Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

D . Beveridge , S . W ., and T . dc Brunnow Holmes , J . W ., in the other principal officers' chairs . Among those who attended were Bros . A . C Bishop , C . Wellard , P . M ., Treas . ; ] . M . Chamberlin , P . M ., Sec ; W . A . Tinney , P . M ., D . ' C ; W . S . Penlev , J . E . Hambleton , F . H . Macklin , Sam Johnson , F . Stewart , W . Lestocq , P . M . ; J . Weaver , P . M . ; E . Swanborough , P . M . ; John Maclean ,

P . M . ; E . Frewin , P . M . ; W . Meyer Lutz , P . M . ; H . Crisp , C . E . Howson , C . J . Coxhead , R . S . Boleyn , J . G . Taylor , Luigi Lablache , H . W . Cushinaf , C . Dodsworth , J . E . Hinson , F . Mellish , J . W . Mathews , " ] . J . Solomon , J . C . Hambleton , H . J . Callcott , C Powell , A . W . Cornish , E . Humphrey , Louis Honig , H . Snydcrs , F . G . Hambleton , ] . Geary , j . Carter , R . F . Goodwin , Algernon Syms , A . E .

Harper , R . Temple , Sam Redfern , W . L . Barrett , G . H . - Allen , C . Coote , A . Woodhouse , J . A . Hamilton , C . Harper , - jun ., Ambrose Austin , Sant Matthews , Clement Smith , C . G . Alias , H . J . Hitchins , H . Randall , W . H . Crcmer , J . L . - Simon , and Ormond Yearsley . Visitors : Bros . E . Terry , G . Treas . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; T . W . Harrison , P . M . 442 ; Howard Reynolds , late 1319 ; E .

. W . Gardiner , 2127 ; W . Pink , 777 ; M . Burnell , 204 ; - W . H . Causton , P . M . 162 ; Arthur Dacre , late 1327 ; J . Fernandez , J . W . 2127 ; Harry Nicholls , 2127 ; Lionel Rignold , 2127 ; J . D . Russell , 126 ( I . C ); W . Fowles , - W . M . 134 S ; R . S . Cummings , P . M . 216 S ; J . L . Shine , 1609 ; F . Dangerfield , S . W . 1260 ; C . P . Leonard , 101 ; F . Denby , 2101 ; W . E . Haycock , W . M . 1196 ; W . J . •Pitcher , P . M . 442 ; H . Hart , 1642 ; W . J . Holloway , 555 ;

¦ R . Manuel , S . W . iig < 5 , J . C Duckworth , P . M . . 192 S ; A . Moore , J . W . 173 ; J . Fitzgerald , W . M . 2168 ; G . Alexander , 2127 ; Thomas L . Bramble , * 73 " J . Beveridge Spence , P . M ., P . P . G . W . Surrey ; C . •M . Duplany , 2127 ; G . Coop , W . M . 1612 ; T . H . Stanton , 2157 ; H . Gillard Glind , 1196 ; Thos . Catling , VV . M . 2190 ; I . Tickle , C . C , P . M . 1196 ; R . T . Holms ,

, I . P . M . 901 ; F . G . Potter , J . W . 1321 ; W . L . Maitiand , 7 ; W . E . Chapman , S . W . 2190 ; C . J . Acworth , P . M . 133 , 1602 , 2077 , S . D . 2265 , P . P . G . Stwd . Essex ; J . Vicary , 1 S 0 ; J . Irvine , W . M . S 62 ; L . M . Myers , C . C , P . M . iSS ; S . A . Cooper , P . M . 1637 ; W . W . Morgan , P . M . 211 ; W . R . Palmer , P . M . 621 ; G . Fox , 1330 ; S . . Bancroft , S . D . 2127 ; G . Bishop , P . M . 230 ; J . M . Clemow , P . M . 15 S 9 ; A . Adams , W . M . 1 C 73 ; T . Keen ,

7 6 S ; H . Massey , P . M . Gig and 192 S ; E . Thomas , 1907 ; F . Leslie , 2127 ; J . D . Langton , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . - Surrey ; Albert James , 170 G ; J . A . Brown , 22 G 4 ; F . Bevan , I . G . 1706 ; R . Planquette , L'etoile Polaire , C . W . Hales , 1056 ; F . A . Ormsby , 25 ; J . R . Jekyll , late 1319 ; and Knox Holmes , 29 . According to the usual custom of this lodge , there was

no work but the installation performed on installation day , and , after the preliminary formalities had been observed , Bro . Fairchild , on presentation by Bro . James Weaver , P . M ., of Bro . James D . Beveridge , S . W ., and W . M . elect , installed Bro . Beveridge in the chair of K . S . Bro . ¦ Beveridge invested the following brethren as his officers Bros . T . de Brunnow Holmes , S . W . ; A . E . Bishop , J . W . ;

Tinney , P . M ., D . C ; C . Wellard , P . M ., Treas . ; J . M . Chamberlin , P . M ., Sec ; W . S . Penley , S . D . ; J . E . Hambleton , J . D . ; F . H . Macklin , I . G . ; Sam Johnson and Frank Stewart , Stewards ; and John Gilbert , Tyler . The whole ceremony was most ably and eloquently performed by Bro . Fairchild , and thc investiture of the officers was gone through by the W . M . with all the perfection of an experienced professor . Before the proceedings in lodge

terminated , Bro . Chamberlin read to the brethren a circular , which is being sent out , strongly appealing to the brethren for support to the fund now being raised for the widow and family of the late Bro . F . Delevanti , P . M . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the large hall of Freemasons' Tavern , where an elegant banquet was provided by Messrs . Spiers and Pond , Limited , and personally superintended by Bro . Dartnall . The usual toasts followed .

The W . M ., in proposing "The Oueen and the Craft , " said he should premise for the brethren's general information that the speeches as far as he was concerned would be •of the briefest order . They had a post-prandial entertainment of unusual excellence , and he was sure that would be better than any flowers of his poor oratory . He would

. therefore ask them to drink " The Queen and the Craft "names , he hoped , that would never be disassociated as long as . her Majesty reigned . Loyalty was the distinguishing characteristic of Freemasons , and he did not think it needed any assurance of his that the devotion of the Masonic body was , met by her Majesty by her interest in the Masonic Order . Her Majesty's interest had been proved over and over

again . The Worshipful Master , in proposing the toast of "The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " said he not repeat what had frequently been said before in praise of the Prince of Wales . His Royal Highness was the future chief of this great empire , and he was now the patron of the arts , science , thc drama , and of everything which tended to its welfare .

The Worshipful Master ' s next speech of the toast of " Thc Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " introduced a refreshing deviation from the stereotyped form . He said when the brethren thought that the Pro Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master could spare leisure from their high official duties to devote their time and energy ,

in conjunction with the Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Oliicers , for the welfare of the Craft in general , and the Lodge of Asaph in particular , they must acknowledge that they owed them a deep debt of gratitude . He must say , speaking as an actor , that he was very proud that one of the highest oflices in Grand Lodge was held by their distinguished Bro . Edward Terry , who was now Grand

Treasurer . But this was not the first time in the history of Masonry or the history of the stage that Grand Ofiice had been held by an actor . A friend of liis , Air . Adams , of the Adelphi Theatre , who was not an actor , presented him the other day with a book 150 years of age , and on glancing over its pages he found the following passage , which referred to the year 1731 : "Amongst many good effects arising from a renovation of this Institution "—( that is Masonry , which

had fallen into rather low water)— " the theatre experienced its share . Masons are in general warm friends of the drama , which they deem essential to the cause of virtue , and as Charity is one of their leading principles , they constantly devote the profits arising from one night ' s performance at the theatre every season towards the relief of their distressed and indigent brethren . At this time , however , n i 73 i > their laudable zeal carried them so far as to make

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

them bcspeaktlic tragedyof "Cato , " then remarkably popular , the male characters of which were all performed by gentlemen Masons ; the prices were advanced ; and so crowded and brilliant an audience had never at that time been seen in this kingdom . " Thc Grand Secretary at that time was a Mr . Griffiths , a rather eminent actor , and so pleased were the brethren at what he had

done in Dublin to restore Freemasonry to something like its pristine glory that they gave him a benefit to which the Grand Master and Grand Oflicers went in Masonic regalia in procession , and the quaint old book said that " thereby he reaped great profit . " The present genial Grand Secretary did not need a benefit , but supposing their Grand Treasurer wanted a benefit , supposing he got a dispensation from the Grand Master for all the brethren to walk in

regalia to Terry s 1 heatre , he did not know not only where he would house them , but whether the state of the Strand , to say nothing of the London County Council , would permit of the proceeding . Bro . Edward Terry , Grand Treas ., in reply , said that in rising to attempt to respond to the toastof the Grand Officers , he might slightly alter a Shakespearian quotation and say , of

all things else 1 have evaded this , up to the present , as , owing to the exigencies of his profession he had escaped from the banquets before the speeches came on . He thoroughly appreciated all that the W . M . had said of him and of the Grand Officers generally . He felt it , of course , personally , because he believed he assisted at the Masonic birth of Bro . Beveridge , who had now come forward to a

very fine full-grown manhood , and had taken the post they always believed he would take , and which he was sure he would adorn during the rest of his year of office . Should there be a recurrence of the affair that took place in Dublin in 1731—though their shining" mark , Griffiths , was not a particularly " safe man "—it would be equally safe , as was shown to him at his election as Grand Treasurer . He never

saw so much good fellowship or Masonic feeling in his life , not only by members of the Asaph Lodge , in which he had the honour to pass through all the offices up to the chair , but men from all parts of the country came forward like brethren and supported him to a most astounding extent . He was told when he was made Grand Treasurer that he would have no work to do . He found he was grossly

deceived ; that lie would never be allowed to sign a chequewhich was rather a shir—that was true ; but he found that in his year of office thc Grand Treasurer was not expected to do nothing , for by virtue of his office he was a member of the Provisional Management Committee of the Boys' School , of the Committee of the Girls ' School , and of the old men and women , and

that he was supposed to attend all the Committee meetings . When he told them that in one Institution alone there were 22 meetings since last June , he might fairly assert that he was grossly deceived on that point . However , joking' apart , of course , it was a labour of love to assist in all good Masonic work , and if the brethren had known as intimately as he knew , since he became a Grand Officer ,

the good feeling , the kind fraternal regard which the Grand Officers had for the whole of the Craft , it would do them , as it had done him , good to see and listen to it . It was a thing to be proud of . Col . Shadwell Clerke , Grand Secretary , in response to loud and general calls , said he had hoped that he would be represented by the eloquence of Bro . Terry , under

whose shadow he thought he was . As there was so much beautiful music to come , he would not delay the brethren further than to thank them for the exceedingly kind and fraternal manner in which they had received his name on that and other occasions . He took a deep interest in the Craft and in so praiseworthy and distinguished a lodge as the Lodge of Asaph , for which he hoped in the future the

success it so thoroughly deserved . Bro . Fairchild , in proposing " The W . M ., " said at any time he had not the power , and on the present occasion he had not the privileges , of making any lengthened remarks , because he had been almost forbidden by the Master , who was anxious to get through some other toasts in order to go to his professional duties . In the way of seniority , of

ability , of geniality , of almost everything Masonic , Bro . Beveridge ought to have preceded many of them in the Lodge of Asaph . It had been a matter of regret to him ( Bro . Fairchild ) that Bro . Beveridge had not passed through the chair some years previously , but Bro . Beveridge's professional duties had called him elsewhere , and he had been supplanted for a time . He had now , however , the

satisfaction of being in the proud position which the brethren had had the honour of conferring on him . Bro . Beveridge had the advantage of having many illustrious predecessors ; but whatever else he might be they knew he was one of the most refined and polished villains , but still he sunk that character when he came to the lodge . At the present time he had only to fill the character

of the moral , good , kindly , gentle gentleman , and he occupied his position in the Masonic world with an ability as Master of the lodge of which he had given evidence that evening . He had the courage , which very few Masters had , to close down the lodge on an exciting evening in the different Degrees , and they had seen his ability in doing that work . He had presided also at the banquet in a

