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fourier by the officers of the Eclectic Lodge , No . 1201 , as a mark of esteem , and in appreciation of the exceptional services rendered by her husband as Worshipful Master during his year of office . October 10 th , 1 S 90 . " Brethren , and " ! think I may say ladies also , please be upstanding and drink to the health of our VV . M . and Madame Chauffourier , and , as we cannot here give Masonic honours , let us give it with

musical honours . Bro . Barrett then presented a very handsome tan , made of white ostrich feathers , and having pendant to it long and broad Craft light blue ribbons , inscribed in gilt letters as above . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said : Bro . Barrett , I . P . M ., Bro . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . of Eng ., Past Masters , Officers , Brethren , Ladies and Gentlemen , —In rising to

respond to the toast of my health , which has been so charmingly proposed by our I . P . M ., and so heartily accepted by you , 1 feel myself under a heavy difficulty , that of having an immense deal to say , and yet not eloquence enough to express my feelings . I thank you most cordially for this ast mark of your esteem , which welds the last link of that chain that binds us together , a link of gold welded by the

hand of friendship vvith the hammer of affection on the anvil of brotherly love . In responding for my wife , and thanking you for the kind and exquisite present you have given her , I will simply say that it will be for her in years to come a reminiscence of a happy and very enjoyable evening , and may that fan waft away from her path all sorrow , trouble , and pain is the sincerest wish of your

W . M . 1 vvill conclude , brethren , ladies and gentlemen , by thanking you once again in the name of my wife and on my own behalf , for your attention to Madame Chauffourier and your never failing kindness to me . The toast of "The Ladies" vvas responded to by Bro . Foreman in the following terms : Worshipful Master , Brethren , ancl Gentlemen , —By the way , I do not wish to

dissociate brethren and gentlemen , but simply to note that there are present this evening some gentlemen who are not yet " of us . " It is so many years since the coveted privilege of responding for the ladies has been afforded me that I feel somewhat nervous in the task . I remember on the last occasion I vvas requested to respond to this toast simply because I was the youngest bachelor present . Now you

know I could never understand why the youngest bachelor should be deputed to such a delicate task . Who better than the average married man can appreciate the devoted attention of a wife in the hour of sickness ? Who better than he can properly gauge the affectionate expressions which invariably precede a request for a new bonnet or dress ? Who better than he can understand the ominous frown and

curt reply which follows when , by " the merest chance in the world , " you miss your regular train , and return homewell , never mind vyhen ? Who better than he understands the grim satisfaction experienced by the partner of your joys and sorrows when , vvith singular persistence , she places sundry little unpaid bills ( some of them which properly belong to the domestic exchequer ) by the side of your plate

at breakfast , mostly when you have not a moment to spare ? and yet , forsooth , you ask the youngest bachelor to respond for the ladies . Well , perhaps it is the wisest course . The time vvill come when women ' s rights will be acknowledged in the Parliamentary world , and then the same influence will extend to the domestic circle , so that we shall have not only women representing us in the House , but responding for themselves at the social board ; until then I do feel that

no effort on the part of the "sterner sex" will adequately represent the ladies . To be brief , let me thank you very much for the cordial manner in which you have paid the accustomed tribute of respect to the ladies . Songs by Bros . Foreman , Baker . Egbert Roberts , Fred Wood , Mrs . Barrett , and Miss Mary Belval were interspersed , and at the conclusion of the banquet the room vvas cleared for dancing , which vvas kept up till a late hour .

Kennington Lodge ( No . 1381 ) . —This lodge met at the Horns Tavern , Kennington Park , on the 7 th inst . Among those present were Bros . VV . VV . Westley , W . M . ; ] . La Feuillade , S . W . j Hearn , J . W . j George Everett , P . M ., Treas . j VV . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; Lundie , S . D . ; Dennis , J . D . ; Mecham , I . G . ; Dr . Millsom , D . C ; Colwill , Stwd . ; H . Higgins , P . M . ; Capt . Walls

P . M ., P . P . G . W . ; C . H . Kohler , P . M . ; Cockburn , P . M . ; R . La Feuillade , P . M . j Foale , P . M ., * Lingley , P . M . j Pope , P . M . j and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , Bro . H . Pohl vvas passed to the Second Degree . The ballot was then taken on behalf of Messrs . J . Frier , F . Penn , H . E . Peck , and T . Springthorp , and it proved to be unanimous . The ballot was also taken on behalf of

Bro . B . Robinson , P . M . 757 , as a joining member . The VV . M . gave a finished rendering of the ceremonial of initiation . Since the last meeting of the lodge Bro . John Plovyman , P . M ., had died , and a vote of condolence to his family vvas moved in feeling terms by Bro . G . Everett , and unanimously passed . A vote of regret upon the lamented death of the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , vvas likewise passed , and ordered to be recorded on the

minutes . The lodge vvas then closed , and the brethren partook of an excellent banquet , which , as usual , reflected great credit on Bro . Buxton , the caterer . The usual toasts followed . "The Health of the W . M . " vvas given by the I . P . M . In proposing this toast Bro . Foale spake of the W . M . ' s admirable qualities as a Masonic worker .

