Notices Of Meetings.

llamp . The comfort of tho brethren and visitors waa vigilantly attended to by the almost paternal care of the deservedly popular Past Master Barlow , Steward of the Lodgo . The W . M ., in rising to propose the various toasts , explained at the outset his inability , as a foreigner , to express himself with sufficient fluency , and would there , fore restrict his remarks to as few words as possible . Ho then

briefly gavo tho Loyal and Masonio toasts , which obtained a cordial reception . Bro . Jamos Pinder proposed the health of tho Worshipful Master , who , ho thought—and indeed was sure it was the opinion of the members also—had most satisfactorily proved hia fitness for the position he occupies , aud has conducted the affairs of the Lodge iu a manner hardly anticipated when ho was installed in

tho chair . Tho W . M . expressed his thanks , and submitted tho Past Masters . Bro . May in his reply said , Bro . VVharman had certainly surprised them all by the way he did his work , especially considering tho disability he labours under in not being a native of this country . To the health of the visitors each replied in their turn . Bro . Sleeman responded for the Treasurer and Secretary : What ho

had to say on occasions such as this was very stereotyped ; he was much obliged for the cordiality with which this toast had been received , and could only assure them of his readiness to receive their money , but at tho same time of his pleasure in dispensing it for their comfort and enjoyment . The Officers , who were well spoken of by the W . M ., severally responded . Bro . Cambridge the S . W .

observed that the brethren must havo been well pleased with tho progress the subordinate officers had made in tho discharge of their duties , and without any desire to mako invidious comparisons , could not resist mentioning the S . D ., the excellence of whose working could scarcely bo surpassed . Bro . Barlow , who was loudly called upon to say a few words , stated he was well pleased if the brethren

were satisfied that he faithfully attended to their wants . He would now ask a very exceptional favour of tho W . M ., namely the loan of tho gavel . He admitted that , except for the I . P . M . to ask for such a thing is almost , if not quite , unprecedented . When , however , the WM . and brethren had been made acquainted with his pur . pose , they would perceive his justification . He would ask them to fill

bumpers , and drink to the health and prosperity of their I . P . M ., Bro . James Pinder , who this day enters upon his thirty-third year . They will , therefore , not be surprised at his extraordinary request , and pardon the liberty . Bro . Pinder , it must be said , is frequently a funny fellow , but they all knew he had Masonry thoroughly at heart , and was never weary of exerting himself for the benefit of the Craft

in general , and the Kent Lodge in particular . Bro . Pinder did not think he should have to rise to respond to any toast . The meeting of the Kent Lodge on his natal day had occurred once before since he joined it , and would do so every six years ; he therefore trusted it may take place ten times more in his life . Such a thing might not be impossible . The late Bro . Richard Barnes had been a mem .

her for over sixty years . He did not expect the mention of his name would have met with so cordial a receptiou , and desired the brethren to accept his most heartfelt thanks . Some excellent songs were given by Bros . Wells , Lipscombe , Lockhurst , Valentine , Holt , Butterworth , Munns , and Pinder . The brethren separated with fraternal good wishes .

Temple Lodge of Mark Masters , No . 173 . —Met on Monday , the 10 th inst ., at the Green Dragon Tavern , Stepney-green , E . Bros . E . Gottheil W . M . in the chair , Marsh S . W ., Mole J . W ., Geo . Verry P . M . Sec , T . Mortloek P . M . P . G . S . B . Treas ., Wallington M . O ., N . Gluckstein S . O ., Barratt as J . W ., Sturtevant S . D ., Turquand J . D ., Defriez I . G ., G . Hollington R . M ., Grant Tyler . Bros .

Brayshaw and Cuthbertsou were advanced . The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in favour of Bro . Marsh W . M ., Mortloek Treas ., and Grant Tyler . The usual sum was voted for a P . M . ' s jewel , to be presented to Bro . Gottheil at the next meeting , upon his retirement from the chair . A sum of £ 2 2 s was also voted for the benefit of the widow of the late Bro . Ray , a highly respected member

of this Lodge . Bro . Ray was but 36 years old , a man of fine proportions and full of health ; just beginning to make his way upwards towards competence , when a two days' painful illness cut short his career . He leaves , besides the widow , six young children . After the Lodge business was ended , supper was served . Next came the customary toasts , some singing , and a vast deal of merriment . The brethren then separated at a very respectable early hour .

Thistle Lodge of Mark Masters , No . 8 . —This ancient Lodge met on Friday , the 7 th inst ., at 2 Westminster Chambers , Victoria-street , S . W . There were present Bros . Charles Lacey VV . M ., J . L . Thomas S . W ., J . Mander J . W ., T . Mortloek acting I . P . M ., J . W . Figg P . M . Treas ., C . A . Cottebrune P . M . Sec , Swallow M . O .,

Kelso J . O ., J . H . Leggott S . D ., Burrell J . D ., Mason 1 . 6 . ; P . Masters Baber , W . Mann , & c , and a considerable number of brethren . Amongst the visitors were Col . F . Burdett Prov , Grand Master for Middlesex and Surrey , F . Davidson Grand Treas . and Prov . D . G . M ., Lt .-Col . Shadwell Clark P . M ., J . Boyd , W . G . Goodliff W . M . No . 7 , E . Gottheil W . M . 173 , T . W . Murley , & c . After the Lodge was

opened , and the minutes confirmed , Col . Burdett was , by command of the W . M ., saluted with live , in honour of his position as Prov . G . M ., for which the Colonel returned thanks for himself and the Province he represented . Letters were read from two brethren , whose names appeared on the agenda as candidates for advancement , apologising for their inability to be present on that occasion . The W . M . then invited Bro . T . Mortloek to occupy tho chair for the purpose of

installing the W . M . elect . This ho proceeded to do , in his well-known unassnmiug yet genial and pleasant manner . Bro . J . L . Thomas , the new W . M ., invested his Officers as follow : —C . Lacey I . P . M ., James Mander S . W ., B . H . Swallow J . W ., J . VV . Figg P . M . Treas ., C . A . Cottebrune P . M . Sec , J . Oliver M . O ., Kelso S . O ., Leggott J . 0 ., Burrell H . M ., John Mason S . D ., Treadwell J . D ., VV . J . Collins I . G ., E . Farwig D . C , E . Scheiman Steward , E . Hart Organist , J . T . Woodstock Tyler . Tho WiM , then , ro * e and , eaid that his first duty as . Master qjf , the

Notices Of Meetings.

Lodgo was an extremely pleasant one , namely , to place upon tho breast of Bro . Lacey a jewel , in recognition of his great services to the Lodge , in token of the high esteem he is held in by the brethren . Bro . Lacey having briefly expressed his thanks , the Lodge was closed , and adjourned to banquet ; after which tho proceedings woro of tho customary character . Proposing the health of Her Majesty , the

W . M . designated the Royal lady as the mother of England . This waa followed by the National Anthem , sung by Bro . Mortloek , accompanied on the harmonium by Bro . Hart . Next came tho health of tho Earl of Limerick M . W . G . M . M . The W . M . wa 3 suro that toast wonld find an echo in the breast of every one present . Two evenings ago , as well as on former occasions , he had attended a meeting of tho

Grand Mark Lodge , at which the noble Earl presided , and ho could bear testimony to his amiable qualities as a man , as well as to his abilities as a Mason . ( Cheers . ) He would next propose the health of Lord Skelmersdale , the present D . G . M . and M . W . G . M . elect , and include the Grand Officers Past and Present . It needed no words of his to remind them how well qualified for their

duties the officers wero in their respective positions . He waa desirous to be brief in his remarks , especially in the formal toasts ; he , however , could not possibly allow the opportunity to pass without reverting to one of their most honoured Past Grand Officers , namely Lord Carnarvon , a Past G . M . M ., who presided at the last meeting of tho Grand Craft Lodge , and whose impressive address upon the

question of tho Grand Orient will not soon be forgotten by those who had the pleasure to listen to it . ( Loud applause ) . He would couple with this toaat tho name of a brother who is not only a Prov . G . M ., but also Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , namely , Bro . F . Davidson . Bro . Davidson thanked the W . M . and brethren for their kindness j he said it gave him great pleasure to

