Craft Masonry.

felt sure he could not do more than tread m their footsteps . Nothing svould be svanting on his part to earn the approval they had bestosved on him so unstintedly . He svould conclude as he began by saying that he could not sufficiently express his gratitude for the terms in svhich the toast had been proposed , and the enthusiasm svith svhich it had b ; en received . He could only say svith a AIaster svho lived 300 years ago— "Thanks , thanks , for ever , thanks . "

Bro . Northcott next said the task that now lay before him svas one svhich svas exceedingly pleasurable ; it svas not a duty only , but it svas one to svhich gratification svas also attached—it svas the toast of " The I . P . M . " The brethren of the Savage Club Lodge did not need to be told svith svhat admirable finish and perfection the LP . AL had performed his duties during the past year . Nothing had been svanting on Bro . Fisher's part to sustain the dignity of the Iodge ,

and to attend to the perfect minuti . e of the business . He had performed his duties throughout in as perfect a manner as it svas possible [ to conceive . That , the brethren of the Savage Club Lodge knesv svithout his telling them ; but svhat they did not know svas the advice , the kindly advice , the ever ready advice he had given to the humble individual svho svas elected to follosv him . Bro . Fisher had done all that svas possible to smooth the svork for his successor . He

( Bro . Northcott ) did not take any particular credit as regarded himself for that , because he svas sure Bro . Fisher would have been equally kind and considerate to everybody —to do the same for svhomsoever had been appointed , had he ( Bro . Northcott ) not been chosen . Those svho svere not members of the Savage Club Lodge must have been charmed that day with the perfection in which Bro . Fisher performed his duties as Installing Alaster . Nothing could have been

more complete , ready , or to the point than the manner in svhich Bro . Fisher svent through his svork . In addition to that there was the kindliness of heart svhich he ( Bro . Northcott ) had experienced , and svhich should . distinguish all Masons , svhich he had the best reason to knosv Bro . Fisher possessed . In every respect the LP . AL ss-as an ornament to the Order . It svas , therefore , svith particular gratification that he undertook the duty of giving him the guerdon of

merit svhich svas his due for the svork he had done during the year . He nosv appended to Bro . Fisher ' s breast a Past Master ' s jesvel as a token of the appreciation of the Savage Club Lodge of thc svay in svhich hehad done his svork , and as a mark of the brethren's esteem for him personally . Long might he live to wear the jess'el ; often might the brethren see it in thi Savage Club Lodge , and might it prove to all , collectively and individually , an example of

honest and faithful discharge of duty . Bro . W . J . Fisher , LP . AL , in reply , said they svere told in a book svith svhich all of them svere more or less familiar that " Out of thcfulnessof the heart the mouth speaketh . " He stood before the brethren , they need hardly be told with a very full heart indeed , but he never so painfully felt the svant cf phrases , to express his sense of gratitude for the token presented to him and for the more than kindly svords

of the W . AI . in submitting the toast , and the manner the brethren had received it . Had the task of presiding over this lodge been tenfold more exacting than it had been , he should be still more than amply repaid by this mark of the brethren ' s regard . He left the chair of the lodge , . villi the feeling that he ssas the debtor . He had received such unvarying kindness from everybody , that he really could not regard the brethren as osving him anything except such

recognition as svas in all circumstances due to the man svho tried to do his best . He supposed that every VV . AL could truthfully say that his year of ollice had been the pleasantest of his Masonic experience . He knesv that it had been so in his osvn case , and he knew also—he felt at least convinced that any new experience that might be in store for him in Masonry svould neser dim the lustre of the past year . 'The brethren needed not that he should tell them

of the progress cf the lodge in the past year ; it stood recorded in thc statement sent to thc brethren , from svhich they saw the material prosperity of the lodge svas as great as it ever had been , and that it svas grusving . He svas happy to inform the brethren that the lodge had been not only materially prosperous , but that it svas one of unruffled concord . Nothing hael come svilhin his knowledge to mar the harmony of their progress . It svas not likely , of course ,

