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consort , sitting by him , had also done much for the Boys ' School , an Institution which he feared might suffer that year by the Centenary Festival of the Girls' School . . He trusted that the efforts of Bro . Bull , who was going to stand as Steward for the lodge , and Bro . Baker , who would represent the chapter , would mean a large addition of subscribers .

Bros . Minns , P . M ., and Brindley , P . M ., also responded to the toast . Bro . Bull proposed the toast of the "The Past Masters , " and Bro . W . H . Baker , who responded , said very few lodges could boast of the progress which The Abbey had made in five years . He had been dubbed by Bro . Bull the

Lieutenant of the Iodge , but he did not consider that at all flattering , as at the emergency meeting which was held a few days back he was styled " the General . " Perhaps the " promotion" was due to the fact that he retired one more seat to the left by reason of another Past Master taking his place . Be had , however , told their Worshipful Master that whether he was regarded as Captain ,

Lieutenant , or anything else , he should continue to work for the success and harmony of The Abbey Lodge . Every Past Master of the lodge had been present that evening , and they were now going on the most happy and flourishing way . He hoped that the lodge would reward Bro . Bull for his zeal by supporting him in his Stewardship for the Boys ' School .

Bro . Sugg , I . P . M ., proposed the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " coupled with the name of Bro . Shand filling the office last mentioned . He considered Bro . Shand was a very able and painstaking Secretary , and in so large a lodge his duties were of no light order . Bro . Shand suitably responded , and after the toast of

"The Officers , " the proceedings were brought to a conclusion . During the evening a selection of vocal music was given by Bros . H . I . Newton , J . H . Montague , John Bartlett , H . G . Holland , and Madame Florence Winn , who kindly responded on two occasions to enthusiastic encores .

ANGLO-AMERICAN LODGE ( No . 2191 ) A meeting of this lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst . Amongst the members present were Bros . Brackstone Baker , P . G . D ., W . M . ; Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., acting I . P . M . ; Adolphus Clark , S . W . ; Frederick Kedge , J . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; J . B . Cumming , Treas . ; George Reynolds , Sec . ; Theo . H . Tilton , P . D .

G . M . New York ; J . J . Woolley , J . D . ; G . H . Reynolds , I . G . j H . Wilkie Jones , D . C . ; John Skinner and James Woodward , Stwds . ; Corby P . M . ; Dr . Zacharie , W . Hancock , acting S . D . ; and others . Visitors : A . G . Wulff , 1361 ; H . Jenkins , S . W . 860 ; T . C . Seary , 1907 ; H . G . Gush , P . M . 1541 J W . C . Smith , P . M . 1563 ; E . Solomon , 1997 ; W . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; W . W .

Morgan , P . M . 211 ; F . Binckes , P . G . S . B . ; A . C . Dowding , S . D . 1297 ; and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the April meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . C . O . Burgess was then passed to the Second Degree . A Committee , consisting of the officers and Bros . Tilton , Corby , and Hancock , were appointed to audit the accounts . The report

of the Special Committee appointed to consider the suggested new by-law was considered , and on the motion of Bro . Corby was adopted . The new by-law empowers the lodge to elect Honorary Affiliated Members , being brethren belonging to a foreign jurisdiction visiting this country and not being permanent residents therein . The election of W . M . was then proceeded with , and resulted unanimously

in favour of Bro . Adolphus Clark , S . W . Bro . Clark , S . W ., said he was exceedingly obliged for the honour conferred upon him . He was not wholly unacquainted with the duties appertaining to the chair , but he was reminded that that was no ordinary lodge , and that it required in a W . M . something more than the ability to initiate , pass , and raise candidates . He should have hesitated had he

not known that he could rely upon the forbearance of the members , and he therefore accepted the office with gratitude and many thanks . Bro . J . B , Cumming was reelected Treasurer , and Bro . Potter re-elected Tyler . The Worshipful Master said he owed a few words of gratitude to the brethren for supporting him so well during the past 12 months . He need not tell his successor that he

would have his moral support , and he only asked for Bro , Clark the same tolerant spirit and kindness of heart that he had received . He must confess that he felt some misgivings in accepting the office , but he did it to establish the principle which had long been dear to him—of establishing Masonic communications between English and American brethren . Having enjoyed Masonry in the States , and

