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SATURDAY , DECEMBER 2 , 18 93 .

Masonic Notes.

Masonic Notes .

Among the many notable Masonic events which have occurred during the 19 years in which the Prince of Wales has occupied the position of Grand Master , the consecration of the Chancery Bar Lodge , on Tuesday last , will occupy a prominent position . Although his Royal Highness has granted warrants for over one

thousand lodges , this is the first occasion , we believe , on which he has been present at a consecration ceremony ; and on no former occasion have we witnessed a more impressive rendering of the ritual , or a more imposing ceremonial .

The Pro Grand Master , Lord Lathom , performed the duties allotted to him with much ability , and vvith that courtly grace which always distinguishes him . The Grand Master himself constituted the lodge , while the Grand Secretary , Bro . Letchworth , no less impressively installed the Worshipful Master and delivered the customary addresses .

In a ceremony of this kind the responsibilities of the Director of Ceremonies are great , and Bro . Sir Albert Woods was fortunate in securing the services of two brethren , whom practice has rendered perfect . Bro .

Frank Richardson has conducted more similar functions than he would probably care to count , and he and his colleague , Bro . J . H . Matthews , may well be proud of the success which has attended the latest of thc series .

* * * Bro . Sergison , Grand Organist , conducted themusical portion of the ceremony , assisted by vocalists selected from Westminster Abbey , the Chapel Royal , and St . Peter ' s , Eaton Square . He had also composed an anthem for the occasion , which showed much care and

skill in its treatment , and which was both impressive and graceful , Bro . Cutler , Q . C , Past Grand Organist , had also composed a march which was perfectly rendered by Herr Gottlieb ' s Vienna Stringed Band during the banquet and received with great applause by the company , the Prince of Wales joining in the demand fur its repetition .

It would be somewhat invidious and scarcely possible lu mention thc names of those who materially contributed to thc success of the day , but we cannot withhold a word of praise for the Secretary , Bro . L . G . Gordon

Robbins , whose arduous labour during the weeks of preparation and manifold duties during the evening in no way interfered with that courteous attention to the comfort of the visitors which was so marked a feature of the pro ceedings . ¦

¦ t * * It is only last week we were in a position to announce the gratifying intelligence that Bro . Terry had at length succeeded in enlisting the support of Bro . Col . G . Noel Money , C . B ., Prov . G . Master of Surrey , as Chairman at the approaching Festival of the R . M . Benevolent Institution . We are now authorised to

state that Bro . Hedges has also been successful in his efforts towards the same end , and that Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master , and Prov . Grand Master of West Lancashire , has very kindly consented to preside at the 106 th Anniversary Festival in aid of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , which will be held on some day yet to be selected in the month of May , 894 .

* It is hardly necessary for us to say that we heartily congratulate the Secretary and the friends and supporters of our senior Institution on this excellent piece of news . Bro . Lord Lathom has more than once acted

as chairman _ . it these celebrations , and on the occasion that he has done so , his Province have shown their loyalty and respect for his lordship , as well as their solicitude for the welfare of the Institution , for which fie has been presiding by generously contributing towards its funds , the most recent evidence in support ° f this statement being the case of the Boys' School

festival in 1891 , at Brighton , when West Lancashire "cat thc record by raising upwards of / 6000 in support uf his lordship ' s chairmanship . We can well imagine , therefore , that the Girls' School authorities are in high Jl'cc , ; tnd are looking forward—as , indeed , they arc ° n ( itlcd to do—to a more than usually ample replenishment of the funds in their charge . We sincerely hope "ic ' ir anticipations will be realised .

Masonic Notes.

Two notable Masonic events occurred at Brighton on Saturday last , when H . R . H . the Duke of Connaug'ht was installed as Prov . Grand Prior of Sussex , and Bro . Percy Clowes , son of Bro . R . Clowes , the Prov . Sub-Prior , was installed W . M . of the Earl of Sussex Lodge , both of which ceremonies took place at the Hotel Metropole . For the former meeting Bro .

Clowes had issued invitations to a large number of brethren to meet his Royal Highness at luncheon , and under the presidency of the genial Sub-Prior , the sir knights sat down to a sumptuous repast . The ceremony was performed with excellent effect by the Grand Sub-Prior , the Earl of Euston , his Royal Highness being duly installed with all customary ritual .

