Ancient And Accepted Rite.

r , v sitting down he proposed , with all the honours cible , " The Health of their M . VV . S . " He was very "T ^ sed ' to be present at 33 , Golden-square , when he and other of their brethren received the 30 , wishing the M ° VV S . every success , happiness , and satisfaction , during ,- ! ' vear . The toast was received with great cordiality .

The M . W . S . responded to his health in true Masonic t ie thanking Bro . Banister for his kind and good wishes , rl hoped that he should have work to do during his a " uoving * t'le c'ia'r > •'•" len ' * - shonld be happy to follow the "Idance of those Illustrious brethren who had occupied the !> | r and done so much good before retiring as P . M . W . S . Woodall 32 and Walter Reynolds

HI Bros . Major , c * , , ! o ° returned thanks for the members of that degree . 111 . k ' ra \ R . G . Smith forthe 31 ° , who proposed "The H « lth of I" . Bro - Edward Kipps , 30 , P . M . W . S . The M . W . S . proposed "The Health of the Visitors " vhohad honoured them with their presence that evening , Keftand 111

viz Bro . Dr . G . M . Low , Bro . J . , . Bro . J . Gordon , 3 ° ° > ° f t * Edinburgh Rose Croix Chapter . Thev woula be very pleased to see them amongst them arain . Each responded to the toast . Between each toast some excellent songs were sung by HI Bros . Woodall , 32 , M . C . Peck , 30 " , Gossett , 30 , Fisher ,

and others , accompanied by Bro . Oates on the piano . The last toast , proposed by the M . VV . S ., " Happy have we met , happy have we been , and happy may we meet again " brought one of the happiest meetings—but indeed these meetings are always enjoyable—to its close .

The Third Annual Ball Of The Selwyn Lodge, No. 1901.

THE THIRD ANNUAL BALL OF THE SELWYN LODGE , No . 1901 .

The third annual ball of the above lodge was held on Thursday , the gth instant , under the direction of Bro . L . E . Eagle , W . M ., at the Peckham Public Hall , Rye-lane . The whole of the extensive building was engaged for the occasion , and was handssomely decorated throughout . devices & kindllent b

The fairy lamps , , flags , c , being y y Bro . Lightfoot and Briant . A dispensation was granted by the M . W . his Royal Highness the Grand Master for wearing the Craft regalia , which , with the jewels worn by the brethren contrasted well with the elegant costumes of the ladies . An excellent band was provided by Bro . Stewart

Lane , and under the direction of Bros . Lightfoot and Briant , M . C . ' s , dancing was kept up with great spirit until the morning had far advanced . This being Leap-year , by the W . M . 's command , a Leap-year dance was included in the programme , the ladies having lo choose their partners , and much merriment was created thereby . Light refreshments

were provided during the evening , and at the interval about 12 o ' clock an excellent supper was provided , at which about 250 brethren , ladies , and Friends sat down . The toast of " The Queen and Royal Family" was proposed by the W . M . in appropriate terms , and received wilh great cheering , whilst the dancing was carried on in the Grand Hall . A vocal and instrumental concert was

given under the direction of Bro . Gay , in the lower hall , which proved a great success both as regards the artistes and the patronage of the visitors , a large number of brethren kindly undertook the duties of Stewards , and collectively worked with the greatest possible success to ensure the comfort of their visitors .

The following were present : Bro . and Mrs . Anderson ; Bro . and Mrs . Andrews ; Mr . P . Allott , Bro . Applegarth and lady ; Bro . and Mrs . H . Banks ; Bro . and Mrs . Briant ; Mr . and Mrs . Boyce ; Mr . and Mrs . Bonsall ; Mr . Burnay and friend ; Bro . and Mrs . Bolander ; Bro . Bear , jun ., Bro . and Mrs . Bishop ; Mr . Borland , Miss Bear ,

