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might live long to wear it in appreciation of the high feelings which had prompted the brethren to present it . The I . P . M . exressed his thanks . The Worshipful Master proposed "The Visitors" and drew attention to each one ' s services . Bro . Vincent T . Murche , P . M . 1963 , Sec . 1641 , co , ioratulated the Master and the lodge on the capital working

and genuine good fellowship shown . Bro . John Lobb , 22 S , said that his many duties had prevented him giving much time to Freemasonry , for it had taken three W . Ms , to make him a M . M . He felt quite at home here for had he not lived within the sound of St . Bride ' s for 36 years . He also had the honour of representing the ward on the Common Council and

served on the Board of Guardians . He had thoroughly enjoyed the evening , and had been particularly delighted with the musical treat supplied by the musical brethren of the lodge . The lodge was to be congratulated also on its general progress and lavish hospitality . He could tell them how much he appreciated both , and as his lodge was approaching the centenary , they could undc rstand that he knew something of the Order . Other toasts followed .

St . Martin ' s Lodge ( No . 2455 ) . —The first installation meeting of this successful lodge was held at St . Martin ' s Town Hall , Charing Cross , on the 2 Sth ult ., when Bro . Chas . S . Lee , the first Master , vacated the chair in favour of Bro . T . P . Baptie , J . P ., having initiated 24 candidates during his term of office . The lodge is moreover in a strong financial position , and has the honour to number

among its honorary members H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . At the opening of the lodge Bro . C . S . Lee , W . M ., was supported by Bros . W . T . Farthing , acting I . P . M . ; T . P . Baptie , J . P ., P . M ., S . W . ; J . Willing , jun ., P . M ., J . W . ; Rev . J . ' F . Kitto , Chap . ; J . Strachan , P . M .. iTreas . ; G . VV . Murnane , Sec . j W . B . Fendick , P . M ., S . D .: C . Mason , I . D . j H . J . Brickwell , D . C . ; W . Drew , P . M ., and many

others . Visitors : Bros . Sir T . Puleston , M . P . ; Alderman ] . C . Dimsdale , P . M . 1 , P . G . Stwd ., G . Treas . elect ; O . Papworth , P . P . G . S . W . Camb . ; S . G . Gamble , P . P . G . S . W ., P . M . 302 ; J . Mitchell , P . M . 1 743 ; H . T . Hobbs , P . M , 209 ; W . H . Dallimore , P . M . S 7 ; T . Whaley , P . M . 172 ; S . M . Southwell , P . M . 1420 J J . Strachan , P . P . G . W .

Northumberland ; J . R , Dobree , 1351 ; J . S . Cumberland . P . P . J . G . W . North and East Yorks . j George Brown , P . M . 1602 ; T . W . Willis , I . P . M . 2243 ; S . R . Walker , P . M . 733 ; J . H . Price , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey ; C . F . Bennewitz , l . W . 1627 ; W . Woodward , P . M . 1920 ; Geo . Reynolds , P . M . ; and W . W . Lee , I . P . M . 23 S 1 .

The minutes were confirmed , and Bros . V . Dowsett , 1321 , and W . F . Fladgate , 26 , were unanimously elected honorary members . Bros . F . J . Redman , and P . E . Pilditch were raised to the | Third Degree , and Mr . VV . Patterson was duly initiated into Freemasonry . The report of the Standing Committee , showing a good balance in hand after the payment of all expenses , was unanimously adopted . Bro . VV .

