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Contents.
CONTENTS .
United Grand Lodge ...... 97 gmOFMU 11 . cM . n , « .-( raft Masonry 09 Instruction JJ Roval Arch > _ °° Knights Templar . j oo Frccmasonry m India ... o Masonic Notes and queries 101
r „ n « eeration of the Southdown Lodge , No . 1597 , « ., '' Southampton Masonic Hall Company 101 I ' ovil Masonic Institution for Boys lot St Altai ' s Abbey i ° r ¦ 'The Freemason" 102 The Onarterly Communication 102 Vale ! " " ^ CoKBEsroNDEWE : —
The Late Piincess Alirc IOJ lolin Hervev Lodge of Instruction 103 Roman Catholic Ignorance and Intolerance 103 Reviews ... IC > i Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites 104 Roval and Select Masters 104
Dr ' AIackey and Masonic Rite 104 provincial Charity Votes „ ............: 10 J Farewell Banquet an 1 Presentation to Bro . Spinks 10 ; Masonic and General Tidings 103 Lodge Meetings for Next Week J 06 Advertisements ' ., ii ., iii ., jr ., v ., vi
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
The Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge of Freemasons was held nn Wednesday evening , at Freemasons ' Hall , when some six hundred brethren were present . The Earl ( if Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , presided , and the other Grat . d and Past Grand Officers who attended were : —Lord Carnarvon , Pro G . M . ; Lord Sherborne , Prov
G . M . Gloucestershire , P . G . M . ; Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . ; \ V . W . Beach , M . I' ., P . G . M . Hauls and Isle of Wight ; Montague Guest , Prov . G . M . Doiset ; S . Hnw = oti , Past Dist . G . M . China ; Gen . brownrigg , Prov . G . M . Surrey ; Lord Hennikcr , S . G . W . ; Sir Harcourt Johnstone , M . P ., | . G . W . ; Victor Williamson , P . G . W . ; Capt . Piatt , P . G . W . ; Sir Michael Costa P . G . W . ; Rev . H . Adair
l'ickard , G . Chaplain ; Rev . Wm . Alfred Hill , Assistant G . Chaplain ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C . ; Rev . A . V . A . Woodford , P . G . C . ; Rev . 15 . J . Simpson , I ' . G . C . ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . C ; Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C ; .-Eneas J . Mcl . ityre , G . Registrar ; John B . Monckton , President of the Board of General Purposes ; John Hervcy , G . Secretary ; E . E . Wendt , G . Secretary for
General Correspondence ; Erasmus Wilson , S . G . D . ; Col . Shadwell II . Gierke , S . G . D . ; Raphael Costa , J . G . D . ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; E . S . Snell , P . G . D . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; Hrackstnnc Baker , P . G . D . ; Col . Creaton , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , I' . G . D . ; Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; K . J . Barron , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . P . ; Charles W . C . Hulton , P . G . D . ; James
Glaisher , P . G . D . ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Charles A . Mutton , P . G . D . ; Fred . P . Morrell , P . G . D . ; S . Leith Tomkins , P . G . D . ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . P , ; J . Ebenczer Saunders , P . G . D . ; John A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; Percy Smith , P . G . D . ; Sir Albert W . Woods , G . D . C . ; James Lewis Thomas , Asst . G . D . C ; W . Hickman , P . Asst . G . D . C . ; F . Robinson , P . AlG . D . C . ; W . H . Lucia , G . S . B . ;
William F . Ncttleship , P . G . S . B . ; James Mason , P . G . S . B . ; G . Toller , jun ., P . G . S . B . ; Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B . ; A . J . Duff Filer , P . G . S . B . ; J . F . Collins , P . G . S . B . ; Hyde Pullcn , P . G . S . B . ; C . Edwin Willing , G . Organist ; W . T . Howe , G . P . ; W . Wilson , Assistant G . P . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; E . P . Albert , P . G . P . ; C . A . Cottehrune , P . G . P . ; and C 13 . Payne , G . Tyler ; Bros . George
Lambert , Charles Atkins , T . J . Thomas , W . M . 28 ; James Hainsworth , — Jones , Colonel Peters , Herbert Dickttts , George Kenning , Dr . Ramsay , W . B . Heath , — Lee , W . Hopekirk , B . II . Swallow , Edward Baxter , John II . Soutbwood , J . C . Perceval , W . Lake , — Clever , jun ., Fred . Binckes , Jas . Terry , A . Gladwell , IX Nicolls , — Farwig , D . II . Still , and H . Massey
{ Fret maxim ) . AfUr llie minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the 4 th of December , iS ; S , had been read by Grand Secretary and confirmed , Giand Secretary read the regulations for the Government of Grand Lodge during the time of public business . The next business on lite paper was the election of a
