Masonic Notes.

The contest throughout was , on the whole , goodhumoured / fo ^ t , and as each of the candidates were true and trusty men , deserving well of their fellows , we can only congratulate the successful brother , and condole with the defeated candidates . * * *

Mow that the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution has come and gone , leaving behind jt a p leasant memorial in the shape of donations and subscrip tions amounting to close on . £ 13 , 000 , the duty devolves upon- us of calling our readers' attention to

the second great anniversary gathering of the year . This , as was announced some time since , will take place nt Freemasons' Tavern on the 9 th May under the presidency of Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand

Master of England and Prov . Grand Master of West Lancashire , and as the occasions on which his lorcfship has already presided have been attended with marked success , we indulge the hope that a similar fate may attend the Festival which is now approaching .

In 1 S 73 , his lordship—then Lord Skelmers dalesignalised his appointment to the office of Prov . Grand Master by presiding at the 85 th Anniversary of the Girls' School , when the proceeds , amounting to not far short of . £ 7500 , exceeded those of the preceding year

by some . £ 3300 . In 1 S 70 , he presided at the Benevolent Festival , the Returns reached . £ 9300 , or , £ 2300 more than in 1 S 75 . In 1 S 80 , he was Chairman at the Boys ' Festival , the Returns being , £ 14 , 000 , or . £ 3500 in excess

of those of 18 79 ; while , in 18 91 , when he presided a second time at the Festival of the same School , the total reached . £ 29 , 000 . These facts augur well for the gathering in May .

As regards . the claims of the Institution toagenerous support , there is little to be added to what has alread y been said times out of number . Since its establishment £ in 17 S 8 the School has benefited some 1750 girls ,

while the system of training and education which has been , adopted throughout its whole career , but more especially since 1861 , when Miss Davis was appointed Head Governess , has been most praiseworthy .

* * » Of this we have annually the most satisfactory evidence in the successes of those pupils who are entered for the various public examinations . Indeed , it was only last week we reported how all thc 17 girls

who had been candidates at the Cambridge Local Examinations in December , 18 93 , succeeded in passing . Three of these were seniors , of whom one took second class honours , while the others satisfied the examiners . Of the 14 juniors one took first class honours , two

second class , and two third class , the remaining nine passing . Among these as many as 12 distinctions in Particular subjects were awarded . This is the third time in the last five years that all have passed , the percentage of failures being only three during that period , as against 27 for the whole of England .

As regards the ways and means of the Institution we have pointed out on many former occasions that the permanent income when compared with the expenditure is small . The former is about . £ 2000 per annum , the

latter between . £ 12 , 000 and £ 13 , 000 . Thus the assistancc of the whole Craft is needed in order to enable tta Institution to carry on its beneficent work with the same vigour , and at the same standard of efficiency as heretofore .

Inder these circumstances it is imperative that a J , " nerous response should be made to the efforts of the Stewards and the appeal which Lord Lathom will make U [ i the appointed day . His lordship and his great ruvince of West Lancashire are a host in themselves ,

but a second host will , no doubt , be formed from the other Provinces and London , and by the efforts of the combined forces , acting together with the most complete harmony , we trust that such a total of donations •'" d subscri ptions will be obtained as will enable our

v . nior Charity not only to pay its way during the current year , but carry over to the next a substantial b'dance , which will be available for such heavy

con"igcnt expenses as the recent enlargement of the "nrmary , or in times of serious need , when a grave 1 olitical or commercial crisis renders the collection of , lr 5 je sums of money impossible .

ihc Subscribers to thc Boys' School will notice a ' * Tarlurc in the voting papersjust being issued for the ' Prelection , which we think is a step in the right 'rection . By perforating the paper , thc voting sheet Wlli be more easily detached , and with less risk ol

Masonic Notes.

tearing the voting half . To those actively engaged in dealing with heavy numbers of papers on the day of election this improvement will be a welcome one , and Bro . McLeod is to be congratulated on making it .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As it is impossible for me to thank personally the brethren who supported me yesterday in the election for Grand Treasurer , I ask you to allow me space

in your valuable paper to convey to them my appreciation of their kindness and thanks for their votes and interest . It will be my earnest endeavour to retain their confidence by doing all in my power to uphold the dignity of such a high position in the Craft . —I am , dear sir , yours fraternally ,

JOSEPH C . DIMSDALE . March Sth .

REPORTS OF IRISH LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I send you the enclosed "Special Notice " which has been issued to the brethren of the Masonic Province of Tyrone and Fermanagh by the R . W .

