Presentation Portrait Of The Earl Of Euston.

PRESENTATION PORTRAIT OF THE EARL OF EUSTON .

A movement has been on foot for some time in the province of Northampton to present to the Provincial Grand Lodge a life-size portrait of the Provincial Grand Master , Lord Euston , to be hung in the lodge room of the new hall . From the first the project has been warmly supported by the members of the lodges in the

province , who have liberally subscribed , with the result that Bro . H . Harris Brown , an artist of high local reputation , as well as of considerable standingin London , was commissioned to paint a life-size portrait in Masonic clothing . This task he has carried out with complete success . The portrait itself is lifelike , and the treatment

of the accessories exhibits great judgment and artistic taste . Such prominent objects as Masonic clothing , jewels , & c , are apt in a work of this kind , in unskilled hands , to disturb the harmony of the composition , but Bro . Brown has very cleverly mastered that difficulty by carefully keeping these self-asserting

features in the background , and the various emblems and decorations , although correctly rendered , are so subdued in character that the eye travels at once to the face , which should of course be the centre of attraction . That the picture will give unqualified satisfaction to the brethren of the province we feel assured , and all

concerned are to be congratulated on acquiring so excellent a presentment of their popular Grand Master . The presentation will , we understand , be made at a meeting specially convened for the purpose some time in November , and an album containing the names , & c , of the subscribers will be presented to his lordship at the same time .

It may be further mentioned that Bro . George Ellard , of Northampton , has been the active Secretary to the Committee , and that they have fortunately found it unnecessary to seek outside the Craft for a competent artist . Bro . H . Harris Brown is a member of the Eleanor Cross Lodge , No . 1764 , but is now resident in London , at 5 , Trafalgar Studios , Chelsea .

The New History Of Freemasonry.

THE NEW HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY .

The work thus entitled is a finely printed octavo volume of 904 pages , which contains 48 illustrations , including a number of views of Masonic Temples , Asylums , etc ., that have not heretofore appeared in any publication . In the preparation of the volume nearly all the

prominent Masonic writers of Europe and America were consulted , and many of them invited to assist in the production of the work . The names of a goodly number are presented as editors and contributors . There are 20 distinguished brethren named as editors —61 as contributors .

Evidently it was the purpose of the publishers to provide a popular history of the Craft , and no one will doubt the success of their endeavour . Alread y , as we are told , 12 , 000 copies have been sold , agents finding remunerative occupation in disposing of the work to subscribers , to whom the book is sold at prices ranging from $ 3 . 75 , in cloth binding , to § 10 . 00 in full Turkey

morocco . The early history of Freemasonry , including the tradition period as well as that of written record , is intelligently treated , and with an almost entire suppression of the fanciful theories sometimes presented by Masonic writers . The volume is enriched in this

department by transcripts of several important manuscripts , " Old Charges , " etc ., of special interest to Craftsmen of archaeological tastes . The period of the Crusades , including the formation of the Orders of Christian Knighthood , with which the Modern System of Templary sustains a nominal connection , receives

careful handling ; and the division devoted to the Knights Templars is alike entertaining and instructive . " The Supplemental Historic Notes , " which accompany this presentation of the Age of Chivalry and the Orders connected therewith , are of suggestive interest . In the department assigned to Cosmopolitan

Freemasonry there are chapters devoted to the American Rite , noting the rise and progress of organised Freemasonry in this country . Then succeeds a history of the Concordant Orders , following which there is an account of the Scottish Rite , the Royal Order of Scotland , etc ., the whole concluding with a considerable amount of valuable statistical information .

There can be no question as to the merits of this important Masonic work . The arrangement of subjects is excellent , and the treatment of the various departments by competent " specialists" is of such a character as to satisfy a critical judgment . Undoubtedly 't is the best general history of Freemasonry ever published in a single volume . —Freemasons' Repository , Rhode Island .

Theosophy And Freemasonry.

THEOSOPHY AND FREEMASONRY .

The Daily Chronicle has , in view of the suddenl y created interest in the public mind on the subject of Theosophy devoted a considerable space daily to correspondence . Among the numerous leters which nave appeared , the following may be of interest to our readers :

" To the Editor of the Daily Chronicle . Sir , —Seeing that your readers must include some Jhousands of Freemasons , there is one phase of ¦ iheosophy which I have been daily expecting to see noted in your columns—viz ., its undoubted identit y With the highest teachings of Freemasonry . Personall y

Theosophy And Freemasonry.

