Notices Of Meetings

desired to make a good Master . Ho succeeded to the chair under happy auspices , for the Lodge was never in a more flourishing condition than at the present timo , and ho thought that under his auspices it would go on and improvo its position . Tho W . M . appropriately responded , promising that he would do his utmost , and giving expression to a hope tint , with tho help of tho brethren , he

might maintain tho Lodgo aud leave tho ehiir as on re and unsullied as it was at tho present timo . Bro . IT . Fivd , P . P . G . S . W ., in hisrhly eulogistic terms , proposed the Installing Master , and Bro . J . Tayloi feelingly responded . The W . M . ' s of neighbouring Lodges was given hv P . M . Whale , and acknowledged bv Bros . F . Court , Tnrnev , and M . E . Frost . Bro . Sir Frederick Fitz Wvgram proposed the Visitors .

As the youngest , or almost the youngest brother present , ho was bnt a novice , and knew but little of tho ancient mysteries of tho craft . But he had seen enough to know that there was a very bond of brotherhood of friendship , good-feeling , union , and harmony among those who assembled , and he congratulated tho W . M . on having

gathered so many brethren from other Lodges . Bros . Binckes and G . L . Green severally responded . The other toasts wore , the I . P . M . and P . M . 's of the Lodge , proposed bv Bro . Edgar Goble and acknnw . lodged by Bro . Whale , and tho S . W . and Officers of tho Lodge , proposed by Bro . G . A . Green P . M ., and responded to by Bros . Robinson ancl A . Nance jun .

Polish National Lodge , No . 534 . —Held its regular meeting on Thursday , 11 th January , at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queon-street , W . C Present—Bros . " F . Rath W . M ., Gumming S . W ., Ebner J . W ., William Paas P . M . Secretary , John Aspinall S . D ., Joshua Taylor J . D ., Jngielski I . G ., Beckett Tyler . P . M . 's Bros . W . G . Mooro , Nowakonski , Mercik , & c . Visitors—Bros . Dr . Ramsay ,

E . Bobbins , T . J . Cusworth , J . R . Jekyll , James Jackson , A . Le Miore , W . Saegerfc , W . W . Morgan , & c . After Bro . Rath had opened his Lodge and the minutes had received confirmation , the ballot was taken for Mr . John Johnson Riintz , which was in his favour , and it was arranged ho shonld be initiated at the next meeting . The ballot was again brought into requisition , this timo on behalf

of Bro . George Richard Forster , of St . James ' s Union Lodge , No . 180 , who was desirous of becoming a joining member , and here again the result was satisfactory . Bros . Brown , James , and Forbes Nixon were then examined as to their proficiency , and were proclaimed qualified to be raised to tho sublime degree . The Lodge was then advanced , aud the ceremony was performed bv Bro . Rath , in a

most careful and impressive manner , reflecting on him , as a foreigner , the highest credit . Bros . James and Brown , were then invested bv the W . M . with the distinguishing badge of tho members of the Polish National Lodgo , tho Polish National Eagle , permission to wear which was granted by tho respected Grand Master the late Earl of Zetland . The W . M . gave a very interesting account of this Jewel ,

and exhorted those whom he was investing to remember that when ifc was on their brests , it merely covered the jewel Truth thafc should bo entwined within their hearts . A notice of motion was given by tho worthy Secretary , Bro Paas , that in future the annual subscription from tho members should be paid in ono sum , instead of , as formerlv , by half yearly instalments . Bro . Paas also read a

communnication from Bro . R . W . Little , ono of the members of the Lodge , requesting that a Steward might bo appointed to represent them at the approaching Festival for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , which is fixed to take place on the 8 th May . Ou this the W . M . expressed his readiness to accept the office , and trusted in so doing he would receive the support , not only of tho Lodge , bnt of its members . The

