Complimentary Masonic Banquet To Bro. Sir Seymour King, M.P.

action were secured by a system of government that was free . In autocratic governments Masonry could not escape the political tinge , or the defenders and assailers of an exclusive system could not lay aside their differences and sit down together in harmony and goodwill . It was possible , he thought , in the future for Masonry to break down that rigid system of

caste in India , which existed to that day . That nig ht brethren of all classes and different shades of politics had come together to offer him in a too flattering , too generous manner congratulations on the honours which had been conferred on him . He should be unworthy of the kindness that was shown to him , of the marked and genial cordiality exhibited to him in that room , if he did not feel most deeply the

pleasure and the honour of such a demonstration of goodfellowship , coming from so many unexpected quarters . He had that nig ht discovered that his brother Masons , who were Liberals politically , would not throw him over as a Mason , and , on the whole , they seemed to think he was not such a bad fellow after all . He saw now that much that seemed to him to be severe in the attitude of opponents in the political arena was to be taken in the Pickwickian sense . Much of what he

took to be vitrei was in reality only a highly-scented eau-de-Cologne . They saw that however some of them mig ht differ from each other in politics , there were other subjects on which they could agree , on grounds of goodfellowship and personal esteem . Concluding , he again thanked them for this splendid manifestation

of goodwill and esteem . Captain J UDGE proposed "The Hull Masonic Club , " and Mr . H . J . OLROYD , Hon . Secretary , responded . Other toasts followed , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

Another Curious Old Certificate.

ANOTHER CURIOUS OLD CERTIFICATE .

I have lately added to my collection a very interesting old certificate , which is , I think , worthy of a description in your columns . It is written on a piece of parchment 16 by 14 inches , folded in the centre . At the top of the left side is a charming litttle oval watercolour sketch , o f what I presume are the ruins of the

old Abbey of Aberbrothock , and at the edges of the oval the dates A . M . 5822 , A . D . 1818 . Then follows this Latin inscription— " In Oriente , loco pleno lucis ubi Silentium , Harmonia et Pax Regnant . Lux ista in Tenebrio lucet , sed Tenebrigeam non Comprehenderunt . " Nos per Honorificus Magister , Custodes , Ouestor

et Scriba Fugurii Sancto Thomae Liberorum et Grate acceptorum Lapicidarum de Aberbrothock in Regno Scotie convocatis Secundem Legio cum reliquis Fratrum dicti Fugurii candidetestamur venerandum di gnum et delectum Fratrem jacobus Crammond hujus portitorem nobis factum esse etTyronem Imbutem et pariter nomen ejus in Libris Grandis Fugurii Scotio

descriptum est in urbe Edinburghe servale Degno Diploma Nostrum Jamae et Edificationis servamus antae Numerus 44 nunc Numerus 3 6 Et secundem facultate nobis a dicto Fugurii Grande datas ilium Opificem ad missimus et ferinum ac fidem ejus et fideleni in Omnes Occasionis invenientis Quapropter not tanquam premium . Viri Meriteet Seculitatis cum

dignitate Magistri Lapicido promovem et tanquam cum omnibus bonorum fantoribus et omnibus Hominibus Illuminatis in faciam terrarum Orbis sparsis Ouos Numeros Oreto Solum Nobis Salutamusuteum benigni Hospitalitate Amicitia et amore paterno amplis tantur . Suiengenii luco lento specimine edito etchirograpte cum hocete AlargineComperando Diploma hociesigilloaflixo

nostre Fugyrii et Chirographic nostrus muniendum Curavimtis Quam Gratiam oblata occasione Libertissime referemus . Datum Aberbrothiensis 24 die Februarii Millesimo octingesimo Octodecem Anno . Per Gulielmus Porter Scriba . JACOBUS BOYLE , Alagister .

J ACOBUS BELL , Sr . Custoda . PETRUS MCKAY , Jr . Questor . PETRUS VALENTINE , Fugurii . And on the margin "JACOBUS CRAMMOND . " On the upper part of the other half is another little painting depicting the Master at his pedestal , dressed in blue coat and yellow waistcoat , wearing his hat , and

with gavel in hand raised to strike , and on the ground on either side of the pedestal are the mallet and chisel . On the right is a Doric pillar , surmounted by the sun in splendour , and in the left a Corinthian pillar surmounted by the crescent moon and seven stars . These are connected by two festoons of roses to a golden shield hung in the centre , and blazoned

with an open bible . From the base of this shield , right and left , spring two flourishes , pendant from which are respectively the square and compass and level . Underneath this is the inscription , " Robt . Lyon , Arbroath . " Then follows the English of the certificate : " In the East , a place full of Light , where Reigns

