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pleasure of attending the Lodge , and he hoped it would not be the last . There was always good working at the Duke of Connaught , there was always something to eat , and there was always a good entertainment afterwards . Some were heard to say there was too much eating and drinking in Freemasonry , but they who had passed the chair knew that there was not too much , that the eating and drinking was but the means to an end , and that

there was much to applaud in connection with the Craft . He congratulated the Master on the splendid meeting , and said it was not given to every Maater to have five initiates at his first Lodge , and the promise of yet five or six more in the near future . The initiates also were to be congratulated in having been admitted into the Craft by so capable a Master as he who now presided over the Lodge . He felt they would each profit by tho impressive ceremony they had gone through .

Bro . Lewis followed . He had had much pleasure in seeing one of his oldest and dearest friends installed in the chair of King Solomon in so important a Lodge . Bro- Grace also replied , and then Bro . Atkin was called upon by the W . M ., and added a few words of congratulation and thanks . The W . M . proposed the toast of the Treasurer and Secretary . If there were two important Offices in the Lodge it was those occupied by these

Brethren . He felt the handsome balance the Lodge had waa perfectly safe in the hands of Bro . Brand . It had truly been said that anyone could get money , but that it was a most difficult task to hold it . The splendid balance sheet presented by the Treaaurer proved that he , at leaat , could retain what was once aecured—truly , in the words on the programme , he must be " a great arithmetician . " Coming next to their Brother Secretary , he could but

feel that when any of the lay Brethren reached the chair they would then fully appreciate the work the Secretary performed on their behalf . A fortnight before he reached the chair he received a long letter from Bro . Lorkin extending to some eig ht pages—and that was but the first of many he had had relating to the arrangements necessary in connection with the affairs of the Lodge installation .

The Treasurer replied , tendering his thanks for the kind and cordial proposition of the toast , and the very hearty response to it . He could truly say it was one of the pleasure of his life to attend and see the progress made in the Duke of Connaught Lodge . He stood in what he considered the proud position of senior member and first initiate of the Lodge . He had occupied the honourable position of its Treasurer since he left the chair of Master in 1880 , and they must therefore excuse him if he had nothing fresh to say in

response to the toast . Having answered to it for some nineteen years they would understand there was little new to say . Of the offices referred to in the toast he must say he considered his the easier of the two . They had been reminded of the old adage that any fool could get money , but ifc took a wise man to keep it—well , he took great care of the funds , and was ploaaed to see the balance so gradually growing larger , and in doing so he could but

think how light were his duties compared with those of his Brother Secretary , As long as he had health and atrength , and it was their wish , he would endeavour to give them satisfaction in the office of Treasurer . The position at times kept him in town when he might otherwise be in the country , but he waa amply rewarded by the kindness he always experienced at their hands .

Bro . Lorkin added hia thanks . The Master had told the Brethren how he had been inundated with correspondence , but he might tell him there was yet much more in store for him . That night he entered on his tenth year as Secretary of the Lodge . At the time he started in that capacity they had forty subscribing members , now they had upwards of a hundred , and he had to deal with every member , directly or indirectly—for if one of them did not direct to him he had to indirectly bring him within the fold of tbe Lodge . The

work of his office waa a source of pleasure to him , and aa long as it waa all right he was satisfied . Unanimity and good fellowship and concord had existed among them in the pasfc , and so long as it continued they need have no fear at to the future of the Duke of Connaught Lodge . If he was ' spared , and was appointed as Secretary for the next ten years , he hoped the Lodge would progress as amicably aa it had done in the past ten . Should any lapse ever occur he would never leave the matter until it had been put right .

The toast of the Paat Masters next received the attention of the W . M . To quote an old saying , he remarked , they were the pillars of the Lodge . It was to the Past Masters they owed an amount of instruction they could not even look for anywhere else . He had to express his special thanks to Bro . Oakley for favoura received , and coupled the name of Bro . Past-Master Bich with the toast , for the reason that it was that Brother who had introduced him into the Lodge . .

