Reports Of Meetings.

installed Worshipful Master in an impressive manner by Bro . Jay , _ who , in recognition of his valuable services to the Lodge , was the recipient of a valuable Past Master ' s jewel in token of the respect in which he is held by the whole of the Brethren .

CARNARVON LODGE , No . 1739 . 11 HE twenty-second annual installation meeting was held in the Town Hall , Swadlincote , when Bro . Walter Jones was installed aa W . M ., the Installing Master being Bro . W . A . Musson P . M . 779 . At the banquet which followed , the W . M ., in proposing the toast of the Queen , said loyalty had always been the feature of Freemasonry , and so it

was fitting that this should be the first toast on the list . The present was a special time for receiving it with warmth and enthusiasm , for it was , so to speak , one of the echoes of acclamation and loyalty which had taken plaoe two days before on Her Majesty's 80 th birthday . As a woman the Queen

possessed in a high degree those qualities of affection , sympathy , tenderness , and virtue , which appealed to our most chivalrous instincts . As a faithful wife and devoted mother she offered a perfect pattern of true womanhood to the whole world . As a monarch she had wielded her sceptre with a grace and dignity which had won our most loyal homage and heartfelt devotion .

KING'S COURT LODGE , No . 2689 . THE first anniversary of this Lodge was held on Tuesday , 6 th inst ., at Gillingham , when the W . M .-elect Bro . A . T . Manger was installed in the chair by Bro . P . J . Gavin W . M .

After the installation ceremony the annual banquet , to which about forty-five sat down , was held at the Phoenix Hotel . The Lodge , which started with sixteen Founders , has now a membership of thirty-five .

TEMPERANCE LODGE , No . 2714 . THE first installation meeting after the consecration took place on Tuesday afternoon , at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , where there was a good attendance of members and visitors . During its year's existence the Lodge has greatly prospered , and there is good evidence that its future career will be one of usefulness and charitableness .

The chair at the opening of the business was occupied by Bro . J . Clayton W . M ., who installed Bro . H . Owen . In the course of the proceedings Bro . Clayton was the recipient of a valuable Past Master ' s jewel , a Life Governorship of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and subsequently of a handsome clock and bronzes , as marks of the esteem in which he is held by the Brethren .

o o o MAEK MASONEY . — : o : —

LOVE AND HONOUR LODGE , No . 94 . ON Thursday , 1 st inst ., Bro . J . Blarney was installed W . M . by Bro . B . Gregg P . P . G . S ., at the Masonic Hall , Falmouth . The usual investment of Officers followed , the Brethren dining together at the conclusion of the Lodge business .

EOYAL AEGH . — : o : —

CONCORD CHAPTER , No . 124 . THE annual meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Old Elvet , Durham , on Wednesday , 31 st ult ., when there was a large attendance . Comp . I . Burrell was installed Z ., tho ceremony being impressively performed by Comp . H . Brown . After the installation proceedings the Companions dined together in the Banqueting Hall , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

BELGRAVE CHAPTER , No . 749 . THE annual festival of this Chapter was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , E . C , on Friday , 9 th inst ., when Captain Arthur Ronaldson M . E . Z . presided , the other Principals' chairs being occupied by Comps . H . J . Thomas and Orlton Cooper .

The Chapter was formally opened , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Bro . Albert Page , of the Belgrave Lodge , and for Bro . Michael Edward SwaD , of the Prince Frederick William Lodge , both of whom were accepted as candidates for the Supreme Degree . Comp . Frank Crocker was also balloted for , and received as a joining member .

The First Principal ' s Chair was then assumed by Comp . R . W . Walker , when Bros . Page and Swan were introduced , and regularly exalted into the Holy Royal Arch . The ceremony was most impressively rendered by Comp . Walker , and the Lectures were afterwards delivered by the three Principals .

The Companions then retired , and a solemn conclave of Installed Principals was convened , when Comp . H . J . Thomas was installed as M . E . Z ., Comp . A . Simner was inducted into tbe Chair of H ., and Comp . W . J . Stratton into that of J . The installations were very ably conducted by Comp . Walker , who received the congratulations of those who were privileged to witness his admirable working .

The following were invested as Officers for the ensuing year : —J . J . Thomas P . G . Std . Br . P . Z . Scribe E ., Fry Scribe N ., Slyman Treasurer , Walker P . S ., W . Elliott and Fred . Elliott Assistants , and Sheppeard Janitor The Auditors' report was presented and adopted , the M . E . Z . expressing the pleasure felt by tbe members at the satisfactory state of the Chapter .

A handsome jewel was presented to Comp . Ronaldson , as a memento of his year of office , for which lie suitably returned thanks . There being no further business the Chapter was closed , and the Companions adjourned to an excellent dinner provided by Bio . F . H . Clemow .

ANDREW CHAPTER , No . 834 . THIS old established Chapter met ( by dispensation ) on the 24 th ult ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly , when the following Officers were unanimously

Reports Of Meetings.

elected for tho ensuing twelve months : —Comps . James Barker M . E Z ., Arthur Williams H ., John Worth J ., Fredk . Craggs S . N ., W . J . Coplestone S . E . It was decided to petition Grand Chapter to allow the name to be altered to the Ranelagh , the title of the Lodge to which it is attached .

