Notices Of Meetings.

that a good soldier should be a good Mason , find that a capable officer must make a good W . M . Now iu Bro . Pratt we havo the good soldier and the capable officer—a good augury for the future of the Lodge uuder hia guidance . It is curious that our rulers thus far have been soldiers , Bro . Woodford , ouv lauieuted . first I . P . M ., began

life in the Coldstream Guards ; our first Master was Sir C . Warren , then oarae Bro . Gould , late of the 31 st Reg ., and although I was never a soldier , I have , aa a war correspondent , shared in many of the military campaigns , beginning with the Crimean war . We havo now Col . Pratt at our head , tho fifth in order , and there wero just five

soldiers in the nine martyrs who composed the Quatuor Coronati . Onr W . M . belongs to tho Artillery , whioh has always been considered ono of the educated branches of the Service , but our brother stands still higher , for he has occupied the position of teacher in this higher branch . Ho has served iu that capacity on tho educational

staff" both at Sandhurst and at Woolwich . To this must be added that he ia the author of works connected with military education . One of these , entitled Military Law , has gone through no less than five editions , a proof it was fitted for its purpose , and when I add that it was favourably reviewed in the Saturday Review you will

appreoiato its merits . Another work , on Field Artillery , our W . M . s own branch of the Service , was reviewed at great longth in the Times , and has gone through a number of editions ; but perhaps the highest compliment it has received has been its acceptance as a textbook at West Point Military Academy on the Hudson River . We

may safely assume some " grit in a book when the Americans have adopted its teaching . Our W . M . has also written a Frdcis on the Franco German War , besides a variety of papers and notes on subjects connected with Military History and Art , and he has also acted as ODO of the Government Examiners . These details of literary

work will justify our W . M . 'a right to take hia place in the ranks of the Quatuor Coronati . But his services have not been all of this peaceful character . The smell of powder has been familiar to him in tho fields of battle as well as on the practice ground . He has served in India , and took part in an expedition in Bhotan in 1861-65 ,

a rather tough piece of work . Bhotan is in the Himalayas , to tho east of Danjeeling , a country of mountains covered with dense forests , where it was difficult for troops to move , and still more so for artillery . Such a region gave the enemy , who were mountaineerp , great advantages , one being the opportunity offered for surprises and

night attacks , of which they availed themselves on more than one occasion . The campaign was no child's play , but one of great danger , entailing heavy marching and a great deal of hard fighting . But . there was another and more terrible anxiety . The Deb Rajah , or Divine King , who ruled the Bhotanese , sent a letter to the

Brigadier commanding tho British forces , warning him as to what would happen if he continued the attack . Among other threats the missive coutained the following : — "I shall send the Divine force of twelve Gods , as per margin , who aro very ferocious ghosts . " Tho Rajah must have had some Baboo in his pay who had been a regiment

clerk in our sorvice , the phrase as per margin" batrays this ; it became quite a stock form among tho Baboop , who at one time scarcely ever wrote a letter without introducing it . A story ia told of a Baboo who wrote to his commanding officer that he could not come to his work one day" owing to a large boil , as per margin , " which

was on a certain part of his body . In tho faco of all difficulties and with the very god 3 of tho locality against them , the force pushed on . Tho fort of Dalmicoto was perched on a high hill ; the artillery was brought up and breached the walls , it wa 3 stormed and taken , our W . M . being prominent in the attack . He also took part in tho

actions at Chamurchi and at the Bala Pass . For his services he was repeatedly mentioned in despatches . To all this I may add that ho was distinguished with the Gold Medal of the Royal Artillery Institution , in 1871 , and subsequently passed through the Staff"College . By thus placing before you what our W . M . has done in his military

and literary capacities , you will be able to form some idea of what he may achieve in the duties upon which ho now enters . I feel sure that he will rule and guide our Lodge well , that he will encourage us in the labours which aro peculiar to tho Quatuor Coronati , and that , as we are a youug body , with much yet to do in many ways in

order to carry out the objects we have in view , ho will use every exertion to foster aud help our studies to tho best of his ability . The remaining toasts wore the Founders and Past Masters , proposed by the W . M . and repponded to by Bro . Simpson I . P . M . ; the Correspondence Circle , by the Secretary , who called for replies from

Bros . Dr . Morris and J . Newton ; tho Visitor ? , replied to by Bro . Wilkinson in a speech of great humour ; and tho Officers , in giving which the W . M . pointed out that he measured tho willingness of all by tho proofs given by Bro . Macbean , who habitually travelled up from Glasgow to carry out the duties entrusted to his care .

