West Kent Lodge, No. 1297.

WEST KENT LODGE , No . 1297 .

THE installation meeting of this Lodge was held on Saturday , 25 th March , at the Crystal Palace . There were present Bros . J . C . Woodrow W . M ., W . P . Gardner S . W . ( W . M . elect ) , John Perrin J . W ., Montague Vizetelly S . D ., R . H . Crowden I . P . M ., B . Fnllwood P . M . D . C , J . Orange Organist , J . B . Crump I . G ., James Crowdon and P . G . Phips Wine Stewards ; Past Masters George Clements and J . Allen ; W . G . Kent , R . P . Jenkins , A . W . Stead , James Hicks ,

W . L . Rosedale , Alexander J . Bellis , S . Johnson , Thomas Archer . The Visitors were Bros . J . Stacey 180 , W . Ponnd 19 , Charles J . W . Meadows 486 ( Fort William ) , W . J . Lavington 857 , W . Osmond 134 , Hubert Wright 1928 , L . E . Eagle 1901 , A . R . W . Sowles , A . E . Stead 1622 , Thomas Preston 1669 , H . Young 33 , J . Larkin 3 . The Lodge having been duly opened , and the minutes confirmed , Bro .

Stacey , P . M . St . James ' s Union , installed Bro . W . P . Gardner as Worshipful Master , in a manner which , for its finished style and perfection of detail , elicited great admiration from the brethren . The new Master appointed his Officers as follow : —Bros . Perrin S . W ., Montague Vizetelly J . W ., H . D . Stead P . M . Treasurer , J . C . Woodrow P . M . Secretary , C . B . Cooke S . D ., J . B . Crump J . D .,

James Crowden I . G ., B . Fnllwood P . M . M . C , J . Orange Organist , P . G . Phips W . S ., Thomas Archer W . S . Lodge having been opened in the third degree , Bro . P . M . Crowden , at the request of the W . M ., raised Bro . Winkworth to the sublime degree of a Master Mason . Lodge was resumed in the first degree , and the report of the Audit

Committee received and adopted . The W . M . nominated as an initiate Mr . Henry Horatio Fanshawe , of East Dalwich , and Bro . P . M . Crowden nominated as a joining member , Bro . Watson Osborn , Caledonia Lodge 134 . Lodge was closed in perfect ; harmony . The brethren afterwards sat down to the usual banquet , and a pleasant evening was spent .

Mark Masonry.

MAEK MASONRY

York Lodge ( T . I . )—A meeting of this Lodge was held on the 21 st alt ., afc the Masonio Hall , when , in consequence of the absence of the W . M . Bro . J . S . Cumberland , the chair of A ., was occupied by the I . P . M ., Bro . the Rev . W . C . Lukis . Bro . E . J . de Salis acted as S . W ., in the absence of Bro . C . G . Padel , through illness . A successfnl ballot was taken for Bro . Francis Slinger , and that

brother and Bro . G . Lamb were advanced to the degree . Bro . T . B . Whytehead P . M ., the Secretary of the Lodge , read a circular from Grand Lodge , inviting contributions to the Duke of Albany ' s Wedding Present Fund , and said he had consulted the W . M . on the matter , who was favourable to the Lodge making a grant ; he , therefore , proposed a vote of £ 2 2 s to the fund . This was seconded

by the acting W . M . and carried unanimously . The acting W . M . then moved that a record be made of the feelings of thankfulness experienced by the brethren of the Lodge at the happy escape from peril of Her Majesty the Queen . This was also seconded and carried . A telegram from Bro . J . S . Cumberland , from Birmingham , was read explaining his absence . After the close of the Lodge , a pleasant evening was spent in Masonic converse .

Ancient And Primitive Rite.

ANCIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE .

Orion Chapter , No . 3 , Havant . —The regular meeting of the above Chapter took place at the Masonic Hall , on the 28 th ult . 111 . Bros . C . G . Adames 31 M . W . S ., J . Hurnell 31 R . S . W ., H . R . Trigg 31 R . J . W . The ceremony of admitting a candidate to the degree of Knight Rose Croix 11—18 was rehearsed , after whioh T . 111 . Bro . Hillman 33 reported the progress made by the Rite in various parts of the kingdom , and the alliances formed with kindred bodies

in various parts of the world . The grant of £ 5 5 s from the Chapter for R . 111 . Bro . Southwood ' s ( 33 ) List was confirmed , and on the proposition of Bro . Francis 31 , seconded by Bro . Harrison 31 , it was resolved that the same be placed to the Widows' Fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institntion , which will entitle this Chapter to one vote for fifteen years . The standard was then lowered , and the brethren dispersed .

St. John's Hospital For Diseases Of The Skin.

ST . JOHN'S HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF THE SKIN .

