Craft Masonry.

Duke of Connaught Lodge , No . 1524 . A regular meeting of this prosperous lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleetstreet , on the 2 Sth ult ., when there was a full programme of work . The VV . M ., Bro . E . J . Turnbull , presided , and performed the various ceremonies with ability and impressiveness . The other officers and members present included Bros . W . Oakley , S . W . ;

Pearce , J . W . ; W . H . Brand , P . M ., Treas . ; C Lorkin . P . M ., Sec . ; F . VV . Rogers , l . P . M . ; E . Dignam . P . M . ; A . Ferrar , P . M . ; R . Polak , P . M . ; A . R . Olley , P . M . ; W . Beasley , P . M . ; J . H . Rich , P . M . ; W . Simpson , P . M . ; Frisby , J . D . ; Felsenthal , Org . ; W . Wright , and others . Visitors : Bros . R . E . Fairclough , P . M . 13 G 5 ; Kebhle , J . W . 1 GG 2 ; Longmore , 225 C ; Johnsin , ' Si 3 ; and VV . W . Lee , P . M . 1 S 97 , 23 S 1 , Prov . G . Stwd . Middx .

The lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed . Bros . May and Zender were raised to the Third Degree , and Bros . Hammond and James were passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft . Messrs . W . Harmer and R . Clinton were then initiated into Freemasonry . The elections were proceeded with and Bro . W . T . Oakley ,. S . W ., was unanimously elected as W . M . for the ensuing year , and , having been heartily congratulated , briefly replied . Bro . W . H . Brand , P . M ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer and Bro . Joes re-elected Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel was voted to Bro . Turnbull , W . M ., in recognition of his valuable services during the year . Lodge was closed , and after banquet the usual toasts were honoured .

Bro . Rogers , l . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " and said that Bro . Turnbull had proved himself an excellent Master , and had conducted the business of the lodge in a manner second to none of his predecessors . By his excellent rendering of the ritual the W . M . had well earned the jewel voted to him , and had fully maintained the hi g h reputation of the lodge . Bro . E . J . Turnbull , W . M ., tendered sincere thanks for the hearty and enthusiastic manner in which the toast had been received , not only on that but upon every occasion

on which he had had the honour to preside . That was probably the last occasion on which he would preside as W . M ., and he should leave the chair with mingled feelings of regret and satisfaction . The feeling of regret was , however , very small , whilst the feeling of satisfaction was particularly strong . He regretted more particularly that he was unworthy of the very nattering comments made upon his poor abilities from time to time , and also regretted that his year of office was drawing to a close . These feelings were inevitable , but his satisfaction was great , for he conscientiously believed that every member would do him the credit of thinking he had done his utmost to maintain since he had held the reins of office

the honour , reputation , and dignity of the lodge . He was thankful to the Great Architect for giving him health and strength to carry out his duties with some small degree of credit to himself and satisfaction to the lodge . He desired to express gratitude for the co-operation and kindly support he had received from every individual member . He hoped to be spared to be amongst them and assist them as far as be could , and as he had been assisted during the past 12 months . He expressed the fervent wish that every Master who followed him would endeavour to do his utmost to communicate happiness to the members . "The Initiates" was followed by "The Visitors . "

In reply to the latter toast , Bro . R . E . Fairclough , l . P . M . 13 G 5 , referred to his recent election as Preceptor of the Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction , and Bro . Lee drew attention to the chapter attached to the lodge , which would gladly welcome any members desirous of joining Royal Arch Freemasonry . " The I . P . M ., Past Masters , and Treasurer and Secretary " was next given by the W . M ., who bore testimony to the excellent services rendered by all , and expressed his gratification that Bro . Brand , P . M ., had been re-elected Treasurer for the 15 th time .

The W . M ., in proposing " The Health of the W . M . Elect , " cordially congratulated Bro . Oakley upon his unanimous election , and assured him it was a very distinguished honour to occupy such an important position . Bro . W . T . Oakley , S . W ., VV . M . elect , in response , said the W . M . had discovered more good qualities in him than he was aware he possessed . Whatever office he had taken in the lodge it had been his earnest wish to carry out to the best of his ability , and

he believed , by the manner in which he had been elected , that he had given them satisfaction . He hoped to give them as much satisfaction in the duties of W . M . He was obliged to the Past Masters for their offer of assistance , and there was nobody more anxious to work in love and harmony with the Secretary than he was , for he had received the greater part of his instruction from Bro . Lorkin , P . M ., Sec . Other toasts were given before the proceedings terminated .