After a reply on behalf of the Past Masters the health of the Officers was given , and then the Tyler gave the concluding toast . A really enjoyable musical programme was provided to add to the pleasures of what proved a most interesting and instructive gathering , the artistes including Miss Hilda Austin , Mr . E . W . Short , Mr . Charles Croger , Mr . Fred Wilson , Mr . Harold Austin , Bro . C S . Walker and Bro . Fred Henderson I . G ., the latter , with Bro . W . W . Bobinson , having the direction of this part of the evening ' s programme .

Bro . Edmund Frisby , the new ruler of the Lodge , was born on 7 th January 1862 , at Bermondsey , and was initiated on the 25 th June 1885 , in the Lodge over which he now presides . He has served every office in the Lodge , in conjunction with being Organist and Musical Director nearly the whole time he haa been a member . Aa a " Knight of the road " our worthy Brother has won many friends outside the Craft , while within its circle he

appears to be very popular , and a really most able exponent of the ritual . There ia every prospect of a busy year before him , and we cordially recommend any Brother who has the chance to pay a visit to the Duke of Connaught Lodge while it is under his rule , for hia delivery of the ritual and working of the ceremonies is so far out of the ordinary as to be worth seeing . Our beat wiahes to him and his Lodge for the year .

GREAT NORTHERN LODGE , No . 1287 . THE installation meeting of this Lodge took place on Thursday , 19 fch inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C , the opening proceedings being presided over by Bro . T . G . Doughty W . M ., who was supported by Bros . George Edwards W . M .-elect S . W ., E . B . Homewood J . W ., Samuel Webb P . M . Treas ., W . Cleghorn P . M . Sec , T . Steer S . D ., B . Bussell J . D . * , C . Kempton P . M . D . C , J . Bascombe I . G ., A . Kenningham Org ., J .

Rawles Tyler ; Past Masters Richard Cane , 0 . Kempton , J . Paul , 0 . Davis , G . W . Ridout , T . Ewing , & c , together with Bros . P . H . Prior , J . Lee , F . Palmer , S . Hunter , A . Willing , C Wilkinson , A . Hutchinson , G . Osborne , F . Lawrence , D . C Sturthers , J . S . Powell , W . Morris , H . Billings , T . Turner , J ., Jackson , A . Thompson , A . G . Billings , A . C . Gennari , and several others .

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Amongst the Visitors were Bros . John Mason P . G . St . Bearer , W . W . Lee P . M . 2381 , 0 . McGray P . M . 1920 , H . Von Joel P . M 957 , 0 . Smith P . M . 1328 , C Ellis I . G . 1385 , J . Stanley W . M . 435 , R . Palmer P . M . 1732 , John Fielding S . W . 2096 , W . Body 2664 , A . Rusby W . M . 2511 , E . Kennett J . W . 31 , O . Knowles W . M . 2466 , J . Wynman , & o .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . Fred Palmer waa presented for the second degree , and having answered the questions in a satisfactory manner he was entrusted and retired . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , and that Brother was passed aa a Fellow Craft .

Bro . George Edwards S . W . was now preaented by Bro . 0 . Kempton P . M . aa W . M .-elect , and the presiding Officer of the Lodge proceeded to instal him aa hia successor , which he accomplished in admirable style . The new W . M . appointed and invested his Officers , as follow : Bros . E . B . Homewood S . W ., T . Steer . J . W ., Samuel Webb P . M . Treas ., W . Cleghorn

P . M . Sec , B . Russell S . D ., F . Bascombe J . D ., 0 . Kempton P . M . D . C , A . Kenningham Org ., C T . Wilkinson I . G ., H . T . Reed P . M . and H . E . Peck Stewards , James Bawles Tyler . The addresses were eloquently rendered by the Installing Master , who was accorded a vote of thanks for his work , whioh he heartily deserved . The Auditors' report was received and adopted .

A sum of twenty-five guineas was voted for the Boyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , to be placed on the list of Bro . Doughty , who ia acting aa a Steward for the coming Featival . The Lodge having been cloaed the Brethren sat down to banquet , which was well served under the aupervision of Bro . Blanohette , the Manager oi the establishment .

