Reports Of Meetings.

the fourth degree , there were great and solemn ends to be fulfilled , and great and lasting benefits fco be obtained thereby . A kindly co-operation existed between Grand Lodge and the Lodges throughout the country , and their work added to the civilization and happiness of mankind . They were pleased to find in the Eccentric Lodge a Worshipful Master able to carry out the duties of his high office in able and proper manner , and the Lodge was in every way fortunate in having such a Master . They thanked the Brethren

for their magnificent hospitality , and wished them all success and prosperity . A somewhat dramatic episode now took place . Bro . Hooper stated that two of their good and true Brothers were now in distant parts of the world , viz .: Bro . Will Chapman , in South Africa , and Bro . Imre Kiralfy well on his voyage to New York . But before they left England it had been agreed between , them that on the lst October afc nine o ' clock they were to pledge

each other in a bumper of good fellowship , and as that auspicious moment had now arrived , he asked the Brethren to join him in wishing their absent friends all happiness and prosperity , and a safe return to their native country when they desired it . The heartiness with which the toast was received sufficiently demonstrated the esteem in which Bros . Chapman and Kiralfy are held , and if there be any truth in the old saying , their ears must have burned tremendously .

Bro . Harrison , in proposing the health of the Worshipful Master , referred to the remarkable position of Bro . Hooper , who was W . M . of two Lodges at the same time , though only a short period would elapse before they had him all to themselves . Those who were acquainted with Bro . Hooper outside of Freemasonry knew him to be one of the best of good fellows , a straight man and a feeling pal . In the Craft he had a thorough knowledge of the ritual , and he could nofc fail to he a successful Master , while his experience as W . M . of the Strand Lodge would be of great advantage to them . He was delighted to see him in the chair , a position which every member envied him .

Bro . Hooper , who received another ovation , returned thanks in the true Eccentric spirit . He said that he never knew how good a man ho was until he heard the remarks of Bro . Harrison ; the difficulty was whether he would be able to live up to the ideal . It certainly gave him the greatest possible pleasure to occupy the chair of the Lodge , as he was one of the Founders , and the Brethren might rely upon him always doing his best to maintain the high standard of perfection which they had achieved . He thanked them one and all most sincerely for their kind reception .

Before sitting down he proceeded to retaliate upon the Installing Master . Bro . Harrison was one of the best Masters they could have , because in spite of his business avocation he never neglected the duties of the Lodge , and always found time to devote fco Freemasonry . In the Eccentric Club he was a tower of strength , and it was greatly owing to his efforts that both the Club and fche Lodge were in so flourishing a condition .

The reception accorded to Bro . Harrison when he rose to return thanks sufficiently proved his popularity . He was exceedingly obliged for the kindly reference to his work in the Lodge , in which he took great interest . He naturally felt regret at leaving the chair , as he had enjoyed a very pleasurable and successful year of office , and he felt much more capable at the present time of conducting its affairs . He had introduced some real good Masons into the Lodge , and he was sure there was a prosperous career before them . The handsome jewel which they had presented him would remind him of some of the brightest days in his life .

Another interesting diversion then took place . Ever since fche establishment of the Lodge , after the Charity Box had gone round the table , the contents are put up for competition , with the result that a substantial sum is generally added to the Benevolent Fund . As Bro . Hooper , who acted the part of salesman said , the Fund always benefited by the sale , because if the purchaser found there was more in the box than he gave for it of course he returned the balance to the Treasurer , whereas if the amount were deficient he naturally made it good . On the present occasion the contents were

apparently so weighty that it took the united efforts of Bros . Sir Joseph Dimsdale and H . T . Brickwell to enable thc W . M . to hold the box aloft . The bidding commenced at £ 10 and increased by various stages amidst much merriment until it reached £ 25 , when it was knocked down to Bro . Grieve , a visitor from the Caveac Lodge . Bro . Hooper said the least they could do would be to drink Bro . Grieve ' s health ; but gravely reminded him of the condition that he must return the difference , if any , to the Lodge . The " if any " provoked much laughter .

