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time , and said that as soon as he came into the room he was struck by the very harmonious , brotherly , Masonic feeling which seemed to prevail . He rejoiced in that , because it was just the spirit which should animate a lodge of Freemasons , and in the lodge no doubt they who were comrades outside the lodge would find one other and closer bond of union . The W . M ., in responding to the toast of " The W . M . "

which was proposed by Bro . Green , LP . M ., said he hoped with the support of his officers to have a very successful year . He hoped the brethren would provide him with plenty of work . He knew there were several members of the London Rifle Brigade who wished to join the lodge . Bro . Green replied to the toast of "The I . P . AI . and Installing Afaster , " and thanked every officer of the lodge for the assistance they had rendered him in the chair of

W . M . He especially thanked the brethren for the Past Master ' s jewel . He was sure the brethren would give the same assistance to the new W . M . that they had extended to him . Bros . Wheeler , Allen , and Scott responded to the toast of " The Visitors ; " Bros . Neville Green and Bing to that

of "The Past Masters ; Bro . James Terry replied for " The Masonic Charities , " and solicited the " help of the lodge at the Jubilee Festival of the R . M . B . I . ; Bros . A . McDowall and VV . C . Claridge responded to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary ; " the S . W . replied for "The Officers ; " and the Tyler's toast closed the proceedings .

Empire Lodge ( No . 210 S ) . —On Tuesday , the 2 Gth instant , this lodge held its installation meeting at the Criterion , Piccadilly , and Bro . Geoffrey C . Herbert , the W . AL , presided . A large and distinguished party assembled on the occasion , and among the brethren who composed that party were Bros . Arthur J . R . Trendell , C . ALG ., P . AI . ; Lennox Browne , P . AI . and Treasurer j Andrew Miller . P . M . ; and Charles Moses , P . M . The visitors included

in their ranks Bros . H . P . Thomasset , iS ; Hamon Le Strange , J . G . D . ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 192 S ; Arthur B . Hudson , l . P . M . 1657 ; I . Peter Fenoulhet , 2099 ; Rear-Admiral A . H . Markham , W . AI . 1593 ; E . Letchworth , P . G . D . ; E . Cutler , Q . C , G . Org . j Gen . J . W . Laurie , P . G . M . Nova Scotia ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap , j H . C . Roberts , W . AI . 162 j C . N . Clarke , J . W . IIQOJ R . Clowes , G . Std . Br . j David Walsh , 1296 ;

Richard Kershaw , S . D . 224 G ; H . O . Mordaunt , P . M . 00 ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg . ; E . E . Wendt , G . Sec . for German Coirespondence ; VV . C . Jameson , 46 ; Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ; Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . W . ; J . A . P . Ingoldby , 1 S 71 ; and C . R . Alayo . The Worshipful Alaster initiated Mr . Frederick George Mellows , and afterwards installed Bro . Edward Ernest Harding , the S . W . and W . M . elect . Bro . Harding having

invested Bro . Herbert as I . P . M ., proceeded to invest his officers , and the following brethren had the honour of bearing the different collars for the year : Bros . Frank Jameson , S . W . ; E . Berlandina , J . W . ; Lennox Browne , P . M ., Treas . ; Charles J . Harrison , Sec ; E . Warden Denniss , S . D . j Walter Clifford , J . D . ; I . Shard , I . G . j Ernest Turner , P . M ., Stwd . ; and Henry Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . On the motion of Bro . Lennox Browne , P . M .,

Treas ., seconded b y Bro . Trendell , P . M ., a vote of condolence with the widow and family of the late Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , who consecrated the lodge six years ago , and was an honorary member of the lodge , was unanimously passed , and the same was ordered to be conveyed to them . After avery complimentary and wellmerited tribute to the able services of the LP . M . had been paid by the W . M . in a neat speech , a Past Alaster ' s jewel

was presented to Bro . Herbert , who made an acknowledgment , in which he assured the brethren that his services had been most cheerfully rendered , as he desired that the Empire Lodge should hold a foremost place in the ranks of Masonry seeing that its objects were the binding still closer together the Colonies and the mother country . Bro . Lennox Browne then took up the cause of the Masonic Charities , and referred to the circulars which had been received from

the three Institutions asking for a Steward . The lodge , he said , had adopted the plan of sending a Steward to each of them in rotation , and had already sent one for the Benevolent Institution ; but as the present year was the Jubilee of the Benevolent , he thought it ri g ht that the Steward this year should stand for that Chanty . He therefore offered himself , unless the W . AL would like to take the office .

