Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

and for all , that I shall always do my best to maintain and uphold the dignity of the Montefiore Lodge . Allow me to resume my seat by returning you my most sincere thanks , W . M ., for proposing in such an eloquent manner my health , and you , brethren , for responding to the same in such a cheerful manner as you have done , one and all . ( Cheers . ) The other toasts were then proposed and

responded to , and the brethren shortly afterwards separated . An excellent selection of music was given in the course of the evening by Bro . Grove Ellis , Bro . Grove Ellis , jun ., Mr . Field , and the Misses Fanny and Clara Perfitt . GUERNSEY . —Doyle ' s Lodge of Fellowship ( No . 84 ) . —The usual meeting for the installation of the

W . M . for the coming year was held at the Masonic Hall , Guernsey , on the 2 jth ult . The membershavingataformcr meeting decided that they could not entrust the management of this lodge to a more courteous or more capable director than their present excellent W . M ., Bro . Captain Haighton Wilkins , a re-election resulted , and necessarily therefore the installation ceremony of the 27 th ult . was

of a purely formal character . After a few appropriate remarks from the W . M ., Ero . Captain Haighton Wilkins proceeded to name his officers . The selection was a very judicious one , and ( he we \\ -kno \ vn character and utility ot the brethren so chosen is a guarantee for the successful working of the lodge for the next year . Bro . C . K . Corbin was named S . W . ; Bros . Captain Corbin , J . W . ;

Lieut .-Col . W . M . Jones , S . D . ; J . W . Ozanne , J . D . ; and Bucktrout , I . G . The appointments of Treasurer and Secretary continue in the hands of our long and steady supporters of the interests of this lodge , namely , Past Masters Bros . J . Guilbert and F . Clarke . After the lodge was closed the brethren repaired to Bro . Gardner ' s Hotel on the Esplanade , where a splendid banquet was served , to

which some forty of the brethren did ample justice . Amongst the brethren present at lodge and banquet we noticed Bros . James Galliene , P . D . P . G . M . ; G . F . La Serre , P . D . G . M * . Central District of Canada , and Past Grand H . of Canada ; Balfour Cockburn , 31 ° , and P . D . G . S . W . of Gibraltar ; Past Masters Stickland , Randall , Martin , Colonel Guerin , Inman , & c .

SOUTHAMPTON .-Royal Gloucester Lodge ( No . 130 ) . —The brethren of this lodge celebrated the festival of St . John on Wednesday , 28 th December , when their Senior Warden for the past year , Bro . Robert Sharpe , Past Provincial Grand Organist , was installed the Worshipful Master for the year ensuing . Despite the exceptionally wet weather and the Christmas holidays , a goodly

number of the brethren attended , the Board of Installed Masters numbering twelve , and including two of thc oldest Past Masters of this ancient and influential lodge . The ceremony of installation was performed in the most impressive manner by thc Grand Secretary of the Province of Hants and the Isle of Wight , and one of the Past Masters of the lodge , Bro . Lc Feuvrc , who at thc close

received thc cordial thanks of the brethren for his very efficient and skilful working . Bro . Sharpe invested his officers as follows : —Bros . C . J . Phillips , S . W . ; C . W . A . Jellicoe , J . W . ; Rev . E . Y . Nepc .-in , Chaplain ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P . M ., Treas . ; J . R . Weston , P . M ., bee ; J . Cole , S . D . ; Jennings , J . D . ; H . M . Pike , Organist ; Robertson and Obree , Stewards ; * Biggs , Tyler ; and

Headland and Vare , Assistant Tylers . In thanking the lodge for their confidence , the W . M . said : In placing me in the very proud position of W . M . of this old and flourishing lodge you have conferred upon me an honour which 1 esteem and value most [ highly . To-day , I may say , I have attained through your kindness the summit of my Masonic ambition , for I cinnot conceive any position in

the Masonic world on which a brother can look with more longing eyes or greater pride than that of W . M . of a lodge with such a past history and present influence as that of the Royal Gloucester . I am not unmindful of the very great and grave responsibilities incurred by me in undertaking the duties of this chair ; at the same time , with the assistance and support which has been so kindly promised

me on every hand , 1 ; im hopeful of being able to carry out those duties in such n manner as not to foifcit your confidence and esteem . My earnest desire shall be to promote the prosperity of the lodge and thc comfort of its members , and if I fail in any particular—believe mc , failure shall only emanate from the head and not the heart—I have confidence in the belief that I shall not appeal in vain to

your forbearance and consideration . The lodge subsequently voted jf . ' io to one of the Masonic Charities , and a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . W . Hickman ( son of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ) in recognition of his services as W . M . of the lodge eluring the year just closed . At the banquet , which was served later in thc evening- by Bro . Dartnall , the customary toasts were given . Bro .