The evening ceremony , at which his Royal Highness was also present , was a great success . Bro . Percy Clowes was installed as W . M . in succession to Bro . Hudson by the Earl of Euston in the presence of over 200 brethren , of whom 130 were Installed Masters . Pressure on our space compels the postponement of the report until next week , when we hope to present a full record of the interesting proceedings .

* * » We very much regret to hear that Bro . W . H . Lee of the Grand Secretary's office , is detained at home by illness . He was in attendance at his post on Monday but became so ill that it was considered desirable that he should return home . We hope that our worthy brother will be restored to health at an early date and able to resume his duties .

* * * The regular Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons will be held on Tuesday next , the 5 th instant , but the business to be transacted is of the ordinary character , and will include the nomination of a G . Master and a G . Treasurer for the ensuing year ; the consideration of the report of the General Board , and the presentation of Charity jewels .

There were great doings at thc celebration of the centenary of the constitution of the Combermere Lodge , No . 29 S , Macclesfield , in the month of October last , the brethren from Congleton , and very many of the lodges in Cheshire , Lancashire and Yorkshire

mustering in great force in honour of the occasion . There was a procession to church , which was witnessed by a large concourse of people , and a special service with an appropriate sermon by Bro , the Rev . T . T . Higgins , P . P . G . Chap ., Vicar of St . Peter ' s , Congleton .

There was also much enthusiasm both in thelo ^ ge and at the banquet which followed , but what added mostly to the eclat of the meeting was the presence of Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M . of Cheshire , whose sympathy with the lodges and brethren under his rule is well known .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

I We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion , ]

CHRISTMAS , 18 93 . To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , I have just received from my friend , Bro , Stephen Berry , Grand Secretary of Maine , U . S . A .,

according to annual custom , the Knight Templar International toast for Christmas , 18 93 , and shall be glad for as many fratres as possible to take part in this pleasant way of remembering old and new friends . The following is a copy of the official circular . W . J . HUGHAN . Torquay , 25 th November .

" Grand Encampment Knights Templar , U . S . A . " Office of the Committee on "Christmas Observance , " Portland , Maine , November 10 , 1891 .

" Dear b r . iter , " The following toast has been prepared for the coming Christmas : " To our Most Eminent Grand Master Hugh Me-Curdy . * A hundred thousand Knights Templar sent / greetings , wishing him a Merry Christmas , with peace ,

health , and happiness . " The Grand Master sends the following response : ' To the Valiant Sir Knights of the Nineteenth Century , one hundred thousand strong : Noble sons of illustrious ancestors , whose Knightly lives shed increasiut , ' lustre upon a glorious past and illumine the

present with the inspiring hope of a brighter future . " Will you join in these sentiments on Monday , December 25 th , at noon , Eastern Standard time ( equivalent to 5 p . m . Greenwich ) , and will you extend the invitation to your command , as well as to all true

Templars and their friends , wheresoever dispersed , on land or sea . —Courteously and fraternally yours , " STEPHEN BERRY , "Committee , Portland , Maine . " Pacific time , 9 a . m . ; Western , 10 a . m . ; Central , II a . m .: Eastern , 12 a . m . ; Greenwich , 5 p . m . "

Proposed Lodge For Streatham.

PROPOSED LODGE FOR STREATHAM .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . '' Dear Sir and Brother , The writer under this heading doss not seem to be aware of the fact that there are many lodges

quite close to Streatham . I can call to mind a few—Brixton , No . 1 949 ; Avondale , No . 2395 ; Duke of Fife , No . 2345 ; Rye , No . 2272 : Selwyn , No . 1901 ; Peckham , No . 1475 ; and several meeting at the Surrey Masonic Hull , which is about 20 minutes by train from Streatham .

In the concluding paragraph of a letter on the Roj ; u Arch , Bro . Yarker must be mistaken about a brother reaching the 30 within a year of his becoming a Master Mason , as by the Regulations a brother must be a member of the 1 S for three years before proceeding to the higher Degree , unless an installed M . W . S ., which so young a Mason is hardly likely to be . — Yours fraternally ,

HENRY LOVEGROVE . Eboracum , Heme Hill , S . E .

