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A VERY full report has reached us of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Dist . G . Lodge of Bombay at its 52 nd half-yearly communi-Bombay . cation on the 26 th March last , and from this it is evident that under the auspices of H . R . H . the Dukeof CONNAUGHT , Dist . G . Master , the English section of the Craft in Bombay has latterly been making most

satisfactory progress . With a solitary exception , the lodges are in a state of active work j the finances of the Dist . G . Lodge , especially in respect of the Benevolent Fund , are in a satisfactory condition ; while the Bombay Masonic Association is also flourishing , the subscriptions , which by the end of the year 1886 had reached 23 594 rupees , having been increased by the

end of 1887 by 2776 rupees to 26 , 370 rupees . The harmony existing between the English and Scottish brethren is referred to as having become stronger than ever , so that the outlook for the future seems most promising , and there can be no doubt whatever that even in the very unlikely event of

His Royal HIGHNESS resigning the Dist . G . Mastership to-morrow , it will be found that his influence and example have been most beneficial . The report of these proceedings is as ample as it is interesting , and all the important statements contained in the Dist . Dep . G . Master ' s address will be found verified in the various tables contained in the appendix .

* * * _ , _ _ THE Craft has for the most part fared prosperously in Suffolk , The Prov . G . T . , . v , . . c v . J , . , Lodgeof It is not , perhaps , one of our wealthiest provinces , but it has * many earnest brethren on its roll of members , and its lodges are models of harmonious feeling and excellent vvork . Moreover , it has

been extremely fortunate in its rulers , the present Prov . G . Master , Bro . Lord HENNIKER , and his immediate predecessor the late Bro . Lord WAVENEY being , both of them , firm yet kind , and as a consequence extremely popular chiefs . Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the meeting at Sudbury on the 18 th ult . of the Prov . Grand Lodge should

have passed off so satisfactorily , and that the reports by the various executive officers should have told so encouraging a tale . The PROV . G . TREASURER ' report showed a sufficient balance on the right side of the account . The PROV . G . SECRETARY was in a position to point to a substantial increase in the number of members , and Bro . HARVEY in presenting the seventh annual report ol

the Suffolk Masonic Charitable Association was able to congratulate the brethren on the assistance they had been able through its instrumentality to render to our central Charitable Institutions , especially during the current year when the contributions to these latter from Suffolk exceeded £ 1100 .

All these statements are eminently gratifying and we congratulate Bro . Lord HENNIKER , his kindly Deputy , Bro . the Rev . C . J . MARTYN , and the brethren generally on the success of their efforts during the past year to strengthen and extend the well-being of Freemasonry .

Glasgow Exhibition And Freemasonry.

GLASGOW EXHIBITION AND FREEMASONRY .

The "Old Castle of Glasgow" ( which originated in the thirteenth century , but was finally demolished about a hundred years since ) , has been reproduced in a temporary form , the characteristic erection being in the grounds of ihe International Exhibition , Glasgow , and utilised for the Archaeological and Historical Collection .

Of this exceedingly valuable portion of the Exhibition we can only say a few words , as respects the Masonic Curios , the first to be noted being under the heading of " Scottish Literature . '' " 707 , Masonic Apron , used by Burns at meetings of the Craft . "— ' * Lent by James Lennox , F . S . A ., Sec . "

The "Immortal Bard was initiated as a member of the " mystic tie" in 1781 , and soon became enamoured with the Society . Interest in his Masonic career has been renewed through the advent of the History of the Lodge " Canongate Kilwinning , " No . 2 , by Bro . Allen Mackenzie , who has fully described the chief events in Burn ' s life , Masonically speaking , especially in relation to his Laureateship of that ancient lodge .

" 708 , Antique Masonic China Punch Set , used by the Poet Burns in Tarbolton . —Lent by the Rev . John W . Ritchie . " Burns was "Depute Master" of St . James' Lodge , Tarbolton , and often presided over " the Sons of Light . " The bowl and jug bear similar designs , representing the arms of the "Moderns" and "Ancients , " apparently as issued from the celebrated works , Worcester , and are fine

specimens . The Relics of Burgh ' s Incorporations and other Public Bodies form a most attractive series , especially to a student of Freemasonry , and consist

of some 150 articles of curious interest and of considerable importance . Many of these ancient and valuable relics would well repay a careful observation , as well as be worthy of special description , but the present notice is restricted to those of a Masonic character .

