Craft Masonry.

In reply , Bro . Pointon said he was proud of the honourable position to which the brethren had unanimously elected him , and he promised that nothing should be wanting on his part to carry out the duties efficiently , and he hoped all the officers would do their utmost to perform their respective duties in the same manner and attend lodges of instruction . He had been instrumental in introducing members good and true into the

lodge and he should still endeavour to do so . With reference to a few remarks that had fallen from Bro . Francis respecting the Charities , he should like to say that so long as he had their united support , it was his intention to represent the Charities again , which he considered was the climax of Freemasonry . He hoped all the brethren who had votes in all the future elections would kindly send them on to him and he would undertake they should be rightly recorded .

The toast of " The Visitors " was ably presented and very suitably replied to by Bros . Cohen , Cheese , Faull , and Stone . " The Past Masters , " was duly responded to , and likewise "The Officers , " ably given and efficiently replied to by the S . W ., J . W ., S . D ., J . D ., and I . G . The Tyler's toast closed a very happy meeting . Some capital singing was provided by Bros . Pointon , Rogers , and others , wh ich was much appreciated .

Acacia Lodge , No . 2321 . Several items ot interest were upon the agenda at the regular meeting ot this lodge held at the Masonic Hall , Bradford , on Thursday , the 2 nd ult ., when Bro . John Morton , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . S . A . Bailey , I . P . M . ; F . Betteridge , B . A ., Chan .: C H . Ellis , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Last , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Sec . ; J . Niven ,

P . M ., asS . W . ; J . B . Fearnley , as J . W . ; T . H . Bedford , as S . D . ; W . Docksey , J . D . ; W . H . Townend , I . G . ; John S . Cooper , Tyler ; T . N . Hoffiies , Org . ; and a number of brethren . Visitors : Bros . Joseph Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , P . P . A . G , Sec . ; G . H . Field , P . M . 101 S ; Wm . Leach , 40 S ; J . Tilley , J . W . 2669 ; Wm . Foster , 600 ; S . A . Auty , P . M . 3 S 7 ; T . W . Holmes , P . M . 974 , P . P . G . O . ; S . Ward , S . W . 1034 ; H . F . Scales , 339 ; and R . Worrall , 674 .

Alter the lodge had been opened , and the minutes of the pievious meeting confirmed , the VV . M . called on Bro . Last , Sec , who gave an interesting paper on "An Evening with the Grand Lodge of Nebraska , " being the first of a series of papers on the American Grand Lodges . proposed to be read before the lodge by the Secretary as opportunity offers at meetings when the Degrees ace not being conferred . At the conclusion of the paper , which was listened to with attention , a resolution was passed according a vote of thanks to the Secretary for his interesting

paper . During the evening a resolution was passed as follows : " That the Secretary having this evening read a most interesting and instructive paper , entitled , ' An Evening with the Grand Lodge of Nebraska , ' from which we have learned that Lodge No . 34 on the register of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska is called Acacia , and , that like our own lodge , it meets on the evening of the first Thursday in the month , it is resolved that the Worshipful Master , officers , and brethren of Lodge Acacia , 2 3 , on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , meeting at Bradford , Yorkshire , now assembled ,

send hearty greetings and good wishei to the Worshipful Master , Wardens , and our Nebraska brethren of Lodge Acacia , No . 34 , meeting at Schuyler , Nebraska , and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded by the Secretary . " A letter was read from Bro . J . A . Drake , J . W ., apologising for his absence , and intimating that he had much pleasure in presenting to the lodge three sets of gauntlets for the use ofthe AIaster and Wardens , and deputing the Secretary to make the presentation on his behalf . Bro . Last , P . M .,

Sec , thereupon invested the W . M . and Wardens , respectively , with the gauntlets , and moved a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Drake for his acceptable present . This was seconded by Bro . Niven , P . M ., supported by the W . M ., and carried , and directed to be entered upon the minutes . Bro . R . S . Hird then introduced for discussion a proposition to change the day of meeting , as Thursday was found by some of the members to be inconvenient . The motion was adjourned to a future Iodge meeting for further consideration .

