Craft Masonry.

Selmes , A . L . Guittard , F . Gehringer , and J . King . Visitors : Bros . I . K . Pitt , P . M . 463 ,- Lieut .-Col . Domville , 33 ; VV . Adams , P . M . 16 S 7 ; C . Barlet , W . M . 2 oCo ; G . 0 . H . Smalls , 2513 ; Kelso King , P . G . D ., New South Wales ; and H . Ballow . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . S . W . Heaton was passed to the Second Degree . Bro . John Briggs explained the tracing board to the candidate in a most interesting and effective manner . The ballot was taken for Messrs . J . H . Phillips and J . G . Powell , which proving to be

unanimous in their favour , they were afterwards initiated by the W . M . The reports of the Permanent Committee were then considered , and some important routine business was discussed ar . d agreed upon . It was proposed that there should be a ladies' night on or about the 13 th February next year . The W . M . also stated that he hoped to make arrangements for a children ' s ball about Christmas . A motion was proposed by Bro , W . G . Mills , P . M ., Sec , to this effect— "That the hearty thanks of the brethren of the Strong Man Lodge be tendered to our W . M ., Bro . Wm . Briggs , for his beautiful

present of silver chains to be worn over the collars of the W . M . and Senior and Junior Wardens , and to render this vote of thanks a permanent record ; that it be entered on the minutes ; that silver plates be fixed to the collars bearing the following inscription : ' Presented by Bro . Wm . Briggs , M . A ., LL . M ., to the Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 , upon his installation as W . M . This inscription has been made by the unanimous especial resolution of the lodge , to mark the grateful appreciation of the brethren . 2 nd May , 1 S 9 S . " " The motion was seconded by Bro . G . G . Symons , P . M ., Treas ., and carried unanimously . In the few graceful , well-chosen words with which the motion was

prefaced , Bro . Mills said : Some of the brethren were doubtless aware that upon the night of his installation our W . M . very kindly presented to the lodge the massive , artistic , silver chains , to be worn on the collars of the principal officers , and that , in his modesty , he had not said publicly one word relative to his handsome gift . Silence , although a commendable virtue in the case of our W . M ., becomes ungrateful and reprehensible on our parts , and it is therefore our bounden duty and pleasure to thank our esteemed W . M . for his beautiful present to the Strong Man Lodge . " The correspondence was then dealt with , after which the lodge was closed by the W . M .

The brethren then adjourned to the banquet in the Queen ' s Hall , at which the W . M . presided . The usual loyal toasts were given , to which the brethren responded : "The Pro G . M ., the Earl of Lathom , the Dep . G . M ., The Earl of Amherst , and the rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past , " was suitably acknowledged . An entertainment then followed , commencing with amusing patter and guitar playing by Mr . Forde . The toast of "The W . M . " was ably given by the I . P . M ., Bro . John Cuer . S ^ The W . M . responded with commendable brevity , alluding to the ladies' night and

the Childrens' Ball , of which he said the brethren should have timely information . A plantation song , much appreciated by the brethren , was given by Bro . T . J Burgess , J . D . Bro . J . J . Berry followed with a song . The toast of " The Past Masters " was then given . Bro . Prof . Driver , P . M ., responded .

" The Visitors " was submitted to the brethren . The W . M ., in mentioning their names , stated that a distinguished brother was amongst them , W . Bro . Kelso King , P . G . D ., of New South Wales . In replying to this toast , Bro . King said that , though a Grand Officer of New South Wales , he first saw the light in an English lodge , and that all his sympathies were with the mother country , England .

" The Officers" was acknowledged by the acting S . W ., Bro . D . A . Langdon , P . M ., D . C . " The Initiates " was ably proposed by W . M . Bro . J . H . Phillips responding on behalf of Bro . J . G . Powell and himself . The Tyler ' s toast then concluded the evening .

Lodge Loyalty , No . 320 . The members of the above lodge , held at the Junction Inn , Mottram , celebrated the 100 th anniversary of that institution on the 26 th ult . Amongst thos- ; present were the following : Representing the Grand Lodge ! of England , Bros . Richard Newhouse and John Clayton ; representing the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire , Bros . Armstrong , Henry Jackson , James White , T . Simpson , and G . Holland ; representing the Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire , Bros . William Dawson and W . H . Bowden .