Provincial Grand Master , Sir John Marcus Stewart , Bart ., 32 . Is it any wonder you have few correspondents in Ireland , and that the Freemason has no very extensive circulation among us . It seems to me that the step taken by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Tyrone and Fermanagh is a backward

one . What do we do or say at our installation dinners or other entertainments to be ashamed of ? or who and where are the individual brethren who are ashamed to associate their names with our ancient and honourable Institution ? Freemasonry is not a secret society . It may have its

secrets ( and has ) but its members are known to the world , its meetings are regularly held , and the time and place duly published , the temples of the Craft adorn both city and hamlet , and its members shed their lustre on every rank of society . Why , then , all this humbug , which savours more of

a clandestine institution than of our Noble Order ? And the sooner the Grand Lodge of Ireland eliminates Rule XXIV . from our Book of Constitutions , the sooner will that light which Irish Freemasonry has so long languished for , be let in upon it , and with the breaking

up of the darkness will come the breaking up of that clique which has so long held our order in Ireland in its iron grasp . 891 , A . y . C . Rule 24 . Page 14 . Grand Lodge of Ireland , Dublin Laws and Constitutions 1888 :

" The transactions or proceedings of any meeting of the Grand Lodge , of any Provincial Grand Lodge , or any subordinate lodge , or any Masonic Committee , or any comment thereon , or reference thereto , shall not be printed or published , without the permission of the Grand Lodge , or of the Grand Master , or the Deputy Grand Master , or , if in a Masonic Province , of the Provincial Grand Master or his Deputy . "

Special notice . " Masonic Province of Tyrone and Fermanagh . " Prov . Grand Secretary ' s Ollice , ' •' Enniskillen , 23 rd Feb ., 1 S 94 . " Worshipful Sir and Brother , " I am directed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Sir John Marcus Stewart ,

Bart ., to call your most particular attention to the grave breach of Masonic obedience , and direct violation of Rule XXIV ., Book of Constitutions , which is being committed by Lodges in publishing reports of their proceedings at installations and Lodge dinners , or other entertainments , giving the names of individual brethren taking part therein , together with toasts , songs , & c , & c .

" This reprehei . sible practice has been condemned and frequently forbidden by Grand Lodge , and by its direction Provincial Grand Masters and Authorities have also forbidden it within their bounds . " At the last meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master brought the subject prominently forward—again

condemning the practice , and expressing his intention of dealing with future transgressors penally according to the Laws of the Craft—he is therefore the more surprised and grieved to lind that these authoritative admonitions have been disregarded , and the Law of the Order flagrantly broken , even since the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge . He now directs the

issue of this circular and notice to all Lodges , Officers , and Brethren , within this jurisdiction , warning Masters , Wardens , and Secretaries of their personal responsibilities in the matter , and announcing his determination to enforce in future the penalties attached to any

breach of the laws in fotce on this subject , and he calls upon the Officers and Brethren throughout the Province to discountenance the practice , and prevent its repetition . " You will cause this circular to be read in open Lodge and promulgated amongst the members .

" Fraternally yours , "O . TKUNAN , " Provincial Grand Secretary . "

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1049 ] — AN OLD CERTIFICATE . From the East where Silence rose . Lodge of Virtue and Honour , No . 625 . These are to Certify , That Brother John Cawse Harvie was regularly made a Mason on 24 th October , 1 S 11 , and admitted to the Third Degree of Masonry in our Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons held in the

Town of Totnes and County of Devon named and numbered as above , and has behaved during his stay with us as becomes a true and faithful Mason and as such we recommend him to all regular lodges throughout the World after due trial and examination . And in case of Death or otherwise this might be made an improper use of we have caused him to sign his Name in the Margin . Please to see him do the

same . Given under our Hands and Seal of our Lodge this Sixth day of June , 1814 , and of Masonry 5814 . Jno . Murch , R . W . M . J . C . HARVIE . Henry Cridland , S . Warden . Roger Hopkins , J . Warden . Secretary , Thos . Daw .

The foregoing refers to a lodge at Totnes , which was warranted 1 st May , 1811 , and erased Sth December , 1827 . I do not remember having previously seen a certificate desiring that the bearer should be asked to sign his name for the purpose of identification , although I have no doubt it was frequently done . JNO . LANE .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge ( No . 4 ) . —The installation meeting of this Time Immemorial lodge was held on the 26 th ultimo at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Richard Thomas Kingham , P . M ., P . G . S ., W . M ., presiding . There was a very large attendance . The Past Masters were represented by Bros .

