Mark Masonry.

After the loyal toasts , "The Health of the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Jack Sutcliffe ; the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . Anderson Bates ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " vvas enthusiastically honoured , and then followed

the toasts of " The W . M . of St . Oswald Lodge , No . 3 S 7 , " " The Visiting Brethren , " "The Officers of the Lodge , " "The Charities , " "The Ladies , " and the Tyler's toast . Several songs were given and speeches made , and a p leasant evening was the result .

WHITEHA VEN . Fletcher Lodge ( No . 213 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge vvas held at the Freemasons' Hall on Friday , the 25 th ult ., when Bro . H . Burns , P . G . R . of M ., W . M ., occupied the chair , supported by Bros . S . Broadbent , P . G . S . B ., S . W . ; Dr . Muir , P . G . Std . Br ., J . W . ; G . Starkey , P . A . G . D . C , M . O . ; T . Brakenridge , P . M .,

P . P . J . CO ., S . O . ; J . Casson , J . O . ; J . Thompson , Sec . ; G . Dalrymple , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., as S . ' D . ; J . A . Fowler , J . D . j D . H . Cook , P . P . G . Org ., Org . ; J . P . Bennett , I . G . ; Thomas Richardson , P . P . G . Tyler , Tyler ; Rev . I . Anderson , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; and W . H . Brockbank .

The lodge vvas opened , the minutes confirmed , and one candidate was balloted for , and advanced to the Honourable Degree of Mark Master Mason by the W . M ., ably assisted by Bro . Rev . James Anderson . Several brethren were presented with their provincial certificates , and there being nothing further , the lodge vvas closed .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

NEPTUNE LODGE ( No . 22 ) . — A meeting vvas held on Monday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Gauden Hotel , Clapham , when there vvere present Bros . Steele , W . M . ; Folkard , S . W . ; F . Reeves , J . W . j Westley , Preceptor and Treas . j Poole , acting as Sec ; King , S . D . ; Cheese , J . D . ; Evans , I . G . ; Weeks , Tyler ; Cochrane , Russell , Balcombe , Barton , Harvey , and Windsor .

The lodge vvas opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of passing being announced , and Bro . Windsor having offered himself as a candidate , answered the usual questions , and was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and Bro . Windsor vvas duly raised to the Degree of F . C . The ceremony of raising being announced , and Bro . Russell having offered himself as a candidate , answered the

usual questions , and vvas entrusted . The lodge vvas opened in the Third Degree , and Bro . Russell duly raised to the Degree of M . M . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree , and the W . M . rose for the first time , and dues were collected . The W . M . rose for the second time , and Bro . Folkard vvas duly elected W . M . for the next meeting . The W . M . rose for the third time , and the lodge vvas closed .

CLARENCE LODGE ( No . 263 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge vvas held on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., at Tupp's Restaurant , 8 , Tottenham Court-road . There were ' present Bros . Frederick Bull , W . M . ; F . Crohn , S . W . ; M . Evans , J . W . ; W . H . Kirby , Preceptor ; W . Baker , Sec ; F . Leighton , S . D . ; H . H . Norman , J . D . ; F . Purkess , I . G . ; J . Rutgers , and J . Price .

The lodge vvas opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Price having kindly volunteered to act as candidate , the W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation in a most able and effective manner . The charge was delivered by Bro . Kirby . Bro . Crohn , S . W ., worked the 4 th Section of the First Lecture . The brethren unanimously elected Bro . Crohn , S . W .,

to preside over the next meeting , and he appointed his officers , and announced that the work would be the first and second ceremonies . Bro . Kirby proposed thata hearty vote of thanks be given to Bro . Frederick Bull for the very admirable manner in which he had presided over the meeting on that occasion , and the highly commendable manner in which he had worked the ceremony on that , the first

occasion of his occupying the Master ' s chair , and that this vote be noted on the minutes of the meeting . This vvas umanimously carried , and Bro . Bull responded in suitable terms . The lodge vvas then closed . On and after the Sth inst . the meetings of this lodge will be held at No . iA , Fitzroy-square ( corner of Graftonstreet ) .

RANELAGH LODGE ( No . 834 ) . —A meeting was held on Friday , the 25 th ult ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Queenstreet , Hammersmith , when there were present Bros . J . Banks , W . M . ; H . J . F . Williams , S . W . ; E . Fox , J . W . ; J . Sims , P . M ., Preceptor ; D . S . Long , P . M ., Sec ; R . H . Williams , S . D . ; M . Speigel , J . D . ; R . Reid , I . G . j P . Burton , P . M . ; and A . Williams , P . M .

