Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

w the p leasure of concluding my remarks by giving * , ' ° "The Health of Bro . Tomkins , thc Treasurer . " I - * . ( ., ] . only say that I feel it entirely unnecessary to make hservations of him . He is rather of a leech than Freemason . ( Laughter . ) He got me in a charity last night which was well supported by the Freemasons of London , the Margate Infirmary . He

is most insidious and kind-hearted , and I am sure he will entwine himself round your hearts . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Tomkins replied . Year by year , and he was speakin" as an old Mason , their gatherings were nobler and nobler . Every year the amount collected exceeded that of the preceding year . This charity plunged into thc affections of Masons , although all the charities were equally

appreciated . The great Craft was constantly having great additions made to it ; and every year , naturally , some of thc brethren who came into the Order required assistance from their opulent brethren , and their children likewise required assistance . It would be very painful to have demands coming upon the Craft which there was no provision to meet ; and therefore , while every Mason was in

prosperity he should assist the charities . The Craft was now , as it were , in a period of prosperity , but they must expect in future years , the demands upon the benevolent fund would be larger than they were now . The Stewards who exerted themselves so well that evening had brought this fact to his mind , and he trusted that they would hand that on to future years , and not rest on their oars . He

would advise them to make provision for the charities adequate to the wants of thc different institutions . ( Applause . ) Bro . James Terry then read the lists of subscriptions , which amounted in the whole to £ 6 , 630 13 s . 6 d ., with eleven lists to come in . Staffordshire sent up £ 271 . Great cheering followed the reading of the lists .

The Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain , proposed "Thc Health of the Chairman , " and said that under his lordship's presidency , the largest amount had been obtained , with one exception , when the Prince of Wales took the chair . The Chairman said he would just thank the brethren for their kindness , but not to waste any time he would propose " The other Masonic Institutions , the Girls' School

( Festival 12 th of May ) and the Boys' School ( Festival 30 th of June ) " and would call on Bro . Little to respond . Bro . Little said he had experienced thc greater gratification that evening because thc subscriptions were so large . He hoped that similar success would attend the other institutions . As a matter of formality , he might inform the brethren that the Lord Mayor of London would preside at

the Girls' Festival , and it was hoped that the Stewards on that occasion would meet with the same support as their brother Stewards of that evening . The Boys' Festival the Pro Grand Master would preside at—at least it was hoped he would ; but his lordship had just sustained a severe bereavement , in which all the brethren would sympathize with him . On behalf of both the * institutions he

( Bro . Little ) solicited the support of the brethren . Bro . Binckes being loudly called for , rose to reply . "Wh y did they insist on bringing him on his legs ? The noble chairman had called on Bro . Little , who had said everything that could be said , and gracefully too , on behalf of the Girls ' and Boys' Schools . He would add his ( Bro . Binckes ' s ) congratulations to Bro . Terry on the success of

the evening . He had entered the room as his lordship was asking what the brethren were about , and when he was alluding to his presidency of the Boys' and Girls' Schools . Now , he must inform his lordship that these institutions had not done with him yet . They would call on him again to give them the light of his countenance . As one who studied humanity he might say lhat

when an English nobleman and gentleman like his lordship took the chair it warmed up the heart . He was proud to state in public what lie had frequently stated in private , that a more thoroughly English gentleman was not to be found than the noble lord who presided over the province of Staffordshire . The brethren knew that the Boys' School was always in a

chronic state of distress ( laughter ); but then the brethren insisted on doing , and doing , and doing , till they had gt > t 177 boys into the school . It was an enormous number to tike care of . The institutions were always fortunate in obtaining a chairman . Bro . Little had very gracefully alluded to Lord Carnarvon ' s terrible bereavement , which

might possibl y interfere with his appointment to take the chair at the next Festival of the Boys' School . He hoped it vvould not interfere with the support to be rendered to the school , but would rather be a stimulus to the brethren . He trusted they would supplement what they had done that day by their efforts on behalf of the other institutions . ( Cheers . )

