Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

i 136 ] — RE BRO . JAMES BANKS , P . M ., A . D . 1790 . In continuation of my query as to a Bro . James Bancks , who was presented with a handsome gold medal in 1790 , on retiring from the chair ; Bro . James Newton ( Prov . G . Sec . East Lanes . ) has kindly traced the name of 1 Bro . James Banks , who was W . M . of Lodge of Antiquity ( novi 146 ) , Bolton , Lanes ., in 1793 .

He joined in 1793 , and was a tailor . Bro . Newton has kindly sent me a bill for eight gowns supplied to the " H . R . A . Chapter" by this brother , costing £ 2 12 s ., on July 2 ist , 1802 . Unfortunately , though this may be the same brother , it is not of the year wanted , and I am still awaiting information as to the Bro . James Banckes in question who was W . M . of a lodge in 1790 , and I hope some brother

will succeed in identifying him as Master of a lodge at the period named . He is believed to have been born in 1749 , but where he lived , save that it was in the North of England , is not known . The present owner of the jewel , Bro . James Lennox Banks , of New York , is a descendant , and naturally wishes to know the lodge that made the presentation . W . J . HUGHAN .

1137 ] PROVINCIAL GRAND RANK . In the article upon this subject in the Freemason of July 29 th , I think with my esteemed friend , Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . of England , and a Past Prov . G . Sec . of many years experience , " if the writer of the article were more familiar with the usages and customes of Prov . Grand Lodges , " his remarks as to the payment of Prov . Grand Secretaries and mode of selection of Prov . Grand Officers would have been considerably modified if not altogether omitted . In

this province ( Devonshire ) of 59 lodges ruled over by our genial and esteemed P . G . M . ( the Hon . Sir Stafford H . Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P . ) with his able and experienced Deputy and Ex . Prov . Sec . ( Bro . Major G . C . Davie , P . A . G . D . C . of England ) , and the indefatigable and courteous Prov . G . Sec . ( Honorary ) ( Bro . John Stocker , P . P . G . W . ) , the province is a model of harmonious working particularly in the selection and appointment of its ollicers . A circular is sent out annually to each Worshipful Master to the effect that

Having regard to the number of brethren in the province , and the proportionate difficulty of selecting the most worthy for Prov . G . offices , the Prov . G . Master is desirous the W . M . of each lodge shall fill up , and return to the Prov . G . Secretary , for his guidance and information , the accompanying form , showing the number of attendances at lodge meetings , during the period specified therein , of all members who have received no such appointment but are qualified to hold Prov . G . office . A column is left for ' Remarks , ' which will be regarded

as confidential ; but the Prov . G . Master evidently does not wish to throw upon W . Masters of lodges the responsibility of recommending brethren for office . " For eight years , as Secretary of my lodge ( at the request of the W . M ., who previously signs the same in blank ) , I have filled up the counterfoil of this circular , no "remark " ever being made in the column left for that purpose ; such is the

confidence in the brethren named that it would be presumption , in my opinion , to render their work and labour of lovo more difficult by suggesting brethren f or appointments . JOHN TAYLOR , P . Prov . G . Reg . 15 , Lucius-street , Torquay , August 14 th , 18 99 .

Reviews.

Reviews .

LONDON MATRICULATION D IRECTORY . NO . XXVI ., June , 1 S 99 . With articles on the special subjects for January and June , 1900 . This calendar , which is issued by University Correspondence College , will be found a most useful guide to the examinations conducted by the University of London by all who purpose offering themselves as candidates for those arranged to be held in January and June , 1900 . The Principal of the College is our respected Bro . William Briggs , who is assisted by an able and experienced Counciland under their presidency there has been gathered together a

