Reviews.

Reviews .

"MASONIC CALENDAR FOR MIDDLESEX , 1 S 99 " { Geo . Kenning , 16 , Great Queen-street , W . C ) . —This ably edited , well-arranged and neatly printed annual is one of the handiest , most compact and generally useful of the numerous Provincial Grand Lodge Calendars published . The editor is Bro . James M . Small , Prov . Grand Secretary , who has followed the plan adopted by his immediate predecesor , Bro . H . H . Room . The Prov . Grand Lodge was inaugurated on Jan . 22 nd , 1 S 70 , by grouping the lodges in Middlesex outside a radius of 10 miles from Freemasons' Hall , and now numbers 42 lodges , returning together 1554 members , or 37 on an average , one of the smallest

averages in England , but this is not to be wondered at under the circumstances . There are 13 Royal Arch chapters , with 299 companions together , being an average of 23 per chapter , and there are 11 Mark lodges in the province ; the latter Prov . G . Lodge including lodges outside a radius of kvo miles from Mark Masons' Hall . The particulars as to the Craft and Royal Arch bodies are ample , and also as to the Prov . Grand Lodge and Prov . Grand Chapter . There is also a calendar arranged on a novel , but excellent plan to exhibit the various meetings during the year of all the aforesaid bodies , and at the end of the handy little volume ( of 120 pages ) are some valuable Masonic notes .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

H 30 J — PICARD'S PLATE , 1735 . The plate of Lodges ( Signs , numbers , & c . ) in the Bible presented to the Lodge of Verity , No . 2739 , of which an excellent reproduction appears in the Freemason of last week , is , as the Correspondent surmises , that of the celebrated List of Lodges in Picard ' s ( or Picart ' s ) " Ceremonies ct Continues , " Amsterdam , 1723—1737 . It occurs in Vol . 4 , of A . D . 1736 . The Engraved List ( or Lists ) of

1 735 is missing , but clearly Picart ' s is based upon one of that year by John Pine . The plate , as reproduced in the Freemason has " xxxv . " at the top , and particulars as to the Volume also at the head line , which are not in the original , but the other particulars at foot and title , " Les Free-Massons , " are from the original . I think it likely that the plate is from the first or one of the other early editions . Some ofthe

later ones have the arrangement of Lodges and numbers entirely reversed , as Bro . John Lane notes in his valuable" Handy Book to the Lists of Lodges" ( London : Bro . George Ken .-. ing)—the only reliable work on the subject . I presume the Bible of 1610 is the Genevan version , or " Breeches , " as it is not until one year later that the " Authorised Version " was published . W . J . HUGHAN .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Porchester Lodge , No . 27 . The officers and brethren of the above lodge , which is the oldest lodge in the Pro . vince of Berks and Oxon , having been founded in 1 S 5 S , assembled at the Temperance Hall , Newbury , on the 16 th inst ., under the presidency of the VV . M ., Bro . C . E . Keyser , P . G . D . Eng ., supported by several of the Past Pasters . The principal business was the installation of Bro . Joseph Napoleon Day , S . VV ., P . G . Sup , of Wks ., as W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony having been carried out in an impressive manner ,

the VV . M . appointed his oflicers for the coming year as follows : Bros . C . E . Keyser , P . M ., I . P . M . ; Col . Gerald C . Ricardo , S . VV . ; E . Parlitt , J . W . ; E . A . Strickland , P . P . G . I . G ., M . O . * James Stradling , S . O . ; E . Turner , J . O . ; VV . IL Belcher , P . M ., P . P . J . G . O ., Treas . ; E . Hill , P . M ., P . P . S . G . O ., Reg . of M . ; S . Knight , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Sec ; E . VV . Goddard , S . D . ; T . S . Cambridge , J . D . ; G . J . Cosburn , P . M ., P . P . G . M . O ., D . ofC ; and J . Wright , I . G . The installation ceremony was ably and impressively performed by Bro . Keyser , in the presence of Bros . VV .

