Craft Masonry.

The toast of "Th ; Treasurer anl Seer tary " was next proposed by the W . M ., i , 0 said that those two officers reminded him of the two great pillars which stood at rt , e porchway entrance to King S > lomon ' s Temple , for Bro . Barker , in having control of the i . d '' denoted "in strength , " while Bro . George Read , as a founder and first \ V M-, denoted " to establish , " and when two brethren were conjoined in directing the affairs of the lodge it meant " stability , " for they all knew that in strength those two rorthy brethren had established that lodge , and they all hoped that it would stand firm

'"' The ' toasts of "The Past Masters " and "The Officers" were duly honoured and -esoonded to . ' The Tyler ' s toast concluded a most su -cessfu 1 and enjoyable ev : ning . Some excellent music was given during the evening . Miss Greta Williams sang " The voice of the father , " for which she received an encore , and then sang " Kathleen jtlavourneen . " Songs vvere also given by Bros . C . Ortner , J . Ortner , F . J . Oliver , and I , J . Mackay , all of which were received with great applause .

St . Osyth ' s Priory Lodge , No . 2063 . The 13 th installation festival took place in the Town HaU Buildings , Clacton-on-Sea ( by special dispensation from the Prov . Grand Master ) , on Friday , the iSth ultimo , when Bro . R . T . Stebbings , P . M . 16 S 5 , was instilled in the c * iair of K . S . There were present on Ihe occasion B 0 ; . A . Svann , W . M . ; A . K . Chim ' oerlavne , I . P . M . ; R . T . Stebbings , S . W . ; D . Mackenz i e . J . W . ; E . Frayling , Sec . ; C V . Harman , S . D . ; p , G . Warren , J . D . ; C . A . Brasted , I . G . j F . C . Noble , 0-g . ; Frank Chapman nd J . W . Franks , Stewards ; R . Pollard , Tyler ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B . England , Sec .

R . M . B . I . ; J . Boulton , C P . England ; R . Pitt , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . M . Foxcroft , P . M . ; 1 . P . Allen , P . M . ; W . F . Reed , P . M . ; R . W . Hunter , P . M . 16 S 5 ; R . Ayton , P . M . 933 ' - R-D . Poppleton , P . M . 433 ; W . Eicon , P . M . 433 ; W . G . Lowe , P . M . 234 S ; | . W . Dixon , 27 ; R . Outtewed , 1024 ; W . H . Ham , 2477 ; C H . Mitchell , 21 S 4 ; J . Martin , 1056 ; W . Goring , 1471 ; T . Ivory , 6 97 ; Trefelyn David , 1929 ; E . J . Pearson , 1507 ! T . W . Howard , 12 ; P . J . Green , E . Mills , C . H . Mann , W . Schofield , H . Eldred , S . G . C . Wallis , Rev . G . B . Fenwick , 1557 ; and H . E . Sutton , 1790 .

The lodge was opened , and , after the usual preliminary business , the ceremony of installation was ably performed by Bro . J . Boulton , G . P . England , assisted by Bros . I . Terry , P . G . S . B . England , Sec . R . M . B . I . ; J . P . Allen , P . M . ; and W . M . Foxcroft , P . M . After the customary addresses , which were most impressively given , the VV . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . A . Swann , I . P . M . ; D . Mackenzie , S . VV . ; C . V . Harman , J . W . ; Rev . G . B . Fenwick , M . A ., Chap . ; J . Pullen , Treas . ; E . Frayling , Sec ; F . G . Warren , S . D . ; C . A . Brasted , J . D . ; F . Chapman , I . G . ; W . M .

Foxcroft , U . C . ; f . C . Noble , Org . ; IJ . W . Franks and E . Mills , Stewards ; and F . Quilter , P . M . 51 , Tyler . The W . M ., on behalf of the lodge , then presented Bro . A . Swann with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , in recognition of the able manner in which he had performed the duties of his office during the past year . Bro . R . T . Stebbings was again elected to represent the lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee . The following brethren were elected as joining members of the lodge : Bros . Rev . G . B . Fenwick , M . A ., 1557 , and H . E . Sutton , 1 799 . Bro . Stebbings also had the pleasure of initiating his old friend , Mr . H . A . Atkinson , which ceremony was most efficiently performed .

After the closing of the lodge , the brethren adjourned to the Royal Hotel , where a splendid banquet had been provided . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been duly honoured , an excellent programme of music was gone through by Miss Theresa G . Kellaway and the following professional brethren : Bros . Harry Bluff , W . Goring , and Trefelyn David , and Mr . H . T . Baynton ( with a splendid ' cello solo)—who very kindly gave their services for the occasion—assisted by Bros . C . A . Brasted , J . W . Franks , and J . W . Martin , who amused the company with some of his excellent recitations . Bro . F . C . Noble presided at the piano in his usual masterly manner . Altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent , and we trust Bro . Stebbings may have a successful year of office .

