Consecration Of The Loggia Italia, No. 2687.

good Mason , and a good Catholic . Bro . E . L . Valerian ! , P . G . S . B ., is to be congratulated on having at last attained the summit of his Masonic ambition in the formation of the Lodge Italia . Bro . F . Gallizia , P . M ., is the first W . Master , and he has translated the ritual of the Three Degrees i . nto Italian .

The Consecrating Officer , Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , was assisted by Bros . J . W . Woodall , P . G . Treas ., as S . W . ; L . Gordon Robt ins , P . G . D ., as JAV . ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , as Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and R . Clowes , P . G . S . B ., as I . G . The founders of the nevv Iodge are Bros . E . L . P . Valerian ! , P . M . and

Sec . 16 S 7 , W . M . 2535 , P . G . Std . Br . ; F . Gallizia , P . M . 16 S 7 ; G . P . Bertini , P . M . 1559 ; A . N . Romano , P . Mentasti , G . A . Trongi , V . Guidotti , C . Tito Mattei , Org . 168 7 ; L . Azario , G . Mentasti , A . Cogliati , P . M . 1559 ; G . Feloj , G . Baghino , G . Guanziroli , C . Fumagalli , Gimo Costa , C . Guffanti , A . Bonoldi , S . D . 1559 ; C . A . Antonelli , E . Snow , and Antonio Audagna . The visitors

included—Bros . C . F . Matier , P . G . S . B . ; E . C . Mulvey , G . P . ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; E . St Clair , P . A . G . D . C . ; H . Bue , P . G . S . B . ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D . ; W . F . Smithson , P . G . D . ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; W . E . Perrett , P . P . G . D . C . ; D . J . Llewelyn , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . A . Cavvthorn , W . M . 1221 ; J . Harding , P . M . 2487 ; H . W . Schartau ; T . Grummant , P . M . 1559 ; R . W . Steggles , W . M . 2520 ; F . Napoli , 1772 ; C . G . Baker , igTo ; T . W . Green ,

II 7 S ; S . Clarke , 117 S ; H . Whitney , St 5 i ; R . H . Walker , 43 s ; W . C . Parsons , P . M . 1 S 0 , 16 S 7 ; A . H . P . Snow , S . D . 2191 ; E . L . Berry , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; T . J . Bolton , I . P . M . 1687 ; E . Robinson , 1559 ; W . A . Weeks , 1585 ; L . Verdier , 590 ; G . C . Kent , A . G . D . C . ; H . J . Harris , P . M . 65 ; F . Kedge , P . M . 749 ; J- P- Simpson , I . P . M . 176 ; W . Adams , P . M . 1687 ; C . Sims , P . M . ; H . Gros , P . M . 1 OS 7 ; G . Berkeley , l ' . M . ; W . G . Feneley , 16 S 7 ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others .

After the opening of the lodge , The CONSECRATING OFFICER , addressing the brethren , said : We are here this afternoon on an occasion which I may say is of more than usual interest . We are here for the purpose of constituting a new lodge—a lodge which is founded by , and which will consist of , brethren of Italian nationality , a body of men who are good citizens in the land of their

adoption , and who , whilst paying due obedience to the laws of the country in which they reside , have not lost sight of the allegiance due to the Sovereign of their native land . I sincerely trust this lodge may accomplish all the objects the founders have in view and advance the interests of the Order , and that it may be the means of strengthening the bonds by which the two nationalities are united .

An oration vvas delivered by Bro . Rev . R . J . Smrso . v , P . G . Chap ., who referred particularly to three great lights—the lights of nature , of conscience , and ol revealed truth . In conclusion he said that the name of the lodge gathered round it a cluster of great names , Michael Angelo , Cicero , Dantef

and many others . Italy was a land of poetry and art , and they could not forget what great power was held in ancient days by the ancestors ot the brethren who composed this lodge . That day they all met together in brotherly love , in the sacred temple—a temple founded on the brotherhood of man and shadowed by the fatherhood of God . Floreat Italia !

The new Iodge was then solemnly dedicated with the appropriate formalities .

The Grand Secretary then installed Bro . Francesco Gallizia , P . M ., as W . M ., and the following officers were invested , the directions to each being given in the Italian language : Bros . C . Guffanti , S . W . ; G . Mentasti , I . W . ; E . Snow , Sec ; E . L . P . Valerian ! , P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; F . Guanziroli , S . D . ; G . Costa , J . D . ; A . Bonoldi , I . G . ; C . A . Antonelli , D . C ; Cav'ri ' . Tito Mattei , Org . ; G . A . Trongi and A . Audagna , Stwds . ; and W . H . Hobbis , Tyler .

The Consecrating Officers were accorded a hearty vote of thanks , and elected Honorary Members , and presented with a founder ' s jewel . Bro . GORDON ROISIJINS , P . G . D ., speaking in Italian , sincerely thanked the founders for the compliment , and wished the lodge every success . Propositions were received , and the lodge was closed .

