Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cambridgeshire.

A Charity jewel was presented to Bro . J . H . Foster . Charity jewel clasps were presented to Bros . Oliver Papworth , W . J . Armitage , and T . W . AIlsop . Upon the motion of the P . G . TREAS ., IO guineas were voted to the

Cambridgeshire Masonic Charity Association for current expenses , and io guineas to one or more of the Masonic Charities . Ten guineas were also voted to the Transvaal War Relief Fund , to be paid to the local fund at Wisbech , and five guineas were voted to the wife of a distressed brother who is abroad .

A vote of thanks was passed to the Mayor of Wisbech ( Mr . W . S . Collins , J . P . ) for the use of the Town Hall , and Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . The banquet took place at the Rose and Crown Hotel and was attended by 56 brethren . The Prov . Grand Master and his Deputy had to leave by the 8 . 27 train , and the chair was then taken by Bro . George Carrick , P . M . 809 ,

P . P . S . G . W . It was understood that there will be at least three Stewards for the Charities in 1900 , and no doubt each will be represented .

Consecration Of The Royal Warrant Holders' Lodge, No. 2789.

CONSECRATION OF THE ROYAL WARRANT HOLDERS' LODGE , No . 2789 .

The consecration of . the above new lodge took place at Freemasons ' Hall on Thursday , the 23 rd ult . The Consecrating Officer was the Grand Secretary , assisted by Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . W ., as S . W . ; Sir Terence O'Brien , K . C . M . G ., P . G . D ., as J . W . ; the Rev . Canon J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . C , as Chaplain ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C .

and J . A . Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C , as I . G . The Consecrating Officeri accompanied by the Grand Officers ,, having entered the lodge room in procession , took the chair , and appointed his officers , pro tern . The Grand

Secretary , with all due solemnity , in his usual impressive manner , so well known to those who have had the privilege of hearing him , consecrated the new lodge . Afterwards he installed the W . M . designate , Bro . Daniel Mayer , P . M . and W . M . 59 , as W . M . of the lodge .

The election of the Treasurer then took place ( a mere pro forma matter ) , Bro . Wm . Bellamy , P . M . 1627 , being elected by the members of the lodge . The W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . John

McPherson Campbell , P . M . 256 , as P . M . ; E . W . Stillwell , P . M . 1 , P . P . S . G . W . Sussex , S . W . ; Thos . Blewett Tipton , S . W . 2550 , J . W . ; Wm , Bellamy , P . M . 1627 , Treas . ; H . Tatton Sykes , P . M . 172 , Hon . Sec . ; Wm . Chas . Wise , D . C . 2730 , 173 , S . D . ; Joseph Gerson , J . W . 185 , J . D . ; Stanley F . Fitch , 1827 . I . G . ; W . M . Wilson , W . M . 2202 , D . of C . ; W .

Adlington , 59 , Org . ; and W . B . Pugh , P . M . 1624 , and T . B . Callard , 173 , Stewards . Bro . R . W . Edgley , P . M ., was elected Tyler by show of hands , and was invested by the W . M . The Consecrating Officer , the Grand Secretary , then delivered the three

addresses in a beautiful and masterly manner . A Committee consisting of W . M ., SW ., J . W ., Treasurer , and Bro . W , Pugh , W . Std ., was appointed to frame the by-laws . Several gentlemen were proposed as candidates for initiation , and many brothers as joining members . The lodge was closed by the W . M . in due form .

At the conclusion of a splendid banquet in the great hall , Freemasons ' Tavern , the following toasts were proposed , and received hearty recognition from the brethren : "The Queen and t e Craft , " ( "God save the Oueen" ); "The M . W . G . M ^ H . R . H . the Prince ol Wales" ( "God bless the Prince of Wales" ) ; and "The M W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Amherst , the R . W . Dep . G . M ., the Earl of \ . arwick , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

The toasts in general were given by the W . M . with commendable brevity . It was indeed a delightful , agreeable change for us ; we have so often to listen to such wearisome p latitudes , which are a trial to our patience , " tedious as a twice-told tale vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man . " Bro . Canon BROWNRIGG , in a few sensible , well-chosen words , responded for the Grand Officers . He said the brethren must acknowledge that this evening was a fair example of what the Grand Officers could do . He thanked the brethren on their and his behalf .

