Ar00200

the strength of the Committee and the known managerial ability of Bro . SPAULL , Hon . Secretary of the Lodge , we have no doubt the Festival will prove as great a success as it has done in past years .

* * IT is always dangerous to accept statements without having the means at hand or the opportunity of verifying them . Our worthy contemporary the Philadelphia Keystone , which is ordinarily one of the most careful of Masonic journals , has recently furnished an instance of the awkwardness of adopting in this offhand fashion statements which have been made by other

people . Among the "Masonic Editorial Notes ' in its issue of the 12 th December we chanced upon was one supposed to have been derived from " An old minute-book of the Witham Lodge at Lincoln , England , under date of January 2 nd , 1732 , " relative to the initiation of a " musical brother " for the sum of £ 3 13 s . 6 d ., there and then subscribed by different members of the lodge " towards the charges for his admission , " the reason assigned

for the adoption of this course being that the " musical brother " in question " might be useful and entertaining to the society . " This story is derived from the late Bro . Dr . O LIVER ' " brief history of the Witham Lodge , N 0 . 374 "—now N 0 . 297—Lincoln , which unfortunately for the authenticity of the anecdote was not founded till the year 1793 . Of course , those brethren who have any acquaintance with Masonic literature are well aware

that Dr . OLIVER , though he rendered important services to Freemasonry by his writings , was a great enthusiast , who was not over-particular in his acceptance of a neat little story , if only it happened to fit [ in conveniently with the purpose of the moment . Thus , when busied in preparing his history of the Witham Lodge he appears to have come upon an old lodge minute-book

in its possession in the records of which he discovered the incident of the " musical brother " above reterred to and others equally interesting . He does not seem to have been at the trouble of satisfying himself as to its authenticity as regards the Witham Lodge . It was enough for him that the lodge owned the minute-book and that the minute-book contained the record .

Unfortunately , however , for Dr . OLIVER ' accuracy of statement there was an interval of three and thirty years between the erasure from the roll of Grand Lodge of the only lodge in Lincoln , in which the " musical brother , " as aforesaid , could have been proposed for initiation and the constitution of the Witham Lodge in 1793 . There was a lodge constituted on 7 th September , 1730 , as No . 73 , at the Saracen ' s Head in Lincoln , which in 1730 was

renumbered No . 63 , and in 1756 , No . 3 8 , but which was erased—see Appendix to the " Four old lodges "—on 17 th November , 1760 . This was the only lodge in existence in Lincoln at the time of the occurrence , —which , by the way is " under date" October 8 th , 1 734 , not " January 2 nd , 1732 " —while the Witham Lodge was constituted as No . 530 , at the Reindeer Inn , Lincoln , in 1793 , and—see HUGHAN ' "Masonic Register "—became

No . 557 , after the union in 1 S 13 ; No . 374 in 1832 , ana No . 297 ( its present number ) in 1863 . Thus the pretty little incident quoted by our worthy Philadelphia contemporary from somewhere—very possibly from Dr . OLIVER ' history of the Witham Lodge—though we have no wish to cast any doubt on its occurrence in a . lodge at Lincoln , could not have occurred in the lodge—Witham , No . 297—to which it was so inconsiderately ascribed by the late Bro . Dr . OLIVER .

* # * IN the November number of the Canadian Craftsman appears a letter signed " P . M ., " on the irrepressible Quebec difficulty . The writer is very indignant ; the edict issued by the Grand Lodge of Quebec in the course of last year , has turned out to be practically void and of none effect as regards

the members of our Anglo-Montreal lodges , which it was the purpose of such edict to crush out of existence . " One thing , " says the writer of this letter , " appears pretty certain , that as far as the English lodges are concerned , we are no nearer the solution of our problem of supremacy than we were when our chicken-hearted edict was authorised to be issued . " This is

just what might have' been expected . I he brethren of these lodges go on " making , passing , and raising , just as though nothing of the kind had ever been done ; treating the proceeding as a good joke , and laughing at the simpletons who perpetrated it . " We are not surprised at our worthy " P . M ' s . " discovery , and as he appears to be too angry to have retained a proper amount of control over his common sense , we take the liberty of

suggesting that , if he has any influence with the Executive officers of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , he should employ it in the interests of Peace . The one edict which has been issued by that bod y having had the effect of raising a laugh at its expense , it might , perhaps , be as well to abstain from any repetition of the experiment , lest a greater amount of ridicule should be the result . " P . M . " does not define the step he would like the Grand

Lodge of Quebec to take , but he hints at its raising a general opposition on the part of ~ the Grand Lodges which have acknowledged its supremacy to the Grand Lodgeof England . In other words , we presume that he would have all the Grand Lodges , which are on terms of friendly intercourse with Quebec , issue edicts of non-intercourse with England . This is certainly a nice way of illustrating the beauty of fraternal love . Our advice happens

to be exactly the reverse of " P . M ' s . We think it likely that Quebec , if it pursues its present policy any further , will only succeed in making itself still more ridiculous . We would suggest , therefore , that it should cancel its edict of non-intercourse with the Anglo-Montreal lodges , and as far as possible restore what , in the language of diplomacy is called , the status quo ante .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the business to be transacted in Supreme Grand Chapter on Wednesday next : — The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation . THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England .

