Obverse And Reverse Of Medal.

The inscription on the reverse reads" Presented to Br . James Bankes for his steady and upright conduct in the office of R . W . Master , A . D . 1790 , A . L . 5790 . " Thp " Patriotic Lodee"eave to Bro . Robt . Kidder , R . W . M .. for his

steady and upright conduct , June 23 , 1785 , a somewhat similar badge which can be seen in the Museum of our Grand Lodge , where there are so many other Masonic curiosities carefully guarded by the Sub-Libriariai , whose special hobby it is to add to that valuable collection . W . J . HUGHAN .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The Quarterly Court of Subsbribers to this Institution was held on Thursday at Freemasons' Hall , London , Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . W ., Treasurer of the Institution , in the chair . There were also present Bros . Frank Richardson , A . W . Duret , Henry A . Tobias , J . H . Matthews , H Massey , C . H . Webb , Alexander C . Chapin , William Russell , Prov . G . Treas . Kent , P . A . G . D . C , C . Pulman , E . M . Money , and F . R . W . Hedges , Secretary .

The minutes of the General Court of October 13 th , 1898 , having been read and confirmed , the minutes , summarised , of the subsequent General Committee were read for information ; after which 16 vacancies were declared for the next election of girls into the School , there being 36 candidates . The motion was made by Bro . J . H . MATTHEWS , and seconded by Bro . DURET .

On the motion of Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , seconded by Bro . J . H . M ATTHEWS , to alter Law 61 of the Institution ' s rules as follows : After the word "month , " in 15 th line , add " ( except in the month of December , and then on the Thursday preceding ) . " Bro . RICHARDSON explained that the last Thursday but one in December , when the House Committee met , often fell after the School had broken up for the holidays ; consequently it had been necessary to call a special meeting for the

previous Thursday to do the work , and when the regular meeting came round there was no work to do . His resolution did away with the present regular meeting , made the regular meeting a week earlier , and abolished the necessity for a special meeting . In the course of the proceedings , Bro . Hedges , Secretary , announced that Viscount Dungarvan , D . L ., Prov . Grand Master of Somerset , would take the chair at the 11 ith Anniversary Festival of the Institution , to be held on Wednesday , May ioth . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

Masonic Ball In Nottingham.

MASONIC BALL IN NOTTINGHAM .

RECEPTION OF BRO . THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF PORTLANDTo the long list of interesting events relating to Freemasonry in Nottinghamshire a notable addition was made ; on the 5 th instant , when a ball , attended by members of the Craft from all parts of the province , was given at tbe Albert Hall , Nottingham . Primarily , the gathering was for the purpose of commemorating the appointment of Bro . his Grace the Duke of Portland , the Lord-Lieutenant of

the county and of the city , as Prov . G . Master , but in another sense it served to indicate the substantial progress of an Order which rests upon the broad basis of Charity . It was with unfeigned regret that in December of 1 S 97 the intimation was officially made known of the resignation by Bro . the late Duke of St . Albans of the office of Prov . G . Master . The announcement , which was made by his Grace himself a few months before his death , was not entirely unexpected . Bro .

the Duke of St . Albans had , in regard to the Craft in Nottinghamshire , succeeded in a line of distinguished predecessors . It was as long ago as 17 S 3 that the first Grand Master of the province , Bro . Thomas Boothby Parkins , afterwards first Lord Rancliffe , was appointed . Bro . Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren , Bart ., was his lordship's successor in 1 S 02 , this distinguished officer being followed in 1823 by Bro . Col . Thomas Wildman . For the lengthy period of 37 years the

latter officiated , being followed by the fifth Duke of Newcastle , who was in turn replaced in 1865 by Bro . Henry Pelham Alexander , the sixth duke . It was upon the latter ' s death that Bro . the Duke of St . Albans , who had filled a similar oflice in the adjoining county of Lincolnshire , was nominated in 1878 . His Grace ' s retirement some 13 months since was not unexpected by those who had watched with anxiety the development of his trying illness . When it became known that

