Masonic Notes.

The continued existence of scarlatina ( happily in a mild form ) at the Girls' School at Clapham , during the greater part of the present half-year , has naturally caused hindrance to the studies , and considerable trouble and anxiety , both to the Staff and

the House Committee , who have been unremitting in their care and attention . The usual Steward's visit is , of course , postponed until after the holidays , which have been antedated a month , in order to afford opportunity of cleansing and purifying the School buildings . Convalescence has been , we are happy to hear , rapid

and complete , every child , when perfectly free from infection , having been sent into the country for change of air before returning to School . All this means expense , and , we venture to think , constitutes an extra claim on the liberality of the Craft at the forthcoming Festival . * * *

Our Middlesex brethren held high festival in Teddington on Saturday last , on the oceasion of Bro . Lord George Hamilton's installation as Grand Master of the Province , in succession to the late Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart . There was a large muster to witness

the imposing ceremony , which was most admirably performed by Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master , and , while the new Provincial Grand Master experienced a most enthusiastic greeting , the kindliest and most respectful references were made to the sterling worth and important services of his late distinguished

predecessor . Our report of the proceedings shows that the meeting was one of the most successful of its kind ever held in any Province , and it is impossible not to augur favourably from the splendid beginning made last Saturday of the prospects in store for the Province under its new chief .

An able and instructive address was given before the Defence Lodge , No . 1221 , Leeds , by Bro . William Watson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., and Hon . Librarian of West Yorkshire , entitled " A Sketch of Freemasonry

in England down to A . D . 1813 . " The lecture was illustrated by a number of valuable books , reproductions of ancient manuscripts , & c . * * *

We desire again to call the attention of those of our readers who may possess any votes or influence in connection with the Royal Hospital for Incurables , to thc fact that Bro . Gaball , who has been an unsuccessful candidate at two previous elections , is again on the list forthe

election on the 26 th inst . We trust that the bretliren who have supported him hitherto will make an effort to secure his election on this his third application . We can add little to the reasons formerly advanced in

favour of his candidature , except that increasing years have brought increasing infirmity and need , and if anything worth doing for a brother , who has through no fault of his own been brought to want , is to be done at all it should bc done now .

* » * Our contemporary , the Philadelphia Keystone , has an article on " Cremation and Freemasonry , " in which it expresses its entire approval of the action taken b y Grand Master Arnold in refusing permission to place

the incinerated remains of a deceased brother in a lodge room . We are at one with our contemporary in the opinion that the Grand Master acted wisely in not acceding to the request . Such a gruesome addition to the lodge furniture is , in our opinion , not needed . But

our contemporary goes on to argue in the most inconsequent way that all who favour this method of disposing of the dead are either infidels or wavering , or unsettled in their belief in the existence of a Supreme being .

Polemics , wnether theological or political , are verv wisely eschewed in Freemasonry , but if any attempt at argument or justification is made in questions of current opinion it is , we think , due to the intelligence of the age that some sort of argument that could

bc accepted by reasonable men should be used in support of any position taken up . To assume that all who approve of and adopt this method of disposing of the dead by cremation are infidels , and necessaril y upholding disbelief in a Supreme Being is to bring Freemasonry into contempt with all thinking persons .

There was a strong muster of Prov . and Past Prov . Grand Officers , members of the lod ges on the roll of the Province , and visitors on the occasion of the annual meeting , at Highbridge , on Friday , the 5 th inst ., of

the Provincial Grand Lodgeof Somersetshire . Bro . Viscount Dungarvan presided , and the reports submitted by the executive officers were eminently satisfactory . A full account of the proceedings will appear in our next week ' s issue .

Masonic Notes.

The great state function of Wednesday , when the Queen opened the Imperial Institute , which has been established as a memorial of her Jubilee , and will serve to perpetuate the glories of her long and prosperous reign , maybe said to have been , as regards the outward and visible display of pageantry , the splendour of the

scene in the Great Hall , and the general success of the whole proceedings , second only to the celebration o f the Jubilee itself . The route followed by the Royal and other processions was bright with colour , and thronged with enthusiastic spectators , who gave her Majesty and the Princes of her house a right royal

and loyal greeting , while within the Institute were assembled representatives of our nobility , of the army and navy , and of our learned societies , princes of our Indian Empire , delegates from our great Canadian and Australasian Colonies , together with the Ministers of

foreign States—all assembled for the purpose of paying their respectful homage to the head of our State , and supporting her on one of the most important occasions in her reign . It was a grand and imposing spectacle , and those who witnessed it , or any part of it , may deem themselves fortunate indeed .

