Original Correspondence.

( To the Editor of Thc Freemason . ) SIR , —Will you do me the favour to acknowledge with deep gratitude , on behalf of the daughter of a Freemason , the following contributions which have reached me , and duly forwarded , in the hope they

may avert the dreaded extremity of parting with every article of furniture ? May I also appeal for further aid , to provide buta few shillings weekly for the commonest necessities ? The case is a truly melancholy one . Yours faithfully ,

GEORGE NODDLE . East View House , Morecambe , 26 th October .

Mrs . Noddle , 10 s . ; Captain Alcock , 2 s . 6 d . ; Mr . VV . Buttery , as . 6 d . ; Mrs . Buttery , 2 s . 6 d . ; Mr . Meredith , 2 s . 6 d . •Mr . Reynolds , 2 s . 6 d . ; Miss Taylor , is . ; Mr . Brown , is .

Obituary.

Obituary .

THE R . W . BRO . WILLIAM A . LAURIE . We deeply regret to announce the decease of the R . W . Bro . William A . Laurie , Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , which melancholy event occurred on the 26 th inst ., at Edinburgh , as we are informed by telegram from

an esteemed correspondent . The name of Laurie is so intimately associated with the history and progress of Scottish Freemasonry , and the deceased brother had held his high position for so long a period , that this

announcement will be received with sympathy and regret by every English-speaking Mason . Bro . Laurie was also Junior Grand Guardian , and Grand Sword Bearer of the Royal Order of Scotland , and Aide-de-Camp in the Chapter

General , or the Order of the Temple . In this brief notice , we cannot do justice to the mournful theme , but hope to receive from one of our Scottish friends a full account of the lamented brother ' s career .

BRO . HENRY MORTON , W . M . 22 S .

It is with very great and deep regret we have to announce the death of Bro . Henry Morton , W . M . 228 , which sad event took place at his residence , 25 , Halliford-street , Islington , on Sunday , October 23 rd . He presided as W . M . at the last lodge meeting , on the nth inst ., and

was then in his usual health . He caught cold , and in a few days Death added him to the list of those who have preceded us . Our lamented brother was well known to many Masons , and was beloved and respected by all who knew him . He ever gave his support to the Masonic

Charities , he was a warm-hearted and true friend , and gifted with many excellent qualities . His Masonic career has been short , but he was an indefatigable worker . Initiated in No . 2 28 , Lodge of United Strength , in August , 1863 , he filled the various offices , and was installed W . M .

of that lodge in February last . He was one of the founders of the Upton Lodge , 1227 , and was S . W . at the time of his death . He was also exalted in Royal Arch Masonry in the Chapter of Sincerity , 174 , in 1867 , and was its P . S . at

the time of his decease . The lodges will appear in deep mourning , as also the chapter to which he belonged , to show how sincerely he was respected by all . He died quite in the prime of life , not being forty years old .

Masonic Appointments.

MASONIC APPOINTMENTS .

The M . W . Grand Mark Master Mason has appointed the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon .

Past Grand Mark Master Mason , to be Provincial G . M . M . M . for Somerset . We understand that Bro . Captain Irwin will be appointed his lordship ' s Deputy .

The following matter stands over till next week : — Reviews , "Freemasonry in England , '' "The Mark Degree , " " A last word with Bro . Jacob Norton , " lettei from "P . M ., " reports of Lodges 169 , 205 , S 71 , 1167 , 1196 , and St . Andrew ' s Chapter .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

MARK MASONRY IN WEST LANCASHIRE . Mark Masonry in Lancashire , under the Grand Lodge of England , is receiving an impetus , and progressing with a rapidity which will doubtless have a material influence in bringing the sublime order in Englandunder one decided authority ,

and doing away with a number of lodges working under various sources which keeps brethren asunder who would otherwise work in harmony , endeavouring to seek the extension of this beautiful degree . As an instance of this , in Liverpool negotiations have been going on for

some time with the view of amalgamating the West Lancashire Lodge , No . 65 , under the Grand Lodge of England , and the United Lodge of Mark Master Masons , working under a dispensation from a lodge at Ashton-under-Lyne . These efforts were brought to a successful close

on Monday , the 17 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , 22 , Hope-street , when a special emergency was held of the West Lancashire Lodge , No . 65 , not only for the purpose of receiving the members ofthe United Lodge according to the terms of the arrangement , but also for the purpose of advancing to the degree

some of the most distinguished Masons in West Lancashire—viz ., Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , D . P . G . M . West Lancashire ; Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec . W . L . ( both proposed by Bro . J . R . Goepell , P . M . and P . G . S . O ., seconded by Bro . W . T . May , P . M . and G . S ., ancl Bro . J . Hamer ,

P . G . Treas . ) , along with six other prominent Masons in Liverpool and the Isle of Man—viz ., Bros . H . P . Maylc , P . M . 1004 , Douglas ; J . M . Johnson , P . M . 1094 , and P . G . S . W . W . ; E . Hughes , H . Pearson , and C . Leighton , Lodge 249 , and Bro . H . Nelson , S . W . 673 . The chair on thc occasion was occupied by

the W . M ., Bro . W . H . Lunt , P . M . S 23 and G . S . of Works , for the first portion of the degree , and the latter part by Bro . J . Hamer , P . M ., P . G . Treas . and P . G . M . O ., who was assisted by thc officers of the lodge , and by Past Masters Bros . J . R . Goepell , P . G . S . 6 ., acting as S . D . ; J . R . Smith , W . T . May , G . S . ; and Bro . J . Wood , J . D .

