Provincial Meetings.

Bros . Edwards and Chambers were passed . Bro . Webber was then presented to the W . M . to receive at his hands the benefits of installation , and , in due course , our worthy brother was installed and saluted . He appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . M . Miller , I . P . M . ; S . E . Southgate , S . W . j J . McCollough , J . W . j J . H . Roberts , P . M ., Treas . j J . Warren , P . M ., ' Sec . j G . F .

Taylor , S . D . j W . Lawson , J . D . ; IT . Tufnell , I . G . j J . Warren , P . M ., D . C . j G . Nichols , A . D . C ; W . J . Bidgood , Org . ; and R . Naylor , P . M ., G . Porter , and H . Pammant , Stwds . Bro . Miller then concluded the ceremony by reciting- the charges well and impressively , for which he was accorded a vote of thanks , thc same to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge , and he was also

presented with a Past Master ' s jewel , for which he returned thanks . Thc lodge was then closed , and thc brethren adjourned to the New Falcon Hotel , Gravesend , where Bro . Shrubsole simply surpassed himself in his endeavours to make this , the last of the Woolwich district banquets , a success , and well did he succeed , to the infinite pleasure and

satisfaction of every one present . Among the other brethren present were Bros . F . Dawson , T . Butt , E . Bowles , P . M . ; E . B . Hobson , A . J . Woodley , T . Ovenden , J . Sanderson , Capt . W . Ward , R . A ., C VV . Benstead , S . West , J . Swanson , J . Tees , H . J . Roberts , A . Fenn , T . C . Mason , H . King , T . Smith , IT . Pettifer , IT . A . Abbey , H . Palmer , J . Bull , A . Webbe , G . West , G . Brown ,

J . Carty , W . Long , W . Bennett , F . Marfleet , G . Harris , J . Noakes , J . Trodd , H . Smith , H . Brooks , J . A . Martin , W . Wray , T . H . Day , W . Wilson , and H . Barrett , all of the lodge . Among the visitors were Bros . R . Pidcock , P . M . 913 , P . P . G . D . C . Sussex j T . D . Hayes , P . M . 913 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Capt . J . McCaffery , R . A . j J . Aillud , P . M . 61 s , P . P . A . G . D . C ,- G . Mitchell , P . M . 0 T 5 , P . G . Steward ,- A .

Hamilton , P . M . 917 j J . J . Woolley , P . M ., 2191 j H . Grice . W . M . 13 j J . W . Jull , W . M ; 1414 ; C . IT . Canning , W . M . 1472 j G . Davies , P . M . 13 j E . Palmer , P . M . 913 j H . Mason , P . M . 913 ; W . Tailbey , P . M . 13 j A . T . Ives , P . M , 1472 j T . West , P . M . 1 S 15 j IT . J . Spurling , W . M . S j J . Bell , S . W . 13 j L . Chasteaneuf , J . W . 13 , VV . Latuaiice , 163 SJ J . Hollings , 1045 J J . W . Knight , 1223 j J . Bain

1414 J C Bridgeman , 1 S 15 j J . Walker , 1441 j T . Emms , S 29 J Quartermaster Rankin and H . Surnherel , of 153 G ; H . Mills , 829 ; W . H . Keeble , 13 ; A . Mallord , 50 S ; G . H . Campbell , 913 ; W . Turvey , 1472 j W . C . Haley , 1789 ; W . J . Skinner , 13 ; F . W . Higgins , 20 j J . VV . Haire , 144 G J W . B . Leaver , 913 ; G . Laurance , 913 ; T . Doogan , 730 j F . W . Huddlestone , 1744 ; T . IT . Knight , 1223 ; D . C . Capon , 913 ; T . Clark , 13 ; and C . Jolly , P . M .

1472 . 1 he usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts were drunk most heartily , and then the I . P . M . proposed "The Health of the W . M . " He said he deemed it a very g ' reat honour to have to propose the toast , and felt sure they would receive it with a great deal of enthusiasm . Bro . Webber was well known to everyone present , and from the first of his career in the Nelson Lodge he had filled every office with credit to

himself and honour to it , and no better selection could have been made than in the person of Bro . Webber . He need not tell them that Bro . Webber was a master of the ritual and of the festive board . But there was one thing- hc must warn them of , and that was— "beware of thc sound of Bro Webber's gavel , " for the ) ' would find him as strict in his rule of the lodge as he was genial at the festive board . He asked them to drink the toast with all their hearts .

