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They'd know what every symbol means When once they got behind the scenes , I'd tell them why we stroke our nose , And why we press each others toes , And how each one his Brother knows .

I ' m sure I trust our wives will live And have the best that love can give , When husbands come home late at night I hope they'll say with faces bright , You ' ve been to Lodge dear—that ' s all right We trust this Mason's Lodge will last With flag of ' Truth ' nailed to the mast .

May fellowship go hand m hand And Brotherhood shall still expand To be a blessing through the land . And as a band of Brothers now We'll be a credit to our vow King Solomon our founder wise By Masons made the Temple rise , To honour God in mortal eyes .

So down the winding path of Time Our tools shall work in every clime To build—nofc temples made of stone But mould and fashion virtues known To Masons free in every zone .

My Brother Masons , as I cease I hope your shadows will increase Trusting I have offended none And ere the night be further gone I'll drink ' good health' to every one . "

Bros . Grimshaw , Hart , and Doyle were in capital voice , and rendered several songs , the two former also joining in a duet " While old time rolls gaily on . " Several ladies contributed to the evening ' s enjoyment , notably Mrs . Alfred Hebden , who besides taking a vocal part in the humorous duet " A . B . C . " with Bro . Cooper , joined Mrs . W . J . Herring in a pianoforte duet

" Preciosa . " Mrs . Hebden also sang the pathetic " Auld Robin Gray , " whilst the " Lost Chord" was rendered by Mrs . Thomas Hy . Hall , BrO . Cuthbert Howard 1077 being the accompanist . The recitations were contributed by Bros . Wm . Dewhurst , who gave a selection from Shakespeare ; Past Masters A . Hebden and Edward Roberts 1459 , the former explaining the " Level and Square , " and the latter furnishing two German sketches .

Bro . W . J . Herring P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., coupling with his name that of Mrs . Cooper and family . In reverting to the fact of Bro . Cooper ' s second term of office , the speaker said the position was an honourable one , and a Brother to occupy the chair for one year in a Lodge like thafc of Truth muse be a man of intelligence . In the present instance they had a man of sterling ability , and one who was worthy of the best and highest traditions of the Lodge . Bro . Cooper would leave the chair carrying with him the greatest respect of the Brethren , for he had given to them two years of arduous work .

Bro . Cooper W . M . responded , saying that if one position was more difficult than another it was that of responding to the toast so eloquently uttered , and at a time like the present . With regard to the double honour which he had attained , and which he was proud of , he was the first in the Lodge upon whom it had been conferred , and several Brethren had thought it the proper thing to do to signalise the event , and they were doing so that

evening . He sincerely hoped his successor would have an equally pleasant period as that which he had spent while Worshipful Master of the Truth Lodge . He must not forget to thank Bro . Doyle for the admirable way in which he had rendered the W . M . ' s song , nor must he omit to thank the numerous ladies sitting before him for having graced the proceedings of that evening by their presence .

Bro . Cooper then proposed the health of the fair sex , saying it was really the toast of the evening , and he wished the task had fallen into other hands . The subject was inexhaustible in its character , but needed no remarks of his to recommend it to them . One lady bad asked why lady Masons were not admitted into their Lodges , but he assured them that if the powers which

be would only allow it , he personally would welcome them . There was an old expression which took this form , " What is home without a mother ? " and he would ask , what is a room without a picture ? The ladies formed the pictures that evening , and he asked the Brethren to toast them with all the enthusiasm which they could command .

Bro . Dewhurst responded on behalf of the ladies , in a very humorous speech . Other toasts followed . Besides those already mentioned , there were present Bros . H . H . Hellewell J . W ., G . P . Taylor Sec , Mrs . Taylor and Miss Sinclair ; R . Stevenson I . G . ; Robert Caldwell . P . M . P . P . G . S . B ; G . H . Needle P . M ; Leop . Hirsch P . P . J . W .-

Geo . Holford P . M . ; J . J . Dean ; E . M . Shepherd P . M . and daughter ; J . Archdale P . M ., and Mrs . Archdale : Bro . and Mrs . Wm . Cottrill ; Bro . and Mrs . E . Parkin Bro . and Mrs . W . S . Mutteen ; Bro . and Mrs . Robertson ; Bro . Oswald Whittaker and Lady ; Mrs . A . B . Taylor and Miss Taylor ; Miss Hebden , and many others .

