The Empire Lodge, No. 2108.

VICTORIA—Bros . The Hon . Sir Win . J . Clarke , Bart ., District Grand Master Victoria ; The Hon . J . P . Bear , Kilwinning Lodge ( S C . ) ; N . J . Casey , P . M . Lmvrj Lodge 922 : The Hon . M . H . Davies , " Conibcrmerc Lodge 752 , Melbourne ; E . 1 . Dixon , P . M . ; William L . Jack , Australia Felix Lodge 474 ; F . Jacques Martin ; Reuben Sassoon , Sandridge Marine Lodge 7 OS ; lames Thomson , Australasia Lodge 492 ( S . C . ) ; H . E . Watts , York Lodge 2 S 7 .

WEST AUSTRALIA—Bro . The Hon . Hugh Malcolm Eraser , C . M . G ., Colonial Secretary and Executive Commissioner C . and I . E ., Ara Lodge ( I . C ) , Auckland , N . Z . OUEENSLAXD—Bros . Sir lames Cockle , late Chief Justice , J . W . Nine Muses Lodge 235 , l-. G S . : Sir J . F . Garrick . O . C , K . C . M . G ., . P . M . Brisbane Lodge ; Sir Arthur Hodgson , K . C . M . G ., Secretary of ' the Reception Committee C and I . E ., Shakespeare Lodge 2 S 4 . SOUTH AUSTRALIA—Bros . Samuel Deeringg Asst . Agent General : H . J . Scott , Chigwell Lodge 1243 . TASMANIA—Bro . T . W . Thomas , Hope Lodge 61 S , Launceston .

NEW ZEALAND—Bros . Sir Julius Yon Haast , K . C . M . G ., Commissioner in Charge of Exhibits C . and I E . ; P . L . Simmonds , F . R C . I ., Secretary to New Zealand Commissioners , P . M . Marquis of Dalhousie Lodge 1159 , 141 , 554 .

FIJI—Bros . I'he Hon . James L . Mason , C . M . G ., Executive Commissioner C . and I . E . ; Victor Williamson , C . M . G ., P . G . W . England . C . U'E OE GOOD Hoi'i ;—Bros . Sir Charles Alills , K . C . M . G ., Executive Commissioner C . and I . E . ; A . Bissett , Civil Commissioner C . and LE , and Resident Magistrate , P . M . St . Michael's Lodge , 255 ; Very Rev . C . VV . B . Clarke , Dean of Cape Town , P . M . Carnarvon Lodge 1735 , G . Chaplain VV . District Cape of Good Hope . NATAL—Bro . Joseph Bernard Brook , Goodwill Lodge 711 , Port Elizabeth .

EAST INDIES—Bros . Arthur M . Saunders , Dist . G . M . Madras ; Lieut-Col . Aubrey W . O . Saunders , Past Dist . G . M . Madras ; H . D . 'Sandeman ( Bengal ) , Past Dist . G . M . Bengal ; H . M . Bhownaggree ( Bombay ) , Commissioner for H . H . Thai- ur Sahib of Bhownugger , C . and I . E ., Rising Star of West India Lodge 342 ( S . C . ); j . K . R Cama ; M . D . Cama ( Bombay ); Major-Gen . Barnett Ford , P . G . W . Bengal ; Humphries Gill , P . M . St . George ' s Lodge 549 , Bombay , P . Dist . G . S . VV . ; George Hathorn , P . M . Serendib

Lodge 112 ( LC ) ( Colombo ) , P . P . G . S . W . Ceylon ( I . C ); Nowrojee Manod'jce ( Bombay ) , Rising Star Lodge 342 ; C Yethrajoolo Naidoo , John Miller Lodge 1906 , Madras ; Dadabhai Noroji , P . M . Marquis of Dalhousie Lodge 1159 ; John C ' Vlynn , P . M . Pitt Macdonald Lodge 119 S ; F . R . Saunders , (" oinr . of " Ceylon , eerendib Lodge 112 ( LC . ) ( Colombo ); | . " H . Thring , P . M . ; J . H . Thwaites ( Ceylon ) , P . M . Serendib Lodge 112 ( I . C . ) ( Colombo ) , Prov . G . J . W . Ceylon , & c , & c . ; Dr . Tyler , C . M . G ., St . David ' s in the East Lodge ; H . VVhitham ( Ceylon ) .

