Obituary.

Obituary .

; u ;—COL . JOHN MACHEN P . G . D . O UR Warwickshire brethren received with profound

regret , on Saturday last , intelligence of the death of their late Deputy Grand Master Bro . Col . John Machen , which occurred at Leamington , after a comparatively short illness . For the last twenty years onr lamented brother

ably and efficiently discharged the duties of that office , and it was only very recently that he felt compelled , in consequence of failing health , to relinquish the post in which he had gained the sincere love and esteem of the

brethren of his Province , and indeed in Grand Lodge and throughout the Craft . Colonel Machen had won deserved honours in his immediate circle , having been appointed , in 1867 , Deputy Provincial Grand Master

in succession to Bro . Elkington . Moreover , he was one of the brethren upon whom H . R . H . the Prince of Wales conferred Past Grand rank at the great commemorative gathering held in the Royal Albert HaU , on 13 th June , in

celebration of Her Majesty ' s Jubilee . The honours and privileges of a Past Grand Deacon were then conferred upon him ; and subsequently , at the Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter , the additional distinction

was bestowed upon him of a Past Grand Principal Sojourner . He took a deep and active interest in all our Masonic Charities , of each of which he was a Life-Governor , and served as a Steward at one Festival of the

Girls' School and at two of the Boys ' . It is difficult to estimate tbe loss sustained by the Craft by the removal of one who had been for so many years one of its most robust

and genuine supporters , but in Warwickshire , where he was moro familiarly known , the " absent face and form " will be sorely missed .

LORD NORTHWICK . THE death is announced of Brother Lord Northwick , who expired , after a lingering illness , at Upper Norwood , on 18 th November . His Lordship was in the 77 th year of his age . He leaves no issue , consequently the title becomes extinct .

VISCOUNT LIFFORD . VISCOUNT LIFFORD , who died at his seat , Meen Glas , Stranorlar , County Donegal , on Sunday , after a long and painful illness , was born on the 31 st March 1811 , and succeeded to the title and estates in 1855 . While at Christ

Church , Oxford , he was initiated in the Apollo University Lodge , in 1830 . He was one of the representative peers of Ireland , and is succeeded by his eldest son , the Hon . and Rev . James Wilfred Hewitt , born 12 th October 1837 , of Austin House , Broadway , Worcestershire .

JAMES YOUNG . B RO . JAMES YOUNG , believed to be the oldest Freemason in Scotland , died at Stevenston , on Wednesday , the 16 th inst . Deceased , who was a builder by trade , was initiated a member of the Stevenston Thistle and Rose

Lodge on the day that Queen Victoria was born , the 24 th May 1819 , so that he had been a Freemason for the long period of over 68 years . He attained his 90 fch year about a month ago , and two weeks ago he was able to take part in

the interesting Centenary of his mother Lodge . For over 40 years he was in the service of the late Provost Barr , of Ardrossan , and travelled regularly from Stevenston to his daily labour , seldom missing a day ' s work . As an evidence of the interest he took in the Craffc , and the indomitable

spirit he possessed , it may be mentioned that he persisted in joining the procession at the Centenary proceedings , and walked a considerable distance—though he was offered the use of a machine—in order to have his photograph included

among the group who were taken on that occasion . Deceased was hig hly respected by all the brethren of his mother Lodge , and by the community of Stevenston , all classes having held him in tho hig hest respect .

The installation meeting of tho Stoar Valley Lodge , No . 1224 , Bro . H . C . Pratt " W . M ., was held at Freemasons

Hall , Sudbury , Suffolk , last evening , when the Very Worshipful Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn D . P . G . M . installed Bro . W . Inglis Mason into the chair of K . S . A full report of the proceedings will appear in our next .

Obituary.

