Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . THE weekly meeting was held on Thursday , at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , when there were present Bros . H . Gomm as W . M ., S . J . Parker S . W ., Justice Allen J . W ., P . Larkman P . M . Treasurer , B . H . Williams P . M . Preceptor , J . H . Gumming P . M . Secretary , C . Jacob S . D ., J . Halstead J . D ., B . W . Bobinson I . G ., H . R . Worth Steward , F . Craggs , H . Johnson , F . Ridley , W . Crowhurst P . M ., J . Wynman , and several others .

The ' W . M . proposed to rehearse a passing , and Bro . Bidley having answered the questions , the Lodge was advanced and the ceremony gone through . The W . M . resumed to the first degree , and the Lodge was called oS and on . Bro . Larkman Treasnrer having offered himself as candidate was examined , and entrusted , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , the W . M . giving the charge .

Bros . W . P . Cockburn P . M . 2090 and Bichard Steel were elected members , while Bro . Parker was chosen as W . M . for the next meeting . A hearty vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded on the minutes , for the excellent working of the W . M . for the first time .

MOUNT EDGCUMBE LODGE , No . 1446 . A MEETING was held on Tuesday , at Bro . John Mason's , Bockingham Tavern , Newington Causeway , S . E . The Brethren assembled in strong force to celebrate the first meeting at their new quarters , and were presided over by Bro . A . S . Mullins as W . M ., assisted by Bros . J . Brown S . W ., Jones J . W ., J . Andrews P . M . Preceptor , Thos . Tofts as Sec ., E . Mitchell S . D ., J . Buckridge P . M . J . D ., F . Ishcrwood I . G ., J . Hopkins , F . Upton , R . O'Mash , D . T . Medcalfe , A . G . Billinge , C . Plant P . M ., T . Stewart , E . M . Mullens , O . P . Boret P . M ., J . Wynman , and several others .

The W . M . worked the second section of the first degree , and by desire of the W . M . the S . D . gave the ancient charge . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . A . G . Billinge acting as candidate . Lodge was advanced and Bro . J . Andrews P . M . Preceptor worked the first section of the second lecture .

Bros . D . J . Metcalfe , A . G . Billinge , aud E . M . Mullens were elected members , while the compliment of honorary membership was conferred on Bro . J . Wynman . The Lodge was afterwards adjourned to Tuesday next , afc 7 . 30 p . m ., the regular meetings being held weekly on Tuesdays , afc that hour .

CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 . A MOST successful meeting was held on Saturday , at the Windsor Castle , King Street , Hammersmith , under the presidency of Bro . W . Hillier P . M ., with M . Spiegel P . M . S . W ., F . Craggs P . M . Treasurer J . W ., A . Williams I . P . M . Preceptor , B . Josey P . M . Secretary , Fox P . M . S . D ., B . N . Larter P . M . J . D ., Gumming P . M . I . G ., A . W . Larkman W . M ., Ortner P . M ., Herring , Botley P . M ., Hide W . M ., Jacob Powell , B . Beid J . W . 1275 , Dinnes , W . Handover , A . W . Larkman , Kirkham W . M ., J . Wynman , and several others

The Lodgo was advanced to the third degree , and resumed to the second , when Bros . Powell S . W . 2246 , M . Spiegel , Ortner , Reid , and Craggs worked the five sections of the degree . After a short interval Bros . A . Williams , Larkman , and Larter worked the three sections of the third degree . It was proposed by Bro . Barton

Jones and seconded by Bro . W . Handover , tbat a hearty vote of thanks he recorded on the minutes to the W . M . for the most perfect and able manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of the chair , also tbat a vote of thanks be recorded to the Brethren who had worked the different sections , to which suitable response was made .

Bros . Larkman and Handover were elected members . During the evening a Brother was temporarily relieved . This Instruction Lodge is held every Saturday , at 7 . 30 p . m .

Craft: Provincial.

CRAFT : PROVINCIAL .

SYMPATHY LODGE , No . 483 . A T the Star Hotel , Gravesend . on Monday , 10 th inst ., Brother T . H . Lygo S \ . W . M ., J . A . Gillett S . W ., F . Pettiugall J . W ., E . Ingman Sec , Spencer B iwen S . D ., T . Smith J . D ., P . White I . G ., H . Forss Preceptor , J . Sweet , J . Allen , U . L . Thumell , T . H . Mason , T . A . Mummery , H . Andrews . Thc ballot was taken and proved in favour of Bro . E . Harrison , as a member of tbe Lodge .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed by the Officers , Bro . Mason acting as candidate . The questions leading to the second degree were asked by the W . M .. and answered separately by Bros . Harrison , Thumell and Mason , candidates for passing at the next regular Lodge . Bro . Gillett was elected as W . M . at the next meeting . Two Brethren were proposed as joining members , and there being no other business the Lodge was closed in due form and the Brethren adjourned .

