Masonic Notes.

The District Grand Lodge of Bengal is to be congratulated on having such an efficient District Grand Secretary as Bro . H . M . Rustomjee , P . D . S . G . W ., who issues his quarterly reports of his District Grand Lodge in excellent form , and being paged consecutively , the volumes are both handy and valuable for reference .

* * * The last published is for March 21 st , 1892 , when , as usual , the Hon . H . T . Prinsep , the R . W . District Grand Master , was in the chair , and presided over a large gathering of the Craft . That worthy brother reported that there were 35 lodges on the roll , but five were more or less in abeyance , which is much to be regretted ,

though , happily , they are not of any antiquity . The total effective membership is about 800 . The funds generally are in a satisfactory condition , and there is the best of good feeling subsisting between the English and Scottish Freemasons . The Maharajah of Cooch Behar , G . C . I . E ., Past S . G . W . of England , is a P . D . D . G . M . of Bengal , and takes a lively interest in its welfare .

# * * *¦ ** The tables which follow the report prepared by the District Grand Secretary are of an elaborate character , and thus place in the hands of the members complete accounts of all the lodges in the District for all

practical purposes , both as respects finances and the Craft generally , besides giving particulars of the oflicers as far as possible from 1728 to 1792 . Half-yearly reports of the District Grand Chapter are issued in like manner by the same able District Ofiicer .

* * » Bro . Rustomjee does similar work for the Mark District Grand Lodge , of which body his Highness the Maharajah of Cooch Behar is the D . G . M ., and the Hon . H . T . Prinsep is the Past D . G . M . The present D . D . G . M . is the Hon . Sir John Edge , U . C .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

I We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

THE "OLD MASONIANS . " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir , In your report last week of our annual dinner you mention that I made a very touching appeal on behalf of our Benevolent Fund . The object was to

bring the balance of the fund , which is lying at our bankers on deposit , up to a total of £ 100 . Through the munificent donations of our past Chairman , Col . Lambert , of Bro . James Terry , Secretary of the Bene , volent Institution , and of other Masonic friends , I have collected £ 95 .

If , through the medium of your valuable paper , any Masons would assist me , I should be exceedingly grateful . The Secretary or myself are quite willing to supply full particulars and results of past working to anyone requiring them . Trusting you will find space for this appeal , —I am , Sir , yours faithfully , C . HEWARD UWINS , Hon . Treasurer .

P . S . —Donations may be sent to the Hon . Secretary , Mr . R . S . Chandler , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , or to myself at the following address—72 and 73 , Forestreet , E . C .

Masonic Notes And. Queries.

Masonic Notes and . Queries .

990 J — " SCR 1 EBER COLLECTION , " & c . The above collection , South Kensington Museum , contains a few Masonic relics , the first-mentioned being of great beauty . Oval Badge , " 1425 . Freemasons' badge in the form of an oval

plaque , printed in black , with the coat of arms and crest , the ark of the covenant , two winged cherubims , and the motto — Faith , Hope , Charity . Gilt metal mount . " The size 2 ; in . by 2 i in ., and in Battersea enamel . The arms are those of the " Ancients , " and not the ordinary legend or motto .

Masonic Jug , Obverse : Freemasons ' arms of the "Moderns , " possibly , but not able to see fully because turned from spectator . Motto—Amor , Honor , el Justiciii , with two lines"A heart that conceals ,

And the tongue that never reveals . " Reverse : Masonic emblem and legend -Drum Time et Regent Ilonora . Wedgwood . Masonic Mug . On one side a swan and " E . M . "; on the other mottoes , Honor ct Justitia and Vcrttili , & c . The fine

arrangement of emblems being similar in many respects ( so far as my memory serves me ) to those on the Masonic jug owned by Bro . J . L . Carson , C . C . 2076 , Inniskillen . Both designs have the W . M . on top , with an ofiicer on either side . Also another jug with Masonic emblems , old , but not needing special

Masonic Notes And. Queries.

mention ; likewise a plate , with the " Modern arms and the emblems as those described above . There may be others , as my glance was but a hurried one .

