Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

thren in acknowledgment of his services as an officer and Master of the lotlge . The toast and gift were suitably , ' owledged by Bro . Ellis , and " The Installing Master , " ' sriven by the VV . TM ., was most appropriately acknowledged \ J Bro . G . Willings . "The health of our Visiting l / . -.-thren . " eiveu from the chair , was responded to by Bro .

p . 15 . Gee , P . AI . 1264 , ar . d Bro . E . Paull , Secretary , 135 6 , An excellent musical pregramme was furnished by Bros . ] . Busfield , J . Queen , Hobart , A . Child , Willings , Skilli' corn , and J . Skeaf , P . G . Organist , who presided at the p ianoforte .

DARTMOUTH . —Hanley Lodge ( No . 797 . )—'The brethren of this lotlge assembled at their lodge room on Monday , the 13 th ult ., at high twelve , for thc purpose of installing a W . M . to presiele over them for the ensuing twelve months . The choice had fallen on llro . John Bovey , and having been duly presented by Past Alaster J . Murrell the worthy brother was duly and

impressively installed by Bro . G . B . Colston , P . M ., P . P . G ., S . VV . Ks ., whose excellent working and perfect acquaintance with thc ritual invested the' proceedings with much interest . The W . M . appointctl the following as his officers for the ensuing year , and a kindly word was given to each as hc receivcel his collar -. —Bros . J . Hurrell , I . P . M . ; W . H . Probert , S . W . ; H . Winsor , J . W . ; J . R .

Hooper , S . D . ; H . Benson , J . D . ; R . Ralphs , Secretary and Organist ; J . Constable , I . G . ; Shuttlewood , Tyler . Iiro . Past Master W . H . Prinsep , P . P . G . R ., was unanimously elected to represent the lodge on the Committee of Petitions . 'The lodge was then closed in harmony , and the brethren adjourned to partake of the customary

banquet , which was served in admirable style by Bro . Bartholomew , of thc Castle Hotel . After the tables had been cleared the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured . Thc toast list having been gone through some excellent songs were sung , and the convivial spirit rejgnei ) supreme until the brethren separated .

TUNBRIDGE WELLS . —Holmesdale Lodge ( No . 874 ) . — 'The rapid strides lhat this lodge is making must be a source of great satisfaction to all its members . What with the splendid room and handsome furniture it may well be classed as the most complete lodge-room in the South "f England , and it having been suggested that there shoulil be a baneiuet ou the completion of thc new

lotlgc-room , ( here was a good muster cf thc brethren at the Pump Room on Wednesday , thc 13 th inst ., in response to the circular issued by the W . AI . There were present , Bros . VV . B . Bacon , W . M . ; H . D . M . Williams S . W . ; W . A . lliidj-kiii , J . W . ; B . S . Wilmot , I . P . M . ; VV . S . Elers , 'Treas . ; J . F . Kates , Sec ; C . Graham , acting S . D . ; J . Dunkley , J . D . ; It . VV . Delves , I . G . ; Strange , Tyler . Past

Alasters J . Read , Bcckley , Roper ami Elers . Bros . Arnold , Uoinm in . Cripps , Durrant , ' !' . Elliott , W . Elliott , W . Langridge , Satehell , Ranisbutham , Rule and others . Thc lotlge was opened in thc three degrees and on being tesumiil to the First Degree " , Bro . Elers , P . M ., proposed and Bro . Williams seconded" That a gratuity of two guineas he given to the'Tyler " which was unanimously carried .

'The VV . M . haviiig niade the psual enquiries the Secretary re .-. I a letter of resignation from Bro . Hugh H . Riaach , P . M ., which was accepted am ! Bro . Bates was instructeel to convey to Bro . Kiaach the regret thc lodge felt at his resigning his membership . Several small matters having been disposed of , the lotlge -was duly closed , aud the brethren

adjourned to the Royal Kentish Hotel to a splendid banquet provided by Bro . Semark , tlie host , which was served in good style anil drew forth the approbation of all present , 'The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were given and duly honoured aud the evening was enlivened by some very gootl harmony and brought to a close at an early hour .