Special mention should be made of an excellent musical programme , carefully pre pared and admirably carried out by Bro . Felsenthal , Org .

Leopold Lodge , No . 1571 . On Monday , the gth instant , at the Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , Bro . Hy . T . Meadows , S . W .. was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . W . Carly , P . M ., Treasurer . A Past Master ' s jewel was voted to the W . M ., Bro . Arthur Watts , for his services in the chair during the past year , who thanked the brethren for the honour conferred upon him .

ln future the meetings of the lodge will be held on the third Wednesday in the months of January , February , March , October , November , and December . The instalation meeting will consequently fall on Wednesday , the 15 th prox .

Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . An emergency meeting was held on Monday , the iGth inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , when there were present Bros . George Rawlinson , I . P . M ., acting W . M . ; Septimus Croft , S . W . ; W . R . B . Briscoe , J . W . ; Rev . T . Selby Henrey , acting Chap . ; George Kenning , P . M ., Sec . ; Thos . Briggs , S . D . ; H . N . Bennett , J . D . ; Edwd . Anderton , P . M ., D . C ; H . Thomas , Tyler ; Arthur B . Hudson , P . M . ;

John Larkin , P . M . ; Rupert Smyth , and Clarence R . R . Hopper . Visitors : Bros . T . Selby Henrey , Chap . 192 ; ' Charles Garton , S . D . 192 ; W . S . Whitaker , P . M . 1572 ; and Dr . S . R . Lovett , P . M . 3 . The lodge being duly opened , a ballot was taken for Mr . Clarence R . R . Hopper , and the result being unanimously in his favour , he was initiated by Bro . George Kenning , P . M . The charge alter the initiation was given by Bro . VV . S . Whitaker in his usual masterly manner .

The ledge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner , the usual toasts being duly honoured . The musical arrangements were ably carried out by Bro . G . H , Dawson , of the Guildhall School of Music .

Sir Charles Bright Lodge , No . 1893 . A meeting of this ledge was held at the Clarence Hotel , Tcddington , on the 27 th ult . Arr . org those present were Bros . F . Chandler , P . M . iG . i 6 , P . P . G . P ., W . M . ; J . Ruffell , S . W . ; W . Middlcweek . P . M ., as J . W . ; R . W . Forge , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; E . W . Warner , P . M ., P . P . A G . D . C , Sec . ; VV . Smith , S . D . ; T . Middleweek , I . G . ; and Capt T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . S . B ., E . Hall , and R . Golf , Slur ' s . Bro . Langley , P . P . G . D ., was a visitor .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . A long discussion then ensued as to the financial position of the lodge . Bro . Walls gave a notice of rrolion that Ihe sum of 10 guineas be voted to the R . M . B . I ., per Bro . F . J . Chandler , VV . M ., as Slewaid . A petition to the Board of Benevolence on behalf of the widow of an eld ard highly icspected member of the lodge was signed . 1 he Secretary reported that he had received a notice from the D . P . G . M . of the province to the effect that " The Kccm Testimonial" would close on the 31 st inst . The lodge was then closed . Refreshment followed . _

The Worshipful Master , in proposing "The Health of the Provincial Grand Officers , " paid a high compliment to Bros . H . 11 . Room and G . R . Langley . He said lhat the first was a mest zealous ard genial Prov . Grand Secretary , and the latter an excellent Secretary to the Cfarity Committee of the Province . Bro . Langley , in responding , made a very interesting speech in connection with the Charities . A few other toasts were given and the brethren separated .

Craft Masonry.

St . Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 . A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 4 th instant , in the Masonic Rooms , Thorne . Present : Bros . G . Kenyon , W . M . ; S . H . C . Ashlin , acting l . P . M . ; T . Barber , S . W . ; H . A . Fenton , J . W . ; B . Maskill , Treas . ; J . J . Littlewood , Chap . ; J . Constable , Sec . ; G . Eland , S . D . ; E . J Hirst , J . D . ; J- H . Bletcher , Almoner ; F . T .

