Celebration Of The Centenary Of The Freemasons' Hall Fund.

CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENARY OF THE FREEMASONS' HALL FUND .

( From a Special Correspondent . ) The ancient lodge of Love and Honour , No . 75 , Falmouth , on Monday eve last , the 13 th inst ., assembled in full force to celebrate the centenary of the " Freemasons ' Hall Liquidation Fund , " which was formed on June 2 ist ,

1779 , and to which the lodge contributed very handsomely . There was a very large attendance , and throughout the interest vvas well sustained , and was enthusiastic to the last . The W . M ., Bro . Wilson Lloyd Fox , took the chair at 7 . 30 , and was supported by the Dep . Prov . G . M . of Cornwall , Bro . Col . J . W . Peard ( in the unavoidable absence oi

the Prov . G . M . ); R . W . Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . S G . D . of England ; and W . Bra . W . Copeland Borlase , F . S . A ., P . Prov . S . G . W . of Cornwall . The R . W . Bro . J . H . Neilson , Representative of the Grand Lodge of Egypt , vvas also expected , but was unable to be present , to the regret of his many friends in Falmouth . After the usual business was finished , and the election

of Bro . O . H . Marson du Gillon ( late S . W . 1511 ) as a joining member , the real duties commenced by the W . M . aptly introducing the matter by sayimg that the fact of the lodge having the privilege to wear the Freemasons' Hall medal , in the person of its W . M ., hacl been quite lost sight of for many years , and the jewel itself had been lost , but the publication of their distinguished Bro . Hughan ' s "

Masonic Register of Lodges" had directed attention to the subject , and through the interest exhibited in the medal , in consequence of the beautiful lithographic plate of it in thc work , he and others had endeavoured to procure one of the original medals which had once belonged to an old but defunct lodge , but without any success . He then communicated with Bro . George Kenning , of London , who had a

duplicate struck , and he felt very proud indeed to know that the lodge was again to exercise its privilege . The W . Bro . W . F . Newman , P . M . and Treas . ( P . Prov . G . D . ) , then rose , and expressed his great pleasure on being permitted to invest the W . M . with the medal , on behalf of the Past Masters and members , and he desired to draw attention to the character of the ornament thus attached

11 the Master s jewel . An unfinished building was depicted on thc ol-vcrse , thus suggestive of the incompleted character , Masonically and morally speaking , of our lives , and until all discordant elements had been subdued the medal would not be wanting in symbolism to remind us of tbe cementing character of our ancient and honourable society . The W . M . was then duly invested wilh the

collar , jewel , and medal , amid the plaudits of the brethren . Bro . Hughan vvas then asked to address the lodge , and , in response , furnished a complete historical account of thc beginning , continuance , and ending of the " Freemasons' Hall Fund . " Certain lodges had subscribed thc sum of £ 25 , without interest , while others had given that suen to the Grand Lodge to 'liquidate the eiebt on the Hall ,

which was inaugurated in 1776 , and so the Grand Lodge on 2 ist June , 1779 , had passed a resolution that those members and lodges who had thus aided in the erection of their hall should be presented with a silver medal , to wear " as an honourable testimony to their services , " & c . Eighty-two brethren hacl subscribed , including thc Prov . G . M . of Cornwall , Sir John St . Aubyn , whose privileges

had died with them , but whilst they lasted the twenty six lodges were to retain their rights through their W . M . ' s for thc time being . Of these nine have died out , and outside the London district there are only four left in England which have the right to use thc medal , one being No . 75 , Falmouth , the nearest else being No . 41 , Bath , and the other two are No . 1 e . 4 , Wakefield , and No . 237 , Swansea .

