District Grand Lodge Of South Africa (Eastern Division.)

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH AFRICA ( EASTERN DIVISION . )

( From a Correspondent . ) In the month of April , 1876 , a circular was issued by the Grand Secretary dividing South Africa into three divisions Tor Masonic purposes , and the M . W . Pro Grand Master , in his consideration for the interests of the Fraternity in this

District , permitted the various lodges to nominate a brother for the office of D . G . Master for the new Eastern Division , whom it would then be his pleasure to appoint . In accordance with this wish , a conference was called in November , 1876 , which was held in the Temple of Albany lodge No . 3 S 9 , Grahamstown ( being the oldest ledge in the district ) , at which delegates attended from 13 out of the

19 lodges which then came under this division , 3 being unable to send delegates and the remaining 3 not communicating . At this conference Bro . Charles James Egan , M . D ., A . B ., and P . M . of the British Kaffrarian Lodge , No . 853 , was elected as the brother who should be recommended to the M . W . Pro Grand Master as a fit and proper person for the

exalted appointment of D . G . Master . By resolution of this conference it was decided that the town in which the D . G . M . resided should become the headquarters of the D . G . Lodge . At this time Dr . Egan , being very unwell , decided upon taking a trip to England , in order to obtain the rest which he so much needed . While there he obtained his

patent , and was enabled to attend Grand Lodge , and a number of private lodges , thereby increasing and refreshing his already large stock of Masonic knowledge , the benefits of which we are already experiencing to a large extent . On his return to the colony he immediately began making the preliminary arrangements for his installation

and the first meeting of the District Grand Lodge . He very fortunately secured the services of Bro . P . M . Geo . P . Perks , the piescnt W . M . of the British Kaffrarian Lodge , to act as his Secretary , and a great deal of the success of the installation and first meeting was owing to his untiring energy and zeal . In appointing his officers Dr . Egan followed the example

set by the M . W . Pro Grand Master ( by waiving his right of appointing the D . G . M . ) , and elelegated to the members of the various lodges in oreler of seriority the right of nominating brethren to fill the sunelry offices in D . G . Lodge for thc first year , as he had not a sufficiently personal acquaintance with all the brethren residing in thc district , until he should have had the opportunity of

meeting with them . This arrangement gave great satisfaction , and also had the effect of distributing the offices broadcast through the division . The installation ceremony took place on the ifith of May , when the brethren of the British Kaffrarian Lodge , No . 853 , met at their Temple in King William ' s Town .

At noon the lodge was opened in the First Degree by the W . M ., Bro . P . Perks , who acted as the Installing Officer . A choir , consisting of Bros . P . M . John Ryan , W . F . Sissing , Edward Gray , Rupert E . Webb , and H . Watkins , under the direction of thc Organist , Bro . A . J . Fuller , rendered the musical portion of thc ceremony in a very efficient manner . After the opening ode " Hail Eternal "

had been sung , the Secretary stated the object of thc meeting . The loilge was passed and raised . The choir sang " The Glorious Majesty , " the solos by Bros . Edward Gray , John Ryan , anel A . J . Fuller . The R . W . D . G . M . on entering was received with honours , anil presented his patent , the Organist playing a suitable organ march . The W . M . then read the patent

and addressed the brethren . Prayer was offered by the Chaplain , and the choir sang " To Heaven ' s High Architect . " The D . G . M . was then presented to the W . M ., who gave him the obligation and invested him with the jewel and regalia of D . G . M . He was then proclaimed from the East , West , and South . The W . M . handed his gavel to the R . W . D . G . Master .

After prayer by thc Chaplain thc choir sang " Glory to God on High , " and the R . W . D . G . M ., Charles James Egan , M . D ., proceeded to invest the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : Bro . P . M . Oliver Lester , D . G . S . W . ; Bro . P . M . C . F . Blakeway , D . G . J . W . ; Bro . thc Rev . George Gould Ross , M . A ., D . C . L ., " u . G . Chaplain ;

Bro . P . M . George Prcscott Perks , D . G . Sec ; Bro . C . T . W . D . G . S . D . ; Bro . P . M . John Ryan , D . G . J . D . ; Bro . W . S Leigh , as proxy for Bro . P . M . T . P . O . Mathew , D . G . Dir . of Cer . ; Bro . P . M . Albert Zicrvogel , D . G . Pursuivant ; and Bios . P . M . A . J . Ranetell , E . J . Smithies , Guy Barber , W . A . Smith , W . Wynne , and J . R . M . Cole , D . G . Stewards .

