Masonic Pilgrimages.

MASONIC PILGRIMAGES .

HpHE members of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . * 2076 , are this week enjoying a " pilgrimage " to Exeter and neighbourhood , and the accounts given of their doings arouses a feeling of regret that such trips

are not more frequent among the members of the Brotherhood , as they seem to afford an inexhaustible means of providing profit and pleasure alike for all who may be able to take part < in them .

It is true that Masonic Pic-nics and Summer Outings may be regarded as a step in the right direction ,

but a very short one ; as in most cases the only Masonic association attached to such gatherings is their name , for instead of some interesting Masonic centre being selected for the assembly , it is customary to pay a visit to a popular resort of a general character :

and probably it would be found that any departure from this custom would be viewed with disfavour b y the Ladies and Brethren who attend such gatherings , and who may be said to desire a pleasant day ' s trip , rather than to pore over quaint records , " and fossilated

remains of past ages , in the search for Masonic enlightenment . But there are very many Brethren who . would willingly take part in a veritable Masonic

pilgrimagesuch as the one of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , to which we refer—if the opportunity offered , and surel y there are many parts of the country which possess sufficient features of a purely Masonic character to

interest and attract such Brethren . The difficulty seems to be to bring supply and demand into communication with each other , and although we can hardl y hope for any great movement in this direction

at an earl y date the subject is one that may well be considered by Brethren who have around them some special objects of Masonic interest , and may not mind devoting their time and personal services to the work of introducing them to their fellows .

Even if a wholl y new departure is not likel y in this direction it may be possible to arrange something in the way of a compromise if Brethren in the country will at times make it their business to endeavour to interest themselves in visits of London Masons , and vice versa .

Bro . the Lord Mayor has arranged to summon a Special Court of Common Council on Thursday , 20 th July , for the purpose of giving effect to the vote of the Court resolving to

present the freedom of the City to Bro . J . Henniker Heaton , M . P ., in recognition of his long continued and now largelysuccessful labours to promote Imperial penny postage .

The Waltham Abbey Lodge , No . 2750 , will be consecrated on Wednesday next , at Waltham Abbey , by the Provincial Grand Master of Essex tbe Earl of Warwick deputy G . M . of England . The gathering promises to be an interesting one .

Cornwall.

CORNWALL .

ON Monday next the Grand Mark Lodge will meet at the Masonic Hall , Princes Street , Penzance , at 11 . 30 a . m ., the Lord High Chancellor the Earl of Halsbuiy Provincial Grand Master presiding . The entertaining Lodge is the St .

John , No . 404 . There is no lack of business to transact , besides the appointment of the Provincial Grand Officers ; one pleasing feature being a presentation to the Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . W . J . Johns P . M . 78 Past G . Std . Br . of England , who has so ably filled that office for many years .

Kent.

KENT .

' § THE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was JL held on Wednesday , at Sevenoaks , under the presidency of the popular chief of the county Earl Amherst Pro Grand Master of England , who was supported by his worthy Deputy Bro . J . S . Eastes , and a very large number of other Officers and Brethren .

There are two candidates for the office of Provincial Grand Treasurer of Essex , an appointment which will be decided at the annual meeting or the Prov . G . Lodge , to be held at "Tilbury , on the 26 th prox ., the one being Bro .

Charles James bmith P . M . of the Earl of Warwick Lodge , No . 2504 ; and the other Bro . Thomas P . Trounce W . M . of the Chigwell Lodge , No . 453 . We believe there will be a strong "beat up " among the Brethren who have votes , and that a heavy poll will result . We can hardly believe this

" electioneering " does any real good in a Province , any more than it does in connection with the more important post of Grand Treasurer of England . But it may be there are two sides to the question—no doubt many Essex Brethren will be induced to journey to Tilbury next month , in order to vote

" one way or the other , who would otherwise have remained away from the Prov . G . Lodge meeting , and thus , it may be , new enthusiasm will be aroused , or the embers of the past will be fanned into a new flame . Alter all , we want enthusiasm among the older members of the Craft , just as we do among its later admissions .

The Passmore-Edwards Holiday Home for Children , at Clacton-on-Sea , in connection with the Sunday School Union , was opened on Thursday , by Bro . Passmore-Edwards , in the absence of the Earl of Aberdeen , who missed his train , but arrived later . The Home is most pleasantly

situated near the breezy cliffs at the east end of the town , and commands splendid views , of sea and country . The beach is only a few yards away , and all round are open fields , over which the children will be able to ramble at will . The rooms are large and lofty , and home accommodation is provided for

ninety-three children , who are allowed a sojourn of a fortnight or three weeks . The total cost has been about £ 10 , 000 , and to this Bro . Passmore-Edwards has contributed £ b , ooo . A

large number of purses were presented from Sunday schools in the metropolis and elsewhere . Sir Weetman Pearson , M . P ., presided at the subsequent luncheon , and Lord Aberdeen was one of the speakers .

The election meeting of the Shurmur Lodge , No . 2374 , was held on Friday , at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , when the choice of the Brethren fell upon Bro . Walter Fortescue S . W . as Master for the ensuing year , Bro . William Shurmur P . G . S . B . Eng . as Treasurer , and Bro . John Ives as Tyler . A report of the meeting will appear next week ,