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TRAFFORD LODGE , No . 1496 ( MOSS SIDE ) , A REGULAR meeting was held at the Western Hotel , on Monday , the 14 th inst . Present—Bros . Blears W . M ., 'Daviea I . P . M ., Morria S . W ., Long J . W ., Burslem P . M . Treasurer , Land Secretary , Wilson S . D ., Knight J . D ., D . Johnson P . M . D . C , Renshaw I . G . Past Masters Biggs , Gillman P . P . G . S . D ., MoKelten P . P . G . D . C , Halliwell , Maybury , and Kershaw ; Broa . Hampaoo , Vickers , Done ,

A . R . Johnaon , Tarr , and Yeadon . Visitors—Bros . Morrison jnn S . D . 1375 , and Carse 1375 . The Lodge was opened at 5 o ' clock , antl minntes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . Broa . Done Yeadon and Vickers , being present to take their second degree , were interrogated aa to their proficiency in the first , and having

satisfactorily answered , withdrew . Bro . Done was subsequently passed to the degree of Fellow Craft by Bro . Gillman P . M . P . P . G . D ., and Bros . Yeadon and Vickers by Bro . Burslem P . M ., who also presented and explained the working tools to the three brethren . There being no further business the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony at 8 * 45 .

SAINT LEONARD LODGE , No . 1766 . THE annnal meeting of tha above Lodge was held at the Town Hall , Shoreditcb , on tbe 9 th inst ., when there was- a large attendance , numbering upwards of 60 members and visiting brethren . The Lodge waa opened by Bro . Thrower W . M ., asaisted by hia Officers and several Past Masters , including Bros . Barr , Benjamin , Jones , Funston , and Matthews . Amongst the visitors was the follow , ing Past Masters : Broa . Richardson 860 , Da Costa 1349 , Gash 1541 ,

Smith 193 , Brand 1524 , Sturtevant 1278 . The business included the report of the audit committee , the passing of Bros . Shea and Bugler , the initiating of Messrs . Whiting , Marks , and Canniagton . Bros . Bowen 65 , and Carrell 1392 were received as joining members . The W . M .-elect , Bro . Beasley , was presented for installation by Bro . Barr P . M ., and the ceremony wss aWy worked by the W . M .

On the return of the brethren to the Lodge , the new W . M . was saluted in the several degrees , and proceeded to appoint and invest his Officers , as follow : Bros . Thrower I . P . M ., Shurmur P . M . 1471 S . W ., Kaufman J . W ., Nicholson Treasurer , Cox P . M . Secretary , Batcheler S . D ., Bishop J . D ., Johnson I . G ., Colls D . C , Abbott A . D . C , Jeremy W . S ., Jacobs A . W . S ., Very Tyler . The addresses to the

Master , Wardens , and members of the Lodges were admirably given by Bro . Thrower I . P . M ., to whom Bro . Beasley W . M . presented , ou behalf of the Lodge , a handsome bar attached to hia Past Master ' s jewel , to mark the appreciation of the brethren of the manner in which Bro . Thrower had carried through his second year of office . The aum of £ 10 10 s wns voted from the Benevolent Fuud ( o bo added

to Bro . Thrower ' a list on his representing the Lodgo as Steward at the Festival of the Royal Masonio Benevolent Institution . Two sums of like amount wero voted iu tho cause of charity . Tho Lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to banquet , which was served by Messrs . Offen and Newel ) , of Maro Street . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were dnly honoured , nnd some very

congratulatory speeches were made during the evening . The proceedings were enlivened by an excellent selection of mnsic , rendered in au admirable style by Miss Masie Riversdale , Misa Meiklejohn , Bro . Donald , Mr . Scbubarth , snd Mr . Craig , whose musical sketches were greatly enjoyed . Miss Alice Montford accompanied on fche pianoforte . Tha meeting was highly successful , both us to the working and the more social features of the occasion .

WILLIAM OF WYKEHAM LODGE , No . 1883 . TPHE installation of the W . M .-elect Bro . King , took place on Tnes . -L day , 15 th inst ., at the Masonio Hall , Winchester , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Frampton tbe outgoing Master . The following brethren w ere invested aa Officera : —Bros . Frampton I . P . M ., Seeloy S . W , Snook J . W ., Frampton Treaanrer , Harriaon Secretary , Dicks

I . G ., King S . D ., Simpkins J . D ., Jelly and Crane Stewards , Ward P . M . D . C . There waa a very good attendance of brethren , inoluaive of tbe P . G . Master , Bro . Beach , M . P ., and Bro . Goble P . G . Sec . About thirty brethren dined together after the ceremonies , at the Sessions Hall , inolusive of visitors from the Royal Gloucester , the Economy , and Clausentum Lodges .

STANFORD LODGE , No . 1947 . THE annual installation meeting was held at the Town Hall , Hove , on the 9 th inat ., when Bro , Glassington was installed W . M . for the ensuing year . The Officers invested were Bros . Clark S . W ., Lamette J . W ., Hughes Secretary , Potter S . D ., Goode J . D ., Voysey I . G ., Thilthorpe Dir . of Cers ., Dudney S . S ., Graveley J . S ., Crapps Org ., Stride Treasnrer , Massia Chaplain , Bro . Endacott I . P . M . was presented with a Past Master's gold jewel in appreciation of the

manner in which he had carried out the duties of W . M . during the past year . On the closing of the Lodge the brethren sat down to a bunquet , ovor which tha newly installed W . M . presided . The usual Masonio toasts were dnly honoured . The musical programme waa sustained by Bros . Johnson , Treacher , Graveley , vocalists ; Mr . Potter , solo pianoforte ; and Mr . Crapps , solo violin ; recitations being contributed by Bros . Voysey and Thilthorpe .

