Craft Masonry.

mony he took some interest in himself . He was glad to have had that privilege , and only wished Bro . Vallentine had been in better health , and done himself justice . He ( Bro . Sadler ) was fond of old things , and old Masons , and was glad to see one of the real old school in harness and doing work . It was not many years ago when a dozen brethren in London could not be found to do the installation ceremony , but now there were a dozen in a lodge . He did

not think he had ever seen the installation ceremony done better than by Bro . Vallentine , and the VV . M . and his officers gave promise of following his example . Dro . G . Beardmore , I . P . M ., gave "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " and said it was easy and , at the same time , difficult to propose this toast—easy , for they could say so much about their W . M ., and difficult , as there was a long programme and time was short . They had seen

Bro . Gerrish work to the satisfaction of all , and had seen him work his way through the offices previously . I heir W . M . was the most regular attendant at the lodge of instruction , and now that he occupied the proud position of the chair , he was a credit to the lodge and the lodge of instruction . He ( the I . P . M . ) took particular pride in the VV . M ., having introduced him to the Albion Lodge , and they would all wish him a most successful year of office .

Bro . I-.. Stratton Gerrish , W . M ., said he hardly knew where to begin in responding to the toast so kindly proposed and received . He thought a short time ago that that would be the proudest moment of his Masonic career , but he found it was not unmixed with anxiety that the interests of the lodge might not suffer , ft would be his sincere wish to maintain the dignity and honour of that lodge . It seemed but a short time ago since he came amongst them , and the

last occasion on which they met on New Year's Day he was initiated , but on the present occasion he was their W . M . He appreciated the honour , and was sensible of the responsibility of the office . His year opened brightly , and he knew he should have the assistance of every Past Master and officer . It gave him special pleasure that evening to welcome Bro . Bickerton , P . M ., who had not been with them for some time , but who performed a portion of the

ceremony when he ( the W . M . ) was initiated . He had , in the lodge , said that he thought this lodge should be represented every year at one of the Charities . He did not know if any other brother had an idea of serving , but he wished to go up for one of the Institutions , and his choice lay between the Boys' and the Old People . I le should be please to leave it to Bro . Terry , who was present , to say which Institution he should represent .

Bro . L . W . Harvey , P . M ., Sec , proposed "The Installing Officer , " and said that with the exception of Bro . Friend , he had known Bro . Vallentine longer than anyone present . It must have given them all peculiar pleasure to once again see the chair occupied by bro . Vallentine , and it was not that brother ' s fault that he made a break last year in a Masonic record of installing over 30 consecutive Masters in one lodge . Bro . Vallentine had proved himself

equal to the occasion , and had delighted them all , and satisfied the critics . Personally it was a treat to him ( the Secretary ) , for he liked the old installation ceremony , and not the new curtailed ceremony they heard now . lie did not believe there was the same amount of importance attached to it where it was common property as there used to be when only four Grand Officers were capable of performing it . His only hope and prayer was that it might be

many years before the Grand Architect was pleased to displace Bro . Vallentine as Installing Master , and it was the wish of all that he would live many years to be with them . Bro . S . Vallentine , P . G . P ., said he had now done the installation ceremony for many years , and he agreed with the advisability of having a relay of Installing Masters . He should like to give them a short history of installations in

that lodge . When he became a member there were two members who did the work well — one a celebrity and man of note , and the other an exceedingly useful man . The man of note aged until he was incapable , and the other carried it on , but one evening said to him ( Bro . Vallentine ) : ' * I am the only man who can work the installing ceremony here . It would be hard if thc lodge should lose its credit by having its work done by others .

You must learn the ceremony and carry it on . lie did so , and it soon fell upon him to perform the duty . I le thought some endeavour should be made to preserve the old ceremony which was fast dyir . g out in their lodges . As he felt he could no longer perform the ceremony , he would suggest that no better opportunity would be afforded of obtaining an Installing Master than by inducing the pre-Sf-nt Worshipful Master to Install his successor .

Whatever he could do to assist the VV . M . in attaining that end he should he most happy to do . Bro . S . Vallentine , P . G . P ., then proposed " 'The Initiate , " which was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Bttts , and the W . M . then submitted "The Past Masters . " He said there was one Past Master included that night who had not been included before , the I . P . M . It would be presumptious to review the I . P . M . ' sgood working , for

he had been everything that a Master should be and had spared no expense to make their entertainments enjoyable . It was a very great pleasure to prtscnt Bro . Beaidmore with a Past Master ' s jewel and collar as a slight acknowledgment of the able services rendered by him during the past year . Bro . G . Beardmore , I . P . M ., said he should always regard their gilt with pleasure and pride . During the past year he

did the best he could for the lodge and its members , and if his work , which was now before them had given satis-I action , he was pleased . Bro . Bickerton , P . M ., also replied , and expressed his gratification at again renewing his acquaintance with the lodge .