The lodge was duly opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Banks vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Long . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree . Bro . Banks offering himself as a candidate for raising , vvas questioned and entrusted . The lodge vvas opened in the Third Degree , and the

ceremony rehearsed , the W . M . rendering the traditional history . The lodge was closed in the Third and Second Degrees . The 2 nd Section of the Lecture vvas worked by the W . M ., assisted by the brethren . The W . M . having risen , Bro . H . J . F . Williams was duly elected W . M . for the next meeting , and the lodge vvas closed .

HYDE PARK LODGE ( No . 1425 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , corner of Eastbourne-terrace and Bishop's-road , Paddington , W ., when there were present Bros . J . Bartlett , W . M . ; C Coleman , S . W . ; W . Chappie , J . W . ; W . {*•„ Chalfont , P . M . 1425 , Deputy Preceptor ; H . Dehane , ' : 7 1543 , Sec ; J . W . Belsham , S . D . ; E . Thos . Under , J . D . ; M . Rosenberg , I . G . j T . Middleweek , Stwd

. ; W . Death , P . M . 511 ; A . Cadbury janes , P . M . 14415 M . J . R . Dundas , J . T . Shapcott , R . W . Board , A . Clark , T . M . Lamble , J . V . Woodman , N . Spyer , G . " roan , G . Urquhart Milne , G . A . Boughton , A . Cros-S 1 ngham , and O . VV . Battley . I he lodge vvas opened in due form , and the minutes 01 the previous meeting vvere read and confirmed . The ^ ^? ° ny of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Spyer being the andidate . The lodge vvas opened in the Second and Third

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Degrees . Bro . Foan , at the request of the W . M ., assumed the chair , and installed Bro . Bartlett into the chair of K . S . The lodge vvas resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Coleman was elected W . M . for the 26 th inst . —the officers to be in rotation , the W . M . having already been appointed for the

5 th and 12 th inst ., when the Fifteen Sections will be worked and the 19 th annual supper take place . A vote of thanks to Bro . Foan vvas unanimously passed for his able rendering of the installation ceremony , and acknowledged by him . After " He . lrty good wishes , " the lodge vvas closed .

ISLINGTON LODGE ( No . 1471 )—The usual weekly meeting vvas held on Tuesday , the 29 th ult ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , when there were present Bros . C . G . Gray , W . M . ; H . B . Harding , S . W . ; R . W . Nicole , J . W . ; W . Hancock , Preceptor ; C M . Coxon , Sec . ; J . Duncan , S . D . ; G . T . Chretien , J . D . ; H . J . Kimbell , jun ., I . G . ; W . T . Crane , A . Giddings , R . J . Scarlett , J .

Amand , and H . J . Kimbell . The lodge vvas opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation vvas then rehearsed , Bro . Crane being the candidate . Bro . Giddings answered the questions leading to the Second Degree , and vvas entrusted . The

lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . Giddings being the candidate . The lodge vvas closed in the Second Degree . Bro . Harding was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . Two brethren vvere appointed to audit the accounts of the lodge . Nothing further offering , the lodge vvas closed .

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1614 ) . —The usual weekly meeting of this lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , S . W ., on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., when there were present Bros . T . W . Hambly , W . M . j G . H . Foan , Asst . Preceptor , S . W . ; D . Samuels , J . W . ; J . Greenvvay , Preceptor ; G . Reynolds , Treasurer and Secretary ; F . S . Jarvis , S . D . ; R . E . Cursons , J . D . ; J . R . Harnell , I . G . ;

f . li . Weeks , Tyler ; C A . Burgess , W . Humphrey , W . Shore , S . Moss , J . W . Warwick , and H . J . Keen . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The Preceptor worked the ist Section , and Bro . R . E . Cursons the 2 nd Section of the First Lecture . Bro . H . J . Keen having offered himself as a candidate for initiation , the W . M . rehearsed

the ceremony . Bro . R . E . Cursons worked the 4 th Section of the First Lecture . On rising for the first time , the following brethren vvere unanimously elected joining members of this lodge of instruction : Bros . W . Shore , 19 S 7 ; D . Samuels , 7 6 5 ; W . Humphrey , 1305 ; and H . J . Keen , 1614 . On rising for the second . time , Bro . G . H . Foan was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . On rising for the third time , the lodge was closed .

