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sented to Bro . R . Shadforth , I . P . M ., in token of the excellent manner in which he had discharged the duties of W . Master . The annual festival was held at the Empress Hotel in the evening , Bro . Fred Maddison , W . M ., presiding . In the course of the evening , the W . M . intimated that he had received the following kind letter from the Provincial

Grand Master , R . W . Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart . : — " 12 , Upper Belgrave-street , S . W ., " May 15 th , 1 SS 7 . " Dear Sir and Brother , —I had fully hoped to have been in the North this week , but since my return from Bath I have , from no fault of my own , not been near right , and

the doctors forbid my moving . 1 would gladly , had I been in Sunderland , have attended your installation and _ banquet to-morrow ; however , though absent , I shall be thinking of you and the brethren meeting in the lodge that bears my name , the prosperity of which I so much desire . I ara glad to know that prosperity will be assured during the coming year by the excellent choice the brethren have made as to their Master , and I also rejoice that under your

auspices during the ensuing year the Williamson Lodge will increase its sphere of usefulness by laying the foundation of a habitation worthy of itself and of the Craft . " However , dear Sir and Brother , whenever your lodge may meet it has my best wishes , which 1 will ask you kindly to convey to the brethren assembled , and may your lodge flourish and prosper till time shall be no more . —I remain , yours fraternally , "HEDWORTH WILLIAMSON , "P . G . M . Durham . "

It is expected that the foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall for the lodge will be laid in the course of a few weeks . CHISLEHURST . — Chislehurst Lodge ( No . 1531 ) . —A meetingof this lodge was held on Saturday , the 21 st ult ., at the Bull Hotel , when amongst those present were Bros . W . T . Brailey , W . M . ; Richard Nevill , S . W . ; W . T . Hunt , l . W . ; William Hollis , Treas . ; loseph C .

Main , Sec . ; W . A . Cleaves , S . D . ; Chas . F . Quicke , J . D . ; William Powell , D . C ; H . C . Dana , I . G . ; E . Mallett , Tyler ; E . J . Goodall , I . P . M . ; William Kipps , P . M . ; J . R . Behenna , P . M . ; Arthur Tuck , and G . H . Dowsett . Visitors : Bros . George J . Baker , SCg ; Caleb Windle , 1391 ; William Gunner , 720 ; and Robert Adams , 1625 . ; Lodge was opened in the usual manner , and the minutes

of last lodge read , when notices to amend them were put in respecting two brethren who had previously tendered resignations , they having since expressed a desire to remain , which was unanimously agreed to . A ballot was then taken for Mr . Thomas Smith , which being unanimous he was introduced and initiated into Ancient Freemasonry by the W . M ., in a very business-like manner . By-laws

were read , and the brethren then proceeded to elect a W . M . for the ensuing year , when it was found that Bro . Richard Nevill , S . W ., had been unanimously elected . The election of Treasurer then took place , and Bro . Main , who was relinquishing the office of Secretary , was elected Treasurer , and the Tyler , Bro . Jas . Rawles , was re-elected . An Audit Committee was then appointed . A notice of

motion which had appeared on the agenda in the name of Bro . William Kipps , P . M ., "That a Past Master ' s jewel and collar with jewel be presented to the W . M ., Bro . Brailey , on his retirement from office , for the efficient manner he had performed the duties of the chair , " was , in the temporary absence of the proposer placed before the lodgeby Bro . J . R . Behenna , P . M ., in a few well chosen words ,

and being put to the lodge by theS . W ., was unanimously adopted , and the W . M . thanked the brethren in very feeling terms for the compliment . A cordial vote of thanks was then ordered to be placed upon the minutes to the retiring Treasurer , Bro . Hollis , for his services and uniform amiability during the six years that he had filled that

office . The business of the lodge being ended , it was adjourned to the installation day , June 25 th , and the members and visitors afterwards sat down to a well earned repast , and spent a pleasant evening , enlivened by songs , recitations , & c .

LEEDS . —Prudence Lodge ( No . 2069 ) . —The ordinary meeting of this lodge was held on the 14 th ult . at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street . The W . M ., Bro . C . Letch Mason , P . P . G . Treas ., P . M ., was surrounded by the following officers and members : Bros . Tudor Trevor , P . M ., S . W . ; W . Watson , P . M ., J . W . ; Middleton , Sec ; R . Abbott , Treas . ; Scott-Young , S . D . ; Butterworth , as

J . D . ; Jameson , I . G . ; Howarth , Org . ; Milling , Stwd . ; W . Jones , Smithson , and others . Defence Lodge , No . 1221 , was the visiting lodge , and amongst the officers and membersof that lodge who partook of the hospitality of the W . M ., Bro . Mason , were Bros . R . Harris , W . M . ; Major Moore , P . P . G . S . B ., P . M . ; R . Lucas , J . W . ; Tomlinson , Sec . ; C . D . Swale , S . D . ; H .

