At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.

We have much pleasure in presenting to our readers a portrait of Bro . C . E . Betts , a well-known London Mason . Bro . Betts was initiated in the Dalhousie Lodge , Xo . 865 , in 1888 . Two years after he was elected Treasurer , and he became Worshipful Master in 18 9 8 . He was one of the founders of the Marcians Lodge , Xo . 26 4 8 , and has also lilled the Master ' s chair . He also took part in founding the

MHO . (* K . urn's . ( Pin , / ,, i-. itt ,- i ; , ri , ; , it c „ . )

Earl s Court Lodge , Xo . 2765 , and the Royal Lew Lodge , Xo . 3012 , of which latter he is the Secretary . In Royal Arch Masonry Bro . Betts was exalted , in 188 9 , in the Westbourne Chapter , Xo . 733 , and was a founder of the Marcians Chapter , Xo . 26 4 8 . Our brother has also been active in the Masonic Charities , having sen ed several Stewaulships and

constituted himself a Life Governor of each of the three Institutions . " £ > £ ' ' & While " the oldest inhabitant " is always sure of recognition by the local paper , " the oldest Freemason " cannot

hope to escape notice . This lime he has been discovered in Illinois , U . S . A ., and the local reporter thinks he has never been quite so old as in the latest case . Mr . Otis Eddy , of Rockford , Illinois , on August 28 th last celebrated his 100 th birthday , on which occasion he was presented with his portrait and the finest of Masonic aprons . He was made a

Mason on May- 20 th , 1826 , and is consequently now in the 79 th year of his membership of the Brotherhood . Happily his health is still good , although his eyesight and hearing have latel y become rather defective . «& < s > ¦<*

The present " oldest Freemason" has this advantage over his many predecessors , that having achieved the remarkable record of 79 years of membership of the Order , he may , if he lives another four years , outstretch the period

covered by the Cornish Mason , Bro . James Tresidder , whose career of 8 3 years as a Mason was recorded in our issue of April last . < s o «• The September convocation of the Westbourne Chapter ,

^" ° - 733 , took place on the 15 th ult . at the Holborn Restaurant , and was numerously attended . The usual business of the chapter being ended , the companions adjourned to banquet . After the loyal and Grand Officers toasts had been honoured , that of the genial M . E . Z . ( whose portrait we have much p leasure in producing ) followed . In

the course of his reply he thanked them all and expressed his appreciation of their uniform courtesy and kindness to him since he was exalted , and having now arrived at his present dignilied position it would be his earnest desire to promote the happiness and comfort of the companions as well as the welfare of the chapter .

CO . \ II \ II . II . HA (! X A I . I .. . ( I'ltolo i : i it ,- Por / rnil Co . ) The toast of the visitors were welcomed and responded to by Comps . Dehane and Cox . The musical arrangements , under the direction of Comp . S . C . Montague Austin , P . Z .. assisted by Miss Adams and Miss Kate Hemming , Messrs .

R . Debonnaire , Kuropatkin , Kuroki , and Comp . Thomas ( violin ) , were abl y carried out and enjoyed . ¦•*> « s » ¦ £ > The Paris correspondent of The Sunday Times offers someremarks about French Freemasonry . He writes : — " I never

talk about French Freemasonry , inasmuch as the subject is a delicate one , and perhaps because I know nothing about it . This I am told : that there are about 37 , 000 Masons in France , and millions of the inhabitants would have you believe that these 37 , 000 are the cause of all the ' evils ' that befall the country .

If that be so , why does not universal suffrage arise and sweep [ hem out ? To Freemasonry is attributed the ruin of the navy under M . Pelletan , the ruin of the army under General

Ad01303

» ,- :- ? ZA : : ** m IKPOPULAR SCOTCH WHISKY * I .,.... « Wmg%j*i¦:,irv;j;&;:¦;:¦.:.t•¦*?/<&$ ^ML|fK&WHITEafll