Masonic Notes And Queries.

sists of a broad flight of seven steps , surrounded by a balustrade divided into nine panels , on which appear respectively a Corinthian pillar , an ewer pouring some liquid into a cup , a flamingheart , a sword and torch surmounted by a head and bust , the ark of the covenant and tables of the law , a mirror with a snake twined round its handle , an anchor , a balance , sword and sceptre ,

and a second Corinthian column . I hese emblems 7 » r 7 ) 'all refer to Craft symbolism , or to hi gher Degrees , but if the former , their significance is in several cases unknown to me . On the left is a tall column decorated with a crown , sword , sceptre , wheat , and acacia , and surmounted by a nude female figure chained by both feet to a star , and holding a similar star in the left

hand . The meaning of this is quite obscure to me . On the right is a similar column surmounted by another nude figure , with winged feet , and holding aloft a pair of compasses . On the upper part of the design is a group of clouds , in which appear the sun , moon , and five principal p lanets ( indicated by their astronomical symbols ) , with a nude figure in the centre , holding a

mirror in one hand and a flaming heart in the other ( standing on a globe ) , and surmounted by an irradiated triangle , bearing the Hebrew letter Jod . This figure probably represents Truth . In the upper left-hand corner is the seal of the Grand Orient , bearing the square and compasses , with Jlenr de lys , and the letters " G . O . F . " in floriated characters . Curiously enough , a

lodge warrant of the former Grand Orient of Hungary , of about 1 S 60 , which I have in my own collection , is almost an exact reproduction of this valuable plate . The certificate was granted to Jacques Philippe Sevin of Lodge " Jeaune D'Arc " at Orleans , and reads thus : " A La Gloire du Grand Architecte de l'Univers , sous les auspices et au nom du Screnissime Grand Maitre le

Grand Orient de France , : t tons les Macons Reguliers Union , Force , Salut . " Then on a separate plate which clearly shows itself . " Le Desir que nous avons de faciliter 1 'Entree des Orient Etrangers , et des Loges Reguliers de France a ceux de nos freres qui nous paroissent dignesd'y etre adtnis , nous porte a constater Ieur etat maconique dans la douz confiente qu'ils

repardent dans totttes les Villes qu'ils parcoureront l ' esprit de liberie , de Concorde et d ' amitie fraternelle , qui fait 1 'essence de notre ordre , par ces motifs et sur le temoignage avantageux qui nous a etu rendu An here Jacques Philippe Sevin nigociam , membre de la loge de St . Jean Chambre des Province du ( ) jour du douaieme mois de l ' an de vraie lumiere Cin

mil sept cent soixan / e quat ^ rze nous avons au d ' . frere J . Phillip :- Sevin accorde a accordans le present certificat Prions tous les Macons regulier de luy faire l'aceuil fraternel qu'ils desireroient eux memes en pareille circonstance , et de l ' admettre apres examen , aux travaux de son age , ainsi que nous avons coutume d ' en user envers tons les freres qui se presentent en

notre Orient murris de certificits autentiqties des Orient Etrangers , on des loges reguliers de France . En foy de quoy nous avons delivre le present certificat de nous signe contre-signe par notre Secretaire General , Scjellij de notre Grand Scjeau et des trois St ; eaux particuliers de nos Chambres le dixtriatiemc jour de sixieme mois de la vraic luminere Cinq mil

sept cent Soiaante ijninze . I . c due de Luxembourg " The date of the certificate being , as shown , June 1775 . The signatures are grouped under three headings , i . e ., Chambre des Provinces , Chambre d'Administration , and Chambre de Paris . Under the first of these are the signatures of Gitillotin , Lamarique I'Americanir , Pingre , I . e / Slant ; 7 'issot , and Junlwrl de la ISottrdinicn

and cuts in the parchment show that there was orig inally a seal and ribbon there , but it has disappeared . Under the Chambre d'Administration are the names of Delalamhs , Joituc , liondean , Carbonncl , Boellier , Poncett , and two others which I cannot decipher , and a seal attached to a red ribbon , the device being quite obliterated . The third group includes the

signatures of Mangcan , he hoy , Iiouault , large , and others , and the inscription : " Par mandement de Grand Orient de France , Daitverin , est abjemcendes Wj . Secretaire General du Grand Orient de France , " with a seal on white ribbon , bearing the words Chambre de Paris , with a " glory " and stars . On the left side is the following : ' ¦ Enri-gistre en la Chambre des Provinces a la 'late du itttatorsieme jour du Dtxieme , mois

de 1 an de la vraie lmmniere Cinque mil sept cent soixan / e quiuze . Richard . " And on the right side : " Enregistre en la Chambre de Paris a la date du Dousiemei jour du Dixicmri mois de l ' an de la vraie luminit ' . re Cinq mil sept cent soixante quinzcrei quelle .