Child , J . D . ; and Marsh . The othervisitors included Bros . H . Smith , D . P . G . M . ; J . W . Fourness , Prov . G . Treas ., P . M . ; W . F . Smithson , P . P . G . D ., P . M . 1001 , Chairman of the Charity Committee of West Yorks ; T . E . Pritt , S . D . 289 ; Rev . J . Earl , 630 ; Rev . G . Vine ( Apollo ); and others . As this was the first meeting of the lodge since its I . P . M .,

Bro . Dr . Cartwright Smyth , M . A ., was invested Senior Grand Chaplain of England his entrance to the lodge was the signal for a hearty demonstration of respect and congratulation . The W . M ,, advancing to meet that popular and widely-respected brother , said , in the name of the lodge , he welcomed him , Bro . Dr . Smyth , in his capacity as Grand Chaplain of England . The Prudence Lodire

felt it no mean honour having on its roll of members such an illustrious brother as Dr . Smyth . It was very gratifying to the members to know that through the establishment of that lodge , with him as one of its founders , he had been enabled to receive the great honours now bestowed upon him , and although they had notbeen privileged to be the first lodge in Leeds to welcome him since his appointment as

Grand Chaplain , yet he might rest assured their welcome was none the less sincere ; and he ( the W . M . ) was only re-echoing the feelings of every member in saying that they hoped the G . A . O . T . U . would grant him long life and health to enjoy the rank so deservedly bestowed upon him . Bro . Dr . Smyth , in suitable and graceful language , reciprocated the good wishes of which the W . M . had been the mouthpiece . Bro . Mason then with great force and

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impressiveness passed Bro . Pendleton to the Second Degree . The ballot having been declared clear for Mr . Crossley , a candidate for initiation , he was introduced to the mysteries of the First Degree by Bro . Dr . Smyth . The announcement was made to the lodge that Bro . Jameson , I . G ., having received an important appointment under the Hackney Local Board , was about to leave Leeds ; and , whilst hearty

congratulations were poured upon Bro . Jameson upon his success , the pleasure ot the brethren was somewhat tinged with pain , for Bro . Jameson's genial presence will be greatly missed from his mother lodge . The Grand Chaplain then read his paper , entitled "Some Common Objections to Freemasonry , " a report of which has already appeared , and it is only necessary here to say that it was listened to

with attention and enjoyment by all who were privileged to be present during its delivery . The lodge having been closed , an adjournment was made to the banqueting room , where an ample repast was laid , and though alcohol , by the rules of the lodge , was conspicuous by its absence , a happy time was spent , speech

and song alternating with pleasing variety . It was announced that nearly £ 50 had been subscribed by the members of the lodge towards the two Presentations to the Widows' Benevolent Fund ( 1000 guineas each ) , which were being raised in West Yorks to celebrate the Jubilee .

CROYDON . —George Price Lodge ( No . 2096 ) . —The third installation meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 19 th ult ., at the Greyhound Hotel , when Bro . Hugh Marcus Hobbs , P . S . G . D . Surrey , completed his year of Mastership by passing Bro . Lionel Percival to the Second Degree , and installing Bro . Francis Timothy Ridpath in the Master's chair , performing those ceremonies

to perfection . The new W . M . was equally perfect , for in investing his officers he delivered the various charges to them with the fluency or an old and experienced hand , which gave promise that the brethren would have in his year as able a Master as they had seen in Bro . Langton and Bro . Hobbs . Bro . Hobbs was of course invested as I . P . M ., and the following brethren received the other

collars : Bros . E . Samuel , S . W . ; M . L . Levey , J . W . ; J . C . Leaver , Treasurer ; J . D . Langton , P . M ., P . J . G . W . Surrey , Secretary ; the Rev . E . D . Lennox Harvey , M . A ., Chaplain ; W . G . Goode , S . D . ; F . Cambridge , P . P . G . Org . Surrey , J . D . ; F . J . Blake , P . P . G . Reg . Surrey , D . C ; W . G . Oates , I . G . ; E . C . Holdsworth , Stwd . ; F . W . Leaver , Org . ; and W . Lane , Tyler .

After the closing of the lodge , the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet , when there were present the following brethren , in addition to those above named : Bros . F . West , D . P . G . M . Surrey ; George Price , P . G . Treasurer Surrey ; D . Guedalla , J . S . Fraser , E . C . Leaver , R . VV . Wilson , W . Fraser , A . Matthey , C . Holden , and the following visitors : Bros . W . Foulsham , P . P . J . G . W .