FOWEY . —Fowey Lodge ( No . 977 ) . —The members of this lodge , together with the visitors , met in the Masonic Rooms , Church Street , on Monday , January 6 th , for the purpose , as expressed in the agenela paper , of initiating Mr . C . K . Stevens , Chief Traffic Inspector , Cornwall Alinerals Railway , and for the installation of Bro . A . P . Davis , Surgeon , as K . M ., & c . During the last

twelve months the lodge has received as a joining member Bro . Emra Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., and P . P . G . D . C . of Suffolk . The advent of Bro . Holmes to Fowey was heartily welcomed by all the brethren , as from his wellknown writings , Masonio and otherwise , his fame had preceded him , and the high anticipation of the brethren were not deceived , hut they found , high as they had

estimated him , they had not valued him at his full worth . Bro . Holmes , hy his writings , public lectures , concerts , & c , given for charitable purposes , and his readiness to open his purse strings in tlie cause of charity for every deserving object has already gained the goodwill of all in the " cighbourhood . While we welcome him amongst us we cannot but express our sympathy for those who have been

deprived of his valuable services . Bro . Holmes , from the the- great advantages he has hael in witnessing the per-[ ' iniancu of our impressive ceremonies has been of invaluable service iu correcting our little deficiencies , and we sincerely hope the cast would send us a fewmore such as he is . Among the brethren present , were Bro . H . W . W . Durant , W . M . j N . H . Lamb , I . P . M . ; Rev . Dr . Treffry ,

D . C . L ., P . P . G . C ; Dr . Davis , M . D ., P . P . G . J . W . ; A . E . Gord , P . M ., P . G . Std . ; F . B . Williams , P . M . ; W . Tonkin , Secretary , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . anil Emra Holmes , P . P . G . R . of Suffolk . Visitors , T . C . Stephens , I ' . M ., P . P . G . J . W . ; | . Stephens , P . M . ; P . G . Std . ; J .

Bundle , S . W . ; J . Langsford , J . W ., of Lodge St . Andrews , 1 , 151 ; Dr . Mason , W . AI ., Peace and Hamony I-ejil ge , 49 6 , St . Austell ; and about forty brethren . After the minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed "ie ballot was taken for the candidate , Mr . Stevens , and 'hat being declared unanimous , the VV . M . vacated thc

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

chair for Bro . Dr . Davis , father of thc W . AI . elect , who proceeded with thc impressive ceremony of the initiation , which was performed in a very able and efficient manner . Bro . A . P . Davis vvas then presentetl anti installed as W . AI . of the lodge by Bro . Tonkin , P . G . S . of W ., who acted as installing master , and very efficiently performed a difficult task . Thc following were appointed officers of the lodge

for the ensuing year : —Bros . H . W . W . Durant , I . P . M . ; C . Slade , S . W . ; A . Luke , J . W . ; T . Walton , S . D . ; T . Richards , J . D ., and G . Varcoc , I . G . ; Rev . Dr . Trcffry , chaplain ; H . VV . Durant , treasurer ; Emra Holmes , D . C . ; W . Tonkin , secretary ; R . Beale and VV . Phillips , stewards . Letters were received from the W . Ms , of the Lostvvithiel anil St . Columb Lodges , regretting they could not attend . It

was agreed that the sum of 2 guineas should be votetl to the Cottage Hospital and Church Clock Fund , as allowed heretofore at the annual meeting . The lodge was duly closed , and a banquet was afterwards given at the Commercial Hotel , to which some 40 brethren sat down . Mr . Richards catered admirably . After dinner the W . M . resigned the gavel to Bro . Emra Holmes , D . C , who gave the usual

loyal and Masonic toasts . In proposing the toasts of " The Prov . Grand Master" and "The Officers Present and Past of the P . G . Lodge , " Bro . Holmes congratulated the brethren of Cornwall on having at their head so estimable a nobleman , and one so justly respected and beloved , as the Earl of Alount Edgcumbe . He coupled with the toast trie names of A . Elforil , P . G . Std ., and Bro . Dr .

Trcffry , P . P . G . C . Bro . Elford very briefly replied , and was followed by Dr . Treffry , who in a long and eloquent speech dilated upon the unquestioned antiquity of Alasonry , and gave some interesting details of Capt . Warren ' s discoveries of Alasonic works in his recent exploration of Jerusalem . The Rev . Doctor then proposed " The Health of the W . M . " and spoke in a very cordial

way of thc hopes entertained of the manner in which Bro . Percy Davis , woultl fill the chair , trusting that , if it were possible he might make a better Alason than his father . Bro . Davi _ very modestly replied , when the . Director of Ceremonies gave in succession thc toasts of" I . P . M . and Installing Master , " Bro . Holmes took occasion to remark upon the intercstingaddress of Dr . Treffry , ami

supplemented the statements as to the antiquity of Masonry and its signs and tokens . Hc had heard a reverend brother of high Masonic rank state that he hatl himself seen from thc summit of Lincoln Cathedral three gigantic figures carved in stone , and mounted on the pinnacles whieh adorned that structure , the one a monk , the second a nun , and the third an angel ; standing in certain positions known to Masons

and making the signs of the I hree Degrees . I hese three figures had stood lor centuries testifying to the antiquity of Masonry and its signs and symbols . It had been stated many years ago that the Royal Arch Degree must be false , since it taught the belief that the Arch was known in architecture in the time of King Solomon whereas it was well known to the said sceptics that the arch was not known

until the times of the Romans . Well , in the recent explorations in Jerusalem under thc very sight of the Temple , arches were discovered , which piovctl thai the Alasons were right after all . Bros . Mason and Westlake replied to thc toast of ' The Visitors " and " All poor and distressed Alasons " brought the formal toast list to a close . A very agreeable , evening was spent .

