Grand Mark Lodge.

Bro . BESRIDGK thereupon proclaimed the Prince of Wales duly elected . Bro . BEACH then informed the brethren that the Grand Master had appointed the Marquess of Hertford Pro Grand Master , and the Earl of Euston Deputy Grand Master . Bro . MATIER read a letter from the Marquess of Hertford expressing his regret that illness prevented him attending .

Bro . the Earl of Euston was duly obligated and then invested , Bro . BEACH saying he congratulated him on his appointment to that distinguished office , and the Grand Lodge on having so able and zealous a brother to preside over them as Deputy Grand Master . Bro . BEACH then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . the Earl of Euston , who was saluted in ancient form . The following brethren were appointed Grand Officers for the

year—Bro . the Marquess of Hertford ... ... ... Pro G . M . „ Earl of Euston ... ... ... ... D . G . M . „ Viscount Dungarvan ... •••¦••S . G . W . „ Sir H . A . Isaacs ( Lord Mayor ) ... ... ... J . G . W . „ Abraham Woodiwiss ( ex-Mayor of Derby ) ... G . M . O . „ L . G . Gordon Robbins ... ... •••S . G . O . ,, James D . Murray ... ... ••••••J- G . O . Rev . J . Barton Spencer , M . A . ... ... ••¦ ) r pj , _

„ Rev . R . W . M . Pope , M . A . ... ... .... " „ W . C . Gilles ( elected ) ... ... •••G . Treas . „ Frank Richardson ... ... ... ... G . Reg . „ Lieut .-Col . A . B . Cook ... ... ... Pres . Gen . Bd . „ C . F . Matier ... ... ... ... G . Sec . ** ..R . G . Glover ... ... ... •••V

„ G . W . Marsden , jun . ... ••••¦•) ..A . H . Jefferis ... ... ... '" 1 T G D ' s „ E . M . Kidd ... ... ... ... J * * * & * „ C . H . Driver ... ... ... ... G . L of W . „ Robert Berridge ... ... ... ... G . D . of C . „ Samuel Davies ... ... ... ¦••! » r . n fr' «

„ „ Dr . Lawrance ... ... •¦•¦¦¦) „ Belgrave Ninnis , R . A ., Dep . Inspector General ... G . S . B . „ W . M . Stiles ... ... ... ... ) < - ( j , „ H . W . G . Abell jG . Std . Br . s . „ W . J . Nosworthy ... ... ... ... G . Org . „ J . R . Wilmer ... ... ... ... G . I . G . „ W . H . Cooper ... ... ... ... A . G . I . G .

„ E . J . Mills ... ... ... ... G . Tyler . The following are the Grand Stewards for the year : Bros . H . H . Shirley , I ; G . F . Edwards , 8 ; H . M . Hobbs , 198 ; Prof . J . R . Green , 112 ; Geo . Gregory _ 355 ; Lawrence Steele , 350 ; Samuel Kelly , 34 ; S . J . Attenborough , 251 ; John Chandler , 401 ; Lennox Browne , 400 ; H . W . H . Elwes , 317 ; Capt . A . H .

Markham , 2 ; Wm . Densham , 15 ; and J . H . Thompson , 194 . The following are the nominated members of the General Board : Bros . Alfred Williams , Geo . Cooper , C . H . Driver , James Moon , R . Loveland Loveland , and John E . Dawson . Bro . the Earl of EUSTON announced that thc Grand Master had appointed Bros .

Alfred Williams , George Cooper , Charles H . Driver , James Moon , R . Loveland Loveland , and R . E . Dawson as members of the General Board , and that Bros . A . F . Godson , M . P ., the Rev . Hayman Cummings , Gordon Miller , Arthur Roger Carter , and Charles Belton were the five members who had been nominated b y the brethren to serve on that Board .

Bro . the Earl of EUSTON next said that the brethren had unanimously voted that a collection should be made for the Portal memorial organ , and he thought it ri ght to say that a certain number of subscriptions had been alread y given . A guinea or a guinea-and-a-half from each lodge or a small subscription from private

donors would make up as much as was wanted , and they would be able to put up a good organ , one worthy of the memory of one who had worked so hard for the Mark Degree . The subscriptions already given amounted to fifty guineas . With such a start Grand Lodge , he had no doubt , would , when it met in September or December , find it had enough .

