Notices Of Meetings.

entertaining the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London and the Sheriffs . The Lodge was opened by Bro . Henry Clarke the W . M ., who was supported by Bros . H . Squire I . P . M ., Godfrey P . M . S . W ., Fitch J . W ., J . Henry Smith Chaplain , Richard Hawley Treasurer , Joseph E . Turner Secretary , T . Davies Sewell P . M ., Frank Gresn P . M .,

Capt . Henry Wright P . M ., Sir J . B . Monckton P . M . P . G . W ., G . W . Johnson P . M ., F . S . Jackson S . D ., J . C . Whiddington D . C , E . T . R . Wilde I . G ., Jenson Organist , Roderick and H . F . Oscar Timme Stewards . Among the visitors present were His Grace the Duke of Abercorn M . W . G . M . Ireland , the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London , Sir R . N . Fowler , Bart , M . P ., P . G . W ., Asher Barfield G . Treas .,

E . E . Wendt Grand Secretary German Correapondence , J . 0 . Parkinson P . G . D ., Peter de Lande Long P . G . D ., F . West P . G . D . D . P . G . M . Surrey , John Davis D . G . D . C , Col . James Peters P . G . Sword Bearer Major , George Lambert P . G . Sword Bearer , Ex-Sheriff G . Burt P . A .. G . D . C , J . L . Stothert Grand Standard Bearer , A . A . Pendlebury Assistant

Grand Secretary , W . A . Barrett Grand Organist , Walter Hopekirk G . P ., W . T . Howe P . G . P ., A . J . Altman Grand Steward , George Singer P . M . P . G . S ., W . J . Spratling Prov . Grand Treasurer Midd ., S . H . Arthur 832 , E . J . Dixon 1627 , G . A . Pickering S . W . 890 , E . H . Bramley P . M . 957 , Donald Ross 323 , J . E . Ewer I . G . 1718 , C Fitch

1441 , J . H . Williamson , John Lobb , M . Smith 19 , J . E . Walford P . M . 1489 177 , ; A . T . Hawkins , F . C Hill , C R . Halse 181 , T . Colcott Fox 859 , C . R . Webb 1657 , T . Beard P . M . 101 , Alderman and Sheriff Gray , Alderman Renals W . M . 1657 , W . Willis 1593 , Peroy Clarke 913 , P . L . Bapty , J . L . Cross P . M ., W . H . Harris P . M . 857 , Sheriff

Newton , D . L . Cohen 29 , Augustus Harris P . M . 2127 , H . W . Schartau 1649 , Arthur Weston , & c . The Lodge having been opened , it was proposed by Bro . Sir John Monckton that certain Past Masters , together with the Deacons of the Lodge , be appointed aa a deputation to receive the distinguished guests of the evening . This having been

done , the M . W . the Grand Master of Ireland was admitted , and sainted in proper form . The Lord Mayor of London was then announced , and on his entrance into the Lodge he also was greeted . Shortly after this the Lodge was closed , and the brethren repaired to the banquet hall , where an excellent repast awaited them . At the

conclusion of the banquet the Worshipful Master ( Bro . Clarke ) proceeded with the toast list . The National Anthem followed the Loyal toast , and then the health of the Grand Master of England was given . The Master referred to the Prinoe of Wales as a zealous Mason , one who faithfully disharged his duties , and who was an example to

all his followers . Next followed the toast of His Grace the Duke of Abercorn Grand Master of Ireland . The W . M . invited very earnest attention to the toast—which waa in honour of a most distinguished guest . This remark met a hearty reception from the brethren , which the Master felt would be interpreted

by their visitor as a mark of the pleasure felt by the Lodge in entertaining him . This was the first time in the history of Freemasonry that a Grand Master bad honoured a City Lodge with his presence . The Duke of Abercorn was the ruler of some 15 , 000 Irish Masons , and had succeeded , as the head of the Order in that country ,

