Masonic Mems.

It is proposed that the mends of the late Canon Portal should show their respect for his memory , by carrying out the scheme that he had most at heart—namely , the building of a parish reading and coffee room in his parish of Burghclere . Such a building would cost not less than ^ 1 , 000 , and a small endowment would also

be necessary . Between £ Soo and ^ 900 have already been subscribed for this purpose , and a site has been kindly promised by the Earl of Carnarvon . Subscriptions maybe sent either to Godfrey Arkwright , Esq ., Adbury House , Newbury ( Hon . Sec . to the Fund ); or to Bro . George Cosburn , P . M ., M . M . M ., Market-place , Newbury .

•* * * The members of the " Abbey" Lodge ( 624 ) , Burton-on-Trent , at their meeting on October 8 , presented gold Past Masters ' jewels , bearing suitable inscriptions , to W . Bro . C . Graham , P . P . S . G . W ., and W . Bro . W . PL Bailey , P . P . G . R ., in recognition of their distinguished services in connection with the Masonic

charities . Bro . Graham has been an active and devoted member of the Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association since its establishment fifteen years ago , and Bro . Bailey has been a most enthusiastic Charity Steward , having represented the Lodge and the Province at the annual festival of the Boys ' , the Girls ' , and the Benevolent

Institutions no less than nine times . There was a large attendance of the members of the Lodge and of visiting brethren on the occasion . The presentation in each case was gracefully made by the W . M . Bro . Blackball , and Bros . Graham and Bailey responded .

* * * Mr . Arthur Balfour , Chief Secretary for Ireland , is to be initiated into Freemasonry by the Duke of Fife , and the Scottish Lodge in London is to have the honour of enrolling the new member . There is only one distinctly Scotch representative Lodge in the Metropolis , and among the qualifications is the alternative one , that the

candidate must be either a native of the land of the Bruce or be married to a Highland lady . Mr . Balfour is a Scottish landlord , as well as the son of a Scottish gentleman .

* * * Special meetings of Lodges St . James and Kihvilling have been held for the purpose of considering the proposal emanating from the headquarters of Scottish Masonry , to hold a grand bazaar for the purpose of raising a sum of ; £ io , ooo to place the Masonic Benevolent Fund on a firm and sure basis . The Lodge St . James

resolved to enter into the scheme heartily and give it their warmest support , and they appointed a large and influential deputation to attend a meeting of Forfarshire Lodges to be held in Arbroath on the 29 th inst ., to make arrangements for the province being represented at the bazaar by one or more stalls .

* * # The Freemasons of Reading are building a new hall . Bro . W . D . Mackenzie has generously given a plot of land in the Readingroad , close to the railway station . The foundation stone was laid on Wednesday , October 30 , by Provincial Grand Master Earl Jersey , who was attended by the principal officers of the Province .

The building will be of brick with stone dressings , and will be a great ornament to the town . Mr . J . Weyman is the contractor for the work .

* * * All the Masonic Lodges in Berks and Bucks are to be placed in mourning as a mark of respect for the late Sir Daniel Gooch . The absence of any centre convenient to the two counties prevents a special Grand Lodge being summoned , but each Lodge will adopt an address of condolence to Sir Henry and Lady Gooch , the Dowager Lady Gooch , and other members of the family .

* * * The consecration of the recently-formed London Irish Lodge has been fixed to take place at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Saturday , 16 th inst . * * * In recognition of his services during his year of office , Comp . Funstan has been presented with a handsome jewel , by the companions of the Duke of Connaught Chapter of Royal Arch

Masonry . The meetings of the Chapter arc held at Anderton ' s Hotel . * * -x-The consecration of the Acacia Lodge ( 2 . 321 ) , at Bradford , took place at the Masonic Hall , Darley-street , Bradford , on Saturday , September 28 .

* * * The regular monthly meeting of the Committee of Management of this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday , the gth ult . Bro . J . A . Farnfield , Vice-Patron and Treasurer , P . A . G . D . C , occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . James

Brett , P . G . P . ; John Buhner , C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; John E . Dawson , P . G . S . B . ; Joseph Freeman , W . H . Ferryman , P . G . P ., C . H . Webb , Chas . Daniel , E . West , G . Bolton , W . Masters , Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; Alex . Forsyth , W . IT . Hubbert , G . E . Fairchild

J . S . Cumberland , T . B . Purchas , Chas . G . Hill , L . G . Gordon Robbins , Charles J . Perceval , David D . Mercer , Charles Kempton , A . Durrant , Hugh Cotter , W . B . Daniell , C . Lacey , Wm . Clarke , P . G . P . ; Henry Cox , C . IT . Driver , P . G . S . of W . ; Robert Berridge , P . G . D . ; S . C . Haslip , Fred . Mead , Rob . Griggs , W . Belchamber ,

W . J . Murlis , C . F . Plogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . H . Tattershall , W . Smith , John Larkin , John J . Berry , and James Terry , P . G . S . B ., sec . The minutes of the previous meeting were read , and , after a long discussion , were verified . The Secretary reported the deaths of two female annuitants . The Warden ' s report for the past month was

read , and that of the Finance Committee read , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . One petition ( male ) having been considered and accepted , and the name ordered to be placed on the list of candidates for the election in May , 1890 , the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman .

The dedication of the New Masonic Hall at Bowden was celebrated on the 3 rd of last month . Bro . Lieut .-Col . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , P . S . G . W ., Deputy Prov . Grand Master of the province , presided over the functions . * * * The Freemason of the 19 th ult . says : —Tlie deep love and "

reverence in which Bro . Dr . Smyth , Past Grand Chaplain of England , is held in the estimation of the brethren of West Yorkshire , was again evinced on the 12 th ult . at the regular meeting of Lodge Prudence , No . 2 , 06 9 , of which he is a founder and P . M . He had consented to read a paper , giving some account of his personal

knowledge of the Indian Mutiny , through which he served as chaplain to the forces . As soon as this became known , brethren from all parts of the province made an effort to be present , and the large Lodge room was crowded to its utmost capacity . Amongst those present were several military brethren whose regiment was

engaged during the Mutiny , and with whose officers Bro . D . Smyth had made warm friendships during those trying times . The lecturer almost excelled himself in handling this subject , and the only regret felt was that time did not permit of a longer address .

* * * Bro . Dr . J . Kellett Smith has been unanimously elected Trustee of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , vice Bro . Lord Stanley of Preston resigned in consequence of foreign service . * * #

A memorial has been erected in the beautiful and picturesque cemetery at Hither Green to the memory of the late Mrs . Baker , wife of Bro . Brackstone Baker , of Lee . It consists of a rough ashlar base , on which is carved a perfect die-square , surmounted by a Latin cross ; the combination , though not ostentatious , is

beautifully suggestive of our Masonic emblems . On the side is placed a three-fold triangle with a R-Arch sign in centre . On the front is the following inscription : — " To the beloved and cherished memory of Marianne , the devoted wife of Brackstone Baker , called to rest , after a union of 33 years , nth July , 1888 . Aged 57 years . ' This mortal has put on immortality . ' ' Steadfast , always abounding in the work of the Lord . ' ' So He giveth His beloved sleep . ' "