Contents.

CONTENTS .

LEADERS 17 ' Bro . Lord Wolselcv , G . C . B .. & C 172 The Wolselcv Lodge , No . 1993 172 Consecration of the Stirling Lodge , No . 1980 173 Provincial Grand Chapter of East Lancashire 173 Review ' 74 The Crown Prince of Germany and

Freemasonry 174 Civic Visitors at thc Mansion House 175 Hospital for Sick Children , Great Ormond Street " 75 CORRESPONDENCE— / Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . — April Election 177 The Coming Elections 177 London and Provincial Candidates . —The Elections 177

CORRESPONDENTS —( Continued;—A Word of Caution 177 The Grand Lodge of Ireland 177 Reviews 17 S Masonic Notes and Queries 178 Constitution of a New Lodge at York ... 179 Masonic Presentation 179 RETORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 179

Instruction iSc Royal Arch 181 Mark Masonry 181 Ancient and Accepted Rite 181 South Africa 181 Queensland 181 Ohituary j 8 i The Theatres 182 Masonic and General Tidings 183 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 18 4

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THE very proper and seasonable remarks of the W . M . of the Wolseley Lodge will be gladly read and truly appreciated by a large number of English Freemasons . That worthy brother has placed the matter truly and effectively before us when he says that the Wolseley Lodge is not formed in blame of those who do not hold temperance principles , but to assist and

enlist those who do . Such is a very intelligible and reasonable ground of action , inasmuch as it entirely accords with that great principle of ' * Moderation , " which at all times and in all ways is inculcated in our lodges as a Masonic virtue . Excess of all kinds is habitually discountenanced , while self-restraint and even a moderate use of permitted enjoyments is

unceasingly proclaimed and recommended . We , therefore , call attention to the recent noteworthy proceedings which aecompanicd the consecration of Ihe Wolsely Lodge at Manchester and the many striking speeches there delivered . All our brethren , wherever they may be , will rejoice to hear so full and so striking a testimony to the value of Freemasonry given openly by so distinguished a commander and soldier as General Lord WOLSELEY .

* * THERE can be no doubt but that the late hours and over convivial habits alluded to in Lord WOLSELEY ' S speech at Manchester , affecting Freemasonry equally with other classes and ranks of society in former years , did Freemasonry much harm , and as they dominated admittedly . our lodges in the

last century , they seem to have lingered on into this . But for some years past impioved views and more rational tastes have caused our brethren to lean more and more to early hours and less protracted sittings . As a rule , we apprehend , little fault can now be found with the social meetings of our

lodges . We know of many lodges , for instance , which make a point of " breaking up early , " and avoiding carefully long " sederunts . " Indeed , our Masonic social gatherings , pleasant and friendly as they are , are equally marked by the better and prevailing influences of moderation , refinement , innocent sociality , and good taste .

* * THE first meeting of the Board of Stewards for the Girls' School has taken place , and one point comes out clearly before us , the number of Stewards announced is somewhat in defect . No doubt , in the intervening space of time between this and the festival , many worthy brethren will make up their

minds and send in their names to the SECRETARY as Stewards for 1883 , but we would impress upon all our readers and all friends of this excellent Charity of our Order , to add to the obligations of their accepting the Stewardship , by aiding the SECRETARY in his untiring work , and forward their names at once . Unpunctuality and procrastination are very often

Masonic characteristics markedly , though we say it " sotto voce ; " and we think that many good friends of ours will not find fault with us for pressing them to do now what they probably intend doing when the festival draws nearer . It is not long ago that we heard of a good brother sending in his name to a secretary on the very day of the festival , though he might just as

well , and could just as easily , positively have sent it in months before . Curiously enough the daily papers announce this last week the death of a "CHEVALIER RUSPINI , " probably a descendant of that benevolent older brother to whom the foundation of the Girls' School may fairly be assigned .

Since his time how wonderfully the School has progressed in numbers , comfort and efficiency , its home character and its scientific developement ; and what a claim it has in good truth on all Freemasons everywhere for countenance and friendly aid , for unchanging and true-hearted sympathy . We shall recur to this special subject .

