Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings . rt __

GRAFT : METROPOLITAN . — : o : — Gallery Lodgfe , No . 1928 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . LIONEL FRANCIS COWING

THE Gallery Lodge , which has the distinction of being the only Press Lodge under the English Constitution , if not the only one throughout the world , celebrated its nineteenth anniversary on Saturday , 8 th , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., and the proceedings were distinguished not only for that love and harmony that should at all times characterise Freemasons , but by the attendance of many well known journalists who have rendered good suit and service for the now indispensable daily newspaper .

First there was Bro . Henry Massey , one of the Founders and the first W . M . of the Lodge , looking hale and hearty , and bearing his seventy odd summers with a brightness and activity that many a young man might envy . There were also Bro . Henderson Scott , who has reported the speeches of THE Duke of Wellington , Lord Palmeston , and many another celebrity ; Bro . William Senior , an

old Parliamentary hand ; and representatives of most of the leading journals in this country who have proved the truth of the proverb that " the pen is mightier than the sword . " But the sword was also present in the person of our gallant Brother Col . C . G . Dundas , C . B ., Past Grand Deacon , who participated in the dashing attack of the Redan , in the Crimean war , and several other subsequent battles . The Corporation of London was represented by Alderman

and Sheriff W . Vaughan Morgan Past Grand Treasurer , and the Church by our distinguished Bro . Archdeacon Sinclair . Among other visitors were Bros . W . W . Parkinson P . M . 1539 , Athelstan Nobbs 2771 , J . Buchanan P . M . 1853 , C . Townley W . M . 2190 , Rev . T . H . Russell 2408 , Dr . J . Rubie 1559 , R . A . Cheffins 153 8 , Carl Hentschel 24 S 8 , W . Bell Kempton 2671 , J . H . Hill 317 , P . Gray W . M . 1597 , R . B . Hopkins W . M .-elect 1381 , F . H . Cheesewright P . M . 907 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , & c .

A somewhat lengthy Agenda was presented , and the Lodge was opened at three o ' clock by Bro . Frederick William Brddie W . M . After the preliminary business was transacted the ballot was taken on behalf of Messrs . Samuel James Sewell , Robert Bruce , and John Charles Foulger , which proved unanimous . These gentlemen being in attendance were admitted and regularly initiated into

Freemasonry by the W . M . Bro . J . Denyer Hand proved his proficiency as a Craftsman , was raised to the sublime degree , and took his seat in the Lodge as a Master Mason . This ceremony was very efficiently rendered by Bro . E . A . Peachey I . P . M . The Lodge was then called off for a short time , and upon the re-assembly of the Brethren the principal part of the programme was proceeded with .

Bro . Brodie , having declared all offices vacant , requested Bros . Massey , W . T . Perkins , Percy W . Husk , and John Hurdell to assist him as Wardens , I . G .., and D . C . Bro . Lionel Francis Gowing W . M .-elect was then formally presented , and signified his assent to the ancient charges and

regulations . A Board of Installed Masters was formed , when Brother Gowing was installed in the chair of King Solomon in accordance with Masonic tradition . The ceremony was admirably performed by Bro . Brodie , whose delivery of the subsequent addresses elicited the approval of all present .

The new Master , having been proclaimed and saluted , proceeded to appoint and invest his Officers , as follow : —Alfred F . Robbins S . W ., G . H . Ribbons J . W ., W . M . Duckworth . P . M . Treasurer , George Tarran P . M . Secretary , H . L . Bell S . D .. J . D . Irvine J . D ., W . G . Kirby I . G ., Henry E . Peacock Organist . E . A . Peachey P . M . D . C , A . E . Baines and R . G . Emery A . D . C ., J . Bune , A . Bettany , J . Martin , and Cornwallis Smith Stewards , and G . A . Ball P . M . Tyler .

Bro . Gowing then rose , and in eulogistic terms referred to the eminent services rendered to the Lodge by his predecessor in the chair , in recognition of which the Brethren had voted him the Past Master ' s jewel which he now , in their name , had the pleasure to present .

Bro . Brodie thanked the Brethren for this handsome mark of their appreciation , and remarked that he had not reached his ideal in carrying out the duties of his Office , but if he had given satisfaction he was more than repaid .

The Secretary read several letters of regret for non attendance from many distinguished Freemasons and other Brethren absent on business . The visitors tendered their congratulations , much merriment being caused by Bro . Hurdell , who conveyed the hearty good wishes "from the Province of Fleet Str ^ t . "

The Lodge was then closed and the Brethren adjourned to the large hall , where an excellent banquet , worthy the reputation of " Anderton's , " was served . The menu cards were designed by Bro . Carl Hentschel ; on the front was a clever sketch of Fleet Street , by Bro . T . S . C . Crowther ; surmounted by a capital portrait of Brother Gowing .

An exceedingly pleasant musical entertainment divided the customary complimentary speeches , the artistes being Bros . W . Fell , G . Beckett , W . A . Frost , F . H . Cheesewright , Arthur Helmore , Harrison Hill , R . B . Hopkins , W . Sweetman , Albert Jorden , and others .

Reports Of Meetings.

During the evening Archdeacon Sinclair announced that memorial services would be held in St . Paul ' s Cathedral , on 31 st December and 1 st January , for those who had fallen in the South African war , and arrangements had been made for a thanksgiving service upon the arrival of Lord Roberts , who would be accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales , the expected date being 3 rd January .