The Worshipful Master having replied , gave the toast of " lhe Initiates . " In his introductory remarks he congratulated the lod ge upon its great accession of strength that evening , and he also complimented the initiates upon the earnest attention they had given to the working of the

ceremony . He also trusted that they would do their best to enhance at all times the interests of the lodge that they had elected to join , and which lodge was one of the most popular and flourishing in the south of London . "The Initiates" having replied , the toast of "The Visitors" followed .

Among those who acknowledged that pledge were Bros . F . 1 ' . Begg , 44 j Morris , 902 j Roberts , 1216 j and T . M . Clark , 21 S 2 . "I he Past Masters " toast was coupled vvith the name of Bro . Foale , I . P . M ., who duly replied . In giving " The Health of the Treasurer and Secretary , "

the W . M . spoke in high terms of the services of those respected brethren . The former brother worked very hard to make the lodge financially a success , and his efforts il M ° " ^ * ° successfu ' - * 'ast balance sheet proved that No . 13 S 1 vvas in a sound condition . Bro . Everett ' s health vvas better than it had been , and he ( the W . M . )

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trusted that it would continue to improve . They all knew that their Treasurer vvas looking forward to being elected Grand Treasurer of England in March next , and he trusted that his hopes would not be frustrated . Bro . Everett having indulged , as is his wont , in a little introductory display of humour , thanked the VV . M . for his complimentary remarks . He said that next to No . 177 he

looked upon the Kennington Lodge as the apple of his eye . He assisted to found it , and during the iS years that had elapsed since that event he had endeavoured to enhance its interests in every possible way . With regard to the forthcoming election of Grand Treasurer it vvas a matter very dear to his heart , and he sincerely trusted that after a long Masonic service of upwards of 32 years the Craft

would elect him unopposed . Bro . Stuart , the Secretary , having also replied , "The Health of the Officers , " coupled with the names of Bros . Hearn and Lundie , terminated the proceedings . During the evening Bros . T . M . Clark , Davies , Lundie , Buxton , Mecham , Everett , and others , instrumentally and vocally entertained the brethren .

Metropolitan Lodge ( No . 1507 ) . —The installation meeting of this prosperous lodge vvas held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , the 15 th inst ., when members and visiting brethren attended to the number of S 6 . The members included Bros . VV . Davey , W . M . j W . F . Bate ; , S . VV . ; R . VV . Fraser , J . W . ; F . J . Perks , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Middlesex , Sec ; J . G .

McEvvan , S . D . ; D . Joyce , J . D . ; R . Ala way , I . G . ; J . VV . Saunders , D . C ; J . H . Little , A . D . C ; J . VV . Tubby and J . Bate , Stwds . ; ] . J . Churchill , Org . ; C . ] . Scales , P . M . ; VV . M . Stiles , P . M . ; George E . Edwards , P . M . ; George Clark , P . M . j T . C . Edmonds , P . M . ; G . W . Knight , P . M . ; Henry Lovegrove , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Superintendent of Works Middlesex ; and many others .

Lodge vvas opened , and the minutes having been confirmed , and a satisfactory audit report adopted , Bros . E . P . Owens and C . F . Pond were passed to the Second Degree . Bro . VVm . Furner Bates was next presented as VV . M . elect , and duly installed by Bro . VV . Davey , the retiring Master , who performed the ceremony in an able and impressive manner . The following officers were appointed , and all

were invested , with the exception of the Treasurer , Bro . J . Willing , jun ., P . M ., who vvas unavoidably absent on other Masonic business : Bros . Perks , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., S . W . ; Fraser , J . VV . ; Willing , jun ., P . M ., P . Z ., Treas . ; Scales , P . M ., Sec ; McEwan , S . D . ; Bryce , J . D . ; Alaway , I . G . ; W . M . Stiles , P . M ., P . Z ., D . C ; Saunders and Little , A . D . C ' s ; Tubby and Bate , Stwds . ; Churchill ,

Org . ; Moggendge , Asst . Sec . ; and Whiting , Tyler . The addresses were then rendered' by the Installing Master , Bro . W . Davey , I . P . M . The following candidates having been unanimously approved by ballot , were impressively initiated by the newly-installed VV . M . : Messrs . E . G . Steers , J . Foster , and T . L . Eames . A hearty vote of thanks vvas accorded the Installing Master , Bro . W .