ELDON LODGE , No . 1755 . THE regular monthly meeting of this Lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms of the Royal Hotel , Portishead , on Saturday afternoon , 12 th inst . Bro . J . W . Harris-Hall W . M . presided , and he was supported by a large attendance of members and visitors , including the following - . Bros . J . H . Stafford S . W ., E . Tedder J . W ., James R . Thobridge P . M . Treasurer , A . 3 . Tonkin P . M . Secretary pro . tem ., F . G . Moore P . M . D . C , Thomas Tnrner

I . P . M ., J . W . Roberts S . D ., C J . Tonkin J . D ., T . Cox I . G ., J . J . Sheasby Stwd ., C . P . Billing P . M ., A . Jefieries P . M ., W . K . Thomas P . M . P . P . G . S . of W ., W . Rice P . M . P . P . S . G . W ., W . G . Smith , J . Sheppard , G . A . Craddy , John McLean , F . Dwelly , H . E . Smith , C W . Noble , E . Porter , 0 . Hazel , H . W . Call , Henry Sheppard , Frank Simpkins Tyler , Rev . James Wright 219 ( I . C ) , Charles E . Cowlin 686 , and S . G . Moxey W . M . Colston Lodge , No . 610 . There were several apologies for non-attendance .

The ceremony of raising was unavoidably postponed , in consequence of the Brethren interested being on the high seas . Bro . Billing was invited to become Steward for the Girls Festival , in May next , when the Provincial Grand Master "Viscount Dungarvan will preside . The Worshipful Master next rose and said : — " Officers and Brethren , the next business on our summons is one which I know will afford you , as well as myself , very great pleasure . It is tbe presentation of jewels to several Past Masters , and I little thought when you elected me to the chair of this

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Lodge that such a treat was in store for me . It is quite an unique event , and a red letter day in the history of this Lodge , ' that five Past Master ' s jewels should be presented on one occasion . Our thanks are due to the one who conceived the idea—Bro . Tedder . We have heard of many presentations lately , consisting of addresses of various kinds , bejewelled and glittering swords , freedoms of cities , grants of money , and the thanks of tumultuous crowds ; and we would not begrudge the recipients one of them , but rather

add our tribute of praise to the many already received . But the presentations which we make to-day—or rather which I have the honour to make in your name—are ones in which we all have a personal interest , as concerning our own Lodge , or , as I like to term it , our own family . There is an old saying — " Honour to whom honour is due "—and the Pasfc Masters to whom these jewels go to-day are men whom we all delight to honour . To name them singly , and to especially dilate on their individual qualities , is a task whioh I and have not

feel unable efficiently to perform . It would take too long , I the command of language equal to the occasion ; but I am glad to say _ their past services are recognised by yo * u , services in a cause which to my mind is second to none—namely , that of Charity . It has been my privilege to serve under all these Past Masters , and I can truly say that the way in which they performed their work made that service in no way irksome , but truly one of delight . They have shown that they possess the true characteristics of Freemasonry—Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth—and their voices and

practical sympathy have ever been at the command of all poor and distressed Brethren . They have each maintained and upheld the honour of this Lodge , as symbolised by its glorious Charter , and have each in his turn handed it down to his successor—not only pure and unsullied—but with ever increasing lustre . These , then , are some of the reasons , Brethren , why I deem this occasion an honour and a privilege . And now to bring this pleasing duty to a climax , I will request the following Past Masters to step forward to the pedestal : —Worshipful Brothers C P . Billing , A . J . Tonkin , F . G . Moore , A , Jefieries , and T . Turner .

