Red Cross Of Constantine.

Letters of apology for non-attendance were received from the Hon . W . F . Orde-Powlett , Grand Viceroy , and J . VV . Ellison Macartney , M . P ., Grand Senior General . Both of these apologies were pronounced to be ample by the Grand Sovereign . There were alio telegrams from Sir Knights Whytehead and Cumberland , from York , and letters to the same purport , regretting absence , from Sir Knights Col-Creaton , Dr . Harrison , Reginald Young , J . VV . Woodal

( Scarborough ) , Rev . Dr . Brette , A . A . Pendlebury , A . R . Robinson ( . Portsmouth ) , G . P . BrocUbank , and many others . The Grand Conclave was then closed in imperial form , and the meeting adjourned . The banquet was held in conjunction with that of the

Premier , whose meeting on the same evening has already been reported in these pages . The toast of the evening was on this , as on the last occasion , that of " The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign of the Order , Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., " under whose sway the Red Cross and its appendant orders arc now prospering and adorning their banners .

Presentation To The Crew Of The Freemasons' Life Boat "Albert Edward," At Clacton-On-Sea.

PRESENTATION TO THE CREW OF THE FREEMASONS ' LIFE BOAT " ALBERT EDWARD , " AT CLACTON-ON-SEA .

The gallant rescue made by the crew of this boat on the 23 rd October last , when they saved the lives of sixteen Frenchmen , has been several times noticed , but we have now to record how a generous public have responded to a

request made by friends of the crew . A subscription list was opened by Mr . Wm . Wrench Towse , at the Public Hall , Clacton ; while at the same time , Mr . A . G . Kitching , of the Stock Exchange , and resident of Clacton , brought the brave actions of the crew before the members of that institution , the result being that a sum of £ 7 6 has been received at thc Ha ' , andabovA £ 10 for a fund to be raised

for future contingencies , and the Stock Exchange have sent £ 41 for the crew , and £ 40 lor the Reserve Fund—so that in all a sum of over jfiOo has been subscribed . It having been decided to make the distribution of these amounts in as public a manner as possible , Lady Johnson was asked by Mr . Towse if she would kindly attend and distribute the rewards ; to this her ladyship at once gave a ready and

willing response , following that up with a liberal donation of £ 5 5 s ., and an intimation that the would provide a purse for each man , with his initials worked on it . The day fixed was Boxing Day ( Monday last ) , and it is needless , perhaps , to say that the crew have been looking forward with some pleasure for the arrival of this , to them , red letter day . The Public Hall was gaily decorated with flags lent by

kind friends , amongst these being the fishmongers' Company ( who , by the way , have most liberally subscribed £ 10 ios . for the crew , and £ 10 ios . for thc local Fund ) , Mr . Henry Page , Mr . Wallis , and others . The raised platform was arranged so that the visitors , many of whom came from a distance , could see the distribution , and also the display made of the 13 tankards , which had been

purchased with a view that each man should have a memento that he could show to bis friends . The tankards have the following inscription handsomely engraved thereon , besides the name of the receiver , viz . : — •" Presented to by the subscribers to thc fund raised in recognition of brave services rendered in the Clacton-on-Sea lifeboat , 1 SS 1 . "

The National Life Boat lnslitutiirn , on the recommendation of the Inspector , Captain Nepean , R . N ., having voted a silver medal to the coxswain , Legerton , and also having considered the great services rendered by the crew , have also presented them with thanks on vellum , advantage was taken by the Local Committee on this occasion for the public presentation to them of these rewards , and , as will be

seen presently , it caused considerable gratification to all concerned . * Before proceeding to the Public Hall , Sir John and Lady Johnson paid a visit cf inspection to the Lifeboat House , where they were received by Messrs . F . Mann , VV . Wrench Towse , and J . Harman . The boat and its various appliances were exhibited to the visitors , who were much interested , and one of the new signal rockets was fired , The

party then adjourned to thc Public I Iall , where a large and enthusiastic audience , numbering nearly 400 , was awaiting them . The members of the crew , who were attired in the lifeboat uniform , were provided with seats on the platform on the rig ht of the Chairman . The proceedings opened with the singing of the Hymn , " Eternal Father , strong to save ,

