Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . The President ' s chair was occupied by Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President ; the Senior Vice-President's chair by Bro . General Brownrigg , Prov . Grand Master of Surrey ; and the Junior Vice-President ' s chair by Bro . Samuel Rawson , Past District Grand Master of China .

Amongst the other brethren present were : Bros . H . G . Buss , Asst . G Sec ; A . A . Pendlebury , W . Dodd , Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C ; George P . Britten , P . M . ; Henry Garrod , P . M . 749 ; William Stephens , Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , D . P . G . M . Berks and Bucks ; J . M . P . Montague , P . G . D . ; W . Mann , P . M . 1 S 6 ; VV . H . Ferryman , P . M . 3 ; Charles Dairy , P . M . 141 ; Constable , P . M . 185 ; E . A . Wells , VV . M . 15 ;

C . Woolmer Williams , P . M . 1275 ; John Wyer , P . M . 1314 ; Cleaveland Phillips , W . M . 820 ; Joseph . Harling , P . M . and Treasurer 30 ; Robert Forster , W . M . 1441 ; John E . Shand , W . M . 156 , 3 ; Arthur E . Gladwell , W . M . 172 ; W . Gibson Bolt , W . M . 1839 ; Charles Pulman , P . M . 720 ; Henry J . Reynolds , P . M . 101 ; VV . Stewart , W . M . 115 8 ; Adolphus Clark , W . M . 1227 ; J . J . Pope , P . M . 1305 ; Henry Norman , P . M . G . S . Lodge ;

VV . Goodacre , P . M . 1588 and 1730 ; VV . Buchan , W . M . 1259 ; Richard Eve , P . M . 395 ; A . Darch , VV . M . 72 ; G . Goodwin , P . M . 749 ; T . C . Roden , P . M . 755 ; VV . Hammond , P . M . 201 ; VV . Clifton Crick , P . M . 1 733 ; James Griffin , P . M . 933 ; F . VV . Koch , P . M . 13 S 1 ; John Houlding , P . M . 823 , P . Prov . G . Reg . Wesl Lancashire ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; and H . MasseyP . M . 619 ( Freemason ) .

, The brethren first confirmed recommendations made at last Lodge of Benevolence , amounting to £ 335 . There were thirty-four cases on the new list . In the course of a sitting , which lasted for four hours , four of these cases were deferred and six were dismissed . The remainder were relieved

with a total sum of _ £ 8 io , which was made up as follows : One £ 100 , ( £ 100 ); two £ 75 ( £ 150 ); three £ 50 ( £ 150 ) S two £ 40 ( So ); four £ 30 ( X 120 ); three £ 25 ( £ 75 ) ; four £ 20 ( £ 80 ); three £ 10 ( £ 30 ); and one The Lodge of Benevolence was then closed .

Consecration Of The Drifelt Mark Lodge, No. 291. At Driffield.

CONSECRATION OF THE DRIFELT MARK LODGE , No . 291 . AT DRIFFIELD .

On Tuesday last the R . W . Prov . G . Mark Master of North and East Yorkshire , consecrated a new lodge at the market-town of Driffield , under the name of the Drifelt Lodge , No . 291— " Drifelt" being the ancient method of spelling the name ol the place according to Domesday Book . The brethren assembled in the Masonic HaU at 2 p . m ., and a Mark Lodge was opened by Pro . the Rev . XV . Lukis , the W . M . of the York Mark Lodge ( T . I . ) , the Senior and Junior Wardens Chairs being taken by Bros .

A . P . Wilson , W . M . of the Beverlac Lodge , 2 S 1 , and S . Chadwick , J . W . of the Fitzwilliam Lodge ( Malton ) ; the M . O . by Bro . S . Midddleton , P . M . Star in the East Lodge , 95 ; the S . O . by Bro . A . T . B . Turner , of York ; and ihe J . O . by the J . O . of the Humber Lodge , 1 S 2 . Bro . T . B . Whytehead , P . M . of the York Lodge ( T . I . ) , acted as S . D . ; and Bro . M . M . Reynard , as J . D . ; and Bro . Cheeseman ( Hull ) , Organist . The lodge having been opened the R . W . P . G . M . was received and duly saluted . A ballot was taken for several candidates and ioining members , and

four candidates were advanced to the degree . The oration was delivered by Bro . T . B . Whytehead , P . M ., who gave a brief sketch of the history of the degree , and appealed to the brethren to carry out the teachings of the Order . The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with by the Provincial Grand Master , who was assisted by Bros . T . B . Whytehead , P . G . M . O .,

acting Prov . Grand Secretary ; Rev . \ V . C . Lukis , acting Prov . Grand Chaplain ; J . Barker ( Mirfield ) , P . G . Steward ; and S . Middleton , acting Provincial Grand D . C , ; and this having been completed , the W . M . designate , Bro . S . Chadwick , was installed in the chair of A . by Bro . T . B . Whytehead , and afterwards appointed and invested to offices the following

brethren : Bros . M . M . Reynard , S . W . ; J . Highmoor , J . W . ; Walker , Secretary ; Wilson , Reg . of Marks ; Elgee , M . O ., & c . J . Redfare acted as Provincial Grand Ty ler . The Prov . Grand Master and Bros . Whytehead , Lukis , and Middleton were elected honorary members of the lodge . Subsequently the visitors were entertained at tea at the Bell Hotel .

