Craft Masonry.

u -its usually worn in Craft lodges , were not Masonic—the Masonic gloves being the i -n white skin of the animal , devoid of ornamentation whatsoever . The origin ot _ the Kvolent Institution , which was started by the Earl of Dalkeith in 1725 , was gone into , A . * N erowth traced to the present time , the W . M . remarking that it now distributed an lTrdsof / J 2 , ooo per annum to distressed Masons . In 17 6 S a fund was raised for ? ndine a Masonic Hall , and premises were purchased in Great Queen-street , ? , i r- These were soon found inadequate , owing to the rapid growth of Grand Lodge ,

nihev were pulled down and rebuiltin 179 S . leaving a debt of j _ yooo upon the premises , h - r-h was soon reduced by levying an extra annual cha-ge of 2 s . per head up in every , mber ol the Craft , which was no abolished until 1 S 10 . The W . M . then gave a short ZJnrvoi the origin of the Royai Freemasons' Charity for Femil ; Cmldren ( 17 SS ) , no * Cnnwn as the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . This Institution was established to inthe feed , and educate 15 children . These numbers have been from time to time fnrrea ' sed , so that it now harbours 2 ( 7 children , and has at the recent Festival collected n « , ards of £ 21 , 000 . A brief sketch was then g ^ ven of the Goose and Gridiron ale H . c , which was the tavern that afforded shelter to the first Grand Lodge meeting ;

, nd in concluding , the VV . M . stated that so long as he was able to work in the Cratt ot Masonry , he would always loudly proclaim to his fellow brethren the immense amount of ' d the Craft had received trom the formation and maintenance of Grand Lodge , and , under such circumstances , he could not better draw his series of lectures to a close than hv enumerating an expression which he was sure would be uppermost in all their hearts , viz ., " Long live Grand Lodge to rule over them , and to be their guide in all their Mnsnnic actions . " ... ...

The lecture was listened to by the brethren with more than usual interest , ana tne VV . M . was warmly applauded upon its completion . , . ,, , . . , ., „ The brethren then adjourned to a banquet , most admirably served by the Hall Company , and the remainder of the evening was spent in toasts and music , and throughout the proceedings harmony prevailed .

Earl of Lathom Lodge , No . 1922 . The regular meeting of this very prosperous South London lodge took place at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , on Monday , the Sth inst . There were present Bros . Iiv Cornford , W . M . j R . Peachey , I . P . M . ; E . J . S . Ware , S . W . ; A . Chadderton , I VV ; VV . G . Cannon , P . M ., Treas . ; L . C . Shipton , P . M ., Sec ; A . R . Jackson , SD F . VV . Riches , J . D . ; J . E . Robertson , I . G . j VV . E . Groom , and T . T . Marris , Stwds . j J . Bowler , P . M ., Tyler ; J . Nettleton Tavlor , Org . j L . S . Shipton , Asst Sec HerridgeA . D . C ; R . J . Taylor , P . M . ; E . Nanen , L . Motley , h .

. ; , , Shinton , C . Vieusseu ' x , Legg , Graves , F . S . Messent , J . F . Warne , VV . S . Martin , C . VV Wedge , S . Costello , R . II . Lord , W . Wise , C . Cook , W . Evans , IT . Lambert , A . f , Pocock , G . Grove , VV . L . Chamness , S . A . Lambert , J . IT . Heath , W . Hipgraye , C , Herridge , J . J . Emery , and C . L . Plant , P . M . ( hon . ) . The visitors were Bros . IT . 0 . Hill , iGiyj W . J . H . Faull , ioi ; J . Cappo , 1 G 02 ; W . Hill , J . D . 1512 ; R . Brown , 2393 ; E . E . I'ouard , P . M . 1627 ; G . D . Fairbairn , 30 , ; F . Page , P . M . 21 S 2 ; E G . Steers , J . W . 1-507 ; W . Courtney , 1507 j A . Darch , P . M . 72 ; B . Bramble , W . M . 21 S 2 ; P . II . Clarke , 23 S 4 ; J . C . Wiberg , 1901 ; and J . Bailey , 94 8 .

The lodge was opened and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . L . Motley , W . Wise , and G . A . Costello were raised , and Bros . H . C . C . Vieusseux , A . G . Pocock , VV . S . T . Martin , and W . Evans were passed . The ballot being taken for Mr . J . F . Emary and , proving unanimous , he was initiated by the VV . M . in an exemplary manner , while the ceremonies of raising and passing were carried out by him in his usual masterly style . A sum of 10 euineas was voted from the lodge funds to the Girls' Institution and placed on the

W . M . ' s list , which with the kindness and liberality of the brethren enabled him to carry to that Institution the handsome sum of £ 105 , for which he most gratefully thanked them . A Committee meeting was formed to arrange a summsr outing . Bro . C . I .. Plant , P . M . 101 , was elected an hon . member in acknowledgment of the very efficient service he rendered the brethren in the Earl of Lathom Lodge of Instruction , for which honour he mest heartily thanked the lodge . Three propositions having been handed in to the Secretary , the business ended .

