Craft Masonry.

ritual should not be murdered or mutilated , and he hoped during his year of office to have a ball or a ladies' night . The lodge atone time stood second to none , and he trusted that that haopy state would cnme again . Bro . G . Everett gave "The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary , " observing that the Past Masters were all good fellows , and that the Treasurer and Secretary were

both efficient and painstaking officers . Bro . G . Gardner , as senior Past Master , next to Bro . G . Everett , and Secretary , responded . He said that so long ijs he remained Secrrtary he would carry out his duties as in the past , which fe ventured to hope had given satisfaction to the members . Bro . Lawrance stated that he was honoured by being

again elected Treasurer , and that he would only be too happy to do anything for the lodge . Bro . Brown also replied , remarking that it was a pleasure to be a Past Master of such a splendid lodge . " The Officers" having been honoured . Bro . H . Clarke , I . W ., whose name had been coupled

with the toast , said that he and the other officers would do everything to support the W . M . elect during his term of office . Tne Tyler ' s toast brought a very agreeable evening to an end , which was greatly ' enhanced by songs rendered by Bros . Thomas , Callingham , Geo . Everett , and L . Lee , wha gave a new song " Can you forget ?"

Lodge La France ( No . 2060 ) . —On Monday , the igth ult ., this prosperous lodge held its eleventh installation meet ' tig , when Bro . St . Clair ( who may be called the Installing Master of the lodge ) assisted by Bro . F . Richardson , P . U . D ., as D . C , placed Bro . Jules Oppenheim in the chair in that perfect style for which he is well knownand gave the three allocutions in a most impressive

, manner . Bro . E . H . Thiellay , senior P . M ., presented the VV . M . elect . The new Master invested his officers as fellows : Bros . H . Testard , I . P . M . ; P . F . R . Saillard , S . W . ; G . Metzger , J . W . ; 11 . Bue , Treas . ; E . Monteuuis , Sec : A . J . Exlangon , S . D . ; J . B . Bauyaud , J . D . ; G ; V . Peguet , I . G . ; E . St . Clair , D . C ; E . Beranger , Steward . ; L . Walter , Organist ; and G . F . Mitchell ,

Tyler . We should mention that previous to the installation , which , of course , was the important ceremony of the day , Bros . Guignon , Barlet , and Perret were raised to the Third Degree by Bro . Monteuuis , P . M ., and the I . P . M ., Pro . Testard , passed Bros . Paysant and Tallon to the Second Degree . Refreshment [ after labour naturally followed , and the

brethren adjourned to the Golden Banqueting Room of the Cafe Royal , where Bro . Nicol ' s manager put before them a very choice menu . The usual toasts followed , the new Master acquitting himself very well of his new duties , and we have no doubt he will have a very successful year . Bro . E . Cutler , Q . C ., P . G . O ., answered for " The Grand

Officers " in a capital speech and in capital French . Bro . R . P . Simpson , W . M . S 59 , answered for "The Masons of the Rising Generation ; " Bro . G . H . Reynolds , W . M . 2191 , for "The Cosmopolitan Masons j" and Bro . P . L . Simmonds , who spoke in French , for "The Visitors Present Generally . " The Lodge La France has now just completed its tenth year and during that time has had So members , that is

seven founders , iS joining , and 55 initiates ; 47 now remain on the books , the [ resignations being principally due to a return to France . It has regularly sent a Steward every year to represent one of ihe Masonic Charities , and has not omitttd to contribute to the Charitable Institutions of the colony . It has also come to the assistance of the widows and children of deceased brothers . Among its Past

Masters—Bros . E . H . Thiellay is P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; E . Monteuuis is P . G . S . B . ; H . Bue P . G . Std . Br . ; and E . St . Clair , P . G . S ., having been nominated to that office by the Tuscan Lodge , Wo . 14 , of which he is the present W . M . The first decade , therefore , may be considered as a very successful one , and we have no doubt that a lodge started on such sound bases will continue to prosper .

