Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . F . W . Felling Prov . J . G . D . responded for the Provincial Grand Officers , and said he regarded the distinction conferred upon him as an honour bestowed upon the Lodge . He concluded by proposing the health of the Worshipful Master , whose work had been the subject of so much commendation .

Bro . Weymouth modestly . acknowledged the compliment , saying he was much honoured by the Earl of Warwick visiting the Lodge during his year of office . Bro . Dr . Snell replied to the toast of the initiates , with a humorous little speech which was much appreciated . He said when he came out of the Lodge he thought the worst of his ordeals had been passed , and had no idea

he was to be tortured into making a speech . With regard to Freemasonry , he found that popular notions were quite at variance with fact , and certainly the initiation was far less terrible than he expected . He found there was a distinct religious element quite apart from the social phase , and he was sure that neither he nor his fellow initiates would ever be forgetful of the lessons inculcated upon them that day .

Bros . Barnes , Mason , King , Thorne and Blythe responded for the visitors , and the Officers of the Lodge having been similarly complimented , the proceedings were brought to a pleasant conclusion with the Tyler's toast . An enjoyable musical programme was provided by the W . M ., the artistes being Madame Ellaline Grantley and Bros . J . Higgins , H . E . Porter , M . Borradaile , and Arthur Groves .

ROLL CALL LODGE , No . 2523 . THE fifth annual installation was held at the Oddfellows Hall , Hounslow , on Thursday , 14 th ult ., and proved more successful than any similar gathering that has been held under these auspices . . The Worshipful Master Bro . H . T . Cooper presided over a large gathering , and discharged the various functions appertaining to initiation and passing , with other routine business .

At five o ' clock the important event of the day took place , when Bro . WLangdon , of Brentford , was formally installed as Worshipful Master for the year , the interesting ceremony being performed by Bro . C . Bobinson P . M . Provincial Grand Begistrar of Surrey . The usual banquet followed , at which the newly-installed Worshipful Master presided , supported by about seventy Brethren . A sumptuous repast was provided by Bro . Duffy , to whom the greatest credit was given for the excellence of his provision and arrangements .

The usual Loyal and Craft toasts were subsequently proposed and honoured , and a capital programme of music was interpreted . In the course of the proceedings a handsome jewel was presented to Bro . H . T . Cooper , by the Worshipful Master , who warmly congratulated his retiring colleague on the striking success that had attended his year of office , and upon the large number of new Brethren that had been initiated . The jewel was inscribed as follows : — -

Presented to Worshipful Brother H . T . COOPEB , by the Boll Call Lodge , as a mark of their respect and esteem , and of appreciation of his services as Worshipful Master . 14 th July 1898 . A jewel was also presented to Bro . John Price , similarly inscribed , for his services during the past three years as Treasurer of the Lodge .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

EARL OF CARNARVON LODGE , No . 1642 . THE annual summer trip and banquet of this well-known Lodge took place on Thursday , 21 st ult ., tho party travelling by saloon train from Liverpool Street terminus to Harwich at 10 . 20 a . m . Luncheon was served in admirable style at the Great Eastern Company ' s Hotel , at Harwich , at 1 p . m . After viewing the place the company left by steamboat at 3 . 15 p . m . for Ipswich . The return journey was made by express train , leaving Ipswich at 4 . 45 p . m . Tea , coffee , fruit and ices were served in the saloon

en route . The banquet , which was in every way worthy of the Lodge and the hotel management , was served in the Hamilton Boom of the Great Eastern Bailway Go ' s . Terminus Hotel . The whole of the arrangements for the day were most perfectly carried out by the manager of the Hotel , Bro ; Amehdt and the Officers of the Great Eastern Bailway Company , and in addition the weather was perfect . The usual Masonic toasts followed the banquet , and the Worshipful Master Brc . J . French was congratulated by all present on the success of the outing .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

ST . MICHAEL LODGE , No . 211 . AT the Eichmond Hotel , Shepherd ' s Bush , on the 25 th ult ., Bros . Bidgway W . M ., Turner S . W ., Bidley J . W ., B . H . Williams P . M . Preceptor , C . Barter Sec , J . Wynman S . D ., Prior I . G .

By desire of the W . M ., Bro . Williams worked the first and second sections of the lecture . The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of passing , with Brother Barter acting as the candidate , and went through the work in a manner which called forth the approval of the Brethren .

The Secretary brought forward the appeal of a Brother in distress , and proposed that the sum of half a guinea be given him from the Lodge funds , which was seconded by the Preceptor , and unanimously agreed to . Bro . Turner will preside on Monday next .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . ON Thursday , 21 st ult ., at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , Bros 0 . Jacob W . M ., 0 . Humble S . W ., E . H . Wilcox J . W ., F . J . Larkman Treas ., J . H . Gumming Sec , B . H . Williams P . M . 865 P . P . J . G . D . Middlesex

Preceptor , H . B . Worth S . D ., B . W . Bobinson J . D ., S . J . Parker I . G ., F . M . Bidley Steward , S . W . Keene , W . Langdon , F . J . Cross , A . E . Furness , and others . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Cross acting as candidate

Instruction.

Tho Lodge was called off and on . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of the esteemed Preceptor , who opened the Lodge iu the 2 nd degree , and Bro . Bidley answered the questions leading to the 3 rd . The Lodgo was advanced and the ceremony of raising rehearsed . Tho proficient manner in which the

ritual was rendered was afterwards commented upou by the Brothren present , who thanked the Preceptor for his great kindness in so oftou coming amongst them at great personal inconvenience . Thc Lodge was then resumed to the first degree , and Bro . Humble unanimously elected to fill tho chair at the next meeting .