The W . AL said he would yield to Bro . Lennox Browne , and a notice of motion was then given for the February meeting that twenty-five guineas be voted from the lodge funds to his list . Other Alasonic business was afterwards disposed of , and the lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to banquet . The usual toasts followed .

The W . M ., in giving "The M . W . Grand Alaster , " said he had hoped on this occasion to congratulate the Prince of Wales on an approaching happy event . Unfortunatel y that event had not happened , and they had to sympathise with the M . W . G . M . in the terrible loss he had sustained . Of course it was only those who were parents who could appreciate the awful blow the Prince of Wales had sustained .

Bro . Lennox Browne , P . M ., proposed "The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Alaster , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and in doing so , said the Empire Lodge was always very fortunate in seeing many Grand Officers at its meetings , and they took it not only as a great kindness on their part , but as a recognition that the lodge was in a small way , which it endeavoured to make as great as it could , to fulfil a special function , to

afford a home for colonial brethren . If brethren in the Colonies wished to be affiliated and asked to be made colonial brethren of the Empire Lodge , they could become members . The lodge had not only in England many members , but it had many brethren in the Colonies who were subscribing members . During the Mastership of Bro . Trendell that lodge had been recognised as being very useful in consolidating and extending the limits of Masonry

abroad and in the Colonies , and the lodge always had the honour of having visitors from the Colonies . These brethren would reply to another toast , although some of them were Grand Officers , but for the present he would not include them as respondents to that toast . Bros . Sir John B . Alonckton , P . G . W ., and Le Strange responded , the latter brother referring to the death of the Duke of Clarence , which all the brethren deplored . The late Duke of Clarence was associated with Alasonrv in a

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peculiar manner . No doubt at the wish of his father he was initiated in one lodge , passed in another , and raised in a third , so as to make himself in the early days of his Masonry acquainted with different workings . Masons had hoped that some day he might be their head when Providence should call his father to higher functions , but it had been otherwise ordained .

Bro . Gen . Laurie responded to the toast ot "The Kindred Grand Lodges . " He ivas a member of an independent Grand Lodge , but the Prince of Wales was kind enough to appoint him his representative there , and in that respect be must consider himself a Grand Officer . He hoped the interests of the different Grand Lodges would be identical , would never conflict , and would always be

discharged harmoniously . Referring to the death of Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , he said it was a great loss , for Col . Clerke , by bis judicious management , had prevented anything like friction . When he ( Gen . Laurie ) went to Nova Scotia , the District Grand Lodges , English , Irish , and Scotch , were not working in such harmony as they should , and they were pointed at by non-AIasons in this way— " See

how these Alasons love one another . " Bro . Fenn was sent out to heal the trouble , and he brought back very valuable information to the Board of General Purposes . They were dealt with very carefully by Col . Clerke , and it was not out of place to refer to the loss sustained by his death . This Empire Lodge welcomed Alasons from whatever part of the world thev came , feeling that they were all bound together ,

and on behalf of all Alasons throughout the world he thanked the brethren of the Empire Lodge for their hospitality . Bro . Herbert , LP . M ., proposed "The W . M . " In the new W . M . the brethren had one who was so glib and ready a speaker that it was always a pleasure to listen to him . There was very little to be said on this toast beyond what

had been said by the Past Masters over and over again , and therefore while proposing it he WJuld just wish the VV . M . a happy year of office , a good time , and plenty of work ; indeed , he hoped the W . AL would be over-worked , because if he was it would be for the prosperity of the Empire Lodge , which they had all loved , which they all strove to make better and stronger , and to justify the object for which it was established .

The Worshipful Alaster , in reply , said he trusted the wishes of Bro . Herbert would be fulfilled . When he passed out of the chair in a year ' s time he hoped he might be by Bro . Herbert to congratulate the lodge on being even more prosperous than he found it when he was installed . Last year they inaugurated a little rehearsing ; he hoped that would be continued . With regard to the dining portion of

the lodge meetings , it was his intention to cut the speeches short , for after going through the ceremonies in lodge , if the brethren heard much more of his voice they would wish him dead . He trusted he should have a pleasant year of office . Bro . Alellows responded to the toast of "The Initiate . " Bro . Herbert , LP . M ., replying for "The Installing

