Consecration Of The West Smithfield Chapter, No. 1623.

formed , the M . E . Z . went on to say that that distinguished companion would not be required to be told the pleasure Ihey all felt at his being deputed for the discharge of such duty , and trusted the worthy P . Z . would live long to enjoy the fruits of well earned industry , and in conclusion begged the companions would rise and join him in drinking " The Health of the Consecrating and Installing Officers , "

which was heartily responded to . Comp . J . Terry replied that for himself and assistants he returned their united thanks for the manner they proposed and drank their healths , and stated that during his Masonic career he had con . . crated no less than fifty-eight Royal Arch Chapters , and was delighted to say the whole of them had done well , and he trusted the one he had just consecrated

would be equally successful , and in conclusion begged to return thanks for the kind manner they had proposed and ilrunk the health of himself and installing companions . "The Health of the Presiding Z . " was then proposed and responded to , who thanked the companions . He next proposed "The Health of his two Principals , " which was duly acknowledged , and ably responded to by them .

The M . E . Z . then proposed '' The Health of Comp . Cozens , " who had discharged the duties of Organist of Ceremonies , observing the pleasure which companions always felt at Comp . Cozens being amongst them ; his abilities as a musician , especially for Masonic ceremonies , were well-known and did not require over praise from him , he , Bro . Cozens , being beyond that . He therefore hoped the

companions would rise and salute the worthy companion in due form , which was duly responded to . " The Health of the Officers " was then proposed , and responded to by Comps . Butt , Mallett , and Lardner . The Janitor ' s toast followed immediately after , and the companions retired , having spent a delightful evening ogether .

Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.

ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND .

A general meeting to promote the interests of this fund was held on Thursday , at Freemasons' Hall . His Royal Highness Prince Leopold was to have taken the chair , but a letter was received from him sayi _ g that as he had to preside at the North London Hospital festival that evening

his medical adviser considered that thc exertion of attending the two meetings would be too much labour for him to undergo . Lord Skelmersdale presided in place of His Royal Highness . The meeting was very poorly attended , there being only about thirty persons present . Lord Rosslyn , in opening the proceedings , said it would appear that in the course of his observations when he

presided last year at the festival of thc Boys' School he remarked that he had seen no institution so magnificent or so admirably conducted , or so perfect in all its characteristics ; but he found from the Head Master that there was one defect which he was sure the charity and benevolence of Masons would soon set right—that there was no fund to assist the boys when they left thc School . When he made

that observation he had no idea it would have led to such a remarkable document as the one that was lying on the table , which was signed by thc Grand Master , by Lord Skelmersdale , Lord Carnarvon , and by other Masons most deservedly highly respected . That document resulted in the present meeting , and it arose from a misconception partly of the motives which prompted the original idea ,

and partly from the way in which that idea was likely to be carried out . From his own feelings at starting he thought that a fund might be got up to supplement the fund raised for the education of the children , but that it should be under the complete control of the governing bodies of those Charities , and should be administered by them . He was still of opinion that such should be the case .

He had seen since that it was proposed to he a separate charity , and that Life Governorships should be created , with votes according to the amount of suuscriptions . These were suggestions which aimed at some enthusiastic •display of magnificent bounty , which he never dreamed of , and which he thought entirely unnecessary . He would do anything rather than stop the flow of benevolence ,

and , therefore , he would say no more on that subject . His suggestions were nothing more than those which might be made by any kind-hearted man to assist the Charity . He wished the Charity be suggested to be limited to the identical machinery which was now in existence for thc Charities , and the brethren were not called upon to do anything more than

supplement them . He found that the boys and girls when they left the Masonic Schools were in want of assistance , and his proposal merely embodied a scheme for giving it , which would not interfere , and he never presumed to interfere , with the existing Charities . He had had a long

