Mark Masonry.

This pledge was warmly drunk , and Bro . Prower made an emotional speech in reply . The toast of "The Officers" was coupled with the names of Bros . Fillingham , Dodson , and Burleton , who respectively responded . During the evening Bros , the Rev . R . C . Fillingham and F . VV . Driver contributed some poetical effusions , and Bro . T . B . Dodson effectively posed as a ballad vocalist . The proceedings throughout were most enjoyable .

Robinson Lodge , No . 255 . A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall , Brewer-street , Maidstone , when there were present Bros . G . F . Baker , W . M . ; ] . H . Bridge , S . VV . ; H . F . Whyman , J . W . ; A . Smith , M . O . ; J . S . Dyke , S . O . ; F . VV Wright , I . O . j VV . B . Stonham , P . M ., Treas . ; J . B . Groom , P . M ., Sec ; Silas Wagon , P . M ., S . D . ; T . W . A . Neech , P . M ., J . D . ; T . King , I . G . j J . Gowan , E Gratwick , W . Hope , and others .

The lodge haviner been opened , the Worshipful Master advanced Bros . W . R Warde and William Wilson , both of 2046 , to the Degree of M . M . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the Mitre Hotel to partake of supper , supplied in Bro . Wain's usual good style , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

Royal Art Mariners.

Royal Art Mariners .

Prince Leopold Council , No . 238 . A meeting of this council was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 19 th ult . Among those in attendance were Bros . L . VV . Harvey , VV . C . N . ; N . Prower , M . A ., P . W . C . N ., Treas ., acting J . ; the Rev . R . C . Fillingham , M . A ., S . ; Capt . T . C Walls , P . M ., P . G . C , Scribe ; T . B . Dodson , R . Burleton , F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . W . C . N . ; and others .

The minutes of the previous council were read and confirmed . A resolution was passed that the installation meeting of W . C . N , should take place in future on the third Tuesday in May , instead of April , as heretofore . An apology for non-attendance was received from Bro . E . Graves , j . The council was then closed , and the members dined with the brethren of the mother Mark lodge . "The Health of the W . C . N . " was honoured in due course .

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

TEE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION

The Committee of Management held their regular meeting at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday , the nth inst ., Bro . George E . Fairchild , A . G . D . C , Patron , occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; W . Fisher , George Allen , A . Mullord , C . Sheppard ,

J . Harrison , W . Baddeley , C . H . Webb , T . W . Whitmarsb , P . G . P . ; F Dangerfield . R . D . Cummings , J . Newton , G . P . ; Charles Kempster , W

Laurence , S . V . Abraham , P . G . P ., John Hattersley , E . D . Nicholson , W . H . Hubbert , A . Moore , and James Terry , P . G . S . B ., ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous Committee having been read and verified , and the deaths of four annuitants ( two brethren and two widows ) having been reported , the Secretary read a letter he had received from Bro . Col . Egerton to the effect that H . R . H . the Dukeof Connaught had graciousl y consented to preside as Chairman at the festival in 1807 .

The Warden ' s report having been read and the application of the widow of a deceased annuitant for one half of her late husband ' s annuity having been acceded to , the Committee proceeded to deal with the petitions which , to the number of 13 (; o men and three widows ) , were submitted for their consideration , that one ( male ) was deferred for lurther information and one ( male ) rejected , while the remaining 11 were accepted and the names ordered to be placed on the lists for the election in May , 1896 . A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

Franklin Lodge , No . 2486 . At the regular meeting , held on Thursday , the 7 th ult ., at the Lodge Rooms , Winsorter , Barkly West , South Africa , Bro . VVm . Henderson , VV . M ., was presented with a very handsome Past Master ' s and Secretarial jewel . At the same time , the draft of an illuminated address , for presentation to Bro . Henderson , was read . In presenting the jewel and address , on behalf of the brethren , Bro . John Croghan , I . P . M ., spoke in high terms of the untiring zeal and interest Bro . Henderson had always evinced , not only in

the Franklin Lodge , but in Masonry generally , and that to his indefatigable energy as Secretary during the two years the lodge had been in existence was in a very great measure due the success of the lodge . Bro . Henderson , in feeling terms , thanked Bro . Croghan and the brethren for the presentation , and assured them he should take the same interest in tbe welfare of the lodge in the future that he had in the past , and he hoped the presentation would act as a stimulus to the younger brethren to work for office .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

PROSPERITY LODGE , No . 05 . A large number ol brethren assembled on Wednesday evening , to assist in augurating this old-established lodge in its new quarters—the Weavers' Arms , London Wall —in which a handsomely-furnished and most comfortable room , fitted with eLctcic light , had been placed at the disposal of the brethren by Bro . Dorton , P . M ., for every Wednesday evening , from 7 to 0 . The VV . M . of the mother lodge ( Bro . Thomas ) very ably presided , assisted by his Wardens ( Bros . Greig and Kinipple ) and Bros . Meadows ( Sec . of the lodge of instruction ) , Sptncer , Wise , and Robeson .

