Charles Xv. King Sweden And Norway.

The late King occupied the position of Master of the Order in Sweden , while Prince Oscar , Duke of Ostro-Gothland , now king , is Grand Master . Charles XV . was also a honorary

member of the Grand Lodge ot Scotland . As a sovereign , a man , and a brother , he was reverenced , esteemed , and beloved ; and we can

only express a fervent hope that the same prosperity which Sweden enjoyed in his reign , may yet continue during that of his worthy

successor . Our contemporary , the Daily News thus alludes to the late Monarch . If the world had been told a week ago that death was about to render vacant

one of the Thrones of Europe , few would have thought of turning to Sweden . The death of Charles XV . is a misfortune to his country . He was an able and enlightened ruler . The vigour ,

proniptitude , and wisdom which raised Napoleon ' s Field Marshal to the Swedish Crown remained with his successors and the recent history of Sweden is a history of continual improvement ,

reform , and skilful guidance . Indeed , since the accession of the most famous of the Bernadottes , in rSiS , the world has heard little of Sweden , except in the way of social advancement . Canals

have been cut , roads constructed , liberty in religous matters granted , commercial intercourse with foreign nations furthered , and free trade

adopted . It is true that when Austria and Prussia , apparently acting as the agent of the bewildered Diet of Frankfort , forcibly occupied the Duchies , Sweden was at once alarmed and indignant , and

even made some show of preparing for war . But , very prudently , she kept out of a conflict , which , as it merely preceded the inevitable strife for

mastery in Germany between Prussia and Austria concerned her little ; and by and by she smv the Diet that had decreed " Federal Execution "

laughed to scorn by the two big Powers that had their own affairs to settle . Sweden , indeed , has mixed little in European politics during the past half-century- and when we have heard of the last Kinir it has been more

as an amiable , happy and sport-loving Monarch , than as the possible agent in any political comp lications likely to occur on the Continent .

Charles XV ., indeed , ' ¦' ¦ was a most picturesque Monarch . Belonging to a family equally gifted in physique and in powers of mind , he devoted his serious moments to a useful and prudent

oversig ht of his country ' s affairs , and his leisure time to the most arduous of out-of-door sports . He had a splendid constitution . Hc loved every sort of active exercise , whether it was that

of hunting the fiercer denizens of the Swedish pine forests , or that of dancing till dawn at a courtly festivity , His energy was untireing , and a handsome , daring , good-humoured Monarch

was certain to be popular . With his love of active exercise , he cultivated several accomplishments of a milder nature ; and it is but a few months since attention was called to certain

pieces of verse which , appearing in a public journal , were generally attributed to him . Indeed , he dabbled in painting as well as in poetry ; and , altogether , was as notable a figure as any

to be fonntl in our modern circle of Monarchs . It is strange to find such a man , in the prime of health and youth , and with all the results ot years of healthful exercise ingrained into his

constitution , suddenly snatched away from his place , while such rulers as the Emperor ot Germany and President Thiers show no signs of feebleness or fatigue at an age when most men ntaurally seek ropose .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft ll ' asonti . METROPOLITAN .

ROYAL OAK LODGE ( No . 8 / i ) . —In consequence of the unanimous wish expressed by vote atthe last meeting of the lodge ( an emergency ) , it was resolved to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday , September 26 th , atthe "White Swan "

Tavern , 217 , High-street , Deptford , and it was dnly held . Bro . J . W . Reed , W . M ., took the chair , and opened the lodge at a few minutes before six o ' clock . During the evening there were present Bros . W . Myatt , S . W . G . Andrews , J . W . ;

W . Andrews , P . M ., Treasurer ; F . Walters , P . M ., Secretary ; S . O . Lewin , S . D . j H . J .

Tuson , J . D . ; } . J . Pakes , I . G . - R . Harman , D . C ; J .. Hawker , P . M . ; J . G . Vohmann , H . J . Dawe , W . A . R . Harris , G . Harvey , R . G . J . Harriss , V . R . Hood , L . Lemon , P . C . H . Wilkie , R . Mason , C Letton ,

R . Killick , E . C . Kilsby , W . H . Hawkins , J . Woollett , J . Baxter Langley , and many others whose names we were unable to ascertain . The long list of visitors included Bros . J . Lightfoot , P . M ., Treasurer 147 ; G . Chapman , P . M ., Sec , 147 ; A . B . Church , 137 ; F . F . Allison , 825 ;/ .

Hayward , S . D . 94 6 ; W . Mock , 1275 ; I . Pallett , 1 . 306 , and others whose names and lodges we did not learn . The ballot for Capt . W . H . Hawkins , as is usual in this lodge , proved unanimous in favour of his admission . Bro . P . C . H . Wilkie , was raised to the third degree .

Bros . L . Lemon and R . Mason were passed to the second degree . The event of the evening was the initiation of Dr . John Baxter Langley , which took place in the presence of the largest number of members and visitors who were ever present at any one ceremony , ( not excepting even

the installations ) , since the lodge has been in existence , proving beyond all doubt the great popularity ofthe candidate , also the high estimation he is held by those who know him . It was not generally known , beyond the members of the lodge , that he would be present , or else a much

larger attendance of visitor would have taken p lace . As it was , the attendance made thc lodge appear as if it was an installation to take p lace instead of an initiation . Captain W . II . Hawkins was initiated . The case of the destitute children of a deceased member was taken

into consideration , and it was resolved unanimously to recommend their case , and petition to the Lodge of Benevolence for relief , which was immediately done . An important notice of motion was given by a Past Master , which stood over for discussion at the next regular lodge

meeting . The lodge was closed , and declared adjourned until the 24 th October , to meet at live o ' clock , p . m . There not being any banquet , refreshment followed labour . After a few hours , spent in social intercourse , the brethren separated , well pleasetl with the happy reunion whicli they ali hatl enjoyed .

