Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

¦ ' * n form is exactly the same , but , of course , each hould be more perfect , as everybody can under-) , eaI dthe first year presenting the greatest difficulties . S ' very large proportion of the provinces the oiner

1 * r is edited oy a orouner man rue nuv . e ^' , '' gecretary , and in the same way the Prov . G . ^ - ' i- ir nerforms certain duties in a number of the g £ s . -Yours fraternally , 1 HENRY LOVEGROVE .

p q —I should like to state that I had no difficulty in , * in" information from the official records , as Bro . ; " lvird and Bro . Lee were most obliging , but other r -tion had to be obtained , and in almost every case in' ° |' * . ] rteously supplied , although there were one or two ""^ * -i « i ' of un-Masonic discourtesy . —H . L .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

g 8 ] BRO . GOULD'S COMMENTARY . I am sorry tbat my remarks about Bro . Gould ' s ¦ iiluable Commentary on the " Regius MS . " havebeen Misunderstood , as respects the declaration that itshould be " re-written . " My reason for such a belief is that the author has an immense amount of material still unused respecting this ancient document of the Craft . As also he felt compelled to qualify some of his statements as the Commentary progressed , and the earlier portions being in print , effect could only be given to these slight changes by corrections , my idea was that a new edition of the " Commentary , " with all the fresh matter , would take well , and form an excellent and

important volume on the subject asaseparatepublication . 1 still think so , but fail to see how that is any reflection on the author , especially when I describe the Commentary as Bro . Gould ' s Masterpiece . Nothing like it has ever been attempted before , and if any brethren consider it was easy work to write my friendly critique thereof ( so as to act as a guide for ordinary Masonic

students ) , let them try for themselves , and they will find me amongst the first to recognise their merits—if they succeed . Personally , I may be allowed to say that in the space devoted to the subject my best is represented , and if that be not acceptable to some of my readers , they can pass it over , and study the suggestive account of the " Grand Festival of the Secret Monitor "

instead , which immediately follows my article . I shall not again notice anonymous attacks and "back stairs " criticism , and only do so now because of my esteem for the great labours of the author of the Commentary .

Bro . Gould , for bis history and his numerous contributions to the literature of the Craft , deserves to be held in everlasting remembrance by a grateful Brotherhood . The brief criticisms of Bros . Yarker and Speth are models of their kind . W . J . HUGHAN . SA

A Grotesque Masonic Ceremony.

A GROTESQUE MASONIC CEREMONY .

The Journal de Bruxelles of the 20 th ult ., after asserting * that the exact and punctual payment of lodge dues is considered among French Masons to be the chief Masonic virtue , proceeds to quote from a French Masonic organ , La Chaine d' Union , the form of ritual

practised by a lodge in order formally to expel a brother in arrears of payment from the Craft . The ¦ following are extracts : —The lodge is li g hted in a dim , solemn manner , a black scarf is hung on the lodge banner , three lanthonis on long staffs replace the three candles , which are veiled in black crape , a brazier with lighted embers is placed in front of the Master ' s chair

oi a tnpocl , the Director of Ceremonies stands near it "olding a scroll of paper on which is written the name . the defaulting brother . The ceremony which follows ls ( says the report ) too long to repeat , but the principal 1 'oints consist of remarks of the W . Master , replied to

y the S . Warden . " The brother who does not pay . us dues as a debt of honour , is his honesty and honour in default ? " "Yes , W . M . " "What does he deserve 1 no has thus acted ? " "To be despised by the Brethren and to be expelled the Order . " The W . M . , " gives one strnkr- of -HIP ravel . ; inrl thp . brethren

the n ' p "" ' Ieads ** token of sorrow ; at a second stroke I ' | ' - t * s the paper inscribed with the name of the Brot | . . \ r t e brazier * The W * * thetl declares j . 1 ei - *• * ¦ Z . guilty of having failed in his honour us '" . >' S Ms lodge dues , and says , "Brethren , let bu ^ ' p " 'he man whom we deprive of his title to brc ' tl . m : i . - " At the third stroke of the gavel the strol- ' . - " f ' simultaneousl y the left arm with three ( wliH * I ^ ' = ' palm , producing a dead sound the b " mourning salute ); then the W . M . assures , nK | v , 8 n ° f the absolute necessity of disgracing ¦ mcl ' . ? "ring him who they would rather honour groan ' * ' " ^ - is three times repeated amidst the ' ce ^ ' quick strokes of tlie 8 ' avel indicate that of i ) 10 f * is over . lights are restored , and evidences gratuht ™" . ? ^ uick-y disappear ; then the Master conobjcct ' ioY . bl ' ethl'eri at having thus got rid of an of ( . p . . Ie brother , and they reply with three rounds alle „ A g 0 f ° P hands . Can Bro . Gould tell us if this ' 'idieul ,. C t S , y is an actual fact , or is it a Belgian " -0 ' hrench Masonry ? B . B .

