Masonic Literature In Court.

His HONOUR at first raised a question as to whether a misdescription and false representations constituted a sufficient defence , but , after consulting an authority " Chitty " ) on the point , he appeared satisfied that it did . HENRY CHRISTOPHER POOLE , traveller to plaintiffs , living at 2 , Goodall-road , Leytonstone , was the first and only witness , and he stated that in May , 1893 , he

called at defendant s residence , showed him a specimen ( produced ) of " The History of Freemasonry , " and solicited an order . Defendant placed his signature in the specimen as a subscriber , and also signed a form , by which he ordered the work . His HONOR pointed out that the form bore no date , and

Mr . ABINGER submitted that the form ought also to be stamped before it could be considered evidence . His HONOUR : I should think it requires a stamp of some sort . The form is tantamount to defendant saying . " I put my name down a 3 agreeing to pay . " If plaintiffs rel y upon that form they must stamp it . At present I am under the impression that it requires a

sixpenny stamp . Mr . WOOD observed that the book had not yet been published . Mr . POOLE : The whole three volumes were published 10 years ago . This admission caused loud laughter and " oh's " amongst the Masons in Court .

His HONOUR ( examining the specimen ) s It is evidently a new edition , The book is to be completed in three volumes . After some consultation and delay Mr . WOOD announced that he had decided to put in the agreement , signed by defendant , as evidence . His HONOUR : Then you must pay the penalty ; I

have known £ 10 to be paid into Court . ( Laughter ) . Mr . GRIMSDALE ( a Court official ) s You give me ; £ n os . 6 d . and we shall be prepared to take to form . Mr . WOOD appeared discomfited and at a loss how to act , to the amusement , shall we say , of the Masonic spectators . His HONOUR . ¦ I don't think you can get on , for you

have admitted that the contract has got into writing , and I cannot look at it until it is stamped . Mr . WOOD : But surely your Honour will allow that wo are entitled to establish our contract how we can ? His HONOUR : I am afraid it is my duty to non-suit you . Mr . WOOD : Would not your Honour give us time

to consider ? His HONOUR : I think I cannot hejp it ; I am very sorry . Mr . ABINGER here interjected that the indecorous conduct in Court a few moments ago , went to show that the action of the plaintiff company , with regard to the orders , was not appreciated .

His HONOUR ( to Mr . Wood ) : I won ' t dismiss the case , but will non-suit you . Mr . WOOD .- Can it be adjourned ? Mr . ABINGER : I refuse to agree ; we have very strong feelings in the matter . His Honour adhered to his decision , and certified for costs for defendant .

The case of " Erskine v . Longworth " was then called . His HONOUR : 1 suppose the same difficulty will arise in all these cases ? Mr . WOOD : Yes . His HONOUR : It will come to the same thing again . Mr . ABINGER-. I understand that there are 17 cases ( The public— " Oh . " )

The cases " Erskine v . Boxer , " Erskine v . Kempton , " and " Erskine v . Rockley , " being brought on the same lines , were disposed of by his Honour in a similar way , costs being allowed for each defendant . Subsequently Mr . WOOD informed his Honour that about 7000 of these cases were to be heard in various parts of the country , and , as the contracts were unstamped , he had decided to apply to Somerset House for a reduction in the stamp duty .

East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The usual monthly meeting of the Relief and Education Board was held on Friday , the 15 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , when there were present Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , Chairm in ; J . T . Ne-vboM ,

Vice-Chairman ; James Newton , Sec . ; T . J . Hooper , Jas . Andrew , F . Reiss , F . W . Lean , C . D , Cneeth im , Chas . Turner , M . Thomas , Jas . Kersha * , Evan Williams , C . H . Colhngwood , P . Radcliffe , N . Nicholson , J . Smethurst , S . Porritt , and J . W . Abb tt . Apologies were read from brethren who were unable

to be present through illness . The minutes of the last meeting were read and passed . A petition w . is presented on behalf ' of a widow for an extension of a gnnt , and a second £ 20 was voted to be paid by weekly instalments . Another peti ion was read

fr jm a brother who had already been relieved by this Board as well as the Board of Benevolence in London . A further sum of , £ 10 was granted . Another petition w . is presented on behalf of a widow whose claims upon Ihi Charity were so remote that £$ was considered to be ample to meet the case .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

