Craft Masonry.

Kirk . Bro . Harry Clark was passed to the F . C . Degree , and three brethren were raised to the Third Degree . Bro . Francis J . Smith was elected W . AI . for the ensuing year ; Bro . J . Gibson , P . M ., Treas . ; and Bro . A . Walkley , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel , value £ 10 ios ., was voted to the W . M ., Bro . C . C . Piper , who has well deserved it for his interest and work in the lodge . Bro . Shand , P . M .,

Sec , read letters of regret at being absent from Bros . Burdett-Coutts , M . P ., P . M ., P . G . W ., first W . M . of the lodge ; F . Seager Hunt , M . P ., P . M . ; R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , Chap ., all prevented on important business . Three resignations were received , and four propositions for initiation at the Alay installation meeting . Before the lodge was closed the Worshipful Alaster , in subdued and

sympathetic terms , drew the attention of the brethren tothe draped mourning of the lodge on the lamented death of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., and also of the late Grand Secretary , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , who consecrated the lodge in March , 1 SS 4 , and was an honorary member . He said the brethren would , he knew , desire Bro . Shand , the Secretary , to record on the minutes

their expression of regret and profound grief , but he did not deem it necessary to send now any formal resolution to open up the wounded susceptibilities of the Grand Master , his family , nor that of the family of the late Grand Secretary . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren dined in the

Council Chamber of the Town Hall , iiro . Raven supplying an excellent banquet . The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were honoured , the W . AL , Bro . C . C . Piper , inviting a goodly array of lady and brethren vocalists , and one of the very best meetings of the lodge was enjoyed .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

CHESTERFIELD . Hardwick ' Lodge ( No . 2373 ) . —The first anniversary of this lodge took place on Monday , the 14 th ult ., in the Alasonic Hall of the Scarsdale Lodge , No . GSi , by kind permission of that lodge . There were present Bros . W . W . Jeudwine , W . AL ; O . J . White , I . P . AI . ; L .

F . Shaw , S . W . ; C F . Alargereson , J . W . j J . K . Swallow , Treas . ; I . W . Flather , Sec ; J . B . Jenkinson , S . D . ; J . H . Bennett , J . D . ; VV . H . Crofts , l . G . ; W . T . Buckland and A . Boden , Stewards ; F . Hill , G . Allcock , W . G . Cook , E . Taylor , W . Gregory , A . Seaman , ] . C . Roper , H . Butler , T . Wardle , C . E . Jones , and B . ' Waddington . Visitors : Bros . W . Gringer , W . AI . 149 j G . Gregory , VV . AI .

-9-2 j F . W . Lewis , Sec . 149 ; J . H . Sykes , 149 ; J . T . Windle , P . M ., Sec . GSi , P . G . P . ; H . N . Biggin , W . M . 6 S 1 , P . P . G . O . ; T . Shipton , P . AL , P . P . G . Reg . ; E . S . Shuttleworth , Chap . CSi ; A . E . P . Voules , I . P . AI . GSi ; W . M . Hewitt , P . AL OSi , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . Wilde , ] . W . 6 S 1 ; W . Hawksley Edmunds , Steward GSi ; H . Price , W . M . 253 , P . P . G . C ; and W . S . Symes , P . AL GSi , P . G .

Refj . The lodge having becn opened , the W . M . elect , Bro . L . Firth Shaw , P . M . —one of the founders of the lodge—was most impressively installed into the chair of K . S . by the outgoing W . AL , Bro . VV . VV . Jeudwine , P . P . S . G . W . The VV . M . then invested his ofiicers as follows : Bros . W . Wynne Jeudwine , P . P . S . G . W ., I . P . M . j C . F . Margereson , S . VV . ; I . B . Jenkinson , l . W . ; I . K .

