South Africa.

South Africa .

MIDLAND LODGE ( No . 882 ) . —The installation of lh ^ VV . M . and investiture of officers took place on St . ji-hn ' s day , 24 th June . Bro . S . T . Ready , P . M ., officiated as Installing Master . Bro . A . A . Rice was duly installei as W . M ., and the following brethren were invested as officers fcr the ensuing year : Bros . S . T . Ready , I . P . M . ; Geo . Dewdney , S . W . j Geo . Bull , J . W . j Rev .

Steabler , Chap , j J . C . Smith , Treas . ; W . P . Oxenham , Sec ; E . M . Straker , S . D . ; F . H . Ward , J . D . ; H . Chapman , I . G . ; and F . Aschmann , Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremony Bro . Dr . Maasdorp , P . M . pre-ented Bro . S . V . Ready , I . P . M . with a very handsome gold P . M . 's jewel , with the following address " Ihe brethren have done me the honour to ask me to

present you with this jewel . I now have this pleasure . It is presented to you as a token of grateful esteem and appreciation of the able manner in which you have filled the responsible chair of honour in this lodge and so well conducted its labours for a period of two years . We acknowledge that you havj not been slumbering on a bed of roses during all that period ; but as men and as Masons

we know that life has its troubles and its struggles . At our initiation we were reminded that life has its difficulties , its dangers , as well as its joys ; we must calmly submit , and be prepared when they do come . It is no doubt so ordained by a higher power . As a mark of recognition for these past services we wish you fo accept this jewel . Wear it on your breast on suitable

occasions ; and as often as you put it on , you will be reminded , 1 am sure , of the venerable widow , whose Jubilee the whule British world have so loyally , so enthusiastically celebrate ! during the last few days ,- and of the mother of our Most VVorshipful Grand Master , the Prince of Wales . May she live far many more years , and when it shall please

Providence to call her hence , may he be spared to rule over us as King of Great Br ' nain and Emperor of India . " Bro . Ready briefly thanked the brethren in a few appropriate words for their good wishes and handsome token of appreciation , after which the brethren retired to the anteroom , where they dined together and spent a very pleasant evening .

Bro. Gould's History.

BRO . GOULD'S HISTORY .

The following is the communication referred to in our Leaderette Page . Victoria-square , Adelaide , 13 th June , 1887 . Robt . Freke Gould , Esq ., P . S . G . Deacon , England . Dear Si rand Wpl . Brother ,

The last volume of your "History of Freemasonry" has just been delivered to me . Allow me to compliment you very much on the completion of so excellent a work .

Naturally I take a special interest in your remarks about South Australia in page 392 of Volume VI . I notice you refer to the inconsistent action of the Grand Lodge of South Australia in recognising the Grand Lodge of New South Wa ' es . Doubtless you were in a measure justified in makin z this allusion , as I had staled that if we acted as

N . S . Wales had it would bring Ma ? onry in South Australia into disrepute throughout the -world . This was , perhaps , a little pardonable exaggeration on my part , for I spoke as a member of the E . C . under which the action of N . S . VVales had been condemned , and did not give that consideration to American Masonry that it merits , although I am

strongly opposed to the irrational and unmasonic idea of a'lovsing the minority to usurp authority over the majority . Nor do I think the interpretation put upon the words of tjat eminent American author , Dr . Mackay by some of the Americans and others is what he intended . I am inclined to believe that he meant that it was irregular for less

wan three lodges to constitute themselves into a Grand Lod ge . That is to say , that if there were but two lodges m a territory they couid not form a Grand Lodge . To re-™ jo my subject—we do not recognise the authority of N . S . W . and Victoria as being sovereign over their respective tenitoiies , but simply as ruling the lodges under their

Constitutions . VVe did not , and do not , consider that 'toy acted wisel y in constituting Grand Lodges j but nevertheless we thought it would be fnternal and Masonic "J spirit upon our part to recognise the brethren of those constitutions as brother Masons . We had no quarrel wilh ™ . "J i and they are our close neighbours . We constantly visit

their country and they ours . And we felt that it was ™ accordance with that " brotherly love and affection which ie •c f " aracterise usas '" en and Masons" that we should hrrt ! ' rateinal intercourse between ourselves and all our einren in good Masonic standing in the sister Colonies . rLu- ! > . ' hold thlt the mother Grand Lodges are

withi " IJ- omn S ' i indignation and displeasure by ™ iiolding for a season their recognition of these Grand vldirV' , nasm uch as the lodges forming them ( being in a 'aiculous minority ) irregularly seceded , recn ••S ° otland is wrong in withdrawing and withholding as mr " ' *? ecause we recognise New South Wales . And snrk Lo ? . ution has been formed and perfected with SUCn 11 . - _ --- " «» .. co , _> i . i _ . _ , lunucu aim pcilcutcu Willi

