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¦ i- uas admirably managed and vvas realising the expectat i ons of the Craft . Bro . James Terry , Secretary R . M . B . I ., replied . He fhanked the brethren for the support they gave the W . M . his Stewardship for the Benevolent Institution in Feb" ! oi-v last , when the W . M . was able to take up over £ 87 .

The W . M- was now asking f ° r a Steward for the Boys j the Girls' Schools . The latter would celebrate its ¦ o'rd anniversary by a Festival | on May 12 th , and the former vould hold its Festival in June or July . All the Institutions were equally deserving of support . He hoped that the Tirls' School , despite its present want of Stewards , would

have a result equal to the others . The Boys ' , he vvas glad to say , had over Goo Stewards , which it never had had yet . That surely must be an answer to those brethren who took objection to the management of the Committee . After thanking the JohnHervey Lodge in particular for what it had flone towards raising the £ 15 , 000 which he announced at

the last Festival ot the Benevolent Institution , Bro . terry said that out of that £ 15 , 000 £ 81350 had been paid in by the Stewards at March 31 , and half of that was paid in within a week of the Festival . He hoped the management of the Institution would commend itself to the Craft . The year 1 S 02 would be the jubilee year of the Benevolent Institution and great as was the result of the Girls' School , he

hoped enough would be left to make the Jubilee of the Old Men and Women as great a success . Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., P . M . and Treas ., replying for " The Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers , " said he was the only founding member of the lodge left . He must express his great satisfaction at being present that evening to see

the strong , hearty , and earnest support the W . M . had around him . It showed to the brethren that their choice in electing him to the chair had been a happy one . He hoped his year would be a prosperous one , as they all anticipated it vvould be when they elected him . He thanked the brethren for again electing him Treasurer , and he

thoug ht it was the 20 th or iSth time . In that capacity he had said the same thing so often that it reminded him of an anecdote of Mr . Spurgeon , that as a Methodist minister was passing out of his chapel he met one of his flock who he asked what he thought of his sermon . The answer was " Well , minister , it was a very good sermon , but if

you had struck out both ends of it , and burned the middle , it vvould have done a deal more good . " That might perhaps be said of his ( Dr . Hogg ' s ) speech that night . However , once more he told the brethren that he sincerely thanked them for electing him again as Treasurer .

The Secretary and the S . W . also said a few words before the Tyler's toast was given . All the arrangements of the lodge vvere excellent , and the Stewards deserve the greatest praise for their attention to the wants of the brethren .

St . Marylebone Lodge ( No . 1305 ) . —There was a numerous attendance of brethren at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Monday , the 13 th inst ., when the installation meeting vvas held , and Bro . Edmund B . Cox was duly installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . Amongst the members vvere Bros . R . Raymond , W . M . ; E . B . Cox , S . W . ; T . C . Artand , J . W . ; J . Chaplin , Treas . ; J . L . Baker , P . M ., Sec . ; H . T . Ansell , S . D . ; W . D . Schwarz , J . D . ;

L . H . Coles , D . C ; R . Wright , l . G . ; E . W . White , P . M . ; F . Smith , P . M . ; J . J . Pope , P . M . ; F . Spurgin , P . M . ; F . C . Monflet , P . M . ; M . W . Halliday , P . M . ; H . Hill , P . M . ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . J . Terry , P . G . S . B . ; H . Giddings , 1624 ; W . Fowler , P . M . 1342 ; W . Deavis , 9 ; Louis Lee , 2309 ; T . H . Burt

, A . D . C . 1563 ; E . W . Ellis , J . D . 1314 ; P . Twitchin , 1425 ; S . T . Lucas , P . M . 192 ; C . P . Bellerby , P . M . 2021 ; J . Pope , 13 S 1 ; J . Samont , 65 ; T . B . Surcote , P . M . 55 ; Carlo Gravis , P . M . 1559 ; J . J . Wharton , J . D . 65 ; J . W . Baldwin , S . VV . 733 ; A . Oliver , 19 S 7 ; G . B . Yaco , 21 ; A . Finer , I . W . 177 ; I . W . Martell .