After banquet the usual toasts were given , " The Queen and the Craft " being followed , however , with a somewhat unusual one — "H . M . the King of Italy , " which was heartily received . "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and "The Grand Ofiicers" were next given by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , who congratulated the lod ge on the grand array of Grand Ollicers present . Bro . J . W . WOODALL , P . G . Treas ., responded in ' Italian as follows : Vcnerabile Maestro e Fratelli : Pr-rmpltr-tr-mi Hi rinrrra / Iarvi npr lVmnr-n ¦ h uutkllist

•, — — ---- — v- —» w >>>>—> ••••1 > u »> u > - >> a 1-- ' - | --r cue mi avete fatto di rispondere al brindisi che il V . M . ha proposto agli ulhciali della Gran Loggia d' Inghilterra e vi prego di perdonarmi , se non parlo Ia vostra lingua con facilit . ' i perchu sono piu di venti anni che non ho visitato 1 ' Italia . " // bel jntesc cite Appenin parte il mar circondn e VAlpc . " ¦ I- . ? . P recisamente come devo esprimermi per ringraziarvi in nome degli plliciall per questo brindisi . ma sono certo che Intra la Kr .-itpllany-i In

Ing hilterra ha avuto grande piacere , quando ha udito che la Loggia Italia fu proposta sotto la giurisdizione della Gran Loggia d' Inghilterra e che i urandi Ufficiali , sono sicuro , s' interesseranno per li vostra prosperita . "ii pare che la Massoneria die ha buona riputazione in Inghilterra , Germania . avezia , e negh Stati Unit ! d' America meridional ! A' Knron . i . Snnn--mn

che in tempo questa disgrazia sparir-i e che la societa Massonica non sara pm accusata come se fosse " del Diavolo . " La Framassoneria in questo laeseda pensione ai vecchi , educa , mantiene in vitto e vestito i fanciulli . . jueste opcre non devono essere censurate . Un discepolo disse al Maestro , ADDiamo veduto uno che cacciava i demoni nel tuo nome , il quale non ci iv iT . e P erchl - "on ci segua glielo abbiamo vietato ; machc disse il

vara ? iN 0 " vletacet 0- " Finalmente speriamo che Ia loggia Italia oggi finr . H m ° ' ™ . ' marinai , avr . ' i buon viaggio e che quando il V . M . alia CKli not "'!?•' u '" mano la mazzetta . simbolo d' ullicio , al suo sutcessore sodrl £ f . T * , . . he Ia * ° gK'a ha fatto un progresso che saia stimato K-SmSl * ' " unkiali dclla Gran 'Wi ; c speriamo che •niico motto sara reahzzato : Pax in le ,-, ;\ ¦ 1 „„ ,, ;„ , 1 , „< l „ , „„ Ll , „ ,, »*

remarking «? ; . u L u' , MAS' 11 ! I < proposed " The Consecrating Officers , " •ind so mn •1 u SCCn the cercmo ' -y carried out with such perfection , Bro " r r - IVe " ° WOrds werc necessary to recommend the toist . the kindnp « 'J ^ " . T ! - " ' * , '' responding , said he s h ould ill requite sUlerable w ? i , tten 10 n w ' which they all listened to him at no incon-< = 'uigin elsewhere were he to venture to occupy tlieir time for one

Consecration Of The Loggia Italia, No. 2687.

moment more than was necessary in responding . If his words were brief , they were sincere , and as the mouthpiece of those Grand Officers , with whom he had the privilege to be associated in the consecration , he tendered their warmest thanks for the compliment paid them in the toast proposed in such

extremely kind terms by the W , M . It had given them , one and all , the greatest pleasure to attend and assist in starting that new lodge . They trusted it might have before it a career of the greatest possible prosperity , and that it might strengthen those bonds which united the two great countries of Italy and England .

Bro . E . L . P . VALERIANI , P . G . S . B ., said that by command of the W . M ., and as the G . Secretary wished it , he had the great privilege of proposing " The Health of the W . Master , " than whom there was no better man , no better Italian , and no better Freemason . If any one had the honour ofthe foundation of this lodge , it was the W . M . Bro . Gallizia was a busy hardworking man in Brighton , but he had found time to translate all the ritual

into the Italian language and no professor would find fault with his translation . He took the liberty of telling both English brethren and his own countrymen the purpose of this lodge , The founders were all good Masons and having taking upon themselves a duty would perform it to the best of •their ability . It had been a hard battle , but they had been well supported by some of the Grand Officers . The intention of those who started the

lodge was to unite the best Italians coming into London into one society as a satisfaction to themselves and as a sort of gratitude to the English brethren . They were always invited to English lodges and received well , handsomely , and generously , and now they would be able to return the compliment . Bro . Goodall had reminded them ofthe deep division between English and Italian Freemasonry . They loved their country ai . d they

loved their religion and they wanted to do their duty to both . The chief of their religion and those whose duty it was to guide their conscience might say they vvere doing a wrong thing . They would not fight against them , but they intended , by their actions , to convince them they were wrong . Their own countrymen were against them , not because they had done wrong , but because others would not believe they were doing right . No politics or

religion would be introduced in the lodge or allowed . Let the chief of their relig ion send some one to mix with them , and they would initiate , pass , and raise him , and let him enjoy the " Fourth" Degree to his heart ' s content ; and then let him go back to his own country and tell his chief what was being done here . They would be very careful whom they admitted , for

