Reports Of Meetings.

February , in consequence of ill health , and had been recuperating in the south ofFrance for some weeks past , with the result , we are pleased to say , that he is now fairly well . He had , however , felt it incumbent upon him to sever his connection as a working member of the Lodge , and the Brethren

thought they could not do better than present him with this jewel to mark their esteem and regard . Bro . Frederick W . Berry W . M . made the presentation with a few well chosen remarks , and hoped that Bro . Green would be spared for many years yet to come among them . He then pinned the jewel upon Bro . Green's breast , amidst the applause of those present .

The happy recipient of this well deserved recognition was visibly affected by the heartiness of his reception , but cordially thanked the Brethren for their handsome present . He was not quite sure that he deserved it , but during the time that he had been Treasurer he had always endeavoured to keep the Lodge in a solvent state , and he was glad that he left it in a

prosperous condition . He had seen many changes among the Brethren during the thirty years he had been a member , and was gratified to find the present Officers were carrying on the old traditions of the Lodge . He felt very proud when he received the Past Master ' s jewel , and he would wear this one alongside of it , as a souvenir of the happy hours he had spent in the Lodge , and of the sincere Fraternal regard of the Brethren .

KENNINGTON LODGE , No . 1381 . AN emergency meeting was held at the Horns , Kennington , on Tuesday , 3 rd inst ., for the purpose of admitting three gentlemen into the Order , they being first of all regularly balloted for and elected . Bro . W . H . Wolsey presided , and impressively received the three candidates : Mr . Amos W . Coombe , Mr . T . Marston , and Mr . Ernest Cootes . Other work included the raising of Bro . F . W . Sharpe , and the passine of Bro . E . F . Eoberts .

A banquet followed , which , together with a well arranged musical programme , was much enjoyed .

EMPRESS LODGE , No . 2581 . FOB years past it has been a matter of considerable cogitation with us as to what constitutes the undoubted difference that exists when visiting various Lodges . At some , indeed at most , it is a real pleasure to be present ; at others we have felt that an evening has been wasted . It cannot be that the ritual is better rendered in this Lodge or that , because , as a rule , especially of late years , the work is usually well done ; and though perhaps one may

occasionally hear a more fluent or better emphasised delivery in certain places , yet the ceremonies are intelligently performed , and the work of the Officers leaves nothing to be desired . It is not the difference at the fourth degree , because universal cordiality prevails in every Lodge , and the question of the menu is a mere detail . It is not a matter of temperament , because

when visiting a Lodge we are prompted both by duty and inclination to view the proceedings in an impartial manner , and to give a faithful report thereon . Still the fact remains—to whatever cause it may be attributed—that we enjoy an evening passed in certain Lodges very muoh more than we do a visit to some others .

Such an evening it was our privilege to enjoy on Wednesday of last week , at the Empress Lodge , which meets at the Cafe Boyal , Regent Street , W . It was only an ordinary meeting , " an off night , " as it is termed , and the first and third ceremonies had to be performed . It was somewhat of a disappointment that , owing to urgent business which detained him in New York , we were debarred from hearing the work of the Worshipful Master Bro . Charles I . Kiralfy , but an excellent substitute was at hand in the person of his father , Bro . Imre Kiralfy P . A . G . D . C ., who undertook the duties .

After the Lodge had been formally opened and the minutes of the previous meeting confirmed , the ballot was taken for Messrs . Bennett Opie , George Withers , Albert Enrico Kiralfy , and Frederick Thoresby , as candidates for initiation . " They , being all good men and true , were unanimously approved , and were subsequently instructed in the mysteries and privileges of the Order . Bro . Montague 0 . Dent was raised to the sublime degree , and invested as a Master Mason .

Both the ceremonies were worked with due care by Bro . Kiralfy , and he was admirably assisted by the Officers : —Dr . Maitland Coffin I . P . M ., G . C . Brcese S . W ., W . Singleton Hooper P . M . acting as S . D ., G . N . Blades J . D ., and W . H . Bond I . G . After this portion of the business was concluded Bro . Sir Joseph Dmisdale

P . M . proposed that the sum of five guineas be voted by the Lodge for the relief of distressed Brethren in South Africa . This was agreed to , and Bro . Kiralfy , with his usual generosity , supplemented the vote by a similar amount . A collection was afterwards made at the dinner table , with the result that £ 17 will now be sent to Bro . George Richards District Grand Master of the Transvaal , for his Fund .