Scots Lodge ( No . 2319 ) . —This lodge held its St . Andrew ' s meeting on the 22 nd ult . at the Scottish Corporation Hall , Crane-court , Fleet-street , when a most agreeable evening was spent under the genial presidency ot Bro . Thomas Grant , P M ., W . M . Of other brethren who attended the list was pretty full , but the members ot the lodge as well as the visitors greatly regretted the

unavoidable absence of Bros . John Whitehead , P . M ., and D . F . Gellion , P . M . The roll of attendants contained the names of Bros . Joseph Whitehead , S . W . ; James Thomson , J . W . ; A . Ritchie , Treas . ; D . A . Ross , D . R . Duncan , J . D . ; W . Craig , D . C ; E . Johnston Gordon , I . G . ; Ashley Gordon , Org . ; James Anderson , Stwd . ; John Page , P . M . ; James Gray , Trustee ; Peter Greig ,

j . Duncan Balfour , J . Macgregor , Win . A . Smith , A . Whitehead , Walter D . Home , J . M . Barclay , John Bennett , W . S . Beaton , D . Smith , and ThomasSandilands . Visitors : Bros . H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 192 S ; H . J . Inderwick , S 34 ; H . McLachlan , Stwd . 1607 ; W . C . Page , P . M . 1475 ; H . Read , P . M . 1100 ; W . Cowley , P . M . ' 559 j John S . Moore , I . G . 1701 ; Joseph Hume , I . G .

2331 ; Alfred Grant , 127 ; A . j . Macmaster , 11 S 5 ; W . R . J . McLean , Mus . Bac , Org . S 58 ; and Thomas McLlure , 499 . The only business on the agenda to b * transacted was the passing of liro . Thomas David Meldrum Burnside to the Second Degree , but Bro . Burnside was unable to attend , and he sent a telegram to that effect . The time

was , however , filled up with some very interesting discussions , and an event of more than ordinary mark occupied an important r . art of the allotted space . The lodge has hitherto not been in prssession of a ballot-box , and the J . W ., Bro . James Thomson , had given notice that he intended to make the presentation of that necessary portion of a lodge's furniture to the lodge . The box was ready

on this occasion , and when it was found that Bro . Burnside would not come , Bro . Ihomson immediately rose and asked the W . M . ' s accepUnce on behalf of the lodge of the box , stating at the time the archreological features for which the box will now be celebrated , and a description of which is . untamed in the following writing accompanying the gift ) :

" 1 his ballot box was presented to the Scots Lodge , No . 2319 , of the Most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , Crane Court , London , E . C , by Bro . James Thomson , Junior Warden , one of the Founders of the Scots Lodge . 22 Nov ., 1 S 94 . The Emblems and Symbols on front of the box are made of oak

Craft Masonry.

taken from the foundation of the first bridge at Blackfriars . The handles are made of oak taken from Elf tow Church , where John Bunyan preached . These relics are thus very ancient and interesting . " The W . M . received the presentation very graciously , and , on the motion of Bro . James Gray , Trustee , seconded by Bro . J oseph Whitehead , S . W ., a cordial vote of thanks ol the lodge was passed to Bro . Thomson , J . W ., for the kind and considerate present .

When the business of the lodge was concluded , the VV . M ., officers , and brethren closed do * n , and adjourned to the St . Andrew ' s banquet , the menu of which was characterised by the Scotch selection of dishes and appropriate quotations from national writers . Piper Peter MacLean heralded the haggis as usual . At the close of the dinner , the toasts were proposed , and the brethren enjoyed some excellent vocal music by Bros .

Alfred Grant , MacL « an ( accompanist ) , T . Charteris , Jas . Thomson , J . W . : T . Grant , W . M . ; E . IJ . Gordon , 1 ' . Sandeland , and W . C . Page . After " The Queen and the Craft " had been drank , The W . M ., irTproposing "The Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , " described him by his Scottish title , the Duke of Rothesay , Lord of the Isles , Grand Steward of Scotland , and a thorough good man , a character

which the people had of late seen exemplified in his journey to attend foreign powers , and extend sympathy , | not only of himself , but of his mother to those foreign familes in their bereavement . When he came back it was to be hoped he would be as healthy and well as when he went away . The Prince of Wales was a very great man . The other loyal Masonic toasts having been honoured , Bro . John Page , P . M ., proposed " The W . M . "

remarking that there was not the smallest occasion to say a single word to sound his praise , for Bro . Thom is Grant was too well known and appreciated by the brethren all ; his ritual was perfect and the brethren were satisfied with him . The W . M ., in responding , expressed the pleasure he derived from the kind and flattering way Bro Page had spoken of the perfection of his ( the W . M's . ) ritual , but he had not had much opportunity of displaying it that evening .

That pained him very much , for he was quite prepared to conduct the ceremonies perfectly , and he hoped to the satisfaction of the visiting brethren . It was exceedingly disappointing when they had present Past Masters and other brethren from sister lodges not to have some working . Thev were not all fourth-degree Masons ; every one of them liked to see a little work , and he was awfully sorry . He hoped , however , that next time they would have

some work and be able to do it . I hey had plenty of capable assistants . Again thanking the brethren , he assured them that he should endeavour during his year of office to do the best he could for th-: benefit of the Scots Lodge . The Worshipful Master , in proposing "The Visitors , " said Bro . W . C . Page , P . M . 1475 , was one of the first visitors of the Scots Lodge . Bro . Page was promised that he should be at his ( Bro . Grant ' s ) installation and Bro .

