Royal Naval Lodge Of Independence.

of thirty-five laud members , exclusive of the Officers and Past Officers , and a majority of the said members resided either in or near Wapping . Page 11 is headed iu capital letters with " Sea Members , "

this page as well as the succeeding pages to the foot of 25 , i ' . re d'Milt ' e columned , and the names are preceded by a h ' u'iiM- r h ' ^ mvs from 1 to 732 . On the back of page 25 mm' n urn ' s were added with a pen , making a total of 741 so ; m .-nibrr .- ' , and the last written name is Joseph White .

That a London Lodgo in the beginning of this century ( assuming that the last leaf was subsequently inserted after 1795 ) should havo mustered 741 seamen , without resorting to a press-gang , could scarcely havo been credited

if this pamphlet had not furnished conclusive evidence ; and , still more strange , judging from the localities where the said Lodge used to meet before 1791 , 1 can see no reasou why it should have attracted a larger number of

saamen than other Lodges did . If , therefore , tho rush of seamen into the Lodge began when it took up its abode at Wapping , in 1791 , it is certainly surprising that in 1795 , when the pamphlet was printed , the Lodge was patronis : d

by no less than GrfO sea members . Tho whys and wherefores connected with the history of this Lodge my limited resources fail to supply . I think that the present Secretary

ofthe Lodge might furnish a very interesting article upon the puzzling questions hinted above . But what interests me most is whether Joseph White was an American . I must here orernise that we have in Boston au

Antiquarian Genealogical Society , whose members work like bees to find out the pedigrees of all New Englanders , including their " Sisters , Cousins , and Auuts , " together with all the doings , occurrences , & c , of those who

departed . As an Antiquary , Bro . Pulsifer is imbued with the same taste . Now , iu 1830 Joseph White , a retired sea-captain , of Salem , Massachusetts , was murdered . Daniel Webster assisted in the prosecution , and it is

regarded as the most famous criminal trial that we have ever had in Massachusetts . Bro . Pnlsifer , who was—I scarcely know how many years ago—a cierk in a Law Court at Salem , remembers the event . Putting all these things

together , the reader will not be surprised as to why and wherefore Bro . Pulsifer would like to learn whether the Joseph White above named was the identical Joseph White marked down on the pamphlet as a member of the London " Royal Naval Lodgo of Independence . "

Inquiry has already been made of the Secretary of an old Lodge in Salem , as to whether Joseph White ' s name could be found either enrolled as a member or in the visitors' book . The answer received was that he was nob a

member , and that in those days the Lodge kept no visitors ' book ; and as Bro . Pulsifer , about twenty years ago , fished up the Naval Lodge pamphlet at Ipswich , not far from Salem , it is , therefore , not at all improbable that the

unfortunate Captain White , of Salem , was initiated in the Royal Naval Lodge in London . Should this be verified , either by the Secretary of the Lodge or by my friend

Bro . Sadler , I am sure that not only Bro . Pulsifer would be mightily pleased with the information , but the news would be equally gratifying to most of his associate brother antiquaries throughout New England . BOSTON , U . S ., 15 th March 1887 .

The Freemasons And The Poor Of Margate.

THE FREEMASONS AND THE POOR OF MARGATE .

ON Tuesday , the 22 nd March , the members of the Union Lodge , No . 127 , entertained 220 of aged and deserving poor to a dinner and tea in the Foresters' Hall , Margate . This praiseworthy movement was instituted last year , and it met with such success that , notwithstanding somewhat heavy claims upon the members of the Lodge this year , the suggestion to give a similar entertainment was

heartily adopted , and met with even increased support . The tickets were distributed with great care , and it is needless to say that if there had been twice the number thero would have been sufficient worthy recipients . The Committee of Management consisted of Bros . W . Jones Lane W . M . ( Chairman ) , P . \ V . Willetfc S . W ., II . Wootton

I . P . M . Secretary , and J . G . Henning P . M . Treasurer , all Past M « sier .- » ' •( ' the Lo-l » e . Tho Stewards wevo Bros . W . Jones Lane , Stiuley , Iifighurst , uVnniug , and H . D . Reeves . The dinner tables were neatly adorned with putted plants , and the front of the platform was decorated iu a similar manner . During tho repast selections of

mii > ic were performed on the pianoforte by Mrs . Jones Lane and Mrs . Prank Perry . After dinner an entertainment of vocal and instrumental music was given ; the Mayor ( Alderman Hermitage ) presided , and he was supported by the Worshipful Master ( Bro . Jones Lane ) , the Kev . J . Drew , the Rev . J . James , the Rev . D . Lloyd , Bro . H . Wootton . and others .

Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

— : o : — LODGE OF PROSPERITY , No . 65 . nHE installation meeting of this old and sound working Lodge , * - held at the Guildhall Tavern , City , on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., was attended by an uuusually large and distinguished assemblage of members and visitors , the latter of whom numbered over fort y . Various causes tended to lead up to this satisfactory result , chief amongst them being tho great popularity attained by the outgoing

Master , Bro . R . Dyson , which was testified to in the most substantial and unmistakable way on the occasion , and the esteem in which the W . M . elect , Bro . W . Walker , is held by the members generally of the Lodge . There is evidently an improved spirit pervading the brethren , compared with that whioh existed some years ago , and to

this fact , and to the able management of affairs under the rule of two or three reoeut Masters , may be attributed much of the stability and soundness which the Lodge now enjoys . Lodge was opened in form under the presidency of Bro . R . Dyson W . M ., who was supported by Bros . W . Walker S . W . and W . M . elect , G . Haller J . W ., J . Roberta