Bro . Grieve bowed his acknowledgment of the compliment , and it was reported thafc he returned the contents of the box to the Treasurer , together with his cheque for the £ 25 . Bros . Dennis , Page , and Harris replied to the toast of the Visitors ; and , the W . M . having paid a well deserved eulogium upon his Officers , the Tyler ' s toast was given and brought the enjoyable evening to a pleasant termination .

The musical entertainment provided for the delectation of the Brethren was mainly contributed by members of the Eccentric Club , among the foremost of whom was the evergreen Bro . C . W . Mackney , who , in spite of his seventy-eight years , accompanied himself on the piano and sang " In the Strand" and other well-known ditties of our youth . Bros . Templar Saxe , C . J . Wood , Arthur Strugnell , Herbert Emlyn , and James Kift contributed some capital songs , all of which were encored , while Bros . Walter Churcher and Sergeant Lee gave some amusing recitations .

The Visitors included : ' Bros . Sir Joseph Dimsdale P . G . Treasurer , Richard Clowes P . G . S . B ., J . D . Langton G . A . D . C ., 0 . F . Matier , H . T . Brickwell W . M . 2455 , Alfred Pago P . M . 411 P . G . S . W . Notts , Charles L . Carson I . P . M . 2190 , Charles O . Burgess W . M . 2398 P . P . S . G . D . Surrey , Ernest W . Harris P . M . 158 ( I . C ) , Frank Harper W . M . 2120 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , Frank A . Godwyn W . M . 935 , Alfred Ewen P . M . 475 , Armitage E . Humphreys P . M . 90 , B . J . Webster Greive W . M . 176 , Walter Dennis W . M . 9 and 2473 , Hugh Cumberland P . M . 475 Prov . G . S . W ., William Humfrey

W . M . 1300 , E . W . Mackney P . M . 134 , George S . Beeching W . M . 1305 , J . H . Wildash P . M . 16 G 2 , C . F . Browne P . M . 81 P . P . G . S . B . Suffolk , W . J . Rowe P . M . 2021 , H . L . De Montmorency J . D . 1 , Robert Gresley Hall P . M . 4 2484 P . G . S ., H . Montague Bates P . M . 91 P . G . S ., E . J . Wood S . W . 2466 , W . Holloway S . W . 1319 , George Grant S . W . 29 , J . C . Hunting 1987 , 0 . Pounds 2190 , W . H . White 55 , James W . Murdie 2387 , Charles Rider Noble 1764 , F . Page 1613 , S . J . Spurling I . G . 83 , Sidney H . Baker 2065 , J . H . Dimsdale W . M .-elect 2581 , Templar Saxe 2190 , J . M . Owens 2466 , H . D . Wenton 2432 , J . P . Nelson 2581 , and E . T . West 1744 .

Bro . William Singleton Hooper , the new Master of the Eccentric Lodge , was born at . Edinburgh on 4 th January 1 S 63 , and was initiated into Freemason' - ") ' in tho Straud Lodge , No . 1937 . held afc the Criterion , afc the meeting iu March 18 S 5 , and ho is now its Worshipful Master . He is also a member of the Empress Lodge , No . 2581 , but afc present holds no office therein . In Royal Arch Masonry he was the first Exaltee in the Eccentric Chapter , of which he is now one of the Assistant Sojourners . He was one of the Founders of thc recently consecrated Philbrick Chapter , and is also one of the Sojourners thereof . He was advanced in the Savage Club Mark Lodge ,

Reports Of Meetings.

of which he is I . G ., in 1895 , and is likewise a member of the Brixton Mark Lodge . He was elevated as an Ark Mariner of the latter Lodge last year . He has an excellent record as a supporter of the Masonic Charities , being a Life Governor of the Boys School , and a Life Subscriber of the Girls School and the Benevolent Institution . In 1894 he was Steward for the Eccentric Lodge , and took up the large sum of £ 106 5 s . He will go up as Steward for fche Benevolent Institution next year , and will be glad to receive any subscriptions for that purpose from his friends .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

WHITTINGTON LODGE , No . 862 . AT the Red Lion , Poppin ' s Court , Fleet Street , on Wednesday , Bros . Day W . M ., Kemp S . W ., Clarkson J . W ., Hewson S . D ., Berry J . D ., Hartley I . G ., Pauncefort P . M . and Treasurer Preceptor . Tilt P . M . Secretary , Latham , Collins , Pate , and Cove .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed . Bro . Kemp rehearsed the working of opening and closing in the three degrees , also that of calling off and on . Bro . Pauncofort worked the first section of the first lecture .

