Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

sion . He regretted that they were pressed for space , and had to refuse many brethren ; but he hoped that when the alterations in the Cafe Royal were completed , the comfort of the visitors would be perfect . The visitors being so numerous , he would not attempt to give their names , and would ask Bro . Wimperis , P . G . S ., Grand Steward ' s Lodge , to respond for the London brethren ; Bro . J . Brock , Prov .

G . D . Kent , for the provinces ; and Bro . Sanceau for the old Masons of the Grand Orient of France . Bro . Wimperis said he could not take for himself the honour of having been selected to respond for such a distinguished array of visitors , but accepted it for his lodgethe Grand Steward ' s , lt had been a great pleasure for him to be present that evening ; He had been with that lodge

once before , and certainly hoped , like Bro . Sir R . Hanson , that he might be asked again . The visitors had witnessed a magnificent ceremony splendidly performed ; the right hand of fellowship had been fraternally extended and heartily received ; and , in the name of the visitors and his own , he sincerely thanked the brethren of La France Lodge for their kind and hearty reception .

Bro . Brock also thanked the brethren for the great honour that had been done him in coupling his name with the toast . He had witnessed with astonishment the perfection of the work , and had derived a great benefit from all he had seen . He was sure to be the interpreter of all the visitors in wishing prosperity to the lodge , and to the W . M . a second year of office as successful as the last .

Bro . Sanceau then said he represented the brethren of foreign allegiance , but he belonged to the old French Masonry . Being a Lewis , he was initiated when 18 years old , and he had now seen 40 years of Masonry . Although he had often visited Scotch lodges , and knew many English Masons , that was the first time he had entered an English lodge—he called that an English lodge

because La France was under the rule of the Grand Lodge of England . He belonged to the old school of French Masons . He was a Christian , and his sympathies were with them . He drank to the prosperity of their lodge , and thanked them for what they had prepared for the children of France in founding that lodge . The Worshipful Master then proposed " The Health of

the I . P . M . and P . M . 's . " He referred to the high Masonic meritof Bro . BUB * , to the services rendered by Bro . Thiellay , P . M ., and to the continuous good work done by Bro . Monteuuis , the first Master who worked the French translation of the Emulation ritual . Bro . Bue , LP . M . and Treasurer , in a humorous speech , compared the P . M . ' s to so many bricks forming part of the

building of the lodge , and referred to Bro . Monteuuis as the consolidated brick , or keystone , of the edifice . The W . M . then rose and said that as he had grouped in one the toasts of Installing Master , I . P . M ., and P . M . 's , he took upon himself to propose "The Health of the Honorary Members of the Lodge , " three of whom were still present , notwithstanding the late hour , and had taken

active part in the ceremony of installation—Bros . Thos . Fenn , P . B . G . P . ; F . Richardson , P . G . D . ; and G . Hopkinson , P . M . 14 , P . G . S . He thanked them for the great eclat their co-operation had given to the ceremony , and said he was happy to have been able that evening to pay to Bro . Richardson the same compliment as had been bestowed upon Bro . Fenn at the previous meeting .

Bro . Fenn , P . B . G . P . ( responding in French ) said Worshipful Master , the toast you have been good enough to propose is not one of the regular ones , but is essentially of a complimentary character , and for which he was not prepared , so he hoped he would not expect a long speech . He felt somewhat overpowered by the great compliment he had paid him . He had learnt French by himself . He was

happy to work with them , and on the many occasions when they had called upon him to join in their ceremonies , he had done his best to do justice to that magnificent translation of their ritual by Bro . Bue . The hours that he had spent in the lodge had been some of the happiest in his Masonic career , and he took the opportunity of again thanking

them for the handsome jewel they had presented to him at their last meeting . Thetoastof " The Officers " was responded to by Bro . Monteuuis , P . M ., Sec , and by Bro . L . Clerc , S . W ., and the Tyler ' s toast a tous les pauvres et malheureuxfrancmacons , brought a most successful meeting to a close . During the evening Bro . Noiard volunteered several songs , and his magnificent basso voice helped greatly to the enjoyment of the brethren .

ST . MARK'S COLLEGE LODGE ( No . 2157 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 23 rd ult ., at the Holborn Restaurant . There were present Bros . John O'Connell , W . M . ; Rev . J . H , Smith , P . M ., acting as S . W . ; W . R . Carter , B . A ., P . P . G . S . Herts , J . W . ; T . Cross , I . P . M . and Sec . ; J . Tidmarsh , S . D . ; W . Goulden , J . D . ; A . Preece Lye , I . G .

R . H . Catling , Steward ; J . L . Johnson , John Stanton , A . Streeter , W . T . Thompson , B . A ., andG . H . Heathcote . Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Messrs . Arnold and Parry , and proved unanimous , and , being in [ attendance , they were initiated by the W . M . in a most careful and impressive manner . After some other business , the lodge was closed .