ON Thursday , 28 th ult ., Bros . E . H . Wilcox W . M ., H . B . Worth S . W ., S . J . Parker J . W ., J . H . Gumming Sec , B . H . Williams P . M . P . P . J . G . D . Middlesex Preceptor , Justin Allen S . D ., J . W . Blaydes J . D ., F . J .. Larkman I . G ., S . W . Keeno P . M ., 0 . Humble , F . J . Cross , F . M . Ridley , and others . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Keene acting as

candidate . The W . M . gave the charge in an excellent manner , after which the Lodge was called off and on . Bro . Humble having answered the questions leading to the second degree the Lodge was opened up and the ceremony of passing rehearsed . Lodge was then resumed to the first degree and Bro . H . B . Worth was elected to occupy the W . M . ' s chair at the next meeting .

We are glad to notice the great attention some of the Brethren who have only been initiated about eighteen months or two years pay to the excellent teaching of the esteemed Preceptor , and the way they are able to perform the duties of any of the offices when called upon .

CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 . ON Saturday , 29 th ult ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , Hammersmith , Bros . L . J . Powell W . M ., H . J . Cousons S . W ., E . Wilkins J . W ., F . Craggs Treas ., B . Josey Sec , J . H . Gumming S . D ., P . Cronin J . D ., W . Handover I . G ., Arthur Williams P . M . Preceptor , E . Fox P . M ., Seeker-, and others .

Lodge was advanced to the second degree , aud Bro . Seeker answered the usual questions and was entrusted . The ceremony of raising was then rehearsed . The W . M . called on Bro . Arthur Williams for the traditional history , which it is superfluous to say was given by that worthy Preceptor in a gratifying manner .

This Lodge of Instruction meets every Saturday throughout the year , at 7-30 p . m ., and is usually well attended , especially by Past Master ' s living in the neighbourhood .

ROYAL VICTORIAN JUBILEE LODGE , No . 2184 ; ON Wednesday afternoon , 27 th , at 3 o ' clock , at the Dover Castle Hotel , Westminster Bridge Boad , Bros . A . Darch Preceptor as W . M ., A . B , Collins S . W ., C . Biley J . W ., C . Wetton acting Preceptor , B . Cohen S . D ., T . Holland J . D ., Conisbee I . G ., D . White , J . Wynman .

The Lodge was advanced to the second degree , and Bro . White having offered himself as candidate for the third was entrusted , and the ceremony ol raising was rehearsed . Bro . Darch kindly vacated the chair in favour of * Bro . Holland , who rehearsed the ceremony of passing , Bro . Wetton being tha candidate . Bros . T . Conisbee and E . Vaigt ( the Manager of the Hotel ) were elected members , and Bro . Wetton chosen to occupy the chair on Wednesday next ..

PICNIC TO CHESTER . A COMBINED picnic to Chester , promoted by two Lodges , Industry , No . . 361 , and Clarendon , No . 1166 , took place on Thursday , 21 st ult , ' The * party , numbering about sixty , left Hyde Station at the early hour of 8 a . m ., en route for the Central Station , Manchester , whence they proceeded to the quaint old Cestrian capital , arriving there about 11 a . m . Though thd

distance was not very great , waggonettes had been provided , by which they were driven to the Queen Hotel , where a very excellent lunch was partaken of . After this the members of the two Lodges , with their lady and gentleman friends had another drive to a point on the Biver Dee where a steam launch awaited to convey them to Eccleston Ferry and the Iron Bridge , pleasant landing places about half-a-dozen miles up the river .

Upon starting , our eyes took a hurried sweep of fair Deva's Vale , where nestled the quiet homesteads and farmhouses which occasionally dotted this lovely Cheshire pasture land , then with panoramic quickness changed , to villas embanking the river , succeeded by overhanging trees , under whose umbrageous foliage the occupants of several boats were resting their oars , and ; if one can judge by appearances , endeavouring by leaps and bounds to become prospective benedicks .

The day was a lovely one , and as tho barge glided along we were reminded of those lines written by Thomas Noel ( author of " A Pauper ' s Drive , " in which occur the memorable words— " Battle his bones over the stones , he's only a pauper whom nobody owns , " ) who sings : " Still on , still on , as we smoothly glide , There are charms that woo the eye—Boughs waving green in the pictured tide , And the blue reflected sky . "

Having reached tho Iron Bridge our party debarked , tho major portion walking to Eaton Hall , a residence of the Duke of Westminster ; some hired boats and rowed on the river , while others enjoyed a louu-, ' ' ] mi the sloping bank , being cheered with an occasional invitation by the ou .. gug Teutouic steward to partake of a smoke , or a refreshing glass of that mixture which might be described by the elliptical term " cold without , " or by an Irishman as a shorthand way of swallowing " praties , " which , by the extreme goodwill of the donors could be partaken of as often as one pleased , or , to speak hibernice—oven oftener .

Those who preferred to visit Eaton Hall and grounds had a rare treat . The hall itself is a perfect palace , built with superb gothic grandeur , environed by an extensive range of wooded hill , and a pleasant expanse of lake . It is said that the rent-roll of its noble owner , the third Marquis and first Duke , comparatively unknown except on account of his vast wealth , is considerably in advance of that of the reigning sovereign , being £ 800 , 000 per year .

The family name of Westminster is Grosvenor ; and this noble family traces its descent in the male line to an illustrious house which flourished in Normandy for a century and a half before the conquest of England , and obtained its surname from having held the high and powerful office in that principality of La Grosvcnur . The founder of the English Grosvenors , Gilbert Lc Grosvenor , came over iu the time of the Conqueror , being nephew