Craft Masonry.

of having one ' s nnme associated with the toast , and that night they accorded it the u . 'ual welcome it always received . It was always a pleasure to Grand Ollicers to visit lodges and they were much rejoiced if they could further the interests of Freemasonry . He was glad to be there after his illness and he much appreciated their kind consideration for enquiring alter him while he was absent from the lodge . In submitting " The Health of the W . M ., Bio . R . | . Steel , " Hro . II . Clark , I . P . M ., stated that a more painstaking Master it would be difficult to get , and it thc officers would rally round him he would have an exceptionally good year of oflice .

The toast was received with enthusiasm , as was the W . M . on rising to respond . Bro . R . J . Steel , W . M ., said lie thanked them for the very hearty way they had received the toast and he hoped to have a successful year of oflice . He was initiated "in the lodge and had always endeavoured to do his best in the various offices he had filled and he should continue to do his very utmost to promote the true interests of Freemasonry . The W . M . proposed "The Visitors" and said they were ever received in the Chiswick Ledge with great heartiness and they were only too pleased to make them welcome so that they would come again . He read out a list of their names , giving a kind word to each , and he trusted that they had all enjoyed themselves .

Bro . T . W . Burton responded and said he was delighted to be present to witness the excellent working , which was very interesting to him , and he trusted that that would not be his last visit to their good lodge . Bros . H . Cutbush , P . Cronin , C . Plowman , II . T . Gomm , F . Dowdall , and R . T . West also responded in happy but appropriate terms . The W . M . gave " Bro . Ceo . Everett , P . G . T ., the 'father' of the Lodge . " He said they were pleased to have him again with them , and they regretted his health did not-permit him to be present at the last meeting , when he ( the W . M . ) was installed . They were all endeared to him , and their earnest wish was that the Great Architect would give him long life to be with them .

The remarks of the VV . M . were received with great applause , and the toast was drunk with musical honours . Bio . George Everett , P . G . T ., on rising to respond , had quite an ovation . He said that ( referring to a song which had just then been given ) he was usually a sailor bold , but ke did not feel much of a sailor that evening . The toast in his favour was most unexpected , not desired , but certainly he appreciated it for the kind and very hearty way it had been received . He very much regretted that he was not able to be present

at the last meeting to instal Bro . Steel , the W . M ., which would have been a great honour , but it was not to be , and the cause was his illness . He was glad to be once again amongst very dear and old friends in the Chiswick Lodge , which he dearly loved . He congratulated the W . M ., and he felt he would have a successful term of office . It had been said that they appreciated their " good old father , " and his heart went out to them , and he was still the same George Everett as he was at the first moment of his Masonic career .

THE 1 V 0 KSI 1 I 1 TUI . MASTER . In proposing "The Treasurer , Secretary , and Past Masters , " the W . M . paid a tiibute to the great services rendered to the lodge by the Treasurer and Secretary , and , in refening to the LP . M ., Bro . Claik , he said hc had had one of the most successful years of efficein the annals of the Chiswick Lodge , and as tothe other Past Masters , they Mere all good fellows and splendid Masons . He coupled with the toast the names of the Secretary , Bro . E . Wavell , P . M ., and thc I . P . M ., Bro . Clark .

In response , Bro . Wavell , P . M ., stated that he had been through every olhcc , and he should always endeavour to do , as he hoped he had done in the past , his very utmost to pre mote thc interests of the lodge . Bios . II . Clark , l . l' . M . ; R . II . Wimpey , P . M . ; and W . C . Dickey , P . M ., also acknowledged the toast in tome capital speeches . "lhe Officers "was next givm , thc W . M . remarking that they were especially fcttunatc in their S . W ., who was an ardent worker and was always in his place . The clheis were all good and going forward . The Organist was not able to attend , but he had sent an able substitute , and thev appreciated his great services that evening .

