Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

The R . W . P . G . M ., Viscount Holmesdale , M . P . has arranged that the Provincial Grand Festival of Kent be holden at Gravesend , on Tuesday , Cth of July next . The arrangements of the Committee at Gravesend , for the Festival , are : Breakfast to Provincial Grand Officers , past

and present , and W . M . s , P . M . s and Wardens of Lodges , at the Clarendon Hotel , at 10 o ' clock ; Lodge at the Milton Hall at 12 ; Church Service at the Parish Church at 1 . 30 ; Banquet at the Assembly Rooms at 4 . Application has been made to the Railway Company to grant Return Tickets at a Single Fare .

The " Hall by the Sea , " Margate , is now open , under proprietorship of Bro . Sanger , and nnder direction of Mr . Arthur Reeve . Several additions have been made to the raro specimens of birds and animals , including four elephants . The dens are illuminated at night . There is

a very excellent concert , the Bros . Wills , Mr . Brooks , Miss Eliza Ward , and a capital band , under the direction of Mr . E . Crosse . A ball is given every evening , at 8 . 30 . An anticipatory ball is given at the Assembly Rooms , Margate , under the management of Bro . Edwin Villiers . Bro . Jarvis is the M . C .

A committee has been formed for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Bro . Thos Meekham P . M ., in recognition of his services as one of the Masters of the Ceremonies , for many years , at the Licensed Victuallers ' School and Asylum Balls , the Protection Society Ball , & c .

The fifteen sections were worked by Bro . Crawley , Preceptor , in the Burdett Coutts Lodge of Instruction , meeting at the Approach Tavern , Approach Road , Victoria Park , on Friday last , assisted by Bros . Ashburner , Henry

Lloyd , Crouch , Crane , Gross , Wallington , Allen , Christian and Horsley . There was a good attendance of brethren . Young members are recommended to pay a visit to this Lodge , where they will receive that instruction so ably given by the worthy Preceptor .

On Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., Bro . Frostick , of Westgateon-Sea , who had been initiated in the Old Concord Lodgo , and , by the courtesy of the W . M ., was passed and raised to the 3 rd degree in tho Union Lodge , No . 127 , entertained the W . M ., officers and brethren at the King ' s Head , High

Street , Margate , at a very sumptuous banquet , provided by Bro . Smith . The meeting was a very agreeable and social one . Some very eloquent and appropriate speeches were made , by Bros . Frostick , J . Compton P . M ., Tcakins P . M . and Hcnnah .

Bro . Captain Boyton will cross the Firth of Forth in his life saving dress , aud with the aid of a paddle and a sail , on the 17 th inst .

A grand concert will be held in St . George ' s Hall , Laugham Place , on the evening of Thursday , tho 15 th instant , for the benefit of the widow of the late Bro . Richard Limpus . Our late respected brother was the founder of the College of Organists , and had held the

position of honorary secretary and treasurer from its commencement to his death . It was mainly owing to his exertions that the Benevolent Fund attached to the College was established , and not only so but through his efforts it is that the College has attained ils

present high position . Bro . Limpus was a man of eminence in his profession , and had filled the post of Organist to St . Michael ' s , Cornhill , for over fivc-andtwenty years . He was also Prov . G . Organist for Middlesex . His death occurring prematurely , it was out of his

power to make provision for his widow . Hence , the subscription lists which have been opened under the auspices of the College of Organists . Hence , too , the concert fixed for the 15 th instant , when many distinguished artistes have freely offered their services . We trust both the testimonial and the concert may be productive of good .

Masonic Origin Of "Brother Jonathan."

MASONIC ORIGIN OF " BROTHER JONATHAN . "

rpHE Grand Secretary of Ohio claims to havo discovered tho - * - origin of " Brother Jonathan , " and glories in his discovery , becanso it is connected with Freemasonry . Tho hero of his romance is Jonathan Belcher , a Boston boy , tho son of a merchant , who obtained his father ' s consent to visit Europe . The anthor

says : " In tho spring of 1700 , in his twentieth year , young Jouathan bade good-byo to his indulgent parent , and tho ambitious youth sailed for the port of Liverpool [ more likely Bristol or London ] . On reaching London , his social position and graces gave him entre ' e into tho refined society of the city , and tho universities [ what universities ?] , and to the court of Kim ? William III . "

"This monarch had been privately initiated into Masonry by tho venerable architect , Sir Christopher Wren , and becamo enthusiastic in what now was termed tho royal art , so much so as to preside in a Lodgo specially orected for him in the regal apartments of Hampton Court , where ho and his favourites spent many festive hours . "