The W . M . said he claimed the indulgence of the brethren . He had now to perform a duty which he should have done in lodge , that of presenting a Founder's jewel to Bro . Edwd . Letchworth , F . S . A ., the Grand Secretary , as a memento of this auspicious occasion ; at the same time , he trusted that the G . Secretary and the Assistant Consecrating Officers would accept the honorary membership of the lodge . As a souvenir to the

rest of the G . Officers present , the lodge offered each of them a pretty little silver flower vase , with stand . On the vase was engraven the date of the consecration of the Royal Warrant Holders Lodge , No . 2789 , The W . M . also said a vote of thanks to the Consecrating Officers would be entered on the minutes of the next regular lodge meeting . He then gave the toast of "The Consecrating Officers . " Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , G . Sec , who replied very briefly , said how

delighted his assistant officers , joined with himself , were to add a new lodge to the still increasing roll . In glowing terms he proposed " The Health of the W . M . " He traced his Masonic career , and spoke of him as a munificent supporter of the Masonic Charities ; that at the Centenary of the Boys' School he had given £ 1200 , and , furthermore , had contributed £ 300 to another of the Charities . This he ( Bro . Letchworth ) said was a record that Bro . Daniel Mayer might well congratulate himself upon—a shining example to the brethren generally .

The W . M . replied that he could only heartily thank the brethren of the lodge and the numerous visitors . He , indeed , thought it a high honour to be the first W . M , of the Royal Warrant Holders Lodge . " The Visitors " was next submitted , to which Bro . ALFRED SALMON ,

W . M . 141 , responded . - The W . M . announced that the " whip round " among the brethren had amounted to £ 15 . With the consent of the Treasurer he proposed that £ 10 should be added from the lodge funds to make the total £ 25 , which should be sent to the War Fund ;

Consecration Of The Royal Warrant Holders' Lodge, No. 2789.

The Treasurer heartily consented on the part of the lodge and himself to the admirable suggestion of the W . M . Bros . T . B . TIPTON , J . W ., and WM . BELLAMY , Treas ., replied for " The Officers . " The W . M . ., in giving "The Secretary , " said how valuable his aid had been , and how confidently he relied on its future continuance .

The SECRETARY replied , saying he had certainly much work to do , in forming the lodge , but it had been a pleasure . The W . M . might rely on his earnest willing service on behalf of the lodge . The Tyler ' s toast brought this successful evening to a close . Bro . F . Valentine Goddard ably officiated as toast master .

We noticed , in addition to the Consecrating Officers , these members of Grand Lodge : Bros . Hermann Klein , P . G . Org . ; H . A . Tobias , P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Stephens , P . D . G . D . C . ; G . Richards , Dist . G . M . Transvaal ; T . A . Bullock , P . G . Std , Br . ; W . H . Cummings , G . Org . ; Wm . Ganz , P . G . Org . ; Kuhe , P . G . Org . ; C . Martin , P . A . G . D . C . ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; the Press ( represented by Bro . Prof . F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . 45 ); and many other visitors whose names nunc perscrebere long tun est .

Ladies' Banquet At The Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 73.

LADIES' BANQUET AT THE MOUNT LEBANON LODGE , No . 73 .

On the evening of Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., a ladies' banquet was given at the Bridge House Hotel , London , by the Mount Lebanon Lodge , the first that has been given in the history of the lodge . There were some 80 members and their ladies present , and a most enjoyable evening was spent . At the conclusion of the repast , which was admirably served in Bro . Callingham ' s able and thorough style , the W . M ., ( Bro . Frank Jennings ) proposed the usual loyal toasts , after which a somewhat lengthy programme was given , with the assistance , as manager , of Bro . Thomas Tofts , 1446 .

Bro . F . E . WRIGLEY , I . P . M ., proposed the toast of " The Worshipful Master , Past Masters , and Officers of the Lodge . " The W . M ., having replied , afterwards proposed the toast of " The Visitors . " In the course of his remarks he expressed a hope that a " ladies' night " might henceforth be considered as one of the annual events of the lodge . This expression was much applauded . Bro . ARTHUR S . J ENNINGS replied on behalf of the ladies , and Bro . AUSTIN , P . M . 1425 , on behalf of the visiting brothers .

