Original Correspondence.

lodges to be io miles from Freemasons' Hall ; but beyond that I fail to see why London cannot be constituted as proposed . Since my letter appeared I have spoken to several brethren on the subject , and all hive admitted that if that law is altered they can see no objection to the proposal . Besides , why should provincial ledges proper be invaded by London brethren , who join them solely to get the purple ?

We ought to be able to get such honours at home . Every part of Fns » Iand and VVales , the Channel Islands , & c , are governed by Provincal Grand Lodges in addition to the Grand Lodge . L- ndon , containing , as 1 before mentioned , over 300 lodees , has no Provincial Grand Lodire over any

Fortion of thc large area covered by Metropolitan lodges ^ f the name Provincial is objected to , could they not be styled Uiban Grjnd Lodges ? As your correspondent " Crux Corona " says , the Jubilee year would be a very ? ood one in which to make this very desirable alteration — ours fraternally , L . V . W .

A PROVINCIAL GRAND PORTRAIT PAINTER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Possibly your Sussex readers will be glad to have some particulars respecting the late Bro . J . H . Scott ' s grandfather—Bro . Edmund Scott—whoappearstohavebeen in his day as conspicuous a member as his grandson

recently deceased . Like the latter , Bro . Edmund Scott was Master of the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 271 , Brighton . Like him too , he was a Grand Standard Bearerof Supreme Grand Chapter , having held the office in 1 S 20 , as his grandson held it in 1 SS 0 and like him , too , he was appointed Dep . Prov . Grand Master of Sussex , having been appointed to the office by the fourth Duke of Richmond in 1 S 15 ,

though through illness which terminated fatally the year following , he was never able to ful / il any of its duties . But perhaps the most cutious circumstance in connection with this brother is lhat he figures as Prov . G . Portrait Painter in the warrant granted gth March , 1 S 01 , by Bro . Lieut .-General Samuel Hulse , P . G . M . Sussex , constituting the South Saxon Lodge , No . 557 , Lewes , the Provincial Grand

Lodge of Sussex . There was a Grand Portrait Painter in the "Modern" Grand Lodge about this period , but this is the only instance I have come across of a Piov . Grand Portrait Painter . I append Ihe list of Prov . G . Officers as taken from Bro . J . Francis'sadmirable "History of Freemasonry in Sussex , " and it will be seen that it includes other Prov . G . Officers who are as unknown to our present Prov . G . Lodges as a Prov . G . Portrait Painter : —

"GRAND OFFICERS . Lieutenant-Genera ] Hulse ... Prov . G . M . Captain Henry Shelley D . Prov . G . M . Mr . William Lee Prov . A . G . M . Captain Joseph Blagrove ... Prov . G . S . W . Mr . William Balcombe Langridge , Prov . G . J . W . Rev . Arthur Iredell , M . A Prov . G . Chap .

Rev . Francis Joseph Fearon , M . A ., Prov . D . G . Chap . Rev . Harry West , A . M . ... Prov . G . Orator Rev . Robert Briggs Prov . D . G . Orator Mr . Francis Whitfield Proy . G . Treasurer Mr . James Nicholson Prov . G . Secretary Mr . John Charlton Prov . D . G . Sec .

Mr . Edmund Scott Prov . G . Portrait Painter Mr . Christopher Kell Prov . G . Record Keeper Mr . Joseph Goldsmith Prov . G . Architect Mr . Edward Egles Prov . G . Seal Keeper Mr . John Bray Carter Prov . G . M . of C Mr . James Cook Prov . G . Std . Br . Mr . Thomas Till Prov . G . Swd . Br . " Fraternally yours , G . B . ABBOTT . December 1 ith .

THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE—A CORRECTION . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your correspondent " Crux Corona " is incorrect in his remark— " Is it fair , when one thinks of Bristol and Bedford with four lodges ea < h ? " as there are five in Bedfordshire and tight in Bristol . —Yours fraternally , SECRETARY .

