Meetings Next Week.

an existence of some twenty-five or thirty years that was the first occasion on which the Brethren had invited the ladies to be present at one of their banquets . Some of them had naturally wondered , when they had seen their husband or sweetheart prepare for a night off—in order to attend the Lodge—and return some time the next morning , what was actuallv done at the meetings , and they were

therefore glad of that first insight intowhat really took place at a Masonic banquet . With this experience before them he could only say that if their husbands or sweethearts had enjoyed themselves in the past as much as the ladies had done on the present occasion , had done nothing worse than what had taken place that day , and would promise to invite the ladies to such a pleasant gathering

year by year , then , on their parts , they would not begrudge the members a night off once every two months , to devote to the duties of the Upton Lodge . A lady friend of his was very much opposed to Freemasonry , because a friend of hers had heard from another friend that in the Lodges one member was selected as the Worshipful Master , and all the other members bowed down and worshipped

him . Well , he could only say—as a lady—that if Worshipful Masters as a rule were anything like the Brother who now presided over the Upton Lodge he could well understand the Brethren bowing down and worshipping them . On behalf of the ladies he thanked the Brethren for the very handsome way in which they had been entertained that evening , and promised they would come again whenever the opportunity was afforded them .

Bro . Rowberry I . P . M . proposed the toast of the visitors . They had among the gentlemen visitors that evening many who were members of the Order , as well as many who had not yet sought admission . Among the former were some who had previously visited the Upton Lodge , and knew the hearty way in which it was there customary to entertain guests : the others—those Brethren

and gentlemen who had not been there before—might take his assurance that it was the foremost wish of the members to at all times ' make their visitors happy and comfortable , and to so interest them that they would be anxious to come again . He called upon the members to endorse his words by a hearty reception of the toast , and coupled with it the names of Bro . W . W . Morgan and Mr . H . Gitsham , who each responded .

The final toast of the evening was the Officers and Committee . The W . M ., in proposing it , said they could all understand that a night like that could not be arranged without an immense amount of work , and the success that had attended it was in itself proof that the Officers and Committee had done their parts efficiently and well . All had worked hard , and all must be- gratified at the success of the gathering .

Bro . Noble tendered thanks on behalf of himself and fellow workers . He assured the company that the efforts of the Committee had been well repaid by the result of that night ' s assembly . He trusted the event would now become an annual fixture in their Lodge .

The concert was under the direction of the Organist of the Lodge Bro . Ernest C . Holmes and , as we have said , was well sustained . The principal artistes were Miss Edith Payne , Madame Helen Coleman , Bro . Frank Martin , Bro . Robert Dennant , Bro . T . Gunn , Mr . Charles Morton , Mr . George O'Hagan , and Mr . Harry

Hudson , one and all of whom acquitted themselves most efficiently . The proceedings were brought to a conclusion at a reasonable hour , this result being greatly facilitated by Bro . T . Bowler , the Tyler of the Lodge , who was a most efficient toast master , and prevented anything in the way of that flagging which occasionally happens and tends to effectually upset the very best of arrangements .

Some handsome presents were provided for the ladies in the form of a pretty civic badge for each—presented by the Worshipful Master—and a bottle of scent given to each previous to their departure . Surely , on the whole , the Upton Brethren may be proud of their latest achievement—they have added another triumph to the many they have already achieved .

INSTRUCTION . — : o : — Confidence Lodge , No . 193 . THE first meeting for the year was held at the Hercules , Leadenhall Street , on Wednesday , 2 nd inst ., when the whole of the degrees were admirably worked by Bro . Mears , with Bro A E . Green S . W ., Bushcll J . W ., Pound S . D ., Done J . D ., Bygrave I . G ., Pitt Secretary , and a fair number of other members and visitors .

Bro . Green , who is a rising young member of the Mother Lodge , and a verv earnest and careful worker , was appointed to the chair for the 16 th . Bro . Green is so well known in the city , fcnd has so many Masonic friends , we anticipate a large gathering on that occasion .

WEDNESDAY , gth inst ., was Officers' night , and , as usual on such occasions , was numerously attended . The installation ceremony was admirably and beautifully rehearsed by Bro . Simeons , Bro . Pinnock I . P . M . acting as Director of Ceremonies . The distribution of collars was rehearsed twice by Bro . Fells W . M .-elect .

Many items of business and the introduction and election of new members taking up the rest of the evening , there were no rehearsals of the degrees .

New Concord Lodge , No . 813 . THE new year ' s meeting of this Lodge took place on Wednesday , 2 nd inst ., at the Farleigh Hotel , Amherst Road , Stoke Newington , when Bro . H . G . Gusli P . M . Preceptor of the Lodge occupied the chair , and was supported by Bros . J . A Powell Trcas S . W ., W . Witte J . W ., B . Barton Sec , I . Ibbertson S . D ., A . '

Meetings Next Week.

Stallard T . D ., H . ( Parsons I . G ., and some twenty-five other Brethren . After the usual formalities Bro . Powell , with the assistance of the Brethren , worked the second section of the lecture . The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . 'Nicholls acting as candidate .

