Consecration Of The George Price Lodge, No. 2096.

The W . M . next gave "The Visitors . " Bro . thc Rev . H . VV . TURNER responded . The S . W . and the TREASURER responded to the toast of " The Officers of the Lodge , " and the I ' yler ' s toast closed the proceedings . The musical brethren gave a beautiful selection of music during the evening .

Consecration Of The St. Ambrose Chapter, No. 1891.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . AMBROSE CHAPTER , No . 1891 .

On Friday , the . 22 nd inst ., this new chapter was consecrated by the M . E . G . S . E ., Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , assisted by Comps . Capt . N . G . Philips , Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , and Frank Richardson . The companions being assembled at the Baron ' s Court Hotel , West Kensington , the normal ceremonies of consecration were duly proceeded

with . The G . S . E . congratulated the companions on the fact of the St . Ambrose Lodge having petitioned for a chapter to be attached to it , and lauded the kindly and thoughtful conduct of Comp . Frances , P . Z ., in suggesting that instead of himself , originally named in the warrant , Comp . Pocock , VV . M . of the St . Ambrose Lodge , should be the first Z . of the new chapter .

The usual ritual vvas then most carefully and ably performed by lhe M . E . G . S . E . Comp . Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD delivered the usual oration . The chapter having been duly formed , dedicated , and consecrated , and certain needful business having been transacted , the chapter was closed .

We may add we never saw the ceremony more thoroughly or effectively carried out in every particular , and Comp . Frank Richardson ieceived deserved recognition for his effective services . Comps . Pocock , M . D ., Holland , and Harris , were duly installed Z ., H ., and J . of the new chapler respectively . The companions then adjourned to the social circle , where an hospitable welcome awaited all .

The usual loyal and Royal Arch toasts were duly proposed and cordially received . Comp . Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , in returning thanks for "The Present and Past Officers of Grand Chapter , " said it was always a privilege for the Grand Officers to help the Consecrating Officer in his important duties , and a pleasure to manifest their sympathy with their companions ,

and their unabated interest in Royal Arch Masonry . He was one of those who deeply admired the beautiful ceremonies of the Royal Arch , and valued much its sound and goodly teaching . A most important Grade it was , —the culminating point of Craft teaching and gradation , and without it Craft Masonry itself was incomplete . He congratulated the chapter on its auspicious commencement that day , and felt sure that the impressive manner in which the ceremony had been conducted by the Consecrating

Officer would make a lasting impression on the minds of the companions . He congratulated also the chapter on having so able a companion as Comp . Pocock at its head , and with him associated Comp . Holland , who had written a very interesting work ; Comp . Harris , who was so well esteemed by his companions , and Comp . Frances , whose long Masonic services were well known . He was convinced that the St . Ambrose Chapter would go on and prosper .

Thc M . E . Z . then proposed " The Consecrating Officers , and especially mentioned their excellent friend Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E ., to whom they were all so much indebted . He observed that they must all be struck with the very admirable and impressive way in which the ceremony of consecration had been performed , and trusted that ere long their respected friend would pay them a visit to discover how far they had profited

by his kindly instructions , and made the St . Ambrose Chapter as good a working chapter as the St . Ambrose Lodge had become in Craft Masonry . The G . S . E , returned thanks for the honour done the Consecrating Officers . He gave a most interesting account of the circumstances attending the formation of the St . Ambrose Chapter , and highly praised P . Z . Frances for his thoroughly unselfish and truly Masonic conduct . Through him the St .

