Result Of The Festival.

versary celebration must be judged not so much by the fluctuations which , indeed , are inevitable in the returns , as by their even tenour . In other words , a falling off to the extent of two or three hundreds of pounds must not discourage us into the belief that there is necessarily a corresponding diminution in the success of a Festival , neither should an unexpected increase of a similar amount incline us to an exaggerated belief in the opposite direction . It is a sufficient guide for us when

we find that where a certain standard of success has been reached , it is on the whole , after making due allowance for passing influences , fairly well maintained . This has been certainly the case with the Mark Benevolent Fund Festivals during the past five years . In 1885 , the total receipt was close on £ 1722 ; in 1886 , it fell to ^ 1534 ; in 188 7 it rose to ^ 2207 ; and last year it again showed a diminution , the

, Returns being stated at ^ 1818 . On Wednesday , the figures were ^ 2086 iSs . 6 d ., which , if not so considerable as in the year of the Queen ' s Jubilee , shows an appreciable advance on 1888 . We are , therefore , justified in the conclusion that , in spite of fluctuations which , as we have said , are inevitable , the success of this annual fixture is assured .

On this occasion the Stewards were 159 in number , and the 37 brethren who did duty as the LONDON contingent succeeded in raising amongst them £ 49 1 19 s ., the General Board , to the number of 11 , with Bros , the Earl of Euston and Frank Richardson at their head as President and Vice-President respectively , contributing ^ 115 10 s . ; the nine representatives of lodges , £ 179 o ' s . 6 d . ; and the 17 Stewards Unattached , £ 197 8 s . 6 d ., the highest individual lists being those of Bro . C . F .

Matier , the new Grand Secretary and Honorary Secretary of the Board of Stewards , for ^ 73 10 s . ; of Bro . G . W . Marsden , jun ., of the Southwark Lodge , No . 22 , for £ 52 10 s . ; of the Marquis of Hertford , D . G . M . and P . G . M . Warwickshire , representing the Grand Master ' s Lodge , for ^ 35 14 s . ; and of the Earl of Euston and Bro . Frank Richardson , G . Reg ., who each of them figured for . £ 31 10 s . ; while St . Mark's Lodge , No . 1 , which sent up three Stewards , acquitted itself well to the extent of ^ 30 17 s .

The Provincial Stewards mustered 122 , and the sum total of their lists was ^ 1594 19 s . 6 d . B ERKS and O sent up four Stewards , of whom one acted for the Province generally , and three for as many lodges , the total of their lists being £ 65 19 s . 6 d . Bro . Cope-Proctor , representing BRISTOL generally , and the Baldwyn Lodge , No . 18 3 , handed in ^ 57 4 s . 6 d ., while Bro . the Rev . C . W . Spencer-Stanhope , Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Cheshire , contributed

£ 5 5 s . CORNWALL sent two Stewards , namely , Bro . C , Truscott , for the Province , with £ 2 . 1 , and Bro . N . West , for the Cornubian Lodge , No . 87 , with £ 5 5 s . ; total , £ 26 5 s . EAST ANGLIA had six representatives , two being unattached , Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , D . P . G . M ,, the Steward for the Province , and the remaining three the representatives of as many lodges , the aggregate of their lists being ^ 83 us . 6 d . G LOUCESTERSHIRE and H EREFORDSHIRE also had six Stewards ,

who raised amongst them £ 20 17 s . HAMPSHIRE and the ISLE of WIGHT , with eight Stewards , contributed ^ 70 15 s . 6 d ., of which Bro . R . Loveland Loveland , as the Provincial representative , obtained ^ 14 14 s ., and Bro . O . C . H . Curtis , of Lodges Nos . 125 and 3 81 , £ 16 4 s . HERTFORDSHIRE , nine Stewards , compiled a total of £ 68 5 s ., Bro . F . S . Knyvett , Prov . G . Sec , heading the array with £ 26 5 s . ; while KENT , with eight Stewards , gave ^ 115 8 s ., the highest

individual lists being those of Bro . Thos . Ovenden , W . M . Excelsior Lodge , No . 226 , for £ 31 19 s ., and Bro . F . W . Wright , I . P . M . Robinson Lodge , No . 255 , jf 2 i . The Return of Bro . H . Ward , one of the ei ght , is entered under ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS . LANCASHIRE , with 15 Stewards , takes the second place among the Provinces with the handsome total of ^ 356 10 s ., of which ^ 210 is the personal donation of Bro . J . D . Murray , of the Rose and Thistle Lodge , No . 158 , while the Liverpool

