Consecration Of The Thornham Lodge, No. 2279.

given great pleasure to them all , and concluded by requesting him to become an honorary member of the lodge . The PROV . GRAND MASTER responded in graceful terms , wishing the lodge every prosperity in the future , and accepting the request as above . The P . G . M . and his officers then retired from the lodge . "Hearty good wishes " were expressed from a large number of visitors present .

The lodge was then closed by the W . M ., when many of the large assembly partook of a banquet at the Town Hall . The furniture , jewels , and clothing for the above consecration were manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , 47 , Bridge-street , Manchester .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The Half-yearly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , was held on Tuesday , the 4 th instant , at the Holborn Restaurant , London . M . W . Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Pro Grand

Master , presided . Baron de Ferrieres , R . W . Prov . G . M . of Gloucestershire , occupied the S . G . W . chair , and the Hon . A . de Tatton Egerton took the chair of J . G . W . Bro . C . L . Mason , Deputy G . M . of West Yorkshire , acted as Deputy G . M ., and the Rev . Canon Portal , M . W . P . G . M ., as Past Grand Master . Among the other brethren who attended

were—Bros . Hon . W . T . Orde Powlett , Prov . G . M . N . and E . Yorks ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . W . ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . W ., G . Sec ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., Asst . G . Sec ; C . H . Driver , G . M . O . ; Gen . C . VV . Randolph , S . G . O . ; Ralph Clutton , J G . O . ; Robert Berridge , G . D . C ; Col . F . Gadsden , P . G . O . ; Sir R . N . Howard , D . P . G . M . Dorset , P . G . O . ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P G . O . ; Henry Venn , P . G . O . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . O . ; J . S . Cumberland . P . G . O . ; Major A . B . Cook , P . G . O . ; Charles B . lton , P . G . O . ; J . S .

Eastes , P . G . O . ; Reginald Mure , P . G . O . ; Alired Williams , P . G . O . ; Rev . F . Vernon Bussell , M . A ., G . Chap . ; Rev . J . A . Lloyd , M . A ., G . Chap . ; Rev . Hayman Cummintis , M . A ., D . Prov . G . M . Kent , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . T . Cartwright Smyth , D . D ., D . P . G . M . West Yorks , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope , M . A ., D . P . G . M . North Wales , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . H . G . Morse , M . A ., P . G . Chap . ; Edward Letchworth , G . Treas . ; James Moon , P . G . Treas . ; Frank Richardson , G . Reg . ; R . L . Loveland ,

D . P . G . M . Hantsanr * l . of W . ; R . B . Reed , D . P . G . M . Northumberland and Durham ; T . Y . Strachan , P . Dep . P . G . M . Northumberland and Durham ; C . S . Lane , P . GD . ; J . Lewis Thomas . P . G . D . ; D . P . Cama , P . G . D . ; J . Kam « ey , A . G . D . C ; James Terry , P . A . G . D . C . ; Col . G . H . Haldane , G . S . B ; ) . Boulton , P . G . S . B . ; George Graveley , P . G . S . B . ; Henry Ho-e , P . G . S . B . ; J . T . Briggs , G . Std . Br . ; F . Graves , G . Sid . Br . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; R . R . Brvant , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . Stevenson Hoyle , G . Org . ; John Kenyon , G . I . G . ; W . Vi cent , P . G . I . G . ; R . J .

Voi .-ey , A . G . I . G . ; E . J . Mills , P . A . G I . G . ; H . J . Holdsworth , G . Stwd . ; Wyndham Hart , G . Stwd . ; G . Miller , G . Stwd . ; A . C . Bauke , G . Stwd . ; G . Allen , G . SUd . ; L . G . G . Robbins , G . Stwd . ; C Coupland , G . Stwd . ; F . Levick , G . Stwd . ; H . S . Gnodall , P . G . Stwd . ; P . L . Simmonds , P . G . Stwd . ; H . Massev , P . G . Stwd . ; C . W . Hudson , P . G . Stwd . ; Jabez Church , P . G . Stwd . ; J . D . Birken , P . G . Stwd . j J . Tomkins , P . G . Stwd . j J . C . Collier , P . G . Stwd . ; and H . Faija , P . G . Stwd .

After the minutes of the last half-yearly communication of 5 th June , and of the November Grand Lodge , held at Cheltenham , ioth July , had betn read and confirmed Bro . BINCKES read the reply of Sir Francis Knollys from the Prince of Wales to the address of condolence on the death of the German Emperor Frederick , as follows :

Marlborough House , Pall Mall , S . W . Sir Francis Knollys is desired by his Royal Hiuhness the Prince of Wales to convey to the bethren of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons the expression of his sincere and fraternal thanks for the address of condolence which they have unanimously voted on the occasion of the lamented death of the late Emperor Frederick .