HAMPTON . —Hemming Lodge ( No . 151 _) . — A strong gathering of the members of this large and flourishing lodge was heltl at the Lion Hotel on Thursday , the 16 th inst .,, when there were present Bros . Fox , P . AI . ; Lebanon , W . AI . ; Jessett , S . W . ; T . Ockenden , J . W . ; E . Hopwood , P . AI . 141 , 1 5 , P . P . G . S . B . of Aliddlesex , Treasurer ; W . Hammond , P . M . 201 , 1326 ,

lt -12 , W . M . 16 5 6 , P . P . G . D . of Middlesex , Secretary ; J Hammond , P . AI ., 201 , P . G . S . of Middlesex , I . P . AI . ; Raw , Hon . P . AI . ; Kent , J . D . ; Hiscox , I . G . ; Moody , D . C ; Day , A . W . S . ; Gilbert , P . G . 'T . of Middlesex , Tyler ; and T . C . Walls , P . P . G . O . of Aliddlesex , S . D . ( Freemason ) . The minutes of the November meeting and the motion then given that the sum of ten guineas

should be placed upon the list of Bro . Walls as Steward to the R . M . I , for Boys at the next festival having been unanimously confirmed , the W . M ., with the assistance of his officers initiated Mr . Charles James Bunyan into the mysteries of Craft Alasonry , and raised Bros . W . Bartlett , E . Russell , and R . M . Oxford to the degree of M . AI . Upon thc conclusion ot these ceremonies Bro . P . Ockenden

in very eloquent terms moved that the sum of two guineas should be voted to the fund for securing the return into the London Orphan Asylum of the eldest son of Air . and Mrs . Chapman , who were highly respected in Hampton , and whose premature deaths threw their three young children upon the mercy of the world . This ease , although outside thc Musonic pale , was warmly advocated by Bros . Hopwood and W . Hammond , anel the resolution

upon being put was unanimously passed . Thc lodge was then closed , and the brethren partook of a collation . In consequence of the lateness of the hour the after procccelings were shorn of their customary formality . The only toasts given were "The Oueen anil Craft , " " The W . AI ., " " The Visitors , " responded lo liy Bro . Bower and Biownrigg , anil " The Officers . " The latter toast w acknowledged by Bros . Hopwood , W . Hammond , a „ j Jessett .

ENFIELD—St . James's Lodge ( No . 1579 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the 25 th ult ., in thc George Inn . The lodge was opened at four o ' clock , there being a full muster of brethren . Bro . John Painter , VV . M ., presided , and was supported by

his officers , Bros . H . Stephens , S . W . ; Thos . J . Cusworlh , J . W . ; Herbert J . Adams , Treasurer ; J . Driscoll , Prov . G . P ., Secretary ; Geo . H . Jaffa , S . D . ; J . W . Hobbs , J . D . ; P . H . Kildnff , Chaplain ; Wm . Jein , I . G . ; J . Very ' , Tyler ; E . J . Everdell , D . of C . ; E . Letchworth , I . P . AI . ; and James

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Linyell , P . AI . The members present were : —Bros . H . Weld , John Painter , Geo . Corbol , C . W . Chambers , J . Stephenson , Joseph Boulton , Geo . Tegg , S . J . Waterer , F . Auerbach , R . ] . Webber , and J . AL Greenwood . Visiters W . F . Green , 861 ; G . Wallace , 907 ; J . L . Cogan , W . M ., 13 f " .= > ? . )¦ Paterson , 19 ; Henry V . Clements , S . D . 7154 ; James Oildy , 754 ; S . W . Iron , P . M ., 902 ; J . Sclly , 25

F . Coker , 14 . 26 ; ami A . H . Chisholm , 154 ( Freemason ) . 'The lodge having been opened , the Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting , whieh were confirmed . Letters of apology from the Prov . G . AI . ( Colonel Burdett ) ami Prov . G . Sec . ( Bro . H . C . LcvaniLr ) , for not being able to be present , were read . Bro . Joseph Stephenson , a candidate for passing , having been examined and found

worthy of preferment , retired , and thc lotlge was opened in the second degree . Bro . Steuhcnson was then re-admitted and duly passed . The W . AI . then presented Bro . Thos . J . Cusworth ( the W . AI . elect ) to Bro . E . Letchworth , P . M .. who kindly undertook the duties of Installing Alaster , which hc performetl in a most creditable manner . Thc Board of Installed Alasters having been closed , the W . AI . proce ' edeel to

appoint and invest his office-bearers . They are as follows-Bros . Stephens , S . W . ; Joffa , J . W . ; Adams , Treas . ; Driscoll , Sec ; Killduff , Chaplain ; Hobbs , S . D . ; Iron , J . D . ; Kvctdill , I . G . ; Ruild , D . of C ; Tegg , W . S . ; Very , Tyler . 'The business being thus concluded , the lotlge was closed in the customary way , anil the biethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet , presieled over by the newly-installed

