Craft Masonry.

and S . L . Hinton , Stwds . ; G . J . Tollett , Org . ; and W . Lane , Tyler . The final portion of the ceremony of installation having been given by Bro . Kearney , the Auditors' report was adopted , and then Bro . Louis Leins , P . M ., feelingly referred to the illness of Bro . Park , I . P . M ., concluding with a suggestion , which was unanimously adopted , that the Secretary should write the afflicted brother a letter of sympathy from the whole of the lodge . Bro , Hpnry C . Lonsdile , P . M ., having announced that he would , with the permission of the W . M . and the lodge , represent the lodge as its Steward at the next Festival , in February , 1 9 , of the Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution for Ar ; ed Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , five guineas from the general fund was voted to his list . A banquet followed the closing of the lod ? e , and Bro . Horace Ward , Mr . Herbert Langton , the Ariel Vocal Quartette , and Bros . Henry Cribb and Hjldan Walker contributed some capital music between the toasts which followed the banquet . News , which the next day turned out to be false , having in the course of the afternoon been disseminated by the evening paper ? , that a battle bad been fought between the Boers and the British , " Tommy Atkins " was sung by one of the entertainers , and immediately afterwards the company sang " Rule Britannia . "

Bro . Cossham , W . M ., in proposing "TheQjf . en and the Craft , " slid the brethren could not but sympathise with her Majesty in the circumstances that the closing years of her reign should be clouded by a war which he believed wis then raging in South Africa . He hoped it might come to a speedy termination , but he was afraid from what had appeared in that afternoon's papers that this would not be the case . However , he trusted Britain would be victorious . He felt assured that her Majesty deeply regretted that her Government had felt called upon to take the action that they had taken .

Bro . F . Kearney , P . M ., after th ; other loyal toasts had been honoured , in proposing the toast of "The W . M ., " said he had known Bro . Cossham a great many years , and he had seen in him that he was most anxious that when he came to the chair he now occupied he would try all he possibly could to discharge the duties of that important trust satisfactorily . He hoped the W . M . would receiye . from ( the brethren every cordiality and assistance which he required . The office wis by no means a sinecure , or all pleasure . Some brethren while acknowledging that the office wis a

very important one , imagined it was a very easy one . It was an important office , but unless the W . M . was assisted by the officers and the brethren a Masonic lodge was nothing . He asked them to rally round the W . M . to the best of their ability ; the best way to encourage him was to give as much work as possible . Bro . Coisham was quite able and most willing to do it . He trusted the W . M . would have a useful , happy , and prosperous year , and that all the members would unite to make it so . Differences of opinion on some subjects must exist in all lodges , but outside such differences unity

should prevail . The W . M . had to direct the affairs of his lodge . When brethren cam ; to occupy the chair they would fully realise that the position meant that the Master required the assistance of the Past Masters ; so that they must not imagine that when the W . M . had passed the chair his interest in the lodge had ceased . It was not so . The longer a brother was a Past Master the greater interest he took in the big :. He ( Bro . Kearney ) was proud he had installed Bro . Cossham , although the duty cime to him through the misfortune of the I . P . M . being ill . For thit reason he felt sorry he had the honour .

Bro . Cossham , W . M ., in the course of his acknowledgmeni of the toast , slid he wished he was entitled to half the praise Bro . Kearney had b : sto . veJ on him . He would , however , endeavour to do his best , with the co-operation of his officers . It was impes ible—he said it without fear of contradiction—for any man to tike the cl air of W . M . unless he obtained the co-operation of the Past Masters and officers . If he was not of that way of thinking he would confess it at once . He had himself often thought that a lodge could very well dispense with the Past Masters ; but he hid found thit was

a fallacy ; a lodge could not carry on its work without them . He felt greitly indebted to the Past Masters for the assistance they had rendered him . They had been very kind to him the last few months , for his time being fully occupied with the various public positions he held in his town , the Past Masters had been of great value to him . He took great interest in Masonry ever since he had been in it , and he was grateful to the Past Masters and officers for the aid they had given . ' The brethren who were working up should take in good part what he said—that to the Past Masters the lodge was indebted , and ever would be indebted , for its working .

Bro . Cossham , W . M ., next proposed "The Installing Mister , " but previously stated his great regret that Bro . Park was not present to hear the toast of the I . P . M , which was the usual toast in order . He ( Bro . Cossham ) had been very much struck with the interesting ceremony he had to take part in . In P . M . Kearney they had an exceptionally good Mason . It would have pleassd him very much to have been installed by Bro . Park , but next to him he was pleased to have Bro . Kearney perform the ceremony . It was hard work to go through , especially as he had previously performed the long ceremony of raising twojorethren . However , Bro . Kearney did both ceremonies most efficiently .

