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D . Griffiths , P . G . C , who was unavoidably absent , Bro . H . Maunder Williams , I . P . M . 19 S 6 ( brother of the candidate ) , then took the chair , and the candidate being admitted , the ceremony of initiation was performed under circumstances of considerable interest to the brethren in a most impressive manner by the W . M ., who evidently deeply felt the solemn responsibility of admitting his own brother to the mysteries and privileges of the Craft . Bro . Col . Cummins gave the

charge to the initiate . Bros . Gardiner and VVhite were afterwards raised to the Third Degree , the ceremony being most impressively by Bro . E . Homfray Davis , I . P . M . ( nephew to the D . P . G . M . ) In acknowledging the usual vote of thanks to the visitors the R . W . D . P . G . M . expressed his pleasure at again witnessing the excellent work of the lodge . He heartily welcomed the brethren from London to their province , and

trusted they would give a good account of Masonic work in Monmouthshire . Bro . Maunder Williams , I . P . M . 19 S 6 , said that he desired to convey to the lodge the warmest thanks for the fraternal welcome he and his friend Bro . Phillips had received since their arrival in the town . He also wished to thank the VV . M . for his kind permission to initiate his brother into Masonry . He had every confidence that

their new member would in due time prove himself worthy of their kindness . Bro . Phillips , P . M . 19 S 6 , endorsed all the expressions of thanks of Bro . Maunder Williams , and expressed the great pleasure he himself had in being present that evening . He had known the initiate for many years , who he was sure would follow in the footsteps of his own father , a P . M . of 25 years'standing , and of his brother then present , in practising the principles and precepts of

Masonry so ably enunciated that evening . For all their kindness he ( Bro . Phillips ) could only again thank them , and trusted to meet some of the brethren of the lodge in town , where he would be glad to show them all the attention he possibly could in return for their kindly welcome . Other visiting brethren having expressed their " Hearty good wishes , " and sundry propositions being given , the lodge was closed .

DERBY . —Arboretum Lodge ( No . 731 ) . —The annual festival of this prosperous lodge and installation of VV . M . for the ensuing year took place at the Masonic Hall on Wednesday , ioth inst . There were present Bros . J . Copestick , VV . M . ; Edgar Horne , S . W ., W . M . elect ; A . Woodiwiss , J . VV . ; Rev . T . Orrell , Chap . ; VV . Whittaker , P . M ., Treas . ; J . W . Brigg , Sec ; J . Chadwick , S . D . ; S . Taylor , I . D . ; I . Walker , D . of C ;

VV . Forman , Org . ; G . Sutherland , i . G . ; W . Todd and J . Jones , Stwds . ; T . Day , Tyler ; P . M . ' s J . Taylor , G . T . Wright , John Smith , J . C Merry , J . Brown , T . R . Gee , A . Frazer , W . Cooper , J . Bland , C . VVebster , F . G . Sanderson , T . C . Wigg , and T . E . Yeomans ; Bros . W . H . Wright , H . Horne , W . Knight , H . J . Peake , A . Moore , D . Woollatt , and many others . Amongst the large gathering of visitors were Bros . T . Cox , P . G . Treas . ;

VV . N . Marsden , P . M . 253 ; T . Parker , P . M . 1495 ; J , C Webb , VV . M . 353 ; VV . J . Gothard , P . M . 624 ; Hurton , F . Campion , P . M . 253 ; VV . Naylor , Prov . G , Sec . ; R . Roberts , I . P . M . 353 ; M . Hill , P . M . 1495 ; | . Holmes , VV . M . 1495 ; VV . S . Hall , S . VV . 253 ; W . H . Roberts , P . M . 630 ; H . Tissington , P . M . 1495 ; John Townend , 1 G 3 ; T . N . Turner , P . M . 506 ; W . Pollard , VV . M . 506 ; R . A . Greenhough , P . M . 1495 ; I . S . VVest ,

S . W . 7 S 7 ; Belper , F . Bennett , P . M . 7 S 7 ; VV . Elphinstone , S . VV . 50 G ; F . Stone , S . D . 10 S 5 ; R . Widdowson , I . G . 925 ; J . Monck , S . D . S 02 ; J . Chadfield , 1387 ; J . Cook , 1324 ; B . VV . Pike , J . D . 1085 ; W . L . Ball , P . M . S 02 ; J . Butler , 4 t 9 ; J . D . Wragg and S . Morley , 1739 ; 1 . R . Cain , P . M . 353 ; H . Harrison , P . M . 506 ; H .

