Notices Of Meetings.

thanks , Bro . Williams particularly referring to the very happy year of office through which he had just passed , and whioh had been made so agreeable by the devotion of his Officers and the attention of the members generally to the best interests of the Lodge ; and Bro . Hammond again referring to the manner in whioh that services he had

been able to render had been recognised in the earlier part of the . evening . The names of twenty-five Visitors were then read , and the W . M . called upon his Officers and brethren to accord them a hearty welcome . Rro . James Stevens P . M . 720 , 1216 , 1426 , by general request , returned thanks for the greeting accorded , and in the

course of many laudatory remarks on the perfect Masonio work which had been witnessed that evening ( whioh remarks were freely endorsed by the general body of visitors ) expressed the hope that the brilliant example set by those who had hitherto ruled the Lodge might be emulated , and probably equalled , if they conld

not be excelled , by the present and future occupants of the Chair of K . S . The Lodge was an ornament to the Craft , both in respect of ritual work and ceremonial , and its hospitality had been so distinctive as to ensure its attractiveness to all who could enjoy the honour of placing their names on the Visitors' list . Of the many

now assembled he felt assured there was none who could do otherwise than wish the Lodge the prosperity it so richly deserved . The toast of The Officers of the Lodge was ably responded to by Bro . Hartley S . W ., and shortly afterwards the Tyler brought a most successful meeting to a pleasant conclusion . Amongst the many

vocalists and reciters of the evening , we should not omit to make special mention of the admirable efforts of Bros . Cranch , Simons , Sargeant , Pitman , and Forster , in regard to the last named of whom we may say , in the words of Captain Reece ( words which he and others will quite understand ) , " It was his duty , and he did !"

ROYAL UNION LODGE , No . 382 .

THE members of this Lodge celebrated their annual installation on Monday , the 16 th inst ., at the Chequers Hotel , Uxbridge , on which occasion Bro . W . C . Hall was regularly installed as Worshipful Master . Bro . C . Cotton , the W . M . of the past year , presided , and he

was snpported by the following Past Masters of the Lodge : —Bros . Geo . Rawles , W . . Webb , Joseph Lonsdale D . C , W . Coombes Secretary , G . Fehrenbach Treasurer , and H . Nicholson . There was also a good attendance of members and the following visitors : —Broa .

S . Murch 1612 , G . Girling Butcher 569 , W . Wright 1977 , W . Biggs P . P . G . S . W . Wilts , Past Provincial Grand Secretary Berks and

Bucks , T . Dyson , C . Beckett 2000 , John Hodges Past Master 1706 , R . De Lacy 1706 , G . Harper 1612 , W . W . Morgan P . M . 211 . The minntes having been confirmed , tho Lodge was advanced , and Bro . W . C . Hall presented for installation . This ceremony was undertaken by Bro . W . Biggs , a brother who . as long back as

September 1877 , was sketched in our columns under the designation " An Installing Master . " We then spoke of his ability as a presiding Officer , and at that time we believe our opinion was shared by all who knew Bro Biggs . To-day we find him equally proficient , * nd the eight years which have elapsed since

then appear to have given him even greater command of the work , rather than to have detracted from auy of the spirit or ability he then possessed . At the same time we suppose we must admit that the eight years have made some difference ; for , unfortunately , we do nofc so frequently have the pleasnre of meeting Bro . Biggs at

Masonic gatherings as was the case at the time we refer to . Having been regularly installed , the new Worshipfnl Master appointed the following brethren to office : —J . J . Wilson S . W ., Thos . Brooks J . W ., G . Fehrenbach P . M . Treasurer , W . Coombes Prov . G . S . D . P . M . Secretary , H . W . Nicholson P . M . Asst . Secretary , Jas . Taplin S . D ., A . G .

