History Of The Emultion Lodge Of Improvement, No. 256.——(Continued).

Bro . George F . Marshall , P . M . No . 6 9 , was next elected to the post of honour and responsibility , having already served several years as joint Preceptor with Bro . Hobbs . Although no longer officially connected with the Lodge , Bro . Sudlow continued to evince a warm interest in its

welfare , very seldom missing a festival meeting , and taking an active part in the proceedings thereat . At the Annual Festival held on the 4 th of January , 1890 , Bro . J . D . Langton presided , and in proposing the toast of "The Emulation Lodge of Improvement , " observed that

the Langton Lodge of Instruction was proud to do what it could to prepare brethren for that higher Lodge of Instruction—the Emulation—and while it continued to work on the lines laid down—viz ., meeting on the Thursday previous to the Friday on which the Emulation met , and

working the same ceremonies performed at the latter Lodge on the following night—they hoped to be of some small service to those desirous of taking part in the work at that justly celebrated Masonic finishing school . Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , in response , said he should never forget that he really dated the commencement of his Masonic career to his introduction to the Langton Lodge of Instruction .

FRANCIS R . SPALL ! ,, P . M . Nos . 1121 & 1708 , Secretary if the Emulation Lotltfe nf fnijirorement . 1 SS : J-SC > . He well remembered that a brother , who was now a Grand Officer , having spoken to him of a Lodge of Instruction for Emulation working , and asked him if he would take it up .

He consented , was accepted as its Preceptor , and for a long time they all worked very happily together . The Lodge was now in splendid hands , being under a Committee of Preceptors , numbering amongst them Bros . Hobbs , Burne , and Marshall , and it would therefore be unnecessary for him

to refer to their ability to impart Masonic knowledge . Until the present moment that Lodge of Instruction occupied quite a unique position , being the only Lodge really carrying out the working of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . He had to tell them that they would have to look after their

laurels , because a warrant had just been issued for another Lodge of Instruction under the control of Bro . Henry Sadler , the Grand Tyler and Sub-Librarian , who was one of the old Emulation workers . That Lodge was to meet on a Thursday to work the ceremonies as they did in the Langton Lodge of

Instruction , and was intended to meet the requirements of brethren who were unable to attend until a later period of the evening . The chairman for this evening , whose name the Lodge bears , was the first initiate in the mother Lodge , and one of the most earnest supporters of the Lodge of Instruction ,

having for many years filled the post of Secretary , and occasionally presiding at its Festivals . We believe that the Grand Officer referred to by Bro . Sudlow was Bro . Henri Bue , Past Grand Standard Bearer , an " Emulation " worker , and one of the pillars of the Langton Lodge of Instruction in its early stages .

In 1885 the Lodge was removed from the Mansion House Station Restaurant to the While Hart in Abchurch Lane , where it continued for many years , afterwards meeting at " The Eastcheap , " E . G ., and eventually removing to its present quarters . His Honour Judge Philbrick , Past Grand Warden ,

has evinced a strong interest in the welfare of this Lodge of Instruction , and has frequently presided over its Annual Festivals . In recognition of his services , and possibly with a view to future favours , he has been- elected to the now * somewhat unique position of President of the Lodge , and

Bro . Sudlow , P . A . G . D . C , to that of Vice-President . At the Annual Festival on the 26 th of March last , the Ceremony of Passing and part of the first Lecture was the work of the evening , the former by the Preceptor , the latter being conducted by Bro . Sudlow , who subsequently presided at the banquet . The Lodge is now held at Simpson's

Restaurant , Bird-in-Hand Court , Cheapside , on Thursday evenings ( except during the months of May , June , July , August and September ) , from 5 . 30 to 7 o'clock , for ceremonies only . In addition to the two Presidents the executive officers are Bros . Charles H . Green , P . M . No . 1851 ,

Treasurer ; Herbert Owen Bell , W . M . No . 19 6 4 , Secretary ; Edward P . Debenham , P . P . Grand Registrar , Hertfordshire , Preceptor ; and the following members of the Committee : — Arthur M . Barnard , P . M . No . 196 4 ; Frederick W . Levy , P . M . No . 1261 ; and Charles B . C . Hancock , No . 28 . The Annual Subscription is Five Shillings , and Visitors ' fee , Sixpence .

THE WANDSWORTH LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , NO . 1044 . This Lodge of Instruction was originally founded in 1866 at the Freemasons' Hotel , New Wandsworth , by a number of brethren hailing from the New Wandsworth Lodge , No . 1044 the principal amongst them being Bro . Henry

, Wilson . P . M . of the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , a member of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and the first Master of the New Wandsworth Lodge . The Lodge appears to have worked under various Preceptors until March , 1881 , when , for some unexplained reason it ceased meeting until

June , 1882 . At this period it was resuscitated chiefly by the exertions of Bros . Alexander C . A . Higerty of the Albert Edward Lodge , No . 1714 , and James G . Carter , P . M . of No . 1044 , both members of " Emulation . " The first-named brother accepted the dual offices of Secretaryand Co-Preceptor

with Bro . Carter . Since its resuscitation the Lodge has met regularly and made considerable progress , both in utility and membership . Bro . Higerty , to whom we are indebted for the

information relating to this Lodge , states that the first Festival was attended by sixteen brethren only , but at the second Festival the number had increased to eighty , and has since been as high as 300 . Several of the principal members of the " Emulation " have presided at its Festivals , including Bros . Sudlow and Richards . The Lodge appears to be

governed in a manner similar to that in vogue at the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , viz ., by a Committee of Preceptors , comprising Bros . Alexander C A . Higerty , P . M . of Nos . 1044 , 1714 , 2437 , and 26 97 ; Alexander Moorhead , P . M . of No . 26 97 ( Secretary ) ; and Harry Hudson , P . M . of

the Lodge of Faith , No . 141 ; the office of Treasurer being filled by Bro . Charles Welch , P . M . of No . 141 . Three other members are also elected annually , the whole forming a Committee for General Purposes . The Lodge has been held for many years at its present quarters , St . Mark's

Schools , Battersea Rise , and meets at eight o'clock on Tuesday evenings throughout the year , the Lectures as well as Ceremonies being worked .

( To be Continued ) .