The entertainment which followed commenced with a humorous part song , " The Menu , " by the Lyric Vocal Quartette . This original and most amusing song was given with excellent effect , and was greatly enjoyed . The laughter and applause it evoked served to put the whole company in an excellent humour , a feeling that was well maintained until the close of the entertainment . Bro . Horace Reynolds sang "A Bedouin Love

Song ; " and this was followed by a comic song by Mr . Will Webster , who gave "The Motion of the Hand" very cleverly . Mrs . Buxton Brown then sang " The Letter Song , " from " Rip Van Winkle , " in a most artistic manner . The rendering was most acceptable and made it clear that this lady is a vocalist of great power as well as complete training . A violin solo by Mr . R . F . Smith and the glee , " Haste , ye Solt Gales , " by the Lyric Quartette , followed . Then Mrs .

Frank Jennings sang Hatton s " The Enchantress . " The long and continued applause which followed clearly indicated that the company keenly appreciated the beautifully finished manner in which this delightful song was rendered . "Stars of the Summer Night " was given by Bro . Etherington Smith , and " The Gay Hussar" by Bro . Charles Strong . Miss Dixon , the daughter of Bro . Dr . Dixon , P . M ., sang very nicely " Kathleen Mavourneen . "

At the conclusion of the entertainment , the W . M . and his wife took personal leave of the company individually , placing themselves at the head of the grand staircase for that purpose . They received many hearty congratulations on the completeness of the arrangements and the emphatic success of the evening ' s entertainment . Early in the evening a magnificent shower bouquet of La France roses , lily of the valley , and smilax leaves , was presented by the Committee to the wife of the W . M .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Clapton Lodge , No . 1365 . This well-known lodge met at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool-street , E . C , on iCth ult ., when there were present Bros . T . T . Getting , W . M . ; F . Orfeur , S . W . ; F . J . Thayre , P . M ., J . W . ; W . Blackburn , ( P . M ., Treas . ; W . D . Church , P . M ., Sec ; G . Schilling , S . D .: C . R . Campbell , J . D . ; R . B . Chessum , D . C . ; E . Scudamore White , Org . ; H . J . Dyer and A . W . Diamond , Stwds . ; Arthur H . Church . P . M . ; D . Campbell , P . M . ; W . Finch , P . M . ; A . Tucker , P . M . ; C . E . Luker ,

P . M . ; F . C . Lintott , P . M . j J . E . Wall , S . Shead , C . Sienesi , F . Thurston , E . Bowler , W . Cathrow , H . Bowen , F . Pearse , C . Storey , F . E . Zosrs , E . Horley , J . Dolmin , W . Seaton , E . Sienesi , F . Moore , D . G . Zoers , I . H . Shipmin , H . B . Spirrow , and H . Martin , P . M ., Tyler . Visitors : Bros . G . J . C . Taylor , 1541 ; Thos . Gray , 1642 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . The minutes of the last meeting having been read , the W . M ., Bro . G : thing , raised Bros . Shead and Thurston , and afterwards passed Bros . Wall and Pears :. The working of the ritual was—as it is always in the Clapton Lodge—well done . The

Secretary , Bro . W . D . Church , P . M ., stated that since the list meeting the lodge hid sustained a great loss through the rather sudden djith of their esteemed I . P . M , lira . W . Banks , who was at business three days before he died . He , therefore , took upon himself , in the name of the lodge , to send a letter of condolence to the widow , and a wreath to the funeral . In eloquent and pathetic terms ths W . M . and Bro . W . Finch , P . M ., also referred to the death of Bro . Binks , and it was unanimously resolved that

the action of the Secretary be endorsed . After other business the lodge was closed , and a choice banquet followed . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , Bro . W . D . Church , P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., Bro . Gething . " He said they had had a taste of the W . M . 's working tut evening , which wis very satisfactory . He had been an excellent Mason in the p 1 st , and , it it ware possible , would be a better one in the future . They wire all proud of him , anl wished him every success while he was in the chair .

The toast was enthusiastically received , as was Bro . Gething , W . M ., 0 . 1 rising to respond . He thanked Bro . Church for his kind words , but Slid he did n > t desjrve them . He felt he had not given them sati if action that evening in hiswjrkin ^ of the ritual , but he hoped to do better on the next occasion . In giving " The Visitors , " the W . M ., on bihalf of the lodge , tendered th .-m a hearty welcome , remarking that th ; y were always happy to hive plenty of visitors . Bro . G . J . C . Taylor responded , observing thit it had been his privilege to attend