Installation Meetings, &C.

which this jewel has been awarded by the brethren of the Lodge Bro . Button has , in a speech in which he has shown very great regard for me , brought nnder yonr notice the circumstances nnder whioh I became connected with the foundation of this Lodge . Those oiroum . stances were nnique , and you as a body aro especially unique . Circura . stances enabled me to be the founder of a Lodge which is unique ,

because it has for its object the bringing to . ether more especially those , as he said , who have emanated from a common centre . I was , as you are all aware , busily engaged during the latter part of the last year , and I did not think , and scarcely dared to hope , that I could have so shaped events as to be present afc tbe various meetings of tha Lodge . But by looking a little ahead I was enabled , fortunately for myself , to

keep myself free for all the Lodge meetings , and having taken the work in hand I managed to get here and do it . I accepted the office , although it is many years since I have been an active Mason . It was not only the work in the Lodge that I had to lay myself out for , but I had to set an example to future Masters , knowing thafc thafc example wonld be maintained , so that tbe Lodge might hope for all

time that each Master would do the whole work falling to his share . I cannot claim credit for having done thafc work so well as Bro . Button has pointed out , but I can say that of all the work I had to do last year the greatest was to revive the knowledge to enable me to go throngh the work of the Lodge . Many and many a night after I got to bed I have lain awake trying to piece together the various parts of

fche ritual I had to perform . And whenever I got hold of a brother at odd times—on a railway journey for instance—I have appealed to him as to the part I was in doubt about , and have got him to go through it with me ; and it was only by thus making use of every spare moment thafc I was able to perform the task I had undertaken . Whatever , however , has been the labour of this call npon roe I am amply

rewarded by the way in which you have recognised my work . Also , because it has brought me in connection with many former acquaintances in my life , and that Bro . Button has been enabled to apeak of me in terms which I value most highly . I do not think we conld pay a greater compliment to any man than to be able to say , " I believe by your walk in life you have been tolerably successful in

carrying ont the principles of Freemasonry . " I must not detain the brethren , but without saying a few words I should have felt that I was not showing myself grateful for your kindness . To my past Officers I retnrn thanks for the manner in whioh they have supported me , and to the brethren for the way they have obeyed my commands . While we continue to carry out these principles there can be nothing

but prosperity before us , and I hope that our connection may be con . tinned for many years , thafc we may meet under the Masonic roof when we cannot meet at any other times , and that we each of ns may derive satisfaction from being able to meet in friendly converse and social chat , and taking ourselves away from the cares of the world two or three times a year for happiness , comfort , or consolation . We shall

retire from these meetings benefited and refreshed , and shall each of us gain much by keeping in mind the principles of Freemasonry . W . M . and Brethren , I beg to thank you again for the handsome jewel you have presented to me . Among the guests present were Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke Grand Secretary , who , by the way , is an honorary member ; Bro . H . D . Stead P . M . 1297 , & c , father of the W . M . ; Thomas

How P . M . 12 , J . D . E . Tarr J . D . 1293 , J . M . Chapman W . M . 1299 , C . E . Ferry P . M . 65 , W . E . Smallman 507 , A . W . Willis 1491 , J . F . Hadden 766 , E . Woodman S . W . 1950 , J . G . Prickett 613 , J . Hawkins P . M . 1693 , J . J . Wooley J . W . 15 , H . Ashton Mozart , S . Leigh 201 , J . Laidlaw Cross 90 , J . W . Hanson 1706 , F . Bevan 1706 , and E . 0 . Massey P . M . 1297 . After fche closing of fche Lodge , the members and

their guests dined together under the presidency of the W . M ., and after the cloth had been withdrawn the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed by the chairman and cordially received by the company . In proposing the first toast the W . M . feelingly referred to Her Majesty ' s recent bereavement , and the loss which the Craft also had sustained in tbe death of the Dnke of Albany . The Grand

Secretary responded for the Grand Officers , and referred to the zeal displayed by the Earl of Carnarvon as Pro Grand Master , mentioning in particular the ceremony at Peterborough on the preceding Wednesday , where the Earl of Carnarvon , supported by a large gathering of eminent Masons , had laid tbe fonndation stone of the portion of the Cathedral that is to be re-erected . The Grand

Secretary said it gave him great pleasure to revisit John Carpenter Lodge , which he had the privilege of consecrating twelve months ago , when he had also installed the then Lord Mayor as the firsfc W . M ., and he was extremely pleased to learn that they had prospered . The health of the W . M . was proposed by Sir Henry E . Knight , who said that he was satisfied that the brother who succeeded him would , no

less than he ( Sir H . E . Knight ) had done , desire to see everything done in a proper manner , and that he was satisfied Bro . Stead , who was a well-skilled Mason , would carry on the work in an efficient manner , and thafc twelve months hence they would be able to congratulate him upon the progress the Lodge had made under his rule . Bro . Stead thanked Sir Henry Knight for the very kind man-¦

ner in which he had proposed his health , and the Brethren for their cordial reception of the toast . It had long been his desire that there should be a Lodge established as an outcome from the City of London School , and he felt deeply indebted to Sir Henry Knight for having assisted in its formation , becanse there could be no doubt that the soccess they had achieved was attributable to his co-operation . He

trusted that dnring his year the brethren would provide him with plenty of work , and that at the end of his term of office they would be able to congratulate each ofcher on the further progress made by the John Carpenter Lodge . A number of other toaits were proposed , including the Visitors , the Past Master , the Treasurer and

Secretary , and the Officers of tbe Lodge , before the proceedings were brought to a close with the Tyler ' s Toast . In the intervals between the toasts some very effective songs were given by professional brethren , the musical arrangements being nnder the direction of Bro . J . W . T . Chapman , assisted by Bro . H . Ashton , Bro . T . W . Hanson , and Bro . F . Bevan .