Ravenscroft , P . M ., P . G . Sec ; H . C . Heard , P . M . ; S . Knight , P . M . ; VV . H . Belcher , P . M . ; G . J . Cosburn , P . M . ; R . Maples , P . M . ; Col . Ricardo , E . Parfitt , E . Turner , E . Goddard , T . S . Cambridge , J . Wright , W . G . Crombie , and others . Apologies for non-attendance were read from Bro . Viscount Valentia , Prov . G . M ., and other distinguished brethren . The Audit Committee presented a report , showing that the lodge finances had been brought into a most satisfactory condition , and Bro . Belcher , Treas .,

and the Committee were congratulated upon the successful issue of their labours , and warmly thanked for the time and trouble they had devoted to the matter . On the proposal of Bro . Cosburn , P . M ., a hearty vote of thanks , unanimously passjd , was presented to Bro . Keyser for the valuable services he had rendered to the lodge during the past year , and indeed , throughout the period during which he had been associated with Masonry in Newbury . Bro . Keyser , who was greeted with much applause , made a graceful response , after which the lodge business was brought to a termination in the usual fuiui .

Borough of Greenwich Lodge , No . 332 . On Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., after an energetic and prosperous year of ollice as Master of the above lodge , Bro . A . H . Bateman , P . M . 309 , 433 , and 332 , P . P . G . M . O ., finished his work by advancing Bros . Francis F . Marrable , of Craft lodge No . 2332 , and John Ilinds , of No . 1671 , and then , in admirable style , installing his successor , Bro . C . M . Challender , P . M . 323 , P . S . G . W . Isle of Man ( Craft ) , as Master of the lodge for the ensuing 12 months . Bros . Frank Lever and Henry Jacobs , of the Excebior Mark

Lodge , No . 22 O , were elected as joini . ig members . I hc new Master investeu Ins officers as follows : Bros . A . E . Kipps , S . VV . ; F . Lever , J . VV . ; G . P . Carter , P . M ., P P . J . G . W ., Treas ., and acting Sec . ; G . Burney , sen . P . M ., R . of M . ; IL Jacobs , M . O . ; J . VV . Rozicr , S . O . ; F . Marrable , S . D . ; J . Hinds , J . D . ; VV . P . Burney , P . M ., acting I . G . ; and E . Spinks , Tyler . The lodge is held at Bro . W . Burney ' s hindsome hotel , the King William the Fourth , Kast Greenwich , and the banquet was served in the well-known manner that Bro . G . Burney , the host ' s worthy and esteemed father , is so renowned for ; it was perfect , and much enjoyed .

Among the other brethren present were Bros . E . Kipps , P . M ., P . P . G . M . O . ; S . Gore , P . M . ; II . Roberts , P . M ., P . P . G . R . of M . ; E . Burney , ) . D . Brooks , S . VV . 309 ; R . Trill , 22 ; G . S . Graham , P . M . 234 , P . P . G . Org . Surrey ; C . Jolly , P . M . 226 , P . P . S . G . D . ; and others . We had almost forgotten to state that Bro . Batenun was presented with a handsoiii : Past Mark Master ' s jewel for his valuable services to the lodge during his year of office , and also withavote of thanks for his work that day as Installing O . ficer , ths sa * n ; to b ; inscribed on the minutes of the lodge .

' I he toast of " I'he Oueen and Mail ; Masonry " and the Grand Mark Lodge toasts having been honoured , Bro . Kipps , sen ., responded for "The Prov . Grand Ollicers , Present and Past , " briefly but to the point . Bro . Bateman , in proposing the toast of " The VV . M ., " said they hid seen enough of Bro . Challender to like him very much , and they expected to like hii-. i 111 ire and more

as time went on . It had been said that gratitude was a sense of favours to come , and they looked forward for a good many favours at thc hands of their esteemed W . M . It would be their duty to lind him plenty of work , and , as their W . M . was not in a position to look for candidates in the district , they must and would find some for him . They had that night advanced two to the Honourable Degree , and he trusted to have at least one or more at each and all of their meet ngs for their Mitt .-r to advrnce .