LEHAXOX LODGI :. —Ou Thursday , 19 th September , at the Red Lion Hotel , Lionsquare , Thames-street , ' . Hampton , this , one of the most prosperous lodges in the Province of Middlesex , held its meeting at the appointed hour , two o ' clock , p . m . Brother Frederick

Walters , P . M ., Secretary , opened the lodge . The W . M ., Bro . J . T . Moss , P . G . S . D . Middlesex , being out of town , was unable to be present . There were present , Bros . H . A . Dubois , J . W . ; S . Wickens , P . M ., Treasurer ; J . W . Jackson , I . G . ; I-I . Potter , P . M ., W . S ., E . Hopwood .

P . M . ; E . Gilbert , W . H . Livett , F . Bouts , R . G . Sprules , F . W . Thompson , F . Moon , J . W . Baldwin , J . Symes , C . F . Payne , J . Richards , J . W . Richardson , J . M . Jackson , R . Lawrence ,. J . Hayward , C . Bremerkamp , E . H . Thiellay , T . Barriskill , G . E . Wood , J . Marsh , and others . The visitors were Bros . J . Triptree , 13 ; W .

\ ire , 13 to , Sec . The minutes ofthe meeting held on Thursday , August ijjth , were read and unanimousl y confirmed . The ballots , taken separately , for Brother John Mackey Jackson , late a member of Mount Lebanon Lodge , as a joining member , and Messrs . Richards and J . Symes , as candidates for initiation , were in each case declared to be unanimously in favour of

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

admission . The long list of work on the agenda paper was begun , by raising Bro . E . Lawrence to the third degree , passing Brothers T . Barriskill , J . W . Richardson , and W . Vine 1310 , to the second degree , initiating Mr . James Richards , Brother S . Wickens , P . M . and Treasurer , took

the chair , and presided over the meeting for the rest of the day . He passed Brothers J . Marsh , R . G . Sprules , F . Moon , and F . W . Thomson to the second degree . He initiated Mr . J . Symes into the secrets and [ mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . The work , as is usual in this young

lodge , was well and ably done . The propositions for initiations and joining members , were as large and numerous as usual . One old , respected member of the lodge resigned his membership , which was accepted and with great and deep regret . It was resolved unanimously , that

in consequence of there being eleven raisings , eight passings , and over five new names on the list for initiation , that in order to have the proper amount of time , the lodge be summoned to meet at one o ' clock on Thursday , October 17 th , which will be the next regular lodge meeting . The indefatigable Secretary , Brother F .

Walters , P . M ., secured the services of one brother as its Steward , for one out of the the three Masonie Charity Festivals , to be held in 1873 . The lodge was closed . A first-class banquet and dessert followed , Brother R . Lawrence , the host seeing to the comfort of all his guests . The wines were excellent .

CHESHIRE .

, PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . By command of the Right Honourable Lord de Tabley , Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Cheshire , the Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , Wardens , and brethren connected with thc different lodges under his Masonic government were summoned to attend the annual meetino- of the

Provincial Grand Lodge , holden at the busy town of Crewe , on Wednesday , the 2 jth September , for the purpose of transacting the annual business ofthe Province . A ready ' and cordial response was given to the command , showing a sincere attachment to the chief Alasonic ruler of the Province ,

who is himself , the embodiment of true Masonic courtesy and zeal , and an earnest desire for the prosperity and progress of the noble Order . I'he rain poured incessantly from morning till ni ght , but the miserabl y bleak and blustering weather did not damp the Masonic ardour of the Cheshire brethren , who gathered from all parts

of the Province , even the most distant , to support their esteemed R . W . P . G . M . Tlie meeting was held at Town Hall , under the more immediate auspices of the two local lodges , the Four Cardinal Virtues , No . 979 ; and the Unity , No , 321 ; each of whom respectively sent 27 and 21 representatives .

The gathering was perhaps one of the most numerous and influential which has been seen for

some time , thc attendance ot W . M . ' s , P . M . ' s . and ollicers of Craft Lodges being unusually good . Out ofthe 37 lodges comprised in the important Province , only onc , ( the Lodge of Loyalty , Mottram , No . 320 ) , failed to send any representative , and the aggregate attendance may be set down at no fewer than 2- ; o .

The arrangements for signing the Tyler ' s books were anything but pleasant or satisfactory , and therefore wc can only give an approximate list of the brethren present , obtained after much difficulty and labour . The book was unwisel y placed in the vestibule , leading from the street ,

and here quite a crowd of little folks " looked in at the opeen door , " with open-mouthed astonishment at the shivering brethren , awaiting their turn to sign the book . It woultl be well if this unpleasantness were avoided at future Provincial Grand Lodge meetings . Moreover , the book

was so inconvenientl y placed , that many brethren did not sign , as they did not care about again facing the cold and stormy weather after going upstairs to the cloak-room . So far as could be ascertained , the following were amongst the

past and present Grand Officers of Cheshire , and other provinces , whoaccompanied thc P . G . M ' , Bros . ' Captain Cope , P . G . S . B . of England , and P . Prov . G . S . W . of Cheshire ; C . Dutton , P . G . S . W . Captain C . J . Howard , P . G . J . W . j J . Bland , P . G . Treasurer ; E . H . Griffiths , P . G .