Prince Leopold At Portsmouth.

At the South Railway Jetty , where the yatch came alongside , H . R . H . was met by U . S . II . Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimnr , Lore ! Albert Seymour , A . D . C , and Bro . Major Brunkcr , D . A . A . G . The royal party at once drove to Government Flouse , High-street , where the following officers of the loelge had assembled to make thc presentation : —W . Bros . II . W . Townsend , acting W . M . ; Captain Haldane , acting I . P . M . ; Bro . T . Page ,

S . W . ; Bro . Colonel Bray , A . A . G .. acting J . W . ; W . Bro . J . Johns acting Treasurer ( on behalf of W . Bro . II . Threadingham , who was pre vented from attending through sickness ); W . Bro . A . L . Emanuel , Hon Sec ; Bros . E . Davis , acting S . D . ; J . Martyn , J . D . ; Rev . P . H . Good Chaplain ; J . Lind , D . C ; J . McLcoel , I . G . ; and Sam . Knight and II Long , Stewards .

After all the brethren had been introduced ( o the Duke of Albany , W . Bro . TowNSFlxn said : Mav it please vour Royal Highness , we , the officers of the Prince Edward of Saxc-Wcimar Lodge , desire to tender , in accordance with the unanimous vote of the members nt thc regular meeting in December , our heartfelt and sincere congratulations on your approaching marriage with H . R . H . Princess Heleiie of W ' nldeck . We regret that the

W . M ., Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Charles Beresford , is away on foreign service , and is thus prevented from doing a duty which wc feel sure he would have most cheerfully and far more efficiently performed than is in my power to do . But wc trust your Royal Highness will bc p leased to receive the address of congratulation wilh the same generous and true Masonic feeling as il " prcsentcel by a brother of exalted position . Permit us to

express thc hope that yonr approaching union with the estimable lady , who for the future will be sharer ol your fortunes , may be characterised with the same amount of real domestic felicity which so eminently distinguished that of your late lamented father and Her Majesty the Ouccn . That this may beso , wc trust the noble qualities of your royal mother—viewed cither as a

queen , a wife , or lhe head of a household—will be copied by the Princess wc hope shortly to hail as the Duchess of Albany . In conclusion , we desire heartily to thank your Royal Highness for this interview , and , in presenting the address , we pray thc Mosi High to grant you a long , happy , and prosperous life .

Thc address of whicli the following is a copy , was then presented lo I I . R . I f . "At a meeting of the Prince Edward ol Saxe-Weimar Lodge , held on the 71 I 1 December , 1 SS 1 . it was unanimously resolved That the brethren of this lodge , having learned of the approaching nuptials ol " lhe R . W . Bro . H . R . H . Prince Leopold , Duke of Albany . K . G ., K . T ., G . C . S . I ..

G . C . M . C ... Prov . G . M . of Oxfordshire , wilh H . R . H . Princess lleiene of Waldcck , beg to offer to H . R . IL the expression of their most respectful congratulations on the happy event , and ihey pray lhat lhe Most High may grant lo His Royal Highnc-s and his angnM bride very ninny ^ years of domestic felicity and happiness . Certified as a true extract , II . \ V . Townsend , acting W . M ., A . L . Emanuel , Honorary Secretary . "

PRINIT . I . r . oi'oi . n , having accepted lhe address , read the following reply : Acting W . M . and breihren of tin ; Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar Lodge , from my heart I thank you for your address of congratulation and for the sentiments expressed therein towards me and my future bride . Being now on mv way lo visit her in her German home , 1 shall bear with

me the expressions of your good will . I can wish for no greater happiness I linn 1 h . 11 , 011 her coming to this country , she may find a new home in the hearts of the English people . 11 . R . H . subsequently expressed a desire to become an honorary member of the lodge , anil also staled his sincere regret for his unavoidable absence from the ooiiitiiution in Mav last .

The deputation thoM withdrew , ami , in the course of ihe afternoon , Bro . H . R . H ., accompanied as before , p roceeded lo ihe town railwa y station , and left bv special train for London .

Consecration Of The Brixton Lodge, No. 1949.

CONSECRATION OF THE BRIXTON LODGE , No . 1949 .

This new lotlge was consecrated on Saturday Inst , at Brixton Hall , Acre-lane , Brixton , by thc Grand Secretary , V . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell 11 . Gierke , assisted by Y . W . Bros . Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , M . A ., G . C ; Sir John Monckton , P . G . D ., President of the Board of General Purposes , as { j . W . ; W . Bros . 11 . C . Levander , M . A ., | . G . D ., as | . XV . ; II . G . Buss , Assist . G . Sec . as D . C . ; and Bro . H . A . " Dubois , P ' . P . G . W . Middlesex , as l . G . Besides the founders of thc lodge there were present : —

