Royal Arch.

and Francis Prowse , P . Z ., as H . and J . respectively . There were also present romps . I- B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., Scribe E . ; H . J . Bidwell , P . Z . 2120 , as Scribe N . ; W Macklin , P . S . ; G . H . Robinson , ist A . S . ; W . H . J acques , 2 nd A . S . ; G . Lintott , Dr . C Haig-Brown . P . Dewar , S . ; C . * T . Tyler , P . Z ., Prov . G . S . E . ( Hon . Member ) ; and G . J . Hoare , Janitor . Comp . A . Reed , 2120 , was a visitor . The minutes of the preceding convocation having been conlirmed , the election of officers for the year commencing injune next followed . A ballot was then taken for Bro . W . H . Steggles , } . W . 2101 , which , proving to be unanimous in his favour , and the

candidate being- in attendance , he was duty exalted into the mysteries and privileges of Royal Arch Masonry . The ceremony , which was very ably performed , derived additional lustre from the powerful assistance of the Prov . G . Scribe E ., who , after completing the role of P . S ., undertook in conclusion a portion of the duties of M . E . Z ., in which capacity he delivered the mystical Lecture . Letters expressing regret at inability to attend were read from Comp . the Rev . E . R . Parr , P . Z . 370 ( Vicar of Chertsey ) , and other invited guests . After the business the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned , the usual Joyal and Royal Arch toasts being duly honoured .

Instruction.

Instruction .

HYDE PARK LODGE , No . 1425 . A meeting was held on the 26 th instant at the Prince of Wales' Hotel , Eastbourneterrace , Bishop ' s-road , Paddington , W ., when there were present . Bros . H . H . Bagnall , W . M . ; W . H . Handover , I . P . M . 1642 , S . W . ; L . I . Powell , P . M . 2246 , J . W . ; H . Dehane , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Essex , Sec ; F . Spink , 5 . D . ; VV . J . Reith , J . D . ; W . Smith-Rose , I . G . ; G . E . Harris , W . M . 1 S 94 , Stwd . j H . Foskett , P . M . 1642 , Dep . Preceptor ; G . D . Coleman , W . M . 2581 ; A . E . Pinfold , and G . B . Oberti . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and

confirmed . Bro . Coleman , at the request of the W . M ., assumed the chair , and , after the usual preliminaries , rehearsed the ceremony of passing , Bro . Bagnall acting as candidate . The lodge having been called off and on , Bro . Bagnall worked ihe ceremony of initiation , Bro . Uberti being the candidate . The Benevolent votes of the lodge were then voted to the case of Mrs . Millis for the forthcoming election . Next meeting being officers ' ^ night , Bro . Handover was elected W . M . for the 6 th prox . After " Hearty good wishes " the lodge was closed .

LONDON RIFLE BRIGADE LODGE , No . 1962 . FIRST ANNUAL FESTIVAL . The first annual festival of this lodge of instruction was held at the Clarence Hotel , Aldersgate-street , E . G ., on Thursday evening , the 18 th inst . There was a goodly number of members , not only of the lodge of instruction , but also of the mother lodge . Many visitors were present , amongst whom we noticed Bros . Kentish , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . Haig Brown , C . F . Ellis , H . H . Nuding , Sloper , G . Stwd . ; H

Pritchard , P . G . Treas . Middx . ; Chas . Lewis , P . G . D . Essex ; F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . 45 ; and others . The lodge was opened at 6 . 30 p . m . by the Preceptor of the lodge , Bro . J . H , Jenks , P . M . 8 , P . G . Stwd ., supported by Bro . A . Collins , W . M . 1962 , acting as I . P . M ., Bros . D . D . West , P . M . 10 S , S . W . ; J . H . Chandler , P . M ., S . D . 1962 ; W . H . Latham , I . P . M . 1962 , Treas . ; L . V . Walker , P . M . 1962 , Sec ; C . W . Potter , J . D . 1962 , 8 . 0 . ; C . E . Taylor , 1962 , J . D . ; and J . H . Crickmay , I . G . 1062 ,

I . G . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , also in the Third Degree . The Third Lecture was worked , Bro . H . Bishop giving the answers in the ist Section , Bro . VV . M . Ward in the 2 nd , and Bro . C . Folliott in the 3 rd . AU the work was done magnificently . After the lodge had been closed down in the First and Second Degrees , Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br ., proposed a vote of thanks to the working brethren , remarking that they had done their task accurately , and delivered what they had to say

impressively and earnestly . This was the first festival the lodge had held , and he felt certain from the way in which the work had been done that a large accession of members would result . Bro .. Kentish , P . G . Std . Br ., seconded the motion , and congratulated the brethren on the show they had made . Bro . Jenks acknowledged the compliment , saying he felt sure that the encouraging words of the two Grand Officers would stimulate the brethren to further exertions .

