Craft Masonry.

style . The working tools were given by Bro . Walter Cockerham , J . VV ., in a most able manner . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the festive board , where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The harmory of the evening was contributed to by Bros . H . M . Massingham , VV . M . ; R . Dottie , P . M . ; Buckley Carr , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . ; J . R . Ashworth , P . M . ; E . Loebell , P . M . ; S . Richards , Sec . ; J . Brownhill , LG . ; A . Bentley , Stwd . ; C . Coltman , 2464 ; C . G . Balls , and G . J . Critchley .

Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . A meeting was held on Monday , the 20 'h inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgatestreet , E . C . Present : Bros . Rupert Smyth , W . M . ; Ralph Langton , S . W . j Dr . C . E . M . Hey , J . VV . ; Saml . White , P . M ., Treas . ; George Briggs , acting Sec . ; H . F . Woodward , S . D . , * T . H . James , J . D . ; Arthur B . Hudson , P . M ., D . C ; J . V . Sherrin , LG . ; George Rawlinson , P . M ., Stwd . ; T . Bowler , Tyler j Edward Anderton , P . M . ; James C Hayes , P . M . Gio and 170 S : A . Clarke Williams , and J .

Gordon Langton , P . M . 9 G . Visitors : Bros . John Dives , 1670 , 27 , 39 , and S . D . 2 744 > * Maj . Henry Wright , 1 S 27 ; N . B . Lawrie , 204 ; J . P . Monckton , 1 S 27 ; H . J . Waring , 1 S 27 ; Sydney Cartwright , rSG ; Stephen Wingrove , 901 ; W . T . Roberts , J . W . 1 S 27 ; and H . C . Moore , 1 S 27 . The minutes of the lodge held on the 20 th ult . were read and confirmed . A ballot

was taken for Bro . Arthur Albert Barnes , 321 , as a joining member , which proved unanimous . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Alfred Clarke Williams , which also proved unanimous , and Mr . Williams was duly initiated into the Degree of an Entered Apprentice and the charge given by Bro . Smyth . It was proposed that a lodge of emergency should be held to pass Bro . Williams , the date to be left to the W . M . A Committee was formed to arrange a complimentary dinner to the late W . M . _

The Iodge was then closed , when the brethren dined together under the gavel of the VV . M . The usual toasts were given and responded to . Bro . Kift added much to the enjoyment of the evening by his musical talent .

London County Council Lodge , No . 2603 . This new but flourishing metropolitan lodge held its fourth installation meeting on the 15 th inst . at the Hotel Cecil . Bro . Nathan Robinson , L . C . C , P . M . 55 , & c , presided , and among the other brethren who attended were Bros . George J . Elliott , P . M ., S . W . j R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas . j Edwd . White , P . M ., Secj t . H . W . Idris , J . D . j James Kift , Org . j Sir George David Harris , P . G . D ., acting as D . C and I . P . M . j the liarl of Onslow , P . M . j Sheriff Lieut .-Col . Clifford Probyn , G . Treas . j

W . T . Stewart , H . A . Harben , E . B . Forman , E . A . Cornwall , J . Renwick Seager , VV . J . Wettenhall , A . Penfold , R . A . Germaine , Thomas Blashell , VV . C . Clifford Smith , Morris Abrahams , C . J . Stewart , C . Balian , T . A . Organ , John J . Sanley , Alfred Spencer , E . W . Partridge , Goddard Clarke , T . E . K . Stansfield , R . R . Alexander , B . S . Strauss , and F . W . Knott . The visitors were Bros . Sir Joseph C . Dimsdale , P . G . T . ; Henry Garrod , P . G . P . j John Houlding , S . G . D . ; R . Horton Smith , O . C , P . G . Reg . ; Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D . j C F . Matier . P . G . S . B . j Gordon MiiTer , P . G . D . j R .

