Conseceration.

Bro . Letchworth returned thanks for the compliment paid them , and said he expected they would be frequently reminded of the Consecration during the coming winter , when they would have occasion to use their handsome gifts . A committee , consisting of the Master , Wardens , and

Secretary , was appointed to frame the bye-laws of the Lodge , and several candidates and joining members were proposed . The Visitors having tendered their hearty congratulations the Lodge was closed , and adjourned till the first Wednesday in December .

We must here take occasion to refer to the exceedingly handsome book of the ceremony and proceedings , which was designed by Bro . Ffrench Bromhead . It is a most artistic production , reflecting much credit upon Bro . E . E . Alexander , of Leyton , and will doubtless be preserved as a souvenir of the Consecration , especially as it contains the photographs of the sixty-three Founders .

The excellent musical arrangements , which tended so greatly to the impressiveness of the ceremony , were under the direction of Bro . Jefferson Davis , assisted by Bros . Harry Greene , Frank Martin , and Louis Breeze , who also enlivened the post prandial proceedings , when they were joined by Miss Nellie Finigan . Bro . T . S . Goddard ably officiated as the accompanist .

Owing to the large number of guests there was no room in the locality where they could be entertained , and the Consecration Banquet was therefore served in a large marquee in the grounds of the Hotel , and considering the circumstances it was admirably arranged . The tent was as brilliant as lamps , flowers , and bunting could make it , and the scene presented ,

when ali the visitors—about 225—were seated , will not readily be forgotten . During the banquet Bro . George Hughes ' Orchestre Frangaise played some lively selections , which were much enjoyed . Indeed everything appears to have been thought of by the Founders to make the function a success , and that it was so was amply demonstrated by the appreciation of the Brethren .

At the termination of the dinner the Master rose to submit the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts , and met with an enthusiastic reception . , Bro . Archdeacon Stevens responded for the Officers of Grand Lodge , whose hearts , he said , were always with the

Craft and the truest and highest interests of Freemasonry . The Grand Secretary , representing Grand Lodge , had rendered the Consecration ceremony well and worthily . He himself was most gratified at being present on the occasion , and wished the new Lodge every success and prosperity .

Bro . William Shurmur proposed success to the Victoria Diamond Jubilee Lodge and the health of its Worshipful Master . The Brethren would agree that the ship had been well launched , and that they had a splendid captain and pilot in Bro . Smith ,

who would bring it safely to the haven of success . He was a good man and true , and well up in the work required of him . It was gratifying to see the Lod ^ e so well supported , and he hoped it would soon prove one of the most successful in the great Province of London .

The W . M ., in reply , said he fully appreciated the manner in . which the toast had been proposed and received . He thanked the Brethren most sincerely for placing him in the high and honourable position as first Master of their Lodge , and would prove his gratitude by his deeds . He would always do his

utmost to further the cause of Freemasonry in general and that of the Victoria Diamond Jubilee Lodge in particular . Upon resuming his seat Bro . Bromhead presented him , in the name of the Lodge , with an umbrella similar to those given to the Grand Officers .

Bro . W . A . Scurrah replied to the toast of the Consecrating Officers , in the absence of Bro . Letchworth , who was obliged to return to town ; and on behalf of his colleagues wished the new Lodge every prosperity . Bro . H . F . Bromhead proposed the Masonic Charities , and ! said that owing to the large amount of work before the Lodge

they had overlooked the fact that the Founders had voted the sum of fifty guineas for the Charities . He suggested that the Worshipful Master should act as Steward on behalf of the Boys School , as that Institution would celebrate its Centennial Festival next year . He had also some collecting cards , which

he should expect every member would take up , and hoped they would be able to have a record list to celebrate the Queen ' s record reign . He might add that they started with a very nearly unprecedented record , all their debts being paid , and still they had funds in hand .

Bro . J . M . McLeod responde 1 with one of his characteristic and vigorous speeches , which was shortened on account of the lateness of the hour . He thanked them all for their great kindness and generosity to the Institution he represented . The Graud Master would preside at the Centennial Festival , and it was also hoped that H . E . H . would be able to lay the foundation stone of the new schools at Bushey some time next year . The

Conseceration.

new Lodge had made an excellent start , and he trusted they would achieve good and grand work . Several other toasts followed , and the proceedings were brought to a happy termination by the Tyler ' s toast . Among the numerous visitors were Bros . William Gower P . M . 2501 Provincial Grand Treasurer of Essex . Thomas J .

