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most harmonious manner , 'lhe Janitor's toast brought a very happy meeting to a close at about n o ' clock . PLUMSTEAD . —Pattison Chapter ( No . 913 ) . —The usual quarterly meeting of the above chapter took p l-ice on Thursday , the 16 th inst , at the Lotd Raglan , Burrageroad , Ex . Comp . A . Penfold , as Z ., with Ex . Comps . Denton , P . Z ., and P . G . P . S . Kent , in thc chair of H . ; and

F . D . Hayes , as J . The following officers and companions were present : —Comps .. ) . McDougall , P . Z ., and P . G . S . B . Kent ; C . Coupland , P . Z ., and 1 \ P . G . P . S . Kent ; W . H . Myers , P . Z . ; H . Pryce , Scribe E . ; Eugene Sweny , ist Asst . P . S . ; H . Mason , 2 nd Asst . P . S . ; J . F . Randall , H . Shaw , P . S . i , 3 ; E . B . Hobson , Thos . Cartland , W . Rees , J . Topp , G . Frost , J . H . Roberts , G . R . Nichols , R .

Edmonds , J . Chapman , H . Mabbett , Janitor j and C . Jolly ( Freemason ) . 'Fhe chapter having been opened by the Principals , the companions were admitted . The only business before the ihapter vvas a repott of the meeting of Giand Chapter , held at the Skating Rink , Plumstead , in July last , and a long and exhaustive report , especially prepared by Comp . Pryce , was read by him , and it was resolved that a

copy of it should be inscribed on the minutes of the chapter . Several votes of thanks were recorded to those companions who had assisted in the necessary preparations to receive the Prov . Grand Superintendent , I ord Holmesdale , and the members of Prov . Grand Chapter , and then the chapter was closed in solemn form . A modest little dinner was then partaken of , and the cloth being cleared the

usual loyal and Arch Masonic toasts were honoured . In giving that of their " Grand Superintendent , Lotd Holmesdale , " Comp . Penfold said thc companions had had an opportunity of seeing the great interest his lordship took in Arch Masonry in the Province of Kent . That vvas but a solitary instance of the many calls there were upon his time , but it would be one that would show them the many

and arduous duties he had to perform . He had won the respect and admiration of every Mason in Kent , and he trusted their noble and honoured Grand Superintendent would long be spared to rule over them . " The Present Prov . Grand II ., Ex . Comp . Eastes , and Prov . G . J ., Ex . Comp . Robinson , " were then honoured . The Past and Picsent G . Officers Comp . Penfold looked upon as the toa > t of

thc evening , because they had prese . it two Grand Officers , members of their own chapter . One , Comp . Denton , had been twice honoured , and the other , Comp . McDougall , had taken his first step in Prov . Giaud Chapter honours . Comp . I- ' enton hail been a veritable pillar of Masonry in this district , and well and worthily merited every distinction given him , and as to Comp . McDougall , he ( Comp .

Penfold ) should have said if the honour had been offered him , "No , give it to Comp . McDougall . " Comp . Denton , in reply , said as one of thc present Grand Officers it devolved upon him to respond to thc toast . It vvas a great honour to hold oflice under Lord Holmesdale and under thc present 11 . and J . of the province . His lordship had been pleased to confer an honour upon him , but it vvas

intended to be as much an honour to the Pattison Chapter as to him personally . Their Grand Superintendent had expressed his s-uisfaciion at the reception this chapter had given Vim and Prov . Grand Chapter at Plumstead , and that sentiment had been echoed by a number of distinguished companions from all pans of the province . He congratulated the chapter upon the success that had

attended its efforts . It was one of the most important events in the history of the Pattison Chapter , and would be an event , not only for the present companions to be proud of , but for those who joined it in years to come . In conclusion , he thanked them most heartil y for the toast . Comp . McDougall also returned thanks , and then proposed in glowing terms "The Health of Ex . Comp . Penfold ,

Z . of the Chapter , " and , in so doing , congratulated hir .-self that he vvas just out of the chair when his lordshi p visited them , and lhe chapter that Comp . Penfold was in to receive him . Comp . Penfold said that he ought to be one of the happiest men in Kent , for it vvas somt thing to be First Principal of a chapter like the Pattison , and to receive the Grand Superintendent of the province and Grand