J . Mure , J . G . D . j E . Luxmore Marshall , D . G . D . C ; T . B . Purchas , P . A . G . D . C ; G . A . Robinson , S . VV . 55 ; Albert Pratt , 55 ; Robert G . Robinson , S . W . 1531 ; J . Patten Barber , I . G . 1491 j Arthur Parker , 1347 j T . C F . Tower , 1591 ; J . Whitaker Burgess , P . M . 1325 ; Arthur Joiner , S . VV . 1491 ; Edward Mills , 700 ; C J . Jenkins , S 60 ; K . Burgoyne , J . D . 957 j Richard S . Sly , P . M . 1625 1 Alfred H . Cooper , W . M . 2551 ; Henry Hexter , W . M . 749 ; Samuel Hugh Price , P . M . 12 SS ; VV . A . Dicket , 145 ; R . G . Young , 2416 j W . IL Sard , P . M . 1724 and

I / ISJ William Kedge , 749 j J . S . Targett , P . M . 1559 j F . A . Wellers , 1 G 02 j Joseph Barry , 2202 J H . T . Hawkins , 504 ; G . M . E . Hamilton , P . M . 1641 ; Octavius F . Peall , P . M . 12 ; W . Anker Simmons , P . M . 1895 ; F . II . A . Hardcastle , P . M . 132 S ; Sidney A . Strauss , 430 ; H . A . Badman , S . D . 2551 ; C . L . S . O . Dearing , 795 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works Berks . ; Iltryd M . Pritchard , P . M . and Sec 1 G 35 ; Arthur Downes , 40 ; Robert Rf in , VV . M . 127 J ; T . I ' . Bryan , 2046 1 W . Elliott , 749 j Nathan B . Robinson , 55 , * E . M . Bibra , P . M . 16 G 9 J VV . H . Kidson , VV . M . -. Gnj

VV . R . McConnell , P . M . ICIOJ Wills Page , 299 j J . Walford , 70 GJ E . Collard , P . M . ig ; Robert D . Cummings , P . M . 2427 j VV . Busbridge , P . M . 913 j Viscount Cranley , 139 SJ Fred Kedal , P . M . 749 j Robert Manuel , P . M . ngGj Fred Elliott , 749 J C B . Carter , VV . M . 2 CG 2 J J . VV . Prior , 4 S 3 j H . Massey , P . M . G 19 and 192 S j K . Cranwell Edwards , W . M . 240 S J J . G . Manton , 2552 j Edwin Fox , VV . M . 5 S ; Percy VV . Shanks , VV . M . 903 ; Charles VV . Davies , 1 S 39 ; Woolmer Williams , P . M . > 2 75 > J- H . Dimsdale , 25 S 1 ; D . VV . Fowler , 511 ; E . B . Cumberland , 1541 ; Charles Challen , P . M . 3 ; and N . Nersessian , 1 GGS .

Bro . Goddard Clarke , L . C . C , 1 G 22 , was elected a joining member , the report of the Audit Committee was adopted , and Bro . C . Balian was raised by the W . M . in splendid style . This ceremony over , Bro . Nathan Robinson installed Bro . George Saml . Elliott , P . M ., & c , S . VV ., W . M . elect , as VV . M . of the lodge for the next 12 months . Bro . N . Robinson was invested as LP . M ., and tie following brethren formed the list of officers of the lodge for Bro . Elliott ' s year : Bros . Edward White , P . M ., S . VV . ; H . P . Harris , P . M ., J . VV . j R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas . j E . A . Cornwall , Sec . ; T . H . VV . Idris , S . D . j VV . II . C . Payne , P . M ., J . D . j Henry Clarke , P . M ., I . G . j VV . Haydon , P . M ., D . Cj A . Spencer , Stwd . ; J . Kift , Org . ; and R . VV . Edgley , P . M ., Tyler .

