British Union Lodge.

BRITISH UNION LODGE .

7 o thc Editor 0 / the freemason . Dear Sir ami Brother , — In your report of Masonic meetings , of March 13 th , I observed the particulars of the British Union Lodge meeting , anti was particularly struck with the word " exclusive , " as being applied to this lodge in particular .

As there are three other very good lodges in thc Town of Ipswich , whose working are quite equal to the British Union , I am at a loss to know why such a term , as I have before mentioned , should be used by that lodge . Perhaps some of your numerous readers , or yourself , can give me an answer ? May I also ask some of the members of the British Union why the name of a certain brother was

omitted , who , I understand , took a prominent part in the singing of that beautiful hymn to which you refer . I am one of those brothers who like to give honour to every brother to whom it is due , and not exclude any who assist at our Masonic meetings . I enclose my card , and remain , yours fraternally , FAIR PLAY .

THE MASONIC CHARITY FESTIVALS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — As two of the Charity Festivals have yet to take place , allow me to caution brethren against a trick which was played off upon me last year at the Girls' Festival , and I hear I was not the only one served in that way . I had

four tickets , two of them ladies' , which I took out of the envelope , when a Steward took them out of my hand for the purpose of sorting them as I supposed , when heigh , presto ! in the most perfectly " Lynnean " manner , a ladies ticket had vanished . I went to the top of the stairs to explain the matter , and regret to say I was subjected to some rude remarks from a brother . I had to purchase

another ticket , which I consider somewhat hard , as I reported the circumstance there and then at the office , and the missing ticket must have come in ; showing it had been used by some one . I certainly don't mean in future to let my tickets go out of my hand ., I am , yours fraternally , P . M .

DRESS FOR THE INSTALLATION . To Ihe Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Bro . Your correspondent , " A Rustic Bridge , " might have saved himself some trouble , by referring the AV . M .

to the advertisement pages of thc " rrecmason , " where he would perceive that the Charing Cross Toilet Club , ( the principal of which is a well known and popular brother ) , can supply every article of dress needed at tbe forthcoming installation , Yours faithfully , M . M .

To the Editor ofthe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly tell me how the Principals and Oflicers in Royal Arch Chapters are appointed , and by whom ? AVill you also kindly tell me if the country brethren are

likely to have cheap railway trains to bring us to town at the installation , and oblige , A ' ours , very fraternally , A Youxn R . A . [ We must refer our young companion to the Roval Arch Book of Constitutions . With regard to cheap trains , wc have so far heard nothing about them . —Ei > . ]

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSET .

A special meeti » g was convened lor Tuesday , March 30 th , at 2 . 30 p . m , to be held at thc Masonic Hall , Bath , which was fairly attended , considering that it was not one of the regular convocations . The chair was taken by Colonel A . W . Adair , Past Prov . G . M ., supported by Bros . Shackleton , Prov . G . Chap ;

Vigne , as D . P . G . M . ; Gen . Doherty , P . G . S . W . ; Inskip , as P . G . J . W . ; Else , P . G . Sec . ; Payne , Past G . D . ; Prov . G . Treas ; Carey , P . G . S . D . ; Woodward , Prov . G . Tyler . The . brethren having taken their places in the lodge room , received the above and the past Grand Officers , as they entered in procession . Among those present were Bros . Rev . Davy , Past Grand Chap . ; Jclley , P . P . G . S . D ;

AVoodforde , P . P . G . S . W . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . M . 43 and 958 , and Past P . G . S . W . for AVarwickshire ; Perkins , AV . M . 446 ; Edwards , W . M . nog ; Col . Ford , P . P . G . Reg . ; Gordon , P . P . G . Ch . ; Milborne , AV . M . - [ 29 ; Bailey , P . P . G . J . D . ; J . C . Pigot , P . P . G . C ; Marshall , P . P . G . J . W . ; Guyor , P . P . G . Reg . ; Cooper , P . P . G . S . D . ; Cox , P . M . 329 ; Clark W . M . 41 ; Moutrie , P . P . G . S . AV . ; Smith , P . M . 53 ;

Simmons , W . M . e- ); Hill , P . P . G . Purst . ; Capt . K . Peel Floyd , P . P . G . Reg . ; A . Hunt , P . M . 379 ; Helps , P . M . <; r , Barnett , VV . M . 23 ;;; Stothert , P . P . G . S . W . ; Shum , P . P . G . S . W . ; Reeves , P . P . G . Org . ; Mitchell , P . P . G . D . C ; Wilton , P . M . 41 , and P . P . G . S . W . ; Atwell , P . M . 437 ; Robinson , 41 ; Lord , 53 ; Westcott , 814 ; Gummer , 41 ; W . Hunt , 41 ; Capt . Phayre , 53 ; Edwards , J . W . 437 .