Swallow , Treas . ; C . E . Jones , Sec ; J . H . Bennett , S . D . ; VV . H . Crofts , J . D . ; B . Waddington , D . C ; T . Wardle , Org . ; VV . T . Buckland , I . G . j and VVilliam Grayson , Tyler . After this ceremony had been performed the VV . M ., on behalf of the brethren of the lodge , presented to Bro . Jeudwine a very handsome founder's iewel . He alluded to the excellent manner in which

Bro . Jeudwine had filled the chair during the past year and to how much the success they , as a new lodge , had attained had depended on his exertions and his Masonic knowledge . 'They had had 27 ceremonies during the year , nearly the whole of which Bro . Jeudwine had conducted in a manner which has brought him such Masonic repute . The I . P . M . warmly thanked the brethren

for the handsome jewel . The gift had come as a complete surprise and he could assure them it was deeply appreciated and valued by him . He should always prize the jewel and be hoped that his successor would wear it with equal pride and pleasure . He warmly complimented the Iodpe on the excellent W . M . they had just installed . His election was a happy augury for the lodge ' s prosperity during the coming

year . After the transaction of other business the lodge was closed , and the W . AL received the warm congratulations of the brethren . An excellent banquet was partaken of in the Upper Corn Exchange , Bro . Hadfield surpassing his previously high reputation in this direction . 'The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly responded to , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

CHINGFORD . Shurmur Lodge ( No . 2374 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Royal Forest Hotel on 'Thursday , the 24 th ult ., when a large number of brethren were present , among whom Bros . Sutton Abbott , P . AI . 2077 ; ] . Hall Brown , P . M . ; Dr . W . E . Dring , VV . AI . 231 S ; ' Frank Matthews , P . M . 17 GG ; S . Smither .--, P . M . 17 GG ; | . Wilson , P . M . ; W . TI . Harris , VV . AI . 1 GG 2 ; H . Po _ ton , W . AI . 19 ; and F . Thornton .

The lodge was opened by Bro . Win . Shurmur , I . P . AI ., acting W . M ., Bro . Sutton Abbott acting as S . VV ., and Bro . J . Hall Brown acting as J . W . A dispensation was read , stating that the Prov . Grand Alaster , Bro . Lord Brooke , had been graciously pleased to accede to the request to increase the number to be initiated . Bros . A . J . Smith , VV . Morison , S . l- ' ortescue , H . J . VVoodington , and C . I'd Lewis

were raised to thc Third Degree . Bros . G . J . Reed , G . T . Bagnell , Wm . Stevens , and T . Smith were passed to the Second Degree . The following gentlemen were initiated : Messrs . J . R . Carter , E . Loeb , R . II . 'Tongue , VV . G . 'Tomlinson , J . R . Friend , C . E . Berry , S . J . Cray , VV . Gower , I . Cutler , and G . II . Pizey , jun . It was unanimously

resolved to present Bro . 11 . fr " . Inman Hallows with a Past Master ' s jewel , in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered to the lodge as founder and acting I . P . M . It was also unanimousl y resolved that the lodge should devote 400 guineas to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution , thus acquiring 600 votes in perpetuity . Several gentlemen

Provincial Meetings.

having been proposed for initiation , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall . The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The W . AL proposed the toastof "The Initiates , " each of whom responded with exceedingly good taste . The Tyler ' s toast closed a most successful and happy meeting .

GA TESHEAD-ON-TYNE . Industry Lodge ( No . 48 ) . —The installation meeting of this old-established lodge was held at the Alasonic Hall , on Alonday , the 2 Sth ult ., when Bro . Alark R . Wright , S . W ., was installed W . M . by the retiring Master , Bro . Win . Richardson . 'The charges subsequent to the installation were delivered by Bro . W . Brown , P . M .

There was a full Board of Past Alasters . Amongst those present were Bros . VV . Richardson , W . M . ; Wm . Brown , P . AI . ; R . B . Reed , P . AL , P . P . G . T . ; M . Corbitt , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Whitfield , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; J . G . Smith , P . AL , P . P . S . G . D . ; VV . AL Pybus , P . AL , P . P . G . R . ; E . Shewbrooks , P . AL ; Wm . Dalrymple , P . M . ; T . Purvis , W . AL 4 S 1 ; T . R . Short , P . M . 424 ; G . A . Allan ,

