Allied Masonic Degrees.

Bro . Rev . Hayman Cummings ... ] , _ _ . „ Rev . J . N . Palmer j ^ ^ P la , ns - „ R . G . CIutton G . S . D .

„ ri . iviargrett Lr . | . u . „ J . abez Church G . D . C . „ George Powell A . G . D . C . ,, G . L . Campbell ... ... G . S . B .

„ H . C . Pickersgill G . Std . Br . „ E . M . Lott , Mus . Doc . ... G . Org . „ Henry Stone ... G . I . G . „ H . P . Hay ) ,, Gordon Miller > G . Stwds „ H . E . Cousans J

Letters of apology were announced by the Grand Secretary as having been received from a large number of distinguished brethren for unavoidable absence . Grand Council was then closed . The Order of Grand High Priest was afterwards conferred , under the banner of The Four Kings

Council No . 7 , upon the following approved candidates : Bros . Abraham Woodiwiss , Belgrave Ninnis , Jabez Church , J . K . R . Cama , E . J . Hoare , and J . D . Harris . The brethren adjourned to a banquet , which was held at the Holborn Restaurant , under the presidency of Bro . the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Euston , G . M .

Bro. Hughan's New Work.

BRO . HUGHAN'S NEW WORK .

" It is a pleasure always to read or consult any article or book that comes from Bro . Wm . J . Hughan , and now that we have received a copy of his ninth book , the last , we are told , for some time to come , our pen willingl y consents to the word of praise for this

addition to Masonic literature . The space at command in this number suggests that we cannot do better than quote the title-page in full , whereby it will be seen that this book has a wide range , much wider than one mi ght think , if he should regard it as the history only of a single lodge .

' The seat of this lodge , its story throughout , together with associations connected with it , draw largely upon our good-will , while its Masonic and literary merit contribute to invite our approval . The edition is limited to 300 copies , and the book is dedicated , by permission , to the Earl of Zetland , Provincial Grand Master , and Grand Superintendent of North and East Yorkshire .

" The frontispiece is an interesting view of the George Inn , Coney-street , York , where Apollo Lodge met 1773-1781 . There is a cut also of the seal . The title-page reads ' History of the Apollo Lodge , York , in relation to Craft and Royal Arch Masonry ; with brief sketches of its Local Predecessors and

Contemporaries ; the Grand Lodge of all England ( York Masons ); the Provincial Grand Lodge , and various lodges from 1 705 to 1805 . By William James Hughan . . . . with valuable appendices . ' "The book has George Kenning ' s imprint , but may be ordered from W . J . Hughan , Torquay , England , at § 1 . 25 a copy . "—Liberal Freemason . Boston , U . S . A .

New Masonic Hall In Hull.

NEW MASONIC HALL IN HULL .

Established but little more than four years ago , the Wilberforce Lodge , No . 2134 , has made such rapid strides in membership that the accommodation to be obtained at the present premises in Charlotte-street ,

Hull , has been found to be insufficient , and it was determined some months ago to seek a new home for the lodge . It was thought desirable by the brethren not to continue to rent a building for their meetings , but that an endeavour should be made either to erect a Masonic

Hall for themselves or to purchase and adapt some building to that purpose . Accordingly the matter was taken in hand , and eventually a large buildingin St . Lukestreet , known as the Baptist Tabernacle , and which was ori ginally built for a Temperance Hall , was purchased . The premises , which were copyhold , were made freehold , the purchase money being . £ 750 , while the expense

of altering the building is estimated at about . £ 400 . The work of transforming the place into a Masonic Hall is now being rapidly proceeded with , the architect being Mr . C . Todd . Every inch of room in the building is being utilised , and , when completed , the Wilberforce Lodge will possess a hall which will do credit to the brethren , and suffice for their accommodation for

many years to come . The banqueting room is on the ground floor , and is of large dimensions , being capable of seating about 200 . A statue of Wilberforce has been presented to the lodge by Bro . Keyworth , and this will occupy a prominent position in the banqueting room . The vestibule is tiled . The lodge room , which is situate on the first floor , is very capacious , and will

present a very handsome appearance when completed . Hi ghly ornamented Corinthian pillars surround the room , which will be li ghted by a powerful sunlight burner , and the ceiling is bracketed and panelled . Around the room is a raised dais , and the seats will be of iron , handsomel y upholstered . There are waiting and retiring rooms on each floor , and every convenience for the comfort of the brethren .

The W . M . of the lodge , Bro . W . Woodhall , who has been well supported by the brethren , has taken a warm interest in the undertaking , and it is intended that the anniversary of the lodge and the consecration of its new habitation shall take place on the 29 th January next .

A warrant for a Royal Arch chapter , it may be mentioned , has been obtained for the lodge . The whole of the money for the purchase and alteration of the new building has been raised from among fte members of the lodge b y bonds ,

"Those Pious Freemasons."