ABBEY LODGE , No . 2030 . A MEETING waa held on Monday , the 14 bh instant , afc the Town Hall , Westminster , S . W ., there being present Bros . Piper W . M ., Smith S . W ., BonwickJ . W ., Goffin , Shand ( Founder ) Secretary , Poole Assistant Secretary , Hambling S . D ., Baylor J . D ., Smith I . G ., Walkley Tyler . P . M . ' s Chabot , Bull , and about thirty others . Following the transaction of tbe Lodge business the brethren dined together .

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Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , No . 1614 . —The weekly meeting waa held at the Criterion , Piccadilly Circus , S . W ., on the 17 th instant , when there were present Broa . Humbly W . M ., Wood S . W ., Hamell J . W ., Foan Assistant Preceptor , Reynolds acting Secretary , Hoggins- S . D ., Burgess J . D ., CogH- » ti f . G , Weeks Tyler , H-incock , Kirk , Bailey , Rymer , Warwick , Jo : ie- > , Harris , Keen ,

aud other ? . The Lodgo was opened in dne form . Ths minntes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Keen ott ' jrod himself as a candidate for initiation , nnd tho W . M . relianr ^ o ;! Mm ceremony . The Lodge waa opened iu tho 2 nd degree . Bro . Reynolds offered himself as a candidate for rai . ing , end having answered tho usual questions satisfactorily waa entrusted . Tho Lodge waa

opened in the 3 rd degree . Tho W . M , rehearsed the ceremony . Bro . R . W . Jones of the St . Ambrose Lodge , 1891 , and Bro . C . Harris of the Salisbury Lodge , 435 , wero unanimously elfiete I members . Bro . W . Wood was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week . Nothing further offering for the good of Freemasonry , the Lodge waa closed and adjourned .

It is gratifying to be able to announce tbat Bro . Jamea Terry has secured as Chairman for hia Jubilee Festival Bro . Lord Edgecumbe . The Deputy Grand Master of England has consented to preside , and we are convinced ho will receive loyal support from the Craft at large .

The Devon Lodge , No . 1138 , at Newton , at their monthlA meeting , elected Bro . J . R . Cull S . W . as W . M . for the ensuing year , and re-elected W . Bro . H . Martin P . M . as Treasurer .

At the Sun Lodge , No . 106 , Exmouth , on Monday , 14 th inst ., Bro . J . H . Higgs S . W . was elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . W . L . Cocks P . M . was elected Treasurer ] and Bro . W . Blake Tyler . The installation and banquet will bo held on Monday , tho 11 th January .

The Freemasons of tho Province of Berkshire , of which the Dnke of Clarence and Avondale is Provincial Grand Master , havo sent thoir hearty and fraternal

congri'ulationa to his Royal Highness on his engagement with her Serene Highunsa the Princess Victoria Mary , and similar congratulations are being sent from individual Lodges throughout the county .

It is stated that a schism is impending in the Grand Orient of France , one party being de . irons of divesting Masonry of its political ancl anti-clerical aspects .

GREAT IMPORTANCE OF IMPRESSIVE WORK . —Tho impression made upon a candidate for init atiuu , or for tlie reception ot the sub'equoi . fc degrees ( the Inst of which , remember , we cull " Sublime" ) , will depend very mnch on the way in which the ceremonial is carried out . If the various Officers do their work smartly , but with reverence and dignity , the candidate feels at once the reality of what ho is being

introduced into ; but if he is conscious th-it those who are bringing him into the mysterious precintn of Freemasonry , of which he haa heard so mnch in tho outer world , or who are guiding him up the symbolic steps to a higher degree , play their part in n halting , uncertain , slovenly fashion , the high idsnl he may have formed of the revelation that awaited him fades away , and he cornea to the

conclusion that , after all , Freemasonry is but a common-placo affair , and such it will probably be to him ever afterward ? , for firsfc impres . aions are strong and lasting . But nofc only on its bearing on the candidate ia proficiency on the part of the Officera imporfceut . It in also of great value in keeping alive in the members tho true spirit of enthusiasm for our secret art and hidden mystery . The mere opening and closing of the Lodge , well done , affords a conatant opportunity

to the thoughtful Mason for realising his privilege in being a member of a society whioh has been inspired by Wisdom , is supported by Strength , and embellished by Beauty . On the contrary , the frequent repetition of these ceremonies carelessly performed , blunts his sense of their true meaning , until in time ho forgets that every part of our system has its symbolio teaching for the Brother who can read ifc right . —Bro . Gilbert Saunders .

Freemasonry ia so old and venerated an Institution thafc it is rather remarkable only one Lodge of newspaper men should be in existence . Afc its annual gathering , Mr . Edward Eden Peacock , of the Morning Post , was chosen Master for the coming year . Among fche company wero Sir Algernon Borthwick , tho popular proprietor of that journal , and the equally popular member for a division of

Kensington ; and the novelist , Mr . Christie Murray , just returned fiom Australia to enter upon tho shoals of theatrical management . Aa a raconteur , Mr . Murray takes a deal of beating , and ho was ablo to tell amusing stories of hia early career on tho Press . In a remote conntry district , at an agricultural match , a visconnt wound np by

the brilliant quotation marring to kind hearts and coronets and noble blood . To his surprise , he found hia sentiments paraphrased in the local paper , " The noble lord concluded by remarking thafc , ia hia humble opinion , kind hearts were much to be preferred to golden decorations , and simple confidence to the best s & raia . of French blood . " — Bristol Timen and Minor .