Lodgo was then closed and a banquet followed . After tho cloth had been removed , the W . M . rose ancl said : Duty called on him , ancl in this case pleasure was associated with duty ; they worfkl give to God that was clue to God , and to Creaar that that was due to Caesar . No words he could use could enhance the pleasure or increase the willingness with which he knew they would receive the toast he was

about to propose , namely , tho health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , coupled with the Craft . Bro . Rath then briefly gave the health of the other members of the Royal Family , who , he said , felt the closest sympathy with all the doings of Freemasonry . In proposing the next toast , that of tho Most Worshipful tho Grand Master , tho W . M . said it was again his duty , and he should err in tho most

rudimentary part of his duty if ho failed to devote a few words to this toast . Ifc was useless , however , to attempt to paint tho lily , or to gild refined gold . The Grand Master was known too well to need any eulogium from him . By the brethren , also , he was appreciated . One fact of sterling valne would evidence this . The sum of £ 4 , 000 , which was proposed to be given to the National Lifeboat Institution

to commemorate tho return of our Most Worshi pful Grand Master from India , was certainly a better way of spending their money than that it should bo allowed to freeze itself to death on top of St . Paul ' s or St . Albans Abbey . Tho Lifeboats thus provided would hel p toassist many a poor brother who might bo in extreme necessity on tho ocean . The toast was most enthusiastically received . The W . M . then said :

The responsibilities entailed on those who had the government of our Order wero of no mean character . Tho Pro Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master carried out their dnties most satisfactoril y , and the Craft was honoured by the association of such distinguished noblemen with its ranks . The next toast , the health of tho Worshipful Master , was proposed by Bro . Mercik . He would not attempt

to enlarge on the merits of Bro . Rath , they wore known to every brother in the Lodge ; he would nt once call upon them to drink the toast . After this had been suitably acknowledged , the W . M . gave the Visitors , and Bro . Morgan was called on to reply ; ho said : That it was with extreme gratification he had witnessed the good

feeling existing amongst the members of this celebrated Lodge ; while this good feeling continued , and while they wero governed by such brethren as their W . M ., prosperity must attend them . Bro . Rath that evening , although a foreigner , had worked the ceremony in a most impressive and careful way ; in a way that would reflect credit upon any one who professed to be a practical elocutionist . He

Notices Of Meetings

was sure he was echoing the sentiments of his brother visitors when he said this , and ho thanked the brethren on their behalf for the kind and hospifable way in which they had been received . Bro . Morgan was followed by several of the visitors , who fullr confirmed his ¦• emarks . On rising to give " The Past Masters , " Bro . Rath regretted 'hat the lateness of tho hour had left him with so few members to

represent the toast . Bro . Mercik had asked him to pass it over , bub this ho conld nofc do , moro particularly as he had heard thafc evening , with deep regret , that their worthy Bro . P . M . Mercik was about to loavo London ; however , he hoped that , as a country member , they would on many future occasions be favoured with tho company of Bro . Mercik . Ho called on all present to give him God speed , and

hearty good wishes for hia future prosperity . After a reply from Rro . Mercik , who exhibited some feeling at tho kind expressions of the brethren , tho health of the officers of the Lodge was given , and was acknowledged by each one severally . Bro . Taylor made a forcible speech . He spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro . Mereik , who had introduced him to the Locige . To Bro . Mercik individually he tendered his sincerest thanks , and wished him health and prosperity in all his

future undertakings . He was succeeded by Bro . Dr . Jagiolski , who , with great feeling , referred to the high appreciation all had for thoir esteemed Past Master Mercik , and how , he was inre , all would regret the contemplated disseverance of his connection with the Lodge . Tho Tyler having given his toasfc , the brethren separated . The proceedings were enlivened by somo capital songs , Bros . Jekyll , Jagielski , and Jackgou specially distinguishing themselves .

Star in the East Lodge , No . 650 . —This Lodge held ita meeting on Tuesday , tho 9 th January , at the Pier Hotel , Harwich . Present—Bros . George Gard Pye W . M ., W . 'O . Ward P . M . S . W ., Wm ; Murray J . W ., William Basham Secretary , G . W . C Butcher P . M Treasurer , H . Gladwell Organist S . D ., S . J . Newton J . D ., Thos . Hill Jennings Steward , P . Henderson I . G ., U . Barlow Tyler ; and

Bros . A . T . Chambers , R . Thackeray , G . A . Smith , Walter Balls , Wm . Downes , Israel Howard . Business — Bro . Thomas Canhan was raised to tho sublime degree of Master Mason . Bros . Charles Keeble and Henry Thomas Dutfiold were passed . Mr . John Robert Watson was balloted for , accepted and initiated . Tho plans of a new Masonic and- Public Hall were submitted to the brethren by the

W . M ., Bro . G . G . Pye , and Bro . Hayward of Colchester , which in all probability will be carried out , at a cost of from £ 1 , 000 to £ 5 , 000 . The annual audit of the aceoints w ! ll take place at tho White Hart Hotel , Harwich , on tho 18 th . 11 oi try . Auditors—G . Gard Pye W . M ., J . Durrani ; P . M . D . C , W . 0 . Ward P . M . S . D ., VV . Murray J . D ., T . H . Jennings Steward , R . Thackeray , H . Gladwell and W . Basham , Secretary 050 .

