Annual Soiree Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.

ANNUAL SOIREE OF THE GREAT CITY LODGE , No . 1426 .

The first soiree of this prosperous lodge , which was very largely attended , took place at the Cannon-street Hotel , on Saturday evening last . The programme comprised a concert of vocal and instrumental music , conducted by Bro . F . H . Cozens , an entertainment by Air . Benn , a Supper , and a Dance . This will be thought a sufficiently full programme to be got through in five hours ,

but the arrangements were so admirably planned and carried out that there was no loss of time , and everything came off in the most pleasant and spirited manner . The concert was of more than average merit , and was fairly attended , although , as is generally thc case , the dance , to say nothing of the supper , was the main attraction . Air . Benn ' s entertainment was very clever ; his rapid sketching of characteristic portraits of well-known eminent

men and types of character about town eliciting hearty applause . Tlie supper was laid in the Pillar Room , and gave great satisfaction . The viands were of the best , and the handsome suite of rooms , placed at the disposal of the Stewards , rendered the gathering a most cheerful and p leasant one . Unlike the usual run of Alasonic meetings , there was little in the way of " speaking , " although there was a good deal of "talking ; " and the W . AL confined

the toasts to the formal ones , with the exception of that of "The Ladies , " which was proposed in a few felicitous words , and responded to , as briefly , by Air . BENN , on behalf of the " ladies , " in the lvord ' s " God bless them "—a sentiment which we need hardly say was re-echoed by all present . At nine o ' clock the company proceeded to the large hall , where dancing was kept up until 11 . 30 . Altogether the

members generally , and the Stewards especially , are to be congratulated on such a successful entertainment , which , we trust , will be continued from year to year . The Stewards were Bros . Owen Bowen , A . Cumner , T . A . De Leliva , R . Fendick , James Freeman , G . S . Goodman , J . R . Greening , Thomas Hamer , J . R . Hartley , N . B . Headon , J . E . Hugo , F . T . C . Keeble , VV . F . Kibble , Thomas Lawes , J . L . Nissen , G . G . Parker , E . W . Postans , A . F . Roberts , John Seex , and James Stevens ; Bro . G . VV . Blackie , Hon .

Sec . Bro . Blackie , the Secretary of thc lodge , was indefatigable in his attention to the comforts of all present , and Bro . Hamer , W . AL , made an excellent Alaster of Ceremonies . The following is a list of those who were present : Mr . 11 . Arkcol ' l , Mr . VV . G . Ardington , Mrs . Ardington , Mr . Boyce , Mr . Banf , Mr . Braine , Bro . and Mrs . Benson , Mr . and Mrs . George Buzzard , Mrs . Brunton , Bro . and Mrs . Owen Bowen , Mr .

Body , Mr . Benn , Mr . J . F . Black , Bro . G . VV . Blackie , Mr . VV . Barton , Mr . James Bond , Mr . J . B . Brown , Mr . and Mrs . G . Brown , Mr . Henry Bertier , Bro . and Mrs . N . Bridges , Bro . F . Bowler , Mr . and Mrs . VV . N . Clarke , Bro . and Mrs . Donald Clark , liro . Cumner , Mr . C . Cuddon , Mr . Asliford Cooper , Mr . anil Miss Chinnev , Mrs . Dnrand , Bro . anil Miss Dncher , Bro . antl Miss ¦ Drummond , Bro . F . T . Davis , Mr . and Miss Davis , Mr . 1 . Davies , Mr . 15 . Davies . Mr . F . Dcrislev . Bro . and Mrs . De I . eliva , Miss Daniels

Bro . and Mrs . A . C . Ehbiitt , Bro . and Mrs . Evenctt , Bro . 1 . Eastgate , Bro . and the Misses Felton , Miss Filbv , Bro . F . \ V . Fisher , Bro . Furse , Bro . and Mrs . Fendick , Bro . VV , G . Fornick , Mr . J . K . Gywn , Miss Gwyn , Mr . John Gwyn , jun ., Bro . and Mrs Greening , Bro . anil Mrs . ' Goodman , Miss Gale , Miss Gray , Bro ., Mrs ., and Miss Hamer , Mr . T . Harper , Bro . and Mrs . J . H . Hartley , Mr . VV . C . Hartley , Mr . A . Hartman , Mrs . Hartman , Bro Mrs . and Miss Headon , ' Mr . Heandlc , Mr . Higgins , Bro . VV . T ,