CORDWAINER WARD LODGE ( No . 2241 ) , —The November meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., at the Cannon-street Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . Frank Tayler , C . C , W . M . Bro . Alderman Col . Cowan , S . W ., was absent through a domestic bereavement . The following officers and members were present : Bros . Fred . West , P . G . D ., acting as

I . P . M . ; W . T . Buck , J . W . ; Rev . R . C . Lewis , Chap . ; H . J . Adams , G . S . B ., Treas . ; H . Lovegrove , Sec ; C S . Buck , S . D . ; J . T . Hepburn , J . D . ; J . R . Reep , D . of C . ; A . Hawkins , J . P ., A . D . of C ; VV . A . Prince and H . Carter , Stewards ; W . Eckstein , J . W . Potter , R . Greening , C . Wilkinson-Pembury , C Cogan Mason , and A . Bull . The visitors present were Bros . J . Brockett Sorrell , P . M .

176 ; Dr . J . H . Galton , Jas . Wright , J . Cooper , H . S . Mendelsohn , and F . Loughlin . The business consisted of passing Bro . J . Steedman , | who had been initiated at the previous meeting , to the Second Degree , and initiating Messrs . W . D . Ramsay and Arthur Wright , both ceremonies being well rendered . At the close of the proceedings 26 members and visitors met at the banquet table .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

TAUNTON . —Unanimity and Sincerity Lodge ( No . 261 ) . —The ordinary monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., a large number of brethren being present in honour of their much esteemed W . M ., Bro . Brigadier-General Adair , P . P . G . M . The minutes having been read and confirmed , favourable ballots were taken for Bro . Nation as a

joining member , and Messrs . Paull , Read , and Kirtley for initiation , which ceremony was most impressively performed by the W . M ., the Lecture on the tracing board being admirably given by Bro . the Rev . H . S . Hume . Among the members present was Bro . H . J . Spiller , who has recently been elected Mayor of the town , and the W . M . took the opportunity of warmly congratulating Bro

Spiller on the high honour his fellow townsmen had conferred upon him ; to which the brethren expressed their approval by prolonged acclamation . Bro . Spiller feelingly responded . Two propositions were made , and the lodge was closed . A very pleasant couple of hours was afterwards spent in the banquet hall .

LUDLOW . —Lodge ofthe Marches ( No . 611 ) . —The second regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall on the 7 th ult ., and was remarkable from the unusually large amount of "purple" present , just half the brethren present having received that honour . The lodge was opened by Bro . Sharp , W . M ., who , after tbe routine business had been disposed of , initiated Mr . C .

B . Cranstoun , who had been balloted for at the preceding meeting . The charge was forcibly delivered by Bro . Mac-Bean , S . W . A couple of hours after the lodge closed , the brethren re-assembled , when the lodge room was converted into a banquet chamber , in which were served the refreshments usually partaken ot at an installation , and which was deferred from the previous month .

A large number sat down , and " the feast did eat right merrily , " the usual toast list being duly honoured . Students of Milton are aware that his "Maske of Comus " was first represented in 1634 in the State Hall of the Court of the Marches , held in Ludlow Castle , from which august body the lodge is named . Owing to this circumstance , the toast list was interspersed with suitable quotations taken solely from that work .

KINGSTON-ON-THAMES . — Dobie Lodge ( No . 889 ) . —A meeting of the above lodge was held on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., at the Griffin Hotel , and proved one of the largest gatherings , apart from installation meetings , on record . The W . M ., Bro . W . Drewett , opened lodge , supported by the following officers : Bros . Chapman , P . G . St . Br ., I . P . M . ; J . Drewett , P . M . 1638 ,

P . P . A . G . P ., S . W . ; C j . Pettit acting as j . W . ; Long , Treas . ; Elsam , Sec ; F . J . Hayward , S . D . ; W . H . Abrahams , J . D . ; Honeywell , P . P . G . Org ., Org . ; Levy , l . G . ; and Gilbert , Tyler . Members : Bros . Veal , P . M . ; Styles , P . M . ; and Weaver , P . M . ; J . C Marshall , Bond , Carter , W . Walker , Clifford , Loxley , King , Gaydon , Gardiner , G . H . Bennett , and Mawlam . Visitors : Bros .

