Royal Arch.

The chapter was closed , and an excellent banquet followed . The usual toasts were afterwards honoured , and Comp . W . B . Fendick , P . G . S ., responded for " The Grand Officers . " He expressed his pleasure at seeing an old friend in the chair of M . E . Z . that evening , for Comp . Cleave was one of the best workers he had met . Comp . W . Vincent , P . A . G . D . C , also responded , and said the M . E . Z . had at once proved himself to be Master of all the work . He was delighted with the chapter , and hoped the members would provide . sufficient work in order that a prosperous year might ensue .

Comp . E . Newland , H ., briefly proposed "The M . E . Z ., " in the absence of Comp . Bonwick , I . P . Z ., through illness . There could not possibly be a better member of a chapter than their M . E . Z ., for immediately after his installation the companions had a specimen of the way in which the work could be performed . The Abbey Chapter was young—hardly a year old—and their installation that evening had been by dispensation , but they were a strong chapter , with eve y promise for the future . Comp . J . R . Cleave , M . E . Z ., thanked the H . and companions for their cordial

reception of the toast . It had been one of his mottoes that whatever he had undertaken to do he had tried to do to the best of his ability . If he had pleased them by the manner in which the ceremonies had been conducted he was gratified , for he had never done them before in chapter . He hoped the Abbey Chapter would go on and become a very flourishing and good chapter , as it ought to be , and they could then devote some of their surplus funds to the Masonic Charities . He hoped that next year they would be able to send up a Steward , who would no doubt be well supported . For " The Visitors , " Comps . Purdon and Lee replied .

"The Installing Principal , the H . and J ., " was the next toast honoured , the M . E . Z . referring to the excellent services rendered by Comp . Herman , P . Z ., as Installing Principal , by Comp . Newland H ., and by Comp . Turnbull as S . E . during the early and difficult work ot establishing the chapter . Suitable responses having been made , "The Officers" and the Janitor's toast closed the proceedings . During the meeting the following assisted in a capital entertainment—Comps . Pollard , Robins , and Busby , and Mr . Fred . Upton .

Annual Pic-Nic Of The White Rose Of York Lodge, No. 2491.

ANNUAL PIC-NIC OF THE WHITE ROSE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2491 .

The usual summer day ' s visit into the country so pleasantly associated with the White Rose of York Lodge took place on Friday , the 17 th inst . Of the two social festivals which the brethren year by year keep up with such spirit and hospitality , it would perhaps be difficult to determine which is the more popular . The White Rose dance , as it is familiarly known in Sheffield , is always looked forward to with pleasurable anticipation , and the pic-nic is no less eagerly welcomed . Both are efforts on the part of the brethren to combine social and

family intercourse with Masonic relation , and both have met with marked success . Each Worshipful Master seems to vie with his predecessors in promoting these delightful re-unions and the anxiety of the present occupant of King Solomon ' s chair in Lodge No . 2491 , to leave nothing undone and to have everything so far possible foreseen , was very marked . As in the case of the dance in the winter , Bro . Hahn was ably assisted by Mrs . Hahn , who played hostess with charming perfection . Every arrangement having been made , every difficulty anticipated and

removed , there remained only one factor—that it is true a very important one —to be considered and that was the weather . Fortunately , the fates were propitious ; no finer summer day could have been wished for—it was unbroken sunshine tempered by a delicious gentle breeze . It was a merry party therefore that assembled at the Midland Station , Sheffield , at 10 a . m . on the 17 th . Saloon carriages awaited to convey them to Grindleford on the popular Doreand Chinley Railway . Here they were to take to the road for a long drive through the lovely Derbyshire lanes and picturesque roads .

Amongst the company were the following : Bro . C . A . Hahn , W . M ., Mrs ., Miss , Mr . Alfred , and Mr . Arthur Hahn ; Mdlle . Rossignon ( Brussels ) , Miss Stephenson ( Constantinople ) , and Bro . Joseph Matthewman , P . M ., P . P . A . G . Sec . j Bro . W . Gunstone , I . P . M ., W . M . 139 , and Mrs . Gunstone ; Bro . John Hunt , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Mrs ., Miss . and Mr . J . E . Hunt ; Bro . Simeon Hayes , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., and Mrs . Hayes ; Bro . T . H . Vernon , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Mrs . and Miss Vernon ; Bro . Joseph Jackman , P . M ., Prov . G . D ., and Mrs . Jackman ; Bro . C . F . Brindley , P . M ., Mrs . Brindley , and Miss Whitehead ; Bro . John Shaw , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ..

