Consecration Of The Dartmouth Mark Lodge, No. 545, At Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire.

hand down the names of good and prominent Masons . Dr . Fearnley for sime years filled the position of Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( Craft ) of West Yorkshire ; John Copley was a Past Master of Prince Edward Lodge , No . 14 . and took an active part in the formation of the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire ; whilst Canon Portal , D . D ., occupied for a considerable time the responsible and distinguished position of M . W . Grand Master of the Mark Degree . I might with profit go into biographical particulars of each of these brethren , but this is not the time nor the occasion . It must be pleasant to their relatives and friends

to think that such kindly memories of the departed exist and are so happily being perpetuated . The next on our list is St . Chad , 374 , Leeds . This name was given because one of the founders and its first Worshipful Master was a vicar of a parish of that name . The Rev . Thomas Cartwright Smyth , D . D ., who , though no longer vicar of St . Chad , is yet , I am pleased to say , sojourning in our midst , took at one time a most active part in Mark Masonry in this province , being my most excellent and valued Deputy from 18 S 7 to 1893 . He was also G . Chaplain

of England both of the Mark and the Craft . We now come to Danum , 398 Doncaster , and Legiolium , 457 , Castleford . These names , it is unnecessary t < say , are Latin , and point to Roman occupation of the districts in which the loiges exist . It is , it seems to me , a most happy idea that Freemasonry should thus form a connecting link between such remote events as the invasion of Julius Caesar and the reign of our Empress-Queen . The name Caldene , 501 , Hebden Bridge , is both harmonious and suitable . The Calder dene , or valley , is not al !

that one would wish it , perhaps , especially in places , but the banks of the Calder , from its source to its confluence with the Aire , manifests remarkable Masonic vigour and energy . I need only mention Todmorden , Hebden Bridge , EilanI , Sowerby Bridge , Brighouse , Mirfield , Dewsbury , Wakefield , and Castleford , all iuCallervale to illustrate this fact . There now remain out of all our Mark lodges but four . These are Eland , 493 , Haywra , 525 , Bronte , 535 , and our present and youngest Dartmouth , 545 . Eland , as I pointed out at the time of its consecration ,

keepalive a name which was well known in the days of the second Edward , and is associated most closely with several families hailing from this immediate neighbourhood . Amongst these are the Quarmbys , the Beaumonts , the Croslands , and the Lockwoods . I need not here go into particulars , but the account of the feud which existed amongst these very choice spirits of those days is not calculated to make us regret the " good old times . " As I had something to say anent Bronti 1 on the occasion of the consecration of that lodge on St . Patrick ' s Day last year

I will pass on . Haywra it is maintained with considerable show of probability g ives its name to Harrogate , and recalls the history of this country during a transition period , when records were tew and chronicles not to be depended upon . We now come to this the youngest lodge in the province . At the outset let me say I quite approve of your action in this matter . The Earl of Dartmouth you tell me has given his cordial consent to the use of his name and I am alsc assured that that name is as closely connected with the welfare and prosperity o !

Slaithwaite , as it is honoured and respected by the inhabitants ot Cjlne Valley . Brethren , there is much force in the French saying or motto , Noblesse oblige , and we see it daily illustrated in the lives and conduct of the most noble in the land He must be base indeed who inheriting a name without reproach wouh knowingly or of malice aforethought cast discredit upon it . The history of thr Dartmouth family is very clearly set forth in that most interesting book of ( 1 suppose ) a local historian—Mr . D . F . E . Sykes , LL . B . To the ordinar )

reader " Huddersfield and its vicinity , " as the work is called , presents mam attractions , but by the native of the district , it must indeed be appreciated . From this and other sources we learn that the Legge , who founded this family originally came from Ireland in the days of Charles I ., with whose fortunes Yn was closely associated The second of the name followed the naval profession became an Admiral and was made Baron Dartmouth . Des-rted by his owi children , James II . found a loyal devotion in this distinguished officer . J unes , a

we know , fled , and William and Mary succeeded , but Dartmouth was still true to his allegiance . He died in the Tower , being unjustifiably suspected o treasonable correspondence with the Stuart at St . Germains . The son of Baron Dartmouth was , in 1710 , made an Earl , and took an active and distinguished part in the political life of the earlier Georges . His eldest son , the first Viscount Lewisham , married Elizabeth , daughter and heiress of Sir Arthur Kaye , of Woodsome , and thus the

manor and estates of the Kayes passed into the Dartmouth family . It would take up too much of your time to trace the careers of the successive E iris ol Dartmouth down to the present owner of the title ; let it be enough to say that they have played more or less prominent parts in the history of their country , and are perhaps better known from their disinterested and constant efforts to ameliorate and improve the condition , not of their tenants and dependents only , but ol humanity generally , than for their political activity or social notoriety . Tne