1553 ; W . Jack , J . W . 1637 ; G . Gardner , Prov . G . S . B . Bucks ; G . Cronin , 9 ; and W . W . Lee , S . W . 23 S 1 . Lodge vvas opened , and the minutes confirmed , and Bro . t . B . Cox vvas then duly presented and installed as VV . M . by Bro . Raymond . The investiture of officers vvas then proceeded with as follows : Bros . T . C Artand , S . W . ;

H . T . Ansell , J . W . ; J . Chaplin , Treas . ; J . L . Baker , P . M ., Sec ; W . D . Schwarz , S . D . ; R . Wright , J . D . ; L . H . Coles , I . G . ; C . J . Schwarz , D . C ; W . G . Cotsford , A-D . C . ; C . Walker , C T . Plumner , A . C . Bonham , and | J . F . Tuffill , Stwds ; and G . Couchman , Tyler . Bros . J . G . Head , R . H . Head , and A . T . Salisbury Jones were then

raised to the Third Degree , after which Messrs . <• H . Wheatley , F . Durrans , W . Holden , and J . L . Syme were impressively initiated into Freemasonry , the report of the Audit Committee , showing a substantial balance in hand , was adopted , and a grant of £ 21 was sanctioned to the orphan children of a late Past Master , fro . Spurgin , P . M ., having consented to represent the

'" age at the Jubilee Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , the handsome donation of 25 guineas was voted from the lodge funds to his list , which amount was considerabl y increased during the evening by the brethren present . Lodge vvas closed , and an adjournment made to the Victoria Hall , where a recherche repast vvas served . The usual toasts followed , and were heartily 'eceived . J

r Bro .-J-Terry , P . G . S . B ., in returning thanks for "The ^ iand Officers , " said that at the next meeting of Grand ^ Offe they vvould know who would be the Pro G . M . At , ' -, ?? 'he Grand Officers appreciated the compliment In iS ln whatever lodge they visited . He hoped and usted that some member of that Iodge vvould ere long be alj e to respond for the toast .

ll ,,, , - . Raymond , I . P . M ., said he was happy to propose CON wl !} g t 0 ast of " The Healtho £ the W - - " Bro . aiui' 1 ' ¦ ' took a very great interest in Freemasonry , . na also in that lodge . He had lately been energetic Scli ni " Jo get a son of a late brother elected to the with nH , r Cox > WlM - > worked hard in conjunction Maer . o , or lt ; was no easy ma'ter to get a boy into the an r . v „ h ° ' He was sure that in their W - - they had his Si " Uler > and ' they WOuld therefore heartily drink

to inffirt ? ' > W , Ml > said ie was not his intention He H ! L 1 , P eech , as he was suffering from a bad cold , was « f ed , LP - - for the kind vvordlsaid of him . He was nl , !? y grateful for the proud position in which he odsre of \ felt [ t a £ reat honour to be W . M . of a initiated ? UC «! emmence - As most of them knew , he vvas not Who haH at lod £ e > but was vaised in 't by a Past Master unow gone over to the majority . He had the interest

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of the Iodge at heart just as much as others to which he belonged , and vvould do all he could to benefit it . With regard to the assistance he had given in securing the election of the boy , he vvas pleased to do it , and vvould be happy to assist again should opportunity arise . "The Initiates " having been heartily honoured , and responded to , The Worshipful Master gave "The Masonic Charities , "

mentioning the fact that he had served as Steward for the three Institutions , and was going up as an Attached Steward to support Bro . Spurgin , P . M ,, at the Jubilee Festival of the R . M . B . I . Bro . James Terry , Secretary Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , in response , heartily thanked the lodge for heading Bro . Spurgin ' s list with the sum of 25 guineas .