Masn •an , rnlt y and concord , and in accordance with correct ovec on , c . Precedent , it is not for Scotland to sit in judgment Lod „ p " } such a matter as the recognition of a Grand Order u- act in accordance with the landmarks of our Iand h n ° l " further should he required from us . Scot-With fr-ft . treated us with ordinary courtesy , much less fcaied regard . They have sent us no reply to rerepre ^'""" . """ "cations , and have politely (?) snubbed our U .. "WtatlVe near thn Hran _ 1 f _ - _ , !_* , > nt f ? n „ 1--A ... ! , „ „_ . uie £ ai winat

fenn _ ¦ C . . . . . . . . uwugw v . >__ . _ .,. u , ,, fr ° m Sr „ fi J our Grand Lod S » sought an explanation Lod ge {„ v . ? S i t 0 Why they did not recognise our Grand 1 Ver ei _? nn _? l c to you ' we only P resume that we South vy 1 y Scotland on account of our recognising New an < ltoas - f ' c Nevertheless , we do not fail to recognise dist a . nt \ s ? ° tland ' impecunious brethren in this fardn IL . ' anO , and We shall mntimip In rlr . cr . fcolinw oo .., _ ,

! VorI d thp " l ? c nduct wi " tend to P rove t 0 ' hem and to " the "sti ' ution " ' effectsof our ancient and honourable Jolonv P u ' nful to witness how our brethren in the sister , ' Prof » ? - , rend one another . " Well may the L ° nean „ tt m ally exclaim > " See how these Masons bra 'e tL l-k ? " « ' should ' « ke to see them celec JUDilee of our beloved Queen by settling their

Bro. Gould's History.

differences . Sooner or later they must all cast in their lot together . Trusting that I have not wearied you with this somewhat lengthy letter , and hope that if you still consider our action inconsistent that you will feel we were prompted to do as we did purely from Masonic principles , and that our hearts were right if our actions were wrong . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , H . M . ADDISON ,

P . D . G . M ., S . Australia . P . S . —1 have just read this letter to our Grand Secretary and he suggests that I should ask you to hand it to the Freemason . I have no objection to this if you think it will in any way explain to the Masonic world the apparent "inconsistency" alluded to by you in your Book which should , and doubtless will , find a place in every Freemason's library . —H . M . A .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . ROBERT COMPTON , P . M . The luneral of the Iae B . o . Rolert Compton , P . M ., aged 08 , of Aberdeen-terrace , White Ladies ' -road , Bristol , took place on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., at Westbury-on-Trym , near Bristol . The deceased was one of the oldest Past Masters in the province . The Rev . W . Bryant and Dr . Dowson preceded the funeral car , and the mourners

were Mr . R . B . Compton ( son ) , Mr . W . Compton ( brother ) , Mr . J . C . Bingham , Mr . G . Ponsford , Mr . T . Brooks , and Mr . A . Walkley . About 70 brethren followed in procession , including Bros . W . C . Parry , W . M . 6 S 6 j J . Westlake , P . M . 6 S 6 ; W . H . Cowlin , VV . M . 326 J P . A . Kent , J . W . 326 ; H . Gough , P . M . 326 ; T . Ba-nfield , P S . VV . 126 ; W . C . Bamfield , P . M . 326 ; S . E . Bartlett ,

68 ; F . Geary , S . W . 6 S ; T . H . Jennings , S . D . 6 S ; W . K . Thomas , 68 , S . VV . 1755 ; J . Hill , 63 ; T . Brooke , P . G . S ., 68 ; A . D . Southwell , < 5 S ; R . C . Smart , 63 ; R . D . Cruikshank , 1049 ; W . Galpin , W . M . 68 ; W . J . Abbott , I . P . M . 68 j W . Coaffee , 6 Sj W . Buzzard , P . M . 68 ; F . Trull , P . M . 68 ; R . Gough , P . M . 68 ; G . Chapman , 68 ; F . Hatton , J . W . 63 ; W . Jones , 68 ; A . J .

