Fharfc Iftagonrg.

Taylor , thc convocation svas closed and the companions adjourned to the banquet . The customary toasts followed , Comp . Sir F . Burdett acknowledged the toast of "The Grand Officers , " and Comp . R . Thrupp that of "The Prov . Grand Officers . " "The Health of the M . E . Z . " svas proposed by Comp . R . Thrupp , Comp . Rushworth has-ing replied , " The

Exaltees' * follosved . Compa . Hosken , Speth and Tomlinson responded . " The Health of the Visitors " came next in order , and in reply Comps . Clark and Proffitt passed some very flattering encomiums upon the svorking of the chapter . " The Officers , " coupled with the name of Comp . S . Saunders terminated the proceedings .

BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( T . I . )—A regular meeting of this lodge svas held at thc Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 24 th ult ., the business being an advancement , the installation of the VV . M ., and the appointi-ent of officers for the ensuing year . The lodge svas opened by Bro . Radway , W . M ., assisted by Bros . Dr . Hopkins , Chap ., as I . P . M . ; C Wilkinson , P . M ., Sec ;

John Dutton , P . M ., Treas . ; Jas . J . Dutton , P . M ., D . of C ; V . Wilkinson , S . VV . ; Dingle , J . VV . ; L . Howes , M . O . ; Mercer , S . O . ; 1 . Dutton , as J . O . ; W . Peach , S . D . ; Rice , as J . D . ; VV . H . Young , as I . G . ; Sparrow , Org . ; Bigsvood , Tyler ; Rubie , P . M . ; Cater , P . M . ; P . Braham , P . M . ; and others not in office . The mmutes of the previous meeting were read and

confirmed . The presence in the ante-rooms of Bros . R . C . Else , Prov . G . M ., and Colonel Ford , D . P . G . M ., having been announced , a deputation was formed to escort them , and on cr . tering they svere received svith the usual honours . The Treasurer presented his accounts , svhich being very satisfactory were passed , on the proposition of the VV . M ., seconded by the Chaplain . A ballot svas taken for Bro . T .

H . Bethell , and this being unanimously favourable he was advanced to the rank of M . M . M . by the W . M . The ceremony was choral , and admirably performed by all the officers without exception ; it was brought to a conclusion b y Bro . VI . Peach , svho gave the Lecture on the Degree svith the correctness and impressiveness whicii mark all his Masonic svork . The Secretary read letters from many

members apologising for their absence . The chair svas then taken by R . W . Bro . Dr . Hopkins , Past G . W ., this being thc eighth year of his compliance svith the request to perform the duty of installing the W . M . After Bro . Radway had been presented to him , he stated that though it svas unnecessary to go through the whole of the ceremony , this being a re-election , he should doso byrequest of the VV . M .

elect . After the usual preliminaries in a Board of Installed Masters Bro . Radway svas again placed in the chair of A ., and aftersiards appointed the following as his officers : Bros . F . Wilkinson , S . VV . ; L . Howes , J . W . ; John Dutton , Treas . ; J . J . Dutton , Dir . of Cers . ; Dingle , Sec ; D : * . Hopkins , Chap . ; Mercer , M . O . ; Penley , S . O . ; VV . Peach , J . O . ; Williamson , Reg . ; Knight , S . D . ; VV . H . Young , j . D . ; Rice , I . G . ; Sparrow

Org .,- and Bigwood , Tyler . The Installing Master concluded the ceremony by giving the usual addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , Overseers and brethren . A vote of thanks for their attendance svas carried by acclamation to the Prov . G . M . and the D . P . G . M . The former expressed the pleasure svith svhich he had witnessed the perfect manner in svhich ti-. eceremonies had been svorked , certainlysuperior to that of any other lodge in the province , and the zest

svhich had been given to the svhole by the very appropriate musical ritual published for general use in Mark lodges by Bro . Mercer . He also most favourably commented on the skill of the VV . M . in performing the ceremony of advancement , and of the veteran Installing Master in the discharge of his duty , to whom a vote of thanks svas carried by acclamation . No other business offering excepting the proposition of another candidate , the lodge svas closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Castle Hotel for the annual

supper . ' BERWICK - ON - TWEED . —St . Cuthberts Lodge ( No . 192 ) . —On Wednesday the annual meeting of this lod-.- ; svas held in the Freemasons' Hall , Parade . Bro . R . Thompson , VV . M ., occupied the chair , and opened the lodge in due form . Thereafter Bro . the Rev . Edward Marrett , P . P . G . C , P . P . G . I . W ., P . M . 135 ( Vicar of