Abbey Lodge , No . 2120 . A meeting of the above lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Chertsey , on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult ., when there were present Bros . J . Webb , W . M . ; C Welch , P . G . Supt . of Wks ., as I . P . M . ; F . Harper , P . G . S ., S . W . ; W . Brooks , J . W . ; H . C Leigh Bennett , P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; H . J . Bidwell , P . P . G . D . C , Sec . ; the Rev . E . R . Parr , P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; A . McCormick . S . D . ; A . G . Hutchings , J . D . ; H . G . Nesmyth , I . G . ; C Head , D . C ; J . F . Baily , Org . ; R . J . Hunt and E . Squire ,

? , T ? ' ~ Vi- J- Mason , lyler : A . W . Grewdson , P . M ., P . G . S . ; E . T . Madeley , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . Dix , P . M . ; J . Hunt , Binns , Bradbury , Martin , Reed , K . A . Brown , Bates , and White . Visitors : Bros . J . B . S . Lancaster , 2317 , P . P . G , Std . Br . ; Budd , 2521 ; E . Head ; and W . Smith , 16 S 1 . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and

confirmed . Bro . H . E . White was raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . by the W . M . m an impressive manner . Two gentlemen were proposed for initiation at the next meeting , and , all business being ended , the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards sat down to dinner , provided by Bro . G . J . Mason in his usual excellent manner . At the conclusion of the dinner , the toast list was proceeded with .

11 , 1 J L ^ ' P P 0 Slnf "' the toast ° The Queen and the Craft , " mentioned that mat day the Queen would have occupied the throne for a longer period than any other ruler of the Empire . () The toast was received with acclamation , and the brethren all sang " God save the

The W . M . next proposed "The M . W . G . Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " In submitting the toastof "The R . W . P . G . M ., the Earl of Onslow , " theW . M . aid he hoped the lodge would be visited by the Prov . Grand Master on some future occasion . vJ'J he De P uty Pr . - G - - and the rest ° f the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and H , ' W ^« P ° nded t 0 W B ros . Welch , P . G . Supt . Wks . ; Crewdson , P . G . S . ; and narper , P . G . S . hr «??' i . i i " , igh Bennett , l . P . S . G . W ., proposed tbe toast of " The W . M ., " who , "t said , had taken pverv nfhri . wiiIi rr » rl , t ir . hlmolf *~ A *~ i - . * e ~~ i - . ~ - . ~ - * A iaiaiiiuu tu

Tt , Wt 11 * • J ...... .-.... ... ....,..,.,. „ u aa . me luuge . Hfnn V . r u ' on rls ! ng t 3 res P ° > was enthusiastically received . He thanked Bro . annett for the very kind things he had said of him , and was sorry his year of office hnr » i u nEr t 0 a close " He nad been fortunate in having plenty of work to do , and In . 1 aye lwo ln ' t , ates at the next meeting . He would always do his best to keep "P . he prestige of the lodge , as he had done in ths oast .

wer . , 1 ors , 'P ful Mister ntxt S ive the toast of "The Visitors , " remarking they lhat nl K ayS p j ^ Sed t 0 ^ e . ceive visitors at the Abbiy Lod £ ' They had several visitors Smithlu rerond """^ LanCaster ' ' W - Budd ' 5 2 ' i Head , and and ^\ Unca . l ' , i : esp 0 lJding ' said it gave him great pleasure to visit the brethren na als : > to see the working ef the lodge .

Tk uT ' Head * and Smith also re £ P ° nded . lodeect ; ,, M £ rsh , ^ L , t ' ^ propos . ing the t 01 st of " The Past Masters , " said no in their ,,. ave bMe I ' ast Ma ' than the Abbey Lod e ' they were a' » vays punctual UICUA " enda F " . were aUays ready to assist the brethren in the lodge , and also "ic lodge of instruction . best tn ° , « A u el l ' ' ' » . and w - D > x responded , saying they would always do their 10 assist the brethren in any way they could . Char , ° aSt of 'l The Treasu , er and Secretary " was given by Bro . Rev . E . R . Parr , Master !! f ii , i esp f ' roent'on ' mg that Bro . Bennett , the Treasurer , was the first LodeM ° V . ge andwas the connecting link between the St . George and the Abbey « ,,.= a ' . also spoke in mest flatterinir terms of his -. tprllnrr nualitiixi » * M * = nn ui

