Turning The Page.

In the District of Bengal Masonry has been quietly flourishing under Bro . Prinsep . The District contains thirty-five lodges , with a membership of more than a thousand . One new lodge , Zuriel , has been opened . The Benevolent Fund is in a most prosperous state , possessing Rs . 99 . 000 invested , which probably has increased to a lakh by this time . The Calcutta

Emulation Lodge of Improvement , founded and for ten years worked by Wor . Bro . Jones , is still a powerful Masonic influence . The establishment of a new periodical , The Indian Freemason , published in Calcutta , is an event to be chronicled . It is an attractively got-up paper and deserves support . A Masonic Club has likewise been opened in Calcu'ta .

The District Grand Chapter numbers twelve chapters , three of which are in abeyance . A Provisional warrant for a new chapter , Jumna , to be attached to No . 193 6 , at Agra , has been granted . The membership is 330 . With regard to the Mark , Bengal deplores the separation of the Punjab . This was bound to come , and even now Bengal has some thirty-two lodges left and 391 members . Eleven of the lodges , however , are in abeyance . New lodges have been opened at Jhansi and Mozufferpore .

Masonry in the Punjab is always flourishing , and the memory of the late Bro . Whymper is still seen to exercise an inlluence . Of him it may be said that " He being dead yet speakelh . " The D . G . M . is Col . Massey , and his utterances at the meetings of District Grand Lodge are always worth reading , not only on account of their elegant and polished diction but by reason oAfte true Masonry revealed in them . Nor must mention be omitted of the

services of Bro . Leslie . There are some 750 subscribing Masons in the Punjab District , and the D . G . M . says with pride thev are all good men and true . The Punjab Masonic Institution is well off , and possesses some Rs . 85 , 000 invested . The excellent Library of the late Bro . Whymper has been secured for the district , and as it is described as one of the finest in the

world , Bro . Leslie is to be congratulated on the success of his efforts to secure it . There are 10 chapters numbering 220 members . Of the Mark it is scarcely possible to speak , because at the moment of writing it is still technically part of Bengal . By the time this appears in print R . W . Bro Edwin Woodall Parker will have been installed as the first District Grand Mark Master .

Of Bombay Masonry there is little to record beyond the appointment , on March 30 th last , of W . Bro . J . M . Shields as Dy . D . G . M . Masonry in Madras has pursued the even ten ' or of its way . We fancy at Ihe communication to be held this month , Colonel G . M . J . Moore , our D . G . M ., will have a substantial increase to record , that is unless resignations have kept pace with joinings and initiations .

One new lodge , St . George , a quasi-military lodge , was consecrated on August 4 th . A feature of the year has been the successful working of Lodge Rock , the warrant of which lodge , in days now happily gone by , was generally on the railway on its way to or from its proper place . Three lodges are in abeyance , Prudentia Negapatam , Western Star , Cannanore , and Coromandel , Cocanada , in addition to which there are 20 other lodges ,

some of which are in a highly prosperous condition . From a benevolent point of view Madras does not compare favourably with other districts . This is no fault of those in authority . Both by precept and example Col . Moore advocates the cause of the Madras Masonic Institute , but the number of subscribers is far below what it ought to be . A favourite form of supporting it seems to be the endowment of chairs . One lodge has endowed every single officer belonging to it . The M . M . I . at present

supports 12 orphans in various ways , some being maintained at school , some supported during a term of apprenticeship , and all being fitted in various ways to earn their own living . In its last report the M . M . I , possessed Rs . 26 , 000 in Government paper . On St . John ' s Day , 1893 , the brethren were invited to St . Mary ' s Church , Fort St . George , to a Masonic service . A considerable number were present in Masonic clothing , and heard a remarkable sermon from W . Bro . the Rev . C . H . Maiden , P . D . G . C , which appeared on p . 28 of our last volume .

The only other event to be noted was the change in the editorship ol this journal . W . Bro . Maiden , who had founded it in 18 S 8 , and , with a slight intermission , carried it on ever since , felt that his removal from Madras to Mysore prevented him from discharging editorial functions in a

satisfactory manner , and he resigned the editorship in June , 1894 , and the following month the present editor , the Rev . J . T . Lawrence , took charge . We ought to add that for a year during VV . Bro . Maiden ' s absence in England , the journal was carried on in an able manner by VV . Bro . Travers-Drapes . —Indian Masonic Review .

Masonic Charity In West Lancashire.

MASONIC CHARITY IN WEST LANCASHIRE .

