At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

The name of Bro . Lord Methuen , P . G . W ., has again been considerably in evidence recently , for on the same day that the report of his chivalrous speech appeared regarding our late antagonists came the announcement of his G . C . B . It will be the hope of the Craft that our distinguished brother may long be spared to enjoy his well-merited distinction .

< S » * S »» " 5 »» An anecdote illustrating Bro . Lord Methuen's kindness in the field has recently appeared in a popular paper , which has been offering prizes for such stories . It is as follows : — " After a long march under the burning sun to Flakfontein the infantry were done up , tongues hanging out—literally

choking for a drink . After they had taken off their things there was a general rush to the well for water . There were the camp kettles and the water carts to be filled ; then came a servant with a bucket , which he filled . The soldiers were too well disciplined to charge for it , although they would

gladly have given a month ' s pay for a good drink of the precious fluid . Lord Methuen was passing at the time . ' Who's that for ? ' said he , slopping the servant . ' For Mr . ( mentioning an officer ) to wash in . ' ' Oh , ' said Lord Methuen , 'he can wait . Here you are , men , fill yoiir

canteens out of the bucket . ' Then he with Lord Loch manned the pump , and the ) ' pumped harder than any niggers until the thirst of the Tommies was appeased . "

It is interesting to learn , on the authority of The Referee , that when Bro . Sir Henry Irving arrived at Liverpool from Sandringham at twenty minutes to seven on the morning of the 15 th November , amongst his first acts was to send a telegram to Bro . J . L . Toole , conveying a most kindly message from the King .

With regard to the late Bro . Lennox Browne , F . R . C . S ., P . D . G . D . C , the following remarks b y Mr . T . P . O'Connor , M . P ., will not lack interest to the many members of the Craft whose privilege it was to come into contact with our late distinguished brother in the paths of Masonry . He says : " It is but a few weeks since I met him at a dinner , where he

seemed to be in his usual health and spirits . He was a man of many and great gifts . His father , as everybody knows , was a doctor of very high knowledge ; and his grandfather also belonged to the medical profession . Nevertheless , Lennox Browne desired to become an artist , and there is

little doubt that if he had persevered in his first purpose he would have attained high eminence . He exhibited with success when he was still a boy .

»*> > S »» -5 » " He was an indefatigable diner out ; he was always pleasant company ; never probably said an ill-natured thing in his life ; was full of the amiable weaknesses that make a man rather more than less popular ; and , in short , was just the kind of genial human being that never makes an enemy and never maintains an enmity . He will be missed at many a gathering for many a day . "

The announcement of the sudden death of Bro . Isaac C . Strong , on the golf links at Eltham , was received with much sorrow by his Masonic brethren as well as by the members of the Stock Exchange , of which he was a prominent member of thirty years' standing . He was for many years Secretary of the Lodge of Prudence , which is composed mainly of

Stock Exchange members , and he was senior Past Master of the Regularity Lodge , the members of which are also derived chiefl y from the Stock Exchange . Bro . Strong was fifty-seven years of age . « 3 > <&» « S

The brethren of the English and Scottish Lodges in India are combining with the view of holding a great Masonic meeting in Delhi during the coming Durbar , when it is understood that the Most Worshipful Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , will be present , as well as Lord Kitchener and oilier distinguished Masons .

A notable personality has disappeared from American Masonic circles . The name of Bro . Josiah H . Drummoncl was a household word in America , and was scarcely less known in this country . He tilled many important official positions , but Masonry claimed a very large share of his long and active life , he having served as Grand Master of

the State of Maine so long ago as i 860 , and during the subsequent forty odd years ably filled many high and important offices .

¦ # ¦ & v-It seems , according to a New York paper , that the old rumour is again afloat that the Masons of America are contemplating a plan to rebuild King Solomon ' s Temple . The American Ty ler thus disposes of the report : — "If we remember rightly , the last time the historic edifice was

rebuilt it was not an enduring success . It is very doubtful if American enterprise at this late day cares to devote itself to such an undertaking . Besides , we are too busy just nowerecting temples of our own in this country . "

Al Pi . i ;; i From the same source we cull the following : — " A lady who writes for an eastern paper has found a new standpoint from which to admire Masonry . We confess that we had not thought of its being recommended to the fair sex for the reason given by the brother of whom she writes ; nor had

we thought of giving his reason for the custom of having the Craft lay the corner stones of public buildings . The lady writes : ' I asked my husband the other day to explain to me why the Freemasons are nearly always asked lo lay the corner stone of a public building . ' My dear , ' was the

answer , ' that is an old question . The Masons are the only ones who can do such things in such a way as to keep them entirely out of politics . Nothing that the Freemasons do , here or elsewhere , has the first touch of politics in it . If it were possible to turn over the whole country to the Masons it would be a good thing . Then we should be through with

the troubles of politics . ' I accepted the explanation as a very satisfactory one . As a woman I believe that more evil comes from politics than from all other things to which men lend themselves . The answer gave me much needed light on the subject of Freemasonry . ' "

The installation : meeting of the Penge Lodge , No . 1815 , was held in the Clarence Hall , Anerley , on Wednesday , October 8 th , Bro . Charles G . Jones installing his successor , Bro . John Bright Crowe , in a most impressive and eloquent manner . He is the twenty-fourth Master of his lodge ,

lino , . IOIIX mucin' CKOWK .