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Bengal , British Burmah , and Madras . There were , of course , many of the lodges scattered about in the various colonies and dependencies of the British Crown , and others in English and Welsh counties , outside the limits of those contained in the 14 Provincial Grand Lodges , but they were distributed too sparsely to justify their establishment into Provincial Grand

Lodge organisations . But , as " The Cosmo " for the current year shows , there are now 28—or , including Herts , 29—Prov . Grand Lodges in England and Wales , and 16 Prov . Grand Lodges in foreign parts , among them being three in New Zealand ; one in North Africa , and one each in Natal and South Africa ; one in Victoria ( Australia ) , and one in Tasmania ; one

each in Gibraltar and for the Mediterranean -. one in Quebec , and one in Jamaica , in addition to the four in British India , which figure in the 1876 Calendar . Again , financially , the position of the Mark Grand Lodge is sound , the invested funds for the General Fund and the several branches of the Benevolent Fund , making up a total of £ 7400 , while the last half-year's

receipts for the General Fund alone , irrespective of dividends , exceeded £ 941 . As to the Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund , the donations and subscriptions at last year ' s celebration considerably more than doubled that of any previous year , and there is every prospect of the Festival which will be held at the Holborn

Restaurant next month being a still more conspicuous success . These are the leading facts in the more recent history of the Mark Degree , without exaggeration or undue colouring , and they serve to exhibit more emphatically than vve have been able to do on any previous occasion not only how

astonishing and well-deserved has been its success during the period we have chosen for illustration , but likewise how admirable is the organisation of its Grand Lodge , of which the Prince of WALES has graciously consented to become , on the 1 st July prox ., the presiding chief .

* * * IT is by no means an easy task to find an appropriate name for a new lodge or chapter . Given a favourable opportunity , and the material for establishing one is generally forthcoming . But when the founders meet together to settle the usual preliminaries , the question " What ' s in a name ? " , though

treated lightly enough under ordinary circumstances , assumes an importance , which it often taxes the utmost ingenuity of the brethren to satisfy . There is generally an ample range to select from . There is a post town or a parish church close by or only a few miles distant . There is the squire or other local magnate , whose great-great-grandfather was a member of the

Craft some 80 or a 100 years ago . Or it may be , there is an old ruin in the neighbourhood , or a river , or a hill , the name of which will serve admirably as the title of the embryo lodge . And so no doubt it will , if only a mere word is needed without any justification , or with only the most trivial justification , for using it . But a glance at any list of lodges will show that

this haphazard method of selecting titles is oftentimes the reverse of satisfactory . Last week , however , we published reports of the consecration of a new lodge in Kent and a new chapter in Suffolk , the titles of which appear to have been most happily chosen , and we think a word or two of praise on this account is due to the founders . The Walsingham Lodge , which has its

local habitation at Wilmington , near Dartford , in the county of Kent , is named appropriately after the Hon . R . BOYLE WALSINGHAM , who in the year 176 9 was appointed as the first Provincial Grand Master of Kent , and it is pleasant to find that the memory of a worthy brother , who no doubt did good service to the Craft in his day , has been thus happily revived , and , to

judge from the auspicious start which the lodge bearing his name has made , stands a fair chance of being perpetuated . Nor have the founders of the new Royal Arch Chapter which meets at Sudbury , in Suffolk , been less fortunate in their selection of a title . Their Provincial Grand Superintendent , M . E . Comp . the Rev . C . J . MARTYN , is undoubtedly one of the ablest and

most popular Masons of our day . His name , like the services he has rendered , is known and respected everywhere throughout the English Craft , and our Sudbury companions have shown both good taste and good feeling in naming their chapter after so distinguished a member of our Society .

We wish it were always in our power to welcome additions to our lodge and chapter rolls as appropriately named as the Walsingham Lodge and the Martyn Chapter ; but while we are never in doubt as tothe good feeling which actuates the founders of a new Masonic Body in their selection of a title , it rarely happens we are so favourably impressed with their good taste .

* # * TRUE to the purposes for which it was established , namely , to provide a Masonic home for members of our Society who have had dealings officially or commercially with our Colonies , and to extend the hospitality of the old country to Colonial brethren when visiting these shores , the Empire Lodge ,

No . 210 S , has issued cards of invitation to a banquet at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Wednesday , thc 23 rd inst ., when our Masonic visitors from Australia , India , and other of the Colonies and Dependencies of the British

Crown will be received as guests . Lodge will open at 6 . 30 p . m ., and the banquet is fixed for 7 . 15 p . m . Wc have no doubt the meeting will be a success , and will materially help in strengthening the bond already existing between the visitors and their hosts .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MIDDLESEX .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex was held on Saturday aiternoon , the 5 th inst , at Twickenham , when there was a very large gathering , the brethren numbering over 150 . The Town Hall was lent lor the occasion by Lady Freake , the large room having been tastefully decorated for the occasion , under the supervision of Bro . R . W .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

Forge , P . P . G . D . C . A beautiful display of flowers was kindly provided by Bro . Poupard . Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp , Dep . Prov . G . M ., presided , and was supported by the following Provincial Grand Officers : Bros . VV . A . Rogers , P . G . S . W . ; W . Taylor , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . G . C . ; Rev . S . R . A . Buller , P . G . C . ; F . B . Archer , P . G . Treas . ; John Proffitt , P . G . Reg . ; J . F . H . Woodward , P . G . Sec . ; C . Graham , P . G . D . ; W .

