Freemasonry In Sweden.

WALES was initiated into Freemasonry while on a visit to the late Kin" of Sweden and Norway at Stockholm , his Majesty being assisted in his labours by the present King OSCAR . . At his Royal Highness ' s installation as M . W . G . Master in the

Royal Albert Hall , on the 2 S 1 I 1 April , 18 75 , a deputation attended from ( IK . Grand Lodge ol " Sweden , and at the banquet which was held in the evening the Prince himself proposed a ( oast to his Majesty . In 18 S 7 ,

al tin- instance of his Royal Highness the M . W . Grand Master , Grand Lodge , conferred upon the Swedish monarch the rank of Past Grand Master , and subsequent )) ' presented him with the clothing and insignia of his rank , while , in iSSS , his

Majesty still further idenlilied himself with English Masonry and its Institutions bv attending the Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , in whose behalf he accepted the office ol" Steward , and to whose funds he contributed a donation

of 25 guineas . Thus for the greater part of the last . loo years the Craft in the two kingdoms have worked together most harmoniously , and it would be a graceful compliment to OSCAR II . as Grand Master of Masons in Sweden , and one which could

not be otherwise than most gratifying to his Majesty , if our Grand Lodge were to vote , an address of congratulation to him on the happy event in his Majesty ' s career which has so recently been celebrated .

On The Prowl Again.

ON THE PROWL AGAIN

It is evident , from the letter we published last week from Bro . J . S NEWTO . V , Provincial Grand Secretary ol " East Lancashire , that the . Masonic Vagrant is again actively engaged in levying toll on the unwary brother and lightening him of any

superfluous cash which he is at a loss what to do with . Indeed , it is Bro . NEWTON ' S opinion—and he , from his official position , may be regarded as an authority on the question—that " the number of impostors now preying upon the Masonic Almoners

and the Fraternity generally , " is " greatly on the increase , " and , in support of this opinion , he mentions the case of a vagrant who rejoices in quite a number of aliases , and who has latterly been doing some very good business in East Lancashire . This

vagrant is a member , as circumstances seem favourable , of one of three lodges in the Midlands , and a circular letter , which Bro NEWTON , in the fulfilment ol" his duty , appears to have though ! it wise lo address lo lodges in his Province , warning them

against the depredations of tin ' s particular impostor , appears to have been so far successful , that one of the Almoners was able to bring him to hook the other day , and , instead of helping the fellow on his war with n few shillings , wrung from him ; ' an

admission of his guilt , and a promise not to repeal the offence . " He had , however , already obtained assistance in three cases , and the chances are greatly in favour of his renewing his little game when he finds himself in another locality , where lod' > e

Almoners have not been cautioned agamsl his proceedings b \ an energetic Provincial Grand Secretary . But while ( his is one vagrant against whom we have been placed on our guard , there must be many others engaged in the lucrative business oi

Masonic vagabondism ol" whom we have no knowledge and who may sooner or later put in practice one of their many impostures at our expense . The vagrant who describes himself on his visiting card as " B . A . T . C . D . " has not been heard of lately but

doubtless when a favourable opportunity presents itself it will be found that he is still in the land of Ihe living and still anxious lo relieve us of any shillings for which a particular destination has not been ordered . For him , indeed ,

imprisonment appears to have no ( errors , and we mav reasonabl y assume thai so-long as there are brelhren weak minded enoii" - )) to give alms without inquiring as to the worthiness of the almsseeker , so long will tin ' s fellow be on ( he prowl . Then there

are those who visited the brethren m Kent and Surrey with considerable profit to themselves and to the extreme annoyance of those on whom they had successfully practised their impostures . In short , so far as our information

goes and undoubtedly so far as our experienced Bro . NEWTON is aide to form an opinion , ( lie number ol Masonic impostors is "greatly on the increase . " Yet it cannot be said that warnings enough , both in these columns and elsewhere , against the

On The Prowl Again.

