Masonic Notes.

A correspondent who signs himself " Provincial ' writes to say that " it would be a very graceful act if the London brethren supported a Provincial Grand Treasurer once in ( say ) six years . " This might be graceful , but it is anything but generous . Wc should

have thought that if any arrangement were possible or advisable , the Provinces were entitled to an equal share of honours at the least ; unless it is conceded that the Provincial purple is an equivalent to the purple of Grand Lodge .

Our correspondent is more generous when he says that he really grudges wearing his Provincial Grand garter blue in Grand Lodge when he finds himself in the midst of old Past Masters in their sky blue aprons , who have done infinitely more in Freemasonry . He

concludes by saying , " As for me I don ' t want the honour . If I went in for it 1 should , after the election , think , whether I succeeded or not , that I owed every brother who 1 thought had voted for me his ' secondreturn , ' and expenses , and 1 shouldn't feci happy . " Generous hearted man !

Reviews.

Reviews .

"MASONIC CALENDAR FOR THE PROVINCE OF HERTFORDSHIRE " ( 1 S 94 ) . —This brimful directory of Masonic information for Herts is edited by the Prov . Grand Secretary ( Bro . Charles Bullock ) , and , needless to state , it is both authoritative and exhaustive . It is fully as large as that for 1 S 93 , though it does not look so , as the paper this time is not so thick . The pages , however , run

to over 120 , as the last did . The province is no longer " little Herts , " as it used to be called , but now it has earned the name of compact Herts , or benevolent Herts , for in both cases such a title is well deserved . In our own memory there were but six lodges in the province , viz ., 403 , 404 , 409 , 449 , 504 , and S 69 . Now there are 21 , as many as 15 having been warranted during the last 13 years . As

to this and all other points Bro . G . Blizard Abbotts Masonic history of all the lodges in the province should be consulted , for Herts has been as fortunate with its historian as it is with its Prov . Grand Secretary and Calendar Editor . There are but seven Royal Arch chapters , and the membership is small . Possibly a revival will take place as to this Degree , for there is plenty of room for improvement ,

and all Master Masons who aspire to understand the Craft should proceed to take the Royal Arch , and thus complete the Masonic edifice . There ace five Mark lodges , also a small number compared with so many Craft lodges , but possibly the number of London brethren who belong to the province may account for the few assembled in the Degrees beyond the first three . A full list of the voters for the three

Central Masonic Charities is given and covers 21 pages . We wish much the totals were given . Why not do this another time , Bro . Editor ? " Noteworthy Events in Hertfordshire Freemasonry , " 1739 to 1 S 93 is an excellent feature . We see that Bro . T . S . Carter , P . M . 403 , & c , had the honour of starting the first calendar for the province , which was in 1 S 76 . In the following year and since

it has been published under the auspices of the Prov . Grand Lodge and by the sanction of the Prov . Grand Master . We are , however , disappointed at not seeing any reference to the publication of lira . Abbott ' s great history of the province nor any particulars about it . Doubtless another year this will be remedied , as every member should know where to procure a copy , and , what is more , do so .

"THE DORSET MASONIC CALENDAR . " ( 1 S 94 ) . —This is one of the largest and best Masonic annuals published in England and is edited by Bro . Jno . A . Sherren , who is also the printer and publisher ( 70 , St . Mary-street , Weymouth . ) Full particulars are afforded of the personnel of the province , and the lodges , and other Masonic bodies . Every name , in fact , is printed under the several

organisations , and also showing their rank in the Craft . This laborious compilation is well arranged , and , needless to state , is carefully printed , so that the members of the province should appreciate such a boon as this accurate Craft annual . There are 13 lodges in Dorset , the latest returns exhibiting 201 P . Ms , and O 74 members . The seven Royal Arch chapters return 194 companions ,

being a good average , and there are five Mark lodges , one , however , being in abeyance , the membership being about 110 . The Treasurers' statements are very satisfactory , and so , also , are the accounts of the Charities , locally and generally , in relation to the province . Bro . S . R . Baskett , of Evershot , is the Secretary of the Dorset

Masonic Charity , which is doing excellent work , and the receipts were over £ 250 for 1893 . For the Central Alasonic Charities , there some 2 Soo votes tabulated , making a really grand total for comparatively few members , compared with many provinces . This year , Bro . Sherren gives as the frontispiece , a capital photograph of the Prov . G . M ., the R . W . Bro . Montague J . Guest , in full Masonic clothing .

