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could do for the William Shurmur Lodge , or for Masonry in general , he should be pleased to do . He was pleased when he was unanimously elected Treasurer of the lodge , and from that time till now—and he thought before that time the lodge had gone on prcspering . He was quite sure it would prosper under its present Master ; there was no fear for this year , which no doubt would be a great success . Bro . Kershaw , W . AL , in reply , said that during his year

of office he should use his best endeavours to attend every meeting of the lodge , and would follow the footsteps of his predecessors in the rendering of the ritual perfectly . He thanked the brethren for electing him and for placing him in his present proud position . He could not quite say with his distinguished predecessor that he was unanimously elected , because while there were a very large number of brethren present , two brethren , who did not vote against

him would have preferred another to occupy the chair . However , during his year they would not be disappointed . He thanked the brethren again very heartily for their reception , but he would now propose the toast of " The Installing Master and the Past Alasters of the Lodge . " The Installing Master had told them in the lodge that he considered it a very great personal compliment and an honour that he who initiated him in Freemasonry should also instal

him , and thanked Bro . Fortescue for waiving his right to take part in that ceremony . He ( Bro . Kershaw ) had been associated with the Installing Master for over 16 years , and that intercourse had not been just here and there , but a daily one . He was not ashamed to acknowledge that that was a long period for a young man , and that he was under much indebtedness to the Installing Master for many kindnesses . Whatever success had attended his efforts he

was indebted to the Installing Master . To show the brethren the great energy of the Installing Master , not only in Freemasonry , but in the profession of which he was such a distinguished member , he might tell the brethren that Bro . Lennox Browne was the founder of one of those institutions in London of which all had a right to be proud—he meant a hospital . Passing on to the Past Masters , in a lodge that had not been established manv

years , of course , they could not have quantity , but what they lacked in quantity it had in quality . There was its first Master , Bio . W . Shurmur , a walkingMasonic encyclopaedia next Bro . Holmes , and then Bro . Ffrench Bromhead , whose delight it was to do the ceremonies faultlessly . Next came the I . P . M ., than whom they could not have a more perfect Freemason , and in testimony of the value the brethren put on his services they voted him a Past Master ' s jewel .

which he ( Bro . Kershaw ) now had the honour of presenting him with . Bro . Lennox Browne , replying as Installing Master , said he had already spoken in lodge and at the banquet table , and he should not now trespass on the enjoyment of the brethren by saying many words . What he had slid he stuck to , and they had heard from the W . M . that there was a mutual respect between them , which he thought

should excuse any further compliment . He had had the very greatest pleasure in coming to instal Bro . Kershaw , and was much indebted to Bro . Fortescue for giving him the opportunity . It could have been as well done by any of the Past Masters , but he wanted to do it to testify to the brethren his respect for Bro . Kershaw , as well as to the continued interest he took in the William Shurmur Lodge . Bro . W . Shurmur , who also replied , said he regarded it

as a very honourable distinction to be a P . M . and the Treasurer of that lodge . Seeing that it had been constituted less than four years , he thought they might fairly congratulate themselves on having become Patrons of the Benevolent Institution with 600 votes in perpetuity ; and also Vice-Patron of the Boys' School with 30 votes in perpetuity . He hoped in a few days they wculd be Vice-President of the Girls' School . He regarded their distinctions as very

brilliant diamonds in their crown . It must be allowed that they had not neglected to maintain in their fullest splendour those Masonic ornaments—Benevolence and Charity . No honour afforded him greater pleasure than being Treasurer to give effect to generosity in favour of the Institutions . He hoped that they would continue in well doing . Bros . Holmes and Bromhead having responded , Bro . N . Fortescue , I . P . M ., also replied , and while

acknowledging the kindness which prompted their intended proposition of him as Provincial Grand Treasurer of Essex , thanked the brethren for voting him the jewel , which he should always regard with the greatest pride . The other toasts were afterwards honoured and responded to . The programme of music consisted of performances well rendered by Bros . T . H . Lloyd , Selwyn Davies , Jefferson Davies , and Tom Taylor .