Lodge , No . 393 , with three Stewards , gave , £ 3 1 10 s . The group of counties which acknowledge the rule of the veteran Bro . W . Kelly , of Leicester , compiled a total of £ 68 14 s . 6 d ., Bro . A . Woodiwiss , as Steward for the Province generally , being responsible for ^ 33 12 s . L INCOLNSHIRE had two Stewards , namely , Bros . Jack Sutcliffe , P . G . M ., and H . E . Cousans , who has been distinguishing himself so greatly at the Festivals of the general Charities , the total of the latter ' s list being £ 28 3 s .

MIDDLESEX and SURREY , with its formidable array of 35 Stewards , made up the excellent total of £ 411 3 s ., which included £ 58 5 s . 6 d . from the three Stewards of the Davison Lodge , No . 331 , Bro . Lloyd-Wise being responsible for the lion ' s share of £ 42 10 s . 6 d ., and £ 37 5 s . 6 d . from the recently consecrated Euston Lodge , No . 399 , for which Bros . Sir Lionel E . Darell , Bart ., the CHAIRMAN of the day , the Earl of Euston , President of the General Board , and Major A . B . Cook acted as

Stewards , Lord Enston ' s total being included , however , in the London Returns . Bro . A . J . Hone Goldney , of the Royal Naval Lodge , No . 239 , contributed a list amounting to £ 25 4 s . ; Bro . L . G . Gordon-Robbins , of the Onslow Lodge , No . 361 , one of ^ 22 is . ; Bro . W . H . Bale , of the Macdonald Lodge , No . 104 , one of ^ 22 us . 6 d . ; Bro . J . W . Hobbs , of the Clapton Lodge , No . 236 , one of £ 21 15 s . ; Bro . J . T . Norman Callaway , £ 21 14 s . ; and Bro . G . J . Dunkley , of

representing the Province , ^ 22 is . The Province the MEDITERRANEAN , which was represented by its G . Master , Bro . Colonel Marmaduke Ramsay , contributed ^ 17 17 s ., and that of MONMOUTHSHIRE , by the hands of its Prov . G . Treasurer , who acted as Steward , £ 30 . Bro . C . S . Lane , for NORTHUMBERLAND and DURHAM , contributed £ 5 5 s ., and Bro . E . M . Kidd , for the Province of NOTTINGHAMSHIRE , ^ 19 19 s . S OMERSETSHIRE was represented b y Bro . Surgeon-General T . Ringer , and

whose list amounted to ^ u us . ; SUSSEX , by Bro . J . C . Buckwell , who has not yet made a return . WARWICKSHIRE had two representatives—the Marquis of Hertford , its P . G . M ., whose list is entered under LONDON , and Bro . T . R . Arter , of the Bedford Lodge , No . 115 , but at present no return has been made . WEST YORKSHIRE had seven Stewards , including Bro . C . L . Mason , the Prov . G . M . ; the joint list of Bros . H . S . Holdsworth and R . Hodgson amounting to ^ 26 5 s . ; while Bro . Cleeves , of the Britannia Lodge , No . 53 , figures for ^ 20 9 s . 6 d . Three

brethren of the Swindon Keystone Lodge , No . 401 , did duty for WILTSHIRE by raising ^ 15 15 s . ; and Bros . A . F . Godson , M . P ., P . G . M ., and W . B . Williamson for WORCESTERSHIRE , contributed together £ 10 10 s . The ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS were represented by Comps . H . C . Heard and H . Ward , the total of their contributions being ^ 15 15 s . ; the A LLIED M ASONIC D EGREES by Bro . C . H . Driver , whose list of ^ 5 5 s . is exclusive of his London list ; and the Order of the S ECRETMONITOR by its Grand Supreme Ruler , who figures for £$ 5 s . od .

The result , as we have described it in detail , is most satisfactory , and we have much pleasure in congratulating the Chairman , the Board of Stewards , and Bro . C . F . Matier , the honorary Secretary , on a success which reflects so much credit on them both collectively and individually .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND .

After a period of eight years , the annual Grand Lodge of this province was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Frizington , on Wednesday , the 17 th inst .,. under the banner of the Henry Lodge , No . 216 . Previous to opening Prov . Grand Lodge , Bro . B . Craig , W . M ., P . G . M . O ., opened his lodge , supported by his officers , members , and many visitors from the various lodges of the province , when the minutes were read and confirmed , and Bro , William Heathcote was balloted for , and

accepted , and advanced to the Honourable Degree of M . M . M . in an able and impressive manner by the W . M ., and in the presence of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Colonel Sewell , and the Present and Past Grand Officers of the province , it having been suggested by the D . P . G . M . that when there is a candidate the Degree be worked at the annual meeting as an evidence of the proficiency of the officers of the lodge visited .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

The lodge was subsequently called from labour to refreshment for a short ttm * and on the return of the brethren , Bro . Col . F . R . Sewell , D . P . G . M ., with his p ' vincial Officers , were reported , and admitted , and saluted according to their rank Bros . P . de E . Collin , P . M . 151 , P . G . D . of England , as D . P . G . M . ; Jas . GardinZ " P . M . 151 , as P . S . G . W . ; and Jas . Harper , P . M . 216 , as P . J . G . W .

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , and the roll of lodges and Provin ' ] Grand Officers called . The former was well represented , only No . 195 absent , A few of the officers had tendered their apology for absence . The minutes of the last annual meeting held at Maryport were read and con firmed .

Bro . GARDINER , P . G . Treas ., read a statement of account for the province for the current year , which showed that after 20 guineas had been voted to two Institutions , and various other items paid , there was a balance to provincial credit of £ 22 9 s . 6 d . The accounts were unanimousl y passed as read , and on the motion of the D . P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . W . CARLYLE , Bro . Gardiner was for the eighth time unanimously elected P . G . Treasurer . The following brethren were nominated and invested as Prov . Grand Officers

for the year , viz .: Bro . John Paterson , P . M . 282 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Rev . James Anderson , W . M . 213 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Dr . Jas . I . Lace , P . M . 216 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ Thos . Brakenridge , P . M . 213 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . ,, Wm . Walker , P . M . 216 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . G . B . Armes , 216 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ James Gardiner , P . M . 151 ( re-elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Thos . A . Argles , 195 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . „ Geo . Dalrymple , P . M . 216 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ E . G . Mitchell , W . M . 151 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . D . P . Field , S . W . 213 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ Henry Hartley , S . W . 216 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W „ Jas . Copland , 195 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Robt . Leach , S . W . 151 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Isaac Dickinson , W . M . elect , 282 ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br , „ Thos . Atkinson , S . W . 229 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ D . H . Cook , Org . 213 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ James Black , P . M . 229 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ Alex . Cross , M . O . 216 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . ,, W . H . Bewlay , Sec . 213 ... ... ... " ) ,, T . Wakefield , S . O . 216 ... ... ... („„ r c . , A A l . \ n r \ o r Prov . G . btwds . „ A . Ashmore , M . O . 282 ... ... ... I „ G . B . McKay , Sec . 282 ... ... ... ) ,, Jos . Dickson , 216 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The following brethren were by a unanimous vote elected to serve on the Com . mittee of General Purposes for the ensuing year , viz .: Bros . Jos . Nicholson , P . M . 151 , P . G . D . of England ; P . de E . Collin , P . M . 151 , P . G . D . of England ; Jas . Harper , P . M . 216 , P . P . J . G . W . ; and B . Craig , W . M . 216 , P . P . G . M . O . The Past Prov . Grand Officers for 1887-8 were presented with their Prov . Grand Lodge certificates , which had received the seal and signature of the P . G . M .

Bro . Rev . J . ANDERSON , W . M . 213 , P . J . G . W ., moved as a recommendation to the P . G . M ., for the next annual meeting to be held at Whitehaven , under the banner of Fletcher Lodge , No . 213 , and said that if . it was not opposed to the Constitutions of Mark Masonry , taking into consideration the position this province held and the progress this degree was making , he would further suggest that next year , after the usual business of the province had got completed , that the P . G . D . C . form the brethren into processional order and march to Holy Trinity Church , where a sermon would be preached .

