Mark Masonry.

M . M . M . by the W . AI . The interesting and instructive lecture on the tracing board xvas accurately delivered by the VV . M . elect . The W . AL then proceeded to instal his successor in the chair of A ., according to ancient custom , the ceremony , including the subsequent addresses to the

W . AL Wardens , Overseers , and brethren being rendered by the retiring VV , M . xvith admirable taste and precision . The folloxving xvere the officers appointed and invested by the newly-installed VV AL , with suitable and felicitous congratulations to each officer : Bros . R . Taylor , S . VV . ; the Rev . C H . VVood , ALA ., J . VV . ; AL J . Walker , W . AI . 21 ,

M . O . ; G . Odell , S . O . ; S . Knight , J . O . ; S . A . Alarns , Treas . ; J . Harrison , Sec ; F . Griffith , R . of AL ; VVm . Collins , S . D . ; T . G . Charlesworth , J . D . ; VV . L . Ball , W . AL elect 24 O , Al . of C . ; VV . T . " Rowlett , Org . ; E . Watson , LC ; VV . Bream , and VV . F . Hall , Stwds . ; T . Dunn and J . Tanser , Tylers . A resolution was then moved by the VV . M ., and regularly adopted by the lodge , that VV . Bro . J . T . Thorp , P . P . S .

G . W ., be appointed as Stexvard to represent the lodge at the ensuing annual festival of the Alark Benex-olent Fund in July ; and thereupon a sum of five guineas was unanimously voted from the lodge funds as a donation to be placed upon that brother's list . After the closing of the lodge , betxveen thirty and forty of the brethren sat doxvn to a most excellent banquet , presided over by the nexvly-installed VV . AI . After full justice

had been done tothe " cuisine" and the "loving cup " passed round , the usual loyal and Alasonic Alark toasts were suitably given from the chair , and heartily received by the brethren , xvith the customary honours of the Degree . In proposing "The Health of "The Provincial Grand Alark AIaster , " the VV . AI . said that the bare mention of the name of the " veteran" William Kelly xvas sufficient to ensure for our " Masonic father " ( as we are pleased to

call him ) a hearty reception—for Alasonic literature xvill inform the reader that the noxv R . VV . Bro . Kelly first saw the " light of Alasonry " as far back as the year 1 S 3 S , and hence , long ere the majority of those present had entered on their mortal existence in this sublunary abode . The W . AL ivent on to say that he read that Bro . Kelly xvas installed VV . AI . of his mother lodge of St . John ( then No . 34 6 , but noxv 279 ) in 1 S 41 , and during that year initiated

no less than fourteen candidates into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry ; and , as far as he ( the VV . AI . ) could ascertain in the history of Freemasonry in this province , he xvas the first W . AL xvho installed his immediate successor in the chair of K . S . It xvas not his ( the VV . AI . ' s ) intention to xveary the brethren or inconvenience the R . VV . brother on his right by recounting all the high honours that had since then fallen to his lot ; long may he live to enjoy

them . It xvas sufficient to say that he had assisted to consecrate or had founded , and sometimes both , no less than six out of the ten Craft lodges in the province , and had passed through the chairs of three out of that six . He had rilled the Provincial offices of both Deacons , even that of Secretary , as xvell as Junior and Senior Wardens , and xvith fourteen years' consecutive xvork as Deputy Prov . G . AL , andfinally , a Provincial Grand Alaster in his oxvn right ;

, his services to Alasonry had been continuous , and his zeal equalled , though not surpassed , b y his knoivledge and ability . Nor were these his only claims to their consideration , for the Alasonic reader xvould find that in 1 S 70 he became , and , moreover , still is the Prov . Grand Supt . of the Royal Arch . He is a member of the iSth or Rose Croix Degree , of the A . and A . Rite , and of the seven Chief Intendants-General for the Home , Foreign , and