Whose arm doth bind the restless wave . The accompaniment was executed by Miss Ada Just . The C HAIRMAN said his duties were very light and very pleasant that afternoon , and he should trespass but a very few moments upon their time . He simply occupied the chair to-day on behalf of the Clacton Branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution , he being Chairman of that

branch , and he was there in accordance with the wish of the Committee . He felt that before he asked Lady Johnson to make the presentation which would be made to the crew of the Lifeboat , it was only fair first to relate to them , in a few words , how this matier had been brought about . It had been customary with them tince the branch had been established to meet the Lifeboat crew , together with

their wives , upon Boxing Day , and spend a p leasant evening . The Lifeboat crew had been entertained , hitherto , on Boxing Day , and he sincerely trusted that the custom would continue . ( Hear , hear . ) As they grew in Clactonon-Sea , they lived in hopes of gaining additional strength from time to time . ( Hear , hear . ) A short time ago a gentleman came into their midst , Mr . W . Wrench Towse .

( Applause . ) I hey knew the old adage , A new broom sweeps clean "—( Laughter)—and some of them knew what a first love was , and rvhat ihcy would do under the influence of first love . Under these influences their worthy friend Mr . Towse had acted upon this occasion . For the first time , he ( Mr . Towse ) had seen their lifeboat bring a number of human beings lo shore , after the ) had endured

the perils of a rough sea ; they were brought safely to land ; that cheered his heart , and he did not want to stand idle . He wanted to know what he ought to be doing , and in thc warmth of his heart he went to work-, without acting in concert with the Committee . He said , when duty is to be done , don ' t let us stand for formalities . ( Hear , hear . ) No doubt there was a good deal to be taid in

Presentation To The Crew Of The Freemasons' Life Boat "Albert Edward," At Clacton-On-Sea.

favour of that . Mr . Towse , however , went to work ; he brought the influence of fresh na-r . es to bear , and he brought them fresh friends . ( Hear , hear . ) The result of Mr . Towse ' s exertions was , that he had been successful in raising a handsome subscription ; he had brought the influence of a few fresh names to bear upon those already at work in Clacton . Amongst others , the Fishmongers' Company had sent a handsome donation , and other friends had

followed in their footsteps . From every quarter , he was thankful to say that the services of the lifeboat bad been acknowledged , and it was a great pleasure to have had their services acknowledged , and for the crew to stand there that day to receive their present of money . In addition to the money the men would receive a tankard , and the thanks of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution inscribed on vellum . In conclusion Mr . Harman asked Lady

Johnson to present the testimonials . ( Applause . ) Lady Johnson then gracefully performed the presentation , shaking each of the men by the hand and wishing them a happy new year . The testimonial consisted of thc silver medal of the Royal Institution , which was presented to the coxswain ( Legerton ) besides a pure of seven guineas , a tankard , and the thanks of . the Society inscribed on vellum , and the

following were the recipients : Robt . Legerton ( cox . ) , Jas . Cross , Robt . Osbnrn , John Green , John Rouse , Maurice " Nichols , Chas . Schofield , Wm . Schofield , John Austin , Benj . Addis , Thos . Hobbs , and Richard Stockman . Each recipient as he stepped forward was received with loud applause . The CHAIRMAN said he had now a very pleasant piece of news to relate to them ; it was this , that in accordance with the wishes of those who had contributed , a sum of

money had been set aside to form a fund to provide for a contingency in connection with the lifeboat . The committee had been enabled to hand in a cheque of £ 50 towards the formation of a fund for the lifeboat . He could only say that their lifeboat had been established three years and the noble crew ( luring that time had dune a grand service . ( Applause . ) They were very pleased to be associated to such a gallant crew , they had done their duty , and during

the time they had bei n established they had brought into shore a good number of Frenchmen , Norwegians , Italians , and men of many other nations . He hoped such kindred services as this would do a great deal towards cementing nations together and making them of one brotherhood . Mr . HARMAN then read a letter from Mr . Kitching , who is a member of the Stock Exchange , expressing regret at his inability to be present .

