Grand Masonic Rite.

Mr , Shellard . Then follows the bearer of the great standard , then the sword-bearer immediately preceding Lord Carnarvon , to whom is paid ail the honours due to the Grand Master—whose representative he is . He is followed by a numerous body of gentlemen who are , or who have been , members of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Amongst them are several clergymen , one of whom

wears his canonicals and is the Grand Chaplain of England . As the organ peals forth a Masonic march these new comers ascend the platform , the banner is held above the chair of the officiating Grand

Masterwho is saluted in a Masonic fashion known only to the initiated- —and the assemblage is complete . We violate no confidence when we state that the Provincial Officers " wear collars of a rich purple colour , highly ornamented with gold , while their white aprons are also bordered with purple , and edged with trimmings of tho same precious metal . Anything more thoroughly novel and effective

than the aspect of this meeting—the blue and the silver , the purple and gold , adding by contrast to the beauty of the scene—has never , we believe , been witnessed within the walls of the Free Trade Hall . The general ' result was highly picturesque , nor was it indeed , void of something like grandeur . Certain preliminaries having been gone through , the

Provincial Grand Master Designate was summoned to the meeting . Col . Starkie , who a few years since filled the office of Hi gh Sheriff of Lancashire , is probably known to many of our readers . He has a decidedly military hearing . He is a Deputy-Lieutenant of the County , and is deservedly esteemed and respected by all classes . For many generations his ancestors havo attained hih

posig tions in Freemasonry , but not one of them can have presided over so numerous a body as that which now constitutes the Province of East Lancashire . Bro . Starkie ' s attitude through the long ceremony that awaited him was manly and collected , but perfectly modest and unassuming . His voice , as he entered into certain engagements as to the discharge of his new duties , was quite audible

throughout the hall ; and all present were evidently impressed with his demeanour . Having been invested with the gorgeous paraphernalia proper to a Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Starkie was

installed in his place by Lord Carnarvon . During this portion of the rite tho cheers were loud and vigorousso much so as to all but over-power the flourish of trumpets which marked the elevation of the now Grand Master to his dignified position . Lord Carnarvon , who is evidently thoroughly at home in his " work " as a Freemason , is also a clever and im

pressive speaker , very deliberate , and , as he warms with his subject , fluent . His address to Bro . Starkie was marked with much dignity and more sound sense . After congratulating him upon his accession to office , bis lordship enlarged upon the responsibilities and cares which were inseparable from such a position . He earnestly counselled consistency , forbearance , assiduity ,

and independence . " Freemasonry , " said Lord Carnarvon , " has two sides—a higher and a lower . Be it yours to attain the one and eschew the other . " This advice is too sensible to be overlooked , and we print it for the benefit of all Freemasons , to whom it applies , equally with him to whom it was addressed . The Provincial Grand Master immediately appointed

as his deputy Bro . William Ptomaine Callender , a gentleman who , notwithstanding engagements sufficient to overwhelm any one less ravenous for work , devotes very considerable time to his Masonic duties . It was evident that Bro . Starkie had commenced his reign by the most acceptable appointment it was possible for him to have made . As Bro . Callender advanced to receive the

insignia of his office , he was erected with an enthusiasm that was really an ovation , but it did not need this to assure Mr . Callender of the hi gh opinion in which he is held throughout the Province .

Grand Masonic Rite.

Many who are not Freemasons will doubtless peruse these lines , and not a few of them may have observed , amongst the brotherhood , practices that they do not and cannot approve . They may be assured that what Lord Carnarvon said about there being to Freemasonry "a higher and a lower side , " is strictly true ; and they will find , if they be observant , that a large

majority of the fraternity seek to attain the higher level , and to practise the highest precepts of the order , while they avoid the objectionable features , which are , we fear , inseparable from all large societies of men .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . COL . A . G . GREENLAW , P . S . G . W ., AND

T DIST . G . M . OF BRITISH BURMAH , & c . We regret exceedingly to announce the death of this distinguished brother , which melancholy event took place at Coonoor , in the Madras Presidency , on the 2 : h'd September last . In the demise of R . W . Bro . Greenlaw , the Craft in India generally , and British Burmah in particular , will

sustain a loss which cannot easily be replaced . Ever since he set foot in British Burmah years ago , he laboured earnestly and diligently in behalf of the Order ; and did not rest until he incroduced almost every degree of Masonry in the Province , himself taking the most prominent part in the work . Nor did he confine his labours to the ritual alone , but he kept the spirit ,

of-Masonry alive by frequent lectures , disseminating the beauty of the Order . Only a few months ago we had the pleasure of noticing these excellent lectures , which were published by him in a volume , and which mot with such a welcome reception all over India . Bro- Greenlaw ' s labours ou behalf of the Order were not confined to British Burmah alone , for as soon ns lie

was transferred to tho Madras Presidency , he assisted iu establishing the Provincial Grand Conclave of Knights Templar there , and a Chapter of the Rose Croix , as also a Chapter of the same Degree in the Pnnjaiib . The deceased brother was held in the highest respect and esteem by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance ; particularly in British Burmah , the scene of his greatest Masonic labours . So highly did the brethren

of this province appreciate his worth , that although his public duties removed him permanently to the Madras Presidency , he was solicited not to resign the high offices of District Grand Master of Craft Masonry , Provincial Grand Master of Mark Masonry , and Provincial Grand Commander of Knights Templar . The grief that will overtake the brethren of British Burmah when they hear

of his decease , will be intense , for it will be difficult for them to find a successor with such a comprehensive mind , who knew how to rule and win the affection of his brethren . The loss to us is indeed great ; for we were in frequent communication with him ; his last letter to us intimuted that he was about to revise the lectures lie had published ,

and which were nearly all sold ; also that he was preparing for the press a volume to contain the Prayers and Music of every degree of the Order . The pages of this journal were often embellished with his valuable contributions . How truly lias that solemn warning been verified —• " In the midst of life we are in death . " During this year

it has been our melancholy task to record the deathwithin a few months of each other—of four of the staunches * members of the Order , and our firm sup-Dorters—Bros . Wickha-m , Hon " , Wellis , and Greenlaw . The truly Christian and Masonic character of these much loved and respected members of the Order insured for them the affection of their brethren in their lifetime , and their good deeds will long live in the remembrance of