TYRIAN LODGE , No . 1110 .

r fiHE anuual installation meeting was hold at tho Gildridgo Hotel , JL Eastbourne , on Monday , the 23 th ult . The Lodgo was opened by tho W . M ., Bro . J . LL Wright , who was supported by hia Officers and brethren . The chief business of the afternoon was the installation of the newly-elected W . M ., Bro . A . J . Howard . The c ? retnony

waa ably performed by the retiring W . M ., Bro . J . H . Wright . The following Officers were appointed by the W . M ., for the ensuing year end those present wcro invested with the insignia of their resoect . ivc

Offices , viz ., Bros . J . U . Wright I . P . M ., W . E . Morrison S . W ., J . Croighton J . W ., 0 . L . Norris Chaplain , Charles Tomes Treasurer , 0 . W . Tomes Secretary , G . Fowler S . D ., Vino J . D ., W . M . Caffvn D . of C , John Easter Organist , J . D . Skinner I . G .. Dicker ant

< akden Stewards . Bro . C . II . Haino was appointed to represent th < lodge on the Charities' Committee . The Lodge having bee !' , closrc ; hc brethren sat down to an olegant banquet under tho presidenen of the W . M ., Bro . Howard . Tbe usual Masonic toasta wove An \] licnouted ,

Notices Of Meetings.

JERSEY LODGE , No . 2163 . rpiIE annual installation meeting of this Lodge was held at the -I- Railway Hotel , Sonthnll , ou Monday , the 4 th iust ., when Bro . S . Meeoh was installed into tho chair of King Solomon . The ceremony was impressively rendered by the ri tiring W . M ., Bro . W . 0 . Hall , assisted by Bro . W . Seward , P . P . G . Standard Bearer . Tho following Officers were then iuvested : —Bros . W . C . Hall I . P . M . and

Organist , W . Seward Treasurov , E . J . W . Herbeit Secretary , J . Tidmarsh S . W ., G . Harpor , J . W ., W . A . Cocks S . D ., W . F . Sanger J . D ., C . C . Sanger I . G ., C . Mead D . C , S . J . Johnson and W . Field Stewards , B . G . Hanson Almouer . Tho Rev . E . C . Britton , who had been re-appointed Chaplain , was unavoidably absent . Bro . J . Duffyn waa

elected Tyler in place of Bro . G . Lane resigned . The report of the Audit Committee , which showed that tho Lodge waa in a good financial condition was read and adopted . The resignation of Bros . G .

Williams and S . Dyer wore accepted . A letter was read from the Secretary of the West Middlesex Lodge of Instruction . It wa 3 decided that tho brethren should support this Lodge in preference to starting ouo iu connection with their own . After a new candidate had been

nominated , tho Lodge was closed in due form and tho brethren afterwards dined together . The usual Loyal and Masouio toast 3 wore duly honoured , and during the evening a Past Master ' s jewel was

presented to Bro . Hall I . P . M . The Visitors present wero : — Bros . Taplin P . M ., Reid , Fleming S . W ., and Marsh 382 , Clarke 1612 , aud Bros . Smith and Webbe ( Etou College ) , who rendered assistance in the musical part of the proceedings .

DERBY ALLCROET LODGE , No . 2168 .

THE installation meeting of this Lodgo took place on Thursday evening , at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Panoras , when a large number of tho brethren and visitors assembled to take part in the festive ceremony . Bro . James P . Fitzgerald W . M . presided , and was supported by Bro . John D . Allcroft Past Grand Treasurer , Bros . Harold Halliday S . W ., Joseph Corbett J . W ., E . Y . Jolliffo

Treasurer , R . D . Cummings Secrotary , W . Harding S . D ., W . F . Lord J . D ., S . Garcia Dir . of Cers ., Jas . F . Haskins Organist , G . A . Ayrea P . M ., John Maclean P . M ., L . Engel P . M ., J . Miles P . M ., O . Barnott W . M ., W . Cook P . M ., D . Hughes P . M ., G . J . Judge I . P . M ., Dr . T . Gaton P . M ., D . Hughes P . M . P . P . G . D . C Surrey , Col . A . J . Bolton P . M ., J .

