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the most of him ; he was one of the hardest workers of the Lodge , and did everything in his power for the welfare of its members . Tho speaker felt it a source of gratification that ho had been the first to present the present W . M . with a collar of office in the Lodge , and from his excellent working that evening he was pleased to think he had not made a mistake in doing so . Other of tho Past Masters also responded to the toast .

Success to the Masonic Charities was given from the chair , the name of Bro . Percy Gray Secretary of the Instruction Lodge being associated with the toast . Bro . Gray responded . The Officers of the Lodge were now toasted , and after their response the Tyler was called upon for the closing sentiment of the evening , the meeting being thus brought to a most successful ending .

A capital musical programme was provided under the direction of Bro . W . Perrins , items of which were contributed by Miss Lilian Turnbull , Miss Marie Bahrein , Mr . Sidney Ison , and Mr . R . Courtier-Dutton , with Bro . J . Jefferson as accompanist .

ECCENTRIC LODGE , No . 2488 . rpHE installation of this popular and successful Lodge was held at the JL Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W ., on the 7 th , when , as usual , a large attendance of the members and their friends assembled to take part in the proceedings . Considerable interest was evinced on this occasion , on account of the fact that Bro . Lionel Wormser Harris the W . M .-elect is not only a prime favourite with the members of the Club , and highly esteemed among his Brethren and fellows , but was the first initiate of the Lodge .

Bro . W . Singleton Hooper W . M . took the chair with praiseworthy punctuality at six o'clock , being supported bv his Officers and the following Brethren : 0 . F . Matier P . G . Std . Br ., W . J . W . Beard P . M ., J . H . Hawkins P . P . G . D . C . Surrey , J . A . Harrison I . P . M ., James Wyatt , Arthur Tite , W . Sergeant Lee P . M ., G . P . Hadley , W . H . Baylis P . M ., C A . Hooper P . M ., Thomas Eraser , Frank Parker , VV . E . Garstin , R . S . King , H . J . Homer ,

Frank Jesse , W . 3 . Beard , J . R . Cleave P . M ., F . H . Pugh , Monty J . Shepherd , L . C James , A . E . Baker , H . S . Simmons , E . V . Salaman , H . Reece , S . G . Asher , H . W . Whyte , E . S . P . Ludlow , Ben Nathan , J . W . Clark , Alfred Ellis , S . W . H . Dixon , H . T . Brickwell P . M ., J . Weiner , A . Oddenino , F . Dangerfield P . M ., A . H . Beard , A . H . Coliings , A . C . Hills , Julius M . Price , Ernest Beard , & c , & c .

The visiting Brethren included Alderman Frank Green P . G . D ., John D . Langton P . G . A . D . C , W . Peter Brown P . G . Std . Br ., Richard Clowes P . G . Std , Bearer , Charles L . Carson P . G . S ., Charles D . Burgess P . P . S . G . D . Surrey , Frank Harper P . M . 2120 , J . M . Grant S . W . 176 , E . T . Ginder W . M . 1563 , J . White W . M . 176 . Albert J . Neck 753 , Ernest W . Harris P . M . 158 I . C , Webster Greive 176 , G . E . Walker 1471 , 3 . Knox Foote P . M . 53 I . C , J . Walker Doherty 25 I . C , Hy . Watts J . W . 108 , J . Dangerfield J . D . 2241 , W .

Melville 59 , G . Austin 1457 , Norman Morice P . M . 176 , C J . Denton 2455 , Miles Bailey P . M . 2005 , Courtice Pounds 8 S 4 , Geo . Allen Phillips P . M . 198 , J . Inglis 757 S . C , F . W . Driver P . M . 45 , Gerald Maxwell W . M . 2127 , H . W . Stearns P . M . 69 , G . D . Breeze 2581 , F . B . Dent 176 , R . Newton Crane 2397 , Imre Kiralfy I . P . M . 2581 , Alfred Cumner 1426 , C J . Powell 136 , W . H . White 55 , H . L . de Montmorency W . M .-elect No . 1 , E . A . Shepherd I . P . M . 1615 , W . E . Downey 1671 , F . Godwin 1627 , J . J . Slater 22 , Arthur Strugnell 2264 , Percy Howard , Hy . J . Higham W . M . 83 , 0 . F . Williams 1247 , Orlton Cooper

P . M . 211 . After the minutes of the last regular and emergency meetings had been read and confirmed the ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Bros . Henry Salaman Harris of the Fitzroy Lodge , and John Tiller of the Manchester Dramatic Lodge , as Joining Members . The Auditors' Report was received and adopted , from which we perceived that not only were the funds of the Lodge in a highly satisfactory condition , but that the various Masonic and other Charities had been supported and the Benevolent Fund considerably increased during the year .

