Installation Meetings, &C.

ceived by the brethren ; tho pleasure it afforded him was all tho greater when ho know their good wishes wero sincere . The position in which they had that day placed him was , as Bro . Statham remarked , ono of groat trnsfc and honour , aud ono calculated to inspire the aspiration of all true Masons , but afc the same time ifc was a positifii not to be by any means lightly undertaken ; it had its

responsibilities as well as its pleasures , aud ho had several times questioned himself whether ho had arrived at that stasro in Masonry which justified him in acceding to the cordial request of his brethren to undertake its duties , but when ho reflected that it was thoir unanimous wish , ho thought it was time to put nway personal feelings , and with the co-operation he felt he should receive at their hands ,

faithfully endeavour to do his best . He then called npon the brethren to drink to tho health ancl prosperity of tho I . P . M . Bro . Statham , to whom , he said , thoir hearty thanks wero dno , not only for the pleasant manner in whioh he had conducted the business of the Lodge during the past year , but for the very many services dono by him in obtaining tho charter twelve months ago . They woro instilled in

looking upon him as one of the most active pioneers of tlie Lodge , and thoso who understood duties in a smaller degree in connection therewith would readily understand and realise tho amount of work which had been so successfully undertaken by him . But as words and acts sometimes faded away from memory and sight , tho brethren had desired that their appreciation of thoso acts should be conveyed to

him in a more tangible form , and ho had on his own and their behalf tho greatest possible pleasure in decorating him with a P . M . ' s jewel , accompanied with an illuminated address , so that not only himself but his family and friends might be aware of tho esteem in which he is held by his brethren of tho Albert Victor Lodge . Bro . Statham , who seemed considerably embarrassed , and spoko at

first with evident emotion , roso to respond , and was greeted with the enthusiastic cheers of his brethren . Ho was greatly taken by surprise with this practical expression of their kind appreciation and esteem , but ho was quite at a loss to find words suitable to respond to tho toast which had been proposed in snch kind terms by their W . M ., and so enthusiastically received by

them all . If what ho should say in return but inadequately expressed the depth of his feelings , ho trusted that tho brethren would not consider that his imperfect speech represented that he was insensible to their kindness . Although ho did expect that , in accordance with tho custom on these interesting and festive occasions , his health would be proposed , ho had not the slightest conception that tho

feelings of the brethren would be thus so practically expressed . While , on the one hand , he was greatly taken by surprise , yet , on the other , he felt deeply gratified to bo thus honoured and respected . As the W . M . had been pleased to remark , ho had , as a true Mason , endeavoured to be true to tho principles of the Craft ancl conserve tho best interests of tho Lodge , which was his dntv ; but beyond that ,

he wns not aware that ho had r'ono anything moro to merit this special mark of their high ostcom . However , he gratefully and thankfully accepted it , and assured them that whenever ho looked upon it he would not only bo reminded of the distinguished honour they placed upon him when ho was installed the first W . M . of the Albert Victor Lodgo , but also of tho very gracious way in which they

had acknowledged their appreciation of his services npon completing his year of office , ancl in making way for one whom he trusted wonld occupy that proud position far more efficiently than ho had done . Whatever services ho may have rendered during the past year had been altogether prompted by his love to tho Craft and the noble

science of Freemasonry ; also from a sincere desire to render any assistance in his power to a number of truly worthy brethren whom he greatly respected and esteemed , who were most anxious to establish a Lodge in that neighbourhood . He sincerely trusted he had been of some little service to them ; if so , he considered that out of that alone he received an ample reward . He would say to the

brethren" All the thanks that I require Is that you ask for more . " Twelve months ago , the inauguration or founding of the Albert Victor Lodge seemed to him like the launching of a noble Craft—and a noble Craft it was . The launching day was most auspicious , one long to bo remembered , and gave promise of a safe and piosperous voyage .

Her first voyage was now safely completed , and their vessel well-tested . As they looked back upon the past the brethren might congratulate themselves upon the success and happiness they had enjoyed . It was no small satisfaction to know that tho Lodge was now firmly established . Having laid the foundation well and truly , it remained with them now to build up a stately , imposing , and comely structure .

They might , if they would , make this structure a sanctuary , a school , and a home—a sanctuary where , by their constant study of the beautiful principles of tho Craft , they should culture their higher ancl better natures;—n school , where , by their constant interchange of thought , they should edncate their minds ; and a home , where , by their constant meeting together , they should promote tho social

virtues . Ho could not Forbear here from expressing his great in . debtedness to the Past Masters and all his Officers for the cordial support and assistance ho had uuiforniaily received from them ; and he might just say that if in presiding over tho Lodge he had given any offence , or caused any brother to feel uncomfortable in any wa }' , it hud been done inadvertently , and not intentionally , but

for the good of Masonry . It was no small gratification for him tc know that there , are so many able and experienced brethren in the Lodge : that to him presaged a most happy and prosperous future . Before bringing his remarks to a close , bo should like to add that if their Lodge was to be successful , the brethren must most earnestly cultivate ancl clo everything to promote a kindly , brotherly feeling ,

knowing that the happiness of the Lodge was iu their hands . It wonld certainly be what they made it . He felt fully persuaded that the brethren would one and all set their faces against that narrow , unworthy principle that centres iu self , remembering " that aiau was not born for his own enjoyment alone , " and that there is no joy on earth so pure and refining as tho oy of contributing to tho happiness

Installation Meetings, &C.