Afterwards the ninth ballot of the Lodge Charitable Association was taken , with the result that Bro . Ernest Ingman is able to send five guineas to either of the Masonic Institutions , thereby becoming a Life Subscriber , and has selected the Girls School for the donation . Forty guineas have already been forwarded , while Bro . Hawker W . M ., representing the Sympathy Lodge at the Girls School Festival , took up eighty-five guineas .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . A VERY good attendance of Brethren marked the meeting of this Lodge held at the Masonic Hall , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , on Friday , the 7 th inst . Brother Holland W . M . is travelling abroad , and the principal chair was assumed by Bro . Alfred Pickford P . M ., who raised Bro . John Webster to the sublime degree ol M . M ., being assisted by Bros . Redfearn S . W ., and Birkett J . W ., the former delivering the address in the S . E ., and the latter presenting and explaining the Working Tools . Upon the conclusion of Lodge business , the Brethren adjourned to the

Craft: Provincial.

festive board , where a very enjoyable evening was spent in songs , & c , the contributaries being Bros . Henry Nail P . M . P . P . G . Tr . Secy ., Arthur A . Moss P . M ., Wm . Rushton Org ., R . Kastner , C . Klindworth , and Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 . In the absence of Bro . Beever P . M ., Bro . Nail officiated as D . C .

STRANTON LODGE , No , 1862 . A VEBY large gathering assembled on Wednesday , 5 th inst ., on the occasion of a visit of the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham . The meeting was held in the new Masonic Hall , Hart Boad , West Hartlepool , and the visitors received a very hospitable welcome . The W . M . Bro . Joseph Burns P . G . Std . presided .

\ J KJ U CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 . A REGULAR meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , the 3 rd inst ., Bro . Major George Kershaw W . M . The summons contained the names of four candidates , but one was postponed by consent , viz ., Bro . Capt . Francis Isaac Bentley , who was eligible for raising to the sublime degree of M . M . Bro . Capt . Jas . Andrew P . M . P . P . G . D . C . passed Bro . Lieut . Alan Ramsay to the degree of F . C , the Working Tools being presented and explained by Bro . Capt . T . W . Ashworth S . W .

Following this were two raisings , viz ., Bros . Lieut . James Albert Fallows , and Lieut . Alfred John Bailey , tbe first ceremony being undertaken by Bro . Surg .-Capt . A . H . Smith I . P . M ., and tbo latter by Bro . Col . Henry L . Rocca P . M . P . P . J . G . D ., who also presented the Working Tools .

A very excellent supper ensued , after which the Brethren returned to the Lodge room for the festive board , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were pleasantly varied by songs , & c . Besides those already mentioned we noticed Bros . Surg .-Capt . Dr . J . J . Kent Fairclough J . W ., Rev . J . W . Challinor P . P . G . Chap . Sec , Col . Henry J . Robinson P . M . P . P . G . R ., Captains P . Nightingale S . D ., H . S . Hardy Org ., and T . A . Jones , Surg .-Lieut . J . T . Smith .

Visitors . - —Bros . W . H . Humphries W . M . 44 , and T . Preston P . M . 269 P . P . G . J . D .

LONGSIGHT LODGE , No . 2464 . THE regular meeting was held at the Club House , Birch Lane , Longsight , on Wednesday , 5 th instant . The principal business of the evening was that of passing Bro . Bichard James Scofield to tbe degree of E . G ., the ceremony being performed by Bro . Alderman Lloyd Hieginbottom W . M ..

assisted by Bro . Wm . Hy . Wilson J . W ., who presented and explained the Working Tools to the candidate ; and the raising to the third degree of Bro . Frederick George Anton Ballantiue , the Working Tools in this case being also presented by the J . W .

At the festive board , Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , songs and sketches being contributed by Bros . C . S . Cotton J . D ., Danl . Lee , Henry Shepherd , Albert Jarrett 645 , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , aud H . S . Greenwood 2387 .

Handel Festival At The Crystal Palace.

HANDEL FESTIVAL AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE .

THE programme for the Selection Day of the triennial Festival , Wednesday , 16 th June , is now complete . The solo vocalists are Mdme . Albani , Miss Ella Russell , Mdme . Nordica , and Miss Clara Butt ; Mr . Edward Lloyd , Mr . Barton McGuckin , Mr . Santley , and Mr . Andrew Black . The Choruses selected for the Choir are : " The mighty Power in whom we trust" ( Athaliah ) , "We hear" ( Judas Maccabaeus ) , " Immortal

Lord ( Deborah ) , " Your Harps and Cymbals sound " ( Solomon ) , " Envy , eldest born of Hell" ( Saul ) , "Wretched lovers" ( Acis and Galacea ) , " As from the power " ( Dryden's Ode on Cecilia ' s Day ) . For the performance of the " Messiah , " on Monday , 14 th June , tbe soloists are : Mdme . Albani , Miss Marian McKenzie , Mr . Edward Llovd . and Mr . Santley . '

For " Israel in Egypt , " on Friday , 18 th June , the soloists are : Miss Ella Bussell , Mdme . Clara Samuell , Miss Marian McKenzie , Mr . Edward Lloyd , Mr . Santley , and Mr . Andrew Black . The first rehearsal of the London contingent of the Choir was held on Monday evening last , the work taken being "Israel in Egypt , " when Mr . Manns was highly gratified . To ensure , however , the complete success of this masterpiece of choral writing , five general rehearsals instead of four have been arranged . The cast of solo vocalists for this rendering of " Israel " has never been surpassed .

The auditorium will present a grander appearance than ever this year , the great stage having been cleared away and replaced by tiers of raised seats , crowned by tbe Royal Boxes and roomy private boxes . This alteration has effected the most marvellous improvement in the acoustic properties of the Handel Festival auditorium .

Seats are now being rapidly booked , and there is no doubt that the great influx of American and foreign visitors in this Record year will cause every seat even in this huge space to be taken up .

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