Reports Of Meetings.

ERASMUS WILSON LODGE , No . 1464 . THE following is the list of Officers invested at the last meeting of this Lodge : —Rev . Augustus Jackson , M . A ., W . M ., George Sharland S . W ., H . T . Sells J . W ., William Russell Prov . G . Tr . I . P . M . and Treasurer , Arthur Ronaldson P . P . A . G . S . Secretary , Edward Matthews S . D ., G . J . Lucas J . D ., M . J . Greig I . G ., and George Martin Tyler .

PRUDENCE LODGE , No . 1550 . AT a meeting held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on Saturday , 6 th inst ., Bro . H . T . Robins presiding , Bro . T . W . Griffiths , who has filled the office of S . W . with marked ability during the past twelve months , was unanimously elected as W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . Griffiths is one of the most popular of local Freemasons , says the " Western Morning News , " and his unanimous election was hailed with hearty applause .

Bros . C . Philp , J . G . Kevern and C . Mutten were re-elected respectively as Treasurer , Representative on the Committee of Petitions , and Charity Steward , and Bro . W . H . Phillips was again appointed Tyler . It was decided to hold the usual summer outing , and a Committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements . The installation of Bro . Griffiths as W . M . will take place at the next regular Lodge meeting , and a large attendance is anticipated .

ELLIOT LODGE , No . 1567 . A MEETING was held on Saturday , 6 th inst ., at the Railway Hotel , Feltham , Bro . T . I . Bird P . M . W . M . presiding , supported by the following Officers : G . R . Nichols I . P . M ., W . T . Dillon S . W ., Sam Pardee P . M . J . W ., E . W . Winter Chaplain , Harry Willsmer Sec , W . Langdon S . D .,

H . C . R . Dailey J . D ., E . Brooker I . G ., S . Millin and A . E . Mason Stewards , and Bros . A . Bevis P . M . P . A . G . D . C . Middx ., E . T . Taylor P . M . P . G . S . Wks . Middx ., Galley , King , Keighley , Fenn , Butterton , Tilley , Fagan , Wyatt , Ditchman , Markham , Hume and T . C . Edmonds Tyler . Visitor : Bro . F . Bassett P . M . and Sec . Corinthian , 1382 .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , and the Lodge having been opened in the second degree , Bro . E . H . Keighley , a candidate for raising , was examined and entrusted . The Lodge was opened in the third degree , and Bro . Keighley raised to the degree of a M . M . The W . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . E . T . Taylor P . M . who passed Bro . Markham to the degree of a Fellow Craft .

A presentation of a Masonic map was made by Bro . W . C . Tyler to the members of the Lodge . The Brethren afterwards sat down to a dinner , the W . M . Bro . Bird in the chair . The usual loyal toasts were honoured , and vocal contributions by members of the Lodge brought a very pleasant meeting to a close .

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , on Monday , the 8 th inst ., Bro . Walter Bowers W . M . The following were also present : —Bros . Geo . G . Mends S . W ., Ed . Lewis Littler P . M . P . P . G . P . Treas ., G . R . Lloyd P . M . P . P . G . Treas . Sec , G . A . Myers P . M . P . P . G . D . C . D . C , John Bowers P . M . Org ., A . Hawkins I . G ., John Walton jun . I . P . M ., R . Swindells P . M ., John Slyman , J . P ., P . M . P . P . G . D ., Thos . French , J . F . Mends , E . W . Barratt , and others .

There was no special business for consideration , but Bro . Littler read a very interesting letter from Bro . Archie Christie ( residing in London ) , who enclosed a sum of money for the Lodge charity box . The Brethren present also subscribed , and a substantial sum being collected , it was voted for the support of " Our Brother ' s Bed " ( the Clarence ) , and will be duly forwarded for that purpose .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . THE regular meeting was held afc the Grand Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 10 th inst ., the following being present : —Bros . Leon E . Levy W . M ., Walter Fowden P . M ., B . Steel J . W ., S . Mamelok P . M Treas ., Geo . Rideal P . M ., Geo . Board P . M . P . P . J . G . D ., Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 , J . L . Norris , A . Kirkwood , H . Frankenstein , L . Kaufman , Henry Arensberg , and others .

