Masonic Tidings.

Masonic Tidings .

" His Grace James , Duke of Abercorn , has been elected to and accepted the post of Senior Grand Warden , in Grand Lodge of Ireland , vice Lord Athlumney , deceased , the Grand Masters Lodge are making great prepartions for a banquet to entertain their noble brother who was so

popular as Viceroy under the last Government . The fifteen Sections will be worked in the Star Lodge of Instruction , No . 1275 , at the Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , on Saturday , the 24 th of January , by Bro . David Rose . Lodge opened at 6 . 30 precisely . The usually quiet town of Richmond was

en fete on Thursday , 8 th inst ., the ., occasion being a double marriage . The bridegrooms were David Davidson , Esq ., and Robert Alexander Houstoun , Esq . The brides being the daughters of Bro . Col . Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex . An account of the interesting proceedings will appear in our next .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

BRO : KINNERSLY ' HISTORY OF No . 84 . We were much interested in reading a capital sketch of Bro . Kinnersly ' s History of " Doyle ' s Lodge of Fellowship , Guernsey , which appeared

in The Freemason on Nov . 8 th . " We sent to a friend to procure us a copy but not having heard as yet , we shall assume the " Review" in question to be correct as to the following : —Warrant granted by the " Antients "

for a lodge at Guernsey , 24 th June , 1763 , No . 116 . We find this lodge was in existence at the " Union" of 1873 , and was then numbered 141 " Orange Lodge Jersey . " We are told that the same Grand Lodge

issued a warrant 9 th March , 1784 , No . 222 for the "Mariner ' s Lodge" which was " erected in the island , under the same name , though now bearing the number 168 ever since . Bro ; Kinnersley then informs us that the "Doyle ' s Lodge of Fellowship" was formed on

the 22 nd Sept . 1806 , also by the "Antient" as No . 536 . How the latter can be true we are at a loss to imagine , for on turning to the list of the " Antient" lodges we find No . 33 6 was held at the " Buckingham Arms , Stonehouse , Plymouth . "

There was also at that time in Guernsey , under the" Antients" ( A . D . 1813 ) , 334 , " Lodge of Harmony , " 337 : "Lodge of Unity , Bro . Gilliard ' s , " and 343 , "The Fourth Garrison Battalion , " all of which ceased to exist before

the alteration of the numbers in 1832 . We have examined into the apparent discrepancy , and offer the following explanation for the information of our good Bro . Kinnersley , and his zealous friends of the " mystic tie " at Guernsey .

* ' Doyle ' s Lodge of Friendship , " when under the " Ancients " was neither 334 , , 336 , . 337 , nor 343 , but actually "No . 98 , " and owing to its position of the roll , was more likely to have been warranted about 1760 than so late as 1 S 06 .

We append the various numbers of the "Doyle ' s Lodge of Friendship , " according to the various alterations , from its constitution to the present time : —

Under the " Anitents " up to 1813 . No . 98 . At the " Union" of 1813 . No . 123 . 1832 . No . 99 . 1863 . No . 84 .

It is a curious fact that the " Doyle ' s " Lodge of Fellowship accepted a warrant from the older Grand Lodge ( the "Moderns" ) in 1810 , as No . 615 . We do not know whether Bro . Kinnersley alludes to it or not . Such " double-dealing , "

however , was not unique in the experience of lodges , for the able historian of the " Royal Gloucester Lodge , " No . 130 , Southampton , ( W . Bro . J . Rankin Stebbing , P . G . D ., and D . Prov . G . M . ) , affords intelligence of a similar

act on the part of that distinguished lodge prior to the " Union , " and it is probable others did not object to do likewise . The reviewer in speaking of Sir John Doyle being initiated , passed , raised , and had the Past Master ' s degree .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

conferred upon him on one and the same night , remarks , " This was allowed under the old constitutions , and is even now done in America . " We should like to know where four degrees are given in one ni ght in America . It certainly

will be news to our brethren in the United States . It is probable only the P . M . ' s degree is referred to , and if so , excepting , we think in Pennsylvania , " passing the chair " is not worked in any Craft Lodge in America . W . J . HUGHAN .

ARK MARINERS DEGREE . In the " Statutes and regulations for the Government of Royal Ark Mariners " ( London , 1871 ) , we notice the following . " During some part of the ei ghteenth century Royal Ark Masonry was much in favour and

practised . It has been discovered that in the year 1772 , a Grand Lodge was re-constituted , and a warrant is in the possession of the Supreme Grand Commander of the Order , together with several documents relating to Ark Masonry and

the Excellent Master ' s degrees , which have always been allied with it . " , . . . " In London it has been worked from the year 1772 , and long previously to the present time . . . . this Grand Lodge has had a continous working long before aad since 1793 .

We have been examining into the antecedents of the degrees in any way connected with the Mark and Royal Arch Degrees , and desire to draw the attention of Masonic students to the above . We do not know who the writer is that compiled the introduction to the Statutes of Ark Mariners , and we therefore venture to ask for information through the columns of The

Freemason . 1 . We are not aware of any evidence to prope the existence of a Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners lief ore 117 a , or even so early as that period . 2 . No warrant that we have heard of as being

in the possession of the S . G , Commander dates prior to the last decade of tha eighteenth century . 3 . We have never been able to discover any particulars respecting the " re-constitution , " ( or even the Constitution ) of a Grand Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners in 1772 .

