Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

MONTAGUE GUEST LODGE ( No . 1900 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday evening , at the Inns of Court Hotel , Holborn . Bro . G . P . Festa , W . M ., presided , and there were also present , besides the officers of thelodgeand alarge number of lay members , the following visitors : —Bros . Sir John B .

Monckton , Pres . Bd . Gen . Purp . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; Col . J . Peters , G . Swd . Bearer ; Edgar Bowyer , G . Std . Br . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; lohn A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; '[ II . Matthews , P . G . D . Bengal ; Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B . ; J TerryP . G . W . Herts : H . A . " DuboisP . G . W .

Middle-. , , sex ; W . Lake , P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; J . P . Platt , P . G . W . Cheshire ; A . H . Tattershall , P . M . 140 ; D . M . Dewar , P M . 1415 ; A . E . Gladwell , P . M . 172 ; A . Tisley , P . G . Std . ; Herbert Dicketts , P . G . Std . ; Thomas Arnold , 7 S 0 ; ] . F . Waest , P . M . 753 ; R . Loftus Wetherall , 741 ; and H . Massey , P . M . ( Freemason ) . . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes ot the

previous meeting in April , and an emergency meeting in I une , the balance sheet whicii was highly satisfactory , was adopted , and Bro . Festa then proceeded to instal Bro . F R . VV . Hedges , the Secretary of the Koyal Masonic Institution for Girls , as VV . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony was admirably performed , and Bro . Hedges , in investin * - * the officers showed to the brethren a perfect

knowledge of that part of the ritual . I'hc brethren invested with the collars nf office were Bros . H . J . Capon , s ! w . ; H . Slyman , P . M ., J . W . ; VV . H . Dean , P . M ., Treas .: L D . Collier , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . H . Gardener , S . D . ; S . Brooks , P . M ., J . D . ; E . M . Dobie , I . G . ; CM . Tail , D . C ; W . H . Staff , Org . ; H . N . Pratt , W . S . ; and Banks , Tyler .

After Bro . Festa had delivered thc addresses the W . M . presented him with an elegant and valuable Past Master ' s jewel and a collar and jewel , as . a recognitition by the lodge of the excellent way in which he had discharged the duties of Master of the lodge for the past year , and Bro . Festa in acknowledgin-r the gift said he did not require such a memento of the

very pleasant duty he had had as Master of the lodge , for it would live in his memory . All he had done was to try to perform the duties properly , to render his year comfortable to all the brethren , and to advance the good of Freemasonry to the best of his ability . The jewel was set in fifteen diamonds , and on the reverse bore the following inscription : " Viro ornatissimo Johan-Urbamtateet

nes Paulus Festa , Pro L ' veralitate Ejus et Fidelitas Curato Munere , SodalesSodali . D . D . Montague Guest Societas 1900 . D . D . D . D . Oct . MCCCLXXXIII . " Lodge was closed almost immediately after the presentation and acknowledgment , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , after which the usual toasts were proposed . In giving the toast of " The Grand Officers , " the W . M .

said there was a numerous company of those brethren present , and he asked the brethren to show the estimation in whicii they held them by drinking their healths in the most cordial manner . Sir J . B . Monckton in responding expressed the pleasure , which was shared with him by the other Grand Officers , he felt at being present . There was , therefore . ancl to

three reasons—first , to show their sympathy teenng the Montague Guest Lodge , one of the youngest of the lodges , but certainly a most vigorous and estimable lodge , whicii had made excellent way in the Craft ; secondly , to show their sympathy with one of the , he was going to say , most engaging of their Charities ; and , thirdly , to show heir esteem lor the much respected Secretary of that

Charity , the present VV . M . of the lodge . 1 he last reason specially brought him ( Sir John Monckton ) there ; although at great inconvenience he did manage just to get r time for the installation , for he greatly objected to being in time only for the " knife and fork degree . ' In coming there they showed their regard for a most excellent Mason and a most excellent servant of the Craft . They were all anotner

sen-ants , oneway or another ; he was lumselt in snhere , and he thought those who discharged the trust renosed in them with faithfulness and ability deserved the esteem of their fellows . He mentioned this to show with what pleasure the Grand Officers came to bear testimony to the ability and faithfulness of Bro . Hedges . Bro . G . P . Festa , I . P . M ., proposed " The VV . M ., " a toast which did not need many words from him to make it like this he thought

heartily acceptable . In an assembly itsuperfiuous to dilate on it , especially after the compliment paid to the W . M . The Worshipful Master in replying said it was perhaps one of the most difficult tasks to know how to thank the brethren for the very kind manner in which they had received the toast , and Bro . Festa for proposing it . He need hardly tell them that he looked upon the mastership nf this lodee as a very great honour conferred by the

