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p REAT NORTHERN RAILWAY . NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS . TUESDAY , DECEMBER 30 th , a CHEAP EXCURSION for 4 or S days to NEWCASTLE , BERWICK , EDINBURGH ^ GLASGOW , will leave Victoria ( L . C and D . ) , 6 . 57 p . m . ; Ludgate Hill , 7 . 2 S ; Moorgate-street , 7 . 36 ; Aldersgate-street , 7 . 3 S ; Farringdon-street , 7 . 40 ; King ' s Cross ( G . N . ) , S . io ; Finsbury Park , 8 . 16 . By this excursion , TICKETS at a SINGLE FARE for the DOUBLE JOURNEY will also be issued to places named , available for return on any day up to TUESDAY , JANUARY 6 th , 1891 , inclusive . For fares and full particulars see bills , to be obtained at Company ' s Town Parcelsj Receiving Offices and Stations , and of Swan and Leach , 3 , Charing Cross , and 32 , Piccadilly Circus . HENRY OAKLEY , General Manager . King's Cross , London , December , 1890 .

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FREEMASON'S HYMN . —THE MYSTIC TIE . Words and Music composed by F . J . STEIN . Price is . 6 "d . nett . London : GEORGE KENNING , 16 & I 6 A , Gt . Queen-st . Now Ready . Price is . Post Free , is . id . THE MASTER MASON'S HANDBOOK , by Bro . FRED . J . W . CROWE , with an Introduction by Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , P . G . D ., & c . The Master Mason's Handbook is a compendium of all information necessary to a knowledge of English Masonry , comprising—An Historical Sketch of Freemasonry—The Grand Lodge : Its Origin and Constitution—Private Lodges , Metropolitan and Provincial—Visiting Private Lodges—Titles , their uses and abbreviations—The Great Masonic Institutions—The "Higher" or additional Degrees , and how to obtain them . London : GEORGE KENNING , 16 , Great Queen-street ; W . C .

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PIXIE and the HILLHOUSE FARM , by MRS . GERARD FORD . Illustrated b y J AMES CADENHEAD and F . M . COOPER . Publishers : G . ELLIS and Co ., and SIMPKIN , MARSHALL , and Co . Price 5 s .

To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

A large number of lodge reports and other matter are again held over until next week . We do so with reluctance , but our Summary of the year and Chronology of Masonic Events , claim the first place in our columns in this the last issue for 1890 , and we must therefore ask the indulgence of our readers until our next appearance .

The following communications unavoidably stand over : CRAFT LODGESPalatine , No . 97 . Harmony , No . 133 . Manchester , No . 179 . South Saxon , No . 311 . Fidelity , No . 230 . Probity and Freedom , No . 367 .

Menturia , No . 418 . Yarborough , No . jji . Alexandra , No . 993 , Priory , No . 1000 . New Cross , No . 1559 . Queen ' s Westminster , No . 2021 . Gallery , No . 1928 . ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER—Pythagoras , No . 88 . Masonic Concert at Ballan .

BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . " The Freemasons' Repository , " " Masonic Constellation , " " Freemasons' Journal , " " Voice of Masonry , " ' Canadian Craftsman , " and "Die Bauhutte . "

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SATURDAY , DECEMBER 27 , 1890 ,

Masonic Notes.

Masonic Notes .

Though this number of the Freemason is dated two days after Christmas , it will be in the hands of our readers before , or at latest , on the day itself , so that we are able to convey to our readers , through its

medium , our sincerest and heartiest good wishes . We trust they may spend a Merry Christmastide and that the New Year will bring with it a substantial access of good fortune .

* * * Quite recently we took exception to the statement that the Friendship Chapter , No . 257 , Portsmouth , had worked the Mark Degree from the year of its constitution in 17 69 . We were not then prepared with

data , but felt assured that had such a claim been well based Bro . Hughan would have acknowledged it in his valuable work on " The Origin of the English Rite of Freemasonry . " Now , however , that indefatigable Masonic student has written a racy sketch of the

centenary chapter at Portsmouth , which is one of the chief articles in the present Christmas Freemason , and from it we gather that the earliest dated marks in the records are of the year 1787 . So far , then , Durham

has the oldest Mark records of the year 1773 , but Bro . Hughan gives an extraordinary number of curious particulars in his history of No . 257 , and considers its Mark Book is quite a sin generis of its kind .

Masonic Notes.

Bro . J . Derby Allcroft , Past Grand Treasurer , having resigned the Treasurership of Christ's Hospital , an office he has held for 18 years with so much benefit to that ancient institution , the members of the official and educational staff , both London and from Hertford ,

assembled in great force in the Court Room on the 18 th inst ., for the purpose of expressing their regret at his retirement , and presenting him with an address in the handwriting of one of the master's of the writing school , conveying to him the sorrow they felt at his

resignation of an office which he had so faithfully administered for so many years . Bro . the Rev . R . Lee , M . A ., was the spokesman , and Bro . Allcroft returned thanks in grateful and appropriate terms for the

compliment thus paid him , and expressed his earnest hopes for the prosperity of the school under the new system which had been sanctioned by the Charity Commissioners , and had since become law .