Holland , antl l . atlv , Bro . and Mrs . Hitdd , Miss Holt , Mr . P . Hour , Bro . W . 1 . lliil ' e , and Lady , Bro . ami Mrs . Jones , Bro . and Mrs . Geo . Jenkins , Mr . R . Inglis , Mr . and Mrs . Josephs , Miss Josephs , Mr . a ' ntl Mrs . IJ . Johnson , Bro . George Kenning , Mrs . Kcnch , Bro . and Miss Keeble , ' Bro . H . P . King , Mr . and Mrs . G . Kentlield , Bro . and Mrs . Kibble , Miss Lasher , Bro . and Mrs . l ^ lwrence , Mr . and Mrs . Laybourn , Bro . and Mrs . Jno . Ledger , Bro . A . Leon , Bro . T . Lawes , Mr . Leslie , Mr . and Mrs . J . E . Lowe , Miss Lowe , Miss

Landclls , Bro . J . A . Mallett , Mrs . McLcwin , Bro . C . F . Mariner , Bro . and Mrs . VV . Metlwin , Mr . T . M . Morris , liro . VV . J . Morris , Bro . 11 . J ., Mrs ., and the Misses Morris , Bro . VV . VV . Morgan , Bro . and "Mrs , Roehmer , Bro . Risscn , Mr . and Mrs . Nicholas , liro . antl Mrs . G . Oppcnliein ' . cr , Mr . VV Oppcnhemier , Bro . and Mrs . G . G . Parker , Mr . and Mrs . VV . Phillips , Bro . and Mrs . Thos . Preston , Mr . and | Mr . T . Paulin , Mr . Price , Bro . J . J . Prime , liro . VV . Postens , Mr . II . VV . Postens , Mr . J . A . Postens , Miss Postens , Mr . and

Mrs . Paspart , Mr . ami Mrs . Ransome , Bro . G . VV . and Mrs . Robson , Bro . I , H . Randell , Mr . H . Roquart , Miss Reed , Mr . J . Robinson , Mr . M . Robert , Mr . V . Robert , Bro . and Mrs , Roberts , Mr . antl Mrs . T . Sangster , Bro . and Mrs . John Seex , Bro . and Mrs . VV . Shaw , Bro . and Mrs . J . T . Skinner , Bro . Siinpkins , Mr . ami Mrs . Sissons , Mr . Slater , Mr . and Mrs . IT . B . Smith , Mr . \ V . R . Shntt , Bro . J . I . othcott , Bro . and Mrs . J . Stevens , Bro . and Mrs . F . J .

littmchain , Bro . E . F . Storr , and Lady , Bro . antl Mrs . F . Toomer , Mr . Thomas , Mr . Tarrant , Mr . Jas . Thompson , Bro . antl Mrs . C . Tavlor , Bro . am ! Mrs . Sampson White , and Mrs . J . J . VVyler , Mr . F . Wesley , Mr . J . R . Walters , Miss Whitwell , Br ' o ., Mr ., and Miss VVIiittington , Mr . Chas . Watkins , Mr . E . M . Watkins , Mrs . Wright , Bro . and Mrs . G . VVhiltakcr , Mr . Lucas Williams , ami liro . VV . Lake { . Freemason . )

Aged Craftsmen.

AGED CRAFTSMEN .

The following list of the oldest Freemasons in the United States is given on the authority of the Masonic Token : Initiated . 1 . Capt . John Knight , Alanchestcr , Alass . ... 1 S 01 2 . Col . Nathan Huntoon , Unity , N . H . ... 1 S 03 3 . Hon . Smith Stilwell , Ogdensburg , N . Y . ... 1 S 05 4 . James Franklin , Chase , Nantuck 1 S 07

5 . Wait Garrett , New Hartford , Conn . ... 1 S 10 G . George Lee Howe , Agawam , Conn 1810 7 . Silas Ford , Westville , Conn 1 S 11 S . Hon . James Garland , Lynchburg , Va . ... 1 S 12 9 . James Scott , Aliddlebourne 1 S 12 10 . Elijah Pratt , Castleton , N . Y . 1 S 12 11 . John B . Hollenbcck , Burlington , Vt . ... 1 S 13 12 . Elijah Stransbury , Baltimore _ ... 1 S 14 13 . Capt . Hiram Ferris , Fond du Lac . Wis . ... 1 S 15

The remains of Bro . I-ord Duboyne were interred at Ouin Abbey , county Clare , or . Alonday . The name of VV . Bro . J . A . Rucker , P . G . D ., President of thc Colonial Board , has been added to the John Hervey Alemorial Fund . STOC .-LWI'LL LOW ;* -: or INSTRUCTION . No . 113 ¦ - . —The brethren of this lodge met at the Cock Tavern ,

