Mark Masonry.

In reply to this toast , Bro . Wade in particular , made a most interesting speech , and contrasted favourably the working of the Mother Country with that of Australia . He said that he had received the Royal Arch Degree , quite recently , at Croydon , and the Mark that day , both ceremonies were excellently well performed . He had seen the Craft working since he had been in England , and he had seen nothing like it in Australia . He had to thank their Secretary for introducing him into the Arch and Mark Degrees , and he regretted that he should be unable to remain in England to take other Degrees . Bro . Austin acknowledged the toast of " The Visitors . "

The Health of the Past Masters was coupled with the names of Bros . Forge , Davis , Higgins , and Bonney , the first-named being the recipient of a Past Master's jewel . All the speakers regretted the absence , through illness , of Bro . Gaorge Everett , P . M ., P . S . G . D . During the evening the W . M ., Bros . Bailey , P . M ., and Lardner , P . M ., entertained the brethren .

Florence Nightingale Lodge , No . 706 . The gallant captain of the " La Marguerite , " and late of the " Royal Sovereign , " Bro . George F . Fishenden , hiving completed his year of office as Master of the above grand old lodge , handed the management of it over on Friday , the 24 th ult ., to his successor , Bro . F . S . Thomas , S . VV ., and W . M . elect , and took his place on the left of the chair with the " Hearty good wishes" and congratulation of its members , and a goodly array of visitors from far and near .

The lodge is held at the Royal Mortar Hotel , Beresford-square , Woolwich , and was opened by Bro . Fishenden at 5 p . m . The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , and Bro . Phillips , late of No . 700 , having been elected a joining member , Bro . F . G . Nichols , P . M ., and Sec , at the request of the W . M ., assumed the chair as Installing Officer , and in due course Bro . Thomas was installed , proclaimed , and saluted . He invested his olficers as follows : Bros . G . F . Fishenden , I . P . M . ; E . Lonergan , S . W . ; H . G . Mason , J . W . ; Rev . C . Swainson , Chap . ; A . Burnett ,

P . M ., Treas . ; F . G . Nichols , P . M ., Sec ; E . Wood , S . D . ; D . G . Jelley , J . D . ; H . L . Bernays , P . M ., D . C ; L . F . Webber , I . G . ; E . G . Kimber , A . D . C ; and E . M . Foster , E . W . Jelley , and C . VV . Scantlebury , Stwds . Bro . Nichols then gave the addresses in that clear and able manner for which he is so noted , and concluded a perfect and impressive ceremony . Bro . G . Fishenden was presented with a handsome Past Master's jewel , " as a mark of the brethren's esteem and for valuable services rendered the lodge during his year of office , " for which he returned his warmest thanks .

Bro . Nichols was tendered a hearty vote . of thanks— " the same to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge " —for which he thanked the brethren , and then the lodge was closed .

The banquet was partaken of at the Royal Mortar , and was worthy of the name and fame of Bro . Hall , the esteemed proprietor . Among the other brethren present were Bros . H . Banister , C . A . Baker , E . Phillips , J . D . Wolverson , J . D . " Huddlestone , O . H . Kimber , W . A . Woollett , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . Eng . ; C . Jolly , P . M . and Sec . 21 S 4 , P . M . and Sec . 1472 , P . P . A . G . D . C . Essex ; W . H . Turton , W . M ., A . McOueen , S . W ., and H . Jacobs , J . W ., of 13 ; H . Pammant , W . M ., W . Long , J . W ., and H . Tuffnell , P . M ., of 700 ; J . O . Cook , W . M ., J . J . Murphy , S . W ., and W . H . Lewis , of 913 ; F . Reed , W . M ., A . Hill , S . W ., and A . Simmonds , J . W ., of 153 G ; B . Dyer , W . M ., and J . Wheatley , S . W ., of 3399 ; Capt . F . J . Down , P . M . Military ; A . J . Call , P . M . 59 ; R . II . Stempson , P . M . 39 ; A . C . Huddart , J . D . 15 ; and others .

The W . M . gave the usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts in neat and effective speeches . Bro . Capt . Woollett briefly responded for the toast of " The Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The I . P . M ., Bro . Fishenden , then rose to propose the toast of " The W . M . " He said that he was about to undertake a task which , while it afforded him a great deal of pleasure , yet made him feel at the same time that he was unable to perform it in such a manner as he would like to , or which was adequate to its importance . It was to propose

the toast of their W . M . They would agree with him that they had a brother in the chair of their old and honoured lodge , who was fully qualified to uphold and maintain its unsullied prestige amongst the lodges of the Metropolis , and who was a man and a Mason in every sense of the word , and one who would look after the interest of the lodge in every-way . He thought that perhaps thc advice he gave Bro . Thomas some 12 months ago had decided that brother in accepting the position he now occupied . At that time Bro . Thomas came to him and said he did not think he should go on because he was a little deaf and that would militate against a perfect performance of the duties

of Master . But he told Bro . Thomas that as he had gone so far as the S . W . 's chair the brethren of the Florence Nightingale Lodge would be delighted to help him and render him any assistance he might require , and now that their W . M . had accepted and been installed into the chair of K . S ., he was proud to see him there , and felt sure that he would do his duty in such a manner as would stamp him as one of the best Masters the lodge had ever had , and that at the close of his year of office the Past Masters and brethren would be right glad that Bro . Thomas had been the W . M . for the year 1898-99 .

Bro . Fishenden was repeatedly applauded for the hearty eloquence that characterised his stirring speech . Bro . Thomas , who was received with cheers , said it was quite true that he had great diffidence in accepting the position of W . M . in that good old lodge , because of a deafness in the right ear , but the brethren had kindly said " We will help you in your

endeavours , " and that had given him confidence . He could assure them that nothing should be wanting on his part to ensure the progress and prosperity of the lodge , and as the Past Master had received the hearty support of the brethren while in the chair , he trusted that heatty and generous support would be extended to him during his year of ofiice .

