Craft Masonry.

A very excellent banquet followed , of which upwards of 70 brethren partook , and the after proceedings were of the usual character . When "The Oueen" had been loyally and enthusiastically toasted , the W . M . proposed "H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., the M . W . Pro G . M . and the Officers of Grand Ledge . " He declared that it was quite unnecessary to say one word in praise of the

Prince of Wales . He was a typical English gentleman and was distinguished alike by his good deeds and gracious courtesy . The Pro G . M ., Lord Lathom , was a tower of strength , and to him and to the Grand Officers generally their thanks were due for their able conduct of Masonic affairs . Amongst Grand Officers they had present their friend and townsman , Bro . W . H . Brittain , P . M ., and they would , he was sure , be glad to hear a few words from him in reply to the toast .

Bro . Brittain expressed the gratification he felt in replying for Grand Lodge . The officers , he could assure them , were always anxious to assist their M . W . G . Mister and in all respects to maintain the dignity and extend the usefulness of Grand Lodge . He was reminded by the words of their W . M . of the rapid flight of time . Though 2 S years had passed away it seemed as it were only yesterday since he himself ini'iated Bro . Burnell . He was pleased to see the continuous prosperity and progress of Royal Brunswick Lodge . He had the honour of occupying the chair of the lodge in 1 S 6 S and during a portion of one year he had the unique experience of being at the same time ( by dispensation , of

course ) , W . M . both of Royal Brunswick and of Britannia Lodges . There were many old and experienced Past Masters connected with Lodge No . 296 , amongst whom was their greatly respected Bro . Ensor Drury , and the antiquity of the lodge only added to its prestige and importance . He would conclude by offering all good wishes for the health of their W . M . and the prosperity of the lodge . After a cornet solo by Bro . Honey , " The sailor ' s grave , " Bro . W . E . Gray , P . M ., rose to submit the toast of "The R . W . Prov . G . Master of West Yorkshire ; the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P . ; the W . Den . Prov G . M ., Bro . J . C . Malcolm ,

G . D . of England , and the Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " Ha said that so far as the officers of Grand Lodge were concerned he had not much information , but as to Provincial Grand Lodge it was different . In the former case he stood towards the Grand Master as private to Commander-in-Chief , but in the latter as private to Colonel . They knew their excellent Prov . Grand Mister ; had been honoured by his presence in their own lodge and had seen him doing Masonic work . Happy in his methods , genial in his manner , he contrived to carry out his duties as their ruler with firmness , yet with courtesy and consideration . Though full of occupation of one kind

or another , occupation which involved , it might be the management of a great commercial enterprise , the administration of the affairs of an extensive Railway Company , or partial responsibility for the destinies of a mighty empire , yet amid all this they found their Prov . G . Master able and ready on every occasion to give to the Craft the benefit of his labour , the employment of his time and the exercise of his talents and judgment . Though their chief was absent that night yet Prov . G . Lodge was not without able and

distinguished representatives . Besides the Senior Grand Warden of the Province , Bro . Harry Allen , they had four or more Past Grand Wardens , three of whom were members of their own lodge . In addition they had a large body of Provincial Grand Officers who , if their positions were less important , were equally efficient and useful , and he wished , as the spokesman of the lodge to welcome them all , but would couple with the toast the name of the Senior Grand Warden .

Bro . Allen expressed the thanks of the Prov . Grand Olticsrs for the very flittering reception the toast had met . He hoped that as that was the fourth time in eight days that duty had fallen upon him , they would allow him to say , as was said to their W . M . that night by those Past Masters who presented the working tools—that the sentiments he would wish to express to them were so well known to all that further exposition was unnecessary . He was not , however , the less sensible of , and grateful for , the kind and pleasant remarks of Bro . Past Master Gray . He could assure them that in his capacity as Senior Warden he was most willing to aid them should difficulties

arise , and that he could vouch for his comrades in office also . Bro . Allen concluded by offering congratulations to the W . M . on his promotion , and to the lodge on its steady progress and prosperity . The song "In friendsHp's rame" here interposed , Bro . Charles Ellis rendering it in a very finished and successful way . Bro . T . Harrison , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., took charge of the next toast—that of "The Worshipful Master , Bro . John S . Burnell . " Much of what he intended tc-say had , he declared , been gone into by Bro . Brittain ; but in that case he thought it would bear repetition . He particularly congratulated the W . M . upon his accession to the

chair alter being 2 S years a Mason . Initiated in Royal Brunswick in 1 S 6 S , he left Lidge 296 and joined 139 . He , however , came back , and he ( the speaker ) felt confident that their W . M . thoroughly realised the importance of his position , and that no effort would be spared by him to keep up the excellent reputation of Roval Brunswick Lodge . To do that as it had been done by his predecessors , their W . M . ought to be able to count alike upon the unsparing efforts of his officers and the universal loyalty of the brethren . He had no hesitation in saying that Bro . Burnell might confidently rely upon both , a proof of which he hoped they would show by honouring the toast as enthusiastically as he was quite sure it deserved .

