(No. 9.)—The Province Of Jersey. Part Ii.

brought out by Bro . Dr . Hopkins , in 1865 , it appears that at that time there was a Military Lodge , named " Unity , Peace , and Concord , " held at the Barracks , Fort Regent . The Sameros Lodge , which now only exists iu

name , was established as a superior lodge , somewhat similar to that of the Grand Steward ' s Lodge in London . It was intended for Past Masters and Past Grand Officers , and , with a view to keeping out new members , the fee for initiation was fixed at 20 cruiueas .

It is very desirable that , ere it is too late , the facts connected with the defunct lodges should be rescued irom oblivion . No doubt valuable information could be obtained from Masonic documents iu London aud elsewhere , but much might

still be learnt iu the province . In a few years , however , as the older brethren die off , the task will be more difficult than at present . If we may be permitted to make a suggestion , the Masonic Temple ought to be an Archaeological

Museum for the Craft . Diligent search should be made for the old charters of the lodges which have ceased to exist , and it would be well to preserve the certificates of deceased brethren who

were initiated m extinct lodges—if the same could be discovered .. Documents of this nature may appear to some people to be worthless , but they are invaluable to the historian and archaeologist . It would be well when the Grand Lodge is

reorganised to appoint some literary brother to the office of Grand Historiographer , with the special duty of preparing a History of Freemasonry in Jersey up to the present time , and of writing a new chapter at the end of each year on the events

of the past twelve months . In this way very valuable information would be preserved , and a ¦ work of great interest to the public , as well as to

Masons would be the result . Some day we hope to see eveiy province possessing its own Grand Historiographer . The Jersey bretliren have not only the advantage of a noble temple to carry out their ritual when

living , but at death they are buried with such a display of Masonic pomp and ceremonial as probably cannot be witnessed in any other part oi the world , Ou the death of a brother the temple is draped in black , ancl the body is lying in state

there for several clays , daring which the public are admitted by ticket and march round , during which the solemn strains of funeral music proceed from the'Organ . The corpse is accompanied to the

grave by a procession of brethren in full regalia , while a band of music giving impressiveness to the scene by playing the " Dead March in Saul . " We are assured by brethren and also by nou-Masons , that the effect of these funeral ceremonies

is singularly and indiscribably awe-inspiring , and we need scarcely add that in our opinion they are a beautiful exemplification of Masonic principles ,, showing the outside world that all Masons are brethrenand that the loss of one brother is

mourned by all . The Freemasons' Fevieiv for 1846 gives an account of the loyal reception given by the Freemasons of Jersey to her Majesty and the Prince Consort when they visited the island . It is stated

that "Her Majesty and Royal Consort were graciously pleased to acknowedge with courtesy the endeavours of the Fraternity to do honour to the Royal visit . " The following brethren appear to have been most active in carrying out the

arrangements Bros . Judge Le Gallais , Rd . Spurring , John Baker , P . M ., Thomas Dunell W . M . of Lodge then 302 , Beck , W . M . of Lodge then 306 , ancl Bro . John Andrews , P . M . Among our brethren in Jersey are several Jews

including the Rabbi Hauau , who is librarian of La Cosarce Lodg ; e . In some instances Jews who haye been admitted have been allowed to take the . Masonic oaths on the Old Testament , printed in Hebrew . Our Jewish brethren informed us that

on the continent and elsewhere there are lodges the members of which all profess the Hebrew faith .

For more than twenty years and until the lastfew months Bro . J . J . Hammond , now W . M . of Samercs Lodge was Grand Master of the province . With regard to the varying phases of popularity and unpopularity which marked Bro . Hammond ' s-

term of office we have nothing to do , but we may bo permitted to hope that whoever the next Grand Master may be he may succeed in conciliating all parties . Above all he should be of high character ancl prepared to rule the province with dignity and firmness . Few Provincial Grand Masters have

duties to perform which are at once so easy and so difficult as in Jersey . This may appear paradoxical but it is true . The Temple with its splendid appointments not less than the great number of experienced brethren iu the island make the

ceremonials of-the Order grand , impressive , and at the same time easy . But on the other hand , with so many lodges iu a limited territory , there