brethren . To be in such a position had been his most earnest and anxious wish for many years past ; and when He recollected that he owed to Bro . Festa this first introduction to the founders of the Montague Guest Lodge . hewas glad to take this opportunity to thank him for the great service he had rendered , and to tell him he appreciated it most highly . It would be his earnest endeavour to follow the example already set down by his two predecessors in th * rh-iir . and he trusted he might go through his year ot

office with the same good wishes which he knew liaa accompanied the two Past Masters , Bro . Dean and Bro . Festa . He would now propose the toast of 1 he l . l . M . All the brethren of the lodge knew the great services thnt hrother had rendered in the lodge , and the most

efficient manner in which hc had conducted the business ot the chair during thc last twelve months . I'or those services he had had great pleasure m presenting Bro Festa with the very handsome and valuable 1 . M . s jewel which he now wore upon his breast , and he would now ask tVem to supplement the presentation by drinking to his

, health with all thc cordiality of which they were capable . The toast having been drunk , Bro . Festa said if there was a pleasure he had experienced in Freemasonry , it was in that evening , having had the pleasure of installing in the chair of the lodge a brother for whom from the very beginning when he entered the Order , he had formed in

a " friendship , whicii had lasted ever since . regard to what . Bro . Hedges had said about him he certainly was a very enthusiastic Mason , and he had endeavoured to do his duty and be a credit to the Order , as well as to give " as much pleasure as he could to the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

brethren of the lodge . What faults he might have shown be hoped his friends would attribute to his nationality—he was perhaps too sensitive in his actions . Still he assured the brethren that what he had done he had done for the Order in general as well as for that lodge in particular . It was done from the purest sentiment for the society which he had joined and the good of the members . Their acknowledgment of what he had done would be an

encouragement to him to do more in the future , and better even than he had done in the past . In proposing the toast of " The Visitors " the Worshipful Master said each toast as they came to it made them think it the toast of the evening , and now that they came to the toast of the visitors he thought they must claim for it that character . They had been honoured by a very numerous and illustrious body of guests , and personally he felt greatly

indebted to those he saw around him . Most of them were aware—if they were not when they came into the room , they were after the remarks of Sir John Monckton—of his ( Bro . Hedges' ) connectionlwith one of the great Charities of the Order , and it was a position he was proud to hold , and he was delighted to say he was honoured by the presence of nearly all the House Committee of the Girls ' School . It was a very great and kind compliment for them

to pay him to attend and see him installed in the chair . Many other friends of his he was also delighted to see present , and he felt it his duty to mention that he considered it a very great mark of respect on their part . Bro . J . A . Rucker , P . G . D ., responded , and said that though he had not expected to say anything , it was not without very great plessure he found himself called upon to return thanks for this toast . The visitors were a very

large body , and all of them knew the circumstances which had brought them together . No one could avoid rejoicing that Bro . Hedges had attained the high position of Master of a lodge , and if he did the duties of the chair only half as well as for some years he had performed the duties of Secretary of the Girls' School the lodge would have reason to rejoice that they had elected him as their Master . Bro . Raynham VV . Stewart , P . G . D ., also responded .

As uncle of Bro . Hedges he was proud to see him occupy his present position , which he knew he would occupy worthily and honourably . He was sure it would be Bro . Hedges ' s endeavours to do so to the best of his ability , not only for the lodge but for the honour of the Girls' School . He had known Bro . Hedgesjfroru the cradle , he had watched his progress , and he knew that what he did he would do well and with a will .

Bro . VV . H . Dean , P . M ., proposed "The Charities , " as from the position of the VV . M ., he would naturally feel a delicacy in proposing it . When he ( Bro . Dean ) was in the chair he was pleased to do what he could for the Charities ; but with so many strong supporters of the Charities round the table it would be superfluous to say much about the Masonic Institutions . He would , however , say thisthat all the brethren ought to and should do the best they

could for the Charities . Bro . j ames Terry replied . From what had fallen from Sir John B . Monckton they might conclude that this was a j ubilee meeting of the Secretary and the House Committee of the Girls' School , and not much could be expected to be said of the boys or the old people . Well , they all liked the girls . In their youngest days there was some particular little girl who attracted their attention , and

when they grew older they ventured to think , passing by the boys and girls who came to them in the natural course of events , of an old lady in thc corner who required some amount of consideration and care and thought and attention for past favours and services . The Girls' School of course always would stand pre-eminent as No . 1 in the establishment . Wherever he went he always responded for the girls , whatever he thought of the boys and the old

people , simply because it had always been the pet institution of the Order , and he had not thc slightest doubt it would always remain so , and as long as Freemasonry flourished he hoped and trusted it would continue to be so . He hoped no cloud would overshadow the fortunes of the Institution , but that it might always prosper , that it might always have a kind word from Freemasons ; and if in his official capacity going throughout the country one word of

his could bring money to the School when there was any wavering between that and the Boys ' , he should always give kind consideration and a favourable word for the Girls . In the absence of Bro . Binckes , he complimented him immensely on the enormous success which attended his last festival ; it was unprecedented in amount , not alone in Freemasonry , but among all the charities of the world— £ 24 , 000—a sum all