Bailing Prov . G . Secretary Essex , Arthur H , Scurrah P . G . S . of W . Middx ., George Harlow P . G . S . B . Kent , C H . Bestow P . G . P . Essex , Walter Latter P . P . G . O . Essex , W . W . Lee P . P . G . D . Middlesex , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , W . G . Norman Secretary 2504 , E . Thalander P . M . 1457 , W . White I . P . M 1457 , J . C . Eing P . M . 1269 . Humphrey Cohen P . M . 1658 , W . H . Welton

P . M . 169 , W . Halloway P . M . 1475 , P . J . Fames S . W . 2501 , H . B . Holliday P . M . 1076 , G . T . Peele P . M . 2361 , E . S . Walker P . M . 1598 , Joseph Bladon P . M . 1839 , S . J . Cross P . M . 2 * 212 , J . W . Grove P . M . 2549 , L . Lazarus Secretary and H . Lazarus P . M . 188 , C . Featherstone W . M . 1540 , Broster White P . M . 1604 , J . F . Hurley 2504 , Sam Vickers P . M . 147 , C . C

Black P . M . 2504 , J . Henderson P . M . 1625 , A . G . Duck P . M and Secretary 898 , J . Collingwood P . M : 1769 , T . Wallis P . M 169 , W . Barry Grefa P . M . 1672 , W . W . Cook I . P . M 59 , H Clinch 1623 , W . G . Stone 2291 , and C . Hurst 1474 .

Bro . Charles James Smith , a Founder and first Worshipful Master of the Victoria Diamond Jubilee Lodge , was born at Walworth , the historic suburb of London , on 13 th April 1853 , and was initiated into Freemasonry in the Skelmersdale Lodge ,

at Camberwell , in April 1880 , rising therein to the dignity o'f S . D ., previous to his resignation when leaving Surrey for Essex . He is the son ofthe late John Darwin Smith , a Founder and Past Master of the Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 1658 .

In 1894 he assisted in establishing the Earl of Warwick Lodge , No . 2504 , at Buckhurst Hill , in the Province of Essex , being its first I . G . and , rising to the Chair in 1896 , is now its Worshipful Master . At his installation no less than thirty-six Past

Masters were present , while up to now his year of office has 'been a highly successful one . He was exalted- into Eoyal Arch Masonry in the Stanhope Chapter , No . 1269 , in October 1888 , and subsequently joined the Ixion Chapter , No . 2501 , of which latter he is now Treasurer .

He is a Life Subscriber to both the Girls and Boys Schools , and was one of the special Stewards at ~ the Diamond-Jubilee meeting at the Albert Hall , in June last . In connection with the foundation of the Victoria Diamond Jubilee Lodge , it is interesting to know that Brother Smith , in addition to substantial financial assistance towards the

preliminary expenses , presented the Master s chair and working tools to the Lodge . Brother C J . Smith by profession is a solicitor ( senior partner of the well-known firm of C J . Smith and Hudson , Mark Lane , E . G . ) and has been for many years one of the most constant attendants at the Royal Courts of Justice . His cases

are of the most varied description , but he is an authority in libel and slander cases , in several of which he has been successful in obtaining justice for his clients . Brother Smith is the standing solicitor for one of the great news agencies , and is also a member of the Farriers' Company . His hospitable house at Madeira Villa , Woodford Green , is well known to all the Brethren ofthe surrounding district .

Tribute To The Late Bro. Kirby.

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE BRO . KIRBY .

ON Saturday afternoon , 6 th inst ., the monument erected m the Wycombe Cemetery by London Freemasons to perpetuate the memory of the late Bro . W . H . Kirby jun ., the circumstances of whose trs . gic deach are still fresh in the public mind , was unveiled by the Secretary of the Grand Lodge of England Bro . Edward Letchworth , in the presence of a good number of metropolitan and local members of the Graft .

Erected principally by the Instruction Lodge connected with the Bank of England , which bears the name . of the deceased , it was also subscribed to by members of other Lodges , and forms , particularly to Freemasons themselves , a splendid tribute to the career of the late Bro . Kirby , both as a Mason and an individual .

The monument , which weighs ten tons , and is raised at the foot of the grave on the northern side of the hill-side burial ground , is constructed of Aberdeen granite from a design by Bro . H . S . Wellcome , a principal , we believe , of the firm of which the deceased was a most valued member . It is erected in three tiers .

The first is a plinth of scappled granite . The second tier is rough hewn , with four panels bearing various symbols of Masonry . On the front appear the square and compasses ; on the left-hand side is a representation of the M . E . Z . ' s Eoyal Arch

Chapter Jewel , etc . ; on the back is seen engraven the triple tau , also emblematical of the Eoyal Arch Chapter ; whilst the remaining emblem consists of a Past Master ' s Craft jewel , illustrating the 47 th problem of Euclid . Surmounting the whole