Original Correspondence.

It is singular that the minute assuming * Burns as a member of the lodge is erased in various parts . The erased parts , however , are written over by the same hand which wrote the body of the minute . I understand that a history of the lodge is about to be

published , and on its publication I shall be very happy to send a copy to my much respected friend Bro . Hughan . I lhave been unable to obtain for him the copy of the Constitutions of the lodge to which he refers . —Yours fraternally . VV . O ., P . M . No . I ( S . C . )

Masonic Notes And Queries

Masonic Notes and Queries

G 97 ] OLD MASONIC STAR . Evidently the star purchased by the Rev . O . M . Holden is similar to the seal used by Lord Rancliffe , as G . M . of the K . T . late last century . The " R . Q . " is clearly an error for R . O ., as I have seen several such stars with the

latter letters . Theletters should thus be " R . O ., H . R . D . M ., K D . S . H ., K . T . P ., H . P . R . " These I take to refer to the Royal ( or Religious ) Order of Heredom , Kadosh , Knight Templar Priest , Hospitaller , Palestine , and Rhodes . I have not been able to make out the LXXXl . on these stars . I can send Bro . Holden a sketch of one , which is similar to his K . T . decoration . W . J . HUGHAN ( Torquay ) .

60 S ] AN OLD MASONIC STAR . Is Bro . Holden ' s inscription ' quite right?—IXXXL , RQ . HRDM . KDSH . KTP . HPR . Bro . J . Laughton , P . M , 442 , of Gainsborough , exhibited one of these --tars at York , and Worcester . Catalogue 557 , Shanklin 160 . His

reading is RO . HRDM . KDSH . KIP . HP . R . LXXXI , Some time since Bro . Chisholm wrote to you about a star with inscription INDE . ESTE . LONGE , and one EsTE . LARGE , No . 198 , Shanklin . I should like to know to what Orders they belong . LAMB SMITH .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

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PERCY LODGE ( No . 198 ) . —The election meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , and was exceptionally grand , it being the centre meeting of the Jubilee year of her Majesty's reign . Bro . George Lambert , P . G . Swd . Br ., Upper warden of the Goldsmiths' Company , the Master of the lodge for the last two years , who was initiated in the lodge , and first served the office of Master

in it 39 years ago , had taken care that the meeting should be a great success , and there were consequently a large number of visitors on the occasion . The purple was very strongly represented , and the provincial purple was also in force , the Percy Lodge having many members who are supporters of the Province of Herts . The gathering was certainly one to be remembered on accountof the occasion , the number of brethren who attended , and the great anxiety

shown that everyone should be comfortable and happy . The lodge was called for half-past four p . m ., and shortly after that hour it was opened and business commenced . Bro . Lambert presided , and , after the opening formalities had been observed , the brethren proceeded to elect a new W . M . Their choice fell unanimously on the S . W ., Bro . Robert Rowell , after which Bro . Herbert Lambert was reelected Treasurer , and Bro . J . T . Woodstock , Tyler . Mr . Henry P . Marriott , who had been duly balloted for and

approved , was then initiated , the W . M . performing the ceremony in excellent style , and all his oflicers exhibiting a proficiency that should entitle them to promotion . Bro , Kerr and Bro . Orchard , P . M ., proposed and seconded a motion that the W . M . ' s services should be referred to the Audit Committee , who were to have the power to determine what form the recognition should take ; but Bro . Lambert requested that no such step as this should be taken , as he had already on his breast sufficient decorations to demonstate that he had not been an idle Freemason .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to one of Messrs . Painter's superb and well-served banquets . The following is a list of the brethren present -. Bros . R . Rowell , S . W . ; F . W . Lee , J . W . ; H . C . Lambert , P . M ., Treas . ; W . B . Heath , P . M ., Sec ; J . T . Rowe , P . M ., S . D . ; R . W . Williams , J . D . ; G . Crevell , P . M ., D . C . ; John Read , Org . ; C . Lambert , I . G . ; C . Cooper , P . M . ; F . Orchard , P . M . ; Dr . R . Cross , P . M . ; J . C . Carr ,

P . M . ; J . J . Caney , P . M . ; Robinson , Cathie , R . W . Rogers , and H . Marriott . Visitors ; Bros . Sandeman , P . P . D . G . M . Bombay j R . Costa , P . G . D . ; Greene , P . G . Std . Br . ; Roebuck , G . S . B . ; Dr . Woodman , P . G . Swd . Br . ; J . Sampson Peirce , P . G . D . ; Harding , P . A . G . D . C ; Col . Peters , P . G . S . B . ; Thomas , P . A . G . D . C ; F . Davison , P . G . D . ; E . Bowyer , P . G . S . B . ; F . Binckes , P . G . Stwd . ; Peacock , P . G . Stwd . j j . C . Mather , V . P . Board oi