T . Farthing , P . M ., then assumed the chair , and installed Bro . Baptie as W . M ., with his customary ability . The following officers were invested : Bros . T . Willing , jun ., P . M ., S . W . ; W . B . Fendick , P . M ., J . W . ; Rev . J . F . Kitto , M . A ., Chaplain ; J . Strachan , P . M ., Treasurer ; G . W . Murnane , P . M ., Secretary ; G . Mason , S . D . ; H . T . Brickwell , J . D . ; W . Challice , I . G . ;

W . T . barthing , P . M ., D . C . ; F . Swinford , Org . ; and G . Marshall , H . Wilson , and E . VV . Browning-, Stewards . The W . M ., in presenting Bro . C . S . Lee , I . P . M ., with a Past Master ' s jewel , and a Past Master ' s collar and jewel voted by the lodge , alluded in eloquent terms to the eminent services rendered by Bro . Lee to the lodge during the first year of its existence . He said that Bro . Lee had

always been at his post , in spite of the fact that he had not enjoyed the best of health , and he had shown that he pofsessed but one dominating- idea—the increase and prosperity of their lodge and Freemasonry in general , and the testimonials that night were eloquent , though silenl , tributes to his labours . Bro . C . S . Lee . I . P . M .. formally

thanked the brethren , and reservtd any further remarks until a later period of the evening . Bro . Challice was thanked for the use of tne harmonium , and the lodge was closed . The brethren adjourned to the Grand Hotel , Chaiing Cross , where a recherche repast wis followed by the customary toasts .

'The Health of the W . M . " was pr , posed by the I . P . M ., Bro . C . S . Lee , who said he believed Bro . Baptie , W . M ., had the lodge at heart , and would do his best in order to carry his year through with success . The VV . M . had been called upon to preside over practically a new lodge , and he ( the l . P . M . ) wished Bro . Baptie an equally prosperous reign of office , and hoprd the officers and members would

'ally round him . Bro . T . Proctor Baptie , J . P ., P . M ., W . M ., said that in reply to such a toast as this , which had been received with unexpected cordiality , orie was confronted with various Platitudes , but they would rerdily believe when , from the bottom of his heart , he said he not only appreciated the unexampled enthusiasm and thoioughly sincere response "ley had given the toast , but the appreciation of every

Poor effort he had made on this and former occasions to acrjuit himself in a manner to extort their satisfaction . As ^ , ° se that night for the first time laden with the chains of "' 'n ? t predicted the cares and responsibilities that ushered in the position of every conscientious Master , he ™ as well assured that he started with their hearty support and co-operation ; and he also started with a deathless ,

11 , . mlu , enchalde , and invincible determination , if not to « M fresh laurels lo St . Martin's Lodge to take care that of „ . ure , s were not dimmed or tarnished by his tenure of ' . office . He appreciated their election of him , not nainl y because he felt that the Master who was put there vas one who was honoured and had their confidence , but * so because he had the natural vanity to believe that the " ° ^ * "k " ow nien was at anrate gratifying •¦ uuj tiatii

im •s . Y a . # --. » .. ... v .. •**» .. •. IUII , u , ) * l * ii suh r ' ° what he had tlid t 0 do - Tnt , su » v < - ' ack ° ( i ! "l i ! e considera'ion ! - '> but he mainly appreciated the hav ir put nim in lhe chair hecause it enabled him to ODP , addltlonal oppoitunities by his example and conation to put Masonry on a higher platform than |[ L , . I '"" » " » . J "" iJ nil a . MiyilLl jJiailUl 111 lllrlll

usfffi generally . It gave him opportunities for he f u eSSj [ 0 r whenever »* liad teen with the lodge Her » ,, a i er ' nan and a h' 8 ter philanthiophist . talrin f ? e to tce tnem a " enjoying themselves and parthem f 1 . tenelits whi h the Great Architect had given Kenial ? l would not wisl 1 the ' » t > say he would not be a not E-i » , ' '' teral Masier , and a Master who would ¦ ail to do his best for each . I le hoped the Great Archi-

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tect would give him such power , physical and mental , as would enable him to offer up every energy upon the altar of the welfare of St . Martin ' s Lodge . The VV . M . next proposed "The I . P . M ., " and said the brethren were witnesses of Bro . Lee ' s laborious work , and also of the fact that throughout his vear he had done his very best to develope the lodge . They were glad Bro . Lee ' s health had enabled him to be present . He ( the

