The Late General Pike.

As Prov . G . M . of the " Royal Order of Scotland" for the U . S . A ., since 18 77 , General Pike has quite revived the interest in that quaint ceremony which has long been languishing in America , and has made his Prov . G . L . the most successful of all in the world .

The library of the Supreme Council at Washington will form our noble brother ' s permanent monument , for it has been collected by him , many of its choicest treasures donated by him , and all the thousands of books have passed through his hands . The

estimated cost of the 15 , 000 volumes amounts to £ 14 , 000 , this grand collection being described as the only one of the kind worthy of the name of "Library" because of its general as well as Masonic character .

The Iowa Masonic Library.

THE IOWA MASONIC LIBRARY .

The Iowa Masonic Library was organised in 1844 , by the present Grand Secretary , Theo . S . Parvin , who has had charge of it since that time . It contains the largest collection of Masonic works ever gathered together , and has a fire-proof building of its own , the first and only one of the kind ever

erected by a Grand Lodge . The building was erected in 1885 . The library in all its departments of literature contains over 12 , 000 volumes , mostly of a Masonic nature . It has been the object of the Grand Secretary to collect all works bearing upon secret societies and kindred subjects , as also anti-secret society

literature . ' Its semi-Masonic department contains also several hundred volumes upon Art , Architecture , Egypt , Mythology , Bible and Oriental Lands , Crusades , Chivalry , Templary , etc . The Iowa department is now one of the special features of the

library and includes : First , Works by Iowa authors ; second , Documents relating to Iowa , published by the State ; third , County Histories ; fourth , Publications of Societies , Historical , Religious , Educational , Secret and all State organizations which publish their proceedings .

Another feature of interest is that of the Autograph Letter department , being the largest , rarest , and most complete Masonic collection in existence . It has also a large general collection , much of which is rare and valuable , all arranged , classified and placed in the finest style of autograph cases made for the purpose .

The Masonic medal collection is quite full and complete , among the best of its kind in the land , and has , in addition , many interesting medals of a general nature , also a large collection of metal and silk badges . Several cases are devoted to the archaeological collection , which has proven one of much interest and

instruction to visitors , containing as it does many old time relics and things of the past . The collection of photograph albums and scrap books contains hundreds of old rare prints , engravings , charts , diplomas , certificates , summons , & c , and when properly displayed , will be of great interest . Quite a number of

art pieces in bronze , Bisque , Florentine marble , as well as old Japanese bronze and chain armour suits and old vases , jars , jugs , pitchers , & c , from Old Mexico and elsewhere , together with the bric-a-brac throughout the building , and finely framed engravings , pictures and pearl inlaid

work add much interest to this collection , which contains also the Proceedings of all Masonic Grand Bodies of the world , and the Masonic periodicals , old and new , of this and foreign countries . The latest feature is that known as the

Shrine collection , for the preservation and display of which El Kahir Temple of Cedar Rapids has presented a finely carved case , especially designed for the purpose . —New York Freemasons' Journal .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Inverness-Shire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF INVERNESS-SHIRE .

On Saturday , the 4 th inst , in St . John ' s Lodge Rooms , Inverness , the initiatory meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held—Sir Henry Macandrew in the chair—and was attended by representatives consisting oi Right Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of St . John ' s Lodge , Inverness ; St . Mary ' s , Inverness ; Spey Lodge , Kingussie ; and St . Andrews ' s , Fort George . Sir Henry presented his commission as Provincial Grand Master from the Grand

Lodge of Scotland . The following brethren presented commissions from Sir Henry Macandrew , namely : Bros . Provost Ross , St . John ' s , as Depute Master ; John Ellis , St . Mary ' s , Substitute Master ; Bailie J . H . Forsyth , St . John ' s , Prov . S . G . W . ; and Alexander Mackenzie , R . W . M . St . Mary ' s , Prov . J . G . W . Bro . T . G . Henderson presented his commission as Secretary to the Prov . Grand

Lodge . The following additional office-bearers were elected by Prov . Grand Lodge : Bros . William Mackay , R . W . M . St . John ' s , Prov . G . Treas . ; Crerar , P . M . Spey Lodge , Prov . S . G . D . ; D . Gordon , R . W . M . St . Andrew ' s , Prov . J . G . D . ; F . F . C . Keeble , Prov . G . D . of C . ; R . P . Jenkins , Prov . G . I . G . ; and James Hay , Prov . G . Tyler . The above office-bearers were all formall y installed , and the remaining offices were left vacant until next meeting .