Kenningfon-roatl , on Wednesday last . Bro . W . P . Webb , VV . AI . ; Bro . Plowman , S . VV . ; Bro . Richmond , J . W . ; Bro . Francis , P . AL , Preceptor ; Bro . Cooper , Sec . " and S . D . ; Stranger , J . D . ; and Payne , I . G . The Sections of the First Drgree were worked , when the W M ., in an admirable manner , worked Ihe First and Second Degrees , Bro . Alcock acing as candidate .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

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PROSPERITY LODGE ( No . 65 ) . —The installation meeting was held at the Guildhall Tavern , on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., when , in addition to a large number of brethren , there were many visitors , amongst whom were Bros . J . Terry , Secretary R . AL B . I . ; Edgar Bowyer , P . P . G . S . W . ; G . Alartin , J . D . No . 1 Lodge ; F . Brewer , S . VV . Kilburn Lodge ; and Carmen and Bachelor ,

Wellington Lodge . The VV . M ., Bro . C . E . Ferry , raised Bros . Fencott , Patience , ATattin , and Pocock to the Sublime Degree , and afterwards Air . Robert Ingham Clark was duly initiated into the Order ; the beautiful words of this solemn rite being carefully rendered by the VV . AI . The W . M . elect , Bro . W . 'Chicken , was then installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro . Daniel , P . AL , in the presence of the

largest Board of Installed Alasters ever known even at this popular lodge ; Bro . C . J . Wilkinson presiding at the harmonium . After some moneys had been voted to charitable objects , the lodge was closed in ancient form , and the brethren adjourned to the large room , when 150 sat down to a banquet worthy of the repute of Alessrs . Ritter and Clifford , and the appearance of the tables

was greatly enhanced by the liberal distribution of a most original and handsome menu card , upon which was the Allegory of Prosperity , clothed in purple and fine linen , offering Corn , Wine , and Oil , and designed by Bro . Ferry . After the usual loyal toasts the LP . AL proposed " The Health of the new W . AL , " giving him great credit for his Alasonic zeal , and entertaining great hopes for the

coming year ; to which the VV . AI . ably replied . After " The Health of the Initiate , " that of Bro . C . E . Ferry , the LP . AL , was proposed , when an interesting event of the evening occurred , that of presenting him with a specially designed gold P . M . jewel , a large oak case quarter-chiming clock , and a pair of bronze lions , worthy the acceptance of an artist . Bro . Ferry in reply stated that he had already

received many favours during his year of office , but now he was overwhelmed . Hc was particularly pleased that they had allowed their p resent to take a form which was also a compliment to a wife who was a Freemason's help , and had cordially agreed to every Alasonic step he had taken ; and the P . M . jewel should remind him of the duties he owed to the VV . M . of their choice . By thc time the Tyler ' s toast was given it was nearly midnight .

SOUTHERN STAR LODGE ( No . 115 S ) . — A very satisfactory meeting of this lodge took place on Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge . Bro . Harris , W . AL , was very ably supported by bis Wardens and Past Masters , Bros . Pulsford , Secretary , Towers , Wright , Treasurer , Walters , Potter , and others . The visitors were Bros . H . J .

Chapman , 177 ; F . Richmond , 1695 ; G . Bowers , P . AL 305 ; J . S . Leaper , J . W . 1275 ; T . Scowcroft , 4 G 7 ; C . H . L . Wilday , I . G . 11 ; and C . E . Thompson , 1 77 , and 115 S . There were two initiations , and after some other lodge business the election of AIaster , Treasurer , and Tyler was groceeded with , and resulted in the unanimous election of ros . Stewart , Wright , and Stead respectively .

When thc lodge was closed the brethren , numbering about forty , adjourned to banquet , which was served a la Russe and gave general satisfaction . The customary toasts having been disposed of , Bro . Pulsford said he had very great pleasure in proposing "The Health of Bro . Harris , W . AL , " and although he had not a large amount of work to do during his tenure of office , yet what he had done had

been done well . ( Hear , hear . ) The toast was well received . Bro . Harris made a suitable response , and before he sat down proposed "The Health of the W . AL elect , Bro . Stewart . " In returning thanks , Bro . Stewart said he was much gratified to find that he had been unanimously

elected , and congratulated his brethren on the absence of anything like discord . ( Hear , hear . ) For the toast of " The Past Alasters " Bro . Pulsford , in a comical speech , returned thanks . Other toasts were given , and a very pleasant evening brought to a close by a few words from Bro . Stead , the Tyler .

