The "Four Old Lodges."

or care for that of others . We have already expressed our approval of your Reviewer ' s intelligent criticism . We have carefully considered Bro . Gould ' s views as to the orig inal No . 3 , and its continuance throngb its acceptance of a " New Cons'itntion , " being in fact the present" Forti ude and Old Cumberland , " No . 12 . Of course all we can both say resolves itself into a matter of

opinion , ours being , that by the acceptance of a " New Constitution " they lost their previous position and privileges , in opposition to Bro . Gould's belief , and as a matter of fact we know tho members have never since regained tbem , ? io ; -n 2 : > pcn en % wished so to do for many years past ! The privileges the old No . 3 had were simply to meet without a warrant , to be one < f the four original bodges preceding all others , and

such like . By accepting a warrant they forfeited the one , and by being placed as No . 10 , us in Constitutions ( if 1738 , they lost the other , and so the Lodge has continued nntil now . Wo are quire ready to admit that Br > . Gould has identified No . 12 as the lineal descendant of original No . 3 , so that , under another name , tbe members of to-day

may fairly claim that their predecessors took part in the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge of the World , and tbe credit of this discovery is entirely due to our Brother Gould , to whom also wo beg to express our appreciation of the handsome manner in which ho has always credited to " Caosar the things which are Csosars , " so unlike many writers , who take all from others and keep the credit to themselves . Fraternally yours , WILLIAM JAMES HUGHA . V .

"Wo have been asked to say a few words in behalf of the boy Richard Howell Nicholls , aged nine years , who is a candidate for the second time for admission into tho Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Our duty on these occasions is to maintain the strictest neutrality , but this does not

prevent us from saying that it is a most deserving , as it undoubtedly is a most distressing case , as will be gathered from the statement hereinafter quoted from the circular letter issued with a view to secure , if possible , his election .

Those brethren , therefore , whose votes are not already promised , will be doing the boy and his widowed mother a substantial service by supporting his candidature . The following are the circumstances as described in the circular referred to : —

Richard Howell Nicholls , aged nine years , whose father was a hay and straw merchant , at Grays , Essex , and died on the 25 th May 1877 , after a few days' illness of inflammation of the lungs , leaving a widow and six children under ten years of age totally unprovided for . He of

was initiated iu 1866 , in tbe Vitruvian Lodge , No . 87 ; ^ vas one the founders of St . John's Lodge , Grays , No . 1313 , in the year 1870 ; was W . M . of the same Lodge iu 1874 , and by his uniform courtesy and kindness endeared himself to all the brethren .

Obituary

Obituary

BRO . E . G . HOLBROOK . We deeply regret to have to announce the death , at the early age of 34 , of Bro . Edward George Holbrook , one of the proprietors of the Portsmouth Times . The deceased gentleman , who resided at Regent Lodge , North End , was a short time since seized with an attack of

typhoid fever . He was attended by Dr . Knott , and until Saturday last progressed favourably towards recovery ; but on that day a relapse occurred , from which he never re overed , but gradually satik aud expired at half-past & ve on Tuesday eveuing . For some considerate period Bro . Holbrook had taken an active part in pnblio life ,

having represented the Ward of St . John in the Town Couucil for i . early five years . Ho was also a member of the Watch Committee . His lutund . uioe at tho meetings of the Council was very regular , and , although his voice was but very seldom heard , wh .: ii he did speak he was generally listened to with respectful attention . The deceased was for several years a member of the Masonic body , aud was

systematicall y most active iu promoting the interests of Masonic Charities . He was a Past Master of the " Lodge of Harmony , " Fareham , and had held the position ( if Grand Registrar of the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight . In private life his genial qualities outaiucd for htm a very wide circle of friends , who now deeply deploie lis prem . iture death . He has left a widow aud three children . — Portsmouth Evening News .

Funeral Of The Late Bro. Sheppard, P.M. 27.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE BRO . SHEPPARD , P . M . 27 .

WE regret to have to record that Brother Sheppard succumbed to the serious injuries received in a recent accident , the particulars of which most of our readers are acquainted with . He was buried on Monday last , at Abney Hark C ^ merery . The funeral cortege was met at the gates of the Cemetery by several Freemasons ,

as well as by numerous offic als of the New River Company ; Bro . Sheppard had been the City inspector . Amongst those present were Bros . T . J . Maidwell the W . M ., H . G . Buss A . G . S . the Treas .. the Secretary , and sercal Pa-it Masters of the Egyptian Lod ge ; the W . M ., S . W ., and several members uf the JTew Cuacord Lodge ,

Lodge Of The Four Cardinal Virtues, No. 979.

LODGE OF THE FOUR CARDINAL VIRTUES , No . 979 .

THE regular monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on Tuesday , the 8 th inst ., at the Royal Hotel , Crewe . Present—Bros . E . H . Girdlestone W . M ., H . Douglas S . W ., George Young J . W ., John Badger Treas ., Thos . Bolsbaw Sec , W . Poiuton S . D ., W . Wood J D ., Edward Herd Organist , A . McCrindle I . G ., F . G . Warbnrton Steward , Thos . Miller Tyler ; Past Masters J . Samuel , T . E . Gibson , George Watson , Wm . Wright , J . Blackhurst , Wm . Eardly ; and Bros . C .

