Grand Mark Lodge.

ever since . The Mariners desired to have their rights intact . With regard to the draft treaty , the brethren differed so much from time to time that it was thought advisable to put an end to it . Grand Mark Lodge had issued circulars announcing their willingness to issue warrants to Mark lodges to work the Ark degree , and after such a step , he ( Bro . Edwards ) thought if an

arrangement was come to between the two jurisdictions it must be formed on the basis of things existing as they had previously to the draft treaty . Bro . Binckes enquired whether Bro . Edwards implied that the copy of the articles sent to him was not a fair and accurate copy of that agreed to , and approved of , at the meeting at which the Grand Mark Master was present ?

Bro . Edwards said there were deviations . In the course of a discussion which followed , it appeared that the difference was not between the original draft as agreed to and its copy , but between the original parchment document that was before the brethren when the draft was made , and the draft after it had undergone revision at various meetings .

The M . AV . G . M ., before putting the motion and amendment , would just say a word . He was present at a joint committee of the two bodies , and , as he thought , they agreed on all that was to be done . He took some very rough notes of the points agreed on , and he also made some alterations on the original document . They agreed on all points but one or two ; one was that Grand Mark

Lodge was to take , and pay for , the ridiculous clothing and paraphernalia that Bro . Edwards had procured for the Ark Grand Lodge ; another was that certain offices were to be given to Bro . Morton Edwards . From the altered document Grand Secretary drew up the articles of agreement , and set a copy of his draft to Bro . Edwards , and , he would repeat , they tried to get a meeting with

him . He ( the Grand Master , was exceedingly anxious that the matter should be brought to a settlement . Of the antiquity of the degree there was no doubt , and there was no doubt also that it was conferred in Mark lodges . Bro . Lazarus told them that it was conferred on him in an old Mark lodge half a century ago . Bro . Hyde Clarke also agreed that this lodge had the

power to work thc degree . He ( the Grand Master ) , while denying that the Ark Mariners Lodge were a separate supreme jurisdiction , was ready to come to any reasonable understanding with them in order that it might not be thought that among these degrees there was any disagreement . The Grand Master then put the amendment , which , on

a show of hands , was lost . Bro . Emmanuel moved as a further amendment , "That the adoption of the report be deferred for the present , " in order that some agreement might be come to . The difference was very trilling . Bro . M . A . Loewenstark seconded it , but Bro , Emmanuel subsequently withdrew his amendment .

Ihe motion , " That the report of the General Board be adopted , " was then put , and carried unanimously . The Grand Master drew attention to the next point , which was the ratification of the treaties with the Red Cross Order of Constantine , the 33 rd degree , and the

Knights Templar . He explained that thc treaties were entered into for thc purpose of mutual strength , and the articles of treaty made such provision that arbitrary conduct by any of thc orders would be impossible . He had received the following letter from thc Earl of Limerick about the treaty with these orders :

" S 8 , Gloucester-place , Portman-square , 23 rd May , 1871 . " My dear Grand Master , —I concur with you that the members of Borne and Constantine are entirely unaffected by the treaty , and that those who join that body hereafter will not be liable to any penalty . " I am , yours fraternally , ( Signed ) LIMEIUCK , G . S . AV . "

Bro . Levander seconded thc Grand Master ' s motion for the ratification of the treaty , and the motion was thereupon carried . Bro . Thomas Hargreaves proposed , and Bro . T . J . Sabine seconded , Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , M . A ., for Grand Master for the ensuing year . The motion was carried amidst loud cheers , and Bro . AA . AA . B . Beach ,

P . G . M ., declared him duly elected . The customary salutes were given , and The M . W . G . M . said : I beg to thank you for placing mc in this very responsible post for the third time , and I beg to assure you that my very best endeavours will be given , as they have been given , to promote the prosperity

antl progress of thc order . I will now take the opportunity of saying again that no effort will be wanting on my part to arrange any differences that may exist between ourselves antl other degrees . ( Cheers . ) Bro . J . R . Stebbeiug w , i- > re-elected G . Trea *> ti rcr . The following is thc list of Grand Officers for the year : —

Ear ! Percy .. .. D . G . M . Lord Skelmersdale .. G . S . AA ' . J . C . Parkinson .. G . J . AA . J . R . Stebbing .. G . Treasurer . F . Binckes .. .. G . Secretary . Rev . R . II . Bigshy .. G . Chaplain . R . A . Benson .. .. G . Registrar .

M . Ohren .. .. G . M . O . G . Hardy .. .. G . S . O . Thomas Williams .. G . J . O . Eugene Cronin .. G . S . D . Moiton Edwards .. G . J . D . Normanton .. .. G . Supt . AA'ks .

F . Long .. .. G . D . C . AV . Hudson .. .. G . A . D . C . Trigg .. .. G . Sword-br . AVilkins ,. .. G . Standard-br . R . Gregory .. .. G . Organist . lJatvson . < .. G . I . G .

