Craft Masonry.

Bro . Armstrong , W . M ., in proposing "The Initiate" said the Iris Lodge had had rrany initiates , but it ncvc . " had had one who had given them mere pleasure to welcome in lire brethren's midst than Bro . Clunies-Ross . Most of the brethren had no doubt read eitherlhe Pailiamentary Blue Book or in the public Press an account of Bro . Ross and the wonderful distant islands in the Indian Ocean over which he ruled ; but to those of the visitors or the brethren who had not read it he might say that for the last 27 years Bro . Clunier-Ross had ruled with the utmost skill the inhabitants of the

Keeling-Cocos islands which were situated some 1500 miles from the nearest land . From a geographical point of view they were wonderful ; they were described in Darwin ' s book and by Capt . Fitzroy , who said that the Keeling-Cocos Is ' and were the most wonderful and unique place he had seen in the world ; they were a place where crabs ate cocoa-nuts , fish lived on corn , dogs caught fish , men rode on turtles , and rats made their nests on the top of palms . Bro . Clunies-Ross was entering on Masonry , and it was doubtful whether he would find in it anyth-ng more wonderful than in his own

Islands . Bro . Ross had ruled over the inhabitants of these islan-is without aid , without an army , a police force , or any navy ; he had done it by force of his ewn individuality , and unfailing justice tempered by his kindness of heart . This was all the m ) re wonderful when it was considered that the inhabitants of the islands were not people all belonging to one race ; . they were a miscellaneous species of humanity—Malays principally—but Bro . Ross had brought them all into subjection ; he had educated them , taught them industries , to build ships , so well indeed , that they had built a yacht under his

supervision that he himself was able to go all round the world in it ; he had taught theni trade , how to carry on an extensive trade in the chief produce of their islands . Further than that , his administration had from time to time been the subject of enquiry by the British Government , because some time ago , when he found himself a weak power—a weak power compared with Germany—he placed the whole of his islands—the whole of his possessions—under the British fl-g ; he therefore came under British law , and the Government sent out commissions to investigate the condition of things and how Bro ,

Ross carried on his business . The numerous commissioners who visited the islands had one and all reported that they had nothing to find fault with , that everything they saw in the island from beginning to end was creditable . The last Commissioner who went out there was a man sent from the Straits Settlements , who was accustomed to the Malays , and he gave a testimonial most flattering to Bro . Ross . Although he had been associated from his earliest youth with the government and education of Malays , he had never come across a set of them so well governed as those under Bro . Ross . They

said that Bro . Ross was to them as a father , and he was regarded as such by them , ln their quarrels they went to him , and his judgment was regarded , and he settled them with his paternal counsels . That wonderful state of affairs had not b ; en attain ; d by Bro . Ross in a day ; it was the result of long years of patient labour . Years ago there were black times when Bro . Ross , knowing the truth of Shakespeare's remark , " Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown , " having no army , no watchmen , but was alone with his family , had about him treacherous assassins , who on more than one occasion

attempted his life . On one of those occasions Bro . Ross refused to have any guard , knowing the treacherous nature of the people , and he was obliged to keep a watch himself , and was unable to sleep more than an hour at a time . When he was asleep , a wretched , miserable specimen of humanity , actuated by a murderous design , went to Bro . Ross ' s room , but Bro . Ross awoke in time , and his own strength stopped the wretch's hand , with a knife in it . Bro . Ross having caught him red-handed , the culprit expected immediate death , but under all the circumstances , Bro . Ross ,

satisfying himself that the man was only a tool , let him go scot free . Some years ago , when a mutinous band of Italian brigands were wrecked off his island , they set on foot a plan for upsetting the Ross Government , and , strange to say , it was made known by the very man Bro . Ross had let go . It was only just to Bro . Ross that these facts should be told , in order that the brethren might duly appreciate the kind of man they were now welcoming as a member . Bro . Ross was not able to make a speech

that evening , but if they would drink his health with a proper amount of vigour , he would tell them , probably in Malay , something of his islands , his own life , lis own hardships , and , possibly , something of his own successes . He ( the W . M . ) had said enough to show that they should be exceedingly proud of their initiate , and he hoped they would drink with spirit , and show Bro . Ross , who was not altogether accustomed to our English social life , that he was , at any rate , thoroughly and heartily welcome to the Iris Lodge .