The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were loyally given and received , together with lhat of * ' The Grand Officers . " The toast of "The VV . M . " was presented in most cordial terms . The W . M . replied with grateful expressions for their kindness as to his ability and Ihe deep inteiest he had taken in the lodge . The toast of "The Initiate" was given in able terms by the W . M ., and duly responded to . " 1 he Visiters '' was most cordially presented .

Bros . B . Bramble , VV . M . 21 S 2 ; Bailey ; and W . ITill , I . G . 1 5 , most ably replied . The remaining toasts of "The Past Masters" and "The Oflicers , " and the Tyler ' s toast having been duly presented and responded to , closed a very happy and intellectual meeting . The lodge is to be congratulated upon such an excellent and able Master , who so thoroughly carries out the duties and maintains the high character of the lodge . His year promises to be a record one .

Some excellent harmony was rendered by Bros . C . L . Plint , A . R . Jackson , L . S . Shipton , (' ,. A . Costello , VV . G . Groom , B . Bramble , and E . Nanen . Bro . J . Nettleton Taylor , Org ., ably presided at the piano .

Wolsey Lodge , No . 1656 . The election meeting of this important lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Hampton Court , on the 15 th ult . Among those in attendance were Bros . W . R . Flack , W . M . ; H . Bond , P . M ., Stwd .. as S . W . j D . A . Ross , J . W . j J . Featherstone , P . M ., Tn as . j Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . Std . Br ., Secj A . S Jehu , S . I ) . ; J . H . Gaunt , J . D . ; T . Grant , P . M ., P . P . G . S * . d . Br ., D . C ; W . T . Peat , P . M ., P . P . G . O .: R . VV . Rice . P . M . ; and R . VV . Simpson , P . M . Among the

visitois were Bros . VV . Harris , P . M . 1310 ; C . C . Grimstoke , J . W . 2032 j and F . de Crost , 94 6 . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . Cordery and Cole » ere impressively raised to the Third Degree . The ballot was taken on behalf of Messrs . J . VV . Tapper , A . McCombie , E . Hurst , R . Carman , and J . Dunval , and it being unanimous , they were all , with the exception of the last-named , who was unable to be present , duly initiated . It being election night , B os . IT . C . Crozier , P . M ., P . G . ,. ' . ? . * Br- ESrypt , was elected W . M ; I . Featherstone , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Sec ; I .

wibert , P . G . T ., Tyler ; and H . J . Bond , P . M ., Charity Representative . A Past Master ' s jewel was voted , with acclamation , to the W . M . A vote of condolence was passed to Bro . Fox on the recent loss of his wife . Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Bros . Crozier , S . W . ; E . Dire , P . M . ; and others . The name ofja candidate for initiation at the next meeting was proposed and seconded . B .-o . •nomas Grant having been appointed to represent the lodge as Steward at the R . M . I . B ., 1 , * , crela , y Rave a nolice of motion to vote him 10 guineas to head his list , after which the lod

ge was closed . •A banquet followed , served under thc personal superintendence of the obliging ° " 't of the Greyhound , Bro . E . Beltramo , and which gaveunqualilied satisfaction . Hro . T . Grant responded on behalf of " The Provincial Grand Officers . " I .. H-alih of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . R . VV . Simpson in II rent terms , had H * Cf L U , sc ° f his remarks he complimented Bro . Flack on the manner in which he K * UlfCnarued his fttilli . c : ,-tiirinfr nn nrrlumiQ vear nf nfTirp . Nn . ificfi wnc n \ irtrtx

ge , and therefore to fill the chair effectively was by no means an easy cask . best f h- ^' i !^ - *' 'n rep''' , briefly said that he had endeavoured to do his work to the iDt nisability , He was given to understand by the Secretary that the four cerej nt n ' j ° ' th ? Craft would have to be- performed at the next meeting . He did not won ?? - k " le res P ° ns'l :, ility of performing those ceremonies , and although it I ,., a . " ecess . 'tate the lodge being called at an early hour , he hoped to be well supported "V the e ' ast Masters and Officers on that o-casinn

. . i- lhe toasts of " The Initiates . " "The Visitors , " "The Past Misters , " "The a .,, 1 , ' i i a , Secretar y >'' "The Officers , " w ^ re submitted in quick succession •"in Hilly acknowledged . I he proceedings then terminated .

