Clarendon Lodge, No. 1769.

CLARENDON LODGE , No . 1769 .

THE installation of Bro . Thomas Grove , C . C ., as W . M . of this Lodge , took place at tho Guildhall Tavern , on Tuesday , tho 9 th inst . The ceremony was admirably performed by Bro . J . Cooper , the outgoing W . M ., in the presence of a large assembly of brethren , amongst whom were Bros . Stephens P . G . D . C . Middlesex , E . C . Mather P . M ,

23 , J . Farmaner P . M . 28 , D . Crombio P . M . 28 , J . C . Dwarbor P . M . 55 , J . T . Robertson P . M . 55 , If . 0 . Soper P . M . 704 , J . F . Stone P . M . 1033 , 0 . X . Oxley W . M . 1237 , S . J . Cook 95 , E . Bumpus 28 , W . J . Heath 766 , E . H . Johnson 1348 , W . Green I . G . 1364 , H . G . Gush J . W . 1541 , H . Dehane S . W . 1543 , M . S . Enbeustein 1612 , A . J . Acoher 1801 . Bro . C . W . Thompson was appointed and invested

as S . W ., Bro . H . W . Mayes J . W . ; Bro . J . Stanley was invested aa Treasurer , and Bro . Croxton was re-appointed and invested as Secretary . The Assistant Officers appointed were Bros . Soper S . D ., G . Croxton J . D ., T . Linscott I . G ., Thompson D . C , Thomas ( reinstated ) Tyler . In consequence of its being Lord Mayor ' s Day , the Installation Banquet was deferred until the 16 th inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern .

A Banquet to celebrate the installation of Bro . Thomas Grove , CO ., as Worshipful Master of this Lodge was given on Tnesday evening , at the Guildhall Tavern , Greshamistreefc . It will be recollected that the installation ceremony was performed on Lord Mayor ' s Day , by the retiring Master , Bro , James Cooper , bnt in consequence of the Civic festivities of that event the congratulatory banquet was

deferred , for the convenience of the brethren and their friends . On Tnesday night there was a numerous assemblage to welcome the newly-installed Master , amongst the company being included several brethren holding high Provincial rank . The chair was occupied by Bro . Thomas Grove , C . C ., who was supported by all his newly invested Officers , with the exception of his S . Warden , Bro . 0 . W . Thompson

who was prevented by indisposition from attending—a cirenmstance which elicited the heartiest expressions of sympathy and regret from those present , amongst whom were : —Bros . James Cooper I . P . M ., H . W . Mayes J . W ., John Stanley Treas . and Sec , John Soper S . D ., George Croxton J . D ., T . C . Thomson D . C , Thomas Linscott I . G ., C . Thomas Tyler ; William Goldsmith , Edgar Abercrombie , Arthur

Abercrombie , and W . Hurran . Visitors—Bros . Mead P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Middlesex , the Eev . J . H . Smith W . M . 279 P . P . G . Chaplain Leicester and Rutland , David Crombie P . M . 28 , Joseph Farmanor P . M . 28 , Shearman P . M . 28 , Neilson P . M . 28 , Hawksworth W . M . 28 , Linscott I . & . 30 , Watford , CO . ( Chairman of theLoriners' Company ) P . M . 177 , H . Turner W . M . 1589 , Robinson P . M . 55 , Maurice S . Rubinstein 1642 ,

H . Debare S . W . 1543 , Pearse Morrison , C . C , 1218 , Charles Beanmont W . M . elect of the City of London Lodge 901 , George Felton P . M . 1056 , A . J . Archer 1801 , Eobert H . Johnson 1348 , William Green I . G . the 1364 , and others . At the conclusion of a most excellent repast , the Loyal and Craft toasts were proposed in eloquent terms by the Worshipful Master , and received with the utmost enthusiasm .

Bro . James Cooper I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the Worshipful Master , congratulated the brethren upon their wisdom in selecting of so excellent an Officer as Brother Grove . It redounded very much to their credit , becanse they had had an opportunity of seeing his admirable working in the offices he had filled prior to his installation , and they were , therefore , aware they conld not make a more

judicious choice . That he wonld fulfil the duties of the chair to the satisfaction of all , and beyond the expectation of many , they had had abundant proof that evening , and he might add on Tuesday last . The manner in which he invested his Officers was something very delightful to see , and instructive to hear ; and the crisp and brilliant way in which he closed his Lodge was snch as they seldom

witnessed in Freemasonry . Now they had had the opportunity of seeing the manner in which Bro . Grove had presided at the festive board , which was as near perfection as they could possibly wish . The Worshipful Master , who was received with loud and prolonged cheering , said he shonld endeavour to discbarge with efficiency and zeal the duties attaching to the exalted position to which , by the kindness

of the brethren , he had been elected . He was very proud to ocenpy that position , and he thanked Bro . Cooper for tho kindly wishes he had expressed towards him . He could nofc { latter himself that the working part of the bnsiness would bear microscopic reflection , though he should endeavour to make it so in the future . He could not lay claim to all the kindly and flattering remarks that had been

applied to him by the proposer of the toast , though he thanked the company for the cordiality with which they had received the mention of his name . He should endeavour , as the Master of the Clarendon Lodge , to carry out the tenets and traditions of Freemasonry to their fullest extent . His purse might not be as long as those of some who had preceded him , but his intention and ambition were equally

as great and grand as theirs had been . He hoped to discharge the dnties of the chair to their satisfaction , and to hand on the insignia of office to his successor umblemished and unsullied . The Worshipful Master , in proposing the health of the Immediate Past Master , said Bro . Cooper ' s working had been as creditable to himself as it had been enjoyable to the brethren . He had striven to do his

best to promote the welfare of the Lodge , and had succeeded in gaining the sympathy and admiration of the brethren . This was no empty compliment , for Bro . Cooper had passed through the various stages in the offices of his Lodge , filling the chair with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all the brethren . He asked Bro . Cooper to allow him , in the name

of the Lodge , to present him with a Past Master ' s jewel which , in his ( the Worshipful Master ' s ) opinion , was a handsome one , and few Lodges in London had one more to be admired . This was the second jewel which had been presented to a retiring Master of this Lodge , and it gave him unfeigned pleasure to perform the task which

devolved upon him . He then pinned the jewel to Bro . Cooper ' s breast , ¦ with the assurance that he had . well earned the distinction ; which he hoped the recipient might live long to wear , as a mark of the esteem and regard in which he was held by the members of the Clarendon Lodge . Bro . James Cooper , on rising to acknowledge the

Clarendon Lodge, No. 1769.

compliment paid hira , was received with prolonged rounds of cheering . He said as they journeyed through lifo they filled various positions , each having its special dnties and rewards . To-night he occupied a fresh position in Freemasonry , which , although gratifying , rendered it difficnlt to find language sufficient to express his gratitude for the hononr which had been conferred upon him . He spoko in all

sincerity when he said he had endeavoured to discharge the duties of the Mastership of the Lodge to their satisfaction , aud that he had succeeded had been demonstrated that evening by the kind and com . plimontary utterances of thoir W . M ., and tho hearty response tho brethren mado when Bro . Grove placed that jewel upon his breast . They wore all aware that the hope of reward sweetened

labour , but there was a jewel which had sweetened his labour far more than the splendid decoration which had jnst been presented to him , and that was the esteem , kindness , and good fellowship they had extended to him dnring his year of office . He should always continue to take a lively interest in the welfare of the Lodge , and shonld at all times be pleased to communicate Masonio instruction

to any one who might stand in need of it . This brought vividly to his mind the valuable assistance he had received from Past Master Eobertson , who had always taken a deep interest in the Lodge , and had rendered him the utmost possible aid in fitting him for the late installation ceremony . He trusted he might be long spared to work for the advantage of the Clarendon

Lodge , and for the noble Charities of the Craft . The jewel , which was a very massive and handsome one , bore fche following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . James Cooper , by the brethren of the Clarendon Lodge , No . 1769 , in recognition of the able and efficient manner in which he discharged his duties as W . M . 16 th November 1880 . " The W . M . then , in felicitous terms , gave a cordial welcome

to the Visitors , whom he was pleased to see in snob numbers , and including so many officers of rank . The toast was received with the utmost enthusiasm . Bro . the Eev . J . H . Smith W . M . 279 P . P . G . Chaplain of Leicester and Rutland , in responding , expressed the wiah ( which bade fair to be realised ) thafc more members of his profession

would attach themselves to the Craft , and enlarged , in eloquent terms , npon the beneficent princip les which commended the Institntion of Freemasonry to the religious section of the community . Bros , Mead P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Middlesex , Walford P . M . 177 , Robertson P . M . 55 , Farmanor P . M . 485 , also acknowledged the hospitable reception that had been accorded to the Visitors . The health of the Treasnrer

and Secretary was next g iven from the chair , and acknowledged in a humorous speech by Bro . John Stanley . In proposing the health of the Principal Officers of the Lodge , the W . M . expressed regret—which he was sure would be shared in by all the brethrenat the unavoidable absence , through illness , of Senior Warden C . "W . Thompson . He shonld inform him , however , on the morrow , of the cordial manner in which his name had been received on thafc occasion .

The toast was acknowledged by Bros . H . W . Mayes and John Soper . Several other complimentary toasts were honoured , and the proceed , ings were varied with some excellent songs , Bro . Maurice S . Eubinstein lending efficient assistance as accompanyist .

City Of London Lodge, No. 901.

CITY OF LONDON LODGE , No . 901 .

THE final meeting of the season , for the nomination of Officers and other bnsiness , was held on Monday , 15 th inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , when there was a very large attendance of brethren and visitors , under the genial presidency of the retiring W . M ., Bro . Alfred Ginger . Amongst those also present were : —Bros . Charles Beaumont S . W ., G . A . Cundy J . W ., Henry Darcey P . M . Treas ., Henry Harbord Sec , Alfred Parker S . D ., John

Hughes J . D ., Ernest T . Hand Organist , W . Alder D . C , D . Hughes I . G ., J . Woodstock P . M . Tyler ; P . M . ' s W . Lewis , J . Darcey , and A . Griffiths ; E . P . Stevens , W . R . Haylock , H . Smith , F . J . Ford , F . 0 . Ford , George Smith , J . Roberts , Alfred Prince , R . Gillard , T . Baines , Fredk . J . Lawrence , W . B . Smith , William Waller , E . V . P . H . Harris , J . B . Turner , Henry Barwell , Thomas Hosking , R . K . Stubbs ,

John Bailey , William Dance , A . E . Thornton , E . W . Cundy , G . B-nbardt , T . Barnes , A . Tame , H . Vernon Chichester , Henry Mortimore , E . W . McLachlan , William Alder , John Thos . Vears , W . Balcombe , J . Corkill , E . C . Wharton , W . Little , W . Hodgkinson , J . Vale , Charles S . Finn , G . Cbivers , C J . Whitnall , Robert F . Whur , and Robert Clinch . Visitors—Bros . 0 . J . W . Davis 1637 P . G . D . C .

Middlesex , F . Wellings 1055 , John Hurdell J . D . 1348 , F . Robert Ward W . M . 501 , E . J . Lewis J . W . 754 , A . Orton 1287 , T . Saunders 1287 , Stephen A . Cooper W . M . 1647 , Walter S . Cooper 754 , J . G . Luccup 1326 , and B . Flower 902 . Lodge having been opened in due form , the ballot was prepared for Bro . George Smith , of the Arnold Lodge 1779 , as a joining member , on the proposition of Bro . Parker ,

seconded by P . M . Bro . Darcey . The voting was unanimous . Three candidates were then ballotted for , and unanimously accepted , viz ., Mr . Edward Lawrence , wine merchant , Bradford Bowers , Battersea Park-road , proposed by P . M . Bro . H . Darcey , seconded by P . M . Bro . G . Darcey ; Mr . Arthur Geo . Thompson , linerdraper , 5 Leith-terrace , Kilburn , on the nomination of Bro . A . Prince , seconded by the

W . M . ; and Mr . Frank Churchill , wine merchant , The White Lion , Warlingham , near Croydon , proposed by Bro . G . A . Cundy . Mr . Churchill , being present , was duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry by the WM ., who performed the ceremony in masterly style . Lodge was then advanced to the second degree , and Bros . F . J . Ford , J . 0 . Ford , and R . P . Stevens were passed to Fellow Craft . Subsequently Bro . J . Eoberts was raised to the

sublime degree , the ceremony being ably carried through by the W . M ,, assisted by his Officers , in such a manner as to elicit the heartiest expressions of approval and admiration . The election of Officers then took place , when Bro . Charles Beauchamp S . W . was unanimously chosen W . M . for the ensuing year , amidst general applause . Bro . Henry Darcey P . M . was re-elected Treas ., and Bro . J . Woodstock Tyler . It was decided that a ball shonld be given , under the auspices of the Lodge , early in January , and several brethren volun-