Most Worshipful Grand Master , but before this was taken , The Earl of Carnarvon said : Brethren , there stands on the notice pap . r a motion in the name of our Bro . Clabon , and I know he will not think that I am taking it
out of his hands if I anticipate him in that motion , and Propose it to you from this chair . It is right that such a motion as this , whoever may he the occupant of this chair , should proceed from this Grand Lodge with all the weight and all the se > lcmnity that the subject requires . Brethren , l"is is the first occasion that we have come in this hall
since the unfortunate death of Her Royal Highness Princess Alice . In the lives and in the deaths of veiy eminent persons there is generally a great formality , but in the life "f Her Royal Hig hness there was a reality which brought her home very much to the sympathies of English people ; and in JUT death there was a reality not less than that of 'er life . She had not been too long separated from us by
marriage in a foreign country for Englishmen to forget "er name , her character , and even her face , and in the final tragedy which by that marvellous process of reporting Was brought to us every day in every detail of the illness that carried e > f numbers of her family , and finally took her as its greatest prey—in all that tragedy , I say , she had the liveliest sympathies of this country .
"fethren , the lives of many people—or most people , I may S ; * y » who bear a character—are consistent with themselves , and generally there are some great features veri-• V'ng at home which give them reality and interest during life , and which serve to make them remembered ter death ; and if there was any one characteristic by Which Her Royal Highness will live in the recollection of
United Grand Lodge.
English people , and by which she was fortunate enough to set , so to speak , a public mark upon her time anil life , it was the deep interest that she took in the nursing and tending of the sick . It began and was practised in her earliest days ; it closed with the last hours only of her existence . It probably is in the knowledge of most members of this Grand Lodge that she , perhaps of all the
members t > f the Royal Family , nursed with the greatest assiduity and patience her father ( luring his last illness . She again stood by the sick bed and nursed with indefatigable care her brother , our illustrious Grand Master . She again took no mean part or interest in that hospital organisation which she mainly created at the time of the French and German war . I can remember when I was
in that country myself a year or two after that war , how many stories I heard , many of them very touching , of the patience and zeal and earnestness with which she had devoted herself to her self-imposed task . And lastly it may be truly said that her own death was caused by the nursing of her own children . It deserves to be known , for it is a touching and remarkable coincidence , that her death fell
on the very anniversary of her father ' s death , and also , I believe , almost , if not quite , coincided with the day when His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales in his illness received the first favourable turn . Brethren , Her Royal Highness was cut off in the very noontide of life , at the moment when duties seemed to have multiplied upon her , when her power of usefulness was the greatest , when
numbers upon numbers had become dependent upon her care and thought , and when she . was most competent , perhaps , to counsel and to assist . But though all that came to pass , according to our eyes , prematurely , she did not pass away without leaving a great and useful lesson behind ; she left , as I said just now , a public mark , so to speak , of her life and character on the time in which she lived , and
the people amongst whom she lived , and I can remember no case of me . re genuine and unmistakeable sorrow in this country when an event of this kind ivas announced , as I know indeed the loss was , one of the irreparable losses sustained by her adopted country . Brethren , the higher the position , the loftier the estate in which men or women move , the greater , too , the glitter anil the
brilliancythere is quite enough of that ; but when tho < c who are in p sitions are adorned by simplicity of life , by a faithful discharge of duty , by courage , and by the homely , but because homely not the less princely , virtues , then a great lesson is left behind , and a very noble picture is painted for othe-rs to follow their example , and such I believe to have been the case with her late Royal Highness the