Bros . T . W . ! Jddin ** ton , S . W . ; II . Wood , J . W . ; D . Rawlings , J . D . ; M . N . Rhodes , I . G . j Dr . Fincham , Stwd . ; and A . E . Kipps , acting Org . ; appropriately and ably responded , and the Tyler ' s toast brought to an end a very happy evening . 'J he brethren were musically entertained by Bros . E . White , Geo . Callingham , P . Cionin , Dr . Fincham , J . W . Blaydes , Arthur E . Kipps , and 11 . T . Gomm , the two last named deserving special notice . Bro . Arthur E . Kipps piesided with his well-known ability at Ihc pianoforte .

'Ihe W M ., Bro . Richard J . Steel , is by profession an Agricultural and Market Garden Valuer , has been in business as an Auctioneer 20 years , was for io years Secretary to the Market Gardeners , Nurseryman , and Farmers' Association , of which he is now a member of its Committee , and is daily engaged in the settlement of Arbitrations and Valuations of Market Gardens , Nurseries , and harms in all the Home Counties .

Our brother was initiated in the Chiswick Lotlge , No . 2012 , in May , i . NSy , by Bro . Lord George Hamilton , P . S . G . W ., and has worked up thiuugh the vaiious olliees lo , and was installed VV . M . in January last , lie is a founder of the Brentford Lodge , No . 2400 , and in oflice as J . VV . at the present time . He is representing thc Chiswick I . odge as Steward for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution this year . The Chiswick Lodge is quite safe in his hands .

Lodge ot Tranquillity , No . 185 . This celebrated old lodge held its regular February meeting on Monday , the 15 th inst ., at Frascati ' s , Oxford-street , Bro . David Hills , VV . M ., presiding . Aa usual , the lodge was numerously attended , some . brethren being present . Of members there were present , besides the VV . M ., Bros . Win . Hinds , | . A . Witthaus , P . Ornstien , II . Tipper , P . M ., P . A . G . P . ; N . Bloomfield , A . Levy , P . M . ; J . D . Barnett , P . M .

Craft Masonry.

M . Harris , P . M . ; S . Barnett , P . M . ; S . M . Boas , P . M . ; J . M . Levy , P . M . ; S . Rosenfekl , P . M . ; J . Eisenmann , P . M ., M . E . Z . 1 S 5 -, Lewis Levy , P . M . ; Isaac Lazarus , P . M . ; J . Gerson , 11 . Braham , L . Franklin , F . Westacott , F . R . Mortimer , S . Schwerser , D . Loebl , S . Schlesinger , VV . Kendall , H . M . Krusinski , M . Marks , Taylor , Wasscrburgh , James , L . Rosenfeld , T . II . Moore , Budden , Charig , I- ; . Joseph , J . B . Simmons , M . Joseph , Chetham , VV . M . 1017 ; and others . The visitors' list included the names of Bros . John Manger , P . M . 1017 ; Chapman , P . M . G 10 ; Thos . Page , P . M . 771 , P . P . A . G . P . Berks ; 11 . T . Matthews , W . M . 1910 ; S . T . Davis ,

P . M . 43 ; H . T . Telling , P . M . 2182 and 2348 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; W . Hide , VV . M . 1275 ; Victor Cohen , P . M . 1570 ; Cronin , S . VV . i *; i 2 ; E . Bury , 1471 II . Morris , T . Drew , P . P . G . O . Derbyshire ; II . A . Turnbull , 749 ; W . Clark , 2579 ; T . Simpson , Sec . 2157 ; Isaac Rosalski , VV . M . 205 ; A . Williams , P . M . S 34 ; Ernest Marshall , I . P . M . 771 , P . P . G . S . B . Berks ; B . Marcus , P . M . 205 ; H . T . Moxon , P . M . 1150 ; T . II . Polak , W . M . 1 . 540 ; R . H . Williams , P . M . 17 G 7 ; L . S . Genese , W . M . 22 O 5 ; Reid , J . W . 1275 ; F . Witthaus , J . W . 250 9 ; J . Marcus , J . VV . 205 ; Davy , 1549 ; W . H . Penton , 367 ; N . II . Telling , 2182 ; Joseph Cohen , S . W . 21 S 4 ; and Jewell , 1017 .