Carr , VV . M . 1085 ; F . G . Boden , J . W . 779 ; J . H . Marshall , W . M . 1007 ; A . J . Waller , P . M . 802 ; VV . F . Ellis , P . M . 1 739 ; C D . Hart , P . M . 10 S 5 ; M . H . Humphreys , P . M . 506 ; VV . J . Piper , W . M . S 02 ; S . Steele , P . M . S" 2 ; f . B . Laxton , and many others , in all , 115 signed the Tyler ' s book .

The minutes of the last regular lodge , and of emergency , having been read , confirmed , and signed , the VV . M . elect was then presented by Bros . G . T . Wright , P . M ., and A . Frazer , P . M ., Bro . John Brown , P . VI ., occupying the chair of S . W . A Board of Installed Masters number , ing 45 was then opened , and he W . M . elect havingbeen admitted in due form was most ably installed by the retiring VV . M ., who it may be mentioned performed the whole

ceremony throughout with a precision and dignity which evoked hearty plaudits from the brethren assembled . The Worshipful Master then invested as his Wardens Bros . A . Woodiwiss , S . VV . ; J . W . Brigg , J . W . The remaining officers were invested as follows : Bros . Rev . T . Orrell , Chap . ; VV . Whittaker , P . M ., Treas . ; Jesse Chadwick , Sec ; S . Taylor , S . D . ; J . Walker , J . D . ; G . Sutherland , D . of C . ; W . Forman , Org . ; J .

Jones , I . G . ; T . Day , Tyler ; VV . Todd , VV . H . Wright , G . Taner , and H . Ward , Stwds . Apologies were tendered from Bros . S . S . Partridge , Deputy P . G . M . Leicester and Rutland ; E . P . Steeds , VVM . Golden Fleece ; and others . The VV . M . then presented in the name of the lodge a beautiful Past Master ' s jewel to the Installing Master , Bro . J . Copestick , for his services

rendered to the lodge during the previous 12 months . After a few appropriate words the W . M . attached the jewel , which bore a suitable inscription , to Bro . Copcstick ' s breast . The I . P . M . heartily thanked the W . M . for his remarks , and the lodge for the kindness and forbearance always shown to him .

All routine business being ended , lodge was closed in perfect harmony and adjourned . To show the high esteem in which Bro . E . Home , the newly-installed VV . M ., is held , it may be mentioned that brethren from all parts of the province and other adjacent provinces assembled at the banquet table , to the number of 105 . The W . M ., assisted by Bro . S . Steele , P . M . 802 , managed the catering , and their wives did excellent service in decorating the tables . The wines were selected by the same brethren from the extensive stock of Bro . T . Cox ,

P . M ., P . G . T . Ample justice having been done to the good things provided , and thanks tendered by the Chaplain , the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , Bro . W . Whittaker , P . M ., abiy acting as Dir . of Cer ., and leading the firing .

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To the toast of "The Prov . Grand Lodge " Bros . G . T . Wright , P . G . S . W ., and VV . L . Ball , P . G . J . W ., ably responded . The toast of " The VV . M . " was given in his usual able , forcible manner by Bro . John Brown , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ., who said he felt it his duty to congratulate their newlyinstalled W . M . on the splendid assembly of brethren who had met around him so spontaneously on the important

occasion of his elevation to the Mastership of his lodge . He could quite understand the enthusiasm of the brethren at the reception of the toast . It had fallen to him to initiate the W . M . into Masonry , and , apart from his personal worthiness , the brethren present would realise the great pleasure he had in the duty then falling upon him . We may , he said , congratulate ourselves on having so good a brother to preside over us for the ensuing year . The motto

of the VV . M . had been "Try , try , and try again . " He had always tried to do his work well , and was one who had succeeded everywhere . He was trusted by all , and his principles were so high as to secure the esteem not only of his brethren , but all his fellow men . —The toast was drank with all the honours . On rising to respond , the VV . M . was received with hearty cheers . He said he felt he could not plead guilty to all the

kind things said of him by the proposer of the toast . He would only say of himself that he had always striven to do his duty as faras in him lay , and he valued the principles of Masonry so highly , and the interests of his brethren , and the Arboretum Ledge especially , so that he would far rather retire from the lotige than forfeit their good opinion , or in any way impair that brotherly feeling which existed sc strikingly within the lodge . The local brethren present so

numerous as visitors that night would corroborate him when he told the large number of brethren present that each officer of their lodge made it a point to throw his heart and soul into the work , with the result that the lodge became so highly thought of by every Mason in the province . He would try to do his duty to the lodge and equally to every brother during his year of office , and he hoped to follow the

many bright examples of his predecessors in that chair , particularly of those Past Masters who had honoured him with their presence that evening , and who had always so much at heart the welfare of their lodge . Such examples should not be lost upon him , and it would be his constant aimto follow them , and to hand down his powers when the time should come for him to do so with undiminished