Bro . the Duke of Portland had responded to the invitation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales to act as the new head of the province it was felt that no more appropriate choice could be made . The installation ceremony , which took place at the Albert Hall in July , was performed in the presence , of representatives from all parts of the province , as well as many distant centres . The function was rendered especially interesting by reason of the fact that Lord Henry Bentinck , M . P ., who

is Prov . G . M . of Cumberland and Westmorland , acted as the Installing Officer . Fittingly there followed the laying , in Masonic form , of the foundation-stone of the new buildings , which , representing the much-needed extension of the General Hospital , will serve as a worthy memorial of the Queen ' s long reign . The Jubilee period in that connection was significant of the practical interest manifested alike in town and county as to the welfare of Nottingham ' s oldest medical institution . It had been intended to mark the Duke of Portland ' s accession to office

by a social function partaking of the nature of a conversazione or ball , In that sense history would have repeated itself , for there are many who will remember that when the Duke of St . Albans was installed in 1878 there was a representative gathering at a conversazione at the Castle Museum , following upon a banquet on the same day at the Albert Hall . The lamented death in May last of the Duke of St . Albans led to a postponement of a contemplate portion of the programme in connection with his successor ' s installation .

The gathering which took place on the 5 th inst . was one in regard to which the Duke of Portland had displayed the warmest personal interest , in the hope that the assembly would prove representative of the entire province , and the duchess participated with his Grace in the personal patronage which was accorded the event . By a Committee , with Bro . Arthur Stubbs as Secretary , adequate arrangements had been made , and the effort was attended with unequivocal success .

Artistic taste had been brought to bear upon the decorations of the hall , which lends itself admirably to adornment for ballroom purposes . The work had been entrusted to the experienced hands of Messrs , Henry JJirker , Ltd ., and thanks to the personal superintendence of Bro . A . J . Payne , the scheme of decoration was of the most elaborate and picturesque description . The dominant colours were those mainly associated with the Craft , blue and white , but the

Masonic Ball In Nottingham.

addition of a pretty shade of pink heightened the effect . From the centre of the roof there hung- a light canopy , from which streamers of crepori muslin , in pink , white , and blue , stretched across to an awning which had been erected around the balcony . This also was draped in similar material , and there were festoons of blue and white muslin in front of the balcony . In accordance with custom , the floor of the hall under the balcony was divided into a series of alcoves , luxuriously furnished , and tastefully draped . Facing the orchestra , the

arms and crest " of the Duke of Portland occupied a prominent position , surmounted by the Royal arms , and an artistic arrangement of trophy flags . Numerous electric lamps had been specially provided , and the light and tasteful character of the decorations , with their harmony of colours , formed a setting which has seldom been surpassed in the city . At appropriate points the banners of the several lodges were displayed , their number being significant of the marked growth of the Craft in Nottinghamshire during the last 20 years . When the late

Duke of St . Albans became Grand Master neither Newark , Mansfield , nor Retford , possessed lodges , the only place outside the county town in which interest was displayed in regard to the Craft being at Worksop , where the Pelha m Lodge was established in 1862 . Now all the towns named are centres of active Masonic work , there being 18 lodges in the province , of which 10 belong to Nottingham , and one each to Worksop , Newark , Retford , Mansfield , Southwell , Eastwood , Sutton-in-Ashfield , and Beeston . The floral embellishments

were worthy to rank with the beauty of the draperies and illuminations . Bro . C . J . Mee had , indeed , achieved a veritable success in his characteristically tasteful adornment of the orchestra . The organ was hidden behind a luxurious collection of palms . In the centre there was a plant of the Seaforthia Elegans variety , 15 feet high , with two fine specimens of the Kentia Fostriana on either side . Among the other plants were bamboos and sugar canes . The seats occupied by the band were concealed by a wealth of flowering plants , arranged with perfect

harmony , and including many magnificent specimens . There were superb draca _ mas , cocos plumosas , crotons Warrenii , cypripediums , anthuriums , and Poinsettias . Fringing the mirrors which confronted the orchestra were chrysanthemums , lilies of the valley , Roman hyacinths , and- ficus repens , and surmounting the centre mirror was a lovely specimen of a new variety of abutilon . Charming miniature collections of flowers were suspended from the balconies , and in every respect the adornments were brilliant to a degree . A vestibule , neatly draped , was provided for each of the entrances and exits , and three alcoves

opposite the orchestra were reserved for the use of the ducal party . The staircases to the lower hall , where supper was provided , were draped and ornamented by floral groups , and the hall itself was draped with pink , blue , and white muslin . The centre table , at which the Duke and Duchess of Portland and their guests occupied seats , was delightfully decorated , and the catering was carried out by the Nottingham Hire and Catering Company . The entrance to the large hall was richly carpeted , and the lobby , with its tasteful arrangement of mirrors and flowering plants , afforded a happy suggestion of the lavish decorations in the ballroom itself .

