Consecration Of Tee Arter Lodge, No. 2654.

Bro . T . R . Arter , P . S . G . W ., then installed Bro . Charles P . Perry as Worshipful Master , and the usual investments and appointments took p lace . Jewels were presented to the Consecrating Officers , to the founders of the lodge , and to Bro . Arter . The lodge being duly closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquet-room , Bro . C . P . Perry , W . M ., in the chair .

While responding to a toast , Bro . A . F . GODSON , M . A ., M . P ., P . G . M ., said that proposals for new lodges were by him received with extreme care , owing to occasional uncertainty regarding their future . In the case of the Arter Lodge , however , he had no doubt of its brilliant prospects . It was in excellent hands , and would , in his judgment , have a great career .

A number of brethren contributed songs and instrumental pieces during the evening , which was passed in good fellowship , and with the usual customs belonging to Masonry .

First Ladies' Night Of The Citadel Lodge, No. 1897.

FIRST LADIES' NIGHT OF THE CITADEL LODGE , No . 1897 .

The affection for " ladies' nights " grows apace with each successive season , and now another lodge must be added to the already lengthy list of those which include this interesting function amongst their annual fixtures . Experience has proved that once the innovation has been made , the " ladies' night" is looked for and anticipated like the annual installation meeting . The Citadel Lo dge , No . jgp , one 0 f the strongest and most prosperous in the Province of

Middlesexhas hinted at the excellence of the idea for some years past , but it was reserved for the present popular and energetic W . M ., Bro . W . J . Ball , to carry the idea into execution , to the unbounded satisfaction and enjoyment of all concerned . The establishment chosen was the Criterion , Piccadilly , on the 13 th instant , and it was a curious coincidence that the S . W . of the lodge , Bro . L . Mantell , concluded his official duties as manager on the same occasion .

The W . M . was loyally supported in the onerous duty of making the necessary arrangements by Bros . ] . Osborn , P . M . and Sec , P . P . G . S . B ., and J . H . Gaskin P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ., who rendered excellent service in the capacity of Stwd . assisted by Bros . Lavington , W . M . ; George , Kessler , and Lander ; Bro . 0 . J . 'Von Holtorp , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , who officiated with tact and courtesy as general D . C . ; and last , but by no means least , Bro . Willie Wright , P . M ., P . P . G . Orsr .. who directed the musical arrangements .

At the conclusion of a well-served banquet , each lady was presented with a dainty lace handkerchief as a small souvenir of the occasion , and a short toast list was proceeded with . The speeches were interspersed with musical items by Madame Alice Lovenez , Miss Emily Foxcroft , Miss Florence Kemp , and Bros . Herbert Linwood , Walter George , Geo . Robins , and Percy Young , and Mr . W . J . Lucey . " The Queen and the Craft , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales " were the first toasts heartily honoured .

Bro . H ORACE BANKS , I . F . M ., then rose , and said he had an important toast to propose which he was sure would be received with the enthusiasm the subject merited . It was the health of the esteemed , respected , and popular " Worshipful Master . " There were many present who had had the honour of Bro . Bill ' s acquaintance for some years , and could testify to the fact that he was a staunch friend a faithful brother , and a good Mason . That , perhaps , included everything , for if a man carried out the teaching of the ritual he could not go far wrong . Although the W . M . possessed all those good qualities essential to a good Mason ,

the members could not but think there was something wanting , for to use a familiar expression " he wore a worried look , " Some suggested it was that the W . M . ' s successful year of office was drawing to a close and he was dreading joining trie ranks of the P . Ms , or " old fossils . " The W . M . wanted a ladies' night , and he had now got it , and a very successful one , too . Bro . Ball was to be especially congratulated on the inauguration of these pleasant functions having taken place during his term of office . The members would sincerely regret when that term expired , for no brother had preceded him in the chair who had worthily fulfilled the duties than their esteemed and respected Bro . Ball , W . M .