Davey , I . P . M ., and the members signified their approval of his services as Master during the past year by voting him a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , which vvas presented by the Worshipful Master in an appropriate speech . The gift and vote of thanks were duly acknowledged by the I . P . M . Votes of condolence were passed to Bros . Michael , P . M . and George Monk , sympathising with them in their

respective domestic bereavements . Other business vvas transacted , and the lodge vvas formally closed . An excellent banquet followed , which was served in Bro . Clemovv ' s best style , and after dessert the usual toast list received due recognition . In proposing "The Grand Officers , " the W . M . having referred in sympathetic terms to the loss the Craft had

sustained in the death of the Pro G . M ., said he vvas pleased to say there vvas a happy side to his remarks , as they had present a Past Grand Officer in the person of their esteemed Bro . Barfield . It vvas his good fortune to be on very intimate terms with Bro . Barfield , whose Treasurership vvas during the jubilee year , and in consequence of that memorable event , the duties of Grand Treasurer were as onerous

and as plentiful as they ever had been . They were all pleased to see Bro . Barfield , who had not visited them foi six years , as he was at all times genial and entertaining . Bro . Asher Barfield , Past Grand Treas ., said he rose to respond with a very great deal of pleasure , knowing how careful and capable the Grand Officers were . He had to thank them for the kind way in which the toast had been

proposed and received , and was sure he vvas quite right in saying it would have afforded great pleasure had any of the other Grand Officers been present . They had certainly lost one of their brightest stars in the death of the Pro G . M ., but they hoped to have another rising to equal splendour . He must thank them on his own behalf , for he had not been present since his election as Grand Treasurer

when it was by the power of the brethren of London that he gained that honour—the highest honour the brethren could give . He saw around the table that evening many who supported him on that occasion , and he thanked them for their great kindness . Bro . VV . Davey , I . P . M ., said the toast which he had the honour and pleasure of submitting- to their notice vvas that

of "The Health of the VV . M . " Most of them were acquainted with Bro . Bates , VV . M ., who was initiated in the Metropolitan Lodge 12 years ago . The VV . M . and he had worked together side by side from that event to the present time . They all were aware that Bro . Bates vvas capable to occupy the position into which he hadj been installed that evening , and they would not be disappointed at

the way in which he would discharge his duties during his term of office . He hoped and trusted the W . M . would have a goodly number of initiates , to be able to expatiate on the principles of their Institution and show the abilities he possessed in carrying out the excellent precepts of the Craft . He need say no more , but simply ask them to heartily drink to the toast and wish the VV . M . a successful

and happy year of office . Bro . W . F . Bates , W . M ., in responding , said he felt he had arrived at the point at which he should fail . He , however , begged to thank the I . P . M . for the beautiful way in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for their kind reception of it . In accepting the office of W . M . of

the Metropolitan Lodg-e he felt there vvas great responsibility resting - upon him , but he should endeavour to do his best , as in the minor offices , where he had always striven to carry out his duties in a manner creditable to the lodge . Having been placed in the position of Master , he should always endeavour to maintain the dignity of the chair , and carry on the work to the utmost of his ability , as he had solemnly

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promised . It would be impossible for him to do so unless he had , as he was sure he would have , the assistance and co-operation of the officers and of every lay member . The Worshipful Master next gave " The Installing Master and Past Masters , " remarking that the brethren would all agree that the installation ceremony had been performed , in a masterly manner . The impressiveness and

solemnity of Bro . Davey ' s working had impressed him very much , and he begged to thank the I . P . M . forhis admirable rendering . The Past Masters were shining lights in Freemasonry , and were a tower of strength in the lodge . The proud position and the success attending the lodge vvas in a great measure due to their efforts , and if the face vvas an index of the mind , their pleasant countenances were

indicative of their great interest in the well being of everything connected vvith the lodge . Bro . Scales , the senior Past Master present , vvas always ready to assist , and it would be difficult to find a brother superior to Bro . VV . M . Stiles , P . M ., for everythinghe did was done vvith credit to himself and the lodge . Bro . XV . Davey , I . P . M ., said if there vvas any one feature

which had distinguished his year it vvas not due to him , but to them for placing him in the chair . He trusted his performance of the duty had met vvith their approbation , and he felt gratified in the terms in which their approval had been expressed , and also in the handsome jewel placed on his breast . Although that was the last time he should have to respond as Installing Master , he trusted it would not

be the last occasion by a large number on which he should have the opportunity of addressing the members . Bro . Scales , P . M ., also replied , after which "The Initiates" was duly honoured , the W . M . expressing the gratification it had afforded him to initiate three candidates , one of them , Bro . Steers , being his brother-in-law . Bros . Steers and Foster replied , after which the W . M .