August 14 th , 1 S 8 S . Marlborough House , Pall Mall , S . VV . Dear Lord Egerton , I enclose you a formal reply to the address which you forwarded to me . As regards that part of the address which refers to the Empress Frederick , the Prince of

Wales of Wales thinks the best plan to adopt will be for the Lodge to embody what is said in the form of a resolution , and that you should send it to his Excellency the Count Seckendorf , Schloss Friediichskron , Potsdam , and be laid by him before her Imperial Majesty . Believe me , yours very truly , FRANCIS KNOLLYS .

Bro . BINCKES then read the following address of condolence voted to the Empress Frederick : Grand Lodge of M . M . M . oi England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown . To her Imperial Majesty Victoria , German Empress and Queen of Prussia , & c , & c . May it please your Majesty ,

At a Moveable Grand Lodge , held at Cheltenham , in the Province of Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire , on Tuesday , the tenth day cf July , iSSS , it was proposed by the Most Honourable ihe Maiquess of Hertford , Riyht Worshipful Drputy Grand Mas ' er , in the chair , st conded by the Most Worshipful Bro . Rev . Canon Portal , M . A ., & c , PdSt Grand Master , and resolved unanim

jusly"That a humble address of condolence on the lamented death of his Imperial Majesty Frederick . Ger nan Emperor and King of Prussia , be presented to her Imperial Majesty Victoria , German Empress and Queen of Prussia , expressive of the deep sympathy felt by the members of the Grand Ludge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown with her Imperial Majesty on the irreparable loss which her Imperial Majesty has sustained . "

EGERTON OF TATTON , Pro Grand Master . FREDERICK BINCKES , Grand Secretary . Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , SA , Red Lion-square , London . To his Excellency the Count Seckendorf , Schloss FriedrichskronPotsdam .

, Sir , _ By command of H . R H . the Prince of Wales , Most Wo-shipful Grand Master , I am . instructed to forward to y ur Excellency copy of a resolution adonte 1 at a meeting of the Grand Lodge , hM . I at Ch , It-nham . on Tuesday , io : h July , iSSS , and to humbly beg that it may be laid before her Imperal Maj sty the Empress Victoria . I am , Sir , your obedient servant ,

EGEKT N OF TATTON , Pro Grand Master . The following reply from Count Von Ha'zfeldt , German Ambassador in London , acknowledging receipt of the address was also read ; Germany Embassy , London , ¦ ' iv iw ' October i 6 th , 1 S 88 . Dear Marquess , '

Grand Mark Lodge.

I am instructed , and have the honour , to convey to you her Imperial Majest y the Empress Queen Frederic's sincerest thanks for the expression of sympathy with the loss of his Majesty the Emperor Frederic , our late lamented Sovereign , contained in the address of the members of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown of the 10 th July last . Believe me , dear Marquess ,

Von HATZFELDT , German Ambassador . The Most Honourable the Marquess of Hertford , Park Hall , Eversham . On the motion of the M . W . PRO GRAND MASTER , it was resolved that these documents should be entered on the minutes . The following report of the General Board was , on the motion of the acting D . G . M ., Bro . C . L . MASON , taken as read , received and entered on the minutes :

REPORT OF THE GENERAL BOARD . During the six months ending 30 th September last , there have been issued : Mark Certificates , 577 ; total number registered 24 , 637 . Warrants for new lodges , 5 , viz .: — . No . 390 , Granville , Deal , Kent . „ 391 , Lewis , Lewes , Sussex . ,, 392 , Sanfoid , Dugshai , Bengal . » 3 <) 3 > Liverpojl , Liverpool , Lancashire . „ 394 , Chorlton , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , Lancashire .

Royal Ark Manners Certificates , 162 ; total number registered , 2637 . Warrant for new lodge , viz ., Jordan , attached to Jordan Lodge , No . 319 , Toiquay , The following Provincial Grand Masteis have been appointed : Bro . Col . G . E . L . Somerset Sanford , C . B ., Bengal , in succession to K . W . Bro . Brigr .-Gen . G . B . Wolesley , C . B . ; R . W . Bro . G . F . Travers-Drapes , Burma , in succession to R . W .

Bro . Rev . J . Fairclough ; R . W . Bro . the Baron de Ferrieres , Gloucestershire and Herefordshire , in the place of R . W . Bro . John Walker ; R . W . Bro . Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , Njrth and East Yorkshire , in the place of R . W . Bro . J . Woodall Woodall ; R . W . Bro . Col . Marmaduke Ramsay , Mediterranean , this province having been for some years in charge of the Deputy P . G . M ., V . W . Bro . Watson , P . G . O .

Patents of the following brethren have been renewed for terms of three years : R . W . Bro . Rt . Hon . Earl of Jersey , Berks and Oxon .

