Provincial.

PROVINCIAL . r \

Crescent Lodge , No . 7 88 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . CHAS . B . BUTCHER .

ON our visit to the above Lodge , on Tuesday of last week , at Hampton Court , we had the pleasure of driving through Bushey Park , and truly the scene was one of the finest , and the trip tne most enjoyable , to be found anywhere around the great metropolis ; it was a pleasant relief to the monotony of bricks and mortar we have been accustomed to during much of the past winter . At the

end of our journey we reached the comfortable quarters of the Lodge at the Mitre Hotel , where me Brethren were welcomed by the genial host Bro . C . Sadler , in a most hearty manner—indeed it was a p leasure to witness the general sociability and congeniality in the Lodge , and we were pleased we had decided to put off other engagements so as to be able to participate in this most enjoyable

outing . The Lodge was consecrated in 18 59 , and accordingly the members celebrated the 42 nd anniversary Festival on the occasion . The Worshipful Master Bro . John Mears took his place in the Lodge at the appointed time and received the assistance of Bros . W . S . Robinson I . P . M ., C . B . Butcher W . M .-elect S . W ., R . P .

Morris J . W ., E . H . Edwards P . M . P . P . A . G . D . C . Treasurer , S . Larcomb P . M .. Secretary , A . E . Green acting S . D ., E . G . Bygrave J . D ., John Conley I . G ., Ernest E . Vinen , F . R . C . O ., P . P . G . O . Org ., James Robinson P . M ., W . Dawson P . M ., R . J . Beeton P . M ., W . S . Robinson P . M ., G . Harrison Tyler ; Arthur Smith , W . R . Crichton , Edwin Lee , W . Chittoclc , H . A . Swepstone , J . Lewis , S . Griggs , and others .

Among the Visitors were Bros . Rear-Admiral William H . C . St . Clair Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex , F . Bryant P . M . 1721 , W . Butcher P . P . G . Supt . of Works , H . Hyde P . M . 1227 , H . A . Darch 72 , George Spice P . M . and Preceptor 193 , W . H . Latham I . P . M . 1062 , G . Thompson P . M . 1744 , A . Collins W . M .

1962 , A . D . Hawkins I . P . M . 1816 , A . E . Brightman 1728 , A . C . Crisp 1622 , J . Wiggins 1622 , J . T . Davies P . M . 1348 , F . Davies I . G . 2426 , W . Beard P . M . 046 , R . W . Forge W . M . 1793 , H . L . Borradaile P . P . G . Std . Br ., G . H . Silverwood P . M . 1343 , Westwood P . P . A . D . C , Powter P . M . 1225 , J . Wynman , & c .

The minutes being read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Messrs . R . J . Kidman , H . J . Lavy , A . M . Alison , and H . Booth , and proved unanimous in their favour . Brother Samuel Griggs , Arthur Smith , and William Robert Crichton , who were initiated at the previous meeting , answered the questions in faultless manner and were entrusted . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , and in due course those Brethren were passed to the rank of Fellow Craft .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and the four gentlemen previously named were initiated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry . The principal business of the evening was next proceeded with . The Worshipful Master first declared all Offices vacant , and requested Bros . E . T . Edwards P . M * ., J . Beeton P . M . and W . S .

Robinson P . M . to assist him as Wardens and Inner Guard pro . tern . Bro . C . B . Butcher W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . J . J . Robinson P . M . D . C ., and duly signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . The lay Brethren having retired , a Board of twenty-five Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . C .

B . Butcher was formally inducted into the chair of King Solomon , as ruler of the Lodge for the ensuing twelve months . The ceremony was admirably performed by Bro . John Mears , whose subsequent excellent delivery of the addresses elicited the hearty appreciation of those present .

The customary salutations were given by the Brethren , after which the following Officers were invested : R . P . Morris S . W ., A . E . Green J . W ., E . T . Edwards P . M . P . P . A . G . D . C . Treasurer , S . Larcomb P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Secretary , H . A . Swepstone S . D ., J . Conley J . D ., E . G . Bygrave I . G ., J . J . Robinson P . M . P . P . A . G . D . C . D . C ., E . E . Vinen , F . R . C . O ., P . P . G . O . Organist , W . Chittock and J . Lewis Stewards , G . Harrison Tyler .

Rear-Admiral St . Clair D . P . G . M . Middx . complimented Bro . John Mears I . P . M . on his perfect working , and said the ceremonies and addresses were admirably given . The new Master had also invested his Officers in a faultless manner , and there could be but little doubt that a happy and successful year awaited him .

Many letters and telegrams regretting absence were read by the Secretary , and the new Master having received the hearty congratulations of the Visiting Brethren , the closing hymn was sung , and the Lodge was closed . Everything worked well and smoothly , without haste or hesitation ; all was excellently arranged , and success was the result .

The banquet was held in the large hall , which presented a brilliant appearance ; the dinner was of the highest class , and reflected great credit upon the popular host Bro . C . Sadler . Originality marked the speeches , and in compliance with the W . M . 's request they were brief and to the point .