Craft Masonry.

Lodge La France , No . 2060 . This lodge held the third meeting of the . year on the 14 th inst . at the Regent Masonic Hall , Cafe Royal , when the VV . M ., Bro . Capt . H . Mondehare , presided . There was an excellent attendance , and amongst the brethren present were Bros . Imre Kiralfy , P . A . G . D . C . ; De Sirve ( Consul-General of Belgium ) , a high dignitary of the Belgian Rose Croix j Rosrich , and Dyer .

On the agenda was the raising to the Third Degree of three members , which was performed in an admirable manner by the W . M ., making this exceptionally long ceremony most interesting . ' Then Bro . Leon Clerc , Sec , read the circular issued by the Grand Secretary , together with the resolutions passed in Grand Lodge in March last with reference to the Grand Lodge of Peru , restoring that Grand Lodge to the

recognition of the Grand Lodge of England on their having withdrawn their edict removing the volume of the Sacred Law from its meetings and those of the subordinate lodges . Some other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , the clever arrangement of which was in the hands of Bro . Jules Oppenheim .

Subsequently the toast to "The Queen " was satisfactorily honoured , Bro . Mondehare making special reference to the Soth birthday of her Majesty , and expressing the wish that she might long be spared to refen for the welfare of peace and humanity . In replying to the toast of "The Visitor :, " Bro . Imre Kiralfy pointed out the great pleasure he had in attending for the first time since attaining Grand office a lodge which was named after a country where , he was proud to confess , he had acquired his artistic knowledge and taste .

Other toasts were given , interspersed by a musical entertainment , for which the Lodge La France is becoming well-known . The programme was contributed to by Mme . Marthe Duvivier , the renowned cantatrice of the Paris opera , and her charming daughter , Mile . Marguerite Duvivier , whom ere long we hope to see on the stage of a London theatre in her quaint songs of 1 S 30 . Special mention must be made of Mile . Marguerite Haering , who is the possessor of a wonderful soprano voice , in the compositions of Messrs . Leon , Sen ! esinger , and Justin Clerice , whose wJrks are too well-knrwn to require any word of praise .

Ordnance Lodge , No . 2399 . The installation meeting of the above flourishing lodge took place on Friday , the 12 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , Plumstead , and was a most enjoyable one . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . George Dyer , who commenced his arduous task by initiating Mr . R . VV . Daniels into Freemasonry , passing Bros . Taylor , Somers , and Giles , and raising Bros . Treby , Rider , Cooper , Dyer , and Kent , the whole of which he accomplished in faultless style . Bro . Col . Malony , C . B .. Commissary

General , VV . M . 1974 , then , by invitation , assumed the chair as Installing Officer , and in ancient form installed Bro . James Wheatley , S . W . and W . M . elect , into the chair ol K . S ., where the W . M . was duly proclaimed and saluted . The VV . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . Dyer , I . P . M . j R . Rawlinson , S . W . j VV . Steer , J . VV . j Capt . G . Penstone , Treas . j H . Furlong , Sec ; E . Reynolds , S . D . j E . Woods , J . D . ; A . Carter , l . G . j and B . Hubbard , W . Gosden , E . Taylor , and J . Rose ,

Stwds . Bro . Col . Malony then gave the addresses most impressively , and was awarded a hearty vote of thanks for his grand working of the ceremony . Bro . Dyer was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , " for va ' uable services rendered the lodge during his year of oflice , and to mark ths esteem of the brethren , " for which he returned his sincere thanks . The death of the late lamented Bro . Crowdy , P . M , was feelingly referred to , and the Secretary was directed to write a letter of cond jlence and symp ltny to the family of the deceased , and then the lodge was closed .

The banquet was served at the Royal Mortar Hotel , opposite the Arsenal gates , Beresford-square , Woolwich , and the servic : was worthy of all praise . Among the other brethren present were Bros . Capt . G . Spinks , P . M . ; G . Ingle , P . M . C . Jolly , P . M . ( hon . ) , P . M . and S .-c . 1472 , P . M . and Sec . 21 S 4 , P . P . A . G . D . C . Essex j M . T . Taylor , S . VV . 913 J W . Taylor , H . Kent , G . Cooper , E . Cook , W . Treby , A . Giles , G . Johnson , VV . Boadley , E . Somers , A . Gomes , G . Meillear , F . Meillear , G . Perkins , W . Lucas , F . Widgery , W . Bridger , J . Parker , R . R y der , J . Gindison , 1 . Rose , F . Taylor , I . Jones , I . Judge , R . Daniels , R . Price , G . Harrison .