Ihe W . M ., in response , said he hardly knew how to thank them for their hearty reception of the toast . 'The I . P . M . had flattered him to a very great extent , but as he ( Bro . Webber ) had told them at the time of his election that he would try and make them all happy so far as he could , so he said now . So far as the ritual was concerned , that they must judge for themselves when the work came on .

All he asked them was to get him good sound candidates , worthy of being members of the lodge , and then he could assure them that they would have nothing- to complain of . Thc next toast was that of " The Visitors , " and in puttingit , the W . M . said visitors always received hearty welcome at the Nelson Lodge . They had that night no less than 39 visitors present , among whom were many of the most

prominent in the district and its surroundings , and some of the best friends he had in his life , and he called upon the brethren of the Nelson Lodge to drink the toast heartily . Bro . Palmer , in response , said it was a great honour for him to respond for thc Pattison Lodge in conjunction with others of that lodge present , and in their names thanked the Nelson Lodge for its hearty reception of them as visitors

that day . He congratulated the lodge on the admirable manner in which Bro . Miller had carried out the installation ceremony , and also upon its unbounded hospitality . It also afforded him gratification to think that in 1 S 8 4 he was initiated in the Nelson Lodge by one of its oldest and most respected Past Masters . His late partner , Bro . Cook , being the senior Past Master , he , Bro . Palmer , found it very

inconvenient for them both to be away together , and so he , Bro . Palmer , joined the Pattison Lodge . It gave him great pleasure to see the nephew of that old and excellent Mason , Bro . Cook , with whom hc had been so intimately connected , placed in the chair that day , and he hoped he would have a good year of office and be worthy of those who had preceded him .

Bros . Grice and Jolly having briefly responded , Bro . Pidcock thanked thc brethren for their cordial reception of his name . It had always afforded him the greatest gratification to visit lodges , but the gathering that night was more like a Provincial Grand Lodge meeting than the meeting of a private lodge . He was delighted with the installation ceremony , and felt sure that their VV . M . would do

honour to his position and the lodge . On behalf of the Province of Sussex he thanked them most cordially . Bro . Hayes also thanked thc brethren on behalf of the Province of Kent , a province he felt proud to represent at that , or any gathering of tlie Craft . He was indebted to the Nelson Lodge for much of his Masonic knowledge , and as Bro . Jolly had so eloquently said , the fundamental

principles ot Alasonry , brotherly love and Charity , were apparent on every side , and on ever ) ' occasion that he had an honour of an invitation to its meetings . He thanked them most sincerely for their hospitality , and concluded by apologising for the absence of Bro . Lopez , the W . M . of the Pattison , who was detained in town by the marriage of his sister .

Bro . Mason responded for the Province of Essex , and spoke highly of the W . AL , whom he had known for the last 25 years as a good and true Alason . Bro . Butt , in responding for " The Past Masters , " spoke

Provincial Meetings.

highly of the abilities of Bro . Miller , and welcomed him among - thc ranks of thc Past Alasters , and congratulated him upon the admirable manner in which he had carried out his duties during the past year . Bros . Woodley , Warren , Hobson , and Roberts also responded , and after Bros . Southg-ate and McCollough had

responded for "Ihe Officers , the I ylei s toast concluded the proceedings , which were most enjoyable . Bros . H . J . Palmer , J . Sanderson , Hobson , H . Tufnell , and Skinner sang some capital song's ; Bro . Brown played an oboe solo grandly ; Bro . W . Long- played a cornet solo , and Bro . Bidgood a violin solo . Bro . IT . J . Roberts presided at the piano .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

provincial / iDeetmgs . CAMBRIDGE . Fidelity Chapter ( No . 441 ) . —The regular convocation of this chapter , attached to thc Lodge of the Three Grand Principles , No . 441 , was held on thc 24 th ult ., at the Lion Hotel . The Principals' chairs were occupied by Comps . E . IT . Jennings , Z . ; T . Watts , IT . ; and J . King- , J . Bro . Philip Henry Young , 441 , raised February , 1 SS 1 , was

