Reports Of Meetings.

degrees and resumed to the first , when Bro . Dehane worked the first and second sections of the lecture . Bro . Dehane was elected W . M . for the next meeting .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . ON Thursday , 18 th inst ., at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , Bros . F . J . Larkman W . M ., B . W . Bobinson S . W ., P . M . Bidley J . W ., J . H . Cumming Sec , R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . J . D . Middlesex Preceptor , W . Langdon S . D ., H . R . Worth J . D ., Justin Allen I . G ., F . J . Cross , J . W . Blaydes , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Blaydes acting as candidate . At the completion the W . M . gave the explanation of the tracing board in such a faultless manner as to keep the assembled Brethren's attention firmly fixed . The worthy Preceptor in a few well chosen sentences thanked the W . M . for his kindness , and said that as this was the first time this explanation had been given since this Lodge of Instruction had been under his direction he trusted those Brethren who were qualifying for the chair would endeavour to perfect themselves in it .

Lodge was opened in the second degree and resumed to the first . Bro . Cross answered the questions and was entrusted . Lodge was resumed to the second degree and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . Bro . Bobinson was eleoted W . M . for the ensuing meeting .

CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 . ON Saturday , 20 th inst ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , Hammersmith , Bros . K . M . Boss W . M ., W . Bidgway S . W ., P . Craggs J . W ., B . Josey Sec , Arthur Williams P . M . 834 2090 Prec , H . J . Cousens S . D ., Robert Beid J . D ., L . J . Powell I . G ., W . Hide P . M ., J . H . Cumming P . M ., E . Wilkins , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . E . Wilkins acting as candidate . In consequence of the excessive heat the W . M . closed the meeting at an early hour , Bro . Bidgway being elected to fill the W . M . ' s chair at the next meeting .

ROYAL VICTORIAN JUBILEE LODGE , No . 2184 . AT the weekly meeting on Wednesday afternoon , at 3 o ' clock , at the Dover Castle Hotel , Westminster Bridge Boad , on account of the very hot weather there was but a small attendance . Bro . Darch Preceptor occupied the chair as W . M ., and was assisted by Bros . C . Randall S . W ., T . Holland J . W ., B . Cohen S . D ., C . B . Andrews J . D ., J . Wynman I . G ., and Voight . '

The Lodge was opened to the second degree . Bro . Andrews answered the questions , was entrusted and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . Bro . Darch kindly vacated the chair in favour of Bro . T . Holland J . W ., while the Junior Warden ' s chair was taken by Bro . Andrews . The acting W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree and the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Voight ( the manager of the Hotel ) kindly acting as candidate .

The W-M . resumed the Lodge to the third degree , and closed down to the first , when Bro . Randall was elected to preside on Wednesday next . Bro . Voight was elected an Honorary Member , which compliment he duly acknowledged .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

EBORACUM LODGE , No . 1611 . THE annual excursion of the Brethren of this Lodge took place on Wednesday , 17 th inst ., to the Dukeries and Sherwood Forest . The members , with ladies , journeyed from York in a saloon by the 6-50 Great Northern train , via Doncaster and Betford to Worksop , arriving at nine

o ' clock , and , after a short stay at the Lion Hotel , proceeded by char-a-banc to Clumber , the seat of the Duke of Newcastle . The party was conducted through the mansion , and afterwards visited the beautiful church . The journey was then resumed via Thoresby , the seat of Earl Manvers , to Edwinstowe , where an excellent dinner was served at the Dukeries Hotel , the Worshipful Master Bro . 3 . T . Chambers presiding .

After a short interval a visit was paid to the Major Oak , and the return journey was made via Welbeck to Worksop . High tea was then served at the Lion Hotel . At seven o ' clock the drive was resumed to Betford , a distance of nine miles , where the party again joined the saloon , and journeyed by the 8-21 train to York . Before the return journey was commenced a hearty vote of accorded to the Worshi

thanks was pful Master for the excellent way in which he had conducted the day ' s outing , on the proposition of Bro . G . Lamb P . M ., and supported by Bro . J . H . Shouksmith P . M ., and a similar compliment was paid to Bro . B . Kilvington , the acting Secretary , for the arrangements . York was reached at 10 o ' clock , and the excursion will rank amongst the most enjoyable organised by the Lodge .

ENGLAND'S CENTRE LODGE , No . 2555 . rTTHE annual festival was celebrated on Thursday , 18 th inst ., when the _ L Rev . Henry Tower , one of the founders of the Lodge , was duly installed as Worshipful Master . The Lodge has only been in existence three years , and , in spite of considerable difficulties , has in that time attained a most satisfactory position .

Surgeon-Ma ] or Flood was W . M . for the two first years , Dr . Stocker occupied the onerous position of W . M . the third year , and now , thanks to the work done by these Brethren and the Officers who have supported them , the new W . M . enters upon his year of office under the happiest auspices , and with every promise of a successful term .

The Lodge meeting was held in the National Schoolroom , Weedon , which was most tastefully decorated and beautifully arranged . Bro . E . G . Stocker P . P . G . Purs . presided , and admirably performed the installation . One of the earliest functions of the new W . M . was to present to I . P . M . Brother Stocker , on behalf of the Brethren of the Lodge , a Past

Master ' s jewel , and in doing so Bro . Tower paid a tribute to the excellent work Bro . Stocker had done for the Lodge . The Auditors' Report ( read by Bro . J . H . Morley ) was of a gratifying character , a balance in band remaining after a liberal recognition had been made of Masonic Charity .

Provincial.

Hearty thanks were given , on the pioposition of Bro . C . Walsh , seconded by Bro . Stocker , to Brother J . C . F . Tower for the great assistance he had given the Lodge that day . The annual banquet was held at the New Inn , in the beautiful and commodious dining-room , where the repast itself and the serving thereof elicited the highest encomiums : nothing could be better , and the proprietress Miss Butler is to be highly complimented on her arrangements .

Upon Bro . E . G . Stocker devolved the toast of the evening , the W . M . of England ' s Centre Lodge , and he paid warm tribute to the qualities and service of Bro . the Bev . H . Tower from whose year of office the Lodge , he was satisfied , would derive the greatest advantage . Bro . the Rev . H . Tower , who was heartily received on rising to reply , said he was conscious that he had not done all he should have liked to do for the Lodge , but its work and objects lay near his heart , and during his

year of office he should do all he could , with the able assistance of his Officers , upon whom he knew he could count , to further the interests of Masonry through the Lodge . He wished more parsons could go through the duties of a Masonic Lodge . He felt sure that they would feel the benefits of the discipline and make fewer mistakes ; and when they made mistakes they would be sure to be pulled up—and that would be a vary good thing for many of them . Very erroneous ideas prevailed outside as to the character

and work of Freemasonry , and he had been glad that he had had opportunities of correcting those mistaken ideas and making it clearly understood that the eating and drinking were but a small part of their engagements , and that in their Lodges they were occupied in attention to Masonic duties and the furtherence of the great charitable objects so dear to Freemasons . By adhering to their motto , " Brotherly love , relief and truth , " they did immeasureable good ; and in proportion as Masons carried out the high aims embodied in it , so would they show the value of their great institution .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

All books , & c , intended for reyiew should be addressed to the Editor , Freemason ' s Chronicle , New Barnet . THE KA . MBI . IIS AND RECOLLECTIONS OP R . DICK ( BobertDottie ) . Monchester : Albert Sutton . 1898 . WE have had the pleasure of perusing the above work , only recently issued from the press . It is a pleasant volume of nearly 200 pages , and , besides containing a portrait of the author , is embellished with several well-executed engravings . The printed matter is of a gossiping and humorous kind , and mostly in the Lancashire dialect .

Bro . Dottie was in constant touch with Edwin Waugh and Bro . Ben Brierley ( Ow'd Ab ) , when they were in the heyday of their popularity , men who have so faithfully depicted homely life in the cotton districts as to make their names household words . As a reciter , Bro . Dottie has had many years practice , and time after time we have heard him when he has truthfully mirrored the wonderful characters of the writers mentioned to delighted

audiences . We therefore expected to find something good in his present venture , and we have not been disappointed , for as a follower in the footsteps of such worthy predecessors , his intimacy with them and with their works seems to have imbued him with some of that quaint and whimsical ichor which permeated all they attempted , either with the pen or with the tongue .

Bro . Dottie is original , with an imagination of the creative order , but we have room for two extracts only ; these , however , will show the diverse nature of the sketches which the book contains . The first we select is a poem , which has been set to music by Brother James Batchelder , a musician well ! town in Cottonopolis , and bears the title of

Two FBIENDS . " What ails thee owd lad 1 th ' art noan lukin weel , An' tha sluthers along i' thi shoon , Hast ' getten toothwarch ? or a boil on thi neck ?

Or maybe tha wants a new moon . Come , straighten thi face , an' howd up thi yed , As if thee an' o' th' world wur good friends 1 There ' s nowt for a man ut goes crawlin' alung , Wi' a look ' at ne ' er borrows nor lends .

So come inside an' warm thi shins , Matty ' 11 sing us a sung , An' we'll have a . crack o ' er th' marlocks we play'd , When thee an' me wur yung . Neaw , Betty lass , fotch us a mug o' whoam brew'd , An . ' Sam , draw that cheer into th' nook , Then doff thi topcoat an' hang up thi hat , An' keawer thee deawn fur a smook . Aye 1—Neaw tha looks better , ow'd brid—here ' s gud luck ;

May tha never want beef , bread , nor beer , But awlus enough , aye ! an' plenty to spare For thoose ut are short o' good cheer .

So warm thi shins on th' fender lad , Matty ' 11 smg us a sung , An' we'll have a crack o ' er th' marlocks we play'd When thee an' ma wur yung . Grumblers an' fratchers , an' mealy-mouthed folk , We ' ve boun' for to meet—to a raon , But for th' gradely ill-off , or a mate i' distress , Just fettle um up if you con .

We ' ve foughten eawr way when feighten wur hard , An' trips to th' saeside wur unknown ; An' we ' ve wrostled wi' trouble aboon eawr fair share , An nobbut , lad , just held eawr own . So come , sup up , another we'll have , as Matty is singin' her sung , An' just one more crack o ' er th' marlocks we play'd When thee an' me wur yung . "

The next one , which Brother Dottie calls " J . L . Tooleiana , " will explain itself . " Some three or four years ago I was staying at Blackpool at the time that Mr . Toole was fulfilling an engagement there . My reason for being there was to give a personal belonging of mine , a recently broken leg , the benefit of the sea air and the restorative quiet of Blackpool .

On the last night of Mr . Toole ' s engagement he promised to spend a sociable half-hour with some friends at ' The Palatine , ' at the end of the night ' s business at the theatre . Faithful to his promise , the genial comedian came along to the hotel in a cab ( which he requested to be kept waiting ) , and being in one of his