present Earl of Dartmouth is worthy of his ancestors . Masonically he fills an important position , that of l ' rov . Grand Master ( Craft ) for Staffordshire , and the ready and courteous response he has made to your request for the use of his nane shows true Masonic spirit . And now one final word to the founders and brethren of the Dartmouth Lodge . You have in this Colne Valley an active and vigorous Craft lodge , numerically strong , and eminently capable ; you have a reputation for good work both in lodge and chapter ; you have now an

opportunity of showing that in that beautiful and interesting Degree which wecall the Mark , you intend to display the same zeal , the same accuracy , the same careful attention to detail , and the same reverential rendering of the ritual ann ceremonial which have characterised your work in the other Degrees . You have , as the preliminary proceedings have shown , ample material from which to draw recruits , and 1 confidently look forward to seeing the Dartmouth Lodge , at no

distant date , take a creditable , if not a distinguished , position in the province . Upon you , Bro . Walker Dyson , as W . M ., a serious responsibility rests , but I know your ability , and I am conscious that you realise your position . You have good and staunch supporters ; you have started under most favourable auspices -, the future is in your own hands . That that future may be bright and prosperous is my own most fervent wish and hope , and 1 am sure every brother here present to-day will join in praying that God will speed you in your course .

The words of the Prov . Grand Master were followed with great interest , and received with much applause . The Deputy , Bro . John Barker , then took the chair , and Bro . Walker Dyson , the W . M . designate , was presented for installation by the Prov . G . Master . On the retirement of the brethren , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , there being 23 present . Bro . J ohn Barker , with all due ceremonial , having placed Bro . Walker Dyson in the chair of A ., the brethren were

readmitted , and business proceeded . The office of 1 . P . M . was offered to and accepted by the VV . Deputy . The other officers were appointed and invested as follows : Bros . Edwin Dean , S . W . ; A . G . Webster , J . W . ; A . E . Cotton , M . O . ; D . J . Bailev , S . O . ; Thos . Mallinson , J . O . ; J . B . Eagiand , Chap . ; G . H . Walker , Treas . ; J . Gledhill , Rtg . of Marks ; Jon . Holroyd , Sec ; H . Shaw , S . D . ; W . A . Beevers , J . D . ; S . Haigh , D . of C . ; J . A . H . Eagiand , Org . ; Jas . Etchells , I . G . ; J . W . Matthewman , Tyler ; and Jas . Scholisld , Stwd . This done , on the motion of the J . W ., Bro . A . G . WEBSTER , secondeO by the S . W ., Bro . E . DEAN , the R . W . Prov . G . Master ; the W . Deputy ,

Consecration Of The Dartmouth Mark Lodge, No. 545, At Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire.

and the acting Director of Ceremonies , Bro . Monckman , were unanimously and with acclamation elected honorary members of the lodge . The Prov . G . Master , accompanied by his Deputy and officers , then retired . Bro . Walker Dyson was elected as the first Charity Steward , after which the lodge was closed .

An excellent dinner , served on the premises , followed , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were heartily given and worthily received . The splendid start made by the new lodge , the evident enthusiasm of its members , and the generous sympathy shown by the many visitors , combined with its excellent and appropriate name , induce us to anticipate a useful and prosperous career for the Dartmouth ; and on behalf of this journal we heartil y join with the Prov . G . Master in the closing remarks of his able address .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wed » nesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . J . H . Matthews , President of the Board , occupied the President ' s chair ; Bro . D . D . Mercer , Senior Vice-President , took the S . V . P . ' s chair ; and Bro . Henry GarroJ , Junior Vice-President , was in the chair of J . V . P . Bro . E . Letchworth , Grand Sec ' ., Bro . W . Lake , Asst . Grand Sec , Bro . W . Dodd , G . S . Recknell , and Bro .