, strong tutorial staff composed of men whose capacity for imparting to others the knowledge they have themselves acquired is demonstrated by the long array of successes achieved by their pupils and carefully recorded in these pages . The Annual Report tells us that in the year ending 31 st August , 1 S 9 S , at the Matriculation and other examinations , notwithstanding the candidates for the former from other Schools far outnumbered those sent up by the College ; 27 * 6 per cent , of those who were successful hailed from the College , while in the more important

examinations in the Faculties of Arts , Science , and Laws , and at the Preliminary Scientific ( M . B . ) Examination , the percentage of successful University Correspondence College Students was 43 * 8 . But the report , which summarises the work of the past year , occupies only a few pages , the bulk of the Calendar furnishing the necessary information as to the manner in which the college carries on its duties , the fees for the several courses of instruction , a list of the Text-books in use , but above all in Part IV . a complete set of the examination papers at the matriculation in June last

and in Part V . Solutions to the said Examination Papers , so that students are enabled lo judge for themselves , under the guidance of the tutors of this College , as to the manner in which the papers should be answered . There will also be found , elsewhere in the Calendar , a complete list of the special subjects selected for the different examinations which will take place next year under the auspices of the University of London , whilesuch further information as may be desired on the subject of classes , fees , courses , & c , can be obtained on application , in person or by letter , to the Secretary at the London offices oi the University Correspondence College , 32 , Red Lion-square , W . C .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Beadon Lodge , No . 619 . The August meeting of this lodge , now in the 48 th year of its existence , was held at the Holborn Restaurant on Wednesday last . There were present on the occasion Bros . C . A . Adams , W . M . ; E . Croft Wise , I . P . M . j Charles Hunton , S . W . ; Lorenzo Faull , J . W . ; James C . Hayes , P . M ., Treas . ; Charles Norrington , P . M ., Sec . ; M . Beedle , S . D . ; J . Will Greenaway , J . D . ; James Swallow , I . G . j W . H . Lilley , Stwd . ; H . Massey , P . M . ; Charles Meierhoff , P . M . ; M . E . Hill , C . J . Jones ,

J . W . Harrison , George H . Barnard , W . M . Foster , A . G . Gisborne , S . G . Murray , Arthur Caley , andS . J . Wise . There was an excellent paper of work to be done , and theVV . M . with the assistance of his officers , who were most proficient in their work , admirably raised Bro . G . W . Barnard to the Third Degree , and passed Bro . A . E . Gisborne to the Second Degree . Bro . C . Hunton , S . W ., was unanimously elected as Master of the lodge for the next year , Bro . James C . Hayes , P . M ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Thomas Bowler , Tvlcr . Bro . Hunton acknowledged his election , and said that he had tried to

do his work well , and he hoped that in tne new office to which he had been chosen he shculd carry out the duties of Master of the lodge in a manner that would be satisfactory to all the brethren . Bro . Hayes , P . M ., acknowledging his re-election as Treasurer , said the lodge had now £ 25 2 in Barclay ' s Bank , and he thought the time had come for investing £ 100 of that in Government securities . The Audit Committee was afterwards chosen , and a Past Master's jewel was voted to the outgoing Master , and the lodge was closed .

Craft Masonry.

The brethren subsequently dined together , and spent a very pleasant evening The benevolent box yielded 17 s . 63 . Bro . E . Croft Wise , I . P . M ., proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " and passed several complimentary remarks on the manner in which Bro . Adams had performed the duties of Master and presided over the Iodge for the past year . It deserved the commendation of the brethren and the imitation by future Masters . The brethren of the lodge had had a very happy year under Bro . Adams , and he trusted that under Bro .

Hunton during the next year the lodge would have no less happy or successful year . Bro . _ C . Adams , W . M ., in reply , said that , as regarded the work he had done during his year of office , it had been a labour of love to try and please the brethren of the Iodge , to initiate new intrants , and put the brethren through their various Degrees . If he had given satisfaction that was all he desired . He was afraid he was not doing his work so well that evening as he ought , but from what he had heard brethren say , he found it was otherwise . From the reception the brethren had just given the toast , he

saw he had satisfied the brethren . That was the last night he should occupy the chair at the banquet , and next time he would have to take the position of I . P . M . In the position of I . P . M . he knew he would have an easy time , because the Master elect knew his work , and would not require much prompting . He was very grateful to the brethren for their appreciation of his services , and while he was a member of the Beadon Lodge —which he hoped would be many years—he should try to advance the interests of the

lodge and of Masonry in general . Bro . C . Adams , W . M ., in proposing " The Master Elect , " said that while Bro . Hunton had been a member of the lodge he had worked with indefatigable zeal . During the next 12 months be would be a modest W . M . If Bro . Hunton should have as hard a year as he ( the W . M . ) had had—the Three Degrees one night—he was sure he would acquit himself admirably . ( Cheers . )

