India.

India .

AN "AT HOME" AT POONA . On Wednesday , the 3 rd September , the Masons of Poona held an " At Home" at the Masonic Hall , at which a large number of guests were present . Advantage was taken of the occasion by the members of the fraternity under the English and Scottish Constitutions

to present Bro . Captain C . D . Wise with a very handsome gold lever watch and chain , in token of their appreciation of the valuable services he had rendered to the cause of Freemasonry in that station during the many years he had been there . Bro . Captain Wise belongs to the Adjutant-General ' s Department , and

will shortly retire from the service . He has now accepted the office of Grand Secretary of the Scottish lodges in India . Among those present to witness the interesting ceremony were Lady Morland ; Bro . Col ., Mrs ., and Miss Lloyd ; Bro . Colonel and Miss Godfrey ; Bro .

Captain Prior ; Bro . Major Mackenzie ; Bro . Major and Mrs . Newnham Smith ; Col . Spring ; Bro . Dunsterville ; Bro . and Mrs . Morgan ; Mrs . and Miss Wise ; Bro . Dr . Fearn , Mrs . and the Misses Fearn ; Bro . R . Dickie , Mrs . and Miss Dickie ; Bros . N . C . Macnee , R . Levingston , J . Turner , Pallonjee

Nusserwanjee and Mrs . Pallonjee ; Bros . F . J . Laville , Khan Saheb , D . D ., Khan Calter , Captain Nugent ; Mrs . and Misses Wiseman , and many others . The entire building was thrown open to the guests , several of whom were non-Masons . The rooms were very prettily decorated with Masonic flags and banners ,

the large banners of the two lodges in Poona—Orion in the West and St . Andrew in the East—being conspicuously shown at the back of the dais . The inner hall had been very nicely arranged as a drawing room , with a number of foliage plants happily disposed here

and there , and the refreshment tables were laid in one wing . The front room was given up to dancing . The guests began to arrive at nine o ' clock , and were received by Bro . Dr . Fearn , the Secretary , and the members of the Hall Committee .

Dancing , to the strains of the excellent band of the 2 nd ( P . W . O . ) Grenadiers , commenced soon after nine o ' clock . Bro . Dr . Fearn , the Secretary ofthe Hall Committee , and W . M . of St . Andrew ' s Lodge , presented Captain Wi .-e io Colonel Lloyd , to whom , as President of the

Committee , and W . M . of Lodge Orion , was entrusted the pleasing duty of making the presentation . In doing so , Bro . Col . LLOYD regretted that there were not more Masons present . The principal witnesses of the scene that evening were , he said , ladies , whom they did not recognise in Masonry . However , they were all

delighted to see the ladies there on that occasion . The gift had been subscribed for b y H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and all the Masons in the station . Colonel Lloyd hoped that his friend Bro . Capt . Wise mi g ht be spared for many years to come to make use of the watch . Cheers were given for Captain Wise , and all present

joined in singing " For he ' s a jolly good Mason . " Captain WISE , in accepting the gift , said he could hardly find words to express his feelings at that mument , and he felt that he was very unworthy of the honour that had been done him . He had merely endeavoured to do his duty , and he believed that if

others had had the same opportunity they would have accomplished what he had done , and perhaps would have done it better . He thought that the gift was due more to the kindness and good feeling of his brethren than to any merit he possessed . He had certainly looked

for a reward , but we all do , as it is the "hope of reward that sweetens labour ; " but his had been a labour of love , and the only reward he had looked for was the approbation of his brethren . He would value the gift , which would remind him of those Masons in Poona

with whom he had long been associated , and with whom he had spent many happy hours . He assured those who were outside the pale that Masonry was something more than a name . In conclusion , he thanked all the brethren for the great honour they had done him . The following was the inscription on the watch :

" Presented to Wor . Bro . Charles D . Wise , Past G . D . Grand Mark Lodge of England , Past Dist . G . D . of Grand Lodge of England , P . D . S . G . W . Grand Lodge of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , by H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , Dist . Grand Master Bombay , and the members of the English and Scottish lodges in

Poona , in token of their brotherly love and esteem for his services of over 17 years' Masonry in Poona , 188 9 . " 1 he presentation over , dancing was resumed , and the pleasant gathering broke up shortly after midni ght . Bro . Capt . C . D . Wise , G . Sec . All Scottish Freemasonry in India , and P . G . S . E . of P . G . Chapter of

W . l . ( S . C ) , was initiated into Freemasonry on Sth January , 1866 , in Lodge Hope , No . 350 ( S . C ) . He is P . M . of Lodges Nos . 343 ( S . C . ) and 415 ( E . C . ) ; was annually elected Treasurer of No . 415 from 188 5 to 1889 ; P . Z . No . 68 ( S . C ) , P . M . Ararat Lodge , Royal Ark Mariners ( S . C . ) ; P . M . ( Mark ) No . 134 ( E . C . )

P . D . S . G . D . Bombay ( E . C ) , P . D . J . G . W . Bombay ( Maik ) , P . S . G . W , A . S . F . I . ; P . Dep . P . Z . of Western India ( S . C ) , P . S . G . D . England ( Markl . He was one of the founders and first T . R . S . T . A . of Morland Chapter , Royal Order of Scotland ; is P . G . Sec .