A candidate was proposed for initiation , and , after " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards repaired to the supper-room for refreshment , and , after the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been duly honoured , Bro . Last , Sec , proposed the toastof " The Visitors , " giving them a very cordial welcome indeed . He said the members were really indebted to the brethren who had honoured the lodge with their presence that evening , for being Whit-week so many members were away . Personally , he ( Bro . Last ) took it as a compliment that so many

visitors ( several from neighbouring towns ) had attended to hear the paper it had been his pleasure to read in the lodge that evening . He hoped as occasions presented from time to time to give further papers on the American Grand Lodges , and on such occasions brethren interested in the literary side of Freemasonry would receive a hearty welcome ; Bro . Matthewman , P . P . A . G . Sec , was always a welcome guest at the lodge . That evening he had come from Leeds on a very short invitation , he ( Bro . Last ) observed that he seldom , if ever , found Bro . Matthewman absent from any lodge in the province when a Masonic lecture or paper was on the agenda . The toasi was heartily received .

Bro . Matthewman , P . P . A . G . Sec , responded , and expressed the pleasure it had given him ( although at short notice ) to be present that evening to listen to the very interesting paper that had been given in the lodge , and as Bro . Last had stated he missed no opportunity to visit lodges where Masonic papers and lectures were given , they had heard that evening much of interest concerning the doings of our transatlantic brethren who evidently took their Freemasonry seriously . He had on many previous occasions enjoyed the hospitality of the lodge , and so long as lectures on Masonic topics were provided and invitations reached him he should be pleased to be . their guest in the

future . _ Bro . Auty , P . M . 3 S 7 , also responded , and , after referring to his earlier connection with the lodge , expressed the pleasure it had given him to be present that evening and to have had the privilege of listening to the almost sublime language , as it were , put in'c the mouth of the first Grand Master of Nebraska Freemasons , when acknowledging his reception on the occasion of his visit to the Grand Lodge at its annual communication 40 years afterwards . He thanked the brethren for the hearty manner the toast had been received .

"The W . M ., "" The Past Masters , " " The Odicers , " and othcr toasts were all duly acknowledged . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant meeting to a close . During the evening Bros . Tilley , Ward , Last , Townend , and Holmes rendered VJcal and instrumental music for th ; gratification of the assembly .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Pythagoras Chapter , No . 88 . At the half-yearly convocation of this chapter , held at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge , on Wednesday , the sg ' . h ult ., the Principal ' s chairs were occupied by Comps . Rev . L . R . tuttiett , M . E . Z . ; J . Gordon Chennell , H . ; and A . K . Chaplin , J . Others who assisted in the working were Comps . B . Chennell , P . Z . , * W . P . Spalding , P . Z . frank Piggott , P . Z . ; and C . H . Banhamacting P . S . Three brethren from Lodges

, K * ' t >!> 1 . ' , and 2 I 0 7 , were elected and exalted . The sum of io guineas was voted to the Koyal Masonic Institution for Boys to go on Comp . John H . Moyes ' s list . The followru ™" 'P at > d ofiicers for the ensuing year were elected : Comps . I . Girdon ^ hennell , M . E . Z . ; A . E . Chaplin , H . ; C . H . Banham , J . ; Oliver Papworth , P . Z ., W .. Ar- L J * L Rutter ' Scribe N * i T * Hunnybun , Treas . ; W . Sindall , P . S . ; J . west Knjghts , ist Asst . Soj . ; A . H . Langridge , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; B . Chennell , P . Z ..

Bint J „ j «*/*?" ' S * , J * V * Pr V ° ' - > Stwd * ' G * A * Allen * J anitor i and F . W . io „ o t , " J ? " * Auditors . The visiting brethren were Comps . Armstrong , P . Z , M IV , ° , | n Sta 'i' , * /?* 9 * S « -Pl * ens , 493 ; T . W . Allsop , J . 9 ; P . H . Young , At iJ ' J' Dempster , 441 . thc h »» , 1 e t , 1 qu "' the London visitors , and particularly Comp . Stait , commented on U'aib £ , o y ° t r , ltuaI "i use in this old chapter ; it was altogether different to the sam „„?• '¦ " , n cha P ' < ' but , although more amplified than theirs , it came to the "ame point , and was greatly to b : admired . that a ? m ? , ' , iA ^ Pa . * d'ng , P . Z ., who gave "The Health of the Visitors , " remarked « as much had previously been said of their ritual by Como . J . Terry .

