Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . SIR WILLIAM CUSINS , P . G . ORG . News was received in London on Saturday night , the 2 nd inst ., of the death in the Engadine on Thursday from acute pneumonia of Bro . Sir W . G . Cusins , until a few months since " Master of the Musicke , "* to the Queen- The decease must have been sudden , for Sir William , during the recent summer season , apparently

enjoyed excellent health , and punctually fulfilled his duties as conductor of the Sarasate Orchestral Concerts , and as a professor of the pianoforte at the Guildhall School and elsewhere . Bro . William Geo . Cusins was born in London on October 14 th , 18 33 , of mixed Irish and French ancestry , and as his father died when he was very young , his education was mainly directed by

his aunt , the late Mrs . Anderson , nee Lucy Philpot , who was instructress in music to her present Majesty , jlrs . Anderson , who died in 187 S , married in 1820 the late George Frederick Anderson , who was Sir W . Cusins' immediate predecessor as " Master of the Musicke . " Sir William himself , like Sir Arthur Sullivan , became as a child of nine a choir boy at the

Chapel Royal , but he was soon after sent b y his aunt to Brussels to study under Fetis . Returning to England be entered the Royal Academy of Music , where he was twice elected King ' s Scholar , and where also he was a pup il for the pianoforte of SirSterndale Bennett , for composition of Cipriani Potter , and for violin of Sainton . At 14 , while still a Royal Academy student , he was , on

the recommendation of his uncle , appointed organist of her Majesty ' s Private Chapel and a member of the Queen's Private Band ; while in 1848 , at 15 , he became organist at the opera and a violinist in the orchestra under Costa . Before he left the Royal Academy , at the age of 18 , Cusins was a member of some of our best concert bands , and had composed an overture and

other works . He , however , soon gave up the violin for the pianoforte , playing at various London concerts , and also at the Leipsic Gewandhaus , and at Berlin , Paris , and Rome . He likewise acquired a large and lucrative connection as a pianoforte teacher . On the retirement of Sir Sterndale Bennett , in 1 S 67 , Cusins , owing chiefly to the influence of his uncle Anderson ,

who for many years had been Treasurer of the society , was appointed conductor of the Philharmonic Concerts , which post he vacated in 1883 , although down to the present year he directed the Sarasate Orchestral Concerts . At the Philharmonic he reigned Iongerthan any other conductor ( Costa was there eight years , Sterndale Bennett 10 , and Wagner only one ) , and

( luring that period he produced for the first time in EnglajyA _ jB | $ hais '_ . ' . ' . Requienj , " -Sullivait's ^ -Marmion ^ overture Rubinstein ' s " Dramatic , " symphony Berlioz ' s "Romeo et Juliette , ' . ' Gounod ' s Symphony in D ., Liszt ' s " Tasso , " and " Hurtgaria , " Mackenzie ' s ' ¦ La Belle Dame sans Merci , " and other works . In 18 70 Cusins became conductor of the State Concerts , which

post he resigned last spring . As lar back as 1852 he was appointed a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music , where for a short time he conducted the orchesttal practices , and in 1875 he succeeded Sir Sterndale Bennett ( the first performance of whose oratorio , " The Woman of Samaria , " he was selected to conduct at the Birmingham Festival of 1867 ) as Examining Professor

at Queen ' s College , Harley-street . He was one of the Examiners at the Royal College of Music , and of the Associated Board , and on the death of Sir Julius Benedict he was appointed a Pianoforte Professor at the Guildhall School of Music , for the Principalship of which important foundation he vvas in 18 92 an unsuccessful candidate . Last year he was knighted by

the Queen , while he was also an hon . member of the St . Ccccilian Academy , Rome . As " Master of the Musicke" Sir William Cusins was a prolific Court composer , his works of this class , including the Responses written in 186 3 for the Queen ' s Private Chapel , the Royal Wedding Serenata composed ° n the Prince of Wales ' s marriage , and the

Jubilee Cantata composed in 1887 , to words by Canon Duckworth . His oratorio " Gideon , " contributed to the Gloucester Festival of 1871 , is now , Perhaps , rather out of date , but he also composed a Te Deum , " a symphony , several overtures , a piano-; ™ te concerto in A minor , a violin concerto , and a ' . Miitity of chamber works , pianoforte solos , songs ,

an 'l part songs . Sir William Cusins was instrutor in music to the late Duke of Albany and others among ' ne Royal children and grandchildren , ¦ and he . did « cellent work as Musical Custodian of the Royal ' -wary , a collection comprised in three or four glass wses at Buckingham Palace , but which the learned - ' ¦ Chrysander , biographer of Handel , declared to be

'" ore valuable than any Capellmeister in Europe had 'Jnder his charge . " Sir William ' s pamphlet on " The V essiah " MSS . was a genuine and valuable contributl 0 'i to Handel literatuie . Sir W . Cusins only a few Months since was succeeded as " Master of the ¦ Musicke " and Director of the Queen ' s Private Band ¦ _) ' Sir Walter Parratt , the conductorship of the State ° "certs being meanwhile placed in commission . As ' , Mason , Bro . Cusins . was initiated in the lerusalem

- "age , No . 197 , in 1 S 72 , and in 1877 was installed in ^ Master ' s chair . He was also a Royal Arch Mason , giving been exalted in the Friends in Council Chapter , J . , ' 383 , and a Rose Croix , having been perfected in tl ] e Canterbury Chapter . Jn 1882 his Royal Highness t '' - 'V . Grand Master , was pleased to appoint him the office of Grand Organist , and he retained the : pos 'fon until , 884 .

