Craft Masonry.

The Worshipful Master briefly responded , thanking the I . P . M . and brethren . He said that this lodge had been a very favourite child of his and he hoped to see more members of the Board joining it . He echoed the wish of the I . P . M . that he might have plenty of work to do . Next meeting he would have the pleasure of raising Bro . Mayhew , who he was glad to say was not on the same side , and he had every expectation of another member offering himself for initiation . He would do his utmost to follow the

excellent example set by his predecessors . Bro . Lynn had had an overwhelming amount of work and he ( the W . M . ) would propose ; the next toast— " The I . P . M . and Installing Master . " Every brother present must agree that the ceremonies had all been performed in a most excellent way . He , personally , thanked the I . P . M . for his rendering of the installation ceremony and had much pleasure in presenting him with the Past Master ' s jewel , which no brother had better deserved .

Bro . H . Lynn , I . P . M ., in response , said that if he had given them satisfaction he was thanked , and if in the coming year he could be of any assistance it would be the greatest pleasure he could enjoy . "The Visitors" was acknowledged by Bros . Nathan Robinson , W . M . 2603 , and Elvin , W . M . 3395-"The Treasurer and Secretary" and "The Officers " were honoured before the Tyler ' s toast closed the pleasant proceedings .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Mozart Chapter , No . 1929 . The installation meeting of the above chapter was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon , on the 20 th ult ., when there were present , among others , Cofnps . Dr . Russell Beardmore , P . G . Std . Br . Surrey , M . E . Z . ; Maj . T . W . Richardson , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . B ., H . ; J . Cain , S . N ., J . elect ; and Maj . T . C . Walls , P . Z ., P . P . G . D . C , S . E . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the S . E . inducted Comp . Dr . R . Beardmore as M . E . Z . ( re-elected ) , and Comp . Major Richardson as H . ( re-elected ) . The latter installed Comp . Cain as J ., the

ceremony being well performed . Comp . Major Walls was invested as S . E ., and Comp . W . Lane , Janitor . A Past Principal's jewel was presented to Comp . Dr . Russell Beardmore . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Comps . J . Boulton , P . Z ., P . A . G . D . C , & c . ; Lieut .-Col . T . Tully . P . Z ., P . P . G . S . B . ; R . A . Gowan , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; H . H . Shirley , M . A ., P . Z ., P . P . A . G . S . ; R . P . Thomas , P . Z ., P . G . S . B . ; and others . A vote of thanks was passed to the Installing Third Principal . The chapter was then closed . A banquet followed . Upon the removal of the cloth a few toasts were given .

The M . E . Z ., in responding to his health , expressed regret that no members of Ihe Mozart Lodge were members of the chapter , which presented such excellent opportunities for obtaining office in the beautiful Royal Arch Degree . He trusted that the Provincial Grand Authorities would kindly take the matter up , as it would be a regrettable circumstance if the chapter were compelled , by lack of support , to surrender its warrant . The proceedings then terminated .

Cryptic Masonry.

Cryptic Masonry .

Grand Master ' s Council , No . 1 . The installation meeting of this distinguished council was held at Mark Masons ' Hall , Great Oueen-street , W . C , on the 19 th ultimo , when there were present , among others , Bros , and Comps . J . j . Pakes , T . l . M . ; G . Gregory , P . M . ; Hay , C . of W . ; G . Graveley , P . T . I . M ., Treas . ; Major T . C Walls , P . D . G . M ., & c , Recorder ; B , Stewart , G . Briggs , VV . H . Toye , IT . Higgins , VV . M . Stiles , Baron de Ferrieres , P . D . G . M ., & c . ; Major J . E . Anderson , P . T . l . M . ; and Rowe . The minu ' es of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Comp . G .

Gregory was installed as T . l . M . by the Recorder . Among the officers appointed and invested were Comps . Hay , D . M . ; Graveley , Treas . ; Major Walls , Recorder ; the Rev . R . C . Fillingham , Chap . ; the Rev . C . E . Wright , Asst . Chap . ; J . J . Thomas , C . of VV . ; J . N . Frye , C . of C . ; B . Stewart , C . of G . ; G . Briggs , H . Rogers , and J . Smith , Marshals ; J . T . Rowe and C . Slater , Stewards ; W . H . Toye , Warder ; H . Higeins , Asst . Warder ; Dr . Ezard , J . S . ; and E . Mills , O . S . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . A vote of thanks was pissed to the Installing Officer .

Apo ' ogies for non-attendance were received from Comps . R . Loveland Loveland , O . C , P . T . I . M . ; the Rev . Dr . W . Lemon , P . G . C . ; the Rev . R . C . Fillingham , M . A ., ( 1 . Chap . ; the Rev . C . E . Wright , M . A ., P . G . C ; H . J . Lardner , P . T . l . M . ; G . Powell , P . T . I . M . ; VV . A . Scurrah , P . T . l . M . ; John Smith , J . N . Frye , C . Slater , and manv others . The council was closed in the Degree of Select Master , and the compinions adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where the annual festival was held . In the absence of the T . l . M ., Comp . J . J . Pakes , P . T . l . M , presided most ably and genially .

