Obituary.

having occupied tbe First Principal ' s chair in 18 74 , was re-elected in 1878 , and then , from year to year , to the former post . In 18 78 , the members presented him with a silver claret jug in token of their esteem . In 1880 , he had a hand in founding the Orpheus Chapter . No . 1706 , and for the part he took in this work and his subsequent services he was presented with a P . Z . 's

jewel in 1884 , and had since held the office of Scribe E . On the formation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Essex , in 1883 , Comp . Philbrick , Grand Supt ., appointed him Prov . G . J ., while in 1887 he was invested as Asst . G . Soj . in Supreme Grand Chapter . In Mark Masonry Bro . Cooper had attained equal eminence . He was advanced in the Bon Accord Lodge in 1877 ,

was installed as Worshi pful Master in 1 SS 1 , and was appointed Secretary upon his vacation of that office . He was S . W . of the Grand Master ' s Lodge , and a permanent member of the lodge of instruction working under its authority , and for several years was a member of the General Board of Mark Grand Lodge , and one of the Grand Master ' s Council in respect of

the Royal Ark Mariner ' s Degree . In 1883 he was invested as S . G . Deacon , and had the honour of acting in the capacity of Deacon on the occasion of the Prince of Wales ' s advancement into Mark Masonry . He had likewise exhibited much interest in the Mark Benevolent Fund , of which he was a Vice-President , and at its Festivals ., for which he had several times

acted as Steward . In Templar Masonry , in which he was installed a Kni ght in 1875 , in the St George's , formerly the Cross of Christ , Preceptory , he was a Past E . P ., was G . Standard Bearer ( V . B . ) of the National Great Priory in 1885 , and Sub-Marshal at the time of his death . He was also a Knight of Malta , and had been since 188 7 Treasurer of the St . George ' s

Preceptory . He was perfected Rose Croix in the Invicta Chapter in 18 77 , and joined the Adoniram Chapter of the same Degree , and had attained to the 31 . He was a R . and S . M . of the Constantine Council , a Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine , a Past G . Officer of the Grand ^ Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees , and Hon . 8 ° of the Rosicrucian Society . He was a member

of the old Audit Committee of the Boys' School for three years , and besides having served as many as 15 different Stewardshi ps in aid of our Institutions , had qualified as a Vice-Patron of both the Schools , and Vice-President of the Benevolent Institution . The affectionate regard in which Bro . Cooper was held was strikingly manifested at the funeral , which took place

on Tuesday , the 7 th inst . The business establishments throughout Brentwood were partially closed , and the townspeople attended in large numbers to testify their sorrow at his death and their deep sympathy with his wife and relatives . Although a large number of Freemasons of tho Brentwood and Romford districts were present , many others from a distance would have

attended had the day of the funeral been known to them sufficiently early , the Prov . G . Secretary of Essex , Bro . Railing , amongst many others , being prevented from attending owing to the shortness of tbe notice . The Freemasons led the procession from the deceased ' s residence to the parish church , and among them were representatives of the Grand Lodge of England , the

Great Priory , many members of Lodge Hope and Unity , the Liberty of Havering Lodge , and the Brentwood Lodge of Instruction . Prominent among them were Bros . Col . W . j . Burgess , J . L . Nissen , E . C . Wills , Frank Landon , and T . Humphreys , who headed the procession as representing the various branches of Masonry . Mrs . Cooper , the bereaved widow , with her

little son , were at the head of the mourners , and among them , in addition to several relatives , were Mr . O . G . Daldy , Mr . G . F . Daldy , Bro . J . L . Quennell ( his medical attendant and old Masonic friend ) , and Mr . C . Poston . The service was fully choral and most impressive , and the vicar ( the Rev . C . Grinstead ) , in a most touching address , dwelt upon the merits of Bro . Cooper as a townsman , a Mason , and a Churchman . The

procession form the church to the new cemetery was headed b y the clergy , a processional cross , draped in crape , being borne in front . The beautiful wreaths which covered the coffin included tributes from the Great Priory of England , the St . George ' s Preceptory , the Francis VVhite Chapter , Lodge Hope and Unity , companions of Hope and Unity Chapter , the Brentwood Lodge of Instruction , and the Brentwood Conservative Club .

BRO . G . H . SMITH , P . M . 2086 . We regret to announce the death of Bro . G . H . Smith , the principal founder and Past W . Master of the "acre Lodge , No . 2086 , Stevenage , who for his services in these capacities was subsequently appointed and inducted as Prov . G . Std . Br . of Hertfordshire .

Presentation To Bro. W. Paas, P.M.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . W . PAAS , P . M .

, On the 23 rd ult . an interesting ceremony took place 'n the Old King ' s Arms Lodge , No . 28 , on the occasion of "to . W . Paas , P . M ., resigning his membership of more 'nan 40 years' connection with it , and for over 30 years •" ' which he has held the position of Treasurer , to which office he was elected annually by the unanimous ofe

of the lodge . He only resigns now because he "Mires rest and quiet , his health being not quite so S « 0 d as ^ was # Ihe brethren felt that they could not allow him to eive without some token of their friendship and Jjteem , and subscribed for a handsome silver tea tray , g'uch was formerly presented to him by the W . M ., iM ° ' **• Clark ( as a memorial of his long and valu' e services ) , on behalf of the members of the lodge .

