Correspondence.

Bro . G . Thompson , I . P . M ., also responded . He stated that he thought all the members had respect for him ; he had worked hard as a member and Master , and he felt that his services were appreciated , or he would not have had the handsome Past Master ' s jewel , which he should ever honour . He took that opportunity of thanking his officers for the great assistance he had received at their hands , especially the Secretary , Major Knightley , P . M ., who had worked hard and saved him ( bro . Thompson ) a lot of time , and he could r . ot thank him too much for his great services , which he should never forget .

There was a draw for three Life Subsciiberships to the Old People ' s Institution , which fell to the lot of Bros . J . Pratt , P . M ., H . Ward , and G . Rice , who promised the amount ( is guineas ) to Bio . A . H . Cole , P . M ., who was going up as Steward at the forthcoming Festival of that Institution . Bro . A . H . Cole , P . M ., acknowledged the amount , and in very earnest terms advocated the cause of the Old People , and he urged the members to give liberally to his list . It is pleasing to record tha * -, in response to this appeal , Bro . J . Bishop stated that he would give five guineps in addition to one guinea he had already subscribed .

Bro . W . M . Stiles , P . G . T ., intimated that he would subscribe five guineas , as also did Bros . Major Knightley , P . M ., and A . George . It was subsequently stated that Bro . Cole ' s list amounted to Go guineas . Bro . A . George mentioned the case of Bro . J . W . Smith—an old P . M . of the lodge —a candidate at the next election of the Old People and he urged the brethren to give it every support . Bro . Sliles , P . G . T ., endorsed everything that Bro . George had stated , and said that he would give all his votes to Bro . J . W . Smith . Bro . Major Knightley ja : d that he would help the case with 100 votes , and

Bro . Thompson , I . P . M ., promised his votes and do everything he could to support such a deserving case . The toast of " The Visitors " met with a warm reception , the W . M . extendin g to the guests a hearty welcome , and he associated with the toast the names of Bros . W . G . Adcock , W . M . 2202 ; W . J . Clark , 1 S 31 ; Thos . Hobley , W . M . 1320 ; J . Hemming , P . M . 239 S ; James Irvine , P . M . £ 62 ; and C . Baur , 2021 ; andseve * al excellent speeches were made in response . The toasts ol " Ihe Treasurer and Secretary " and "The Officers of the Lodge , " having been duly honoured , the Tyler's toast closed the very successful proceeding ? .

A splendid programme of music was arranged under the able direction of Bro Wilfrid Davies , most efficiently assisted by Bros . W . Kirby Humphreys , Frank Swin ford , Lawler , and Fred S ephens , who gave with very marked effect " A Fallen Star . "

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Moira Chapter , No . 92 . The regular convocation of this chapter was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgatestreet , E . C , on Tuesday , the 7 th inst . Present : Comps . E . D . Oppert , M . E . Z . ; J . M . Mitchell , II . ; Rev . R . I . Woodhouse , J . ; R . F . Gould , P . Z ., Scribe E . ; G . Greiner , I . P . Z ., Scribe N . ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . Z , Treas . ; W . F . Noakes P . S . ; W . H . Hooker , P . Z ., A . S . ; Wickham Noakes , P . Z ., Stwd . ; W . Bohm , P . Z . ; J . N . Noakes , and S . B . Noakes . Visitors : Comps . J . C . Partridge , 29 : Edward Macbean , J . 2029 , P . G . Chancellor Scotland ; R . Fox , 175 ; E . R . Ratcliffs , J . 175 ; W . G . Poole , P . Z . SGo ; and C . G . Poole , 1347 .

The minutes of the last convocation having been confirmed , a I ) illit « ist iken for Bro . F . A . Donnison , I . G . 92 , which proving favourable , and the candiJate being in attendance , he was exalted into the mysteries and privileges of Royal Arci Mis . o . iry . There being no further business , the chapter was then closed , and th .- CJ npiii jni lm : j together .

