India.

. agnation , which was rcceivcel with regret . Read a letter from M . E . Comp . Hussey , D . G . S . E ., asking the chapter consider the proposal therein made , re-establishing a District Grand Chapter of R . A . Freemasons of Bombay id its Territories , also asking the chapter to bear a share ' f the expenses of the attempt to establish the same in the After discussion the sub it

vcar 1874 . some on ject was asr ' reed to pay the amount , viz ., Rupees 3 8 3 a . ip , forthvtth . In consequence of the retirement of M . E . Comp . Honourable j . Gibbs , D . G . Supt . and First P . Z . One companion was proposed and scconeled as a joining member . There being no further business before the chapter , it was closed in due form at 8 . 30 p . m .

Multum In Parbo; Or, Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo ; or , Masonic Notes and Queries .

A NDERSON , J AMPS , D . D . —His name is well known to ill Masonic students and readers as the compiler of the liist authoritative book issued by the Grand Lodge of England . There had been indeed , in 1 722 , published by John Roberts , " The Old Constitutions belonging to the Ancient ami Honourable Society of Free and Accepted Masons . " But to James Anelerson belongs the credit , by

order of the Grand Lodge , of giving to the Craft and to the world the first official account of Freemasonry . It has been contcndeel that De ' saguliers is the author of the Constitutions of 1723 . But those who thus contend forget that Anderson himself says , at p . 74 , edit . 1723 , that he was the author—he being then Master of Lodge 17 . Of lames Anelerson little-, however , is known . He is said to

have been born at Edinburgh 111 1684 , some say 16 ( 12 , which is , wc apprehend , erroneous . lie was , it seems , minister of the Scottish Presbyterian Chapel in Swallowstreet , Piccadilly , but more than this , so far , is not discoverable . It is not known where or when he was initiated into Freemasonry , but he was Worshipful Master of No . 17 in 1723 . According to the Constitutions of 1 73 8 , the

1 ; th lodge met at Berry ' s Coffee-houjc , Bridges-street . But wc must remember , Bro . Hughan points out , that the 170 ! 1738 was not the same as the 17 of 1723 . We know not , Iheicfene , what it was . Anderson then , apparently , was living in lOxeter-courl , Strand . In 1723 , as we saiel before , appeared the first hook of the English Constitution , now somewhat rare . In 17-18 Anderson put out a second and

much augmented edition , and a third appeared in 1 74 O . Tliis , however , is only 173 S with a new title page . Some say that Anderson died in 1739 , others in 174 * 1 ; 1739 is tight , as announced in the "Gentleman ' s Magazine . " We do 11 . 1 agree with Mackey ' s view , that considerable interpolations and altcraiiot . s had been made by Anderson without authority in the edition of 1738 . There are 110

doubt considerable additions , but they arc made in bona li . les , and were evidently the result of Anileisou ' s more complete and careful study of MS . documents and Constitutions , which have ne > t yet been identified . The "Pocket Companion" of 1754 says that the alterations oecurreel owing cither to his " ill health " or the " management of strangers . " It appears to us that Anderson has

lie-en the subject of much unfair criticism . He was not ordered to write a new and florid history of Freemasonry or to compile one on lis own authority ; but he was to " peruse , correct , and digest into a new and better method , the history , charges , and regulations of the ancient fraternity , " and this he certainly did . He gave us a clear and connected account of the Guild legends , and pointed

distinctly to the fact , that the true history of Freemasonry is , after all , only flic history of eiperativc sodalities and successive ages of architecture . He did not profess to criticise or analyse the ohl traditions of the Guilds ; he merely arranged them in a clear , readable , anil concise narrative , and such as those old histories themselves of the Guilds were , such is Anderson ' s record . Anelerson may

probabl y have held what others have maintained , that Freemasonry through the Guilds went up to the mysteries , the outcome of corrupted antediluvian teaching , and thus to the lore of the «• theoditlaktoi . " But there is nothing to blame in such views , and we cannot , it appears to us , judge Anderson fairly by our colder criticism of to-elay , as the cases are essentially different . Knowing even in 1876 " the