Colonial possessions in the Alasonic and Military Order of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine ; and , coming nearer home , he is the Grand Ark Alaster of the Royal Ark Alariners recently established in the province ; and xvhat was to his ( the W . M . ' s ) mind the most noteworthy fact of all , he is the first and the only Grand Alaster xvho

has ever presided over this Alark province , and he is at the present time the Senior Provincial Grand Master in all England and Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Croxvn . Of such an one the poet aptly says : " Grave xvas the man in years , in looks , in xvords ; His locks xvere gray , yet xvas his courage green . Of worth and might , the noble badge he bore ,

Old scars of previous xvounds received of yore . " The VV . VV . concluded by pledging "The Health of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , " and long may he be spared to encourage our labours , and adorn our assemblies . In responding to this toast , the veteran R . VV . brother stated that although xvhat had been expressed xvith such almost Oriental imagery by the VV . AI . xvas strictly true , yet he trusted it xvould be sufficient for him to express thc great

gratification he had ia being present on this interesting occasion ; and , alluding to the remarks the W . AL had made xvith reference to his unique position as the Senior Provincial Grand Alaster living , he gave the brethren an instructive abstract of the proceedings xvhich led to the formation of this Mark province in 1 S 5 S . "The Health of the Newly-Installed W . AL" xvas given by the LP . AL , and humorously acknoivledged by the W .

brother toasted . "The Visiting Brethren from without the Province , " xvas replied to by W . Bro . T . Taylor , LP . AL 1 G 3 ; and VV . Bro . Alatthexv Vowles , P . AL and Treas . ; as xvell as Bros . Norris , Ingram , and Toplis , representatives of the Nexvstead Mark Lodge , T . l . The toasts ofthe "Alark Benevolent Fund , " "The Sister Lodges of the Province , " and " The Officers , " concluded an evening , xvhich it is not too much to say ,

judging from the pleasant expressions and fraternal remarks of the brethren present , xvas one of the most enjoyable evenings that the "Fowke" has seen for some time . Not the least item which conduced to this happy consummation xvas the artistic rendering of Gounod's " Ave Maria , " on the oboe , by Bro . VV . T . Roxvlett , Organist of the lodge , accompanied by Bro . T . A . Wykes , on the piano-forte ; together xvith songs by Bros . R . Taylor , E . Watson , and other musical brethren present .

GIBRALTAR . — Mediterranean Lodge ( No . 27 S ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , Horse Barrack-lane , on Saturday , the 27 th ult . The brethren having assembled , lodge xvas opened bv the W . M .. Bro . Charles Johnson , supported

by Bros . t . J . Haynes , P . M . ; P . Lyons , P . AL ; Ashton , S . W . ; Cottrell , J . W . ; Roberts , Sec . ; Dumaresq , M . O . ; Haurat , S . O . ; Schott , J . O . ; Dobranich , Org . ; Bryant , S . D . ; Kennedy , acting J . D . ; Stevens , acting Reg . ; W . Thornton , I . G . ; Peterkin , Tyler ; and about txventy others .

Mark Masonry.

The minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot xvas taken for Bro . Captain S . L . AL Remmington , 27 S , xvhich having prox-ed unanimous , he xx-as adx-anced to the Honourable ' Degrce of Alark Master Mason . Bros . Haynes , P . AL , and Lyons , P . AL , then presented the W . AL elect , Bro . F . Cottrell , xvho xvas duly inducted into the chair of Adoniram , xvith ths customary ceremonial , accompanied by vocal and instrumental music .

The VV . AI . then proceeded to appoint and invest his ofiicers as follows : Bros . T . J . Haynes , I . P . M . ; W . Glassford , S . VV . ; J . H . Bryant , j . W . ; W . F . Roberts , Sec . ; B . Cullato , ALO . ; H . Schott . S . O . ; W . T . Alonkhouse , J . O . ; R . C . Healy , S . D . ; F . B . R . Hemphill , J . D . ; VV . H . Bullock , Chap . ; D . Dobranich , Org . ; W . Stevens , Reg . of Marks ; A . H . Dumaresq , D . C ; J . A . Speed , Treas . ; W . VV . Thornton , I . G . ; and J . Peterkin , Tyler .

