Annual Festival Of The Brixton Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1949.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE BRIXTON LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1949 .

The first festival of this young- and prosperous lodge of instruction was held on Tuesday , the 23 rd ult ., at Bro . Monk's , the Prince Regent , Dulvvich-road , East Brixton , when a goodly number of the brethren sat down to an excellent dinner , served in good style , the viands being smoking hot and the staff of waiters very atlentive .

The Worshipful Master of the mother lodge , Bro . Hy . Lovcgrove , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx ., presided , and Bros . Harling , P . M ., and Hy . Stokes , as S . VV . and J . W . respectively , ably supported him . The following brethren , among others , were present : Bros . Thomas Poore , P . M ., and E . A . Francis , joint Preceptors of the lodge ; C . H . Phillips , Treas . ; H . M . Williams , Sec ; H . Hooper ,

R . W . Pooler , S . Richardson , R . Poore , W . H . Williams , P . M . ; W . Maitland , E . Bye , jun ., John Cotton , E . Newby , H . Durham , G . W . Knight , W . Cawley Letchford , Lee , Jones , and Wickes . On the cloth being removed the Worshiprul Master gave the usual loyal and : Craft toasts of "The M . W . G . M ., " "The Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Officers Present and Past . "

Bro . T . POORE , P . M ., in proposing " The Health of the W . M ., " stated how pleased he vvas to find the W . M . of the mother lodge in the chair that evening . Bro . LOVEGKOVE thanked the brethren for their good wishes . He hoped thc lodge of instruction would go on as it had begun . It had already done good service to the brethren of the neighbourhood .

Bro . THOS . POORE , P . M ., in responding to the toast of "The Preceptors " saidjthe honourslshould fall to Bro . E . A . Francis , who was the real Preceptor of the lodge . He ( Bro . Poore ) had promised to assist Bro . Francis whenever necessity compelled his absence , and had had great pleasure in doing so on one or two occasions . Bro . FRANCIS also thanked the brethren for coupling his

name vvith Bro . Poore as one of their Preceptors . He was proud of his connection with the lodge and so many of the brethren working with him so earnestly and well . He should continue to promote the prosperity of the lodge by devoting himself to its interests on all occasions . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER in proposing "The Health of the Treasurer , Bro . Phillips , and Bro . H . M . Williams ,

the Secretary , " warmly eulogised them for all their efforts in founding the lodge and carrying on their departments so successfully . The TREASURER and SECRETARY in responding thanked the W . M . for his too flattering remarks ; what they had done in the past vvas an earnest of what they desired to do in the future .

The other toasts were "The Visitors , " "Officers of the Evening , " "The Musical Brethren , " and "The Host , Bro . Monk , " all being suitably proposed and duly responded to . Several of the brethren displayed their musical talents , viz .: Bros . K . N . Johnstone , Lee , Poore , Monk , Cotton , and

Wickes , while Bro . Thomas Poore recited " The Beadle " b y Dickens , inimitably , and Bro . Lee gave " Look at the clock " in a most telling manner . Bro . S . . Williams , the Secretary , presided at the piano . The meeting closed with "Auld Jang syne , " after a a most pleasant evening .

Masonic Balls.

MASONIC BALLS .

MIZPAH LODGE , No . 1671 . This ball was held on the 2 Cth ult ., at Freemasons ' Tavern , and being the first this lodge has undertaken , great interest in its success was evinced by thc brethren ot the lodge . We cannot but congratulate the brethren on the great success they achieved in bringing together so large and

distinguished a company ; indeed , wc understand that they were unable to accommodate all their Masonic friends , very wisely preferring a comfortable meeting to a crush . Notwithstanding some consternation being caused by the nonappearance of the band at the appointed hour ( through their having gone to Cannon-street by mistake ) , the party commenced dancing to the tunes of the piano , at which

Bro . Bergmann kindly presided until the band arrived , when dancing commenced in good earnest and relieved a good many anxious feelings on the part of both ladies and gentlemen present . The supper vvas ably presided over by the W . M . of thelodge , Bro . R . A . Morgan , in the principal dining-room , and by Bro . H . H . Wells , S . VV ., in an additional room which had to be called into requisition owing to

the large number of visitors present . After the customary toast " The Oueen , Craft , Grand Master and Royal Family , " the W . M , rose to propose "The Health of the Visitors , " which was acknowledged by our well known Bro . Briggs , P . M . Carnarvon Lodge , in his usual excellent style . "The Health of the Ladies" was given by Bro . Henry White , i 67 i , and acknowledged by Bro . Geo . Lewis , S . D .

