Provincial Grand Chapter Of Essex.

being most satisfactorily carried on in the chapters of the province ; the traditions of the Craft were being fully maintained , and , he trusted , this happy state of things would continue . ' Referring to the by-laws that were to be brought forward that day , the Grand Superintendent said the Committee had devoted much time and consideration to them , and , having carefully examined them himself , they were , he considered , quite a model set .

The Principals of the chapters had had a co py sent them for quiet consideration before this meeting , and he had no doubt they had fully digested them . He concluded by expressing his gratitude to the Most Hi gh that the province had been spared any great losses from its ranks , and trusted that at their next meeting , which he proposed to hold at Colchester , they should all meet again in health and strength .

On the motion of Comp . VERO TAYLOR , P . P . G . H ., seconded b y Comp . A . LUCKING , P . G . D . C ., the companions unanimously , for the tenth time , re-elected Comp . Andrew Durraiit , P . Z . 276 , as Prov . G . Treasurer for the ensuing year . The Prov . Grand Officers lor the year were appointed and invested by the Grand Superintendent as under :

Comp . Milner Jutsum , M . E : Z . 2154 ... ... Prov . G . H . „ William Shurmur , P . Z . 1471 , M . E . Z . 2374 ... Prov . G . J . „ Thos . J . Railing , P . Z . and S . E . 51 , P . G . S . B . England ( tenth year ) ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ R . D . Poppleton , M . E . Z . 51 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ W . Gayton , M . D ., M . E . Z . 214 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . H . Salter , P . S . 1024 ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ George Graveley , H . 2374 ... ... Prov . 1 st A . G . S . „ R . Jennings , 1437 ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ Harris Hills , 2154 ... ... ... p . G . S . B . „ R . Haward Ives , J . 51 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ A . Lucking , P . Z . and Treasurer 1000 , P . A . G . D . C . England ( tenth year ) ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . Hutley , J . 1024 ... ... ... Prow A . G . D . C . „ E . H . Inman , S . E . 2154 ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ A . W . Martin ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . Comp . FRANCIS WHITE , P . P . G . J ., proposed that the by-laws , as printed and in the hands of the members of Provincial Grand Chapter be

adopted . This was seconded b y Comp . A . LUCKING , Prov . G . D . C , and unanimously agreed to . The sum of 20 guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and on the motion of the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , seconded by Comp . GEO . COOPER , P . P . G . H ., a hearty vole of thanks was passed to the members of the Colne Valley Chapter for the excellent arrangements they had made for the reception of Provincial Grand Chapter .

At the conclusion of the business the companions dined together at the George Hotel , under the genial presidency of the Grand Superintendent . A most excellent repast was well served by the host of the George , Mr . Turnell . |

Wor. Bro. G. William Speth.

WOR . BRO . G . WILLIAM SPETH .

A most accomplished gentleman and Mason of celebrity , not only in his native country of England , but well known in every quarter of the globe , is Wor . Bro . George William Speth , whose portrait we take great pleasure in presenting with this issue , Indeed , few have so enviable a reputation outside the limits of their own jurisdiction as this distinguished brother , the able and courteous Secretary of the great Lodge Quatuor Coronati , of London , who is also a prominent Masonic author and writer .

The subject of our brief sketch was born in England in 1847 , and was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry in the Lodge of Unity , No . 183 , London , in 1 S 72 , of which lodge he became Worshipful Master in 1876 . He was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in Sir Francis Burdett Chapter , No . 1503 , Twickenham , in 1 S 83 . His best known works in book form arc "A History of the Lodge of Unity , No . 183 , " published in 1881 , ana

