Original Correspondence.

" Antients , " the only one in the province , and in the minutes of the year 1805 is a cash item of 2 s . 7 ^ d . paid for sending a K . T . ( Knight Templar ) certificate to a brother in London . Further , in iSno , it is recorded that "Patrick M'Fadian was tried by a Committee of Knights Templar , and was admitted . " The Cryptic Degrees are also mentioned in connection with this old lodge—then numbered

157 . On October _ 14 , 1804 , it is recorded that "James Leech , William Armstrong , George Cowell , John Saul , and William Martin , were made Excellent and Super-Excellent Masons , " and it is subsequently stated that the same brethren had taken the Royal Arch Degree . In 1807 , in fact , it is recorded that the " W . M ., S . W ., and J . D ., were on report for the Arch : " while , in 1812 , " Bro .

Patrick McGuire is to be here at eight of the clock , to get the Order of the Holy Royal Arch , on the 21 st day of August . " It also appears that Royal Arch certificates were frequently received from the Grand Lodge . The foregoing circumstances , which show that other than the Craft ( including the Arch ) Degrees were worked in the "Antient " lodge referred to , will be found in my little book on " Craft

Masonry in Cumberland and Westmorland , " published in 1879 When you receive this communication at the other end of the world—13 , 000 miles away from here—the facts may appear stale and somewhat out of date ; but as 1 have for many years taken a deep interest in Masonic

archaeology—I was a coadjutor of our late lamented Bro . Woodford in a small and humble way—I trust you will pardon the infliction and trespass on your otherwise valuable space . —Very fraternally yours , W . F . LAMONBY . Masonic Club , Melbourne , November 2 nd .

THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF NEW SOUTH WALKS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , But for a temporary indisposition , I had intended troubling you with these few lines a day or two earlier ; but 1 still trust to your fraternal kindness to a brother who ,

though he has returned to his native land , finds himself , Masonically speaking , quite a stranger in it , and to the space at your disposal to allow of this letter appearing in this week ' s journal . When 1 learned , through the Freemason of the ist inst ., that , at the Quarterly Communication , to be holden on the following Wednesday evening , the very important ( and to

me det-ply interesting ) recommendation from his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Most Worshipful Grand Master , in favour of the recognition of the newly-formed United Grand Lodge of New South Wales , was to be submitted to the Grand Lodge of England , 1 felt it incumbent upon me , as a New South Welsh Freemason , as a duty I owed in a special degree to my brethren and friends in

Masonry in that colony , and particularly as a Past Officer of the late District Grand Lodge under the English Constitution in lhat district , to be present in Grand Lodge , on the evening of the 5 th , to hear and see for myself the mode and manner in which the communication from its illustrious head would be received and dealt with by that august body .

For that purpose alone I travelled fo town an hour or two before the meeting took place , when , thanks to the courtesy I met with from Col . Shadwell Clerke , shortly alter my arrival in the old country , 1 found my name duly entered on the roll as P . M . of my old Lodge , the Empress of India , entitling me to a seat in the Grand Lodge . The manner in which the resolution was introduced by

the right hon . the mover , the Must Worshipful Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , and the felicitous terms in vvhich he spoke of the great and important colony of New South Wales and its popular Governor , Lord Carrington , the Grand Master of the infant Grand Lodge , wete most gratifying to me as a returned colonist , and the enthusiastic and unanimous way in which the proposed recognition

was greeted , was an additional proof , if any were needed , of the fraternal affection which binds Masonry in the same bonds all the world over , as well as of the great warmth of the attachment which both as men and Masons Englishmen , wherever they are met together , feel towards those "homes beyond the seas "—the English-speaking colonies grouped together on the great Continent of

Australia . Not less happy was the Grand Registrar , Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , in supporting the resolution . There were , however , two points that struck me in connection with the address of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master , fully reported in your issue of the Sth inst ., one of which was not brought to the front at all , and the other of them I desire , with very great respect , to " somewhat extenuate . "

