Multum In Parbo; Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Borthwick and Sir William Wilson are not traceable . I am endeavouring to have another search made , and will report progress . Unless Oliver took his extract from Eome other work , this quotation , as will be seen , must be incorrect . Ashmole nowhere talks of " seven other old

Freemasons , " though the names mentioned with Thomas Shorthose amount to eight . The point is most important , and too much trouble cannot be taken to clear it up fully , Bro . Hughan and myself quite feci this . A . F . A . Woomoun .

THE ASTIUILOGEUS' FEAST . I want to call my Bro . W . J . I Iughan ' s attention to this feast , too often mentioned by Ashmole . Can any light be thrown upon it ? Sir John I Icydon , who is an early patron of Ashmole , was also not unknown to astrological fame . The first mention of it is under the name of the Mathematical Feast , February 24 th , 164 - ; , at thc White Hart in

the Old Bailey , " where I dined . " The next meeting appears to be August 1 st , 16 * 49 . The Astrologers' Feast at Painters' Hall , the same year , October 31 st . There was another , August Sth , 1 C 50 , " I being at thc Astrologers ' Feast , 2 . hor . post mcrid , I was chosen steward for the following year , August 14 th , 1 G 5 1 . The next was again at Painters' Hal ) , March 18 th , 1 ( 1 * 3 . The Astrologers '

Feast was held August 22 nd , 1054 . Another , August 29 th , 1656 . Another , November 2 nd , 1659 . The diary ends October Sth , 108 7 , but he nowhere mentions the Astrologers'Feast again . He mentions the Antiquaries ' Feast , July 2 nd , 16 59 , but that is cleaily another meeting . It appears that on thc 23 rd of May , 1 G 86 , Dr . Plot

presented him with " 1 lis Natural 1 listory of Staffordshire . ' Is there any minute in the book of the Painters' Company , if such still exists , as to thc loan of this hall , and where was it . The Painters' Company was one of the minor companies , and its hall , like many others , probably perished in the great fire . A . F . A . Wooni'oui ) .

ASHMOI . U ' MSS . In reply to the query of the Rev . Bro . Woodford , I have pleasure in informing him that the MSS . of Elias Ashmole arc in the library at Oxford , and , as I hear from a friend in that citv , there are two excellent catalogues of them ;

one a general catalogue , the other of names of persons and places . " WILLIAM KEI . I . Y , P . l ' . G . M . The Ashmole MSS . in thc Bodlean have all been searched over and over again . I allude to his private MSS . Many thanks to Bro . Kelly . A . F . A . W .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . BENJAMIN TAYLOR . Our readers generally , and the Masonic fraternity in particular , will regret to learn that Bro . Benjamin Taylor died on Thursday , 29 th ult . Deceased was one of the oldest public oflicers in Huddersfield , having been assistant overseer for the long period of thirty-two years , and which post he ultimately resigned through age and infirmity .

Vie was throughout lite a man oi sterling integrity , and discharged his public duties in a manner which elicited the warmest praise from the inhabitants generally . I le was also a Free and Accepted Mason , of whom the Craft were justly proud , and his long and honourable connection with the Order is testified to by the oil painting of him , in Masonic costume , which adorns the walls of the Lodge of 1

Iarmony in South Parade . A paragraph appeared 111 the Illustrated News , of the 10 th of last month , representing that a Masonic brother , who had been fifty-three years a member , was thc oldest in England ; but as Mr . Taylor was initiated on the fith of June , 1816 , he had a clear claim to seniority . He had held nearly every office in Masonry , and about three years ago he pei formed the unusual ceremony of

initiating his grandson , Mr . James I aylor . When he completed his 50 th year of membership the brethren of the Lodge of Harmony presented him with a silver cup , bearing the following inscription : — " Presented by the Worshipful Master , Wardens , and brethren of the Lodge of Harmony , 275 , of Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons , Huddersfield , to Bro . Benjamin Taylor , P . M ., P . Z ., P . P .