LEOPOLD LODGE , No . 1571 . ON Thursday , 7 th inst ., at the Moorgate , Moorgate Street , E . G ., Bro . J . Brown W . M ., F . P . Langford S . W ., J . Hampson J . W ., W . S . Emden P . M . acting Preceptor , H . J . Meadows P . M . Secretary , H . Down S . D ., A . Simmonds J . D ., J . S . Harigan I . G ., J . Wynman , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , with Bro . Meadows acting as candidate . This was followed by the rehearsal of the second ceremony , with Bro . Down as candidate . Resuming the Lodge to the firsfc degree the W . M . went through the investment of Officers . Bro . F . P . Langford was elected to preside next week .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 AT the Bow Bells , Bow Road , on Wednesday , Bro . W . Joss W . M ., Bird S . W ., Soar J . W ., C . Holland S . D ., W . Johnson J . D ., J . Davis I . G ., De Casseres P . M . Preceptor , Thornton Secretary , Pullock , Cuthbertson , Holmes , Nunn , Newport , Absalom , Moffatt , L . DaCosta P . M ., J . West , J . Gills P . M ., and 0 . Flynn .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Holmes candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Holmes W . M .-elect of the Leyton Lodge , who rehearsed thc ceremony of investiture of Officers , Bro . L . DaCosta acting as D . C . The W . M . ' resumed the chair , and the Brethren assisted in working the first , second , and third sections of the lecture .

Bro . Nunn of the Mother Lodgo became a member , and Bro . Bird was elected to the chair for Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., to which date the Lodge was adjourned . . .

DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE , No . 1839 . ON Monday , at the Whittington Hotel , Moor Lane , Moorgate Street , Bro . J . Knuth W . M ., Wright S . W ., Fuller J . W ., G . Stevenson acting Secretary , Hodgson S . D ., Frolick J . D ., Mitchell I . G ., C . B . Cutchey I . P . M ., H . Meadows P . M ., Watson , Wynman , and J . Brown .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . J . Brown candidate . The Lodge was advanced to the second degree , when Bro . Watson answered the questions leading to the third . Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and the W . M . rehearsed the work of investment of Officers .

Bro . Brown was elected a member , and Bro . Wright as W . M . for next meeting .

HUGH OWEN LODGE , No . 2593 . AT the Frascati , Oxford Street , on Friday , lst inst ., Bros . Holland P . M . W . M ., Nichols S . W ., Kobelt J . W ., Eev . Greenwood S . D ., Barnett J . D ., Eeed I . G ., Soper Secretary , Schrader Organist , Ridgway , Marks , and Drake . The ceremonies of initiation and passing were rehearsed .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

HARMONY LODGE , No . 156 . AT a meeting held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Monday , 4 th inst ., Bro . C Stebbing W . M . presiding , Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford H . Northcote , C . B ., M . P ., was unanimously elected as an honorary member of the Lodge .

During the evening the Secretary Bro . F . G . Knight , who at the recent Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Plymouth had conferred upon him the honour of P . P . S . G . D ., in recognition of his Masonic services , was presented by the Brethren with a very handsome set of Provincial Masonic clothing . The box containing the clothing bears the inscription :

Presented to W . BBO . F . G . KNIGHT P . P . S . G . D . of Devonshire , by the Brethren of Lodge Harmony , No . 156 , Plymouth , as a visible token of affectionate regard cherished for the zealous services of our esteemed Secretary .

LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . AN emergency meeting of this Lodge took place on Wednesday , at the . Royal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , for the purpose of disposing of the work before the Lodge previous to the installation meeting on the 13 th inst . Bro . William Hawker W . M . presided , and was assisted by Bros . E . J .

Beamish Prov . A . G . D . C acting I . P . M ., Charles Matthews S . W ., J . N . Willis J . W ., Arthur Ronaldson P . P . G . A . S . Secretaiy , A . J . Walklin S . D ., T . W . Galler I . G ., J . A . Gillett D . C , C . F . Lavis and T . Smith Stewards , and a goodly number of members .