Tee Minden Lodge Medal.

We can , however , fell , from the sequence of numbers , that Lodge No . 63 must have received its Warrant in February , 1736 ( O . S . ) , and , from the succession of Grand Officers , that itoughtlo bear the signatures of Lord Tyrone , G . M . ; John Corneille , S . G . W . ; snd William Sandford , M . P ., J . G . W . : and the countersignature of John Pennell , G . Sec . On the other hand , a Warrant of Dec , 1748 , ought to bear the number 185 , and the signatures of

Sir Marmaduke Wyvill , Bart ., G . M . ; Boyle Lennox , S . G . W . ; and Lord Major Hans Bailie , J . G . W . ; with the counter-signature of Edward Spratt , G . S . It is hard to see how such a confusion can have arisen , yet Bro . J . Clarke is very precise in his conflicting statements . At all events , he is correct in connecting Lord George Sackville with the regiment , if not with the Warrant , for his lordship was in command of the regiment from April , 1746 , till November , 1749 . Two years afterwards he became Secretary

to the Lcrd Lieutenant of Ireland , and was installed Grand Master of Ireland on St . John ' s Day , in Summer , 1751 . It is a curious coincidence that the name of the inglorious hero of Minden should thus be linked with the regiment on which that same battlefield conferred undying glory . It is impossible even at this distant day to read of the dogged , sturdy , indomitable pluck of that well-nigh annihilated regiment without a squaring of the jaw and a quickening of the pulse . " Ktngsley ' s stand" at Minden was the glorious precursor of the heroic madness of Balaclava .

The medal secured by Bro . Henry Sadler is not the only one mentioned in Bro . John Clarke ' s History , though it is the only one that has been traced , so far as I know . The Minden Lodge , whatever might be the exact date of its illegible Warrant , was at work from time to time during the latter half of the century , and rewarded its zealous brethren now and again with presentation jewels . But it never once communicated with its mo : her

Grand Lodge . And here lies the most instructive lesson to be learned about the early methods of Freemasonry in the Colonies . This army lodge worked whenever and wherever it had the opportunity . When the fates were adverse , it consigned its furniture to its lodge chest , and intermitted its meetings for jears . When circumstances became favourable again , it resumed work as if noihing had happened . And all this without the least reference to the Authorities at home .

When the Minden Lodge re-appeared in Ireland in 1812 , it naturally betook itself to its mother Grand Lodge for approbation and protection , whereat the said mother Grand Lodge was greatly surprised . As will be seen in a letter from Bro . W . F . Graham , D . G . S . of Ireland , dated 7 th February , 1 S 12 , the Deputy Grand Secretary professss his ignorance of the reason why the Minden Lodge had been erased from the Grand Lod ^ e

register , but mildly suggests that " it was from the circumstance of the officers not making * the regular communications for so 'lone ; a time , " inasmuch as there could not be found " any trace whatever of it on the Books for above Forty years . " Surely a justifiable supposition . However , the lodge ' reinstated on the Grand Lodge Register without more ado , and

it equally justified its reinstatement . Between 25 th February , 1 S 12 , and 22 nd May , 1852 , 200 names of initiates are credited to the Minden Lodge . Afler 1852 it again ceased to make returns , and the register closes with the curt entry , " Warrant , jewel , & c , lost in India . See letter of 8 December , 1 S 6 S . " The Minden Lodge was never revived again .

An Irish Warrant is still at work in the regiment , but in the Second Battalion . This Warrant is No . 263—a happy choice of numbers for the sister lodge of 6 3 lo be held in the Second Battalion . . In memory of gallant service on F . gypt soil , this Lodge , founded in iSfio , is called "The Sphinx , " for ihe XXth won laurels under the shadow of the Pyramids as well as on the plains of Westphalia .