" Young Yankee and old Architect affiliated admirably ; Young Curious and Old Curiosity became consorts at once . " Young Jonathan in Holland , during King William's visit thero " was a card among tho burgomasters ; ho also visited tho Electress at Hernhauson , whore she studied philosophy in the garden , and became a great favourite of herselE , her son , and grandson , afterward

George I ., and II ., who , by tho byo , wore both Masons . " " Six years were spent in travels , tho most impressive of the experiences of which wero those of Holland , and in fraternal relations with the young Elector of Hanover , and in England with Sir Christopher Wren . * * * " In 1702 , the year Jonathan becamo a Mason , the King having

fallen from his horse in Bush Park , died , aud the court wore iu mourning . Of those in tho funeral array , none attracted more attention , as , clothed with a Masonio collar and jewel , ho left Kensington Palace for the sepulture of royalty in tho chapel of Henry VII ., Westminster . Tho people eagerly pointed out tho American . ' That is Bro . Jonathan , so familiarly called by tho old

King . ' . " The aged Christopher Wren never attracted so much attention as on tho funeral occasion of King William , who had received tho Masonic dogrees at his hand " [ at a period when there wore no degrees' } . Glory to tho Grand Lodgo of Ohio and its Right Worshipful Grand Secretary , who was inspired with a revelation , out-revealing

the Revelation of . a Square ! For tho first time wo are informed that at tho funeral of Bro . King William III ., there was a Masonic procession , attonded by Sir Christopher Wren and Brother Jonathan , clothed in Masonic paraphernalia . And to substantiate tho fact of Brother Jonathan ' s Masouization in 1702 , the 11 . W . Ohio brother cites from a letter of Jonathan Belcher , addressed to a Boston Lodge in 17-11 , as follows :

" It is now thirty-nine years since I was admitted in tho ancient and honourable society of Free and Accepted Masons . " Hence , ho was made a Mason in 1702 , aud honco Bro . Jonathan was entitled to wear tho Masonio collar and jewel , and to march in Masonic procession in company with Sir C . Wren at Bro . William ' s funeral in 1702 . This wonderful discovery I have already seen

reprinted in a Masonio paper , and ero this communication appears the Bro . Jonathan story will probably appear in other papers , without any challenge . It is a pity to spoil such a fino story ; but I am of opinion that Masonic history is already overloaded with : < :: oli stories , and can do very well without now additions . Briefly the : ; , tho letter of Gov . Belcher , above referred to , doss not state "

thirtyninc years since , but thirty-seven years smce ; hence , Jonathan Belcher was not initiated until 1701 , or two vcars after the funeral of William III . I must here relate a very curious fact iu connection with the romance of King William ' s initiation in a private Lodge , as abovo stated . Tho Rev . Bro . A . F . A . Woodford is undoubtedly the most

accomplished scholar , and one of the most assiduous Masonic students , now contributing to tho Masonic press in England . At my interview with that distinguished brother last year , Bro . W . informed me , that some few years ago ho was invited to deliver a Masonic address before a Lodgo in tho town or neighbourhood whero ho officiated as pastor of tho Episcopal church . To prepare himself for tho

required task , ho took up Anderson s History ot Masonry , and the story of King William ' s initiation in a private Lod ^ o iu his palace made him pause . " I asked my ilf , " ho said , " Is there any foundation for this :-iatcnn . Miu of Andr son ? And upon careful enquiry 1 came to tho conclusion that ir , v ia apocryphal ; this inquiry impelled mo to continue , in my research : ¦ ; -., and was tlu cause of my becoming a Masonic Student . " —Bro . Jacub Norton .

Ar01502

We cxfivict tuo rollowing items from the Ottawa ] yeeld'i /¦(¦¦¦ CiUZdL : —¦

Arrangements nro br . n * made for a grand Masonic moonlight oxcursiou down tho Ottawa , on the steamer Peerless . Tho date h . r-i ;; ot yet been Jixc-. i : tho mere i ' lcfcof its boing a Maso : ii-J Exci-. i ^ o . - i will ensure iis success .

At a mooting of tho B .: \ lhv . i' Lodgo , held last evening , trio following wero elected m officers for the ensuing ytar : —Eros . W . S . Rogers W . M ., T . Kean S . W ., W . Mills J . W ., W . D . Wilson Treasurer , W . Ilae Secretary , McCarthy Tyler .