Ihe VV . M ., in response , thanked them for Jthe gratifying manner in which they had received the toast of his health , but above all for their kindness in electing and installing him as their VV . M . Coming amongst them as he did some four years ago he did not expect ever to be their VV . M . —at least , not in so short a time . He asked them to help him do his best to make the lodge one of the most flourishing in the district . As Bro . Bateman had told them , he lived so far away from them that he should not be able to

Mark Masonry.

induce the Craft brethren of the locality to join , but he feltsurethe brethren of the lodge would do so . The more work they found him to do the better he should like it , and he hoped that at the end of his year of office they might be able to say of him " Well done , good and faithful servant . " Bros . Bateman and Rob 2 rts responded for " The Past Masters , " the first-named brother having his name incorporated in it as I . P . M . and Installing Officer . " The Visitors " and " The Officers " were toasted , and then the Tyler's toast concluded a pleasant and enjoyable gathering . _ Bro . Graham delighted the brethren with his humorous songs and splendid whistling .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Hope Chapter , No . 574 . The 16 th instant was a somewhat busy day with the Fraternity in Newbury , the Porchester Mark Lodge , held in the afternoon , being succeeded by the above chapter , at which there was a numerous attendance . The three Principals' chairs were occupied by Comps . Rev . W . M . Hope , M . E . Z . ; S . Knight , IL ; and VV . H . Belcher , P . Z ., J .

An interesting ceremony was performed , Bros . Stephen Knight , jun ., P . M ., and Joseph Howard being exalted , after which the Principals and other otfi : ers for the ensuing year were elected as follows : Comps . Stephen Knight , M . E . Z ; W . H . Bilcher , H . ; R . Maples , J . ; Hanningtnn , S . E . ; Col . Ricardo , S . N . ; E . Head , Treas . ; E . Hill , P . S . ; J . N . Day , ist A . S . ; C Stradling , 2 nd A . S . ; H . D'o . VV . Astley , Stwd . ; C . E . Keyser , D . C . ; and S . P . BurtonJanitor .

, The chapter having been closed , the companions , joined by the Mark Masons , dined together at the Jack of Newbury Hotel . Bro . Day , the newly-installed Master of the Mark Lodge , presided , the vice-chairman being the S . VV ., Bro . Col . Ricardo . There were also present Comps . R . Ravenor , P . Z . ; H . S . Hanington , C . H . Stradling , G . Gardner Leader , A . E . Pike , S . P . Burton , and others .

"The Health of the VV . M . of the Porchester Lodge , " proposed by Bro . Belcher , P . M ., was drunk with much enthusiasm . Bro . Day suitably returned thanks . Comp . Knight gave "The Health of the retiring M . E . Z ., Comp . the Rev . VV . M . Hope , " bearing testimony to the great ability he had shown in the high office he had held during the past year .

Comp . Hanington proposed "The Health of Comp . A . E . Pike , " and on behalf of the brethren , offered him every good wish on his departure for a more important position in connection with the Capital and Counties Banking Company at Nottingham . Comp . Pike , in replying , said he had spent a very happy time amongst the Newbury Mason ? , and he was sorry to leave that neighbourhood . The VV . M . of the Porchester Lodge proposed "The Health of the Neivly-appointed Officers . "

Comp . Col . Ricardo returned thanks . 1 he proceedings throughout were of a most genial character

St . Dunstan's Chapter , No . 1589 . A meeting was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 9 th inst ., when there were present , among others , Comps . W . Farrington , M . E . Z . ; Phillips , IL ; Longhurst , J . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . Z ., P . D . G D . C , S . E . ; ] . VV . Gaze , C . C , P . Z ., Treas . ; F . Farrington , P . Z . ; VV . E . Farrington , P . Z . ; VV . II . Nuding , P . Z . ; R . Evens , P . Z . ; and H . VV . Clemow , I . P . Z .