There were also present the undermentioned members of other lodges : Bros . II . Moiley , 126 ; H . Binns , 10 SS ; A . W . Stanley and T . E . Mackereth , 177 S ; W . Mortimer and Henry Jackson , 3 S 0 ; W . Heyworth . 11 G 6 ; J . T . Armitage , S 9 ; J . H . Maloney and F . Gregory , 461 ; Henry Schofield , Sjo ; T . M . Bannatyne , 216 ; J , Handf orth , 625 ; Samuel Hall , 324 ; Henry Jackson ; and the following members of thelodge : Bros . William Beeley , W . M . ; W . Sykes , S . W . ; G . Sykes , Treas . ; 1 . W . Wagstaffe , Sec . ; Henry Riley , S . D . ; J . A . Birch . J . D . ; W . Wharmby , I . G . j

| . Walker , Org . ; W . Taylor , Tyler ; and the P . Ms . ; W . Eversden , R . H . ' Swindlehurst , W . Birch , F . Cartwright , W . Hampshire , R . S . Holland , William Harrison , J . E . Steward , A . N . Nield , and a large number of other members , making a total of nearly 100 brethren present . The Iodge was opened on Wednesday , October 24 th , 179 S . The centenary warrant , which has been issued by H . R . H . the Piince of Wales , was ' presented by Bro . Newhouse to the W . M ., enabling the brethren to wear a commemorative jewel at meetings in future . A solid silver Master's chain

was presented to the W . M . on behalf of thelodge by the senior member present , Bro R . H . Swindlehurst , and a copy of a mural tablet , which was in Ashton-under-Lyne Parish Church , to the memory of iSro . John Postlethwaite , who was the first Master of Loyalty I-edge , and who died in the year 1 S 19 , was also presented to the lodge by Bro . Wagstaffe . After the usual business the brethren adjourned to celebrate the occasion by a

banquet , at which the loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and enthusiastically received . The meeting was of a very enjoyable character , and terminated at a late hour . ggft We may add that there are only four centenary lodges in Cheshire , although there are those which have been in existence from a much earlier date , but there are very few who can show an unbroken history extending over a period ot 10 } years .

Lodge of Honour , No . 526 . The annual assembly of the above lodge was held in the Drill Hall , Wolverhampton , on the nthinst . Bro . T . J . Barnett , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., was installed W . M . forthe ensuing year . Bro . Barnett was appointed to the same ollice 20 years ago , in 187 S , conseqnently unusual interest was taken in the proceedings , and the following oflicers , who were now appointed to serve under him , are all P . Ms , ofthe lodge ( except Bros . Rosedale arid Payne ) : Bros . W . H . Bostock , P . M ., LP . M . ; Alex . MacBean , P . P . G .,

S . W ., S . W . ; F . Dally , P . P . S . G . D ., J . W . ; the Rev . W . E . Rosedale , M . A ., Chap . ; C . A . Newnham , P . G . Treas ., Treas . ; J . J . Smith , P . P . J . G . D ., Sec ; J . A . Lloyd , P . M ., S . D . ; W . Baker , P . M ., J . D . ; C W . Graham , P . P . A . G . D . C , D . C ; Henry Hall , P . D . G . D . C , C . S ; W . H . Payne , Org . ; George Baker , P . P . G . S . D ., I . G . ; B . G . Bradley , P . M ., and J . Dunbar Steen , P . G . Sec , Stwds . ; and Sergt . H . Bennett , Tyler . The installation was attend ; d by 100 brethren , including Bros . Geo . Singleton Tudor . P P . G M . Staffs : Geo . Walton Walker , D . P . G . M . ; Lieut-Col . J . A . Bindley ,

P . D . P . G . M . ; George Beeh , D . P . G . M . Warwick ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; C Fendelow , P . G . D . Eng . ; J . Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . j G . C Kent , P . A . G D . C . Eng . ; and abo-. it 40 Prov . Grand and Past Prov . Grand Ollicers of Staffordshire , Warwickshire , Worcestershire , and Leicestershire , & c . The installation ceremony was most impressively performed by the retiring W . M ., Bro . VV . 11 . Bostock , to whom , in the course of the proceedings , the new W . M ., on behalf of his officers , presented a gold Past Master ' s jewel .

A banque . followed at the Star and Garter Hotel . The W . M . presided , supported by Bro . W . H . Bostock , I . P . M ., the following Grand Lodge Ollicers : Bros . Colonel Tudor , Walker , and Bindley ; G . Beech , J . ferry , J . Uodinham , G . C . Kent , and C . Fendelow ; the following Piovincial Grand Lodge Oficers : Bros . Colonel Morgan , J . F . Pepper , J . B . Ashwell , F . Walton , F . W . Willmore , G . II . Stanger , C . A . Newnham . P . G . Treas . ; I . I . D . Steen , P . G . Sec . ; Alexander McBean , S . W . ;

C W . Graham , F . T . Beck , G . Vaughan , J . E . Evans , George Wormal , W . Perry , Frank Hughes , H . Hall , H . Manley , H . Percy Smith , H . Payton , George Baker , A . R . Britton , F . Dally , J . W . ; and others . The banquet was server ! in first-class style . Songs were given by the Lichfield Cathedral Quartette Party in a very successful manner ; and by Mr . b . Mason and Bro . E . Richardson . Bros . Dunbar Steen and Terry gave readings . After the toas * of "The Queen , " and of "The Princeof Wales , as Grand

Craft Masonry.