Lesbury ) , installed Bro . G . F . bteven as W . M . tor the ensuing year . The W . M . appointed his officers as follosvs : Bros . R . Thompson , I . P . M . ; John Can * , S . VV . ; B . Craik , J . VV . ; A . L . Miller , M . O . ; T . M . Morrison , S . O . ; G . S . Riddle , J . O . ; J . D . Gilchrist , Sec ; A . Wintern , P . M ., Reg . of Mks . ; George Moor , Treas . ; J . J . Oliver , S . D . ; W . Green , J . D . ; R . Weddell , Org . ; H . T . Heron , I . G . ;

Sergt .-Major Grahame , Steward ; and F . Turnbull , T y ler . After thc ceremony of installation , svhich svas impressively rendered by Bro . Marrett , the brethren adjourned to the King ' s Arms Hotel , svhere a most recherche dinner svas partaken of . Bro . G . F . Steven , VV . M ., presided , and Bro . J . Carr , S . V 7 ., occupied the vice-chair . A vcry pleasant evening svas spent .

HAMMERSMITH LODGE ( No . an ) . —This lodge met at the Windsor Castle Hotel , King-street , Hammersmith , on the 27 th ult . Among those present svere Bros . W . H . Goodall , W . M . ; Lawson , S . W . ; Skinner , acting J . W . ; T . C Walls , P . G . Swd . Br ., P . M ., Sec ; J . Baldwin , P . P . G . S . Middlesex and Surrey , P . M ., Treas . ; Taylor , J . O . ; Rickwood , J . D . ; Sims , I . G . ; Potter , lanitor * ar . d Bro . F . Walters , P . G . I . G ., was a visitor .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , several letters of apology were read from absent members . Previously to the lodge being closed two names for advancement at the next meeting werc handed in to the Secretary . The members then adjourned to refreshment . The only toasts proposed svere "The Queen and Mark Masonry" and "TheW . M . " The proceedings then terminated .

The annual banquet of the Corporation of the Trinity House , svas held on VVednesday evening , under the presidency of H . R . H . thc Dukeof Edinburgh ; among the principal guests being the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . ; Bros , the Marquis of Hartington , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Derbyshire ; Lord Alcester ; the Marquis of Hamilton , P . G . Warden ; Sir Thomas Brassey , K . C . B ., M . P . ; Cecil Cotes , M . P . ; Admiral Sir . H . Keppel , G . C . B . ; and Lord SuP *« ld , Prov . G . M . Norfolk .

The Destruction Of Freemasons' Hall.

THE DESTRUCTION OF FREEMASONS ' HALL .

[ FROM THE "DAILY TELEGRAPH , " MAY STH . J Free and Accepted Masons in every part of the United Kingdom—and , indeed , all the svorld over—will regret the burning of the "Temple" attached to the Freemasons ' Tavern in Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s-inn-fields . This magnificent hall—architecturally one of the handsomest

rooms in England—was thc head-quarters of the influential Craft presided over by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ; it svas the meeting place of Grand Lodge , svhence the entire English Masonic system is ruled and regulated . Fortunately , the valuable regalia and the " throne " have been saved intact , and but little damage has been inflicted on the beautiful svhite marble statue of the late Duke of Sussex—the work of the eminent sculptor Bailey—a great