, walls ofti ? 1 S 5 at night t 0 see the Portrait of their excellent Treasurer placed on the them Th 2 ge bam 3 uetin e hall , and hoped he would long be spared to be amongst so m ' e , aut l ° f , beCfetary were ably carried out by Bro . Bidwell , who had done ui . n towards making the lodge the prosperous one it now was . a , so th 7 r , VJu SUce f ' in res P ondin &> thanked Bro . Parr , for his very kind remarks and 'he AhL .. 1 J - fesentingr the portrait , and said he should always do his best for nooey Lod ge in the future as in the past . The c ° rtrait is lhe WJrk of Bro . Bates , a member of the lod ^ c . Utl » nimit „ f i etary ' ' r ? P onse > said the success of the lodge was due to thc great "y anu concord that prevailed amongst its members , and so long as that con-

Craft Masonry.

tinued it would still go on and prosper ; he would always use his best endeavours to keep the lodge up to its present standard . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast ol "The Officers ol the Lodge , " observing that no W . M . could get on with the ceremonies unless assisted b / good officers . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant evening to a close . Some excellent songs were given during the evening by Bros . Baily , Squire , Wnite , Harper , Welch , Head , and Bates .

Royal Victorian Jubilee Lodge , No . 2184 . Bro . C . Jolly , P . M . 1472 and late W . M . of the above 11 lurishing lodge , finished a most harmonious and successful year of office as W . M . on Thursday , the 24 th ult ., by installing his successor into the chair of K . S . in faultless style , and in the presence of a most distinguished body of Masons , both brethren of the lodge and visitors from London and the province generally . The lodge , which is held at the Phie . iix Hotel , Rainham , was opened by the VV . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting having beei confirmed , the ballot was taken for

Messrs . John Thornton Jones and Robert Crawford , and it proved unanimous in their favour . Bro . Peterson was then passed and Bro . T ' ulley raised by the W . M ., who then proceeded to the ceremony of installation and installed Bro . Carlton , sen ., S . W . and W . M . elect , as Master ot the lodge , in which position the new Master was duly proclaimed and saluted . He then invested his officers as follows : Bros . Joseph Cohen , S . VV . ; C . H . Mitchell , J . W . ; C . H . Canning , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., Treas . ; C . Jolly , P . M ., Sec ; J . Millin , S . D . ; W . H . Catt , J . D . ( by proxy ); G . F . Penny , l . G . ;

J . W . Joyce , D . C ; R . J . Mitchell , Org . ; W . Harvey , P . M . ; S . H . Brocklehurst , C VV . Millington , E . J . Couves , W . S . Penny , and F . H . Penny , Stwds . ; and J . Ives , Tyler . The Installing Officer then gave the addresses in his most eloquent and impressive manner , and so concluded a ceremony which , for its perfectness and solemnity , has seldom been surpassed . The new W . M . commenced his reign by initiating Mr . Crawford in excellent style . He was then elet ted to serve on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee as lodge representative . The balance-sheet and Auditors' report

were received and adopted . Bro . Jolly was accorded a vote of thanks , the same to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge , for his services as Installing 0 . fi : er . He was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , of the value of 10 guineas , as a mark of the esteem of the brethren , and for his valuable services to the lodfe during his year of office , and also with a Past Secretary ' s jewel , of the value of five guineas , for his services as Secretary during the five years previous to his Mastership , the latter jewel being specially designed , and much admired .

Bro . Jolly returned his earnest thanks for these several gifts , and , after several propositions tor initiation had been received , the lodge was closed . The banquet was served in Bro . Joyce ' s best manner ; was recherche in character , and was much enjoyed , and we may here say that the catering of Bro . Joyce has been so excellent at both the Royal Victoria Jubilee Lodge and Chapter banquets , that his imminent removal to Romford is much regretted by the brethren and companions .

Among the other brethren present were Bros . F . J . Eedle , P . M ., P . G . S . of W . ; Easton ; T . J . Railing , P . M . and Sec . 51 , P . A . G . D . C . England , P . G . Sec ; Trask , P . M . 2372 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Middlehurst , P . M . 2372 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Smith , P . M . 933 ; Ware , P . M . 1076 ; Stebbins , P . M . 2063 ; W . Beecroft , P . M . 115 S , W . M . 2442 ; Taylor , J . W . 45 ; A . E . Kipps , J . D . 1275 ; Harris , l . G . 16 95 ; Chapman , 2063 ; Watkins , 933 ; Pavit , 860 ; Cunningham , 1343 ; Jarvis , 12 ; Eastern , 1607 ; W . Welch , 1327 ; VV . Spines , 2294 ; Berry , 45 ; Hoakes , Org . S 61 ; and others .

