An Old Masonic Badge.

¦ The latter assertion is not likely to be correct , for the Treasurers' books of the old lodges generally , being silent as to such an outlay , do not favour such a custom , but undoubtedly they were much worn at the period in question . In the catalogue of the " Masonic Exhibition , " held at YORK , 20 th February ,

1884 , No . 9 ( page 14 ) , there is one of these " Pierced Master Mason's jewels , round , A . M . J ] 66 , & c , emblems . " It was also exhibited at WORCESTER , August , 18 S 4 , as No . 146 , and alsc

another as No . 187 . Still another is noted under 594 , sent by Bro . J . L . Atherton , and one by my lamented friend Major Irwin as No . 695 , now in the Grand Lodge collection , where others also may be seen of a similar kind .

Bro . Geo . Taylor had a good specimen of 176 3 , No . 1105 , and a duplicate , as No . 1084 ( now in the Worcester Collection ) . In the same Catalogue , No . 932 , of 1766 , was exhibited by Bro . J . S . Cumberland , who also has some more pieces of these handsome decorations . Bro . Thos . Cox , of Derby , No . 43 r , has one precisely as the above illustration of " A . M . 57 ^ 3 . "

In the Transactions of the " Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , " for 18 95 , is an interesting article by Dr . W . J . Chetwode Crawley , with an illustration of this Badge of the year 176 3 , known as " Lord Muskerry ' s Jewel , " now owned by that gifted brother . In the " Ars" of Lodge 2076 for 18 94 is a sketch of

the same design , the original , in silver , having been kindly donated by Bro . F . W . Larter , of Glasgow , with others , to the Quatuor Coronati Lodge . The latter specimen , as Dr . Crawley points out , has the Pythagorean proposition incised upon it ( as in Marvin ' s work ) , but this is clearly an addition made subsequently , and no part of the die itself .

Specimens also are to be met with in the Catalogue of the celebrated Masonic Exhibition at Shanklin , September , 18 S 6 , and varieties of the Badge are in the Catalogue of the fifth and last Exhibition held at Plymouth in 188 7 . The valuable collections of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire , the

Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcester , Bro . J , T . Thorp , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicester , Bro . G . W . Bain , Bro . M . C . Peck , the Brighton Masonic Museum , & c ., have , I believe , several varieties , or different years' issues of this Badge ; so it is not so rare as was first imagined . W . J . HUGHAN .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The half-yearly meeting of West Yorkshire Mark Masons was held on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., at the Mechanics' Institution , Wood-street , Wakefield , under the banner of the Integrity Lodge , No . 110 . This lodge it may be noted was founded originally at Morley in the year 1 S 70 , some 12 months before the Province of West Yorkshire was constituted . Notwithstanding the efforts of several very active Mark Masons , amongst whom

may be named the late Bro . Captain John Wordsworth ( afterwards Prov . Grand Master ) , Bro . Joseph Sykes and Bro . Charles Woollons , Integrity Lodge did not progress , and with a view to increasing its vitality it was removed from Morley to Wakefield . This was in 187 ( 1 , Here it found considerable support , and though it cannot be said to have nourished exceedingly , yet , through the devotion ol the late Bros . Henry France , Mark Potter , W . E . Cowper , J . A . Thornton , Thos . Howden , and others , it

strugg led on until it attained its present position , which may be described as that of average vigour and strength . This was the fifth time that Integrity Lodge had entertained the brethren of the province , and at 4 45 p . m . Bro . H . Slade Childe and his officers opened the lodge . Shortly after live , the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Charles Letch Mason , Bro . John Barker , his Deputy , and the officers of Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge entered . These

comprised—Bros . T . G . Howell , P . M . 137 and 493 , Prov . S . G . W . ; Thos . Pickles , P . M . 127 , Prov . J . G . W . ; J . P . Hewitt , P . M . 53 , Prov . G . M . O . ; W . H . Kingswell , P . M . no , as Prov . S . G . O . ; James Milligan , P . M . 58 , Prov . I . G . O . ; Rev . J . M . Walton , P . M . 501 , as Prov . G . Chap . ; John Reed , P . M . 39 S , as Prov . G . Treas . ; Thos . Rowbotham , P . M . 53 , P . P . G . W ., as P . G . Reg . ; | osepli Mafthetvman , P . M . 110 , Prov . G . Sec . ; Theo . Barber , P . M . 30 S , Prov . S . G . D . ; Wm . Varley , P . M .

eoi , Prov . ] . G . D . ; W . B . Smith , W . M . 352 , Prov . G . Insp . of Works ; R . J . Smith , P . M . in , Prov . G . D . C . ; S . Krakiuer , P . M . 127 , Prov . A . G . D . C . ; Tom Ashworth , P . M . 14 , Prov . G . S . B . ; ' J . E . Mann , P . M . 457 , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; J . Nicholson , J . W . 457 , Prov . G . Org . ; E . Foulds , W . M . 535 , Prov . G . I . G . ; J . T . Thompson , P . M . 53 , Thos . Mallinson , J . P ., J . O . 545 , S . A . Radcliffe , 493 , and C . Goldthorpe , W . M . 398 , Prov . G . Stwds . ; and T . F . Wheeler , Tyler .