* * * Exception has been taken to sundry of our answers to correspondents last week . It is pointed out in the first instance that as regards honorary members they must be subscribing members of some lodge , or they

cannot even enjoy the privilege of attending the meetings of the lodge which has conferred upon them honorary membership . This is so , and it is possible our remarks were too general in their character ; but

the question did not arise in the case we were considering as the brother was spoken of as being a member of other lodges , but only an honorary member of the one specified by our correspondent .

In a second case , it is pointed out that the stress we laid on the necessity for a W . M . serving the full term of 12 months in order to become qualified to rank as a P . M . was uncalled for , as no such restriction exists . Indeed , as it is pointed out in the case of the election

of a new W . M . being non-confirmed and a new one thus rendered necessary , the W . M . elected on the second ballot would not have a full 12 months to serve , and yet would rank , on vacating the chair , as P . M . This also , we allow , but as the question was presented to us ,

it seemed as if our correspondent was of opinion that a W . M . who had served only two or three months and then left the country or the neighbourhood of his own choice would rank as P . M . In our opinion a W . M . who

deliberately deserts his post and leaves it to be administered by someone else cannot be said to haveserved his full term , whether of 12 months full or only for the period till the date fix . ed by the lodge by-laws for the next election .

* * * As regards our opinion that it is in the power of a W . M . to resign and remain a member of his lodge , we admit that the obligation , which we had not lost sight of , is against us , but we are not inclined—at all events ,

until we have given the question further consideration —to forego our opinion that , in the absence of any law to the contrary , a W . M . may , without violation of his obligation , resign his post on the ground of health or other sufficient cause , in which case Article 141 would come into operation .

* * * On Thursday , the 18 th inst ., the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Isle of Man was held at Douglas . Bro . Major Taubman , Speaker of the House of Keys and Provincial Grand Master ,

presided , and there was a large attendance from all parts of the Island . The report of the P . G . Secretary showed that since its formation four years ago , the province had steadily grown , and was now in a flourishing condition , with a large Charity Fund . Bro . Nesbitt was

invested Deputy Prov . Grand Master . Several other changes were made in the list of officers . Afterwards the brethren dined at the Castle Mona Hotel under the presidency of Bro . Nesbitt , who announced that

following on the recent visit of the Earl of Lathom , Deputy Grand Master of England , it was more than probable his lordship and other Grand Officers would re-visit the island shortly . We hope to give a full report in our next .

# # # A " Nova Scotia" veteran . Of date December , nth 1890 , Bro . Dr . Jno . H . Graham , of Richmond , Quebec , writes us , on the authority of Bro . the Hon . Wm . Ross , G . Sec . of Nova Scotia , that Bro . Samuel

Chipman , now living , was made a Master Mason in Virgin Lodge , No . 2 , city of Halifax , on December 23 rd , 1813 ; that , as per his di ploma , he was

registered in the books of the Provincial " Grand Lodge on February 14 th , 1814 , and that he celebrated his centennial birthday on October iSth , 1890 . Does Bro . Chipman head the list of living Masonic veterans ?

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrv .

Lodge Of Progress ( No . 1768 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , on the 26 th ult . Bro . Dr . Alfred E . Barrett was Master elect . The duties of Installing Master were ably performed by Bro . J . W . Gaze , and Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , accentuated the beauty of the ritual by his perfect

enunciation and impressive delivery in acting as Chaplain for the occasion . After the installation , the W . M . invested Bro . Gaze as I . P . M ., and in affixing a Past Master ' s jewel , unanimously voted by the lodge , in recognition of his past services , wished him many years to enjoy his otium cum dignitate . He then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers as follows : Bros . E . T . Smith , S . W . ; G . W .

Bullen , J . W . j Legg , P . M ., Treas . ; A . W . Dawson , Sec . ( in whose absence Bro . Dorset , P . M ., was invested in his stead ) ; Temple C . Martin , S . D . j J . P . Houghton , J . D . ; E . Almack , I . G . ; the Rev . N . Bromley , Stwd . ; G . C . Harpour , Org . ; and J . Freeman , Tyler . The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern for the banquet .

The usual toasts having been duly honoured , the W . M . proposed " The Emulation Lodge or Improvement , " coupling with it the name of Bro . R . C Sudlow , G . S . B ., reminding the brethren of the fear and trembling produced by that well-known and talented Preceptor's eye when in lodge , also to the happy results of the discipline he enforced . Bro . Sudlow and the genial Secretary , Bro . G . W .

