Masonic Sociality.

They contend that our Masonic social gatherings , being few at the best , especially in London , are meant to be " Albce Dies" to us all , aud that therefore they constitute in themselves festal gatherings , which require special

attention and demand abnormal treatment . They look forward to these meetings as to something rare and uncommon , and advocate the most enlarged views as to minute details and general expenditure .

There are those , on the other hand , who think , or say they think , which is all one , that all that is superfluous or excessive , and beyond what is strictly necessary in our " feasts of reason and flow of soul , " should be restricted

and curtailed , in order , as they put it , that a larger margin may iemail " , whether for Lodge asstheticism or charitable endeavour . While a third section there is of reformers , which objects to the Lorlge funds being diverted in any way

from strictly Lodge purposes , and would introduce a new system in the Metropolis , though long prevailing in the Provinces , by which the expenses should be borne in commou by all who are present , as the occasion serves , and as each social assembly or little Parliament is holden .

We have thus three views before us , often propounded and often discussed just now , which there can be no unseasonableness or unsuitability in thoroughly considering . If the la 3 t idea is to prevail , which has a great many

warm adherents and supporters as to our social regulations having many claims to friendly consideration , we must bear in mind , ( which some of us in our zeal are apt to forget ) , that our normal arrangements in the metropolis will have

to be altered altogether , and a new " programme" will have to be introduced , which , perhaps , more in accordance , it is true , with older habits and a rougher state of things generally , may grate on the tastes and tendencies of

contemporary Freemasonry , all pointing , as they are undoubtedly more and more , to the notions , the claims , the " fads " if you like , of refined habits and civilising asstheticism . We should bear in mind that all such

changes will necessarily involve further changes , and will probably introduce inconveniences and incongruities which may not commeud themselves , whether to modern tastes or old-fashioned habits . The Metropolitan system , on the

other hand , so much and so long in vogue , aims at great simplicity of arrangement , the avoidance of any petty detnils as connected with the habits of a mere " symposium" in some friendly " hostel , " and seeks to promote

the general comfort and convenience of all present , even though it be admittedly somewhat expensive and exclusive in its mechanism and normal details . It may be doubted

whether any other system will suit the great mass of our Metropolitan brethren better , or tend more to social harmony , good fellowship , and genial hospitality .

As a rule , we must keep before us the fact , in considering this matter , that our brethren hurry to their Lodge from Court or office , from business and duties of various

kinds . They are weary , and want rest and refreshment . They are not disposed , after a hard clay ' s work , for much serious thought or discussion of any kind .

They come to amuse and to be amused , to please and be pleased . The normal Lodge work , the normal comfortable dinner ,

some strains of harmony , some pleasant chat , an agreeable " rencontre " with old mates and new associates , some short and crisp speeches , and they then depart , content with themselves , and content with one another .

More than this they deprecate ; less than this they will hardly be content with . But here we pause to-day . There are one or two other

subsidiary points which will require consideration before we dismiss the subject , and to these we shall hope to return in an early issue .

In the meantime , not in any sense wishful to seem to " preach , " or affect to " lay down the law " in any form whatever , very far from it , we commend our remarks to the thoughtful appreciation of our kindly readers .

HOLLOW AY ' PILLS . —With changing temperatures , the digestion becomes impaired , the liver disordered , and the mind despondent , unless the cause of the irregularis be expelled from th « blood and body by such alteratives as this Pills They directly att'Ck the sonrrp . f the evil , thrust out all : t ! ' >; r it's 'ro'n the circulation , restore the diVcm , ,, ^ . "ns tn thoir natural i ( : ¦ il c r"ci a . 1 rief- c-Mve . > r C'rit-tro . " tn ' cnr ic ' . i ^' is . - "n « r : . 's " '' c ' : iiirur lu-n ' t ' -, fitrensjih , mi' ' . " ; "' . ¦• ' . ' ' ' . mi ' .. i : ,-, e inii'M'li' -.. le v : ruk , who .-er . iii * "'" iiiui . " 1 , cr "' ' '¦ " ' ¦ .. h ¦ " . << ? ' ¦•¦ cvw . i ! .: e . i i ' . v . 'X wi ;' fc s € -a ' oi-tml ' . y i-. ... o . - ; 7 ¦ ¦ " ¦ " •¦ ' """ , > - •••"' . ' . iv its influence reaches tbsr ° moi « sh Hbrpnfi-. hpii ^ moc . ^ d efljets * . ... . » ,.-. a ! jrojet .

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — LODGE OF JOPPA , 188 . THE first meeting of the season was held on Tuesday , at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Qneen Street , when the W . M ., Bro . L . Wall , presided , supported by Bros . George M . Lion S . W ., Isaao Botibol J . W ., Gardner S . D ., Coombs I . G ., the Rev . S . J . Rocco Chaplain , P . E . Tan Noorden Organist ; there were also present Past Masters Spiegel , M . Alexander , J . Dewsnap I . P . M .,

L . Lazarus ( Sec . ) , L . Myers , Dodson , Roberts ; Bros . Oaken , Barnstein , Harward , Blaiberg , Weigel , Chamberlain , Waller , H . Dftvies , S . N . Lyons , Saqui , Isaac , Thomas , H . Harwood , G . Pluckrose , Laok , Joseph Joseph , Jacques Wynman ( FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) . Visitors : Bros . J . Pardoe P . M . 1585 , W . Shurmnr

P . M . 1471 , H . Beadell P . M . 1880 , B . Ramus , and several others . The Lodge was opened punctually at five o ' clock , in regular Masonio form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and con - firmed . The WM ., Bio . L . Wall , then initiated Mr . Joseph Joseph , and passed Bros . Pluckrose and Chamberlain . He also raised

Bros . Ansell , Cohen , Onken and Waller . The three ceremonies were most impressively performed ; indeed , it would be superfluous to say more—the W . M . has certainly filled his dnties par excellence . Bro . Lazarns P . M . proposed that the Brethren of the Lodges should have the privilege of introducing a lady to banquet once a year .

