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The W . M . proposed that of "The Pro G . M ., the Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " referring to the valuable services they had rendered and were rendering to Freemasonry , and congratulating the lodge that so many were shedding the illustrious sunshine of their presence on them that evening . He coupled the toast with the name of Lord Euston , Prov . G . Master

for Northants and Hunts . Lord Euston , in reply , thanked the W . M . most heartily for what he had said , but regretted that the task of responding had fallen to the lot of such a junior Grand Officer . In common with all present he regretted the absence of the W . M . elect , who , he trusted , would soon be able to take upon himself the duties of his office . Speaking for

himself , and he was quite sure for every Grand Officer present , they were only too glad to place their services at the disposal of the Craft . They had Bro . Philbrick , who , as G . Registrar , devoted so much of his valuable time to Masonry , also Bros . Fenn , President of the Board of General Purposes , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Secretary , and many others . He earnestly hoped that the hearty good

fellowship and good feeling which existed among Masons , and which did so much good amongst all classes , would be always maintained in that lodge as in the Craft generally . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke then said that he had been asked by their junior P . M ., Bro . Matier , to act for him in proposing the next toast—that of " The W . M . " This he did with somewhat mingled feelings . He always liked to give

it , but there was a great drawback to the pleasure on that occasion in the absence of the brother they desired to honour . He trusted , however , that his distinguished friend , Bro . General Lord Taylour , would soon be well enough to take upon himself the duties of his office . He had been looking forward to that evening with much pleasurable anticipation , and had thoroughly appreciated the

honour in store for him ; but although they sympathised with him , still they were very fortunate in having a brother who had not yet been released of his obligation . He had fulfilled his duties to their satisfaction , and would that night have passed from the chair but for the illness of his successor . They all hoped to have him for many years on the roll ofthe Past Masters of the lodge which had honoured

him ( Col . Clerke ) by calling it after his name . The W . M ., in reply , said he hardly knew how to respond in fitting terms to the remarks that had been made by the Grand Secretary . No one regretted more than himself the absence of Bro . Lord Taylour , who would , he felt sure , have filled the chair more ably than himself . He felt much like the man who had married again , under the

impression that his first wife was dead . He had no doubt the new W . M . would take the first opportunity of being present and filling the chair to which he had been elected . The W . M . next proposed the toast of "The Visitors , " and called upon Bros . Fenn , President Board General Purposes , and Newman , P . G . W . Hants and Isle of Wight , respond .

Bro . Fenn added his regrets to those of the former speakers , that the present Grand Warden and W . M . elect was unable to be present . He , himself , felt a peculiar interest in him , as he had promised to preside at the annual Festival of the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement , in which he felt a great interest , but he hoped he would be restored to health long before the meeting in February . The

lodge was privileged in bearing the name of his friend , Col . Shadwell Clerke , and he congratulated all the members on the position it had gained in Masonry . Bro . Newman also replied . Bro . Shadwell Clerke then proposed the toast of " The Past Masters . " It seemed to him only the other day that he had the honour of consecrating the lodge , and since

then they had had six Masters—first , their very distinguished Bro . Mellor , next , Bro . Robbins , then Bros . Kendall , J . L . Mather , and C . F . Matier , now they had Lord Molesworth—a band of brothers under whose ruling he hoped they would make steady progress . Bro . Mellor , on behalf of the P . M . 's , returned thanks for the toast . When he entered the room that

evening , he felt proud of the lodge ot which he had the good fortune lo be the first Master . The other Past Masters certainly deserved all that had been said of them . For himself , he had relied on the assistance of Bros . Mather and Matier , by whose help he was able to fulfil his duties . From the day of the consecration till now , the lodge had progressed in the most satisfactory

manner . Bro . Mather next proposed "The Honorary Members , " most of whom had been Consecrating Officers—and they had now added to the list their very good friend , Bro . Philbrick , G . Registrar—all men of worth , who were always welcome at every lodge . Bro . Philbrick , in reply , said that the honorary members

no less than the other members took the greatest interest in the lodge , and he had to thank them for receiving with so much kindness his son into the lodge bearing the honnured name of Shadwell Clerke . The most interesting ceremony he thought that a Mason could be engaged in was to initiate a son , and he was very glad he had seen the light of Masonry in that lodge—a lodge that had set up for

itself a high standard , and from which he hoped it would never depart . Bro . Frank Richardson then proposed the health ol the two brethren who had been raised that evening , viz ., Bro . Andrews , from the Raymond Thrupp Lodge , an old

friend of 30 years' standing , also Bro . Philbrick—a name that was an household word in Masonry—to whom they gave a double greeting . Bro . E . Philbrick was about to leave for the Antipodes , and they could not do better than wish him good speed , and a safe return to his native land should he so desire it .

Bro . E . Philbrick returned thanks . The WJVI . next proposed "The Health of the Treasurer and Secretary , Bros . C Belton and C . F . Matier . " No institution could get on without good officers , and " a better Treasurer than Bro . Belton , and a more efficient and learned Secretary than Bro . Matier , did not exist . Bro . Belton briefly replied , remarking that they finished the year with double the balance with which they started ,

and there were no members in arrears . Bro . Matier also replied . He said he felt proud and pleased to say that he had never been called on for a legal opinion in connection with the lodge , but they had endeavoured to preserve the old traditions of Masonry in the matter of hospitality . That evening they had seen an honorary member perform the Degrees in a manner not to be surpassed , and they were proud of Bro . Philbrick as an honorary member . Speaking of himself , he said he

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hoped it would be long before he was called to the Grand Lodge where there were no minutes to write , but when Col . Gierke's successor , coming a hundred years hence , had to decide on the claims of the lodge to have a centenary jewel , he would find the minutes so clearly recorded that no difficulty would arise as to their claim . The toast of "The Officers" and the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close .

LODGE LA FRANCE ( No . 2060 ) . —The installation for the second year in succession of Bro . E . St . Clair took place at the Masonic Hall , Cafe Royal , Regentstreet , on the 19 th ult . The lodge was opened at the appointed time by Bro . St . Clair , the W . M ., and , in addition to the officers and members of the lodge , there were present the following Grand Officers and invited guests : —

Bros . Col . Malet de Carteret , Prov . G . M . Jersey ; Sir R . Hanson , P . G . W . ; Thomas Fenn , President Board of General Purposes ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; F . Richardson , P . G . D . ; Col . Somerville Burney , P . G . D . ; Ralph Gooding , P . G . D . ; E . Letchworth , P . G . D . ; R . G . Glover , P . D . G . D . C . ; E . A . Baylis , P . D . G . D . C . ; Major A . B . Cooke , P . A . G . D . C ;

R . H . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C ; W . Nettleship , P . G . S . B . ; Major G . Lambert , P . G . S . B . ; F . Mead , P . G . S . B . ; J . H . Matthews , P . G . Std . Br . ; Gordon Smith , G . Stwd . ; Wimperis , P . G . S ., W . M . Grand Steward ' s Lodge ; G . Hopkinson , P . G . S . ; H . J . Lardner , P . P . G . D . C . ; Gen . Randolph , P . P . G . W . ; Brock , Prov . G . D . ; Townsend , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; Dr . Greatrex , Saillard , H . J . Cubitt , T .

Benskin , Bun , Thomas , Masters , Tanqueray , Stewart , Newton , Whittington , Green , Grummant , Sampson , Berchili , Davutt , Al . Baume , Novara , W . Lake , and others . Letters of apology were received from the following : — Bros . H . D . Sandeman , P . Dist G . M . Bengal ; A . Fred . Philbrick , Q . C , G . R . ; R . Grey , President ot the Board of Benevolence ; H . Dumas , P . G . D . ; Rev . H . A . Pickard ,

P . G . C ; Rev . Dr . P . H . E . Brette , P . G . D . ; Montague Guest , D . P . G . M . Dorset ; Dr . Mackintosh , P . G . S . W . M . [ 14 ; Finnis , Sugg , and others . The beautiful Masonic Hall , which has lately been redecorated , presented a very animated appearance , and the novelty of having the ceremony wholly in the French language gave an interest to the proceedings of an

unusual character . It was hoped that Bro . J . Bue , Taylorian Professor of French at Oxford , P . G . W . of Oxford , the S . W . last year , would have occupied the chair , but he found himself at the last moment prevented from accepting the Mastership . This , for a new lodge , was a great disappointment , as it had few P . M . ' s to fill up the gap . Bros . Thiellay and

