Instruction.

complimented the Brethren who had worked the sections in such faultless manner that night . Especially had they to thank those Brethren who had officiated in the place of others who were absent , and whose names were included in the programme .

Bro . George Miles W . M . 1351 said he could not let the opportunity pass without especially thanking the Brethren of the Friars Lodge for their attendance , and their beautiful working of the Sections . He hoped to have the opportunity of renewing their acquaintance on many occasions in years to come .

The usual compliments to the W . M . and others concluded the pro ceedings .

CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 , AT the Windsor Castle Hotel , Hammersmith , on Saturday , 4 th inst ., Bros . A . J . Swash W . M ., W . Atkinson S . W ., K . M . Ross J . W ., Arthur Williams P . M . Preceptor , R . Josey P . M Sec , W . Hide P . M . S . D ., W . Hiscocks J . D ., J . H . Cumming P . M . I . G ., Past Masters E . Fox , P . Cronin , S . W . Keene ; Bros . H . J . Cousens , S . J . Parker , L . Walsh , W . Handover , J . Potter , and several others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Cousens acting as the candidate . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , and Bro . Keene answered the questions and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bro . Atkinson was elected to act as W . M . on the next occasion .

Bro . S . J . Parker W . M . of the Fulham Lodge was eleoted a member , and on the proposition of the Preceptor a hearty votes of thanks was passed to Bro . A . J . Swa » h W . M .-elect of the Vitruvian Lodge , No . 87 , for presiding in the Lodge for the first time .

Provincial .

PROVINCIAL .

— : o : — LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . AN ordinary meeting of this Lodge was held on Wednesday , at the Royal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend . Bro . Alfred J . Walklin W . M . presided , and was assisted by Bros . J . N . Willis S . W ., William Hawker P . M . acting J . W ., R . J-. Beamish P . M ., Arthur Ronaldson P . A . G . S . Secretary , T . T . Hogg P . M . Treasurer , Ernest Ingman S . D ., J . A . Gillett J . D . ' , and Percy Bowen acting I . G .. .

There were also present Bros . J . P . Moore P . M ., Henry Forss P . M . ; Orlton Cooper P . M ., T . A . Mummery , Robert Matthews , G . A . Grant , J . Hewison , A . Martin , A . E . Lockhart , G . C . Webster , A . J . Walkhn junr ., T . Kemp , Geo . C . Realff , H . Pettingale , Dr . Thurnell , J . Fothergill , R . L . Cosh , H . White ,

AcVisitors : Bros . J . G . Turner P . M . 299 , T . S . Sutton 1329 , William Field 2290 , Edward Simpson 903 . The Lodge having been duly opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Treasurer's report was received . The ballot was then taken and proved unanimous in favour of Bro . Sidney Blandford , of the Zetland Lodge , No . 515 , as a joining member , and of Mr . Arthur Tiilk , as a candidate for initiation . The name of another candidate was wisely postponed , because neither the proposer or seconder were present to vouch for him .

The Lodge was then advanced to the second degree , when Bro . George Arthur Oldland answered the necessary questions , and was subsequently raised to the sublime degree , and took his seat in the Lodge as a Mastor Mason . Mr . Tulk being in attendance was admitted , and was duly obligated as

an Apprentice in our ancient Order , and invested in that degree . Both the ceremonies were very ably performed by Bro . Walklin , and evidently made an impression on both Candidates . Owing to the lateness of the hour the advancement of Bro . J . A . Smith to the second degree was po .-tponed to the next meeting .

A letter was read from Earl Amherst , thanking the Lodge for their vote of congratulation upon his appointment as Pro Grand Master , and also granting his patronage to the Lodge Ball , which takes place on 13 th inst . It will be remembered that Lord Amherst is also Provincial Grand Master of Kent .

Bro . Orlton Cooper returned thanks for the compliment conferred upon him by his election as honorary member of the Lodge . There being no other business the Visitors tendered their hearty good wishes , and the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony . The Brethren then adjourned to supper , after which a very enjoyable evening was spent .