After the banquet , which followed the lodge work , some charming music was performed , under the direction of Bro . James Kift , Org ., by Miss Jessie Hotine , Bro . Wills Page and Mr . James Dunn . Bro . Kift also sang , and Bro . Nathan Robinson , I . P . M ., gave a capital patriotic recitation . The Earl of Onslow , P . G . W ., Prov . G . M . of Surrey , replying to the toast of "The Grand Officers , " said as an old Grand Officer , as Grand Master of Surrey , and as the first Master of the London County Council Lodge , he could not but ask the brethren to join him in congratulating the VV . M . on the way in which the lodge had continued to

prosper and flourish . The London County Council Lodge was perhaps in England the only one which was representative of that fraternal good feeling which animated Masons evenwher . they might sometimes be opposed in other matters . He felt it to be a very great honour that at the London County Council Lodge they had present a member of one of the most distinguished municipalities in the country , the late Lord Mayor of Liverpool , Bro . John Moulding , S . G . D ., and he only regretted that it should have fallen to his ( Lord Onslow ' s ) unworthy lot to respond to this toast . He was glad , however , that Bro . Houlding would be called upon to speak later on .

Bro . Sheriff Lieut .-Col . Clifford Probyn , G . Treas ., also replied , but devoted his remarks principally to an exhortation to the younger members of the lodge to attend lodges ol instruct ' un and acquire a complete knowledge of their duties , in orderthat the good work hitherto performed in the London County Council Lodge might be kept up to its present standard of excellence . Bro . Nathan Robinson . LP . M ., in proposing "The VV . M ., " said he had not the most remote intention of entering upon anything like a political discussion , but if he had

had he should have taken the opportunity of saying that so far as Masonry was concerned they werc the most democratic if not the most republican body in existence . Some enthusiastic persons went round contending for annual Parliaments . Well , in the ledge they had an annual parliament and elected a Icing every 12 months . In the London County Council Lodge as farasweal'h of body and wealth of mind were concerned , they had both in Bro . Elliott . ( Laughter . ) He did not know , and did not care to know how many W . M . ' s chairs Bro . Elliott had passed through , but he knew he had passed

through ieveial , and he knew that in him they had a brother who was well up to his work , and if they could only stioke him on the right side he would be one of the best fellows they ever made the acquaintance of in their lives ; but from his expeiiencc of many years , he could say if they rubbed him the wrong way they would net what was vulgarly called " a hot 'un . " To be forewarned was to be forearmed , and that was why he mentioned the subject . II J heartily congratulated the lodge on having such a worthy Master in the chair . He wished Lord Onslow was not present , because he would like to say something complimentary about him ; but he would like the brethren to I ----- *> VHJ > ltr *>** - ** ai «* lk w- 'IIIUIIIIIl'llbHI I UUJUb •¦•¦••j UUb l * -W IIVUIU III 1 V tll \* Vlbblllbtl blS

Know that his lordship was one of the best fellows he ever knew . And so was Bro . Elliott . Some people knew what it was to tremble in the presence of a lord ; hc did not ; out if the brethren met with nature ' s noblemen Ijke Lord Onslow they need not tremble his lordship did not look down on people , and expect them to look up to him . Lord Onslow was the first Master of the London County Council Lodge . He ( Bro . N . Robinson ) claimed to be the father of the lodge . Lord Onslow was one of the first he ? Pproached about starting the lodge , and the kindly way in which he said " Yes " —well , I , |* a < 1 not '''' 1 him before , he should have liked him then . Lord Onslow was the » rst W . M . of the lodge , and . in conjunction with him and Sir George Harris , they had

Craft Masonry.

gone on " conquering and to conquer . " He knew there was a little feeling at the time that some of the officers of the London County Council were not in office ; but he could assure them that they would have their turn , and he hoped that they would be as good officers of the lodge as they were of the London County Council . He thought the lodge was to be congratulated on having Bro . Elliott as its W . M ., and he was perfectly satisfied when Bro . Elliott ' s year of office expired 'the brethren would he satisfied with the working of the W . M ., and the way in which he had been supported by the brethren as well as with their choice of Bro . Elliott as W . M .