It was arranged to hold the first meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge at York on the 15 th of November , under the banner of the York Lodge ( T . I . ) .

The Royal Visit To Swansea.

THE ROYAL VISIT TO SWANSEA .

On Tuesday last the new docks at Swansea , which havc been constructed at a cost of about £ 300 , 000 , were formally opened by the Prince of Wales . The day had been looked forward to wilh great rejoicings by all classes of the community , it being the first visit of their Royal Highnesses ihe Prince and Princess of Wales to the Principality from which they derive their names . Amongst those bodies who assembled to attest their loyally , the Freemasons

were conspicuous ; amongthoseprescntbeing : Bros . Sir George Elliot , M . P ., Prov . G . M . ; M . Tennant , D . P . G . M . ; H . Rich , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . Whittington , P . P . G . W . ; Morgan , P . G . Registrar ; John Jones , Prov . Sec ; W . T . Canton , P . P . G . T . ; George Allen , P . P . J . G . W . ; Roland Thomas , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . E . Price , P . P . S . G . W . ; D . M . Watson , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . D . Daniel , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Daniel , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . Innes , P . P . G . D . ;

T . Thomas , P . G . Registrar ; Whittle , P . P . G . D . ; Evan Davies , P . P . G . D . ; Whittle , P . P . G . Pursuivant ; H . Simmons ; Col . C . Lyne , P . G . M . ( Monmouthshire ); Capt . Homfray , D . P . G . M . ( Mon . ); W . Watkins , P . P . G . W . ( Mon . ); J . Thomas , P . M . 5 87 ; J . R . Higham , P . M . 5 S 7 ; Rev . S . Bowen , P . G . Chaplain , 587 ; Rev . E . Jones , P . G . Chaplain , 5 S 7 ; Major Pearson , P . P . J . G . W . ( Mon . ) ; Andrew McMaho , P . G . Sec . ( Mon ); Sir P . Price , ( Goegerdden ) , P . P . G . W . ( Western Division of South Wales ); Rev . J . Huntington ( Tenby ); Rev . J . Marsden ( Carmarthen ); J . B .

Phillips , P . P . S . G . W . ( Western Division ); R . Margrave , P . P . S . G . W . ( West . Div . ); J . V . Harding , P . P . G . Organist ( West . Div ) . Most of the brethren wore their regalia , which put the dresses of the ladies , who , for the most part , were attired in garments suited for cold weather , completely in the shade . Just before the procession came in sight , one of the side pieces of the masonic arch gave way , and came down with a

The Royal Visit To Swansea.

crash among the bystanders , causing for the moment considerable consternation , but as the Royal carriage came up the shock was forgotten , and the Prince and Princess experienced a most cordial reception . 'The visitors did not alight , but Sir George Elliot and Bro . M . Tennant advanced to the carriage ancl presented his Royal Highness wilh an address on behalf of the inembers of thc Provincial Grand Lod ge of South Wales ( Eastern

Division ) and the members of the fifteen lodges of the province . The address contained the following passages : — " Wc submit that the welcome we accord is conspicuously different from any which has been , or which at any future time may be , tendered from any other part or division of the United Kingdom , inasmuch as wc emphatically welcome your Royal Highness to your own distinctive home . This nroud distinction Wales mav

justly claim ; and through thc long centuries , from Edward of Carnarvon's time to our own , not only has Wales been so regarded but it has been preeminently distinguished ' by the fidelity and loyalty of its people , the unchanging peacefulncss of its annals , and its unalterable attachment to thc Crow-n . VVe are fully mindful of thc honour conferred upon the Principality by thc

presence on this occasion of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , and we should not do justice lo those earnest feelings of respect and admiration which are implanted in our hearts , for the Princess , if we neglected this opportunity forgiving the heartiest and most loyal expression of attachment and devotion to her , and prayer for her welfare and happiness . "

