Installation Meetings, &C.

number of visitors present , including mauy distinguished brethren . Ho had no doubt that each of thoso brethren would ho delighted to respond ; but ho intended to begin as he meant to go on , namely—to ask only one visitor to respond to this toast ; but tho fact that ho shonld on this evening call upon two must bo taken as tho exception thafc waa to prove his rule . Ho wonld therefore couple with the

toast the names of Bros . Corbie and Villiors . Bros . Corblo and VilHers replied , and then tho W . M . proposed tho health of fche Past Masters , and the Treasurer and Secretary of fcho Lodgo . Tho Past Masters had deserved well of the Lodgo , which was not a very old one , having been consecrated in 1875 , but that ifc had prospered was evident from the number of brethren whom thoy saw assembled

that evening . The Treasurer was a very old friend of his , and had initiated him . He was sorry to see thafc he ( Bro . Major Williams ) had been obliged to leave them . The Secretary , Bro . Hookey , was ono who devoted himself to the interests of tho Lodge in every possible way , and he was thoroughly appreciated by tho brethren . He was sure the bretnren would receive tho toasfc with hearty

acclamation . He wonld ask Bro ! her Woodward and the Secretary to respond . Bro . Woodward and Bro . Hooker ( Secretary ) replied . Bro . Philbriek having been entrusted by tho VV . Muster with tho gavel , in order that he might propose the toast of tho Masonio Institnfcions , began by expressing the regret which he , in common with Bro . Villiers and every ono else , mast havo felt at tho absence of

their esteemed Bro . Goddard . That brother had laboured mosfc zealously aud assiduously in his efforts to promote the welfare of mankind in general and hasten tho arrival of thafc most desirable period in the world ' s history—the millennium . Unfortunately the timo of universal happiness , when the lion and the lamb wero prepared to lay down sido by side , and men , instead of being ready at all times

to give a free rein to their angry passions , were anxious , and indeed resolved on , converting all weapons of offence into implements of peace , unfortunately , he repeated , this time of universal peace and prosperity had not yet come . There were still disputes raging , and many of these were only determined after an appeal to the dread arbitrament of war . There still prevailed , in all parts , an almost

incalculable amount of poverty and distress , and though much was being done to alleviate this distress , there was always much that remained to be accomplished . It was one of the glories of the Mason Craft , and one on which the brethren might honestly and honourably pride themselves that it omitted no opportunity , left no means untried to lessen the evils which

poverty and misfortune are apt to entail . No other societ y in the world could point to such magnificent institutions as those which owed their existence to the fostering care of the brethren . No other society could point to similar charities as being wholly supported by the free-will offerings of its members . This , he remarked , was especially so afc the most recent of their Anniversary Festivals , to wit

the Festival of the R . M . Institution for Boys , which was celebrated at the Crystal Palace towards the end of June last , and resulted in a total of subscriptions and donations in excess of £ 23 , 000 . On such a result aa that he felt it was incumbent on him to offer his hearty congratulations to the zealous and able representative of thafc Institution , who was present with them that evening , as he was present in

other Lodges on most other evenings in the year , for the purpose of aiding by his powerful advocacy the cause of Masonic Charity . Bro . Binckes had indeed great reason to be proud of his successful efforts , while he ( Bro . Philbriek ) was not the less pleased that this toast had been entrusted to him , because it gave him the further opportunity of congratulating the W . Master of the Lodge on having

taken up the largest individual London Steward ' s list afc fche Festival in question . That was proof , if proof were wanting , that the Lodge was thoroughly imbued with the generous principles of Freemasonry , and that its members were prepared to give dne effect to them afc the proper time , and in the most effective manner . Brother Philbriek concluded a very animated speech by associating with the

toast the name of Brother Binckes , whose response was again and again interrupted by the warm approval of his audience . Having expressed the pleasure he derived from having his name connected with such a toast , and his belief that no greater Masonio charm existed than Masonic Charity , Brother Binckes lameuted his inability to say anything new in relation to tho subject matter of