H . Bue s engagements prevented them undertaking those arduous duties , and Bro . E . Monteuuis was filling the chair of the Argonauts' Lodge . Under these circumstances Bro . E . St . Clair was requested by the Permanent Committee to again undertake the duties of W . M ., which he had fulfilled so well during the previous year , and kindly consented . To have re-installed the W . M . in the usual way

would have been a disappointment to the brethren and to the visitors , and therefore it was resolved that the ceremony should be done in full and with as much eclat as possible . Therefore it was that the lodge called to its assistance Bros . T . Fenn , President Board of General Purposes , F . Richardson , P . G . D ., and G . Hopkinson , P . G . S ., who are all three honorary members of the lodge and have on

sundry occasions taken part in its ceremonies , specially Bro . Fenn , who is a constant attendant , and who is always ready to assist in every way , be it to give the exhortation , or the explanation of a tracing board , or even to act as Deacon . That he is master of all the ceremonies in French as well as in English he gave proof in the masterly and impressive way in which he delivered the three final allocutions .

At the opening of the lodge , Bro . St . Clair requested Bro . Fenn to take the S . W . chair , and Bro . Hopkinson that of J . W . After the minutes of the last meeting had been read , and the statemrnt of accounts had been submitted and approved , showing a balance in hand of upwards of £ 70 , Bro . St . Clair requested Bro . Bue to take the chair . Bro . Bue performed the first part of the ceremony ,

Bro . St . Clair saying the obligations himself . Bro . Monteuuis delivered the proclamations , and presented the tools , Bro . F . Richardson acting as D . of C . Bro . Fenn delivered the three addresses . Bro . St . Clair appointed his officers as follows : Bros . L . Clerc , S . W . ; A . Sauve , J . W . ; H . Bue , I . P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; E . Monteuuis / P . M ., P . G . S ., Sec ; B . A . Lacoste , S . D . ; J .

Desviques , J . D . ; E . Pouard , I . G . ; Rev . C d'Anguier , Chap . ; E . Casablanca , D . C . ; L . Mallet and C . Coulon , Stwds . ; ' L . Walter , Org . ; and E . H . Thiellay , P . M ., who will act as I . P . M ., the I . P . M . being Treas . The next business was to present the jewel of the lodge to Bro . Frank Richardson . The W . M . accompanied the presentation with some words of praise , which were

evidently well bestowed . Bro . Richardson had performed many services for the lodge ; he had , on sundry occasions , acted as Chairman of the founders' meetings , instructing them as to what was to be done to obtain a warrant , and guiding their steps in the right path during all the preliminaries , and had continued his sympathy and assistance ever since . Bro . Frank Richardson thanked the W . M .

and brethren for thus remembering him , an J expressed the great gratification it had always given him to render any services in his power to the lodge . Bro . Bue , P . G . Std . Br ., I . P . M ., was elected as Steward to represent the lodge at the next Festival of the Boys' School . The lodge . has already constituted itself Life-Governor of the other two Institutions , and it evidently intends to continue to support

the Charities to the best of its abilities . The brethren then adjourned to refreshments , and , after the banquet , which was served in the recherche" style of the Cafe Royal , the following toasts were given in French : "The Queen and the Craft , " in proposing which the W . M . remarked that in more than 2000 lodges under trie English Constitution that toast held justly the first place , and that the Lodge La France , far from wishing to be the

exception , was happy to take every opportunity to honour the head of the British Empire , and the Master of that French lodge would always feel proud to have the privilege to propose the toast— "Loyalty to the Oueen and fidelity to the Craft . " ( " God save the Queen . " ) "La France et son representant , M . Ie President Carnot . " ( The mention of this toast was received with prolonged cheers ) . The W . M . said that toast was an exceptional one , and only given in that lodge , and it

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should therefore receive a special welcome from them . They would not be worthy of the name of Frenchmen , and they would not deserve the esteem of their English brethren if they did not openly declare that , although placed second on the list , it took the place of honour in their hearts . France had invited the world to a peaceful contest ' about to begin in Paris in a few months . The Exhibition of 1 SS 9 , although

marking the Centenary of the French Revolution , was . not intended as a glorification of excesses , unfortunately pari of all great social shocks , but it would demonstrate in . a glorious manner the progress accomplished since 100 years and serve as a scientific and industrial " apotheose " to the 19 th century coming to its close . Let them drink to the success of the exhibition , to the prosperity of their

country , and to the health of the President of the Republic ( "Marseillaise . " ) "The Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " In proposing this toast the W . M . said since 14 years , English Masonry had been under the rule of their present Grand Master , and under his able direction it had attained unprecedented and unlooked-for prosperity . That was not

surprising when they considered that in the whole world it would be impossible to find a man so highly respected , and at the same time so popular , as the Prince of Wales . Their Grand Master celebrated his silver wedding a few months ago , and that he did in a right Masonic manner , which he ventured to say no other Mason could have

equalled . He alluded to the Centenary of their Girls ' School , when subscriptions amounting to over £ 50 , 000 were announced . Let them also honour the ladies . H . R . H . the Princess of Wales graced with her presence the last distribution of prizes to their Masonic girls , and he therefore believed he was entitled to join her name with that toast— " Prince and Princess of Wales . "