This the brethren did , and when the W . M . stood up to reply he was received with renewed expressions of pleasure . Bro . Burnell said : Brethren , my first and very pleasant duty is to thank in language as strong as I can find , my good friend and brother , Thomas Harrison , for the very kind words he has spoken of me in offering the toast of my health for your acceptance . I entered this lodge , as you have heard , -JS years ago , and yet I am only to-day able to _ call myself its W . M . The fact was that much as I regretted it , in my early Masonic years , I was unable to attend the meetings , as _ my business engagements on the Mondays precluded my doing so . I , therefore , decided to join the still older lodge

—Britannia—where I remained some years . Circumstances changing , and finding that the difficulty of attending I had formerly experienced was removed , I hastened to re-join my mother lodge . Of course , in the interval I had lost my place in the onward progress to the chair , and it is only those who , like myself , have fallen out , who know how difficult it is to get into the running again . There lies the explanation of the 28 years intervening between initiation and installation . The ground I lost I have at last recovered , but I can quite conceive a condition of things when this might be impossible , and , therefore , it renders me the more grateful to vou . brethren , that you have elected me to

occupy the position that is , or should be , the ambition of all . I don't know that I can promise to fulfil all the duties , conduct all the ceremonies , and generally order myself as others have done before me , but I will do my best , and will venture to say that it shall be my special care to maintain to the utmost the very high reputation our good old lodge has obtained . To do this 1 shall confidently count upon the regular and punctual attendance on the part of my officers . As to the younger brethren , I think I may say that my own career may be offered , not perhaps as an example , but certainly as an encouragement to them , for it illustrates the important lesson that steady persevering effort , though it may now and again be tardy , yet eventually gains effectual recognition .

Here Bro . H . Allen gave one of his very humorous recitations , which met with much appreciation . The toast of "The Health of the I . P . M ., Bro . Geo . B . Wood , " had an able exponent in Bro . John I * . Moss , P . M ., P . P . G . D . This duty had been allotted in the first instance to Bro . Harold Thomas , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . Professional engagements at the Leeds assizes prevented Bro . Thomas from doing what , we are assured , he would gladly have undertaken , but we do not think in heartiness any effort of Bro . HaroldThomas could exceed that of Bro . Mosswho declared himself proud to stand in the position

, w ' vJ ' 3 , ed him to bear public testimony to the merits of Bro . Wood . Their retiring W . VI ., Bro . Moss affirmed , had done his utmost in every office he had held , from the lo-westto Ihe highest , and that he presented a record which few could beat . Though the , fs P"iisible manager of a very large industrial concern , regard for the interest of which compelled long and frequent absences from Sheffield , yet Bro . Wood had been Jcund always present at the post of duty , though his being so might havc involved a journey of 100 or more miles . He ( Bro . Moss ) considered Bro . Wood to be a pattern

10 his younger brethren . In his position as I . P . M . he had a highly pleasant retrospect , and he had , he ventured to believe , got through his delicate and onerous duties without JV * [ J *» aSrumbleanywhere . He had had an eventful year , but they must all agree that Bro . Wood had been equal to the occasion , that the dignity of the old lodge had ueen fully maintained by him , and he thought they ought , by their reception of thc ¦ . ?' ' ' ° 'how that what he ( the sneaker ) had , hc feared , feebly expressed was strong " > the hearts of then all .

Before Bro . Wood replied , the brethren ha 1 the pleasure of listening to one of Bro ° n ° Ss . He selected " Flower of my soul , " and sang it beautifully . M f ' L' ^ ' Wood , I . P . M ., had a very gratifying reception . Whilst thanking Bro oss tor n ' ' "' words , he ( Bro . Wood ) was conscious of their flattering character

Craft Masonry.

