Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY .

A special meeting was held at the B . idge House Hotel , London Bridge , on Monday , the 24 th ult . At 4 . 30 the Mallet and Chisel Mark Lodge , No . 5 , was opened by Bro . C . H . Rogers Harrison , P . M ., in the unavoidable absence of the W . M ., alter which the chair was taken by

Bro . vV . G . Brighten , P . M ., Grand Supt . of Works , and Prov . G . M . Sec . of Middlesex and Surrey , who proceeded to the installation of Bro . A . W . Hume , as W . M . for the ensuing year , after which the W . M . advanced Bro , Turner to the degree of M . M . M . The Mallet and Chisel Lodge was closed at 6 p . m ., when the P . G . Lodge was opened , " when there were present Bros , the Right

Worshipful Pr . iv . G . M . M ., Col . Francis Burdett ; the V . W . F . Davison , D . P . G . M . M . ; Major C . H . Harding , P . G . J . W . ; the Rev . Ambrose Hall , Prov . G . Chap . ; C . Hammerton Prov . G . Treas . ; R . Davies , Prov . G . Reg . ; W . G . Brighten , P . G . Sec . ; F . Draege , P . G . J . O . ; R . P . Spice , P . G . S . D . ; S . W . Lambert . P . G . J . D . ; J . B . Shacklelon , P . G . D . of Ceremonies ; J . B . Bitten , Sword Bearer ; A . W .

Hume , Standard Bearer ; H . Cjurt , jun ., Org . ; E . Passawer , I . G . ; C . Palmer , W . L . Nichnlls . and R . W . Brown , Stewards ; W . Taylor , P . P . S . W . ; D . M . Dewar , P . G . O . ; R . H . Thrupp , G . J . O . ; E . S . Bakie , P . M . O . ; | . Stevens , P . P . M . O . ; and J . K . Pitt , W . M . Tneie were likewise present the following visiting brethren : —Bros . Henry Lovegrove , jun ., 234 ; H . J . Staik ,

5 ; 11 . J . Sparks , J . Morton , W . M . 176 ; Ii . J . Hoarc , Org . ; H . C . Jepps , E . W . Late , B . Hayncb , S . O . 211 ; M . Ramsey , P . M . 13 , W . M . 7 ; E . Hopwood , S . O . 181 ; and C . H . Rogers Harrison , P . M . M . The first business of the evening was to confirm the minutes of the previous Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , held at the Greyhound , Croydon , on 2 g . l 1 June , iSrrf , and

these : having been duly confirmed , the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . W . G . Brighten , then proceeded to call over the roll of lodges , twenty-one in number , and reported on the great progress made by the province during the past year , the lodges therein having inciease . l in number , and each in number of members . The following Mark lodges were represented .- —Keystone

3 ; Mallet and Chisel , 5 ; Carnarvon , 7 ; Hiram , 13 Macdonald , 104 ; Peicy , 114 ; Paniuurc , 139 ; Grosveimr . 144 ; Era , 17 O ; Fiancis Burdett , 181 ; Cioyelon , ini Duke of Connaught , 199 ; Hamnicismith , 211 ; West Smithfield , 223 ; Menatscf . in , 224 ; Brixton , 231 . The following Were unrepresented : —Sludholme , 18 7 ; Clapton , 236 .

The P . G . Sec . furlhcr reported that warrants had alread y been granted for three new lodges in the province , and that they would be consecrated during the ensuing month , namely , Prince Leopold , 23 S ; Royal Naval , 231 ); and Trinity College , 244 . The proposed new bye-laws were then read , and it was movcel by the V . W . Bro . Davison that such bye-laws be

adopted by this province , and that the Prov . Grand Sec , do forth with have a pio if thereof prepared ami submitted to Grand Mark Lodge for the purpose of taking iu opinion thereon , and , if possible , obtain such opinion and Ciinsent of Grand Maik Loelge prior to the annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Mark Luelge in June next , when these

minutes would come on for confirmation . Tnis motion was seconded by Bro . James Stevens , P . G , J . O ., and cairied unanimously . Seveial letters of regret lor enforced absence were read , and Provincial Grand Lodge was then dosed , and the brethren aeljourned to a banquet , where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honouicd .

Freemasonry In Europe.

FREEMASONRY IN EUROPE .

