Craft Masonry.

Arcadian Lodge , No . 2696 . The installation meeting of this young lodge was held at the Hotel Cecil , on Ti . pnitav the 24 th ult . There were present Bros . Percy E . Beard , W . M . ; E . W . R « rd S . W . j C . J . Burt , J . W . ; las . Rossdale , P . M ., Treas ' . ; H . Glen Beard , Set , Chas . Burton , S . D . ; J . C . Edmonds , J . D . ; G . M . Kenyon , Stwd . ; S . H . Parkhouse , P . M ., D . C ; G . M . Cossons , E . M . Jones . T . W . Parry , G . H . ifndsav . as . Bates , Harry Zusman , R . W . Sadler , Edwd . J . Welmin , J . George Moricrieff , Cecil Hartiidge , A . Young Mayell , A . M . Reidpath , E . J . Gilson , E . C . Visitors 1 oiu

I Bradley , and V . li . Lowe . : Bros . major . L . wans , r . o . . m ., T I . Notley , P . M . 1150 ; C . E . Judd , P . M ., P . G . Org . Essex ; Prof . F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . 45 . PZ . 742 ; Algd . Heald , P . M . 163 : Carl Vandyk , P . M . 12- > c lohn French , P . M . 1642 ; John C . Fell , 1734 ; H . W . Richards , 1706 ; V W . Horsley , 2026 ; Chas . Toy , 160 S ; A . T . Roantiee , 1565 ; T . Mote , 2424 ; Stafford Jones , 1225 ; G . W . Passingham , 1642 ; H . W . Laurie , 90 j F . G . Howard , 65 j S . J . Cook , 95 j C . B . Penn , 1987 j Wm . Jerton , 834 j Philip P . Samuel 752 j and John Manger , P . M . 1017 .

, The lodge was opened by the VV . M ., and the minutes of last regular lodge meeting and of the emergency meeting , 31 st March , ware read and confirmed . The audit ripoit was received , accepted , and ordered to be entered 'n ihe minutes . Bro . Rossdale P . M ., look the chair as Installing Master , when the W . M . elect , Bro . Ernest W . Beard , was presented to the W . M . by Bro . Percy E . Beard . The W . M . elect was and in the chiir The investiture

obligated and invested as W . M . of the lodge placed . of officers then took place as follows : Bros . Percy E . Beard , I . P . M . j C . J . Burt , SW C . E . Burton , J . W . j Rev . C . Milton , Chap , j Jas . Rossdale , P . M ., Treas . j H G . Beard , Secj J . C . Edmonds , S . D . j E . J . Sou-hern , J . D . j S . H . Parkhou « e , P . M ., D . C ; G . M . Kenyon , I . G . j A . Franselby , Org . j E . M . Jones and T . W . Parry , Stwds . j and Patrick , P . M ., Tyler . The Installing Master gave the three addresses in an admirable manner . The W . M . presented a Past Master's jewel to the I . P . M . who returned thanks for the honour conferred on him by the lodge .

, The sum of 10 guineas was voted for the approaching Festival of the Gills School , and joining members and initiates having been proposed , " Hearty good wishes" were given , and the lodge closed . After the discussion of a vegetarian banquet , the usual toasts were proposed . In pioposirg " 1 he Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . said that these were limes of loyalty J he also alluded to the gracious royal visit to Ireland ; the Queen's sympathy with all her subjects as the mother of her people .

