Women Freemasons.

tor , the third Earl of Kintore , was successively Grand Master Mason of Scotland and of England . Your noble visitor tbo present Earl , by his great services as Grand Master of the Mark Masons of England , Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , as well as to Scottish and Sooth Australian Masonry , has bronght fresh Masonio distinction to an illustrious name . May I once more

turn to Sir Wm . Clarke to remind you of the twofold service done by Tasmania to the great colony of Victoria . It was Tasmanian enterprise whioh accomplished the first settlement on the banks of the Yarra . In the person of Sir Wm . Clarke—who was born and first saw the light of Masonry also in this favoured island—¦ Tasmani a has given to Victoria a Grand Master whose character ia a practical

exemplification of the Masonio virtnos , Fidelity and Charity . The presence here of Lord Carriugton is , for many reasons , ono of the happiest incidents of this great occasion . His magnetic influence was an alt important factor in bringing about Masonic union in New South Wales , and , if Jess direct , that influence was hardly less potent in the attainment of the like happy results in Victoria and Tasmania .

We remember with gratitude that he has always been ready to sacrifice time and convenience—nay , everything but duty—to be of service to the Craft . Twice he has traversed the Continent , this time he has crossed the seas , to instal a Grand Master in another colony than his own . This is not the occasion to speak of his public career , which has made it plain to all that a Governor , whilst faithful

to his great trust from the Queen , may also be completely in sympathy with our democratic institutions and with the growth amongst us of a healty national Australian patriotism . When he returns to England—as he will in the course of a few months—he will carry with him the affection and admiration of "troops of frionds" in all these colonies who will think no happiness too great and no distinction

too high for his deserts . Probably this is the last time before he bids us farewell that our illustrious brothor will meet representatives of all our four Constitutions assembled together in Grand Lodge . May we not charge him with a fraternal message to our brethren on the other side of the globe ? Let him tell them that , althongh the old legal ties are dissolved , we are united to them more closely than over

by tho bond of brotherhood , and that we shall never forget the benefits we owe to British and Irish Masonry . Especially do we beg him to report to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , who is the patron of Australian Masonry—and who wo may confidently hope will become a patron of Tasmanian Masonry also—that Australian and Tasmanian Masons are profoundly grateful to His Royal

Highness for his countenance and approval of the formation of our local Grand Lodges , and that in this part of the world he is regarded as the Benefactor and Elder Brother of every member of the Craft . And hi 3 Lordship may assure our Gracious Sovereign that in like manner no changes in our relations to the Mother Country , no development of our politioal institutions , will abate the devotion of

Australian and Tasmanian Masons to her person or lessen our loyalty to tne Crown . But I am not unmindful that it is my privilege to be tho first to express to you , M . W . G . M ., the felicitations of the Craft on your assumption of office . I havo only congratulations and good wishes to g ive . I cannot presume to instruct one whose Masonic career haB extended over more than a quarter of a century , who has

four times been Worshipful Master of a Blue Lodge , and who has for nine years been District Grand Master under the English Constitution . It is not often that a brother can bring such a variety of qualifications as you have brought to your duties , in your academical and professional training , your familiarity with our Ritual , your skill in our mysteries , your experience as a ruler . DariDg yonr zealons

and unwearied labours in tbe private Lodges and in the Royal Arch Chapter , as well as in the District Grand Lodge , yon were unconsciously preparing yourself for the more important functions you have now undertaken . At length , high character , ripe scholarship , and faithful service have bronght to you an unexpected but

appropriate reward in your election to the highest dignity in Masonry . Slay yon fill the Grand Master's chair for many happy years to come , adding fresh distinction to a long and useful life , and doing still higher work for your brethren . In New South Wales and South Australia our Grand Masters are also onr Governors . In Tasmania

and Victoria the choioe of the * Craft for the occupants of tho Grand Master's throne has fallen upon brethren who are not Her Majesty ' s representatives . The fact is that " all preferment amongst Masons is grounded upon real worth and personal merit only . " No rank , however exalted , no office , other than Masonio , however high , give 3 any claim to the supreme government of the Craft . " The equality

cf all Masons" is one of our unchangeable landmarks . Every candidate for Masonry , " when otherwise qualified , " may look forward " to the honour of being at length the Grand Master of all the Lodges , according to his merit . " In you , M . W . G . M ., as well -as in each of tbe noble and illustrious Grand Mastors by whom yon aro snpported , tho Craft has been fortunate in finding the requirements of tho

ancient charges signally fulfilled , that the Grand Master is also to be nobly born , or a gentleman of tho first fashion , or some eminent scholar , or some curions architect or other artist descended of honest parents , and who is of singularly great merit in the opinion of the Lodges . A Grand Master thus qualified may be assured that he will bo obeyed by his brothren ' with all humility , reverence , love , and

alacrity . ' " As is the case elsewhere , the story of Freemasonry in T / nsraania is entwined with tho history of the colony from its earliest scttloment . For a good many years the only Masouic organisations wero the Military Lodges attached to the regiments stationed here . If at first tho light of Masonry seemod fooble and intermittent , it has since shone with continuous and ever iucreasing brightness . Yoci oldest Lod <* e , "The Operative , " with a warrant from tho Grand

