Masonic Notes.

A complimentary banquet was given at Freemasons Hall , Singapore , on the 27 th April last , to Bro . E . H . Khory , a prominent member of the Fraternity in the Straits Settlement , on the occasion of his departure on

a visit to this country . Bro . Sir Charles Warren , District Grand Master , occupied the chair , and Bro , Khory made a very eloquent speech in responding to the . toast of his health .

A correspondent has favoured us with a letter in which he complains that brethren when attending Prov . Grand Lodge meetings no longer observe the ancient and laudable custom of appearing in black suits , with silk hats and white gloves . At one of these gatherings which he recently attended , he tells us there were

several brethren , and even some Prov . Grand Officers , who wore light trousers , a few light coats as well , while the silk hat was in many cases set aside in favour of the common " billy-cock . '' We cannot explain why or how this neglect in the matter of costume has arisen . We believe the rule on these occasions is that " morning

dress " should be worn , and we can only suppose that the brethren who adopt the garb of which our correspondent very properly complains , must either have allowed themselves a good deal of latitude in their interpretation of the expression , or else that they do

not quite know what is intended by " morning dress . " But though we cannot account for the old style having fallen into bad odour with some brethren , we quite agree with our worthy correspondent that those who attend these important meetings should appear in the garb of gentlemen .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

j 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 . ]

LODGE RETURNS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , If " K . " will turn to Bro . Gould ' s " History of Freemasonry , " Vol . II ., pp . 486-488 , he will find the history of these returns . " K . " seems to think the Act requires the returns , and may impose a penalty for the

omission to send them in . This is an incorrect way of looking at it . The combined effect of 37 George III ., c . 122 , 39 George III ., c . 79 , and 57 George III ., c . 19 , is to render illegal a society which administers an oath not required or authorised by law , and to render the members liable to be . proceeded against either summarily or by indictment , and to punishment , in the

former case , by three months imprisonment , or a fine of ^ 20 , and in the latter case by transportation for seven years , or imprisonment for not exceeding two years ; the person in whose house or apartment the meeting is held is liable for a first offence to a penalty of . £ 5 . and for a second offence to the penalties before mentioned ; and if the meetings are held on licensed

premises the licence may be forfeited . Under the two latter Acts , however , exception is made in favour of lodges of Freemasons , provided that " this exemption shall not extend to any such society or lodge , unless the name or denomination thereof , and the usual place or places , and the time or times of its meetings , and the names and descriptions of all and

every the members thereof , be registered with such Clerk of the Peace on or before the 25 th day of March in every year . " The "inconvenience" of nol making the return would bc the inability of the members , if proceeded against for the penalties under the Act , to claim the benefit of the exemption in favour of Freemasons . — Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

987 ] FREEMASONRY IN SHROPSHIRE . I heartily congratulate Bro . Graham on his very valuable addition to the roll of lodge histories . The information respecting thc lodges in Shropshire is exceedingly interesting , and discloses great care and judgment on the author ' s part . It is a pity that such works should have but a limited circulation , as one

notes that only a few copies remain unsold . No doubt intending purchasers will at once secure them ; probably a second edition may then be forthcoming . There is no reason whatever for doubting that the Lodge of Friendship , Bridgnorth ( p . 11 ) , was erased by Grand Lodge on 9 th April , 1783 . This was duly recorded in the official Grand Lodge proceedings of that year ,

and noted in the Grand Lod ge Calendar for 1785 , & c , as being one of the " lodges erased since the alteration of the numbers in 17 S 1 for not conforming to the laws of the Society . " Bro . Graham is quite correct in stating ( p . 21 ) that the Grand Lodge Calendar has antedated the Rev . F . II . Egerton ' s appointment as

Prov . Grand Master for Stafford b y five years . From some notes made by me several years ago , it is clear that the Rev . Francis Henry Egerton was appointed Prov . Grand Master for Shropshire on ist May , 1786 , and that on the 13 th April , 1791 , another patent was issued to him confirming the appointment of 1 st May , 178 G , for the county of Salop , and also appointing him ,

