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WE understand that before long certain needful changes in the Book of Constitutions will be submitted to Grand Lodge . Time and change have somewhat affected the collocation and verbiage of our admirable Book of Constitutions , have evidenced the need of some alterations , have suggested the advisability of some new provisions . We feel sure that when such proposals

are made and such amendments are submitted to Grand Lodge , they will be received and discussed with that good feeling , moderation , and sound sense , and that entire absense of party or sectional spirit by which Grand Lodge is always actuated , whether the questions before it relate to the interests of the

lodges under its special jurisdiction , or those wider subjects of general Masonic international and cosmopolitan bearing which serve so greatly to illustrate the principles of our Order , and extend its hig h aims and beneficent efforts in all ' quarters of the globe .

WITH reference to the remarks of a correspondent in our last , relative to the qualification of Grand Wardens , we beg to remind our readers that there is no qualification respecting Grand Wardens laid down in the Book of Constitutions . The qualifications of Grand Warden , though mentioned

in the Old Charges , are not incorporated in the Constitutions , and do not even form part of the ceremonial . There are several " precedents " for such an appointment . A Warden ' s acting as Warden counts from his investment as such on the legal night of appointment . This is the only qualification needed for the Master ' s Chair .

THE following extract from our GRAND MASTER ' S speech at Swansea , fitly commented on by our contemporary the Standard last week , will not only interest our readers , as an evidence of that active sympathy displayed by the QUEEN and Royal Family in respect of all national concerns and local

claims , but is an " happy outcome " of that great public spirit of work and utility which characterizes our Royal Family , and which renders them amongst some of the " hardest worked" of Her MAJESTY ' S loyal subjects . Some of us may rccal to mind a famous speech of the late Prince CONSORT at the Trinity House some years ago , alluding in felicitous terms

to the active employment of the members of the Royal bamily in the public service , the Prince of WALES being then in Canada , the Duke of ED IN BURGH at the Cape of Good Hope . And to-day the Prince of WALES ' S genial and remarkable words : " I can assure you it is always a pleasure , not only to myself , but to all the members of my family , to come forward on

public occasions and take part in any work which may be of utility to the kingdom , " serve forcibly to remind us all of the zeal , energy , goodwill , and the laborious efforts made by these illustrious members of the House of Brunswick , whom "GOD long preserve" to increase the happiness and enhance the welfare of all classes of the community , as well as of their ceaseless and

untirin" - endeavours to take part in all wise and needful works , and ameliorations , and changes , which have either local or general benefit for their aim , which serve to advocate the municipal , the social , the religious , the patriotic , the educational requirements of the people , which tend to advance the general comfort and improvement of society , and to expedite the harmonizing civilization and safe progress of mankind .

* * OUR readers will note with pleasure , as we do , the presentation to our esteemed Bro . J AMES GLAISHER , elsewhere reported . There is no brother who , from his scientific attainments and Masonic services , better deserves the sympathy and good will of his brethren and of his many friends .

* * THE following paragraph , from the Times of Monday last , suggests many interesting thoughts to Biblical and Masonic students : " It is reported that the SULTAN has given orders for the remains of Solomon ' s Temple to be restored , and the surrounding place to be cleared of all rubbish . On that place

stands the Mosque of Omar , the revenue of which is said to amount to £ 150 , 000 a year . Hitherto this sum has always been forwarded to Constantinople , but for the future it is to be appropriated for the above-mentioned purpose . This act of the SULTAN is believed to be a result of the visit of the Crown Prince of AUSTRIA to Jerusalem . " What discoveries are yet in store for us who can venture to predicate ?