" Ihe Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M ., the Earl of Lathom , Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The W . M . said since 1874 , when their Grand Master appointed the Earl of Carnarvon and the Earl of Lathom to second him in the ruling of the Craft , those two brethren had accomplished the duties of their high office to the satisfaction of all ; but if he asked

them to give a hearty reception to that toast , it was because they were favoured that night with the presence of many Grand Officers , and in the name of the lodge , he thanked them very sincerely for the willingness with which they had responded to their invitation , and he might say that their fraternal support had in no slight degree helped to the success of the lodge . Here the W . M . read

out the names of the Grand Officers and added he would single out two of those Grand Officers to respond to the toast—Bro . Col . M . de Carteret , Grand Master of Jersey , who he was most happy to have at his right , as he happened to be born a " Lewis " in the province which he ruled , and Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , who , when Lord Mayor , had kept up the tradition of his office , and like his predecessors

had given his support to their French Hospital in London . Amongst the Grand Officers who should have been there he would name their Bro . Sandeman , who was kept away by an unfortunate accident , and as they drank the health of the Grand Officers , let them drink to ' his prompt recovery . Col . de Carteret , G . M . of Jersey , replied that he was charmed to have been present that evening . He did not

forget that he himself was of Norman descent , and it had been a great treat to him to witness the work done in so perfect a manner in French . He assured the brethren of Lodge La France that should they ever wish to pay their Jersey brethren a visit , they could safely come to him and he would give them a cordial and fraternal welcome . Sir R . Hanson said that he was sorry he could not

respond in French , but as the W . M . had alluded to the French Hospital dinners , he remembered that he was then allowed to answer in ( English , and he hoped he might again avail himself of the permission . On behalf of the Grand Officers , and on behalf of all English Masons , he begged to thank the brethren of Lodge La France . The work he had witnessed had been done remarkably welland he was

, all the more astounded as some of the brethren who assisted in the work , were not speaking their own language . Considering the perfection of the work , and the aptitude the French had for Masonic work , he regretted that there were not more lodges like this connected with the Grand Lodge of England . Mark Twain had said

that he attended church service in French to learn what he called "Service French , " but here they could come and learn French and Freemasonry at the same time . It usually fell to the lot of the visitors to say they hoped they might come again ; nevertheless , as Grand Officer , he hoped the hint would be taken .

Bro . Bue , I . P . M ., in proposing "The W . M . " { Lt Venerable Maitre ) , said he had often found himself not quite up to his Masonic duties , but that now he was absolutely unequal to the task allotted to him . He had no intention to enumerate all the good qualities of the W . M ,, he felt sure they were engraved in the hearts of the brethren , and all were delighted that he should preside over

them a second year . However , he hoped this would not occur again , as a lodge to continue to prosper must have fresh blood and a new Master every year . It was impossible for him to express to the W . M . how much he had endeared himself to the lodge , how much he was esteemed and respected , and he could only ask him to accept the jewel of the lodge , which he then placed on his breast , as

a small token of the esteem and affection of the brethren . Bro . St . Clair , W . M ., expressed his hearty thanks to the brethren . He was the first initiate of the lodge , and they made a spoilt child of him . However , as the eldest son of the lodge , he had its honour and interest at heart , and so long . as the G . A . of the U . gave him health and strength , he would devote himself to his Masonic duty and help the

lodge to keep the high position it had attained in the Craft . He felt he was too young a Mason to . have deserved the jewel just offered to him , and he was glad of another year of office to pay partly for the honour . Whenever he gazed on that handsome jewel , he would be doubly proud to remember that he was the first initiate of Lodge La France , and that he had had the great honour to be its

W . M . The next toast was that of " The Visitors , " and in welcoming them , in the name of the lodge , the Worship ful Master said that the success of the lodge was not only due to the founders and the Grand Officers , but also to the fraternal way in which the English Masons had received their French brethren . Everywhere he had been he ( the W . M . ) had always received great attention , and he felt certain that the visitors would leave that room under the same impres-