Princess Alice . Brethren , I am sure of this , that though this vote comes late , as late it necessarily was , because we have had no opportunity of meeting here since that unfortunate event , I am sure that you will heartily and sincerely add your voices to the melancholy resolution which 1 am about to propose , and that you will unite in a vote expressing the deep sympathy which we all feel at the
loss sustained by Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , and by His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and the rest of the Royal Family , by the death of Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice , Grand Duchess of Hesse-Darmstadt . Bro . J . M . CU'oon , P . G . D . ; Most Worship ful Grand Master , it is with feelings of peculiar pride that 1
contemp late being permitted to second this resolution . I desire to say that I gave the notice of motion in a representative character , and at the unanimous request of the last Board of Masters . I only desire to add this tine word touching the statement which has been made by the Pro Grand Master . I happened to be with my family at Eastbourne late in the autumn , and when we arrived there the name
of the Princess Alice was on all lips ; and this I know , that one of the first things which she did when she arrived at Eastbourne was to send for the clergyman to know the condition of the poor of the parish , and liow she could assist him in assuaging their sorrows ; and day after day while she was at Eastbourne she performed the duties most kindly and charitably of a district visitor . 1 beg to
second the motion . The motion was then put , and carried unanimously , and the Earl of Carnarvon directed Grand Secretary to have it engrossed and sent to his lordship for transmission to the Prince of Wales . The Earl of Carnarvon : The next business , brethren , is the election of a Grand Master .
Bro . Frank Richardson , P . M . No . 14 : M . W . Pro Grand Master and Brethren , having had the distinguished humour at the last Quarterly Co . iimunication of Grand Lodge to nominate His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales as Grand Master for the ensuing year , I rise now to ask you , according to ancient custom , to confirm that nomination by unanimously re-electing him ; and I think on this
present occasion I may be forgiven for a few seconds if I pause to suggest that we should all express our thanks to the Great Architect of the Universe for having , through His mercy , saved His Royal Highness from what might have been a very serious accident ; and , at the same time , to congratulate ourselves as Englishmen that in the hour of peril His Royal Highness maintained that courage and
fortitude which are inherent in his family . In an assemblage like the present 1 need not allude , I am sure , to the benefits elcrived by Masons in general in having His Royal Hig hness at the head of our Order ; but I would point out , as a fact , that during the short period lie has reigned over us nearly 200 lodges have been added to the register . It would ill become so humble a
member of the Order as myself to dila ' te upon the excellences of His Royal Hig hness or his particular qualifications for this great office . The manner in which lie performs the duties of his high station are well known and appreciated , not only by the Craft , but by the nation at large . We all know perfectly well that the cause of charity is never overlooked by him , for we all feel that his hand is at all times guided by justice , and his heart
United Grand Lodge.
expanded b y benevolence . It is therefore with great confidence , brethren , that I propose the re-election of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as Most Worshipful Grand Master for the ensuing year . Bro . Edgar Baylis , P . M . 259 : Most W . Pro Grand Master , I have the honour to second that nomination . I am quite certain that no expressions of mine will add ta
the unanimity with which it will be received ; and I therefore simply and formally second the election of His Royal Highness as our Grand Master for the ensuing year . The motion having been put by the Earl of Carnarvon , was carried unanimously . The Earl of Carnarvon : I must as a matter of formality ask if there is any voice on the contrary ; but I am happy
to say the vote is general and universal . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was then formally proclaimed by Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) , G . D . C , as Grand Master of Freemasons of England for the ensuing year . The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , the next business on the paper is the election of the Grand Treasurer .
