History Of No. 289, Leeds.

Mason , who is now writing the history of No . 304 , and contains a very curious reference to a Degree , believed to be the Royal Arch , illustrative of that ceremony being worked in Leeds at a very early date . It is a Petition to the M . W . G . M . for a Constitution dated November , 1760 , the singular symbol used being capitally reproduced in facsimile . A copy of the warrant is also given of January Sth , 1761 , and other documents are printed , one concerning an unauthorised French lodge being most interesting . The lodge

was erased in 17 S 6 , though there is an entry in the records so late as 17 S 8 , and efforts were made to secure its revival , but not in time ; the third lodge of 1790 being possibly the outcome of the attempt . An excellent facsimile occurs at page 15 of the History of an impression of the original summons plate . Though prosperous for a lime , this , the " Loyal and Prudent" Lodge fell through in the third decade of this century , but , as to that point and many others , I must refer my readers to the handsome volume now before me .

Chapter II . opens with the history of the " Lodge of Fidelity , " then No . 512 . The members assembled , by virtue of a dispensation dated 24 th September , 1792 , at the Old George Inn , October 1 st , 1 792 , now the " Old George Hotel , " Briggate , Leeds , of which a good illustration is given , also the interior of the lodge room , and facsimiles of the first minutes and of the landlords' bill . The bills are reproduced in facsimile from time to time , and are quite a novel and suggestive feature of the volume .

The brethren got tired of the dispensation , and resolved to apply for a warrant , which was duly , or rather unduly , granted by the local authorities in 1806 , a copy—reduced in size—being appended . The design of the seal was decided on in July , 1793 , and is still used—( printed to imitate wax , on page 31 ) , and is followed by a facsimile , with seal attached , of a certificate granted by the Lodge in 1795 . The Royal

Arch chapter for the members was opened in 1793 , and numbered 93 , and another numbered 120 , warranted 19 th July , 1 S 02 , called the Perseverance , literally worked side by side , their minutes being entered alternately in the same record book . Ultimately they amalgamated , and the united chapter continues to flourish as the " Fidelity , " which should celebrate its centenary as well as secure the coveted jewel this year .

Chapter III . begins in 1801 , and continues to 1813 , being a most entertaining division . Bro . Maguire ' s "Athol" certificate of 1796 , and a sketch of the apron then worn ( of which the plate was kindly lent by Bro . George Kenning ) are amongst the special attractions , as well as several of the curious little tavern bills . The next chapter runs on to 1829 , and is noteworthy for its illustrations of various old tools and jewels , which are still in

use . Chapter V . deals with the Prov . G . Lodged the West Riding of the County of York , from 173 S , and portraits of the first Prov . G . M . and all his successors are to be found in this choice work , that of the present respected holder of the position of Prov . G . M . of West Yorkshire forming a most appropriate frontispiece . My esteemed friend and Bro . Thos . W .

Tew , J . P ., appears at page 144 , who was the beloved Ruler from 1 S 85 to 1893 . His name will not be forgotten so long as the province lasts . Much of the information would be suitable for quoting in the pages of the Freemason , were it not that the work is still for sale . A roll is printed of the names of " Fidelity " members who have been Prov . Grand Officers , either of the County or the West Riding , over 70 in number , indicative of the character and zeal of the brethren .

The 6 th chapter begins in 1830 and ends 20 years later , the period , as the authors declare , disclosing some very interesting Masonic work in the lodge , and the following chapter brings down the narrative to 1875 , many important events being carefully described in relation to the lodge and the province ; the Sth chapter completing the details to the year 18 93 . The installation of the centenary W . M . in 1891 ( Bro . Richard Wilson ) and then

the celebration of the centenary on the 1 st October , 1892 , being exactly 100 years since the lodge was opened at the "Old George" at Briggate , with other matters of specal interest , come in for a large share of attention , the summons for the meeting being reproduced , the roll of the W . M . and Wardens being given as designed by Bro . Alfred Scarth , W . M . in 1 S 87 and the centenary Secretary , and portraits of all the officers , mostly Past Masters of the lodge .

A facsimile of the centenary warrant , dated 23 rd Sept ., 1 S 92 , and signed by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Grand Master , is honoured with a full page , the centenary jewel concluding the ninth chapter , the 10 th and last being devoted to ihe installation of the Prov . G . M . ( the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P . ) who was chosen as successor to his most zealous and able predecessor , Bro . Thomas William Tew , J . P .