Bro . Clunies-Ross , in reply , said that he had lived so long among the savage people that he hardl y knew how to find English words to thank the brethren for their kindness in allowing him to become a member of the Iris Lodge of Freemasons ; but he appreciated the honour they had done him , and he should try all he could to be a worthy member . That was his poor resolve . It was an encouragement when he returned to the

old country . It was a pleasure to be among the brethren , and would bc more so when he knew more of the ways of this body . Being away 23 years without speaking the English language it was very difficult to command your own expression in that language . During all the time he had been away he hardly ever saw on e to speak it . He felt very much complimented by the VV . M . giving such a stretch of hi s ( Bro . Ross ' s ) life . The Charity box at this point fetched £ 5 ios .

The toast of " The Visitors " was replied to by Bros . Emson , Morgan , and Fooks , and the other toasts having been given and accepted , the brethren separated .

Agricultural Lodge , No . 1199 . On Monday , the 20 th instant , the annual meeting of this Iodge took place at the Assembly Rooms , Yatton , for the installation of the new W . M . and other officers . There were present Bros . J . W . Pitts , P . P . G . Stwd ., W . M . ; J . H . T . Evans , P . P . S . G . D ., I . P . M . ; A . VV . Metcalfe , S . W ., W . M . elect ; VV . A . Ljddon . J . W . ;

C . L . F . Edwards , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., S . G . D ., Treas . ; T . A . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Sec . ; R . W . Mattock , S . D . ; A . Powell , J . D . ; W . Reece , P . P . G . D . of C , D . of C ; E . Thatcher , P . P . G . O , Org . ; E . H . Openshaw , I . G . ; E . J . Davey , Stud . ; A . Barber , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst . ; G . VV . Knowle , P . M . ; S . D . G . Cox , P . M ., P . P . G . Sid . Br . ; Savage-GIanvill , and others .

Lodge was opened , the minutes , ! confirmed , and a satisfactory Audit Report was adopted . Bro . Metcalfe was then presented by Uro . Smith as W . M . elect , and duly installed into the chair by Bro . E . F . Wade , P . M . 291 , P . G , Sec , in the absenceof Bio . R . C . Else , D . P . G . M ., P . G . D ., through illness . 'I he following ollicers wcre appointed : Bios . J . VV . Pitts , I . P . M . ; R . VV . Mattock , S . VV . ; VV . A . Lyddon , J . W . ¦ , R . W . Statram , Chap . ; CL , F . Edwards , S . G . D ., Treas . ; F . A . Smith , Sec . ; A . Powell , S . D . ; E . H . Openshaw , J . D . ; E . J . Davey , I . G . ; C . W . Bristoive and C Winter , Stwds . ; and J . Hall , Tvler .

The brethren then adjourned to the banquet served by Bro . J . Mountstrevery , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P ., which being concluded , the W . M . proposed the usual toasts . The W . M ., in proposing the toast of " The Grand Ledge . " referred to the honour of having Bro . C . L . l < . Edwards , S . G . D ., as Treasurer another year , who replied and said the Grand Officers were not idle men , and took a great deal of interest in the Craft

Craft Masonry.

In submitting the toast of "The W . M ., " Bro . Collins , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., said that he hoped the VV . M . would have a busy year , and was sure that with health and strength the duties of the lodge would be carried out in a satisfactory manner . " The Health of the Visitors " was next proposed . Bros . F . Blackmore , P . M . 1222 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . C Thomas , W . M . 1222 ; H . W . Mackenzie , S . W . 1750 ; T . F . Goodall , W . M . 446 ; J . Gover , Colston , and Bristol replied .