S . G . D . of West \ orkshire , in commemoration of his attaining his 50 th year of membership in the Order , and in token of the high esteem and fraternal regard entertained for him by thc lodge ; he having by his upright conduct and exemplary character as a citizen , by his rarely equalled attainments in knowledge of Masonic ritual , by his assiduous attention to all Masonic duties , and by his readiness

to undertake any office or ceremony assigned to him , justly endeared himself to his brethren and companions . June , 1866 . " The ratepayers also evinced a lively desire to mark their appreciation of his private character and public worth , after his retirement from thc office of as-islant overseer . On thc 31 st of July , 1872 , an illuminated address , a silver snuff box , and £ 250 in money were presented him .

The address was as follows : — " To Mr . Benjamin Taylor , late asssistant overseer of the poor of Huddersfield , this address , together with a purse of £ z ., o , and a silver snuff box , is presented by thc principal ratepayers and inhabitants cf Huddersfield , iu testimony of their high appreciation of the valuable services which he has for over thirty-two years past rendered lo the town , and of the unswerving integrity

and assiduous industry with which he discharged the duties of his office throughout an unusually lengthened period , nearly a quarter of a million sterling of poor rates having passed through his hands to the satisfaction of thc overseer * in chief . " Thc substance of this address was also

engraved on thc snuff box . Throughout life Bro . Taylor was identified with the Methodist New Connexion bod y , and for many years , and up to the time of his death , was a trustee of High-street Chapel . He has passed away at the ripe age of eighty years , leaving an example which public officers in every department would do well lo imi-

Obituary.

tate . Two sons of Bro . Taylor were also members of thc Craft , and of good standing and esteem in their respective lodges . The youngest sou , Joe Taylor , was successively Deacon , Secretary of thc Lodge of Harmony , 275 , and was appointed Warden for thc current year , but died suddenly soon after the appointment , and before the day of his installation arrived . lie left a family of young children

in a very unprovided state , one of whom , Louisa Jane Taylor , is a candidate for admission to the Freemasons ' Girls' School at thc next October election , and as it is , on account cf her age , her first and only chance—it is the earnest hope of her friends that her descent from two generations of worthy Masons will ensure her the sympathy and support of a goodly number of the Craft .

BRO . WILLIAM DOBSON . This worthy and esteemed member of the Craft , who rcsided . at 14 ; , Mile End-road , London , E ., ditd on the 19 th April , in thc 66 th year of his age . He was for many years a member of Lodge 812 ( old No . ) , Mile End , and was greatly esteemed by all the brethren who hail thc happiness of being acquainted with him . By profession he

was an architect , surveyor , and valuer , and in the latter capacity especially he was always regarded by his professional brethren as a competent authority . A thorough Christian , his conduct was always characterised by strict integrity , and he was an unostentatious disciple of those noble principles which arc so intimately associated with the Craft , lie was a kind husband and an affectionate

parent , and his loss is deeply deplored by a large sorrowing family , as well as a wide circle of admiring friends , whose grief is considerably alleviated by a flattering hope that his soul has ascended to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates . Failing health had , during the last two years , incapacitated him from following the duties of his profession ; but a lasting memorial of him

remains in the magnificent pile known as the Mile End Old Town Workhouse , for which building he was the successful competing architect some years ago . It is a consolation to know that his end was peaceful in the extreme , he having , up to the last , expressed his strong faith in and based his chief hopes on the mercy of the Grand Architect . Oh ! may each reader here thc lesson learn , Which can alone the bleeding heart sustain ,

Where friendship weeps at virtue's funeral urn , That to the purej ' n heart to die is gain .

