Masonic Portraits. Ulysses.

which he was the youngest member . So valuable an acquisition to the ranks of Freemasonry was hailed with more than the usual display of enthusiasm , and it was generally predicted that , with time , health , and fortune

in his favour , he would not only obtain the highest honours in the power of the Craft to bestow , but likewise gain for himself the respect and affection of his fellows . Nor has the prediction remained unverified .

The Masonic career we are now sketching commenced in 1843 , in Prince Edwin ' s Lodge , Hythe , when was laid the first stone of what has since developed into one of the firmest and stateliest pillars of our Order . Shortly after obtaining the sublime degree , our new brother , by

workjng the sections of the First Lecture m open Lodge , gave tbe first indication of those astonishing powers of memory which subsequent practice and an ever-increasing experience have now rendered it well-nigh impossible to surpass . In two short years ho became Master of the

Lodge . He then affiliated to the East Medina Lodge at Ryde , and the Yarborough Lodge at Ventnor , in each of which he attained the honours of the chair , thrice serving the office of W . M . in the former , and twice in the latter . He was one of the founders of the Ryde Lodge , and

himself performed theceremony of its consecration . Here , too , he twice occupied the Master ' s chair , and rendered it further service in the capacity of Treasurer . Some time previously hehadbeen appointed to office , under peculiar circumstances , in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent , and had also joined

the London Lodge , No . 108 . He was unable , however , to attend regularly in the latter until , after the lapse of years , he settled in the metropolis , when , after filling the several subordinate offices , he became W . M . In 1860 , he assisted at the formation , at Brighton , of the Yarborough Lodge , and

it has ever since been considered his especial privilege to instal each of its Masters successively . Having served as Provincial Grand Deacon for Hants and Isle of Wight , he was appointed , in 1855 , the D . G . M ., and fulfilled for many years the duties of his office with conspicuous advantage to

the Craft . Nor were his abilities allowed to pass unrecognised by Grand Lodge , which conferred npon him the appointment of Grand Sword Bearer of England . At this moment he holds the very responsible office of

Secretary to the Friends in Council Lodge , and in that capacity , as during his whole previous career , exhibits on all occasions and under all circumstances a firm resolve to promote in every way possible the wishes of his fellow-members . To all he exhibits the greatest kindliness . To the

Seniors he gives readily the benefit of his great experience ; to his Juniors he is ever thoughtful and considerate , teaching them to overcome the difficulties they will certainly encounter in the earliest stages of their career , and how , in

due time , they may hope to attain positions of eminence in the Craft . Nothing , indeed , is ever permitted to intervene between his personal convenience and the welfare of his beloved Freemasonry ; in testimony whereof we cite the following instance .

Onr respected Brother very recently had occasion to leave London , in order to attend a meeting at Southampton . In passing alongRegent Street he was unfortunately knocked down by a runaway dog cart . Help came immediately , and he was conveyed to the nearest shop , Policeman X . kindly

rendering all the assistance in his power . The case seemed serious , and conveyance to an hospital imperative , when our hero awoke to sensibility , pulled himself together , and declared his intention of forthwith proceeding on his journey . He reached Southampton in due course . Having

fulfilled his part in the prescribed ceremonies , with his wonted ability , and having participated in the pleasures of a most enjoyable banquet , he retired to rest , only to find next morning that all attempts to rise were attended with the most excruciating pain . His arm and side were

swollen and contused , but local medical skill allayed the suffering , ami he was soon enabled to return home , having , in the brief interval of his absence , been knocked down and

bruised , yet never once dreaming of leaving his appointed duty unfulfilled . It will deli ght our readers to learn that , beyond a slight numbness in the hand , the injuries he received have left no trace behind .

Nor is it alone in Craft Masonry that our Brother has so greatly distinguished himself . In 1843 , the year of his initiation , he was advanced to the degree of Mark Master , and subsequently joined the old Albany Mark Lodge at Newport . In 1847 , be was exalted in tbe Love and Unity Chapter , and filled in succession the three Principals ' Chairs in the East Medina Chapter , Ryde . The Rose

Masonic Portraits. Ulysses.

