Masonic Notes.

Wardens , and the officers of loJges should rig themselves up in robes and tinsel when tbey are conferring the Third or any other Degree . "Simplex mnnditiis " is , or should be , the device followed by all who are required to take part in our ritual .

The Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Deputy Grand Master , as Prov . Grand Master , has decided to hold the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall at Wadebridge , on Tuesday , the 15 th prox . The entertaining lodge is the " Molesworth , " No . 1954 ,

which was started in the year 1 S 82 , and as it will be the first time for such a meeting to be held in that town , there will , no doubt , be ; j ; reat anxiety on the part of the W . M . and Officers , to render the gathering as pleasant as possible to the Provincial Grand Lodge .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

I W .- . 1 .. nrir nold mirselven responsible for the opinions expressed I )/ nt . r cnrr ^ -pondentB , hut we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

PROVINCIAL GRAND OFFICERS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In answer to " Plumb Rule ' s " questions 1 do not think there should be any diversity of opinion . I . A Provincial Grand Officer has the same right as

every other Mason has of visiting any lodge in his province or elsewhere without an invitation , but he has no greater right . Whether it is desirable for him to claim admission into a lodge that does not wish to receive uninvited visitors is a matter for his own good taste to decide . Personally , I have never come across

such a lodge . 2 . Unless he is the P . G . M . or D . P . G . M ., and actually assumes the chair , he has no more power or authority than any other visitor . His purple is merely an emblem of rank within his province . I assume , of course , that Bro . " Plumb Rule " speaks

of a general rule , not of a particular case of a brother sent by the P . G . M . to visit a lodge on a specific night for a specific purpose , nor of an officer specially appointed under Provincial By-laws or resolution of Prov . Grand Lodge , as 1 believe is sometimes done . I merely speak as to the general law , and I should much

like to know from Bro . " Plumb Rule" on what authority he bases his opinion . Oliver ' s statement , " Indeed , the privileges of a Provincial Grand Officer are almost wholly restricted to the purple and gold " ( " Oliver ' s Mas . Jur ., " Ed . 1874 . Chap . II ., s . Ilf . ) , seems to me a fairly accurate

statement of the case . A Provincial Grand Officer , or even Grand Officer , has no more authority in a lodge he is visiting than any other visitor , except such as will be gladly accorded , not as a right , but out of respect to his rank and experience .

I think if Bro . " Plumb Rule " carefully considers the various Articles of the Constitutions as to Provincial Grand Lodges and as to visiting under the head of private lodges , he will agree with me . —Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA . July 22 nd .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1034 J CURIOUS JEWEL . I have just had sent me for identification a solid silver medal , size of half-a-crown , having on the obverse the well-known " double triangle " engraved , with the " cross-bones" at the head , and on either side A . L . 5823 and A . D . 1819 , with " P . R . " at foot . The initials doubtless refer to those of the owner . The reverse has

engraved the trip le tan , and the motto Nisi Clavis , with the four letters "SWS S . " 1 do not know what these four letters refer to , and having met with them several times , I shall be glad if any one can enlighten me . I have only seen them in connection with this particular kind of decoration , Bro . Couch , of Penzance , having one of a similar kind . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews.

Reviews .

CATALOGUE OF A COLLECTION OF PRIVATELY PRINTED BOOKS . Compiled and Annotated by UKKJ'KAM DOIIKLL ( 5 . 1 , Charing Cross-road , London , W . C . ) Part III . is now ready of this truly wonderful compilation , and may be had for one shilling . The previous parts may also be had at one shilling each , or

the complete work for live shillings , when completed , the parts being forwarded as published . 'The whole of these privately printed books , thus catalogued , are in the library of Mr . Dobell , and are priced most moderately , so that the extraordinary compilation answers the two purposes of sale and description . T his part is not illustrative

of Freemasonry , but includes several histories of Companies and other " out of the way" publications of rarity and value ; the bibliographical notes being of a most interesting character . Not a few are curious as well as scarce , and the catalogue is assuredly one as creditable to the editor , as it is from a collector ' s point of view . We hope that several of our readers will procure copies and judge for themselves .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS Nelson Lodge ( No . 700 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place at Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , Plumstead , on Wednesday , the 19 th inst ., when Bro . William Lawson , S . W ., W . M . elect , was installed in the chair . Cratt flDa 0 onr \> .