" MASONIC CALENDAR FOR SIIKOFSIIIHE , " 1 S 94 ( Ludlois ) . PrintedbyC . A . Partridge , Broad-street , is . each ) . •—This is Part 3 , vol . 1 , of this new enterprise , and , it is to be hoped , obtains the support it so richly merits , from the members of the province . The editor is the respected D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . G . Venables , P . A . G . D . C . ( lhe Lodge , Ludlow ) , who has done his utmost , with the materials at his

command , to make an attractive and useful Annual . The Sketch of "Freemasonry in 1 S 93 " adds much to the interest of the publication , and is an idea that might well be followed by editors of such calendars . The Prov . G . M . is Sir Ollley Wakeman , Bart ., and the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . XV . II . Spaull , P . A . G . D . C . There are 12 lodges in the province ,

with 34 * * * subscribing members , the average per lodge being unusually low . The historian ol the province is Bro . Alex . Graham , theprcsentS . W . of 2 G 2 , Shrewsbury . The names of all the members are given under each Masonic body , so that it is a real Masonic Directory , as well as Calendar and must have involved considerable labour on the part of thc editor-.

Reviews.

"EARLY ROVAL ARCH MASONRY . " By James Smith , P . M . No . C 13 , & c . ( Annan : Reprinted from the Annaiidalc Observer ) , 1 S 94 . —This is one of the most suggestive and attraclive brochures on an important subject that has appeared for some time . Bro . Smith is the acknowledged and trusted Masonic historian of Dumfries , and has already made some valuable linds amongst the old records he

delights to read and study . In this admirable paper he again " strikes oil , " having found a register of "Royal Arch Masons , and their passing to that , " of the year 175 O , and a foi-rii of certificate lollowintr a minute of "passing the chair ... the Sublime Degree of Excellent , Supt .-Excellent , and Royal Arch Mason" of Sth October , 1770 , which refers to the " Mark Master Mason " Degree , which is older than any hitherto discovered in Scotland , and until

Bro . Howell ' s notable lind three years earlier than the celebrated Durham Records . Bro . Smith gives a number of particulars of the Scottish Royal Arch chapters wirranted by the " Moderns " Grand Chapter of England from 17 S 7 to 1 S 17 , and makes a free and kindly use of Bro . Hughan ' s valuable "Origin of the English Rite of Freemasonry , " with many grateful acknowledgments . Bro . Smith should collect all his papers and reprint in one volume .

"IRISH DRUIDS AND OLD IRISH RELIGIONS . " By James Bonwick , F . R . G . S . ( London : Griffith , Farran , and Co ., Charing Cross-road ) . —This is a curious , suggestive , and entertaining volume about subjects little known , though much enquired after . Whether the reader will be really much the richer as to his facts when he has perused the work will mainly depend on his powers of

observation , decision , and belief . The author gives so many views and lays before his readers so many statements , that at times one feels almost bewildered . He has been diligent in his researches , and , what is more , freely acknowledges the sources of many of his happy inspirations , an imposing list of authorities being printed at the end of thc book , whicli is almost as entertaining as a novel . Unfortunately , Mr .

Bonwick is inclined to take his view of Freemasonry from the Dr . Oliver school of writers , though he certainly mentions Bro . Gould occasionally , but he could never find aught favoured by the latter authority to support several of the Masonic fancies he records . The volume must be well read to be appreciated , but much will depend on the sort of

student that peruses it . An excellent index is a great addition , and most useful . On the whole , we like , but do not quite understand , the book , for we fail to find much of the author's real opinion , though much about the opinions of others—valuable so far as they go . _ The work is more descriptive than personally opinionative as respects the gifted author .

