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memory is failing fast , as he is in his S / th year . In 1 S 27 I find our Bro . Peter Thomson was one who attended the Board of Installation . This was ordered by Grand Lodge for the purpose of teaching the ceremony of installation , which was very irregular before that time . In 1 S 40 , Bro . Thomson ' s portrait was painted in oil , to be the property of the lodge , and was paid for from the lodge funds . The cost of this picture and frame was £ 32 14 s . iod . This portrait was presented to his son Alexander in 1 S 55 , by vote of the Iodge . In 1 S 45 , lithographic copies were proposed and completed in 1 S 57 , these were sold to thc members ol the lodge at ios . per copy .

I have seen one in the possession of Bro . Mucrgeridge . Just to show the great difference between these early days of our lodge and the present time , 1 will give a few particulars . Bro . Peter Thomson was initiated in the days of two rival G . Lodges , that is three years before the union which formed our present G . Lodge in 1813 . Our lodge ( in common with many others ) had no name until 1 S 1 G—27 years after its commencement—being only known by number or by the sign of the tavern in which it met . W . Ms , were elected for six months only until 1 S 12 . Many lodges formerly held fortnightly meetings or even more frequently , one for instance , No . 1 C 3 , in 173 S met on the first , second , and

third Thursdays , and a Masters' lodge every Sunday . As Treasurer , is is only natural that I should be interested in the financial affairs of the time . In 1 S 11 , our initiation fee was £ 2 2 s . ; the joining fee ( which our Bro . Peter Thomson paid ) was 10 s . Gd . ; and the subscription 16 s . per year . Refreshments do not appear to have been a very heavy item , as at ordinary meetings is . to is . 6 d . each was about the cost—but on the annual festival of St . John ' s Day , 1 S 12 , the sum of ios . 6 d . was paid by each member , this included a bottle of wine—no doubt our good Bro . Peter Thomson was present at this feast . Members who did not dine on St . John's Day

were fined 3 s . each . To make the meeting more enjoyable a band of seven musicians was engaged from 9 a . m . until 12 at night . In the midst of all this feasting and merriment , you will be pleased to hear that the poorer brethren were not forgotten , as it was resolved— 'To send Bro . Morgan , an invalid and distressed brother , the sum of ios . 6 d . that he might provide himself with a dinner on that day . ' I now come to a circumstance which , I am sure , will be welcome news to our brethren . In 1 S 12 it was proposed — 'That our lodge do pay a visit to Lodge No . GS in Nov . next , ' which was reciprocated or . December 3 rd following . This No . GS is now the Lodge of Prosperity , No . 65—so named in 1 S 32 . At these meetings the visitors paid for their own refreshments . I think

we have improved upon this custom , as we should not consider it quite the correct thing now . We were then at the Hope and Anchor , Union-street , Blackfriars , and the Prosperity Lodge at the Cock and Magpie , Wilson-street , Finsbury . I have no doubt Bro . Peter Thomson was at both of these gatherings . I am sure our friends of the Prosperity will be glad to hear that we were on such close terms of friendship SG years ago . I am indebted to the following works foi the information I have laid before you to-night : Bro . Kenning ' s history of our lodge , by Bro . Hughan ; Bro . Abbott ' s history of the lodge ; Bro . Sadler's ' Notes on the Ceremony of Installation ; ' and Bro . John Lane's * Masonic Records . ' _ These sources will , I am sure , vouch for the accuracy of the statements made in this paper .

Great interest was shown in the reading of the above , and Bro . Cohu was warmly thanked for the pains he had taken in collecting such interesting details of the career of one who had in his time been a distinguished member of the lodge . At the conclusion of the reading of the above paper the W . M . drew attention to the fact that Bro . Peter Thomson was the last member of this old lodge that had had the honour of Grand Lodge oflice conferred upon him , 54 years ago , and expressed the hope that one of their members would soon be selected for that distinguished position by our M . W . G . M .

Whittington Lodge , No . 862 . What memories the name of Whittington brings before us ? A boy , a cat , Highgate Hill , Bow Bells , and a triple Mayoralty . Exactly 500 years after the first mayoralty of Sir Richard Whittington , the brethren of the Whittington Lodge , with many visitors , met together at Freemasons' Hall , on the 21 st ult ., to instal Bro . Walter Clement Tyler as W . M . for the ensuing year . Where Freemasonry flourishes , and truly it is universal , the Whittington is known and revered ; its Masters and Past

Masters have received the respect of all their brethren for their attachment to the Craft and their interpretation of its ritual , so it was but fitting that on this , as on other occasions , the retiring Master , in this instance liro . Kemp , should instal his successjr . The solemn impressiveness of the installation ceremony lost nothing in Bro . Kemp's hands , the charges being most effectively rendered in the presence of a very large assemblage which included over 20 Installed Masters , as well as Grand Officers . I'hc installed Master , Bro . Walter Tyler , is particularly happy in the chair . In his invest !

