Disabled Soldiers.

will certainly require sympathy and assistance . Large numbers will be discharged with small pensions which will be a help to them if they are strong and able to work . Others will have completed their Reserve service ; others , again , will have to go back to the Reserves to complete their time at a retaining fee of 6 d . a day ; and the men absolutely disabled and incapable of supporting themselves at all will receive a pension of about is . 6 d . to zs . 6 d ., or a maximum of 3 s . a day . Seme of these are married men with wives and families to support ; and , of course , there will be an immense amount of suffering among them unless something more can be done for their relief .

The most practical form of help seems to be the provision of homes rent free in accordance with the Princess Chrsstian Cottage Homes scheme for disabled soldiers , and efforts are now being made to found and endow one or more of these for the crippled men of each regiment , in memory of the late Prince Christian Victor , who died in the service of his country in South Africa . The scheme of each regiment having this provision for its own disabled men meets with the warm approval of the Commandei .-in-Chief , and separate funds

are now commenced for cottage homes for 76 regiments , in which are included regiments of Cavalry and Royal Artillery and Engineers . . Each of these cottages will be located , as far as possible , in the county or neighbourhood where the regiment for which it is established is mainly recruited . In common with those already sheltering disabled men , it will be a Princess Christian Cottage Home , and a tablet will be placed in it bearing the name of tho regiment or corps for which it is reserved , and stating that it is founded and endowed in memory of the Prince .

The cost of endowment of such a cottage in perpetuity , with yearly repairs , may be roughly estimated at from ^ 400 to £$ 00 . The-maintenance of the occupant is another matter which necessarily varies according to his condition and the pension he is receiving . Take , for , example , the case of a man shot through the spine , paralysed from head to foot . He has a pension of half-a-crown a day and no rent to pay , and he is in one of the Princess Christian Cottage Homes ; but expenses , including nurse , doctor , and nourishing food , amount to £ 2 per week ,

and as long as life lasts he needs an allowance . But any disabled man in a Princess Christian Home is well looked after by the Soldiers and Sailors' Help Society , and when necessary his pension is supplemented by periodical grants or by a yearly allowance . It will thus be seen that the Cottage Homes for Regiments are not convalescent homes , nor are they in any sense hospitals . The present p lan is based on the assumption that the truest charity is to enable a permanently disabled and necessitous man to remain in comfort with his family . The rentfree cottage , with its attendant benefits , meets the need without fear of

pauperisation , as all supplementary assistance can be adjusted to the precise requirements of each sufferer . The occupant is selected by the regiment for which the cottage is endowed , and when the man dies , or a vacancy from any cause occurs , the regiment nominates another to fill his place . If this scheme meets with general approval and receives the full support of the nation , enabling every regiment to have not one but several cottage homes for its disabled men , there ought never again to be the scandal of an old soldier , for no fault of his own , ending his days in the workhouse ; and a corresponding impetus should certainly be given to recruiting .

Contributions have already been received from a large number of regiments , including many battalions in South Africa , and it is impossible to doubt that it is an encouragement to the soldier to know that some provision is being made for him by his countrymen at home should he , through wounds or disease contracted in the war , be discharged invalided and unable to earn his own livelihood . All the Commanding Ollicers who have been communicated with , without exception , expressed themselves warmly in favour of the scheme .

The administration of the fund , of which Bro . Lord Brassey is Hon . Treasurer , is in the hands of a General Committee , consist ! ng of Bro . the Lord Mayor of London , Lord Lieutenant of freland , Lord Lieut enants of Counties , and principal collectors , under the presidency of Bro . Field-Mi rshal Earl Roberts , with a strong Executive Committee , of which Bro . General Sir Redvers Buller is Chairman . Though the collection is being carried on gratai tonsly without the

employment of salaried officers , and expenses are minimised through the kindness of Bro . Lord Roberts in lending his room at the Horse Guards as an office , further help is urgently needed to enable the cottage homes to be established in time for the damaged men now returning , and it is hoped that the friends of the various regiments in their territorial districts and elseivhere miy assist , by collections and donations , to complete the required sums for the several homes , or by soliciting from landowners gifts of suitable cottages .