The R . W . D . G . M . then addressed the brethren and the M . M . lodge was closed . The F . C . lodge was closed and thu E . A . lodge was closed , all the brethren uniting in singing the closing ode , " Now the evening shadows closing . " The Temple-, a fine building , surrounded by a garden , had been furnished with sundry suites of drawing-room

furniture , lent by various brethren for the occasion , and presented a very pleasing and comfortable picture , filled as it was in every part by brethren resident in K . W . Town , and visitors from every part of the elistrict . At 6 o'clock in thc evening the first communication of the D . G . Lodge was held in the same building , the R . W . D . G . Master in the chair . Thc loelge being opened in due form

, Bro . Geo . Brestcr , S . W . of British Kaffrarian Loilge , was elected and installed as D . G . Treasurer . The sitting was chiefly occupied by the framing and discussion of byelaws for tlie government of the loilge . On the following evening all visiting brethren were invited ;? ? nquet in the Town Hall , given by the members of tne British Kaffrarian Lodge , No . 853 , at which the usual

District Grand Lodge Of South Africa (Eastern Division.)

Masonic toasts were drunk with honours , one speech deserving special comment , viz ., that ot Bro . the Rev . Dr . Ross , D . G . Chap ., who is Principal of St . Andrew ' s College , Grahamstown . He said he was anxious to see some provision made for the education of children of Masons , such children to be either orphans , or children of good abilities , whose parents were unable to afford them -an

education high enough to develope their natural talents . He had great pleasure in stating that the committee of St . Andrew ' s College had authorised him to offer Masonic Scholarships forthe cost of board , making no charge whatever for tuition fees . The necessary sum for the support of a free scholar might be provided immediately by an annual subscription of , say , two guineas from each lodge ,

and at some future time a capital sum might be funded or a wing might be added to the college on condition that certain scholars nominated by the Craft should be free exhibitioners . The proposition was received with acclamation by the brethren present , and we hope to see the scheme fairly floated at the next meeting of D . G . Lodge , which we believe will take place in Grahamstown about September

next . The sincere thanks of the brethren are due to the committee of St . Andrew ' s College for the liberal offer they have made , and also to Dr . Ross , upon whose shoulders the extra labour would fall . With this banquet ( which was a great success ) the meetings in connection with the opening of the first District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Division of South Africa were

brought to a close . I cannot conclude this account without expressing my appreciation of the unceasing kindness and attention paid by the members of the British Kaffrarian Lodge to their visitors and guests on this occasion , and with such a lodge stationed atthehead quarters , and with such a worthy man and sterling Mason as the R . W . D . G . M ., Dr . C . J . Egan , everything bids fair for a brillant future for the District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Division of South Africa .

Reviews.

Reviews .

RITUALES DE LOS TRES GRADOS DE LA MASONERIA , per E . A . LECEBFF , Havannah . We have received this little work of Spanish Ritualism , and have run through it . Though like all foreign rituals it has many differences with ours , yet we are glad to note that it distinctly recognises T . G . A . O . T . U ., and the need and use of and value of Masonic prayer . How much

pleasanter would be the realization and important the fact if it could be safely said that everywhere the conditions and teaching of Craft Masonry were essentially the same . As many are well aware the Spanish is a noble language , and many of our well-known English formula : are preserved in the Spanish language with great effect and striking power .

POSTS AND TELEGRAPHS , PAST AND PRESENT ; Tegg & Co . We have somewhat cursorily , ( we have to confess it ) , looked over this handy little book , and we have found it full of very interesting information . To those of

us to whom telegraphy is alike a marvel and an interest we commend earnestly this useful work , as it will post them up on matters which now-a-elays a "A fellar ought to know , " and will tell them of much of which at present they are profounelly ignorant .

KENNING'S MASONIC CYCLOD / EDIA . " Kenning ' s Masonic Cyclopaedia , " edited by the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford ( G . Kenning ) , seems to be a very complete handbook in alphabetical arrangement of Masonic archeology , history , anil biography . It is necessarily less extensive , or rather , we should say less minute in detail

than Mackey's great work ; but being more portable anel cheaper , it is perhaps better adapted to the requirements of a large class who are interesteel in Masonic literature and the history and organisation of Freemasonry . The author has availed himself of numerous sources of information , English and foreign . His volume includes a short history of the High Grades . The biographical articles

are very numerous , and arc frequently curious . We infer , however , that the records of Freemasonry are not kept with the care that might bc expected , since , with regard to the late Emperor Napoleon , the author is only able to tell us that " he has been claimed as a Mason , but we believe erroneously , " and that , " if anything , he was connected with the Napoleon Masonry . "—Daily News .

Madame Christine Nilsson has left London for Paris , en route to Mont d'Or , where she will make a month ' s sojourn for the benefit of her health . She returns to England in the autumn , for a provincial tour , under the direction of that spirited entrepreneur , Mr . Pyatt . A new Minor Planet of the twelfth magnitude has been discovereel by Professor Pelais , at Clinton , New York .

Freemasons as a race that dwell apart from the ordinary ranks of men when they have books compilcel for their special edification . They will no doubt fully realise the value of Kenning ' s Masonic Encyclopedia , or Jlandl'ook of Masonic Archeology , History , t ~ lc . ( George

Kenning ) , a goodly octavo of some six hundred pages , in which will be found many things Which to brethren will doubtless be valuable . To thc rest of the worlel , the profamim valgus , the book must have little meaning . — The Standard , Monday , July ist , 1878 .

Notes On Art, &C.