W . J . HUGHAN . 991 ] AN OLD SEAL . A few weeks since a brother sent me an impression of an old seal , on which were depicted two pairs of compasses and other figures . He thought it was

Masonic , but I replied in the negative , and stated the seal likely belonged to a member of the Joiners ' Company ( or to that body itself possibly ) at one time . I now confirm my supposition ( after arriving home ) , but have mislaid the brother ' s name , so take this plan to inform him of the fact . W . J . HUGHAN .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

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METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Peace and Harmony Lodge ( No . 60 ) . — This lodge met at Freemasons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , on the 24 th ult . Among those present were Bros . H . Slade , P . P . G . D ., P . G . Stwd ., W . M . j XV . H . Kempster , M . D ., P . G . Stwd ., S . W . j Barton , P . M ., P . G . S ., J . W . j H . Young , P . M ., P . G . S ., Treas . ; F . Binckes , P . M ., P . G . S .,

P . G . S . B ., Sec ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . P . G . W ., S . D . j Masters , G . Stwd ., J . D . ; XV . H . Kempster , jun ., I . G . ; H . J . Lardner , P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; E . Rogers , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., P . G . Stwd . ; C Robinson , Mecklenburg , Debenham , and Thomas . Among the numerous visitors were Bros . W . Mason , W . M ., and G . Davis , P . M . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and

confirmed . Bro . VV . H . Kempster , P . M ., S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M ., and Bro . H . Young , Treasurer . A Past Master's jewel was voted to the retiring W . M . Bro . H . J . Lardner was elected to represent the lodge as Steward at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in 1 S 93 . The lodge was then closed . The members of the lodge and theirguests then journeyed by coaches to the Mitre Tavern , Hampton Court , where an

excellent banquet was provided by Bro . Sadler , whose personal efforts to please gave unqualified satisfaction . Upon the removal of the cloth , a few toasts were given , and the majority of the brethren at the termination of the proceedings returned by coach to London . The W . M . in particular and the executive in general are to be congratulated upon the success of the summer outing of this old lodge .

Studholme Lodge ( No . 1591 ) . —A strong and influential muster of the members of this , certainly one of , if not thc most powerful and flourishing of all the lodges in the Metropolis took place at their rooms at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , on Friday , the 15 th inst . The energetic Secretary , Bro . Col . Cook , had . prepared an agenda paper replete with business , the whole of which was most

ably and smartly conducted and carried out by the W . M . in the chair , Bro . Lord Euston , assisted by Bros . Richardson , Scarlett Campbell , and Alfred Cooper . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bro . Charles Drummond . 1 ( 12 9 , 33 a joining member . Bros . Price , Gilbart-Smith , and Hulton were raised to the Sublime Degree of

M . M . Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , who had already been initiated by Bro . Lord Euston , presented himself , and was passed to the Second Degree by the W . M . in the chair . The election of W . M ., _ Treasurer , and Tyler was then proceeded with , when the S . W ., Bro . Owen , was announced as the W . M . elect , and Bro . Alfred Cooper , as Treasurer . The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to

the banquet , where , under the genial presidency of Bro . Lord Euston , some 40 brethren assisted , amongst whom we noticed : Bros . Capt . N . G . Philips , Lord Skelmersdale , Sir Reginald Hanson , Colonel Lockwood , C Fitzgerald Matier , Colonel A . B . Cook , Frank Richardson , C . Godson , Balfour Cockburn , Alfred Cooper , Scarlett Campbell , Owen , H . Price , T . Gilbart-Smith , F . C . Hulton , General Sim , and others .

Alliance Lodge ( No . 1 S 27 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham . street , on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., when there was a numerous attendance . The two most important items on the agenda were the election of W . M . for the ensuing year

and the ceremony of raising Bro . George Hand to the Third Degree , which latter was impressively performed by Bro . Sir John B . Monckton . Bro . thc Rev . J . C . Scot : was unanimously elected to the chair , and Bro . Harry Clarke was elected Treasurer .