Ihe W . M . passed Bro . Robert liirsch and raised Bro . Mark H . Marks , and afterwards installed Bro . VV . Hinds as Master for the ensuing 12 months , performing all the work grandly . He was invested as I . P . M ., and the following brethren were appointed to the other chairs : Bros . J . A . Wittlnus , S . W . ; P . Ornstein , J . VV . ; IL Tipper , P . M ., P . M . 20 S 4 . 2090 , P . Z . 141 , P . P . G . Reg . Herts , P . A . G . P ., Treas . ; D . Hills , I . P . M ., Sec . ; N . L . Bloomfield , S . D . ; J . Gerson , J . D . ; J . Eiseomann , P . M ., M . E . Z . 1 S 5 , D . C ; H . Braham , I . G . j L . Franklin , A . D . C . ; F . Westacott and F . R . Mortimer , Stwds . ; and J . Rawles , Tyler . After the ceremonies were finished , Bro .

David Hills , LP . M ., was presented with a magnificent Past Master s jewel , and a Past Master ' s collar and jewehthe gift being accompanied by some | imsi compliment iry remarks by the W . M ., who assured Bro . Hills that it was merely a form , but was meant to exhibit the appreciation of the brethren of a very pleasant ! year spent , and of good work done Bro . Hills , in acknowledging the preientatior , said he acce n ted it in that spirit , and not as amere automaticlresult of hiving pissed throujh the chair . As a mark of the brethren ' s appreciation , their goodwill and friendship he should ever weir the Past Master ' s collar and jewel , and the Past Master ' s jewel . A vote of thanks was

afterwards unanimously passed to Bro . P . Ornstien , J . VV ., for his services as Secretary of the lodge for the last eight or nine years . This vote was acknowledged by Bro . Ornstien with grace and feeling , and he afterwards gave notice that he should move at the next meeting that 10 guineas be voted to the Lord Mayor ' s Indian Famine Relief Fund . Bro . Isaac Lazarus , P . M ., also gave notice that he should at the same meeting move a vote of 10 guineas to the Prince of Wales ' s Hospital Fund . A grand banquet followed the work of the lodge , and £ 4 ios . was collected for the Daily Telegraph Shilling Fund , now being contributed to the Prince of Wales ' s Hospital Fund .

» The toasts which followed the banquet were interspersed with a musical entertainment by Miss Rosabella Best , Miss Louise Jenkins , Mr . G . VV . Turner , Bro . McCall Chambers , and Bro . Ambrose Thorne , Miss Lilla Norton , granddaughter of the oldest P . M . of the lodge ( 46 years ago ) , and Bro . Alexander Levy , also gave some wellexecuted recitations , and Bro . Fred Russell gave a short ventriloquial performance . Bro . David Hills , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " The W . M ., " said Lc Roi est mort . Vi-oc lc Roi . Such was the democratic nature of the Masonic Constitution that the King was expected to dethrone himself , and enthrone and crown his successor ,

present him to his constituency and then as gracefully as he possibly could pave the way into his own oblivion . No sooner did the W . M ., after displaying all the Masonic attributes of his reign , retire from the chair than another stepped forward prepared to take up and continue the good work and anxious to emulate and attain , and even exceed the achievements of his predecessor . Thus the lodge renewed its youth at each successive festivity . The stars in each course would shine unabated , and so it was at the present time . He had no anxiety as to the coming year of the Tranquillity Lodge . The brethren

had handed thc destinies of the Iodge into the hands of one who would fully maintain all its traditions and they would be proud to work for one who * , yould do so . Nine years ago this month he had the honour of seeing William Hinds initiated in this lodge , and from the foundation-stone laid that evening he had succeeded in raising a superstructure they all admired and which that night completed the edifice . He asked the brethren to render Bro . Hinds their kind , generous , and hearty sympathy and support so that they might make his year of office a happy one for him and a memorable one for the Lodge of Tranquillity .