THK LATE BRO . DR . SHANNON , OF WIGTON . There arc few men who have so rapidly risen into public esteem , and whose loss will be so keenly felt in the district where he worked , as the subject of this notice . When the news of his sudden death , at Monaco , in the South of France , reached Wigton last week , there was such universal feeling of regret and such warm expressions of

attachment to him as we have seldom witnessed . Although little more than thirty years of age , he was looked upon by both rich and poor as a warm and kind friend , and he had endeared himself to all by his courteous and genial manner , his warm sympathies , and thc sound knowledge of his profession , in the practice of whicli he had gained much reputation . I le was born at Magherafclt , in

the North of Ireland , and was the son of a much esteemed practitioner in that district . His medical studies were pursued in the Belfast Medical School , in connection with thc Queen ' s University of Ireland . His student ' s career was a successful and brilliant one , he having obtained more than the usual share of prizes in the different departments of study that fall to the lot of an average medical student .

In 1861 , he graduated as M . D . at Queen ' s University , and shortly afterwards became assistant to Dr . Tiffen , of Wigton , where he remained for some years , and was much respected . In 1864 , he became a member of the Royal College oi Surgeons cf England . Subsequently lie acted for some time as surgeon to ocean steamers ,- and then settled in practice in his native town of Magherafclt , and the

esteem in which he was held here may be judged from the following extract of a letter : — " He was loved and valued here as well as in the North of England , and there is many a check bedewed with tears for him to day . " He longed Tor a greater sphere of usefulness , and in 186 9 he became a partner with his former master , Dr . Tiffen , where he sot . 11 won many friends , and extended an already large practice .

He was enthusiastic in his profession , and happy when fully occupied ; but hard work told upon a not over-vigorous constitution , and a neglected cold led to the development of insidious disease of the lungs , for which his medical friends , in the autumn of last year , urged him to give up work , and take a much-needed rest . Those most competent to judge advised him to take a long sea voyage , in

the hope that it would lead to the full restoration to health . As is known , his intention of sailing to Melbourne was not fulfilled , on account of the burning of thc ship in which he intended to sail , so he went up the Mediterranean . As he moved about from place to place , his f > lends seldom knew of his whereabouts , but about three weeks ago he

wrote from Naples , expressing himself as a great deal better , and on his way home , where he expected to be early this month . His death , therefore , came upon his many friends as a great shock , and one they were quite unprepared for . Full particulars have net yet arrived , but

it is probable that his end was due to an attack of hecmoptysis , from which he had previously suffered . Two of Dr . Shannon ' s friends , who are also his executors—Mr . Porter and Mr . \ V . Carrick , of Wig t on—at once set out for Monaco , on receipt of the intelligence of his death , and arrived , wc understand , just in time to see his

remains interred . The above Bro . Dr . Shannon was P . M ., St . John ' s Lodge 327 , Wigton , and P . Prov . J . D . Ceremonies of the province of Cumb . and West ., Scribe , E . St . John's Chapter , and Prov . G . Jun . Deacon of Mark Masters in the province . Died at Monaco , April 20 th , 187 ^ .

Visit Of The Lord Mayor To The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

VISIT OF THE LORD MAYOR TO THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

Last Saturday afternoon the Lord Mayor , preparatory to his taking thc chair at thc eighty-seventh anniversary festival of this school on Tuesday , paid a visit in state , accompanied by the Lady Mayoress , Mr . and Mrs . Palmer Stone , and Mrs . Sheriff Ellis , to the Institution at St . John's Hill , Battersea Rise , according to annual custom . On

their arrival at the school they were met by Col . Burdett , Prov . G . M . of Middlesex , Bro . J . C . Parkinson , Dep . Prov . G . M . of Middlesex , and Chairman of the Board of Stewards , Bros . Griffiths Smith , Thomas W . White , the Rev . J . M . Vaughan , the Rev . H . C . Levander , Bros . Joshua Nunn , A . II . Tattershall , James Terry , Robt . B . Webster , W . Paas , Raynham W . Stewart ,

N . B . Headon , II . Massey ( Freemason ) , Benjamin Head , I-I . G . Buss , R . W . Little ( Secretary ) , Miss Davis ( Head Governess ) , nnd Miss Jarvvood , ( Matron ) . They immediately proceeded to thc exercise room , where the girlswent through their famous calisthcnic exerciscs . which have drawn at different times warm applause from the visitors to the school for their exactness and regularity . On this

occasion they were in no way inferior to former examples , and the Lord Mayor when they were concluded congratulating Miss Davis on having brought the girls to such a state of perfection , remarking that their evolutions had been gone through with all the precision of a regiment of soldiers . The whole party of visitors next viewed the building , and were conducted through the dormitories by

