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WAVERLEY LODGE , No . 1322 . THE regular meeting was held at the Queen ' s Arms Hotel , George Street , Ashton-under-Lyne , on Thursday , 26 th ult ., Bro . Montgomery Newman W . M . , After the reading and confirmation of minutes a successful ballot was taken for Mr . Walter Scholes , Sunnyhurst , who was afterwards initiated

into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry by Bro . J . Mercer Jones P . M . P . P . G . A . P ., who had assumed the principal chair for that purpose . A successful ballot was also taken for Bro . Chas . Arthur Wilkinson P . M ., of Park Avenue , Wood Green , London , who was desirous of being admitted as a Joining Member .

Lodge having been advanced by the W . M ., Bro . Jones passed Brother Arnold Eastwood Fowden to the degree of F . C , Bro . Samuel Grundy I . P . M . performing a similar duty in the case of Bro . James Henry Wigglesworth . Both ceremonies were well performed , being very much assisted by the able deaconing of Bro . Walter Newton P . M . P . P . J . G . D . P . S . G . D . Cheshire , who likewise presented and explained the working tools to the candidates . The ancient charges of both degrees were rendered with great impressiveness by Bro . Rev . Wm . Titterington Chaplain .

A very excellent supper followed , which was in turn succeeded by the festive board , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , these being agreeably varied by songs , recitations , & c , given by Bros . Alfred Cooper S . W ., Enos Andrew P . M . P . P . G . Org ., Chas . Plant , aud Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 .

The health of the Provincial Officers , proposed by the W . M ., was replied to by Bros . J . M . Jones and 3 . H . Smith P . M . P . D . G . S . B . Bombay , whilst that of the Visitors , proposed by Bro . Geo . W . Davies P . M . P . P . G . S ., received fitting responses from Bros . Roberts and Matthew Goth , of the Faith Lodge , No . 581 .

Brother Grundy introduced the name of the Chaplain , and spoke of the intellectual treat which had been afforded by his admirable rendition of the ancient chargei , to which Bro . Titterington replied . Besides those mentioned above we noticed present Bros . Joseph Riley P . M ., Albert Sumner P . M ., A . Slater , J . W . Hunstone , Alfred Adams , and others .

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge was held at the Pendleton Town Hall , on Friday , 20 th ult ., Bro . Wm . Lambert W . M . The principal business of the evening was that of passing Bro . Albert Thomas Mills to the degree of F . C , and of raising Brother Dr . James Massey to the sublime degree of M . M . Bro . Thos . M . Brown I . P . M . performed the first ceremony , the working tools being presented and explained by Bro . W .

T . Blease S . W ., while Bro . Thos . T . Sefton P . M . undertook to deacon tha candidate , evincing to the Brethren that he had not lost his hold upon those duties from which he had been long removed by years of successful advancement in the Lodge . The second ceremony devolved upon the W . M ., who performed the same in a careful manner , being greatly assisted by the very able deaconing of Bro . P . B . Hayden S . D .

Before Lodge was closed a very pleasant function took place , namely , that of presenting to the Lodge , on behalf of the members , a capital portrait in oils of Bro . Harrop , which bore the following inscription : —

BKO . JOSEPH HARROP P . M . D . C . P . P . G . D ., First I . P . M . 1878-9 and W . M . 1887-8 of the Albert Victor Lodge , No . 1773 Presented by the Subscribers , the Brethren of the Lodge . May 1898 .