way which must have given satisfaction to all . he ( Bro . Fairchild ) had had the pleasure and privilege of working with him many years , and lately very intimately and closely , and he found that he had one object in view—the welfare of the Asaph Lodge . Bro . beveridge occupied the position of Master of the lodge with a full sense of the responsibilities attached to the office , and in the hope that he would perform

the duties as well as other Masters had clone . The W . M ., in reply , said : Brethren , I can only thank you for the great honour you have done me in drinking my health . As I said jutt now the speeches would be short , it would ill become me to make a long speech . 1 would therefore simply say 1 thank you most heartily . The next toast was that of "The LP . M ., Bro .

Fairchild , " and the VV . M ., in proposing it , and presenting a handsome jewel of a Past Master to the I . P . M ., said that was the most important toastof the evening , notwithstanding that Bro . Fairchild had said that the health of the W . M . was the most important toast . He was more than proud to pin the jewel on Bro . Fairchild ' s breast . It was at the same

time a difficult moment for him , because no words of his could express how he appreciated , and the brethren appreciated , the services of Bro . Fairchild to the lodge , knowing as he did that of all the distinguished Masters of the lodge there had never been a worthier , or one who possessed to a greater extent all the good , qualities which should appertain to a man and a Mason . Individually , he ( the VV . M . ) had come into closer

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

contact with Bro . Fairchild than others , and he could say that in every matter of detail no trouble had been too great for him to take to help him ( the W . M . ) in his work . If nc failed in any portion of it they must blame the pupil , not the master . Bro . Fairchild ' s services to all the Masonic Charities were known to all the brethren of the lodge , and to the whole Masonic body .

Bro . Fairchild responded . He said he had done what he could in hislittle way to perforin the duties of W . M . properl y . Not one of the nine meetings of the lodge in 12 months had been without a great deal of Masonic work . Although he had left the chair , he should not relax any of his efforts for the welfare of the Asaph Lodge . He recognised the assistance he had received from the officers he appointed a year

ago , and particularly to Bro . Chamberlin , Secretary . It was a large lodge , numbering over 100 members . They had numerous meetings , and the details were very severe when performed by a busy . man . No Master could have better assistance than he had had from Bro . Chamberlin , one of the oldest members and a founder of the lodge . The VV . M . next proposed "The Visitors . "

Bros . Dr . Spence , Tickle , C . C , 1 . Catling , W . M . 2190 , and Fitzgerald responded . Bro . Beveridge being at this point compelled to leave to fill his professional engagement , his place was taken b y Bro . Fairchild , who proposed the remainder of the toasts . Bro . Chamberlin replied for "The Past Masters , " and said that this year , unfortunately , the lodge had lost one of

those brethren , Bro . Delevanti . Bro . Holmes , S . W ., replied to the toastof " The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast was given by Bro . Gilbert at the close of the proceedings . A charming entertainment was interspersed with the toasts in the shape of recitations , and vocal and instrumental

music , by the following brethren , under the direction of Bro . Arthur Thomas : Bros . Howard Reynolds , R . Temple , T . de B . Holmes , Albert James , Fred Bevan , J . A . Brown , J . Kift , John Maclean , Arthur Thomas , Ormond Yearsley , E . Frewin , Frank Stewart , J . Weaver , F . G ., J . E ., and ] , C . Hambleton , C . Harper , W . L . Barrett , Marius , Harry Nichols , and J . L . Shine .

Victoria Park Lodge ( No . xSi 6 ) . — On Thursday , the 24 th ult ., the installation meeting of thc above lodge took place at the London Tavern , Fenchurchstreet . Besides this most important ceremony , quite an imposing array of other business stood on the agenda . The meeting was , therefore , called at the early hour of three o ' clock p . m . As over Go brethren were present in the course

of the afternoon , we can only indicate those among the earliest arrivals , e . g ., Bros . J . T . Kinniple , VV . M . ; Chas . Reeves , P . M . ; W . Watkins , P . M . ; D . Hodges , P . M . ; C . VV . Currell , P . M . ; H . Sinclair , S . W . ; J . VV . Clements , J . W . ; Geo . Morris , Treas . ; H . Rogers , P . M ., M . E . Z ., Sec . ; Albert Govier , S . D . ; VV . B . Abraham , J . D . ; K . VV . Carroll , I . G .: D . Mickleread , D . C ; H . H . VV .