Bro . G . F . Taylor , W . M ., opened the lodge , and Bro . J . Simpson , 77 and 4 S 3 , was accepted as a joining member . Bro . Lawson was then presented to the W . M ., and was installed and saluted . He appointed his officers as follows : Bros . G . F . 'l aylor , I . P . M .: H . Tufnell , S . W . ; G . R . Nichols , J . W . ; J . H . Roberts . P . M ., Treas ; John Warren , " P . M ., Sec : W . Webber , P . M ., D . of C . ;

S . E . Southgate , P . M ., Long , and Harris , Stwds . ; Geo . Porter , S . D . ; H . Pamment , J . D . ; T . S . Smith , I . G . ; W . G . Bidgood , Org . ; H . J . Roberts , Asst . Org . ; G . Campbell , 1 st A D . C . ; and W . Chambers , 2 nd A . D . C . Bro . Taylor then concluded the ceremony , and was

congratulated on all sides for his fine and impressive work . He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks , and was presented with a handsome and valuable Past Master ' s jewel , of the value of 10 guineas , as a token of the esteem of the brethren , and for services rendered the lodge during his year of office .

The banquet was partaken of at the new Falcon Hotel , Gravesend—Bro . Simpson's handsome and commodious establishment—and was an exquisite evidence of what our esteemed brother can and does do for his myriad guests . Among the other brethren present were Bros . G . Crawford , P . M . ; T . Butt , P . M . ; C . Sweeting , P . M . ; J . W . Woodley , P . M . ; J . Sanderson , P . M . J . Miller ,

P . M . ; J . McCullough , P . M . ; H . King , P . M ., P . G . P . Kent ; C . Jolly , P . M . ; G . H . Davies , P . M . ; G . W . Tapp , T . West , G . Brown , J . Brown , J . H . Lloyd , Silverstone , W . Reynolds , G . Butt , C . Sharman , A . J . Walklin , E . Tappenden , P . Head , J . Plume , J . Knowles , W . Goochman , J . Bull , E . J . Vallon , H . Palmer , C . Sutton , C . Perry , A . Saunders , S . Punter , H . Carter , T . Keene ,

J . Trodd , S . Johnson , W . Wright , J . A . Walter , J . K . Price , H . Dudman , E . W . Benstead , A . J . Abbey , H . Garland , A . M . Blest , Capt . W . Ward , A . J . Stewart , A . Webb , P . Auld , F . Hepton , j . Chennells . G . W . Weaver , T . Wairey , Capt . W . Weston , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Kent ; C . H . Canning , P . M ., Treas . 1472 , P . P . ) . G . D . Essex . ; J . J . Cantlc , P . M . 1791 ; VV . Hewett , P . M . 957 ; G .

Bird , P . M . S 79 ; A . G . Duck , P . M . S 9 S ; A . Banister , P . M . 1 C 32 ; H . S . Syer , P . M ., Treas . 13 ; A . T . Ives , P . M . 1472 ; A . Knight , P . M 1472 ; ) . P . Moore , P . M . 13 , 77 ; B . C . Curtis , W . M . 1472 ; J . Bilton , W . M . 2399 ; C . Clapham , W . M , 913 ; W . Sayle-Edwards , W . M . 153 O ; A . Deans , W . M . 13 ; C . Goodwin , W . M . 015 ; | . Farrier , W . M . S 29 ; C . Raymond , W . M . 1716 ; S . Morton , S . W . 70 O ; B . A . Moore , S . W . 1719 ; W . Anson , S . W . 13 ;

J . Spencer , J . W . 1437 ; J . Lawson , 17 S 9 ; J . Newsham , 2346 ; D . C . Capon , 13 ; J . Palmer , 1472 ; R . T . Price , 13 ; W . Bull , S 29 ; T . Arnold , 913 ; G . Bull , 1536 ; W . Baker , 1472 ; A . Eton , 913 ; C . Bone , 2332 ; B . Littlewood , 913 ; G . Easton , 13 ; T . Noakes , S 61 ; A . Lane , S 71 ; S . Sudworth , S 7 !; W . Turvey , S . D . 1472 ; B . A . Moore , S . D . 1716 ; J . Mosey , 1710 ; W . G . Abbey , 13 ; F . Onslow , 1000 ; F . W . Peck , 2272 ; W . Haley , 17 S 9 ; J . Noakes , 247 ; T . Hudson , 957 ; and T . Moore , 13 .

The u-ual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts having been honoured , The I . P . M . proposed the toast of "The W . M . " He said they all knew what he was about to do . and that was to propose the health of their esteemed W . M ., than whom he felt sure no better Master had filled the chair of the

lodge . Bro . Lawson was a worker , and had shown his proficiency for the important position he then held by his constant attendance at and good work done in the lodge in the various oflices he had held in it . He had personally every confidence , and they might depend upon it that under the rule of Bro . Lawson the lodge would continue in its upward and onward path .