After the lodge was closed , the brethren repaired to the Crystal Palace , where the newly-raised brother entertained the company to a banquet . Amongst those present were Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , Sir Polydore De Keyser , Capt . N . G . Philips , the Rev . J . G . Scott , F . S . Jackson , W . M ., the Kev . J . II . Smith , H . P . Monckton , Lieut .-Col . J . Perry Godfrey , Alban Gibbs

, Walford , Col . Dundas , f . J . Horniman , H . T . Squire , C . C , Col . E . P . Rodney Wilde , J . L . Sayer , Banow Emanuel , M . A ., Under-Sheriff F . liiil , Capt . V . Dunfee , J . Perkins , Capt . II . Wright , Col . T . Davies Sewell , Capt . E . Pugh , Dr . Ernest Clarke , F . Jewson , W . Bruce Clarke , M . A ., F . K . C . S ., and Roberts . Alter the toast of " The Queen and the Craft " had been given and duly honoured ,

The Chairman proposed that of " Bro . Sir John B . Monckton , " whom he personally thanked for the great interest lie had taken on bis ( the speaker ' s ) behalf . Ho had thought the lirst and second ceremonies impressive , but his later experience in Freemasonry he should never forget . Bro . Sir John Monckton tendered his thanks . He considered the meeting a true exemplification of Masonic spirit . Here were a number of friends brought together by a brother Mason as a sequel to what hc had just described as a very

Craft Masonry.

gratifying ceremony , and one which , from its very nature must make a forcible impression on anyone taking part in it for the first time . He considered that if ever a Mason came into Freemasonry with sincere motives it was their host that day , who , though onl y a few hours old as a Mason , had already qualified as a Life Governor of two of the Masonic Charities ,

The Chairman next proposed "The Health of the Master of the Alliance Lodge . " As the veritable baby ofthe lod ge , the speaker had no knowledge of all the duties of the Master , but he did know that Bro . Jackson had displayed great kindness towards him—kindness that was more than brotherly . Bro . Jackson , in reply , said he felt that the members of

his lodge had heard his voice quite often enough during the past year , which had been somewhat uneventful in the lodge , primarily because the Lord Mayor had not taken any marked interest in Freemasonry . On that , probably the last occasion on which he should address the lodge as its Master , he desired to express gratification at the many friendships he had formed in it .

Bro . Sir Polydore De Keyser proposed " The Health of the Host , " who , from the reception accorded his name , was evidently much respected . He was personally a stranger to him , but that was rather an advantage in proposing such a toast , as there would probably be less soap and more truth in the remarks uttered . Bro . Hand had something to be proud of , inasmuch as he had

introduced a new feature into Freemasonry , which , so far as he was aware , had not previously witnessed such a display of Masonic spirit as had been shown by the new member of the Alliance Lodge on this occasion . Such generous Masonic hospitality in a Mason ' s early career , coupled as it was with practical Charity towards those in distress , must lead to the most gratitying results in later days . If , in time to come

their host of that evening should aspire to further advancement , and even the office of Sheriff of the i _ ity of London was as open to him as other citizens , he would no doubt previously prove his ability for office , and would do credit in any sphere to which he might be advanced . Bro . Hand made a forcible reply , in which he warmly thanked the company for their kindly expressions . He

found that Masonry was really part and parcel of the system he had tried to live up to for years past , and he hoped to make a name for himself in the Order . Bro . Horniman felt he could not do better than to follow the example of the youngest member of their lodge , and accordingly he invited the Alliance Lodge to a social

meeting on thc 28 th instant , when , he said , he should do the best in his power to make them enjoy themselves as much as he had done that day . The toast of " fhe Secretary " was responded to by Bro . Col . Sewell , and the proceedings were shortly afterwards brought to a conclusion . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . F . A . Jewson , the Organist of the lodge .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