artist and a good Mason . For the rest , this splendid apartment , decorated at immense cost and in perfect harmony svith the purpose to svhich it has been applied , is a mass of svreck and ruin . The full-length portraits of a long series of Past Grand Masters—all save a likeness of thelate Duke of Kent—are burned out of their frames in the svainscot , blistered and peeled beyond recognition or revival , or rent into shreds by the action of the flames . In parts the flat

gilded ss-oodivork is entirely consumed , shosving the brick svall behind ; in parts it is charred and splintered . Galleries , cornices , fluted columns have given way and tumbled down , a confused mass of blackened rubbish . Scarcely anything remains of the mystical and svondertul roof svith ils splendid sun in burnished gold , and its exquisitely wrought signs of the zodiac . All that the loving pains of William Cox designed to be the masterpiece of his art

has perished in a fesv hours . The gilded seats of the officers of Grand Lodge , of the Alaster , Wardens , and Deacons , are partly burned , partly smashed to pieces , and svhat svere the pedestals have entirel y disappeared . Strangely enough , the vast carpeted flooring , though strewed svith debris and soaked with svater , appears to be intact , everywhere , except in one corner in close contiguity to a pair of iron doors which shut off Grand Lodge from the

large banqueting hall of the rreemasons lavern . Ihe party svall stood the test of the flames svonderfully svell ; for svhile the ' Temple' is completely gutted , the great room on the other side of the brickwork remains untouched by fire , and apparently altogether free from damage . This noblyproportioned and elegantly and elaborately ornamented chamber svas 92 feet long , 43 feet broad , and more than 60 feet high . Although it is not deemed discreet to disclose

even the minor details connected svith the ancient secret and impressive ritual of Freemasonry , there is no harm in saying that the Craft svill feel keenl y a misfortune svhich deprives them of a resort associated svith the best svork , and dedicated to virtue , universal charity , and benevolence . The loss is the more to be regretted because the ' Temple ' svas the first home svhich English Freemasons could call their own .

The origin of the Craft ; is shrouded in mystery ; and svhat learned Alasons knesv of its foundation they do not disclose to the uninitiated . Just enough to tantalise inquisitiveness and not sufficient to satisfy the thirst for knoss * - ledge is as much as they svill confide to the outer world . Here , again , there is no offence in revealing the fact that the brotherhood is devoted to charitable works , and to say that its members cannot be bad men and good Alasons

at one and the same time . They svho know nothing whatever of the Craft pretend that there is no secret , othersvise it svould long ago have leaked out . Freemasons , hosvever , do not resent , or even regard that kind of criticism . They know svhat they know , and , svhile leading the lives of svorthy and respectable citizens , and attending to their svork , suffer rancour to say its svorst . Enough for them that the Craft speaks all languages , and is united in a

common brotherhood on sea and shore , in every country and clime . One most learned and accomplished Alason dates its history from the creation of the svorld . Others are satisfied to come nearer our osvn time , and do not pretend to find the Masonic family tree planted in the Garden of Eden . Of course the Temple of King Solomon svas built by the brethren on the top of Alount Aloriah , over against Alount Olivet ; and

all the Freemasons employed on the svork , exclusive of the two Grand Wardens , amounted to one hundred and thirteen thousand . Pythagoras belonged to the Craft ; bnt svhether he learned svhat he knew in Egypt and India , or elsesvhere , is not quite certain . No one needs to doubt that the professors of Thebes and Memphis , and thc priests of Brahma , and thc Alagi svith svhom the Wise Man of Samos svas on thc most friendly terms , sverc competent to enlarge his

Masonic researches . It is an historical fact that hc studied under Pherecydes of Syrus , a strict believer in the immortality of the soul . Whether Pythagoras intended his Freemasonry to be a political protest against the tyianny of Polycrates , tyrant of Samos , and to . svhat extent he meant it as a bond of contented and refined Communism , is open to dispute ; but svhat he taught at Crotona remains the foundation of a great deal of our modern Liberty , Equality ,

and Fraternity . Hosv much English Freemasonry retains of India , Egypt , Judea , Greece , and Rome is a matter for Alasons , if they can do so , to decide among themselves . It will be enough for those svho are not of the Craft to recognise that the institution in England is associated svith several noble and most praiseworthy charities . Freemasonry has been of two kinds , Operative and Speculative . Formerly , at least in this country , the vast

