Provincial Meetings.

of Past Masters and visitors , the occasion being marked by an official visit from the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 68 . The introductory ceremonies vvere accomplished by the Worshipful Master , Bro . W . Glasspole , after vvhich Bro . Wm . Rice , P . M ., vvas re-alected delegate to serve on the Provincial Charity Organisation Committee . The D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . C . Else , P . G . D . of England ,

kindly consented to perforin the ceremony of installation , and to no more competent hands could this important work have been entrusted . Bro . Else is well and widely knosvn , more especially through the Province of Somerset , over vvhich he presides as D . P . G . M ., for his sterling ability and exceptional powers as Installing Master , and upon the present occasion he gave the addresses in his

usual impressive and able style . The choice of the brethren for Worshipful Master fell upon Bro . AV . T . Shapland , who has worthily filled the various offices of the lodge , and this deserving brother could not have desired to be installed into his high position by a more worthy or expert Mason than Bro . Else . At the conclusion of the ceremony the nesvlyinstalled W . M . appointed and invested his officers as

follosvs : Bros . W . Glasspole , I . P . M . ; E . Davy , S . W . ; J . Carey , J . W . ; J . R . Thebridge , P . M ., Treas . ; C L . Thomas , P . M ., Sec ; C . P . Billing , S . D . ; A . J . Tonkin , l . D . j H . M . Appleton , P . M ., D . C ; C . Hazell , I . G . j E . W . Harvey and F . D . Brammald , Stsvds . j and F . Simpkins , Tyler . At the conclusion of the lodge business the usual banquet

was held at the Royal Hotel , supplied by Mrs . Boulter , and presided over by the W . M ., Bro . Shapland . The Worshipful Master submitted " The Oueen and the Craft , " "The M . AV . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of AVales , the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , and Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " all of which vvere heartily received .

The AVorshipful Master nexi gave The Diputy P . G . M . of Somerset and P . G . D . of England , Bro . R . C . Else , the Installing Master , and the Ofiicers of P . G . Lodge , Present and Past . " ¦ Bro . Else , in reply , thanked the W . M . for the very kind way he had spoken of him , andsaidhe svas deeply grateful to the brethren ot Somerset and Bristol for the svay they had

received him , both at the banquet and in the Iodge . Since he had worn the collar of D . P . G . M ., the relations vvhich existed between the Bristol and Somerset provinces had ever been of the most fraternal kind , and he had been very grateful for it . He had often said that the proverb vvhich inferred that a " Prophet had no honour in his osvn country , " could not be applied to Masonry , as no one could receive

him more kindly than the whole Province of Somerset did , in the svay they svere kind enough to look upon and appreciate his labours in the Craft , which existed nosv for nearly a quarter of a century . He sometimes thought the time must soon arrive vvhen he must retire . andsomeone svith more energy should take on the duties . None of them knew ss'hat might take place , and they must ass-ait and be guided by

circumstances . They might rely that whatever may be , whether he met them as Deputy P . G . M . or as a private member of his own mother lodge , the same cordial good feeling vvould continue to exist if they received him vvith such heartiness as at the present time . As he could not remain till the toast of the AV . M . came on—he having to catch the train for Weston-super-Mare that night—he took that

opportunity to wish him a very good year of office ; he vvas satisfied that the warrant placed in his hands vvould lose nothing , but vvould receive greater lustre than ever . He congratulated the members of the lodge on having looked out so good a man and so goo 1 a Mason to preside over them . Bro . AV . Rice , P . M ., proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " worthy Bro . Shapland , vvho had that day been

installed vvith such eclat . He svas sure from svhat they had already seen , the svay in svhich he distributed the collars , he vvould be able to guide and direct them the way they should go . Since he had been connected vvith the Iodge—12 or 13 years—they had had a Vine of Masters of svhich they might indeed be proud , and the in-coming Master vvould no doubt prove himself svorthy of the choice they had made .