Worshipful Alaster . The arrangements for the banquet were carried out by mine host of the George Inn ( Bro . Mathieson ) in excellent style . The cloth having been removed , the W . AI . proposed " The Queen and the Craft , " " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , AI . W . Pro G . AL , Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . D . G . AI ., and the rest "f the Grand Officers , " all of which

toasts were drunk with true Alasonic honours . In replying to " The Health of the G . Officers , " Bro . Letcworth , P . AI ., as Installing Alaster , said he was sure lhat all the brethren regretted the absence of their M . W . P . G . M . and their AI . W . P . G . Secretary . It was not many days since he had the pkasuie of seeing the former who , at that time , expressed his regret that he woultl be unable to attend the banquet ,

but he ( the speaker ) had every reason to hope that the brethren would within the next lew months have the p leasure of his company at some of their meetings . With regard to the Prov . G . Secretary , he hatl seen him on the preceding day , and he , too , deeply regretted his inability to be present , but it was to be hoped that before long the brethren of St . James's Lotlge woultl have the pleasure of

seeing him amongst them . As one of the original members of the lodge he ( Bro . Letchworth ) must take that opportunity of congratulating the brethren on thc accession to office ot so distinguished a member of the Craft as their VV . Alaster , he being a most lit successor to their I . P . M ., for whom , he was sure , all the brethren entertained the highest esteem . He could assure them it was no empty

phrase that he used , when he told ihem , that it gave him the greatest possible pleasure to instal their VV . M . in the chair that evening . Bio . Painter , P . AI ., then proposed , in very complimentary terms , " Tlie Health of the W . AI ., " remarking that it was a great pleasure to him to see Bro . Ellsworth in tllat position , anti expressing the hope that during Ins year of office the affairs ofthe loijge would continue

to prosper . 'Tlie W . AI . very appropriately replied . He hail , he said , every reason to hope thathis year of office would be a successful one , and he trustetl brethren would bring as many initiates as possible to augment the number of members of St . James's Lodge , in order to give him an opportunity of working the various degrees in Freemasonry . Before sitting down he had great pleasure in asking the

brethren to drink to " Ihe Health of their I . P . AI . " They hail all witnessed the successful way in which he had performed his duties during his tenure of oflice . He had now lost the opportunity of presiding over them , but he ( the speaker ) was certain he would never be forgotten in St . James ' s Lodge , not only for the urbanity of manners which the brethren had always experienced at his hands

but for the great interest hc had shown in promoting the affairs of the lodge . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm , which Bro . Painter , P . AI ., gracefully acknowledged , remarking that his connection with the lodge from its commencement was one which he very much prized , and he trusted that the plesant evenings which he had spent amongst the brethren he saw around him , would

never be obliterated from his memory , whilst hc would assure them that he woultl always do his best for Freemasonry in general and the St . James ' s Lotlge in particular . The W . AI . next proposed " 'The Health of the Past Alasters , " observing that they had thc pleasure oE the company of three Past Alasters that evening , but more particularly in connection with that toast would hc call the attention of the

brethren to thc Installing Master Bro . Letchworth . He was sure il was very gratifying to all present to witness the able manner in which he had performed thc duties of that beautiful ceremony . He ( the W . AI . ) confessed he had attended numerous lodges anti hail seen the ceremony of installation often performed , but never had he witnessed it gone through in so accurate and impressive a manner au on the

present occasion . Bro . Letchwortli in replying ihankcd the brethren t or thc cordial manner in which they hail responded to the toast , anti went ou to say that he congratulated the lotlge 011 the thorough Alasonic spirit whicli up to the present time had influenced the brethren in all that they hatl done . Alasonic banquets anil meetings really did nothing unless theredvas something behind them , anti he trusted that

the St . James ' s Lodge might as long as it continued to exist , be animated with those feelings which had hitherto inflnciiccd it . " 'The Visitors" was next proposed , being coupled with the names of Bros . Oiltly and Green , who suitably responded . In proposing " The Health o [ the Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . AI . said he was sure all the brethren woultl bear testimony to the excellent way Continued on page 50 .