KILBURN LODGE ( No . 1 G 0 S ) . — The general meeting of the members of this lodge was held at the Queen ' s Arms Hotel , on Alonday , the 25 th ult . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the first business was a ballot for the election , as a joining member , of Bro . R . Smith , of the Orpheus Lodge , who was dul y elected , after which thc ceremony of passing Bro . VV .

Trim was proceeded with , followed by the initiation of three candidates duly prepared , and in due form the duty wns conducted by the officers , and the ceremony performed in a most exemplary manner by Bro . J . VV . Cuff , W . AL , showing plainly to the brethren present how perfect one may become by close application and punctual attendance at a lodge of instruction , with such an instructor as LP . AL Bro . Brr . oks .

The banquet was , as usual , well served by Bro . Startley , with a menu of his general recherche gotit and wines of every known brands . The usual toasts having been proposed and responded to , " The Health of the W . AL " was given , who , in reply , stated he had received subscriptions to the handsome amount of £ 110 for the Girls' School , an omen of good for so young a lodge . Twenty-two

visitors werepresent , and expressed themselves highly delighted with the working of the lodge and the reception accorded to them by the brethren . The folio ving is the list of visitors : Bros . Lawrance , P . AL City of London ; Bullock , Unity of Prudence ; Baldwell , Kennington ; Lewin , Westbourne ; Vine , Zetland ; Banks , Prudent Brethren ; Carrington , S . D . Creaton ; Clinch , City of London ; Brown , P . AI . Prosperity ; Jouens , Prosperity ; Alarshall , Prosperity ;

Cooper , W . AI . Unity ; Years , City of London ; Baker , VV . AI . Joppa ; Cooper , LP . AL La Tolerance ; Ward , W . AL Zetland ; Harris , VV . M . Domatic ; Wyer , Royal Alfred ; Pezzi , Nine Aluses ; Cox , 1 OG 5 ; Wellridt , 1 S 6 "; and Eccles , 1425 . The following are the present officers of the lodge : Bros . J . VV . Cuff , W . AL ; F . Brewer , S . W . ; F . Baker , J . W . ; H . Turner , S . D . ; J . Barclay , J . D . ; Killmarsh , D . C . ; and J . Holmes , W . S .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

SHEERNESS-ON-SEA . —Adam ' s Lodge ( No . 15 S ) . —An adjourned meeting of this old and flourishing lodge was held on the 22 nd ult . in the Board Room of the Local Board of Health , kindly lent for the occasion , a dispensation having been obtained from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master to remove the lodge from the lodge room , for the purpose of installing the VV . M . elect , Bro . M . J .

bullivan . 1 he brethren assembled punctually at five o ' clock p . m ., when a goodly number presented themselves , amongst whom were the officers of the lod ge : Bros . A . Spears P A " T Treas ., P . P . G . O . ; J . Bagshaw , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; VV . f ! Carpenter , P . M ., Sec , P . P . G . P . of Kent ; T . Firmin «* er , P . AL ; J . Brett , P . AL ; J . Woodley , P . AL ; J . P . Watts P . AL ; R . Derrey , P . AL ; VV . Darley ; Penney , P . U .

ioSg ; AL J . Sullivan , S . VV ., W . AL elect ; G . T . Green , J . W . ; E . Stutely , S . D . ; A . Bourne , P . AL 10 S 9 ; W . Keelcr , J . W . 10 S 9 ; arwl others . In the absence of trR W . AL , Bro . C . Austen , who is on foreign service in the Royal Navy , Bro . A . Spears , P . AL , occupied the chair as Installing Alaster , supported by Bro . Derrey as LP . AL Bro . Bagshaw presented the W . AL elect in appropriate terms , after which the Installing Master

stated the qualifications required from every candidate for theoffice of Alaster , and the Secretary , Bro . Carpenter , having read a summary of the ancient charges , the W . AL elect was obligated to the office . The brethren having retired , and a Board of Installed Alasters formed , Bro . AL Sullivan was duly installed into the chair of K . S . in ancient form . When the brethren were re-admitted to the lodge

the new W . AL was formally proclaimed and saluted . The W . AL then invested the following as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . G . T . Green , S . VV . ; Stutely , J . W . ; A . Spears , Treas . ; W . T . Carpenter , Sec . ; J . Bagshaw , D . C . ; A . Dunovan , S . D . ; F . Paul , J . D . ; R . Brown , LG . ; J . P . Watts and Knight , Stewards ; and J . Akhurst , Tyler ; addressing each in a manner which augurs

