Celebrities At Home.

tavern , the Georgian front of Bacon's Hotel , the prosaic lamps which flank the door , the modern railings , and the bright-tiled flower-boxes in the windows alone seem to protest against Mr . Cockerell ' s rigid classicity . As you enter , a porter rises from the depths of a comfortable hooded chair by the fire , and ushers you into the vestibule adjoining the private room of the Grand Seceetary . In the plain drab presses which line the wall is entombed

the most cosmopolitan of correspondences ; on the walls hang a variety of inlerestirg mementoes . Here is a symbolical picture , the interpretation of which would possibly puzzle the painter himself ; there a Masonic map of the United Kingdom . Below the portrait of ' Montgomerie garder of Grand Lodge' hangs an old engraving of the sword of state which once belonged to Gustavus Adolphus , the valiant King of Sweden , worn by him at the

battle of Lutzen , and presented to the Masons by the Duke of Norfolk , Grand Master of the Order in the days when the Papal ban was as yet unthought of . You are examining with pardonable curiosity the details of that rare and strange print , the ' Procession of the Scald Miserable Masons , ' when the door is opened , and you find yourself in a large , well lighted apartment , in the centre of which sits , hard , at work , the Very Worshipful Grand Secretary of English Freemasons .

' * The approaching Grand Festival , which comes round with each succeeding St . George's Day , adds a little to his labours ; the baskets on the table are filled with parchment certificates awaiting signature , and he has threescore letters at least to open before he can give you the few minutes you have dared to ask for . There is something unmistakably martial about the bearing of Bro . Shadwell Clerke ; he is every inch a

soldier , and his long fair moustache savours , perhaps , more of Pall Mall and the ' Rag' than ot those of Masonic gatherings at which he is so welcome a visitor . The sword-case and helmet you espy in a distant corner remind you that the Grand Secretary is also a Gentleman-at-Arms . The walls above the chocolate dado are distempered in French gray ; the outlook across the wire blinds is hardly inspiriting , for Col . Shadwell Clerke has

nothing more cheerful to gaze on than an undertaker s , a tailor s , and the portentous armorial device which graces lhe office of The Freemason . Against the clock on the green marble mantelpiece rests a card containing certain Draconic instructions for your conduct while visiting a man of business , and an additional hint is delicately conveyed to you by a somewhat sensational American picture inscribed 'This man was talked to death . *

The silence you must now of necessity preserve is favourable to your examination ol the inner chamber of Freemasonry . Portraits of the Dukes of Kent and Sussex ( both Grand Masters in their day ) are to be seen on either side of an engraving of the Queen over the fireplace . Past Grand Secretaries of the Order also find a place in the collection , and beneath a print of the late Lord Zetland you notice the handsome face of Lord Lathom .

The Grand Master's portrait is there , of course , and a proof before letters of the picture of his installation in the Albert Hall , 12 years ago , hangs near the Chippendale bookcase , filled to overflowing with the voluminous literature of Masonry , which faces the door . The attendant tables are covered with scrap-books , addresses , appeals to Giand Lodge , and miscellaneous documents tied up with red tape , and duly docketed ; a

serviceable screen hides a rare picture only shown to the initiated ; and a collection of medals , jewels , and relics find a place in one of the drawers . The certificates are all signed at last , and Col . Shadwell Clerke finds leisure to talk to you of his multifarious duties ; of the pertinacity of his foreign visitors , of the dinners he is called on to attend , of the differences he is expected to adjust , and of the weightier matters of the Craft .

" If you are especially favoured , you may perhaps be allowed to explore the innei recesses of Freemasons' Hall under his guidance . Passing up a domed staircase rich in rouge royal marble andblue-and-gold emblems , and crossing Mr . Maudslay ' s pavement of tesser , * e from Jerusalem , you come to the Senate House of the Masonic brotherhood . The highly decorated coffered roof is broken here and there by sun-burners ; the walls are spaced

out by fluted pilasters in gold and magenta ; more symbols in circular discs divide the projecting trygliphs , and more signs of the zodiac fill the centre of the ceiling . The statue of the Duke of Sussex in its apsidal niche appears to look down approvingly on the blue velvel throne now occupied by his grand-nephew . I'he organ is cunningly concealed by a screen ; but the chief interest centres in the life-sized portraits which fill the panels .

