The New Grand Officers.

mother lodge . In 1 S 70 , he was elected Scribe E ., and , having occupied the First Principal ' s chair in 1874 , was re-elected in 1878 , and still remains . Scribe E . In 1878 , the members presented him with a silver claret jug in token of their esteem . In 1880 , he had a hand in founding the Orpheus Chapter , No . 1706 , and forthe part he took in this work and his subsequent services he was presented with a P . Z . 's jewel in 1884 , and has since held the

office of Scribe E . On the formation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Essex , in 1883 , Comp . Philbrick , P . G . Supt ., appointed him Prov . G . J . In Mark Masonry Bro . Cooper has attained even greater eminence , or , at least , had done so till Wednesday . He was advanced in the Bon Accord Lodge in 1877 , was installed its Worshipful Master in 1881 , and has been its Secretary since his vacation of that office . He is

the S . D . of the Grand Mister ' s Lodge , and a permanent member of the lodge of instruction working under its authority , a member of the General Board of Mark Grand Lodge , and one of the Grand Masters' Council in respect of the Royal Ark Mariner's Degree . In 1883 he was invested as S . G . Deacon , and had the honour of acting in the capacity of Deacon on the occasion of the Prince of Wales' advancement into Mark Masonry .

He has likewise exhibited much interest in the Mark Benevolent Fund , of which he is a Vice-President , and at its Festivals for which he has four times acted as Steward . In Templar Masonry in whijh he was installed a Knight in 1875 , in the St . Ge > rge ' s , former y the Cross of Christ Preceptory , he is a Past E . P ., and was G . Standard Bearer ( V . B . ) , of the National G-eat Priory in 1885 . He is also a Knight of Malta , and has been since

18 77 , Treasurer and Registrar of the St . George ' s Preceptory . He was p-rfected Rose Croix in the Invicta Chapter in 1877 , and has recently joined the newly-consecrated Adoniram Chapter of the same Degree . He is also a R . and S . M . of the Constantine Council , a Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine , a Past G . Officer of the Grand Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees , and hon . 8 ° of the Rosicrucian Society . He has been a

member of the Audit Commitiee of the Boys' School for the last three years , and besides having served as many as 12 different Stewardships in aid of our Institutions , has qualified as a Vice-Patron of both the Schools , and Vice-President of the Benevolent Institution . Grand Lodge honours cannot be unworthily bestowed , when they fall to the lot of a brother who has shown such zeal and ability in so many of the branches of Masonry , and has won such esteem and respect as Bro . G . Cooper .

JUNIOR GRAND DEACONS . Bro . V . P . FREEMAN , who is so well known through his long association with the busier scenes of Masonic life in the Province of Sussex , was initiated in the Royal York Lodge , No . 315 , Brighton , on the ist July , 1856 , and in March , i 860 , was installed W . M . He was one of the founders of the Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 732 , Brighton , and in 1862 and again

in 1868 was installed in the Master's chair . In 1861 he joined , and for a short time remained a member of the South Saxon Lodge , No . 311—then No . 390—Lewes , while two years previously he had assisted in the resuscitation of the Howard Lodge , No . 5 6 , Arundei , remaining a subscribing member for some years . It was only natural that services so valuable should be recognised bv the provincial authorities and accordingly

we find Bro . Freeman Prov . G . S . of Wks . of Sussex in the years 18 59 , i 860 , and 1861 , Prov . J G . W . in 1862 , Prov . S . G . W . in 1870 and 1 S 71 , and from 1877 till now Prov . G . Secretary . He is also an honorary member of st-veral lodges , laving taken an active part in the consecration of ig , while in 1875 when the Prince of Wales was installed M . W . G . M . at the Royal Albert Hail , Bro . Freeman was one of the two brethren who were chosen to

represent Sussex at that eventful meeting . In Royal Arch Masonry his career has been equallv noteworthy . He was exalted in the Royal Sussex Chapter , No . 732 , tn April , 1859 , on the day of its consecration , filled the chair of First Principal in 1863 4 , and on vacating that office was appointed to the post of Treasurer , ihe dunes of which he has fulfilled ever since and still fulfils . He is also a founder , P Z ., and honorary member of the

South Saxon Chapter , No . 311 , Lewes , constituted in i 860 , and of the Royal Pavilion Chapter , No . 315 , Brighton , which was constituted in 18 74 . At the resuscitation of the Prov . Grand Chapter of Sussex in 1 S 80 , he was chosen by t"e late Sir W . W . Burrell , Bart ., for the responsible post of Prov . G . Scribe E ., and this office he has retained ever since . On Saturday last , at the close of the annual meeting of the Prov . G . Chapter , he was

presented with a very handsome testimonial in recognition of the many and sterling services he has rendered to Freemasonry in Sussex . As regards the other Degrees in Freemasonry , there is little to record beyond the fact of his having been a Mark Mason for some years , but he has constituted himself a Life'Governor of all our Institutions , and has served two

Stewardships for the Boys' School , in 1881 and 1882 , and one for the Girls' School in 1885 , when the late Bro . Sir W . W . Burrell , Bart ., presided at the Festival , and the province raised the splendid total of £ 1850 , Bro . Freeman ' s list being the most substantial . The congratulations which will be offered to him on this latest and greatest of his many distinctions will be as richly deserved as they undoubtedly will be sincere .