Grand Mark Lodge.

Bros , Emmanuel , Dewar , Butten , Koch , Abrahams , Spiers , Webster , and C . R . Davy were appointed Grand Stewards . Bros . Meggy , Rosenthal , Binckes , Levander , Benson , Spiers , Wynn , Stevens , Sabine , and Davidson were appointed the General Board .

The G . " Master then presented the charity jewel to Bros . Meggy , Rosenthal , Levander , Binckes , Spencer , Sabine , and Shaboe , and the Rev . J . Huyshe presented one to the Grand Master . The next Grand Summer Festival , it was announced , would take place at the end of July , and Bros . Spiers , Davidson , Parkinson , Dawson , and Shaboe offered their

services as Stewards . This closed the proceedings of Grand Lodge , and the brethren adjourned to

BANQUET . At the clearing of the cloth , grace was sung , and the customary toasts were drank . Bro . R . A . Benson proposed "The Health of the M . AV . G . M . " Mark Masonry , under him , had spread north , east , south , and west . The number of certificates issued would , a few months ago , have passed man's

understanding . He congratulated the order on possessing such a chief , and judging from what they had seen in the past , he had no doubt that , under his government , the Mark Degree would continue to prosper . The M . W . G . M ., in reply , said he was pleased to inform the brethren that the degree was making rapid strides ; and he might inform tlie brethren that a meeting had been

held , with delegates from Scotland and Ireland , as to the recognition of the English Mark Grand Lodge by Grand Lodge of Scotland and Grand Chapter of Ireland . The meeting was a large one , and lasted two days . The proceedings were exceedingly amicable , and it was very satisfactory to him to have to announce this . Asfar as his visits to lodges were concerned , he was able to say that

the Mark working was improving , the regularity of the meetings was getting greater , and larger interest was being taken in the degree . The next toasts were "The Past Grand Masters" and "The Deputy Grand Master and thc Grand Officers , present and past . " To this latter toast Bro . J . C . Parkinson replied , and expressed his high sense of gratification at the kind reception given to his name . If the Grand

Master was happy in having the services of the Grand Officers , they , at least , were proud of being able to serve with loyalty and Masonic affection a Grand ( Master who was so able to wield the gavel he held , and who had for more years than Mark Masons knewasserted the privileges of the Order , and that essential freedom which was one of the fundamental principles which all Masons supported . The toast of " The Provincial Grand Masters " was

responded to by Bro . Perkinton ( Lodge 58 , Fearnley , Halifax ) , and Bro . T . Meggy proposed "The Masonic Institutions , and Prosperity to the Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund . " Bro . Levander returned thanks , and the last toast of •' Friends and Visitors" drew an excellent speech from Bro . Thomas Hargreaves , of the province of

West Lancashire . The brethren then separated . The musical arrangements were highly satisfactory , and some beautiful glees were performed by Bros . Coward , Carter , Jekyll , and Distin , under Bro . John Read , Grand . Organist .

Prov. Grand Mark Lodge Of Somerset.

PROV . GRAND MARK LODGE OF SOMERSET .

The first regular meeting of thc newly-constituted Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons for Somerset was held at the Assembly Rooms , AVeston-supcr-Mare , on Monday , the 29 th ultimo . There was a numerous attendance of brethren of thc Mark degree ( in addition to local brethren ) from Bristol , Bath , Brislington , Bridgwater , AVincanton , Ilminster ,

London , etc . Amongst them were Bros , the Earl of Carnarvon , Deputy G . Craft Master of England ; Sir Frederick M . AVilliams , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M . M . Cornwall ; Fredk . Binckes , Sec . G . M . L . England ; Captain Irwin , Major-General Munbec , General Dohcrty , Major Vizard , Captain Townshend , Capt . Bramble . Rev . R . H . Bigsby , E . T . Payne , R . C .

Else , AV . H . Davies , F . Vizard , E . T . Inskip , W . S . Gillard , J . Sharpe , C . H . Shepherd , T . Clarke , B . Cox , R . Hunt , S . Jones , A . AV . Butter , E . Gregory , L . Ricketts , P . T . Dick , R . Pearson , C . H . AVhercat , E . S . Jones , R . Gregory , Lieut . MacFarlanc , Lieut . Wiltshire , AV . H . Beccllc , T . Bccdle , S . Lewis , E . AVhite , and many other Mark Masons . Bro . Lieut .

Macfarlane , of Bristol , presided at the organ . Sir F . AVilliams ( who had come from Cornwall specially for the occasion ) presided . He read the charter constituting this Prov . Grand Lodge , and then proceeded through the ceremony of installing the Earl of Carnarvon as Grand Master of Somerset The Noble Grand Master appointed the following brethren as his Provincial Grand Officers : —

The Earl of Carnarvon ... ... G . M . Capt . F . G . Irwin , Brislington ... D . G . M General Munbec , Weston-super-Mare ... S . G . AV Thos . AVilton , Bath J . G . AV F . Vizard , AVeston-super-Mare ... G . M . O E . T . Inskip , Bristol G . S . O .