depredations of these fellows have not been issued . The truth is that Masonic vagrancy will always flourish to a greater or less extent , so long as there is no organised system of coping with if . We have pointed this out before and have offered our

assistance in every form and to every extent that may be thought expedient . Wo have adduced as a reason for starting such an organisation ( he success which lias attended the one already established in the Untied Slates and Canada , and which we have the authority of successive Grand Masters of Canada

has been the means ol saving the brethren many thousands ol dollars yearly . Vet here the lodges in town and country appear lo think it belter to leave the impostor full opportunity for following his avocation , than to start and maintain , witli little

trouble and for a small outlay , a Society for putting down Masonic Vagrancy . Fully half a dozen times during the last year or two have we called attention to this subject , and yet it

was only last week that the Secretary of one of our largest and most important Provinces felt it his duty to warn us against the depredations of one of these fellows .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

The well-known " Red Book " of the " Ancient and Accepted Rite for England , Wales , and the Dependencies 01 the British Crown , " is a month later of issue this year than formerly , but as a matter of fact , the work has been done more expeditiously than ever before , as the new edition is corrected to jrsf August , i $ 9 / , instead of to the 30 /// June as previously .

This most accurate compilation , ably arranged , and thoroughly complete , has some new features this time which add much to its usefulness for purposes of reference , such as an alphabetical list of Rose Croix chapters , and an Obituary , of sad import ,

which includes over 90 names , three having been members of the 33 ° ( Colonel Burney , the Earl of Limerick , and Colonel G . A . Vernon ) , and others were enthusiastic Craftsmen , much missed and lamented .

The Frontispiece , as usual , is devoted to a map showing the Districts of the Inspectors General , and the Cities and Towns where the chapters assemble in England and Wales . The Rules and Regulations have , scarcely been altered , but there are some changes in the personnel of tin' Supreme Council , which should be noted , so f give the revised list as printed , viz :

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , Grand Patron . H . R . H . tin- Duke of Connaught , K . G ., ike , Hon . Mem . The Right Hon . the Karl of Lathom , G . C . B ., Grand (' onuuander . Captain Nathaniel George Philips , P . G . C ., Lieut .. Grand

( o / uu / ander . Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , Grand Captain of Guards . V . I . Frank Richardson , Grand Treasurer General . The Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , Grand Prior .

V . I . James Henry Matthews , Grand Chamberlain . Colonel the Right I Ion . Earl of Euston , Grand Registrar . Lieut-Colonel Arthur B . Cook , Grand Marshal . Y . J . Richard Loveland-Lov . land , Grand Chancellor .

There are likewise two alterations in the "Officials of Supreme Council , " viz ., Captain W . Portlock-Dadson , 33 , has succeeded Major-General J . C . Hay , C . B ., 33 " , as Secretary , and Bro . Annilagc , 31 ° has been appointed the second Assistant to the Director of Ceremo ' nies , who is the courteous Bro . Sir George D . Harris , 33 .

There are now only three retired members of the Supreme Council , viz . Major-Gen . Edward Clerk ( 1802 to 1890 ) , Lieut . Col . J . G . Sandeman ( iSfiS-g ) , and the R . W . Bro . Hugh 1 Satideman (*< S 7 _ j lo 18 95 ) , and as two of the three honorar ) members include Ihe lirst and last of these , there is only one

additional brother who enjoys that distinction , viz . the Hon . Josiali H . Dnnnmond , Past Grand Commander of the U . S . A . ( N . J . ) There is one vacancy on the Roll of Inspectors General of Districts for England , and two for Abroad , as in the

previous publication , and there are iS members of the 33 who are not of the Supreme Council or on the Roll of Inspectors ; the new names being the Right Hon . Lord Dungarvan , Prov . G . M . forSomersetshire , Captain IV . Portlock-Dadson , P . G . D ., the Right I Ion . tin- Karl of Dartrey , P . G . W ., & c

There are 4 / j members of the 32 " ' resident in England , and two honorary , so ( here are six vacancies , and as there are likewise K 3 of the 31 ° , there are seven vacancies for that Degree . Of course these numbers vary during the year by the return home