W . T . Whitmore , H . Mackintosh , T . A . Rughn , H . P . Hughes , Geo . Weldon , H . J . Gardiner , C . F . R . Kayne , 1 . A . Joseph , C . Cousens , W . Stephenson Hoyte , O . T . Hodges , J . W . ; C . F . R . Payne , S . D . ; and A . Adams , J . D . the visitors were Bros . E . J . Barron , J . Sampson Peirce , Charles E . Keyser , J . Lewis Thomas , Charles Martin , C . Hammerton , C . F . Matier , W . de M . Sergison ,

E . Letchworth , F . A . Philbrick , W . Ganz , W . A . Scurrah , P . M . 1 G 7 ; E . R . Ouincey , 259 ; W . Coward , 2000 ; W . H . Brereton , P . M . 1920 ; C . Ackerman , 170 G ; A . G . Hanson , S . W . 24 S 4 ; J . Harper Kereton , S . D . 1920 ; C , Lock , 13 G 1 ; R . Hovenden , 21 ; E . W . Postan , P . M . 34 , ] . W . 24 S 4 ; J . Ford , P . M . 5 S , P . G . S . ; C . Belton , 1 , P . D . G . D . C ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 610 and 102 S ; E' .

St . Clair , W . M . 14 ; J . Simpson Jay , 171 S ; H . Rayner . 2127 ; P . K . Langdale , 1361 ; F . Laurance , 255 ; S . Spicer , W . M . Grove Lodge ; F . Eve , P . M . 657 ; H . W . Kivby , 1 ; E . A . de Patoa , P . M . 176 ; H . O . Yeatman , W . M . 1159 ; A . B . Trindell , 1 S 74 ; J . H . Scott , 1673 ; F . Lang Day , 132 S ; D . Godfrey , 256 ; G . H . Tatham Armitage , P . P . S . G . W . N . and E . Yorks ; H . P . Harris ,

10 , P . P . G . Registrar Bucks ; Bradshaw Brown , P . M . 1 , P . G . S . ; B . B . Mulding , SS ; Horace A . Lomer , 91 ; A . J . Norris , 5 C 9 ; G . D . Lister , 9 C 9 ; W . B . Billinghurst , 2312 ; and R . O . B . Lane , Q . C , 1505 . I'he W . M . installed Bro . Albert John Venn , M . D ., as W . M ., and was himself invested as LP . M . The other brethren appointed to office were Bros . Hodges , S . VV . ;

Paine , J . W . ; the Rev . A . W . Oxford , P . M ., P . G . S ., Chap . ; Gresley Hall , P . M ., P . G . S ., Treas . ; Frederick West , P . M ., Sec ; A . Adams , P . M ., S . D . ; Hartung , P . M ., J . D . ; Wilhelm Ganz , P . G . Org ., Organist ; Stewart Brown , P . M ., l . G . ; Hugh Mackintosh , P . M ., P . G . S ., D . C ; Fenn , P . M ., Steward ; and Freeman , Tyler . The S . D ., Iiro . A . Adams , P . M ., was elected Grand Steward for the year ; a Past Master ' s jewel was

presented to Bro . R . T . Kingham , I . P . M . ; and the brethren then adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern , where a choice banquet awaited them . The usual toasts followed , the speeches being interspersed with some beautiful music performed by Mile . Elena L ' .-iler and the Westminster Singers , and Bros . Walter Coward , Harper Kearton , Charles Ackerman , and W . H . Brereton , Bro . Wilhelm Ganz conducting .

Robert Burns Lodge ( No . 25 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , 5 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , when there were present : Bros . W . P . Barnsdall , W . M . ; W . C . Maynard , S . W . ; T . Hawkins , J . W . j . . J . S . Elliott , Treas . ; J . W . Harvey , Sec ; T . B . Fullwood , S . D . ; J . F . Ueaton , J . D . ; H . C . Miller , l . G . ; A . Pennington , Org . ; Harding Tyler ; J . Robins , I . P . M . ; G . Ueaton , P . M . ; J . C Watts , T . J . C L . Bordenaux , F . V . R .

Ronully , and others . Bro . W . Roots , P . M ., was a visitor . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , Bro . Boldman , 193 , was unanimously elected a joining member , and Messrs . F . V . R . Romilly and IL S . Dauton were initiated . Iiro . Watts was passed to the Second Degree , and several propositions were made for initiates and joining members . Thelodge was then closed , and a banquet altenvards took place .

Panmure Lodge ( No . 715 ) . —A meeting ot this lodge was held at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , on the 17 th ult . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , Bro . Solomon Myers was duly installed as W . M ., the ceremony being performed hy liros . Ouicke , LP . M ., and E . M . Anderson . i'he following ollieers were appointed for the ensuing year : Bros . Spiers ,