THK WOKSHII'l'UI . . MASTER . tuie of oflicers he had a kind and appropriate address for each of thc ollicers who will serve with , and under him , in thc year upon which they have just entered , Few brethren have had the good fortune to make such a record as that of Uro . Tyler , His initiation into Freemasonry was made in the Whittington Lodge in April , iSyi , and

since that date he has become a founder ot the Lewisham Lodge , No . 2 . 579 , in which he at present occupies the office of Warden , and also founder of thc Crusaders' Chapter , No . 1 G 77 . Bro . Tyler is at present the VV . AI . of the Elliot Lodge , No . 1507 ; and to enable him to occupy the chair oi thc Whittington Lodge while in that oi the former lodge it was necessary for him to obtain a dispensation from Grand Lodge .

Bro . Tylers record in the Charities has been equally distinguished . In 1894 hc was Steward for the Old People's Institution on behalf of the Whittington Lodge ; and in 189 G forthe Boys' Institution on behalf of the Lewisham Lodge , on which occasions he has taken up a sum of almost / , 200 . But Bro . Tyler ' s zeal for the Charities has not ceased with this record . Since that year Bro . Tyler has again been Steward for the Boys' Institution , and is at present Steward for the Old People ' s Institution on behalf of the Elliot and Whittington Lodges . He has been for many years a strong pillar of the

Whittington Lodge , having been the means of introducing very many initiates , all of whom nave proved to hc worthy brethren . The key-note of the Whittington Lodge is good fellowship , and this characteristic was fully exemplified in those who sat down to partake of the bountiful table spread in the Crown Room at Freemasons' Tavern . Here again Bro . Tyler ' s aitistic taste was displayed in the charmingly combined menu and programme ol music provided for the use of each guest . The dinner was excellent , the winos all that could bc desired , and the music perfect .

Craft Masonry.

After the usual loyal toasts had been proposed ' and received , The W . M . rose and , in touching , yet respectful , terms proposed " The Revered Memory of the late Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom . " He reminded the brethren that in the deceased nobleman they had lost one of the truest friends of Freem asonry ; one who , while filling a high and exalted position as Lord Chamberlain to her Gracious Majesty , involving continuous duties , had yet found time to do brilliant service to the Craft in which he held such a distinguished oflice .

Then rose Bro . Kemp , I . P . M ., to propose " The Health of Bro . Tyler , W . M . " In a few brief , well-chosen words , he said they had been initiated into Freemasonry in the Whittington Lodge on the same evening some seven years ago ; had walked side by side in good fellowship ever since ; and it was now their privilege to shake hands and congratulate each other on their success in Freemasonry .

On rising to respond Bro . Tyler received a most enthusiastic ovation . A most able and popular Mason and Master , the brethren needed not his sincere assurance that in his year of office the traditions of the Whittington Lodge in hospitality , Charity , ritual , good fellowship , and those minor details which go so very far to make up a successful , prosperous , and happy lodge , would not be wanting .

The W . M . then proposed " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupling with the toast the names of Bros . I . T . Letcher , 131 , P . P . G . D . C . and Maj . T . C . Walls , P . G . Stwd ., P . G . Std . Br ., who replied in appropriate speeches , the latter referring feelingly to the kindness and modesty of the late levered Pro Grand Master . A sincere interest in the Old People ' s Institution has ever oeen a strong feature of the Whittington Lodge , and it was but natural that the W . M . ( an ardent supporter of that Institution ) should refer to it in proposing " The Charities . " This he did in a most able and eloquent speech , which , coupled with the stirring response of Bro . J . G . Stevens , drew some 70 guineas from the brethren of the lodge .

