Masonic Notes.

When will these younger Masonic jurisdictions have ' the good sense to leave Freemasonry alone ? What has our grand old Society done that it should be continually tinkered by people who have little or no knowledge of its principles and still less of understanding

to appreciate them . Some of these unfortunate innovators declare that Freemasonry has a mission to fulfil . Others have the hardihood to affirm that if it is not a religion , it ought to be converted into one inslanlcr , while there are yet again others who present you with

a quite incomprehensible kind of a diagram , all lines and angles , squares and triangles , centres and circumferences , and so forth—a diagram which th ,: y call

Masonry , but which no one is able to explain , and when explained no one will be able to understand . What is wanted now to set these terrible faddists right is a second Dermott with an hour or two allowed him to

sing them back into their senses . * * # We have said there is a difficulty in finding landmarks and principles when you look for them in the rules and regulations of some jurisdictions . Here ,

for instance , is the Wisconsin idea of Relief , one of the three grand principles on which our Society is founded —that each jurisdiction " should take care of its own members when in distress , " and that it is the duty of all Grand Lodges " to see that all legitimate expenses

incurred in the relief or burial of a brother in foreign jurisdictions are paid either by the lodge of which he is a member or the Grand Lodge from which it holds its Charter . " Fancy giving an honest beggar a soupticket , some bread and cheese , or a shilling or two , and

accompanying the gift with the proviso that the value of the thing or the money must be reimbursed to the donor out of the beggar's next wages ! What a wretched burlesque of genuine Freemasonry must be that which the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin is palming off upon its members 1

A somewhat similar resolution was proposed by the same Grand Lodgeatthe Masonic Congress , which met at Chicago , in August 18 93 , but , thank heaven , the Congress would have none of it , and decreed instead

that worthy brethren were " entitled to relief from brethren and lodges wheresoever they may be found in need of relief , " and that the lodge which acted the part of the Good Samaritan was not entitled to demand reimbursement of its outlay—Imagine the Good

Samaritan of Scripture demanding to be reimbursed the cost of his Charity ! -- except in a case where a poor lodge relieved the member of a rich one , and then 'common courtesy and duty demind" that the latter should make good the cost . Even in this last provision

we seem to be approaching perilously near to offering insult to the poor but kindly-disposed lodge . For what is this reimbursement of relief but setting a money value upon an act of Charity ? Still the Congress , if it did nothing else , was right in rejecting the Wisconsin theory of Masonic Relief I

General J . C . Smith , the genial Past Grand Master of Illinois . U . S . A ., is always arranging some surprise for his trcops of friends . This time it is a handsome monograph on "The Illustrious Order of Hospitalers and Knights of St , John of Jerusalem , " from the press of Knight , Leonard , and Co ., of Chicago .

The sketch is well done , ' and though lengthy of necessity , there is not a tedious page , or one too many . The author is in full sympathy , as a military man , with their noble exploits , and recites numerous instances of their valour in warm appreciation and

delight . Doubtless he wielded his sword , in spirit , whilst writing the narrative , and will have had as much pleasure in thus doing the grand old kni ghts justice as his friends will experience in pcrusine- another

evidence of his literary activity . The illustrations , which are numerous and costly , add much to the value of the entertaining volume , and furnish another proof of the General ' s desire to give his friends of his best .

Bro . Speth , the indefatigable Secretary of the " Quatuor Coronati " Lodge is again to the fore with another volume of the very interesting and valuable Masonic Reproductions of this famous Masonic organisation . The one now being issued to the subscribers is

the fifth of the series , and as with the previous copies , is edited by the gifted Secretary , Half-a-guinea tvi / 1 secure one of these gems , for the time being , but doubtless it will scon be at a premium as several of the earlier publications . This part , or complete work really , includes a full facsimile of the " Scaiborough

Masonic Notes.

