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anxious to prove his efficiency . He had now reached the summit of his Masonic ambition , and would endeavour to fulfil the duties of the office to the satisfaction of the Lodge . In presenting Bro . Spawforth I . P . M . with the special Past Master ' s

jewel voted by the Lodge , the W . M . felicitated him upon the conclusion of ' his two years' reign , which had been a term of prosperity to the Lodge , and if ifc might be said , as of a poet , that a Master was born , not made , surely Bro . Spawforth was entitled to that distinction . He was a splendid worker ofthe ritual , and his genial nature endeared him to all the Brethren .

Bro . Past Master Green supplemented the speech of Bro . Collings , by a few remarks in which he said it was felt by the Brethren that the official jewel did not altogether express their appreciation of Bro . Spawforth , and they desired to offer him a further token of their esteem and regard . As he had contributed so greatly to their pleasure at the fourth degree , they asked his acceptance of a silver Loving Cup , and hoped it would serve to remind him of the happy time he had spent in the Lodge . The cup was of antique shape , and bore the following inscription :

Presented to BRO . A . B . SPAWFOBTH , by the members of the St . Michael Lodge , in recognition of his valuable services to the Lodge for the last two years . February 1898 .

Bro . Spawforth , who was greatly overcome with emotion at this unexpected gift , returned his grateful thanks to the Brethren , and for the generous manner in which they had always treated him . He did not know which present he valued the most , for while the jewel marked his Masonic preferment as a Past Master , the Cup would remind him that he had done something more than his duty , and so gained the affection of the Brethren .

Bros . Harry Nash , W . S . Hooper , and Dr . C . Simpson acknowledged the gratification of the Visitors at the hospitality extended to them ; and the Officers of the Lodge having been complimented the proceedings were brought to a close at a somewhat advanced hour . A capital musical programme was provided by Bro . John A . Collings , the items of which were contributed by Miss Jessie Hotine , Miss Lucy Clarke , Miss Nettie Carpenter ( violinist ) , and Bros . Harrison Brockbank , Fred Upton , Sergeant Lee , and Wallis Arthur .

Besides those whose names are mentioned above there were present Bros . Harry Nash P . P . G . Eeg . Cheshire , W . J . Nash P . P . G . D . Cheshire , W . Singleton Hooper W . M . 2488 and P . M . 1987 , F . Brand George P . M . 446 , B . N . Larter I . P . M . 1791 , F . J . Burton P . M . 1672 , C . J . Pinnell , G . E .

Higginson P . M . 1793 , Dr . C . Simpson 2410 , G . A . Sturgess 538 , C . C . Barber S . D . 1585 , H . W . Lance 2546 , W . G . Jennings , M . Beadle 1287 , L . G . Hammond 1524 , Percy Edsall 73 , G . Wingrave S . D . 1818 , H . N . Shaw No . 1 Victoria , Columbia , George Cockrell P . M ., W . J . Dyer P . M ., James Loversoed , Dudley F . Latham , & c .

HIGH CROSS LODGE , No . 754 . ON Wednesday , 2 nd inst ., Bro . Stocker W . M ., on behalf of the Lodge , presented to Bro . Linzell a handsome astronomical telescope in recognition of his sixteen years energetic services as Secretary . At the same time a silver tea pot was handed him for Mrs . Linzell . The gifts were acknowledged in a brotherly and feeling speech .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1524 . THE Installation meeting was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , on Thursday , 27 th ult ., the Worshipful Master Bro . Pearse presiding . The W . M . installed Bro . Archer Mead Archer as Worshipful Master for the year , and was then himself invested with the collar of Immediate Past Master .

The new Worshipful Master , after the investment of his Officers was completed , and the charges had been delivered , immediately commenced his other duties by initiating into Freemasonry Mr . Walter Ockelford , Mr . William Eobert Hutton , Mr . Horace Frederick Fidge , Mr . John Eichard Bell , and Mr . John Rowland , the ceremony being witnessed bv a verv full Lod ^ e .

