High Twelve

HIGH TWELVE

_ " Cease labour and go to refreshment . "

The , glorious sun has attained its meridian , lustre in the . South , and dcdarcs the hour of high twelve . The Junior Warden ' s column assumes the perpendicular , te > continue in that position only leltilst , labour is suspended , for the purposes of refreshment , and to he lowered at . all other times . The plumb rule rests against the rough and imperfect material to await the return , of the workmen to their several tasks .

If the Junior Warden ' s column is perpendicular in the south at any time except when the workmen are at refreshment , whether before work is commenced or after wages are paid and " just dues " rendered , be sure that the symbol is not understood by either Warden or Tyler . * * # * *

We do not often get a good laugh out of ajDpeal cases in Grand Lodge . Looking over some papers relating to the proceedings of a recent Quarterly Communication , we lighted on some connected with an appeal from a P . M . of a Lodge at Madras . A more frivolous complaint has never before , we presume , occupied the time of the august assembly . Yet it w as made

to cover some eighty-five pages of closely written matter , which , as Bro . F ENN said , might have been condensed into some fifty words . Bro . PHILBRICK ' able and witty exposition of the full particulars excited more hilarity than usualty accompanies our learned Grand Registrar ' s addresses . The trouble was all about a clock which , the Lodge in question had agreed to present to the

appellant , in recognition of services , and the preparation of which , " with suitable inscription , " had been entrusted to a firm in England . Between the date of order and the arrival of the clock at Madras , some circumstances , of the nature of which we are quite uninformed , had arisen to cause a change of feeling on the part of the intended

givers , and so the clock stopped altogether for the proposed recipient . Against this " wind-up " of his expectations the worthy P . M . appealed , but unavailing- } ' . High Twelve will never sound for him on that record of the progress of time , and the " suitable inscription " has become no more to him than " such stuff as dreams are made of . "

MY LODGE AT MINE INN . —Notwithstanding that Masonic lodges have not only assembled at public-houses beyond the memory of man , and have even adopted the tavern signs as a distinctive emblem , our American brethren evince repugnance towards sanctioning gatherings of the Fraternity at even an hotel of cosmopolitan reputation . The village inn and the town tavern are among the last relics of

practical chivalry During the Middle Ages , when travelling ecclesiastics found lodging places in monasteries , while bishops founded inns in large cities for accommodation of their retainers , designated by a symbol of celestial patronage , such as an angel , a saint , or , curiously enough , by a dragon , lawyers occupied inns of their own creation near the courts of law . while members of the

mercantile and operative guilds sought shelter within taverns belonging to their varieties . The great barons maintained , in addition to their castles , large hostelries in the town of which they were provosts , whence they derived handsome incomes for lodging and protecting travellers , while the minor nobility kept taverns ,

over the doors of which they hung- their shields , and where to this day we find in rural districts of England roadside taverns called the Talbot Arms . & c . Masons originally assembled at taverns , designated by the sheriffs of counties , under whose protection they were , and it is in memory of this ancient custom that lodges meet at notable public-houses , accessible to strangers . — -Veto Zealand Mail .

WE note as an interesting announcement that Bro . BENJAMIN FOLSOM , U . S . Consul at Sheffield , at a recent gathering returned thanks as a Visitor on behalf of ( 500 , 000 American Masons . This appears to be an endorsement of the statement made by Bro . T . M .

WALLER , Consul-General , at the Installation meeting of the Hornsey Lodge ( No . 8 !)()) , who said "that he w as in this country as the accredited representative of America , and in numbers he spoke for 6 ' 00 , 000 Masons . " These are big figures and worthy of our Brethren across the w ater .

PORTSMOUTH TEMPERANCE LODGE—NO . 20 ( 58 . —Bro . T . Tuffnell , W . M ., arranged a picnic for the members of the Lodge , their wives , sweethearts and friends , on the 22 nd ult ., when a large party , occupying five four-horse brakes , left High Street , Portsmouth , for Goodwood , via , Emsworth and Chichester . The band of the Border Regiment accompanied the party , and , as a matter of course , materiall y enhanced the general enjoyment . Opportunities were

taken for saltatory exercise as well at Goodw ood after dinner as at Westbourne after tea ; and photography lent its aid to keep a pleasing record of the day ' s enjoyment and happiness . All were loud in their praise of the Committee who had arranged the entire proceedings , especially making " honorable mention " of Bro . R . G . Pither , the Secretary of the Lodge and the originator of the " outing . "

HUMBER —No . 57 . —The Brethren of the Humber Lodge held their twentieth picnic at Rise Park last week . The party , numbering just on one hundred , left Freemasons' Hall early in the morning , and on arriving , at once proceeded to enjoy themselves in various ways .

Archery , dancing , rounders , & c , were all well patronised . A capital luncheon and tea were provided , to which full justice was done , and the party returned , after having thoroughly enjoyed themselves , soon after eight . Bro . R . T . Watson during the afternoon secured a good photographic group of the party .

Reports Of Lodge & Chapter Meetings.

Reports of Lodge & Chapter Meetings .

