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appeared on Saturday last all the sprightliness and joy of youth ; everything was full of vigour , even to effervescence . Consequently the Master , Bro . A . J . Naughton , who is essentially a strong man , was placed in the right position . He gently curbed the vivacity so that it was driven along the right road , and as a consequence the whole meeting proved a complete success . The air is everywhere full of patriotism just now , and no one was surprised that the infection invaded the quiet of the Masonic banquet table .

Bro . Gwilyn Hinds set things going by his vigorous recitation of " The Absent-minded Beggar . " The order " to pass the hat round " was immediately given by the W . M ., and £ 10 10 s was very shortly announced for the wives and children left behind by our gallant defenders . Bro . F . Driver P . M . took up the subject , and with a poem of his own composition , " Ready , aye ready , " raised the enthusiasm to fever heat . The earnestness of the reciter , the tone

of . the poem , and the sympathy of the audience were all that the most patriotic Briton oould desire . The Lodge , guided by Bro . Naughton , who was ably seconded by Bro . J . J . Thomas P . G . Std . B ., showed that what has often been inculcated in tho first charge had made a deep impression , and that " patriotism " is one of the strongest virtues possessed by the Alfred Newton Brethren .

Tho attendance included : Bros . A . J . Naughton W . M ., Norrragton S . W ., H . K . Newton J . W ., W . B . Abbott P . M . Sec , A . Strutt D . C , E . 3 . Rix S . D ., F . G * . Heighington I . G ., Windsor Organist , Catchpole Std ., J . J . Thomas P . G . Std . Br . acting as I . P . M .. C . Bland , J . Brock P . M .. T . Casely P . M ., R . W . Burbridge , P . Le Sueur . W . H . Eardley , C . Forrester , W . J . Jessop P . M ., 0 . Garton P . M ., R . T . Pearce P . M ., H . Burbridge . Kibble , VV . 0 . Freeman , F . J . Walton , E . Vernon , H . Johnson , P . Carmichael , J . E . Churchill , G . Hinds , J . A . Swan , F . Pegrum , H . Day , C . Bland , A . 0 . Bonham P . M ., L . A . Cohen , and O . E . Davies .

Visitors : Bros . F . Driver P . M . 45 , A . L . Sargood J . W . 2728 , J . R . Meyrick S . W . 2146 , T . E . Claret Std . 2166 , J . Hinds 1671 , H . J . Gregory P . M . 3 , R . H . Williams P . P . G . D . Middx ., F . Evans P . M . 2749 , C . Woods P . M . 2345 , and F . 0 . Heron 1851 . Apologies for absence were received from the following : Bro . the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London I . P . M ., Sir R . Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., Jas . Stephens P . D . G . D . C , J . Bailey . M . P ., Sir J . B . Monckton P . G . W ., T . W . Fenn P . G . W ., E . Letchworth G . Sec , and W . F . McNeil .

The Lodge being duly opened the whole of the three ceremonies were worked in faultless style . Bro . J . J . Thomas raised Bro . 0 . Bland , the W . M . passed Bro . H . Day , and initiated Messrs . L . A . Cohen and O . E . Davies , delivering the charge with great care and precision . Bros . Skilton and Brooks were proposed as joining members . The musical portions of tho ceremonies wore entered into with zest by all the members who wero present .

The Masonio business being ended the Brethren enjoyed a capital banquet under the presidency of tho W . M ., and afterwards honoured the usual . Loyal and Masonic toasts . The W . M . Bro . Naughton , in proposing the Queen , pointed out that now some of our soldiers were employed in another part of the globe tbey felt that the heart of their Queen was with them ; that they had hor warmest sympathy and love . This gave all a feeling in return of the deepest loyalty .

The Queen , who was the Grand Patroness of the Order , was richly endowed with virtues which inspired the admiration of the Craft . The W . M . proposed H . R . H . the Prince of Wales M . W . G . M ., and in doing so alluded to the fact that recently the heir apparent to the Throne took the trouble to go out of his way to see the General off who was given the command of our arms in South Africa . He was also equally interested in

every soldier sent there . Just as his excellent work was known in the Craft so did he do everything that he undertook . His interest in the people was always manifest in good works , and as a consequence wherever he went his presence was an incentive to renewed efforts and greater energy . Just now ¦ all hoped with H . R . H . that our soldiers vvould be inspired with enthusiasm to carry the dear old flag to victory , for the right .