Master , " the " Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master , and the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " was submitted by the W . M ., and was responded to by the two representatives of the Grand Lodge , Bros . Colonel Bindlev , P . G . D . Eng ., and P . D . P . G . M . Staffs , and George Beech , P . G . S . B . Eng . and D . P . G . M . Warwick . Bro . C . A . Newnham , P . G . Treas ., submitted " The Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire , the Earl of Dartmouth , " who was unavoidably prevented from attending . The toast was heartily received .

The ex-Mayor of Wolverhampton ( Bro . Alexander McBean , P . P . G . Suot . of Works and S . W . ) . proposed "The D . P . G . M ., Lieutenant-Colonel Walker , P . G . S . B . Eng ., and the Oflicers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " and response was made by Bros . Colonel Walker , D . P . G . M . Staffs , and G . C . Kent , P . A . G . D . C Eng . Bro . Colonel Tudor , P . P . G . M ., submitted " The Worshipful Master and the Lodge

or Honour , and said that about 27 years ago he had the pleasure of initiating Bro . Barnett into Masonry . He congratulated him on his re-appointment as Master of the lodge , after holding the office 20 years before . During that interval , Bro . Barnett had been absent from only two lodje meetings . The Lodge of Honour had attained a high position in the province , and he ( Bro . Colonel Tudor ) , feeling a deep interest in it as his mother lodge , heartily wished it continued success under the guidance of the Worshi pful Master .

The W . M ., Bro . Barnett , responded , and thanked the brethren for their presence in such numbers , and in such representative characters . Eight members of Grand Lodge were present at that banquet , and about 40 Prov . G . or Past Prov . G . Officers , and it was one of the largest lodge gatherings ever held in the province . He had appointed as his officers various Past Masters of the lodge , which he held to bs a step in the right

direction , as it would enable Past Masters to take a ' continued interest in the well being of their old lodge . TheW . M . subsequently proposed "The Visitors . " The toast was responded to by Bros . F . Pepper , P . P . G . VV . |; R . M . Lord , and C . L . N . Wilson . Bro . Pepper submitted "The Masonic Charities . "

Bro . J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., in reply , alluded to the charitable efforts of the current year in the Staffordshire Province on behalf of the Boys' School—that province alone having granted upwards of £ 4030 . While he thanked them sincerely for their generous efforts , he again pleaded earnestly on behalf of the Institution which he represented . The W . M . proposed "The Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge , " and spoke of the excellent work of his predecessor , Bro . VV . H . Bostock . Regarding the ceremony

cf that day , the W . M . said that ( not only on his own authority , but on the authority of the representatives of Grand Lodge , who were more competent to judge ) that work had never been better performed in the province . Bro . Bostock , who was heartily received , replied to the toast , and all uded especially to the presentation of the Past Master ' s jewel which had been made to him that day * . Bro . J . A . Lloyd , P . M ., S . D ., also replied . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings .

Cosmopolitan Lodge , No . 917 . PRESENTATION TO BRO . J . RINGER HEWETT , I . P . M . An enjoyable gathering was held in connection with this Iodge at the Cannon-street Hotel , E . C , on the Sth inst . The W . M ., Bro . J . Ringer Hewett , completed a very successful year of office , and was presented by the initiates and joining members with a handsome gold watch and Past Master's collar and jewel . The new occupant of the chair is Bro . R . C Read , P . P . G . D . Middx ., and P . M . of the Acacia Lodge , No . 1309 , an excellent worker and popular Mason . The brethren present were Bros . J . Ringer

Hewett , W . M . ; Wm . Smith , I . P . M . ; R . C Read , P . P . G . D . Middx ., S . W . ; F . Gildersleeve , J . W . ; E . Edwards , P . M ., Treas . ; A . Hamilton , P . M ., Sec ; G . V . McLellan , S . D . ; J . Bott , P . M . ; G . Redding , P . M . ; Wm . Pitt , P . M . ; VV . Salmon , P . M . ; J . F . Van Raalte , P . M . ; J . F . Haskins , Org . ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . T . Gurney , P . P . G . D . Middx ., P . M . 1309 ; J . Davies , P . M . 1 309 ; S . G . Willmott , 1309 ; S . T . Hall , 1309 ; T . A . Cory , S . W . 1309 ; W . V . Imbrey , 1309 ; C . Wilkinson , W . M . 1309 ; Bagot Read , P . M ., Sec 1309 ; Jas . Block , P . M . 1158 ; T .

