At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar

The present king was already Grand Master when he ascended the throne in 1859 (?) as Oscar II ., and it was in the year t 868 that his Majesty King Edward VII . was initiated while on a visit to the Swedish Court . In 1887 the rank of Past Grand Master of England was conferred on King Oscar , and in the same year it will be remembered by many of our

readers that his Majesty attended the great assembly of Freemasons at the Royal Albert Hall , under the presidency of the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., when an address to her Majesty the Queen on her jubilee was voted . The cordial relations existing between the Roval families and people of

the two countries have their natural reflex on the Masonic communities , and the intercourse between the two bodies , although not frequent , is always of a sincere and fraternal character . © © © Lodge Secretaries on the look out for pleasing , novelties

in the way of boxes and cabinets of artistic and original design for cigars and cigarettes at installation banquets , should make a point of seeing specimens of these specialities at Messrs . S . Cohen and Co ., 1 and 2 , Snow Hill , E . C . This firm has a world-wide reputation for this class of work , and Secretaries may with every confidence entrust them with their orders .

Installation Meeting Of The Empress Lodge, No. 2581.

Installation Meeting of the Empress Lodge , No . 2581 .

THE ninth installation meeting of the above popular lodge , whose first Master was Sir Joseph Dimsdale , P . G . T ., P . G . W ., was held on Wednesday , December 9 th , at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , when Bro . Geo . Rowland Blades was installed Worshipful Master by W . Bro . G . C . Breese . He appointed and invested his officers as follows : —

Bros . G . C . Kirchner , S . W . ; W . H . Bond , J . W . ; Sir C . Purdon Clarke , Treasurer ; G . H . Nelson , Secretary ; W . F . Allvey , S . D . ; Percival Dipon , J . D . ; W . H . Jeffcoat , I . G . ; F . A . Nash , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Kynock and Hal Williams , Stewards . The sum of fifteen guineas was proposed to be

placed on the Worshipful Master ' s list . The subsequent banquet was partaken of by about one hundred and twenty brethren , and the usual loyal toasts duly honoured .

In submitting that of "The Grand Officers , " the Worshipful Master said they were specially honoured in having some thirteen or fourteen present . Bro . Rev . Canon Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., in reply , said he could hardly believe it was eight years since he assisted in the consecration of the loelge , but during those years its

members had done good suit and service , both in the lodge and out of it . Being an honorary member he should continue to take an interest in it .

Bro . Rev . H . W . Turner , P . G . Chap . ( Rector of Sutton ) , said that Brotherly Love was certainly present that evening . The Worshipful Master was one of his dearest friends , " less than kin , but more than kind " towards him . He wished him a very happv and successful year of office . Bro . Breese , in proposing the toast of " The Worshipful

Master , " said never was a toast better deserved . He took up everything enthusiastically . He was a keen man , both in business , volunteering and Masonry . A good man needed no push , as good wine needed no bush . He had already proved he would be one of the best workers , particularly on

behalf of the Masonic Charities . He proposed talcing up a list for the three , of all of which he was Vice-Patron . They were all fond of him and would support him , and wished him good health , long life , and prosperity . The Worshipful Master , in responding , expressed his

cordial thanks for the kind way he had been received . He should try to the utmost of his power to keep unsullied the traditions of the lodge .

1 he Worshipful Master , in proposing " The Acting I . P . M ., " said the beautiful manner in which he had carried out the ceremony of installation was a specimen of the work he had done in the lodge during the last two years . Through the unavoidable absence , in India , of their Worshipful Master ,. Bro . J . S . Bhumgara , he had acted in that capacity for the

second year . The I . P . M . said he was overwhelmed with his reception ,, which he did not think was deserved . He asked the W . M . to cut the toast out of the list , and received in reply , " are you the boss or am I ? " He had received every help from

the brethren , particularly from W . Bro . Nash , who buttonholed him even when at lunch in the City , enquiring if he remembered such and such a point . He was glad to say the real I . P . M . hoped to be present at the next meeting . The toast of "The Visitors" was proposed by the

Worshipful Master , who was very pleased to see so many of his old friends and those of his late father ' s among them ,, including W . Bro . R . R . Davis , who initiated his father into Masonry in the Lodge of Union , and Bro . Griffin , who initiated him .

BRO . G . ROWLAND ISLADES . Bro . T . Poultney Griffin , P . G . D ., in reply , said he had the pleasure of initiating the Worshipful Master , and he was very proud of him . He had been present at each installation since the lodge was consecrated , and hoped to be present

again . He congratulated the brethren on having such a good Master to preside over them . Bros . F . L . Jerinyn , P . P . G . D . Essex , and C . J . Drummond , W . M . 2920 , also responded . Bro . P . Colville Smith , P . G . D ., Secretary of the Royal

Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons , in reply to the toast of " The Charities , " said there were over a thousand in the three Institutions . Their hearts and sympathies went out to those young lives they were preparing to send out into the world . He asked all to go to the Institutions

and see for themselves , and he would say they would have a heart of steel if they did not come away feeling they were doing a good work . They would feel the same when they thought of those who had fallen by the way . He asked the brethren to support the Worshipful Master and to do credit

to him who was going up on their behalf . Bros . Imre Kiralfy and G . D . Coleman responded for " The Past Masters" and Bros . Sir Purdon Clarke and Kirchner for " The Officers . " A most enjoyable musical programme , under the direction of Bro . James Kift , was interspersed between the speeches .