The volume concludes with a list of the meeting places of the lodges , the roll of present members ( over 70 in number ) , and a complete roll of members for the hundred and more years . I have not been able to note the numerous illustrations , and the many curious and important items of a general and special character , that , had

space permitted , the temptation so to do would have been victorious ; but sufficient has been said and written to demonstrate the excellence , value , and interest of this grand volume , as well as to indicate how thorough and successful have been the labours of Bros . Scarth and Braim , as authors of one of the best and handsomest lodge histories ever published . W . J . HUGHAN .

P'Rovinial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.

P'ROVINIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM .

I'RKSKNTATION TO BRO . THE REV . CANON TRISTRAM . 1 he annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand I . odgc was held on the "ftcrnoon of the 9 th inst ., at the Grand Assembly Rooms , B . irras Bridge , Newcastle , under the united banners of the Northumberland and Berwickupon-Tweed Lodge , T . I ., and the Tristram Lodge , No . 346 . 'The chair was "reupied by Bro . the Rev . II . B . Tristram , D . D ., F . R . S ., Canon of Durham , rov . Grand Master . There was a large assemblage of brethren , amongst 'hem being—

P'Rovinial Grand Mark Lodge Of Northumberland And Durham.

Bros . R . B . Reed , P . G . Std . Br . England , D . P . G . M . ; John W . Woodall , P . P . G . M . North and East Yorks ; T . R ? W . Parnell , J . W . 95 , P . PJ . G . D . North and East Yorks ; John F . Sells , W . M . 95 , P . S . G . O . North a . id East Yorks ; T . E , Biddlecombe , P . M ., P . G . Steward England ; John Strachan , P . G . D . England ; T , Dinning , P . G . D . C ; J . S . S . Bell , P . J . G . W-. ; J . E . R . Hurworth , P . G . O . ; Wm , Barlow , P . G . Std . Br . ; Richard T . Bsnson , 250 , P . PJ . G . O . ; Thomas Bell , 356 .

P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Straker Wilson , 346 . P . P . S . G . W . ; Wm . J . Y . Ryder , P . M . 346 , P . P . G . D . C ; F . H . Corder , P . M / 346 . P . P . G . D . C . ; Thomas j . Armstrong , P . M . Northumberland and Durham ( F . I . ) P . G . Steward England ; J . Heppell , 3 62 , P . P . S . G . O . ; G . Robson , 3 62 , P . G . R . ; C . B . Ford , Northumberland and Durham ( T . I . ) , P . G . Sec . ; C . F . Sutcliffe , P . M . 362 , P P . J . G . D . ; F . Clark , 346 , P . G . S . ; R . Hudson , P . P . G . M . O . ; J . Gibson Youll , 346 , P . P . G . Sec ; Wm . Coxon , 356 ,

P . PJ . G . O . ; Joseph Lawson , 356 , P . P . G . C . ; John Appleyard , P . P . G . T . ; John Carr , P . P . G . O . ; John Harrison , J . K . Wilkes , W . E . Moffett , E . Dunford , H . Palmer , John Scarborough , Alexander Darling R . Whitfield , P . P . G . R . of M . ; Michael Corbitt , P . P . S . G . O . ; C . S . Lane , Past G . M . O . Eng ., P . P . S . G . W . ; John Strachan , Past S . G . D . Eng ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Thos . Purvis , Prov . G . Treas ., Past S . G . D . Eng . ; and Lieut .-Col . J . H . Bentham , G . Steward .

After Provincial Grand Lodge had been duly opened , the reports of the Committee of General Purposes , presented by the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . C . B . FORD , showed the Order to be in a flourishing condition , and that there . was a large increase of members during the year . The Committee , to prevent any pDssible misapprehension , desired to say that no lodge as a lodge had been permitted to subscribe to the cost of the presentation to be

made that day to the Right Worship ful the Provincial Grand Master . The funds of a Mark lodge should always be strictly reserved to discharge its legitimate outgoings and . for expenditure relating to the sacred purposes of Charity . The cost of the presentation to the Ri ght Worshipful Provincial Grand Master had been entirely met by voluntary subscriptions from the brethren of the province .