Yet flattery was not always unpleasant—in fact , more or less , he thought , all liked it . He expected to have much to say to his brethren as the retiring W . M ., but , after the fpeeches of Bro . Allen and Bro . Brittain , he found there was little left . A ? W . M . o ! Lodge 296 , though conscious of failure in many things , he had done his best , and he hoped he had not let down the reputation of Royal Brunswick during his year . To him the period of ofiice had been an especially happy one ; there had been no dissensions ,

no jealousies , not , in fact , a discordant note . That he was proud of . He had been well supported by his ofiicers , and was prepared on his part to render loyal help to his successor . Though anxious himself to perform the ceremony of installation , he yet felt that perhaps leaving it in the hands of Bro . Ensor Drury would be the wiser course . He was quite satisfied in that case that it would be well done . He thought the kind way in which the toast of his health had been received made a very pleasant finish to what had been a very happy year .

Bro . Pawson next proposed " The Sister Lodges and Visiting Brethren . " This should have been done by the J . W ., Bro . F . G . Cornu , but assize business also kept him away . Bro . Pawson , in a very humorous way . affected to be grievously treated in b ^ ing thus called upon , and pointed out the row of officers and the many Past Master , who were qualified and doubtless anxious to distinguish themselves by proposing the toast . As , however , they were determined to make a martyr of him , he would accept the situation . He had seen many distinguished guests at the table of Royal Brunswick , but rarely more

distinguished than on the present occasion . Perhaps thev would spare him giving biographical sk < tches of each of these brethren / though he would endeavour to accomplish it if such were their will . Bro . Pawson then told of his experience as a visiting brother in London and elsewhere , declared that the gregarious character of Freemasonry was one of its chief attractions , that they were not happy unless together , and that they would

be a sorry lot were it not for the social good fellowship they enjoyed , which alone made life worth living . Amongst the visitors they had one from Denmark ; but , as a matter of fact , in one respect they were all from Denmark—that is in their loyalty tothe charming lady who came from that country they were all Danes . Bro . Pawson concluded a very amusing and witty speech by asking the brethren to drink to the visitors , and by their enthusiasm in doing si show how heartily they were welcome .

A violin solo by Bro . Harry W . Brown was followed by an exquisite song by Bro . Foxon— "Still wie die Nacht . " After a few words in reply from Bro . Carl Dahl , Bro . J . Stokes , W . M . Britanniathe oldest lodge—and , in the absence of Bro . Hutchinson , Bro . W . Gunstone , W . M . of White Rose of York Lodge , responded . "The Installing Officer and Past Masters of Lidge 296 , " was proposed by Bro .

Chas . H . Maleham , S . W ., who spoke of the enormous influence the P . Ms , must exercise upon a lodge , and how much the prosperity and well-being of their community must depend upon the interest displayed by that body . They in Royal Brunswick had a noble band of P . Ms ., and so long as they continued by their countenance and support to uphold the lodge , there could b ; no fear for its prosperity or well-bein j . Bro . M aleham spoke in complimentary term ; of the work done that evening by the Installing Master , Bro . Ensor Drury , and coupled his name with the toast .

When Bro . Gardiner had sung " I fear no foe , " which he did with great spirit , Bro . Ensor Drury expressed his thanks for the kind words of Bro . Maleham , and spoke of the readiness of the P . Ms , to do work of any kind—that of installation that evening being to him especially gratifying—and he earnestly desire ! that the brethren , particularly those who had been hearing the cerem > ny recited so ma ay times recently , would overtook all short-comings and not institute comparisons . In relation to the P . Ms ., he hoped the brethren would not only rememb : r those who were present amongst them , but would also have a kindly memory for those whose place would know them no more , who had gone betore and whose good works do follow them .

A cornet solo , "The Holy City , " by Bro . Honey , fill owed , after which "The Masonic Charities " was proposed by Bro . W . F . Tasker , P . M ., and "The Offher-s " by Bro . Isaac Ellis , P . M . This concluded the toast list , aid the brethren shortly dispersed . The meeting throughout was of a most pleasant ani harmonious character , an ! in that respect we were assured relhcted the concord and good feeling which pervade the brethren of the Royal Brunswick Lodge .

Camalodunum Lodge , No . 660 . A meeting of this lodge was held on the 15 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall , Malton , at which the W . M ., Bro . J . Spunton presided , supported by his officers and a number of P . Ms , including Bros . A . J . Taylor ( oldest P . M . ) , W . H . Rose , T . M . Goldie , Jos . Buckle , W . J . Marshall , and others . There was also a large contingent of visitors from York . The business consisted of a lecture by Bro . T . B . Whytehead , of York , on various points connected with the History and Ritual of the Craft .

