Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S . E , said the G . Superintendent hacl honoured the G . Officers of England by coupling their names with the toast , and he begged , on their behalf , to say a few words in response . He assured them that the G . Officers were hig hly honoured by holding their positions , and serving under the illustrious Prince , whose great exertions and services in Masonry had been alluded to by the G . Superintendent . No matter in what Degree , H . R . H .

evinced the same marvellous interest , and it was a wonderful thing , considering the amount of extraneous work he had to perform , that he found the time he did for Masonic duties . The Grand Officers were very fortunate in serving under so illustrious a chief . It was a pleasure to those Grand Officers present that evening to witness the continued prosperity of the Prov . G . Chapter of Middlesex , and although he ( Comp .

Clerke ) had not been in attendance for years , he felt great pleasure in being once again under the control of their dear old friend and most excellent Mason , Col . Sir Francis Burdett . So long—and let it be very long—as they had his genial sway , Masonry would be ungrateful if it did not carry on its work well , and progress , as it ought to do under his auspices . He thanked the G . Superintendent for the kind way in which he had alluded to the G . Officers of the G . Chapter of England .

Comp . RAYMOND H . THRUPP , P . G . 2 nd Principal , said he had next to propose , what they in Middlesex considered a very important toast—it was " The Health of their Grand Superintendent , Sir Francis Burdett , Bart . " The G . S . E . had taken the bread out of his mouth by passing eulogiums upon the G . Superintendent , but anyone who knew that distinguished companion was ready to pay tribute to his

good quality as a Mason in every respect . He asked the companions to greet the G . Superintendent with that hearty welcome he always received in the province , for he had ruled over them for a number of years with the utmost kindness and success , and had done much to promote R . A . Masonry in Middlesex . The companions vvould join in wishing Sir Francis Burdett good health for many years to reign over them .

Comp . Col . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Bart , G . Supt , in reply , said he could not express his gratitude for the kind manner , not only in which the companions had received the kind proposition of the Prov . G . H , but also for the manner in which that companion had spoken of him , and of which he was not worthy . The promotion of Royal Arch Masonry in Middlesex had been at his heart , but he could not have done what he had but for Comp . Thrupp and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers . He was grateful for the many obligations for which he was indebted to

the Prov . Grand Officers during the time he had presided over the province . It was pleasing to find that the officers of Grand Chapter visited them occasionally , and were kind enough to flatter them with terms of approbation . It had taken a considerable time to make the province what it now was , and he trusted it would not only progress as it had done , but that they would make it as prosperous and as good in the working as any under the ruling of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . He thanked the companions for the way in which they had received the toast , and hoped they would have many opportunities of meeting again .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT next said he considered that before they separated they ought to drink the health of those who had honoured them with their presence , and had attended as visitors . In doing so he would couple the name of Comp . Philbrick , who had come rather late , but that companion had paid them a high compliment in showing he had not forgotten their Provincial Grand Chapter , for by great exertions he had been enabled to be present at the last moment .

Comp . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , G . Supt . Essex , in response , said there was an old adage that the end of a feast was better than the beginning of a fray , and there was a deal of wisdom in it . He believed it vvas not in record for a Mason to

respond for this toast before he had had his soup . On the present occasion hc ventured on the unknown ground of endeavouring to express his thanks for the kind and hospitable welcome extended to the strangers , and for what he was about to receive he felt trul y thankful . He hoped his dear old friend , the Grand Superintendent , would not think he had not been desirous of paying a proper respect tu him and the province , but he had arranged to accompany the G . S . E , and when he told them he had been detained at Freemasons' Hall vvith business connected with

the Boys' School , he thought he should be pardoned . He was glad to see Royal Arch Masonry flourishing in the province under its respected head . As the lodges , so the chapters , for the chapter was the quintescence of a lodge , and drew the working brethren and put the cope stone on the work of the Craft . He vvas glad to think and to see their Grand Superintendent in the full enjoyment of health , and to know the province was prospering under his beneficial sway . He ( Comp .

Philbrick ) had something to do with Royal Arch Masonry in an adjacent province not very far off , and speaking in the name of that province he assured them they had a hearty and sincere regard to see the work thoroughly carried out . He wished to offer their best wishes and to express their congratulations on the state of this province . For the kind and hearty welcome extended to the visitors , he , on their part , very feelingly tendered sincere ancl grateful thanks . The Janitor ' s toast then closed the proceedings . Comp . G . S . Graham gave several of his musical selections , which were much appreciated by all present .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Derbyshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE .

A Masonic gathering of peculiar interest took place in Derby , on Monday , the Sth inst , under the auspices of the Derb y Lodge , No . 302 . His Worship the Mayor of Derby , Bro . Abraham Woodiwiss , J . P , who has for a considerable number of years taken an exceedingly active part in the affairs of various branches of the ancient fraternity , vvas installed as W . M . in the presence of a numerous and influential assemblage . Two years ago , Bro . Woodiwiss occupied the chair of that large and prosperous Craft Lodge , the Arboretum , No . 731 , and towards the close

of last year was appointed by Lord Hartington , P . G . M . of Derbyshire , as S . G . W . of the province . ^ On Monday , the P . G . M . M , Bro . W . Kelly , F . S . A , took occasion to hold Provincial Grand Lodge , under the banner of the Derby Lodge , and during the day conferred upon Bro . Woodiwiss the rank of Provincial Senior Grand Warden . Thus it happens that the Mayor , during his tenure of civic office , has been made the reci pient of almost ihe highest honours the Provincial Grand Masters in the Craft and Mark Degrees have it in their power to bestow .

Tlie business of the Derb y Lodge was commenced at half-past three o ' clock , and Bro . Woodiwiss was installed b y his immediate predecessor , Bro . Cawthorne Webster , who discharged that important duty with excellent taste and judgment . Subsequently the new Master appointed and invested his officers in the following order : Bros . C . Webster , I . P . M . ; R . L . Homer Mole , Prov . G . Std . Br , S . W . ;

John Walker , J . W . ; W . J . Piper , M . O . ; W . B . Woodforde , S . O . ; S . Taylor , Prov . G . Stwd , J . O . ; Rev . T . Orrell , Prov . G . C , Chap . ; J . O . Manton , P . P . S . G . O , Treas . ; T . Oldham , R . of M . ; C D . Hart , Sec . ; J . P . Fearfield , S . D . ; T . E . Yeomans , J . D . ; E . Home , P . P . J . G . O , Org . ; E . J . H . Hoskyns , D . C ; W . H . Wheeldon , I . G . ; and W . Stone , Tyler .

At half-past four o ' clock , the brethren received the Provincial Grand Master and his Officers , Present and Past , as well as a number of distinguished visitors , and the business of the Prov . G . Lodge vvas proceeded with . Bro . Kelly , who , despite his great age , appeared strong and hearty , was supported by Bros . Thomas Cox , D . P . G . M . ; C Letch Mason , P . G . M . West Yorkshire ; the Rev . T . Robinson , P . G . M . Kent ; C F . Matier , P . G . W . Eng . ; C Fendelow , P . G . O . Eng . ; Percy Wallis , P . G . D . Eng . ; G . T . Wri ght , P . J . G . W . ; S . Knight , P . G . M . O . ; A . Stubbs , P . S . G . O . ; Edgar Home , P . J . G . O . ; the Rev .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Derbyshire.

C . W . Groves , P . G . C . ; the Rev . S . W . Wigg , P . G . C . ; S . Cleaver , P . G . Tre-, •' S . A . Marris , P . G . R . ; Miles Walker , P . G . Sec ; J . C . Webb , P . S . G . D •j Harrison , P . G . D . C . ; W . H . Goodwin , P . G . S . B . ; J . E . Whitehead , P . G ' , | Br . ; Isidore de Solla , P . G . Org . ; R . B . Barratt , P . G . I . G . ; T . G . Charlesvvor h F . S . Preston , and Harry Hodges , P . G . Stewards ; J . Young , P . P . S . G . W . •vvl ' J . Freer , P . P . J . G . W . ; H . Brown , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Chadwick , P . P . S . G . O . ' •§ *

John Smith ; T . Wright , P . P . G . R . ; W . Whittaker , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . L . Dorld P . P . G . Org . ; J . H . Thompson , P . P . S . G . O . ; J . Howell , P . P . S . G . O . ; T ri ' Manton , P . P . G . O . ; J . Worsnop , I . P . M . 339 ; Thos . Roe , M . P , W . H . Marsden ' Frank Iliffe , G . M . Bond , G . T . Edmund , P . G . Org . ; T . Carter Wigg , J . Herbm Marshall , John Walker , W . Fletcher , W . M . 373 ; W . Prince , I . P . M . ; Wrirt Lissett , Thomas Stacey , A . Frazer , W . Gadsby , P . P . G . Org . Notts ; A . Schofield W . Frost , W . Tatham , and many others . '

The roll of lodges was called over , and every lodge in the united Province of Leicestershire , Northamptonshire , Derbyshire , and Rutland was found to be represented . The usual reports from the Worshipful Masters , the Committee of General Purposes , the Registrar , and the Treasurer were submitted , and vvere , on the whole considered favourable . In each instance the future was hopefully spoken of . ' The Prov . Grand Master then proceeded to invest his officers for the ensuing year as under :

