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Bro . Brownrigg said / or the kindlv way in which the Master had proposed ^ the toast he returned his best thanks . The Master had reminded him of the flight of time . He could hardly realise that it was 15 years ago since he had helped to found this lodge . And the Empire Lodge had had no little to do with a change of public opinion . He then said that he felt strongly on the question of the integrity of the British Empire , and he had been told that there was a very thin sheet of blotting piper between patriotism and politics . That , however , was 15 years ago , and the temper of the British Empire was no longer political , but patriotic , and he hoped that this lodge had done something towards making that patriotic which before had been onlv political .

Bro . Lennox Browne then rose and said that , being in possession of the gavel , it might besupposed that he was going to propose the health of the W . M . j but that was not the case . He had permission to interpose a toast . They did not happen to have a representative of a sister Grand Lodge present , but as a Colonial lodge they had representatives from several of the Colonies . Their much-loved Bro . Brownrigg had talked about that sheet of blotting paper , but for once he forgot that day before , in 1 SS 6 , at the Colonial Exhibition , his Royal Highness instilling into them that the watchwords 0 ? Freemasonry were loyalty and benevolence ; they were bound by obedience to the

Sovereign and the laws as well as to the Great Architect . Bro . Richards had ceded his right to reply for the Grand Officers , because he . ( the speaker ) had slid that he wanted to say something that would touch him rather nearly , and he was going to ask the brethren [ o allow him to speak of loyalty before Masonry . That lodge wa composed of members of a great many districts , and had been able to do somethingtowards the advancement of the Masonic empire , ft had been his good fortune to assist in the formation of the Grand Ledge of New Zealand , and had now been informed that he had been made S . G . W . of that Grand Lodge . They had present that evening a large

number of brethren from that district where the thoughts and the hearts and theanieietv of all of them were now turning at that time . He had the permission of the I . P . M . when in the chair to make a donation when Bro . Sir Walter Peace came in 1 S 97 . Sir Walter Peace was present with them now . Sir Walter was Agent-Genera ! of Natal , the first Colony of the crown in the reign of her Gracious Majesty ; and he was present , not in response to that trifling gift , but because he ( Bro . Browne ) had asked him to come , because he felt that the Empire Lodge wanted to do something for their loyal friends in the

Colonies . And he was not imposing on the good nature of Bro . Richards , that he would let him mention Natal and Sir Walter Peace before Freemasonry in connection with the Empire . But when they came to the other Colonies ( which just at present were not Colonies of the Empire ) they . had an overwhelming representation . They had Bro . Richards , the District Grand Master of the Transvaal . They hid Bro . Hendon , a Past Master of this lodge ; they had Bro . Pearson , P . G . W . of the Transvaal . They had hoped to have had Bro . Fricken , a P . M . of the lodge in Johannesburg . Now Natal stood not only as a loyal Colony but as a Colony that had given its blood and wealth for the cause they were all thinking so much about . But they had then present

representatives of the Transvaal as loyal to the Queen as any of the loyal Colonies . He would not forestall anything but he would hint that Bro . Richards hid something to siy respecting the loyal Masonic brethren of the Transvaal . That had been an evening of short speeches but he could not have said in fewer words what he wanted to say . Bro . Lennox Browne concluded by proposing " The Health of their Colonial guests , coupled with the names of Bros . Peace and Richards , " for whom he asked the attention of the brethren in speaking of those loyal Colonial Masons who had b ; en influenced in what they had done by their duties to their God , their country , and their love of their neighbour .