Bro . Kearney , P . M ., responding to the toast , thanked the W . M . for his kind words in respect to the Installing Master . He had been connected with the Lodge of Perseverance from its foundation , and the brethren might naturally conclude trtat he took a very great interest in it . He had had much pleasure that evening in installing Bro . Cossham . It had given him a certain amount of pain on account of the circumstances which caused Bro . Park ' s absence . He ( Bro . Kearney ) tried to supply Bro . Park ' s place , and hoped he did it to the satisfaction of the brethren ; at all events , he did his

best . He had always done his best for what he thought the true happiness of the brethren and the prosperity of the lodge for the last iS years . He hoped the W . M . would have a happy and successful year of office . Bros . George Herbert Burns , A . G . Lee , Johnson , and Wilson responded briefly to the toast of " The Visitors , " and Bro . Ferry , P . M ., for that of "The Past Masters "; and Bros . Lovell , P . M ., and Tollett for "The Treasurer and Secretary . " The S . W . and J . W . replied to the toist of " The 0 . 1 i : ers of the Lodge , " and the Tyler ' s toast brought the evening to a close .

Star in the East Lodge , No . 650 . The above lodge met , on the 10 th instant , at the Masonic Hall , Great Eastern Hotel , Harwich , Bro . Ditcham , W . M ., in the chair . A large number of brethren and visitors were present . The lodge being opened , Mr . Charles Hampshire and Mr . Lionel Geo . Watson , were duly initiated . Bro . Emra Holmes , S 4 , Guernsey , P . P . G . Reg ., P . P . G . D . of C . Suffolk , was unanimously elected a joining member . Bro . S . R . Groom was installed as W . M ., the interesting and impressive ceremony being performed with

great elocutionary skill by Bro . A . J . H . Ward , P . P . G . S . W ., in the able manner for which he is famous in East Anglia . The W . M . afterwards appointed and invested the following as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . W . H . E . Ditcham , I . P . M . ; A . R . Peake ( by ' proxy ) , S . W . ; J . T . Ward , J . W . ; the Rev . II . E . Bicknell , Vicar of Harwich , Chap . ; W . Groom , P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; M . L . Sanders , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; W . Cocksedge , S . D . ; E . Watts , J . D . ; H . G . Everard , P . M ., P . P . A . G . S ., D . of C ; W . Basham , I . G . ; C . R . Salter , Org . ; F . Staples , T . Djnney , and W . W . Hudson , Stwds . ; and J . Smith , Tyler .

The usual excellent banquet followed , and the loyal and Masonic toasts were given from the chair , and duly responded to . The W . M ., in proposing "The Installing Master , " spoke of the admirable way in which he had conducted the ceremony , and of his popularity ir . the province as an Installing Master . The I . P . M ., Bro . Ditcham , proposed " The W . M . " in happy terms .

Bro . Emra Holmes proposed " The Newly-Initiated Brethren , " and , as showing the value of Freemasonry abroad , instanced a case within his own knowledge of a biother and his wife nuised through yellow fever in New Orleans by brother Masons , when absolute strangers there , and on their recovery being sent on their way rejoicing . Several brethren added to the harmony of a most pleasant evening .

Farringdon Without Lodge , No . 1745 . A meeting of this lodge was held at the Viaduct Hotel , Holborn , on the 25 th ult . Among those in attendance were Bros . W . R . Witt , W . M . ; J . D . Webb , P . M ., S . W . ; W . Wellsman , P . M ., J . W . ; H . J . Lardner , P . M ., P . G . S ., Treas . ; W . II . J ackson , P . M ., Sec ; A . Cook , S . D . ; F . Weinel , J . D . ; Mijor T . C Walls , P . M ., P . G . S .,

KG . Std . Br . ; J . Young , P . M . ; T . Simpson , P . M . ; Ii . Schultz , P . M . ; N . P . Lardner , P . M . ; L . Bachoff ler , P . M . ; and Evans , P . M . Bro . Major W . Williams , P . M ., was a visitor . The minutes of the previous meetin ? hiving been read anl coifii -, n ; J , Bro . W . H . Haywird was raised to the Third Degree and Bro . T . J . Himpton pissed to the

Craft Masonry.