1 he " dissensions and disunions " spoken of by the Earl of Carnarvon must be regarded , at least as to the former , in a qualified sense . That " disunion " has existed until the late " noteworthy event , " alluded to by the Most Worshipful the mover , blended together the disintegrated particles into what we must hope will prove to be for many successive generations

an harmonious whole goes without saying . Amidst all the years of disunion , however , I am thankful to say , and 1 speak with the authority of a Ma .-on of 15 years standing , and a District Grand Officer of several years also , the element of "dissension" taken in its generally accepted sense , has been through the good taste and tact of the leading Masons , both of those who remained firm

in their attachment to their respective Grand Lodges , and the ( for want of a better term , I will , in passing , call lhe ) schismatic body . All right minded Masons deplored , as they were bound to do , the gult of separateness that had thus come into being , yet the bond of brotherhood and fraternal feeling , in

except some rare and isolated instances was , through all the years of trial , respected , and remained unbroken , and I can . well imagine with what warmth of grasp brother greeted brother , when the barriers were thrown down , and the various divisions of the great camp of Masonry sat once more ( to use a figurative expression ) round the same bivouac fire .

The other point to which , in conclusion , I would briefly reier , as one which I very much regretted the noble brother did not allude to in speaking of the past , was the loyalty which so piominently distinguished throughout the whole counter movement , not alone the English District Grand

Original Correspondence.

Lodge , but the great body of Masons under the English Constitution through the Colony . While the so called " New South Wales Constitution ,: could count its initiates by hundreds , 1 think 1 am not wrong in saying it could not much more than count by tens those who had left the banner of the Grand Lodge of England for that of the " Southern Cross . "

To that fact , to that intense loyalty to all that is English , which in everything seems in so remarkable a degree to characterise the colonists of the vast dependencies of Australasia must be ascribed the happy result arrived at in Grand Lodge the other evening . The Grand Lodge in reviewing the position had not to regard the action of a band of recalcitrants , but a community of Masons who , as

the Earl of Carnarvon remarked while asking for the privilege of self government , would in the exercise of that franchise , only exhibit , if it were possible , a stronger attachment to the Grand Lodge , and prove , to use an old expression , "that parting is such sweet sorrow , " that even in their parting they would ( as they will ) be yet the more firmly united .

May I further trespass by adding that whatever value the Grand Lodge of England has in the past attached to the loyal adherence to it of the District Grand Lodge of New South Wales , this notice should not close without reminding that body that to Bro . John Williams , for so many years its worthy representative in New South Wales , and whose whole life has been spent in the cause of , and

for the progress and advancement of , Masonry in that distant province , and whose name is held in the highest respect and reverence by thousands of Masons , who , until lately observed his supreme authority , is due , and , to the firm and immoveable stand he took at the time of the rupture and has ever since maintained , until a suitable opportunity arose for him to place the sceptre in other

hands . In addition to the accounts I had previously received from time to time from my intimate friend and brother , the Grand Registrar , Bro . Remington , of all that had taken place up to the date of the installation of Lord Carrington , I have this morning to hand , an interesting documents , the " Report of the Executive Committee , " presented at a

" Special Communication of Grand Lodge on 22 nd October , 1 S 8 S , " which with other paiticulars have been kindly forwarded from the same brother , and I am pleased to notice how closely the daughter Grand Lodge is determined to work on the lines and in the spirit of its august parent , and prove itself a worthy offspring . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally and obliged ,

E . LYTTON HITCHINS , P . M . and Founder 1761 ( E . G . ) , P . D . S . G . D . District G . Lodge ( E . C . ) New South Wales Brackenhill , Woking , December nth .

Reviews

REVIEWS

TRANSACTIONS OF PROV . GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX , iS 3 S . Although no Calendars for some of the provinces are published , the loss has been , and is , partly compensated for by the issue of the excellent annual reports in octavo or folio sizes . In Sussex , however , both Calendar and reports are printed through the indefatigable Piov . G . Sec , Bro . V .

