The Richmond Lodge, No. 2032.

the presidency of the W . M . Bro . Benjamin E . Blasby , who Avas supported by Bros . C . I . Digby P . M . S . W ., W . Foster P . M . Treasurer , W . E . Phillips P . M . Secretary , J . P . Houghton S . D ., E . Dare J . D ., J . Ireland D . C , F . Albert Crew Organist , C Maton W . S ., E . Mesaum Steward , and many other brethren . Amongst the Visitors were

Bros . G . C Young W . M . 820 , G . F . Cook P . P . A . G . D . C . Herts , W . D . Beckett W . M . 780 , C , Sims 861 , W . W . Morgan W . M . 211 , A . Farman 107 , & o . Lodgo having been opened in form , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and Lodge having been advanced to the third , Bros . Nash and Williamson were raised to the

sublime degree by the W . M ., who acted most efficiently , assisted by his Officers . Bro . Smith was also notified to have taken this degree , but did not arrive in time to participate in the ceremony at the hour Stipulated . Having resnmed in the second , Bro . Burrell was passed to F . C ., and subsequently the ballot was opened for Mr . Frederick

Augustus Meeres , proposed by Bro . Gowing , seconded by Bro . Eowland ; Mr . Edwin Peed James , nominated by Bro . Crew , seconded by Bro . tho Senior Deacon ; Dr . Edmund Alleyne Cook , whose sponsors were Bros . Abell and Phillips ; and Mr . George Trinder , proposed by the W . M ., and seconded by Bro . Covell . All were nnanimously

accepted , and were duly initiated by the W . M ., in a manner which afforded every satisfaction . After this heavy batch of work had been got through most creditably , Bro . Smith presented himself for the benefit of raising , and although the agenda had proved a formidable tax upon the W . M ., he performed tho ceremony most readily .

It is , however , an undesirable precedent , and considerably mars the after proceedings ; candidates should strive to be ready at the time appointed ; in this case it was exceptionally vexatious after so arduous an evening's work . It was stated that although the Lodge is yet in the first year of its existence , it is in a very

satisfactory condition financially , all its expenses being defrayed , whilst already there is a balance in hand . The snm of five guineas was voted from the funds of the Lodgo to the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and one gninea to the special fnnd appealed for by Bro . Binckes towards the Boys' Preparatory School . At the

conclusion of some other business , tho brethren and visitors sat down to a sumptuous banquet , UDder the presidency of the W . M ., and justice having been done to the repast the customary loyal and Craft toasts were given from the chair and duly honoured . Bro . W . F . Eeynolds P . M . in felicitous term 3 proposed the health of the

Worshipful Master , whom he congratulated npon the ability and intelligence he brought to bear in carrying on tho work of the Lodge , of which he was the first Master . Eefereuce had been made to tho fact that since the installation of his Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales as Grand Master , in the vear 1875 , upwards of 500 new

Lodges had been warranted , showing how the Craft had advanced in popular favour since his accession to office . The Prince fully recognised his duties to the Craft , fchns it had made rapid strides onward ; and he ( the speaker ) might be allowed to say that the successful and satisfactory position which the Bichmond Lodge had

attained was in a great measure to bo attributed to the zeal and ability with which it had been ruled by its first Worshipful Master . The toast was received with the utmost cordiality , and Brother Blasby suitably acknowledged the compliment , promising that his efforts should , in the future as in the past , bo devoted to tho

best interests of the Eichmond Lodgo . The Initiates severally responded to their health , Brother Cook being especially happy and humorous in his reply . Tho whole of the Visitors also responded to the welcome given , and expressed themselves highly pleased with the hospitality which had been extended to them ; after which the

Past Master and Officers of the Lodge wore complimented on the way in which they discharged their respective duties , and which had so greatly assisted in establishing the Lodge on a sound and solid

foundation . During the evening somo capital songs were rendered by tho brethren , ably assisted by Bro . F . Albert Crew , who presided efficiently at the pianoforte . A very enjoyable evening was passed .

Blackwater Lodge, No. 1977.

BLACKWATER LODGE , No . 1977 .

THE monthly meeting of this Lodge , which was held on Monday , 5 th inst ., at Maldon , Essex , was availed of for the presentation to Bro . Thomas Eustace , of Colchester , as a mark of the respect in which ho is held by the brethren , and of appreciation of his efforts for tho prosperity of the Lodge as its first Master . Tho

presentation took tho form of a valuablo gold watch , which in the unavoidable absence from illness of tho present W . M . ( Bro . Alfred Eichardson ) , was handed to Bro . Eustace by the S . W . ( Bro . Eobt . Smith ) , who in a few well-chosen words , spoke of the hard work Brother Eustace had dono for the Lodgo ; how mnch its

prosperity was due to him , and how much the brethren were indebted to him for , with such regularity , coming sixteen miles every month to fulfil the duties of the chair . Bro . Eustace , who was very much moved , thanked the brethren for their kindness . What he had done had been a labour of love , and his work had been rendered

lighter by the hearty support he had always received from his Officers and tho brethren generally . He assured them he should always value most highly their handsome present , and it would become an heir-loom in his family . The watch bears the following inscription : —

Presented to BRO . T . EUSTACE P . P . G . S . B ., By the Blackwater Lodge of Freemasons , No . 1977 , For the valuable services rendered a 3 first Master . 5 th Jan . 1885 . —Essex Standard

Ad01101

BEO . JAMES STEVENS P . M . P . Z . is open to accept invitations £ ov the delivery of hia LECTURE in MEISIOIOUTA : ? or rnoviNCiAL LODGES , or LODGES or IKSIBUCHWT .