Woodward , 6 S and 1750 ; D . Parsley , P . M . ; J . ' Owner , W . M . 610 ; Dr . Lawrence ; W . Jones , 63 ; N . C . Hetherington , 68 ; T . Jones , 63 ; H . Wilkinson , P . M . 6 S ; E . J . Grubb , P . M . 68 ; C . J . E . Grubb , A . D . C . 68 ; Capt . Dando , P . M . 1755 ; Josiah Green , J . D . 1 755 ; R . Olive , P . M . 610 ; H . J . Cox , 1833 ; R . G . Parminter , Prov . G . Org . ; and Stoate and Webber , Tylers . At

Westbury Church ( by consent of the organist ) , Bro . Parminter played the beautiful air , " I know that my Redeemer liveth , " and the Dead March from Handel's " Saul . " The Rev . W . Bryant read the funeral service . The coffin bore several floral tributes , including one from the Royal Clarence Lodge and the Eldon Lodge . Bro . C . P . Billing , 68 and 1755 , carried out the funeral arrangements .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

MASONRY AT J AGERSFONTEIN . The following are the officers of the Lodge Star of Afiica , G . E . N ., Jagersfontein , forthe ensuing year : Bros . J . J . Wilson , W . M . ; Johnson , D . M . ; Davidson , S . VV . ; Wagner , J . W . ; Hjul , Orator ; VV . C . Beddy , Sec ; Graham , Treas . ; Sivell , D . C ; McGregor , Prep . ; Cresswtll , Org . ; Von Baideleben , I . G . ; VV . Hicks , Tylerj and Charles VVood , I . P . M .

RISING STAR LODGE , NO . 1022 . On Friday , the 24 th June , being St . John Baptist's Day , the above lod ^ e celebrated its installation festival , the W . M . and breihren of the Lodge Unie and a few visiting brethren attended , Bro . Alfred Barlow , P . M ., acted as Installing Master , and was assisted by Bros . Exton , P . M . j Collins , P . M . ; and late , P . M . lhe W . M . elect , Bro .

Charles P . Beck , having been duly installed according to ancient custom , proclaimed , and saluted , proceeded to invest his officers as follows : Bros . C . J . late , I . P . M . 5 W . H . Thompson , S . VV . ; H . Gill , J . W . ; Barron Moore , B . A ., Chap . ; G . Steincke , Treasurer ; H . Robinson , Secretary ; P . Ekstein , S . D . ; A . Reuss , J . D . : G . Baumann , i . G . ; and M . Westley , Tyler .

After the ceremony was concluded , the brethren adjourned tothearte-room . whereasupperwas prepared for them . His Honour the President of the Free State , Bro . J . H . Brand , was , to the regret of all , prevented from being present through indisposition . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drunk , and the W . M ., in toasting the Queen , said

that Masons were proud to think that one who was a daughter and mother of Masons should have been so honoured , and worthy of so much honour , as her Majesty , the jubilee of whose reign they had all been recently celebrating . Much enthusiasm was displayed , and the brethren departed in peace and harmony after a most pleasant gathering .

On the evening of the following day , the Worshipful Master and officeis of the Lodge Unie were installed . The W . M ., officers , and brethren of the Lodge Rising Star attended , as well as some other visitors . The following officers were duly installed : Bros . I . Bisseux , VV . VI . j P . J . Blignaut , D . M . ; S . P . de Beer , S . W . j I . Muller , J . VV . ; G . Stock , Sec ; A . Kling , Treas . ; M .

Voorboom , D . C ; h . Blume , Almoner ; VV . S . H . Reid , Tyler . The duties of the lodge being ended in the Temple , the brethren were called to refreshment in the banqueting hall , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drunk , lhe President , Bro . J . H . Brand , was prevented from being present , as his medical adviser had recommended him ' not to go out at nights . A very pleasant evening was spent together .

The Orsa Lodge , Bournemouth , is shortly to be constituted , and Bro . H . N . Jenkins is the W . M . designate . HOLLOWAY ' PILLS . —Epidemic Diseases . —The alarming increase of death from chohra and diarrhoea should be a warning to every one to subdue at once any irregularity tending towards disease . Holloway's Pills should now be iu every household to rectify all impure states of the blood , to remedy weakness , and to overcome

iii paired general health . Nothing can be simpler than tin ; instructions for taking this corrective medicine , nothing more efficient than its cleansing power , nothing more harmless than its vegeUble ingredients . Holloway ' s is the best physic during the summer season , when decaying fruits and unwholesome vegetables are frequently deranging thc bowels , and daily exposing thousands , through their negligence in permitting disordered action to the dangers of diarrhoea , dysentery , and cholera , —ADVT ,

Masonic And General Tidings.

MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS .

The General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys will hold their usual monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , tomorrow ( Saturday ) afternoon . The regular monthl y meeting of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution will take place at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday next , the ioth inst .

We are unfortunatel y compelled to hold over till next week our report of the speeches which followed the banquet to the American Knights Templar Pilgrims in the Guildhall , York , on the 20 th tilt . The Prov . Grand Lodge of Devonshire held its annual meeting at the Rougemont Hotel , Exeter , on the 2 nd inst . A full report will appear next week .

The Prince of VVales , accompanied b y Bro . Admiral Sir George Willes , visited the Jubilee Wing of the Portsmouth Sailors' Home on the 29 th ult ., and expressed himself much pleased with the additional accommodation provided .