MAURITIUS—Bros . Henry J . Jourdain , C . M . G ., Hon . Commissioner C . and I . E ., Good Report Lodge 136 , and Huguenot Lodge 140 , P . M . Military Lodge 235 ( I . C ); John B . Kyshc , Military Lodge 235 ( I . C . ) STRAITS SETTLEMENTS—Bro . T . Braddell , C . M . G ., late Attorney-General . HONG KONG—Bro . H . E . Wodehouse , Hon . Commissioner C and I . E .

BRITISH BORNEO—Bro . VV . B . Pryer , President East Coast , & c , Tuscan Lodge 1027 , Shanghai , W . M . elect of Lodge at Elopura , N . Borneo . BRITISH GUIANA—Bro . C T . Winter , W . M . Union Lodge Demerara 247 , E . R . BARBADOES—Bros . C D . Da Costa , Hon . Comr C . and I . E ., Albion Lodge 19 C , Barbadoes ; T . VV . Carrington , Albion Lodge 196 , Barbadoes . BRITISH HONDURAS—Bro . Sir Robert Harley , Executive Commissioner C . and I . E .

WEST AERICA—Bro . John A . Payne , Lagos Lodge 1171 , West Africa . MALTA—Bros . Vincent Bol'g , Zetland Lodge 515 , Malta ; H . G . Cutugno , Sec . Malta Court C . and I . E ., Zetland Lodge 515 Malta . GRAND OFFICERS AND OTHER VISITORS OFTHE LODGE . —Bros . The Right Hon . The Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M . ; The Right Hon . Thc Fail of Lathom , Deputy G . M . ; His Grace The Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master for Ireland , P . G . W . England ; Sir Archibald Campbell , Bart ., Grand Master for Scotland ; His Grace The Duke of Manchester , K P ., Vice-Chairman Reception Committee C . and I . E ., G . M . Northants and

Hunts ; The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Prov . G . M . for Cornwall ; Gen . Brownrigg , C . B ., Prov G . M . for Surrey ; T . V . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Herts ; Sir John Monckton , P . G . W . ; D . P . Cama , G . Treas . ; Thomas Fenn , P . B . G . P . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; Samuel Pope , O . C ., S . G . D . ; Sir Charles Mutton Gregory , K . C . M . G ., Member of thc Reception ( ommittee C . and I . E ., P . G . D . ; Major-General Barnett Ford , P . G . D . ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; Ex-Sheriff Charles W . G . Mutton , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Joseph Parkinson , P . G . D . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D .:

Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; Alfred Meadows , P . G . D . ; J . M . P . Montagu , P . G . D ., Grand Supt . Dorset ; David Smith , M . P ., P . G . D . D . of C . j Magnus Ohren , V A . G . D . C ; Theodore Tilton , P . D . G . M ., 7 , District New York ity ; Sir James Fergusson , Bart , G . C . S . I ., K . C . M . G ., Member of the Reception Committee C . and I E . ; Gerard Ford , P . M . ( larencc Lodge , Prov . G . Reg . Sussex , P . P . G . S . D . Lincolnshire ; V . P . Freenan , Prov . G . S . for Sussex , P . P . G . S . W ., P . M . 315 , 732 ; Frederick Binckes , Sec . Masonic Institution for Boys , Grand Stewards' Lodge 1 , and Peace and Harmony Lodge 60 , P . M .,

P . G S . ; Sir I nomas Brassey , Bart ., K . C . B ., MP ., Member of the Reception 1 ommittee C . and I . E . ; 1 " . T . Brittan , Hammersmith Lodge 2090 ; VV . E . Chapman , Royal Solomon Mother Lodge , Jerusalem ; Edward Dicey ( The Observer ) ; C . VV . Fletcher , King Solomon Lodge 2029 ; F . R . VV . Hedges , Sec . Masonic Institution for Girls , P . M . igoo ; VV . Johnston , MP ., County Down Lodge SG ( LC ) , P . M ., P . P . G . W . Down ; _ G Martin-Holloway , Old King ' s Arms Lodge 2 S ; VV . Lake ( The Freemason ) , P . M . Fortitude l ^ odge 131 , P . Prov . G . Reg . Cornwall ; Maclntyre ( TheDaily Telesrrafi / i )

