Reviews.

I believe the appointment has the approbation of the brethren . 1 may , of course , be wrong , but my idea of the position is , if anything goes wrong blame the VV . M ., if there is any credit stick to it ; there is a great difference in W . M ? ., some leave too much to [ he Secretary , some too little . 1 must say great credit is due to Bro . (' ,. Fmblin for the excellent balance sheet produced to-night , he has spared no time that he could devote to ( be interests of the lodge , he has done his uttermost for the comfort and enjoyment of ( he brethren , and has confined the expenditure within the limits of the smallest revenue since the foundation of the lodge , besides contributing io guineas to one of the Masonic Charities .

Bros . Lowry , J . J . VVoods , and Rayner responded for "The Officers , " and the curtain was rung down with the Tyler ' s toast . The musical element was represented by Bros . VV . II . Lowry , O . C Moore , W . T . I ' errins , and others .

White Rose of York Lodge , No . 2491 . 'The third anniversary festival of this young but most vigorous and nourishing lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , Surrey-street , Sheffield , on Friday , the ist instant . Masonic progress in Sheffield , as Bro . Henry Smith in his retrospect which appeared in our columns last week remarked , has been very great of recent years . Of the last six lodges added to the roll in West Yorkshire , no less than four have arisen in Shellield , and amongst the eight which it now numbers , none shows greater vitality , a juster or

more fervid attachment to Masonic principles , or a more conscientious desire to work on true lines than does the lodge which bears the name of White Rose of York . Commenced under most favourable auspices , it has been guided by the firm and able hands of Bro . John Hunt , its first VVorshipful Master , and Bro . Joseph Jackman , his successor . It is now starting upon the third year of its existence , and its fortunes have been placed ,

and , we doubt not , wisely placed , under the capable conduct of Bro . Charles F . Brindley . The selection which the brethren of 2491 unanimously made , if we may judge by the excellent manner in which he acquitted himself on this his first and rather trying appearance in the chair , has been a wise and suitable one . Bro . Brindley more than justified the choice they had made , and won universal encomiums by the ability , the tact , and the heartiness which he displayed both in the lodge and at the subsequent : refreshment table .

That the White Rose of York Lodge practises the truly Masonic virtue of hospitality was abundantly proved on this occasion , for , though they number all told less than 40 members , yet there must have been close upon 100 brethren assembled in Sheffield's handsome and beautifully proportioned hall in Surrey-street on Friday last . This shows that the lodge is a popular one , and is an indication of interest which is very Mattering to those with whom the management of the . ' edge rests .

Amongst the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , who accepted invitations were llros . Charles Letch Mason , P . M . 304 , Prov . S . G . W . ; Joseph Binney , P . M . 29 G , P . P . G . K . ; G . VV . Ilawkesley , P . M . IV ) , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . W . Phillips , P . P . G . O . ; Joseph Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; J . Ii . Darling , P . M . I 2 vj . P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Mellomes , P . M . 29 G , P . P . G . O . ; Ii . Billington , P . M . 1402 , P . P . G . D . C ; J . VV . Chambers , P . M . 1179 and 2224 , P . P . G . D . Derbyshire ; Rev . G . Williams , P . P . G . Chap . ; Rev . V . Odom , M . A ., P . M . 139 . P . P . G . Chap . ; and others .

The brethren of the White Rose of York Lodge mustered strongly , and comprised llros . John Hunt , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., founder and first W . M . ; W . 11 . BriHain , P . M . 131 ) , P . G . S . B . ling ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Simeon Hayes , P . M . iv ) , P . P . S . G . W . ; II . J . l . arnet , P . M . 139 , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Arnison , P . M . 29 0 , P . P . G . W . ; II . VV . Pawson , I ' . M . 29 G , P . P . G . D . ; J . L . Potts , founder ; T . II . Vernon , P . M . 226-1 , P . P . G . D .,

founder ; VV . Middleton , VV . M . elect 139 , founder ; Wm . Farrar , Saml . Thorpe , John Shaw , P . M . nq , P . P . G . S . of VV ., founder ; R . Hanbidge , 11 . M . Elliott , VV . Gadsby , P . M . 1179 , P . P . G . O . Derbyshire , founder ; R . Ruff , P . M . 14 G 2 J VV . Sales , Wm . D . Foxon , J . K . Litter , A . Ii . Booker , A . P . Jarvis , A . VV . Roberts , A . Maciedic , P . M . 1779 . P . P . G . D . j and Ensor Drury , P . M . 29 G , P . P . G . W .

