Installation Meetings, &C.

ings of tho Craft , and it was tho general desire he should continue so to do . With tho toast of the Pro G . M ., tho D . G . M ., and the rest of tho Grand Officers Present and Past , was associated the name of Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , who felt it a pleasure , as it was a duty on this occasion—inasmuch as there was no other Grand Officer present—to reply . At tho timo of the

consecration of tho Burdett Coutts Lodge , ho had been elected an honorary member •he had paid tho Lodge several visits since , and these visits had always been of a very pleasant character . He thanked tho brethren for the way in which they had honoured tho toast . Bro . Lazarus had tho hononr of proposing the health of the W . M ., whom ho had had the pleasure of installing that evening . He trusted the year Bro .

Defriez had now entered upon would bo one of prosperity to the Lodge , ancl that the members wonld continue to work in that spirit of harmony which had always characterised their proceedings . After an admirable musical selection by Bro . P . M . Seddon came the reply of tho W . M ., who after thanking Bro . Lazarus , tho P . M . ' s , and brethren for the kindness they had displayed on tho mention of his name ,

assured them it would be his study to advance tho interests of the Lodge , ancl promote tho welfare of its members . The next toast that was offered was the health of tho Visitors ; tho W . M ., on behalf of tho Lodge , accorded ono and all a hearty welcome . After an appropriate song by Bro . John Berry , Bro . Cumberland in an elaborate and well-considered speech , replied . Onr worthy

brother pointed out many important lessons we could learn from the teachings of the Lodge room , and exhorted the brethren to foster and uphold tho best and truest principles of Freemasonry . On rising to propose tho health of the Installing Master , the W . M . expressed the satisfaction the Lodgo felt at tho way Bro . Lazarus had carried on his work during tho past year ; he also assured

Bro . Lazarus of the infinite pleasure it gave him to be the medium of placing on his breast tho Past Master ' s jewel whieh had been voted him by the brethren . Bro . Sturtevant hero favoured the company with " Old Simon the Cellarer , " and thon came the reponsoshort , but to tho point—of the LP . Master . Bro . Terry , in reply to the toast of the Past Masters , briefly sketched the career of the

Lodge . As one of the visitors had truly remarked , there was not much to be gained by a great accession of membership to the Craft . What he , with the other Past Masters of the Lodge , desired to see was , —worthy men around them . He referred to the newly appointed Treasurer , ancl directed tho si Mention of the members to Bro . Crutch ' s many sterling qualities . Ho assured them the Past

Masters of tho Burdett Coutts Lodge , as a body , wonld each and all strive to advance Freemasonry in its best phases . For tho toasfc of the Officers Bro . Sturtevant S . W . replied , and then the W . M . gave Prosperity to the Charities , with which he would couple the name of Bro . Buss . Bro . Bnss , on rising , assured the W . M . that he felt somewhat out of his element when called upon to reply for tho Charities ;

more especially so when there were present others who conld give much more ample details of what each respectively was doing . However—if we may be allowed to say it—we think our genial friend the Assistant Grand Secretary was not the round man in the square hole ho would have desired the brethren to believe . In speaking of what was being done by our Institutions he proved he

was thoroughly posted up , and we can assure the members of any Lodge he may visit that—failing any ono else , and thoy desire to know what is being clone by tho Institutions—they cannot do better than ask Bro . Buss to reply for this toast . After Bro . Berry had favoured the company with his favourite song , the W . M . rose . He could not let the opportunity slip without assuring Bro . Terry , who

had held the post of Treasurer since tho formation of the Lodgewhich post he was now vacating only because of tho many othci claims he had npon his time—of the appreciation tho members felt for his valuable services . He ( Bro . Defriez ) trusted Bro . Terry would bo with them for many years yet to come , ancl would ever hold the same exalted position in the estimation of the brethren . Bro ,