Our Portrait Gallery Of Worshipful Masters.

Our Portrait Gallery of Worshipful Masters .

BRO . WILLIAM METCALFE . The subject of the above illustration is the present Worshipful Master of two lodges , viz .: the James Terry Lodge , No . 2372 , and the King Harold Lodge , No . 1327 ; his installation to the latter being by dispensation , the proceedings of which appeared in our issue of Saturday , the 26 th ult . Few brethren

have made greater progress in Freemasonry than has Bro . W . Metcalfe in so short a period . His rise , however , has been well deserved . He has distinguished himself equally in the Craft , as , indeed , he has in his business and other pursuits by strict attention to duty ; and in both has gained a reputation for honour and integrity . Kindness with

cheerfulness of disposition and a good share of that leading element of Freemasonry— "Charity" —have not only endeared him to the individual members of the various lodges and chapters with which he is connected , butto his fellow citizens generally . His Masonic career may be thus briefly explained—He was initiated , April 16 th , 1885 , at the King Harold Lodge , No . 1327 , Waltham

Cross , by Bro . W . A . Rogers , then W . M . ; he was advanced , June 12 th , 1887 , to the Mark Degree , at the High Cross Lodge , No . 284 , of which he is the present S . W ., and may shortly be expected to rank as Worshipful Master ; he was exalted , December 3 rd , 1891 , to the Royal Arch Degree in the Sincerity Chapter , No . 1 74 , of which he is the present A . S . ; he was a

founder and first Junior Warden of the James Terry Lodge , No . 2372 , and was installed W . M ., Sept ., 1892 . He is also a founder and is now ist Assist . Soj . of the James Terry Chapter . He was installed Worshipful Master , August , 1893 , of the King Harold Lodge , No . 1327 ( by dispensation from H . R . H . the G . Master ) , the ceremony being performed by the Dep . G . M . of Herts , Bro . G . E . Lake , and Bro . J . Robinson , P . P . J . G . W . ; he

was appointed Prov . Grand Officer of Herts by the Provincial Grand Master , T . F . Halsey , Esq ., M . P ., at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge held 5 th July last ; he served as Steward at the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in February , 18 93 , as well as at the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and has consented to serve as Steward at the

forthcoming Festival for the Boys' School ; he is a Life Governor of the two former Institutions , and has announced his intention of at once qualifying as a Life Governor of the latter . We think we may join in the opinion of those who know him best , that he has well deserved the honours gained , and that many others await him as time rolls on , for Bro . Metcalfe is but in

the prime of life . Bro . Metcalfe is a native of Yorkshire , but has resided in the district of Waltham Cross , about 28 years , where he is the principal of the firm of Metcalfe and Co . He takes an active part in all local movements , and is a member of the Cheshunt Local Board . In fact a most active gentleman and useful member of society . The above illustration is from a photo by Foster , of the Studio , Waltham Cross .

Worthing Relief Fund.

WORTHING RELIEF FUND .

No apology is needed for the publication of the following letter , which has been addressed to the W . Masters of lodges throughout the country , and will , we trust , meet with a generous response : — " Worthing Lodge of Friendship , No . 851 ,

" Worthing , Sussex . " Worshipful Sir and Brother , " We venture very respectfully to appeal to the Masonic lodges throughout the country to extend to us a helping hand in the dire calamity that has fallen upon our town . "Most reluctantl y do we take this step , but thc

Worthing Relief Fund.

circumstances are such that we feel sure they will excite in the breast of every true Mason feelings of the deepest compassion and sympathy towards a sorrowstricken community . "Briefly , the facts are as follows : Typhoid fever broke out in the town of Worthing about three months ago and has continued with increasing virulence up to

the present time . Over 1200 of the inhabitants , out of a population of 17 , 000 have been attacked , 150 have died , and every day there are additions to the list of the suffering and the dead . " It is scarcely possible to exaggerate the pitiable condition into which the place has been plunged by this terrible visitation . We do not propose to dwell upon

the miseries of an absolutely ruined town , but we dp feel that we may with confidence supplicate the kind assistance of our brethren in Masonry in behalf of hundreds of poor fever-stricken families who have lost health , energy , and strength , together with all means of self-support for months to come .

