Instruction.

The Lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The first section of the lecture was worked by the Brethren , under the direction of Bro . Preceptor . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Lewen acting as candidate .

The Lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bro . Cronin offered himself as a candidate for raising ; he was examined and entrusted , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . The Lodge was resumed in the first degree , and Bro . Hinds gave the addresses incident to the ceremony of Installation .

Bro . Banks S . W . was elected W . M . for the next meeting , and Bro . Cousens was elected a member . A vote of sympathy and condolence was passed to Bro . Robert Reid , on the decease of his eldest son .

LEOPOLD LODGE , No . 1571 . ON Thursday , after the annual supper , which was such a great success , the Brethren assembled in strong force at the usual meeting place , the Moorgate , Moorgate Street , E . C . There were present : Bros . Simmonds W . M ., J . Hampson W . M . 1571 S . W ., G . Horwell J . W ., D . Harlow P . M . Preoeptor , H . T . Meadows P . M . Sec , H . V . Downs S . D ., F . P . Longford J . D ., W . M . Egles I . G ., Harrison , Gernon , J . Durell , Duffield P . M ., Girling , Lattimer , Petley , Barker W . M ., J . Wynman .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Harrison being the candidate . The W . M . kindly vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Petley . Bro . Girling , a candidate for passing , answered the questions , was entrusted and the ceremony rehearsed .

Bro . Petley vacated the chair in favour of the Worshipful Master of the Mother Lodge Bro . Hampton , who intimated his intention of rehearsing the third degree . Bros . Lattimer and James and Joseph Durell answered the questions , and those Brethren retired . Lodge was advanced , and the ceremony

of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Girling being the candidate . The perfect working of this Lodge being so well known requires no comment . The Lodge was closed down . Bro . Hampson will occupy the chair of K . S . on Thursday next .

Bro . Simmonds being only a young Mason , and having occupied the chair of K . S . for the first time , the W . M . proposed a hearty vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for his excellent working , which compliment was duly acknowledged .

EARL OF CARNARVON LODGE , No . 1642 . ON Friday , 7 th inst ., a meeting was held at Bro . T . H . Darby ' s , Elgin Hotel , Ladbroke Grove , Notting Hill , W ., Bro . W . R . Hatton P . M . W . M ., J . J . Chapman S . W ., W . H . Handover J . W ., Geo . Davis P . M . Preceptor , E . Rogers P . M . Treas ., G . A . Knight P . M . acting Secretary , W . Rice Flack S . D ., E . W . Tucker J . D ., L . Standring I . G ., G . Mogford P . M ., H . Foskett P . M ., L . W . Westwood W . M ., W . Hatton , J . Lamb , 3 . Wynman .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . J . Lamb acting as candidate . Bro . H . Foskett P . M . was examined and entrusted for the second degree , and after the usual preliminaries the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bro . J . J . Chapman was elected W . M . for next meeting .

WOODROW LODGE , No . 1708 . ON Monday , at the old quarters , Panton Street , Haymarket , Brother A . Butcher W . M ., W . West S . W ., A . W . Musk J . W ., 3 . E . Culverhouse S . D ., J . M . Klempner J . D ., Hyem I . G ., O . Woodrow P . M . Preceptor , J . Morris acting Secretary , Rudderforth P . M ., Wetton P . M ., and seven other Brethren .

The Lodge was opened in the three degrees . The ceremony of raising was rehearsed by Bro . Butcher , who then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Klempner , who rehearsed an initiation , Bro . Firminger being the candidate . Bro . T . Harris , J . D . of the Salisbury Lodge , No . 435 , and Bro . Horace Williamson , of Old Concord Lodge , No . 172 , were elected members . Bro . West was chosen W . M . for next Monday .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 . AT the Bow Bells , Bow Eoad , on Wednesday , 12 th inst ., Bro . G . H . Fennell W . M ., F . Slater S . W ., Boyce J . W ., Johnson S . D ., Moffatt J . D ., Soar I . G ., Goulston Acting Preceptor , F . Thornton Sec , Bird , C . Lewsey , Shadrake , Nunn , E . Silk , A . Silk , Alabaster , Freeland , West , Holmes , Gaskill , Bradford , Goodman , Warn P . M .

The Lodge was opened in the first degree , Bro . Bird answered the questions leading to the second , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . Bro . Holmes answered tbe questions leading to the third degree , and the ceremony was gone through . Bro . Fennell vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Bird , who rehearsed the ceremony of investiture of Officers , Bro . Fennell acting as D . C .

Bro . De Cassercs was unanimously elected as Preceptor for the ensuing year , Bro . Thornton Secretary , and Bro , J . Gibbs Treasurer . Bro . F . Webster was elected fco the chair for Wednesday next .

HUGH OWEN LODGE , No . 2593 . THE weekly meeting was held at the Frascati Eestaurant , Oxford Street , on the 7 th inst ., at 7-30 , under the presidency of Bro . H . G . Holland P . M ., who was assisted by B . H . Nicholls Treasurer S . W ., J . Hunt J . W ., W . B . Neville P . M . acting Preceptor , Henry Thomas Kobelt

acting Secretary , H . Eamsbottom S . D ., C T . Eidgway J . D ., W . G . Bead I . G ., H . D . Aslett P . M . P . Z . P . P . G . D . C Surrey , T . CaseleyP . M ., W . Frankenberg , H . Eoberts Sec . 2593 , C . T . W . Drake , J . H . Crispe , H . E . Williams , J . Mayhew .

