Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Robt . Grey , P . G . D ., President of the Board , presided , and Bros . James Brett , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President , and C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , occupied the chairs assigned to those officers . The other brethren present

were—Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; A . A . Pendlebury , A . G . Sec . ; VV . Dodd , and VV . H . Lee ( representing Grand Secretary ' s office ) j G . B . Chapman , B . Wilkins , D . D . Mercer , H . Garrod , L . C . Haslip , C . Dairy , J . B . Grieve , W . P . Brown , E . Shedd , Rev . j . Studholme Brownrigg , J . Hunker , T . W . Whitmarsh , G . A . Cundy , VV . H . Perryman , T . E . Dobson , A . J . Vanderlyn , I . J . Thomas ,

T . R . S . Champion , C . VV . Baker , W . Adams , John A . McOueen , W . Russell , G . Graveley , H . Massey , F . Wood , G . E . Hamilton , E . G . Hooper , C . H . Webb , H . Mayer , H . E . Dehane , F . C . McOueen , J . G . Horsey , T . Weeks , W . Burton , T . S . Hellier , C . J . R . Tijou , G . P . Gillard , C . E . Barnett . W . T . Pink , I . Boulton , T . T .

Willcox , S . T . White , R . Forster , V . Wing , T . H . Thompson , G . P . Minett , C . N . Mclntyre North , J . Mander , W . Wingham . J . ] . Berry , H . Lyon , F . M . " Bilby , S . H . Goldschmidt , W . C . Canton , G . M . Thompson , N . Salmon , L . Bryett , L . J . Salmon , H . F . Gilbert , and H . Sadler , G . Tyler . The brethren first confirmed recommendations made

to the Grand Master at the March meeting , to the amount of £ 250 . The new list comprised the names of 41 applicants , whose qualifications were for lodges in London , Margate , Skegness , Northampton , Dover , Burslem , Derby , Wakefield , Hyde , Monkwearmouth , Dartford , Newton Abbot , Boston , Yarra Yarra ( Victoria ) , Jhansi , Sydney ( N . S . W . ) , Gibraltar , Tenterden , Enfield , Waltham Cross , Holmfirth ,

Stockport , Fareham , Sleaford , Warminster , and Secunderabad . In the course of a sitting lasting nearl y four hours , 37 of these were relieved with a total sum of ^ 800 , composed of two recommendations to the Grand Lodge of ^ 75 each ; two recommendations to the Grand Master of ^ 40 each ; and seven of £ 30 each ; 10 grants of £ 20 each ; one of £ 15 ; 13 of £ 10 each ; and two of £ 5 each . The remainder were dismissed .

Masonic Presentations.

MASONIC PRESENTATIONS .

The companions of the Hornsey Chapter of Improvement and brethren of the Hyde Park Lodge of Instruction met at the Porchester Hotel on Friday , the 18 th inst ., to bid farewell to Comp . John Smith and his wife , the genial host and hostess of the Porchester Hotel , where the meetings of the chapter of

improvement and lodge of instruction have been held for the last five years , when Comp . CHALFONT ( one of the executive ) , on behalf of the chapter , presented them with a handsome set of Shakespeare ' s works in 12 volumes , and wished them every prosperity for the future in their new sphere of life .

Bro . DEHANE , Secretary , on behalf of the Hyde Park Lodge of Instruction , presented Bro . and Mrs . Smith with a handsome cruetstand , and thanking them for their universal kindness and attention to the brethren during the last five years , assured them of the regret felt by all that they had disposed of the Porchester Hotel .

Bro . SMITH , on behalf of his wife and himself , expressed , their unbounded thanks for the kindness of the companions and brethren for their handsome presents , assuring them they should always look back to their connection with the Freemasons at their late house with pleasure , and to the handsome presents with pride as

long as they lived . They both felt that very gratifying mark of appreciation of their services by the brethren more as it was totally unexpected , as they had always been treated with so much courtesy , good-feeling , and consideration , and concluded by saying that although they left London , he , as a member of the chapter and lodge , should visit both when circumstances would

permit . The companions and brethren then toasted Bro . and Mrs . Smith , and wished them farewell .

Australia.

Australia .

UNITED GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA .

I he new Grand Lodge of Victoria is busy " putting its house in order . " The last meeting was devoted to the discussion of the definition and composition of Masonry as hereafter to be practised by the new body . We extract notice of the prcceedings from the Melbourne Evening Standard .

" One of the most important meetings of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria since its inauguration was held last night , under the presidency ot Bro . Geo . Baker , P . G . M ., Deputy Grand Master . The assembl y was what is styled a ' special communication , ' and the business the consideration and adoption of the ' Book

of Constitutions , ' which in future is to be the law of the Fraternity in this colony . The printed draft had been prepared by a Committee , after long and careful deliberation , mainly on the lines of the laws which govern the Grand Lodge of England .

" The first clause , which occasioned considerable controversy , was the definition and composition of Masonry as it is hereafter to be practised and acknowledged by the Grand Lodge of Victoria . The Committee put forward the proposition and declaration ,

Australia.