Coombe , P . G . D . ; W . T . Buck , P . G . Supt . of Works ; Saml . Larcomb , P . G . D . C . ; C . J . Axford , P . G . D . D . C . ; J . C . Jessett , P . G . Swd . Br . ; C . W . Pridmore , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Osborn , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . H . Lee , P . G . Asst . Sec ; J . Featherston , P . G . Purst . ; J . G . Fisher , R . H . Williams , K . R . Montgomery , and J . Ferguson , P . G . Stewards ; H . G . Buss , P . Asst . G . Sec , Past Prov . G . Treas . ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . ;

Rev . T . M . D'Orsey , P . P . G . Chap . ; G . J . Dunkley , P . P . G . O . ; R . W . Forge , P . P . G . D . C ; A . G . Fidler , P . P . G . D . ; H . M . Gordon , P . P . G . D . ; D . W . Pearse , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . Tickle , P . P . G . R . ; D . P . Cama , Grand Treasurer , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Green , P . P . G . D . C ; W . F . Laxton , P . P . G . Reg . ; George Kenning , P . P . G . D . ; H . Lovegrove , P . P . G . S . W . ; T . W . Cooper , P . P . G . D . ; C . L . Smiles , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . J . Marsh , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . VV . George , P . P . G . O . ; G . Fahrerlbach , P . P . G . D . ; and C . A . Walter . P . P . G . D .

lhe following brethren were also in attendance : Bros . C . Veal , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; C . E . Keyser , P . P . G . W . Herts ; VV . H . Dean , P . P . G . D . Dorset ; G . VV . Dixon , P . G . S . W . Berks and Bucks ; H . Slyman , P . M . 1637 ; J . T . B-iggs , VV . M . 1503 ; A . Toulmin , I . G . 1503 ; VV . Wright , D . C . 1897 ; R . Matters , 1656 ; H . VV . Nicholson , P . M . 382 ; T . Woodbridge , P . M . 1194 ; G . Tegg , P . M . 1237 ; O . J . Von Holtorp , S . D . 1 S 97 ; E . A . Von Holtorp , 1 S 97 ; VV . Cock , P . M . isy 7 ; H . W . Smyth , S . D . 1238 ; A . Edwards , J . VV . 1597 ; A . W . Gower

P . M . 123 S ; J . P . Hepburn , P . M . 1702 ; G . P . Gillard , P . M . 1597 ; J . Sadler Wood , VV . M . 2024 ; W . J . Spratling , P . M . 1293 ; H . Jordan , S . D . 1310 ; H . H . Roome , l . G . 1777 ; J . W . Clarke , 1512 ; J . A . Allison , P . M . 7 S 8 ; E . E . Cooper , P . M . 1494 ; F . Lane , P . M . 7 SS ; R . T . Fennell , P . M . 1567 ; VV . D . Fracis , J . D . 2105 ; VV . Staley , S . D . 1597 j W . Sykes , J . D . 1597 ; VV . Ramsey , VV . M . 1777 ; J . Finch , S . D . 1793 ; Fletcher Knip . ht , W . M . 1326 ; John Pillevv , P . M . 1 793 ; E . W . Warner , VV . M . 1793 ; E . Rogers , S . W . 1238 ; G . H . Carter , VV . M . 1702 ; F . ChandlerVV . M . 1656

, John Read , J . W . 2105 ; A . J . Gant , P . M . 2094 ; T . K . Vassilla , S . W . 1326 ; J . Gillingham , P . M . 1238 ; W . S . Dunkley , I . P . M . 1777 ; E . Y . Jolliffe , P . M . 1460 ; W . Birrell , P . M . 1310 ; J . Woodmason , W . M . 1637 ; R . C . Hall , VV . M . 3 S 2 ; VV . C . Williams , S . VV . S 65 ; T . L . Roberts , 354 ; J . K . Cama , 342 ; VV . Poupart , S . D . 9 ; A . E . Staley , P . M . 1 S 5 ; John Hill , 1704 ; VV . Iron , P . M . 1579 ; VV . Beard , P . M . 94 6 ; A . Loft , VV . M . 946 ; J . K . Gwyn , VV . M . 1426 ; Thos . Roberts , 611 ; A . P . Cranch , P . M . 1669 ; J . A . Wilson , 1326 : W . Spearing , W . M . 1112 : R . Eales .

