The Late Bro. Dr. Wilson Iles, Deputy Grand Master Herts.

THE LATE BRO . DR . WILSON ILES , DEPUTY GRAND MASTER HERTS .

We last week in our obituary column presented our readers with the Masonic career of this highly respected and much lamented brother , and weare now able to furnish some further particulars of this sad event , for which we are indebted to the Watford Observer of Saturday last , which

says : " Few events have ever cast so deep a gloom over Watford as the death of our universally beloved fellow-townsman , Dr . F . H . Wilson lies , which occurred at three minutes after 12 o ' clock on Wednesday morning last . It will be remembered that on Tuesday , the 21 st of August , Dr . lies performed an operation known in the medical profession as ' tracheotomy , ' a method of effecting an

artificial channel for respiration in cases of croup or diphtheria . Whilst so engaged he inflicted a slight wound on his left forefinger , close to the nail , which , we are informed , scarcely amounted to a scratch , so slight , indeed , as to pass almost unnoticed by Dr . lies himself at the time . On the following Friday , however , symptoms of inflammation , portending blood poisoning , set in , and Dr . lies next morning

went to London to consult his friend Mr . Rouse , of St . George ' s Hospital , knowing that that gentleman ' s large experience in such cases rendered his opinion of the highest importance . By his urgent advice he gave up work and immediately resorted to active treatment . For some days there was great pain and swelling , although at this period there was scarcely anything to indicate contamination of the

system ; indeed , matters progressed favourably until Wednesday in last week , by which time Dr . lies had completed all arrangements for a visit to the seaside , where he hoped to re-establish his health in a short time . But on that day his partner , Dr . Stradling , perceived an alarming evidence of impending internal complications , which induced him to telegraph for Mr . Rouse at once . The result of their

consultation led to the projected visit being put off , and the wisdom of that decision was demonstrated by the fact that from this time the symptoms increased in gravity day by day to such a degree that Mr . Rouse on the Monday following took a serious view of the patient's chance of ultimate recovery . This opinion was destined to be verified only too soon , for between 9 and 10 o'clock that same evening Dr .

lies awoke from what appeared to be a comfortable sleep with paralysis of the palate and organs of speech , which rendered breathing a matter of extreme difficulty . He never spoke again j the whole of the left side became similarly affected , and after lingering for rather more than 24 hours , during which he was obviously conscious at intervals , he passed quietly away about midnight . No words

that might here be set down could evoke such feelings as must have welled up from a thousand hearts when the startling news was borne to them . It would ill become us to intrude on ground so sacred by any conventional phrases . " Francis Henry Wilson lies was born in Lincolnshire , in the year 1834 . He studied medicine in the schools of St . George's , Dublin and , Paris , taking the degrees of

M . R . C . S . Eng ., L . S . A ., L . M ., and subsequently the M . D . of St . Andrew ' s ; he was also a fellow of the Royal Medical Chirurgical Society , and during the cholera epidemic of 1855 he filled the post of Resident Medical Officer to the Western General Dispensary , New-road , London , where a district was assigned to him . _ In 1859 he came to Watford , and entered into partnership with Dr .

Spencer Pidcock , whose uncle and predecessor , Dr . John Pidcock , was formerly associated with Dr . George Philip Ehret , who founded the practice in the eighteenth century . During his subsequent career , amongst other appointments , he held those of surgeon to the West Herts Infirmary , to the Sailers' Almshouses , and hon . assistant surgeon to the 2 nd Herts Volunteers , of which corps he was a member

for 24 years . For the last 11 years he was surgeon to the Foresters' and Odd Fellows' Courts , and to the Watford Juvenile Foresters' Court since its commencement some three years ago , to various clubs , and he likewise held temporary medical charge of the Leavesden Schools pending the appointment of a regular officerr " Outside his profession his public spirit displayed itself

in many acts which would of themselves perpetuate his memory . It was chiefly to him that the inhabitants of Watford owe the formation of a Volunteer Fire Brigade , about 13 years ago , at which time he undertook the duties of captain and treasurer , and on the death of the late Mr . Alfred Sedgwick , became the vire-president . The brigade bear testimony to his unflagging zeal in promoting

the welfare of the corps , sustaining its constitution as a body under adverse circumstances by a constant attendance at the committee meetings , by his frequent presence at drill , and by doing his duty at a majority of the fires which have taken p lace in the town and neighbourhood . With regard to the position Dr . " lies occupied upon the Local Board for nearly 21 years , the energy with which he

has devoted himself to the public good has been abundantly manifested in our reports of their proceedings . He rarely missed a Board , and was most regular in attendance at committees , taking the keenest interest in all questions affecting the welfare of Watford , and bringing to bear thereon mature judgment and sound common sense . Important and serious matters have , especially of

late years , made considerable demand upon the time of the Board .. The Public Library , an institution of incalculable benefit to the town , boasts his name as pne of its most ardent promoters and supporters . Dr . lies was a trustee of Lady Morrison ' s Apprenticeship and Almhouse Charities , also of Mrs . Fuller ' s Free School . When in lune . 1882 . the latter charity merged in the

