Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cambridgeshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE .

A special meeting was held at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge , on Monday , the Sth inst ., to pass a vote of condolence to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , upon the much lamented death of H . R . H , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale . The Prov . G . M ., Bro . Col . R . T . Caldwell , M . A ., presided , and the attendance included Bros . E . H . Jennings , acting D . P . G . M . ; Oliver Papworth , P . S . G . W . ; G . F . Rogers , P . J . G . W . ;

I . Stacey Youngman , acting P . G . C ; J . Bonnett , P . G . Sec . ; F . Dewberry , P . G . D . C ; Frank Piggott , P . S . G . D . ; \ V . B . Sheppard , acting p . J . G . D . ; P- H . Young , P . G . S . B . ; W . Elworthy , P . G . P . ; also of Past G . Officers—Bros . VV . P . Spalding , J . Royston , W . H . Francis , W . C . Dewberry , J . Vail , C . A . Vinter , T . Watts , J . 'Sheldrick , W . Purchas , J . V . Pryor , T . Hunnybun , G . Whitmore , and others .

The lodge having been opened , the PROV . GRAND MASTER said the brethren were aware that this vvas a special meeting of Provincial Grand I . odge , and from the summons they knew the business for vvhich it had been called . He thought they would all be glad of the opportunity to express their feelings of sympathy—those feelings which were shared not only by the whole of the Masonic body , but by the whole English-speaking race

throug hout the world , and indeed by other than English-speaking nations , svho appreciated our Royal Family . Their object vvas to propose an address of condolence to the Prince and Princess of Wales in the unexpected and premature death of their eldest son , the Duke of Clarence . The sad fact svas so recently before them that it was unnecessary to say much upon it . They remembered that only on the nth of January they first heard that his

Royal Hig hness was ill , and that on 1 hursday morning the 14 th they heard that hehad passedaway to the Grand Lodge above . Whilst they as Englishmen and as Masons could mourn his loss , they in Cambridge had special reasons to regret it , from having seen him so often in and out amongst them , and from having seen him raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . in one of their lodges . It necessarily followed , therefore , that they regretted his loss the

more . There could not be anyone more kindly disposed and considerate for others , and by these qualities he had endeared himself to those with whom he came into contact . There could be but one feeling , that of the deepest possible sympathy , vvith the Prince and Princess of Wales and tho rest of the Royal Family . He himself should never forget the scene and thc ceremony in St . George ' s Chapel , where it had been hoped in a few weeks

the Prince's wedding vvas to have taken place . The whole ceremony must have made a lasting impression on all those who saw it . Hc was sure the subject had the deepest and earnest sympathy ofthe brethren , and anything they could do to alleviate the distress of the Royal Family they vvould gladly do . But he was afraid that was little , and they could only hope and trust that they would receive consolation from Above . He then proposed that the following address be adopted and forwarded :

To his Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of Wales , K . G ., . fc , & c , Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand I . odge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . We , the Provincial Grand Master , Provincial Grand Officers , and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Cambridgeshire , in Provincial Grand Lodge assembled , desire to express our very deep sorrosv at the untimel

y death of our much-lamented brother , his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire , and Past Grand Warden , and request permission to offer our most sincere and loyal sympathy to your Royal Hi ghness , and to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , in * he sad bereavement with which it has pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to visit your Royal Highnesses .

Our prayer is that the Most High , in His wisdom and mercy , may grant to your Royal Highnesses in this time of sorrow that comfort and consolation which He only can bestow . Cambridge , Sth February , 1892 .

ROBERT TOWNLEY CALDWELL , Provincial Grand Master . J BONNETT , Provincial Grand Secretary . The address having been read by thc P . G . SECRETARY , Bro . OLIVER PAPWORTH , P . S . G . W ., seconded the motion from the chair , and the same was agreed to .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then alluded to thc death of the Grand Secretary of England , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , and thought lhat vvould be a suitable occasion lo pass a resolution of condolence wilh thc widow and famil y of the laic esteemed brother . He proposed that such a resolution be sent .