The Recent Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

THE RECENT FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The following lists , and additions to lists , have been received since our report of last week : Lodge LONDON . £ s . d . 19 Bro . J . II . Whadcoat , addditional 1 i ( i 0

( raising his list to £ 100 iGs . ) Lodge of Instruction 39 Bro . G . F . llipkins , new list 21 o o Lodge 72 Bro . Reid , additional 6 iO 0 ( raising his list to £ 72 gs . )

174 „ W . G . Norman , additional 100 ( raising his list to £ . 41 4 s . ) 554 „ Hugh Cotter , additional 12 17 0 ( raising his list to £ 92 17 s . ) 12 O 9 „ Jas . Spicer , additional 140 ( raising his list to £ 4 6 4 s . ) i 82 7 » J- Perkins , C . C , additional 22 1 0

( raising his list to £ 74 ios . ) Unattached Bro . James Braham , new list ... 10 10 0 „ „ * A . G . Beale ( 59 ) , new Steward

THE PROVINCES . Lodge CAMBRIDGESHIRE . 441 Bro . P . II . Young , whose list of £ 10 ios . was included in the total , though he himself was not returned as a Steward KENT . 4 S 3 „ A . Ronaldson , additional 10 14 0

( raising his list to £ 73 gs . ) S 74 „ Charles Graham ( transferred from London unattached ) , additional ... 15 15 0 ( raising his list to £ 31 ios . ) LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND . Unatthched—Bro . J . H . Marshall , additional 10 10 o

( raising his list to £ 21 . ) Lodge Sc Chapter SURREY . 1395 Bro . Gilbert II . White , additional ... ... 9 10 0 ( raising his list to £ 20 . ) Unattached— SUSSEX . Bro . A . F . Lametta , additional 10 10 0 ( raising his list to £ 21 . )

Annual Festival Of The Woking Emulation Lodge Of Instruction.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE WOKING EMULATION LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .

There is , perhaps , no spot in the Province of Surrey where the progress of Freemasonry has been so marked during the last half-dozen years as at Woking . The lodges are three in number . Two chapters provide for

the requirements of Royal Arch Masons ; and the most famous school of Masonic ritual in the world has thrown out a lusty shoot—the Woking Emulation Lodge oi Instruction—which , under the guidance of an able and enthusiastic Preceptor , is doing an amount of good work that it would be quite impossible to overrate .

Each ot the three regular lodges contributes a leading member to the permanent staff of the lodge of instruction . The Treasurer is Bro . Gilbert H . White , W . M . 1395 ; the Preceptor , Bro . J . J . Black , P . M . and Sec . 1564 ; and the Secretary , Bro . C . V . Passmore , Mus . Bac , W . M . 2317 . The annual festival of the lodge of instruction took place at the Masonic Hall , Woking , on thc 6 th inst ..

Annual Festival Of The Woking Emulation Lodge Of Instruction.

under the presidency of Bro . Frederick West , P . G . D . D . P . G . M ., in the absence of the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Col . Noel Money , C . B ., who was unavoidably prevented at thc last moment from attending , There were also present Bros . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas R . F . Gould , P . G . D . ; J . H . Askham , P . M . 723 ; ] . j Black , P . M . and Sec . 1 K 61 . Preceptor ; C . F .

Passmore , W . M . 231 * 7 ; and many others . The lodge was opened in the Three Degrees , with the Preceptor , Bro . J . J . Black , as W . M . The Second Lecture was then worked as follows : 1 st Section b y Bro . C . F . Passmore , W . M . 2317 ; 2 nd , Bro . J .

Tomlinson , 2317 ; 3 rd , Bro . H . S . Higlett , 2234 ; 4 th , Bro . J . W . H . Littleboy , J . W . 2317 ; and 5 th , Bro . ] . p " . Leach , 2234 . A vote of thanks to the working officers was then proposed by Bro . RICHARD EVE , P . G . Treas ., seconded by Bro . R . F . GOULD , P . G . D ., and carried by acclamation .

Lodge being duly closed , the brethren adjourned to refreshment , when the customary toasts were very ably given from the chair , and as heartily responded to , the reply of Bro . EVE for " The Grand Oflicers , " being one of his finest efforts , and amply sustaining the reputatation hc has so justly acquired as an orator of th » Craft .