| " l ' 0 . J Q .. J . 1 p . . "" use of r . Ulai''es Beresford has resigned his seat in the Urder that i , mmons > as member of East Marylebone , in tlle lank of Ad appl y for a ship and c l liali £ y llimsel £ for

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

draft flfoasonn > . Metropolitan / l & eetings , Bromley St . Leonard Lodge ( No . 1805 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge took place at the Bromley Vestry Hall , Bow-road , E ., on Tuesday , the 16 th instant , the business being of a formal character , and this having been soon disposed of , the lodge adjourned , and thebrethren , with their ladies and other non-Masonic friends , proceeded thence to the L . B . and S . C . Railway Station ,

London Bridge , where arrangements had been made for attaching several saloon carriages to the 10 . 25 express , and a very excellent journey was made and enjoyed through the pretty scenery passing * through the North and South Downs , until their arrival , about noon , at the quaint olcl town of Arundel . As the banquet had been ordered for 2 . 30 , opportunity

was taken to visit St . Phillip's R . C . Church—the old parish church—while many strolled on over the beautiful hills and through thc quaint dales of Arundel Park , which surrounds the castle , one of the country seats of the Duke of Norfolk , and it had been hoped his grace would have granted permission for the party to view the other portions of the estate .

Prompt attention was paid to the commands of the VV . M . for all to be present at 2 . 30 , when a very appetising ancl substantial banquet was placed before them by Bro . Charles Barkshire , of the Norfolk Hotel , to whom great credit is due for his care and attention to the party , and it is needless to say that full justice was done to the " Fourth Degree , " as it is generally designated in the Craft .

The W . M ., Bro . Henry Johnson , presided , supported by Hros . Peterken , P . M . ; Forbes , P . M . ; ancl Bailey , P . M . ; and after the usual Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured , advantage was taken of the gathering to present a very handsome silver salver to Bro . Henry Bracey Forbes , P . M ., and to Bro . Joseph Bailey , LP . M ., a gold keyless watch , as a mark of esteem and recognition of their

valuable services rendered during the time they respectively occupied thc chair of K . S . Bros . Forbes and Bailey acknowledged this further honour in most appropriate language . Bro . Bailey , I . P . M ., proposed the toast of " The Worshipful Master . " Bro . Henry Johnson responded , and assured the ladies

and friends the great pleasure it afforded him to see so many present . Bro . Ben Johnson , J . W ., in proposing the toast of "The Ladies , " thanked them for coming in such strong force , and trusted this would be followed by many such a happy day . Bro . Roberts , Steward , replied , and said they ( the ladies ) would be only too happy to attend on every occasion they might be favoured with an invite to such an enjoyable

outing . Bro . R . Toole , S . W ., next proposed the toast of " The Visitors . " Mr . J . A . Murray Macdonald replied , and said the visitors were very pleased to meet the members of the lodge at all times , and especially on such a very jolly occasion as the present , when all seemed to him so happy together , and he

trusted ere long he would have the pleasure of being received " as one of them . " Bro . Peterken . P . M ., thanked the friends for not forgetting the P . M . ' s , the old veterans in the cause , and Bro . Mead , Sec , having responded for "The Officers , " the company separated to enjoy the remaining time in wandering about the old Sussex town , while some passed the

time in boating , and others by going on a jaunt through pretty lanes to Littlehampton until S . 12 p . m ., when they returned from whence they started , having enjoyed most heartily their first summer outing ; and great praise is due to the Committee and Bro . Mead , Sec , for the very admirable way the arrangements were made and carried out . Those present were—Members : Bros . H . Johnson , W . M . j

R . Toole , S . W . j Ben Johnson , J . W . ; John Collier , Treas . ; W . Masefield , Sec ; G . " E . Warn , J . D . ; C . Lewsey , LG . ; W . Barnes , D . C . j W . J . Roberts and W . T . Potts , Stewards ; A . Peterken , P . M . ; H . B . Forbes , P . M . ; J . Bailey , P . M . j Oates , Hambridge , Flynn , Chinery , Pealling , Home , Bird , Davis , Marriott , Mark Liell , Griffith Thompson , Howard , Fennell , and Hutcheson . —Visitors : Mr . J . A . Murray Macdonald , Bro . R . Hirst , Bro . and Mrs . Dannan , Mrs . Forbes , Bro . Marsh , Miss

