Our Masonic Contemporaries.

country , arising from liis early admission . On proceeding lately to the east , he was successful in accomplishing an object dear to the M . W . G . M ., the suppression of the Smyrna schism of the three irregular lodges , the Grand Lodge , the R . A . Chapter , and the Grand Chapter ; the local Grand Master paying him the compliment of lacing

p himself and the irregularly admitted brethren under Bro . Clarke ' s protection . At their request he petitioned for a warrant , which the M . W . G . M . liberally granted , nominating Bro . Hyde Clarke to consecrate the lodge and officiate as the first W . M . Bro . Clarke has also been engaged in measures to bring the ancient Swiss Lodge under the

Grand Lodge of England , to constitute Turkey a province under the Grand Lodge of England , and to open ' R . A . Chapters at Constantinople ancl Smyrna , in which he will doubtless prove successful . We cannot close this notice of so distingushed a brothel * without acknowledging the valuable and disinterested assistance we have received from Bro . Clarke

iu the PEEEMASOK ' S' MAGAZINE , and of which we were only deprived by his departure to Turkey— " Our Architectural Chapter" and many of the articles on " Masonic Missions" having emanated from his pen , whilst he was the originator of the department of Notes and Queries , which still holds a prominent position in our publication ,

and which has been contributed to by so many brethren . As a friend , we can speak of Bro . Clarke in the AA'armest terms , as one ever ready to assist another , and more especially a struggling author , alike by his advice and purse , the Editor of this Magazine having very earlin his career as a journalist had the honour of

y making the acquaintance of Bro . Hyde Clarke , and having been indebted to him for many introductions which he highly values . In domestic life , too , Bro . Clarke , is much esteemed and regarded as a son , a brother , a husband , and a father , for qualities which justly endear him to all with whom he is connected .

Freemasonry In Vancouver's Island And British Columbia.

FREEMASONRY IN VANCOUVER'S ISLAND AND BRITISH COLUMBIA .

A Correspondent ( J . S . ) writes : —Being a yearly subscriber and admirer of your valuable Masonic paper in this far-off British Colony , ancl having exjueriencecl much pleasure in perusing accounts therein of the progress of our beloved Order in various parts of the world , I thought it might not bo uninteresting to your readers to hear of the well-doingof the Craft in this colonyand the establishment of Victoria

, Lodge ( No . 1085 ) , working under a charter from the United . Grand Lodgo of England , which was duly organised , aud the officers installed , in accordance with the Constitutions , in August , 1860 . Although many difficulties had to be encountered in the onset , in finding suitable premises for holding- the lodge , and funds for furnishing the same , yet I am happy to say that everything has been arranged to the

satisfaction of the members thereof , and we hope by the help of the G . A . O . T . U . to diffuse the blessings of Masonic Light in these young and . rising colonies of Vancouver ' s Island and British Columbia ; and although so far severed from our home brethren , wc did not allow the Masonic year to close without some demonstration . I will therefore , with your permission give a brief statement of our doings on last St .

John ' s Day , the 27 fch December , 1860 , together with a short account of our first lodge festival , held in the Lodge Rooms , at the installation of officers for the present year , on tho 24-th January , 1861 . MASONIC BAH . A ictoria Lodge ( No . 1085 ) gave their first Masonic hall at the Supreme Court BoomGovernment BuildingsJames Bay

, , , on Thursday evening , St . John's day , December 27 th , I 860 . The uso of the room was kindly given to the Craft by his Excellency Governor Douglas , C . B . Victoria Lodge heing the first and only one in the two colonies of Vancouver ' s Island and British Columbia , and the first Masonb

appearance of the fraternity in public , its advent excited a good deal of curiosity in our midst . The members were all attired in the regalia of the lodge , whilst brethren not members appeared in regalia suited to their respective degrees . The members of the loclge with AYM . Bro . Joseph Johnson Southgate ( who is also Master elect for tho ensuing Masonic year ) , ancl Bro . Ilobert Biirnaby , noting P . M ., with numerous other brethren to the number of one hundred were presentamongst