Thsre were also present Bros . Harlow , P . M . 65 , Preceptor ; J . Smith , P . M . 192 j Harris , P . M . j Dorton , P . M . ; William Baker , Peach , Knight , Newman , Foyer , Keane , Tidder , Fisher , l . loyd , Sarson , Galey , Downes , Smith , Kuller , Holliday , Linton , Jarvis , Treadwell , and H . Dorton—seven of the above becoming joining members at this meeting .

During tie evening the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Knight being the candidate . The W . M . then opened the lodge in the Second and Third Degrees , and Bro . Lloyd was raised to the Degree of MM . The W . M . clostd the lodge in the Three Degrees , prior to which Bro . Greig was unanimously elected t" occupy the chair next Wednesday evening , and a cordial invitition again extended to brethren generally to visit this lodge of instruction on that occasion .

ST . LUKE'S LODGE , No . 144 . A meeting was held on Thursday , the 28 th ult ., at the Victoria Tavern , Gertrudestreet , Chelsea , when tfere were present Bros . Thomas , W .. VL ; Heauclump , S . W . J ; Markiand , J . W . ; Carlatrom , Preceptor j Stutlield , Sec . j Austin , S . D . ; Marriott-Matthew .-, J . D . ; Nichols , I . G . j Holland , P . M . ; Barber , Fleming , Kelly , Koyle , Thwaites , A . VV . Thompson , Weller , and VVestron .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and Bro . Kelly answered the questions leading to the Third Degree . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and the ceremony of raising rehearsed , Bros . Barber and Thwaites being the candidates . The lodge was resumed to the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . VVestron , who had previously answered the usual questions and been entrusted , being the candidate . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . After the third rising , the lodge was closed . The annual supper will take place on 'Thursday , the 12 th inst .

ST . JAMES'S UNION LODGE , No . 1 S 0 . A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 25 th ultimo , at the St . James's Restaurant , Piccadilly , W ., when the following brethren were present : Bros . Isaac Moss , W . M . ; W . S . Whittaker , P . M ., S . VV . ; J . Plant , J . W . ; D . Haslett , P . M ., Preceptor ; A . B . Bayfield , Hon . Sec ; T . k ' elly , S . D . ; E . J . New ,. J . D . ; Taylor , I . G . ; and 32 others .

The lodge was opened in due form and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The W . M . then proceeded to work the Fifteen Sections , assisted by the following brethren : First Lecture—ist Section , Bro . A . W . Dennis ; jnd , Bro . G . J . Taylor ; 3 rd . Bro . T . Kelly ; 4 th , Bro . H . C Parker ; 5 th , Bro . D . Haslett , P . M . ; Gth , Bro . H . Whitney ; and 7 th , Bro . E . B . Bloxham . Second Lecture— -ist Section , Bro . A . B . Bayfield ; 2 nd , Bro . VV . S . Whittaker , P . M . ; 3 rd , Bro . J . Knight ; 4 th , Bro J . Plant ; and 5 th , Bro . E . P . Luke . Third Lecture—ist Section , Bro . B . Wynne ,

P . M . ; 2 nd , Bro . R . Sandland j and 3 rd , Bro . Thomas Baker . It was proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously that the thanks of the lodge be recorded on the minutes to Bro . Moss , the W . M ., for the very excellent nanner in which he had curie 1 out the work , and he was also elected an honorary member of the lodje . Bro . Moss , in returning thanks , took the opportunity of expressing his gratification at being favoured with such a numerous assemblage of the brethren , and cordially thanked thxs ; who had assisted him in working the Sections . The lodge was then closed .

KENSINGTON LODGE , No . 1767 . A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., at the Town Hall Tavern , High-street , Kensington , when there were present : Bros . George Read , P . G Std . Br . Eng ., VV . M .: Jes ^ e Collings , P . M .. S . W . ; R . H . Williims , P . P . J . G . D . Middx ., J . VV . ; W . Hillier , P . M . I . P . M . ; F . Craggs , P . M ., Sec ; Joseph Cox , W . M . S 65 , S . D . ; A . J . Turner , J . D . ; VV . Thwaites , I . G .: A . J . Clayton and T . P . Ball . Stwds . ; A . Williams , P . M . ; W . G . Reynolds , P . M . j W . B . Neville .

