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officer , Bro . Philbrick , Grand Registrar , who would have been able to respond more abl y than he ; but that officer had been detained by other duties elsewhere . The Lord Mayor thanked them very warmly for the hearty manner in which the toast had been received . Bio . Col . ShadwcII H . Clerke , G . Sec , remarked that -when he heard the Lord Mayor was to respond , he felt he could put himself under what had been spoken of so much

lately—his umbrella . Sir R . Fowler had so effectually cut the ground from under his feet , that he had left him nothing to say . He assured them of his own personal feelings , and that the Grand OITicers woiked hard in many ways . He wished to say a word respecting the Earl of Carnarvon , and to tell the brethren that , though the Pro G . M . was in a foreign country—he called it so because it was across water—not a week passed but he had a letter from him , in which he

asks to be kept well informed of all that is going on , and saying if he can do anything , that he is ready to do it , which showed the keen interest he takes in the Craft , though engaged in a heavy and responsible office in the State . It seemed only the other day since he consecrated the lodge , and he thought he had been a true prophet , for he then said it would develope into a successful lodge . It had suppoited the Charities well , and was highly to be

commended . The Worshipful Master next proposed "The Visitors , " and thought that that toast was no less important than the preceding one , and any lodge which did not entertain was wanting in the true principles of Masonry . The visitors were welcome because by their presence they showed they had an interest in the lodge . Bro Saul Isaac , Master of the Clockmakers' Company ,

and candidate for Clerkenwell Division of Finsbury , in responding for " The Visitors , " said he thought the visitors were to be congratulated in having an invitation to the Clerkenwell Lodge , and he was not at all surprised at the remarks of the Grand Secretary as to the great success of the lodge in its three years of existence . He had seen the installation ceremony performed many times . He ventured to say he was the oldest Mason in the room , having been

initiated in 1 S 45 , but he had not seen it ever given with more earnestness . He was sure that with such P . Ms , of their own the lodge did not need assistance from other lodges . He was sure that all the visitors had enjoyed themselves , and would want to come again . Bro . Hogard also said a few words .

Bro . G . Phillips , P . M . 3 , thanked the lodge for the handsome hospitality they had shown , and Bro . Bowyer for the beautiful charges he had given . He bore testimony that the W . M . would faithfully discharge his duties , and was sure they had selected a Master who would be a credit to them . In the words of the song they had just heard sung he would , altering their sense :

" Though years have passed away , I've never once regretted The vow I made that day . " Bro . Goode , LP . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M . " in a very few words , and the Master responded in a speech of a similar length , assuring the lodge that his great desire was to do credit to himself and honour to the lodge . If an earnest effort can do good , the Clerkenwell

Lodge shall have that effort . The Worshipful Master , in proposing " The Health of Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . M ., the Installing / Master , " said to sound his praises was like gilding refined gold . Bro . Bowyer duly responded , and after the usual other toasts , the brethren separated , all having spent a delightful evening together . There can be no doubt that the Clerkenwell Lodge is made of the right stuff for a prosperous lodge .

STRAND LODGE ( No . 19 S 7 ) . —The brethren of this lodge met on the Sth inst ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly , for the purpose of installing their new Master , Bro . Jonathan Richard Stacey . Bro . James Willing , jun ., W . M . for the first and second years of the lodge , presided , There was a strong muster of members , and the following among other visitors : Bros . G . A . Payne , P . M . 033 ; H . Sillis , A . D . C . 957 ; VV . A . Scurrah , W . M . 204 S

C . Veal , P . S . G . D . Surrey ; E . VV . R . Dury , 1 S 34 ; T . L . Jenkins , P . M . 34 ; J . H . Batty , P . M . ; F . W . Dimsdale , J . D . 1507 ; G . W . Brunell ; J . Euerby , P . M . 13 S 5 ; J . C . Mason , P . M . 1532 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 , 192 S ; H . A . Stunt , W . M . 1320 ; W . Smith , 73 ; J . H . Bennett , 1744 ; C . J . Axford , S . W . 204 S ; J . VV . Chapman , LP . M . 1922 ; L . Sonnenfeld , I . G . 1735 ; R . Soutar , 1319 ; S . Spooner , 1470 ; J . W . Smith , VV . M . 1744 ; B . Kauffmann , S . W .

