Thb New Masonic History.

the lodge at Philadelphia , of A . D . 1730-1 , to which Benjamin Franklin and other great worthies belonged . Their not being included is due to the fact that no returns were made to this country of their constitution , and hence they were not printed in the engraved lists of early last century . A reference , however , to the several Grand Lodge histories in the volume ' will supply

all needful information . As to " Masonic Jurisprudence , " Bro . J . H . Drummond is acknowledged to be the great authority , the only regret to my mind being there is not more on this great question . The " Capitular Degrees , " by Bro . A . F . Chapman ( since deceased ) , is exceedingly well done , and there

are few in either America or Great Britain , who would dispute his capacity for such an important task . He dates the Royal Arch back to about 1 740 , but does not fall into the error of crediting the " Ancients " with its origin , as do many of the most trusted writers in the United States . The Degree was known some ten years before the " Ancients " were heard of .

The Cryptic Degrees are in good hands , and as to Knig ht Templary , especially in America , I make bold to say tbat nowhere else can such a full , reliable and interesting history be obtained . The late Col . N . G McLeod Moore was emphatically the authority as to Chivalric Masonry .

The " Ancient and Accepted Rite " Degrees are well attended to by the retired chief of the Northern Jurisdiction , Bro . Drummond , and as respects British America , New Zealand , Australia , & c , assuredly justice is done to these important spheres of Masonic activity by such brethren as J . Ross Robertson , J . H . Graham , and others .

I must , however , cease writing , though the theme is a tempting one , and so conclude with all good wishes to the editors , publishers , and subscribers of my ever welcome friend , the Keystone . W . J . HUGHAN .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GEORGE JOHN BAKER , P . M . 108 . The funeral of the late Bvo . George John Baker , P . M . 108 , vvho departed this life on Friday , 30 th Dec ., took place at St . Alban ' s Cemetery , on Tuesday last , in the presence of a very large concourse of brethren and friends . Bro . Baker had held for many years a most important position on the Daily Telegraph , and

was highly esteemed by his employers and colleagues . As a Freemason he was very generally known and respected . He was a very active member in his own lodge . He vvas Treasurer of the Constitutional Lodge of Instruction , No . 55 , an office he had held for many years ; he was likewise Treasurer of the Benevolent Fund of that lodge . In all benevolent cases he

was a real and earnest worker , with ever a ready ear to any tale of distress . Not only to the members of the Craft vvas he endeared , but socially he vvas a welcome guest at many public gatherings . He had been suffering for about a month from pneumonia and affection of the liver , but his end was sudden and unexpected . He had shaken off the disease , but this had left him

prostrate with excessive weakness , vvhich resulted in syncope . An enormous number of wreaths , chaplets , and devices of natural flowers vvere sent by his sorrowing friends . The following is a list of some of the wreaths , but the whole were not enumerated , as they kept arriving even up to the moment the cortege started : wreath of violets and camelias , Bro . Jno . H . Gretton ; wreath of hyacinths and lillies of the valley , 1

with deep sympathy from the members of the Blackfriars Club ; " wreath of white camelias , hyacinths , and lillies , "with kind sympathy from Miss M . Levy ; a beautiful cross " from a few friends ; " everlasting wreath under glass shade , " from the brethren of the Ancient Abbey Lodge , No . 875 , R . A . O . B . ; " wreath from Mr . Charles Everett and family j a lovely cross

of white roses and lillies—the favourite flowers of the deceased—from his sorrowing wife ; a wreath of camelias and lillies from Arthur and Annie Fry ; wreath from Mr . and Mrs . A . L . Fry ; wreath from Mr . and Mrs . Sanders ; beautiful wreath of lillies of the valley , arum lillies , and camelias , " with deepest sympathy from his colleagues in the advertising and publishing

department of the Daily Telegraph ; " wreath of lillies and stephanotis from Mr . and Mrs . Chapman ; beautiful chaplet of orchids , Bro . Ed . Bond ; boquet of acacia , Bro . J . Hurdell ; wreath arum lillies and lillies of the valley , Bro . H . T . Burton ; magnificent wreath of white camelias , white roses and lillies of the valley , ' with deep sympathy from Sir Edward , Lady Lawson ,

and family ; " wreath maiden hair ferns , winter primrosts , and chrysanthemums , Mr . and Mrs . Nattling ; wreath of maiden hair ferns and white chrysanthemums , " with deepest sympathy , Mr . and Mis Thos . Oakley ;" wreath of anemones , hyacinths and ferns , " with sincerest regret , " W . R . Spratt and Ed . Oliver ; beautiful wreath , 'in loving sympathy from the brethren of the

Constitutional Lodge ot Instruction , No . 55 , T . J . Vincent , Sec . ; " large device ( square and compasses ) in geraniums ancl tulips from Bro . G . J . Barnett ; compasses , Bro . F . Smith ; chaplet of lillies and chrysanthemums from C . W . Miskin , R . W . Brabant , C . F . Pond , T . Ward , A . Madale , E . Miskin , and R . B .

