Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN LARKIN , J . P ., P . M ., P . X . A most worthy and estimable man and Mason passed away on Saturday last , in the person of Bro . John Larkin , J . P . He had been ailing for some time past owing to some heart affliction , but no one anticipated that his illness would have had so sudden and fatal a termination . However , on Saturday last he died at the by no means advanced age of 60 years , at his residence Delrow , near Watford ,

where he had lived for some time , and was in the habit of devoting most of his leisure to the cultivation of choice flowers , a pursuit in which he took the liveliest interest . Bro . Larkin was a member of the well-known firm of Sweeting and Co ., and it will be readily imagined that the news of his unexpected death , when it reached the City on Monday , was received with the utmost possible regret . The deceased , as a member of the Board of Guardians had done ,

quietly and without ostentation , a vast amount of service and had endeared himself to all who were associated with him in the discharge of the duties of that body . He was a member of the Court of the Paperstainers' Company and a Warden of the Joiners' Company . He was also a member of the Committee of the Fishmongers' and Poulterers' Institution , which suffers a grievous loss by his untimely death . He was a generous supporter of

many other Charitable Institutions , such as the Royal Hospital for Incurables and the Infant Orphan Asylum , and had always taken a warm interest in the Cripplegate Boys' Camp . As a member of our Order he was generally recognised as a . genial and popular brother . He was , we believe , initiated in the Lodge of Fidelity , No . 3 , of which he was a Past Master and was also a P . M . of the Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 , and a P . Z . of the chapter attached to it . As a friend

of our Institutions his services will always be remembered with gratitude and respect . He was a Patron of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , for which he had likewise served six Stewardships , and a Vice-Patron of both our Schools , having been Steward five times for the Girls' School and four times , including the current year's Festival , for " Our Boys . " In addition , he was for many years a churchwarden of St . Sepulchre , Holborn , ani had filled with much ability

and tact the office of Chairman of the District Council . The funeral took place at Aldenham , near Watford , on Tuesday . and was attended by the members of the family , his executors , Messrs . W . Rome , C . C ., and W . Potter , and a great number of friends , both Masonic and private , who took the opportunity of thus testifying their respect for their deceased friend '; while the coffin was completely hidden from view by the floral offerings received from relatives and others , as

well as from the various bodies with which he was connected . Bro . Larkin leaves a widow and six children to mourn his loss . On the day of the funeral an ordinary meeting of the City of London Union was held , and from the City Press we learn that as soon as the members had taken their seats , the Chairman ( Mr . C . B . Bowes ) made a sympathetic allusion to the death of our late brother . He said it was his melanchol y duty to report the death of one of

their most esteemed colleagues . He was sure all present would receive with deep regret the intelligence of the death of their friend , Mr . Larkin . He had been absent for some time from the meetings of the Board , on account of illness , and on Saturday night he passed away at his residence . The deceased had occuped many very important positions on the Board , and had discharged his duties in the way they all expected he would , as he was a most conscientious

gentleman , and a hard worker . The Chairman said he hardly dared to speak of Mr . Larkin ' s geniality among his colleagues , who would be a long time before they thoroughly realised how faithful and warm-hearted a worker they had lost . He moved that a letter of condolence should be addressed by the clerk to Mrs , Larkin and family , expressing the feeling of deep regret which the news of Mr . Larkin ' s death had created among his colleagues , and also their high appreciation

of his ; many excellent qualities . The Rev . E . C . Hawkins , in seconding the motion , expressed his admiration of the sweetness and sympathy of the deceased gentleman ' s nature . The air and manner of their late colleague , he said , marked him out as a man possessed of a kindly , cordial , and genial nature , and by his death the Board had sustained a great loss . The Chairman ' s motion was then adopted amid every demonstration of sympat hy ,

