Wharton Lodge, No. 2045.

—the Worshipful Master rose to respond . It gave him great pleasure to reply to the toast so kindly given by the Immediate Past Master . He ( the W . M . ) was but a young Mason , but he had hid some experience , having served as Master in another Lodge . He was consequently a P . M ., but he confessed he had not hitherto had much opp > r .

tnnity for working ; still be trusted when occasion served he should be found capable of fulfilling his duties . He wa 9 one of the founders of the Lodge , had been its Secretary , and now , as its Master , the welfare of the Lodge should receive his best attention . Unfortunately , during the last year he had had tho misfo'tuno to break his leg , and

ho took this opportunity of acknowledging tha 1 kind assistance and ready help he had received at all times from Bro . Wharton . After a humorous song , admirably sung by Brother Thomas , Bro . Wharton proposed the health of Brother Side . When tho present Worshipful Master presented the jewel to the Tmmetliate Past Master he had

referred to his so doing as being a sign of the decline of Bro . Side s reign , however , tie had had eighteen months of active service , which had resulted in placing tho Lodge , iu whioh he ( Bro . Whtrton ) took so much pride , on a sound and substantial basts . Brother Sido had had an arduous time , but he had brought to bear npon bis dnties

sound experience , which in the ftituve would bear good fruit . Bro . Peacock next sang "Jack ' s Yarn , " to the accompaniment of Brother-Biggs , and then Bro . Side replied to the toast . He rose with some amount of diffidence , inasmuch as he had entered on a new capacity . It was some time since he had undertaken tho duties of Immediate

Past Master , but he hoped , with a little brushing np , to do what was required of him . As first Master and founder he was proud to see the position the Wharton Lodgo bad secured for itself during the time it had been nnder bis government . His humble services wonld ever be at the command of the Lodge . He thanked the brethren

heartily for the reception and support they had given him ; this had enabled him to uphold the hononr , dignity and reputation of Frejmasonry . He trusted he might fully realise the kind aspiration * of Brother Wharton , who , he thought , had said far too many kind things of him . For the Visitors Bros . Stephens , Stiles , Davis ,- and

others replied . Bro . Wharton acknowledged the toast of Treasurer , and Bro . Thomas that of the Officers . Shortly afterwards the proceedings were brought to a conclusion . We congratulate our Rev . Bro , Wharton on the bright future which presents itself to the well wishers of the Lodge which bears his name .

Royal Clarence Lodge, No. 1823.

ROYAL CLARENCE LODGE , No . 1823 .

AN emergency meeting of this Lodge was lipid at the Masonic Hall , Clare , on Tuesday , 2 nd inst ., when Bro . Thomas Stokoe was installed as Worshipful Master for tho ensuing year . The retiring W . M . , Bro . J . E . Barnes , presided , and the following brethren were present : —Bros . Rev . C . J . Mnrtyn P . G . C . Eng . Dep . Prov . G . M . Suffolk , Rev . J . Sedgwick , D . D ., P . M . 1823 P . P . G . C . Em * .

C . H . Vincent P . M . 1823 P . G . R , Suffolk , S . C . Cooke P . M . 1823 P . G . J . D . Suffolk , Col . Herbert P . M . 178 , Jos . Bell P . M . 1280 P . G . J . W . Essex , Rev . J . F . Wilkinson 1224 P . G . C . Suffolk , R . E . Cooper 938 , B . II . Hurst 1224 , F . W . Donbleday 85 , Rev . B . B . Srer , 0 . S . Goodchild , Rev . J . R . M . Vatcher . W . L . Fenner , F . C .

Wayman , W . J . Ward , A . Boa , C . F . Freeman . The ceremony of instal . lation was impressively performed by Bro . Marty n , and the first duty of tho newly-installed Master was to present to hi 3 predecessor , Bro . J . E . Barnes , a P . M . ' s jewel , subscribed for by the Officers and brethren . The Worshipful Master appointed and invested his Officers

as follow : —Bros . Syer S . W ., Goodchild J . W ., Vatcher Chip ., Tanel y P . G . S . W . Essex Treasurer , Vincent Secretary , Fenner S . D ., Way man J . D ., Boa D . C , Ward I . G ., D . F . Glazia Tyler . The W . M . presented t o the Lodge a framed photograph of the mural tablet recently erscted in Clare Church to tho memory of the late W . M . H . R . H .