After the lodge had been closed , the brethren dined together under the chairmanship of Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br . The President proposed "The King , as Protector of the Craft . " He reminded the brethren that the King as Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., took great interest in the Craft , nor would that now cease , although no longer M . W . G . M ., but Protector of English Freemasons . The next toast was "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . " Under ihe titvi regime , there was no doubt the Craft would flourish as of yore .

Bro . A . Haig Brown , P . M . 1962 , proposed " The Grand Officers , " and the toast was responded toby Bro . Kentish . Bro . L . V . Walker , P . M ., gave "The President , " and Bro . R . Clay Sudlow replied , subsequently proposing " The London Rifle Brigade Lodge of Instruction , " and dwelling upon the amount ol good that was done by these lodges in furthering the cause of Masonry , and spreading a knowledge of the ritual . "The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . C . F . Elles , P . M ., who , on bthalf of the Lodge of Instructionaccorded them a hearty welcome .

, Bro . Pritchard , P . G . Treas . Middlesex , and Bro . Rankin , Preceptor of the Kirby Lodge of Instruction , No . 263 , replied , the latter referring , in a kindly , facetious manner , to the Preceptor , Bro . J . H . Jenks , P . M . 8 , P . G . Stwd . The Tyler ' s toast brought the evening to a close .

EYRE LODGE , No . 2742 . The success of this young and flourishing lodge , which holds its meetings at the tyre Arms Hotel , St . John ' s vVood , N . W ., was amply proved by the large attendance ot the members on Wednesday , the 17 th instant , when out of a msmbership of over Sa , about 30 were present at the opening of the lodge by Bro . G . E . Thompson , who was well supported by the following olHcers : B os . Kuwell , S . W . ; fapley-Smith , J . W . ; Archer , S . D . ; Alcock , J . D . ; and ElderlUld , I . G . Bro . Thompson kept up the reputation of the lodge by the excellent manner in which he worked the First and

second Degrtes , and scaicely needed the support of the worthy Preceptor , Bro . Weston , li " ' ' ^ so mucn to Dr ' 8 many young Masons to such a high state of ell'ciency . Bro . John O . Clarke was elected a joining member , and as new members " it C 0 , S "y coming in , it promises well for the future of this lodge , and whoever attends here may be sure of a hearty welcome and an addition to his store of Masonic knowled ge . Since the lodge was opened , about two years ago , they have had twa ^ allots lor the Charities , and will shortly have another .

Instruction.

HORNSEY CHAPTER , No . Sgo . A meeting was held on the 19 th instant , at the Prince of Wales' Hotel , Eastbourneterrace , Bishop ' s-road , Paddington , W . Present : Comps . T . C . Edmonds , P . Z . 1507 , M . E . Z . ; J . M . Huish , H . 185 , H . ; A . L . Butters , J . elect 890 , J . ; H . E . Dehane , P . Z . S 90 , P . P . G . P . S . Essex , Scribe E .: W . J . Lewis . S . N . S 90 , Scribe N . ; H . Foskett , M . E . Z . 1 S 5 , S 90 , Treas . ; F . M . Marchant , P . S . elect 290 , P . S . ; A . F . Hardyment , ] . 1489 , ist A . S . ; W . Smith-Rose , 2 nd A . S . 890 , 2 nd A . S . ; R . N . Larter , J . 1 S 4 ; J . Rowe , 1614 ; E . Stevens , 733 ; and G . D . Mogford .

The chapter was opened and the companions admitted . The minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Larter being candidate . The officers were elected for the ensuing two weeks , Comp . Edmonds , M . E . Z . "Hearty good wishes" were accorded , and the chapter closed .

STAR CHAPTER , No . 1275 . The weekly convocation was held at the Stirling Castle , Church-street , Camberwell , S . E ., on Friday , the 19 th instant . Present : Comps . J . H . Cureton , P . Z ., M . E . Z . ; Hy . Cornford , M . E . Z . elect , H . ; Stanley , ] .: Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor ; Chas . H . Stone , P . Z ., S . E . ; J . Block , P . Z ., S . N . ; and Wm . Dawson , P . Z ., P . S . The chapter was regularly opened by the Principals and Past Principals . The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of

exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Grummant personating the candidate . Comp . H . Cornford was elected M . E . Z . for Friday , the 26 th inst . It was unanimously resolved that the chapter become an annual subscriber to "Out Brother ' s Bed . " The subscription being only 5 s . per annum , it is earnestly hoped that many lodges and chapters of instruc ' . ion will support so worthy an object . The convocation was closed and adjourned .

St. George's Day.

ST . GEORGE'S DAY .

