Brief Essays On Curious Subjects.

1 elief that the grave was the entrance to a higher state , by em-0 ] oying" the same phrase alike for initiation and dissolution ; the Mstos ^ is further evidence in the same direction . It is freely onceded that the Tau was the mark placed on the Israelitish ' loors when the Angel of Death smote the firstborn in Pharaoh's resiore

Kingdom ; it was raised in the Wilderness by Moses to the smitten people , was referred to by Ezekiel , and , above all , was the Tree of Calvary , instead of the later Latin form that owes its position to inaccurate clericalisms .

Jt is difficult to say definitely why the Triple Tau has been placed on the apron : the triangle which encloses it should be sufficient to emphasize the Trinity ( not necessarily the Christian Faith ) . To us , Spirit is incomplete without the accompanying

Square of Matter , which is represented by , - i-ical exp lanation is only partial . May it not be an ignorant copy of ( he Cruciform nimbus often found in ecclesiastical ornamentation , where tlie fourth or lower end of the equal-limbed cross is

hidden by the neck or head of the holy personage thus arrayed ; and in this case we have simply the well-known Hermetic Cross on the Mundum Circle . Every enquirer must be aware that Catholic symbolism has been , with little or no variation , borrowed

from earlier faiths , and ancient deities are found with an aureole lo ° ive them dignity or significance . Some of the older monkish designs show the glory shaped as an equilateral triangle , or the interlaced triangles , and so on . One picture of St . John encloses

his head in a rectangle , whence springs a sunflower , apparently a compromise between Christianity and Paganism . Under some Supreme G . R . A . Chapters we find the Trip le Tau inside tlie Triangle , surrounded by a circle . This embodies a very great

amount of knowledge , of which a full explanation should be o-iven by the Rosicrucian Colleges , as none of our recognised Orders employ the circle in their symbolism , for the Sat-Bhai is hardly in the regular Masonic track .

To avoid repetition in subsequent articles , our readers are desired to keep in mind how difficult it is to discreetly comment on these Symbols . C . A . M .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Public Rooms , Kingston-square , Hull (" at the invitation of the Humber Lodge , ^ ° - 57 ) , on Wednesday , the 24 th ult . There was a very large attendance , about , 100 Masons being present , of whom upwards of 60 were Present or Past Prov . Grand Lodge . TheW . M . of the Humber Lodge , Bro . Samuel Rutter , had engaged the whole suite of rooms for the interesting occasion .

Ihe Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Grand Concert Hall , which Bros , J . R . Ausdell , P . M . 1605 ; J Clark , I . P . M ; 57 ; R . J . McLeavy , 57 ; James . Matthews , 57 ; and others had arranged in accordance with Masonic requirements . Several beautiful silk banners of the various lodges and the very handsome standards of the Provincial Grand Lodge were displayed in the hall , which was further enlivened by a choice and healthy collection of plants , which gave a very beautiful appearance to " le tout ensemble . " The side rooms were used for the

meeting of the Board of Benevolence and as a reception and robing-room , where the Provincial Grand Officers clothed , the picture gallery being used for a like purpose forthe other members of the Craft . Much credit is due to Bro . S . Rutter and his assistants for the admirable manner in which they had attended to every little detail , with a view to promote the comfort and convenience of the visitors .

ihe Ri ght Hon . the Earl of Zetland presided , supported by Bros . Lieut .-Col , tlie Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , P . G . W . Eng ., D . P . G . M . ; Col . R . G . Smith , 1010 , ' ¦ S . G . W . ; Rev . G . L . M . Rees , 630 , P . G . C ; Walter Reynolds , 250 , P . G . Treas . ; Corris , 57 , P . G . R . ; M . C . Peck , 250 , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., P . G . Sec ; M . M . Westerb y , 294 , P . G . D . C . ; F . Creaser , 734 , and T . Dale , 561 , P . G . Std . Brs . ; W . £ Child , 1611 , P . G . O . ; T . Oates , 250 , P . A . G . Sec . ; A . M . White , 1991 , P . A . G , ' -vst - ; F . J . Lambert , 1010 , P . G . Tyler ; J . Todd , 236 , and Capt . H . Darley , 4 . 1 , P . P . S . G . W . ' s ; J . Stevenson , 312 , J . Love Seaton , 57 , G . Wilkinson , 250 , f "' . J or W . H . Marwood , 312 , and D . J . O'Donoghue , 57 , P . P . J . G . W . ' s ; H . A . Williamson , 200 , and J . Sykes Rymer , P . P . G . R . ' s ; Martin Kemp , 57 , J . G . Hodg-* ° > 236 , C . Gray , 734 , N . H . Delamere , 1248 , Mark Rooke , 23 6 , G . L . Shackles , VvY' f ' Tllom P > 57 . J Walton , 57 , and J . T . Seller , 1611 , P . P . S . G . D . ' s ; G . Mlson , 57 , H . Forder , 1010 , H . Haigh , 250 , G . Ayre , 1416 , J . A . Manners , 602 , V ™ J- Westgarth Smith , 123 , P . P . J . G . D . ' s ; T ; N . Marwood , 312 , R . Beevers , 57 , W- lesseyman , 57 , W . D . Keyworth , 57 , C . Palliser , 1337 ; and H . Adams , 294 , , S « ' P - of Works ; G . H . Walshaw , Thos . Marshall , 294 , A . Farmer , : ° 4 a , and Eli Bryan , 294 , P . P . G . Dirs . of Cers . ; R . H . Peacock , 200 , '¦ leacock , 200 ; Henry Procter , 123 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Thos . Hewson , 57 ; J .