LODGE . OF INSTRUCTION , No . 581 . THE meeting held on the 31 st ult ., at the Old Boar ' s Head , Manchester under the Preceptorship of Bro . Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . ' though not rich in numbers was a very successful one so far as work was concerned . Lodge was opened by Bro . H . E . Massie , who afterwards vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Geo . W . Davies P . M ., the latter rehearsing the ceremony of raising , assisted by Bros . G . T . Lenard as S . W ., M . Goth as J . W ., R . W . Nuttall as S . D ., and James Cooper as J . D . Bro . J . W . Hunston Waverley Lodge , No . 1322 , a visitor , acted aB candidate . '

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . THE regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Chorlton-cum-Hardv on Friday , 3 rd inst ., Bro . I . R . E . Birkett W . M ., there being a good attendance . 5 6 u The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed Bro . ( jeorge H . Smith was passed to the degree of F . C . by the W . M Bro 0 T . Tallent-Bateraan was afterwards raised to the sublime degree of M M bv Bro . Henry Nail P . M . P . P . G / Treas . The working tools of both degrees were presented and explained b y Bro . H . W . Bloomer J . W

•» T „ o ™ 0 fficers then took P ^ ce , with the result that Bro John M . Crone S . W . was unanimousl y chosen as Worshi pful Master-elect , and his installation into the principal chair will take place on Friday , 3 rd March At the festive board , Loyal and Masonic toasts were varied by sones & a f » "i ? Bros . Bloomer , Nail , Denholm , Bateman , and John Travers P M 1387 . Others visitors were Bros . Charles Cooper P M 1588 P P A G P A ' Dawson Sec . 2231 , and Jas . McEvoy J . D . 1588 .

Provincial .

FOSTER GOUGH LODGE , No . 2706 . THE festival of St . John and installation of Worshipful Master took place at the Borough Hall , Stafford , on Saturday , 28 th ult . The consecration of the Lodge was in March last year , and membership is confined to Masters and Past Masters . From the opportunities thus given to leaders of the Order to freely interchange opinion on all points of Masonic ritual and practice , it is hoped that progress and advantage will acorue throughout the Province .

The Earl of Dartmoutn Provincial Grand Master and first Master of the Foster Gough . Lodge presided , and among others present were Lieut .-Col . Bindley , V . D ., P . G . Deacon England I . P . M ., the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , ' M . P ., P . G . M : for West Yorkshire , and Bro . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Secretary . After the opening of the Lodge , five new members were elected , and a large number of nominations w . ere received of joining members .

Lord Dartmouth presented the Lodge with a beautiful banner , worked by Miss Winterbottom , of Stone , as a memento of a very pleasant year of office , which he would always look back upon with pleasure and satisfaction . The banner is of the usual size and proportions , having a ground of Provincial blue bearing the Arms of the Province in the centre in the proper colouring , with a P . M . 's jewel in gold over ; and surmounted by the Staffordshire Knot . The whole is encircled by a festooned ribbon , on which are inscribed the words , " Foster Gough Lodge , No . 2706 . " The banner is fringed with gold .

On the motion of Bro . Frank James , seconded by Rev . V . Litchfield , a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the noble lord for his handsome gift , and was ordered to be inscribed on the minutes . Lord Dartmouth conducted the ceremony of installation in an able and impressive manner ' , the new Master being Bro . J . Bodenham P . A . G . D . C . England P . P . G . S . W ., who regularly invested his Officers .

The new W . M ., after he had been installed , presented to Lord Dartmouth , on behalf of the Officers of the Lodge for the past year , a gold Past Master ' s jewel , as a mark of appreciation of the interest his lordship had taken in the work . The Worshipful Master , in thanking the Lodge for the honour of being placed in the chair , said that to preside over a Lodge representing the Installed Masters of so important a Province was a distinction of which any