P . AI . 991 ; T . A . Moffitt , P . M . 424 ; R . Stewart , J . W . 424 ; R . IT . Holmes , S . VV . 1 G 7 6 ; Geo . Wilson , I . P . M . 541 ; T . Wright , S . W . 1342 ; J . G . Hammond , P . M . 4 S 1 ; E . VV . Middlemast , P . AI . 991 ; J . A . Armstrong , W . M . \ 6 _ 4-, and T . R . Jobson , I . P . M . 16 G 4 ; and others . Thefollowingofficerswereinvested : Bros . Wm . Richardson , I . P . AI . ; VV . J . Jobson , S . W . ; Geo . Craighill , J . W . ; Al . Corbitt , P . AL , Treas . ; Rev . VV . Bowker , Chap . ; VV .

Stafford , Sec . ; A . Dodds , S . D . ; R . Bagnall , J . D . ; H . Jackson , I . G . ; Jas . Douglas and W . Campbell , Stwds . ; K . Terry , Org . ; and J . Curry , Tyler . An interesting feature of the proceedings was the presentation and dedication ol a banner by Bro . R . B . Reed , P . AL , P . P . G . T ., sent as a token of fraternal greeting from a brother in the East to his brethren in the VVest , as a

recognition of kindly interest in the welfare of this ancient lodge . It may not here be out of place to mention that the munificent donor , Bro . jeejeebhoy Nowrojee , was initiated in Lodge 4 S on 2 Sth November , 1 SS 7 , by the VVorshipful Alaster , Bro . E . Shewbrooks . He received the Three Degrees in this lodge , and before he left England for the East , he took the Mark Degree in Industry

Alark Lodge . Bro . Nowrojee is of a good Parsee family , well connected in the silk-spinning trade in India . On two previous occasions he has shown his fraternal feeling towards his mother lodge by sending a Christinas cake , also a pair of handsome Indian inlaid salvers . The banner has been made in Bombay , and has a groundwork of silver grey silk . In the centre is interwoven the emblem of the lodge

—a beehive—irradiated by the sun in coloured silks of various shades . Near the top is a scroll worked in pink silk , bordered with chenille , bearing the words , in bullion gold : " Lodge of Industry , 4 S . " At the bottom is a corresponding scroll , similarly worked , bearing the word , " Gateshead , " underneath whicli is the following "Enrolled 1735 . Presented by Bro . Jeejeebhoy Nowrojee , T ' adiwalle . " The border surrounding the banner is

made of crimson narrow velvet , decorated with silver worked flowers . The banner is hung , too and bottom , on ebony rollers with silver ends . Through the kindness of Bro . VVilliam Brown , P . AL , and other officers of the lodge , an oak standard with brass fittings fixed into an ornamental cast-iron socket , surmounted b y a gilded spearhead , has been made for its use , when required . The lodge

is now in possession of four banners , two with its former number ( 5 6 ) on them ; one , about the date 1 SG 4 , with No . 4 S ; and the acquisition now received . Bro . Reed , in unfurling the gift , spoke in very feeling terms of the donor , and of the kindly relationship between Parsees and Freemasonry in general . On the proposition of Bro . R . Whitfield , P . AL , it was agreed that the thanks of the members of the lodge should be engrossed , and forwarded to Bro .

leejeebhoy Nowrojee , as a memento of the goodwill of his Western colleagues . The proceedings closed after the VV AI . received the congratulations of the visitors . The annual festival was afterwards held at the Half Aloon Hotel , when between Co and 70 brethren sat down to a capital dinner provided by Bro . T . Pearson . The VV . AI . presided , and the usual Alasonic toast list and excellent harmony completed an enjoyable evening ' s entertainment .

