Consecration Of The Wandle Lodge, No. 2699.

musical performance before them he would be presumptuous were he to say one word morj than was absolutely necessary to convey the warmest thanks of the Consecrating Officer f ir the cordial reception given the toast proposed in such kind terms by the W . M . It had g iven them all the greatest possible

pleasure to be present to ass st in starting into existence this new lodge . They were grateful for the high compliment paid them in electing them honorary members . They would always take the greatest interest in its welfare and wished the founders one and all every possible success in its career , which they felt assured would be a prosperous one .

"The Health of the W . M . " was given by the acting I . P . M . who remarked lhat it gave him unbounded pleasure to propose the toast . He had known the W . M . commerc i ally and Masonically for many yaars and had always found him to be a true sincere brother who would carry out his duties to the letter . He was quite sure the lodge had a b-ight future before it under such a splendid worker as Bro . Baker , who had belonged to several lodees , and lodges of inslruclion .

Bro . H . BAKER , P . M ., W . M ., said it was with deep feelings of pleasure that he responded to the least so very kindly proposed and received . It was proveibial in the S . W . district that the acting I . P . M . was one of the kindest and most charitable of Masons , and that had been evidenced by his flattering proposal of the toast . He had been told that , having accepted the position of first W . M . of the lodge , he had bscome its "father , " and he could assure them that in his paternal breast would always reside an anxiety for the good welfare of the lodge .

The W . M . next submitted "The Visitors , giving them all a cordial welcome , and coupling with it the name of the W . M . of the Wandsworth Lodge , which recommended the petition . Bro . J . STRONG W M . 1044 . having returned thanks , said he was sure that in the W . M . the Wandle Lodge would have an excellent ruler . He had known Bro . Baker in the lodge of instruction for many years , and Bro .

Baker had that eveivng taken one of his own Past Masters to act as I . P . M . one whom they all loved . In starting the Wandle Lodge he was sure there was but one intention—to further the interests of those principles they had at heart—brotherly love , relief , and trulh . There was a population of 55 , 000 in the neig hbourhood , and the Wandsworth Lodge had drifted , for some reasons , to Battersea , so that they heartily welcomed the Wandle Lodge , and wished it every prosperity .

"The Officers" was duly honoured , the Tyler ' s toast concluding the proceedings . The musical arrangements were well carried out by Bro . Herbert Schartau , P . P . G . Org ., assisted by Bros . J . Josey , W . Fell , Walbourn , and Budge , and Miss Marie Hooton and Miss Edith Budge .

Consecration Of The Foster Gough Lodge, No. 2706.

CONSECRATION OF THE FOSTER GOUGH LODGE , No . 2706 .

The formation of a Masonic lodge as a memorial of the late Bro . Col . Poster Gough , whose services to the Province of Staffordshire both as D . P . G . M ., 1885 , and as P . G . M . from April , 18 S 9 , to the time of his death in February , 1892 , and to the Craft in general for many years are held in grateful remembrance , is a notable event in the annals of Freemasonry in Staffordshire . The new lodge which enjoys this hsnourable distinction was consecrated at Stafford on the 25 th ult ., in the presence of a large and

influential body of Freemasons , who had come together from all parts of the province to do honour to the occasion . The lodge ranks as No . 270 C on the roll of Grand Lodge . Its membership will be confined to Installed Masters , and it is in this respect unique as far as the Province of Staff jrdshire is concerned . In point of fact , there are only two other such lodges in England—vz ., at Hull and Newcastle-on-Tyne , and the Staffordshire Lodge will form a record as to number , there being no less than 102 founders .

It will be remembered by Masonic readers that at the last meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge , at Lichfield , an informal meeting was held , and a small committee appointed to convene a meetingof Installed Masters with a view to consider the proposal which has now been carried to a successful issue . It was thought that considerable advantage to the best interests of Freemasonry in Staffordshire would follow from a periodical meeting of the

Installed Masters , giving opportunities for a free interchange of opinion on all points of Masonic ritual and practice which was supplied by no existing organisation . The proposal was further considered at a specially-convened meeting held at Stafford in October , when it was unanimously decided that a lodge should be formed under the title of the Foster Gough Lodge . It was known to those who were more closely associated with Bro . Colonel Gough in his Masonic work , that had he lived , a Iodge of this kind would

have been established some years ago , and therefore it may well be supposed that no memorial would have b ; en more after his own heart than this . The desire of the founders was that if possible the lodge should meet alternately at Stafford , Stoke , and Wolverhampton . It appears , however , that a moveable lodge does not come within the scheme of the Baokof Constitutions , and the venue will therefore be Staff jrd . Special dispensations will , it is hoped , enable meetings to bs hsid in the other centres .