interview with Lord Carnarvon on Wednesday , but his lordship was very clear in defining the scope and limit of all Masonic Charity , the laws and rules of which were already laid down . He also suggested that the present scheme might have to be registered under the Friendly Societies Act . These were matters for the consideration of

the meeting , and he did not propose to bring them on just now . Lord Carnarvon suggested that this charity should be neither a voting nor a canvassing one , that all the officers should be honorary , that its funds should be administered by trustees , two or three of whom might be elected annually , and that at all events the governing Committee of thc Boys' and Girls' Schools should ex

officio form part of the administering system of the funds . Earl Rosslyn then stated that many of the children when they left the Schools were in need of assistance to help them on in life , and it was for the purpose of giving this assistance that the fund was started . The Rev . Dr . Morris , Head Master , made a statement , saying that some of the boys when they left the School were friendless , and that the education given them was

Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund.

wasted for want of funds to put them in the position where their education would be useful . Lord Skelmersdale reiterated the opinion of Lord Carnarvon , as given by Lord Rosslyn , and that there should be no new charity with a separate executive and separate administrative officers . He thought Prince Leopold might be induced to attend a future and more numerous

meeting , and he proposed that the meeting should be adjourned for that purpose . This was seconded by Bro . S . Rosenthal , and carried . The Rev . C . J . Martyn was elected interim Treasurer ; Bro . Dick Radclvffe , Secretary ; and Lord Rosslyn , Lord Skelmersdale , Sir D . Gooch , M . P ., Lord Brooke , the Rev . C . J . Martyn , Col . Burdett , Bro . Hickman , Dep . Prov .

G . M . for Hants and the Isle of Wight , and the Rev . C . W . Arnold were appointed a Committee to collect subscriptions . Bro . While enquired what would be the purpose of the Committee in raising funds . As at present proposed the scheme would destroy all self reliance and self dependence in the boys educated at the Masonic School . There was

a proposal m the papers issued by the managers of the fund to buy the boys commissions in the army anil navy , livings in the church , and goodwills of businesses . ( Cries of " No , no . " ) Bro . While referred to the printed papers in which these proposals were stated , and said lie was glad to hear IJJIW that they were contradicted . Thc meelinir was then adjourned .

Truro Cathedral.

TRURO CATHEDRAL .

Thc following appears in the Western Daily Mercury : — " Sir , —Mr . Harry Hems , who is widely-known in these parts as an exceedingly clever wood carver , and who , it appears also , is a brother Mason , writes to your contemporary , giving it as his opinion that the Rev . E . S . T . Daunt , P . G . Chaplain , is in error in supposing that the

foundation-stone of St .. Paul ' s Cathedral was laid by Freemasons . Mr . Hems quotes Dean Milman as his authority ; but I doubt whether thc Dean is a better authority than Preston on such a subject . Turning to the latter ' s well-known ' Illustrations of Masonry , ' which , no doubt , Mr . Hems will have by him , I find at page 178 the following extract , which will be read with interest , I doubt

not , by the members of the Craft and the public generally : 'In 1673 the foundation-stone of this magnificent Cathedral , designed by Deputy Wren , was laid in solemn form by the King , attended by Giand Master Rivers , his architects and craftsmen , in the presence of the nobility and gentry , the Lord Mayor and Aldermen , thc bishops and clergy , & c . The mallet with which the King levelled

this foundation-stone was delivered by Sir Christopher Wren to the old Lodge of St . Paul , now the Lodge of Antiquity , where it is still preserved as a great curiosity . ' Such is the brief record in Preston , and as a Mason I am disposed to place his evidence even before so eminent a divine and poet as Dean Milman . I remember very well some years since the Marquis of Ripon , then Grand Master ,

laid the foundation-stone of the Royal Albert Asylum at Lancaster with Masonic honours , on which occasion the mallet was borne on a velvet cushion in the procession , being lent by the Lodge of Antiquity , of which Prince Leopold is , if I mistake not , the present Worshipful Masicr . No doubt when Grand Lodge meets at Truro on the 20 th May ( and may I be there to see ) , this historic memento

will be again displayed , and I cannot help thinking that instead of finding fault with the Prince and his advisers because it is proposed thc foundation-stone of Truro Cathedral shall be laid with all the honours of Masonry , the clergy and others—who seem inclined todenounce it—should be thankful that so brilliant and impressive a pageant , as it is likely to be , should be prepared for them in the city of Truro .