HAMER BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . A meeting of the Hamer Benevolent Institution , under the presidency of Bro . P . Armsir . n-j , P . M 724 , was held on the 15 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool . The ier , minendation of the General Committee as to the election of two candidal , s on thi- foundation of the Charity wasunanimouily adopted . Bros . Isaac Turner and Pittaway , two of the Auditors , gave a favourable report as to the present static nf the lunds and the progress of the Institution . The 21 st

annual report , ot t * r-e * ' Humrr . " prepared by Bro . R . Bottomly , Honorary Secretary , congratulated the brethren of the province on the continued success of the Charity . It was founded in 1873 . to form a fund for benevolent purposes , and to perpetuate the name of the . late Bro . James Hamer , P . Prov . G . T ., and by the end of the year 1876 , the fund had accumulated to . £ 543 , and one application for assistance had been made . At the end of the ye-ir 1881 we find the capital account amounted to £ 1138 , and that during the year the one annuitant had died , but

another brother had been elected in his place , at an annual cost of . £ 10 . Five years later the fund was . £ 2457 , and the amount paid to annuitants was £ 45 . In 1888 the annuity was increased to , £ 20 , and in 1892 it was further increased to , £ 26 , and at the close of the year 1891 14 annuitants were upon the foundation , at a cost of £ 305 , whilst the capital account had advanced to £ 4077 ; and at the close of the year 18 94 the fund amounted to . £ 4919 , and the amount paid to 15 annuitants , and in spi-cfic grants to five brethren , amounted to . £ 357 , or , £ 122 in excess of the amount granted to 13 brethren in the previous year . In November

an appeal was issued to the lodges , as it was feared there would be a large falling off in lhe income , the amount up to that time being . £ 20 less than in the previous year up to that date ; but thanks to half a dozen lodgts ( out of 110 lodges in the province ) , who contributed , £ 209 out of a total of . £ 411 , the income was £ 2 in excess ot last year , whilst the amount granied had increased by ; £ i 22 . By this result the Committe were compelled to admit the correctness of the opinion formed by the Committee in 1880 . — "That , should the Institution require it , they may , judging from what has been done for others , always calculate upon receiving ample support . "

Masonic Charity In West Lancashire.

ALPASS BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . The report of this Institution ( of which Bro . J . Pittaway , P . P . G . D . C ., Std Br ., is the Secretary ) is as follows .- In presenting the ninth annual report , the Committee have pleasure in reporting the continued and increased good work being done by this Institution ; but , while it could not reasonably expect this year the unprecedented amount contributed to the funds last year , regret that the donations and contributions have fallen off so much as not to be in any way commensurate

with the good being accomplished . The contributions from lodges , & c , amount to the sum of . £ 736 4 s ., against £ 1790 17 s . ( 3 d . in the previous year ; while tlie interest from investments and on cash in bank is . £ 200 15 s . 6 d ., against , £ 165 17 s . 3 d , last year . The amount paid in annuities is . £ 521 iGs . 4 d ., against £ 299 is . 4 d , in the previous year ; while the working expenses amount to ^ 38 2 s . tod ., against X 43 4 s . lid . for last year . The balance of cash now in the bank \ % £ 2011 is . 3 d ., a portion of which is waiting a profitable investment . The number

of contributing lodges , & c , for the year is 67 , against 88 for last year , a decrease of 21 . A Festival was hold in Southport in October last , under the presidency of Bro . Robert Wylie , P . G . D . Eng ., Dep . Prov . G . M ., when there were present about 80 ladies and brethren . The donations reported on the occasion amounted to ^ , " 450 . The profit proceeds of the Festival paid over to the funds of the I nstitution amounted to 18 guineas . During the year 15 more annuitants have been placed on the Foundation of the Institution at a cost , in annuities , of ^ 263 ; and there

are now 12 more applicants , all of whom have been elected , which will make the total number of annuitants 42 , and a total cost , in annuities , of - £ 736 is . 4 d . From the above-named figures it will be seen that unless a more liberal support be given to this Institution the good work now being done cannot be much more increased . This would be very disappointing after the enlarged sphere of usefulness of the Institution , securing its benefits to a larger number , instituted under the new code

of by-laws . Therefore , it is hoped that the brethren generally will lay this matter to heart , and not allow its progress to be interrupted for the want of funds . At the same time , the Committee would venture to suggest to the respective lodges that a more careful investigation of each applicant's circumstances be made , so that the funds may be equitably disbursed , and thus promote the true objects ol the Institution . The Treasurer of tbe Institution is Bro . G . Harradon .

The Lodge Of The Nine Muses, No. 235.

THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES , No . 235 .

HISTORICAL ADDRESS BY BRO . H . SADLER . This lodge was held at the Grand Hotel , Trafalgar-square , on Tuesday , the 12 th instant , when there were present Bros . Frederick Neild , W . M . ; E . W . W . Edwards , I . P . M . ; William Webb , S . W . ; Geo . Cockle , J . W . ; F . J . Heseltine , P . M ., Treas . ; Walter Webb , P . M ., Sec . ; W . English Hanison , P . M . ; 1 . Brend Batten , P . M . ; E .

Luxmoore Marshall , P . M . ; S . C . Clarke , S . D . ; Edward Manville , J . D . ; Essex White Layton , D . C ; T . Trevor White , and John M . Courage . Visitors : Bros . VV . C . A , Milligan ; Downing Fullerton , S 9 , I . C ; R . R . Clowes , P . M . 2201 ; M . Leportier ; H . Sadler , P . M . 214 S , G . Tyler ; C . J . Singleton , P . M . 2275 ; and S . Simmelkjcer , 1719 . The minutes having been confirmed , the W . M . initiated Mr . John Michell Courage , the ceremony being most impressively rendered by all who took part in it .