The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 21 st October , 1885 , to the 19 th January , 1886 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : —

To lialance Grand Chapter ... £ 102 1 11 By Disbursements during the ) t „ Unappropriated Quarter £ -A ° ' 9 9 Account 'S 3 8 10 .. Balance 43 5 2 „ Subsequent Receipts ... 340 iG r , ,, „ Unappropriated Account ... ... ... 1 S 3 2 4 XC 31 7 3 / Al l 7 3

Supreme Grand Chapter.

Which balances are in the Bank of England ( Western Branch ) . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : — 1 st . From Comps . Abel Penfold , as Z . ; Robert James Warren , as H . ; John Aillud , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Henley Lodge , No . 1472 , North Woolwich , to be called the Henley Chapter , and to meet at the Three Crowns Hotel , North Woolwich , in the county of Kent .

2 nd . From Comps . Nathaniel Merridew , as Z . ; Herbert Stanley , as H . ; Frederic La Coque Thorne , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Guy ' s Lodge , No . 395 , Leamington , to be called the Guy ' s Chapter , and to meet at the Crown Hotel , Leamington , in the county of Warwick .

3 rd . From Comps . the Rev . Charles J . Martyn , as Z . ; Joseph Francis Hills , as H . ; Frederick Wheeler , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Stour Valley Lodge , No . 1224 , Sudbury , to be called the Martyn Chapter , and to meet at the Freemasons' Hall , Sudbun' , in the county of Suffolk .

4 th . From Comps . Alderman Sir Francis Wyatt Truscott , as Z . ; Alderman Sir John Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., M . P ., as H . ; Alderman Sir Robert Nicholas Fowler , Bart ., M . P ., as J . ; and nineteen others for a chapter to be attached to the Grand Master ' s Lodge , No . I , London , to be called the Grand Master ' s Chapter , and to meet at Willis ' s Rooms , King-street , St . James ' s , London .

The foregoing petitions , being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received a memorial from the companions of the Minerva Chapter , No . 250 , Hull , praving for a charter authorising them to wear a centenary jewel , in accordance with the resolution passed by the Supreme Grand Chapter on the 1 st February , 18 S 2 . This memorial being in form , and the chapter having

proved an uninterrupted existence of 100 years , the Committee recommend that the prayer thereof be granted . ( Signed ) ROBERT GREY , P . G . A . Soj ., President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 20 th January , 1886 . To receive and consider the report of the Committee on the revision of the Royal Arch Regulations—with amendments received since the Quarterly Convocation .

Consecration Of The Drury Lane Lodge No. 2127.

CONSECRATION OF THE DRURY LANE LODGE No . 2127 .

On Monday last this lodge was consecrated by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , in the presence of a large , distinguished , and representative assembly of Masons at Freemasons' Hall . The lodge will in future meet at Drury Lane Theatre in a saloon specially fitted for its

use . The Grand Secretary was assisted in the ceremony by Bro . T . Fenn , Pres . of the Bd . of Gen . Purp ., as S . W . ; Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., as J . W . ; Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C ., as Chap . ; Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as Dir . of Cers . ; and Bro . J . H . Matthews , P . G . Std . Br ., as l . G .

The founders of the lodge ( most of whom were present ) were Bros . Lord Londesborough , P . M ., P . G . S . W . ; Sir John Eldon Gorst , Q . C ., M . P ., Solicitor General ; Augustus Harris ; Henry Neville , P . M . ; A . M . Broadley , P . M ., P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; Charles Warner ; Thomas Thorne , P . M . ; Henry Pettitt , R . C . Woodville , Lieut .-Col . Herbert H . Kitchener , J . S , Fleming , Admiral Sir Edward A . Inglefield , C . B ., and J . H . Clynds . In addition to the founders there were present

Bros . Gen . Laurie , G . M . of Nova Scotia ; Lord Suflield , P . G . D ., P . G . M . of Norfolk ; Gen . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . M . of Surrey ; The Earl of Onslow , P . G . W . j Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C . ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Reg . ; Thomas Fenn , Pres . Board of Gen . Purp . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; J . C . Parkinson , P . Grand Deacon , P . P . D . G . M . Middlesex ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . Philips , P . G . D . j Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Frederic Davison , P . G . D . ; Ralph Gooding , P . G . D . ; E . Letchworth , P . G . D . ; 1 . L . Thomas , F . S . A ., P . A . G . D . C ; 1 . H . Matthews , P . G . Std .