Brother might reasonably be proud . The establishment of an Installed Masters Lodge was no new idea in this Province . Thirty-three years ago such a Lodge was sanctioned , with the present Senior Grand Warden of England Lord Burton as its first Master . Unfortunate circumstances prevented its consecration , and the Warrant was after a time returned . They numbered one or two of the petitioners among the present founders . The revival of the idea was in the mind of the late P . G . M . Col . Foster Gough ,

but he was not spared to fulfil all his aspirations . Two years ago it appeared to some of them that the time was ripe for an attempt to form such a Lodge , and an appeal to the Province met with a response far exceeding any possible anticipation , the list of founders having over 100 names . The . movement was most materially helped by the cordiality with which Lord Dartmouth accepted the position of Master , not only giving the advantage of his official countenance , but thoroughly entering into the duties of the office . The

masterly way in which he had undertaken the ceremony of that day was proof , if any were needed , that they had his hearty support and sympathy . In this connection he should also like especially to acknowledge the great services rendered by Col . Bindley . Referring to the future , the Worshipful Master said that during the present year he proposed , with the assent of the Lodge Committee ,, to devote one quarterly meeting to a paper by some competent Brother , and the other to a ceremonial rehearsal . He felt it was desirable that some scheme for the employment of the limited time at their

disposal should be agreed upon , and it was his intention to ask the Committee and the Officers of the Lodge to meet him at an early date to consider the details . Without order and system , their work would have a tendenoy to lack result . As an aid to Masonic study-and research , he would suggest to the Lodge the desirability of taking into consideration the formation of a library and museum for the Province . They would hope that as years rolled on succeeding generations would see reason Co own that a good work was done in the establishment of the Foster Gough Lodge .

Apologies were announced from Lord Leigh P . G . M . Warwickshire ( who sent his hearty good wishes to the founders and Brethren ) , the Marquis of Hertford , Sir John B . Monckton , J . H . Matthews President of the Board of Benevolence , the Ven . Archdeacon Stevens , Frank Richardson P . G . D ., R . Clay Sudlow P . G . Std . Br ., J . M . McLeod , Sir A . F . Godson P . G . M .

Worcestershire , G . Beech P . G . Std . B . Eng . D . P . G . M . Warwickshire , G . 0 . Kent Asst . G . D . C . Eng ., and many other distinguished Brethren and members of the Lodge . A sum of ten guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , of which Lord Dartmouth is a Steward for the year . A collection made in the Lodge realised six guineas .

Lord Dartmouth presented the Lodge with a portrait of himself , taken in his Masonic regalia , at the time of the visit to Longton of the Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince of Wales .

Before closing the Lodge , on the motion of Lord Dartmouth , seconded by Col . Bindley , a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Mayor of Stafford ( Mr . W . C . T . Mynors ) for kindly granting the use of the Mayor ' s Parlour for the occasion . Following the proceedings in Lodge , a banquet was provided at the

Swan Hotel , where excellent arrangements had been made for the comfort of the Brethren . The newly-installed Master Bro . John Bodenham presided , and a unique feature of the toast-list was the introduction of quotations from " The Garden of the Muses , " compiled by John Bodenham , A . D . 1600 . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

. Bro . Pepper , in submitting the toast of the Rulers and Officers of Grand Lodge , referred to the recent appointment of the Earl of Warwick as Deputy Grand Master , and congratulated the Craft on the addition to their rulers of so distinguished a nobleman . The Grand Secretary and Bro . Spaull ( Derbyshire ) replied and joined in congratulating the Lodge upon the masterly way in which the ceremonies of the day had been carried out by the Provincial Grand Master .

Lord Dartmouth ' s health was proposed from the chair , and drunk with musical honours and ' cheers for Lady Dartmouth and Viscount Lewisham . His Lordship replied in terms of cordial congratulation upon the success of the Lodge and the harmonious character of that day ' s proceedings , and acknowledged the kindly feelings which had prompted the reference to Lad y Dartmouth and their son .

Lieut .-Col . Walker replied to the toast of his health and that of the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , and was able to give assurance that the Province was gjing on satisfactorily . He asked for assistance through the Lodges to the Benevolent Fund in connection with the Stewardship ° of the Prov . G . M . r The memory of the late Col . Foster Gough was proposed from the chair and pledged in solemn silence .