The principal officers designated in the warrant are Bros , the Earl of Dartmouth , Prov . G . M ., W . M . designate ; Liei . t .-Col . Bindley , P . G . D . Eng ., Dep . Prov . G . M ., acting I . P . M . ; J . Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., P . P . S . G . W ., S . W . designate ; and J . Pepper , P . P . S . G W .. J . W . designate . Theotherfirst officers are Bros . Lieut .-Col . G . Walton Walker , P M S 26 P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . P . S G . W ., Chaplain ; Dr . C . A . Newnham ,

P M . 526 . P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Treas ., 'treasurer ; James 1 . Marson , I . P . M . 726 , Prov . G . Stwd ., Secretary ; Geo . C . Kent , P . M . 546 . A . G . D C . E . g ., P . P . A . G . Sec , S . D . ; M . Barker , P . M . 1792 , P . P . S . G . W ., J . D . ; E . V . Grraibatch , P . M . 414 P . P . S . G . W ., DC ; Thos . Taylor , P . M . 2149 , P . P . S . G . W ., Organist ; Geo . Vaughan , P . M . 419 , P . P . J . G . W ., I . G . ; ] . B . A-hwell , P . M . 637 . P . P . S . G . W ., Thos . E . Lowe , LP . M . 419 , and Jos . NewmanP . M . KWP . P . J . G . W ., Stwds . ; and G . Hebbert , Tyler .

, , The ceremony of consecration was conouded hy Bro . Edward l . etchworh , F . S . A , G . Sec , who was assisted by the folViving Grand Lodge O . Ticers : Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . W ., asS . W . ; j . IL M ltihews , President Board of General Purposes , as J . W ; the Ven . Archdeacon Stevens , P . G . C , as Chaolain ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D , as D . C ; and R . C Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br ., as I . G .

Visit Of Bro. Lord Onslow, P.G.M. Surrey, To Croydon.

VISIT OF BRO . LORD ONSLOW , P . G . M . SURREY , TO CROYDON .

DINNER GIVEN BY THE MAYOR OF CROYDON ,

BRO . S . G . EDRIDGE , J . P ., P . M . 1556 , P . P . G . W . A dinner was given on the 16 th ult ., at the Town Hall , Croydon , by Bro . Sidney G . Edridge , J . P ., P . M . 1556 , P . P . G . W . Surrey ( Mayor of Croydon ) , to meet the Prov . G . M . of Surrey , Bro . the Earl of Onslow , G . C . M . G . Among the brethren present were Jlros . F . West , D . P . G . M . ; E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; Dr . Strong , P . G . A . D . C ; Harrison , P . M . 99 and 810 , P . P . G . W . West Yorks , P . G . Stwd . ; W . G . Fenn , P . M . 1556 , P . P . G ' . D ., G . Stwd . ; Dr . H . G . Thompson .

P . M . 1556 , P . G . W . ; Alfred Lambert , P . M . and Sec . 1556 , P . P . G . W . ; John Chumley , P . M . 1556 , P . P . G . D . ; Dr . Parsons Smith , P . M . 1556 , P . P . G . D . ; J . M . Newnham , LL . D ., P . M . 1556 ; A . Young Hyland , I . P . M . 1556 ; Dr . J . T . Adams , P . M . gz ; Dr . Nicholls , P . M . 463 , P . P . G . D . ; J . S . Streeter , P . M . 463 , P . P . G . D . ; Layton A . Richardson , P . M . 157 ; S . L . Lymer , J . P . ; E . W . Grimwade , J . . ; E . Maudesley , and several others . On the arrival of the Provincial Grand Master , the Provincial Grand Officers conducted him to the reception room , when

The MAYOR announced that , by desire of the Provincial Grand Master , he wished to formally invest the newly-appointed Prov . Grand Warden , Bro . Alfred Lambert , with the collar of his office as P . P . S . G . W ., which was heartily received by the assembled brethren . This function over , dinner was announced , and the Provincial Grand Master was conducted to the banquet table by the Provincial Grand Officers present .

After the cloth was removed . The Mayor , Bro . S . G . EDRIUGE , P . P . G . W ., in proposing the toast of " The Grand Lodge of England , " said : We are honoured by the presence of thc Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for Surrey , the Earl of Onslow , G . C . M . G ., and also . of the Grand Secretary for England , To the latter I had sent a letter of invitation , and I feel very grateful and proud to see him here and in coupling the name of Bro . Letchworth with the toast .