Northumberland ; R . Clay Sudlow , P . P . S . G . D . Kent ; W . Pile , P . G . S . B . Surrey ; W . H . Rawson , W . M . 1790 ; G . H . Moore , W . M . 2054 ; G . T . Marshall , P . M . 69 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 192 S ; F . J . Wray , P . M . 1257 ; Maitland H . Dicker , P . M . 1470 ; F . C . Atkinson , P . M . 21 S 2 ; C . E . Penny , S . D . 14 SS ; G . H . Bishop , S . D . 1965 ; T . F . Downes , 16 35 ; G . K . Pugh , 1625 ; F .

Carter , 14 ; E . F . Pass , S . W . 1540 ; W . Stevenson Hoyte , J . W . 1706 ; C . White , 1790 ; J . Elkan , 166 S ; Gordon Smith , J . VV . 14 ; A . Lester , 1309 ; and E . J . Bell , 1369 . The banquet over and grace sung , the usual toasts were proposed . The Worshipful Master , in proposing " The Queen and the Craft , " said he was sure the brethren would receive the

toast with the greatest consideration , especially in the present year , when there was such great rejoicing at the long and successful reign of her Majesty Queen Victoria . They could not but be cognisant of the good that had been done and the benefits that had been conferred on the country by the rule of a Sovereign who had proved beyond question that she had regard for the wishes of her people ,

care for their welfare , and a complete identification of herself with their interests . ^ The Craft was always pleased to recognise those qualities , and he was sure the brethren would do so on the present occasion . The Worshipful Master , in giving "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " said that toast had always been well received by the Crait . Ever since his Royal

Highness's installation in 1 S 75 , he had shown the interest he took in Masonry to all the world , and in many things , which , no doubt , all thebrethren knew . The last occasion was when he initiated his own son , and the Craft generally had a great deal to be thankful for in having such a Grand Master . The toast of "The Pro Grand Master , Deputy G . M .,

& c , " followed , which officers , the W . M . said , had , ever since their accession to office , proved themselves worthy Masons by doing good work for the cause . The W . M ., in proposing "The R . W . Prov . G . M . of Surrey , General Brownrigg , C . B ., P . G . W ., " said the lodge had had the honour of the presence of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., and the occasion when he visited it would be

well remembered by every brother who was present . Since he had been promoted to the Prov . G . Mastership of Surrey , he had devoted a considerable amount of time to the good of the Craft . For instance , last year he was Chairman of the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , which was a very successful affair ,

when a large sum of money was collected , and the George Price Lodge was then represented in a manner which was a credit to the county of Surrey . He trusted the gallant general would be spared many years to devote his energy , not only to the good of the Masons of Surrey , but to the Craft as a whole .

The Worshipful Master next gave "The V . W . the Deputy Prov . G . M . for Surrey , Bro . F . West , P . G . Stwd . England , and the rest ofthe Prov . G . Officers , Present and Past . " He said it had been his good fortune to meet several of the Prov . G . Officers on various occasions , and the great interest they had felt in cases of Masonic Charity had proved to him that the Masons of Surrey were not behind

the rest of the Craft in good work . He then enumerated the Prov . G . Officers present , in addition to the Deputy P . G . M ., Bros . G . Price , Pile , J . D . Langton , A . M . Hobbs , and Cambridge , and said it was a feature of the lodge that several Prov . G , Officers were among its members , and they well deserved the honour that had been bestowed on them . Bro . F . West , D . P . G . M . of Surrey , in replying to the toast , said the George Price Lodge was essentially a loyal

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lodge . It drank with enthusiasm the health of the Queen , the Grand Master , and the great lights in Masonry , and none the less did it receive with enthusiasm the health of the rulers of the Province of Surre 3 ' . It afforded him very great pleasure to be present , and to be called upon to respond to this toast , and on his own behalf and on behal f of the olficers of the province he thanked the W . M . for

the kind way in which he proposed , and the members and visitors for the enthusiasm with which they received , the toast . The lodge was one of the youngest in England , and it was named after one of the oldest Masons in the Province of Surrey , who had done good suit and service to his province , who was known in the Craft , highly respected as a citizen , and much beloved as a brother . The founders of

the lodge in taking for it the name of one so much respected , no doubt felt that they had cast upon them a very great amount of responsibility , and they were determined that the lodge should not disgrace the name it bore . He thought he was not wrong in saying that if Bro . G . Price wished to have anything written up after he had gone with respect to his Masonic acts , he might fairly say he

would like nothing better than "If you wish a record of what I have done , look at the George Price Lodge . " There were many present who had seen how the Masters of that lodge had performed with skill and assiduity the affairs of the lodge , and with no less ability had they put forward the true principles of Masonry . Within 12 months the lodge had been instrumental in increasing the funds of the

three Masonic Institutions by no less a sum than £ Soo , and they had set an example in this respect . Bro . George Price would feel complimented by having his memory associated with that lodge . He was sure the VV . M . would do his best to carry on the traditions of the lodge , and he hoped it would flourish and prosper , and go on in the same way , and that years on somebody might be able to rise in his ( Bro .