The Lodge was then opened in the second degree , when the W . M . declared all Offices vacant , and appointed Bros . Hawkins S . W ., Harrison J . W ., Cleave D . C , and Brickwell . I . G ., to assist him during tbe ceremony . Bro . Lionel Harris W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . Cleave , when Brother Hooper addressed him upon the duties of his high office , which he had agreed to accept . Bro . Harris signified his assent to the ancient charges , and took

the customary obligation , Bro . Courtice Pounds giving a fine rendering of the anthem " Be thou faithful " at its termination . The Brethren were then requested to withdraw for a short time , when a Board of Installed Masters , thirty-two in number , was declared , and Bro . Lionel Harris was conducted to the chair in accordance with ancient tradition . The Brethren were re-admitted , and the new Master was proclaimed and saluted .

The entire ceremony and subsequent addresses were impressively performed by Bro . Singleton Hooper , who received the applause and appreciation of tho assembly . Bro . Harris invested his Officers , as follow : W . Sergeant Lee S . W ., G . P . Hadley J . W ., \ Y . J . W . Beard Treasurer , W . Singleton Hooper Secretary , Thomas Fraser S . D ., Frank Parker J . D ., W . E . Garstin I . G ., 3 . R . Cleave D . C , James Kift Organist , Arthur Tite , R . S . King , H . J . Homer , and Frank Jesse Stewards , J . Ellis Tyler . When investing the last named Officer Bro . Harris gave the old " Tyler's Charge . "

Bro . Will E . Chapman , late Secretary of the Lodge , was placed upon the list of country members , in consequence of his continued absence abroad . The resignation of two members was accepted with regret , and two other Joining Members were proposed in their place . Bro . Harris rose and said his first official duty was to present the Past

Master's jewel to his predecessor that had been voted to him by the Lodge for his faithful service . He was sure the Brethren would agree that' no Past Master had deserved it more than Bro . Hooper , and he had the greatest possible pleasure in pinning it to his breast , and expressing tbe hope that he might long live to wear it as a token of the love and good fellowship of tho Brethren .

Bro . Hooper modestly returned his thanks for the compliment , but rather deprecated the eulogium of the W . M ., saying that Masters of the Eccentric Lodge considered it their duty to render the ritual in a proper and intelligent manner , and if he had been so fortunate as to give tbem satisfaction ho was well repaid for his exertions . The jewel is of a now design , and bears the Eccentric Club emblems of the Owl and Clock , with the appropriate Masonic motto "Nil nisi bonum , " and was manufactured by Messrs . Spencer and Co . It boars the following inscription :

Presented to BRO . SINGLETON HOOPEB , in appreciation of his efficient services as W . M . of tho Eccentric Lodgo during his year of office , 1897-98 .

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The Secretary read messages of regret on account of unavoidable absence from Sir Joseph Dimsdale , Alderman Vaughan Morgan , Frank Richardson , and others . Afterwards the visiting Brethren tendered their congratulations to the W . M ., and that concluding the business of tho evening the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony and tho meeting adjourned .

Tho installation banquet was held in the large hall , and reflected the highest credit upon the Committee who suggested it , and Bro . Oddenino who carried it out . The menu card was as usual of novel design , and contained the portrait of the Worshipful Master . Considerable merriment " within the limits of becoming mirth " reigned throughout the evening , and the utmost good-fellowship prevailed . The number present reached the Eccentric measure of ninety-nine .

Ample appreciation having been shown to the exquisite dinner provided , Bro . Harris sounded his gavel , and rose to submit the health of the Queen and prosperity to the Craft . He said he had recently travelled over a large portion of the dominion of Canada , and he found that everywhere Her Majesty's name was received with enthusiasm , while the Craft flourished in a congenial soil . The toast of the Grand Master was greeted with loud appluse , as was also that of the Grand Officers , for whom Bro . Frank Green responded .

Bro . Singleton Hooper in well-chosen terms proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , which he ventured to think was the toast of the evening . The installation of Bro . Harris marked the advent of a fresh epoch in the history of the Eccentric Lodge . Previous to that evening the Masters had been selected from the Founders of the Lodge , whereas Bro . Harris was the first initiate , and though his rise had been rapid he had qualified himself for the position by hard work and frequent attendance at the Lodge of Instruction . He had the respect and esteem of the Brethren , and he was sure that his conduct in the chair would meet with the satisfaction of the Lodge .