Bro . . Col . SEWELL , D . P . G . M ., said he heartily concurred in the suggestion just made by Bro . Anderson , and , if it was constitutional , he did not see why the P . P . G . Chaplain ' s recommendation could not be complied with . Bro . COLLIN then called the brethren's attention to a circular that had been

sent to the P . G . Secretary from Peterborough anent the erection of stalls in the Cathedral . The corner-stone was laid by the P . G . M ., with Masonic honours , and this province was invited to vote a small sum . If some brother would move it , he would be glad to give it his support . Bro . Rev . J . ANDERSON moved that the sum of two guineas be voted , and it was supported by Bro . COLLIN , and carried .

The following brethren were also present : Wm . Robinson , J . O . 216 ; Thos . Pickering , I . G . 216 ; J . Dickson , P . W . 216 ; F . T . Allatt , P . P . G . I . G . 216 ; J . Gordon Tyler , P . P . G . T y ler ; James Stout , S . D . 216 ; Wm . Walker , P . M . 21 ( 5 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Wm . Carlyle , 282 ; J . Dickinson , W . M . elect 282 ; G . B . McKay , Sec . 282 ; J . Abbott , P . M . 151 , P . P . J . G . O . ; J . Richardson , I . G . 60 ; Thos . Mitchell , I . G . 213 ; Thos . Richardson , Tyler 213 , P . P . G . Ty ler ; D . Cook , Org . 213 , P . P . G . Org . ; J . Paterson , P . M . 282 , P . P . G . M . O .: W . H . Bewlay , Sec . 213 , and others .

Letters and wires of apology for absence were read from the following , viz .: Bros . G . J . McKay , P . M . 195 , P . G . D . Eng . ; Rev . E . M . Rice , W . M . 282 , P . S . G . W . ; James Dickinson , P . M . 151 , P . J . G . W . ; Geo . Ryrie , P . M . 213 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Jos Eden , P . M . 282 , P . S . G . O . ; Ouarter-master-Sergeant Wright , 60 , P . G . Stwd . ; Chas . J . Nauson , Sec . 60 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Jenkinson , S . W . 282 , P . G . Std . Br . ; E . G . Mitchell , W . M . 151 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Thos . Atkinson , P . M . 213 , P . P . J . G . W . ; Dr . Jas . F . Muir , 213 , and others .

The D . P . G . M . then briefly reviewed the position of the province , and said it now ranked as a Vice-Patron in Mark Masonry , and he hoped that still further progress would be made in time to come . l rovincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet hall , where a cold collation was prepared , which in this mountaino " region of the province was highly acceptable . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

The toast of "The P . G . M ., Bro . the Ri ght Hon . Earl of Bective , M . P-, " * proposed by Bro . Col . SEWELL , D . P . G . M ., and heartily responded to by the brethren . p Bro . Rev . G . B . ARMES , P . G . C ., gave , with Masonic Mark honours , " The LU ; G . M ., Bro . Col . Sewell , " and spoke at length to the very able and energetic wa > the Deputy Provincial Grand Master always presided in the absence of the 1 t 0 vincial Grand Master .

Bro . Col . SEWELL replied , and said when he saw the progress Mark Masonr ) was making in the province , and the good fraternal feeling that existed aI 1 . ) p ( j the various lodges and members of Cumberland and Westmorland , he felt debg n to be amongst them , and he hoped the province would go on and prosper . With other harmony , a most successful meeting came to a close ffi " Tyler ' s toast .

Hoi * K MANUSCRIPT . —This is a copy of the Old Constitutions , which ls . K , served among the papers of the well-known Lodge of "Hope" at Bradford , , Yorkshire . A certified copy was lent to Bro . W . J . Hughan by Bro . Woo ® ( Masonic student ) , for his valuable work , "Old Charges , " & c , which was * %£ made for him ( Bro . Woodford ) by consent of the W ; M . and brethren of thrf . . . tinguished lodge . It is a very valuable document . It is written on parchff" - ' ' ^ six feet long and six inches wide , but is defaced and worn away towards the e j the " Apprentice Charge . " Be it noted this "Apprentice Charge" is only [ in three known MSS ., though one somewhat similar is found in the minute t > ° the Old Lodge at Swalvvell . —Kenuing ' s Cyclobcedia of Freemasonry .