Non-Payment Of Dues.

member who , finding himself in arrear , with only a remote prospect of liquidation , resigned his membership , and honestly stated the reason . The Lodge , recognising the truth of the representation , at once remitted arrears , and placed him in good membership . The process of honesty in such cases is simple , effective and not degrading . But when Brethren orate on the "hardships to the defaulter , " and the unrighteous taking of bread from his

family , they talk most arrant rot , waste sympathy , and display eras * ignorance of the first principles of Freemasonry and the laws and regulations of their own Grand Lodge . Every Mason reduced to poverty and distress , and unable to fulfil his pecuniary obligation to his Lodge , has the entire remedy in his own hands . If he declines to take advantage of it , he is entitled not to hysterical sentimental sympathy , but to the fullest rigour of the law . — "New Zealand Craftsman . "

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

"We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings . METEOPOLITAN— IN STEU C TION .

ROBERT BURNS LODGE , No . 25 . AT the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford Street , on Tuesday , Bro . A . Pettit W . M ., Nioholls S . W ., Williams J . W ., C . Bonham P . M . S . D ., Phillips J . D ., Eomily I . G ., E . C . Mulvey P . M . Preceptor , Bundell Treasurer , T . Caseley P . M . Sec . ; Wells , Truman , Nash , Ellis , McVey , Roberts , Mullins , Hammond , Brickdale P . M ., Johnstone , Roberts , Wynman , Stilleto , and several others .

The Lodge was largely attended and the Brethren enjoyed the . faultless working of the W . M . Bro . Pettit , who rehearsed the ceremonies of initiation and passing . Bro . Ellis acted as initiate , and Bro . M . McVey as F . C . Bro . Hammond had much pleasure in proposing Bro . Cross and Bro . H . Mullins as members , and they were accepted . Bro . Brickdale P . M . was also unanimously elected , and suitably responded . Bro . Nicholls will preside next meeting .

o o o ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 167 . THE fact that Bro . Arthur Williams P . M . would occupy the chair at the weekly meeting on Thursday , attracted a large attendance to the regular quarters at the Court House , Harlesden , N . W ., when Bro . Williams was supported by Bro . W . H . Handover S . W ., S . Hussey P . M . J . W ., H . Wood S . D ., Tebbitt P . M . J . D ., Hagan P . M . I . G ., Priest Sec , Hillier P . M . Preceptor , G . Chapman Assist . Sec , Lawrence P . M ., Moore , Catt , Wynman , Tydeman , Collrnan , J . J . Thomas P . M ., & c , M . Moss , Fanlinson , and others .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Moss candidate , the working being perfect . After the ceremony the Lodge was called off and on , when the W . M . opened in the second , and proposed to rehearse the ceremony of installation . Bro . J . J . Thomas P . M ., who acted as Director of Ceremonies , presented Bro . Hussey as W . M .-elect . The Lodge was advanced and Bro . Hussey was installed . Afterwards Bro . Priest occupied the chair , and invested his Officers in a faultless manner . Bro . Arthur Williams W . M . gave the three addresses .

Bro . Coleman was elected a member , and Bro . Handover as President for the next meeting .

o o o WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . AT the Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , on Tuesday , Bro . G . D . Mogford VV . M . 2362 W . M ., R . J . Hearnden S . W ., U . Crookes J . W ., T . W . Mogford S . D ., H . Potter J . D ., A . L . Butters I . G ., H . Dehane P . M . Preceptor , R . J . Rogers P . M . Sec . and Treas ., W . J . Hillier P . M ., M . Moss , C . Halston , W . H . Handover , Wynman , and others .

The Lodge was opened and Bro . W . J . Hillier P . M . worked the third section of the lecture , with the able assistance of the Brethren . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the W . M . installed Bro . T . W . Mogford , who invested the Officers , and the W . M . gave the three addresses . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . T . W . Mogford for tbe perfect

manner m which he invested his Officers for the first time , also a word of thanks was accorded Bro . Hillier lor tho excellent working of the third section . Bro . Hearnden was unanimously elected W . M . for next meeting . Bro . R . J . Rogers thanked the Brethren for the kindness they had shown him in the letter of condolence they sent .

o o o EARL OF CARNARVON LODGE , No . 1642 . AT the Elgin Hotel , Ladbroke Grove Road , Notting Hill , on Friday , 21 st inst ., Bro . W . H . Handover W . M ., G . D . Mogford W . M . 2362 b . W ., W . inman J . W ., W . P . Hatton acting Secretary , E . Rogers P . M . Treas ., G . Davis P . M . Preceptor , W . R . Flack S . D ., E . lnglish 3 . D ., H . Hatton I . G ., J . Wynman , J . Chubb , H . Harris , 3 . A . Knight .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Chubb candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . 0 . Rogers P . M ., who opened the Lodge in the second degree . Bro . H . Harris having answered the usual questions leading to the third was entrusted , and subsequently raised to the hubiime degree . The laultless manner in which tbe W . M . rendered the inipittjMvi' cuenionj was iuilv appreciated . By the desire of the W . M . Bro . ( J . La \ i __ . JL . M . tit . etptor v . oikta lhe Inst section ol lhe lecture , with the ar ^ isruce ol the Bieibien . Bios . Harris ana Chubb were elected members , and Bro . G . D . Mogford W . M . 2362 W . M . for next meeting .

Reports Of Meetings.

PROVINCIAL .

