Presentation To Bro. W. H. Cowper, G. Standard Bearer.

Bro . W . COWPER , who was received with loud cheers , said he hid been in a good many difficult positions in his life , and he had had many things to do , but he never had such a hard task to perform as he had that night in finding sufficient words to thank them for their kind wishes , for their good intentions , ant likewise for the handsome present ( hey had been kind enough to give him . He referred to the kind things said ol him by the Chairman , some of which might be exagg ( rated , but others were entirely true . In speaking of his progress in the Craft

and Masonry generally , he asked if it was at all surprising that he should go on from step to step , and strive to get ( he hoped not unworthily ) to the top of the ladder , when they considered the ceremonies of Misonry , and the beautiful teaching inculcated therein . He had never lost his feeling of veneration for their Order , and he trusted it would be sustained while he had life and teeling . He was proud of the office that bad been conferred upon him , it would spur him on , if need be , to further efforts in the future for the good of their cause . He

took it that the honour had been bestowed in recognition of his work in connection with the Charities . Bro . Cowper then sketched his work in connection with the Charity Association in the Province , pointing out the great work it had done since it had been established . It was in 18 S 9 , that he had been asked by the Prov . Grand Master to undertake the work of Charity representative , and he

had been re-appointed ever since . Bro . Cowper then gave the position the North and East Yorkshire P . G . Lodge occupied and the extent to which they benefited by the Charities . He gave figures showing the number of votes required for election , & c , and the number he had polled in various years . The brother then thanked them very sincerely for their gift , which he would always prize as testimony of the esteem in which be was held .

Bro . COWPER then proposed " The Health of the Chairman , " which was honoured most enthusiastically . All endorsed the words on the programme " In faith he is a worthy gentleman . " The CHAIRMAN responded in feeling terms . The other toasts " The Visitors , " which was responded to by Bros . Baker , P . M . Canterbury , Hodgson , P . M . Stockton , and Johnson , W . M . Stockton ; "The Middlesbrough Lodges , " and the Tyler ' s toast were also drunk .

Bro . J HOLLAND , P . M ., Prov . D . G . D . C ., who was the energetic secretary of the Presentation Committee , acted as toast master , and the musical selections were given during the evening by Bros . G . H . Anderson , F . Dunstan , T . Henderson , J . . Hill , and W . F . Smithers . Bro . J . F . Stewart , P . Prov . G . Org ., acted as an efficient accompanist .

Guy's Hospital Re-Endowment Fund.

GUY'S HOSPITAL RE-ENDOWMENT FUND .

The following subscriptions towards the endowment of the " Freemason ' s Bed " liave been received since the list published in the Freemason , of March 20 th ; as not nearly one half of the London lodges have at present responded to the appeal issued at the beginning of the year , it is hoped that the sum of about £ 50 , to complete the required amount of £ ioco may now very shortly ht obtained . In the event of any of the former appeals having gone astray , fresh copies can be had from

the Treasurers , by whom formal receipts are given for all donations : — The Kennington Lodge , No . 1381 ( in two donations ) ... ... £ 330 Tbe following lodges have contributed £ \ is . each : 3 10 13 21 65 141 144 16 9 171 1 S 5 212 235 511 706 720 742 S 22 834 861 97 s 1044 1158 1260 1298 1306 1329 1339 1426 148 9 1556 1624 1632 1642 1657 16 S 1 1706

1716 1719 1767 1805 1 S 91 1922 1996 2041 2045 2157 2191 2202 2265 2348 2399 2410 2454 2535 2580 2581 2599 2625 Lodges of Instruction , £ 1 is . each : 167 834 176 7 1791 The Addiscombe Chapter , No . 1556 ... ... ... . £ 1 1 c Bro , E . A . Bruce , Southern Star Lodge , No . 1158 ... ... 110 SIR J OSKIMI C . DIMSDALE } Joint CHARLES E . KEYSER . ) Treasurers .

*The Secret Societies Of All Ages And Countries.

* THE SECRET SOCIETIES OF ALL AGES AND COUNTRIES .

Mr . Htckcthorn , in his Preface , says , "This is not so much a second edition Of my book on Secret Societies , published in 1875 , as an almost entirely new Work . " This being the case , it can only be regretted that the author has not seen fit to revise that portion of his work which relates to Freemasonry ,

When he writes of the Ancient Mysteries , of Chivalry , of the Iiujitisition , or the various Political or Friendly Societies which are now so widely-diffused over the world , he can be read with respect as well as with interest , but the moment he comes to the subject of Freemasonry his personal bias is so obvious that his opinions have little value , whilst his " facts " are hopelessly wrong .

Why did not Mr . Heckethorn ascertain from some competent adviser the names of the Masonic writers whose works are recognised as authentic and accurate instead of relying on such a collection of " authorities" as those he enumerates on pp . xii .-xiii . vol . ii . ? Amongst these are Garble , Abbe Barruell ,

Clavel , Dermott , Findel , and Oliver , but where is Gould ' s great history V Where are the writings of Hughan , Murray Lyon , Speth , Rylands , and others who have so successfully laboured to place belore the Fraternity a record of tbe facts instead of the tissue of fables indulged in by the older writers , who freely supplied all gaps in existing records from their own imaginations ?