After the lodge was closed , the brethren adjourned to the binquet , which was disposed of to the satisfaction of all present , and was followed by the usual toasts . In proposing the toast of "The Visitors , " the VV . M . said he had as one of his guests on that occasion a very distinguished Mason in the person of Bro . Sadler , the Grand Tyler , and Sub-Librarian of the Grand Lodge , who was well known to many of the brethren as one who took a warm interest in Masonry in general , and the histories of lodges in particular . Bro . SimmelkjiL-r having responded to the toast ,

The W . M . asked the brethren to resume their seats , and called upon Bro . Sadler to tell them something of the earlv history of the lodge . Bro . Sadler thanked the W . M . for having honoured him with an invitation to this old and distinguished lodge , and heartily congratulated the brethren on their goad fortune in having a W . M . and officers so thoroughly efficient in the discharge of their several duties . As a general rule , he very seldom visited lodges except when they were launched into existence , but he never wanted twice asking to visit an old lodge , especially

if the lodge had a history , and this lodge of the Nine Muses had a most interesting one . It was a great treat to him , being naturally something of an antiquary as well as a lover of art , to have had the privilege of personally examining those unique and beautiful jewels ( of which the lodge was so justly proud ) , designed and painted by the celebrated Cipriani j he hadjread ot ; them , and had seen engravings of them , but until that night he had never seen them in reality . While examining these historic treasures , he had failed to notice another jewel or , more properly speaking , a medal , which aV one time must

have been in the possession of the lodge—he alluded to what was known as the "Mall Medal . " Hc did not know whether the brethren were acquainted with the history of this somewhat rare Masonic medal j possibly they had never seen it before ; he had , however , brought one with him , whicli he would hand to the W . M . for inspection , and when it had mide the round of the lodge he hoped and trusted it would find its way back to his own pocket . This medal , as they

would observe from the inscription on the reverse ; was originally the property of one ol the founders of their lodge , and , in his opinion , the principal founder , the Chevalier Ruspini , who was also chiefly instrumental in establishing that excellent Charity , the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ; the medal would doubtless , therefore , be of more than ordinary interest to them . He would now tell them , as briefly as possible , its history .

In t " he early days of t * he Grand Lodge it had very little money , indeed at one time it had none at all , and when any application was made for Charity , and the applicant was deemed worthy of assistance , he was relieved by the simple process ol " sending ruund the hat , " or in other words , making a collection in Grand Lodge , the sam .- as was done in private lodges . In the course of time it was considered advisable to establish a fund for the relief of distressed brethren , and the various lodges were invite " to contribute according to their means , which they did with more or less liberality .

There iva « , however , at this period , and for many years afterwards , only one fund , ana that was known as * ' I'he Grand Charity . " Prior to the year 1776 , the Grand Lodge , although it undoubtedly po-sessed a name , had no "local habitation "; the ordinary meetings were held at one of the uld taverns in the neighbourhood of Fleet-street , an " the Annual Grand Festival , for the installation of the Grand Master and the appointment of the Grand Oflicers , was usually held at one of the halls of the City Companies lent tor the occasion . In the year 17 OS a strong eflirt was made by the authorities to procure lurtnei

funds for the better furnishing of the Grand Lodge , and this was followed by a appeal to the Cratt to contribute towards raising a fund for the purpose of building a hall to be used as a permanent meeting place , with proper ofii' -es , & c . This was found to be a somewhat difficult undertaking ; however , without entering into details , he might state that this fund steadily increased , and in tne vear v 771 a Hall Committee was aooointed . consisting of the Grand Officers and 10 Master

of lodges , one of the original 10 being Bro . James Bottomley , Master of the St . All » Lodge , who afterwards became a member of this lodge . In the following year ( 1774 ) tn Grand Lodge purchased the freehold of two houses and a large garden in Great Queenstreet , and it was in this garden that the splendid hall in which the Grand Lodge no * assembles was erected , and solemnly dedicated to Masonry in the year 177 C . A oinsiden able sum of money was required to pay the cost of building and keeping the hall an adjoining premises in repair . One of the plans for raising the necessary funds _ # » sanctioned by Grand Lodge in 1779 . He could not remember the precise words or in resolution , but it was to the following purport : any brother or lodge lending to the Ora

Lodge asum of not less than £ 25 without interest should be presented with a me y , such form and value as the Grand Lodge should determine , and in the case of a looB subscribing the medal should be worn hy the Master for the time being for ever , (| . ' [ j | It would probably be highly gratifying to the brethren to know that out of the tot number of lod-jes that subscribed , 26 only , throughout the whole of the ^ 'i ! -nC and then as now we had lodges in nearly every part of the world—the Lodge of the 1 Muses was among the first to receive that medal . What had become of it was imp ^ sibletosay , but being made , as they would observe , of good old-fashioned silver it probably found its way to the melting pot years ago . Only 17 of those lo < J ¦ were in existence at the present time . It would , doubtless , be equally P leai "