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Bro . Larner had done , therefore he had very great pleasure in proposing this toast , feeling assured it would meet with the hearty reception that it deserved . Bro . Lieut . F . Larner , I . P . M ., in responding , thanked the brethren for the cordial reception that had been given to the toast , and said he was very proud to have attained rank amongst the Past Masters of that lodge . Of course

he valued highly his position as Master , but he was equally happy in that which he now filled amongst the veterans . He wished to convey to them his grateful thanks for the very kind support they had rendered him during his year of office , and hoped the same assistance would be accorded to his successor . The W . M . next gave "The Health ofthe Initiate , "

which he designated the toast of the evening . He spoke of the necessity of the infusion of new blood into lodges in order to sustain their vigour , and said the South Middlesex Lodge was very fortunate in that respect . That evening they had an excellent addition to their number in the person of Bro . Ransome , and he had hoped to have two , but Dr . Richardson had been unexpectedly called away on

professional duty . He was glad to have had the pleasure of initiating an old friend of his , who was one of the right sort , and one of whom they would have reason justly to be proud . Bro . Ransome briefly returned thanks for the hearty reception that had been given to the toast , and also for his admissionin to the ancient and honourable Institution . Hc had

been deeply impressed with the interesting-and solemn ceremony he had witnessed in the lodge room . It had long been his ambition to become a Mason , and he thanked them most sincerely for having admitted him . " The Health of the Visitors " came next , and Bros . Clark , Fisher , and Back responded in felicitous terms , acknowledging the generous hospitality which had been

extended to them , and speaking highly of the admirable working * they had seen in lodge . " The Healths of the P . M . ' s" and "The Officers of the Lodge" were proposed and duly acknowledged . During the evening some excellent songs and recitations were given , Bro . W . H . Hobbiss presiding at the pianoforte .

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1614 ) . — This lodge held its last meeting of the session on Tuesday , 13 th ult ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly , W ., when there were present Bros . Henry W . Kedgley , W . M . ; T . A . Dickson , S . VV . ; B . Solomon , J . W . * , W . Bourne , P . M ., Sec ; G . Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; G . Reynolds , S . D . ; C . Ralph , acting as J . D . ; James Woodward , acting as I . G . ; C . Potter ,

Tyler ; John J acobs , I . P . M . ; G . Coleman , P . M ., Stwd . ; C . Hill , C . E . Tomlin , G . H . Foan , J . Potter , L . Isaacs , L . Cohen , E . W . Carter , R . Potter , J . Pullen , A . Freeman , E . VV . Mills , J . Napper , R . Lane , W . Unwin , G . Rind , W . B . Green , Frank Gulliford , J . Peart , N . Packham , VV . Balchin , John Maye , L . Isaacs , J . Holditch , and G . H . Reynolds . Visitors : Bros . W . Roots , S . W . 1273 ;

S . Renaut , I . G . 1623 ; P . J . Clauserve , W . M . 134 S ; R . R . Green , D . C . 1804 ; R . Kirk , 1681 ; W . C . Wigley , W . M . 1348 ; W . Brilay , S 79 : G . R . Ailsey , P . M . 5 a ; R . E . Cursons , 1681 ; and H . Robinson , 1 CS 1 . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , Bros . E . C . Tomlinson and Ii . Hill were raised to the Degree of M . M .

A ballot having taken place for Mr . Jacob Citron , and proving unanimous , that gentleman was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . Bro . W . J . Green , S 79 , was unanimously elected a joining member of this lodge . The newly-elected brother was pleased to make a reply acknowledging his hearty reception amongst them . Bros . j Pullen and R . M . Potter were passed to the Degree of F . C .

A telegram and letters were read from Bros . Edward Jacobs , P . M ., Chas . Kedgley , P . M ., and S . Hewitt , I . G ., regretting their absence on account of illness . The VV . M . having received the " Hearty good wishes" of the visitors , the brethren adjourned to a banquet , served under the personal superintendence of Bro . G . P . Bertini . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been duly

honoured , The I . P . M ., Bro . John Jacobs , said that once more he had the pleasure of having the gavel in his hand to propose "The Health of the W . M . " It was not his intention to say much , for he knew there were many brethren longing to exercise their vocal abilities . All the brethren knew the interest the W . M . took in the lodge , and the manner in

which he accomplishes his work . He would ask them to drink heartily , and wish him good health . The VV . M ., in reply , said he had to thank the I . P . M ., P . M . ' s , officers , and brethren for their good wishes . He was only repeating words he had used before ; but he could assure them it gave him great pleasure to do all in his power for the benefit of the lodge . He trusted that during