Bisley Chapter , No . 2317 . The anniversary meeting of this chapter was held at the Ma-soiic II ill , Woking , 01 Thursday , the 7 th inst ., when there were present Comps . J . W . H . Littl boy , M . E ' / .. ; J . H . Askham , H ., and M . E . Z . elect ; C Pulman . P . Z ., J ., and H . elect ; W . J , Jackson , J . elect ; J . B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., Scribe E . ; A . H . Gile . Sc-iis N . ; J . Webb , P . Z ., Treas . ; and I . B . Woods , A . S . Also , Comps . R . F . Gould , P . A . G . S . and C . T . Tyler , Prov . G . Scribe E . ( honorary members ); and G . J . Ma-on , Janitor Comps . H . J . Bidwell , M . E . Z ., and A . Retd , A . S . 2120 , were visitors .

The following are the officers for the year : Comps . J . II . Askham , M . E . Z . ; C Pulman , H . ; W . S . Jackson , J . ; J . B . S . Lancaster , S . E . ; A . H . Gale , S . N . ; J . Webb , P . Z ., Treas . ; A . G . Clinton , P . S . ; A . M . Kennet , 1 st A . S . ; J . B . Wood , 2 nd A . S . ; H . B . Osburn , D . C . ; and VV . A . Shaw , Stwd . Comps . Askham and Pulman having previously served in iheir respective offices , the full ceremony of

installation was only requisite in the case of Comp . Jackson , who was inducted into the 'third chair by Comp . C . 1 * . Tyler , in the happy and impressive manner for which the Prov . G . Scribe E . is so renowned , when performing any of the beautiful ceremonies ot the Craft or Royal Arch Degrees . The jewel of a Past First Principal was presented to Comp . J . W . H . Littleboy , I . P . Z ., for his able conduct in the chair , 1 S 9 S . 99 , after which , there being no further business , the chapter was closed .

At the subsequent banquet , the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Comps . R . F . Gould and C . Pulman returned thanks for " The Grand , " and Comp . C T . Tyler for " The Provincial Grand Officers . " The toast of the evening , "Ihe Health of the M . E . Z . " was very enthusiastically received , and acknowledged in most feeling terms by Comp . Askham . Other tosses followed , and finally the Janitor ' s toast brought a most agreeable evening to a close .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Faithfull Lodge , No . 229 . A meeting of this lodge was held at the Misonic Rooms , Globe Hotel , Main « -street , Ccckeimouth , on Wednesday , the 8 th instant . Among those present were Bros . W . W . R . Stwell , W . M ., P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Peacock , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . S , Eng . ; T . Mason , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Hewson , P . M .. P . P . S . G . O . ; T . Atkinson , P . M ., P . J G . W . ; G . L . Skerry , P . M . 2 S 2 , P . P . G . R . of M . ; J . J . Little , P . M . 2 S 2

, P . P . S . G . O . ; J . Gardiner , P . M . 151 , P . G . Sec . ; D . G . Douglas , 452 ; and others . The opening ot the lodge was tallowed by the confirmation of the minutes . Bro . Walker being in attendance was advanced to the honourable Degree of a Mark Master Mason in good style by Bro . VV . VV . R . Seweli , W . M ., who was ably supported by the whole of the officers present ; in fact , the work was done in a manner that entirely met with the approval of the most critical . All the business being ended , the brethren adjourned for refreshment undir the presidency of the W . M ., and afterwards a very happy time was spent .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . LIEUT .-COL . A . BOTT COOK , J . P ., P . G . D . It is with extreme regret that we announce the death of Bro . Lieut .-Col , Arthur Cook , J . P . for London and Middlesex , who expired somewhat unexpectedly at his nsidence in Great Cumberland-place , on Sunday , the 12 th instant . Our late brother , who was in the 54 th year of his age , and leaves a widow and

a son to mourn his loss , had taken a very distinguished part in Masonry for about 35 years , and had won high distinction in the different branches with which he was connected . He was initiated while in statupttpillari at Trinity College , Cambridge , in the Isaac Newton University Lodge , No . 859 , on the 27 th February , 1 S 65 . On the 22 nd January , 186 7 , he was elected joining member of the Prince of Wales Lodge . No , 259 , and having represented it on the Board of Gran d

Obituary.