AN OLD MASONIC STAR . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I purchased an old Masonic Star ( silver hallmarked ) , in an old curiosity shop the other day . The hall-mark proves it lo be about 80 jears old . It has seven rays , and is charged with a plain Greek ( i . e ., equal limbed )

Cross , round which , in a circle , is the following inscription 1 1 XXXI . I--Q . HRDM . KDSH . KTP . HP . R . 1 give the exact punctuation as 1 believe it is important . Part of the inscription is , uf course , clear to me , as a P . M . W . S . iS ° , and a Preceptor of the Order of the Temple , but can any of your learned readers decipher it as a whole ? Can RQ . be a phonetic rendering of Rose Croix ( Rose

Qupix )? 1 fancy that KTP ., H . P ., R ., refer to some extinct Templar Rite , formerly practised in Lancashire' Knight Templar Priest , " " Holy Pillar , " —but what does " R . " stand for ? Any information will be thankfully received by yours faithfully and fraternally , Gailey Vicarage , OSWALD MANG 1 N HOLDEN . Penkridge , Staffordshire , Dec . 14 .

A PORTRAIT OF THOMAS DU . N'KERLEY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 find in the Directory of Gloucester for 1 792 : — " The Bell Inn . There is an elegant ball room , with card room a < joining . In this is held the Royal Gloucester Lodge of I ree and Accepted Masor . s , held under the patronage of his Giace the IJuke of Beauioit ; over one of the fire

places is a painting of that excellent companion and luminary in Masonry , Bro . The mas Dunktrley , Esq ., Prov . Grand Master for Gloucestershire . " Can any of the Ma ^ cnic students or antiquarian readers of your valuable paper inform me if this original painting is still in existence , and if the engravings ol Bro . Thomas Dunkerley , P . G . M ., several of which are preserved—York catalogue , No . 70 , Worcester , 261 , and Shanklin , 5 C 8—are

Original Correspondence.

copies from the original oil painting ? 1 much regret to trouble you , but I have made all the enquiries I can without success . Several of the Gloucestershire brethren have never heard of such a painting at the Bell . 1 find on September 6 th , 1 S 02 , a resolution was passed in lodge to remove to the Upper George Tavern , [ and that St . lohn ' s-day in December , 1 S 02 , was celebrated there .

This lodge seems to have neglected to make any returns for several years prior to 1851 , and on the revision of lodges on the 3 rd of Dacember , 1 S 51 , was erased by Grand Lodge . The Royal Gloucestershire Lodge , No . S 39 , warrant dated 1 S 60 , meets now at the Bell Hotel , Gloucester . See " Cosmopolitan . " Yours fraternally , LAMB . SMITH .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

6 < j 61 "W . O . " AND THE "ETTRICK SHEPHERD . " Many of us will feel indebted to Bro . "VV . O . " for the interesting communication respecting the poet Hogg . Although most English Masonic students are familiar vvith the Masonic Quarterly Series , I do not remember the fact of the initiation of James Hogg being ever doubted , or

alluded to as an error in any magazine , and the reference quoted by Bro . "W . O . " quite escaped my notice , whilst consulting that magazine . It is certainly most singular that the poet in question was elected , or appointed , Poet Laureateof "Lodge Canongate , Kilwinning , " Edinburgh , although not a brother . Hogg , however , was initiated

subsequently , as the same magazine testifies . This is the same lodge in which Bro . Robert Burns , " the Immortal Scottish Bard , " held the same distinguished position . Could Bro . "VV . O . " kindly procure for me a copy of the By-laws of this lodge , published some yearssince , in which is a list oi the Poet Laureates of No . 2 ? VV . J . HUGHAN ( Torquay . )

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

- — -,-, - ^ - > OF pa-afegBSileiita

ROBERT BURNS LODGE ( No . 25 ) . —This lodge met at Freemasons' Hall , on Monday , the 6 th inst ., when there were present Bros . T . Hawkins , W . M . j J . T . Ford , S . W . ; W . Wingham , J . W . j G . Deaton , S . D . j E . J . Wall , I . G . j Harvey , Lindner , Robbins , Dyte ( Sec ) , Moorcroft , and Loewenstark , P . M . ' s ; Jaquet , Dunn , Vernon , Briggs , Elliott , and Baker . Visitor : Bro . Jones .

The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of last meeting read and confirmed , Mr . H . R . Maynard was impressively initiated by the W . M . The brethren then unanimously elected the S . W . as W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Ford briefly returned thanks . Bro . Lindner , P . M ., was unanimously elected Treasurer , and Bro . Walkley was again elected Tyler . Bros . Elhott and Dunn were

elected Auditors , and , all business being ended , the brethren adjourned to the banquet table , where a pleasing refection was spread . 1 he usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been given and received with the usual honours , and interspersed with harmony by Bros . Robbins , Moorcroft , Ford , and others , Bro . Dyte , Sec , in replying to the toast of " The

Secretary and I reasurer , " spoke as to the favourable position of the lodge , and said that since he had been a member—now 40 years—he could not recall a time when the lodge was more lespectableor solid j that , though few in number , the balance-sheet he should have the pleasure of presenting to the members next lodge night would be not only the best he had shown for many years , but also the most satisfactory

to the ludge generally , as it would prove that , so far from having become weak and worn out , the lodge had become more strengthened and consolidated in its position , with a respectable balance on the right side . Alter the Tyler ' s toast the biethren separated at an early hour , well pleased at such a promising state of affairs , and the pleasant evening they had spent .