Bro . Lionel Harris , who was greeted with real Eccentric " fire , " said ha regarded the toast as the ordeal of the evening . He could not sufficiently thank the Brethren for electing him to the chair , as it was the height of his Masonic ambition . He owed a deep debt of gratitude to Bro . Hawkins , who was his father in Freemasonry , and under his guidance he would endeavour to carry out the traditions of the Lodge to their satisfaction .

The W . M . afterwards proposed the health of his predecessor , which was acknowledged by Bro . Hooper , who remarked that it gave him great pleasure to do anything in his power for the Lodge , in which he took deep interest , and he trusted they would be as successful in the future as they had been in the past . They had eighty-five members , whioh must be considered a large number , as they were limited to members of the Eccentric Club .

One of the traditions of the Lodge is the sale of the Charity Box after it has been handed round the tables . After a keen competition it again fell ( for the third time ) to Bro . Imre Kiralfy , who generously added the contents of tbe Box to the purchase money . Naturally the Brethren could do no less than drink the health of their generous benefactor . Bro . Burgess Prov . S . W . designate of Berks ; Bro . White , a Scotch Mason ; Bro . Knox Foote , of the Dublin Lodge ; Bro . Gerald Maxwell and Bro . Newton Crane from America , responded on behalf of the Visitors , with some capital speeches , which were highly appreciated .

The Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge having also been honoured , the Tyler ' s toast was proposed by Bro . Ellis , and brought the pleasant proceedings to a close at an advanced hour . The speeches were interspersed with songs , sketches and yarns , given by Bros . Courtice Pounds , Arthur Strugnell , 0 . Suckau , Ben Nathan , E . J . Wood , Walter Tilbury , W . R . Maxwell , and others , while Bro . James Kift presided at the piano and organ with his well known ability .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

RECTITUDE CHAPTER , No . 581 . THE regular meeting was held at the Mosley Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , Sth inst ., Companion J . C Wilson M . E . Z . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a successful ballot was taken for Bro . Robert Ackerley , Ardwick Lodge , No . 2185 , who was afterwards exalted into Royal Arch Masonry by Comp . Wilson , assisted by Comp . W . J . Melling P . Z . P . P . G . A . D . C .

In the election of Principals which subsequently took place , the following were chosen : Comp . Robert Rudman as first , Comp . Wm . Goodman as second , and Comp . T . C . Lilly as third . The Companions afterwards adjourned to an excellent supper . Besides those mentioned there were also present Comps . Hy . B . Brown P . G . A . D . C , Wm . Rostron Treas ., W . E . Mowbray , J . 0 . Chapman , C H . Griffiths , R . Adshead , M . Goth , S . Andrew , and others .

GALLERY CHAPTER , No . 1928 . THE installation meeting was held on Saturday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., when the largest attendance of Members and Visitors in the history of the Chapter was present . The principal chairs were occupied by Comps . John Read P . G . O . M . E . Z ., P . Wallace Husk H ., and J . J . Fretwell J ., and among those who took part

in the proceedings were Comps . E . B . Peacock P . Z ., Henry Massey P . Z ., Herbert Wright P . Z ., 3 . Henniker Heaton , M . P ., Lionel F . Gowing , T . G . Scott , H . L . Bell , 0 . J . S . Willson , E . H . Peacock , Rev . J . Stephen Barrass , Alfred F . Robbins , E . A . Peachey , Cornwallis H . F . Smith , C . D . Gill , Geo . Tarran , Samuel James , Geo . H . Ribbons , & c .

The Visitors included Comps . Charles Bullock M . E . Z . 404 Grand Scribe E . of Herts ., W . Blackhom P . Z . 435 , John Songhurst P . Z . 7 , John M . Rogan P . Z . 563 . Walter D . Seaton S . N . 435 , Archdeacon W . M . Sinclair 1383 , J . A . Coliings 105 G , F . W . Stephens 101 , and many others . The Chapter having beon formally opened the Companions were admitted , when the minutes of the last regular convocation , as well as an emergency meeting , wore read and thoir correctness confirmed .

The election of the Officers being thns ratified Comp . Percy Wallace Husk was installed as M . E . Z ., Comp . J . J . Fretwell was promoted to the chair of H ., and Comp . Orlton Cooper was advanced to tho position of Third Principal , the work of installation being performed by Comp . John Read .

Tho following Companions wore invested with the collars of their respective offices : H & rbcrt Wright S . B ., E . A . Peachey S . N ., E . E . Peacock Treasurer , George Tarran P . S ., Samuel James 1 st A . S ., Alfred F . Robbins 2 nd A . S ., 3 . 0 . Manning D . C , E . H . Peacock Orgaiiist , George H . Ribbons Steward , Shepheard Janitor .