Installation Meetings, &C.

SWAN OF AVON LODGE , No . 2133

WERE we asked to acconnt for the success which attends some Lodges , and the failure of ethers , under apparently similar oi * o'in . * t ! i' ( -r ! f , we confess a task would present itself which we _> h ..-. kl tiud it very difficult to deal witb . There are some things in Freemasonry , as well as outside ifc , which baffle explanation , and

which cannot be satisfactorily accounted for on any general principles , and this subject , on tbat account , becomes one of the most difficult we are called upon to deal with . With equal justice we might point to the prosperity or the apathy in regard to Freemasonry in certain districts . In some quarters one or mor ^ Lodges flourish in the most

Fatisfnctory manner , while in other ? , which seem to present exactly similar features , Freemasonry languishes , or at best only carries on a kindt f precarious existence ; never rising to any position , or making any impression on the surrounding district . On this principle we may perhaps acconnt for the fact t ^ at the town of Stratford-on-Avon

was for many years dnring the last decade unrepresented on tho Roll of Grand Lodge , in spite of its being one of the besfc known places throughout fche world . As the birthplace of Shakespeare , it has perhaps received more attention from students and others than any place of similar dimensions , while the number of inquiries

which have taken place with the view of proving whether Shakespeare was n Freemason or not would , we shonld have thought , have given it a Masonic tendency strong enough to maintain afc least one good Lodge . But past events prove the contrary . On the 28 th June 1859 a Lodge was warranted for the town , and was

consecrnted there under fche title of the Bard of Avon , with the number 1080 on the Register of Grand Lodge . When the revision of numbers took place in 1863 , this Lodge became No . 778 , and about this time ifc appears to have sunk to a very low ebb ; indeed , it bardly existed , its membership being only just sufficient fco keep

its name on the Roll . In 1872 a dispensation was granted , authorising the removal of the Lodge , and tbat year it found a new home—as Bro . Lane tells us in bis " Masonio Records "—afc the Angel Hotel , Staines ; it was subsequently removed , in 1873 , to the Greyhound , Hampton Coutfc , and in 1884 fco the Mitre Hotel at the same

plac <» , and there it has since continued to meet . From the time that Stratford lost the " Bard of Avon , " in 1872 , until two years since , it was without a Masonio Lodge , a fact which , as we have said , is to be wondered at , when we consider the numerous attempts which have been made to associate Shakespeare , and throngh him

fche place of his birth , with the Craft . The Lodge which two years back filled the void at Stratford-on-Avon , is known as the Swan of Avon , No . 2133 , and its members celebrated , on Tuesday , fcheir third installation , on which occasion Bro . George Boy den waa duly inducted into the chair of King Solomon . The meeting of Tuesday

took place at the headquarters of the Union Club , and was presided over by Bro . C R . Garnett VV . M . Prov . G . D ., who was supported by a goodly array of members and visiting brethren . The business of the meeting comprised the confirmation of the rules of the Masonic Club , nn institution which has sprung up in connection with the Lodge .

and thest . having heon considered by the brethren , the third degree was conferred on Bro . Everard , after which the W . M .-elect was presented aud installed . In both these ceremonies the work was fmried out with a strict regard to detail ; and in a manner wo p . lilom witness either in London or the Provinces . The Worohipful

M . ist ' r appointed the Lodge Officers for the year , viz .: —Bros . 0 . Jusiins S . W ., J . F . Burke J . W ., A . C . Pickering Treasurer , J , Smith Secretary , E Bit en S D ., J . Downing J . D ., J . H . Caseley Organist , G . M . " Bird D . C , T . C New I . G ., E . Deer Steward , R . Lunn Charity Steward , J . Wilmore Tsler . Brother Garnett now delivered

the addresses , aud on the completion of the ceremony was warmly complimented on the satisfactory termination of his labours ; these had extended over the two years since the consecration of the Lodge . A Life Governorship was then drawn for from the funds of fche Charitable Association which has been established iu connection

with the Lodge , aud other matters having been disposed of the Lodge wa . closed . The following Visitors were present : —Bros . E . J . Seymour P . G . S . W . P . M . 301 , F . Binckes P . G . S . B .. G . M . Fayerman P . M . 395 , Jas . Collins I . P . M . 5 ( J 7 , W . H . S . Pinner I . P . M . 395 , H . D . Morin S . W . 395 , A . B . Ilolie P . M . 10 U , J . Bidding . on P . P . G . A . D C