1671 . Bro . Bergmann then rose to propose the future continued succcssof the Mizpah ball , and taok the opportunity of coupling the name of the W . M . vvith the toasts , which was most enthusiastically received . The W . M . in returning thanks referred to the services rendered by the Stewards , and in proposing their healths coupled the name of Bro . Warden , j . W . 1671 , who had been acting as Secretary to

the Ball Committee , and to whose exertions the success of the evening vvas mainly attributable . This toast was received most enthusiastically . Bro . Warden having returned thanks , dancing was resumed and kept up until nearly six a . m ., when the company separated , congratulating each other on a happy night , and vvith the expressed intention of meeting again in 18 S 4 under ( if possible ) even

more favourable circumstances . We may say that we have seldom seen a more unanimous and harmonious company on a similar ocrasion , and we take the opportunity of wishing the Mizpah Lodge every success to their next venture , not doubting their lirst ball will have inaugurated a long scries ot trivially satisfactory and enjoyable gatherings . Great praise is due to Bro . Davvkins fur thc admirable arrangements .

GALLERY LODGE , No . uy : S . The second annual subscription ball in connection with the Gallery Lodge was held at Brixton Hall on Monday , and was attended by a considerable number of journalists and their lady friends , among the company being Bro . H . F . Bussey ( VV . M . ) , Miss Bussey , Mr . Armstrong , Miss E . Bussey , Bro . H . Massey ( I . P . M . ) , Mrs . Massey , Miss Massey , Miss A . Massey , Master Massey , Mrs . E . C .

Masonic Balls.

Massey , Miss G . Massey , Mr . Morn ' s , Mrs . Morris , Mrs . Darke , Bro . Minstrell ( S . W . ) , Mrs . Minstrell , Miss Wood , Bro . Wilson , Mr . R . H . Dunning , Bro . D . Moffat , Bro . McCallum , Mrs . McCallum , Mr . P ^ ullan , Mrs . Pullan , Bro . F . H . Gale , Mrs . Gale , Mr . Pottle , Mrs . Pottle , Miss Pottle , Bro . R . Chant , Bro . J . H . Smith , Mrs . Smith , Mr . S . H . Smith , Mr . J . Moore , jun ., Miss Moore , Mrs . Nesbitt , Mr .

A . Paul , Mrs . Paul , Bro . W . M . Duckworth , Treas . ; Mrs . Duckworth , Bro . Pardon ( S . D . ) , Mr . S . H . Pardon , Mr . E . S . Pardon , Miss Miller , Mr . S . G . Brealey , Bro . H . Wright ( W . S . ) , Mrs . Wright , Miss Wright , Bro . VV . T . Perkins , W . S . ( Hon . Sec . Ball Committee ) , Mrs . Perkins , Bro . W . Lucas , Mrs . Lucas , Mr . Atkinson , Bro . Seabrook , Mrs . Scabrook , Bro . J . C . Duckworth ( D . of C ) , Mrs . Duckworth , Mr . W . Brown , Mrs . Brown ( Watford ) , Bro .