Had Mr . Heckethorn consulted these authorities he would have learnt that

the " Charter of Athelstan " is a myth and the " Cologne " MS . a forgery . Instead of this he calmly says , under the heading of Masonic Literature , " It is almost absurd to talk of Masonic literature ; it scarcely exists ( I ) . Except the works written by Oliver , Mackey , Findel , and Ragon , there is scarcely anything worth reading about Freemasonry of which a Freemason is the author . " After this , need we quote more ?

The statement that " Down to the present time the Grand Masters have been persons oi Royal blood , sometimes thc King himself , " is a considerable exaggeration of the real facts ; whilst Mr . Heckethorn ' s description of the interior of a " Modern Lodge " clearly proves that he has never been in one , unless it had been specially arranged and decorated for his personal bencfil ,

It is needless to follow Mr . Heckethorn further on the subject of rrccmasonry , and it is really lamentable that he has been so prejudiced and misled concerning it , when other portions of the volumes are so interesting ' and readable .

"George Redway , London , iSo ? .

A Well-Deserved Honour.

A WELL-DESERVED HONOUR .

The Right Hon . W . Lawies Jackson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , has appointed BRO . WILLIAM WATSON , P . M ., Leeds , P . Prov . S . of Wks . to the high rank of Past Senior Grand Warden ot the Province , in appreciation of his labours , for so many years , as the Honorary Librarian of the famous Masonic Library and Museum , over which he his so ably and fondly preaided ever since its origin , formed by the liberality of the lite R . W . Bro . Thomas

W . Tew , J . P ., and other distinguished donors . Bro . Watson has worked most incessantly on behalf of this extraordinary Collection ( which has been scarcely any cost to the Province , compared with its gr ^ at value and importance ) , and , therefore , such a well-deservei compliment will be much esteemed by his many friends , who know how extensive his services have been on behalf of West Yorkshire in particular and the Craft generally .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Unity , No . 71 . The installation of the ab-we lodge took place on the 7 th inst ., when Bro . H . Hunt , was installed VV . M . by Bro . R » v . C . J . Mirtvn , D . Prov . G . M . The newly-appointed W . M . invested his officers as follows : B 03 . H Booty , I . P . M . ; T . Horne , S . W . ; S . Studd , J . W . ; W . J . Wilson , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Sec ; W . B . Cooper , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Treas . ; F . Padgett . P . M ., D . C . ; G : orge Versey , S . D . ; T . W . Warner , Org .: E . C . Shipp , I . G . ; F . Bray , Stwd . ; and J . Symes , Tyler .

At the banquet which was subsequently held , the following toasts were proposed : "The Oueen and Craft ; " "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . ; " "The M . W . ProG . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; the R . W . Deputy G . M ., the Earl Amherst ; and the rest of the G ^ and Oliicers , Present and Past ; " "The R . W . Prov . G . M ., Lord Henniker ; " "The V . W . Deputy Prov . G . M ., the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C . ;" " The W . M . ; " " The Installing Master , the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C , D . P . G . M . ; " " The Visitors ; " "The W . M ., the P . Ms ., and the Brethren of Lodge St . Margaret ; " "The Masonic Charities ; " "The I . P . M ., Bro . H . Bootys" " The P . Ms , of Lodge Unity ; " "The Officers of Lodge Unity ; " and the Tyler's toast .

Great City Lodge , No . 1426 . The installation meeting of this successful and flourishing lodge mirks an epoch in its history inasmuch as it has inaugurated the 25 th year of its existence , being founded in 1 S 73 , and having for its first W . M . the late Bro . Jas . Stevens . During the past year the lodge has undergone a change , and the I . P . M ., Bro . Frank Bailey . js to be congratulated with the kind assistance of his officers in bringing about such , and leaving the lodge in so healthy a condition . There were present Bros . F . E . Bailey , W . M . ; G .

M . Fraser , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; R . Fendick , P . M .. Treas . ; J . H . Gwyn , P . M ., Sec ; Jos . H . Guyton , S . D . ; Rhys Thomas , J . D . ; F . G . Joy , D . C . ; Jas . Boyton , I . G . ; W . M . Parton and Alf . F . Randall , Stwds ; S . VV . Newcomb , Org . ; R . F . Potter , P . M ., Tyler ; Robt . Brookman , I . P . M . ; J . W . Blackie , P . M . ; John Seex , P . M . ; D . T . Keene , P . M . ; W . F . Kibble , P . M . ; VV . F . Featherstone , R . Simpson , C . E . Greenwood , F . W . Gale , J . Hill Hartland , F . Parker , H . Dottridge , H . S . Naser , W . Edwards , J . Thompson , and Thos . Halliwell . The visitors were Bros . W . M . Bywater , in , P . G . S . B . ; Jas . Ball , 505 ( Tongariro , New Zealand , E . G . ); Thos . Dane , P . M .