T . Mells , and ] . Beddows , all of the lodge . Among the visitors were Bros . A . McOueen , VV . M . 13 j H . Jacobs , S . W . 13 J F . Quick , J . W . 13 j G . H . Masters , P . M . 13 J G . Davies , P . M . 13 j W . Peanee , 13 ; W . Doddrell , P . M . 615 , P . P . G . P . Kent j W . Long , S . W . 700 ; W . Chambers , J . W . 700 J W . Lawson , P . M . and Sec . 700 J H . Pamment , P . M . 700 J J . J . Murphy , VV . M . 913 j E . Taylor , S . W . 913 j Dr . T . Clarke , 913 ; A . Hill , VV . M . 1536 j A . Simmons , S . W . 1536 j E . Sinnett , P . M . and Sec . 1536 j E . Brook , 1536 j E . Carter , P . M . S 5 SJ W . Frooms , W . M . 2332 J T . Lait , W . M . 1472 ; S . Chaplin , J . W . 1472 ; R . Bennett , 1632 j and J . Carpenter , 2569 . The usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts having been honoured ,

The I . P . M . proposed "The Health of the W . M . " He said he had very great pleasure in proposing the toast , because Bro . Wheatley was a friend of his and a friend to them all , both in the lodge and in the department the lodge represented , as well as in their social life . Bro . Wheatley was one of the first initiates of the lodge , and the first initiate that had as yet reached the chair of K . S . in it , and the brethren of the lodge were proud to see him in the exalted position he now occupied . He trusted Bro , Wheatley ' s year of oflice would be one of the brightest and best in the history of the

lodge , and assured him that nothing should be wanting on his or their part to achieve that object . Bro . Wheatley , who was most heartily applauded , said , as Bro . Dyer had told them , he ( Bro . Wheatley ) was the first initiate in thelodge to occupy the chair as its W . M ., and he was proud of it . _ As they were most of them aware , the lodge was originally formed for the convenience of the Ordnance Corps and Department , but , when application was made for the warrant , the late Col . Clerke , then Grand Secretary ,

said it had better be an open lodge , as exclusive lodges never lived or succeeded for long , so that its scope was extended , and the department was now represented by the leading men engaged therein . _ In that lodge they had a better prospect of rising to the chair than in most of the neighbouring lodges , because of the different places to which their members in oflice might at any time be sent . He asked them to bring him only true men and gentlemen of the department as candidates , and he would be prepared to carry out the duties of the ollice to which they had elected him , and for which he thanked them from the bottom of his heart .

The W . M . then gave the toast of "The Installing Officer . " Hetsaid that on visiting Giand Lodge one evening he met their esteemed Bro . Col . Malony , who asked him if they had many lodges in the Woolwich district , and he , Bro . Wheatly , answered , " Yes , we have some good and strong lodges there , the strength of which would astonish you . " Col . Malony then expressed a wish to join their lodge , and he was happy to say that that brother was now a member of their lodge . As far as the ceremony was concerned , he could only say that he was deeply impressed with the eloquent delivery , and .

as he believed , the perfect working of their Installing Officer , and he called upon them to drink the toast most heartily . Bro . Malony , who was most cordially received , said there were some things that it was as well to get over and done as soon as possible , and one of them was a Masonic speech . He , however , thanked them for their hearty response to the toast , andalsodesired to thank the W . M . and I . P . M . for inviting him to perform the ceremony of installation that day and raising his voice in the lodge to which they had admitted him as a member .

lhe ritual used by him was not , he had been informed , the same in every respect as that used in the locality ; his was the Emulation ritual , he was , however , proud to know that the most perfect silence existed during his delivery of it , and that in itselt was most gratifying , and sufficiently rewarded him for any labour he had done . He certainly was astonished to know there wc-e so many lodges in the district , necessitating such a number of ceremonies during the year . From what he saw of the lodge , it

was progressing , and from what he had heard tliere certainly seemed to be no decadence in Freemasonry around them . It was said that the Roman Empire fell because it got to be too large j he wondered whether the same wojld ever be said of Masonry . He was exceedingly gratified at being a member of the lodge , and at his reception by them that day j and although he lived a long way from them , yet he trusted to be able to come amongst them now and again and witness the working of their W . M . and hi s officers , and rejoice at the continued prosperity of the lodge .

Our esteemed brother then resumed his seat amid ringing cheers . Bro . Capt . Spinks , in responding for " The Past Masters , " said he was not entitled to do so because he had not attended the lodge during the past year . He had been Treasurer for the three lirst years of the lodge's existence , but now that he lived some three miles from the place he could not attend as often as he should like , especially as