Board Of Benevolence.

At the Board of Masters the paper of agenda for next Wednesday week at Grand Lodge was settled . At the Board of Benevolence , recommendations to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales to the amount of £ 4 80 were confirmed . There were 20 cases on the new list , out of which there were only two from London . The remaining were from Liverpool ( two ) , Shepton Mallet , Dartford , Ventnor ( I . W . ) , Wallsend , Paignton , Gainsborough , Port Melbourne ( Victoria ) ,

Newcastleon-Tyne , Croston , East Looe , Birkenhead , Bristol , Wincanton , Newport ( Mon . ) , and Mottram . Two of the cases were deferred and one petition was dismissed . The other applicants were relieved with a total sum of ^ 495-Grand Lodge was recommended to grant two petitioners £ 100 each and one petitioner £$ o , and the Grand Master was recommended to grant two petitioners ^ 30 each . Immediate relief was given to seven cases in ^ 20 each , four ^ 10 each , and one petitioner received £ 5 .

Masonic Banquet At Harewood House, Ross.

MASONIC BANQUET AT HAREWOOD HOUSE , ROSS .

A banquet was given by Bro . H . H . Parry , J . D . of the Palladian Lodge , No 120 , Hereford , at Harewood House , Ross , on Tuesday , the 13 th instant . The members of the Palladian Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter , Hereford , and the members of the Ross Vitruvian Lodge were invited . Bro . Parry presided . The Hereford brethren present were Bros . H . C . Beddoe , D . P . G . M . ; E . Stephens , W . M . ; J . Marchant , P . M . ; W . Rowe , P . M . ; D . Blinkhorn , P . M . ; J . Norton ,

P . M . ; W . Parlby , P . M . ; J . Barnes , P . M . ; E . Shaw , P . M . ; A . White , P . M . ; and R . G . R . Evans ; and Comps . Charles Rootes , A . S . Townsend , W . Stafford , C . E . A . Moore , W . W . Robinson , W . Margrett , W . Caldwell , Org . ; J . Marsh , C . Vaughan , S . T . Phillips , W . Mason , W . H . Oswin , P . Morris , H . Matthews , W . Lapthorne , Godsell , Stephens , F . S . Prosser , G . W . Meats , W . Haywood , and

Yeomans . Amongst the Ross brethren who attended were Bros . J . E . S . Hewett , P . M ., P . Z ., P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Matthews , P . M . ; S . G . Yates , P . M . ; . G . F . Minett , P . M . ; the Rev . Douglas Seaton , P . M . ; J . Lewis , P . M . ; L . U . Wooler , P . M . ; F . Cooper , J . W . ; A . P . Small , S . D . ; J . H . Hall , D . C ; W . Small , I . G . ; F . Brendon , W . T . Casson , Allan Evans , E . Knibbs , W . H . Smith , Dr . E . M . Knapp , W . Thorpe , ] . G . Wall , and G . W . lnnell .

A vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Parry for his kind reception by Bros BEDDOE , D . P . G . M . ; E . STEPHENS , W . M . Palladian Lodge ; and J . E . S HEWETT , P . M . of the Vitruvian Lodge . To this Bro . P ARRY suitably responded .

After the banquet the brethren inspected the beautiful grounds and park , and also the handsome church adjoining Bro . Parry's residence , which was built by a Freemason . In the park there is a fine echoing oak , and a holy thorn , the latter of which only buds on Christmas Day . A pleasant and enjoyable time was spent by all the brethren .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Acacia Lodge , No . 2321 . Notwithstanding the holiday season , the regular meeting of this lodge held on Thursday evening , the 1 st inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Bradford , was very numerously attended , nearly 40 brethren of the Iodge and visitors having assembled to listen to a further paper read by Bro . J . T . Last , I . P . M ., on " Masonic Jurisprudence , " dealing on this occasion with the subject of "The Freemason as a Visitor , " and , judging from the many complimentary remarks made regarding the paper , the brethren felt themselves amply repaid for any trouble or self-denial they had been put to or had exercised

in attending a Masonic lodge at this season of the year . In the absence of the W . M ., who with his family were cruising round the British Isles for a well-earned holiday , Bro . j . T . last , I . P . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . John Morton , S . W . ; Saml . Robinson , as ] . W . ; J . Niven , P . M . ; S . A . Auty , P . M . ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Wilson , P . M ., Chap . ; J . Haigh , P . M . ; W . Shaw Smith , Asst . Sec . ; R . S . Hird , J . D . j T . P . Sykes , J . S . Hedley , W . Docksey , R . Harland , J . S . Marsland , R . B . Nicholls , H . Holmes , Tyler ; J . j . Whittaker , J . Bland , and others . Visitors : Bros . I . Matthewman , P . M . 1010 , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; S . H . Stocks , P . M . 603 , P . P . G . D . ; Rev .

