Craft Masonry.

The W . M . next proposed the toastof "The I ' ast Mask-is , Secretary _ and Treasurer , " which was always received with great atfection . They hail canied out the work in the lodge for years past with the greatest care and ability . The lather of the lodge , Uro . Hook , P . M ., whose p lace was now vacated temporarily , all knew the great affliction he had just suffered in the loss of his dear wile , with whom he had so recently enjoyed his golden wedding . All fully sympathised with him , arid they congratulated Bro . Walter Davies upon his recovery from a serious illness . Bro . T . Gay , who also had been greatly alllictcd , they were glad to welcome him , likewise Bro . Anderson , the guide ,

counsellor , and friend to so many , being the esteemed Preceptor ol the Selwyn Lodge of Instruction , which had a few days ago marked their appreciation of his eminent services in presenting him with a splendid jewel and illuminated address . Then as to the Treasurer and Secretary , Bros . Wills and Wimble , respectively , they were officers of great ability and devotion , and loved by all the brethren . Bro . Wills was a most faithful custodian of the funds . Bro . John Lightfoot was a name always received with respect by the brethren , and who might be called " the Charity Past Master of the lodge , " and last , but not least , the I . P . M ., Bro . Eraser , whose services would be long remembered .

Bros . Eraser , Wills , Wimble , Lightfoot , and Anderson most ably responded , the last remarking uoon the high compliment paid him by the nicm' . 'e . -s of the Selwyn Lodge of Instruction , and such a tribute of respect would never be forgotten by him . The VV . M . next presented the toast of ' * The Officers " in terms of high eulogium , and which was duly responded to by Bros . Stevenson , S . W ., and F . II . Ford , J . W . The Tyler ' s toast closed one of the most memorable and happy meetings of the lodge .

A capital menu was arranged in booklet form by the VV . M ., thc toasts being interspersed with appropriate extracts from most popular authors , and also an excellent programme of music arranged by Bros . E . Pownall and H . D . Tretiray , ably assisted by Miss Matthews and Miss Venning ( both receiving well-deserved encores ) and Bros . J . Bartlett , and Chas . Conyers . Bro . Stuart Lane ably presided at the piano .

St . Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 . The monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Peace Hall , Thorne , on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., when there were present Bros . Theo . Barber , VV . M . ; J . II . Bletcher , acting I . P . M . ; H . A . Fenton , S . W . ; G . Eland , J . W . ; J . Constable , P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; B . Maskill , Treas .: J . J . Littlewood , Chap . ; E . Hirst , S . D . ; T . VV . Turner ,

acting J . D . ; W . Payne Rouulhain , Org . ; W . Ilallgarth , Almoner ; T . J . Smith , I . G . j T . R . R . Marsdin , Stwd . ; F . Pine , Tyler ; J . Dugdale , T . Tomlinson , and J . Acaster . Bros . F . 11 . Buckland , S . W . 242 , andT . VV . Turner , J . D . 242 , were visitors . Bru . Acaster was duly oassed to the Degree of a F . C by the VV . M ., Bro . Constable giving the working tools and the charge . A vote of condolence was passed to Bro . A . L . Peace on the sudden death of his son , Bro . S . M . Peace , 207 S . The brethren afterwards partook of light refreshment in the Club Room .

Bishopsgate Lodge , No . 2396 . The installation meeting of this lodge , a lodge which was established for members of the Ward of Bishopsgate , was held on Monday at the Great Eastern Hotel , E . C , when Bro . D . A . Ro ' main presided as VV . M . The attendance of members of the lodge as well as of visitors was good , and the assembly was of the most harm inious and pleasant description . The list of the brethren who formed the party contained the names of Bros . Milton SmithSec . ; A . J . Hollington , P . M ., P . G . S ., Treas . ; Samuel

, Jacobs , I . P . M ., P . P . G . P . Herts ; Arthur P . Little , P . M ., Stwd . ; Wm . Newman , J . W . ; Wcolf Jacobs , S . D . ; Edgar 11 . Mead , J . D . ; Gilbert E . Mead , I . G . ; Dr . James F . Haskins , Org . ; Thomas Robinson , Stwd . ; Charles Jarratt , Robert Stamp , Edward VV . Roach , Thomas J . Sturgeon , Albert Edward Pridmore , C . C , Asst . Sec . ; John David Simmons , Francis Augustus Dad , Jos . Howard , Charles Roots Alexander , William Johnson Davenport , Robert Larchin , Charles , Daubeny Tudball , Lionel Henry Lemon , Henry Samuels-Solomon , Albert Henry Sheddon-King , VV . H . Bone , and