Among the visitors were the following : Bros . ] . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; I . T . Letcher , 131 , P . P . G . D . C . ; T . C . Walls , P . G " . Stwd ., P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Stevens , P . M . 554 , 933 ; G . Cowell , P . G . D .. P . M . 19 S ; | . W . Ward ; P . Dodd , S . W . 1420 ; G . VV . Rawson , 202 S , P . P . G . S . W . ; A . I . Davi c , W . M . 15 G 7 ; H . Lewis , S . W . 155 S and 2579 ; VV . Dillon , P . M . 15 G 7 ; J . Coote , I . P . M . 2579 ; VV . H . Jeffries , P . M . ioGf ; H . Higgins , P . M . 13 S 1 ; j . A . Shelton , W . M . 2579 ; C . Lamb , P . M . 2579 *

S . Reichenheim , 2579 ; F . Budge , 2699 ; A . Reichenheim , I . G . 2579 ; A . Morris , 1 G 4 S ; C . Sims , P . M . 2579 ; I . K . Gwynn , P . M . 142 G ; I . Porter , 1 So ; VV . N . Pennington , 2579 ' ¦ E . G . Piatt . 1327 ; H . Cole , S . D . 2579 ; T . Hutchinson ; G . Harvey , 22 G 1 ; W . Bishop , 975 ; G . E . W . Tucker , P . M . 795 ; A . H . Seal ; VV . Lawley , P . M . 234 S ; W . VVestmoreland , r > . * VV . Bowen , 1744 ; W . Stone , J . D . 1149 ; G . J . Tagg , P . M . 1512 ; F . T . Pain , P . M ., S . VV . 22 ; II . S . Cadle , 65 ; Oscar Barrett , P . M . ; and others .

The toast of "The Visitors" was responded to by brethren too numerous to men tion , and a memorable and most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the sing ing of the hymn so dear to all British Freemasons , " God Save the Queen . "

City of Westminster Lodge , No . 1593 . PRESENTATION TO BRO . C . M . BRANDER , P . M ., TREAS . The installation meeting of this important lodge was held at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , VV ., on the 24 th ult ., when there were present Bros . E . T . Ginder , VV . M . ; H . T . Gulliford , S . W .. W . M . elect ; K . Rutherford , J . W . ; C . M . Brander , P . M ., Treas . ; W . C . Smith , P . M ., Sec . ; M . M . Taylor , I . P . M . ; T . H . Beach , Asst . Sec . ; H . J . Homer , S . D . ; J . B . O'Ca'laghan , J . D . ; J . B . Burton , l . G . j A . W . Bacon

D . of C . ; E . C . Wiseman , Asst . D . of C . ; S . Fonseca , A . T . Winkler , and P . ] . Reynolds , Stwds . ; S . Hill , Org . ; A . H . Marks , P . M . ; H . Fonseca , P . M . ; C . S . Gulliford , 11 . N . Phillips , T . N . Loui . G . Knight , A . Bolt , A . G . Davis , A . H . Fisher , E . G . Herrin , J . R . Fortescue , S . G . Young , VV . Upton , J . Harris , Peter Hart , VV . Goody , G . Highland , A . F . Townsend , H . Merry , VV . Hill , " E . Voung , J . Swift , C . E . Horner , J . Benjamin , VV . Smith , VV . Harwood . A . Huggins , VV . Simms , P . Hall , J . Arnold , W . Stead , VV . Kerby , B . Von Praag , E . Ford , C . Giles , ] . T . Townsend , ) . L

Andrews , C . Pcnneck , J . J . Flood , W . Roberts , T . H . Fortescue , A . Childs , E . Ward , F . J . Cheffer , R . Smith , A . Menn , J . James , F . Hinton , F . Henry , F . Westcott , G . T . Smith , VV . Savage , II . Hewitt , T . ' G . Walker , G . Schulz , VV . II . Smith , S . Richards , J . Blackburn , and many others . Among the large crowd of visitors were Bros . Frank Harper , P . M . 2120 and 2521 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; VV . Haycock , 1744 ; W . A . Wells , 765 ;

VV . H . Bell , P . M . ; J . Ruddock , 1949 ; J . Galloway . P . M . 1598 ; A . K . Purkis . S . VV . 1 * 114 ; A . David , 1901 ; C . 1 . Coombs , P . M . 7 S 0 ; F . Walker , VV . M . 1 G 27 ; R . Poore , P . M . 1949 ; C . Rudd , P . M . 1749 ; J . Finch , P . M . 13 G 5 ; F . Ellis , 13 GG ; W . M . Downshire , 2437 ; Courtice Pounds , S 34 ; J . Andrews , P . M . 19 SG . M . Abrahams , 1349 ; E . Gerson , S . W . 2427 ; VV . Baker , S . VV . 2205 ; ] . Kilvington , P . M . 1790 ; VV . Syckelmoore , P . M . 12 SS ; VV . leffery , 1 G 22 ; and R . T . West , 1744 .