"THOSE PIOUS FREEMASONS . "

The Universe , a catholic newspaper , published in London , has the following article , headed "Those pious Freemasons : " " The Freemasons of Portugal are much shocked at the impiety of the patriarch of Lisbon ,

Cardinal Neta . It appears that in the course of his funeral sermon his Eminence remarked that the deceased King had need of the prayers of his subjects , as it was evident , notwithstanding his many virtues , that he must have committed many venial sins in his lifetime , and might therefore be still in purgatory .

Now , of course , no catholic who remembered his catechism , or who attended to his reli g ious duties , would see anything strange in the patriarch's remarks ; to pray for the soul of the deceased Monarch would seem to him to be the most obvious and practical way of showing his affection for him . But the Freemasons

of Portugal and France are indignant at the suggestion that King Luis ' s soul did not ascend strai g ht to eternal bliss . This is refreshing to hear from members of an Order which has expunged the name of God from its books—whose motto is , Ni Dien ni Maitre— ' Neither God nor Master . '

" Even our very respectable contemporary , the Paris Figaro , is horrified . Listen to its plaintive protest : "After having been the model of constitutional Sovereigns , after having proved himself a good son , a good husband , a good father , having left to his subjects the memory of all his virtues , and being regretted

by them as no other King could be , having died a sincere Christian with the Apostolic Benediction , and after having a whole nation regretting him and praying for the repose of his soul ; all this is of no avail , it would seem , for King Luis ' s soul is still in purgatory . "The Figaro is evidently much disturbed in its

tonsorial soul at the possible consequences of the patriarch's sermon ; it might even bring about a schism in Portugal , and what grief and consternation there would be in the lodges throughout Europe . But the most comic part of the article is where its writer

explains to the public the grave significance of the patriarch's utterance as being no less than a ' formal disavowal of the absolution pronounced over the d ying King by the Pope ' s Nuncio . ' We strongly recommend this theme for development by our Protestant contemporaries in England . ''

The Mason's Key.

THE MASON'S KEY .

Locked in a Brother ' s faithful heart , And carefully concealed , Are mysteries and secrets rare To Cowans unrevealed ; Fraternal Fellowship alone The key , by right ,

commands—The wondrous key which , when applied , Responds to just demands . Solo and Chorus—Here ' s to the key , the wondrous key , We Masons dearly prize , It locks the secrets of the Craft From prying , curious eyes . Ready at hand it ever hangs ,

A Mason to defend , Careful to guard 'gainst slander vile A Brother and a friend ; The index of the noble mind , Truth its unerring aim . Far as Freemasonry extends , It holds impartial claim .

Here ' s to the key , & c . No metal forms the Mason ' s key , To none but brethren known , The fragile thread by which it hangs , And vital force will own ; E ' en in its weakness is its strength , It " good report " unfolds , Or else , with Charity refrains , And golden silence holds .

Here s to the key , & c . Then let us to the noble Craft Our generous glasses fill , And drink " the key " which guards it well

With Brotherly good will ; Together linked by Friendship ' s chain , May one and all be found , And peace and happiness diffused Encircle us around !

Then here s to the key , & c . F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M . Strong Man , No . 45 . [ The above Masonic song , music composed and sung by Bro . G . S . Graham , P . M . 1 S 51 , will appear in the Christmas Number of the Freemason . —ED . ]

Obiruary.

Obiruary .

BRO . J . W . EDWARDS . It is with extreme regret and pain we have to record the death of Bro . j . W . Edwards . He was the senior partner of the well-known firm of Messrs . Edwards , Cunliffe , Wilson , and Co ., shippers , Manchester , and , until recently , enjoyed good health . But , unfortunately , he had a severe attack of rheumatism , which proved fatal . " Therefore , it can be imagined with what melanchol y astonishment the whole Masonic fraternity in Man-

Obiruary.

chester and the surrounding district were plunged when the disastrous news got circulation . His loss will be felt , especially in the Province of East Lancashire , for he was elected unanimously Treasurer at the last Provincial Grand Lodge , and very recently he was appointed Junior Grand Warden of the

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Lancashire . Bro . J . W . Edwards was a P . M . of No . 317 , a subscribing member of No . 1357 , and of No . 2076 ( Correspondence Circle ) , and was elected last May and invested as Prov . Grand Treasurer East Lancashire . He was P . Z . of No . 317 , a P . M . of No . 156 ( Mark ) , and for several

years a subscribing member of No . 34 , in which lodge he was advanced ; and was recently appointed , though unable to be present , to be Prov . J . G . W . of the Prov . Grand Mark Lodge of Lancashire . He was P . W . C . N , of the Royal Ark Mariners ( United Manchester Lodge ) , a P . M . in the Allied Degrees ( Matier Council ) , Marshal

No . 9 ( Knights Templar ) , Prov . Grand Marischal Royal Order of Scotland , P . M . P . S . of No . 50 of the Kni g hts of Rome and Red Cross of Constantine , D . C . in St . Peter ' s Chapter , Rose Croix , 30 ° Knight of the Holy Sepulchre , Mount Grace Sanctuary , and St . John Commandery , and a member of the Cryptic and

Rosicrucian Orders . He was a Vice-President of the three Masonic Institutions , and a most liberal supporter of local Masonic and other Benevolent and Charitable Institutions . In brief , he lived most highly respected , he has died deeply regretted , and his memory will be revered by all who had the honour and pleasure of

knowing him . The profound sympathy of his brethren are with his bereaved widow and relatives . The funeral took place at the Brooklands Cemetery , where the funeral procession was met by a large number of the Masonic fraternity . The service was conducted b y the Rev . Nicholas Boyn , assisted by the Rev . G . C . P .