Visitors ;—Bros . John Bladon P . M . 317 P . P . G . A . D . C , P . Joseph 960 . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , the following were successfully balloted for as joining members , viz ., Bros . Joseph Ramus , Fine Art Dealer , Manchester , Montefiore Lodge , No . 753 , Glasgow ; and Philip Joseph , Furniture Dealer , Leicester , Bute LodgeNo . 960 Cardiff . Bros .

, , Henry Norris and Morris Phillips were then duly passed into the degree of F . C . by the W . M ., who was assisted by Bro . B . Steel J . W ., the latter presenting and explaining the working tools . By general consent a vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Gershon S . W . ( who was absent ) , for presenting to the Lodge a very handsome devotional box and other accessories .

committee was appointed , consisting of Bro . Board and the principal Officers , to take into consideration a suggestion of the W . M . that a supreme effort be made by the Lodge to aid the local charities for the year 1896 . At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were interspersed with songs , sketches , & c , rendered by Bros . Norris , H . Frankenstein , Levy , and Roberts .

ST . MAURICE LODGE , No . 1855 . THE annual installation meeting was held on Wednesday , 10 th inst ., at Plympton , Devon , when Bro . T . Luke was impressively installed as Master , subsequently appointing his assistant Officers for the year . The Treasurer reported a substantial balance in hand . It was decided to have an outing instead of the usual banquet .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . T H S uIar meeting was held at the Palatine Hotel , Hunt ' s Bank , . Manchester , on Thursday , the 11 th inst ., the following among others being present .- -Bros . T . T . Hardicker W . M ., Clement J . Hall S . W ., Robert f eggitt J . W ., J . Kinsey Sec , T . H . Stott Assist . Secretary , A . Scarlett J . D ., J . Whittle D . C , Wm . Boden P . M ., S . Kew , A . Sutcliffe , R . H . Whatham Visitor : —Bro . A . Jepson 2554 . Being the last meeting of the season , many matters of interest were discussed and disposed of , after which the Brethren adjourned .

Reports Of Meetings.

PHILBRICK AND BRIXTON LODGES SUMMER OUTING . THE Worshipful Master of these two Lodges , Nos . 2255 and 1949—Bro . G . S . Daunton—arranged for a united Ladies' outing on Thursday , 11 th inst ., when , the following participated in the pleasures of the day : —Bro . G . S . Daunton W . M ., Mrs . Daunton , Mrs . Z . Daunton , Mr . J . W . Daunton , Mrs . J . W . Zaehnsdorf , Bro . James Terry P . G . S . B . Seo . R . M . B . I ., Mrs . Terry , Miss Terry , Bro . A . R . Chamberlayne P . Prov . G . R . Essex , Mrs .

Chamberlayne , the Misses Chamberlayne , Bro . and Mrs . H . J . Bridgman , Bro . and Mrs . Winter , Bro . C Patten , Miss Patten , Bro . Rattle , Mrs . and Miss Rattle , Bro . T . Hawkins , Miss Huokle , Bro . and Mrs . J . Milroy , Miss Foden , Mrs . Stuart , Miss Alexander , Miss Robinson , Mr . and Miss Tyndall , Bro . and Mrs . R . Poore P . P . G . D . C . Middx ., Bro . and Mrs . H . Baldwin P . P . G . Std . B . Middx ., Bro . and Mrs . Stanley , Mrs . 0 . W . Sax , Mrs . E . F . Gye , Mrs . Berkin , Bro . and Mrs . A . J . Brook and niece , Bro . and Mrs . S . A . Gould , Bro . Dr . T . H . "Underbill , and Bro . A . Collins .

On arrival at Reading the party embarked on the steam launch " Duke of York , " which was lying in waiting at Caversham Lock . The tables were already laid for luncheon on deck and in the saloons , and after a most enjoyable repast the tables were cleared away . By this time the much celebrated Sonning Lock was passed . The weather was all that could be desired for this kind of excursion , and , after the unceasing rains of the

previous days ( which were so much needed ) had the effect of clearing the atmosphere , and making everything bright . The next incident which occurred was at one of the Looks , when Brot James Terry R . M . B . I ., who , through business engagements was prevented from joining the party sooner , stood waiting the arrival of the launch . As soon as he was recognised he was greeted with a most enthusiastic reception , which seemed to rather astonish the natives who happened to be near .

