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WE invite attention elsewhere to a most interesting account of a visit to the Op hthalmic Hospice at Jerusalem , which will be perused by our readers with much pleasure and approval The Ophthalmic Hospice is a developement of the active and useful work of the Order of St . Jobn , of which our distinguished Bro . Sir E . LECHMERE is the head in this country , and deserves the support of all philanthropic persons . Ophthalmic diseases are very prevalent

in Eastern countries , and anything that can be done to alleviate the sufferings of the many victims of ophthalmia and kindred complaints is indeed an effort of " Good Samaritanism . " To keep up this important Hospice in full activity , to extend its usefulness , and advance its object , is the aim of those who are supporting it . Lady LECHMERE , 13 , Bolton-road , Mayfair , VV ., will be glad to receive donations or annual subscriptions towards this much-desired and needed end . * #

WE are rapidly approaching the close of another year in Time , and another Masonic 12 months of work and life . English Freemasonry is greatly flourishing under the wise and peaceful rule of H . R . H . the Princeof WALES , and on every side of us we witness the tokens of its expanding power , and its effective significance . New lodges are being constantly added to our roll , new demands are being as constantly made on our charitable sympathies .

and another year is passing which testifies in remarkable measure both to the Charity and Loyalty of our great Or der . 1 S 84 has indeed witnessed an outburst and outcome of Roman Catholic fanatic ism , deeply to be deplored , and greatly to be deprecated . Without a word of warning , the benevolent LEO XIIL , adopting the absurdities of the ill-informed Roman Curia , has thought fit to revive the old bigoted views as regards Freemasonry , and to

p lace Freemasonry everywhere under a so-called Interdict . Of course , in 1 S 84 , such an act is alike absurd on the face of it , and utterly impotent ; but as it affects Roman Catholics themselves , it has an importance for our Fraternity . There are many Roman Catholic Freemasons among the clergy and the laity of that Church , and everyone therefore , even their own author ! tes , with a natural wish to live peaceably with their neighbours , are placed in a

most inconsistent and annoying position , equally painful to us , equally trying to them . It seems strange that in 1 S 84 LEO should seek to resuscitate the tone and temper of 173 8 . Freemasonry was originally condemned by CLEMENT , principally because it constituted a meeting place , or neutral ground , for Roman Catholics and Protestants , and its meetings and its lodges were threatened with the severest penalties . We pass over the

intervening Allocutions of LEO , of Pius VIL , of Pius IX ., and we come to the latest ebullition of Roman Catholic intolerance , by which English Freemasonry is condemned in the same breath with foreign Freemasonry , though the difference of the two systems is as marked as light from darkness , and Roman Catholic writers themselves have often admitted the peculiarly religious , reverential , loyal , benevolent tone of English Freemasonry . VVe

have nothing to say in defence of many foreign jurisdictions , except that , according to our mind , they are almost out of the pale of Cosmopolitan Freemasonry . We cannot deny that just exception may be taken to their words and acts , which are often senseless and profane , always unrightful and un-Masonic in the highest degree . With these few words we call the attention ot our readers to a resume of Masonic events of 1884 , which appears elsewhere in our columns .

* * * We have thus touched upon most of thc principal matters recorded in the weekly and faithful pages of the Freemason in 1884 . Abroad , Freemasonry is in a very disjointed and a incoherent state , osvingto revolutionary changes and unwise agitation . France and Belgium , are in our humble opinion , actually outside Freemasonry proper , and no loyal Anglo-Saxon Freemason can safely enter their lodges as at present conducted . It would be a curious

commentory on their ill-omened departure from the true Cosmopolitan principles of the Craft if , in France especially , under a Republican form of Government , their very existence as a legal body was placed in jeopardy by their own headlong course and precipitate innovations . Holland seems inclined to "follow suit ; " let us hope that the stability of the Dutch character may save Freemasonry there from another degradation . In Italy , Germany ,

Hungary , and the North of Europe , Freemasonry appears to pursue the even tenour of its way , not making any strikingadvance , it is true , but keeping together a band of brotherhood , and a " linked chain " of " good men and true . " In America and Canada Freemasonry is not only holding its own , but advancing ; and in India and our Colonial Empire , as well as Mexico , Peru , Sec , we hear and note some sounds and signs of Masonic life .

