Installation Meetings, &C.

of Brother Cuthbertson , the Egyptian Lodge would continue its prosperity . The Worship ful Master said he fully appreciated the reception that bad been accorded to tbe toast . Every Master who had preceded him had so efficiently performed his duty that he felt rather diffident in taking the office ; however , he would do bis best , and hoped he mig ht carry onfc tbe work to their

satisfaction . Before resuming his seat , ho had much pleasure in proposing tbe health of the Immediate Past Master . Bro . Conlson had performed the work of the past year exceedingly well , and on the occasion of the installation had worked tbe ceremony so ably , that he felt ninch pleasure in now presenting him with the Past Master ' s jewel , which had been voted by the members . He conld only say

that it was the sincere wish of every one that their I . P . M . might live long to wear it among them . With the toast the Worshipful Master coupled the health of tbe Past Masters generally , referring to the creditable way in which each in turn had fulfilled the duties of the chair . Bro . Coilson returned thanks . He felt it a great pleasure to he now associated with the Past Masters of the Lodge .

He was glad his services , as Installing Master , bad been appreciated , and gratified beyond measure at the handsome testimonial the brethren had been pleased to vote him . The toast of the Visitors followed from the chair , Bros . Lovegrove , Croaker , and Whelan replying . The Officers were duly honbnred , tbe Worshipful Master feeling confident that the brethren he had that day appointed to

assist in the ruling of the Lodge were capable of discharging the duties required of them , and that , too , in a manner which could but add to the great reputation of tbe Egyptian Lodge . Each of the Officers having replied , the Master proposed the Charities , to which Bro . Mason ( Collector R . M . B . I . ) responded , urging on the brethren the necessity of supporting the I . P . M . in his Stewardship to the best of their ability . Among the Visitors present were Bros . T . Cnbitt

P . G . P ., E . P . Albert P . G . P ., J . Weston P . M . 1602 , J . Hastings Miller P . P . G . O . Middlesex , C Parsons 1657 , H . M . Levy P . M . 188 , Franks P . M . 753 , Lovegrove P . P . S . G . W . Middlesex , Mason P . P . G . D . Middlesex , Kennard 145 , Palmer P . M . 11 , Hubbard W . M . 22 , R . Roberts P . M . 209 , F . Croaker W . M . 185 , Tubbs 749 , W . Rudderforth P . M . 1668 , Price 1744 , Roberts S . W . 65 , J . Wheaton 1185 , H . Jay 174 , G . Bashford 1604 , J . Pigotfc 753 , and others .

LODGE OF ECONOMY , No . 76 . THE installation of the * W . M . elect ( Bro . G . J . Nixon ) of this Lodge took place on Monday afternoon , 30 th ult ., at the hall , Parchment-street , Winchester , in the presence of a full Lodge , amongst the visitors being the R . W . Prov . G . Master ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ) , and Bro . T . P . Payne , of Southampton . The beautiful ceremonv of installation was ablv nerformed bv Bro . . Tamnq Harris

P . M ., who , afc its conclusion , received deserved commendation for his good work . Having placed the WM . in the chair , he proceeded , on his behalf , to invest the Officers , as under , adding to the pleasurable honour of tbe investment by the few well-chosen words of brotherl y encouragement he addressed to each : —Bros . J . Murray P . G . S .

I . P . M ., Captain Hall S . W ., W . H . Jacob J . W ., T . Stopher P . M . Treasurer , W . Gamon P . M . Secretary , W . Sealey S . D ., J . Marks J . D ., J . T . Clifton and W . Stopher Stewards , E . D . Godwin P . M . Master of Ceremonies , W . Lumsden Assistant Master of Ceremonies , T . Dodd Organist , G . T . Cox I . G ., Sims Tyler . An excellent banquet was flerved by Mr . Spriggs , of the Boyal Hotel , and about thirty sat down .

