Masonic Foundations.

fame the Order of which they know nothing , and will not care to inquire . Many acts of the dear old Archbishop Howley are fresh in my memory , but none shine brig hter than those of that charity professed by Masonry that " vaunteth not itself , and speaketh evil of none . " Many of his pious deeds were not paraded for the gratification of a

contemptible notoriety , or a sanctified preference over other men . The vestments , the ornaments , the furniture , are all indicative of character . One emblem I have seen suspended from the reading-desk of a Protestant pulpit is highly prized by Masons , and frequently becomes the subject of a lecture at their meetings . I mean tho

double triangle in gold upon a crimson ground of silk velvet . The thistle , too ; is not overlooked by the skilful Craftsman ; the circle the square , the lamb and the dove together , with a profusion of choicest flowers , are all understood in Masonry ; and where the font is found filled with water and lilies , and pomegranates , all adorn the mouldings of the structure , and when mediaeval candlesticks and sconces are tastefully distributed , and

the good old custom of having the ten commandments neatly framed upon panels in the eastern part , are all Masonic—anterior to their introduction into Christian assemblies , the loyalty also of our body has ever had a representative emblem in our regalia—the coat of arms of the country under whose protection we live . The altar , or pedestal , and the sacristy , or ante-room ,

as mentioned in the Levitical law " , the tesselated pavement , are well understood by the working Mason , and afford him an opportunity of many words of solid advice and warning . And who does not love to see . those ¦ delicate , transparent , beautiful little emblems , tho banns , putting us in mind of the two tables of stone upon Avhich were written the Ten Laws delivered by God to

Moses ou the Mount ; all combining to convince inquiring minds that we have no device , or motto , or emblem , or banner , or geometrical figure which does not call to mind some truth , or some virtue sanctioned in the upright , loyal , and fraternal professor of Freemasonry . Yours fraternally , A PAST GRAND STEWARD , P . M ., AND PAST GRAND OFFICER .

Masonic Charities.

MASONIC CHARITIES .

TO THE EDITOR OP THE FHEEMASOXS MAGAZIXE AXD MASOXIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The Masonic season having now ikirly commenced in the metropolis , and as installations , together with rewards to retiring Masters will be numerous , I should like , through the medium of your widely-spread columns , to make a suggestion . In many lodges it is customary to present the retiring W . M . with

a P . M . ' s jewel ; would it not be more agreeable to many , and a better way of using lodge lands , to make ( or offer to ) such brother a Life Governorship in one of the Schools . It may be urged that £ 1010 s . would dip largely into some funds ; to such I would say , a life membership only costs £ 5 ! JS . Those who wish for outward ostentation can treat themselves to a jewel .

To those who regulate the affairs of the Charities I would suggest that a parchment certificate , similar to our Grand Lodge certificates , might be issued for this purpose only , setting forth the name , & c , of the brother so honoured , aud the number of the lodge , & c , by whom presented , the expense of which would be but trifling ; and this would be by numbers more highly prized than the

glittering jewel , which , out of lodge , loses much of its lustre . Several to whom I have spoken about it entertain a favourable view of my proposition , and the assistance of your powerful pen may do much in bringing about a lasting benefit to the Charities in a very quiet way . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , W . M .

The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASONIC ME II . At the meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence , on Wednesday last , Bro . John Udall , P . G . D ., in the chair , eleven petitioners were relieved with various sums , amounting to £ 121 ; one was recommended to Grand Lodge for a grant of £ 50 , and another for £ 30 , making a total of £ 201 . The consideration of two " petitions was deferred , and one withdrawn .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

MOUNT LEBANON LODGE ( NO . 73 ) . —This flourishing lodge held its usual monthly meeting on Tuesday , October 20 th , at Bro . C . Cathie's , Green Man Tavern , Tooley-street , Southwark . Bro . Frederick AValters , AA . M ., assisted by Bros . E . Harris , P . M ., Sec . ; D . Davies , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Smith , P . M . ; J . Donkin , P . M . ; \ V . H . Hughes , P . M . ; Levy , S . AV . ; H . Moore , J . W ; and J . C . Gooddy , I . G ., performed the ceremonies of the evening . 1

Messrs . Marshall , J . Denton , R . G . Chipperfield , and I . E . Cooper were each introduced separately , and initiated in an able and impressive manner into the privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Bros . Morris and Turney were properly passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Freemasonry ; this ceremony being exceedingly well rendered . The sum of ten guineas was unanimously voted from the lodge funds , and paid to the Boys '

School ( Bro . E . Harris , P . M ., Collector , being present ) , to support the Steward , Bro . J . C . Gooddy , I . G ., who kindly undertook that distinguished position . This makes the third time the sum of ten guineas has this year been sent to support tbe Masonic Charities . It was decided by a large majority that in future this lodge should be held at the Green Man Tavern , instead of the Bridge House Hotel . After business , the brethren partook of refreshment . Amongst a very large number of visitors we , noticed—Bros . H . A . Collington , P . M . 140 , J . AV . 871 ; G . I Chapman , J . D . 147 ; G . Brown , S . W . 169 ; J . Searle , J . AV . 1 G 9 ; It . Welsford , P . M . 548 , & e .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GIIAND LODOE . The annual meeting of this Grand Lodge took place at Dnrsley , on Wednesday , 21 st inst . It being the first Grand Lodge held there , the circumstance caused a full attendance of the brethren from that locality , including several from AA ottonunder-edge , Berkeley , with others from Stroud , Gloucester ,

Cheltenham , Tewkesbury , and Cirencester . Bro . George F . Newmarcli , D . Prov . G . M ., most ably presided , in the absence of the Rt . Hon . Lord Sherborne , Prov . G . M ., who was prevented from attending by a domestic calamity . The number of brethren present was nearly sixty , among whom wore , as officers of tho Provincial Grand Lodge , the following brethren : —Bros . G . F . Newmarcb , D . Prov . G . M . ;

J . G . Wilson , Prov . J . G . W ; Eev . G . Roberts , Prov . G . Chap . ; T . G . Palmer , Prov . G . Treas . ; J . K . Cooke , Prov . S . G . D . ; E . S . Cossens , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks ; C . Partridge , Prov . . T . G . D . ; E . G . Woodward , Prov . G . Org . ; J . B . Purchas , Prov . G . Purst . ; P .. Wiggins , Prov . G . Tyler . The Past Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge present were—Bros . T . Tuynton , AV . O . Watts , Alex . Shirer , jun ., J . S . AVhite , and T . Grist . The various lodges in the province were represented as follows -.

—Royal Gloucestershire ( No . 839 ) , Bros . AV . Nicks , R . T . Smith , J . M . Butt , A . Wheeler , II . T . Lovegrove , and II . AA eight ; Royal Lebanon ( No . 493)—AV . B . Stocker , H . Jeffs , T . E . Jeens , AV . Crump , Chas . Tomes , J . G . AVilson ; St . George's ( No . 900 ) —E . S . Cossens , AV . M . ; Prince of Wales ( No . 951)—E . S . Cossens ; Royal Manchester ( So . 10)—F . Binckes ; Moira ( No . 109 ) , London—J . AV . Harrington , S . D . ; Royal Union ( No . 246 ) —R . Tovey , P . M . ; Sherborne ( No . 702 )—J . Gainer , P . M ., T . Grist , W . Cowle , K . B . Carter , J . B . Purchas ; Royal Union—S . AVallace , W . M . ; Foundation ( No . 82)—S . Wallace , W . M . ;