The vast numbers of Masons who arc likely to be present must tend to swell the subscription list , and aid materially the Building Fund , and why so much opposition is being fostered and encouraged in certain quarters 1 am quite at a loss to understand . The Prince of Wales is thc most

distinguished and most popular Grand Master we have probably ever had , and I for one shall be proud to see him doing so good a work as laying the stone of the second cathedral erected in England since the Reformation in his capacity as Grand Master of English Freemasons . —Your obedient servant ,

" EMRA HOLMES , "Author of 'Random Notes on Freemasonry , Tales , Poems , and Masonic Papers , ' & c , & c . "

Amateur Masonic Minstrel Concert At Leeds.

AMATEUR MASONIC MINSTREL CONCERT AT LEEDS .

Nearly four years ago was lounded " The Leeds Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , " its object being " the formation of a charity fund among the Leeds lodges and other friends of Freemasonry for the education ,

partial maintenance , and advancement in life of the orphans of deceased brethren and of the children of brethren who have become incapacitated by sickness or accident for properly providing for their families , and to supplement the work of education carried on at the two London Schools , & c . " The Institution consists of fifteen patrons , eight

perpetual life governors , seven patronesses , fifty-four life governors , and from one to two hundred annual subscribers of sums varying from 5 s . to £ 1 is . It will thus be seen that the Institution is well established , but , like all other undertakings dependent grc _ tly on what may be called

fluctuating support , a substantial contribution to the funds once a year from a collateral source must bean immense advantage to it , and may ensure its permanent and increasing prosperity . Thc collateral source from which this Institution has hitherto derived such substantial aid is a minstrel enteitainment of a high-class order , arranged and carried

Amateur Masonic Minstrel Concert At Leeds.

out by a strong Committee , selected from the Leeds Masonic lodges , presided over by Bro . Calverley . The first concert . was given in 18 77 , two others on consecutive nights in 1878 , and the latest one on the evening of the 10 th ult . Each concert has been given in the large hall of the Mechanics' Institute , called the " Albert Hall , " which will hold 1400 people , and on each occasion the place has been

completely filled , and the financial result has been an avera ge nett balance of £ 80 for the funds of the Educational and Benevolent Institution . Bro . W . B . Townsend , the President of the Institution , has been the chief musical director , and through his able and well directed efforts , and those of his coadjutor , Mr . T . Crowther , along with the Committee , a most enjoyable entertainment has each time

been provided ; an cntert / rinment not less appreciated for its musical excellence than for its benevolent object . The " troupe " has consisted of both Masons and non-Masons , and has comprised some of the best amateur vocalists and instrumentalists in the town , drawn from the local choral and orchestral societies and choirs , most of whom have given their services .

Speaking now of the last performance , the first part of the programme was made up of a choice selection of songs , sentimental and comic , with choruses ; the chorus after the last verse of each of the sentimental songs being repeated as a refrain without accompaniment , producing an impression on the mind similar to the closing words of an eloquent peroration or the gradual shutting out of a

distant landscape by the deepening twilight . Where each and all deserve almost equal praise it is difficult to particularise ; but , without the slightest disparagement to the rest , may be mentioned the songs " Time may steal the roses , darling " ( Mr . Reddyhoff ); " Won't you buy my pretty flowers ? " ( Master Calverley ) ; " Sweet be thy repose " ( Mr . Higgins ); " The day when you'll forget me "

