The Testimonial To Miss Davis.

THE TESTIMONIAL TO MISS DAVIS .

It is not necessary we should enter into any lengthy details as to the composition of the committee which has charged itself with the duty of raising this testimonial ; a full list of the brethren composing it is appended , and the mere reading of the names is enough to show that it might be possible to form an equally good committee—a belter

would be out of the question . Nor after our editorial remarks as to Miss Davis ' s merits as a governess , the long and valuable services she has rendered to the Girl ' s School since her appointment to office a quarter of a century ago , and the claims she has thereby established to the consideration of the English Craft , need we say anything on the merits of the question . The reasons which justify the

raising of this testimonial are admitted by everyone , and all we have to do now is to impress upon our readers and friends generally the desirability of making the testimonial such as will not only be worthy of Miss Davis's acceptance , but likewise redound to the credit of the donors . We are glad to hear that satisfactory progress has been thus far made , and we hope the result will satisfy

the wishes of the Committee . We have much pleasure in appending the names of the Committee and their address to the English Craft as a body : — PRESIDENT—Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , F . S . A . VICE-PRESIDENT—Bro . Frank Richardson . HON . SECRETARY AND TREASURER—Bro . Herbert

Dicketls . COMMITTEE—Bros . William Bailey , Robert Berridge , Edgar Bowyer , Col . Sir Francis Burdett , J . G . Chancellor , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Ralph Clutton , E . C . Davies , Herbert Dicketts , Charles W . Duke , John Faulkner , Thomas Fenn , Robert Grey , Charles Hammerton , F . R . W . Hedges , C . F . Hogard , T . S . Howell , T . A . S . Howell , H . A . Hunt , Thomas Kingston , F . Sumner

Knyvett , George Kenning , Charles Lacey , Edward Lctchworth , Peter de Lande Long , George Lambert , Horace Brooks Marshall , E . C . Mather , J . L . Mather , Charles F . Matier , J . H . Matthews , Sir John B . Monckton , James Moon , W . F . Nettleship , Joshua Nunn , Col . James Peters , F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Capt . N . G . Philips , Frank Richardson , William Roebuck , J . A . Rucker , Henry Smith , Raymond H . Thrupp , Henry Venn , and C . H .

Webb . As , on the 17 th inst ., Miss Davis will complete a period of twenty-five years' service as Head Mistress of the School , the above Committee has been formed for the purpose of giving effect to a feeling which , it is believed , very generally prevails among the supporters of the Institution , that theevent should be marked by the presentation to her

of some testimonial in recognition of the very excellent services she has rendered to the Institution during that period . Elected at an unusually early age to a position of great responsibility , Miss Davis from the first , fully justified the high expectations which induced the Committee of the School , in the year 1 SG 1 , to invite her to undertake the duties she has since so well and so thoroughly discharged .

It is felt that the present very satisfactory position of the School , as an educational establishment , is mainly due to the ability and attainments of Miss Davis , by whom the whole of her admirable staff of teachers have been trained , while the high standard of tone and bearing which has been maintained among the scholars is due in a very great

measure to the personal influence exercised by her over those placed under her charge . In order to afford a large number of the supporters and friends of the Institution an opportunity of contributing to the fund proposed to be raised , it has been determined that individual subscriptions may be for any sums not

exceeding one guinea . Brethren desirous of contributing are requested to forward cheques or postal orders to the Hon . Sec . and Treas ., Bro . Herbert Dicketts , 5 , Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenstreet , W . C ., before the 30 th September next . J B . MONCKTON , President . HERBERT DICKETTS , Hon . Sec . and Treas . 1 st August , iSSG . The Secretary will be pleased to forward collecting cards on application .

A Touch Of Nature.

A TOUCH OF NATURE .