Bro . Hunton , Master elect , in acknowledging the toast , said he felt very deeply the honour the brethren had done him and he hoped that he would do half what the W . M . had said of him . Like the W . M . he was afraid he stumbled , but his time was much occupied in business and he had not the opportunity of learning the ceremonies and attending lodges of instruction which some members had . If at any time he wanted assistance he should look with confidence to the brethren , Past Masters , and officers . Some initiates were comin *** - ; forward so that he might look to have some work to do , if not all the three ceremonies , at least some . Time would prove if he had the brethren ' s confidence .

Bro . C . Adams , W M ., proposed "The Past Masters and Officers , " but for whom he did not know how he should have done his work during his year so well as he had . Everyone had worked his hardest and assisted him in every way . He did not think that any Master could wish for better officers than he had had . Bro . J . C . Hayes , P . M . and Treasurer , in reply , said he congratulated the W . M . on going out of the chair with his lodge in so prosperous a condition . If brethren looked round in London and the provinces they would not find many with £ 250 in hand .

It wis a question what they shou'd do with it ; it was too much for the Treasurer to have in his pocket . The Beadon Lodge had stood well in the Charities . The new VV . M . might go up as a Steward . Should the money be invested as to part of it or be given in Charity , as there were so many distressing cases wanting assistance ? Perhaps the new Master would come in with a new grand plan . He hoped the new Master would have even a better year than the outgoing Master hid had . The Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

Unity Lodge , No . 1637 . The above lodge held its regular meeting at the Railway Hotel , Harrow , on Saturday , the 12 th inst ., and , in spite of the heat of the afternoon , a large nu aber of the brethren turned up—no doubt to see how the purple and scarlet became the W . M ., -who had been appointed Prov . G . Organist , and Bro . Hussey , P . M ., one of the Prov . G . Stewards , who were congratulated upon their honours , and saluted as Prov . Grand Officers . The following were present : Bros . Ralph Dunstan , Mus . Doc ., Prov . G . Org .,

W . M . ; W . Hillier , P . M . 1366 and 2090 , S . W . ; J . Bartlett , P . M ., acting J . W . ; Arthur Jones , I . P . M . ; J . Woodmason , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; F . S . Priest , P . M ., Sic ; W . E . Jefferson , S . D . ; W . C . Tebbit , P . M . 2045 . J . D . ; Whiteway , I . G . j H . D . Woods , Org . j Hussey , P . M ., Prov . G . Steward j J . M . Jefferson , P . M . j 1 . T . Haly , P . M . j H . Winsor , C . J . Catt , Thos . Golby , John Bartlett , G . F . Brooke , T . W . Leach , J . A . Stone , C . J . Mitchell , and J . R . Watts . Visitors : Bros . T . J . Mercer , W . M . 2732 , P . M . 2427 ; Laurence , P . M . 1326 , P . P . G . D . C : Macchi .

P . M . 150 S ; Geo . Chapman , S . D . 180 s , S . W . 2732 ; A . Allan Hope , 1087 ; Marchant , 170 C ; C . Laugler , 1767 ; Goodall , 834 j C Winterbon , 2323 ; and J . W . Sweeny and C . J . Schendel , of 223 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , Messrs . Tom J . Huntington , F . Reckur , and Max Lightenberg were duly elected and initiated . Bro . the Rev . F . J . Greenwood , Treas 2593 , Chap . 1767 , was elected a joining member . Bros . C J . Mitchell , J . A . Stone , J . R . Watts , and F .