The W . M . said it svas vvith special pleasure he rose to thank them for the hearty way they had toasted his health . It vvas a pleasurable moment in a man ' s life svhen he knesv one and all svished him svell . He vvould do all he could to advance the lodge as a lodge or any individual member thereof as far as he could . His intentions svere good , and he svould do all he could to merit the kindness he had received

at their hands . _ Once more he thanked them . Bro . Thebridge gave "The Immediate Past Master , " who had performed his duties in such a manner as to gain satisfactory approval from everyone . Bro . Glasspole replied , and said he svas indebted to the Past Masters for coming out svith such flying colours . He vvas glad his endeavours met vvith approval , and svhilst

they judged svith levity he strove to please . The W . M . proposed "The Past Masters , " and said that svhilst they had been most successful in obtaining a long line of very excellent Masters , they had been most unfortunate in losing them by removal to other spheres , either during or soon after they had passed the chair . This vvas to be regretted and svas a loss to the lodge .

Bros . Dimery , Dando , Rice , and Thebridge acknosvledged the toast . The W . M . next gave " The Visiting Brethren , " and Bro . Fleming , in reply , said he could not conceive anything more delightful , more truly exalting , than to take part in such a ceremony as they had that day witnessed , to feel they svere truly brethren together , to stand together against the svhole

world , so that each one in his heart can depend on the other . He never approached Masonry without feeling he was approaching that vvhich was nearest and best in his religion . He returned thanks on behalf of the visitors . The VVorshi p fuI Master , in submitting " 'The Officers of the Lodge , " said he had been congratulated by the Deputy P . G . M . on having the good cresv he had got togetherand

, he thoughtthe congratulation svas in place and appropriate . The sentiment svas acknosvledged by Bros . Davy , S . W . ; Carey , J . AV . ; Billing , S . D . ; Tonkin , J . D . j Hazell , LG . ; and Appleton , D . C . ; each and all promising to support the AV . M . to the best of their ability , and by a punctual and regular attendance .

_ Bro . Rice , in a lengthy speech , proposed " The Charities , " and dwelt on the excellence of the Institutions , vvhich were all nosv in thorough svorking order and deserving all support . The sentiment vvas well received . The Tyler ' s toast brought the list to a close . The musical brethren included Bros . Charlie Pfeiffer , Dimery , Leveritt ( whogave "Friendship , love , and truth , "

Provincial Meetings.

a song composed by himself ) , and W . K . Thomas . Bro . Lesser presided at the piano svith ability . Bro . Carrington gave much pleasure vvith tsvo violin solos , and Bro . Tonkin contributed a recitation . After a most enjoyable afternoon , the brethren separated vvith singing "God save the Oueen . "

SUNDERLAND . Palatine Lodge ( No . 97 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of the members of this old lodge was held on Thursday , the nth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Parkterrace , vvhen there svere present Bro . John Robson Cutter , W . M ., vvho was supported by Bros . Edsvard Guy Watson , S . AV . ; James Lee , acting J . AV . ; John George Marshall ,

I . P . M . ; Thomas M . Watson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Treas . ; Alfred Grundy , Sec ; W . M . Render ; T . Robinson ; Robert Singleton , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., D . of C ; Robert Lee ; J . AV . Hopper ; AV . J . Robinson ; AVm . Watts Moses ; George Carr Watson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; Gerald Bernard , P . M . 13 S 9 ; C . M . Wake , P . M ., P . G . S . of AV . ; John Henry Leech , P . M . ; Walter Beattie , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ;

Thos . Grieve , Tyler ; Mark Douglass , P . M . So , P . P . J . G . D . ; Alfred Gray , P . M . 949 , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; J . H . Dunstan , 94 ; A . T . Munro , P . M . 949 , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Cooke , I . G . 949 ; F . Walkington , 949 ; F . S . Cosvper , S . W . 2039 , W . M . elect ; Wm . Mason , S . W . 94 ; Luke Simpson , J . D . 949 ; J . H . Burnside , 94 ; Richard Todd , AV . M . So ; Wm . Scott Londonderry , 2039 ; G . AV . L . Hudson , 13 S 9 ; W .