VV . M . ) gave them the toast , coupled with the hope that the I . P . M . might be spared to enjoy good health , and work with them in the cause of Masonry . Bro . C . S . Lee , I . P . M ., said he thought it was due to them to apologise for not being able to respond in the lodge after the kindly expressions of the W . M . in presenting those tributes of affection from the members , but he was physically unable to do so , feeling unwell after the

exertions of the ceremonies . He , therefore , took that , the first opportunity of thanking the VV . M . tor presenting the gifts in a very kindly way , and for using words which so long as he lived it would not be possible to forget . As longas the W . M . occupied the chair be would have bis bert support , if that was worth anything , and he hoped they should workside by side in the interests of the lodge they had so much at heart . He felt perfectly sure that in the hands of Bro .

Baptie , as the second Master , the lodge could do nothing else but grow and succeed . Theirs was now an unusually successful lodge for they had gone on prospering both in quality , in numbers , and financially , and it must be a proud moment for the present VV . M . to succeed to the chair of such a lodge , especially as it was a local lodge and Bro . Baptie was one of the churchwardens . In thanking the brethren one and all for the great kindness he had received

he could only hope that the same kindly support would be extended to the W . M . and all succeeding Masters . He must , on this the last opportunity he would be allowed , thank Bro . Farthing , the acting I . P . M ., from whom he had received so much support during the year , and also the Secretary and Treasurer , and every member holding office in the lodge . He felt some little reluctance in leaving the chair , but he welcomed a rest . He could only again

thank all for their kindly presents and the VV . M . for his kind expressions . In response for "The Visitors , " Bro . Alderman J . C Dimsdale , P . M . 1 , Grand Treasurer elect , expressed appreciation of the manner in which the rilual was carried out in the lodge . He must honestly say that what he liked in Freemasonry was that it was established upon that unswerving and immovable rock—religion—not of a sectarian

kind , but an unswerving belief in the G . A . O . T . U . That was why he believed Freemasonry would flourish for generations to come . The W . M . had commented upon a recent election in which he ( Bro . Dimsdale ) was rather a prominent figure . He appreciated most fully the kind conlidence that the Craft in general had reposed in him . His only desire would be so to conduct himself in that responsible and high position , that ihe brethren individually

andcolectively may never regret the chore made . He appreciated fully their kind reception that evening , for , with the exception of dining with his own lodge on the previous Monday week , this was the first occasion he had had any icception of a public character since his election . The kindly welcome he had received would be present for many months to come . Bro . Sir J . Puleston , M . P ., also replied , after which the W . M . gave "The Installing Master , " and said it was

impossible to say how much this lodge owed to Bro . Farthing ' s guidance , energy , and counsel . Bro . W . T . Farthing , P . M ., having thanked the VV . M . and brethren for their kindness , said that anything he could do in the future would be as cheerfully done as it had been in the past for the prosperity and welfare of the lodge .

" Th- ; Initiate , " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and "The Ofiicers , " were afterwards honoured , a pleasant gathering terminating with the 'Tyler ' s toast . A selection of glees and songs was rendered , under the direction of Bro . Frank Swinford , Org ., by Bros . Marriott , Parkin , and Ball . 'The jewel was manufactured by Bro . Ci 2 or £ c Kenning .

Walthamstow Lodge ( No . 2472 ) . —The installation meeling of this ledge was held on Saturday , the 31 st ult ., at the Chequers I lotel , High-street , Walthamstew , under the presidency of Bro . William Shurmur , VV . M . Bro . Shurmur was supported by Bro . Wildash , acting I . P . M . j Bro . N . Fortescue , P . M . ; Bro . S . H . Barker , P . M . ; Bro . W . Harris , P . M . ; Bro . D . H . McGowan , P . M . ; all his ofiicers , many lay members of the lodge ,

and the visitors . Bro . Shurmur initiated Messrs . Frank Budd , Lionel Budd , and Henry Osborn , and afterwards presented a handsome Past Master's iewel to Bro . Wildash who had acted as l . P . M . during the first year of the lodge ' s existence . He then installed Bro . William Harris , P . M ., S . W ., W . M . elect , as W . M . for the ensuing year , and the following brethren were invested as officers Bros . William Shurmur , I . P . M . ; D . H . McGowan ,

