In Memoriam.

Bro . Gould ' s great " History of the Fraternity" more than Bro . Whymper , and certainly a more suitable brother to deliver the eulogium could not be found either in , or out of our Lodge No . 2076 . I do not think of the 30 or less members of the lodge any of us thought

more highly of the honour than he did , and the fact of his membership was usually announced in the works and pamphlets he issued since his election . It is but bare justice to add that no lodge will feel his removal from their midst more than the members of No . 2076 , each of whom recognised him as a most devoted Craftsman and zealous student , and several loved him as

their dear friend and fellow labourer . Personally , his decease is a great blow to me , but I feel that my sorrow is as nothing compared with the irreparable loss of the bereaved widow * and family , and , therefore , must say but little about my grief by the side of their terrible trial . They have my most sincere sympathy and prayers that the lone lady and sorrowing son a"d daughters may be comforted and sustained .

To briefly refer to Bro . Whymper ' s literary achievements in relation to Freemasonry is far from easy , though a very pleasant duty to perform . His industry and successful researches were something remarkable , and he never seemed to tire or think any difficulty was insuperable . I am amazed myself to see what he has accomplished in a lew years , and only to cite a list of his publications would surprise brethren who were unacquainted with the extent of his labours .

His handsome reprodution of the celebrated " Regius MS ., " in facsimile , by Mr . E . Compton Price , was his first important work ( six being on vellum , 34 on vellum-paper , and the others ordinary copies ) , his able introduction to which was both appropriate and opportune . His kindness as to this matter is thus appreciatively referred to by the Masonic historian , Bro . R . F . Gould , in his invaluable commentary on the Masonic poem , published as

Vol . I . of the "Quatuor Coronatorum Antigrapha" ( 1889 . ) " It is both a duty and a pleasure , before concluding these prefatory remarks , to refer in * grateful terms to the good feeling and generosity evinced by Bro . IT . J . Whymper towards this lodge , of which , to the great satisfaction of us all , ne has since become a member . " [ As previously noted , he and the lodge , without knowing it , were engaged in the same enterprise ] "

Bro . Whymper at once communicated with our Secretary stating that his transfers ( the most costly and difficult part of the undertaking ) were almost complete . These transfers he not only placed at our disposal , thereby lessening our toil , but he also refused to allow us in any way to share the expense to which he had been put in their preparation .

Bro . Whymper was , undoubtedly , the first in the field , and had he shown any annoyance at the contretemps , we could scarcely have blamed him . The truly fraternal manner , therefore , in which he allowed us to reap the benefit of his own arduous labours , fully merits the hearty acknowledgments of the Ouatuor Coronati Lodee—hereby expressed by me on its behalf . "

The next volume from his prolific pen was in 1888 , and entitled " The Religion of Freemasonry , " edited by the indefatigable Bro . G . W . Speth , with an Introduction by me . The editor discharged his duties with marked ability , especially under the circumstances , as the author had to return to India before the MS . was properly arranged . It is an extraordinary book in many respects , exhibiting considerable research , originality of treatment , and abundance of facts concerning the " burning question " ( in India ) of Christian or Cosmopolitan Freemasonry .

In 1889 was issued , in pamphlet form , "Articles on the Constitutions of Freemasonry , by Bro . VV . J . Hughan , P . G . D ., privately printed for Bro . H . J . Whymper , by Ram Saram . " Also another on " Triads in Masonry " during the same year . He also delivered a number of interesting lectures , beginning with one on Masonic literature before the District Grand Lodge of the Punjab , December 27 th , 1888 , which was printed in its transactions ,

as also another September 8 th , 1891 ( when held at Murree ) on " The Constitutions of Freemasonry " ( MS . and printed ) , when he was warmly thanked for "his valuable and interesting address . " An able paper was read by our friend at the meeting of the Albert Victor Lodge , No . 2370 , on January 31 st , 1891 , on " Catalogues and Bibliographies , " which has never been excelled , and he there and then exhibited

his valuable catalogue , in manuscript , of Masonic books in the English language ; ordinary by-laws of lodges , kc , being excluded , and the proceedings of each Grand Lodge being counted as one volume . The titlepages extended to some 8000 articles , and yet , as he expressed it , " with a still unexhausted quarry . " Bro . Whymper has been at this great work for several years , assisted by several of his collaborators in this Country , and