1 may state that the literature of the Craft led me to an investigation of the problems treated by Theosophy , which will always be found to possess surpassing interest for thinking men of every generation . The result of my studies so far has been to show me an extraordinary affinity between Theosophy and Masonry

in their history , traditions , symbology , mythology , degrees , and general principles . The ' master key to all the creeds , ' and a knowledge ofthe ' hidden secrets of nature and science , ' are alike the reward of the Theosophist and Mason who , after following the exoteric instruction which is open to all , receives the

deeper exoteric teaching which both in the Craft and the T . S . must always be the heritage of the few . I would like to caution my Masonic brethren against a repudiation of Theosophy before grasping what its teaching and organisation really amount to , as the day cannot be far distant when it will be generally knovvn

as the twin sister of Freemasonry . The public can judge of the truth of this statement by comparing the published ( exoteric ) works of both societies . " One other feature of this discussion I should also like to notice is the singular absence of letters from those who are usually regarded as guides and teachers on all subjects of man's destiny—I mean , of course ,

those leaders of religious thought who might reasonably be expected to have a great deal to say upon the problems at issue . Mr . Hugh Price Hughes appears to have broken the clerical silence in a discourse which exhibits a singular misapprehension of the subject . — Yours obediently , " ROYAL ARCH . " Sept . 14 . "

Mr. John Lane's New Work.

MR . JOHN LANE'S NEW WORK .

Masonic students will welcome the publication of the handsome , interesting , and valuable new work by Mr . John Lane , F . C . A ., of this town , entitled " Centenary Warrants and Jewels : comprising an account of all the Lodges under the Grand Lodge of England to which Centenary Warrants have been granted . " But few of the Fraternity are aware of the number and

character of the centenary jewels which have been authorised by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and preceding Grand Masters ; and though descriptions of some , as well as sketches thereof , have previously appeared , never until now has a complete list been printed , together vvith full particulars of each distinctive decoration and illustrations of the whole .

The Introduction is by Mr . Hughan , also of Torquay , who undertook a similar office for Mr . Lane ' s first work ( which is now at a high premium ) , and has been often in request for such kindly office by Masonic authors in different parts of the world , his name being a " household word " amongst Masons .

The 12 plates ( by Mr . E . J . Harty , of Vaughanparade ) , comprise accurate reproductions of 42 special medals , the warrants for which were granted 1827-18 91 , the oldest of these being the " Westminster and Keystone Lodge , " No . 10 , started in 1722 , though it was not the first so privileged , that honour being enjoyed

by St . Albans , No . 29 , from the year 1827 . Of some of the more important or artistic , the reverses , as well as the obverses , are duly given . Two of the most significant , because permitted subsequent to the ordinary uniform pattern of 186 7 , are the " Jerusalem , " No . 197 , and the " Prince of Wales , "

No . 259 , which were thus specially authorised because of the visit of the M . W . Grand Master to the one lodge , being his Royal Highness ' s first appearance in England at a Masonic gathering , and the other was inaugurated by his Majesty George IV ., when Prince of Wales , A . D . 1787 .

The details respecting so many old lodges are of a most interesting character . The frontispiece , in appropriate colours , represents the ordinary centenary jewel , permission to wear which has been granted to about 140 lodges either for the reasons noted b y Mr . Lane , or on insufficient grounds according to his

judgment . The volume is to be had from the author , Bannercross , Torquay , for 12 s . 6 d . post free , but as the edition is very limited , an early application is necessary . — Torquay Directory , September 16 th .

East Lancashire Charity Committee.

EAST LANCASHIRE CHARITY COMMITTEE .

The half-yearly meeting of this Committee was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Friday , the 18 th inst . Bro . Alderman E . G . Harwood , Chairman of the Committee , presided , and was supported by Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , Vice-Chairman ; John Chadwick , P . G . Sec ; James Newton , P . A . G . Sec ; and about 80

Charity representatives from the various lodges in the province . After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read for information , the report of the Election Committee , viz ., Bros . Harwood , Sillitoe , and Chadwick , was read by the latter brother , from which it was

gathered that one candidate was elected to the Girls ' School in April last , and , through the exertions of this Committee in May last , two old men and one widow have been added to the list of recipients from the funds of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

A petition was presented from Lodge No . 300 , soliciting the aid of the Charity Committee in electing the son of a deceased member of that lodge at the Boys' School election next month . After some discussion and comments as to the refusal of the Province of Derbyshire ( in which province the

East Lancashire Charity Committee.

deceased brother was also a subscriber ) to assist in the election , the petition vvas unanimously adopted . A petition was also p resented on behalf of another boy for the benefits of the Blair Presentation to the Boys' School ; but this was referred back for further consideration .