The Treasurer was absent , but the Preceptor and Secretary were toasted with enthusiasm , and the latter in response communicated some interesting details ct which the following is a summary -. During the preceding 12 months the lodge of instruction held i ( i meetings ; the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed on 10 occasions ; of passing , eight , and of raisinir ,

seven times respectively . The ceremony of installation , the Sections , and the tracing boards , also received due attention , and on each evening of meeting the lodge was both opened and closed in the Three Degrees . The laws and regulations of the parent lodge of instruction are very strictly enforced , and so exactly is the " Emulation working" presented , that even the much

respected President of the Board of General Purposes , were he to be present at one of the meetings , would be inclined to think that not merely a chip of the old block , but the old block itself , was actually and visibly before him . The strong local interest already manifested in the proceedings of the Iodge , is well attested by the entries in the attendance book , and the easy access

from all parts of the South Western system to Woking Junction , will , no doubt , in the future , induce a still larger proportion of brethren residing within an easy radius of this important railway centre , to participate in thc Masonic labours over which , let us hope , Bro . Black may long continue to preside , with the same geniality and success which has hitherto characterised the entire tenure of his oflice as Preceptor .

Looges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Looges and Chapters of Instruction .

ROBERT BURNS LODGE ( No . 25 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., at Frascati's , 30 , Oxfordstreet , W . Present : Bros . L . Henson , W . M . ; L . Conradi , S . W . ; J . Swift , J . W . ; E . C . Mulvey , P . M ., Preceptor ; F . Marx , P . M ., Deputy Preceptor ; F . Bonham , P . M ., Sec ; C . D . Lindsay , S . D . ; M . Myers , J . D . ; M . M . Taylor , LG . ; E . J . Gittins , P . M . ; F . Hewson , J . Cizzio , VV . Truman , and C . Cope . Visitor :

Bro . J . Meunce , O 5 . The lodge was duly opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting werc read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Truman being the candidate . Bro . Hewson answered the questions leading to the Second Degree , and was entrusted , lhe lodge was opened

in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . Hewson being the candidate . The lodge was closed in the Second Degree . The S . W . was unanimously elecled W . M . for the ensuing week , and was pleased to appoint his officers in rotation . AU Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed .

ST . LUKE'S LODGE ( No . 144 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 12 th inst ., at the Victoria Tavern , Gertrude-street , Chelsea , when there were present Bros . Cottis , W . M . j Tucker , S . W . j Austin , J . W . ; Carlstrom , Preceptor ; Stutlield , Sec ; Smith , S . O . ' , Ingrain , J . D . ; Winsborrow , LG . ; Bates , P . M . ' Holland , P . M . ; Saunders , P . M . ; OHive , Beauchamp , Thomas , and Barwell .

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Barwell being candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair , which was taken by Bro . Bates . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Hro . Beauchamp , who had previously answered the questions and been entrusted , being candidate . Brj . Winsborrow answered the questions leading to the Third Decree .

The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . The XV . Mrose for the first time , and the duesueic collected . I " W . M . rose for the second time , and Bro . 'Pucker was unanimously elected W . M . for the next meeting . '" W . M . rose for the third time , and it was proposed by H ' Carlstrom , and seconded by Bro . Tucker— "That a hearty vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes to Bro . CoU ' for the manner in which he occupied the chair for the lirst time . " The lodge was then closed .

ST . MICHAEL'S LODGE ( No . 211 ) . —A meeting wa = held on Monday , the I 2 lh inst ., at the Norland Arm ' Addison-road North , W . Present : Bros . R . N . Latter . W . M . j W . Wood , S . VV . ; J . Stanton , J . W . ; G . &• Higginson , P . M ., Preceptor ; G . Cockrell , Treas . ; " '

Lindlield , P . M ., Sec ; R . H . Catling , S . D . ; A . Holmes * J . D . ; C . C . Barber , I . G .. ; R . Josey , P . M . ; S . Wet *' P . M . ; G . Copley , A . G . Tremeer , A . G . Wedmore , and I " P . Cordes . ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' l Thc lodge waa opened in due form , and thc minute °