Bro . F . SUMNER KNYVETT began his Masonic career in London , but the metropolitan provinces ot Hertfordshire and Middlesex , and especially the former , have had the lion ' s share of his most valuable work . He was initiated in the Felicity ( Red Apron ) LoHfre , No . 58 , was installed W . M , in 1878 . and represented it on the Board of Grand Stewards in 18 7 6 . In 18 74 he took a chief part in founding the Felix Lodge , No . 1494 , Hampton Court ,

and served as its second W . M . On quitting the chair , he was appointed to -and still holds the important post of Treasurer , his able management of its finances and general influence having largely conduced to its present high position in the Province of Middlesex , so that it is not surprising he should have received in 1879 the collar of Prov , Senior Grand Deacon at the hands of its respected chief R . W . Bro . Sir F . Burdett , Bart . He is also a Past

Master of the Watford Lodge , and its present Secretary , having occupied the chair in 1883 , and since 1879 he has htld the office of Prov . G . Treasurer of Hertfordshire . He was exalted in the Si . James ' s Union Chapter , No . 180 , and was installed Z . in 1879 . In iS ? 7 he assisted in founding the Felicity Chapter , No . 58 , was installed its first H ., and succeeded to the chiir of First Principal the year following . He is also a P . Z . of the Watford Chapter , No . 404 , and has held the R . A . Prov . G . Treasurership of

Hprts concurrently with that of the Craft . He is a member of the Watford Mark Lodge , and Prov . G . Mark Secretary of Herts , a Knight Templar of the Stuart Encampment , Walford , and Master elect of the Bruce Chapter of the Royal Order of Scotland . Lastly , he has served a number of Stewardships on behalf of our Institutions , and ranks as a Vice-Patron of the Girls' School and Benevolent Institution , and Life Governor of the Boys' School ,

The New Grand Officers.

DEPUTY GRAND DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES . Bro . E . A . BAYLIS was initiated in the Prince of Wales Lod ge , M 0 259 , on 28 th January , 1868 , was Grand Steward in 1883-4 , and was W . ' ot his lodge in the years 1883 and 1884 . He was exalted to the Royai Arch in the Prince of Wales in 186 and ied

Chapter 9 , occup the chair f First Principal in 1880 . He is a member and P . M . W . S . of the Grand Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1 , of Rose Croix , and in 1879 had the 31 ° j n the Ancient and Accepted Rite conferred upon him . He is a Life Governor and Past Festival Steward of both the Girls' and Boys' Schools .

ASSISTANT GRAND DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES . Of Bro . J . LAWRENCE MATHER , who has been chosen to fill this imp 0 r . tant office , it may justly be said that whatever he has put his hand to during the 27 years of his membership of our Society , that has he donerio-h well . He was initiated in Prosperity Lodge , No . 65 , in i 860 , and having held the office of Treasurer from 186410 1868 , resigned in order that he

might fulfil the duties of VV . M ., to which he had been elected for 186 9 . Since then he has taken part , at frequent intervals , in the foundation of lod ges and other Masonic bodies , his chief services in this respect in Craft Masonry having been rendered in 1 S 70 , when he helped to found the Upton Lod ge , No . 1227 ; in 1875 , when he figured as founder and first W . M . of the Isling ' . ton Lodge , No . 1471 , and in 1876 when he was appointed first Senior Warden of the Cranbourne Lodge , No . 1580 , Hatfield , his installation as the second Worshipful Master 01 this lodge taking place the following

yearin 1878 as founder and Treasurer of Perseverance Lodge , No . 1743 , and as founder and first S . VV . of the Earl of Clarendon , No . 198 4 , Watford , in 1882 ; while he was installed W . M . ofthe Shadwell Clerke , No . 1910 , in 1 S 86 , and is now its I . P . M . Forsundry of these services he has been rewarded with ihe collar of a P . G . S . D ., and Prov . G . D . of C . of Hertfordshire , so that the duties he will have to discharge in Grand Lodge will be in a

measure familiar to him . He has been annually returned at the head of the poll as a member of the Board of General Purposes since 1884 , and has been its Vice-President since June of last year . In Royal Arch Masonry he isa P . Z . of Sincerity Chapter , No . 174 , founder and P . Z . of the Islington Chapter , No . 147 1 , and lounder and Treasurer of the Royal Naval Chapter , No . 59 . He was advanced to the Mark in the Old Kent T . L Lod ge in

