Reports Of Meetings.

CORBET LODGE , No . 1583 . THB twenty-fifth anniversary of the inauguration of this Lodge was held at the Blasonic Eoom , Whitehall Hotel , Towyn , on Thursday , 9 th inst . In view of this being the silver anniversary of the Lodge , additional interest was taken in thc proceedings , and a fair number of Brethren attended to celebrate the event , as well as to do homage to the W . Bl .-elect Bro . E . J . Jones of Aberystwyth .

After the usual formalities the business of the Lodge was transacted , when the Brethren , to the number of twenty-five , sat down to banquet . The usual toasts were well received and responded to . The new W . BI ., in a spirited speech , alluded to the crisis in the Transvaal , and made an appeal on behalf of the wives and children of the men who were now fighting in South Africa . During the evening a substantial sum was collected .

KIRKDALE LODGE , No . 1756 . THE annual installation took place on Wednesday , 22 nd inst ., at the Skelmersdale Hall , Liverpool , and was rendered especially interesting in view of the fact that this was the twenty-first year of the existence of the Lodge , which has been to tbe front in connection with its aid to all the Blasonic schemes . There was an attendance of about 160 members and visitors .

Bro . T . Hillman W . BI . concluded a successful year of office by effectively installing Bro . John 0 . Ellams as his successor in the chair , an appointment which has met with general approval . In the course of the evening Bro . Hillman was presented with a Past Blaster ' s jewel and a case of cutlery .

Bro . E . Johnston , one of the founders and first W . BI . of the Kirkdale , was also the recipient of a massive solid silver loving cup , in view of the services he had rendered to the Lodge during its twenty-one years existence . BIrs . Hodd , widow of a former member of the Lodge , also presented a silver inkstand for use in the Lodge , as a memento of her late husband .

WINDERMERE LODGE , No . 2217 . nnHE members celebrated the festival of St . John the Evangelist on JL Thursday , 9 th inst ., when the chief business was the installation of the W . M .-elect Bro . J . C . Harrison . The Lodge was opened at three o'clock , a good number of visiting brethren being present . The ceremony was ably performed by the retiring W . M . Bro . Joe Cowperthwaite , assisted by Past Masters of the Lodge .

HORWICH LODGE , No . 2324 . rjHHE annual meeting and festival of St . John of Jerusalem took place at JL the Bridge Hotel , Horwich , on Tuesday , 14 th inst ., Bro . Thomas Cooper

W . M . There was a capital attendance of members and visitors , and the proceedings commenced at 4 p . m . x " ronipt with a voluntary on the organ , played by Bro . Dr . G . H . Whittaker P . BI . P . P . G . O . Org ., followed in turn by the confirmation of miuutes , tho reading of letters of apology from Bro . the

Bight Hon . Lord Stanley , M . P ., P . G . W . Provincial Grand Blaster E . L ., a member of the Lodge ; Bio . J . J . Lambert P . BI . P . G . Deacon ( Eng . ) P . P . G . Eegistrar , and others ; the passing of accounts and balance sheet , and the election of Charity Representative . There were propositions for three candidates , namely , Blessrs . Barker , Walter Stacey , and Fred Dickens , and these gentlemen will probably bo initiated at the December meeting .

The next business was that of installing Bro . William H . Howarth S . W . Worshipful Blaster-elect into the chair of K . S ., the ceremony being performed in a finished and masterly manner by Bro . William -Blason Varley P . BI ., assisted by Past Blasters Hawthorn E . Thornton Sec . P . P . D . G . B ., Zack . Tetlow , F . Blorton Palmer , and John Slyman 1730 , J . P ., P . P . G . D .

