An " Open " Masonic Banquet And Installation.

similar to what I bave already described in tbe wedding feast 1 " , only there were no Japanese napkins provided for the purpose of wrapping np and carrying away what we could not eat . Snpper being ended we all adjourned to the Masonic Lodge , which was fitted up , I presume , in the nsual manner . Close to the entrance , and immediately

facing the throne of tho Worshipful Master , was a small dais with a seat for the Senior Warden , on each side of which was a massivelooking pillar or pedestal . Putting my hand lightly on one of these when passing through a somewhat narrow space , I came very near enacting the part of Samson at Gaza . The pillar , poised on the very

edge of the platform , reeled from its base , and would have fallen , bringing destruction aa it fell , but for my admirable presence of mind . I seized the tottering column and held it in my firm embrace , aa I would have supported a nice young lady in a fainting fit , and so prevented the threatened catastrophe . Placing it back in position ,

and somewhat farther from the edge , I took my seat , with Masons to right of me , Masons to left of me , Masons in front of me , and so onbnt ladies ( bless their dear hearts ) , who were not Masons , every , where besides . For I ( as an outsider ) was the guest ofthe eveninsr , and down on tho programme for a apeecb ! The Worshipfnl Master ,

who alone wore his hat , then opened the proceedings by striking a blow witb tbe mallet to call for silence and attention . He tben read what he had to say , slowly and deliberately , from a book , aud the installation of Officers was carried out , I presume in the usual way , each one being invested with a collar and conducted to his place .

And then followed tho speech-making , inappropriately called "toasts" on the programme . Of these there were six , and mine fortunately camo the last . If I had not witnessed the fearful bungling of those who preceded me , I shonld hardly have had courage to make an extempore speech , and had written down all I intended to

say , a great portion of which was inappropriate to the novel aspect which Masonry presented to me when the time for reading it arrived , my subject being " Masonry , as seen from the outside . " The Episcopalian and Methodist clergymen , both brothers of the Order , preceded me . The Methodist had to show the "Eolation of Masonry to

Christianity , " and managed it better than I expected , his argument being based on the assumption that the same upright and lovel conduct was required to make a good Mason and make a good Christian . The Episcopalian ' s subject waa " Charities of Masonry , " and he candidly confessed that " Charities , " iu the ordinary sense of

the term , the local Masons had none , but ( said ho ) , "Here aro the Methodist and Episcopalian ministers at loggerheads in the pulpit , and seldom agreeing in anything ontside of it , but as Freemasons we are sworn brothers . " This was very neatly put , and said more in favour of Masonry than anything else I heard during the evening .

The Lights of Masonry was the subject entrusted to a venerable layman , old enough to know better than make such an absurd exhibition of himself . A man of first-class position , inhabiting tho grandest house , driving the finest horses , and probably enjoying the largest income in Willoughby . I was curious to know what he

would say about the "lights" of Masonry , aud fully expected that he would quote John Rnskin , whose works , by the byo , I have never read . But , alas ! tho speaker left us stilt more than ever in tho dark . Tho greater part of his speech , which was insufferably long and tedious , was made np of preface and apology , and he wound up

by telling us that the Bible was the only true light of Masonry , without showing what possible connection there can be between tho two . The oratory of a Methodist class leader is net , ono wonld think , calculated to mako any favourable impression on an audience composed of men of the world ancl philosophers . But it had a capital

effect on me . When it came to my turn I arose to my feet like a gw . it refreshed with now wir » - ; and not waiting to draw the carefully prepared MS . from my pocket , plunged at once into the marrow of my subject , as if temporarily gifted with the spontaneity of thn Grand Old Man . " Worshipfnl Master , ladies , and gentlemen , "

J . began , " not liking to trust my untried powers of public speaking to tbe inspiration of the moment , I had prepared a written answer to the question proposed to me , intending to read it to you this evening , but havo found since I have been in your company that the aspect of Freemasonry , as it appears to outsiders in Englanddoes

, not apply to this country at all . I feel something like the cabman in Punch , when discharging his passenger , who handed him the le ^ al aro and not a sixpence over . The cabman grumbled , of course . Aud

what do you think your faro is ? ' inquired tho gentleman , pompously . 'Well , ' said Cabby , 'I should not have ventured tho observation if you had not arsked me , but I think him a mean immbog—there ' . ' and away ha drove . I should not have ventured to

give you my opiuiou of Freemasonry if you had not asked me , but baring been nskecJ , shall give it without fear , favonr , or affection . A ter enjoying your hospitality , and after the very eloquent addresses and lucid explanation we havo heard this evening , ifc would be extremely rude of mo to tell yon that you aro a parcel of mean

humbugs . From my point of view certainly not—indeed , the very rev & rse . But you ask me for the opinion of the public , and lam bound to give it you frnly and honestly . Ia England , where the { ighta of Masonry are hidden under n bushel , and jealousl y guarded — where wives and daughters aro always

excluded , nofc only from its mysteries , bufc from its social gatherings—where a Masonic banquet , with ita accomoanying winos , sometimes costs fche ncophyto in Masonry enough to buy a new dress or bonnet for his wife , there is a genera ! impression that the ] i . es of Masonry aro used merely aa a stalking-horso for conviviality

a"d dissipation . We do not hesitate to say thafc Masonry is nothing but humbug . I should not have ventured to tell you so , if you had "ob asked mo . " An American audience is not usually a very donionslrativo one , bufc my impudent sallies wore received with roars

oflaughter . If I bad read tlw prepared speech it would have fallcu Hat , for its principal argument was based on the supposed exclusion ' ¦ f the fair sex . An American Mrs . Caudle gees to tho banquet with her husband , partakes of the same beverage , and 13 satisfied that he gets nothing else on the sly . Sua is present at tho solemn ceremony o- his installation , sues htr favourite minister acated boside the

An " Open " Masonic Banquet And Installation.