Bro . Sir Walter Peace , on rising to return thanks , said he could not hide from himself that at a time when everybody ' s thoughts were turned towarits Ladysmith , Bro . Lennox Browne had a strong temptation to refer to the subject of the present war , and it was not unnatural that he should call upon him ( Sir Walter ) to respond . Bro . Browne had spoken of the loyalty of the Colonists . Loyalty was not a thing you could create in the absence of justice . It was a plant of slo ™ growth among those who had not the advantage of being born under the British ( lag . But though its growth was slow , it was found in South Africa—among black men bv the million and among white men

by hundreds of thousands—that the impress of the British character had made itself felt , and wherever the British flag waved the whole family of mankind was benefited . Colonial benevolence was that practical benevolence which helped people to help themselves . And in connection with that little colony— " Britannia ' s picanny , " as it was called by the poetess—it was noteworthy that there was a small community of only about 50 , 000 to 60 , 000 white people living in peace and contentm : nt and happiness and prosperity in the midst of three-quarters of a million of black men , and yet from the day in 1 S 43 when Natal was added to the British domin ons , there had not been one

shot fired by the forces of the Crown on the inhabitants of that Colony . The distinguished brethren who was to follow him would be able to tell them everything which did not come within his ( the speaker ' s ) province to mention . For himself , he would say that he never was so proud of being an Englishman , and especially of being a representative of Natal , as he was at that moment , 7 'hank God the spirit of our fathers was with us yet , and at last the process of welding together had begun , and the petty diverger . cies and hatreds and falsities of party politics were swept to the winds , and the

nation was rising as one man to do this good work . He had said on a previous occasion , and it was worth repeating , that but for the sorrows and sufferings that had come into English homes and the homes in Natal , he should rejoice with all his heart that this war had taken place . Otherwise the spread of civilisation and Christianity , which alone could make South Africa that which its natural resources fitted it to become , would have been stopped for all time . Whatever the result of the present terrific struggle near Ladysmith might be the result must be lhat British power was going to finish the work , and there should no longer be a remnant of Boer tyranny in South Africa .

Bro . Richards said that Bro . Sir Walter Peace had in his speech dealt with the patriotic side of the blotting paper , and he ( Bro , Richards ) would , therefore , confine his remarks to the Masonic side . First , he thanked them for the manner in which the toast had been proposed ar . d received . He went on to say that this evening was one of exceptional p leasure . He had been privileged to meet again G . Officers who had been a > sedated with him in Masonic work in the Transvaal . He had also been present at the initiation of two gentlemen whom he had known in their very early diys in South Afiica . He congratulated them , and trusted that they would follow in the foutstepsof

their father . Turning to the subject of the war , he said lhat there was scarcely a home lhat had not suffered by it . There were many homes in the Coloniesin the Cape and Natal and the Transvaal who had lost those never to return . And we , said he , have to mourn the loss of one ol the most brilliant Natal colonists , a gentlemen who was loyal as a gentleman could be , who was upright as a Freemason could be , and a gcod colonist . ; in all capacities he did hi > duty to the Queen and the Craft and the Empire . When the dream of united empire began he was called away in a manner foreshadowed by a twilightand the evening reds , and after that the

, Uaik . He has left behind not only in Natal , but in every Colony in South Africa , a memory . Bro . Richards said he must now touch on a subject dear to his heart . There had been a great amount of distress among the Masons ot the Transvaal . A number of them had been driven from their homes , having hid to leave behind them all that they possessed—home and household goods—fleeing with wives and children , and going without knowing where to find relief . The colonisls of Natal and the Cape had given noble assistance : but there were many among the brethren who were verv

reticent of their distress , people who had been in very comfortable circumstances , and able to maintain their position , now four . d themselves in the unfortunate position of being compelled to accept relief from their more fortunate neighbours . The brethren in the Colony had already assisted them , and he had hoped they could have worried throug h without coming to the English brethren . He had ventured to send a circular to the lodges asking if they had anything left to spare to remember their brethren of the Transvaal District . He now appealed to the brethren of the Empire Lodge , and whatever they were pleased to give would be thankfully received and properly applied . He

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had been told that he had left his appeal to the lodges till it was almost too late ; but he had faith in Masonic Charity that it never failed at times of need . About South Africa they had waited many years for what they believed was now coming . The Colonists had offered their means and their lives to build it up . He looked upon the Transvaal as being as much her Majesty ' s dominion as the Cape or Nital . Nothing would be allowed to intervene until the flag of the constitution waved over that State , never to be hauled down again .