Turner , D . C ; W . P . Robotham , Org . ; h . Simpson , I . G . ; T . J . Smith , Stwd . ; F . Pine , Tyler ; A . L . Peace , T . R . R . Marsdin , R . Brew , E . Shillito , and J . Dugdale . Visitors : Bros . C . H . Woodhouse , I . P . M ., J . H . Pawson , W . M ., and J . T . Turner , of 242 ; and W . Chamberlain , VV . Pickering , and J . T . Wresell , of 1482 . Mr . T . Tomlinson was initiated and Bro . E . Simpson was invested as I . G ., after which the lodge was closed .

The W . M . had invited all the brethren to partake of supper at his expense , and Mrs . Marsh certainly carried out his wishes by providing an excellent spread . " The usual toasts and songs followed . Of course , the toast of the evening— " The Health of the W . M . "—was enthusiastically received and Masonically honoured .

St . Aldhelm ' s Lodge , No . 2559 . A meeting of this lodge was held in the Schools , Branksome , on the 10 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Major W . Watts , W . M . ; A . C . Kemble . S . W . ; M . C . C . Burke , J . W ; R . Patey , Chap . ; F . H . Cridland , Treas . ; A . H . Yeatman , Sec ; F . Hew Cottam , S . D . ; E . P . Oakley , J . D . ; A . H . Lawton , D . C ; T . Gilt Bennett , I . G . ; H . Beamish , Tyler ; and C Carter , P . M . Visitors : Bros . Woodford , P . M . ; McCormick , Mate , White , and Francis .

The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the precious meeting read and confirmed , the VV . M . initiated Capt . Harrison ( late 7 th Fusiliers ) . The addresses were given bv Bro . C . Carter , the charge by Bro . H . A . Lawton , and the working tools by the W . M . The lodge was then closed .

Scots Lodge , No . 2319 . This lodge held its " St . Andrew ' s . " meeting at the Scottish Corporation Hall , Cranecourt , Fleet-street , on the 2 Sth ult ., under the presidency of Bro . Joseph J . Whitehead , W . M . There were present on the occasion Bros . Thomas Grant , l . P . M . ; John Page , P . M . ; James Thompson , S . W . ; H . Massey ( 160 , P . M . 619 and 192 S ) , acting J . W . ; Alexander Ritchie , J . P ., Treas . ; D . A . Ross , Ssc . ; E . J . Gordon , P . M ., J . D . ; W ,

Craig , I . G . ; J . Anderson , D . C ; A . Gordon , Org . ; W . Laurie and T . Sandilands , Stwds . ; VV . Robertson , Tyler ; Peter Maclean , Piper ; A . D . Arnott , Peter Black , Balfour , D . Smith , J . M . Barclay , A . Macgregor , J . Ptenderleith , J . Nicol , A . Whitehead , A . J . Macmaster , D . Charters , J . Macgregor , J . Bennett , and visitors , Bros . C . C . Thomas , P . M ., Sec . 159 S ; J . Featherstone , 1656 ; C . F . Matier , Sec . 2205 ; E . Churchman , W . M . 1425 ; J . Lamb , 1 G 72 ; and C . Alstrom , P . M . 2374 .

After the minutes of the former meeting had been read and confirmed , the Auditors ' report on the ball account was taken and adopted , and the general feelin j wn freely expressed that there had not been a more successful gathering in connect ! > n with the lodge than the last ball . Bro . A . D . Arnott was raised to the Third Degree , the W . M . and his officers performing the work admirably . Communications were read by the Secretary from Bro . Dr . Forbes , S . W ., regretting his inability to attend on account of not having

sufficiently recovered from his accident , and from Bro . D . F . Gellion P . M ., who was prevented attending by being away from town , hoping thebrethren would enjoy themselves and not separate without a reel . The W . M ., in the name of the brethren , regretted these absences , as well as the absence of Bro . John Whitehead , P . M ., and alter the transaction of some other business , the brethren proceeded to banquet , which was excellently provided in the Scottish fashion .

The usual toasts followed , and the speeches , which were very brief , were interspersed with some capital vocal music by Bros . Churchman , W . Laurie , Ashley Gordon , Arnott , and Nicol .