The Quebec Freemasons have been very pugnacious and warlike as against our patient English Grand Lodge , and the English lodges existing in Quebec , by virtue of an honourable Concordat , and in concurrence with the undoubted law and precedents of European Freemasonry . VVe hope that the last dignified reply of our GRAND MASTER , approved of unanimously by Grand Lodge , will convince our friends in the Dominion how unwise it is , how suicidal for them to

quarrel with the Grand Lodge of England , which strong in its own dignity and inherent rights , will uphold " against all comers" the undoubted privileges of its lodges . Thus wags our Masonic world away year by year . May the close of another year bring peace and prosperity to all our true brethren everywhere , as we raise elsewhere our joyous Christmas anthem , " Glory to GOD in the Highest , and on earth Peace , Goodwill towards men . "

* • DEATH has been very active amongst our Fraternity during the last twelve months . Several names occur to us of those whom we sadly miss from our gatherings , whose honest faces and warm hearts we shall no more greet or ¦ . mile on here below . We may remember well the names specially of the

Marquis of LONDONDERRY , Bros . ALPASS , J HAVERS , J CREATON , Sir MICHAEL COSTA , Captain PLATT , LEVANDER , SOUTHWOOD , and many more , who will bc all missed men , and for whose fraternal interest and sympathclic friendship still must raise the sigh , and of whom many sincere friends will long proclaim , with faltering accents , the departure and the loss .

Consecration Of The Byron Lodge Of Royal Ark Mariners At Nottingham.

CONSECRATION OF THE BYRON LODGE OF ROYAL ARK MARINERS AT NOTTINGHAM .

On Thursday , the 18 th inst ., the above lodge of Royal Ark Mariners , attached to the Newstead ( T . I . ) Lodge of Mark Master Masons , was consecrated at the Masonic Hall , Nottingham . Tne following distinguished brethren , together with many others , were present : Bros . C . F . Matier , P . G . W . ; Robert Berridge , G . D . C ; Hatherly , P . G . M . O . ; George ,

P . G . Stwd . ; Patchitt , G . Stwd . ; FitzHugh , P . P . G . S . W . Notts ; Rev . F . V . Bussell , P . G . S . W . Notts ; H . J . Norris , P . G . D . C . Notts ; J . M . Davis , J . Toplis , S . G . Gilbert , C . B . Trumam , P . G . Treas . Notts ; Fish , Ward , Alenson , E . P . Norris , P . C . Parker , Young , P . P . G . W . Leicester ; Walker , P . P . G . W . Leicester ; Freer , W . Wright , P . G . O . Notts ; Poore , P . G . I . G . ; Railings , and Benham .

The ceremony of consecration was most ably and impressively performed by the R . W . Bro . C . F . Matier , Past G . W ., assisted by the following Grand Officers : Bros . Berridge , G . D . of C . ; Poore , Past G . I . G . ; and George , Past Grand Stwd . The proceedings commenced by the elevation of a number of brethren to the Degree of Royal Ark Mariners , nearly the whole of the P . M . ' s of the Mark Province of Notts being

included in the list .. The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with , Bro . Matier , Consecrating Officer , taking the chair of W . C . N . ; and Bros . Berridge and George occupying respectively 1 ' ie chairs of J . and S . Bro . VV . Wright presided at the organ , and Bro . Miles Walker held ihe post of Guardian . Bro . the Rev . N . Bussell acted as Chaplain , and delivered an oration on Ark Masonry , which was much applauded .

The consecration having been completed , the installation . of the VV . C . N . elect , Bro . H . J . Norris , was then proceeded with , and was most ably rendered by Bro . Poore . Bro . Norris having been duly installed , appointed and invested the following officers : Bros . Toplis , J . ; Gilbert , S . B . ; Ingram , Treas . ; Parker , Scribe ; Alenson , S . D . ; Fish , J . D . ; Hatherly , D . C ; and E . P . Norris , Steward .

The VV . C . N ., on behalf of the lodge , thanked the brethren who had taken part in the consecration , and it was decided unanimously that for the signal services they had rendered that day they should be elected Honorary Members , and accordingly the following were added to the roll of the lodge : Bros . C . F . Matier , P . G . W . ; R . Berridge , G . D . C ; Poore , P . G . I . G . ; Miles Walker , P . P . G . S . W . Leicester ; VV . Wright , P . G . O . Notts . Bro . MATIER , on behalf of himself and his colleagues , thanked the VV . C . N . and brethren for the honour they had done them .

The offertory was then collected , amounting to 21 s ., and this was handed to Bro . George to be added to his list as Steward at the forthcoming Benevolent Festival . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat down to dinner under the presidency of the W . C . N ., Bro . H . J . Norris , who was supported by Bros . Matier , Berridge , George , Toplis , and others .

Constitution Of A Prov. Grand Royal Arch Chapter For Gloucestershire.

CONSTITUTION OF A PROV . GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER FOR GLOUCESTERSHIRE .