Stewards in 18 70 , was elected and installed into the chair as Dep . Master , his period of service in that capacity extending over two years—1877 and 1878 . He was also a member of the Oxford and Cambridge University Lodge , No . 1118 ; and in 1 S 76 became the principal founder and was installed the first W . Master of the Studholme Lodge , No . 1591 . On vacating the chair he was appointed Secretary , and it is mainly owing to his exertions that this lodge has attained to a position of such eminence in the Metropolitan district . This fact was stated

in open lodge at the meeting held by special dispensation in the Whitehall Rooms of the Hotel Metropole on the 20 th January , 1897 , when the lodge celebrated the 21 st anniversary of its consecration , and when , after Bro . the Right Hon . W . Hume Long , M . P ., President of the Board of Agriculture , had been installed W . M . in the presence of a brilliant gathering of members and visitors—of whom several were colleagues of Bro . Long in Lord Salisbury ' s Cabinet—Bro . Alfred Cooper ,

P . G . D ., Treasurer , rose , and in the name and on behalf of the Studholme Lodge , presented our late brother with a service of plate " as a slight recognition " of what he had done for the lodge . In the course of his remarks in making the presentation BTO . Cooper is reported to have said , " This lodge was started 21 years ago at Surbiton " —where it was consecrated by the late Bro . Gen . J . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B ., then Prov . G . Master of Surrey— "and its principal founder and first Master was our Bro . A . B . Cook . In consequence of its great

increase in members and prosperity , the lodge was transferred to London , and I think I may say without fear of contradiction , that no lodge of this age has ever held a more prominent position in the Craft . This , I may say , is chiefly due to the energy , tact , zeal , and ability of our Secretary , Bro . Cook . " With such a record of services as the above it is not surprising that the late Bro . Cook should have been appointed to office in Grand Lodge ; indeed , he was twice so appointed , firstly to the substantive rank of Asst . Grand Director of Ceremonies

in 1 S 81 , and the second time to the brevet rank of Past Grand Deacon at the commemoration of the Queen ' s Diamond Jubilee in 1807 . He was exalted as a Royal Arch Mason in the Euclid Chapter , No . 859 , Cambridge , on the 27 th November , 1866 , and has served the office of First Principal Z . both in the Prince of Wales' Chapter , No . 259 , and the Studholme Chapter , while in Supreme G . Chapter he was appointed , in 1 S 81 , G . Std . Bearer ,, and in 1897 Past Asst . G . Sojourner . In the Mark Degree he has taken a still more

prominent part . He was appointed G . M . O . in 1877 , and having held the important post of President of the General Board from 1890 to 1892 , was in the latter year , on the death of Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Prov . G . Mark Master of Middlesex and Surrey , and the division of that province into the separate Provinces of Middlesex and Surrey , appointed and installed Prov . G . Mark Master of Middlesex . In that capacity he presided in 1897 at the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival , when the " record " total ot . £ 3100 of donations and subscriptions was announced

as the result of his advocacy , the contribution of his Province towards this total being £ 1251 , including Bro . Cook ' s own list as Chairman , which was in round figures , £ 800 . In the Order of the Temple , ot which he was a Knight Grand Cross and Past First Grand Constable , he was at the time of his death a member and Past E . P . of the Oxford and Cambridge University Preceptory , No . 128 , and had been such since 1873 , there being only one member senior to him in the Preceptory , namely , Sir Knt . the Right Hon . A . Akers-Douglas , M . P .