Mr . VV . " VV . TOWSE , in proposing a vote of thanks to Lady Johnson , said it had been a most pleasing duty for Lady Johnson to be present and give away the contributions of a generous public in recognition of the very brave services ot their gallant crew , lt was with much pleasure that he asked thi-m one and all to return their thanks to Lady Johnson for the kind manner in which she had taken part in the proceedings . He was sure the lifeboat crew

would recollect her kind services for the remainder of their lives . ( Loud applause . ) Mr . F . MANN seconded the proposition . He said they were extremely obliged to Lady Johnson for her kindness in connection with the occasion . The proposition was carried with applause , and hearty cheers were given for her ladyship . Sir JoirN H . J OHNSON , in returning thanks on behalf cf

Lady Johnson , said his mind , like that of all others , was just at the present moment full of one thing , and that was admiration of the brave services performed by the brave men before them , and to that he must really speak and direct the few words which he had to say . He was inclined to think that every lady and gentleman , man , woman , or child present , if they were placed on a storm-washed shore or pier on a winter or autumn morning and saw the lift boat

come in , whether they had been successful 01 not in saving human life , their first impulse would be to put their hands in their pocket and hand bver something to the men who were out on service of this kind . ( Applause . ) Not only would that not bc desirable , if it were practicable , but he was quite sure that the men themselves would not desire surh a thing . It was only on very special and marked occasions , such as this , that such a tribute should be given .

I her- knew perfectly well that it was not the habit for distinctions to be given to soldiers merely because they went into battle and came safely out of it—a reward was not given to a soldier because he did not run away—he simply did his duty like a man ; but special rewards were given for services carried out with some extraordinary amount of pluck and some extraordinary amount of energy . Forethought and care had got to be exercised , and it

was these things that were marked to-day , and should be appreciated in the future . The Victoria Cross was not bestowed on a soldier for a foolhardy action , but it was bestowed because he had done something which there was some chance of his achieving . It was not given because a man threw away his life , because that was no good . If their lifeboat crew had not been careful they would have lost their own lives as well as

drowning the Frenchmen . Besides courage , their action included seamanship , care , forethought , and the ability with which the service was conducte'd . In order to understand the nature of the service rendered , at the risk of repeating what they knew far better than he could tell them , let them follow their seryices from the beginning . At the outset a rocket is fired . Out came the men , from their warm beds . Really a great many of them would

think that was a great thing to do —( laughter)—he should not care about that . ( Renewed laughter . ) Well , out come the men , and into thc boat , and away they go . The first thing they find is that the vessel in distress is a long way out , and that without a steamer , and with the tide and an easterly wind against them , they will be unable to reach the ship . Are they daunted : They don ' t say " VVe shall have to give this up , we can't get near her . They go out

into the Swin to look for a steamer to get a help down . They see a steamer , but she either did not see them or they would not take any notice , and passes on . Are they daunted" They see another steamer , the Consett , which he was happy to say belonged to some friends of his . ( Applause . ) The captain did not want to be told what to

do , because these seamen—he did not know how they made one another hear—seemed to see at once what was wanted . They knew that the vessel in distress must be somewhere where the boat could not get to her . She passes a rope and tows them down to the vessel . The first thing the lifeboat does is to let go her anchor , in order to bring the lifeboat alongside the wrecked lugger . AU faring safely and right

Presentation To The Crew Of The Freemasons' Life Boat "Albert Edward," At Clacton-On-Sea.

as yet , and they are just alongside the lugger , when a tre mendous sea comes and sends the vessel further on to thc sand . "No harm done yet , " says the coxswain ; "payout more rope . " What a good thing it was to have a little more rope to pay out , and to -haul upon all occasions . ( Applause . ) They pay out their cable , and are just alongside again , when another tremendous wave pushes the vessel further on the sand . We have got to

the end of our rope and can't pay out ! What , are we to go home and leave the Frenchmen to drown r No . ( Applause . ) We would rather run tbe risk of being left on the sand . Then they slipped their cable . That , to him , was the most ticklish part of the whole concern , because they were at the mercy of the sea , and were once dashed on to the wreck .- If they had come down with two or three ugly bumps like that one they would have gone to pieces .