Ogdeiijol the Beaureper Lodge , Belpcr , 7 8 ; , and Bro . Geo . Passenger , jun ., S . W . of the Southampton Lodge , 394 , responding to that of "The Visitors ; " Bro . C . A . Dyer , the W . M . of the Peace and Harmony Lodge , 359 , acknowledging " Sister Lodges ; " and P . M . Abraham , thc Mayor of Southampton , responding for "Thc Past Masters . " In acknowledging the toast of " The

Worshipful Master , " j Bro . Sharpe saidj the duty before him was one of such great responsibility that he failed to think of words which would adequately convey his gratitude to Bro . Hickman , the I . P . M ., for the kindness which had prompted him to speak so generously of him , the W . M ., and to all the brethren lor the cordiality with which they had received the toast . There was one thing

for which at the outset of his year of office he asked them to pardon him for not doing , viz ., the perpetuation nf those flights of oratory with which the lodge had been favoured from thc chair during the past few years . He was painfully conscious of his own utter weakness and inability as an orator , and he hoped they would in this espect accept deeds in lieu of words . If the same unani-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

mous goodwill and brotherly kindness was manifested towards him in the future as at the present , he had no doubt they would have a fairly prosperous and withal a h ^ ppy year , which he heartily wished them one and all . During the evening several songs were sung , including , by Bro . Senior Warden , a Masonic song , composed on the occasion of the centenary of the lodge several years since

by the Worshipful Master , to words by his father-in-law , Past Master G . M . Passenger , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; nor must the masterly performances of the W . M . on the fine harmonium of the lodge be forgotten , as among sonic of the pleasanter memories both at this and other Royal Gloucester gatherings now through some years . HANLEY . —Menturia Lodge ( No . 418 ) . —The

St . John ' s Festival of this lodge was held on the 1 7 th ult . Lodge was opened in due form , in the lodge-room at the Mechanics' Hall , by Bro . Pitchford , the retiring W . M ., and that brother , with the assistance of Bro . Taylor , P . P . S . G . W ., and Bro . Montford , installed , with thc ancient ceremonies Bro . James Wain as W . M . of the lodge for thc ensuing year . Thc newly elected W . M . alterwards

appointed the following as his officers : —Bros . Thomas Ashwcrth , S . W . ; John . Beanlmore , J . W . ; Spencer Lawton , S . D . ; Titus Jones , J . D . ; W . J . Carr , I . G . ; John Bromley , Steward-, the Rev . Joseph Westbury , Chaplain ; Stringer , Organist ; Thomas Bickley , P . M ., P . G . J . D ., Treasurer ; Fred Brandon , Secretary ; James Montford , P . M ., D . C . The banquet was served at the Queen ' s

Hotel , in Bro . Gofton ' s exquisite style . After the banquet , the loyal toasts were given from the chair , and were musically supplemented , Bro . Taylor singing the solos . The principal Masonic toasts were also given from the chair . Bro . Rogers ( Birmingham ) , who was received with considerable applause , proposed " The R . W . the Earl of Shrewsbury , P . G . M ., "

mentioning that on the occasion of the installing of Bro . the Prince of Wales , the Eail had placed his house in Dover-street at thc service of the Staffordshire brethren . At the dejeuner a table was allotted to each lodge in the province , and vehicles were provided to convey the Staffordshire brethren to the scene of the great ceremony . The toast was given with Masonic honours , vigorously

led by Bro . Rodgcrs , as father of the lodge . The song , " The fine Masonic Brother , " was sung by Bro . Greatbach . Bro . Montford proposed "The R . W . D . P . G . M . and the rest of the P . G . Officers , Past and Present , " several of whom , he observed , were present . At this stage , Bro . Rodgers , being forced to leave to catch a train , was treated to a hearty round of cheering , which

he feelingly acknowledged , congratulating thc lodge on its present evident vitality as compared with its state in the far away past . The glee "Mynheer Van Dunk " was capitally sung by Bros . Taylor , Montford , Brandon , and Wain on thc brother ' s departure . Bro . Bickley acknowledged tlic toast of " The P . G . Officers . " Bro . Marsh also responded . Bro . Pitchford , the Past W . M ., proposed