Bro . L . W . Cave : M . W . Pro Grand Master , I have the honour to propose for Grand Treasurer our Bro . Ferdinand de Rothschild , of the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 259 . The office of Grand Treasurer , as we all know , is one of great importance / and I strongly recommend our Bro . Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild for that office . His name is well known not only in the City of London , but
throughout the whole of England , and hot only in England , but in all the markets and exchanges of the world ; and I think that tlie election of a brother so distinguished as Bro . Ferdinand de Rothschild will tend to add lustre to the office of Grand Treasurer . ' Bro . Samuel Pierce , P . M ., 33 : Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , it is with very great pleasure that I stand
before you to seconei the proposition that we have just heard . The advantages of that election to Grand Ledge in particular , and the Craft in general , have been quite sufficiently dilated upon by the brother who l " as proposed our Bro . Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild , and I think I shall best study the v ; ishes anil feelings of the Grand Lodge if I content myself with simply seconding that proposition .
Hro . F . Binckes , P . G . Steward : Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , however invidious may be the position I may be thought in the estimation of some to occupy , I do not think that , with any reganl to consistency , the opinions I feel , and the sentiments I express , I can allow this nomination to go unchallenged . There are but two offices , M . W . Pro G . Master , within the gift , generally
speaking , of the members of the Craft ; the one is that to which we know and we all gladly acknowledge no exception could by any possibility be taken , because we are all of us animated both by loyalty to the throne and our allegiance to our Most Worshipful Grand Master , to prohibit , by the due consideration of either of those feelings , any difference of opinion with reference to the illustrious Head of our
Order who has just been elected by acclamation , but with reference to the Grand Treasurer I think a few observations may be very well thrown out to Grand Lodge on an exceptional occasion such as this , and which , I not only believe in my own opinion , but without any formality , I think in the estimation of a large number of members of the Craft are worthy of
very grave and serious consideration , and I do hope that , however brief I may endeavour to make my remarks , if I should be tempted in argument to extend them x minute or two leinger than I may purpose to < ln , I may be listened to with consideration , " attention , on account of the particular circumstances in which we are now placed ; and if I am not out of order—and of course if 1 am I shall be
called to order , and I shall submit to the ruling of our excellent presiding officer—I would ask why is it that in the election to an office so important as that of the Grand Treasurer , the usage which I can testify to in my experience of over a quarter of a century has been now of departeil from ? I have never known during a quarter a century the December Quarterly Communication to pass
by without the nomination of a Grand Treasurer being made to the Craft at large , equally with that of the Grand Master . He > w it is that Masonic usage has been allowed to lapse it is not for me to say , because I am perfectly prepared to admit that by Masonic law—and I lake the Constitutions as an embodiment of Masonic law —the nomination of the Grand Treasurer is not ancient .
