Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

their acceptance of the humble present . A vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Bro . Barr . and the W . M ., in thanking him iu the name of himself and brethren , said he was delighted to bear witness to the esteem in which Bro . Barr was held by every brother in this lodge , both for his ability ,

intelligence and integrity , and although not au officer of the lodge he was able to hold any office therein . He hoped the day would soon arrive when Bro . Barr -would occupy the chair that himself had the honour of now occupying . Bro . John Pemberton , S . W ., of this lodge , now presented a quantity of music books ,

handsomely bound , compiled for the use of Masomc lodges , and said he hoped the brethren would use them in properly developing the harmony of our beautiful service and render it as impressive as its solemnity deserved . A vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Bro . Pemberton , aud the W . M . in

thanking him in the name of himself and brethren , said that he was confident and proud to say that Bro . Pemberton had , and was worthy of , the highest respect of himself and every member of that lodge . He highly complimented him upon his assiduity and ability iu the discharge of his duties as S . W . of the

Neptune Lodge , and hoped that his kind present would be properly appreciated by every brother endeavouring to acting in concert and in harmony in the well-arranged selections of music for the various degrees . The lodge was then closed , when thebrethren retired to refreshment , and spent a frugal , convivial , and happy evening , and departed in peace .

Tee Royal Arch.

TEE ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN * . Beadon Chapter , No . 61 . 9 . —An emergency meeting of this Chapter was held on Saturday . Comps . F . "Walters , P . Z ,, as M . E . Z . ; E . Clark , as H . ; W . H . Hubbard , as J ., and Comp . Little , as P . S ., opened

the Chapter , and afterwards Comp . H . Massey , S . N ., and J .-elect , was formally installed in the J . chair , the ceremony being impressively performed bv Comps . F . "Walters and R . W . Little . The Chapter was then closed , and the Companions adjourned to the banquet table and spent a happy evening .

MARK MASONRY . METROPOLITAN . Thistle Lodge , No . 8 . —The election meeting of this old lodge was held on Friday , the 1 st inst ., at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , and was well attended by the members , amongst whom we observed Bro . T . Meggy , P . G . M . O ., who officiated as W . M ., in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Mann ;

Bros . II . G . Lake , S . W . ; J . W . Dawson , J . W . ; C . A . Cotfebrune , P . G . S . B ., P . M ., and Sec ; F . Binckes , G . Sec , and P . M .: Joshua Nunn , P . G . D ., and P . M . ; R . Watts , P . G . S . B . ; L . Harvey , J . D . ; E . Hart , Org . ; J . W . Boord , Baber , Henley , Mortlock , Sendey , Marshall , Lowder , Baker , and Taffs . The visitors were Bros . R . Wentworth Little , P . M ., and

Sec . St . Mark ' s Lodge , No . 1 , and Chas . Sloman the eminent improvisatrice . The lodge was duly opened , and the Mark Master ' s hymn was sung by the brethren , led and accompanied by Bro . Hart the respected Organist , after which the minutes were read and confirmed , and ballots taken for ei ght candidates . The following brethren being in

attendance were then regularly advanced to the ancient and honourable degree of Mark Master Masons , viz ., Bros . Charles Lacy , W . M . ( 174 ) , a trusty "Siuceritv " man ; George Kelly , P . G . Stew ., and P . M . ( 03 ) , ' a zealous veteran in the Craft ; Morton Edwards , of " St . Lukes , " Chelsea ( 144 ) , the eminent sculptor whose bust of the Grand Master , Lord Zetland , has

¦ won universal praise ; R . P . Wilkinson , P . M . ( 95 ) , a worthy member of no undistinguished lodge . The work of the degree was admirably performed by Bro . Meggy , the acting AVM ., who is truly a Master ofthe art , and be was ably assisted by Bros . Nunn , Cottebrune , Watts , and oilier P . M . ' s , and by the officers present , but we regret ' to observe that

several officers were not in their places . Theelcctions for tho ensuing year resulted as follows : —Bros . II . G . Lake , well known as P . M . of 180 , and P . Z . 820 , was chosen ns Master ; Bro . J . W . Figg , P . M ., an old and valued member , was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Woodstock , Tyler . The lodge was then closed with tbe musical accompaniments , and the

brethren adjourned to a banquet under the presidency of Bro . Meggy , P . G . M . O . The usual formal toasts were well received , and a cordial outburst of enthusiasm greeted the name of Bro . Meggy when proposed by Bro . Binckes . The acting W . M . replied , and deplored the absence of Bro . Mann , "W . M ., who bad been suddenly called to Ireland . The " Newly