MS ., " and ' another of the celebrated " Phillipps MS ., No . 1 , " of which the Editor has a most extraordinary story to tell , proving the old adage that " truth is stranger than fiction . " Also portions in facsimile of the Phillipps MS ., No . 2 , and also of No . 3 , with complete reproductions of all the four , in ordinary typography and excellent introductions .

The value of the Phillipps Nos . 1 and 2 , has much increased , because it seems to be clearly established that they are copies of the missing " Masons' Company MS ., " and that of the noted "Scarborough" version ,

with its curious endorsement has never been published in facsimile before . No word from us is necessary to enforce the importance and worth of these " Reprints , " and personally we are now looking forward to the next .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1059 ] — TRANSACTIONS OF THE QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE . I notice an advertisement from my friend and Bro . J . T . Thorp , of Leicester , of a duplicate set of Transactions and Masonic Reprints o : my Lodge , No . 2076 ( The Quatuor Coranati ) . They are sold on behalf of

the funds of this excellent Masonic Library at Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , which , under Bro . Thorp ' s able management , has become of great value and importance . I hope the set will fall into the hands of some Masonic Library or other organisation , such as Grand Lodge or Provincial Grand Lodge , as it is the only one known for sale , and the early volumes are not

enly out of print , but at a very high premium . The sum of £ 13 simply represents the cost price , viz ., 11 volumes at half-a-guinea each , and binding 11 vols . 5 s . < 5 d . each , and the four Facsimile MSS . in cases at one gv . inea each . Three of the volumes cannot be had for half the sum asked for the lot . Of course , they may already be sold , which is very likely , but if not , I do hope someone will secure the set for a library . W . J . HUG HAN .

Bro. Col. George Lambert, F.R.A.

BRO . COL . GEORGE LAMBERT , F . R . A .

The meeting of the Percy Lodge , No . 198 , on Tuesday last , was one of special interest by reason of the attainment , on that day , of the Masonic Jubilee of one of its members , who e name has become a household word , not only in Masonry , but in many other Social , Benevolent and Philanthropic organisations . We refer

to Bro . Col . George Lambert , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., & c . At the age of 2 t years and one month he was initiated in the Percy Lodge , then No . 234 . He took office as I . G . in 1846 , and from that time till 1892 he filled the various offices of Secretary for 15 years , Treasurer for 13 years , D . C . for five years , J . W ., two years , S . W ., three years , and has been W . M . in the years 1849 , 1856 ,

1857 , 1885 , 1886 , and 1891 . With regard to his services to other lodges and chapters , his record is one it would be difficult to surpass . He was exalted in Royal Arch Masonry in 1847 in the Royal York Chapter ; served the office of M . E . Z . of Cyrus Chapter in 1862 , and of the Royal York Chapter in 1863 . He was W . M . of the Berkhampstead

Lodge , and was appointed P . J . G . W . for Herts in the same year . He was the founder and first Master of the Queen's Westminster Volunteer Lodge in 18 S 3 ; one of the founders of the Anglo-American Lodge in 1 S 86 , acting as I . P . M . ; also of the Huguenot ' s Lodge in the same year . The Columbian Lodge , founded in iSgi , also had his name on the petition as a founder .

In 1881 he received the appointment of Grand Sword Bearer , and in 1883 he became G . D . C . in the Royal Arch . His appointment as an officer of Supreme Council of the 33 was made in 18 S 7 . Besides thi ? , Bro . Lambert has been an energetic worker in Mark Masonry and other Orders and Degrees both in France and Scotland . In the cause of Charity

it would be superfluous to enumerate his services . Wherever his name is mentioned , the crowning honour of being spoken of as one of the most munificent contributors to our Masonic Charities is always accorded to him , and it may be said of him that the Masonic mo : to of Brotherly Love , Reliel , and Truth has been the guiding principle of his life .

Reb Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

Reb Cross of Rome and Constantine .

