Installation Meetings, &C.

which he thought very desirable . Bro . G . P . Britton P . M ., of the Warehousemen and Clerks' School , responded , in doing which ho spoke of the value of the interchange of visits amongst the brethren , so that they might witness the working of tho various lodges . He could say , from a very long experience of Masonry , in the course of which ho had visited many Lodges , he had never seen work better

done than it had been to-night . It was a very rare occurrence to see officers so uniformly proficient , and their places so worthily filled . Bro . John R . Puttick , in responding , humourously observed that when he got on his legs to speak in the Neptune Lodge , he naturally felt " very much at sea . " He had been delighted with what ho had witnessed in Lodge , and with the open-hearted hospitality of

tho brethren . Bros . H . B . Davidson and Abercorn also suitably returned thanks . The W . Master then proposed the " Health of the Worshipful Master Elect , " in doing which he said if he was guilty of the grief which had been attributed to him , at vacating that position , he should certainly bo cheered in his dying moments by the confidence that he should have a worthy successor . He liked to be candid , and he

had ventured the remark in Lodge that at one time he was doubtful as to the capabilities of the brother who was to follow him in the chair . He now begged to apologise to his immediate successor , who had showed capacity and a capability of acquiring proficiency that had certainly astonished him . He saw Bro . Britton once in the Lodge of Instruction , then he was somewhat backward , but when he went again three

months after he found he could do the whole of the three ceremonies remarkably well . Ho had taken the three chairs at the Lodge of Instruction in a thoroughly compotont manner . That was oheering to him , becanse ho had taken a great interest in this Lodgo , and wanted to see the work well done . He could not express the pleasure it afforded him to see his successor was progressing , and he

anticipated that in the coming year they would witness some of the best working in London . The W . Master elect , who was received with loud and prolonged applause , said if one of their visitors had felt himself at sea in rising to speak in the Neptune Lodge , he ( the speaker ) certainly ought to say the same on this occasion . He would not say that he felt particularly flattered , even at the very nice

remarks that had fallen from their excellent W . Master , becanse he failed to see the other end of them . He , too , like the W . M ., would be honest and outspoken , and he would say he should like to know why he should not be able to do the work t ( A voice : Bravo ! little Britton . " ) It was very well at one end of the year to fancy that at the other end of it a man would not be able to do certain things . Men

were not known all in a moment , and he did not know why he should not be able to do what any of his predecessors had been able to accomplish . They might recollect that at one time there was a " Brother Gray ' s Disabilities Bill , " which he opposed , and should oppose again . But because he opposed it , he enjoyed for some time a certain amount of odium in the Lodge . He was willing , however ,

to undergo any ordeal , so far as he was personally concerned , to prove his efficiency , and he was bold to think he could do the work to the satisfaction of the Lodge . He therefore threw back upon some members who doubted his capabilities , and asked why they should think so ? He should endeavour to do his best to promote the interests of the Lodge , and promised them that neither its working nor its

dignity should suffer at his hands for want of exertion on his part . He felt confident that , assisted by such officers as ho hoped to have about him , that the prestige of the Lodge would be well maintained , and that the end would be better than the beginning . The Worshipful Master then , in the most eulogistic terms , proposed the health of the Treasurer and Honorary Secretary , with thanks for

their past services , and expressing regret that Bro . Wilcox could not remain long enough to respond . The toast was suitably responded to by Bro . Eames P . M . Hon . Secretary . The health of the Junior Warden was next cordially received , and in reply , Bro . J . Harper , Ph . D ., returned thanks for the very graceful compliment that had been paid to him , and expressed his confidence that their worthy

Brother who had just been elected to the chair would acquit himself to the entire satisfaction of the Lodge . He ( Bro . Harper ) should endeavour , so far as he was personally concerned , to follow in the footsteps of those who had preceded him , and he hoped to discharge his duties with the same degree of skill as they had done . The Tyler ' s concluded the official toasts . The proceedings were enlivened by

some capital songs , rendered in excellent style by Bros . Hubbard , Povey , Corbett , Harper , Peart , Cook , and other brethren . The evening was characterised by that harmonious and fraternal spirit for which the Neptune Lodge has become proverbial , and it was admitted that this was one of the most enjoyable evenings ever spent in connection with the Lodge .

St. Augustine's Lodge, No. 972.

ST . AUGUSTINE'S LODGE , No . 972 .