Rteat difficulties attendant on Masonic literature anel Masonic history , we feel certain that no other Cviurse was open to Anderson than the one he so carefully followed — namely , of eneleavouring to give to the Craft the Guild legends , as a simple traditional histeiry . Wc do not expect to finel in oral traditions , or ancient legends , the correctness of historical annals , and

we should only take Anderson ' s " History eif Freemasonry " tor what it is—for what it professed to be—a lucid representation of the old operative cherished Constitutions and legends of Freemasonry . Anderson , despite his obvious faults in the eyes of the critical and authentic school , is yet the father of English Masonic History , and also the hrst of that educated band of stuelents who have so long contended

that the real history t > f our Order is to be found >» that of the Operative Guilds and Sodalities of mediaeval times , of early ages . He wrote one or two other works , a >> d two well-known tracts , a " Defence of Masonry , " ' 7 . 10 ; " Observations and Critical Remarks on the New Constitutions , " 1723 . Some seem to eloubt whether the alter work was his . —Kennivg ' s Ci / ehipnilia of Freemasonry .

¦ - * ¦ ¦ A new mint is to be erected on the Victoria '¦ mbankment . The Court of Common Council have c "mmcnccd preliminaries . Let us hope that the archi-_ t « uie wilt be satisfactory . We have the finest sites of "y capital in Europe , if wc had but the national ait therewith to embellish them .

Consecration Of The Southdown Lodge, No. 1797.

CONSECRATION OF THE SOUTHDOWN LODGE , No . 1797 .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex assembled at Hurstpierpoint , on Tuesday , Feb . 23 th , to consecrate the Southdown Lodge , No . 1797 , in the Grand Registry of England . The warrant was granted in December last , but a variety of circumstances delayed the opening ceremony .

Sir Walter W . Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., being detained in" London by his Parlimentary duties , the Deputy Provincial G . M . conducted the proceedings with the ability which invariably characterises his efforts . The music-room , as it is termed , was prepared as a lodge for the occasion with evident care . The floral elccorations , lent by Messrs . Green and Son , added much to the beauty of the lodge and

elinmg-rooms . At three o ' clock the proceedings commenced , nearly the whole of the Provincial Grand Officers and Stewards being in attcnelance . During the ceremony the Deputy Prov . G . M . and the Prov . G . Chaplain delivcrtel appropriate addresses on the designs and uses of Freemasonry . Charity , they said , was the one aim anil eibject of every sincere

member of their Craft , which knew no religious distinctions , while the Great Architect of the Universe was looked up to as the Supreme Being who ruled their elcstinies . The usual anthems and hymns used on such occasions were sung by Bros . Broadbridge , Roc , Gates , and Cole , Bro . A . King- ( Prov . G . Organist ) accompanying on the harmonium .

The lodge having been regularly formed and properly eledicatcd the following were appointed its officers : —Bros . George Kelly King , P . G . Steward England , P . M . 4 and 1541 , the first W . M . ; James Curtis , P . M . 313 , S . W . ; Walter , Fitch , P . M . 1410 , J . W . ; E . Bronelbridge , Sec ; J . Musson , S . D . ; J . Fitch , J . D . ; R . Pope , I . G . ; II . Hughes , Tyler .

A committee having been appointed to draw up the byelaws of the lodge , several propositions were made of gentlemen wishing to become initiates anil others to be balloted for as joining members . The business proceedings ended , the brethren adjeiurneil to the Sussex Hotel , where the event was celebrated by a banquet , at which about 80 weie present . Messrs . Sayers

and Marks , of Brighton , were entrusted with its preparation , and they catered most admirably . Those present included Bros . John II . Scott , Dep . Prov . Grand Master ; W . Sergiso ' n , Prov . S . G . W . ; H . M . Davey , G . Chaplain ; C . A . Woolley , G . Retiislrar ; V . P . Freeman , G . Sec . ; W . Hale , S . G . D . ; Mark Tanner , J . G . D . ; J . M . Kidd , G . D . C . ; W . G . Sharp , G . A . D . C . ; C . Tomkinson , Superintendent of

Weirks ; Jos . Farncombe * , G . S . B . ; Alfred King , Grand Organist ; ' W . T . Nell , G . Purst . ; G . T . lOvershcd , 10 . Bright , A . J . Hawkcs , Frank Holford , 10 . B . McWhinnie , and !•" . ) . Ruble , G . Stewards ; 1 ) . Davey ( Mayor of Brighton ) , W . Hueison , P . P . G . J D . ; W . Dawes , P . P . G . R . ; G . Kelly King , James Cunis , Waller Fitch , E . Broadbridge , J . T . Musson , J . Fitch , T . Wilkinson , W . M . Royal