Terry , in thanking the W . M . for his kind remarks , said it bad been the wish of the founders of the Bnrdett Coutts Lodge to establish a Lodge , of but few members , but a body desirous of advancing the principles so ably advocated by the illustrious lady whose name they bore . He spoke of the deep interest her ladyship had taken in the Lodge since its formation ; how she had expressed a desire—even

when the Lodge was but in contemplation—to be associated more closely with it . As a lady , she knew she conld not be a Freemason , but she had been a co-worker with Freemasons in carrying ont the principles of Charity . Bro . Terry then reminded the brethren of the Bible which her ladyship had presented them with , and then related the incidents that attended her ladyship ' s visit to their Lodge on 23 rd

July 1875 , when , for the first time in the history of the Craft , ladies were received within the precincts of an open Lodge . This , onr brother maintained , was a grand clay for Freemasonry . Bro . Terry thon recounted how the Baroness had tendered the Lodge an invitation to attend a garden party afc her residence , and how the brethren availed themselvesof the opportunity , and passed , with their wives and

lady friends , a most pleasant afternoon at Holly Lodge . He next referred to the financial condition of the Lodge , which was eminently satisfactory , ancl then tendered his thanks to the brethren for their kindness iu offering to make him an honorary member ; a kindness , however , he conld not permit , as he did not wish to become a " silent member " in the Burdett Coutts Lodge , whero he hoped to attend for

many , many years yet to come , ancl to continue to take as active a part in the working as hitherto he had done . He felt proud of being a P . M . of the Lodge , and as a P . M . with full power to take part in their proceedings ho desired to remain . In due course , the Tyler gave his toast , and at a late honr the brethren separated . A pleasing incident of the evening was the re-appearance in Lodge ,

for tho first timo since a serious illness , of Bro . Past Master Toy . To use our worthy Brother ' s own words , —tho day was so fine , and he so yearned for the society of his brethren , that he determined to make an effort , and to crawl down to his Lodge . The reception the members gavo him seemed deeply to affect Bro . Toy . Wc sincerely trust he will not feel any ill effects from tho exertions he made to be

Installation Meetings, &C.

present , and that he may shortly regain tho vigour which now—wo hope only for a short time—he seems to bo deprived of .

St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 481 . —The regular meeting of this Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Maple-street , Newcastle-on-Tyne , on Monday , 13 th September , when the W . M ., Bvo . John Duckett jun ., was supported by his Officers , as follow : —Bros . John Usher I . P . M ., Thomas Prentice S . W ., C . B . Ford J . W ., John

Spearman Treas ., E . J . Gibbon Sec , James Cook D . C , Thos . Stafford S . D ., D . McDonald J . D ., E . Ferry Organist , J . McKay I . G ., W . T . Lowrey S . S ., Thomas Dinning J . S ., G . S . Sims Tyler . The Lodge having been opened in the first degree , and the transactions read , the brethren rose to receive the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , namely , Bros .

P . M . 's It . Eynon P . G . S . W ., James Cook P . P . G . S . W ., W . M . Bell P . G . A . D . C ., G . J . Dean P . P . G . A . D . C , E . J . Gibbon P . G . O ., B . P . Ord P . PG . O ., John Usher P . G . S ., W . Cooper P . G . A . P . The Lodge was also honoured by the presence of the following

distinguished Visitors , viz ., Bros . P . M . ' s Wood 48 , M . E . Catcheside 1676 , J . Braithwaito 1427 , K . G . Salmon 406 , John Millburn P . D . J . W . Egypt , and Bros . A . D . Campbell I . G . 541 , G . E . Leah 1621 , H . E . Maynard 1426 , T . P . Bennett 1342 , E . A . Gibson 424 , J . B . Fairland 24 , W . Lyon 406 , A . Simpson 406 , and James Liddell 48 . Bro . Thomas Salmon 406 thon camo forward , and having

satisfactorily answered the questions , received the test ot merit , and retired for preparation . Tho Lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bros . D . McLeod 48 , and W . V . Dobson demonstrated their proficiency , and were put in possession of the pass word . Bro . Salmon was thon re-admitted , and impressively passed to tho second degree by the W . M ., the I . P . M . Bro . John Usher conducting

tho ceremony in tho S . E ., the S . W . explaining the working tools . Tho Lodge was then opened in the third degree , when Bros . McLeod and Dobson having gained re-admission , wero with great effect raised to the sublime degree by the W . M ., who explained the tracing board and working tools , the I . P . M . delivering the charge . The Lodge was then successively closed from the third and second to the first degree .