the toast . It was constantly devolving upon him to reply to the same or similar toasts but even had it not been so , he inasfc , after so able ancl exhaustive a speech as that to which they had been listening with so much pleasure , have found himself at a loss to say anything that had not been said before . However , he wonld tako the opportunity of pointing onfc that the School elections were very

near at hand , and that many wore interested in the results of these elections who had not contributed towards the support of tho Masonic Charities . To all such he earnestly appealed for help , and he had every confidence the appeal would not be made in vain . As regards the Worshipful Master of the Lodge , he congratulated thai brother on having won the blue ribbon of the year . He begged to convey to him

his very warmest thanks for the services he bad rendered . He had received several invitations to attend Lodges ( hat evening , but as it was the first he had received in connection with that Lodge , and as he felt he was under a great obligation to the W . M . for what ho had done on behalf of the Boys' School , he had olected to aUend their meeting and thank them one and all for bavins' so fully realised tho

style and title of the Lodge to which they belonccd . The other toasts that followed were those of the Masonic Press , tbe Musical Artists - -whose programme wns admirably carried ont—the Officers of the Lodge , and the Tyler ' s toast . A pleasing ppisode occurred towards the close of the evening , when one of the Visitors presented several very handsome bouquets to Brother Robertson , who , as a matter of

conrsp , was highly gratified at tho compliment . One thimr alone detracted from the enjoyment that attended our presence in fhe ¦ Linage . Tho musical programme , though it gave every satisfaction , and , as we have said already , was admirably parried out , was on far too ambitions a scale . The services of no less than seven artists had been engaged , and each toasfc — and there was no less than

Installation Meetings, &C.

twelve of thorn — was followed by a song . Consequently , tho mooting was a protracted ono . Wo seo no reason whatever why , on theso occasions , so much expon = «» should bo lavished on an entertain , moot which is quite uncalled for , and why tho brethren should ho required to sit to so late an hour—as thoy mnst do if thoy would avoid offence . Some of tho most agreeable meetings wo havo had tho

privilege of attending havo terminated at about tho reasonable hour of ten , after which , if any woro so minded , thoy could sit down quietly and onjoy an hour ' s social conversation . In our opinion , those lato hours are quite uncalled for , while tho expense of a banquet is quite sufficient outlay without adding to it in respect of an elaborate concert by prosessional artists .

Duke Of Connaught Lodge, No. 1558.

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1558 .

THERE was a large gathering of the brethren at tho Masonic Hall , Camberwell New Road , on Thursday afternoon , on fcho occasion of tho installation of tho W . M . elect , Bro . C . Sims . Tho business was heavy , and an oarly start was made . Tho fooling and interest exhibited in tho proceedings was gratifying , not only to tho incoming Master , bnt also to tho retiring W . M ., 15 ro . S . Taylor . The members

of the Lodgo musfcered in force , and the attendance of visitors was exceedingly large . Among tho latter present we observed tho following brethren : —Grammer W . M . 27 , G . Schadler W . M . and VV . Walker J . D . 6 a , J . N . Bate W . M . 72 , R . Barham P . M . and R . W . Harvey I . G . 144 , A . Dockeroll W . M . 145 , J . Walker W . M . 172 , Farwig

P . M . 180 , S . Martin , S . W . 188 and W . M . 1320 , A . J . Paton Org . 205 , W . Fioldson I . P . M . 548 , E . Brooks 766 , T . Gaignard 862 , T . C . Kellaway 957 , F . Brown 1158 , M . S . Larlham P . M . 1216 , F . C . Mouflet S . W . 1305 , J . W . F . Cox W . M . 1314 , J . Johnson S . W ., F . H . Baker J . W ., and H . A . Stunt 1320 , T . W . Headon 1426 , R . Forster