In assuming his new position , Bro . W . H . Howarth addressed and invested Bro . Cooper , the retiring W . BI ., in very felicitous terms , at the same time congratulating him upon the excellent manner in which he had performed his work in the Lodge . Thc remainder of the Officers for the financial year 1899-1900 are as follow : Bros . W . W . Glover Senior Warden , James Byder Junior Warden , Eev . T . Storey Bates Chaplain , E . Hampson Treasurer ,

Hawthorn B . Thornton P . BI . P . P . D . G . Beg . Secretary , F . Thornham Senior Deacon , James Kay Junior Deacon , Ealph Bates Director of Ceremonies , Dr . G . H . Whittaker P . M . P . P . G . O . Organist , Eobert Harrison Inner Guard , John Wood Senior Steward , W . Baldwin Junior Steward , J . H . Hadfield Third Steward , E . T . Court Fourth Steward , Thomas Eddleston Tyler , Dr . G . H . Whittaker P . P . G . O . Charity Eeprcsentative .

Before concluding our remarks with regard to Lodge business , we are in duty bound to say something about the Lodge room itself , which is pleasant , commodious , and handsome , and Bro . Andrew Parr , the host , is to be highly complimented upon having eliminated everything of an incongruous character which was at all likely to mar the general happy surroundings .

A most sumptuous banquet was afterwards provided , and here the notable management of BIrs . Parr was manifested , for the dishes were well and quickly served , which cannot be said of all similar functions , and the attention was everything to be desired .

Loyal and Blasonic toasts were interspersed with songs , sketches , & c , the contributaries being Bros , Dr . G . H . Whittaker P . BI ., & c , John Urmston P . BI ., Wm . Varley P . M ., the Worshipful Blaster , H . B . Thornton P . BI ., Balph Bates D . C , Edward Eoberts P . BI . 1459 , and others . Bro . Buckley Carr P . BI . 11 G 1 P . P . G . D . C , whose name had been coupled with the toast replied on behalf of the Provincial Grand Officers .

Bro . Dr . Whittaker proposed the health of the W . BI ., and Bro . Howarth replied , saying ho could scarcely find words in which to express his feelings . He thanked Bro . Whittaker for the many kind things he had uttered about him , but he did not deserve a thousandth part of what had been said . During the ensuing year ho would endeavour to emulate the Past Blasters in any

duties he might have to perform . There was a good immediate prospect before the Lodge , aud a likelihood of further work . He , however , had a good array of Officers to support him , and all he wanted was harmony . Personally ho would so far as lay in his power give any assistance to the Officers , if they would only avail themselves of it . In concluding an admirable speech he regretted that his father was not present at the meeting .

_ Jii-o . Eev . T . Storey Bates proposed the health of the Installing Blaster , which elicited a suitaUle reply-from Bro . Varley , who maintained that this wns on ; of the mess successful installations in the annals of the Lod ge . Bro . Howarth W . BI ., in proposing the health of the I . P . BI ., again paid him a very high compliment , and , ou behalf of the members , took this

Reports Of Meetings.

opportunity of presenting him a beautiful Past Blaster ' s jewel , which bore the following legend : Presented to W . BRO . THOMAS COOPER P . BI ., by the Brethren of the Horwich Lodge , No . 2324 , as a token of their esteem , and in recognition of his services as W . M . 14 th November 1899 .

Bro . Cooper I . P . M . very graciously acknowledged the gift . Bro . James Byder J . W . proposed the health of the visitors , to which Bro . Edward Boberts P . BI . responded . Other toasts were submitted . Among the more prominent visitors , whose names have not been mentioned , were Bros . Wm . Goodacre G . Ssvd . Br . England Provincial Grand Secretary , and John Waring P . BI . 1134 .

o o o EO YAL AE CH . PHILBRICK CHAPTER , No . 1662 . rpHE installation meeting took place at the Lord Brooke Hotel , Shernall JL Street , Walthamstow , on Saturday , when Comp . William Shurmur BI . E . Z . presided , and was supported by Comps . D . H . BlcGowan H ., and James Speller J ., together with a largo number of other members .

Bro . Ernest Claud Holmes , of the Upton Lodge , No . 1227 , having been approved , was regularly exalted into Eoyal Arch Blasonry by Comp . Shurmur , after which the his'orical lecture was delivered by Comp . William Gower , the Symbolical by Comp . G . W . Knight , and the "M ystical portion of the degree by Comp . Shurmur .