Gallery Lodge 1928 ; S . Murphy ( The Daily News ) , P . M . Hope and Unity Lodge 214 ; VV . H . Preece , F . R . S ., W . M . Electric Lodge 20 S 7 ; R . C . Sudlow , Bank of England Lodge 263 , Member of Committee of Emulation Lodge of Improvement ; James Terry , Sec . AIasonic Benevolent Institution , P . AL 22 S , P . Prov . G . S . W . Norths and Hunts , & c , & c ; Harry Tipper , Hammersmith Lodge 2090 , & c . ; lohn While ( The Times ) P . AL United Strength Lodge 22 S , and Galhry Lodge 192 S ; Representative of The Mornintr Post ) , Gallery Lodge 192 S ; H . Alassey ( The Standard ) , P . AL Beadon Lodge G 19 , and Gallery Lodge 192 S .

PRIVATE GUESTS OE MEMUERS—Bros . Sidney B . Bancroft , Drury Lane Lodge 2127 ; Dr . Donald Bayncs , Gooch Lodge 123 S ; Edward Bellamy , F . R . C . S ., Bank of England Lodge 2 G 3 ; Edgar Bowyer , P . G . S . B . ; A . M . Broadley , Sec . Drury Lane Lodge , 2127 , P . M . 1717 and 1 S 35 , Past Dep . Dist . G . M . Malta ; Lionel Brough , Drury Lane Lodge 2127 ; F . M . Bryant , Bayard Lodge 1615 ; VV . Oldham Chambers ; E . M . Cocke 1 l , W . M . United Service Lodge 1361 ; Charles Corby , W . M . Leigh Lodge 957 ; E . C . Davies , P . M . Globe Lodge 23 , P . G . S . ; J . C . Dickinson ; James Edmcston , P . M . Canterbury Lodge , 1635 ; Albert J . Ellis , J . W . United Service Lodge 13 G 1 ; Baker Green ,

Grand Stewards' Lodge 1 ; A . C . Hailstrap , P . AL Islington Lodge , 1471 ; Augustus Harris , S . W . Drury Lane Lodge 2127 , Maybury Lodge 9 69 ; A . Hoffnung , P . M . Zetland Lodge ; D . P Holness , P . M . Islington Lodge 1471 ; I nomas Hunt , S . W . Islington Lodge 1471 ; Percy K . Langdale , P . M . United Service Lodge 13 G 1 ; Auguste Leon , Strand I . od ^ e 1987 ; William G . Logan , P . M . Regularity Lodge yi ; Charles Monc'Uon , P . M . Buckingham and C handos Lodge 1150 ; Dr . A . W . Orwin , Athen .-enm Lodge ,

1491 ; Agnew Pope , Friendshi p Lodge G , P . G . S . ; Frederick Relfe , Buckingham and Chandps Lodge 1150 ; James Richards , Holte Lodge 124 G ; Howard Koom , P . M . Hammersmith lodge 2090 , 1159 , i ; , and l 85 , . j . Russell , J . W . British Lodge 8 ; VV . Shurmer W . M Islington Lodge 1471 : B . H . Van Tromp , P . M . and Treas Maybury Lodge 969 ; VV . J Whitmore , P . M . Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge 4 , P . G . S . ; Walter Wood , Knole Lodge 1414 ; Reginald C . Woodcock , Macdonald

It was merel y a formal opening and closing of the lodge , no other work being performed than the congratulation of the visitors on their visit to their English brethren , which was most heartil y given and acknowledged . At the banquet which followed , Sir Philip Cunliffe-Owen , VV . M ., presided , and on the clearing of the cloth , the brethren had placed before them seven toasts only— " The Queen and the Craft" " The Most Worshipful Grand Master , " "Thc Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the

The Empire Lodge, No. 2108.

rest of thc Grand Oflicers , Present and Past , " "The Visitors , " "The Worshipful Master , " "The Oflicers , " and die Tyler ' s toast . These toasts were interspersed with a programme of music , under ihe direction ot Bro . Harry Tipper . The WORSHU'I ' UL MASTER , in giving the toast of " The Oueen and thc

Craft , " said that as on that occasion ihey had the plcisure of entertaining so many citizens of so many parts of Her Majesty ' s empire , he might say the English Masons were delighted to see them there , and lo see them

joining in drinking the health of the Queen and Empress of an united empire . They would excuse him if he ventured lo say at that moment that having passed through a campaign there was not much fire from him , and therefore he must ask them to take his fire from the Asst . G . D . C .

