Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

STOCKPORT . —Chapter of Stone of Friendship Ezel ( No . 287 ) . The installation of Principals and investure of Officers took place on Thursday , the 16 th inst , at the " Dog and Partridge" Inn , Stockport . Companion James Hall , P . P . G A . S ., was the Installing Principal , assisted by Companion J . H . Bladen , P . Z . 516 , and it is

superfluous to say that the ceremony was most impressively perforned . The following is a list of the Officers invested Comp . A . W . Graham , Z . ; Comp W . Shepherd , H ; Comp . John Turner , J . ; Thomas Newton , P . S . ; James Palin , Treasurer ; Chas . Booth , E , ; F . T . Tapp , N . ; R . C . Blakehurst , P . A . S . ; C . Robinson , 2 nd A . S .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

MARYPORT —Whitwell Lodge ( No . 151 . ) The regular meeting of this flourishing lodge was held on Thursday , the 17 th inst . The M . M . M ., Bro . Thomas Mandle , P . G . R . of M . in thc chair , supported by the following officers : Bros . Jos . Nicholson , P . M ., P . G . M . S . W ., Treas . ; James Gardiner , I . P . M ., P . G . M . M . O . ; J . R . Banks , S . W . ; J . Smith , P . P . G . M . Ore . ; T . Carey , Reg . ;

J . H . Banks , P . G . M ., I . G . ; T . Dixon , P . M . 1400 , Chap . ; P . Dodgson , P . G . M . Steward , M . O . ; J . Quay , Rec , as S . O . ; J . W . Robinson , J . O . ; W . Stoddart , S . D . ; G . W . Thompson , J . D . ; R . Heatherington , I . G . ; R . G . Harris , Tyler , and a number of other brethren . Bro . Young , P . G . P ., and P . M . 1400 ; and J . Fulton , J . W . 371 , being in attendance , they were advanced to the honourable degree

by Bro . Gardiner most impressively , and as usual , the working of the subordinate offices were perfect . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , which was served by Bro . J . H . Banks , who never tires in his endeavour to make all comfortable . The usual toasts were given from the chair , interspersed with

numerous songs , by Bros . J . R . Banks , G . W . Robinson , J . H . Banks , and G . W . Thompson , the Tylers' toast bringing a very pleasant evening to a harmonious termination . [ The following stand over : —United Alariners Lodge , No , 30 ; Loyally Lodge , No . 86 ; Zetland Lodge , No . S .. 7- ] '

Cumberland Benevolent Institution.

CUMBERLAND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The sixty-third annual ball in aid of the funds of this institution was held at Willis's Rooms , St . James ' s , on Friday evening last . The objects of the institution are to grant allowances by way of pensions to indigent natives of the county and their widows . The ball was under the

distinguished patronage of the Lord Lieutenant of the county , and a long list of titled lady patronesses and ladies of the county ; the whole of thc county and borough members were amongst the li ? t of Stewards . The company numbered nearly 250—amongst whom were , Mr . and Mrs . George Rawlinson and family , Mr . Graham King , and Aliss Brown , Mr . and Airs . Edmund Walton ,

Mr . and Mrs . Joseph Pattinson , Mr . Tom Studholme , and the Misses Hookway , Mr . F . Hookway , Mr . Sidney King , Mr . Bayliss , Mr . Wood , Mr . Robert James , Mr . Robert James , Mr . Robert Wrightson , and the Misses Wrightson , Miss Nuttall , Mr . and Mrs . Robert Stagg , Mr . T . W . Pridmore , Mr . and Airs . E . Jones , Mr . G . Taylor , Mr . and Mrs . Wm . Hicklin , Mr . and Miss Elliott , Mr . and Mrs . R .