Watford Endowed Schools , Dr . lies became a govtrnor of the foundation , and at the first meeting was nominated a member of the committee . It may be mentioned as another instance of the attention which Dr . lies devoted to any work he undertook that notwithstanding the pressing demands upon his time he was present at nearly every one of the 20 meetings held since October last by the governors and committee of the Endowed Schools . He was a

manager of the National Schools , and it was at his suggestion that the recent meeting of ratepayers was sumjnonned to consider the requirements of the Education department for additional school accommodation . It is scarcel y necessary to remind our readers that Dr . lies for upwards of 10 years has held the office and assiduously discharged the duties of churchwarden at the Parish < -hurch . i _ f ' ' legislation and instructive institutions he tvf j Urn *" attention to popular movements . He joined we 2 nd Herts Volunteers in 1859 , and from first to last

The Late Bro. Dr. Wilson Iles, Deputy Grand Master Herts.

took great interest in the welfare of the company to which he was attached ; indeed it was his sustained exertion in everything he took up which won for him such deserved popularity . His success with the ' rifle' at the ranges made him a favourite at all competitions , and it is not too much to say that his example did much to encourage this important feature of volunteer drill . Due recognition of his services in the maintenance of the Watford Volunteer

Band will be readily accorded by those who know , not only the difficulties under which its present efficiency has been attained , but the obstacles to its very existence which have been on more than one occasion surmounted . " A noble life sacrificed at its prime in a noble effort to save that of a dying child . Possibly the whole range of fact or fiction affords no prouder nor more pathetic parallel . Short as his career has been it may justly be said in his case that' his works do live after him . ' "

The funeral took place on Saturday , and was very largely attended . It was not desired that the Freemasons as a body should be represented , but very many brethren were present in common with members of the many institutions in which our brother was interested , to show the respect and esteem in which he was held . Places of business were closed during the funeral , and everywhere was to be seen evidence of sorrow and regret at the loss which the district had sustained in his death .

Scotland.

Scotland .

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF THE NEW SAILORS' HOME AT LEITH . The interesting ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new Sailors' Heme at Leith took place on Thursday week last , under the auspices of the Trafalgar Lodge , No . 223 , on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . Unfortunately the weather was most unfavourable for a demonstration of this kind , yet the streets of the busy port

ot Leith were alive with visitors , while the brethren mustered in very considerable force , the central figure in the day ' s proceedings being the Earl of Mar and Kellie , Grand Master Mason of Scotland . Most of the public buildings and the docks were decorated with flags , and though the day was not observed as a general holiday many of the shops were closed . lhe Trafalgar Lodge was opened at 1 p . m ., by the

Constitution-street , and in due course received deputations R . W . M ., Bro . Jas . Fotheringham , in the Assembly Rooms , of the brethren , that of Grand Lodge consisting of Bros , the Earl of Mar and Kellie , G . M . ; D . Murray Lyon , Grand Sec ; David Kinnear , Grand Cashier ; the Rev . James Barclay , A . M ., Grand Chaplain ; C . VV . Maxwell-Muller , representative of the Grand Lodge of Saxony ; David Hume , asG . B . B . ; F . McGillray , Grand Marshal : F .

W . Bridgman , James Melville , John Davidson , John Fleming , John Wilson , R . Morison , Grand Stewards ; \ V . Barry , as G . S . B . ; D . Robertson , Grand Tyler ; together with Bros . Hector ;; M'Lean , Prov . Grand Master Lanarkshire ; U . Ward , W . Black , and others . In the procession , which included the Ship-Carpenters , OperativelMasons , Newhaven Free Fishermen's Society , and Foresters , the following lodges were represented , namely

Buchan bt . John , Broxburn , 636 ; Star of Addiewell , West Calder , 635 ; North British Railway , Edinburgh , 537 ; St . Clair , Dysart , 520 ; Douglas , Bo ' ness , 409 ; Clyde , Glasgow , 408 ; Rifle , Ldinburgh , 405 ; Dunearn , Burntisland , 400 ; St . Clair , Edinburgh , 340 ; Thistle , West Calder , 270 ; St . John , Galashiels , 262 ; Union , Dunfermline , 250 ; Portobello , 226 ; St . John , Stow , 216 ; St . James , Old Monkland , 177 ; Roman Eagle , Edinburgh , 160 ; Thistle ,