being a Canadian Mason , he felt it would be desirable to form that lodge , and he therefore hailed with delight the idea of being a petitioner on behalf of the Anglo-American Lodge . He had asked for their indulgence , for it was 26 years since he took the chair in his own lodge , and he accepted the office of W . M . of the Iodge with reluctance , hoping he should have their kind favour , and that they

would overlook his shortcomings . He now returned his hearty thanks for the kindness extended to him , and should always look back to the pleasant times he had spent in the lodge . Bro . Cumming , Treas ., said a most pleasing duty had fallen to his lot . It was to ask the brethren to vote a jewel to their W . M . for the duties he had performed since taking

the chair . He thought that under the circumstances it was doubly his due , considering their W . M . had already borne the heat and burden of the day in Masonry . Every brother knew that Bro . Baker had performed his duties worthily , and it was but an act of grace on their part to show their kindly feelings towards him .

Bro . Tilton , in seconding the motion , said the brethren already knew how delighted the American brethren were that they had placed in the chair of the Anglo-American Lodge a brother who represented so many Grand Lodges of America , well knowing it would be the stepping stone to success .

The proposition was carried unanimously , and briefly acknowledged by the W . M . Bro . Geo . Reynolds , Sec , proposed that a jewel should be voted and presented to Bro . . Major Geo . Lambert , in consideration , not only of his services as acting I . P . M ., but for his kindness to the lodge and to the members . Bro . Lambert had made the lodge Life Governor of the Boys' School , and the members were to be congratulated on being supported by two such

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veterans as the VV . M . and Bro . Lambert . Bro . Theo . Tilton having seconded the motion , it was carried nem . con . Bro . Major Lambert said the brethren had paid him a compliment which he had no right to expect . His opinion was that whatever one took up it should be done as well as possible , if he expected to receive the meed of praise . A vote of thanks would have been ample , but to crown it

with the vote of a jewel was more than ample , and he accepted it with pleasure . Their kindness had found him quite unprepared , but it would always be his wish to do all he could for the lodge . They were doing a great service to this country if they could bind the bonds between it and America . They wished American brethren to know and feel that when a brother came from the other side of the

Atlantic he would be received in this lodge , and would be as well known to them as if he had lived in the bosom of his family . He hoped the lodge would prosper in endeavoring to make firmer and firmer that bond of friendship . All Masonic business having been transacted , the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to a recherche repast , at the conclusion of which the loyal and Masonic

toasts received due honours . "The Queen and the Craft , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " having been heartily given and received , the W . M . proposed "The Grand Officers , " observing it was a toast which the brethren never failed to honour , inasmuch as they were the rulers of the Craft . The Grand Officers were the survival of the fittest , for

they practised those virtues which adorn Masonry and domestic life . Bro . F . Binckes , P . G . S . B ., said ithe W . M . had taken him by surprise in asking him to respond , for amongst the Grand Officers present was one preceding him in rank and others his senior , and he therefore did not expect he should be paid that compliment . To respond under ordinary

circumstances would not be a difficult task , but he rose to reply with a certain amount of delicacy and diffidence . The VV . M . was nervous lest he should take the liberty of speaking at an inordinate length , exceeding the speeches the brethren were in the habit of hearing from the chair . Every one who knew the W . M . knew the powers with which he was gifted , and how he could charm any audience he

addressed . The first portion of the toast needed very few words . The services of the Pro G . M . and the Dep . G . M . had been so long before them , and they all recognised how admirably they discharged their duties in assisting the M . W . G . M . in the ruling of the Order . When he came to the Grand Officers , he could say everything in their favour , if he eliminated himself from their number . He had heard

the allusions in the lodge to Bro . Lambert , to speak of whom would be like gilding refined gold . Bro . Lambert ' s actions spoke for themselves better than any words that could be used by the best friend he had . He would allude to Bro . Rev . Brownrigg , whose services had been valuable , and who would continue to be an ornament to the Order , and to Bro . Bywater , who was well known to all and respected .

He would say nothing for himself , for " in their own merits modest men are dumb . " Bro . Major Lambert said he had the honour , which he should never have again as acting I . P . M ., of proposing the toast of " The W . M . " in the chair . If he had one regret it was that they would soon lose the services of Bro . Brackstone Baker as W . M . Not that he would not be a

member and remain with them for he was sure the W . M . would cling to the lodge , Bro . Baker ' s reputation was so good in Americn that they appointed him to represent them in Grand Lodge . Their W . M . was moreover a perfect master in the art of speaking and had given them speeches with a great deal of acumen and skill , and nothing could

be more delightful than to sit under him as I . P . M . They were always extremely sorry when the VV . M . was not present , for he filled the chair with ability and great skill . In Bro . Baker ' s absence he should say more , but on the present occasion he would simply ask the brethren to drink to the health of their W . M .