BRITISH UNION LODGE ( No . 114 ) . —The annual meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Soane-streer , on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., when Bro . F . A . Cobbold was installed VV . M . for the ensuing year . There were present : Bros . V . D . Colchester , W . M . j R . K . Casley , M . D ., P . M . j H . C . Casley , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W .,- G . S . Elliston , P . M . j F . A , Cobbold , S . W ., W . M . elect ; the

Rev . R . N . Sanderson , Chap ., P . G ., Chap , of England ; VV . Boby , P . M ., Treas . j B . P . Grimsey , P . M ., Sec . P . P . G . J . W . j R . Tidbury , M . D ., S . D . j W . Clarke , P . M ., D . of C , P . G . P . fc . ng ., Prov . G . D . of C . ; Thos . Palmer , Org ., P . P . G . O . ; S . Gooding , I . G . j Chas . Alexander , J . R . Geard , and Allen F . Penraven . The visitors included Bros . W . B . Hanson , W . M . 2591 J . M . Franks

, VV . M . 376 , P . G . J . D . j and Fred . C . Atkinson , J . D . 376 . J he ceremony of installation was ably performed by Bro . H . C . Casley , Bro . Boby acting as S . W ., and Bro . V . D . Colchester as J . VV . Bro . F . A . Cobbold invested as his officers for the ensuing year Bros . C . Alexander , S . W . j R . Tidbury , J . W . j the Rev . R . N . Sanderson , P . G . C , Chap . j W . Boby ,

P . M ., I ' reas . j B . P . Grimsey , P . M ., Sec . j F . J . VV , Wood , S . D . j S . Gooding , J . D . j W . Clarke , D . of C . ; T . Palmer , Mus . Bac , Org .,- T . Palmer , I . G . j C Alexander , S . S . ; J . R . Geard , J . S . j Geo . Gould , Tyler . At the conclusion ol the lodge business , the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where an elegant repast was served . 'Ihe W . M ., Bro . F . A . Cobbold , presided , and

was well supported by his officers and the brethien mentioned above . After the banquet the Worshipful Master proposed " The Queen" and " H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , M . W . G . M . " With the teas ; of "The Al . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon j the Earl of Lathom , R . W . D . G . M . j and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " he coupled

Craft Masonry.

the name of Bro . the Rev . R . N . Sanderson , Past Grand Chap . Bro . R . N . Sanderson , in reply , said it was an especial pleasure to him to represent the Grand Lodge of England upon that occasion . He had that evening had the great gratification of seeing one of his old pupils installed by another old pupil . He had the great pleasure the previous evening of being present at a meeting of the Grand Lodge

of England , and in that great Masonic Parliament there was lather a warm debate and the closest division he ever saw . Thc question was rather a trifling one , but it was hotly contested—it was whether Past Masters and Wardens visiting a sister lodge should be allowed to wear their collars of office . There were 211 who voted that they should not be allowed , and 210 who voted that they should . The tact with which Lord Carnarvon presided over that somewhat

excited assembly showed how thoroughly well he was fitted tor the position he beld as Pro Grand Master of England . As for the other Grand Officers , the Province of Suffolk had been particularly honoured , there being no less than five Past and Present Grand Officers in the province at the present time .

The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Right Hon . Lord Henniker , P . G . M . Suffolk ; the V . W . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C , D . P . G . M . Suffolk j and the rest of the Officers ot Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " Bro . J . M . Franks responded on behalf of the Present Officers .

