Abbey Lodge, No. 2030.

chair for a second year . Tbe W . M . was courteous in his answer , ascribing his non-acceptance of the honour to bnsiness engagements ; but those who know him best shrewdly suspect that the welfare of the Lodge and the promotion of the present Officers influenced his decision . After his refusal to continue in the chair , Mr . W . H . Baker

was nnanimously chosen W . M . elect , and the installation will be proceeded with at the next Lodge meeting . Meanwhile a handsome P . M . 's jewel was voted to the W . M ., and a vote of £ 10 10 s made from the Lodge Funds to tho W . M . 's list as Steward of the Boys' Festival . An incident of the evening was the presentation to tho Lodge , by tho

Rev . R . J . Simpson P . G . Chaplain , of a handsome album , the only condition of gift being that the Baroness should adorn the first page . This , the W . M . remarked , her ladyship had done , and he expressed the hope that the members would render the album complete by adding their likenesses . The business of the Lodge included the

raising of Mr . J . E . Smith , Mr . H . H . Bridgeman , C . C ., Mr . Z . A . Berry , the passing of Mr . S . Hodges , Mr . A . W . Hillier , Mr . G . White , and Mr . Pilkington , all of which work was excellently performed by the W . M . Joining members were elected as under : Mr . H . W . Roach , Mr . B . Genner , Mr . T . Vanghan , and Mr . J . M .

Hnghes . At the banquet the W . M . of course presided , supported by Mr . H . Bowman Spink I . P . M ., Mr . W . H . Baker S . W ., Mr . F . Seager Hunt J . W ., Mr . J . C . M . W . Rogers P . M . Treasnrer , Mr . J . E . Shand P . M . Secretary , Mr . W . Sugg P . M . S . D ., Mr . R . Montague J . D ., Mr . J . Gibson A . D . C , Mr . H . R . Baker I . G ., Mr . H . W . Schartau

Organist , Mr . R . E . H . Coffin , Mr . 0 . 0 . Piper Stewards . The list of thirty-seven Visitors included Mr . Hoi-ace Jones P . M . Grand Superintendent of Works , Mr . F . Davison S . G . D ., Rev . J . S . Brownrigg P . G . Chaplain of England . The loyal and Masonio toasts were , of course , dnly honoured , Mr . F . Davison and Mr . Horace Jones

responding for tho Grand Officers , the latter of whom , in a jocular speech , wished the Lodgo long life and increasing prosperity . It would bo impossible to over-estimate tho enthusiasm with which the toast of the W . M . was received , at the instance of the I . P . M ., and loud was the applause when , having congratulated the members and

himself upon the establishment of the Lodge , Mr . Burdett-Coutts expressed the hope that hia year of office had rendered him and his brethren life long friends . To the Officers he expressed his thanks for their able cooperation . In submitting the toast of the Visitors the W . M . paid a tribute to the memory of General Gordon , " that most

soldierly saint and saintly soldier "—the members impulsively rising to their feet whilst ho spoke the words . Gordon was a grand exemplification of the great principle on which the Masonic Order was founded , of Charity in the highest sense of the word , of Charity and kindness to his fellow creatures , of fidelity to the trust reposed

m him , of cheerful obedience to the will of God . He was , he felt sure , in sympathy with his brethren when he paid that tribute to the just and virtuous man , to whom death had no terrors equal to the stain of falsehood and dishonour—a tribute in full sympathy with the spirit of a loyal , faithful God-fearing body of Masons . Col

Lugard , of the Army and Navy Lodge , and Mr . Trevanniou , P . P . S . W . of Essex , replied . The good services of the Treasurer and Secretary and the other officers were of course recognised in toasts , the W . M . elect being spoken of by the W . M . as " the organiser" of the Lodge .

Over £ 50 was collected in the banquetting room for the W . M . ' s list on behalf of tho Boys ' Charity . Mr . Bardett-Coutts remarking that he knew of no grander or more efficient form of Charity than was to be found in the Masonic Institutions . —Tfie Citizen .

Lodge La France, No. 2060.

LODGE LA FRANCE , No . 2060 .