gave lhe Visitors in felicitous terms . Bro . VV . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx ., replying for the visitors , said it always gave him a great amount of pleasure to be present at any meeting of that lodge , because there were so many members and Past Masters whom he knew personally and regarded as his friends . That evening there had been an additional pleasure in witnessing the

installation of the W . M ., with whom he vvas connected in other lodges and Degrees in Freemasonry . He congratulated Bro . Bates upon being at the head of so important a lodge , and he also congratulated the lodge upon having such a Master , for he knew that brother would act as a conscientious Mason and support the eclat of the lodge . He thanked them for their very kind reception , not only on his own behalf , but for those who would not have

an opportunity of expressing their thanks . Bro . Lewis , W . M . Hendon Lodge , also responded . " The Treasurer and Secretary" was next given , and responded to by Bro . Scales , P . M ., Sec , and vvas followed by " The Officers , " for which Bro . Perks , P . M ., S . VV ., returned thanks . The Tyler ' s toast closed a pleasant evening , during which some excellent songs were rendered by Bros . Alfred Kenningham , Thurley Beale , and Bruce Smith .

New CrOSS Lodge ( No . 1559 ) . —A meeting of this lodge vvas held at the Portland Hotel , Greenwich , on Friday , the ioth instant , Bro . C . N . Mclntyre North , W . M ., in the chair . Therewere present Bros . F . VV . Cash , P . M ., acting S . VV . ; J . Faulkner , J . W . ; J . D . Graham , I . P . M . ; Cowley , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Grummant , P . M ., Sec ; R . Borrett , S . D . ; VV . P . Makeham , J . D . ; T . Winser ,

acting I . G . ; J . VV . A . Sturdee , P . M ., Chap . ; Carle Grassi , P . M ., Stwd . ; Tugwell , Firminger , Boncey , Bell , Manuel ) , Guffanti , Menninger , Meyer , Mounter , A . D . C , Cogliati , Azario , Frenguellucci , Tinelli , Barbagli , Target , Coccioletti , Meffan , Unwin , Peroni , Waters , Woodham , Abba , and Rowe , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . W . Davies , VV . M . 1901 j J . Norman Calloway , J . VV . 2301 j C . H . Stone

J . D . 507 j Morphew , igoi j and VV . Sage , 1614 . The lodge vvas opened , and the minutes of the regular and emergency meetings were read and confirmed . Messrs . F . C . Unwin and L . K . Abba were duly elected . As Mr . Abba had not put in an appearance , Mr . Unwin vvas duly initiated by the W . M ., and Bro . Tinelli vvas passed by the VV . M ., who immediately afterwards delivered the charge

and gave the lecture in the Second Degree . Bro . Grummant raised Bros . Firminger and Coccioletti , and the VV . M . raised Bro . Meffan to the Sublime Degree of a M . M ., and so nicely had the work been timed the lodge would have been closed two minutes earlier than arranged , but— " the best laid schemes of mice and men aft gang agley "—the other candidate appears . He arrived in the neighbourhood in

proper time , a stranger and a foreigner . He could not find the place of meeting , and he naturally asked a policeman . This active and intelligent officer ( whose name and number we are not able to immortalise ) , after reading the summons , sends him to the Secretary ' s private address in the far distant land of Peckham Rye , * from thence ( unlike the proverbial Scotchman ) he goes back again , and

reaches the lodge breathless and excited before it is closed . The VV . M ., in consideration of his meritorious exertions , at once initiated him into the mysteries of the Order , and when the lodge was closed the brethren were in fine condition for the well-earned repast provided for them . A brief but informal inquiry vvas held to ascertain who the mysterious policeman could have been who did not know the Portland Hotel , but without success .

lhe Worshipful Master gave "The Oueen and the Craft " and "The M . W . Grand Master " " with the usual honours . "To the Memory of the late Pro G . M ., the Earl of Car narvon , " was drunk in solemn silence . "The D . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " followed . Bro . J . D . Graham , I . P . M ., then proposed " The Health of the W . M . "

The Worshipful Master thanked the I . P . M . for the flattering manner in which he had referred to him , and the brethren for the kindly manner in which they had responded . Leaving out of consideration his professional training , which qualified him perhaps to do more than others , he had only done what every W . M . did—his best for Freemasonry in

general , and for that lodge in particular . He vvas happy to say that he was in possession of the only power by whicli a VV . M . could carry out the duties ofa lodge with satisfaction to himself . He was in perfect touch and sympathy with the Past Masters , officers , and brethren of the lodge j he received their loyal support on all occasions , and that support and sympathy alone had enabled him to carry out the large amount of work alluded to by the I . P . M .