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had been going on for many years past . They had no idea of the great number ; he might in perfect truth say it was millions , who had been provided for by that one small feature of their Brotherhood . Could they wonder then that monarchs , princes , nobles , statesmen , soldiers , sailors and nearly every man of light and leading were with them in that great cause of humanity ? If that

alone were the only warrant for their existence it would , in his mind , be sufficient , but it was not a tenth part . The beloved Queen so dear to them all , and whose death , so deeply regretted , they were then mourning , so approved of the Charities of Freemasonry as to become Patroness and Subscriber to all of them—what more could he

say in that connection , unless it was that she gave her eldest son to be their Most Worshipful Grand Master ? She was a good woman , and anything she put her name to received thereby the greatest warranty they could desire of its integrity . As the poet said :

Half mast the flag , A sorrowing nation weeps . Muffle the bells , The mother of England sleeps . He feared he was trespassing on their time , so in conclusion he with pleasure came to the purpose for which he rose to address them , and gave the toast— -Long life , health and happiness to every lady in the room .

Bro . Bale P . M . Treasurer , in a humorous speech responded on behalf of the Ladies . He congratulated the W . M . and Stewards on the arrangements made to ensure the evening ' s enjoyment , and complimented Bro . Thomas Woods on being elected Worshipful Master of the Lodge . He wished him a successful year of Office ,

and hoped he would not forget the Ladies annual summer outing . Bro . Woods briefly thanked Bro . Bale for his congratulations and good wishes , land as he was always delighted to be in the company of the ladies quite agreed with Brother Bale that they should have a summer outing ; certainly he would not forget it .

The next toast was one the W . M . had much pleasure in proposing , it being the Officers of the Lodge . He thanked them all for the excellent support they had rendered him during his term of Office , and also thanked the Brethren generally for their able assistance in getting together such a pleasant gathering as

that night ' s . It had been hard work , but their efforts had been amply rewarded in having so charming an assemblage that evening . Bro . Davidson P . M . gave the toast of the visitors , and in the name of the W . M . and members of the Vitruvian Lodge tendered them a hearty welcome .

Bro . Down returned thanks . He was sure the W . M . and othe members of the Lodge must be delighted to see such a fine gathering . He often had the pleasure of attending such meetings , but never had he taken part in a more enjoyable one . On behalf of his fellow visitors , and for himself , he tendered thanks for a very enjoyable

evening . During the dinner some talented artistes rendered several beautiful songs , amongst others who contributed being Miss Marion Lewis , Miss Jeanie Allester , Bros . A . Court and W . George . Bro . Walter George ' s light opera singers gave two beautiful quartettes , under the direction of Bro . Willie Wright P . P . G . Org . Middx ., who officiated at the piano with his usual ability .

The company afterwards retired to listen to an excellent concert , some well known artistes adding greatly to the enjoyment of the evening with their musical talent . In the banqueting room , which had been transferred into a magnificent ball room an excellent band afterwards played cheerful dance music . The Ball was opened by the W . M . and his wife , their good example being followed by scores of couples .

The party separated at an early hour in the morning , well pleased with the very pleasant and enjoyable time they had spent under the auspices of the Vitruvian Lodge . Repeated expressions of admiration were given by the guests during the evening , at the success of the arrangements , which were undertaken principally by Bro . W . H . Bale P . M . Treasurer , who acted as Secretary , the W . M ., and his Committee .

Great compliment is due to Bro . G . E . Taylor , who acted as Master of Ceremonies , for the ability he displayed in securing partners for the fair sex , also to the undermentioned Brethren for the able manner in which they acted as Stewards and Committee : J . Conquest I . P . M .. W . H . Bale P . M . Treasurer , J . Davidson P . M ., A . J . Swash P . M ., Thomas Woods W . M .-elect , Lewis Lake , J . H . Gray P . M . D . C ., J . Reynolds , W . Dinnie , G . Chubb , W . H . Taylor , R . Chenery , P . A . Down , R . Fitch , and E . Hancock .

Amongst those we had the pleasure of seeing were Bro . W . A . Hardy W . M . of the Lodge , his wife and his brother Bro . A . Hardy P . M . ; Bro . and Mrs . W . H . Bale P . M . Treas ., Bro . and Mrs . A . J . Swash P . M . and daughter , Bro . and Mrs . J . Davidson P . M ., Bro . J . H . Gray P . M ., Bro . J . Conquest P . M ., Bro . and Mrs . Elliott and daughters , Bro . and Miss R . Fitch , Bro . and Mrs . E . Hancock

and daughter , Bro . and Mrs . Pilgrim , Bro . and Mrs . Kitton , Bro . and Mrs . W . Dinnie , Bro . and Mrs . J . Reynolds , Bro . Chenery , Bro . and Mrs . Cornish P . M ., Mr . and Mrs . Bourne , Bro . S . E . Cattell , Bro . W . G . Cattell , Miss Alice Williams , Mr . and Mrs . J . E . Southon , Mrs . Taylor , Mrs . H . W . Richardson , Mrs . H . Bennett , Mr . J . Southon , etc .

Lodge of Regularity , No . 91 . INSTALLATION OF BROTHER ALFRED J . THOMAS . THIS ancient Lodge , whose Warrant bears the date of 1755 , celebrated its annual festival on Thursday of last week ( St . Valentine ' s Day ) , at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C ., when , doubtless owing to the great popularity of the Mnster-elect , a large

Reports Of Meetings.

number of Brethren , of whom visitors predominated , assembled to take part in the interesting proceedings . Lodge was called for 5 . 30 , and soon after that time Brother William J . Styles P . G . S . W . M . opened the meeting in due form . After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the Master resigned the chair to Bro . T . G . Nicholson P . G . S ., who opened the Lodge in the second degree .