P . M . 567 , W . W . Morgan P . M . 211 , C . J . Collins W . M . 74 , M . J . J . owlry 1507 , W . Martin .. ' v ., S . A . L . Swann 51 ( I . C ) , H . Haynea P . M . 281 , & c The a' > nti . 1 banquet followed , the catering bning in tho hands of Brother E . Deor , under whose direction the tables hnd been most artistically laid out . A great portion of the success nnder

this head was due to the profusion of flowers which had been provided by Mrs . Hill , the wife of an esteemed member of the Lod «* e and to whom a special compliment was paid for her kindly help . At the conclusion of the banquet , the customary list was honoured . Speaking to the first toast , the Queen and the Craft , the Worshipfnl

Master rehVm-d to the gigantic strides Fieemasonry bad made since lier Majesty hud been seated on the throne of England . The Senior Warden gave the second toast , bis Royal Highness tho Prince of Wales , K . G ., M . W . G . M ., which was heartily received . Thfc third toa . t—the Pro Grand Master and the Grand Officers generally—was

proposed by Bro . Pa . t Master Alderman Bird , and with it was siaKoe-inted the name of Bro . Frederick Binckes P . G . Sword Bearer . Our popular brother , in teply , fully recognised the importance and . •ouiprohensivt . ness of the toast entrusted to him . Bro . Pickering propesed the fouith toast , aud made happy allusion to the popularity

which Lord Leij-h hnd gained for himself as Provincial Grand _ ..- > ster . He had { riven a vast impetus to Freemasonry in Warwickshire , and was well and favourable knowu to every Freemason in the Province . Bro . Evt-rard proposed fche Deputy Pior . Grand Master , m

the absence of the Deputy associated with it the name of Bro . Lo : d Jviward Seymour , who , in responding , regretted the absence of Bro Collin * . For himself he was proud to be a guest at the Swan of Avon Lodge . Two years back be had assisted at the consecration , nnd was highly gratified at tho way in which ih . Lodge bad progressed since . The health of the Worshipful Master was nexfc given

Installation Meetings, &C.

by Bro . Game . fc I . P . M ., and in reply , Bro . Boyden stated ifc had been remarked he must be a brave man to follow so capable a Master as Bro . Garnett . Well , ho thonght so , but he hoped to prove , by hia

actions , that he had not been rash iu taking the office . He should strive to fulfil his duties satisfactorily , and hoped the brethren would nofc have occasion to exercise the quotation , " Oh , what a falling off was there . " Whou the Master next rose he referred to the

establishment of the Lodge , two years previously . He spoke of the energy and zeal shown by the Immediate Past Master , _ vho had been a constant attendant afc tho Lodge of Instruction , and had spared no exertion to advance tho cause of Freemasonry in Stratford-on-Avon . He had now the pleasure of presenting to Bro . Garnett a Past Master ' s

jewel , which had been unanimously voted by the members , as a mark of their appreciation . In reply , Bro . Garnett said he felfc afc a loss how to express himself . Of one thing , however , he was assured , —fche brethren knew how to keep a secret ; this had been fully borne out by the surprise which had come upon him when their Master

presented tbe jewel he bad just received . He had never anticipated anything of tbe sort , and , perhaps , had he been consulted in the matter , he should have said—No . He assured them he appreciated the many compliments that had been paid him . The toasfc of the Visitors was entrusted to tha Junior Warden , and was responded to bv Bro .

Collins , who spoke of the estimable manner in which the work of the Lodge had been carried ont . Brother Morgan also responded , and thanked the brethren generally for the hospitality they had shewn , and the general desire every one iu the Lodge had evinced to minister to the comfort of their guests . For the Past Masters Bro .