"God save the Oueen ' was sung by Miss Edith terpen . In proposing ttie toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., '" allusion was made by the W . M . to his providential escape from assassination . " The M . W . Pro G . M ., Earl Amherst ; the Dep . G . M ., the Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " having been given , Bro . Major T . C . Walls , P . G . Std . Br ., responded for the Grand Officers . He said that any Grand Officer thought it a great honour to be called on to reply . He remarked that all Masons thankfully acknowledged the preservation of the M . W . G . M .,

and alluded to the admirable working of Bro . Rossdale as Installing Master . The I . P . M . gave " The Health of the W . M ., " and spoke of his brother as a good Mason ; and said the W . M . that evening had presented a Charity-box as a gift to the lodge . The W . M . replied . He said it would be his earnest endeavour to render the ceremonies in an impressive manner . He was pleased to inform his brethren that he had already received £ 70 that evening for the box , and he hoped to take up £ 100 for the Girls' School . The W . M . gave " The Installing Master , Bro . Rossdale , the first Master of the Lodge . " Bro . Rossdale replied , and said he was projd he had the honour of installing the

W . M . "The Visitors" was responded to by Bros . Notley , Rev . Horsley , Manger , and Fell . Thetoastof "The Past Masters" was replied . to by Bros . Parkhouse , Rossdale , and Percy E . Beard . The other toasts were "The Treasurer and Secretary " and "The Officers of the Ledge , " which were duly acknowledged . IkeTjlei's toast concluded a very pleasant evening .

St . Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 . The monthly meeting was held on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., at the Masonic Rooms , Thome , when there weie present Bros . E . Hurst , W . M . ; G . Eland , I . P . M . ; T . 1 . Smith , S . VV . ; E . Donkin , Treas . j J . Constable , Sec . j B . Maskill , S . D . j W . W . Peaccck , J . D . j W . P . Robotham , Org . j W . Hallgarth , Almoner j T . Barber , D . of C . j | . Acaster , I . G . j C . F . Budds . Steward ; F . Pine , Tyler ; H . A . Fenton , P . M . ; andT . R . R . Marsdin , P . M . Visitors : Bros . T , W . Turner , VV . M ., and F . H . Buckland , I . P . M ., of 242 .

The list of subscribers to the South African Relief Fund was closed , and the amount announced was £ 15 , which was considered highly creditable to a small lodge in a thicklypopulated district . Bro . C . F . Budds was invested as a Steward . A vote of congratulation to the M . W . G M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , on his recent escape from assassination , was passed .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Ashton District Lodge ( T . I . ) . The first regular meetingof this ledge after consecration and re-constitution was held at the Queen's Arms Hotel , Dukinfield , on Tuesday , the 24 th ult ., when all the efficers and a large number of the brethren were in attendance . The W . M ., Bro . Dr . Foreman , P . G . D ., occupied the chair , and was supported by Bros . A . W . Siddall , P . P . S . G . D .. S . W . ; Walter Newton . P . P . G . D ., J . W . ; J . W . Hulley , P . P . G . S . B ., M . O . ; Edwin Maishall , S . O . ; J . T . Hulse , J . O . ; James Fitton , P . M ., Sec ; John Wagstaffe , P . P . S . G . O ., S . D . ; John Hanson , J . D . j George Holland , I . G . j and

others . The Secretary , Bro .. James Fitlon , P . M ., after reading the minutes , was complimented en the lull and lucid account rendered of the last meeting , and the concise and exhaustive description given of the proceedings leading up to the formation and consecration of the lodge , containing complete details , rendered with much accuracy and prtcision . Bro . James White , I' . M . 89 , P . P . D . G . D . of C , was balloted for , and duly advanced to the Degree of a M . M . M . by the W . M ., the whole ceremony being performed with the greatest smoothness and accuracy , r < fleeting credit on each officer from the

lowest up , the excellent work of the S . D ., Bro . Wagstaffe , giving goodclfjct , and adding much to the irnpiessiveness of the portions connected with the principil oflicers , and pointed to the forethought and wisdom of the W . M . in having selected an experienced brother for the important office of S . D . Bros . John Roberts and J . G . Willan , members of the old lodge , weie re-obligat'd under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England . Several reports were received and general business transacted . The following were elected honorary members of the lodge : Bros . Major J . D . Murray , P . P . S . G . W . Lanes ., P . G . O . England , and Dr . C . S . Brewer , P . P . S . G . W . Cheshire , A . G . D . C Eng and .