The circular of convocation having been read , and the names of the lodges of the Province having been called and responded to , the Rt . W . Provincial Grand Master , in appropriate terms , alluded to the object of the meeting , and read the draft of an address of condolence to the Rt . Hon . and R . W . Prov . Grand Master , on the deep affliction

which has befallen his Lordship by thc death of thc Countess of Carnarvon , the adoption of which was proposed by the acting D . P . G . M ., seconded by thc Prov . G . S . VV . and agreed to unanimously . Another adtlress to the R . W . the Prov . Grand Master , on his appointment by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , as M . W . Prov . Grand Master , after having been read by the

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

acting Prov . G . M ., was proposed for adoption by the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Else , seconded by the Prov . G . S . W ., and carried unanimously . After some discussion it was agreed that both should be inscribed on vellum , the former in a plain manner with a black bonier , and thc latter in an elaborate illuminated style . Thc following resolution , of which due notice had been

given , was passctl on the proposition of thc Prov . Grand Treas ., seconded by tlie acting Prov . Grand J . A \ . — "That in the event of thc M . AV . the Prov . Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , the R . W . P . G . M . of Somerset , taking the chair at thc ensuing festival in aid of the funds of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , the Prov . Grand Treas . be authorized to pay , out of the funds of the Prov .

Grand Lodge , thc sum of one hundred guineas , in aid of the funds of the Institution , the same to be placed on the joint list of the Stewards serving in respect of the several lodges in this province . " In support of it the P . G . Treas . stated that the funds in hand amounted to double that sum , besides £ 300 invested . An attempt was made to introduce the subject of tbe restoration of the West front

of the Abbey , a portion of which has already been effected by the Masonic body , chiefly among those resident in Bath , but the acting P . G . M . decided that the question could not be considered at a special meeting convened for other purposes , to which the business must be entirely restricted . The charity box was then handed round , and on examination the contents proved to amount to £ 2 7 s . iod , which

it was determined to hand over to the 1 reas . of the Royal United Hospital , Bath . The Prov . Grand Sec . proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Col . Adair , for so kindly coming to preside on thc occasion , which was carried by acclamation . The Prov . Grand Lodge was closed at 4 o ' clock , and a portion of those present adjourned to the Castle Hotel for a banquet .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

A meeting of thc Provincial Grand Chapter of West Lancashire for the transaction of the annual business of the province was held at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , on Tuesday afternoon , the 30 th ult ., when there was the largest and most influential gathering of tlie R . A . ever witnessed

in this division of the county . This clearly shows that the Order makes steady progress , keeping hand-in-hand in the onward march with Craft Masonry . M . E . Comp . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Prov . Grand Supt ., presided , and amongst the other Provincial Chiefs , Principals of chapters , & c , who were present during the afternocn , were the following : —Comps . T . Wylie , 11 . ; E . Mongens , J . ;

II . S . Alpass , S . E . ; Dr . J . K . Smith , S . N . ; It . Landless , Second A . S . ; W . E . Duley , P . Soj . ; W . Mossop , S . B . ; II . W . Johnston , P . Prov . G . J . ; A . II . 11 . Whitehead , Z . 113 ; J . Sillitoe , Z . Cos i w - Doyle , Z . 249 ; W . Shortis , Z . 109 * 4 ; W . Archer , Z . io 8 f >; J . Lunt , Z . 241 , P . Z . 108 b ; AA ' . S . Hawkins , P . Z . 148 ; j . Pemberton , P . Z . 1094 ; J . Banning , P . Z . 823 ; J . Crossley , II . 703 ; J . C . Gillman , 11 . 1 34- ;;

E . B . Harding , E . 1 345 ; AV . G . Sharpe , ioSd ; A \' . G . Veale , 203 ; II . Burrows , P . E . 6 73 ; G . Morgan , S . E . 86 ; W . Richardson , P . H . 148 ; E * Kyle , II . 220 ; R . R . Martin , H . 1094 ; J . W . Burgess , 1094 ; D . W . Finney , P . Z ., P . A . S . 148 ; R . Pearson * , P . Z . 220 ; S . Johnson , P . Z . 220 ; F . Serjeant , Z . 220 ; T . Armstrong , P . Z . 216 ; J . Case , P . Prov . M . E . Z ., J . 99-j ; II . Nelson , P . Z . 673 ; G .

