Notice Of Meetings.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — LODGE OF UNION , No . 414

A REGULAR meeting of this Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Grey friars-road , Reading , on Tnesday , the 17 th nit ., nnder tho presidency of Bro . Michael John Withers Prov . G . Junior Deacon , the Worshipful Master , on which occasion Bro . James Stevens P . M . P . Z . attended , on the invite of the Lodge , for the purpose of delivering his popular lecture on the ritual and ceremonial of

the firsfc degree . The attendance waa unfortunately not nearly so large as had been anticipated , an important political meeting having been appointed for the same evening , and regrets and apologies for absence were very numerous . The Chaplain of the Lodge , Bro . the Rev . Canon Garry , desired special mention of his disappointment in

not being able to occupy his position . Among those present were Bros . D . H . Witherington S . W ., P . Blaekwell J . W ., Chas . Stephens P . M . Prov . G . Treasurer Berks and Bucks , Robert Bradley Prov . G . Secretary , Charles Oades P . M ., Albert W . Parry Secretary , John W . Martin S . D ., C . G . Hawkes J . D ., J . R . Hayward Organist , 0 . J . R .

Steward I . G ., H . P . Knill , Bernard Ruddock , "P . J . Wellman , G . S . Gait , W . G . Millar , Henry Higgs , W . J . Maurice , and others . "Visitors : —Bros . James Stevens P . M . P . Z ., Alexander Sellar P . M . 414 , T . P . Stevens , C . Slaughter , W . G . Flanagan P . M . 1101 ; H . G . Sherwin , Walter Blaekwell 1024 ; R . H . Reilly , P . J . Lawes 2043 ; the

Rev . J . D . Dunlap , Cambridge University Lodge ; John Miller 723 , and others . The Lodge was opened in due form , and the previous minntes having been read , and a report from the Permanent Committee received , the Worshipfnl Master formally introduced Bro , Stevens to the meeting for the delivery of his lecture . After a few

introdnctory remarks on the nature and objects of his address , the lecturer proceeded to explain his views in relation to the form of ritual and ceremonial which had been adopted for the general observ . ance of the Craft at the formation of the United Grand Lodge in 1813 , and in regular order , through the ceremonies of opening and

initiation , pointed ont the many divergences from such original form which had arisen , more particularly dnring the past quarter of a century . For two hours , without intermission , Bro . Stevens rivetted the attention of his audience , whilst giving most lucid explanations of , and reasons for , fche numerous points in working in respect of which

a perfect understanding is necessary for a full appreciation of the " connection of the whole system of Freemasonry , and the relative dependency of its several paits . " Most instructive in every respect , the lecturer could ni / fc fuil to leave many iinpottunt points for future consideration by his hearers , although it may be said that perfect

agreement on all may not follow . Being purely such an address as can only be given when " close tyled , " it should be heard by Freemasons wherever opportunity for its delivery may arise , and , judging from its reception on this occasion , and , as we are informed , on manv former occesions , it should be the desire of every good working

Lodge to learn from Bro . Stevens " the reason why " for much that they do and say in Masonio ceremonial . At the close of the lecture on the proposition of tbe Worshipful Master , seconded by Bro . Chas Stephens P . M . Prov . G . Treasurer , a cordial vote of thanks , with complimentary remarks on the address he had given , was nnanimously

accorded to Bro . Stevens , who acknowledged the same in suitable terms . Propositions for initiation having been made , and greetings exchanged , the Lodge was closed in due form , with harmony , and the

brethreu adjourned to the Great Western Hotel , where snpper had been prepared . A pleasant hour or two was passed in social converse , enlivened by song and recitation , before the brethren separated , well pleased with the Masonic work of the evening .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1524 THE members of this Lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Thursday , 25 tb nit ., when the brethren appeared in mourn , ing , for Bro . Chapman P . M . The Lodge having been opened in dne form , the minntes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . A ballot was taken for Mr . John Henry "Ellis—after being proposed by Bro . Caperee , and seconded by Bro . East—and it