COLCHESTER . Angel Lodge ( No . 51 ) . —The members of this lodge celebrated their 159 th anniversary on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., when there was a large gathering to witness the installation of Bro . Claude E . Egerton-Green , I . P . M . 2477 , a ° d P . G . Treas ., as W . M . for the ensuing year . The lodgewas opened b y Bro . Harold Francis , I . P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . ( in the unavoidable absence of the W . M ., Bro . G . F .

Wright ) , and the minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the arrival of the Deputy P . G . M ., Bro . Fred . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg ., was announced , and he was admitted to the lodge , escorted by a goodly array of Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers , the honours due to his exalted rank in the Craft being heartily accorded him . The D . P . G . M . then took the chair , and performed the installation ceremony with the impressiveness

for which he is so distinguished . The officers for the year were appointed and invested as under : Bros . George F . Wright , I . P . M . ; Harry Becker , S . W . ; W . Johnson , J . W . ; W . Morgan Jones , P . M . G 97 , P . P . G . Chap ., Chaplain ; Charles Osmond , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Treas . ; T . J . Railing , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec , Secretary ; J . W . Start , S . D . ; Maslin Sm ' . th , J . D . ; R . Haward Ives , P . M ., P . P . A . G . Sec , D . C ; C Osmond , P . M ., I ' . P . G . O ., Organist ; | . S . Fitzjohn , I . G . ; Thomas VV .

"rown , Steward ; and A . Wngbt , Tyler . Bro . Joseph Crimes , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of Wks ., was reelected to represent the lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee . At the conclusion of the business the new W . M . pro-Posed a hearty vote of thanks to the D . P . G . M . for his kindness in attending and performing the ceremony of 'he day , which he esteemed a great compliment to himself a "d to the lodge . The motion , having been seconded by tne S . W ., was carried by acclamation ,

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Bro . Philbrick , in response , thanked the VV . M . and brethren for their kind reception of him , and said it gave him unspeakable pleasure to be present and see the prosperity of the lodge . They had just heard a speaker at the Oyster Feast remark that the looker on often saw most of the game , and when one came to the lodge , as it were , on these bii thday occasions , one could judge , of how the lodge

was progressing . It had been a particular pleasure to him to instal a friend and brother who would so worthily occupy the chair as Bro . Egerton-Green ; and whilst every Mason looked upon the lodge as his home , no hplace could ever seem more like a home to himself as the Angel Lodge in his native town . The lodge was shortly afterwards closed , and between

50 and 60 brethren subsequently dined together at the Cups Hotel , the repast being well served as usual by Bro . and Mrs . Brown , in responding for the toast of his health , the D . P . G . M ., in a happy speech , spoke of the strides that Freemasonry had taken since his first connection with the province , the number of the lodges having risen from 19 to 37 , and he was happy to know that they were all actuated by the true Masonic spirit .

HAMPTON COURT . Hemming Lodge ( No . 1512 . )—A meeting of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , on the iSth ult . Among those present were Bros . ( . W . Clarke . W . M . ; J . Smith , I . P . M ., as S . W . ; Trotter , J . W . ; J . C Jessett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Capt . T . C Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; W . Hopkins , S . D . ; G . I .

Tagg , J . D . ; P . Cronin , I . G . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., D . C ; C . Wheatley , A . D . C . ; C . F . Davis , 11 . Webster , and W . Hill , Stwds . ; W . Spearing , P . P . G . S . B ., P . M . ; H . Wheatley , P . P . A . G . D ., P . M . ; W . Fisher , P . P . G . Treas ., P . M . ; and H . H . Room , P . G . Sec Among the visitors were Bros . W . W . Williams , W . M . S 34 ; S . Abel ] , W . M . 2032 ; C . Welch , W . M . 2120 ; M . T . Tuck , P . P . G . Std . Br .,

P . M . 1343 ; A . Tucker , P . P . A . G . D . C , P . M . 1733 ; H . F . Nash , P . M . 1769 ; Trask , P . M . 2312 ; Neal , 134 S ; Amey , 1401 ; and Bowers , t (> 3 S . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Towner was raised to the Third Degree . The ballot having been taken for Messrs . George Ridgewell and William Golding Carrington , they were duly initiated by the W . AL , whose correct working was highly appreciated .