Royal Order of Scotland for West India , Sec . St . John ' s Chapter , 18 ( S C ) , and M . P . S . Roman Eagle Conclave , Red Cross of Rome and Constantine He was Hon . Secretary and Treasurer of the Poona Masonic Hall Committee from 1873 to 1889 , ar > d is a Life Governor of the Bombay Masonic Association .

Re-Opening Of The Masonic Hall, Bath.

RE-OPENING OF THE MASONIC HALL , BATH .

The brethren of the three Bath lodges—Royal Cumberland ( No . 41 ) , Royal Sussex ( No . 53 ) , and Lodge of Honour ( No . 379)—met on Thursday evening , the 30 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Bath , to celebrate the re-opening on the completion of the alterations to their hall . For a considerable time the Masonic

body at Bath have felt it was necessary to spend a very large sum of money in restoring and decorating their present building . It may here be stated that the present building was formerly the old Bath Theatre , but about 75 years ago it was purchased by the Roman Catholic body in Bath , and converted by them into

their place of worship , and large numbers of their communion were buried in the vaults underneath the present hall . On their removal to their present handsome structure some 25 years ago the chapel was purchased by the Masonic body in the city and adapted to their wants , but at the present moment underneath the

lodge room the remains of many devout Catholics still remain , and on a recent visit to the vaults we found 30 to 40 very handsome memorial tablets on the walls underneath the building . This we should think is almost unique in the history of the Masonic body in this country .

Last year , by the efforts of Bro . Dyer , W . M . of the Royal Sussex Lodge , No . 53 , and Bro . Gregory , W . M . of the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , a joint Committee of the Bath lodges was appointed to take steps to carry out the necessary alterations . Under the superintendence of a Sub-Committee , the work

has been accomplished , and , we think , to the satisfaction of the brethren . The lodge room has been entirely re-decorated , and fitted with handsome oak stalls and other Masonic furniture . The ceiling of the anteroom has been raised , and above it has been constructed

a large and handsome room for the banquets and suppers of the respective lodges . New lavatories have been formed , and a capital heating and ventilating apparatus placed in the building , which will add greatly to the comfort and convenience of the brethren . The

Bath lodges may congratulate themselves on possessing one ofthe most imposing and complete Masonic buildings in the West of England . After inspecting the various alterations and improvements , the brethren sat down in their new banqueting room to a very recherche supper , provided by Bro .

Fortt in his usual Masonic style . The brethren present included Bros . J . G . Wilton , W . M . 41 ; W . F . Gould , W . M . 53 ; Rev . McConnell , W . M . 379 ; Gregory , I . P . M . 41 ; Dyer , I . P . M . 53 ; Rev . J . A . Lloyd , P . G . Chap . England ; J . L . Stothert , P . G . Std . Br . England ; Milsom , P . M . ; Col . Ford ,

P . M . ; Hopkins , P . M . ; Walker , P . M . ; Sonderman , P . M . ; Radway , P . M . ; Cater , P . M . ; Watts , P . M . ; Timmins , P . M . ; Gill , P . M . ; Braham , P . M . ; Fuller , P . M . ; and many other members of the three Bath lodges , to the number of 60 . Grace having been said by the P . G . Chap . England ,

Bro . LLOYD , the brethren proceeded to enjoy the good things provided for them . The usual Masonic toasts followed , after which Bro . LLOYD proposed the toast of the evening , " The Healths of the Sub-Committee , " coupling with the toast the names of Bros . Dyer , Radway , and Gill , the

architect . Bro . DYER suitably responded , referring to the difficulties the Committee had to contend with when the alterations were first proposed , but he felt sure every brother present was delighted with their present handsome and commodious premises , and he felt sure that

each individual member of their respective lodges would vie with each other to see who could do most to pay off their present liabilities . Bro . RADWAY , in responding , thought it advisable to remind the brethren that they had spent nearly ; ff 1000 on their behalf . He knew that many of their older

Past Masters were anxious to relieve themselves of their superfluous wealth , but he thought that even after their very handsome contributions were received , there would still be room for the many contributions that their younger brethren were so anxious to hand over . He trusted that every brother would consider it his

duty to give in proportion to the means the G . A . O . T . U . had endowed him with . Some capital songs were rendered by Bros . Gould , Graham , Robinson , Sonderman , Moger , Radway , and others . An excellent duet by Bro . Von Pragg on the violin and Bro . Sonderman on the piano being highly

appreciated by the brethren . We trust that a new era in the annals of Freemasonry has been inaugurated in Bath , for without doubt this was the most enjoyable and fraternal Masonic meeting that has ever taken place under the banners of the Bath lodges . May Freemasonry in Bath flourish !