General Purposes ; Rev . Dr . Maguire , 1964 ; Rev . John Rose , 1964 ; Col . Moncrieff , 10 ; Heard , P . M . 449 ; Scott , ig ' M ; Bullock , Prov . G . R . Herts ; Laxton , P . P . G . R . Middx . ; Matier , P . G . W . Greece ; Dr . Mickley , P . P . G . D . Herts ; I rysdale , 4 6 ; Potter , P . M . 19 ; Bradley , 2021 ; Pendlebury , P . M . 1056 ; Dodd , P . M . 1194 ; Vincent , P . M . 1194 ; Reynolds , S . D . 1614 ; Morris , 1789 ; Grellier , J . D . 21 ; Archer , I . G . Huguenot Lodge ;

Fowler , 2021 ; Van Joel , 957 ; Woodruff , 957 ; Bellerby , J . W . 2021 ; Godfrey , 2021 ; Swain , P . M . 449 ; Wright , P . M . 199 6 ; Houle , P . M . 92 ; Roumieu , H . M . 1537 ; Blount Lewis , P . M . 33 8 ; Monteuuis , I . P . M . 20 G 0 ; C . J . Shoppee , P . M . 3 S 2 ; Dinham , P . M . 14 G 4 ; Quennell , W . M . 214 ; Owen , P . M . 128 7 ; Maples , 574 ; C . J . Hampden , P . M . 255 ; Palmer , 140 ; Guenigault , 1420 ; J . H . Wilson , 259 ; Burne , W . M . 162 ; J . Stevens , P . M . 720 j and H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1928 .

Craft Masonry.

After dinner , grace was sung by Bros . Sexton , Carter , Beckett , and Bell , of Westminster Abbey , who in the course of the evening which followed sung some charming pieces under the direction of Bro . John Read , Htov . Grand Organist Middlesex , a member of the lodge . The usual toasts followed the grace . In giving the first toast , the Worshipful Master said he rose to give a toast which was always received in every

body of gentlemen with great pleasure , and especially by Masons , who were loyal to the backbone . That evening was the very centre of the Jubilee year of the Queen , and he thought it would be a very good occasion for giving a Jubilee dinner . From the time of Edward the Confessor we had never had such a constitutional Queen , or such a

worthy mother as they had in her present Most Gracious Majesty . Like Masons , she knew no politics , and she had shown that driung all her career . In giving the toast of " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Princeof Wales , " Bro . Lambertsaid that when the Prince of Wales reached the Masonic Throne there were under

1500 working lodges on the roll of United Grand Lodge ; they now numbered 2169 . When they considered what Masonry was , the good it could do , the fellowship it could and did spread , the kindly feelings Masons had to one another , even when they knew nothing of each other , it only showed the value of having over them so kind and gentle a monarch . God bless and preserve him as a ruler of the Cralt , and if he ever did come to be King , might

he still be Grand Patron of Freemasons ! The toast of " , The Pro . Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master and the Present and Past Grand Otficers , " afforded Bro . Lambert the opportunity of saying that no doubt , although the present was a half Jubilee dinner they would have a Juoilee dinner when the year came to an end , and the Grand Officers would repeat the honour of being present . The brethren look upon the

Grand Officers as the Patres Conscritp-E of the Order , as a sort of House of Lords . Though it was not a bed of roses , they did their duty most admirably . The present would be a red letter day in the Percy Lodge , having been honoured with the presence of so many Grand Officers , and he hoped they would have as many on a future occasion . Bro . Major Sampson Peirce , in reply , said the Earl of

Carnarvon and the Earl of Lathom had concentrated in them the essence of good fellowship and the quintessence of Freemasonry . They were venerated and looked upon as the examples of what Freemasonry ought to be . To come to the more difficult task of speaking of himself and the other Grand Officers he would sink himself ; but the other Grand Oflicers represented Masonry not only by their works as far as Charity was concerned , where they stood

pre-eminent , but in the general working of Freemasonry , lrom whatever point of view they might wish to look at it . It was a great honour to be at this lodge , which was close upon its centenary . It had a splendid record , but it had reason to be congratulated on being governed by a brother so zealous , earnest , and conscientious in everything that he did as Bro . Lambert . Bro . Lambert next gave "The Provincial Grand Officers , "

who had honoured the lodge with their presence , and called upon Bro . C F . Matier , Grand Officer of Greece , and Bro . Monteuuis to respond . Bro . Matier said he not only represented Grand Lodge of Greece , but a sister Grand Lodge dearer than that , the Grand Lodge of Scotland , which on the 30 th November last celebrated its third Jubilee . On that occasion the largest number of Masons dined together in Edinburgh ,

under the presidency of the Grand Master of Scotland , that had ever sat down together . Bro . Monteuuis , for the Hast Grand Stewards , said that at any Grand Festival these brethren would always do everything that could conduce to the brethren's pleasure . Bro . Marriott , in replying to the toast of " Ihe Initiate , " said the W . M . had likened him to a new born-baby . Now , the new-born baby was proverbially incapableand

there-, fore he took it they would not expect much of a speech from him . He was an incapable member , but , although he was so , he felt much the very great honour the brethren had conferred upon him , and he should do nothing more than say he thanked them . He should not forget the precepts the Master had instilled'into him , and if he could not achieve distinction he would try , in the language of the W . M ., to deserve it .