LULLINGSTONE LODGE , No . 1837 . THE Brethren , together with their friends , spent a very pleasant day at Cobham , on Tuesday , Sth inst . They started from their well-appointed Temple at Wilmington , aud drove through somo of the prettiest lanes of Kent to the Ship Inn , at Cobham . Here luncheon was provided , to which everyone did good justice , their appetites being sharpened by the bracing air

of the Kentish hills . The party then visited Cobham Park , walking round the grand old hall , the seat of Earl Darnley , and returning to Cobham by way of one of the finest avenue of trees in the kingdom . Tea was provided at the Ship , and the return journey to Wilmington was in good time .

FAIRFIELD LODGE , No . 2290 . ON Wednesday , 19 th inst ., the members held their first annual picnic , at Chester and Eaton-hall . Being favoured with beautiful weather , the outing proved most enjoyable , and was a complete success in every detail . The party , numbering 56 , under the guidance of Bros . R . G . Bradley W . M . and C . H . Barker Secretary , left Lime-street , Liverpool , at 10-25 a . m . A special steamer had been chartered to convey them to Eaton , and luncheon was served on board during the passage . On arriving at the Iron-bridge the

party irnmediatly set off for the Hall , where a most enjoyable time was spent , particularly in the beautiful hot-houses . An excellent repast had been prepared by Mr . Smith at the Grosvenor Arms Hotel , Alford , to which full ustice was done . After Bro . T . Vernon had proposed a vote of thanks to the promoters , viz ., Bros . Bradley , Parkinson , and Barker , the company reembarked and proceeded on their homeward journey , which was much enlivened by the eccentricities of Messrs . Nelson Jackson and R . Brown .

Conjugalities.

CONJUGALITIES .

••"IV / TARRIAGE , as old men note , hath likened bin Ifl Unto a publique feast , or common route , Vvnere those that are without would faine get in , And those that are within would faine get out . " Witt ' s Recreations , 1640 .

" Beauty , " according to Aristotle , " is the gift of God " ; Socrates says " it is a short-lived tyrrany " ; " an ivory mischief , " adds Theocritus , while Carneades describes it as " a sovereignty which stands in need of no guards . " Mr . Grogan , who hails from Ireland , is a latter-day philosopher , " Wimmin , " he says , " is moighty similar in wan way ; no matter how minny of them ye get acquainted wid , they ' re all alike in bein' different from wan another , " and the few instances of conjugal life which are here adduced would tend somewhat to prove his crude and slightly mixed logic .

There is a good deal of truth in the statement that mutual affection begets mutual confidence , at least so thought that Benedict who made the following solemn confession to a friend : " I always make it a rule to tell my wife everything that happens ; in this way we avoid many misunderstandings . " Not to be outdone in generosity , the friend answered , " Well , Sir , you are not so open and frank as 1 am , for I tell my wife a good many things that never happen at all . "

Tit for Tat . —An elderly lady , telling her age , remarked that she was born on the 22 nd of April . Her husband , who was present , observed , "I alwajs thought you were born on the first of April . " "People might well judge so , " responded the matron , " in the choice I made of a husband . "

Pointed . — " Poor John , he was a kind husband , " sobbed the widow on her return from the funeral . "Yes , but it is all for the best , " was the sympathising answer of a neighbour ; " you must comfort yourself with the thought that your husband is at peace at last . "

U and I . — "My dear , " said a wife , looking up from her newspaper , " what is the difference between ' collusion' and ' collision ?'" "Oh , " responded the husband , " it is simply a personal difference between u and i . " "Oh yes , " retorted the wife , " and the same difference exists in your answer , which is more ingenious than ingemious . "

He knew . —A man who had foolishly ventured upon a verbal contest with his wife was met , as he was retiring from the scene , by his little son , who had just begun to study grammar . "Papa , " asked the child , " what part of speech is woman ? " To which the father replied , " She isn't any part ot speech at all , Georgy ; she ' s the whole of it 1 "

Closed during altercations . —A shopkeeper in the far West , having had a strong discussion with his better-half , put the shutters up , and affixed the following notice : — " Closed during altercations . " Mistaken . — "I saw Mrs . Becker this morning , and she complained

that on the occasion of her last visit you were so rude that she thought she must have offended you , " said a wife to her husband . " Nothing of the kind , " he answered , " on the contrary , I like her very much ; but it was rather dark at the time , and when I entered the room at first I thought it was you . "

See for yourself . — "You are mighty free at calling everybody a fool , " said Mr . Jones to bis better-half , " can you tell me what a fool looks lite ? " "Yes , I can , but I won't , " she retorted angrily . " Why not ? " asked Jones . " Bt cause you can look in the glass and see toryourself ; that's the way 1 found out . "

A Wife's criticism . —A popular lecturer once announcing to his wife who had her own opinion about his talents , that he was going to lecture at Sheffield , the lady replied , " At Sheffield ! I am so glad ; I always hated those Sheffield people . " Settling the point . —A minister of the gospel being one day engaged in visiting some members of his flock , came to the door of a house where his

gentle tapping could not be heard in consequence of a noisy disputation within . Alter waiting a little while he opened the door and . walked in , saying , with an authoritative voice , " I should like to know who is the head ol this house . " " Weel , Sir , " retorted the husband , as he gave a side glance at his partner , " if ye sit doon a wee , we'll maybe be able to tell ye , for we're just trying to settle that point . " " Book of Rarities , " by EDWABD ROBBBTS P . M .