ROYAL CLARENCE LODGE , No . 271 . THE annnal installation meeting of the brethren of this Lodge took place on Friday afternoon , 20 th ult ., in the Pavilion . Among the members of the Lodge present were Bros . F . Snndius Smith W . M ., T . C . Woodman S . W .. A . King J . W ., C . J . Corder P . M . Secretary , J . Dennant S . D ., F . Cecil Parsons J . D ., J . W . Campbell Master of Ceremonies , Herbert Langton I . G .. T . Hughes Tyler , H . H . Hughes Assistant Tyler ; J . P . M . Smith P . M ., G . C . D'AlbiacH . J .

, Infield , George de Paris , W . H . Stnckie P . M ., J . P . King , L . Dowdall , and R . J . Rogers . Among the Visitors were Bros . J . R . Holland , M . P ., Hova Ecclesia 1466 , W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., P . G . S . Lodge of Friendship 6 , F . Graves P . M . Fitzroy 569 , Lewis Lewis W . M . Yarborough 811 , G . Nash W . M . Royal York 315 , VV . R . Wood A . G . P . England P . M . Royal York 315 , J . Large Windsor Castle 771 , G . Cole S . D . St . Cecilia 1636 , T . Billing Royal Brunswick 732 . Bro . J . C .

Woodman , the newly-elected W . M ., was installed into bis office , and the retiring W . M ., Bro . Snndins Smith , was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel . The brethren then adjourned to the banquetin " room , where a sumptuous repast was served , the newly-elected W . M . presiding . Vocal selections were given by Bios . J . Large , J . Dennant , F . Snndius Smith , A . King , G . Cole , and T . Billing . Bro . J . R . Hollond , M . P ., gave a pianoforte solo , which was received with considerable applause .

ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 1247 . rPHE annual banquet of this Lodge was held at Bro . C . Walter ' s , J . Farley Hotel , Plymouth , on Wednesday , 1 st inst . \ V . Bro . J . Kinton Bond , B . A ., B . Sc , & c , the Master , presided , supported liy his Officers and a large nnmber of brethren . Letters , regretting in . ability to attend , were read from Lord Ebrington , M . P ., I ' . G . M . of Devon , and from the Earl of Monut Edgcnmbe P . G . M . of Cornwall .

The Lodge , long celebrated for the musical attainments of its members , fully sustained its reputation . The songs , glees , and selections , rendered by Bros . Kendle , Gibbons , Barter , Goodall , Firks , Lancaster , Dyke , and Tracey were much admired , and fcho readings of Bros . Twose , Pike , aud Greenlaw were simply perfect . In the course of

Installation Meetings, &C.

the evening a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel was given to the I . P . M ., engraved as follows : — "Presented to W . Bro . P . G . L . Pearce , by the brethren of Lodge 1247 , as a token of their esteem and fraternal regards , 1 st February A . L . 5882 . " The usual loyal , patriotic

and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The W . Master was much congratulated on hia position and the prosperity of his Lodge , and the thanks of the Visitors were tendered to those who had so successfully catered for the enjoyment of all . Thanks were also given to Mrs . and Bro . C . Walter for their excellent entertainment .

St . John of Wapping Lodge , No . 1306 . —The regular meeting of this Lodge took place on Wednesday , 8 th February , afc Bro . Kingston ' s , the Moorgate Tavern , 15 Finsbury-pavement , when there was a good attendance of the brethren . The W . M ., Bro . J . Magrath , occupied the chair , and was ably supported by the indefatigable I . P . M ., Bro . Veal , in addition to the other Officers and

brethren , as follow : —Bros . T . Wooding S . W ., J . Horsley J . W ., Beck P . M . Treasurer , A . G . Clements Hon . See , T . J . Tyer S . D ., 3 . Couture J . D ., J . G . Twinn D . C , J . Sommers Wine Steward , G . T . Holdom I . G ., J . Loftus Steward ; alsoBros . J . W . Dawson P . M ., T . J . Tarling , G . Wise , J . Carrociero , C Hansmann , C . Whybrow , T . Morris , J . Oxley , J . M . Stevens , F . Crawley , H . T . Hardy , T . J . Barnes Jan .,