Dancing commenced at 9 o clock to the strains of the splendid band of the Coldstream Guards , under the able leadership of Mr . J . M . Rogan . Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Portland , accompanied by Lord Henry Bentinck , M . P ., and Lady Henry Bentinck , Captain and Mrs . Lindsay , and Colonel Douglas Dawson , reached the hall at 10 o ' clock , and the reception

accorded to them ivas of the most hearty character . When the ducal party arrived the Coldstream Guards Band played a processional march , to the music of which the Prov . G . Master , and those accompanying him , proceeded down the hall , many interesting elements , in relation particularly to the Rose Croix , being associated with the ceremony .

When the party had taken their places beneath the balcony at the lower end of the building , warm applause was forthcoming in testimony of the popularity of his Grace , who , in a speech which was listened to with keen interest , expressed his cordial thanks for the flattering welcome . When he was installed as Prov . G . Master he had uttered the hope that he and his wife might have the privilege and pleasure of inviting not only the Masons of the province to their social festivities , but ladies also . He was glad indeed to think that on the present occasion that

wish had been gratified . Owing to the wintry weather , and from the fact of the inconvenience which it would entail in relation to ladies , it was not possible to hold the ball at Welbeck ; but he was glad to greet them all in the building in which they were assembled , and trusted in the summer to have the pleasure of meeting the Masons of the province , and , if it could be so arranged , ladies as well , in a gathering at the Abbey . It was the sincere wish of the Duchess and himself that the assembly that night might result in great success . He hoped that all present would enjoy themselves , and that they would dance till their shoes wore out .

Dancing was resumed with a quadrille to Lecocq ' s always acceptable music of " La Fille de Madame Ar . got . " His Grace partnered Lady Henry Bentinck , and the Duchess joined with Lord Henry Bentinck in the dance . The scene when the ball was in progress was of a bright and animated description . According to their respective ranks , members of the Craft wore their Masonic clothing and jewels . While there were naturally a number of those who were entitled , as Past and Present Prov . G . Oliicers , to wear the purple , a great

many wore the light blue aprons , whilst a picturesque effect was added by the characteristic dress of Royal Arch Masons , members of the Rose Croix , Knights Templars , and others . Upon Bro . Capt . W . H . Blackburn , a P . M , of the oldest lodge in the province , devolved the onerous duties of M . C , and he was most efficiently assisted by the tollowing , representing each lodge , as Stewards : Bros , H . G . Ashwell , 402 ; J . Tomlinson , 411 ; CD . Nicholson , 439 ; H . Dawes , 1405 ; M . I . Preston , 1434 ; J . Levy , 143 S . P . P . G . D . C . ; W . H . Price , 1 493 i E . F . Milthorp , 1661 , P . A . G . D . C . j W . H . Rendell , 1794 j R . A . Bradshaw , 1802 ; R . F . Vallance

, 1852 , P . P . G . D . C ; R . S . Green , 1909 ; W . P . Payne , 2017 , . P . J . G . W . ; R . Hallam , 2302 J A . H . Bonser , 2412 , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Sulley , 2553 " ; and J . H . Williamson , 2594 . The Prov . G . Lodge Stewards were Bros . W . Robinson , 47 ; W . G . Humber , 939 ; W . W . Holbrook , ( 794 ; and Dr . J . O . Littlewood , 2412 . For the convenience of visitors from North Notts , a special train left Retfoid at 7 . 4 S p . m ., calling at Worksop , Creswell , Mansfield , and Sutton Junction en route , and his Grace had provided two special return trains at 1 . 15 a . m . and 2 . 30 a . m . In all the company numbered nearly 400 .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Scientific Lodge , No . 88 . The installation meeting ot this ancient lodge , which was founded in 1754 , was held at Ihe Lion Hotel , Cambridge , on Monday last , the 9 th inst ., and was attended by 88 brethren , including over two score visitors . The province of Cambridgeshire was represented by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Rev . I . H . Gray , P . G . Chan . Eneland . the

Senior and Junior Wardens , Treasurer , Secretary , Sword Bearer , and Stewards . Bro . F . C . Barrans , 1648 , Bradford , was elected a joining member . The Auditors' report of the Treasurer ' s accounts was of a very satisfactory character . A subscription to the R . M . B . I . was voted . Bro . Horace Simuel Davidson , S . W ., P . P . G . Stwd ., was then regularly installed in the chair of K . S . by his predecessor , Bro . John H . Moyes , who performed his task in a masterly manner , and afterwards delivered the three charges .