EAST STONEHOUSE . Sjncei'ity Lodge ( No . 189 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on the 13 th instant at its rooms at the Town Hall , when the W . M . elect , Bro . Stirling Graves , was installed , tiros . Geo . Stawell , the retiring W . M ., Rev . Dr . Lemon , P . P . J . G . W ., Prov . G . Chap ., and

A . S . Hendry , 1 S 9 , were the Installing Officers . The Board of Installed Masters also included Bros . G . Jackson , G . Hawken , C . F . Dunsterville , J . Ward , F . R . Thomas , Dr , Jas . Harrison , R . Pike , P . P . G . O . j S . Woolley , J . B . Moulder , J . Gidley , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; C Truscott , 49 6 , P . P . J . G . W . and Charity Representative for Cornwall ; S . Jew , 225 S , P . P . G . T . ; J . R . Lord , P . P . G . T ., Prov .

G . D . C . ; W . E . Cook , 515 , 1923 ( E . G . ) , 3 S 7 ( LC ) , P . l ' G . D . Malta ; Rev . R . T . Tyacke , P . P . G . Chap . ; E . Aitken-Davies , P . P . G . S . of W „ and J . H . Blackell , of 1099 ; V . Harris , 230 ; R . Dickson and A . Trout , of 1205 ; and C . G . Withell and W . J . Pengelly , of 2025 . The officers invested were Bros . G . Stawell , I . P . M . ; G . Dunsterville , S . W . ; F . E . Sach , J . W . ; Kev . Dr . Lemon ,

Chap . ; G . Hawken , Treas . ; A . S . Hendry , Sec ; J , Parker , S . D . ; T . Peain , J . D . ; F . Strick , D . C . ; F . **> . Hodge , Org . ; S . H . Duff , I . G . j IL W . Mayne , J . Wainright , Tom . Greenslade , and J . J . Holcomb , Stwds . ; and J . Gidley , Tyler . Bro . W . Parker presided at the organ . Bros . Rev . Dr . Lemon , representative at the Committee of Petitions , and A . S . Hendiy , Charity Steward , were re-elected to those offices .

HALIFAX . De Warren Lodge ( No . 1302 ) . —The ordinary meeting of this lodge was held on the nth inst ., in their Private Rooms , at the White Swan Hotel . The lodge was opened by Bro . Fred . Smith , W . M ., and the following brethren were also present : Bros . Bailey , S . W . j Butterworth , I . W .: John Seed , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; Asquith ,

P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; Cooke , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Sec . ; Fawthrop , P . M . ; Pratt , S . D . ; A . Alderson , J . D . J P . Alderson , D . C j Maxwell , I . G . j H . Sutcliffe , Stwd . ; Hodgson , P . M ., Tyler ; II . Tyson , G . Tyson , Dodsworth , and Benn . Bro . Jessop , P . M ., P . J . G . W ., represented the Prov . G . M . of West Yorks . The principal business of the evening was the initiation ol

a Lewis , who was also a grandson of a late member of the lodge . The usual routine business of the lodge having been transacted , and it having been decided to have the summer picnic on the 21 st inst ., Bro . John Seed , P . M ., then took the chair for the purpose of initiating his son , Mr-Frederick Evelyn Seed ( who had been balloted for at the

previous meeting ) , the Secretary giving the charge . An adjournment was then made for supper , and a few toas ' . s , alter which business was resumed by the W . M ., ai " Bro . Dodsworth raised . A brother having been proposed as a joining member , thc lodge was closed , and the brethren enjoyed themselves for the remainder of the evening .

HAMPTON COURT . Bushey Park Lodge ( No . 23 S 1 ) . —This highly successful and prosperous lodge held its second installation meeting at the Greyhound Hotel , on Saturdaji the Kith instant , when Bro . W . H . Lee , P . M ., P- 1 / 0 **^ had the gratification and unique privilege of installing " son , Bro . W . W . Lee , as the third Master of the lo < * g £ The members present were Bros . G . R . Langley , 1 t , ° , ' , ^ ' Stwd ., W . M . j W . H . Lee , P . P . G . D ., I . P . M . j _ w . «•