Bro . Powell Treasurer said he had very much pleasure , on behalf of the members of the Lodge of Instruction , to present Bro . H . Gush P . M ., their esteemed Preceptor , with a Past Master's jewel and collar , as a token of their high esteem and appreciation of the valuable services he had rendered to the Lodge . Bro . Gush said he- was taken quite by . surprise . He most sincerely thanked Bro . Powell and the Brethren for their very handsome present ,

and assured them that whatever he could do for the welfare of the Lodge he would willingly undertake . As long as the Great Architect of the Universe gave him health and strength he would do everything in his power to secure the prosperity of the Lodge ; whenever he had occasion to wear their magnificent present he should remember the very happy moments he had spent at the New Concord Lodge of Instruction .

Bro . Reed was elected a member , which compliment was acknowledged , and Bro . Powell was unanimously chosen W . M . for the next meeting . ON Tuesday , 9 th inst ., those present included Bros . T . A . Powell W . M ., E . G . Piatt W . M . 1327 S . W ., J . Ibbertson J . W ., H . G . Gush r . M . Preceptor , B . Barton Sec , H . Parsons S . D ., W . Witte J . D ., R . G . Nicholls I . G ., Allen , Howard , Bell , Conelhurst , Lichtfoot , Wynman .

The Lodge was opened in due form , Bro . Bell answered the questions , and was entrusted . Lodge was opened in the second degree and Bro . Barton , with the assistance of the Brethren , worked the first section of the lecture . The W . M . proceeded with th * e ceremony of passing , including the full explanation of the working tools . The Lodge was called off and on . The W . M . worked the second section of the lecture . Bro . A . E . Allen was examined for

the third degree . Bro . Piatt W . M . 1327 was unanimously elected W . M . for Wednesday next . One guinea was ' voted for the Old People ' s Institution . Bros . Parsons and robertson were elected Auditors , and the Lodge was closed . 0 * « »

New Cross Lodge , No . 1559 . ON Tuesday , at Brother Lewis Lake's , the Kemble ' s Head , Long Acre , W . C ., Bros . R . Fitch W . M ., T . Wood S . W ., Lewis Lake J . W ., J . D . Graham P . M . Preceptor , G . Faaz Secretary , F . H . 'Middleton S . D ., J . Sutcliffe J . D ., R . W . Fitch I . G ., W . Menninger P . M ., A . J . Swash P . M ., C . Johnson , W . B . Smith , J . Wynman , E . Hancock .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Menninger acting as candidate . Brother Swash was examined and entrusted , the . Lodge was advanced to the second degree , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The ceremony of raising was next gone through , Bro . Faaz candidate . We cannot let the opportunity

pass without complimenting Bro . R . Fitch W . M .. on his perfect working in the three degrees , which were most impressively and faultlessly rendered . This is all the more creditable as the acting W . M . has only risen to the dignity of a Steward in his Mother Lodge . We hope other young Brethren will take him as an example .

Bro . T . Wood was elected W . M . for Tuesday , 22 nd inst ., next Tuesday being the occasion of the annual dinner , when we hope to see an exceptionally good attendance , as Bro . Lewis Lake , the proprietor , has made special arrangements . / to ensure the enjoyment of all who attend . Dinner will be served at 7 . 30 p . m . punctually .

Kensington Lodge , No . 17 67 . AT the Town Hall Tavern , High Street , Kensington , on Thursday , 1 st inst ., Bro . F . W . Blott P . M . occupied the Chair and had for his Officers Bros . Arthur Williams P . M . S . W ., C . W . Hatt P . M . J . W ., W . Hellier P . M . Prec , J . H . Gumming P . M . acting Sec , J . Blank S . D ., A . Smith J . D ., W . H . Dresden I . G . formalities The first

The Lodge was opened with the usual . section of the lecture was worked by the Brethren , and the third by Bro . Dresden , the questions in both cases being put by the Preceptor . Bro . Arthur Williams was elected to act as W . M . on the next occasion of the Lodge meeting , and reference was made to the loss West London Freemasonry had sustained by the death of Bro . J . J . Cantle .

Duke of Cornwall Lodge , No . 1839 . ON Monday we paid a visit to this Lodge , and were pleased to find the Brethren had pitched their tent at one of the magnificent rooms of the Manchester Hotel , Aldersgate Street . Bro . E . A . Fuller was in the chair , with Bros . E . F . Schrier S . W ., A . F . Jones J . W ., W . Wright . P . M . acting Preceptor , H . C . Pink Sec , R . G . Goodwin S . D ., T . Jackson , G . Gibbons , E . Styles , G . A . H . Hinchcliff , Skinner , Wynman , & c .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . E . Styles acting as candidate . The Lodge was advanced to the second degree , when the W . M . proposed to irehearse the ceremony of raising , for which Bro . H . C . Pink Secretary kindly offered himself as candidate . He having answered the questions was entrusted , the Lodge was further advanced , and the ceremony was gone through . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree .

A letter was read from Bro . Percy Gray P . M . Preceptor of the Lodge , expressing his inability to attend , on account of business , but he hoped to be with the Brethren at the following