Dundee , 15 S ; Edinburgh Defensive Band , 151 ; St . Stephen , Edinburgh , 145 ; St . John , Parkland , Glasgow , 128 ; St . John , Hawick , in ; St . Ayle , Anstruther , 95 ; Dunbar Castle , 75 ; Kirkcaldy , 72 ; St . John , Haddington , 57 ; St . Andrew , Banff , 52 ; Ancient , Dundee , 49 ; St . David ' s , Edinburgh , 36 ; Ancient , Stirling , 30 ; St . John , Dunfermline , 26 ; Ancient Brazen , Linlithgow , 17 ; St . John , Falkirk , 16 ; Dalkeith Kilwinning , 10 ; Journeymen ,

Edinburgh , 8 ; Canongate and Leith , 5 ; Scone and Perth , 2 ; and Canongate Kilwinning , 2 . There were also eight bands , including that of the ist Midlothian Rifle Volunteers . At Constitution the Trafalgar Lodge and Grand Lodge joined the procession , and on arriving at the site of the future Home , at the corner of Tower-street and Towerplace , the brethren opened out right and left so that the Grand Lodge might pass between into the building which

had been erected for the accommodation of those invited , among whom were numerous ladies , and Bailies M'Intosh , Garland , and Wilson , Treasurer Bennet , Councillors Turnbull , Drybtough , and Charles Robertson * Edinburgh ); Mr . James Currie , Chairman , and other members of the House Committee ; Mr . Josiah Livingston , Master of the Edinburgh Merchant Company . The members of the Grand Lodge having taken up their positions around the stone .

Mr . Currie , on behalf ot the committee , handed a silver trowel , with suitable inscription on it , to the Grand Master , and Rev . Bro . Dr . Stuart Muir , Chaplain of the Trafalgar Lodge , having offered up a prayer , and the Grand Cashier having deposited a number of coins and documents in a cavity provided in the stone , the ceremony was completed in accordance with ancient Masonic usage , and the stone having been lowered , the Earl of MAR AND KELLIE said :

May the Almighty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking , and crown the edince of which we have now laid the lounuation with every success . Loud cheers followed , and Mr . CURRIE having thanked the Grand Master and the brelhren for their attendance , especially on such a day , His LORDSHIP briefly expressed a hope that the building about to be erected would be of use to those for whom it

was intended . The prosperity and power of the country mainly depended on the seafaring population , and it was right their comfort when on shore should not be lorgotten . Moreover , remarked his lordship , it was especially suitable that the day's proceedings should have been carried out under the auspices of the Trafalgar Lodge , which was

founded by seafaring men , many of whom bad fought at 1 ' rafalgar , and he hoped the home would prove a blessing not only to those it was designed for but also to its founders ' A short prayer by Bro . the Rev . J . Barclay , Grand Chaplain , followed by cheers for the Grand Master , Mr . Currie , and Bro . Fotheringham , W . M . Trafalgar Lodge , brought the ceremony to a close .

Scotland.

A cake and wine banquet followed in the Assembly Rooms , at which the Grand Master presided , and " Success to the New Home" was drunk with enthusiasm . Between 400 and 500 were present , and the croupiers were Past Masters Bros . D . Stalker , P . Bell , W . Barry , W . Stalker , A . Wallace , and D . Turner . In the evening Bro . Fotheringham was entertained at dinner at Mieback ' s Hotel , the guests mustering between fifty and sixty . In fine , it only needed brilliant weather to have made the day one ol the most successful in the annals of Scottish Masonry .

The Neptune Lodge , No. 375. Aberdeen, And The Shipwrecked Mariners' Society.

THE NEPTUNE LODGE , No . 375 . ABERDEEN , AND THE SHIPWRECKED MARINERS' SOCIETY .

About seven years ago a Masonic Auxiliary to the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society was formed' in Aberdeen , since which time many of the lodges have given donations , or otherwise contributed to

its funds , and on a recent occasion the Neptune Lodge , No . 375 , as the result of a special effort sent a donation of more than £ 120 . Under the auspicices of this lodge an openair fete and fancy fair was held at Belmont , in the nei g hbourhood of Aberdeen , at which entertainments of various kinds were provided , proving a great centre of attraction during the afternoon and evenincr to a larire

number of persons . One of thc chief features of the entertainment was a grand display of fancy goods , arranged after the manner of bazaars , the stalls being presided over by a number of young ladies whose blandishments assisted to swell the receipts . A bagpipe competition , a contest lor the premium in dancing the Highland fling , and a display of bayonet exercises , fencing , & c , by a detachment of the