Bro . NOSWORTHV , Grand Organist , said he should like to be taken into consultation with respect to the organ . Bro . the Earl of EUSTON remarked that if Bro . Nosworthy put himself in communication with the Grand Secretary he would find that brother give him that kindly assistance which he always extended to brethren who applied to him . Bro . MATIER read the following letter from Lord Egerton of Tatton :

BUXTOX , May 27 th , 1 S 9 ? . Mj dear Sir and Brother , _ I much regret that it will be quite impossible to attend and preside at G . M . L . on June 3 rd . I have been ordered here for my health , and have had a relapse of the fevei

from which I have been suffering for some months , of an intermittent character . 1 am also ordered to avoid , as much as possible , all further business till 1 have regained my strength . Please make all arrangements for the installation of Lord Hertford as my successor , which I much regret I shall be unable personally to conduct in the new Mark Masons' Hall . —Yours fraternally , ( Signed ) EGERTON OF TATTON . Mr . C . F . Matier .

Bro . the Earl of EUSTON stated that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had conferred the rank of P . tst Senior Grand Warden on his Hi ghness thc Maharajah of Ktich Behar , and the rank of Grand Junior Warden on Bro . Robert Berridge , G . D . C , and Bro . Frank Richardson , G . Reg ., in commemoration of the services they had rendered to this Degree . The salutes were then given , and Grand Lodge was formally closed .

The brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where they partook of an excellent banquet , under the chairmanship of Bro . the Earl of Euston and honoured the usual toasts . An excellent musical entertainment was given by Bro . Fred H . Cozens P . G . Org ., assisted by Bros . H . W . Schartau , Sidney Tower , Henry Cross , and F . Bevan .

ROBERT FI . UDD — A medical man and philosopher , born at Bearsted , in Kent , 1574 , and died in London 1637 . He is said to have studied at Oxford , and afterwards practised as a physician . He is , however , principally known by his Rosicrucian works , some say seventeen in number , which appeared in five or six folio volumes , at Frankfort-on-Main , from 1617 to 1638 . He seems also to have used

the name of " Robertus de Fluctibus , " " Rudolphus Otreb , " and "Joachim Friz ' . us . " His first work appears to be " Apologia Compendaria , " etc ., 1616 , or his " Tractatus Apologeticus , " also 1616 , and each printed at Leyden . Some have claimed for Robert Fludd a connection with Freemasonry , but so far that is "nonproven . " That he may have belonged to it is not improbable , and that is all one can fairly say . He was no doubt a Rosicrucian . —Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

The annual Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Devonshire was held on the 28 th ult . at Exeter . The Provincial Committee held a meeting at the Masonic Hall , Gandy-street , when the Prov . G . Treasurer's accounts were audited , and a

resolution adopted recommending that 15 guineas be voted to the Mark Benevolent Fund , and placed on the list of Bro . Sir Stafford H . Northcote , Bart ., the new Provincial Grand Master , and five guineas to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund .

Subsequently the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in the Assembly Rooms of the Rougemont Hotel by Bro . Dr . T . W . Lemon , Past G . Chap , of England , Prov . S . G . W . in charge of the province , supported by Bros . John Lane , P . S . G . O . England , P . Prov . G . M . O ., as Deputy Prov . G . M . ; Samuel Jones , P . G . D . England , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Stocker , as P . S . G . W . ; E . A . Davies , P . J . G . W . ; J .

Chapman , P . G . M . O . ; J . J . O . Evans , P . J . G . O . ; J . Leonard , P . G . T . ; H . Stocker , G . D . England , P . G . Sec ; F . C . Frost , P . P . S . G . W . ; F . B . Westlake , P . P . G . R . ; W . Vicary , P . P . S . G . W . ; F . E . Remfry , P . P . S . G . W . South Wales ; J . Jerman , P . P . S . G . D . ; E . T . Fulford , P . P . G . M . O ., P . G . Stwd . England ; and other brethren numbering about 120 .

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , and a deputation named to receive and introduce the Installing Master , Bro . the Earl of Euston , P . G . W ., and President of the Board of General Purposes , who was accompanied by Bros . C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec . ; Frank Richardson ; G . Registrar ; Robert Berridge , G . D . of C . ; and Capt . G . P . Airey , G . Stwd .