In reply , Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , G . Sec , said that the toast of the Grand Oflicers had been so often replied to by him that it was almost impossible to surprise Ihem ; but they were always animated with a desire of assisting in the building up of the Order . In a few weeks his Royal Highness would create or disappoint many aspiring brethren , all eminently qualified . He thanked Bro . Edridge for his kind invitation , and was much pleased at being present on such an occasion .

The MAYOR next proposed " The Guest of the Evening , Bro . Lord Onslow . " lie said : It is a sincere , and no idle compliment to say that he had the high honour of presiding over a Province like that of Surrey , as well as offices in the county at large . He inherited a great name , and sustained the glory of it also in

attending to affairs at the India Oflice , and taking a prominent part in municipal affairs under this roof , in entertaining our Colonial visitors last summer . Lord Onslow had also filled great posts over the seas ; in fact , nothing could be added to the name he bears , and he ( the Mayor ) was glad in entertaining him in these municipal buildings during his year of office .

Bro . Lord ONSLOW , replying to the toast , said : Mr . Mayor , —If I were of higher rank than Alderman in this borough of Croydon , I could but thank you for the hearty manner in which I am always welcomed by my assiduous J . Ps ., the Brothers Edridge , and in their zeal for the interests of this borough . On my first visit to the Addiscombe Lodge , I conferred the collar of P . G . W . on the then Secretary . These collars are given on rare occasions , bsing extra collars for

special recognition , and his Royal Highness granted privileges , and I have bestowed it upon one who has deserved it , vi / .., Bro . Lambert , Secretary of the Addiscombe Lodge , as the guest of the Mayor in this hall . I have taken great interest in " the little village , " and trust that some day they may be both Mayors . Your name , sir , is well known and respected in Surrey , and many have sought

advice from your distinguished father , whose sons have supported the best traditions in this county of Surrey and of a great example—1 mean the Great Napoleon . ( Laughter . ) Sir , I envy you , and thank you for your hospitality , and thank two such illlustrious brethren who uphold the dignity of our Order in this county . ( Loud cheers . )

The MAYOR then proposed " The Provincial Grand Officers , " coupling with it the name of Bro . West , D . P . G . M . Bro . WKST , in responding , said : After the able addresses of the Provincial Grand Master and the Mayor , 1 feel that I can only respond for myself and the officer of Surrey ( Bro . Lambert ) , who , as Secretary of the Addiscombe Lodge , deserves what has been given to him . The kindness and support , never forgotten , given by the Addiscombe Lodge , on every occasion of appeal to our Charities ,

will , 1 am sure , be again accorded at the forthcoming Boys' Centenary Festiv . il , and I feel sure that the list brought up by the Stewards of the Addiscombe Lodge will not be the smallest in ( he Province oi Surrey . I thank you lor this excellent entertainment . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Lord ONSLOW then proposed "The Health ofthe Mayor of Croydon , ' and said that the Freemasons of Croydon owed a debt of gratitude to him for his grand hospitality that evening .

The MAVUK replied in suitable terms , and thanked his lordship for his kind remarks , and trusted that at the end of his year of office as Hiyor it would be found a record year of satisfaction to the borough , without fear or favour , and he trusted to leave it in prestige as he lound it . ( Cheers . ) The dinner was excellently served by Mr . Hopper , of George-street , Cioydon , and the tables were beautifully decorated with orchids and other very choice flowers . The wines were of the choicest description .

The musical arrangements were conducted by Bro . Stjvell , the attis ' . es b-i'ii , ' Miss Jessie Hotine , Miss Mary Lynne , Mr . Robert Dennant , and Mr . Upton , whose efforts were very highly appreciated , and led much to the success of the evening '

Loggia Italia, No. 2687.

LOGGIA ITALIA , No . 2687 .

Oration delivered by V . W . llro . the Rev . R . J . Suii'so . v , Past Grand Chap of England , at the consecration of the above lodge , held at thc Hotel Cecil , on Thursday , the 17 th ultimo : Worshipful Master , Wardens , and Brethren , —The Great Architect of the Universe , though living in a light as yet unapproachable , has placed us in a won

of comparative darkness , through which , however , we must had our way to ' ¦ final home of man , who was male in God's own image . But He has not for i " A His purpose left us without witness to Himself , His power , His wisdom , ana goodness , while the instinctive feeling ol every wise traveller on life's journey expressed in the brief , but beautiful , prayer of the father of our Grand M