that the large influx of members the lodge had during the early years of its existence svould ever , from circumstances svhich were apparent , svithout any insistence on his part , be repeated . They svere settling dosvn into an ordinary jog-trot existence , but it svould never be lacking in carrying out the principles of Alasonry , as it never had been lacking since its foundation . Ihey knesv the Italian proverb that " Who goes slowly goes safely ; svho goes safely goes

fuither . " The Savage Club Lodge svent safely , and by God's grace it svould go further . It svas the most embarrasing thing he had had that day lo tell the brethren adequately svhat he though " , but he svould once more tender them his humble and hearty thanks for their mark of recognition . Such services as he could render the ledge svould be at their disposal should it ever stand in need of them .

Bio . Thomas Catling , P . M . anil Secretary , proposed "The Visitors , " and in the couise of his remarks said that sshen the daring project of establishing a Savage Club I edge ssas liist slatted , it met ssith the svarmest encouragement at the hands of Grand Ofiicers . For this the Savage bretherhord svculd be ever grateful , and it made them svelcome visitors svith especial heartiness . Bros . T . L . Wilkinson , Col . Aloney , and Walter Webb

replied . Bro . Ebbetts , P . M ., D . of C , proposed " 'The Allied Lodges—the Drury Lane , the Gallciy , and the Asaph . " Bro . J . C Manning , VV . M . 193 S , in reply , said he reciprocated the kind sentiments svhich had been expressed . There had been a tradition in the Galleiy Lodge for a long lime lhat no meeiing of any impoitance at the festive beard of that lodge svould be canied to a successful issue

svithout a fair 11 presentation of the Savage Club Lodge , and he thought there svas a similar tradition in the Savage Club Ledge ssith respect to the Gallery Leidge . He had no doubt that Free masonry had a good deal to do is ith that ; but he believed a special ground for it svas that professionally they all rosved in the same boat , and Freemasonry

helped them . lie thanked the brethren for the toast , and expressed the hope lhat these allied lodges svould continue to go hand in hand svith every svoi !< of benevolence in svhich either might be engaged , and that they might carry it to a successful issue . Bro . Hambleton , W . AI . 1319 , also replied ; anel theother toasts svere then given and honoured .

Craft Masonry.

The birthday of Bro . Henry Irvmg , one of the founders of the Savage Club Lodge falling on Tuesday , a cable message svishing the distinguished actor " many very happy returns " svas sent by the Secretaiy to Philadelphia . In response came the following acknosvledgment : " Greeting , salutation ; sweet message vcry svelcome . —Irving . " Bro . Meads svas toastmastcr .

Scots Lodge ( No . 2319 ) . — The Burns' night of this lodge ss'as held on the 25 th ult ., at the Scottish Corporation Hall , Crane-court , under the presidency of Bro . Duncan F . GelTon , W . AI . Amongst the brethren present svere Bros . Thomas Grant , S . W . ; Joseph J . Whitehead , J . VV . ; James Gray , Trustee ; D . A . Ro = s , Sec ; James Thompson , S . D . ; D . R . Duncan , I . G . j John Page , P . AL , O . C ; E . Johnson Gordon , A . D . C . ;

VV . Craig and J . Anderson , Stsvds . ; Ashby Gordon , Org . ; VV . S . Beaton , J . B . Barclay , D . Smith , Duncan Balfour , VV . Laurie , P . Black , J . Alacgregar , J . Plcnderleith , A . Whitehead , D . Charteris , W . B . Smith , " F . J . Young , Thos . Sandeland , John Bennett , and Douglas Hart . Visitors : Bros . VV . O . Beazley , P . M . 172 ; \ V . A . Millar , 1137 ( Nesv Zealand ); H . Massey , 160 , P . AL 1 G 9 and 192 S ; James Dennison , 211 ; J . A . Sec , 1140 ; R . F . Seton