A CAUTION . To the Editor of ihe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Should " W . H . Tunniclifl " apply for relief to any lodge , will the W . M . or Secretary kindly refer to this lodge before granting such assistance . —Yours fraternally

THE TREASURER 08 . Royal Clarence Lodge . No . 68 , Bristol . November 27 th .

Reviews.

Reviews .

THOMAS AND PAUL SANDBY , ROYAL ACADEMICIANS , * Some Account of their Lives and Works . London : Seeley and Co ., Essex-street , Strand . Under the above title , Mr . William Sandby , one of thc descendants of Thomas Sandby , has compiled a very interesting volume , consisting of 230 pages octavo , and 17 well-executed illustrations , including portraits of the two

Sandbys and their wives , the latter clearly evincing that the brothers had an eye to the beautiful in nature as well as in art . The book is well got up , printed on good paper , with plenty of space between the lines , and copious notes and useful references . A general and critical review of this work would be more suitable for a journal devoted to art and artists than for the columns of the Freemason , but as Thomas Sandby was in his day a distinguished and

highlyrespected member of the Craft , whose services have been , and still are , remembered with feelings of gratitude and admiration by those who have had an opportunity of witnessing the noble hall in Great Queen-street , in which the meetings ot the Grand Lodge are held , we feel that we should tie wanting in our duty if we allowed the advent of his biography to pass entirely unnoticed . For particulars of the birth and parentage of these two , to say the least of

them , remarkable men , we must refer the reader to thc book itself , wherein we find that very early in life , Thomas , the elder of the two brotheis , came from Nottingham to London , where his artistic talents soon attracted the notice of those in high places , so much so , indeed , that in 1743 . when he was only about 23 years of age , he was appointed " private secretary and draughtsman to H . R . H . William Augustus , Duke of Cumberland , and in that capacity

accompanied him in his campaigns in Flanders and Scotland . " " Hc was at the battle of Dettingen , in June , \ 3 , when the Duke was wounded , and , after accompanying him through the subsequent campaign , returned to England in November of that year . " He must , as his biographer states , " have witnessed some striking scenes during the early part of his career , " for he seems to have been the constant companion of his youthful and

courageous , though not always victorious , patron through the whole of his active military career . He was with him at Culloden and made a sketch of the battle , which is now in thc Royal Library at Windsor , The Du' < e being appointed to the Rangership of Windsor Great Park , he immediately selected Thomas Sandby to be Deputy Ringer , an oflice which he held for upwards of half a century . " For several years after his appointment a large part of

his time was occupied in the construction of the Virginia Water and in effecting the extensive alterations which were made in Windsor Great Park . " . . . . " King George III ., who ascended the throne in 1700 , took great interest in these works , and honoured ThomasSindby during his whole life in Windjor Great Park with his conli fence and personal friendship , not only consulting him in his professional duties , but frequently visiting him at the Deputy

Ranger ' s lod . je without ceremony or previous announcement . One of Thomas Sandbys daughters u ; ed to tell how she and her sisters , on hearing Ihe king calling for her father , stepped out of the window of the room in which they were sitting , and ran through the back of the house to change their dresses before nuking their appearance at luncheon vvith his Maj ; sty . " "As far as can now hi discovered , Thomas Sindby's

only architectural work in London was Freem asons' Hall in Queen-street , Lincoln's Inn Fields . " Here follows an account of the acq lisition by the Society of the premises and ground in Great Qu : en-street , on which the Freemasons' Hall and Tavern were subsequently erected , with an elaborate and , in the main correct description of thc hall in its early days , quoted from standard and generally reliable authorites , although there are one or two little mistakes requiring correction in order to render

thediscription perfectly accurate . For instance , the portrait of the Prince of Wales , afterwards Giorge IV ., was painted by William Peters , R . A ., not by Sir Joshua Reynolds , as the author has been led to bslieve . Reynolds ' s connection with the portraits in the hall was of the faintest possible character . Peters , vvho was an enthusiastic Mason , probably a personal friend of Sandby's , certainly a warm admirer of his architectuial talents , had already painted the portraits of Lord I ' etre and the Duke of Manchester anil presented them to the Grand 1-odge for thc adornment of thc hall , and had been made a Grand Ofliceribv having the distinctive and