Bro . Philbrick proposed "The Ladies . " Bro . Rogers , of Stafford , returned thanks , and hoped the ladies would deal more liberally with thc brethren j » the judgment they passed on Masonry . It had been said that Masonry consisted in assembling together and eating good dinners ; but he thought , after "earing the glorious announcement made by the Secretary , they would be convinced that this was not all they did . If

they would only understand that Masonry taught the brethren to love them as they were intended to be loved , and that it was the brethren ' s desire and ambition to love ¦ and solace them in their hours of trouble , they would give Masons all the assistance in their power to the Masonic Uianties . On behalf of the Ladies he begged to assure Ch . !* ' thren th : lt th (* y would further the interests of the Vfarities b y making their claims known among * their lady b'le-nils . '

H 10 . S . Rawson , P . D . G . M . of China , responded for "The " th n "* ' " aml '" ¦'¦ ~' fm tf to tlie ceiming installation of ine 1 mice of Wales , said he did not know of any place •» capable of accommodating the multitude of brethren , 0 H ' ou , < 1 "' en be present as the Albert Hall . It would br ^ ebratc ** on th 28 th of April , and no doubt 12 , 000 remrcn would be present . Wherever it was to bc held ,

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

whether at the Albert Hall or the Agricultural Hall , thc Alexandra Palace or the Crystal Palace , thc Stewards would do their best to suit the comfort of the Craft . The whole company then adjourned to thc Temple , where a choice concert was given under the direction of Bro . Thaddeus Wells . The artistes were Miss Banks , Miss Marion Severn , and Madame Thaddeus Wells , who

were assisted by Bros . George Perren , Chaplin Henry , and Ransford , and Mr . Henry Guy . Bro . H . Nicholson ( musical director to the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot ) performed on the flute , and Bro . Henry Parker and Madame Thaddeus Wells on the pianoforte . Thc dinner was well supplied by Bro . Francatelli , and Bro . Barker performed the duties of toast-master .

Knights Templar In The United States.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR IN THE UNITED STATES .

TRIENNIAL CONCLAVE OF THE GRAND ENCAMPMENT . The nineteenth Conclave of Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the U . S . was held in New Orleans , commencing on Tuesday , December ist ., 1874 . Monday was distinguished by thc arrival of Grand and Subordinate Commanderies from every part of the U . S .: even after thc

midnight of 1 uesday , the thunder of artillery announced new arrivals . By 9 o'clock , Carondelet-street , the grand boulevard of New Orleans , was filled with Knights , and gay with dancing plumes . Bunting was displayed from almost ever * £ house . Even from the Custom House an immense national ensign hung , in honour of the day . Tuesday , the opening day , was fair and beautiful , and

about 3 , 000 Knights had arrived in thc city , and were preparing for the Templar proceedings and pageant . The three principal head-quarters of the New Orleans Commanderies were : —Odd Fellows' Hall , Grunewald Hall , and Exposition Hall . Odd Fellows' Hall was the headquarters of Indivisible Friends' Commandery , No . 1 ; Grunewald Hall , of Jacques de Molay , No . 2 ; and

Exposition Hall , of Orleans , No . 3 . All of these halls were decorated in the most lavish manner , with bunting , immense palmettos , evergreens , wreaths of ce-ilar , graceful Sibley tents , tropical plants , Templar banners anil monagrams , floral Maltese crosses , gushing fountains , —in fact , each Hall constituted a fairy land of art and nature , almost miraculously combined . Some of the fountains gushed

forth a crimson fluid , while from the walls there stood out blood-red crosses from a black back-ground . Then the banqueting halls were supplied with every necessary and luxury of life , and when the festivities were at their height , during the visits of the various visiting Commanderies and Grand bodies , there was a brilliant combination of rich Templar uniforms , costly ladies' toilets , the busy hum of

conversation , the merry ripples of laughter , the rattle of knives and forks—well , the render may imagine the rest . We cannot praise too hi ghly the knightly and wholesouled reception extended to thc visiting Knights by their fratres of New Orleans . Everything was done that could be done for the comfort and pleasure of the visitors , and their pilgrimage to New Orleans will be one of the

plcasantest reminiscences of their Templar lives . We need scarcely say that during the entire period of the Grand Conclave , receptions and visits by the different Commanderies and serenades by their bands were of continued occurrence . In fact , thc whole city was alive with Templar uniforms , and , for a time , the ' business of the entire city appeared to be to do honour lo the visiting