Bro . Lennox Browne then rose to give notice of a motion for next meeting that a sum of £ 20 out of the lodge funds should be applied to Bro . R ' chards ' s fund and thit a sum of 10 guineas should be voted to the Natal Volunteer Fund . The warrant being on the table he proposed tint they should mike this vote effective at once , and that he , as Treasurer , should be authorised to write those cheques forthwith . The motion was seconded by a Canadian member of the lodge , 'i he brethren , he said , had heard of the Canadians going out to the Transvaal . ( Applause ) The

Canadians felt that the Transvaal , Natal , and Cape Colony were , just as much as Canada , parts of the soil in which they were born , and they were bound to go and help . Bro . Peace : Thanks brethren for " the donation . The Natal Volinteer War Fund reaches many classes which could not come under any fund that had been raised , and especially that class which had been referred to who were too delicate of feeling to ask for themselves . But this donation from the brethren would not go to them as charity , but as a substantive expressions of the desire of the English to bear their portion of the white man ' s burden which had fallen too heavily upon their Colonists .

Bro . Lionel Cooke , I . P . M ., then proposed " The Health of the W . M . " In doing which he said that in the past Bro . Sefton Mayors had done excellent work in every position he had held . From what they had seen of his present work in his address to his officers they could judge what his future work would be . It was said that it should be the ambition of a Master not only to equal but to surpass the work of his predecessors . He had so endeavoured himself and he believed that their present Master would do the same .

The W . M . having replied , proceeded to propose "The Health of the candidates , Bros . Sydney and Lister Rothschild , " and included Bro . Sirdir Singh , who hid been initiated at a meeting not followed by a banquet . The candidates severally responded , and the remnningtoistswVich included " The Installing Officer and Past Masters , " "The Visitors , " " The Treasurer , Secretary , and other Officers of the Lodge , " were duly proposed and honoured , after which the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .-

The musical arrangements were under the management of Bro . Herminn Klein , P . G . O ., the vocalists being Miss Edith Clegg , Miss Liliin Courteniy , and Bro . F . Deutsch , J . W . There was also a pianoforte solo by Bro . Schrinberger , the netvlyappointed Organist of the lodge . The following were among the brethren present : Bros . Strachim , Grand Reg J . C . Wilkinson , Dep . G . Reg . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap . ; W . T . Kentish , P . G . Std . Br . ; Lennox Browne , P . D . G . D . C . ; E . G . Smith , D . G . D . C . ; Hermann Klein ,

P . G . Org . j Sir Walter Peace , K . C . M . G ., Agent-General for Nitil ; Geo . Richirds , Dist . G . M . Transvaal ; J . W . Parsons , P . D . S . G . W . Transvaal ; Duff Miller , Agent-General for New Brunswick ; W . Clifford , 24 SS ; John Valentine , 454 ; C . G . S . Whitford , 2195 ; Lionel Harris , P . M . 24 SS ; Joseph Barnicot , S 59 ; H . S . Hirrir , 569 ; H . VV . Russell , P . M . 194 ; Daniel Mayer , 27 S 9 and 59 ; Calkin Lewis , P . M . 231 ; W . W . Read , 2502 ; J . F . Chambers , 17 ( 7 ; R . M . Minton , W . M . 2 G 3 ; E . C . Harris , Alfred White , and F . Cliffe .

St . Mark ' s College Lodge , No . 2157 . At the instillation meeting of this lodge , held at the Holborn Restaurant on the igtH ult ., there was a full attendince of members and many visitors . Bro . W . T . Thompson , B . A ., W . M ., had the pleasure of installinf Bro . Joseph Parry as his successor , and he rendered the ceremony in a very praiseworthy minner . Amongst

the members present were Bros . W . T . Thompson , B . A ., W . M . ; Joseph Pirry , S . W H . R . Elkin , J . W . ; Rev . C . J . Smith , M . A . ; Rev . J . H . Smith , B . A ., P . M ., Treas ' . ; T . * Simpson , Sec . ; L . H . Walker , J . O'Connell , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; j . Eisterbrook ) P . M . ; and many others . The large number of visitors included Bros . Ho . ve , P . P G . Reg . Surrey ; J . R . Cleave , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; H . W . Clemow , P . P . G . D . ; Jamieson , Lee , and others .

