Consecration Of The Chiswick Lodge, No. 357.

R . Ooodinsre , M . D .. G . JO ., J . Moon Old Kpnt T . I ., and Sir Francis Bnrdett Provincial Grand Ma « t n r Mi td'esex . A Mark Lodge was formally opo'ie'l , and a billot taken for new members . Amon » - them were Bros . J . E . E 1 wards , Robert Taylor , II . J . Davis , R . J . P ^ tlev , W . Clowes , J . Brill , B . Hardy , and W . Gotnm , who were

dnlv advanced to tho detrree of M . M . Mason , after some d'liv , which unfortunately interfered with the subsequent ceremony , aud with the comfort of the brethren . Bro 4 . J . L . Mather , A . Pears , and W . W . Morgan were affiliated . Under the presidency of Bro . Binckes , assisted by Bro . Shad well TT . Clerke Senior Warden

and Bro . W . Roebuck Junior Warden , the consecration of the new Lodge was proceeded with . Bro . Binckes said he was there bv command of tho Grand Master , and by permission of the Provincial Cn-and Master of Middlesex and Surrey , to perform an agreeable duty . He expressed tho pleasnre he felt at having

conferred upon him the privilege of performing this ceremony . Bro . Gardner Secretary pro tern read tho petition ; then followed the solemn service of consecration , concluding with the installation of Bro . Dr . Meadows as W . M ., who appointed his 0 fleers , as follow : — Bros . G . Gardner S . W ., F . Tyler J . W ., A . Pears M . O ., J . Syers S . O .,

J . Edwards J . O ., F . Lanrence Treasurer , R . Taylor R . M .. J . L . Mather Secretary , W . W . Morgan S . D ., R . Petley J . D ., A . Scarisbrack D . C ., H . J . Davis I . G ., W . Gomm and W . Clowes Stewards , J . Walckley Tyler . The Consecrating Officers , Bro . Binckes , Clerk , and Roebuck , on the motion of the W . M ., were electel honorary

members . Several brethren wore proposed for advancement , and the Lodge was closed in dne form . The banquet that followed was worthy of the fame Bro . Brill has obtained as a caterer . The menu card was tastefully composed and printed , and the musical programme varied and attractive . Bros .

Roberts and Probert displayed their usnal power , and Bro . Hoare directed with skill . The first toast was the Queen and Mark Masonry , followed by the Mosfc Worshipful the Earl of Kintore Grand Mark Master Mason and the Grand Lodge of England . Both toasts were suitably introduced by the W . M ., and in reply to the latter Bro .

Shadwell H . Clerke said he did not know why he had been called upon to respond , as ho was not tho senior Officer present , bnt he reciprocated the fraternal words that had been spoken . He alluded to the remarkable progress made by the Mark Degree , and concluded with tho hope that he shonld continue to merit the esteem and

goodwill of the brethren . Bro . Moon Mark Grand Treasurer also re . plied . In proposing , the health of the R . W , Sir Francis Bnrdetfc . Bart . Prov . G . M . M . M ., and the Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex and Surrey , the W . M . said it was the toast of the evening . Ho felt proud of the

hooonr of serving under their Provincial Grand Master , who had distinsnished himself by his courtesy and Masonic ability , and to whom they owed their existence as a Lodge . The Provincial Grand Master acknowledged the pleasant compliments that had been paid him . At first he was elected for three years , but

confidence had been renewed from time to time , until fifteen or sixteen years had pissed . Tho proceedings that day had put new life into him , and he hoped to cntiiine to labour in the future as he had done iu the past , —for the good of tho Order . He concluded bv gracefully recognising tho services of Bro . Brighten

the Provincial Grand Mark Secretary without whose h » lp he culd not no well have carried onth'Sduties in the Province . The hea'th of the Worship ful Master having been proposed , was received with great cordiality , and lespondo . d to in npprop ' iate terms . The Worshipf ' n ! Master proposed the Consecrating Officer , Bro . Fredk . Binclcs . Accompanying the toast was the following quotation from Henry IV .:

" A braver place In our heart ' s love hath no man . " The remarks of tho W . M ., coupled with the enthusiastic reception of the toast , scorned to touch Bro . Binckes , and in his reply he referred to the esteem ho felt for Dr . Meadows , whom he thanked for kind

reference to himself . He was ghid to know that his zeal for Mark Masonry was recognised , and if he could truly believe that ho deserved the praise contained in the quot d lines ho should leave the room the happiest of Brother Masons . At first the Mark Degree was looked upou with coldness ; it was now favoured by those

occupying the highest positions in the Craft , including tbe Prince of Wales . Next June ifc would be fcwenty-five years since he became Grand Secretary , and although the Order was only then tolerated , ho had lived to see it grow into a Constitutional Degree , recognised in every quarter as an integral part of the great family

of Masonry . After alluding to the omission of portions of the consecration ceremony , which he felt was justified under thp cireninstances , he piedieted a bright- future for rho mnv Lodge , Tlv '" Mowing toasts brought , ihe proceedings to a elo-e : Onr npivlv , 'nlvincod brethren , the Visitors , the Officers of th ' Chis-vh-k Lodge

j - >" . 357 , arid Onr poor and distressed Brethren . We should mention that e ; ioh article of fnrnitme , clothing , & c , was present"d by the '" tinders—fhe jewels , working tools and pedestals bearing an e , 1 graved silver plate with the name of each donor .