his year of office he would be able to give the brethren every satisfaction , and , with the assistance of his officers , fulfil all the duties of the chair as well as his predecessois . He had the welfare of the lodge at heart . The VV . M ., in proposing "The Health of the Initiate , " said that was a most pleasing duty to do . Masonry would never flourish and lodges would never prosper without new

blood being introduced amongst them . 1 he Covent Garden Lodge had been fortunate , and it * gave him great pleasure to know there were other initiates to follow . He felt sure the brethren would be pleased to receive and welcome them . ' I he Initiate , in reply , said be offered the brethren his sincere thanks for their kindness in drinking his health so

heartily . The lesson he had received that night had made a great impression on him . He would do all in his power to become a good Mason , and endeavour to comply to the wishes of the lodge . The W . M ., in proposing " The Health of the Joining Member , Bro . W . J . Green , " said he was as pleased to receive him as an initiate . The W . M . respected no one more than their joining brother , and he felt that his coming

amongst them during his year of office was a great honour not only to himself , but to the Covent Garden Lodge . Bro . W . J . Green , in reply , thanked the brethren for having elected him a joining member of the lodge . He

would try all in his power to become a good member of the lodge . He mi g ht almost promise he would bringseveral other brethren to join them very shortly . The W . M ., in proposing " The Health of the Visitors , " said it was a most welcome toast . They were always pleased to see thfcm . He trusted they had all had a pleasant

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evening . There were many faces amongst them he had the pleasure of knowing , and would call upon Bros . W . C . Wigley , W . M . 134 S ; R . Kirk , r 6 Si ; and G . Renaut , I . G . 1623 '; to respond . Bro . W . C . Wigley thanked the brethren for the hearty manner in which the visitors had been drank . He had also to thank the brother for the kind invitation he had

given him that evening . He had not been amongst them for some time , but he could assure the brethren he would always come now when invited , and make up for the past . He only wished he was one of the brethren of the Covent Garden Lodge . He had spent a most pleasant evening . Bro . R . Kirk said on behalf of the visitors and himself he thanked the brethren of the Covent Garden Lodge for

their hearty reception . In no lodge were visitors better received and made so welcome . He had had a most enjoyable evening amongst the brethren , some of whom he often met , and he wished the W . M . a prosperous year of office . Bro . G . Renaut also acknowledged the toast in a few appropriate words . The VV . M . next proposed " The Healths of the Treas .,

Sec , LP . M ., and P . M . ' s " and in doing so said it was a most agreeable one . He was sorry their worthy Treasurer , Bro . Edward Jacobs , P . M ., and father of the lodge , was unable to be with them that evening , as he was attacked with lumbago , and he knew the brethren missed him , at the same time they all hoped he would soon be better . No officer in the lodge had more onerous duties to perform than

a Secretary . Bro . VV . Bourne , P . M ., Sec , was Secretary to this and other lodges , and the brethren could see for themselves the manner in which he carried out the duties of his office . Although he had said their Treasurer , Bro . G . Coleman , P . M ., W . S ., was the father of the lodge , Bro . G . Coleman was the baby . There were few members so young of any lodge who knew and could do so well . When

young in office he knew all the work before him . His worthy father-in-law the late Bro . J . Coutts , the founder of the lodge , no doubt imparted much of his Masonic knowledge . Bro . Charles Kedgley , P . M ., he regretted was not present , he was suffering with his throat , but he knew he had the welfare of the lodge at heart . Bro . John Jacobs , I . P . M ., had worked up with him , and he himself

had to thank him for much assistance . Bro . John Jacobs was a good worker , and he hoped would be with him as frequently as possible to render him the help he was in need of . Bro . S . Jacobs , P . M ., they missed much , especially with his songs . He was a pleasant brother , always willing to oblige . Bro . Stacey , P . M ., Org ., they were always pleased to see amongst them , and to

enjoy the music . He would call upon Bro . W . Bourne , P . M ., Sec , to reply . Bro . W . Bourne , P . M ., Sec , said he wished to thank them all sincerely for the kind and flattering manner in which the health of the P . M . ' s and his own as Secretary had been drank . The little he had done vvas but his duty . He had always received the greatest consideration from the brethren . He felt it was a great honour to be Secretary

of the Covent Garden Lodge . He knew that the P . M . ' s did their best for the welfare of the lodge , and had its interest at heart . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Health of the Officers , " and in doing so , said he was well supported . Bro . T . A . Dickson , S . W ., was initiated the same night as himself . He had worked up with him , and nothing would

give him greater pleasure than to install him as his successor as W . M . Bro . B . Solomon , J . W ., was a good and persevering ; Mason . Bro . G . Reynolds , S . D ., all knew him well as Secretary to the lodge of instruction , and if he only persevered in his Masonic work as in his duties as Secretary , there will be no fear of the lodge wanting a good Master when his time arrives for occupying the chair . The lodge of instruction meets every Thursday evening at the

Criterion , and he knew Bro . G . Reynolds would be pleased to give any of the brethren a hearty welcome . Bro . W . F . Thorpe , J . D ., was attentive to his work . Bro . S . Hewett , I . G ., unfortunatelyaway , wasagoodandhard-working Mason . Bro . Frank Gulliford , D . C , was also a most hard-working Mason . Like Bro . Coleman he had the advantage of a good tutor in his father , Bro . W . H .

Gulliford , P . M . Bro . G . Coleman , P . M ., a good W . S ., gave great satisfaction to al ) . Bro . C . Ralph , A . W . S ., was capable of taking almost any office in the lodge . He was most indefatigable in his duties as A . W . S ., and did all he could with the W . S . in attending to the wants of the brethren at the banqueting table . Bro . T . A . Dickson , S . W ., in reply , thanked the VV . M .

for his kind remarks , and the brethren for the hearty manner in which the health of thc officers had been drank . He suffered from sli g ht nervousness which he trusted would disappear when his time came for occupying the chair , and he hoped he might fill the same in the honourable manner as the present VV . M . Bro . B . Solomon returned his sincere thanks for the

kind manner in which the health of the officers had been proposed , and responded to . He would continue to do his best in the future as he had done in the past , and follow the good examples of the Masters who had occupied the chair , whereupon The Worshipful Master sounded his gavel for a song , and then the Tyler ' s toast brought the evening ' s entertainment to a close .

The proceedings at the banquet table werc much enlivened by thc excellent singing , playing , and recitations by Bros . W . Bourne , P . M ., "The Initiates * Song ; " C . Ralph , W . C . Wigley , W . M . -348 ; G . Renaut , C . Cursons , Frank Gulliford , R . Lane , pianoforte ; and others . At the close of the session the brethren of the Covent Garden Lodge wished to express their appreciation to Bro . G . P . Bertini , manager of the Criterion , for his kindness , and all arrangements made for their comfort .

BAYARD LODGE ( No . 1615 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 20 th ult ., at 33 , Golden-square , VV . Present : Bros . Col . Blunt , VV . M . ; Capt . Moon , S . W . ; Sauerbrey , J . VV . ; Col . Haldane . Sec ; E . F . Bamber , S . D . ; S . T . Fisher , j . D . ; Major Scott , I . G . ; Austen , Tyler ; S . H . D'Avigdor , I . P . M . ;

VV . B . Lethbridge , P . M . ; Mecey , Goodhall , Rev . T . Robinson , I'Anson , A . G . Gold , Birkett , Griffiths , Dallmeyer , and Morice . Visitors : Bros . Dr . Casson , P . M . 1635 ; H . W . Gilbey , and A . Gilbey . The lodge being opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for a joining member , Bro . Lieut . W . P . C . Lethbridge , and a candidate , Mr . A .

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Verschoyle , who were both elected . Bro . Lethbridge , P . M ., then took the chair in order to give the Second Degree to his nephew , Bro . Lethbridge , and to initiate his cousin , the candidate , both of which ceremonies were admirably performed , Bro . Casson aiding by his great musical talent their effective rendering . The lodge then proceeded to the election of W . M . and Treasurer for the year , when Bro . Capt . Graham Moon , S . W ., and Bro . Frank

Richardson , P . G . D ., were unanimously elected . The lodge passed a resolution expressing its great regret at the serious illness of their valued Bro . F . Richardson , and hopes for his speedy recovery . Notice of motion to present the outgoing VV . M . with a jewel and of a joining member werc given , and the lodge was closed . The brethren dined together at the Cafe Royal , when thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

GUERNSEY . —Mariners Lodge ( No . 168 ) . — The visual monthly meeting of this old lodge was held at the Masonic Temple , Lc Marchant-street , on the 7 th ult . Present : Bros . F . C . Sparrow , W . M . ; T . Pengelley , P . M . ; Courtenay , P . M . ; Thorn , P . M . ; Emra Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., P . P . G . D . C . Suffolk ; VV . H . Lovell , S . VV . ; J . Quant , J . W . ; VV . De Jersey , P . M ., Treas . ; R . M .