by Bro . Captain Leslie , in India , on whom , I know , our dear brother considerably relied for aid in the future , feeling assured it would be readily forthcoming when needed . Bro . Whymper ' s " Catalogue of Bibliographical Lists and Catalogues of Works on Freemasonry" ( quarto size ) and the valuable " Catalogue of Works on Freemasonry , " E . Libris , H . J . Whymper ( octavo , 66 pp . ) were all steps in the direction of publishing a modern Kloss to date , and had his

life been spared , to the joy and delight of his numerous fellow labourers , this magnificent compilation would have been completed and published under his auspices . As it is , he has left abundant material to testify to his thoroughness and devotion to this generally neglected department of the Craft . He also began a " Bibliography of Lodge Histories , " but only finished some six pages and then dropped it , as my pamphlet on the subject satisfied him , and thus lightened his labours .

The reproduction of the " Harleian MS ., 6466 , " British Museum , was a very kind deed , being done in response to my enquiries as to its text , and forwarded to me in type , " to enable Bro . Hughan ( a ) to read it , and ( b ) to do what his heart loves and give something away to a friend . " I had dedicated my reprint of "English Royal Arch Masonry , 1744-65 " ( " Ars Quatuor Coronatorum , 1891 " ) , to him , but it was simply impossible to keep pace with the many ways he took to pleasantly surprise hiis brethren , who were gratified to labour with him .

Two other remarkable publications should be noticed , viz ., his reprint of " Acts of Parliament referring to Freemasonry" ( A . D . 1799 and 1817 ) , dedicated to Bros . Major Bowles and Capt . Leslie , intended as a reply to the Rev . Father Waterhouse ; and a smaller , but most valuable , volume

( also in 1892 ) on " Early Printed Literature referring to Freemasonry , " which contains accurate repoductions of the salient portions of Randle Holme's " Academic of Armoury , " 1688 ; Dr . Plot's Staffordshire , 1686 ; Elias Ashmole's Diary , 1717 ; and other curios , inscribed to the VV . M ., Wardens , and brethren of No . i 960 . His numerous articles in the "Indian Masonic Review " and elsewhere

I must not now stay to allude to , nor the exhibition of Masonic books and MSS ., & c , which he so thoughtfully provided for his brethren in India . The by-laws and history , & c , of his Lodge , the Stewart , Rawul Pindi ( only just published as he has left us ) , contributed to by the W . M . ( Capt . Leslie ); the

In Memoriam.

R . W . Bro . E . W . Parker , P . Dist . G . M ., and Bro . Whymper , el 0 . quently speak of his varied and important services to his beloved Fraternity and the " Punjab Masonic Institution " has lost in him one of its largest contributors and most constant supporters . Words fail me to express mv feelings and affection for our noble brother deceased , I can only hope that the memory of his goodness will abide with us , and prove stimulative to us all . W . J . HUGHAN .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND .

The preliminary meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Keswick Hotel , Keswick , on Friday , the 28 th ult . Bro . G . J . McKay , J . p , P . G . Std . Br . England , D . P . G . M ., presided , supported by the following ' Bros . G . W . Kenworthy , as D . P . G . M . ; ] . Barr , as P . S . G . W . ; J . Mills ' P . J . G . W . ; Rev . W . Cree , P . G . C ; R . J . Nelson , P . G . Treas . ; G Dalrymple , P . G . Sec ; J . Atkinson , P . S . G . D . ; G . Brooker , P . A . G . D . C . T . Rallinshaw , P . G . Std . Br . ; Wm . Heathcote , P . G . Std . Br . ; Rev . j '

Anderson , P . P . G . C ; J . Wharton , P . A . G . P . ; J . J . Little , J . Atkinson and G . Long , P . G . Stwds . ; G . Starkey , P . P . G . D . C , as P . G . D . C . ; w ! Mandall , P . G . Tyler ; and many other P . P . G . Officers and members of private lodges , all the lodges being represented with the exception of two , and a few of the Prov . Grand Officers were absent , and had tendered their apology .

Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the annual meeting held at Millom were read and confirmed . The dues and fees of honour were paid , and an invitation was given to the P . G . M . to hold the next annual Provincial Grand Lodge at Maryport ; there was also one from the members of the Windermere Lodge . The report of the Charity Committee was passed as read .

Twenty-five guineas was unanimously voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . The title of the Provincial Education was changed by a unanimous vote , on the notice of motion by Bro . NELSON , seconded by Bro . MILLS , to " The Cumberland and Westmorland Educational and Benevolent Fund . "

There being no other business of importance , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and the brethren subsequently dined at the Keswick Hotel , Bro . McKay , D . P . G . M ., in the chair .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MIDDLESEX .

INSTALLATION OF BRO . LORD GEO . FRANCIS HAMILTON , M . P .. P . G . W .. AS PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER .

Bro . Lord Geo . Francis Hamilton , M . P ., P . G . W ., having been appointed Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex by his Royal Highness the M . W . Grand Master , the ceremony of installation was performed at the Parish Room , Teddington , on Saturday , the 6 th inst ., by the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , G . C . B ., in the presence of over 400 members of the

Craft . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened by Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , Deputy Prov . Grand Master in charge , supported by Bros . \ . M . Stedwell , P . P . G . W ., as Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Frost Creswicke , Prov . ( i . Treas . ; Howard H . Room , Prov . G . Sec ; and a very large attendance of Prov . Grand Officers and members of lodges in the province .

The Deputy Prov . Grand Master was saluted and the roll of lodges was called , when it was found that all lodges in the province were represented . The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved . The audit report was read , showing a good balance after a somewhat

expensive year . The report of the Charity Committee followed , in which it was stated that since the re-construction of the Committee for the purpose of assisting in the election of Middlesex cases to the Masonic Institutions the result had been very successful . Through the co-operation of the brethren in the province and the representatives of lodges a case for the Boys' School was carried on the first application , and the Committee tendered its thanks to Bro . Geo . R . Langley , Prov . G . Stwd ., the special Secretary for elections ,

for his valuable assistance . On the motion of Bro . STEDWELL , P . P . G . W .. seconded by Bro . J . T ICKI . K , P . P . G . Reg ., the retiring Prov . G . Treasurer and Prov . G . Wardens were elected for the Audit Committee for 1894 . The Pro Grand Master , accompanied by the Grand Officers , then entered in procession , and the Pro G . M . was saluted . The PRO GRAND MASTER , addressing the brethren , said they bad

assembled for the purpose of installing a most worthy brother as Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex , but before he said anything about him , he would say one word in remembrance of his dear friend and brother who had departed from them , the late Col . Sir Francis Burdett , who ruled over the province so Masonically , so fraternally , and so benevolently , for upwards air Train

of a quarter of a century . He lelt certain that all who knew . " Burdett would deeply deplore that he had departed from them in the wisdom of the Almighty . It had pleased his Royal Highness , the M . W . G . M .. ' ° appoint as their Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Lord George Hamilton , a worthy Mason , whom he hoped would rule over them for many years to

come .. The arrival of the Provincial Grand Master designate , was announced by Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D ., who rendered valuable service throughout the proceedings by kindly acting as D . C , and his P *^ was presented to the Pro Grand Master . A deputation of seven I as Masters retired and introduced the Provincial Grand Master designate , and his patent was read by the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY . Prayer having been offered , the Provincial Grand Master was obligated and invested , « u )

installed in the chair , and proclaimed and saluted . .-. The Prov . Grand Master appointed Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp , P- ,- *** , ' D . C , as Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and he was obligated , proclaim ^ - and saluted . , y Bro . Capt . T . C WALLS , P . P . G . W ., G . Steward , proposed Bro . * * * . * Fisher , P . M ., as Prov . Grand Treasurer , and in doing so referred to many Masonic services , and the official capacity he occupied for many y e as Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police . i--her i ¦

Bro . J . IICKLK , P . P . ( J . K ., having seconded the nomination , Dro . P . M ., was declared unanimously elected . t j , e The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER proposed a vote of thanks to , retiring Prov . Grand Treasurer , Bro . Frost Creswicke , for his servi