The W . M . proposed the Grand Officers , alluding to tho fact that they did their work woll , and also reminding them that tbey had an exemplary Past Grand Officer ( Bro . J . J . Thomas ) who was always with them , who did anything and everything they wanted , and always in faultless style . His counsel and work were always appreciated , as he was " one of the best . "

Bro . J . J . Thomas responded . He referred to the excellent work done by the Pro G . M . and D . G . M ., the G . Sec , and other Grand Officers . They were always ready and willing to work for tho good of the Craft . As for himself , it was a great encouragement to work when one knew that his efforts were appreciated . He thanked them for their recognition of his labours on behalf of the Lodt'e .

Bro . J . J . Thomas P . G . Std . Br . proposed the health of tho W . M . ' They knew Bro . Naughton inside and outside Freemasonry , and appreciated him fully wherever he was . His efforts for the Lodge had been very groat . They were crowned with success . His following the first Master the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London set him a very difficult task . He , however , was doing unusually well . His influence was great , he was an excellent worker , perfectly well at home in the ritual , and an earnest Masonic student .

The W . M ., in response , said it was difficult to find words to answer the flattering statements of Bro . Thomas . He was proud of tho Lodge , of its members , its work , its enthusiasm , and its generally excellent character . He had worked hard as a founder , but so had all the other founders . Following so illustrious a Master as Alderman Newton he had a hard task before him , but he intended to allow no effort to fail to deserve the success that had been attributed to his past labours .

The W . M . gave the I . P . M . the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London and the acting I . P . M . Bro . J . J . Thomas . The Lord Mayor was unavoidably absent that evening . They expected he would spare a few minutes at some time to look in on the Lodge for which he had done so much , and in which he was so deeply interested . Their acting I . P . M . had that evening given evidence of his value ; he was in attendance , and as they all knew him horoughly they could appreciate him as an excellent Deputy for their absent I . P . M .

Bro . J . J . Thomas replied . They all hoped tho Bight Hon . the Lord Mayor and his excellent wife would have good health throughout the year ; that the time vvould be as happy and successful as they both deserved . For himself he knew well his willingness to act as Deputy I . P . M . when necessary . The W . M . proposed the Initiates , in felicitous terms , and Bros . Cohen and Davies suitably responded .

Bro . Newton J . W . proposed the next toast . It was of sympathy with the Brethren in the home and colonial forces who wore serving their Queen in South Africa , and a dosire for their safe return to their own homes . The Brethren received this with the utmost enthusiasm , just as Bro . Newton expected . The W . M . proposed the Visitors , all of whom were welcomed by the Lodge . Bro . F . Evans P . P . G . S . B . Essex , R . 'H . Williams P . M . 1767 P . P . G . D .

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Middx ., and H . J . Gregory P . M . 3 responded . All had been really delighted with "everything" that evening . The W . M . proposed the Officers , and after the Tyler's toast a most happy evening came to a conclusion . The musical part of tho programme was well carried out , the following taking thoir parts : Bros . Windsor , Bonham P . M ., Evans , and Day , and Messrs . Worth and Owers .

INSTRUCTION . — : o : — KIRBY LODGE , No . 263 . THE eighth annual festival was celebrated on Tuesday , at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras . The Lodge is attached to the Bank of England Lodge , which dates as far back as the year 1788 , and meets at the Albion , Aldersgate Street . Thc Lodge of Instruction has , like the mother Lodge under which it works , been very successful , and has carried out the

work of Freemasonry m a remarkable degree , says the " City Press . It is held in high favour in the Craft , and has the support of some of the best instructors in Freemasonry , including Bro . R . Clay Sudlow Past Grand Standard Bearer , who is the present chief of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , which moots every Friday evening , except in August and September , at Freemasons' Hall , and is looked upon as the premier Lodge of

Improvement in Masonic working . The Hon . James Hannen , Bros . W . G . Kentish Past Grand Standard Bearer , Henry Pritchard Secretary of the Bank of England Lodge and Past Provincial Grand Treasurer Middlesex , Henry Sadler Grand Tyler , and R . Minton Senhouse are also among the numerous supporters of the Lodge ; and George Rankins 1641 S . D . 2397 J . D . 2508 is its Preceptor .

The Lodge meets every Tuesday throughout the year at the Midland Grand Hotel at half-past seven , and at its annual festivals it finds no difficulty in securing a distinguished Freemason as its president . Last year the Archdeacon of London took that position , and this week Sir Forrest Fulton , Q . C , Deputy Grand Registrar occupied the chair . There was a very large gathering of Brethren , those present including : Bros . H . S . Wellcome

Treasurer , P . A . Nairne P . G . D ., C . E . Keyser P . G . D ., D . West , A . M . Barnard , Dr . Pocock P . D . G . D . C , W . R . Bennett , Charles Lewis , W . Baker , F . W . Ward , Major-General Sir Stanley d'A . Clarke , K . C . V . O ., C . M . G ., P . G . D ., George Rankin , Arthur Slee , Martin Kennaby , Thomas J . Railing P . A . G . D . C , Harvey Lohr , W . H . Oldham , R . Newton Crane , T . A . Hurley , Sutton Sheploy , C . H . Stone , F . Freke Palmer , Frank Griffith , and Percy Griffith .

In the Lodge Bro . George Rankin Preceptor presided , and the second lecture was worked , the sections being answered by Bros . Arthur Slee , Martin Kennaby , Harvey Lohr , W . H . Oldham , and T . A . Hurley . The work was done to perfection , and a vote of thanks was at its completion passed to the Preceptor , who put the questions , and to the Brethren , who gave the answers . At the conclusion of the working of the Lodge the Brethren sat down to an excellent repast under Sir Forrest Fulton ' s chairmanship , afterwards honouring the usual toasts ,

RANELAGH LODGE , No . 834 . ON Friday , 3 rd inst ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Hammersmith , W ., Bros . K . M . Ross W . M ., John Worth S . W ., W . Atkinson J . W ., W . Hinds P . M . Treas ., F . Craggs P . M . Sec , Arthur Williams P . M . Preceptor , G . T . Meek S . D ., R . Reid P . M . J . D ., E . Salt I . G ., and several others .

The Lodge was advanced to the second degree and Bro . R . H . Williams P . M . offered bimseU as a , candidate ior raising . He was examined , entrusted , and the ceremony rehearsed . Lodge was resumed to the second degree and Bro . Worth rehearsed the first section of the lecture , the questions being put by Bro . Preceptor . Lodge was resumed to the first degree .

Bro . Worth was unanimously elected to occupy the chair of W . M . at the next meeting . Bro . Ernest Hayes , of the South Middlesex Lodge , No . 858 , was elected a member .

ON the 10 th inst ., Bros . Robert Reid P . M . 1275 W . M ., J . J . Lewen S . W ., G . T . "Meek J . W ., W . Hinds P . M . Treas ., F . Craggs P . M . Sec , Arthur Williams P . M . Preceptor , H . Stokes S . D ., J . H . King J . D ., W . G . Palmer I . G ., R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . J . D . Middx ., J . H . Gumming P . M ., John Worth W . M . 834 , H . 3 . Cousens W . M . 172 , K . M . Ross , G . White , E . Hayes , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Ii . M . Ross acting as candidate . Bro . Reid then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . John Worth W . M . ofthe Mother Lodge , who opened in the second degree , and Bro . White having answered the usual questions was entrusted . The Lodge was opened in the third degree and the ceremony of raising was gone through . Bro . J . J . Lowin was elected to act as W . M . on tho next occasion .

Bro . Craggs P . M . announced that he was opening a now series of the Ranelagh Masonic Charity Association . Lodge was closed in duo form .

FINSBURY PARK LODGE , No . 1288 . rriKERE was a very good attendance of Brethren on Saturday , at the Cock J _ Tavern , Highbury . N ., the chair being taken by Bro . J . Hume S . W . 2031 , with Bros . W . Briggs S . W ., E . Baker J . W ., H . Hill P . M . Prec , W . Syckelmore P . M . Treas ., 0 . W . Austin P . M . Sec . W . H . Pocklington P . M .

Musical Director , E . Rawlinson W . M . 2031 S . D ., T . Henderson J . D ., W . Newbold I . G .. M . M . Taylor P . M ., John Thorn Secretary Benevolent Association , F . Linfoot , J . W . Key , T . Key , J . W . Colcy , J . Foppoli , W . S . Wheeler , T . Anson , T . Edmonds P . M ., Snelling P . M ., J . Wynman , H . Opperho mer , J . Davis , and several others .

After the minutes were confirmed Bro . J . W . Key answered the questions loading to the second degree . Tho Lodge was opened up and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . Thc W . M . kindly vacated the chair in favour of Bro . W . S . Wheeler W . M . 2454 , who rehearsed the ceiemony of installation , Bro . Hume boing presented as Worshipful Master-elect . He having taken the obligation the Lodge was opened in the third degree , and he was installed ,

and afterwards saluted in regular form . Bro . W . Syckolmoro P . M . making an excellent Director of Ceremonies . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree and the W . M . invested tho Officers , which was done without the slightest hitch , after which Bro . Wheeler continued with the three addresses , which wore highly appreciated by tho Brethren . The W . M . again vacated the chair in favour of Bro . A . C . Smith W . M . 1356 , who in an able manner opened tho Lodgo in tho third degree and closed down to tho first .