Advanced Brethren" responded seriatim , and expressed their great gratification at having become Mark Masters . Bros . Little and Sloman acknowledged the compliment paid to them as visitors , and Bro . Binckes delivered an interesting speech upon

the present position and prospects of Mark Masonry in England . Bros . Nunn and Gottebrune responded for the P . M . 's . We must not omit to mention that the vocal abilities of Bros . Mortlock , Marshall , and other brethren greatly contributed to thc enjoyment of this most agreeable meeting .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

PROVINCIAL GRAND CONCLAVE OP SURREY . On Saturday last , The Very Eminent Sir Knt . George Harcourfc , M . D ., Grand Commander of Surrey , attended by his Provincial Grand Officers , Sir Knts . Blenkin , Lemaire , Mitchell , Greenwood , W . F . Harrison , G . Harrison , & c , preceded by the P . G . Equerry and P . G . Standard-bearer , was received by the Emt . Sir Knt . Jabez S . Gower , E . G .,

Grand Capt . of Lines , and the Officers and Knts . of the Grove , under the Arch of Steel , at their Field of Encampment , The Spring , Ewell , where the V . E . Prov . Grand Commander opened in solemn form the Prov . Grand Conclave , when the P . G . Registrar , the Em . Sir Knt . R . Farrau , called over the musterroll of the province , and a numerous assemblage of Knts . answered to their names . The usual business

of the province was then proceeded with , and the following appointments made by the Grand Commander of the Province , viz .: — The Emt . Sir Knt . Bleukin Dep . P . G . C . „ „ Gower .... P . U . Prior . C . Dumas .. P . G . Sub-Prior .

„ „ "W * . Stuart .. . P . G . Prelate . „ „ Amos .... 1 st P . G . Capt . „ „ Rosenthal .. 2 nd P . G . Capt . "W . F . Harrison P . G . Chancellor .

T » » 7 „ „ Farrau .... P . G . Registrar . „ „ Hart P . G . Almoner & Treas . „ „ Dr . Williams P . G . Dir . Cer . „ „ Capt . Hastie P . G . Expert . „ „ G . Harrison P . G . Standard-bearer .

„ „ Dyer P . G . Capt . of Lines . „ „ Hall P . G . Herald . „ „ Vesper , 30 ° .. P . G . Equerry . All were duly invested by the P . G . Commander in his usual kind and impressive style . The Prov . Graud Prelate , the Emt . Sir Knt . W .

Stuart , then read the usual sentences while the Emt . Sir Knt . J . Hart , Prov . Grand Almoner , collected the alms , and the Prov . Grand Encampment was closed in the usual form . The Prov . Grand Commander and his officers , the E . G ., and Knights of the-Grove , and the numerous

visitors then adjourned to the pleasant garden of tlie Spring , aud afterwards partook of an elegant banquet , provided by Bro . Goddard , the respected host of The Spring . Amongst the visitors we particularly noticed the Emt . Sir Knts . R . Spencer , P . P . Grand Registrar ; J . Stohwasser , Past Graud Sword-bearer ; F . Binckes , Past Grand A . D . C . The weather being very beautiful , the assemblage was highly pleased with the day ' s excursion .

Province Of Lincolnshire

PROVINCE OF LINCOLNSHIRE

A meeting of the members of the Charity Committee for the Province of Lincolnshire , was held at Louth Sep . 30 , under the presidency of R . W . Bro . Major Smyth , D . P G . M . Brethren present : Bros . Lucas , P . G . S . ; Rainey , P . P . G . D . ; Seaton , Moore , P . G . R . ; Agabitt , P . G . T . ; Radley , P . I . G . W .

Bro . Lucas proposed , and Bro . Seaton seconded , " That the M . E . Z . ' s ofthe chapters in the province be added to the members of the Charity Committee . " Letters were read from the Pelhau Pillar Lodge , aud also from Bro . Bacon , Lincoln . Bro . Lucas proposed and Bro . Seaton seconded ,

" That beforo any new candidate bo selected , the debts that have been incurred to secure the elections of Bros . Lincoln and J osiah Margason bc repaid . " The Secretary was ordered to repay Bro . Rainey thirteen boys for Bro . Patten , and eighteen boys Bro . Ridley for Bro . Wright , of Derby .