D . Thompson , J . D . 94 ; E . Shields , 1437 ; J . Ledcole , P . M . 1119 ; H . Listen , J . W . 2039 ; Francis Martin , J . AV . 111 ; T . Willis ; H . Lee ; H . Friend ; T . B . Reay ; VV . Tonkinson ; John Nicholls ; J . G . Graham ; E . Cosvper , P . M . 1379 ; J . Walker Beattie , and others . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last regular and an emergency meeting svere read and confirmed .

Messrs . Michael Brown and James Gray , svho had been previously balloted for , being present , svere initiated vvith much impressiveness , the former by the VV . M . and the latter by Bro . Walter Beattie , P . M ., P . P . G . 'Treas . After business , the brethren adjourned for refreshment . The usual loyal toasts having been given , the AVorshipful Master proposed " The Health of the tsvo Initiates , " and

Bros . Brosvn and Gray suitably responded . The Worshipful Master stated that since the last regular meeting an emergency Iodge had been held , and Bros . Allen and VVilkinson Barnes had been respectively raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . He hoped they svould continue to be excellent members of the Craft , and had very great pleasure in proposing their healths , coupled svith the name

of Bro . AVukinson Barnes . Bro . Barnes , in responding , said : Worshipful Master , Wardens , and brethren , —By your exemplary kindness and by my continued conformity to the lasvs and ritual of your Royal Craft , I may nosv regard myself as a nesvly-born and full grosvn Mason . I cannot say that I address you nosv svith the reluctance I did as an apprentice . I came

before you then an entire stranger , vvith no sure ground to stand on beyond your indulgence and my own instincts . A considerable period of probation lay before me , intersected by successive examinations . These examinations have been passed , and you are pleased to accept me , not only as a fellosv worker , but also as a brother . Permit me at once frankly to acknowledge my tribute . I only svish it could be more

adequately done . But , brethren , whatever I may say , I am sure you will regard as the least part of my obligation . The relations into vvhich I have solemnly entered unite me svith your highest interests , so that nothing less svill satisfy you than a noble character and an upright life . Worshipful Master , you svill doubtless remember , in my last utterance , I said that the Masonic landscape opened up before me svith

great promise ; 1 did not prophesy falsely . What 1 then sasv enchanted me . It came to me like a spring bud and the asvkening of the morning wind . I felt my feet had touched a great continent of moral svealth and beauty . As 1 knelt at your shrine , my consciousness of the infinite , asvful presence svas immeasurably deepened . If I were asked to condense this service into a single text , I vvould

repeat— " Put off the shoes from off thy feet , for the ground whereon thou standest is holy ground . " Nothing , brethren , has given me more satisfaction than to find that behind this gorgeous ritual there is a spiritual fact . It would , indeed , have been a sorry feeling if , after what has transpired during the last tsvo months , svhen reduced to its last thread , it vvere found only to be a piece of fine art . Some great

shoss * , organised to captivate the senses , but unable to reach and find the soul . In this Craft , as in creation , the spiritual essence is hidden , and found only of those who dilligently seek it . For a man to come into Masonry and rush off and declare himself competent to speak of its qualities and capacities is to commit a serious error . Affinity is the great lasv svhich opens her storehouses and unlocks her

cabinets . Let a man be receptive rather than critical , and he will be filled with delicious over-flowing . Worshipful Master , I hardly need say the claim of this Craft to respect ancl reverence is not one of authority and tradition merely , but arising out of the fact that it lies parallel to the order and course of nature . A ' our images and symbols are taken , not from what is

accidental , but from svhat is primary and essential . You command the universe as your dosvry . The great figures of east and svest , of sun , moon , and stars , earth , air , and sea , stand up like the great Himalayas—to enrich and defend you . You walk abroad " kings and priests unto God . " It could not be difficult then for me in such a communion to find myself completely at home . Indeed , I feel honoured by this attachment . I expect to

find among you some of the noblest growths of human excellence and virtue . You must be to tne a treasury of wisdom and justice and love . Brethren , if what be best svithin us is not developed even to tropical proportions on the fruitful breasts of our Masonic mothers , vve disgrace the Craft , for after all moral culture is the highest

attainment , and , sofar as I appreciate the purpose of this Institution , it is distinctly and pre-eminently conducive to this end . But valuable as such I nstitutions are , they must never be allowed to supersede and take the place of personal responsibility , for the last and highest fact of humanity is

that' Man is his osvn star ; and the soul that can Render an honest and a perfect man , Commands all light , all influence , all fate ; Nothing to him falls early or too late . Our acts , our angels are or good or ill , Our fatal shadosvs that walk- by us still . " Songs and recitations passed asvay a very pleasant and agreeable evening .