Silence , Harmony , and Peace . Ihe Light Shineth in Darkness , and the Darkness comprehendeth it not . " We , the Right Worshipful , the Master , Wardens , Treasurer , and Secretary of the Lodge St . Thomas of Free and Accepted Masons of Arbroath , in the

Kingdom of Scotland , being legall y met and assembled with the rest of the Brethren of said Lodge , Do hereb y Attest , certify , and Declare that the Worshi pful Worthy and Well Beloved Brother James Crammond Bearer hereof hath been made by us ; and Entered Apprentice , and such his name is recorded in the Books

Another Curious Old Certificate.

of the Grand Lodge of Scotland held in the City of Edinburgh , of whom we hold our patent of Constitution and Erection formerly No . 44 , now No . 36 , and conform to powers vested in us by the said Grand Lodge we have passed him Fellow Craft , and finding him Steady to his Trust and faithful on all occasions , We , as a Reward to real Merit and Assiduity , have raised

him to the Dignity of a Master Mason , and as such we hereby recommend him to All Men , Enlightened spread over the face of the Great Globe , whom we greet by the Number only know to us , That they Treat him with Hospitality , Friendship , and Brotherly Love , after making Trial of his Abilities and comparing his hand writing with that in the Margin .

" Given under our hands at Arbroath , the twentyfourth day of February , one thousand eight hundred and eighteen years , and of the year of Masonry 5822 , after having appended the seal of our Lodge hereunto , and the same is recorded by W . Porter , Secy . "J AMES BOYLE , Master . " J AMES BELL , Senr . Warden .

" PETER MCKAY , Junr . Warden . " PETER VALENTINE , Treasurer . " The seal is affixed to a crimson ribbon ( the colour of the lodge ) , and bears on an oval " St . Thomas Lodge , Arbroath ' , 5740 , " surrounding the square and compasses , seven stars , sun , moon , pentangle , trowel , guage , mallet , and chisel .

Apart from its ornamental character and general quaintness , this valuable specimen is curious in several ways . The English and Latin version is not precisel y identical , notably at the end . The use of the two terms " Custoda " and " Questor" for the Senior and Junior Wardens is unusual , as is also the curious expression " whom we greet by the number only

known to us , " which is probably one of the " mystical expressions" used in lodges in the last , and earl y present century . But the most noteworthy point is , the title of the lodge " formerly No . 44 , now No , 36 . " In the Scottish Book of Constitutions of 1848 the number is given as No . 40 , and the same occurs in the edition 1879—no former number being given—and the

Iodge is now also known as No . 40 which Bro . Murray Lyon , G . Sec , says , " is the only number here by which the lodge was known . " In the 1879 Book of Constitutions No . 36 is " St . David , Edinburgh , " and theformcr number 44 ( now 39 ) is " St . John , Kilsyth . " I appealed to the courteous Secretary of No . 40 , Bro . D . Wilson , for information , and after making enquiries

he says ; " Our lodge charter , granted by Grand Lodge to us , is dated 1 740 , and the Lodge is named St Thomas of Aberbrothock , but no number is given , neither is there any number mentioned in the older minute books . " The matter remains therefore a mystery , and the only solution appears to be that at

some time previous to the issue of the 1848 list of lodges , there was some system of numbering , or renumbering , of which no record is left in the books of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . If any Brother can solve this interesting puzzle , I should be greatl y obliged . FRED . J . W . CROWE , P . P . G . O . Devon .

Testimonial To Bro. James Moffat, P.M

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . JAMES MOFFAT , P . M

At the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire it was announced to the brethren that , in consequence of the ill-health of his wife , Bro . James Moffat , who , for many years had carried out the duties of Charity Representative , had felt constrained to resign his position . The news was

received with much regret , for our brother is deservedly held in high estimation b y his fellow members . This was shown in a cordial manner , and by the unanimous adoption of the following address , which was ordered to be engrossed on vellum : " Bro . Moffatt is a P . M . of the lodge . No . 74 , and during his connection therewith has been mainly

instrumental in bringing the large sum of ^ 2200 towards the Funds of our central Masonic Institutions , having not only been indefatigable in his exertions to induce brethren to act as Stewards at the various Anniversary Festivals , but having qualified himself as Vice-President of all the Institutions , he has seldom , if ever , missed an election during this

long period of service , and has conducted the whole of the arduous work in connection therewith , in collecting votes , and in successfully carrying the provincial cases at his own expense . He has been deservedl y respected and popular with the various Secretaries of the Institutions , and with the many brethren with whom he has had dealings or met at the different

elections , and in his retirement he carries the best wishes of one and all . " It can truthfully be said that our energetic brother has well earned the compliment which his brethren of Warwickshire have paid him , and we join with them in recording our appreciation of such good service with our best wishes for his future welfare and happiness .

