Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

— : o : — VITRUVIAN LODGE , No . 87 . ON Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., the installation meeting was held at the Bridge House Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . W . H . Bale , the Worshipful Master . There were present Bros . W . R . Davis W . M . elect S . W ., T . Minstrell P . M . 1928 J . W . ; P . M . ' s

Timothy Thurkle Treasurer , Stuart Secretary , T . Janeway , J . Harnor , R . Whiting , R . T . Hopkins , J . C . Walter , and a large nnmber of Visitors and members of the Lodge . After previous minutes had been confirmed , the ceremony of passing was performed in the usual excellent style whioh has characterised the working of the W . M .

The installation ceremony was then proceeded with , the retiring W . M . performing the first portion , and P . M . Whiting the last part . The newly-installed W . M ., Bro . Davis , invested his Officers—Bros . Minstrell S . W ., Birch J . W ., Stuart Secretary . P . M . Thurkle , who , like P . M . Stuart , has done good suit and service in the Lodge , again

received the collar of Treasurer . The other Officers appointed were Bros . Watson S . D ., Lamborne J . D ., Chamberlain I . G ., Irwin D . C ., Payne and Nicholls Wine Stewards , Knollys Organist . The new Worshipful Master afforded ample proof of the Masonic ability which it was known he possessed , in the initiation ceremony which

he subsequently performed . Brother Davis is the author of a new song , " The Initiate . " During the evening a valuable P . M . ' s jewel was presented to the retiring Master , who , as a farther mark of respect of the bi-ethren , was presented with a beautifully emblazoned address , which recorded his services in the Lodge dnring the

year . The address was signed on behalf of the Officers of the Lodge . A suitable speech accompanied the presentation , and the same was warmly acknowledged . After Lodge had been duly closed , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . A suggestion has heen made thafc the Lodge should have affiliated with it a Chapter ; and

although the brethren have not yet been asked to sanction the neces aary application to the Grand Chapter for a warrant , the movement has been very heartily taken np by the members , very many of whom have expressed a desire to be associated with it . Bro . Minstrell has kindly undertaken the necessary preliminary arrangements .

Lodge Of Tranquillity, No. 185.

LODGE OF TRANQUILLITY , No . 185 .

AN ordinary meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , the 16 th instant , at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham Street , E . G ., Bro . Sydney Boas W . M . in the chair . There were present Bros . Barnett I . P . M ., Staley as S . W ., Tipper J . W ., Bayley P . M . Treasurer , Myers Secretary . Several of the minor Officers were absent , but there was a goodly muster of Brethren . It is the custom in many

Lodges for the retiring Master to clear off his work , and not infrequently recourse is had to an emergency meeting for this purpose , generally held about a week before the night of installation , and thus leave the course clear for the new Master . However , suoh an arrangement is sometimes aggravating , especially

when no new candidates are forthcoming , and the newly installed W . M . is np to his work and eager to convince the members that their choice was justified . On the other hand , ifc is by no means pleasant to a brother , tolerably efficient , but of a nervous temperament , to commence his career with three or four passings and the

eventual working of the Master Masons degree , when , in all probability , the performance of an initiation , in which perhaps he is more at home , might have imparted to him the confidence necessary nnder such circumstances . Brother Boas had to commence his duties by conferring the second degree upon Bros . M . Marks , Stanley ,

Bamberger , Van Gelder , T . Davis , Frisher and Lazarus , no easy task for a beginner . After the termination of the Lodge business , an ample supper was served , and the usual toasts were proposed and responded to with very commendable brevity . The Worshipful Master , in response to the toast of his health , expressed

his sincere thanks for the cordiality with which the brethren deemed it proper to receive his name . He confessed to a certain amount of nervousness , which every one must ; have noticed , during the proceedings , bufc he assured the brethren that his future efforts would be found satisfactory . Brother Barnett I . P . M ., who replied for the

Past Masters , dilated upon the readiness of that body to render services whensoever and wheresoever they were called upon ; this was evidenced that evening , when one of them was required to fulfil duties which he had not attempted for tbe last four years . Brother Bush P . M . announced his intention to serve a Stewardship at the

next Festival , unattached and independent of any Lodge of which he is a member , bufc he requested the aid of the brethren in the matter . Brother Bush deserves all recognition . He is an indefatigable worker for the Charities , and through his influence no mean amount has been contributed during the last few years . Brother

Bayley P . M . and Treasurer , whose name is always received with the moat sincere affection , could assure the brethren that he most heartily reciprocated the kind feeling ever shown to him . Brother Asher Myers , the able Secretary , is making rapid strides in securing the esteem of the members , by his unfailing courtesy . A very

pleasant and enjoyable gathering came to a close with the Tyler ' s toast . Bros . Bayley , Tipper , and Thompson amused the brethren by their vocal efforts . The Visitors were Bros . Harris 177 , Hills 754 , Durrant 34 , Hamilton 53 , Shiffield 1896 , Skipton 1603 , Hawkis 107 , Rexworthy 1728 . The P . M . ' s present were Bros . Staley , Bush , Barnett ( Organist ) , Harfeld , Ross , Gluckstein , and Gottheil .

Portsmouth Lodge, No. 487.

PORTSMOUTH LODGE , No . 487 .