B . Mayon , 074 , P . P . G . C . ; J . Clough , W . M . 603 ; S . Law , I . P . M . 603 ; G . Armitage , I . G . 603 ; T . Walker , C 03 ; H . Woodcock , 600 ; J . W . Woodhead , 600 ; T . Henry , 600 ; D . C Kershaw , J . D . 101 S ; W . Dickinson , 974 ; C Meeker , 974 , United States Consul at Bradford ; T . E . Greenough , W . M . 1545 ; and others . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous regular lodge were confirmed . Bro . Last , I . P . M ., then read the paper referred to , which was very attentively listened to by the brethren . Bro . S . A . Auty , P . M ., proposed , and Bro . Haigh , P . M ., seconded , a cordial vote of thanks to Bro . Last for his very interesting paper . The

resolution was supported by Bro . Matthewman , Prov , A . G . bee , who stated that he had travelled from Horsforth to hear the paper , as he was confident that when Bro . Last had undertaken to deal with the subject it would be done thoroughly . He had listened very attentively with the object of seeing if any branch of the subject had been omitted , but he was able to say that every side of it had been discussed . He felt gratified—as he was sure all the brethren were—at having had the opportunity of hearing such an interesting paper read . The resolution was recorded on the minutes . A candidate was proposed for initiation at the next regular lodge , and apologies were tendered for the

unavoidable absence of thc W . M . and a numberjof the brethren . " Hearty good wishes " were tendered from the visiting brethren , and the lodge was closed , after which the brethren dined together . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . In proposine the toast of " The Visitors , " Bro . J . T . Last , the acting W . M ., on behalf of the lodge , gave them all a most hearty welcome , and stated that besides receiving the compliment of a visit from several Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers , they were honoured that evening by the presence of the distinguished

representative in Bradford of the Government of the United States of America , a country with whom the English nation was in amity , and the Grand Lodges of the respective Constitutions enjoyed fraternal intercourse . He ( Bro . Last ) regarded it as a compliment to English Freemasonry , that Bro . Claude Meeker , although an American citizen , had been received into the Craft through the medium of the English Constitution . Another of the visitors he would like specially to mention—Bro . Stocks , P . P . G . D . —was a Masonic veteran , who had given up visiting lodges years ago , but who , nevertheless , had made an exception that evening , and had travelled from a neighbouring town to be

present and hear the paper which he ( Bro . Last ) had had the honour to read before the lodge . He most heartily welcomed Bro . Stocks as well as the W . M . and other brethren ot the Zetland Lodge , No . O 03 , who had accompanied him , and he ( Bro . Last ) hoped to have the pleasure of their company as visitors at Lodge Acacia on future occasions . Bro . S . H . Stocks , P . M . C 03 , P . P . G . D ., responded on behalf of "The Visitors , " and assured the acting W . M . and . the brethren of the lodge that their visit that evening all

had been a great treat to them . He thought he had given up Masonic visiting years ago , but he felt it a privilege to have heard the paper read in the lodge that evening . 1 le was much gratified with the reception of the visitors , and , personally , he hoped to have the opportunity of again visiting the lodge . The acting W . M . had referred to the hearty welcome he had received as a visitor at the Zetland Lod ge , he ( Bro . Stocks ) wished to state that if any cf the brethren of Lodge Acacia would favour his lodge with a visit , they would meet with as hearty a welcome as Bro . Last had experienced .

Bro . T . E . Greenough , W . M . 1545 , also responded , and , in referring- to the paper read in the lodge , stated that they had heard much that was of interest to all , while many of the points that had been noticed were decidedly useful for a Master of a lodge io know .

Craft Masonry.