In proposing the toast of ' lhe Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . alluded in graceful terms to the long and happy reign of the Most Gracious Majesty , who had just completed the longest reign of any monarch who had ever ruled over England , and , amid enthusiastic cheers , wished her many years yet to reign over a united and prosperous nation . The toast was drunk in bumpers . Thc toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of the Order , " was also drunk with enthusiasm .

Bro . Railing , whose name was coupled with that of "The M . W . Pro G . Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom ; the R . W . D . G . M ., the Right Hon . Earl Amherst j and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " in responding , said it was a consolation to hear from their W . M . that the speeches were to be brief , but the toast was a most important one . When some years ago their then Grand Master , Lord Ripon , went over to the Church of Rome , it was said that Masonry would decline , but when his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales came to the throne of Masonry , the

Order , under his rule , progressed in a remarkable manner , and the reflux of the progress went throughout the whole Kingdom , and especially in the Province of Essex , where the number of lodges had doubled under their esteemed P . G . M . and during his reign . In their Pro Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master they had two most excellent Masons ; their Deputy Grand Master was Prov . Grand Master of their neighbouring province , the Province of Kent , and Bro . Jolly , who was a Kent Mason as well as an Essex Mason , could tell them that Earl Amherst was nut only a grand Mason , but of the immense strides Masonry had taken in the Province of Kent under his rule . As for

himself , he felt proud of being an officer of the Grand Lodge of England , and was also proud of his position in their province . If possible , he should have been at four different places that day , but as he could not cut himself up into quarters , and had such a pressing invitation to be present he acccepted it and came . He was exceedingly glad to be present and hear Bro . Jolly finish the installation ceremony in such an excellent manner , and regretted not being present at its commencement . He was glad also to see the way in which their new W . M . initiated the candidate and the good work of the officers , ic showed that there was " grit" in the lodge , and was an augury of its continued prosperity .

the toastof "The R . W . Prov . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl ot Warwick , " was drunk with rounds of applause , and Bro . Eedle , in response to that of "The V . W . D . P . G . M ., his Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Keg ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said ne felt greatly honoured in being coupled with , and selected to respond to such an important toast . He felt it a very great honour and a grand thing to be a Grand Officer ot such a province as that of the Province of Essex . The position was one that had raised him to the summit of his Masonic ambition , and when he received the collar of his office he felt that he was one of the happiest men in the world , and there were a "jolly" lot more like him .

Bro . Railing then proposed the toast of ' The W . M ., " and after wishing Bro . Carlton a pleasant and successful year of office , referred to the consecration of the lodge during the jubilee year of her Majesty's reign , and now they were that year celebrating the longest reign of any sovereign that ever reigned in England . During that reign what wonderful progress had been made in science ard art , and he fruited ic would continue to be one of prosperity ! and one that would for ever be celebrated as the reign of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria .

Bro . Carlton brielly returned thanks . He said it would be his aim to continue the good work done by his predecessors , and heartily thanked them for the toast . The next toast was that of " lhe Installing Officer , " and in giving it , the W . M . spoke highly of the splendid working of Bro . Jolly , averring that he naJ never seen tho ceremony surpassed or equalled .

Bro . Jolly returned thanks feelingly , and thanked the brethren not only for the hearty reception of the toast , but for their universal kindness and co jrcesy to him during his year of office . He also thanked them for thettvo beautiful jewels present ; d him tne day by the brethren of the lodge , and assured them that if he nad deserved their thinks in the past , he would endeavour to still further deserve tnem in the future .

Bro . Canning responded tor " The Past Masters . " " The Visitors , " " Officers , " " Masonic Charities , " and Tyler's toast , concluded the proceedings , waich were m ^ st harmonious and agreeable . The musical portion of the programme was in the hinls of Bro . Tom Taylor , Bro . Kipps presided at the piano , and Bros . Spencer , Noakes , Tom Taybr , and J . J . Berry contributed some grand singing .

St . Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 . The monthly meeting of this lodge was h .-ld in the Masonic Rooms , Thorne , on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult . Present : Bro . G . Kenyon , W . M . ; Constable , acting I . P . M . ; T . Barber , S . W . ; tl . A . Kenton , J . W . ; li . Maskill , Treas . ; G . Eland , S . U . ; W . P . Robotham . Ore .: E . Simoson . l . G .: I ' . I . Smith and W . I ' , ntumhw ; .

Stwds . ; F . Pine , T ' jler ; T . I ' uinhnsoii , W . Hallgartn , rt . BIJW , G . E . Hardcastle , and A . L . Peace . Bro . Constable gave an explanation of the second tracing board . The following uninimous elections tooK place : liros . T . Barber , W . M . ; B . . vlisKell , Treas . ; and Bro . F . Pine , Tyler . The brethren afterwards partook of refreshment .