II . L . Davids . Visitors : Bros . VV . IX Church , P . M . 1305 ; VV . Finch , P . M . I 3 r > 5 i E . P . Woodham , 132 S ; R . L . Franks , J . W . oG ; R . Pnilip Upton , P . M . 132 S ; VV . Genish , P . M . y ; T . Wrodbridge Carnell , W . M . 121 G ; Charles John Free , P . M . 1227 ; H . Massey , P . M . Giy and HJ 2 S ; Bishop of Marlborough , 340 ; E . Bernard Harris , 160 ; T . E . Walker , P . M . 155 s , P . Z . 12 C 9 ; VV . A . Finch , P . M . 2250 ; J . Henry Richardson , S . D . 1 S 27 ; Alfred Love , P . M . 1791 ; H . M . Newlyn , 1 S 0 ; and J . Wagstaff , S . W . 5 O 9 .

In order to give effect to the resolution , passed at the last mietwg , to present the retiring Secretary , Bro . Milton Smith , with a testimonial in recognition of his valued services during the first six years of the existence of the lodge , Bro . Thomas Robinson , Steward , proposed , and Bro . VV . Newman , VV . M . elect , seconded , "That a testimonial be presented to Bro . Milton Smith by the brethren , and that the lodge do contribute the sum of 10 guineas to the fund to be raised . " The motion , which was supported by some highly commendatory remarks as to Bro . Milton Smith by the mover and seconder ,

was carried unanimously ; and afterwards , at the request of Bro . D . A . Remain , VV . M ., Bro . Larchin took the chair and installed Bro . W . Newman as VV . M . of the lodge for the ensuing 12 months . Bro . Remain acted as Director of Ceremonies throughout the installation and the investitures , and received the collar of I . P . M ., besides a handsome Past Matter's jewel . The brethren invested as thc VV . M . ' s officers were Bros . Woolf Jacobs , S . W . ; Edgar 11 . Mead , J . W . ; the Rev . J . L . Davids , Chaplain ; A . J . Hollington , Treas . ; A . E . Pridmore , C . C , Sec . ; Gilbert Mead , S . D . ; T .

Robinson , J . D . ; C jarrett , I . G . j W . R . Caldwell Moore , D . C ; F . J . Haskins , Prov . G . Org . lieits , P . Prov . G . Org . Essex , Org . j A . P . Little , P . M ., Stwd . ; and R . H . Goddard , P . M ., Tyler . After the delivery of the addresses and the transaction of some other lodge business , the Bishop of Marlborough was proposed as a joining member , and the brethren closed the lodge , and adjourned to a banquet , which for style , quality , and admirable serving rtll ; cted the highest credit on Bro . Paul Becker , ot the hotel and refreshment department of the Great Eastern .

The usual toasts followed , and the speeches were interspersed with some b . 'auiiful singing under the direction of Bro . Haskins , the Organist , by Madame Eugenia Morgan , Misses Florence Croft , and Cecilia Haskins , and Bros . VV . 11 . Webb , Kelson Trueinau , and Walter M . George . Bro . C F . Hogard responded to lbs toast of " The Grand Ofiicers . " Bro . A . D . Remain , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " ihe VV . M ., " said the privileges of the VV . M . were many ; those of the I . P . M . few ; but one of the few

privileges that remained to the I . P . M . was that of handling the gavel at any rate once during the proceedings at the banquet table . That privilege fell to him for the first time now as I . P . M . of the Bishopsgate Lodge , and the object he had in handling it was to call the brethren's attention to the toast ot the evening— " The W . M . " He need not introduce Bro . Newman to them as a man or a brother . To every Bishopsgate man he was as well known as thc perennial yesterday ; he came regularly , and as regularly as that day came they saw Bro . Newman .

