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subscribers . The annual assembly of the Grand Conclave of the Order of Constantine took place , and the officers were appointed . The Lodge of Benevolence met and voted _ £ 6 oo . The following lodges were consecrated this month : the Earl of Clarendon Lodge , No . 1984 ; Stanford Lodge , No . 1977 ; the Martyn Lodge , No . 17 S 3 ; and the Arnold Lodge , No .

19 S 1 . Bro . ANTHONY TROLLOPE passed away this montn , a most able and effective writer , one who , by an honourable career of unceasing industry , has made a name for himself , and stamped a mark on the annals of romantic fiction . On the whole , we must credit him with the appellation of one who has sought to do good by his prolific pen , and though some have

complained of the tendency of some of his remarable tales , there can be no doubt but that many will live in the estimation of the wise and the good , as inculcating a wholesome moral , and as true delineations of passing character and society . We also have to lament this month the departure from amongst us of the Rev . J . M . ELLISON , the kindly and zealous Chaplain of

the Girls' School . He always expressed the deepest interest in the welfare of that striking Masonic Institution , and spoke of it with pleasure and pride . Towards the close of the year , we learned the end of the many deplorable mistakes committed in Tangiers , probably with

" good intentions " after all . The Grand Lodge of Manitoba ver 3 ' properly and Masonically recalled the patent of Bro . PATTERSON , and the warrant of El Moghreb Al Aksa Lodge . The Freemason was blamed for its attitude anent this Masonic " escapade , " but it was right , from the first , in the views it took of the situation . ...

* * THIS very slight and imperfect sketch of English Freemasonry will give us a faint idea , perhaps , of the regular work and living outcome of our great Order , which have been both continuous and cheerful , marked by the high attributes of realit 3 ' , energy , heartiness , and life . Indeed , it is vcry

wonderful to realize the calm , steady progress and manifestation of English FYeemasonry year by year , as it pursues the even tenour of its way without ostentation and parade , least of all with " sounding brass or tinkling cymbal . " Never at any time were its great Institutions better supported , or that golden word " charity" more truly understood . Let us hope

that any tendenc 3 ' to make Freemasonry partake of a ' * benefit order " may be carefully avoided , and zealously eschewed . It will be noted that the grants of the Lodge of Benevolence have been very great , too great in our opinion , inasmuch as during the twelve months they have reached the large sum of £ 9637 , £ 1937 in excess of income .

Much has been said recently in respect of too large grants , and we feel sure that a safe and sensible reduction can be made in this respect , bringing about a needful equilibrium without having any recourse to increased capitation payments . The contributions thus far announced to the Charities amount to ^ " 37 , 282 17 s . 7 d ., but by the close

of the year they will probably show a still higher figure . In Scotland and Ireland Freemasonry has progressed and increased , though the latter country especially lies under difficulties , from which we are as yet happily free . Let us all hope that 1 SS 3 ma 3 ' witness the revival of order , law , peace and confidence for that beautiful but ill fated land . In France ,

Freemasonry is in a very critical position , owing to the unfortunate " proclivities" of the ruling faction . "Facilis descensus Averni" is , we know , though " old as the hills , " still true , and hence acommon expression ; having once departed from the landmarks of Cosmopolitan Masonry , the French body has gone from bad to worse . There seems nothing

left of old French Masonry but a sort of simulated resemblance , and it would appear as if it must ere long forfeit every right to be considered a living Masonic jurisdiction . It is losing members and prestige rapidly , and though at present the outlook is dim and dark enough , we still cling to the hope , that the Grand Orient

may emerge from its "Sommeil , " and its deliberate repudiation of the ancient and fundamental principles of true Masonry everywhere . The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in France seems still by a manly struggle to adhere to order and prescription , and to seek to uphold the unchanging tenets of vital Freemasonry . In Germany ,