A petition was also presented on behalf of an aged brother , who has been a subscribing member of Lodge No . 288 for 27 . 5 years , soliciting the assistance of the Charity Committee for his election on the funds of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in May next . — This petition was unanimously adopted .

The business of this Committee being ended , the meeting resolved into the General Committee of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . Bro . Alderman Harwood presided , supported as before by Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , Vice-Chairman ; James Heelis , Hon . Sec . ; John

Chadwick , Sec . ; and the 80 representatives of lodges . The agenda vvas a formidable one , consisting of reading the minutes of the Sub-Committees , petitions on behalf of six children for education , and two for relief . The education petitions were adoped , and referred

to the Educational Committee . Bro . SILLITOE , with the permission of the Chairman , introduced the draft of a resolution he intends to propose at the next annual general meeting , which has for its object a very wide extension of the usefulness of the Institution by granting annuities to aged brethren and widows of Freemasons who are unable to gain

election in the London Institution . General satisfaction was expressed with the tenor of the proposed resolution . At the close of this meeting the Educational and Relief Boards met . The former granted sums varying from . £ 12 to £ 8 per annum to the applicants for education . Both petitions fo r relief were deferred by the Relief Board .

The proceedings , which lasted more than two hours , were carried through with the greatest unanimity , and at the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks to the genial Chairman was proposed and carried .

Bro. Sir James Thornhill's Works.

BRO . SIR JAMES THORNHILL'S WORKS .

Some few years since we noticed in our columns the artistic work in progress in which Bro . W . Darley , P . M ., was engaged in the arduous task of copying the works of Sir James Thornhill on the ceiling of the painted hall of the Royal Naval College . We are pleased to be informed that at a very great expense and after

seven years of incessant labour , he has succeeded in his purpose in completing the copy of the works of Sir James in the Great Hall , and is well advanced in copying the ceiling and decorations of the Inner Hall . The King and Queen William and Mary are represented , supported by the four Masonic virtues ,

Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , and Justice . The working tools are distinctly drawn on the ceiling , whilst the iron crown and triple crown of the Papacy are shown falling . These magnificent works have been comparatively lost to the world for nearly two centuries till Bro .

Darley took them in hand , and then it was looked upon by many as an impossible task , his failure being very generally prophesied . He is now receiving the highest compliments , and if copies of these great works are to be produced in the shape of engravings and chromos we shall have to

thank the Admiralty and their adviser , Sir Oswald Brierly , K . C . B ., for encouraging and supporting Bro , Darley in his labours . Amongst the Royal and distinguished visitors who have inspected the copies are H . R . H . Prince George , who introduced the subjects to his Royal mother and

sisters on their visit to the hall , the Princess Fredrica of Hanover , Lady G . Hamilton , Lady Graham , and a number of eminent persons . Lady G . Hamilton , after a scrutinising examination , highly complimented him for having restored in his copy the faded portions on the ceiling , and the general opinion prevails that Bro . Darley ' s copy with

description standing in the hall will be a great acquisition , the original on the ceiling being 50 feet high—a sight of which cannot be grasped , as the head on looking up soon turns giddy . His task has been effected by the aid of the most powerful binoculars , and he proposes on the disposal of these great works to devote a large portion to Masonic and other Charities .

The Symbolism Of Masonry.

THE SYMBOLISM OF MASONRY .

From the symbolism of Masonry have come forth a . most practical power and a beautiful influence . As the marble statues of Greece , leaving their niches in the temple of fame , have moved through the ages , scattering from their hands ideals of beauty and grandeur , suggestions for the highest art , so the genius

of Masonry , moving from its shrine , has passed through the generations , the thoughts , the activities of man , casting from her generous hand moral beauty , ministries of Charity , inspiration for truest brotherhood . For Masonry rises up among the most magnificent and

precious of human institutions . The spirit which informs it is kindness . Love , finding in it a true fulfilment , sends forth a Charity like that which fell from the lips and hand of the holiest of all . Its work is witnessed as the expression in the acts grandly human , yet divinely beautiful , in the bread given to the hungry ;