Reports Of Meetings.

His Boyal Highness would bold the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex on the same day . Any Brethren of the Orpheus Lodge who wished to attend would be accorded a hearty welcome , the Lodge being very well known in the Province . Bro . Hennings P . M . Secretary , by permission of the W . M ., proposed as a special toast the Masonic Brethren who are upholding the arms of England and the Dignity of the Empire in South Africa , referring in the course of his remarks to the numerous Past Grand Officers who were occupying prominent

military positions at the front . Among them were , he said , Lord Boberts , Lord Methuen , and Lord Kitchener Past Grand Wardens ; and Sir Charles Warren Past Grand Deacon . One Brother o £ the Orpheus Lodge , Dr . Chapman Grigg , who was a Founder of the Lodge , had laid down his life for his country . Although 60 years of age he relinquished a lucrative practice , and , like a true hero , scouted danger in order to serve humanity . He fell , not by a bullet , but by an insidious complaint , enteric fever . Many other Masons were out there doing their duty in the cause of Queen and oountry . The toast was received with the utmost enthusiasm .

For the evening a special programme of music was prepared with reference to the war , and among the pieces performed were " The Warrior ' s Song" ( Hatton ) , " The Beleaguered" ( Sullivan ) , and " Comrades in Arms . " Bro . Henry Guy P . M . acted as Musical Director .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

LODGE OF REPOSE , No . 802 . THEBE was a large gathering at the meeting at Derby , on Thursday , 19 th inst ., when Mr . Alderman Fletcher , Mayor of Derby , was initiated . Among the company were several of his Worship ' s friends from Nottingham and Heanor , and there was a good attendance of members of the Corporation who belong to our ancient Fraternity , and of visitor * from sister Lodges . The initiation ceremony was admirably performed by the W . M . Bro . William Bennett , and the charge was impressively delivered by Bro . W . J . Piper jun . J . W . Supper followed the ceremony , and the health of the initiate was proposed by Bro . Charles Fox P . M .

EGERTON LODGE , No . 1030 . THE regular meeting , held at the George Hotel , Heaton Nbrris , on the 16 th instant , was made particularly interesting by an admirable explanation of the first tracing board by Bro . William A . Bacon Worshipful Master . Bro . Thomas Knott P . M . Secretary was heartily congratulated upon his having attained Provincial honours , in which congratulation we sincerely join .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 1343 . THE election meeting took place at the Queen ' s Hotel , Grays , on Wednesday , 28 th ult ., when Bro . W . C . Asplin S . W . was unanimously voted to the chair , to be installed at the next meeting . There was a good muster of the Brethren , and several visitors were also present .

After the business of the Lodge , a banquet was held , at which forty sat down . A musical programme was gone through , being contributed to by Bro . and Mrs . Boland Henry , Bros . H . C . Borradaile P . M ., S . G . Thome , R . Matthews , and F . Noakes .

The usual toasts were given and duly honoured , and during the evening Bro . J . H . Silverwood W . M . complimented Host Bro . A . J . Baldock on the excellent manner he had served them , and for the way in which he did everything for the comfort of the Lodge . Bro . Baldock suitably replied .

CONCORD LODGE , No . 1534 . A MEETING waii held at Chester Bank , Prestwich , on the 19 th inst ., Bro . Jas . Kershaw W . M . Mr . George Bottomley , Manager , Pendleton , haviDg been successfully balloted for , was duly initiated into Ancient Freemasonry . Following this

ceremony was that of passing Bro . John Mather to the degree of F . C . During the evening a successful ballot was also taken for Bro . Geo . Hy . Wade , St . Thomas Lodge , No . 992 , who was desirous of becoming a joining member . A very successful supper followed tha proceedings .

URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 . THE function inaugurated by Brother Hedley Herbert Jones Worshipful Master , and held at the Victoria Hotel , Urmston , ou the last meeting night , was a very succesful one . The ordinary business over , the Brethren

adjourned to a large room of the Hotel , and being joined by lady friends , all sat down within the plaisaunce of a sumptuously furnished table , the welcome evening manna being supplied by Bro . John Walton P . M ., and expeditiously , served by a bevy of his willing female assistants .

An adjournment afterwards took place to the Lodge room , which in the meantime had undergone special preparation , and here an enjoyable evening was spent . Bro . Jones , who seems to believe in the old dictum that one of the first objects in life is to train a man to be happy , and the second to train him to be useful , had arranged a good programme of music and recitations

and for contributors drew largely upon the services of members , himself setting a good example by rendering a couple of songs . Bros . Geo . A . Myers P . M . P . P . G . D . C , E . L . Littler P . M . P . P . G . P ., and J . Goodwin I . G ., also added to the harmony . Some very humorous sketches were rendered by Bros John Slyman P . M . P . P . S . G . D ., Walter Bowers P . M ., Edward Boberts P M *

Prov . G . T . ( E . L . ) , and that veteran Lancashire reciter , whose pen name "B . Dick " disguises the identity of Bro . Robert Dottie P . M . To Brothers Geo ! B . Lloyd P . M . P . P . G . Tr . and George Franklyn was left the task of supplying the more thoughtful mind-food , the former relating an old story of an

unfortunate bride , and the latter rendering an original and apropos sketch entitled " Our Empire . " Bro . John Bowers P . M . P . P . G . P ., with his usual urbanity , officiated several times at the pianoforte , whilst two daughters of Bro . Littler ( Mrs . Steans and Miss F . Littler ) were also in evidence in this direction . The Loyal toasts were in the hands of the W . M ., Bros . Slyman and Lloyd , the latter reverting to the dastardly attempt upon the life of the

Provincial.