While Freemasons are emphatically votaries of both nature and art—deriving their descent from architects who , as builders of the greatest temples and cathedrals in all civilised countries , where " par excellence" artists and scientists—after all , the one touch of nature which makes all the members of the Fraternity kin is the spirit of

brotherly ove which permeates and distinguishes the Craft . Art and nature are often set in opposition , placed in contradistinction to each other , and the advocates of each have waxed ardent in supporting their favourite . A certain writer , in Byron ' s time , argued that even in literature , all images drawn from what is beautiful or sublime in the works of nature are more beautiful and sublime than any

images drawn from art ; to which Byron replied , that a ship in the wind with all sail set is a more poetical object than a hog in the wind , though the hog is all nature and the ship is all art ! Freemasons escape all possible dilemma by being students of both nature and art . Natural affection is the cement that binds us into one society , or bands of friends or brothers , and artistic

aspiration , an admiration for the sublime and beautiful in art , was the foundation-stone of the Fraternity , and will also be the capstone of its completed edifice . At the present midsummer season Freemasons are practically disciples of nature . The lodges are generally closed , Masonic labour is intermitted , and the brethren are scattered far and wide , seeking rest and recreation , each for a period , amid the haunts of nature—at the sea-side ,

on mountains , lakes , or rivers , in sequestered valleys , or in the suburban country that is now so readily approached through the rapid transit afforded by lightning trains . VVe are all for the nonce students of nature . VVe have laid aside our plumb , level and square , our 24-inch gauge , compasses and trowel , and not losing our love for art ,

but rather exercising it all the while , we say , with the poet Pope : — " AH nature is but art , unknown to thee ; All chance , discretion , which thou canst not see ; All discord , harmony not understood ; All partial evil , universal good . "

A Touch Of Nature.

Another poet , add a Freemason as well—Goethe—called nature "the living , visible garment of God . " How true and beautiful is the thought . The Great Architect of the Universe we cannot see ; but His wondrous works we may . Every snow-clad peak that crowns a mountain top images His majesty . Every flower that blooms , decking the earth with richest colours , pictures His beauty . The songs of the birds , so pure , so sweet , so musical , represent the

harmonies of the Grand Lodge above . Earth and air , sea and sky , are full of God . The book of nature is God ' s oldest Testament . The records of geology are far more ancient than the records of Moses . And yet , with all its beauty , and loveliness , and glory , nature is imperfect . The blue sky of the summer is hidden when the cloud sails before it , and when the thunder roars , the lightning flashes , and the cyclone raves , one feels that nature is fallen from grace .

Pascal was right in estimating its value when he satd : " Nature has perfections , in order to show that she is the image of God ; and defects , in order to show that she is only His image . " The earth had fallen , even before man wascreated . The revelations of the coal measures , containing forests laid low through an inestimable epoch , testify to the hoary age of our planet , to the revolutions it has undergone , and to the gradual evolution of utility and

beauty for the accommodation and pleasure of man , long before his advent to the traditional Garden of Eden . As one goes out into the haunts of nature in these July and August days , the earth appears one vast Garden of Eden . Nothing is in undress , and beauty is everywhere . Artist and architect as the Freemason is , he finds unnumbered cathedrals erected in the forest shades , vast and grand and beautiful , with nature ' s choir for vocalists , and the

wind sweeping the notes of an organ unseen , but not unheard . Lover of antiquity as the Freemason is , the oldest art known to him , or to man , is , as Carlyle has said , as a mushroom , compared with the venerable globe on which we tread . Let us , then , admire and love nature while we may , while the lodges are closed . Let us arise at break of day and behold the morning star , and the sun as he mounts from the horizon with fiery disk ; let us listen to the

orchestra of the winds , and the songs of the birds at the first blush of morning ; let us stroll over hill and dale when the sun is declining in the west , when the greensward is chequered with shadows , and the kine are lowing o'er the hills , and the sheep are bleating in the vales , and " look through nature up to nature's God . " Then shall we return to the lodge in the autumn truly refreshed , full of reverence and love for the great Grand Master of all , health mantling our cheeks with a ruddy glow , the lire of vigorous

activity flashing in our eyes , the elasticity of youth evident in our steps , and be prepared to diligently and well perform that labour which the Craft expects from all of its members . Your lodge will be a better lodge for your communion with nature , since you will be a better Mason and a nobler man . Your work will be more truly artistic , after you have sat at the feet of the Grand Architect of the Universe and admired and studied His perfect work . — Keystone .

The Masonic Exhibition At Shanklin.

THE MASONIC EXHIBITION AT SHANKLIN .