THE installation meeting of this flourishing Lodge took place at the Masonic Temple , Canterbury , on Wednesday , 17 th Nov ., when Bro . Edwin Beer S . W . ( P . M . 1449 ) was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being most impressively performed by Bro . J . Welsh P . M . in bis usual able manner , Bro . G . Pilcher P . M . P . P . G . D . C . acting as Director of Ceremonies . The following brethren

were appointed Officers : —Bros . S . F . Pringuer S . W ., Thomas Eossiter J . W ., G . Pilcher P . M . Treas ., H . F . Pringuer Sec , Thomas Cinmp S . D ., W . Price J . D ., A . J . Pelling Organist , W . Plant I . G ., W . Harnett Tyler , S . Newman and R . Westwood Stewards , J . Welsh P . M . Director of Ceremonies . The brethren unanimousl y elected Bro . John

Welsh P . M . as delegate to the Masonic Charities , and a vote of thanks was accorded to him for his efficient services as Installing Master . The W . M . then performed , on behalf of the brethren , a very pleasin " duty , that of presenting to Bro . W . Harnett a gold chain and

emblem , as a small token of regard for many years' faithful attendance as Hon . Tyler . The following visiting brethren were present : —Bros . W . G . Piddnck 31 , J . E . Wiltshier P . M . 31 , Sutton 1110 , John Head P . M . 1110 , W . D . Young l . G . 31 , C . J . Ayto . i I . P . M . 1209 , Thomas Bent W . M . 704 , W . H . Drake W . M . 133 , J . Lapper 1449 , George Cox

St. Augustine's Lodge, No. 972.

P . M . 199 , John R . Hall P . M . 31 P . P . G . Assistant Secretary , H . Hammond 1419 , W . II . Pat-doe 1110 , Dr . W . H . Longhurst W . M . 31 , Vautier J . W . 1449 , Goodenongh 917 1745 London , H . T . Naylor W . M . 1449 P . P . G . S . B ., T . Blamiers 1449 , James M . Longhurst W . M . 1273 P . M . 133 . A banquet took place at Bro . Shaxby ' s , Guildhall Hotel . The W . M . was supported by the Eight Worshipful the Mayor , Bro . J .

Coppin P . M . 31 P . P . G . Sup . W . Kent , Bro . William Henry Vile I . P . M . 972 , and the following Visitors and brethren : —Dr . Long , hurst W . M . 31 , J . S . Longhurst W . M . 1273 , and P . M . 133 , Taylor P . M . 1110 972 , Head P . M . 1110 , Sutton 1110 , T . Bent P . M ., 704 C . J . Ayton I . P . M . 1209 , W . H . Drake W . M . 133 , Hammond 784 , W . D . Young l . G . 31 , G . Pilcher P . M . 972 and P . P . G . D . C , J . F .

Cozens P . M . 972 , Plume P . M . 972 , Goodenough 917 1745 London , J . Plant P . M . 31 , J . Secra P . M . 972 , Naylor W . M . 1449 P . P . G . S . B ., J . Wiltshier P . M . 31 , Ayton I . P . M . 1209 , T . Bent 784 , Blamiers 1449 , & c . About 50 brothren wero present . The usual Loyal and Masonio toasts were given and responded to . During the evening Bros . Dr . Longhurst , Plant , Higgins , G . Smith , Pelling , and soveral of the brethren , rendered most valuable musical services .

The City Of Westminster Lodge, No. 1563.

THE CITY OF WESTMINSTER LODGE , No . 1563 .

NO very wide interval elapses between the meetings of the two great City Lodges . That of The Great City , No . 1426 , was recorded in these columns a fortnight since ; that of The City of Westminster , No . 1563 , which was held on Thursday , the 25 th ult . we have the pleasure of now placing before our readers . As it was the installation meeting , it may be readily imagined that the members

mustered in great force , and that the array of visitors was worthy of the occasion . The meeting took p lace on the day aforesaid , at the Lodge quarters , Masonic Hall , Air-street , Eegent-street . Bro . Turner W . M . occupied the chair , and among those Officers and members who supported him were Bros . J . E . Shand S . W . and W . M .

