Masonic Notes.

for quite a term of years , there being four men and io widows who have been before the Governors and Subscribers for eight years and upwards , one of the widows , with 604 votes in hand , being about to make

h & r fourteenthattempt to win an annuity , and one of the men his twelfth . Of the 05 male candidates , London furnishes 19 , and the Provinces and Abroad 4 6 , while of the 54 widows 14 are from London and 40 from the Provinces and Abroad .

The organ in the Grand Room of Mark Masons Hall is not only a valuable addition to the equipments of the building , but is now a thing of beauty , the decoration of the front having been comp leted . It is executed in perfect taste and is another step towards

the beautifying of the Hall , which now begins to show some signs of what it may become when the panels are filled and the scheme of decoration complete . The organ itself is an excellent instrument , and is admirably adapted to the size of the room and the requirements of the ceremonial .

The American Tyler gives a list of the numerous fees charged for initiation into Craft Masonry by the various Grand Lodges in the United States , the amounts being from 820 to S 60 . It would be curious to ascertain whether this variation exercises any such influence in the material of the lodge as it is known to do in this country . In England the feeling is

undoubtedly growing that admission should not be made too easy , and that not only should the fees be kept up , and in many instances increased , hut that greater care should be exercised in the admission of members by each individual brother considering himself to some extent responsible for the character and eligibility of the candidates .

On Tuesday , the 8 th inst .. a paper on " Freemasonry in Architecture , " will be read before the Society of Architects , at St . James' Hall , Piccadilly , by Mr . D . F . Ranking , M . D ., LL . D ., illustrated with lime-light views . Freemasons can obtain admission to this lecture by sending a po ^ t card to the Secretary of Architects , St . lames' Hall , W .

Corresponoence

Corresponoence

THE EARTHQUAKES IX GREECE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I take thc fraternal liberty to let you know with a deep regret , and I am sure you will feel it also , a great destruction occurred to our unfortunate country , on the 20 th ult . We felt in Athens a

tremendous shock of earthquake , and several other shocks followed exceeding in violence those of last year which occurred in Xante . The earthquake was almost genera ! in Greece , ' and the disasters and destruction is far greater than on previous occasions . Several p laces and towns have been destroyed , all houses and churches fall down , and hundreds of men ,

and women , and children perished under the ruins . There are thousands injured . The towns Atalanta , Chalcis , Thebes , Leiadra , & c ., and several villages present a scene of terrible destruction , the devastation is complete . Slighter shocks of earthquake continue to be felt accompanied by subterranean rumblings . Working parties are busily engaged in erecting shelters

for the homeless population ; the local relief Committee is distributing stores , tents , and money . We Fieemasons are doing our best , and in the name of humanity , confidently appeal to our brethren everywhere , soliciting the hearty help and relief for the

homeless poor population ; there are so many victims . I dare say you will do your best in collecting from the different lodges of London and forwarding urgently any amount you may collect , and we shall be very much obliged anil thankful to you . — 1 remain , dear S'ir and Brother , fraternally yours , N . SOROKIADIS . Athens , 24 th April .

"WHAT IS A 'FOUNDER' OF A LODGE : " To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , When in London the other day 1 was handed a circular calling , 1 meeting to consider the propriety of taking slops to form a new lodge , and the brother signing it gives out that he is a P . M . of four lodges ' .

and adds " ivc , " which 1 suppose means any further number that the reader may imagine . To add to , or impress the reader with the importance of the circular , he further adds ho is " founder " of five lodges , and one of the live ho gives as No . 259 . On looking up liro . Lane ' s " Masonic Records , " I find that the warrant of No . 259 is dated 20 th August ,

17 8 7-Am I wrong in supposing that a "founder means an orig inal member ol a lodge , one who was alive and in the flesh when the warrant was granted r if I am right , then this brother must surely be the oldest Freemason in existence ! I enclose the circular . —Yours fraternally , May 3 rd . W . ( Durham ) .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF HAMP SIIIRE AND ISI . E OF WIGHT for the year ending 31 st March , tSiy . "—The editors of this excellent annual—one of the largest published—are Bros . Edgar Goble , Prov . G . Sec ., and G . F . Lancaster , P . Prov . G . Reg ., & o , whose labours in its compilation must have been exceedingly heavy . There are now 4 S lodges , with 337 S members ; 23 chapters , with So 5 companions : 14 Mark lodges , and 391 members ;

besides five Rose Croix chapters , four Knights Templar preceptories , and other Masonic bodies . The information respecting all these is very full and complete , the returns from the various lodges , & c , being more detailed than usual , for not only are all the officers recorded , with the Past Masters , & c , but the Grand and Prov . Grand rank are duly noted to each so distinguished , the number of meetings , number of initiates and joining members , and

net total being also appended under each Masonic body , the Secretary ' s name and address in each case completing the particulars on each page . Numerous items of interest are also appended respecting the Prov . Grand Lodge , the lodges , chapters , & c , and Bro . Lane's " Masonic Records 1717-iSSO" have been calied into requisition to supply the roll of exlinct lodges . For the ordinary member , his wants are all supplied , historically , financially , numerically , and chronoljgically in this capital guide , and though the Charity

votes are not supplied ( the information given occupying 170 pages ) , still particulars are supplied as to the Central Institutions , and so as to the local Educational and Benevolent Fund , there being 11 children at present on the educational branch . Additional particulars , if required , may be obtained from the obliging Secretary , Bro . G . F . Lancaster , Admiralty Cottages , Forton , Gosport . The Quatuor Coronati lodge "Correspondence Circle" is also duly noted , and an able condensed account printed of its scope and the local support it receives .