* * There is , however , just one point in connection with this great function , on which we propose to offer a remark . It will be in the recollection of our readers that at the time it was proposed to establish the Imperial Institute , an appeal was made to the Masons

of England , through the Grand Secretary and the executive , to give it their support , the result of that appeal taking the very substantial form of about . £ 2600 , made up ot the contributions from lodges , chapters , and individual brethren . But we have failed to discover in any of the proceedings connected with

Wednesday ' s ceremonial anything like a kindly recognition of the support thus given . We have not heard that the compliment was paid to our Grand Lodge of inviting its chief executive officer , the Grand Secretary , or any of the Grand Officers—not , of course , in

their Masonic apparel , but still as members of our Masonic senate—to be present on this historic occasion . No doubt it was an oversight on the part of those in charge of the arrangements that no such invitations were issued , but the slight , however unintentional , is none the less real , because the omission has been made .

* The gathering at 33 , Golden-square on the 9 th inst , was a very crowded one , and attests to the increasing interest taken in the Ancient and Accepted Rite in this country , an interest due in the main to the intrinsic merits and beauties of its ritual and objects , but in a scarcely less degree to the admirable organisation of the Supreme Council and the executive .

» * * ¦ We are given to understand that for the future the number of brethren on whom the 32 may be conferred is to be extended from 45 , the present limit , to 54 .

# # # Lord Lathom presided at the banquet , and was supported on his right by the Marq uess of Breadalbane , and on his left by Major Allan , of Glasgow , both being visitors .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

Bard of Avon Preceptory ( No . 127 ) . — The installation meeting of this preceptory was held at 33 , Golden-square , on Monday evening , the 1 st inst ., when there were -p ^ s-tnt Sir Knights VV . E . Chapman , M . E . P . ; Harry Nicholls , Con . ; VV . Lake , Marshal ; W . Ehbetts , Sub-Marshal ; Col . I larding , Treas . ; Rudolph Glover , P . E . P . ; W . A . Prince . P . E . P . ; Dr . J . G . Garson , P . E . I " .:

Dr . B . IL Paul , P . E . P . ; Chas . K . Alder Wright , I ' . U . S ., P . E . P . ; F . Mea < L and others . The usual business of the preceptory having been disposed of , rir Knight W . E . Chapman proceeded to instal his successor , Sir Knight Harry Nicholls , who then appointed

his officeis as follows : Sir Knights Sir Somers Vine , Prelate ; Wm . Lake , Constable ; F . Mead , Marshal ; W . F . bbetts , Sub-Marshal ; Col . I larding , I reas . ; and W . E . Chapman , Registrar . The sir knights afterwards dined together at the Cafe Royal .

The Prince of Wales dined with Bro . thc Duke and D .. cl-1- ^ s of Devonshire at Devonshire House on VVednesday , » 1 en there were invited to meet his Royal Highness Prince and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar , the Russian Ambassador and Madame de Stael . Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Portland , the Duke and Duchess of Buccleugh . the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury , the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry , & c . The Duchess

afterwards held a large reception , which was a'tended among others bv tbe Duke of Cambridge , who was attended by Colonel Fitz George . Bro . Lord and Lady Hcr .-chell , the Duchess of Athole , Bro . the Marquis and Marchioness of Headfort , Bro . the Marquis and Marchioness of Tweeddale , Bro . the Earl and Countess of Lathom , Bros , thc Earls of Crawford , Arran , and Feversham , Hro . General Lord Roberts and Lady Roberts , Lady Twecdmouth , and Bro . Viscount Powerscourt .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

St . George Lodge ( No . 2170 ) . —The installa . tion meeting of this , the only English lodge in Colombo , took place on VVednesday , the Cth ult ., at the Freemasons ' Hall , Hare Island . Owing to the want of a proper hall , this lodge has been unable to meet for some time , hut in conjunction with the Sphinx Lodge , No . 107 ( I . C ) , and Bonnie Doon Lodge , No . Cu ( S . C ) , a most spacious and beautiful hall has now been acquired , when a large and

thoroughly representative gathering of Ceylon Masons were present . The lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed . Bro . Bremner , P . M ., then installed Bro . John Maitland , P . M ., Deputy Prov . G . M . of Ceylon ( I . C ) , as W . M ., in a most impressive and efficient manner . The W . M . then invested his officers a * - * follows -. Bros . John Guthrie , P . M ., P . G . Sec . of Ceylon ( I . C ) , as S . W . ; Capt . Hearn , I . P . M ., 107 ( I . C ) as J . VV . ; Bremner , P . M ., as Treas . ; H . J . Scott

, I . P . M . 1026 ( S . C ) , as Sec ; F . Lukis , as S . D . ; M . Noddy , as J . D . ; and Orford , l . G . The further business on the summons having been transacted , " Hearty good wishes" were tendered by the brethren , representing lodges situated in the four quarters of the globe , the lodge was then closed . The brethren adjourned to the spacious banqueting room . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts brought a successful evening to a close .

