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Lodge whom he hoped and believed would be a credit to it . Bros . A . Jacobs , E . Cox , and E . Barnett severally responded , thanking the brethren for the houour of having beeu admitted into the Friars' Lodge , and expressiug their determination to emulate those who had gone before them in acquiring a thoroug h knowledge

of the Masouic art . The Worshipful Master , in extending a hearty welcome to the Visitors , said this was always a favourite toast in the Friars' Lodge and it afforded him the utmost gratification to see snch a goodly array of them presaut on this occasion . He assured them , on the part of the brethren , that they were most cordially

welcome , and he trusted they would go away with a favourable impression of what they had seen in the Lodge room . Bro . Da Salva , in the course of his response , after thanking the W . M . for the heartiness in which he had submitted the toast , said it afforded him much gratification to see the way in which the work of the Lodge

had been carried out . He observed that the nervousness naturally evidenced by most Masters on the first night of occupying the chair was not displayed by Bro . Marks , who had given promise of being competent to efficiently discharge tho duties he had undertaken . Of coarse , there was an inherent anxiety on the part of the Master as

to the responsibilities attendant on his debut in that capacity , and he congratulated the Lodge upon having snch an excellent Master , Bro . Moss also complimented Bro . Marks upon tho position to which he had attained . As Preceptor of the Lodge of Instruction he had watched that Brother ' s career , and had expected great things of him ,

He must say he had not been disappointed that day . Bro . Gardner spoke in eulogistic terms of the working in the Lodge room and of the hospitality at the festive board . Other visitors followed in the same felicitous strain . The Officers of the Lodge were eulogised

by the W . M . for the admirable way in which they had severally acquitted themselves , and the toast having been duly acknowledged , the list was closed by the Tyler . A pleasant evening was enlivened by some capital songs .

THE EARL OP CLARENDON LODGE , No . 1984 . THE installation meeting of this Lodge took place on Thursday , at the Freemasons' Hall , Watford , when a large gathering of the members and visitors attended to do honour to the occasion . The Worshipful Master , Bro . W . T . Graves , P . P . G . Steward , was supported by Bros . R . Townsend S . W . and W . M .-elect , and a full complement

of the Officers and members . Amongst the Visitors were Bros . F , Delavante P . M . 1319 , J . H . Casson P . M . 1635 P . P . G . Organist Derb y , E . St . Clair 14 , J . Brock P . M . 299 , S . Martin I . P . M . 404 , J . Whales-W . M . 172 , H . Clarke I . G . 1837 , W . Green 1004 , II , J . Turner P . M . 1608 , E . Bacon 1607 , A . Boehr P . M . 1515 , D . O . Brian S 89 ,

H . Cattermole S . W . 1839 , W . W . Lee 1897 , C . P . Ay res 404 , J . H . Jones Organist 1695 , W . Wilson 1580 , G . F . Marshall P . M . 69 , J . R . Mills 2015 , A . Stradling J . D . 401 , C . E . Bulling 12 S 7 , A . B . Archer 1163 , J . h . Cooke * J . VV . 2128 , R . Fendick P . M . 1126 , J . Llewellyn Jones P . M . 1670 P . P . G . D . Middlesex , W . W . Morgan

P . M . 211 , J . T . Crawford 766 , R . C . Wilson 766 , A . Hubbard 813 , H . J . Dntton 1706 , VV . H . Norris J . W . 401 , E . Bam ford P . M . 1549 , H . Parkins 1319 , & c . Lodge was opeued at half past four o ' clock , when the minutes of the last meetings were read and confirmed , and having advanced to the third , Bro . Basil O . Hewitt

was raised to the sublime degree . Bro . G . H . Thomas was admitted as a joining member , from Wharton Lodge , No . 2015 , after which the ballot was opened for Mr . George Watkins , who had been proposed by Bro . W . C . Brown , seconded by the Worshipful Master . The result was satisfactory , and the candidate will be initiated at the