and Mrs . Shaw ; Bro . Dr . John Stokes , P . M . 139 , S . W . 2491 ; Bro . T . W , Hanforth , J . W . 2491 , P . P . G . O . ; Bro . J . Craven , Treas ., and Mrs . Craven ; Bro . Owen and Mrs . Owen ; Bro . G . Wish and Mrs . Wish ; Bro . W . D . Foxon and Mrs . Foxon ; Bro . A . S . Jarvis ; Bro . Roberts and Miss Fearnehough ; Mr . and Mrs . T . Nash and Miss Nash ; Mr . C . A . Wheatley , Mr . and Mrs . T . E . Vernon , and Mrs . A . J . Birks ; Mr . and Mrs . Wheatley ; Bro . and Mrs . C . A . Shaw ; Bro . A . B . Gunstone and Miss Hoyland ; Mrs . Hargreaves , Miss Dunbar , and Mr . Law .

A four-horse coach , fully equipped , together with some 10 or 12 open barouches and pairs , were waitingat Grindleford to receive the party , and , en livened by the merry sound of the horn , a start was made for Buxton—a drive of some tSor 19 miles . The route was through Hassop and Longstone to Ashford , in the first instance . Here a halt was called for some 30 minutes , after which the journey was resumed , the road chosen being through Taddington and Ashwood Dale . Perhaps no county in England presents greater beauty of scenery than does Derbyshire , nor does any portion offer greater contrasts . On the one hand you have wild , desolite ,

and barren moorland , with hills rugged and bare in thc distant background ; on the other , you find charming nooks , v / ooded dells , narrow gullies , the sides of which are masses of lichen-covered cliff , gemmed with tiny ferns ; and through all the musical rhythm of a running stream or the pleasant murmur of tumbling water continually greets the ear ; or at a turn in the road it miy be the cojntry opens out and presents quite a park-like aspect , with gentle slopes o ! emerald turf , and trees , singly or in groups , in the full luxuriance of leafy June . Between the distant hill tops peeps the village spire , whilst from time to tims glimpse ; may be obtained of ancient hall or ancestral manor house .

Annual Pic-Nic Of The White Rose Of York Lodge, No. 2491.

The drive was pronounced by all to have comprised some of the most beautiful scenes in the county , and it was with regret rather than with relief that the cavalcade clattered through the streets of Buxton and pulled up at the Crescent . An excellent dinner was served at the hotel , covers being laid for upwards of 60 guests . The W . M ., Bro . C . A . Hahn , presided . Derbyshire scenery gratifies the eye and Derbyshire moorland air stimulates appetite , consequently justice wis done to the good things provided .

With bright sunshine , gardens , and other pleasant outstde resorts inviting visits , it was not likely that longer time would be spent at table than necessary . The toasts were therefore few and short , comprising only " The Queen , " "The Worshipful Master , his Wife , and Family , " and " The Ladies . " The first was proposed from the chair , and , of course , met with the usual hearty reception .

"The W . M ., Bro . C . A . Hahn , Mrs . Hahn , and Family" was very cordially proposed by Bro . W . Gunstone , I . P . M . Bro . Gunstone was in a decidedly genial , not to say humorous , mood , and spoke in very high terms of the ability of the W . M . and the unsparing and energetic efforts he had made to keep up the tone and prestige of the White Rose of Ycrk Lodge . His remarks were very warmly received .

Bro . HAH . N ' S reply was brief . He confessed that the organisation of this annual and popular fete had been to his wife and himself a matter of great anxiety . The weather , too , being a factor at no time absolutely to be depended upon , still further gave them cause for serious consideration , but he was delighted that all hid turned out well and if the pleasure which they had experienced that day at all equalled the satisfaction of Mrs . Hahn and himself at the apparent

success of their endeavours , then he thought they might mutually congratulate themselves and go forth in search of still further enjoyment on this beautiful summer day . He could not , however , resume his seat without thanking them for their kind wishes towards himself , his wife , and his family , and further expressing his gratitude to his Sub-Committee , and especially Bro . Roberts and Bro . Jarvis , for the great and ready help that had been giver , him in making all the arrangements . Bro . Hahn was warmly applauded .