Masons might be proud of . 1 hey all knew the good derivable from those Institutions by the recipients—the good that they had done ; but he must refer to the Benevolent Institution , which provided for those who had really been the authors of the present state of things , that had set up the landmarks of the Order . Whatever might be the attractions of the Girls ' School , or the solid advantages of the Boys '

they must come to the primary cause ; and where would they have been but for the old men and women ? Therefore he ventured to think that the old men were very retiring when forgetful of themselves they established first the Girls' Institution , and then the Boys , and then not till 50 years after establishing an institution for themselves . On these grounds he thought the claims of the benevolent came home to the affections of the Craft . He hoped the

time would never come when there would be undue rivalry between the three institutions , but that they would work together and that the Secretaries of all others would endeavour to do as well as each could everything possible for the one he represented ; when he found that that Institution could not do business let him advocate the cause of the others . Bro . Terry concluded by congratulating Bro . Hedges on attaining the position of VV . M .,

which would enable them both on future occssions to stay together in lodges all through the ceremonies . He also thanked Bro . Hedges for the assistance he had given to the Benevolent Institution , whicii showed that he did not confine his Masonry to one Institution of which he was so excellent an official . Bro . Dean , I . P . M . and Treas ., responded to the toast

of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " the latter of whom he said had been prevented by a domestic affliction from staying to banquet . liro . Slyman , J . VV ., responded to the toast of "The Officers , " which with the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close . The evening was enlivened with some singing by Bros . Stacey , Staff , Capon , Austen and Tate .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

BRIXTON LODGE ( No . 1949 ) . —The first regular meeting of the season was held at the Brixton Hall , Acre Lane , on Saturday last . Bro . H . B . Marshall , C . C , W . M ., was supported b y the officers , Bros . W . E . Farrington , S . W . ; H . Baldwin , J . W . ; H . Lovegrove , P . M . and Sec ; W . Day , Treas . ; T . Poore , Hon . P . M . ; A . J . Cox , S . D . ; C G . Kipling , J . D . ; R . Poore , D . C . ; VV . Farrington , Organist ; C . J . Axford and E . Newby , Stewards ; and J . Daly , Tyler . Bro . Edgar Bowyer ,

Grand Standard Bearer , was a visitor ; also Bros . C . Lee , W . Pooler , G . Moss , S . P . Catterson , and several other brethren . Bro . C . J . Dore was raised , and Mr . Herbert Martin , after a successful ballot , was duly initiated . The W . M . was obliged to leave early to fulfil another engagement , so could not remain to refreshment . A pleasant evening was spent under the presidency of Bro . H . Lovegrove , P . M .

BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No . 41 ) . — The first meeting of the second session was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , 4 th inst ., when , although on the circular of summons it was stated that the lodge would be opened at 7 . 30 precisely , it was nearly S o'clock before the procession of officers and Past Masters entered the room . The lodge was opened by Bro . E . J . B . Mercer , VV . M ., assisted by the following officers : Bros .

Cater , I . P . M . ; Ashley , P . M . and Treas . ; C Wilkinson , P . J . VV ., acting Sec . in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Radway , P . M . ; Moutrie , P . M . acting as D . of C ; Ruble , P . M . and S . W . ; F . Wilkinson , P . M ., actingas J . W . ; W . Peach , S . D . ; T . E . Wilton , J . D . ; VV . L . Baldwin , I . G . ; Foote , Org . ; Gregory and J . G . Wilton , Stwds . ; P . Ms . Braham , J . Turner , Dr . Hopkins ; Bigwood , Tyler ; and many members of the lodge . Visitors : Bros . C

Daniel , P . M . 65 ; J . Cox , P . M . 751 ; W . Clements , 906 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Mr . Charles Baldwin , who had been previously balloted for and elected , was admitted , properly prepared , and very carefully initiated by the W . M . The explanation of the working tools was given by Bro . T . G . Brown , and the charge by Bro . Dr . Hopkins . Thc Worshipful Master afterwards delivered a short address

congratulating the brethren on their return to work , giving a resume of events which had occurred during the vacation , namely , the marriage of one brother , serious illness of Bros . Ashley and Dr . Hopkins , both of whom had so far recovered as to enable them to be present in lodge , the lamented death of an old and highly respected member , Bro . F . Baldwin , concluding with a proposal that a letter of condolence should be sent to the family , which was

agreed to . Bro . VV . Peach read the report of the Permanent Committee on the third jubilee of the lodge , containing a recommendation which was adopted and embodied in the following resolution proposed by the VV . M . and seconded by the I . P . M . and passed unanimously , that the following account of the celebration be written and illuminated on vellum and suitably framed , to be hung in the lodge room .