majority of the brethren svere more or less connected svith the building trades , either as patrons , as designers , or as handicraftsmen . The Ancient Britons , the Romans , and the Saxons had among them initiated persons ; and in later times all ourgreat historical structures , ecclesiastical or lay , were built by members of the Order . Henry VI . took a lively interest in the Craft ; " Bluff King Hal " svas Alaster of a lodge , as was also " the Merry Monarch . " It is

an indisputable fact that St . Paul's Cathedral is tinctured svith the science from the foundation stone to the top of thc golden cross . Not only svas Sir Christopher Wren the father of modern Masonry , but from the time when he flourished may be dated its present ( peculiarly speculative character . When the famous architect gresv old and sveary

the Lodge of St . Paul , over which he presided , fell off in numbers and influence j and it was agreed among the few remaining members that the Order , its privileges and mysteries , should be throsvn open to men of other professions . Prior to the reign of Queen Anne , a few non-practical Masons svere initiated , but " " speculative " brethren svere rarely to be

The Destruction Of Freemasons' Hall.

met svith . Then , and for a long time aftcrss-ards , the Craft were svithout head-quarters . A lodge used to meet at the Goose and Gridiron , in St . Paul's-churchyard , the latterpart of which sign may possibly have suggested the ridiculous notion that a certain humble piece of ironmongery is associated svith the ceremony of initiation . Another lodge met at the sign of the Crosvn , in Parker ' s-Iane , Drury-Iane , another at the Rummer and Grapes , in Channel-rosv ,

Westminster , and a fourth at the Apple Tree Tavern , Charles-street , Covent-garden . It was at the Apple Tree that a few old Alasons constituted themselves a Grand Lodge in the year 1717 . From that date English Alasonry has grosvn and flourished ; and , though it has had its troubles and schisms , is nosv more than ever powerful and useful . Based on the principle of equality of man , it osves not a little of its prestige to the friendliness and

companionship of royal and noble personages . Continuing to extend the sphere of its influence , the Craft gradually amassed property , and in the year 1771 the Honourable Charles Dillon , Deputy Grand Alaster , introduced a Bill in the House of Commons to incorporate the Society by Act of Parliament . The measure svas opposedand at

, the desire of many of the brethren ss'as svithdrasvn on the second reading . Freemasonry , however , having made for itself a recognised name , ss-as no longer content to date from a tavern , and the members of Grand Lodge held at the Crown and Anchor , in the Strand , sought for themselves a local habitation .

Consecration Of The Priory Lodge Of Acton, No. 1996.

CONSECRATION OF THE PRIORY LODGE OF ACTON , No . 1996 .

On Thursday , the 3 rd inst ., the ceremony of consecrating this new lodge svas performed at the Royal Oak Assembly Rooms , Acton , by the V . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., Grand Secretary , assisted by a large number of Grand Officers and other eminent Alasons , svho were

anxious to do honour to the inauguration of a lodge of svhich so well-known and highly-esteemed a Alason as the VV . Bro . William Roebuck , P . AI . 29 and 463 , P . G . S ., P . P . G . S . W . Middx ., P . P . G . S . B . Surrey , svas one of the founders , and the W . AI . designate . The Presiding Officer took the chair at 3 . 30 p . m ., and appointed VV . Bros . J . Al . Case , P . G . D ., as S . W .: Dr .