was carried without a dissentient . The Lod ge then opened in the second degree , when Bros . Potter and Goddard were instructed to retire , and , upon their withdrawal , the Lodge resolved itself into the third degree , and fche aforesaid gentlemen were raised to the degree of Master Mason . The Lodge being resumed in the first degree , two

candidates were proposed for initiation at the next meeting . The Worshipfnl Master rising for the second time , the Immediate Past Master proposed that the nsual Past Master ' s jewel—value ten guineas—be presented to Bro . Ferrar on his leaving the chair , and this proposition was carried unanimously . Bro . P . M . Payne

proposed , and Bro . P . M . Dignam seconded , that fche sum of five guineas should be given to the widow of their late P . M . Chapman , from the Charity box ; thia was agreed to . At the election for Wor . flbipful Master for the ensuing year Bro . Polak was unanimously

chosen . Bro . P . M . Brand was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Marsh Tyler . The Audit Committee was re-appointed . The Lodge closed in the usual manner , and the convivial gathering took place afterwards .

EBORACUM LODGE , No . 1611 . AT fche installation meeting of this Lodge , held on the 8 fch nit ., at York , a valuable presentation was made by Bro . Frank Smith P . M . 837 , in fche shape of an engraving , somewhat rare , in a perfect state , representing a view of the city of York , taken in 1740 , by Nathan Drake , from the Kew Walk ou the side of the river Ouse .

Notice Of Meetings.

The chief Masonio interest of this engraving , which was executed by Grigium , is found in the fact that the "New Walk" was laid out and planted in 1830 by Bro . John Marsden , a member of the Grand Lodge of All England at York , wbo was an apothecary and a member of the Corporation . The engraving is emblematically framed in oak , and is inscribed : " Presented to the Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 , on th occasion of the installation of Bro . Wm . Brown as W . M ., 8 th Nov ' 1886 , by Bro . F . Smith , P . M . De Grey and Ripon Lodge , 837 , West Yorkshire . "

ST . LEONARD'S LODGE , No . 1766 . THE annual meeting of this Lodge was held on Wednesday , afc the Tcwc Hall , Shoreditch , when Bro . Robert Drysdale waa installed as Worshipful Master for the ensning year . Among those present were Bros . A . Walker W . M ., F . Matthews S . W ., R . Drysdale J . W ., W . H . Brand P . M . Treas ., Joseph Cox Sec , E . Benjamin P . M ., G . T . Barr P . M ., L . Stean P . M ., 0 . F . Barham P . M ., H . Jones P . M .,

A . Clement P . M ., J . Funston P . M ., H . J . Thrower S . D ., L . A . Harrison J . D ., G . C . Yonng P . M . Org ., W . Beasley I . G ., J . W . Griffiths Steward , W . Clarke P . G . P . ( Honorary member ) , and a fair assemblage of lay members , together with the following visitors —S . A . East 1524 * W . H . Lee 1524 Asst . Prov . Grand Seo . Middlesex ,

W . W . Lee 1897 , E . Smith P . M . 1336 P . P . G . J . W . N . Wales and Salop , C . W . Vine 1046 , F . Richardson D . C . 860 , G . Andrews 1420 , W . Walden 49 , 1 " . Horner P . M . 31 , H . Povey P . M . 22 , A . Weston 1929 , H . J . Dutton 1706 , W . H . Baker W . M . 1446 I . P . M . 2020 , R . A . Germains Org . 2033 , F . W . Ayres 1816 , T . Nettleship 1641 , H . R ,

Baker J . W . 2030 , L . V . Walker W . M . elect 22 , F . Reid 901 , G . Harwood 813 , J . Smither S . D . 193 , W . Musto P . M . 1349 , J . Lobb 228 , VV . Medcalf 206 , W . Knighfc 860 , F . Brien P . M . 1076 , A . R . Trew S . W . 959 , J . A . Robson P . M . 1445 , C . Sims 861 , H . Salter S . D . 861 , G . Hodges 1310 , R . J . Sanders 861 , C . W . Cox P . M . 1566 , A . Budd

