''The Old Masonians" And. The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

''THE OLD MASONIANS" AND . THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

On Tuesday the 24 th ult ., the members of the above association travelled down to Croydon and entertained our 01 ( J brethren at the Benevolent Institution . They had pre-1 _ ^ . nifql nmo-i-nmmn WIIIMT ivnc mn ^ l fnvnnrahlv capital which was most favourabl

nared a programme , y received by those present . Mrs . Watkins , the wife of the energetic Secretary , played the overture and accompanied the songs throughout the evening with great skill . Amongst theitems were recitations given by Messrs . Harold Williams and F . L . Scurr , in a highly efficient manner . Mr . Gedge "Daddy , " and Mr . A . H . Stephenson sang two

sang •nnr / s " I fear no Foe , " and "The 1 empest King , " with much sp irit . Mr . Barrett sang- "True till Death , " and Mr . C . H . Uwins was heard to advantage in "In cellar cool , " and " Anchored , " which he gave as an encore . Mr . Watkins gave a fine rendering of Molloy's song "The Lads n red . " The comic element was well represented by Mr . A . B . Whiteley , who sang four songs , and Mr . A . Balcomb ,

who sang " Killaloo . " A notable item in the programme was a negro sketch by Messrs . Uwins , Whiteley , and H . Kippax ; the last named gentleman , who has more than once shown himself as a friend of the old Masonians , having taken the place of Mr . W . Garstin , who was unable to be present . Mr . Kippax also sang " Ballyhooley , "_ and " Hen Convention , " in very fine style . The National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close . Before our

Old Boys left , Bro . Terry , in his usual characteristic and genial maner , proposed a hearty vote of thanks for the entertainment given , and in the course of his remarks wished the "Old Masonians" every success for the new year . We are glad to see our Old Boys do not forget their old friends who have done so much for the Craft , and feel sure that our readers will agree with us , that it is _ very p leasant to see these young men giving up an evening to 00 down and amuse the inmates of Bro . 'Terry ' s Institute .

The Pro Grand Master In Victoria.

THE PRO GRAND MASTER IN VICTORIA .

On Saturday , the 10 th of December , Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon paid a visit to the lodge of Freemasons named after his lordship , in the Town Hall , Collingwood , one of the Melbourne suburbs . This is the only opportunity on which Lord Carnarvon has been able to meet his Victorian brethren within the portals of a tyled lodge . The members of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 2124 , consequently

appreciated the honour , and a subscription was initiated amongst the brethren in order to render the event worthy of so unusual an occasion . First and foremost , it was decided to present his lordship with some suitable souvenir of his visit , and this took the form of an album , containing photographic views of the city and its environs , and an address , supplemented by the names of the members of

the lodge , over So in number . The front of the album , in addition to a suitable inscription , bears the arms of the noble earl , on a silver plate . The Committee appointed to carry out the details also decided to have a luncheon , and it may be mentioned that the Mayor of the city ( Councillor Henry Walker ) , although not a member of the Masonic body , generously asked permission to defray half

of the expenses . f _ An emergency meeting was summoned for noon , and shortly after that hour the W . M . of the lodge , Bro . James Page , opened the lodge in the presence of a crowded assemblage of members and visitors from lodges under the three British Constitutions . Bro . Sir William Clarke , the R . W . District and Provincial Grand Master of Victoria ,

having been called into the country , was unable to be present ; but his three Deputies—Bros . H . St . John Clarke , M . D ., P . G . W . of England ; G . Baker ( I . G ) , and Captain Martin ( S . C . )—attended , together with many other distinguished brethren . The W . M . deputed the following Past Masters of the lodge to retire , and conduct the M . W . Pro Grand Master

of England to the lodge : Bros . C . H . Bayley , J . A . Turnbull , W . F . Lamonby , Dr . Courtenay , and J . I . Saqui . Lord Carnarvon having entered the lodge , took his place on the right of the W . M ., and was greeted with the honours appertaining to his lordship's rank in the Order . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , having briefly stated the purpose of the gathering , called upon Bro . Bayley , as the

senior P . M ., to make the presentation . Bro . BAYLEY , at some length , detailed the history of the lodge , its progress , and the circumstances which led to the adoption of its name , also quoting the election of Lord Carnarvon as an honorary member , after which he read the address , and formally handed over the album to the noble recipient .