A Masonic ceremony of more than ordinary interest to the Fraternity was celebrated at the Masonic Hall , Cheltenham , on Thursday , the nth inst ., when a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the Province of Gloucestershire was constituted , and the Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . Sir Michael Hicks Beach , Bart ., M . P ., was installed as First Superintendent , under the patent of the Grand Superintendent of England , H . R . H . the Princeof Wales . There are now three Royal Arch chapters in Gloucestershire , over which the Provincial Grand Chapter will have

jurisdiction . The Chapter Unanimity is attached to the Foundation Lodge , No . 82 , dating back upwards of a century ; the Royal Lebanon Chapter , No . 493 , is attached to the lodge of the same name and number in Gloucester , and holds a charter dated 18 75 ; and the third chapter , connected with the Royal Gloucestershire Lodge , and bearing its name , was consecrated early in the present year , Sir Michael Hicks Beach , and Comps . J . Walker , M . A ., P . Z ., and R . V . Vassar-Smith being its three First Principals . The formation and rapid growth of this third chapter has been followed by the constitution of a Provincial Grand Chapter .

The ceremony on the nth inst . was performed by M . E . Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E ., on behalf of the Grand Superintendent , with M . E . Comps . Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . N ., as H . ; S . G . Homftav , Prov . G . H . of Mon ., P . G . S . B ., as J . ; R . C . Else , Prov . G . H . of Monmouthshire , P . G . Std . Br ., and the Baron de Ferrieres , M . P ., G . Asst . Soj ., acted as D . 's of C . ' s . Among those also present , in addition to M . E . Comps . Sir Michael Hicks Beach and J . Brook-Smith , D . Prov . G . M ., were :

M . E . Comps . A . F . Godson , Prov . G . H . Worcester ; VV . Watkins , P . Z . 683 , P . P . G . Treas . Monmouth ,- W . H . Gwinnett , P . Z . 82 ; J . Walker , M . A ., P . Z . 82 , M . E . Z . S 39 ; H . Jeffs , M . E . Z . 82 , 493 ; T . J . Cottle , P . Z . 82 ; H . J . Crump , P . Z . 493 ; C . L . Sweeting , 82 , P . Z . 92 ; W . B . Stocker , 82 , P . Z . 493 ; A . IL Rye , P . Z . 82 ; J . B . Winterbotham , P . Z . 82 ; L . Winterbotham , P . Z . 82 ; VV . R . Porcher , P . Z ., Treas . 82 ; S . Green , P . Z . 82 ; VV . L . Bain , P . Z . 82 ; E . Trinder , P . Z . 82 ; A . V . Hatton , P . Z . 493 ; F . W . Fisher , P . Z . 493 ; W . Forth , P . Z . 82 ; R . V . Vasaar-Smith , H . 839 , Z . elect , 82 ; F . Ticehurst , H . elect , 82 ; J . Bryan , J . 839 ; J . A . Matthews , J .

493 ; and Comps . Rev . Dr . Kynaston , 82 ; Sir Brook Kay , Bart ., 82 ; Kev . V . Hattersley-Smith , 82 ; T . Taynton , 839 ; E . C . Sewell , 82 ; R . Macartney , 833 ; R . Prowde-Smith , S 2 ; Dr . W . R . Smith , S 2 ; J . L . Butler , S . E . 82 ; W . Kenwick , Treas . 493 ; W . J . Stephens , 82 ; T . Cadle , 82 ; E . Lawrence , N . 82 ; VV . R . Felton , P . S . elect , 82 ; J . Balcomb , P . S . E . 82 ; C . S . Atkins , 82 ; J . A . Matthews , 82 ; A . Woodward , 493 ; H . Hunt , P . S . 493 ; F . Fenner , 82 ; VV . C . Ferris , 493 ; J . Bruton , P . S . 839 ; J . Robertson , 82 ; Rev . S . J . G . Frazer , 82 ; J . A . Matthews , J . 493 ; C . Tudway , 82 ; C . E . Ouilter , N . 493 , B . London , 493 ; C . S . Atkins , 82 ; H . J . Ferris , S . E . 493 ; G . Peters , 82 ; J . S . Carleton , N . elect , 82 j J . Thorn , 82 ; F . Moore , 82 ; S . Bland , 493 : J . Campbell , 82 : G . Norman , J . elect , 82 ; and others .

The Installing Officer , Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , having constituted Prov . Grand Chapter in due form and declared it open , stated the object of of the meeting and expressed the pleasure with which / for the second time within so brief a period , he met a large body of Gloucestershire R . A . Masons .

The roll of the chapters was then called by Comp . E . TRINDER , Prov . G . S ., acting as S . E ., and the Grand Superintendent was announced . He was received by a deputation of Past Principals , consisting of Comps . Brooks-Smith , Trinder , Stocker , Gwinnett , Fisher , and J . Walker , and having been introduced was duly installed and invested with the insignia of his office .

In addressing the newly-installed Grand Superintendent the INSTALLING OFFICER said that , speaking in the presence of a body of Gloucestershire Masons , it was necessary to say nothing of those personal and Masonic