Norm Secretaire . As the signatures in several cases appear to be those of celebrated" men , Bro . Hughan is engaged in finding particulars on this point , which he will doubtless communicate to the Freemason . FRED . J . W . CROWE , Prov . G . O . Devon .

Bro . Lord Alexander Gordon-Lennox , a younger son of the late Charles , fifth Duke of Richmond , formerly Prov . Grand Master of Sussex , died after a protracted illness on Frilay , the 22 nd inst ., at his residence in Pont-street . His lordship was born in 1 S 25 , and by his death the families of the Duke i . f KichmunJ and Gordon , itc , & c , etc ., arc placed in mourning . The a nual tntet ng of the Actors' Henevolent Fund was

held at the Lyceum Theatre on the 22 nd inst ., under the presidency of Uro . Henry Irving , liro . Harry Nicholls and other gentleman of the theatrical profession being present , while bro ; . Edward ferry and S . 11 . liancroft were prevented attending through illness . The Secretary ' s report showed an income lor the past year ol £ 2613 , and an etpenditure ' , among $ cases of £ 2053 , the result of the first annua dinner in behalf of the lund being nearly (( . ' 700 . The r < port w » s adop ' . ed , and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

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METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Peace and Harmony Lodge ( No . 60 ) . — This old and distinguished lodge met at the Freemasons' Hall , on the 22 nd inst ., when there were present , among others , Bros . Horace Slade , P . M . 1479 , P . G . Stwd ., P . P . G . D ., & c , W . M . W . H . Kempster , G . Stwd ., S . W . j F . Binckes , P . M .,

P . G . S . B ., Sec ; Capt . Walls , P . P . G . W ., S . D . j Masters , P . M ., | . D . ; W . H . Kempster , jun ., I . G . ; H . J . Lardner , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Stwd . ; E . Rogers , P . G . Stwd ., P . P . G . D ., l . P . M . ; J . T . Chancellor , P . M .. P . G . Stwd . ; A . Andrade . O . Polenz . J . E . White , H . A . Slade , F . T . Slade , A . H . Debenham , and others . Bro . H . Higgins , P . M . 13 S 1 , was a visitor .

Lodge having been opened , and the minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Messrs . Walter Ford and W . Bramweli Reid , M . B ., and it bein ? uninimpus they were subsequently initiated by the W . M . Bros . A . Andrade and P . Mecklenburg were impressively raised to the Third Degree . Bro . Capt . Walls having been elected to represent the lodge at the Jubilee

Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , the sum of five guineas was voted to head his list , which was subsequently augmented by individual subscriptions . Numerous apologies were received from absent members , who were mostly detained by illness . Among them being Bros . H . Young , P . G . Stwd ., P . M ., Treas . ; R . G . Barton , P . G . Stwd ., P . M . ; A . Josling , P . G . Stwd ., P . M . ; A . 1 .

Altman , P G . Stwd ., P . M . ; R . C . Clowes , G . Std . Br ., P . M ., J . W . ; and others . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . A few toasts were given , but in consequence of the recent deaths of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , P . G . W ., and Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., Grand Srcretary , the usual musical programme , & c , was abandoned .

Sincerity Lodge ( No . 174 ) . —The 124 th anniversary and installation meeting of this old lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern on Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., when Bro . T . A . Starnes was installed W . M . for tbe ensuing 12 months . As there was a considerable amount of business on the agenda paper , the lodge was opened at an early hour by the W . M ., Bro . Henry jay , assisted by the following

officers : Bras . T . A . Starnes , S . W . ; W . Phillips , J . VV . ; VV . Lacey , P . M ., Treas . ; C . H . Webb , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . Butcher , S . D j VV . J . Norman , J . D . ; VV . Harvey , I . G . j I . Bayley , D . C . ; H . S . Sambrook , Stwd . ; and J . Verry , Tyler . Amongst the brethren and visitors we noticed Bros J . Bulmer , P . M . ; G . Jone- - , P . M . j J . S . Fraser , P . M . ; VV . Gayton , P . M . ; H . Magee , l . P . M . ; J . Hattersley ,