This was unanimonsly agreed to , and the date for the first of such meetings to be decided on a future occasion . A letter was read from Bro . Martin P . M ., tendering his resignation , on account of ill-health . This announcement was received with regret . After some other business had been disposed of , the W . M . received hearty good wishes

from the Visitors , and Lodge was closed in due form . The company now adjourned to the dining-room , where a capital banquet had been provided , nnder the supervision of Bro . M . Silver . In due course the W . M . proposed the customary toasts . The health of the W . M . was proposed by the I . P . M ., Bro . Dewsnap , and was heartily responded

to . Alter a song , the toast of the Past Masters was given . The W . M . proposed the health of the Initiate , who briefly acknowledged his cordial reception . Later on , the health of the Visitors was given , and to this Bros . Pardoe , Shurmur , Beadelt and Ramus made suitable reply . Capital songs were given by the following artistes ,

under the direction of Bro . P . E . Van Noorden : —Miss Nellie Elton , Miss Florence Lane Fox , Mr . Percy Palmer , and Mr . Walter Van Noorden ( pianist ) . During the banquet Bro . Saqui kindly collected a few " extra" ponnds for a distressed Brother , who was temporarily assisted during the evening from Lodge funds .

KINGSLAND LODGE , No 1693 . r PHE annual meeting of this Lodge was held on Tuesday , the 4 fch A- inst ., nt the Railway Hotoi , Highbury , nnder tho presidency of Bro . R . P . Forge W . M ., who was supported by a goodly array of members and Visitors . The Lodge having been opened and the minutes confirmed , the Auditors' report was read , and received the approval of the Lodge . Lodge having been advanced , Bros . E .

Sheldrake , T . J . Paine and J . F . Hammond were passed . Mr . George Sproston was ballotted for , and the result being unanimous in his favour , he , with Mi * . Elliott , was initiated . Lo-. l ^ e was then resumed to the second degree , and Bro . G . F . Snook , the W . M . elect , was presented . He was duly installed by Bro . Forge , who performed

this ceremony and the two which preceded it with great ability . The following brethreu were invested as Officers : —Bros . Casely S . W ., Mayer J . W ., A . W . Fenner P . M . Secretary , Turner S . D ., Holden J . D . Atterton I . G ., Whittell D . C , Potter A . D . C ., Simon and Hazell Stewards , and Bowley Tyler . Bro . J . Cooper P . M ., the

Treasurer elect of the Lodge , was unfortunately prevented from attending , so that his investiture was postponed . The ballot waa again brought into requisition , this time on behalf of Mr . Alfred Holder and Mr . J . Samuel Sheen , candidates for initiation . In each

case the result was unanimous , and the two gentlemen being in attendance , they were initiated in ancient form . A banquet followed , at which Bro . Snook , the new Worshipful Master , ably presided . The customary toasts were given , interspersed with

songs , & n . The Visitors were : Bros . C . J . Free W . M . 1227 , W . Wright Organist 1897 , D . M . Marrow P . M . 1269 , H . Clark 1050 , J . Osborn P . M . 1612 , R . W . Galer W . M . 1366 , S . Stretch jun . 1950 ,

C . Townley 2190 , J . Jones 1278 , E . Woodman P . M . 1897 P . A . G . P . Middlesex , E . A . Beer 1471 , S . Rashleigh 902 , J . G . W . James 1 G 02 , R . B . Harding D . C . 1471 , A . Coombes S . D . 820 , J . Tickle 1196 P . P . G . R . Middlesex , W . F . Wingham 1385 , J . Payne P . M . 1602 , A . Job 1471 , C . Ross 1604 , C . DeariDg J . W . 1602 , Rest 1288 .

EBORACUM LODGE , No . 1611 . AN Emergency Meeting of this Lodge was held at Freemasons Hall , St . Savionrgate , York , on the 26 th ult ., for the purpose of giving a Masonic welcome to M . W . Bro . General Thomas J . Sbryock , Grand Master of Maryland , who was on a visit to the ancient metropolis of the North . The Lodge was opened and there were present the following brethren and visitors : Bros . W . Brown

W M ., T . B . Whytehead P . M ., J . S . Cumberland P . M ., G . Simpson P . M ., C . G . Padel P . M ., W . B . Dyson S . W ., S . J . Dalton J . W ., W . Lackenby S . D ., J . H . Shonksmith Steward , P . Pearson and J . D . Irving Assistant Stewards , W . Storry I . G ., F . H . Halliwell ,

W H . A . Coate . « , W . Wreglesworth , A . Archer , H . Chapman , ; : ' H . Vaughan , T . Milner , T . Masterman , G . C . Pook , VV . Sharp , v ' . J . Penty , and W . S . Child . Visitors : Bros . H . Longford W . M ., J 4 . 16 , W . Smith M . W . 236 , J . To-ld P . M . and Tr < -nnnror 236 , J . -