Bros . I . A . Farnfield , ? . M . 2 : 6 , 007 , !¦)''¦»; F . W . White , Soo ; W . R . Russell . 73 . ' C . J . ' Vincent , ir . 41 ; T . T . Murch / - ; ( V | . Mill , 1707 ; XV . Lucas , J . D . 1 ^ 0 ; | . Hicks , 507 ; F . J . Mentsch , S . D . 211 ; A . Martin , J . W , iSS ; II . M . Appleton , . sth ; W . l ' arlngton , Org . 15 S 0 ; G . J . Dawson , W . M . 1 S 5 J j R . R . Johnston , 1777 j C . J . Haines ,

1 ( 70 ; II . Turner , P . M . i . iso : G . Clark , jun ., I . P . M . 1777 ; J . Colycr , 15 K 0 ; C . If . Phillips , 15 S 0 ; (' ,. Moss , W . M . 1201 ; C . J . Asford , 1777 ; J . Johnson , ivi ; C . F . Pardon , iqi ; W . Day , 30 s : O . R . Dane , ii ^ S ; A . Mullord , I . P . M . 12 SS ; II . Mullord , 12 SS ; G . H . Wilkins , i ^ -S ; W . Hulls , 1777 ; ' IL M . Williims . tOGc , ; G . Edwards , J . D . I 5 ° 7 i IL Massey , P . M . rim , W . M . 102 S ( Freemason ) .

The usual ceremony of consecration was performed b y the Grand Secretary and his assistants in a very able and impressive manner , the musical portion being under the direction of Bro . Seymour Smith , who was assisted by Bro . G . T . Carter . The Grand Chaplain , M . W . Bro . AMBROSE W . HALL , M . A ., besides rendering the prayers and scripture readings in a very able manner ,

delivered nn oration , as follows : As years roll on , and as lodge after lodge is added to the register of the Grand Lodge of England , it seems to follow that the principles nnd tenets of our Order must become more increasingly known and developed , and that the office of a ConsccralingChaplain . sofar as his address upon the nature of the science concerned might be omitted ; that a society so widely extended as ours , through every land and amongst

so many people , can require little to bc said as regards any explanation of its merits . Butbn thren , amidst the many thousands llfal range under our banner , how comparativel y few there are who properly realize the nature of their responsibilities ; and , therefore , I still think it an excellent institution 'or some brother lo bc called upon on" such interesting , though grave , occasion as the consecration of a new lodge , to remind its founders that a work of no light importance falls upon them . I am to-day selected for that purand

pose , I approach the task with pleasure , because I see before me a number of brethren , with many of whom I have been long associated in F reemasonry , and who , I feel , arc forming the Brixton Lodge upon the ndes and principles of what I may call thc Philosophy of our Order , as embodied in the Three beautiful Degrees of initiation , passing , and raising , which are , so to speak , the text book of a good Mason for improvement and research . But whilst your new lodge brings together another society for the promotion of social intercourse , remember that you have

Consecration Of The Brixton Lodge, No. 1949.

a higher . and holier purpose to fulfil , viz ., to fulfil the promulgation of those great truths which it is mine to-day to bring under your notice—those three grand precepts which beat tif y the sacred edifice ' , and embody the nature and principles of Freemasonry . As regards the first of these , "There was OXF . who nearl y two thousand years ago gave us this new commandment . " "Thar vc Invo mm -inmlu ' r- " X ,,, 1 ' ....,,, . i , „ K ..:... I .. mi i uiu

, , . ' . ,.,- ' ,. ............. .. .,, n unique beams ot tins virtue be infused into your beans . For if Freemasonry is ' an institution of brotherl y love , let its fruits appear in discharging thc duties of lile . Our Third Degree points to a day ol responsibility , when the concerns of lime shall pass away , and when the world and all its pleasures shall vanish like a morning dream . As regards the Second of these principlesendeavour to render every kind office in your power where required ; relieve

distress ; soothe affliction ; sympathise with sorrow . All must admit lhat there is no body of men more famed for liberality than Masons . The charitable establishments , of which we may justly boast , preve that weare ever toady to succour and support those w ho are in poverty and distress . And here let mc exhort you , in the working of your new Iodg e , not lo forget the noble Institutions supported by the member ' s of thc Order ; whether if

bc the Girls' School , where the daughters of our brothers who have passed away are trained up as sacred charges committed to our care ; or the Boys ' School , where the sons of Masons ai e so excellentl y prepared for tl c bailie of life ; or the Asylum for the Aged , where old 111311 and women find a resting place after the burden and heat of the day—all noble and wellordered Institutions ! Brethren , sunnorl them in vnnr !_ -,, ir , _ > 1 ,,. , i ; i ; , ro „ ,-, >

in sending up Stewards at their respective festivals , and by possessing a "Benevolent Fund ' among yourselves ; the better lo a . sist those who accept that oflice . As regards the Third of these principles I think 1 need only say that il points out the necessity of adhering sti icily to truth , in all places and on all occasions , as thc one great means of filing resprcied by thc world , and dying under the pleasure and with the blessmn- _ , f ihe Hrr .-n