When forwarding contributions it should be stated for which regiment ' s cottage home each donation is to be reserved . Cheques and postal orders should be crossed " Lloyds' Bank , and made payable to the Hon . Secretary , Prince Christian Victor Memorial Office , Horse Guards , Whitehall .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . HENRY C . ARNOLD . More than usual interest was attached this year to the installation of Master of the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1 G 09 , a ceremony which took place on the 24 th ult . at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street . The W . M . elect was Bro . Henry C . Arnold , of the Lyric Theatre , who , besides being hailed as a popular favourite by the members of his

own lodge , is widely known and respected in the dramatic profession generally . There was consequently a numerous attendance of brethren belonging to the lodge and of visitors , many of Ihe latter having travelled long distances in order to take Dart in the proceedings . Of Present and Past Provincial G . Officers there were upwards of 30 in attendance .

Bro . Arnold was presented by Bros . H . W . Sandbrook , P . P . G . D ., and VV . Savage , H . P . G . T ., andduring the installation Bros . E . R . Latham , P . P . G . T ., acted as S . W . ; J . Fineberg , P . A . G . D . C , as J . W . ; and John Scott , P . P . G . S . of W ., as I . G . The ceremony was impressively conducted by Bro . W . H . Dutton , I . P . M ., IJJd Bro . Harry Round , P . P . G . D . The newly - installed Worshipfnl Master subsequently invested the following brethren as his officers for

tjietnsuing year : Brcs . T . R . Robertson , S . W . j W . G Hargrave , J . W . ; J . J . Hewson , Sec ; Wm . Savage , P . P . G . T ., Treas . ; II . Round , P . P . G . D ., D . C ; Jas . r ° . > b - - i A . T . Parr , J . D . ; VV . J . Saunderson , I . G . s Wm . Gill , R . B . HadrJcck , R . T . Palmer , W . D Jones , R . G . Parkinson , and VV . J . Watmougb , Stwds . ; . 1 ' . ! i £ ' ° ' 8- ' J- Wil » . Tyler . Bro . L . Pcike , P . P . A . G . D . of C , was elected Charity Representative .

i „ . * " the closed the lodge a banquet was held , and the usual loyal and Masonic waits Were honoured . K u , ik e i ^ ' ° f 'he W . M . " was drunk with much cordiality . In this connection it cent ° mention that the lodge has j ust completed an existence of a quarter of a loval 3 ' ? ' Arno , < 1 > in taking over the dulies of the 26 th year , was assured of the office Support oi offers and members , and consequently of a prosperous term of

MacH " - , evening Ihe I . P . M ., Bro . W . H . Dutton , was presented with a Past of ill . . Jewel . , clothing , and also with a gold watch , suitably inscribed , as a token the respect in which he is held by his fellow-members . hieh « ia ^ 'S 1 , he frad '"' ° f this lodge , the musical programme was of a very oarf ¦_ : i ' , . " ° ra " ed the utmost pleasure to the company . Among those taking I T lV . u re . ??¦ Har'wcII Jones , T . Jackson , Claff , J . Scott , Wm . Paul / , C . Wood , Crimthi A » h - Platt » S . Kirkhatn , W . Lewis , H . Fairfield , 1 . Thompson , D . H . ~ mhs A- Weber , and A . Workman ( accompanist ) . J *

Craft Masonry.

St . Leonard's Lodge , No . 2263 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . A . HOWE . On the 2 Sth ult ., the W . M . of the above lodge , Bro . Albert Howe , was installed in the office to which he had been unanimously elected , at the Masonic Hall , Surrey-street , Sheffield . There was a large attendance of members of the Grand Lodge , Provincial Grand Lodge , visitors from Sheffield , and other lodges , and nearly the whole of the members of the lodge were present .

