . Baker , R . T . Martin VV . H . Westlake , W . Percy , C . Bere , A . J . Smith , Kniph * H . G . Crow , J . Gill , T . S . Haddon , J . Tyler , E . f Howard , VV . B . Powell , and others . A number of toasts werc drunk , and a very enjoyable evening was spent .

Lodge Of Antiquity And The Emperor Frederick.

LODGE OF ANTIQUITY AND THE EMPEROR FREDERICK .

At the meeting of the Lodge of Antiquity on the 23 rd ult ., the following gracious reply from his Majesty the Emperor of Germany to the address of congratulation and sympathy , vvhich had been presented to him b y the lodge , was received :

[ ROYAL ARMS . ] "I desire to express to the Master , Wardens , and Brethren of the LODGE OF ANTIQUITY my cordial and fraternal thanks for their congratulations and 1 earnestly hope that it may be the design of the Great Architect of the Universe to restore my health and strength .

THE EMPRESS also desires to convey her thanks for the kind expression 0 ! sympathy from the members of a lodge which reckons amongst its past members her great uncle , the Duke of Sussex , and her lamented brother , the Duke of Albany . "FREDERICK I . AND R .

" Charlottenburg Schloss , " March , 188 S . "This will be delivered by Bro . Sir Morell Mackenzie . " Bro . Sir Morell Mackenzie being unable to leave the Emperor , the reply was sent by Queen ' s Messenger to the care of Bro . Dr . Wharton Hood , a P . M . of the lodge .

Resuscitation Of The William Stuart Preceptory, No. 76.

RESUSCITATION OF THE WILLIAM STUART PRECEPTORY , No . 76 .

This preceptory has been in abeyance since 1882 , but by the strenuous exertions of the Eminent Preceptor , Sir Knight R . Eve , Sir Knights Prescott , Le Feuvre , Taylor , and others , it vvas resuscitated on Saturday last , and bids fair to become a strong and flourishing preceptory . The

meeting took place at the Masonic Hall in the Imperial Hotel , Aldershot , Hants , when the E . P ., Sir Knight Eve , was suppoited by several Grand and Provincial Grand Officers in the Templar Degree . Sir Knights Sir Godfrey Ihomas , Bart ., Deputy Surgeon General Prescott , W . J . Rix , H . Lehmann , and J . Taylor were duly elected joining members ; and , by request of

the Eminent Preceptor , Sir Knight R . Loveland Loveland , Past G . Swd . Br . England , and Sub-Prior of the Province of Hants and Isle of Wight , installed Comps . A . Savill and H . Stone as Knight Templars . Sir Knight Deputy Surgeon General Albert Stanley Prescott was unanimously elected Eminent Preceptor for the ensuing year , and Sir Knight R . L . Loveland was also unanimously elected Treasurer for a

like period . Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the Grand and Provincial Grand Officers for their attendance , and for thc assistance they had rendered ; and also to the Eminent Preceptor , Sir Knight Eve , for his services ever since his election , and particularly with regard to the resuscitation of the preceptory . Dorset

Sir Knight H , Pigeon , jun ., of the Province of , kindly performed on the harmonium , which added greatly to the impressiveness of the ceremony , for vvhich he vvas accorded a vote of sincere thanks . The V . E . Prov . Prior , Sir Knight W . VV . B . Beach , M . P .-was unable to attend the meeting , owing to a previous important engagement , but wrote , expressing his regret at not being able to be present , and wishing the preceptory a

bright and prosperous future . , After the preceptory had been closed , the knights P art 0 ° '' of the refreshment which had been prepared for them hy their host at the hotel ; and on the removal of the cloth tne usual toasts were given and responded to , and songs vver sung by Sir Knights R . Eve and others until the time came for the knights to catch their respective trains to London , Southampton , Portsmouth , and elsewhere .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

On Wednesday , the 16 th ult ., a preparatory me ^' | ull the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent vvas held at tne ^ Hotel , Chatham , under the presidency of the " rov Grand Master , Earl Amherst . Among * the breth ren pr *?

were Bros . J . A . Eastes , P . G . D . Eng . and Uep- *• ' _ G . M . ; Jesse Thomas , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . S . Wf ^ Xbb , S . G . W . ; Humphrey Wood , P . P . S . G . W . ; J-W ' c „ inks , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . W . Benton , P . P . A . G . D . C ; p- ^„ J , P . P . G . Steward ; J . Aillud , P . P . D . G . D . C ; A . ? Pft rS P . G . Sec ; B . K . Thorpe , P . G . Treas . ; , vv , *?* rn jng , P . P . J . G . D . ; C . G . Long , P . G . Reg . ; Walter D OT ""*

P . D . G . D . C ; G . Page , P . P . J . G . D . ; V . o- * J der - P . P . G . C ; C Coupland , P . P . J . G . W . ; I- W- ^ ts . down , P . P . G . Steward ; V . brown , P . P . G . I- " Q , VV . Watson , P . P . G . S . of W . ; H . W . Green , „ , Steward ; Geo . Friend , P . P . S . G . W . ; * , * , „ ,, P . P * P . P . J . G . D . ; H . Black , P . P . A . G . D . C ; E . Denton-