An American with American ideas oi Masonry can form no cuneepliou of the difference between Meisemry here and in Europe , particularly on the Continent . Here the rule is to find Masons everywheie ; thoe it is the exception . The peculiarity ol European society may in pan account for this ; again , it may be due to the difference

in the price of labour between the United States and Europe . In this country the doors of Masonry are open to every man of good moral character who has a friend to propose him who desires to become a Freemason , and has the small amount of initiation fee required . In Europe this is all different . Many men are members of the Order

there , entirely unknown to any but the brethren ; much more secrecy is practised ; emblems ol Masonry are seldom or never worn . The members of the lodges , as a general thing , are much older than litre , mostly , even in the mideile-class lodges , heads of families , or principals of some factory , business , or store , or perhaps government officers . A journeyman or clerk a Mason is hardly ever

seen ; and . it is safe to assert , a private soldier , e , r even a non-commissioned officer , never . Very few Mas-ens in Germany ever advance beyond the E . A . elegree ; all business is transacted in E . A . lodges . Much decorum , anil a generally-worn and uniform black diess , wiili iie . ni whitegloves and aprons , are observable in the lodges . —A ' e » - York Masonic Newspaper .

CITY IMPROVEMKNTS . —JVearing completion in Fleet-street , at the coiner eif Puppin's-e ' ourt , is a haiielsome new building , which it is intended shall in some measure form a memorial of the ancient history of the site . It was here that the town house of Ihe abbots eif Cirencester stood , and many yeais afterwards a celebratcel inn called the Poppirijay . The nevvbuililing is in the Italian style , in red brick and stone , with curie mucins eif Sicilian ma . ble and maj ilica . —Cilfcen .

Devon Masonic Educational Fund.

DEVON MASONIC EDUCATIONAL FUND .

The first annual meeting of the donors and subscribers to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund was held recently at the Huyshe Masonic Temple , Plymouth . Among those present were R . W . Hro . L . P . Metham , D . P . G . M ., who presided ; Bros , the Hon . W .

Hylton-Jolliffe , 11 . Horton , the Rev . W . Whittley , S . Hyne , S . Jew , L . D . Westcott , V . Bird , J . B . Gover , ii . Aitken-Davies , D . Box , R . Lose , F . B . Westlake , John Lynn , G . R . Barrett , R . Pengelly , G . J . Firks , J- R . Lord , R . Cawsey , and Bircham . Bro . Whi . tlcy raised the questiou whether the bye-laws prepared by the Committee ought not . to be confirmed by

that general meeting before other business was proceeded with , but the Chairman ruled that the agenda paper shojld first be gone through . The following officers were elected : —Bios . Lord Ebrington , L . P . Metham , J . Tanner-Divy , the Hon . W . Hylton-JolliCfe , W . Moore , W . Deny , W . Vicary , Jas . Murray , and F . B . Westlake , the number being limited to nine ;

G . If . Barrett , and S . Jew , Auditors ; V . Bird , Treas . ; J . B . Gover , Sec ; H . Morton , R . Lose , and S . Hyne , Finance Committed ; ttie Rev . W . Whittley , S . Jew , D . Cross , R . Lose , Stonehouse ; W . Vicary , Newton ; S . Jones , Exeter ; A . A . Caiter , Exmoulh ; T . Perry , Torquay ; W . Brodie , Okeliaiiiptoii ; S . L-jram , Dawlish ; J . Tanner-Davy and the Rev . Mr . Uussell , Southmoltun , the

Educational and General Purposes Committee , Willi the Chairman of the annual meeting , the Tieasuiei , Secretary , and Honorary Solicitor , as ex-officio members . The number of candidates to be elected at the coming election was then discussed . It was thought the average cost of each would he £ 15 per annum , ami at present the Tieasurer had received about /" 125 , of which £ 101 10 s .

was from Life Governeits , \ ice-Pieside-nts , eSic , and the remainder ( over £ 20 ) fiom eighty annual subscrbers of 5 s . and 10 s . each , Il was urged that the money subscribed by the life voters should be invested and capitalised , and not used as present annual incuine , but it was elc . ided to leave that queMion open for IVic next geneial meeting .

The present am . iuut receiveel by the Tieasurer was Ceinsielered in be nei criterion e . f what the income would be , anel as large sums were Known to be lviog in various lo . lges , aoei not > el sent in owing to the lodges not having made up their accounts , it was ultini ite-ly agieed that the election ol canel . dales shuulel i-enuiiKiic-e with ihe election

cf leiiir , the present prospects of the tuod a-l-nilling of this expenditure . Sonic difficulty had eiceeiirci ! in arranging with thee Prov . CI . Secretary lo gr . enl the ceillfieates of periods of subscribing iiunijersliip of the fatlieis of candid etes , and it was arranged that the nutter should be left to depend oil the reports made by the lodges to whieh the fathers belonged' . It was decided that deceased

members' lamilies who hid removed oul of the province should be entitled to furnish candidates , and that a special general meeting of donors and subscribers to elect to the lour vacancies should be helel in June ; all applications of candidates to be sent in by May 13 th .