be present on the occasion ; he had known Bro . Thomas for some years , as a zealous and energetic worker both in Craft and Mark Masonry . After somo remarks about the degree in general , he observed that the Thistle Lodge in point of age took precedence of the Grand Lodge itself . The W . M . then submitted the name of Col . Burdett , and . remarked that name waa always received with

pleasure and enthusiasm in the City of Westminster . Col . Burdett , who waa received with great cheering , said , he felt very much the kindness of hia reception . That form of expression he had without doubt used on many former occasions , but could assure them never with greater sincerity than on the present . There were many brethren present at that table whom he had had the

pleaaure of meeting many times before , and somo also whose faces seemed familiar , and it would afford him the highest gratifi . cation if they would mako themselves known . He felt in every respect the responsibility of his high position as Prov . G . M . of Middlesex and Surrey , and was sure they would be glad to learn that the Province was in a satisfactory condition . Indeed , tho same might

be said of Mark Masonry in general , which was gaining daily iu strength and influence . He must express hia great pleasure in having visited the Thistle Lodge , one of the oldest in England ; it had no doubt originated from Scotland : He would beg them to accept hia acknowledgments for their kindness and hospitality . Bro . Lacey I . P . M . then proposed the health of the W . M ., and concluded his

remarks by reminding the brethren of the honour they did themselves by placing Bro . Thomas in his present position . Bro . Thomas , in his response , desired the acceptance of his sincere thanks for tho complimentary manner in which his name had been mentioned and received . Ever since the year 1852 , when his first entrance into tho Order took place , there were many occasions such aa the present , when ,

upon being placed at the head of Lodgea and Chapters , in the regular as well as in thoso technically termed side degrees , he always boasted that particular time to be the proudest moment of hi 3 life . However anomalous it might appear , on each occasion ho truly felt what he said , and was almost inclined again to repeat the sentiment , for it is a proud position to be at the head of one of the most ancient Mark

Lodgea in England . It waa difficult for him to find worda adequately to express his sense of the high honour , and it was hia deepest wish and hope to promote the prosperity of the Thistle Lodge , as well aa the Mark degree in general , which , to his mind , was the keystone which compressed the noble arch of a beautiful whole . Pride in antiquity is pardonable , but ought , he thought , to be subordinate to

higher qualities , and , therefore , he trusted that the " Thistle " might be made par excellence the best Lodge on the roll . ( Cheers . ) He would now propose the Visitors , and wonld couple with that toast the name of Bro . Shadwell Clark , who , in his reply , said that a serious responsibility had been thrust upon him , especially as among the visitors there were somo whose eloquence might have done greater justice to

tho response . He was sure they were all excessively obliged for so kind a reception , and truly felt their lines had indeed fallen in pleasant places on the present occasion . The W . M . wa 3 his personal friend , and he had therefore been well gratified to see him placed in tho first chair of tho Thistle Lodge , which had furnished so many officers to the Grand Mark Lodge of England . He would reiterate his

sincere thanks for their hospitality , and would long remember , with pleasure , the kindness of his reception . Tho W . M . then proposed the health of the P . M . ' s , whom he designated as second to none in the Mark degree ; every one of them had done good suit and service to the Lodge . Bro . Lacey I . P . M . replied . He was only a newly Hedged P . M ., and a great deal could not as yet be expected of him in that

capacity , but ho would promise to exert his abilities to promote tho welfare of the Lodge . The remaining P . M . ' s and the rest of the officers severally responded . The VV . M . announced himself as Steward for the Mark Benevolent Fund ; ho intended to head his list with £ 5 5 s , and persuasive Bro . Cottobrnne succeeded in collecting an additional £ 10 10 s from the brethren . Tho Tyler ' s toast brought the interesting proceedings to a close .

Albion Lodge , No . 0 . —This Lodge met on Tuesday , the 4 th December , at the Freemasons' Tavem , Great Queen . street . Present -Bros , ggott W . M ., Palmer P . M , S . W ., EIa . Qk . mau J . W .. Abbott P , M ,