Our REPORTS AND INTELLIGENCE COLUMNS we purpose placing at the disposal of Secretaries and Members of Lodges who may be willing to assist our endeavours to spread information . We sliall increase the number of our pages as may be found necessary to meet their requirements , but nmst respectfully request them to condense , as much as they consistently can , the information thci j may be disposed to send us . —Address : Editor , THE MASONIC STAR , 38 , Bow Lane , London .

% * The list of Annual Subscribers to THE MASONIC STAR has been opened most satisfactorily , and we shall be pleased to hear from other Brethren willing to support us .

CEAFT LODGE MEETINGS . MECHANICS— -No . 245—JERSEY * . August 10 th , at the Masonic Hall—Bro . G . Long , W . M .- — -The business w as merely of a formal character , and was followed by a banquet at which Bros . James NewtonProv . A . G . SecretaryEast Lancashireand John Kenyon

, , , , P . M . 348 , were present . Bro . Newton congratulated the Jersey Lodges on their possession of a Temple in every respect suitable for the performance of masonic work . A very pleasant evening Avas spent in social converse and harmony .

ROYAL YORKSHIRE—No . 2 ( 55—KEIGHLEY , August 23 rd , at the Masonic Hall—Bro . E . Lee . P . M . 408 , PJ . G . Std . Br .. W . M . — CENTENARY—Emergency . —To mark this important occasion , the officers of the year w ere at the last Installation meeting appointed from amongst the Past Masters of the Lodge . After opening his Lodge the W . M . explained the tracing board in the First Degree .

and also gave an admirable exposition of the principles of Freemasonry and its teachings . Bro . the Rev . J . Room , JS . A ., P . Prov . G . Chap ., W . Yorks , and Chaplain of the Lodge , gave a very eloquent address on the Three Grand Principles of Masonry , which was listened to with great attention and was much appreciated . Both

the W . M . and Bro . Room were applauded and thanked . Bros . Harrison , P . M ., and J . Harrison presented a handsome frame for the Centenary Warrant , and also received thanks from the Lodge . A banquet was presided over by the W . M ., and a most enjoyable evening concluded proceedings of more than ordinary interest to this old and prosperous Lodge .

LION—No . 312—WHITBY , August 20 th , at the Masonic Hall—Bro . J . T . Stewart , W . M . —A good attendance of members and visitors . One initiation , to whom the " charge " was delivered by Bro . J . Stevenson , P . M ., and one passing , Bro . Geo . Remmer , to whom the charge in F . C . degree was given by Bro . W . II . Falkinbridge , P . M . Refreshment followed labour .

ABERCORN — No . 1549—GREAT STANMORE , August 1 st — Bro . Didsbury , W . M . —Installation—Bro . H . G . Webb was passed to the Second Degree . Bro . Chas . T . Tolman was installed W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . Dr . Rogers , P . P . S . G . W ., P . M . and Treasurer . Bro . Didsbury , I . P . M ., was presented with a P . M . jewel . Greetings from brethren at home and abroad w ere received and acknowledged . The installation banquet which followed gave unqualified satisfaction .

CAMA—NO . 2105—HAMPTON C OURT , August 27 th . at the Mitre Hotel—Bro . John Read , P . M ., W . M . —Election Meeting . Bros . N . D . Fracis , S . W ., Palmer , and Harrison were severally elected W . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler for the ensuing year . A P . M . jewel was proposed to be given to the outgoing W . M . The Lodge was then closed .

ROYAL VICTORIAN JUBILEE—No . 2184—August 23 rd . at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford—Bro . Geo . Westfield , W . M . —Bro . Walker was passed to Second Degree . Messrs . Brame , Poppy , and McHugh were initiated . The working of both ceremonies was highly creditable . At the banquet some excellent songs and recitations were given , and after a very enjoyable evening the brethren separated . Next meeting , 27 th September .

REGENT ' S PARK—No . 2202—September 1 st . At the York and Albany Hotel , Regent ' s Park , Bro . Cama , W . M ., Bro . Narotandass Indraji Vaishvav was raised to the third degree ; Mr . Pranjivan Jagjivan Mehta was balloted for and initiated . Past Master ' s jewels were presented to Bros . Goodchild and Shepard . P . M . ' s , and after routine business the Lodge was closed . At the banquet which

followed Bro Cama , in proposing the toast of "The Queen , " expressed his pleasure , as an Indian subject , that he should have opportunities to submit to English Freemasons that sentiment which was ever uppermost in the thoughts of their Indian brethren . The response to the toast of "The M . W . G . Master" elicited from Bro . Elmes . P . G . I . G . ( LC . ) an assurance of similar loyalty to the Crown

on the part of Irish Freemasons . The health of the W . M . was proposed by his uncle , Bro . D . P . Cama , Past Grand Treasurer , who complimented the Lodge on the good working of bis nephew and his officers ; and a very pleasing response was made by the W . M . — Bro . Mehta , the newly initiated brother , also made a telling speech .

expressing his great pleasure at having received his solemn entry into Freemasonry at the hands and by the words of a fellowcountryman , and in England . He believed that such scenes as he had that evening witnessed and taken part in tended to cement the bond of union and national interest between two great nations . A very pleasurable and instructive evening was enjoyed by all present .