Ambrose Chapter was founded , and he was pleased to be able to say that Royal Arch Masonry was progressing . For some reason , while lodges had flourished , chapters had been comparatively few and far between ; but all that was changed now , and the great impetus given to Royal Arch Masonry was most remarkable in late years , and the increase ofthe number of chapters was , in his opinion , most desirable . He warmly commended the St . Ambrose

Lodge , and felt sure the St . Ambrose Chapter would go on and prosper . Before he sat down he begged to propose " The Health of the First Principal , Comp . Dr . Pocock . " It was a most appropriate , selection that the VV . M . of the St . Ambrose Lodge should be first M . E . Z . of the St . Ambrose Chapter , and he felt sure the companions had made a- wise selection , and under Comp . Dr . Pocock's able rule the St . Ambrose Chapter would prove

alike its " raison d'etre , " and gain for itself a high position among Royal Arch chapters . The M . E . G . S . E . sat down amid applause . Comp . Dr . POCOCK returned thanks in eloquent and appropriate terms , and expressed his hope and confidence that after the foundation laid that day so auspicuously and so effectively , the companions would raise up a superstructure perfect in all its parts and honourable to the builders .

Several other toasts were given and responded to , and we had to leave a very hospitable company and a very pleasant if select gathering at comparatively an early hour , with heartiest good wishes for the progress and prosperity of the St . Ambrose Chapter .

BLUE BLANKET . —An old property of the Edinburgh Guilds , and now in the possession of the Lodge of Journeymen in that good old city . It is said to have been originally the banner of some Scottish mechanics , who followed Allan , Lord Steward of Scotland , to Palestine ; and afterwards on their return deposited the banner on the altar of St . Eloi , the patron saint ° ' the Guilds , in St . Giles ' s Church , at Edinburgh . This banner was

called the banner of the Holy Ghost . In 1482 King James III . gave to the craf tsmen their " Blue Blanket" as the rallying flag of the Edinburgh waftsmen . In all Masonic processions it is carried by the Lodge of Journeymen . The " History of the Blue Blanket , " by Alexander Pennycuick , reprinted in 1832 , contains a great deal of curious information . * here was an edition of 1722 , and another in 1780 . —Kenning ' s EncyclopKdia ,

Consecration Of The Dove Valley Mark Lodge, No. 353.

CONSECRATION OF THE DOVE VALLEY MARK LODGE , No . 353 .

Mainly as the result of the efforts of Bro . Percy Wallis , a Mark Masons ' Lodge , bearing the distinctive title of lhe Dove Valley Lodge , has just been consecrated in the town of Ashbourne . A great deal of interest was manifested in the proceedings , brethren ( many of them distinguished in Mark Masonry ) attending in considerable numbers from London , Derby , Leicester ,

Manchester , Buxton , Nottingham , and other neighbouring towns . The important ceremony of consecration was performed by R . VV . Bro . Charles F . Matier , P . G . W . England , assisted by V . W . Bro . Robert Berridge , G . D . of C . England : Bros . Roebuck , P . G . O . England ; Charles Lane , P . G . O , England ; and Arthur Middleton , P . G . S . B . England .

There were also present thc Provincial Grand Master of the United Province of Leicester , Northampton , and Derby , R . W . Bro . VV . Kelly , F . S . A . ; Bros . Haughton C . Okeover , P . M . ; E . C . Milligan , P . M . ; J . H . Lawson , W . M . 246 ; and the following members from the Derby Lodge :- — Bros . Thomas Horsley , F . Campion , A . Woodiwiss , R . L . H . Mole , VV . J . Piper , F . Sale , T . Smith , the Rev . C . T . Bromwich , E . Home , C . Webster , A . Frazer , and J . Walker .

Apologies were received from the following brethren : R . VV . Bro . F . Binckes , P . G . W ., G . Sec ; V . W . Bros . Hatherley , P . G . M . O . ; F . Richardson , G . Reg . ; VV . Bros . H . George , Past G . Stwd . ; J . Toplis , VV . M . 344 ; W . L . Ball , Prov . G . M . O . ; Bros . VV . Whittaker , Prov . G . D . ; J . Bland , Prov . G . Stwd . ; VV . Bro . R . Taylor , Prov . G . S . O . ; Bros . G . Small , G . Fletcher , 111 . Bro . C . Fendelow , 33 ; and VV . Bro . C . E . Stretton , G . Stwd .