H . Sadler , Grand Tyler , represented the official department . The other brethren present were—3 ros . the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap . ; C . J . R . Tijou , Felix Kite , E . W . Ni htingale , W . Fisher , F . W . Hancock , James Block , G . M . E . Hamilton , R . W . Ker , W . H . Caton , W . M . Bywater , S . H . Goldschmidt , Charles Henry Stone , G . E . E . Blunt , John Ellinger , W . Kipps , S . O . Notley , D'Arcy Power , Henry Weigel W . A . Scurrah , J . M . McLeod , Harry Townend , Lorenzo Faull ,

W . Thornby Ashfietd , C . J . Knightley , Herbert L . Benning , J . W . Burgess , W . A . Hardy , H . Massey , L . V . Durell Auler , William H . Stocks , f ohn G . Stevens , Barrington B . Syer , Louis Verding , F . W . Golby , John Barritt , F . Austin , Charles M . Morris , J . Campbell , L . Rasteigh , William Long , Joseph H . Greyton , S . R . Walker , James Pointon , J . H . Etchel , Jethro Ambrose , H . Goldstein , H . Trask , C . J . Wilkinson Pimbury , Henry Parkinson , Frank E . Bailey , R . Smith , Arthur W . Scurrah , W . S . Christian , F . Inskipp , W . Cleghorn , and E . Squirrell .

Before commencing business , the PRESIDENT , referring to the death of Queen Victoria , said the event was one which oppressed—he mi g ht altmst say overwhelmed—one ' s mind at the present moment , and it was rather difficult to concentrate one ' s thoughts on any subject but the one they were ill thinking or speaking about ; but he thought it was in accordance with

che wishes of everybody if he said that the Board was met for the purpose if ministering to the immediate wants of their poorer brethren , their widows , and children , and although the hearts of the members of the Board might ie dwelling on the sad event which had happened , still they must go on vith their work , and he asked them to direct their minds to it .

The brethren first confirmed grants which were recomnended to the Grand Master at the last meeting for his approval , to the armunt of £ 810 . The new list comprised the names of 33 petitioners , who were jualified through lodges in the London district , and at Pooaa , Witney , Jongleton , Clare , Kendal , Southampton , Bournemouth , Southend , Alexandria , Loughton , Harrow-on-the-Hill , Valetta ( Malta ) , Chatham ,

Grand Lodge of Scotland , Singapore , Oxford , Kirkdale , Liverpool , Bishop Auckland , and Maidstone . Six of these were deferred fjr further informaion . The remainder were relieved with £ 765 . Grand Lodge was recommended to grant ^" ioo in one case and £ 50 in another . The Grand Master was asked to approve of £ 40 being given in six cases , and , £ 3 0 in seven cases . Six grants were made of £ 20 each , one of , £ 15 , two ot £ 10 each , and two of £ 5 each .

In Memoriam.

IN MEMORIAM .

QUEEN VICTORIA . —OHIT . J ANUAUV 22 N 0 , 1 9 . No mortal sorrow is akin to ours—Nor words , nor thoughts , our feelings can portray ; Grim Death , 'fore whom the mightiest shrinks and cowers , Ne ' er took a soul so much beloved avay . Language is weak ; the very sense is numb ; We feel the awesomeness of Death ' s Abyss ;

We strive to speak—the fluent tongue is dumb ; For never grief was likened unto this . Well may we mourn a mi ghty monarch dead ; A world in anguish is our world to-night ; Yet comfort comes—Her Queenly Soul has fled Into a lovelier land of life and light . To dry the tears and hush the throbbing breasts , Peace now is hers—Peace and Eternal Rest ! CHAS . F . FORSHAW , LL . D Bradford .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

Hyde Preceptory , No . 98 . .... ? installation meeting of this preceptory , held on Monday , the 21 st instant , at VVimborne , was of more than usual interest , inasmuch as the V . E . Sir Knight the Rev W . Mortimer Heath , P . E . P ., Past Prelate of Great Priory , was installed by V . E . Sir Knight Woodall-Woodall , K . C . T ., Prov . Prior of N . and E . Yorks ( in the absence , hrough family bereavement , of the E . P . Sir Knight Whadcoit ) in the presence of E . Sir Knight Zillwood Milledge , Sub Prior of Dorset ; Sir Knights C . H . W . Parkinson , G .

Habgood , Frampton , Mate , Lowe , and others . Advantage was taken on the suggestion and by the liberality of Sir Knight Whadi coat to celebrate the 50 th year of the Rev . W . M . Heath ' s incumbency by presenting him with a most valuable P . E . P . 's jewel , the presentation being made in admirable style oy Sir Knight C . H . Watts-Parkinson , and duly appreciated by the recipient . The newly-installed E . P . presented a Preceptor's baton , and announced his intention of seeing the lutings of the preceptory were brought into more near accord with the revised Statutes .

The sir knights dined together , and the London and Weymouth visitors were able o catch their respective trains in comfort . It is hoped the V . E . Sir Knight Woodilt-WosJall , K . C . T ., will shortly repMt his visit to this province by attending the installation at All S mis Pre-eplory , NJ it Weymouth , on the 21 st prox ., when Sir Knighi || Sidny Spark Milled'e will b * iis'ill-i ' nto the chair . ' '