Clarence , 271 ; John P . M . Smith , 271 ; P . J . Emery , 3 6 ; C . J . Caiter , 313 ; S . Tanner , W . M . South Saxon , 311 ; J . Robertson , S 11 ; h . S . Byass , W . M . Ockcmleii , 1463 ; 10 Taylor , W . M . Miel-Sussex , 1141 ; II . F . Hauxwell , 732 ; II . Figg , 1141 ; F . Edward , 1141 ; G . A . Howes , 1141 ; T . Harms , 1141 ; Wm . Agate , 1141 ; C . Golding , 315 ; W . 1 . Evershed , - . 1 : ; ; I . Newman , 31 s ; G . R . Johnson , 487

H . A . Dowell , 14 66 ; J . Luttman-Johnson , 1466 ; F . Downard , 313 ; G . W . Downard , 313 ; A . J . Newman , mo ; C . Braid , 146 5 ; J . S . Campion , 651 ; 11 . G . Williams ( Australia ) , 511 ; T . Sinnock , 315 ; E . Dumsday , 146 5 ; T . Rose , jun ., 732 ; B . Bennett , W . M . Royal Brunswick , 732 ; S . Solomon , 732 ; W . Roe , 16 3 656 . Cole , 1616 ; C . Saneleman , 1636 ; H . S . Gates , 16 3 6 .

The newly-elected W . M . ( Bro . G . Kelly King ) presided at the banquet . The post prandial proceedings includcel the usual loyal and Masonic toasts ; also " The Health of the W . M . of the Southdown Lodge and Success to its Future , " which was drank most heartily . Those who were able to stay till the conclusion of the entertainment cnjoycel a most pleasant evening , but several of the guests were obliged to leave early to enable them to reach home that night .

The Southampton Masonic Hall Company.

THE SOUTHAMPTON MASONIC HALL COMPANY .

This company held its annual meeting during the preceding week , the Mayor of the borough , Bro . J . B . Thomas , P . M ., in the chair , when the directors reported that after surmounting many obstacles they had at last succcceled

in securing a site and satisfactory plans for a building , the freehold site being just off the High-street , overlooking the western shore anel the pleasant bay , and close to the remains of the donjon of the old Southampton Castle . The plans have been prepared by Bro . J . G . Poole , Architect , and proviele a third more space in the principal rooms than that supplied at the present hall , which is held

on lease under Queen ' s College , Oxford , besides other aecommDelation not available in the existing rooms . The contract for the work has been taken by Bro . S . Stevens , buileler , who has undertaken to complete it by the month of November , and has actually commenced the work , which will be executed in white brick . The retiring directors of the company were unanimously re-elected , with Bro . W . Hickman , Dtp . Prov . Grand Master , as Chairman .

Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , containing the Charges , Regulations , E . A . Song , & c . A copy shoulel be in the possession of every brother . It may be obtained for 2 s . at the office of the Freemason , or will he sent post-free to any part of the United Kingdom on receipt of twenty-five penny stamps . Address , l 4 Publisher , 19 8 , Flcct-strect , London . —ADVT .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held on Saturday last , at Freemasons ' Hall , Bro . S . Rosenthal in the chair . There were also present Brns . George J . Row , D . M . Dewar , J . H . Cox , John S . Cakebread , the Rev . Richard Morris , L . L . D . ( Head

Master ) , J . N . Frost , Joseph Richard Smith , Arthur E . Gladwell , H . Murray , Richard Tyrrell , Raynham W . Stewart , W . Maple , J . G . Chancellor , W . F . C Moutrie F . Adiard , W . Paas , F . Binckes ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . Two candidates were placed on the list . The Committee voted , in accordance with their powers ,