Rexworthy , F . Johnson P . M ., T . A . Bullock P . M . ; and Bros . W . Lawrence , Geo . Rawlinson , J . W . Dixon , J . Demetrius , D . A . Mostyn , H . A . E . Hahn , W . Thomas , Henry Conolly , W . J . Charles , C . J . Howe , F . J . Potter , C M . Brandor , A . Salmon , W . W . Lee , F . H . Macklin , J . F . Jermyn , A . T . Yardley , John Morris , C . P . Coles ,

Orlton Cooper , & o . Lodge having been opened , Bro . J . P . Fitzgerald proceeded to instal his successor . Bro . Harold Halliday was brought before the Lodgo and duly signified hia assent to the conditions ; ho was conducted to the chair of K . S . with tho usual ceremony . He was subsequently saluted by tho brethren in the threo

degrees , and then proceeded to invest hi ^ Officers for tho ensuing vear , aa follow : —Bros . Joseph Corbett P . M . S . W ., J . P . Harding P . M . J . W ., E . Y . Jolliffo P . M . P . Z . Treasurer , Robert D . Cummings P . M . Secretary , W . F . Lord S . D ., Geo . Rawlinson J . D ., W . J . Wetcuhall I . G ., S . Darcey Dir . of Cers ., Jns . Unskins Organist , Geo . Godfrey

and A . A . Milhvard Stewards . At tho termination of tho ceremony the brethren proceeded to the large hall , where the banquet was served . Tho usual Loyal and Masonic toasts wero heartily proposed and accepted , Bro . John Derby Allcroft responding for the Grand ORicere . EIo said that on the roll of their Lodgo they had four or five Gratid

Officers , and thongh ho was the only representative present , tho others wero well awaro that they could soe as good work here as in any Lodgo in England , and ho could safely say that they rightly upheld the integrity of the Craft . Bro . J . P . Fitzgerald then gave tho health of the Worshipful Master , and said that Bro . Halliday having

been unanimously elected Master was entitled to tho loyalty and assistance of tho brethren , so that his year of office might bo a successful one . No previous Master had ever started with brighter prospects , or with such a brilliant gathering to welcome him , and he predicted that he would have a good time . Tho W . M ., rising to

return thanks , was received with acclamation , ancl briefly stated that ho would do his best to deserve tho honour paid him by the brethren , and if he could emulate tho I . P . M . in his working ho could hope for nothing bettor , ne then procoeded to invest Brother Fitzgerald with a beautiful P . M . 's jewel , that had been unanimously

voted by the Lodge , as a tangible appreciation of his services . Bro . Fitzgerald , in acknowledging the compliment , thanked tho brothren sincerely for their kind presont , and desired specially to thank Bro . Cummings , the Secretary , for the great assistance rendered during tho past year . Ho had always found him ready to

put him right ia Masonic matters , and when any difficulty aroso he was ever ready to smooth it over . The W . M . proposed the Visitors in felicitous terms , and the toast was responded to by Bros . David Hughos , John Maclean , Nathan Robinson , and John Hughes . Several

other toasts followed , and altogether a mo 3 t pleasant evening was spent , made more enjoyable by some excellent songs by Brothers A . James , Robert Crice , Walter Coward , and James Kifh A humorous recitation was given by Bro . Macklin .

PEACE LODGE , No . 22 G 0

HPHE brothren held their annual meeting at tho Masonic Hall , -A- King-street , Wigan on Thursday night , tho 31 st ult ., when l' , vo Joseph Brown waa duly installed W . M ., the ceremony being performed by Bro . William Goodacro , Prov . Grand Secretary West Lancashire , assisted by Bro . Thomas Milligan , and Bro . Jamua Brindlo . Tho W . M . afterwards appointed and invested his Officers '

rcr the ensuing year , a 3 follows : —Bros . Eev . J . T . Harris Chaplain , J . Smith S . W ., J . J . Charnook J . W ., Millig-m Treasurer . T . Mnrgcnon Socrotary , J . H . Marsdou S . D ., John Molynoux J . D ., Milner D . C , J , Dawbor Organist , Radeliifo I . G ., and Baker , Halton , Poatletbwaito ,