Ihe PRO GRAND MASTER in acknowledging the gift expressed the pleasure which it afforded him , and the honour that had been conferred upnn him in designating this the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge . He desired , therefore , •° be remembered in the hearts and affections of his brethren so long as he should live . It was a great pleasure ' 0 think that though 15 , 000 miles separated them , he should

be with his brethren in spirit . He was pleased to gather that the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge had been a great success , and his best wish was not only that it should thrive and flourish with all the vigour of youth , but that it should be carried on with the mature wisdom of old age . One word as to the memento which they had been good enough fo present to him . The secret had been so well kept that

he had no conception of the manner in which the brethren were pleased to testify their appreciation of his visit until that mysterious packet had been opened . He could assure 'hem that he should always value it as a mark of their iraternal esteem . His lordship then retired from the lodge , which was subsequentl y closed . An adjournment was then made to the main hallwhere

., , 'he company , to the number of over 200 , sat down to 'uncheon . The Worshipful Master occupied the chair , and proposed the usual loyal toasts , which were duly honoured . He then gave the toast of " Our Guest , the Earl ,, Carnarvon , " which was received with the greatest enl

" s > asm . The W . M ., in proposing the toast , mentioned [ "at 30 years ago Bro . the Right Hon . H . E . Childers vea in a house immediately behind where the Collingwood lown Hall now stood . s A" ^ Earl of CARNARVON , in the course of his reply , „ ' ' llrne is fast running to the end of my stay in the »» rcat colony of Victoria , and in a very short time I shall be

The Pro Grand Master In Victoria.

compelled to leave your most hospitable and kindly limits . I rejoice , therefore , to have an opportunity of expressing my farewell , and to assure not only those here present , but all those to whom my words may go , how deeply 1 have felt , and how greatly I acknowledge , the kindness and the welcome with which I have been met on every hand . When I return to England it will be my duty and pleasure

to say how Masonry has taken root and flourishes in this great colony , and how she not only flourishes , but puts Forth her boughs down to the sea , extending a grateful shade to all her members who are in ' difficulties and distress . The lesson of Masonry is , I believe , a very high and noble one , and I believe it has been correctly read and understood here . It gives great pleasure to me to see with

my own eyes the vast start which this colony has made . In the old world things move slowly . Here they move very rapidly , and anyone visiting this colony after being 10 years in England would doubtless see things that he had never dreamt of whilst here before—things absolutely changed . The ideal of the poet says that " fifty years of Europe is better than a cycle of Cathay . " I don't quite know what

" a . cycle of Cathay" is—I expect it is a . much longer period—but if 50 years of Europe are in point of development and expansion worth an unlimited era of Cathay , then I say that 10 years in these great colonies in progress matches 50 years of Europe . I notice in the papers this morning that at a banquet given in London a day ago to a very eminent Victorian statesman , great stress was laid

upon the mutual benefit to England and Australia of the personal intercourse of their citizens . I heartily endorse that sentiment . There is something in the sight and the hearing which transcends all the instruction either of conversation or of books . No one would be foolish enough to think that in the course of a few weeks or months he could learn intimately the condition of anything in a distant country , but yet if there be ordinary intelligence and

ordinary modesty , there is some subtle influence in the moral and social atmosphere of every country which is borne in , so to say , upon the mind of every observer , and sends him away richer and fuller and better in ideas than when he came . I hope in some limited degree that will be my lot . At all events , I can say that I will return to England more than ever deeply interested in the fortunes of these great colonies , and more than ever sensitive of the unfailing and inexhaustible kindness with which I have been received on

every side . Bro . : the Rev . W . W . MANTELL , P . D . G . Chaplain , gave the toast of "Sir W . J . Clarke and Our Visitors , " which was replied to by Bros . C . R . MARTIN , ( S . C . ) ,- Dr . ST . J CLARKE , ( E . C ); GEORGE BAKER , ( I . C . ) J Sir HENRY WRENFORDSLEY , W . H . ROBERTS , M . L . C . ; and W . G . FEILD , M . L . A .

Bro . Sir HENRY WRENFORDSLEY , Q . C ., formerly Chief Justice of Western Australia , in his reply to the toast , expressed his pleasure at the hearty hospitality and attention paid to Lord Carnarvon , since his arrival in Victoria , by every section jof the community . That was the

more pleasing to him ( the speaker ) from the fact that he had had the honour to serve under his lordship at the Colonial Office . Some other toasts followed , after which the gathering , which had been most successfully arranged and carried out , broke up .

Presentation To Lord Carnarvon By Victorian Mark Masons.

PRESENTATION TO LORD CARNARVON BY VICTORIAN MARK MASONS .

Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , P . G . M . M . M ., received a deputation from the Combermere Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 33 6 , on the 12 th of December , at Government House , Melbourne , the occasion being the presentation of an address . The W . M ., Bro . J . I . Saqui , was

absent through sudden illness , and the officers composing the deputation were Bros . Dr . Willmott , P . M . ; VV . F . Lamonby , P . M . and Treas ., P . P . G . Sec . Cumberland and Westmorland ; T . Haydon , S . W . ; J . F . Crane , J . VV . ; Chas . Brown , R . M . ; J . Sheehan , Sec ; J . Hickford , S . D . ; and S . Hayies , J . D . Bro . LAMONBY , having introduced the members of the

deputation to his lordship , said it would simplify mattersseeing that the time of his lordship was precious , on account of his leaving Melbourne that afternoon—were he to be permitted to read the address , which he did in the following terms : — To the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Most Worshipful Past Grand Master of Mark Masons of England

and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies ot the British Crown , & c . VVe , the Worshipful Master , Past Masters , Wardens , Overseers , and brethren of the Combermere Lodge , No . 33 6 , cordially and fraternally welcome your lordship to Victoria . We are fully aware and rejoice that for many years past your lordship has evinced and taken a warm interest in all that appertains to

the sublime precepts , usefulness , and well-being of Freemasonry ; and it is more especially a pleasing and historical fact that Mark Masonry has made vast strides since the year 1 S 56 , when a Grand Lodge was organised , with Lord Leigh , your lordship ' s immediate predecessor , as the first Grand Master . The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was then started with a nucleus of three lodges , and had

made some progress when your lordship assumed the reins of office , in the year 1 S 60 . At the present time there are nearly 400 lodges on the roll , thereby showing that the energies and influence brought to bear by the first Grand Masters were founded on a solid and progressive basis . That it may please the Great Overseer of the Universe to grant your lordship health and long life to further the

interests and usefulness of our Order is the sincere hope of your lordship's most fraternal and obedient servants . Freemasons' Hall , Melbourne , December , 1 SS 7 . Lord CARNARVON , in thanking his Mark brethren for their handsome present , mentioned that he had been overwhelmed with kindness , attentions , and invitations from his brethren of Victoria . He detailed his recollection

of the difficulties which faced the founders of the first Grand Lodge of Mark Masters ; but the Order steadily progressed , and a strong evidence of its popularity and success was the fact that the Prince of Wales three years ago accepted the honour of Past Grand Master , and was at the present time Grand Master . The address is in album form , and illuminated , the cover embracing the crimson , blue , and gold of a Grand Officer .

Lord and Lady Carnarvon left Melbourne the same afternoon for Sydney , and they will remain in New South Wales till the beginning of February , when they return to

Presentation To Lord Carnarvon By Victorian Mark Masons.

Melbourne for two or three days prior to the homeward voyage . During his stay in Melbourne the noble earl made important speeches on Colonial and Imperial matters , namely , at the inaugural dinner of the new Mayor of Melbourne ,

and at the banquets given in his honour by the President of the Legislative Council , and the members of the two Houses of Parliament . He also received a deputation from the Melbourne Presbyterian Assembly on the subject of the New Hebrides .

Annual Dinner Of The Gavel Club.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE GAVEL CLUB .

The annual dinner of the above club took place on Friday , the 27 th ult ., at the Freemasons' Tavern . An excellent repast was provided by the manager , Gaveller Madell . Gavelkr Hicklin presided , assisted by Gavellers Sudlow and Combes , as Vice-Presidents . , Gaveller PRESIDENT , who stated that speech making was not a forte of the Gavel Club , proposed "The Health of

the Visitors , " giving them , on behalf of the club , a most hearty welcome , and trusting that they were enjoying themselves as much as the members ot the club were enjoying their society . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Charles DuVal , who had on more than one occasion contributed to their enjoyment . Bro . CHARLES DUVAL responded , thanking the club for

the happy evenings he had had the pleasure of spending with them , and said that , with the permission " of the Gaveller President , he would ask the visitors to retuin the compliment by drinking to "Ihe Health , Prosperity , and Longevity of the Members of the Gavel Club , " coupling the toast with the name of the honorary Secretary and Treasurer , Gaveller Pritchard . It was his unfortunate and

unhappy position to be outside the Gavel Club , and consequently unable to speak from actual knowledge as to the work done by Gaveller Pritchard , but he was satisfied , by the way in which hisjname had been received , and ^ also from the success of the club , that the onerous duties of the Secretary and Treasurer were carried out with the same amount of zeal and assiduity that distinguished the Gavellers

generally in all their undertakings . The club was noted for its unquestionable hospitality , and the good feeling prevailing amongst its members . Evidences of their zeal he had had opportunities of judging , and evidence which showed that , work being done , humour held sway , and the jovial tendencies of the Gavellers broke out in fresh places at each of their re-unions . He remembered spending an

essentially musical evening with the Gavellers on one occasion , which was calculated to make Mendelssohn turn in his grave with regret to think that he had lived in vain . At another meeting , as students of Natural History , the Gavellers showed their keen appreciation of animal life .