his revered father . The Master was sure they would join with him in wishing that instead of 15 , 000 Irish Masons they could look on every man in the country as a Brother Ma 3 on . True they were brothers in name , and if they all possessed the good qualities of those who had joined the Masonio Order it would be far better for all

concerned . The members of the Alliance Lodge sent the brethren on the other side the Channel their heartiest greeting , and fully recognised the kindness of the Grand Master in coming among them on the present occasion . It would indeed be a red letter day in the annals of the Lodge for all time . The Duke of Abercorn could hardly

find words to express the sentiments he felt at the way in which he had been received that day . The Worshipful Master had been good enough to say it waa a fraternal kindness for him to come among them ; he was going to reverse the order of things , and say it was a great kindness on their part to invite him , and afford him the means

of enjoying himself as he had done that day . He felt somewhat guilty in that he had neglected his duty , for he believed they had had a debate in the House of Lords , and there waB little doubt but that better Masons than he , notably the Earls of Carnarvon and Lathom , were present in their places there . His only excuse for absence was

the invitation he had received to attend the Alliance Lodge . He believed the Lodge was intimately conneoted with the Corporation of the City of London—bnt it was none the worse for that ; it was , he believed , all the better . He could not help the feeling that he and the other guests had that night been entertained by angels unawares .

On his right he had the present Lord Mayor of London , on his left a late Lord Mayor , while it was quite impossible for him to say how many other Past Lord Mayors were present , much less how many future ones were amongst them . After looking on the present assembly he could only wish it were

possible for him as Grand Master , or indeed for any Irish Lodge , to similarly entertain tho Lord Mayor of the principal city of Ireland . They had heard a great deal about Ireland lately , and no doubt many of them thought they knew a great deal about it , bnt they knew very little , although it was not his intention to speak generally of the country .

As Freemasons they were not a rich body , and so thoy had some difficulty in starting new Lodges , but they were steadily progressing . The members were really the better class of Irish society , and he felt that any English brother visiting an Irish Lodge would thoroughly enjoy himself . The Charities of Irish Masonry would

not compare , in point of importance , with those of England , but they were working on similar lines , and he might say they had an old pupil of the English School at the head of the Irish Girls' School . He remembered that some time ago Prince Herbert Bismarck was good enough to pay their school a visit , and after seeing the children

drill said he should like to have some of tbe girls for his grenadiers . They did not , however , devote all their attention to the girls , they did what they could on behalf of the boys , and generally worked to secure the welfare of the Order in Ireland , and hoped they would always deserve the same feelings of brotherly esteem they now enjoyed . The next toast waB that of the Grand Officera—it was

Notices Of Meetings.

always an acceptable one in the Lodge , and the Master hoped it would always receive a hearty reception at thehauds of the members . He should couple with the toast the name of Sir Robert Fowle ^ , who was so accustomed to have his name enthusiastically received in the City of London that he might find some difficulty in appreciation the

difference between his Masonio reception and a general one . In any case , however , he deserved their heartiest greeting . In reply , Sir Robert Fowler explained it waa by a very narrow chance that he had the right to reply . The Duke of Aberooru , Sir John Monckton , and

himself were muoh on a par as regarded Masonio rank , and if he had any advantage over the latter it was because Sir John waa appointed a Past Grand Warden while he ( Sir Robert ) had aotually aerved the office . He referred to the visits of the Pro Grand Master to distaut

parts of the world , and was sure they would prove beneficial , both Masonically and generally . The Deputy Grand Master was as muoh a model nobleman in England as his noble friend on hia right ( the Duke of Abercorn ) wa 8 in Ireland . Both devoted themselves to the duties of their position , and did all that lay in their power to earn the

gratitude of their neighbours . He believed there was but one feel , ing actuating the brethren for whom he responded . They were men who were anxious to do all that lay in their power to promote the welfare of the Empire , and advance the interests of the Craft and individual Masons . The Worshipful Master , on rising to propose