Empress Lodge , No . 2581 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . GEORGE DRURY COLEMAN . THE popularity of the W . M .-elect was doubtless the cause of the large assemblage of Brethren who met at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W ., on Wednesday of last week , to celebrate the annual Festival of this Lodge . Bro . G . D . Coleman is so highly

respected both as a man and a Freemason that it was not surprising to see so many Officers of Grand Lodge desirous of honouring the occasion with their presence , while the representatives of several metropolitan Lodges testified to the goodwill and esteem in which he is held .

Bro . Charles I . Kiralfy the W . M . presided , and was supported by his Officers and the following Brethren : Sir John Monckton P . G . W ., Thomas Fenn P . G . W ., R . Loveland Loveland President of the Board of General Purposes , J . H . Matthews President of the Board of Benevolence , Sir Joseph Dimsdale P . G . T ., T . Poultney Griffin P . G . D ., Frank Richardson P . G . D ., Gordon Miller P . G . D .,

J . L . Thomas P . A . G . D . C ., Sir Arthur Trendell , C . M . G ., P . A . G . D . C ., Imre Kiralfy P . A . G . D . C , E . Clay Sudlow P . G . St . Br ., J . 'Beresford Ryley P . P . G . W . Middx and Herts , A . R . Bilby P . P . G . W . Herts , C . E . Birch P . P . G . W . Herts , Col . Coyne , Sir Montague Nelson P . M . 2022 , F . W . Nelson W . M . 284 , J . H . Dimsdale P . M ., Alfred J . Thomas P . M ., H . J . Homer P . M . 15 6 3 , Dr .

C . Wells P . M ., E . C . Fisk W . M . 2323 , A . M . Hooper P . M . 46 , Dr . M . Sharman , J . D . E . Loveland P . M . 357 , W . W . Lee P . M . 23 81 , Frank Smith P . M . 1630 , J . A . Harrison P . M . 2488 , R . M . Meyer P . M . 70 S , Dr . Maitland Coffin P . M ., W . H . Glazier P . M . 434 , Arthur Tite 558 , G- Greiner P . M . 93 , E . L . Heseltine 2323 , W . H . Pullin 1681 , A . H . Church P . M . 1365 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , & c .

Letters of apology for absence were sent by several distinguished members of the Order , who had other engagements , but tendered their congratulations . The Lodge was opened by Bro . Kiralfy , and the minutes of the last meeting , recording the election of the W . M ., were read and

confirmed . The Accounts of the Lodge were presented by Bro . Imre Kiralfy Treasurer , and upon the proposition of Bro . J . H ; Dimsdale P . M . were accepted and adopted . Certain alterations in the Bye-laws of the Lodge were carried and , if approved by the Grand Secretarv , were ordered to be printed .

The Installation was then proceeded with , and we were pleased to notice-that Bro . Charles Kiralfy determined to follow the practice of the Lodge by performing the ceremony . As a rule this should be so , and we should not take notice of the circumstance except for the fact that Bro . Kiralfy has been so much abroad lately that he has had but little time to study the ritual ; but he has doubtless had the assistance of his worthv father , who is so able an exponent of the art .

The W . M . requested the following Brethren to assist him : Imre Kiralfy as S . W ., J . H . Dimsdale as J . W ., Dr . Maitland Coffin as I . G . Bro . George Drury Coleman was presented by Bro . W . Singleton Hooper P . M ., and signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . The lay Brethren having retired , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Coleman was formally

installed as Master of the Lodge , m accordance with ancient tradition . The new Master was proclaimed and saluted , and the Warrant of the Lodge was entrusted to his keeping . The Officers for the year were then invested , viz : Bros . G . C . Breese S . W ., J . S . Bhumgara J . W ., Imre Kiralfy Treasurer , Percival Dixon Secretary , G . R . Blades S . D ., G . C . Kirchener J . D ., W . H . Bond I . G ., N . F . Bhumgara D . C , W . F . Allvey , Dr . B . Dawson and W . H . Jeffcoat Stewards , and Samuel Ellis Tyler .

. The Addresses were delivered with excellent effect by Bro . Charles Kiralfy , and elicited the commendation of those present . He was then presented with the Past Master's jewel in recognition of his services to the Lodge , Bro . Coleman remarking that it

was no empty compliment , as he had conducted the business of the Lodge to the satisfaction of the Brethren , and had endeared himself to them by his amiable , courteous ; and discreet conduct . Bro . Kiralfy was so greatly affected that he could only bow his thanks .

Two candidates and one joining member were proposed for acceptance at the next meeting . A letter was read from Bro . Will E . Chapman , now in Johannesburg , thanking the Lodge for making his an honorary member , and upon the proposition of Sir Joseph Dimsdale the letter was ordered to be entered upon the minutes . A vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Dr . Maitland Coffin for his

thoughtful present of Hymn cards and music , and there being -no further business the Lodge was closed . The banquet was served in the handsome dining hall of the establishment , and reflected credit upon Brother Oddinino , who superintended it . Upon its termination the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted by the Master .

Bros . Sir John Monckton and Loveland Loveland responded for the Grand Officers , the former with one of his amusing and witty speeches and the latter bearing testimony to the worth of Bro . Coleman . This sentiment was also repeated by the I . P . M . in proposing the Master ' s health . He said the Lodge was fortunate in having such an excellent Master as Bro . Coleman , who was essentially the