Bro . W . J- BALL , W . M ., thanked the I . P . M . for the very flattering remarks made in the proposition of the toant , and also the brethren for their cordial reception . It was a very difficult thing , having said good things of other people , to say something good for yourself . With regard to the Citadel Lodge , of which he Was W . M ., it had for its number 1897 , which he considered most unique , inasmuch as it was the only lodge on the roll of lodges of the Grand Lodge of England which enjoyed that distinction , 18 97 being the year of her Most Gracious

Majesty ' s Diamond Jubilee . They thought they could not do better than celebrate the occasion by inviting the ladies that night . There was something of selfishness with regard to Masonry , but they were endeavouring in some degree to atone for that . The accommodation at Harrow , where the lodge met , was not sufficient for the members , and it was therefore necessary to hold their present

gathering in London , and they thought they could not do better than visit the establishment with which the Senior Warden was connected . On behalf of the lodge he welcomed all those not connected with it , and sincerely trusted the company would consider the Committee merited the success he thought they had achieved .

Bro . T . I . BIRD , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., proposed " The Ladies , " and said the members were delighted to welcome them . They were always dependent upon the ladies , even from the earliest days of their youth , when mothers watched over them with tenderest solicitude . From sisters they had derived the greatest assistance and help , and he would not debate upon the happy days spent at a later period with some other fellow ' s sister .

Bro . WALTER GEORGE , in response , said that as a lady he was quite overcome with the reception given them . He need hardly say they were delighted to be amongst the members of the lodge that evening . The ladies had been thinking it was about time they were invited to the festive board of the Citadel Lodge , but having waited 12 years for the invitation , they had enjoyed themselves

immensely . They had enjoyed the banquet , and were eagerly looking forward to a little further on when they might join in the light fantastic dance . As a lady , he did not think it would be possible for him to do more than express his thanks for the kijd and generous way in which they had been entertained , and their sincere hope that they mig ht have the pleasure of booking the same date next year .

Bro . J . H . GASKIN , P . M ., P . P . D . G . D . C , proposed "The Visitors" in cordial terms , and Bros . R OBERTS , P . M ., and HANDS replied . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in giving "The Stewards , " thanked those brethren on behalf of all present for the time and trouble so cheerfully given in

order to . ensure a successful evening . Bros . VONHOLTORI ' , P . P . G . D . C , I OSUORN , P . M . and Sec , P . P . G . S . B . and MANTELL , S . W ., acknowledged the toast , after which the second half of the Concert programme was proceeded with . An adjournment was made to the balUroom , where dancing was heartily

First Ladies' Night Of The Citadel Lodge, No. 1897.

indulged in until the hours of the clock gave warning that the time for departure had arrived . The evening was voted a charming and decided success , and the next W . M . of the Citadel Lodge will stand small chance of the popularity enjoyed by the present occupant of the chair if he does not announce , on the first opportunity that a ladies' night is to be included in his programme . The company , which numbered about no , included Bro . and Mrs W T

Ball ; Bro . and Mrs . Horace Banks ; Bro . and Mrs . T . I . Bird ; Bro . J . Weston Bro . and Miss Osborn ; Bro . and Mrs . W . H . Lee ; Bro . and ' Mrs . H . ' Browne ' Bro . and Mrs . Von Holtorp ; Bro . Hurran and party ; Bro . and Mrs . Childs Bro . W . M . George ; Bro . Willie and Miss Wright ; Bro . Horstead and party ; Bro . L . Mantell ; Bro . and Mrs . Lavington ; Bro . J . H . Gaskin and party ; Bro . and Mrs . Davison ; Bros . Kessler , Appleton , and Young ; Bro . and Mrs . Schartau ; and many others .

Presentation To Bro. C. J. Woodford.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . C . J . WOODFORD .

On Wednesday evening , the 17 th inst ., at a meeting of the brethren of Lodge Amity , No . 137 , Poole , Dorset , a very interesting feature of the evening ' s proceedings was the presentation to the Secretary , Bro . C . J . Woodford , of a centenary jewel in 18 carat gold . This jewel was granted to the lodge some years ago as a proof of its existence for over a century . One local characteristic of this jewel is that it bears the representation of the dolphin , which is a part of the Poole borough arms .

A most gratifying circumstance in connection with the presentation was that the address accompanying the jewel bore the names of all the members of the lodge except those living at a distance and unable to be reached . The presentation was made to mark the esteem in which Bro . Woodford is held , and also as a slight recognition of the valuable services rendered as Secretary for the past four years . The address , which had been nicely engrossed by Bro . A . Taylor , was ' placed inside a blue Morocco case , lettered in gold .