A further sum of ten guineas was voted for the Master ' s list as a Charity Steward , then the Lodge was closed and the meeting adjourned . Great cordiality and good humour , tempered with becoming mirth , reigned at the banquet , which was served in the handsome salon . A rival entertainment was being given in an adjoining room , and a somewhat quaint

effect was produced by the other " Band of Brothers " getting in advance of our party and singing " God save the Queen " while our Master was saying Grace . However , our turn soon came , and we put all our lungs into the National Anthem after Bro . Kiralfy had appropriately proposed "Our Empress Queen . "

After the Grand Master had been duly honoured , a telegram , drafted by Sir Joseph Dimsdale , was sent to the Prince of Wales congratulating him upon his safety after the attempt upon his life in Brussels . This was a happy thought on the part of Bro . Kiralfy , and evoked the applause of the assembly .

A touch of patriotism was evoked by Bro . T . P . Griffin Junior Grand Deacon , who said he was proud to respond for the Grand Officers as a colleague of three such men as General Roberts , Lord Kitchener , and Sir Charles Warren .

Bro . Maitland Coffin said that although the Master was unavoidably absent in America , his place was very ably filled by his father , and they could not have a better substitute . He had done the work so well that the least they could do was to drink his health . Bro . Imre Kiralfy returned thanks for this compliment , but deprecated

the flattering remarks of the proposer , saying that in consequence of the enormous pressure of work upon him at that moment he was afraid he had not performed the ceremonies so well as he might have done . He had been very anxious to initiate his son into the Order , as he considered that Freomatcniy had always been an element for good , and he was sure that the four worthy men who had that evening been enrolled in the Empress Lodge would

Reports Of Meetings.

ever remember the noble objects of the Craft . He could assure them it was a step they would never forget or regret . Each of the Initiates expressed their high appreciation of the ceremony they had experienced , and modestly hoped they might do honour to the Lodge . Genial Sir Joseph Dimadale proposed the visitors , and extended a hearty welcome to the Brethren who had graced the meeting by their

presence . He hoped they had enjoyed their visit both in the Lodge andelsewhere . The Empress Lodge always endeavoured to carry out the interesting and religious ceremonies—for religious they were—in accordance with the best traditions of the Craft . He associated with the toast the names of Bros . A . J . Thomas P . M . 91 , W . H . Baylis P . M . 9 . Few men had showed more charity , quietly and unostentatiously , than those two Brothers , thoroughly good and conscientious men , who obeyed the Divine command of doing to others as they would be done by .

Bro . Thomas , after thanking the Lodge for their kind reception , addressed a few remarks to the Initiates , on the subject of the Masonic Charities , which he considered were excellently well managed , and deserved the support of all the Brethren . Bro . Baylis followed in a somewhat similar strain . The services of the Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge were recognised in due course , and suitably acknowledged .

Then entered Bro . Ellis , the Tyler , bearing a warning that time was on the wing ; and the good old custom of signifying our sympathy with all poor and distressed Masons having been expressed , this very agreeable evening was brought to a pleasant conclusion .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . fTIHE regular meeting , held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on I Monday , 26 th ult ., was an unqualified success . Not only was there a large number of members present , but Bro . Sam Luke W . M . was well supported by visitors , among whom we noticed Bros . Hy . Nail P . M . 2363 , 1375 P . P . G . T . ( W . L . ) , Arthur A . Moss P . M . 1375 P . P . G . W . ( W . L . ) , Geo . G . Bromley P . M . 1375 , Rev . Philip Hains P . M . Chaplain 204 , W . H . Start P . M . 1052 , and 0 . A . Wright S . W . 2491 . _

Three ceremonies were performed , namely , the passing of Bro . Matthew Henry Chapman , and the raising of Bros . John Prescott Crankshaw and Robert Brotherton Whitfield . The W . M . undertook the first function , being assisted by Bro . S . H . Stubbs S . W ., who presented and explained the working tools . He also essayed the last ceremony , the second one falling to the lot of Bro . Seth Wrigley P . M . D . C . P . P . G . D .