In the course of the consecration ceremony , which was performed most ably and impressively by Bros . Matier and Berridge , Bro . the Rev . C . T . BROMWICH , acting on behalf of the Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . T , Orrell delivered a short but singularly happy and effective oration . Having referred to the recent remarkable developement of Mark Masonry in Derbyshire , the Chaplain went on to express a fervent hope that the

members of the newly formed lodge might learn a lesson from that peaceful valley after which it was named . There they saw how all Nature was subservient to the will of the Great Overseer of thc Universe . Everything had been begun in order , everything was conducted in peace , and everything in that beauteous world of nature was free from strife and discord .

But if these results were to be attained , the brethren must live up to the principles of their Order . If they did this , the outside world , who were curious to know the characteristics of Masonry , would be heard to say" We do not know , we cannot tell , but we know those who are Masons are religious men , are law-abiding citizens , men who are always willing to join in any good cause , and ready to help in time of need . "

The Consecrating Officer subsequently installed Bro . Percy Wallis as first VV . M . of the new lodge , and Bros . John Howell and Arthur Stubbs were invested as Senior and Junior Wardens respectively . The other officers appointed were Bros . G . M . Bond , M . O . ; Prince , S . O . ; Littleton , J . O . ; J . H . Cooke , Treas , ; Rigby , Sec . ; W . H . Tutt , S . D . ; McLean , J . D .: and Brown , Tyler .

At the conclusion of the ceremony , which was conducted at thc Town Hall , the brethren dined together at the Green Man Hotel . The post prandial proceedings were of the most agreeable character , it being intimated by more than one speaker that the creation of a Derbyshire Mark Province might be looked for at no distant date , although there was no hurry to separate from the genial rule of R . W . Bro . Kelly . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Review.

REVIEW .

THE HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY . Volume IV . By Bro , R . F . GOULD , P . G . W . Thomas C . Jack , 45 , Ludgate-hill . The fourth volume , so long expected , is at last before us . It deals with most important matters , and contains five chapters—XVI ., XVII ., XVIII ., XIX ., and XX . —comprehending the following very interesting subjects : — - Early British Freemasonry , 1688-1723 ; History of the Grand Lodgeof England , 1723-C 0 ; Freemasonry in York ; History of the Grand Lodge of England , " according to Old Institutions : " and History of the Grand Lodgeof England , 1761-1813 .

The illustrations are very striking and effective , and the volume is likel y to be greatly appreciated by Masonic students and Masonic readers . It is impossible to attempt to do full justice to Volume IV . in one review . We propose only therefore to glance at a few of the very important conclusions which Bro . Gould ' s careful research has led him to adopt , leaving for other notices , a more detailed review , of his facts adduced and his positions taken up . The following seems to be a fair " precis " of the main conclusions of Volume IV . :

i . That there is a dissimilarity between the exact form of Scottish and English Freemasonry in the seventeenth century and until about 1730 . 2 . That there seems to be a recognition bv the English Grand Lodge of 1730 , or thereabout , of the English Masonry of 1691 . 3 . Bro . Gould seems to adopt a bi-gradal theory , in contradistinction from a mono-grade or tri-gradal one , and to doubt the alleged influence of Desagttliers on Scottish Masonry—that is , so early as 1721 .

4 . From the Kelso minutes , Bro . Gould would infer in 1752 there was no Third Degree practised at Kelso . It is possible that somewhere about that period a change did take place in Freemasonry , both in England and Scotland ; but the fact that three of the Kelso brethren were Master Masons , exclusive of the deputation from Leith , would show that the position of the Kelso Lod abnormal

ge was . Still , it is a very striking fact . 5 . We thus gain this important conclusion , that Bro . Gould gives up the seventeenth century theory , and whatever modification or alteration his views may yet receive , he holds that more than one Degree existed and was practised before 1717 , and that the ritual Masonry of the seventeenth century is identical with that of the eighteenth . We shall call attention in other notices to the several portions of this important volume of a very great work for Masonic history .