Royal Arch.

Comp . T . W . Allsop said his selection as one of the six special Stewards at the royal entrance at the Albert Hall on the occasion of the recent Festival in behalf of the Boys * School was not to his mind the proudest experience he had had in Masonry ; but rather when he was allowed by the W . M . of the Scientific Lodge in Cambridge to initiate , pass , and raise his own son . Comp . Armstrong made feeling allusion to the late Comp . J . Neal York , of Newmarket , and his valuable work in connection with the Pythagoras and White Rose Chapters , in conjunction with Comp . B . Chennell .

Britannia Chapter , No . 312 . A meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Whitby , on the 13 th ult ., to celebrate the centenary of the chapter , which attained its centenary just 15 years ago . In conformity with the requirement of the Grand Chapter after the _ Union in 1817 , all the chapters then in existence returned their old warrants and received new ones . Accordingly the old warrant of the Britannia Chapter was forwarded to headquarters and exchanged for

the present charter , dated Sth May , 1 S 22 , now in the Masonic Hall . ' But it is a matter for regret that the old warrant was not returned . This explains the fact that not until last year , when the records of the Britannia and Lion Lodges were thoroughly examined , were the companions aware that the Britannia Chapter existed before the year 1 S 22 . At the last meeting of Grand Chapter a centenary charter was granted to the Britannia Chapter .

At the centenary meeting there was a good attendance of companions , when an address was delivered by Comp . the Rev . E . Fox-Thomas , P . P . A . G . S ., giving a brief sketch of the Royal Arch Degree , followed by the history of the Britannia Chapter . Comp . T . B . Whytehead , P . G . S . B . England , then presented the centenary charter to the M . E . Z ., who received the same and suitably replied . After supper , Comp . T . B . Whytehead made an interesting speech , and

congratulated the companions of the chapter on their long and honourable record . Last year " the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of North and East Yorkshire was held at Whitby to celebrate the centenary of the Lion Lodge , No . 312 , and now that the antiquity of the Britannia Chapter has been established , the companions are proud to be the possessors of a centenary charter of their chapter , which is the second oldest in Yorkshire .

We understand that a history of Royal Arch Masonry in Whitby is about to be published .

Era Chapter , No . 1423 . A meeting of this flourishing chapter was held at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on the 14 th ult . Among those present were Comps . F . Robinson , P . Z ., as M . E . Z . ; R . Poore , P . Z ., as H . ; B . Grant , J . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . Z ., P . D . G . D . C , S . E . ; J . Masters , S . N . ; E . H . Thiellay , P . Z ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; A . Collins , P . S . ; F . " Foulger , ist A . S . ; G . Holt , 2 nd A . S . ; H . Higjins , P . Z . ; C H . Kiiiler , P . Z . ; and W . Fisher , P . Z .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Comps . Poore , P . Z ., was elected M . E . Z . ; B . Grant , H . ; F . Foulger , J . ; Major Walls , S . E . ; Masters , S . N . ; Thiellay , Treas . ; A . Collins , P . S . ; Holt and Joseph , Asst . Sojs . ; A . Macchi , D . C . ; and J . Gilbert , Janitor . A Past Principal ' s jiwel was voted to Comp . Wells . Apologies for noa-attendance were received from Comps . A .

Wells , M . E . Z . ; J . B . Riley , M . D ., P . Z . ; G . L . Wingate , P . Z . ; W . H . 'Matthews , P . Z . ; G . Elliott , P . Z . ; and others . The chapter was then closed . A banquet followed , at which the S . E . presided . Comp . W . Fisher , P . Z ., responded on behalf of "The Provincial Grand Officers " in a neat speech . The toast of "The M . E . Z . and M . E . Z . elect , " was warmly received .