The toasts of " The Past Masters " and " The Officers of the Lodge" were respectively briefly given , and responded to in a few words . A few good songs closed the proceedings .

Southampton Lodge , No . 394 . The brethren of the above lodge celebrated the Festival of St . John on Thursday , the 16 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , when Bro . A . Wellesley Harris , S . W ., was installed as W . M , the ceremony being performed by Bro . G . Tilling , P . M ., P . G . D . A large number were present , including Bros . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . D . England ; Chaloner

Shenton , VV . M . 7 ( 1 ; R . R . Linthorne , W . M . 130 ; II . Rowlhorne , W . M . 359 ; S . Cooksey , W . M . 1112 ; R . W . Rider , W . M . 1461 ; Drysdall , W . M . 17 S 0 ; C . H . H . Candy , W . M . 7 S 5 ; J . Lemon , H . F . Aslatt , H . Bull , H . Lashmore , S . Dacombe , A . Hewitt , F . W . Dunsford , VV . Bowyer , A . Doggrell , and J . Hollis , of the lodge ; C 1 . Sharp , I . P . M ., J . Cole , C . VV . A . Jellicoe , and Bernard Harfield , of 130 ; Rev . H . Searle , 76 , P . G . C ; Fletcher , 1112 ; and J . C . Burbage , 319 .

The following officers were appointed for the year : Bros . Fairweather ( from whom a telegram explaining absence was received ) , I . P . M . ; E . Cooper Poole , S . W . ; W . Berry , J . W . ; J . Lemon , Treas . ; R . R . Linthorne , Sec ; Rev . S . W . Stevens , M . A ., Chap . ; W . Paul , S . D . ; J . E . Maffev , J . D . ; F . A . Dunsford , P . M ., D . C . ; E . R . Ensor , I . G . ; J . T . Wells , Org . ; J . H . Blizard and M . G . Conlan , Stewards ;

and W . Vare , Tyler . Votes of thanks were passed to the Installing Master , to the I . P . M ., and the late Secretary , Bro . riowyer , a Past Master's jewel and a Secretary ' s jewel being voted in the two latter cases . A vote of sympathy with Bro . VV . Bates , P . M ., on the death of his brother , Bro . H . Bates , A . R . A ., was also passed . The lodge was then closed .

The brethren afterwards partook of a recherche , banquet , served by Mr . Etheridge The new W . M . presided , and a very enjoyable evening ensued .

St . Andrews Lodge , No . 2541 . The installation of Bro . Goodwin-Norris took place at the Masonic Hall , Avonmouth , near Bristol , on Saturday , the iSth inst . The ceremony was most ably performed by the VV . M ., Bro . T . Hcskins Gore , assisted by Bros . R . P . Sumner , P . Prov . S . G . W ., and E . J . Villers , P . M . The W . M . appointed as his officers for the ensuing year Bros . F . S . Gifford , S . W . ; J . J . Pearse , J . W . ; E . R . Hodges , Sec . ; T . Chapman , S . D . ; H . Cottrell , J . D . j E . J . Pillers , D . C . j Charles Stone , I . G . j Barnard and Jeffeiies , Stwds . ; and James , Tyle-.

A barquent was subsequently held at the Royal Hotel , when the usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured . There were some 30 brethren present , and among the visitors were Bros . R . C Stephens , P . M .: Machon , P . M . ; T . I ) . Sibly , F . H . Jullion , H . Dix Vincent , and Barnard .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Royal Alfred Chapter , No . 777 . The regular meeting of this chapter was held at the Angel Hotel , Guildford , on Wednesday , the 15 th instant , when tliere were present Comps . F . Dowse , Prov . G . D . C , M . E . Z . ; Richard Eve , Past G . Treas . Eng ., as H . ; Alfred Gibbs , J . ; J . B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., Scribe E . ; T . P . Whateley , P . S . ; and W . Macklin , A . S . Visitors Comps . R . F . Gould , P . Z . 92 ; W . A . Shaw , 2317 j and Surgeon Major Wellington Lake , 1704 .