"Saint George and Merry England ! " Ancient Toast That whilom sent the life-blood to the brain ; When with a pardoning pride 'twas Britain's boast That none could vanquish her on land or main , And now we half forget her glories past ,

And many bosoms throb with dizzy pain—¦ Unmindful that her power for aye shall last—That doughty deeds may still be done again . Shall we forget sweet England ' s darling daughter ? Shall we forget the bravery of her sons ? Her sway supreme upon the world ' s wide waters , The quenchless fire of all her countless guns ? Come the whole earth , no sense of fear shall thrill , Our patron Saint bids weakling hearts be still I Bradford . CHAS . F . FORSHAW . LL . D .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . GEORGE WILLIAM SPETH , P . A . G . D . C .

We refer elsewhere to the death of Bro . G . W . Speth . The sad event occurred within sight of his house on Friday , the 19 th instant , on his return from a bicycle ride with one of his daughters , and the funeral took place at Bromley Cemetery on Wednesday . The following record of his Masonic career appeared in the Freemason of the 2 nd May , 1896 , on his having conferred upon him the brevet rank of

P . A . G . D . C . Eng .: Bro . George William Speth , whose name was so widely known as the able and obliging Secretary of our great literary lodge—Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076—and the editor of its Transactions and Antigrapha , may be said to have contracted an hereditary love for Freemasonry , his father , George William Speth , having been initiated in the Lodge of Unity , No . 183—which met at the time at the George and Vulture , Cornhill , as No . 215—on the 24 th June , 1842 , and after

serving the offices of f . G ., S . D ,, and S . W ,, was elected and installed W . M . in 1846 . This honour was twice subsequently conferred upon him , in the years 1849 and 1850 , while from 1855 to 186 7 he was annually appointed Secretary , and , in the latter year , and annually until the day of his death in 18 78 he held the more responsible , if less laborious , offhe of Treasurer . Bro . Speth had followed worthily in his father's footsteps , and if he has not , like him , thrice served his mother lodge as Master , and subsequently for 23 years as its Secretary

or Treasurer , it was because he had been called upon to fill other and more important , and more arduous duties . He was initiated in No . 183 , during the lifetime of his father , on the 22 nd January , 1872 , and having successively held precisely the same offices of I . G ., S . D ., and S . W ., as his father before him had held , he was at length installed as Master on the 27 th March , 18 7 6 , and doubtless had the pleasure of investing his father , on more than one occasion , as the Treasurer of their common mother lodge . In 1880 , he was the lodge Organist , while the year

following he published the history of his Lodge of Unity , No . 18 3 , from its constitution in 176 9 , though , owing to the loss of its original warrant and all the records anterior to 1782 , it was impossible for him to say much about its earlier career . This history , as we have said , was compiled and published in 1881 , the year in which the M . W . G . Master was pleased to grant it a Centenary Warrant , so that those who take an interest in lodge histories , and feel inclined to study the pleasantly-written and trustworthy narrative which our brother compiled as a memento of its centenary commemoration , will be able to learn all it is possible

to learn respecting this particular Lodge of Unity . In 1834 , Bro . Speth busied himself , in conjunction with the late Bro . A . F . W . Woodford , Bros . W . J . Hughan and R . F . Gould , and other leading literary brethren , in founding the Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , and from the day of its consecration until now he had held uninterruptedly what in this , more thin in any oth ; r lod ^ e under the English Constitution , is the exceedingly onerous and responsible post of Secretary . In this , capacity he had , as we have before mentioned , edited all the annual volumes of its Transactions , and had been the presiding genius ia the

Ad01405

1.TOCiaARCONNOISSEURS. a w t = > §; O THE MAJOR in "TO-DAY , " March 7 th , 1901 , says— "It becomoH mora dillieult every year Io know whoro to obtain a good smoko > " £ 3 ' £ » t 11 reasonable price . Those who experience tin ' s difficulty may like to know where they on 11 obtain 11 very good Cigar at 28 / - per 100 . £ _ , CO H , ' rllt ' '"' < ' tllL' 'MANUEL MUBJAS , ' sold by tho ' lioiiNKo AND HAVANA CIOAR CO . Make 11 note of the address . " > -5 1}MANUELMUR"lAS}~i7"'("'''115 < $ S A SKILFULLY BLENDED CIGAR . J MuM / Lijll III ZU / " „„,j CO « ^ " PELICAN , " Jan . 12 th . 1001 , says- "The Uoitxi :,, AM , HAVANA CIUAK COMPANY ' S 'MANUEL MUBIAS' arc excellent ; tho g 3 OS i > 1 '" - ' - ' » vm % only 28 / " Per 100 . It , would lie well to note the Address , as a really good Cigar is indeed worth having . " on Q Address-BORNEO & HAVANA CIGAR CO ,, 13 , Billiter Buildings , BiUiter St ., E . C . g