ON Friday , the 24 th ult ., the annual meeting of this institution was held afc the Mansion House . The Lord Mayor presided . The report stated that tho hospital was founded in 1863 , and since then 31 , 339 individuals had been attended within its doors . Of that nnmber , 2 , 772 were admitted last year , 64 being in . patients , and 2 , 708 out-patients , who attended 21 , 706 times . The average stav of

each in-patient was 47 days . Altogether 1 , 609 medicated , galvanic , and other baths hacl been administered . Tho effort , initiated two or three years age , to make the hospital a school of dermatology , had been persevered in . The practice of the medical officers attached to the hospital was open to the medical profession without restriction . The Board of Management and the medical staff were exerting themselves in every way to make the institntion worthy of the

metropolis . In 1881 it received £ 67 10 s from the Hospital Sunday Fnnd , and £ 44 7 s 9 d from that raised on Hospital Saturday . Eighty Courts of the Order of Foresters , and 55 Lodges ot Odd Fellows subscribed to the hospital , as did the Great Western Railway employe ' s , and nominated patients for free treatment . The receipts last year were £ 1 , 212 , and the expenses £ 1 , 210 . Major Mercier moved and Mr . Alderman Gould ( Kingston ) seconded the adoption of the report , which was carried .

Punctuality And Courtesy.

PUNCTUALITY AND COURTESY .

THERE are no two subjects—in connection with the genera transaction of Lodge business—thafc claim tho more strict atteution of brethren , who aspire to be deemed model rulers of the Fraternity , than those of punctuality and courtesy . By a due observ . anco of tho former , the W . M . of the Lodge sets an example to his officers , which no worthy brother would be slow to follow ; while , by the practice of the latter , the exalted Mason draws around him a

happy gathering of visitors , whose appreciation of the truly Masonic spirit displayed must also tend to increase the interest the members take in the working of their Lodges . Let us suppose a case in point of an injurious character . Bro . So-and-So , since his elevation to an important position , appears to consider himself of very great importance , and assumes more consequence than ho has a right to lay

claim to ; while the extension of courtesy to visitors appears to he beneath his notice . Making every allowance for the weakness of human nature , the want of attention on the part of a W . M . to his obligation cannot but be denounced as exceedingly reprehensible ; indeed , an official who pointedly manifests a disposition to domineer over those who may be

unfortunately , under his Masonio control , is totally unfit for the carrying out of the duties entrusted to him ; while a want of courtesy on his part must not only have the effect of driving visitors from his meetings , bufc tend to make his officers careless as to the proper performance of their several parts . Bufc apart ; from the consideration of these questions Masonically , every consistent indivi .

dual will admit that the neglect of the study of punctuality and courtesy on the part of a man , will nofc warrant his laying claim to the appellation of a gentleman , but tend to create a distrust in the minds of those with whom he may be brought in contact ; as to his qualifications for any office of a responsible character . Nofc only should a worthy Mason furnish proof thafc he is a man

whose word is his bond , but it is his imperative duty—especially if occupying a leading position in the Craft—to set such an example as to cause all his brethren to look up to him as a pattern of rectitude and virtue—to extend to him the honour and respect due to a truly worthy gentleman . Ifc cau scarcely be imagined that any brother , who aspires to an exalted position in the Craft , wonld wilfnlly offer

an insult to those who may nofc be in such a high worldly position as himself ; but a supercilious deportment or arrogant bearing implies that the self-important individual's success has run away wifch his reason . It is , indeed , deplorable to see men of more than ordinary mental capacity so conducting themselves as to give offence , when a careful study of punctuality and courtesy wonld have the effect of

inducing brethren to overlook their other shortcomings , and draw together such a gathering on their Lodge-nights as could not bnt be flattering to the presiding official . It cannot be expected that even ardent admirers of Lodge workings will spare time to attend the monthly meetings , unless sufficient attraction be provided for them , and it shonld be the constant study

of a W . M . nofc only to be courteous and attentive to his duties , bufc to make every effort to secure the punctual attendance of his officers . We take it that the irregular attendance of officials at their meetings is an indirect insult ; to visiting brethren who may honour them with their presence , beside having a tendency to gradually diminish the prosperity of their Lodges , and too much care cannot be exercised in this respect . It is the duty of Masons , also , when electing a brother

to preside over their assemblies , to choose men of unquestionable integrity , strict morals , and gentlemanly demeanour—such a man as the members of the Fraternity would feel a pleasure in honouring with marks of their approval and respect . We repeat , that the study of punctuality and courtesy is highly necessary to secure the prosperity of the fraternity , and hope that the mere consideration of a brother's pecuniary position will nofc have the effect of securing hia election to any position in a Masonic Lodge . —2 " eiu Zealand Freemason

On Thursday of last week a number of noblemen and gentlemen attended at Marlborough House , by invitation of the Prince of Wales , for the purpose of taking counsel together with a view to enlisting the sympathies of Her Majesty ' s colonial subjects on behalf of the proposed

Eoyal College of Music . Among those present were tho Earl of Kimberley , Her Majesty ' s Colonial Secretary , the Duke of Manchester , the High Commissioner of the Dominion of Canada , and the Agents-General of Victoria , Queensland , South Australia , & c . & o . & c . His Royal

Highness explained at some length , the object of the meeting , and- said the scheme for the erection of the proposed College would be incomplete if the goodwill and assistance of the colonists were not invoked on behalf of

the movement . At the request of the Prince , the Earl of Kimberley made some remarks , pointing out how the Colonies and Colonists could further the movement by founding scholarships or contributing to the general fund that is being raised .

The Mercers Company have resolved on contributing the handsome sum of £ 2 , 500 towards the establishment of the Royal College of Music , to be paid in five annual instalments of £ 500 each . Sir Erasmus "Wilson , P . G . Deacon England , has pr ° " mised a contribution of £ 2 , 500 towards the same purpose-