The Installing Alaster then delivered the addresses to the W . AL , Wardens , Overseers , and brethren , and resumed his seat amidst tokens of approbation from all present . The W . AL rose and in xvell-chosen xvords proposed that a vote , of thanks be recorded to Bro . Johnson , LP . M ., for the very impressive manner he had performed the

ceremony . 1 his being carried by acclamation , it xvas ordered by the VV . AI . to be entered on the minutes . " Hearty good xvishes " having been tendered , the lodge xvas closed in ancient form , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting-room , xvhere a most enjoyable evening xvas spent .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

PREMIER CONCLAVE . —An excellent meeting of the members of this old and distinguished conclax-e xvas held at Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , on the 5 th inst . Among those present xvere Sir Knts . Alacartney , ALP ., M . P . S . ; Alassa , V . E . ; Shiiley , LG . ; T . Cubitt , P . M . P . S ., & c , Treas . ; H . C . Levander , Recorder , & c . ; T . C . Walls , Prelate ; Pridmore , S . B . ; Dawes , Herald ;

H . A . Dubois , P . AI . P . S ., frc . ; the Rev . P . Holden , P . M . P . S .,- Marsh , P . M . P . S . ; Kingston , P . M . P . S . ; and Harrison , Sentinel . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , VV . Bro . VV . Lake , P . P . G . R . Cornwall , 1 S , & c , was duly installed as a Kni g ht of the Red Cross of Constantine . Sir Knt . Alassa having been inducted into

the chair of M . P . S ., he invested the officers as folloxvs : Sir Knts . Thiellay , V . E . ( by deputy ); Shirley , S . G . ; T . C . Walls , I . G . ; T . Cubitt , Treas . ; H . C Levander , Recorder ( pro . tem . ); Dr . Alicklev , H . P . ; Pridmore , Prefect ; Daxves , S . B . ; II . J . Lardner , O . ; and VV . Lake , Herald . The appointment of the other officers xvas postponed . Sir Kt . Levander having resigned the position of Recorder ,

a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to him , and a Past Recorder ' s jewel xx'as also ordered to be presented to him at the next regular meeting , in recognition of his long and valuable services . The recipient of these honours having acknowledged the compliment with some emotion , the pleasing duty of presenting Sir Kt . Macartney , ALP ., xvith a Past Sovereign ' s jewel then dex-olved upon the

AI . P . S . The I . P . S . having thanked the Sir Knights for this mark of their appreciation of his efforts in the chair , the conclax-e xvas formally closed and the Sir Knights adjourned to the banquet . The usual Red Cross toasts folloxved . Sir Kt . Alacartney , in a xvitty speech responded upon behalf of " 'The Grand Officers , " and then gave " The

AI . P . S ., " xvho replied . ^ "The nexvly-installed Knight " folloxved , and gave Sir Kt . Lake an opportunity of saying a fexv xvords in favour of the ceremony he had xvitnessed that evening . " The Recorder and Treasurer " came next in order , and drexv exhaustive replies from Sir Kts . Levander and Cubitt . "The Health of the Officers " was coupled xvith the name of Sir Kt . Shirley , xvho responded . The proceedings then terminated .

In Memoriam.

In Memoriam .

ROBERT FARMER BOWER . It is xvith heartfelt grief I have to announce to the British Craft the decease of Bro . Robert Farmer Boxver , of Keokuk , Ioxva , U . S . A . Aly dear friend died almost suddenly on Friday , the 19 th ult ., after a very brief illness , and was interred on the folloxving Alonday , the 22 nd ult . He xvas born in Philadelphia , the "City of Brotherly

Love , " on September 15 th , 1 S 23 , and xvas thus little beyond the prime of life xvhen his labours ceased , and the call came to rest . On his father ' s side he was connected xvith the " old country " ( ivhose ancestors had to leave the soil of England because of religious persecutions in the seventeenth century ) , and xvas educated in Louisville , Kentucky . In