This work concluded , the Lodge unanimously carried the following motion proposed by Bro . E . J . Turnbull P . M ., and seconded by Bro . Brand P . M .: " That the sum of three guineas be voted from the Lodge funds towards the endowment of a bed for Freemasons in Guy ' s Hospital . " The Lodge was afterwards closed , and the Brethren adjourned to a banquet . This was succeeded by the honouring of the usual toastsand the

, production of a beautiful musical entertainment , under the direction of Bro . William Harmcr , Mrs . Harmer being the accompanist , says the " City Press . ' " ' Bro . Turnbull P . M . said , with the permission of the W . M ., he had to ask a favour on behalf of the Duke of Connaught Lodge . It would be in the recollection of the Brethren who had the pleasure of being prosi-ut at the last masting that they discussed the question of nresentine a slight ,

testimonial of their affection and esteem to a Brother who was now present but who , he much regretted to say , would probably never be among them again , as he was going to Australia for the benefit , not only of his health , but of his fortune . The Brother in question , they all knew , had done good suit and service to the Duke of Connaught Lodge , particularly during the last two years ; he had practically presided over their musical finterkinmAnt .

It vvas thought that the present would be a fitting opportunity to give him something that he might take with him to Australia , to be treasured by him for many long and happy years . He had been asked to request the W . M . to hand to Bro . Harmer a testimonial from the members of the Lodge . The testimonial was an illuminated vellum in the following words :

Duke of Connaught Lodge , 1524 . We , the undersigned members of the above Lodge , present this illuminated Testimonial of our Loving and Fraternal Eegard to our highly esteemed Brother , William Harmer , upon his leaving his native country for Australia , and desire to express our heartfelt wish that all possible success and happiness may attend him . We trust he may be spared to enjoy his new life , and experience every blessing that the Great Architect of the Universe can bestow upon him .

This was signed by thirteen Past Masters and about fifty of the other Brethren of the Lodge .

Bro . A . M . Archer W . M . asked the Brethren to be upstanding , and then , addressing Bro . W . Harmer , said : In tho name of thc Brethren of the Duke of Connaught Lodge I present you with this testimonial , on which you find the names of the Brethren inscribed , so that when you are in a far distant home you will be able to look on those names , the names of tho Brethren you have associated with in this country ; and I trust The Great Architect of the

Reports Of Meetings.

Universe may give you and your wife and family health and strength , and prosper you in all your undertakings . Bro . W . Harmer , in accepting tho gift , said he thanked the Brethren sincerely for the mark of respect and esteem which they had presented to him . Three years ago he became a member of the Lodgo , and since then it had been his pleasing duty to do what he could towards the harmony . He was sure the efforts ho had made had been appreciated , because the gift told him that although he . had only been a short while with them , he had won their affection .

A Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . Harry Pearse I . P . M . who , in responding to tho toast of the Installing Master , said he would wear tho jewel with great pride and pleasure , as it would remind him of a very happy year of office .

ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1766 . THERE are several Lodges in the metropolis , to the credit of the Craft be it said , where , by reason of the excellent example set by the Past Masters , and the care taken in the selection of Officers , a respectful and reverent rendering of the ritual may always be depended upon . This remark applies with particular force to the St . Leonard Lodge , and it was therefore

with considerable pleasure that we obeyed the summons to attend at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , E . G ., on Wednesday last , to assist at the annual festival . There was an unusually long agenda , and the amount of business necessitated the Lodge being called for half-past three o ' clock , shortly after which hour Bro . Benjamin Jacobs Worshipful Master opened the Lodge , when tbe minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed .

For the convenience of the business the Lodge was opened in the three degrees , and resumed in the second , when Bro . W . A . L . Lashmar proved his proficiency as a Craftsman , and was subsequently raised to the sublime degree , and took his seat as a Master Mason . Bro . Harold Edward Drew , who was initiated at the previous meeting , answered the usual questions , and was duly passed to the rank of a Fellow Craft . Both these ceremonies were performed by Bro . Jacobs in a most efficient manner , and he then proceeded to instal his successor .

Bro . George Henry Clark , who had been regularly elected by the Brethren in open Lodge assembled , was presented by Bro . S . C . Kaufman , and gave his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . The Brethren having retired , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Clark was placed in the chair of K . S . in accordance with the old tradition . He then invested his predecessor as I . P . M ., and was congratulated by the Board .