Welsh , Mrs . Welsh , Mr . Cooper , Mrs . Harris , Mr . S . Pallant , Mrs . Hallett , Miss Bell , Mr . C . Edsall , Mrs . Edsall , Mrs . Blackburne , Mr . P . Hugh , Mr . T . Riach , and Mrs . Sibold . Mr . J . D . Shaw , Mr . Duff , and others were unable to be present in consequence of professional engagements . Bro . Sibold ' s City of London Band occupied the orchestra ,

and played an admirable selection of music . Supper vvas served by Mr . Griffiths at 12 o'clock , the chair being occupied by Bro . Bussey , W . M . The only toasts proposed were "The Queen , " "The Ladies and the Gallery Lodge Ball , " and " Bro . Perkins , the Secretary of the Ball Committee . " Dancing vvas continued until live o ' clock in the morning , and the ball vvas in every respect as successful as the one held last year .

BLAIR LODGE , No . S 15 , Hulme . The annual social party of the above lodge vvas held at the Town Hall , Hulmc , on Friday , the 12 th ult . Previous to the assembling of the guests the lodge was opened by Bro . E . Harris , W . M ., with a fair attendance of brethren , considering that many had to bring their ladies later on . The principal business of the lodge vvas the raising of Bro . J . E .

Moat , after which thc lodge was closed in peace and harmony . The officers then partook of a light tea to prepare them for their livelier duties soon to commence . Arrivals enabled dancing to commence in the large hall , which was very prettily decorated , at nine o'clock , and the plan adopted last year of sitting down to supper at pleasure from 10 to 12 o'clock was again managed , leaving those

remaining or those returning enjoyably entertained with humorous harmony by Mr , Harry Antonio , who gave some really good songs anel sketches . About 12 o ' clock dancing vvas resumed and kept up with great spirit till " Sir Roger de Covcrley " closed the programme . The lodge vvas represented by Bros . Harris , W . M ., and

Mrs . Harris ; W . K . Sowter , l . P . M . ; J . Shcldrick , S . VV ., and Mrs . Sheldrick ; J . F . Anderson , J . W . ; A . Bickley , Sec , and Mrs . Bickley ; J . St . P . Riley , S . D . ; VV . Fell , J . D ., and Mrs . Fell ; Bryce Blair , S . S ., and Mrs . Blair ; D . FoulUs , J . S ., and Mrs . and Miss Foulks ; H . VV . Riley , J . S . ; N . Rowley , Mrs . Rowley , two sons , and Mrs . Wilding ; S . C . Lowe , Mrs . and Miss Lowe ; VV . Kelly , and B . B . Binns .

Among the visiting company were Bros . R . Davis , P . M . Chorlton , and Mrs . Davis ; J . J . Lambert , S . VV . Chorlton , Mrs . and Miss Lambert ; j . E . Steward , P . M . 336 , Mrs . Steward , and Miss Poyntz ; Burslem , J . VV . 1496 , and Miss Rovle ; McGrath , VV . M . 14913 , and Miss McGrath ; Biggs , and Miss E . Royle ; W . Nicholl , P . M . 317 ; Mr . and Mrs . Kay ; Bros . Partington and Mrs . Partington ; Hy .

Cardwell ; Mr . Lovvenhampt ; Mrs . and two Misses Twiggej Mr . and Mrs . Peel ; Mr . Cawthorne and Miss Bayliss ; Mr . and Mrs . J . E . Greenwood ; Mr . Frith ; Air . and Mrs . J . Helsb y ; Mr . Tierman and lady ; Bros . Dr . Barrow , Mrs . and Miss Barrow ; J . Lawson , Mrs . Lavvson and two

sons ; Jno . Allison , Mrs . Allison , and two friends ; J . R . Blair and Mrs . Blair ; R . G . Walker and Mrs . Walker ; VV . B . Rogers and Mrs . Rogers ; Stanley , Mrs . Stanley , and Mrs . Thatcher ; Mr . VV . G . Mitchell , Mrs . Mitchell , Mr . F . V . Mitchell , and two Misses Mitchell ; Mr . Burney and Miss Morres .