George IV . ( once Grand Master ) , painted in the heyday of youth , almost faces that of the Prince of Wales ; the Dukeof Kent , in field-marshal ' s uniform and tight-fitting nankeen breeches , smiles blandly at Lord Hastings , who appears to be delivering an oration ; while the Duke of Sussex , in Stuart tartan and feathered cap , has for his vis-a-vis John Duke of Athole ,

in the robes of lhe Thistle . You have no time to linger * . you pass on to the Grand Master ' s own room , wilh its embossed paper and mahogany and blue morocco furniture , and descend to the Board-room below , where , £ 10 , 000 is annually dispensed in charity , and the Strong-room , where you can see the plate given to the Grand Lodge by the Duchess of Inverness , and such valued relics as the Articles of Union .

" Before your return to Colonel Shadwell Gierke ' s work-room , you are profoundly impressed with the magnitude of thc Institution in whose affairs he plays so important a part . The Grand Secretary was born just fifty years ago . He elected to follow his father's profession , and served as a subaltern wilh distinction in the Crimea , carrying the colours of his regiment at the battle of the Alma . Shortly after the campaign terminated he became a

Freemason in Malta , and for nearly thirty years has devoted a considerable portion of his time to the interests of the Craft in the various countries in which he has been stationed . He passed seven years in the West Indies as Military Secretary to the Commander of the Forces . In 1 S 75 he was appointed an officer of thc Body Guard . Since 1880 he has discharged with energy , tact , and considerable administrative

ability the arduous duties of Grand Secretary . In this capacity his name is now familiar lo almost every English Mason in the world , and his genial presence has almosl become essential to the success of the more important Masonic gatherings of the metropolis . The discreet porter announces one of the Grand Officers , who is to be invested at the coming festival , and a deputation of the Grand Stewards has also arrived ; so you take leave of the indefatigable Grand Secretary , and complete alone your pious

pilgrimage to the shrine of Freemasonry b y visiting the celebrated tavern under the same roof , which , though necessaril y playing a wholly subordinate part in the austere discipline ot the Fraternity , is perhaps better known to the world at large than the adjoining hall , and where Messrs . Spiers and Pond contrive to cater alike for the frugal repasls of thc Masonic brethren , the exigencies of regimental dinners , and the more ambitious feasts of such powerful associations as the Caledonian and Hi ghland Societies , and lhe Benevolent Society of St . Patrick . "

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the business on the agenda paper to be transacted on Wednesday , the 5 th day of May next : — The Regulations for the Government of the Supreme Grand Chapter during the time of public business to be read . The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation . Installation of Principals and appointment and investiture of officers for the ensuing year .

THE REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE OK GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 20 th January to the 20 th April , 1 SS 6 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : —

To Balance , Grand Chapter jj , 44 5 2 By Disbursement during tha „ „ Unappropriated Quarter £ -4 S 16 2 Account ... 1 S 5 24 „ Balance ... 220 10 o „ Subsequent Receipts ... 43 S 2 0 * „ „ Unappropriated Account ... 198 3 10 £ 667 10 o £ 66 7 10 o

Which Balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : — 1 st . From Comps . George Arthur Montgomery Tapscott , as Z . ; Andries Selzer , as H . ; Thomas Melvi'le Du Toil , as J . ; and nine others for a chapter to be attached to the Octahedron Lodge , No . 1417 , Barkley , South Africa , to be called the Octahedron Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Barkley , South Africa .

2 nd . From Comps . Stephen R . White , as Z . ; Richd . Thos . Middleton , as H . ; Henry Hagell Lowrie , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached lo the Southern Cross Lodge , No . 1590 , Uiienhage , Cape of Good Hope , to be called the Southern Cross Chapter , and to meet at Uitenhagc , Cape of Good Hope ( East Division ) .