The question of confirming the b ) e-lavvs was next considered , and it was resolved that it was a mistake to consider them finally adopted by the resolution iif the committee meeting of March 19 th , and that the-y must be put lollie general meeting . They were so put , and carried , and adopted .

Masonic Conversazione At Whitby.

MASONIC CONVERSAZIONE AT WHITBY .

On Friday evening , the 28 th ult ., an elegant and attractive conversazione and musical and miscellaneous entertainnie-nl took place in the Masonic Hall , Julin-street , Wesl Cliff , under the auspices of ttie W . M ., Past Masters , officers , anil brethren of the Lion Lodge , No . 312 . It is

not olien that the uninitiated have a chance of entering the Masonic Hall , pe rhaps the nieist commodious and well proportioned assembly-room in the borough , and . since the la-t gathering eif a semi-public nature was held there ihe interior has been beautified and embellished , in excellent taste and in a superior st ) le of artistic treatment . The W . M ., Bin . John Stevenson , is now presiding over the

Lion L-. HIJJC for tbefouith time , and his third year of office , 1 S 71 S , was elistinguisheil by the improvements allueled to in the leifly and spacious hall , totvarils the consummation of which his own liberality and resources coutriuuteel very materially . The present \ vas ellciclore an apprupriite and Well chosen lime fur such an assemblage as the one under notice . It is perhaps unnecessary to inform those who had

not the pnnlege ul b . ing present that there was nothing in the order ol pie-cedure or in the externals that met tbe eye to reveal any of the secrets or mysteries peculiar to the Cralt . Nevertheless , the brethren who attended were easily distinguishable from the non-elect , as they moved about in the gay and lively throng , by their Masonic clothing—Ciaft and Royal Arch—which in the eyes of many was

pleasing from Us novelty , if for nothing else . Each member ol the lodge had liberty Irom the W . M . to introduce two friends , and as the- gathering numbered about 150 altogether , it was evident that tne opportunity had been duly improved . 'I lie attendance included the W . M ,, many of the Past Masters , the officers and brethren , and a liuiueious body of both Inly and gentlemen visiting friends . The large hall hael a brilliant appearance ; and

In aeiditiein lo the musical attractions and social pleasures , there was an extensive collection of valuable pictures , which were : exhibited in an effective manner . The owners i > f these line works of art kinelly lent them to enhance the gratification of all interested in the success of this event , and as the collection included the productions of most ol our well-known local artists , it will be readily believed that it was one of the choicest which has been brought to-

Masonic Conversazione At Whitby.

gether for many years . There was also an exhibition of curiosities , telephone , and other scientific instruments , the aggregate forming an instructive and highly interesting variety of objects . The arrangements were excellentl y contrived and carried out by Bros . Moss , P . M ., Stonehouse P . M ., Waller , and others . The first part of the evening ' s entertainment consisted of a programme ot select music

in which Bros . Hallgate , P . M ., Arm field , and Padel ( J . W . Eber Lodge , York ) performed some first-class instrumental music in an admirable style . Bro . Armfield favoured the company with a song . Bro . Padel executed a sonata in exquisite style , and Bro . Hallgate was applauded in his masterly solo on the violin . Miss E . Marvvood was encoreel in her song , ' •My Laeldie , far away . " The solo and

chorus , " God bless the Prince of Wales , " concluded the first part . The second pait was miscellaneous , and was compeised of suitable readings by Bros , Bottomley , P . M ., and Wolscy , S . D ., a recitation by Bro . Stonehouse , P . M ., and songs by Bros . Hallgate , P . M . ( Organist to the lodge ) , Godfrey Hirst , P . M ., Crowther , J . W ., Farrow , J . D ., Truenan , S . S . ( who was enthusiastically encored ) ,

and others . Bro . Padel was pianist . There was an ample and varied supply of supcrioi refreshments , which were seived during the evening ; and the Stewards , Bros . T . H . Trueman and T . Harland , were very attentive and active in ministering to the wants of their brethren and visiting

friends in this important department . The proceedings from beginning to end were animated anel agreeable , and were kept going with unceasing anil unflagging zest until a lale hour of the evening ; the W . M ., the Past Masters , officers , and brethren co-operating with great harmony to make the occasion one of unmixed enjoyment .

District Grand Lodge Of Northern China.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NORTHERN CHINA .