HAMPTON COURT . Hemming Lodge ( No . 1512 ) . —This influential lodge met for the dispatch of business at the Greyhound Hotel , on the iSth ult . Amongst those present were Bros . VV . Fisher , P . AL S 34 , W . AL ; J . Smith , S . W . ; J . VV . Clarke , J . W . ; J . C . Jessett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . j Capt . T . C . Walls , P . P . G . W ., Sec ;

Robinson , S . D . ; Trotter , J . D . ; Hopkins , I . G . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., D . C ; G . J . Tagg , A . D . C ; Cioninand C . Wheatley , Stwds . ; VV . Spearing , P . AL , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Eales , P . M . ; E . Clarke , P . AL ; A . F . Scholding , I . P . AI . Amongst the visitors were Bros . Glass , P . G . Std . Br . Jersey ; Fisk , VV . AI . 1733 ; and Pearson , 10 G . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , Bros . Clark and Greet were duly passed to the Second Degree . The resignations of Bros . Chilcott and Connell were received with great regret . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . II . Wheatly , P . AL , P . A . G . D . C , Steward ; T . VV . Ockenden , P . AL , P . P . G . D . ; R . Kent , W . Hill , A . Alacchi , and others . The news of the recent death of Bro . VVilliam Ihimmoml ,

P . M ., P . P . G . D ., a founder and first Alaster of the lodge , was received by those old members who knew him with great regret . 'The lodge was then closed , and the VV . AI . being compelled to leave , his place was ably taken at the banquet

table by Bro . A . F . Scholding , I . P . AI . Bro . W . Spearing responded on behalf of "Thc Provincial Grand Oilicers , " and Bros . Glass , Fisk and Pearson for " The Visitors . " During the proceedings several of the members entertained the brethren , notably Bro . Greet , who recited most powerfully and ably .

YORK . VOl'k Lodge ( No . 236 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic llall , Duncombe-place , on the 21 st ult ., the W . M ., Bro . E . W . Purnell , presiding , supported by his officers and Bros . G . Balmford , P . M . ; C . AL Forbes , P . AL ; VV . Draper , P . M . j H . Foster , P . M . j and T . S . Brogden , P . AI . 'The visitors were Bros . P . Pearson , i - , and J . VV . Wakefield , 1157 , Egypt .

Provincial Meetings.

The minutes of the last regular lodge having been read and conlirmed , the Worshipful Alaster said that no doubt it would be in the memory of most of the brethren present that since the last regular lodge he had had the pleasure and privilege of representing the lodge as Steward at the Jubilee Festival of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution and he felt that after the kind manner in which the lod ge ' the chapter , and individual brethren had supported him '

he ought to give them some account of his Stewardshi p ' He would claim tlieir indulgence whilst he rapidly reviewed the origin of the Institution . The idea seemed to have first occurred to a reverend brother in the year 1 S 31 , and two lodges viz , the Bank of Iingland Lodge and the Neptune Lodge , with sonic individual brethren , supported the project with more or less energy , but , unlike its elder sister Institutions , it did not find immediate favour with Grand Lod ge .

This was perhaps in some measure due to circumstances because , the Girls , and Boys , Institutions had been furthered respectively by the " Alodern " Masons and the " Antient" Masons , and on their amalgamation , became by natural sequence the Institutions of United Grand Lod ge . However , considerable opposition was evidenced towards thisyounger scheme , and the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , was amongst those who discountenanced the idea

the principal reason against it being that it would tend to pauperise the Order . However , in iS 36 _ Bro . Crucefix , P . J . G . D ., took the matter most firmly in hand , and in 1837 Grand Lodge seemed to have been induced to pass a resolution recommending the idea to the favourable consideration of the lodges , and funds no doubt began to be collected . However , whilst this asylum branch was struggling for existence , Grand Lodge in 1 S 42 established

the fund for giving annuities to aged Freemasons , and five years later , in 1 S 47 , extended that principle by forming another fund for widows of Freemasons . In this interim the friends ofthe Asylum had not been idle , and in iS 50 \ vere ready with their Institution , and then came the uniting of these three funds under the present title . In 1 S 51 , the first Festival was held under the presidency of the late Earl of Zetland , which of course has special interest

for York Masons , as he was the father of the present Provincial Grand Alaster . lt would be observed that York Alasons did not date their existence from this Festival , but from the first fund recognised by Grand Lodge in 1 S 42 . The VV . M . next touched upon the recent Festival which he described as " the crowning success of Alasonry , ] ' and representing a total subscription of £ 03 , 000 , which was the largest sum ever contributed towards Charity at one