PENGE LODGE , No . 1 S 15 , Anerley . The annual ball took place at the Vestry Hall , Anerley , on Friday week . There was a large gathering of Masons and their friends . The Masonic insignia blending with the delicate dresses worn by the ladies present and aided by the effective decorations of the room , consisting of shields painted by Bro . Williamsof Lodge 72 and floral

, , decorations formed a most pleasing spectacle . The band and an excellent programme of dance music under the direction of Bro . VV . Lloyd , M . C , Lodge 72 , and assisted by Bros . Harman and Barnard , contributed to a most agreeable evening , the dancing throughout being entered 11 WiLll ICitL

IIU ^ apillb . A capital supper was provided by Bro . Lassam , of thc Thicket Hotel , with h \ i usual success , after which the customary toasts were given by Bro . Bird , W . M ., a nd Bro . West , LP . M . The whole of the proceedings reflect much credit on Bro . Cox and his co-workers on the committee .

COMMERCIAL LODGE , No . 3 C 0 , GLASGOW . The members of this lodge held their annual festival in their hall in Hope-street on Friday , the 2 t > th ult . As they were honoured with the presence of a large number of lady friends dancing was commenced at once , and after " tripping the light fantastic " for a short time the brethren conducted their fair friends to the banqueting hall , which was

gaily festooned with bunting . When the company were all seated supper vvas placed on the table , after which the toast list vvas briefly gone through . The R . W . M ., Bro . Walter Neilson , proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts . Bro . Dawson , D . D . G . M . British Bunnah , proposed " The Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow , " which vvas responded to bv Bro . J . M . Oliver , P . M ., P . G . S . W . Glasgow .

The other toasts which were given and responded to very briefly were " The Ladies , " proposed by Bro . Brown , responded to by Bro . Pritty ; "The Guests , " proposed by Bro . A . D . Newlands , J . W ., responded to by Bro . I '' . VV . Larter ; "Commercial Lodge , " proposed by Bro . Stewart , responded by the K . W . M . ; and " The Committee , " proposed by Bro . J . M'Wilham , R . VV . M . 103 , responded to bv

Bro . VV . J . Donaldson , S . D . After supper the company returned to the dancing hall , where they spent a few hours in a very agreeable manner . Great care had been taken by the Worthy Secretary , Bro , M . Lofthouse , and the Festival Committee to make everyone feel at home , and their efforts were completely successful .

The Masonic Craft.

THE MASONIC CRAFT .

From thc Gloucester Journal , Jan . 20 th . Freemasonry has become a factor of great power in thc social economy of the comity of nations . It is a tree the branches of which spread over the habitable globe . Where is it unknown ? And it is also a great factor for its charities . Besides its Masonic Boys' and Girls' Schools , and the hospitals for indigent Masons and widows of Masonsand

, annuities outside thc hospitals , thc executive in the metropolis have for some years dispensed in gifts to poor and distressed brethren ten thousand pounds per annum , and still ask for more . The history of the craft in this city and county has yet to be written . Whether there be an affinity to the school of Masons which Professor Willis says vvas attached to our cathedral has to be shewn . The Masons' marks in'that fabric

are an interesting study , and have yet to be interpreted . Your columns some years ago contained an interesting correspondence , in which I took part , on the Mason ' s square over the door leading to the crypt . Who vvas John Govver ? Was he related to Peter Govver , " a Grecian , journeydde ffor kunnynge yn Egypte and in Syria . " Preston , in his history , labours to prove that Peter Gower vvas but a synonym for Pythagoras , and he lugs in by the

head and shoulders thc French pronunciation , Pythagorethat is Petagore . He shot wide of the mark . What means the young gentleman exercising himself in gymnastics hanging on the groin of the Mason ' s square , and what does the old man underneath signify with left arm uplifted , except hailing to the youngster above that when he is secure to give his poor anil distressed brother beneath a helping hand .

Thomas Howard , Duke of Norfolk , was Grand Master of the Order one hundred and fifty years ago . Later a descendant of his resided in the old mansion in the lower VVestgatc-street in this city , familiarly known as the " Old Spa . ' There is some misty record that his Grace , being a Mason , founded a lodge in an old hostelry adjoining his house , now known as the White Swan .