1 lie Shi fheld Ii decs were specially represented by the following Worshipful Masters : Bins . J . Ii . Dickinson , 139 ; M . J . IJodwoith , 1239 ; VV . Tyzack , 1779 ; A . Ihrkless , 22 GS ; and Charles Stokes , 255 S . Ihe others , through illnessor other reasons , weie unable to accept . It would be almost impossible in our brief space to give the names of all who were present , but the following list will show the representative character of the gathering :

liros . II . Heibert Andrew , 29 G ( Master Cutler of Sheffield ); A . II . Foster , 1 G 72 ; T . Unwl ( itham , J . W . 1239 ; J . T . 'Thompson , 1239 ; J . Noddcr , 1309 ; J . B . Maskell , Org . 2224 ; J . P . Hewitt , P . M . 1239 ; 11 . llailier , Surgeon-Major Thomas , VV . G . l'aikin , P . M / 29 G ; G . Cornu , S . D . 29 b ; Davidson , P . M . ; M . Hartley , 29 O ; A . Ii . Hall , 1779 ; Dr . C H . Willey , 1779 ; R . Ariel Wright , 22 G 3 ; VV . II . Casson , T . E . Haiker , S . W . 1230 ; C . N . Lawton , 2268 ; G . Simpson , 22 GS ; II . A . Brooke , I . P . M . ; . 'f' 3 ; Isaac Ellis , P . M . 29 G ; and James Wood , W . M . 1513 .

During the year just ended seven new members have been added to the register , five ul wh <; m weie initiates ; and the financial conditional the lodge owing to the generosity "I ihe Ii unders , by whom its enliie new furniture was presented , is shown by the hand-X'li . e balance of close upon yCloo which stands to its credit in the bank . It may , thereluie , be said Iliat thc new VV . M , liio . Chas . F . Brindley , succeeds to a fair inheritance and tfeic is every reason lo believe that when he renders an account of his Stewardship at the end of his jeai , he will he able , like his excellent predecessor , liro . Jackman , to shew that Ihe lodge has increased under his management and prospered at his hands .

Ihe installation ceremony , which was a very imposing one , was most impressively anil revenntly rendered by the retiring VV . M ., Bro . Jackman . The solemnity was mutated by the introduction of music . 'This we learn was specially written for the creation by Bro . J . VV . Hanforth , Mus . Bac , organist of the Parish Church , Sheffield . Hie words , teltctcd most suitably from the Volume of the Sacred Law , were supplied by liro . Wm . Gadsby , P . AL The While Rose of York Lodge is distinctly a musical lodge , and the rendering of Bro . ilanforth's beautiful compositions , consisting of the duet "' ¦ ivethe King thy judgments , " and the tenor solo , with chorus , " Blessed be thou , "

sh . wed that its mtmbtrs might justly claim ctnsidcratiun for talents not by any means cemtnon in Masonic lodges . 'The working tools were presented and explained in the revtral Degrees by Bros . John Shaw , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of VV . ; Fnsor Drury , P . M ., I ' . l ' . G . W . j and'I . II . Vernon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . 1 he ollicers appointed hy Bro . Brindley 2 nd invested with suitable exhortations in each instance were : Bros . Joseph Jackman , P . M . 139 , P . M ., I . P . M . ; Wm . Gunstone , S . W . ; Carl A . llahn , J . VV . ; Joseph graven , Treas . ; George Wish , Sec ; Dr . John Stokes , S . D . ; T . VV . Hanfoith , Mu-. Uac , J . D . ; Chailes Ariel Wright , D . C . j VV . 11 . Peasegocd , Org . j M . T . Miiitr , I . G . j J . K . Dewhurst and A . B . Gunstone , Stwds . j and ' 1 . Leighton , Tyler .

Afit 1 a shut anthun by Bio . Ilanfi ilh , sung , as were the pievious compositions , hy liros . John Hunt , VV . D . Foxon , and VV . Gadsby , Bro . Jackman gave the addresses ' •' the VV . M ., Waidens , and brethren . 'Ihere were many hearty congratulations in 11 l '' y In the usual quettions , after which the VV . M . cl < std the lodge . A nost recherche banquet was seivcd in the dining room by Bio . Turner , of which "I'uart . ., of . Nobiethiin paitook . . . The usual loyal toasts were put from thc chair , and met with Masonic approbation .

The reply to that of " H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . and the Officeis of Grand Ledge " } been assigned to Bio . VV . II . Brittain , J . P ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . S . B . England . Bro . ' ¦ 'bain , in discharge of official duties in connection with municipal matters , was , howlver , obli ged lo leave before the toast came on . . lothatof " 'IheR . W . Prov . G . M ., liio . VV . L . Jackson , M . P . ; the W . Deputy , Bro . ] , ' nry Smith ; and the Ollicers ol Prov . Giand Lodge . " liro . Charles Letch Mason , ' . ' . !¦ W ., responded . I 'he toast of the evening-that of "The W . M . of the White Rose of Yoik edge "—was pioposed by Bio . Joseph Jackman , / . I ' . M ., who ( curd no difficulty in ^ . abating upon the qualifications which Bio . Brindley postestcd for the office into f Ul ! ¦ IPU | J l ¦»<¦ lllk Hill .

