Bro. Lord Wolseley, G.C.B., &C.

BRO . LORD WOLSELEY , G . C . B ., & c .

The brother , whose portrait we present with this week ' s number of the Freemason , if he has not played a very conspicuous part as a member of our Craft , has won for himself a world-wide reputation in the profession he has followed almost from his youth upwards . He is a Mason of close on 30 years' standing , but he has been too actively and continuously engaged in

his military duties to find much time for the pursuit after Masonic distinction . The event of Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., at Manchester , which we chronicled last week , is , we believe , the first of its kind in which he has been called upon to take a prominent part , and will serve to show that his interest in , if not his active support of , Freemasonry is very considerable . At all

events , there can be no doubt the Fraternity derives additional lustre from the fact of his being associated with it , and in these circumstances it has occurred to us that a brief sketch of his career , though it may not properly come within the scope of a Masonic journal , will prove not unacceptable to our readers .

Lord Wolseley belongs to a branch of a good old English family , the earliest representative of whom we have any mention being Ralph Wolseley , a Baron of the Exchequer , in the reign of Edward IV . A descendent of this Ralph Wolseley was created an English baronet in 1628 , and from him we come to Sir Richard Wolseley , —the youngest brother of Sir William

Wolseley , fifth baronet of the English creation , —who was made a baronet of Ireland in 1744 . Sir Richard ' s third son , the Rev . VV . Wolseley , previously to taking holy orders , held the commission of caplain in the Sth Hussars , captured a standard at the battle of Dettingen , and served with distinction during the Seven Years' War . His filth son was Major Joseph Garnet

Wolseley , of whose numerous family the newly-created peer is the eldest . Several members of the family have followed the career of arms , among them being one who commanded the Enniskillen Regiment at the battle of the Boyne , and another who fought in the American War of Independence ,

while Sir C . Michael Wolseley , eleventh and present baronet of the elder creation , served with the 9 th Lancers during the Afghan campaign of 1879 . Two of his lordship ' s brothers have also seen service , so that the military profession would seem to have found favour with the Wolseley family , though none of the members who adopted it have in return conferred such lustre as

the subject of this memoir . It is not a little singular that Admiral Lord Alcester , who had charge of the naval part of the late expedition to Egypt , and Lord Wolseley had their earliest , as they have had their latest , experience in the same theatre of war , both having taken part in and received the medal for service in the second

Burmese War , when the future victor of Ashantee and Arabi ' s armies was a sabaltern in the 80 th Regiment of Foot and was severely wounded in the thigh . We next find him in the trenches before Sebastopol , where he served with the 90 th Foot and was again severely wounded . In 1 S 57 he embarked with his regiment for service in China . On the passage out , the

transport conveying it was wrecked off the island of Sumatra and on reaching Signapore , orders were received that it should at once sail for India to assist in quelling the terrible mutiny which in the early part of that year broke

out in our native Bengal army . Here again he played a conspicuous part , distinguishing himself very highly at the relief of the Presidency of Lucknow and subsequently in the defence of the Alumbagh . He was Deputy Assistant Ouarter-Master-General in India and China in i 860 , in the two

following years Assistant Quarter-Master-General in Canada and during 1867-70 Deputy Quarter-Master General . It was in the latter year that he held his first independent command , that of the Red River Expedition , his admirable conduct of which brought his qualities as a military chief into still greater prominence . On his return home he was appointed Assistant

Adjutant-General at head-quarters , a position he continued lo fill till 1873 . In 1874 he was appointed to the command of the British Expeditionary force that was sent to the West Coast of Africa in order to bring the Ashantee King to his senses . It was a task of great difficulty , the climate of the West Coast of Africa being terribly unhealthy for Europeans , while the

country was extremely difficult of access and the Ashantees were known to be a foe by no means unworthy of our steel . Sir Garnet , however , amply justified the course of the authorities in selecting him for the post . He planned and carried out the campaign with that precision and swiftness which appeared to be the leading features of his generalship . The obstacles

in the way of reaching Coomassie— apart from the known lighting power of the Ashantees — were very considerable . But Coomassie had to be reached and captured , and it was done , and done right gallantly , after a series of short but sharp engagements with the enemy Then came the return to the coast , which having

regard to the impending rains , was a hardly less hazardous task than the advance had been . But Sir Garnet ' s movements were well-timed and as well executed , and the march was accomplished successfully with the smallest possible loss . For this achievement he received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament and in addition a grant of £ 2 ^ , was voted him .