The W . M . invested the following officers for the ensuing year : Bros . A . L . Phillips , l . P . M . ; R . E . Ariel Wright , S . W . ; G . G . Watts , J . W . ; Albert Holmes , Chap . ; H . T . E . Holmes , Treas . ; T . Jeffery , Sec . ; C . H . Smith , Asst . Sec . ; W . C . Fenton , S . D . ; T . S . Fenton , J . D . ; J . Sutton , D . C ; J . M . Moulson , A . D . C ; G . A . Shipman , Org . ; E . Howarth , I . G . ; S . Smith and J . R . Hill , Stewards ; and C . Birch , Tyler . Bro . Howarth was absent at Brussels , and Bro . J . W . Shipman acted as his deputy .

The lodge having been closed , a banquet followed , at which about 100 brethren were present . The musical programme was very interesting , and was contributed to by Bros . W . C . Newton , E . G . Needham , R . C . Honey , P . B . Brown , Frank Harrison , G . A . Shipman , and L . G . Reynolds . Bro . T . S . Fenton was musical director . An interesting link between the new Master and the guests of the lodge was

mentioned by Bro . Muir Wilson , who suggested that in the profession to which all three belong Bro . Binney was grandfather , he ( Bro . Wilson ) father , and Bro . Albert Howe the son . That referred to the articled period of the two latter brethren . Bro . Howe pointed out , amid laughter , that the place of " father " and "son " are reversed in Freemasonry—that is , Bro . Binney came first , Bro . Howe second , and Bro . Wilson third .

A suggestion which has interest outside Masonic circles , and which , we think , was made for the first time , came in the speech of Bro . H . T . E . Holmes . Bro . Holmes is . the doyen of the St . Leonard ' s Lodge , and is a very old and much respected Freemason . Speaking of presentations which had been made to Past Masters of Grand Lodge , he mentioned that in the case of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales no such acknowledgment was possible . But it would be a graceful compliment for the Freemasons of

the United Kingdom to subscribe sufficient to erect a statue to King Edward VII . Bro . Holmes suggested that the balance of the funds raised might be placed at the disposal of her Majesty the Queen for Charitable purposes . No statue of the former Prince of Wales has yet been suggested ; and if the Masonic lodges hear of the idea which comes from Bro . Holmes , of St . Leonards , they will not be slow in giving effect to such a timely and appropriate memento of the King's service as Grand Master .

Obituary.

Obituary .

FUNERAL OF BRO . W . WATKINS . Amidst general signs of regret the remains of Bro . W . Watkins , known to thousands of people throughout the country , passed on the 25 th ult . out of the ancient portals of Carnarvon Castle , in which as custodian he had taken a most lively interest during the last 37 years . The deceased went to Carnarvon some 40 years ago as instructor of the Artillery Volunteers , having previously served in the Royal Artillery in this country and abroad . He became Tyler of the

Segontium Lodge , No . 606 , almost immediately upon his advent to the town , and remained in that office till his death . He was 79 years of age . By the townspeople generally , and especially by his Masonic brethren , he was held in the highest esteem . The funeral was of a public character , and was largely attended , there being present the Mayor , and several members of the Town Council , together with a number of borough magistrates . At the head of the procession were the local corps of 1 st Cheshire and Carnarvonshire Artillery Volunteers

and its band , followed by the hearse , carriages , general public , and about 30 members of the Segontium and neighbouring lodges . The home lodge was represented by Bros . H . Jones-Roberts , W . M . ; Evan Evans , l . P . M . ; W . H . Wright , S . W . ; Torn Armstrong , J . W . ; W . Lloyd Griffiths , S . D . j W . Ellis , J . D . ; E . J . Paghe , Stwd . ; R . W . Newton , D . of C . ; Colonel Owen Thomas , R . J . Davids , John Williams , Caradoc Rowland , J . G . Jones , Colonel C . H . Rees , D . W . Davies , D . T , Edwards , Owen Lewis , W . Harrier , G . E . Humphreys , J . R . Morgan , J . K . Crispin , Alwyne Carter , Dr . John Evans , H . Coleman , T . Newey ,

