Reports Of Meetings.

and expressed his sincere thanks for the kind reception accorded them . It was undoubtedly a great honour that had been conferred upon him , and it was a memorable incident in his life . When he shook hands with the Grand Master on his appointment he could not help feeling how Freemasonry had brought about the level of the Prince and the Commoner . The meeting at the Albert Hall was one of the grandest sights he had even seen . Freemasons assembled there from all parts of the world , and proved most conclusively

the universality of the Order . The Prince of Wales had spoken of Freemasons as the most loyal and useful body of men throughout the empire , and no member of the Craft would dispute that statement . Freemasonry certainly worked a great amount of good , and supported three mighty Institutions , which were models for the world . It was a great delight to him to be a Mason , and to think that when his life was spent his memory would be kept green by those among whom he had worked .

Bro . Pinder returned thanks for the Provincial Grand Officers , and hoped the Brethren would muster in good numbers at Colchester on 13 th July , when they would have an opportunity of seeing their Grand Master and hearing how the cause of Freemasonry had spread in the Province . In highly complimentary terms Bro . Shurmur , as the senior P . M .

present , proposed the health of the W . M . They all knew how well he could do his work , which he performed in a manner that reflected credit upon and added prestige to the Lodge . He trusted that Bro . Bestow would in the immediate future be enrolled among the number of Provincial Grand Officers .

The W . M . suitably returned thanks for the kmd appreciation vouchsafed to him by the Brethren , which had so greatly encouraged him during his term of office . Having a long distance to travel we were reluctantly compelled to leave this happy gathering at this juncture , but there is every reason to believe that the subsequent proceedings were characterised by the same good fellowship .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . NEITHER the holidays of Whitsuntide—Lancashire ' s Feast of the Tabernacles—nor the absence of Bro . C . J . Hall Worshipful Master , who was travelling in Sweden , prevented the Officers of the above Lodge from holding their regular meeting , which took place at the Palatine Hotel

Manchester , on Thursday , 10 th inst . Under the circumstances there was a good attendance , presided over by Bro . S . Mamelok P . M ., who performed the ceremony of passing Bro . George Sawyer to the degree of F . C , being assisted by Bro . William Boden P . M ., the latter presenting and explaining the working tools to the candidate .

An early adjournment was made , and the accustomed festive board dispensed with , although the Stewards , Bros . Sutcliffe , Hamilton , and Whatham were not unmindful of their duties , and provided a parting bumper to tide over the impending summer recess .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . ON Thursday , at Bro . W . T . Purkiss ' s , Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , Bro . R . Robinson W . M ., J . Dinnis S . W ., C . Jacob J . W ., R . Williams Preceptor , F . J . Larkman P . M . Treas . acting Sec , J . W . Blaydes S . D ., F . M . Ridley J . D ., W . Elliott I . G ., Justin Allen , E . H . Wilcox , W . Elliott , J . Wynman , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Wilcox candidate , after which the W . M . gave the ancient charge of the degree . The Lodge was called off and on . Resuming the working Bro . Justin Allen answered the questions , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . Bro . E . H . Wilcox of the New Finsbury Park Lodge , No . 1695 , and Bro . W . Elliott S . W . of the Hammersmith Lodge , No . 2090 , were elected members and suitably responded .

Bro . J . Dinnis will preside on Thursday next , when the initiation ceremony will be rehearsed . It was appropriately proposed by Bro . Justin Allen , seconded by Bro . Ridley , and unanimously agreed to , that Bro . F . Craggs P . M . be elected an Honorary Member of the Lodge , for the valuable services he had rendered to it .

HYDE PARK LODGE , No . 1425 . AT the Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastbourne Terrace , Bishop ' s Road , W ., on the 21 st inst ., Bro . S . G . Thorne W . M ., H . Harris S . W ., B . R . Thomas J . W ., H . Dehane P . M . 1513 P . P . G . S . D . Essex Sec , A . Leclair S . D ., H . Crookes J . D ., W . Smith I . G ., B . D . Borradaile 1343 Std ., W . J . Ferguson P . M . 177 Dep . Preceptor , W . H . Handover , H . Chubb , T . M . Lamble , J . C . Conway P . M .

Visitors : —T . J . Ash 1744 , W . Strickland ( S . C ) , W . Fyfe W . M . 354 ( S . C ) , E . Wharfield 704 . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Chubb candidate . After the usual preliminaries the Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed . The Lodge was closed in the second degree . Bros . Borradaile and Ash were elected members , and acknowledged the compliment . Bro . Harris was elected W . M . for next Lodge .

Communications were received from Bros . J . J . Thomas P . G . S . B . and W . 3 . Mason Vice-Pres . Board Gen . Purps . thanking the Brethren for their congratulations .

EARL OF CARNARVON LODGE , No . 1642 . ON Friday , 18 th inst ., at Bro . Foales ' s , Elgin Hotel , Ladbroke Grove , Nottins ? Hill , W ., Bro . W . P . Hatton W . M ., H . Harris S . W ., W . Handover J . W ., G . Davis P . M . Preceptor , E . Rogers P . M . Treasurer , W . J . Mason P . M . Sec , G . A . Knight P . M . S . D ., W . R . Flack J . D ., E . H . Thompsatt I . G ., A . Morgan , F . M . Coglan , E . W . Tucker , J . French , J . W . Slack , J . Wynman , and others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . French candidate , after which the W . M . gave the charge of the degree . Bro . Tompsatt having offered himself as candidate for passing , was examined and entrusted , the ceremony being afterwards rehearsed . The Lodge was opened in the third degree , and closed down to the first . Bro . H . Harris was elected to preside at tho next meeting .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

ST . LEONARD CHAPTER , No . 1766 . A CONVOCATION was held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Bishopsgate Street , E . G ., on Wednesday , when Comp . S . C . Kaufman M . K . Z . presided , assisted by Comp . William Shurmur as acting H ., Comp . Orlton Cooper as acting J . ( in the absence of those Principals ) , William Gower S . E ., J . Bolton P . A . G . D . C . Treasurer , C . H . Clark S . N ., H . Prenton Organist , S . Batchelor , F . Eyre , and John Ives Janitor .

