Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

HAMPTON COURT . —Burdett Lodge ( No . j 293 ) . —This lodge met at the Mitre Hotel , Hampton Court , on Saturday , the 26 th nit ., when there were ¦ present- . —Bros . D . R . Still , W . M . ;' ¦ Colonel Burdett , P . M . and Prov . G . M . ; R . Wentwurth Little , P . M . and Treas ., Prov . G .

Scc . jH . Phythian , S . W . ; D . R . Pearse , P . M ., as J . W . ; H . G . Buss , Prov . G . Treas ., Sec . ; J . . Wiles , J . D . ; S . Rosenthal , P . Prov . G . W . J . W . Saunders , J . W . Berrie , R . Kotzenberg , W . Owen , D . BindofF , and E- Baxter , with several visitors , including : —Bros . J . Lewis

Thomas , P . M . 141 ; R . G Glover , P . M . 181 ; and S . Lazarus , P . M . The lodge having been opened , Bro . Wilkin was accepted as a joining member , after which the annual subscription was , pursuant to notice of motion , increased . Two brethren were proposed as joining members

and the lodge was then closed . A banquet followed , but after the loyal toasts , the usual routine was dispensed with , and the brethren went out to enjoy a charming evening on the banks of the river . POTTER ' BAR . —Acacia Lod ^ e ( No . 1300 ) . —

On Saturday , July 26 th , at the Railway Hotel , Potter ' s Bar , Middlesex , the regular meeting of this prosperous lodge was held . Punctually at the appointed time the lodge was opened b y Bro . Frederick Walters , Prov . G . S . of Middlesex , P . M . and Secretary . The W . M ., Bro . E . W .

Richardson , was detained in town by professional duties . The minutes of the previous lodge meeting were read and unanimously confirmed . The ballot was unanimous in favour of the admission of Captian J ohn Harnett Dodd ( in consequence of his going to sea long before the

next lodge meeting , his candidature was declared to be a case of real emergency , which enabled him to be initiated at this meeting ) . The long list of work was got through by the presiding officer , initiating each candidate separately into the several degrees . He commenced by

initiating Messrs . Henry Bryceson , John Bryceson , Abraham Gould , and Capt . John Harnett Dodd , into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry . He passed Bro . K . Jennings ( 907 ) Royal Albert Lodge , to the second degree ; and completed the day ' s work bv

raising Bro . J . J . Coltman to the sublime degree of a Master Mason . Tbe work was very carefully , impressively , and correctly done by the worth y Secretary , Bro . Frederick Walters , P . M . Bro . G . J . Waddington , S . D ., by letter resigned his office and membership of the lodge in

consequence of leaving for New Zealand . His resignation was accepted with very great and deep regret , as he is a popular and highly esteemed brother . The promotions which were made was the appointing Bros . C- A . Ferrier . Junior to Senior Deacon , and C . G . Rushworth .

from Inner Guard to Junior Deacon . 'Ihe new officers then appointed and invested with the collar and jewel of their office were Bros . H . J . Webster , I . G ., and W . Y . Laing , P . M ., Tyler . The following resolutions were duly made , and unanimously agreed to , namely—That the sum

of five guineas be taken from the lodge funds , to purchase a Past Masters' j « wel , to be presented to Bro . John Henry Button , I . P . M .. P . G . A . . D . C , Middlesex , for the efficient services rendered to this lodge during his year of office ; also that his name be returned to the Provincial Grand

Master , Bro . Col F . Burdett , as the member whom the lodge would like to see selected for higher honours in the province . The name of Bro . Frederick Walters , P . G . S ., Middlesex , P . M .. and Secretary , was ordered to be returned as tile member whom the lodge recommended and

would like to see receive Provincial Grand Lodge office in 1874 . Some gentlemen were proposed for initiation . The lodge was closed . There were present , besides those enumerated , Bros . G . W ; Schollar , S . W . R . Limpus , P . G . C ., J . W ; J . W . George . The visitors were Bros .

T . H . P . Moore , J . W . 907 ; 11 . Jennings . At the Provincial Grand Lodge ' of Middlesex , held on Thursday , 17 th July , the following members were honoured with appointments , viz ., Bros . John Henrv Button , I . P . M ., promoted from P . G . S . to

P . G . A . D . C . ; R . Limpus , P . G . O . ; and FredericK Walters , P . G . S . . MILLOM . —lyititwell Lodge ( No . 1390 ) . —The installation meeting , of this lodge was held in the Iodge-roQ , m , on | tb . e i ^ th iqst ., to instal Bro .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Thomas Dodgson , the W . M . elect and P . M . oa $ , as W . M . for the ensuing year . The chair was taken by Bro . R . Dodgson , the W . M . and P . G . S . B . Cumberland and Westmoreland , supported by the following officers and brethren : — Bro . T . Dod-son , S . W . ; J . Mills , J . W . ; Jas .