"Royal Freemasons , " published in 1885 , the latter being , as he terms it , a series of " sketches of scions of reigning houses in Europe who have donned the lambskin apron since A . D . 1717 . " The former is a charmingly written history—indeed , a model lodge history—containing valuable and instructive matter to the student , especially a succinct and interesting account of pre Grand Lodge Masonry in Great Britian . The writer of this

article particularly values an autogra ph copy presented by Brother Speth a few months ago . As a contributor to Masonic periodicals , this , our friend and brother , has accomplished much , and has been a painstaking and energetic worker . Many of his productions have appeared in the Masonic Monthly and other magazines of his own country , and in the Keystone , of Philadelphia , to say nothing of many valuable articles in Ar ' s Ouatiior

Coronatoi'uin , the most important of which , "The Steinmetz Theory Critically Examined , " "Scottish FYeemasunry before the Era of Grand Lodges , " and "The Foundation of Modern Freemasonry , " are really valuable contributions to Masonic history . His " Masonic Curriculum " is something that should be read by every student , containing as it does

important hints and suggestions to those in pursuit of knowledge of our art , and , with his permission , we may some day reproduce it in these pages . His " Commentary on the Matthew Cooke MS . " exhibits the fruits of learning and scholarship , and is one of the best contributions we have to that class of Masonic literature .

Brother Speth is a most delightful correspondent , and his letters to us in particular , covering a period of several years , are most interesting reading , and form a veritable storehouse of information connected directly and indirectly with Masonry . A seeker after knowledge himself , he is most generous in giving unto others of his own ample store .

Even if Brother Speth had accomplished nothing else , the Lodge Quatuor Coronati , with which his name is so intimately associated , will for ever remain an enduring monument to his genius , talents , and industry . Originally one of its founders , he has , since its institution , been its leading spirit , and by his executive ability and untiring energy has built it up to proportions that were never dreamed of at the outset . The good that it

has done , and is now doing , cannot be estimated ; nor can it be predicted what a mighty instrument for the dissemination of useful knowled ge it will become in future times . A history of this great lodge from its inception to the present is a recital of the great life work of Brother Speth— his masterpiece , which will never be finished , but which is growing more and more perfect under his skilful touch , day by day , to which he gives his whole

Wor. Bro. G. William Speth.

time and attention , and the benefit of his mature wisdom , education , and experience . Having long been a co-labourer with those intellectual giants , Gould , Hughan , and Woodford , in lines of original investigation in Masonic matters , Brother Speth , together with the three distinguished li ghts of the Fraternity just mentioned , and several others , to wit : Sir Charles Warren , colonel in

the Royal Engineers , and a celebrated Palestine explorer ; Wm . Harry Ryland , Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries ; Walter Besant , whom we all know as a most charming novelist ; and Sisson Cooper Pratt , major in the Royal Artillery , and an able writer on military subjects , conceived the idea of establishing in the City of London a lodge whose members should

devote themselves to the cause of Masonic study and investigation , and , in the language of the late Brother Woodford , " induce a more scholarly and critical consideration of our evidences , a greater relish for historical facts , and subserve at the same time the increasing and healthy movement for the extension of libraries and museums in all lodges . "

The petition for the Warrant of Constitution was duly drawn and recommended by the Master and Wardens of Moira Lodge , No . 92 , and the warrant was granted , signed , and sealed by the Grand Secretary and Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , by command of his Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master , on the 28 th of November , 1884 . On the

return of the Worshipful Master designate from a diplomatic and military mission to Bechuana Land , Africa , thelod ^ e was consecrated in Freemasons ' Hall , London , on the 12 th of January , 1886 , Bro . Sir Charles Warren being installed as Master , Bro . G . W . Speth as Secretary , and Bro . Walter Besant as Treasurer .

The objects for which the lodge was organised are—1 . To provide a centre and bond of union for Masonic students . 2 . To attract intelligent Masons to its meetings , in order to imbue them with a love for Masonic research . 3 . To submit the discoveries or conclusions of students to the judgment and criticism of their fellows by means of papers read in the lodge .