Daggett , T . Howell , Wm . Dunn , C . Welch , D . Sutcliffe , J . G . Coweu , R . Whittle , G . Thomson , T . J . Thompson , John Knott , J . Holt , J . A . Atkinson , T . Leech , J . F . Fear , W . Thomas , A . H . Hawthorn , J . Davies , T . H . Tedley , Geo . Bottom ley , R . Newton , W . Webber , W . Lumb , H . Piatt , & c , & c . ; among the visitors we bad the pleasure of recognisiug James Salmon , W . M . 1674 , P . M . 425 , & c , & c ,

P . P . S . U . D ., Wm . J . Pearson P . M . 451 , P . P . S . G . D ., J . W . Thomas P . M . 637 , & c , & c , P . P . G . S . B . Staffordshire , W . C . Lisle P . M . 293 , P . G . S . D ., W . Sandford , C . A . Cotdingley 293 , S . M . Davies , FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE , & C , & O . The Lodge was opened promptly at 3 p . m ., and tho usual routine business having been disposed of , was advanced to the second , and afterwards to tho third degree , for the

purpose of raising a member . Tho W . M . Elect , Bro . Douglas S . W ., was then introduced to tho Installing Master , Bro . Samuel , by Bro . Watson P . M ., and in due course installed in tho chair of the Lodgo in a manner which reflected credit on Bro . Samuel . Bro . Douglas next invested the following brothren as Officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . E . H . Girdlestone I . P . M ., George Young S . W ., T .

Bolshaw J . W ., J . Badger ( re-appointed ) Treasurer , J . Samuel P . M . Sec , W . Pointou S . D ., W . Wood J . D ., E . Herd Organist , Rev . Bro . Pepper Chaplain , A . McCrindle I . G ., T . Miller Tyler . The labours of tho evening being ended , the Lodgo was closed , and tho brethren adjourned to banquet , where an exeelleut menu was provided , the caterer being our worthy brother tho host of tho Royal Hotel . On

the removal of tho cloth , the W . M ., after very neat preface , gave the several Loyal and Masonio toasts , which were most heartily responded to . Tho W . M ., on rising to propose the health of R . W . Prov . G . Master Lord De Tabley , and the P . G . Officers past and present said they all knew how well their worth y Prov . G . Master administered the affairs of the Province , and any remarks from him

on the subject would be superfluous . He contented himself therefore with coupling the name of Bro . Lisle with the toast , and asked all present to honour it appropriately . This having been done , Bro . Lisle rose and rotnrned thanks , remarking they were well aware how his Lordship ' s heart was in the Order , and had his smile for every brother . With him at its head the Craft had greatly increased in this Province .

He believed very few would have done so much as bo bad done , and ho trusted that in years to come good and worthy men would spring up equal to him . He hoped that the Province would ever continue as at present , in love , peace , and charity . The worthy and indefatigable Brother Dir . of Cer ., by consent of tbe W . M . then assumed the gavel , for the purpose of proposing the toast of the evening , namely , the

health ot tho Worshipful Master , and in doing so said : It is with great pleasnro I rise to propose this toast . The worthy brother who has this day been placed iu the responsible position of Master of this Lodge has justly earned the distinction conferred upon him , and is one who can justly estimate the importance of tho great trust reposed in him as a ruler and a governor in the Craft . This Lodge

has , this day , as heretofore , rewarded zeal , application , and merit , and while we adhere to this excellent custom , the Lodge will never lose auy of its reputation for discipline and correct working . We have the true Masonic virtues in our Lodgo . We sink all points of difference , and eudeavour to make each other as happy as possinle . I feel no greater pleasure than beiug among my brethren in Lodge . I

am sure during the coming year every brother will render the W . M . every aid , and ho who fails iu that is not true to his Lodge . Let us hope that the end of the year will bo as prosperous as Lhe beginning . 1 now ask you to drink most heartily to the " Health aud prosperity of the W . M . " The toast was drunk in a bumper , with all the honours . Bro . Kendnuk having favoured the brethren with a song , the YV . AL

rose to respond . He said , Brethren , I will uot detain , you long , but it would not become me if I failed to express my sincere appreciation of the kinduess that has actuated the worthy brother in proposing my health , and you for endorsing in so hearty a tnauuer the sentiments he has ex n-esse I to . v . ird * me . With the exception of tho distinction of P . G . office , there is no greater

houour than to rule a Lodge . With tho true spirit of Masonry amung us , and that carried out to perfection , prosperous as our Ludgo has always been , it caunot , fail to contiuue so . My entire sympathy and support shall bo extended to the Lodge , and in my endeavours to do my utmost for its welfare I feel I shall receive the hearty co-operation of my Officers aud of the Lodge . I have entered

ou the othue with ; i lull sense of its responsibilities , and my great care shall be to vacate this chair without in the least taruishiii" the houour or welfare of the Lodge . Wni . e I am ou my legs , I have great pleasure in piopoaing ihe hentth of the Iustalliug Mu- > tcr . It is but ngntto say , -iuce I havo known Bro . Samuel in this Lodge that be has done his duty in every respect . In ask , ng hiui to

perform the difficult ceremony which be bus accomplished in such a tnasteriy manner to-day , I felt ho would be equal to the occasion , and you must havo appreciated lhe ab o manner iu which ho rendered it . I now ask ) ou to drink his health . Bro . Young having volunteered a s iug , Bro . Samuel said he rose with much dnliueuee to reply to the toast so

kiudly put lroiri the chair , and so warmly received . Hi had taken an active part in the working of the Lodge . He had that eveuing received an additional impetus , if it were needed , to make Iresh efforts , aud le t tue honour conferred upon him in receiving Prov . Honours . He appreciated Masonry for its real worth . He eudeavoured to guard his younger brethren against errors and laxity of discipline . There were too uutuy indifferent Masons . Its mission waa