Other toasts were given before the pleasant proceedings terminated . Bro . G . Pritchard , P . M ., Org ., was in charge of the excellent musical arrangements , and was ably assisted by Miss Phyllis Hope and Messrs . E . Owen and Geo . Leipold . Bros . Victor Stevens and Townley also kindly contributed to the enjoyment of the brethren .

1 HE GROCERS' COMPANY have arranged to place their magnificent hall in Princes-street at the disposal of ihe Asylum for Idiots , Earlswood , for the purpose of the festival dinner of the charity , on Tuesday , April gth Bro . Aldciiiuu in , J ,.-. i-ph (' . Diiii ^ lale will preside .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

CARLISLE . Union Lodge ( No . 310 ) . —On Wednesday , the 26 th ult ., the brethren of the above lodge met for the purpose of installing Bro . John F . Grant in the chair as Worshipful Master of the lodge for the ensuing year . The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . John

Slack , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., who also invested the officers . Mar . y visitors were present from various parts of the province and also from the province of Dumfriesshire . Among the visitors was Bro . Davidson Burnie . representing the United Grand Lodge of Victoria , N . S . W ., who gave a very interesting account of the progress of Masonry in that colony . During the evening it was remarked by one of the brethren from Lodge Caledonian , No . 23 S , that

as far back as the year 1 S 14 there were records in their lodge of brethren from Union Lodge having visited them , and much pleasure was expressed at the resumption of these fraternal relationships . A banquet was held at the Great Central Hotel , where a Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Ratsey , the retiring VV . M ., and the usual Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured .

HULL . Humber Lodge ( No . 57 ) . —The installation of Bro . M . J . Martensen into King Solomon's chair took place on the 20 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Osborne-street , before a large assemblage of brethren of the lodge and also of members of sister lodges in the town and district . Bro . Geo . Wilson , M . P ., was the Installing Officer , and assistance

was rendered by Bros . Corns , P . M . ; Henderson , P . M . ; and King , P . M . Throughout the ceremony was most impressive , and gave great pleasure to all the brethren present . At the openingof the lodge , Bro . Jas . Wildbore , the retiring Master , was in "the chair , and on his subsequently giving place to Bro . Wilson , P . M ., the installation ceremony was proceeded with , after which the new Worshipful Master invested the

following as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . | as . Wildbore , I . P . M . ; Peter Atkinson , S . W . ; H . J . Oldroyd , J . W . ; E . Corris . P . M ., Chap . ; Thomas Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . Tesseyman , P . M ., Treasurer of the B . and P . Fund ; J . Henderson , P . M ., Treasurer of the Sinking Fund ; J . Mackaill , P . M ., Treasurer of the Poor Fund ; Geo . Wilson , P . M ., Lecture Master ; Geo . I ) .

Storry , Secretary ; Geo . W . Richardson , S . D . ; H . Glass , man , J . D . ; James Milestone , D . C ; J . R . Stringer , Org . ; W . W . Fletcher , Librarian ; P . J . Drasdo , I . G . ; T . E . Field , B . Westerhoff , Wm . Smith Sharp , Jas . Baynes , Geo . Fveringham , George M . Poskitt , S . | . Cooper , and J . C , Manley , Stewards ; H . Preston , P . M ., Tyler , and D . Swallow , Asst . Tyler .

Prior to the closing of the lodge . Bro . Milner , the retiring Senior Warden , presented to Bro . Wildbore , the I . P . M ., a very beautiful Past Master ' s jewel , subscribed for by the brethren of the lodge as a token of their high appreciation of thc services rendered by Bro . Wildbore during the 12 months in which he had ruled the lodge . Bro . Milner said it afforded him sincere pleasure to present the jewel , and

he only wished that the duty had been placed in more able hands . For 12 months Bro . Wildbore had been in the chair of that lodge , and the token he had to present him with that night fittingly expressed the high appreciation of the members of the manner in which he had fulfilled the duties appertaining to so high a position . He hoped that it would inspire Bro . Wildbore with a desire to continue to

do his best to further the interest , of the Humber Lodge , and also of the Craft in general . Bro . Wildboie feelingly acknowledged the kindness of his colleagues and other members of the lodge . A hearty vote of thanks was given to the Installing Officer , after which the lodge wasclosod . 'Ihe annual installation banquet , at which nnre than 70