The usual Loyal toasts having been disposed of , that of the Grand Officers was given , coupled with the name of Bro . John Mason P . G . Std . Bearer , who made one of his characteristic speeches in acknowledgment . Bro . Doughty I . P . M . now assumed charge of the gavel , and in doing so said he had once more the pleaaure of taking possession of the emblem of authority , the occasion for his doing so being to propose the health of the

Worshipful Maater of the Lodge . In selecting him for ruler the Brethren had done well , for he was a Brother skilled in the work , and certain to do everything in his power to give satisfaction . He felt certain Bro . Edwards would succeed in his endeavours , especially if , as he felt was certain , he received the same kindly support and assistance from the Officers and members as he had received during the past year .

On rising to reply the W . M . was most enthusiastically received . He said he was thankful for the very kind remarks made in the proposition of the toast , and also for its hearty reception by the Brethren . He should endeavour to the best of his ability to give them satisfaction , and at the conclusion of hia response urged upon the Brethren one and all the necessity of supporting the Masonic Charities .

Bro . John Mason made a long and impressive speech in reply , expressing the hope that the Brethren would attend to the call of their W . M . and make the Steward of the Great Northern Lodge one of the most prominent at the coming Festival of the Benevolent Institution . The toast of the I . P . M . was next given from the chair , the W . M . taking the opportunity to present to his predecessor the Pasfc Master ' s emblem voted by the Lodge . The jewel had been well earned , and he hoped the recipient

would live to wear it for many years to come , in good health and prosperity . The I . P . M . tendered his thanks . He had always endeavoured to give satisfaction , and was pleased to learn he had in a measure succeeded . It was hia intentio-a to & ct as a Stewa-cd at the next Festival oi the Benevolent Institution , and he , hoped the Brethren would give him liberal support . He had also to sincerely thank the Officers of the Lodge for the assistance they had rendered him during his year of office ..

The list of the I . P . M . Bro . Doughty , as Steward for the Benevolent Institution , was well supported during the evening , ani closed with a total of £ 112 12 s promised on behalf of the Old People .

PRINCE FREDERICK WILLIAM LODGE , No . 753 . A CHANGE having been decided upon in the meeting place of this Lodge of Instruction—which will now assemble every Tuesday evening , at Bro . F . Crocker ' s Crown Hotel , Aberdeen Place , Maida Hill , N . W . —a special gathering was arranged for the first night , Tuesday , 14 th inst ., at the new quarters , and the services of Bro . James Terry P . G . Sword B . Secretary

of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution were enlisted . That well known Brother kindly offered to rehearae the ceremoniea of Consecration and Installation , and was supported by Bro . James Stephens P . D . G . D . C as S . W ., and Bro . J . J . Thomas P . G . Std . B . as J . W ., the three displaying their wellknown ability to full advantage .

There was a good attendance of Brethren , among them a strong contingent from the Westbourne Lodge of Instruction , the weekly meeting of which was postponed , in order to allow of a full attendance at this special gathering .

After the rehearsal of the important ceremonies a supper was enjoyed , Bro . Crocker and his wife providing an excellent repast for the company . In the course of the evening the host promised he would not relax any effort which might conduce to the future comfort of the membera of the Lodge of Instruction .

An excellent programme of music was provided for the evening , which was in every way a success . We wish this well-known Lodge every prosperity in its new quarters , which are conveniently situated for Brethren of the North-west corner of the metropolis .

A Fine Channel Service . —During the exceptionally heavy gales experienced on our coasts within the past few weeks , which have necessitated the suspension in some cases , and serious delay in several of the cross-Channel services , that of the Great Western Company between Weymouth and the Channel Islands haa been conducted with regularity during the whole of this period , with no greater inconvenience than the delay of an hour or so . Upon no single occasion during the past twenty years has the service by this route been suspended from bad weather or any other cause .

Kentish Masonry . —Bro . Frank Hitchens P . Prov . Grand Registrar of Kent has sent us tbe Freemasons' Manual of the Province for the current year , which evinces the same care in compilation as obtained in previous issues . There has been no Masonic progresa in the Province during the past

year , ao far as the number of Lodges and Chapters are concerned , but a considerable increase in the number of members has taken place . An addition has been made to this year ' s Manual that will bo useful to all Kentish Mark Masons , by the inclusion of the Provincial Bye-Laws regulating the Degree .