Presentation To Bro. W. Paas, P.M.

and as an expression of their good wishes for the enjoyment by him of many years of added health and happiness . Bro . PAAS , who was evidently deeply moved , feelingly replied in a short speech , saying how much he felt the parting from the brethren of the Old King ' s Arms Lodge after so many years of membership , and that he

most heartily wished the grand old lodge every prosperity , and the members thereof the best of health . He should treasure their good wishes , of which the piece of plate was the evidence , as long as he lived , and he valued it the more , especially as the amount subscribed for it had not been voted out of the funds of the lodge , but was the spontaneous gift of Mie individual members of it .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management held their monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday . Bro , George E . Fairchild , Patron , presided , and there were present Bros . James Brett , P . G . P . ; T . W . Whitmarsh , Charles Shepperd , S . Vallentine , P . G . P . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; A . R . Trew , C . J . R . Tijou , A . G . P . ; John Barnett , S . V . Abraham , P . G . P . ; J . Newton , A .

Durrant , W . Webber , A . Mullord , W . J . Murlis , T . B Purchas , P . A . G . D . C ; T . B . Daniel ! , C . J . Perceval W . H . Making , Hugh Cotter , Charles Kempton , C . A Carrell , George Mickley , Jabez Hogg , P . G . P . ; J . L Anderson , A . Moore , Jas . Speller , C . H . Webb , J

Boulton , R . D . Cummings , W . Belchamber , and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified , the Secretary reported the deaths of two widow annuitants and one widow candidate . The

Warden s report for the past month was read . Applications from the widows of two deceased annuitants for

the half of their late husband ' s annuities were granted , and the Committee then considered and accepted the petitions of three male applicants and one widow . The proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman .

Annual Supper Of The Kintore Mark Lodge Op Instruction.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE KINTORE MARK LODGE OP INSTRUCTION .

The above Mark lodge held its annual supper at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , on Friday evening , the 20 th ult . Bro . J . Hill , W . M ., presided , and Bro . Charles Donaldson , W . M . of the Southwark Mark Lodge , occupied the vice-chair , being supported by the

following brethren : Bros . R . J . Voisey , P . M ., Preceptor ; J . J . White , P . M . ; Cureton , P . M . ; Marshall , P . M . ; Major Easterbrook , P . M . ; Laceby , Hayes , Elgar , Salmon , Bird , Addington , jeffery , Featherstonhaugh , McDonald , Street , Vickery , C . W . Davis , F . Hilton , F . Williams , Nicol , Osterstock , Hewett , Dr . Adams , and R . C . Davis , Sec .

The usual loyal toasts having been given , Bro . HILL proposed " The Health of the Provincial Grand Officers of Surrey . " Bro . Major EASTERBROOK suitably replied . " Success to the Kintore Mark Lodge of Instruction " was ably given by Bro . HILTON , and received with enthusiasm .

Bro . VOISEV , P . M ., gracefully acknowledged the compliment paid to him as Preceptor of the lodge . Other toasts followed . The SECKKTAKV , in reply to the toast of . his health , thanked the brethren for their assistance in making the lodge so successful , and , as a result , he was able

to hand two guineas to Bro . Voisey as Steward for the Mark Benevolent Fund . The proceedings were further enlivened by some excellent songs and recitations from Bros . Jeffery , Cureton , Donaldson , Bird , Marshall , and Voisey , and a most successful and enjoyable evening was spent .

Scotland.

Scotland .

GRAND LODGE OP FREEMASONS IN ABERDEEN . On Friday , the 20 th ult ., a deputation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland paid a complimentary visit to the Freemasons of Aberdeen . Among the officials and the members of Grand Lodge were Bros . Colonel the Right

Hon . the Earl of Haddington , Grand Master Mason of Scotland ; the Right Hon . Lord Saltoun , Substitute Grand Master ; John Graham of Broadstone , Prov . G . AL of Glasgow ; James Berry , J . P ., Prov . G . M . of Forfarshire ; William Boyd , Prov . G . M . of Aberdeenshire ( East ); James H . Forshaw , Prov . G . M . of

Aberdeen ( City ); Col . Henry Lumsden of Pitcaple , Prov . G . M . ot Aberdeenshire ( West ) ; Capt . James Reid of Ardmeallie , Prov . G . M . of Banffshire ; Cnarles Baxter , W . S ., Proxy Prov . G . AL New Zealand ( North ) ; J . Dalrymple Duncan , S . G . W . ; D . Murray Lyon , G . Sec ; and others . In the afternoon the afternoon the Grand Master

witnessed the conferring of the First Degree in the Masonic Hall . The ceremony was unique in this respect , that it was performed by Masters ol lodges , and the Grand Master intimated that he would instruct the Grand Secretary to enter a minute 111 their Dooks expressing the satistaction with which he had witnessed the proceedings .