A very excellent programme of music had been provided for the festive board , the contributaries being Bros . F . Todd J . W ., W . H . Purdy Org ,, R . B , Whitfield , C . Harrop , and W . E . Argyle S . W . 2216 .

VICTORIA LODGE , No . 2671 . THE second annual Ladies' evening in connection with this Lodge took place recently at the White Hart Hotel , Windsor , after a regular meeting of the Lodge at the Masonic Hall . The Brethren and their visitors , to the number of seventy-five , assembled in the Shakespeare Room of the Hotel , and were received by the W . M . Bro . E . C . Broquet , and Mrs . Broquet , and at 6 p . m . sat down to a banquet in the Victoria Hall .

After grace , the W . M . proposed the toast of the Queen and the Craft , commenting on the anxiety which her Majesty had lately been called upon to undergo , owing to the deplorable war in South Africa , and also alluding to the deep sympathy existing between her and her subjects all over the world . The next toast , that of the Worshipful Master , was proposed by Bro . E . Prince P . M . and Secretary , who referred to the thoroughly efficient manner in

which Bro . Broquet discharged his duties iu the Lodge , thus winning the goodwill and esteem of every one of its members ; and to the active interest shown by him in connection with the arrangements made for that successful gathering . He stated that the W ;& 1 . had at his own cost provided the beautiful and choice floral offerings , consisting of sprays and buttonholes , which the ladies and gentlemen were then wearing . He had also engaged the

splendid band of Messrs . Dyson and Sons , which had discoursed sweet musio during the dinner , and , further , the handsome cut-glass bottle of perfume handed to each lady was presented by him , as a souvenir of the occasion . Bro . Prince associated Mrs . Broquet's name with the toast , and concluded by wishing them and their family long life , continued happiness , health and prosperity .

On rising to respond , the W . M . met with a most cordial reception . Ha thanked the Officers and Brethren for their hearty support on this and all other occasions , and stated that he had made up his mind to do his best to make this a red-letter day in the annals of the Lodge , and that he saw no reason to doubt that the " Ladies' evening " would become an annual event .

He next proposed the toast of the evening , the Ladi , es , expressing his gratification at seeing so many gathered together to do honour to the Lodge and to him . Bro . A . Moss responded in a humorous manner . This ended the toast list , and coffee was partaken of in the Shakespeare Room whilst the tables were being cleared away and the Victoria Hall rearranged in drawing-room fashion for a concert .

MERTON LODGE , No . 2790 . THE regular meeting was held at the Merton Boys Club , Merton , on Tuesday , 10 th inst ., those present including Bros . E . W . Pillinger P . M . 902 W . M ., W . H . Brand S . W ., T . Holloway J . W ., T . Skelton P . M . Treas ., A . J . Sendell Sec , W . E . Manby P . M ., R . Hopkins P . M ., Dr . M . K . Hargreaves S . D ., R . Leach J . D ., J . Mundy I . G ., N . J . Lawrence and W . Poupart Stewards , A . Chandler , H . G . Crumbleholme Organist , W . Way , G . Anger , T . Nightingale , G . Neal , and others .

After the usual formalities of opening the Lodge , five candidates for passing—Bros . W . P . Smith , Looker , Bailey , Downing , and Cattell—were examined , and in due order admitted to the second degree . Mr . Walter Monro Higgs and Mr . Henry Philip Smith were balloted for , approved , and regularly initiated into Freemasonry , the whole of the ritual being choral , and very well rendered by the Master and his Officers .

It was decided to establish a Lodge of Instruction in connection with the Lodge , which was subsequently closed , an excellent dinner being afterwards partaken of at the neighbouring Assembly Rooms , Mr . Skinner catering . The usual toasts were honoured , and everything passed off in a highly satisfactory manner .