J . W . 1512 ; A . Tucker , S . W . 1733 ; VV . Blackburn , VV . M . 1733 ; VV . Footy , S . D . 1733 J P . Monson , S . D . 1194 ; VV . J . Porter , Org . 1 793 ; G . L . Wingate , P . M . 1423 ; VV . T . Peat , Sec . 1656 ; J . C . Radford , P . M . 1420 ; H . Sapsvvorth , 1656 ; G . Gregory , P . M . 20 S 7 ; John Jones , 1 S 97 ; H . Forss , 132 G j | . Lawrence , J . VV . 1326 ; W . A . Scurrah , W . M . 2048 ; A . C . Hunter , P . M . 1494 ; P . A . Scratchley , VV . M . 706 ; S . A . Cooper , P . M . 1637 ; J . Etherington , VV . M . 1310 ; T . Gurney , P . M . 1309 ; T . Brown , W . M . 16 97 ; VV . H . Rolls , P . M . 946 ; N . Goodchild , 1637 ; L . M . Kaka , 2105 ; W . Lovelock , 1423 ; J . Beresford Ryley , M . D ., P . M . 1423 ; E . A . Baber

P . M . 1238 ; D . Argyle , P . M . 046 ; E . Dalzell , S , VV . 15 . 19 ; Thos . Noton , P . M . 1309 ; S . VV . Hanson , 1706 ; J . Crook , 1637 ; VV . M . Stiles , P . M . 1507 ; VV . F . Marston Clark , 255 ; J . H . VVood , S . VV . 1642 ; J . Baker , 2024 ; G . Hayne , 1612 ; H . Cutler , 231 ; J . G . Redman , 15 S ; A . H . Scurrah , 2048 ; H . Dickey , S . VV . 1744 ; F . R . Robinson , 2032 ; E . Storr , P . M . 167 ; G . Bugler , S . W . 975 ; ] . E . Gentle , 1 C 56 ; James Stevens , P . M . 720 , & c . ; J . A . Hammond , P . M . 1563 ; C . E . Tinney , P . M . 1319 ; VV . VV . Lee , 1897 ; and others . Provincial Grand Lodge having been formally opened ,

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER rose and said the brethren would all be sorry to hear that their esteemed Prov . Grand Master was too unwell to be present on that occasion . He also read an extract from a letter he had received from Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , asking him to express to the brethren his extreme regret at his unavoidable absence , this being the first occasion he had not been present since his installation as Prov . Grand Master .

lhe roll of lodges having been called , the minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge were read and confirmed . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then moved , on behalf of the R . W . the Prov . Grand Master , and it was resolved unanimously , that the sum of 15 guineas be granted from the Provincial Benevolent Fund to each of the three Masonic Charitable Institutions .

The reports of the Audit and Charity Committees were then read and adopted , showing balances of £ 490 3 s . 3 d . and £ 7 19 s . 8 d . to the credit of the Benevolent Fund and General Fund , respectively , It was next proposed by the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , seconded by Bro . ARCHER , Prov . G . Treas ., and unanimously agreed , that the two Provincial Funds—viz ., the Fund of Benevolence and the General Purpose Fund—be merged into one Fund , in accordance wilh Rule 104 of the Book

of Constitutions . In making this proposition , the D . P . G . M . said that the province had for some time past been acting contrary to the Book of Constitutions , and he had proposed this amalgamation in order to set them right . The total fees received were quite inadequate to cover the general expenses ; but this would be remedied by amalgamating the two Funds , and they could still be able to vote any sums required for charitable purposes .

It having been agreed that the sum of ^ , 20 a year be allowed the Prov . Grand Secretary for clerk ' s services , instead of £ 10 as in the past , the D . G . M . proposed , and Bro . H . G . Buss , P . P . G . Treas ., seconded , that a Sub-Committee of five be appointed to revise the bye-laws of the province . This was unanimously carried , and Bros . Hill , Tickle , Lee , and the two Prov . Grand Wardens were elected to constitute the Committee .

The next business proceeded with was the election of Provincial Grand Treasurer , and the DEPUTY G . M . in bringing this before the notice of the brethren read an extract from a letter from the Prov . Grand Master eulogising the valuable services of Bro . Archer , who had acted in that capacity during the past year , and recommending thc advisability of reappointing him . The Deputy G . M . then said he would endorse the Prov .

Grand Master's opinion wilh his own . In Bro . Archer they had a Prov . Grand Treasurer who was exceptionally qualified for the post , being an old Mason and a banker by profession . It required a year for a brother to become acquainted wilh the duties , and by appointing a fresh one every year a great amount of unnecessary trouble was given to the Prov . Grand Secretary in instructing him . He had therefore much pleasure in proposing that Bro . Archer be re-elected .

Bro . PEARCE , P . P . G . Reg ., seconded this proposition , which was carried with acclamation . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then appointed and invested the following officers : — Iiro . K . R . Montgomery ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W „ J . Ferguson .,. ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . S . Buller ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . Joseph Baker .,, ,,, ,,, Prov . G . Chap .