Bro . Dr . J STOKES gave the toast of "The Ladies , " which was also heartily received . He deprecated as a waste of time that spent in talking about the ladies when there was so favourable an opportunity , under exceptionally pleasant circumstances , of talking to them . For his part he preferred the latter . The brethren agreed with him to a man and after Bro . Roberts , with all a lady ' s modesty , and with much more than her accredited brevity , had responded , the party broke up , and in groups or pairs strolled about the town and gardens .

AH assembled again later for tea , after which a move was made to the station . After a pleasant journey Sheffield was reached about 9 p . m ., and all regretfully dispersed , universally agreeing that the fifth annual picnic had been charming and that the fete days of the White Rose of York Lodge were institutions deservedly popular and as such to be continued and maintained .

Obituary.

Obituary .

FUNERAL OF THE LATE BRO . W . COMYNS , G . TREAS . IRELAND On Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., the remains of the late Bro . William Comyns , of Dame-street , Dublin , and Ardcuaine , Glenageary , were removed from the lastnamed place for interment in Dean's Grange Cemetery . The high esteem in which the deceased brother was held was manifested in a most striking manner by the large and representative attendance at the funeral . When placed in the

hearse the coffin was enveloped in a number of beautiful wreaths and floral tributes sent by sympathising friends . The chief mourners were Messrs . Macolm Comyns , Henry Comyns , Ernest Comyns , Allen and Alec Comyns ( sons ) . The Grand Lodge of Ireland was represented by the following 1 Bros . James Creed Meredith , LL . D ., Dep . G . Master ; the Rev . Benjamin Gibson , M . A ., G . Chap . ;

William M . Battersby , J . P ., S . G . D . ; William G . Huband , J . G . D . ; William Spence , C . E ., G . Supt , of Works ; George Drury , G . D . C ; James M . Lowry , G . Stwd . ; Wm . McGee , J . P ., G . S . B . ; Thomas R . G . Joze , Mus . D ., G . Org . ; George Scriven , M . D ., G . I . G . ; VV . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D ., G . Sec . G . L . of Instruction ; Henry E . Flavelle , Dep . G . Sec . and Treas . ; and Henry C . Shellard , Clerk .

Instruction.

Instruction .

SELWYN CHAPTER , No . 1901 . A meeting was held on Monday , the 20 th inst ., at the Montpelier Hotel , Choumertroad , Peckham , S . E . Present : Comps . VV . R . Barr , M . E . Z . ; H . Hardmin , II . ; G . Rankin , J . ; Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor ; C II . Stone , P . Z ., S . E . ; H . 1 lay ward , S . N . ; J . Pointon , P . S . ; F . E . Pow , Treas . ; Simmonds , L . J . de Whaliey , A . F . Slee , H . Cornford , and , J . A . Braik .

The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . IT . Cornford personating the candidate . Comps . J . A . Braik , II . Macdonald , 1216 , and A . F . Slee , 142 , were elected joining members . Comp ' . H . Hardman , II ., was elected M . E . Z . for next convocation . A heirty vote of thanks was accorded to Comps . Barr , Hardman , and Rinkin for so ably rehearsing the duties of the respective chairs for the first time . The chapter was then closed . This very promising chapter of instruction meets at the above address on the first and third Mondays in each month—except on Bank Holidays—at S . 30 p . m . All Royal Arch companions will be welcomed .

Ad01005

COUNTY _*~—FOUNDED 1807 . 50 REGENT ST ., W , 4 FIRE — = — _ M CORNHILL , E . C , LONDON . OFFICE . The Distinguishing Feature of this Office is THE RETURN SYSTEM . On Ordinary Insurances , under which Policyholders w ho have been insured 1 ' or Seven Years and who continue insured—whether umler an Annual or Septennial Policy—become entitled to a RETURN OF 25 PER CENT , of the Premiums they have paid during L ' ilL ' Seven Years , provided no loss lias arisen under their Policies in that Period . Insurances on Farming . Storks and on other than Ordinary Risks do not participate in the Returns , nor are the Returns given on amounts which , being in excess of its own holding , are not retained b y the Ollice . Policies may be eH ' ccleil or transferred without any extra expenses . U . W . STEVENS , " j r ¦ a dCretaries . J l H . E . H \ TUFFE , r olHt aLUtu "