Bro . R . B . REED , D . Prov . G . M ., amid the applause of the brethren , presented an address to the Provincial Grand Master , congra ' . ulating him on his having completed 21 years of rule in the chair , and expressing the hope of the brethren that he might long be spared to discharge the duties

of his high position . Bro . Reed , also in suitable terms , presented to the Provincial Grand Master the fine portrait , painted by Mr . C . Kay Robertson , also an illuminated address , and besides these a handsome case of Apostle spoons , of fine workmanship , for Mrs . Tristram , with the respectful regards to her of the Mark brethren of the province .

Bro . the Rev . Canon TRISTRAM , Prov . Grand Ma-ter , on rising was very warmly received by the brethren . In the course of his speech he saii he never in his life felt so intensely the truth of the saying that one ' s feelings were too deep for utterance . He had therefore very great difficulty in finding utterance by which to return his thanks . In the progress made by the Order in the province , he was exceedingly glad to state that

he had had the assistance of two most successful Deputy Prov . Grand Masters , Bros . T . Y . Strachan and R . B . Reed . They had been kind counsellors , begruding no trouble , sparing no pains , and were only anxious for his credit and reputation in justly directing the affairs of the province . 'They were , indeed , his true Prime Ministers . He had been a Mason for 53 years , and he believed that he was the oldest Mark Mason in the province ,

having been advanced to that Degree in 1846 , in Bermuda . In 1861 or or 1 S 62 he joined the Eclectic Lodge at West Hartlepool , and at that time there were only three provinces in England . After passing the chair of the Eclectic Lodge , Lord Percy did him the honour of submitting his name to the Prince of Wales , and thus in time he became the Prov . Grand Master of Northumberland and Durham . 'The brethren of the province had done

done him the seven-fold honour of seven limes returning his name , and asking for his re-appointment . In 1873 , when he was appointed Master of the province , there were seven lodges , and now there were 12 . The Prov . G . M . then proceeded to refer to the good accomplished by the Order , and in conclusion remarked thai he was now past three score years and ten , and

therefore his rule over them could not be very long . But as long as he was able to be with them he would gladly be present , and sincerely trusled the love and harmony that had always characterise ! their gatherings would ever continue . On behalf of himself and hi ? wife , who had been his partner in life for nearly 50 years , he sincerely returned his thanks for the tokens of

their esteem . The following were appointed Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year : Bro . Licut .-Col . J . H . Bentham , 34 6 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . ,, Henry Lamb , 39 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,. S . M . Harris , T . I . ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O .

„ W . E . Moffett , 362 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ F . Dunford , T . l . ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . ,, Rev . Jos . Golightly ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Thos . Purvis , 346 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . Wilkes , 250 ... .... ... Prov . G . Reg . of M . .. C . B . Ford . t . l . ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec .

,, H . Palmer , 35 6 ... ... •••Prov . S . G . D . „ R . S . Holt , 133 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . ,, Alex . Darling , 192 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . „ T . R . Short , 2 93 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . ., Henry Barlow , 39 ... •••••¦ Prov . A . G . D . C .

,, | as . Scdcole , 362 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ J . Sinclair , 39 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ R . Ferry , 293 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, J . Harrison , 122 ... ... ¦•¦ Prov . G . I . G . ,, ' l . Appleyard , 293 ¦¦¦ ••¦ •••Prov . G . Tyler .

The P . G . M . announced that the next meeting would be at South Shields , unde the Banner of the Wouldhave Lodge . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed . The brethren afterwards dined together at the Grand Hotel , presided over by Bro . the Rev . Cancm 'Tristram . I . L . D ., D . D ., P . G . M ., who was supported on his right by Bros . R . B . Reed , D . P . G . M . ; and Woodall , P . P . G . M . North and List Yorks ; and on the left by Bros . Fcndclow ,

P . G . M . Warwickshire ; CS . Laing , P . G . M . O . ; | ohn Strachan , P . S . G . D . ; Purvis , P . S . G . D . ; John Straker Wilson , P . G . Stwd . ; T . J . Annstrong , P . G . Stwd . ; j . 11 . Benlhan . G . Stwd ., P . S . G . W ., and others . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and a most agreeable evening was spent , it being remarked by one of the brethren that it had indeed been " a red letter day " in Mark Masonry in this province .