"EXETER THROUGH A CAMERA . "—This choice guide artistically illustrated , beautifully printed , and most attractively got up , is published by Mr . J . L . Allday , of Edmundstreet , Birmingham , the famous illustrated guides' printer and publisher . The text is by Mr . Robert K . Dent , who has ably done his part , the result being one of the most entertaining , useful , and instructive works about the " ever faithful city " that has ever appeared . The illustrations

are from photos by Valentine , Hudson , Bedford , and ether well-known artists ; those of the deer stalker by E . B . Stephens , A . R . A ., and Lord Iddlesleigh by the late Sir Edgar Boehm , being particularly happy and effective . It is not a volume of the ordinary guide flavour , but a book fit for the drawing-room table as well as for the library , and in a pleasant , gossipy manner does justice to the ancient city of Exeter , for the writer revels in the love of the picturesque , the ancient , and the ecclesiastical .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

BRADFORD . Old York Lodge ( T . I . ) . —The concluding meeting of the session of this old lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Salem-street , on Tuesday , the 24 th ult ., Bro . T . K . Greenough , VV . M ., presiding . There were also present Bros . T . H . Pattinson , I . P . M . ; C . J . Shott , P . P . G . W . ; C . Crabtree , P . P . G . W . j George ' Althorp , P . P . G . VV ., Treas . j I . L . Atherton , P . P . G . W . j S .

Whiteley , P . P . G . D ., Org . ; Thcs . Norfolk , P . M ., Sec . j F . D . Hanison , S . W . j J . T . Last , J . W . ; Wm . Laycock , M . O . j M . Hayes , S . O . j R . H . Bonsor , J . O . ; G . C . Gamble , S . D . j John Ingleby , J . D . j Joseph Clifford , as I . G . j John Hill , O . G . j J . Hudson , John Cromach , and las . Dewhirst , P . M . After the lodge had been opened and

the minutes of the previous regular meeting had been duly confirmed , the election of ollicers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : Bros . Harrison , S . W ., as VV . M . elect ; G . Althorp , P . P . G . W ., Treas . j and John Hill , Tyler . After " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment , a pleasant evening being spent .

HA PANT . Carnarvon Lodge ( No . 62 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 17 th ult ., when Bro . Alexander Howell , 30 ° , P . P . G . Reg . Hants and I . of VV ., was installed into the chair of Adoniram by Bro . Dr . F . V . Paxton , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D .. The Mark lodge being closed the Carnarvon Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners was opened , when Bro . Howell was installed as VV . C . N ' . by Bro . E . E . Street ,

P . W . CN . At the conclusion of the business the brethren adjourned to the Bear Hotfl , where dinner was served . Bro . Thomas Francis , P . P . S . G . W . Hants and I . of VV ., in proposing ' The Health of the VV . M ., " referred to the immense interest which he took in every branch of Freemasonry . The members of the Mark Degree were indebted to him for having traced the working of that Degree back to the \ eir nOq . some five years earlier than was ever

before known . The importance of Bro . Howell ' s discovery could not be over estimated , particularly as he had been able to associate with it the name of Thomas Dunckerley , first Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire . He had had an opportuniy of sctiug the proof sheets of Bro . Howell ' s History of Ihe Phoenix Lodge , Sic , in which that discovery was to be published , and as a Masonic student of many years' standing , he had no hesitation in saying that , quite apart from the reference ( o Mark Masonry , it was the finest lodye history which he had ever seen .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

DUKINF 1 ELD . Royal Edward Encampment ( No . 7 6 ) . — Great interest was manifested at the ancient town and amongst the Knights Templars of the Chethire Province when it became known a very jld encampment , which had

not been working for something like a dozen years , was about to be re . Mi-citatecl . It is owing to the accustomed energy , perseverance , and courage of Sir Knight John Clayton , P . E . C , whose portrait appeared in our columns last September , that the province is indebted for the resuscitation . He has had many difficulties to contend with

Knights Templar.

but has kept perseveringly on , assisted by one or two eminent sir knights , until he has attained what is bound to be a great stimulant to Knight Templary in the province and promoting its rites and ceremonies in an efficient man . ner . He has felt for manv years it was a matter of great importance that the line of ancient history should be kept up relative to this encampment , and we are pleased to have the pleasure of recording an event which cannot help but

be of great interest to all in the honourable Order . The warrant is dated 1 S 06 " , when Edward Duke of Kent was Eminent Sup . Grand Master , and at the foot are the names of John Gilbert , Grand Chancellor , and Walter Rodwell Wright ( acting ) , Grand Master . There are also many antique ornaments , furniture , and ancient documen ts , which are almost priceless to Masons , and have been preserved with great care . The first meeting was held on