„ I - 't -J "'" fctl «* « j KM >¦ ¦ II . IUHM .....- ¦¦ » -.. U . ^ ,,, I'U .. ... J ^ V . U UIIICV "dine had just been inducted . His remarks were fully appreciated by thc brethren , > o , b y their applause , accentuated Bro . Jackman ' s commendations unmistakeably . cm 11 ^~ " ' ' ' " , lncfity > on rising to reply , was vocilerously cheeied , and for tome time ( f . not obtain a hearing . He said that v : was with considerable trepidation that he . /¦ . to give adequate exuietsion Io the Lwatitude which he felt , lirst lor Ihe l * iml terms in

If l ' " ' J ' man had spoken of him , and next , for ihe hearty response with which lies' l ^ > fiy their applause , had endorsed those expressions . It would be hisearnest l- ' rftl " ' ° ''" cver i thing pctsible to him , in order thai he might justify the confidence the M | :,. ' ' [) had shown in him . He was fully conscious ol the serious and weighty respona , y he ha , i assumed when he contented to become VV . M . of the lodge . His task was IJS ( difficult one in having to follow such worthy and excellent Masters as Bros . John

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Hunt and Joseph Jackman . He feared the qualifications he might possess were unequal to the occasion , and that it was hopeless to attempt to compete with those who had preceded him . lie would , however , try his best , would spare no effort , would make any sacrifice rather than the reputation of the lodge should suffer under his control . He had no hesitation in declaring what his policy would be ; it was to carry on the working ol the lodge as it had been conducted hitherto , and , in attempting so formidable an undertaking , he counted—and he knew he might confidently do that—he counted upon the counsel and assistance of the Past Masters . I le promised loyalty to them , loyalty to his

lodge , and loyalty to the grand principles of Freemasonry . It was quite impossible in words to express half of what he felt . He was prepared to admit that in the S . VV . 's chair he had been quite at home , and , whilst sitting in that comparatively irresponsible position , had often dwelt upon the serious nature of the duties of a VV . M ., and wondered if it were possible that he should some day be able to discharge those duties . He felt sure that he might claim the indulgence of his brethren however , and he could , at

least , assure them that no effort of his should be spared , but that he would try to justify their selection of him , and would at least make it his constant care that the lodge which under his predecessors' care had ( justly gained such reputation , should lose none of its prestige . With the help of the Past Masters , the loyalty of his brethren , and his own unsparing efforts , he trusted to maintain the position—be could not expect to do morethat the White Rose of York Lodge had taken in the city of Sheffield and the Province of West Yorkshire . With heartfelt thanks , he would add no more .

Pressure of space precludes us from giving the excellent speech of Bro . Jackman in reply to the toast of " The Installing Master and I . P . M . " Bro . John Shaw proposed " The Sister Lodges and Visiting Brethren . " The Worshipful Masters of the oldest ( Britannia , 139 , Bro . Dickinson ) , and the youngest lodge in Sheffield ( the Furnival , 255 S , Bro . Chas . Stokes ) , replied . "The Masonic Charities" was entrusted to Bro . Simeon Hayes , P . M ., P . P . G . W . Bro . John Hunt , who , for the third time had been elected Charity Steward of the lodge , replied , land indicated in very plain words that he intended shortly making an appeal to the brethren on behalf of the Masonic Institutions .

" The Past Masters and Hon . Past Masters " was ably proposed by the S . W ., Bro . Wm . Gunstone , and the response was placed in the hands of Bro . T . H . Vernon , P . M .,

P . P . G . D . In giving the toast of " The Officers of the White Rose of York Lodge , " the W . M , expressed very strongly his confidence in the ability and willingness of all of them , and declared himself fortunate in possessing so efficient a band of helpers . He did not , when all were good , wish to individualise , but he could not pass by the splendid services of Bros . Hanforth and Gadsby without some reference . As their Organist , Bro . Hanlorth had not only given up time to the discharge of his duties , but he had also , without any thought of remuneration , given of his talents in their behalf . The musical

compositions which Bro . Hanlorth had produced , some of which they had heard that night , showed that his abilities were of a very high order , and they could not be too grateful to him for the assistance he had rendered so disinterestedly whilst filling the ollice of Organist . As for liro . Wm . Gadsby , he was prepared to say , and he was sure they would agree with him , that without the constant attention to detail , the general supervision and thc willingness to do anything , fill any office , discharge any duty in the interest of the lodge , which had been so lavishly and freely shown by Bro . Gadsby , the White Rose of York Lodge would not stand in the proud position it that day occupied , and that their thanks were specially due to liro . Gadsby .