Bro . Meeker , 974 , the United States Consul at Bradford , as a young Mason , conside red it a privilege to be permitted to add a few remarks in acknowledging the kindness and cordiality with which the toast of" The Visitors " had been received . He was indebted to the acting W . M . for having spent an exceedingly pleasant evenin-r . He referred to the paper read in lodge in eulogistic terms , and as that was his first Masonic visit to a lodge , he assured the brethren that when he returned to his own country he would always have most pleasant reminiscences of the enjoyment of the present evening . "The Acting W . M ., Bro . Last , " was proposed in complimentary terms b y Bro Stocks , P . P . G . D .

Bro . Last , I . P . M ., who suitably responded , remarked that owrng to the absence of the W . M ., who was enjoying a holiday , he had had the privilege of again presiding over the lodge , an experience that perhaps might never again fall to his lot . It reminded him of the exceedingly happy year he spent as W . M . ot the lodge , and he was particularl y grateful , not only to the brethren who had supported him that evening , but also to the many visitors—some of whom had come from a distance—who had honoured the lodge by their presence that evening . It was very gratifying to him to have heard the paper he had had the honour to read before the lodge so well spoken of , so that he felt more

than repaid for any little trouble he might have been put to in preparing it ,- indeed , it was a labour of love when doing anything for the lodge . Bro . T . E . Greenough , W . M . 154 s , proposed "The Past Masters of the Lodge , " which was responded to by Bro . John Niven . " The Officers of the Lodge " was acknowledged by Bro . John Morton , S . W ., in suitable terms . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant and harmonious meeting to a close . Songs , recitations , and violin solos by Bros . Sykes , Harland , Wilson , Clough , Henry , Dickinson , and Smith were interspersed with the toasts .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CRAFT MASONRY . Lodge de Goede Hoop ( N . C . ) . The above lodge—the mother lodge in South Africa—held its installation on the 22 nd June in its Grand Temple . The band of the D . E . O . V . R . was in attendance in the grounds , and beguiled the time , while the ladies and little ones waited for the procession , with appropriate music . Within the lodge a numerous company assembled , including the Worshipful Masters , officers , and brethren of the various lodges in Cape Town under the English , Scotch , and Netherlands Constitutions , the M . W . S ., Bro . C C . Silberbauer , and members of the Goede Hoop Rose Croix Chapter , whose brilliant regalia was a striking feature in the procession . The Dist . G . M . South Africa , Western

Division , Bro . Very Rev . C . W . Barnett-Clarke , M . A ., was accompanied by the following District Grand Officers : Bros . Turner , 1 S 60 , D . S . G . W . j C J . Hogg , 2537 , D . G . Reg . ; J . B . Wheelwright , 2379 , D . G . Sec ; J . A . Yallop , 1735 . D . G . D . of C ; G . McCann , 334 , D . A . G . D . of C . j G . E . O . Bennett , 334 , D . G . P . ; and T . Healey , 2379 , and E . T . M . Notcutt , 2537 , D . G . Stewards . As soon as the brethren were in their places , the Deputy Grand Master National , Bro . D . P . Faure , was announced , and was received with all due honours . He was accompanied by Bros . O . D . Douallier , Lodge de Goede Hoop , P . G . Orator ; W . J ,

Matthews , Lodge de Goede Hoop , P . S . G . W . ; G . Marshall , Lodge de Goede Hoop , P . G . Treas .,- H . L . Wagner , Lodge de Goede Hoop , P . G . Sec . ; J . W . Parrott , Lodge de GoedeTrouw , P . G . D . C ; and F . T . R . Griesbach , Lodge de GoedeTrouw , Inspector of Public Works . Besides the Worshipful Masters who were with their respective Grand Lodges , there were present : Bros . Bain , P . D . D . G . M ., E . D . S . A . j Parratt , P . D . G . S . B . ; Allan Wright , P . M . 398 ( S . C . ); J . Martin , P . M . 6 54 ( S . C . ); and W . Coward , R . W . M . 420 ( S . C ) . After the opening hymn , the Deputy Grand Master expressed his pleasure on being there on that occasion , and in the course of further remarks said that the re-election of

the W . M .. Bro . C E . Lewis , was a greater honour than the election last year . On that occasion the brethren had acted on faith , but this time of knowledge . Bro . 0 . D , Douallier presented the W . M . elect to the Deputy Grand Master , who administered the usual obligation and installed the W . M . in the seat of honour . The W . M . was then proclaimed and saluted in the accustomed manner , and forthwith proceeded to invest the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . H . T . Amphlett , S . W . ; H . Wilson J . W . ; D . Tennant , Orator ; W . H . Tiffany , Sec . and Treas . ; I . Jones , Ambassador ; R . Rothkugel , Master of Ceremonies ; F . L . St . Leger ,