1 S 4 G he xvas one of a number of volunteers xvho united to repel the Alexican invasion , and subsequently he removed to Aladison , Indiana , xvhere he prospered in business until , in 1 S 54 , all xvas lost by fire . Nothing daunted , in 1 S 5 G , he arrix-ed at Koekuk , Ioxva , and for some txventy-si . x years has been most successful in all his business engagements . As the head of the firm of R . F . Boxver and Co ., and in

many other ways , his abilities xvere utilised for the great advantage of his adopted city , as President of the Commercial Bank , the Loan and Building Association , Director of the State Insurance Company , and as one of the chief founders of the Library Association . As Treasurer also of the city , and in many other xvays he sought to advance the material and moral development of his felloxv citizens ,

and , xvhat is more , succeeded man extraordinary degree to secure the co-operation of those interested , and the triumph of his aims and principles . His Alasonic career has been of a very remarkable character , for from his initiation in the Union Lodge , No . 2 , Aladison , in 1 S 50 , to the year 1 SS 2 , extending over the long period of thirty-two years , his interest in , and love for the Society of Freemasons has never flagged , but rather

increased as time rolled on . As a Past Alaster of the Hardin Lodge , Keokuk , Past H . P . of Gate City R . A . Chapter , Grand H . P . of Ioxva , and the Grand High Priest or Grand First Principal of the General Grand Chapter ofthe United States from 1 SS 0 to his decease ( an organisation comprising some thirty-six State Grand Chapters and 120 , 000 Royal Arch Alasons ) , he has xvorked faithfully and xvell in ollicial positions of great honour and trust . The listof his offices might be considerably extended , if at all needful , but enough for the present to knoxv that in all

In Memoriam.

of them he xvas the personification of fidelity , efficiency and courtesy , his merits being especially conspicuous as Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Iowa State , and as one of the members of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , he had reached thc coveted 33 * . _ Aly most pleasant correspondence xvith him for the last eight years had reference mainly to "Masonic Bibliography , " in the study of xvhich he took such rrreat delio-ht .

and fexv , if any have been favoured xvith such facilities for so absorbing and difficult a pursuit . His Alasonic library , numbering about 5000 volumes of rare and modern xvorks , pamphlets , and engravings , is , I believe , the largest of its kind in the xvorld , and his cabinet of Masonic medals is not only numerous , but contains many valuable pieces . He xvas most generous in disposition , Alasonically and generally , his delight being to make knoxvn his treasures

and let them be copied forthe information of all concerned . Nothing of a miserly spirit pervaded his dealings , though he xvas so anxious to secure articles of vertu ; and though many xvould havc liked to possess such a library of scarce books , no one envied his well earned possessions . His knowledge of curious and old xvorks on Alasonic and occult subjects xvas very extensive , and his perseverance in tracing aught that xvas of value and interest xvas the means of his

acquiring several important xvorks for his grand library . I much regret that no catalogue has been made of its varied contents . Noxv , alas , all is over , and Bro . Bower has left us to "join the great majority . " His fine form and noble face xvill never grace another meeting , and his genial presence at the local Alasonic gatherings especially , xvill be sincerely missed for many a year to come . His -. vide circle of Alasonic correspondents xvill . for Inn ..-, l .-mpnt tli < .

departure of their honoured chief , and there are not a fexv in Great Britain and Ireland xvho will drop tlie " silent tear , " and cherish his memory , particularly his favoured trio , James Homer Neilson , of Dublin , Thomas Bowman Whytehead , of York , and thc xvriter . For once , hiscareer has notconfirmc-d theoft experienced statement , "A prophet is not without honour , save in his oxvn country , " for the city of Keokuk and

neisrhboiirinDtoxvns united to pay their " last offices of respect to departed merit , " the funeral obsequies being of a very imposing character , business generally being suspended , and the procession tothe grave being of unusual proportions . His Alasonic friends and brethren xvere present in great numbers , and the floral tributes from those xvho lox-ed and honoured him xverc numerous and touching in character . The Right Reverend Bishop Perry officiated at St . John's