A vote of condolence was passed to the widow of Bro . H . J . Jones , P . P . G . Std . Br ., P . M . The following resolutions were passed : " That the thanks of this lodge are preeminently due , and are hereby accorded to W . Bro . J . W . Matthews , P . G . A . D . C of England , & c , for his kind exertions in promoting the election of Ethel Eales , daughter of the late W . Bro . R . Eales , P . M . 1512 , P . G . A . P . of

Middlesex . " " That the members of the Hemming Lodge desire to convey to the Board of Alanagement of the R . M . I , for Boys their thanks for the consideration shown to Arthur Ernest Davey , by extending to him a further period of time at the Institution in order that he may obtain a higher education . The brethren are also pleased to know

that the son of one of their late most highly respected members has , by his work and good conduct , won the above gratifying recognition by the Board of Management . " The lodge was then closed . A banquet followed , at which the W . M . presided most ably . Among the speakers were Bros . Room , Jessett , Williams , Abel ! , and Welch .

HIGH WYCOMBE . WyCOlTlbe Lodge ( No . 1501 ) . —The installation ceremony of this flourishing lodge took place at the lodge room on the 25 th ult . A . large number of brethren assembled , including Bros . F . Johncock , W . M ., P . P . G . Org . ; G . J . lames , I . P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; Morris , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., acting S . W . ; Rose , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Tottle , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; C . H . Hunt , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Treas . ; ) . Bliss , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Sec . and

VV . M . elect ; H . Hambling , J . W . ; J . J . Simcox , P . G . Org ., S . D . ; C . Batting , J . D . ; T . Rees , I . G . ; C . Skull , Org . ; B . Wright , Stwd . ; I " . Payne , Tyler ; C T . Baines , H . Bayfield , J . Smith , J . Williams , F . Miles , W . Hearne , H . Flint , J . C Coppuck , H . T . Dickens , R . S . Wood , W . E . Cole , S . Flint , H . Harvey , Dr . McKay , J . Thurlow , and B . L . Reynolds . Among the visitors present were Bros . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap . England ,

D . P . G . M . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B . England , Sec . R . M . B . I . ; J . M . McLeod , P . P . S . G . W . Derby , Sec . R . M . l . for Boys ; Rev . O . J . Grace , P . M ., P . G . Chap . England ; H . J . Mount , P . M . I 5 < 3 fi , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Gardner , P . M . 1566 , P . P . J . G . D . ; Arrowsmith , P . AL 1566 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; R . H . Major , W . M . 1894 , P . J . G . D . ; J . Williams , P . M . 591 , P . G . Treas . ; J . E . Bowen , P . M ., P . G . Sec ; J . J .

Thomas , W . M . 2421 ; J . W . Burgess , VV . M . 2421 ; J . W . Burgess , W . M . 2492 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; T . A . Ball , W . M . S 40 ; Jarvis , Swanell , Gibbs , and others . The lodge was duly opened and thc minutes read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee was read and approved , and a substantial balance reported . Bro . J . Williams was passed to the Second Degree , and the Grand

Officers were duly saluted . Bro . J . Bliss was then installed W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . Johncock , I , P . M . The newly-elected W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros .. Hambling , S . W . ; Simcox , J . W . ; C . H . Hunt , P . M ., Treas . ; Rev . 0 . J . Grace , Chap . ; C Rose , P . M ., Secretary ; C . Batting , S . D . ; Wright , J . D . ; R . S . Wood , I . G . ; Skiell and Flint , Stewards ;