Bro . Lawson thanked the l . P . M . and the brethren , the first for the flattering manner in which he had spoken of him , and the latter for their enthusiastic reception of it . He could not conscientiously say that he deserved the eulogiums passed upon him by Bro . Taylor , but he could conscientiously say that he would try to deserve them . He trusted

during the ensuing year the lodge would prosper , and that progress would be the order of the day . He had reached that which h > - respectfully conceived to be the height of his Masonic ambition , and thanktd them for placing him on that height , a height he should never have reached without their assistance .

. The toast of "The Initiate followed , " and that was followed by " The Visitors , " the W . M . saying that there were no less than Co brethren present , anil were too numerous to mention . Bros . Deans , Clapham , Cantle , Hilton , Edwards , Woolley , and Curtis severally responded . Bro . Crawford , in responding for " The Past Masters , "

expressed his pleasure at seeing the excellent work done in the lodge , especially the ceremony that day . He was pleased to see so many visitors present , for it was a sure criterion of good working and good fellowship when a lodge saw around it such an array of visitors as they had that day . He wished the W . M . and brethren many happy

returns ol the day , and that every succeeding year would bring prosperity to the lodge . Bro . Hobson said he had watched the career of the W . M . with much pleasure , and now that he had accomplished the desire of his heart and achieved the pinnacle of his ambition , he wished him every success , and assured him of the hearty success of the Past Masters .

Several other toasts were honoured , and some excellent music , instrumental and vocal , added a rare charm to the proceedings .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

West Kent Volunteer Lodge ( No . i 0 j ^ —The installation meeting of this lodge took plan Saturday , the 15 th instant , at the Masonic Hall , pf ° stead , and we are glad to say proved a most successful """ enjoyable finish to the year ' s work . The lodge was cocrated at the Masonic Hall , Wilmington , near Dartf" ^" but owing to its members ( mostly officers in th « inr ] V 1

Uattahon of the Queen sOwn Royal West Kent Regime li residing chiefly in the locality of Blackheath , itwasdeem advisable to remove the locale nearer to head quarte At the meeting the following officers and members W » ' present : Bros . Capt . Percy Shove , W . M . ; A . I HM . !? S . W ., W . M . elect ; C . O . Pook , J . D . 171 , T . W D ' R . Jamblin , M . A ., P . PG . C , Chap .: Col . H . M . n „ , jf _ -

V . D ., P . M ., P . P . G . D . Middx ., Treas . ; Lieut . -Col T ' W . Frigout , V . U ., P . M ., P . M . . 7 ., Sec ; J > La FeuilladV P . M . 13 S 1 , J . D . ; Sergeant-Major Parsons , I . G . ; Colour Sergeant Albion G . Collins , D . C . ; Lieut . A . A . FrieouJ ' P . M . 171 , Steward ; Lieut . C . E . Fenner , P . M ., Pa ' Organist Japan ; Staff-Sergeant B . C . Bird , ' Hos ' pital Sergeant J . Ward , Sergeant H . C . Lonev Capt . E . J . Heward , Sergt . T . Bradbeer , Hospital-Cornl

li . j . Jarratt , Oscar W . Graves , BombardierC . J . Parsons and E . H . Abbott . Visitors : Bros . VV . J . Dyer , S . VV * 211 ; W . H . Elphinstone Stone , 20 S 7 ; Arthur E . Kipn s 1275 ; Sergt .-Major J . V . Lee , | . W . 2399 ; S . \ V Gummer , 1155 ; W . A . Anson , J . W . 13 ; Chas . N . Syder ' P . M . 79 ; A . W . Graves , 171 ; W . Lawson , S . W . J . Belton , W . M . 2379 ; G . F . Taylor , W . M . 700 ; Alaior

n . o . i ^ amDert , v . u ., 2021 , f . u . w . Herts ; | . Van Essen 2005 , P . G . D . Essex ; W . G . Simmons , J . W . itc :- A ' Deans , W . M . 13 ; Henry Tufnell , J . W . 700 ; D . DeW 171 ; and Chas . Ellison , S . D . S 71 . ' The first ceremony of the evening was the passing of Bros . Bombardier C . J . Parsons and E . H . Abbott , and was immediately followed by the raising of Bros . Captain