The address was bound in roan morocco , with guilt illuminations , and it contained the copies of the seals of the fifteen lod ges represented arranged in order according to the seniority of the lodges . His Royal Highness cordially shook hands with Sir George Elliot , and both he and thc Princess expressed their approval of the Masonic arch . The reply given by the Prince to the address was as follows : — " 1 thank you with

the warmest feelings of fraternal friendshi p for your address and for your expression of loyal brotherhood towards me as your Grand Master . It is especially gratitying to us to be so well received by a body of Welshmen belonging to an order with which I am intimately connected , and in whose prosperity and welfare I take so deep an interest . I can assure you that I am very sensible of the distinction I enjoy by being enabled to bear the name of a country which , like your Principality , can boast of associations and ancient

traditions of so varied and interesting a character , and which has always been so conspicuous for the loyalty of its inhabitants . I will not fail to convey to the Princess of Wales the kind words in which you have alluded to her . We have both experienced great pleasure in the opening which has been afforded to us of becoming acquainted with the inhabitants of this part of Wales , and we trust that future opportunities will be given to us of renewing our visit . "

'I he proceedings throughout were of the most enthusiastic nature , and concluded by a ball at the Music Hall , at which their Royal Highnesses were present .

Masonic History And Historians.

MASONIC HISTORY AND HISTORIANS .

BY MASONIC STUDENT . As a good deal of attention has been latel y directed to the Roman Industrial Colleges by Mr . Cornelius Walford ' s interesting book on gilds , and other contributions on the same subject , especially Mr . ' Cootes's , I think it well to send . 1 few " Notes " on thc same interesting question , of no little importance to the true understanding of Masonic History . For I have long

felt certain myself thai the Roman Colleges are not the " ultima Thule " of the system of operative sodalities with secrets of trade and mysteries , and receptions and organization , but that we must go through them through Greece to thc original Oriental sources of such confraternities . It is , I think , a matter of no dispute that , according to Dionysius of Halicarnassus ,

the Komans were forbidden by Romulus to pursue mechanic or manual arts , as he wished to create a nation of soldiers , but that all such pursuits were left to " slaves" and "foreigners . " Numa Pompilius undoubtedly , however , according to Plutarch , formed the trades into " companies , " and the company of carpenters , "fabri tignarii , " claimed to be among the oldest of all .

Both Reinesius , in his collection of inscriptions , and Heineccius , in his learned essay " de Collegiis et Corporibus opificum " point out to un , that these fraternities underwent a variety of fortunes , and were alternatel y favoured and proscribed , abolished and resuscitated .

lhis work of Heineccius , though often quoted , is very rare , and it may be doubtful whether it is a separate publication , though some say so . It undoubtedly forms part of his great work , Opera omnia juridica et alia : Geneva , 1771 . Reinesius's Syntagma Inscriptionum Antiquarum : Lipsia :, 16 S 2 , fol ., is well known to students .

For a long time the current of Roman thought was adverse to these " art and work colleges . " Livy tells us they were called " servile , " and at one lime were mainl y composed of " slaves" and "foreigners , " or of the humblest classes of freed men , and it is the old idea of military service and utility which ever affects Cicero where he says ( de offic 1 . 42 ) , " Opificum

vulgus et sellulano minime idoneum militia ; genus ; " and again , " Opifices omnes in sordida , " arte versantur . " Pancirollus , however , points out ( dc jure immun : lib . vi . ) lhat as in Greece such arts and artists were held in high estimation , many exemptions and privileges were given to the companies of artists at Rome , and their social " status" was gradually raised .

Frequent references are made to the fabri lignarii , ceiUonarii , dendrophori , dolobrarii , scalarii , lapidarii , in the " marbles " mentioned b y Gruter , Reinesius , Spon , and others , as well as the time of holding their assemblies , making bye-laws concerning their trades , and regulating the affairs of their companies .

Ihese companies seemed to have had a sort of patron saint or genius , and the carpenters are said by Heineccius to have had " Sylvanus " as their " genius , " 011 account of an inscription to "Silvano Dendrophoro . " Reinesius records an inscription to Genio Colleg . Cent ., the genius of the college of carpenters , and one also to Genio Colleg . Peregr ., the genius of thc college of Foreigners , probably Foreign artists in stone , wood , and metal .

THE LATE PRESIDENT GARFIELD . —Of our late Bro . Garfield , President of the Uniteel States , it has been beautifully and truthfully saiel : " Heaven was kind to his fame to take him when it did . He ascended to its glory out of an apotheosis of affection , sympathy , and exaltation that covered the whole land and made him even on earth hut a little lower than the anpels . He could not have lived on here at such an altitude . He must have descended to the level of ordinary men , to have acted with them and for them . A new illustrious name is given to American history . A new martyr is bestowed upon the lovers of country for all time . A new inspiration to industry , to patience , to heroism , to faith descends to the youth of thc future in the name of Garfield . " — Keystone