The Level And The Square.

THE LEVEL AND THE SQUARE .

By Bro . W . H . Day , Sec . Harmon Lodge , No . 273 , Grinnell , Iowa • " \ 7 S 7 " ^ t upon the level and we part upon the square "VV What words of dreadful meaning those terms Masonic are : Come , let us contemplate them , for time is not remote Since , as members of the Order , we each struggled with the Goat 1 Hands ' round ye bloody Masons I Don your aprons , grind your knives Send a message to your faithful , patient , jealous , vixen wives , That you won't be home to supper , and beseech them to forbear The keen , sarcastic comments that they level at the Squaro I

Tell them that the meeting ' s special , and the Lodge holds till late , 'Cause you've got to " work the Third " upon a fellow candidate—You ' re subpoenaed by the Master , and you know he'll rave and tear If you disobey the summons of the level and the Square I Repeat the ancient story to the air of the old tune , How these calls of Lodge are governed by the phases of the moon ; When the orb is full of beaming in the firmament so fair , Abject homage you must render to the Level and the Square 1

Assure them your resistance , even though it be tho least , To the edicts of the tyrant who presideth in the East , Will be visited with vengeance , for the Master does'nt spare The Craftsman if they trifle with the Level and the Square ! Convince them once forever now that it would never do To take them to the meeting of the Lodge along with you ; They couldn't stand the racket , and the Brothers wouldn't dare To let the Sisters meddle with the Level and the Square I

Tis a question among Craftsmen as to when they fared the worst—In passing through the Third degree , the Second or the First ; Some will admit they lost their grit , and fears exceeding rare Possessed them when they first beheld the Level and the Square In ante-rooms the Stewards take a scrutinising look Not only at the applicant , but in his pocketbook ; No heed to protestations that the fee is most unfair—They stifle all objections with the Level and the Square !

The candidate is tumbled oer the altar and the stools To exemplify the workings of the ancient working tools ! It ' s a custom of the Order , 'tis the way that they prepare A fraternal intimacy with the Level and the Square ! In a cask they place the novice , which is hooped securely tight , And roll the barrel round the Lodge with all their main and might If the victim deigns to mutter , or presumes to yell for air , They hoop the casket tighter with the Level and the Square 1

Is it wondered that the Masons go so many miles to see The doings of tho horrid and tbe awful Third Degree ? From town and country places they will gather at the lair To see the final struggle with the Level and the Square ! Goodness gracious 1 what a tumult , what a ruction , what a roar , As they drag the weary pilgrim ' round the tessellated floor ; He repents the evil moment when he climbed the Lodge ' s stair , And fell into the clutches of the Level and the Square 1

Should the victim swoon completely or apparently be dead , They attempt resusitation with a , dose of molten lead , If this doesn't cause reaction , in a frenzy of despair They prod him in the stomach with the Level and the Square I Amid the din and tumult wild the Master will then urge The Craft to drown the wailing with a still yet sadder dirge ; The agony is over now—and later on they'll scare Some other luckless fellow with the Level and the Square 1

And woe betide the Brother who reveals the secrets true Which with him are safe reposed within the Lodge of ancient Blue For the Tyler with his cutlass , will most certainly be there To behead the desecrators with the Level and the Square I Who would be a Royal Archer , Mystic Shriner , Templar Knight , If three degrees will leave a man in such a sorry plight ? It's hoped the higher orders now do not so fully share The terrors of the Level and the horrors of the Square . — " Los Angeles Freemason . "

West London Masonic Election Association.

WEST LONDON MASONIC ELECTION ASSOCIATION .

AT a special general meeting of this Association , held at the Town Hall Tavern , Kensington , under the presidency of Bro . W . Hillier P . M . we were glad to hear such a glowing report read by the Hon . Sec . Bro . Arthur Williams P . M . The Association gave substantial assistance to the case it supported , and was successful in getting the candidate elected , showing that the objects of the Association , particularly as to consolidating and preventing waste of votes , had been carefully carried out .

ABRANGEMENTS have been made with the London , Brighton and South Coast Railway , and the South Eastern and Chatham and Dover Railway Companies , by which Crystal Palace season ticket holders may obtain , on production of their season tickets at the booking offices of the London termini , a first class return ticket from London to the Palace , at the reduced fare of one shilling . The Directors of the Crystal Palace are confident that this privilege will be greatly appreciated by residents in London , and request the kind co-operation of all season ticket holders in making it as widely known as possible amongst their friends .

The Directors of Spiers and Pond Limited notify that the transfer books will be closed from the 20 th inst . to the 80 th inst ., both inclusive , for the purpose of preparing the interest warrants on the 5 per cent , first mortgage debentures , the 5 per cent . "A" mortgage debenture , stock , and the 5 per cent . " B " debenture stock , and the 4 per cent . "C" debenture stock of the Company . The warrants will be posted on the evening of the 30 th inst ,