( Mr . Crowther ); and " Vacant is the old home now " ( Mr . Whitaker ) . The two " corner rr en " were Bros . J Broughton ( tambourine ) and Eddison ( bones ) , and the interlocutor was Mr . Crowther , who performed his part admirably . The " corner men " sustained their parts exceedingly well , and between the songs gave some racy dialogues and descriptions , burlesque references , and

satirical banter , frequently embracing local and general topics , and some good conundrums , to the great amusement of the large audience . Their comic songs too excited much fun , especially Bro . Broughton ' s " Agriculturalaticn " and Bro . Eddison ' s " Where ' s that nigger , Josey ? " The second part of the programme comprised a piano and violin duett , from Roff , by Bro . Townsend and Master

Taylor ; a banjo eccentricity by Bro . Eddison , which kept the audience in continuous laughter ; a performance on the " Fairy Bells " by Mr . Gill , of Liverpool , the novelty and charming effect of which won rapturous applause on this as on previous similar occasions when Mr . Gill has kindly given his services ; a racy stump oration by Mr . Crowther followed ; then , lastly , the fine glee , " By Cclia ' s Arbour , " by members of the troupe , given with precision

and excellent vocal effect . The entertainment concluded with the ' ¦ National Anthem " ( solo , Bro . J . Tetley ) , having appropriately opened with " God bless the Prince of Wales " ( solo , Mr . Stillwell ) . The band consisted of piano , Bro . W . B . Townsend j 1 st violins , Mr . Young and Master Taylor ; 2 nd violin , Mr . Robinson j viola , Bro . F . W . Flockton ; violoncello , Bro . J . Tetley ; double bass , Mr . Wood ; flute and piccolo , Mr . R . Burrell ; and cornet , Mr . Watts .

Royal Ark Mariners.

Royal Ark Mariners .

CONSECRATION OF THE CHARLES THE FIFTH LODGE AT TUNIS . The P . G . M . M . of Tunis and Malta consecrated the Charles the Fifth Lodge of Aik Mariners ( attached to the Mark Lodge , No . 254 ) , at the Masonic Hall , Goletta , Tunis , on thc aSth ult . The following is a correct list of the first officers of the

lodge : Bros . Broadley ( P . G . M . M . ) , W . C . N . ; Barker , J . ; They S . ; Eugercr , Scribe and Treasurer ; Curletto , S . D . ; Attard , J . D . ; Villareale , D . of C . ; Romieu , Steward ; Vaux , Guardian ; and Pagano , Warder . In the course of the ceremony twelve M . M . ' s were duly exalted as members of this Ancient and Honourable Confraternity .

Amongst those who have taked the Degree in the new lodge are Bros . Dr . Perini , W . M . 1717 , P . G . M . O . S . j Pentecost , W . M . M . 222 , P . G . M . J . W . ; Captain R . A . Johnstone , 222 ; and Commander Bridger , R . N . 2 . 2 . The ceiemony having been accomplished , and the officers duly invested and installed , the W . CN . gave a short sketch of the history of the Ark Degree . He alluded en

passant , to the peculiar name of the lodge . The Emperor Charles the Fifth , with his allies the Knights of Malta , commanded by the valiant Chevaliers Botigella and De Grole ' e , took Goletta on the 14 th July , 1535- In his train was a famous Flemish painter , who executed six pictures of the siege and its attendant incidents . In one of them appears in remarkable detail the Saint Anna , the great

carrack or frigate of the brotherhood of St . John . They were discovered in Germany by H . R . H . the late Prince Concert , and were photographed by permission of the Queen . The W . C . N , hoped , he might obtain a series of these interesting views for the newly-formed lodge . The labours of the evening being ended the lodge was closed and adjourned at 10 p . m .

Bro . Sir Francis Wyafct Truscott ( Lord Mayor ) will preside at the annual general meeting of the Middle Class Schools' Corporation , to be held at the Mansion House , on Tuesday , the 16 th inst . —City Press .