Consecration Of The Plume Chapter, No. 1024.

At the close of the consecration ceremony , the Principals were most ably installed by Comp . L ] . C . Turner , P . Z . 51 , P . P . G . ] ., as under : Comps . Arthur Barritt , M . E . Z . ; Edmund GowcVs , P . P . G . O ., H . ; and C . S . Blyth , J . The officers of the chapter were elected by ballot as follows : Comps . J . Hutley , S . E . ; T . J . D . Cramphorn , S . N . ; ' Francis Bird , Treas . ; Win . Howard-Flanders , P . S . ; F . H . Bright , 1 st Asst . Soj . ; and John Wood , 2 nd Asst . Soj .

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Grand Superintendent and the other Consecrating Officers for their attendance , and they were unanimously elected as honorary members , a compliment which was suitably acknowledged by the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT . Twelve candidates for exaltation having been proposed , the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to the King ' s Head , where a splendid dinner was well served by the hostess , Mrs . Rivctt .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Gloucestershire & Herefordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE & HEREFORDSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Friday , the 26 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Cheltenham , and was attended by a large gathering of the Order in honour of the installation of Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , P . G . M . O ., as Provincial Grand Master . The ceremony of installation was performed by the Pro Grand Master , Bro . the Most Hon . the Marquess of Hertford .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , Bro . Baron dc Ferriercs , Provincial Grand Master , presided , and the other officers of Prov . Grand Lodge present were—Bros . O . Shellard , P . M . 243 , D . P . G . M . ; W . R . Porcher , M . A ., P . M . 10 , P . S . G . W . ; T . Blinkhorn , P . M . 24 . 3 , P . J . G . W . ; 1 . S . Carleton , P . M . 10 and 340 , P . P . G . M . O .,

acting P . G . M . O . ; W . C . Ferris , P . M . 21 S , P . P . G . M . O ., Prov . S . G . O . ; E . Lea , P . M . 21 S , P . J . G . O . ; the Rev . C . E . Lefroy-Austin , 10 , P . G . Chap . ; J . Balcomb , P . M . 10 , P . G . Treas . ; G . Norman , P . M . 10 , P . G . D ., P . G . Sec . ; W . Powell , P . G . D . ; W . R . Felton , P . M . 10 , P . G . Stwd ., acting P . G . D . C . ; J . Northam , 1 S 3 , P . G . O . Bristol , acting P . G . O . ; and J . Naysmith , P . P . J . G . W ., A . G . I . G ., acting P . G . I . G .

The minutes of the last meeting having been confirmed , the routine business of Provincial Grand Lodge was transacted . The Treasurer ' s report , which showed a considerable balance in hand , was adopted , and Bro . Balcomb was re-elected Treasurer . \ The arrival of the Pro Grand Master was then announced , and he was admitted with customary honours and attended by the following members of

Grand Lodge , viz . : Bros . R . C . Elsie , P . G . M . Somerset ; Capt . S . Geo . Homfray , P . G . M . Mon . j C . H . Driver , P . G . M . O ., J . G . W . ; Gordon Miller , G . Treas . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec ; Rev . J . Lloyd , P . G . Chap . ; R . Berridge , P . G . W ., G . D . C . ; Pienepont Harris , P . G . Sec . Bristol , P . G . D . ; W . Forth , P . P . D . G . M . ; Surg .-Gen . Ringer , G . S . B . ; G . Rennie Powell , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . S . ; and J . Chandler , P . G . S .

The Pro Grand Master having assumed the chair , Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , the Prov . Grand Master designate , was introduced by the G . D . C . and installed in the chair with due formality and honour . The newly-installed Prov . G . M . then similar ! } ' invested Bro . G . Norman , P . G . D ., as Deputy Prov . G . M ., and subsequently proceeded to the

appointment of Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bro . T . Blinkhorn , P . M . 243 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . ' „ W . R . Felton , P . M . 10 , P . G . Stwd . ... Prov . J . G . W . „ E . Lea , P . M . 218 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ S . W . Hadingham , W . M . 340 ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ J . Barnes , P . M . 243 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . ,, Rev . C . E . Lefroy-Austin , 10 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . ,, J . Balcomb , P . M . 10 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ G . J . Caldwell , 243 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . ,, J . S . Carleton , P . M . 10 and 243 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . S . Collins , W . M . 247 ... ... Prov . S . G . D .