Johncock , I . P . M ., Organist ; F . Payne , Tyler . Mr . Wilson was then initiated by the W . M . On the motion of Bro . Bliss , Sec , Bro . the Rev . 0 . J . Grace , P . G . Cbap . England , was made an honorary member of the lodge , and the reverend brother returned his thanks . The W . M . then presented to Bro . F . Johncock , the I . P . M ., on behalf of the lodge , a handsome Past Master ' s jewel in recognition

of his valuable services to the lodge during his year of office . The lodge being duly closed , the brethren sat down to the banquet under tne presidency of Bro . Bliss , VV . M . ; the dining hall having been very elaborately decorated , the table was tastefully laid out and a most recherche repast was provided by Bro . I . Bowden , who was indefatigable in

his efforts to secure the comfort of the brethren . The W . M . gave " The Queen and Craft , " "The Grand Officers , " to which Bro . Rev . Grace replied , and " The Prov . Grand Officers , " to which Bro . Brownrigg responded . The D . P . G . M . next gave "The Worshipful Master , " and said it gave him extreme pleasure to be there that evening , and he was very proud of the Wycombe Lodge .

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He well remembered consecrating the lodge , and it was a fact that not one of the brethren at that time belonged to Wycombe , but he felt confident the lodge would flourish , and now he believed there was not a single London brother connected with it ; he was pleased to think the Wycombe Lodge was one of the most nourishing lodges in the

province . The W . M . suitably replied . He was proud to be in that position , as it showed the confidence and esteem he was held in by the lodge to put him in the chair for the third time . The W . AL next gave "The Visitors , " Bro . Bowen responding . Bro . Rev . O . J . Grace gave " The Charities , " and said he

was proud to be in that position that evening , especially having two of the Secretaries of the Masonic Institutions present . He had served the office of Steward several times , and he hoped the several Charities would be heartily supported . He was pleased to see that the candidate for the Girls ' elsction , the late Bro . Sherman's child , was duly elected the first time of tryiag . Bro . Sherman died whilst in office

of VV . M . of Aylesbury Lodge , No . 591 , and the case was taken up strongly and successfully by the province , and it proved to the brethren what could be done by unity . Bros . Jas . Terry and J . M . McLeod responded , both giving some stirring instances of past elections . The W . AL gave " The Initiate , " to which Bro . Elsom responded .

Bro . Williams , Prov . G . Sec , gave "The Past Masters and Officers of the Wycombe Lodge , " to which Bros . Hunt and Morris replied . The Tyler ' s toast closed one of the most successful lodge gatherings ever held in Wycombe . The pleasure of the evening was much enhanced by the singing of Messrs . Noyce and Harmer .

SUTTON BRIDGE . Alexandra Lodge ( No . 985 ) . —The 31 st in stallation meeting was held at the Bridge Hotel , on Monday evening , the 15 th ultimo . Present : Bros . S . j . C-Juplandf , I . P . M ., as W . M . ( in the absence of the W ' ., vL , Bro . E . Sunderland , who is seriously ill ); Rev . G . F . I ! . Foxton , P . P . G . C , as Chap . ; M . Cox , P . P . G . S . of W ., Treas ., as

S . W . ; A . II . Brookes , J . W . ; J . R . Clarke , P . P . A . G . Purst ., Sec ; C . E . | Ward , P . P . S . G . W ., D . of C . ; G . P . Hobson . S . D . ; Percy Jenner , as J . D . ; H . Healey , Org . ; W . Garthwaite , I . G . ; R . P . Mossop , P . P . G . S . B . ; and J . H . Carter , P . P . A . G . D . C . Visitors : Bros . J . E . West , VV . M ., W . Fletcher , I . P . M ., C C . Bimrose , P . M ., Sec , J . T . II . Brogden , and E . F . Bonner , of 4 69 ; A . J .