Scotland.

In the evening the Grand Master and officials were entertained at dinner in the Imperial Hotel by Bro J . H . Forshaw .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Dumfries.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE Of DUMFRIES .

ot Comlongan , as Provincial Grand Master . On the same occasion the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge will present the Past Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Villiers , with a bust in token of their appreciation of his services . On the following evening a grand visitation will be made to the Edinburgh Lodge Roman Eagle .

It has been arranged that the Grand Master elect , Bro . Sir Charles Dalrymple , of New Hailes , Bart ., will make a grand visitation to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dumfries on the 14 th inst ., at Dumfries , for the purpose of installing Bro . A . Johnstone Douglas ,

Bonhill.

BONHILL .

Alexandria and Bonhill Lodge ( No . 321 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on the 3 rd inst ., in the Alexandria Public Hall , when Bro . Major F . W . Allan , S . G . W ., gave an interesting lecture descriptive of a homeward trip from India , via Egypt and Venice . The lecture was illustrated by lime-light coloured views . At the close a collection was taken from the audience on behalf of the Benevolent Fund of the lodge . Bro . Major Allan was heartily thanked . Bro . C . Glen , R . W . M ., presided .

Societas Rosiruciana In Scotia.

SOCIETAS ROSIRUCIANA IN SCOTIA .

A meeting of the High Council was held on the afternoon of the 2 nd inst . in Edinburgh , when the election of office-bearers , took place . Hon . President , the Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore , IX ° ; Hon . Vice-President , H . Y . D . Copland , IX ; Supreme Magus , J . Dalrymple Duncan , F . R . S . E ., 1 X ° ; Senior Sub

Magus , Dr . Geo . Dickson , IX ° ; junior Sub Magus , D . R . Clark , M . A ., IX ° ; Secretary-General , R . S . Brown , Hon . IX ; Chief Adept of Edinburgh Province , H . Y . D . Copland , IXV The appointment of Chief Adept of Glasgow Province ( which is in the gift of the Supreme Magus , or , at his pleasure , submitted to the West of Scotland College ) will be made in due coursn .

Lodge Histories.

LODGE HISTORIES .

Two handsome histories of lodges are in progress . One is possibly now ready for issue , having been some time in hand , viz ., " History of the Lodge of Fidelity , No . 289 , Leeds-, " by Bros . Alfred Scarth and Charles A . Braim . Only 250 copies will be printed at half-aguinert each net , and the prospectus suggests that the volume will be one of considerable interest and

importance . The other work is the " History of the Phrenix Lodge , No . 257 , Portsmouth , 17 86 to 18 93 , " to be issued to subscribers only , and the edition is to consist of 25 " large paper" and 150 quarto . The author is Bro . Alexander Howell , of 109 , High-street , Portsmouth , to whom application must be made for copies .

The quarto issue will be a superb book , and will measure some si inches by 7 . V as respects the typography , the paper being some H inches by 11 . These will be one guinea each . The " large paper" will be a massive and magnificent volume extending to 12 inches by 15 , and is likely to be the largest and most sumptuous thing of the kind .

Bro . Howell is doing his utmost to make these two issues all that can be desired , and is sparing no expense to that end . Though the subscriptions sound high , it is likely the publication will leave him with a considerable deficit , and as the edition is so very small ,

librarians of Alasonic collections and museums at home and abroad should lose no time in applying for copies , It will be printed privately , and only lor subscribers , to number 175 in all . Remittances can be made payable to Bro . Alexander Howell , solicitor , Portsmouth , from whom all information may be obtained .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

ROYAL ARCH . NANAIMO . Keystone Chapter ( No . 235 , S . C . ) . —The annual convocation was held on Friday , September 29 th , in Nanaimo , British Columbia , when the following officers were elected for the ensuine year -. Comps . W . H . Sandon

Perkins , M . E . Z . ; M . R . Counter , H . ; W . K . Leighton , J . ; F . McB . Young , S . E . ; E . Barret , S . N . ; G . A . McBain , Treas . ; J . N . Algar , 1 st Soj . ; A . Summerhays , 2 nd Soi . ; L . T . Davis , 3 rd Soj . ; and J . Paulson , Janitor . The officers elect were ofterwards duly installed by M . E . Comp . Wolfe , P . Z ., P . G . M .

The Prince of Wales ' s yacht Britannia is laid up for the winter at Cowes , where she will be refitted for next season . During the past summer she won over £ 1500 in money prizes , and is the holder of the Royal Alfred Champion Cup , the German Emperor ' s Challenge Shield , the Royal Victoria Gold Challenge Cup , and the Cape May Cup .

The new second-class cruiser Hermione was successfully launched at Devonport Dockyard on Tuesday , the ceremony of christening the vessel being performed by Lady Lyons , wife of the Naval Commander-in-Chief . The Hermione is expected to realise over 19 knots an hour under foiced draught , and is expected to cost about £ 250 , 000 . Ihe new ship will be an improvement on the Apollo class , and will , no doubt , prove a worthy addition to her Majesty's Navy .