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the agenda of business to be transacted in Supreme Grand Chapter on Wednesday , the 2 nd November next : The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation . THE REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 21 st July to the 19 th October , 1 SS 1 , both

inclusive , which they find to be as follows : lo Balance , Grand Chapter £ 1314 1 5 By Disbursements during the „ Balance , Unappropriated Quarter £ iS 8 ig 4 Account 193 ig 1 „ Balance 1440 12 7 „ Subsequent Receipts .., 31 S 19 ° ,, Balance in Unappropriated Account 197 S 5 £ iS 27 o 4 — £ iS 27 o 4

which Balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : — 1 st . From Comps . Robert Hudson , as Z . ; James Saxburn Wilson , as H . j Matthew Henry Dodd , as J . j and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the St . Bede Lodge , No . 11 in , Jarrow , to be called the St . Bede Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Grange-road , Jarrow , in the county of Durham .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

2 nd . From Comps . William Coppard Beaumont as Z . j George Bernard Brodie , M . D ., as H . j Edward Milner , as T . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Castle Lodge of Harmony , No . 26 , London , to be called the The Castle Chapter of Harmon }' , and to meet at the Regent Masonic Hall , Air-street , Regent-street , London .

3 rd . From Comps . William Herbert Addtscott , as Z . j James Keating , as H . j George May , as J . j and ten others for a chapter to be attached to the United Service Lodge , No . 1341 , Victoria , Hong Kong , to be called the United Chapter , and to meet at the Freemasons' Hall , Victoria , Hong Kong , China .

4 th . From Comps . Robert Hill Crowden , as Z . j William Lake , as H . ; John Knight Stead , as J . j and six others for a chapter to be attached to the West Kent Lodge , No . 1297 , Sydenham , to be called the West Kent Chapter , and to meet at the Thicket Hotel , Anerley , Surrey .

5 th . From Comps . Richard Bagnall Reed , as Z . j Robert Foreman Cook , as H . j John Wood , as J . j and nine others for a chapter to be attached to the Lodge of Industry , No . 4 8 , Gateshead , to be called the Chapter of Industry , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Gateshead , in the county of Durham .

The foregoing Petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted . 6 th . The Committee have also received a Petition from the Principals and other members of the Otago Chapter , No . 844 ., Dunedin , Otago , New Zealand , praying' for a charter of confirmation , the original charter having been burnt in a fire when the Freemasons' Hall was destroyed .

7 th . Also a petition from the Principals and members of the Chapter of Harmony , No . 309 , Fareham , Hampshire , praying for a charterof confirmation , the original charter having been destroyed by fire . The Committee also recommend that charters of confirmation for these

chapters be respectively granted . ( Signed ) J * CREATON , P . Pr . G . Soj ., Treasurer , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 19 th October , 18 S 1 ,

Consecration Of The Wickham Lodge, No. 1924.

CONSECRATION OF THE WICKHAM LODGE , No . 1924 .

This new lodge was consecrated on Saturday last , at St . Peter's Hall , Brockley , near New Cross , London , by Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D ., who was assisted by the Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , Grand Chaplain . The Senior Warden ' s chair was occupied by Bro . James Glaisher , P . G . D . ; and the

chair of Junior Warden by Bro . Magnus Ohren , Assistant G . D . C . Bro . Robert Grey , Past Grand Deacon , acted as D . C . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . H , Gadsby , P . M . Orpheus , 1706 , who was assisted by Bros . Dulton , Hanson , Moss , and Wharton , of St . Paul's Cathedral , and Lodge 1706 . In addition to the above , the brethren who attended the consecration

were : —• Bros . Ernst E . Wendt , D . C . L ., G . S . G . C . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; Henry | Sadler , Grand Tyler ; A . A . Richards , P . G . S . ; Edward Cafh ' n , P . G . S . ; George Pa ? e , W . M . r . 3 ; Edward M . Roe , W . M . 1593 ; Rev . H . Wells , Chap . 140 ; C . Tyler , P . M . 19 ; 0 . Crombic , P . M . 2 S : W . E . Grindley Pearse , P . M . 63 ; George Brooke . P . M . 63 ; J . Pearce , P . M . 90 ; W . Stormer , P . M . 90 ; Henry Collings , P . M . 134 ; W . G . Lemon , P . M . 165 ; Joseph Clever , P . M . i ? t ; Edward Phillips , P . M . 171 ; W . Burton , P . M .