AV . S . Gillard , Sherborne ... ... G . J . O . Rev . R . Bigsby , AA ' cston-super-Mare ... G . Chaplain . Rev . J . E . J'crcy , AVincanton ... ... Asst . G . Chap E . T , Payne , Bath ... ... ... G . Treasurer . AV . II . Davies , Weston-super-Mare ... G . Registrar . Benjamin Cox , Weston-super-Mare ... G . Secretary . C . H . AVhercat , AVeston-super , Mare ... Asst . G . Sec .

Prov. Grand Mark Lodge Of Somerset.

Thomas Clarke , Weston-super-Mare ... S . G . Deacon . C . H . Marshall , Bath ... ... J . G . Deacon . R . C . Else , Bridgwater ... ... G . D . C . A . W . Butter , Weston-super-Mare ... Asst . G . D . C S . Jones , Weston-super-Mare ... G . I . W . Major Vizard , Weston-super-Mare ... G . Sword-br .

General Doherty , Bath ... ... G . Standard-br Dr . Swete , Weston-super-Mare ... G . Organist . C . R . Shepherd , AVincanton ... ... G . I . G . Lieut . Wiltshire , Brislington ... ... G . Steward . J . H . Macfarlane , Bristol ... ... ,, Morton Edwards , London ... ... „ W . T . Male , Nailsea ... ... G . Tyler .

After the beautiful ceremonials , the Grand Lodge terminated with the closing hymn . The brethren then retired to the banquetingroom , and sat down to a most recherche" and wellserved banquet , provided by Bro . Wickenden , of High-street . The Earl of Carnarvon presided , and the vice chairs were occupied by Bros . General

Munbee and Else . After refreshment , a number of highly-interesting speeches were delivered . The great advance of Mark Masonry , not only in Somerset but throughout the land , was a matter of attention . The Grand Master left about 10 . 30 , and proceeded to his apartments at the Royal Hotel .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

GLASGOW .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . JOHN BUCHANAN . The brethren of Lodge Clyde , No . 408 , entertained their Past Master , Bro . John Buchanan , in the Waverley Hotel , Sauchiehall-street , on AVednesday evening , 24 th May , and presented him with a gold lever watch , gold albert and locket , gold signet ring , and gold-mounted ebony walking stick ; also to Mrs . Buchan a beautiful gold brooch , earrings ,

and gold guard . Bro . AVilliam Lindsay , R . AV . M . 408 , presided , and was ably supported by several eminent members of the Craft . The Chairman , in his opening remarks , alluded to the prosperity of the lodge during Bro . Buchanan ' s

reign , and was proud to say that the testimonial was given most heartily by the members of the lodge and other brethren . Bro . Buchanan , on being presented with the articles , said : Mr . Chairman , ladies , gentlemen , and brethren , I wiH not seek to tax your patience

with any lengthened speech , but with your kind indulgence , will say a few words . My connection with the Lodge Clyde dates as far back as ten years , and during that period I have filled several offices in the lodge , latterly that of S . W ., and as my term of office expired , it was my ambition to

become Master . The chair was then bestowed upon me in a manner most pleasing to my highest expectations . I have always striven for an amicable feeling ancl proper adjustment in lodge matters , and it is no boast in me to say that I have been so far successfulfor my humbleefforts have been directed

, for the good of the Craft . Believe me , I do feel quite unable to convey to you thc warm expressions of my heart for thc really beautiful and valuable articles which you , brethren , have been so kind as to present to my better half and myself . That thc recollections of this occasion shall never be effaced

from my mind , but will ever stir up in my bosom thc deepest emotions of gratitude towards those who have so kindly shown to us both this token of their respect and esteem ; and in the future it shall be with proud satisfaction that I can point to these presents , and say they arc ours—these my friends

have given me , for , as long as memory keeps her scat , my happy duty will be to keep them as dear remembrances of many dear friends . I know I do fail to express all I should to you ; but of this I am sure , and for it you will give me credit , that what is wanting in words is more than made up in my

feeling to yon all . Ancl before I sit down , allow me , on behalf of Mrs . Buchanan and myself , to thank you most sincerely from thc bottom of my heart for this handsome testimonial . The various toasts being given ancl responded to , that of " Thc Guests of thc Evening" was proposed

by Brother A . M'Pherson , P . G . S ., in a rhythmical speech for which wc regret not having space this week . Bro . T . Stewart , P . M . Thistle and Rose Lodge , No . 73 , in a most efficient style , gave " Thc Two Croupiers , " which was replied to by Bro . D . Donnic , S . AV ., in an equally good manner .

A concert enlivened the proceedings of thc evening , at which artists of the Order rendered due harmony . An assembly followed , at which old and young showed great spirit . AVhen high twelve was proclaimed , each was sorry to part but happy to meet again . The eatables and liquors did Mrs , Crawford great credit .