P . M ., S . W . ; William Gower , J . W . ; S . H . Barker , P . M ., Treas . ; Samuel Herbert , Sec . ; C . Mac Colla , S . D . ; James Cla . k , J . D . ; A . J . Stacey , I . G . j T . VV . Stacey , D . C . ; P . Felsenthal , Org . ; H . H . Finch and Frederick Peck , Stwds . ; and Marx Grose , Tyler . The VV . M . presented Bro . Shurm r with a beautiful jewel of a Past Master which had been unanimously voted to him by the lodge in recognition of his services as W . M . during the past year .

In brief , but appropriate , terms Bro . Shurmur thanked the brethren for their acknowledgment of his endeavours to place the lodge , of which he was a founder , in a first-class position during the initial stage of its existence , and he assured them of his sincere desire to keep it in that rank , and of his cordial co-operation in the future with the other brethren of the lodge to maintain its good working , its support of the Charities , and its genera ! efficiency . The

real work of the lodge was thus concluded , but a brother gave notice of a motion for the next meeling to the tffect that the lodge give a sum of money—to be supplemental by the donations of individual members—to found scholarships in the local Boaid School ; whereupon Bro . S . II . Baker , P . M ., 'Treas ., gave notice that he should meet the motion with a direct negative . T he lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned

to banquet . The repast was all that could be desired , and Bro , T . Hallows , the proprietor of the hotel , personally superintended , and contributed in an important degree to the general success of the evening . 'I he usual toasts followed the banquet , and music and singing , under the direction of Mr . II . Behling , were given by Miss Emily Greome , llro . G . Weigc , and Air . II . Behling , and , in addition , Mr . William Graham gave an enter-

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tainment styled " Mirth and Music , " and Master G . J . Clark did some recitations . There was a very full entertainment . Bro . VV . Shurmur , I . P . M ., in proposing " The Health of the Worshipful Master , " said that was the second occasion on which Bro . VV . Harris had been installed as a ruler in the Craft , and the brethren might depend upon it that in his ardent desire to promote the continued prosperity of the

Walthamstow Lodge he would not fail to give them the benefit of his past experience . His quiet , gentlemanly , and unassuming manner , which became him so well , would set the brethren an example worthy of imitiation , and they would unite in wishing him a very pleasant and prosperous year of office , with every good result which he could himself desire . Bro . VV . Harris , VV . M ., after the toast had been most

cordially responded to , expressed his gratitude for the kind words of Bro . Shurmur , and the cordiality of the endorsement by the brethren . To the members of tho lodge he gave his sincere thanks for their unanimous election of him to his high office , and he assured them it would be his endeavour during the coming year to serve them faithfully , zealously , and well , and would see that every brother had his just du ? . He knew that his officers would support him ,

and he was glad to have such good working Masons to assist him . He had a rather difficult task in following such a good worker as Bro . Shurmur , who stood so well in Essex , but it was a consolation to feci that whatever assistance he might require , if he asked for it he would oblain it . That fortified him in taking the position of W . M ., and he trusted that at the end of his year of office he would have pleased all the brethren . If such was the result , it was all the reward he could desire .

Bro . W . Harris , W . M ., next proposed " The Health of the Installing Masters , Bros . W . Shurmur , P . M ., and Wildash , P . M ., " and said it was no easy task to propose the health of his friend on his immediate left , Bro . Shurmur ; they all knew his good qualities and his great abilities . However , for the information of those brethren who did not know Past Master Shurmur intimately he would say he could speak well of him , for certainly there

was no brother of the Pr ovmce of Essex who was so deeply beloved and respected ? s Bro . Shurmur . He had made Freemasonry what it was in Walthamstow . All the brethren went to his lodge of instruction to acquire pr ,. liciencv in working . The brethren had themselves seen the masterly style in which he had that evening performed the ceremony of installation ; it was one of the proudest moments of his ( Bro . Harris ' s ) life to have been installed by Past Master

Shurmur . He trusted that Bro . Shurmur might be spared many years to be among them and to aid them in the promotion of . Masonic objects . With respect to Bro . Wildash , he certainly had not been so prominent in the working of the lodge , but he had done much in making the Walthamstow Lodge what it was at the present time ; he had given a thorough tone to the ledge . Outside Masonry he bad been a good worker in the town of VYa ' tkamstow , and Bro .