The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . It being election night , Comp . S . Raper Phillips was elected M . E . Z . ; Comps . J . Longhurst , H . ; VV . H . Nuding , P . Z ., J . ; Major 'I * . C . Walls , P . Z ., S . E . , * and J . W . Gaze , P . Z ., Treas . Comp . J . Gilbert was elected Janitor . A vote of thanks was passed to the M . E . Z ., and he was voted a Past Principal ' s jewel . Comp . T . Farthing , P . Z ., sent an apology for non-attendance , and the chapter was closed .

Refreshment followed labour . Upon the removal of the cloth , the customary toasts received full justice . Comp . A . Evens , P . Z ., gave the toast of "The M . E . Z . " He said it was to be regretted that the First Principal had had no work to do . He was thoroughly competent to do it . It was a long time since the chapter had had a candidate . It appeared to the speaker that the attractions of the Royal Arch were not so great as formerly . He had heard of other London chapters that were languishing for new members . However , he trusted that before the M . E . Z . vacated the chair there would be an E-taltee .

The M . E . Z ., in reply , fully endorsed the remarksof the proposer of the toast . He had been greatly disappointed at the absence of work that evening . Two brethren had expressed a desire to be exalted , but at the eleventh hour had withdrawn . St . Dunstan's Chapter was a very pleasant little institution , and it was a thousand pities that it should languish for want of support . The toasts of "The Id . and J ., " "The Past Principals , " and "The S . E . and Treasurer" terminated the proceedings at an exceptionally early hour .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

FREEMASONRY IN MALTA

The annual installation of the Melita Preceptory ol Knights Templar and Knights of Malta was held in the Masonic Hall , Valetta , on Thursday , the yth instant . The Km . Preceptor elect , Sir Knight Allison Bellamy Hall , K . N ., was installed as li . P ., the ceremony being very efliciently performed by E . Sir Knig ht \ V . Hayes , P . E . P ., who is at present on a visit to

Malta . He was ably supported by V . li . Sir Knight J . VV . Starkey , P . E . P . ; E . Sir Knight VV . Ii . Cook , P . EP . ; and V . E . Sir Knight William Pariente , P . E . P . After the installation the usual appointment of olYbers for 1 S 1 J 9 were made . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded li . Sir Knight VV . Hayes for the able minner he had performed ths ceremony . After E . Sir Knig ht VV . Hayes had responded , the preceptory was closed .

An event of more than ususl importance took place in the Masonic Hall , Valetta , on Saturday , the I ith instant , the occasion being the consecration of a new lodge , named the " Koyal Naval , " for which a provisional warrant had been granted by the K . W . the Dist . Grand Master of Malta .

The petitioners and guests assembled at eight p . m . when Bro . Major-General John 1 «" . Owen , R . A ., Dist . G . Master , took the chair , the following Dist . G . Lodge oflicers assisting in their respective offices : Bros . J . A . Bell , Dep . D . G . M . ; H . K . E . VVoodthorpe , D . S . G . W . ; S . G . Yeoman , D . J . G . W .: VV . li . Cook , D . G . Sec . ; and A . Bumstead , D . G . D . C .

The petition and provisional warrant having been read , the consecrating ceremony was very ably performed by the above named officers . The installation of the Worshipful Master designate , Bro , Dep . Inspector General James Hamilton Martin , K . N ., D . S . O ., was well

conduced by Bro . Allison B . ILdl , R . N ., LP . M . 515 . After Bro . J . H . M'trtin had been proclaimed and saluted , he appointed and invested his oflicers as follows : Bros . A . Ii . Hall , as I . P . M . ; II . C . K . lirccklebank , S . VV . ; 1 <\ Hannaford , K . N ., J . VV . ; VV . VV . Chilcott , R . N ., Treas . ; H . B . Townshend , Sec . ; . Rev . C . Archer , R . N ., S . D . ; E . G . Budgeon