The Revision Of The Constitutions.

THE REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONS .

The long-expected revision of the Book of Constitutions , finally settled at the Grand Lodge of December last , is noxv ready for issue in the octavo edition , and the 321110 . is being printed as rapidly as possible . The cost of either copy xvill be as formerly , viz ., eighteenpence , exclusive of postage . To be properly understood and appreciated the revise

requires to be carefully compared xvith the publication of 1 S 73 , and , as a matter of fact , there has not been such a revision of the regulations since 1 S 15 , xvhen the laxvs xvere formerly agreed to by the United Grand Lodge of England . Externally and generally the appearance of the present volume is much the same as the various editions from 1 S 27 , but an examination ofthe xvork page by page xvill serve to indicate hoxv numerous and important are the changes effected . The

arrangements of the paragraphs , xvhich are in consecutive order , and numbered from 1 to 312 , instead of the old cumbersome system of pages , rules , and clauses , is a great improvement , and xvill be \* alued much in actual usage . Passing over the alterations of , and additions to , the rules respecting the Grand Lodge and Grand Ollicers , those of the Provincial Grand Lodges and lodges claim especial attention . The prefixes are inserted as a guide for the

brethren , based upon thc order of the M . VV . Grand Master . The oft used " Very VVorshipful " is only to be applied to certain Grand Lodge Ofiicers , and never to any of provincial rank , the latter not being entitled to other than " VVorshipful , " as Masters or Past Masters of lodges , save , of course , the Provincial Grand Master , xvho is " Right Worshipful , " but xvho is actually not a Provincial Grand Lodge Officer , but the representative of the M . VV . Grand Master

( ranking after the Deputy Grand Master of England ) . The continuation of the Provincial Grand Lodge , on the death of the Provincial Grand Master , as noxv provided for is a great boon , and for provinces the additional offices of txx * o Provincial Grand Standard Bearers and an Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary xvill be much appreciated , as xvill also thc txvo extra Provincial Grand Deacons and a Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies for provinces

numbering 30 or more lodges , xvhich latter rule affects Devon , but not Cornxvall at prescnt . the formerhaving 5 o and the latter 29 lodges . "Clearance certificates" must accompany petitions for relief from funds of Grand Lodge xvhen the petitioners have ceased to be subscribing members . Warrants must be produced or exhibited at all meetings . Brethren must havc duly served as Wardens of a lodge under the English Constitution to be eligible for thc chair . Meetings can be

held by dispensation of the authorities elsewhere xvhen thc regular halls cannot be used . Past Masters subscribing to a lodge , but not having served as such in that particular lodge , may noxv take thc chair , according to seniority , in absence of the other qualified Past Masters . Deputy Provincial Grand Masters of provinces on visiting lodges in the absence of their Provincial Grand Masters rank as Provincial Grand Masters , and take precedence

accordingly for the time being . Masters are empoxvered to refuse the admission of any visitor xvho is likely to disturb the harmony of thc lodge , or xvho is a knoxvn bad character . Byc-laxvs of lodges arc to be sent through thc Provincial Grand ISlastcr , having had his approval , for the Grand Secretary ' s consent . Byc-laxvs of lodges must be printed and presented to every member , xvho by his acceptance xvill be deemed to consent to them . On

public holidays the meetings may be held on the day before or after , at the discretion of thc Master . The minimum fee is noxv five guineas , inclusive of registration and certificate . Lodges accepting joining members xvithout proper enquiry xvill be responsible for the payment should any arrears be owing to the former lodge . Children of deceased brethren may apply for relief xvhilst under age , and xvithin live years of the death of their father . Petitions for relief must noxv be sent for report to thc Provincial

Grand Secretary , xvho then has to torward the same to the Grand Secretary . Collars of the ofiicers of lodges can only be xvorn in their oxvn lodges , or xvhen acting as representatives , as Masters , Past Masters , or Wardens in Grand Lodge or Provincial Grand Lodge . Gauntlets may now be xvorn , though as a matter of fact they have long been . These are a fexv of thc more important alterations . Thc usefulness of thc xvork is much increased by an elaborate index . — Western Morning Nans .

The Masonic Exhibition At York.

THE MASONIC EXHIBITION AT YORK .

Bv BKO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . I note the memorandum by " Masonic Student , " and if the editor xvill permit me the space will venture to make a fexv remarks respecting thc numerous interesting exhibits that xvere so kindly and fraternally entrusted to our care for thc conversazione and exhibition at York last month .