Kentish , P . M ., responded . In replying to the toast of " The Grand Officers , " Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , made a most eloquent and effective speech . The piano was presided over by Bro . Russell Lochner ,

and Bro . Harpour discoursed sweet music on the violin . Bros . Tyson , Kentish , Bullen , and Master T . Pembroke added to the harmony by their vocal powers . ¦ The Worshipful Master was congratulated on having throughout a most successful evening to inaugurate his year of office .

St . Ambrose Lodge ( No . 1891 ) . —This lodge , on completing its tenth year , held the installation meeting , by dispensation , at St . James ' s Hall , Piccadilly , on Monday , the Sth inst ., St . Ambrose Day ( the 7 th falling on Sunday ) . The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read and confirmed , and the other business on the summons

being disposed of . with the characteristic ability of the retiring W . M ., Bro . P . P . Perry , the ceremony of installation was proceeded with , and Bro . Buxton , S . W ., was installed in the chair of K . S . The charges were impressively given by Bro . Dr . F . E . Pocock , P . M ., following which the newly-installed Master invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . C . Conway , S . W . ; J . H . F . Taylor ,

J . W . ; P . P . Perry , P . M ., Treas . ; Thos . Holland , P . M ., Sec ; Chas . Roe , S . D . ; John Cooper , J . D . ; Hedley Carus , Organist ; E . F . Edwardes , I . G . ; F . Rogers , A . D . C . ; Jones and H . VV . Harris , Stwds . ; Potter , Tyler . Discussion respecting - the notice of motion on the summons , and the removal ( by compulsion ) from their accustomed place of meeting at Baron ' s Court , was adjourned , and

lodge closed . The brethren then retired to the banqueting hall , where a most sumptuous repast was provided by Bro . Dartnell , the present manager of St . James ' s Hall . The cuisine was all that could be anticipated by the most fastidious of assemblages . The usual toasts were given by the W . M . with

complimentary ease and grace , and the brethren , by their warm response to the toast of " The Manager , " gave conclusive evidence of their appreciation of the menu put before them . The goodly array of visitors , most o £ whom by invite of the installed W . M ., gave testimony to the excellent reception and good stewardship of the executive belonging to the St . Ambrose Lodge .

Old Westminsters Lodge ( No . 2233 ) . — The installation meeting of this successful lodge was held at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , on Tuesday , the 16 th inst . The members present included Bros . Thomas Wakley , W . M . ; R . j . Mure , I . P . M . ; H . H . Hyde Clarke , S . W ., W . M . elect ; C . M . Barker , J . W . ; E . M . Tomlinson , Chap . ; Malcolm 0 . Sim , Treas . ; Hugh D . Sandeman ,

P . D . G . M . Bengal , Sec ; F . J . Pearse , S . D . ; T . Tomlinson , D . C ; W . Hicks , I . G . j VV . A . Ellis , Org . ; Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; H . Sutherland , P . G . Stwd ., Stwd . ; W . E . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., P . M . ; C W . Stephenson , E . F . Kelly , J . R . Reid , Walter Tomlinson , and others . Visitors : Bros . Lord Euston , Prov . G . M . Norths and Hunts ; Capt . H . E . Rawson , 3 ( Nova Scotia )

Dr . J . E . Burton , P . M . 1395 ; W . F . Woods , P . M . ; S . Osborn , J . W . 16 35 ; Alfred J . Barley , 1704 ; HowardH . Room , Prov . G . Sec . Middx . ; Dr . S . Lloyd , P . M . 1201 j Rowland Plumbe , P . G . Stwd . ; VV . G . Kentish , P . M . 1 295 ; Dr . J . Curnow , P . M . 2033 ; E . Swain , 803 ; F . Seager Hunt , M . P ., P . M . 2030 ; J . H . Parker Wilson , P . M . 259 ; L . G . Gordon Robbins , P . M . 10 ; S . Rees Phillipps , P . M . ;

and VV . VV . Lee , S . W . 23 S 1 . Lodge was opened , and the minutes were read and confirmed . Bro . R . J . Mure , I . P . M ., then assumed the chair , and impressively initiated Mr . John Ramsay Reid into Freemasonry . Bro . H . H . Hyde Clarke was next presented as W . M . elect , and installed in a very able and efficient manner by Bro . Thomas Wakley , the retiring

Master . Ihe following officers were appointed : Bros . E . M . Barker , S . W . ; Frank J . Pearse , P . M ., J . W . ; E . M . Tomlinson , Chap . ; Malcolm O . Sim , P . M ., Treas . ; Hugh D . Sandeman , Sec . ; Manisty , S . D . ; Hicks , J . D . ; Walter Tomlinson , D . C . ; Thomas Tomlinson , I . G . ; H . Sutherland , Stwd . ; Ellis , Org . ; and Culverhouse

Tyler . The addresses having been rendered by Bro . Wakley , I . P . M ., he was presented with a handsome Past Master's jewel by the W . M . in recognition of the ability with which he had discharged his duties during the past year . The gift was appropriately acknowledged by Bro . Wakley , I . P . M . The resignation of Bro . Rev . W . K . R .