Thomas Harper.

I am satisfied there is benevolence as strict as Masonic Love in the Grand Lodge sufficient , if the root and main stem of Ancient Freemasonry is preserved , to receive and protect the Modern scions . If , therefore , this is sufficiently done in yours and their opinion by their accession to the material points of our resolution of 1 st May , the groundwork of the whole ,

you will no doubt give the more ample powers to the Committee of the Grand Lodge appointed to settle and arrange the lesser articles in order that no obstacle may appear to be thrown in the way of this Grand Lodge towards the effecting of an Union between ih _ r Modern and Ancient Craft ; whenever that can be carried into effect , preserving , as I have already said

" the rcot and mam stem of Ancient Maionry entire and unimpaired . I remain , Brother Harper , Yours in Masonry , Axirorx , G . M

During the further progress of the negotiations Bro . Harper appears to have discharged his very responsible duties in a manner that commanded the respectful thanks of his Grand Lodge , while throughout he enjoyed the fullest confidence ol his chief . At length tbe time came when the Duke of Sussex was

installed G . Master of the " Modern Grand Lodge , and as his Royal Hi g hness was most desirous that the Union of the two Societies , which had been so long in contemplation , should be accomplished , the negotiations which , for a lime , bad ceased were revived . This necessitated a revival of activity

upon the part of the "Ancients and ultimatel y it came about that the Duke of Atholl being personally unable to take further part in the matter retired from the Grand Master .-hip , and the Duke of Kent was elected to succeed him , his Royal 11 i g hness , having on more than one occasion , in ( he interim , exhibited his respect for

lhe princip les of "Ancient" Masonry and his resolution lo uphold Ihem . During the brief interregnum , the affairs of the Grand Lodge were administered b y lire . Harper , who had the honour of p lacing his Royal Highness upon the throne as Grand Mastcr , and was afterwards appointed and invested as Deputy

Grand Master . This happened on thc ist December , the Grand Lodge being attended by the Duke of Sussex and several of his officers , who , in order that they might be present , were previousl y made 'Ancient" in the Grand Master ' s Lodge , No . i , in a room adjoining Grand Lodge ; and before fhe year was ended the two Societies had become one under H . R . H . the Duke of

Sussex as M . W . Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge . Not much remains to be told . Bro . Harper was a kindl y supporter of both the Masonic institutions then existing , of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls as a '' Modern " Ma . ion , and of the Institution for clothing and educating the sons of "Ancient" Masons in his character as an "Ancient . " To both

these Charities hc gave assistance both as a Governor and a contributor to their funds . In lhe year 1 S 12 , he presided at the Anniversary Festival of the Boys' in the absence of the Duke of Atholl and the amount subscribed reached / , ' iu . In iS 19 , as Chairmain of the Committee of the Boys' Charity , he

addressed a memorial to United Grand Lodge praying for assistance on its behalf , a grant of / . ioo being voted in reply . He was also a regular attendant both in United Grand Lod ge and lire Lodge of Benevolence , working hard during the remaining vears of his life to confirm and still further strengthen what he

had had so large a share in building up . He died on the 25 th April ( Grand Festival Day ) , 18 32 , full of years and honours and enjoying the love and respect ol the whole Craft . Assuinin » that he had attained the age of 21 when he was initiated , he must have reached the almost patriarchal age of 02 years , during

71 of wh ' nh he had been a member of our Fralernily . Darin " his lot . g career , he must have known , firstly , nearl y all the leading members of the " Ancient " Society , and have known iu particular the immortal Laurence Dennett , of whose " Ahiman Rezon " be . prepared editoriall y and published three separate

editions in 1 S 04 , 1 S 07 , and 1813 respectively . ln him we are able to connect the organiser of " Ancient'' Masonry wilh the last of its Deputy ( Jrand Masters , and to him , no doubt , we owe it that Dermott ' s Masonry is slill , in ils princi ples and practice , the Masonry of our Untied ( irand Lodge . " G . 15 . ABBOTT , P . P . G . D . Herts .

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BALLFAVORS ( SEASON 1899-1900 ) . LATLST DLSKIXS IN " STOCK AT GEORGEKENNING&SON'S fll > anufacton > nn & Show iRooins—1 , 2 , 3 , 3 a , 3 b , 4 , LITTLE BRITAIN , CITY , 16 & 16 a , GREAT QUEEN STREET , WEST .

Grand Officers.

Grand Officers .

Brn . \ iseount MILTON , tlio newly-appointed . liiin ' m- fl . AA arden , is grandson nnd lien- to Karl Filzwi' / li .-im , IC . d ' ., ami Meuihei-nf PnrVumieiit I'm- W .-ikolkOil . He wns initiated in ( h > Sindholmo Lodgo , No . 1591 ,. early in 1 . 895 , and later in tho

year joined Sincerity Loilge , No . K'MI , \ Vnkolield , of ivh . rli lie "as . tnslalle : ) W . Master , oil tlio 21 st- December last . Ile became also a joining ineailiiT ol' lodges al . Wieklow and l'otorboriMigh . and is a Life ( inventor , wilh one Stewardship , of tlio Koyal Mascmiu Institution I ' m- Hova .

GIIAXI ) CIIAI'L . UXS . llro . tin- ltev . AV . fr . uiiiiXKii . IU ) ., was initialed , during his career at Exeter College , Oxford , in lhe Apollo University Lodge , No . 3 "> 7 , on tlio -UU February , IStiil . Throe nioiitlis later he joined lhe Churchill Lodge , No . ITS , Oxford , and in March , 1 S 70 , the Wesltninstor and Keystone Lodge , No . 10 . Sitbseipicnt l _ y he joined the Lodge of Loyally , Xo . l . "> : _ : t , Xfnrlboroiiglt , and on the 1 Ith . May , IS 02 , was installed ils W . . Alasler . lie had the honour of being appointed l'rov . ( I . I ) .

of ( J . Oxfordshire in 1 S 7 I and l ' rov . ( 1 . Chaplain in 1 S 72 , and on Urd December , LS . IO , be became l'rov . 11 . Chaplain of Wiltshire . Ho was exalted a Koyal Arch Mason in the Apollo I ' niveisii v Chapter . Xo . ! lu 7 , on tho loth . hine , IS 70 , and having joined I lie Mellnioii Chapter . Xo . lo . lH , was , ill December , I . SD 5 , installed Virol Principal ' / .. Al I lie present time lie holds ( lie ollice of l'rov . ( i . Kegistrar . llro . ( lardinei- has also niven Iiis support to onr I nstil . nl ions , for each of which hi ) has ( iiiii ) ilieil as Life tlovonior ami served one Stewardship .

llro . tbe Hev . 1 '' . IIKTIIVM ; X . XOIIMAS-LV . I- - ., XI . A ., I ' . lt . G . fi ., Chaplain to her Majesty ' s Forces , was initiated in l . ' cnlangle Lodge , Xo . I ! 7-I-, Chatham , iu September , 1 SS-I-, bill I he exigencies of the service have somewhat hampered his progress . In IS . H . "i ho joined I lie Aldershot : Army and Xavy Lodge , No . l !> 71 , aml conl in in -il a subscribing member till ISS 7 , when he was ordered to Ireland . Thence be was moved to Halifax . Nova Scotia . During his slay here he atliliated to the Virgin Ledge , No . 11 , mi the roll of thc Ciand Lodgt of Nova Scotia—