Wc had numerous applications from brethren xvho xvere anxious to examine the collection by daylight , and xvho xvould have been delighted if thc exhibition could havc been kept open for a day or two . This , hoxvever , xve found to be impossible for several reasons . In the first place the exhibits xverc lent on the understanding that they xvere to be at once returned ; in the next place xve should have been

unable to devote the time that xvould have been required from us to maintain a personal supervision over the collection ; and chiefly xve felt that there xvas a certain amount of risk from fire , & c , attending the exhibition , and although xve arranged . for a special attendance during each night of a police guard , xvhich xvas willingly furnished by Bro . S . Haley , theTocal head of the force , yet xve xvcre

continually haunted by thc apprehension ot the possible occurrence of some unforeseen accident , xvhercby the loss of relics of priceless value might be entailed . Referring to the catalogue 1 may say there occurred in it txx-o or thrce inaccuracies , in the xvay of printer ' s errors , but as its compilation , as xvell as most of the organisation and correspondence fell upon me , and as many of the exhibits did not arrive until thc morning of the day itself , it is . _ 1 . 1 . i . _ . i : nl » .. i . ln ^ . t . ni-n .. „« rl ... i , un : ~ r to unuersiauu inu iiiaiuiiiiiui

easy UIIIILUIUW .. ; , u mu IUVISIUII of the last sheets . Taking the exhibits in the orJcr in xvliich they stand in the catalogue , xve arrive first at the collection in the possession of the York Lodge , 236 . Of these all the papcrand parchment rolls and minutes have been described by Bros . Woodford and Hughan and others , and I need not therefore occupy space by again speaking of them . They xvere spread out under sheets of glass , leaving the more remarkable portions displayed , and covered a large tabic at the

The Masonic Exhibition At York.

east end of the hall . The parchment minutes of the Grand Lodge of All England ( No . 6 ) xvere regarded xvith special interest , beginning , as they do , in 1712 , and recording thc initiation in 1725 of Francis Drake , xvho in 172 S delivered the notable oration , as Junior Grand Warden , in the Merchants' Hall at York , and xvas Grand Master at the revival of the Grand Lodge in 1761 . The rules of the Grand Lodge ( No . S ) are curious , but closely resemble those of

other prominent Masonic bodies in the last century , inasmuch as they contain several clauses indicating the propensities of the members in the direction of sxvalloxving rather more liquor than xvas good for them . The collection , in a scrap book , of MSS ., & c , relating to the Grand Lodge at York ( No . 13 ) is of immense interest , and xvould alone occupy a day in its examination . It contains the correspondence xvith thc brethren xvho formed the Grand Lodge South of

the Trent and the returns made by them , the earliest Templar minutes knoxvn , some curious outline rituals of Chivalric Orders , correspondence xvith subordinate lodges , draft certificates , & c . The minute book of the Grand Chapter of All England ( No . iG ) is the small quarto MS . book discovered by Bro . J . Todd and myself a fexv years ago , and described by me in the Freemason at the time . The next

exhibit ( No . 17 ) is the chapter minute book that records the meeting of the companions in the crypt of York Minster last century . 1 see that "Masonic Student" refers to exhibit No . iS , the 24-in . guage , dated 1 GG 3 , xvith thc names of brethren incised . This curious relic , xvhich , by the xvay , is only 15 inches long , is a graduated mahogany flat rule , bcvilled on one side , and marked

thus—I WILLIAM * BAKON : 1663 I IOHN DRAKE : IOHN * BARON It bears every evidence of antiquity , and , with other relics of the extinct Grand Lodge , has been handed doxvn through local families xvhose ancestors xvere active members

during the eighteenth century . A large portion ot the furniture of thc old Grand Lodge has come into possession of the York Lodge , and the mallets , carved candlesticks , obligation pedestal , compasses and banner xvcre catalogued amongst the exhibits . The silver snuffers , like an

exaggerated pair of sugar tongs , presented to the Grand Lodge in 17 6 4 , as thereon engraved , and thc seals of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , are very interesting . An old tracing board , painted on canvass ( No . 40 ) , is remarkable . It has at some period been the property of a warranted lodge , as the xvords " Regd . Lodge " appear upon it , and the costume of thc figures painted thereupon indicates the date as very early in the last century . No . 38 in the

catalogue , described as a circular marble table xvith Masonic emblems engraved , is curious . Its history is not knoxvn , but xve suspect it to be the xvork of Bro . Ploxvs , a prominent Mason and a sculptor , xvho flourished at York during the early portion of this century . Its surface presents a mass of engraved emblems , including every Degree knoxvn to have ever been practised , as far as 1 knoxv . The collection of engraved portraits belonging tu the York Lodge is