Installation Meetings, &C.

SAMSON LODGE , No . 1668 . WITHOU T wishing to offer any disparagement to large Lodges , or to those whose members are desirous of making them so , we can but confess that we much prefer small assemblies , especially when at the close of the day ' s work the brethren adjourn to the social board . We have frequently referred to this subject , pointing out advantages which are associated with smaller gatherings though unknown to larger ones , and although there may be some few

corresponding benefits attached to numerously attended meetings , we yet feel that onr choice is with those where the company number some twenty or thirty only . On such occasions the brethren appear to be on more jovial terms with each other than is the case where eighty or ninety are assembled , and seem to enjoy themselves , if we may say so , in a homely manner , rather than in a semi-professional

way- as is sometimes the case at large meetings . This is natural , aa it necessarily follows that with a company numbering close on one hundred it is impossible for all to be known to each other ; and notwithstanding the introduction each may have to the other from a Masonic point of view , there is a feeling that many present are comparative strangers , a feeling whioh cannot be wholly removed no

matter how ably a Master may preside , or how well he may be supported by his Officers and Past Masters . The annual meeting of the Samson Lodge , which took place on Tuesday , the 13 th , at the Regent Masonio Hall , Regent Street , W ., was a truly representative gathering of joviality and good feeling . We account for this from the fact that the assembly was not a large one , that the W . M . and

Officers did their best to entertain the brethren , and that , generally speaking , all were known to each other or personally introduced by friends , a proceeding hardly possible in an assemblage of three or four times the number . The Lodge was presided over by Bro . H . Aarons , the W . M . of the past year , who was supported during the holding of the Lodge by Bros . Isaac Quincey ( W . M . elect ) S . W ., H . W . Casperd J . W ., Baron D . Barnett P . M . Sec , R . A . Kingsbury

S . D ., B . Fuld J . D ., J . S . Miller D . C , A . Gluck I . O ., Oohse P . M ., Lover P . M ., W . H . G . Rndderforth P . M ., & o . The business was of a varied nature , comprising the working of the third degree , the initiation of candidates , and the reception of joining members , in addition to that usual on the occasion of installation ceremonies . This latter was most ably worked by Bro . Lover P . M ., who placed Bro . Quincey into the chair , and performed the other duties

of his high office in a most efficient manner . In due course the W . M . appointed the Officers of the year , as follows : Casperd S . W ., Kingsbury J . W ., M . D . Loewenstark P . M . ( absent ) Treas ., Barnett P . M . Sec , Fuld S . D ., Gluck J . D ., Miller , I . G ., Lover P . M . D . C , Rudderforth P . M . Steward , Lancaster Assistant D . C , Levey Assistant Steward . The installation ceremony having

been completed , and other business disposed of , Lodge was olosed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , whioh was served in the well known style of Bro . Nicol ' s establishment . Afc the conclusion of the repast , the W . M . proposed the toast of the Queen and the Craft , remarking thafc among the numerous subjects of Her Majesty none would be found more loyal than those who were associated with the

Masonic Craft . The toast of the Grand Master required little or no introduction . The mention of the name of His Koyal Highness was always sufficient to call forth a hearty response . The Prince of Wales took great interest in Freemasonry , and attended its meetings as often as he was able to do . The same might be said of the other rulers in Freemasonry , and of the Grand Officers generally , who all

did their best to advance the interests of the Order . Bro . Aarons , the I . P . M ., having assumed the gavel , toasted the W . M . Those who had been associated with Bro . Quincey conld testify to his jovial disposition , while his ability in the duties required of him would speak for itself . He always performed his work well , and with credit to himself . The W . M . returned his thanks . He had been told , when

he joined the Samson Lodge , that he was foolish in doing so , but he had lived to prove this otherwise . He had always got on well in the Lodge , and he hoped his fortune would continue now that he was its ruler . He next proposed the toast of the Initiates , to which Bro . Thos . Vercoe Rogers replied in an able manner ; indeed , we do not remember many occasions on which an initiate has appeared to so thoroughly

grasp the state of affairs as Bro . Rogers seemed to have done on this his first night in Freemasonry . He was followed by the other newlyadmitted brother , who also spoke in a way which many older Masons might envy . He thanked the brethren for his reception among them . He had often dreamed of what Freemasonry consisted , and was now pleased to find his desire to join in its mysteries gratified . Having

put his hand to the plough , he trusted he might never desire to turn back , but that be might go on and on until , at his death , he might be remembered as one who was a credit to Freemasonry . Bro . Demeter Pick , the joining member , followed . He had always had a desire to join an English Lodge , and now felt he had made a good choice in selecting the Samson . The W . M . then

proposed the health of his predecessor , referring to his many good qualities , his jovial disposition and the ability he had displayed in the ruling of the Lodge . On behalf of the members he had much pleasure in presenting a P . M . 's jewel , which he hoped Bro . Aarons would prize and long wear among them . The jewel was a very handsome one , and bore the following inscription : —

Presented by the Members of the Samson Lodgo , No . 1668 , to Bro . H . AAHONS P . M ., as a mark of their respect and esteem , and in recognition of his valuable services as W . M . during his year of office . 13 th May 1884 .

Bro . Aarons tendered his sincere thanks for the kind words of the Master , the hearty approval of the brethren , and the jewel they had presented to him . He had attained the summit of his ambition in the Samson Lodge—that ; of a P . M . —and hoped he might live for many years to wear the mark of esteem his brother Masons had presented him with . The W . M . heartily proposed the health of the Visitors ,