The Bombay Masons.

THE BOMBAY MASONS .

AMONGST the most noteworthy events connected with the reception of the Prince of Wales at Bombay , must be mentioned the laying of the foundation stone of the new Elphinstone Wet Docks , in due Masonic form , by His Royal Highness , in his capacity of the M . W . G . M . A

vast concourse of spectators was present to witness the ceremony , and , in reply to an address presented to him by the Cnil ' f , the Prince replied in the following terms : — " I have learned Avith great pleasure the flourishing

condition of Masonry in Bombay . The fact of its annually increasing numbers and efficiency fulfils the objects of the institution in nniting together men of various creeds and races in a bond of brotherhood , affording common objects

of exertion , and extending the knowledge of the English organisation for the good of mankind . It is a great pleasure to me to join you , my brethren of Bombay , in a

work Avhich Avill tend to the protection of life and property , the extension of trade , and the advantage and prosperity of large bodies of our felloAV men . " A ball followed in the Town Hall , which was placed at the disposal of the brethren by the Government .

The regular monthly meeting of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons , was held on Wednesday , the 10 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Gt . Queen-street , Bro . Lieut .-Col . Creaton in the chair . Bro . Jas . Terry , Secretary , read the

minutes of the former meeting , Avhich Avere confirmed . A letter was read from the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale D . G . M ., that he had consented to preside at the Anniversary Festival on the 9 th February 1876 . Bro . Terry announced the death of one of the annuitants ; the amount

he , deceased brother , had received from the Institution , Avas £ 246 . Three brethren were placed on the list of candidates . There Avere present , Bros . S . Rawson , J . Hogg , W . Stephens , Jas . Brett , C . A . Cottebrune , Robert Went-Avorth Little , R . W . SteAvart . Jas . Smith , Hyde Pullen ,

Hilton , T . Cubitt , White and J . R . Stedwell . The meeting was then adjourned , and a special meeting , in compliance A \ 'ith a requisition singed in conformity Avith the laws , was then held , Bro . Lieut .-Col . Creaton V . P . in the chair ,

to take into consideration a proposed alteration of clause 19 , and also any further proposition or motion Avhich mi ght be made to give effect to the same . Bro . John Symonds P . G . D . then proposed to add the folloAving Avords : —

" Every Steward at the Anniversary Festivals wlio shall procure donations or subscriptions to the oxteut of not less than £ 80 in addition to his own donation , shall receive two additional votes at each election , and two further extra votes for every additional sum of not less than £ 50 .

And to expunge the folloAving Avords : — If unaccompanied with a personal donation , but by means of his services , not less than £ 20 shall be paid to the funds , he shall be entitled to one additional vote for every Stewardship . Both these motions Avere carried . Bro . John Symonds

P . G . D . proposed , and Bro . Benjamin Head P . G . D . seconded , a vote of thanks to Bro . Lieut .-Col . Creaton for the able and efficient manner in Avhich he has always presided over them , and congratulated him on his accession to a higher military rank ; he hoped he might be spared for

many years to enjoy it . This Avas fully endorsed by Bro . Benjamin Head . Bro . Creaton thanked the brethren for their kind expressions , and said he felt proud of having been advanced to a higher rank . He had faithfully served Her Gracious Majesty for a quarter of a century , and

he thanked the brethren for their good wishes . There Avere present at this meeting , Bros . Erasmus Wilson , L . Stean , H . Massey , J . Newton , J . SteA-ens , General Ridgway , J . A .

Farnfield , C . Lacey and H . M . Levy . Brethren desiring to serve as SteAvards to assist this deserving charity are requested to send their names as early as possible to Bro . Jas . Terry , at the office , Freemasons' Hall .

On Thursday , the 25 th insfc ., the 15 sections Avill be Avorked at the Vitruvian Lodge of Instruction . The 15 sections Avill also be worked at the St . James ' s Lod " e of O

Instruction , No . / 05 , Avhich meets at the New Tanners' Arm . s Tavern , Grange-road , Bermondsoy , on Friday evening , the 26 th November . Bro . Rumball , of the Faith Lodge , No 1 . 41 , will preside . Bro . Pennefather is the Hon . Sec ,

The Bombay Masons.

and the attendance of brethren is requested . The Lodge Avill open at 7 o ' clock .

The Rt . Hon . the late Lord Mayor , Bro . D . H . Stone , Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of England , was formally admitted on Friday , 5 th instant , to the Livery of the Turners' Company , and Bro . Alderman Hadley P . G . D .

has received an address of congratulation from the London Coffee House Keepers' Benevolent Association on his accession to the Aldermanic gown . A special Court of Alderman Avas held at the Guildhall , the last that will be

held under the presidency of the ex-Lord Mayor , Bro . D . H . Stone , for the purpose of swearing in Bros . Hadley and Nottage .