After the Grand Officers had been received and saluted , the Prov . Grand Master designate , Bro . Sir Stafford H . Northcote , C . B ., M . P ., claimed admission , and was formally introduced . Prayer having been invoked by Bro . the Rev . Dr . LEMON , an ode was sung

and the P . G . M . designate suitably addressed by the INSTALLING OFFICER , who likewise congratulated the province upon the excellent appointment by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . Lord Euston said he felt convinced that Sir Stafford Northcote would make an able ruler , and do much to promote the Mark Degree in Devon .

The new P . G . M . was then obligated , invested , and installed in his chair of office . After having been proclaimed and saluted , the anthem "Behold how good and joyful" was sung , and the officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested as follows :

Bro . Capt . G . S . Strode Lowe , 50 ... ... ... Dep . Prov . G . M . ,, Capt . John S . Swann , 372 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ F . B . Westlake , 50 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ A . J . Verdi , 16 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . ,, J . Sampson , 16 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ N . R . Thomas , 35 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O .

„ Rev . H . P . L . Maurice , 372 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ W . H . Kelland , 15 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ,, H . Stocker , 15 , G . D . England ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ H . P . Jarman , 215 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ T . Prust , 319 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . ,, G . Dimier , 66 ... ... ... ... Prov . LCD .

„ R . Brickwood , 3 8 3 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . L of W . „ G . Wilson , 16 9 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ H . Pengelley , 9 6 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . Powe , 15 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ A . Revell , 7 6 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ,, M . Durban , 91 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ N . J . Price , 48 ... ... ... ... Prov . Asst . G . Sec . „ C . R . H . Sellick ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ C . G . Withell , 3 8 3 ... ... ... ... -

,, W . Kelland , 1 5 ... ... ... ... ( D „ . , „ E . H . Cordis , 216 V Prov . G . Stwds . „ R . F . Parsons , 64 ... ... ... ... ) „ James Gidley ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The Prov . Grand Secretary ' s and Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s report having been

received and adopted , the Prov . Grand Master appointed the Provincial Committee for the year , as follows : —Bros . John Lane , P . S . G . O . England ; Rev . Dr . T . W . Lemon , P . G . Chap . England ; S . Jones , P . G . D . England ; W . Vicary , G . R , Barrett , E . Aitken-Davies , J . T . Bond , H . Stocker , G . D . England ; F . Crouch , P . G D . England ; and the Prov . Grand Treasurer , W . H . Kelland . The Grand Officers then retired , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was formally closed .

The brethren dined together at the Rougemont Hotel , under the presidency of the P . G . M ., supported by the Grand Officers who had taken part in the interesting event of the day , and by a numerous body of the Mark brethren of the province .

RUSSIA . —Freemasonry was apparently introduced into Russia in 1731 , Lord Lovel having nominated Captain John Phillips as P . G . M . for Russia . It is true , as the " Handbuch " points out , that it has been asserted that Peter the Great was initiated in England , and that a lodge was established in St . Petersburg at the end of the seventeenth century , of which Le Fort was W . M ., and a Scotchman named Gordon and the Czar were the two Wardens . We fear that this statement

is mythic . In 1741 General Keith seems to have been named Prov . Grand Master , and from that time many lodges were formed in Russia . In 1772 , Johann Yelagune obtained from the Duke of Beaufort a patent as Prov . Grand Master , and met the approval and even the protection of the Empress Catherine , and many of the highest Russian nobility joined the Order . Unfortunately the question of the High Grades supervened , and divisions and separation became the result . There

were some who practised the Rite of Melesino , others the Swedish Rite , others the Clerical Strict Observance , Starck being mixed up in the controversy . Thus two Grand Lodges arose—the first under Yelagune , with 12 lodges ; and a National Grand Lodge , under Prince Gargarin , with about the same number , but working the High Grades . About 1794 the lodges seem to have suspended their sittings , and in 1797 were forbidden to meet by the

Czar Paul I . In 1808 the Czar Alexander I . gave permission for the lodges to re-assemble , under the direction of Privy Councillor Boeber ; but in 1822 ( September 12 ) all the lodges were closed by the police , and have never met since . We believe all their archives , & c , are still at Moscow . It is asserted that at that time there were two Grand Lodges : 1 . " Astra : a "; and a second , which

worked the Swedish system , under the name " The Swedish Provincial Lodge of Russia . " The Directorial Grand Lodge of "Astr ; ea , " created in 1815 by four St . Petersburg lodges , had then about twenty-four lodges , many of them using a Russian ritual . The Swedish Prov . Grand Lodge had six lodges under it . — Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .