Installation Meetings, &C.

LODGE OF PRUDENCE , No . 1550 .

ON Monday evening the Christmas supper in connection with this Lodge was held at Chubb ' s Hotel , Plymouth . Bro . R . G . Tippett W . M . presided . Among those present were Bros . L . J . Webber S . W ., M . J . Lakeman J . W ., J . T . Avery P . M . Treasurer , R . G . Bird P . M . Secretary , W . Dawe S . D ., J . D . Barker Organist , R . B . Twose P . M . P . P . G . T ., E . Roseveare P . M . 1099 , E . Square P . M .

1247 , P . B . Westlake 70 , Samnol Pearso P . M ., J . March 105 , G . R . Barrett S . W . 1255 , W . Stanbnry . T . Smith 1550 , G . Mitchell 70 , T . Jarvis 954 , W . E . Hoare 156 , T . Goodall P . M . 1550 , S . Ramsden 70 , T . Smith I . P . M . 1255 , IT . Boon , E . Manly P . M . 15 G . After supper the various Masonic toasts were given . Bro . E . Roseveare proposed " The health of tho AVorshipful Master of Lodge of Prudence , " and spoke of Bro . Tippett in the highest terms as a working

Mason . He expressed the pleasure it gave hira in seeing his worshipful brother presiding over that Lodge , and hoped that , by skilful medical treatment , he would be speedily restored to his usual health . Bro . G . R . Tippett suitably responded . In responding to the toast of <; The Treasurer and Secretary , " Bro . R . G . Bird stated that the affairs of the Lodge were in a healthy condition . During the evening Bros . Jarvis , Goodall , Joyce , and Roseveare rendered several songs in a pleasing manner . Bro . W . E . Hoare presided at the piano .

Hoyal Savoy Lodge , No . 1744 . —The regular meeting of this rapidly progressing Lodge took place at Ashley ' s Hotel , Covent Garden , on Tuesday , 24 th December . Bro . J . Willing I . P . M . and Treasurer in the ohair , in the absence of the W . M . Bro . John Douglass , owing to his professional engagements . There were also present : —Bros . Jones J . W . as Senior Warden ., Sillis ( Organist )

as Junior Warden , W . M . Stiles Secretary , Cook J . D . as Senior Deacon , J . 0 . Smith " as J . D ., R . Lloyd as I . G ., and Bros . Redstone , Hoare , Ellis , Hare , Dickey , Hone , Jagels , Cole , Woods , Gray , H . Ellis , Ramsden , Wheeler , W . Bryant , Perugia , Michell , & c . & c . Visitor—Bro . Edmonds . Tho minutes were read and confirmed , and then Bros . H . Dickey , H . Hoare , and W . Redstone wero raised ; Bros .

J . N . Hare , T . H . Ellis , J . Gray , and J . Hone were passed . The ballot was taken for Mr . G . C . R . Perugia , proposed by Bro . R . Lloyd and seconded by Bro . J . L . Jones J . W . ; for Mr . Walter Bryant , proposed by Bro . R . Lloyd aud seconded by Bro . W . Cook J . D . ; for Mr . George Ellis , proposed by Bro . J . Willing I . P . M . Treasurer , and seconded by the W . M ., as candidates for initiation ; tho result was

favourable , and theso gentlemen wero initiated into ancient Freemasonry . The ballot was also in favour of reception , as joining member of , Bro . R . Michell ( Covent Garden Lodge 1614 ) , who was proposed by Bro . J . Willing I . P . M . Treasurer , and seconded by Bro . W . M . Stiles Secretary . Several names of gentlemen were given in for initiation , and then the brethren adjourned to light refreshments . Part

of the evening was devoted to Masonic toasts , interspersed with some most excellent singing . The acting W . M . alluded to the fact of nearly forty brethren being present in spite of the inclement weather , and the notice on the summons " No banquet ; " proving the members of the Royal Savoy Lodgo were not merely brethren of the so-called fourth degree . Tho initiates , in responding to their health ,

announced their determination to qualify themselves at their " quickest" for the Master ' s chair . Bro . Michell ( the proprietor of Ashley ' s Hotel ) , in acknowledging tho toast of his health , remarked that during his illness he might have exhibited some lack of attention , but his best wishes wero with the Lodgo . Having had many opportunities of witnessing the working and the

harmony of the Lodge , he felt prond to join it , and ho further trusted by his future endeavours to please tho members , and prove his gratitude for their unanimously electing him . A very pleasant evening was spent , the worthy Secretary , Bro . W . M . Stiles , W . M . of the King ' s Cross Lodgo , being indefatigable in his exertions to make the brethren comfortable . The Lodge was adjourned until fourth Tuesday in January .

Masonic Tragedy And Comedy.

MASONIC TRAGEDY AND COMEDY .