Bro . H . C . Casley , responding for the Past Officers , alluded to the death of the late Lord Waveney , and expressed the hope that the appointment of Lord Hennikeras his successor would in a great measure repair the loss which the province had sustained . The Worshipful Master next proposed "The Installing Master , Bro . H . C . Casley , " and said the lodge would recognise how ably he perlormed the ceremony . To him

it was a source of great gratification to be installed by an old schoolfellow , and one who initiated him into Freemasonry . Bro . H . C Casley , in response , congratulated the W . M . upon having been appointed a ruler and governor of the Craft , especially upon having been installed as W . M . of that ancient lodge . Bro . the Rev . R . N . Sanderson proposed "The Health

of the W . M ., " and said to the brethren of the British Union Lodge it must be a matter of satisfaction to see the chair once again filled by a gentleman who bore the honoured name of Cobbold . The Worshipful Master briefly responded , and expressed the hope that he should be able to discharge the duties of the important office to which he had been installed to the satisfaction of the Iodge .

Bro . W . Boby proposed " The Visitors , " coupled with the names of Bros . Hanson and J . M . Franks . The toast having been acknowledged , the W . M . proposed "The Immediate Past Master , " to which Bro . V . D . Colchester responded . Bro . W . Clarke proposed "The Masonic Charities , " and in the course of an eloquentspeech pleaded thecause of the three Institutions , which , he said , were never more urgently in need of support than at the present time .

Bro . W . Boby , whose name was coupled with the toast , in response , impiessed upon the brethren the necessity for united action throughout the province , in order to secure the election of the local candidates . The Worshipful Master proposed "The Newly-Initiated Brother , A . F . Penraven . " The toast having been honoured in the customary manner .

Bro . Penraven briefly responded . The Worshipful Master proposed " The Past Masters of the Lodge . " Bro . K . K . Casley , M . D ., responded . The remaining toasts were " The Officers of the Lodge , " to which Bros . Alexander , S . W ., and Tidbury , J . W ., responded , and the Tyler ' s toast . Capital songs were rendered by several of the brethren during the evening .

DOMATIC LODGE ( No . 177 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Friday , the ioth inst . Ihe chair was taken by Bro . Harry Nelson Price , W . M ., among the large number of members present were Bros . A . Silraer , S . W . j H . Chapman , J . W .: G . W . Everett , P . M ., Ureas . j T . Morris , Sec . j R Harvey , S . D . ; S . Wood , J . D . j H . Salmon , l . G . j J . Is . Spurrell , D . C . j A . Billinghurst , W . S . j E .

Riechelmann , Org . j H . Pierrepoint , I . P . M . j W . J . Ferguson . P . M . j E . VVhite , P . M . j H . Bowman , P . M . j J * McLean , P . M . ; J . Buscall , P . M . j F . Kent , P . M . Visitors : Bros . F . Seager Hunt , M . P ., W . M . 2030 j E . Witts , P . M . 144 ; W . Palmer , 1381 j C . R . Wickens , W . M . j H . W . Stephens , I . G . 1425 ; J . Humtress , S . W . 733 j H . E . Pollard , S . D . 4 J and W . T . Buxton , 1381 J C C Piper , D . C . 2030 j j . Thomson , 492 ,- S .

Bayn , 822 ; V . Murfitt , J . W . 1861 j Dr . Amblar ; W . W . Lee 1897 : and others . Ihe lodge having been opened and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , Bros . F . H . P . Smith , and H . W . Martyn , were raised to the Degree of Master Mason . Bros . b . B . Hallett and I . J . Calger were then passed to the Second Degree , after which Mr . V . Melillo , having been previously balloted for , was impressively

initiated into Freemasonry . This being the last meeting prior to the installation , the usual elections were proceeded with and resulted as follows : Bros . A . Silmer . S . W ., W . M . j G . W . Everett , P . M ., Treas ., re-elected ; Walkley , I yler , re-elected . The audit Committee having been appointed it was unanimously resolved on the motion of Bro . Buscall , P . M ., "That the sum of five guineas should be subscribed from the lodge funds to the Testimonial

about being presented to Bro . Robert Clemow , on his retirement from the management of Anderton's Hotel , as an acknowledgement of his past zeal and service to the brethren . " A cordial vote ol thanks was passed to theCentenary Committee for the very able andsuccessiul arrangements made by them in connection with the Centenary Festival . Ihe sum of five guineas was next voted to a distressed brother , after which , on the motion of Bro . Everett , Treas .,

a P . M . 's jewel of the usual value was voted to Bro . Price , W . M ,, for the able and efficient manner in which he had presided over the lodge during the past important year . Bro . Price , W . M . brierly returned thanks , and suggested to the brethren that the centenary jewel should be adopted as a crest for use of the lodge summonses and other papers . In order to carry out this idea he now offered for the acceptance of the brethren the necessary die . This useful