T homlinson and daughter , Mr . Rickwood , ( Secretary ) , and Mrs . Rickwood , Mr . J . Eddy , Mr . Lewis Edgar , Mr . J . Bushell , Mr . G . Woodlands , and others . The company adjourned to the spacious and elegant supper-rooms for which the establishment is so famous , shortly after twelve o ' clock . The chair was taken by Henry Nicholson , Esq ., the indefatigable Honorary

Secretary of the institution , who after the toast of "The Queen , " proposed "Successto the Cumberland Benevolent Institution , " and gave a hearty welcome , and thanked all present for their attendance . Mr . Graham King who again acted as honorary M . C , proposed " The Health of the Cumbrian Lasses , " which was received with great enthusiasm , on behalf of whom Mr . Robert Wrightson

returned thanks . The company then returned to the ballroom , and dancing was kept up to the admirable quadrille band of Mr . Dan Godfrey—personally conducted by that gentleman—the company retiring shortly before five o ' clock , after Sir Roger and reels , which were danced with great spirit , every one expressing themselves greatly pleased with the success of this old established and excellent ball .

Freemasonry In Philadelphia.

FREEMASONRY IN PHILADELPHIA .

It is now a well-established fact that a lawfully-warranted Masonic lodge was established in Philadelphia in 1730 , and that a Grand Lodge was organised here in } 7 .. 5 , and these facts were first proven in The Keystone , in its issue of July nth , 1874 . We arc now able to go

fifteen years further back , and by thc aid of Bro . Horace VV . Smith , of this city , prove , from an original letter in his possession , that there were Freemasons in Philadelphia as early as theyear 1715 , and at that time they were accustomed to meet for Craft purposes . The letter we are about to reproduce is of great Alasonic value and interest , and has never before appeared in print .

I his letter was written by Bro . Moore , the King ' s Collector at Philadelphia , to James Sandelar , of Chester , Pa ., and is as follows : Philadelphia Port , in Pennsylvania , March 10 , 1715 . It is my design to inform you that there is in my care a small bell , which is intended ' for St . Paul ' s Church of your parish , which has been delivered at this Port free of charges or duty—likewise a rich cloth and a neat chalice ,

Freemasonry In Philadelphia.

which are the gift of Sir Jeffry Jeffryes . You will inform me by what means they shall be delivered to your hand . You will remember me kindly to ye Rev . George Ross , and to my friend Jasper Yeates , Esq . I would be pleased you would any of you stop with me , when you come to Philadelphia . I am now in my new house on ye Second street above yc new church .

Ye winter has been very long and dull—and we have had no mirth or pleasure , except a few evenings spent in festivity with my Alasonic Brethren . I subscribe myself , with all dutiful respect , Your dutiful Humble Servant , John Moore . To James Sandelands , Esq ., Uplands ,

These . This is the letter to whicli Bro . Smith refers , in his article in another column of this issue of the Keystone , entitled " Eariy Masonry in Pennsylvania . " We understand that Bro . Smith intends to have the letter lithographed , and then to present the original to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , for preservation in the Grand

Lodge Library . We may add that Bro . Hoiace W . Smith , the custodian of this letter , is the great-grandson of Bro . Rev . Dr . William Smith , Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania ; the grandson of Bro . William Moore Smith , Grand Master of Pennsylvania , and son of Bro .

Richard Penn Smith , of Lodge 72 , of this city ; and the granddaughter of Bro . John Aloore , tht writer of the above letler , intermarried with Bro . Rev . Dr . Smith . This letter is evidence that there were Freemasons in Philadelphia two years before the Revival of Freemasonry in England , and establishment of this Grand Lodge , in 1717 . Massachusetts Brethren say to this ?—Keystone .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

Bro . C . Raymond Burrell , son of Sir W . W . Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . Prov . Grand Master of Sussex , was installed W . M . of the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 271 , on Friday , the 18 th inst , by Bro . J . H . Scott , I . P . M ., Deputy Grand Alaster . A Grand Masonic Concert was given in the Public Hall , Aberavon , on Thursday , the 24 th inst .,

under the patronage of Bro . Sir George Elliot , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . Prov . G . Master for South Wales . A large number of brethren were present in full Alasonic costume . We shall give a full report in our next . Bro . Sir Frederick Martin Williams , Bart . M . P ., the D . P . G . Master of Cornwall , we are informed has been appointed thc Provincial Grand Prior of Cornwall .

