Masonic Sonnets, No. 86.

Brighton , who will not be in the running , Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Dimsdale , and Brother W . M . Stiles . The last two represent London Masonry , the pith and marrow of the Craft ; while Bro . Hudson stands as the

champion of the Provinces . Brothes Stiles , who is the nana ^ er of the famous cartridge firm of Eley Brothers , is supported by the " Blue " Masons , on the ground that his retirement at the last election allowed the present

Treasurer , Brother Cochrane , a walk over . Alderman Dimsdale , as the candidate whom the " purple men , " the Grand Officers Present and Past , support , is nearly certain of election . A man of five-and-forty , he is the

managing partner in the firm of Prescott , Dimsdale and Co ., and as a banker of the highest repute in Cornhill and Alderman of the Ward , is just the man to command

the confidence of the Craft . He is said to be the first Etonian who has been an Alderman , though his Brother Hanson is of Eugby , and Sir Joseph Savory , M . P ., was , or rather is , an Old Harrovian .

o o o The White Eose of York—the youngest of the Sheffield Lodges—contemplates a new departure , says the " Sheffield Daily Telegraph . " Masonic dances are not

novel , and they are usually most enjoyable , but the idea of a single Lodge giving a dance all by itself is to be carried out by the White Eose for the first time in Sheffield . The experiment , I think , will answer . Most

ladies , like a few men , prefer a dance to a dinner . Nearly a hundred years ago the Britannia Lodge , the oldest of the Masonic bodies , had a little trial banquet

of that kind . In the " History of the Eoyal Brunswick Lodge , " it is recorded that it was decided in 1800 " that each Brother should have the liberty of introducing two ladies to partake of the evening ' s entertainment ( that is

the . Feast of St . John , on the 25 th June 1800 ) . " No account is given of how the function went off . Probably the historian was more judicious in those days than ours . Neither is there any record of the experiment being

repeated . The writer contents himself with the comment , " No mention is made of any similar privilege being accorded to the members of the Eoyal Brunswick Lodge . " Why so shy , 0 Eoyal Brunswickers ?

o o o At a largely attended meeting held on the 2 nd inst , at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , it was resolved to nominate Bro . W . Allsford P . M . of Lodge Friendship ,

No . 202 , Devonport , as Provincial Grand Treasurer at the next meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge . Bro . Allsford , says the " Western Morning News , " has been

an active Freemason for a great number of years , and a generous supporter of the Masonic charities . He was elected W . M . of Friendship twelve years ago , and is a very popular member of the Order .

o o o South Wales and Monmouthshire Freemasons are distinctly privileged in having an organ of their own . This is " The Craftsman , " published in Cardiff , and

edited by Bro . F . J . Harries , member of the Institute of Journalists . It makes its appearance once a month . The issue for the 20 th inst ., says the " South Wales Daily News , " contains information of special interest to

Masons , and is well got up . Among ^ cs features are a portrait and a facsimile letter of Bro . General Lord Eoberts , and an interesting illustrated interview with Bro . Marmaduke Tennant , the Dep . Prov . Grand Master for South Wales Eastern Division .

o o o It will be seen from an announcement in another column that Bro . Hudson has already decided to continue his candidature for the Grand Treasurership .

O 0 o The proposal to build a grand Masonic Hall in Glasgow has at last taken definite shape , and Bro .

John Graham , of Broadstone , P . G . M . has taken the matter in hand . A company has been registered under the Companies' Acts , and the intention is to raise a capital of £ 20 , 000 in £ 1 shares .

Herefordshire.

HEREFORDSHIRE .

THE Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Ledbury , on Monday , 12 th ult ., under the banner of the Eastnor Lodge , No . 751 . The Lodge was opened at the Mission Hall , by the Provincial Grand Master , Sir Joseph Bailey , who was supported by the Eev . J . Buckle

P . D . P . G . M ., and upwards of seventy brethren from various Lodges of the Province . The report from each Lodge was presented by its respective Master , and showed collectively an increase in the numbers , and generally testified that Freemasonry in the Province was in a prosperous condition .

It was reported that about £ 50 had been given to charities during the past year , and that a local Masonic Charity scheme had been formulated , with the object of assisting in the education of children of deceased Masons

and relieving necessitous brethren . Towards this each Lodge will contribute a proportionate amount . The Prov . Grand Lodge cordially voted the sum of twenty guineas as a first contribution .

The principal feature in the business of the meeting was the investiture of Bro . H . C . Beddoe as Deputy Provincial Grand Master , vice Bro . G . H . Piper , who has retired through ill health . The high esteem in which Bro . Beddoe is held throughout the county has made the appointment one of universal satisfaction .

The Provincial Grand Master appointed and invested his Officers for the ensuing year , addressing a few complimentary remarks to each . Ab the conclusion of the business , a collection was made on behalf of the Ledbury Parish Nurse Fund ,

which amounted to £ 4 4 s 6 d . The brethren adjourned to the Feathers Hotel , where they partook of dinner . The iisual Masonic toasts were honoured , interspersed with songs and glees , Bro . Mason presiding at the piano .

Centenary: Apollo, No. 301.

CENTENARY : APOLLO , No . 301 .

, THE one hundredth anniversary was celebrated in the Town Hall , Alcester , on the 26 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . D'Arcy Power , B . A ., M . B . Oxon , F . E . C . S . Eng ., the Worshipful Master . Bros . E . H . Gilper and H . A . Power were raised . Letters of regret

for their unavoidable absence were read from Bros , the Most Honourable the Marquis of Hertford , Lord Ernest Seymour , Horace Haynes , and other members of the Lodge .

After the business of the evening had been transacted the brethren adjourned to the Swan Hotel for their banquet . In the course of the evening the Worshipful Master gave an account of the Lodge . He stated that it was founded in Alcester on 26 th February 1794 . The first initiations took place on 5 th March

1794 , when Joseph Wyatt and Arthur Styles were

admitted Masons . The Lodge meetings were at first held fortnightly , but in 1801 they became monthly . From the foundation of the Lodge until the end of 1848 the meetings were held at the Angel Hotel , but they were then transferred to the Swan , and of late years the

kindness of the Marquis of Hertford had permitted them to be held in the Town Hall . After some technical details , the Worshipful Master went on to say that his predecessors only acquired the right to use the term

Worshipful in 1817 , as before that date they simply called themselves Master . He then gave an interesting account of his good fortune in discovering the original Warrant or Charter of the Lodge , which had been lost for more than 40 years .

whom one , Bro . Abel Franklin , officiated from 26 th July 1809 to 19 th July 1848 , without missing a single meeting . °

The health of Bro . Dr . Haynes , who for sixteen years in succession had acted as Installing Master to the Lodge , was then drunk with enthusiasm , after which Bro . Gothard , acting for the Treasurer , gave a most encouraging account of the financial position of the Lodge .

The Worshipful Master pointed out to the Tyler that the office he held was a most wholesome one , and one that conduced greatly to longevity . The Lod ge had only three such Officers in the course of its existence of