NOTES ON ART , & c .

COLOURBLINDNESS . —It results from the studies of M . Favre on this subject at the Acadeimie des Sciences th at 3 , , 000 persons in France are afflicted with inability to distinguish colours ( Daltonism . ) The number of women

so affected , as compared with a number of men , is in the pro portion of one to ten . Nine cases of Daltonism out of ten may easily be cured in young subjects . The best means of treatment consists in methodical exercise upon coloured obj ects . —British Medical Journal .

The preparations for erecting Cleopatra ' s Ne edle are well advanced . Nearly the whole of the ironwo rk has been removed , and the inscription on the fourth sid e is at present in an excellent position for examination and comparison with the various editions which have been given of it . There are several points of interest to be observed with regard to the palaeography of the older or

central line and that of the two nearer lines with wkich it is flanked , the former being far superior in workmanship and treatment to the later additions . This is particularly remarkable in those parts which have been covered by sand and so protected from injury by weather or design . Some of the hieroglyphics are executed in a different manner ; the circle , for instance , of the middle column of text is

slightly raised at the centre ; in the side lines it takes the form of a deep and cup-like depression . It is expected that the work will be completed in about two months' time . The solid base of masonry and granite blocks is being built upon a staging ; above this the Needle will be raised and swung by an armed collar , which will enable the monolith to be balanced , and thus easily transferred from a horizontal to a vertical position . —Alhenceurh .

Swimming for girls is strenuously advocated in a letter in the Times from Mr . John Macgregor ( of the London Schools Swimming Club , School Board for London , Victoria Enbankment ) . He states that hundreds of girls are learning to swim , and affirms that many hundred more would gladly learn if teachers could be had . As a proof of this Mr . Macgregor asserts that last year a class

for thirty girls was begun late in the season , yet 25 of these were taught to swim in six lessons , and six of them won prizes . At present only five of the public baths are available for girls and female school teachers , but we sincerely hope that public attention may be drawn to this movement , which promises to be one of great benefit to the community at large , for , apart from all other considerations

it may be said , as Mr . Macgregor concludes , " Mothers and sisters who can swim will not let their boys be unwashed when on land or drowned when in the water . " The Women of Belgium have decided to offer a present to the Queen of the Belgians on the occasion of her silver wedding , the 22 nd prox . Subscriptions are limited to 2 £ d . On Sunday afternoon , at St . Nicholas parish

church , Newbury , a flower sermon was preached by the rector , the Rev . E . Imber Gardiner . After the sermon some hundreds of bouquets of beautiful flowers were carried by the children to the chancel and deposited in large baskets arrangeel within the communion rails . A collection was made in behalf of the Children ' s Hospital , Great Ormondstreet , and in the evening the flowers were despatched by the Great Western Railway to that and similar institutions in the metropolis .

An Exhibition of Fans was opened on Tuesday week at Drapers' Hall , containing 1259 specimens , valued at about £ 15 , 000 . One of the most valuable exhibits is Queen Anne ' s fan , and also a curious fan , painted by an Italian on chicken skin , with a little watch in the handle . There are also two or three peculiarly small hand-tablets , fashionable under the First Empire , still glistening with

the inimitable glaze called vemis-Martin , after the artist , whose secret died with him . There is one fan in the collection to which a singular legend is attached . The blades are strangely and unusually shaped , like the wooden beaters with which French laundresses sometimes kneaded the clothes they washed . The style is Louis XV ., when thc ladies of the Court , to show their distaste | for the vulgar

upstart Dubarry , are said to have had ( their fans so made that , without any open affront they could remind her' of her early life among the soap-suds . There is thc jewelled fan presented by the Maharajah Dhuleep Sing to the Princess Alice , which is composed entirely of emeralds , rubies , and pearls , from the collection of Runject Singh , of Lahore , and also an old French fan , possibly the gem of the

collection , belonging to Lady Musgrave , having been in the Musgrave family for a century , and representing a " scene from the j -Eneid . Altogether , the Exhibition is well worth a visit , particularly from our lady readers , It may be mentioned that among the fans at the Drapers' Hall is a jewelled fan shown by her Royal Highness the Grand

Duchess of Hesse . It is put down in the catalogue at a nominal value of £ 300 , but we believe the price should really be £ 800 . An official painting of a sitting ofthe Congress has been ordered by thc Berlin Municipality , and the commission has been entrusteel , at a cost of £ 3000 , to Herr Anton von Werner .

Dr . Ferdinand Killer ' s "Biblical Idyil / " Rebecca , " has been performed , with great success , under the direction of its eminent composer , by the Association for Classical Sacred Music at Stuttgart . Why do we never hear any of Hiller's sacred compositions in this country ? What Mendelssohn thought of his contemporary and intimate friend is known to all who have perused the very interesting correspondence of that veritable " last of the Romans . "

The- first two parts of Wagner ' s " Ring des Nibelungen" brought , iu twenty-two evenings , no less than 14 , 000 marks ( about £ 7000 to the treasury of Ihe Lcipsic Opera House .