Notices Of Meetings.

brethren of the St . Hilda Lodge , No . 1887 , including Bro . Capfa n Trollopo Prov . G . S-B . Berks and BncVs , W . M ., who very cordially welcomed tbe Reading brethren to Wallingford . On inquiry it was found that the Oxford party , who wero likewise coming by water , had not arrived , and so to wile away tho time n stroll was taken through tho Market place , and thn very prettv

church of St . Mary was visited and duly admired . The Grammar School was also looked at from the outside , and then a hint was given that the " Lamb " might be waiting to receive its guests . The distance was quickly accomplished , and the kindly host and hostess were in readiness with everything prepared for a good dinner . After the three hours' ride on the river this was most welcome , but the Oxford

brethren not having arrived a further delay ensned . At length the question , that a commencement bo made , was put and carried by acclamation , and a commencement was made accordingly . The nsual preliminaries were scarcely over before the Oxford party arrived , and were duly welcomed to the dining-room . They were Bros . Dormer I . P . M . Alfred Lodge , 340 , Lucas S . W ., Ityman Hall P . M ., Thompson

P . M ., Bowden , Domeney , Gee , Adamson , Wheeler , Badcockand Foster , Osmond P . M . 1763 , Benham 723 . Bro . Fisher Secretary 1887 having arrived the party was complete , and ample justice was done to the good things abundantly provided in capital style by the worthy host , Bro . Laurence . Dinner ended , Bro . Dowsett rose to propose the Queen and the Craft , which was received with all honour . A few

other toasts followed , but no attempt at speechmaking was made , as time was on the wing and the brethren were due at tho St . Hilda . Lodge at 3 . 30 . What was wanting in words , however , was made up in cordiality , and shortly after the time appointed a move was made to the Lodge , which having been opened in due form a cordial greet , ing was extended to the visiting brethren . The question of bniding

a new Lodge . room was discussed , and various preliminaries arranged , the result of which will be that very soon the St . Hilda brethren will be in possession of an edifice supplied with all the conveniences for holding their meetings . The Lodge was then closed in accordance with ancient form , and the brethren proceeded to inspect the picturesque Castle , gardens and grounds , which were most kindly thrown

open by Mr . Hedges . Wallingford at present is not one of the most thriving towns in Berkshire . Undoubtedly it suffers from a great disadvantage through scantyiviilway accommodation , and blame has been attached to the powers that were , bufc have since passed away , for not having used their influence at the right time , to get the main line of the Great

Western Railway to pass through , or . at any rate , nearer the town . But notwithstanding all this , tho fact remains that mnch interest attaches to the town , and there exists strong evidence to show that in the time of tho Romans it was a place of note , strongly entrenched and probably a military station . Much interest , too , attaches to the Castle which could boast unquestionably of great antiquity , and like

most other edifices of the kind first served the purpose of a fortress , then a royal residence , and in after times a State prison , which ultimately degenerated into a place of confinement for criminals of the ordinary class . As a fortress it was considered to be impregnable , and , indeed , withstood the attacks of the Parliamentaiy forces for sixteen weeks . Leland gives the following description as the

result of his own observation in the sixteenth century : — " The castle joineth to the north gate of the town , and hath three dykes , large and deepe and well watered . About each of the two first dykes , as upon the crests of the creastes of the ground cast ont of , runneth an embattled wall , now sore in ruin , and for the most part defaced . All the goodly building , with the towers and dungeon , bo within the

third dyke . " In the beginning of the last century , the castle precincts were let by the Crown on lease to Thomas Rendu , Esq ., who represented the borongh of Wallingford in Parliament in tho years 1709 and 1712 . It has since then changed hands at various times , and now the entire estate is in the possession of Mr . John Kirby Hedges , through whose kindness the gardens and grounds were thrown

open on Tuesday last . The Oxford brethren had to leave early in consequence of their journey homeward being against wind and stream , and conld not therefore avail themselves of tbe opportunity of visiting tbe Castle Gardens . Farewells were exchanged , and shortly before six o ' clock the landing stage was reached , where the " Wild Rose , " with steam

up , was in readiness . All were soon on board and the homeward journey commpneed . Close to Goring Lock a boat was seen approaching , and , on its passing , tho gentlemen who had so kindly recovered tbe lost hat were recognised , aud a laugh and friendly reminder were exchanged . A short distance before Pangbourne Lock , the huge craft we had passed in the morning was seen , and the " Wild Rose "

was put on at her utmost speed to pass it and reach the lock first . This proved an easy task , and again friendly greetings were exchanged , and the horse-propelled monster was again lost in the distance . At the Roebuck a halt was made , and a boat bronght to land one of the party who resided near . Cnrionsly enongh here a catastrophe occurred to the head-gear of another of the passengers , but this time ifc was not a tall black hat , but a white helmet . The article in

question was , however , quickly recovered and restored to its rightful owner , none the worse for the occurrence , and the "Wild Rose " sped on her way , arriving in Caversham Lock in safety shortly before nine . The party soon landed , the black hat , all drained and dried , again occupied its wonted position , and cordial good nights were exchanged , all admitting that a more successful outing had never taken place , and that all present had enjoyed it " like brothers every one . "—Readinq Observer .

