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Bros . Woodford , Hughan , and myself , vvith a remembrance of the defunct Masonic Institute , were disinclined to found a literary lodge , without feeling some kind of assurance that there vvere at least a few others besides our five selves vvho would really take an active part in the task of making the proposed undertaking a success . Bros . Speth and Rylands were disposed to be more venturesome ,

but they could not , of course , push their seniors on any faster than they vvere willing to go . At length , however , it so happened that the same idea which had occurred to the five brethren whose names I have given you , arose in the minds of two other brethren , with whom there had been no communication whatever on the subject . These were Sir Charles Warren and Bro . Walter Besant

and the first step they took in the prosecution of the design was to see our Bro . Rylands , with a view of inducing him to take a leading part in the enterprise . Bro . Rylands invited me to meet Sir Charles Warren and Bro . Besant at his chambers , and the result of our deliberations was , if I may so express it , the birth of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge . The case may perhaps be best described in the language of the

medical faculty , as one of protracted gestation , and , therefore , as it seems to me , all the more credit was due to our W . M . in the chair , whom I have ventured to term the accoucheur . It is common knowledge that Sir Charles Warren had to take up a military command in South Africa before we could install him , also that in the interval which preceded his return to England , the founders of the lodge

became dispersed , and that we experienced great difficulty in settling down to work as a lodge . But I shall pass over what you already know , and merely mention one of the hindrances we encountered and had to surmount , with which all who now hear me may not be so familiar . In those early days , before the genius of our worthy Secretary had fully ripened , or , in other words , prior to the invention by

him of the Correspondence Circle , while constituting , so to speak , a little army , it was composed entirely of officers , and there were no men . But the trouble was at our stated meetings , though all our members were present in the spirit , the greater number unfortunately were absent in the flesh . Now , it had been an idea of the founders that filling themselves , as they necessarily would , the various offices in

the first instance , each of them should go up in turn to the chair , but this vvas soon found to be impracticable , as some would only attend at rare intervals , and others not at all . Without , therefore , formally passing any self-denying ordinance , we adopted the expedient of placing such of our joining members in the various offices as would attend regularly , and enable the business of the lodge to be carried on ,

while the founders vve constituted into a reserve , to be called out in any case of emergency . Such an emergency has now occurred . Our Bro . Hayter Lewis , in consequence of illness , has expressed a wish to stand aside , but to our great delight only for a time , and the difficulty has been _ met—all the members being of one mind—by selecting a strong man from the reserve .

Having reached this point , I shall return to those qualifications of our W . M ., the possession of which justifies the sanguine anticipations vve entertain vvith regard to his year of office . Our brother ' s communications on antiquarian and bibliographical subjects to the various societies have been very numerous , and he has edited several facsimile reproductions of rare book ' s for the Holbein Society , of

which fo ; - some years he has been the editor . From his youth up hehas been a collector , as well as a lover , of books and antiquities , vvhich would appear to be hereditary in his family , and I mention as a curious circumstance that his father , only brother , and himself are all Fellows of the Societ y of Antiquaries . Our W . M . is also a member of the Asiatic Societies of Great Britain and France , and an

honorary associate R . I . B . A . He is on the councils of the British Archaeological Association , of the Palestine Pilgrims' Text Society , and a member of the General Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund . Last , but not least , he became Secretary of the Society of Biblical Archaeology in 1 S 7 S , and the number of members has doubled itself since his appointment . In 1 SS 2 he drew

and _ published for this Society all the inscriptions called Hittite at that date known , writing at the same time a history of their discovery , together with a description of them . Since then he has gone on drawing and publishing whatever other inscriptions he could get hold of . His plates have been those copied and used , by every person who has written on the subject , nor has anyone else

published a series of his own without basing it on the original drawings by Bro . Rylands . I should also mention that he was the first to draw and to cause moveable type to be made for the so-called Hittite inscriptions to which I have referred . Having virtually edited the publications of the Society of Biblical Archaeology for 14 years , the time at his disposal for other writings has been rather limited .