Bro . Sir Algernon Borthwick , M . P ., unveiled a memorial tablet in St . Paul ' s Cathedral on Wednesday , in honour of the late Mr . Charles Reade , author , dramatist , and journalist . Bros , the Lord Chancellor ( Lord Halsbury ) , Lord George Hamilton , and Lord Stanley of Preston attended the Cabinet Council at the Foreign Office on Saturday last .

The Prov . Grand Lodge of Hants and Isle of Wight will be held at the Victoria Hall , Portsmouth , on Monday , 15 th inst ., at 1 . 30 p . m ., and at 4 p . m . a banquet , provided by Bro . Scadden , T . C , will take place . VVe are glad to hear that Bro . Sir M . E . Hicks Beach , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . Master of Gloucestershire , has returned to England from Wiesbaden , with his eyesight considerabl

y improved . On Saturday last the Queen was presented with an address of congratulation on the occasion of her Jubilee from the Royal Yacht Squadron , lhe presentation was made by the Prince of Wales Commodore , and the members present included Bros . Earl De la Warr , Admiral Sir H . Keppel , the Marquis of Drogheda , Lord Suffield , and Lord Wolverton .

lhe Duke and Duchess of Connaught , with their two eldest children left Charing Cross for Aix-les-Baines , at 11 a . m . on VVednesday , several of their Royal Highnesses' friends accompanying them to the station . The Duke starts on his return to India from Brindisi on the 21 st inst , and the Duchess will follow later .

The Queen held an investiture of the Orders of the Bath , and St . Michael and St . George , at Osborne , on Tuesday , the Prince of Wales and Prince Albert Victor of Wales being present . Among those invested were Bros . Admiral Sir J . E . Commerell , as G . CB . ; Admiral Sir E . A . Inglefield , K . C . B . ; and Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) , C . B . Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Lord Chamberlainwas

, amongst the officers of State in attendance upon her Majesty . The Summer Festival in connection with the Covent Garden Lodgeof Instruction , No . 1614 , took place on Thursday , the 28 th ult ., when Ihe brethren , with ladies and friends , had a very pleasant day , leaving Charing Cross in saloon carriages for Gravesendfrom there to Cobham

, , and through the park , Shame , Chalk , and Milton , back to the Clarendon , Gravesend , where an excellent banquet was served by Bto . J . R . Mella , the manager . On Tuesday the Prince of VVales , as M . W . G . M . of the United Grand Lodge of England , presented the address of congratulation to the Queen on the occasion of

her Jubilee , which was passed at the meeting in the Royal Albert Hall on Monday , the 13 th June last . His Royal Highness was accompanied by Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Dep . G . M ., Piince Albert Victor of Wales , S . G . W ., and Bros . Sir Albeit VV . Woods ( Garter ) , G . D . of C .: and Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec .

A marriage was celebrated at St . Andrew ' s , Stoke Newington , on the ist inst . between Mr . Ernest R . Davies , only son of the late Bro . Edward Davies , P . M . and Secretary of the Lodge of United Strength , No . 22 S , and Miss Emma E . Halford , eldest daughter of Bro . R . H . Halford , P . M . No . 228 , and P . Prov . G .

DeaconHert-, fordshire . Bro . the Rev . W . H . W . Caseley , P . P . G . Chaplain , Herts , officiated at the ceremony , and there was a large attendance of the friends of the two families present to witness the ceremony . We offer our congratulations' , to the happy pair and wish them long life and happiness .

Among the latest Metropolitan attractions is undoubtedly the Royal Agricultural Hall , Islington , under its present aspect as " Arcadia , " which well deserves the praises that have been so freely bestowed upon it . A pretlier sight is not to be seen in London . The huge hall has been transformed into a beautiful garden , which with its cascades and waterfalls , gives one a very good idea of

fairyland . But this is not all . There is plenty of good music in the day's programme , and an excellent variety entertainment , including Professor Atherton ' s performing dogs , the Balf Troupe of male and female bicyclists , gymnastic performances , & c . The manager is Bro . Harry Etherington , who has spared no pains to make the entertainment go , and msrits the support and patronage of the public .

PERRY AND CO ., LIMITED , STEEL PEN MAKERS . —The Directors of this Company have resolved to pay on the ist September , out of profits , an interim dividend on the ordinary shares for the first six months of this year , at the rate of 6 per cent , per annum , free of Income Tax , being at the same rate as for the corresponding period last year . The half-yearly dividend on the preference shares will be paid as usual , at the fixed rate of 5 per cent , per annum .

TOBACCONISTS CoM . ME . vciNO . —An Illustrated Guide of no pages , " How to open respectably from £ v > to £ ioaa ; " tree by post . H . Myers & Co ., rotj , Euston-rd ., London . Telephone No . 7 S 4 t . —[ AUVT . T