The Constitutions provide for the nomination of Grand Master at the meeting in December , and for his election at the meeting in March , and those Constitutions simply state that a Grand Treasurer shall be elected at the Quarterly Communications in March . But then , if that is the | case , why has a work of supererogation been performed to my knowledge for nearly thirty years in the
appointment te > the important office of Grand Treasurer , and for the first time at the meeting of December last been omitted , without any communication whatever being made to the great body of Masons assembled in Grand Lodge ? Now , surely , brethren , as I have said , with only two officers in our gift , by the exercise of tmr free and unbiassed suffrages , is it or is not wise , if the law has not made provision for
this nomination , when , after the loss of that Grand Treasurer , the loss of whose services we all regret and deplore , for the first time we are called upon to elect a Giand Treasurer , wc have not the slightest idea of this or that person who is to he elected to that responsible position till we come here this evening . With reference to the other brother whom we have elected in the person of His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , there can be no question , there can be no difference of opinion ; but when you come to the brother who is nominally responsible for your finances , and the only other elective Officer we have it in our power to appoint , surely , brethren , we ought to have some notice or information why that usual nomination has been departed from . Now , Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , I must
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
United Grand Lodge ...... 97 gmOFMU 11 . cM . n , « .-( raft Masonry 09 Instruction JJ Roval Arch > _ °° Knights Templar . j oo Frccmasonry m India ... o Masonic Notes and queries 101
r „ n « eeration of the Southdown Lodge , No . 1597 , « ., '' Southampton Masonic Hall Company 101 I ' ovil Masonic Institution for Boys lot St Altai ' s Abbey i ° r ¦ 'The Freemason" 102 The Onarterly Communication 102 Vale ! " " ^ CoKBEsroNDEWE : —
The Late Piincess Alirc IOJ lolin Hervev Lodge of Instruction 103 Roman Catholic Ignorance and Intolerance 103 Reviews ... IC > i Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites 104 Roval and Select Masters 104
Dr ' AIackey and Masonic Rite 104 provincial Charity Votes „ ............: 10 J Farewell Banquet an 1 Presentation to Bro . Spinks 10 ; Masonic and General Tidings 103 Lodge Meetings for Next Week J 06 Advertisements ' ., ii ., iii ., jr ., v ., vi
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
The Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge of Freemasons was held nn Wednesday evening , at Freemasons ' Hall , when some six hundred brethren were present . The Earl ( if Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , presided , and the other Grat . d and Past Grand Officers who attended were : —Lord Carnarvon , Pro G . M . ; Lord Sherborne , Prov
G . M . Gloucestershire , P . G . M . ; Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . ; \ V . W . Beach , M . I' ., P . G . M . Hauls and Isle of Wight ; Montague Guest , Prov . G . M . Doiset ; S . Hnw = oti , Past Dist . G . M . China ; Gen . brownrigg , Prov . G . M . Surrey ; Lord Hennikcr , S . G . W . ; Sir Harcourt Johnstone , M . P ., | . G . W . ; Victor Williamson , P . G . W . ; Capt . Piatt , P . G . W . ; Sir Michael Costa P . G . W . ; Rev . H . Adair
l'ickard , G . Chaplain ; Rev . Wm . Alfred Hill , Assistant G . Chaplain ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C . ; Rev . A . V . A . Woodford , P . G . C . ; Rev . 15 . J . Simpson , I ' . G . C . ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . C ; Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C ; .-Eneas J . Mcl . ityre , G . Registrar ; John B . Monckton , President of the Board of General Purposes ; John Hervcy , G . Secretary ; E . E . Wendt , G . Secretary for
General Correspondence ; Erasmus Wilson , S . G . D . ; Col . Shadwell II . Gierke , S . G . D . ; Raphael Costa , J . G . D . ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; E . S . Snell , P . G . D . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; Hrackstnnc Baker , P . G . D . ; Col . Creaton , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , I' . G . D . ; Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; K . J . Barron , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . P . ; Charles W . C . Hulton , P . G . D . ; James
Glaisher , P . G . D . ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Charles A . Mutton , P . G . D . ; Fred . P . Morrell , P . G . D . ; S . Leith Tomkins , P . G . D . ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . P , ; J . Ebenczer Saunders , P . G . D . ; John A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; Percy Smith , P . G . D . ; Sir Albert W . Woods , G . D . C . ; James Lewis Thomas , Asst . G . D . C ; W . Hickman , P . Asst . G . D . C . ; F . Robinson , P . AlG . D . C . ; W . H . Lucia , G . S . B . ;