Bro . Thomas Grant , I . P . M ., proposed " I he Worshipful Master , " and said every brother must be as proud of Bro . Whitehead as he was . Itwasa very great pleasure for any P . M . of a lodge to have such a W . M ., and all the members woald rally round him . They had witnessed the style in which , during his year , he had perfor . ned the ceremonies of passing and raising , which wa an earnest of the way in which he could do the installation when it next came round , s

Bro . J . J . Whitehead , W . M ., in responding , said what little things he might have done during his year of office , he could assure the brethren he was heartily pleased by the enthusiasm they had shown that evening for the efforts he had made . He felt confident that the brethren who would follow him would not d } less than he had done , for the enthusiasm of the brethren would spur them on to achieve success . He himself deserved no thanks . The lodge of instruction was formed not by him , but by the brethren who had come up and supported him . That went a long way to prove that for enthusiasm no lodge in London could beat the Scots Lodge .

Bro . Alex . Ritchie , J . P ., C . C ., Treas ., in replying to the toast of " The Trustee , the Treasiier , and the Secretary , " said that after all the Secretary was the brother in the lodge who did the work , he had the grip of the £ s . d ., and knew what all the brethren owed . St . Andrew ' s Day was the great day in the sacred walls of the Scottish Corporation , where they were doing a most charitable work . They had to be up and doing . Bro . Dr . Forbes , who was not able to walk without crutches , was as jolly and happy as ever , and the mantle that had fallen on the W . M . was not going to be

disgraced on the 30 th . He had 20 or 30 guineas , and if the brethren could give him an extra guinea he hoped they would do so . It was his pride and privilege to know that place was crowded with recipients of bounty , people who through no fault of their own had been brought down , old people who hid been brought up in comfort , but who had lost husbands or sons who were their support . The cases were all carefully looked into bthe CommitteeAnd after all

y . , Freemasonry was devoted to Charity , No charity was equal to it . It had its School for Girls , its School for Boys , and its Institution for the Aged , and when they considered that as much as £ G 2 , ooo was subscribed in one year to these Institutions , it was a great work to do . Scotsmen were not to be left behind that . He asked the brethren to rally round the Stewards of the Scottish Corporation on St . Andrew ' s Day .

Bro . D . A , Ross , Sec , also replied , and was glad his energy was exerted in such a good cause . Bro . J . J . Whitehead , W . M ., in proposing "The Past Masters , " said in the Past Masters they had some of the most worthy men a lodge could possess . They always gave to everything proposed by the W . M ., which was most gratifying . In the l . P . M . they had a brother who had done all he could , and of Bro . Page also he could not say too much . Every meeting he ( Bro . Whitehead ) had called with regard to the lodge of

instruction and the ball Bro . Grant had attended . There could not have been a better Past Master . Bro . Gellion would . have been present , only he was out on a favourite pastime—shooting . Of Bro . Whitehead ( the W . M . ' s father ) he must say he had to be excused because he was very heavily laden with business at present . Bro . Thomas Grant , P . M ., replying to the toast , said it was a pleasure for any

Past Muiter of the Scots Lodge to see such an array of his officers going on to the chair by progressive steps . Any Past Master ought to be proud of it . Bro . John Page , P . M ., said that anything the Past Masters could do for the Scots Lodge they were ready to do , and that would always be the case . He had been delighted to see the work done so well by the VV . M . that evening ; it was a credit to the Past Masters as well as to the lodge .

All the visitors obeyed the Worshipful Master ' s command to respond to the toast of "The Visitors , " and ' expresscd the pleasure they had had in attending and seeing the work so well performed . Bro . Gordon , J . D ., in responding to the toast of " The Officers , " said he had held a triple position , but it had afforded him the pleasurable opportunity of seeing the completion of his introduction of Bro . Arnott into Masonry . Although he had done Deacons ' work several times he had never had the pleasure of assisting such a brother—a brother of

such intellectual capacity . From the way he conducted himself it could be seen that Bro . Arnott had Masonry at heart , and he hoped he would be a member for many years to come . The visitors had eulogised the working of the lodge , and he thought that eulogy justified the pride of the lodge in having Bro . Joseph Whitehead as its W . M . Although he was a young W . M . they congratulated themselves on having such a VV . M . among them , and they would support him . While they had him it would always be their endeavour to support him to the utmost of their ability , and in saying that he was stating the views of all the officers of the lodge . Bro . W . Craig , I . G ., also responded , and said that while the W . M . gave him any duties to perform he should be only too pleased to perform them . The proceedings closed with " Auld Lane Syne . "