Masonic Notes.

ing Festival of this Institution , and the number of Unattached has been increased . But the improvement in numbers is on too modest a scale to make us sanguine of a large Return from the Metropolis , which is indeed wofully below its average strength .

* >< t * We must , therefore , rest our chief hopes on the provinces , that , as at the Girls' School Festival the other day , their weig htier returns may more than make amends for the possible shortcomings of London .

Some , indeed , of the provinces which have sent up Stewards are very well represented , and we are glad to find among those which , as far as our experience goes , have always prided themselves on the regularity of their attendance and the high average of

subscriptions they have been able to maintain . However , what further we may think it needful to say on this Festival must be reserved till next week , when , as the celebration will be only a few days distant , we have just a

few last words of encouragement to offer , and express a hope that , as regards its total , the coming anniversary may compare favourably with some of the best among its predecessors .

It has leaked out , as such matters have a knack of doing , that at its meeting on Saturday last the Provis onal Management Committee of the Boys' School selected from a reduced list of nine candidates four brethren whose qualifications for the office of Secretary

of the Institution they consider of such a character as to justify the election of any one of them to be the successor of Bro . Binckes . The four—which we have placed in alphabetical order—are Bros . W . H .

Greenwood , J . M . McLeod , Gordon Smith , and Edwin Storr . It will , therefore , rest with the members of the General Committee to determine by their votes which of these four shall occupy the seat vacated by Bro . Binckes . * * *

The Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , will make its second annual excursion on Saturday , the 12 th July nsxt . The place selected for this year ' s jaunt is Edgware , which will be reached by the Great Northern Railway , when , under the guidance of Bro . Klein , the

brethren will inspect the tower of the Edgware Church , and afterwards the Church at Whitchurch , 1561 , containing Handel's organ , the tomb of the Harmonious Blacksmith , the Chandos Mortuary Chapel , & c , & c , and thence on through Canons' Park to the Abercorn

Arms , Great Stanmore , where lunch will be served . Brethren desirous of taking part in the excursion must procure tickets ( price 7 s . 6 d ., fare and lunch , but wines and beer extra ) from the Secretary , Bro . G . W . Speth , before Saturday , the 5 th prox .

* * * The consecration of the Doric Lodge , No . 2359 , will take place to-day ( Saturday ) at the Conservative Club , Didsbury . Bro . G . S . Smith is to be installed the

first W . M ., the principal officers being Bros . Clare Edgar Towell , S . W ., and John Fletcher , J . W . The future meetings of the lodge will be held at the Didsbury Hotel .

A delightful concert was given at Greenwich , on the 12 th instant , under the auspices of the Borough of Greenwich Lodge , No . 2332 , of which Bro . T . W , Boord , M . P ., P . G . D ., is W . M . The performers were Bros . Nichols , M . E . Z . 1973 , Beckwith , and S . J . Gore ,

assisted by Miss Bertha Colnaghi , Miss Marie Hooton , and Miss Edith Thomas , with Mr . E . Stanley Cockton as accompanist and humorous vocalist . Where all the performers did so well , it would be almost invidious to particularise , but special mention must be made of

Miss Colnaghi ' s highly finished and delightful rendering of " Dear Heart" ( given b y special request ) and " Love ' s old sweet song ; " also of Mr . Cockton ' s very able rendering of a musical sketch of his own , " The

rehearsal for cur amateur concert . " At the conclusion a cordial vote of thanks to the lodge and the artistes was carried by acclamation , on the proposal of one oi the visitors . * * *

Wc lturn that a Mark Master Masons' lodge , No . 407 , is to be consecrated at the Bisley National School Room on Friday , the 27 th inst ,, at 3 o ' clock . Our brethren at Bisley appear to be very energetic , for a Craft lodge was consecrat .-d only last September . We

congratulate them upon their energy and success , and there is no doubt that the existence of these lodges in close proximity to the new rifle ranges will be highly appreciated by Volunteers . In fact , it has been

intimated to us that the Bisley brethren will accord a hearty welcome to any Volunteers who are Mark Master Masons who may please to present themselves at the coming consecration ceremony .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

MASONIC MUSIC AT DARLINGTON . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I perceive in your report last Saturday of the music sung at a meeting of the Marquess of Ripon Lodge , No . 1379 , a list of the pieces are given , and in every instance , excepting two , the source or author is

specified . The two exceptions— " Hail , Eternal ! by whose aid " and " Now the evening shadows closing' '—are both in my " Freemasons' Liber Musicus , " and both are my composition , though to one I put an assumed name , as I did in many other instances , not wishing at the time of

publication to appear too conspicuous . It took me 10 years to get together that volume of Masonic music , and , although there are a few pieces written for mixed voices , the greater portion are for male singers , and appropriate selections can be made suitable to every Degree and function connected with the Craft wherever three or four vocalists can be got

together . In the music arranged and selected for banquets and festive gatherings there is a suitable piece , song , or chorus for all usual Masonic toasts , and especially appropriate are the Master Mason's Song ( usually sunf after the W . M . ' s health in Yorkshire and

Lancashire lodges ) and " Long live the Prince" ( after the Grand Master's health ) . In several Northern lodges I have given my lecture on Masonic music for the three Craft Degrees , with illustrations by not less than four brethren—alto , or hig h first tenor , second tenor , and first and second

basses . My efforts to improve the music in our ritual have met with the warmest and most generous approval and assistance from our P . G . M . for West Yorkshire —Bro . T . W . Tew—and his kind and able Deputy—Bro .

