At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

At the Sign of the Perfect Ashlar

As was generally anticipated , the M . W . Grand Master has been pleased to mark the Royal Coronation year by conferring Past Grand rank on a number of brethren , selected in about equal numbers from the Metropolis , the Provinces , and the Colonies . The names of those who have been selected for this high honour will be announced at the forthcoming meeting of Grand Lodge on the 4 th June .

< D > « 1 > The election of the Board of General Purposes at the same meeting will be the first under the altered rules . Six members only of the eighteen elected in 1901 will retire , and each is eligible for re-election . The number of candidates

on this occasion is seventeen , so that the contest will be more severe than on the last occasion , when there were twentyseven candidates to fill eighteen vacancies .

&¦ * v ? i < x ? . The arrangement for the formal installation of His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught as M . W . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , have now been definitely settled . It will take place at the King ' s Hall , Holborn Restaurant , on the 20 th of June , at 1 . 30 p . m . A banquet will take place in the evening at Freemasons ' Tavern at 7 . 30 .

«© ®> « The Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , which is to be held again this year at the Crystal Palace , will take place on Monday , the 23 rd of June , under the Chairmanship of the popular Provincial Grand Master for

Surrey , Colonel John Davis , A . D . C . The ladies will dine with the brethren . It is intended that the Annual Fete and visit of SteAvards to the Institution shall be held at Wood Green on the previous Thursday . We sincerely trust the result of the Festival will be as satisfactory as that of the recent Girls' School celebration .

<& S > The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls has already secured its Chairman for the Festi \ - al of 1903 , in the person of the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master for West Yorkshire . We congratulate Bro . Hedges and the management on again enlisting the aid of a powerful province and so excellent an advocate as Bro . Jackson .

«¦ * < s » The Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls has this year proved a record one , the Centenary meeting excepted , both as regards the number of SteAvards and the amount collected , the splendid total of " 30 , 000 , the result of

^ the efforts of 774 SteAvards , being announced by the Secretary , Bro . Hedges . Of this sum London contributed ^ 12 , 098 is . 6 d . and the Provinces ^ 17 , 901 18 s . 6 d . With this encouragement the proceedings were naturally of a jubilant character and Lord Lathom , who proved an admirable Chairman , and the

other speakers had an easy task in preserving a spirit of cheerfulness amongst those present to the end of the proceedings .

© < £ » « s > An always interesting prelude to the Festi \ r al is the annual prize distribution at the Schools . The spacious and beautiful Alexandra Hall is admirably adapted for such functions , and the scene on Monday was one to remember . Bro . Robert

Grey , P . G . W ., as Chairman of the month , presided , and Avas supported by the Earl of Lathom and many of the Stewards , representing London and the Provinces , and the meeting Avas graced by the presence of Lady Bertha Wilbraham , Lady-Helen Lathom , and a numerous gathering of ladies . The

absence of the Countess of Lathom through indisposition was greatly regretted , but Lady Wilbraham proved an excellent substitute . The recipients of the prizes appeared highly delighted at their success and equally gratified at the Avoids of encouragement and congratulation addressed to them .

We regret to record the death of Bro . Dr . E . M . Lott , Grand Organist , which took place suddenly on the 18 th April . Bro . Lott was initiated by the Provincial Grand Master of the Channel Islands in the Mechanics Lodge , No . 243 in the

, year 1837 , and was , therefore , at the time of his death , within a feAV years of attaining his jubilee as a Mason . In 1867 he was installed as W . M ., and in the following year was made Provincial Grand Organist of Jersey , the appointment being followed in 1870 by that of Provincial Junior Grand "Warden .

On his removal to London he became a founder and the first W . M . of Trinity College Lodge , No . 1765 , also a founder and first W . M . of the Mozart Lodge , No . 1929 . He also took part in founding the Canterbury Lodge , No . 16 35 ; the Shadwell Gierke Lodge , No . 1910 ; St . Mary Abbott ' s Lodge ,

THK LATE BRO . DR . K . M . LOTT . No . 1974 , and others ; besides being actively associated with many lodges and chapters connected with the Royal Arch , the Mark , Knight Templars , Rose Croix , and other Degrees . His appointment to the office of Grand Organist took place

in 188 4 , and in the same year he received the same distinction at the hands of the First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter . Bro . Lott AA as a musician of considerable reputation , and

was for many years Organist of St . Sepulchres Church , Holborn . He Avas almost a giant in stature , and his largeness of heart and capacity for fellowship was on a par with his physical bulk . His numerous friends amongst the Fraternity will retain a kindly feeling for him for many a day .

i $ « B > t £ » The agreeable duty of entertaining the many distinguished members of the Fraternity from India and the Colonies , AVIIO will be in London during the Coronation celebration , will be fittingly undertaken , as in the Jubilee year , by the Empire

Lodge , which Avas established in 1885 , mainly with the object of welcoming our Colonial brethren when visiting this country . Great efforts are being made to ensure a representative gathering , and already so large a number of acceptances have been received , that the success of the meeting is assured .