Bro . G . F . ROGERS , P . J . G . W ., seconded the motion , and said Masonrv had sustained a terrible loss by Bro . Col . Shadwell Gierke ' s death . Ihe resolution vvas agreed to , and Provincial Grand Lodge vvas closed .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE .

A special Grand Lodge of Derbyshire vvas held on Saturday afternoon ast , to " consider and resolve upon an address of condolence with his Royal h ghness the Grand Master 011 the much regretted death of H . R . H . the •¦ uke of Clarence and Avondale , Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire ,

Past Grand Warden of England . " There was a very large attendance not merel y from Derby , but from every district of the province . The Dep . ^ ov . Gran d Master , Bro . II . C . Okeover , presided , in the absence of his 'face t , le Duke of Devonshire , the position of Deputy being filled by Bro .

and p C ° ' P P S G VV Amongst the Provincial Grand Officers , Present ' ast ' w , " ° were in their places , werel' . l S Sr ' w ' n ' •"••' ¦ G'W , ; Sir John Smith . P . P . S . G . W . ; W . H . Marsden , and p ' risi / r , rcy Wal , is > P . P . S . G . W . ; Wm . Naylor , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Sec . PPnl 0 '"' t-nglandAbiaham WoodisvissPPSGW : the RevTBiMnnriv

.. ; . ..... . . . . P . P . J . cl ' . £ S- Bosv-den , P . J . G . W . ; J . II . Day , P . P . J . G . W . ; Thomas Hall , P * P . G Kerr'' » , 9 ' Busb y > P . P . J . G . W . ; T . R . Gee , P . G . Treas . ; Edgar Home , ' Webster I' b crl S eadon Woodforde , P . P . G . Reg-. ; Wilks , P . S . G . D . ; Casvthorne I cr * ' "•I , S . G . D . ; J . W . Brigjj , P . P . S . G . D . ; John Walker , P . P . S . G . D . ; I

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

Nathan Ashurst , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . J . Piper , P . P . G . D . of C . ; F . I . Robinson P P A . G . D . of C . ; J . O . Manton , P . P . A . G D . of C . ; J . Cuttin-r , P . P AG Sec ' - I ' Copestick , P . P . G . P . ; T . E . Yeomans , P . P . G . P . ; J . Fisher , P . A . G . P . ; E . H . Clarke P . P . G . S . of W . ; Hon . C . W . Trollope , P . M . 2 , 29 ; VVm . Swire P . M fi ,,- G Sutherland , W . M . 73 ! ; J . T . Lee , W . M . 7 S 7 ; A . Schofield , P . P . G . P . ; R Kno ' wle *** ' P . M . 102 S ; J . E . Whitehead , P . M . , . 79 ; Jos . Cook , P . M . 1324 ; J . Gladsvin , P . M . ' 1235 ; W . L . Dodd , P . P . G . Org . ; and others .

Thc DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , after referring to thc object of tho meeting , described the calamity which had overtaken the Royal Family , and particularly their Grand Master , as one of terrible severity . Their lateBro . the Duke of Clarence appeared to have a long life of usefulness and honour before him . He vvas beloved by all the members of his family , especially by her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , svhilst hc ss * as about ' to marry the winsome object of his love . His untimely removal occurring at a time when

all sections of the people were being scourged by sickness had made a profound impression upon thc country , and had deeply stirred the sympathies and affections of all Freemasons , calling upon them to exercise those » reat principles of brotherly love and fraternal regard upon which their Order vvas founded . Moreover , it must have led them to reflect upon the uncertainty of life , and have taught them the wisdom of drawing closer lo the

Great Architect of the Universe . He vvas sure hc ss * as echoing thc sentiment of ever }* brother in the province when he said that they deeply sympathised with their Grand Master in his bitter loss , and prayed that the Almighty Architect , to whom alone they must look for grace and strength , might assuage thegrief into which hc and his Royal Consort had been plunged ! Bro . Okeover concluded by moving ihe following resolution :

We , the members of the Provincial Grand . Lodge of Derbyshire , in Special Lodge assembled , beg leave to approach your Royal Highness svith an expression of our deep sorrow at the untimely death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., and svith our earnest sympathy svith your Royal Highness ' s affliction . The high personal qualities possessed by his Royal Highness , his distinguished rank in Freemasonry , and the exalted position of happiness svhich

appeared to be before him , have all combined to intensify our sense of the loss vvhich your Royal Highness and the country have suffered , and have served to knit the svhole nation in a common sorrow , in svhich sve desire respectfully to assure your Royal Highness sve deeply share . We earnestly pray that it may please the Great Architect of the Universe to sustain and comfort your Royal Hi ghness and your family in your sad bereavement .