Worshipfnl Master , and might easily fanoy herself seated in her favom" ! to church , bat for a comic glee which immediately succeeded the prosing ofthe venerable class leader , and a comic song by one of the Fraternity which immediately preceded the benediction . And then she goes home snugly tncked under Mr . Caudle ' s arm , and

probably helps him to a glass of whisky bot before retiring behind the curtain . On the liquor question , these people are the most outrageous hypocrites I ever met with or heard of . Most of them keep the " accursed thing" in house , and although they seldom , if ever , offer it to a guest , if the guest knows tho proper sign and password he can generally get it if he wants it ! WILLOUGHBY OHIO . From the Bristol Mercury .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

SUSSEX LODGE , No . 75

r "T 1 HE installation meeting was held on Wednesday , 26 fch nit ., in the X Royal Pavilion , Brighton . The W . M ., Bro . It . B . Y . Powell presided . The distinguished visitors included Bros . C . F . Matier P . G . W . Assistant Grand Secretary , R . Berridge P . G . M . O . G . D . C ; and G . P . Festa P . A . G . D . C . Two brethren bavins been advanced ,

the balance sheet was read and passed , the latter showing the Lodge to bo in a flourishing condition . Bro . Abell was installed aa W . M . for the ensuing year . The following Officers were appointed : — Bros . Powell I . P . M ., Ridge S . W ., Henderson J . W ., Harrison M . O ., Downard S . O ., Parsons J . O ., Rev . W . A . Tooth Chaplain , Lockyer

Treasurer , Hill Registrar of Marks , Backwell Seoretarv , Solomon S . D ., Higbam J . D ., Belcher B . C ., Willard Organist , Bullock I . G ., Lamette and Histed Stewards , Hnghes Tyler . The Lodge having been duly closed the brethren adjourned to the Pavilion Hotel , where they sat down to a banquet , served up in admirable style by Bro .

Daniel , whose catering gave universal satisfaction . Bro . Abell presided . The oustomavy Loyal toasts and those of the Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge having been given from the chair , Bro . Lockyer proposed tbe Worshipfnl Master . Bro . Abell had displayed snch zeal in Masonry that he felt the Royal Sussex Lodge was

fortnnate in securing him as their W . M ., and he heartily wished him a prosperous year of office . TheW . M ., in responding , gave a brief resume of the history of the Lodge , and its resuscitation by the kindly efforts of Bro . Lockyer . Tbe Lodge was now the largest in the Province , and wag financially strong . He , however ,

expressed regret thafc the various Lodges in the Province received such scant courtesy and attention to business details from tbe Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons . He thanked the brethren for their confidence in electing him as their W . M ., and said he would spare no pains to make the Lodge a thorough success . He

appealed to them to snpport him as their Steward to the Mark Benevolent Fund , and gave interesting particulars as to the disposal of the annual sums collected . The Visitors , tho Past Masters , and the

Officers having been given from the chair , the programme was closed with the Tyler's toasfc . Tho various speeches were agreeably interspersed with songs , rendered by Bros . Willard , Cole , and Alsted and a recitation by Bro . Buckwell .

CORNUBIAN LODGE . No . 87

TTHE annual meeting was hold on tho 17 th ult ., at Hayle , when - - Bro . J . C . Burrow was installed W . M . by Bro . Baker . Brother Williams was invested as I . P . M ., and the W . M . appointed as his

Officers Bros . George Williams S . W ., Thomas J . W ., Rowe M . O ., Eead S . O ., Rowe J . O , Biker Chaplain , Osborn Treasurer , Veal S . D ., Boaao J . D ., Rowo Registrar of Marks , Weller Organist , Jackson I . G ., Bray Tyler . Tho brethren afterwards dined in the new diningrooms .

HENRY LODGE , No . 216

THE annual installation meeting of this Lodge was held on Wednesday , 18 th ultimo . The Lodge was opened by Bro . Goorgo Dalrymple , supported by the Officers and members , when the minutes were read and confirmed , and three candidates were balloted for , and advanced to the degree . Bro . Dr . James I . Lace was presented by Bro . Craig , and duly installed in the chair . The following

wero invested as Officers : —Bros . James Harper I . P . M ., Kentledge S . W ., Dickson J . W ., Craig M . O ., Lowden S . O ., Harvey J . O ., William Swain Registrar , Dalrymplo Secretary , Cross S . D ., Hartley J . D ., Wakefield I . G ., Gordon Tyler . With tho other general business transacted , tho Lodge was duly closed , and the brethren dined together .

Daring tlio Mastership of Brother James March considerable improvements bave been effected , both as regards ventilation and the general comfort of tho brethren , in the interior ol the commodions Lodp-e-room in connection with

the Masonic Hall , at Richmond , Yorkshire , so generously presented to the Freemasons by the late Earl of Zatland . A well-executed device has been artistically arranged afc the

eastern end of the Hal ! , aud the work has been executed m a meritorious manner , afc onco stamping it as a first-class work of art . Brother Thomas Chapman Denham is tho Worshipful Master of 123 for the ensuing year .

At the monthly meeting of the members oi the Parretfc and Axo Lodge , No . 814 , held at the Town Hall , Crewkerne , on Tuesday evening , the 21 th ult ., Bro . A . Hart S . W . was elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Tom use tt Treasurer .