honour . Bro . T . R . Gee , P . M ., gave the toast of "The Installing Master , Bro . James Copestick , I . P . M ., " he said , although he had not the power of speaking which Bro . Brown possessed , his task was not a difficult one as all present knew and valued Bro . Copestick as a tried Mason and a worthy Master of his lodge . As to the ceremony of the evening , he had been present at very many of their

anniversaries , but he was sure none had been carried out in a better spirit than the present one . He did think that the P . M . ' s of the Aboretum Lodge paid the very best attention to the duties of their lodge , and all present would agree with him that the I . P . M . had conducted the ceremony that night in thc best possible manner , as he had equally done in his duties to the lodge in the past , and especially during his year of office , when , as was usual with them , the work

had been both heavy and important . The toast was duly honoured , when the Installing Master responded . Bro . Copestick thanked all the brethren very heartily for the kind manner in which the toast had been given and received . He assured them that his work in connection with their dear old lodge had been to him a delight and pleasure , and a labour of love , but particularly the work

which had fallen to him that day of installing their worthy Master for the ensuing year . He would take care that the lodge would be in the future as in the past , a constant source of interest to him . No difficulty had arisen during his year of ofiice , and he felt that none would be likely to arise in the future , but he would be ever ready to offer what

assistance he could . He took that opportunity to thank all his officers for the help he had received from them , especially their new W . M ., and he would also express his warmest acknowledgments to the Provincial Officers for the kind manner in which they had come forward to help him on all occasions .

The Worshipful Master next gave " The Visiting Brethren , " he regretted being so late in giving this toast , and was sorry that some of thc brethren from a distance had been obliged already to leave them . He thanked all for their attendance that night . The success of the meeting was to a great extent due to the large numbers who had

come from the outside , some from long distances in honour of the occasion . Perhaps some of the brethren had been kind enough to take that opportunity of coming to the Arboretum , from the fact of his Viaving met them so often in their own lodges , and he could but consider it an honour to himself that they , and so many other brethren had come to see them at a time , which to him , was of such importance .

After due honours to the toast , Bro . J . Townend , 163 , replied . It had given him very great pleasure to be present that night . He had known Derby a long time , and was a frequent visitor in the town , and he knew also that in it Masonry was strong , but he could tell the W . M . and brethren present that what he had witnessed within their lodge , and the manner in which he had been received that

night , had quite astonished him . The meeting had far exceeded what he had met with in Manchester or London . He considered the manner in which the ceremony had been given was elevating to all Masons , and he was sure no one could have enjoyed the evening throughout more than he had . It had given him great pleasure to be present , and he hoped to show some return to his brethren of Derby by meeting them within the walls of 1 G 3 .

Bro . VV . Whittaker , P . M ., P . P . G . M ., gave the toast "The Worshipful Masters and brethren of the Sister Lodges , " that toast , he said , had been given very frequently in the Arboretum Lodge , and on similar occasions , but it was always an easy task for him to perform , as it was a pleasing one . The brethren of the Derby lodges were always made welcome amongst them , and he hoped they

would not fail to visit them as often as they could , during the year of office of Bro . Horne , who would extend to them as hearty a welcome as had ever been given by the W . M . ' s of their lodges , if not more so . 'The all knew the value of visiting , and their brethren present would acknowledge that the officers and brethren of the Arboretum , were not wanting in that respect . Me trusted their W . M . might be spared in health to carry out the duties of his year , and he

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was sure the Derby brethren would receive from him on all occasions a good reception . Bro . T . Cox , P . M . 253 , P . G . Treas ., in reply , expressed his thanks on behalf of the Tyrian Lodge , the mother lodge in the town , and it would always afford him pleasure to meet the brethren of the Arboretum . He could express nothing but satisfaction at their prosperity , and he hoped

they would go on and prosper . The Arboretum was the most successful lodge that had been held in that Hall , and as it appeared to him would continue to be so . Bro . C D . Hart , P . M . 10 S 5 , and several other brethren also responded . Bro . A . Woodiwiss , the S . VV ., gave "The Past Masters ofthe Lodge . " He said , he had the honour to givea toast that

would be most heartily received amongst them . VVe had in the Arboretum Lodge a goodly number of Past Masters , and to them might be attributed the great success to which the lodge had attained , they were always in attendance at their meetings and willing to give that advice and guidance , which tended so much to their prosperity , and to make the lodge what it was . They were all deeply indebted to their

