Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

there were 315 members who had had 58 meetings and made 35 advancements compared with—Members . Meetings . Advancements . 1886 ... 310 - 56 •••39

1885 ... 311 •••6 5 - 0 l 1884 ... 281 ... 46 ... 54 The P . G . M . M . then appointed the following as Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year : — Bro . R . Loveland Loveland , 320 ... ... Dep . P . G . M .

J . B . Atkinson , 381 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . ,, H . N . Jenkins , 125 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Col . Mead , 349 •••••••••Prov . G . M . O . R . Dampier-Child , 320 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ H . Crisp , 305 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . E . H . Elers , 63 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . .. Rev . A . M . Walker , 63 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap .

„ R . J . Rastrick , 62 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . C . Airs , 140 ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M „ G . J . Tilling , 63 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ H . Loader , 17 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ F . V . Paxton , 62 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . ., H . H . Thompson , 54 ... ... ... Prov . G . L of W .

„ J . Conner , 320 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . Berry , 63 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ H . P . Holley , 1 7 ... .,. ... Prov . G . Swd . Br „ J . VV . Boughton , 1 7 ... ... ... Frov . G . Std . Br „ H . Pigeon jun ., 320 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . , R . Cullingford , 140 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ J . Exell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The PROV . G . M . M . specially tjianked the D . P . G . M . M ., Bro . _ Loveland Loveland , for the efficient manner in which he had fulfilled his office during the past year . He also expressed his grateful thanks to the Prov . Grand Lodge for their kind letter of condolence forwarded him on the loss he had sustained . Apologies were read from Bros . ] . Mortimer Heath , P . G . M . M . Dorset ; Rev . S . Ward , P . S . G . W . ; A . Knight-Prescott , P . J . G . W . ; J . Dew , A . Atkinson , P . S . G . O . _; H . Durrant , P . G . D . C ; J . Gibson , and Rev . Walker .

The P . G . M . M . remarked , he had been unable to give a collar to the W . M . of the Unity Lodge as he was not a subscribing member . He was glad , however , Bro . Jenkins had returned to Mark Masonry , and hoped he would prosper . Next year he could assure him he should have a collar . Relative to the Charity Box , he was glad to learn that during the year the

different lodges had not forgotten it . It was a great help , especially now they had a Mark Benevolent Fund . The Lodge of Economy , which was in abeyance , would , he hoped , shortly be working , and brethren who could not make quick progress in their own lodge could join the Economy and so advance through the chairs .

Bro . Green , Secretary 305 , was announced as the Steward for the Mark Benevolent Fund , and on the proposition of Bro . LE FEUVRE , and seconded by the P . G . M . M ., the sum of £ 5 5 s . was voted towards that Fund , and to be placed on Bro . Green ' s list . Bro . Rastrick was unanimously elected to be recommended as Grand Steward for the years 1888-9 .

The Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the Court Room and partook of a cold collation , presided over by the P . G . M . M .

Plymouth Masonic Exhibition.

PLYMOUTH MASONIC EXHIBITION .

Five Masonic Exhibitions of Masonic Books , Medals , Manuscripts , and other curios have been held . The first was on Sept . 5 th , 1881 , at York , when the Freemasons of . that famous city gave a hearty reception to their brethren who were members of the British Association , then holding its Jubilee meeting " within the walls of the ancient capital of the North . " A

special account of the reception , with a catalogue of the Exhibits , compiled by Bro . T . B . Whytehead ( the originator of these collections of Masonic curios ) , may still be had . There vvere some 180 articles sent by 31 exhibitors , and several others were forwarded and shown in the Hall of No . 236 , but too late for description in the catalogue . The second , took the form of a " Masonic Conversazione and

Exhibition , " under the auspices of the York College of the Rosicrucians , Frater C . L . Mason v . Celeb , and was held on Feb . 20 th , 1884 . The number of Exhibitors amounted to 3 6 , the lots , in all , numbering 430 . The catalogue was compiled by Bro . Whytehead , and a racy account of the proceedings

appeared in the Freemason during May and June , 1 S 84 . The articles sent by the York Lodge , No . 23 6 , were of great value and interest , as also those lent by the Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 , York , and several private collectors .