Harding ; wreath , George Davey and William Gallic ; wreath arum lillies and lillies of the valley from the carpenter ' s department , Daily Telegraph ; The 2 . 5 train from St . Pancras brought a very large contingent from London to attend the funeral . Every shop in the neighbourhood of the deceased ' s dwelling

Obituary.

was closed , and every licensed victualler in the City suspended business during the enactment of the sad rites . Among the brethren assembled vvere Bros . Edward Bond , P . M . ; George J . Barnett , W . M . 1929 ; H . S . Wood , 2008 ; C . W . Mayo , S . D . 1545 ; Arthur Fry , 609 ; J . B . Main , P . M . 157 ; John H . Gretton , W . M . 108 ; W . Stephen Lee , 108 ; Charles Fox , P . M

J . Scoon , J . Bruton , P . M . ; Richardson , and many other brethren . So numerous was the gathering , that it was impossible to collect the names in the short space of time available for tbat purpose . Letters and telegrams of condolence were received in vast numbers , and the many evidences of sympathy showed how widespread vvas the feeling of sorrow at the untimely death of the late Bro . George J . Baker , who had not yet

completed his 48 th year . He leaves a widow and one child to mourn his loss . The large advertising firms of London and many newspapers were represented—a special delegation from the Daily Telegraph ; Mr . Richardson , from the Daily A c . s ) S ; and Mr . F . Bowatte , from the Standard . Messrs . Smith and Son vvere represented by Mr . A . Williams ; Partington and Co ., by Mr . H . T . Burton ; Messrs . Willing and Co ., by Mr . Richards ; and Davey and Co .. by Messrs . R . E . Davey .

Our Portrait Gallery Of Worshipful Masters.

Our Portrait Gallery of Worshipful Masters .

BRO . WILLIAM SHURMUR , of Walthamstow , whose portrait vve publish above , is one of the most active members in the Province of Essex . His Masonic career commenced in 1873 , in which year he vvas initiated in the Royal Standard

Lodge , No . 1298 . He joined the Islington Lodge , No . 1471 , and filled every office and became Master in 1886 . He vvas one of the founders of the Highbury Lodge , No . 2192 , and was installed W . M . in March last . He is best known in his connection with the Province of

Essex . In 1888 he was one of the chief promoters , founder , and Treasurer of the Warner Lodge , No . 2256 , and in the following year of the Lennox Browne Lodge , No . 2318 . He is D . C . of the Philbrick Lodge , No . 2255 , and in 1890 he was nominated the first W . M . of the lodge named after himself . The petition for

this latter lodge was one of the most remarkable ever presented to the M . W . G . M . for approval , containing as it did the names of no less than 63 petitioners . At the consecration there were nearly 400 brethren present , including over 100 Installed Masters . It has now nearly 200 members on its roll , and has donated 500

guineas to the Masonic Institutions , and if the funds permit a further 100 guineas will be given this year . At the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Walton-on-thc-Naze , 30 th July , 1890 , the brethren evinced their confidence in Bro . Shurmur and their appreciation of his Masonic work by unanimously

electing him Provincial Grand Treasurer . In Royal Arch Masonry Bro . Shurmur has shown equal activity . He filled the chair of M . E . Z . in the Islington Chapter , No . 1471 , three years in succession , viz ., 1889-90-91 . He is Treasurer of the Empire Chapter , No . 2108 , and was afounder and first M . E . Z . of the Warner Chapter ,

No . 2256 ; founder and first M . E . Z . of the Guelph Chapter , No , 1685 ; and in December , 1892 , he was installed first M . E . Z . of the Shurmur Chapter , No . 2374 , and appointed Prov . G . J . Essex . In Alark Masonry he is W . M . of the Royal Naval Lodge , No . 239 , and holds office inthe Old Kent Lodge ( T . L ) .

He is a Royal Ark Mariner , Panmure Lodge , No . 139 , and a member of the Grand Master ' s Council , No . I , of Royal and Select Masters of England , and also a member of the Mount Calvary Chapter , Rose Croix , of H . R . D . M . Bro . Shurmur has served 15 Stewardships to the Central Masonic Charities , and is Vice-Patron of all three ,

Our Portrait Gallery Of Worshipful Masters.