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed . by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

PRESENTATION OF CHARITY JEWELS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , A short time ago a brother was enquiring in your columns as to the practice of Provincial Grand Lodges in respect of presenting Charity jewels . The

Correspondence.

practice which has obtained in the Province of Cheshire for the last dozen years has been embodied in one of the rules of the recently revised by-laws , and is as follows : — Rule 21 . — "A brother who is entitled to wear the

Charity jewel or bars , shall , on application to the Provincial Grand Secretary , be presented with the same at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge , and the cost thereof shall be defrayed out of the Provincial Fund of General Purposes . " —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally ,

CESTRIAN . THE APPOINTMENT OF I . P . M .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have been appointed acting I . P . M . of a Craft lodge recently formed under the E . C . The appointment has been challenged ( in a friendly spirit ) as an improper one , on the ground that there cannot be an I . P . M . of a new lodge until the first W . M . has

completed his year of office and until his successor has been installed in his stead . Is this view of the matter correct ? The acting appointment seems to have the sanction of custom , if not of law , ( vide the reports of the formation of new lodges appearing in almost every issue of the Freemason ) . I may add that I am a P . M . — Yours fraternally , GAVEL .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

918 ] BRO . SADLER'S NEW WORK . I was very p leased to read in Masonic Notes ( Oct . 25 th ) so warm a commendation of Bro . Sadler ' s decision to do justice to the Masonic career of the R . W . Bro . Thomas Dunckerley , and feel assured that your very favourable estimate of the value of the work will be abundantly confirmed . Had not Bro . Sadler

intended to write a history of such an enthusiastic Mason , when time permitted it would not have been left undone , as I should have attended to such a duty myself , if for no other reason than for that already indicated . To my mind Dunckerley has been strangely neglected , though beyond question the most active , industrious ,

and zealous Craftsman of his time . In fact , it is impossible to write his life , Masonically , without treating of the main characteristics of the two rival Grand Lodges from 176 7 to his decease in 1795 ; the origin and spread of Royal Arch Masonry , and especially of the Knights Templars ( in which two bodies he took

such an interest ) , and the inauguration of several Provincial Grand Lodges through his instrumentality . Most of the Provincial Grand Lodges of the latter half of last century owe their origin mainly to Dunckerley , and this is still more so with regard to Provincial Grand Chapters . If Bro . Sadler ' s work on the " Life ,

Labours , and Letters of Thomas Dunckerley " is not soon subscribed for , it can only be because the great services of that noble brother on behalf of the Craft are unknown to present-day Freemasons . Of course this would be the reason why its publication is still more needed , but it is to be hoped there will be no delay , at all events , on the part of Masonic students

in at once subscribing . Bro . Sadler has sent me three of the illustrations for the volume , being autotype reproductions of old prints . These are very satisfactory in character , and will form an attractive feature of the book . I must not omit to state that Bro . W . H . Rylands , F . S . A ., has promised to write a preface , so that there will be no lack of attractions .

W . J . HUGHAN . 919 ] THOMAS DUNCKERLEY'S PORTRAITS .

Replying to Bro . Lamb-Smith ' s enquiries in the Freemason of the 25 th ult ., I much regret that at present I am unable to inform him of the whereabouts of the original portrait of Dunckerley , painted by Thomas Beach and engraved b y John Jones , which was published in 1789 . Both these artists were celebrated in

their respective professions , the former having been a pupil of Reynolds and a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy . The catalogue of exhibits at that institution about the time the portrait in question was painted contains no reference to it , unless in the guise of " A Portrait of a Gentleman , " but this I think is

scarcely probable . I have been on the look out for this portrait for some years past and have reluctantly arrived at the conclusion that it is no longer in existence . However , as a reduced fac simile of the engraving will form the . frontispiece to " Dunckerley ' s Life , " & c , now in the press , it may possibly be the means of throwing

fresh light on the subject . The only ori ginal portrait ofjjDunckerley with which I am acquainted hangs in the Pvlasonic Hall at Poole , and is the property of the Lodge of Amity , No . 137 , for which lodge it was painted in 1783 , by Philip Vandyke , a comparatively unknown artist , although evidently possessed of

considerable talent . This portrait was also engraved in mezzotinto , by Charles West , and published in 1786 . The latter engravings are now rarely met with ; indeed , I only know of two in existence , one belonging to the Lodge of Unity , No . 132 , at Ringwood , and the other to the Governors of the Freemasons' Hall , Bristol . H . SADLER .