The toast having been enthusiastically received , The WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave " The Most Worshipful Grand Master . " Perhaps in the presence of so many of those who were then welcomed , he might be allowed to say wilh what interest the Prince of Wales had heard of this meeting , and he would have been delighted to be

present , had it been possible , and assist by his presence if even for a few moments while they were met in lodge . His duties , however , were very numerous . Only the da ) ' before he was present at that interesting ceremony at Brighton , when he installed the Duke of Connaught , ns Grand Master of Sussex ; they knew also how much interest the Prince took in this particular

year , a year when ihey were welcoming all those who were coming from the distant parts of the empire , and they owed it to the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master , to be able to offer a welcome in response to that welcome which the brethren from the Colonies and India were always ready to extend to those who visited them from the mother country . The brethren

in England might congratulate themselves ihat this year would be a red letter year , which would bind them more than ever in one great united empire , a year which would ever be thought of with pleasant recollections to the English brethren , and they were pleased and gratified that they had on this occasion the leave of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales for showing their duty to

their sovereign and their country , to be more than ever united together both in heart and mind , and in concord , that , as a great united empire , they might stand and hold together before ihe world . He knew ihey would drink this toast with the heartiest possible response . This toast likewise was enthusiastically welcomed .

The VV . M ., after having read the names of the Grand Officers who were present , in proposing "The Pro Grand Master , kc , " said , although they had received a great deal of consideration and kindness on the part of the Grand Officers on the recent foundation of the Empire Lodge , he felt certain that the presence of those distinguished brethren was not so much

to do honour to the Empire Lodge , but to do honour to those visitors they were receiving . By their doing so , the Empire Lodge was able lo offer its guests more of a welcome than they could have done among the brethren of the lodge alone . There was therelore every reason why this toast should be acceptable .

Gen . BROWNRIGG , 111 replying , said it was very difhcult lo answer for a great many others , and when he saw around him so many of thc Craft who had distinguished themselves in Masonry , il made it more difficult for him than it would be under other circumstances . He knew he had the sympathies of the brethren in saying that thc great desire and wish of the Grand

Officers—of whom he had been one lor 25 years — was to see the prosperity of the Craft , and he might add thai the result of their experience was ihat not one of them had seen such an assembly as this in a lodge which had only had an existence of seven months . 'I hey were all deeply indebted to the Empire Lodge for this . Those who like himself had had a great

experience in the Colonies , for he had served as a soldier almost everywhere , and he could not tell them how much he felt the enormous interest all Masons must have in this lodge welcoming those of the brethren whom they

had mel as friends in foreign parts . Wherever Ihey had met them they had , either as Masons , or men , or Englishmen , been always met with cordiality and hospitality . He could not forget how happy he was that his son assisted at the consecration of that lodge .

The W . M . next gave ihe toast oE the evening— " Our Visitors . ' As Master of the lodge , he gave thc visitors a . hearty welcome , and trusted they would carry away wilh them when they left the old country a remembrance of that heartiness and good feeling with which they ever wished to receive visitors when they came to our shores , They felt Ihat this lodge was founded

for the express purpose of being able to entertain , and to hold out the hand of brotherhood to , their fellow Masons throughout the world , and they were delighted to think that they had been able to gather so many of them together . There were , he believed , at the present time 10 , 000 colonists in London , and he wished they had 10 , 000 of them present that night in order

that they might give them the hearty welcome they desired to give those who came to these shores . He thought that the best compliment he could pay the visiting brethren was to read out theii names , which was far better

than any paltry words he , as Master , was able to utter . The VV . M . then read the list of names ; and said he should also call upon Bro . Tilton , of New York , to say a few words , although he could not look upon him as a . foreigner , but as a brother .

This toast was most warmly received , and all the brethren joined in singing " Auld Lang Syne . " Sir VV . CLARK , who was the first to reply , said he was proud on the pre sent occasion to have to reply for the Colonies . No one fell more pleased

at the reception the Colonies had met with at the hands of the M-isons of this country . In the Colonies they were just as proud of the Most Worship- ' ful Grand Master as Ihe brethren were in England . In every way Masonry must keep a'ive this feeling . All the brethren who were present from the Colonies were proud at being connected with the English Royal Grand