I he proceedings were enlivened by music both vocal and instrumental , all by members of the lodge , thereby establishing > ts claim to be regarded as an essentially musical lodge . The songs of Bro . VV . Foxon , whose excellent tenor voice has established him a reputation , not only in Sheffield , but far beyond , were a distinct feature of Ihe evening , especially his line and spirited rendering of the recitative and following air from " Judas Maccabeus "— "Sound an Alarm I " The instrumentalists , Bros . VV . H . Peasegood , violin ; M . T . Miner , viola ; with liro . Hanforth at the piano , gave a trio from Mendelssohn , op . 49 , which was highly appreciated .

Music plays a prominent part even in the Masonic ce * remomcs of thc lodge , and we believe that a complete "Liber Musicus" for the Three Degrees has been prepared and largely composed by liros . Hanforth and Gadsby , who , like all musicians , are nothing if not enthusiasts . Thus the White Rose of York is going on its way doing good work , and we can only wish it continued prosperity . In due course the portrait of liro . Charles Brindley , with a brief bicg . iuliical sketch , will appear in the columns of the Freemason .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

St . Magdalen ChajDter , No . 242 . 'I he ii : uol convocation of this chapter was held in the Masonic Rooms , Doncaster , on I'liiiay , the 25 th ult . Present : Comps . F . Webb , M . E . / . ; J . Constable , H . ; C . GoUlthorpe , J . j ' C . 11 . Woodhouse , S . E . j S . Pegler , LP . / ., acting S . N . ; J . H . Pawton , and II . A . Fenton . F . Rand , P . Z ., P . P . G . Treas ., was a visitor . Comps . F . Rand and A . L . Peace were proposed and seconded as joining companions . Comp . Constable was appointed Steward at the forthcoming Benevolent Festival .

Royal Middlesex Chapter , No . 1194 . The last meeting for the year was held on the 19 th ultimo , at the Mitre Hotel , Hampton court , the First Principal's chair being occupied by Comp . Botley , the LP . / ., owing to the sad accident which ended in the death ot Comp . Kirby , who was installed in May last . Comps . Seton , 11 ., and Barber , J ., were present , also Comps . VV . Taylor , P . G . J ., Treas . ; Robeit Clay Sudlow , P . G . S . B . ; li . Bateman , P . G . S . N . ; H . P . Hay , P . G . S . N . ; Win . Dodd , P . G . D . C . ; Drysdale , Ileinemann , . Edwards , and others .

After the minutes had been read , Comp . Botley alluded to the loss the chapter had sustained in the following terms : Companions , you are all aware why the sad duty of occupying the chair to-day devolves on me , and with me , I am sure , you must all deeply deplore the cause—the untimely death of our First Principal , Comp . Kirby . When one has arrived at a goodly number of years , and then passes away , quietly and peacefully , diifting out on the tide of life , there is always a leeling of sorrow ; but to hear of a fiiend suddenly cut oil in the prime of his life , looking lorward to years of happiness .

and beloved by all his family and friends , is inexpressibly shocking . Companions , our Comp . Kirby's death was a sad shock to us all as men , a great blow to the chapter , and a still greater blow to the Craft . In and round London , aye , and further still , to Masons Bro . Kirby ' s name was familiar in their mouths as household words . We all knew and admired his great knowledge of Freemasonry , and how he laboured for the Craft he loved . To every one uibanc and courteous , always willing to give assistance to any brother , and always preserving and teaching the presetvation of the genuine principles

and tenets of freemasonry ; and , though he had obtained the greatest honour one can wish for , that is—the respect and esteem of his fellow creatures—we who had known his Masonic career , wcre hoping he might one day attain to the eminence of his friend and counselloi—Comp . Sudlow—and that Grand Lodge would honour him with office for his well-merited services to the Craft . My own knowledge of Comp . Kiiby was from the time he was exalted here , since then we have frequently met in Masonry . Indeed , I had the pleasure of seeing him installed in his lodge as well as in this chapter . I have ever

found him the same ; one , indeed , whr m it has ever been a pleasure to meet , and now he has received his last summons , we may leel sure he has gone to the Grand Lodge above lo be eternally happy with the Great Geometrician of the Universe . The chapter passed a vote of sympathy with his widow , and as a means of showing practically their esteem , a sum of £ 10 10 s . was voted from the funds as a donation to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , to be given " In Memoriam " of Comp . Kirby . The election of Principals and ollicers lor the ensuing year was the only other business .

J he companions aflenvaids dined together , dispensing with music ; indeed , at the future meetings Comp . Kirby's singing will be greatly missed , as his musical ability was of a high older , and he was always ready to give his friends and companions the benefit of it without any of that ostentation so often displayed by musical people .