' That Freemasonry consists of the Entered Apprentice , the Fellow Craft , the Master Mason , the Mark Master Mason , and the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch . ' This was regarded by many old members of the Craft as vague , inconsistent , presumptuous , and incorrect , and , in fact , likely to subject the new Grand

Lodge to the ridicule of its compeers . Eventually , however , the English definition of ' Pure Antient Masonry' was allowed to replace Freemasonry , and the wrath of those who belong to what are known as the Chivalric , the Cryptic , and other degrees , started long after the five degrees just mentioned , having evaporated ,

the clause as amended was agreed to . " Clause b y clause was adopted up to 15 , when what proved to be a hot , angry , interminable , and decidedly irregular discussion was commenced on the muchdebated question whether the Grand Master shall

appoint his subordinate officers , or whether they shall be elected every year by the constituent members of the Grand Lodge . The latter custom prevails in New South Wales and South Australia , Ireland , and Scotland—in Scotland in a modified way—and is universal in Canada and the United States of America . In

England , on the other hand , it has always been the prerogative of the Grand Master to appoint the whole of his officers , excepting the Grand Treasurer . Bro . Isaacs , the well-known barrister , Grand Registrar , and as such legal adviser of the Grand Lodge , led the way for the elective system . It should here , however , be

explained that last June the new Grand Lodge agreed that the question of election or appointment should be delegated to the vote of the private lodges of the colony . This was done in due course , with the result that two-thirds voted for appointment . The question was deemed in some quarters to have been

disposed of for all time ; but the formulation of the ' Book of Constitutions' gave the advocates of election the opportunity of returning to the charge , and , if possible , carrying the day . They contended , with considerable show of reason , that an important matter of this kind can only be decided on the floor of the Grand

Lodge by the votes of its qualified members . And , be it noted , that the electoral partisans were in a majority , and , conscious of their strength , could have carried the point in such a small meeting had the presiding officer not announced his fixed determination not to put the question in view of the resolution of

last June , which he considered binding on the Grand Lodge , whatever the opponents of nomination mi g ht say cr think to the contrary . This deliverance fell like a thunderclap on the meeting , and a dead-lock was the inevitable result , the Grand Lodge being closed when it had reached the length of 15 out of nearly 300 clauses . When the end will come remains

to be seen . " Some of the arguments of the Grand Registrar , in his support of the elective system , may here be alluded to . For instance , he asserted that at one time the Grand Lodge of England elected its officers , and that it was only during the present century that the

appointment had been in force . Bro . Isaacs is incorrect . The Grand Lodge of England has always allowed its Grand Master to appoint his own officers , excepting the Treasurer ; that is to say , from the formation of the first regular Grand Lodge in 1717 , its fusion with the so-called 'Antients , ' in 1813 , and down to the present

day . We know that the nomination system has thus worked admirably for a long period in the old country , which is more than can be said for the elective principle , wherever it has been and is in vogue . As a proof of what might happen in England were election the rule , let us adduce the Grand Treasurership of three

years ago , when there was a contest . The successful candidate was cited to appear before Grand Lodge to answer a charge of having entertained some of his country supporters in London on polling day , and the upshot may be guessed . In a general

way , the elective system is a most pernicious one—it is corrupt , in that it encourages bribery , lobbying , and dishonesty , and moreover would shut out the chance of worthy brethren in the country lodges from promotion , as it stands to reason that the odds would be 1000 to 1

on a town candidate versus a man a couple of hundred miles away . " A thought has , however , struck us with respect to the ultimate settlement of this much vexed question . We would strongly suggest that the Grand Master order that election or appointment be decided on the

floor of the Grand Lodge—its proper tribunal , and then there can be no heartburnings or reflections about appointment having been smuggled through . We are confident that appointment will be triumphant in the long run ; but let the verdict be given fair , square , and above-board , by all means . "

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

Mount Calvary Chapter ( No . 3 . )—This old and prosperous chapter met at 33 , Golden-square , on the . nth inst . Among those present were III . Bros . Major J . E . Anderson , M . W . S . ; George Graveley , Prelate ; H . J . Lardner , 2 nd Gen . ; W . Paas , P . M . W . S ., Treas . ; Ex . Bro . Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M . W . S ., Recorder ; 111 . Bro . Capt . F . J . Stohwasser , G . M . ; Ex . Bros .

Greenwood , Capt . of Gds . ; ] . H . Hawkins , D . C . ; 111 . Bro . Dr . T . VV . Coffin , P . M . W . S . ; Ex . Bros . F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . W . S . ; VV . Maple , N . Prower , M . A . ; T . 0 . Harding , M . A . ; and others . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bros . Corrie Jackson , F . R . C . S ., P . M . 534 , and Victor Jagielski , M . D ., P . M . 534 , and , it being unanimous , they were duly

