giving to Mr. Rowe at the same time an opportunity of explaining his conduct to the Meeting, and of paying over and investing the trust monies received by him.

Mr. Rowe did neither, and the only course for the Meeting to pursue was, either to permit the funds of the Charity to remain useless, and the objects of the Institution entirely frustrated, or to take the only means in their power, by a Bill in Chancery, to remove him from his situation of Trustee.

The General Meeting, without hesitation, adopted the latter alternative, and by their direction a Suit in Chancery was instituted against Mr. Rowe, for the investment and payment of the Charity monies in his hands, and to remove him from the Trusteeship.

By this suit the Institution has obtained all that it sought, except the payment and investment of the monies in Mr. Rowe's hands, which was only prevented by his becoming a bankrupt. The Court immediately ordered the removal of Mr Rowe from the Trusteeship, and the other provisional Trustees having most kindly and liberally offered to resign, in order to allow the appointment of permanent Trustees, the Court of Chancery has now appointed the following distinguished and valued Brethren Trustees of the Charity, viz., the Right Hon. the Earl of Aboyne, the Right Hon. Lord Southampton, Colonel the Hon. George Anson, M.P., B. B. Cabbell, Esq., F.R.S., and R. T. Crucefix, Esq., LL.D., in whose names the Charity funds, amounting to 33531. 188. 11d. consols, have been invested.

The result of the suit in Chancery is most satisfactory. The Society has now its funds clear of all interruption, and in the hands of a body of Trustees, whose names alone are a guarantee for their application in such manner as will best carry out the intentions of its benefactors and subscribers.

Yet this benefit is coupled with the usual drawback of a Chancery suit, the costs, Mr. Rowe's bankruptcy preventing the Society from compelling their payment by him; and although the suit has been but of short duration, and comparatively light in its expense, yet your Committee regret to say that the costs will amount to nearly 3501., and this, with the monies due by Mr. Rowe, makes a loss of nearly 7001. through his misconduct.

This the Committee respectfully submit to the kindness and liberality of the Craft. They have struggled many years against difficulties arising, not only from misrepresentation and prejudice abroad, but the misconduct of one of their own body, but this is now all past. They have removed their delinquent Trustee, and they have now reason to believe that their motives and intentions are fully appreciated and understood, that prejudice is giving way before sincerity and truth, and that it is now generally felt that no Charity can surpass that which provides a shelter and a home for Aged and l'oor Freemasons.

The Committee will thank you to lay this letter before your Lodge. They have explained the causes for the extraordinary step of a suit in Chancery by a Masonic Charity, because they have been led to believe that their motives have been misconceived and misconstrued. Relying firmly on the soundness of the original plan, and the practical benefit to Masonry which must result from its developement, they have never in all their difficulties and troubles swerved from their first design. They only hope that their perseverance will induce their fellow Masons to consider the subject earnestly and sincerely, assured that, the greater the attention bestowed, the more will all sincere Freemasons concur with

them that no money can be so well bestowed as in providing a shelter and a home for the Freemason whose only faults are age and poverty, With Masonic respect, I remain,

125, Oxford Street.

Worshipful Master,

Very fraternally, your obedient servant,

JOHN WHITMORE, Secretary, ad interim.

Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received and duly acknowledged by the Bankers, Messrs. Prescott & Co., 62, Threadneedle-street, London; the Treasurer, Dr. Crucefix, Grove, Gravesend; and by the Secretary, ad interim, Mr. John Whitmore, 125, Oxfordstreet, London.

CONTEMPLATED AMALGAMATION OF THE ASYLUM WITH THE BENEVOLENT ANNUITY FUND.

That this desirable object may be obtained must be the heartfelt aspiration of every true friend to Masonic Charity. For the present we confine our information to giving the names of the two sub-committees engaged in the preliminary steps.

Asylum: Bros. Brewster, Dr. Crucefix, Dr. Lane, Sangster, W, L. Wright.

Benevolent Fund: Bros. Dobie, Havers, Mc Mullen, Parkinson, W. H. White.

And may the Great Architect crown their labours with success !

THE REPORTER.

CHAPTER OF FIDELITY, (No. 3,) Jan. 2.--The Installation of Principals took place at the London Tavern on the 2nd January, under the auspices and with the able assistance of Companion J. A. Chase, Past Z., &c.; and the respective Chairs were filled as follows:-Companions John Hodgkinson, Z., R. H. Forman, H., and W. M. Best, J. A very elegant Masonic ring was presented to Companion J. A. Chase for his services to the Chapter. A strong muster at the festive board partook of the good things provided, under the social influence of Companion John Hodgkinson. Among the visitors were Companions Dr. Crucefix, Whitmore and others, and the evening passed in a most happy manner.

March 6.-The business of this Chapter keeps pace with its hospitality, few Chapters equal it; after the exaltations to-day the Principals installed the Second Principals of the Croydon and Ewell Chapters into their respective Chairs.

