Early English Masonry.

that shall be reserved for another part of this history . The succeeding Saxon and Danish kings con-, tinned to employ the Craft , inre"* - building Glastonbury , and building

and rebuilding ' many religious houses . In the reign of Canute , arts and sciences flourished ¦ Leofrick the wealthy Earl of Coventry , at the head of the Freemasons , built the Abbey of Coventry , and the king built Westminster Abbey , though not as it now stands .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 22 nd inst . Bro . Clabon , the President , presided , supported by Bros . Nunn , S . V . P . ; Brett , J . V . P . ; R . W . Stewart , J . G . D . ; J . Savage ,

P . G . D . ; J . Smith , P . G . P . ; J . Boyd , A . G . P . ; F . Binckes , S . May , S . Gale , C . A . Cottebrune , Pierce Egan , H . Garrod , P . Kirke , F . Walters , Major Finney , W . H . Coulton , C . P . Ward , J . W . Halsey , and a

considerable number of other brethren . The Board of Masters was first opened , and the agenda for next Grand Lodge read , after which the lodge was formed , and all the grants awaiting confirmation were then passed .

The following fresh grants were made or recommended : Bros . A . J . R . R ., Lodge 151 , £ 5 ; J- H . C , 898 , £ i $ ; R . W . S ., 861 , - £ 20 ; H . P . ( Irish ) , £ 10 ; H . C . S ., 134 , - £ 100 ; G . P . ( Scotch ) , £ 10 ; G . O . R ., 729 ,

£ 10 ; W . Y . A ., 359 , £ 20 ; A . H . ( Scotch ) , - £$ ; the widow of B . T „ 673 , £ 20 ; E . J ., 284 , £ 30 ; J . W . W ., 1161 , - £ 20 ; the widow of L . S ., 231 , . £ 30 : A . R . B ., 240 , £ 10 : the

widow of T . E . N ., 236 , £ 20 ; the widowof W . R . S ., 106 , £ 30 ; the widow of S . S . U ., 199 . £ ^ 5 ; W . H . M ., 189 , £ 20 ; the widow of A . G ., 349 , £ 20 ; and J . H ., 80 , . £ 20 .

The remaining three cases were deferred to the next meeting , and the lodge was closed .

Consecration Of The Earl Of Zetland Lodge, No. 1364.

CONSECRATION OF THE EARL OF ZETLAND LODGE , No . 1364 .

This new lodge was ushered into existence on Saturday , the 18 th inst ., when a large number of brethren assembled to do honour to the occasion , and we have certainly never seen the

arrangements for a consecration better carried out than they were by the spirited founders of the Earl of Zetland Lodge . The proceedings commenced about half-past three o'clock—the meeting being held at St . Thomas' Hall , St .

Thomas' -road , Hackney—when a procession was formed , under the direction of Bro . R . Wentworth Little , P . M ., Prov . G . Sec . Middlesex , who officiated as Director of the Ceremonies . The procession then entered the lodge-room , music

being played by the excellent choir , which consisted of Bro . Henry Thomas , as Director , and Bros . Hunt , McDavitt , Hubbard , and Limpus . The Consecrating Master , Bro . Jas . Brett , P . M ., Past Grand Pursuivant , then took his seat , and

nominated Bros . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , and H . G . Buss , P . M ., Prov . G . Treas . Middlesex , to act as Wardens Bro . R . A . Wright , P . M ., P . Prov . G . D . Herts ., undertaking the duties of Inner Guard .