Knights 1 emplar . The Templar parade , on the last day ( Thursday ) exceeded in splendor any display ever before made in New Orleans . It vvould be invidious to pretend to draw distinctions between the various bodies , but we may say , without exaggeration , that the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania with the subordinate Commanderies of Philadelphia and

other portions of the State , at least equalled any other bod y in the largeness of its numbers , the accuracy of its marching , and its general brilliant appearance . The route of parade was as follows : — St . Charles-street to First , to Magazine , to Calliope , to Camp , to north side Canal , to ltoyal , to Esplanade , to Charlies , to St . Louis , to Peters , to south side Canal , to Caronelelet , to Gravier , when the several Commanderies

left the line and marched to the-ir quarters . The buildings along thc line of the parade were profusely decorated with banners and flags , and the strceets named were thronged with spectators . The Knights were welcomed to Masonic Hall b y Grand Master M . E . Girard . The mosl important business transacted was the triennial election of officers of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States , which resulted as follows : —

Sir Knt . James I lerron Hopkins , Pittsburg , Pa ., Grand Master ; Sir Knt . Vincent L . Hurlbut , M . O ., ' Chicago , 111 ., Deputy Grand Master ; Sir Knt . Walter L . Bragg , Montgomery , Ala ., Grand Generalissimo ; Sir Knt . Edward T . Shultz , Baltimore , Mil ., Grand Captain General ; Sir Knt . Benton H . Langley , Winona , Minn ., Grand Senior Warden

Sir Knt . Charles Re-inker Woodruff , Louisville ,, Ky ., Grand Treasurer ; Sir Knt . John W . Simmons , New York , Grand Recorder ; Sir Knt . Theodore S . Parvin , Iowa City , Iowa , Grand Prelate ; Sir Knt . Joseph P . Horner , New Orleans , Grand Standard Bearer ; Sir Knt . John II . Brown , Kansas , Grand Sword Bearer ; Sir Knt . J . W . Fellows , New Hampshire , Grand Warden . —Keiistone .

Hou . nw . ws P 11 . 1 . S . — This pnrifvin-r and rm ; iilalime medicine should be occasionally bad recourse- to during f . iw , cold , and wet weather . These pills are the best preventives of l-. oarseness , sore throat , diptheria , pleurisy , and asthma , and are- sure remedies for congestion , bronchilis , and inflammation . A moderate attention to the directions folded round , each box will enable evei v invalid lo take the pills in tlie most advantageous manner ; the-v will there be taught ( lie proper doses , and the circumstances under which Iheimust be increased or diminished . HoIIoway ' s Pills act as alle-ralivcs , aperients . and tonics . Wherever these pills have been taken as the last resource , ' . he result has always been gratifying ; even when they fail to cure , they always assuage llic severity ol ' symptoms and diminish danger , —Auvr ,

Obituary.

Obituary .

THE LATE COUNTESS OF CARNARVON . We deeply regret to announce the death of Lady Carnarvon , thc wife of our distinguished Pro Grand Master , at eight o ' clock 011 the morning of the 25 th inst ., at thc residence of her husband in Bruton-strcct , at thc early age of forty years . Lady Carnarvon was the only daughter of George , sixth Earl of Chesterfield , by thc Hon . Anne

Elizabeth Forester , eldest daughter of Cecil , first Lord Forester , and sister of the seventh Earl , whose sudden death from typhoid fever causeel much sensation in September , 1871 . Her ladyship married in September , 1861 , the present Earl of Carnarvon , by whom she has left a family of four children . According to " Lodge ' s Peerage" they are George Edward , Lord Porchester , born in 1866 ; the Ladies

Winifred and Margaret Herbert , and an infant daughter , scarcely a month old . The news of Lad y Carnarvon ' s eleath was immediately telegraphed to Hi ghclere Castle , Lord Carnarvon ' s seat , near Newbury , and in the- whole of that neighbourhood il was received with unfeigned regret . At Newbury the

funeral knell was tolled , and among all classes were heard expressions of sorrow for her loss , and sympathy with Lord Carnarvon in his sad bereavement . Those feelings will be universal among all who had the privilege of her acquaintance , and could appreciate the charm of that household which is now left desolate .