Architect . Brethren , it is to mc a great privilege to be permitted lo speak to you on these important subjects , and to bc present to-day at lie ron- < - oration of your lodge ; figuratively speaking , to see the pa-Vive bud break into the opouirg flowers , thc dormant chrysalis into living existence : and as these during their short lives have to contend wilh many enemies , ; o will your lodge . Breaking to-day inlo a happy and , 1 trust , prosperous career , ii will meet no doubt with much to imnede its t-irnn-r , , ^ ; ,, ;<< , „» ,-. r-. 1 .-. _ ¦ _ . ! ,-rl

usefulness ; and you will have need , as in the second Dedication praver , to ask for wisdom to guidi : and instruct your brethren in all their duties so that the Brixton Lodge may bold its own , and at last , when all your work is finished , with God ' s approbation , you may arrive at thai temple where you will enjoy light , and bliss , and glory . You have , brethren , my earnest wi- h for success . As you guide your bark , so will it sail . 1111-cailice ' l or not . amid

the billows of temptation and the storms of opposition ; be careful to man the vessel well , with good brethren and true-admit no one to share your privileges or to become a member of your lodge until after strict enquiry , and a lull assurance that he will not mar vour love and harmony . Remember , you bear a precious charge—the li ght " of wisdom , the light of truth , the i

' rim and Tliiimmim of brightness and perfection . This you havo to foster ; this you have to preserve and hand down to your successors in the lodge as pure as you receive it ; your lamp is never to go out ; so that when ' the invisible world shall be disclosed , and the Grand Lodge opened above , you may be able fully to receive and appreciate that bright glory which forms the true Freemasonry of heaven . 1 cannot do better than " conclude in

the spirit of one of the most beautiful liturgies ever compiled , and invoke the Most High to inspire you continually with a spirit of truth , unity , and concord , lhat you may live in unity and godly love : That ihe ' Great Architect may give His grace to all , especially to ' the members of this new lodge ; that your hearts maybe disposed to ' comfort and succour all tho < e who in this transitory life arr : in sorrow , need , sickness , or any other adversity :

That you may follow the good example of hol y Masons ' denarted in faith and fear , and may with them lie partakers of God ' s heavenl y kingdom . You , my brethren , are opening your new lodgo at the opening of a new year , and I wish you all health , strength , ' and ihc good of this world—happiness in your liomes , prosperity in vour undertakings , good hearts to carry on your Masonic work , kiud ' faccs " io greet \ ou , and a good conscience whcicwith to end your days . At the beginning of this New Year look to the bri ght side of things " , it will do you good and cheer von

in your dilhcultios . Weare , of course , a year nearer to the bourne ft om whence no traveller returns . But we have no reason lo repine , for we know that uchavc been treated well , and that weare scrying a good master . Look then to the bright side till you arc sure there is a dark one ; and receive from mc on this , your opening day , for yourselves , for those who are near and dear to you , and for your lodge , every sincere wish for many years of happiness and health

At the completion of the consecration , Bro . II . Lovegrove , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works Middx ., was presented b y Bro . Buss , and duly installed by the Grand Secretary . The newly-installed W . M . then invested all the founders of lhe lodge as officers in the following order : Bros . II . B . Marshal ) , CC , V . P . of all the Masonic Charities , as S . W . ; W . E . Farrington , as J . W . ; A . | . Cox , as Sccrctaiy ; H . J . F . Groves , as S . D . ; II . Baldwin , as J . D . ; C G . L . Kipling , as l . G . ; and Daly , a ; Tyler .

Ihe W . M . proposed that a vote of thanks to the Consecrating Officer and his assistants be recorded on the minutes , and that they be ' elected honorary members of the lodge . This motion was seconded b y Bro . MARSHALL , S . W ., and carried by acclamation , the GRAND SECRETARY acknowled ging the same .

A number of names were handed in for initiation and joining , and letters of apology for inability to attend were read from Bros , the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , Sir Francis Burdett , Thos . Poore , Win . Stiles , 1 bos . Woodbrid ge , W . M . St . Dunstan ' s ; and others . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren were conveyed in carriages which wero wailing for them , to the Horns' Tavern , Kennington , where the

banquet was provided . After the banquet the usual toasts were proposed . 'lhe Rev . AMBROSE W . HALL , G . C , in repl y ing for the Prov . G . M . & c , said he only regretted there were not more officers present , because he felt that under the auspices of Bro . Lovegrove , as W . M ., and those brethren who were to follow him , the Brixton lodge must be a success . It was by selecting a number of good men like Bro . Lovegrove to form a lodge that

the Grand Officers hoped to have proper persons to support them as members of Grand Lodge . TheW . M . proposed " The Consecrating Officer , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , G . S . " In the name of thebrethren of thc lodge he thanked that brother very sincerel y for consenting to consecrate thc lodge , who , considering his many engagements had shown very great kindness and con-