Page promised he would be there ; but T . G . A . O . T . U . willed otherwise , for Bro . Page was ill at the time . He was pleased to see Bro . Page tnere that night , and also that he was able to sing so well after his long and serious illness . Bro . Page might accept from him sincere congratulations on his recovery , and his presence among the brethren . He offered a hearty welcome to all the visitors . Bro . W . C . Page , P . M . 1475 , after thanking the W . M .,

said he was sorry he could not attend the installation of Bro . Grant for his nams was , as the W . M . had said , first on the book at the consecration of the lodge . He minded that many , many years ago when he was at a lodge he was impressed with the ceremony of initiation by the W . M . ; he remembered again an installation meeting , and heard the W . M . say , " act as a true and faithful Mason , practise out of the lodge those excellent precepts which are taught within

it , " and he also heard him say—which impressed him very much— " learn the ritual , and your attainments should be such that the brethren may not suffer for the want of proper instruction . " From that time he made up his mind t J learn everything in the Craft , from the Tyler to the Installing Master , from the Inner Guard to the Senior Warden . He had performed those offices . It came to him once to act as Tyler . He was visiting a lodge that was without a Tyler ,

and no one would take the office , so he undertook it when there were initiations and passings to be done , and if it had not been for a Tyler it woud have been very weak work indeed . That was in a Sco . ch lodge . He was proud to be a visitor that evening on the rightof the W . M ., who knew he was thanked on the occasion he spoke of , and made an honorary member of the lodge . He wished every brother Mason would do as he has done—attend lodges ot

instruction , so that when called to higher duties he might step into the breach and do the work . They must learn the duties of Masonry . He could not let this opportunity go by without telling the brethren it meant hard work ; there was no Royal road in Freemasonry ; book Masons were of no use . Work hard and go to the lodges of instruction . Bro . VV . Cowley , P . M . 1559 , also replied , and said it had been his good fortune to be associated with Scotsmen all

his life , and he had very pleasant recollections of Scotland and of Scottish dinners . He used to be a very frequent visitor at the club , where he learned to drink the royal toasts with one foot on the table , and on many occasions he had great difficulty in keeping his head from underneath the table . But this was the first time he had the honour and pleasure of visiting a Scotch lodge , and although there had been no work to do he was sure from what he had seen

the W . M . do in opening and closing , if there had been other work he would have done it well . Bros . H . Read and Thomas McCJurealso responded , the latter expressing a wish to become a member of the lodge . The W . M ., in proposing "The Officers , " named everyone of those brethren , and complimented them all on the way in which each respectively did his work . Bro . Joseph Whitehead , S . W ., replying , regretted , as

other brethren had done , that the officers had not had an opportuni'y of showing they could do their work . Bro . Junes Thomson , J . W ., felt rather disgusted because Bro . Burnside had not turned up . Such an occurrence had not happened before . Bro . Burnside was one of the best men ever introduced into Masonry . It must have been fiom some ignorance of the importance of attending

that he was not there , for he was perfect in his answers . There must have been some Hoods in the West of England ; some wa cr in the mill that stopped him . He regretted that no t ' jst Masters were then present , Bro . Page Having lett ; but he mentioned with pleasure the names of Bros . Whitehe ; ii , Gellion , and Page as brethren who had been splendid Masters . Among other officers there was Arch-

Craft Masonry.

deacon Sinclair , the Chaplain , who would have been present but for a particular appointment he hid . Bro . James Gray , Trustee , said that about the first thing he heard that night when he arrived at the table was a not very srentle hint , but one of those outspoken truths—that the W . M . charged him with being so capable of givingthat he was not expected to make one of his long speeches . He was not surprised at that because the W . M . had so

many speeches to deliver . He felt when the W . M . was proposing the health of so many officers that if the W . M . was to be in the chair for a year or two there was still hope of his be coming an orator . The W . M . had said that brevity was the soul of enjoyment—he did not mean of music , but only of speaking . The W . M . had not followed that rule himself , because he had made some long speeches , and had left very little for others to say . There was one

remark of Bro . McLean , in one of his admirable musical sketches , that to make anything musical thoroughly Scotch it had also to have one note—one blast note through it . It appeared to him that to make this Scots Lodge thoroughl y Scotch they must have that one deep bass monotone speech of the Trustee . There was just one other remark . He thought it was the W . M . who said he would have to be one of the books in the library , because he was between

two Pages . Well , between two pages for an old man like him ( Bro . James Gray ) , he was rather sentimental , and it suggested to him the big , crumpled up , dried-up leaf between two pages—suggesting so many nice things in the past ; but he was sure the W . M . was not awithered-up leaf yet , but was quite capable of giving forth some programme and showing something of the Scotch thistle yet . They

had had some little indication of that lately , which showed he was not a dried-up leaf between the pages , but a good stinging Scotch nettle . He ( Bro . James Gray ) hoped the W . M . would long continue to be so , and not a withered-up leaf between the two pages . The brethren shortly afterwards separated , joining , however , previous to parting in singing "Auld Lang Syne . "

Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge ( No . 2432 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge wes held at the Inns of Court Hotel , W . C , on the 22 nd ult ., when there were present Bros . G . Embleh , W . M . ; G . Ransford , I . P . M . ; D . Phillips , S . W . ; T . W . Lightfoot , J . W . ; A . F . Scholding , Sec . ; W . H . Lowry , S . D . ; W . F . Bates , J . D . ; C Ransford , I . G . ; ] . F . Pink , Org . ; Thos . Rayner , Stwd . j W . F . Smithson , P . G . D . ; H . O . Winter ; E . G . Grahnert ,

O . C . Moore , W . C . Lightfoot , R . Ambler , Alex . Jones , H . Cosins , S . Maier , W . Bowley , and J . J . Woods . Visitors : Bros . A . J . Ingrain , W . M . 1772 , and H . Evenden , Tyler . The business consisted in passing Bros . W . C . Lightfoot and H . O . Winter , and raising Bros . H . Cosins and E . G . Grahnert , both of which ceremonies were ably performed by the W . M . Letters regretting their inability to attend were received from Bros . W . H . Bullock , P . M . ; W .

Klingenstcin , Treas . ; F . Whicher , and others . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to dinner , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Replying for the " Grand Officers , " Bro . W . F . Smithson , P . G . D ., said he felt it a great honour to attend and meet with such a hearty reception , he could never forget the compliment paid to him at the inception of the lodge ,

when he was unanimously invited to become its first W . M ., or the pleasure it gave him to assist at its consecration . Although not able to attend very often , he was pleased to receive the lodge summons , which he carefully filed , and watched the progress of the lodge with great interest . He was pleased to be able to congratulate the W . M . and brethren upon the progress and position of the lodge . They were going on the right way , and he heartily wished them

continued success . In the county of " Broad acres , " which he represented , he was always delighted to welcome brethren from London lodges , and extend to them the same hospitality he invariably received from them . Such intercourse widened their circle of influence , and tended to promote good fellowship , so that in elections , town and province could assist each other more effectively . Bro . Ransford proposed "The Worshipful Master . "

Having complimented him upon the excellent way the work had been carried out , said the W . M . was not onl y a good worker , but determined to cut down expenses , and leave to his successor a good balanc :, which he felt sure would have the support and approval of every member of the lodge . Bro . Emblen , in reply , said he was anxious to see the lodge in a better financial position , and should do his uttermost to make it so , but he did not want or intend to curtail the

p leasures of the brethren in any way , there were channels of expenditure which could be reduced without detracting from tbeir enjoyment , and he felt sure he should have their hearty support in his efforts . He was sorry there were no initiates , both on account of the lodge and also his own , because he prided himself on his work , and if any member introduced friends for initiation , he would euarantee they

should be properly initiated . He was sorry he had omitted to bring forward a proposition in the lodge as to a ladies night . It was his intention to have one , and with the assistance of the Wardens and any brethren who would volunteer , he proposed to form a Committee to arrange the details . Bro . G . Ransford , replying for "The Past Masters , said , unfortunately there was not a long list of Past Masters for him to talk about , but he might say for himself they had

appointed him to represent the lodge as Steward for the Old People , and he hoped they would give him something to take up . It they could not give largely , let every one give something , so that the lodge might be properly rep resented . " The Visitors , " " The Officers . " and the Tyler ' s toasts brought the proceedings to a close . Bros . Lowry , Jones , Pink , and Moore , contributed s > mc capital songs and recitations .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BRADFORD . Lodge Acacia ( No . 2331 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 1 st ult ., the following brethren were uresent : Bros . C . H . Ellis , W . M . ; J . 'L . L-as '

I . P . M . ; John Nortor , S . W . ; J . B . Fearnley , J . W ; J ; Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Chap . ; S . A . Bailey . P . M ., Treas . ; S . Robinson , Sec . ; R . S . Hird , S . D . ; J , "" Harland , asJ . D . ; J . A . Drake , I . G . ; II . Holmes , Tyler ,