The following dates were fixed for quarterly communications to the Provincial Grand Lodge , namely : the first Fridays of May , August , November , and February , the last-mentioned date being fixed for the annual election of office-bearers . After the meeting Sir Henry Macandrew entertained the Prov . Grand Lodge to supper .

Consecration Of The Holborn Lodge, No. 2398.

CONSECRATION OF THE HOLBORN LODGE , No . 2398 .

A large gathering of brethren assembled at the Holborn Restaurant on Tuesday , the 7 th instant , to witness the consecration of the Holborn Lod ge No . 239 8 , which is intended , as the name implies , to bs of a purely local character . A large number of brethren who reside or are engaged in business in Holborn felt that although tbis particular neighbourhood was the head-quarters of Freemasonry , yet there was no lodge especially identified with the district . The new

venture has therefore been started under very favourable auspices , and is particularly intended to embrace those of the legal profession engaged in the various Inns of Courts in the vicinity . Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke Grand Secretary , was the Consecrating Officer , and was assisted by Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , as S . W . ; T . Fenn , President of the Board of General Purposes , as J . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chaplain , as Chaplain ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and James Hemming , P . M ., as I . G .

The following is a complete list of the founders : Bros . Dr . S . Lloyd , P . M . W . M . designate ; G . Bruce , Q . C , M . P ., S . W . designate ; M . Angel , J . W . designate ; C . R . Ellis , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Cambs . ; Dr . S . R . Lovett , W . M . 3 ; R . W . Steggles ; T . Hamp ; G . Wallace , P . M . ; J . Conquest ; H . C . Jones , P . M . ; J . Appleton ; W . S . Lincoln ; E . Angel ; CO . Burgess ; H . J . Appleton ; Dr . W . C . Sheard ; W . H . Allcorn ; J . Hemming , P . M . ; and J . H . Coulson , P . M . The following visitors were also present :

Bros . Col . J . Elliott , C . B ., P . G . D ., D . G . M . Barbados ; C . J . Townshend , P . M . S , Nova Scotia ; Gen . S . Laurie , P . G . M . Nova Scotia ; Dr . J . F . Haskins , C . M . Morris , 1571 j A . Jones , 2099 ; C . Chilley , 2005 ; E . Jackman , 2191 ; J . H . Frye , 201 ; J . Kingslev , 3 ; VV . Kinsley , 172 S ; J . Rowe , 2191 ; A . Cogliati , 1 559 ; C . Bessano , P . M . 6 " G ; J . H . Lee , P . M . 119 G ; C . J . Smith , 2157 ; A - J- Lan * " * - 704 ; T . L . Bowden , 1201 ; Dr . I . Powdrell , P . M . 2271 ; T . Draper , W . M . 917 ; R . J .

Goldspink , P . M . 1433 ; H . Watkins , 1 S 53 ; R . D . Ballard , 1 S 53 ; G . Smith , 2331 ; Felix Dennis , 1563 ,- H . J . Dutton , 1706 ; R . H . Tayton , 1962 ; S . H . Lloyd , 1201 ; Sidney Jennings , 142 ; J . Dale , 1613 ; W . H . Munday , P . M . 1211 ; Baron D . Bimett , P . M . 166 S ; W . Harris , 15 S 5 ; W . Robinson , S . W . 704 ; W . H . Fullmore , J . W . 87 ; F . A . Pullen , P . M . 742 ; W . Herbert , 1987 ; F . Kedge , I . P . M . 2101 ; W . Kent , 1321 ;