Mr . Barrow , Mr . and Mrs . Bentley ; Bro . D . Bear , Miss Cleaver , Mr . and Mrs . Coleman ; Mr . and Miss Cole ; Mr . and Mrs . Coysh ; Bro . Campbell , Lieut . Campbell , Mr . and Mrs . C . Day ; Miss Durdon , Bro . Dunloo and friend ; Mr . and Mrs . Dickenson and the Misses Dickenson ; Bro . and Mrs . Dove ; Mis . Dowton , Mr . Uean , Bro . and Mrs ,

Eagle ; Bro . L . E . Eagle and Miss Eagle ; Mrs . Eaton , Mr . and Mrs . Fuller , Miss Fort , Bro . and Miss Flower ; Mr . F . C . Finch , Mr . and Mrs . W . Fowler , Bro . and Mrs . 'lowerj Bro . and Mrs . Flood ; Bro . Ford , Bro . and Mrs . rtaser ; Mr . Falacker and lady ; Bro . and Miss Griggs ; wo . and Mrs . Gay ; Bro . and Mrs . Gross ; Mr . G . M .

Gross and lady ; Mr . G . Gross and lady ; Bro . and Mrs . ^ eorge ; Bro . and Mrs . E . Gauntlett ; Mr . and Mrs . proves ; Bro . Harrison , Mr . H . Hook , Mr . C . Hook , Miss noyei-, Mr . and Mrs . Hansford ; Bro . and Miss Hobbs ; ™ ss Hoare , Mr . and Mrs . Hoare ; Mr ., Mrs . and Miss "ay , Bro . and Mrs . Hartj Mr . and Mrs . Holmes : Bro .

enn n ,,, ' Mlss Hawley , Bro . Hoare , the Misses Harri-Rm . n , * H * andM « - Jones ; Mr . and Mrs . J olley j I ™* J * B * Jones , Mr . Jenkins and lady ; Mrs . and Miss frtn ! i R * ' J , ohnson > Mr . and Mrs . Kent ; Mr . Kent and 'end ; Miss Une , Bro . and Mrs . Lightfoot and Miss and Brn « T f ( 10 t ; Mr * U £ ht > Mr . and Mrs . Marshall ; M ° " M 0 rphew \ * Martin > Mr * Mislebrook , Bro . and Oldfi f , & f "> . Mr . and Mrs . Nichols , Mr . Nash , Mr . F . Mr ? p f , ; ends J Mr * and Mrs - Orgies , Miss Parkins , Mrs PT - ' A Payne and friend ; Mr . Palmer , Mr . and and M rk , ?? .. - Pearson , Bro . Poivles , Bro . Pow , Mr . and M o L . '"• Mi ™ , "ro . roivies , uro . row , rar .

Robin . Rr ° T D- . l Mr * Ren 8 * i ? ar and friend ; Mrs . Rowan' T * o- , , chards ' * Robinson , Bro . and Mrs . Stevenl , , ! chards ° * Br 0 * Stara P- Br ° - and Mrs . Smith M a c . & Misses Stevenson , Miss Sayer , Miss S'unt M , " . 5 ^ 'n Bro- A * J * Shore > Bro * and Mrs * G . FJn ! hu i , Mrs * S ^ ples ; Mr . Stevens and lady ; Mr . Tuit Rrn ., A sses Srnith J Mr * and Ml * s- Saxby ; Mr . M . Wi „ ! V ^ - * WilIs * Br ° - Wimble , Mr . and Mrs . William , R 'sses Worster , Bro . Warner , Mr . and Mrs . n »* e 2 Vo £ r ° \ ^ a " ftiend ; Miss Winds ° > and "oils other brethren and friends .

Masonic Ball, Leicester.