Nevertheless , the ) Ournals of the Historical Society of Lancaster and Cheshire , and other kindred associations , have derived frequent benefit from his researches , though of late years , to the great gain of our ancient Craft , all his work—outside the Biblical Society—both literary and artistic , has been Masonic . Among his Masonic writings are " Freemasonry in Warrington and Cheshire in the 17 th century , " "The

Legend of the Introduction of Masons into England , " "An old Mason ' s tomb , 1592 , " "Seal of the Abbey of Arbroath , " " Contract for building Fotheringhay Church , " "Grants of Armorial Bearings , 1449-52 , " "The Compagnonnage , " "Hogarth ' s picture - Night , '" "The Noble . Order of Bucks , " and " History of the Royal Arch Chapter of St . James , No . 2 . " Some of these vvere specially

written for the Transactions of this lodge , and with the ability and research which distinguish them the brethren are familiar . The other essays I hope our W . M . may someday be induced to reprint , particularly those in which Elias Ashmole and Randle Holme are the leading figures , as I think they will be read and studied by scholars and men of intelligence when the great bulk of what at the present dav

passes current as Masonic literature has happily been forgotten . The list I have given does not , of course , exhaust the smaller contributions of our W . M ., quite a number of which , relating to subjects of interest , have appeared in the Keystone of Philadelphia . He has also drawn a great many Masonic and other plates , indeed , his labours in this way seem to have extended over the whole domain of

rtrchEOlogy , and comprise sketchings and tracings of 'MSS ., seals , jewels , and all kinds of antiquities . It has been said , and not without some show of reason , of the brethren who contribute to the literature of Freemasonry , that they are in point of fact nothing more nor less than a great Mutual Admiration Society . But to whatever extent this saying may be true , our Worshipful Master , at

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all events , may be instanced as a notable exception to what by many persons is held to be the general rule . Indiscriminate praise is not what we expect from him when any paper is read in the lodge , nor when he stands up to address us does he follovv the practice of those critics who exclaim " excellent , just , incontrovertible , " at every seconder third word , when , they are dealing with the argument of any

brother Mason . A distinguished writer has observed" Men prefer an absurd guess to a blank , " they would rather have a false opinion than no opinion at all , and he goes on to say that one of the developments of philosophic culture is the power of abstaining from forming an opinion when the necessary data are absent . Now , there is no member of the lodge vvho is more opposed to what may be

termed " the method of argument by inspiration than our W . M ., and the fact may be cited as being by no means the leastof hisqualificationsfortheoffice to vvhich we have elected him . Finally , brethren , I may say of the subjectof the present toast , that he has been one of the most useful members of our Inner Circle , and b y regular attendance , literary contributions , and participation in debate , has richly earned the gratitude and esteem of his fellow-workers . As a founder

of the lodge he has laboured diligently to promote its success , but we had yet one further burden to lay upon him , and to-night he has taken it up—how greatly to the satisfaction of us all , I need not pause to remark . His own feelings , however , on being placed by the general vote at the head of our vast and still growing organisation , I shall venture to interpret by quoting two short lines , vvhich I think will also illustrate the principle that has actuated him throughout life :

" Nor Fame I slight , nor for her favours call , She comes unlocked for , if she comes at all . " Other toasts were proposed . West Ham Abbey Lodge ( No . 2291 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Stratford Town Hall , on the 5 th instant , under the presidency of Bro . W . G . Norman , supported by Bros . Govier , P . M . j Boulton , P . M . ; Carrell . P . M . ; E . Triggs , S . W . ; A .

Reed , J . W . j F . C . D . Fenn , P . M ., Sec . , * G . W . Kidd , S . D . j G . Gurun , I . G . j and M . Gross , Tyler . Among the members present vvere Bros . Watford , House , Carter , Chalmers , Laver , Everdue , Turner , Porter , McDowall , Telford , Treis , Riche , Vallance , Bush , Worland , Byford , Ayton , Nicol , Robertson , Volckman , McDonald , Single , Smith , and Graves . Visitors : Bros . A . Digby Green , E .

Smith , Welsh , Webb , Lines , and Everett . The lodge being opened , the minutes were read and confirmed . Mr . Nicol having been previously proposed and approved , was initiated . Bro . Laver was raised to the Degree of M . M . Two new candidates for initiation were then proposed and seconded , and a brother for joining . Other business was subsequently transacted , and the lodge was then closed .

Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge ( No . 2362 ) . — The first installation in the above lodge since its consecration took place in the Officers' Mess Room at the headquarters of the regiment , Chenies-street , Tottenham Courtroad , on Wednesday , the nth inst . The W . M ., Bro . Claud Scott , who has been assiduous in his attention to the duty of his office during his Mastership , was not present , owing to

the sad bereavement in the loss of his father , the late Bro . Wm . Booth , P . M . 822 . The members present were Bros . Matthew Hale , P . M . 27 , S . W . and W . M . elect j G . C . Grimes , J . W . j H . R . Myers , P . M ., Treas . j J . L . Miller , Sec . j W . H . Faircloth , S . D . j H . Sillis , J . D . j J . Jackson , I . G . j Lawrence , Tyler j Col . Smith Richards , G . D . Mogford , T . W . Mogford , C . C . Gilbert , E . Jackson

Crow , G . Chandler , J . W . Harris , J . Thompson , E . C . Andrews , and G . W . Baxter . The visitors present were Bros . John Oldis , P . M . 1288 ,- W . A . Scurrah , P . M . 167 , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . j W . O . Welsford , D . C . 1321 j A . W . Gerrard , S . W . 204 S j H . J . Macfarlane , J . W . 27 . ' W . H . Libbis , P . M . 27 j G . Goddard , 733 j B . Lindon , 733 * Horatio H . Shirley , P . M . 1491 j Wm . Groome , P . M . 861 j R . J . Hearnden , 1853 j W . J . Francis , 860 j

C . Sargent , J . W . 1261 ; G . Lennox , 19 j E . Gilbert , 173 j H . Longman , W . M . 2271 j G . Young , 1 790 j W . F . Lord , J . W . 2168 ; F . C . Joseph , J . W . 204 S j T . Powell , 21 S 2 J C . E . Smith , 2182 j VV . J . Harris , J . W . 1321 j H . G . Gush , P . M . 1541 j and Horace Reynolds , 2182 . The chair vvas taken by Bro . Matthew Hale , P . M ., W . M . elect , supported by Bro . Scurrah , P . M ., acting I . P . M ., and

Bro . Horatio Shirley , P . M ., as S . W . After the formal business of the lodge , Messrs . W . S . Hall and G . Groome were duly initiated , making a total of 16 members of the regiment who have joined the lodge in the first year of its existence . Bro . H . R . Myers , P . M ., Treas ., then in a very able and impressive manner installed Bro . M . Hale , P . M ., W . M . of the lodge for the ensuing year . The W . M . then

appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . G . C . Grimes , S . W . j VV . IL Faircloth , J . W . j H . R . Myers , Treas . ( re-elected ) j J . L . Miller , Sec . j Harry Sillis , S . D . j Geo . D . Mogford , J . D . j George W . Barber , I . G . j T . Mogford , D . C . j and G . E . Gilbert , Stwd . The W . M . received the " Hearty good wishes" of the visitors . It vvas proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously , " That honorary membership of the lodge be conferred upon Bros .

W . A . Scurrah , P . M ., and W . O . Welsford , for the assistance they had given in the working of the lodge during the year . " . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet in the Canteen , decorated vvith bunting for the occasion , served under the management of Bro . Stickland , the Steward of the Canteen .

The usual loyal toasts vvere given and duly honoured . The Treasurer , Bro . Myers , P . M ., then proposed the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " which was enthusiastically received . The W . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren , and trusted that by the attention of himself and officers , the lodge would continue its successful career .

The toast of "The Installing Officers and the I . P . M . " vvas then honoured , the W . M . lauding the excellent manner in which Bro . Myers had worked the ceremony , and touched in a feeling manner upon the sad bereavement vvhich occasioned the absence of the I . P . M ., Bro . Claud Scott .

Bro . Myers suitably replied on behalf of himself and the I . P . M . " The Initiate ' s . " toast vvas duly honoured and responded to . The W . M ., rising to propose the toast of the visitors , said that before giving the toast , he had another duty to per-

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form , by conferring honorary membership upon Bros . Scurrah and Welsford . They had shut them out from the toast of visitors , but as a mark of appreciation for their services in the past , he had great pleasure , at the wish of the members of the lodge , in presenting each of them vvith a jewel of the lodge , and trusted they would live many years to wear it .

Bros . Scurrah and Welsford replied , expressing their sincere gratitude and appreciation of the honour conferred , and the kindness received by them from the brethren . "The Visitors '" toast vvas given and received in the usual hearty manner , and Bro . W . H . Libbis , P . M ., in reply , expressed his admiration of the manner in which the work of the lodge vvas conducted , but as the W . M . was his son-in-law , he would leave it to others to say what the

visitors thought of the W . M . Bro . Wm . Groome , P . M ., said that as the father of one of the initiates he had received great kindness from the W . M ., in an offer to let him initiate his own son in the lodge , but he had preferred to let the officers of the lodge do their work , and he did not regret his decision , for every officer , from the W . M . downwards , had done his work

admirably . Bro . Horatio Shirley , P . M ., expressed his unqualified satisfaction both with working in the lodge and the treatment of visitors at the festive board . The toast of " The Officers" followed , and , as the lateness

of the hour had compelled the departure of the senior officers , was ably responded to by Bro . Harry Sillis , who , calling attention to the great success which had attended their efforts in the past , expressed on behalf of the officers confidence in the future . The toasts throughout the evening were interspersed with

. The Tyler's toast brought to a close a very enjoyable evening .