In 1878 , when there seemed to be every probability that this country would be engaged in a war with Russia and it became necessary to organise a force to meet such a contingency , Lord Napier , of Magdala , was designated by the authorities as its Commander-in-chief , and Sir Garnet Wolseley as the chief of his staff . Peaceful councils , however , prevailed , and our

plenipotentaries returned from Berlin without having been forced to adopt the dread alternative of war in order to secure the interests of the British empire . It was not for long , however , that he was to remain inactive , and the island of Cyprus having in the meantime come under our rule , he was appointed its first High Commissioner and Commander-in-chief . Later , when our South African difficulties culminated in the terrible disaster of Isandlwana , Sir Garnet Wolseley was at once appointed to the command of

Bro. Lord Wolseley, G.C.B., &C.

our forces , and though Lord Chelmsford had decisively beaten Cetewayo before his successor had had time to reach the scene of operations , the latter had an opportunity of again signalising his appointment by the overthrow of Secocoeni , another South African chief , who had been giving us a good deal of trouble . On his return home he became Ouartermaster General of

the forces , and last year when it devolved on this country to despatch a military expedition to Egypt in order to put down Arabi and preserve our interests in that country , he was appointed commander-in-chief . How he fulfilled his task ; of the masterly manner in which he transferred his base of operations from Alexandria to the Canal and so secured the latter from

thc attacks of Arabi ; of his gradual advance inland , his victory at Tel-el-Kebir , the capture of Cairo , and the utter collapse of the rebellion , so much has been written elsewhere , that we need say little else than that the brief campaign , has added another to the many bright pages in the military history of this country and fully deserves the peerage and other honours which have been bestowed on the victor .

As regards his Masonic career , we have on a former occasion noted that his lordship was initiated into the Craft in Dublin , in Lodge No . 720 , in 1854 , when he was serving with the 90 th Regiment , the present Earl Ferrers , Prov . Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland , then a brother officer in the same regiment , undergoing the ordeal at the same time . In his speech

at the banquet following the consecration of the Wolseley Lodge his lordship remarked that he was under great obligations to Masonry , which he had found of great service to him abroad , and the Craft must be not a little gratified at the association of so distinguished a British officer with one of their lodges .

It will suffice to add that Lord Wolseley , who was born 4 th June , 1833 , and is therefore on the eye of completing his fiftieth year , married on the 4 th June , 1867 , Louisa , daughter of Alexander Erskine , Esq ., by whom he has issue one daughter the Hon . Frances Garnet Wolseley .

The Wolseley Lodge, No. 1993.

THE WOLSELEY LODGE , No . 1993 .

Our report last week of the consecration of this lodge occupied so much space that we were compelled to hold over some particulars which we doubt not our readers will be pleased to have brought under their notice . For instance it is worthy of being placed on record in connection with this interesting event that before the lodge proceedings terminated a handsome gold jewel was presented to each of the founders , which we feel quite sure each

and all of them thoroughly deserved , especially Bros . D . Edwards , W . M ., and P . H . Davis , J . W . We speak from personal experience when we say that for some three months previous to the consecration these two brethren were working night and day making arrangements for the success of the undertaking . Bro . Edwards devoted a room in his house for the receptions of members for the various Committees , who were continually calling upon himself and Bro .

Davis for instructions or information , and throughout each day letters were perpetually coming in from all parts of the country asking all kinds of questions relative to the consecration meeting or the banquet , and which were as speedily answered by our indefatigable and hard worked Bro . P . H . Davis . There is no getting away from the fact that these two brethren deserve the highest praise for the time and labour they have ungrudgingly given for weeks past .

The following list of the brethren who were present must be taken as supplementary to the one we furnished last week , viz . : — Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . D . C . East Lancashire ; A . L . Cocks , VV . M . 1774 ; A . Kay , J . D . 324 ; F . H . Duckworth , S . D . 277 ; T . Sutcliffe , 161 ; Foxcroft , P . S . VV . 325 ; Swift , VV . M . 5 S 1 ; H . S . Fearon , 5 S 1 ; J . Bowden , D . C . 4 67 ; C . Claber , 467 ; i . Macfaren , W . M . 62 ; R . Nelson , P . M . 126 ; J . V . Thomason , W . M . 739 ; E . B . ackson , ; Rev . Grant Bird , Chap . 324 ; Jas . W . Kenyon , P . P . S . G . W ., P . M . 42 ; niiici loii nation 70 1391

» x . ,, , OL - L , ^ , jonn , r . m . ; j . n . rcoe , ; n . vveDungion , 78 ; A . F . Andrew , J . D . 1713 ; J . Hertford , 1052 ; J . Lawson , 53 ; J . Fish , 1219 ; E . ' Sutton ; I . E . Jones , W . M . iCSS , 1952 ; J . Heathcott , S . D . 1952 ; J . S . Sheger , Sec . 1952 ; . Robt . Cowburn , Chap . 277 ; J . Dearden , 308 ; J . Gleave , 1100 ; J . Mounsey , 179 S ; E . Cooper , 104 ; G . H . Slack , 93 s ; C . Garnett , 4 S 7 ; J . VV . Rattray , 6 S 0 ; J . W . Baldwin , W . M . 935 ; T . Hall , P . M . 935 ; J . Chadderton , J . D . 1213 ; T . L . Buckley , J . D . 121 S ; F . Harrison , J . VV . 325 ; K . Partington , 170 S ; S .