A conclave of Installed Principals having been formed the installation of the three Principals was proceeded with , viz .: John Henry Wildash as M . E . Z ., James Speller as H ., and George Graveley as J . The ceremony of installation was performed by Comp . William Shurmur in his usual admirable manner , and thoroughtly merited the vote of thanks accorded him . The Officers who had been elected were then invested , and the occasion was celebrated by the customary banquet .

Christmas And New Year Greetings.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS .

THE advent of the new century has supplied the theme for a large number of the greeting cards prepared by the up-to-date house of Baphael Tuck and Sons for the coming Christmas season and the New Year , and despite the fact that the firm's productions ia previous years have seemed to reach the high water mark of excellence , it is safe to say their specimens for the coming season are in advance of all predecessors , and are , we venture to predict , destined to add yet further to the very high reputation already secured by the firm .

The fact that the present season ' s catalogue of Christmas and New Year ' s Cards , Calendars , Books , Booklets , Toy Books , Art Novelties , Beliefs , & c , & c , runs to some 250 pages , with tho very briefest description of the several items touched upon , is sufficient evidence of the great variety and large assortment of tho firm ' s productions , and will sufficiently excuse any shortcomings on our part or the attempt , in the short space at our disposal , of

anything like an exhaustive or even partial notice of the artistic specimens provided to meet the public demand . It is by no means too much to say that every taste is provided for , and every fancy considered , and the chief difficulty in dealing with the splendid assortment is to know whore to begin , and which to select for particular notice from among the many which so richly deserve special commendation .

The " Platino Panels " this year prepared By Messrs . Eaphael Tuck are absolutely perfection . They may be truly described as regular gems of art work , every one of them constituting a most delightful gift , particularly valuable as being worthy of a permanent place in the home ; and to those who look for really substantial gifts , as opposed to mere " finery , " it would be hard to make a better choice than one or other of tho numerous examples prepared in this section of the firm's work .

Among the many Calendars is a very chaste production " Golden Blemories , " which should be of special service to those who desire , as we happen to do just now , to make a golden wedding gift to some friends , but it by no means follows than such an association is imseparable from the card , it being also in every way suitable for ordinary presentation . Another

hanging Calendar which calls for special mention is the " From century to century" one , which we are convinced will meet approval wherever it is shown . Yet other pleasing novelties are the " Flowers of Eemembrance " Calendar , and more in the same series , while numerous other tasteful and artistic works are included in this every popular and useful section .

Juvenile requirements are well catered for in several ways , among the most pleasing being the " Eoyal Art Novelty " series of decorative standing reliefs , which are sure to win the approval of the youngsters . The " Soldiers of the Queen " series—twelve double figures in full marching order—will naturally be the most popular in these stirring times , but they will be close

pressed by the nianj' others , and only win the preference by reason of the martial spirit which just now prevails . Illustrated texts , booklets , toy books , and last , but by no means least , Father Tuck's Annual , all lend themselves to the provision of enjoyment for the young folk , and the immense variety provided makes a selection a very difficult matter for those whose bent leads them in that direction .

In ordinary forms of Christmas and New Year cards it is only necessary to say that Blessrs . Tuck well maintain the high reputation of their house , alike in variety of form and subject , beauty of design , and splendour of workmanship . As year by year these artistic greeting cards become more and more popular one would naturally think that the work of providing new designs and novelties would be almost impossible , but Blessrs . Tuck prove

that their resources are by no means exhausted ; rather , that their latest works are their best , and one almost comes to the conclusion , after a cursory glance at them , tbat perfection has been reached—but the eminent firm whoso work we have thus briefly referred to will no doubt contradict us in this direction , and in years to come will prove that their resources are as prolific as ever they have proved to be in the past .

One word in conclusion ; in cards alone Blessrs . Eaphael Tuck have this year prepared no less than 1 , 200 entirely new sets , many of them introducing some new process , or fresh adaptation of older methods ; with most satisfactory results . The firm looks forward to an even larger amount of business than has been accorded them in the past—they deserve it ; and we hopo they will not be disappointed .