ST . ANDREW'S MASONIC FESTIVAL , The brethren of Bombay , and others who had specially come down from long distances , celebrated St . Andrew ' s Day , at an Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of all Scottish Freemasonry in India , held at the Freemasons' Hall , Clare Road , recently . The hall had been tastefully decorated by floral

embellishments and in other artistic ways j and the persevering Grand Secretary , Bro , Captain C . Di Wise , had neglected nothing to make the evening a pleasant one to all who attended the festival . The gathering Was a large one and included brethren of different nationalities from all lodges working in Bombay Under the two Constitutions . Some European brethren had come

down specially from Mhow , Hyderabad , and places 300 and 400 miles away , to take a part in the festival as well as to be invested with the jewels of offices in the Grand Lodges . The Grand Master , Bro . J . W . Smith , attended by his Grand Lodge Officers , entered the Iodge = roim in procession , at 7 . 30 p . m ., and the business of the

communication commenced . Soon after , Bro . H . W . Barrow , the Dep , District Grand Master , in charge of the office of District Grand Master of Bombay , under England , arrived with his Grand Lodge Officers , and was Welcomed with the honours due to his exalted position . The first important business was to appoint and invest the Grand Lodge Officers for the ensuing

year ; and this was done with an imposing ceremonial . Among the principal of them were 1 Bros . R V . Reid , Grand Master Depute ; Major F . B . Peile , Hon . Past Grand Master Depute ; G . McCorkell , Substitute Grand Master ; Bros . W . L . Harvey , S . G . W . ; D . D . Curranee , 2 nd S . G . W . ; J . D . B . Gribble , J . G . W . ; G . W . Lindsley , 2 nd J . G . W . ; Capt . C . D . Wise , G . Sec . ;

A . F . Solon . G . Treas . ; F . G . Lynde , G . Chap . ; T . Barrett , Asst . G . Chap . ; Col . Westmacott and J . Hinde , S . G . Deacons ; Pallonjee Nusserwanjee and N . M . Panday , J . G . Deacons ; A . H . Stevens , G . Architect ; H . V . Ashborn , Asst . G . Architect ; B . S . Kapadia , Asst . G . Sec ; VV . Trevor , G . Jeweller ; R . K . R . Cama , Asst . G . Jeweller ; H . H . Wright , G .

Bible Bearer ; Surgeon-Major K . S . Nanman , G . Zendavesta Bearer ; Jafferbhoy Ladha Chatoo , G . Koran Bearer ; Chintamon H . Bhat , G . Ghita Bearer ; Capt . A . D . Fordyce , Chief G . Dir . of Cers . ; C . H . S . Sari , G . Bard ; Mohundra Nath Dutt , President of Grand Stewards ; and others . The investiture of many of these officers who were

present formed an interesting part of the proceedings , and that of the Grand Secretary , who has served long and faithfully , was accompanied with cheers . , Bros . P . N . Wadia and N . J . Gazdar were appointed Auditors for the ensuing year to audit the accounts of the Grand Lodge and of the Scottish Masonic Benevolent Association

Bro . E . J . Smith was appointed and invested as an honorary member of the Grand Lodge amidst cheers . A Grand Committee was appointed for the ensuing year , and also a joint-hall Committee , composed as follows : Bros . D . R . Chichgar , K . R . Cama , R . V . Reid , P . N . Wadia , A . W . Seabrook , C . D . Furdoonjee , Captain C . D . Wise , W . L . Harvey , H . M . Chichgar ,

F . D . Petit . 1 . W . Hepworth , N . J . Gazdar , M . H . Khan , and C . Anderson . Bro . D . R . CHICHGAR gave notice of a motion for a fund to be raised by the issue of debentures for the lease , hiring , or building of a new Masonic Hall for the use of both the Constitutions . The GRAND MASTER expressed thanks to the brethren

who had come from long distances to attend the festival . Bro . Thomas played on the harmonium during the ceremonies of the evening . The brethren then adjourned to the banqueting hall

where the festival in honour of St . Andrew was celebrated . The toast of " The Pious Memory of St . Andrew , " among several loyal and Constitutional toasts , was fully done justice to , after which the brethren separated at a late hour .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THE EARL OF BECTIVE , P . G . M . CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND . Few brethren have rendered such signal services to the Craft as the distinguished brother whose death on the morning of the 15 th inst ., though In the immediate circle of his family it may not have been wholly

unexpected , has come upon us so suddenly . Though he had not yet attained his 50 th year , Bro . the Earl of Bective was quitea veteran among the members of our Order , having been initiated during his academic career at Oxford , while yet a minor , in the Apollo University Lodge at Oxford in the year 1863 . Two years later he was the principal founder and first Master of the

Underley Lodge , No . 1074 , Kirkby Lonsdale , and so ably did he acquit himself in the duties of his office that he was re-elected for a second term . In 186 7 , on the occurence of a vacancy in the Prov . Grand Mastership of Cumberland and Westmorland , Bro . the Earl of Zetland , then Most Worshipful Grand Master , appointed his lordship—who then bore the country

Obituary.