Bro . T . A . Adams P . G . P ., Preceptor of many Lodges , will hold his Annual Private Subscription Ball , at Willis ' s Rooms , on Tuesday , 5 th February 1876 , for members of the Craft and their friends . The tickets can be obtained

of the Stewards , to admit a lady and gentleman , 21 s , Avhich will include refreshments during the evening and supper . Any brother wishing to act as Steward can do so on application to Bro . T . A . Adams , 55 Whitfield-street , Tottenham Court-road .

Bro . Jas . Weaver , P . P . G . O . Middlesex , has been selected to fill the Post of Chef d'Orchestra at the Queen ' s Theatre , Long Acre , Avhich opens on the 22 nd November , under the direction and lesseeship of M . Mayer .

Answers To Correspondents.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .

ENQUIRER . —The Mark Degree is not recognised by the Grand Lodge of England , but it has become very popular . Noblemen and brethren very high in our Order are enrolled amongst its members , and these have contributed large amounts to our Masonic Charities . No one can join it unless he has passed the three degrees in Freemasonry .

We have received , from Messrs . JOHN HOGG and Co ., Masonic Publishers , copy of a posthumous work by Dr . OI . IVEK , entitled The Pythagorean Triangle ; or , the Science of Numbers . A review of it will appear next Aveek . J . B . S . 132 G , 1524 , 1527 . —Wc cannot give the name of the local paper yon refer to , but Ave are certain you will find tho case reported either in the Tottenham and Edmonton Herald , or Tottenham and Edmonton Advertiser , or else in tho North Middlesex Chronicle .

J . D . —Where eminent doctors disagree it is a difficult matter to givo a decision which will afford general satisfaction . Oar view is , that during obligations , what , apart from all Masonic meaning , is the natural sign of Fidelity should be UBod . Our reason for this view is , that it is contrary to our O . B . to show any sign to or before any one who has not been legally entrusted .

T . E . —1 . Wo have consulted Bro . Lamb ' s Illustrated Catalogue , but fail to find any jewel requiring an explanation . 2 . As to the coat nf arms of the Masons : the grant , of which a verbatim et literatim copy is to be found in tho " Masonic Magazine " ( and an excellent representation of the arms as a frontispiece ) , was originally made Xllth Edward IV . ( 1471-2 ) , aud confirmed Xllth Henry VIII .

( 1520-1 ) . Additions appear to have been made to the original grant ( and alterations ) , and apparently more than one Company existed in the scA'enteenth century . In "Ahiman Eezon , " of I 7 fi 4 , a copy is giveu of the "Arms of the Operative or Stone Masons , " the " Arms " above in the same plate boing those of the "Ancients , " alias "Grand Lodge of England , according to the

old Constitutions , " or " Athol Masons . " Dermott gave these to prove that the regular Grand Lodge had made an illegitimate use of the Arms of the operative Masons . The regular Grand Lodge ( " Moderns " ) adopted the latter Arms , a copv of which occurs in a portion of the frontispiece to Entick ' s Constitutions of the Freemasons of 1756 . The crest , however , is changed from the castle

( early grant ) or tbe hand with trowel ( later issue ) , to a bird , ( dove ) , but the supporters ( beavers ) are the same . The coin of 1794 ( 1700 G . M . elected ) contains on tho obverse the Arms of the same Grand Lodge , with the motto Amor , Honor et Justitia . Tho differences mentioned of conrsc result from the fancy of the members of the Masons' Company and of tho Grand Lodge , supplemented , doubtless , by competent heraldic authority . The Arms of the

United Grand Lodge of England from the Union of 1813 , are in reality a blending of the two Arms of the rival Grand Lodges , the history of which Bro . Hnghan , has afforded the Craft in his most useful "Memorials of the Union of 1813 , " and the frontispiece to Avhich contains an exact reproduction of the Arms of the "Ancients , " and "Operative Masons , " as published by Dermott in 1764 .

Hor . iovAY ' s 1 ' tLiiS . —Inflt v / , a , Bronchitis , Asthma , aud kindred complaints too frequently present the : Ives as a fierce nnd pitiless plague at the fall of the year , arid little less dv . -able is the fact that , with darkening days and changing temperatures , the digestion becomes impaired , the liver disordered , and tho mind despondent , unless the cause of tho irregularity bo expelled from the blood aud body by an alterative like these Pills—they go directly to tho source of the evil , thrust out all impurities from the circulation , reduce distempered organs to tlieii- natural state , and correct all defective or contaminated secretions . Such easy means of instituting health , strength and cheerfulness should be instantly available to check the first symptoms of approaching illness .