On Thursday last a meeting of the General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls was held at Freemasons' Hall , under tho presidency of Bro . J . H . Matthews P . G . Standard Bearer . Five petitions were

approved , and one deferred . Bro . Thomas Fenn , President of the Board of General Purposes , submitted an amended report of the Centenary Committee on Scheme B . Since their report of 27 th September last the Committee have

had under consideration a revised plan of fche Scheme for the improvement and enlargement of tho Institution at Battersea Rise , from Brothers Hunt and Glutton , the architects , which provides for some important alterations in the

position of the Centenary Hall and Domestic Offices . By this plan the Centenary Hall is turned round , so as to be approached directly from the principal entrance of tho

building , thus occupying an almost central position , in easy communication with the Dining Hall , and School and Class Rooms , to which a much better light is afforded . The dimensions of the Hall are 100 ft . by 40 ft ., instead of as at

first proposed 105 ffc . by 42 ft . The new Domestic Offic 3 S

have been brought nearer to the Alexandra Wing , the Kitchen being directly adjacent to the Dining Hall , and on the same level a fore court is thus obtained between this building and the public road . The cost under the revised arrangement will probably be somewhat less . The Committee , together with some representative brethren

from the Provinces ( whom they added to their number ) ,

strongly recommended the revised plan for approval by tho General Committee . Some time was devoted to the examination of the plans , to which we shall refer minutel y when - convenient , and ifc was resolved that the plans as revised be approved and referred to the General Quarterl y Court in April next , with a recommendation that they be adopted .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence and quarterly meeting of the Board of Masters was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Robert Grey P . G . D ., and President of the Board , presided .

Bro . James Brett P . G . P . and Bro . 0 ; A . Cotterbrune P . G . P . were in their chairs as Vice Presidents , There was an exceptionally large attendance . The Board of Masters was first held . The paper of business for the next Quarterly

Communication of Grand Lodge was submitted to the brethren . At the Board of Benevolence—as this was the last time the present constituted Board would meet—Bro . Britten proposed , as a graceful act , that a vote of .

thanks be recorded on the minutes to Bro . Robert Grey , for the admirable way iu which he had conducted the business of the Board since his appointment as President . The motion was unanimously carried . Bro . Robert Grey

thanked the brethren . He stated that the Fund s arted that night £ 800 in debt . The brethren first confirmed recommendations made to the Grand Master at last meeting of the Board , to the extent of £ 48 \ The

new list contained the names of 62 petition ) rs . Nine cases were deferred , being incomplete , and three were dismissed . Tne remaining fifty wero relieved with a total of £ 1255 . This comprised two

recommendations to Grand Lodge of £ 100 each , one of £ 75 , and three of £ 50 each ; one recommendation to tbo M . W . G . M . for £ 40 , eig ht , for £ 30 each , and one f r £ 25 ; eighteen grants of £ 20 each , two of £ 15 each , thirteen of £ 10 each , and one of £ 5 . The sitting extended till nearly eleven o ' clock .

On Monday evening next , at thf > Royal Coram , mo iition Lodge of Instruction , No . 1585 , Bro . Frederick IJineb- * , Past Grand Steward , Past Grand Swurd Bearer , Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , will rehearse the

ceremonies of consecration and , ins ' allation , at the Railway Hotel , High-street , Putney . Bro . Binckes will be assisted by Bros . Collick I . P . M . 1585 S . W ., W . Radclitfe P . M . 211 J . VV ., Henry Bond Secretary , W . Carter P . . VI . l 4 l I . G .,

VV . W . Morgan P . M . 211 , G . Bugler P . M . 975 , and J . C . Radford P . M . 1420 . The musical arrangements under the direction of Bro . J . A . Collings Org . 1693 . Lud ^ e

will be opened at / o ' clock precisely . The brethren to wear Masonic clothing . Tbe Railway Hotel is immediately opposite the South Western Railway Station , Putney .

Ad00702

MASONIC LKCTURIG . KNOBS AND EXCRESCENCES . BEO . JAMES STEVENS P . M . P . Z . is open to accept intrir . ntiona for the delivery of his LBCTCBBia MKiaopouTAif or PKOVCJTCIAL LODGES , or LODGES OF ISSTRVCTIOH . Address—3 Queen Street Place , Londjn , E . O .