Bro . Kerr , P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . AI ., " said he looked on Bro . Lambert as one of the ideal Masons that he would endeavour to copy . In every matter of Charity he was always to the fore . Whatever he put his hand to he did faithfully , honesdy , and wilh energy . Bro . Lambert , in acknowledging the toast , said it was 39 years since he , as Master ot the Percy Lodgefirst tried

, the old house and rooms of the Ship and 1 urtle . lt was , therefore , to him a sort of home , although it was considerably altered of late years in its architecture . He was proud to have been elected so often to fill the office of Master of the lodge , and he was glad that the lodge had prospered under his rule . He had been Master , and Treasurer , and Secretary , and the lodge had prospered , and he would tell them why . He Breached to"them years

ago , and repeated now , that they should never take in an initiate or a joining member unless they felt he was a man they could introduce to their wives and daughters and their families . Never mind whether the lodge was large or small , they were [ a Masonic family , and as such let the lodge continue . Let them carry out the great principles of brotherly love ; know each other as they should be known , and by so doing they would keep themselves to themselves ,

but they would keep themselves as a lodge , able , ready , and willing to live on the best terms with each other . He rejoiced that the lodge was so cosmopolitan , that there were many in it who were Grand and Provincial Grand Officers . He did not intend to reject any position in which he might be placed in the lodge , though he did not want place or office . He had but one desire Masonically—that the lodge shoul flourish . He recollected it when they paid is . Cd . tor

their suppers , and they met very happy and comfortably , and they had very great men among them . He wore the jewel of Bro . Peter Gill's who left it to Bro . Key . He was very proud of this meeting , because he believed such an assembly of Grand Officers had never before met in that lodge . He and the incoming Master would be ready to put their shoulders to the wheel , and they ought to have a Jubilee entertainment . Bros . Shoppee and F . Binckes responded to the toast of * ' The Visitors , " the latter brother remarking that Bro .

Craft Masonry.

Lambert was the very embodiment of Charity , both in and out of Freemasomy . Every one of the brethren knew his name was a household word , and wherever good was to be done he was ioremost to do it . "The Hast Masters" and "The Officers" were also toasted , and the Tyler's toast closed the proceedings .

DUKE OF EDINGBURGH LODGE ( No . 1259 ) . —The last regular meeting of the above ludge was held at the Cape ot Good ^ Hope Tavern , Limehouse , E . Bro . C . Wakefield , VV . AI ., was supported by amongst others , Bros . L . Ettling , S . W . ; J . H . Moore , P . M . 13 , J . W . ; R . Bradbrook , P . M ., Sec ; P . M . ' s Bros . W . M . Esmond , T . W . Gilling , E . H . Rolfe , G . Rowe , J . W .

Buchan , D . C . ; R . Atkins , G . T . H . Seddon , Org . ; G . H . Stephens , R . Dixon , S . D . ; J . R . Omer , J . D . ; G . Parrett , i . G . ; J . Lusty , jun , LI . C . ; Beale , L . Gumprecht , Gerrard , J . King , W . Davis , and others . The visitors included Bros . R . Brittain , S . W . 1278 ; A . W . Rolfe , 2 i 47 ; M , J . Hayes , 134 S ; and Jenkins . Alter the minutes ot the previous meeting had been

submitted and confirmed , the W . M . announced that he had received a letter from Bro . Neil McCullum , who was initiated about 12 months ago , and who , upon airiving * at Hull , from abroad , wrote stating that he had taken his 2 ° and 3 ° at Calcutta , and further advanced himself in Masonry by adding to his acquirements the K . Arch and Mark Degrees , also wishing his mother lodge prosperity . The W . M . next

announced his Stewardship tur the approaching Festival of the Koyal Alasonic Benevolent Institution , whose worthy Secretary , Bro . Terry , took so warm an interest in the Duke of Edinburgh Lodge . The ludge accoidingly voted ^ io ios . out ot its benevolent Fund on Bro . W . Wakefield's list , and that amount was subsequently augmented by private donations at the social boaid . This was served

by the new host , whose catering was most satisfactory . Alter grace the usual loyal and Craft toasts were honoured with cordiality and brevity , and the more time was thus disposable to harmony , bro . Seddon , P . M ., Org ., kept the numerous musical brethren well in action , and a must pleasant evening was passed . Bro . Gerrard J . King gave an amusingly realistic account of old Greenwich 1 ' air , and the Tyler's toast concluded the proceedings at an early hour .