The ceremony was performed in a perfect and admirable manner , and elicited thc warmest enconiunis from Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , Bro . Alpass , and other prominent Masons . After business , the brethren adjourned to luncheon , when a few loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed , and

great satisfaction was expressed by the brethren generally at the successful result ofthe clay ' s work . The above proceedings arc not only an earnest of what the Mark Masons arc doing in Liverpool , but it may also be stated that , on Saturday , the 29 th inst ., a Provincial Grand Lodge will be held at

Manchester , for Lancashire , when it is expected that two or three of thc most prominent Marl-Master Masons in Liverpool will be appointed to high offices . It is also expected that Bro . Lord Skelmersdale will shortly be appointed to high office in the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . 's in London , and

take an active part in thc government of Mark Masonry in England . R . W . Uro . W . Romaine Calrender , jun ., will , on Saturday , be installed as P . G . M . of the new province , by the M . W . Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , M . A ., Grand Mark Master Mason of England ,

assisted by the following Grand Officers : Bros . W . XV . B . Beach , M . P ., M . W . P . G . M . ; the Right Hon . thc Earl Percy , R . W . P . D . G . M . and R . W . P . G . M . for Northumberland and Durham ; Sir E . Lechmere , Bart ., R . W . Past D . G . M . ; thc Rev . John Huyshe ,. !/ . // ., R . W . P . G . M . for Devonshire ; T . Mancel Talbot , R . W . P . G . M . for South Wales :

XV . Kelly , R . W . P . G . M . for Leicestershire ; the Right Hon . tlie Earl of Limerick , R . W . S . G . W . ; Major Adair , R . W . J . G . W . ; thc Lord Eliot , R . W . P . G . W . ; Sir John Conroy , R . W . Past G . W . ; J . Rankin Stebbing , V . W . G . Treas . ; ancl F . Binckes , V . W . G . Sec . The Provincial Grand Officers will also be appointed and invested .

I . KlCRsTKis . —/•; .- . •¦& I . o . / ge , No . 19 . — l'he Grand Lodge of . Mark Master Masons of England and Wales having apjuin ' . e . l the * moveable Grand Lodge to be held at this town , or , Thursday , the 27 th inst ., a Lodge of Emergency of No . 19 , was held al the Masonic Hall , on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., for the advancement of

candidates . I'he brethren present were , W . Kelly , l ' . G . M . M . ; A . M . DulT , W . M . ; W . Weare , I . W . ; l ' artriilgj , M . O . ; Rev . Dr . Haycroft , S . O . and Chap . ; I .. A . Clarke , J . O . ; Stretton , Treas . ; Richardson , Sec . ; Toller , S . D . ; I'alnn-r , J . D . ; Crow , Org . ; Sculthorpe , I . C , ; Itrcmbridge , Tyler ; Haines , Morr , and others .

The lodge having been opened , a ballot took place foi the following fourteen candidate- ! , who were duly elected , vi / ... Right Hon . Karl Ferrers , W . M . 799 ; Sir . II . St . { . Ilallord , Hart ., S . W . 1530 ; Samuel Inns , I ) . I' . G . M . Norths and Hunts ; Julin II . Johnson , I' . M . 129 , and I' . P . G . | . W . Cumberland and Westmorland ; Henry

Deane , 1007 , l ' . l ' . G . Reg . ; R . W . Widduw . sun , \ V . II . IVgg , Robert Ihunliam au . l R . Overton , jun ., 279 ; W . I'eiin Cox , W . T . Rowlclt and F . Torne , 523 ; Robt . Waite P . M ., and Francis Kemp , 1330 . Bros . Fred . Eachus Wilkinson , M . D . and Alfred Layton of 181 , London ; and R . A , Barber of 279 , Leicester , elected at

Mark Masonry.