Gastock , Wesleyan Minister , of which denomination Bro . Edwards was a prominent member . At the termination of the service at the grave , the brethren assembled , and contributed sprigs of acacia as a lasting remembrance of their dearly beloved brother . Amongst the brethren present were Bros . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G .

Std . Br . England , P . P . J . G . W . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec ; J . D . Hooper , P . P . G . Treas . ; John Barker , P . P . G . Treas . ; Wm . Nicholl , 317 , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . L . Hine , 317 , P . P . S . G . W . ( representing Masonic Hall Company ); Col . Clark , 317 , P . P . G . D . ; J . E . Lees , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; Col . Aspland , 6 33 , P . P . Reg . ; J . R . Beard , P . P . J . G . W . ;

N . Nicholson , P . P . G . D . ; A . H . Jefferis , P . P . G . D . C ; C . D . Cheetham , jun ., P . P . G . D . ; J . W . Irving , P . P . G . S . ( representing No . 2156 ) ; W . H . Vaughan ,

P . P . G . Reg . ( representing Palatine Lodge of Mark Masons ); Frank A . Huet , P . G . S . of W . ; G . D . Pochin , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; S . Steatham , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . Cookson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . ; G . Collier , P . G . Std . Br . ; E . J . Bradbury , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Simcock , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . R . Sowter , P . M . (

representing St . Andrew s Mark Lodge ); J . T . Richardson , P . M . ( representing St . Andrew ' s Mark Lodge ); J . R . Lever , P . M ., W . Ackerman , P . M ., J . Garside , P . M ., E . G . Chesworth , S . W ., Vultchoff , J . VV ., McLeod , I . G ., Staton , P . M ., Hy . Walmsley , P . M ., Edward Wihl , Bird , Read , S . D ., T . Spencer , E . Smith , Marsh , J . Quaile , S . Percival , W . Garside , Chadwick , James

Wilson , P . M ., W . J . Cunliffe , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas ., John Smethurst , P . M ., and Thos . Bushell , P . M ., all of 317 ; Hampson , P . M . ( representing Freemasons' Hall Company ); Brooks , W . Rome , P . M ., and J . Halden , of 1009 ; W . Campbell , C . Neale , W . M ., VV . Rumsey , P . M ., and T . Travis , of 1357 ; Thomas Black , S . W . 1170 ; Geo . S . Smith , P . M . 1170 ; C . S . Allatt , P . M . ; G . V . Blaikie , P . M . 152 ; and Harry Smith , 1170 . ¦ * ¦ .

The "Alpha" Patent Air Horse Collar.

THE "ALPHA" PATENT AIR HORSE COLLAR .

It is well known that in large studs of working horses great trouble is always arising from sore shoulders caused by the collar ordinarily in use , which is hard , heavy , and inflexible . Even when the greatest care is taken , it is not always possible to prevent the injuries which are thus caused , especially to tender

skinned horses , and the attendant loss and annoyance . However , the "Alpha" Air Horse Collar and Saddlery Company , 9 , Eagle-place , Piccadilly Circus , W ., have patented a collar which , while it resembles the ordinary collar in appearance and shape , is inflated with air , and as it is thus rendered pliable , the horse

at once fits himself to the collar . At the same time it resists perspiration , is dry and cool to the shoulders , is much li g hter and more durable than the old-fashioned collar , and prevents sore shoulders . It has the further advantage of not being more expensive , while , if any accident occurs to it , it can be repaired at small cost .

Veterinary surgeons speak in the highest terms of its qualities , and all who have tried it have found it even more serviceable than they had been led to expect . Any of our readers , therefore , who may be replenishing their saddlery departments , will do well to give the " Alpha " Air Horse Collar a trial .

On Saturday last , Lady George Hamilton christened the new cruiser which has been in course of construction in Chatham Dockyard for some time past , the name conferred on this powerful vessel being " The Blake . " This new war- . ship will have a displacement of 9000 tons , and , with her

engines of 20 , 000 horse power , will be able to steam at the rate of 22 knots per hour ; and as her armament will consist of two 22 ton guns , one fore and the other aft , and 10 broadside 6 in . five ton quick-firing guns , it is reckoned that this is the most powerful vessel of its class afloat , and will be able to engage even the most formidable ironclad .