Provincial Meetings.

WHITSTABLE . Graystone Lodge ( No . 1915 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge svas held at the Foresters' Hall , on Thursday , the nth inst . There vvere present Bros . T . AV . Porter , W . M . ; S . Saunders , I . P . M . ; J . T . Reeves , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , James Terry , P . G . S . B . ; E . G . AValthew , S . AV ., AV . M . elect ; F . T . Brosvning , J . W . ;

John AVood , Sec ; W . B . London , S . D . ; A . W . Southwell , J . D . ; B . Lightfoot , D . C . ; A . Harrison , I . G . ; F . A . Johnson , Org . ; M . Kemp and C . W . Driffield , Stsvds . ; W . Gammon , Tyler ; R . T . Wheeler , C . Gurr , R . Bines , S . Brown , H . Goldfinch , F . Gibbs , C . E . Monkley , J . F . Laver , AV . H . Brand , P . M . 1524 ; J . R . Daniels , and T . Seager . Visitors : Bros . T . H . Blamiers , P . M . 1 440 ,

P . G . S . B . ; H . Penfold , P . M . 1174 , P . P . J . G . AV . ; Rev . J . B . Harrison , P . M . 1096 , P . P . G . Chap . ; F . F . Giraud , P . M . 133 , P . P . J . G . D . ; E . Lukey , P . M . 199 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . E . Wiltshier , P . M . 31 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; R . Blake , P . M . 972 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; J . Tickle , P . M . 1196 and 1702 , P . P . G . R . Middlesex ; Rev . W . B . Drasvbridge , P . D . G . Chap

-Bombay ; T . J . Mackey , 15 , Arkansas , U . S . A . ; G . R . Cobham , AV . M . 20 ; W . S . Baldsvin , VV . M . 184 ; J . L . Hume , W . M . 144 ; J . Barnes , 1 S 4 ; W . C . Snow , 1 S 4 ; C . Godsmark , 1209 ; S . L . Edsvards , 7 S 1 j J . S . AVhite , I . P . M . 2099 ; H . G . Frost , W . M . iog 6 j G . Allen , AV . M . 7 S 4 ; A . Barker , 204 S ; AV . J . Hellyar , 1621 , 2099 ; E . A . C . Larkin , W . M . 2099 ; R . J . Johnson , 2009 ; A . H .

Pilcher , W . M . 972 ; E . Mills , S . W . 972 ; W . Milchard , 972 ; W . Claydon , AV . M . 1449 ; G . Pope , 1449 j W . Barsvell , 901 j R . Bradley , 1694 ; L . Powell , 1635 ; M . Terling , IOOOJ E . AV . Foster , W . M . elect 913 j R . Bryant , 1604 ; Allan Tassell , W . M . 133 ; C . Hooper , 133 ; C . L . Graham , S . AV . 133 ; F . Hitchins , W . M . 77 ; W . C . Stunt , J . AV . 133 ; S . Payn , P . M . 133 ; and Thomas Easton ,

W . M . 2305 . The ceremony of installing Bro . E . G . Walthew svas ably performed b y the retiring Master , Bro . T . W . Porter . The following officers of the lodge vvere then invested : Bros . J . Wood , S . W . ; F . T . Browning , J . W . ; Rev . H . M . Maugham , P . M ., Prov . G . Chap ., Chap . ; A . Anderson , Treas . ; Sibert Saunders , P . M ., Sec ; W . B . London , S . D . ; A . W . Southwell , J . D . ; B . Lightfoot , D . C ; A .