He remembered what Bro . Spurgin had said in the lodge , that many had known the present recipients of bounty . The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution specially commended itself to their consideration . They knew there were kind hearted people who vvould adopt children , but none vvould adopt old people . In the Benevolent

Institution there were 440 annuitants spread over England and Wales , and let the brethren go into almost any place they liked they vvould find some old people living in comparative comfort compared with what they vvould otherwise have been . He urged the members to support the Stewardship of Bro . Spurgin , P . M ., and assured them that all donations would be

thankfully received and faithfully applied . He hoped for the sake of their Past Masters and their present Worshipful Master , and of their lodge , bearing as it did so good a name , that they vvould in their kindness enable the Steward to go up with a list worthy of them . The next Festival of the Benevolent Institution was an interesting one , being- the Jubilee Festival , and at the same time

occurred the jubilee of the birth of their M . W . G . M . He therefore hoped they would assist his Committee to make the next Festival as great a success as the Centenary of the Girls' School , and if that were realised it vvould enable them to clear off the enormous number of candidates , for they had 14 S seeking election , and but 26 vacancies . Bro . G . Gardner , P . G . S . B . Bucks , on behalf of "The

Visitors , " thanked the lodge for the hospitality offered them . It had given him great pleasure to see their VV . M . placed in the chair—the second chair in which he had seen him installed . He had seen Bro . Cox do a vast amount of work in a creditable manner . He had also seen him work , as the I . P . M . had told them , very hard in the cause of Charity , and no one could wish for a more enthusiastic or

more loyal brother to work for a cause . He hoped the initiates that evening had been installed with the first principles of Masonry , and vvould follow in the footsteps of the W . M ., and endeavour to emulate his example . Bros . Flowers , Linscott , and Martell also replied . " The Past Masters " vvas next proposed by the Worshipful Master , who referred to the excellent rendering of

the installation ceremony by the I . P . M . He had great pleasure in investing Bro . Raymond , I . P . M ., with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel voted to him for his services to the lodge . Bro . Raymond , I . P . M ., in acknowledging the toast , thanked the brethren for the kind way in which he had been supported during the past year . He had had a very

successful year owing to their support . He thanked them for the jewel , which he had should always wear with the greatest love and good feeling . Other toasts were given , and a successful evening was terminated by the Tyler ' s toast . During the evening Bro . Louis Lee charmed the brethren with two brilliantly executed pianoforte solos , and Bro . Cronin gave further proofs of his ability as a reciter .

The Lodge of St . John ( No . 1306 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., at the Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate , E . In the unavoidable absence of the W . M . ( Bro . Swetman ) the lodge was opened by Bro . Oxley , I . P . M . The minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Sheppard was raised to the Degree of M . M . Bros .

Stahl , Olley , and Austin vvere passed to the Degree of F . C The lodge was called off for refreshments . Upon the brethren being summoned to resume labour , the W . M . having now arrived , occupied his position in the lodge . The report of the Audit Committee was presented and received , which showed the lodge to be in a highly flourishing linanciabtate . faro . Magrath , P . M . and VV . M . elect , vvas

presented to the VV . M ., and a Board of Installed Masters was formed and Bro . Magrath was installed into the chair of K . S . Bro . Magrath then proceeded to appoint hisofficers as follows : Bros . A . VV . Flack , S . VV . ; A . F . C Dickson , J . VV . ; VV . Beck , P . M ., Treas . ; J . G . Twinn , P . M ., Sec ; A . G . Clements , P . M ., D . of C ; A . Lloyd , S . D . ; C Davve , J . D . ; C . V . Jenkins , I . G . ; C . Schultz , I . L . Green , and

C J . Holmes , Stwds . Bro . Swetman , I . P . M ., then gave the address to the W . M ., Bro . Oxley that to the Wardens , and Bro . Clements , P . M ., that to the brethren , all of which addresses vvere exceptionally well rendered . The W . M . next presented Bro . Swetman with ths Past Master ' s jewel that had been voted to him , and in doing so hoped Bro . Swetman might live many years in good health to be

amongst them and wear it . Bro . Swetman briefly responded . The Iodge vvas then closed , and at the conclusion of the banquet that followed , the VV . M . explained that , on account of the lateness of the hour , he would bc very brief in his remarks . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given and responded to .