At its conclusion a vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer , and at the board of refreshment the principal toasts were duly honoured .

St . Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult ., in the Masonic Rooms , Thorne . Present : Bros . Theo . Barber , W . M . ; G . Kenyon , I . P . M . j H . A . Fenton , S . W . ; G . Eland , J . W . ; B . Maskill , Treas . ; John Constable , P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; E . Hirst , S . D . ; E . Simpson . J . D . ; W . P . Robotham , Org . ; W . Hallgarth , Aim . ; R . Brew , acting I . G . ; T . R . R . Marsdin , Stwd . ; F . Pine , Tyler , * A . L . Peace , P . M . j T . Tomlinson , W . T . Chambers , and others . Apologies were read from several brethren who were unavoidably absent , it being Christmas time .

After the lodge had been closed , the brethren adjourned to ths Club Room , and partook of light supper .

warrant Officers Lodge , No . 2346 . The above lodge held an emergency meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 17 th ult ., to initiate five candidates out of eight who were proposed at the November meeting . The gentlemen who presented themselves for that purpose were Messrs . A . Crow , W . A . Gilfillan , W . B . Shorter , P . W . Mitchell , and VV . Morgan . The ritual was ably rendered by Bro . M . A . Mclnerny , D . G . S . B ., Dist . Gib . ; Bro . A . Malony acting as S . W . ; while Bro . C . A . Pugh acted as J . W . ; the musical portion

being in the hands of Bro . H . Wall , Org . At the usual monthly meeting , on Friday , the iSth , ult ., Messrs . S . Q . Hayman and J . F . Dewdney were initiated ; Bros . H . Childs and S . Poole , passedf and Bro . W . Woodcock , raised . Messrs . W . R . Snetzler and T . Griffiths were proposed as candidates for the next meeting . The officers present were Bros . VV . A . Greene , W . M . ; H . B . Dickins , S . W . ; J . D . Lidbury , J . W . ; J . P . Newsham , S . D . ; W . H . Smith , J . D . ; G . Gale , I . G . ; and Harold Wall , Org . The VV . M . having got through the work in a very able manner , the lodge was closed .

JEsculapius Lodge , No . 2410 . The ordinary meeting was held at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , on Wednesday , thegthult . Bro . Thomas Dutton , M . D ., W . M ., took the chair , supported by the following officers , members , and visitors : Bros . G . C . Thomson , M . D ., I . P . M . ; E . H . Ezard , M . D ., S . W . ; W . H . Kiallmark , P . M ., J . W . ; Rev . W . Harrison , M . A ., Chap . ; J . Pickett , M . D ., P . M ., Sec . ; H . G . Blackmore , S . D . ; M . Cheale , J . D . ; E . Clarke ,

M . D ., I . G . ; M . Simpson , D . C ; ) . Davies , M . D ., Org . ; E . S . Bell and A . Alexander , Stewards ; J . R . Bosworth , G . Herschell , M . D ., R . T . H . B odilly , I . Sharp J , G . Rowell , F . R . C . S . ; C . McLean , M . D ., P . P . G . W . Wilts . ; D . Nebitt , M . D ., iij- ; J , Norden , S 79 ; T . G . Burns , M . A ., P . M . 254 ( 0 ; G . T . Hevis , P . M . 412 ; R . S . Ellis , I . P . M . 2342 ; D'Arcy Power , F . K . C . S ., P . M . 254 * 3 , P . P . G . W . Warwick ; A . Heald , P . M . I ( 5 ; and D . Williams , unattached .

The lodge having been opened and the minutes read and confirmed , Bro . W . Stacey Colman , M . D ., was raised to the Degre ; of a M . M . Iiy liro . G . C . Thomson , I . P . M . in a very impressive manner . The W . M . then initiated the following gentlemen : Messrs . L . H . Pegler , M . l ) ., W . E . Gillson , M . R . C . S ., G . Newlon Pitt , M . A ., M . D ., II . Simpson Lunn , M . A ., M . D ., and W . Duncan , M . D . Alter the usual Masonic business had been transacted the lodge was closed .

The members and visitors subsequently dined together , w ' i ; n the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , more especially that of "Th ; Initiitis . " Bios . Heald , Herschell , Burns , Kiallmark , and Pegler , aid * d to t ' li enj oym ; n : of the evening by their entertaining talents .