Reviews.

TReviews

MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 ST MARCH , 1 S 94 . This is the largest of the kind published in the Country , and there are none better . The editors are Bros . Edgar Goble , Prov . G . Sec , & c , andG . F . Lancaster , Prov . A . G . Sec , & c , and right well have they fulfilled the duties of that onerous position . The work is practically a condensed

history of the province , and simply invaluable for Masters of lodges and the chief officers of other Degrees who desire to possess a handy account of the eventful past of Hants and the Isle of Wight , Masonically . Here it is all "in a nutshell , " and capitally arranged for reference . The new system of the calendar portion will prove most useful , and the statistical information is most interesting and accurate . There are 47 lodges in the province , with 3250 members ;

24 Royal Arch chapters , returning 703 companions ; 13 Mark lodges , with 392 members , besides several Rose Croix chapters , Knights Templar Preceptories , Red Cross Conclaves , & c . Of all these bodies the number of meetings and members elected , & c , during the year , and net total , are duly given , besides the roll of officers , Past Masters , Provincial and Grand Lodge rank , dates of warrants , places of meetings , days of installation , and other valuable

particulars . The list of ' * Extinct Hampshire Lodges has been compiled by Bro . John Lane from his " Masonic Records , 1717-1 SSG , " and the roll of Provincial Officers , Craft , Arch , Sc , is as complete as possible from 1767 to 1 S 92 . The " Directory " isan excellent compilation , giving as it does the addresses , for correspondence , of all Grand and Provincial Grand Officers , more immediately concerning Hants and the Isle of Wight . The page devoted to

the local Educational and Benevolent Institution is a good idea , for the more that is known about its splendid work the greater should be the support given to it , and the money being received and spent in the county should lead to increased subscriptions . We understand the voting power in the Central Masonic Charities has risen to CG 04 votes , so that such efforts for local purposes do not lessen the interest taken in the London Institutions . The map of the town ol

Portsmouth , reproduced from the original made in the reign of Queen Elizabeth , is remarkable for its containing a building termed " Masons Lodge . " It is the gift ol Bro . Colonel Mead , VV . M . 7 S 5 , who also is an earnest Masonic student . Two pages are devoted to the " Quatuor Coronati Lodge Correspondence Circle . " In fact nothing is overlooked or forgotten , and the editors have done most admirably .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Royal Savoy Lodge ( No . 1744 ) . —The i-u-i meeting of the session of this well-known lodge was held on th 25 th ult ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , when there were present Bros . Capt . C . | . Knightley , VV . M . ; C Mordey , S . VV . ; O . Ruzicka , I . W . ; W . M . Stiles , P . M ., Treas . ; A . II . Cole , Sec . ; W . A . Scurrah , P . M ., B . C . ; Craft flDasonry .

I . C . Smith , P . M ., Org . ; G . Comley and G . Thompson , Stwds . ; R . Whiting . P . M ., Tyler ; K . Ross , I . P . M . J Holland , P . M . ; J . Fletcher , A . B . Fox , A . Davis , A . George . E . Gentry , T . Nicholson , li . VVaymnuth , . )• Greenfield , P . M . ; W . II . Smith . A . Ramsden . C . Wilsden , W . Baker , J . IL Adcock , and R . T . West . Visitors : Bros . T . J . Bollon , 1 GS 7 ; T . Lansdnwn , S 13 ; G . A . Murrell ,

35 ; T . VV . Faulkner , 35 ; and H , Carman . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and c "* ' firmed , and Bros . Nicholson . Davis , and Gentry haying been passed , the lodge was closed , and the brethren afterwards dined . . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured .

Hro . Capt . Knightley , in replying to the toast of ' " . W . M ., " stated that hc felt very much at home surround" * . " * hy those whom he respected , and that he hoped to 00 ni very best for the lodge . , In proposing " ihe Past Masters , " the VV . M . ™ ' } soecial mention of Hro . W . M . Snli-s . remarkim . ' that "

was most genial , kind , and trustwoithy . He wished w every success in the contest for the Grand 'I ' reasurersnip for 181 J 4 . His weapons were the best , and he shoul 0 elected with a thumping majority , of which he ( thc W . " *' had no doubt . .. 1 Bro . Stiles , in reply , thanked the VV . M . for his km