Premier Conclave . —A meeting of this old conclave was held at the Mark Masons' Hall , Great Q ieen-street , on the 5 th inst ., when there were present , among others , Sir Knights T . G . Robinson , M . P . S . ; J . J . 1 'akes , V . E . ; G . Graveley , S . G . ; John Mason , P . G . G ., P . M . P . S ., Recorder ; L . Steele ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . G . G . ; Dr . Mickley , P . G . U . j H . I . Lardner , 'P . G . C .:

Purrott , P . M . P . S . ; and others . 'Ihe minutes of the previous conclave were read and confirmed . Sir Knighis H . H . Shirley , P . M . P . S . ; C . Keyser , P . M . P . S . ; N . Prower , M . A ., P . M . P . S . ; and others , sent apologies for non-attendance . The conclave was then closed , and a banquet followed . The usual toasts were given and duly honoured .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

M ^^ S , ^^^^

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Faith Lodge ( No . 141 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 30 th ult ., when there were present Bros . J . Trott , W . M .-A . C . White , S . W ., W . M . elect ; R . T . Godfrey , J . W . ' W . J . Hakim , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec-A . G . Swan , S . D . ; J . Mn ; s , I . G . ; S . N . Isaacs , Steward ;

Charles Dairy , P . M . ; G . Rumball , P . M . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., G . Std . Br . ; R . Jordan , P . M . ; Fromholz , P . M . ; Hudson , P . M . ; Hudson , P . M . ; C . WeU . lar , P . M . ; and J . C . Taylor , l . P . M . Among the visitors were Bros . R . F . Goflin , P . M . 1577 , P . P . G . D . C ; R . Moody , W . M . 1420 ; S . Vownkouski , P . M . 534 ; I . Vownkouski , P . M . 534 ; C . H . Schmidt , P . M . 1227 ;

O . Polenz , Co ; S . Behr , 1152 ; T . Green , 115 S ; G . Fischer , 1227 ; E . Horner , 142 ( 1 ; T . R . Croft , 1550 ; C . Mallett , 1572 ; E . J . Packinton , 1793 ; C . J . Ward , 20 SG ; and H . Cole , 234 G . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of previous meeting been read and confirmed , Bro . J . C . Taylor , I . P . M ., impressively performed the ceremony of raising a

candidate . Bro . Hudson , P . M ., then assumed the chair and ably installed Bro . A . C . White as W . M .. assisted by Bros . Taylor , P . M ., asS . W . ; C . Wetzlar , P . M ., as J . W . ; and Capt . T . C . Wall ? , P . M ., as D . C . The following appointments and investitures were made : Bros . R . T . Godfrey , S . W . ; A . G . Swan , I . W . ; W . J . Hakim , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . Stu ; irt , P . M ., Sec ; I . Gluckstein , S . D

J . Moss , J . D . ; S . N . Isaacs , I . G . ; O . Sharpley and A . Salmon , Stewards ; E .-Chappell , D . C . ; A . W . Fawkts , A . D . C . ; and Longstaffe , Tyler . A Past Mister ' s j : wel was presented to the I . P . M ., and a hearty vote of thanks nassed to the Installing Officer . A resolution was pissed that in future five per cent , of the gross income of the lod ^ e be devoted , to the Benevolent Fund . The resignation of

Bro . Holland , one of the oldest members , was received with regret . The audit report having been received an I adopted , the lodge was closed . An excellent banquet followed . The W . M ., who presided , was assisted in the toast list by several of the Past Masters .

A most interesting programme of music , u ider the direction of Bro . Oswald Sharpley , was carried out , the artists being Mesdames P . Hope and T . Kellaway , and Bros . Dalgety Henderson , McCall Chambers , Dion Lane , and Willie Wright . The W . M ., Treasurer , and Secretary are to be congratulated upon the success that a tended the proceedings throughout .