The annual exhibition by the National Chrysanthemum Society was opened at the Royal Aquarium , Westminster , on Tuesday and remained open till Thursday . The contrast was very great between the brightness caused by the magnificent array of beautiful . lowers within the hall and the gloom and mist without . The exhibits were arranged

in sundry classes , and showed a high standard of excellence . A performance of "The Daughter of the Regiment " was given by the Carl Rosa Opera Company at Balmoral on Tuesday , at which the Queen and the Royal Family were present , the members , of the Household being privileged to attend , while the servants were allowed the opportunity of witnessing the opera .

Masonic Meetings (Metropolitan)

MASONIC MEETINGS ( Metropolitan )

For the week ending Saturday , November 19 , jgoa , I he Editor will be glad to receive notice from Secreta * for Craft Lodges , Royal Arch Chapters , Mark Lodges Ro ^ Crou Chapters , Preceptories , Conclaves , & c , 0 f aiT change in place , day , or month of meeting . ?

SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 12 . CRAFT LODGES . 108 , London , Ship and Turtle Tavern . 173 , Phumix , Freemasons' Hall . 1328 , Granite , Freemasons' Hall . 1416 , Great City , Cannon-street Hotel .

1446 , Mount Edgecombe , Bridge House Hotel . 1607 , Loyalty , London Tavern . t 686 , Paxton , Surrey Masonic Hall . 1743 , Perseverance , Anderton ' s Hotel . 1839 , Duke of Cornwall , Freemasons' Hall . 1964 , Clerkenwell , Holborn Viaduct Hotel . 2029 , King Solomon , Mark Masons' Hall .

LODOKS A . ND CHA . PTSRS O ? INSTRUCTION . Alexandra Palace , Station Hotel , Camberwell New-road at 1 Chiswick , Windsor Castle Hot ., King-st ., Hammersmith ) at V \ l ' Juke of Connaught , Navarino Tavern , Navarino-road Dalstnn * at 8 . n * ' . ecleston , Bro . Dickie's , 13 , Cambridge-street , Pimlico , at 1 Finsbury Park , Cock Tavern , at 8 . ' " tting Harold , Four Swans , Waltham Cross , at 7 .

Manchester , Old King ' s Arms , Poland-street , W ., at 8 . Percy , Jolly Farmers , Southgate-road , N ., at 8 . Star , Dover Castle , Broadway , Deptford , S . E ., at 7 . Urban , Freemasons * Hall . Vitruvian , Duke of Albany Hotel , Kitto-road , St . Katherine ' spark , Hatcham , S . E ., at 7 . 30 . Mount Sinai Chapter % Red Lion Ho ., 14 , King-st ., Regent-st ., \ V , 8

MARK LODGE . 234 , Brixton , Anderton's Hotel . MONDAY , NOVEMBER 14 . CRAFT LODGES , $ , St . George ' s and Corner Stone , Freemasons' Hall . S % Felicity , Ship and Turtle Tavern . 59 , Royal Naval , Freemasons' Hall . 9 , St . lohn's , Albion Tavern .

136 , Good Report , Inns of Court Hotel . 193 , Confidence , Anderton's Hotel . 1366 , Highgate , Midland Grand Hotel . 1571 , Leopold , Bridge House Hotel . 1670 , Adelphi , Freemasons' Hall . 1789 , Ubique , Criterion , 2243 , Argonauts , Cromwell Hall , Putney Bridge-road , » 394 , Galen , Freemasons' Hall ,

LUDOIS AND CHAPTIRS or INSTRUCTION . Blackheath , Milkwood Tavern , Milk wood-road . Heme Hill , at 8 , Carnarvon , Manchester Hotel , Aldersgate-street , at 6 . 30 . ooorn , Eagle Hotel , Snaresbrook , at 8 . Cripplegatc , Goldsmiths' Arms , Gutter-lane , at 6 . 30 . Egyptian , Atlantic Tavern , Atlantic-road , Brixton , at 8 . Eleanor , Rose and Crown , High Cross , Tottenham , at 8 . Hyde Park , Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastbourne-terr ., Bishop's * rd „

Paddington , at S . tingsland , Cock Tavern , Highbury , N ., at 8 . 30 . Vtarquees of Ripon , Lord Stanlty , Patagon-road , Maie-st ., at % . Metropolitan , Moorgate Tavern , 15 , Finsbury-pavement , at 7 . 30 , Neptune , Gauden Hotel , Clapham , S . W ., at 7 . 30 . Perseverance , Ye Old Cheshire Cheese , 13 , Addle-street , Wood . street , E . C ., at 7 . Rose of Denmark , L . & S . W . R . Institute , Wands wort h-rd ., 7 . 30 . Royal Arthur , Prince of Wales Hotel ( opposite Wimbledon Kail * way Station ) , at 7 . 30 . rtmrll r _ l _ n _ n . __ . _ .... ln « 17 A ! 1 .. in .. l 4 _ % . _ . f D . . _•_ . _ .. > — . O >\ 11 UCt \/ lXCWiJI tVt | iicrOb