West ' s ) place and say as truthfully as he could then , that nobody had more faithfully fulfilled the obligations cast upon them than the previous Masters of the George Price Lodge . Bro . H . M . Hobbs , P . M ., in proposing "The Worshipful Master , " said he thought that at an installation meeting that was the most important of all the toasts . Bro . Ridpath

was the J . VV . designate when the lodge was consecrated , and he had taken up to the Old People ' s Institution £ ' 52-1 he Worshipful Master , in reply , said he felt sure the toast had been received so enthusiastically , not from any merit of his own , but from the fact that he occupied the chair to which the brethren had elected him . The

endeavours he had always used to do his best in the various offices he had held in that lodge and elsewhere , he trusted he should always use as W . M . In these endeavours he trusted he should have the co-operation and help of the officers of the lodge . He then proposed "The Visitors , " many of whom had to get away by trains . Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , in replying , said he felt proud at

being honoured in being called upon to reply for so goodly an array of visitors . There should be but one thought running in the minds of the visitors , and that was one of congratulation to the George Price Lodge , to its present Master and to its Past Masters , on the very high position the lodge had already attained in the Craft . He was fortunate enough to be at the consecrationbut unfortunately

, , in spite of many invitations , he had been unable to be present since , but he regarded with a great deal of satisfaction the admirable manner in which he found the lodge carried on in every way the high principles of Masonry . There was one point he noticed particularly in the I . P . M ., that in presenting to the W . M . the warrant of the lodge he spoke of the worthy and worshipful first recipient of it ,

but he failed to say that after the first year it had also passed into the hands of a very worthy and distinguished brother . Now , all the visitors present would agree with him that Bro . Hobbs was pre-eminently deserving of trie title that he in his modesty refrained upon bestowing upon himself . It had given him ( Bro . Sudlow ) immense pleasure to be present , and he could only thank the brethren for the yery great treat given in the lodge room , and for the

hospitality they had experienced at the social board . He would like to say a word about the new W . M . He had had the pleasure of witnessing his work . in a lodge of instruction in close connection with this lodge , and he knew perfectly well what he could do . He was sure that during his year of office he would do his work in a thoroughly praiseworthy manner , worthy of the reputation already achieved by the lodge .

Bro . Foulsham also replied , and said there was something so unique in the toast—the visitors being either the friends of the W . M . or the friends of his friends in the lodge—that he had achieved a feat ; he had not only secured them soul and body . They had had that excellent spread , and enjoyed themselves to the height of their bent . I he way to an Englishman ' s heart was through his belly

it was said , and if that was so the lodge had secured the visitors in the most eminent degree . The W . M . was really one of his boys , and it afforded him an infinite amount of pleasure to see him in the chair . He spotted him as a good Mason from the very first—totted him up as a man of sterling worth and ability that would bring him to the highest position , not only in Masonry , but in

every thing to which he placed his hand . The Worshipful Master next gave "The I . P . M ., Bro . H . M . Hobbs . " All the brethren knew what Bro . Hobbs had done for Ihe George Price Lodge , the interest he had always taken in Masonry , and the good he was always endeavouring to do , both for the Charities and for brethren who were younger in knowledge of Masonry though older

than himself in the Craft . He had proved himself one of the most rising and persevering Masons . It was his ( thc W . M . ' s ) lot to witness Bro . Hobbs' initiation , and he saw in him a man who would prove himself worthy of the cause and bring honour and credit to the Craft . To an extent almost beyond those thoughts and anticipations had his opinion been fully verified . In connection with this toast

he had to present Bro . Hobbs with an elegant P . M . jewel , which he had fully earned , and which was the first one yet placed on Bro . Hobbs' breast . He hoped that the jewel would remind Bro . Hobbs as long as life remained to him that he had performed his duties as W . M . with credit to himself and with gratification to the brethren .

Bro . Hobbs , while expressing his grateful thanks for the W . M . ' s and the brethren's kindness , assured them that he had tried to do his best during his year of office . He thought he had sometimes failed , but it had g iven hirn great gratification to hear what the Deputy Prov . Grand Master said of this lodge , because it was not the ordinary