After formal business , Bro . Peck wis raised to the Third Degree . A do . iitioa wis voted to a distressed brother and also to the Daily ' Telegraph Fund . Notice of motion was given to vote 10 guineas to the R . M . B . L Bro . Joseph Parry wis next duly installed as W . M ., Bro . J . O'Connell , P . M ., acting as D . C . The officers invested were Bros . VV . T . Thompson , B . A ., [ . P . M . ; H . R . Elkin , S . W . ; Rev . C . J . Smith , MA , J . W . ; Rev . J . H . Smith , B . A ., P . M ., Treas .: T . Simpson , Sec . ; L . H . Walker S . D . ; R . West , J . D . ; F . J . Lovell , I . G . ; J . O'Connell , P . M ., D . of C .: G B

Fluke , Org . ; W . G . Mortlock and H . Mingham , Stwds . ; and Whitemin , Tyler . Bro . Thompson , I . P . M ., was the recipient if a hindsome Past Mister ' s jewel , for v / hich he made due acknowledgment . Lodge was closed , and a banquet was followed by the usual toists . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . W . T . Thompson , I . P . M . Many of their arrangements in Freemasonry were traditionil , but there was a very great deal to be said in favour of the tradition that gave the I . P . M . the duty of proposing this toast . The I . P . M . and W . M ., under ordinary circumstances had been

, brought up together in Freemasonry , and that had been the case with Bro . Parry and himself . He had known Bro . Parry for many years , and did not think they could find a better Mason , or one who had more admirably discharged his duties . A great deal of tact was needed in a W . M ., and this he possessed . The VV . M . had a difficulty in the language to struggle with , but his performncs thit evening wis a revelation to them . Bro . Parry could , therefore , be relied upon to continue the traditions of the P . Ms , and their excellent working .

Bro . Joseph Parry , W . M ., said he was exceedingly obliged to the I . P . M . and the brethren for their cordial reception . He felt he did not deserve one hilf of the I . P . M . ' s kind remarks . Although the I . P . M . had II ittercd him , he ( the W . M . ) would not give in to anybody in his anxiety to get on in Freemasonry . From the time thit Bro . Smith spoke to him about it he thought he should like to join and he had never regretted it . He hoped during his year to give all the brethren satisfaction and he would do the best he could for the lodge .

Bto . Streeter , P . M ., proposed "The Visitors , " for which Bro . Howe , P . P . G . Reg , Surrey , tesponded . He thanked the W . M . for his kind invite , for he had known Bro . Parry for a great number of years and was pleased to see him installed . * More particularly , they had been connected in a lodge of instruction at Red Hill . As the years passed by one's capacity for doing ceremonies did not become keener , and the W . M . commenced the study of Freemasonry far later in life thin most of them . They , therefore , admired the W . M . ' s courage in going through the various ollices up to his installation .

Bro . J . R . Cleave , P . P . G . D . Surrey , said he almost felt as if Ihe were going into one of his o . vn lodges , for he saw so many faces he knew in the Marcians Lodge . He admired the admirable working in the installation ceremony , which he thought could not be surpassed . He should like to make a suggestion . The Marcians and St . Matk's College Lodges were so much associated together that he thought between the two they might form a very nice little Royal Arch chapter . He threw out the suggestion ,

and trusted in course of time to see it realised . Bros . Clemow , Jamieson , and Cox also replied . Bro . W . T . Thompson , I . P . M ., replying to the toast of his health as "Installing Master , " said he had done his best . It was a moot point whether the distinguished position compensated for the difficulties one had to encounter . He had thoroughly enjoyed his year , but thought there was one mistake . They ought to give the VV . M . a

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, AMONG THE LEADING- BRANDS OP .C3:o:^3VE:E>j^csISJE: iAm;Blankenhorn's"SPORTSMAN"E ^A P ^ gfjf H ' ENJOYS A REPUTATION OP A QXJARTER-OF-A-CENTURY . U ^ JZLT ^ -J London 0 ffices-i 8 , CULLUM STREET , LONDON , E . C .