Tuesday , the 24 th ult ., at the Astley Arms Hotel , for the purpose of installing Sir Knight John Clayton , E . C . The sir knights assembled at 4 . 30 p . m ., and the encampment was opened by Sir Knight G . H . Brown , P . E . C ., who performed the ceremony of inauguration in a perfect manner . He appointed as his officers for the opening ceremony : Sir Knights John Clayton , Reg . ; G . S . Smith , E . C , P . G . S . B ., ist Capt . ; James Newton , 2 nd Capt . ;

H . G . Small , Expert j R . VV . Bourne , P . E . C , Capt . of Lines ; and F . N . Stevenson , P . E . C , Prov . G . C , acting Prelate . The correspondence was read from Great Priory sanctioning the continuance of the working . Sir Knight John Clayton , P . E . C , was then presented to the installing b'ir Knight by Sir Knight Fred . X . Stevenson , P . E . C , Prov . Grand Chancellor . He was afterwards duly proclaimed and saluted by all present . The following were invested as

officers for the ensuing year : Sir Knights Harry Gordon Small , ist Capt . j James Andrews , 2 nd Capt . ; Walter Newton , Expert ; Richard Newhouse , P . E . C , . P . C . Ch ., Reg . ; j . Bromley , P . E . C , Capt . of Lines j J . Leach , P . E . C , Prelate j A . VV . Siddall , P . E . C , elected Treas . ; and H . Roberts , C . of Gds . Other important business was transacted and the encampment was closed . The following Sir Knights were present : Sir Knights John Clayton , P . E . C ; Richard Newhouse , P . E . C , P . G . Reg . ; H . C .

Small j G . S . Smith , E . C , P . G . S . B . ; Allen Shaw j A . VV Siddall , P . E . C , P . G . C . j Fred . N . Stevenson , P . E . C , P . G . Chancellor ,- Robt . VV . Bourne , P . E . C . j G . II , Brown , P . E . C . j Walter Newton , P . K . C . ; James Andrew , Alfred Clayton , F . W . Bromley , P . K . C . j " J . Leach , and others . A banquet was subsequently' given , at which all the usual loyal and other toasts were heartily given and responded to , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

I he new Grand Officers and their friends , by invitation of the House Committee , paid their annual visit to the above Institution on Monday , when an interesting programme of callisthenics , singing , and music was carried out by the children in their very best manner under the superintendence of Miss Davis , the Head Governess . Notwithstanding the inclemency of the day , there was a large attendance , and the highest

satisfaction was given to the visitors , who also closely inspected the Institution itself . Bro . AI . FREI > COOPER , S . G . D ., addressed the children at the close of the proceedings in terms of the warmest praise , and the guests departed well pleased with all they had seen and heard . The Stewards' visit takes place next Monday , and the Festival on Wednesday , the 9 th inst ., under the presidency of the Earl of Lathom , Pro G . M .

Scotland.

Scotland .

S 0 C 1 ETAS R 0 SIC 1 WCIANA IN SCOTIA . The West of Scotland College held its annual meeting for the election of office-bearers for the ensuing year , in St . John ' s Hall , Buchanan-street , Glasgow , on Friday , the 27 th ult . The college having been opened . R . W . Frater D . R . Clark , M . A ., 9 ' , Master of the Temple , Junior Sub-Magus , stated that the principal

business before the college jwas the election of officebearers for the ensuing year . He said that during the year he had been appointed Junior Sub-Magus , and he hardly thought it would be consistent with that office to fill the chair of the college any longer . Last year he consented to stand at special request . The election was then proceeded with , and resulted

as follows : Frater W . S . Hunter , 6 ° ... Master of the Temp le „ J . VV . Ruddock , 4 Deputy Master . ., T . R . Richards , 7 ... Treasurer . ,, T . R . Richards , i > ... Secretary .

„ J . Foulds , 2 ' ... Primus Antient . „ J . A . S . Kerr , 3 " ... Secundus Antienl . ,, F . W . I . arter , 3 ... Tertius Antienl . „ W . M . Denholm , 3 Quartos Antient . „ J . McQueen Barr , 3 Precentor .

„ J . Larruthers , 2 ... Conductor of Novice - „ F . mile Merger , 4 ' ' ., Organist . ,, Hy . Burnham , v ... Torchbearer . ,. James Smith , 2 ° ... Herald . ,, James Murray , 1 ' ... Guardian of the Tempi" - ' - „ W . Ross ... ... Acolyte . The MASTER OF THE TEMPI . K paid a hig h tribute t '

the Secretary for his indefatigable exertions to promote the interests of the college during the past two years , and he had consented to remain at his post for anothei year , to assist the new Master . He then mentioned the annual outing , and said that he would commum | : al ' with the English colleges to ascertain whether they could not meet the Scotch colleges , viz ., Edinburg h am '

Glasjow , lor an interchange of views . Thereafter the fratres adjourned to the Junior Conservative Club , and dined together .