Henry Smith , of Wakefield . I shall have much pleasure in giving this lecture gratutiously in any lodge on payment of expenses only , and could bring the four vocal brethren required with me if suitable arrangements can be made .

Permit me , in conclusion , to say that I do hope in future that brethren will kindly acknowledge its source when they extract any selection from my " Freemasons ' Liber Musicus "—the small and cheap edition of which is difficult to be obtained now , but I hope and believe a

reprint will soon be issued . —Yours fraternally , WM . SPARK , Mus . D ., P . M . 2 S 9 , P . P . G . O , West Yorkshire , Organist of the Town Hall , Leeds , & c . June 16 th .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

IMPOKfSE ^^ S

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS .

Ranejagh Lodge ( No . 834 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , the 10 th inst ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly , W ., when there were present Bros . Edwin Lucas , W . ' M . ; F . Craggs , S . W . ; H . F . Williams , J . W . ; H . Purdue , P . M ., P . Z ., Sec ; A . Williams , S . D . ; W . W . Williams , J . D . ; Hans Scharien , D . C . ; E . Newland , I . G . ; H . Hewitt , Steward ; A . Walkley , P . M ., Tyler ;

H . Shaw , P . M . ; J . D . Doncaster , P . M . ; J . Sims , P . M . ; F . J . Oliver , P . M . ; A . J . Hardwick , R . Philips , Edward Lucas , E . D . Richards , S . M . Segar , VV . Iredale , H . Pinn , A . J . Chambers , J . Stehr , R . Shaw , H . S . May , R . S . Cartwright , M . F . Wilkins , C . Southwood , R . F . Collins , W . Pullan , G . E . White , VV . Iceton , A . White , and J . C . Morgan . Visitor : Bro . J . G . Blyth , 16 S 1 . The lodge having been opened , Bro . J . Stehr was raised , and Bros . W . Pullan and R . F . Collins were passed , the

ceremonies being worked in a most able manner by the Worshipful Master . A candidate having been proposed for initiation , a letter was received from Mrs . Fitz water , thanking the lodge for their kind support in obtaining the election of her daughter into the R . M . I , for Girls . A letter was also received announcing the death of Bro . Holland , and a vote of condolence was ordered to be forwarded to his sister .

Anglo-American Lodge ( No . 2191 ) . —The phenomenal success which has attended this lodge was further marked on Tuesday , the 17 th inst ., when the installation meeting was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , and attracted a large number of Grand Officers and other distinguished brethren . The lodge was opened by Bro . F . Kedge , W . M ., supported by Bros . Adolphus Clark , I . P . M . ;

Brackstone Baker , P . M ., P . G . D . ; Theodore H . Tilton , P . D . G . M . 7 th Masonic District , New York City , S . W ., W . M . elect ; J . J . Woolley , J . W . ; _ W . Hancock , S . D . ; G . H . Reynolds , J . D . ; J . B . Cumming , Treas . ; George Reynolds , Sec . ; J . Skinner , I . G . ; Dr . J . J . Wedgwood ; and others . Amongst the distinguished brethren present

were Bros . Richard T . Walkem , G . M . Canada ; Col . A . Saunders , P . D . G . M . Madras ; Dr . E . E . Wendt , Grand Secretary German Correspondence ; Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ; D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas . ; G . Cooper , P . G . D . ; B . Baker , P . M ., P . G . D . ; Sir J . R . Somers Vine , S . G . D . ; Col . S . VV . Ray , D . D . G . M . Ontario ; Turtle Pigott , P . D . G . D . C ; Charles Belton , P . D . G . D . C . ; J . Lewis Thomas ,

Craft Masonry.

P . P . G . D . C ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . S . B . ; Col . J . Peters , P . G . S . B . ; James Terry , P . G . S . B . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; VV . G . Lemon , G . Std . Br . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . P . S . G . W . North and East Yorkshire ; and Dr . I . Zacharie .

Lodge having been opened , the minutes were read and confirmed , and numerous letters of regret for non-attendance , including one from Bro . Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., resigning his membership . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Bro . Theodore H . Tilton was presented as the Worshipful Master elect , and installed by Bro . F . Kedge in a masterly manner .