The W . M . continued : —" Brother Past Masters , as I said previously , I am not able to address each in turn , but I say this to you one and all—All honour to you , my worthy Brethren , for your past services in the cause of Freemasonry I It is my joy and pleasure to pin these jewels to your breasts , and my prayer is that the G . A . O . T . U . may permit you to live long to wear these emblems , which express in a faint degree the confidence and love oi your Brethren , and the great respect in which you are held by them . The inscription on each of the several jewels ran as follows : —

Presented to Worshipful Bro . , by the Eldon Lodge , No . 1755 , as a mark of affection and esteem . 12 fch Nov . 1898 . Bro . C P . Billing replied : —W . M ., will you allow me to thank you very much for the words you have just spoken , which certainly apply to four of the Past Masters , but I cannot feel that they apply to myself . Still , I should

be lacking in gratitude if I did not tell you how much I appreciate tha double honour you have done me , for this is the second time I have received a similar honour from the chair of this Lodge . To the younger Brethren the Pasfc Master ' s jewel denotes a mark of rank and position ; but to us who wear them it marks out the fact that the hearts of the Brethren are in sympathy with us , and these emblems will serve as a lasting link of love and affection .

Bro . A . J . Tonkin made acknowledgment in these terms : —W . M ., permit me to thank you for this handsome presentation , whioh is a , recognition of one ' s having done one ' s duty . I shall be proud to wear it upon all Masonic occasions , and to look upon it as the most valuable of my numerous Masonic possessions . I think , too , it should be a reminder to keep free from Masonic rust , and to ever be able , ready , and willing , to assist in the work of the Lodge , should occasion require .

Bro . F . G . Moore next made a graceful reply m these words : —W . M ., it gives me very great pleasure to thank you for your very great kindness , and I am sorry I was not the first to reply . 1 really appreciate very much the mark of honour you have bestowed upon me ; I realise the kindly feeling shown by the Brethren , and think how little we have done to deserve it . I

am sure the recipients treasure the incentive that has prompted the giving of these jewels , and it will , I am convinced , be the means of their renewing their energies in future Masonic work . Sometimes Brethren who have passed the chair are referred to as " extinct volcanoes , " but if this is so I am reminded of one line in Gray ' s Elegy , which runs something like this : — " E ' en in their ashes live their wonted fire . "

Bro . A . Jefieries said there was very little for him to say , but he could not help adding that he thanked them from the very bottom of his heart , and assured them that he was proud to receive the honour . If the Brethren wero satisfied with his services , then he was more that pleased . Bro . T . Turner brought up the rear of the long list of responders , by saying : —I can only reiterate similar sentiments to the others , and thank

you for this handsome jewel , not for its own intrinsic value alone , but for the kind and graceful words which fell from tho W . M . in making the presentation . Upon these I hope to look back in years to come , and to think of the happy meetings we have had in this Lodge . I sincerely trust the present W . M . may experience all the respect and good feeling from all of the Brethren that I have had .

After the Lodge was closed the W . M . presided at the banquet , and submitted the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts . The presentation jewels , which were much admired , were the work of Bros . Geo . Kenning and Son .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . THE regular meeting was held at the Grand Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , 9 th inst ., Bro . Bernhard Steel W . M . The minutes having been read and confirmed a successful ballot was taken for Mr . Solomon Jacobs , Hightown , who was afterwards initiated into ancient Freemasonry . Lodge having been advanced , Bro . Charles Backner was passed to the degree of F . C . The W . M . performed both ceremonies .

An election of Officers took place , Bro . Mark Steel J . W . being unanimously chosen as W . M . Bro . Simon Mamelok P . M . Prov . G . J . D . waa re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Geo . Board P . M . P . P . G . D . was successful in obtaining the position of Charity Representative . The usual festive board followed , which received a somewhat unexpected

and startling interruption—the whole of the electric lights in the building failing for a considerable length of time , the Brethren having to resort to candles as a substitute . The presence of Bro . J . H . Greenwood I . P . M . Dramatic Lodge , No . 23 S 7 , and of the Manchester Concerts , was , however , sufficient to dispel any temporary gloom caused by the untoward accident to the light .