After the transaction of some routine business the chapter was closed , and an excellent banquet followed , the companions spending a very pleasant evening , and . separating al an early hour .

Kennington Chapter , No . 1381 . A convocation of this chapter was held at the Horns Tavern , Kennington , on the oth inst . Among those present were Comps . A . Lundie , M . E . Z . j Smith , H . j Whitney , J . ; H . Higgins , P . Z ., P . P . G . D . C . j S . C George Everett , P . G . Treas , Eng ., P . Z ., Treas . ; Wolsey , P . S . ; Maj . T . C Walls , P . Z ., P . D . G . D . C . Eng . ; C H . Kohler , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . B . ; H . J . Lardner , P . Z ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Salter , P . Z . ; Lingley , P . Z . ; and C . Patrick , P . Z . 1523 , Janitor .

The minutes of the last convocation having been read and confirmed , the election of Principals and officers took place as follows : Comps . Smith , M . E . Z . ; Whitney , H . ; Gale , J ; Higgins , P . Z ., S . E . ; Wolsey , S . N . ; G . Everett , P . Z ., P . G . T ., Treas . ; Clay , P . S . ; Wilkinson and Owen , Asst . Sojs . ; and Patrick , P . Z ., Janitor . A Past Principal ' s jewel was voted to the First Principal . E . Comp . W . Porter Webb , P . Z .,

was elected a member on the non-dining list . The M . E . Z . elect having kindly promised to present the chapter with a First Principal's collar anj jewel , thc offer was accepted with thanks . The Auditors having been elected , apologies for non-attendance were received from Comps . Gale , S . N . ; Clay , ist Asst . Soj . ; Buxton , l . P . Z . ; Webb , P . Z . ; Westley , P . Z . ; Dennis , P . Z . ; Dowling , P . Z . j Sims , P . Z . ; Hopkins , Org . j and others . The chapter was then closed .

A banquet followed . Upon the removal of the cloth the usual toasts were duly honoured . Comp . George Everett , P . Z ., P . G . Treas ., respjndeJ in happy terms on behalf of " The Grand Officers , " and he subsequently submitted The toast of " The M . E . Z . " He said that Comp . Lundie at the last meeting hid had an opportunity of exalting a candidate , and he had taken advantage of the same by

peiforming the ceremony well . This was the more to his credit , as the M . E . Z . had had few chances of seeing the ceremony performed in No . 13 S 1 . The chapter , although in a good financial position , unfortunately had made but slow progress in point of numbers . The lodge , for some reason or other , did not support the chapter as it deserved * to be support- d . He ( the speaker ) belonged to a London chapter , and its candidates were too plentiful . He , personally , did not believe in large lodges or chapters . No . 1381 was a very happy little institution , ani he , as its originator , was very proud of it . ln

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couiwTir ——^_ ^ L - _ _» . *_ , FOUNDED 1807 . 50 REGENT ST ., W , & -FJLJbCJB ^ .,,-, . ^ 14 CORNHILL , E . C , LONDON . OFFICE , The Distinguishing Feature of this Office is THE RETURN SYSTEM . On Ordinary Insurances , under which Policyholders who huve been insured for Seven Years and who continue insured—whether under an Animal oi * Si-pluimiul Policy—become entitled to it RETURN OF 25 PER CENT , of the Premiums they linvc paid during each Seven Years , provided no loss lias arisen under their Policies in Ihafc Period . Insurances on Funning Slocks and on other fhan Ordinary Risks do not participate in the Returns , nor arc tho Returns gis'en on amounts whieli , being in excess of ita awn holding , are not retained b y the Ollice . Policies may be effected or transferred without any extra expenses . Q , W . STUVIfNS , ) 7 , o B . E . RATLIFFE , j J om t * ecre l ar'es