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masonry there is a sober and solemn side to our meetings . Free , masonry is also valuable for the practical character ifc possesses in these days . Nobody can look at the course of events around us without feeling that fche problems before ns are as difficult , if nofc more difficult , than any which have presented themselves in the past .

and we shall all admit thafc tho solution of these problems will very much depend npon the temper of mind with which they are approached , and the possibility of their being discussed in a spirit of courtesy . In this sense Freemasonry will bo n valuable instrument of dealing with the difficulties aud complications of the future . So

far from Freemasonry being an effete Institntion and its day over , we need , as Masons , to gird up our loins and do the best we can to inspire others with fche principles we value so highly , and which are of such inestimable value in the days in whioh we live . If Freemasonry is so valuable and of such practical utility , how can we , as

Freemasons , promote it ? Many of the prejudices against the system are disarmed , bufc prejudice dies hard , and as Masons we must do nil we can individually fco show thafc the attacks made upon the Order are not deserved . I see in this Lodge of Prudence you have a distinctive feature , and without laying down that other Lodges should

necessarily follow it , yefc it is a good thing to see that you by youv action ore showing that fermented liquors are not necessary to your enjoyment , that you can be happy without thorn as well as with them . Nobody can take part in our Lodges without going away a

better and a stronger man . On tho motion of the Worshipful Master , seconded by the I . P . M ., a cordial vote of thanks was presented uO the Dean of York for his admirable paper . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren retired to refreshment , after whicb a most happy evening was spent , with music , song and speech .

PERCY LODGE , No . 198 . IT is evident thafc the " Jnbileo" year of the roign of Her Majesty the most gracious Patron of onr Masonio Charities , will be observed with much fervonr by the Craft , and that in a variety of ways the respective Lodges nnder the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge will celebrate with joy and rejoicing the auspicious

occasion . Amongst the first , if nofc tho vrry first , of those gatherings which will evince the devotion of fche Order whose watchwords are , in tho words of its Royal Grand Master , "L jyalty and Charity , " may be noticed the ordinary meeting of the Percy Lodge , on Tuesday last , the 14 th inst ., at tbe Ship and Turtle Tavern , E . C . Under the " genial

presidency of its W . M ., Bro . George Lambert P . G . S . B . & o . f a large and representative assembly of Freemasons enjoyed the " labour and refreshment" which theLodge provided as a first instalment of its " Jnbilee " celebration ; ifc being intended to mark the close of Bro . Lambert ' s second consecutive year of office—after service in the

same capacity in the Percy Lodge in several previous years—and fche accession of its new Master in a distinct and expressive manner , in a continnation of " Jubike " festivities . The following members of the Lodge and Visitors took part in the interesting proceedings of this meeting , viz : —Bro * . Geo . Lambert P . G . S . B . P . M . W . M ., R . Row 11

S . W ., F . W . Lee J . W ., Ii . 0 . Lambert P . M . Treasurer , W . B . Heath P . M . Secretary , J . T . Rowe P . M . S . D ., R . W . Williams J . D ., Geo . Cowell P . M . Dir . of Gets ., John Read Organist , Chas . Lambert I . G ., P . M . 'a Geo . Cooper , F . Orchard , Dr . B . Cross , J . C . Carr , J " . J " Caney ; also Bros . J . F . Robinson , J . G . Cathie , R . W . Rogers , H .

Marriott . Visitors—Bros . R . Costa P . G . D ., J . Sampson Peirce P . G . D ., F . Davison P . G . D ., Greece P . G . Std . Bc , H . D . Sandeman P . Prov . D . G . M . Bengal , Roebuck G . S . B ., D . Woodman P . G . Swd . Br ., Hardum * P . G . A . Dir . of Cers ., Col . Peters P . G . S . B ., Thomas P . G . A . Dir of Cers " E . Bowyer P . G . Standard Bearer , Binckes P . G . Steward , Peacock

P . G . Stwd ., J . L . Mather , Rev . Dr . Maguire 1964 , Rev . John Rose J . D . 1961 , Col . Moncrieif 10 , He-jrd P . M . 449 , Scott 1964 , Drysdale 46 , James Stevens P . M . 720 , 121 G , 1426 , Bullock Prov . G . U . Herts