, whom was our respected Chief Justice , Bro . David Cameron . The other distinguished ! and invited guests who honoured the Craft hy their presence , included His Excellency Governor Douglas , C . B . ; and the most Worshipful Grand Master of AVashington Territory , Bro . E . Garfield , together with a large number of officers of the Eoyal Navy , who contributed largely to the evening ' s entertainment hy their over-gallant and courteous attention to the fair sex , amongst

them were Bro . P . M . Aguilar , Bro . II . W . Scaif ' e , Bro . L . Geneste , Bro . D . J . Haukin , and Bro . A . Lew , of II . M . ships Topaze , Hecate , ancl Plumper , now laying out at Esquimalt . The room was most artisticall y decorated with flags , wreaths , and emblems of our Order . The band of H . M . S . Topaze discoursed most excellent music throughout the evening . The ball opened with the usual Masonic Grand March . The assemblage was probably greater than at any demonstration of a

sociable character ever before given in this colony , comprising all its beauty , talent , and fashion , who pronounced the hall a decided success , and it will long be remembered by all of those who were present and participated in its festivities .

VICTORIA LODGE ( SO . 1085 ) , A ' Aircoimai ' s ISLAND . The installation meeting and first annual festival of this loclge took place on Thursday , 2-i-th January , 1861 , at the lodge roonis ^ Yates-street , Victoria , when the lodge was opened by AV . M . Bro . J . J . Southgate , who had heen re-elected for the present Masonic , year . He was next re-installed into the chair by Bro . llobert Burnaby acting Past Master of this lodge ; and , after the usual salutes had

been given , the W . M . appointed and invested the following brethren as his officers , viz .: —Bros . George Pearkes , S . AV . ; William Brooke Nay lor , J . W . ; Robert Burnaby , P . M . ; James ST . A'hain , Treas . ( re-elected ); Thomas E . Nuttal ' l , Sec . AA illiam II . Yhain , S . D . ; Rady Gambitz , J . D . ; Lumley Franklin , I . G . ; Kory M'Donnell , Tyler , ( re-elected ) . The lodge was then closed in perfect harmony , and the brethren , to the number of twenty-two , adjourned to the banquet provided in the lodge rooms by Bro . Driard , the

well-known restauratuer , the AV . M . presiding , supported by P . M . Bro . Ilobert Burnaby , of Lodgo No . 4 , Itoyal Somerset House ancl Inverness , ancl by Bro . Wm . Brooke Naylor , ofthe AVakefiold Lodge , No . 727 , ancl several visiting brethren . The cloth having been removed , the AV . M . remarked that it had Mien to his lot to have the honour and privilege of presidingat this , the first Masonic banquet ever held in this part of the worldancl his duty to propose the regular Masonic toasts usual on

, such occasions . He would , therefore , commence by giving " The Queen and the Craft , " —which was drank with all the honours and loyalty so characteristic of Masons ancl Britons . The next toast proposed was the M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland , coupled with the B . W . D . 6 . M ., Lord Panmure , and the Officers of the United Grand

Lodge of England—which was received with every demonstration of honour and respect , and responded to by acting P . M ., Bro . IIOKEUT BuiiSABY , late Prov . G . D . C . for the county of Surrey , England , in a neat and appropriate speech , hoping the clay was not far distant when the Craft would be in a position to apply to the M . AA . G . Master for the appointment of a Provincial Grand Master for the colonics of Vancouver's IslanclandBritish Columbia , for the purpose of watching and protecting the interests of Preemasonry in these

far distant portions of Her Majesty ' s dominions . He then proposed "The Health of the first ancl present AV . M . of A ictoria Lodge , ( ISTo . 1805 ) , Bro . J . J . Southgate . " All the members must acknowledge that had it not have heen for his untirng zeal and valuable aid in forming and establishing the lodge they could not have mot that night to celebrate the festival of that , the first English Masonic Lodge on the north-west coast of America . Drank with full Masonic honours and applause . —The W . ^ , 1 .

responded briefly by thanking the members of the lodge for the kind manner in which they had drank his health , ancl said he had only performed his duty as a brother and a Mason in giving what humble aid and time he could spare for advancing the interests of the"lodge and their beloved Order generally . He then proposed "The Health of Acting P . M ., Bro . Robert Burnaby , " whose zeal for the good of Masonry was so well known that no eulogium

that he , the W . M . could pronounce would do justice to his wellmerited place in the affections of the members of the loclge . Drank with all the 2 Tasonic honours . —Bro . BUHKAUY , in . returning thanks , assured the brethren of his sincere wish to serve them and Victoria Lodge , No . 10 S 5 , in particular , for he considered it his cluty to