Bro . Alfred J . Thomas W . M .-elect was presented by his predecessor , but as he is already a Past Master the ceremony was greatly curtailed . He repeated the obligation , without dictation , in a firm confident tone , that gave great promise of a masterful Master during the ensuing year . In the presence of a numerous Board of Installed Masters Bro . Thomas was then placed in the chair of King Solomon in accordance with ancient tradition , and the Warrant of the Lodge was entrusted to his keeping .

1 . he following Officers were invested : Bros . C . Herbert Gray S . W ., H . Coombc J . W ., J . T . Wimperis Treasurer , I . C . Strong P . G . S . Secretary , A . R . Layman S . D ., W . A . Perry J . D ., T . Mc Keggie I . G ., and R . Potter Tyler .

As the Lodge of Regularity is one of the Lodges privileged to nominate a Steward for Grand Lodge , the election for that Office then took place , with the result that Bro . Alfred Thomas was unanimouslv elected , and a better representative could not have been chosen .

Before the Lodge was closed Bro . Thomas said he would like to propose that a suitable record expressing the extreme sorrow that was felt at the loss of the late Queen should be recorded upon the minutes of the Lodge , and if the Brethren would leave it to him he would draft the proposition before the next meeting .

This having been agreed to , the Lodge was closed and the Brethren adjourned to the Crown Room , where the banquet was served .

At £ he conclusion 'of the sumptuous repast the company resolved itself into what a Brother facetiously termed " a Lodge of Irregularity , " on account of the peculiar proceedings that ensued . We must however absolve Bro . Thomas from

responsibility in the matter , since he merely submitted to the ruling of the Grand Officers present . An excellent programme of music was prepared to intersperse the usual Loyal and complimentary toasts ; but to the surprise of the Brethren the order was given that there should be no " firing . "

The toast of "The King" was given without the customary conjunction of the " Craft , " and the only other toast was restricted to that of the Worshipful Master . The Visitors were nevertheless subsequently honoured . Under these circumstances , and for the guidance of our readers , we were at some trouble to ascertain from whom this order

emanated , with the result that it was traced to Bro . James Stephens Past Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies . We could not learn his authority for this ruling , which we venture to think was entirely unnecessary and uncalled for . Although the Lodges are in mourning for our beloved Queen Victoria , it was useless to

further accentuate our grief at the banquet table , especially as the musical entertainment was given in its entirety , and no restraint was placed upon the hilarity of the evening . No order has been issued from Grand Lodge on this point , and we cannot believe that the subdued feeling that prevailed while her late Majesty lav unburied is expected now that she is laid to rest .

Bro . Thomas is a prominent member of the Eccentric Club , and it was in true eccentric fashion that , after the eulogistic soeech of Brother Styles in proposing his health , he proceeded in response to decorate his predecessor with the Lodge jewel . In quaintly humorous terms he paid due tribute to Brother Styles's services in the chair , and then seemingly remembering that he

should acknowledge the compliment to himself , he stated that he was an excellent Mason , as he had belonged to the Craft for about thirty years ; he had always paid his subscriptions , and was very fond of looking on whilst others did the work . He thanked them for electing him as Master of their ancient Lodge , though when he came to think of it he had been Master of another Lodge some twenty-five years ago .

In proposing the health of the Visitors , Bro . Thomas said there were so many present , and they had behaved themselves so nicely , that he must ask some of them to make a few remarks . In response to this invitation Bros . Webber and Blake expressed their pleasure in attending the installation of so genial a Master as Bro . Thomas , and wished him a happy year of Office . The other visitors signified their hearty approval of these sentiments in loud applause .

The entertainment provided by Bro . James Kift was most excellent , the principal feature being some part songs and choruses from popular operas by the English Opera Singers , whose well trained voices were heard to advantage in " Joy and Sorrow , " from "The Rose of Persia "; and "The Moon , " from "San Toy . " Mr . Walter Churcher gave a selection of his humorous recitations , which were much enjoyed .

Among those who were present were Bros . J . D . Langton P G . Dep . D . C , James Stephens P . G . Dep . D . C , Wm . Russell PAG . D . C ., C . F . Matier P . A . G . D . C , J . Morrison McLeod P . G . S . B ., Imre Kiralfy P . A . G . D . C , Major C . W . Carrell P . G . S . B ., E M Morriss P . G . S ., William Francis P . P . D . C . Kent , Horace B . Marshall , E . J . Home P . M . 227 , J . F . Atkinson P . M . 2353 , John Songhurst P . M . 227 , F . A . Powell P . M . 457 , J- M . Grant P . M . 176 C . Woodward

H . P . M . 463 , W . T . Harris P . M ., W . S . Hooper P . M . 10 S 7 , Arthur Tite 55 8 , G . D . Coleman W . M . 25 S 1 , J . P . Fitzgerald P . M . and Sec . 2772 , J . G . Langton P . M . 96 , Henry Massey P . M . 1928 , J . H . Dimsdale P . M . 25 S 1 , Orlton Cooper P . M . - > ir , A . R . Newman P . M . 2466 , J . C . R . Dickson S . W . 256 , Chatham Ellis J . W . 4 . W . W . J . Blake W . M . 1460 , Reginald Hughes P M . 2086 , C . N . J . Evans W . M . 227 , F . M . Harling P . M . 4 , A . Ritchie P . M . 173 , F . M , Newton P . M . 90 , C . J , Miller P . M . and Sec . 1672 ,