P . M . 1441 , D . Hilton S . W ., H . Treacher and J . S . Waldron 1475 , H . Youngman J . W . 1571 , O . L . Finch 1641 , J . Cox W . M ., J . Hill S . D ., 0 . 0 . Gibby J . D . and E . A . Grovor 1658 , C . F . Luckhurst 1604 , A . Stokes W . M . 1839 , G . J . Dawson P . M . 1853 , R . J . Taylor Worshipful Master , and J . W . Chapman W . Master elect 1922 . Bro . G . J . Dawson discharged the dnties of Installing Master in a very effective manner , showing that he is nofc only wed acquainted

with the language of the ceremony , but thafc he knows how to give it with skill and precision . After having been duly installed , tho W . M . Bro . C . Sims invested his Officers as follow : —Bros . S . Taylor I . P . M ., J . Smith S . W ., S . S . Stokes J . W ., C . R . Power P . M . Treasurer , W . Mitchell P . M . Secretary , T . Nettlefold S . D ., W . Briscoa J . D ., T . E . Walker I . G ., J . Plnmmer and W . Clayton Stewards , W . Brown

M . C , W . Back Organist . Bro . Henry Thomas was re-appointed Tyler . The retiring P . M ., Bro . Taylor , was presented wifch a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel , and some highly complimontry re . marks were made with regard to the way in which he had discharged fche duties of his oflico . Evidently Brother Taylor is a favourite with the Lodge , and deservedly so , judging by his genial and courteous

manner . When he assumed the rule of the Lodge ho had only a balance to commence with of £ 1 0 s 4 d , and he left for his successor £ 72 13 s 8 d . This result had been accomplished by prudent govern , ment , and was no doubt owing in no little degreo to the estimation in which Bro . Taylor is held . The W . M ., Bro . Sims , commenced his vear of office well , and if he continues as well as he has

begun he will be able , not only to be generous , a disposition he is strongly inclined to , but to leave the treasury in a flourishing state . He successfully initiated Messrs . Henry W . Prior , Joseph Sutton and Harry Cochrane ; and others are awaiting tho same ceremony at his hands . The business of the Lodge was not concluded until long after the timo fixed for the banquet ; every provision , how .

ever , was made for the temporary refreshment of the brethren , and the general wish appeared to be that the visitors especially shonld make themselves at home . Bro . Mitchell , the Secretary , was constantly looking after the comforts of tho brethren of the Lodgo ancl the guests , in which work he was ably assisted by Bro . P . M . Runacres . The banquet vvas excellent , ancl served in the caterer ' s

( Bro . Venables ) best manner . There was a profusion of choice viands , but delay in sitting clown had somewhat upset the chef ' s calculations , with tho result that somo of the fish was too much cooked . Where all was so good , it seems unkind to notice a defect the cause of which was so obvious . We refer to the matter simply in'defence of Bro . Venables , and aa a protest against the too common

practice of irregularity as to time . The banquet took an mordiuate length of time to complete ; this , coupled with the delay referred to , brought on a late hour before the toasts wero approached . Wo should notforget to mention that nearly 100 brethren sat down at tho banquet tables , and that during the service of the several dishes a capital band discoursed some pretty lively music . The usual loyal toasts

were given and responded to in an appropriate manner , and the singing between was both good and amusing . Bro . R . J . Taylor , Back and others contributed to this portion of the proceedings , and during the evening Bro . Dawson declaimed the " Bridgo of Sighs " with touching force and emphasis . Thero was a happy combination of toast , speech , and song , a profusion of all that could minister to the

inner man , not forfeiting even the beautiful . Tlio menu cards and toast list wore pretty and effective , and each brother was supplied with a choice buttonhole of flowers . Bro . Sims has commenced under favourable circumstances , and there is every evidence of a prosperous year before him . Ifc will be his own fault if ho does not retire afc ihe end with a high position in the Lodge , snch as he evidently aspires to .

HOLLOWAY s PILLS , —Invalids distracted by indigestion arid discouraged , iu their search for its remedy should mako trial of this never-fail in ? medicine . A ladv , long a martyr to dyspeptic tortures , writes that Hoiloway's Pills made her feel as if n burden had beeu token oil lior . Her srciri s , formerly loir , have greatly improved ; her capricious aopetite has given place to healthy hunger ; is lullsick

'* ' ( , , heid-iche has departed , aud gradual ' y so marvoliou * a change has been effected , that she is altoge her a new creature , a'id again fit for her duties . These Pills may be administered with safety to the most dtjlicare . They never act harshly , nor do thoy ever induce weakness ; they rightly direst deranged , and control excessive action .