The consecration of the Ethclbcrt Lodge , No . 2099 , Vv'iil take p lace on Thursday , 9 th inst ., fi t , Heme Bay , at r ) I | e o ' clock , after which Bro . Chnrles Frederick Wncher P -M . 1209 P . P . G . S . Kent , the W . M . designate , will he

"stalled The ceremonies will be performed by the R . W . ¦ ' ¦ ' ''fviiicifil Grnnd Master Viscount Holmesdale , who will !)« nasisted by Bro J . S . Eastes , the Deput y of the

Pro-V | "ce , arid other Provincial Grand Officers . A co'd collation will be provided at the Pavilion , at 4 p . m ., tickets for which ( price 5 s 6 d each ) may be had of Bro . Edward ¦ % r e , the Secretary fro tern , Heme , Canterbury .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

W ; do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a gxiarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIK AND BROTHER , —May I again claim space in yonr colnmnsto inform my Northern brethren what steps have been and are being taken to forward the formation of a Northern Counties Lodcre in London ?

It has been felt for some time past that a Lodge formed of brethren born north of tho Trent , although now resident in or npar London , or who wero initiated in a Lodge in the districts named , would ho sum to meet with hearty approval , and be a sort of rall ying point for such brethren , and also for those brethren whose

business brings them periodically to London . With the view of carrying this into effect , a number of brethren met at 16 A Great Queen . street , by tho kind permission of Bro . George Kenninsr , on Thursday last , the 25 th inst ., when representatives from West Yorkshire , North and East Yorkshire , East , Lancashire , West Lancashire ,

Cheshire , Durham , and Northumberland were present , aud the following resolutions were unanimously passed : 1 st . That it is desirable to form a Lodge composed of brethren members of Lodges , or who have been initiated in Lodges , north of the Trent .

2 ud . Thnt all brethren now living in London , born iu any province north of the Trent , shall also be eligible for membership . 3 rd . That the Lodge shall be called "The TJuited Northern Connties Lodse . "

4 th . Thnt candidates for initiation , duly proposed and seconded , shall ho eligible for the ballot aa members of the Lodge , who were born in any province north of the Trent , or who at present reside , or have resided in such district for not less than five years .

Ft was further decided to recommend to the brethreu forming the Lndcre that the initiation feo be in accordance with the new Book of Constitutions . That tho joining fee ani annual subscriptions bo moderate ; that each brother shall pay for his own refreshment ; and that no refreshments be p \\ d for onfc of the Lo Ige fnnds oseenS by

special vote of the Lodge . A'so that , there he a Lodge , of Instruction fortnightly , or otherwise as may be decided , at , which all brethren from tho northern connties , bein' > - in London on business , may attend aud introduce a brother from the districts named .

Tho meeting was a'ljonrnod to Thursday , the 23 rd Jnly , at tho same time and place , and a Committee of five brethren was appointed to make certain inquiries , and to repirt at the adjourned meeting . I hope that as the movement is now fairly started , brethren who approve of it and are den rous of helpiny it forward will oblige by

sending fieir names , with full particulars ns to Lodge , rank , & c , to meat my office with as little delay as possible , and will nv . ko a point of attending tho next meeting . I may also add that what has already been dono is only preliminary and opra to alter-itioti as to details , I will therefore fraternally ask for any suggestions from

brethren which are likely to assist iu perfecting the scheme . In conclusion , I will thank you in anticipation , and before closing say , that it is sn ^ . estoil to meet four times a year , either the day before or the day after Grand Lodge meetinrr , or else near the Masonic Festivals or Elections . Opinions on this point are invited .

I am , Dear Strand Brother , yours fraternally , J . S . CUMBERLAND , P . M . 1 GL 1 , P . P . G . J . W . North and East Yorkshire . 110 Cannon Street , London , E . C , 29 th June .

A . confirmation of the pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls was held on the 18 th ult ., at St . Peter with St . Paul Church , Battersea-rise , by the Lord Bishop of Rochester , at which 36 of the children were confirmed .

The Bishop wa ^ attended b y several of the clergy of the neig hbourhood , including Rev Canon Ktvkine Clarke and Kev . J . Tonne Chaplain of the Institution . After the confirmation , the Bishop having expressed ; i wish to see over

the Institution , was conducted there b y the Cbaplain , iccompnnied bv the other clergymen . He w ; i „ - > received b y Bros . Rncker , Richardson , Grey , and Matthews , repn- 'sentino- the House Committee , also Miss Jirwood , fhe Matron ,

Miss Davis , the Head Governess , and fhe other members of fhe staff . His lord .-dii p having inspected the Institution , the children went through their calis'henic exercises , and

were most kindl y addressed b y the B . shop , who , in g iving advice and encouragement to them , congratulated them on their behaviour and happy looks , and . expressed a wish to bring his own family with him on some future occasion .

The Elthorne and Middlesex Lodge , No . 2091 , will be consecrated at the Town Hall , Houusloiv , ou Saturday , the 11 th instant .