Mead , Mrs . Liell , Miss Marriott , Bro . and Mrs . Hayns , Bro . and Mrs . Goodey , Mrs . Warn , Miss Howard , Mrs , Hambridge , Bro . J . W . and the Misses Gibbs , Mrs . Flynn , Bro . and Mrs . Brown , Mrs . H . Johnson , Miss Taylor , Mrs . Ben Johnson , Mrs . Home , Mrs . and Miss Lewsey , Mrs . and " Miss Oates , Miss Carraher , Miss Pealling , Mrs . Chinery , Mrs . Hutcheson , Bro . W . F . May , Mr . Peterken , jun ., and Mr . Ashton .

Anglo-American Lodge ( No . 2191 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held at the Criterion ( Masonic Temple ) , on the iGth inst , when there were present Bros . Fred . Kedge , WM . ; Adolphus Clark , I . P . M . ; James J . Woolley , acting as S . W . ; James B . Grieve , acting as J . W . ; John 13 . Cumming , Treas . ; George Reynolds , Sec ; Walter Hancock , S . D . j George H .

Reynolds , J . D . ; John Skinner , I . G . ; H . W . Schartau , Org . ; Fred . Jackson , Stwd . ; R . F . Potter , Tyler ; B . R . Paul , Charles G . Rotter , G . A . Bergholz , C . O . Burgess , James Rowe , Walter J . Thrussell , E . A . Ronaasen , W . S . Lincoln , Curtis D'Alton , A . Scarlett Thomson , and Dr . J . J . Wedgwood . Visitors : Bros . Wright Barringer , 1 ( 314 ; E . P . Case , P . M . 32 ; Angelico Cogliati , 1559 , * Thos . C . Seary , 19 S 7 j and F . M . Noakes , 2148 . The lodtre was opened , and the minutes of the last

meeting ( installation ) read and confirmed . The Treasurer made his report . Letters of regret at not being able to be present were read from Bros . Brackstone Baker , P . M . ; Major George Lambert , P . M . ; Theodore H . Tilton , Sir Polydore de Keyser , and many other brethren . Ballots proving unanimous for Messrs . Harry Vilain and Victor L . Huray as initiates , and those g'entlemen being in attendance , they

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

were initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . Bro . Col . JohnChalfontNew , United States Consul-General , wasunani- . moiisly elected a joining member of the lodge . Bros . Curtis D'Alton and Arthur " Scarlett Thomson ( this brother by request of thc W . M . of the Strand Lodge , No . 19 S 7 ) were passed to the Degree of F . C , and Bros . Gustave A .

Bergholz , VValter J . Thrussell , and Charles G . Rotter were raised to the Degree of a M . M ., the W . M . performing the whole of the work in a most admirable manner . The lodge was closed , and adjourned to thc 23 rd July ( emergency ) , to give several distinguished American brethren passing through London a hearty greeting .

Provincial Meetings.

Provincial Meetings .

ASHBOURNE . St . Oswald Lodge ( No . S 50 ) . —The annual festival and installation meeting in connection with this lodge took place on Monday , the Sth inst ., at the Town Hall . The lodge was opened by Bro . G . M . Bond , the retiring W . M ., and the ceremony of installation was admirably performed by Bro . T . Cox , P . M . ThenewW . M .,

Bro . J . R . Rigby , appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . G . M . Bond , I . P . M . ; H . Twigge , S . W . ; VV . Davenport , J . W . ; J . Young , Chap . ; P . R . Littleton , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Howell , P . M ., Sec . j H . Brambles , P . M ., Almoner ; W . A . Lytle , S . D . ; A . M . Wither , j . D . ; R . Beardmore , D . of C . ; VV . H . Tutt , P . M ., Org . ; T . O . Farmer , I . G . ; J . T . Marple and W . H . Smedley , Stwds . ; and R . Brown , Tyler .

At the conclusion of the lodge thc brethren adjourned to the Green Man Hotel , where a banquet was provided , Bro . Rigby , the newly-elected W . M ., presiding . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured . The following * brethren were present , in addition to those given above : Bros . VV . R . Holland , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; [ . H . Cooke , P . M ., P . P . G . S . ; Sargent , W . Barnes , P . M . j Thomas Shipton , VV . M . 6 Si ; and Voules , S . D . 6 S 1 .