Second Degree , the work being excellently well performed by the W . M . It being election night , Bros . J . D . Webb , P . M .. was unanimously elected W . M . ; H . J . Lardner , Treas . ; and H . Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . An Audit Committee was also appointed . A Past Master's jewel was voted to the W . M . The sum of five guineas was voted to the Treloir P resentation Fund . A vote of condolence was passed to the widow of the late Bro . E . Mallett , Tyler 1 745 . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . G . Herbert , P . M . ; Dr . Lott , P . G . O . Eng ., Org . ; Dr . Hinton , P . P . G . O ., Asst . Org . ; J . W . Gaze , P . M ., C . C ., W . G . Kent , and others . The lodge was then closed , and a banquet followed .

The customary preliminary loyal and Craft toasts having been honoured , " The Health of the W . M . " was given by the I . P . M . In the course of his speech he congratulated the W . M . upon the admirable manner in which he had performed his work during the past year . In consequence of . the alteratio n of the date of installation , the W . M . 's year of office had been prolonged by some months . He had had to preside over a most successful summer outing , and also on a subsequent occasion to entertain

many Grand Officers at the banquet to celebrate the 21 st anniversary of the lodge . The W . M ., in reply , briefly said that his responsibilities had not been light , but to him they had been labours of love . The Past Masters and officers had assisted him most loyally . The Farringdon Without Lodge wis not only a prosperous lodge , but an exceptionally happy one , and to preside over its destinies wa s an honour to be envied by any Mason . The toast of "The W . M . Elect " followed .

Bro . J . D . Webb , in reply , thanked the brethren for the confidence placed in him . He had borne the heat and burden of the day in another lodge , and at one time had made up his mind not to solicit the honour nor to accept the office of W . M . in No . 1745 , if elected ; but the members had always been so kind to him . and the Past Masters had counselled him to accept the office , therefore , he gave way . He would do his best to fulfil the duties , and , he trusted , to their entire satisfaction .

Bro . Major W . Williams having responded to the toast of "The Visitors , " " The Health of the Past Misters , " coupled with the names of Bros . Evans and Simpson , and " The Officers , " associated with the names of Bros . Lardner , Jackson , Cook , and Weinel , terminated the proceedings , which were of a most enjoyable nature .

Cornish Lodge , No . 2369 . This prosperous lodge , which fulfils its functions as a class lodge by supplying the Masonic wants of brethren in the metropolis who hail from the county of Cornwall , had another opportunity at the meeting held at Freemasons'Hall , on the 14 th instant , of offering to visitors from Cornwall a hearty and fraternal welcome . That their kindly hospitality and the Masonic and brotherly greeting was enjoyed and appreciated was evidenced bv one and all of the visitinrr brethren in thp hnih . hmit , linl rpmarlrc fhp « MMX-A

privileged to make . Bro . the Rev . E . Geard , W . M ., was supported by Bros . J . Oites Widger , B . A ., S . W ., W . M . elect ; T . Hawken , J . W . ; Wm . Lake , Asst . G . Sec , Treas . ; R . Greenwood , P . M ., Sec . ; E . Symons ; E . Richards , I . G . ; S . Cope , D . of C ; Stephen Rowe ; J . Leach Barrett . P . M . ; the Rev . Geo . Rogers , Chap . ; Vivian Bennetts , Org . ; W . R . Church , P . M . ; W . Curnow , P . M . ; J . Roberts , P . M . ; C . Lawrence , F . Elgood , E . G . Pooley , R . Barrett , T . Daniel , E . B . Rogers , and many others . Visitors : Bros . A . Pengilly , S . D . 31 S ( Mayor of Helston ); N . B . Bullen ,

P . M . 131 , P . P . G . Org . Cornwall ; Edwin A . P . Broad , P . M . 450 , Charity Representative of Cornwall ; G . Mills McKay , 2217 ; Major John J . Murphy , I . P . M . qi-i ; W . Ralph Norris , 2509 ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others . After the opening of the lodge , a candidate was raised to the Third Degree by Bro . Curnow , P . M . Bro . James Oates Widger , B . A ., was next installed as W . Master by Bro . the Rev . E . Geard , I . P . M ., and the following officers were invested : Bras . T . Hawken , S . W . ; E . Symons , J . W . ; W . Lake , Asst . G . Sec , Treas . ; R .