elected and exalted . Thc work of the Principal Sojourner was afterwards performed with ability by Comp . John Fuller , and the lectures from the chairs followed . After the acceptance of thc Auditors' report on the Treasurer ' s accounts , the election of Principals and officers for thc ensuing year was proceeded with . Comps . Thos . Watts was

elected as Z . ; H . King , as H . j John Puller , as J . ; A . Morell , as Scribe E . j C . A . Vinter , as Scribe N . j J . Sheldrick , P . S . ; and J . Vail , Treasurer . The visitors included Comps . E . Armitage , 859 j and J . V . Pryor , 88 . The companions af . erwards sat down to banquet .

HITCH 1 N . Cecil Chapter ( No . 449 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., at the Sun Hotel . Present : Comps . John Read , P . Z . 720 , Al . E . Z . j C . B . Cooper , H . j H . H . Shirley , H . 2 , ] . j James Shilcock , P . Z . 403 , P . P . G . S . N ., Treas . j R . Shillitoe , as S . E . j S . P . Nash , S . N . ; W . G . Weiss , as P . S . ; F . H . Weiss , as 1 st A . S . ;

E . C . Mulvey , as 2 nd A . S . ; G . Austin , as Janitor ; and Heard , P . Z . 403 . Visitors : Comps . C . J . Axford , M . E . Z . 204 S ; H . E . Vickers , M . E . Z . 1556 , P . P . G . O . Surrey ; E . C . Mulvey , Z . elect 2246 ; and Rev . Geo . Sitting , P . S . 403 . The chapter having - been opened by the Principals , the acting S . E ., Comp . R . Shillitoe , read the minutes of the consecration meeting , held on the 20 th J une , which were

confirmed . 'The by-laws of the chapter were considered , read , and passed . A ballot was taken for Bros . Bannister , Woodford , J . IT . Gilbertson , G . F . Fuller , and P . Franklin as candidates for exaltation , which resulted in their favour , and these brethren ( with the exception of Bro . Woodford ) being in attendance , were regularly exalted to the Degree of R . A . Masons by the M . E . Z . A ballot was taken for Comps . R .

Shillitoe , 403 ; VV . G . Weiss , 749 ; r . IT . Weiss , 2 ; and Rev . H . F . Oliver , 771 , as joining-members , which resulted in their favour . 'The following- companions were elected and invested to vacant offices : Comps . R . Shillitoe , S . E . ; W . G . Weiss , P . S . ; F . H . Weiss , ist A . S . j A . Bannister

2 nd A . S . j J . H . Gilbertson and G . I '' . Fuller , Stewards . Nothing further offering , the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to banquet , at which Comp . J . Read presided . The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were given , and the meeting separated at an early hour .

PLUMSTEAD . Pattison Chapter ( No . 913 ) . —Never was the old axiom " Unity is strength " better exemplified than in thc extraordinary progress made by the above chapter since its consecration in thc year 1 S 74 . It has had , since that date , an uninterrupted course of success , and now numbers no less than 50 members , comprising the elite of the Craft

in the district where it is situated , and where , we trust , it may long continue to flourish . The exaltation meeting took place at the Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , on 'Thursday , the iSth ult ., and was well attended . 'The M . E . Z ., Comp . R . J . Cook , opened thc chapter , with the assistance of Comps . J . IT . Roberts , IT ., and Al . E . Z . elect ; E . Palmer , J . ; and others , and the minutes of the previous

chapter being conlirmed , the ballot was taken for Comp . G . Mitchell , S 29 , and proved unanimous . Comp . A . Penfold , P . Z . 13 , 1472 , P . P . G . ist A . S ., assumed the chair as Installing' Officer , and grandly did this veteran and esteemed Mason carry out his duties . He installed Comps . J . IT . Roberts into the chair of Z ., E . Palmer into the chair of TL , and S . Clarke into the chair of J . in

eloquent and impressive form , and afterwards gave the charges in a manner rarely equalled , and certainly never excelled . The following officers were then invested , viz . : Comps . H . | . Butler , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . E ., Scribe IC . ; C . IT . Lawson , Scribe N . ; A . Penfold , P . Z ., P . P . G . 1 st A . S ., 'Treas . ; E . Morris , P . S . ; C . Clapham , 1 st A . S . ; W . C . Taylor , 2 nd A . S .: H . Mason , P . Z ., P . P . G . Std . Br .,