" Men are but boys a little overgrown , " and it was well to relax a little sometimes . Bro . DuVal concluded a humorous speech by announcing that he had written , on the back of a menu card , a few impromptu lines , the sentiments of which he felt satisfied would be endorsed by the visitors , whose mouthpiece he was : —

" Good fellowship , reigns and your mirth overflows , Your quips and your jokes quickly travel , As round the gay board the challenge now goes , ' Here ' s your Health , brother Knight of the Gavel . ' ' All work and no play' makes a dullard of Jack , And though some at your humours may cavil , Your exactions all help to clothe poverty ' s back , For kind Charity taps with your Gavel .

" Your joy and your jests are open and free , And gaily you flourish the Gavel : Our hopes are sincere , expressed now through me For years , e'er Life ' s thread you unravel . And when the old Reaper comes round with his glass To put you all under the gravel , As he drives in the nails in your breastplate of brass , May you answer him back with the Gavel . ' "

In reply , Gaveller PRITCHARD said that he felt honoured at having his name coupled with the toast of " The Gavel Club . " It was his proud pleasure to act as Secretary and Treasurer , and he should always do as he had done—work for the benefit of the club and happiness of its membeis . He had much pleasure in stating that the club was in a stronger position than ever from every point of view ; and

he was particularly pleased that evening to see so many visitors present , and also to hear from Bro . DuVal that they were satisfied with the evening ' s entertainment . During the evening the following contributed to the harmony , viz . : Gaveller Kirby , "Ihe young Friar " and "Thy sentinel am I ; " Bro . Marsden , "The Quaker "

and "In cellar cool ; " Bro . Kite , "Speed on my bark " and " Homeward bound ; " Gaveller Williams , " The Duke of Seven Dials ; " Bro . Captain Williams , " Ballyhooley ; " Gaveller Combes , " The dispensing doctor" and " Killaloe ; " Bro . DuVal , a humorous Sketch ; and Gaveller Sudlow , recitation .

NORTH-WEST LONDON DENTAL INSTITUTE . — Extract from Kentish Town Magazine , for April , 1886 . — "The above-named Institute , under the special patronage of the Clergy , Medical Men , Gentlemen and Ladies of the N . and N . VV . districts , affords in its daily and extensive practice , wondrous exempli , lication o £ the great progress that has been made in the science of dentistry during quite modern days , and alto proves indie . putably the great boon which the above-named Institute con .

lers dally upon numerous sufferers . Defective teeth and gums are well known to be the foundation of the most painful complaints that afflict mankind , and that the several ailments o £ the mouth need the skilled attention of eminent scientists , if they are to be cured , or even alleviated , and in order that such skilled attention might be within the reach of all grades , the NOKIII -WEST LONDON DENIAL INSTITUTE was established . Situated at 80 , Fortess-road , Junction-road , Kentish Town , under the superintendence of Mr .

A . VV . I ' URUEH , L . D . S ., Royal College of Surgeons of England , assisted by a staff of sk lied and qualilied gent . cmen , this Institute supplied artificial teeth ; latest scientific improvements ; extracts teeth , and performs all other necessary operations painlessly , and bestows benefits that cannot be over-estimated upon this portion of our largely-populated suburbs that would not seek the aid of Hospitals and Charities in ihe Mcttopolis . VVe may add that Mr

A . W . l'URUER , L . D . S ., R . C . S . E ., has liad 20 years' experience in hospitals and private practice , is of a very kin ' uly disposition , and eminently fitted for the position that he holds , where he has earned the golden opinions of all who hare consulted him . Mr . KUKBER is also a well-known benefactor , having devoted ten years ot his early practice to serve , the poor , during which period his well-tutored and able hand relieved [ tree of cost ] no less a number than 20 , 000 suffering patients . "—Fees at this Institute are moderate , and Free to " the Unemployed , "