Fleming J . D ., A . Lambert I . G ., F . Taylor Org ., J . Lonsdale P . M . D . C , F . Stacey Asst . D . C , T . W . Jamieson Steward , G . Duffin Tyler . The addresses were then given , and in duo course the ceremony was completed . Mr . John Ash Martin , a candidate for initiation , was regularly introduced , and was admitted to a participation in the

mysteries of Freemasonry by the W . M . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to the retiring Master , Bro . Cotton , who , in acknowledging the presentation , said ifc afforded him great pleasure to receive so valuable a gift from the brethren of the Lodge . A proposition for an initiate and for a joining member having been

handed in , notice was given of a motion to alter the Bye-laws of the Lodge . The case of a distressed brother , who desired his petition to the Board of Benevolence to be brought before the Lodge for signature , was then considered , and Bro . P . M . Fehrenbach kindly undertook to personally visit the applicant . In the event of his

finding the necessities of the case demanded immediate relief , he wns authorised to afford the same from the Benevolent Fund of the Lodge . Lodge was then closed , and a barquet followed . This was very well served by Bro . W . Phillips , the proprietor of the " Chequers , " and was followed by the usual toasts . The Loval

toasts having been honoured , with those of tho rulers of the Craft , the nsual compliment was paid to the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master Sir Frances Burdett . With the toast of the Depntv Provincial Grai'd Master , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers was associated the names of Bros . Lieutenant Coombes G . Fehrenbach ,

and J . Lonsdale , who acknowledged the co'trpPment . Bto . C < tton then proposed the health of the Worshipfnl Master , who b « congratulated on the ability he had shown in conducting the ceremony of initiation that day . In repl y , Bro . Hall said that when , ten years back , he waa initiated in the Royal Union Lodge , the chair of

Wotahipfnl Master appeared fco loom in the distant , future . By the kind suffrages of the brethren he had secured the coveted honour . He trusted his efforts would receive a kindly recognition , and that

the prestige of the Lodge wonld be sustained during his year of office . At the request of the W . VI ., the duty of proposing the healt . h of tbe Installing Master was entrusted to Bro . Morgan , who thanked Bro . Hall for the opportunity afforded him of laying a few words in

Notices Of Meetings.

favour of a dear old friend . Bro . Biggs , daring the last few years , had not taken so active a part i a the work of Freemasonry as he had in the earlier part of his career . He had proved himself a sound and worthy Mason , and to some of the young brethren who were around the board an outline of his career might prove of

interest . Bro . Biggs was initiated between thirty and forty years back , in a popular London Lodge , wherein he regularly served the office of Worshipful Master . In 1857 , he was appointed to a minor office iu the Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire , in whioh district he subsequently had the honour of filling the office of Grand Senior Warden . At that timo Sir Daniel Goooh held the office of

Depnty Grand Master of that Province . When Sir Daniel was installed as ruler of Berks aud Bucks he appointed our esteemed brother to the Grand Secretaryship of the Province , and that office he held for something like ten years . At the present time he was looked upon as the perpetual Director of Ceremonies of the Province

of Berks and Bucks . To the older brethren he was well known , and wherever he waa known he waa respected . Bro . Morgan felt that fche to'ist would be as heartily received aa he desired it shonld be , and bearing in mind the high esteem he entertained for Bro . Biggs , that would be of tho most enthusiastic character . Bro . Biggs ten .

dered his cordial thanks to Bro . Morgan for the kind way in which he had spoken of him . As had been stated he did not now take so active a part in the duties of Freemasonry as heretofore , but this could be accounted for when is was remembered that he might be classed in the ranks of the veterans , inasmuch as he was

over seventy years of age . He had not performed a Masonio ceremony for something like ten years , but having been requested by | the Worshipful Master , who was a next door neighbour , to instal him , he had had much pleasure in complying with the request . Years ago he had been a frequent visitor at the Royal Union Lodge , and