P . G . Soj . Essex , D . C . j W . Musto , P . Z ., and G . R . Nichols , Stwds . ; F . R . Tyler , Org -, j and \ V . Larder , Janitor . A cordial vote of thanks was tendered Comp . Penfold for his splendid working ol the installation ceremony , for which he simply returned thanks j while the magnificent reading of the Scriptural portion of the ritual by Comp . T . S . Warne , P . Z . 20 , P . G . Scribe li ., was warmly

acknowledged . A handsome and costly P . Z . ' s jewel was then presented to Comp . Cook as a mark of the esteem of the companions , and for services rendered the chapter during his year of office , for which he returned thanks , and then the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant for banqueting purposes . Among- the other companions present were Comps . C .

Coupland , P . Z ., P . P . G . J . j E . Denton , P . Z . 13 , P . P . G . P . S . j T . I ) . Hayes , P . Z ., P . P . G . 2 nd A . S . j Capt . Eugene Sweny , P . Z ., P . P . G . R ., of the chapter j the Rev . R . Jamblin , M . A ., P . Z ., P . P . G . S . N ., and C Jolly , Al . E . Z . 1472 ( Hon . Members ) j L . Chasteaneuf , J . Farrier , VV . Busbridge , G . IT . Porter , S . Horton , G . Frost , G . IT . Letton , H . Wilson , R . S . Courtmaii , J . Horton , D . Camp , bell , H . Ough , D . C . Capon , Dr . E , Bryceson , VV . Harris ,

Royal Arch.

G . 1 ' . laylor , J . lopp , and C . Ellis , all of thc cln ,, i Capt . D . Deeves , M . E . Z . 13 j E . West , P . Z . , V ? ; Dr . H . VV . Roberts , P . Z . 1293 , P . P . G . S . of W ¦ ' \ F \' White , P . Z . 907 , P . Z . and founder of the Francis \ v . Chapter , P . P . G . S . E . Essex j A . J . Woodley , H . , ) c ' Rawdon , 140 j H . De Gray , 13 j A . Fenn , 13 ; ' )} ¦!• Nichols , H . 1973 j and others . ' '•

'The toast of "The Oueen and Royal Arch Mason ¦ •" having been drunk with ' Royal honours , that of " ' [ 'hi- \!^ . the Grand Z . of the Order , H . R . H . the Prince of Wale >>' followed , and was received most enthusiastically . £ . ' Earl of Carnarvon , Grand H ., and the rest of the Gr-i 1 Officers , Present and Past , " was also honoured . ' '

Ihe M . E . Z . said he was getting nearer home wh ™ 1 proposed "'The Health of Earl Amherst , Grand Super tendent of the Province of Kent " j for all who knew l " ' " lordship acknowledged that he was the right man in tl right place . " - ' The toast was drunk amid rounds of cheers , and then tl M . E . Z . proposed the toast of " ALE . Comp . £ .,,., '" P . G . H ., and . the rest of the P . G . Officers , Present S Past . " * an ( l

Comp . Warne , in responding , said that among the mam . excellent qualifications of their M . E . Z . was that of brevity and he intended to follow his example in that respect . || . was quite of thc opinion of a prisoner he once heard on \ I trial at Maidstone , who , when the judge asked him if | , . had anything to say in his defence , replied , " Noj there hv been too much said about the

case already . " Well , to tin . surprise of everyone present , the jury acquitted him ; and the judge , in dismissing him , said : "You have had -i narrow escape j don ' t you come here again . " " No , ' ' said the prisoner , " I don't intend to , and if I had had my wj || 1 would not have come now . " Now , he meant to follow the

example both of thc M . E . Z . and of the prisoner , and say very little j but must confess that he was proud of thtinvitation he received year after year to attend their installation meeting , and assist their beloved Comp . Penfold ii lis arduous labour of lovej in the first place , because in visiter the Pattison , Chapter he was visiting the premier chapter