Bro . G . S . Elliott , W . M ., responding , said Bro . Robinson had occupied his position of W . M . with such credit as to make it very difficult indeed for any one to try to imitate him . He ( Bro . Elliott ) felt that he must do his best to follow him properly . He was somewhat nervous about it , but he would try during his year of office that the chair should be well filled . With the assistance of the brotheron his right ( Lord Onslow ) and the brother on his left ( Bro . N . Robinson ) , he hoped to get through properly . One thing he would say—if Freemasonry was anything it was something in such a lodge and

in the London County Council . In the London County Council and in the lodge they had all ranks ; in both they had an earl and a noble lord occupying positions of importance in which they were on equal terms with others . It was a very pleasant thing during a W . M . 's year of office to be connected with them .. He would do his best to make his year successful . He did not think the words of the Grand Treasurer applied to the officers appointed that evening . He trusted they would all do their work well , and it would not be his fault that they were not encouraged to do so .

Bro . G . S . Elliott , W . M ., in proposing "The I . P . M ., " said he felt like the junior counsel who said , " My Lord , in this case the facts speak for themselves , and I have nothing to add to those facts . " Facts spoke for themselves that night . What could he say more than the brethren had seen in the lodge . But he might say this that so far as the I . P . M . was concerned he might simply say that he owed a debt of gratitude to Bro . Robinson for the way in which he had installed him . He was not a late gentleman learned in the law ( Sir Frank Lockwood , Q . C . ) who said at the consecration

banquet of the Chancery Bar Lodge that at a certain period of the ceremony those who were not P . Ms , were turned out " , and it put him in mind of cases where women and children were turned out of court because there was something that was not fit for them to hear . There was nothing of that mysterious kind that evening , because being already a P . M . the ceremony was got through in a few minutes . Bro . Robinson put him in the

chair so kindly that he felt very deeply indebted to him . The toast wanted no embellishment j he did not want to magnify what Bro . Robinson had done j the brethren had expressed in lodge their opinions by unanimously voting him a Past Master's jewel . Bro . Robinson had filled several chairs and had a Past Master ' s jewel before , but with the exception of the jewel of his mother lodge he would not have a more acceptable jewel than that of the L . C . C Lodge .

Bro . Nathan Robinson , I . P . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he was very much obliged to the lodge for presenting him with that very beautiful jewel . He did not know how long he should live to wear it . He would tell his three sons who were present that he hoped there would be no quarrelling about the jewel after he had gone as to who should have it . Fortunately he had several Past Master ' s jewels . He thanked the lodge heartily and sincerely for the manner in which they had supported him during his year of office . Referring to what had been said by Bro . Clifford Probyn , he followed up

his advice . VVhen he ( Bro . N . Robinson ) joined a lodge of instruction he hardly knew the difference between the E . A . sign and the F . C . sign , and as to the Third Degree he was absolutely at sea . He did not wish to boast , but he flittered himself he did know something of the ritual of Masonry j and why he knew something of it was because he loved the ritual j he believed the ritual was of that glorious character that if one attempted to do it , if he did not attempt to do it properly , he had better have left it undone . In lodges visitors had always to say something complimentary about the work and sometimes it was not deserved . The London County Council Lodge was to some

extent unique , and he believed it ought to do its work well . He was much indebted to the W . M . for commending his work . It would be affectation if he ( Bro . Robinson ) said he thought he had not done it well ; he thought he did it well ; and he was perfectly contented with the way in which he did it ; and he hoped those who followed him would try to do it better . He was proud of the London County Council Lodge ; it was a child of his own creation . It had given him great pleasure to have passed the chair , but he should not pass from active interest in the lodge . He then informed the brethren that the W . M . would go up as Steward for the lodge at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls on May ioth .

