Craft Masonry.

Lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed , after which Bro . Irvine , P . M ., raised Bro . VV . M . Cotton to the Degree of M . M . Mr . H . P . Applebee was initiated into Freemasonry by Bro . W . A . Scurrah , P . G . S . B ., who then proceeded to instal Bro . Thomas Parker as W . M ., both ceremonies being impressively rendered and thoroughly enjoyed . The following officers were invested : Bros . G . F . Vine , S . W . ; F . Cuzner , J . W . ; Harry R . Graham , M . P ., P . M ., Treas . ; W . A . Scurrah , P . M ., P . G . S . B .,

Sec ; C . VV . Matthews , S . D . ; A . Higgins , J . D . ; VV . H . Woodrow , P . M ., I . G . ; T . E . Mitchell , D . C . ; J . Jefferson , Org . ; VV . M . Cotton , Stwd . ; and Whiting , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . C Jacob , l . P . M ., and suitably acknowledged . Communications from Grand Lodge were read , also from distinguished brethren unable to be present , and the lodge was closed .

An adjournment was made to the banquet , after which the toast list , and a programme of music by Bros . Jefferson , Org ., and Will Edwards , and Messrs . S . Isom and R . Dutton were proceeded with . Bro . D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas ., acknowledged the toast of "The Grand Officers , " and said the ceremonies of raising , initiation , and installation had pleased him , also the investiture of the officers . He advised the initiates to practise the lessons learned in the lodge , for they strengthened the bonds of brotherly love and united their hearts in the great work of Charity . He hoped the initiates would be as proud as he was to be connected with an Order that knew no distinction of colour or creed .

Bros . W . M . Stiles , P . G . Treas ., and VV . A . Scurrah , P . G . S . B ., also replied . "The W . M . " was the next toast , proposed by Bro . C . Jacob , I . P . M ., who remarked that they knew Bro . Parker as a first-class Mason and a perfect gentleman , and the more they saw of him the more they loved him . As short speeches were the order of the evening , he would simply propose the toast . Bro . T . Parker , VV . M ., said that since he had been a member he had received

nothing but kindness , and therefore he was not surprised at the cordiality shown in the toast . It was a very great thing for him to attain the chair of that lodge , of which any brother might be proud to be the W . M . He did not expect to add lustre to it , but his best endeavours would be used in the interest of the lodge , and his energies devoted to the working of the ritual . If he achieved but partial success he was sure he should receive their hearty thanks .

Bro . H . P . Afplebee replied for "The Initiates , " after which the W . M . proposed " The Past Masters , " and said nothing could be kinder , or more impressive , than the way in which he had been installed by Bro . Scurrah . Bro . VV . A . Scurrah , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Sec , expressed the pleasure he felt at installing ! Bro . Parker , and said he had done his best to carry out the ceremony as it should be done . He had watched the W . M . 'scarcer , and felt confident he would do all in his power to make the lodge what it always had been—a splendid lodge in every

sense of the word . Bros . Jas . Irvine , P . M . ; C Jacob , l . P . M . ; and Longman , P . M . ; also responded . " The Visitors " was cordially given by Bro . H . R . Graham , M . P ., P . M ., and in response , Bro . J . Head , W . M . I 1305 , said he was gratified with the reception they had met with , and had enjoyed the magnificent manner in which the installation had been

performed by Bro . Scurrah . Bro . C . F . Quicke , P . G . Stwd . Kent , said that he had been privileged to be present al one of the best installation meetings he ever attended . The lodge was so thoroughly supported by Grand Lodge Officers that it would be impossible for it to fail in any detail . He detected a similarity of voice between the W . M . and the Deputy Grand Master and it the VV . M . followed that distinguished Mason in other respects the lodge would never possess a better Master . Bros . Nicholson , Applebee , and Jarvis also returned thanks .

Bros . H . Graham , M . P ., P . M ., and VV . A . Scurrah , P . G . S . B ., Sec , answered for "The Treasurer and Secretary , " in an entertaining and amusing manner , and "The Oflicers " and Tyler ' s toast brought the pleasant programme to a conclusion .