Percy Lodge ( No . 198 ) . —At a regu ' ar meeting of this ancient lodge , held at the Ship and Turile , Leadenhall-street , on the 13 th inst ., the members Wire reinforced by a large number ot distinguished visitors for the purpose of congratulating Bro . Col . George LainVit , P . G . S . B ., on the attainment of his Masonic jubilee . Ihe interesting and unique occasion was fittingly marked by the

presentation of a handsomely illuminated address to Bro . Lambert , recording the fact that amongst the various offices lie had occupied the chair of the lodge for the space of six years . Bro . Lambert reciprocated the kindly feelings expressed by presenting the lodge with a silver loving cup , suitably inscribed with a record of the principal events in his Masonic career of the past half century .

Amongst the brethren present were Bros . P . Fletcher Holmden . W . M . ; F . Orchard , I . P . M . ; C . Hilliard , S . W . ; J . F . Laitwrieht . J . W . ; Geo . COM ell , P . M ., Treas . ; Chas . Lambert , P . M ., Sec ; A . J . Harman , S . D . ; F . W . Lee , D . C ; J . Read , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., Org ; R . W . Williams , P . M . ; J . J . Carey , P . M . : J . T . Rowe , P . M . ; Col . George Lambert , P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; and others .

Visitors : Bros . John Locke , D . 'p . Dist . G . M . Barbadoes ; E . Letchworth , G . Sic ; E . Stanton , A . G . D . C ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . D . ; R . St . A . Roumieu , G . Supt . of Wks . ; General J . C . Hay , P . G . D . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . S . R . ; W . M . By water . P . G . S . B . ; C II . Driver , P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; R . M . II . Griffith , 1677 ; H . Barnett , W . M . 1361 ; H . C . Heard , P . P . G . D . ; F . Stallard , P . M . 1613 ; E . A .

Ebblewhite , 34 ; | . G . Aluert , P . M . 227 ; W . Kirkness , P . M . 17 G ; G . Mickley , P . M . 63 ; J . Stephens , P . P . S . G . U . Bucks ; J . Welford , P . M . 733 ; H . Kemp , J . D . S 62 ; J . W . Perkins , D . C . 34 ; J . Pearson , nyfi ; C . Shopped , P . M . 3 S 2 ; J . F . Forbes , 7 S 0 ; F . W . Frigout , P . M . 1711 A . ( I . Browning , P . M . ; H . E . Lambert , P . M . 504 ; UNaylor , 73 ; W . W . Lee , W . M . 1 S 97 , P . M . 23 S 1 ; and

others . Lodge was opened , and the minutes confirmed , alter which rtro . Macgregcirwas raised to the Third Degree , ano Mr . Hinkson initiated into Freemasonry . The W . M . then biiefly alluded to the interesting event they were about to ctleb-ate , and called upon Bro . Dr . Cowjll , P . M ., to say a few words . Bro . Dr . Coivell reniarkrd that Bro . George

Lambert was a very large subject—he did not mean aldermanic in proportion—but of large ideas and lai (! e heart . They knew him outside Masonry as a man of letters , an antiquarian , and an arch . eologist . It would take too long to go through his many qualification 5 ) and he would therefore simply say they were proud of the ( act that Bro . Lambert was the father of their lorlgc ,

and was with them on the occasion of his jubilee . It was 50 years since he was initiated in the lodge , which was then a very small and humble lodge , and met under very different auspices . The way in which he had helped the looge forward had contributed to its present satisfactory position . Bro . Lambert had held office for 44 years in the lodge , including six years as W . M ., which was an event almost unknown . The document thev were about to present to

him expressed the feelings of every member on this very auspicious occasion , and they hoped he would be with them for many years to come . The W . M . then presented Bro . Colonel Lambert with the following address , beautifully illuminated on vellum and enclosed in a handsome g 1 frame : ' * We , the undersigned members of the Percy Lodge , No . HjH , desire to offer to W . Bro . Geo . Lambert , P . M ., P . G . S . b ., our hearty congratulations on his attain ing his Masonic jubilee , during which period it has p lea » e