JERUSALEM CHAPTER (No. 218,) Feb. 10.-There were two exaltations this evening, admirably conducted; one of the candidates was the grandson of the late Dr. Waugh, the celebrated preacher at Well-street Chapel, Oxford-street. The other candidate, Comp. Endell, delivered an excellent address on the occasion.

IRIS CHAPTER, (No. 317, Richmond.)-The superior working of this Chapter, under the supervision of Companion the Rev. T. T. Haverfield, B.D., will repay the visitor. Comp. H. imparts a peculiar

impressiveness to this important ceremony of this, Comp. Leander Starr, Prov. G. Sup. for Nova Scotia, was so deeply convinced, that in addressing the Chapter he stated that until that occasion he had never witnessed the true reality of the Royal Arch ceremony, and that he should feel it his duty to make his opinion known through the American Journals.

GRAND STEWARDS' Lodge.—March 18.—Public night.—Bro. W. Thodey Smith, W. M. The first lecture was most ably worked, to the satisfaction of a numerous meeting of visitors, by the following Brethren :-Bros. W. T. Smith, W. M., Gibbins, Emly, Forman, Cox, Shaw, Savage, Norris, Acklam.

THE ROBERT BURNS' LODGE, (No. 25.)-Good sometimes comes out of evil. The error of this Lodge in mistaking the date of subscription from a petitioning Brother, formerly a member of the Lodge, having subjected the W. M. to admonition, has led to the consideration of a Benevolent Fund to be attached to the Lodge. We applaud this truly Masonic sentiment, and recommend the Master and Past Masters to obtain information on the subject from other Lodges that have adopted a similar charitable view, we in particular refer to the Bank of England Lodge, who have set aside 1007., with accruing interest, for the Asylum, and have a considerable fund for members in adversity. The United Lodge of Prudence, 98, has a fund of many thousand pounds which is disposed of to decayed members.

OLD KING'S ARMS LODGE, (No. 30,) Feb. 25.—Circular.—“The Worshipful Master of the Old King's Arms Lodge, informs the Brethren that the decision of the meeting of the Board of General Purposes on Tuesday last was to the effect 'that the charges brought against various members by Bro. James Gibbins, P. M., Bro. A. U. Thiselton, P. M. and others, were not proved.' The Board expressed their wish that all disputes should cease, and the Lodge resume that character of Peace and Brotherly Love, for which it had hitherto been so highly distinguished. The W. M. anxious to give the fullest effect to the kind recommendation of the Board, calls upon each member to assist him, in restoring to the Lodge, that harmony which ought always to characterise Masonic Meetings."

It is to be regretted that differences of opinion should exist; we trust, now that these have undergone examination by a competent authority that the wishes of the W. M. will be responded to.

LODGE OF REGULARITY, (No. 108,) Feb. 26.-Bro. T. J. Archer was installed W. M. Bro. J. Pennington was elected Grand Steward. A very numerous party afterwards partook of the hospitality of the Lodge. Among them Bro. Crucefix, Webster, F. Chatterton, &c.

BURLINGTON LODGE, (No. 113,) Feb. 19.--The proceedings of this pillar of the Aged Masons' Asylum were to-day unusually interesting. The three degrees were conferred on the several candidates, and Bro. HODGKINSON, P. M., was installed once more as Master. After the banquet several addresses were delivered, but that by Bro. HODGKINSON, the W. M., was well deserving attention; he took a wide range of the Masonic principles, and dwelt especially on two points. 1. The very high compliment paid to Dr. Oliver and Dr. Crucefix by a Grand Lodge in America, which, however well deserved by those Brethren, was the more to be admired at the present moment as the triumph of Masonic principles, for it proved how truly great and noble are those principles, when the virtues of Masons are considered and rewarded at the very time when the threatenings of war and tumult were haplessly

in the ascendant in the political world. He trusted, however, by the blessing of the Great Architect, that peaceful efforts might yet prevail. The other point of Bro. H.'s address was equally interesting. He ad verted to the newly initiated candidate, a Russian merchant, and by whom proposed, by an officer in the Polish army! These two gentlemen had made each other's acquaintance in England, the happy home of the brave and the free. A native of Poland had that day proved the excellence of Freemasonry by introducing a native of Russia into the Order. May such a happy instance be the prelude to many others! MAJOR BENIOWSKI, the Polish Brother alluded to, on his health being drunk delivered a very impressive address on Masonic principles.

LODGE OF FAITH, (No. 165,) Jan. 27.-The W. M. Bro. J. R. Dudley, after initiating two candidates, installed his successor, Bro. John Mott, in the presence of twenty installed Masters. The ceremony was conducted with great correctness. The banquet lost none of the usual charm imparted by Bro. Rackstraw's attention, and the social hour was enlivened by excellent harmony and pleasing addresses; many absent friends were remembered, and we are desired to assure Dr. Crucefix that he was not forgotten.