Nettleship , P . M . 1641 ; C . Corbidge , J . D . 2242 ; S . Ellis , P . M . 19 S 1 ; J . Hay , P . M . 2317 ; H . C . Smith , 72 ; T . Berg , P . M . 1 C 13 ; F . A . Fas , W . M . 1512 ; F . T . Bennett , I . G . 2 G 52 ; VV . Taylor , P . M . 1339 ; C . A . Batho , 170 S ; W . R . G . Emerson , Org . 45 ; J . Prentice , P . M . 11 S 5 ; VV . H . Turner , VV . M . 2242 ; H . C . Pink , 155 S ; W . Handford . 1310 ; VV . Turner , 1 G 23 ; J . A . Renwick , 179 ; S . Misters , 2140 ; VV . VV . L-ee , P . M . 179 ; and many others . After the opening of the lodge and disposal of ordinary business , Bro . R . C . Read was presented for installation as W . M . The ceremony was admirably'rendered by Bro . Ringer Hewett , I . P . M ., whose impressive style and elocutionary abilities did full

justice to the beautiful ritual . The following officers were invested : Bros . F . Gildersleeve , S . VV . ; G . V . McLellan , J . W . ; E . Edwards , P . M ., Treas . ; A . Hamilton , P . M ., Sec . ; F . Robinson , S . D . ; A . Rusby , J . D . ; R . C Goodwin , l . G . ; H . Forss , P . M ., D . C ; J . F . Haskins , P . P . G . O ., Org . ; J . Bott , P . M ., L . M . F . Pittet , and W . T . Wicks , Stwds . ; and J . Baily , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to the LP . M . by the VV . M . and duly acknowledged , and the Iodge was closed . After banquet , the usual toasts were honoured .

" The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . J . Ringer Hewett , I . P . M ., who said the toast had never been presented under more auspicious circumstances . They knew the W . M . to be a man of good report , true and trusty , and held in high esteem . If his voice had been in good order he had intended tmnking a speech on this subi ct , but , fortunately , the toast required few words . They possessed in Bro . Read an

experienced worker in the Craft , who had already passed through the chair of an influential lodge where he was held in great respect and esteem , and who was also a P . P . G . D . of Middlesex . The lodge could not , therefore , possess a more influential Master or better worker . The VV . M . and he ( the I . P . M . ) were initiated together and they had gone on step by step . Without further remark he asked them to heartily drink the toast .

Bro . R . C Read , VV . M ., expressed the very great pleasure it afforded him to respond . The last song they had heard was " Fairy Tales , " and although he accepted the remarks of the P . M . with all sincerity , he could not help thinking there was a something of " fairy lalrt " about them . It would afford him great pleasure to preside over them , and he felt honoured at their selection . He would do his best to discharge the duties of his high ollice to the utmost of his ability . He did not think speeches were applicable on that festive occasion , especially from the chair ; and he would , therefore , only thank them for their kind reception , and again assure them he would do his utmost for the Cosmopolitan Lodge .

ln proposing "The I . P . M . and Installing Master , " the W . M . said they appreciated the great good done for the lodge by the I . P . M . There were many improvements Bro . Ringer Hewett had made—the tone of the lodge and its working—everything had been advanced , not a little , but by leaps and bounds ; and the members , therefore , owed him a great deal for the present state of the Iodge . The I . P . M . ' s manner of delivery in the ceremonies commended itself to all , and it would be a long while before they saw such a Master again . The brethren would give the toast a hearty reception , and drink it in a bumper . A very peasant and interesting episode then took place .

Bro . Page , one of the I . P . M . 's initiates rose , and explained that thc initiates and joining members desired to mark their appreciation of Bro . Ringer Hewett ' s services by presenting him with a gold watch , the inscription on which was— " Presented to Bro . J . Ringer Hewett , LP . Master of the Cosmopolitan Lodge , No . 917 , of ancient Freemasons , by the initiates and joining members during his term of ollice 1 S 97-S , to mark their appreciation of his uniformly kind , just , and amiable deportment . " Several other brethren having added their testimony , the toast was given and received with enthusiasm .

Bro . J . Ringer Hewett , I . P . M ., said the "fairy tales " alluded to by the LP . M . had , in this case , taken such a tangible form that he scarcely knew how to return thanks , lt would be affectation to say he knew nothing about it , because he was consulted as t > whether he would accept it . But how could a brother refuse a present such as thatextended in a fraternal manner ? He also wished to thank the brethren generally for the great kindness extended to vards him as their VV . M . He was sensible that thelodgi stood in as good a position as it ever did before . During his 10 years' membership it was never better in tone . As their W . M . he had tried and succeeded in carrying on the lodge on Masonic lines , and nothing of an outside character had been allowed to