KENSINGTON LODGE ( No . 1767 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , the 29 th ult ., at the Scarsdale Arms Hotel , Edwardes-square , Kensington , W . Present : Bros . James Wiggins , W . M . 176 7 , W . M . ; Joseph Cox , S . W . ; H . Wake , J . W . ; James Barker , P . M ., acting Preceptor ; F . Craggs , W . M . 834 , Sec ; E . Clare , S . D . ; J . R . Hubbard , W . M . 4 63 , P . J . G . D . Surrey , J . D . ; W . B .

Neville , I . G . ; G . Swann , P . M . ; A . Williams , P . M . ; E . E . Geflowski , E . J . Green , and H . R . Elkin . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , the ceremony of initiation vvas rehearsed , Bro . Elkin acting as candidate . Bro . Green offered himself as a candidate for passing , and proving proficient , vvas entrusted . The lodge was opened

in the Second Degree , and the ceremony rehearsed . Bro . Green answered the questions leading to the Third Degree , and vvas entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Third and resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Elkin vvas elected a joining member , and Bro . Cox vvas elected W . M . for the next meeting . The lodge ballot resulted in favour of Bro . W . C . Williams , and the lodge was closed .

ST . AMBROSE LODGE ( No . 1891 ) . —A meeting vvas held on Monday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Scarsdale Arms Hotel , Edwardes-square , Kensington , when there vvere present Bros . C . G . Hatt , W . M . ; B . H . Dames , S . W . ; T . C Dyer , J . W . ; Jesse Collings , P . M ., Preceptor ; F . Craggs , W . M . S 34 , Sec . ; C E . Betts , S . D . ; G . Swann , P . M ., J . D . ; A . C Brown , I . G . ; Walter Dew , and

Philip Howard . , _ The lodge vvas duly opened , and the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Dew acting as candidate . The ist , 2 nd , and 3 rd Sections of the First Lecture were worked by the Preceptor , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Howard vvas elected a joining member . Bro . Dames vvas elected W . M . for the next meeting , and the lodge was closed .

WARNER LODGE ( No . 2192 ) . —The regular weekly meeting of this lodge was held on the 2 Sth ult ., at Bridge Chambers , Hoe-street , Walthamstow , when there vvere present Bros . J . J . Briginshaw , P . G . S ., W . M . ; P . Trickett , S . W . ; W- W . Cook , J . W . ; W . Shurmur , P . P . G . Treas ., Preceptor ; N . Fortescue , Treas . ; VV . Smith , S . D . j J . Clark , J . D . j S . C . Bateman , I . G . j C . H .

Bestow , Asst . Sec . ; J . Collect , Stwd . ; W . J . Short , Jno . Ives , P . M . ; P . D . Parsons , J . Kempthorne , W . J . Bastick , F . R . Peck , J . King , R . Kershaw , C . MacColla , G . Hurley , G . Kirby , Lambert , G . W . Fry , Felsenshal , T . J . Day , J . Hamilton , and J . Schummer . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting vvere read and confirmed . Bro .

Felsenshal having offered himself as a candidate , vvas interrogated and entrusted . The lodge vvas opened in the Second Degree , and Bro . Felsenshal passed . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree , and the ceremony of initiation rehearsed , and the ancient charge delivered .

Bro . Trickett was elected to occupy the chair at the next meeting , and appointed officers in rotation . Bro . Felsenshal vvas elected a joining member . A vote of thanks vvas passed to Bros . Hurley and Bestow for gifts of some additional working tools for the use of the lodge . The lodge vvas then closed .

HORNSEY CHAPTER ( No . 890 ) . —A meeting was held on the 25 th ult ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , corner of Eastbourne-terrace and Bishop ' s-road , Paddington , W ., when there were present Comps . John Davies , H . 733 , M . E . Z . ; VV . H . Chalfont , H . 975 , H . ; J . C Tilt , ist A . S . SC 2 , J . ; J , Davies , 733 , Treas . ; H . Dehane , P . Z . 890 , S . E . ; G . March , M . E . Z . 733 , S . N . ; T . Woodbridge Biggs , 2 nd A . S . 975 , P . S . ; and Thos . Jobson , 733 .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

The chapter vvas opened , and the minutes of the last convocation vvere read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Jobson being candidate . A communication from Comp . W . H . Dean was read . The officers were elected for the ensuing two weeks—Comp . Chalfont as M . E . Z . " Hearty good wishes " vvere accorded . After the M . E . Z . had risen the usual number of times , the chapter was closed .

STAR CHAPTER ( No . 1275 ) . —The usual weekly meeting vvas held at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Camberwell , on Friday , the 25 th ult ., when there vvere present Comps . Benedetti , Z ., M . E . Z . ; Wilson , H . ; North , J . ; F . Hilton , P . Z ., Preceptor ; C . H . Stone , S . E . ; Vincent , P . Z ., S . N . ; Phillips , P . Z ., P . S . ; Hill , Lazenby , Plant , Scott Young , Grummant , H . Martin , and Addington .

