Reports Of Meetings.

QUATUOR" CORONATI LODGE , No . 2076 . THE annual festival took place at Freemasons' Hall , on Tuesday , Sth inst ., when Bro . 0 . Purdon Clarke , CLE ., Director of the Art Museum , South Kensington , was installed as Master by Bro . R . F . Gould P . G . D . ( one of the Senior Past Masters of the Lodge ) , in succession to Bro . Sidney Turner Klein .

The Lodge was established in 1884 , for the purposes of antiquarian research , the first Master being General Sir Charles Warren , and the first ( and only ) Treasurer Sir Walter Besant . Among the new Office bearers appointed on Tuesday are E . J . Castle , Q . C , Vice-Admiral A . H . Markham , and the Rev . J . W . Horsley , Rector of St . Peter ' s , Walworth .

There is a literary society under the wing of the Lodge , consisting of subscribers to its " Transactions , " who already exceeded 2 , 700 in number , and are actually and literally dispersed over the surface of "the globe . The popularity of the retiring Master Bro . S . T . Klein , as an expositor of Masonic science , has been very strikingly evinced by the addition of nearly 600 names to the list of subscribers during his year of office .

DUKE OF FIFE LODGE , No . 2345 . A REGULAR meeting was held on Wednesday , under the presidency of the popular W . M . Bro . T . Morris , and was most successful . Among those present were Bros . A . Robertson S . W ., G . F . Winny J . W ., R . Steele P . M . Treas ., J . W . Folkard P . M . Sec , J . Mitchell P . M ., H . Mitchell S . D ., C . Fitch J . D ., W . W . Westley P . M . D . C , G . Taylor A . D . C ,

Machin P . M . I . G ., F . W . Sinclair and F . Beckwith Stewards , Beaven P . M ., 0 . Woods P . M . Steward , Langdon P . M ., A . Harvey P . M ., Patrick P . M . Tyler , Kidman , Ballard , J . Oswald , Hill , J . Wyer P . P . G . D . C . Kent , S . Baker , Wilfred Stacey , B . Kench , J . D . Cooper , J . Smith , Brinkmau , T . Gregory , 0 . Hearsey , H . Leigh Mitchell .

Visitors - . —Bros . G . E . C Gofi 1672 , J . A . Barton Org . 72 , Edwards D . C . 1086 , F . Baker Std . 1420 , P . Notcutt 1929 , J . Shuttle 1329 , S . Rashleigh P . M . 902 , F . Colwill 1608 , F . Blake J . W . 2082 . On fche motion respecting the formation of a Charity Association it was resolved that Bros . Morris W . M ., A . Robertson S . W ., G . F . Winny J . W ., J . W . Folkard P . M . Sec , B . Steele P . M . Treas ., and C . Woods P . M . Std . should draw up the rules .

The W . M . very ably passed Bros . Cooper , Ballard , Oswald and Hill . Ballot was taken for and proved unanimous in favour of Mr . J . Smith , and he was impressively initiated by the W . M ., the Officers ably supporting him throughout . All Masonic business being ended the Brethren dined together , and under the guidance of the W . M . honoured the usual toasts .

. The harmony was increased by the musical efforts of the Brethren , under the guidance of Bro . Winny J . W .

BLOOMSBURY RIFLES LODGE , No . 2362 . THE election meeting of this go-a-head Lodge was held on Wednesday of last week , at the head quarters of the corps , Chenies Street , W . C , when the chair was taken by Bro . T . Miller Worshipful Master . Among others present were Bros . T . H . Mogford I . P . M ., G . W . Barter S . W ., 0 . Gilbert J . W ., H . Meyers P . M ., & c , Treas ., G . Jackson Crow Sec , E . Chandler S . D ., A . Marshall J . D ., Charles E . Cowtan Org ., G . Stevenson I . G ., G . Groome Stwd ., S . Ingram Tyler , Pasfc Masters G . D . Mogford , Claud Scotfc , H . Sillis , G . Grimes , M . Hale , and many others .

The Visitors included Bros . A . J . Neck 753 , W . Johnson 1459 , H . Dehane P . M . 1343 P . P . G . S . D . Essex , G . E . Lilly 733 , & c . After the confirmation of the minutes the ballot was taken for Capt . Alexander Macgregor , Lieutenant George Tolley , and Sergeant William Ellis Pryor , and being unanimous in their favour they were admitted and regularly received the benefit of Masonic light , the ceremony , including the charge , being perfectly rendered .

Next followed the election of Worshipful Blaster , Treasurer and Tyler , for the ensuing year , the result being that Bro . George W . Barter S . W . was unanimously chosen as Worshipful Master , Bro . Meyers P . M . as Treasurer , and Bro . S . Ingram as Tyler . The balance sheet provided by the Auditors was presented , and showed the Lodge to be in a very satisfactory condition .

Other business having been disposed of the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren repaired to the Mess room , where an excellent repast was provided by Bro . Stickland the caterer . In proposing the toast of the Grand Master the W . M . reverted to the fact that it was the birthday of the Prince of Wales , and he asked the Brethren to cordially pledge many happy returns of the day to His Royal Highness . The W . M . sent a telegram to the Prince of Wales , expressing the good wishes of the Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge on the occasion . The remainder of the evening was spent in a most enjoyable manner , the W . M .-elect being cordially greeted on his preferment .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . THE W . M . Bro . A . J . Walklin presided at a meeting of this Lodge , held at the Royal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , on Wednesday of last week , and was assisted by his Officers , several Past Masters , Brethren and Visitors . There was a full agenda , all three degrees being down for working , but owing to various causes the candidates were absent , and only the ceremony of passing was performed .