Masonry was not a benefit society , and was not made tor a poor man . The founders were not ashamed of their religion or their country , and wished to prove it wanted a good man to make a good Mason , and they would also show their gratitude to lingland by their conduct in the lodge . They would honour the brother in the chair by heartily drinking his health .

Bro . F . GALLIZIA , P . M ., W . M ., said that when he first had it in his mind to establish that lodge it never occurred to him that he should be placed in that honourable position . All the founders had joined hands , and assisted him , and he would do his level best to do justice to the Iodge . He should have been able to do nothing without the help ol the founders , and the credit was therefore due to them . They would have to judge him by his work , and would therefore be in expectancy ; but he hoped the result would be creditable to himself and the Loggia Italia .

Bro . T . J . BOLTON , I . P . M . 1687 , replied for " The Visitors , " and mentioned that several of the founders , including the W . M ., were members of the Rothesay Lodge . The W . M . when in the chair of the Rothesay Lodge , achieved a harder task than that of translating the ritual into Italian , for he perfected himself in all of the ceremonies in the English language . Bros . T OWNER and GRUMMANT also replied .

" The Officers " was acknowledged by Bros . C GUFFANTI , S . W ., and G . MENTASTI , J . W . Bro . J . M . MCLEOD , P . G . S . B ,, Sec . R . M . I . B ., briefly responded lor " The Masonic Charities . " The Tyler's toast , given by Bro . HARRIS , Tyler , in Italian , then closed

the proceedings . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Uro . Tito Mattei , assisted by Bro . H . Schartau , P . P . G . Org . ; Mad une Pertoldi , and Bro . Franklin Clive . Bro . Luigi Meo delighted all present by several well * rendered violin solos .

Presentation To Bro. A. F. Godson, M.P, P.G.M. Worcestershire.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . A . F . GODSON , M . P , P . G . M . WORCESTERSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the Masonic Charity Organisation Committee of thei Province of Worcestershire vvas held on Wednesday , the 9 th instant , at the Masonic Hall , Kidderminster , under the presidency of Bro . A . F . Godson , Prov . G . M ., vvhen after the transaction of the business , the gathering was converted into a special assembly for the purpose of making a presentation to Bro . A . F . Godson , consisting of a three-quarter portrait of himself , done in oils by Mr .

Herbert A . Olivier , and an illuminated address , in book form , and with a Gothic style of ornamentation , the latter being the work of a young Kidderminster artist , Mr . E . A . Cotton ( son of a member of the local lodge of Masons ) . The portrait was regarded on all hands as a good likeness of the popular and esteemed member of the borough of Kidderminster , and shows the hon . gentleman wearing his Masonic clothing and'decorations . It is encased in a massive gilt frame , on a plate at the bottom of which is the following inscription in artistic lettering :

" Presented to Worshipful Brother A . F . Godson , M . A ., M . P ., of Westwood Park , Droitwich , in the County of Worcester , P . W ., P . G . M . of the province of Worcestershire , and P . G . D . England , by his brother Masons , as a mark of appre-. elation and respect , and in recognition of the unique position he holds in the Masonic world of Worcestershire as P . G . M ., G . S ., P . G . ( Mark ) M ., and P . G . Prior . —Dated this 9 th day of March , 1898 . —Warner Ottley , D . P . G . M . ; William Waldron , I ' . G . IL ; Abraham Green , D . P . G . ( Mark ) M ., and P . G . Sub-Prior ; Alfred B . Rowe , I ' . G . Treasurer ; and William T . Page , P . G . Secretary . "

The beautiful illuminated address , painted in water colours , and adorned with a choice selection of Gothic foliage , contained on the lirst page the name of Worshipful Brother Godson , and in the left-hand corners of the following pages were the different emblems of the various Degrees in Masonry through which the hon . gentleman had passed . An introductory ode , especially composed for the

purpose by Bro . Shuttleworth , of Worcester , prefaced the text of the address , and was bordered by illuminated ornament , in water colours . The terms of the address were as follows : " To the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire , Brother Augustus Frederick Godson , M . A ., M . P ., P . G . D . ( England ) , of Westwood Park , Droitwich , in the county of Worcester . —We , the