This is known , that the Duke of Beaufort , who was installed as Grand Master in the year 1767 , vvas very partial to tins city , and had his town residence here , and often attended the Royal Gloucester Lodge at the Bell Hotel . He had a faithful coadjutor in Brother Thomas Dunckerley , who was Provincial Grand Master for Gloucestershire and several other counties .

Thomas Dunckerley was so popular here that he was presented with his portrait in oil , and which , in a massive gold frame , so late as thc year 1 S 02 adorned the ball room of the Bell Hotel . But Masonry waned here , and Brother Thomas Dunckerley , who had a residence in the Isle of Wight , and was , moreover , Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire , removed the Royal Gloucester Lodge and its belontrinp-s to

Southampton , which lodge exists and flourishes in that town to this day . What of its records , and how many old Gloucester names may be found therein ? Later there was a Provincial Grand Lodge of Gloucestershire , which had its rise and fall . It was but the other day that Brother J . P . Wilton handed over to the Right Hon . Lord Sherborne and the present Provincial Grand Lodge the jewels and badges of the old Provincial Grand Lodge

which he had found among the effects of his father , who had held Provincial Grand Lodge rank . Not very long ago a brother passing in a wherry through the locks which connect our canal with the river found some Masonic emblems carved on the walls . It puzzled him . It vvas afterwards explained that the late Brother Shadrach Charleton , Sheriff and Mayor of the city , a captain in the South Gloucester Militia and secretarv of

the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal Company , had these emblems carved to immortalize the Craft . Later in this city Brother foseph Page , an uncle of Brother J . J . Powell , O . C ., leader of the Oxford Circuit , represented the old Lebanon Lodge . The lodge would have become defunct long before it did , but Brother Joseph Page held the warrant and paid the Grand Lodge dues , and locked up the furniture safely in a room and waited

patiently for better days . There vvas a young enthusiastic Mason in this city , Chailes Gilbert Ladkin by name , who acted as lieutenant to Joseph Page . Joseph Page vvas gathered to his fathers , and then to the delight of Brother Ladkin the Royal Lebanon Lodge vvas resuscitated , and of which he was its treasurer for some years . Poor Brother Ladkin succumbed to death after along and weary illness on Fridav last , and

he was interred at Hempstead churchyard yesterday . A few brethren out of respect to his memory attended the obsequies of the Nestor of Masonry in this city . Brother Richard Shilstone , a Past Master of the old Lebanon Lodge , was there . Brother H . Jeffs , Worshipful Master of the Zetland Lodge , presented a wreath on behalf of thc brethren over whom he presides , and there were also present Past Masters S . H . Hayivard , F . VV . Fisher , and E . G . Woodvvood

, and Brothers Portlock and W . C . Ferris . The brethren , in strewing sprigs of fir on the coflin , dM but perform a ceremony known amongst the Heathen as well as amongst Jewish and Christian communities . The Jews , as they returned from the grave , plucked grass and threw it behind them , fulfilling the words of the Paslmist , "They shall flourish out of the city like grass upon the earth . "

Durant tells us the ancient Christians after the funeral used to scatter flowers on the tomb ; and , says Shakespeare , " Our bridal How ' rs serve for a buried corse . " And so Brother Ladkin , who never spoke ill of another , and performed his functions as a good citizen , was not left without the remembrance of his hrethren at his funeral . He always had a good word for his neighbour , and vvas a faithfol friend . Peace to his ashes . —PAST MASTER .

1 he ceremony of cutting the lirst sod of the new dock at Newport , to cost , (' 400 , 000 , vvas performed on Tuesday by Uro . Sir George Elliot , Bart ., M . P ., R . W . G . M . South Wales ( E . Div . ) Sir George referred to thc fact that nine millions sterling is invested or authorised by-Parliament for docks on the Bristol Channel , and said when

Swansea , Cardiff , and Newport completed their contemplated docks the exporting power from Welsh coal fields , great as it already vvas , would be doubled . Geographically the position of Newport rendered it thc best in the kingdom for the export of steel and iron as well as for the importation of iron ore and timber .