THERE was a large attendance of members and visiting brethren at this Lodge on Thursday , the 12 fch instant , to witness the installation of Bro . Horace E . Loader as Worshipful Master for the

Portsmouth Lodge, No. 487.

ensuing year . Lodge was opened in due form by the outgoing W . M . ( Bro . H . Poulden Holley ) , who in suitable language acknowledged the services rendered by the retiring Secretary ( Bro . J . T . Thaokara ) and the Organist ( Bro . G . Pearman ) , each of whom were presented with a gold medal , aud the recipients severally returned

thanks . The impressive ceremony of installation was ably performed by one of the " fathers" of the Lodge , Bro . M . E . Frost , after which Bro . Loader invested his Officers as follows : —Bros . Holley I . P . M ., Cowd S . W ., J . T . Thackara J . W ., T . P . Palsgrave P . M . Treasurer , J . W . Boughton Secretary i J . Rae Assistant Secretary , G . Whitehall

S . D ., W . Bates J . D ., W . M . Outridge P . M . D . of C , G . Pearman Organist , J . Jenkins I . G ., Brough and G . C . Sanderson Stewards , J . Exell and T . Smith Tylers . The new W . M ., who had a most cordial welcome , after a few well-chosen remarks , presented his predecessor with a Past Master ' s jewel , subscribed for by the members , in

recognition of the excellent manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office . The musical portion of tho ceremony waa effectively rendered by a choir , comprising Bros . G . Pearman ( who presided at the harmonium ) , R . W . Downing , J . Jenkins , T . P . Palsgrave , T . Batcholor , G . Grant , C . Larkins , and W . H . Sperring .

The ceremonies in the handsome Lodge concluded , an adjournment took place to the banquetting-room , which was tastefully decorated with bunting , while on the tables were candelabra and other plate and choice flowers , the tout ensemble being exceedingly effective . The namo of each guesfc was inscribed on an artistically-executed menu

card , which , besides the toasts , contained the following programme , played by the band of the Royal Irish Fusiliers , under the direction of Mr . W . O'Keefe , the Bandmaster : —March , "Triumphal , " Robinson ; overture , " Le lac des Fees , " Auber ; valse , " Mariana , " Waldtenfel ; selection , " Falka , " Chassaigne ; cornet solo , " The lost

chord , " Sullivan ; valse , " Moonlight and starlight , Dobrowolske . A richerche" banquet was served from the Albany Hotel , Landporfc , and the wines were of the first quality . The arrangements were excellent , and the W . M . received valuable assistance from Bro . J . T . Thackara and others . At the conclusion of the banquet the usual

toasts were honoured , Bro . Major Shalden Smith responding for the Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Officers . The toast of the Worshipful Master , proposed by Bro . M . E . Frost , had a very warm reception , aud elicited an appropriate reply from Bro . Loader . With the aid of harmony a very pleasant evening was spent .

Erme Lodge, No. 1091.

ERME LODGE , No . 1091 .

THE brethren of this Lodge held their annual meeting at their rooms , afc Ivybridge , on Wednesday , llfch inst . The W . M . elect , Bro . Velvin , was installed by the retiring W . M ., Bro . Cobeldick , assisted by Bro . Lavers P . M . and an efficient Board of I . M . ' s . At the close of the installation the W . M . invested the following brethren as his Officers for the year : —Bros . Cobeldick I . P . M ., Hen .

wood S . W ., Lavers J . W ., Cole Treasurer , Ford Secretary ; Strain S . D ., Shepherd J . D ., SellickD . C , Baker A . D . C , Hy . Shepherd I . G ., Gulley and Mudge Stewards , Coyte Tyler . Bro . Cole was reappointed the

representative of the Lodge on the Committee of Petitions and Lodge Steward for the Devon Educational Fund . A handsome P . M . ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Cobeldick , with the following inscription engraved thereon : —

Presented to W . BRO . COBELDICK , by Erme Lodge , No . 1091 , On his retiring from the chair 11 th March 1885 . Bro . Cole made the presentation , remarking in laudatory terms on

the zeal and indnstry shown by Bro . Cobeldick in carrying out the duties of the Lodge during his year of office . In the evening the brethren dined together at Bro . Sandover ' s , Erme Hotel . Bro . Velvin presided , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

Jordan Lodge, No. 1402

JORDAN LODGE , No . 1402

BROTHER W . J . HUGHAN P . G . D ., & c , lately delivered a lecture , under the banner of the above Lodge , at Torquay , the Master ( Bro . B , Knight ) in the chair . There was a good attendance of the Past Masters and members of the Lodge , and also of the Master and members of the sister Lodge St . John ' s , No . 328 , as well

as of the Masters and members of neighbouring Lodges from Paignton , Brixham , Teignmonth , & c . Bro . Westcott P . M . 70 P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works attended as Treasurer of the Devon Educational Fund . The subject of the lecture was " The Four Grand Lodges of England , " the first having been formed in 1717 by four old Lodgea

meeting in London ; the second originated afc York in 1725 , and waa started by a Lodge assembling in thafc city—in all probability for centuries before ; the third was started as a rival to the firsfc in London in 1751 ; and the fourth was in existence only for ten years from 1779 , under the wing of the Lodge of Antiquity dnring a

temporary secession . The York Grand Lodge collapsed in 1792 , the firsfc and third continuing as opposing bodies until December 1813 , when under the Grand Masterships of their Royal Highnesses the Dukea of Sussex and Kent respectively , they joined hands and formed the United Grand Lodge of England , peace and harmony having since

happily prevailed , the difficulties during the last century being in part incident to the change of the Society from a partially operative to a wholly speculative Institution . Many questions were asked and answered at the close of the lecture , and a collection was made on behalf of the Devon Edncational Fund , which has benefited thafc

Institution to the extent of five guineas . On behalf of the same Society Bro . Hughan will lecture on the 26 th instant , at the Huyshe Masonic Temple , under the banner of the Lodge Fortitude , No . 105 ,

on the " Connecting Links between Ancient and Modern Freemasonry , " being the last of the series for the season , when the whole of the proceeds , as hitherto , will be devoted to the Educational Fund .