Grand Lodge Of England.

Festival for Aged Freemasons ou the same footing as those who served for the other institutions . Bro . Spiers seconded the motion . B ™ . l / d-ill urged that the intentions of the Duke of Sussex , who instituted this jewel in 1829 , had been frustrated by brethren wearing- it who h .-ul never subscribed one peniy to either of

these charities . The Duke of Sussex required , before any brother had this jewel , to show that he had worked for the Charities , had himself paid down ten guineas , aud done good suit and service , but many who now wore tho jewel had not paid a single penny of their own . The Grand Master said , if they had done so it was a gross

abase of the intentions of the Duke of Sussex , and he should direct the Grand Secretary to look strictly into the matter . Bro . Binckes ' . laid many who wore the jewel only paid the Stewards' fee , and did not contribute one penny to either of the Charities . He proposed , as an amendment , "That the Charity jewel instituted in 1829 , by H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , M . W .

S . Master , as a mark of distinction to be worn by brethren who hare served the office of Steward at the anniversary festival of lhe two schools , since which date a third institution has been established , be referred to the Board of General Purposes to consider the original regulations under which the Charity jewel was instituted , and , if desirable , as to any and what modifies

tions should be made in the conditions as to fhe right to wear the jewel , and the means by which it is obtained , and to report to the MAV . the Grand Master thereon . " Bro . Smith s-iid he would adopt Bro . Binckes' amendment , -inc . introduced another , which was put and agreed to .

MASONIC LIFEBOAT . Bro . William Smith , C . K , P . G . Steward , and W . M . No . 1 , 238 , said he had the honour to propose , in tho terms of the resolution , " That the sum of one hundred guineas he contributed from the funds of Gr . md Ledge towards furnishing , through the . National lifeboat Institution , a lifeboat , to be called the ' Masonic

Lifeboat , ' for which purpose a number of donations have been received . " He might mention that the proposition for supplying a lifeboat under the name of the Masonic Lifeboat , had attracted attention for a considerable time , and about £ 200 had been promised as contributions towards it . Ho believed that if Grand Lodge would vote £ 100 the lifeboat would be placed on

some station within a few months from that time . They would only be doing what had been done by other societies , such as the Odd Fellows and Foresters , who had presented lifeboats to the National Lifeboat Institution . He had had an interview with Bro . Lewis , the Secretary of that Institution , and he found

the organisation was so complete for the purpose , and that the Council and Officers of the National Institute were glad to avail themselves of the means of adding to the number of lifeboats , t )( which many more were needed . Bro . Bennoch said it was at nil times ungracious to oppose anything like a charitable object , and he would at once admit that the Life Boat Institution was a noble institution , but he

should like to know first whether the Grand Lodge would cause . any of its funds to be given to any institution without a petition heing presented to it ; and secondly were there own charities so well supplied that they could appropriate their surplus funds to ather charities . They were aware that the sum promised towards this object was under £ 100 , and be wanted to know bow

far £ 200 would equip a life boat and endow it also . For himself he had a great objection to contribute money in such a way . if they could wisely support the institution let them do so , but to have a life boat bearing the name of the Masonic Life Boat , which they might not be able to float for two or three years , he

Grand Lodge Of England.

looked upon as highly objectionable . They need not build a boat , but if necessary they might contribute the amount to the institution itself . If they wore asked to contribute in favour of the Life Boat Institution , be believed all would support it . The Grand Registrar wished to know how much of the sum had been actually subscribed , and how much had been

promised . Bro . Smith said he believed that of the amount the sum absolutely paid was under £ 50 , but large sums had been promised , which had not as yet boon asked for . However , Bro . Hyde Clarke was present , and would answer any questions . He believed the cost of the lifeboat would be about £ 000 .

The Grand Master : I have the honour to be a Vice-President of the National Lifeboat Institution . I have tbe highest opinion of that institution , and there is no one in which I feel a greater interest . I have no doubt that it would be the wish of the Grand Lodge , if necessary , to support that institution , but I do not think that it would be the wish to have what is

called " a Masonic lifeboat , " as the affairs might not be properly managed , and I deprecate the course now proposed . The Grand Registrar said there was a great amount of destitution iu the metropolis , and they had an institution close to their own doors , such as the King's College Hospital , that wanted support . They ought to look at home , and , if they had

the means , support the great institutions close at home , and not ( as he understood ) by voting a sum of money fetter the hands of the National Lifeboat Institution . The motion was then put and negatived . Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form and solemn prayer , and adjourned shortly before eleven o ' clock .

Masonic Archæological Institute.

MASONIC ARCH ? OLOGICAL INSTITUTE .

The second meeting of this most important Institute was held at Freemason ' s Hall , Great Queen-street , London , upon the 26 th ult . There was a large attendance of members and visitors , — among the former were , Council : —Messrs . James Glaisher , Hyde Clarke , William Smith , C . E ., J . E . Saunders , R . J . Spiers ; Hyde Piillen and Anthony Oiieul Haye , Honorary Secretaries .

Members -. Major Finney , Edwin Palmer , John Newton , Captain Barlow , George Lambert , II . W . Hemsworth , John N . Sharp , John A . Rut-her , Edward 15 usher , W . J . Adams , W . F . Marchant , Hall Grigor , 1 ) . Cuhitt Nichols , W . Barges Henry Bridges , Thomas Middleton . Among the visitors were John C . Milbourne , P . M ., 910 ; N . White , 890 ; J . G . Seacome , P . M ., 151 ,

Lima , Peru ; William Newton , 020 , 7 . ( 7 . ; W . Littaur , 205 ; H . Massey , W . M . 619 ; Charles A . Ellis , P . M ., 913 ,- J . Stohwasser ; C . J . Klafheirberger ; D . Toms , J . W . 706 ; Henry Melville , 313 , S . C . ; F . Thimm , P . M . ; Frederick Binckes , Secretary lions' Institution ; Raynham W . Stewart ; T . H . Devonshire ; R . Phene Spiers ; JamesS . Thomson , 190 ; Edward

Moody , 193 , & c , & c . Upon the motion of Mr . William Smith , C . E ., Mr . Hyde Clarke took the chair , and called upon the Honorary Secretaries to state -what donations had been received since the last meeting . The Honorary Secretaries reported the receipt of a letter from Colonel Henry Clerk , intimating his intention of presenting the Institute with a selection of books , and also of one from 5 lr . C . C . Whitney Griffiths , Worcester , accompanying copies of tivo curious diplomas . The thanks of

the Institute to these gentlemen for their donations was moved hy Mr . Glaisher , who said that such examples would doubtless have the effect of bringing in other donations . This was seconded by Mr . William Smith , CIS ., and carried unanimously . The Honorary Secretaries were directed to have the same engrossed in the minutes , anil intimated to Colonel Clerk and Mr . Whitney Griffiths . The chairman then briefly introduced Mr . Lambert , who read the following paper upon "A