Meredith Leo , S . D . ; Postlethwaite , I . G ., W . Cook , S . S . ; W . Whiteside , J . S . ; J . Holloway Org . ; and J . T . Scott , Tyler ; John Case , P . G . J . West Lancashire , P . Z . and P . M . 99 ;; B . Pearson , P . M . 995 ; H . Waiting , W . Bradley , J . R . Beck John Barrow , P . M . 1353 . Amongst the visitors

were Bros . Henry Cook , P . P . G . S . W . Cumberland and Westmorland and P . M . 1021 , & c . ; Morgan , Chaplain 1318 ; W . Harrison , S . W . 995 ; Dr . Robinson , Sec . 995 ; John Hartley , 1398 and S . S . 99 ^ ; F . Best , J . D . 139 8 ; and Bro . Casson , P-J . D . and Org . 995 ; who ably

presided at the harmonium . The minutes of the last regular communication were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the second degree . Bro . Case presented Bro . T . Dodgson , the W . M . elect , who after promising adheience to the ancient charges and regulations , took the OB . of a W . M . elect . A board of Installed

Masters was formed , and the brethren below that rank having retired , Bro , T . Dodgson was duly installed in the chair of K . S . by the Installing Master , Bro . R . Dodgson , I . P . M ., which ceremony was performed in an exceedingly impressive and effective manner . The brethren

saluted the W . M . in the three several degrees , and the following officers were invested with their respective badges . —Bros . Mills , S . W . and Treas . ; Jas . Meredith , J . W . ; Jas . Postlethwite , Sec . ; W . Crook , S . D . ; H . M . Meakin , J . D . ; W . Whiteside , I . G . ; J . Holloway , Org . ; H .

Waiting , S . S . ; W . Bull , J . S . ; and J . T . Scott , Tyler . Bro . Pearson , J . and P . M . 995 , explained the jewel . The Installing Master addressed the Wardens , afterwards the brethren generally . The lodge was then resumed in the first degree . Communications were received from several

brethren , containing expressions of regret at not being able to be present at the installation . Hearty good wishes were given from lodges Nos . 86 , 119 , 281 , 1021 , 1353 , 1398 . The lodge was finally closed in due form , and with solemn prayer , at 3 . 45 p . m . The brethren , to the

number of about forty , afterwads sat down to an excellent banquet at the Station Hotel , provided by the host , Bro . Henry Waiting . Bro . R . Dodgson , Installing Master , acted as Director of Ceremonies . The W . M . gave thc following toasts , " The Queen and the rest of the Royal

Family . " " The Army , Navy , and Volunteer Forces , " responded to by Bro . Dr . Robinson ; " Tl . e Grand Lodge , Grand Master . Deputy Gand Master . " In giving the toast of " The Provincial Grand Lodge Officers , " the W . M . said he was personally acquainted with them all ,

and thc way in which the business was conducted . He need make no remarks about any particular officer , as they were all good , and he would couple the name of Bro . R . Dodgson , P . G . S . B ., Cumberland and Westmoreland , who responded , and said that Earl Bective , it was well-known , had always

discharged his d Jties with fervency andzeal . sohad the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Col . Whitwcll , M . P . ; he was a thorough good worker , and took g' eat interest in the Craft ; he was happy to hold an office under his management . Bro . Cook , P . Prov . G . S . W . also replied . Bro . Cook , P . Prov .

G . S . W . proposed " The newly installed W . M . " The W . M . said he was exceedingly flattered b y the kind manner in which Bro . Cook had spoken of him . He sincerely intended to do what that day hid been given in his charge , and he relied on his officers to help him to do do all he possibly

could for the good and great work of Freemasonry . Bro . Pearson , P . M . 995 , proposed "The Past Masters and Installing Master . " He said they did not often find a retiring W . M . capable of acting as Installing Master . Bro . Dodgson had performed his duty in such an efficient manner that the Lodge intended to present him with a jewel .