The lodge having been closed , the brethren sat do vn to an excellent supper , which was followed by loyal and Masonic toists . Thetoastof "The Grand Officers" was proposed by Bro . WalterNiwtoi , Miyor of Ashton-under-Lyne , who made some happy allusions to Earl Euston , Pro G . M ister , and his G . Officers , and to the magnanimity ot their later action in doing honour to the lodge by the appointment conferred on the W . M . Bio , Dr . Foreman responded briefly .

"Tl . e Picv . G . Officers" was proposed by Bro . Alderman SiJdall , who made Pleasing references to the many good qualities of the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , Prov . G . Master . . The toast of " The W . M . " was submitted by Bro . Allen Shaw , J . P ., in his usual kind and bland style , who referred to the excellent manner in which the W . M . perlumtd hit ui ik , rot only in that but also in many other Degrees , and stated great cudit was due to l . im for conducting the affairs of the lodge SJ successfully through the M nod cf its greatest crisis , and for still maintaining the high tone arid diVni y w . nch he had fostered so much in the days of the old lod / e ,

Mark Masonry.

Bro . Foreman briefly replied , thanking Bro . Shaw for his kind and too flattering remarks , and wished he could be all his friend and brother had painted him . Bro . VVhite , in responding to "The Newly-Advanced Brother , " said he was greatly pleased with the beauty of their most delightful ritual , which had been rendered in an exceptionally elevated tone , that had deeply impressed his mind much beyond any anticipation . Bro . George W . Davies , P . M . 141 , replied for " The Visitors . " Other toasts followed , that of the Tyler's bringing a most enjoyable and pleisnt evening to an end , the whole proceedings pointing to the fact that the brethren of the T . I . Lodge were still " a happy family " as in days of yore .

Instruction.

Instruction .

STAR CHAPTER , No . 1275 . A meeting was held on Friday , the 27 th ultimo , at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Church-street , Camberwell , S . E . Present : Comps . J . H . Cureton , P . Z ., M . E . Z . ; Remington , H . ; W . Jeffery , J . ; Thomas Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor ; C . H . Stone , P . Z ., S . E . ; F . Swinford , Scribe N . j Frampton , P . S . j W . Dawson , Hopkins , E . J . S . Ware , Ballard , Stanley , and Cass .

The minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Ballard personating the candidate . Comp . S . W . Ballard , 1622 , was elected a joining member . Comp . A . E . Remington , H ., was elected M . E . Z . for to-night ( Friday ) . A hearty vote of thanks was at corded to Comps . Remington and W . Jeffery for ably rehearsing the duties of H . and J . respectively , and the chapter was closed .

ISLINGTON LODGE , No . 1471 . The usual weekly meeting was held on Tuesday , the ist inst ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , when there were present Bros . W . A . Evans , W . M . j E . N . Beningfield , S . W . ; R . E . Maskall , J . W . ; W . Hancock , P . M ., Preceptor ; A . F . Hardyment , P . M ., Asst . Preceptor ; C M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts , Treas . ; J . Duncan , P . M ., Sec ; J . E . Thomas , S . D . j A . C . Smith , J . D . ; C . Nicole , LG . ; D . Meredew , I . Birks , P . M . ; G . T . Atkinson , H . J . May , F . H . Johnson , H . R . Bower ,

and H . B . Harding , P . M . The lodge was opened and the minutes read and confirmed . The ceremsnyof initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . Atkinson being the candidate . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Thomas , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Evans being the candidate . Bro . Beningfield wis elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed the officers in rotation . The lodge was then closed .

The Goldsmiths' Benevolent Institution.

THE GOLDSMITHS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The 67 th anniversary festival of this- institution took place at the Hotel Metropole on Monday . Sir Richard Webster , Bxrt ., M . P ., prims warden of the Goldsmiths' Company , occupied the chair , and amongst thise present were ;—

Messrs . F . B . Thomas ( president ); H . C . Lambert and J . B . Carrington ( trustees ) j G . C . Heming ( chairman of committee ) ; F . Eady , H . Alston , I , W . Thomas , G . Ryder , G . Ryder , jun ., S . Ryder , F . Fletcher , W . Carrington-Smith , W . J . Hutchinson , W . Webber , J . Brown , W . C . Duke , J . Chappie , J .