, The third , known as the " Masonic Soiree and Exhibition , " took place > n the Guildhall , Worcester , on Aug . 27 th , 18 S 4 , and during remainder of the week . The Prov . G . M . of the Province , and the Mayor of the city , were the Patrons , and under the able administration of Bro . George Taylor ( who edited the Catalogue ) , the reception and the proceeding's generally

Were a great success . The large number of 144 exhibitors , with a total of some 1200 lots , were duly described in the catalogue , and the arrangements Were on a most lavish and truly Masonic scale .. Bro . Taylor went on Accumulating numerous treasures from that period , until he had acquired

D y far the most valuable private Masonic collection in this country , subsequentl y consenting to its being purchased for a Provincial Library and Museum in Worcestershire , at cost price . Many of these rare and valuable treasures were interestingly described by Bro . Taylor in the Freemason , March 13 th , 1886 , in relation to the " Masonic week" at Kidderminster .

ihe iourth of the series , held at the Chalet , Shanklin , under the auspices of the Prov . G . M . of Hants and the Isle of Wight , vvas Inaugurated on September 9 th , 1886 , and remained on view for the following \\?* , ^ '' week . The catalogue was edited by Bro . Allred Greenham ,

oh 4 » on whom the management rested , and though financially the of ^ ' ^ "S ^ t was not attained , the exhibition itself was by far the largest lhe kind , and is nol likely to be exceeded in that respect at any time . fo e , P . artlcu ' of the chief attractions , Masonically speaking , will be Und m the Freemason for September 18 th , 1886 , in an article by myself ,

Plymouth Masonic Exhibition.

based on the catalogue of Bro . Greenham ' s . Though the number of exhibitors did not come up to that of Worcester , at Shanklin the enormous total of 1471 lots ( not reckoning many under one number ) renders the latter most memorable and valuable as a collection . Some of the 8 7 brethren and others who sent their rarities having , in several instances , forwarded quite enough to make local Alasonic exhibitions themselves .

The fifth and latest , will , of course , be known as the " Plymouth Masonic Exhibition , " though held for Devon and Cornwall , and was opened by the writer June 27 th , 1887 . The Huyshe Masonic Temple was placed at the disposal of the committee , and the articles were on view from that day to July ist inclusive . The Prov . Grand Masters of the two provinces consented to be patrons , and several brethren qualified as

Vice-Patrons ( the fee being one guinea each , as at Shanklin ) , so as to provide an expenses fund , the chief object being to aid the " Devon Masonic Educational Fund , " founded in 1879 . The exhibitors were confined to members ( honorary or subscribing ) of lodges in Devon and Cornwall , or to exhibits relating to those two counties , the aim being to trace any articles of interest , Masonically , in the neighbourhood . In this we have been only partially

successlul , 88 exhibitors contributing a total of 1001 lots . Of these , 59 had never exhibited any of their collections before , and several of the articles were not only rare , but of considerable local interest . The catalogue—still to be had , as also those of Worcester and Shanklin , from the respective editors—has been compiled with a view to save needless repetitions of descriptions , and , as far as possible , from actual observation or knowledge of the different articles , forming a useful addition to those of 1881-6 .

The Grand Lodge clothing of the Duke of Clarence ( his Majesty William IV . ) , who was initiated at Plymouth , was a great attraction , and was lent by the Prince of Wales Lodge , through the kindness of Bro . Thomas Fenn , Pres . B . of G . P . Some of the Rose Croix Jewels were exceedingly fine specimens , especially one sent by Bro . Basch , and another by myself . Other medals for this degree are said to have been

worn by Sir John St . Aubyn last century , forwarded by Bro . L . P .. Metham , and the other b y Napoleon [ ., per Miss Boger , being of the ordinary pattern . Three of the set of provincial jewels for Cornwall , presented by the Sir John St . Aubyn aforesaid in 1786 , as Prov . G . M . were kindly contributed by Bro . E . D . Anderton , Prov . G . Sec . and were much admired , as they deserved to be . Bro . G . L . Shackles

( Hon . Mem ., No . 70 ) , lent all the Masonic medals he exhibited at Shanklin , specimens being in his grand cabinet , from Germany , France , Belgium , America , the Netherlands , Hungary , Austria , Canada , Denmark , Switzerland , and this Country . Several of " these invaluable medals were not only unknown to Dr . Merzdorf , but even to Bro . Marvin , and hence Bro . Shackles kindly supplied particulars of their distinctive features , so that the

Catalogue is all the more valuable accordingly , besides containing the numbers , according to Marvin , of most of the others . In this department , those supplied by Bro . T . Lamb-Smith ( Hon . Mem . No . 1 247 ) were of special importance , as so many were of handsome designs and ornate workmanship . Ihese were chiefl y English and Scottish , mostly of the last century , and several uniques being amongst the lot .