Bro Archibald Forbes delivered a lecture in St . James ' s Hall en Thursday last on his personal experiences as a Correspondent in the present war . The twenty-five girls who were elected at the Quarterly Court in October last , on the motion of Bro . R . B . Webster , as well as the ten girls who were elected to fill vacancies created by others leaving the School , were

admitted on Thursday , the 24 th inst . Mr . W . Dieseldorff tells the following story o a Picture : —In The limes of the 10 th inst ., mention is made of a Pieter de Hoaghe , " Girl Feeding Chickens , " in the possession cf Baron Rothschild . Pictures sometimes undergo strange vicissitudes . This one , now a dweller in the gallery of the Baron , was discovered by the late Mr . S . M .

Alawson , at a public sale in a dingy place in the outskirts of Paris about the year 1842 . The picture was 'in so neglected a state that it was being passed over without a bid , when Mr . Alawson , offered ioof ., and it was knocked down to him . It was cleaned , framed , and then excited general admiration . Baron Rothschild showed great

fondness for it , and Mr . Mawson parted with it for £ 800 , —although purposing to hold it at £ 1000 . It is now the Pieter de Hooghe , " a thing of beauty , and a joy for ever . " The Deutsche Zeilung states that Dr . Slade , the spiritualist , lately arrived in Vienna , but was not granted permission to stay there by the police authorities , owing to his inability to account satisfactorily for his profession .

DORIC LODGE OF INSTRUCTION . — This lodge of instruction has been removed , and will be held every Friday evening , at 8 o'clock precisely , at 79 , Whitechapel-road , near the Pavilion Treatre . Hospital Sunday collections in Liverpool , bad times notwithstanding , this year has been more successful than last , the result being £ 7 608 , against £ 71542 last year .

Neptune Lodge ( No . 22 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street on Thursday last , a report of which will appear in our next . At a special meeting of the Local Board in Committee , the official seal was attached to a deed of

security to the Bank of England for the loan of £ 155 , in respect to the purchase of thc local gas and water undertakings for Ramsgate . The Annual Ball on behalf of the funds of the Licensed Victuallers School will take place at St . James ' s Hall , on Thursday next , the 3 ist inst .

A somewhat remarkable volume of poetry entitled "The Lovers Curl , and other verses " has just been issued by Alessrs . Remington . The poems , though crude , display a latent power of pathos and prove , at least that the author , Air . Stickwood , possesses the tendei feeling

proper to all poets of whatever degree . Lord F . osslyn was received on Monday by the King of Spain and delivered to his Majesty a letter from the Queen , and presents from the Prince of Wales . Admiral Fourichon and General Goeben were also received as the representatives of France and Germany .

Masonic And General Tidings.

THE INDIAN FAMINE . —On Monday the Lord Mayor received a draft for £ 1 , 000 . from the Mayor of Hobart Town , being the second contribution from that city in aid of the Indian Famine Fund . The former doration of a like amount had been remitted direct to Madras , but it had becn found cheaper to forward the remainder through the Alansion House . A communication

was also received from the Alayor of Brisbane , stating that £ 1500 had been collected there and sent to Madras , and adding that the long drought under which a large portion of the colony had been suffering had greatly militated against the success of the appeal . A letter , giving particulars of the collection of £ 4000 at Dunedin likewise came , as well as a despatch from the Alayor of