The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . Jas . J . Woolley , S . W . ; W . Hancock , J . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . C , Chap . J . B . Cumming , Treas . ; Geo . Reynolds , Sec ; G . Herbert Reynolds , S . D . ; J . Skinner , ) . D . ; Dr . J . J . Wedgwood , I . G . ; A . Harris , D . Cj H . W . Schartau , P . P . G . O . Middx ., Org ; F . Jackson , J . B . Grieve , and Major F . W . Frigout , Stwds . ;

and R . F . Potter , Tyler , lhe Installing Master , Bro . Kedge , I . P . M ., delivered the usual addresses , and was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Kenning ) by the W . M ., who said he could scarely find words in which to express his gratification at being enabled to make the presentation . The I . P . M . ' s services during the past year , and the fidelity with which

he had ruled the lodge and discharged his duties , and the pleasure he had afforded them of witnessing and hearing his splendid rendering of the installation ceremony all increased the pleasure it afforded him ( the W . M . ) to present Bro . Kedge with the jewel and express the hope that he would live long to wear it and be a supporter of the lodge . The gift was briefly acknowledged by Bro . Kedge , I . P . M .

The W . M . then said it afforded him great pleasure to present a jewel to Bro . J . B . Cumming , whose services since the foundation of the lodge had warranted the brethren in offering that souvenir to him . Without an able financier , he did not know how they should have proceeded , and he trusted Bro . Cumming would long retain the position of Treasurer . Bro . J . B . Cumming , Treas ., returned thanks

for the gift . The sum of £ 15 was voted from the Benevolent Fund to the widow of a late member . Bro . A . Clark , P . M ., said they had heard with sorrow that evening of the resignation of Bro . Major George Lambert , and he thought they ought to make an exception in that case and pass a resolution of regret . He , therefore , proposed " That the brethren had received with sincere regret the resignation of

Kro . Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., one of the founders and one of the most ardent supporters of the lodge . " Bro . Brackstone Baker , P . M ., seconded the resolution , a copy of which was ordeied te be sent to Bro . Major Lambert . Bro . R . T . Walkem , G . M . Canada , said he should like to say a word of congratulation to the W . M . on being installed , and wish him a happy year of office . He had closel y observed the work and noticed a difference in matters of minor importance , but there was no difference in the spirit

of the ritual as practised amongst English and Canadian Masons . They appeared to have a great deal more money to deal with than he , but in Canada they did not require so much , although they had a Benevolent Fund of 60 , 000 or 70 , 000 dollars . He once saw a plate passed round , first to collect dues and secondly for Charity . He had to express the pleasure it afforded him to be present at the

Anglo-American Lodge . Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Grand Hall , where a recherche repast was well served , under the personal superintendence of Bro . G . P . Bertini ( Manager ) , assisted by Mr . Olivier . "The Queen and the Craft " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' , M . W . G . M ., " having been given , the W . M .

proposed "The Grand Officers , " and observed that they all did their duties well , and took an interest in subordinate lodges . He held in his hand regrets of a number . of Grand Officers , whom they would have been pleased to have seen , which , however , showed their interest in the lodge . He coupled the names of Bros . Col . A . Saunders , W . G . Lemon , and D . P . Cama .

Bro . Col . A . Saunders , P . D . G . M . Madras , said he felt somewhat embarrassed in rising to respond , and the brethren would sympathise with him , having heard the list of brethren expected to have been present , that one of those brethren was not in attendance to do justice to the toast . He begged on behalf of the Present and Past Grand Officers to thank them for the reception given the toast . They all

knew how famed that lodge was for its hospitality , and for its fraternal and hospitable gatherings held month after month and year after year since its formation , but there was one circumstance in connection with the present meeting , which was that they had for the first time—he spoke under correction—an American brother Master of the lodge . It might not be known to all present that the new W . M . had

held high and responsible rank in New York . Bro . Tilton had also been W . M . of one or two lodges , and in those capacities he had given all and every satisfaction . The future might , therefore , be looked forward to with confidence , and he trusted that , should it be his good fortune to occupy a similar position again , he might be enabled to say how thoroughly his words had been verified .

Bro . W . G . Lemon , G . Std . Br ., said the Grand Officers had their duties to perform , and they performed them , not for their own benefit , but for the benefit of the Craft , and it was because they desired to see the Craft prosper in all its developments that they came amongst the brethren and threw themselves heartily into the duties . He had had the pleasure of visiting that lodge once previously , and on

the present occasion he rejoiced to see , as had been already intimated , a brother installed as W . M . who was an American , and who presided , not only by virtue of his being connected with a lodge in England , but as one who had also brought closer the lines of sympathy and brotherhood between that and the American lodges with which he was connected . Masonry was one , and being one they all united

in those feelings of brotherhood that made them one . They would now receive from Bro . Cama some of those kindly words which always fall so pleasantly from him . Bro . D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas ., also replied , and said his countryman , Bro . Col . Saunders , had taken the wind from his sails , and Bro . Lemon in his kind remarks had over estimated his services . If he had done anything for their

Society the chief thing that interested him was that it was the only Society that made no distinction of colour or creed . As the guest of the W . M ., he thanked Bro . Tilton for remembering him , which was a graceful act , and such graceful acts from Englishmen would be most beneficial in bringing good feeling between the East and West . By his presence the cosmopolitan character of Freemasons had