The chapter vvas opened , and the ceremony of installation of Second Principal was rehearsed by Comp . Hill installing Comp . Phillips . The minutes of the last meeting vvere read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . C Plant personating the candidate .

A hearty votes of thanks vvas accorded to Comp . Benedetti for the very able manner he had worked the duties of First Principal , it being the first time in this chapter of instruction . Comp . Jackson , Z . 16 9 , vvas elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting , when an installation ceremony will be worked . The chapter vvas then closed .

Allied Masonic Degrees.

Allied Masonic Degrees .

Metropolitan Council ( T . I . ) . —This old council met at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queenstreet , on the iSth ult . Among those present were Bros . W . G . Lemon , W . M . ; H . J . Lardner , S . W . ; W . Vincent , J . W . ; G . Powell , Treas . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . A . G D . C , Sec ; Sweny , I . G . j H . H . Shirley , M . A ., and others .

The minutes of the previous council were read and confirmed . Bro . H . J . Lardner vvas unanimously elected W . M . ; Bra . G . Powell , Treasurer ; and Bro . E . Mills , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel vvas unanimously voted to the W . M . The by-laws as amended vvere unanimously approved . Apologies for non-attendance were received

from Bros . Baron de Ferneres , P . M . ; Major G . Lambert , P . M . ; R . L . Loveland , P . M . ; Alderman W . B . Williamson , P . M . ; Major Dunbar , J . J . Pakes , and many others . The council was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dine at the Holborn Restaurant , under the presidency of the W . M . A few toasts followed .

Cryptic Masonry.

Cryptic Masonry .

Grand Masters' Council . —This distinguished council held its first meeting of the season on the 25 th ult . at Mark Masons' Hall . Bros . H . J . Lardner , P . T . I . M ., in the chair . Among those attending were Bros . R . B . Bryant , D . M . ; George Graveley , P . T . I . M ., Treas . ; Captain Walls , P . G . D . M ., & c , Recorder ; E . Storr , P . C . W . j J . J . Thomas , B . Stewart , and others .

The minutes of the previous meeting vvere read and confirmed . The resignations of Bros . C H . Driver , P . T . I . M ., & c , and J . Faulkner vvere received with regret . The names of Comps . H . Higgins and Toye vvere proposed and seconded for admission at the next meeting . Among those who wrote regretting their inability to attend vvere Bros . Baron de Ferrieres , T . I . M . j Major G . Lambert , P . G . D . M . ;

T . Poore , P . G . C . W . ; G . Powell ; H . H . Shirley , M . A . ; L . Steele ; C . Slater ; R . Roy , M . A . ; Dr . W . Lemon , D . D ., P . G . Chap . ; W . B . Williamson , J . P . ; and Major Dunbar . The council was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant to banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth the usual toasts followed .

Masonic History.

MASONIC HISTORY .

We extract the following from the Philadelphia Keystone -. " A correspondent writes and asks , can you give us any information about what is known as ' Mitchell ' s History of Freemasonry , ' which is now being canvassed and sold in our section of the country without

date of copyright or date of publication ? " Past Grand Master the late Bro . J . W . S . Mitchell wrote a ' History of Freemasonry from the time of Adam ' about 40 years ago . In 1851 he published it in two volumes of 720 pages each . The book was valuable as a compendium of Masonic history as known

at that time , but as an authority it was almost valueless . Bro . Mitchell vvas at one time Grand Master of Masons of Missouri , but afterwards removed to Griffin , Ga ., where he was located with his family in 18 71 , and remained there until he died about 18 73 or a year or two later .

The History had a limited sale , and in 18 71 he came to Philadelphia for the purpose of issuing his eleventh and twelfth editions , and to make it in one volume " In printing this new edition , Bro . Mitchell said in the title-page that it was thoroughly revised , yet he did

not alter a single plate [ of text ] as far as we can see . " In this book , Chapter xxxix , Vol . I ., ends with ' We now close the first volume , and with it the history of Ancient Craft Masonry . ' Then there follows Chapter vii ., ' Why vvas Masonry Instituted ? ' Vol . II ., without a single alteration , not even the number of the

article , and Chapter vii . is not even in the fndex or Table of Contents "The reading Mason of to-day , and they are increasing fast we are glad to say , wants his Masonic information drawn to the day in which he lives , not 30 or more years old . If he wants to enter into the