Reports Of Meetings.

had thoroughly enjoyed the working of the W . M ., and sincerely thanked the Brethren for their very kind reception . The W . M . proposed the toast of the Past Masters , the Treasurer and the Secretary . The two latter Officers he thought did everything in their power for the good of Freemasonry , while , taking the Past Masters as a body he felt they could boast as good a band as any Lodge in the metropolis .

Bro . Coleman responded , tendering thanks for the heartiness of the toast and promising , as one of the Past Masters of the Lodge , to render it any assistance in his power . Bro . Cox also responded , and was followed by the Secretary . Some excellent songs were given during the evening , and added greatly to the enjoyment of those present .

Eccentric Lodge , No . 2488 . THE Worshipful Master Bro . Tom Fraser presided at the first regular meeting of the Lodge subsequent to his installation , at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W ., on Friday of last week , and demonstrated in a practical manner his fitness for his exalted position .

The Lodge was opened at six o'clock , and after the reading and confirmation of the minutes Bro . Robert Morris Crompton , of the Henry Muggeridge Lodge , was accepted as a Joining Member .

Messrs . Henry Ernest Scott and Louis Napoleon Seymour were approved as candidates , and being in attendance were admitted and regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Craft . The ceremony was admirably performed by Bro . Fraser , who was ably assisted by his Officers . The Ancient Charge was delivered by Bro . J . R . Cleave S . W .

Nothing could better exemplify the generosity of the Eccentric Lodge than the next two items . The Secretary read the circular letter from Grand Lodge with reference to the Distressed Brethren in South Africa , and twenty-five pounds was ordered to be sent . Upon the Master stating that he intended to go up as a Steward for the next Festival of the Boys School , a similar sum was granted to be placed On his list of subscriptions . This was snnnlpmpnfprl

by a truly eccentric method during the evening . Bro . W . Mason Stiles P . G . T . proposed that syndicates of five members at one guinea each should be formed , and ballots taken as to who should have the honour of being the Life Subscriber . This plan appealed strongly to the Brethren present , and several syndicates were quickly taken up , with the result that Bro . Fraser will be able to hand over a very respectable sum to the Charity next year .

Bro . A . J . Thomas desired to express his thanks to the members of the Eccentric Lodge , and the Brethren generally , for the generous manner in which they supported the case of Cyril A . Herapath , the son of a Colonial . Brother of Auckland , N . Z ., which was patronised by the Earl of Onslow Prov . G . M . of Surrey . The

boy had been up at three previous elections , and upon his ( Bro . Thomas ) recommendation to the Brethren of the Lodge , they had worked so zealously . that they had contributed over 5 , 000 of the 8 , 600 votes obtained , which placed the boy second on the list in October last . As we have previously observed there is no eccentricity in Eccentric Freemasonry .

PROVINCIAL .

Lodge of Sympathy , No . 483 . rnHE new Master , Bro . W . Spencer Bowen , presided for the first J _ time at the meeting of this Lodge held on Wednesday , at the Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , and full y proved his proficiency for the exalted position . Messrs . Thomas Clifford Davis nnrl Tnl-m Tnm < = Armi- «> ! ,., „;„„ .

been approved were regularly initiated , and Bros . W . j . Forbes , and S . J . Smith were passed as Craftsmen . Both the ceremonies were ably performed by Bro . Bowen , who also gave the Ancient Charge to the Initiates . Admirable assistance was rendered by the Officers of the Lodge .

The proposition of two more candidates proves the popularity of the Lodge , which now numbers upwards of a hundred and fifty members .

INSTRUCTION .

Confidence Lodge , No . 193 . ON Wednesday , at the Hercules Tavern , Leadenhall Street , Bros . A . Green W . M ., S . Fells S . W . 193 S . W ., J . A . Hobday J . W ., John Mears P . M . acting Prec , C . Goovaertz Sec , J . Cohn S . D ., Metcalfe Baillie J . D ., E . S . Collins I . G ., J . W . Simeons W . M . 193 , W . E . Pound , J . A . Stenner , A . Fullgames , T . J . Davey P . M ., J . Wynman , W . Haughton , H . Hansey , S . Geddes . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Pound acting the candidateThe

as . W . M . next opened the Lodge in the second degree , and vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Simeons , who resumed to the first degree , and afterwards rehearsed the ceremony of passing , with Bro . Geddes as the candidate , he being previously examined and entrusted . The same Brother answered the questions leading to the third degree . The W . M . again assumed the chair , and resumed the Lodge to the first degree . Bros . E . S . Collins 1950 and W . E . Pound 1227 were elected members , and Bro . S . Fells W . M . for the next meeting .

Reports Of Meetings.

Bro , Simeons proposed that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for the very able manner in which the acting W . M . had discharged his duties that day , for the first time in the Lodge . The W . M . of the Mother Lodge said Bro . Green was only initiated about twelve months back , and he thought his efficiency was an example that all might strive to imitate .