P . M . 1965 ; E . Constantine , P . AL 154 ^; W . A . Adam , P . M . 1924 ; D . Ridley , 2392 ; James Thorn , P . M . 2331 ; VV . G . Reynolds , P . AL 1441 ; J . Alinter , 20 ; Joyce Alurray , P . M . 170 G ; andT . Powley . The VVorshipfuI Alaster , in perfect style , raised Bros . A . S . Whitehead anel J . AL Barclay to the Third Degree , and after some other Masonic business , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , svhich svas followed by the u-: ual

loyal and Alasonic toasts . Bro . James Gray , J . P ., Trustee of the lodge , proposed "The Immortal Memory of Bro . Robert Burns , " and sail it svas fitting that the Scots Lodge in London should continue to join hands svith Brother Sceits everywhere that night and every 25 th January in laying their annual tribute of commemoration oil the shrine of Scotland ' s gi e eest hard . 'The festive rite that svas now en-sbr . nel -vlh that memoi-a ' -le el ly honoured

those svho celebrated it in . 1 * 0 loai ; it ho-, ,-.-, ; c I him who svas now tiie honoured .. ( th < - i mn > r Js v . -ro t '< eie svas no " In . Memory of , " bit alls- ' iiir , eternal nres-nt . Speaking of Burns ' s connection ssith Freemasmry , he said lhat it svas not to be wondered at that Burns , svhose heart was as big as humanity itself , and so finely s ' rung to every chord of human passion , shoulel have reiponeleel a : once to tie magic spell of Masonry . L-iag before he wis of lull age ,

flashes of the . Masonic dawn ol Ins iralcrnal splendour were already gilding the horison of his you * ig li'e , as seen in his keenness of zest for human fellowship , and the inten ° encss of his enjoyment in the boon ompiniou . hip of kindred souls . Among many instances of this svas his early connection svith the Bachelor Club . At 22 years of age , he was initiated on July 4 th , 17 X 1 , in St . David ' s Lodge , Tarbolton , subsequently called the St . James ' s , and that

even after his initiation lie continued to laki a warm and deep interest in everything Masonic . Three years after his initiation lie filled ihe Deputy Master ' s chair , and performed tbe dudes faithfu ' . ly , brilliantly , and svell . Imbued svith Tne deep religious spirit of his time , so nobly cinhodied in " 'The Cottar ' s Saturday Night , " and already graupling with the hidden mysteries of the Great Architect of the Univcr-e , the wisdom and intellectual

beauty of the teaching of speculative Alasonry could not have been otherwise than fascinating to him . In the thick light of religious controversy he svas hurling his flaming shafts cf satire and ridicule against the uncharitable pride of religious Pharisaism and the canting hypociisy of some persons of his time . Selecting a leading member of the . Mauchline Session full of sanctimonious pretensions , but not above making too Iree svith female transgressors or the

money of the poor , Burnsslrippedthisinflatcdself-righteous soul of its unctuous trappings and pilloried him and all his kind to everlasting ridicule and scorn in "Holy Willie ' s Prayer , " a poem svhich Sir Walter Scott speaks of as a satire more exquisitely severe than any Burns ever wrote aftersvards . Burns hated religious shams and all shams . It svas the fraternal instincts of Burns that most thoroughly responded to the magnetic touch of Alasonry ; and if his

connection svith the Craft helped in any svay to fan the flame of his immortal genius , Masonry had at least caught some of its reflected glory , svhile the svorld had been enriched svith a legacy of priceless undying song svhich , but for the timely assistance of his brethren ol the mystic tie , might have been lost to it for ever . Burns svas indeed a preacher before his time of a true democratic brotherhood , and his song svas for a deliverance of the oppressed poor ,

who bad done more than Burns to hasten on this glorious coming of man ' s true destiny . It must not be thought , hosvever , that because Burns fretted and fumed against the cruel injipialities of society that he svas disloyal or revolutionary , lie svas no social anarchist or setter of class against class . The same heart that burned svith scorn against the tyranny and oppression of lordl y wealth and posver was the same heart that beat

loyally under tlie uniform uf the Dumfries Volunteers . Tlie influence of Burns abroad and in the Colonies svas extending to the very Aborigines of Australia , svhose favourile songs out ol their own language svere "Auld Lang Syne" and "Ye Banks anel Braes . " Scotsmen revered and loved the memory of Burns because he svas a true man . lie devoted his heaven-born gifts not to his own aggrandi-cment , But to his country and humanity . He