under the wise and friendly patronage of the great family of Hohenzollern , as with us under the House of Brunswick , Freemasonry seems to hold its own , and to evidence that it has attraction for zealous supporters and cultivated minds . In Denmark and Sweden Freemasonry is in active life and good repute , and we trust that the Dutch Freemasons will

not desert their old colours , while we wish we could speak more decisively of Belgian Freemasonry . In Roumania and Hungary Freemasonry appears to be moving on ; and in Italy there are some signs of life , but not to our mind as satisfactory as such might be . In Spain , the " cosasde Espaiia" are still the " cosas de Espaiia , " and it is almost impossible for us

outsiders fully to realize the state of things Masonically in that remarkable land . In Portugal Freemasonry seems progressing now in a right direction . Freemasonry is also active in the Mediterranean , in Egypt , in India , in Bengal , and China , and all our Colonies and Dependencies , and especially active just now at the Antipodes . Peru seems to be

organizing , and there are even hopes of Mexico . Perhaps the most wonderful sight , as regards Freemasonry , is that presented by the prevalence of our Order in the United States and the Canadas . Certainly not less than 700 , 000 Masons are there , exhibiting a very remarkable evidence of the real value of true Masonic principles , and as Freemasons

we should be glad to think that across dividing waters , the old parent tree has produced such goodly and promising saplings . Let us , with the close of another year , learn to feel proud of that useful and beneficent Order of ours

which still survives the encroaching hand of time , which still speeds on , disregarding the attacks of ihe foolish , the criticism of the prejudiced , and the fanaticism of the unjust , with undiminished fervour and vigour , rather with renewed life and developed energy . Let us trust that ,

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in the good providence of T . G . A . O . T . U ., when 1 SS 3 comes to a close , we shall be able in the Freemason to render a still more glowing account of its kindly deeds of benevolence , its unchanged sympathies of toleration , and its ceaseless labours of love .

* * # WE have lost , as we have before stated , several very distinguished brethren during the last twelve months , and the sad summary is as follows : Professor Prag ( Chap . 1502 ) , of Liverpool ; Rev . David Shaboe , M . A . ; Edwin Ratcliffe , P . P . G . P . E . Lane ; Dr . John Bowes , Prov . G . Treas . W .

Lane ; Barron Fielder , P . P . S . G . W . Berks and Bucks ; Chas . Marsh ( initiated iSi 9 ) , P . P . S . D . Somerset ; William BulkeleyHughes , M . P ., D . P . G . M . N . Wales and Shropshire ; Lord Robartes ; W . H . Crookes , Prov . G . Sec . Durham ; Thos . Smith , P . P . G . P ., and P . G . Swd . Br . Kent ; J . J . New , P . P . G . A . D . C . Cheshire and Wiltshire ; Major Savory ; Robert Farmer

Bower ( of Iowa , U . S . A . ); Francis Quin , 32 , P . G . Org . Ireland ; Professor Stephen Soullier , P . D . G . S . W . Malta ; Benjamin Webster , P . G . D . ; Gen . Gore Goland Mumbee ; Marshall Wood , the eminent sculptor ; Henry Patten , P . G . S . B ., and late Secretary of the Girls' School ; lohn Jacob ,

P . G . J . W ., and P . G . Sec . Dorsetshire ; Lord Tenterden , Prov . G . M . Essex ; Col . Kemeys-Tynte , P . P . G . M . Monmouthshire ; John Fawcett , P . P . G . M . Durham ; Alderman Joseph Gregory , P . P . G . P . South Wales ; J . G . Redman , P . P . G . S . W . Kent ; Anthony Trollope ; Elias Somers , Prov . G . P . Middx . ; Rev . W . J . Mills Ellison ( Chaplain Girls' School ) .

Communique.

COMMUNIQUE .

We have read with much regret the announcement in " Le Monde Maconniquc " of the unexpected death of Bro . Thcvenot , the late principal Secretary of the Grand Orient of France . Owing to certain deplorable incidents , to which we need not allude

here , the ancient friendly relations between the Grand Orient of FYance and the Grand Lodge of England have been momentarily for some time suspended , and are practically at an end . There is at the present hour in effect almost complete severance .