Apropos of the presentation jewels men ! , oned in Bro . John Clarke ' s History , it may be observed that in the frontispiece of the little volume Bro . Capt . Charles South , the prop and mainstiy of the Iodge , is represented as wearing the " Past Master ' s jewel , surmounted by a Royal Arch jewel in miniature , " which is described on page 54 . He also wears a Royal Arch jewel , of the Antients or Irish type , though it would appear from a casual remark on page 57 that the nomenclature was not that adopted in

Irish R . A . work . The gallant captain wears also a rhomb-shaped jewel , suspended by one of its angles . This jewel belongs , I believe , to an extinct chivalric Order , once current in Ireland , called the Red Branch Knights , or Knights of Eri . If I mistake not , Bro . Henry Sadler has more than one tpecimtn of this rare badge '; but I must admit that I have only a secondhand acquaintance wilh these side Degrees . W . J . CHETWODE CRAWLEY . 14 th May .

Scotland.

Scotland .

GRAND LODGE .

The Quarterly Commumcauon of the Grand Lodge oi Scotland was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Edinbu-gh , on the 4 th inst . Considering tte lack of controversial business there was a good attendance . The chair was occupied by tte G . M ., Lord Saltoun , and Bros . Major F . VV . Allan and the Hon . Chailes Maule Ramsay were in their places as Senior and Junior Grand

Wardens respectively . Amongst those present were Bros . Captain Thomas Hope , Prov . G . M . Linlithgowshire ; W . A . Dinwiddie , Prov . G . M . Dumfiiesshire ; Matthew Aithur , Prov . G . M . Ayrshire ; D . Murray Lyon , G . Sec ; David Reid , G . Treas . ; fames Dalrymple Duncan , P . S . G . W . ; James Caldwell , P . G . D . ; G . C . H . MacNaught , P . G . D . ; and others .

The Grand Master drewai tention to the approaching tercentenary banquet of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No 1 , and said he regretted that the Prince of Wales would not be able to attend it , nor to visit Grand Lodge , owing to business engagements . His Lordship had intimated that he would attend ,

and he was sure they were all agreeable lhat the patronage of theGrand Lodge should be given to the entertainment . The Grand Master also intimated that , in answer to his appeal on St . Andrew ' s Day , the Masonic lodges a-id bodies of Scotland had contributed £ 300 towards the memorial college at Khartoum , and that he was to forward the sum to Lord Kitchener .

Bro . Rice , R . W . M . 79 6 , Port Elizabeth , was introduced , and was welcomed by the Grand Master . liro . RICK bu ' c'ly addressed Grand Lodge . O . i the motion of Bro . HKNKY ROHICRTS , seconded by Bro . P . L . Hi NDKi'so . v , 1 , it was remitted to Grand Committee to approach the railway companies in Scotland with a v ' ew to the issue of cheap tickets to Ma-ons attending quarterly communications . lt was mentioned that men bcrs might derive benefit from sueh facilities as areafforded to golfers .

Scotland.

It was reported that the income for the first five months of this year had been £ * 345 o , as against £ 3328 forthe corresponding period last year—increase £ 122 . ' 1 he income for the quarter ending 15 th April had been £ 2120 , and the expenditure £ 1008—excess of income , £ 1121 . During thc quarter there had been 2200 entrants to the Order . About £ 160 had been given from the Fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence in grants to distressed Masons or widows of Masons .

The GRAND SECRETARY submitted a tabular statement of the number of entrants recorded in the books of Grand Lodge in each year between 1800 and 1 S 9 S , both inclusive , showing a grand total of 259 , 397 , and 2620 as the average annua ! registration in these 99 years . The number last year was 7068—the highest on record .