Sherwin , Org . ; E . Smith , J . Smith , G . Haysom , T . Cowell , F . Garrood , B . Charig , and Jas . Adams . Among the visitors were Bros . L . T . Conbro , P . M . 1365 ; R . VV . Galloway , 1602 ; J . Brooks , ' 51 ; C . Cooper , SgS ; G . T . Williams , SgS ; G . G . Duck , S' gS ; H . Cooper , SgS ; C . Gammon , 704 ; J . Mills , 1765 ; and others . The lodge was opened , and Ihe minutes of the last lodge

meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Cray was balloted for , and elected a joining member . Bro . J . T . Kinniple , W . M ., assisted by Bro . VV . Watkins , and other P . M . 's , initiated Messrs . G . R . Shrimpton and T . G . Holttum ; and also passed Bros . Adams , Horlock , at . d Gvimwood to the Degree of F . C . Bro . C . Reeves , as Installing Master , installed the VV . M . elect , Bro . H . Sinclair , 111 the

chair of K . S ., performing the ceremony in a hi g hly impressive and earnest manner . The VV . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . E . Clements , S . VV . ; A . Govier , J . W . ; Geo . Morris , Treas . ; H . Rogers , Sec ; VV . I ) . Abraham , S . D . ; R . W . Carroll , J . D . ; D . Mickleread , I . G . ; F . Garrood , D . C . ; Bradford and A . Read , Stwds . ; Sherwin , Org . ; and Stewart , Tyler . The VV . M . then

presented the I . P . M ., Bro . J . T . Kinniple , with a Past Masters jewel , at the same time congratulating him , in the name oi the lodge , for the very satisfactory manner in which he had discharged the duties of his distinguished position during his term of office . Bro . Kinniple having suitably responded , after " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed . On adjourning to the Oueen ' s room , a banquet worthy * 1 ' the refective traditions of the London Tavern , was abJy

discussed by the brethren . The loyal toasts of " The Oueen and the Craft , " " ' 1 " < ; M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Princeof VVales , " were appreciated in the usual hearty Masonic fashion , and no less can be said for the reception of "The Pro G . M ., the ha " of Carnarvon , The Deputy G . M ., the Earl of Lath- " )

and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " , Bro . Kinniple , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Health ot the VV . M ., " mentioning that he was the third initiate 0 that lodge who had attained that distinction . . Bro . Sinclair , VV . M ., replying , said that in thanking the I . P . M . and brethren , he could state that he fully intt- -nu « " " to faithfully and justly perform all the duties that devolve '

upon him . . . In reply to the toastof "The I . P . M ., " Bro . Kin "'! ' ! * referred to the present prosperous state ol the lodge and 1 good position to fulfil its functions as part of a p \ charitable Institution ; if , during - his term of office , he ' [' incurred some little imputation of closeness , he was sure brethren would appreciate efforts meant for the good ot

lodge and Masonry . „ " lo the toast of •' The Installing Master , " Bro . C h ^ referred to tlie principle of brotherly love , temperance , •, Charity in all tilings . Those were chief among the duti 1- ' their calling . . . „ "The Past Masters" and "The Initiates" having t >'

proposed and duly acknowledged , . . „ . Ihe VV . M ., in naming "llie Masonic Charities , h nounced his intention to undertake the Stewardship 5 ° , - ) s ' the approaching i-estivals—The Old People and 'l " u School . , /"(" j After he had spoken and the lists were sent ' ? " "¦ ;„ tlie and upwards was announced to have been subscriber !

room . rriOi > To the toast of "The Visitors , "_ Bro . " ; . jffC fur responded in warm terms of congratulation to tne 10 o ^ jj the evidently hue spirit of Masonry among them , 1 he was followed by several others . ,, ., II . Among those replying for " The Officers , s ^ its Rogers said he was the only Secretary of the lodge