P . M . ; J . Neilson , P . M . ; H . Stiles , P . M . ; J . II . Neville , W . M . 176 7 ; J . A . Bat'ersby , Maurice Moss , A . F . Taylor , Charles Ortn'r , T . Cronin , G . W . T . Kirkhm , R . Reid , J . J . Lewen , VV . Herring , J . J . Rumbal , K . M . Rns , Thomas Leete , Alfrel England , G . V . McLellan , F . M . Ridley , and H . Sellick . The lodge was opened in the usual form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the First , Second , and Third

Degrees and resumed to the Second Degree , and the Sections of the Second Lecture were worked by Bros . A . Williams , R . H . Williams , W . Hillier , George Read , and F . Craggs . The lodge was resumed to the Third Degree , and the Sections of the Third Lecture were worked by Bros . A . Williams , Jesse Collings . and W . Hillier . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . Bros . T . Leete and A . England were elected joining members . Votes of thanks were passed to the VV . M . and the Wardens , and also to the Section workers , and the lodge was closed .

STAR CHAPTER , No . 1275 . A meeting was held on Friday , the Oth inst ., at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Churchstreet , Camberwell . Present : Comps . C II . Stone , M . E . Z . ; H . Morgan , H . j VV Wills , J . j T . Grummant , P . Z ,, Preceptor j J . H . Cureton , acting S . E . ; Benedetti , S . N . ; Cornford , P . S . ; C . H . Phillips , P . Z . j North , P . Z . j Bannister , P . Z . j Lightfoot , P . Z . j Addington , P . Z . j Eedle , P . Z . j Block , Lewis , Derham , Loader , Mayo , Willcox , Cass , Beecroft , Dunn , Plant , Elgar , Garland , and Spaul .

The chapter was declared open , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . S . J . Derham personating the candidate . Comp . B . Morgan , H ., was elected M . E . Z . for the next meetin j . Congratulations were offered to Comp . Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor , forsuch an excellent attendance , being the record night in the chapter . The M . E . Z ., Comp . C . H . Stone , thanked the chapter , on behalf of theSelwyn Chapter , tor allowing its oliicers to rehearse their respectve duties . Comps . Spaul and Garland were elected joining members , and the chapter was closed .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . W . TINKLER . Bro . W . Tinkler—whose death we announced last week—was initiated in the Lodge of Emulation , No . 299 , Dartford , in May , 1861 , and having filled most of the inferior ollices , was elected and installed W . M . in 1870 . On his resignation , some time later , he was made an honorary member , while , in recognition of his services , he was appointed Prov . A . G . D . C . Kent . He was exalted in the Pythigoras Chapter , No . 447 , Corfu , on the 21 st December , 1863 , but , returning to

England the following year , he resigned his membership , and joined the Rose of Denmark Chapter ; No . 975 , and in due course was installed M . E . Z . in June , 18 74 He resigned his membership in 1892 . He was installed a Knight Templar in tne Encampment of St . Michael and St . George , Corfu , on the 27 th November , 186 3 , and the following month was made a Knight of Malta . The warrant of this encimpment was returned to headquarters in 1864 on the cession of the Ionian islands to Greece , and in rSfiS he joined the

Encampment of Faith and Fidelity , and was installed by special dispensation as E . C . on the very day he joined . Subsequently he filled the office of Registrar from 1870 till his retirement in 1892 , when the sir knights unanimously elected him an honorary member . He was one of the founders of the New Temple Preceptory , and held for many years the offices of Registrar and Treasurer , and in 1892 , on his resignation of the latter , he was presented with an illuminated address and silver cup . In 18 73 he joined the Harcourt Preceptory , Richmond ,

and served as Registrar till its amalgamation in 1890 with Faith and Fidelity . He was also one of the original members of the Bard of Avon Preceptory , and held the office of Registrar irom its foundation in 1873 till his resign ttion in I 8 > , when he was made an honorary member . After being appointed Grand Master ' s Banner Bearer in Grand Conclave , he was assigned the office of Vice Chancellor on the ist January , 1869 , and held the office till his retirement on a pension in November , 1892 . He was lastly a K . C . T ., which distinction was conferred upon

him at the installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of the Order of the Temple in 1873 . Bro . Tinkler was also a Mark Mason , having been advanced to that Degree in the Menatschim Lodge , No . 224 , in December , 1878 , and likewise a member of the A . and A . Rite , having been perfected Rose Croix at a special meeting of the Supreme Council , 33 , on the 15 th June , 1870 . During the latter part of his life , our deceased brother had been a great sufferer .

In the winter of 1873 he had an attack of rheumatic arthritis , and though at times he obtained relief , he gradually became very lame , and it was only with the very greatest difficulty that he was able to fulfil his duties . He was at length compelled to retire from all Masonic work , and on tendering his resignation , was awarded a pension in recognition of his long and valuable services to the Order of the Temple .

Death.

DEATH .

SEU'V—On the 2 nd inst ., at Fairview , Worthing , after a few d iys' illness , Brj . James Self , M . D ., P . Prov . G . W . Essex .