Chapter in one year . As the head of the chapter it was his duty to do all that he could to make that gathering a success , and he trusted that it bad been one , but hc could not have succeeded had it not been for the hearty co-opt ration of the whole of the companions . He passed a hi gh eulogium upon Ex . Comp . Pryce , who , he said , was indefatigable in his exertions to bring the meeting to a happy issue , and also the companions who were on the committee ,

a ^ id concluded by assuring them of his desire , above all , for the prosperity of the Pattison Chapter . " The Health of the Second and Third Principals " was then proposed , and Comp . Hayes replied , regretting the absence of Comp . Bulter , who , the M . E . Z . told them , was at the Isle of Wight , superintending sum- ; experiments for the Government . The toast of " The Officers of the Chapter " was coupled with the name of Comp . Pryce , who briefly returned thanks . Thc meeting then broke up .

CHORLTON - CUM - HARDY . — Chorlton Chapter ( No . 1387 ) . —This chapter held their bi-monthl y meeting at the Masonic Hall , on Wednesday , the 15 th inst . There were present Comps . J . H . Sillitoe , Z . ; Joshua Potts , II . ; and James G . Batty , J . Also Comps " . J . li . Lee- - , II . 317 ; If . Davies , S . E . ; J . J . Lambert , S . N . ; " Jno . Dewhurst , P . S . ; F . brundiitt , ist A . S . ; D . Williams , 2 nd A . S .-, Allied Love , Treasurer ; C . J . McBride , H .

Marshall , W . Clies-, hyre , Janitor , and others . Alter the chapter had been duly opened , and the minutes of the preceding meeting read and pis-ul , the ballot was taken for Bros . W . H . Milner , W . Butcher , and C . Heywood , all of the Chorlton Lodge , and being iu each case favourable , the ceremony of exaltation was performed in a most piaisevvoithy manlier by Comp . Sillitoe and the officers of the chapter , who onc and all have striven bard to make them-. ¦ iclvts thoroughly efficient jn their icspectivc duties . Some

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disappointment , however , was felt at the unavoidableabsence of tbe Organist , Comp . Miller , and his quartett p-irty , ns the musical ceremony which has been specially arranged for this chapter hail , under the circumstances , to be omitted . After thc close of the chapter the companions

adjourned to a substantial supper , provided under lhe superintendence of Comp . D . ivies , S . K ., and served by Mr . and Mrs . Langford , the hailkeepers , in a manner which elicited the hearty approval of all present . Songs and recitations interspersed the toasts , and a most enjoyable evening vvas spent .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

ERA LODGE ( No . 1761 . —The installation meeting of this Mark lodge vvas held at the Bridge House Hotel , Borough High-street , Southwark , on Friday , the lolh inst . Bro . T . Horton , W . M ., presided . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . lhe minutes

of the last regular meeting were unanimously confirmed . Bro . W . Hammond , S . W ., was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , and he appointed and invested his officers . Business being ended the lodge vvas closed . There were present Bros . J . Stevens , P . M . ; T . Poore , P . M . ; F . Walters , P . M . ; W . Pennefather , Sec . -, and others .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

MOUNT CALVARY PRECEPTORY . — This old and distinguished encampment met on Friday , the 18 th inst ., at Freemasons'Tavern , Great Queen-street , for the dispatch of business . Among those present Were Sir Knights Tanner , P . E . C , acting K . C . ( in the absence of . Sir Knight Morgan ) ; D . M . Dewar , P . E . C , Recorder ; S . Rosenthal , P . E . C . ; Baxter , P . E . C ; Roebuck , P . E . C . ;

Driver , ist Captain ; Nee-KI , 2 nd Captain ; I . C . Walls , Expert ( Frcemaron ) ; Williams , Captain of the Lines ; Berridge , Saunders , Rawle--- , Equctry . It being the diction meeting , Sir Knight Driver was umnimously elected M . E . C ; Sir Knight Paas , Almoner ; and Sir Knight Ravvles , Equerry . Comp . Driver having been submitted as a candidate for installation at the next meeting , the

encampment vvas duly closed , and the bir Knights adjourned to the banquet , which vvas most excellently served by Bro , Best and assistants . The customary preliminary teia ^ ts having received full justice , Sir Knight Rosenthal proposed in happy terms "The Health of the F .. C . " This pledge was heartily drunk , and Sir Knight Tanner replied upon behalf of Sir Knight Morgan in a very neat speech . " The