La Tolerance Lodge , No . 538 . This excellent and most enjoyable lodge held its first meeting since the recess at Freemasons' Hall on the Gth inst . Bro . Thomas Henry Clear , VV . M ., presided , and he was supported by Bros . G . T . Augspurg , l . P . M . ; Thos . A . Tidy , S . VV . ; John Gumming , J . W . ; James Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . ; Thomas VV . Smale , P . M ., Sec . ; G . A . Sturgess , S . D . ; IL T . Hipwell , I . G . ; J . J . Pittman , P . M ., D . C ; VV . May Clear , P . M . ; Herbert Rivett , F . J . Pittman , F . Cambridge , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . Surrey ; and S . F . Cross . Visitors : Bros . George William Reed , P . M . 13 ; H . Massey , 610 and H 12 S j and W . E . Jones , W . M . 20 G . Bro . Thomas Bowler was Tyler .

The session opened well , there being three candidates for initiation . After being balloted for , Mr . William Marven Everett , Dr . William Hotten George , and Mr . Arthur Harry Heron , were duly initiated by the W . M ., who also gave the ancient charge . Before the brethren adjourned to banquet , liro . W . May Clear , P . M ., moved , and Bro . Tidy , S . W ., seconded a resolution to enter on the minutes a record of the fact that on Thursday , June 23 rd , a most agreeable summer outing of the members of the lodge and ladies took place up the river to Maidenhead .

Both the mover and seconder , as well as Bro . J . J . Pittman , P . M ., D . C , commented on the delightful day thin spent , and mentioned the testimony to this effect which had been borne by the ladies of the party . The motion was unanimously carried . Bro . Thos . W . Smale , P . M ., Secretary , then read a letter received from Bro . Tremow , a member of the lodge , who is now in New Zealand , conveying his best wishes for the lodge and its members , giving an account of his success in the distant colony , and expressing the hope that he should come back and once more be among his friends in La Tolerance . The brethien adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern , where an elegant repast awaited

ti . em . The tnasts followed , with some excellent singing under the direction of Bro . Fredk . Cambridge , Mus . Bac , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . Surrey , Organist of the lodge , by Miss Edith Sexton , Miss Emily Foxcroft , Bro . F . J . Pittman , Bro . Kench , P . M ., and Bro . H . T . Hipwell . Bro . James Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., in reply to the toast of "Tlie Grand Officers , " said : As this is the opening night of our new season , and as most of us , 1 doubt not , have hardly had time as yet to get into harness , you will not , 1 am sure , expect anything

very special from me in replying to the toast of the Grand Officers . At this moment I cannot recal to mind any particular subject that has demanded the consideration of Grand Ledge since we last had the pleasure of meeting together at this , our festive , board . With regard to the Grand Officers , well , 1 can only say what 1 have said on many previous cccasions—that they are always ready and willing to devote their best abilities to the welfare of the Crait , and are not thc less distinguished for the very able manner in which they discharge the duties of their respective offices in Grand Lodge . Their devotion to the cause of Charity is , as we all know , exemplary , as witness the

unbounded support they continually give to the Masonic Benevolent Institutions , and notably on the cccasion of the Boys' Centenary Festival in the middle of the year , when the magnificent sum of £ 134 , 000 was collected for that Charity alone . I can only assure you that it is a source of much gratification to the Grand Officers to know that their services arc so thoroughly appreciated by the members of every lodge on the Grand Register of England , and particularly that they are by the members of so distinguished a lodge as the Lodge La Tolerance , and on their behalf I beg to return you my very hearty and sincere thanks for the kind and cordial manner in which you responded to the toast of their health .

Bro . Augspurg , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " The W . M ., " said the brethren knew Bro . Clear ' s work well ; they had seen him do the passings and raisings , and that evening they had seen him do the initiations . Moreover , they had experienced his energies in collecting for the Charities . Also they had seen him as the leader of the trip up the river in June . All the duties of these positions he had carried out with perfection , and they felt sure that whatever duty he undertook he would perform well . In Bro . Clear the brethren had a good man , a Mason they could look at with admiration and devotion , and while he was at their head their lodge would keep its prestige , and be one of the best .