he was pleased to see its present state of efficiency . After paying a deserved compliment to the Worshipful Master for the way in whioh he had performed the ceremony of initiation-, Bro . Biggs proposed the toast of the Masonio Charities , forcibly urging on hia listeners the necessity of united efforts to maintain them in the

state of efficiency that was required at the present time , when distress was so prevalent in every quarter . The toast having been replied to , the health of the Past Masters was given , Bro . Cotton responding . " The Visitors " . and " The Officers " bronght the list to

a conclusion , and the brethren separated . Some excellent songs were given during tbe evening , the musical arrangements being under the direction of Bro . Dyson , who was assisted by Bros . Hodges , Beckett , and De Lacey .

Masonic Ball.

MASONIC BALL .

A MOST successful ball was given on Monday evening , 8 th inst ., at the White Hart Hotel , Bromley , a special dispensation having been granted by the Prov . G . Master Lord Holmesdale . The invitations were issued by the Hervey Lodge , 1692 , whose meetings are held afc this hotel . The company assembled at nine o'clock , when

dancing was commenced . The following Officers of the Lodge acted as Stewards : —R . V . Harman Worshipful Master , D . Grinsted P . M ., J . King Secret-try , M . J . Dickens J . D ., J . Howard I . G ., J . Sanders . The M . C . 's were Bros . R . L . Gore I . P . M . and W . G . Hibbs .

The ball-room was most artistically decorated with Masonio emblems and flags . The first part of the programme having been gone through with much spirit , an adjournment was made for supper ; Bro . R . V . Harman W . M . presided . After the loyal toasts , in proposing the toast of tbe Craffc , which is not only the most ancient but

the most honourable society which ever existed , the W . M . gave a short but facetious description of tho secrets and mysteries of the Order . The remaining toasts were the Most Worshipfnl Master , the Ladies , the Stewards , and M . C . ' s , which having been duly honoured , dancing was resumed , the remainder of the programme being com . pleted with unflagging zeal .

Confidence Lodge of Instruction , No . 193 . —At Bro . Lashbrook's , Hercules Tavern , 119 Leadenhall-street , City , on Wednesday . Bros . Saint W . M ., Shackell I . P . M ., Campbell S . W ., De Costa J . W ., Seaman I . G ., Pitt Secretary , Moss Preceptor ;

Valentine , Hyrnan 1275 , Lashbrook . After preliminaries , Bro . Moss , as candidate for raising , answered the questions , and was entrusted . Lodge was opened in the third , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . Bro . Moss worked the first and second sections of the

lecture , assisted by the brethren . Lodge was resumed in the first degree , and Bro . Moss worked the first section of the lecture , Bro . Pitt answering the questions . Bro . John Hyman , 1275 , was elected a member . Bro . Campbell was appointed W . M . for ensning week . All labour ended , Lodge was closed in due form .

Kingsland Lodge of Instruction , Ho . 1693—On Monday , 15 ' h instant , at Br " . Baker ' s , Cottk Tavern , Highbury , N . Bros , flai . cock W . M ., K'rk S . W ., Stoekh dl J . W ., Forgo Treasurer , Collingridge Secretary , Turner S . D ., White J . D ., Keogh I . G ., Trewinnard Preceptor , and several other brethren . Tbo cer mony ofinitia . tion was rehearsed , Bro . Fluck candidate . Bro . White answered the

questions leading to the second degree , nnd that ceremony was r . dn-arsed , Bro . Dixie candidate . Bro . Trewinnard P . M . 1693 and 228 was elected Preceptor ; Bros . Fenner , Western , and Forge ( all P . M . ' s ) elncted Deputy Preceptor *; Cooper W . M . 1693 Treasurer , and Collingridge Secretary . Bro . G . J . Barnett 1929 was elected a member .

Ad01003

FUNERALS properly carried out and personally attended in liOndon or Country by Bro . G . A . HUTTOM " , 17 Newcastle Street , Strand , WtC . Monuments erected . Valuations made .