Amongst the Past P . G . Officers were Bros . H . S . Holdsworth , P . M . 58 and 535 , P . P . G . W ., P . G . St . Br . ; W . E Smithies , P . M . 137 and 493 , P . P . G . W ., P . G . S ., Chairman of the Charity Committee Wm . Cockcroft , P . M . 501 , P . P . G . O . ; Charles E . Rose , P . M . 58 , PP . G . O . ; E . Bilington , P . M . 127 , P . P . G . O . ; Wm . Langbridge , P . M . 398 , PP . G . Rer ? . ; J . J . Martin , P . M . no , P . P . G . D . ; ] . W . Smith , W . M . 374 , P P . G . Std . Br . ; and Ice Sykes , J . W . 137 , P-P-G . Org .

Also amongst others : Bros . John Martin , S . W ., Frank Massie , J . W ., J . Dunnill , S . O ., G . Clayton Mam Sec , W . W . Pearson , Thos . Horner , and H . Gillet , all of no ; Chas . Cromacki W . M . Old York ( T . I . ) 1 Chas . Stokes , W . M ,, ] . T . Thompson , P . M ., and E

Rowbotham , J . O . all of 53 ; J . Wniieley , Reg . 58 ; F . Hinchcliffe , W . M . elect . and I . E . Cawthorn . S . O . in ; li . E . J . Anderson , l . G . 352 ; C . Goldthorpe , W . M . 398 ; Ambler Davies , J . O . 525 ; Geo . Whitaker , S . W ., W , Wagstiffe , S . O , and Joseph Smith , J . O ., all of 535 ; A . G , Webster , M . D ., J . W ., and T . Mallinson , J . P ., J . O . 545 ' Before Prov . G , Lodge was openel the Prov . G . Secretary handed to liro . C . Letch Mason , Prov . G . Master , his patent of appointmen

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

empowering him to hold the office for a further period of three years , the document having now been renewed and endorsed no less than six times . " This Bro . Mason received amid the plaudits of his brethren . Prov . G . Lodge was then opened , and the usual salutes were given . The acting P . G . Registrar , Bro . THOS . ROWBOTHAM , on calling the roll , announced that all the lodges in the province were represented . Of the Present Prov . Officers seven were absent . From six of these the PROV . G . SECRETARY said he had received apologies , the seventh , Bro . J . H . Dyson , being in Canada .

The Prov . G . Secretary presented the minutes of the annual meeting held at Castleford , which , as they had been previously printed and circulated , were taken as read and confirmed . The PROV . G . MASTER then addressed the Prov . G . Lodge as follows :

Brethren : It gives me great pleasure once more to visit the old historic city of Wakefield , and meet my officers and the brethren of the province under the banner of Integrity , No . 110 . We last assembled in this town in October , 1896 , and a very large and successful gathering we had . The chair of Integrity was occupied on that occasion by Bro . W . H . Kingswell , who only the previous month

( September ) had attained that position . During the five years that have elapsed since that time Mark Masonry has gone on steadily making progress bath in West Yorkshire and elsewhere . We are gradually increasing in numbers , and adding new lodges to our roll . Though , through the lamented death of our beloved Queen , we lost our Grand Master , yet I think I may say we have in his brother a noble and able successor . The installation of H . R . H . as Grand

Master of the Mark Degree has not yet taken place , but I don t doubt , when it does , the Mark Masons from all parts of the country will muster to extend to the Duke a loyal and hearty welcome . I hope to represent my province on that occasion , and I trust I shall be well supported by my brethren . I have now completed 18 years' service as your Provincial G . Master , and you were good enough at our last meeting , on the initiative of that staunch Masonic veteran , that pillar in Mark Masonry—I refer to Bro . Hugh Sugden Holdsworth—you were good

enough to recommend me to the M . W . Grand Master far a further period of three years . On that recommendation action has been taken , a renewal of my appointment has been made , and the necessary endorsement of the patent carried out . I have , therefore , by virtue of the authority handed to me by the Provincial Grand Secretary , commenced another three years' term of office , and I venture to hope that that period will be equally happy and equally successful . It is infinitely pleasurable to look back when one can do it with such confidence as I can .