BROCKLEY . Wickham Lodge ( No . 1924 ) . —The election meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the ist inst ., when there were present Bros . VV . Rowley , W . M . ; D . Carpmael , S . W . ; H . H . Nuding , J . W . ; Rev . R . Pratt , Chap . ; VV . A . Adam , Treas . ; J . O . Abbott , Sec . ; A . Clark , S . D . ; T . Gordon , l . D . ; G . Davidson , D . C . ; W .

Morley , I . G . ; W . Gore , Stwd . ; C . Shepperd , Tyler ; J . A . Burton , P . M . ; VV . F . Damant , P . M . ; VV . J . Spratling , P . M . ; H . Nuding , P . M . ; VV . R . Smith , F . Ingle , A . VV . Kemp , J . Clever , A . Floyd , T . O . Merritt , J . Lowe , W . Cooke , and W . Simpson . Visitors : Bros . Brackstone Baker , P . M . 2191 , P . G . D . ; G . D . Stevenson , 214 S ; T . R . Beaujort Hinks , 214 S ; H . Carman , 54 S ;

C . J . Frost , 1702 ; S . Giles , 944 ; and F . M . Noakes , 214 S . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . A ballot was then taken for Mr . Alban Thomas , which having proved unanimous , he was initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry , the ceremony being performed by the W . M . in a most impressive manner . After the reading of the by-laws , the

brethren proceeded to the election of Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , their votes being unanimous in favour of Bro . Carpmael , S . VV ., who , in a few well-chosen remarks , thanked the brethren for the honour they had conferred upon him , and promised to do all in his power to uphold thc

prestige of the lodge . The VV . M . then proceeded to invest Bro . VV . A . Adam , Treas ., who was unanimously re-elected , and Bro . J . O . Abbott , Sec , with jewels of their respective offices , which had been unanimously voted by the lodge as a mark of their appreciation of the zeal and ability with which they had fulfilled their duties during the past eight

years . The Worshipful Master said these jewels were usually presented when the brethren were vacating their offices , but in this case they were still in possession of their collars , and he trusted they might be spared for many years to fulfil those duties with the same assiduity as they now did . Bros . VV . A . Adam , Treasurer , and Bro . J . O . Abbott , Secretary ,

made suitable replies . A vote of condolence with the family of the late Mrs . Drake , expressing their sympathy with them in the loss they had sustained , was proposed by the Worshipful Master , seconded by Bro . Abbott , Secretary , and carried unanimously . The VV . Master , in making the proposition , informed the brethren that Mrs . Drake was the lady of the manor on which St . Peter ' s Hall is built , and owner of the Wickham Park Estate . She was the patroness

of the Wickham Lodge , took considerable interest in its formation , gave the Master and Wardens' chairs , and granted permission to use the crest of her late husband , Captain Drake , as the insignia of the lodge . All Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , after which the usual toast list was gone through , interspersed with some excellent music .

DUDLEY . Royal Standard Lodge ( No . 49 8 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 10 th inst ., at the Dudley Arms Hotel , when Bro . Dr . J . Bellingham was installed W . M . for the year , the installation being performed by Bro . VV . J . Gilliver , P . M . The newly-installed Master afterwards appointed , and invested the following brethren : Bros . J . W . Roberts ,

S . W . ; F . G . Thompson , [ . VV . ; H . H . Hughes , S . D . ; VV . Richardson , J . D . ; W . B . Palethorpe , Org . ; VV . Shepley , Sec . ; A . Green , P . M ., P . G . Treas ., Treas . ; M . Robinson and Prichard , Stwds . j King , LG . j Rev . J . W . Willsbaw , P . P . A . G . Chap ., Chap . ; J . Fisher , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C , D . C . ; and Timmins , Tyler . There was a very large number of visiting brethren , and the ceremony was followed by a banquet .

EAST MOLESEY . Frederick West Lodge ( No . 2222 ) . —On Tuesday , July gth , this lodge met at the Castle Hotel , when Bro . John Hughes , P . M . 901 , VV . M ., was supported by the followins * officers : Bros . R . T . Elsam , I . P . M . ; David

Hughes , P . M ., S . VV . ; Daniel Hughes , P . M ., J . W . ; Pritchard , Treas . ; Weaver , P . M ., Sec ; W . Thomas , P . M ., S . D . ; J . H . Mayo , Dir . of Cers . ; and Ellinger , I . G . The members present were Bros . Baker , VV . Lane , Parratt , J . Mayo , Mayo , jun ., Lockett , and VV . Lane , P . M . Visitors : Bros . W . Drewett , P . M . 889 j S . Hewitt , S . W .