MASONIC BALL , LEICESTER .

fe ges , wa ? l f ' 1 ? r the auspices of the five Leicester C ^ tAsl ° Wednesday , the ist instant , at the Wer <* present ^ - ' Leicester , when upwards of 160 0 r . ' «! inal date h , ^ u , to the approaching assizes , the m , 1 , t ate a ? ain ^ u be altered ' which h was feared would S t ch doubts wL su " essof the gathering , but happily £ * e Gi sMo e f . ? ? P eIled - andthe Centenary Fund * ? P oceeds h ! S V " wiU be substantially benefited , US P . A G n p & laced on the "st of Bro . S . S . Part ' - , ! L ard fwThh , " En *» D P * G . M ., the Prov . Charity he hall y * - ** r , was under very distinguished Masonic patron-

Masonic Ball, Leicester.

age , and the rooms were embellished by the display of lodge banners , & c , while the brethren ( by dispensations ) wore full Masonic regalia . The music was ably supplied by Bro . Henry Nicholson's Royal Quadrille Band , a pleasing programme being gone through under the direction of Bro . G . Jessop , W . M . 2028 , who acted most efficiently as M . C , ably assisted by the following Stewards :

Bros . F . J . Baines , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Herbert Marshall , P . P . A . G . D . C ; G . Newsome , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; E . P . Steeds , P . P . G . R . ; E . Mason , Prov . G . P . ; S . Knight , W . M . 1391 ; J . B . Fowler , VV . M . 1560 ; J . L . West , P . M . 432 ; A . Foster , 279 ; A . E . Brice , 523 ; W . H . Swingler , and J . G . Parr , 2 oSr . The supper was provided by Bro . A . B . Derrick , of the

Masonic Hall , in his usual excellent style , whilst Messrs . VV . Bream and M . A . Cook , of the Bull ' s Head Hotel , supplied wines , & c , under the superintendence of Bros . W . H . Noble , G . J . B . Woolley , and Alfred Wright . The proceedings were prolonged until a late hour on Tuesday morning , and the undoubted success of the entire gathering was due in no small measure to the energetic

and combined efforts of the Hon . Secretaries , Bros . W . Duncan , 279 , and J . B . Waring , 523 and 20 S 1 . Amongst the company present were Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Bro . Thos . Wright , P . P . G . R ., Mayor of Leicester , with the Mayoress and Miss Freeman ; Bro . L . A . Clarke , P . P . S . G . W .,

with Miss Clarke and Miss Gornall ; Bro . S . Cleaver , Prov . S . G . W ., and Miss Cleaver ; Bro . VV . Lawrence Ball , 330 ; Bro . Edgar Home , P . P . G . O . Derbyshire , and Mrs . Home ; Bros . E . Watson , T . Coltman , VV . H . Goodwin , T . B . Laxton , Scott , Samuel , and many others . Messrs . Herbert Sims Reeves , F . G . Pierpoint , and Drs . Handly , Young , Garvin , and Higgs .

The Liverpool Masonic Hall.

THE LIVERPOOL MASONIC HALL .

Ihe annual general meeting of the members of the Masonic Hall Committee was held on the 27 th ult . at headquarters in Hope-street , under the presidency of Bro . T . H . W . Walker , chairman of the Committee . The financial statement of Bro . M . Hart , Hon . Treas ., showed that during the past year £ 49 1 ios . had been received as rent from lodges ; £ 106 from chapters ; £ 158 12 s . from

occasional meetings , the total income from a ! l sources being £ 1147 . After all payments had been made , there remained a cash balance in hand at the close of the year of £ 302 . After the statement of accounts had been passed , votes of thanks were given to the chairman and his honorary officers for their services . Bro . Robert Foote was unanimously elected chairman ; Bro . A . D . Hesketh , vice-chairman ;

Bros . J . T . Tyson , Treas . ; and J . T . Callow , Sec . ( reelected ) ; and the following were chosen members of the Committee : Bros . Walker , Molloy , Hart , Martin , Salter , Pemberton , G . Morgan , Cotter , Broadbridge , Soldat , Mackenzie , H . H . Smith , D . Jackson , C . Morgan , G . Williams , Jarman , D . S . Davies , Bailey , Hallwood , Oversby , and I . Turner .

West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.

WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

Ata ' meeting of the General Committee of the above institution on Friday , the 10 th inst ., at the Temple , Hopestreet , the claims of a number of children for election to the foundation of the Charity were considered , and it was decided to recomend fourteen for election at the next Court of Governors , to be held in a month ' s time .

Alpass Benevolent Institution.