At a meeting of Chine Lodge , No . 1 SS 4 , held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., the following members were present : Bros . Alfred Greenham , W . M . ; John Bailey , I . P . M . ; Francis Newman , P . M . ; F . Cooper , P . M . ; F . Rayner , J . W . ; Lewis Colenutt , Sec . ; A . F . Swayne , J . D . ; J . Cantelow , I . G . ; W . J . Mew ,

Tyler ; J . Whitehill , Mark Lindfield , P . M . ; A . H . Brown , and E . G . Boehme . Visitor : Bro . T . H . J . Petherick , P . M . The W . M ., having opened the lodge , said he felt quite unable to do the whole work of the evening , the arrangements for the Exhibition having caused so much work ; he therefore gladly availed himself of the services of Bro . F . Newman , who subsequently performed , in an impressive

manner , the ceremony of the Third Degree . The W . M . then initiated Mr . VVinfield Wadham into Masonry , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room to their usual repast . After the loyal toasts had been duly honoured , " The Health of the Initiate " drunk , and the Chine Lodge loving cup passed round , Bro . MARK LINI-IELD , P . M ., rose to propose "The

Health of the Worshipful Master , " to whom , he said , the members felt specially indebted for the immense interest he was taking in the Exhibition , and who was working so hard for its success . Being a Mason of many years' standing , he must say he had never known so young a brother to do so much for the Craft as he had , and he was only too pleased to have lightened his labours that evening in giving the charge to the initiate .

The Worshipful Master , Bro . ALFRED GREENHAM , thanked Bro . Linfield for the complimentary terms in which he had spoken of him , and the brethren generally for the hearty reception they had given the toast , and said : In availing myself of the help this evening so kindly and readily given , I know you are well aware I had no wish to shirk the work , having done even more on other occasions than was before us to-night . This being the last

opportunity I shall have of addressing you until the autumn , 1 feel it my duty to lay before you this evening particulars respecting the Exhibition which is . creating so great an interest in the Island and in Masonic circles all over England . I am sure you will all feel proud to know that the Lord of the Manor of Shanklin , Bro . F . White Popham , has kindly consented to do the honours in receiving our Provincial Grand Master , R . W . Bro . W . W . B . Beach ,

M . P . It is to me a great gratification , that those members of the Chine Lodge who occupy so high a social position have been so ready and so willing to identify themselves with this undertaking , and lighten in a great degree , the responsibilities connected with it . Unless my hands had been strengthened , when we first decided to have this exhibition , by those whom I have alluded to , it would have been impossible to secure such a valuable , ancient , and

extensive number of exhibits , enabling us to assert that it will be the largest exhibition in the world . It cannot be for one moment imagined that we could have done this from our own limited resources . While the exhibition was still in embyro , the proprietor of the Freemason generously placed his columns and his services at my disposal , which I availed myself freely of , and thus I was able to convey throughout all England our intentions . VVe all know Bro . George Kenning , he having visited Shanklin

The Masonic Exhibition At Shanklin.

and had touch with our lodge . We received proofs of his generosity last year , and his interest in this lodge ha * not ceased . He it was who introduced my name to Bro . George Taylor , the largest Masonic exhibitor in the world , and to whom we owe a debt of gratitude we can never requite . He it was who shaped for us the destiny of this exhibition , who projected its course when it was in the struggles of its infancy , and has guided it on , until we are contemplating-,

with a confident hope , the full fruition of its maturity . He it was who lent—mark you , from no previous knowledge of your Worshipful Master—the influence of his name ; he it was who , before I had obtained guarantors , placed his magnificent collection at my disposal , and obtained for us the services of Bro . Hughan . I am often asked what is Freemasonry ? That , I consider , is a splendid conception of its outward and visible signs , and a grand indication it

is of the fraternal feelings which flows through the great Body of Masonry , and last , but not least , I have spoken of the help I have received in the Order in which it has reached me ; we have not only the advantage , but the honour , of having our catalogue revised by the great Masonic historian , Bro . VV . J . Hughan , and archaeological notes appended to the most valuable and rare exhibits . Engrossed all day as he must be in bringing out another of

his great works , he still finds time , he still makes time , to go through our catalogue , sheet by sheet , proof by proof , and thus render it a work which time will encircle with renown , and shed a halo of honour around it . In those three , brethren , you have the Specialists of Great Britain —the proprietor of the Freemason , the large exhibitor and connoiseur . and the Masonic historian . a similar combination , probably , no other lodge will command during this