verg good , as the list shoxvs , some of them being very rare , and there is a remarkable oil painting on xvood , dated 1770 , and done after the fashion of a sign board , representing thc crypt of thc minster , thc pyramids , & c , and prominently inscribed " Grand Lodge of All England . " Thc exhibits of the Eboracum Lodgjc were also interesting , although of course not approaching in attraction for Masonic students the relics in thc possession of thc senior

lodge . Yet the Eboracum , in spite of its brief existence , has a collection far superior to most lodges , and some of its treasures are well xvorth notice . Tne pewter llagon ( No . 1 ) is , as far as I know , unique , lt is an enormous vessel of silver pexvtcr , capable ot holding 13 pints . It is most artistically moulded , and upon thc double-hinged lid is ashicld bearing various Masonic emblems and thc date 16 94 . Upon the body of thc llagon are cut the names of the Master ,

Wardens , and brethren of the Dutch guild , to which it formerly belonged . This flagon xvas purchased by me in a broker ' s shop in York and 1 xvas informed that it had come from Hull . It xvas then in a very dirty state , but revealed enough to shoxv its Masonic value . ' 1 he members of thc lodge subscribed for its cost and for thc construction of an elaborate stand upon xvhich it rests . It has been furnished xvith a moveable and more reasonably sized interior xvhich

is used by thc lodge as a loving cup on state occasions . Thc series of seven coloured engravings , date 1812 ( No . 2 ) representing Masonic ceremonies , are in very good condition . Several sets are knoxvn to exist , and Bro . Robinson's , of Chester , exhibit ( No . G ) , contains reduced facsimiles of them . The Bible of the Grand Lodge of All England ( No . 7 ) , is a valuable relic . The flyleaf is inscribed " 1 'his Bible belongs to the Freemason's Lodge at Mr . Hoxvard ' s , in

York , 1761 . " This identifies it xvith the revival of the Grand Lodge of All England under Drake in that year , for the minutes informs us that thc surviving members of the Grand Lodge ' met at Mr . Hoxvard ' s , Lcndall , in York , in March 17 th , 1761 , and galvanised the dormant old lodge into life . Thc Military Lodge attached to the 5 th Dragoon

Guards exhibited its xvarrant , xvhich xvas granted on thc ist June , 1776 , by the Earl of Antrim , G . M . of Ireland , to John Keys , James McDowell , and VVm . Martin , of thc " Second Regiment of Horse . " The set of silver xvorking tools exhibited by this lodge attracted a good deal of attention , oxving to the massive and valuable character of the various implements . ( To be continued ) .

Opening Of The New Cross Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1559.

OPENING OF THE NEW CROSS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1559 .

On Tuesday evening last another addition to thc long list of metropolitan lodges of instruction xvas made by the launching , under the xvarrant of the Nexv Cross Lodge , 1559 . ° f an instruction lodge at the Chester Arms , Albanystreet . The attendance , though fairly numerous , xvas yet not up to xvhat might have been expected from the

various promises that had been made , and thc members of lodges of instruction meeting xvithin easy distance of Albany-street xverc conspicuous by their absence ; this , hoxvever , did not affect thc enjoyment of those who assembled in thc capital lodge room of the Chester Arms . Bro . Thomas Grummant , I . P . M . of the mother lodge , xvas in the chair of K . S ., supported by Bros . Hiram Henton , W . M . 1559 , as S . VV . ; G . VVood , W . S . 1 GS 1 , J . W . ; C .

Opening Of The New Cross Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1559.

Grassi . S . D . - 559 , S . D . ; H . Wild , 1559 , J . D . ; J . H . Meyer , 1559 , I . G . ; C . Westall , Org . 1559 , Org . ; Ernest Smith , P . M . and Sec . 1559 , as P . M . and Sec . ; and Gullock , lyler . There xx-ere also present the folloxving bresU "A B , ' J * Ncville * ' 559 J G . E . Court , W . S . 1559 ; W . Antill , 720 ; M . Hart , iSS ; J . A . Aitkcxv , 157 ; T . V ' i , vis ' ° ' ; C . Harrison , 1607 ; J . Greenaxvay , 1260 ; J . Hooker , 1 GS 1 ; R . Corry , 16 S 1 ; B . L . VVilson , J . VV . ' 395 . ' B . I ' erelli-Rocco , 1303 ; and several other brethren .