Masonic Notes And Queries.

in addition , to be the Prov . Grand Master for the counties of Stafford , Flint , Denbigh , and Montgomery . The reference , therefore , under Staffordshire in the present Grand Lodge Calendar should be corrected , and an addition made of the fact that the Rev . F . H . Egerton was also Prov . Grand Master for the other three counties named . The patent for Sir Andrew

Vincent Corbet , Bart . ( p . 33 ) , was dated 2 nd September , 1843 , the official record having this note " returned his patent , refused to act . " In any subsequent edition perhaps Bro . Graham will correct the following : —( a ) The original number of the Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity ( p . 153 ) is stated to have been No . 10 . This lodge was formed in 1723 ,

when no numbers were used . In 1729 its first number was 13 ; in 1740 it became No . 12 ; and in 1755 ( not 1756 ) No . 10 . ( b ) In the " List of Extinct Lodges " ( p . 51 ) , Nos . 1 and 2 refer to the same lodge , which was erased on 29 th November , 1754 , but re-appeared on the

Engraved List for 1756 , and was finally erased on 27 th January , 17 6 S . Will Bro . Graham kindly explain what he considers the irregularity was ( p . 155 ) in "raising" on December 3 rd , 1821 , a brother who was " passed" on November 5 th ? Was not the interval of " one month " referred to in the Books of

Constitutions from 1815 to 1841 , held to be a lunar month of 28 days ? Since 1 S 47 the phrase " one month " has been altered to " four weeks , " which is , of course , much more explicit ; but I am not aware that the conferring of Degrees with an interval of a lunar month prior to 1 S 47 , was ever held to be irregular . INO . LANE .

Reviews.

Reviews .

MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL CENTENARY CELEBRATION , iS <; 2 . An important feature of this Centenary celebration was the production of an unique and ornate volume combining the official programme and catalogue of the fete , with much valuable and interesting literary and historical matter . This work was kindly undertaken by Bro . Thomas Stuart , 125 , who generously presented an edition de luxe oi 5000 copies

to the Committee , for sale during the fete ; and subsequently Bro . Stuart wisely determined to extend the scope of this work so as to render it not only a necessary guide to the celebration itself , but a volume of historical interest to the Order , a worthy souvenir of so important a Masonic event , and a text book of permanent value to Masons generally . With this object in view , he has introduced amongst its varied contents a succinct illustrated history of the schools

since their foundation , a valuable epitome of the progress of the Order in Ireland , and a much needed record ol the annals and notabilia of the leading Irish lodges , with artistic portraits of their prominent officials . Owing to the handsome volume being so little known in England ( save by the fow brethren who attended the celebration ) , scarcely any copies have been sent to this country , but now they may be had from the author , Bro . Thomas

Stuart ( Commercial Buildings , Dublin ) , fcr 2 s . each . That is to say so long as the edition is not exhausted , and as the work will not be reproduced , at least not in its present form , we strongly advise all Masonic students and Honorary Librarians to speedily procure copies . The histories 01 sketches of the Dublin lodges , including the Grand Master's , founded in 1749 , are most interesting . The oldest in the city is No . 2 , of 1731 ( erroneousl y stated to be of 1727 as

, Bro . Stuart points out ) , the senior lodge in Ireland being No . 1 , of Cork . The author declares No . 6 , the "Temple , " to be the oldest charter in Dublin , its warrant being dated 1730 , and it has continued on the roll from then to now . We wish much that Bro . Stuart would send us a transcript of this charter of A . D . I 730 , as it is one year earlier than any Bro . Hughan has published , and it would form an

attractive addition to our " Notes and Queries " department . The information respecting the Provincial Grand Lodges is invaluable , and beyond question the like of this souvenir has never been hitherto obtainable in connection with this Giand Lodge . Though the portraits are numerous all are good , and as all the proceeds go to the Institution , Bro . Stuart has proved a good friend to the Institution .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Blackheath Lodge ( No . 1320 ) .-The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Bridge House Hotel , Southwark , on Thursday , the lOth instant , when a large attendance of members and visitors assembled . The lodge was opened under thc presidency of Bro . John

Hooper , VV . M ., and the minutes of the last regular lodge meeting and an emergency meeting were read and confirmed . 'The report of the Audit Committee was also read and adopted , which showed the lodge to be in a sound financial position . Bro . James Merrett was raised to the Degree of M .. \ I ., and Bro . John Piper was passed . Bro . Dr . William St . Michael Raw , J . W ., who had been

unanimously elected W . M . at the last regular lodge , was then presented to . the W . M ., and a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and the W . M . elect was duly installed in thc chair of K . S ., the ceremony being very ably performed . The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year : Bros , lohn Hooper , I . P . M . j II . T . Raw , S . W . ; 11 . Neville , J . W . ; VV . 11 . Morson , P . M ., Treas . ; II . A . Stunt , P . M ., Sec ; T . R .

Cass , S . I ) . ; A . VV . Lc Creu , J . D . ; E . Morson , l . G . ; E . Salter , D . C ; F . W . Pearce , Stwd . ; and G . Harrison , Tyler . Iiro . II . A . Stunt , at the reciuest of the I . P . M ., then impressively delivered the addresses to the W . M . and the- ollieers . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , at whicli about 40 were present .

Craft Masonry.

After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were received with enthusiasm , Bro . John Hooper , I . P . M , proposed the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " and , in doing so , congratulated the members on their having so excellent a W . M ., who had already at the banquet shown how ably he could preside , and he was sure he would take a great interest in his work in the lodge , which he hoped

would be as large as that he had to do during his year of office . The W . M . in reply , thanked Bro . Hooper for his kind words in . proposing the toast , and the brethren for the hearty manner in which they had received it , and he assured them he would do his utmost to carry out his duties to their satisfaction , and for the good of the lodge .

The toast of " The Visitors' followed , which was responded to by Bros . E . A . Caspard , W . M . 1665 ; F . Hilton P . M . 1622 ; Frank Williams , P . M . 101 ; and E . C . Mulvey ' W . M . 2353 , P . P . G . S . B . Surrey . Then followed the toast of " The Installing Master , Bro . Hooper , " and , in proposing it , the W . M . complimented him on having performed the arduous work of the year in a most

able mannerand to thesatisfaction of every oneof the brethren , who to show their appreciation of his excellent services to the lodge had voted him a handsome jewel , which he had the greatest pleasure in presenting to him and fixing on his breast , trusting that he might live long to wear it , and be able to give his services to the lodge for many years to come . Bro . Hooper thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks ,

and the brethren for their appreciation of his work as W . M . After the toasts of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " " The Past Masters , " responded to by Bro . E . C . Lister , and " The Officers , " responded to in due course by each , a very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the Tyler's toast . Besides the officers named , the following were among the brethren present : Bros . A . J . Martin , P . M ., T . W .

Spencer , E . A . Rice , Miles Thompson , W . Wright , G . C . Pike , W . Orton , T . G . Hobley , A . Smith , and A . Sey . The visitors were Bros . J . H . Pasmore , J . D . 2205 ; A . F . Caspard , W . M . 1665 ; E . T . Wright , S . W . 115 S ; H . Wood , J . W . 101 ; J . M . Openshaw , 172 ; J . Hentsch , P . M . 211 ; C . H . Stone , S . W . 507 ; F . Hilton , P . M . 1622 ; Rushton Odell , 2077 ; E . A . Hubbard , S 79 ; H . A .

Joy , Treas . 2271 ; Frank Williams , P . M . 101 ; H . C . Turner , S . D . 1622 ; W . Hill , 1512 ; W . W . Stephens , 230 S ; E . C . Mulvey , W . M . 2353 , P . P . G . S . B . Surrey ; and j . Spicer , P . M . 1261 . The Worshipful Master had provided an excellent concert ,

in which Miss Rosa Best , Miss Florence Venning , Mr . Arthur Harvey , and Bro . Rushton Odell took part , and some excellent quartets and songs were given , Bro . Stunt , P . M ., assisting in the humorous element , and songs were also given by Bros . Hobley and Broadway . Bro . Rushton Odell acted as musical director in his usual able manner .