Christchurch , New Zealand , stating that £ 5000 bad been collected there , among a population of 72 , 000 and remitted to India . On Saturday Lord Derby forwarded to tbe Lord Mayor a draft for £ 38 os . 6 d ., collected among British subjects in the Province of Coquimbo , and a sum of £ 15 16 s . 2 d ., the balance of Masonic contributions at Hong Kong has also been received . The fund now

amounts to £ 504 , 000 . A prospectus has been issued of a company entitled thc ' Alont de Pie ' te' of England , " with a capital of one million , divided into certificates of £ 10 each . The object is to establish here large pawnbroking institutions based on the principle that has been current for many years abroad . The rate of interest to be charged to borrowers

is 12 J per cent ., being a considerable reduction on the present authorised and legal charges made by pawnbrokers . It is supposed to pay the certificate holders 7 per cent ., and from the balance pay expenses , & c , and form a sinking fund for the redemption of the certificates at £ 20 by annual drawings . The originator of the scheme is to be paid for all " his claims , past , present , or future , " 3 per cent ., and

presumably ( although thc prospectus does not mention it ) this is to be on thc capital subscribed . THE FORGERY BY A CHINAMAN . —At the Hampshire Assizes on Monday , Tom Fat , a young Chinaman , was indicted before Air . Justice Alellor on several charges of forgery , with intent to defraud his master , Bro . Lord Charles Beresford , commander of H . AI . S . Thunderer .

It appeared that the prisoner was bought of his faiher in China by Lord Charles some nine years ago for twentyfive dollars . He proved an apt servant , and under his master ' s tuition became an expert penman , and his duties included the care of Lord Charles' cheque-book . He began forging in 18 74 , since which time he has defrauded his master of upwards of £ 14 , 000 , his plan being to tear out a cheque and counterfoil , and make the former payable to

self , and signing Lord Charles ' s name , the forgery being such as almost to defy detection . Hc would destroy the vouchers as they were returned from the bank , and it was only by au accident that the frauds were discovered . He pleaded guilty to three charges , and sentence was deferred . Bro . Farmaner will be installed as W . M . of the Old King's Arms Lodge on Alonday . We hope to give a report of the proceedings in our next .

Full particulars of the public night for Roya ! Arch Masons under the auspices of the Chapter of Prudent Brethien , briefly referred to in our last , will be found in the advertisement at the top of centre column on front page . We are asked to state that the Mount Lebanon Lodge of Instruction , No . 73 , is now held at the Horse Shoe Tavern , Stones-end , Borough-road , on Wednesday evenings at 8 o ' clock .

The Prince of Wales has returned a reply to the address presented to him by the Corporation of Cambridge , in which he expresses the gratification it gave him to visit the scenes of his happy undergraduate days . The consecration of the Star Chapter . No . 1275 , took place at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , on Wednesday last , the ceremonies being performed by Comp . James Terry , in his usual eloquent and able manner . We shall give an account of the proceedings in our next .

A drawing room entertainment b y the employes of Messrs . J . C . Boyd and Co . was given on behalf of the Royal Hospital for Incurables at St . George's HaU on Thursday last , the 24 th inst . [ By a misprint we stated that thc entertainment took place on Thursday , the 17 th inst ] . A reportjwill appear in our next . Bro Wingham , P . M ., of the Robert Burns

Lodge , No . 25 , will work the 15 sections in the Mount Lebanon Lodge of Instruction , on Wednesday , the 27 th proximo . The directors of the Hull Tramway Company will recommend a dividend for the past half year at the rate of 8 percent , per , annum , and to raise the reserve fund to £ 1000 , carrying forward £ 280 .

The Queen has subscribed _ t ? ioo towards towartfs the Turkish Compassionate Fund . At Madame Tussaud ' s has just been produced a representation of the " Lying in state of Victor Emanuei . "

Ihe official report of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire is to hand , too late for this week . We will allude to it in our next . The Duke of Connaught attended Divine Service at the Temple Church on Sunday , when the Rev .

Dr . Vaughan preached . His Royal Highness occupied the Middle Temple benchers' pew . After the service he was conducted lo the Middle Temple Hall , and spent a short time in the gardens . The American Minister and other distinguished persons were amongst the congregation .

A State Ball was given on Wednesday night , at Dublin Castle , by the Lord Lieut ., and the Duchess of Marlborough . The Crown Prince of Austria was among the guests .