Consecration Of The Norfolk Lodge, No. 2852.

King was still Prince of Wales and M . W . Grand Master , and it embraced the ambition that H . R . H . should have been asked to accept the Mastership of a lodge drawn from the county in which his favourite home is situated , a home so intimately associated with the domestic life of the Prince and Princess of Wales ; where he had been nursed through an illness well nigh unto death , and where passed away his firstborn son , himself a

Freemason , the late Duke of Clarence . With this aim in view , the Provincial Grand Master of Norfolk , Bio . Hamon le Strange , was communicated with in January last , and in response a cordial letter was received , in the course of which it was stated that although there might be difficulties in the way of providing a continuous stream of new blood , he would very much like to see such a lodge established ; he

contended , however , that until it was certain that there would be a goodly number of founders , it would not be wise to approach the Prince of Wales . The Dep . Prov . G . Master , Bro . Harry J . Sparks , too , considered the project favourably , and signified his intention of joining the lodge . Bro . Lord Amherst of Hackney expressed willingness to support the venture , and undertook , if a warrant for the foundation of the lodge was secured , to

accept the office of l . P . M . Bro . Sir Forrest Fulton , K . C , and Bro . the Very Rev . the Dean of Norwich also wrote in favourable terms , and accepting offices . After some further initial proceedings , the promoters were in a position to summon the founders to sign the petition for the lodge . The names of the following brethren appear upon the list of founders : Bros . Lord Amherst of Hackney , P . G . W ., P . P . G . W . Norfolk ; Charles

A . Bathurst Bignold , P . G . D ., P . P . G . W . Norfolk ; Sir Courtenay Boyle , K . C . B ., P . P . G . W . Norfolk ; Wm . G . Brighten , P . P . G . O . Essex ; George Moore Chamberlin , P . P . G . Reg . Norfolk ; Sydney Monckton Copeman , M . D ., F . R . CP . London ; Edward J . Dodd , P . P . G . D . Kent ; Dr . H . Work Dodd ; Col . Robert W . Edii , P . G . Supt . of Works ; William Pinder Eversley , P . P . G . W . Norfolk ; Sir Forrest Fulton , K . C , P . D . G ,

Reg ., Recorder of London ; Sir Charles R . Oilman , P . P . G . W . Norfolk ; Arthur D . Hansell ; Ferneley Cozens-Hardy ; Sir Kenneth H . Kemp , P . P . G . W . Norfolk ; Hermann Klein , P . G . Org . ; William J . Lancaster ; the Very Rev . the Dean of Norwich , P . G . Chap . Norfolk ; Hamon le Strange , P . G . M . Norfolk , P . G . D . ; Frederick Miller ; John Moore , P . P . G . D . Norfolk ; Bruce Morrison ; Charles Edwin Noverre ; William

Reginald Palgrave ; Capt . William Pattnck , P . P . G . W . Norfolk ; Arthur George Russell ; C H . Scriven , P . P . G . W . Suffolk ; Edward Palgrave Simpson , P . P . G . W . Novfolk- , James T . Southgate- , Harry J . Sparks , D . P . G . M . Norfolk , P . D . D . G . M . Bengal ; Robert J . Symonds , P . P . G . D . Suffolk ; Walter Wellsman , P . A . G . D . C ; Prof . Ernest VV . White , Herbert Winder , and Wm . Henry Wyon .

The resolution , which was adopted , was to found a lodge called " The Norfolk Lodge , " of which there will be eligible for membership Masons residing in or visiting London , who are by birth , descent , residence , or otherwise , connected with the county of NorfolK . Unfortunately the idea ol obtaining the co-operation of the Prince of Wales i > the undertaking was frustrated by the lamented demise of the late Queen , his Royal Highness ' s

accession to the throne , and his resignation of the Grand Mastership of the Order . In these circumstances thc compliment and distinction was paid to the Grand Master of the Province of Norfolk of asking his acceptance ol the Mastership of the lodge in the first year of its existence , a request which , to the delight of the founders , he cordially accepted . The initiatory proceedings , throughout , were conducted by Bro . C E . Noverre , whose

connection with our county needs no indication , and to him is due a large share of the credit for the successful issue which was brought about on Wednesday last . Unhappily the formation of the lodge h s been attended with one regrettable circumstance , in the death of one of its founders , Bro . Sir Courtenay Boyle , K . C . B ., to which circumstance , and to his connection with Norfolk Masonry , refere ce was made at the time of his death in these columns .