Bird replied . Brother Lnnn , tho Charity Steward , submitted the toasfc of fche Masonio Charities , and iu the course of an excellent and well-considered speech sketched in outline the establishment of the Masonio Institutions and the progress they had severally made . Prother Binckes replied ; he referred to the unique and eloquent

manner in which the toast had been introduced by Brother Lunn . The element of charity evidently pervaded the Lodge . As had frequently been remarked Freemasonry mnst not be looked upon , in any shape or form , as a benefit society . Bro . Binckes spoke in the most appreciative terms of the services rendered by their Provincial Grand

Master to the Institutions , more particularly the one which he had tho honour of being associated with . The Festival of the year 1862 was the first one with which he was most directly associated in his then new capacity of Secretary , and on that occasion Lord Leigh did them the hononr to preside . At that Festival the Stewards

collected a total of £ 3 , 600 . Since then Lord Leigh had repeated that kindness , and had presided on more than one occasion , and the Institutions fully recognised whafc he and his Province had done for them . The brethren of Warwickshire had invariably supported the Charities , aud five years back nobly contributed

their share towards securing that Grand total whioh , even up to now , stands an unbeaten record as regards charitable contributions . He especially acknowledged his indebtedness to Bro . Pearce , who bad kindly promised to place afc his disposal the amount he had eeaured that evening . He appreciated the efforts which were being

made on behalf of tho Central Institutions , notwithstanding the counter claims of Local Funds . Brother Binckes's remarks throughout were received with much favour , and the happy allusions he made to local surroundings were heartily applauded . The other toasts comprised the Officers of the Lodge , and thafc of tho Tyler ,

which latter brought the business to a conclusion . The proceedings of the evening were diversified by songs and recitations , while on the following day several prominent members of the Lodge did their best

to make the visit a memorable oue for their guests . The many features of interest with which the borough abounds were visited , and their special association with the Immortal Bard was fully brought home to those entertained .

ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE . No . 1585

A REGULAR meeting was held at the Fox and Hounds Hotel , Putney , on Wednesday , the 1 st instant . Bros . Collings W . M ., Williams S . W ., Wing J . W ., Watkins Treasurer , Robinson P . M . Sec , Harding S . D , Sandalls J . D ., Oliver I . G ., Walkeley Tyler , Collick I . P . M ., Pardee P . M ., Boehr P . M ., Mansell P . M ., and sixteen other brethren . Before opening the Lodge Brother Collings , alluding to

the death of Brother Strong , tho W . M ., stated that before his illness had reached its fatal termination , their Brother had written , asking him to take tho chair thafc evening , and Brother Collick having gracefully acquiesced he thonght the Lodge could not do better than carry out tho wishes of their late Master . The Lodge was opened in

due form , and the minutes of the lasfc meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . Grover , Hunt and Green were raised to the third degree . Bros . Desmond and Organ were passed to tho degreo of F . C . A b . llofc waa then taken for Mr . Arthur Tite , who was originally proposed by tho lata W . M ., seconded by Bro . Robinson ;

also for Mr . George Arthur Knight , proposed by Brother Grundy and seconded by Bro . Harding . The ballot proved in favour of these candidates . Mr . Tite was not present , but Mr . Knight was duly initiated by Bro . Collick , Bro . Collings having temporarily vacated the chair . On the W . M . rising , fche Secretary read letters from two

members , tendering their resignations . These were accepted , with r ? gret . Brother Tildesley proposed and Brother Robinson seconded Mr . F . W . Foord for initiation at nexfc meeting . Brother Wing , as au old friend , proposed a vote of condolence from the Lodge to the widow and family of tbe late Brother Scrong , and that a wreath from

tbe Lodge be sent to the funeral . This was seconded by Brother Collings , and , supported by several other brethren , was carried unanimously . After hearty good wishes , Lodge was closed in due form . Owing to the bereavement the Lodge had sustained the usual banquet was deferred .

At the Albion , Aldersgate-street , on Monday , 6 _ h inst-., Bro . H . H . Wells was installed as Worshipful Master of the St . Botolph ' s Lodge .