1732 ; G . Everett , P . M . 177 ; W . H . M . Smith , S . W . 463 ; W . G . Temple , P . M . 194 ; and H . J . Smith , 1475 . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the 12 th March , gth April , 14 th May , and 24 th Sept . had been read and confirmed , the report of the Audit Committee , showing a most flourishing financial position of the lodge , was adopted , and Bro . Willing then installed Bro . Stacey as Mester of the lodge , and the following brethren were

aDpointed to office : Bros . John Douglass , S . W . ; VV . Harris , P . M ., J . W . ; Jas . Willing , P . M ., Treasurer ; W . M . Stiles , P . M ., Secretary ; VV . T . Madge , S . D . ; Leon , J . D . ; Buston , I . G . ; J . C . Harrison , D . C . ; J . G . Shaw , A . D . C . and Asst . Sec ; Hare , W . S . ; Dale , VV . S . ; Banks , Org . ; and R . Whiting , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . Willing having delivered the addresses , Mr . Hilton Hall was balloted for as a candidate for initiation , and afterwards the

VV . M . initiated Mr . William Henry Lawrence . At the conclusion of this ceremony the VV . M ., addressing the brethren , said that in presenting a Past Master ' s jewel to the I . P . M ., he need not point out to the lodge how well Bro . Willing had performed his task for two years , or how many gentlemen he had initiated in the lodge ; but he thought the voting of the jewel was thoroughly warranted , and that he was justified in asking Bro . Willing to receive

the present . It afforded him more than usual pleasure to place the jewel on Bro . Willing ' s breast , because he felt that this Strand Lodge would not have been in existence but for Bro . Willing . He concluded by expressing the hope that the LP . M . " would live long to wear it , and that the brethren would find him constantly coming among them . The jewel , which was of the value of ten guineas ,

bore the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . James Willing , P . M ., by the Strand Lodge , No . 19 S 7 , as a mark of esteem , and in recognition of his able and valued services as first and second VV . M . — 1 SS 3-4-5 . " Bro . James Willing , jun ., in acknowledging the gift , said that although he had been told that day that a valuable jewel would be presented to him , he had not anticipated

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such an elegant one as he had just received . Bro . Stacey had alluded to his ( Bro . Willing ' s ) excellent work . Well , they had worked well together ; but he assured them that if they continued to be so associated , the lodge would in a short time become the most happy and prosperous lodge in the Craft . Hefelt deeply indebted to the brethren for their support , and should always look upon the jewel as an evidence of their feelings towards him . It would be

an encouragement to him , and a testimony that the brethren believed he had tried to do his best . Lodge was thereupon closed , and a choice banquet partaken of . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . Bro . James Willing , in proposing the toast of " The VV . M ., " said it was a great pleasure to him to say that no more genial brother than Bro . Stacey ever occupied the position of W . M . He had had the high honour of being

the Master and P . M . of the St . James's Union Lodge , and also of the Alexandra Palace Lodge . He was the Preceptor of several lodges , and he had endeared himself to every one who had had anything to do with him . Of course , like most of them , he had his peculiarities ; but his peculiarities had endeared him the more to the brethren . Bro . Stacey thoroughly meant what he said . His Mastership would command a certain amount of geniality . The brethren

liked to see him as Master . They hoped for many years he would occupy the high position he held in the opinion of the members of the Craft . During the time he ( Bro . Willing ) had been connected with Bro . Stacey—and they had been connected in business and as friends many years—he had not found a more loveable and business-like brother ; but they would find , by the splendid way in which he would do his work and by his great kindness , that he would make

it by no means a bed of roses for his successors . He was one who was most anxious to please everybody , and he was most deserving of the good wishes of the brethren . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said he could not forget that he was , with the I . P . M ., Bro . Stiles , and other brethren then present , one of the Ifounders of this lodge , and he felt proud to have been one of those who had brought into existence such an excellent institution . The

competition of the LP . M . was rather ungracious , inasmuch as they started , as good workmen should do , to bring into existence something so good as the Strand Lodge , and he thought that there the competition should cease . Bro . Willing had obtained greater laurels than he had or ever should have , inasmuch as Bro . Willing had had all the hard work during the past two years , and had left him but little to do , and he would have a year of vacation .

However , lie thought they would be able to work away , and leave in the year 1 SS 6 as good a lodge as the Strand Lodge was now . Every effort on his part would be used , together with the P . M . and the Secretary , to make it as good a lodge at the end of his tenure of office as it was at the present time . If they only succeeded in that he should be satisfied . He did not hope to excel the I . P . M ., but at all events he would strive to equal him .

The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of " The Installing Master . " He had already said there could be no better Master than Bro . Willing—they could not find one . He had been wanting in no way in the work he had had to do ; he had done it conscientiously and well . He was sure the brethren were highly pleased to recognise to the fullest extent his work in the past as well as that day . They knew he was the founder of the lodge ; he had crrried

it down to a very successful issue to the present moment , and the brethren would carry it through during the present year with his assistance . It was seldom a Master had done his work so well . The hours of labour he had bestowed upon it entitled him to their thanks . The brethren could endorse what he said , as they knew the LP . M had done his work in the most disinterested manner , and only in the hope of making the Strand Lodge a most successful lodge .