Bro . T . H . Clear , VV . M ., replying , said although , what he considered the extravagant language of Bro . Augspurg had upset him , he was much obliged to him for his kind expressions as well as lor their rapturous reception of them by the brethren . He appreciated the comradeship of the lodge . There was a large element of good feeling between himself and all thc officers . They had done a great deal to help him in his position , and had been exceedingly good in making his year of ollice as far as it had gone a very pleasant one . The summer excursion spoken of by the l . P . M ., was a great pleasure to him , and the brethren , the ladies , the visitors , as much as his wife and him-

Craft Masonry.

self enjoyed themselves , and it was made a great success . As had been said in lodge he hoped future Masters would follow the example . Bro . T . H . Clear , W . M ., in proposing " The Initiates , " said they had a batch of triplets that evening which any visitor present might be proud of . Having entered Masonry , he hoped they would attend lodges of instruction , where they would be able to study the principles and rituals of the Craft . Bros . Everett , George , and Heron responded .

Bro . Augspurg , I . P . M ., in responding to the toast of "The l . P . M . and the P . M . s . " said his wife was highly delighted with the excursion , where she saw what Masons were . Sticking to the principles of Masonry , he had named their little boy who had been born to them " Lewis . " With regard to the P . M . s ., the lodge was very strong in them , and they were all pleased to see new blood come into the lodge . The lodge had been a great success . Bro . J . J . Pittman , P . M ., D . C , also responded .

The remaining toasts of " The Visitors , " "The Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers , " having been given and responded to , the Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings of a very happy evening .

Cordwainer Ward Lodge , No . 2241 . The first meeting of the session of the above lodge was held on Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., at the Cannon-street Hotel . The W . M ., Bro . J . J . A . Soper , presided , and there were present Bros . Alderman W . Vaughan Morgan , P . G . Treas ., I . P . M . ; W . Bauer , S . W . ; J . Dangerfield , J . W . ; VV . J . Adams , P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; H . Lovegrove , P . G . S . B ., Sec . ; A . T . Walmisley , S . D . ; J . R . Reep , P . M ., D . C . ; F . W . Potter , P . M . ; CS . Buck , P . M . ; C J . Wilkinson-Pimbury , P . M . ; C . Braby , I . G . j R . h . Terry , A . D . C . ; W . T . Buck , P . M ., Love , and Johnson , Stwds . ; R . C Mason , and W . Rawles , Tyler . Bros . Inskipp , Youngerand Tegetmeirwere visitors .

, , The only business before the lodge was the raising of Bro . J . L . Cartwright . The names of two gentlemen were received for initiation . A banquet followed and another most successful meeting of ., this popular lodge was brought to a conclusion .

Kingswood Lodge , No . 2278 . The closing meeting of the season of this lodge was held at Broxbourne on Saturday , the Sth inst ., the brethren attending being Bros . A . Ingram , W . M . ; J . Gravatt , l . P . M . ; E . H . Moore , P . S . G . D ., as S . VV . ; E . N . Beningfield , J . W . ; John Petch , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; J . F . Bell , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec . ; H . R . Bower , S . D . ; F . H . Johnson , as J . D . ; C . Nicole , I . G . j A . A . Kelly , Org . ; D . Taylor , Steward ; T . Williams , Tyler ; C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; | . G . Cobb , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . VV . Nicole , P . M ., P . A . G . P . ; E . Blinknor ' n , P . M . ; A . C . Little , Donald King , A . D . R . Palmer-Palmer , H . A . House , O . P . House , S . Butler , G . H . Redding , and J . Perceval . Visitors : Bros . George Graveley , G . P . Eng . ; J . Brighurst , P . M ., P . G . W . Kent ; IL Sturgeon , 1 G 13 ; and Preston Cobb , 236 .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . J . Perceval was raised to the Degree of M . M ., Bros . H . A . House and O . P . House were passed to the Second Degree , and a unanimous ballot having been taken for Mr . William Wicking , he was initiated into Freemasonry . In accordance with notice given , Bro . J . G . Cobb , P . M ., proposed "That the consent of the lodge be given ior the use of its name and

number for the formation of a Royal Arch chapter . " This was supported by Bros . Bell , P . M ., and Gravatt , I . P . M ., and unanimously carried . As soon as the necessary preliminaries have been arranged , a petition will therefore be presented to the Prov . Grand Chapter . This concluding the business of the meeting , the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned for refreshment .