It was , therefore , a great honour to be thus distinguished , and he felt proud to be an honorary member of one of these lodges , especially No . 75 , warranted so early as 175 1 , and noted from its constitution for its liberality and heartiness . It was also the premier lodge in the county , and the founder of thc Prov . G , Lodge of Cornwall . Bro . Hughan ' s address was listened to most earnestly

by the brethren , and frcque-ntly was much applauded . Thc W . Bro . II . Tilly , P . M ., Prov . G . Reg ., then moved that a recorel be maele in the minutes of the celebration that evening of the institution of the Freemasons' Hall under such distinguished auspices , and , in a few wellchosen words , expressed his heart , appreciation o ! all that had been done to make the meeting such a complete

success , and to bring the exertions of the W . M . and Bro . Hughan to such a successful issue . 'Ihe W . Bro . Michael Little , P . M . 73 , seconded thc proposition , arid gracefully alluded to the distinguished character of the guests that had honoured them that evening by being present , his reference to Col . Peard , as " Garibaldi's Englishman , " and one so honoured ancl respected ,

provoking a hearty outburst of applause , as also his remarks respecting the W . Bro . W , C . B jrlasc , a lineal descendant of tic great Cornish historian , thc Rev . Dr . Borlase , who ( it transpired that evening ) was . initiated in 1731 in their 1 > dgc , No . 73 . Bro . Borlase , responding , observed that it was due to the antiquity of the lodge that they assembled that evei . ing ,

and drew some very beautiful thoughts from the object contempl ited by the mt cling . He was not aware that his illustrious ancestor had been a Mason , and was highly gratified that Bro . Hughan had made so important a discovery in examining the evld records of the lodge . The W . Bro . Col . Peard ( who had been duly saluted

early in the evening ) , on lising , vvas most warmly grceed , and his genial , happy s ,: eech was as gratefully and fraternally received by the members , as the reception vvas most thorough and hearty , lie hacl great pleasure in visiting their old lodge , and particularly on so important an occasion . In reply to the W . M ., he consented to accept

Celebration Of The Centenary Of The Freemasons' Hall Fund.

the position of one of the honorary members of the lodge , the ballot , of course , proving unanimous , and he was presented with a copy of the curious history and bye-laws of thc lodge . The W . Bro . W . H . Dunstan , P . M ., P . Prov . S . of W „ then proposed a vote of thanks to the W . M . -for his well directed efforts , and for the trouble he had taken to obtain

the medal , but was brief in his remarks , so as not to make the meeting too protracted . The W . Bro . F . Dennis seconded , and on being put to the lodge by the I . P . M ., thc proposition was carried most enthusiastically . The W . M . thanked the brethren for their kindly mention of his humble services , and to have succeeded in

obtaining them was a sufficient reward to bim for what he had done . He , however , wished it be known that the meeting was really due- , to the publication of Bro . Hughan ' s " Masonic Register of Lodges , " and he also expressed his appreciation of Bro . Gould's " Four Old Lodges . " The banquet was served in the spacious ball room of the Royal Hotel by " mine host , " Bro . R . Carter , P . Prov . G . Org ., and Sec . of the lodge , and , as becoming the time

of the year , it vvas duly served in a most temptingly hot condition . The speeches were tv-. uch above the ordinary , and , in addition to those already named , the following Past Masters and others were present at the meeting of the lodge and banquet , as well as very many of the members —Bros . John Vivian , P . M ., P . Prov . G . S . B . ; Timothy C . Polgla-ee , P . M ., P . Prov . A . G . O . C-, John H . Mitchell , P . M . 3 89 ; Joseph Wallace , S . W . ; W . D . Rogers , J . W . ; and the other officers of the lodge .

[ Note by the Editor . ] As so much interest has been exhibited in this celebration we append a full list of the lodges entitled to wear the " Freemasons' Hall Medal , " taken from Bro . Hughan ' s work . * Subscribers to the Hall Liquidation Fund , A . D . 1779 : — Grand Stewards' Lodge , F . M . H ., London .

4 Somerset House and Inverness Lodge , London . 6 Lodge of Friendship , Willis' Rooms , London . 21 Lodgeof Emulation , Aldersgate-street , London . 26 Castle Lodge of Harmony , Willis' Rooms , London 29 Lodge of Saint Alban , Aldersgate-street , London . 33 Britannic Lodge , Freemasons' Hall , London . 41 Royal Cumberland Lodge , F . M . H ., Bath . 46 Old Union Lodge , Holborn , London .

73 Lodge of Love |& Honour , Masonic Hall , Falmouth 99 Shakspeare Lodge , Aldersgate-stiect , London . 108 London Lodge , Leadenhall-street , London . 134 Caledonian Lodge , Leadenhall-street , London . 154 Lodgeof Unanimity , Freemasons'HaU , Wakefield 233 Lodge of the Nine Muses , Bond-street , London . 237 Indefatigable Lodge , Freemasons' Hall , Swansea . 233 Lodge of Harmony , Richmond , Surrey .