enlarged the heart of humanity svith sympathy for every snlf ring creature , from the highest to the lowest , to the limping , wounded hare and the wee timorous niousie . . Men loved him because of his noble , independent spirit , because svhile he ever respected and honoured genuine svorth , be always esteemed the friendship of the truly great ; lie never bowed the knee to llaal , or svorshipped at the shrine of toadyism . While ever recognising

the dignity of authority and ollice , his strong sense of the equality of brotiiernoud enabled liiin to stand erect and rjpen-bi'jsveel in tlie presence of the highe .-t of the court . Beside the llosving stream of Burns' immortal memory , they in the . scots ; ) . od , ; e svould stand that night as Burns himself once s . tood svith his osvn 1 lighland Mary , and clasping his hands across it :, crystal water would pledge their troth of love and fidelity to him ssho svas their brother and poetic king .

'The address , of ssliich the above is But a condensed rejiort , svas repeatedly cheered during its delivery . 'The other toasts followed , and the brethren separated after spending a delightful evening .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

ALTRINCHAM . Stamford Lodge ( No . 1045 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge svas held at the Town Hall , on Alonday , the 5 th inst . Lodge being opened , Bro . Coningsby Disraeli , the distinguished member of Parliament for this division , svas passed to the Degree of F . C . by Bro . Dr . W .

A . Renshaw , P . M ., in a most exemplary manner . The following members svere present : Bros . G . F . ' Smith , VV . M . ; W . K . Blunsum , I . P . M . j VV . Agar Renshasv , P . AL : R . II . Potter , P . M . ; F . R . B . Lindsell , P . M . ; Joel Foden , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Drinksvater , P . M . j E . G . Parker , P . AL , P . P . G . O . ; J . Siddeley . P . M ., Treas . ; F . G . Richardson , J . D . ; J . Davenport , I . G . ; G . Johns ;

Jas . Hamilton . P . M ., P . P . G . S . of VV . ; M . VV . Worthington , P . AL ; VV . Hughes , E . Nickson . AL VV . Hargreave , VV . Brand Millar , G . J . Plimmer , William Dykes , Rev . C . C . Atkinson , Chap . ; S . Thompson , P . AL , P . P . G . Purst . j H . H . Alayor . J . W . j J . VV . Byrom , S . VV . ; Jas . Parker , Org . ; 0 . Burrow ; M . Stone , P . AL ; A . Huxley , Tyler ; J . Hawker , [ as . Harrison , VV . Allsvood , G . H . Hollins , R .

Newhouse , P . AL , P . G . Sec ; R . C . VVhitelegg , and A . H . Smith . The visiting brethren consisted of Bros . R . H . Robinson , P . AL 1213 ; Rev . Geo . Cranston , 999 ; Frank Hough , 1011 ; A . S . Fletcher , 293 ; Rev . C S . Stubbs , 100 S ; and VV . Bratby , G 45 . At the close of the Iodge the brethren spent a social evening . BARNARD CASTLE .

Barnard Lodge ( No . 1230 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge svas held at tne Alasonic Hall , on thc 2 nd inst ., Bro . J . R . Thompson , W . M ., presiding . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Christopher Hedley svas passed to the second degree . Bro . J . AL Afoore , P . AL , P . P . G . Org ., then presented bro . Alfred Hynam Sevier , S . W ., VV . AI . elect , to the

Worshipful Alaster , to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , svhic ' i ceremony was performed in a most impressive manner . The following brethren svere appointed and invested ofiicers for the ensuing year : Bros . J . R . Thompson , I . P . M . ; Rev . H . Jennings , S . W . j li .. D . Walrontl , J . W . j R . C AL Cooke , P . AL , Treas . ; J . VV . B . Hcslop , Sec . ; G . Kyle , S . D . ; T . VV . Douglas , J . D . ;