The W . M . then presented to Bro . Dodgson a handsome P . M . jewel , on behalf of the Lodge , in recognition of his Masonic zeal and excellent services rendered to the Lodge . Bro . R . Dodgson replied in a feeling manner , and thanked the brethren for their kind acknowledgement of his labours . He would still continue to do all he could for the Lodge and the Craft . He could

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

say the S . W . was always ready to further the interests of Freemasonry ; the J . W . was also a zealous Mason . He thanked the officers , who had all regularly attended to their duties . Bro . Case , P . M . 895 , proposed " The S . W ., J . W . and the Officers generally . " The S . W . and the J . W .

responded . "The Clergy" was proposed by Bro . Mills , S . W ., and responded to by Bro . Morgan , Chaplain 139 8 . "The Visitors" was proposed be the S . W ., and responded to by Bro . Cook . "The Host and Hostess , " and the Tyler ' s toast were then given , and the gathering broke up

to leave by the 7 . 15 . tram . LEICESTER . —Commercial Lodge ( No . 1391 ) . —The . annual picnic of this lodge took place on the 21 st inst ., at Belvoir Castle , the residence of the Duke of Rutland . The weather being serenely beautiful , a numerous party of

brethren and ladies assembled at the first-class waiting-room to proceed by the 9 . 20 . train to Melton , where carriages were provided to complete the journey , a distance of 15 miles . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . Halford , W . M ., the carrying out of the arrangements for the day ' s

enjoyment devolved upon Bro . J . B . Hall , I . P . M ., assisted by Bros . W . H . Chamberlain , Secretary ; J . S . Tomlin , and W . Tomlin , who admirably performed that duty . There were also present : —Bros . R . A . Barber , J . W . ; C . Wilkinson , T . Matts , B . Moore , A . Chamberlain , J .

Hunter , R . Waite , P . M . ; C . Gurden , J . W , Smith , J . Turner , G . K . Billings , Ewen , Odell , J . M . McAllister , and Kennedy , Fletcher Lodge , Birmingham . Amongst the ladies present were —the Misses Hall . Mrs . W . Chamberlain , Mrs . A .. Chamberlain , Miss Chamberlain , Mrs . W .

Tomlin , Mrs . J . S . lomlin , Mrs . Wilkinson , Mrs . Gurden , Mrs . Smith , Miss Parsons , Mrs . Turner and Aliss Turner , Misses Kemp , Miss Ewen , Mrs . Panter , Mrs . Odell , Mrs . Hunter , and Miss Hunter , and Mrs . McAllister . Much might be said of the drive from Melton through

that celebrated hunting district , but more especially from the heights beyond Waltham , where the first view is obtained of the extensive vale of Belvoir , so rich in many picturesque arid sylvan scenes , which cannot fail to improve the taste , gratify the curiosity , and increase the

knowledge of the visitor . The approaches to the castle are in keeping with its general chaiacter , and the views from the park are the best calculated to strike the stranger with a sense of its imposing majesty and feudal magnificence , for from these spots the massive towers and wide

battlements stand haughtily torth in the upper air , and are environed with large forest trees . The entrance hall is a lofty apartment of oblong shape , fitted up in the ancient baronial style , and containing within recesses in the walls at a considerable hei ght above the floor , figures in

complete armour , the size of which corrects the mistaken impression that the men of old were of greater stature than those of modern times . The Regent ' s Gallery , a ' magnificent and princely apartment , is ornamented in compartments by some beautiful tapestry representing the most

prominent scenes in Don Quixote . The furniture throughout the principal rooms is of the most costly description , and many works of art and family portraits by the most celebrated masters , decorate the walls . The library has a very neat . and unique appearance , and the

collection of books is large , including many rare and choice works . The chapel is fitted up with great taste and neatness , the altar-piece being a valuable painting by Murillo . A visit to the mausoleum , approached by an over arching grove of fine yew trees , ]] and the beautiful gardens ,

completed the tour of inspection , under the guidance of Bro . Ingram , a gentleman whose high attainments and benevolence of character , have deservedl y placed him in a hi gh position of trust with the noble duke , and secured to him the respect and esteem of all who enjoy the

pleasure of his acquaintance . As a souvenir of the visit , Bro . Johnson , P . M ., succeeded in producing two excellent photos of the party , artistically arranged in social groups , the castle forming the background in one of them . Great

credit is due to the committee for the completeness of the arrangements for the comfort and enjoyment of the party , and to the host of the Peacock Hotel for the bountiful and agreeable manner in which the cuisine was supplied .