A letter was read from Bro . Hessay , soliciting votes for Arthur Earnest Hustler , and one from Bro . Nesbitt , on behalf of Bro . Fowler , for Herbert White . The committee were sorry that they were unable to give any support to either candidates , as tbey were about to receive an application from au

old brother in the province . Bro . "Moore , of Lincoln , proposed , and Bro . Lucas seconded , Bro . Henry Cotton , the Provincial Grand Tyler , as a candidate to be placed on the list for thc next election for the aged Freemasons .

Bro . Radley proposed , and Major Smyth seconded , Elizabeth Jackson as a candidate also for the Aged Widows' Fund . There being no other propositions , the ballot was taken , when Bro . Cotton was unanimously elected .

It was found that the Secretary had upwards of fifty votes for the Boys' and Girls' Schools , which he was authorised to exchange at the best rate for aged Masons' votes , and also to write to all the lodges in the province and ask their co-operation to secure tbe election of so deserving a case as their old P . G . Tyler .

AT tha Peckham Lodge of Instruction , 879 , held at the Maismore Arms , Park-road , Peckham , every Wednesday evening , at 8 o ' clock precisely , the brethren of Old Kent-road , Peckham , and their neighbourhoods have a treat under the very able iustructorship of Bro . P . M . Rose , assisted by Bros . P . M . Tibbctt , Howes , & c .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . " ] THE MASONIC LIFEBOAT FUND .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) . .. . . , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I am a member of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland , at the last meeting of which the sum of £ b was voted to the " Masonic Lifeboat Fund , " and as I object strongly to the money being handed over until I know what has

become of the amounts received from other lodges , I shall be glad to know whether any account of the Fund has been published , and , if so , where it can be obtained . U gly rumours are abroad on the subject , and many brethren believe the Fund to be a myth . Yours fraternally ,

C . H . L . [ We know nothing of the Fund in question , neither has any account been printed to our knowledge . The Grand Lodge declined to subsidise the scheme , and we would therefore recommend brethren to subscribe direct to the Lifeboat Institution . ]—ED . F .

INELIGIBILITY OF BASTARDS AS FREE MASONS .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) My business engagements , & c , entirely preclude me from answering the lengthened remarks of Bro . "Cipes" at present . However , I intend to read them all carefully over , and I shall , at my first spare

moments , give a few words in reply , when I hope to show the mistakes he falls into , and to prove that a better acquaintance with the real history of our Order , & c , might have prevented him from writing as he has done . Yours fraternally , LEO .

THE ANTIQUITY OF SPECULATIVE FREE MASONRY .

( To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your correspondent , D . Stolez , at page 161 , is mistaken . We do not all admit that Freemasonry is of Jewish origin ; for , operative Masonry was in existence before Abraham

was born , whereas speculative Freemasonry was not in existence until last century , and I defy all your numerous readers , jointly or severally , to prove otherwise . Again , the Jews were not a nation of buijders , whereas the Egyptians—who were old as a nation before the Jews were heard of—were .

Further , Leo does not " express a wish to observe Freemasonry to the traditions of the second Temple , " nor the first either ; nor to any other Temple . King Solomon ofthe first Temple , and Ezra , Zerubbabel , and Nehemiah of the second , had about as much to do with Speculative Freemasonry as Julius

Ciosar had to do with the tragedy of "Julius Caesar , " as written by Shakespeare . Let honour be given to whom it is due , and as England is the Mother of Speculative Masonry she deserves to be honoured as such . It was in England , about A . D . 1717 , that Speculative Freemasonry with its doctrines and

principles degrees / rituals and ceremonies sprang up ; or to put it in other words , Speculative Masonry was then manufactured b y Desaguliers , Anderson , Payne , & c . It has , however , been elaborated or touched up since then ; their production was concocted out of the Bible , and other books , & c , and they then gra . ' ted it on to the old operative Masons '

lodges , which knew nothing about it before . Consequently Speculative Freemasonry is only about 152 years old . Let those of your readers who havo hitherto imagined otherwise , examine into the mattar , as 1 have done , and they will find that I am pretty near the mark . I am , yours fraternally , LEO .

WE have thc greatest pleasure in adding our tcs timony to the unanimous verdict of the Press iu favour of Messrs . Macniven aud Cameron ' s pens , particulars of which will bc found in our advertising columns . We havo used them for some time past , and to fitly describe them , must apply the cabalistic letter and numeral so well known at

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knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition , and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa . Mr . Kpps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctor ' s bills . " Made simply with boiling water or mill' . Sold by tlio Trade only , in ^ lb ., J lb . and 1 lb . tin-lined packets , labelled JAMES EPPS & Co ., Homoeopathic Chemists , London . —Anvr .