E . J . Heward , Sergt . T . Bradbeer , Hospital Corpl . E . J . Jarratt ,, and O . W . Graves , both of these Degrees being worked in a most able and impressive manner by the W . M , Bro . Capt . Percy Shove . The W . M . next vacated the chair in favour of Bro . A . A . Frigout , P . M ., P . M . i 7 l who installed the W . M . elect , Bro . A . J . Heath , S . w ! The newly-installed W . M . appointed and invested hU

officers as follows : Bros . Capt . Percy Shove , I . P . M . ; C O . Pook , J . D . 171 , S . W . ; J . La Feuillade , P . M . 13 S 1 , J . W . ; R . Jamblin , M . A ., P . P . G . C . Kent , Chap . ; Col ! H . M . Gordon , V . D ., P . M ., P . P . G . D . Middx ., Treas . ; Lieut .-Col . F . W . Frigout , V . D ., P . M ., P . M . 171 , Sec ; Sergt .-Major Parsons , S . D . ; Colour-Sergt . A . G . ' Collins , J . D . ; Staft-Sergt . B . C . Bird , I . G . ; Hospital-Sergt . I .

Ward , D . C . ; A . A . Frigout , P . M ., P . M . 171 , Sttvd . ; C , Warren , 1536 , Tyler . At the banquet which followed the usual toasts were duly honoured , and in response to that of " The Visitors , " the following brethren spoke : Bros . Jacob Van Essen , P . M . 2005 , P . P . G . W . Essex ; Major Lambert , V . D ., P . M . 2 co , 5 , 2021 , P . P . G . W . Herts ; A . Deans , W . M . 13 ; G .

fr . laylor , W . M . 700 ; and J . Belton , W . M . 2399 . The musical portion of the programme was of exception ! excellence , and the lodge is to be complimented and 'tic W . M . congratulated on having been supported by suclia phalanx ot cultured musi : ians . Amongst the items contributed were : A violin solo by Bro . Van Essen , P . M . 171 and 2005 , P . P . G . D . Essex ; the Drinking Song from

"Cavallcria Rusticana" ( by permission of Messrs . Ascherburg ) , by Bro . C . Ellison , J . D . 871 , of the Crystal Palace Concerts and Covent Garden Promenade Concerts ; solo euphonium , by Bio . C . J . Parsons ; song , "The Vagabond , " by Bro . E . H . Abbott ; song , "Good Company , " by Bro . C . Ellison , J . D . 871 ; all of which were

so excellentl y rendered as to call for encores , the accompaniments being played by Bro . A . E . Kipps , 1275 . This meeting proved undoubtedly one of the most successful the lodge has ever held , and from the interest taken in the work by the whole of the executive , the lodge promises to be an example in its internal working as well as an ornament to the great Constitution of which it iorms a factor .

Runnymede Lodge ( No . 2430 ) . —The in stallation meeting of this young lodge was made the occasion ot a very enjoyable trip on the Thames on Monday week . The W . M ., Bro . Will E . Chapman , had so com pletely organised the arrangements to the smallest detail

that nothing was left to mar the enjoyment of the day . His thoughtfulness even extended to the weather , and it was found in the morning that the young lady in the Dailt Graphic had obligingly removed the mask from her face and was doing her best to inspire confidence by a trustful smile , which was fully justified by a day of perfect summer

weather . The lodge met at 11 at the Anglers' Rest , and the ceremony of installation was very promptly commenced and carried through by the W . M . in probably the shortest time on record , but without sacrificing in any respect the beauty and iinpressiveness of the ritual . On Bro . Ebbetts li . inj . ' placed in the chair , he appointed his officert as follu . vs :

Bros . R . B . Sharpe , LL . D ., S . W . ; F . G . Mellows , J . W . ; J . Holgate , Treas . ; Will . E . Chapman , Sec . i P . S . Abraham , a . D . ; Oliver A . Fry . J . D . ; N . Devereus , I . G . ; Eugene Barnett , Org . ; Charles Chubb , D . C . i and H . T . Walker and H . Percy Dunn , Stewards . A Past Master ' s jewel of special design , embodying a reference to the historic name and locality ot the lodge , was presented to the retiring W . M ., Bro . Chapman , and the lodge was closed .

At 12 the party , which included several ladies , startcc from Wraysbury in a well-appointed launch , and spenttK time up to seven o ' clock in the enjoyment of the surpassin .-beauties of the river scenery , Cookham having ucen reached before the return was made . Dinner afterwards took place at the Angler ' s Rest . Short speeches , interspersed with songs from l > rt ' Franklin Clive , Reginald Groomc , and others , ( inislied most enjoyable day .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

EAST STONE HO USE . Western District United Servi ^ Lodge ( No . 2258 ) . This lodge held its _ ai" , u j meeting on Wednesday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic II' ' when Bro . Col . Lieut .-Col . G . Vernon , Bedford Re £ <> p ' „ was installed as W . M . Bros . Col . John Elliott , t- "