Elworthy , . W . M ., G . W . Whitehead , P . M ., and Barnbridge , S . W ., of S 09 ; T . Peake . S . W . 107 ; and S . A . T . Coxon , W . M . 442 . Lodge having been opened by the I . P . AL , the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed , and apologies received from Bros . S . S . Mossop , P . M . ; W . Porter , P . M . ; J . E . Townsend , P . M . ; E . Sunderland , W . M . ; and j .

G . Dunlop , S . W ., who were kept away through illness ; also Bros . H . F . Pollock , P . M . 4 , P . G . Stwd . ; and Buckridge , 1 G 58 . The chair was then taken by Bro . C . E . Ward , D . C , and Bro . Coupland presented the W . M . elect , Bro . H . Healey , who was duly installed into the chair of K . S . The W . M . appointed and invested the following officers , others being unavoidably absent : Bros . A . H .

Brookes , S . W . ; Percy Jenner , J . W . ; Rev . G . F . H . Foxton , P . P . G . C , Chap . ; M . Cox , P . P . G . S . of Works , Treas . ; J . R . Clarke , P . P . A . G . P ., Sec . ; G . P . Hobson , S . D . ; H . Garthwaite , Stwd . ; and D . Oliver , Tyler . The addresses to thc W . M ., officers , and brethren were delivered by Bro . Chas . E . Ward . Bro . Ward , Charity Correspondent , then announced that advice had been received from

Bro . B . Vickers , Prov . G . Sec , of the election of Florence Candwell to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . "Hearty good wishes" having been offered by the visitors , lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a recherche banquet , served in host Bro . Clarke's best style , and presided over . by the VV . M ., Bro . Harry Healey , a very pleasant evening being spent .

The usual loyal toasts were proposed by the W . AL and received hearty response , being honoured musically with the National Anthem and "God Bless the Prince of Wales . " Bro . P . Jenner , J . W ., proposed "The R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Major Smythe , J . P ., D . L . ; W . Bro . W . Harling Sissons , P . A . G . D . C . England ; and the rest of

the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which was responded to by Bro . C E . Ward , P . P . S . G . W . Bro . R . P . Mossop , P . P . G . S . B ., proposed the toast of the evening—that of "The W . AL , Bro . Healey , " speaking highly of his energy in Freemasonry and attention to the lodge , though having 10 miles to drive to it , and was sure the brethren would not regret having placed Bro . Healey in his

present proud position of VV . M . Bro . Healey responded in a few feeling words , and said he would do his best to continue the good record held by his predecessors in the chair , and felt sure that he would have the support of the Past Masters , officers , and brethren generally . Bro . J . H . Carter , P . P . A . G . D . C , proposed the toast of " The Installing Master , Bro . Chas . E . Ward , " of whose

assistance in the working of the various ceremonies the brethren were proud . Bro . Ward , in reply , thanked the brethren for the very hearty reception given him , and stated that was the sixth Master of Alexandra Lodge he had had the pleasure of installing , and would always be pleased to give any assistance he could at installation meetings of the lodge . Bro . J . R . Clarke , P . P . A . G . Purst ., proposedwhat he

, considered one of the chief toasts at all Masonic gatherings , " The Masonic Charities , " and in doing so coupled the name of Bro . C . E . Ward , P . Prov . Charity Steward , whose work amongst the various Charities in the lodge and provinces was well known , and he believed that when Bro . Ward took up the Charity work of the lodge in 18 S 9 , there was only one—Bro . S . S . Mossop—who held life votes in

the central Charities , whereas now , out of a membership of 38 , the Alexandra had 30 brethren holding about 120 votes . Bro . Ward considered it very appropriate that Bro . J . R . Clarke should propose that toast , it being owing to hints from him that the Benevolent Association was worked up ,

and had been the means , through liberal contributions of the brethren , of placing the lodge in its present position as regards the Charities ; unfortunately the lodge had during the past few years had heavy calls to assist the education of children of deceased brethren , but with the help of provincial and central Charities they had been well met .