" A sum of about one thousand pounds has been subscribed by our fellow townsfolk , but that has long since been exhausted . We have five Hospitals and several Convalescent Homes to maintain , besides hundreds of poor sufferers in . their own homes , and we know not how long this dreadful state of . things may

continue . "Through the efforts of Sir Henry Fletcher , Bart ., Member for our own Division of Sussex , a ' Worthing Relief Fund' has been started in Brighton and one or two other towns in Sussex ; and for these evidences of kindly practical sympathy we are , indeed , most grateful . But our extreme and urgent need renders imperative a wider appeal .

"In the exercise of the virtue of Charity Masons have ever been conspicuous , and the humble applica ' - tion of the Worthing Lodge will , we are assured , once again demonstrate to the world that there is in Masonry something more than a name , and that the injunction in our beautiful ' ritual to ' pour the healing balm of

consolation in the bosom of the afflicted' are not meaningless words , but may be applied , under circumstances of grave necessity , even to those who are not ranged under its banners . " We are , worshipful Sir and Brother , " ( On behalf of the Worthing Lodge of Friendship ,

N 0 . S 51 ) , " Yours faithfully and fraternally , ' Robert Piper , W . M . ; Frank Carter , S . W .. ; Eric C . Williams , J . W . ; T . H . Crouch , P . M ; , P . P . J . G . D ., Treasurer ; C . W . Jemmett , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst ., Secretary ; C . C . Cook , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of Works ; W . Paine , P . M . ; E . T . Cooksey ,

P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; Philip Crick , P . M ., P . G . Chaplain ; L . W . Paynter , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ; - Mon . ; Dr . F ; 'Hind ' s , Assist : D . of C . ' : "W . ' H . Sawle , P . M . ; and W . W . Smith , J . D . " Contributions will be gratefully appreciated by our suffering burgesses , and thankfully received and acknowledged by "Bro . RoiiERT PIPER ,

" Oakwood , Chesswood-road , " Worthing , Sussex . " Cheques should be crossed ' Henty aud Co ., Worthing , ' and made payable to ' Worthing Lodge of Friendship . '"

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

TALBOT . Talbot Lodge ( No . 42 ) . —The brethren of this lodge assembled at the lodge room , Town Hall , on Thursday , June 29 th , to celebrate the installation of the W . M . elect , BrO . T . R . L . Austin . The W . M . elect was presented by Bro . Oakley , P . M ., to the Installing Master , Bro . J . Beveridge , P . M ., who installed the new Master , and invested Bto . E . P . Dowding , I . P . M . The following

officers were then presented by Bro . Collens , P . M ., and invested by the newly-installed Master : Bros . P . Salmon , S . W . ; R . Salmon , J . W . ; R . Nicol , Chap . ; D . Flowers , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Collens , P . M ., Sec ; J . Nugent , S . D . ; Dr . Fetherstonhaugh , J . D . ; J . Cayser , P . M ., D . of C . ; J . Jolly , I . G , ; and J . Ludwick , Tyler . The United Grand Lodge of Victoria was represented by Bros . Everard and Weickhardt , P . S . G . Ds . The addresses to the W . M ,, Wardens , and brethren were delivered by Bro . Beveridge , P . M .

EAGI . EHAWK . Eaglehawk Lodge ( No . 55 ) . —The members and visitors of the above lodge assemoled at the Masonic Hall , Church-street , for the annual installation ceremonies , the chair beint ; occupied by the W . M ., Uro . J . C . M'l-Cec , P . M ., who also performed the installation ceremonies . The W . M . elect was presented to the Installing Master

by the VV . M . of the Gjlden and Connihian and the W . M : ot the Zenith Lodges ( Bendigi ) , and duly installed into the Master ' s chair , Bro . J . C . M'Kee being again invested LI ' . M . The following olli ; ers were invested by Bro . G . J . Williams , P . M . : Bros . J . Anderson , S . VV .,- R . W Jeffrey , J . VV . ; the Kev . R . Leivers , Chaplain ; E . C . Brown , P . M ., Treas . ; G . I . Williams , P . M ., Sec ; G .

Woodgate , S . D . ; J . Bray , J . D . ; i « . A . Polkinghorne , Org . ; T . O . Liddell , l . G . ; F . Taylor and E . Stewart , ht . vds . ; and r .. Richards , T ^ ler . The address to the W . M . was delivered by Bro . G . Louden , | un ., P . M ., and the address to the Wardens was delivered by Bro . Dr . HuschclilT , P . J . G . W ., and the final address to the brethren was given by tiro . E . C . Brown , P . M .

The Prime Minister , accompanied by Mrs . Gladstone and Mr . Henry Gladstone , left Euston for Scotland on Monday evening , on a visit to Mr . George Armitstead , at Blackcraig Castle , Edinburgh . Mr . Gladstone will receive no deputations during his absence on holiday .