Owen , P . Z . 786 ; J . Hocken , P . Z . C 73 , and 220 ; J Thornton , 1 * 173 ; W . Morris , 673 ; L . Herman , (" 173 ; A Stephens , P . Z . 32 ; A . Samuels , J . 241 ; F . Buxton , Z 1 345 ; E . Simpson , P . Z . IO *; I ; | . P . Lambert , 67-5 ; J . P . Gamble , 1094 , J ; J . Skeaf , Z . 216 , P . G . O . ; J . Arm strong , 680 ; E . T . Jones , 249 ; and I . Raw , 249 ; AA ' Laidlaw , P . P . 1 st A . S ., 211 * ; J . Beesley , 2 nd P . 216 ; J

Wood , 249 and 1094 , D . Jackson , P . 220 ; J . G . Jackson , P . S . 249 ; 11 . Firth , 249 ; Rueben Pearson , Z . 90 S ! . !• Chiswell , 249 ; A . C . Morrison , 249 ; T . Evans , J . 203 ; J . T . Calton , Z . 673 ; H . Johns , P . S . 703 ; J Prescott , 2 nd P . 5 80 ; J . Wells - ; 8 o and 1086 : AV . j ' oncs , J . 1138 ; G . Broadbridge , 241 and ( 180 ; T . S . Jones , 005 ; J . Capell , 249 ; R . Martin , jun ., 220 ; G . Ilutchins , 241 ;

J . Roberts 073 ; W . Brakenbury , ( 173 ; R . Douglas , 66 7 ; W . F . May , P . Z . 673 ; II . Pearson , ' ll . 249 ; A \' . Horner , 32 ; A . Fletcher , 32 ; 11 . Jackson , 292 ; | . B . Blane , 6 73 ; W . Jones , P . Z . 249 ; W . B . Benson , 249 ; P . Ball , P . G . Janitor ; J . Hughes , 249 , Ike . The Prov . Grand Chapter was opened in due form by the Prov . G . Superintendent , after which the minutes of last

convocation were read ami approved . In accordance with notice , Comp . T . Wylie , P . G . 2 nd P ., moved— " That one-tenth of the annual income of Provincial Grand Chapter shall be set apart for the Masonic Charities . It was moved as an amendment by Comp . R . AVylie that one-fourth of the annual income of Prov . Grand Chapter should be devoted to that purpose . This

was seconded by Comp . Dr . Smith , P . G . S . N ., and carried . Comp . Broadbridge then moved and Comp . T . Wylie seconded a motion , which was adopted , that the fust year ' s apportionment should be appropriated to tlie I lamer Benevolent Fund . The following were the appointments of P . G . Oflicers for tbe ensuing year -. —M . K . Comps . A . Stephens ; AV . Doyle , J . ; II . S . Alpass , S . E . ; G . Owen , S . N . ; Jesse

Banning , P . S . ; A . II . Whitehead , 1 st Assist . S . ; T . Buxton , 2 nd Assist . S . ; T . Armstrong , Treasurer ; Reuben Pearson , Registrar ; J . Pemberton , S . B . ; E . Simpson , S . B . ; 11 . Nelson , D . C ; J . Skeaf , Org . ; AV . Archer , St . ; and P , Ball , Janitor . At the conclusion of thc business , between 4 . 0 and 50 sat down to a banquet provided by Fick and l- ' airhurst , the P . G . Supt ., presiding . The toasts included "The Queen , " " The Prince of Wales , G . Supt ., and the rest ol

Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Lancashire.

the Royal Family , " The Earl of Carnarvon and Lord de Tabley , the two G . Principals , " the last named toast being given by Comp . Allpass . Lord Skelmersdale replied in happy terms , again promising that it was his intention to visit all the lodges in his province . Speaking of the Prince of Wales , he said H . R . H . displayed wonderful interest in all that concerned his Masonic position , and went

into even the smallest details . — " The Chiefs and Past Chiefs of P . G . Chapter , " and "The Chiefs and Past Chiefs of Private Chapters , " responded to by Comp . G . M . Man , of the A'ictoria Chapter , Eccles , No . 1345 , were amongst the other toasts . Music of an excellent kind was given by Comps . Veale , Haswell , Jones , Armstrong , & c .

Masonic Banquet To Bro. Captain Colvill At Bodmin.

MASONIC BANQUET TO BRO . CAPTAIN COLVILL AT BODMIN .

On the 30 th ult . a complimentary banquet was given at Bro . Sandoe ' s , Royal Hotel , Bodmin , to Bro . Capt . Colvill , P . M . . 'bio , P . G . S . AV . of Cornwall , in recognition of the long and valuable services which he has rendered to Masonry , and as a proof of thc high esteem in which he is held by

thc fraternity . Th ; banquet was given by the members of " One and All" Lodge , of which Bro . Captain Colvill has twice filled the office of AV . M ., and invitations were extended to distinguished brethren in thc provinces of Devon anil Cornwall . The chair was occupictl by Bro . Capt . F . J . Hext , P . M . 330 , P . P . G . S . W . ; and thc vice-chair by Bro . R . Rich , P . M . 330 , P . P . G . f . W .

