Fantastic Proceedings.

of the lodge itself , never was suggested or propounded . Knowing as we do so well of what the

" staple" of our lodges is composed , we are we confess , utterly astounded to learn , that , any number of brethren could on any grounds , however adroitly laid down , ever be induced to vote

in fayour of such a palpably unmasontc byelaw . Indeed we do not hesitate to say , that , in our

humble opinion , any lodge which has such a bye-law , deserves never again to be honoured with the presence of any visiting brethren

whatever . Many lodges very properly make their members vouch for the visiting brethren they introduce , and pay a given sum for them if they

remain to share in the lodge banquet , which is a private friendly brotherly reunion ; but to say , that , all visiting brethren are to pay a certain sum for every visit , at the option of the W . M .,

is not only to make an utterly illegal claim upon our brethren at large , but exposes the W . M . and the Iodge to the inevitable charge , that , they are either utterly ignorant of the

common law of Masonic courtesy and hospitality , or are entirely unacquainted with the principles of Freemasonry , or are actuated by some unexpressed but unworthy personal feelings of

antagonism to some of the local brethren it is hoped in this way to exclude . We can only thank our correspondent for calling our attention to these " fantastic

proceedings , " and express our hope , that , the good sense of the members of the lodge we have alluded to , will induce them at once to retrace their steps ,

and to rescind so nnmasonic a bye-law , before that , such untenable claims and such unwise proceedings become " matter of just complaint to the constituted authorities of our Order .

The Masonic Club.

THE MASONIC CLUB .

We have had our attention called to the prospectus of a new Masonic Club , about to be established in London , and we think it therefore well to let the matter be fully known to the

Order , through the columns of The Freemason . It has been very truly observed by a contemporary : — "In a society so widely diffused and of such social influence , it is really singular that no

Masonic Club has been yet established . The want lias been long felt , and we are pleased to learn that a project is now on foot with every prospect of a happy realisation . It is proposed

that a Masonic Club be opened in a central position of the west end . The club being proprietary there will be no liability on the part of the members . Its use will be restricted to

members of the Masonic Order . It is intended that the club contain spacious dining , smoking , billiard , and reading-rooms , a well-stored library , and every modern convenience . The entrance

fee will be s £$ 5 s ., and annual subscription £ 5 js . No further liability . Country members ' annual subscription , £ 2 2 s . First members

admitted without entrance fee . An influential committee will have the control of the club . The following names will be a sufficient guarantee for the respectability and bona-fide nature of

The Masonic Club.

the undertaking , viz : —The Right Hon . Lord Sherborne , Colonel Dering , Major Whitbread , Rev . A . W Hall , F . R . F . Banbury , Gordon Campbell , F . Binckes , Major Fowler , W . Paas

Alderman Stone , S . C . Dibdin , E . C . Musson . Many other gentlemen of the first standing in society in London and the provinces have

associated their names with this undertaking , the establishment of which , we believe , will be hailed with pleasure throughout the whole length and breadth of the Craft . "

Since then we have received a further list of names , including some well-known in the Order and as wc quite agree that in so diversified a society as ours , composed of all professions , a

club may be , if well conducted , a great comfort to many metropolitan and provincial brethren , we hope to hear that the movement has been

successful , and that the Masonic Club starts with a good basis of substantial support and adhesion among the numerous members of our Order , alike in town and country .

The Masonic Magazine.

THE MASONIC MAGAZINE .

Some twelve months ago our enterprising publisher brought out the first number of the Masonic Magazine . Its birthday has come round , and its number

for June completes the volume for 1873-4 . We are induced to call attention to it because , by the kind permission of our Grand Master , his latest " carte de visite" accompanies the June

number , and will afford pleasure and gratification to countless loyal Freemasons everywhere . Wc congratulate Bro . Kenning on the result of twelve months' endeavour to supply the Craft

with a wholesome literature , and we trust that 1874-5 may witness a largely increased number of subscribers to the " Magazine . " Its very moderate price places it within the

reach of all , its literary character is well maintained , its Masonic articles are of a very high order alike ot ^ intellect and information , and are the product of the first Masonic writers we have ,

while its tone is elevating , and its spirit is thoroughly commendable . Bro . Kenning deserves also the support and gratitude of the Craft , for thy great

perseverance with which , amid much apathy in literary matters , he has looked forward to a better day of sympathy and appreciation , alike with his

endeavours and of Ins energy . May he find a response to what have been many sacrifices in the enlarged and more general support kindly accorded bv the brotherhood to the Masonic

Magazine , our only monthly serial , and to The Freemason , which goes all over the work ] , and is most truly cosmopolitan in every sense , and commends itself to the patronage and sympath y of every Craftsman .

Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

MASONIC FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL , DUBLIN .

' 1 he annual meeting of this school was held on the 20 th May in the Exhibition Palace . Though a generous and continuous support is accorded bv the members of the Masonic Order

to the school , enabling the . Governors to do much good work in furtherance of the noble duty they have undertaken , yet , despite their assiduous care , much remains undone for want of increased assistance . The cause of the widow

Masonic Female Orphan School, Dublin.

and orphan is ono which appeals to the sympathies of all , and even a stronger and more personal claim has the distress of the little ones bereaved of a Masonic parent to the prompt and liberal succour of the brethren of the Craft . In the annual meeting the Governors find a

valuable supplement to the yearly income and a powerful stimulative to renewed effort upon the part of the friends of the school . This recurring reunion has , indeed , become one of the most prominent and attractive of Masonic festivals , and the meeting of last night fully sustained the

prestige of the institution , and betokened to the most casual glance the influence and wealth of the Order in Ireland . The beautiful Concert Hall of the building was almost inconveniently crowded by a brilliant assemblage , representative of the most important classes of the

community . Many , unable to obtain seats or even standing room within the favoured precincts of the Hall , were fain to content themselves with promenading in the glass transept , and enjoying the music "sweetly discoursed" by the band of the Royal Irish Constabulary . Others availed

themselves of the balcony of the transept immediately opposite , to sit and endeavour to hear such portions of the oratory as might perchance reach them , and to observe the charming and rich diversity of the auditorium through a drapery of evergreens tastefully suspended in front of the Hall . Inside the Hall , amidst the

gay and fashionable attires of the ladies , the varied and sparkling Masonic costumes and jewels of the brethren , and the general air of graceful luxury which prevailed throughout , no feature appeared more interesting or pleasingly conspicuous than that of the pupils of the female and male schools , who occupied seats on a rising dais in front of the orchestra .

Neatly dressed and exhibiting that intelligent demeanour which , in truth , is the result of watchful supervision and careful training , they were the object of considerable attention and consequent satisfaction . The doors of the Palace were thrown open at a quarter past seven o ' clock , from which time the building began

rapidly to fill , and until the commencement of the proceedings a selection of music was performed by the band of the 17 th Lancers , under the direction of Jlro . Heir A . Hartman , and that of the Royal Irish Constabulary , under the direction of Bro . J . P . Clarke . At eight o ' clock the Grand Ollicers and a number of oilier

brethren who had been requested to occupy places on the platform assembled in the small Concert Room , and a procession having been formed , the Grand Master was conducted by it meanwhile from the Leinster Hall to the platform in the following order—the bands playing a

Masonic march : —Stewards ; Grand Stewards j Officers of Country Lodges , being Governors ; the W . M ., Wardens , and Secretary of each of the Dublin Lodges ; Officers of the Grand Master ' s Lodges : Vice-Presidents and Vice-Patrons ; Honorary Ollicers and Committees of

the School ; Provincial Grand Officers ; Past Grand Ollicers ; Representatives from Foreign Grand Lodge ; Grand Inner Guard ; Grand Organist ; Grand Superintendent of Works ; the Grand Deacons , with their Wands ; the Grand Chaplains ; the Grand Treasurer ; the

Grand Secretary ; the Grand Wardens ; the Grand Swortl Bearer , carrying the Sword ; the Deputy Grand Secretary , with the Book of Constitutions ; the Grand Master ; Deputy Grand Master ; Past Deputy Grand Masters ; the Grand Director of Ceremonies ; Steward . ' .

On ascending the platform , the brethren filed off , according to lodges , and took their respective places as appointed by the Stewards . Following the procession came the pupils of the school , accompanied by the pupils of the boys ' school , who took seats on the dais underneath

the orchestra . During the evening several of the pupils played a programme of pianoforte music consisting of the following pieces : —Duet , " Overture to Massaniello . " Solo , " Will o' th Wisp . " Solo , " Lej < .-t d ' eatt . " Solo , "March

from Tanhauser . " Duet , " 1 lusarenritt . " SJIO , " Home Sweet Home . " The performance deservedly elicited the warm plaudits of the listeners , showing , as it did , very great ability and accuracy of taste and manipulation .