J . H . Wildash hid always come forward on behalf of its welfare ; he was , in fact , pait and parcel of the town . Many years might be bu spared to adorn the lodge ! It was only by having such thorough , good , genuine Past Masters they could hope for success . Bro . VV . Shurmur , l . P . M ., who was the first to respondto the toast , said it was quite impossible for him to express his sincere gratitude , not only lor the cordial manner in

which the brethren had endorsed the complim ntary remarks of the VV . M ., but for the unvarying kindness which he had received from the members of that lodge . He had very pleasant recollections of his term of office . It hid been his privilege to introduce a large number of brethren into Freemasonry , who he was confident wduld prove ornaments to the Craft , and a credit to the choice mrde of them . Those brethren felt the honour that hid been conferred on

them by their admission to the Oid-r , r . Utter than that honour had been conferred on it by their inlroc ' uclion to the Fraternity . The VV . M . had spoken about the good officers of the lodge , and he ( Bro . Shurmur ) could not allow that opportunity to pass without e . vpres > ing his sincere thanks to the brethren who had been officers duiing his year . It was all very well to ta ) 1 ! about the work of the VV . M ., but what was the use' of a good captain unless he had a good

crew . ' He had been suppoited most loyally by every member of the lodge , as well as by every •llicer , and he was sure they would carry that allegiance to Bro . Ilairis and support him with similar cordiality . They did not want to make the lodge a large one in fact its meeting place would not accommodate a large number : they desired to be very select ; and it was quite possible they might increase the lodge fees . Bro . Wildash had been referred to . He

and Bro . Wildash wue really the fathers of the lodge ; in fact had it not been for Bro . Wildash it was quite possible the Walthamstow Lodge would not have met in Walthamstow but at the Great Eastern I Ltd . He was , however , very pleased it did meet at Walthamstow , because it was a representative lodge . Most of the ^ ocal m giatrates were memberscf i :. Bro . bhurmur then detailed the circumstances connected with the loimaiii n of the ledge in which Bro .

Wildash took a prominent pait , after consisting with Past Master Hallows , and having the suppeit ol the Beaconsfield Lodge . In conclusion , he thanked the brethren for the Past Masters' jewi I with which he had I . ecu presented . As Precept tr of the lodge ol instruction it was , of course , his duty to work the Degiees in a fairly inte ligent manner , If he had given satisfaction he was only too pleesed . It would always be his desire to promote in any way the

success of ike ledt , e . Bro . Wildash , P . M ., also responded , and thanked the brethren for the Past Master ' s jewel with which his breast had been adorned . VValthamsunv had his best wishes j it was his favourite f daci : ; his wile was born there ; his children weie boin there ; it was his home in every sense of the word ; and w btn the VV althamslow Lodge was pri jected , he took the grtatcst interest in it . He knew there weie

sufficient people in Walthamstow losup | oii it . Walthamstow had grown tuoimoiisly since he first 1 new it , and he was glad to see piestnl on that occasion so many bretlncn , among them , Bro . Walter Wnitting ,, am , who could testily with him as to ihe growth of the paiisii . He did like to see his town go u-htad , art ! it must be a proud thing for

tlicm to think ihey could piuduo . a lodge , equal to any in the kingdom . He hoped lie ledge would lie able to do a great deal for Chanty . li it ctuld d » anything for Charity t inside Masonic Charity he shou d be glad to taku part in Ihe werk . The other t < asts were afterwards given and acknowledged beiore the brethren separated .