That of His Majesty the King and Craft was enthusiasticall y honoured , the National Anthem being sung by Miss Rosabelie Beste in grand style . The toast of the Grand Master and that of the other Grand Officers present and past followed , the W . M . especially referring to the pleasure they all experienced in having amongst them the Deputy Grand Master of the Province Admiral St . Clair .

That distinguished Brother congratulated the Lodge on having such an elegant exponent of the Masonic ritual as their I . P . M ., and he trusted the present faster would follow his example . He

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also offered a few words of advice to the Initiates , impressing upon them their obligation to work up their knowledge of true Masonic principles , so that when they presented themselves for advancement they would be able to answer the questions put to them without any prompting . He was sorry to say he had been at ceremonies where

this had not been attended to , and consequently the voice of the prompter was very much " en evidence , " thereby marring the beauty of the ritual . Admiral St . Clair further congratulated the W . M . on having so large an attendance of Past Masters present to support him , which showed the interest they took in the Lodge and its Master .

The Immediate Past Master Bro . Mears next proposed the toast of the W . M ., and said that during the twelve months Bro . Butcher served as . Senior Warden he felt sure the Brethren had found him to be most deserving of his present honour . Several

of them had seen him initiated in the Crescent Lodge , and had seen him work up to the exalted position he held at present . He had plenty of work before him , and he was sure he would do it to perfection ; to the credit of the Lodge , and to the satisfaction of the Brethren .

The Benevolent box was passed round , and realised £ 1 7 s , but the generous disposition of Bro . Mears induced him to add fifteen shillings to it , thus making the total two guineas . The W . Mi , on rising to respond , received quite an ovation . He thanked Bro . Mears and the Brethren for the hearty and sincere way in which they had honoured the toast . He had been

working hard to rise to the honourable position in which he had been placed that evening . He regarded the Brethren in the S . E . corner as the chief supporters of the Lodge , and assured the members he should do all he could to follow the good example of those predecessors . He sincerely thanked the I . P . M . for his kind remarks .

The W . M . next proposed the toast of the Immediate Past Master . He said they had had a good Master , and he would give them proof of his words . The I . P . M . had done a great deal for the Lodge ; he had initiated fifteen members during his two years of Office , and he hoped to have that number of initiates during his term in the chair . Bro . Mears was on the point of responding , but Bro . Robinson P . P . A . G . D . C . said that before he did so , and

with the consent he had received from the W . M ., he had a very pleasant duty to perform , one which he considered was a great honour to him , and that was to invest Bro . John Mears I . P . M . with another Past Master's jewel , which he had so well earned . He hoped he would wear it in health and prosperity for many years to come , and in his old age would look upon it as a pleasant memento in connection with the Crescent Lodge .

Bro . Mears on rising received a most cordial reception . He thanked Bro . Robinson for his verv kind remarks , and the W . M . and Brethren for the great kindness and appreciation shown him . It was an especial honour to be invested by a Grand Officer , and he further considered it a great compliment that so high an Officer as Admiral St . Clair should visit their Crescent Lodge . Bro .

Robinson brought him into the Lodge , which he never had or would regret . He was highly pleased he had officiated as W . M . for two years . That , and the handsome jewel which had been presented to him was sufficient proof that he had given satisfaction ; he had done his very best to bring the Lodge to a sound financial position , and was pleased to say he had succeeded . He could not let the opportunity pass without especially thanking Bro . George

Spice P . M . and Preceptor of the Confidence Lodge , for the great attention he had paid him , as without his instruction he could not have done his working so well as he had done that evening . He strongly advised the Brethren to visit that Lodge- of Instruction . He was delighted to see so many distinguished and personal friends present . He was pleased to think the Lodge was in a flourishing condition , and that the Brethren had a W . M . who would do everything in his power for the welfare of the Lodge .

The toast of tne initiates was next given , the W . M . according them a most hearty welcome , as he felt he had admitted four gentlemen who would prove themselves credits to the Lodge and to the Craft in general . Bro . Robert Joseph Kidman thanked the W . M . for his

kindness , and the Brethren for drinking his health in such a cordial manner . He had approached his friend Bro . Mears , who took him under his wing to be introduced into Freemasonry , and he was much obliged to him for having done so . He had been very much impressed with the obligation and with the noble Craft .

Bro . Herbert James Law also highly appreciated the honour of having been initiated , and promised never to forget his obligation . He sincerely thanked Past Master Mears for having introduced him .

Bro . Andreas Marshall Alison would endeavour to be a good Freemason , as he was very much impressed with the beautiful ceremony . He also thanked the W . M ' . and Brethren for having received him as a Brother amongst them , and also thanked his friend Bro . Swepstone for having introduced him .

Bro . Horace Booth thanked Bro . Mears I . P . M . for having initiated him , and also promised to respect his obligation . He thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their kind reception and Bro . A . E . Green for having introduced him .

The toast of the Visitors was next given , to which Bro . J . Butcher P . i' . G . Supt of Works in a short but eloquent speech responded . The toasts of the Past Masters , Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers were next honoured , and then came the Tyler ' s toast , when the Brethren departed , after having spent one of the most enjoyable evenings ever held at the Crescent Lodge . There was an excellent programme of music arranged for the