generation ; and , brethren , when the exhibition has been held and a crowning success has attended our efforts , let us ever have a grateful remembrance , let the names of those who helped us to secure it be ever green in our memories , and cherished in Chine Lodge . You all know that this exhibition will be brought here at enormous expense , and , being the first open to the public will commend itself to universal support , and while I am doing all that I possibly can I still feel it

necessary to endeavour to secure success before it opens . 1 am often asked , will this great venture pay ? I am often told it might rain , but , if it should rain on that eventful day and days , you may depend upon this that the unprecedented kindness of Monsieur and Madame SpaiUli , in placing the beautiful grounds and chalet at our disposal , will not be limited by allowing us four days , but I will venture to assert that should such a contingency occur

, their generosity would be equal to our demands . I am not dismayed nor daunted by circumstances beyond our control . I believe that the people of the Isle of Wight with their characteristic clannishness , will show their appreciation in no uncertain manner , and come and see an exhibition which will , probably , never again be held in our

lifetime . In conclusion , allow me to say that only to-day I have issued an invite asking for practical support , and in response I have already received 10 patrons , and I have no doubt that the proposed limited number of 100 patrons who will identify themselves with this undertaking—with , I trust , honour to themselves and advantage to us , will be speedily forthcoming .

Masonic Presentations From Chicago.

MASONIC PRESENTATIONS FROM CHICAGO .

The following letter has been received by Bro . A . I . M'Connochie , C . A ., 74 , Union-street , Aberdeen , Treasurer and Clerk of St . Machar Lodge , No . 54 , and of the Aberdeen City Provincial Grand Lodge , from the Secretary of the Apollo Lodge , Chicago . The Bro . John Clark referred

to in the latter died in Aberdeen in January last , and was buried in Spital Churchyard with Masonic honours , at the cabled request of Apollo Lodge , by the Aberdeen lodges under the auspices of the St . Machar Lodge : — " Apollo Lodge , No . C 42 , Chicago , 111 ., « n c- J « ., " J une 2 4 th > iSSG , "Dear Sir and Brother ,

A „ 1 , ave mucn P Ieasure in informing you that Apollo Lodge has this day shipped ( by U . S . Express ) to your address a slight testimony of their appreciation of the courtesy and attention shown by yourself , your lodge , its VVorshipful Master , Major Crombie , and the sister lodges of the city of Aberdeen towards the remains of our late Bro . John Clark , who was called from his labours here on

earth while temporarily sojourning in your city . The apron is for yourself individually , and it is the earnest wish and desire of Apollo Lodge that you may be spared many years to wear this lambskin , as you have so evidently worn your first one—with credit to yourself and honour to the Fraternity . The picture , as its face indicates , is intended for vour

lodge . that grand old St . Machar may never lack a quorum of such distinguished men and Masons as its present VVorshipful Master and yourself , and that it and the sister lodges of Aberdeen may enjoy to the full the blessings of Divine protection and grace , will ever be an abiding hope and prayer with the members of Apollo Lodge-Fraternally yours ,

. , "STANDISH ACRES , Secretary . " the apron referred to is a Past Master's , of white lambskin , and bordered with dark blue velvet , the trimmings being gold and silver lace , and enriched with four diamonds in the lower corners . The " picture " is a finely written address in an exceedingly handsome oak frame , 5 in . broad , carved with acorns and oak leaves . Both articles will be on view in the Masonic Hall .

u- if ? . " Halsbury , the newl y-appointed Lord High Chancellor of England , took the oaths and his seat as I resident of the High Court of Judicature on Thursday , the 5 th mst . The same day the Marquis of Londonderry , as Viceroy of Ireland , and Bro . Sir M . E . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., as Chief Secretary to his Excellency , were sworn into ofiice at a Council in Dublin .

A replica of the bust of Bro . the Earl of Mar and Kelhe , P . G . Master Mason of Scotland , which some time back was presented to the Countess of Mar and Kelhe , will be placed in Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh , at an early date , and it has been arranged that it shall be

tormally unveiled on St . Andrew ' s Day ( 30 th November ) when the Grand Lodge of Scotland holds its Grand Festival , which will this year be celebrated with more than usual eclat , as it will be the 150 th anniversary of the Constitution of Grand Lodge , and it is proposed to celebrate the auspicious event with becoming splendour .