ALPASS BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The published balance sheet of the West Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution , of which Bro . R . Wylie , P . G . D . Eng ., P . Prov . S . G . W ., is Treasurer , shows that

at the date of the past report there was a balance of £ 1316 . Contributions from lodges , chapters , brethren , and ladies amounted to £ 840 , and the entire expenses of the year were only £ 162 . l'he balance at present standing to the credit of the Charity is X 2022 .

History Of The Lodge Of Unanimity And Sincerity, No. 26i.

HISTORY OF THE LODGE OF UNANIMITY AND SINCERITY , No . 26 I .

We have much pleasure in publishing the following short history of the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity , No . 261 , which celebrated its centenary a short time since—see report of the proceedings in the Freemason of the 28 th ult . From this sketch it will be seen that

the lodge was established in May , 17 S 7 , at Ilminster , under the name of the Lodge of Unanimity , at the Swan Inn of that town . It migrated to Taunton in the latter part of 1797 . It appears by the minutes which are still preserved among the records of the lodge , that on the iSth September , 1797 , that is , 10 years after the lodge had been established , a special lodge meeting was held at the

George Inn , Ilminster , to consider a motion for removing it from Ilminster to Bro . Edward Jones ' s London Inn , Taunton . Bro . William Slatter was at that time the R . W . M ., and Bro . John Jesse the Secretary and Treasurer . The first meeting in the new home was held on October 4 th , in the same year , with the four following as the principal officers : Bros . C Marsh , R . W . M . ; T . Rockett , S . W . ; J .

Hucklebndge , J . W . j and VV . H . Gannett , Secretary and Treasurer ; and it may be interesting to state that the first initiate under the new auspices was Mr . Aaron Moyle , gentleman , of Pitminster . The lodge at this early period of its history was not strong either in members or in funds . There were rarely more than a dozen brethren present at the monthly meetings , and the offices , as they are now

appointed in all lully-constituted lodges , were not filled . The lodge nights were on the VVednesday on or before the full moon , but , differing from the present practice , the members met monthly throughout the year , instead of , as now , observing a summer vacation . The R . W . M . was elected for six months , too , and not , as now , for the year , such election taking place by ballot on Wednesday on or before

the 24 th of June , and on or before the 27 th of December . The number of thelodge on the Grand Register of England was 433 , and the title that which it now bears . A year after its establishment the lodge removed from the London Inn to a private room in North-street , upon the premises of Mr . Joseph Bale , tobacconist , for which the modest rent of five guineas a year was paid . This removal involved consider-

History Of The Lodge Of Unanimity And Sincerity, No. 26i.

able expense , for the room had to be specially fitted up , and it was found necessary to apply the whole of the half-yearly subscriptions to the liquidation of the debt . It is evident from this fact that the present system of deductions from annual subscriptions on behalf of the P . G . and Grand Lodge Charities was not then in operation . In 1 799 the first return of members to Quarter Sessions was made , in pursuance of

the provisions of the Act for the more effectual suppression of societies established for seditious and reasonable practices The provisions of this important enactment ( which makes Freemasonry a legalised secret society ) were considered at the meeting of the lodge held on the 14 th of August , 1799 , on the receipt by the | R . VV . M ., Bro . Thomas Rockett , of a letter from Grand Lodge in the following terms : —

Freemasons' Lodge , 30 th July , 1799 . "Right VVorshipful Master ,-- ! am commanded by the Grand Lodge to acquaint you that in the Act of Parliament passed on the 12 th day of July inst ., entitled ' An Act for the more effectual suppression of societies established for seditious and treasonable purposes , and for better preventing- treasonabl e and seditious practices , ' are contained the foiiowinsr

clauses , viz . : —( 5 ) And whereas certain societies have been long accustomed to be holden in this kingdom under the denomination of lodges of Freemasons , the meetings whereof have been in great measure directed to Charitable purposes , be it therefore enacted that nothing in this Act shall extend to the meetings of any such society or lodge which shall before the passing of this Act have been usually