P . M . Treasurer , G . T . Brown P . M . Secretary , F . Ruse S . D ., B . Haynes I . G ., C . J . Rich P . M . D . C , J . W . Pimbury A . D . C ., R . F . Bourn W . S . ; P . M . 's J . H . Goodwin , Leins , C . Daniel , C . E . Perry , W . Chicken , G . Schadler , J . H . Hawkins , and about fifty

other members , with Bro . W . Lane Tyler . The Visitors included Bros . Edgar Bovvyer P . G . Std . Br ., J . L . Mather P . P . G . S . D . Herts , J . Mason P . M . Collector Royal Masonic Benovolent Institution , P . M . 's C . J . Scales 1507 , T . Maidwell 27 , J . Brown 975 , D . Moss 1275 , A .

Peterkm 1319 , C . H . Webb 174 , E . Allen 173 , T . T . Pillan 1673 , J . Muser P . P . G . S . D . Middlesex , R . Voysey W . M . 1329 , C . Walker Worshipfnl Mastor 862 , P . Simmonds 1839 , W . Spencer 569 , T . Dray 2021 , J . Prentice 1125 , J . Kit-by 1622 , J . Gayer 1426 , C . Todd 27 , A . Trew 959 , J . King 1692 , B . Fletcher 569 , C . H . Plyun 1605 , J . W . Gibbs 1804 , H . H . Knill 22 , W . Boyle 749 , A . Swan 907 , J . Williams

1158 , E . A . Reynolds 569 , J . Miller 1491 , and others . The minutes of last meeting having been confirmed , the Auditors' report , which showed the Lodge to be in a very satisfactory condition , was submitted , and unanimously approved . Advancing to the second degree , Bro . Trask was passed , the working being performed in masterly

manner by the Worshipful Master , assisted by his Officers . Bro . W . Walker was then presented as the Worshipful Master elect , and having formally assented to the interrogatories on accepting office , a Board of Installed Masters was constituted , aud the ceremony of installation was carried out by the retiring Master Bro . Dyson in

such a manner as to elicit unbounded expressions of appreciation from all present . On the readmission of the brethren , the newly , installed Master was proclaimed , aud saluted with full Masonio honours , after which he proceeded to invest his Officers for the year , as follow : —Bros . R . Dyson I . P . M ., Wall S . W ., G . Haller J . W ., J .

Roberts P . M . Treasurer , G . T . Brown P . M . Secretary , P . J . Ruse S . D ., Harris J . D ., B . Haynes I . G ., C . M . Rich P . M . Dir . of Cers ., Ackerman Assist . Dir . of Cers ., R . P . Brawn W . S ., W . Lane Tyler . The charges to the Master , -Wardens and Brethren were delivered with considerable elocutionary effect by the Installing Officer , whose working

throughout the whole of tho ceremony was much admired . In spite of the excessive heat caused by the crowded condition of the Lodgeroom , a majority of the brethren remained till the close of the work , and expressed themselves delighted with the admirable way in which it had been carried out . The W . M . then presented a Past Master ' s

jewel to Bro . Dyson , as a mark of esteem on the part of the brethren of tho Lodge , and in recognition of his services . It was one of the most pleasant duties on entering upon the office of W . M . to make this acknowledgment of services well performed , and he hoped Bro . Dyson might long live to wear the jewel which had been so

unanimously voted to him . Bro . Dyson Immediate Past Master briefly acknowledged the compliment , aud a Committee having been appointed to carry out the arrangements for the summer banquet , Lodge was closed with the usual harmony . At the conclusion of business , tho brethren and visitors adjourned to

tho Throne-room , where an elegant banquet was served , the tables being adorned by a profusion of exquisite flowers and ornamental plants . In proposing the loyal toasts the W . M . briefly referred to Majesty's Jubilee , and spoke of the Prince of Wales a 3 a thorough good working Freemason . Not long since he initiated bis eldest son

into the mysteries of the Order , and performed the ceremony with credit to himself and satisfaction to the Craft generally . On the last occasion of the Grand Lodge meeting , he ( the W . M . ) was present when His Royal Highness was proposed for re-election as M . W . G . M ., and he could assure the brethren that when the Prince ' s name was

mentioned for that high and distinguished office the brethren did not wait for a secouder , but exclaimed " all , " with one voice . That was a proof that H . R . H . was esteemed as a good Mason , and worthy of the high and exalted position which he occupied . Long might he remain so . The toast was received with loud cheering . In givin » the

Graud Officers ( present and past ) , the W . M . spoke of the ability with which they administered the affairs of Grand Lodge . They were honoured by the presence of one of the Past Grand Officers that evening , Brother Edgar Bowyer , who was initiated in the Pros , perity Lodge , so that they had something to bs proud of in having

one of their initiates present in his capacity as a Past Grand Officer . Brother Edgar Bovvyer , who had come from the Criterion , where he had assisted the Consecrating Officer of the Anglo-American Lodge , returned thanks , and expressed the pleasnre which it afforded him to attend once more a meeting of the Lodge in which he first

saw tho light of Masonry . Brother R . Dyson then rose for the purpose of performing the first duty that fell to his lot as I . P . M ., which was to propose the health of the Worshipful Master . As the elect of the

brethren of the Lodge of Prosperity , Brother Walker was entitled to command from him the fulfilment of that duty , but beyond this was the fact that the W . M . was his personal and very dear friend ; therefore he had additional gratification in proposing the toast for