Rose Lodge ( No . 1622 ) . —The last meeting of the session of this nourishing South London Iodge was held on the 4 th inst ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell Newroad , when there were present Bros . H . G . Martin , W . M . j J . H . Pullen , S . W . ; S . J . Derham , J . W . ; J . N . Kirby , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Loader , P . M ., Sec ; T . Pickett , W . Castledine , T . E . Webb , P . M . ; S . W . Ballard , F . E .

Choveaux , F . Hilton , P . M . ; J . Garner , P . M . ; W . Jeffery , P . M . ; J . Dunn , P . M . ; G . W . Niblet , W . Dawson , Geo . Thompson , VV . T . Nelthropp , R . Brambleby , J . H . Reap , J . Hight , J . Hay , G . Plomer , L . Meyer , R . VV . Harden , VV . E . Jeffery , and F . Williams . The visitors were Bros . J . Hill , P . M . 16 5 S , P . G . S . B . Surrey ; K . Millikin , 43 ; E . A . Rice , 1330 ; C . H . Stone , 507 ; J .

Bladon , W . M . 1 S 39 ; W . M . Isaacson , 162 S ; T . 11 Salmon , 1475 ; R . J . Vincent , 1641 ; W . Briant , 101 ; R . J . Voisey , P . M . 1329 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . The lodge was opened , and the W . M . in an excellent manner raised Bros . Niblett , Brambleby , and Plomer . Bro . Pullen , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . ; Bro . J . N . Kirby , P . M ., re-elected as Treasurer ; and Bro . Thomas

Bowler again elected Tyler . Bros . VV . Dawson , George Thompson , and Reap were elected Auditors , and the following were named to form the Benevolent Fund Committee : Bros . Webb , P . M ., Petherbridge , W . Dawson , G . Thompson , and Reap . After the lodge was closed , the brethren adjourned to a very excellent banquet , scived by Mrs , Venables in her

usual good style , which was much enjoyed . On the removal of the cloth the Worshipful Mastcr gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were cordially received . Bro . Jeffery , I . P . M ., proposed in suitable terms " Tho Health of the VV . M ., " who on rising to respond received quite an ovation . He stated that he had endeavoured to do his duty and had tried to follow his predecessors . He

thought it a special favour and a great honour to be the Master of such a lodge . 'The Past Masters of that lod [ , e would not pass anyone they thought incompetent , and he hoped he had given them satisfaction , lt was the practice in the lodge for the outgoing Master to install his successor , and he would do that . That was the last time he would preside as W . M . and he thanked all the officers and

members ; for their assistance and kindness he had received during his term of office . In giving the toast of "The Visitors , " the W . M . remarked that they had some distinguished ones present , and he gave them all a cordial and hearty greeting , and coup led the names of Bros . Voisey , Bladon , and Vincent . Bro . Voisey , in reply , stated that the Rose Lodge was

well known for its good working , charity , and hosp itality . Bro . Bladon also replied . .. Bro . Vincent , in reply , said he felt sure that thc W . AIelect ( Bro . Pullen ) would keep up the prestige of the lodtfc . Bro . Bryant replied in a humorous speech . In giving the next toast , "The Past Masters , " the Worshipful Master stated that they had borne the burden

and were the sole cause of the lodge being the great success it was . He had received every assistance , and couw not have done without them , and he coupled the names 0 Bros . Garner , P . M ., and Hilton , P . M . —the latter tne founder ol the Rose Chapter . Bro . Garner , in reply , stated that he was with the lod « jj when it Iirst started IO years ago , and he was proud to s

that it had continued a great success . Bros . Hilton , P . M . ; Dunn , P . M . ; and Jeffery , P-M " also replied in suitable terms . „ In giving the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , the W . M . paid a tribute to those excellent officers —» ' ' Kirby , P . M ., and Loader , P . M . —who did all in their po " for the welfare of the lodge .