Thc company included the following brethren : —) . Hele , AV . M . 330 , P . P . G . O . ; AV . | . Hughan * , P . M . 131 , P . G . D . of England , and P . P . G . S . of Cornwall ; 'P . Solomon , P . M . 331 , P . P . G . S . W . ; thc Rev . A . II . Ferris , S . AV . 49 6 , P . G . Chaplain ; R . John , P . M . 131 , P . P . G . D . C ; | . « . Couch , P . M . 330 , P . P . G . J . W . ; AV . Geach , P . M . S- ; 6 , P . P . G . J . W . ; AV . Guy , P . M . 406 , P . Prov . G . D . C ; Captain R . Edyvean ,

P . M . 330 , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; \ . R . Collins , P . M . 330 , P . Prov . G . S . B . ; P . J . AA ' allis , P . M . 330 , P . Prov . G . R . " ; ' lIon . F . L . Gower , Jl / . /' . ; 11 . S . Stokes , Clerk of thc Peace for the County ; T . Oliver , W . M . 331 ; J . Crang , Mayor of Bodmin ; A . C . Sandoe , P . M . 330 ; T . AVebber , S . AV . 75 ; J . Bartlett , W . M . 8 5 6 ; C . Truseott , P . M . 49 G ; R . S . Oliver , P . M . 330 ; W . Tonkin , P . M . 977 ; T . Hawken ,

S . AV . 330 ; AA * . Rowe , J . AV . 330 ; W . II . Beacock , J . D ., 330 ; G . Garland , Organist 330 ; J . Fly , S . W . 1247 ( Plymouth ); C . Mutten , D . C . 1205 ( Stonehouse ); S . Trevail , D . C . 330 ; C . D . Stentiford , S . S . 159 ( Stonehouse ) ; G . Hawke , S . 330 ; W . Garland , J . S . 70 ( Plymouth ); II . Mander , 330 ; R . Adams , 330 ; J . G . Vincent , 330 ; E . T . Crabb , C Crabb , jun ., T . Hambly , J . Oliver ,

Roberts , Evelyn , Alartyn , Stribley , O'Neil , I . G . 330 ; P . Carroll , Tyler , 330 , & c . Unfortunately , at the last moment it became known that Bro . Captain Colvill , in whose honour the banquet was given , was prevented , through illness , from being present . Thc worthy brother wrote a letter expressing his deep regret at the cause of his absence , and offering his fraternal greetings to the

brethren . The fust toast was that of " the Queen and Craft , " and it was received , as usual , with warm applause . In proposing " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Most AA ' orshipful Pro Grand Master , and thc Grand Lodge of England , " the Chairman saitl the

reception given to the Prince of Wales at Plymouth 111 August last was one in which a noble example was set to England . For its magnificence it was unknown in England before , and it also proved thu real strength of Freemasonry in this part of the country . There was no doubt whatever that Freemasonry was prospering beyond measure . It had prospered greatly in Cornwall during thc last five or

ten years , and it had increased to an enormous extent till over the country . 11 c thanked God for this , because in these days they wanted men who would reflect , and not men who would be led away by hasty and ill-formed opinions . Men of that kind were a danger to the country , because they did a great amount of mischief which very often could not be repaired . Such men , however , were

not found among Freemasons ( applause ) . Bro . I Iughan , who responded , and who was very warmly received , said all Masons had reason to be proud of the Grand Lodge of England . It was only founded in the early part of the last century , but already it had originated one hundred Grand Lodges , with ten thousand subordinate lodges , and about three millions of members —(

applause ) . Of late years the Grand Lodge had been severely criticised , and it had been alleged against it that Freemasonry was opposed to religion , to the well-being of the State , and to society in general . But there was a complete answer to the first charge in thc fact that there was scarcely a lodge in this or iu any other country which had not either a clergyman or a minister of religion for its

Chaplain . Thc voluntary contiibutions of the London Masonic Charitics . 'b y the brethren of this country , amounted to about £ 20 , 000 a year . The income of lodges in this country , and of lodges in other countries connected with thc Grand Lodge of England , were close upon £ 150 , 000 , and in till probability thc incomes of all subordinate lodges was not less than a quarter of a million annually .

( Applause . ) Phis money was very carefully disbursed , and he was glad to say that a great deal more attention was now paid to the education of the children of deceased Masons than was formerly thc case . One province alone educated fifty children , au adjoining province educated forty , in London , in the . Royal jMasonic School for Girls ,

tbere were 150 children fed , clothed , and educated , and in the Boys' School thc same number , while in the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution there were 230 aged Freemasons or widows who were carefully provided for , and who , if they did not get into the institution , received annuities of £ 36 and £ 28 respectively . Such an institution , then ,