next meeting of the Lodge . Bro . Townsend was then presented as the W . M . elect , aud after tho customary formalities a Board of Installed Masters was constituted , and the ceremony ably per . formed by Bro . W . T . Graves , the retiring Master . On the re-admission of the brethren , the newly . installed W . M . was proclaimed

and saluted with full honours , and he then invested his Officers for the year , as follow : —Bros . VV . T . Graves I . P . M ., James Rogers S . W ., W . T . Boydley J . W ., T . C . Grant P . M . Treasurer , G . Goodchild Secretary , George Sturman S . D ., H . Honeycombs J . D ., F . Fisher I . G ., W . Large P . M . D . C , VV . T . Whittington Steward

C . Thomas Tyler . The addresses to the Master , Wardens , and Brethren were impressively rendered by the Installing Officer , who performed the ceremonies throughout in an eminently satisfactory

manner . Two candidates for initiation were proposed , so that tht new Master will not find himself empty-handed at the outset of his presidency . A handsome album was presented to the Lodge by the Immediate Past Master , Bro . W . T . Graves , who received the

Unanimous thanks of tho brethren for his acceptable present . It was arranged that the Worshipful Master , two Past Masters and the two Wardens should represent the Lodge at tho forthcoming monster gathering of English Freemasons , to be held in June at the Albert

Hall , in commemoration of Her Majesty's Jubilso . A vote of thanks ¦ was accorded to the Installing Master , not merely for his services on this occasion , but also in recognition of the zeal and discretion with which he had carried on the work of the Lodge during his yeai of office . It was resolved that this vote of thanks should be recorded

on the minutes , and Bro . Graves gracefully acknowledged tlio compliment that had . been paid him . After some minor matters of business , Lodge was closed amidst tho interchange cf the warmest fraternal greetings . Subsequently tho brethren partook of a Sumptuous banquet , provided in elaborate SGylo . Indeedall

, the arrancemeuts of the day , both as yegan ' . s the Lodg . 3 room and the banquet , wero absolutely perfect . The dishes were interspersed with vases and epergnes of choice flowers and ornamental plants , whilst the shimmering of over three hundred and forty

^ fairy " lamps , of various delicate tints—provided b y the eminent Arm of Child , of "Night-light" fame-between tho flowers , and hanging amongst tho draperies of the hall , added much to the charm and beauty of the scene . At , the conclusion of the repast , the Loyal aud Masouic toasts were given from

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'he chair and duly honoured . In proposing the Queen and tho Craft tho Worshipful Master said the office to which he had that day been exalted possessed " many and invaluable privileges , " . and h" was reminded of those well-known words when ho rose to proposo this toast . Ono o" his privileges was that ho hold the gavel during tho

Jubilee year of the reign of our Most Gracious Sovereign Queen Victoria . Ho trusted that the event would he right royally eelehra'ed ; it ; any rate , none would more loyally or enthusiastically j , in in tho demonstrations of affection than would the great body of English Freemasons . Ho then gave the Most Worshipful the Grand Master

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , of whom he spoke as a right worthy and able representative of K . S . No man was better fitted to fill the position of Grand Master than our illustrious Prince , who was beloved by all who knew him , or of him ; and , as an English gentleman , he was the embodiment of every good and amiable quality . With

respect to the Grand Officers Present and Past , it . would be a puzzle to say anything new of them , but he ventured to assert that it would be a greater puzzle to say one word in their disparagement . He paid a high tribute to the efficieucy with which the Grand Officers fulfilled their duties to the Cnft . Tbe next

toast he had to propose was one that he felt convinced was amongst the most popular on his list , and would be received with special acclamation by every ono present . The R . W . the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . T . F . ' Halsey , M . P ., though his heart and sonl were in his political work , at the same time displayed a vast

amount of active interest and ability in connection with the duties that devolved upon him as Grand Master of tho Province of Hertfordshire . As a proof of this he ( tho speaker ) and the Secretary had received letters from him , and a telegram had at the last moment been sent , regretting his inability to be present on