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

perfected by Ex . Bro . Capt . Walls . III . Bro . G . Graveley was unanimously elected M . W . S ., and 111 . Bro . VV . Paas re-elected Treasurer . A Past Sovereign ' s jewel having been voted to III . Bro . Major Anderson , the Recorder gave a notice of motion— "That the sum of five guineas be voted to the Paas Testimonial Fund . " Bro . Brown Kidder having written stating that his wife had died on the

previous day , it was unanimously resolved that the Recorder be requested to write a letter of condolence to Bro . Kidder . Letters , & c , pleading inability to attend through illness and other causes were read from 111 . Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , 33 ; Capt . VV . B . Williamson , J . P . ; T . L . Smith , E . M . Lott , Mus . Doc ; and Ex . Bros . G . A . Berkeley , P . M . W . S . ; G . Tayleur , P . M . W . S . ;

Andrew Pears , H . Hill , W . Hale-Hilton , G . J . Bell , and others . The chapter was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , where an excellent banquet was served under the careful supervision of Bro . Delacoste . A few toasts followed .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

University of London Conclave ( No 2 ) . —A meeting was held on Saturday , the 19 th inst ., at the Holborn Restaurant , when there were present R . W . Bros . Charles Gross , M . D ., P . G . Gdr ., S . R . ; W . G . Lemon , B . A ., G . Treas ., G . ; W . Bro . F . E . Lemon , M . A ., P . G .

Stwd ., Sec ; R . W . Bro . W . J . Spratling , B . Sc , Grand Recorder , V . D . ; VV . Bro . A . T . Norton , G . Stwd ., V . D . ; Bro . H . Juler , D . C . ; J . Freeman , Sentinel ; M . W . Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , P . G . S . R . ( Hon . Mem . ); and Scanes Spicer . Bro . Scanes Spicer , 2033 , was inducted .

BRIGHTON . ; Royal Sussex Conclave ( No . 10 . )—A meeting of this conclave was held on Monday , the 14 th inst . Present : Bros . A . S . Brown , S . R . ; A . F . Lamette , C . ; I . C . Buckwell , G .- ; H . Pearce , Treas . ; C . F . Goode , Sec ; J . A . Thilthorpe , V . D . ; E . Tebbs , V . D . ; H . H . Hughes , Sentinel ; VV . Wrisfht , Guarder ; R . VVillard

E . Mitchell , and R . Weston . Visitors : Bros . VV . J . Spratling , P . T . R ., and J . J . Thomas . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and the following brethren were inducted to the First Degree : Bros . R . VVillard , P . M . 732 ; E . Mitchell , 1636 ; and K . VVeston , 1303 . The following brethren were admitted to the

Second Degree ( Prince of the Order ) : Bros . J . C . Buckwell , G . ; H . Pearce , T . ; C . F . Goode , Sec . ; VV . Wright , Guarder ; J . A . Thilthorpe , V . D . ; E . Tebbs , V . D . ; and H . H . Hughes , Sentinel . The S . R . having been installed , appointed and invested the officers for the ensuing year . The report of the V . D . having been received and examined , the conclave was closed .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . HENRY THOMPSON .

On Saturday , Bro . Henry Thompson , a well-known and respected reporter , died at his residence , Victoriavillas , Robinson-road , Tooting , in the 86 th year of his age . The journalistic career of the late Bro Thompson was a long , varied , and interesting one , his first engagement on the London Press dating so far back

as 1829 , when he was employed as a Parliamentary reporter on the now long-defunct Morning Herald , and for several years after was the gallery colleague of the late Charles Dickens , William Bernard McCabe , and the late Mr . John Byrne , of The Morning Advertiser , and Mr . Ross , of The Times . Bro . Thompson , as a

Press representative , was a well-known figure at the annual Wimbledon Rifle Volunteer gatherings , and at the meeting of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes . In addition to his other engagements , he represented several of the morning papers at the Middlesex

Sessions , now known as the London County Sessions , held in the Court on Clerkenwell Green , and was for some time on the reporting staff of the Freemason . He was a very old member of the Masonic body , being for several years connected with the Great City Lodge , and was one of the founders of the Southern Sdr Lodge .

BRO . ALFRED WILLIAMSON . The remains of Bro . Alfred Williamson , whose death took place last week , were interred in Heading ley Churchyard on Saturday , the 19 th inst ., in the presence of a numerous gathering of relatives and Masonic and other friends . Service was held in St . Michael ' s

Church , and was conducted by lhe Rev . J . S . Abbott , where the deceased was churchwarden for many years . The choir of St . Mark's attended , heralded by their organist and choir master , Mr . A . Ward , and , accompanied by Dr . Spark , who presided at the organ and played appropriate voluntaries , rendered the musical

portion of the service with much effect . The Lodgj of Fidelity—the oldest in Leeds—of which Bro . Williamson was a respected Past Master and Charities Steward , held a special meeting in the afternoon at their hall , Carlton Hill , and , under the guidance uf

the W . M ., Bro . E . Wales Smith , the proceedings were very impressive . Many of the brethren bore testimony to the character and services of the deceased brother , among those who took part being Bros . Dr . Smyth , Dr . Spark , Canon Bullock , Richard Jackson , Dr . Dobson D . W . Glover , and Scarth .

At a mass meeting of the electors of the East ^ ra Division of Hull on Friday last , Bro . Clarence Smith , ex-Sheriff of London , was unanimously selected as a candidate for the constituency .