Royal Arch.

to be elected M . E . Z . for the second time . He said friend intentionally , because although Comp . Major Shanks was an officer , he was ever the good friend of those below him in lank , and there was never a better officer in H . M . ' s Army . Comp . Doney also briefly responded to the toast , and said it always gave him great pleasure to assist in the very beautiful ceremonies of the Royal Arch Degree . One or two other toasts were proposed and duly acknowledged , but very briefly , as the time was limited , many companions having to depart by train . A very happy evening was , however , spent by all .

This chapter only a year ago was in a moribund condition , but within that period five new members have come in , and two or three who were about to withdraw have been induced to continue their membership , so that Unity now seems to be flourishing , with a cood prospect of future success .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Beaconsfield Lodge , No . 205 . The installation meeting of the above lodge was held on the 7 th inst ., at the Chcqurrs Hotel , Walthamstow . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Alfred Molony , P . P . G . I . of Wks . He was supported by the following brethren—Bros . F . Hallowes , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . C Yates , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; T . E . Bailey , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; and G . Ward Verry , P . M ., P . G . S . B . The minutes of the last meetinp ; were read and confirmed . Bro . Molony then installed in the chair the S . W . and W . M . elect , Bro . Henry H . Nuding , Prov . G . Reg .

The following brethren were appointed officers for the ensuing year—Bros . W . S . Wright , S . W . ; T . R . Laxon , J . W ; J . M . Murphy , M . O . ; G . M . Hamilton , S . O . ; W . A . Greene , J . O . ; J . Pinder , P . M , Treas . ; Alfred Molony , P . M ., Sec ; M . A . Mclnerny , S . D . ; J . Watson , I . D . ; and F . Hallowes , P . M ., LG . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Alfred Molony , LP . M . He expressed his gratitude to

the W . M . and brethren for their handsome present , and also thanked Bro . G . Ward Verry for his kind assistance in acting as D . C . during the evening . Bro . J . C . Yates , P . M ., proposed , and the W . M . seconded , that a presentation should be made to Bro . F . Hallowes on his vacating the office of Secretary , which he had held for 17 years , and as a slight recognition of the invaluable services he has rendered the lodge since its foundation . This was carried with acclamation . The lodge was closed , and the brethren dined and spent a very pleasant evening under the kindly rule of the W . M ., Bro . Nuding .

Red Cross Of Rome & Constatine.

Red Cross of Rome & Constatine .

Premier Conclave . A meeting of this conclave was held on the 2 nd inst ., at Freemasons' Tavern , Great eueen-street . Among those present were Sir Knights ) . J . Pakes , M . P . S . ; G . raveley , V . E ., M . P . S . elect ; W . A . Scurrah , S . G ., V . E . elect ; L . Steele , J . G . ; H . J . Lardner , P . G . C , P . M . P . S ., Treas . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . G . C , P . M . P . S ., Recorder ; Purrot , P . M . P . S . ; and Frater Reinhardt , Sentinel . Sir Knight the Rev . C . Wright was a visitor .

The minutes of the previous conclave were read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Sir Knight H . J . Lardner then took the chair and enthroned Sir Knicht G . Graveley as M . P . S ., and installed Sir Knight W . A . Scurrah as V . E ., the ceremonies being admirably performed . Among the officers appointed and invested were Sir Knights L . Steele , S . G . ; the Rev . R . C . Fillingham , M . A .. J . G . ; G . J . Phillips , H . P . ; C . B . Cooper , Prefect ; and Frater Reinhardt , Sentinel . A Past Sovereign's jewel was presented to Sir Knight J . J . Pakes . A vote of

sympathy was passed to Sir Knight Robinson , P . M . P . S ., who _ has _ been very unwell , and the Recorder was directed to forward same to him . Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Sir Knights the Rev . R . C Fillingham , M . A . ; G . J . Phillips , H . H . Shirley , M . A ., P . M . P . S . ; T . G . Robinson , P . M . P . S . j C . Keyser , J . P ., P . M . P . S ., P . G . G . j and others . The conclave was then closed . A banquet followed . The M . P . S . gave a few toasts , and the proceedings terminated at an early hour .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THOMAS POORE , P . M ., P . Z . It is with very great regret that we announce the death , on Sunday , the 15 th instant , of Bro . Thomas Poore , who was well known throughout the Craft as one of the ablest of our Preceptors . Bro . Poore , who had attained the ripe age of 81 years , was initiated in the Panmure Lodge , No . 720 , in 1868 , and , having been installed in the chair of W . M ., was subsequently appointed to the important post of Secretary , which he continued to hold , to the gratification of the members

as well as to the benefit of the lodge , until the day of his death . He was also a founder and Secretary from its constitution , in 1877 , until 1892 , of the Stuart Lodge , No . 1632 , and Secretary of the Cama Lodge , No . 2105 , Hampton Court . He was exalted to the Royal Arch in the Panmure Chapter , of which he was a P . Z . and for many years Scribe E ., and was Scribe of the Hanover Chapter . He was advanced to the Mark Degree in the Southwark Lodge , of which he was

a P . M . and was also P . C . N , of the Royal Ark Mariners Lodge attached to it , and for these and other services was appointed a Grand Officer in the Mark Grand Lodge . He had likewise won distinction in the Allied and Cryptic Degrees , but was best known and will be best remembered as the able Preceptor of the Great City and Panmure Lodges of Instruction , by the members of which he was both beloved and respected . We offer our sincere condolence to the family and numerous friends of our late venerable brother .

