Consecration Of The Ley Spring Lodge, No. 1598.

n The Health of the Officers and Visitors " was given and duly responded to , and the Tyler ' s toast concluded a most enjoyable evening . gro . Lewis Warlcy rendered some excellent singing , u Young accompanying upon the piano . Visitors : T . Barford , P . M . 1228 and 55 ; W . H . Myers , Pi \ f . S 20 , W . M . 1445 ; T . Y . Latreille , P . M . io : ; 6 ; W .

jluiidy , P . M . 1228 ; W . A . Tha : p , P . M . 1228 ; P . Edinger , \ V . i \ f . 95 i W T Christian , J . D . 1278 ; G . C . Young , Org . 820 ; G . Blackie , 1426 ; J . Taylor , 29 8 ; W . C . ( Jlaridge , 1420 ; C . Vile , 49 ; F . 11 . Varlcy , 33 ; T . Corbett , 143 ; W . Bailey , 49 . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . G . C . Young , Org . 820 and 1445 .

Consecration Of The Hamilton Lodge, No. 1600.

CONSECRATION OF THE HAMILTON LODGE , No . 1600 .

This always interesting ceremony was performed at Alford on Thursday , 30 * 11 ult ., by Bro . W . H . Smyth , of Elkington Hall , near Louth , W . D . P . G . M . of Lincolnshire , assisted by a few P . G . Officers . Although Alford is one of the smallest towns in

Lincolnshire ( the population at the last census in 1871 being only 288 i ) the desirability of having a lodge there had long been felt by the brethren residing in the nei ghbourhood , and a small but energetic band having lately put their shoulders to the wheel , the result has been the engagement on lease of a convenient private room , advantageousl y situated in the very heart of the town , and the formation of

the above-named lodge . W . Bro . W . 11 . Smyth , D . P . G . M ., having taken the chair ,, appointed Bros . C . M . Nesbitt , P . G . Treas .. as S . W . ; las . Fowler , P . P . G . S . W ., as J . W . ; \ V . Bro . A . Richdale , W . M . 426 , as S . of W . ; Bro . E . Locock , P . P . G . S . W ., as Chaplain , in the absence of Bro . Rev . J . C . K . Saunders , P . G . C ., who almost at the last moment telegraphed to say

he could not be present . Bro . Marsden , P . G . Sec , having read the petition and warrant from the Grand Lodge of England , the constitution and dedication of the lod ge was proceeded with , concluding with a congratulatory address from W . Bro . Smyth , D . P . G . M ., who mentioned among other matters that since his appointment to the office of D . P . G . M . in

1864 he had taken part in the consecration of no less than nine lodges , the number of which in the province had now just doubled , while the subscribing members had considerably more than doubled since the installation of the present P . G . M ., His Grace the Duke of St . Albans . The lodge having been reduced , the installation of Bro . Charles Smyth , P . P . G . Pt ., as first W . M ., was then proceeded

with , the D . P . G . M . acting as Installing Master . The W . M ., having been duly placed in the chair cf K . S . according to ancient custom , invested the following officers for the ensuing year-. —Bros . R . Garfit , S . W . ; F . Higgins , J . W . and " Treas . ; T . C . Johnson , S . D . and Sec . ; A . Veitch , J . D . ; J . S . Cooke , I . G . ; and Lewis , Tyler . Hearty good wishes for the prosperity ol the lodge

having been given from members of the following lodges —Old Globe , 200 ; Shakespeare , 426 ; Lindscy , 712 ; Denison , 1248—W . Bro . W . H . Smyth , D . P . G . M ., was proposed as an honorary member of the lodge , which compliment he suitably acknowledged . Bro . Nesbitt , 712 , P . G . Treas ., was also proposed as a

joining member . Six gentlemen cf Alford and nei ghbourhood having been proposed for initiation at the following lodge night ) the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to an invitation banquet at the Windmill Hotel , served b y Bro . Smith , at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly hum ured .

Addresses To Our Royal Grand Master.

ADDRESSES TO OUR ROYAL GRAND MASTER .