1 he lodge having been opened in the First Degree and the minutes of the preliminary meeting read and confirmed , Bro . Ernest Smith , P . M ., presented Bro . Hiram Henton , b . W ., as VV . M . elect . The ceremony of installation xvas then xvorked by Bro . 1 homas Grummant in the same

impressive and perfect manner that he had tendered it some hve or six weeks previously in the mother lodge , an occasion upon xvhich he had installed Bro . Henton into the chair of K . S . Upon the return of the brethren the nexvly-installed VV . M . xvas saluted according to custom , Bro . E . Smith , P . M ., acting as D . C . The VV . M . then invested his ollicers as folloxvs : Bros . T . Grummant , I . P . M . i : m . I . P . M . : U .

.. 7 . ' * . ° , ' J * * ' 3 ' * * • G * Wood - W . S . iGSi , I . W . ; H . VViId , 1559 , S . D . ; G . E . Court , VV . S . 1559 , J . O . ; 1 . H . Meyer , U . S . 1559 , I . G . ; Ernest E . Smith , P . M ., Sec . > S 59 Aec . ; Carlo Grassi , S . D . 1 559 , D . C . ; C . Westall , Org . 1559 , Org . ; j . Neville , 1559 , W . S . ; and Gullock , Tyler . Upon the first rising of the W . M . eighteen brethren xvcre elected joining members , and on the second rising

Bro . E . SMITH , P . M ., proposed , and Bro . H . WILD seconded , the nomination of Bro . G . VVood , 1 GS 1 , as Preceptor of the Nexv Cross Lodge of Instruction . Bro . Wood xvas elected unanimously , and made a suitable reply in acknoxvlcdgcmcnt of thc honour done him . Bro . Wilson xvas elected VV . M . for the ensuing Tuesday . On the third rising the W . M ., Bro . HENTON proposedand

, , Bro . E . SMITH , P . M ., seconded , " That an especial vote of thanks be voted to Bro . Grummant , P . M ., for the admirable manner in xvhich he had xvorked the ceremony of installation , and that the same be recorded on the minutes . " This xvas carried xvith enthusiasm , and in announcing the fact to Bro . Grummant , thc VV . M . paid him a high compliment in reference to his Masonic career .

Bro . GRUMMANT in the course of his reply expressed his best and heartfelt wishes for thc prosperity of the Nexv Cross Lodge of Instruction , and assured the brethren that as a P . M . of thc mother lodge he should consider himself lacking in his duty if he did not render them all thc

assistance in his poxvei . The lodge xvas then closed , and the brethren devoted themselves to a musical evening . Bro . Charles Westall presided at thc piano , xvhen an excellent programme , admirably executed , xvhiled axvay a very pleasant evening . The New Cross Lodge of Instruction has thus been capitally launched , and xve xvish it every success .

The Cambridge Local Examinations.

THE CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATIONS .

The following are the results obtained by thc candidates from thc Boys' and Girls' Schools at the above examination for Christinas , 18 S 3 : —

GIRLS . CLASS II . —HONOURS , Name . Province . Norrish , S . M . * Devon . CLASS III . —HONOURS . Collins , K . J . A Caxvnporc .

Mey , G . II West Yorkshire . Snurging , E . h London . Hennet , M . B Somersetshire . Parker , K . L . Lincolnshire . Kingcombe , C London . Fotts . E . M . ... Hampshire . Harvey , J . M . * London .

SATISFIED THE EXAMINERS . Cecil , A . W . London . Ansell , M . S . ... Ktnt . Hicks , E Devon . Peele , K . A Durham . Johnson , M . A Lincolnshire . Tanare , A . B . London .

BOYS . CLASS I . —HONOURS . Name . Province . Bartley , VV . J . f N . VVales and Salop . Browning , b . A . t Monmouth . Mey , G . West Yorkshire . Smith , F . East Lancashire . stone , C . 1 * . London . Watkin , H . K Warwickshire .

CLASS . II . —HONOURS . Gibbs , 1 Somerset . King , H . H . t West Yorkshire . CLASS III . —HONOURS . Bingham , II . London . Cooper , VV . R Bristol . Cooper , VV . P Somerset .

Hunt , E . C Dorset . Jepson , J . T . East Lancashire . Johnstone , VV . S Sussex . l < iley , R London . SATISFIED THE EXAMINERS . Deeley , R . P . London . Gardner , A . VV Durham .

Garstin , W . L London . Roberts , S . C S . VVales ( East Div . ) Tibbitts , E . B Cheshire . ) . 5 ' A N * Wales and Salop . Gedge , P . A London . Nicholls , R . II London . Woon , R . IT . Kent .

J . E . SIIASD AXD Co ., Wine Merchants ( Experts anil Valuer . *! j , Albert Mansions , Victoria-street , London , S . W . Olil Matured Wines and Spirits . Price lists on application . —I ADVT . ]