420 to a late pupil towards his advancement ( he having strongly expressed his desire to pursue military studies at Sandhurst ) , on condition that his friends came forward to furnish the balance that would be required . The Committee also granted an outfit of £ 5 to a late pupil of the Institution for an outfit , the circumstances of the case being that , although he had a former similar sum

granteel him for the same purpose , he had been shipwrecked in the Sharon , off Black Gang Chine , and lost his kit . The young man had behaved himself admirably since he left the Institution , two years of which time he had been voyaging with the Sharon . He on the day the Committee met sailed for Auckland , N . Z ., where he intended to settle , and Bro . Binckes , not doubting that the

Committee would grant the outfit asked for , advanced the amount out of his own pocket . Another outfit of £ 3 was also granteel to a lad who had left the Institution and obtained a situation in the Railway Clearing House through the exertions of Bro . Dawson , the Secretary of that establishment . The lad passed a very satisfactory examination , which caused Bro . Dawson

to inform Bro . Binckes that he had other vacancies at his disposal for more youths from the Institution who could pass as well . Bro . Binckes read a letter from Bro . Jermyn Boyd acknowledging the resolution of the Committee , conveying their sympathy to the family of his father , the late Bro . John Boyd , on their loss . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart informed the Committee that

Bro . Henry Browse , P . G . D ., a member of the House Committee , died on Thursday morning . The . Chairman expresseel his deep regret , and said that Bro . Browse hail been a member of the House Committee since June , i 860 . It was unanimously resolved that a letter of condolence with the late Bro . Browse ' s family shoulel be sent . A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings .

St. Alban's Abbey.

St . ALBAN'S ABBEY .

The Committee formed in connection with the movement for restoring the west front of St . Alban's Abbey , met in the Boarel-room , Freemasons' Hall , on Frielay , the 28 th ult . Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Herts , occupieel the chair . Bro . Keyser having read the minutes of the previous

meeting , which were agreed to , stated that he ' had received a letter from Bro . the Rev . J . C . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain , enclosing two communications , one from Lord Henniker , and the other from Sir Harcourt Johnstone , notifying their willingness to act as Vice-Presidents of the Committee . Bro . Keyser hael also much pleasure in stating that Bro . John Fawcett , Prov . G . M . Durham , had consented to

become a patron of the movement . A subscription of £ 5 5 s . from Bro . George Kenning , P . P . G . D . Middx ., and one of £ 5 from Bro . F . Robinson , P . A . G . D . C ., had been paid . He had much pleasure in acquainting the Committee that since their last meeting they had got the promise of a great many additional subscriptions . Bros . John Fawcett , Prov . G . M . Durham , had promised

£ 3 ; F . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Herts ., £ 5 ; the Hertford Lodge £ 25 ; Hertford Chapter £ 10 ios . ; Captain E . C . Dick £ 5 ; Thos . Kent , W . M . 1479 , £ e ; C . Erskinc , I . G . 1479 , £ 5 ; C . W . Reynolds , J . D . 1479 , £ 5 ; and several others . He had great pleasure in proposing Bros . W . Hone , D . M . ( 2 ) , and E . J . Barron , P . G . D ., as

members of the Committee . The motion being seconded by Bro . the Rev . Dr . Griffiths , was unanimously carried . He also begged to propose that Bro . Sumner Knyvett , P . G . Steward , and the present Grand Treasurer of G . Prov . Chapter in Herts , should be electcel a member of the Committee .

Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap ., seconded the motion , which was carried . Bro . Percy W . Taylor next proposed that Bro . A . W . Nash , W . M . 409 , shoulel be enrolled on the Committee list , and the motion'having found a seconder in Bro . Thos . Kent , was carried unanimously . The meeting then entered into a protracted discussion

as to what would be the best form of circular to send to Freemasons throughout the country , specifying the origin , object , anil approximate cost of the movement ; anel it was eventually agreed that Bros . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap ' ain , Captain E . C . Dick , and C . E . Keyset should meet together and draw up a suitable circular succinctly

setting forth these matters . 'I he circular will be presented for consideration at the next Committee meeting , which will he helel in the same place on Thursday , March 13 th , at 4 . 30 . A vote of thanks to the Chairman having been passed , the meeting broke up . « . ,

The annual installation meeting of the Bootle Lodge , No . 1473 , took place at the Town Hall , Bootle , on Thursday afternoon , the 6 th inst . Bro . W . H . Oemmcy , T . C ., was then installed W . M ., and in next issue will appear a report of the interesting ceremony .