R . Sebastian Hart , P . M . 2146 ; A . Laurence , P . M . 1638 ; W . Lane , P . M . 1638 ; T . Wilkinson , P . M . 1420 ; F . P . Hill , S . W . 2146 ; E . Prince , J . D . 209 , and H . Bray . Mr . Alfred Kushbridge and Mr . J . F . Littleton , having been duly elected to receive the privilege of initiaton , were severally introduced and initiated . On the ballot being taken for the W . M . for the ensuing year , there was but

one name written , Bro . John Drewett , and the W . M . had the specially gratifying duty of communicating the result to his elder brother , who , in thanking the brethren for the honour paid him , referred to the singular and almost unique position occupied in the lodge by two brothers by blood as well as in Masonry . Bro . Long , P . M ., was with one voice re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Gilbert , Tyler . On the

motion of the I . P . M ., a P . M . jewel was voted to the outgoing W . M . One name was read out for ballot at the next meeting and one for joining , and then the brethren adjourned for refreshment . Talking was kept down to the very narrowest compass , and with the help of Bros . Honeywell and Hart at the piano , and several singing and reciting members , a right pleasant evening was passed .

SOUTHEND . —Priory Lodge ( No . 1000 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 15 th ult ., at the Middleton Hotel , when there were present Bros . C . Floyd , P . M . 1817 , P . P . A . G . P ., W . M . ; G . J . Glasscock , P . M . 1817 , P . P . G . S . B ., S . W . ; W . E . Bridgland , P . M . 933 , J . W . ; F . Wood , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; A . Lucking , P . M ., P . G . P ., Sec ; T . Hood , S . D . ; B . Thomas ,

J . D . ; T . F . Barrett , P . P . G . R ., D . C . ; A . Vandevord , l . G . ; A . W . Martin , Tyler ; G . Berry , P . M . ; G . R Dawson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; E . Burton Durham , F . J Cumine , G . F . Vandevord , C . J . Dobson , H . Cogill , C H . Bowmaker , C . Barnard , and J . R . Brightwell . Bros , W . Yerridge , J . W . 1817 , and J . Randall , 1719 , were

present as visitors . The minutes having been read and confirmed , a candidate for initiation was balloted for , and unanimously elected . A joining member was proposed , after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment .

HEATON NORRIS . —Egerton Lodge ( No . 1030 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the George Hotel , on Monday , the 19 th ult ., when there were present Bros . James Cookson , P . G . Stwd ., W . M . ; R . Bassnett Preston , S . W . ; Jos . McKim , J . W . ; Rev . E . J . Reeve , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; A . Pemberton , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; Walter H . Vaughan , P . M ., P . G . Reg ., Sec ; W . A . Vaughan , S . D . ; T . Knott ,

J . D . ; J . W . Abbott , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; H , Dawson , P . M ., Tyler ; E . G . Lingard , P M ., P . G . Stwd . ; Kenneth Maclean , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; John Rostron , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Cell , G . W . Cookson , Chas . Crush , S . H . Willoughby , W . Husband , A . W . Henry , and T .

W . Markland . Visitors : Bros . C . D . Cheetham , jun ., P . M . 993 , P . J . G . D . ; S . D . McKellen , P . M . 16 33 , 1496 , P . P . G . D . C . West Lanes . ; R . R . Lisenden , P . M . 317 , P . G . Stwd . ; R . G . Coates , W . M . 210 ; C . Bullock , 2 S 7 ; T . D . Foreman , S . W . 210 ; H . Foster , 1957 ; W . Morrison , J . W . 326 ; W . Lancaster , Sec . 287 ; J . E . Samuel , Chap . 1140 ; J . R . R . Jeffrey , 1140 ; Webster

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Williams , 1609 ; Jno . Smith , S . W . 323 ; and C W . Bickerton , I . P . M . 1957 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Bro . C . W . Bickerton , I . P . M . 1957 , as a joining member , and announced favourable . TheW . M . passed Bro . Gell to the Degree of F . C . There were two candidates for

raising , viz ., Bros . A . W . Henry and G . W . Cookson . The latter is the son of the W . M ., who initiated and passed him . Bro . E . G . Lingard took the chair by permission of the W . M ., and raised Bro . Henry to the Sublime Degree of a M . M ., after which Bro . Cookson resumed his duties , and raised his son , Bro . G . W . Cookson , performing the entire ceremony with a care and correctness highly

commendable and pleasant to witness . The Deaconing was very carefully and satisfactorily done by Bro . Vaughan . Bro . J . McKim , J . W ., presented and explained the working tools to both brethren , and Bro . R . Bassinett Preston , S . W ., gave the Third Degree charge . The whole of the work was most creditably done , and would compare favourably with that in the best worked lodges . Bro . Rev . E . J .