The toast having been received with enthusiasm and accorded musical honours , Bro . Brackstone Baker , W . M ., returned thanks . He said he had been considerably moved by the praises of the I . P . M . On that occasion he felt as if he was reciting his own funeral oration , for it was the last meeting on which he should address them from the lofty eminence of the chair . Melancholy overcame him in

thinking over his greatness for he felt more than words could express . He came into office in March like a lion and was now going out like a lamb . They could , not sing "It is our opening day , " for a funeral dirge was more appropriate . He should have a good successor in the chair , for Bro . Clark would no doubt put him to shame in the working . The Jews had a tradition that the Rabbis are

born with a perfect knowledge of the Hebrew law , and in like manner Bro . Clark must have been born with a perfect knowledge of the ritual . He had to apologise , for his Masonic working was obsolete , it being 26 years ago since he initiated a candidate . It was like Bob Acres' courage , it oozed out at his finger ends . He had to thank them for their indulgence which had enabled him to carry out the

duties with some degree of credit to the lodge during a very eventful period . They had had an invasion of American brethren who had fraternised with them and had established a unanimity which was one of the glories of their Iodge . Notwithstanding many difficulties , they had made their mark in the Masonic world , and their name would be handed down . He had to thank them for the

cordiality with which they had received his health and for the various favours he had received from time to time . He should always look back with pride and satisfaction to that portion of his life when he made a resurrection into Masonic life through the Anglo-American Lodge . "The Sister Grand Lodges of the United States " was next given by the W . M ., who remarked that they were

on excellent relations with all the American States . The right Masonic feeling was , irrespective of colour , creed , or climate , for Masonry was one of those universal signs that must find its acceptation in every well intentioned mind in the Universe . He was in hopes that that lodge would constitute , in no small degree , a fraternity between the lodges in America and England which could not help being solidified by the existence of that lodge .

Bro . Theo . H . Tilton , P . D . G . M . New York City , returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him by associating his name with the toast . By the latest statistics , he had seen the Grand Lodges in the United States numbered 48 , with 10 , 000 lodges , and a membership of nearly 700 , 000 Masons . Those were the latest figures , and would be presented by the Grand Master of New York City in his address to his Grand Lodge on 7 th June ,

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which was the day fixed for the Centenary Festival of the Girls' School . The Grand Secretary would receive 1 cablegram on that occasion from the Grand Lod ge of the State of New York congratulating his Royal Hi ghness the M . W . G . M ., upon bringing together such a large numbet of Masons for so good an object as the Girls' School

With regard to the Grand Lodges of the United States he could only say that they hailed with satisfaction the appointment of Bro . Baker to the chair of that lodm as one of the best things that could possibly be done on this side of the Atlantic . The W . M . represented more than half those Grand Lodges , and every one nf

those Grand Lodges felt they were personally interested in knowing that the Anglo-American brethren had placed him in the chair of the lodge—the first of its kind which had been formed . He would say one word with reference to the Girls' School . Having accepted in that lod ge the office of Steward , he trusted the brethren would not see

him go up without a proper list , and an amount worthy of the Anglo-American Lodge . Bro . Gen . Graves , whom they recently entertained , had been pleased to place i 0 guineas on his list , and Bro . Rev . Jewell , who represented the same district , had also contributed a similar sum , Bro . Graves had also been pleased to give five guineas to each

of the other two Institutions . He had the honour to take the American brethren visiting them to the Girls' School where they witnessed the marvellous calisthenics and drill and inspected the building raised for the daughters of the Masons of England . Ho had no doubt that the Grand Lodges of the United States were looking that day to thai

lodge to see what was done in the matter of the dual-membership question , and there would be no question but that American Masons who came here would be able to become members of as many lodges here as they like . He had taken opinion concerning Bro . Lawrence ' s letter stating that no American Mason could be a member of more than

one lodge at the same time , and that opinion was that it had no reference to any lodges in this country but simply to those in the State of New York . He thought they would find that in New York in June they would decide the mattei- to their satisfaction . In conclusion he appealed to the members to assist him in raising his Steward ' s list tor

the Girls' School from 71 guineas to 100 guineas . "The Visitors" having been given in cordial terms by the W . M ., Bro . VV . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B ., responded , He said visitors were delighted to attend knowing they could not only meet brethren of this country , but also those from the other side of the Atlantic . They were also

pleased at the privilege of congratulating the VV . M . on a very successful year of office . He tendered hearty thanks for the kindness extended to the visitors . Bros . Smith , P . M ., and W . W . Morgan , P . M ., also replied . "The I . P . M ., Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers , " was

next proposed by the W . M ., who said it would be ungrateful on his part if he did not recognise the services of the officers . Their I . P . M ., Bro . Lambert , was a brother who had lived to be a worthy and esteemed member of Grand Lodge , whose voice was always heard with attention ,