Grand Master . A telegram congratulating His Boyal Highness upon his providential escape was despatched during the evening . Bro . Littler proposed the health of the W . M ., to which Bro . Jones responded , expressing his pleasure that their first ladies' social had been such a success , and hoping it would not be the last of its kind . On behalf of himself , his wife , and children , he thanked those around him for their support .

The health of the Ladies was proposed by Bro . J . Ormrod P . M ., who said the members of the Urmston Lodge were under a deep obligation to the W . M ., for having initiated such an occasion as that , and they were also indebted to their fair friends for pleasant company . Bro . J . F . Mends S . D . responded .

Other toasts followed , that of the host and hostess eliciting a characteristic reply from Bro . John Walton , who admitted how pleased he was that any effort upon his and his wife ' s part had contributed towards such a splendid suocess .

The ancient Romans marked their happy days with a white stone , and upon a future visit to the Lodge we shall look for some tangible sign of the W . M . ' s first effort to study the comfort of the Brethren and that of their lady friends . As a colophon to this report we heartily congratulate him upon the magnificent result of his labours .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . A LABGE gathering of members and visitors assembled as spectators of the oeremonials undertaken upon the last meeting night , which took place at Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on the 12 ch instant . The preliminary business of reading and confirming of minutes over , Mr . William Ronald West was initiated into Ancient Freemasonry by Bro . Arthur C . K . Smith S . W ., who presented and explained the working tools .

Bro . W . B . Akerman P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . D . C . passed Bros . Charles Neufeld and H . T . Nicholson into the degree of F . C , the W . M . performing a like service for Bro . Hiram Taylor . The working tools were given by Bro . W . E . Davies J . D . We believe there were no abstentions from the festive board whioh ultimately followed the above proceedings , each Brother being anxious to

hear a further account from Bro . Neufeld of the treatment accorded to him by the Khalifa , whilst a prisoner in the Soudan . The sympathies of every auditor went out to the narrator , as he described the cruelties and indignities practised towards him , his efforts to evade conforming to the wicked laws of the country , and the amenities of social life and intercourse , thus breathing forth a new revelation to their startled ears .

A bracelet made of solid gold , which has been specially manufactured for his daughter in England , was handed round . It is in miniature , and an imitation of the fetters which Bro . Neufeld wore for twelve long and weary years ; it is inscribed with the name " Eveline , " and also with the dates , " 1 st April 1887 and 2 nd September 1898 , " the latter indicating the period of his oaptivity .

Metropolitan : Instruction.

METROPOLITAN : INSTRUCTION .

— : o : — CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . A VEBY sociable meeting of the memberB was held on Wednesday evening , ' when Bro . Uushell occupied the chair with great credit to himself , and instruction to the Brethren . The remaining Officers were Bros . Pennock P . M . Preceptor , Pitt P . M . Secretary , Hattersley S . W ., Done J . W ., Baillie S . D ., Cooke J . D ., Roland I . G .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Fells being candidate . The Lodge was called off and on . Bro . Johns answered the questions leading to the second degree , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The members felt deeply indebted to Bro . Latham for the great assistance and instruction he gave them in connection with the ritual .

ECLECTIC LODGE , No . 1201 AN excellent meeting was held on Sunday , at 7 o ' clock , at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford Street , W ., those present including Bros . P . Leach W . M ., W . Hudson S . W ., A . Le Clair J . W ., E . C . Mulvey P . M . P . G . P Preceptor , W . J . Wall P . M . Dep . Prec , J . Mason Sec , J . Cohen S . D .. G . May J . D ., Ji Williams I . G ., Charles Biemann , M . Curette , J . Kelly , C . Evans , J . Wynman .

The WiM . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Kelly acting as the candidate . This being ended , the W . M . followed with the second ceremony , for which Bro . Evans was accepted as candidate , first answering the questions and being entrusted . Both the ceremonies were perfectly rendered ; to the satisfaction of the able Preceptor and the Brethren .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bro . Charles Beimann S . D . of the Zetland Lodge , No . 511 , was elected a member , which compliment was highly appreciated and suitably acknowledged . Bro . W . Hudson was elected to preside to-morrow ( Sunday ) . Bro . Mulvey , in well deserved terms proposed that a hearty vote o thanks be recorded on the minutes for the very able way in which Bro . Leach

had fulfilled the duties of W . M . for the first time in the Lodge ; his working had been perfectly rendered , and the rehearsal of both the ceremonies was all that could be desired . The W . M . most heartily thanked Bro . Mulvey for his very kind remarks , also for his undoubtedly perfect support . When he again had the honour of occupying the position of W . M . he hoped to do even better . He thanked the Brethren for their kind indulgence .

Bro . J . Mason Secretary had very much pleasure to inform the W . M . that the son of the late Bro . Geo . Dingluy , a member of the Lodge , had been elected to the Boys Institution on the first application , which announcement was most cordially received .

WOODROW LODGE , No . 1708 . A FTEB the enjoyment of the Easter holidays the Brethren assembled to _ \_ resume their Masonic duties on Monday afternoon , at 3 o ' clock , at Bro . Budderforth ' s ( Stone ' s ) Restaurant , 24 Panton Street , Haymarket . The chair was taken by Bro . T . F . Strutt W . M . 1679 , with Bros . J . E . Culverhouse S . W ., W . Hann J . W ., C . Woodrow P . M . Prec , J . W . Simeons W . M . 193 Sec , T . Burgess S . D ., H . T . Rose J . D ., S . E . Firminger I . G ., H . W . Page , F . Page , T . G . Lobb , W . West , Making P . M ., Detrez , W . E . Davis , G . E . Genet , J . Wynman , & c .