Smythson , P . M ., Sec ; Pickering , S . D . ; McGregor , J . D . ; Nicolle , I . G . ; and others . Visitors : Bros . T . Barnes , 243 ; VV . Hall , I . G . 795 ; and R . A . Handcock , 192 S . The lodge having been opened , Mr . T . J . Mallett was balloted for , approved , and initiated into Masonry , and Bro . Corner was passed to the Second Degree . Bro . Pengelley brought forward a proposition that in the election of

honorary members they should be proposed in open lodge and balloted for at a subsequent meeting . Some discussion ensued , the Secretary reading a correspondence he had had with the Grand Secretary on the subject , and after the proposal had been strongly supported by Bro . Emra Holmes and other brethren , it was duly carried . After the usual business had been transacted , the lodge

was closed , and the brethren retired to the banqueting room , where the usual supper was served . Bro . Holmes proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " assuring them of a hearty welcome at all times in Mariners Lodge . Bro . Hall responded , with a characteristic eloquent Irish speech . Bro . Handcock also replied , in feeling terms , stating

that he had come to Guernsey in search of healtn , and hc should never forget his hospitable reception . At the lodge meeting a donation of ten guineas was voted to the Masonic Charities , to be given to Bro . Parsons , who had undertaken the duties of Steward this year . A subscription of one guinea was also voted , on the proposition of Bro . Emra Holmes , to the Queen Eleanor Cross , Waltham , Restoration Fund . A circular was received and

read asking for subscriptions towards the Masonic Hall Fund . A circular was received and read asking for subscriptions towards the Masonic Hall Fund at Oban , but it was felt that whilst the brethren had built , without assistance from outside , their own temple at Guernsey , on which there was still a debt , the brethren could not entertain the proposal , but would recommend their Scottish brethren to go and do likewise , and the Sectetac-y wa-i requested to write accordingly .

HALESOWEN . —Perseverance Lodge ( No . 573 ) - —The members of this lodge held their annual festival and thc installation of the W . M . at the Shenstone Hotel , on the 13 th ult . There was a large attendance of members and also of visiiing brethren , the latter including Bro . A . F . Godson , D . P . G . M . Bro . T . Price was installed W . M .

, the ceremony being * ably performed by Bro . W . Waldron , P . M ., P . G . D . C . At the conclusion of the lodge business a banquet was held . The toasts were agreeably interspersed with songs and glees , rendered by Bros . Is . Pewtress , W . H . _ Smith , Underwood , E . VV . Smith , Brown , and A . Smith . Bro . Jackson presided at the organ .

STAFFORD . —Staffordshire Knot Lodge ( No . 726 ) . —The 29 th annual Festival of St . John and the installation of Bro . J . Wooldridge as W . M . of this lodge took place at the lodge room at the Swan Hotel on Wednesday evening , the 21 st ult . There was a numerous company . The ceremony of installation was performed in an impressive manner by Bro . F . Woolley , the retiring W . M . The

newly-elected W . M . then invested the following brethren as his officers : Bros . F . Woolley , I . P . M . ; T . Rigby , S . W . ; W . D . Batkin , J . W . ; Rev . F . H . Beaven , Chap . ; N . Joyce , Treas . ; E . J . Mousley , Sec . ; S . Moss , D . C .: F . Taylor , S . D . ; T . Masters , J . D . ; E . VV . Taylor , Mus . Doc , Org . ; F . Williamson , I . G . ; T . Mottram , A . C . Ward , and W . G . Taylor , Stwds .

An interesting feature of the proceedings was the presentation by Bro . Rev . E . C . Perry , M . A ., P . P . G . C , on behalf of the lodge , of a P . M . 's jewel to Bro . j . Mottram , Prov . G . P ., in recognition of long and distinguished services to the lodge . The presentation was made and acknowledged with much feeling . Afterwards a banquet was held , the newly-installed W . M . presiding .

1 here were present , besides the above-named , the following members of the lodge : Bros . T . E . Fowke , Prov . G . D . of C ; J . Mottram , Prov . G . P . ; Rev . E . C . Perry , M . A ., P . P . G . C ; Belcher , Plant , Cinders , Nutt , Sladen , Ricalton , Turkington , Espley , and Griffith . Visitors : Bros . Beebee , Pepper , Warrilow , Bayliss , Bastick , Stanger , Thorne , Owen , Walton , Smart , Berridge , Bennett , Perkins ,

Ashmall , Buttery , Cartwright , Bindley , Grimes , Heap , and Maddocks . The toast of " The Queen and Craft" was given by thc W . M ., who also gave " The M . W . G . M ., the M . W . Pro G . M ., the R . W . Deputy G . M ., and the Officers of Grand Lodge , " and both the toasts were heartily honoured . Bro . N . J oyce gave "The R . VV . Bro . Col . G . S . Tudor , Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire ; the VV . Bro . Col . Gough ,

LL . D ., Deputy Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire ; and Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " Bro . VV . Cartwright , P . P . G . S . W ., responded . Bro . Rev . E . C Perry , P . P . G . C , gave "The Health ot the VV . M ., " who responded . The toast of "The Visitors" was given by Bro . J . Mottram , Prov . G . P ., and responded to by Bros . Buttery , I . P . M . St . Augustine ' s Lodge ; Perkins , Beebee , Tudor Lodge ; and Ashmall .