There were also the worthy Treasurer and Secretary who worked hard , and the more Bro . Reynolds could do the better he liked it . Bro . George Reynolds , Sec , said they were now at the end of their first session , but he thought he scarcely deserved the kind words which had fallen from the W . M .

He could assure them he had worked with an earnestness for the success of that lodge , and had not been unsuccessful . It was a great reward for any man who took a work in hand to be successful , and he felt that the past session had been a great success . In forming that lodge he should always remember , with a great deal of pleasure , his visit the

to Bro . Brackstone Baker , when he asked him to sign petition and consent to be the first W . Master . He was also indebted to Bro . G . Lambert for recommending the petition to Grand Lodge . The brethren would agree with him that that lodge was doing wonderful work , although in its infancy . His duties as Secretary had been very laborious ,

but he had performed his labours with the greatest love for Masonry . He was not an old Mason , but since he was introduced into the Order he had worked hard and should continue to do so as long as he had health and streng th . He had endeavoured to promote that great principle in the itra

lodge of being happy themselves and | communicating others . As long as he had confidence placed in him , he should do his utmost for the Iodge . Bros . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap . ; . J . B . Cumming , Treas . ; and A . Clark , S . W ., also replied . T he Tyler ' s toast then closed a successful meeting .

ARGONAUTS' LODGE ( No . 2243 ) . —A reguW meeting of this lodge was held on the 14 th instant , at tw Cromwell Hall , Putney Bridge-road , S . W ., when there were present Bros . Eugene Monteuuis , W . M . ; J- , ' Radford , S . W . ; J . F . Savory , J . W . ; H . J . Reynold 5 ) acting I . P . M . ; Frank Richardson , Treas . ; . Gordon vvmia

Smitn , sec ; u . u . Lister , b . U . ; 1 . W . , J-y , - E . T . Smith , I . G . ; J . P . Houghton , D . C ; C . * v-Mapleton , C . W . Hughes , F . E . Williams , Frank Canton ' Frank Sturgeon , H . J . Hill , J . A . Drake Smith , and 1 " Mitchell , Tyler . Visitors : Bro . J . A . Farnfield , P . A- "' D . C . ; A . M . Hutchinson , 859 ; F . C . Watts , 91 j ^ T Fenner , S . W . 2041 ; W . A . Dawson , P . M . i 7 ° i . 2 Ellis , W . M . 1361 ; J . D . Langton , P . M . 1633 , P . P Surrev : and H . Fitzcerald . 111 S . A *

, The lodge having been opened , and the minutes 0 ^ previous meeting read and confirmed , Bros . Wi "' vi „ g Hayher were passed to the Second Degree . The low ^ candidates for initiation were then balloted for : Mess ' ^ J . Hill , L . R . C and J . A . Drake Smith , and tra ^ Canton , T . R . C ., and they were unanimously electe er # duly initiated by the W . M . in an impressive m ^ . Bro . Graves , of L . R . C , was proposed as a joining ^ ber , and nothing further arising , the lodge was cl ° ? „ sual the brethren adjourned to a cold supper , when tt' r ^ . toasts were duly honoured . Bror J . D . Langton rest ing on behalf of " The Visitors . "

WOOLWICH . —Union Waterloo Lodge : ( Jj 13 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of the above , an ^ 'e h jnSt . prosperous lodge took place on Wednesday , S 18 r : ibottr ' J at the Masonic Hall , William-street , Bro . ] . }*¦ £ " thre ni W . M ., in the chair , supported by the following orc R A , Bros . C . Jolly , P . M . ( Hon . ); G . Davies , P-M- > , . X Smith , P . M . ; H . Syer , P . M . ; A . Cleal ,, P-M- / fl Hosgood , P . M . ; T . Hutton , P . M . and T reas .,