The presentation was made by Bro . Samuel Statham P . M . P . P . G . Treas ., who said it was with great pleasure he acceded to the request of the W . M . to introduce a matter of considerable interest to the Lodge generally , and more especially to their esteemed Brother Past Master Harrop . On behalf of the Lodge he might just say to Bro . Harrop that it had long been in the minds of the Past Masters and Brethren that some recognition should be made of

the special services he had rendered to the Lodge from its very foundation , in 1878 , and it only needed to be mentioned to meet with warm and unanimous approval . It might not be known that Bro . Harrop was one of the first and most active of the originators and founders of the Lodge , and was appointed tbe I . P . M . at its consecration ; and he wished to specially mention that since then he had filled the valuable position of Instructor to the Brethren , with an

ability which had no doubt contributed greatly to maintain the high character which the Lodge held for its good practical working . He had also filled the chair of W . M ., and had ever taken a very active part in promoting the interests and welfare of the Lodge . Bro . Harrop was sometimes good enough to refer to the efforts of others , but no one had given so continous a support to the Lodge as himself . The Brethren had therefore prepared a likeness of him , to be hung up in the Lodge room , and although he hoped

they might have the pleasure of seeing the original for many years to come , yet the likeness would serve to remind them , and also those who might como after , of the esteem and affection in which he was held ; and they would be constrained to say , ' •Ah I there was a man : shall we ever see his like again 1 A just and upright Mason , he was generous , noble , brave ; and devoted his best energies and efforts in promoting the interests of the Craft in general , but of this Lodge in particular . " Bro . Harrop replied in suitable terms .

The festive board followed , where Loyal and Masouic toasts were enlivened by songs , & c , contributed by Bros . J . Horricks Org ., F . Daniels , Jas . Hart , F . R . Bowley P . M . 1213 , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , W . E . Argyle 2216 ( cello ) , C . M . Hopewell 325 , and others . Bro . Sefton proposed the health of the newly-passed Brother , in glowing terms

, and Bro . E . Winterbottom P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . that of the newly-raised Brother , both of whom responded , the former saying that he thought Freemasonry was capable of teaching the duty of pleasure , and the pleasure of duty , while Bro . Massey admitted that it had gained in impressiveness each time he had appeared among them , and he was lost in wonder . Other toasts followed .

Among the numerous visitors we noticed Bros . Fred Hilton P . M . 1458 2363 P . P . G . D . C , John Bowers P . M . 1730 P . P . G . P ., E . L . Littler P . M . 1730 P . P . G . P ., and others . o o o SIR CHARLES BRIGHT LODGE , No . 1793 . AN emergency meeting of this prosperous Lodge took place on Wednesday , 18 th ult ., at the Clarence Hotel , Teddington , when Bro . T . Middleweek

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W . M . was supported by Bros . J . E . Rufiell P . M . acting S . W ., R . Goff J . W ., E . W . Warner P . M . P . P . A . G . D . C . Sec , E . Packington P . M . S . D ., H . Hunt J . D ., H . Thompson Organist , W . Brougham I . G ., Fitzwilliam and Phillips Stewards , Past Masters W . ^ Middleweek P . P . G . D . C , J . Finch P . P . G . S . W ., with several other Past Masters and Brethren , and Bro . Thompson as a Visitor .

The Lodge being opened Messrs . W . Daniell , J . Berridge , and Gulliver were introduced as candidates ' , and the ballot was taken on their behalf , proving unanimous in their favour . Bro . T . Middleweek had very much pleasure in initiating those gentlemen into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry , the ceremony being rendered in a most impressive and perfect manner , and rewarded by the admiration of the new Brethren .

Apologies were received by the Secretary from , amongst others , Bro . R . W . Force P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Treasurer of the Lodge , on account of an important meeting of the Mark Lodge to which he belonged ; and from Bro . E . Hall S . W ., whose attention was required at the Festival of the Royal Masonio Institution for Girls . Hearty good wishes were tendered to the W . M ., who then closed the Lodge , when the company repaired to the banquet room , where an excellent repast was provided , and the customary toast list was honoured .

In proposing the health of the Prov . Grand Officers the W . M . referred to the presence of two members of the Lodge who had the honour of holding such rank , viz .: Bros . E . W . Warner , and W . Middleweek , both of whom were Past Prov . A . G . D . Cs . The W . M . felt sure those Brethren must have worked hard to obtain their preferment , and had much pleasure in coupling their names with the toast . The compliment was heartily supported by the Brethren and suitably acknowledged by those named .