Gordon Highlanders were among the amusements , and some of the performers from Cook ' s circus gave an exhibition of their talent . But that which attracted the greatest amount of attention was a display of the Manby life-saving apparatus , which had been lent by the Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners for the occasion , and was worked by the chief gunner ' s mate of H . M . S . Clyde , and a number of

i \ avai Keserve men . lhe suitability of this effort being initiated by the Neptune Lodge will be recognised , as it has always been to a great extent identified with the seafaring community , and as was pointed out by Bro . Alexander Milne , R . W . M . of the lodge , in the absenceof Bro . Dr . Beveridge , Prov . G . M . Aberdeen . whois also president of the auxiliary before referred to , they felt they

could do nothing better than assist an institution so closely connected with the sea as the Shipwrecked Mariners ' Society . This society , we understand , annually relieves from 13 , 000 to 14 , 000 persons at the time of their greatest extremity , clothing , feeding , and forwarding home all shipwrecked crews , and granting to the widows and orphans of seafaring men substantial succour in their bereavement . From the large extent to which Freemasonry is known to

exist among the seafaring classes in all our ports , it necessarily follows that the society's funds are largely expended among the Fraternity and their dependents . Under these circumstances , and calling to mind the widespread charity of the Brotherhood , the wonder is that more organised and sustained support as asked by the committee is not . rendered to this very deserving national charity , and we would bespeak for it lrom the numerous lodges , especially in the seaports , the assistance it so much requires to enable it to continue its beneficial operations all along our seaboard .

» KELSO . —Kelso Lodge ( No . 58 ) . —On Thursday evening , the 13 th inst ., the brethren of this ancient Iodge reassembled alter the summer recess in the Masonic Hall , Wood Market . There was a large attendance , ind Bro . j Shearer , the R . W . M ., having duly constituted the lodge and declared it open , congratulated the brethren on once more resuming labour , and expressed a hope that they had all enjoyed their holidays and had returned reinvigorated

witn a tresh store ot heallh and energy for the winter's work , and he trusted that the meetings of the lodge during the ensuing session would be as largely attended and as successful as the present one promised to be . They had met , as they were all aware , to accept the resignation of their Senior Warden , Bro . William Coulan , who , as one of the officers of her Majesty ' s Excisehad no choir * nf _ ., _ -.. ?_„_ ,

, but must go where duty calls him , and having been appointed to a station in the South , in Basingstoke , he had no alternative but resign his position in the lodge . The R « , , ^; . , ? read the followin fr letter from Bro . Coulan : Right Worshipful Sir , —Owing to my being officially appointed to leave this country and reside in the South of England , 1 find it will be impossible for me to attend the

meetings of ' 58 ' during the approaching session , and I am very reluctantly obliged to request that you will allov me toresign the office of Senior Warden , which I have held with so much pleasure to myself , in the lodge . It will afford me great pleasure to remain a . member of the lodge , ' and I shall always preserve a k . i . UIy remembrance of its members . With best wishes , 1 remain , right worshipful sir , yours fraternally , _ WILLIAM COULAN . " As tnf ^ v hart nn _ - _ , / ., « - _» . n tha « . _ ., _ . _ . _ . . 1 . . . ..... ...... IC must

_ „„„ ,, „ , „ aLLCr uley accept Bro . Coulan s resignation , , but it would be ungracious if fie were c , u i ' ° PP ° [ tunlty to escape of expressing the feeling of the lodge on the matter that in parting with Bro . Coulan they parted with a very zealous Mason , one who , as they all knew , was most regular in attendance at the lodge in loul weather as well as fair , although he had to ride ad istance of ten miles to the lodge and return ih _ , sam .. H _^_ , n _ - _ .

when his duties were over . He trusted the brethren in Basingstoke would soon find out his qualities and learn to appreciate him with whom they now parted with regiet . Bro . Coulan briefly replied and after two brethren had been proposed for affiliation and some other business transacted the lodge was closed in the usual manner . lhe brethren then assembled at the Sread Eagle Hotel

p Bro . Knight the Senior Stewaid ' s house , and entertained Bro Coulan to supper , the chair being occupied by Bro , Shearer , R . W . M ., and the vice-chair by tlio . Vernon P . M . After discussing the viands with which the table was loaded the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , the toast of the evening being " Lone life , health , and nr ,,,.

penty to Bro . Coulan , " which was given in felicitous terms by the chairman , to which Bro . Coulan feelingly replied . Several excellent songs wrre sung Bros . Wilson , JVIcDougab Burden , and Turnbull and a very pleasant evening was spent , the biethren separating at eleven o ' clock with the old formula Happy to meet , sorry to part , happy to meek again . ' v