BRO . GEORGE HOLDSWORTH , P . M . 1327 . Bro . George Holdsworth , P . M . 1327 and a Past Prov . Grand Officer of Hertfordshire , passed away at his residence , Waltham Cross , where he occupied a highly respectable position as a tradesman for many years and brought up a large family . He was initiated in the above lodge on the 20 th September , 1877 , passed and raised in due course , and after having filled the various offices he was elected to fill the chair of his lodge in 1 S 87 . In 1890 he became one of the founders of

the James Terry Lodge , No . 2372 , of which Bro . Terry was first Master , who appointed and invested Bro . Holdsworth as his I . P . M . His purse and sympathies were ever ready to help the cause of Charity . The funeral took place at Cheshunt Cemetery on Tuesday , the 10 th inst . He was followed to the cemetery by many sympathising brethren and friends , and the grave has taken one more of those whom to know was to love . The family has suffered a great loss which time with its healing balm can alone repair .

BRO . THOMAS MEYLER , P . M . No . 261 . The funeral of the late Bro . Thomas Meyler ( Town Clerk of Taunton , Registrar of the local County Court , and the occupant of many other public offices ) , whose death occurred on the 5 th inst ., under tragic circumstances , took place at St . Mary ' s Cemetery , Taunton , on Saturday evening last , and was made the occasion of a most impressive ceremony . The first portion of the

service was held at St . John's Church , of which deceased was for some years vicar's warden , and the sacred edifice was filled with a large and representative assembly of the principal residents of Taunton and the district . The mourners included the sons and daughters of the deceased , Mr . William Dunn , Clerk of the Peace for Somerset ( brother-in-law ) , and Mr . P . Froude Hancock , of Wiveliscombe . Col . Welby , M . P . for the borough , was present , and the Mayor and

Corporation attended in state , Alderman Lock ' s gold chain and the silver Corporation mace being both draped with crape . The legal profession was largely represented by solicitors of Taunton and the neighbouring towns . A number of Freemasons , of which body deceased was a member , were also present , and many of the clergy , including the Rev . Preb . Askwith , B . D ., vicar of Taunton , were in

attendance . The governors of Bishop Fox ' s Schools , the Taunton Town Charity , the Board of Guardians , and other bodies were represented , and several members of the county magistracy paid the last tribute of respect to deceased The coffin was covered with lovely wreaths , and was placed within the chancel , where the altar candles had all been lit . The service , which was choral , was conducted by the vicar , the Rev . T . E . M . Barrow , while the lesson was read by the

Obituary.

Rev . Arthur Montford , curate . Dr . Ham , F . R . C . O ., presided at the organ , and played the funeral music . The procession from the church to the cemetery was one of the longest seen in Taunton for many years , and a vast concourse of people lined the route , but admirable order was maintained . The procession was headed by the police , and then came the choir and the officiating clergy , the Rev . A . Montford , attended by acolytes , carrying the processional cross , and both he and the vicar wearing birettas . Next followed the mourners in carriages , and

then the Mayor and Corporation , and the representatives of public bodies and personal friends on foot . The committal service was read by the Rev . T . E . M . Barrow . The hymns used were " On the resurrection morning , " " Now the labourer's task is o'er , " " Let Saints on ea'th in conceit sing , " and " O Heavenly Jerusalem . " A muffled peal was rung on St . Mary's bells during the evening . The sad death formed the subject of reference at several places of worship in the town on Sunday . Mr . H . B . Sheppard , the deceased ' s partner , has been

appoinlcd Town Clerk , pro /<•»/., and the question of the new holder of the office will probably be discussed at the next quarterly meeting of the Council . Our late respected brother served as W . M . of Lodge Unanimity and Sincerity , No . 261 , in the year 1862 , and again in 18 77 , and has been Senior Grand Warden in the Province of Somerset . Bro . Meyler was M .. " \ Z . of the Sincerity Chapter , No . 2 ( 11 , in 18 73 and 1880 , and served the office of Soj . in Prov . Grand Chapter of Somerset .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution held their regular monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , under the presidency of Bro . J . A . Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C , Treasurer of the Institution . The death of one widow annuitant was reported , and the widows of two recently-deceased annuitants wore granted each the half of her late husband ' s annuity . The petition of one widow was accepted and the name ordered to be p laced on the list of candidates for next year ' s election .

Carlow Masonic Bazaar.