William F . Ncttleship , P . G . S . B . ; James Mason , P . G . S . B . ; G . Toller , jun ., P . G . S . B . ; Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B . ; A . J . Duff Filer , P . G . S . B . ; J . F . Collins , P . G . S . B . ; Hyde Pullcn , P . G . S . B . ; C . Edwin Willing , G . Organist ; W . T . Howe , G . P . ; W . Wilson , Assistant G . P . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; E . P . Albert , P . G . P . ; C . A . Cottehrune , P . G . P . ; and C 13 . Payne , G . Tyler ; Bros . George
Lambert , Charles Atkins , T . J . Thomas , W . M . 28 ; James Hainsworth , — Jones , Colonel Peters , Herbert Dickttts , George Kenning , Dr . Ramsay , W . B . Heath , — Lee , W . Hopekirk , B . II . Swallow , Edward Baxter , John II . Soutbwood , J . C . Perceval , W . Lake , — Clever , jun ., Fred . Binckes , Jas . Terry , A . Gladwell , IX Nicolls , — Farwig , D . II . Still , and H . Massey
{ Fret maxim ) . AfUr llie minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the 4 th of December , iS ; S , had been read by Grand Secretary and confirmed , Giand Secretary read the regulations for the Government of Grand Lodge during the time of public business . The next business on lite paper was the election of a
Most Worshipful Grand Master , but before this was taken , The Earl of Carnarvon said : Brethren , there stands on the notice pap . r a motion in the name of our Bro . Clabon , and I know he will not think that I am taking it
out of his hands if I anticipate him in that motion , and Propose it to you from this chair . It is right that such a motion as this , whoever may he the occupant of this chair , should proceed from this Grand Lodge with all the weight and all the se > lcmnity that the subject requires . Brethren , l"is is the first occasion that we have come in this hall
since the unfortunate death of Her Royal Highness Princess Alice . In the lives and in the deaths of veiy eminent persons there is generally a great formality , but in the life "f Her Royal Hig hness there was a reality which brought her home very much to the sympathies of English people ; and in JUT death there was a reality not less than that of 'er life . She had not been too long separated from us by
marriage in a foreign country for Englishmen to forget "er name , her character , and even her face , and in the final tragedy which by that marvellous process of reporting Was brought to us every day in every detail of the illness that carried e > f numbers of her family , and finally took her as its greatest prey—in all that tragedy , I say , she had the liveliest sympathies of this country .
"fethren , the lives of many people—or most people , I may S ; * y » who bear a character—are consistent with themselves , and generally there are some great features veri-• V'ng at home which give them reality and interest during life , and which serve to make them remembered ter death ; and if there was any one characteristic by Which Her Royal Highness will live in the recollection of
United Grand Lodge.
English people , and by which she was fortunate enough to set , so to speak , a public mark upon her time anil life , it was the deep interest that she took in the nursing and tending of the sick . It began and was practised in her earliest days ; it closed with the last hours only of her existence . It probably is in the knowledge of most members of this Grand Lodge that she , perhaps of all the
members t > f the Royal Family , nursed with the greatest assiduity and patience her father ( luring his last illness . She again stood by the sick bed and nursed with indefatigable care her brother , our illustrious Grand Master . She again took no mean part or interest in that hospital organisation which she mainly created at the time of the French and German war . I can remember when I was
in that country myself a year or two after that war , how many stories I heard , many of them very touching , of the patience and zeal and earnestness with which she had devoted herself to her self-imposed task . And lastly it may be truly said that her own death was caused by the nursing of her own children . It deserves to be known , for it is a touching and remarkable coincidence , that her death fell
on the very anniversary of her father ' s death , and also , I believe , almost , if not quite , coincided with the day when His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales in his illness received the first favourable turn . Brethren , Her Royal Highness was cut off in the very noontide of life , at the moment when duties seemed to have multiplied upon her , when her power of usefulness was the greatest , when
numbers upon numbers had become dependent upon her care and thought , and when she . was most competent , perhaps , to counsel and to assist . But though all that came to pass , according to our eyes , prematurely , she did not pass away without leaving a great and useful lesson behind ; she left , as I said just now , a public mark , so to speak , of her life and character on the time in which she lived , and
the people amongst whom she lived , and I can remember no case of me . re genuine and unmistakeable sorrow in this country when an event of this kind ivas announced , as I know indeed the loss was , one of the irreparable losses sustained by her adopted country . Brethren , the higher the position , the loftier the estate in which men or women move , the greater , too , the glitter anil the