Clifton Lodge , No . 703 . —Met on Monday , the 1 st of January , afc three o ' clock , p . m . Present—Bros . John Bonny W . M ., J . Bamber as S . W ., Geo . Bonny J . W ., Jas . Besford Secretary , Alex . Moore Treasurer , Sergt . Hopwood H . R . A . S . D ., Robt . Drnmmond J . D ., Edwin Ash Steward , Jos . Turnbnll I . G ., T . Hopkinson Tyler . Past Master Bio . J . W . Mycook . Visitor—Bvo . Barrowclough 219 , Prudence , Todmorden . Mr . C P . Fish and Mr . G . SntclifEe were initiated . Bro . J . Bickerstaff was passed . Bro . Capt . Thompson was raised .

Hanley Lodge , No . 797 . —This Lodgo held its annual meeting on Monday , 8 th January , at Dartmouth . Present—Bros . W . H . Hole W . M ., J . Brown as S . W ., J . P . White J . W ., W . H . Goodwin P . M . as Secretary , J . Htirrell Treasurer , W . H . Proberfc S . D ., George Owens J . D ., J . W . Griffiths D . C , R . Row Steward , A . W . Crocker I . G ., R . Wellington Tyler . Past Masters Bros . Goodwin , Sedstone ,

Coulston 248 P . G . S . Works , Brown 248 , Lamswood 218 , Clarke 24 . 8 , aud several other brethren . Business—Bro . S . C Heath , the W . M . elect , was presented , and installed W . M . for tho ensuing year , the ceremony of installation being ably performed by the I . P . M ., Bro . W . H . Goodwin , assisted by Bro . Coulston P . M . 248 P . G . S . Works

after which the W . M . invested tho following brethren as his officers : — Bros . J . Hurrell S . W , W . H . Proberfc J . W ., W . H . Hole Treasurer , W . II . Goodwin Secretary , George Owens S . D , A . W . Crocker J . D ., R . Row B . C ., E . Ilnsson I . G ., J . Ralph Organist , R . Wellington Tyler .

St . Oswald Lodge , No . 850 . —Held its monthly meeting ou Monday , tho 1 st January , at the Assembly Rooms , Ashbourne . Present—Bros . Jos . S . Whitham P . M . as W . M ., John Hill as S . W , Win . Princo J . W ., James Britton P . M . as Secretary , Percy Wallis as S . D ., C F . Gardner as I . G ., Richard Brown Tyler . P . M . Br . o . Wm .

Bntton . Visitors—Bros . Gardner and Geo . Marple . Business—The minutes of the last Lodge were read and confirmed . A discussion took place as to the custody of tho furniture . The business of the Lodge concluded with a proposal for initiation of a candidate at the next meeting .

Dalhousie Lodge , No . 860 . —This Lodge held its monthly meeting ou Thursday , 11 th January , afc Anderton'a Hotel , Fleetstreet , E . C . Present -Bros . H . W . Dalwood W . M ., J . C White S . W ., Smith J . W , L . F . Littell P . M . Secretary , W . H . Wallington P . M . Treas ., G . II . Woigo S . D ., E . T . Worsley J . D ., Seymour Smith Organist , W . J . Smith Steward , W . G . Dickins I . G ., Gilchrist Tyler . Past Masters Bros . W . H . Wallington , Robert Thomson , L . F . Littell .

Visitors—Bros . G . Maimes 1589 , F . H . Cozens 907 , C . Stichling 511 , E . L . Harding 1524 , G . R . Bowen 65 , W . Gray 14 S 9 , John Thomsrn and E . Hornsby 185 , H . M . Dalton 1314 , Theodore Distiu , W . W . Morgan jun ., & c . The usual preliminary business of tho Lodge having been disposed of , Bros . Pavitt and Giblin were passed , and , the ballot proving unanimous for Mr . M . Christian , that gentleman , together with Mr , T , Shore , who had been previously approved of ,