After dinner the usual toasts were given , Bro . George Graveley , G . P ., replying for "The Grand Officers . " * "The Health of the Initiate , Bro . VV . Wicking , " was received with much cordiality , he being well known and having many good friends in the lodge , was heartily welcomed .

In replying to the toast of "The Visitors , " Bro . J . Brighurst , P . G . W . Kent , said it was the first visit that he had paid to any lodge outside of his own provinc ; . He was pleased with the work that he had witnessed , and congratulated the officers and also the lodge on its Fourth Degree . It was extremely probable that his first visit would not also be his last .

Bros . Graveley , Sturgeon , and Preston Cobb also replied . During the evening a very nice presentation wis nude to Bro . J . Gravatt , I . P . M ., on his marriage . The VV . M . addressed him in a few words of congratulation and good wishes , for which Bro . Gravatt returned his thanks . that had got

Z ^^ The somewhat unusual amount of business to be through , both at the meeting and at table , was the means of shortening the usual first-class programme of music , which is a great featureof the meetings of the lodge . A few songs were given by Bros . Preston Cobb , Donald King , J . Perceval , C . Nicole , and F . H . Johnson , admirably accompanied by Bro . A . A . Kelly . The Tyler ' s toast and " Auld lang syne " brought the proceedings to an end ,

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The Quarterly Court of Subscribers of this Institution was held on Thursday at Freemasons' Tavern , Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , M . P ., P . G . W ., Treasurer of the Institution , in the chair . Supporting the chairman were Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , A . C . Spaull , W . F . Smithson , P . G . D . ; Frank Richardson , C . E . Keyser , Henry Smith , P . G . D . ; Capt . Green , W . Yorks ; A . Wylie , E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; Stanley J . Attenborough , F . R . W . Hedges , W . Adams , J . W . Avery ,

A . Betts , George Brown , A . C . Chapin , W . L . Crow , J . Driscoll , J . Evans , J . P . Fitzgerald , J . French , N . Goodwin , VV . H . Hebbart , W . H . Jeffries , W . G . Kentish , D . Mayer , J . G . Milboun :, E . M . Money , P . Monson , H . N ' uding , J . Odell , J . Oldis , O . Papworth , Col . A . T . Parkins , George K . Pugh , D . RadclylTe , V . R . Spaull , W . H . Spaull , W . S . Spaull , M . Tennant , H . A . Tobias , G . W . Verry , C . H . Webb , W . Wells , F . A . White , J . Whitworth , W . Wood , James Stephens , P . D . G . D . C ; Major Peirce , J . D . Langton , and H . Massey .

There was very little business before the Court , and what there was , besides the election , consisted of the reading of the minutes of the July Court and the summaries of minutes of General Committees since ; but Uro . HEDOI-S ( Secretary ) announced that the 1 nth Anniversary Festival of the Institution would take place in May next , and that the Right Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , Prov . Grand Master for Somersetshire , would preside . He added that the names of Stewards for that Festival were urgently needed .

The Scrutineers of votes having been elected , Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson left , and his place was taken by Bro . Henry Smith . The brethren then proceeded to elect 13 girls into the School out of an approved list of 27 candidates . The following are the unsuccessful candidates :

Name . Votes . Name . Votes . Sparks , Lucy Emmeline 3501 Smith , Ida Angela < 59 2 Knott , Marguerite 3327 Firth , Marjorie Louise ' 5 ' Moore , Jane 3319 Green , Rosina Frances ' 3 > ° Clayton , Muriel 2 GS 1 J acobs , Josephine Charlotte ... 1042 . Joseph , Hilda 2157 Shenton , Winifred Amelia s 9 ' - Ellis , Florence ' 2105 Hoad , Gladys Evelyn Ellen ... 5 ' 4 Gifl-ins , Mabel 1839 Fielden , Bertha Matilda 4 ' 4 The successful will be found in our advertisement columns . Votes of thanks to the Scrutineers closed the proceedings .