W . M . 1 G 07 ; C . Hubbard , P . M . j and also a good attendance of brethren . After confirming the proceedings of . the previous meeting , Bro . VV . Lacey , P . M ., in very feeling and eloquent terms , moved votes of condolence , which were ordered to be entered on the minutes , expressing the deep regret of the brethren at the lamentable decease of the Duke of Clarence , and their heartfelt sympathy with the M . W . G . M ., the Prince ol

Wales , and his family in their great bereavement , and also recording the sincere grief of the brethren atthegreatlossthe Cralt had sustained by the very sudden death of the late Grand Secretary . The W . M . then passed Bro . T . A . Matzinger to the Degree of F . C . ; he afterwards initiated into the mystic rights Mr . Geo . Alan Griffiths . The VV . M . then proceeded to install his successor , and it was the opinion of

all who were privileged to witness the sound working ol this good old lodge , that Bro . H . Jay performed the installation ceremony in a very impressive and efficient manner . The new VV . M . then invested hi * officers , each of whom were raised a step towards the occupancy of the chair , A fresh initiate , Mr . VV . J . Derby , was then duly obligated , and with the finish of the ' , ceremony the Auditors' report was

taken and approved of ; this report showed the funds of the lodge to be in a most health y condition , notwithstanding the large yearly contributions it makes towards the Masonic Charities . Expressions of much regret were evinced on all sides at the news of the severe illness of Bro . John Newton , P . M ., V . P ., who is acting as Steward for the lodge at the forthcoming Jubilee Festival of the R . M . B I . Similar

feelings were heard at the resignation of Bro . H . M . Hobbs , P . M ., through illness . Bro . Hobbs has been for some years , and is now Secretary of the Benevolent Assiciation connected with the lodge . This being the day set apart for the funeral of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , the customary banquet was nit held , it having been unanimously decided to p jstpone it till the February meeting .

Bank of England Lodge ( No . 263 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodje was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., when the following brethren were present : Bros . G . L . Kennab y , W . M . j A . Leighton , acting S . W . j J . W . J . Kennedy , ) . W . j Col . James Peters , P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; H . Pritchard , Sec . ; I ' . T . Rushton , S . D . ; J . W . Urysdile ,

J . D . j J . Sharp , acting I . G . j R . C . Sudlow , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . j A . D . Parr Dudley , P . M . j G . A . Carter , P . M . ; Minton-Senhouse , Boutcher , and Waterhouse . Ihe visitors were Bros . George Everett , sG . Treas . ; I . Terry , P . G . S . B . ; T . B . Nichols , P . P . G . W . Northumberland j J . M . McLeod , P . P . G . W . Derbyshire , S-c . K . M . I . II . ; G . A . Hughes , P . P . G . Keg . Middlesex ; H . Pullman , VV . M . Sj VV . II . Kirby , W . M . i

Stfggles , I . G . 23 < jSj F . J . Gordon , 534 ; C . H . Denny , 1071 ; E . Hall , 17 'jj ; D . M . Sherwill , S 13 ; and L . Mantell , lSy 7-The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . A billot was taken for Mr . S . II . Waterhouse , which proved unanimous in his favour , and the VV . M . initiated him . Bro . II . Pritchard having been unanimously elected Master for the ensuing year , was presented by Bro . Sudlow , P . M ., when Bro . G .

Craft Masonry.

L . Kennaby performed the ceremony of installing him as his successor in the chair of this old and eminent lodge . The much lamented death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale having occurred on the morning of that day , Bro . G . L . Kennaby , I . P . M ., proposed , and Bro . Col . J . Peters , Treas ., seconded a vote of condolence to the M . W . G . M ., his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , and

the Princess of Wales , on the great bereavement which had fallen upon them that day , and that a record of the sympathy of this lodge be made in the minutes of the meeting . This was carried unanimously , and the sentiments of the brethren fiund expression in the heartfelt remarks of condolence made by both the VV . M . and the I . P . M ., who spoke somewhat at Ienarth upon the sad bereavement

that had overtaken our M . W . G . M . in the death of his first born son . The VV . M ., Bro . H . Pritchard , presented Bro . G . L . Kennaby , l . P . M ., with the Past Master ' s jewel of the lodge , and said it was one of the most pleasing duties he had had to perform during his Masonic career . Bro . Kennaby had won the goodwill of every member of the lodge by the able manner in which he

had conducted the business , both inside and outside the lodge , and also by hisgeneral courtesy and kind heartedness , and r \ t trusted that Bro . Kennaby would have a long and happy life in which to wear the jewel which he now presented him with on behalf of the lodge . The brethren adjourned to the large hall where an excellent banquet was served , after which the customary