The jewel which has been chosen to be worn by t e founders is of effective design . It bears the arms of ihe cities of Norwich and London , with those of the first Master , Bro . Hamon le Strange , in recognition of his unwearied interest in promoting the success of the lodge , whilst the motto , " Amore Uniti , " fittingly represents the feeling which has prompted the foundation of the lodge .

The consecration of the lodge was fixed , as we have said , for the 19 th inst ., and the interesting and impressive ceremony was conducted in the presence ot most of the founders and the following brethren : Bros . Sir J . B . Monckton ; Sir Reginald Hanson , P . G . W . ; the Hon . R . S . Freemantle , 10 ; Col . John Davis , P . G . AL Surrey ; Major R . L . Badham , W . M . 21 ; Capt . A . C . Seton Christopher , 10 ; J . Copley Moyle , Dist . G . M . Burma ; H . L . Florence , 10 , P . G . S . of W . ; T . W . Allsop , 2492 , P . P . G . D . C . Bucks ; J . W . Small , 10 , P . P . G . Sec . Middx . ; G . J . North , J . W . 2272 ; S . Willis , S . W . 21 ;

H . W . Brooke , 21 ; C . M . Hammerton , 2650 ; T . Powell , W . M . 2182 ; W . H . Jones , P . M . 1808 , P . J . G . W . ; C . E . Smith , S . W . 21 S 2 ; H . Reynolds , J . W . 2182 ; C . Strong , 2182 ; F . Deutch , 2108 ; A . Cohn , 2108 ; B . Schonberger , 2108 and 1635 ; H . O . Goldstein , 2108 ; W . A . Harrison , W . M . 10 ; W . K . Hansell , 52 j E . Armitage , W . M . 2851 , P . P . S . G . W . Cumberland and Westmorland ; J . C . F . Tower , P . D . G . D . C ; J . G . Harris , W . M . 222 ; O . W . T . Stain , 21 ; W . H . Wellsman , P . M . 1589 ; J . Roy Lancaster , 21 ; Henry Sadler , G . Tyler ; R . Harrison , s ; T . H . Gardiner , 76 , P . A . G . D . C ; and A . S . Wilde , P . M . 1500 , P . P . G . O .

Invitations had been extended by the-founders to the following brethren , who were unable to be present : Brcs . Lord SuffHd , P . P . G . M . Norfolk ; T . H . Morse , W . M . of Union Lodge , representing the senior lodge of the Piovince of Norfolk j and » he Mayer of Norwich ( Bro . J . J . Dawson Paul ) The ceremony was performed in a singularly impressive manner by Bro . Edward Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Sec , assisted by the following officers

of Grand Lodge : Bros . J . V . Vesey-I < iugerald , K . C , D ; p . G . Reg ., as S . W . ; Philip A- Scratchley , J . G . D ., as J . W . ; the Right Rev . the Lord Bishop of Barking , P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and G . W . G . Barnard , P . A . G . D . C , as I . G . During the ceremony the odes and anthems were beautifully sung by the Lyric Vocal Quartet , accompanied on the organ by Bro . Hermann Klein , P . G . Org .

The CHAI ' . AIN also delivered an eloquent and appropriate oration upon the nature and principles of Freemasonry , which was much appreciated b y the brethren . Thus was consecrated "to God and His service " a lodge which will , it it hoped , enjoy a long and prosperous career .