It was resolved to issue charters to the following new lodges : George S . Rideal , Ophirton , Transvaal ; King Solomon , Germiston , Transvaal ; Ness , Invergordon , Ross , and Cromarty ; and Thistle , South Fremantle , Western Australia . GRAND SECRETARY reported that agreeably to instructions from Grand Committee he had asked Bro . the Marquis of Breadalbane to reconsider his decision to retire from the Prov . G . Mastership of Perthshire East , but that

his lordship had replied -. " I think , having served as Prov . G . Master of Perthshire East for so long , I have done very well , and it is therefore high time that I should retire in favour of some other brother . " On the recommendation of Grand Committee , Grand Lodge accepted his lordship ' s resignation , and thanked him for his long and faithful services as Prov . G . Master . On the unanimous recommendation of the lodges in the province , Bro . Lieut .-Col . John Campbell was appointed in his room as Prov . G . Master of Perthshire East .

The Prov . G . Secretary of the Province of Glasgow City ( Bro . G . C . H . MACNAUGHT ) , in the name of the Prov . G . Master , Bro . John Graham , of Broadstone , reported as follows : The annual visitations have been completed to the 37 lodges forming the province . The visitations commenced on Monday , 13 th February , and fi-nished on Thursday , 23 rd March . In the year reviewed , from the elections of 1897 till 1 S 9 S , the number of

entrants was 1252 , as compared with 1096 in the previous year , being an increase of 136 , and again a record year by the number stated . There are four more lodges in the province now than there were 1 o years ago , but , deducting the number of initiates in these lodges , it is interesting to note that the others have doubled their work in that period . The highest number initiated in any lodge was 73 ( twice ) , and

the lowest six ( thrice ) , the average being 33 . 31 . The lodges are all in a healthy condition , and only in one case had an irregularity to be pointed out , which has since been rectified . During the year 739 regular meetings were held by the various lodges , and 42 , 879 brethren signed the sederunt books , being an average of over 58 per meeting . According to the balancesheet the lodges have funds to the am aunt of £ 16 770 , not always including

movable property , the average showing over £ 416 for ordinary funds , and £ 62 for benevolent funds . The visitations were again headed , in the majority of cases , by the R . W . Prov . G . M ., but in his absence the duties were performed by the Substitute P . G . M ., Bro . James Taylor , jun ., in a most acceptable manner . The deputations were everywhere received in the most fraternal , loyal , and hospitable manner by crowded meetings , a noticeab ' e

feature being the congratulations extended to the Prov . G . M . on his reelection for another term of office . None of the lodges meet in licensed premises , or in connection therewith ; on the contrary , they have all halls specially built or adapted for Masonic purposes . A report from the Committee for the visitation of metropolitan lodges

stated that the lodges in the district meet in suitable premises , with the exception of one , which holds its meetings in a licensed hotel . This showed marked progress in the realisation of the Grand Committee ' s desire that the Masonic meetings in such places would ere long be entirely discontinued . The other business was routine .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The annual meeting was held in the Town Hall , Wakefield , on Wedday the 19 th ult ., under the banners of Lodges 154 , 495 , and 1019 . There were pi esent : Bros , thc Right Hon . William Lawies Jackson , M . P ., P . M . 2 S 9 , Prov . G . M . ; Jno . C . Malcolm , P . M . 306 , P . G . D ., Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Jno . D . Kay , P . M . 289 , Prov . S . G . W . ; Geo . Franklin , J . P ., P . M . 1779 , Prov . J . G . W . ; Edward Armitage , J . P ., P . M . 275 , Ensor Drury , P . M . 296 , P . G . D ., Robert Arnison , P . M . 296 , W .

V . Smithson ,, P . M . 1211 , P . G . I ) ., Richard Wilson , P . M . 289 , P . G . D ., C . Letch Mason , P . M . 304 , Geo . H . Parke , P . M . 154 , Geo . Hy . Smith , J . P ., P . M . 61 , W . C . Lupton , P . M . 974 , and Wm . Watson , P . M . Gt , Hon . Librarian , P . Prov . G . Ws . ; Rev . W . H . Stanslield , Chap . 1221 , and Rev . J . M . Walton , Chap . 307 , Prov . G . Chaps . ; Rev . J . G . Needham , P . M . yio , Rev . F . E . Egerton , P . M . 910 , and Ven . Archdeacon Donne , Chap . 1019 , P . Prov . G . Chaps .-, A . H . ] . Fletcher , P . M . 275 , Prov . G . Reg . ; H . Slade Childe , P . M . 154 , Jas . H . lawson , P . M .