Comp . Baron de Ferrieres responded on behalf ol " The Grand Council " in a neat speech . Ex . Comps . J . J . Pakes and Major J . E . Anderson replied for "The P . T . I . Masters . " Kx . Comp . G . Graveley and Comps . Hay , Briggs , Rowe , Toye , and Higgins responded for "The Treasurer and Officers . " The proceedings then terminated .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

Bluefields Lodg 9 , No . 875 ( 3 . C . ) . The regular communication of the abive lodge was held on ThursJay evening , the 2 nd ult ., in the Masonic Temple , Bluefields , when the following officers were elected and installed to serve for the ensuing yeir : Bros . M . J . Clancy , R . W . M . ; W . J . Malone , S . W . ; J . N . Sewell , J . W . ; J . A . Petersen , Treas . ; L . L . Mirx , Sec ; W . P . Brown , S . D . ; Geo . B . Wiltbank , J . D . ; and John Thompson , Tyler . The lodge was instituted on Thursday evening , March 17 th last , and the above officers were installed at the time , so that the Charter Officers were all re-elecled at the meeting held on Thursday evening .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The Committee of Management held their regular meeting for the current month at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday , the 13 th instant , at 4 p . m . Bro . J . A , Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C , Patron and Treasurer of the Institution , occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; Chas . Sheppard George Allen , W . Fisher , John R . Reep , F . Dangerfield , W . M . Bywater , P . G .

S . B . ; John Hatfersley , Henry W , Clarke , R , J . Tucker , F . G . Newton , 'Charles Kempton , A . Durrant , R . D , Cummings , S . V , Abraham , P . G . P . ; Robert Colvill , Charles Lacey , Hugh Cotter , Chas . Daniel , W . H . Hubbert , J . Boulton , P . G . P . ; Robert Griggs , James Stephens , P . D . G . D . C . ; and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) .

The minutes of the June meeting having been read and verified , the SECRE - TARY reported the deaths of two male and three widow annuitants and one accepted candidate . The Wardens' report for the past month was read , and that of the Finance Committee read , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes .

A letter was read , which had been addressed to the Treasurer , from Messrs . Capel , Case , and Terry , pointing out that in 1903 , the rate of interests on Consols would be reduced to 2 \ per cent ., and stating that the rate of £ " 35 , 000 Consols at their present price would realise . £ 39 , 025 , which amount , if invested , in India 2 . } per cent Stock at its present price , would purchase , £ 43 , 360 of that Stock , giving a gain to the Institution in the amount of its dividends of ; £ l 2 i 103 . per annum .

With reference to the resolution passed in November , 1896 , to hold a Jubilee Festival next year in respect of the Widows' Fund of the Institution , which was founded in 1849 , it was ° further consideration , resolved that such resolution should be rescinded , it being left to the Secretary to make a special appeal in behalf of that Fund in the circular letter he addresses to Lodges and Chapters , inviting them to furnish Stewards for the Festival which will take place at the usual time in 1 S 99 . The proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman ,

Our Portrait Gallery.

Our portrait Gallery .

BRO . E . J . GITTINS , P . M ., P . P . G . STD . BR . HERTS . Bro . E . J , Gittins , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Herts ., whose installation as W . M . of the Broxbourne Lodge is reported in this issue , was initiated in the De Shurland Lodge , No . 10 S 9 , October , 18 7 S ; joined the Manchester Lodge , No . 179 , London , in January , 1 S 83 , and was installed W . M . in January , 1890 . Founder and first D . C . of the Broxbourne Lodge , No . 2353 ( April , 1890 ) , of which he was

Secretary from 1802 ta 18 97 . Exalted in the Manchester Chapter , No . 179 , February , 18 94 , and Scribe E . Founder and first Scribe E . of the Broxbourne Chapter , No . 2353 , Ma Yi 1 S 96 , and the present H . of th ? same chapter . Life Governor of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , for both of which he has served Stewardships .

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COUKTY — -, ^—_ ~~ m ^^ *_ FOUNDED 1807 . 50 REGENT ST , W, & JFI-R-Ej - ——JJORNHILL , U, LONDON ^ OFFICE . The Distino-uishino- Feature of this Office is THE RETURN SYSTEM . o o On Ordinary Insurances , under which Policyholders who have been insured for . Seven Years and who continue insured—whether * i » der an Annual or Septennial Policy—become entitled to a RETURN OF 25 PER CENT , of Hie Premiums they have paid during each Ssevcn Years , provided no loss lias arisen under ( heir Policies in that Period . Insurances on Panning Slocks and on other than Ordinary Risks do not participate in tin ; Returns , nor are the Returns ' given on ^ mounts which , being in excess of its own holding , arc not retained by the Oflice . Policies may be effected or transferred without any extra expenses . ( i . W . STEVENS , \ T 1 a , J B . E . RATLIFFE , j Jomt Secretaries .