Bro . Willing , in reply , said that he must say something on behalf of the lodge . It was started two years ago as a local lodge . _ As long as the authorities in Freemasonry chose to call it a local lodge the brethren must put up with it , but he did not think it could be a more representative lodge than it was . If their successors chose to alter the title from a local to a general one , he had no doubt it would make a general lodge . They had now for the first time had

a change of Master , and no doubt for the benefit of the lodge in every way . Bro . Stacey and he had studied Masonry together , and thought it a most delightful thing to work harmoniously together . Bro . Stacey had supported him in the chair , and he ( Bro . Willing ) hoped the brethren would vie with him in making Bro . Staeey ' s year as happy as possible . The lodge started two years ago seven in number ; it had now go members , andhedid not think there

was one of them who they would not wish to be a member of the lodge or whom they would not like to know better . That was the sole object of Freemasonry—to try to make them better acquainted with those they came in contact with—to assist them in their work , aid them in their trouble , and rejoice with them in their prosperity . As long as that was done they did not care about the outside world ; they confined everything to themselves

exclusively . They tried to assist each other , and of this the elections just about to take place were a proof . Masonry was the most Charitable institution in the world ; no one could be admitted who was not worthy . It meant working for those whom they liked to worked for . While meeting in Masonic lodges they did not forget the poor and distressed ; they met for the purpose of being happy themselves , and communicating happiness to others . It was

necessary to put their hands in their pockets to help thos'j who belonged to the Craft . As long as those principles actuated them they must be a secret society . All countries of the world who knew them thoroughly knew they were banded together for the benefit of their fellow creaturesthat was the whole secret of Freemasonry . They had done him a great honour that evening , and , in reply , lie could only say that , though they started the Strand L-jdge with

a few members , they had been very successful in making them many , and he hoped the many would continue with them , and that they might be as unanimous as they were now . He thanked the brethren for the jewel . Bro . Jenkins , Master of the Mount Moriah Lodge , gave them the dies of the Strand arms of the Board ot Works , and Bro . Kauffmann had perfected the design . Bro . Willing again

thanked the brethren for their kindness to him , and promised that what he had done for the lodge in the past he would continue to do in the future . The toast of "The Initiate " followed , and was replied to by Bro . Lawrence . The Worshipful Master , in giving the toast of " The Visitors , " said that from the hour he entered into Masonry

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as a student to the present moment he had not been un . observant of Masonic rights and ceremonies , and he tried to attain to a high position with regard to the work . If ne had not done so ithad not been for want of trying . There were working Masons and working Masons ; some worked and did not learn , and others worked and learned . The visitors had no doubt come for the purpose of learning as well as of recreation . They had come to study the ways and

means of the Strand Lodge ; not the ways and means in money , but in work . Without fear of contradiction , he said the Strand Lodge was bound to be a representative lodge , and if it attained to that , it must be through « reat and consistent work . As there were 30 or 40 visitors present , it showed they had a desire to see the working of the LP . M . As the lodge had worked well and had good officers , it was bound to come to the front in the future and he hoped the visitors would come to witness its

success . Bro . Scurrah said all must have been struck with the excellent work of the lodge , and every one must have been struck also with the rapidity with which the lodge had grown . They must likewise be pleased with the work of the I . P . M ., who had done great wonders in the course of two years . .

ST . BOTOLPH'S LODGE ( No . 2020 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgatestreet , on the 6 th inst . Present : VV . Bro . Alderman John Staples , W . M . ; Bros . P . Saillard , S . W . ; H . S . Less Treas . ; VV . Lake , Sec ; H . H . Wells , S . D . ; B . Norman J . D . ; E . VV . Stillwell , I . G . ; H . Husey , D . C ; G . M . Sayle , F . W . Harris , Stewards ; T . M . James , Augustus

Walton , and H . J . Staples . Visitors : Bros . A . M . Broadley P . D . G . M . Malta ; Augustus Harris , B . B . D . Sayle , J Berryman , \ V . Phelps , W . H . Glynn Smith , H . Warden . The minutes of the previous regular meeting and of the lodge of emergency ' were read and confirmed . Bro . H . I .

Staples was duly raised to the Degree of Master Mason , and there being no further business , the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards sat down to a banquet , under the genial presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Alderman Staples , who during the evening was warmly congratulated by al present on his election as Lord Mayor .

