The age-herald., 1901-01-28

W==ss=.,s2. d.. :, 3 k twenty and twenty-five. And as most of these office bearers hold only year, it Is readily seen that the Prince of Wales had quite task in making out his lists.
 Sought Honors.
 was amused at a conversation that took place at the Constitutional Club one after noon. I was lunching with MT. Matier and on leaving the table we stirred around among the members congregated in the large smoking room. My good friend introduced me to several Mark Master Ma sons, and two of them strongly hinted that they would like to be honored by the grand master at the next meeting. One of them, past master from one of the provinces, went so far indeed to ask MT. Matter to see that it was done.
 When are you going to collar me, Brother Mater?" meaning when was he to be in- vested with an official collar in the Grand Mark Lodge) was asked.
 You will have to see His Royal High the only person who can invest you," Mir. Matter replied.
 ''Oh, but you are near enough to the grand master to have it done," said the brother who was so clamorous for Masonic office.
 1T beg your pardon, but you are all wrong about that. His Royal Highness makes his own selections said Matter.
 After We had turned away from this man l said to MT. Matier
 You didn't take to that brothers proposi- ten. Of course you have no trouble in get ting friends in line now and then"
 "You are mistaken" he said. q told the brother the truth. The grand master ad- ministers the Grand Lodge absolutely. He has the right to do it, and he always ex- ercises his prerogatives. Those of us who are officially connected with the grand mas ter are extremely careful never to recom- mend any one for appointment unless he asks us.
 The Grand Lodge.
 The Grand Lodge has its assembly room In Freemasons Hall, in Great Queen street, and the secretariat is in the same building. There are many clerks employed in the Grand Secretary's office and strict etiquette is observed there. The grand secretary has liveried doorkeepers, and it is almost as difficult to get at him, unless one has im- portant business and is properly intro duced as it is to have an audience with the grand master.
 The Prince of Wales did not often preside over the Grand Lodge, not oftener than orce in two or three years, but he visited the grand secretary's office once a month and spent some time in looking over the correspondence and in considering ques- tions of Masonic jurisprudence. He was always attended by a Masonic equerry.
 The only Masonic place where the Prince of Wales dropped in informally was the Scottish Rite house, 33 Golden Square, about a mile from Free masons' Hall. found that it was his rule to drive there unat- tended and walk in on the little group of thirty-thirds unannounced. He would spend half hour in pleasant converse and then call cab and drive away. When he was in London he rarely failed to visit his Scottish Rite brethren on Tuesday at o'clock, the lunch hour of the officers of the Supreme Council Not being the Grand Commander of the Rite but only an honor ary member of the council, he could with propriety waive all ceremony. 7~ The Private Lodge. His Majesty has for twenty years or more been worshipful master of a private lodge or as it would be known in this country, a subordinate lodge. It is styled Royal Alpha Lodge No. 8. His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught is usually the senior warden, while the other officers rotate among promi- nent Grand Lodge Masons. It was in Royal Alpha that the Prince of Wales initiated his eldest son. the late Duke of Clarence and Avondale. It was a notable event in Eng fish Masonry and the Prince of Wales is said to have been letter perfect" in the work.
 The last time that the Prince of Wales l presided over high ceremonial work was on | the occasion of the conservation of Chan I cerv Bar Lodge, lodge composed entirtly | of barristers.
 American Representatives. | The grand master of England hAS repss- senatives near many of the American Grand | Lodges and along with the patent oI l commission he sends his representative l costly gold jewel as badge of office. The | wording of the patent is quaint and like al | State papers is very suited. On the upper left hand margin appears the autograph signature, Albert Edward, G. M" Among : those who have these parchments are Wash