Eccleston Chapter, No. 1624.

ECCLESTON CHAPTER , No . 1624 .

THE usnal Quarterly Convocation was held at Freemasons' Hall , on 24 th ult ., Comps . J . Gait Fisher M . E . Z ., Wyor P . Z . II ., Tayler J ., Vincent P . Z . ; Beckham and Bond Scribes E . and N . ; several other companions were present . After the minutes had been passed , Comp . Wyer was elected Z . for the ensuing year , Tayler H .,

Bond J ., Beckham S . E ., Flatterly S . N ., Isaacs Treasurer , Coulthard P . S ., Sheppard Janitor . A jewel of the value of 5 guineas was voted to the retiring M . E . Z ., for his able working , & c . The Chapter was then adjourned to March .

Justice Lodge of Instruction , Wo . 147 . —A meeting was held on Thursday , 8 th instant , at the Bi-own Bear , High-street , Deptford . Bros . Banks W . M ., Stringer S . W ., Pitt J . W ., Speight P . M . Secretary , Dale S . D ., J . Bedford Williams J . D ., Ingram I . G . P . M . ' s Bros . Hutchings Preceptor and Good ; also Bros . Cooper , Vint , Prior , and Emblin . Lodge was opened , and the minutes of the

previous meeting were read and confirmed ; the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Cooper candidate . Bro . Prior answered the usual questions leading to the degree of Fellow Craft . Lodge was

advanced , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed . Lodge was called off , and ou resnming was opened in the third degree , and the ceremony of raising rehearsed , J BroJ Vine personating the candidate . Lodge was resumed in the first degree , and closed in due form .

Chiswick Lodge of Instruction , No . 2012 . —A meeting was held on Saturday , 3 rd inst ., at the Hampshire Hog Hotel , Ham . mei-smith . Bros . Sharratt W . M ., Haye 3 S . W ., Gardner J . W ., Strong Secretary , Gomm S . D ., Furze J . D ., Williams I . G ., P . M . ' s Ayling , Johnson , & o . Visitor—Bro . Jackson 718 . Lodgo was duly opened ,

and minutes of previous meeting confirmed . The Preceptor then worked the second section of the first lecture , assisted by the brethren . The W . M . next rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Steers kindly offering himself as candidate . Lodge was opened in second degree , and Bro . Mayer answered the usual ques . stions . Lodge was then olosed .

Eoyal Arthur Lodge of Instruction , Wo . 1360 . —On Thursday , 1 st instant , Brother James Stevens P . M . P . Z ., & o . on the invitation of this Lodge , delivered his highly interesting lecture on the Eitual and Ceremonies of the First Degree . The Lodge met at the Collegiate Sohool , Worple Eoad , Wimbledon , so as to have sufficient room for a number of brethren . Brother E . Standen presided as

W . M . Lodge was opened in duo form with solemn prayer , and the minutes of last meeting were read , confirmed and signed . Brother James Stevens having been introduced to the brethren , then gave his admirable lecture , which was listened to with close attention by all present . After an address , which occupied more than two hours iu

delivery , Brother Stevens received a cordial vote of thanks and the compliment of honorary membership , for which , as well as for the encouraging remarks of the brethren generally , he returned thanks . Bro . Carter was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and the Lodge was closed .

Kingsland Lodge of Instruction , Wo . 1693 . —On Monday , 29 th December , at the Cock Tavern , Highbury . Present : — Bros . Trewinnard W . M ., Western S . W ., Thorn J . W ., Forge Treas . and acting Secretary , H . W . Holden S . D ., Younghusband J . D ., T . Holden I . G ., and Hall P . M . After preliminaries , Bro . Turner having offered himself a 3 a candidate to be raised , answered the

questions in a very praiseworthy manner and was entrusted . The Lodge was then opened in the third , and tho ceremony rehearsed , the W . M . giving tho traditional history in a very able manner . Thi 3 being the last Monday in the old year , Bro . J . Baker asked the brethren to drink some punch with him , and Lodge was closed earlier

than usnal . Some capital harmony was rendered by Bros . Bain , Akehurst , Atterton and Snook . We may add that after tho business is over the Spirit of Harmony is invoked at the meetings of this Lodge of Instruction , and generally with happy results . On Monday last , Bros . Jordan W . M ., Turner S . W ., Holden J . W .,

Forge Treas ., Collingridge Sec , Catling S . D ., McMillan J . D ., Dr . Neisson I . G ., Western Acting Preceptor , and other brethren . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Gifford candidate . Bro . Dixie then took the chair and opened the Lodgo in the second degree . Bro . Collingridge answered the questions leading to the third and

vva 3 entrusted . Lodge opened in tho third degree and the ceremony was rehearsed . Bro . Turnerwas elected W . M . for Monday next , and Lodge was closed . Tho brethren enjoyed some harmony , Bros . Akehurst , Baine , Snook , Woodman , Weeden , and Giffard singing , while Bro . Dixie gave a humoi'ous recitation . Bro . Collings presided at the piano .

Bro . the Earl of Jersey intends bringing to tlie hammer early in the season the very valuable library at Osterley Park , near Isle worth . The house has not been lived in since the death of the Dowager Countess last year . Lord Jersey occasionally gives a garden party at Osterley during the London season . The library contains several splendid Caxtons .

The M . W . the Grand Mark Master has been pleased to anpoint Bro . Prank Eichardson P . G . D . to b 3 Grand Registrar of tho Mark Degree , in the place of lamented Bro . Levander , deceased .