Past Masters , and their thanks were due especially to them ; he trusted all the brethren would try to emulate their good example , and thus do honour to the lodge , and to themselves in every way that lay in their power . Bro . J . Bland , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ., replied . It was a difficult matter to respond to that toast in the presence of so many Past Masters , but he thanked Bro . Woodiwiss and

the brethren for their good wishes . It had given him very great pleasure to take his part in the duties of that evening , in honour to their W . M ., his esteemed friend and brother . He could say that the position of their lodge was a noble one , and it had sent out many good men and true to other parts of the province and the country , and it would continue to help on the great principles of Masonry . He

hoped the W . M . would have health and strength to rule over his lodge with that success which he knew he had at heart , and he was sure the Past Masters would give him every help that lay in their power . Bro . 1 . Taylor , P . M ., also responded . The ' Worshipful Master gave "The Officers of the Lodge , " to which Bro . G . Whitaker Brigg , P . P . G . O ., the

J . VV ., ably responded . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the list , and brought a delightful evening to a close . A night long to be remembered as the most brilliant and enjoyable which had ever been known in Derby , and at which gathering it could truly be said the numbers attending were the largest ever known

at any installation in the province . The musical portion was well looked after by Bro . W . L . Dodd , P . P . G . O ., who sang , as did Bros . T . B . Laxton ( Leicester ); VV . Naylor , P . M . S 02 ; and others , whilst the brethren were greatl y delighted with the playing on the zither by Bro . J . O . Woodward .

TUNBRIDGE WELLS . —Holmesdale Lodge ( No . S 74 ) . —The installation ceremony of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms on Wednesday , the 17 th ult . There was a fair attendance , amongst whom were several brethren from the provincial lodges . The lodge was opened by the retiring W . M ., Bro . C . Graham , who also most impressively installed Bro . A . T . Simpson , his successor , in

the chair . Ihe VV . M . afterwards invested the following officers to assist him during the year of office : Bros . VV . T . Hammond , S . W . j B . Rix , j . W . ; W . S . Elers , Treas . ; T . Buss , Sec ; R . Martin , S . D . ; C . Vise , S . D . ; B . S . Wilmot , D . C ; P . Ellis , I . G . ; E . Dunkley , Almoner ;

A . J . Boorman , Org . ; and J . Boulton , Tyler . The usual Masonic jewel was presented to the retiring W . M . during the ceremony . The banquet was afterwards partaken of at the Kentish Hotel , and the usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured , songs and recitations enlivening the evening .

SWAN AGE . —De Moulham Lodge ( No . 1146 ) . —The brethren of this lodge held their monthly meeting on Saturday , the 20 th ult ., in the Mowlem Institute . In addition to the usual business two brethren were raised , and it was also announced that the necessary subscription had

been made by the brethren to meet the balance required to make the lodge a Vice-President of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . 'The brethren afterwards adjourned for refreshment to the Royal Victoria Hotel , and spent a pleasant evening . Two or three distinguished visitors were present .

BATTLE . —Abbey Lodge ( No . 1184 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of the brethren of this successful lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the iSth ult . The VV . M ., Bro . the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , M . A ., Prov . G . Chap ., presided , supported by Bro . W . Lamborn , P . P . G . P ., P . M ., acting SW . ; Henry Kimm , 40 , J . W . ; H . G . F . Wells , P . P . G . P ., P . M ., Treasurer ; Robert Hughes , Secretary ; J . B . Foord , 40 , S . D . ; CY . nr \ .. a Marfin nrtincr 1 1 ^ •1 T 7 i *» l (* incT Ortranicf « 1 *

VV . Jordan , I . G . ; C Leary , Tyler ; W . C . Till , j . B . Foster , VV . A . Raper , J . W . Pepper , J . B . Farr , P P . G . S . B . Essex , P . M . ; Edward Davis , H . T . Simmons , F . W . Cock , M . B . ; Victor Baumann , and others . Visitors : Bro . F . Duke , J . D . 40 ; and others . 'The minutes of previous meeting having been confirmed ,

and communications read , Mr . 1 . W . Avis , candidate , being in attendance , was duly initiated , and Bro . Baumann raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., both ceremonies , together with charges and working tools , being rendered in a highly satisfactory manner by thc W . M ., Bro . E . R . Currie . There being no further business , the lodge was closed .

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE . —Walker Lodge ( No . 1342 ) . —The installation meeting of this highly successful lodge was held on the ioth ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Grainger-street , there being a good attendance of distinguished brethren . The lodge was opened in due form by the VV . M ., Bro . Armstrong , and the minutes of the last meet were read and confirmed . The Officers of

the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland were announced and saluted . The financial statement was then submitted , on the motion of the I . P . M ., Bro . Brown , and unanimously adopted . The VV . M . announced that he had received a letter and telegram from Bro . R . H . Holmes , the Dep . Prov . Grand Master of Northumberland , regretting his inability to attend . Bro . Brown , I . P . M ., then presented Bro . H . Spittle , S . W ., W . M . elect , to the W . M .