Miss Jarwood . The large amount of space in the any and well-lighted rooms , and all the arrangements for the health and comfort of the pupils , were greatly admired hythe party , who expressed the greatest satisfaction with everything they had seen . On descending , after partaking of slight refresh ment , his lordship and the company proceeded to witness the children's proficiency in their studies , and by

this time about 400 ladies and gentlemen had assembled . Among them were Dr . Thompson , Vicar of Wandsworth , Dr . Brette , Christ ' s Hospital and London University , Bros . 1 " . Binckes , John Symonds , J . A . Rucker , Geo . Newman , Wm . Stephens , Edward Cox , H . Dicketts , Thomas Cubitt , W . Morgan , Louis liirsch , Peter Matthews , John High , H . Muggeridge , and E . Harris . The recitations in

English , French , German , nnd performances on the pianoforte were given , and the Lord Mayor , after stating how pleased he was to find the standard of education in the school so high , and how gratified he was at everything he had seen and heard that day , proceeded , with the assistance of the Lady Mayoress , to distribute to the following girls the prizes awarded to them .

Alalia Louisa Flintoft , £ 5 for taking honours in the Cambridge examination , given annually by Bro . William Winn . Leila Lucy Caparn , thc gold medal for general proficiency ( Maria Louisa Flintoft having gained it last year ) , given annually by Bro . William Paas , with £ 5 given annually by Bro . William Winn . Mary Eliza Earl , the silver medal for good conduct ,

given annually by the Institution , with ^ . 5 given annually by Bro . William Winn . Prizes given annually by the Institution : — Elizabeth Hutchinson ( Pupil Teacher ) for passing senior Cambridge examination . Maria Louisa Flintoft for taking honours in the Cambridge examination . Leila Lucy Caparn for passing Cambridge examination . Lillian Mary Nelson for passing Cambridge

examination . Florence Sarah Groves for Music . Jessie Maria Blair for French . Mary Alice Eastham for general usefulness . Alice Maud M . Batley for general usefulness . Amy E . Mills for needlework . Mary Eliza Earle for needlework .

Ada Gertrude Chapman for Machine Work . Lucy Kate Clemence for Writing . Melora F . Goodridge for music . Frances Harry man lor general proficiency , 2 nd class . Katharine Emery for general proficiency , 3 rd class . Catherine J . Scurr for general proficiency , 4 th class . Frances Gardner for good conduct ( among the little girls ) .

By Bro . Joshua Nunn , for Fancy Work : — Clari It . A . Bindon , Ada Sarah Rose , and Henrietta J . Featherstone . By Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , for Dictation : — Mabel II . Crampten , 1 st class .

Melora 1 " . Goodridge , 2 nd class . Harriet Cartwright , 3 rd class . Mary C . A . Sargant , 4 U 1 class . By Bro . Rev . P . II . E . Brette , D . D ., for French : — Leila Lucy Caparn .

By Airs . Brette , for Alusic : — Louisa Hole . By Mrs . Crick , for Elocution : — Florence S . Groves , Mary Young , and Bessie L . Alorris . By Bro . John AI . Clabon , for good conduct : —

Josephine L . Bignell and Ada Kate Kelly . By Bro . Joseph Starkey , for drawing : — Alary Theresa Claisen and Leila Lucy Caparn . By Bro . Collard Moutrie , for Alusic : — Alary Theresa Claisen .

By Bro . Louis liirsch , for German : — Alalia Louisa Flintoft . By Bro . H . W . I lemsworth , for amiability , as voted by her schoolfellows : — Jessie . Maria Blair .

After thc distribution , his lordship and party retired , and the other visitors having partaken of tea , devoted themselves to the amusement of the inmates of the Institution for the remainder of the evening , and separated about ten o ' clock , after spending a delightful day .