M . W . „ Kev . Canon Portal , M . A ., Hants and Isle of Wight . R . W . „ Rev . 1 ' . Robinson , M . A ., Kent . A Moveable Grand Lodge was held at Cheltenham on the ioth July , 1 S 88 , which was presided over by the R . W . Bro , the Marquess of Hertford , D . G . M ., and attended by a

large numler of Present and Past Grand Officers and other brethren . After the R . W . Bio . Baron de Ferrieres had been installed as Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire , it was proposed by the Deputy Grand Master , seconded by the M . VV . Bro . Rev . Canon Portal , M . A ., Past Grand Master , and carried unanimously , that the following address of condolence be presented to H . R . H . the Piince of Wales , M . W . G . M .:

" Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown . "To His Royal Highness Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c . " Most Worshipful Grand Master , " May it please your Royal Highness , at a Moveable Grand Lodge , held at Cheltenham , Province of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire , on Tuesday , ioth July , 1 SS 8 , it was proposed by the Most Noble the Marquess of Hertford , R . W . Deputy Grand Master , in the chair , seconded by M . W . Bro . Rev . Canon Portal , Past Grand Master , and unanimously

resolved'" That a humble address of condolence on the lamented death of his Imperial Majesty Frederick , German Emperor and King of Prussia , be presented to the Most Worshipful Grand Master , his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , and that his Royal Highness , the M . W . Grand Master , be humbly requested to convey to hei Imperial Majesty , Victoiia , German Empress and Queen of Prussia , the deep sympathy felt by the Membersof the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and VVales , and the Colonies of the British Crown , with her Imperial Majesty in the irreparable loss which her Imperial Maiesty has sustained . "

His Royal Highness was pleased to accept the address , and to return the following reply : — "Marlborough House . " Sir Francis Knollys is desired by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , to convey to the brethren of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons the expression of his sincere and fraternal thanks for the address of condolence which they have unanimously voted on the occasion of the lamented death of the late Emperor Frederick .

"August 14 , iSSS . " There is invested on behalf of the General Fund the sum of £ 2800 . The Board acknowledge , with thanks , copies of Reports of Proceedings from Grand Chapter of Michigan , Arkansas , New York , Scotland , Pennsylvania , Alabama , Nebraska , and Canada .

FUND OF BENEVOLENCE . The Twentieth Annual Festival was held at Freemasons' Tavern , on 25 th July , under the presidency of the R . W . Bro . the Marquess of Hertford , Deputy Grand Master , and Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire , supported by a most efficient Board of Stewards , and attended by a large number of ladies and brethren . The sum of £ 1 S 1 S 2 s . was announced on this occasion , and the thanks of the Mark Degree are due to the 18 S Stewards whose zeal and liberality were instrumental in

producing this satisfactory result . With a view to still further extend the benefits and usefulness of the Fund , the Board recommend that the Annuity payable to Male Annuitants be increased to £ 26 , and that to the Female Annuitants of £ 21 , and that a sum of £ 5 be annually presented at Chiistmas to each Annuitant for the purpose of procuring clothing or fuel , or other necessaries ; and that the Book of Constitutions , page 76 clause viii ., and page 79 clause iv . be alter , d accordingly .

Joseph Stafford Taverner , son of the late Bro . Jos . W . Taverner , has been admitted to the benefits ot the Educational Branch as a pupil to be educated at King Edward VI . Grammar School , Nuneaton . On consideration of the reports of progress of the various pupils , which are highly satisfactory , the Board have awarded the silver mtdals for proficiency to Thomas Montagu Quinn , a pupil at the Noith London Collegiate Schojl , Camden Town , and to Alice White , a pupil at Summerbrook SchoolReading .

, The total investments on behalf of the several branches of the Mark Benevolent Fund

are—Benevolent Fund ... ... ... ... ... ^ 2100 Educational Fund ,., ... ... ... ... 2200 Annuity Fund ... ... ... ... ... 2800 The Board have relieved Ihe following cases : Bro . F . H ., No . 97 ... .,. ... ... .,, £ 20 „ J . A ., No . 220 ... ... ... ... ... 5

,, J . A ., Nos . 14 and 24 ... ... ... ... 20

„ H . D . M . W ., No . 267 ... ... ... ... 20 „ E . J . VV . T . ( Foreign ) ... ... ... ... 10 And recommend to Grand Lodge : Mrs . P ., widow of Bro . P ., No . 39 ... ... ... £ 25 Mrs . C , ,, Bto . C , Nos . 3 6 and 302 ... ... 3 ° ( Signed ) G . R . PORTAL , Past G . M . M . M ., President . The Grand Treasurer ' s accounts are as follows :

DR . GENERAL FUND . To Balance , 31 st March , iSSS ... ... ... £ 672 2 4 „ Half-Year's receipts ... ... ... 774 13 6 „ Interest on Investments ,., ... ... 53 12 5 £ l 5 <» 8 3