Laxton P . Prov . G . R . Middlesex , Matier P . S . W . Greece , Dr . Mickley P . P . G . D ., H . Mass ey P . M ., Bradley 2021 , Pendlebury P . M . 1056 , Dodd P . M . 1194 , Vince t 1194 , Reynolds S . D . 1614 , Morris 1789 , Grellier J . D . 21 , Archer J * G . Huguenot , Fowler 2021 , Woodruff 957 , Van Joel

957 , Bellerby J . W . 2021 , Godfrey 2021 , Swain P . M . 449 , Wright P . M . 1996 , Honle P . M . 92 , Roumien P . M . 1537 , Blount Lewis P . M . 338 , Monteuuis I . P . M . 20 ( 30 , 0 . J . Shoppee P . M . 382 , Diuham P . M . 1464 , Quennell W . M . 214 , 0 * en P . M . 1287 , Maples 574 , C . J . Hampden Past Master 255 , Palmer 143 , Gueni ^ anlt 1420 , T . H . Potter Pust Master 19 , J . IT . P . Wilson 259 , Burne Worshipfnl Master 162 .

There wero many apologies for inability to attend , amongst them being those of Bros , the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs of Middlesex . The Lodgo having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting confirmed , Mr . Henry P . Marriott was duly approved of and initiated into tbe Order . Bros . R . Rowell S . W . was elected W . M . for

the ensning year , Charles Lambert Treasurer , and Woodstock . Tyler , A motion was made , fur reference to the Audit Committee , of a proposal to recognise in a suitable manner fche eminent services of Bro . Lambert on his again retiring from the chair of K . S ., and notwithstanding that tho W . M . deprecated further acknowledgment

than had been already bestowed , the motion was unanimously agroed to . Too Lodge was thou closed . The banquet was served in the new dining room of the celebrated Tavern , the altering and improvements of whicb , lately effected by Bros . C . and A . Painter , the proprietors , have been so deservcdlv

appreciated by members of the Craft . It is needless to say more than thafc the menu and service together upheld tho ancient reputation of the Ship aud Turtle . The hearty reception accorded to the visitors during the repast by the W . M ., whose generous welcome was earnest and cheering , was a fitting prelnde to the subsequent

proceedings . After grace had been sung the toasfc of The Queen was impressively given , the W . M . remarking thafc although the toast was at all times well received by every Irue Englishman , and in particular by Freemasons , it was especially fitting that now , in tho very centre of the Jubilee year , and at what ho might perhaps be perm ; tie I to u ; ill the Lodge ' s first Jubilee dinner , it should receive ,

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if possible , still greater emphasis . From Edward the Confessor to the present time no monarch had shed greater lustre on fche British Crown thm our good and excellent Queen , who in her gracious person nnifced the bast , qualities of au admirable mother , a worthy governor , and a , b ^ nsficsnt pafcroa of our Order and ifc * Charities .

Whatever , stud the W . M ., inignfc bo the hopes of England in regard to succession , we may be assured of an etrnest desire thafc our beloved Sovereign may havo many ye * irs of life before her ; and of all times and seasons none could be moro appropriate than this Jubilee year of her reign in which to echo manifold * e sincere wish

God bless bei * . The toasfc was hononred wifch groafc enthusiasm , and the National Anthem was snng . In proposing the toasfc of His Royal Highness fche Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., the W . Master remarked that tho fao * . of increase of Lodges from 990 to 2160 shewed the impetus aud progress of Freemasonry under his

rule , and that consideration being given to the power of Freemasonry iu the direction of social advantages and the formation of valuable friendships , ifc would be seen what i ^ ood even in that respect ; had been done during H . R . H . Grand Mastership . May God bless him and preserve him as chief head and ruler of the Craft .