"UJBJ ^_ . > . > .. _ > ..,.. > , .... _ . > » . u .. a . St . Ambrose , Scarsdale Arms Hotel * Edwardes-square , Ken . sington , at 8 . > t . James's Union , St . James ' s Restaurant ( Piccadilly entrance ) , at 8 . St . Luke's , Victoria Tavern , Gertrude-street , Ohelsea , at 8 . it . Mark ' s , Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell New-road , Savage Club , Albion Tavern , Russell-street , at 8 , Sincerity , Railway Tavern , Fenchureh-street , at 8 . Stockwell , White Hart , Abchurch-lane , E . C , at 6 .

Tyssen-Amherst , Amherst Club , Amherst-road , Hackney , and and 4 th Mon ., at 8 . United Military , Earl of Chatham , Thomas-st ., Woolwich , J . jr . Upper Norwood , White Hart Hot ., Church-rd ., Upper Norwood , * . Upton , Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate , E ., at 8 . tValthams ow , The Chequers , High-street , Walthamstow , tt >

Wellington , White Swan Hotel , High-street , Depttord , at » . Zetland , York and Albany , Park-street , Regent's Park , at 8 . Doric C / ia / K . rr . Duke's Head , 79 , Whitechapel-road , at 6 . Hope Chapter , Globe Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich , at 8 . israel Chapter , Tupp's Restaurant , 8 , Tottenham Court-road , ff . Lewis Chapter , King ' s Arms Hotel , Wood Green , N „ at 8 . North London Chapter , Grosvenor Hotel , Canonbury . at J . 30 ,

ROVAL ARCH CHAPTERS . 710 , Panmure , Horns Tavern . bti , Whittington , Anderton's Hotel . MARK LODCIKS , 104 , Macdonald , Mark Masons' Hall . 2 * 4 , Menatschhn , Criterion .

TUESDAY , NOVEMBER it . Hoard of General Purposes , at 4 . CRAFT LODGES , JO , United Mariners , Guildhall Tavern . 73 , Mount Lebanon , Bridge House Hotel , 95 , Eastern Star , Ship and Turtle Tavern . 162 , Cadogan , Freemasons' Hall .

194 , St . Paul's , Cannon-street Hotel . 435 , Salisbury , Freemasons' Hall . 704 , Camden , Anderton's Hotel , 857 , St . Maik ' s , Surrey Masonic Hall , il-oc , Bromley St . Leonard , Vestry Hall , Bromley . 2011 , Queen's Westminster , Holborn Restaurant . 2032 , Haven , Lyric Hall , Kaling . 2408 , Hampstead , Hampstead Conservatoire .

LoDOCK AND CHAPTERS Of INSTRUCTION . ttruton , Prince Regent , Dulwich-road , Heme Hill , S . E . at 8 . Upper , City Arms , St . Mary Axe , at 6 . Clarence and Avondale , Masonic Hall , Leytonstone E . a » Jjnstitutional , Bedtord Hotel , Southampton Buildings , ai 1-h mcer , The Old White Hart , Higt .-itreet , Borough , at 8 . Clarence , IA , Fitzroy-square , at 7 . 30 . . orinthian , ueorge Hotel , Cubitt Town , Poplar , at 8 . , ,. , < alhuusie , Middleton Arms , corner of Queen ' s-road and M » °

ton-road , Dalston , E ., at 8 . Jomatic , Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell New-road , at 7-S ™ . Duke of Cornwall , Queen's Arms , ( Jueen-street , Cheapside » ' J Kast Surrey Lodge of Concord , Greyhound Hotel , Croy don , . " 4 uolematic , St . James ' s Restaurant , Piccadilly , at 8 . infield , Rose and Crown , Church-street , Edmonton , at 8 . ^ Sxcelsior , Commercial Dock Tavern , Plough-rd ., Rotherniiwi - at 8

Faith , Victoria Mansions Restaurant , Victoria-street , . g ( << insDury , The Goose and Gridiron , London House Vara , Paul ' s Churchyard , E . C ., at 7 . .. . dand lorence Nigntingale , M . H ., William-street , Woolwich , 2 "" 4 th Tues ,, at i . t . . 1 E . i Friars , The White Horse , 94 , White Horse-lane , Mile End- ' " at 7 . 30 . I Islington , Cock Tavern , Highbury , at 7 . 30 . J Joppa , Boundary Tavern , Aldersgate-street , E . C , at 1 . } ° - 1