Masonic Mems.

Grand Master , Bro . R . W . Shekleton , Q . C . ; Sir Edward Hudson Kinahan , Sir John Banks , the Rev . Benjamin Gibson , Rev . Mr . Hamilton , Rev . Dr . Fuller , and a numerous gathering of the governors and officers of the school . The Deputy-Grand Master thanked their Excellencies for making so early a visit to their schools on their arrival in Ireland , and expressed a hope that it

would be possible for him to pay a visit to the boys' school at Clonskeagh at an early date . The Grand Master also offered his thanks to the Lord Lieutenant for this early proof of his interest in the Masonic institutions of Ireland . The Lord Lieutenant said it afforded him very great

gratification to visit the school . As one who had been so intimately associated with Freemasonry in England , having been for sixteen years a Provincial Grand Master , it afforded him great pleasure to

find the charitable institutions of the Craft on this side of the channel so prosperous , and it would give him great satisfaction to convey to the members of the brotherhood on the other side the very prosperous condition of Irish Freemasonry . Their Excellencies were then conducted over the various departments of the school , with the arrangement of which they expressed themselves highly

pleased . The pupils were put through a series of calisthenics , which reflected credit alike on the children and their instructors . The pupils of the Masonic Boys' School , under the charge of their head master ( Bro . Holbroke ) , were also present .

* * * The Brethren of Luton , headed by those of the Lodge of St . John ( 475 ) , held a ball early last month , and a description of the ball-room has been sent us . Here it is : — The ball-room was skilfully decorated . Myriad flags showered glowing color everywherewhile lace curtains and portieres relieved doors and

, windows , and mirrors of various sizes set in velvet flashed brilliancy in all directions . Around the semi-circle of the platform , which was used as an orchestra , was a bold motto bearing watchwords of the Craft , " Prudence , Temperance , Fortitude , and Justice , " with masonic emblems at either end , and on a line over the front of the platform were banners emblazoned with the standards of the four leading divisions of the army of Israel : —Reuben , typified by the device of a mansignifing humanity and kindness Judah

, y ; , as a lion , emblematical of strength and majesty ; Ephraim , as an ox , signifying constancy and assiduity ; and Dan , as an eagle , representative of agility and speed . In the centre of them was the badge of the Royal Arch Degree , a triple tau within an equilateral triangle enclosed in a circle , the whole being in gold . These symbols are frequently found on Egyptian obelisks , and are of high significance . Between the banners and down the columns of the orchestra were displayed on bannerettes of different

colors the ensigns of the twelve tribes , figuratirely denoting the peculiar blessings bequeathed to each by the patriarch Jacob . At the opposite end of the hall were the chairs of the Master and Wardens of the lodge , each upon a dais with a mosaic pavement , and having one , two , or three steps according to the dignity of the office . The mosaic work is following the flow of the Tabernacle , and is regarded as indicative of the vicissitudes of human life . By the side of the chairs were the corresponding pedestals , bearing tall candles , emblematicalof course of light . Over the Master ' s chair was the lodge

, , banner , bearing a figure of " St . John the Baptist , " the patron saint . On the Junior Warden ' s pedestal was a symbolic picture of the Mark degree . Masons' marks are constantly met with in ancient architecture , and it is said that Robert Burns put his mason ' s mark in the Bible which he gave to his Highland Mary at their last parting . Overhead , stretching the whole length , was the motto , " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , " the chief watchwords of the OrderOn the side facing the entrance were the tracing-boards of the

. three degrees in Craft masonry , with the " working tools" above them , and they were flanked with other emblems of the R . A . and Mark degrees , while , surmounting all , was the motto , " Faith , Hope , and Charity . " Altogether a very effective representation of masonry was made . This is playing Masonry low down , with a vengeance .

* * * On Saturday , the 15 th ult ., a new Royal Arch Chapter , named " The Williamson" ( 949 ) , under the constitution of the Grand Chapter of England , was duly and solemnly consecrated at the Masonic Hall , Monkwearmouth , in the presence of a numerous company of officers of Durham Provincial Grand Chapter , including the Grand Superintendent [ of the Province , Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart .

* * * A Scottish contemporary writes : " Numbers is not everything , and this fact , involving a fundamental principle , must not be lost sight of in the philanthropic sentiment of disseminating the teachings of Masonry . Open its portals to all and sundry , and you cripple its influence . You admit men who cannot understand , far less appreciate , its lessons . There is sufficient odium attached to Scotch

Masonry for our Brethren across the Border , and we require to clear that away by advocating and adopting greater rigidity—there is no room for greater licence . " We are pleased to see an influential writer in Scotland taking such a stand in the cause of advancement . * * *

At the last meeting of the University of London Conclave of the Order [ of the Secret Monitor , Bro . Samuel Pope , Q . C , was elected a joining member . The meetings of the Conclave are held at the Holborn Restaurant .

* * * At a meeting of the General Committee of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , held at Liverpool on the 7 th ult ., it was resolved to relieve all the candidates then applying for assistance , the additional outlay thus incurred being ^ 70 per annum .

The gross income for the past year amounted to . £ 2 , 4 60 . 18 s ., nearly /" 600 over the total of 188 S . At the end of the year 221 children were receiving benefits from the fund , at an outlay of about , £ 1 , 850 per annum .

* * * To those outside " the Craft " the establishment of a Masonic Club may seem somewhat supererogatory . However , the promoters of the Hull Masonic Club Company , Limited , who , of course , consider only those inside the " Craft , " show excellent cause for their

action , which looks like finding ready support from the Brotherhood . There are a large number of Masons in Hull attached to the Lodges of the port , and there are also the unattached and seafaring Brethren . To the latter of these such an institution as a bona-fide club will be a boon and a blessing ,

while to all and every it should be hailed with pleasure . Suitable , centrally - situated , premises , adapted for conversion to a club , have been already secured , sufficient land at the back being available for the erection of a commodious hall , which , when not required for matters Masonic , may be let for

entertainments , and so prove a source of income . The capital of the concern , which is incorporated under the Companies Acts , 1862 to 1886 , is ^ 2 , 000 , made up of £ 1 shares , and , while it is not necessary that every member shall be a shareholder , it is hoped that the two interests will be combined . The annual subscription has been fixed at 10 s . 6 d ., and it is needless to say that membership

is restricted to Freemasons . Bro . F . B . Grotrian , M . P ., is the President , and the Directors ( all of Hull ) are Messrs . F . Blackburn , John Chappell , J . Matthews , Frederick Ennis , E . Fillingham , J . Meanwell , Thomas B . Middleton , Thomas B . Redfearn ( Solicitor of the Company ) , Joseph Strickland , and William Thirsk ( who

takes office as Secretary ) . Bro . Middleton has been appointed Treasurer . Altogether , the Hull Masonic Club Company , Limited , has the outward aspect of a modest , but prospectively profitable and beneficial , scheme .

* * * A meeting of the Liverpool Masonic Literary Society was held on Saturday the 22 nd ult ., at the Adelphi Hotel , for the purpose of hearing a lecture by the well-known Masonic antiquary and archaeologist , Bro . G . W . Speth , P . M ., secretary , " ( Juatuor Coronati "

Lodge on " The Degrees of Ancient ( pre 1717 ) Freemasonry , " and there was a very large attendance of P . G . officers , as well as other Brethren . The chair was taken by Bro . Jos . Hawkins , W . M ., 216 , who introduced the lecturer to the Brethren . Bro . Speth expressed the great gratification he experienced in being the first to discourse

to their newly-formed society , to which he wished every success . He hoped to be able to place some new themes before them , which would certainly not in any way undermine the faith of the younger members of the Craft . As to the degrees of " Ancient Freemasonry , " he called anything before 1717 ancient , and since that modern .

He proceeded to give an explanation of some of the ancient symbols , and to show why others had fallen into desuetude , carrying the history of the application of these as far back as the second century . He showed that even then the foundation of