Bro . THOMAS Cox briefly seconded the resolution , which the brethren , in solemn silence , endorsed . The proceedings shortly afterwards terminated .

The Late Grand Secretary.

THE LATE GRAND SECRETARY .

The appended circular , vvhich has been issued b y thc Committee of " Thc Shadwell Clerke Trust , " needs little or no recommendation from us . The whole English Craft knows well " how conscientiously , efficiently , and courteously Col . Clerke discharged all the duties of his important ofiice , and the eminent services hc has rendered to Masonry . " Wc arc satisfied that thc brethren are actuated by a deep sense of gratitude towards the late

Grand Secretary both for what hc did in behalf of English Freemasonry and for the conscientious , efficient , and courteous manner in which he did it . They realise , as we do , that by his untimel y death Grand I . odge has lost one oi ihe ablest of the many able brethren who base had conferred upon them the purple of Grand Office , and we feel certain lhat when they hear the lady who was so near and dear to him " has been left very inade-iualely

provided for , they will avail themselves of thc opportunity , grievous though il must be to them to feci that it should have arisen , of exhibiting their respect for the memory of Col . Gierke , and their sympathy with his svidosv in the manner proposed by ihe Committee of " The Shadwell Clerke Trust . " Col . Gierke was a true Mason , loyal to the princi ples of our ancient Society

111 his every thought and act antl deed , and thc duly now devolves upon us who survive him and sec daily around us the evidences of his successful labours of making adequate provision for his widow . We are reaping , nnd for many a year to come shall continue to reap , the benefit of his eminent services to Masonry ; let thc response lo this appeal be the evidence that the greatness of those services is fully and generously recognised .

A list of the distinguished brethren who for the present constitute the Committee of the " Shadwell Gierke Trust" will be found in our advertisement columns .

Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C , Sth February , 1892 . Dear Sir and Brother , We regret to inform you that the widow of our late much lamented Grand Secretary , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , has been left very inadequately provided ( or .

A Committee of Grand Officers and others , svho have had many opportunities of knosving hosv conscientiously , efficiently and courteousl y Col . Clerke discharged al ! the duties of his important ollice , and the eminent services he has rendered to Masonry , has been formed for the purpose oi inviting Lodges and Brethren to shosv their appreciation of his high character and services by joining svith them in raising a fund for the purchase of a Government Lite Annuity for Mrs . Clerke . We send herewith a list of the Committee svliu have alread y given their names , to svhich additions are solicited .

The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , the Earl o ( Latham , the R . W Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe , and Sir Albert W . Woods . Garter , P . G . W ., G . D . C ., have kindly consented to act as Trustees , ami an account svill be opened immediately in their names at the Bloomsbury Branch of the London and Westminster Bank .

Personal subscriptions are limited to a maximum of £ 5 5 s . In the case of lodges , chapters , and other Masonic bodies , there is no limit . Cheques are requested to be sent , addressed to the Treasurer , Bro . Robert Grey , Freemasons ' Hall , Great Queen-street , W . C , made payable to him , and crossed ' * London and Westminster Bank , Bloomsbury Branch o a Shadsvell Gierke Trust . ' '

Inasmuch as Bro . George Kenning has kindly undertaken to insert advertisements in Tiie Freemason , free of expense , and as the cost of printing , stationery , postage and receipt stamps , Ike , svill be paid by members of the Committee , the whole amount of subscriptions without any deduction svill be available for the proposed object . We lemain , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally ,

THOMAS FENN * , Pres . B . cf G . P ., Chairman . Roiiliur GKEV , I ' res . B . of B ., Treasurer . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D ., Secretary .