holden under the said denomination and in conformity to the rules prevailing among the said society of Freemasons . ( 6 ) Provided always that this exemption shall not extend to any such society unless two ot the members composing the same shall certify upon oath , which oath any Justice of the Peace or other magistrate is hereby empowered to administer , that such society or lodge has before the passing of

this Act been usually held under the denomination of a lodge of Freemasons and in conformity to the rule prevailing among the societies or lodges of Freemasons in this kingdom , which certificate , duly attested by the magistrate before whom the same shall be swo . a and subscribed by the person so certifying , shall within the space of two calendar months after the passing of tbis Act be deposited

with the Clerk of the Peace for the county , stewartry , riding , division , shire , or place where such society or lodge hath been usually held . Provided also that this exemption shall not extend to any such society or lodge unless the name or denomination thereof , and the usual place or places , and the time or times of its meeting , and the names or descriptions of all and every one of the members

thereof , be registered with such Clerk of the Peace , as aforesaid , within two months after the passing of this Act , and also on or before the 25 th day of March in every succeeding year . ( 7 ) And be it enacted that the Clerk of the Peace , or the person acting in his behalf , in any such county , stewartry , riding , division , shire , or place , is hereby authorised and required to receive such certificate and

make such registry as aforesaid , and to enrol the same among the records of such county , stewartry , riding , division , shire , or place , and to lay the same once in every year before the general session of the justices for the same county , stewartry , riding , division , shire , or place , and that it shall and may be lawful for the said justices , or for the major part of them , at any of their general sessions , if

they shall so think fit , upon complaint made to them upon oath by any one or more credible persons that the continuance of the meetings of any such lodge or society is likely to be injurious to the public peace and good order , to direct that the meetings of any such society or lodge within such county , stewartry , riding , division , shire , or place , shall from thenceforth be discontinued , and any

such meeting held , notwithstanding such order of discontinuance , and before the same shall by the like authority be revoked , shall be deemed an unlawful combination and confederacy under the provisions of the Act . In order to comply with this Act , you must cause the certificate and register to be made and enrolled with the Clerk of the Peace , or his deputy , on or before nth day of September next , to facilitate which the proper forms are subjoined ,

and you are required to transmit to me for the information of the Grand Lodge , on or before the 15 th day of November next , a copy of the register you shall so make , and the like in every subsequent year , which copy must be certified by the Master , Wardens , Treasurer , and Secretary of your lodge , for the time being , or any two of them , in default whereof your lodge will be considered as extinct , and be erased accordingly from the list of lodges without further notice . —By command of the Grand Master . "WILLIAM WHITE , G . Sec . " ( 7 * o be continued . )

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . W . CALDWELL , G . STWD . SCOFLAND . The funeral of Bro . Caldwell , a G . Stwd . of Scotland , and a leading member of the Fraternity under the Scottish Constitution in New Zealand , took place , with Masonic ceremonial , on the nth December last , the attendance of lodges and brethren of the three Constitutions—and especially of the Lodgeof St . Andrew , No . 432 ( S . C ) , which had

charge on the mournful occasion—being very numerous , while the ceremony itself was carried out with the utmost solemnity . Bro . Caldwell , who was 58 years of age , died full of years , and enjoying the respect of his brother Masons and all he had come in contact with , on the 7 U 1 December .

He was a P . M . of several lodges , and was at the time of his death one of the numerous body of brethren who constitute the Bjard of Grand Stewards in Scotland . He was highly esteemed by his English and Irish brethren , and his loss will be deeply and sincerely mourned by the Masons generally throughout the jurisdiction .

Bro . Admiral Sir VV . Hewett , V . C , K . C . B ., will be succeeded in the command of the Channel Squadron in April next , by Vice-Admiral Baird , who will be succeeded as Admiral-Superintendent of Naval Reserves by Rear-Admiral Tryon .

Bro . the Earl of Zetland has returned to his seat , Aske Hall , near Richmond , Yorkshire , and has been entertaining a distinguished company , including Prince Albert Victor of Wales . On Tuesday there was to have been a meet of his hounds at Aske , but the frost intervened to prevent it .