* * WE are little inclined to believe , from what we hear , that one or two hasty and inconsiderate speeches have led some brethren to believe , that the Girls ' School does not need steady efforts and liberal support . We regret to note the tendency to childish canards , petty little tattle , an increasing love of

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gossip and fault finding in some quarters , just now as about the Girls School , so about things Masonic generally . But we beg to add , from intimate knowledge of the subject , that the Girls' School is as always in need of large annual subscriptions from an always generous Craft . True it is , that it has happily husbanded its funded property , having had no overpowering

building transactions forced upon it by the increase of the school , and the necessities of the case . But that surely is not a blameable policy . On the contrary , at the rate at which our Order is increasing it is impossible for us to-day to measure the want of ten years hence for instance ; and it might well be that unforeseen circumstances would demand from the authorities of

the Girls' School eventually large sacrifices of funded property . It is indeed a penny wise and a pound foolish policy , and an utterly unwise and unmasonic proposition , which would invoke the diminution of the investments to meet passing momentary engagements , which ought to be defrayed by income , and in no sense by capital ! It is never difficult to foretell the fate of any

institution which seek to meet special annual payments by a sacrifice of endowment . We feel sure that the friendly feeling of our Craft will go with the authorities , in carefully maintaining the thorough efficiency , even in the most minute details of that Institution of which wo may all well be proud , our Girls ' School .

* * SOMETHING has been said about electing all the candidates at the Girls ' School election , April 14 th . But such would be a most mistaken and expensive policy . Twenty-two out of twenty-eight elected candidates is trul y a marvellous proportion in any charity , and the Committee have their own

valid reasons no doubt for not needlessly increasing the number of inmates . It is just possible that in October next , if the new candidates are not very numerous , very few indeed of the candidates will remain unelected , but in

this special matter the House Committee have a right to claim , as we feel sure they will receive , the entire confidence of the great body of subscribers , both in the decision they have most properly come to , and the arrangements they have so thoughtfully made .

# # A VERY worthy and esteemed brother has passed away from our midst , whom many of us knew well and esteemed much , Bro . the Chevaiier HABICHT . He had many friends and he will be " missed much " alike b y his family circle , as by his Masonic associates .

# * # THE second volume of Bro . R . F . GOULD ' S " History of Freemasonry , " reviewed elsewhere , seems to demand " per-force " the thoughtful attention of students of all jurisdictions . It is a very remarkable contribution in itself to Masonic knowledge , and reflects no little credit on the abilities

patience , energy , and laborious research of the talented writer . Unfortunately it is to be feared that here as elsewhere Masonic literature , however good and real , has attractions for the few rather than the many , for that small but , let us trust , increasing band of Masonic students and experts , who prefer historical authenticity and accurate terminology to idle myths and baseless legends .

* * * THE importance of ascertaining the facts as to seventeenth century English Freemasonry is so very great , that we venture to impress upon many kind correspondents in all parts of the country , that if they light upon any entries in registers and the like , such as " Freemason , gentleman , " or

simply " Freemason , " they should forward the extract to us . The word " Freemason " will no doubt very often . occur alone , without any added qualification ; but any such entry is equally important , as the " nominee " may be so clearly " non-operative" in social position , as to afford another to the now rapidly extending proofs of the existence of a speculative Freemasonry of some sort in the seventeenth century .

* * # OUR very esteemed Bro . Sir ERASMUS WILSON has truly earned the gratitude of his fellow men alike for his pathological discoveries , his humanitarian "largesse , " and his patriotic sacrifices . As Freemasons we all equally value and are proud of our worthy brother , and desiderate for him

many years of health and happiness . The remarkable important excavations which are now going on at Tel-El-Mahuta owe their initiative and impulse to his seasonable munificence . We trust that success will

reward the earnest labours of Mr . Nabille , and that results favourable alike to reliable research and Egyptological archaeology may reward this praiseworthy movement in favour of scientific accuracy and Biblical illustration in the ever interesting land of Egypt ,