77 , P . Prov . G . Std . Br . Kent ; ) as . Stevens , J . D . 205 , P . Prov . G . O . Cheshire ; VV . H . Gardiner , 771 , P . Prov . J . G . W . Berks . ; j . H . Savage , 253 G ; Alf . Scott , 55 ; D . T . Gillespie , Stwd ., S 69 ; J . H . Witheridge , 2549 ; E . A . Mueller , P . M . 167 ; W . A . Smith , 22 S ; Chas . Garton , W . M . 192 ; A . R . Hipwell , 192 ; Mount Brown , P . M . 1 997 ; E . E . Jenkins . 1416 ; A . William-,, P . M . S 34 ; A . W . Lane , P . M . 167 ; E . Storr , P . M . 167 ; C . H . J . Viola , 1910 ; F . H . Beach , 1563 ; T . A . Beach , 1563 ; J . Chubb , 170 G ; John Ortner , 1767 ; A . Wilson , 145 ; and C . H . Stone , P . M . 507 , S . D . 1641 .

The minutes of the last regular meeting and the emergency meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . J . H . Gwyn ( by the desire of the W . M . ) raised Bro . H . S . Naser in a very impressive and perfect manner . The W . M . resumed the chair , and a ballot being taken for Mr . Wm . Edwards , and proving unanimous , he was initiated by Bro . F . E . Bailey very commendably . Bro . Robt . Brookman , I . P . M ., presented Bro . G . M . Fraser , S . W ., to receive at the hands of the VV . M . the benefit of installation , which was performed in a Board of Installed Masters , numbering 20 , in a complimentary manner , Bro . J . VV . Blackie , P . M ., acted as the able DC . The W . M ., Bro . G . Mackenzie

Fraser , invested his officers as follows : Bros . F . E . Bailey , I . P . M . ; J . H . Guyton , P . M ., S . VV . ; Rhys Thomas , J . W . ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , Chap . ; R . Fendick , P . M ., Treas . ; J . K . Gwyn , P . M ., Sec ; Jas . Boyton , S . D . ; F . G . Joy , J . D . ; W . Parton , I . G . j Alf . F . Randall , D . C . ; S . W . Newcomb , Org . ; T . Halliwell and F . VV . A . Parker , Stwds . ; and R . Potter , P . M . Tyler . The three addresses were ably rehearsed by Bro . F . E . Bailey , I . P . M . The report of the Audit Committee was deferred to the next regular meeting . The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to banquet .

The cloth removed , the W . M . gave the toasts of " The Queen and the Craft , " and "H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., " which were received . with acclamition . The next toast was that of " The Pro G . M ., the Eu ! of Lathom ; the Dip . G . M . the Earl Amherst ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " to which Bro . Bywater responded . The I . P . M . proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " which gave him immense pleasure . He remarked that it was almost impossible to find one better . He had watshed his steady progress and had sa : c < elei him through all the various offices in the lodge which he had filled to the entire satisfaction of the various W . Masters and the brethren .

The VV . M ., in reply , heartily thanked the I . P . M . for his flattering remarks and the cordial reception of the brethren . When he was initiated it sec-ned beyond his aspirations to reach the proud position of W . M ., but in creeping up the ladder he had never sought ofiice from the various VV . Mi ., nor asked anyone in the lodge , but through the kindness of the brethren he had been exalted to the honourable position of being W . M . of his mother lodge , and he asked the kind and hearty co operation of all to make the year most successful .

Bro . G . M . l'raser , W . M , in proposing the toast ot "The Installing Master , " said there was no more pleasing duty devolving upon him . There was yet another honour afforded him , which was the presenting and pinning on his breast of the handsome jewel unanimously awarded him by the brethren , and which he so well deserved , the jewel of which every brother who had received a similar on ; in the Great City Lodge was justly proud .

Bro . Bailey , I . P . M ., thanked the brethren most sincerely for the reception of thc toast . His year of office had been successful and happy and almost unique , not only in the influx of members , but also to the very eventfuldiy which all enjoyed so much , viz ., the summer outing . It was certainly the desire of the lodge that it would be repeated this year , and , if possible , with greater success . T lie W . M . proposed tbe toast of "The Initiat :, " which , he slid , was very important , llro . Edwards was not only a true man , but would prove an ornament worthy of thc Great City Lodge .

In reply , Bro . Edwards thanked the brethren from the bottom of his heart . He hoped and trusted that , as he had entered upon the path that evening , so he might continue and become a respected injmoer of tlii loJjfe . Thc toast of " The Visitors " was next given by the W . M . The toast was most cordially and ably responded to by Bros . Bull , Gardiner , Scott , Williams , and J . Stephens .

Thetoastof "The Past Masters , " "The Treasurer and Secret try , " and " The Officers of the Lodge" followed , after which the Tyler's toast closed an eventful evening .