THIS newly-consecrated and flourishing Lodge , the membership of which is confined to representatives of French nationality , was hold on the 16 th inst ., at the Cafe Royal , Air-street , Regentstreet , under tho presidency of the W . M . E . II . Thiellay P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., supported by Bros . Montuuis P . G . S . S . W ., H . Bne J . W ., A . Coiffier P . M ., L . Mesrouze P . M . Sec , Dubois S . D ., E . Cadiot Treas . J . D ., Leon Clerc I . G ., E . Casablanca D . C , Grnmmant 1559 as P . M .

Visitors—E . Daoust 1627 , E . Ponard 1627 , H . M . Levy P . M . 180

The Lodge was opened , and the minutes , which were read in French , were confirmed . Satisfactory ballots were taken for the admission of Messrs . L . A . Cabuzet and A . Chiboust , who were duly initiated into the Order . A book of tbe Constitutions was presented fco each candidate . Bros . Sauvo , Fournot , aud Lacoste , wero passed to the

2 nd degree , and Bros . St . Clair , Aret , and Benoit were raised . All the ceremonies wero performed in a perfect and impressive manner by the W . M ., while each Officer was perfect . Tho Treasnrer , Bro . Coiffier P . M ., being about to leave England , resigned office , but will continue a member . Expressions of regret at his leaving this

co mtry , and wishing him health and prosperity on his retirement , was then proposed , and a vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded on the minutes for his efficient services as Treasurer . This was carried unanimously . After a hearty response Bro . Leon Clerc was elected as Treasurer , and Bro . St . Claire , who was

the first Initiate , was invested as I . G . Hearfcy good wishes were then given , and the Lodgo was closed until the third Monday in May . The brethren sat down to a very excellent dinner aud dessert , provided by Bro . Nicois , and superintended by Bro . Do La Coste . The W . M . proposed the usual Loyal ancl Masonic

toasts . In speaking to the toast of the Prince of Wales M . W . G . M ., he said ifc truly showed how his Royal Hi ghness ' s heart and soul was in Freemasonry that he was about to initiate his eldest son-The W . M . next proposed " Our Conntry—La Franco . " He would associate with it the name of the President , M . Gruvy . He regretted

that tbe time was so short for to .-ists , or ho would expatiate more fully . Bro . Grummarit P . M . 1559 in a very ablo speech proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , whose good qualities well known

were ; the brethren had seen iu other ' Lodges what he had done . Great credit was also dne to him for what be ^ had done in this Lodge . The W . M . in reply said all his energies wonld be at the service of tho members ; thoy knew what his feelings were

Lodge La France, No. 2060.

towards them ; his aim waa to secure the success of the Lodge . Before resuming his seat , he would proposo tho toast of the Initiates ; they had two present , and he was proud to meet them , and hoped one day to see them wield the gavel he now held . This having been responded to in appropriate terms , the W . M .

complimented the Visitors . Bros . Grtfmmant and Levy responded . The W . M . next proposed the toasfc of the Treasurer and Secretary . To the latter brother great credit was dne for hia services , and also the brother who aasisted him . This toast having been responded to , the toast of the Wardens followed . In due course , the Tyler ' s toast waa

given , and a very enjoyable evening was closed , Bros . Montuuis and Bue contributed to the harmony . The motto of the Lodge— " Union est Force" —is delineated in a garter ; this shows the title , Lodge La France 2060 ; the Union Jack and the French tricolour firmly bound together , with excellent effect .

Eccleston Lodge, No. 1624.

ECCLESTON LODGE , No . 1624 .

^ pO the minds of many a step in the right direction has been taken -I by Lodges occasionally having a Ladies' Night , as well as a Summer Banquet . The Eccleston Lodge had a very successful gathering last year , and a second Ladies' Night was held on the 18 th instant , at the Criterion , Piccadilly . The regular meeting waa held at an earlier hour the same day , under the presidency of

the W . M . Bro . R . Bottle ; Grist as S . W ., A . A . Johnston J . W ., A . W . Beckham Treasurer , Isaacs Secretary , Moorman S . D ., J . W . Wray J . D ., E . Hooper I . G ., Weston D . C . j G . R . Egerton Organist , 0 . Lee and Bignold Stewards , J . Grist Tyler ; P . M . ' s C Tayler , W . Vincent , J . E . Flattery , E . Powell , I . G . Fisher . Visitors—Broa . H . Dehane