brilliancythere is quite enough of that ; but when tho < c who are in p sitions are adorned by simplicity of life , by a faithful discharge of duty , by courage , and by the homely , but because homely not the less princely , virtues , then a great lesson is left behind , and a very noble picture is painted for othe-rs to follow their example , and such I believe to have been the case with her late Royal Highness the
Princess Alice . Brethren , I am sure of this , that though this vote comes late , as late it necessarily was , because we have had no opportunity of meeting here since that unfortunate event , I am sure that you will heartily and sincerely add your voices to the melancholy resolution which 1 am about to propose , and that you will unite in a vote expressing the deep sympathy which we all feel at the
loss sustained by Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , and by His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master , and the rest of the Royal Family , by the death of Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice , Grand Duchess of Hesse-Darmstadt . Bro . J . M . CU'oon , P . G . D . ; Most Worship ful Grand Master , it is with feelings of peculiar pride that 1
contemp late being permitted to second this resolution . I desire to say that I gave the notice of motion in a representative character , and at the unanimous request of the last Board of Masters . I only desire to add this tine word touching the statement which has been made by the Pro Grand Master . I happened to be with my family at Eastbourne late in the autumn , and when we arrived there the name
of the Princess Alice was on all lips ; and this I know , that one of the first things which she did when she arrived at Eastbourne was to send for the clergyman to know the condition of the poor of the parish , and liow she could assist him in assuaging their sorrows ; and day after day while she was at Eastbourne she performed the duties most kindly and charitably of a district visitor . 1 beg to
second the motion . The motion was then put , and carried unanimously , and the Earl of Carnarvon directed Grand Secretary to have it engrossed and sent to his lordship for transmission to the Prince of Wales . The Earl of Carnarvon : The next business , brethren , is the election of a Grand Master .
Bro . Frank Richardson , P . M . No . 14 : M . W . Pro Grand Master and Brethren , having had the distinguished humour at the last Quarterly Co . iimunication of Grand Lodge to nominate His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales as Grand Master for the ensuing year , I rise now to ask you , according to ancient custom , to confirm that nomination by unanimously re-electing him ; and I think on this
present occasion I may be forgiven for a few seconds if I pause to suggest that we should all express our thanks to the Great Architect of the Universe for having , through His mercy , saved His Royal Highness from what might have been a very serious accident ; and , at the same time , to congratulate ourselves as Englishmen that in the hour of peril His Royal Highness maintained that courage and
fortitude which are inherent in his family . In an assemblage like the present 1 need not allude , I am sure , to the benefits elcrived by Masons in general in having His Royal Hig hness at the head of our Order ; but I would point out , as a fact , that during the short period lie has reigned over us nearly 200 lodges have been added to the register . It would ill become so humble a
member of the Order as myself to dila ' te upon the excellences of His Royal Hig hness or his particular qualifications for this great office . The manner in which lie performs the duties of his high station are well known and appreciated , not only by the Craft , but by the nation at large . We all know perfectly well that the cause of charity is never overlooked by him , for we all feel that his hand is at all times guided by justice , and his heart
United Grand Lodge.
expanded b y benevolence . It is therefore with great confidence , brethren , that I propose the re-election of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as Most Worshipful Grand Master for the ensuing year . Bro . Edgar Baylis , P . M . 259 : Most W . Pro Grand Master , I have the honour to second that nomination . I am quite certain that no expressions of mine will add ta
the unanimity with which it will be received ; and I therefore simply and formally second the election of His Royal Highness as our Grand Master for the ensuing year . The motion having been put by the Earl of Carnarvon , was carried unanimously . The Earl of Carnarvon : I must as a matter of formality ask if there is any voice on the contrary ; but I am happy
to say the vote is general and universal . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was then formally proclaimed by Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) , G . D . C , as Grand Master of Freemasons of England for the ensuing year . The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , the next business on the paper is the election of the Grand Treasurer .