Harrison , I . G . ; F . A . Johnson , Org . ; C . M . Driffield and S . Brosvn , Stesvards ; and M . Kemp , Tyler . After the Iodge , the usual banquet vvas held at the Bear and Key Hotel . Bro . Walthew , the new W . M ., presided , and betsveen 70 and So Grand , Provincial Grand , and other officers and brethren sat dosvn . After dinner the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drunk .

The musical arrangements vvere carried out by Bros Plant , Rhodes , and Dewhirst , assisted by Bro . F . A . John son , Organist .

YORK . York Lodge ( No . 236 ) . —A regular meeting of the above Iodge svas held on Monday , the 15 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Duncombe-place , when Bro . C . M . Forbes , the W . M ., occupied the chair , and , in addition to his officers , vvas supported ^ by Past Masters of this and other lodges and several visitors .

1 he minutes having been read and confirmed , Bro . A . Jones , by request of the AV . M ., delivered a lecture on the second tracing board in such a style as to be extremely interesting to the members , and especially to those svho had developing ideas . A vote of thanks vvas passed to the lecturer , on the proposition of the AV . M ., seconded by Bro . Balmford , P . M ., and having been acknosvledged by Bro .

Jones , the W . M . said that as there svas no other very important business of the lodge , he had pleasure in submitting to the brethren a picture svhich had been presented to thelodge . It svas a handsomely framed photograph of Bro . Peck , svho vvas so well knosvn in Masonic circles , especially in Yorkshire as P . G . S ., and svas given to the lodge by their photographed brother . The W . M . then

moved , and Bro . Balmford , P . M ., seconded , a vote of thanks to Bro . Peck for his present , which was cordially adopted . _ Some other business , including an address on the traditional history , having been postponed , and " Hearty good wishes " having been expressed from several lodges , the brethren proceeded from labour to refreshment , and some pleasant music and recitations vvere contributed .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Westbourne Chapter ( No . 733 ) . —A meeting was held on the iSth inst ., at the Holborn Restaurant , svhen there svere present Comps . W . C AVilliams , M . E . Z . ; G . March , H . ; John Davies , J . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . Z ., Treas . ; T . AV . Allen , P . Z ., S . E . ; C A . Cottebrune , P . Z ., S . N . ; G . Ssvann , P . S . ; AV . A . Smith , 1 st Asst . S . ; Chas .

Shepperd , Janitor ; Lesvis Ascott , P . Z . ; E . Collins , P . Z . ; T . Jobson , C . E . Betts , C G . Hatt , F . West , J . W . Belsham , C . Davison , T . Haynes , andG . S . Wright . A'isitors : Comps . VV . H . Chalfont , J . 975 ; H . E . Dehane , P . Z . 890 , S . N . S 62 ; J . Cruttenden , 779 j W . Hillier , 834 ; andVV . A . Brett .

The chapter svas opened , and the minutes of the last convocation svere read and confirmed . Comp . T . Haynes was duly exalted , and Comp . AVright vvas elected a member . A vote of condolence svith the family of the late Pro G . Z ., the Earl of Carnarvon , svas passed , and also a tribute of respect to the late Comp . Sheffield svas entered on the minutes . "Hearty good wishes" vvere accorded , and the chapter

closed . The companions adjourned to a banquet , after which the usual loyal and Royal Arch toasts vvere duly honoured , the M . E . Z . alluding to the death of the late Pro G . Z . in very feeling terms . Comp . Cottebrune , in proposing the toast of " The M . E . Z ., " remarked that since he had knosvn him he had appreciated his good svork through all the offices up to his

present position , the duties of vvhich he had performed with such marked ability that the companions would receive the toast as it deserved vvith acclamation . The M . E . Z . acknosvledged the heartiness svith svhich the companions had received the remarks made by Comp . Cottebrune , and said so long as he presided over them

no endeavours on his part should be wanting to increase the prosperity of the chapter , vvhich he vvas sure vvould nosv be an easy matter . The M . E . Z ., svhile proposing the toast of " The H . and J ., " congratulated himself in having such officers at his right and left .