Bro . Thomas Cox ... ... ... ... Deput y P . G . M . „ Abraham Woodiwiss ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ J . H . Thompson ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ' ,, Brook Sampson ... . ... ... ... Prov . G . M 0 „ J . C . Webb ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . ' „ F . S . Preston ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . S . W . Wigg ... ... ... ... * ) „ „ , „ Thomas Orrell * " j Prov . G . Chaps . „ S . Cleaver ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ S . A . Marris ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg „ Miles J . Walker ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . E . Whitehead ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ John Fletcher ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ R . Michie ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . „ J . Harrison ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ W . Prince ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C „ A . Oram ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . * „ R . L . H . Mole ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . ' Br . „ Isidore de Solla ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . J . Curtis ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ J . B . Waring ... ... ... ... \ ,, Severn Taylor ... ... ... ••¦ ID r * o . , . " W . Frost ... ^ Prov . G . Stwds . ! „ Hon . C . W . Trollope ... ... ... J „ Derrick ... ... ... ... ... *) „ „ „ W . Stone j Prov . G . T ylers .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER then delivered a brief but interesting address to the brethren , favourably reviewing the work of the past year , and intimating that , as a consequence of the expiration of his patent as P . G . Master ( an office he had been privileged to hold for the long period of 31 years ) it would be necessary tu nominate a brother to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales for appointment to the postfor the ensuing year .

Thereupon Bro . THOMAS COX moved that their able and deeply-respected friend , Bro . William Kelly , be once more nominated . The proposal was seconded , and carried with enthusiasm . Bro . KELLY briefly acknowledged the compliment , assuring the brethren of his determination to discharge the arduous duties of the office as well as his advancing years would allow him . The Prov . G . Lodge soon afterwards retired , leaving the Derby Lodge to bring the business of the day to a conclusion .

Subsequently upwards of 80 of the brethren partook of a sumptuous repast , provided and admirably served by Bro . Thomas Day . The Worshipful Master , who presided , dispensed his hospitality vvith his accustomed geniality , and an evening of great enjoyment was spent by all . The healths of the Provincial Grand Master and of Bro . Woodiwiss were honoured with the utmost cordiality , and wishes for the prosperity of the Derby Lodge were earnestly expressed by many speakers .

The musical arrangements , which were under the direction of Bro . W . L . Dodd , vvere exceedingly satisfactory . Nor should we omit to make mention of the valuable services rendered by Bro . Percy Wallis , both in the lodge and in the banqueting hall , in the capacity of Director of Ceremonies . Altogether the occasion will rank as a red-letter day in the history of Mark Masonry in Derby .

CHAPITKE DE CLERMONT . —Chapter of Clermont . This is the name g iven to the system founded by the Chevalier de Bonneville , November 27 th , 1754 , and which took its name either from the Jesuit College , close by the place of its meetj ing , or from the fact that it was , ov was supposed to be , the perpetuation of a Jesuit j Chapter of High Grade Masons , which in that college had actually met and laboured for the cause of the Stuarts . We are , vve confess , a little doubtful on this

latter point , despite the assertions of some Masonic writers ; though it is just possible that many of the Stuart partisans in France used the secrecy of Freemasonry for their own purposes , and many of the hi gh grades may have been purposely arranged or adapted for that end . The system of the Chapter of Clermont seems to have been introduced into Germany at Berlin , in 1760 , under the name d " Kapitel der Clermont . " At first , some say , this system consisted only of three

high grades , to please the more educated and wealthy , who were weary of the dissensions of Craft Masonry in Paris . These Degrees were—1 . The Knig ht of the Eag le , or Elect Master ( Chevalier del'Ai gle , ou Maitre Elu ); 2 . Ilustrious Kni ght , or Tempi ' * Professed ( Chevalier Illustre , ou Templier Professe ); 3 . Sublime Illustrious Knight ( Sublime Chevalier Illustre ) . Subsequently , however , other grades were added , and the whole system was merged eventually in the Grand Conseil or Gran ' 1

Chapter of the Emperors of the East and West . We do not ourselves believe tto the high grades arose in consequence of the dissensions of Craft Masons , h '' rather that , from the time of Ramsay ' s mistaken address , there was a foohs " craving for these apparentl y hi gher , and kni ghtly , and mysterious grades . " •*'' [ been asserted that the chapter in Germany , which first hailed from this chap ter u | Clermont , afterwards took the name of " Ordo Equestris Hierosolymitanius , 1 * ut

we do not feel quite sure that this was so . Mackey seems to believe that it *>';' only the revival of the Templar system of Ramsay , which appears to have been j vogue at Lyons about 1 743 . But it clearl y was not Ramsay ' s system , ancl was » any rate a modification and enlargement of it . Von Hund vvas , we know , adni'Wf into the Chapter of Clermont , ancl took from it apparentl y his idea of the Str" - . Observance , which he afterwards worked out so full y in Germany . —Kenn '"^ Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .

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