SAD DEATH OF A W . M . TN LODGE . The Cambrian ' Lodge , No . 364 , held their usual monthly meeting on Tuesday last , at the Masonic Hall , Queen-street , Neath , South Wales . The W . M ., Bro . William Hopkins , took the chair , and opened his lodge without any apparent effort . It vvas very shortly afterwards noticed by the brethren assembled that their

W . M . did not appear in his usual health , and suggested that he should postpone the ceremony of initiation which was upon the agenda paper , but he vvas firm in his resolution to carry his work through as far he was able ; but if he failed he would ask the brethren to assist him . Every preparation was made for the admission of the candidate , when the W . M . informed the brethren

that he was suddenl y seized with a violent pain in the chest , and must vacate the chair . He then retired with the assistance of some brethren to the ante-room , and a doctor vvas sent for . The lodge vvas at once closed by one of the Past Masters , and the ceremony of initiation postponed , as it vvas palpable to the brethren that Bro . Hopkins was seriously ill , but none thought

it was so serious until three doctors arrived . It vvas then found the patient's pulse vvas very intermittent and very weak . Bro . Hopkins must have felt that his life vvas drawing to a close , as he remarked to those in attendance upon him , " 1 am dying ; " but they replied , " We must hope for the best . " He also said , " My

legs are getting so cold , " although he was within three feet of a large fire . After suffering extreme agony for about 15 minutes he expired , the doctors agreeing that he died of heart disease . Bro . Hopkins was initiated in July , 1881 , and vvas regular and punctual in attendance , and a very zealous Mason , thereby attaining the high position he so deservedly occupied .

The Theatres.

The Theatres .

It is only the other day we reported the installation of Bro . W . S . Penley as W . M . of Asaph Lodge . We have just seen him in a very different character than that of presiding over his lodge with dignity and honour to himself . This popular comedian has gone into management on his own account , and taken a theatre which has for long been under a cloud . The

little Royalty is really quite handy , as it is only a few yards off Shaftesbury Avenue . We shall be surprised if the W . AL of 1319 does not turn the scale and bring back the fortune of the Royalty whilst making his own . Bro . Brandon Thomas has furnished Bro . Penley with a play suitable to the theatre , and fitted the new actor-manager vvith a part in which he revels .

Bro . Penley impersonates a middle aged lady , in black satin dress and the customary white cap and shawl such as ladies of a certain age wear . In his hands no impropriety takes place . We do not usually approve of men masquerading in female attire , but Bro . Penley is as free from coarseness , and is as diverting , that one can heartily join in the roars of merriment now

resounding at the Royalty . The plot of "Charlie ' s Aunt" is a little difficult to explain , though easy to follovv . The play is wrapt round Bro . Penley , for whom the piece was written , and he contrives to keep his audience in the best humour while he depicts the fun occasioned by Lord Babberley wearing woman ' s clothes , and passing himself off as donna Lucia " from

Brazil , where the nuts come from . " He is ably supported by Bro . Brandon , Percy Lyndal , and Mr . Hendric , and by Misses AdaBranem , Nina Boucicault , and Emily Cadmore . As a few weeks ago we had the pleasure of giving him hearty good wishes on being installed in the chair of K . S ., so we have equal pleasure in wishing Bro . Penley best wishes in his latest roll as actor-manager , and as " Charlie ' s Aunt . "

* Bro . Oscar Barrett , 2127 , in showing , at the New Olympic ( Strand ) , that the fame he has obtained at the Crystal Palace for many winters past he has been well worthy of his bold venture of producing a second pantomime in the West-end , ought to meet with support , for " Dick Whittington " is placed on the

Olympic regardless of expense and will bear comparison with any similar entertainment . We must own we have been agreeably surprised and heartily congratulate Bro . Barrett on his gorgeous spectacle , which ought to draw crowds to a house which of late years has not been too fortunate . Bro . Victor Stevens leads the way in the business , and is supplied with a number

of popular songs and topical sayings , not forgetting , of course , an allusion to the missing word craze . Miss Edith Bruce has so frequently been before the public , especially in pantomime , and in the same title role that it is needless to observe she makes much out of Dick Whittington . Bro . Charles Lauri is again the Cat . Miss Alice Brooks is Alice

Fitzwarren , and the rest of the very strong cast includes Alisses Kate Chard and Kate Sullivan , and Air . Deane Brand and Mr . Harry Grattan . The ballets are skilfully arranged . The Alaypole dance by children is one of the prettiest things vve have ever seen in the

annals of pantomimes . The music is composed and arranged entirely by Bro . Oscar Barrett , and is all through most melodious . The tout ensemble is so exquisite , that " Dick Whittington " ought to be like his original—thrice welcome to lovers of pretty pantomime .

Bro . Baron Dimsdale has been unanimously elected chairman of Quarter Sessions for the County of Hertford in place of Bro . Earl Cowper , who resigned a short while since . Bro . Baron Dimsdale sat in the last Parliament for one of the divisions of the County ,