William Preston Lodge of Instruction , Ho . 766 . — Held afc the St . Andrew's Tavern , Baker-street , Manchester-square , W ., on Friday , 20 th inst . The regnlar weekly meeting was rendered somewhat more interesting than usual by fche attendance of Bro . Lieutenant H . Smith ( I . G . Port ; Elgin , 350 , G . Register Canada ) , and Bro . D . Smith ( Ionic , 52 , Quebec Register ) , both members of the Canadian team of Volunteers who have , during tho last fort-

Notices Of Meetings.

night , been under canvas at Wimbledon . Bro . G . Read P . M . 511 and Sec . 1681 occupied the chair , assisted bv the following officera nnd brethren : —Bros . Chalfont W . M . 1425 S . W ., Dehane W . M 1513 P . G . S . D . Essex J . W ., Jones S . D ., R . E . Onrsons J D ., Mote I . G ., G . Coop Preceptor , H . Moore Sec , G . Tribbel P . M . 1227 , Taylor W . M . 1767 , Festa P . M ., Sedgwick P . M ., Wickens S . D . 436 ,

Lee 511 , Weatherilt , Robinson , C . Bellerby , F . Smith , A . Philips , D . Wilson , R . Parsons , B . Wilson , E . B . Cox , & o . The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed in a very able manner . Bro . Tribbel being candidate , Bro . Jones gave the charge . The Lodge was then called off , and on resuming labour was opened

in the second degree . Bro . Tribbel being a candidate for the third , was examined and entrusted . Tho Lodgo was opened in the third , and the ceremony of raising most admirably rehearsed , together with the traditional history . Five brethren were elected members , and honorary membership was conferred on the Canadian visitors , who

expressed the pleasure it afforded them to visit the Lodge , and their cordial greetings , hearty good wishes , and best thanks to the brethren for the manner in whioh they had been received amongst them . A vote of thanks to tho W . M . for ably fulfilling the duties of the chair was unanimously passed , and the Lodge closed in due form and perfect harmony .

Paxton Lodge, No. 1686.

PAXTON LODGE , No . 1686 .

THE summer outing of the brethren of the above Lodge was held on the 21 st inst . An assemblage took place at London Bridge Station , and gruesome were the glances cast at the threatening clouds as the brethren awaited the coming of their esteemed W . M ., Bro . G . R . Dodd , while some doubts and fears were expressed that tho threatening aspect of the morning had prevented his appearance . But , punctual to the hour he drove up , and tickets for their

destination were taken for the party . Boxhill was the locus in quo , and to Boxhill the brethren were determined to go , let the weather do its worst . This was a happy determination , as the result proved . Scarcely had the train left the platform before tbe clouds burst and such a deluging downpour came on that the carriages were unable to keep the wet entirely out , and for a short space a travelling

shower bath was the order of the course . No rain conld , however , damp the spirits of the Paxton brethren . . The amount of Mark Tapleyism , good humour nnd harmony , which hitherto have been their distinguishing characteristics , stood them in good service now . In the course of the journey the charming inflaence of old Sol again asserted its might , and the beautiful landscapes on either side

of the rail , the varied scene of moving m . eadow , cornfield , stream , and mill in the glory of snmmer sunlight , had an exhilarating effect upon the party . Boxhill was in due time reached , and its summit gained , when the capricious weather again changed , and a thunder storm was witnessed , the grandeur of which was alone worth coming to see nnd hear . The massive piles of cumulous cloud , tho sudden

shaft of light and deep diapason of the thunder reverberating among the distant hills , the pleasing rain , glimpses of distant sunlight where the storm had not reached , were things to be held in memory for many a year . Convenient shelter was found by the brethren , a well-supplied hamper was unpacked , and its contents done ample justice to . No

need of bitters to sharpen appetite after that climb . Toasts were given and responded to in a few words , for each felt there was an eloquence in tho scene around him compared with which tho tongue of the best orator was tame aud dull . The sunlight again enlivened the scene ; cigars were lit , and strolls made

about the hill , dingle and rocky dell , ending a delightful afternoon , healthfully and delightfully spent . In the calm and quiet of the beautiful summer evening , a stroll wns mado to the station , and in due course London Bridge was again reached , the hrethren declaring thafc the snmmer onting of 1686 , A . D . 1883 , was a ' thing to be remembered for ages .

Iron Bound Club Of Instruction.

IRON BOUND CLUB OF INSTRUCTION .

THE members of the above Club , which takes its title from its place of meeting , at Bro . W . Musto ' s Iron Works , Baker-row , Whitecliapel , had a very pleasant onting on Monday last , through the kind invitation of Bro . Henry Marks 1306 . The members of this Clnb meet every Sunday morning , and avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded to study the Ritnal of Freemasonry , and young Masons thereby are enabled to qualify themselves for the different offices

they hold in the parent Lodges . The brethren took tho steamer at London Bridge , and after a very pleasant run up to Eel Pie Island , Twickenham , began to indulge in varions kinds of sport until 4 30 , when they wero summoned to the banquet which bad been provided . Twenty-five guests sat down , and were very ably presided over by Bro . Marks . Bio . Myers P . M . was Vice President , nnd Bro . Musto

snpported the Chairman on his right . After a very sninptuous dinner , which did great credit to the host , Bro . Andy Anderson , the W . M . gave the usual loyal toasts . Opportunity was then taken advantage of to present Bro . Musto , P . M . 1306 , with a mark of the brethren ' s appreciation of his services as Preceptor to tho Club . This presentation consisted of a very handsome snuff box , cigar case , and fusee

box , which had been subscribed for by a few members of tho Clnb . The Chairman , in an eloquent speech , remarked how Bro . Mnsto had , during his Masonic career , devoted his timo to teach the brethren what was required of them in tbeir respective offices . He afc all times bad done so with a vast amount of patience , and good feeling ;

indeed , the brethreu could nofc fail to recognise and appreciate his indefatigable services . In the namo of tho brethren of the Club , and at their request , he had great pleasure in presenting this slight token of their esteem . Bro . Musto , in response , said the kindness of the brethren took him entirely by surprise ; until the moment of tbe