" The W . M ., " whom it had been a satisfaction to him to install , and who he was quite sure would maintain the dignity of thc ofpee . Bro . Wain , in responding , said he hoped to maintain the dignity of the lodge and its prestige , and at the end of his year or office to resign Ihe offic * as untarnished as he found it . Bro . Cropper proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " to which several brethren

responded . Bro . Bradford proposed "The Host , Bro . Gofton , " alluding in congratulatory terms to Bro . Gofton ' s recent marriage . Bro . Gofton , in responding , said he had recently entered another lodge , the lodge ol matrimony , and had just returned from a short consequent holiday , but he could assure the brethren that nearly the whole time he had been absent he

had had that day ' s banquet on thc brain , and was gratified to learn that it had given satisfaction . Bro . Hales , proposing " The I . P . M ., " said thc thanks of the lodge were due to Bro . Pitchford for the exertions he had put forth dutiiig his year of office . Bro . Pjichford , responding , said he had as Master discharged the duties to the best of his ability , and though he was conscious of many failures ,

he carried out of office many pleasant reminiscences of his official year . Bro . Ilamshaw proposed "The Ofiicers of the ^ Lodge , " and the toast was acknowledged by the S . W . Bro . Pieicy proposed "The Masonic Charities , " observing that Menturia stood second to no lodge in the province in respect of support of the charities . Bro . Taylor , in responding , said that the lodge numbered some thing like- a score

of life subscriberships , and whoever had been lnstiumcnlal in securing this result might feel proud , for their charities stood first and foremost of charities in the world . Some complained , that too good an education was imparted in their schools ; they , however , ijid not regard the children as waifs and strays , but as children of gentlemen , and treated them accordingly , the education given being above

that of any other charity . But in this province , besides supporting the : chool and other general charities of the Order , they were now supporting and educating at home thirteen fatheiless children of the province , besides otherwise assisting the widowed mothers . The Tyler's toast , proposed by Bro . Palmer , closed the programme . In the course of the evening , songs were contributed by Bros .

Brandon , Mountford , Taylor , and White . BEDFORD . —Stuart Lodge ( No . 540 ) . —The Christmas meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , Dee . 27 th , when there were present Bros . Col . Stuart , P . G . S . W . England , W . M . ; Wilkinson Finlinson , P . M ., S . W . ; Capt . Colburn , J . W . ; Coombs , S . D . ; Allan , J . D . ; Thndy , I . G . ; Reynolds , Tyler ; Dr . Prior , P . M .. Sec ;

Alderman Sergeant , Treas . ; Alderman Bull , Steward ; Rev . C . Brereton , B . C . L ., H . D ., Chap . ; Capt . Green , I . P . M . ; and other brethren to the number of nineteen ; seventeen ot whom sat down after labour to a very good supper . The routine business having been disposed of , the I . P . M . read a communication that lie had received when W . M . from the Luton , Leishton-Buzzard , and

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Dunstable Lodg-es , stating that those three lodges had passed a resolution in favour of petitioning Grand Lodge to create Bedfordshire a province , and asking the Stuart ( Bedford ) Lodge to co-operate with them in this object . After some discussion it was proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously that the question should be referred

to a committee , consisting of thc P . M . ' s and officers of the lodge , which should report upon the whole subject to the lodge at some future meeting . The general feeling seemed opposed to the measure , but the brethren deemed it better to obtain more information before coming to a definite conclusion upon so important a subject .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

P . M . ; H . C . Levandcr , P . M ., Treas . ; George Kenning , P . M ., Sec . ; T . Burdett Yeoman , P . M . ; Gcorgfe Newman , W . E . Newton , and John Gilbert , Tyler . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , The candidate lor advancement was unable to be present . There being no other business , the lodge was closed in due form .

ST . MARK'S LODGE ( No . 1 ) . —The January meeting of the above lodge was held on Tuesday last , at the Masonic Rooms , Little Britain . Present : Bro . Charles Horslcy , W . M . ; E . H . Thicllay , S . W . ; Thomas Cubitt .

Scotland.

Scotland .