J . G . Tongue , 534 ; H . E . Pollard , P . G . Stwd . ; C . P . Bellerby , P . M . 2021 ; G . Edwards , P . M . 907 ; R . H . Lyon , W . M . 1201 ; VV . P . Hunt , W . M . 2021 ; J . W . Truman , 4 6 3 ; C . j . Livett , P . M . 1251 ; G . Reynolds , P . M ., Sec . 1614 ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; G . H . Reynolds , W . M . 1614 ; R . J . Harnell , J . D . 2021 ; R . Grice , 1399 ; H . Tildesley , Stwd . 15 S 5 ; E . A . Harris , P . M . 201 ; and VV . W . Lee , S . W . 2381 .

Lodge having been opened , and a hymn sung , The CONSECRATING OFFICER , addressing the brethren , said the occasion which had called them together was one of a very important Masonic nature , and one which must be deeply interesting to all Masons who had the prosperity of the Order at heart . They had met to give effect to a warrant which had been issued by the M . W . G . M . for the formation of a new lodge . They were all aware of the

large number of lodges at the present time in the district of London , and that naturally new lodges were not formed without due and sufficient reason . As a matter of fact , a large number of petitions had to be refused , but of course there were exceptions to every rule , and he was happy to say the founders that day were in that exceptional position . It was a somewhat curious fact that , although this particular neighbourhood of London was the head-quarters of English Masonry ,

and had been so for a century and a half , there had not been a lodge of a purely local nature . That day they were going to remedy that . A large number of Masons residing in the vicinity had for some time past joined together in the desire to have a lodge established for their special convenience . The founders were a large and influential body of Masons , who had presented a petition , and explained their sincere wish that there should be a lodge for local purposes , where

they could congregate and proceed with the work of the Order . Under these circumstances the M . W . G . M . had acceded to their prayer to establish a lodge to be called the Holborn Lodge . There were a large number of founders whom they had reason to believe would do their utmost to promote its success . There was a large field for recruiting eligible candidates . It was a great responsibility p laced in the hands of the founders of a new lodge , for it rested with them whether the new body would be an ornament and an advantage to the Craft or the

reverse . There was reason to believe from what they knew of the founders that they would exercise a wise descretion and would be careful in selecting only those as candidates whom they thought would do credit and honour to the Order , and 11 they persevered they would establish for their own benefit a lodge of which they would be proud . They had selected good and experienced brethren as their rulers , and he was glad to see among them the respected Member of Parliament for that Division , whom he hoped to see shortly in the chair . He would not detain them further , but would commence the proceedings by calling upon the Grand Chap lain

to offer prayer . An oration having been delivered by Bro . the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., the ceremony was proceeded with , and the new lodge solemnly dedicated ana constituted . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec , next installed Bro . Dr . Saml . Lloy d

as W . M ., who invested the following officers : Bros . E . J . Gardiner , acting I . P . M . J Gainsford Bruce , Q . C , M . P ., S . W . ; Maurice Angel , J . W . ; Dr . S . R . Lovett , Treas . ; C . R . Ellis , P . M ., Sec . ; E . Angel , S . D . ; W . S . Lincoln , J . D . ; R- WSteggles , I . G . ; J . Hemming , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Appleton , A . D . C . ; C . O . Burgess and H . J . App letonStwds . ; and WeeksTyler .

, , A Committee was elected to frame the by-laws , and several propositions lor initiation and joining were received . On the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W ., a hearty vote ol

thanks was accorded the Consecrating Officers for their services . The GRAND SECRETARY having returned thanks , was presented by the W >' ' with a founder ' s jewel , and acknowledged this further compliment . Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Venetian Room , where a excellent banquet was provided . The usual toasts were subsequently given the first being " The Queen a "

the Craft , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " , In giving " The Grand Officers , " the W . M . said it needed only what they ha seen that night to convince them of the work done by the Grand Officers , a ' therefore , any comment vvould be absolutely superfluous . He had p leasure coupling the name of Bro . Col . Elliott , C . B ., a very distinguished mil ' " officer , and the D . G . M . of Barbados .