1446 , J . Smith P . M . 193 , B . Nicholson . Bro . Drysdale having been installed as W . M ., appointed the following as Officers for the year : —Bros . Matthews S . W ., Cox J . W ., Brand P . M . Treas ., Barham P . M . Secretary , Thrower S . D ., Harrison J . D ., Yonng Organist Beasley I . G ., Griffiths D . C , H . J . Scott and S . Batohelor Stewards .

Among other bnsiness transacted was the balloting for Mr . Albert Goldstein and Mr . Joseph Mordecai , candidates for initiation , the result being in favour of these gentlemen , who will be initiated at a future meetimr ; the reception of the Audit Committee ' s report ; the presentation of a Past Master's jewel to Bro . E . Walker , the retiring

Worshipful Master ; and the voting of a jewel to Bro . J . Cox , in recognition of his services as Secretary during the past eight years . Lodge having been closed , the brethren sat down to a banquet , under the presidency of the new Worshipfnl Master , In due course the customary toasts were given from the chair . Tbe Worshipful Master

felt he need only submit the name of Her Majesty to ensure a hearty welcome . All present must wish for the Qneen many more years of health and happiness to reign over her people . Speaking to the next rodst , the Worshipful Master said that what the Grand Master had done , and was doing , was so well known to brethren of the Craft that

they could but honour their ruler . The toast of the Grand Officers was next proposed , and the name of Bro . Clarke P . G . P . was coupled with it . That brother tendered thanks on behalf of the Officers of the Grand Lodge , present and past , for the hearty reception of the toast . He spoke of the kindly manner in which the Pro Grand

Master had presided at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , and considered it was evidence of a deep love for the Craft . His kind words to the many brethren who were then present proved how cordial and capable a Mason we have to take the place of our Royal Grand Master whenever His Royal Highness finds it inconvenient to attend

the meetings ot * the Craft . The Earl of Carnarvon and the Grand Officers generally did their best to uphold the prestige of the Craft . Bro . Clarke said his views as to the holding of Grand Office were well known . He considered that no brother should hold office in Grand Lodge for more than one year , and was pleased to see that

the Craft in general recognized this principle in regard to the only appointment in their hands—that of Grand Treasnrer , which office , since it had become an elective one , had passed out of the hands of its holder at the close of fche year for which he was elected . Bro . Clarke thanked the brethren for the reception he personally met with

whenever he was present at their Lodge . He could hardly believe it was eight years since he had taken part in the consecration of the Lodge , but such was the case , as he bad been reminded thafc night ; he could but congratulate the members on the prosperity which they had attained . Bro , Walker proposed the next toast . He considered

the duty whicb devolved npon him a most honourable and important one to discharge . They were met to greet the ninth Worshipful Master of the Lodge on his installation . The present had been a most successful installation , inasmuch as they bad found a brother who could fill the chair with credit to

himself and honour to the members . The present ruler was initiated in the Lodge some years since , and had worked through fche various offices until he had risen to the highest position ifc was in the power of this or any other Lodge to confer . Bro . Walker had had some little experience of foreign Lodges , and had found that in those of

France , at least , the ruler was designated by the title Venerable . Doubtless there was nofc much difference between the title Worshipful and Venerable , but in this country at least the use of the latter title would at times appear out of place , for while in many cases those who had age and experience were called upon to direct the

affairs of their Lodgea , there were also many occasions when the highest office of the Lodge was filled by a young and far from venerable looking brother . But the brethren of the St . Leonard ' s Lodge that night had a Master eminently qualified

to bear the title both of "Venerable and Worshipful . He was , in every sense of the word , a venerable Worshipful Master , and if they had among them a painter who was desirous of depicting thafc worthy Builder fco whom frequent reference waa nude is the