Metropolitan.

The annual oration in memory of Earl Moira was delivered with his customary eloquence by Bro . T . L . Wilkinson . After the subsequent banquet Bro . Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary responded for the Grand Officers , the Earl of Kilmorey for the visitors , and Sir Alfred Dent , K . C . M . G ., for the Past Masters . n ft ft

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . THE members of this Lodge met on Monday last , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , under the presidency of the popular Master Bro . Thomas Kington , who was supported on this occasion by Bros . F . S . Plowright I . P . M ., E . Pennock S . W ., G . Spice J . W ., W . D . Kershaw P . M . Treas ., E . J . Davey P . M . Sec , I . W . Simeons S . D ., W . Cutting J . D ., S . W . Fells I . G ., E . H .

Lough Organist , L . G . Bernhardt Tyler ; Past Masters G . Nightingale , J . Smith , J . E . Fells , J . Smither , F . Haines ; together with the following lay members : Bros . M . Madders , C . Cornish , G . Baker , L . Parker , C . H . Ash , G . Bushell , H . Jacobs , M . Bailey , J . C . Turner , T . Wifien , T . White , E . Waterby , F . Richardson , R . Owen , John Davies , C . Way . Visitors : Bros . J . W . Turner W . M . 2671 , and J . Wynman .

The Lodge was regularly opened , and tho minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . Messrs . Joseph Staal , Thomas Burnell , and Walter Houghton were presented as candidates for initiation , and were regularly admitted to the privileges of the first degree , the ceremony being rendered in an impressive manner .

The Bye-Laws were read , and then tho Brethren proceeded to the election of Worshipful Master and other Officers for the ensuing year . The unanimous choice of the Brethren fell upon Bro . Pennock S . W . for the chief office , and the W . M .-elect tendered his appreciation of the honour conferred upon him . Bro . Kershaw P . M . was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Reinhardt re-appointed Tyler . Bros . Bushill and Owen were elected as Auditors .

Bro . Plowright I . P . M . proposed that a sum of ten guineas be voted from the Lodge to provide a Past Master ' s jewel for presentation to the Worshipful Master , on his vacating his office at the next meeting , as a mark of their appreciation of his excellent working during the time he had presided over the Lodge . This was seconded by Bro . Smith P . M ., and agreed to with acclamation .

Bro . Simeons S . D . announced that he would again represent the Lodge as a Steward on behalf of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The resignation of a member was accepted with regret . The name of a candidate for joining was submitted , as also the name of a gentleman desiring initiation . After other business and hearty greetings , the W . M . closed his Lodge , and an adjournment was made to an excellent supper , provided in Bro . Ciemow's well known form , and thoroughly enjoyed by the company present , Bro . F . S . Eyre superintending the service .

After the Loyal toasts the W . M . submitted that of the Grand Officers , remarking that if the arrangements for the recent St . Paul's Festival had been left in the hands of the Masonic authorities the unfortunate mishap that occurred on that occasion would have been prevented , and everything would have been conducted to the satisfaction of the Craft . The I . P . M . had much pleasure in submitting the toast of the W . M .

Bro . Plowright felt he should have liked to occupy his present position for another two or three years , but they had a better and more accomplished I . P . M . looming in the near future , the one who , during his occupation of the post of Master , had given the Lodge every satisfaction . He could but regret that that was the last occasion on which he would be called upon to propose the health of Bro . Kington as Worshipful Master , but such being the case he hoped they would accord the toast a special Confidence fire .

The W . M ., in reply , sincerely thanked Bro . Plowright and the members for their hearty toast . He assured them he could not find words sufficient to thank them for the kindnesses he had experienced during the past year . He had many warm friends in the Lodge , and especially thanked his Officers for the hearty support they had given him during his presidency . He was pleased to hear he had given them satisfaction , and to know that he had come up to their expectation of what ho would be able to do in the chair of the Lodge .

The W . M . said he had especial pleasure in submitting the next toastthat of the W . M .-elect , whose many good qualities were well known to the members of tho Lodge over which he had been chosen to preside . He felt the Lodge had elected a Brother who would do credit to the office he was called upon to-fill , and give them all the satisfaction they hoped for . In reply , Bro . Pennock tendered his grateful acknowledgments . He felt sure if he received the same support from the Past Masters , Officers and Brethren , as had been accorded his predecessors in the chair , all would go well in the Confidence Lodge during his year of office .