" 1000 , Blue Blanket , the ancient Banner of the Convener of the Incorporated Trades of Perth , borne at the Annual Wappenschaws , when Craftsmen turned out in armour to show that they were ready for service . James VI . complained of their independent spirit , and wrote in the Basilican

Boron , ' The Craftsmen think that we should be content with their work , how bad soever it be , and , if in anything they are controlled , up goes the Blue Blanket . ' It is said the Blanket was presented to the Court by Oueen Mary . "

"Lent by the Trades Incorporations of Perth , —per John Stewart , Convener . " We are familiar , as Craftsmen , with the " Blue Blanket" of Edinburgh , about which a work was written in 1722 , and also in later editions . Let us hope that the Masons were not of those who could so ill bear being

controlled , for no class of the Incorporated Trades were more regularly taught their duties in relation to their Church , their King and their Masters . The same Incorporation has owned for over 350 years the " Sanct Eloyis Box , " in which the Funds of the Hammermen of Perth were kept by the Boxmaster , or Treasurer .

Glasgow Exhibition And Freemasonry.

" 1072 St . Clair Charter granted by the Master of Work to James Vi and the Deacons and Freemen Masons of Scotland to William Sinclair rif Roslin , 1600-1 , as Patron and Protector of Mason Craft . Presented to thp Grand Lodge of Scotland by the late William Edmonstoune Aytoun , p fessor of Rhetoric in the Edinburgh University . " " Lent by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons , Edinburgh—per D . Murrav Lyon , Se retary . " *

" 1703 St . Clair Charter of Confirmation of the above , granted by the Deacons of the Mason Lodges of Edinburgh , Glasgow , Stirling , Dunfermline , St . Andrews , and Dundee , and lhe Deacons of the Masons and Wrights of Ayr in 1628 . " [ Note as before . ] These unique ^ documents are invaluable relics of the Masonic Craft which have been duly explained by the Scottish Masonic Historian , Bro '

Lyon , and are , thanks to his researches , now correctly understood and appreciated . The old notion that they contain the appointment of Grand Master has long been exploded , for as a matter of fact they simpl y refer to the rank of Patron , or Judge of the Craft . The latter distinction St Clair resigned in 1736 , and was , in the same year , elected and installed as the premier Grand Master of Scotland , as one of the junior members of the "Canongate Kilwinning" Lodge , No . 2 , aforesaid .

Facsimiles of these precious originals are given in Bro . Lyon ' s " History of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . 1 . " The originals were presented to the Grand Lodge by Brother Prof . Aytoun , who vvas one of the many distinguished members of No . 2 , Scotland . " 1074 Minute-Book of the Roman Lodge of Freemasons existing at Rome in 1735 * 37 . The lodge was suppressed by Pope Clement the Twelfth

in August , 1737 . Its Tyler was taken to the Inquisition , but was soon released . George Seaton , Earl of Winton , who vvas sentenced to death for having taken part in the Rebellion of 1715 , but who escaped from the Tower of London , was 'Great Master' of the Roman Lodge when it vvas suppressed , and the Minute-Book remained in his lordship ' s hands till his

death in 1749 , and came into the possession of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1799 . Among the autographs attached to these minutes are those of Lord Winton , Allan Ramsay , son of the celebrated Allan Ramsay , the Scottish Poet ; John Murray , of Broughton ; Sir Alexander Dick , of Prestonfield ; and other devoted Jacobites . "—[ Lent , as before ] .

I his old book of records interested us exceedingly , and we longed to go through its pages , but lhat vvas denied us . On the two pages that were exposed to view , vve noted that the meeting de cribed vvas entitled " A true and perfect lodge , att vvhich were present , " the Master , Wardens , and four other members . When , or by whom , the lodge was authorised we cannot tell , but the minute-book isa great curiosity .