P . Freeman , P . G . D . A few other provinces publish similar accounts of their proceedings , and we venture the opinion that , if all did , more interest would be manifested in all that concerns the welfare of the constituent lodges . The Prov . G . M . is H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., & c , who is also Dist . G . M . of Bombay . Happily , H . R . H . has an excellent substitute to rely on in tne person of Brother

Gerard Ford , P . G . D ., Deputy Prov . G . M ., who presided at the annual assembly held on October 1 ith . The letter from Mrs . Scott , widow of the lamented Bro . J . H . Scott , P . G . D ., late Dep . Prov . G . M ., thanking the province " for the very handsome tablet the members of the several lodges have erected to the memory of her dear husband , " on behalf of herself and daughters , read at that meeting ,

is duly reproduced , and also other correspondence , most interesting to the brethren of the province . During the year nearly £ 800 have been contributed for our Charities , which speaks volumes for the Masonic zeal and generosity of the Sussex Craft . The original picture by Mr . Burt Sharp , representing the installation of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , was purchased , for the sum of £ 62 15 s ., by

the co-operation of 18 lodges and chapters , and , for the further sum of 10 guineas , subscribed for by the Masonic Rooms Committee , a copy of the picture taken by Bro Russell on the lawn of the Royal Pavilion , after the meeting , has also been secured . We quite think , with the Committee , that " it was very undesirable that the picture , containing more than 600 original photographs of brethren ,

should be taken out of the province ; and thus these two grand souvenirs become the property of the Prov . Grand Lodge . The statistical table is ably compiled , and enables brethren , at a glance , to note the position of the province for 1888 , compared with 1887 , and is a veritable multum in parvo . There are 27 lodges in the province , with 1179

The annual dinner of the Savage Club was held at the Prince ' s Gate Hotel , Knightsbndge , on Saturday evening last , under the presidency of Sir Albert Rollit , M . P ., Bros . Sir A . Borthwick , M . P ., Sir Morell Mackenzie , Alderman Sir Henry Isaacs , and Sir J . R . Somers Vine , who is W . M . of the Savage Club Lodge , being among the principal guests .

Bro . Sir Algernon Borthwick , M . P ., who was accompanied by Bro . Lawson , M . P ., introduced a deputation to the First Lord of the Treasury , on Saturday last , on the subject of the Libel Law Amendment Bill , and made sundry suggestions , which the right honourable gentleman promised should receive the careful attention of her Majesty ' s Government .

members , being an advance of 38 on previous return , the quarterage and fees running up to £ 136 13 s ., and £ 117 iSs . paid to the " Provincial Charities Committee . " The address of the Dep . Prov . G . M . is given in full , and a number of reports add much to the value of the very readable publication .

Masonic Notes And Queries:

Masonic Notes and Queries :

S 17 ] LODGE HISTORIES . It was suggested to me some time ago that I should compile a List of all the Lodge Histories , published as separate books or pamphlets , and that suggestion I am now carrying out . My own collection is all but complete as respects England and Scotland . For Ireland I only know of one , and that is the extinct "Minden" Lodge in

my Library . Can any brother procure for me any of the following "Histories of Lodges ? " Fair prices will be gladly paid , or extreme value given by exchanging for other works , my desire to have a complete set being my excuse for the request . Another reason may occur to many , in the fact that information so acquired will be gladly placed at the service of the Craft universal .

England . 1 . History ( with By-laws ) No . 4 S , Gateshead , 1 S 70 . 2 . Centenary St . John's Lodge , Stockport , 1 S 65 . 3 . List of Members Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 259 , I S 6 Q . ( I have the and edition , 1876 . ) 4 . History Eaton Lodge , No , 533 , Congleton , 1877 .