Greenwood , P . M ., Sec ; E . Richards , S . D . ; S . Cope , J . D . ; Stephen Rowe , I . G . ; J . Leach Barrett , P . M ., D . of C ; the Rev . Geo . Rogers , Chap . ; Vivian Bennetts , Org .: W . R . Church , P . M ., F . E . Grose , and A . H . Simons , Stwds . ; and E . J . Mills , Tyler . The usual addresses were delivered by Bros . Lake , P . M ., Treas ., and Greenwood , P . M ., Sec . A Past Mister ' s \ t vel and collar wis presented to the I . P . M . in recognition of his efficient services and h token of the goof fellowship existing between hiai and the lodge . Bro . Geard , I . P . M ., in acknowledging , said that anything he had

been able to do in the working or in any other wiyhil given him greit satisfaction . He had tried to do his best as he said he would , and appreciated their kindness in the presentation . Bros . E . B . Broad , Charity Representative for Cornwall , and Gilbert Pearce , Secretary of the Cornwall Masonic Charity Assoc : ation , wire prop 1551 as joining members , and various other business items having been dealt with , thi lod / e was closed . After the banquet the usual toasts were honoured .

"The Queen and the Craft" was followed by "H . R . H . the Princs of Wiles . Duke of Cornwall . " In replying for "The Grand Officers , " Bro . W . n . Like , Asst . G . Sec , said thit for some years he had been the one little ewe Iamb of thit assembly as represeiting the Grand Officers . Last year , when their fiiend Bro . Col . Parkyn was appointed G . Sword Bearer , he had hoped that the duty would have been relegated to that brother for miny years to come , but Col . Parkyn was now serving his country atCtnthim , and thjy must therefore him believed the Grand

excuse . He Officers were trying to do their duty . They were a very smill body comparatively , for there were perhaps 150 , 000 Masons , and every year the appointments mide only nun > ered about i / oriS . He hoped they represented the Craft to some extant , and as far as he had seen they were excellent Masons , doing their duty in all the Degrees , and even afterwards at the festive boird . He wished the W . M . a very prosperous year of office , for under Bro . Widger ' s rule he was sure the lodge would progress and maintain its reputation for bting the representative lodge in London for Cornish Masons .

Bro . J . Robeits , P . M ., proposed " The W . M ., " in the absence of the I . P . M ., who had been obliged to leave . He regretted there had not been more initiates recently , and hoped the W . M . had some candidates to bring forward . He hoped this offshoot from Cornwall would keep up its reputation and do its duty . The W . M . was one of the founders , and had worked his way up to the chair . Bro . J . O . Widger , W . M ., tendered his sincere thanks to Bro . Roberts and the

brethren . _ As Bro . Roberts had said , he was one of the young officers who had never had experience in the chair before , and he was , therefore , somewhat at a disadvantage to those who had gone before . Although he might m ike mistakes , he hoped they would sympathise with him , and if he asked the Past Masters to assist him he knew he should not ask in vain . He would try to do his best , and keep up the reputation of that lodge .

The W . M . then proposed "The Installing Master and Past Masters , " and regretted that the I . P . M . had been obliged to leave in order to get home in time for his early morning clerical duties . The Past Misters were as fine a lot as they coulj find in London . Bro . W . M . Curnow , P . M ., said it had been a pleasure to him to assist in the working that evening , for the Past Masters were always glad to help in the ceremonies . Tney were all desirous of making this the first of the provincial lodges in London .

Bro . Leach Barrett , P . M ., said he hoped by taking the office of D . of C . to further the interests of the lodge , and whuld perform the duties with pleasure . " The Treasurer and Secretary " was next honoured , and in reply , Bro . Greenwood , P . M ., Sec , made various suggestions to the members in the interests of the lodge . Hearty greetings were sent to the Duke of Cornwall Lodfe , which was dining in the same building , and a courteous reply was received reciprociting the fraternal sentiments expressed .

Bro . Pengilly , S . D . 31 S , responded for " The Visitors . " He said he came from the ancient borough of Helston , which was respected throughout the universe , and thj same grit was instilled into tne c jnstitu : ion of every brother as wis possessed by thosj present . It had been said that the Cor . iish Lodge in London should set them an example in Freemasonry . He hoped thit would be so , but the sane amount of labour which

was bestowed in London was also bestowed in the old country , where the same Brotherhood also existed . There svas nothing that had done more for Cornishmen than the fact that there was but one pulse beating , and thit wis Fraternity . He was delighted to be present and hoped to repeat the visit on some future occasion . Uro . Broad said , as Charity representative , it was his duty to comj amongst them and know them , for he wanted their valuable help in securing the election of Cornish

cases . Other toasts were given before the proceedings terminated . Bro . Vivian Bennetts , Org ., was assisted in the musical arrangements by several Cornish artistes , including Miss Ethel PenJsr Cudlip , Miss Emily Rissy , and Brj ; . Tom Daniel and Ralph Norris .