The toast of the Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master and Grand Officers present and past was introduced by the W . M . in felicitous terms , having reference to what he termed our half jubilee dinner , to which he welcomed the Grand Officers present , with expectation that they might be seen afc the full Jubilee dinner whioh fche

Lodge would doubtless give before its year was out . On this occasion there were present ; many patres conscripti of the Order , and many more wonld havo attended but for engagements which could nofc be set aside . He shonld consider ib a red letter day in fche calendar of the Percy Lodge that the several brethren ( whom he named

seriatim ) had accepted their invitation . He had hoped fco have had fche company of Bro . fche Lord Mayor , Sir Reginald Hanson , and fche Sheriffs , of whom one , Bro . Lieut . CoI . Kirby , is a member of the Lodge , but civic duties could not be neglected . Bro . Hugh Sandeman P . D . G . M . Bengal having been compelled to

leave , Bro . Sampson Peirce P . G . D . was named for response . Bro . Peirce regretted that circumstances had altered , within but a few minutes , when he felt thafc he was free from a call fco make a speech , the worthy P . D . G . M . for Bengal being then present , but willingly ackn wledged the compliment paid to the Pro Grand

Master , the Depnty Grand Master , aud his colleagues in past and pivsent Grand Office . Of the two first-named there could be no doubt that their Masonic qualifications and social position entitled them to the respect of all Freemnsons ; and his colleagues were certainly admirable representatives of the Order , as well in

regard to Masonic work as the Charities connected therewith . Aa a Past Grand Officer he conld say thafc those at present in office could nofc bo surpassed for attention to such duties as were allotted tbem . The W . M . had been p ' eased to pay him a greafc compliment in recognition of his poor merits , and had spoken of fche honour done to the

Lodge by the attendance ot other of thoso for whom he now returned thanks , but he vvas compelled to say that he thought tho honour dono was " on the other side , " and that the gnests of the evening would have a lively recollection of tho hearty reception and courtesy which had been extended to them . The W . M . proposed the health of the

Provincial Grand Officers—representing Greece , Hertfordshire and Middlesex Lodges—and the Grand Stewards . With the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Grand Lodges he was directly connected , and he was pleased to see the brethren to whom he bad referred . With the toast he coupled the names of Bro . Fitzgerald Matier P . G . S . W . Greece , aud

Bro . Monteuuis P . G . Steward , who respectively returned thanks , in brief but effective terms . The toast of the " Initiate " followed , ancl in respect of this the Worshipful Master waxed eloquent , prefacing his more serious remarks by some amusing and wit'y observations relating to the " ordeal" the " youngest son of

the Craft" had undergone , and leading up to observations which merit consideration from all earnest members of the Craft . " Bear in mind , " said the W . M ., " that whilst I congratulate you ( the Initiate ) on your introduction into our Order , and am pleased to tell you that tho word Ma ? on is a password to any and every society , you are

expected to discharge yonr duty , by adherence to our grand principles , and the ascent of our ladder of Faiih , Hope , and Charity ; that you may practise the latter virtue in tho best interests of the poor and distressed . So you will gain by your association with us . What havo I not gained by my connection with the Order ? ' Lore , honour

—troops of friends . In like manner may you also succeed , and it rests with your own efforts so to do . Yon have been asleep all the days of your life ; yon have now seen ' Light . ' With its aid I am sure you will never regret your entrance into our Order . " The toast was cordially received , and the E . A . song having been sung by the W . M ., Bro .

Marriott in response said that having been likened to a new-born baby , he must take a baby's privilege as to speaking , and until he grew up a bit and could do something he would nofc say much . Whatever represented an infant ' s impression of gratitude ho desired to offer hia newly-found brethren on this occasion of his entrance

into Masonic life . Bro . Sexton snug "Sally in our Alley . " Bro . Carr I . P . M . proposed tho health of tho W . M ., Bro . Lambert , nofc doubting that the distinguished body of Masons who must havo ai tended on the eve of his vacating the chair after a second consecutive year of office to do him special honour , and those colleagues

in Grand Lodge and in Provincial Grand Lodges who recognised his association with them , would admit that Bro . Lambert vvas one of those Masons whom forthcoming Masters should strive to emulate . In every respect his services to Freemasonry generally , and fco tho Percy Lodgo in particular , had endeared him to the brethren , aud

he had their best wished for the prolongation of his life and increased happiness . This toast was received with much enthusiasm , and in immediate response Bro . Lambert stated that though so long a

period as thirty-nine years had passed since he , as Worshipful Master of tho Percy Lodgo , fust trod the floors of the Ship and Turtle j ho had seen great alteration . * during thafc time , including tho ' se so recently commenced and now approaching completion ; he had never