But it did not need that only to make him known to the brethren ; he was known to all throughout Bishopsgate Ward to every member of the Ward , not only in his public , but in his private capacity , he was known , beloved , and respected . He ( Bro . Rumain ) had known Bio . Newman as many years as he had been in the Ward , and he had known him only one way—as a thoroughly upright man , a man whose word could be taken , a man whose word was to be trusted . It was such a man they required to li . 'i the position ol VV . M . of the Bishopsgate Ledge , because the Bishopsgate boys were proud of their

Ward and of everything associated with it ; and last , but not least , they were proud of their Bishopsgate Lodge , and they sought always to choose brethren among them who would support the pleasure and the piide they took in their lodge . The choice that had fallen on their Bro . Newman he was sure they would not regret . Bro . Newman would use every effort in his power to make the Bishopsgate Lodge a success . Bro . Newman bad been a member from the very first day the lodge worked after its constcration . I le was one of its first initiates ; he was initialed on the same night as he ( Bro . Romain ) , and on that occasion he ( Bro . Rumain ) felt sure Bro . Newman

was impressed beyond all measure by the ceremonies reheirsed before him . Since that time Bro . Newman had been a regular attendant at all the meetings of the lodge , and had taken a keen interest in everything appertaining to it . In his year of office he would do everything lo promote the welfare ol the lodge . The brethren had had an opportunity that evening of witnessing what the VV . M . could do in the working of the ludge by his investiture of his officers . It did nut fall to the lot of every member of the ledge to be able readily to perform the duties allotted to him . Bro . Newman was natutally a ueivuus man , but , all ciedit to him , he hid endeavoured to overcome it by indomitable energy , pluck , and determination , and lie had come out triumphant , i here

Craft Masonry.

was no peculiar credit io a man wh juld easily get up and do the work ol a lodge ; there was credit to a man % vho oveica .. ie his nervousness . That was only the thin edge of the wetlge . He prophesied fur Bro . Newman a very brilliant year of office , and he trusted he would be spared for the year in health and strength . Bro . William Newman , VV . M ., acknowledging the toist , said Bro . 'Rumain spoke of the many privileges of the Master and the few privileges of the I . P . M . He ( the VV . M . ) considered the hardest task he had was to be always standing orr hrs feet pronosing toasts . Bro . Remain said he ( the VV . M . ) was very bashful , tie was . but

whatever he undertook to do he did with earnestness , and that carried lurn through . The honour which the brethren had conferred upon him , as they were to-day told in the lodge , was the highest they could confer on any brother . He felt it as such , lie felt the responsibilities they had cast upon him , and during his year of office he should do his very best , weak and feeble although that might be , to further the interests of the lodge . He relied on every brother to assist him , because it was only by co-operation they could get on . He would ask every brother who should see a fault he might deem to interfere with the interests of the lodge with all possible kindness to remind him of it that he might reform it . He was himself a Bishopsgate boy , an infant born almost on the spot

on which he was then standing . He was a Bishopsgate boy and a Bishopsgate Freemason . He did not suppose he should have been a Freemason if the Bishopsgate Lodge had not been started . He was very glad he was a Bishopsgate Freemason . Since he had been a Mason in the Bishopsgate Lodge he had received the greatest kindness from every member ; every member had tried to help him . He remembered the first year he was in office the brother in the chair praised him for doing what he ( B 0 . Newman ) thought he was doing badly , and he felt determined to give it up . But Bro . Milton Smith said " Goon . " He had gone on , and as a result he had arrived at the position which he was now very proud to hold .

Bro . Larchin responded to the toast of " I he Installing- Master , " and said he considered he did nothing more than his duty to the lodge when he complied with the request of Bro . Romain that he should perforin the ceremony of installation . So long as there was the indissoluble bond of Fraternity in Masonry , a brother should be induced to come forward and assist a VV . M . ; that would conduce to the prosperity and well-being of the lodge . Bros . Church and Gerrish having responded to the toast of " The Visitors , "

Ihe Bishop of Marlborough also replied . lie said he was initiated in , 1 S 51 in the Alfred Lodge ( now 340 ) at Oxford , but he had not taken much part in Masonic work . But , from what he had seen in the Bishopsgate Lodge , his fervour was stirred up , and if the brethren honoured him by electing him , he hoped he should not be found wanting , and he should attend as often as possible . He wished especially to thank Bro . Robinson for introducing him . He would say that if all Bishopsgate Masons were as true straight , level , and thoroughly on the iquareashischurchwarden , Bro . Robinson , he would always find himself in excellent company . From his first introduction to the parish he

had had from Bro . Robinson just that which a brother ought to have from a brother—good advice , and plain speech , when he was about to make a blunder on any occasion . He would conclude with a story which was true , and it illustrated the usefulness of the Craft . In 1 SG 3 he was attending , at Bath , the Congress of the British Association for the Advancement of Science—it was a remarkable congress ; they had Lyle for the Chairman , and there were also there , Murchison , Burton , Livingstone , Speke , and men of that sort . In the Geographical section a paper was read by a brother Mason , who made this statement : He was with a party of explorers ( his name

was Graham ) ; they would hnd all this in the transactions of the British Association , and they tried to pass from the extreme south ol Australia to the north . At that time it was a very difficult problem whether they would ever be able to pass ; it had been tried twice and failed . A third time he found himself in about the centre of Australia , and they were about to return ; their carriers were nearly dying for want of water ; there was no forage , no food ; and just as they were about to return , they came upon a small band of Aborigines , perfectly naked , perfectly savage , no word known to them to convey the notion that the party wanted bread . This tribe passed Masonic signs and words ,

and became the faithful servants of Graham ' s party . It was owing to the assistance of that tribe they obtained roots and water , and got to the northern shores of Australia . These Aboriginal tribes , who knew nothing of civilisation , through Freemasonry rendered this great service to Graham . He thought this should open out to Masons a few reflections they might usefully dwell upon . Conceive thc mystery , the antiquity , the usefulness of an institution of this sort . It was strange how in the very centre of Australia , with its peculiar relation to the rest of the world , such a thing could have possibly existed ; but it did , and the consequence was

that these Europeans assisted by these Aboriginal Australian Masons were able to achieve a very difficult task , and were saved from certain destruction . He could not point this story by saying that he found himself in a dillicult place and that he winted a brotherhood of kindness ; it would not be right for him to say that , but as he had come to dwell among them as a Bishopsgate man he hoped that his dear brethren would extend to him brotherly kindness , goodwill , and trust as a brother just as long as , and no longer than , he proved himself to be a faithful servant of the Great Architect and a true brother among themselves . ( Applause . )

Bro . Romain , I . P . M ., responded to the toast of "the I . P . M . and the P . Ms . " Bro . Hollington replied as Treasurer ; Bro . Pridmore as Secretary ; and Bro . Wool Jacobs as S . W . ; and the Tyler ' s toast closed the genial proceedings .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Lion and Lamb Chapter , No , 192 . A regular convocation was held at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street Hotel , on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., when there were present Comps . T . E . Bidellecombe , MM . / .. ; VV . Haynes Dunn , H . ; F . Hughes , J . ; F . D . Rees Copestick , P . Z ., S . E . ; Thos . Win . Fisher , S . N . ; William Baker , 2 nd A . S . ; S . M . Banker , P . Z . ; T . Cohu , P . Z ., D . C ; J . Taylor , P . Z . ; Walter Fisher , I ) . Ringrose , and H . Todd . Comps . Geo . S . Bigley , 102 , and Geo . Gwinn , 171 O , were visitors .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read , and conlinnsd , Comp . F . Hughes , who was unable to be present at thc January convocation , was installed in the chair of J . The announcement of the death of Comp . J . VV . Clarke was received with regret . 'The chapter having been closed , the companions dined togethsr and spent a most enjoyable evening , the pleasure of which was materially enhanced by the songs and recitations contributed by Comps . Coyestick , Ringros ; , Walter Fisher , ani F . Hughes .

Adair Chapter , No . 1750 . At the Public Hall , Clevedon , on Fridiy , the 23 rd ult ., the annnal installation meeting of the above chapter was held . Coup . W . Long , P . Z ., P . P . G . H ., performed the ceremu . iy , investing the following - conpanion ,: Conpi . A . B . Wickenden , M . E . Z . ; M . II . Clarke , P . Z ., II . ; S . Newnham , J . ; VV . F . Langworthy , P . Z ., Scribe E . ; E . A . Hiugstone , Scriba N . ; 11 . W . Mackenzie , Prin . Soj . ; F . G . Leman , 1 st Asst . Soj . ; H . VV . Collins , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; and VV . Somerton , Janitor . A banquet was afterwards held at Regent llous ; , and the Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Florence Nightingale Lodge , No- 44-. ihe installation meeting of the above lodge louk place at the Royal M jrtar llitel , Beiesford-sq'iare , Woolwich , on Monday , the u ' . h ultiin i , and was honoured by the presence of Bro . Hughes-1 lallctli , D . P . G . M ., and a number of gooJ and tru ; Mark Master Masuns . i lie loige was opei . e . i by Bro . C . | . Clapham , W . M ., and the u ^ ual IjJge buiiii : s ; having been accomplished Bio . F . G . Nichols , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ( by special req lest of the W . M . ) , assumed the chair as Installing Officer , and in due course installeJ the VV . M . elect , Bio . G . W . Mitchell , S . W ., into the chair of A . After salutation , ths