242 , Capt . Everatt Hind , P . M . 458 , and Jno . T . Last , P . M . 2321 , P . P . G . Regs . ; Capt . Herbert G . E . Gre *; n , P . M . 1019 , Prov . G . Sec ; P . Bancroft-Coward , P . M . 910 , and Dr . V . G . S . Dearden , P . M . 2263 , Prov . S . G . Deacons ; Wm . W . Clayton , P . M . 1311 , W . O . Hir . chlilT , P . M . 1018 , and Richard Revell , P . M . 1034 , Prov . J . G . Deacons ; C . T . Rhodes , P . M . 448 , P . P . J . G . D . ; Chas . E . Rhodes , P . M . 20 S , Chas . Crabtree , P .. M . 6 oo ; Win . H . Steward , P . M . 383 , T . Ibbetson Walker , P . M . 1231 , Fred Rand , P . M . 242 , Andrew M lcredie , P . M . 1779 , Alfred

Scarth , P . AI . 2 H 9 , Wm . lid . Smithies , P . M . 1231 , Wm . Hy . Bradford , P . M . 1211 , Thos . Hy . Vernon , P . M . 2491 , Alfred Robertshaw , P . M . 448 , T . R . Hinings , P . M . 600 , Francis Smith , J . P ., P . M . 837 , Horatio S . Wood , P . M . 439 , Joseph Jackman , P . M . 2491 , William Blackburn , J . P ., P . M . 306 , and J . Lund Brayshaw , P . M . 2091 , P . Prov . G . Deacons ; Fredk . Simson , P . M . 1019 , P . P . G . S . of W ., as Prov . G . S . of W . ; Geo . W . Hawksley , P . M . 139 , John Barker , P . M . 1102 , Thomas

Winn , P . M . i 2 ii , Thoi . W . Roome , P . M . 904 , Jno . Win . Cocking , P . M . 2035 , Thos . Rd . Vaux , P . M . 208 , and Jno . Hy . Bolton , P . M . 173 6 , P . Prov . G . Supts . oi Works ; Wm . Pick Raynor , P . M . 293 , Prov . G . D . otC ; Jno . VV . Haitley , P . M , 810 , Prov . Asst . G . D . of C . ; J oseph W . Monckman , J . P ., P . M . 1018 , P . Prov . Asst . G . D . of C , as . Prov . Asst . G . D . of C . ; Joseph R . Mellor , P . M . 652 , Prov . Asst . G . D . of C ; Geo . Buckley , P . M . 61 , Edmund Lord , P . M . 910 , John Dyson , P . M . 306 , Wm . Fitton , P . M . 2035 , W . F . Tomlinson , P . M . 304 ,

| ames Jenkin , P . M . 904 , Chas . A . Phillips , P . M . 1542 , Thos . Norfolk , P . M . 600 , Thos . Uttley , P . M . 307 , Ed . J . Massie , P . M . 1513 , John Dawson , P . M . 521 , Geo . P . Sunderland , P . M . 173 G , Joseph Hartley , P . M , 49 S , Daniel White , P . M . 149 , Jno . R . Fawcett , P . M . 1214 , Joseph Wrigglesworth , I ' . M . 17 8 3 , and J . W . Hartley , P . M . Sio , P . P . G . D . of Cs . ; James W . Tanner , P . M . 337 , Prov . G . S . 15 . ; Henry Beaumont , P . M . 1301 , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; Geo , Illingworth , P . M . 258 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., as Prov . G , Std . Br . ; Wm , Laycock , P . M .