Bro . G . Fishenden , in reply to a hearty reception of "The Past Masters , " thanked the W . M . for coupling his name with so important a toast . They would all remember that when he was elected W . M . he told them that he was unable to fulfil that which he was expected , and partly promised to do , but during the time he was in the chair he had endeavoured to keep up the best traditions of the Florence Nightingale Lodge , and they had , as they promised him at his installation , " taken the will for the deed . " He was not conceited enough to think that it was through any merit of his own ,

but he was proud to say that the lodge had been a little more prosperous during his y : ar than it had been for some time past . He had Masonry at heart , and whatever he had done had been for the benefit of the lodge . He took that opportunity of thanking the oflicers of the lodge who had so ably assisted him during his year of office . He especially thanked Bro . Past Master Nichols for his splendid support and assistance . Before he accepted the office of W . M ., he went to Bro . Nichols and told him that he did not feel able to undertake the high office offered him , and Bid . Nicho ' s said—* ' Look

Mark Masonry.

here , old man , you go on and every brother of the lodge will do their best for you . He thanked Bro . Nichols for that advice , and hoped his successor would receive the same hearty support and assistance he had received from every brother of the lodge . Bro . Dr . H . Bernays said he was the oldest Past Master of the lodge , and endorsed every word that had been said by their I . P . M . with regard to the many services rendered the lodge by Bro . Nichols , who was always willing to do any work the brethren required of him . Bro . Nichols , who is immensely popular , also briefly returned thanks , and said he was quite overwhelmed with the warmth of his reception .

Bros . Jolly , Turton , Pammant , Cook , and Reed , responded for " The Visitors , " and " The Officers" and Tyler's toast concluded the proceedings of a pleasant and memorable meeting . Bros . H . G . Mason , Capt . Fishenden , and C Jolly , contributed songs and recitations . The two former are glorious singers , and were heartily applauded for their efforls .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

Black Prince Preceptory , No . 146 . The installation meeting was held in the Masonic Hall , Canterbury—one of the most perfect buildings of its kind in the country—on the 17 th ult . The visitors—Sir Knights Dr . F . Lawrence , P . G . Herald ; J . Read , P . A . G . D . C ; Henry Lovegrove , P . G . C . of Guards ; and Major E . W . Stillwell—were received by the E . P ., and conducted to stalls .

After the confirmation of the minutes , the E . P ., Sir Knight Sibert Saunders , requested Sir Knight Horatio Ward to perform the ceremony of installation , and Sir Knight John Dimsdale was duly installed and saluted . Sir Knights H . M . Biggleston , Rev . A . Jackson , G . Wilks , Mus . Bac , and Stephen Horsley were appointed to office , and Sir Knight Col . H . Tritton Sarkey was again appointed Registrar . The veteran Sir Knight R . J . Emmerson was too unwell to attend . An excellent banquet at the Royal Fountain Hotel followed .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The monthly meeting of the Council was held on Friday ,-the 24 th ult ., Bro . Richard Eve , in the chair , supported amongst others by Bros . Russell , Glass , Strachan , Tobias , Philippe , Valeriani , Imray , Saunders , Rule , Beale , and McLeod , Secretary . The list of candidates for the October election was closed , there being 20 cases brought forward , and 25 new cases accepted , besides one for a vacant East Lancashire Presentation . One case was rejected as ineligible and two deferred for completion . It was reported that there were 26 vacancies to be filled at the election from 45 candidates .

It was resolved to make a further investment of about ^ 38 , 000 , and a vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs . Fenn and Crosthwaite for their continued kindness in making these investments free of charge . On the report of the Centenary Festival , a letter from Sir Francis Knollys , on behalf of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , expressing gratification with all the arrangements and at the result achieved was read , and is appended to this report . Votes of thanks were passed to T . R . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the form which same should assume was left in the hands of the Board of Management .

A special vote of thanks and congratulation to the Secretary was also passed .

[ COPY ] " Marlborough House , Pall Mall , S . W . " My dear Sir , " 11 June , 1898 . " The Prince of Wales desires me to let you know that he was much pleased with the arrangements connected with the dinner last night . He thought

that they were all excellent and that they reflected the greatest credit on those who had the management of the Festival . " His Royal Highness considered the evening to have been a most successful one from every point of view . —Yours truly , ( Signed ) "FRANCIS KNOLLYS . " J . M . McLeod , Esq ., " Hon . Sec , Board of Stewards , R . M . I . B . Centenary Festival .

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COU1VTY,^_,—: — Z - — . ^^ - FOUNDED 1807 . SOREGENTST,W,&_FI_fcC_B.^^^ 14CORNHILL,E.C,LONDON.OFFICE. TheDistinoiiishmoFeatureofthisOfficeisTHERETURNSYSTEM. O O On Ordinary Insurances , under whicli Policyholders who liuvc been insured for Seven Yours mid who continue insured—whether under 1111 Anniiiil or Scpfennial Policy—become entitled to ; i RETURN OF 25 PER CENT . oMhe Premiums they hsivo puid during each Seven Years , provided 110 loss has arisen under their Polieies in thai Period . Insurances on Farming Slocks and on oilier than Ordinary Risks do not participate in the . Returns , nor are the Returns given on " . mounts whicli , being in excess of its own bohling , are not retained by tho OiYiee . Policies may be effected or transferred without any extra expenses . G . W . STEVENS , ] Mnt Secretaries . ¦ li . _ KAl Llrrc , J