brethren sat down , followed , the W . M ., Bro . J . K . Martensen , being honoured by the distinguished company of Bro . M . C Peck , P . M ., P . G . S . B . England , a large number of the Past Masters of the lodge , and many other brethren . Bros . Peter Atkinson , S . W ., and II . J . Oldroyd , J . W ., occupied the vice-chairs . As is the rule on these festive occasions , " The Oueen

and the Craft" and other well known Masjnic toasts were duly proposed by the W . M ., and were received with every demonstration ot loyalty by the assembled brethren . Bro . M . C . Peck , P . M ., P . G . S . B . England , made one observation which went straight home to the hearts of all present . He said we lived in revolutionary times , but a society of gentlemen like the Masons was one of the

strongest bulwarks which the Crown could possess . Bro . Edward Corris , P . M . gave "The Worshipful Master of the Humber Ixdge and the newly-appointed Officers . " I le observed that the installation of the Worshipful Master was one of the milestones in the history of the Humber Lodge , and there were circumstances wnich made it doubly interesting on this occasion . The new

Worshipful Master was surrounded with a most able lot of officers . By perseveiance , patience , and consistent attention to his duties he had been placed in the high and distinguished position of the Worshipful Master of that lodge , and he believed that his year of oflice would prove satisfactory to him » elf and to the members of the Humber Lodge .

The Worshipful Master said he could not find words to express to them his thanks lor the kind words which had been spoken , lie felt he had aditlicult task betore him , but he hoped when his year of ollice was completed they would have no occasion to complain , but that on the contrary , they would find that he had maintained the honour and dignity and had advanced the best interests of the

11 umber Lodge . He had a strong conviction that he would have the good will and support of all the brethren . The choice of his officers , he was pleased to find , had met with general satisfaction . He knew they would render him the best possible assistance in carrying out the onerous duties attaching to his position , and he felt that the future was full of hope lor the Humber Lodge .

Bro . P . Atkinson , S . W ., expressed , on behalf of the officers , their thanks for the very hearty manner in which the toast had been received . He took this opportunity of heartily congratulating the Worshipful Master upon the proud and honourable position in which he found himself that night . Placed in that position by a vote of the brethren , which lie ventured to think had never been exceeded in the annals of the Humber Lodge—qS out of 11 S

Provincial Meetings.

—it was another evidence that conscientious and loyal devotion to duty had won the hearts of the brethren , and they had shown their confidence in Bro . Martensen by selecting him as their ruler . He ( Bro . Atkinson ) hoped that their Worshipful Master would have health and strength given him by the Grand Geometrician of the Imiverse , and that when the close of his official life arrived

he would still have the confidence of those who had supported him . On all occasions , during the coming year , he should earnestly endeavour to give the Master loyal and consistent support . Bro . H . J . Oldroyd , S . W ., also replied to the sentiment . Bro . VV . Tesseyman , P . M ., next submitted the toast

of "The Retiring Master and his Officers , " in eulogistic terms . Bro . Wildbore , I . P . M ., Bro . Milner , ex-SAV ., and Bro Panton , ex-J . W ., acknowledged ihe eulogies of the proposer it terse terms . Other toasts followed , a harmonious and most enjoyable evening was spent .

LIVERPOOL . Marlborough Lodge ( No . 1620 ) . —This lodge celebrated its iyth anniversary in the Derby Hall on the 2 nd inst ., when , in the presence of about 70 brethren , including many of the athletic fraternity , Bro . Frederick Parry was installed W . M . in succession to Bro . William Naylor , who performed the duties of Installing Master in

an exemplary manner . After his installation , Bro . Parry invested the following as his officers : Bros . R . Parry , S . W . ; | osh Griffiths , I . W . ; Luke Bagnall , Treas . ; A . Beeston , ^ ec . ; Thomas Airey , P . M ., D . C . ; VV . Hudson , Org . ; O . G . | ames , S . D . ; H . Gale , | . D . ; P . M'Guire , I . G . ; VV . E . ' Marshall , A . Baguley , T . Eraser , Jas . Cooper , and C . A . Young , Stwds . ; and R . Neville ,

Tyler . Amongst the members present , in addition to those mentioned , were Bros . J . Greshatn , P . M . ; Henry Peers , P . M .: and R . M . Stephenson , P . M . ; whilst the visitors included Bros . VV . Goodacre , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . S . ; J . R . Bottomley , P . P . G . D . C ; Thomas Vernon , P . G . Stwd . ; J . C Robinson , P . P . G . D . C ; John Lee , P . M . 2375 , P . P . G . S . B . Cheshire ; A . Wright , W . M . 2290 ; Robert F ' oote , P . P . G . T . ; and J . W . Hughes , W . M . 1547 .