BRO . WILLIAM IBBETSON , P . M . 302 , P . Pitov .

G . S . W ., WEST YORKSHIRE . It is with much regret that we have to record the death of Bro . William Ibbetson , P . M . 302 , Bradford , and P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works of West Yorkshire , which took place at his residence , Ashgrove , Bradford , 011 Thursday , thc 21 inst ., at tlie comparative- ! / early . age of fifty years . The cause of death was a severe attack of rheumatism ,

with lnflamation of the lungs , which terminated fatally , as above named . Bro . Ibbetson , who was initiated into Freemasonry in the- year 1860 , was an active and zealous member uf the Order , and after filling several of the subordinate oflice-s , was , in 186 7 , elected to the honourable position of W . M . of his mother lodge , thc largest in the Province of West Yorkshire . He was also a

Royal Arch Mason , and in the year 1872 held thc rank of M . E . Z . in thc chapter attached to the lodge , and in all his relations his earnestness of purpose met wilh the cheerful response of those with whom he was associated . He was at all times a firm and liberal supporter of the several Masonic charities , and took a lively interest in the-ir welfare and success . Bro . Ibbetson

had been for several ye-ars , and was at the lime of his death , a member of the Town Council , and always took a prominent position in any movement which had for its object the welfare and prosperity of the town , or the recognition e > f thc merits of his fellow-citizens . Candour , openness of manner , honesty ot purpose , and heartiness of disposition , were some of the more prominent characteristics

eif his na ' ure , and ever amongst the foremost in good works , he displayed an earnestness of manner in everything he took in hand , whether in public affairs or in matters connected with the Craft . By liis kindness of heart , his genial manners , and his untiring usefulness , he won for himself the respect and esteem of all who knew him ; and liis loss will be long and deeply

felt by his brethren in the Craft , ns well as by the public at large . Trul y it may be said of him that " he was one whose hand was guided by justice , and whose heart was expanded b y benevolence . " The remains of Bro . Ibbetson were conveyed to their last resting-place at Undercliffc Cemetery on Monday the 25 II 1 inst ., attended by a large gathering of personal friends , as also by the

Mayor and Members of Ihe Bradford Corporation , the funeral cortege being headed by a body of the Borough Police , whilst the tolling of the large bell of the Town Hall added to the solemnity of thc occasion . The mournful services were impressivel y rendered by Bro . the Rev . T . II .

Flynn , P . Prov . G . Chaplain , there being also present a large number of tlie members of thc several Masonic Lodges of thc lawn , including many past and present Provincial Grand Officers , who had assembled to pay the last tribute of fraternal respect to the memory of a departed brother .

BRO . F . M . COWLEY , W . M . 1242 . A very sad fatality in a family has just occurred at Douglas , Isle of Man . A young man named I * . M . Cowley , son of Mr . Cowley , tailor , Strand-street , was engaged in a shooting contest at the Tromode Range , with thc Douglas Rifle Corps , on New Year's Day . The weather was bitterl y cold , with sleel and stmw . Bro . Cowley , who

was a young man of considerable promise , had not taken the precaution of sufficiently protecting himself with warm clothing against the inclemency of the weather , and the result was that he must have then caught the cold which , same days afterwards , developed into rheumatic fever . Tiledisease rapidly increased in intensity , and on Monday last he succumbed to its effects . What makes the case the

more melanchol y is the fact that his sister , who was his junior , was stricken with the same disease , and died an Sunday last ( the day before her brother ) . A few weeks ago the-ir mother fell down stairs and broke he-r collar hone and arm , and has ever since lain in a dangerous state ; and , lo add to the troubles of this unfortunate family , another sister is suffering from erysipelas in one of her legs . The deceased young man was a member of the- Masonic

body , and exactly a fortnight prior lo the day of his death he was installed b y the writer of this paragraph into the position of W . M . of the- Tynwald Lodge-, No . 1242 , 0 ! which he was the S . W . during the previous year . On tlunight of his installation he appeared to be- in the best of health , and intensely delighted with having attained a position which he had long been ambitious to fill , that of W . M . of his " Mother Lodge . " Little did those brethren