CllTl ' 5 ; G 1 H- Anderton , 630 ; T . M . Goldie , 660 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Wm . K "ett ' . 2134 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Geo . Balmforth , 236 ; W . H . Attley , 312 ; Ed . IWn ' r ° ' P P ' S- J Jas . Elgey , 1040 ; John Dunn , 1040 , and Walter Hv % •* - ' P P ' Pllrst - Visitors : Bro . Thos . W . Tew , Prov . Grand Master ; W 'fv . P-G . D . England , Dep . Prov . Grand Master ; H . Wilson , P . P . G . S . B . P p p orkshire ; Alfred Jones , P . P . G . R . Norths and Hunts ; and W . H . Cowlin , 1 •'• G . S . of W . Bristol . t ) c ., e p * Grand Lodge having been opened , the Prov . Grand Master , the Honoifr - ° " Grand Master , and Grand Officers were saluted with Grand

1888 ' minutes of the last Prov . Grand Lodge , held at Richmond , Sth of August , ^ *«* read and confirmed . £ IOr / T re P ° rt of the late Festival of the Educational Fund showed a balance of 1 he n Ud ' the hands of tho Treasurer . Ri ght W , "' T Puov - GRAND MASTER , addressing the Prov . Grand Master , said : ¦ li -ce ptanc f "' Pr ° V' G' M : lster ' —*! llave the honour to request your lordship ' s : i Pl'oin ' trn t ^ address ^ this Prov . Grand Lodge upon the occasion of your ¦ s '"isfactio * a ^ ^ ° " lieutenant of Ireland , an event which has given much wit ] , such " ne brethren of this province , over which your lordship has ruled ancl East Y t u- ? * Since the formation of the separate Province of North * 'lshi p ' : i | s . e m 18 I 7 i it has been presided over by several members of your lustnous house , who have achieved the highest distinction in the Craft .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

Our first Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon . Lawrence , Earl of Zetland , was Pro Grand Master from 1 S 34 until 18 3 S ; he was succeeded by the Rio-ht Hon . Thomas , Earl of Zetland , who was Pro Grand Master from 18 41 to 1 S 43 , when he became Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , and ruled over the Craft in a manner which will ever make his name famous in history . Since your lordship ' s appointment in 1 S 74 , this province has enjoyed a continued period of peace and tranquillity ; whilst our progress , although gradual , has been marked by a decided increase ; our membership , which in 18 74 was 1482 , has b y last year ' s return risen to 2014 , and during that period eight lodges have bean added to our roll ; our Charitable contributions have also very materiall y increased ; and we may fairly congratulate ourselves upon thc position this province now occupies . I will now read the

address—To the Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland , Right Worshi pful Prov . Grand Master for the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire . " May it please your lordship , "We , the officers and members of the Provincial Grand Lodo'e of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire , beg most respectfully to offer our sincere congratulations upon the occasion of your Lordship ' s appointment to thj high and honourable position of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland , and Viceroy ol " her Most Gracious Maiesty .

" We are assured that the State has secured in the person of your Lordship a representative of Government who will readily acquire the respect and confidence of those law-abiding inhabitants of Ireland who earnestl y desire the welfare of their country , and value the blessings of peace and order . " We embrace the present opportunity to renew our expressions of loyalty to

your Lordship as head of the Craft in North and East Yorkshire , and to testify to the happiness which this Province has enjoyed during the tenure of your Lordship ' s rule as our Provincial Grand Master , and we most earnestl y pray that your Lordship ' s valuable life may be spared for many years to preside over our united , prosperous , and happy Brotherhood .

Signed at Hull , on behalt of the Provincial Grand Lodo-e this 24 th day of July , 188 9 . " W . T . ORDE-POWLETT , P . G . W . England , " D . P . G . M . N . and R . Yorks .