Episcopal Church , and Governor B . R . Sherman read the Alasonic burial service ; after which all that xvas mortal of Robert Farmer Bower xvas laid in the " cold and silent tomb , " to axvait the "resurrection of the just " and the appearance of the " bright and morning star , xvhose rising shall bring peace and tranquillity to the faithful and obedient of the human race . "

I cannot say more , or xvould like to offer my tribute of sympathy to the bereaved xvidoxv and family , but their sorrow is "too deep for utterance , " and one beyond the poxver of man to alleviate . They , hoxvevcr , may be assured that they sorroxv not alone , or as those without hope . WILLIAM J AMES HIKIHA . W

Alasons throughout the globe will , I am sure , mourn truly the loss of Bro . R . F . Boxver , of Keokuk , Ioxva , one of thc brightest of Alasons and most genial of friends , and the possessor of perhaps the largest private Alasonic library in the xvorld . The new-s came upon me this morning in the nature of a sudden shock , for 1 had only just completed the fastening of a parcel of books for Bro . Bower , tn be despatched to-day , xvhen a post card arrived from Bro .

VV . J . Hughan , informing me that our mutual friend and brother student had died on the 19 th Alay , after a few days illness , at the comparatively early age of fifty-nine years . Aly last letter from Bro . Bower is dated Alav ioth , in xvhich he conveys his thanks for a copy of " Jolinsons Alasonry " xvhich 1 sent him , and says " 1 am all curiosity to see Bro . Goul d ' s nexv hook and have already xvritten to Bro . Hughan for a copy . " He also encloses a list of his numerous wants for his librarv . and adds .

" Of course in a library of the size of mine , numbering at present over 5000 distinct volumes , besides an immense amount of pamphlets , engravings , coins , & c , I have a great many things , and yet I xvant a great many more . I have oyer 500 feet of shelving full , and shall need more soon . The cares of a large mercantile business give me little leisure noxv for anything else , and lately I have had to neglect my Alasonic business and librarv . " Nine davs

alter penning these lines our good brother xvas called to " gather up his xvorking tools " and join the Grand Lodge above . VVe can ill miss him , as Bro . Hughan says , from our small circle of students of the Alystic Science , for even amongst our zea ! ous _ brethren at the other side of the Atlantic he xx-as a burning and shining light . Bro . Robert Farmer Boxver was born in Philadelphia on

the 15 th September , 1 S 23 , and xvas descended from a good old American Stock , and , lik . i many other American citizens , took his part in the defence of his country during the Alexican invasion in iS ^ O . In 1 S 5 G he entered upon a xvholesale business in Keokuk , and prospered exceedingly , thanks to his energy and business habits , and took " a leading part in all the useful and charitable enterprises of his city and State . Upon his library he had spent many thousands of dollars , and xvas the oxvner of the only copy knoxvn to exist of Dr . Filield D'Assigny's " Serious and

Impartial Inquiry ( 1744 ) , in which is the earliest allusion to the Royal Arch . He xvas made a Alason in 1 S 50 , and had passed through all the chairs of almost every Degree in Alasonry , and xvas an Honorary S . G . I . G . 33 ° of the Southern Jurisdiction of the A . and A . Scottish Rite . The memory of Bro . Boxver xvill long live amonst those xvho see in the diligent pursuit and stud y of Alasonry a powerful agent for the amelioration of mankind , and his name xvill he enshrined amongst those of our Order xvho

" Are gathered to the glorious band Of those who lived to benefit their race . " T . B . WHYTEHEAD .

ROYAL AIASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . The Summer Entertainment to the aged inmates of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution , at Croydon , xvill be given on Wednesday , the 21 st inst . The evening portion of the entertaiment xvill be given by Lieut . Cole , the ventriloquist . The South-Eastern Railxvay , as usual , xvill arrange for the conveyance of visitors from Charing-cross , Cannonstreet or London-bridge .