An interesting feature of the proceeding at the banquet which followed was the presentation of a Past Master's jewel , together with a gold watch and albert , to Bro . Naylor , in recognition of his excellent services in the chair during the past year . A very enjoyable programme of music was organised by Bro . Hudson , and rendered by the following : Bros . j . Busfield , J . Griffiths , John Clayton , E . Edwards , J . Cooper , J . Higginbotham , James Wylie , Geo . Piatt , F . J . Barford , S . Kirkham , G . Wat r . on , and Luke Bagnall .

PORTSMOUTH . Phoenix Lodge ( No . 257 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held al the Lodge Rooms , Highstreet , on Thursday , the 22 nd ult .. when Bro . G . E . Kent was installed as Worshipful Master of the lodge for the ensuing year . The retiring W . M ., Bro . R . Gillman , carried out the duties of Installing Master in a most correct and careful

minner . The following werf appointed officers of the lodge : Bros . W . Ginmin , LP . VI . ; W . Haynes , S . W . ; R . ; v . C . E . Crowley , P . G . Chip ., J . W . ; Rev . VV , Tlawksley , Chap , j E . M . Bewlay , Treis . ; C . W . Long , Sec ; A . E . Gibsin , S . D . ; C . Brietzehe , J . D . j | . Cornelius-Wheeler , P . M ., D . C ; G . I ) . Lovegrove , P G . Org ., Organist ; Ciot . A . II . Hire , R . M . A ., I . G ; G . VV .

Edmonds , and J . I Uric Thyne , Stwds . ; and G . Carter , Tyler . A handsome and elaborate Past Master's jenvl was presented to Bro . Gillman by the W . M . on behalf of the members of the lodge , in recognition of the zeal shown by him during the past year . 'The Worshipful Master presided at the banquet held subsequently in the lodge dining hall .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was represented hy the Deputy P . G . Master , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre , the P . G . Treasurer , Bro . J . W . G ! eve , and the P . G . Secretaries , Bros . Edgar Noble and G . Felton Lancaster , and others ; representatives attended from all the lodges in the district ,

and there was a very large attendance of members . Arrangements are being made for holding the meetings of the Hundred of Bosmere Lodge in the Royal Sussex lodge room , St . George's-square , Portsea , instead of at Havant as heretofore ; the lodge will in future be named the St . George ' s Lodge .

RICHMOND . LennOX Lodge ( No . 123 ) . —The anniversary in celebration of the festival of St . John by ihe above lodge was held in the Masonic Hall on the 27 th ult . Bro . Robert Murray was duly installed W . M ., and Ihe ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett . P . G . W . of England , and D . P . G . M . of North and East Yorkshire . The following officers for the ensuing

year were appointed by the W . M .: Bros . George Peacock , | . P ., P . G . S ., I . P . M . ; F . Gilling , S . W . ; K . V . Schofield , j . W . ; Rev . J . Baker , M . A ., Chap . ; | ohn Gibson , P . M ., P . P . G . b ., u . C ; S . W . Clse , P . M ., P . G . S ., Treas . ; W . Brown , Sec . ; J . A . H . R . Wiggins , S . D . 1

J . Elliott , J . D . ; R . H . Glenton , Org . ; M . a . Lambert , I . G . ; Sergeant-Major G . J . Smith , Stwd . ; and Wm . Grieves , Tyler . Owing to the large party entertained at Aske Hall and the festivities connected therewith , the banquet was adjourned until Wednesday , the yth inst .

WIGTON . St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 327 ) . —The 87 th anniversary of the above lodge was celebrated on St . John ' s Day , when there was an unusually large attendance , rlio . R . G . Tw < ntyman , S . W ., was installed in the chair of the W . M ., by Bro . G . T . Buigess , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . of Carlisle and Stanthwaite . After his installation the W . M .

invested his ollicers as follows : Bros . E . Hope , I . P . M . ; A . I . Livesey , S . W . ; I . W . Reid , J . W . ; J . Ewbank , P . G . C , Chap . ; H . Bewes " , P . M ., P P . G . J . W ., Treas . ; J . E . Dowte , Ssc . ; J . R . Clark , S . D . ; T . M . Pirt , J . D . ; I . Hall , I . G . ; J . Pearson , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Tyler ; £ . Lindop , Org . ; J . IL Hall , and F . J . Livesey , Stwds . The usuzl banquet followed .