Bro . W . Hinds , W . M ., responding to the toast , said he had then before him what he considered the most difficult task of the evening , that of finding words to express his appreciation , not only of the way in which Bro . Hills had proposed , and the brethren had drunk his health , but for the uniform kindness he had received at the hands of the brethren for the nine years he had been in thc lodge . He had to express his thanks to the I . P . M . for the kind words he had used and to the Past Masters , who had done what they could to make thc evening a successful one for him . But as actions spoke better

than words he would say that during the next 12 months he would do all he could to maintain the traditions of the Lodgeof Tranquillity . He was looking forward fo a pleasant year of office ; it should be no fault of his if it was not a pleasant year to the brethren . He hoped that his lirst official act—the appointment of Bro . A . Hills , LP . M ., as Secretary—had met with the approval of the brethren , and that eveiy act he did during the year would be as much for thc benefit of the lodge as hc was sure that would be .

Bro . VV . Hinds , W . M ., next proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " to which Bros Marshall , Matthews , Polak , Genese , and Arthur Williams responded .

Bro . W . Hinds , W . M ., in proposing "The I . P . M . and Installing Master , Bro . David Hills , " said he must commence that toast by personally thanking Bro . Hills for thc grand manner in which he rendered the ceremonies of thc evening . On Bro . Hills ' ability as a worker in the ceremony of installation and during his year of office the brethren were the judges , but it was those who met him outside thc lodge that knew the truly Masonic feeling by which Bro . Hills was actuated . Bro . Hills' kindness of heart had already been exemplified by the troubles he took in going down to Croydon to entertain the annuitants of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at New Year . As

regarded his record of work during his year of oflice it was one of which any Master ¦ night well be proud . Bro . Hills had had eight initiates and a good many candidates for the other Degrees ; he had made an innovation in the working ; he had given the Charges in the Degrees , and the entire Traditional History in the Third . That , as a rule , in a lodge was only occasionally done ; but he had made it the rule , not the exception ; and he had finished up by doing the installation ceremony ; in fact , hc had done all he could to make the standard of excellence for the lodge too high for him ( Bro . Hinds );

at any rate he had given him a year of work . There was another work he had done in the lodge of instruction that Bro . Hill ought to be proud of ; the lodge of instruction was a baby once ; it is going on well now ; it was his child ; Bro . Hills started it , and he had brought it up out of its difficulties and it was now on a firmer basis than ever . -He wished all the brethren would attend it—the initiates as well as the older members . They had had a successful year , but under such a leader as Bro . Hills how could it be otherwise . If all young Masons took Bro . Hills as thc standard to which they tried to attain they would not go wrong .

Bro . David Hills , I . P . M ., responding , said he had been reminded that night ol some words he heard spoken on the stage of St . James ' s Theatre last week : "All the world ' s a stage , and all the men and women merely players ; they have their exits and their entrances . " Twelve months ago that night the curtain was rung up and he made his ilt'hiil as VV . M . of the Lodge of Tranquillity . He had had the honour of appearing in that riilv for some seven acts , and that night the brethren had been good enough to call him before the curtain to express their applause and approbation of his efforts . The u ' l / e of VV . M . was neither particularly easy nor brilliant . All they could say was it was

a very good speaking part ; but one was so bound down by thc iron hand of tradition anil thu prompter , the Past Master , at your elbow , that it was impossible to gag and introduce new business ; a new idea was almost impossible ; there seemed no room for tiagedy or low comedy ; there was no margin for the originality of Henry Irving , or the wit of Arthur Roberts , or the buffoonery of Dan Lcno . The brethren had been his indulgent critics ; it was a delightfully easy task to criticise ; almost all could do that extremely well . However , criticism was necessary , because no art could

live or prosper without it ; still , he found that critics even disagreed sometimes among themselves . There was the critic who would cut the play , but was only too anxious to come to the dinner which was usually given to the eiities alter the performance . There was the critic who was all for the play and its criticisms and did not care a hang for the dinner . lie could assure all of them he had tried to do his best ; given another opportunity perhaps he might do better ; he thoug ht he could ; the opportunity only came to a man once in his life usually . He would not