The W . M . next submitted the toast of the I . P . M ., referring to the way in which the Lodge of Confidence had prospered during the year it was under Bro . Plowright's rule , and the readiness with which he had always come forward with assistance and advice since he had vacated the chair . In fact , the members had only to call upon Bro . Plowright and they would always find him ready to do anything in his power for the Lodge . For his past and present kindnesses he felt the members would heartily honour the toast of the I . P . M . Bro . Plowright tendered his thanks for the toast .

The toast of the Initiates was next given from the chair , the W . M . offering a hearty welcome to the new members . He was sorry Brother Houghton had had to leave them , having a long journey before him , but called upon the Brethren to drink in hearty manner to the health of the other two initiates .

Bro . Burnell responded , referring to tho heartiness of his reception on that occasion , which far exceeded anything he had previously experienced . Bro . Staal also thanked the W . M . and the Lodge . He had often travelled abroad , and had been received there with great hospitality , but never had he met so hearty a reception as had been accorded him that night . He hoped the Brethren would never have occasion to regret having admitted him as a member among them .

The Visitors toast was heartily given , and acknowledged by Bros . Turner and Wynman , the former being brief in his remarks , but giving an additional contribution to the harmony of the evening as compensation . The toast of tin ; Past Masters was duly given , and acknowledged by each in turn ; while the Officers came in for their share of praise and recognition , and the Tyler brought the proceedings to an end . Several songs were contributed by members during the evening , and added considerably to the general enjoyment of those present . o o o ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . THE regular meeting was held at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , on Friday , 10 th inst ., when Bro . C . J . Coombs W . M . occupied

Metropolitan.

the chair , and was supported by Bros . C . Robinson S . W ., Justin Allen J . W ., F . J . Larkman P . M . Sec , H Goinm S . D ., J . Halstead J . D ., H . T . Johnson I . G ., E . Edyman and T . H . Dorey Stewards , H . R .. Worth D . C ., J . Gilbert Tyler ; B . E . Blasby P . M ., H . J . Saunders P . M ., W . J . Gomm P . M ., H . W . Ellis , H . Perry , T . C . Aylett , H . P . Roper , F . R . Roper , J . Roper , H . E . Furness , W . O . Vincent , W . T . Purkiss , C . J . Dorey , W . H . Ellis , J . B . Everitt .

The Lodge was advanced to the third degree , and Bro . W . Edwards was raised as a Master Mason . Lodge was then resumed to the first degree , and the ballot having been taken for five gentlemen , candidates for initiation , they were accepted , and four of them being present were regularly initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry , these being Messrs . J . H . Willey , W . J . Cornwell , E . T . Nash , and F . Le Sueur .

Bro . Henry Tayler and Bro . Robert Harwin , of the Brentford Lodge , No . 2400 were elected joining members . The election of Worshipful Master , Treasurer and Tyler for the ensuing year took place , with the result that Bro . C . Robinson S . W . was chosen for the position of Master , while the Treasurer and Tyler were respectively re-elected . Three junior members of the Lodge , Bros . H . W . Ellis , A . Hull , and W . Edwards , were appointed on the Audit Committee .

A presentation was made to Bro . Tom Dorey , of a handsome Jubilee Jewel , for services rendered to the Lodge . The proceedings were shortly afterwards brought to a conclusion and the Brethren repaired to refreshment , following which the usual toasts were honoured , special attention being given to that of the Initiates , each of whom responded , thanking tho Lodge for having received them as members .

Among the visitors were Bros . Phillips P . M . 2400 , R . Stoele P . M . 2012 , ' Frank Price , G . H . Parsons 1612 , and others .

GALLERY LODGE , No . 1928 . THE ceremony of installation took place at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , on Saturday , when Bro . G . George Tarran installed Bro . Samuel James as his successor in the chair . After the election of Bro . Henry Trounce as a joining member , and tho initiation of Mr . T . Artemus Jones , the Lodge passed a vote of condolenoa with the Pro Grand Master the Earl of Lathom , on the lamented death of the Countess of Lathom .