" 1075 , The Minule-Book of the St . Andrew Lodge of . Freemasons , Dumfries , of vvhich Burns was an affiliated member , bearing the poet ' s signature to the bye-laws on page 11 , and containing the minute of his admission , 27 th December , 178 S . " " 1076 , The Master ' s Mallet and Apron used in the Lodge in Burn ' s time . ''— " Presented to the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1879 , by Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart , Bart . Lent by the Grand Lodge of Freemasons , Edinburgh , per D . Murray Lyon , Secretary . ''

Many of us were exceedingly glad that these souvenirs of Burn ' s connection with the Craft fell into such good hands , when sold by public auction quite recently , and all must appreciate the kindness of the distinguished donor in thus placing these heirlooms in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . " 1077 . MS . Book of Charges of the Mother Lodge Kilwinning . "

" 1078 . Minute Book of the Mother Lodge of Kilwinning , from 1642 till 1758 . " 1079 , Ditto from 1755 till December , 1806 . 1080 . Ditto from 1 S 06 till 1842 . " 1081 . Seal of the Mother Lodge of Kilwinning . "—" Lent by the Mother Lodge of Kilwinning . "

One of the features of Scottish Freemasonry is the numerous minute books preserved by the old lodges . The oldest of No . 1 dates from 1599 and the lecords are continued in an unbroken line down to the present time . The next oldest of a series are the above , vvhich , however , are not those of the first meetings of the lodge any more than are those of No . I . In these

respects Scotland is far ahead of England , for in the latter country there are no distinct lodge records in existence prior to 1701 . England has , however , tar more copies of lhe "Old Charges , " and , curious to state , all those in Scotland have an English origin . The foregoing version is about the year 1675 , the text being of the ordinary kind .

Still another Masonic exhibit calls for notice , viz ., " 1382 , silver-gilt Masonic jewel , Glasgow , latter part of eighteenth century . —Lent by Mrs . T . M . Campeli . " It is oval in shape , engraved , and contains many emblems relating to the Craft and "Higher" Degrees .

Old Warrants,—Xii.—Xiii.—Xiv.

OLD WARRANTS , —XII . —XIII . —XIV .

COPy OF WARRANT , No . go , CAVAN , IRELAND . Mountjoy , G . M ., C . Callaghan , Jun . D . G . M . By the Right Worshipful and Right Honourable Visct . Mountjoy , Grand Master of all the Lodges of Free Masons of the Kingdom of Ireland , the Right Worship ful Cornelius Callaghan Jun Esq Deputy Grand Master the Worshipful Robert Callag han

and Edward Martin Esqrs . Grand Wardens . Whereas our trusty and well beloved Brothers Mr . Richard Sheridan , Mr . J ""* Morrison , Mr . James Grahams , Masons have besought Us that we would be pleased to errect a lodge of Free Masons in the town of Cavan in the County of Cavan of such persons who by their Knowledge and Skill in Masonry may contribute to the well being * and advancement thereof . VVe therefore duly weighing the premisses and having nothing more at heart than the Prosperity and true advancement of Masonry and said

reposing special Trustful Confidence in our Trusty and well Beloved Brothers the Mr . Richard Sheridan Mr . James Morrison and Mr . James Grahams of whose abilities and Knowledge in Masonry We are satisfied do by these presents of our certain Knowledge and meer Motion Create Authorize and Constitute the said Richard Sheridan Master , Mr . James Morrison and Mr . James Grahams Wardens , to be Master ana Wardens of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to be held by them and their * " *" - - cessors lawfully admitted in the said Lndce for ever And we rln hsrehv eive and gra

unto the said Richard Sheridan , James Morrison and James Grahams and their succe * . sors full power and lawful authority from time to time to proceed to Election of a ne Master and Wardens to make such Laws Rules and orders as they from time to ti shall think proper and convenient for the well being and ordering of the s SEAL . L-idge referring to Our Selves and Our Successors , Grand Masters or , ^ -g — Wardens of Ireland the sole Right of deciding all Differences vvhich sha » . No . go brought by appeal before Us and Our Successors , Grand Masters or uf

Wardens of Ireland . . c [ tn In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seal of office this day of October in the year of our Lord God 173 S and in the year of Masonry 573 ?* lntratur per John Pennell , secy .