Goodall ( the latter at the request of the W . M . of the Ranelagh Lodge , No . 831 ) were all duly raised in a most solemn and impressive manner to the Third Degree . The election of W . M . for the ensuing year then took place , and the highly esteemed Bro . William Hillier , P . M . 1366 and 2000 , S . W . of the lodge , was unanimously chosen . Bro . J . Woodmason was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . J . W . Smith was elected Tyler . Bros . Mitchell and Huntington were elected Auditors , and the voting of a Past Master ' s jewel to the W . M . ended the business of thc lodge , which was afterwards closed .

The brethren then adjourned to an excellent repast , which was provided by Hjit Collyer . Between the usual toasts some excellent music and singing was given by Bros Bartlett , Chapman , Golby , Huntington , Hussey , and Winterbon , and a mjst successful and enjoyable meeting was brought to a very harmonious close .

National Artillery Lodge , No 2578 . An emergency meeting of this London lodge was held by dispensation from the Grand Master , and with the approval of the Prov . G . Master of Essex , tht Earl of Warwick , at the Masonic Room of the Cambridge Hotel , Shoeburyness , on Thursday , the ioth inst ., when Bro . Dix , the courteous landlord of the hotel , did his utmost to make the brethren comfortable . The magnificent room in which the lodge was held , which is the ordinary Masonic room of St . Andrew's Lodje , No . 1817 a lodge which

, possesses more than 100 subscribing members , was courteously lent by the St . Andrew ' s Lodge for the occasion , and several members of that lodge were present . The W . M . of the above lodge , Uro . Major VV . Nicholls , P . M . J 22 S , Prov . G . S . B . Berks , presided , and there were also present Bros . Col . the Eirl of Stradbroke , I . P . M . ; Capt . Frank Griffith , W . M . 250 S , as S . W . ; Col . Wilson , J . W . ; Major H . Van ; -St > . v , P . M ., Treas . j Capt . A . Pratgar , J . W . 2075 , 2494 , as S . D . ; Capt . lohn Clark . LW ,

21 S , J . D . ; Lieut . E . 1 . Lea , 2484 , 35 I . G . j and among the visitors were Broi . H . Ford , W . M . elect 1 S 17 ; G . j . Linsmore , P . R . ; Sergt . W . Crombie , R . A , 1817 ; H . Potter , 132 ; S . E . Proctor , P . M . 1 S 17 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1028 ; J . Leaney , P . M . 1 S 17 , P . Prov . G . P . ; W . H . Stevenson , Org . 1817 and 2717 ; F . E . Bartlett , 2000 ; F . Goodenham , P . M . 1817 , P . P . A . G . P . Essex ; T . W . Avis , P . M . and Sec . 1184 ; W . Glasscock , P . M . 1 S 17 ; C A . Messenger , 1 S 17 ; Morris Cohen , 1 S 17 ; and A . Dix , 1 S 17 .

After the lodge had been opened the Earl of Stradbroke was saluted with the honours due to a Senior Grand Warden , the high office he occupies in Grand Lodge this year . Major Vane-Stow then delivered the following address , the purport of which was the reason for obtaining the dispensation for holding the lodge of emergency : Worshipful Master , Past Masters , and brethren , I have been asked to make a few remarks on the National Attillf r > Lodge , but I propose being as brief as possible . The Royal Artillery have long had the Ubique Lodge , a most successful one , but their success was a sufficient reason that they could not extend their rules in order to accept

officers of Volunteer Artillery . Several of us were either members of the first lodge , or frequent guests , and it was finally suggested that the lodge should be formed , encouraged by the Ubique Lodge ( which recommended the grant of the warrant ) for officers of and connected with auxiliary Artillery . After the usual necessiry delays , the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , finally authorised the establishment of the lodge , and appointed as its first Master Bro . Col . Ritchie , one of the founders of the first lodge , an officer of artillery who at the War Office had very much to do with Volunteer Artillery matters . He was succeeded by Bro . Major Vane Stow , the Secretary of the National Artillery Association , and Bro .