Devonshire.

DEVONSHIRE .

IN answer to the congratulatory telegram despatched to Lord Northcote , Governor of Bombay and Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire , on the occasion of its recent meeting at Plymouth , the following reply has been received : — '" John Stocker , Exeter , Devonshire . Thank Grand Lodge for kind message . —Northcote . "

We were sorry we were unable to take part in an outing arranged for Wednesday , when Bro . L . A . DaCosta P . M . 1349 Preceptor of the Friars Lodge of Instruction and a few friends took a party of some six hundred cripple children from the east end of London for a day in Epping Forest . It is true

the trip was not—in the general acceptation , of the term—a Masonic one , but we believe it was chiefly among his Brother Masons that our worthy Bro . DaCosta appealed tor the funds which enabled him to extend hospitality to so large a gathering of East London ' s cripples ; and we are convinced all who

know him will join us in the wish that he may be spared for many years , to give further evidence of his true appreciation of the best principles of die Craft . From the programme we learn that the cripple children selected for the trip were the least helpless of over 2 , 000 , chosen by Mr . A . E . Varney , the

East End Superintendent of the Ragged School Union and Shaftesbury Society , and they met at the appointed local centres and missions ( including Bow , Mile End , Whitechapel , Ratcliff , Wappiner . Bethnal Green , Shadwell , St . George ' s , Victoria Park , Plackney , Old Ford , Stepney , Limehouse ,

Stratford , Poplar , Bow Common , & c . ) at 8 a . m . At 9 . 30 the excursion started in brakes from Bro . Da Costa ' s house in Mile End , and after a stoppage at the " Wilfred Lawson " Temperance Plotel , Woodford , reached the Shaftesbury Holiday House , at Loughton , about noon , when Children ' s

Dinner ( consisting of meat and fruit pies , with lemonade ) was served . Various entertainments and games in the Forest occupied the time until 4 o ' clock , when the Children ' s Tea was served , and was followed by a concert , promoted by the children of local residents . The Visitors and Plelpers sat

down to tea at 5 o clock , and some short addresses by Mr . J ohn Kirk , Secretary of the Society , and others , occupied the time until half past six , when the brakes were boarded and a start made for the home iourney . We know Bro . L . Da Costa ' s enthusiasm for the sections , the ritual , and the

ceremonies of Freemasonry ; we hope he was none the less delighted with his work on this occasion . Of one thing we are certain , his efforts were thankfully received and heartily appreciated by the large number on whose behalf he laboured , not a few of whom will remember our worthy Brother , with

pleasurable satisfaction , for many a long day . After the tea each of the children was presented with a handsome book , selected accordine to age , and before the departure of the brakes on the return journey packets of sweets and flowers were

distributed . The funds for the outing were collected by Bros . L . A . Da Costa , H . Davis and H . Hart , of the Friars Lodge , anu Mr . PI . Giddings , all of whom wish to thank the friends who subscribed , for their liberal support .

* * * Another American lady on a visit to Scotland has found the advantage of being connected with those of the Craft . It will be remembered I recently recorded an incident of a young lady from the States who was assisted out of her dilemma as

to steamboat and train arrangements . This time it is the case of a lady , accompanying her aged father , who had a longing desire to see the Old Country once more . His strength , however , was not equal to the strain , and he died in one or the city hotels . Having no friends in Glasgow , the ladya member of

, tne Eastern Star , readily turned for advice to the Craft , both her father and her husband being members . The Master of a Lodge meeting in Masonic Chambers got the communication , and cheerfully gave every assistance possible . The task was

not easy , but ultimately satisfactory arrangements were made with Consul , doctors , and shipping companies , through the agency of the R . W . M . The lady left on her return voyage to America last Thursday , with a high opinion of Masonry in Scotland . — " The Mallet , " in " Glasgow Evening News . "

* * * The installation meeting of the Upton Lodge , No . 1227 , will be held on Thursday next ( by special dispensation ) at the Holborn Restaurant , the usual quarters at the Great Eastern

Devonshire.

Hotel not being available in consequence of the extensive alterations in progress at that establishment . Bro . Walter J ames Carroll S . W . is the Worshipful Master-elect , and he will be installed by the present Master Bro . J . PI . Rowberry . In addition to the important ceremony of installation and the

investment of Officers there are five candidates on the agenda for passing , and two for election and initiation . Bro . Carroll will start his term of office with a substantial balance in hand , while a particularly good record of work done during the past year will set him an example it would be no easy task for the

ordinary Master to follow , but the Masters of the Upton are certainlv above the " ordinary , " and we have little fear but that Bro . Carroll will prove himself quite capable to maintain the renutation long enjoyed by the rulers of 1227 . We wish him a most successful year in the chair of his Lodge .

The opening- of the Central London Railway has brought the famous Plolborn Restaurant within easier access for busy city men for luncheon or other purposes , as a run of six-and-ahalf minutes from the Bank Station lands the passenger at the British Museum Station , which is almost opposite the Holborn .

As a result the management are now making a speciality of the Table d' Plote Luncheons for city patrons , promptly served in the Grand Salon , Grand and Ladies' Grill rooms ; while the usual choice menu is available a la carte . As pointed out by

the well known manager , Bro . T . J . Plamp , it is now possible to leave an office in the city , lunch comfortably at the Holborn , and arrive back at the office well within the hour ; and as the Londoner has recently learnt , a trip on the Central is a famous

appetiser . The installation meeting of the Commemoration Lodge , No . 2663 , will take place on Tuesday next , at the Holborn Restaurant , when Bro . Thos . Feistel , a well known North

London Mason , and a prominent member of many of the local Lodges of Instruction , will be placed in the chair of K . S . Bro . Feistel is also very popular as an entertainer and elocutionist , the rendering of Dickens ' s speech of Sergt . Buzfuz , from Bardell v . Pickwick , being among his most noted contributions .

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