P . P . G . D . Essex , 0 . Pugh 1346 , James Terry P . P . G . J . W . Herts , W . H . Baker W . M . elect 2030 , R . Goffin W . M . 1572 , A . Fenn 1614 , J . Hayler 2030 , Aitcheson 2021 , H . M . Levy P . M . 188 . Lodge waa opened and the minutes were confirmed . Bro . C Pugh was elected a joining member . Bro Smith was raised to the third degree , and

Bros . G . Lane , W . E . Lane and Pope were passed ; while Mr . E . Nice was dnly initiated into the Order by Bro . Powell , who had expressed a wish to initiate his friend . It is almost needless to say ( our readers knowing the qualifications of Bros . Bottle and Powell ) that the ceremonies were perfectly rendered . Lodge was then closed until

September . The Ladies were now introduced , by the Director of Ceremonies , and the guests , eighty-nine in number , sat down to a sumptuous and recherche banquet , provided by Messrs . Spiers and Pond ( Limited ) , and superintended by Bro . Berfcini . The tables were artistically decorated , and the service gave unqualified satisfaction .

After the cloth had been cleared , the W . M . said he did nofc wish to take up time wifch long speeches , but in no assemblage of Maaona was the toasfc of Her Majesty the Queen omitted . On this occasion he would associate wifch ifc the name of His Royal Highness our Most Worshipfnl Grand Master . Only yesterday the Prince of Wales had

initiated his eldest son into the Order , and ifc is said he performed the work in a mosfc efficient manner . Bro . Tayler I . P . M . mosfc cor . dially proposed the health of the W . M . Bro . Bottle , iu reply , thanked the brethren for their kind expressions . Their last meeting of a similar character to this had been held under the direction of the

I . P . M . Bro . Tayler ; it was a great success ; be hoped the present one would be equally so . The W . M ., on again rising , said he did so to propose the toast of the evening , —the Ladies , —and he wonld call on the youngest Mason in the room to respond to it ; he referred to Bro . Nice , who had been initiated that night . After a suitable

response had been made , tbe Ladies retired , and several other toasts were introduced . Bros . Terry P . P . G . J . W . Herts , and Dehane P . Prov . Grand Deacon Essex , responded to the compliment paid the Visitors . In the interval the ladies listened to some excellent singing , by Bros . Roberts , Lee , and Tayler . A ball afterwards took place , when all

assembled thoroughly enjoyed themselves . The band was nnder the direction of Bro . Kinkle , while Bro . Chilcotfc efficiently acted as M . C . To Bro . Vincent P . M ., who acted as Director of the Ceremonies , great credit ia due for the success of the meeting . It was

suggested , before leaving , the brethren should drink to the health of the worthy manager , Bro . Bertini , whose efforts to mako every one comfortable had proved so effective . Bro . Berfcini gracefully acknowledged the compliment .

Metropolitan and King ' s Cross Lodges of

Instruction . —A joint annual banquet of these two Lodges of Instruction took place on Monday , the 16 th inst ., at the Holborn Restaurant , under tho presidency of Bro . W . M . Stiles P . M . 1507 , 1732 , & c . There was a large attendance of brethren , close upon one hundred being present , and a most enjoyable evening was spent . A substantial

repast having been done ample justice to , and grace having been said , the President proposed Loyalty to the Throne and Devotion to tho Craft . Those around him were such loyal subjects thafc he know it was not necessary to say anything to ensure a hearty reception being accorded to the toast of Her Majesty the Queen . Of the heads

of the Order—H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , tho Earl of Carnarvon , the Earl of Lathom , and the other Grand Officers Present and Paat—Masons were exceedingly proud , and in coupling their health with the toast of the Queen , the President felt suro additional enthusiasm would be accorded to it . The toast having been honoured ,

was followed by the National Anthem , after which Brother Michael P . M . 1107 , 1507 , 1732 , & c . assumed the gavel to propose the next toast—tho health of the President of the evening . He had had th « pleasure of a long acquaintance with Bro . Stiles ; had seen him initiated into Freemasonry , aud had watched his career ever since .

lie had seen Bro . Stiles occupying every office thafc a Mason could be called upon to fulfil , and in every one he had carried out the duties creditably and in a way of which any one might be proud . Bro . Michael ' s position was that night an unfortunate , bufc at the same time a most pleasurable one . He stood there to proposo the health of their President , and he supposed the fact of hia having