The minutes of the last ledge and emergency meetings having been confirmed , thc VV . Master , Bro . E . T . Ginder , initiated Messrs . Lewis jessop , j . E . Buckley , C . J . Kittell , and Henry Lardner , and Bro . Wm . Westwood , 179 a , was unanimously elected as a joining member . The Auditors' report was received and adopted , the balancesheetfshowing that the lodge was in a very sound . financial position . The W . M . elect , Bro . H . T . Gulliford , having intimated that he would go up as Steward at the forthcoming Festival of the Benevolent Institution in February ncxt , Bro . VV . C . Smith ,

P . M ., proposed , and Bro . C . M . Brander , P . M ., seconded , that 20 guineas be taken from the lodge funds and placed on his list , which was carried unanimously , and for which Bro . Gulliford expressed nis thanks , and suggested that it was a favourable opportunity for tbe members to evince their love of the Brotherhood and Charity by adding their monetary support to him and to the character for benevolence of the lodge . Bro . A . II . Marks , P . M ., was unanimously elected Trustee ofthe Benevolent Fund of the lodge , in place of the late Bro . F . Hill , P . M . The sum of 25 guineas was voted from the

Benevolent Fund to a deserving case . The VV . M ., Bro . Ginder , then rose , and said he had a very pleasant duty to perform , which was to present Bro . C . M . Brander , P . M ., Treas ., with a testimonial the brethren had voted to him at the September meeting , which consisted of four beautiful chased silver candlesticks and an illuminated certificate and address . It was especially interesting to him ( the VV . M . ) , as he was initiated in the lodge by Bro . Brander , and he and the members most sincerely desired that he would continue their Treasurer for many years , as he had filled that office to the

satisfaction of them all , and he wished him the best of health and every happiness . Bro Brander , P . M ., who was visibly affected , replied in a few well-chosen words , expressing his heartfelt thanks for the handsome and valuable present , and assured them that the welfare of the lodge should always bc his particular care , and he thanked thc VVorshipful Master for his very kind woids in making the presentation . Bro . A . II . Marks , P . M ., presented the VV . M . elect , Bro . II . T . Gulliford , and he was installed as VV . M . by Bro . E . T . Ginder . During thc ceremony the anthein ,

" Be Thou Faithful , " was most sympathetically and artistically rendered by Bro . Courtice Pounds , and was much appreciated by the large gathering . Thc newly-installed VV . M . then invested his ollicers for the ensuing year in a very able and impressive manner , giving a kind word to each officer . They were as follows : Bros . E . Rutherford , S . VV . ; H . J . Homer , J . VV . ; C . M . Brander , P . M ., Treas . ; Jno . Swift , Sec ; J . B . O'Callaghan , S . D . ; J . B . Burton , J . D . ; A . W . Bacon , I . G . ; S . Hill , Org . ; T . IT . Beach , Asst . Sec ; C . E . Wiseman , D . C ; S . Fonseca , Asst . D . C ; A . T .

Winkler and J . Townsend , Stwds . ; and Potter , P . M . Tyler . Bro . li . T . Grinder gave the usual addresses , ln eloquent terms the W . M ., Bro . Gulliford , proposed that a sum of money—which was a substantial one—be presented to Bro . VV . C Smith , P . M ., the late Secretary , as a small return for his eminent services to the lodge , and that hc be elected as an honorary member . This was seconded by Bro . A . II . Marks , P . M .,

who paid a well-deserved tribute to Bro . Smith for his energetic services , and , on being put to the vote , the motion was carried unanimously . Bro . E . Hart wai proposed as a joining member . The lodge was afterwards closed , and a superb banquet followed , which was admirably served under the personal superintendence of the Manager , Bro . Oddenino . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been duly honoured ,

Bro . K . T . Cinder , I . P . M ., on rising to propose " The Health of the VV . M ., Bro . Gulliford , " was well received , lie said that the members were proud to have at the head of the lodge , which was the finest one in London , Bro . Gulliford as VV . M ., and if he did half lie hoped and was anxious to do , the members would be gratified 1 but they all thought they could not have a better ruler , and he was glad that his suemm- .-.-j m -.. „ „ j . . . . . . . . . .. w . , . m . . m m -.-.. m . . . . . . .. , m .,.. ,, m .. . . . . | , . i . U . " .

cessor was a good man , and would be able to well carry out the great things expecteu of him . He ( Bro . Ginder ) had been ill , and it was against his doctor ' s orders that he was theie that evening , but he would not have missed installing Bro . Gulliford for anything . The lodge , notwithstanding its substantial contrioutions to the Institution *! , w-1 "* in a grand financial position , and he hoped it might ever bc so .