Bro . J . G . Stevens , responding to that of "TheMasonic Charities , " gave a practical account of what was being done by the three Institutions , and mentioned the good services that the Lodge of St . John had rendered of late years , more particularly to the Institution that he represented , viz ., the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He said he had already received the names of two brethren of the lodge as

Stewards for the next Festival—that of their newly-installed W . M . and Bro . Twinn , their Secretary—and he hoped the brethren vvould support them as they had hitherto done on previous occasions . It may bc mentioned that Bro . Magrath occupied the position in this lodge 10 years ago , and had a very successful year of office , and we trust it will be doubly successful

now . There was a good attendance of the members of the lodge , and among the visitors vvere Bros . Wicking , 1076 ; Venner , 901 ; Knowles , W . M . 1716 ; Thomas , 65 ; Roberts , Sec .

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1 S 05 ; A . W . Weston , P . M . 127 S ; Stevens , P . M . 554 ; Hopson , 1421 ; Bassett , P . M . 212 ; Clarke , 5 S 1 ; and Swanston , St . Mary's Lodge ( S . C ) . During the evening it vvas announced that Bro . Oxley , P . M ., intended working the Fifteen Sections at the Tredegar Lodge of Instruction on Thursday , the 30 th instant , and , as this is his first attempt , we hope he will have a large muster .

Skelmersdale Lodge ( No . 1599 ) . —The installation meeting of this flourishing lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , on Thursday , the gth inst ., when a large number ol brethren were present . The lodge was opened by Bro . G . M . Thompson , W . M ., assisted by Bros . C . S . Lee , S . VV ., W . M . elect ; Lewis , J . W . ; Woodman , P . M ., Treas . ; Laker , P . M ., Sec . ;

Mu-oy , P . M . ; Gates , P . M . ; Shotter , P . M . ; Dewsbury , P . M . ; Howes , P . M . ; Harris , P . M . ; and others , including the following visitors : Bros . Meaby , W . M . 2255 ; Laker , P . M . 1362 ; Lee , P . M ., P . Prov . G . D . Middx . ; Preston , P . M . S 61 ; Moore , P . M . 169 ; Caink , P . M . 1056 ; Streaker , P . M . 6 S 7 ; Millman , P . M . S 65 , P . Prov . J . G . W . Gloucester ; Kilby , P . M . 1092 ; Williams , P . M .

2262 , Prov . J . G . D . Bucks ; Ball , P . M . 45 ; Spark , P . M . 140 ; Stallard , I . P . M . 1613 ; Harvey , P . M . 9 ; Madge , P . M . 19 S 7 ; Shepherd , P . M . 1362 ; Gabb , P . M . 902 ; Mason , 279 ; Stokes , S 34 ; Svvinford , 2272 ; Reed , 1391 ; Lawrence , J . W . 522 ; Hubert , J . W . 173 ; Lawrence , 39 ; Cove , S . D . 1351 ; Windle , 1107 ; South , 901 ; Hughes , 1364 ; Fairclough , 13 G 5 ; Mitchell , 1056 ; Godwin , 1997 ;

Pequet , 2060 ; Mallez , 2060 ; Schartau , 1540 ; Dixon , 1366 ; Canton , P . M . 1475 ; and Emden , 29 . The minutes having been read and conlirmed , the report of the Audit Committee was disposed of , and the finances of the lodge shown to be in a flourishing condition . The chair vvas then taken by Bro . C . H . A . Harris , P . M ., and Bro . Charles S . Lee , S . VV ., W . M . elect , was presented for

installation , which ceremony vvas ably and impressively performed by the Installing Master . The newly-installed VV . M . invested and appointed the following officers : Bros . F . A . Lewis , S . W . ; J . Adams , J . W .: G . J . Woodman , P . M ., Treas . ; Geo . Laker , P . M ., Sec ; H . F . Knee . S . D . ; W . Howes , J . D . ; E . J . Wickenden , I . G . ; CH . A . Harris , P . M ., D . C ; J . P . Goodwin , Org . ; and Rawles , Tyler . The usual addresses vvere then eloquently

rendered by Bro . Harris , P . M ., the Installing Master . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts vvere duly ' given . "The Queen and the Craft , " "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and "The Grand Officers" were appropriately honoured .