The visitors present included the Ven . Archdeacon Sinclair Past Grand Chaplain , Bro . Edward Terry Past Grand Treasurer , Bro . T . A . Bullock Past Grand Sword Bearer , and Bro . Henderson Scott , the last mentioned of whom narrated his experience in the temporary House of Commons when he reported a speech by the Duke of Wellington . An excellent musical entertainment was given , after the usual banquet , by the Westminster Singers .

EMPRESS LODGE , No . 2581 . IT is probably an event previously unknown in the annals of Freemasonry for a member of the Order , outside the pale of Royalty , to be installed as Master of a Lodge before the third anniversary of his initiation ; and though some old Past Masters may regard such a course with disfavour , and perhaps look upon it as unmerited promotion , the unanimous election of Bro . John

Holdsworth Dimsdale by the members of his Lodge , and the manner in which he conducted the business upon assuming the chair , should be sufficient guarantee of his fitness for the position . This unique occurrence took place at the meeting of the Empress Lodge , on Wednesday , 8 th inst ., at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W ., the occasion being graced by a large number of Brethren , including a goodly array of Officers of Grand Lodge .

Bro . Imre Kiralfy W . M . opened the Lodge with praiseworthy promptness at half-past five , the time mentioned in the summons , when the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Bro . J . Weiner ,

of the Strand Lodge , and Bro . W . F . Allvey , of the Shurmur Lodge , becoming joining members . Bro . Sir Joseph C . Dimsdale P . G . T . Treasurer of the Lodge presented the balance sheet , and congratulated the members upon their substantial financial position , in spite of large expenses ; and upon his proposition the Report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted .

The Lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bro . Kiralfy resigned the chair in favour of Bro . Thomas Fenn P . G . W ., who appointed Bro . Alderman Vaughan Morgan G . T . as S . W ., Bro . Sir George D . Harris P . G . D . as J . W ., and Bro . W . S . Hooper P . M . as D . C . to assist him . Bro . John H . Dimsdale was then formally presented , and having signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations , was obligated . The Brethren having retired , a Board of Installed Masters , forty in number ,, was formed , and Bro . John Holdsworth Dimsdale was installed in accordance with

ancient tradition . The ceremony was beautifully rendered by Bro . Fenn , and he subsequently delivered tho usual addresses in an impressive and dignified manner . The new Master ' s first duty was to invest his Officers for the ensuing year , and this he did in a manner that must have been gratifying both to the recipients of the collars and the numerous Grand Officers present . They

were Bros . Dr . R . J . Maitland Coffin S . W ., J . W . Clarke Treasurer , G . D . Coleman Secretary , C . I . Kiralfy S . D ., G . C . Breese J . D ... J . P . Nelson I . G ., R . M . Meyer P . M . D . C , G . R . Blades A . D . C ., J . S . Bhumgara , W . H . Coppinger , and G . G . Kirchner Stewards , James Kift Organist , and Alfred Ellis P . M . Tyler . Bro . M . Halpe being unavoidably absent , his investiture as J . W . was postponed till the next meeting .

The W . M . in graceful terms then presented Bro . Imre Kiralfy with the Past Master ' s jewel that had been voted by the Lodge , as a small mark of their esteem , and trusted he might long be spared to wear it . Bro . Kiralfy suitably returned thanks , and incidentally mentioned that he was particularly proud at passing the chair , as he had been a Mason for thirty years , and had never had an opportunity of doing so before .

Several candidates were proposed for initiation at the next meeting , and the resignation of a member was received with regret . The W . M . announced his intention of representing the Lodge at the Centennial Festival of the Boys School next June , and Sir Joseph Dimsdale offered himself as a Steward for the Girls School Festival in May , when his friend Sir Reginald Hanson would preside .

There being no other business before the Lodge , the W . M . received the congratulations of the Visitors , and the meeting was adjourned until February . The installation banquet was served in the large dining hall , which was prettily decorated with masses of flowers and evergreens , while the menu was of the choicest description .