G . W . Jackson , I . G . ; D . Finlay , P . AL , D . of C ; C H . Welford , Org . ; T . Rutherford and R . W . Alitchinson , Stwds . ; and R . Woodhains , Tyler . The follosving brethren were also present : Bros . B . S . Becksvith , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . T . Richardson , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; J . Thompson , P . AI ., P . G . Treas . ; J . Mitchell , P . M . ; J . II . Dasvsin , P . M . ; | . Atkinson , ' P . AL ; | . G . Hall ,

P . P . D . G . D . C . ; Thomas Dunn , P . AL , P . G . D . C . ; Geo . Shasv , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; B . Boulton , P . M . P . P . G . Treas . ; T . Woods , VV . M . 1 G 50 ; J . Wilkes , LP . AL 1 G 50 ; W . Robinson , 1630 j J . Nutton , G . J . Leatham , S . Welch , 124 ; F . Gilling , 123 ; F . Healey , 1790 ; VV . R . Atkinson , O . S . Scott , VV . Alilller , J . G . Welford . andC . Medley , allot 1230 j and J . AL Aloore , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . The

addresses svere most ably rendered by the Installing Alaster , Bro . J . R . Thompson . The VV . AL , Bro . Sevier , rose in the lodge , and on behalf of the brethren , and in suitable terms , presented Bro . J . R . Thompson , LP . AL , svith a beautiful Past Afastcr ' s jewel . He paid a high compliment to Bro . Thompson , and expressed a hope that he svould be long spared to svear that token of their respect

and esteem . Bro . Thompson , in feeling terms , expressed his thanks to Bro . Sevier for his kind svords , and to the brethren for their handsome present . He said that it came to him as a sudden though a very agreeable surprise . He fully appreciated the kindness shown , and svould ever look back to the pleasant year during svhich he had presided over the lodge in the capacity of Alaster , and said that

svhenever he looked on the jewel just presented to him , he svould remember the occasion on svhich it svas given , and , if possible , try in the future to do even more than he had done in the past to further the interests of the Craft generally . The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to the King ' s Head Hotel , svhera a superb banquet was ably

served . The W . AL gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , svhich were duly honoured . Bro . F . Healey proposed " The Health of Sir Hedsvorth Williamson , P . G . M . ; Rev . Canon Tristram , D . P . G . M . ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and

Bros . I . lhompson , P . AL 1230 , P . G . Treas . ( father of the Installing Master ) , and T . Dunn , P . M . 124 , P . G . D . C , replied . Bro . Dunn said hosv pleased he svas to be present at the lodge , and see the able manner in svhich the ceremony had been performed . Bro . Thompson , LP . AL , svas to be congratulated on receiving a Past Alaster ' s jesvel from the

brethren , as it \ s-as not an annual present in the loelge , but epiite the exception . The S . W . next gave the toast of " The W . AL , " svho hc described as his twin brother , they has'ing been admitted into Alasonry together . The toast was heartily received by the brethren . 'The VV . AL , in responding , thanked the brethren most

heartily for having placed him in the proud position as VV . AI . of the lodge . The VV . AI . then proposed "The Health of the I . P . M . " —a toast which svas received svith enthusiasm . Bro . J . R . Thompson , I . P . M ., cordially returned thanks to tbe VV . AL for the kind words used in proposing the toast , and to thc brethren for the hearty manner in svhich they had received it . He again look the opportunity of

thanking thein fur the Past Master's jewel ; he felt proud of it , insomuch as it svas only the third Past Master's jesvel presented in the Iodide . Various other toasts svere duly honoured . 'ihe Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . Bros . Leatham , Welsh , and Nutton , of Durham Cathedral , added greatly to the harmony by their excellent singing .

BERKHAMPSTEAD . Berkhampstead Lodge ( No . 504 ) . —The installation meeting was held in the lodge ( juarters at the rear of the King ' s Arms Hotel , on Wednesday , the 24 th uli-i Bro . VV . Lowndes , W . AL , Prov . J . G . Warden , presided , and there svere present : Bros , the Rev . C J . Lang ley > P . P . G . Chap ., S . VV . ; the Rev . VV . Ouenncll , P . P . G . Chap .. Herts and Essex , J . W . j A . W . ~* Vaiscy , P . P . G . Re »"