and Miller . The visiting brethren were Bros . W . legarty and S . T . Harris , 384 . and Bro . R . D . Jones , 1113 . Large crowds of people were assembled along the streets to Llanbeblig Churchyard , where the interment took place , and en route the band played the Dead March in " Saul . " The usual Burial Service was conducted by the vicar ( Rev . J . W . Wynne Jones , M . A . ) , after which the impressive oration of the Masonic Order was delivered by Bro . H . Jones-Roberts , W . M . A number of beautiful wreaths had been sent by Sir Llewellyn Turner ( Deputy . Constable of the Castle ) and Lady Turner , the Segontium Lodge , Working Men ' s Conservative Club , and others .

Instruction.

Instruction .

HORNSEY CHAPTER , No . 890 . A meeting was held on the 27 th ult ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastbourneten ace , Bishop's-road , Paddington , W ., when there were present Comps . A . F . Hardyment , J . 14 S 1 J , M . E . / .. ; H . Foskett , M . E . Z . 1 S 5 , H . ; C . Webster , J . 1 G 42 , J . ; H . Dehane , P . Z . S 90 , P . P . G . P . S . Essex , S . E . ; Walter Hancock , P . Z . 91 , 1 G 14 , S . N . ; H . Foskett , 890 , Treas . ; H . J . Dunaway , $ Q , P . S . ; A . L . Butters , 1 st A . S . ; J . M . Harsh , H . 1 S 5 , znd A . S . ; W . Wilier , P . Z . S 34 ; E . Stevens , 733 ; and F . Marchant , P . S . S 90 . Comp . 1 . W . Smith , 177 , was a visitor .

Ihe chapter was opened in ancient form , and the companions admitted . The minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation wis rehearsed , Comp . Smith being the candidate . The officers were elected for the ensuing two weeks—Comp . Foskett , M . E . Z . Comp . J . W . Smith was elected a member , and acknowledged the compliment . Comps . Hardyment and Dunaway were complimented on their excellent work . After " Hearty good wishes , " the chapter was closed .

METROPOLITAN LODGE , No . 105 G . A meeting of the above lodge w as held at the Mail Coach , Farringdon-street , E . C . on Friday , the 27 th ult . The lodge was opened in the Second and Third Degrees . The popular and much respected Preceptor , Bro . Weinel , occupied the chair , and afforded a very large

assemblage of brethren a great Ma-onic treat by his excellent rendering of the Three Degrees , and concluded with the installation ceremony . He was abl y supported , and at the conclusion a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him . The lodge was then closed , Bro . Radford will occupy the chair this ( Friday ) evening .

ISLINGTON LODGE , No . 1471 . The usual weekly meeting was held on Tuesday , the 1 st instant , at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , N ., when there were present : Bros . E . Lucas , W . M . ; H , Coxen , S . W . j M . Relph , J . W . ; W . Hancock , P . M ., Preceptor ; A . F . Hardyment , P . M ., P . G . D . C . Norfolk , Asst . Preceptor ; C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D .

Herts , Treas . ; J . Duncan , P . M ., Sec . ; D . Taylor , S . D . ; G . Mortlock , J . D . ; E . Richards , I . G . ; J . Birks , P . M . ; C . Nicole , H . j . Djnawav , G . A . Hopkins , J . A . Reid , H . C . Kerly , H . B . Ranger , W . E . Ranger , F . M . Wenborn . Dr . C . M . Simpson , W . G . Brisby , E . Morris , J . Horstead , E . P . Fischer , T . E . Newman , A . Berliner , Wilson , W . H . Barbey , R . E . Maskall , and C . Weston ,