But this fact should not prevent us doing Masonic justice to the memory of a worthy and lamented brother . Bro . Thcvenot was himself a most zealous and respected Mason ; moderate in his own views , and always courteous to others . Many English brethren have agreeable " souvenirs " of his willingness to assist , and his readiness to oblige , all whose "devoirs" led them to the " bureau " of the Grand Orient of France at Paris .

Like many other French Freemasons , whether he ever really approved of some recent changes may be more than doubtful ; but he made a ' * virtue of necessity , " and yielded openly , ( if not logically ) , to the decision of the majority . He attended the last " Couvent , " though , we believe , complaining , and died in "harness , " still full of zeal , attachment , and affection for the Order he had served so long and so well .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

UNVEILING OF BRO . TERRY'S PORTRAIT , AND PRESENTATION TO BRO . AND MRS . TERRY . This interesting ceremony , which was briefly noticed in the last week ' s number of the Freemason , took place at the Asylum at Croydon , on Thursday , the 21 st inst ., when Bro . and Mrs . Terry were entertained at a dinner , given by the Committee . Among the company present were Bro . Dr . and Mrs . Strong , Bro . and Mrs . Bowyer , Bro . T . Hastings Miller and Mrs . Miller , Bro . Col . Radclyffe and Miss Halford , Bro . T . CubittBro .

, Ke 3 'ser , Bro . Perceval and Mrs . Perceval , Bros . Gallant , Gabb , Newton , and Fraser , Bro . Paget and Mrs . H . M . Paget , Bros . Joyce Murray , J . A . Farnfield , and Raynham VV . Stewart , Bro . Terfy and Mrs . and Miss Terry , Bros . Kenning , Bulmer , Mason , E . C . Massey , Ouitmann and Wm . Stephens , who assembled in the Hall of the Institute at ~ a little before three o ' clock , and for half-an-hour or more were occupied in chatting together and looking at the portraits of Dr . Crucefix and Col . Creaton , and glancing at a veiled

picture hanging there , which gave a large portion of its interest to the occasion . At length the dinner , without which no ceremony in this country appears to be properly inaugurated , was served , and for a time , little more than the hum ol conversation was heard , until appetites being appeased , everybody became inspired with a desire to drink wine with everybody else , and there was a brisk exchange of challenges for a short period ; then a sudden hush , and the Chairman , on his legs became the centre of attention .

On rising to propose the first toast , the CHAIRMAN said that he must address the company that day as ladies and gentlemen , because on that occasion they were not all brethren , but had met together only in the character of true friends , and as true friends their first duty was to their sovereign . Everyone was delighted with the way in which Her Majesty fulfilled the functions of her royal position , and at the kind offices she had done for those who required aid , and especially her anxiety to do something for those who had done their best for her .

The CHAIRMAN said the next toast he had to propose , was that of the Institution within whose walls they were assembled . By means of that Institution they had met on that occasion to enjoy themselves , but it had been their privilege , during the past year , not to neglect the well-being of the inmates . It was with great pleasure that he proposed the toast " Success to the Institution . " With that toast he would couple the name of Dr . Strong

, because Dr . Strong , in the absence of the committee , took care and gave advice to the residents . Dr . Strong and his partner were ever read y at any hour , night and day , to come there and attend to the wants and illnesses of the inhabitants , and therefore he ( the Chairman ) was quite sure the company would agree that he was right in coupling the name of their good friend Dr . Strong with the toast of " Success to the Institution . "

Dr . STRONG , in replying , said that he was very much obliged to the chairman for coupling his name with that toast . He felt that it was only the fact that Bro . Terry was there as an honoured guest that it devolved upon him to respond to the toast instead of Bro . Terry . Dr . Strong said that he