NEW CROSS LODJE ( NO . 1559 ) . —The regu lar meeting of this progressive lodge was held at the Snip Hotel , Greenwich , on the ioth inst ., when there were present Bros . G . P . Bertini , W . M . ; Rev . James VV . Sturdee , I . P . M . ; Carlo Grassi , S . W . ; F . W . Cash , J . W . j E . H . thiellay , P . M ., Treasurer ; ErnestSmith , P . M ., Secretary ; J . D . Graham , S . D . ; H . Wild , J . D . ; C . N . M . North , A . D . C ; J . H . Meyer , l . G . ; E . Fry ,

Stwd . ; J . W . Grummant , P . M . ; Hiram Henton , P . M . ; G . W . Kowe , Tyler ; W . J . Pegram , C Guftanti , H . M . Markham , VV . Avenell , John taulkner , Robert Borrett , Thomas Metham , Cecil Howard , R . Hratti , H . Woodham , E . Rouard , George F . Mounter , and H . Waters . Visitors : Bros . G . Keynolds , S . D . 1614 ; J . G . Butler , 2 S 2 ; F . Kedge , 749 ; W . Richards , W . M . 1853 ; K . Mackway ,

Urg . 19 S 7 ; J . Finch , 217 , 1658 ; I * . Calvert , and W . Douglass , J . D . 1475 . The lodge was opened in due form , and thc minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . Ballots were then taken for the tollowing candidates for initiation , viz ., Alessrs . Louis Echenard , K . Gancia , and Baldasare Mella , which were unanimous . Mr . Louis Ecnenard only being

present , that gentleman was inlormed of the result of the ballot . Bros . Cecil Howard , Ruggiero Hratti , and Cirio Guffanti were raised to the Degree of M . M . Mr . Louis Echenard was then initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . The W . M . performed his duties in a very clear manner , especially the initiation ; Bro . R . Mackway , acting as Organist . Bro . C . Grassi , S . W ., was

unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . ** .. H . Thiellay , P . M ., Treasurer , and Bro . G . W . Rowe , Tyler . Bros . U . F . Mounter , VV . Markham , and W . Avenell were appointed Auditors . The by-laws were read and confirmed . The I . P . M ., Bro . the Rev . J . W . A . Sturdee , proposed that a Hast Master ' s jewel be presented to the W . M ., Bro . G . P . Bertini , for his careful working , and the excellent

manner of carrying out the duties of the chair during his year of office , which was carried unanimously . The W . M . having received the " Hearty good wishes" of the visitors , the lodg . ? ' was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room for refreshment . Alter the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been duly honoured and responded to ,

The LP . M ., bro . the Rev . J . W . A . Sturdee , took the gavel in his hand to propose "The Health ofthe W . M ,, " and , in doing so , said he knew the brethren would drink the toast with enthusiasm .. On the last occasion he ( the I . P . M . ) said that his work was good , but this time he was still more gratified with the manner in which the W . M . had perlormed his duties . Considering the many calls the

W . M . had on his time , his perseverance and adherence tc his duties in Masonry wcre wonderful . He had visited many lodges , but had never seen the cermeony ot initiation so perfectly done as it had been done that evening , and he felt sure that it had made a great impression on the initiate . At their next meeting their W . M . would address them as I . P . M ., and his motto would be to all Masons— " Onward , "

work hard , and make the New Cross Lodge second to none . He wished him health , with every success . 'ihe VVorshipful AIaster said it caused him some embarrassment to reply . Time after time his health had been proposed with many compliments . During his year of office many emergencies hadoccuired , which had pievented him devoting the time that was necessary lor his duties in

the Craft . This he felt to be a mislortune ; but hoped to bring himself nearer perfection in the future . He thanked them all must heartily fur their good wishes , and assured them of his continued interest in the lodge . The Wouhiplul AIaster then proposed "The Health of

the W . M . elect , Bro . Carlo Grassi , £ > . W ., " and said it was a most pleasing duty . He was the first candidate he bad brought into the ludge for initiation . As a Mason he was very diligent , and thu brethren had made a wise choice in electing him as their future Master . He was most genial and very popular amongst them , and would be a good W . M .

Ihe W . M . elect , Bro . C . Grassi , S . W ., thanked them all sincerely , and assured the brethren he would do all in his power fur the welfare ot the lodge . The Worshipiul AIaster , in proposing " The Health of the initiate , " said that the New Cross Lodge felt very happy