After the minutes had been read and confirmed the ballot was taken for Messrs . John Alexander Smith and Horace Talis Denton , which was unanimous , and their initiation will take place at the next meeting "** Bros . A . J . Walklin , G . C . Realfi and James Fothergill , being candidates for the second degree , answered the usual questions , and were subsequently passed as Craftsmen , the ceremony being ably worked by Bro . Walklin . Bro . R . J . Beamish P . M . gave the ancient charge to the Initiates , which was omitted on the previous occasion .

Upon the Master rising for the first time , some interesting topics for discussion were introduced for the benefit of Freemasonry in general . Bro . T . T . Hogg P . M . and Treasurer brought up the subject of the too frequent toasting of initiates at the banquet table , which readers of the

Provincial.

FBEEMASON ' CHBOKICLE will remember has already been referred to in these columns , under the head of " A Bad Practice . " Bro . Hogg supported our contention that the custom conduced to give initiates an erroneous impression of Freemasonry , but Bro . Forss differed , and maintained that taking wine with a newly made Brother gave him an impression of the social good fellowship that existed among Masons , and that no Initiate was

compelled to drink too much , but could merely put the glass to his lips . Bro . Beamish said that he had never known but one case , in the whole of his Masonic experience , in which a Brother had become intoxicated , and then it was not through what he had partaken of in the Lodge . Bro . Lygo suggested that it would be more convenient if the order of the ceremonies were reversed , by taking the initiation of candidates last , in order to prevent their waiting about an hotel , and so drinking more than was good for them .

Bro . Cooper drew attention to the question of the arrears of members ' subscriptions , and quoted the opinion of H . R . H . the Provincial Grand Master of Sussex on this matter , as expressed at Lewes on 28 th October last . And so the time that should have been devoted to the ceremonies passed pleasantly by until dinner was ready . The Lodge was then closed , and the Brethren adjourned .

During the evening a telegram was sent to the Grand Master , congratulating him upon his birthday , and his restoration to health . A handsome solid silver loving cup was presented to Bro . P . M . Hawker , by Bro . Charles Matthews I . P . M ., in recognition of his assistance during the last year when he , Bro . Matthews , had , by reason of business and ill health , been compelled to be absent . Bro . Hawker suitably acknowledged the present , which was much admired by the Brethren .

The customary complimentary speeches were made and responded to , and the proceedings were extended till a late hour .

TRUTH LODGE , No . 1458 . THE third regular meeting since the removal was held at the Mitre Hotel , Cathedral Yard , Manchester , on Saturday , 5 th inst . Bro . Thomas P . Cooper W . M . opened the proceedings at 2-30 p . m ., and ultimately raised Bro . R . McFarlane Marshall , M . B ., CM ., to the sublime degree of Master Mason , performing the ceremony in a skilful manner . Bro . George T . Lenard P . M . Chaplain presented and explained the working tools to the candidate .

A ballot was taken for the election of Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , choice falling upon Bro . A . B . Taylor S . W ., whose installation will take place on Saturday , 3 rd December . Bro . J . Pearce was re-elected Treasurer , after being highly complimented on account of the satisfactory financial statement which he bad presented to the members ; three Auditors were elected , namely Bros . Thos . Hy . Hall P . M ., Joseph Day S . D ., and W . Dewhurst J . D . ; while Bros . Jas . D . Doyle , J . H . Moss , Dewhurst , and the W . M . consented to form an Inventory Committee .

We may state that the proceedings were honoured with the presence of Bro . Capt . G . R . N . Beswicke-Royds P . M . 226 Deputy Provincial Grand Master . A conversazione had been announced , and in anticipation of this there was a goodly array of Brethren and Ladies , who , upon the close of Lodge business , filed into the room , and a formal reception was held bv the W . M .

and his good lady , after which an adjournment was made for dinner , which was of a recherche description . The function which followed was so excellent and so greatly enjoyed by all present that it would have been a pity had it remained unrecorded for lack of a prothontary ; we therefore took a few notes . Under the able directorship of Brother Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C Dir . of Cer . the room had been lavishly furnished , and also decorated with plants , and a capital programme of entertainment had been provided , every

speciality presented by the artistes having been judiciously selected . Bro . J . H . Moss commenced the proceedings with a pianoforte solo , and afterwards proved himself master of the zither by his excellent rendering on that instrument of several popular airs . Bro . Cooper W . M . amongst other items gave his well-known pro-nautical absurdity " Old Pilot Jim " in a manner which left nothing to be desired , this being followed a little later on by a topical song ( his own composition ) entitled " For Ever , " a few verses of which wo subjoin .

" The title of my song will be , ' For ever , ' I don't suppose you'll bear with me For ever ; This truly is the newest song I ever ventured on my tongue , But if you like , I'll go along For ever .

On this occasion I extend , & c , A welcome to each lady friend , & c , My Brothers too , I ' m pleased to find Are in a happy frame of mind , Freemasons meet but to be kind , & c .

This ancient seat I'll soon resign ;¦ The ' double ' honour , though , is mine ; I trust Lodge Fourteen-fifty-eight , May prosper and become as great As any that's within the state .

Our W . M .-elect I greet , And trust his work he'll bravely meet ; A little coaching he may need , But Brother Hebden is indeed The man to prompt him with good speed

To our D . C my thanks are due , He is a Mason staunch and true ; We ' re glad to have him with us still , We'll drink his health wifch right goodwill And then perhaps his post he'll fill , & c .

Having included the various Officers , in his rhyme , Brother Cooper continued : Your W . M . I'd like to be For ever ; The ladies I would let in free

For ever ; I'd introduce them—take them out—I'd show each one her way about , And stifle every female doubt For ever .