"The Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , completed its 150 th anniversary 26 th April , 1 SS 3 ( being the second oldest provincial lodge in England ) . To commemorate this event the following officers and brethren subscribed 100 guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , thereby completing the endowment of the W . M . ' s chair as Vice-President , and the chairs of the I . P . M ., S . VV ., J . W ., Treasurer , Secretary , Director of Ceremonies , S . D ., LL ) ., and I . G .

with votes in perpetuity for the Boys School : Edwd . ) . B . Mercer , P . G . S . Wks . Somerset , W . M . ; Richard B . Cater , I . P . M . ; John Rubie , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . Somerset , S . VV . ; Thomas Ames , J . VV . ; Thomas P . Ashley , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . Somerset , Treas . ; Charles W . Radway , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . Somerset , Sec ; Thomas Wilton , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . Somerset , Dir . Cer . ; William Peach , S . D . ; Thomas E . Wilton , J . D . ; Wm . L . Baldwin , I . G . ;

J . Foote , Org . ; W . B . Gregory , John G . Wilton , Stewards ; Past Masters : Edmund White , P . P . S . G . W . Somerset ; Edmund L . [ Bagshawe , P . P . S . G . W . Somerset ; Thomas P . Ashley , P . P . J . G . W . Somerset ; Thomas Wilton , P . P . J . G . W . Somerset ; Thomas B . Moutrie , P . P . G . S . W . Somerset ; John S . Turner , P . P . S . G . D . Somerset ; John Ricketts , P . G . Steward England ; John Rubie , P . P . J . G . W . Somerset ; Samuel G . Mitchell , P . P . Dir . Cer .

Somerset , P . P . J . G . D . Wilts ; Robert Peel Floyd , P . P . G . Reg . Somerset ; John VV . Preston , P . P . S . G . W . Somerset ; Francis Wilkinson , P . P . G . S . Wks . Somerset ; Philip Braham , P . P . G . Org . Somerset ; Henry Hopkins , P . P . S . G . W . Warwick ; Chas . W . Radway , P . P . S . G . W . Somerset ; Richard B . Cater , I . P . M . ; " and the names of 49 members of No . 41 in addition to the above . On the proposition of Bro . Cater , seconded bv Bro . I .

Turner , it was determined also to have a short memorial of the event engraved on a brass plate to be attached to the W . M . ' s pedestal , under direction of the Permanent Committee . Bro . Moutrie placed in thc hands of the VV . M . a book on Freemasonry , printed in 1775 , bearing an inscription showing that it was presented to the lodge by Bro . Wood in 1839 . " had long been missing , but having been recently found by Bro . Johnson , he restored it to the lodge , and a vote of thanks was accorded to him . Bro . S . Collis ,

P . M . 5 S 7 , was proposed as a joining member by Bros . Rubie and Dr . Hopkins , and Bro . Comes , P . M . 1329 , proposed by Bros . Robinson and Cater . The acting J . W . called attention to the banner presented to the lodge several years ago by Mrs . Wilkinson , which she has recently renovated , and a vote of thanks to her was passed . The VV . M . remarked on the pleasure with whicii he recognised the presence of two Past Masters as visitors ( mentioned above ) who made an appropriate response . The lodge was then closed . 1

MANCHESTER . —Trafford Lodge ( No . 149 6 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 8 th inst ., at the Alexandra Hotel , Moss-side . The following were present : Bros . McGarth , W . M . ; D . Johnson , I . P . M . ; J . T . Brierley , S . W . ; G . Burslem , J . W . ; George Johnson , J . D . ; B . Halliwell , I . G . ; H . P . [ ones , P . M ., Sec ; F . B . Pugh , Org . ; I . C . Gillman , P . P . G . S . D . West Lane ; S . D . McKellen , P . M . ;

VV . Briggs , C W . Maybury , T . L . Frith , T . Carter , J . Kershaw , F . Long , VV . P . Davies , and W . Hill , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . J . Moseley , P . M . 42 ; J . Buckley , I . P . M . 277 ; T . Ward , ion ; J . Wild , 277 ; S . Smith , S . VV 854 ; W . M . Rye , 4 C 7 ; E . Heywood , 277 ; J . W . Mellor , 854 ; F . Harrison , 325 ; J . Dawson , P . M . s ? , ' G . Chadderton , 834 ; W . Ashworth , 204 ; J . D . Bamford , 854 , and others .