4 . We are not aware that the Excellent Masters' Degrees have always been allied with the Royal Ark Mariner , and having copies of minutes of the former dating before the latter can be traced , we think the statement made in the statutes must be an error . However , we suspend

our final judgment until an opportunity has been afforded for the production of evidence . 4 . What records are there of the Ark Mariner ' s Degree being worked in London in 1772 ? 5 . What records are there of the foregoing

degree being worked in London long before the year 1772 ? We shall be glad to have an answer to these queries , which are now written with the sole desire to receive " light , " and if the extraordinary assertions in the interesting little Book of Regulations can be substantiated , then

clearly the Royal Ark Mariner ' s degree has not yet been duly honoured . We believe our zealous and esteemed Brother Robert Wentworth Little is well informed respecting the Ark Mariner ' s Degree , and we solicit his reply , as also a similar favour from other competent public men . W . J . HUGIIAN .

The Great Fair at the Agricultural Hall is still visited by thousands of persons nightly , who seem to thoroughly enjoy the " Fun of the Fair . ' ' We advise all our readers who have not yet been to pay a vist at once . The splendid collection of

wild beasts , including the lion cubs born on Christmas day , are alone worth the admission money , to say nothing of the Richardson ' s Show , marrionettes , ghost shows , waxworks , merry-gorounds , talking fishes , and the hundreds of other amusements .

ANOTHER ROYAL COI ' RTSIIIP . —The London correspondent of tlie Irish Times says : — " The cousin of Prince Louis of Hesse , is , if report can be relied upon , an aspirant for the hand of Princess Beatrice , the youngest daughter of her Majesty , and , what is more , is likely to be successful . ' "

Bro. Abel Smith's Annual Treat At The Hertford Workhouse.

BRO . ABEL SMITH'S ANNUAL TREAT AT THE HERTFORD WORKHOUSE .

The somewhat monotonous existence of the inmates of the Hertford Union Workhouse was relieved on Tuesday , by two entertainments , which were given for their special recreation ; and if cheerful countenances and hearty applause are to be regarded as evidences of pleasurable

sensations , then there can be no doubt that both young and old thoroughly enjoyed themselves on Tuesday , and as thoroughly appreciated the efforts which were made for their amusement . At four o ' clock in the afternoon a gigantic Christmas tree , some ten feet in height was lighted in the

large dining hall , to the great deli ght ot the juveniles . The tree was most profusely decorated with useful and ornamental presents , and being capitally illuminated really presented an exceedingly pretty appearance . At the appointed time the tree was stripped of its fruit , which was

distributed amongst the younger inmates of the house , who were pleased enough at receiving the numerous toys . The hall was then cleared , and soon afterwards the inmates were seated at the tables enjoying a most liberal tea , which had been set

before them , and to which they did full justice , each person being supplied with as much tea , cake , and bread and butter as he or she considered necessary for their bodily sustenance . The old women each were presented with a warm shawl , and comforters and mittens were distributed

amongst the others inmates of the house . After tea the tables were cleared , and at seven o ' clock the inmates reassembled in the dining hall to listen to an amateur musical entertainment , which had been specially got up for their enjoyment . In addition to the inmates of the

house there was also a large company of visitors present . The programme was most ably and efficiently gone through j the applause was very hearty , and all appeared delighted with the successful nature of the entertainment . We may here

remark that the expense connected with the whole of the afternoon and evening proceedings was most kindly and liberally defrayed by Bro . Abel and Lad y Susan Smith . At the close of the concert hearty votes of thanks were passed to Bro . Abel and Lady Susan Smith for their

beneficence , to the performers for their services , and to the Master and Matron of the house for their efforts to promote the comfort of the inmates . We had almost forgotten to observe Mr . and Mrs . Stratford ( the master and

matron of the house ) were each presented with a very handsome book by Bro . Abel and Lady Susan Smith . The efficient services of some of the other officials also received appropriate acknowledgment .

THE ATTRACTIONS OF REGENT-STREET . — Among the brilliant displays which adorn Regentstreet , there are none which attract more attention than the establishment of Mr . Ahlborn , in the Quadrant . Mr . Ahlborn has added largely to his establishment by the purchase of the hotel

adjoining Quadrant House , at a cost of no less than £ 20 , 000 . These extensive premises will be the most complete in Regent-street , and will contain an assortment , the richest and most unique , of the latest novelties . Mr . Ahlborn

has expended an enormous outlay on a collection from the first houses in France of the richest silks and satins , which may fairly be said to be unsurpassed by any other throughout the world . — Morning Post .

HOU . OWAY ' PILLS AND OINTMENT . —DISEASES OF THE CHEST . —The daily increase of deaths from these causes is positively appalling . During tlie last few weeks , from the hot days and cold nights , many aged and delicate persons have died of bronchitis , inflammation of the lungs , and other chest complaints , peifcctly remediable at their outset . Let no one afflicted in the chest hesitate for a

moment to use Holloway ' s potent remedies . Pioperly used , they will mitigate each symptom , and avert those disastrous consequences grievously noted by the Registrar-General . Rub the ointment thoroughly over the chest at least three times a day , and take the pills exactly according to the printed instructions affixed to each box and pot . Immediate relief and permanent cure will result . — ADVT .