Bro . Le Feuvre exhibited a curious specimen of a silver medal of the floriated " letter G . " pattern , similar to the one owned by Major Mac-Gachen , of York , the latter being of brass . Bro . Lane ' s contributions of medals comprised a R . A . jewel of 1803 ( Domatic Lodge , No . 177 ) , the Belgium issue of 1842 , the " Masonic Sermon" by Hart , 1838-9 , and others . Bro . James Jerman lent the Priestly Order of Melchisedec jewel ,

the fine medal of 1802 , commemorative of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , being Masonic Patrons , and some specimens of the best French work earl y this century . All the Centenary Jewels worn by lodge members in Devon and Cornwall , were represented , save one , comprising those for 39 , Exeter , 70 , Plymouth , 75 , Falmouth , 105 , Plymouth , 112 , Exeter , 131 , Truro , 18 9 , Stonehouse , 202 , Devonport , and

248 , Brixham . * The Lodge , No . 75 , Falmouth , also sent the Master ' s Medal , wilh the Freemason ' s Hall Medal attached , worn by its chief officer in perpetuity , a distinction shared by only three other lodges in the Provinces , viz ., 41 , Bath , 154 , Wakefield , and 237 , Swansea . Old Warrants were in " strong force , " from the year 1731 , many being ori ginals , and great curiosities . Numerous certificates were also exhibited of rarity and

special value , as also singular aprons . Some of the latler were remarkable for their great size , and one as much so for its smallness , those sent by Bro . Blarney and others being large enough for giants , whereas the apron of the late Bro . Harvey , Prov . G . M . Herts , was strangely small and insignificant for the purpose . Newman ' s Apron of 1798 , was represented by one

specimen , and another of unusual kind sent b y Bro . Le Feuvre , with the Bible open at II . Chron . chapters 2 and 3 ; wilh a full description . Bro . T . B . Whytehead ( Hon . Mem ., No . 70 ) , contributed several articles of interest , the Snuff Boxes of No . 1611 , being especially curious , as also vvere the old Jewels in his collection , and the old Masonic Watch of 1788 .

Bro . Greenham ' s contributions to the Exhibition were dul y placed , and his fine facsimile of the York MS . of 1704 ( "Old Charges " ) occupied many feet of the wall in the large Hall . If his collection goes on increasing as ft has done of late , he will be able to hold a Masonic Exhibition of his own ere long . St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 1151 , Tywardreath , lent the trowel and

square used by our Royal Grand Master at Truro Cathedral in 1880 , and Bro . J . Lane and myself forwarded a fine collection of Masonic Lodge Histories , nearly all known being represented . Bro . Lane also sent specimens of the chief Books of Constitutions , as did the " Coombe Masonic Library , " No . 450 , Hayle , per Bro . G . B . Pearce , the indefatigable librarian , besides several of my own works , now out of print ; and other valuables .

In books , however , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre ( Hon . Mem . 1247 ) " carried off the palm , " as he sent all the editions of the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of England from 1723 to 1884 . This invaluable set added much to the interest ot the Exhibition and was appreciated accordingly . He also showed the noted Dublin Pocket Companion of 1735 , the Minute Book of No . 174 Chapter of the R . A . ( "Athol" ) from 1783 , and Cole's engraved list of lodges 1770 , the onl y original of its kind in the collection , but Bro . Lane and myself sent facsimiles of 1725 and 1764 , the first being in two sizes .

Bro . Controller Bake ' s statuette of Confucius , B . C ., 1200 ( circa ) on a pedestal was a source of never failing interest to visitors , as the figure has an apron on , and emblems are depicted of a character familiar to Freemasons . Bros . Pearce ( Hayle ) , Commander Reed ( Falmouth ) , and others from Cornwall did their part to represent the county , which , however , did not respond as expected . Bro . Reed ' s exhibit , No . 659 , an old Mug , with