CARLOW MASONIC BAZAAR .

The great three-day Masonic bazaar , held in the Town Hall , Carlow , and which was brought to a close on Friday night , the 6 th instant , was a splendid success , financially and otherwise . It was given in aid of a debt on the Masonic Hall , recently erected in the town , and which is one of the nicest and most commodious of its kind in the provinces , and the proceeds will almost , if not entirely , liquidate the arrear . The interesting ceremony of opening the bazaar was witnessed by a large and fashionable assembly .

Bro . Lord Rathdonnell , H . M . L ., Co . Carlow , kindly acceded to the request of the local brethren to open the bazaar in Masonic form , which included a procession in full Masonic costume , in which several of the Degrees were represented . His hardship was escorted by Bros . Col . P . D . Vigors and Capt . Duckett-Stewart ( all three wearing the regalia of Prince Masons ) , and was accompanied by present and past Provincial Grand Officers , and a large gathering of the Craft .

In formally opening the bazaar , his LORDSHIP , in a very neat and appropriate speech , referred to the object , and pointed out that when the debt on the hall was wiped off it would enable the Carlow lodges to help liberally , as they had heretofore done , the Masonic Orphan Schools—admirable Charities which were deserving of all support .

The stalls and hall were tastefully decorated , and laden with varied and valuable wares , which found ready purchasers and many admirers . The entertainments included the ever-popular Cafe Chantant , which was liberally patronised , and added considerably to the receipts . Needless to say , the fair stall-holders and their pretty and persuasive assistants carried out loyally and well the work cheerfully undertaken , and to them , and all who

assisted at concerts , dramatic entertainments , ckc , the Carlow Masons arcdeeply indebted . The success of the bazaar is all the more gratif ying in face of the fact that the Roman Catholic Bishop thought it necessary , through his clergy , on the previous Sunday , to warn his people against attending the bazaar . The following were the stall-holders and assistants :

Stall No . 1 . —Presided over by Lady Rathdonnell and Mrs . Stuart , assisted by Mrs . G . Fishbourne , Miss Roger , Miss Twigg , and Miss Frazer . Stall No . 2 . —Presided over by Lady Burton and Mrs . Browne-Clayton , assisted by Miss Butler , Miss Shackerley , and the Misses Browne-Clavton ( 6 ) .

Stall No . 3 . —Presided over by Mrs . Massy ( and Mrs . Maffett , assisted by Mrs . H . Fitzmaurice , Miss Duckett-Steuart , Miss Carroll , Miss Ada Carroll , Miss Goodwin , Miss Weldon , Miss Murielle Weldon , Miss Adeline Herring-Cooper , and Miss H . Herring-Cooper . Stall No . 4 . — -Presided over by Mrs . VV . Fit ^ naun ' ce , assisted by Miss Harding , Miss D . Rawson , Miss Drillma , and Masters Fitzmaurice and Harding .

Stall No . 5 . —Presided over by Mrs . and the Misses Langran , assisted by Miss N . Coghlan , Miss H . Coghlan , and Miss Bell . Stall No . 6 ( Refreshment ) . —Presided over by Miss Thorp , assisted by Miss May Thorp , Miss Crosthwait , Miss Hend , Miss Stawell , and Mrs . Frank Brown .

Chapter Of Improvement.

Chapter of Improvement .

NORTH LONDON CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT . A meeting of the above was held at the Station Hotel Highbury , on Monday last , when there were present Comps . G . Gregory , M . E . Z . ; Piper , H . ; Hughes , J . ; Edmunds . Preceptor ; Georce , Assist . Preceptor ; Osborne , S . E . ; Snelling , S . Sj . ; Bunker , P . S . ; Hayling , McDowall , Austin , and others . The chapter having been opened , and the minutes of last meeting read and confirmed , the ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed in a most exemplary manner . The M . E . / .. rose the usual times , and the chapter was closed .

Death.

DEATH .

LARKI . V . —7 th inst ., at his residence , Delrow , near Watford , John Larkin , of 158 , Cheap-side , aged 60 years .