The one presented by the Chamber of Commerce of Malta wns as follows : — ( Translation from the Italian ) . " I ' " bis Royal Ilighruss Albert Edward , Prince of Wales on the auspicious occasion of his arrival in Malta , April 6 , 1876 . V

" From the Chamber of Commerce . "Your Royal Highness , —To Malta , this small and sequestered island , has fallen the singular good fortune of being the first j „ Europe to welcome your Royal Highness on your return from the long and arduous but triumphant journey just completed in the far East among vast popula-110 ns , the willing subjects of that great Queen whom they are now joyfully hailing as their Empress .

• he Chamber of Commerce of this diminutive , but not unworth y , gem of the Crown encircling the august brow of vour Highness ' s Royal parent has already twice had the l ' l ° i " h ° f tendcrm £ i , s respectful homage to your royal gnness , first on the occas-ion of the previous visit which ) > u deigned to make to this island , and next when offering i- expression of its heartfelt joy marriage with ui trim

on your tile i r » " * " j"j v " ) " iiiuuidjjL -august Princess who so happily shares your life , itself t t 0 " y thc Cumber "f Commerce again presents once m ° > SUrC ) 0 Ur Uoyal Hi 2 1 , ncss of its gladness on loval 1 , , noI ( ml £ y ° u treading these shores , where thc ilLi ;; V l ' ° " wil 1 ever be foremost in its feelings of

vast En ¦ tt acnmcnt towards the great Sovereign of the HirrhneV '" W h'ch Sovcrns the scas > towards your Royal a » Hih » " , I " >' a" , Uowarils y ° ur gracious consort ., £ e wh ° k Royal Family Hsh fW mcrcantile community cf Malta , proud of thc Engreuresent-, 7-at I , rotects them - dcs > re , through their chosen arrival If eS ' n xl""e ' tlu'ir earnest satisfaction on the vent 1 on /?! " U yal Hi ghness from India , and their fer-„„„ .. - A > ' ° u will be restored in nerfect health to

eagcrlv „ , ? y' and to that Sreat nation which is so " Cham £ ? o y Ur return t 0 tne land of y ° ur birth . The fo » n ° £ Co mm « ce , Malta , April , 187 C . " "y the lead « ' f 8 : . ?' dre , was rcad t 0 tne Prin " ° f Wale ; y leader of the elected members of the Legislative

Addresses To Our Royal Grand Master.

Council , the Hon . Cachia Zammit , on His Royal Highness landing on the shores of Malta : — "To His Royal Hig hness Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , & c . " May it please your Royal Hig hness , —Wc , the elected members of the Council of Government , on behalf of the inhabitants of these islands , whom we have the honour to

represent , deem it our bounden duty to be the first to greet your Royal Hig hness with a hearty welcome . We recognize in this third visit of your Royal Highness to these shores that unceasing interest which Her Gracious . Majesty the Queen has always felt in the welfare of her faithful Maltese subjects ; and we beg to express to your Royal Highness the earnest assurance of our deep attachment and

unabated allegiance to Her Majesty our beloved Queen and her Royal house . Since the connection of these islands with Great Britain the loyalty and devotion of the Maltese to the British Throne have never for one instant wavered , and we feel confident that the advent of the heir of our Gracious Sovereign to our country will bind more closely the ties which happily unite these islands to the

British Crown . " Amid the universal rejoicings wc regret the absence of Her Royal Hig hness the Princess of Wales , whom the people of Malta would have welcomed with hearty enthusiasm , which her presence invariably excites in the United Kingdom . " " With sincere wishes for the happiness and prosperity

of Her Majesty , your Royal Highness , and the Royal Family , we beg to remain your Royal Highness ' s most loyal and most faithful servants . " His Rojal Hig hness replied as follows : — " I thank you for the address you have presented to me on behalf of the inhabitants of Malta and Gozo on my return from my long and interesting tour in India . This

island has many agr .-eable recollections and associations for me , and I rejoice that it should be the first spot at which I touch on my arrival in Europe . I will not fail to convey o the Queen your expressions of devotion aud attachment 0 her Throne and Government . I can assure you that the oyalty which has been displayed on various occasions to

the British Crown by the inhabitants of these islands is neither forgotten nor unappreciated by Her Majesty . The Princess of Wales will be much touched by the kind terms in which you have alluded to her , and had circumstances permitted it she would , I think , have experienced a lively pleasure in being present here with me to-day . "

Masonic Festivities.