Prmce Leopold Dnke of Albany , Earl of Clarence , K . G ., of which p hotograph Brother General Cecil Ives P . M . P . P . G . J . W . Suffolk has kindly presented a copy to each subscriber to tho memorial fund . Gen . Ives has received the thanks of Her Majesty tho Queen and their Royal Highnesses tho Prince of Wales and the Dachess of

Albany for photographs forwarded to them , the Dnchcs 3 expressing herself as "deeply touched by the mark of i-espect paid by the brethren to her beloved husband . " The brethren afterwards

adjonrned to banquet at the Half Moon Hotel , where a very pleasant evening was spent , nnder the presidency of the W . M ., who was well supported , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts being heartily received .

§ [ Confidence Lodge of Instruction , No . 1625 . —A meet . ing was held at Bro . Lashbrook's , Uercnles Tavern , Leadenhall-strept , on Wednesday , 17 th instant . —Bros . D . Moss W . M ., W . Saint S . W . , J . Gildersleve J . W ., D . Simmonds S . D ., Belchamber Preceptor , Lashbrook I . G ., J . K . Pitt Secretary ; Bros . King , Fernley , & c . After preliminaries ; Bro . King , as candidate for passing , was

entrusted . Lodge opened in the second degree , and the ceremony of passing was exceeclirtgly well rehearsed by the W . M . The chair was vacated in favonr of Bro . Pitt . Bro . King offered himself an candidate for the third degree and answered the questions . Lodge was advanced and the ceremony was rehearsed . Bro . Saint was elected W . M . for ensuing week .

Royal Military Lodge of instruction , No . 1449 . —A meeting was held on the 15 th in « t ., at 3 S St . Peter ' s Street , Carderbury . Present : Bros . Beckett W . M ., Abbs S . W ., Tomblings J . W ., R . D . Simms Secretary , Pepper S . D ., Tomblings J . D ., MeC'ir . tock

Steward , Glaydon I . G ., Blamiors I . P . M . Lodge was opened in thr 1 st degree . Tho minutes of last meeting were read and confirm"d , Bros . Tomblings , MeCHntock , Abbs , Clnyilon , 11 . D . Simms , Pepper , and Beckett explained the working tools of an Entered Apprentice , Questions loading from the 1 st to the 2 nd degree were put by Bro ,

Royal Clarence Lodge, No. 1823.

Beckett , ami wero correctly answered . Lodgo was opened in the 2 nd , when Bros . Pepper , Tomblings , mid MeClintock explained tho working tool * . Tho questions leading from the 2 nd to the 3 rd degree were put by Bro . Beckett , and correctly answered . Lodge was closed in the 2 nd degree . Nothing further having beeu offered for the good of Freemasonry in general or of this Lodge in particular , the same was closed iu due and ancient form .

Royal Alfred Lodge of Instruction , No . 780 . — A meeting was held on Friday , the 5 th inst ., ac the Star and Garter Hotel , New Bridge . Present : — Bros . Wing W . M ., F . Botley S . W ., Thonvi . s J . W ., Andrews Preceptor and Treasurer , C . E . Botley Secretary , Hughes S . D ., Gillett J . D ., Sherrin I . G ., Gardner , Bailey , Turner , & e . Lodge opened in due form , and the minutes were read ,

confirmed , and signed . Lodge opened in 2 nd , and questions leading to 3 rd wero put , and answered by Bro . Gardner , who was entrusted . Lodge opened in the 3 rd , and the ceremony was rehearsed , the Worshipfnl Master giving the traditional history . Lodge closed in the 3 rd and 2 nd degrees . Bro Thomas was elected Worshipful Master for tho next meeting . Lodge was then closed and adjourned until the 12 th inst ., at 8 o ' clock .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE .

HILDA CHAPTER , No . 23 .

A MEETING was held on the 6 th inst ., at York , when , in the ab--i-V . sence of Bro . A . T . B . Tureer M . W . S ., through illness , and at the unanimous wish and reqnest of the Ex . and Perfect Princes , III . Bro . C . J . Banister S . G . I . G . 33 ° , and I . G . North Eastern District , occupied the throne , and opened the Chapter , assisted by the Officers . The minutes of the last Chapter were read and

confirmed . Bro . Donald Grant was unanimously elected , and being present , was perfected into this beautiful Christian Degree by III . Bro . Chas . Jas . Banister 33 ° , in Lis usual impressive manner , and pro . claimed in dne form . This being the installation meeting , the M . W . S . elect , Bro . G . Simpson , was presented by Bro . T . B .

Whytehead P . M . W . 'S . to 111 . Bro . C . J . Banister , who installed him into the chair in due form . Bro . Simpson then appointed the following Officers : —Bros . M . M . Reynard High Prelate , W . Brown 1 st Gen ., MeGacben 2 nd Gen ., T . B . Whytehead Treasurer and Recorder , Waddington G . Marshal , Fraser Raphael , and Chadwick C . of G .

Letters of apology were read from several brethren for non-attendance . The chapter was visited by III . Bro . Voight 30 ° P . M . W . S . of the Talbot Chapter , Sheffield . The third point was given by fcho M . W . S . Bro . G . Simpson , and the Chapter was closed . 111 . Bro . the

Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett 30 wa 3 nnable to stay for supper , which was presided over by the M . W . S ., and there was a fair attendance . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed from the chair , and duly responded to . 111 . Bro . C . J . Banister , being an invalid , had to leave very early .

We are pleased to learn that Brother E . H . Rand , who for many years occupied the position of manager at the Cannon-street Hotel , has seftled in a new home — the South Western Hotel , Southampton , of which

he is now the proprietor . The Hotel has been thoroughly renovated and refurnished ; a visitors' lift erected , the scale of charges revised , and many other improvements

offecred , all ot' which we feel sure have been conceived and worked out with the zeal and care which Bro . Raud ' s long experience has enabled him to bring to bear on such an undertaking ; .

THE PRINCES FANCY DKESS BALL . —As a fitting termination to this year ' s series of Princes Cinderellas , which are given for the benefit of the Chelsea Hospital for Women , an additional ball , at which all tho dancers must appear in strictly fancy dress , has been arranged for Monday , 1 st March . So popular have tho Princes

Cinderellas become , that the Executive Committee have had to decline applications for tickets at every dance , and with a view to limit numbers , and to onsurofor the Princes Fancy Dress Ball a very high character , they have drawn np stringent regulations . Each subscriber must bo vouched for as being personally known to one of

tho Patrons or Stewards , of whom there is a goodly list . Add to this that Ceote and Tinuey will furnish the music , that the Princes Hall in Piccadilly is to be charmingly decorated , and the

fine gall' ; rie 3 above throwu open for the supper , and wo hav : ; all the elements of success , and not tho least pleasant feature is , that it is all for so good a cause . Further details will doubtless ho furnished by Mr . J . S . Wood , at the Hospital , in the Fulham-road .

We regret to hear that Mr . Lnnis Collins , of Wine Office Court and United Clnb , L radon , son of the late Rev . Henry Collins , and cousin of General Welman , C . B ., and of General Welman , A . D . C ., late commanding E . D ., has for same time been ill , in London . This has retarded the bringing out of the Advertisers' Gnirdian , 1336 ; a copy

of the 1885 issue of which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales graciously accepted last year , and which certainly did the author much credit . We understand that the post of General Commanding tho Eastern

District , now so abl y held by General White , will not , ns was prognosticated by so maty of our neighbours , be held by H . R . H . tho Duke of Conaaught ; but that the occupant of the Scarletts will be General Sir Evelyn Wood , K . C . B ., K . C . M . G . Colchester Chronicle .