in the province , and , in the next place , because of the cordial and kind greeting he always received from every companion of the chapter . He heartily thanked them , and hoped to be spared to be with them next year . Comp . Jamblin said it was a hard task to follow such an eloquent speaker as Comp . Warne , but nevertheless he

intended to , and would at once say that , although he was sorry not to be present at their working-, hc was cxceediiH y glad to be at their dinner , and in that he believed he had the suffrages of every companion present . It was , of course a great pleasure to be able to attend the working- of a lodge or chapter , and those who knew him would admit that lie

cud not often come to the festive degree without attending first to the working - . Now , he had heard it said , "Oh , l would sooner see the working , and then go home , than come late , and stay for the festive board . " Would they : Well , there was no hypocrisy about him . He would , of course , prefer to come to thc working , but would . sooner

come to the festive degree alone than stay away altogether . There was something about that chapter that was always jolly and comfortable , and every time he came amongst them he found it ever the same . Now , Comp . Warne had told them a tale , and he was going" to do the same . No , no ; it was no use Comp . Warne to prevent him j they could see

at once that he ( Comp . Warne ) wanted a monopoly of the yarn business . ( "Goon , goon . " ) Well , there was once a distinguished divine who had to go to some Mediterranean station , and on the way it came on to blow hard , and ihe D . D . complained to the captain of the rolling of the ship . "Well , " said the captain , " most ships roll a hit in the

Atlantic . " "But , " said the D . D ., "how awfully Hie sailors swear-it is simply blasphemy . " "Ah , " said the captain , " while they swear like that the ship is all right . " And so comforted , the D . D . went to bed . In the middle of the night the storm increased terribly , and up came the D . D . on deck , fully expecting the ship I D

go to the bottom every minute , when , to his great comfort , he heard the sailors swearing- even more loudly than before . " Ah , " said he , "the ship ' s all right , they are still at it , ' ' and off he went to bed and slept soundly , fully confident in the captain ' s declaration that the more the sailors swore the safer was the ship . Well , that was just how he found the

Pattison Chapter ; he did not mean that they were always swearing—no , no , not that—but they were always , anil had always been , jolly and happy with one another j and as long as that good feeling existed , he , like the distinguished divine at sea , felt sure that the good ship Pattison was all right , no matter how hard the storm might blow . He urn '

endorsed what Comp . Warne had said with respect to tne pre-eminence of the chapter in the Province of Kent , and he further agreed with him in his hope that he mig ht never have to go to Maidstone on such an errand again as told by him in his story , which it struck him was after all a biography . ( " No , no , " from Comp . Warne . ) Our esteemed

companion concluded a brilliant and most humorous speu " assuring - Comp . Warne that he believed him , but trusted he would not do it again , the laughter being kept up for some time after he sat down . , The LP . Z . proposed the toast of " The M . K . / - " ; said it was in itself a great honour to be First Princi pal "

any chapter , but to be the First Principal of such a chaple ' as the Pattison was honour itself , and it , therefore , was . 1 great honour to him to be in a position to propose a toast-1 so much importance as that of the M . E . Z . of the PaUison Chapter . Without dilating further upon the point , he « ' «" ask them to drink the toast with all the honours

deserved . Comp . Roberts , in response , said it afforded him il "' ' J . great amount of pleasure to be in a position to rcspoi "' the toast--to follow in the footsteps of those brilliant " as" ' who had filled the chair hc now occupied . Their chap ^ had been called the premier chapter of the Province Kent ; that was a proud distinction , and it would be j " ' during his of office to that its brilliant prcstigy J ii ^ LiitiL iw umiiajitj

year see y , „ v ....... ^ .... JV .,.. w . u . an , - ' -- | Wl t < l not soiled or tarnished . He trusted he should be < 'i '''"_ ' , . carry out the duties of his hi gh position in such a 1 "'" ^ that at the end of his year he could give a good accoun his stewardship . . ., | li : Comp . Palmer , in responding for the toast ol . ^ Second and Third Principals , " thanked them for the ' . ' ^ reception of the toast . He felt the extra responsN ' '

imposed upon him by his acceptance ol tlie onij-v ^ j ^ held , and he should endeavour to do his duty to then ^ | , faction and with some credit to himself . If l , e . ciil . trusted they would deem him worthy of further adva " - V | ( , Comp . Clark- said that as he occupied so very lu"