Almoner ; A . M . de Witt , Architect ; J . C Piton , ist Prep . ; A . L . Peters , 2 nd Prep . ; E . T . M . Notcutt , Dep . Orator ; E . L . Railing , Dep . Sec ; W . j . A . Wheeler , Dep . Treas . ; P . H . Vom Dorp , Dep . Ambassador ; C . T . Mills , Dep . M . of C . ; E . J . Edwards , Treasurer of Benevolent Fund ,- A . Scharfscheer , Director of Music ; A . Adamson , I . G . 5 and A . J . Roux , Tyler . The W . M . made a presentation to Bro . W . H . Tiffany , and spoke very feelingly of the brother ' s visit to England , and fervently wished that he might be restored to them in perfect health .

Bro . Tiffany , in reply , thanked them and spoke of all the Past Masters of the lodge having attended on that occasion . He said that the Lodge de Goede Hoop was part of his life , and also of the great kindness he had received from all . The Tyler , Bro . A . J . Roux , was loudly applauded as his well-known figure moved up the lodge , the W . M . remarking that the Tyler had served nearly as many years in that capacity as the W . M . had lived in this world . The oration customary on such occasions was delivered by Bro . D . Tennant , who spoke of his predecessors as having raised the standard of the orations . The ofiice had

also to him a personal interest , as not only was a representative of his family among the founders in 1772 , but another member of the family , a great uncle , was orator 63 years ago . They had met that day for a three-fold object ; to celebrate the anniversary ol their patron saint , for the closing of the old and the commencement of the new Masonic year . He alluded to the occupation in the profane world of the W . M . —that of education—a profession second to none in laying the corner-stones of all true advancement . Masonry in the assemblage before him well illustrated the principles of unity , brotherly love , and accord , for though of different creeds and politics , they were met together in

peace and unity , demonstrating that grand truth of peace on earth and goodwill towards men . Liberty , equality , and fraternity , those terrible words to the outside world that had cost rivers of blood through men's mistaken notion of it , were fully illustrated within Masonry to a great extent . They were hei .-s to a great estate if they were mindful ol their duty . Without a due sense of their duty all their beautiful forms and ceremonies became a meaningless farce and a mere toy . Had they in the heat and hurry and bustle of this nineteenth century ever turned aside to lend a hand to help a weaker or fallen

brother . There was not so much difference between them , the Speculative and the Operative Masons of the middle ages . The Operative Masons wrought in the rough stones , and having fashioned them , placed them in the grand buildings they were rearing while the Speculative Mason laboured upon the hearts of men to fit them tor th : Grand Lodge above . May they all so labour that there may be said to them : " Well done , good and faithful servant , thou hast been faithful in a few things , be thou ruler over many things !"

The Deputy Master , Bro . W . H . F . Pocock , being in Europe , was not invested wifj his jewel of ofiice . Bro . O . D . Douallier , the retiring Deputy Master , considered that he should not hold office again at present , but should make room for others . The usual procession was formed after the collection for the Masonic Education Fund had been made , and the brethren perambulated the grounds to the strains of the E . A . March . On thc return to the lodge , the W . M . thanked the visitors for their attendance ) and expressed his pleasure at the cordial relations that existed between the Netherlands and English Ccnstitutions . The lodge was then closed , and the annual banquet took place in the evening .

THE OtJKKN will hold a Privy Council at Osborne to-morrow ( Saturday ) for 1 *' purpose 01 signing the proclamation proroguing Parliament . A special train has bee ordered for 10 . 15 a . m . to convey the Councillors fiom the Victoria Station of the London-Brighton , and South Coast Railway to Portsmouth , whence they will cross to Cowes one of the Royal yachts . It has been arranged that the Queen will leave Osborne i <" Scotland on Tuesday next , thc 27 th inst .