( With Illustrations—1 have ordinary issue . ) 5 . Freemasonry in Durham , 1836 . 6 . History ( with By laws ) Bedford Lodge , No . 157 . ( I have later edition in " Rosicrucian , " but no separate issue with By-Laws . ) 7 . Harmony Lodge , Richmond , No . 255 , 1 S 6 S . ( I have copy of 2 nd edition by Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp . )

Scotland . 8 . History Thornhill Lodge by Bro . D . Murray Lyon , G . Sec . There may be others , but I fancy the above and those in my possession will make a complete register . Gad to have any reports of those not considered likely to be known to or possessed by me . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft jSlasonrp *

UNITED SERVICE LODGE ( No . 1361 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge took place at the Cale Royal , Regent-street , on Thursday , the 6 th instant . The membersipresent included Bros . Albert J . Ellis , W . M . ; J . J . Wedgwood , M . D ., S . W . ; W . D . Harding , J . VV . ; E . D . Lister , P . M ., Treas . ; Major E . H . Finney , P . M ., Sec ; P . H . Smiles , S . D . ; J . bimpson , J . D . ; Chatham

lillis , I . G . ; Percy Langdale , P . M . ; E . M . Cockell , P . M . ; Frank G . Beresford , P . M . ; Raymond H . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C ; C . H . Wilkinson , R . B . Johnson , G . U . Jackson , R . Giant Watson , Geo . Bergel , and others . Visitors : Bros . E . H . Hamer , W . M . 16 35 ; W . H . E . Alexander , Mother Lodge of Kilwinning , Scotland ; Donald Baynes , Gooch Lodge ; Henry Avern , 1704 ; H .

Montgomerie Hamilton , I . G . 1610 ; F . W . Frigout , S . VV . 2141 ; E . L . Harding , 1524 ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C ; E . Anderson , 1102 ; Harold Smith , S . VV . 222 ; Chas . Motter , 34 ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 . Lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , after which Bro . George Bergel was raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . the

installation ceremony was next proceeded with , and Bro . J . J . Wedgwood , W . M . elect , having been presented , was duly installed into the chair by Bro . Ellis , the retiring W . M ., according to ancient custom , the newly-installed W . M . appointed his officers as follows : Bros . Wm . D . Harding , S . W . ; P . H . Smiles , J . W . ; E . D . Lister , Bro . J . J . Wedgwood , M . D ., W . M ., returned thanks for

the hearty proposition and reception of the toast . He felt proud of his position , for he had attained the highest summit in Masonry . He thanked the brethren tor electing him to the office , and should always consider it his duty to do what was right and exert his best interests for the lodge . P . M ., Treas . ; Major E . H . Finney , P . M ., Sec ; J . Simpson , S . D . ; Chatham Ellis , J . D . ; G . R . Jackson ,

LG . ; and Harrison , Tyler . The usual addresses were delivered by the Installing Master , Bro . A . J . Ellis , LP . M . Routine business having been tiansacted , " the lodge was formally closed . The brethren having partaken of an excellent banquet , The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and received in the customary hearty manner .

Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C , in responding for "The Grand Officers , " said the W . M . had told them in eloquent terms how much that lodge respected the Grand Lodge of England in the persons of the Grand Officers , and especially the Earl of Carnarvon , whom they saw presiding over Grand Lodge on the preceding evening . The speech made by the Pro Grand Master on that occasion

was one that would be read with the greatest delight by every member of the Craft , With respect to Lord Lathom , he was the most genial and most kindly brother possible . With regard to the Grand Officers , the members had such a" splendid specimen ever before them , that he would not dilate upon their excellences . He returned his sincere thanks , and felt honoured to be invited by the W . M . and

to dine with the United Service Lodge for the first time . Bro . Raymond Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C ., also replied . Bro . Albert J . Ellis , I . P . M ., said it gave him great pleasure to propose "The Health of the W . M . " Bro . J . JWedgwood , the newly-installed W . M ., came into the lodge as a joining member , and since his entry had been throug h every office . The brethien had seen the way in which he

had done his work , and had been impressed with the dignified manner in which he allowed himself to be installed into ihe chair . He was convinced , from the manner in whicli dro . Wedgwood grasped the situation , that he felt the importance of the duties connected with his office , and would preside over the lodge in a manner quite equal to his predecessors . He gave them with all enthusiasm "Thc Health of the W . M . "