The lodge was then duly opened in the three degrees , and the Presiding Officer commenced the proceedings with prayer . The D . C . addressed the Presiding Officer , who desired the Acting Secretary to read the petition ancl

warrant , after which the Presiding Officer inquired if the brethren still approved of the oflicers named in the warrant . An affirmative response being given , Bro . Brett then delivered an oration , which

was followed by the choir rendering the anthem " I have surely built thee a house " ( Boyce ) in splendid style . The D . C . presented the new Master to the Presiding Officer , and the brethren of the new lodge were arranged on each side of

Consecration Of The Earl Of Zetland Lodge, No. 1364.

the lodge-board . Then came the first portion of the dedication prayer . Sanctus : " Glory be to Thee , 0 Lord , " by the musical brethren . The brethren turned to the East , when the Presiding Officer gave the invocation . The

lodge-board was uncovered , and the W . M . and Wardens carried corn , wine , and oil three times round the lodge , during solemn music . The Consecrating Master took the censer three times round the lodge during solemn music , and then

delivered the second portion of the dedication prayer . Bro . Brett dedicated and constituted the lodge , and a second anthem was sung , the patriarchal benediction concluding the ceremony

of consecration , which was conducted throughout , not only in a faultless manner as regards the ritual itself , but with that impressiveness and dignity which ought , at all times , to characterise Masonic ceremonies .

The W . M .-designate , Bro . W . Bristo , P . M . 860 , was then presented for installation , a duty which devolved upon Bro . W . B . Heath , P . M . I 98 , P . P . S . G . W . Herts ., who performed it in a most efficient manner—about twenty-five P . M . ' s

witnessing the working of this solemn rite . Upon the re-admission of the brethren the usual salutes were given , after which the W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . R . Bateman , as P . M . ( acting ) : Louis A . Leins , S . W . : Wm .

Talbot King , J . W . R . A . Wright , P . M ., Treas . ; J . L . Fysh , Sec . ; G . A . Itean , S . D . B . Peart , J . . and H . T . Lowe , I . G . The latter brother being unable to be present , was invested by proxy . Bro . Heath then delivered the usual addresses to the officers and brethren .

The W . M . proposed that , in estimation ofthe services rendered to the lodge during the ceremonies of consecration and installation by the following brethren , they be enrolled as honorary members of the Earl of Zetland Lodge : Bros . J . Brett , W . B . Heath , J . Hervey , H . G . Buss , ancl

R . W . Little , and the motion was seconded and carried by acclamation . Bros . Brett and Heath , on behalf of the new members , gracefully acknowledged the compliment . A large number of propositions for joining members and initiates were then received , after which the lodge was closed .

It having been arranged to hold the inaugural banquet at the Cannon-street Hotel , about eighteen vehicles were provided to convey the brethren to the city , and , on arriving at the hotel , a magnificent dinner awaited them .

Grace having been sung by the musical brethren , full justice was done to the repast , and upon the cloth being cleared , the W . M . proposed the Sovereign ofthe realm , coupled with the Craft , a toast which was warmly received and followed by

the National Anthem . Bro . Bristo then proposed " The Marquis of Ripon , G . M ., " followed by "The Healths of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , P . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland , P . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon ,

D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Oflicers , " with especial mention of the names of Bros . Hervey , G . Sec , and Brett , P . G . Purs ., who were present , and had rendered such important services that day . The toast was welcomed with

great cheering , and when the applause had subsided , Bro . Hervey responded , and in the course of his speech alluded to the connection of the lodge with the name of Lord Zetland , who had

for so many years presided over the destinies of the Craft . He also passed a high eulogium upon the ability with which the Deputy Grand Master had fulfilled the onerous duties of the Grand Master during Lord Ripon ' s absence

from England in the service of the State . Bro . Hervey concluded by proposing " The Health of the W . Master , " whose good qualities as a man and a Mason were so well known to all present , and with that toast he coupled " Prosperity to the Earl of Zetland Lodge . "

Bro . Bristo returned thanks in a very appropriate speech , expressing his gratification at being placed in the chair of the lodge , and echoing the hope that it would be a great success . He then

proposed "The Health of the Consecrating Master , Bro . Brett" ( cheers ) , and alluded to the rich treat which had been afforded to the brethren by the truly-perfect working of that accomplished

Consecration Of The Earl Of Zetland Lodge, No. 1364.