of others . In tho language of that beautiful address , so admirably delivered thafc oveninir , by Bro . Past Brooks , they must havo but one aim iu view—to please each other , and unite in the grand design of being hnppy . Thoy must b * living examples of virtue and

benevolence ; they must bo living incarnations of all that is worthy , excellent , noble , and good ; they should then , and only then , demonstrate to tho world thafc they aro true to the great and noble principles of their sublime Craft . Let tho brethren live in these principles , | and then shall tho words of the poet be applicable : —

Peace to the just man's memory , let it grow Green with years , and blossom through the flight Of ages ; let the mimic canvass show His calm , benevolent features ; let the light

Stream on his deeds of love , that shunned the Sight Of all but heaven , and in tho book of fame The glorious record of his virtues write , — And hold it up to man , and bid him claim A palm like his , and catch from him tho hallowed flame

Bro . Joseph Harrop P . M ., in proposing tho Visiting Brethren , remarked that it was one of tho privileges of the Craft to give the right hand of fellowship to , and to welcome to tho hospitable board brethren not only from our own country , but from every other country in the world . And as an instance of tho universality of the Craft he might draw attention to fcho presence of Bro . Bernhardt , from

Hamburg , who would doubtless bear to his own country a favourable impression of his Masonic brethren in England . Bro . Bernhardt briefly replied , expressing great pleasure with his visit to the Lodge , and the cordial reception ho had received . Bro . W . Slater Treasurer , in a neat speech , proposed the Masonic Charities , and expressed his delight on being re-elected to his office ; and as an example to others , he notified his intention to aivo a second donation of £ 5 to one of tho

Institutions . Bro . llardcastle Secretary proposed the Past Master , and Bro . Crossfield tlie toast of the Officers , which was responded to by Bro . Bagshaw P . M . and Bro . Asqnith S . AV . ; but having already exceeded our limits , we are compelled to close our notice of this interesting meeting , but not without a well deserved compliment to the glee party , composed of tho W . M ., Bros . Almond , Moffatt , Havrop aud

Dale , all members of tho Lodge , and who by their excellent singing of some fine glees ancl songs greatly added to the enjoyment of fcho evening . The illuminated address is in the form of a copy of a resolution that tho thanks of the brethren of the Albert Victor Lodgo be given to Bro . Samuel Statham . P . M . P . P . G . Tr . for his valuable services in tho formation of tho abovo Lod < re . and whilst filling the

office of First AVorshipfnl Master thereof ; for his exemplary efforts to promote the success and diffusion of fcho principles of the Craft ; ancl for his undeviatirig kindness to tho brethren , not only of tho Albert Victor Lodge , bnt of tho Order generally ; and thafc a copy of this resolution be presented to him , together with a Past Master ' s jewel , suitably inscribed as a testimonial of the respect and esteem in which ho is bold by his brethren .

AT the celebration of the Festival of St . John , hold on tho 21 sfc inst ., Bro . Robert Martyn VV . M . elect was installed in a very able manner by Bro . I . P . M . Boyle , who then appointed and invested the following as his Officers .---Bros . C . R . Bellingham S . AV ., W . B ., Blee J . W ., J . II . Hambly Secretary , R . Rowe S . D ., A . Lawry J . D .

FORT LODGE , No . 1528 .

R . Kendall I . G ., J . Mitchell D . C , J . Morris and F . Snell Stewards , Wellington Treasurer , Carrivick Tyler . After the business of tho Lodge was concluded , the brethren repaired to the Great Western Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet was served up'by the host ,

Bro . Roberts , and a very enjoyable evening was spent , in the course of which tho usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to . Tho Lodge was favoured with the presence of Bros . VV . Tomkin G . S . of Works , of Fowey Lodge 977 , and J . T . Baker and G . Mollalue , of St . Andrew's 1151 .

Constitutional Lodge of Instruction , No . 55 . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , 25 th November , at the Bedford Hotel , Southampton-buildings , W . C . Present .- —Bros . Abell W . M ., Gush S . W ., Brown J . W ., Linscotfc Treas ., John Soper Sec , Willey S . D ., Liddall J . D ., Snoclin I . G . Past Blasters—Bros . Bingemann , Gilrath , Marston , and a goodly number of the brethren . Lodge was opened

in the usual manner , and the minutes of the preceding meeting read and confirmed . Lodge opened in the second ancl third degrees , and resumed to the first , when tho Fifteen Sections were very creditably worked by tho VV . M . ancl the brethren as follows : —First Lecture—Bros . Lee , Liddall , Sanders , H . C . Soper , Gush , Brown . Second Lecture—Bros . Liuscott , Dickins , Bingemann , Marston , Pate . Third

Lecture—Bros . T . B . Dodson , C . J . Fox , John Soper . Votes of thanks were accorded to the W . M . and brethren who so ably assisted , and the W . M . had the degree of honorary member conferred on him . Bros . Worsley and Smith of 860 and Fox 201 were elected members . Lodge was closed in perfect harmony , and adjourned till Tuesday , 2 nd Dec , at 7 o ' clock , when Bro . Leo will be the W . M .

London Masonic Club Lodge of Instruction , No . 58 . —A meeting was held on Monday , 24 th Nov ., at the London Masonic Club , 101 Queen Victoria-street . VV . Smallpeice VV . M ., Pulsford S . VV " ., Scott J . VV ., J . D . Langton Sec , Chap man S . D ., J . S . Fraser J . D ., Heeton I . G . ; Bros . Joseph Langton , Williams , Barnett , John Wood ,

Bnttaiu , and Wells . Lodge was opened , and the minutes of last meeting' were read and confirmed . Lodge opened to the third degree , aud was resumed to the first . Bro . Barnett , a candidate for the second , answered , the questions and was passed . The following brethren were unanimously elected members of tho Lodge—Bros .