Bro . L . W . Cave : M . W . Pro Grand Master , I have the honour to propose for Grand Treasurer our Bro . Ferdinand de Rothschild , of the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 259 . The office of Grand Treasurer , as we all know , is one of great importance / and I strongly recommend our Bro . Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild for that office . His name is well known not only in the City of London , but
throughout the whole of England , and hot only in England , but in all the markets and exchanges of the world ; and I think that tlie election of a brother so distinguished as Bro . Ferdinand de Rothschild will tend to add lustre to the office of Grand Treasurer . ' Bro . Samuel Pierce , P . M ., 33 : Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , it is with very great pleasure that I stand
before you to seconei the proposition that we have just heard . The advantages of that election to Grand Ledge in particular , and the Craft in general , have been quite sufficiently dilated upon by the brother who l " as proposed our Bro . Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild , and I think I shall best study the v ; ishes anil feelings of the Grand Lodge if I content myself with simply seconding that proposition .
Hro . F . Binckes , P . G . Steward : Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , however invidious may be the position I may be thought in the estimation of some to occupy , I do not think that , with any reganl to consistency , the opinions I feel , and the sentiments I express , I can allow this nomination to go unchallenged . There are but two offices , M . W . Pro G . Master , within the gift , generally
speaking , of the members of the Craft ; the one is that to which we know and we all gladly acknowledge no exception could by any possibility be taken , because we are all of us animated both by loyalty to the throne and our allegiance to our Most Worshipful Grand Master , to prohibit , by the due consideration of either of those feelings , any difference of opinion with reference to the illustrious Head of our
Order who has just been elected by acclamation , but with reference to the Grand Treasurer I think a few observations may be very well thrown out to Grand Lodge on an exceptional occasion such as this , and which , I not only believe in my own opinion , but without any formality , I think in the estimation of a large number of members of the Craft are worthy of
very grave and serious consideration , and I do hope that , however brief I may endeavour to make my remarks , if I should be tempted in argument to extend them x minute or two leinger than I may purpose to < ln , I may be listened to with consideration , " attention , on account of the particular circumstances in which we are now placed ; and if I am not out of order—and of course if 1 am I shall be
called to order , and I shall submit to the ruling of our excellent presiding officer—I would ask why is it that in the election to an office so important as that of the Grand Treasurer , the usage which I can testify to in my experience of over a quarter of a century has been now of departeil from ? I have never known during a quarter a century the December Quarterly Communication to pass
by without the nomination of a Grand Treasurer being made to the Craft at large , equally with that of the Grand Master . He > w it is that Masonic usage has been allowed to lapse it is not for me to say , because I am perfectly prepared to admit that by Masonic law—and I lake the Constitutions as an embodiment of Masonic law —the nomination of the Grand Treasurer is not ancient .
The Constitutions provide for the nomination of Grand Master at the meeting in December , and for his election at the meeting in March , and those Constitutions simply state that a Grand Treasurer shall be elected at the Quarterly Communications in March . But then , if that is the | case , why has a work of supererogation been performed to my knowledge for nearly thirty years in the
appointment te > the important office of Grand Treasurer , and for the first time at the meeting of December last been omitted , without any communication whatever being made to the great body of Masons assembled in Grand Lodge ? Now , surely , brethren , as I have said , with only two officers in our gift , by the exercise of tmr free and unbiassed suffrages , is it or is not wise , if the law has not made provision for
this nomination , when , after the loss of that Grand Treasurer , the loss of whose services we all regret and deplore , for the first time we are called upon to elect a Giand Treasurer , wc have not the slightest idea of this or that person who is to he elected to that responsible position till we come here this evening . With reference to the other brother whom we have elected in the person of His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , there can be no question , there can be no difference of opinion ; but when you come to the brother who is nominally responsible for your finances , and the only other elective Officer we have it in our power to appoint , surely , brethren , we ought to have some notice or information why that usual nomination has been departed from . Now , Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , I must