For what have the past 18 years been to me ? Through your loyalty and support , Masonicaliy speaking , they have been years of happy social intercourse and steady and consistent progress . We have had no very startling events , perhaps , and I don't think we are any the worse for that ; but we have gained a closer knowledge ot each other , so much so , that many relations , which at first might be styled but acquaintanceships , have developed into warm and intimate friendships . Then we have improved our organisation , and we have formed a Charity

Committee so as to bring the brethren in touch with the Mark Benevolent Institution —but , better than all this , we have had no quarrels ; there has been a spirit of peace and harmony amongst us which should at all times , but , unfortunately , does not always characterise Masonic communities . This being so , you can understand , brethren , how I can look back on the past with pleasure and look forward to the future with confidence , and with your help and countenance we will endeavour to make the coming three years

equally bright , equally happy , and equally prosperous . We must , however , not always expect the glorious sunshine of success . Clouds come , and if adversity or chastisement follows , we must submit and bear it resignedly . If we cannot , however , command success we can at least try to deserve it , arid all honest effort , sooner or later , obtains recognition . As the years go by , some of the older members—those who have borne the burden and heat of the day—drop out and are seen no more . Their places in due course get filled up , for We are none of us

indispensable—but ( heir removal often leaves an aching void which time alone has power to fill . Amongst the older members of our Order , Bro . Charles Woollons occupied a conspicuous place ; conspicuous—not on account of his brilliancy in Masonic ceremonial or oratorical effort , but for his consistent courage , his dogged fidelity and perseverance , and his faith in the future of Mirk Masonry . He , as some of you well know , was largely responsible for bringing Integrity Lodge from Morley to Wakefield , and throughout the early years of its

sojourn in this town , he devoted much time and hbour to its interests . May his memory be long preserved in the hearts of his brethren ! But it is not only the veterans in Mark Masonry whom Time and Death remove from our midst . The uncertainty of life—of which we are all conscious but to which wc are too frequently heedless—was never , perhaps , more forcibly brought near to us than by the tragically sudden death of the W . M . of the Old York Lodge . Bro . Pullan was just completing a successful year

of ollice in the chair ; his successor was installed 01 Tuesday last , and I am informed that he was anxious to undertake that ceremony , and was , in point of fact , actually rehearsing it when the end came . Brethren , the ways of the G . Overseer are not our ways , and His purposes are , to our poor human intelligence , often obscure . We can only submit ; we have no other course , but it we can do so with faith , surely such an ovent as our Bro . Pullan ' s death must bring home to us more strongly than anything else could—how feeble humanity is , and

how only the hope of a better hereafter can atone for the inequalities and uncertainties ol human existence . I know I am voicing the feeling of all when I say that our hearts go forth in sympathy with the widowed mDthor and children . Bro . Pullan , as many know bitter than I , was of a genial , kindly disposition , and he will be much missed in Masonic circles . Let me now , brethren , call your attention to less doleful matters . Since we met at Castleford in the spring our excellent friend John Barker , my worthy Deputy , has taken to himself a wife

Let us offer to him on this , our first opportunity , good wishe 3 and congratulations . With a generous promptitude on its being brought to your notice , you subscribed a handsome sum , which has been expended in the purchase of a wedding present . The nature and usefulness of the articles selected are apparent , and we all hope Bro . Barker and his wife will long live to benefit from the gifts we have offered . We did not think it necessary to issue a printed statenasnt of the subscriptions and expenditure , but it" any lodge is desirous to know exictly how the money

was raised and expended , he can obtain the particulars from the Prov . Grand Secretary . I may mention that in addition to the case of cutlery and silver , a Russian leather travelling big for Mrs . Barker was included . Both were sent to Bro . Barker in July last , and letters from the recipients , couched in very grateful terms , have reached the Prov . G . Secretary . And now , brethren , in closing my brief remarks , let me thank you for your continued confidence , and for the salutations you so heartily accorded . You know by this time how closely Mark Masonry lies to my heart , how jealous 1 am of its reputation and renown . Be

particular in attending loJge meetings . Tne presence of the older membsrs and P . Ms , cheers the younger brethren , and encourages them to efort . Pay special attention to the reverent rendering of the ceremonial ; and , above all , by you ' lives and conduct endeavour to illustrate the Masonic principles of our Order : so shall Mark Masonry go on its way with joy , not noisily or ostentatiously , b jt quietly and modestly , and thus shall we gatner around us worthy brethren of the Craft , who will add lustre to the Degree , and increase its influsnce for good , Mark Masonry presents a high ideal , brethren . Let us try to live up to it , anli let it be written of us as of Abou Ben Adhem that we loved our fellow man . ^