R . T . Pigott , D . C . L ., P . A . G . D . C , asJ . VV . ; V . W . Bro . Rev . J . E . Cox , D . D ., P . G . Chap ., as Chaplain ; W . Bros . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as Director of Ceremonies ; and Raynham W . Stesvart , P . G . D ., as I . G . The Presiding Officer svas also supported by the presence of a number of other Grand Officers and Eminent Alasons , including W . Bros . Col . Creaton , P . G . Treas . ; Phili

Capt . ps , P . G . D . ; H . Howard Hedges , P . P . G . S . W . ; A . F . Gordon , D . P . G . AI . ; R . Hendesvick , P . P . I . W . ; H . H . Locke , P . Deputy D . G . AI . Bengal ; George Kenning , P . AI ., P . G . D . Aliddx . ; Bros . D . AL Dewar , P . AI . 1415 ; J . L . Baker , P . AI . 1303 ; F . S . Leaper , W . M . 1275 ; Chas . Andresvs , P . AL 77 ; F . Foxley , W . AI . 173 ; Capt . Nicols , W . M . 1974 ; VV . Hirst , W . AI . 15 ; VV . S . Marks , I . P . M . 36 S ; VVm . Gomm

P . M . 7 S 0 ; Walter Goss , P . M . 7 S 0 ; Louis Hirsch , P . AL 1 S 7 S ; H . L . Tucker , W . M . 1612 ; J . Barber Glenn , 3 ; George Thomas , 1194 ; James Pole , 115 S ; H . Sadler , Grand Tyler ; E . C Alassey ( Freemason ) , and others . The lodge having been opened in the Three Degrees , and the choir , consisting of Bros . E . Alonson , jun ., J . J . Gunner , F . Botley , C . E . Botley , and 1 . A . Cammell .

under the direction of W . Bro . E . H . Sugg , P . AI . 452 , P . P . G . Org . Surrey , having sung the hymn , "Hail Eternal by svhose aid , " the Presiding Officer addressed the brethren . He said : Brethren , sve are to-day to perform the very pleasing Alasonic duty of inaugurating the Priory Lodge of Acton . You are asvare that there are now so very large a number of lodges on the register of

the Grand Lodge that it has become expedient that this number should not be greatly exceeded , and H . R . H . the Grand Master looks very jealously at all petitions for fresh svarrants . In this case an exception has been made in favour of Acton , as it is a large and increasing neighbourhood , and it appears that there is not in the immediate vicinity any Masonic lodge . Several brethren , many of

them old Masons , living in this locality , have petitioned the Grand Alaster and prayed that a svarrant might be granted them in order that they might meet for Alasonic purposes svithin an easy distance of their dsvellings . The Grand Alaster had taken these matters into consideration and granted the prayer of the petition . His Royal Highness was the more readily disposed to do this because

the brother designated to be the first Master is a very svorthy member of the Craft . I fancy you all knosv our good brother Roebuck ; he has done a great deal for thc good of Freemasonry , and there could be no question svhatever as to the safety of trusting the svarrant to his keeping . But I feel it my duty to say to-day one or two svords of svarning against errors that some new lodges are

apt to fall into . I am afraid it sometimes happens that those having the direction of nesv lodges feel themselves bound to make their numbers large . They fall into the error of fancying a lodge great by its quantity rather than by its quality . It is very easy in the first year to fall into this error ; you svill hnd plenty in the neighbourhood willing to come in , and I am afraid that in the cases of new

lodges it often happens that the qualifications and character of those proposed are not sufficiently looked into . If such an error is committed the day soon comes svhen you find that you have got some one or two men in the lodge svhom you had better not have had . I would therefore advise the strictest inquiry about those svho desire to join your lodge , and whenever there is any question about a candidate , do

not have recourse to the unpleasant process of blackballing , but let the name be quietly svithdrawn . That is thc only svay in svhich you can surely—though it may be slosvlybuild up a lodge of svhich you may eventually be proud . 1 am sure , hosvever , these remarks are unnecessary as far as Bro . Roebuck himself is concerned , because he understands this matter as well as any one . I svill not detain you longer with prefatory remarks , but svill at once proceed

to the business of the day . Bro . RICHARDSON , D . C , then addressed the presiding officer , by svhose direction he then arranged the brethren of the new lodge , and thereafter read out the Petition and the Warrant . The presiding officer inquired whether the brethren approved of the officers named in these documents , and receiving their anssver in the affirmative , he called upon the Chaplain to deliver an oration on Ihe nature and principles of Freemasonry ,