Master and Past Masters , " said they had each , one and all , tried to do the Empire Lodge good . If he had succeeded he was only copying—he was not originating anything—he was only copying the best models . He promised at first to do his best , and although he had been afraid ill-health would force him to give it up , he managed to pull through his vear . and he was glad to say he was none the worse for

it . He had worked up the ceremony of installation , although he was 250 miles away from London , and he was glad he had got through with so few mistakes . Bro . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , in the course of his reply to the toast of " The Visitors , " said the Empire Lodge stood in a unique position and fulfilled a special duty . It was at once a connecting link between the

numerous Alasons who acknowledge the supremacy of the Grand Lodge of England ; and wherever , the English flag floated , English Alasonry went , and the great principles which had made this Order so strong were spread . The Empire Lodge fulfilled , and rightly fulfilled , one of the great functions of the Order , recognising first the Fatherhood of God , and next , the universal Brotherhood of man .

They had in the lodge an exemplification of the thorough carrying out of the principles of the Order . As visitors he ( Bro . Philbrick ) and his brethren , rejoicing at the success of the lodge , congratulated the members upon the happy principles which it carried out ; they rejoiced at the success of the lodge , but they were sure it was a success which had been well won , because it was founded on that which

must attract the heart of man unless he be a purely selfish individual . As long as a man felt that he was not sent into the world for himself alone , but that he had a heart which in times of sorrow wanted the consolation and condolence of his friends , in times of joy was anxious to share it with those who were willing to participate in it with him , so long would the principles of Freemasonry permeate the civilised

world . Bro . Rear-Admiral Markham also responded . The toast of " The Officers " was also given and replied to , and the Tyler's toast closed the proceedings . A capital musical programme was carried out under the direction of Uro . Hermann Klein , Organist of the lodge , ass sted by Bros . Wm . Nicholl and James H . Ley .

St . Mark ' s College Lodge ( No . 2157 ) . A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Holborn Restaurant on Friday , the 15 th inst ., when there were present Bros . John Tidmarsh , P . M . 21 G . 5 , W . AL ; VV . R . Carter , P . P . G . Stwd . Herts , LP . M . ; W . Goulden , S . VV . ; A . Preece-Lye , J . W . ; Rev . J . H . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . C . Leicester and Rutland , Treas . ; John Stanton , Sec . ;

I . Raper Pnillips , S . D . ; W . T . Thompson , as J . D . ; T . Simpson , as I . G . j J . O'Connell , P . M ., P . P . G . O . Surrey ; II . R . Elkin , and E . Cox . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last rrgu ' ar meeting were read and confirmed . Before entering upon the business of the evening the W . M ., in feeling terms , alluded to the heavy bereavement which had befallen our M . W . G . M . and the nation , and an expression

of deep regret and sympathy was ordered to be recorded on the lodge minutes . The Tyler of the lodge having left England , Bro . Whiteman was unanimously elected to the vacancy , and was duly invested with the insignia of his ollice . The W . AL having announced his intention of acting as a Steward at the Jubilee Festival of the R . M . fi . L , the sum of 10 guineas was voted from the lodge funds , the same to be paid in the name of Bro . Rev . J . H . Smith , the father of the lodge . Bro . O'Connell , P . AI ., in proposing the

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resolution , referred to the many excellent qualities of Bro . Smith which had endeared him to every member of the lodge . Bro . Carter , P . M ., seconded the resolution in a similar strain , and it was unanimously carried . Bro . Rev . J . H . Smith sincerely thanked the brethren for the compliment , which he assured them he valued very highly , and he was additionally pleased that the donation had been

made to this particular Institution . A brother , who was to have been passed to the Second Degree was unfortunately unable to be present that evening , so the W . M . gave the explanation of the second tracing hoard , and then closed the lodge . In consequence of the lamented death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , the customary banquet was dispensed with .

Duke of Fife Lodge ( No . 2345 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., at the Alexandra Hotel , Clapham Common , when there were present Bros . S . Cochrane , I . P . M ., as W . M . ; Folkard , S . W . ; J . Lyell , D . C , as J . W . ; R . Steele , P . M ., Treas . ; C Woods , Sec . ; A . Harvey , S . D . j J . Langdon , I . G . j Robertson , Alorris , H . Lynn , Lawrence ,