FROM THE KEYSTOME . "VTO one likes to be disappointed . We recall to memory an occa--L i ^ sion when a friend asked ns to accompany him to the theatre to witness a comedy , but when we were seated , the curtain arose upon one of the saddest and most thrilling of tragedies . We went there to laugh , and came away in tears . That was ° a sad

disannointment . But every Freemason of considerable experience has felt a kindred surprise during certain Lodge visits . Sometimes ho has expected tragedy and found comedy , and at others he has looked for comedy and found something akin to tragedy . There is something quite Masonic about tragedy ? Is it not derived from tragos , a goat ? And is it not always feeling , earnest

and grave , aud teaching great truths by example ? Plato defined tragedy to be an imitation of the noblest life , and its proper theme as the deeds and sufferings of a hero . Freemasonry can " fill the bill . " It inculcates the noblest truth , and has fcr its hero one who is ; i perpetual example of the most praiseworthy fidelity—one who loved the truth as he loved his life . But then Freemasonry has also its

afterpiece of comedy . Too mnch gravity is deadening , and reminds one of a walking tombstone . We believe , with Douglas Jerrold , that humour is " the harmony of the heart . " Comedy we may term the treble of life , and tragedy the bass , and to play a perfect piece of music both must be employed . Freemasonry does us , e both . Its I Labour is tragedy , its Refreshment comedy . It is because these two

Masonic Tragedy And Comedy.

parts of the great Masonio whole bear so important and necessary a relation to each other that custom and wisdom alike teach ns that the two should always be conjoined . The Craft is wiser than any single Brother , and " the Craft demands that Refreshment shonld ever follow Labour . Historians of the drama tell us that tragedy , from the earliest

times , was deemed worthy to entertain tho refined inhabitants of cities , while comedy was thought to be more in harmony with the rustic habits of country people ! But the most refined people , nowa-days , divide their time between tho city and the country , and aro hence entitled to , and do demand both . It is not absolutely necessary , however , to go to a place of amusement to witness either .

Carlyle was right when he said , " man carries under his hat a private theatre , wherein a greater drama is acted than is ever performed on tho mimic stage . " Yes , all the world is a stage , and all of us performers upon it . But Freemasons perform in a different manner from that of their profane neighbours , or afc least they ought to . Ours is a private performance , a rehearsal of " mysteries . " Masonic

rites are pure " mysteries ; " they deal with Biblical events and personages , and teach the doctrine of a resurrection unto immortal life . And mark this—no comedy is in place in tho exemplification of this teaching . But thereafter tho Brethren may unbend—then is the time for the afterplay . Ifc is painful to witness tragedy and comedy intermingled in

the Lodgo , and such an occurrence is not as uncommon as it should be . The oriental chair of King Solomon was never intended to be filled by one not gifted and dignified by gravity and wisdom . The Worshipful Master has weighty words put in his month , and weighty deeds are looked for from hira , but if ha is equal to neither he is worthless oven as a figure head , and Master

of nothing . When wo havo heard the mane , lifeless manner in which the ritual has been rendered by some Masters—weighty words falling as lightly from their lips as if they were feathers , we have been reminded of Shakespeare ' s making even his fools to speak wisdom . The words were golden , bnfc tho speech was—an airy nothing . A W . M . should ever remember that he is acting a noble part , and

unless he acts it well , he neither gathers honour to himself , nor impresses the truth of Freemasonry upon the candidate . To such we may fittingly apply Shakespeare ' s description of certain poor players : "I have thought some of nature's journeymen had made men , and not made them well , they imitated humanity so abominably . " How many Masons are made who are not made well ! All tho necessary

words may have been used , but words aro dead—it is the spirit that giveth life . Let , then , the fire of tho spirit enliven every Master ' s speech ; let truth bo clothed with its own fitting garments of Wisdom , Strength , and Beanty . Not a few of the tragedies of life owe their origin to tho warfare of suffering ; biting need drives some to desperation . A part of

the mission of Freemasonry is to lift the weight of sorrow thafc presses npon a Brother , or thoso dear to him iu kinship . The gospel of Masonry is a gospel of love . It is intended to comprehend the twin worlds of thought and action . Horace Walpole said : " Life is a comedy to him who thinks , but a tragedy to him who feels . " We are taught both to think and to feel—to think the truth , and to feel

for the sorrows and ameliorate the sufferings of our Brethren . We may sometimes deem our lot a hard one , because we havo either to suffer , or to minister to sufferers ; but , be ifc remembered , there comes a period to our Labour , and then follows Refreshment . Tho now-time is not to be compared with the hereafter , either in duration or enjoyment . Here we dwell for a time ; there we shall livo for

eternity . Hero we lahonr and are heavy laden ; there , if wo havo the Master's word , and can pass the examination of the Grand Master of the Universe , we shall bo nshered into the presence of flim to see whom is the earnest of perennial happiness . Then the briers of this working-day world shall no moreaunoy , for Labour will have ended , and our Refreshment will have begun—and of that there shall bo no end . We never arise from eternity ' s rich banquet .

Ar01103

NOTICE . On and after Monday next , the Publishing Offices of tb EitEliMASOJf ' s CHRONICLE will be removed to No . 23 Great Queen Street , London , W . C . ( immediately opposite Freemason ' s Hall . )

Ar01104

THE FREEMASON'S CHRONICLE , A Weekly Record of Masonio Intelligence . Sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of England . Price—13 s Gd per annum , post freo . rnHE FREEMASON'S CHRONICLE will be forwarded direct JL from the Office , 23 Great Queen , W . C , Street ( opposite Free , masons' Hall ) , on receipt of Post Office Order for the amount . Intending Subscribers shonld forward their full Addresses to prevent mistakes . Post Office Orders to be made payable to W . W . MORGAN , at High Holborn Office . Cheques crossed " London and County . " London : —W . W . MORGAN , 23 Great Qneen Street , W . O . ( Opposite Freemasons' Hall . ) Cloth Cases for Binding can be had from the Offices , price Is 6 d each ,