Extinct Lodges . Erased after 102 Lodgeof Prince George , Plymouth ... 1814 ioj Phoenix Lodge , Stowmarket 1814 223 Lusitanian Lodge , F . M . H ., London ... ... 1814 227 Gothic Lodge , Harwich , Essex ... ... 1814

311 Lodgeof Virtue , Masonic Rooms , Bath ... 1 S 14 291 Lodge of Jchoshaphat , Wotton-under-Edgc 1792 382 Lodge of Liberty and Sincerity , Wellington 1814 414 Lodge of Honour , Kensington , London ... 1814 314 Royal Gloucester Lodge , Gloucester 1832

Freemasonry In Norwich.

FREEMASONRY IN NORWICH .

The Craft in Norwich have at length fallen upon what they consider comfortable cmarters , away from the contaminating influence of hotels and taverns . The residence of thc late Mr . II . Bolingbroke , situated at 23 , St . Giles' - street , coming to the hammer , a couple of speculating Masons went in for the purchase thereof , and with Bro .

H . A . Wooster Reeves as Secretary , and " having the cordial support of the R . W . P . G . M . ( Lord Suffield ) , " a Masonic Club has been started with all the usual facilities of such places . Subscription , one guinea per annum . It remains to bc seen how this will succeed . Anyhow , three lodges have already located themselves at No . 23 for their usual monthly meetings—Walpole taking the initiative

( with a sulendid opening on Thursday evening , the 9 th inst . ) , followed by Cabbell and Perseverance , and it is expected Social and Sincerity will come in shortly , and maybe the aristocratic Union ; this latter , however , we doubt , unless his lordship smiles benignly and says yes . Provincial Grancl Lo Ige this year is also to be held in this house , ami as the ruling powers arc going iu stticlly for

economy , and do not intend tc advertise in the . local press , we give their announcement free , gratis , for nothing . Major Penrice , D . P . G . M , is unaccountably averse to newspipcr reports of Masonic banquets , ancl expressed himself lo that effect at the opening of the new North Walsham ( Sufiield ) Lodge the other day , and yet half a column appeared in our non-Masonic daily contemporary—full of

inaccuracies , wc admit , nevertheless it must have been supplied by a brother standing well in the Craft . How was this : Here is the circular above alluded to : — " PROVINCIAL GUANO LOIIOF . OF NO II FOLK . —The Right Honourable Lord Suffi-ld , K . C . B ., R . W . P . G . M ., Major

Penrice , D . P . G . M . —Annual Provincial Grancl Lodge of An * ient , Free , ancl Accepted Masons of this province , will be holden at No . 23 , St . Giles ' -street , Norwich , on" Friday , Oc : ober 17 th , 1 S 79 . at half-past 12 o ' clock precisely , when anel where the Provincial Grand Officers , Past Officers , with the Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens

Freemasonry In Norwich.

are summaned to attend , and at which all Master Masons are invited to be present . [ Here follows the agenda . ] At half-past 3 o'clock thc brethren will assemble in the School-room in the Cathedral Cloisters , and from thence proceed , in their Masonic clothing , to the Cathedral for Divine Service , at 4 o ' clock , when the Rev . H . T . Griffith , Felmingham Rectory , P . G . C , will preach a sermon .

H . G . Barwell , P . G . S . A banquet at Cooper's Restaurant , Bank-plain , Norwich , at 6 o ' clock , at which the R . W . P . G . M . will preside . Tickets 11 / each ( to include half a bottle of champagne ) , to be obtained of W . Bro James Dunsford , P . P . G . S . D ., St . Giles ' -street , Norwich , and of Bro . H . A . Wooster Reeves , No . 23 . St . Giles' - street , Norwich , not later than Tuesday , the 14 th inst . "

Touching this migration to " Cooper ' s , " vve have rereceived a letter from " A Mason" protesting against holding a Masonic banquet " under the roof of the greatest Atheist in the Eastern Counties , when we have such respectable hotels in our midst . " These hotels are

many of them lodge houses , held by brethren who naturally feel aggrieved that they should bc passed over in favour of one—however good a caterer—who reviles at religion , and holds Freemasonry in contempt . Tne matter has created much stir among the Craft in the province . — Norwich Argus .