On arrival at Windsor the party debarked for a banquet , which was served at the Castle Hotel . The thief of all human pleasures—old Father Time—here asserted himself very severely . The banquet , which did credit to the host , had to be hurried and the speeches curtailed . The Queen and the Craft and the rest of the Royal Family was the first toast . Bro . J . Terry proposed the toast of the W . M ., in eulogistic terms , interspersed by racy anecdotes . His ready flow of language and versatility was received with great applause .

The W . M . immediately rose to respond , and was vociferously received by the assembly . In replying he apologised for his inability to acknowledge properly the eloquent terms and compliments with which Bro . Terry had proposed the toast . Although he might be wanting in aptness of expression he was none the less appreciative of the honour and kindness bestowed on him by everyone present . Bro . A . L . Chamberlayne P . G . R . Essex proposed the Ladies and visitors , and Bro . H . Baldwin replied .

At this stage it was decided to leave the festive board to catch the train for Waterloo . The whole of the proceedings were thoroughly enjoyed by all , the perfect success of the day being added to by the Master ' s presentation of a souvenir to each of the Ladies .

Scraps For Spare Moments.

SCRAPS FOR SPARE MOMENTS .

MASONS , as a rule , are probably rather over the average in cheerfulness , and amongst the very large number I know , many dearly love their own little joke . And a harmless desirable pastime it is , which puts a man in good humour with himself and those around him , whether this takes place within the walls of a Masonic Hall or elsewhere , say I .

But there are jokes , and jokes , and next to finding his own unappreciated there is nothing so aggravating to the cheerful man as to miss the point of others' sallies , and be unable to join in the general hilarity . Well , I am not much of a joker , but if I can amuse my Brethren with a reminiscence , or arrest an occasional bon-mot as it passes , for their amusement or edification , it is my intention to do so .

Everybody likes the bright side of things , even if their own side of life does not shine ; and I think this may now be regarded as a proverb whioh , like many a great thought , is only useful as it may be properly understood . Some will say it is as old as the hills , but are not nearly all the jokes nowadays ?

Apropos of the " bright side of things , " not long since a Brother who is now getting into the " sere and yellow leaf " was asked to support a Lodge pic-nic . " Why should I ? " he enquired , " when I cannot go . " " But , Brother P . M . , you are as young as most of us half your age , and the ladies insist that the outing will be a failure if you don't I Of course if they

talk like that , the pic-nic must be abandoned ; now you would not like the whole thing to fall through , and thus establish a bad precedent ? Joking apart , you . are an indispensable , and must go . I know you don't like looking at the dark side of things , so if you really think you cannot possibly go , at any rate let that be a secret between you and me , and countenance our efforts at least . " So said the Secretary to the pic-nic .

" Ah I what you mean , " said our friend , " is that I ought to look at the bright side of things and—pay ! Well , the last time I did so the expenses , notwithstanding the " outers " had the benefit of my share and of others ' subscriptions , far exceeded the estimate . Once I paid a round robin of £ 2 additional for the same folly . But I'll tell you what I'll do . Let it be a limited liability concern this time , and I will take a 10 s share fully paid up —there . " Needless to say the half-sovereign was gladly accepted on that condition .

The following story I heard as a fact many years ago : Two old women , walking along Mill Street , Alloa , were attracted by the new building then in course of erection for the National Bank of Scotland . Just at the time some of the workmen were hoisting up a large stone by means of a derrick . When noticing it , one said to her companion : " Guid save us , Jenny ; did ye ever see the like o' that ? Masons lifting the building stanes wi' compasses I In my young days they used to be &' carried . " " Ou ay , " said Jenny , " but Masons are ay gettin' the langer the lazier . "

How amusing would be the evidence of Masons' wives throughout the kingdom re Lady-Masons . Here is an opinion by no means uncommon : " Women-Masons 1 what do women want to be Masons for ? If husbands spend their time at a Lodge , it is all the more desirable that the wives should stick to the household . As to the benefits of Masonry , somebody

ought to benefit from my husband's subscriptions to this , that , and the other connected with it , but I am sure he does not . If both wife and husband carried on the same foolery , we should soon be on the high road to the workhouse . " This is an actual expression of opinion . Next weei I may decide to give another , not long since addressed to me , and very different , GENIAL JAMIE .