18 7 8 , and was its VV . M . in 1885 , was a founder of the Chiswick Lodge , No , 357 , has been an elected member of the General Board since 1884 , and is the Mark G . Treasurer elect for the year 1887 . He is also a Past Commander Noah in the Royal Ark Mariners Lodge aitached to the Old Kent Mark . He was received into the Allied Masonic Degrees in the Metropolitan Council in January , 1882 , is founder and P . M . of the Four Kings '

Council , No . 7 , and P . S . G . W . and Past D . G . Master of the Grand Council , while in the R . and S . Masters he is the present T . I . M . of the Constantine Council . He was perfected Rose Croix in the Mount Calvary Chapter , No . 3 , and is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland . As regards our Charities , he has already served sixteen Stewardships and is a member of the Boards

for the now rapidly approaching Festivals for the two Schools , and isa Vice-Patron of the Boys' School and Benevolent Institution , and a Vice-President of the Girls' School . We imagine that Bro . Mather must have found but lew opportunities of being idle during the period of his association with our Society .

GRAND SWORD BEARER . Bro . WITHAM M . BYWATER , who has performed the martial exploits which are ordinarily associated with Sword Bearers at the peaceful gatherings of his brother Masons and in the field of Masonic literature , was initiated in the Royal Athelstan Lodge , No . 19 , in 1846 , and rose to be ils VV . M . in 18 53 . He is also a member of the Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 ,

and the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , and has been five limes elected a member of the Board of General Purposes , lie was exalted to the Royal Arch Degree in the Hermes Chapter , No . 91 , in 1853 , was M . E . Z . of Mount Sinai Chapter , No . 19 , in 1868 , and is a subscribing companion of the Cyrus Chapter , No . 21 . He is a Past M . VV . S . and Treasurer ot the Invicta Chapter Rose Croix , having occupied the chair in 1879 , and has attained to

the 31 in the Ancient and Accepted Rite . He is likewise a member of the Bon Accord Mark Lodge , of the Stuart Encampment of Knights Templar , Watford , and a Sir Knight of the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine . His fame as a literary Mason rests on his excellent " History of Royal Athelstan Lodge , No . 19 , " and his admirably written essay , entitled

" Notes on Lawrence Dermott , G . S . " He is a member of the Royal Institution of Great Britain , and Fellow of several societies , and , as regards our Charities , has served many Stewardships , and qualified as a Vice-President of them all . Bro . Bywater , in short , deserves the congratulations he has received and will yet receive from his friends and associates in Masonry .

GRAND STANDARD BEARERS . Bro . GEORGE BEECH , who for many years has been one of the clue " mainstays of Fieemasonry in Warwickshire , was initiated in the Faithful Lodge , No . 473 , ihen No . 6 g 6 , Birmingham , on the 14 th April , i 860 , and was elected and installed Worshi pful Master in the spring of 1865 . In the auiumn of the latter year , he was appointed Prov . G . Registrar of

Warwickshire , and the year following had conferred upon him the office , whose duties he still discharges with the same zeal , ability , and courtesy as ever , namely lhat of Prov . G . Secretary . Indeed , he may be said to have held this office , as he has performed the work pertaining to it , continuously si *"> i 86 r , but his actual appointment dates , as we have said , from the year 1866 . In this important capacity he has , of course , borne 11

a chief part in the consecrations ol lodges , and in those importa * ceremonials connected with the laying of foundations Masonically , of which , during the Provincial Grand Mastership of Bro . Lord Leigh there have been so many . He has also been mainly instrumental m the establishment of the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent Association for assisting decayed brethrenand the widows and children of brethren

, who need assistance , and had a chief hand in raising the funds for the Lady Leigh Masonic Lifeboat at Scarborough . Nor is this all , for it is to B * Beech ' s exertions principally , ably backed up as they weraby the then Dep-Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Elkington , that the Birmingham brethren ar ^ indebted for their handsome Masonic Hall in New-street , the loundatio ' "

stone of which was laid in September , 1865 . These services give our worthy brother a claim upon the Cralt , which has been full y recognised lor y past in his province , and is now worthily ie warded by the Grand M . himself with the collar of a Grand Officer . In the other branches Masonry , but especially in the Royal Arch , Bro . Beech has also taken active part . He was exalted in the Howe Chapter , No . 587 , Birming ' * ^ in 1862 , and installed its First Principal some 10 years later , the ' *? , rd Unction being followed in 1873 by his investiture as Prov . Grand Stano