C . Rayner . Visitors—Bros . T . Hammond P . M . Euphrates 212 and 1310 , W . J . Bassetfc Euphrates 212 , F . Honeyman Goooh 1238 , T . Loane D . C . Langthorno 1421 , Sherwin Organist Capper 1076 . After the reading and confirmation of tbe minntes , tbe Lodge proceeded to ballot for Bro . Samuel Matthew Pipe , and as ifc proved unanimous in his favour , he was duly received and initiated into the

ancien t and honourable Order . The W . M . brought forward a proposition for a candidate , which was seconded and carried subject to ballot , and the Secretary having announced a letter received from Bro . P . M . Poore , acknowledging the honour conferred upon him by the Lodge in electing him an honorary member , the Lodge closed in due form with solemn prayer , and adjourned till the second

Wednesday in the ensuing month . The brethren sat down to a sumptuous repast provided by the proprietor , and if quantity had anything to do with the enjoyment of those assembled , then it certainly presented itself in ample form . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and honoured during the evening . The W . M . in proposing the health of the Initiate , spoke of him in a very

praiseworthy manner , and sincerely hoped , and there was apparently no cause to doubt , thafc he would prove himself a worthy brother * After the usual hearty Wapping fires , the Initiate replied in a few , but well chosen , words . The Visitors' toasfc having been responded to . Bro . Veal I . P . M . took possession of the gavel , and said he bad a pleasing duty to perform ; namely , to propose the

health of the Worshipfnl Master , and in doing so he felt compelled to tell the brethren , and he knew from experience , that not only a deal of responsibility , but a considerable amount of labour , was attached to that office , both in and out of the Lodge . He doubted whether many of the brethren present ( excepting the Secretary ) knew what that labour comprised . For his part he could speak

feelingly on such matters , as he had already passed the position which Brother Magrath held . When he himself passed out of the ohair he was proud to say that the Lodge was left in a much better position than he found it , and ho was really glad to see how the present W . M ., whose year of office was fast dying out , had striven , and to all appearances with success , to leave the chair with

the same resnlfc as he had . As the time was quickly passing he would not detain them longer , bub would ask them to be upstanding and make a good hot fire for their Worshipful Master . The Worshipful Master , in reply , thanked the brethren for the unanimous way in which they had responded to tbe toast ; if what he had done in the affairs of the Lodge met with their approbation ,

he was only too pleased . It was all very well to speak of the prosperons way in which the Lodge was moving , but he could nofc take all the credit to himself , as it of course mainly depended upon the support he received from the brethren . He could honestly say that he was favoured with a capital staff of Officers , who knew not only their particular dnties , but were capable of undertaking anything

they might be called upon to discharge . It mattered nofc , so to speak , if any Officer was absent ; he had only to say , Brother So-and-So , do this or do that , and the business proceeded . There was one thing in respecfc to financial matters that might be referred to , and that was to tell the brethren that , when they

appointed him their W . M ., he found the balance of accounts on the wrong side , although Bro . Veal their I . P . M . had succeeded in reduc ing it dnring his year of office . Thoy wonld be pleased to hear thafc the balance- was now on the right side , however small ifc might be , and he would endeavour to keep it so , and trusted his successor would assume the office he now held with tho same determination . He bad

not many more meetings to preside over , bnt he hoped , with their assistance , to retire from the chair and leave tho Lodge with a moro favourable balance iu hand than it then had . The Officers' toast was acknowledged by tbo S . W . aud J . W . Many of the brethren exercised their musical abilities dnring tho evening , ancl the Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant meeting to a close .

A fund is being raised in tlio Province of Oxfordshire to present the Prov . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Dnke of Albany , with a wedding present . Subscri ptions are limited to ; £ l Is , and about £ 100 has been alread y raised , b * cit fuvihcT Ptibscri p tions from any former members of the Province will be g ladl y received at the Old Bank , Oxford .

Answer To A Correspondent.

ANSWER TO A CORRESPONDENT .

M . S . ( South Africa ) . —Wo do not thiuk the publication of cither of your communications would bo desirable .