Mason . The lodge owed Bro . Brett a deep debt of gratitude for his kind assistance , and would never forget the splendid style in which he had conducted the ceremonies . Bro . Brett , P . G . P ., on rising to reply , was

again cordially applauded . He expressed himself as being highly sensible of the honour con ferred upon him by the enthusiastic greeting of the brethren , and said he felt both pride and pleasure at having officiated as Consecrating

Master upon so auspicious an occasion . Bro . Little said he was commissioned by the W . M . to propose the next toast , "The Founders of the Earl of Zetland Lodge , " and , in doing so , refetred to the energy and perseverance

displayed by those brethren in all the arrangements connected with the new lodge , and which had resulted in such a triumphant success . He congratulated them on the honourable name they bore , as it was that of a nobleman who ,

both as a man and a Mason , was sanspcur et sans refroche . Although somewhat invidious to select one where all worked so well and worthily , he must couple with the toast the name of Bro . Bateman , P . M ., who had been chosen to act as

I . P . M . for the year , while special mention should also be made of the untiring exertions of Bros . AVright and Fysh to promote the success of the meeting and the comfort of the brethren . ( Loud cheering . )

The toast was drunk with all the honours , and Bro . Bateman responded briefly but effectively . " The Visitors " was next proposed , the toast being coupled with the name of Bro . Hill , W . M .

ofthe Eastern Star Lodge , No . 95 . by whom the petition for the new lodge was recommended . Bro . Heath ' s health was then given as Installing Master , and was also warmly greeted , after

which the officers returned thanks seriatim for a similar compliment accorded to them , and , with the Tyler's toast , the proceedings terminated , a most charming evening having been enjoyed by all . We cannot omit to mention that the musical

brethren sang several excellent songs , duets , and glees , interspersed between the toasts , and received well-merited applause . In fact , superlative praise is due to the founders and all concerned for the entire arrangements .

Besides those already named , the following brethren were present at the consecration and banquet : Bros . D . Forbes , W . M . 65 ; G . S . Ayres , P . M . 95 ; P . J . Ferdinando , 13 J . Bellerby , P . M . 65 C . B . Barnet , W . M . 19 ; C . F .

Lilley , 12 ; G . Townsend , P . M . 821 j S . L . Rastrick , P . M . 342 , P . P . G . W . Hants . ; T . J . Barnes , P . M . 933 C . Hastelow , P . M . roi ; R . J . Chillingworth , W . M . 1228 ; E . Frost , 1306 ; J . Pinder , 15 ; E . Wright , 76 ; W . Bristo , sen .,

860 ; John W . Tripe , M . D ., P . M . 902 ; R . T . Hill , W . M . 95 ; F . Allen , 860 ; C . Glassborord , 504 ; W . Ovey , P . M . 198 , P . P . G . S . W . Herts . ; James Green , Sec . 107 ; W . H . Kingsford . P . M . 46 , P . G . Steward ; T . H . Dalton , 15 ; T . Keene , 141 : A . Hubbard , W . M . 813 ; J . L . Mather ,

P . M . 65 ; J . Sandham , P . M . 65 ; C . Daniel , P . M . 65 ; E . Watkins , 1227 ; J . Appleby , 174 ; H . Dalwood , 860 ; D . Posener , 1227 W . Davitt , 813 ; W . H . Hunt , 813 ; R . Limpus , 8 ; C . B . Payne , 27 ; H . Thomas , 1196 ; W . C . Barnes , 869 ; and T . T . Taylor , 101 .

WE regret having to announce that our illustrious Brother H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Past Grand Master , is seriously indisposed , the symptoms being those of typhoid fever . A CONCLAVE ofthe Red Cross of Constantine

has been formed at Brownsville , Nebraska , United States of America . The Order is expected to spread : very rapidly in the territory of the American Byjpublic , where it is much liked and appreciated .

DUNDEE . —We understand the Right Hon . the Earl of Dalhousie , Prov . G . M . for Forfarshire , is to open a Grand Lodge in Brought / Ferry , on Monday , the 27 th inst ., at two o'clock ,

for the purpose of consecrating the Lodge " Broughty Castle , " No . 486 . A full notice of the proceedings will appear in THE FREEMASON of that week .