ATJCHTERARDER . —St . fJohn ' s Lodge ( No . 4 6 ) . —This lodge celebrated the festival of St . John on Wednesday , 27 th ult . In the evening the brethren met in their lodge , where they formed themselves into a procession , and headed by the band of the 15 th Perth Rifles and a number of torch-bearers , marched through the town . There having been no procession bv the Masons

for a long number of years , their turn-out on Tuesday night attracted much attention . It was no easy task for the processionists to march through the " lang toun " amongst deep snow . Lately a large number of new members joined the society . A business meeting was afterwards held , an . l the following appointed office-bearers : —Messrs . P . Malcolm , P . W . M . ; Josiah Smitton , P . M . ; fohn Sinclair

D . M . ; Andrew Miller , G . M . ; Dr . M'Fee , G . W . ; T . Caw , J . W . ; Robert Miller and David M'Ewen , Stewards ; A G . Reid , Secretary ; James Smitton , Treasurer ; George Mailer , jun ., J . W . ; George Mailer , sen ., Chaplain ; David Martin , Tyler ; and James M'Culloch , Hall-keeper . The brethren afterwards dined together . BEITH . —St . John's Lodge ( No . 157 ) . — The

annual festival of this lodge was held on the evening of Wednesday , 27 th ult . Bro . Wm . Grey , W . M ., occupied the chair . The brethren were pleased to receive a deputation of the Royal Blues , from Kilbirnie , headed by Bro . M'Quccn ; a deputation from Blair Dairy , headed by Bro . Thorburn ; and a deputation from the Mother Kilwinning , headed by Bro . Wylie . The brethren , with a display of

lighted torches , preceded by the instrumental band , escorted thc W . M . from his residence to the lodge-room . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having beenj given and responded to , the evening was spent in toast , song , and sentiment , and selections by thc band were given at intervals . JOHNSTONE . — Houston St . Johnstone

Lodge ( No . 242 ) . —This lodge celebrated the anniversary of St . John on the 27 th ult ., in the Cross Keys Hotel , which belongsto Mr . Daviel Stevenson . There was no public promenade with music . The weather was very inauspicious . The brethren spent the evening very felicitously . GRANGEMOUTH . —Zetland Lodge ( No .

31 ) 1 ) . —The annual festival of St . John was celebrated by this lodge on Wednesday night , the 27 th ult ., in the Royal Hotel . Previous to the banquet the following officebearers were installed : —Brcs . James Kennedy , W . M . ; James Baxter , P . M . ; Andrew Taylor , S . M . ; Eml . Christensen , D . M . ; William Peddic , S . W . ; E . Voigt , J . W . ; James Walls , Sec ; George Young , Treas . ; Thomas

Osborne , S . D . ; John Houston , J . D . ; Theo . Dunkel , S . S . ; George Palmer , J . S . ; Peter Bujhan , B . B . ; Rev . A . Falconer , I Ion . Chap . ; John Gibson , Bard ; John Lawson , Architect ; Her J . Klovberg , Foreign Correspondent ; S . Se-lstrim , I . G . ; George Wilson , Tyler , The usual loyal and patriotic toasts followed , and also songs from several eif the brethren . A very pleasant evening was spent .

EDINBURGH . —Lodge Caledonian ( No . 392 ) , —The brethren of Ibis lodge met in the Albert Street Hotel , Hanover-street , Edinburgh , on Wednesday , 27 th December , 18 7 6 , for thc election and installation of officebearers for thc ensuing year . There was a very large attendance of the brethren , and all thc Past Masters were present , except one . The lodge was opened by Past

Master Bro . Donald Swanson , and , alter the office-bearers who had been previously nominated had been elected , he conducted the installation of the Right Worshipful Master , Bro . Robert Bryce . The newly elected and installed W . M . then proceeded to install the remainder of the officebearers in the following order : —Bros . A . D . Cairns , P . M . and Treas . ; Donald Swanson , D . M . ; Geddes Calder

S . W . ; William Archibald , J . W . ; Robert Lumsden , Sec . ; Rev . A . Stewart Muir , Chaplain ; John Macpherson , S . D . ; Robert Steele , J . D . ; W . B . Brodie , Architect ; Jas . Gray , 1 st Std . Br . ; Wm . Donaldson , 2 nd Std . Br . ; John Gray , G . S . ; J . Ereckenridgc and J . Kirk , Stewards ; Charles

Robertson , Bard ; Alexander Peacock , B . B . ; R . M . Kerr , Physician j A . Burnet Reid , I . G . ; David Young , Tyler . Committee—Bros . W . W . WotVietspoon , P . R . Haddow , David Sang , Robert Cumming , C . J . Paton , William Marshall , A . R . Macqueen , Jchn Fletcher . The installation ceremonial having been concluded , the