Bro . W . Middleweek P . M . submitted tho toast of the W . M ., in complimentary terms , which were heartily re-echoed by the Brethren . The W . M . was fully up to his work , said the speaker , as was evidenced by the way in which the ritual had been rendered thafc evening—the performance of the Master was really perfect . He concluded by wishing him a continuance of prosperity during his term of office .

The W . M . returned thanks . He could not say all he would have liked to express , as time was short , but he took the opportunity of expressing his heartiest thanks to the members of the Lodge for their great kindness . The next toast was that of the Initiates , which the W . M . submitted in fitting terms . He * felt sure the attention paid by the new Brethren to their earliest lessons in the Craft was evidence that they would make excellent Masons .

Bro . W . Daniell thanked the W . M . and Brethren for having elected him a member of the Lodge , and for admitting him to the Order . He had been very much impressed with the ceremony , and should never forget the obligation to which he had given his pledge . Bros . Berridge and Gulliver endorsed the words of their fellow initiate , and also thanked the W . M . for having initiated them . They were also indebted to the members of tho Lodge for the kind way in which they had been received .

The W . M . proposed the health of Bro . Thompson , a visitor to their Lodge . The members of the Sir Charles Bright were always pleased to see guests , who might rest assured they would receive a most hearty welcome . In reply , Bro . Thompson tendered his thanks for the kind reception accorded him , and was pleased to say he had enjoyed the meeting very much , especially the work in the Lodge , whioh had been performed in a manner which called for great compliment to the W . M .

The toast of the Past Masters was next honoured , followed by that of the Secretary , who , in responding , said the Lodge was in a good financial position , and was sure to prosper so long as it was conducted on tbe lines at present observed . The Officers of the Lodge were next toasted , the two Wardens replying . The speeches were interspersed with songs , recitations , & c , this portion of the programme being under the direction of Bro . H . Thompson .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . rriHE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , ^ Manchester , on 1 Monday , 23 rd ult ., Bro . Bdwyn A . Smith W . M . There was a very good attendance , the business of the evening being the rendering of the Traditional History , and explanation of the third degree tracing board to Bros . Grundy and Langdon by Bro . Hy . Nail P . M . P . P . G . Tr . W . L . ; the voting of a sum of money in aid of the Royal Masonio Institution for Boys ; and a consideration of the report of the Pic-nic Committee , introduced by its Secretary Brother

Sam Luke J . W . We believe we are not breaking any confidences in announcing that the forthcoming summer ' s outing in connection with the Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge will be to that classical spot Stonyhurst College . At the festive board which followed , a very pleasant evening passed quickly away , Bros . Sam Luke , H . B . Muir , Ashton Whitworth J . D . 1534 , J . H . Greenwood I . P . M . 2387 , and Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 all contributing to the musical programme , while Bro . 0 . H . Beever P . M . displayed his versatile powers in humorous recitation .

The W . M ., in proposing the health of the Visitors , reverted to Bro . Greenwood , of the Manchester Concerts , who had accompanied the songs in so admirable a manner , and who was indeed a host in himself . He also expressed regret that Bro . Muir was about to leave them for the metropolis , and wished him prosperity in his new undertaking . Bro . Thos . Hamnett S . W . also spoke upon the latter subject , saying that Bro . Muir would be missed by a large circle of friends , his excellent accomplishment as a reciter having made his name a household word ; he had no doubt he would be equally as popular in London . 1

Bro . Muir responded , explaining that an offer to better his positionin life was the only reason for his severance from the Lodge . Other toasts followed .

ROYAL ARCH . CHAPTER OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . THE installation meeting took place on Tuesday , 24 th ult ., at the Royal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , when Comp . J . Percy White , in tha unavoidable absence of the M . E . Z ., presided , and with the assistance of Comps . Frank Hitchens and Orlton Cooper opened the Chapter .

After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Bro . Alfred John Walklin , the present J . W . of the Sympathy Lodge , who was thereupon entrusted ancl regularly exalted as a member of this Supreme Degree . Companion White being already a P . Z ., was formally placed in the First