However , they got alongside , and the crew were brought to land . It was a noble service grandly performed under God ' s providence . ( Applause . ) Now as regards the testimonials . He should recommend the men to prize them very highly . He could only say for himself that he would rather have one ot those tankards , and the honour of having performed such a service , than have the same tankard in solid gold . Those men could be proud of this action until

the last day ot their lives , and Clacton should be proud of the men belonging to this place . As to returning thanks for his wife having prcsentedthe testimonials that day , he looked upon it as an honour given from them in having asked her to do so . This recognition of her services was a great honour to her , she felt it very hi g hly , and had felt great pleasure in carrying out their wishes ; and he thanked them most heartily for the way in which they , had received

her . It only remained for him to propose a vote of thanks to the Chairman who had presided with so much amiability , cordiality , and kindness . ( Applause . ) Mr . J . MAX * " seconded the proposition , which was carried unanimously . The CHAIRMAN , in acknowledgment of the compliment , said he was extremely obliged to them , and he had much pleasure in presiding . He hoped the time might be

far distant when they should meet on a similar ocr asion to this , but he still trusted that under God ' s blessing the lifeboat would be the means of bringing many shipwrecked men to shore . ( Applause . ) Before the meeting closed , he said that Robert Legerton , whose heart was full , wished to say a few words . ROBERT LEGERTON , who was received with applause , said he should like to thank all who had been interested

in their affair , lt was with much gratitude that they were present that day to receive their awards , and they were especially thankful to Lady Johnson for having ptesented them . It was not so much the money and other things that they ( bought about , they thought more about the honour and the work in which they were engaged . ( Applause . ) They thought more of lhat than of the presents , the latter of which , of course , they were

still very thankful for . He believed that if they had been ten minutes later at the wreck they would have been too late , for as soon as they got the crew off , the vessel , which was on the top of the sand , altered her position and began to go to pieces . They could not have got to the ship unless they parted with their cable , as he thought that was the best thing to do , because he knew the Institution had got plenty of cables and anchors on shore . (

Applause . ) It was a fortunate thing for the Frenchmen that their vessel was only three months old ; if it had been an old ship they would have been too late , because she had been on the Sunk sand , had knocked off that and then ran on to the Gunfleet , where they found her . In conclusion , he wished to propose a vote of thanks to the Lifeboat Institution and to the Local Committee . , -The proposition was seconded by J AMES CROSS , the

second coxswain , and carried . The National Anthem was then sung , and cheers having been given for Sir John and Lady Johnson and the lifeboat crew , the proceedings terminated . In the even ng the crew and their wives were entertained to dinner in the dining-room of the Royal Hotel , which had been decorated for the occasion with flowers supplied by the London Flower Girls' Brigade .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft i-Kasoiu-jj .

METROPOLITAN LODGE ( No . 1507 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 21 st inst . The business commenced at five o'clock when the W . M ., Bro . VV . M . Stiles opened thc lodge assisted by Bros . H . Stiles . S . W ; G . Clark , f . W . ; W . Side , I . P . M . ; G . J . Scales , P . M . ; H . Lovegrove , S . D . ; G . Edwards , J . D . ; and other officers , with a considerable

number of brethren and the following visitors : Bros . Carey , 672 ; Scott , 199 ; Smith , 1744 ; J . Bowyer Clark , ' 777 J and Richardson . Bros . Hawthorn , Jay , Bryce , Rogers and Repon were raised ; Bros . Saunders and Dormer were passed ; and Messrs . R . B . Briggs and Stunner were initiated . The various ceremonies were very effectively rendered . „

LANGTON LODGE ( No . 1673 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at thc Holborn Viaduct Hotel on Wednesday , the 21 st inst . Present : Bros . A . Rosenthall , W . M . ; C . E . Barnett , J . VV . ; J . A . Archer , S . D . ; T . Turquard Fillan , I . G . ; loseph D . Langton , S . W . ; Joseph Langton , Treas . ; J . Westrope , Steward ; G . W . Rowe , Tyler : Haines . Clav Sudlow .

Royle , Davies , Bartholomew , Garland , and Godwin . Visitors : Bros . W . L . Rosenthall , P . G . C . Staffoid ; Fitz George , 795 ; Edward Terry , P . M . 1319 ; Fredk . Foss , VV . M . 26 ; and J . H . Casson , P . M . 1706 , P . P . G . O . Derby . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , the VV . M . proceeded to invest Bro . R . Clay Sudlow as Secretary of the lodge . Bro . Gilbert Bartholomew was passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft . A ballot was taken for

Bro . George Godwin , of the 1 emple . Lodge , S 73 , as a joining member , and was declared by the W . M . as unanimous in his favour . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet , which was presided over by the VV . M ., Bro . A . Rosenthall . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured ; that of "The Visitors " being responded toby Bro . Edward Terry in a very humorous speech , and by each of the other visitors present . A