Masonic Festivities .

The last social gathering of the season in connection with the Lodge of Truth , 521 , Huddersfield , took place on Thursday , March 30 th . The proceedings commenced with a short Operetta , entitled the " Sleeping Queen , " written by H . B . Farnie , Esq ., the music by M . W . Balfe . The scene is at the Court cf Leon in the 16 th century , where the Regent is trying to promote a matrimonial

alliance between the King of Arragon and the Queen of Leon ; but the Queen is secretly in love with Phillipp : D ' Aguilar , who has just arrived from France with a letter if recommendation to D . nina Agnes , a lady of honour . Donna Agnes intercedes for Don Phillippe with the Regent , who is in love with the lady of honour . The Regent at first refuses , as Don Phillippe is the son of a former foe and

rival whom he exiled , but at last consents to grant any request preferred by the bearer of a knot of ribbon from Donna Agnes . Don Phillippe in an interview with Donna Agnes relates how he loves a lady whose life he saved about a year ago near Paris whilst out hunting , and how he recognised in the Queen the lady he loved , but who , on his attempting to speak with her , turned round and asked

one of her attendants , " What is that person r" Crestfallen at this seeming fickleness , he announces his determination to leave the Couit , and Donna Agnes gives him the knot of ribbon , assuring liini if he shews it to the Regent he will get a commission in the army . This turns out to be correct , but the Regent , jealous that he is a lover of Donna Agnes , orders him to a regiment then

fighting the Moors . On taking his farewell Don Phillippe discovers the Queen asleep , kisses her , and rises just as the Regent and Donna Agnes enter . He delivers his sword to the Regent and is arrested , as by the laws of Leon " any one touching the sacred person of the Queen must suffer death . " The Queen to prevent this catastrophe personates Donna Agnes in an interview with the Regent , until he

also kisses her , when the Regent thinking himself lost , finds that the law further say " and no one can pardon except the Queen ' s husband . " The Queen thereupon announces her intention to marry Don Phillippe , which ends the difficulty . The several parts were excellently rendered , and gave universal satisfaction to the ladies and brethren , who

availed themselves of the opportunity of witnessing the abilities of those who so kindly volunteered their services . Dancing commenced about half-past nine and was kept up until early in the morning . Refreshments were provided by the purveyors of the lodge . When the time for retiring arrived the universal exclamation was how much every one had enjoyed themselves . Bro . Varlcy , P . M ., along with Bro . J . Jackson , W . M ., are deserving of the

thanks of all present for introducing the new feature of an Operetta , and wc trust next season when the social gatherings arc commenced that they will again favour the guests with similar entertainments . The musical arrangements were conducted by Bros . Joshua Marshall , and J . Wood , P . M . ' s , and were simply perfection . In conclusion let us wish success to the next social gathering at Lodge Truth , 521 .

DAYLIGHT reflected in dark rooms . Gas superseded in day time . Health , comfort , and economy promoted by adopting Chappuis' Patent Daylight Reflectors . — Manufactory , 6 9 , Fleet-street , London ...

Reviews.

Reviews .

WELCOME HOME POLKA , Composed by W . SMAI . I . WOOD —A . Williams , Paternoster Row , with a coloured portrait of the Prince of Wales . We have received two very interesting " morceaux " of music . The one is a spirited polka , composed by W . Smallvvood , and which we commend to the notice of our fair sisters . We shall hope that it may be patronized just

now by that always loyal portion of our community . The other is a " Festival Cantata , " selected from Psalms exxi . and exxv . — " Praise to the Great Architect of the Universe , " by Bro . T . Brooks , Org . 1358 . Such compositions are very useful and very valuable , inasmuch as they can be seasonably introduced into many of our Masonic ceremonies . We commend Bro . Brooks's Cantata to the notice and support of the Craft .

American Notes.

AMERICAN NOTES .