Health of thc P . E . C ' s" followed , and drew from Sir Knight Dewar an exhaustive reply . In the courso of his remarks he congratulated the Mount Calvary Preceptory upon possessing so many young oflicers who were on tbe road to the chair , and who hc felt confident would discharge thc onerous duties of the post in a manner that would equal if not surpass the efforts of those Sir Knights who had held the position . In conclusion , upon behalf of his

colleagues and himself , he warmly thanked the members for the very hearty manner in which their healths had been proposed and received . The toast of the evening , " The E . G . elect , " came next in succession , and in response Sir Knight Driver made a modest speech . " The Officers" was acknowledged by Sir Knights Driver , Neeld , and Williams , lhe proceedings were enlivened b y the vocal efforts of Sir Knights Baxter , Driver , and others .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

BRO . LAMONBY'S HISTORY OF PROVINCE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND . What Bro . Lamonby has done for his own Province of Cumberland and Westmorland should be achieved by competent brethren for every other province in England . Some have preceded our brother in this good work , and I hope sjill more will succeed him , so that we have a

complete history Masouirallr / of the English Provincril Grand Lodges . The present handsome Utile book before us , of which a review has previously appeared in the Freemason , is adorned with a portrait of the Prov . G . M . of Cumberland , etc ., the Right Hon . thc Earl of Beclive , to whom also the work is appropriately dedicated . We all as subscribers feel iudi bted to Bro . Lamonby for so skillfully weaving

his materials as to fi rai a very pleasing narrative , and his venture should prove a success in every way , for surely there should not be the slightest difficulty in circulating the 500 copies printed , and published at a crown each . After a readable introduction on Freemasonry in general , and a sketch of lhe Province of Cumberland from 1771 , and that of Westmoreland from 178 s , the united Province

of Cumberland and Westmorland is then noted from i 860 , the Earl of Bective , installed 27 th Sept ., 1867 , being the third Prov . G . M . from the Union , that number having been appointed during the period of seven years , owing to the deaths of the first and second soon after their accepting office . Having satisfactorily presented much interesting information on these points , Bro . Lamonby enters upon

what 1 consider to be the chief value of the work , viz ., the history of all the lodges in the united province , both extinct and in existence , from 1740 down to 18 7 6 , thirty - . - ¦ even in all . It is just possible that there may have been more " ancient" ladies at one time iu Cumberland and Wettmoilind than we find in this histoiv , but at all

events there are six enumerated , all of which have ceased to exist save No . 119 , Whitehaven , of which most curious particulars are furnished . One will suffice as a sample . Sixteen brethten had been guilty uf a Masonic offence , not described . After a due trial the sentence inflicted on one of the delinquents vvas lo be " silenced for ninety-nine yeats , " another was to be similarly treated for six months ,

Masonic Notes And Queries.

another for three months , the latter having also to perform the Tyler ' s work without remuneration . 1 'he ordinary warrant is still preserved , and was issued in 176 S by the " Hon . Thomas Mathews , G . M . " The oldest lod ge working is the "Union , " Kendal , of A . D . 1764 , whose centenary was celebrated in 1864 , the lodge having a Cen . tcnary Jewel Warrant , so we are informed , which vvas

granted during the tame year , a distinction all the more prized because of being the only one of the kind conferred upon any lodge in the province . Mention i . ; made of a Scottish lodge working in Carlisle from about 1784 until 1796 , when the members came under the English Consti . tution , and in 1825 a great number of Scottish stonemasons were employed in the construction of the county prison ,

some of whom were anxious to become freemasons . Accordingly thc Prov . G . M . of Dutnfriesshireaddressed a letter 10 the Prov . G . M . of Cumberland asking permission for the Master of the Journeyman Masonic Lodge of Dumfries to visit Carlisle and initiate his countrymen , which

vvas agreed to by George Blamire , as " P . G . Master of Manual , Instrumental , and Scientific Masonry for Cumberland . " The ceremony was observed on 28 th January and following day , A . D . 1825 , and appears to have taken exceedingly well . I must not give more now from the Work , but ask for its being welcomed by the Craft . W . J . HUGHAN .