former lodges being present , were advanced as Mark Masters , as were also Bros . Waite , Kemp , Deane , Widclowson , Pegg , and Torne , Bro . Crow presiding at the organ and leading the musical chants , & c . On the conclusion of ceremony by the W . M ., Bro . Kelly , P . G . M . M ., explained the working tools , and delivered the lecture of the degree . Several other candidates having been

proposed , and the arrangements for the reception ofthe Grand Lodge having been discussed , the lodge was closed , and the meeting adjourned until the following Monday , when another Lodge of Emergency had been summoned to advance those candidates now absent . Accordingly another Lodge of Emergency was held on Monday evening last , about thirty brethren being present , and all the officers

being in their places , with the exception of the Rev . Dr . Haycroft , M . O ., who was unavoidably absent . Bro . AVilliam Foster , formerly of this lodge , was duly elected a joining member , and the following brethren as candidates : S . Jacob , P . M . and P . G . S . W . Norths and Hunts ; Richard Blankley and T . H . Kirby , of 279 ; and T . Charleswortli of 522 , Leicester . The following

brethren were then regularly advanced to the degree by the W . M ., ( the musical portion ofthe ceremony being conducted on the organ by Bro . Crow , P . G . O ., and by Bro . Johnson , ) viz ., the Right Hon . Earl Ferrers , Sir Henry St . John Halford , Bart ., John Henry Johnston , Robert Overton , jun ., W . Penn Cox , T . H . Kirby , T .

Charlesworth and R . Blankley , after which Bro . Ktlly , P . G . M . M ., gave the explanation of the working tools , the lecture , and the charge . The arrangements made for the reception of thc Grand Lodge on the 27 th inst ., having been announced the lodge was closed , and adjourned to the evening of Wednesday , the 26 th inst ., for the advancement ofthe D . P . G . M . of Norths and Hunts , and

other candidates . GUILDFORD . —Percy Lodge , No . 114 . —A meeting of the above lodge was held on Thursday , 13 th inst ., at the Angel Hotel , when the chair was taken by the Rev . G . Porta ' , M . W . G . M ., in the absence of of Earl Percy , M . P ., W . M . A ballot was taken for Bros . Elkins , G . Hull , and Jeffries , and these brethren having been

unanimously elected , were advanced . Two other brethren were proposed for advancement at the next meeting , and the details were arranged for a concert in aid of the sick and wounded , to be given on the iSth . It was also resolved lo petition the M . W . G . M . that Surrey and Middlesex should be formed into a province , under the charge

of Bro . Col . Burdett . The lodge having been closed , a banquet was held and a very pleasant evening spent . The entertainment alluded to above duly came off in the Town Hall , and was most successful . The brethren , in full dress and wearing their Mark jewel , acted as Stewards . The Hall was crowded , and a sum amounting to nearly ^ " 50 was realised .

Royal Ark Masonry.

ROYAL ARK MASONRY .

¦ METROPOLITAN . Dose Lodge . —A meeting of this lodge , No . 4 on the roll of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners , was held at Freemasons' Hall , on the 19 th at 4 p . m . Present : Brother Morton Edwards , P . G . C , Inspector-General ; A . Harris , G . A . ; A . D .

Loewenstark , G . T . B . ; W . Lowder ; & c . The lodge was opened in due form and with solemn prayer , and ihe following brethren being candidates for admission to this degree , were properly prepared , introduced , and elevated as Royal Ark Mariners , viz ., Israsl Abrahams , S . W . Samson and Lion Lodge Mark No . 86 ; S . Pollitzer , J . W . ; Meyer A . Loewenstark , Sec . ; W . Littaur , M . O . ; J . L .

Rosenthal , S . O . ; J . Funkenztein , J . O . ; J . Emanuel , I . G . ; M . Littaur , George Lambert , K . P . Albert , G . Kelley . The brethren below the rank of C . having retired , a Board of Installed Commanders was formed , and Bro . A . D . Loewenstark was placed in the chair of N . according to ancient custom , and Bios . George Lambert and Meyer A . Loewenstark received ihe rank of Commander . The

brethren were then readmitted and saluted the Commander , who appointed as his officers—Abrahams , J . ; Pollitzer , S . ; Meyer A . Loewenstark , Scribe ; W . Littaur , S . D . ; I ' unkenztein , D . C ; Rosenthal ! , J . D . ; J . Emanuel , Steward ; and E . Hart , Organist . It was unanimously resolved that a cordial vote of thanks be recorded in the minutes to Bro . M . Edwards for his skill , efficiency , anil kindness in rendering all thc ceremonies ; likewise

that he be enrolled as a honorary member of this lodge . It was also resolved that this lodge hold its meetings on the same days as the Samson and Lion Lodge of Mark Masons No . 85 , under the auspices of which , and through thc exertions of the W . M . Bro . A . D . Loewenstark , it was opened . The lodge was then closed with solemn prayer , and stands adjourned till January , when a dozen more candidates will attend tn receive this ancient degree .

THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire will be held , under the presidency of his Grace thc Duke of St . Alban ' s , R . W . P . G . M ., and thc auspices of thc Yarborough Ledge , No . 422 , in the Old Hall , Gainsborough , on Thursday next , November 3 rd , at half-past one o ' clock . A banquet will be provided at the Old Hall , at four o'clock .

A WORD of praise is due to Messrs . Lynes and Son , of Shoiedilch , for publishing gratis , a " Winter Magazine , " professing lo be a combination of p leasure and b . isincss , and which contains by far more pleasure and much less of advertisement than many of the " Comic " annuals , which each succeeding Christmas is sure to bring us . Many a dull winter ni ght will be made jolly by Messrs . Lynes' excellent work ,