The hearty good wishes of the Provincial Grand Officers and other Visitors having been tendered , the Lodge was closed in love and harmony . A large number of brethren remained to the " fourth . " The toasts of the Queen and H . R . H . the Princo of Wales were duly given by the W . M ., aud loyally honoured by the brethren . The W . M . then proposed the health of the Provincial Grand Officers , coupling

the toast with the name of Bro . James Cook P . P . G . S . W ., who , in responding , cordially thanked the W . M ., and observed thafc as the Provincial Officers were drawing near the close of their year of office , he trusted the official visit had been productive of good , and as the W . M . had expressed a hope that the system of visiting might lead to a uniformity of working , he could not but concur in that hope ,

although ho was afraid tho time had not yot como when this would be brought about . The Visitors were then brought under the notice of tho brethren by the W . M ., who expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present , and coupling the toast with the names of Bros . Maynard and M . E . Catcheside . Bro . Maynard , in a very complimentary speech , thanked the W . M ., and hoped that any of the brethren who

might bo in London would visit The Great City Lodge , where they would i * eceive a hearty welcome . Bro . M . E . Catcheside then ably replied , and announced his intention of officially visiting tho various Lodges during his year of office . Bro . E . L . Armstrong then roso to propose tho health of Bro . John Duckitt jnn ., and in a eulogistic manner referred to the ability displayed by tho W . M .,

remarking that ho richly deserved the position ho held . Bro . Duckett , in a feeling manner , responded to the toast of his health , and in thanking Bro . Armstrong for the kind expressions used by him , assured all present that he had a groat love for Freemasonry , aud would spare no pains to promote it . Tho W . M . thon proposed the health of his Officers , who ho said had ably supported him . He coupled the names

of Bros . Prentice and Ford with this toast , Bro . Ford responding m suitable terms . The harmony of the evening was simply delightful , the opening being made by Bros . Maynard and Gibbon , while Bros . Liddoll , Dewar , Dewar jnn ., Gibbon , Ferry , and Eichardson formed themselves into a gleo party , ancl rendered gleo after glee in the most effective and enjoyable manner . Thus passed another happy meeting of this prosperous Lodge .

Strong Man Lodge of Instruction , No . 45 . —Held at the George Hotel , Australian-avenue , Barbican , on Monday , the 20 th inst . Present : —Bros . Brown W . M ., Collison S . W ., Balls J . W ., Nell S . D ., Tate J . D ., Brocklehursfc I . G ., Wing Treasurer , Fox Sec , Gush Preceptor , & c . Lodge was opened in dne form and according to ancient cusfcotn . Tho minutes of last meeting were read and

confirmed . Lodge was then opened in the second degree , aud Bro . Willis , a candidate for the third , answered the usual questions . Lodge was opened in tho third degree , and Bro . Tate , assisted by tho brethren , worked the first section . Bro . Willis was then raised to the degree of Master Mason . Tiro . Fox worked tho second , aud Bro . Gush the

third section , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Collinson was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week . A vote of thanks was recorded to Bro . Tate for his excellent working of tho third degree , and his ability in the chair . All Masonic business being ended , Lodge was adjourned until Monday next , at 8 p . m .

"Whittington Lodge of Instruction , No . 862 . —On Wednesday , tho 22 nd inst ., at Bro . Hyde ' s , Bed Lion , Poppin's-conrt , Flee t-strcet . Present . —Bros . Tnrne . r W . M ., It . P . Tate S . W ., Abell J . W ., Long Preceptor and Secretary . Gates S . D ., Broeklehurst J . D .,

Pate I . G . ; Bros . Fox , Brown , Ball , and others . The minutes of tho Inst mooting having been confirmed , Lodge was opened in tho second degree , and Bro . Ball offered himself as a candidate for tho third . He was examined , entrusted , and he retired . Lodge was then opened in the third degree , and the ceremony of raising was ably rehearsed