OLD MSS . Is it quite certain that the " Charles " mentioned in the Cook MS . is the veritable Charles Mattel ? Bro . Hughan in his note of Sept . 27 th tays— " The name of Charles Mattel docs not occur in this MS ., " and th's is beyond doubt . As to whether by Charles II . is meant Charles Martel , is another matter , but I scarcely think we are

justified in assuming it to be clearly made out . 1 here are , indeed , four of the name ( Charles ) to either of whom thc MS . in question may refer , viz ., Charles Martel ; Charles ( Karl the Great or Charlemagne ) A . D . 771 ; Charles ( son of Charlemagne ) A . D . 806 ; and Charles the Second ( so called ) , crowned Emperor A . D . S 75 . Bro . I ' ort at p . 16 3 of his work , whilst referring to Charles Martel in the text ,

adds in a feint note , " or , according to Cooke's MSS ., Charles II . " As regards tbe discrepancy between thc oldest ( the Halliwell ) and the other charges , what , I think , many of us would like lo hear from Bros . Hughan and Woodford would be some explanation of the omissions iu thc former of any reference to Solomon , Naymus Grecus , or Charles Martel ? These names continually recur in the

later MSS ., in fact the entire legend hinges upon the tiansniission by Naymus Grtcus * to Charles Martel of Masonic lore , acquired at the building of King Solomon's Temple . Upon this point Bro . Fort ' s book contains some very instructive remarks ( op . 11 S , 163 ) , but the same writet ( at p . 181 ) comments with much force upon the absence ol

auy allusion to the Solomoniau theory in our very earliest MSS . If , ai it seems to me , at a certain point in our legendary history our leading characters all "drop out , " the circumstance is so far remaikable as to call for a little explanation from those " specialists " by whom only thc subject is at all understood , and of whose labours it would be altogether impossible to speak too hi ghly . R . F . G .

ANOTHER MASONIC MS . At page 367 Bro . Hughan refers to au old Masonic MS ., the ori ginal of which bears the date 1581 . In reference to it Bro . Hughan says , * ' For the time then we put it down to 1583 . " Now , I cannot understand what he means by that , as the date of the extract is afterwards given as "Anno MDCLXXI 1 L , " or 1673 . Perhaps Bro . Hughan will kindly explain this . W . P . B .

MASONIC MSS ., & c . If it can be proved that " Matthew Cooke's MS . " refers to Charles Martel , I am ready to acknowledge my error in saying that neither " HalliwcH ' s MS . " nor the foregoing allude to that individual , though our Bro . Fort declares they do . My friend , Bro . Woodford , admits my accuracy as to "HalliwcH's MS ., " but not as to the other , but , so far as I can see , has not proved his assertion , for it is not

likely that " Charles the Second " was the Charles Marlet of the Mascnic MSS ., for they arc all most explicit in reference to that monarch , when they really allude to him . As to the " Holy Martyrs four , " we want positive evidence as tu the earliest notice of the legend , rather than surmises as to the matter , and Bro . Woodford has special facilities to elucidate this point if lie will kindly look it up . W . J . HUGHAN .

MELROSE MS ., & c . Bro . W . P . Buchan , of Glasgow , was a most energetic and usttul Masonic student some , years ago , and deserves all that our Bro . "P . M . No . 1 , S . C , " has said on his behalf . Have , heart ! from him recently , after a long silence , and whilst expressing his unabated interest in our studies , he regrets his inability to work at them as formerly , owing

to his increased duties as an author on sanitary science , etc . All his frientls are pleased to hear ol his success in that direction . Respecting the " Melrose MS ., " I am not aware of any one having stated in print that there vvas a copy of the "Old Masonic Charges" at Melrose until Bro . Vernon came on the scene , and in a letter to me announced the fact , which I published . If my esteemed friend , Bvo . D . Murray Lyon , knew of it , he has not , to my

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* A MS . note , penned same 135 years ago , in the margin ofa copy of the 1723 Constitutions , has the following : ' * Witness the story of Meron Grecus , who was at ye building of Solomon's Temple , in the year of the world 21 ) 33 , ami after came into Franco to Charles Mattel , their king , who began to reign in the year of yc woild 4 660 . So the man was 1727 yeais old . "