In addition , he was Past G . Treasurer of the Imperial Council of the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine , Past Dep . G . Master of the G . Council R . and S . M ., and representative of the G . C . of South Can lina ; Past Dep . G . M . of the G . Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees ; Past G . Warden in the Royal Order of Scotland ( Prov . G . Lodge London and Met . Counties ) ; Past M . W . S . of the Oxford and Cambridge University Chapter of Rose Croix , iS " , No . 45 , and G . Marshal of the Supreme Council , 33 ° of the

Ancient and Accepted Rite . As regards our Institutions , l > . sides making Mrs . Cook a Vice-Patron of the Girls' and Benevolent Institutions and his son a Vice-Patron of the three , he had himself qualified as Vice-Patron of the Girls' School , Vice-President of the Benevolent Institution , and Life Governor of the Boys ' School . In respect of the Stewardships he had served—four for the Girls ' , three for the Boys ' , and three for the Old People—it is worthy of remark that our late distinguished brother acted as the representative of the Studholme Lodge , No .

1591 , at all the three special Festivals of the last 10 yeirs , his list at the Girls ' Centenary , 1888 , realising . £ 420 ; at the Benevolent Jubilee , in 1892 , £ 441 ; and at the Boys' Centenary , in June of last year , ; £ i 2 ( 5 . He was also a Vice-President of the Mark Benevolent Fund , in behalf of which he had served some seven or eight Stewardships , his most valuable services having been rendered to the Fund—as already described—in 1 S 97 , when he took I he chair , and at the same

time rendered most valuable aid as Steward . It need only be said that the death of one who has accomplished so much , and who , being still in the prime of life , might have been looked to to continue his work for many years to come , is a serious loss , more especially to the lodges , chapters , and other bodies with which he was connected as member , and to these , as well as to his widow and only son , we tender our sincerest sympathy .

BRO . CHARLES WM . HUDSON , W . M . 2665 , P . PROV . G . W . SUSSEX . Bro . Charles Wm . Hudson , whose death we regret to say occurred at his residence , in Brighton , on Monday , the 13 th instant , at the early age of 51 , was initiated into Freemasonry in 1 S 68 ( over 30 yeari ago ) in the Royal York Lodge , No . 315 , at Brighton , by his father , who was then W . M . He became W . M . in 1879 , and in 18 S 5 , was elected Treasurer , which office he had held up to

the present time . In 1882 he was appointed Provincial GrandiDirector of Ceremonies for Sussex . This office he held for three years , until he was appointed to the chair of Provincial Junior Grand Warden . Bro . Hudson was a founder and P . M . of the Chaucer Lodge , No . 1540 , and a founder and P . M . of the Earl of Sussex Lodge , No- 2201 . In 1 S 97 , he became principal founder , and on the 4 th October in that year , after the ceremony of consecration had been performed , was installed first W . M . of the Past and Present Lodge , No . 266 s , and had the

satisfaction of knowing that under his auspices the lodge passed successfully through the first and therefore , the most critical year of its existence . He was exalted into Royal Arch Masonry in 18 74 , in the Royal Pavilion Chapter , No . 315 , of which he was P . Z . and Treasurer . He was a founder of the Chaucer Chapter , No . 1540 , and of the Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1507 , in both of which he served as M . E . Z , In Mark Masonry , Bro . Hudson was a Past Grand Steward , Past Provinciil Grand M . O . of Sussex , and had twice served the office of W . M . in the Southdown

Lodge , No . 164 . He was from the time of his initiation an ardent worker for the Charities , was a London representative on the Board of Management of the Boys' School , of which Institution he was a Vice-President . He was also a Vice-President of the Benevolent Institution and Lile Governor of the Girls' School , having served in all 16 Stewardships . It will be recollected that Bro . Hudson unsuccesstully contested the election of Grand Treasurer in 1894 and again in 1895 , and doubtless had he remained in his usual health , he would have again offered himself as a candidate for that high and honourable ollbe .

BRO . WILLIAM WORRELL . THE HEATH occurred on Tuesday of Bro . Williim Worrell , of Brincon and Streatham Hill . Deceased was a liveryman of the Fanmikers' Company and an assistant of the Yang Tse Insurance Association . He had survived his wife , the late Madim : Worrell , who was so well-known in musical cirles , for just four years .