Ar00906

¦ ' '•' Masonic Registrar of Lodges" ( plates ) , by Bro . W . J . Hughan ( 12 / 6 ) . London ; George Kenning ; Truro : of the Author .

Province Of Berks And Bucks.

PROVINCE OF BERKS AND BUCKS .

In consequence of the sudden illness of Lord Carnarvon , the ceremony of laying the memorial stone of the Public Buildings in Reading , intended for Tuesday last , the 14 th inst ., was unavoidably postponed . Lord Carnarvon is suffering from a very severe attack of gout , which

makes it absolutely impossible for him to attend . It is hoped that the ceremony may take place on or about Tuesday , the 4 th November . The Provincial Grand Lodge , summoned lor the 14 th inst ., was , therefore , not held . [ The Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Robt . Bradley , desires us to state that he took every possible precaution

to prevent inconvenience by sending to every Mason in the province a copy of the above notice on Friday evening , the 10 th inst ,, having been informed of the postponement only that same evening at seven o ' clock . A notice vvas also sent on the following day to all others whom he had reason to believe would come , and it is hoped the means taken will have prevented any brother coming . ]

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

ANOTHER MASONIC MS . lt is again my delight to announce the advent of another MS . which , although the latest in point of publicity , has been known to me for some little time , only I have not had the opportunity to carefully examine it until now . Some months ago it was exhibited to me hy Capt . N . G . Philips ( P . G . D . ) , one of thc Illustrious Chiefs eif thc

"Ancient and Accepted Rite , " it forming one of the special features of the Grand Library owned by the " Supremo Council , " 33 ° , of England , tec 1 have already alluded to the older MS . of A . D . 1686 , which is a most valuable document , and carefully preserved in the archives of thc Supreme Council . The junior is a transcript of the old MS . known as " Matthew Cooke ' s" ( of the 15 th century

circa ) , and is a marvel of the caligraphic art . lis size is 6 J inches by 4 , ancl the binding is of red nioivcco , gilt . The copy is likely to have been early last century , say about 1730 , ancl a pencil note thereon entitles it the " Lore ! Coleraine MS . " Likely enough the title refers to Lord Coleraine , who was Grand Master in 1727-8 , whose name occurs on a similar transcript , now in the possession of the

Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A . ( P . G . C . ) Bro . Woodford ' s copy has the arms' plate of " William Cowper , Esq ., Clerk to the Parliaments" ( doubtless the Grand Sec . of A . D 1723 ) , and contains the following important note -. — " This is a very ancient record of Masonry , wch was copy'd for me by Wm . Reid , Secretary to the Grand Lodge 1728 . Ld . Coleraine , Grd Master , Al . Choke , Depy ., Nat .

Blackesby and Jo . Highmore , Gd . Wardens . " The original MS . was purchaser ! of a Mrs . Caroline Biker , Oct . 14 th , 1839 , by the authorities of the British Museum , and was edited in 1861 by Bro . Matthew Cooke , hence its title . Evidently , in 172 S , it was known to the Grand Secretary , and from it apparently several transcripts were made , two at least being still in existence . Beo .

Woodford ' s copy , was purchased a few years ago from a bookseller at Bristol , The present MS . under notice 1 beg to name tbe " Ancient and Accepted Rite MS ., " ancl I desire to thank the R . W . Bro . Hugh David Smdeman , P . District G . M . of Bengal , for the facilities afforded me to carefully examine its pages . . W . J . HUGHAN

ANCIENT MASONIC POETRY . The following extracts were taken from our good friend , thc Keystone . We wish its pleasant Editor would also give us a reference whence they came : The following is an ancient Masonic Epitaph : The Circle ' s round Is Virtue ' s bound .

The Perfect Square Tell ' s God is there . The Plummet ' s fall " 3 Heaven ' s grace fo all . Employ good tools By Mason ' s rules . Es'lieiv all evil And shame the Devil . An old Masonic poem closes with tuis t-ellii g sta iza -.

Let love abound in all your ways , That all Mankind may see That trust in God is the Keystone Of ancient Masonry .