The regular meeting of the District Grand Lodge of Northern China was held at the Masonic Hall , Shanghai , on Tuesday , 7 th of January , 1879 . Present : R . W . Bro . C . Tiioruc , U . G . M . ; W . Bros . James Hart , D . G . I . W ., acting D . D . G . M . ; J . I . Miller , D . G . R ., acting D . G . S . W . ;

T . W . Kiugsmil ) , P . D . B . G . P ., acting D . G . J . W . ; the Very Rev . Dear . Butcher , D . D ., acting D . G . C . ; Peter Oruie , D . G S . ; Robeit Fcrgussein , D . G . S . D . ; H . Evans , D . G . I . D . ; F . J . Marshall , D . G . S . of W . ; H . S . Morris , D . G . D . of C ; Lewis Moore , D . G . S . B . ; G . B . Fentum , D . G . O . ; J . Brown , D . G . P . ; H . D . Camajee , W . H . Anelersoii , Bro . U . Paldmouiitain , and W . Bro . R . G .

Goldspink , D . G . Stewards ; Bro . T . Hore , D . G . Tyler ; W . Bro . W . M . Short , W . M . 1027 : Bro . Wm . Miller , S . W . 1027 ; A . Robinson . S . W . 570 . Visitors : Bros . E . P . Lalcaca , Sec . 501 ; J . lnokay , M . M . 501 ; W . Bros . A . Wciller , P . D . G . W . of District Grand Lodge of Japan ; D . Hay . D . G . T . of Di-trict Grand Lodge of Japan ; Bro . T . W . Harrocks , Member of the District Grand Lodge of

Japan ; W . Bro . W . But , P . M . 428 , S . C ; Bros . J . Petersen , 428 , S . C . ; R . Anderson , 428 ; W . Bro . W . L . Koch , jun ., P . M . Lodge Germania ; Bros . G . Baffy , D . M ., T . Huchings , and Chas . Schmidt , Lodge Germania ; W . Bro . M . H . Cook , P . M ., Bros . A . Bruse , G . L . Skinner , W . Graham , Ancient Landmark Lodge , Mass . Con . ; J .

Sharpies , 477 ; and others . Ttie District Grand Lodge was opened in due form at five p . m . with solemn prayer . The circulats calling the meeting were read , and the minutes of the last regular communication were read and Confirmed .

The President of the Boarel of General Purposes was then called upon to present the report of the meeting of the Board . The report was received and ordered to be inserted in the minutes of the District Grand Lodge . The next business before the District Grand Lodge being the election of a District Grand Treasurer for the

year , W . Bro . Miller , D . G . S . W ., asked if any one had consented to act , and the R . W . the District Grand Master Mated he was happy to say that W . Bro . Orme had done so . W . Bro . Moiris , D . G . Dir . of Cer ., enquired if it was allowable to take the vote by acclamation , and the U . W . D . G . M . saiel he had looked at the bye-laws and

found it must be by ballut . This having been taken , it was found on opening the ballot box that W . Bro . Orme , D . G . Secretary and P . D . G . J . W . of China , had been elected unanimously . Whereupon the W . Bro . addressed a few words to the brethren , thanking them for the honour they had coeifeired em him .

The R . W . D . G . M . said that it was not customary in District Grand Lodges to re-appoint officers from among those who had alieady held office , but as this was a small district , he was enabled to advance brethien who had served and had worked well during the past year , and had

also been regular 111 attcnelance , without debarring any worthy brother from a position in D . G . Lodge . He then proceeded to appoint the following ofiiceis : W . Bro . J . Hart , P . M . 525 Dep . D . G . M . „ ] . I . Miller , P . eM . 1027 ... D . G . S . W .

„ T . W . Kingsmill , P . M . 570 D . G . J . W . „ P . Orme , P . M . 1027 ... D . G . Treas . „ H . Evans , P . M . 501 D . G . Reg . „ R . Fergusson , P . M . 570 ... Pres . D . B . of G . P . „ W . II . Anderson , W . M . 1570 D . G . Sec . „ A . B . Menzies , P . M . 14 ;; ' ... D . GiS . D . „ II . S . Morris , P . M . 570 ' ... D . G . J . D . F . J . Marshall , P . M . 238 ... D . G . Supt . of W . „ L . Moore , P . M . 1027 ... D . G . Dir . of Cer . „ J . Brown , P . M . ; oi D . G . Swd . B .

„ G . B . Fi-ntuin , P . M . 52 ^ ... D . G . Org . „ W . II . Snort , W . M . 1027 ... D . G . Purst . Bros . A . Johnsford , W . M . elect 501 ; ~\ w \ v ^ ^ w " - \ J ° V , D . G . Stewards . W . Miller , S . W . 1027 ; D . A . C Emery , W . M . elect 1433 ,.. ... ) Bro . I . Hore D . G . Tyler .