At thefclpse of the ceremony of consecration , Bro . Letchworth assumed the position of Installing Master , and in customary and ancient form installed in the chair of the lodge Bro . Hamon le Strange as its first Master , who immediately proceeded to appoint and invest his ollicers for the ensuing

Consecration Of The Norfolk Lodge, No. 2852.

year as follows : Bros . Lord Amherst of Hackney , P . G . W ., l . P . M . ; Sir Forrest Fulton , K . C , P . D . G . Reg ., Recorder of London , S . W . ; the Very Rev . William Lefroy , D . D ., Dean of Norwich , J . W . ; William J . Lancaster , Treas . ; Charles E . Noverre , Sec . ; H . J . Sparks , D . P . G . M . Norfolk , S . D . ; S . Monckton Copeman , J . D . ; Walter Wellsman , P . A . G . D . C , D . C . ; H . Work Dodd , I . G . ; Hermann Klein , P . G . O ., Org . ; William G . Brighten , Asst . D . C . ; Piof . Ernest W . White , Asst . Sec . ; and Arthur D . Hansell and James T . Southgate , Stwds .

In the course of the lodge business , the Consecrating Officers were elected honorary members of the lodge , as also was Bro . Lord Suffield , P . P . G . M . of Norfo k .

The lodge having been closed , the brethren repaired to an elegant repast , served by Messrs . Spiers and Pon 1 , at which the W . M . presided . The toast list comprised "The King and the Craft , " "The ••. W Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , " "The M . W . the Pro Gr nd Master , the R . W . Dep . Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " " The Consecrating Officers , " proposed as were

the foregoing toasts , by the W . M ., and responded to by Bro . E . LETCH - WORTH ; " The Health of the W . M ., " proposed by Bro . LETCHWORTH , and acknowledge in felicitous terms by Bro . HAMON LE STRANGE ; " The Visitors , " proposed from the chair and responded to by Bro . J AMES SMALL P . M . 10 , Prov . G . Sec . Middlesex , and Bro , W . H . JONES , P . M . 1808 J Prov . J . G . W . Norfolk ; and "The Officers of the Lodge , " responded to by Bros . Sir FORREST FULTON , S . W ., and the Dean of NORWICH , J . W .

The Tyler s toast brought the evening ' s most pleasant proceedings to a conclusion .

During the evening the Lyric Vocal Qjartet , accompanied by Bro . H . Klein , and assisted by Miss Ruth Vincent , who was announced by the W . M . to be a native of Noifolk , added to the enjoyment of the proceedings by producing a charming selection of music . The usual requisites were manufactured by Bros . Geprge Kenning and Son , London .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Qi / atuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 . This lodge met at Freemasons' Hall on Monday , the 24 th instant , at five p . m . There were present Bros . E . Conder , jun ., W . M . ; G . Greiner , S . W . ; W . H . Rylands , P . A . G . D . C , Sec . ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., D . of C . ; E . Armitage and F . H . Goldney , P . G . D ., Stwds . ; Dr . Chetwode Crawley , P . G . D . Ireland ; Dr . W . Wynn Westcott , P . M . ; W . M . Bywater , P . M . ; C . Kupferschimdt , P . M ., A . G . S . G . C . ; and C . Purdon Clarke , CLE ., P . M . ; also 38 members of the Correspondence Circle and four visitors .

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . Admiral Markham , P . D . G . M . Malta ; G . L . Shackles , Hull ; W . J . Hughan , Torquay ; E . j . Castle , K . C , London ; J . P . Rylands , Birkenhead ; J . I " . Thorn , Leicester : E . Macbean , P . M .. Glasgow ; and S . T . Klein , P . M ., Reigate . Bro . Robert Hovendon , Croydon , Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries , and Treasurer of the Royal Historical Society author of " Registers of Canterbury Cathedral , " and many other archaeological works , was admitted a memb ; r of the lodge .

Two lodges and 25 brethren , as follows , were admitted to the mimbirshio of the Correspondence Circle : Lodge St . Lodewijk , Nymegen , Holland ; St . John ' s Lodge , Olaf Kyrre til den Gyldne Kjoede , Christiana , Norway ; Bros . Rev . P . Macfarlane , 454 , and W . H . Dieffenbach , 454 , New York ; W . S . Greene , 4 , Providence Rhode Island ; A . Soley , 617 , W . J . Hodge , D . S . G . W ., H . J . Marrs , P . M . 2459 , R . Mold , P . D . G . Sec , G . J . Hide , 617 , and A . Grant , P . M . 617 , all of Buenos Aires ; W . A . DeWoIf Smith , P . D . D . G . M . New Westminster , Canada ; W . J . C . D . Proudfoot .