well for his efficient working as Alaster of the lodge . The addresses to the W . AL , Wardens , and brethren were given by the Installing Alaster in his usual quiet and effective style . At the conclusion of the ceremony , Bro . A . Spears was appointed the Charity Representative and votes of thanks given to the Board of Health for the use of the room and to the Installing Alaster for the able manner in

which he bad carried out the installation , and with " Hearty good wishes " from the visiting brethren the lodge was formally closed . The brethren then adjourned to the lodge room , where a sumptuous banquet was prepared by Airs . Green , of the Britannia Hotel , widow of the late Bro . G . J . Green , who was long a member of Adam ' s Lodge . About sixtv

brethren sat down to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth , the usual Royal and Alasonic toasts were given , in which Bro . Sullivan , the W . AL , acquitted himself in an excellent manner . Bro . A . Spears , in response to the toast of " The Provincial Grand Alaster , Lord Holmesdale ( Baron Amherst ) , " spoke of the excellences of his character as an English nobleman and a Mason , and of

the high esteem in which he was held b y the Masons in the Province of Kent . Bro . J . Bagshaw , in speaking to the toast of " The Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster of Kent , Bro . Eastes , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , " paid them a flattering tribute as the rulers of the Craft in the province . " The Health of the W . M . " was then proposed by Bro . A . Spears in a speech congratulatine * the

brethren on their choice , as Bro . AL J . Sullivan had during his career , in passing through the different offices , well qualified himself for the important trust that had now been awarded to him . Bro . Sullivan , in responding to the toast , said it would be his endeavour to fulfil the duties of Worshipful Alaster of the lodge with satisfaction to the brethren , credit to himself , and honour to the Craft .

Several toasts followed , with excellent addresses from Bro . Carpenter and other brethren . "The Past Masters" was responded to by Bros . Darley and Derrey . Bro . Darley , who said he had pleasing reminiscences of former associations with their late brethren , Bros . Townsend , Keddell , Firminger , Green , and others , observed that instead of the fathers had come up the children . He looked

upon Alasonry as one of the grandest institutions under Heaven for the good of mankind . It taught brotherly love , relief , and truth ; it had survived the fall of emperors , the revolution of states ; it stood as the rock that seemed to smile at the fury of the blast and the waves , which were shattered at its base . Brotherly love was its standard motto ; it was that whicii would survive the wreck of

matter and thc crash of worlds . In the calamities of thc afflicted poor , in which he had taken great interest , he had been well supported b y his brethren . He u rged the luxury of doing good , and wished the brethren all the happiness they could wish themselves . Bro . Derrey then enlarged upon the duties of a Past Alaster , and also expressed his

thanks to the brethren for the kind support they had extended to him for the last eight months , during which period it had been his duty to preside over the lodge , in the absence of the VV . M . The brethren , after spending a happy and instructive evening , sung "God Save the Queen , " and parted with "Hearty good wishes" to each other at eleven o'clock .

UXBRIDGE . —Royal Union Lodge ( No . 382 ) , —The installation meeting of this , the mother lodge of the Province of Middlesex , was held on Alonday , the 21 st ult ., at the Chequers Hotel . There were present Bros . Cook , W . AL ; C . Russ , S . W . ; R . Lonsdale , J . W . ; Bros . Webb , LP . AL ; Farenback , P . AL ; J . L . Coulton , P . M ., Treasurer and Installing Master ; B . H . Swallow ,

and about sixty members and visitors . The lodge was opened and the minutes of the regular lodge meeting in January were read and confirmed , after which Bros , jutsum and Barnicoat were raised to the Degree of W . AI ., and Bro . Skeate was passed to the Second Degree . Bro . C . Russ , VV . A 1 . E . was installed as W . AL , by Bro . J . L . Coulton , P . AL , Treas . ; the officers for the ensuing year were 1

: _ .. J r . _ , ... . «* " * - ' . appointed and invested in a most able and efficient manner by the newly Installed Alaster , who afterwards initiated in a masterly and impressive manner Alessrs . T . Miller , T . Brooks , and C . A . Poole . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to

a banquet provided by the host , Air . Phillips . After the removal of the cloth the usual toasts were drunk , and when the toast of "The LP . AL " was proposed , the W . AL then said : I present you with a P . M . jewel , as a mark of respect and esteem , and in appreciation of the able manner you have discharged your duties as VV . M . of thc Royal Union Lod ge . Bro . Cook on receiving the jewel thanked the VV . AI . and brethren for their kind and valuable gift .