Comp . Poore , in the absence of the First Principal , acknowledged the compliment . He said the chapter had for the second time elected him as First Principal , and he would endeavour to merit the confidence reposed in him to the best of his humble ability . Comps . Robinson , Higgins , and Kohler , replied oa behalf of " The Past Principals , " and Comps . M isters , Collins , Holt , and Foulger , for * ' The Officers . " During the proceedings several of the companions entertained the other members with vocal and dramatic selections , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Excelsior Lodge , No . 226 . B : o . E . B . Hobson , W . M . of the above excellent and flourishing lodge , installed his successor on Monday , the 27 th ult ., and was highly complimented on his excellent and impressive working by the brethren present . The lodge was cpened at the Masonic Hall , Mount Pleasant , Plumstead , and the minutes having been confirmed , Bro . C Jolly , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., acting as D . C , presented the W . M . elect , Bro . G . H . Porter , to the W . M . to receive at his hands the benefits of installation , and Bro . Porter was

placed in the chair of A . and saluted . He appointed and invested his officers as follows , those absent by proxy : Bros . E . P . Hobson , I . P . M . ; C H . Canning , S . W . ; W . 1 . Crowdy , I . W . j R . Fowler , M . O . ; Jas . Wheatley , S . O . ; G . F . Taylor , J . O . ; Jas . Farrier , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., Treas . ; G . Kennedy , P . M ., P . P . G . R . M ., Sec ; J . D . Brooks , Reg . of Marks ; J . Sanderson , S . D . ; W . Chambers , J . D . ; H . Jacobs , I . G . ; G . VV . Townsend , D . C . ; W . Lawson , A . D . C . ; C . W . Benstead and J . Leavey , Stwds . ; and C . Warren , Tyler . Bro . Hobson then gave the addresses splendidly . He

was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his services and was also presented with a handsome and valuable Past Master ' s jewel as a mark of the esteem of the brethren and for valuable services rendered the lodge during his year of office . ** Bro . Hobson announced his intention of standing Steward at the forthcoming Mark Benevolent Festival , and the sum of five guineas was collected from among the brethren for his list , and then the lodge was closed . The banquet was served at the Royal Mortar Hotel , opposite the Royal Arsenal

main gates , Woolwich , and was elegantly appointed and well served , Bro . HaU being thanked for it in unstinted terms of praise and approbation . Among the other brethren present were Bros . Major W . Weston , P . M ., P . P . I . G W ., P . G . I . G . Eng . ; Capt . G . Spinks , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; F . Reed , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; J . II . Roberts , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; J . II . Hodgin , J . Rose , I . Turton , W . M . 309 ; Dr . E . Bryceson , W . M ., G . R . Nichols , j . W ., W . Sanders , R . M ., of 44 ; J . Wood , 309 ; A . Gomes , 193 ; and others .

The usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts having b en honoured , Bro . Weston responded for ' * The Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past . " He said it was a great honour to be associated with the Grand Officers of the Grand , Mark Lodge . He felt compelled to say that the Benevolent Charities of the Degree were not nearly so well supported as they ought to be . They did not employ a large staff of ofiicers ar . d officials , but yet they educated their boys and girls , and looked after their old people . In the case of the education of their children , the parents had the choice of schools , providing they were the best in the district , and they were every year well

clothed . In the case of the aged women , they gave them some £ 20 or £ 30 a year , and the old men ^ 40 . There were no sounding of trumpets in Mark Alasonry , there was no . £ 134 . 000 for their Charity , some two or three thousand was all they got , and they wanted more , as more claims were being made on them . They had had hitherto no elections , thanks to the care and kindness of their esteemed Grand Secretary , Bro . Matier , but some day there would be an outburst from that brother , and they would be able to make as big a show as the other Institutions . He earnestly urged the claim ; of their Charity and concluded by telling thern to send up their I . P . M . with a list that would be worthy of the lodge and the province it belonged to .

The toast of "Lord Dungarvan , Grand Mark Masterof the Province of Kent , " was drunk most enthusiastically , as was that of " Bro . Hughes-Hallett , P . G . M ., and the rest of the Provincial Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past , for which Bros . Spinks , Jolly , and Roberts , briefly lesponded . The I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " said that although Bro . Porter had been W . M . for some three hours , yet he ( Bro . Hobson ) would predict not only a successful year for the lodge , but that Bro . Porter would make one of the most popular Masters and good workers the lodge ever had had . He knew