There were four candidates for exaltation on the Agenda , but owing to various causes , chiefly Jubilistic ic was strongly suspected , they were unable to be present , and there was therefore no business before the Chapter . The MIE . Z ., however , suggested that the three lectures should be delivered by the Principals , and accordingly Comp . Orlton Cooper gave the historical , Comp . Kaufman the symbolical , and Comp . Shurmur the mystical addresses . The Chapter was then closed in due form , and the Companions adjourned to dinner .

The paucity of numbers was more than compensated for by the loyalty and enthusiasm which characterised the post prandial proceedings , and they who were absent have cause for regret . Comp . Bolton , in responding for the Grand Officers , referred to the great gathering at the Albert Hall on the 14 th inst ., which proved beyond doubt the respect and affection in which the Grand Master was held .

Comp . Shurmur , in his customary complimentary manner , recalled the virtues and services of the M . E . Z ., who had raised both the Lodge and Chapter to their present prosperous position . Comp . Kaufman briefly returned thanks , and said that his services ¦ would ever be placed at the disposal of the Craft .

After proposing the health of Comps . William Gower and Orlton Cooper , who acknowledged the compliment , Comp . Kaufman submitted the Past Principals , who were represented by Comp . William Shurmur , the Father and Founder of the Chapter . His name was a household word ; they were proud of him ; and were delighted when the Grand Master distinguished his work by making him a Grand Lodge Officer .

Comp . Shurmur , in returning thanks , said he was greatly touched by the manner in which his name was received at the great Masonio gathering at the Albert Hall . He was never more delighted than when assisting at some Masonic function , and he would always be ready to lend his assistance when required . It was a great pleasure to have promoted a Chapter of such good and true Masons , and he hoped they would long flourish and prosper . The Officers having been similarly complimented , Comp . Ives proposed the Janitor ' s toast , and the pleasant gathering dispersed .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

KEYSTONE LODGE , No . 3 . THE installation meeting was held on Tuesday , 15 th inst ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall Street , Bro . A . L . Gosling W . M . presiding . There was no work before the Lodge , save the installation of the new Worshipful Master , says the " City Press , " but a numerous company assembled for the purpose of witnessing the ceremony , including several visitors , among whom were some prominent members of Mark Grand

Lodge . The ceremony of installation was performed by Major W . E . Williams Treasurer , and the following Brethren were afterwards appointed as the Officers for the year : —Bro . F . G . Ivey S . W ., N . Sherwood J . W ., Major W . E . Williams P . M . Treasurer , Lieut .-Col . Wyndham Hart P . M . Secretary and Registrar of Marks , C . D . Hoblyn M . O ., R . A . Kersley S . O ., J . W . Gooding J . O ., and R . W . Goddard Tyler .

After the charges had been delivered by Major Williams , the Audit Committee ' s report was duly adopted . The Brethren afterwards closed the Lodge and adjourned to a charming banquet , served under the personal superintendence of Bro . Ashby . The usual Mark toasts followed , and the commendably short speeches with which they were introduced and responded to were interspersed with some excellent vocal music by Miss Jessie Hotine , BIr . Sadleur Brown , Mr . Charles Hinchliff , Miss Ethel Bevans , and Mr . Roland Henry .

In giving the toast of the Grand Master the Prince of Wales , the W . M . said if any proof were necessary of the loyal regard in which all ranks and degrees of Freemasonry held the Grand Master , he had only to point to the magnificent meeting on Monday at the Royal Albert Hall . Viscount Dungarvan responded to the toast of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers .

The toast of the Provincial and Deputy Grand Master of Middlesex followed , the W . M ., in proposing it , saying that Colonel A . B . Cook , whom all the Brethren were pleased to see honoured with the purple on Monday at the Albert Hall , and Bro . Stewart Brown the Provincial Grand Secretary , were to be congratulated on the selection made by the Prince of Wales . Colonel

Cook would shortly preside at the Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund , and the Brethren could show their regard for him by giving a donation worthy of the oldest Lodge in the Province . With regard to the Deputy Prov . Grand Master Sir Reginald Hanson , it had been his privilege to work with Sir Reginald and under him for a good many years , and to him he was indebted for many favours in his Masonic career .

Colonel A . B . Cook responded , thanking the Brethren for the hospitality of the Lodge , and saying with regard to the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival that he was sure the Keystone Lodge would not be behind in its support . Sir Reginald Hanson also replied . Bro . Gosling I . P . M . proposed the Worshipful Master , and Bro . Spencer W . Morris acknowledged the compliment , promising to discharge the duties of his office so as not to be unworthy of the proud position the Brethren had placed him in . Other toasts followed .

Parkhurst . —Next week Mr . Perfect is reviving the powerful play " Moth ' s , " as adapted from " Ouida ' s " celebrated novel by Henry Hamilton . The cast , which is one of the finest that has been seen in this play , includes Miss Fortescue , Miss Emmerson , Miss Alice Yorke , Miss Adelina Baird , and Miss Helen Ferrars ; Mr . Luigi Lablache , Mr . Stanley Pringle , Mr . Reginald Walter , Mr . Charles Rex , and Mr . Otho Stuart . Some very successful performances are anticipated .