The presentation was introduced by the Treasurer , Bro . DUGDALE , the address was read by Bro . TAYLOR , and the investiture of the jewel was made by the W . M ., Bro . J . H . WHADCOAT . . ' The address was as follows :

"To W . Bro . C . J . Woodford , P . M ., P . Z ., P . P . G . Purst ., Secretary Lodge Amity , 137 , Poole , Province of Dorset . " We , whose names are hereunder written , desire to offer you the accompanying Centenary Jewel , as a token of fraternal regard , wishing at the same time to express our thanks to you for the care and attention you have bestowed upon the secretarial duties of Lodge Amity , No . 137 , Poole .

" Dated this 17 th day of March , A . D . 1897 ; A . L . 4897 , " J . H . Whadcoat , W . M ., member of Grand Master ' s Lodge ( No . 1 ) , P . M . Royal Athelstan Lodge ( No . 19 ) , 18 , and K . T ., member of Lodge Quatuor Coronati ( No . 2076 ) ; A . C . Chapin , P . P . G . Stwd . I . P . M ; Herbert Saunders , S . W . ; F . P . Oakley , J . W . ; H . J . Sydenham , P . P . A . G . D . C ., Chap . ; W . D . Dugdale , P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; H . W . Scratchley ,

S . D . ; Lewis W . Pretty , J . D . ; Geo . Aug . Mate , I . G . ; F . A . Sharp , P . P . J . G . D ., D . C ; W . J . White , Org . ; George Hodges , Stwd . ; George Wood , Stwd . ; T . S . Furnell , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; P . E . L . Budge , P . P . G Reg . ; F . G . Wheatley , P . P . A . G . D . C ; H . A . Lawton , P . P . S . G . D . ; Richard Smith , P . P . G . S . B . ; Daniel Hitching , P . P . S . G . D . W I Tarrant , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Charles Carter , P . G . D . C . ; Albert Taylor , P P .

G . D . C ; A . C . Kemble , P . G . Stwd ., W-M . 2559 ; James Summers , E . N . Blanchard , W . J . Burden , W . J . Bacon , J . H . Potter , Wm . Wheeler , Arthur Newton , F . C . Pomeroy , John Elford , G . W . Green , Wilfred Buckley , J . J . C . Condon , Stephen Short , T . K . Ingram . Alfred Langlois , Henry Burden , sen ., Ernest Cadman , Henry Meredith , J . B . James , VVm . Snook , Edward Howell , A . H . Yeatman , H . T . Harris , G . T . Budden , George Cole , H . F . W . Gwatkin , J . S . Lucas , Albert James , H . I . Blake , David Palk , Thomas Griffiths . "

Annual Supper Of The Royal Standard Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1298.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE ROYAL STANDARD LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1298 .

A supper was held jn Tuesday , the 16 th inst ., at the Castle , 8 i , Hollowayroad , N ., to celebrate the re-opening of the lod ge room after structural and decorative improvements , a good numbsr of the members , including many Past Masters and visitors , being present . The chair was taken at 7 . 30 by Bro . T . Cull , W . M . of the mother lodge , and Preceptor of the lodge of instruction , faced by Bro . Spearsall , W . M . elect of the mother lodge .

After an enjoyable supper , a very pleasant musical evening followed , many of the brethren contributing some excellent songs , & c , bringing a most successful evening to a close . The lodge will continue to meet at The Castle , every Friday evening at 8 throughout the year , brethren cordially invited .

The Recent Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

THE RECENT FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The following additions to lists have been received since last week : — THE PROVINCES . BUCKINGHAMSHIRE . Chapter 2262 Comp . Youlden , new list ... .,. , „ 15 t $ 0 CHESHIRE . Lodge £ s . d . G 30 Bro . W . Newton , additional ... .,. , „ 5 11 6

( raising his list to £ 42 ) . SUSSEX . Lodge 811 Bro . Breed , additional ... v ... . „ 220 ( raising his list to £ 33 103 . ) 1843 Bro . P . H . Palmer , additional ... ... ... 1 t o

( raising his list to £ 17 17 s . ) WEST YORKSHIRE . Lodge 2 C 0 S Bro . J . N . Hart , new Steward ... ,, ' , ... t 0 I 0 0 3 C 08 „ L . Hanson , new Steward ... ... ... I 0 10 o