Bearer ; Magnus Ohren , P . A . G . D . C . ; Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; Wilhelm Ganz , P . G . Organist ; Edwin M . Lott , G . Org . ; Dr . R . Turtle Piggott , P . G . A . D . C ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , Alderman John Staples , W . M . 2020 ; Rt . Hon . W . T . Marriott , M . P ., P . G . S . ; George Kenning , P . M . 192 and 16 57 , P . G . D . Middx . ; R . Eve , P . P . G . Senior Warden Hants and I . of W . ; Charles Martin , P . G . S . ; Edward Baxter , P . G . S . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . P . G . W . North and EastYorks ; John Marsham , P . P . G . P . West Yorkshire ; Charles Stephens , P . G . T .

Berks and Bucks ; Gen . Sir Seymour Blane , 349 ; VV . B . Williamson , P . P . G . J . W . Worcester ; W . Lake , P . P . G . Reg-. Cornwall ; H . Hacker , P . P . G . J . D . Hants and Isle of Wight ; J . Henniker Heaton , M . P . ( S . C . ) ; Dr . Morrel Mackenzie , 28 ; Major A . G . Dickson , M . P . 1150 ; ] . T . Agg-Gardner , M . P . 82 ; Col . Hughes HaUett , M . P ., 255 ; T . H . Bolton , M . P . 704 ; Lord Alfred Paget , 33 ; Lionel Brough , 1319 ; Consul-General Waller ( America ); G . Smith I America ); Percy Wallis , P . P . G . D . C . Derbyshire ; Humphrey Wood , P . P . G . S . W . Kent ; Geo . Gumbleton , P . P . G . W .

Oxford ; J . L . Mather , P . P . G . S . D . Herts ; J . F . Funnell , W . M . 20 ; E . M . Money , W . M . 2 S ; H . Wright , W . M . 1 S 27 ; Chas . Wyndham , 36 ( S . C . ); Dr . Robson Roose , 63 ; Dr . A . C . Cooper , P . G . S . ; Dr . W . H . Russell , St . John and St . Paul , 349 , Malta ; Herbert E . Story , 667 ; C . J . Phipps , P . G . S . of W . Somerset ; Charles Dickens , P .: VI . 9 69 ; Chas . Coote , 1319 ; Capt . H . V . Pirie , iu 8 ; A . Barfield , 1681 ; W . A . Hart , 771 ; Joseph Fernandez , 790 ; J . Ramsday , P . M . 162 ; Rev . R . Morris , Cr . ap . 11 S 5 ; R . J . T . Hopkins , P . M . 87 ; K . R . Murchinson , P . M . 1383 ; Archibald

MacNeill , 1928 ; Frederick Binckes , P . M . Grand [ Stewards' Lodge ; V . Brown , 1174 ; H . Chapman , 293 ; T . Burnside , 1928 ; W . J . Fisher , 1928 ; Alfred Gibbons , 902 ; J . Somers Vine , S 7 ; Charles Williams , 1928 ; W . Sexton , 1321 ; J . M . Le Sage , 766 ; J . Hodges , P . M . 1706 ; James Willing , sen ., James Willing , jun ., P . M . 1987 ; G . T . Carter , P . M . 3 82 ; W . T . Madge , S . W . 1987 ; E . J . Bell , 1319 ; Roberl Berridge , P . M . 21 ; C . F . Matier , P . M . igio , P . G . W . Greece ; Herbert Standing , 1670 j Sheriff Thomas Clarke , 1 S 27 ; John Maclean , 1319 ; Major H . Josephs , 96 ; j . W ,

Lacon , 119 G ; J . Sawyer , S . W . 9 85 ; A . Levy , 1 S 6 ; H . C . Richards , 1827 ; K . Spiers , No . 1 ; James Terry , P . M . 228 , P . P . G . S . W . Norths and Hunts ; Charles A , Tagart , J . W . 2 ; Jas . Moon , P . M . 49 ; C . T . Burleigh , 205 ; Lennox Browne , 969 ; D . de Pinna ; W . Lumley , 4 ; Rowland Plumbe , 4 C ; Arthur Roberts ; W . Coates ; T . Lawler ; T . Lawler , jun . ; S . Young ; C . Basil Cooke , 192 S ; and many others . Apologies for non-attendance were read from Bros . His Grace the Duke

of Abercorn , G . M . designate of Ireland ; Earl of Rosslyn , P . G . M . ol Scotland ; Sir A . C . Campbell , G . M . of Scotland ; Viscount Wolseley , Earl of Limerick , W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ; Lord Robartcs , Earl of Jersey , Marquis of Hertlord , Sir Albert Woods , Lord Charles Beresford , M . P ., and many others , most of their letters conveying " Hearty good wishes " for the prosperity of the new lodge .

The nnisic used during the consecration ceremony was ( under the direction of Bro . W . Gan / , P . G . Organist ) most effectively rendered bv Bros . J . Hodges , W . Sexton ( alios ) , G . T . Carter , W . Coates , K . R . Johnson ( tenors ) , and T . Lawler , sen . ; T . Lawler , jun ., E . J . Bell ( basses ) . The Iodide having been formally opened , the brethren saluted the M . W . Bro . Gen . Laurie as Grand Master of Nova Scotia .