The ceremony of pas ? mg was rehearsed , Bro . J . H . Crispe acting as candidate . The ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . C . T . W . Drake candidate . Bros . Asfclett , Caseley , Crispe and Frankenberg were unanimously elected members .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . A MEETING of this Lodge was held at the Eoyal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , on Wednesday , when , owing to the unavoidable absence of the Master Bro . Charles Matthews , the chair was taken by Bro . Robert J . Beamish P . M . Prov . G . A . D . C The Senior Warden ' s chair was occupied by Bro . Percy White P . M . 2277 , and there were also present Bros . A . J . Walklin J . W ., Thomas T . Hogg P . M . Prov . G . Standard Bearer Treasurer , Arthur Ronaldson P . M . P . P . A . G . Sec , J . A . Gillett , 0 . F . Lavis , T . Smith , Thos . H . Lygo P . M ., Percy Bowen , Geo . Ceiley , J . Hewison , and many others .

There were also several visitors , including Bros . William Gunn W . M . 77 , Joseph Solomon P . M . 77 , 0 . Scrutton P . M . 2291 , & c . The Lodge was duly opened , when the minutes were read and confirmed . Bros . James Coombe Walker , and Geo . Purvis answered the questions leading to the second degree , and were afterwards passed to that position . Bros . Geo . Silvester , A . H . Holland , and Thomas Kemp proved their proficiency as Craftsmen , and were regularly raised as Master Masons . Both ceremonies were admirably conducted by Bro . Beamish , who also gave the traditional history .

A notice of motion was brought forward by a Brother to the effect " that the Candidate for the office of Master shall pass a Board of Installed Masters to show his efficiency , before taking the chair . " An interesting discussion followed , and it was explained by a Past Master thai there was really no occasion to pass such a resolution , because no Brother could claim to go into

the chair as a right , but must be elected by the Lodge . If , therefore , the Brethren considered that any Warden was not sufficiently qualified for the position they need not elect him , and if he were passed over a good Mason would soon qualify himself for the post . The proposition was then withdrawn . Two candidates and one joining member were proposed for election at the next meeting , and the resignations of two members were received .

A vote of condolence with Bro . P . M . Forss , who has been laid up for some time on a sick bed , was passed by the Brethren , and there being no other business the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony and the meeting adjourned till the second Wednesday in February .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

GALLERY CHAPTER , No . 1928 . A CONVOCATION of this Chapter was held last Saturday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., when Comp . John Bead P . G . O . M . E . Z . presided , and was supported by Comps . P . Wallace Husk as H ., J . J . Fretwell as J . The other Officers present were Comps . Herbert Wright P . Z . Scribe E ., Orlton Cooper Scribe N ., A . E . Baines lst Assistant Sojourner . There were also present Comps . John Hurdell I . P . Z ., Henry Massey P . Z ., John C . Manning P . Z ., H . L . Bell , A . F . Bobbins , Bev . J . Stephen Barrass , E . A . Peachey , J . D . Irvine , T . G . Scott , C . J . S . Wilson , & c .

The Chapter was formally opened by the Principals , and the Companions were admitted , when the minutes of the last ' convocation were confirmed . The ballot was then taken for the admission of Bros . Cornwallis F . H . Smith , and Crandon Dawes Gill , which proved unanimous . At the request of the M . E . Z . Comp . Orlton Cooper acted as P . S ., and entrusted the candidates , who were then introduced and exalted to the Supreme Degree . The lectures were admirably delivered by the three Principals , and elicited the hearty commendation of the Companions .

The next business was the election of a P . S . in the place of Comp . Asher Myers , whose engagements prevented him from taking up the appointment . Comp . Ernest A . Peachey was elected to the office . Comps . A . E . Baines and J . Sneddon Wilson were invested as lst and 2 nd Assistants . Three candidates were proposed for exaltation at the next meeting , and there being no further business the Chapter was closed , and the convocation was adjourned . The Companions afterwards dined together , and a pleasant evening was spent in social intercourse .

The fourth annual supper and Ladies' night , of the Citadel Lodge of Instruction , No . 18 97 , will be held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Friday ,. 25 th February next , at 7 p . m ., under the presidency of the worthy Preceptor Bro .

Fred . Dunstan P . M . and Sec . 1326 P . G . A . D . C . Middx . The meetings of the Lodge are held every Friday evening , at 8 p . m ., at the Farleigh Hotel , Amhurst Road , N ., Bro . Harry Willsmer being the Secretary .

Review.

REVIEW .

THE FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND POCKET BOOK FOR 1898 , published by Bro . George Kenning , for the benefit of the Charity Fund , under the authority of the United Grand Lodge of England , affords direct proof of the steady growth of the Craft in this country , the latest Lodge on the list being numbered 2685 , as compared with 2632 in the corresponding issue last year , thus showing an average increase of one new Lodge each week . In addition to the Diary , the list of English Lodges , Lodges of Instruction , Chapters , & c ,

there is a large amount of general information contained in the book , which * has long been regarded as a necessary companion by many of our leading Brethren . It is a pity Grand Lodge is not more particular in requiring information as to removals and alterations in days of meeting of our Lodges , as the directory portion of the work loses its value if it is not strictly correct ,

and we believe it would not be a very difficult matter to compile a fair list , of unrecorded changes . The diary of London meetings also appears to afford scope for a careful revision , in order to make it correspond with the records in the later portion of the work , but these are matters which concern the Calendar Committee of Grand Lodge , rather than the printer and publisher of the book , which is certainly produced in most creditable . style .