. „ . C . Roberts , P . M . 218 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . S . Norton , P . M . 243 ... ... ... Prov . G . l . of W . „ W . Heath , 10 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ T . A . Huband , 10 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, Colonel R . Rogers , 10 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ,, C . Caldicott , 243 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Cadle , P . M ., 340 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G ' . ,, H . Phillips , 10 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Before Provincial Grand Lodge was closed a collar and jewel of past

rank , with a cordial vote of thanks , were presented to Bro . Baron de Ferriercs . Subsequently the brethren sat down to dinner in the banqueting room , the Provincial Grand Master presiding . Among the brethren present not before mentioned were Bros . Rev . Dr . Lyncs , P . M . 340 , P . P . G . W . ; Rev . P . Hattersley Smith , W . M . 10 , P . P . G . Chap . ; W . J . Vaughan , 153 ( South Africa ); H . A . Bcrham , P . J . G . D . Bristol ; W . E . " Parry , P . M . 183 , Prov .

G . R . Bristol ; Harold Lewis , B . A ., S . W . 183 , Prov . G . Std . Br . Bristol ; H . Bevir , S . W . 401 ; J . Milligan , P . M . 218 , P . P . S . G . O . ; F . Fenncr , 10 ; W . Heath , 10 ; ' J . Owner , P . M . 218 , P . P . G . M . O . ; E . Lawrence , 10 ; [ . L . Butler , P . P . O . P . ; S . Moss , M . O . 10 ; Colonel Moutray Read , P . S . G . O . Malta ; J . Godwin Chance , 243 , P . P . G . l . G . ; W . H . Oswin , F . L . Baylis , 10 ; H . Giling , 10 ; and others .

Consecration Of The Albert Victor Rose Croix Chapter, No. 117.

CONSECRATION OF THE ALBERT VICTOR ROSE CROIX CHAPTER , No . 117 .

hreemasonry in Reading , which has long been known as vigorous and health y , has again given proof of its progressive energy by the establishment in the town of " a Rose Croix Chapter for the practice of the higher Degrees ; 's cultivated in connection with the Ancient and Accepted Rite . This chapter , which at present is the only one in Berkshire , is named the Albert icior

» Chapter , No . 117 , and was consecrated on Saturday last under most ' 'lV 0 li rable auspices . The proceedings commenced with a meeting at the Masonic Hall of representatives of the Supreme Chapter and brethren of the hi gher Degrees , who admitted to the Order of the Rose Croix 17 candidates , anc [ t ] lcn proc ; ecdcd to consecrate the chapter . 1 he ceremonies were admirably rendered by the V . 111 . Bro . Hugh D .

. ^ indeman , assisted by the V . 111 . Bros . Col . Shadwcll H . Gierke , Col . ~ : "• Burney , Col . G . Noel Money , and J . H . Matthews , all members ot uic Supreme Degree , while many distinguished Masons joined the chapter ° n the day of consecration . Subsequentl y the E . and P . Bro . Arthur Viscount Valentin was installed as the first M . W . S . of the chapter , who appointed the following officers ;

Consecration Of The Albert Victor Rose Croix Chapter, No. 117.

E . and P . Bro . J . T . Morland , Prelate ; III . Bro . R . E . Goolden , 1 st General ; E . and P . Bros . ] . Tomkins , 2 nd General ; W . Raveiiscroft , Recorder ; E . L . Shepherd , Grand Marshal ; E . Home , Raphael ; J . W . Martin , D . C . ; R . C . Mount , Herald ; S . Wheeler , jun ., Captain of Guard ; Rev . J . Cater , Org . ; and Bro . J . F . Stevens , Equerry .

E . and P . Bro . F . J . Fcrgusson was then elected Treasurer ; and thd business of the evening being concluded , the chapter was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Great Western Hotel , where an excellent dinner was served by E . and P . Bro . W . G . Flanagan . The M . W . S . presided , and the usual loyal ; md Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Throughout the whole proceedings success attended the chapter , and all appeared to be of the opinion that a prosperous future awaited the Degree in Reading .

In addition to the distinguished names already mentioned the chapter was honoured by the presence of the following brethren , all of the 30 th and higher Degrees : III . Bros . S . G . Kirchhoffer , Sir G . D . Harris , Bart ., R . Eve , C . Belton , P . C . Smith , and C . C . Bell .

The Ancients And Moderns.

THE ANCIENTS AND MODERNS .