this occasion , in consequence of important parliamentary duties . The next toast was that of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Brother Dawson , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past . In giving it the W . M . remarked that brevity in spaech-making was always advocated by Brother Dawson . This toast was cordially

proposed from the chair in all the Lodges of the Province , and it was equally well received by the brethren everywhere . This might be taken as au indication that the Prov . Grand Officers had done good suit and service to the Craft , and had admirably fulfilled their duties . On behalf of his brother Officers Bro . Dawson returned

thanks for the warmth of the reception given to their names , and added that if the Provincial Grand Master were present he would bear testimony to the ability displayed by each and all of them in the performance of arduous duties . The utmost harmony and good-feeling pervaded the Province , aud uot a spark of jealousy couid

he discovered amongst the brethren . Ho referred to the difficulty attending the selection of fit and proper candidates for the pnrple . Where there were so many brethren who were eligible it became a somewhat serious matter to decide . However , their names were " on the list , " and their claims for office wonld not be overlooked . Before

sitting down , he asked them to drink with him to the health of tneir excellent Worshipful Master . He rather lelt for Bro . Townwnd , inasmuch as he had to follow Bro . Graves . It was all very well for a brother to accept tho responsibilities of office , but it was by no means au easy task to carry them out . Stiil tho evidence he had

already given of his ability aud lovo for Masonry warrauted them in the expectation that Bro . Townsend would discharge those duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to the brethren . It was evident he had the sympathies of all with him , for thoy had striven might and man in preparing the decorations which ornbel ished the

Lodge-room aud banquet tables , and which gave to the scene such au air of elegance and brilliancy . The , appearance of the Lodge-room , with tho beautiful display of softened lights , was absolutely unique . He could confidentl y say that the Corn Exchange at Watford , which , as was well known , frequently presented a gay and fea-ive

appearance , had never been seen to more advantage than it had that night . The Worshipful Master , after dnly acknowledging the manner in which the toast had been received , said he fully appreciated their kindness in placing him in the proud position he now occupied . He hoped he should be able to fulfil the anticipations which had beeu

formed by their worth y Deputy Prov . Gr .-nd Master , and carry out the duties of his office to tho satisfaction of the brethren . Ho next proposed tho Immediate Past Master , and in doing so observed that the Deputy Prov . Grand Master had said well as to tho difficulty ot following such an excellent Master as Bro . Graves had proved him .

self to be . However , he would strive to the ntmost of his ability to emulate the oxamplo of his predecessor . After passing a warm enomium upon Bro . Graves , for the admirable maimer in which he performed the installation cor-jmony , he presented him with the Past Master ' s "jewel , which hud been unanimously voted by the Lodge ,

as a mark of appreciation and esteem , and in recognition of the valuable services rendered to the brethren daring his year of office . He trusted that Bro . Graves might live for many years to wear it , as a reminder of iii . s happy connection with the Earl of Claren'lon Lodge , and of the high regard in which ho was held by every member

uf it , Bro . Graves was then mado tho reci pient of a copy of the large picture of the Installation of the Prince of Wales , at the Albert Hall , elegantly framed and glazed . In acknowledging these gifts , Bro . Graves I . P . M . said his heart was too full to admit of his adequately expressing his emotions on the present occasion . He need hardl y

say beiihoiiid prize too jewel as long as he should live , and then he hoped it would bo handed t ! o" -u as an heirloom to his fa'vily . With ivsp := ct to the presontaii : ii ; r- ' m picture , the brethren li . i . i stolon a iMiVoh upon him ; he did 11 . t i . hmk tint Watford could havo kept a secret a-j closely as thev had clone this . He trusted he might bo

onreil many ye , ; . rs to assist in promoting tho welfare of the Lodge iii-l to enjoy tho confidence and estaeni of the brethren , which had K' .-n so cordially and kindly expressed to him on this occasion . Bro . Gr . iT-es resumed his seat amidst hearty and prolonged applause , fho W . M . then , in felicitous terms , proposed the Visitors , of whom he ( Installation meetings continued ou page 28 ' S ) .