RIVERHEAD . —Amherst Lodge ( No . 1223 ) .-. This lodge held its last regular meeting of the present season on Saturday , the 3 rd inst ., at the Amherst Arms . Most of the lodge officers were present , and the work was admirably performed by the W . M ., Bro . C . J . Craig . The worked consisted of one passing , and the initiation of five gentlemen into the mysteries of the Craft . The W . M ., after receiving the congratulations of the visiting brethren

, closed the lodge , and the members assembled in the banqueting-room , where Host Waller had prepared a most tempting menu , to which the brethren did ample justice . Songs and recitations were given by Bros . T . J . Baker , W . H . Pascoe , Frederick Keene , Alexander Waller , Ll ' oyd , and others . Bro . Ross , the lodge { Organist , accompanied , and Bro . Paul Charles Delport , as a solo pianist , contributed much to the enjoyment of the evening .

NORTH WOOLWICH . —Henley Lodge ( No . ! 472 ) - —The usual monthly meeting of this snug little lodge took place on Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., at the Three Crowns Hotel , Bro . West ' s comfortable hostelry . Bro . A . T . Ives , VV . M ., presided , and , among those present were Bros . C . ' Jolly , S . W . ( Freemason ); J . Paul , J . W . ; Dr . W . Vance .

r . M ., treasurer ; J . Ives , P . M ., Secretary ; J . Savage , S . D ; C . H . Canning J . D . ; G Heffer , D . C , ; C . Wool W £ -A £ r \ r , KG' ' LCW 1 S ' - E ' West . P-M ., P . P . G . S . D . Herts ; James Elder , P . M . ; S . Bow A ! Burton , M . Kaul , Powling , Lacey , H . Morgan , Sutcliffe , VV . Redstone , 3 S 1 ; C . Bede , 700 ; and Wood , 3 S 1 . The ballot was taken for Mr . T . W . Lack , and proved unanimous , and he , with Mr . T . A . R' -CVR . . 1 nreuimislu

approved candidate , were initiated . Bro . Sutcliffe was then raised , both ceremonies being perrormed by the W . M . in admirable style . Bro . Lewis gave an account of ' his prospects of success in getting a good list for the " Boys , " and then the lodge was closed . A neat little supper followed , and on re-assembling round the social board , the initiatory toasts were honoured in due course .

In proposing the toast of " The VV . M ., " Bro . Lewis said it was evident that the heart and soul of Bro . Ives was in his work , for he was unceasing in his endeavours for the prosperity of the lodge . It was not an easy job to take , and required not only months , but years of application . first to be worthy of the Dbsition , and next to attain it . Bro . Ives had accomplished both , and from what he had seen of

their W . M . in his progress to the chair , and since he had attained it , he felt sure that he would give a good account of the trust rep-jsed in him at the end of his year of office . Bro . Ives , whose popularity is founded upon the esteem of the brethren , and a bonhomme that is irresistible , in reply said that ho bardly knew how to respond to the very

flattering remarks of Bro . Lewis ; if there had only been one little complaint he should have felt much better . He had tried to work the ceremonies to the best of his ability , and felt that the only fitting response to their cordial reception of tlie toast would be to say simply " I thank you . " ' jeveral other toasts were honoured , and a pleasant evening was enlivened by some excellent harmony .

YORK . —Eboracum Lodge ( No . 1611 ) . —The annual meeting for the election of Master took place at the Queen's Hotel , on Monday , the 12 th inst ., when there were a large assemblage of brethren . Bro . Sir Fredk . Milner , Bart ., M . P ., was in the chair , and was supported bv Bros . 1 . B . Whytehead , P . M . ; J . Blenkin , P . M ' ; C . G . Padel , I . M . ; G . Balmford , P . M . ; Major McGachen , P . M . ; J . Polkinghorne , VV . M . 1991 ; A . T . B . Turner , S . W . ; VV . Brown , J . W . ; and a full attendance of brethren and

several visitors . The lodge having been opened , Bro . Sharpe was passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft . The Treasurer announced that the audit of the lod ge accounts showed a handsome balance in favour of the lodge . Bro . Whitehead presented 011 behalf of Bro . B . Langley Mills , M . D ., 1 framed copy of the engraving of the laying of the foundation-stone of

the University of Edinburgh by Lord Napier , Grand Master in 17 S 9 . Bro . Padel , P . M ., presented the fourth volume of Gould ' s History of Freemasonry to the library . The brethren then proceeded to the election of Master , when Bro . A . T . B . Turner , S . W ., was unanimously elected . Bro . G . Balmford , P . M ., was also unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Hall , Tyler .