I Seal of Province . ] " M . C . Peck , P . G . Std . Br . England , " P . G . Sec . N . and ' E . Yorks . " His LORDSHIP briefly replied to this address , which was illuminated with artistic merit , and bound in rich blue morocco , emblazoned with the arms of the Craft .

The P . G . M . moved— " That this Provincial Grand Lodge , having considered the Report of the Committee appointed to investigate the management of the Royal Masonic Boys' School , desires to express its complete confidence in the ability and impartiality of the members of such Committee ; its opinion that the

recommendations of such Committee should be supported to the utmost , and that an entire change in the administration must take place ; this Provincial Grand Lodge also desires to express its satisfaction at the election ( on 6 th June last ) of the Provisional Committee , not doubting that such results will ensue from its labours , as will restore the prestige of the Institution . "

This was seconded by Bro . R . G . SMITH , Prov . Charity Representative , and carried unanimously . Bro . J . TODD moved —• " That the best thanks of this Provincial Grand Lodge be , and are , hereby given to the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , R . W . P . G . M ., for his able and courteous presidency at the first Festival of the Educational Fund of the province , held at York on the Sth of May last , with its hearty congratulations on the oreat success of the Festival /'

This was seconded by Bro . D . J . O DONOGHUE , and carried . The roll of lodges was called over b y the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY , and it was found that all of the 29 lodges comprising the province were duly represented . The next business was the election of the Prov . Grand Treasurer . Bro . Walter Reynolds was unanimously re-elected for the fourth time on the proposition of Bro . J . TODD , seconded by Bro . J WALTON . The Provincial Grand Oflicers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows :

Bro . J . A . Malcolmson , P . M . 1848 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Wm . Ascough , P . M . 1248 ... ... ... Prov . J . G W „ Rev . H . L . Clarke , M . A ., 236 ... ... ... „ Rev . R . Blakeney , M . A ., 1611 ... ... j Prov . G . Chaps .

„ Fras . hullerton , P . M . 1010 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . ,, M . C . Peck , P . M . 250 , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ( re-appointed ) Prov . G . Sec . „ John Clark , P . M . 57 ... ... " ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Wm . Coltman , P . M . 1416 ¦ ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ Fredk . Blackburn , P . M . 250 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ Alfred W . Walker , P . M . 660 ... ... ... Prov . G D C .

„ James Bordass , P . M . 1040 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, Jno . Mackaill , P . M . 2134 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ R . H . Sootheran , P . M . 1327 ... ... ... ) _ -,- ,, „ , I , John Chappell , P . M . 1605 ... ... j Prov . G . Std . Br s . „ J . R . Stringer , 57 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Thomas Oates , P . M . 250 , P . P . G . O . ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . A . G . Sec . ,, Geo . Chambers , P . M . 1760 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ John McFaden , W . M . 6 43 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ Jno . Gibson , 123 ... ... ... ... ~ ,, Fras . Goodericke , 200 „ Chas . E . Wright , 236 ... ... ¦•• ID r- c . 1 " Hy . Hollis , 2 ? o ... ... ... / Prov . G . Stwds . „ Geo . H . Knight , 294 ,, John Brand , 312 „ F . J . Lambert ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER then addressed the Prov . Grand Lodge as follows .-Worshipful Brethren , —Once again we are assembled in this great centre of Masonry to confer together , to renew our old friendships , and to make new friends . The end and abject of Freemasonry being the promotion of happiness for ourselves and others , surely no better means could be adapted for this purpose than our annual assemblies , when deputations come from the various lodges to meet too-ether ,

take counsel , relieve the distressed , and to confer distinction upon those brethren whose worth and merit have rendered them conspicuous amongst their fellows . Since our meeting at Richmond last year , several events of importance have occurred in this province . On the ist October last , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master laid the foundation stone of a new Masonic Hall at Howden , which will shortly be dedicated . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master also on the 3 rd October

dedicated the Masonic Hall adjacent to this building , for the joint occupation of the Kingston and De La Pole Lodges , and on the 22 nd October I had the pleasure of dedicating the Masonic Rooms in Castlegate , York , for the Agricola Lodge , these ceremonials are noteworthy , as they indicate that the bretthren are fully alive to the importance of providing Masonic Temples , were our arts and mysteries can be promulgated in a fitting jind dignified manner . In

January last our province was honoured by a visit from his Royal Highness the M . W . Grand Master , who on the 22 nd opened the new Town Hall at Middlesborough , on which occasion I'had the honour to head a Masonic deputation and to present a loyal address from this Provincial Grand Lodge . On the 8 th May , the first festival of our Educational Fund was celebrated at York , and we were honoured by the presence of his Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales , this was in every respect a most successful gathering and we sincerel y hope that