1124 ; Eredk . G . Dobbs , P . M . 1150 ; J . Whittall , P . M . 1593 ; J . H . Watts , P . M . 1201 ; E . Culver , 63 ; Geo . Jackson , 6 3 ; Ashley Gibbings , 63 ; A . Baume , O 3 ; Charles Morgan , 10 S ; G . W . Wigner , 140 ; George Porter , 140 ; Augustus Lloyd , 140 ; W . May , 145 ; G . Drysdale , 222 ; C . Crowther , 890 ; J . G . White , i 2 ifi ; H . W . Roberts , 1293 ; J . Tattersall , 1293 ; G . G . W . Willcocks , 1314 ; C . Warwick Jordan , 1314 ; Charles j . Brock , 1323 ; H . P . Bing , 1597 ; P . Shepherd , 1599 ; R . H . Harland , 1716 ; and Henry Massey , W . M . 1298 ( Freemason ) .

The founders of the lodge were Bros . Wilmer Hollingworth , P . M . and Sec . 63 j Charles A . Murton , P . G . D . j William F . Dormant , W . M . 140 J William A . Adam , P . M . 90 j John O . Abbott , 63 ; W . J . Spratling , B . Sc , I 2 93 ; Charles Lowther Kemp , 63 ; Henry Ncwding , 140 ; John A . Burton , 342 ; and Stephen W . Hooper , 63 .

Letters and telegrams expressing regret at being unable to attend on accountof illness , inclement weather , & c ., were received from Bros . / Eneas J . Mclntyre , Q . C ., M . P ., Grand Registrar ; Sir J . B . Monckton , President Board of Gen . Purposes j Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke , G . S . j T . W . Boord , M . P ., P . G . D . ; W . R . Wood , A . G . P . ; II . G . Buss , A . G . S . ; George Kelly , P . G . Steward ; and other brethren .

A large number of local brethren were also admitted to the ceremony , and afterwards hospitably entertained by the founders at St . Peter's Hall . A full description of the lodge , and the particulars relating to its establishment , were given in the Freemason last week , with this exceptionit was not stated that St . Peter's Hall was built from the designs of Bro . John O . Abbott , the Secretary , and one of the founders of the lodge . The lodge was opened in the large hall , which had been previously prepared with

great taste , groups of flags being festooned on the walls and in the windows , and other flags depending from staves resting on the corbels . There was also a tasteful arrangement of flowers and shrubs in the hall . Notwithstanding the large number of brethren who attended , every requisite for their accommodation and comfort was made , and the large size and excellent ventilation of the hall prevented any overheating , which such a large concourse would otherwise have caused .

Shortly after three o ' clock the lodge was opened , and Bro . Thomas Fenn said the brethren were met to perform the necessary ceremonies of consecration and installation . These were the usual words of the Consecrating Officer in the old times of Stephen Barton Wilson ; but of late years a custom had been introduced by the excellent and lamented Bro . John Hervey , to add to this address words of advice and warning as to

the future conduct of the new lodge . Such words of advice fell very appropriatel y from the much respected Bro . Hervey , who , from his great experience in Masonry , and the high position which he held , always claimed great attention , and his advice was listened to with the utmost respect . But anything like advice to the brethren of this new Wickham Lodge would be not only superfluous but presumptuous on his ( Bro . Fcnn's ) part . The

worthy brother who was designated to fill the office of W . M . of the lodge , Bro . Hollingworth , had already been Master of a lodge , and since he had been a P . M . had taken a high position and an active part in Freemasonry . Bro . Murton , who would succeed him in that important office , was a brother whose name was known as a household word among them from his great attainments in Masonry . He ( Bro . Fenn ) and Bro . Murton had worked together hand in hand in Masonry tor many years , and if it were