Reeve , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap ., rendered valuable assistance at the piano during the ceremonies . Bro . W . H . Vaughan , P . M . and Sec , P . G . Reg ., gave notice of motion "That the sum of 10 guineas be taken from the lodge funds and given to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . " Bro . Vaughan also informed the brethren of the proceedings of Prov . Grand

Lodge , held the previous Friday , at the Hulme Town Hall , and of the forthcoming consecration of a new lodge , the Thornham , at Royton , on the 28 th . " Hearty good wishes " were expressed by the numerous visitors , and the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards sat down to a recherche repast . On the removal of the cloth , theW . M . proposed the

preliminary toasts , previous to which the Charity Box was passed round , and realised £ 2 6 s . 6 d . On behalf of the Prov . Grand Officers , Bro . C . D . Cheetham , jun ., P . J . G . D ., referred to the exceptional number of brethren in the Egerton Lodge who had been honoured with Provincial rank , which must be very gratifying to the recipients and satisfactory to the lodge . The

lodge had , he thought , every reason to be proud of its recent success in entertaining the Prov . Grand Lodge at Heaton Norris , and which had been done without the cooperation of other lodges . Bro . Cheetham also referred to the excellent all-round working that had been executed that night , and said it must be intensely pleasing to Bro . Cookson to initiate , pass , and raise his own son , because

the W . M . must have perfect confidence he would become a good Mason . In conclusion , Bro . Cheetham thanked the W . M . and brethren for their kindness and hospitality , and the reception they had given the toast of the D . P . G . M . and P . G . Officers . Bro . W . H . Vaughan , P . G . Reg ., proposed "TheNewlyraised Brethren , " and Bros . Henry and Cookson replied .

The Worshipful Master proposed " The Health of Bro . Gell , " who had been passed to the Second Degree that evening , and spoke of his quiet , earnest manner , and his perceptible comprehension and appreciation of the ceremony . As the members were aware , Bro . Gell was the proprietor of the hotel on the borders of Rudyard Lake , at which charming spot a thoroughly pleasant picnic was

enjoyed in the summer by the brethren and their lady friends . It was on that occasion Bro . Gell expressed to him ( the W . Master ) an earnest desire to join the Fraternity , particularly the Egerton Lodge , and eventually , after strict enquiries , all of which were thoroughly satisfactory , Bro . Gell was proposed and initiated . In conclusion , Bro . Cookson said he had not the slightest doubt of Bro . Gell

becoming a useful member of their lodge and a good Mason . The toast was drunk with much enthusiasm , and Bro . Gell replied . "The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . W . H . Vaughan ,

P . G . R ., and duly responded to . "The Health of Bro . C W . Bickerton" was also proposed by Bro . A . F . Vaughan , P . M ., and heartily drunk , Bro . Bickerton replying in appropriate terms . A pleasant evening was spent , and some exceptionally good songs were rendered by Bros . W . Williams , 1609 ; J . Smith , S . W . -m : and C W . Bickerton .

TWICKENHAM . —Sir Francis Burdett Lodge ( No . 1503 ) . —This distinguished and prosperous lodge held its installation meeting at the Albany Hotel , on the 14 th ult . Among those present were Bros . E . W . Jenkins , W . M . ; Capt . A . Bunn , S . W ., W . M . elect ; H . Jenkins , J . W . ; Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . P . G . Chap ., P . M .,

Treas . ; T . C . Walls , P . G . W ., P . M ., Sec . ; A . Toulmin , S . D . ; Lieut .-Colonel Cuming , J . D . ; Lieut . Perry , I . G . ; W . H . Saunders . P . P . G . D ., P . M . ; J . T . Briggs , P . P . G . D ., P . M . ; A . Gurney , P . M . ; Murphy , H . G . Bennett , N . Roberts , and others . Among the visitors was Bro . Harris Saunders ( S . C . ) The minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , Bro . Raymond Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , D . P . G . M ., & c , was announced , and he was received with the usual honours . Bros . Bennett and Roberts were duly passed to the Second Degree . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Bro . Capt . A . Bunn having been presented , was installed as W . M . by Bro . E . W . Jenkins , assisted by Bros . W . H . Saunders ,

as S . W . ; J . T . Briggs , as J . W . ; T . C Walls , as D . C ; and A . Gurney , I . G . The following appointments and investitures were made : Bros . H . Jenkins , S . W . ; A . Toulmin , J . W . ; Rev . L . D'Orsey , Chap . ; Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , Treas . ; T . C Walls , Sec ; Lieut .-Col . Cuming , S . D . ; Perry , J . D . ; Coombes , l . G . ; T . Davison , D . C ; Murphy , Stwd . ; and Hanson , Tyler .

A . P . M . ' s jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Renning ) was presented to Bro . E . W . Jenkins , and a vote of thanks passed , to him for his services as Installing Officer . The resignation of Bro . T . A . Jenkins was received with regret . Communications were read from Bros . W . Taylor , P . P . G . W ., P . M . ; D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas . ; J . F . H . Woodward , P . G . Swd . Br . ( Hon . member ); Rev . R . J .

Simpson , P . G . Chap . ( Hon . member ); and others . Several propositions for joining and initiation having been handed in , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . The toasts were duly honoured , and the proceedings , which were throughout most instructive and enjoyalbe , terminated at an early hour .