Lodge of Ireland dating back to lS 3 o , has a respoctable antiquity amongst Colonial Lodges , and now it is No . 1 in a sisterhood of twenty Lodges . The Masonic balk in this city and in Lannceston and in other towns are visible proofs of tho hold which Masonry has obtained throughout the land . That "relief" has been an active reality is shown by tho vigorous existence for forty-seven years of your Masouic Bonovolout Fund . This ^ reat gathering manifests the

Women Freemasons.

interest taken by Tasmanian Masons in their Craft . To my mind , one of tho best auguries for the growth in this colony of a united Masonry is the spirit of conciliation whioh has secured the union of all the Lodges under one Constitu'ion at its first establishment . I do not donbt tho permanence of our sooiety in every one of these youug commonwealth * . Based on the immntable principles of religion and morality , the fabric will be indestrnctible if the members of the Craft remain true to

their obligations . And are not tho teachings of Masonry adapted to tbe ever varying exigencies of sooioty ? Without essaying to settle the social and political problems which meet us on every side—for in our Lodges " we are resolved against all politics" —Masonry shows the spirit which is needed for their solution . Let mo mention three examples . All our Parliaments have been ,

or soon will be , engaged in dobating the propssals for the federation of the Australian colonies into one Dominion . Happy will it be if at suoh a juncture the whole land is permeated with the patriotism which is one of the distinguishing features of our society ; for a Mason is " to uphold on every occasion the interest of the community , and zealously promote the prosperity

of his own country . " The relations of labour and capital , of employer and employed , and the title , the duties , and the distribution of property are questions which are being vehemently discussed in all parts of the civilized world . The satisfactory determination of these questions would undoubtedly bB maoh aided by tho acceptance of our great doctrine of the brotherhood of man , and by complying with our

rules— " to work diligently , live creditably , and to act honourably , " " to promote the general good of sooiety , " and " to render to all their dues . " In these days of wide-spread controversy as to matters of faith , Masonry is ready with its precepts of toleration . "Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not exclnded from the Order , provided ho believes in the Glorious Architect of heaven

and earth , and practises the sacred duties of morality . Masons unite with the virtuous of every persunsion in tho firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love . If , thon , ray brothor Masons of Tasmania , yon , and those who come after you , cultivate " brotherly love , tho foundation and copestone , tho cement and glory of this ancient Fraternity ,

avoiding all wrangling aud quarrelling , thon , long as this Hand is " compassed by the inviolate sea , " and long as its mountains and valleys are tho home of freedom , so long will your society coniinuo to grow in numbers and la usefulness , and causo men to exclaim " behold , how good aud how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity !"

Tivoli . —A handsome addition to the many magnificent plaoes of amusement in the metropolis has recently been made by the opening of the Tivoli Music Hall , which ia situated iu the Strand , nearly opposite the Adolphi Theatre . The building stands upou the site of the Tivoli Restaurant—hence its name , —though it is hardly in accordance with tho interior decoration , which is entirely Indian .

The prevailing colours are red , white , and brown , plentifully overlaid with gold , but tho brilliancy is admirably toned down by the soft Bhades of the npholstery . The ceiling is a blaze of gilt work , tho effect of which is enhanced by numerous electrio light pendants , the centre being specially constrncted for purposes of ventilation , which keeps tho house pure and cool even on the mo 3 t sultry evenings .

. The nrchitect has made the utmost of the space—tbe lower part of the hall containing a large lonnge and promenade in addition to the usual stalls and pit . The finest feature in the establishment , from the public point of view , is the ready access to the street that is afforded from all parts of the house , so that in case of fire or alarm the anditorium could be cleared in a very few minutes . In arranging

the building the management have not overlooked the purpose for which it was erected , and have provided a programme that appeals to all portions of the public , but it has evidently been their care to raise the tone of the entertainment by induoing artistes from tbe concert rooms to occupy their stage . That their efforts are appreciated is abundantly testified by the applause bestowed upon such a singer as Mr . Curtis D'Alton , and proves that a stirring song

well sung can be as much—if not more—enjoyed as well as others of a lower calibre . This is a step in the right direction , and will surely attract a better quality of grist to the m » nagerial mill . It only remains for us to mention that Bro . F . J , Potter is in charge of tho front of the bouse , and that the refreshment department is under careful supervision , for we were confidently assured that the whisky " had not a headache in a bucket of it . " Brethren , take notice .

The Christchurch Press of 7 th July says : — " Tho opening ot a Lodge under the Grand Orient of France , as reported from Welling ' ton , raises a nice point iu Masouic jurisprudence . The Grand Orient of Franco having denied the existence of a Supreme Being , fraternal relacions between the English , Scotch , Irish , and American Constitutions , aud all daughter Lodges hailing under them , havo

been suspended . But it is a cardinal point in Masonic jurisprudence , well founded and admitted , that wherever territory is occupied by any Supreme Grand Lodge no othor Grand Lodge can establish Lodges . New Zealand having recently established a Grand Lodge , this colony is occupied territory , Masonically speaking , aud therefore no other Grand Lodgo has a right to work there . "

An American contemporary points out that Masonic teraperanco is not simply abstinence from strong drink , but temperance in thought , words , and actions . By temperance wo do not only circumscribe our deaire for intoxicants , or abstain from putting the bottlo

to our brother ' s lips , but wo aro taught to be tomporato in words and to govern our tongues . Words passionately or intemporately spokefl may do us , as well as oar brother , more injury , may cause more grief aud sorrow , aud bring more reproach on Masonry , " than intoxication .