Bro . Ringer contributes the following notes to the Freemasons' Journal , published in New York , correcting certain historical inaccuracies which appeared in a former article in that Journal : 1 . " In 1750 a secession from the Moderns resulted in the formation of a third body , calling itself Grand Lodge of England according to the old Constitution and known as 'Ancients or Atholls . ' It collapsed about 1790 . "

2 . " In 1779 there were four [ Grand Lodges]—the Moderns , York , Ancients , and Antiquity—but after 1790 the number remained at two , until the Moderns and York united at the happy Union in 1813 . " The historical facts are : —

1 . Masonic guilds or lodges existed up to the year 1717 for operative purposes only . In the South of England some of the lodges containedwhat is generally termed—a "speculative" element composed of gentlemen Masons , men of influence and learning , or of high station in life , who had been admitted to membership as friends of architecture . It is this speculative element which conceived about the year 1717 the grand idea—how will

probably forever remain a mystery—of transforming a society of operative builders into a brotherhood of Symbolic Architects by preserving the moral principles of operative Masonry , allegorising its legends , symbolising the working tools , and spiritualising the art . For this purpose four , according to another account , six of the old lodges in London formed themselves into the first Grand Lodge of F . and A . Masons , and became the constitutional

mother of all other Grand Lodges dispersed over the surface of the earth . By throwing the doors of membership open to worth ) ' men of all trades and occupations the } ' soon became a very prosperous body . 2 . The old lodge at York , seeing what was going on in , London , remembered its old traditions , and stimulated by ambition , declared itself also a Grand Lodge , but in contradiction to that organised in London , it

assumed the superior title of Grand Lodge of all England . However , it did not show much vitality , became even dormant for some years afterwards , until about 1760 it was once more galvanised into activity by the Grand Lodge of England establishing some lodges in its immediate vicinity , when it also warranted a few lodges in Yorkshire and Lancashire . It sank into its final slumber about 1790 , having outlived all its daughter lodges .

3 . the Grand Lodge ot England , placing at its head brethren of the highest distinction and social standing , even members of the Royal family , became very fashionable , high-toned , and aristocratic . For the better adaptation to its social high standard many changes and alterations were made in its constitutional organisation much at variance with the simplicity of former customs and usages , in consequence of which the brethren were

afterwards styled " Modern Masons . " In course of time side by side with this aristocratic brotherhood arose in London a number of lodges of a humbler society composed of discontented members of the constitutional Grand Lodge of operative Masons who had never joined it , of mechanics and shopkeepers , and especially of Irishmen who had come from over the " say , " seeking employment in the Metropolis . The aristocratic Grand

Lodge of England at first looked with haughty indifference upon these organisations of brethren in the humbler walks of life , and only adopted active measures of suppression when the latter felt themselves strong and numerous enough to organise in 1753 under the vigorous leadership of Laurence Dermitt , himself an Irishman , a Grand Lodge of their own , which by displaying much activity became a most formidable rival of the

constitutional Grand Lodge , warranting man ) ' lodges at home and abroad , but especially in America . The Irish clement being preponderant , they formulated their Constitutions as well as their by-laws for private lodges in accordance with those ( Spratt ' s ) of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , and preserving and practicing more of the old customs than their rivals , called themselves " Ancient Masons . " Their warrants for the constitution of lodges began as follows :

" We , the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of F . and A . Masons according to the Old Constitutions granted by his Royal Highness , Prince Edwin , at York , A . D . 926 , in ample form assembled , etc . " The words " according to the Old Constitutions granted by his Royal Highness , Prince Edwin , at York , A . D . 926 , " were inserted for

effect—historical researches having shown that these "Old Constitutions , " like the Charter of Cologne , are apocryphal , and that Prince Edwin is a traditionary or mythical personage—but this insertion did wonders for the Ancients , especially in this country , where to this very day we often meet with the expression " Ancient York Rite , " and where still a vast number of brethren

labour under the delusion that they are descended from the real "Ancient York Masons , " whereas their early lodges were constituted by a society that never had the remotest connection with the Grand Lodge of York , and as a matter of fact that old lod ge was in abeyance and almost defunct when the Ancients started as an independent body .

' 1 here can be no doubt that the Grand Lodge of the Ancients exerted a corrective influence on the too progressive tendency of the Moderns by lowering their standard , and at the time of their union in 1 S 13 they dictated terms to their rivals nearl y akin to unconditional surrender . 4 . The old Lodge "Antiquity , " in consequence of dissensions having

arisen betwixt it and the Grand Lodge of England , was constituted in 1779 by a deputation from the Grand Lod ge of all England at York , as a Grand Lodge of England south of the river ^ Trent . It met with little success , and 10 years after its constitution it returned repentant to the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England .