toast list received due attention , but all of the remarks were tempered by the sad event of the morning , which could do no other than cast a gloom over every meeting of the brotherhood which fell upon this date . In proposing the toast of " The Queen , " the Worshipful Master said that he did so with very great pleasure , and should as usual combine it with that of the Craft , because

her Majesty always showed great interest in the Craft , especially by the support she accorded to the Institutions , and by permitting her son to occupy the first position in the Craft . The W . M . then rose to propose the toast of "The Most Worshipful Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and said he did so with very deep feelings . It

was unnecessary for him to refer to the sad calamity which had befallen the M . W . G . M . that morning , and any calamity of that kind must of necessity fall on them also as members of the Craft . Scarcely had _ the M . W . G . M . and the Princess of Wales recovered from the anxiety caused by the serious illness of their second son , than their first born was seized with asudden illness , and before the country

had fully realised how dangerous it was , it had pleased the G . A . O . T . U . to take him away . He ( the VV . M . ) should ask them to drink this toast in perfect silence . The next toast was that of the " Pro Grand Alaster , the Earl of Lathom j the Dep . G . M ., Earl Mount Edgcumbe ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The W . M . proposed this toast with very great pleasure , for one

present Grand OTicer and a number of past ones had honoured them with their presence that evening . He coupled the toast with the name of Bro . George Everett , Grand Treas ., a Grand Officer whose popularity was proved , as he had been elected to office by the members of the Craft . Bro . George Everett , Grand Treas ., in responding , said

it gave him graat pleasure to be present at the installation of his friend , Bro . Pritchard , with whom he was associated in another sphere of Masonic work , and he thanked the VV . M . and brethren for the cordial manner in which they had given and received the toast of the Grand Officers , Bro . G . L . Kennaby , I . P . M ., proposed the next toist in the following terms : It is indeed a very great pleasure to

me to propose the health not only of our W . M ., but of a very dear old friend . 1 have had the extreme pleasure 0 ! placing him in the chair of our lodge to-night , and it has been to me a great satisfaction . We have worked very closely together in Masonry for some years , and I can , therefore , speak with confidence regarding his qualifications , which will win for him the sincerest regard of every

member 01 the Bank ol hngiand Lodge . 1 do not think it necessary to dilate on his many excellencies , but I will ask you to be upstanding , and show your appreciation of him in the way you support the toast of our W . M , Bro . Henry Pritchard . Bro . Pritchard , VV . M ., in responding , assured the brethren that a month ago he had no idea he would occupy

tha- honourable positnn . He had only hoped to continue as Secretary , in which position he had always been quite happy . He had especially to thank them that his election to that office had been unanimous . He had looked forward to that day as promising to be one of special pleasure and brightness , but the G . A . O . T . U . had willed it differen'ly . He had willed that one of our principal Masons in England ,

a Provincial Grand Master , should be taken away from us , therefore we could not m * et with the same heartiness and Joviality as il this gbom had not been spread over us . He was sure every brother present deeply sympathised with the M . W . G . M . in the loss he had sustained that day . He regretted it was impossible for his response to be in the tone or spirit he could have wished , but thanked the

brethren heartily for the goodwill and fellowship they had shown him , and he trusted the manner in which he might conduct the lodge during his year would prevent any membar from regretting he had voted him ( Bro . Pritchard ) into that chair . The toast of "The Initiate" was next proposed , and the W . M . believed Bro . S . H . Waterhouse gave promise of

becoming an excellent Mason , for he had been well introduced into that lodge , and further had paid such admirable attention during his initiation , which had been so ably performed by the l . P . M . He extended a very hearty welcome to him on joining the Craft in general , and on becoming a member of the Bank of England Lodge in particular . Bro . Waterhouse , replying , thanked the W . M . and

brethren for the cordial welcome and kindness they had extended to him that day , and while he was just about to enjoy the pleasures of Masonry , the events of that day showed him that Masons had serious responsibilities and duties . He hoped that while he enjoyed the one the others would receive due and full attention from him in the future .

Ihe toast of "Ihe last Masters" was next duly honoured , and responded to by Bro . G . L . Kennaby , l . P . M . "The Visitors" was proposed in terms of cordial welcome , and responses to this toast were made by Bros . Everett , G . Treas . j Pullman , W . M . No . Sj VV . II . Kirby , W . M . K / 15 ; Dr . Orwin , and J . Mcl . eod . The W . M . then proposed " The Masonic Charities , " to