the next toast , was quite sure they would one and all be pleased to stand in his present position , as he had the honour of proposing the toast of the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London . He spoke of the anxiety which an enthusiast felt when he transplanted some rare specimen as to what the ultimate bloom would be , and said that

much the same feeling existed when an Alderman was transplanted to the office of Lord Mayor . There were then thousands of voices ia the City of London asking how he would fulfil the duties of his office . He wa 8 for the time being the King of the City . His every action , hia every utterance waa recorded , while citizens watched his every

movement . There were especial conditions surrounding tbe Lo d Mayor of London which were unknown in any other part of the world . He might say that every Lord Mayor had been a better man after holding the office than he was before—this was quite natural , for his opportunities were enlarged , and his feelings were changed .

Few were aware of the responsibilities which attached to the post , and he was sure the present occupant of the offioe had every day many occasions , to ask himself whether he had done his best in the position in which he had been placed—the best for his office , for hia fellow citizens , and for the country at large . When replying to the

invitation of the Alliance Lodge , the Lord Mayor said he waa not muoh of a Mason , but tbe man who would go out of hia course to give a dinner to 14 , 000 of the destitute of the district , and who daily devoted himself and his purse to the relief of his fellow creatures was really born a Mason . He had Brotherly Love , Relief and

Truth so associated in his nature as to make him an accept , able brother in all assemblies of Freemasons . Really h * had but one imperfection as a Brother Mason—he was not yet » member of the Alliance Lodge . The Lord Mayor iu reply considered it a very high privilege to have the opportunity of returning

thanks for the toast of his health in so friendly an assem ly as the present . He felt all the foroe of the Master's words when he said he was not a member of the Alliance Lodge , and he felt as guilty aa a Lord Mayor could feel , but there was one saving clause in thia connection ; had he been a member of the Lodge he could not have

enjoyed himself as he had done as a visitor on the present occasion . He thought the continuance of that disadvantage might lead to his being again welcomed as a visitor among them . Their distinguished guest the Grand Master of Ireland had hinted at the reception lie shonld meet with in Ireland at the hands of his Masonic brethren .

He assured them that if his visit to that country—as a non-political Lord Mayor—would not be misunderstood by the varied political parties he would close with the noble Duke at once and make a definite appointment . He would ask his noble friend at some future time if he was able to comply with his conditions and then renew his

invitation . Speaking of the Charities of Freemasonry he considered that they , and indeed the Charities of the country generally , were a marvel to the world , and probably no one knew more than the Lord Mayor of London the full extent of the charity which was regularly dispensed . So long as he had the opportunity of continuing in his

present position he should endeavour to uphold the principles of charity and philanthropy , and so maintain the reputation which had for years past been associated with the office he had the honour of filling . It was one of the characteristics of the Corporation of the City of London that it corresponded with the true principles of

Masonry , and ifc was one of the charms of his hie that he had become associated with a body which had such high and lofty desires as at present actuate it . If , as the Master had said , every Lord Mayor was a better man at the close of his year than at its commence , ment he should havo additional cause for thanking his fellow citizens

for the opportunity they had given him . The next toast was that of the Sheriffs . The Worshipful Master doubted if there waa any city in the world where they would find men , equally efficient , coming forward to devote themselves for the benefit of their fellow citizens , as was the case in London . They had the pleasure of

having among them as a member of the Alliance L dge one of the Sheriffs , and they were proud of tbe associatim . This was probably the last time that this toast of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex would ever be given in a Masonio Lodge , for on the 1 st April next those gentlemen would no longer bear that title .

He had much pleasure in coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Gray , who returned sincere thanks for the toast . He was sorry his colleague had not been able to stay , but if he waa not then present in person he was sure he was with them in

spirit . It seemed to him a singular and happy coincidence that the Lord Mayor and the two Sheriffs shonld all be Brother Masons . Personally he was proud of being associated with the Order , and he believed it had been the means of extending the number of his friendships . The work of the Sheriffs waa very hard , so that they