meeting by any association in the world , lt was £ 12 , 000 more than was given at the Girls' Festival , and from £ 20 , 000 to £ 30 , 000 more than has ever been given outside Freemasonry . About 14 S 0 Stewards were present . The sum of £ 63 taken up by himself was well above the average . What was going to be done with all this money ? Well , previous to this Festival the Institution had on its books 1 S 0 aged Freemasons , each receiving £ 40 per year ; 230 widows ,

each receiving £ 32 per year ; and 20 widows of Freemasons who were receiving £ 20 per year , being half what theii husbands who had been recipients had been having . This gave a total of 430 recipients from the fund , and the next election gave 32 vacancies , with 139 applicants . This Festival would enable 40 more vacancies to be created , 20 male and 20 female , and get 72 out of the 139 applicants on the Charity—a most satisfactory result .

The W . AL next described the brilliant scene which lie witnessed at the Festival in Covent Garden Theatre , and he appealed to the brethren to support Bro . Terry in thc matter . Bro . Jos . Todd , P . AL , P . P . S . G . W ., Treas ,, remarked that it was indeed satisfactory that the large sum of money had been raised as described by the VV . AI ., and he moved a vote of thanks to all who had contributed ,

especially to the W . M . and Bros . Brogden , I . P . M ., and A . Jones , J . VV . Bro . frorbes , P . AL , seconded , and the motion was cordially adopted . On the motion of Uro . Todd , seconded by the W . AL , a vote of thanks was passei ) to Bro . Hughan , who had made the lodge several valuable presents . After some other business the lodge was closed .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Covent Garden Chapter ( No . 161 + ) . —The regular convocation of this chapter was held on the 1701 ult . at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , S . W ., when there were present Comps . J . Coltart , AI . E . Z . ; F . Kedge , H . i S . Hewett , I . P . Z ., acting as J . j C . O . Burgess , Ireas . 1 Geo . ReynoldsS . E . j VV . HancockS . N . ; G . Coleman ,

, , P . S . ; C W . Frommholz , Stwd . ; VV . J . Thrussell , acting as Org . ; R . Potter , Janitor ; j . Grieve , J . S . Blyth . U H . Foan , G . A . Bcrgholz , J . B . Grieves , E . J acobs , A . ¦• Bullen , J . Woodward , J . VV . Elvin , W . Hoggins , W . _¦ Faulks , and others . Visitor : Comp . W . Kedge , 177 . The minutes of the last convocation were read and

confirmed , and Comp . John Skinner , who was unable to »» present at the last meeting through illness , was instaiie into the chair of J . A ballot was taken for Bro . " ¦ »• Faulks , 1 G 14 , for exaltation , and , being unanimous , i "' brother was exalted into Royal Arch Alasonry . A " ° tlce ltic motion was given by Comp . S . Hewett , LP . / . — ' '" % .,., MIOIIUII was £ iv _ u vj \*\ j , „ i ,. _ . ^ iYiu , ....... -rlal'S 1

meetings of this chapter take place on the fourth '"" f , ! . in the months of Alarch , June , and October , instead oi * third 'Thursdays . " This was to meet the wishes of seic companions who cannot always attend on the third y day , and who are anxious to bring several brethren ml chapter . Letters were read from several compam

regretting their absence . . . j . the chapter was then closed , and the companions ^ journed to an excellent repast , provided by Bros-Berlin ! and A . Audenal . . v £ r ) 'The usual toasts were given by the Al . l ' _- % . -fhe happy vein , and Comp . VV . Kedge , in replying ' % ¦ a , lcJ Visitor , " regretted he was the only one . He was'uu ^ ^ not only with the work of the chapter -from the i » . ¦ ¦ ' the Janitor—but with the thoroughgood feehnjf and nai ^ existing among the companions . He had haa . j pleasant evening , and he wished the chapter cu ,

SUCCeSS . rnrcClI 111 . ' The Janitor ' s toast having been given , the pron . were brought to a close . DONCASTER . ___ St . Magdalen Chapter ( N " ;^'* inciting of this chapter was held on frnday . t " . -- cft . te in the AIa _ onic Rooms , Nether I _ ! ' -r . ad , when tin-