Rashleigh , H . Mitchell , and Patrick , Tyler . Apologies for absence were received from Bros . G . Everett , G . Treas . j W . W . Westley , VV . M . ; J . Wyer , P . P . G . D . C . Kentj Daoust , J . Mitchell , and others . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Notice of motion was given by Bro . R . Steele , Treas ., for giving 10 guineas from the lodge funds to be placed on the

list of the W . M ., who is a Steward for the R . M . B . I . Bro . C . Woods , Sec , drew the attention of the lodge to the fact of being in mourning for the late Grand Secretary , an hon . member of the lodge . The W . AL commented on Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke's great work for the Order , and it was decided to record on the minutes the serious loss that the lodge and Freemasonry had suffered by his death . On the

motion ol Bro . Folkard , S . W ., seconded by Bro . Harvey , S . D ., it was unanimously agreed "in silence" that the Secretary be instructed to express the deep sympathy of the lodge with his Grace the Duke of Fife and H . R . H . the Duchess at the great loss that had recently fallen upon them and the nation by the death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence .

As a mark of respect and to show the sympathy of the lodge the usual dinner was not held after the lodge meeting . j Woodgrange Lodge ( No . 2409 ) . — The regular meeting ot this lodge was held at the Princess Alice Hotel , Forest Gate , on Wednesday , the zoth instant , i under the presidency of the VV . M ., Bro . A . R . Trew , P . P . G . D . of Suffolk , supported by the following officers and

members of the lodge : Bros . John G . Stevens , acting I . P . M . j G . Pidduck , jun ., S . W . j Rob . J . Tucker , J . W . j Henry Wm . Clarke , Sec . j A . J . Hardwick , S . D . j Jas . H . Brown , J . D . j O . E . Riche , I . G . j Wm . Wilkinson , Organist ; Jas . Everett , Stwd . ; A . K . Turbefield , Tyler ; J . F . Reade , John Bastow , A . P . H . Fisher , C . Slater , and C . T . Knowler . Visitors : Bros . Rob . Ayton , ] P . M . 933 ; C . H . Cary , W . AL 1625 ; Edwd . Triggs , W . M . elect 2291 ;

J . Moore Smith , 2291 j Rev . W . H . W . Caseley , 1580 , P . P . G . Chap . Hertfordshire ; J . E . Blandford , 22 G 2 J C . J . Coltee , 7 S 1 ; and A . L . Dale , P . M . 1076 , P . G . Sec ., Essex . The brethren wore Alasonic mourning as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary of England , who so recently as September last consecrated this lodge , and was elected its first honorary member .

After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . Frederick Thomas Lapham and Capt . Frederick Thomas Butter , and the same proving unanimous in their favour , they were initiated . Bro . John Bastow was passed to the Degree of F . C . Bro . J . G . Stevens alluded in very feeling terms to the death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , and the following

resolution was unanimously carried and ordered to be engrossed and forwarded to the Al . W . Grand Master : " That this lodge begs to offer the expression of its deep and profound sympathy to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , & c , & c , Al . Worshipful Grand Alaster , and the rest of the Royal Family , on the loss they have sustained by the lamented death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence

and Avondale , K . G ., Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire and Past Grand Warden . " It was resolved to send a vote of condolence to Airs . Clerke and family upon the death of the late Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . Alter the Organist , Bro . VV . Wilkinson had , in a very efficient manner , played the Dead Alarch in "Saul , " the lodge was closed .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BATTLE . Abbey Lo dge ( No . 1184 / . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 21 st inst ., at the Masonic Hall , when the following were present : Bros . J . B . Foster , W . M . j W . I . Pepper , S . W . ; T . W . Avis , J . W . j H . G . F . Wells ,

P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Treas . ; R . Hughes , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; W . T . Jordan , P . M ., D . C , acting S . D . i F . Gorham Ticehurst , J . D . ; Geo . Smith , I . G . ; W . JNewman , Tyler ; W . A . Raper , l . P . M . ; Walder , and others . The brethren assembled in mourning , and the lodge havinfe '

been opened and the minutes confirmed , apologies were read from several brethren who , from sickness and other causes , were unable to be present . To the prevailing comp laint is also to be attributed the unusually small muster of brethren , but , although absent in thellesh , their sympathies were undoubtedly with the W . AL in proposing , with much eloquence and feeling , the principal business ot the evening , viz ., the expression ot the heartfelt sympathy and grief of the brethren in the loss the nation and Freemasonry had

sustained in the death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence , and their sincere sympathy with her Alajesty the Queen ano the sorrowing parents and relatives of the deceased Duke , and with the Princess Alary in their bereavement . This was very ably seconded by Bro . Riper , and carried unanimously . A similar resolution of sorrow at the death ot tit ° ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , and sympathy with his widow and family was also unanimously carried . The lodge was then closed .