elect , Hutchinson J . W ., B . W . Swallow P . M . P . P . G . D . Middlesex Treasurer , E . J . Scott P . M . Secretary , J . Waugh S . D ., Day J . D ., Hammond I . G ., Eev . P . M . Holden P . P . G . C . Middlesex P . M . and Chaplain , E . White P . M ., & c , & c . The Visitors included Bros . C . A . Cottebrnne P . G . P ., P . Willson J . W . 861 , H . J . Kent P . M . 60 , Seymour

Smith 742 , J . S . Lundy P . M . 101 , W . Browne W . M . 1614 P . M . 1348 , G . French 591 , Barfield P . M . 35 , C . A . Woods J . W . 145 , G . Festa 834 , G . W . Coe 87 , E . Lott P . P . G . S . W . Jersey , J . Sim 1345 , Watkins 1585 , Lake P . P . G . E . Cornwall , J . B . Stevens W . M . 1627 , W . Carringfcon J . D . 1791 E . J . Euyssenaers 1349 , Lewis 1472 , E . Farwig

, P . M . 180 , S . Webb 193 , H . Eeed 733 , J . Bocha W . M . 1585 , G . F

Baum 1765 , Austin 1158 , Lakin 180 , Wright 1612 , Dicketts 25 , Cook 1614 , J . S . Cox P . Dist . G . E . Hong Kong and South China , J . I . Cantle P . M ., H . M . Levy P . M . 188 , and Thomas 1319 . After the usual formalities , the minntes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . A ballot was taken for Bro . J . Edell S . D . 108 as a joining member , and he was accopted . Ballots were likewise taken

for Messrs . E . Durant , W . Morton , E . J . Quested , and W . Davis . They were unanimously elected , and , being present , were duly initiated , in accordance with the prescribed ceremony , the duties of the W . M . being most ably fulfilled . After Bro . O'Farrell had been raised to the sublime degree , Lodge was resumed in the second degree , and Bro . J . E . Shand S . W . and W . M . elect wa 3 presented for

the benefit of installation . A board of Installed Masters having been formed , with Bro . B . Swallow Past Master for its President , the ceremony of installation was most impressively carried out , the concluding addresses being given by Bro . E . White P . M . and the Eev . P . M . Holden P . M . On the re-admission of the brethren below the grade of P . M ., Bro . Shand was congratulated and saluted in

ancient form , and then proceeded to invest the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year , a few appropriate words being addressed to each new officer in turn . Bros . B . Turner I . P . M ., Hutchin * sou S . W ., Waugh J . W ., B . Swallow P . M . P . P . G . D . Middlesex Treasure ^ E . J . Scott P . M . Secretary , Eev . P . M . Holden P . M . P . P . G . C . Middlesex Chaplain , Day'S . D ., Hammond P . M . J . D ., Eastgate I . G ., James

D . C , Lee W . S ., Potter P . M . Tyler . The applause that followed the investiture of each officer showed the W . M . had made a selection which met the approval of the brethren . The report of the Audit Committee was read and adopted , and the resignation of three members having been accepted with regret , Lodge was closed , and the brethren , to the number of seventy-six , adjoined to an excellent

banquet at the Cafe Eoyal , the menus by Bro . H . Reed being very artistic . The chair was occupied by the W . M ., who is a most genial president for such an occasion , and in due time he gave the several Loyal and Masonic toasts , that of the Grand Officers being acknowledged by Bro . C E . Cottebrnne P . G . P ., whom , the W . M . said , he had experienced great pleasure in meeting , as he was a most industrious

brother , but especially because he believed he was right in saying that he ( Bro . Cottebrnne ) had left other important duties in order to be present . Bro . Turner I . P . M . then assumed the gavel , and rose with a view to propose the toast of the W . Master , which he did in brief but complimentary terms . After a song by Bro . Thomas , Bro . Shand expressed his hearty thanks to his predecessor for the manner

in which he had proposed his health , and to the brethren for tho enthusiasm with which they had received it . He had , he said , had tho good fortune to be one of those who took part in the Consecration of the Lodge , and he had then mentally formulated the wish that some day or other he might enjoy the privilege of being appointed to the chair . The wish had that day been realised , and all it was in his power to add was , that he trusted he might not be found

wanting in the fulfilment of his duties , and that when the time came for him to retire from his office he might be found to have contributed , in some slight degree , to the prosperity of the Lodge . He then proposed the toast of the Initiates , of whom there were no less than four present , all well recommended , and one of them being a Lewis . He laid great stress on the great advantage of having new blood introduced into the Lodge , and judging from the attentive manner in whioh they had