P . D . A . G . Sec . St . Vincent ; C . R . J . Glover , J . G . D . Adelaide , South Australia ; G . E . Junius , 538 , Paris ; H . Junius , Lodge Victoria zur Morgenrothe , Higen , Germany j Dr . A . L . Nordstrom , Wexjo , Sweden ; Dr . V . Klein , Copenhagen ; J . H . Hansen , Oxtol , Denmark ; C . H . Fordham , P . M . 5 61 , Guisborough , Vorks ; P . Robinson , 1221 , Leeds ; T . Granger , 323 , Stockport ; A . G , Lunn , 317 , Sate , Cheshire ; E . England , P . M . 2242 , Southend ; G . R . Saunders , Sutton ; and J . R . Hosker , 252 S , and M . Montesole , 1766 , both of London .

The Secretary referred to the last meeting of the lodge , on the 3 rd ult ., when no other thought was in their minds , than the severe loss they had suffered by the death of the esteemed and valued Secretary , Bro . Speth . The lodge now nut again , but a few weeks later to deplore the heavy blow that had fallen on them by the death of their distinguished Treasurer , Bro . Sir Walter Besant . These two brethren , he pointed out , were both founders of the lodge , and had held office since its foundation . Bro . Rylinds then submitted a slight memorial notice of Bro . B : sant , and after sketching out his

connection with Masonry and the lodge , paid a just tribute to his courtesy and kindly generous nature . The lodge then expressed its recognition of the heavy blov that had fallen upon it , and its sincere sympathy with Lady B ; sant and her family in their hour of sorrow . Two papersbearing on thes ^ me subject were read , entitled " N aymus Grecu s an 1 Marcus Grecus , pro and con . " They had been prepired , the Master stated , as a friendly discussion between the two wri ' . ers . The first bVing the last literary effort of

Bro . Speth , and completed only a short time before his dsath , contained all thit could be said of the possibility of identifying Naymus Grecus with the semi-mythical parsonage , Marcus Grecus . The second , from the pen of Bro . Dr . Chetwodi Crawly , taking the opposite side , brought forward the points which prevented such an idsntifhation . Out of respect for the late Bro . Speth there was no discussion . The lodge being in mourning , there was no banqiet afterwards .

An "Emulation" Picnic.

AN " EMULATION" PICNIC .

On Monday last the brethren of the Lodge of Emulation , No . 1163 ( Masonic Hall , Birmingham ) , held their annual picnic . The party , which mustered about 120 , including visitors , left Snow Hill Station , Birmingham , at 8 . 10 a . m ., by special saloon train , for Wallingford , where they arrived at 11 a . m . After a stroll in the town , the brethren and friends proceeded on board the steam launch , the England , and at once partook of a light luncheon , laid in the commodious saloon , while steaming down the Thames to Goring . At this pretty village a halt was made , and most of the party visited the church and other

interesting spots , greatly admiring the beautiful roses adorning nearly every villa and cottage . At 2 . 30 they again embarked , and continued the journey to Caversham , the lovely scenery formed by the river cutting through the chalk escarpment , the weirs roughly built of stones and stakes , and overgrown with furzy vegetation , over which thc water pours in a foaming cascade , the picturesque eyots , and the variegated green of the trees of Hark Wood , closely fringing the river-side , and densely clothing the wooded heights , eliciting continuous expressions of admiration from all on board .

Arriving at Caversham Bridge at 4 . 30 p . m ., the party landed , and were soon seated in the large dining-hall recently erected there , at a capital banquet , under the presidency of the VV . M ., liro . Joseph Matthews , supported by the l . P . M ., Wardens , and a large array of Past Masters , including the " father of the lodge , " Bro . T . E . Shaw , P . P . G . D . In due course thc W . M . propossd " The Health of the King , " and the S . W . that of " The Worshipful Master . " In responding to the latter Bro . MATTHEWS read letters of congratulation