— PROVINCIAL MEETINGS . BRADFORD . Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Darley-street , on Thursday , the 12 th inst ., when Bro . E . Pearson Peterson , W . M ., who presided , was supported by Bro . Geo . Althorp , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., as I . P . M . j A . Stephenson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . Cj Y . Wainman

Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . O . j S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Chap ., * John Niven , S . W . j John T . Last , J . W . j Chas . H . Ellis , Treas . j James B . Fearnley , Sec . ; Alfred J . Boyle , S . D . j Arthur Holmes , J . D . ; R . S . Hird , as I . G . j John Thornton , S . of W . j John Morton and A . E . Harris , Stwds . j Goodman Root , Tyler j and Thos . Jowett , Visitors : Bros . W . M . Oddy , W . M . 974 J Henry Telford .

J . D . 387 j and John Coates , 362 . After the minutes of the installation meeting had been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bro . Joseph Wilson , P . M . 1034 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., as a joining member , vvhich proving unanimous in his favour , he was duly received into the lodge . The W . M . called upon Bro . Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., who gave an admirable rendering of the lecture ,

or symbolical explanation of the second tracing board , dealing vvith the criticisms of the learned Dr . Oliver thereon . The address was listened to with marked interest by the brethren , and at its close a resolution ( to be recorded on the minutes ) was moved by Bro . Althorp , P . P . G . P ., supported by Bros . Wilson , P . P . G . Std . Br . j Last , J . W . ; and Oddy , W . M . 974 , expressing the thanks and appreciation

of the lodge to Bro . Holmes for his able and instructive lecture , who , in acknowledging the compliment , stated that he had but little more than touched the fringe of the subject , so extensive- was the symbolism from its various aspects . Bro . Bailey , P . M ., the lodge representative on the Provincial Charity Committee , then brought before the lodsre the resolution passed at the last half-yearly meeting

of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire held at Sowerby Bridge , to raise a fund of 1200 guineas in the province for the purchase of a perpetual presentation to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in honour of their esteemed P . G . M ., Bro . T . W . Tew , J . P ., P . G . D . England , vvho was unfortunately confined on a bed of affliction , to be called "The Thomas Wm . Tew Presentation , " a sum of

10 guineas was voted out of the lodge funds towards the presentation . Apologies were tendered for the unavoidable absence of Bro . S . A . Auty , I . P . M ., vvho had recently met with an unfortunate accident which confined him to his home , and several other brethren . The W . M . reported to the lodge the very hearty greeting he received from the Wakefield brethren on the occasion of his recently delivering his

lecture on " Masonic Triads before the Wakefield Masonic Literary Society , and he also conveyed from the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D . Eng ., the Vice-President of the society , his cordial greetings to Lodge Acacia . After "Hearty good wishes" from the visitors and brethren the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned

to refreshment , and a very pleasant evening was spent . In responding to the toast of "The Visitors , " Bro . Oddy , VV . M . 974 , expressed the pleasure it had afforded him to make this his first visit to the lodge , his approbation of the manner in which the proceedings in the lodge had been conducted , and of the gratification he enjoyed at the opportunity of hearing Bro . Holmes' lecture , as he himself had for some time past been a student of the second

tracing board , and the lecture had thrown a new light upon the subject . Bros . Telford and Coates likewise acknowledged the toast in suitable terms . "The Health of the W . M . " vvas proposed in very complimentary terms by Bro . Oddy , W . M . 974 , who suitably responded . The Tyler ' s toast ended the proceedings . Bros . Coates , Holmes , and Boyle with songs contributed largely to the harmony of the evening .

BUSHEY . Bushey Hall Lodge ( No . 2323 ) . — This successful lodge held its installation meeting on Saturday , the 7 th inst ., at the HaU , _ when there was a large attendance of brethren , including many distinguished Grand Officers . The members present included Bros . J . H . Renton , W . M . ; Wakeford May , P . A . G . D . C , S . W . and W . M . elect ; C . E . Keyser , P . P . G . W .. I . P . M . j E . W . Jaquet , J . W . j T . Fenn , Pres . Board of General Purposes , D . Cj E . de B . Barnett , S . D . ; C E . Birch , P . M .,