3 rd . From Comps . James Reginald Spence , as Z . ; Raphael Borg , as H . ; George Charles Peere Williams Freeman , as J . ; and seven oihers for a chapter to be attached to the Bulwer Lodge , No . 1068 , Cairo , Egypt , to be called the Bulwer Chapter , and to meet at Cairo , Egypt . 4 th . From Comps . James Griffin , as Z . ; James Gifford , as H . ; Wm . Odam , as J . ; and 22 others for a chapter to be attached to the Lodge of

St . George , No . 2025 , Stonehouse , to be called the St . George Chapter , and to meet at the St . George ' s Hall , Stonehouse , in the county of Devon . 5 th . From Comps . Henry John Atkins , as Z . ; William Bowring Rogers , as H . ; David Sydenham , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Lodge of Hengist , No . 195 , Bournemouth , to be called the Hengist Chapter , and to meet at the Fieemasons' Hall , Bournemouth , in the county of Hampshire .

6 ih . From Comps . James Smith , as Z . ; Alexander Smith , as H . ; John Bray , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached tothe Broad Arrow Lodge , No . 1 S 90 , St . George ' s , Bermuda , to be called thc Royal Edward Chapter , and to meet at St . George ' s , Bermuda , West Indies .

7 th . trom Comps . William Mason Stiles , as Z . ; William Alfred Scurrah , as H . ; James Willing , junior , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Henry Levander Lodge , No . 204 S , Harrow Station , to be called the Henry Levander Chapter , and to meet at the Railway Hotel , Harrow Station , in the county of Middlesex .

Sth . from Comps . George Lambert , as Z . ; Robert Payne , as H . j Herbert C Lambert , as J . ; and 12 others for a chapter to be attached to the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge , No . 2021 , London , to be called the Queen ' s Westminster Chapter , and to meet at SA , Red Lion-square , Holborn , London .

Ihe foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . 1 he Committee have also to report that they have received a memorial from the companions of the Chapter of Fidelity . No . 3 , London , praying

for a charter authorising them to wear a centenary jewel , in accordance with the resolution passed by the Supreme Grand Chapter on the ist February , 18 S 2 . This memorial being in form , and the chapter having proved an uninterrupted existence of loo years , the Committee recommend that the prayer thereof be granted .

The Committee have likewise to report that a chapter through neglect ot the law as contained in Article 67 , page 22 , of the Royal Arch regulations ( Edit . 1 S 79 ) , has recently exalted a brother at a less period than 12 calendar months from the date of his becoming a Master Mason . The Committee have admonished the chapter to be more observant of the law in the future , and have ordered the candidate in question to be reobligated .

ihe Committee have further to report the receipt of the two following communications : —

ist . An edict of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Quebecdated 16 th January , 1886—severing fraternal intercourse between its chapters and their members , and those of this Grand Chapter , in consequence of the continued existence within the territory exclusively claimed by the former of the two English Chapters , Nos . 374 and 440 , which have been working in Montreal long previously to the formation of their chapter .

2 nd . An edict to the same purport from the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of the State of Louisiana—dated ist March , 1886—to continue in force so long as the two chapters in Montreal shall remain under the Grand Chapter of England . These communications have been briefly acknowledged by the Grand Scribe E ., and as the Grand Chapter of England does not exchange

Representatives with Grand Chapters of the Royal Arch Degree on the continent of America , these Bodies differing from that of England in their forms and qualifications , the Committee do not recommend that further notice be taken of these communications . ( Signed ) ROBERT GREV , P . A . G . Soj ., Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . President . 21 st April , 1886 .

Election of the Committee of General Purposes for the ensuing twelve months . Appeal of Companion Joseph Dawson , P . Z . No . 832 , Rangoon , and Past District Grand H ., against a ruling of the Grand Superintendent , in the District Grand Chapter of Burma , at Rangoon , on the ioth December , 1885 , declaring an amendment carried .