4 . To submit these communications , and discussions arising thereon , to the general body of the Craft by publishing , at proper intervals , the trans - actions of the lodge in their entirety . 5 . To tabulate concisely , in the printed Transactions , the progress of the Craft throughout the world . 6 . To make the English-speaking Craft acquainted with the progress of Masonic study abroad by translations of foreign works .

7 . To reprint scarce and valuable works on Freemasonry , and to publish manuscripts , & c . S . To acquire permanent premises , and form a Masonic library and museum .

The stated meetings are held on the first Friday in January , March , May , and October , St . John ' s Day in Harvest , and the 8 th November , Feast of the Quatuor Coronati . At every meeting an original paper is read , followed by a discussion , which is printed in the transactions , Ars Quatuor Conoratorum , published in April , July , and December of each year .

I he membership is strictly limited to forty , and no one is admitted without a literary or artistic qualification , which must be of hi gh excellence . Every candidate presents a masterpiece in support of his claim . On the roll of membership are some of the most distinguished names in the United Kingdom , all of whom are men of note in literary and artistic circles , and include several officers of hi gh rank in the Army and Navy , one

Arctic explorer , and one astronomer . As a large number of Masons at home and abroad were desirous of participating in the special labours of the lodge , the Correspondence Circle was inaugurated in January , 1887 , which enables any Master Mason in good standing , anywhere in the world , to become a corresponding member . Members of the Correspondence Circle require no special qualification , but are subject to election . They pay no initiation fee , but are charged a small

sum annually to defray the cost of the printed transactions . They receive the summones convoking the meetings , and are welcome guests whenever it is possible to attend , have free access to the library , museum , and writing rooms , receive the Transactions , and have the privilege of purchasing at cost the reprints and other special publications of the lodge . Grand and subordinate lodges , societies , libraries , reading rooms , Sec , are admitted on the same footing as individuals .

Among the corresponding members in this country may be mentioned the Grand Lodges of Iowa , Kentucky , Maine , Massachusetts , and New York ; the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction , A . & . A . S . R ., Washington ; the Bureau of Ethnology , Smithsonian Institution ; Libertas

Lodge of Perfection , Richmond ; the Grand Master of Virginia , and about twenty-five of the Virginia brethren , besides many Grand Masters , Grand Secretaries , and other brethren in various parts of the country , Altogether there are about 1400 members , distributed all over the civilised world .

The papers that have appeared in the Transactions are invaluable , and many of them are as interesting to the profane as to the Mason ; but the great work of the Lodge Quatuor Coronati is the publication of manuscripts mfac simile and colours , reprinting rare Masonic books , Sec These have been beautifully done , and it will be impossible to estimate the magnificence and value of the collection in a few years to come . Some of them are

treasures of the British Museum , and have never been brought to light elsewhere . The list to the present time comprises : the Regius MS ., or Halliwell Poem , the oldest known Masonic document ; the Matthew Cooke MS . ; the Lansdowne MS ., copy of the Old Constitutions ; the two Harleian and the two Sloane MS . Constitutions ; the William U atson Roll of the Constitutions ; the Cama MS . ; the Grand Lodge Rolls , Nos . 1 and 2 ; the Buchanan Roll ; the Harris MS . : a reorii . t of Anderson ' s

second edition of the Book of Constitutions , 1738 , one of the rarest and most valuable of Masonic works ; a reprint of " The Beginning and First Foundation of the Most worth y Craft of Masonry , with the Charges Thereunto Belonging , " 1739 ; a reprint of "The Secret History of the Freemasons , " and a reprint of " 'I he Long Livers . " The reprints are exact copies , every page photo-lithographed , and not merely reproductions in oldface type .

1 he Correspondence Circle was the creation of Bro . Speth , and for the great benefits conferred b y it , the brethren , wheresoever dispersed , owe him a lasting debt of gratitude . We are glad to announce to our readers that this highly esteemed and much beloved brother has kindl y consented to write an original article for the ROUGR ASHLAR , which we hope to pioduce n our December issue . — Rough Ashlar .