MASONIC CENTENNIAL . —The One Hundredth Anniversary of American Union Lodge , No . 1 , will be held on St . John ' s Day , June 24 th , 1876 , at Marietta , Ohio . This , the oldest Masonic lodge in the West , was originally constituted at Roxbcry , in the State of Massachusetts , on the 20 th day of February , 1776 , the charter having been

issued on the 15 th , during the memorable struggle of the American Colonies for their independence , was worked in the Patriot Army , and visited by General George Washington and his Masonic brethren , who were holding offices in that army . Many other eminent men have since that time filled its various offices , among them General Rufus Putnam , the first Grand Master of Ohio , Gov . Return J .

Meigs , and Gen . Lewis Cass . S . L . Hayden , in his work entitled " Washington and his Masonic Compeers , " says " American Union Lodge is the oldest daughter of the American Revolution , " and undoubtedly the idea of the American Union was first developed by the organization

of this lodge , as its name indicates—the colonies of America not having "brmed a union at that time , as the compac was declared first on July 4 th , 177 6 , several months afterwards . An interesting sketch of the history of American Union Lodge is given in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ohio , for 1875 .

SEVENTY-SIX YEARS A MASON . — Bro . Peter Hammond , now residing at Geneseo , Henry county , Illinois , is one of the oldest Masons , as well as one of the oldest men , now living . He was born at Newton , Massachusetts , April 9 th , 1776 , consequently next April will be one hundred years old . His father , Samuel Hammond , was one of the old patriots who got up a lively tea party on board an

English vessel in Boston harbour at the the commencement of the Revolutionary war . He emigrated with his wife from Newton to Wardsboro , Windham county , Vermont , among the early settlers there , where he died December , 1842 , aged nintty-four years . At the time they emigrated to Vermont , they left their eldest son , Peter , with his grand parents , where he remained until his mother I made

the journey on horseback after him , and took him back to their new home , a distance of one hundred and twentyfive miles , much of the way through the wilderness , the boy walking the whole distance . Here , on the eastern slope of the Green Mountains , he grew up to man ' s estate and became an honoured citizen . By industry and economy he acquired considerable wealth in early life . In

the fall of 1799 , being then twenty-three years old , Bro . Hammond took his first degree in Masonry . He subsequently became Worshipful Master of Mount Moriali Lodge , at Wardsboro , which position he held for a number of years , until the Morgan excitement , when the lodge voted to surrender its charter , much against his wishes .

He yet retains the Master ' s jewel , which is now a precious jewel to him , and still takes a lively interest in Masonry , even now occasionally attending lodge meetings . His present health and strength indicate that he will not only live to celebrate his centennial year , but may add several more to it . So mote it be . — " Masonic Advocate . "

THE FREEMASONS AND BURNS . — Amongst the recent celebrations of the birth-day of Burns , I an . glad to see that the Freemasons of the St . James's Lodge at Tarbolton have not neglected to do honour to the memory of the poet who has enriched Masonic literature with one of its really good songs ; the major part of the others being arrant rubbish , whether viewed as literary productions or

is expositions of the glorious principles ol the Craft . Whether Tarbolton be the burial-place of " auld King Coil" or not ( and it has tradition for its green mound in its favour ) , Burns has made his connection with its Masonic lodge world-famous by his touching "Farewell to the Brethren of the St . James ' s Lodge , Tarbolton , " written when want and persecution were about to drive him from

his native land , which eternal disgrace to Scotland was saved through Masonry alone , as to that he owed his introduction to the Edinburgh literati . Let my readers , whether brother Masons or otherwise , take down their copy of Bums' poems , and read once more the beautiful verses 1 have alluded to , and they will feel all the better for having done so . Not only was the " one round " asked for " with

a tear" by the bard to be given annually to his memory duly accorded by his " dear brothers of the mystic tie , " in the very lodge where he had so oft not only " spent the festive night , " but also " presided o ' er the sons of light ; " bat several of his best songs were sung , the famous "Farewell "being appropriately included , and , as 1 learn from the " Freemason , " " the jewel worn by the poet and other

relics had a conspicuous place assigned them . " I mention that Thorn , the sculptor of the statues illustrative of "Tarn o'Shanter and Souter Johnny , " on the Burns' Monument at Allowas , was born in the parish of Tarbolton ; and his name , like that of the poet , is " to Masonry a >» d Scotia dear . "—Bro . George Markham Tweddell , in tl c 4 rcha ? o logist .