Bro . G . S . Elliott , VV . M ., said he hoped the brethren would support his Stewardship ; but he should not go round the lodge to every individual member , but leave it to the perfectly voluntary disposition of each to give something to his list . Bros . John Houlding , G . D . ( late Lord Mayor of Liverpool ); VV . H . Kidson , W . M . 2611 ; Aid . Simmons ( Oxon ); and Viscount Cranley , 1395 , responded to the toast of " The Visitors . "

Bros . E . White , S . W . ; Beachcroft , Treas . ; and Cornwall , Sec , replied to the toast of " The Oflicers . " The Tyler ' s toast was also honoured before the brethren separated .

La France Lodge , No . 206 O . This lodge held its second meeting on the 20 th inst . at the Regent Masonic Hall , Cafe Royal , the VV . M ., Bro . Henry Mondehare , occupying the chair . Two brethren were raised to a higher Degree , and one candidate initiated . The lodge having clo ; ed with the usual ceremonies , the brethren and a number of visitors , amongst whom were Bros , the Earl of Onslow , P . G . M . Surrey ; Sir Henry Truman Wood , E . Cutler , Q . C , P . G . O . 1 and Frank Richardson , A . G . D . C . j sat down to an excellent banquet .

The customary toasts being duly honoured , the brethren wished in felicitous terms the Lodge La France continuous success , and expressed their hope that the entente cordiale between England and France should become of a permanent character , and as Englishmen they were highly gratified at the hearty welcome given to their Queen in France .

A concert followed , to the success of which contributed the Miles . Louise and Jeanne Douste de Fortis , the well-known vocalists j the Misses Edith and Gladys Dinorben , the clever Welsh artistes j M . M . Charles Schilsky and Leon Schlesinger , whose solos on the violin and piano , the latter playing his own compositions , were much appreciated . Miss Mabel Emley made an efficient accompanist .

Allied Masonic Degrees.

Allied Masonic Degrees .

W . M . Sewell Council , No . 11 . The lodge was opei . ed in due form at Freemasons' Hall , Maryport , on the 14 th inst ., in the Degree of St . Lawrence the Martyr , Bro . Col . F . K . Sewell , P . M ., P . S . G , Warden of England , in the chair . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was then taken for Bro . Robert G . Sharp , 151 , P . P . G . Std . Br . j Comp . D . Greenhill Douglas , 452 and 1073 ; Comp . W . Woodville Robertson Sewell , W . M . 220 , Prov . G . Std . Br .

and Scribe N . 1073 ; and Comp . George Wood Turney for the Degree ofthe Secret Monitor , all of which were duly passed . Bros . Sharp , Douglas , and Sewell being present , were advanced to the Degree of St . Lawrence the Martyr by Bro . Col . Sewell , P . M . The candidates then retired , and the lodge was opened in the Degree of the Knights of Constantinople . _ After which they were readmitted , and received that Degree and obligation at the hands of Bro . Atkinson , J . VV . Bro . Gardiner , acting S . W ., gave them the honour of knighthood . The Conclave of Secret Monitors was then opened . The chair was occupied by Bro .

Col . Sewell as S . R ., who inducted into the Degree Bros . G . VV . Turney , R . G . Sharp , D . Greenhill Douglas , and W . Woodville R . Sewell . Bro . Sharp then retired . Comps . Douglas and Sewell were prepared for taking the Degree of the Red Cross of Babylon . 1 hc Council of Knights of the Red Cross of Babylon was then opened , when Comps . Douglas and Sewell were duly admitted to the Degree by Bro . Co ' . Sewell , acting Illustrious Sovereign . The council was then reduced down to the Degree of St . Lawrence

the Martyr , and the ballot taken for VV . M ., when Bro . Col . F . R . Sewell , P . M ., P . S . G . W . Eng ., was unanimously elected . The ballot was taken for Treasurer , and Bro . W . Woodville R . Sewell was duly elected Treasurer for the ensuing year . Bro . Col . F . R . Sewell , VV . M . elect , was duly elected Representative to Grand Council . Bro . Gardiner proposed , and Bro . Atkinson seconded , " That Bro . John Messenger be Tyler , " which was carried unanimously . There being no further business the lod ge was closed in peace and harmony , according to the established custom of the Order ,