Bro . Green thanked the W . M . of the Confidence Lodge , and the members generally , for their kind encouragement . He was proud to acknowledge his indebtedness to Bro . Spice the Preceptor of the Lodge for all he knew of the ritual .

nnHE 7 th inst . was Officers night , and as usual it was strictly JL observed , and well attended by the W . M . and Officers of the Mother Lodge . Those present included Bros . J . W . Simeons W . M . 103 W . M ., S . Fells S . W ., Metcalfe Baillie J . W ., E . J . Davey P . M .

Sec . 193 acting Prec , C . Goovaertz Sec , J . A . Hobday P . M . S . D ., G . Bushell J . D ., G . F . Carr I . G ., J . Mears P . M ., A . Stenners P . M ., H . Rowland , A . Cooke , J . Done , J . Cohn , S . Clark , J . Wynman , S . Geddes , S . B . Lotheim , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Done acting as candidate . The same ceremony was again gone through , for the benefit of Bro . Geddes , who was initiated at the last regular meeting of the Mother Lodge , and acted as candidate on this occasion . Later on he was instructed in the answers leading to the second degree . Other business being disposed of the meeting terminated .

Lodge of Sympathy , No . 483 . A T a meeting of this Instruction Lodge , held on Monday , at the Star Hotel , Gravesend , Bro . J . A . Gillett acted as W . M ., and appointed the Officers as follow : Bros . Merchant S . W ., Pettingale J . W . T . A . Mummery S . D ., J . Axcell J . D ., A . Holland I . G .

, The ceremony of opening and closing the Lodge in the three degrees was rehearsed , after which Bro . H . Forss , the able Preceptor worked the first section of the first lecture , with the assistance of the Brethren . Bros . Harvey and Holland were admitted as members of the Lodge .

The annual dinner was fixed to take place at the Star Hotel , Gravesend , on Monday , 26 th inst ., when Brother Spencer Bowen W . M . 48 3 will preside .

Yar bo rough Lodge , No . 554 . THERE was an exceptionally good meeting on Tuesday , at Bro . Butlin ' s , the Citizen , Houndsditch , when we had the pleasure of seeing such excellent workers as the following Officers : Bros . L . DaCosta W . M ., B . DaCosta S . W ., A . Crabb J . W ., T . Cowell

P . M . Prec , Latham P . M . 19 62 Treas ., McNeil P . M . Sec , S . B Lotheim S . D ,, J . Davies J . D ., Stock I . G . ; with Bros . J . W Tauranac W . M . 554 , Mahony , Andrews , S . Norden , Butlin , D . W Hunter , N . Norden , and others .

Having opened the Lodge to the second degree the W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Tauranac , who rehearsed the ceremony of installation , Bro . L . DaCosta being presented as W . M .-elect . Bro . A . Crabb assumed command , and invested the Officers

in faultless manner . Bro . L . DaCosta resumed the chair , and Bro . Tauranac delivered the three addresses . Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bro . Lotheim worked ttie lomth and fifth sections of the lecture .

Bros . Hunter , Jones , Delmonte , Moore P . M . 142 , and Little were elected members , and Bro . B . DaCosta chosen to preside next week . Bro . Tauranac informed the Brethren that the Fifteen Sections

would be worked on Tuesday , nth December next , and that Bro . Butlin had kindly placed his other establishment—the Spread Eagle , Whitechapel—at the disposal of the Lodge for that evening , as being better suited for the large gathering likely to then assemble .

Ranelagh Lodge , No . 834 . ON Friday , 9 th inst ., at the Six Bells , Hotel , Hammersmith , W ., Bros . K . M . Ross W . M . 16 S 6 as W . M ., J . Hallam S . W ., H . J . Cousens P . M . J . W ., Arthur Williams P . M . Preceptor , F . Craggs P . M . Sec , W . Hinds P . M . Treas ., M . F . Wilkins S . D ., G . F . Payne J . D ., C . T . Haywood I . G ., John H . Gumming P . M . Stwd ., J . Worth P . M ., R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . J . D . Middx ., Robert Reid P . M ., T . W . Hellyar , J . Stafford .

Lodge was opened in the first degree , and advanced to the second , when Bro . Worth answered the questions in a satisfactory manner and was entrusted , after which the Lodge was opened in the third degree , and the ceremony of raising was gone through ,

the W . M . and Officers showing they required very little prompting . Lodge was reduced to the first degree , called oft and on , and the first section of the lecture was worked by the Brethren , under the direction of the Preceptor .

By the unanimous vote of the Brethren Bro . Hallam was elected to act as W . M . at the next meeting . Bro . Craggs gave notice that the fifteen sections would be worked at a date to be fixed in January 1901 .

. City of London Lodge , No . 901 . ON Tuesday , at the King ' s Arms , Shoreditch , Bros . Geo . Smith W . M ., F . Robinson P . M . S . W ., N . Grant J . W ., W . H . Baylock P . M . Prec , W . R . Haylock W . M . 901 Sec , J . Wynman S . D ., T . J . Lingley J . D ., J . Jeffries I . G ., and several others . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , with Bro . W . B . Haylock jun . as the candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair in