Notices Of Meetings.

One interesting item on the programme was the presentation or a beautiful gold jewel to Brother Staniforth P . G . S . W . from the brethren by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . Sissons , for special work in connection with the Masonic Charities . The splendid labours of Bro . Staniforth wero highly eulogised , and deservedly so . Bro . Blagbrougb , frcm Bradford , assisted in the musical part of the

¦ erTice , and delighted the brethren with hia beautiful tenor performance . After the duties of the Lodge , the brethren assembled in the banquet-room , where a choice and delightful spread awaited them , tbe host aud hostess having very nicely adorned the room with plants and colours . The attention paid by Miss Borland and her assistants to the guests deserves mention . The regular Loyal and Masonio toasts were hononred in the usual hearty manner .

PRUDENCE LODGE , No . 1550

ABOUT thirty . five members of the Lodge held their annual outing on Saturday . The party left the Masonic Hall , Plymouth , in two break ? , and proceeded to Downderry via , Polbathio and Hessenford—one of the most charming drives in the county , especially now when the country is looking at its best , the valleys being literally filled with orchards producing fruit in great abundance . At

Downderry about two hours were spent , during which an excellent high tea ,, supplied at Broad ' s Temperance Hotel , was partaken of . The return journey was through Crafthole and Antony . Arriving in time to catch the 9 p . m . ferry at Torpoint , the party returned to tho Masonio Hall , where the day ' s enjoyment was concluded in the

large dining-room by a miscellaneous entertainment , over which Bro . Ernest Budge tho Worshipful Master presided . Songs and recitations were given , among the contributors being Miss Lavers and ¦ everal members of the Lodge . The proceedings throughout were

very enjoyable , and were much appreciated , especially by the ladies , of whom there was a fair attendance . A vote of thanks was accorded to the Committee through the Chairman , who in reply mentioned that the energetic Secretary Bro . Sellick was entitled to nearly , if not tbe whole , of the praise .

HOSPITALITY LODGE . No . 1697

ON Saturday , the 5 th mat ., a number of the members of this Lodge bad a pleasant outing to Hnntroyd , the residence of Col . Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie the Provincial Grand Master . The party proceeded on their journey by way of Lamb Valley and Burnley to Padiham , where thoy visited the splendid mansion at Hnntroyd , sod the stables and gardens connected therewith . In the vinery

they were mnoh interested in the fine stock of grapes—said to be almost the finest in England . After paying due attention to the inner man at fche Starkie Arms , Padiham , the party l'eturned by way of Accrington , and arrived home well pleased with their day's outing .

ELEANOR CROSS LODGB , No . 1764

AT the invitation of Bro . the Rev . A . VV . Gross ( Milton Rectory ) , Chaplain of tbe Lodge , a number of members enjoyed a pleasant trip up the Grand Junction Canal on Thursday of last week , on Bro . Gross ' s steam launch " Rose . " The party started from Bridge 48 near Bliawortb on the arrival of the 1 * 35 train from Northampton , and

went as far as Wilton Locks , where a halt was made and tea partaken of on board , after which the return journey was commenced . Ellsworth was reached in time to catch tbe 8 . 25 train to Northampton . All who took part in the trip thoroughly enjoyed Bro . Gross ' s kindness .

MOZART LODGE , No . 1929 .

fPHE brethren of this distinguished musical Lodge held their -1- installation meeting at the-Greyhound Hote ' , Croydon , on Saturday , tbe 5 th inst . The minutes of last meeting having been confirmed , Bro . H . T . Salmon was passed . Bro . T . T . Phillips P . M . P . P . G . Standard Bearer Surrey then took the chair , and Brother F . Flood the W . M . elect was presented and installed in a very earnest and impressive manner , evidently tbe result of much care and study ,

and certainly convincing the brethren of the Lodge how much Bro . Phillips baa tbo welfare of the Lodge at heart . The brethren highly appreciated the services of the Installing Master , and expressed their thanks in many ways during the evening . The W . M . Brother Flood then appointed and invested his Officers : —Broa . G . J . Barnett I . P . M ., R . S . Taylor S . W ., H . J . Macfarlane J . W ., A . Briscoe P . G . O .

Surrey Treasurer , T . T . Phillips P . P . G . Std . Bearer Secretary , Rev . H . Tyrell Chaplain , 0 . Hewlett S . D ., VV . Wesche J . D ., Z . Dickson I . G ., R ^ Porter Director of Ceremonies . A . Vanden Beroh A . D . C ., E . Branscombe organist , VV . Tul look and J . Chalk Stewards . The ballot was taken for two candidates , and it proving unanimous in their favour , Mr . Itter and Mr . Shiner were regularly initiated into

Freemasonry by the VV . M ., who made a favourable impression . The report of the Audit Committee was read , adopted , and entered on the minutes . A voto of thanks to the Treasurer and Secretary for their valuable services during the past year was carried unanimously . Bro . Macfarlane J . W . reported tbat tho Committee appointed by tbe Lodge bad decided to have a ladies' entertainment on 26 th October ,

at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street . Lodge was closed in due form . Among the visitors were Bros . Thos . Martin P . M . 807 P . P . G . St . B . Norfolk , W . Withinston P . M . 78 , H . Morris 1962 , B . Remny 701 , J . Sloper 2241 , W . Mills P . M . 1901 , Harris 2118 , W . Martin P . M . 8 * 9 , Edmonds 1507 , Vernon Lee 12 S 8 , E . Flood 450 , H . King Past Maater 1659 P . P . G . Chaplain Middlesex , R , J . West 1741 .