Croix Degree was conferred upon him in 1856 by Dr . Leeson , the Nestor of the High Grades . He was the first M . W . S . of the Vectis Chapter , and signalised his en . thronement by perfecting impromptu a number of brethren , and by installing the chief and aspirants of the Royal

Naval Chapter on the following day . He has twice filled the Chair of tho Metropolitan Chapter , and most of its Sovereigns have been inducted by him . He entered the Order of the Masonic Knights Templar through the Royal Encampment at Portsmouth , and became a Commander . He has also filled the office of Grand

Superintendent of Works in the Grand Conclave . When a Chapter of the Royal Order of Scotland was opened in London , our respected brother was at once appointed to office , and has ever since continued to be a zealous and faithful expositor of its mysteries . It may not be out of

place to mention here , as evidence of his conspicuous zeal in the cause of Masonry , that , with a view to obtain the requisite information as to the mysteries of this degree , he travelled into Scotland . While there , he was invited to Glasgow , for the purpose of showing our Scottish

craftsmen the correct method of installing a Master . On this occasion he inducted no less than twenty-three brethren into the chairs of as many Lodges , and thus rendered brilliant service towards establishing that uniformity of working which is so desired by all earnest

Masons . In the so-called Cryptic degrees—those of Royal Master , Most Excellent Master , < fcc . —which are worked in London at 2 Red Lion-square , he is a most valued and efficient officer . Amongst other side degrees he has taken the Lancashire one of " St . Lawrence , " and is actually the

W . M . of the London branch . But , though equally proficient in the rituals of Craft and Arch Masonry , it is by his emi - nent services to the A . and A . Rite that lie is most widely

known . He obtained the 30 ° in 1856 , the 31 ° in 1857 , the 32 ° in 1859 , and the 33 ° in 1869 . For many years he was the Secretary of the Rite , and is now Assistant-Secre . tary to the Supreme Council .

To enumerate the ceremonies and the consecrations performed by him—of which those of the Hervey , the St . Peters ' , Westminster , the Eccleston , and the Royal Kensington are among tho most recent—would occupy more time than is at our disposal . Nor would it be possible , to furnish a complete

record of his services , of the Masonic bodies which have conferred upon him Honorary Membership , or of the testimonials with which , from time to time , he has been presented . We must not omit to mention , however , that he is a Life Governor of our several Charitable Institutions , and

a member of the House Committee of the Boys' School . He has served many Stewardships to these Charities , and loses no opportunity of promoting their success wherever and whenever it is in his power to do them yeoman service . In short , whether we take into

consideration his mental and personal qualifications—his perfect knowledge of our Ritual , his skill as an orator , the kindliness of his disposition , bis untiring zeal , his wisdom as a councillor , his staunchness as a friend ; the many offices of trust and dignity he has filled , and the rewards and

testimonials that have been showered upon him , or the faithful services he has rendered in the cause of each and every of our Masonic Charities , it is impossible to come to any other conclusion than this , —that the subject of our sketch is one of the firmest and stateliest pillars which has

ever supported the grand old edifice of Freemasonry . To say that we wish him a long continuance of his truly admirable career is only to echo the wish which every worthy Craftsman feels in his heart . We superadd to this the

hope that , in the interests of the Craft he has loved and served so well , men may always be found among us who will fulfil their labours with as conspicuous ability , as great kindness , equal dignity and grace .

London Masonic Club, 101 Queen Victoria Street. E.C.

LONDON MASONIC CLUB , 101 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET . E . C .

ON Monday last a preliminary meeting of the Brethren of this Club , who had subscribed their namea as willing to establish a Lodge of Instruction at the Club , was held , Bro . Joseph Langton was voted to the Chair , there wero also present Bros . T . A . A . Rumpft ' , H . Matthews , C . J . Hogg , N . Reid , J . E . Shaud , & o . Bro . Hogg P . M . 1275 , P G . Steward , was appointed Hon . Sec . and Treasurer

pro tern . Various suggestions were submitted , discussed and approved , nnd a Committee appointed , consisting of Bros . Hogg , Reid and Shaw , to frame Rules , and to carry out arrangements for a meeting , which it is expected will take place on Monday , 13 th proximo , Further particulars will be announced by us in future isaues .