Upon the re-admission of the Brethren Bro . Clark was saluted and proclaimed in the various degrees , and the Warrant of the Lodge was entrusted to his keeping . The following Officers were then appointed and invested by the new Master , who greeted each with a few words of congratulation and advice : —Bros . A . Ounnington S . W ., A . Kaufman J . W ., S . C . Kaufman P . M . Treasurer , W . Beasley P . M . Secretary , A . Greenwood S . D ., M . Shea J . D ., D . E . Leman I . G ., W . E . Johnson D . C ., Henry Prenton Organist , J . Smith , A . A . Barnes , and T . L . Fearon Stewards , D . Legg P . M . Tyler .

The beautiful addresses , " which age cannot wither nor custom stale , " were admirably delivered by Bro . Jacobs , and called forth the approbation of thoso present . Bro . Clark then proceeded to justify the choice of the Brethren in selecting him to rule over them , by initiating Mr . William Dunz and Mr . John Sinclair McVean , after they had been proposed and approved . The ceremony was perfectly rendered , and must have greatly impressed the candidates . The lateness of the hour prevented the ancient charge being given , but it will doubtless be brought to their notice at the next meeting .

Bro . Charles Gammon , a P . M . of the Camden Lodge , was accepted as a joining member . One candidate was proposed for initiation at the next meeting . The Auditors' Eeport was received and adopted , and there being no further business the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room .

During the evening the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts wore given and perfect harmony prevailed . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Benjamin Jacobs , and surely no Master ever deserved it more . A capital programme of music was given under the direction of Bro . Henry Prenton , in which Miss Miriam Farnham , Madame Whitfield-Eose , Miss Agnes Davey , and Messrs . Albert Pearce , and Mack Olive took part .

Among those present were the following Visitors : —Bros . F . Dunstan P . M . 1326 P . P . G . D . C . Middx ., W . W . Leo . P . M . 8381 , James Clark W . M . 2472 , M . Siegenberg P . M . 188 , F . Eyre W . M . 1445 , Chas . H . Bestow P . M . 2374 , James Graham W . M . 652 , Dr . D . M . Forbes W . M . 2319 , Dr . A . L . Achard 2045 , George Bugler 1625 , E . A . Davis 2182 , A . McLachlan J . D . 1607 , George Ounnington S . W . 1607 , Walter Clark S . D . 28 , A . Brook 2470 , H . 0 . Brown 2024 , Herbert Nield 2123 .

The members of the Lodge included Bros . Frank Matthews P . M ., Geo Bishop P . M ., William Shurmur P . M . P . G . Std . Br ., Joseph Cox P . M ., W Beasley P . M ., S . C . Kaufman P . M ., John Smith , T . L . Fearon , W . A Lashmar , H . Pate , J . H . Bond , W . F . Hambly , W . Prevost , A . A . Barnes , J Goodman .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . ON Wednesday , 9 th inst ., at the Globe Tavern , Fish St . Hill , Bros . I . W . Simeons W . BI ., G . Bushell S . W ., T . Kington I . P . M . 193 J . W ., J . K , Pitt P . M . acting Preceptor , E . J . Davey P . M . Secretary , C . H . Ash Deacon , Metcalf Baillie I . G ., E . H . Lough Organist , T . 0 . Brown , H . Jones , G , Barrett , S . C . Foreman , and others .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . S . C . Foreman acting as candidate . The lecture in the first degree was given by Bro . Pitt P . M ., assisted by the Brethren . Bros . S . 0 . Foreman and H . Jones , of the Mother Lodge , were elected Members , and Lodge was adjourned till Wednesday next , at 7 p . m .

w J u WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . ON Tuesday , at Bro . Barnes ' s , Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , W ., Bro . G . Barter S . W . of the Bloomsbury Bines Lodge , No . 2362 W . M ., G . Weaver S . W ., Lilley J . W ., E . J . Eogers P . M . acting Preceptor , G . Mogford P . M . Sec , W . H . Handover S . D ., Llewellyn