Frankenstein , 179 S ; S . D . McKellen , P . M . 149 6 ; C . Payne , 15 6 3 . 1045 ; VV . Fitton , W . M . 1783 ; J . H . Goulden , VV . M . 323 ; C . J . Haworth , S . W . ion ; C . Fothergill , W . M . 1264 ; H . Ravenscroft , I . G . 12 G 4 ; Samuel Clegg , P . M . 266 ; Jno . Glover , I . G . 186 S ; John Burton , W . M . 1408 ; Alfred Templer , W . M . 344 ; William Templer , P . M . 344 ; C . VV . Gridley , P . M . 1077 ; James Wain , P . M . 418 ; H . Windle , Steward 418 ; J . Newton , Steward 418 ; ' John Robinson , 418 ; Henry Holda , P . P . G . S . B ., 418 ; J . F . Davis , 1502 ; H . C . Miller , P . M . ion ; Theo . r »_ . __ o r \ -o . t r .-i ... — . . \\ i T- T-V c ? r \ .-. 1 is n n * BatesSD 308 j Doherty 531 WT 245 Kerr

_ _ , .. James , ; . . Davey , S . D . ; J . , P . M . and Treas . 730 ; J . Kelly , 1219 ; W . Milncs , 1009 ; T . Fallows , P . M . 1082 ; R . White , S . W . 1052 ; T . Goodier , 325 ; S . Davies , P . M . 1052 ; R . Vickers , 1993 ; E . Hilton , P . M . 992 ; Walter Biggs , 1496 ; S . H . Stansfield , 467 ; J . N . Squirrell , 1633 ; H . Schofield , J . W . ion ; E . Heywood , 277 ; J . H . Thomason , 739 ; H . E . Preece , 3 60 ; L . J . Griffiths , 935 ; H . VV . Riley , J . S . 815 ; Walter Potts , P . M . 4 67 ; T . Sedgwick , P . M . 42 ; J . Round , 12 S ; J . H . Roberts , J . D . 001 : I . R . Parkinson , iq 1 ; I . Counfort . I . D . 128 : I . Wilson . I . G . ooi . 1 . Castle .

W . M . 324 ; J . Challender , 1055 ; G . Redfern , 78 ; W . O . Jones , P . M . D . C . 292 ; W . Harris , 105 ; J . Shackleton , S . VV . 307 ; S . Warburton , P . M . 1052 ; C . Ballantine , P . M . 1126 ; J . Bamford , I . G . S 54 ; J . Wild , 277 ; J . VV . Mellor , 854 ; R . Wood , W . M . 1283 ; K . Collinson , P . M . 1350 ; R . R . Grey , P . M . 298 ; J . H . Aldred , P . M . 1140 ; D . E . Davis , 1055 ; A . VV . Chapman , J . D . 289 ; W . H . Vaughan , P . M . 103 O ; C . F . Owen , ' 055 ; J . Cadman , 1055 ; W . Savage , W . M . 1 C 09 ; W . S . Clark , LP . M . 78 ; S . P . Bidder , jun ., S . W . 1774 ; E . Caiter , I . G . G 67 ; R . Charner , J . W . 1147 ; J . Grundy , I . G . 152 ; H .

Heep , Tyler 300 ; J . C . Kenyon , 1009 ; T . R . Withecomb , 1144 ; R . Tomlins , 317 ; J . C . Hyde , S . W . 1952 ; J . Wakefield , S . S . 140 S j G . A . Thomason , l . P . M . 739 ; G . Board , P . M . 739 ; H . Walley , P . M . 163 ; F . Weston , W . M . 98 ; E . Jones , 4 Go ; J . Evans , 1914 ; W . B . Woodforde , 787 ; W . T . Schofield , P . M . 1219 ; J . P . Bardsley , W . M . 1 957 ; A . Balmforth , P . M . 719 ; C . Brooke Wolseley , P . M . Sincerity , Northwich ; F . Barker , 484 ; J . VValkden , VV . M . 1534 ; A . Crawford , 148 ; C . Sivinn , 1633 ; M . A . Jacobs , 1140 ; VV . E . Jowitt , P . M . 62 ; W . Oilier , P . M . 935 ; Wm . Hadden , J . W . 645 ; M .

Wood , Bayard Lodge ; W . T . Goodall , P . M . 89 ; E . James , 1774 ; J . Nettleton , P . M . ion ; Geo . Yates , 1633 ; L . H . Smith , P . M . 268 ; W . Lyon , S . W . 16 33 ; J . Forrest , 1993 ; R . Gornall , l . P . M . 345 ; J . R . Ross , 12 S 9 ; A . H . Corelli , j . D . ; C . S . D . Eau , W . M . 1280 ; H . Jones , P . M . 128 9 ; W . Roberts , S . D . 1289 ; J . B . Sparks , W . M . 216 ; A . Hebden , W . M . 145 SJ S . Boswell , 594 ; W . Brandon , P . M . 1219 ; W . Dumville , P . M . 1011 ; Jas . Andrew , P . M . 1213 ; P . Donohoe , J . D . 1055 j J . H . Chapman , P . M . 678 ; W . J . Chadwick , J . W . 1345 ; G . Limn , P . M ,