bro . G . M . Thompson , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of Bro . C . S . Lee , W . M ., " and said that he had much pleasure in introducing that toast , which he was sure vvould be cordially received by the brethren , as in their W . M . the lodge had a brother who vvould thoroughly and efficiently carry out the important duties devolving upon him . Bro . C . S . Lee , W . M ., expressed his thanks to Bro .

Thompson , I . P . M ., for the complimentary terms in which he had proposed the toast , and to the brethren for the favourable receptijn given to it . He assured them that he vvas deeply sensible of the responsible nature of the duties he had undertaken , and nothing should be wanting on his part to make his year of office a success . The W . M . then proposed "The Health of Bro . Harris

, P . M ., Installing Master , " and highly complimented him on the efficient manner in which he had carried out his important duties . 'i'he toast vvas briefly acknowledged by Bro . Harris , P . M . Bro . C . S . Lee , VV . M ., then proposed " The Health of the I . P . M ., " who vvas highly respected by the lodge , and

it was much to be regretted that Bro . Thompson had exyeriencedjuuch trouble during the past year , which had somewhat interfered with the efficient discharge of his duties . Bro . Thompson vvas highly respected by the lodge , and he had much pleasure in presenting him with a Past Master ' s jewel as a token of the esteem in which he was held .

Bro . Thompson , I . P . M ., cordially thanked the W . M . and brethren . He had done his best under the difficulties which had been alluded to , and was pleased that his efforts had been appreciated . The VV . M . then proposed " The Visitors , " and said that he gave them , in the name of the Skelmersdale Lodge , a cordial welcome .

Bro . Meaby , VV . M . 2255 , expressed his thanks for the cordial welcome which had been extended to the visitors . The ceremony of installation had been ably rendered , and the visitors had been hospitably entertained . He wished the lodge every success . Bros . VV . H . Lee , VV . M . 23 S 1 , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; Harvey , P . M . 9 ; Emden , P . M . 29 ; and Streaker , CS 7 , also responded .

"The Past Masters" and "The Masonic Charities " having been duly honoured , the VV . M . gave "The Health of Bro . Woodman , P . M ., Treas ., " which vvas cordially received and suitably acknowledged . Bro . C . S . Lee , VV . M ., said he had now the pleasure to propose " The Health of Bro . Laker , " the esteemed Secretary of the lodge . Bro . Laker had been for many years

connected with the lodge , he vvas one of the founders and its oldest Past Master . He vvas thoroughly efficient in the performance of his duties , and was able to solve any difficulty which might arise . Bro . Laker had recently taken unto himself a wife , and the brethren had thought this a fitting opportunity to make a slight recognition of thc respect and love in which he was held by the members of

the lodge . He had much pleasure in asking Bro . Laker to accept the gift which he presented in the name of the lodge as a token of the regard and affection in which he vvas held by every member . The testimonial consisted of a handsome silver mounted spiritstand , the inscription stating that i : vvas " Presented to bro . Laker on the occasion of his marriage in token of esteem and respect , and in grateful recognition of his valuable services to the lodge . "

Bro . Laker , P . M ., Sec , said he must claim the indulgence of the brethren for a few moments , but he should take up as little time as possible in discharging the difficult task which now devolved upon him . He certainly vvas not prepared for the Haltering remarks of the VV . M ,, many of which he felt he did not deserve . He had , however , been for many years connected with the Skelmersdale Lodge , of which he was one of the founders and now the senior Past Master . He thanked the VV . M . for his kind remarks , and