Mantel ! , H . J . Bell , J . Rich , R . T . Brewis , H . J . Tonzon , W . A . Smith , Alston Smith , J . W . Richardson , F . C . Harvey , W . J . Vaughan , P . Woodman , Woodman , C . J . R . Smith , C . Jarratt , Williams , F . J . Britton , W . J . Ward , A . J . Harman , A . J . Harman , jun ., W . R . Barrett , A . J . Young , J . Romley , Davison , Green , H . Green , and C . C . Brace ( secretary ) .

Following the loyal toasts , the CHAIRMAN gave "Prosperity to the Goldsmiths' Benevolent Institution . " The institution , he said , was following the example set by the ancient guilds , and the example always given at Goldsmiths' Hall , in aiding those connected with trade . In doing so the society had wisely made 55 the age at which assistance might be granted . In so doing they not only extended help to aged members of the trade in

needy circumstances , but laid themsslves open to assist those who were not yet past work , and were able to supplement by their own efforts the assistance given them . The institution gave the greatest encouragement to workpeople to subscribe to its funds , for any subscriber coming upon the society would receive 50 per cent , per annum of the subscriptions paid ; in other words , he was repaid in two years the whole amount he had

contributed . The history of the institution showed an admirable and thrifty management , as was evidenced by the last accounts , which showed that the invested funds were ^ 30 , 000 , The income had shown a steady increase from £ 300 in 1883 to £ 2800 in the past year . These considerations , and the careful management , should commend the institution to subscribers and annuitants alike , and inspire every confidence . He would plead earnestly

on behalf of the funds . Those who had been successful tn any craft or profession owed something of their success to their calling , and consequently they should support to the best of their ability an institution for the assistance of the less fortunate members of that calling . The Goldsmiths' Company , of which he was now for the second year the Prime Warden , had always shown the keenest interest in the society , and he might say that there

was nothing which would induce the company to increase its support more than to see other supporters willing to increase their individual benefaction . The number of annuitants on the books was now 146 , but he doubted not that the committee had to refuse many applicants who might be assisted with increased funds . In conclusion , Sir Richard paid a tribute to the whole-hearted help rendered to the institution by Bro . Colonel Lambert ,

the hon . treasurer , who was , unfortunately , absent through illness ; and by Mr . F . 15 . Thomas , the president , whose name he coupled with the toast . Mr . THOMAS , in responding , heartily thanked the Goldsmiths' Company through the Prime Warden , for their valuable support . He then proposed " Sir Richard Webster ' s Health , " and gave voice to their gratitude for his kindness in presiding . ( Cheers . ) The CHAIRMAN briefly replied , and gave " The Health of Colonel

Lambert , " dwelling upon his untiring interest in the Institution , and expressing the regret of all present at his inability to be with them that night . Bro . H . C LAMBERT responded on his uncle ' s behalf , and stated that Colonel Lambert had been an active member of the Committee since 1 845 . At his uncle ' s request he then handed to the Secretary a cheque for / ios . ( Cheers . )

Mr . F . EADY , in proposing the toast of ' . ' The Trustees , " alluded in terms of regret to the lamented death of Mr . . J . Garrard , and with pleasure to the advent of Mr . J . B . Carrington , who , he said , would join the trustees upon his confirmation to the office . ( Cheers . )

Bro . H . C . LAMBERT responded , and announced the list of donations and subscriptions promised during the evening . The total amounted to £ 575 , including ^ 105 from Colonel Lambsrt , £ 3 > from Mr . F . B . Thomas , £ 2 $ from Sir Richard Webster , and £ 21 from Mr . J . B . Carrington , The announcement was received with loud cheers .