ST. JOHN'S LODGE, (No. 107.)-Masonic Ball.-At the meeting of this Lodge on the 5th January, our esteemed Bro. Lee was duly elected for the second time to preside in the East, his conduct as W. M. for the past year having given universal satisfaction. The occasion was celebrated by a splendid Ball and Supper, at which one hundred and thirty were present. The Lodge-room and whole suite at Radley's were thrown open, and the whole affair passed off with great spirit. The supper was served up in excellent style, and all the arrangements were admirable. The health of the W. M. was given and duly responded to, but the toast of the evening was "The Ladies Present;" this, it is needless to say, was given most enthusiastically. Indeed, the fair Sisters present seemed to catch the excitement, and rose simultaneously to acknowledge the compliment. The Grand Sword Bearer was deputed to return thanks for them which he did in a very neat speech. After supper dancing was resumed, and this truly happy party did not separate until five on the following morning. The St. John's Lodge have set a very excellent example, which we hope to see speedily followed. The ordinary Masonic banquets unquestionably partake of a selfish character, how much greater the satisfaction, when, as in the present instance, the enjoyment of the meeting is participated in by those we love. Reunions so delightful as these advance Masonry, by dispelling prejudices which unquestionably in too many instances are indulged in by the fairer portion of the creation, but, from the gratified remarks we heard on every side, we feel convinced that every "Sister" present at the St. John's Ball, will for the future bear with her "the tongue of good report,' the harmonious feeling which pervades the whole fraternity, being so eminently conspicuous upon that occasion.

ST. LUKE'S LODGE, (No. 168,) March 2.-It is due to this excellent Lodge to record its palmy state, the working is really good, and we understand that on Good Friday the lectures will be regularly worked.

LODGE OF UNIONS, (No. 318,) Feb. 17.-This Lodge well maintains its character as the parent stem of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement. The Master, Bro. Mountain, assisted by Bro. Marriott, P. M., and the Wardens worked a portion of the lectures in excellent style. Several members of the Bank of England Lodge visited, and were entertained with true Masonic hospitality.

BANK OF ENGLAND LODGE, (No. 329.)—A gloom is passing over this Lodge, caused by the decease of Bro. ROBERT FIELD, P. M., the father of the Lodge. The Lodge is ordered to be put into mourning on the melancholy occasion. In our quarterly obituary we have adverted to this painful event at some length.

ZETLAND LODGE, (No. 752,) Feb. 15.-This new Lodge, constituted last year by Dr. Crucefix, is in full work; the three degrees were practically illustrated to-day to the several candidates, and afforded instruction to a very numerous meeting of the members and their friends.

CHIT CHAT.

A ROYAL MASONIC PRESENT.-Some time since a chest was despatched to London, bearing the royal arms of France. This chest contained a complete trousseau of toilettes:- morning toilette, evening toilette, and two ball toilettes. This present was addressed to the doll of the Princess Royal. King Louis Philippe gave carte blanche to one of the most eminent modestes of Paris, who executed her commission with the utmost good taste. Each gown is a perfect chef d'œuvre, especially the ball dresses, which would excite the envy of our most fashionable duchesses. One is of gros de Naples, the second of pink gauze with velvet flowers, exquisitely made. The small embroidered and trimmed pocket handkerchiefs, the small silk stockings, shoes, slippers, Indian Cachmere shawl, bonnets, muffs, a black lace scarf, &c., have all been made purposely, and with incredible care. There is also a jewel-case with diamonds of the purest water, bracelets, ear-rings, and fillet for the forehead; and all these minute curiosities are carefully arranged in the drawers and cases of a beautifully constructed little wardrobe.

King Louis Philippe is a Mason; Her Majesty, the daughter and niece of Grand Masters.

THE LATE MEMBER FOR WINDSOR.-Bro. John Ramsbottom, Esq., who died at the Albany, on the 8th of October, had sketched out his will roughly on a scrap of paper in his own hand-writing, on the 2nd of March, 1844, which was duly signed and witnessed, whereby he gave to his two sons the whole of his property, but appointed no executor : at the conclusion there was an obliteration of some half-dozen lines, which, from that part of the will being turned down at the time of signing, was not observed by the witnesses. The opinion of the Court was taken. The will was to this effect:-"1 hereby declare, that in case of anything occurring to me, and I should be unable to make a regular will, this is my disposition. I give my two silver salvers which were presented to me, to my son John: my silver tea-kettle and appurtenances to my son Somerville; the silver trowel to my daughter Mary -her fortune places her above any necessity for assistance from me; the silver tea-pot formerly belonging to the Duke of Wellington, to my daughter Susan; 1000l. to Mrs. Sarah Townsend for life, and at her death to her daughter Sarah absolutely; the residue to my sons equally. [The remainder was obliterated.] The judge, observing that it being expressly declared to be a temporary or provisional will, in case the testator made no other, and from the appearance of the signature it would seem that the obliteration and signing were contemporaneous acts, decreed

VOL. IV.

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