title of Lord rJenlis— -to that important post . In 1869 he became a joining member of the Westminster and Keystone Lodge , No . 10 , while in the same year he had the pleasure of consecrating Lodge No . 1267 , Egremont , to which , out of respect to their P . G , Master , the founders gave as its name the title by which he Was

then known . Six years later another lodge bearing the name of" Bective '' was consecrated , while the total number placed on the roll during the 26 years of his PiG . Mastership was nine , or not very far short of 100 per cent , of what it was at the date of his appointment . For many years also he was the representative at our

Grand Lodge of the Grand Lodge of Greece , having been Chosen to fill that honourable position by hi " Highness Prince Rhodocanakis , the then Grand Master of Masons in that kingdom . His lordship was likewise a Royal Arch Mason , Was first M . E . Z . of the Bective Chapter , No . 1074 , Kirkby Lonsdale , and subsequently

G . Superintendent of the province . In Mark Masonry he was a joining member of the Cumberland Lodge , No . 60 Carlisle , a Past S . G . W . of the Grand Lodge , and since 1873 had held the office of Prov . Grand Mark Master of Cumberland and Westmorland , thus combining in his own person the headship as regards these

two counties , in the Craft , Arch , and Mark Degrees . As regards the other branches of Freemasonry , it was under his auspices that the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantino was re-organised and placed upon a stable footing , and it was in recognition of his valuable aid in this respect that he was elected to fill

the chief position in the Order—¦ that of Most Illustrious G . S . He was also Hon . President of the Rosicrucian Society , so that it will be generally admitted that the circle of his Masonic duties was an extensive one , and though during the last few years of his life the state of

his health forbade him taking a very active part in the performance of those many and various duties which devolved upon him , yet to the very last he continued to exhibit a deep interest in all that related to Freemasonry , nor is it such a very long while since that we recorded in these columns his

presence at a meeting of his Prov . Grand Lodge . But he was not only an able ruler ; he was an hospitable one , and on two occasions he received and entertained the members of his province at Underley Hall , his seat , near Kirkby Lonsdale ; while , as regards our Charitable Institutions , he was a Vice-President of the

Boys' School , a Life Governor of the Girls' School and Benevolent Institution , and had served Stewardships for the two Schools . As for his extra-Masonic career , his lordship was Honorary Colonel of the 4 th Battalion Border Regiment , a J . P . and D . L . for Westmorland , of which he served as High Sheriff

in 1868 , and repre ented the county in Parliament from 1871 till the General Election in 1892 . But he was less the politician than the country gentleman , and devoted much of his energy to agriculture . Indeed , some years ago , he was among the most successful breeders of Shorthorns , and

when they were all the rage , his most notable specimens of this class of cattle realised almost fabulous prices . Lastly , our deceased brother , who was born the nth February , 1844 , was the eldest son of Bro . the Marquis of Headfort— . vho iur several years past has held the office of S . G . W . of the Grand Lodge of

Ireland—by his marriage with the daughter of W . Thompson , M . P ., a banker of Ksndul , M . P ., Alderman and Lord Mayor of ths City of London , and for many years Treasurer of Christ ' s Hospital , and it was from his mother that Lord Bective derived his property in Westmorland .

The funeral look place on Wednesday , a considerable number of the officers and members of the province being present to pay their last tribute of respect to their departed chief .

BRO . WILLIAM FOULSHAM . We have to record the death of Bro . Wm . Foulsham , P . P . J . G . W . Northumberland , a founder and P . M . of the Old England Lodge , No . 1790 , which took place at Thornton Heath , Surrey . The late brother had taken a very active part in Craft and other branches of

Masonry for the past 50 years . He was a P . M . of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Lodge , No . 34 , and other lodges in the Province of Northumberland . Before leaving Newcastle he presented a large number of rare and useful books on Freemasonry to one of the lodges there , which are designated the " Foulsham Library . "

He was the Treasurer of the Old England Lodge during the past 14 years , and was held by the brethren in great estetm and respect . Bro . Foulsham was interred on the 9 th instant at the Croydon Cemetery in the presence of a large gathering , among whom was the Mayor , Deputy Mayor , Aldermen , and Councillors of

the Corporation of Croydon . The following brethren attended the funeral , and discharged their last duty to a brother , viz .: Bros . G . S . Horsnail , P . M . 1790 , and W . H . Ransom , P . M . 1790 ( Executors ); F . Lashwood ( Solicitor ] ; Hobbs , Fleming , Baber , Kilvington , Pascall , Sargeant , Ridpath , Whittaker , and

Symmons , all P . Ms , of 1790 ; Tarry , Tancock , Hopekirk , White , Bolton , Bush , Pearson , Horsnail , jun ., Sec . 1790 , and many other brethren and friends . The brethren wore sprigs of acacia , which they cast on the coffin at the end of the service . A beautiful wreath from the W . M ., Past Masters , and brethren of the Old England Lodge was p laced with other wreaths on the grave .