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Our Portrait Gallery.

Our portrait Gallery .

BRO . WILLIAM GUNSTONE , W . M . 2491 . We last week gave a report of the annual festival of the White Rose of York Lodge , No . 2491 , Sheffield ; to-day we present a portrait of its fourth Worshi pful Master . Bros . John Hunt , Joseph Jackman , and Chas . F . Brindley have each in succession appeared in our gallery , and it is now the turn of Bro . Gunstone . Born in the small village of Melksham , in Wiltshire , in 1834 , the limited horizon

of country life did not satisfy the mind of Bro . Gunstone , and , like many other enterprising English lads , he made his way to London . After a commercial training in the Metropolis , we next find him coming down to Sheffield , where , in i 860 , in a very modest way he commenced on his own account . From that small beginning Bro . Gunstone has gradually built up , perhaps , one of the largest wholesale provision and produce merchant ' s businesses in the provinces . Though

born in the south , he has all the north-country shrewdness , and he quickl y saw the advantage he would gain by getting his supplies from head-quarters . He promptly went out to Chicago , and there opened a branch establishment , which was for some years managed by his son , and is still kept on by the firm . This necessitated a house in Liverpool , and "Gunstone ' s Buildings , " a large block , comprising warehouses , offices , & c , in Vernon-street in that city , is the result . He has now four sons engaged in the provision trade . Latterly Bro . Gunstone

has turned his attention to farming and the breeding of stock , in which he has also been very successful . With this view some little time ago he purchased an estate in the Peak of Derbyshire , with a residence most charmingly situated on an eminence , at the foot of which lies the romantic as well as historic village of Eyam—romantic from its beautiful situation , and historic from its tragic association with the Great Plague of 1665-66 , and the heroic devotion of a Mompesson and a Stanley . Here , in the summer , Bro . Gunstone receives his friends and the " week ends" at Macclough , by which name his house is known , are something to

remember , combining as they do the pure air and picturesque scenery of the Peak Country , with the bounteous hospitality of host and hostess . Bro . Gunstone has identified himself with Eyam , is Chairman of its Parish Council , and President of its Mechanics' Institution . Towards defraying the cost of a new wing for this building , opened in the spring of the year by Mr . Victor Cavendish , M . P ., Bro .

Gunstone gave the handsome sum of £ ioo , and in acknowledgment of his generosity and the warm personal interest he had taken in their concerns , the Committee presented him with a very beautiful address on vellum , most artistically illuminated in gold and colours , which now fills a prominent position on the walls of his Sheffield home . ' Bro . Gunstone is Chairman and Director of several

public companies , and has presided over the destinies of the Sheffield Provision Association for a period of 20 years . He is also on the directorate of the Pure Ice Company . Amid his multifarious business occupations , he , however , always finds time to attend to his Masonic duties . His is a disposition upon which Freemasonry makes strong demands , and the regularity and punctuality which he has acquired in his commercial career , distinguish him equally in lodge and chapter . Initiated in Britannia Lodge , No . 139 , in 1887 , by Bro . John Hunt , he

now holds the position of Secretary , and will , doubtless , work his way to the chair of Sheffield ' s oldest lodge . When the White Rose of York was projected , Bro Gunstone ' s aid was solicited . He at once consented to become a founder , and was one of those by whose liberal support the lodge was able to commence its career free and unencumbered . He served the office of Deacon , and filled consecutively the Wardens' chairs , and now , to the delight of his friends , has

acquired still greater honour . To a nature constituted as is that of Bro . Gunstone it would be impossible that the claims of the Masonic Charities should not strongly appeal ; nor do they appeal in vain . In a comparatively brief Masonic career Bro . Gunstone has taken up four Stewardships for the Masonic Institutions . He , however , not only subscribes to the Charities , but , what is far more important , he practises true Masonic principles .

He hath a tear for pity , and a hand Open as day for melting Charity . His strong individuality cannot fail to leave its impress , and we have no doubt that the rule of the new W . M . of the White Rose of York Lodge will combine popularity with justice , and will tend to foster and increase all that is true and all that is good in the Institution which fills so large a portion of the lives of many of us .

THE CHANCELLOR of THE EXCHEQUER ( Bro . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Bart . M . P . ) was present at the opening of the Church Day School Bazaar at Bristol on Saturday , and delivered a speech having reference to Voluntary Schools .