Notices Of Meetings.

The banquet was provided by the hostess , Mrs . Williams , iu excel . lent Etjle . The usual toas-ti were given and received with enthusiasm Brother Phillips , iu proposing the health of the W . M . expressed the great pleasure they all felt nt having Bro . Flood as their ruler . He waa a genial and conrtoous brother , well skilled iu the work , and had a great desire to maintain the prestige and reputation of the Lodge .

Iho VV . VI ., in respond ing , thanked the brethren for their kindness and go : ) d feelin . ' , and impressed on the minds of the brethren tha great caution to be used before introducing any one into the Lodge ; they should know them thoroughly . The toasts of the Past Masters , Initiates , and A'isitora followed . Tho brethren and visitors were delighted with tbe singing of tbe following brethren , Madrigals and

part songs being given . "Nymphs of the Forest , " "How Fair is Rose , " " Heart and Hind , " and " Health to my Dear , " by Brothers Branscombe , Vernon Lee , W . Ives , F . Bauohof , G . Pownall , and Stanly Smith ; "Big Ben , " Bro . Tegetmuerj "Coast Guard , " by Stanly Smith ; and " Good Night Beloved , " by Bro . Bauchof . Piano solo by Bro . Wesche .

Fidelity Lodgo of Instruction , No . 3 . —At the Piince Alfred Taveru , Roman Road , Barnsbury , ou Wednesday , 9 th instant , Bro . Ferguson W . M ., Holding S . VV ., Wilson J . VV ., Ferguson Preceptor , Gregory Secretary , Kembel S . D ., Edmonds J . D ., Hanes I . G , and Frost . Ceremony of initiation rehearsed , Bro . Edmonds candidate . Bro . Ferguson Preceptor worked the 7 th section of the lecture , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Gregory proposed Bro . Holding S . VV . as Worshipful Master for the ensuing week , and he was elected .

Chiswick Lodge of Instruotion , No . 2012 . —On Saturday the 12 th inst ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , Hammersmith , Brother Powell VV . M ., Hide S . W ., Gumming P . M . J . W ., M . Spiegel P . M Secretary , Reid S . D ., Larkham I . G ., A . Williams P . M . Preceptor . The Lodge was opened to the third degree and closed down . The

first section of the litst lecture was worked by the Worshipfnl Master ; the second by the Preceptor . Several letters were received from various places in the country , asking that copies of the bye-laws , which contain the history of the Lodge , witb the charges , should be sent to them , whioh the Lodge consented to do . Brother Hide waa elected W . M . for next week .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — PATRIOTIC CHAPTER . No . 51 .

AT t ^ o qnarterly meeting of the Patriotic Chapter , No . 51 , held at Colchestar , on Wednesday , 9 th inst ., the following were investe d Officers tf the Chapter for the ensuing year : —Comps . C . Osmond M . E . Z ., II . Haward Ives H ., J . G . Benshow J ., T . J . Railing S . E ., A J . 11 . Ward S . N ., J . E . Hennemeyer Treasurer , E . Cowers P . S ., H . J . S . ingley and S . D . C . Ablitt Assistant Sojourners , A . Wright Janitor .

ELLIOTT CHAPTER , No . 1205 . rilHE following Principals have recently been installed in thia X Chapter , which meets at Stonehouse , Comps . Major C . B . G . Dick Z ., Geo . Peikins H ., J . J . Facoy J . Tho Installing Officers were Gumps . Lieut . W . Powell , James Gidley 1205 . The Chapter of Past Principals also included Cotnps . Colonel John Elliott Past P . G . P . S .,

D . Cross P . P . G . 2 nd A . S ., R . Dickson P . G . A . S ., F . Crouch , A . VV . King 1205 , J . R . Lord 70 P . P . G . T ., S . Jew 105 P . P . G . T ., W . Allsford , E . Binding 202 , It . Pike 230 , W . J . Pengelly 2025 . The Officers invested included Comps . A . W . King P . Z ., J . Gidley S . E ., D . Cross Treasurer , W . II . Ambrose S . N ., E . A . Maddock P . S ., Jno . Maunder lst A . S ., E . J . Wheelor 2 nd A . S ., J . Gidley Janitor .

Mr . Gladstone is reported to havo said , in the House of Commons , on 22 ud Jnne , that he knew nothing abont the " Society called Fi'eemasons . " Mr . Gladstone knows nothing abont its constitution or proceedings , and " having been otherwise employed , he never felt any desire to know . "

For a person whoso friends , at least , claim all knowledge as his province , this is an extraordinary statement . We really cannot believe that Mr . Gladstone would not havo folt some curiobity , from time to time , about the largest and—potentially—thc mightiest of all secret societies , had

he not resolutely closed his mind to it . Why , tho historical questions alone are absorbing in their interest . But the Prime Minister of England knows so little about this most powerful body that , up to that night , he fancied that

'' ninety-nine hundredths- " in tbe House of Commons stand iu the same condition . We know not whether thc English Freemasons would have been proud to number Mr . Gladstone in tbeir ranks . But they recognise him now as an ally of their persecutors . —Indian Daily Neivs .