Craft Masonry.

Southern Star Lodge , No . 1158 . LADIES' NIGHT . This happy institution of the above lodge took place at the Bridge House Hotel on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., and fully maintained the reputation of all previous meetings , \ for no less a number than iSS ladies , gentlemen , and brethren responded to the invitation . All were delighted beyond measure with the evening ' s entertainment , consisting of a banquet and concert , besides which each lady was presented with a unique brooch as a souvenir of the occasion .

The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . F . Austin , assisted by the brethren , and the minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bros . H . Hamilton and J . G . Barker were passed in a very able manner by the W . M ., after which a proposition was handed in for next meeting . The business ended , the lodge was closed , when a reception was held by the W . M ., Bro . F . Austin , and Miss Hands , the daughter of the worthy Secretary , Bro . J . Hands , P . M ., through the unavoidable absence of Mrs . Austin , ably supported by Bro . F . B . BensonS . W ., and Mrs . Benson , and Bro . S . Blum , J . W ., and Mrs . Blum .

, Among those present were Bro . J . Hands , P . M ., Sec , Miss Hands , and Mrs . Hands ; Bro . W . W-. Block , P . M ., and Mrs . Block ; Bro . J . Block , P . M . ; Bro . Beecroft , P . M ., and Miss Beecroft ; Bro . T . Green , I . P . M ., and Mrs . Green ; Bro . E . A . Green and Mrs . Green ; Bro . W . Downes and Mrs . Downes ; Bro . F . W . Downes and Mrs . Downes ; Bro . Johnson ; Bro . J . Atkinson , S . D ., and Mr . and Miss Atkinson ; Bro . J . Lightfoot and Mr . Lightfoot ; Mrs . Hurst ; Miss Powrie ; Rro . 1 . G . Barker ; Bro . H . Harward and Mrs . H . Harward ; Bro . I . Harward and

Mrs . Harward ; Bro . E . Gibbons and Mrs . Gibbons ; Bro . E . Gibbons , jun ., and lady ; Bro . Cobden and Mrs . Cobden ; Bro . Blandford and lady ; Bro . B-. Hall and Mrs . Hall ; Bro . Milsom and Miss Milsom ; Miss Downer ; Bro . and Mrs . Barton ; Bro . W . Mapson ; Bro . and Mrs . Boswell ; Bro . and Mrs . Strawse ; Bro . and Mrs . Taylor ; Bro . and Mrs . Radmore ; Bro . E . Needle ; Bro . R . Needle and Mrs . Needle ; Bro . R . B . Hopkins and Miss Hopkins ; Bro . and Mrs . Rugg ; Bro . VV . Pyle and Mrs . Pyle ; Bro . Bailey and Mrs . Bailey ; Mrs . Beaven ; Bro . H . Lepper

and Mrs . Lepper ; Bro . B . Freeman ; Bro . C . Holmes and Mrs . Holmes ; Bro . J . Tammadge and Mrs . Tammadge ; Bro . Stone ; Bro . Tanner ; Bro . Mingay ; Bro . and Mrs . Evans ; Bro . and Mrs . Peirce ; Bro . R . Hunt and Mrs . Hunt ; Bro . J . Hamilton and Miss Hamilton ; Bro . J . Small and Mrs . Small ; Bro . Wenistrin and Mrs . Wenistrin ; Bro . J . H . Gurkin and Mrs . Gurkin ; Bro . J . H . Phillips and Mrs . .

Phillips ; Bro . Cooper , J . D ., and Mrs . Cooper ; Bro . Curtis and Miss Felton ; Bro . Eggleton and Mrs . Eggleton ; Bro . Gates and Miss Gates ; Bro . Hampson and Miss Luxton ; Bro . Fowles and Mrs . Fowles ; Bro . Owston and Mrs . Owston ; Bro . Davies and Mrs . Davies ; Bro . Kirby ; Bro . Parry ; Bro . Margrie ; Bro . Williams ; Bro . H . Hamilton ; Bro . Chas . Hy . Stone , P . M . 507 and l . P . M . 1641 ; and many others .

The reception ended , the _ company adjourned to the banqueting hall , where the tables presented a very charming sight , flowers and purple ribbon being very profuse . The banquet was alt that could be desired , and Bro . Callingham , the proprietor , is to be congratulated on the excellent viands and the expeditious manner in which they were served ; the company expressing great satisfaction . The cloth removed , the W . M . gave the toast of "The King and the Craft , " which he said was the first time such a toast had been proposed in the history of the lodge . It

gave the W . M . great pleasure in presenting the toast , for all knew the intense interest his Majesty had taken and still hoped to take in the cause of Freemasonry . The toast of "H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , M . W . G . M ., " was next presented by the W . M . in eloquent and loyal terms . Bro . T . Green , I . P . M ., next rose and stated the great pleasure it afforded him in proposing the toast of "The W . M ., " who was in the highest of glee , having such an

array of ladies present , and in view of the support given him on that occasion . Bro . Green paid a high tribute of respect to the late father of the VV . M ., Bro . J . Austin , under whose care the lodge had been for many years as Secretary , and through whom several ladies' nights had been successfully carried out , but nont more so than the present . The VV . M . was having a very good year of office , and the l . P . M . was confident at the close the brethren would be well satisfied with the results . The toast was most cordially received by the company .

In replying , Bro . F . Austin , VV . M ., most heartily thanked Bro . Green for the very complimentary manner he had spoken of him and also for the way it had been received . He felt from those remarks that he must be the very essence of goodness to be so spoken of . He very much regretted the absence of Mrs . Austin from such a happy gathering , and most cordially thanked Miss Hands for so kindly representing her at tne reception . He was delighted to see such a company , and from all appearances a similar function would be carried out by the respected S . W ., Bro . F . B . Benson , and the

W . M . hoped that they would ever be continued in the lodge , for nothing tendei more to create unity and good feeling . He most cordially thanked them . Bro . J . Tammadge next rose , and in a highly humorous and appreciative speech proposed the toast of "The Ladies . " In his many remarks he passed a high compliment upon them , and extolled their many virtues , and heartily thanked them for their great kindness in gracing that festive board , which the biethren were most grateful for . He hoped they would favour the lodge with their presence on many such occasions .

The toast was most cordially received . Bro . . W . Downes , P . M ., in rising to respond , felt it a most difficult task , for pro tern , he imagined himself a lady , and in a very forcible and witty speech advocated his sisters' claim most ably . In fact , among his exhaustive remarks , he neversaw a greater array of beautyand what would man be without them ? They were much indebted

, TI , IT £ usbands and friends for being present , and hoped they would come again . 11 . u near ^ 'he whole of the officers were in favour of holding ladies' nights , so that they had great hope of again attending . On behalf of his sisters he most sincerely thanked the brethren and gentlemen for giving them such a grand reception .

e Jhe W-M . next proposed the toast of " The Visitors , " whom the brethren of the southern Star Lodge were always del'ghted to welcome . They had seen many of them oelore , and he hoped they would honour the lodge with their presence again , and especially when the ladies were present . He asked the brethren of the lodge to give tne toast a most hearty and cordial reception . ., .. " r ? P'y > Hro . John Lightfoot , P . M ., in very hannv and laudable strains , thanked

f of' L a brethren for giving the visitors such a hearty reception , and especially 1 . f . j PPy allusions to himself . The W . M . was to be congratulated upon the splendid gathering , and the presence of the ladies greatly enhanced the pleasure . The souvenir presented to each lady , which she would pin upon her breast , would certainly remind her of the very pleasant evening spent , with the hope of many more to follow , yn behalf of the visitors he most heartily thanked the W . M . for spending a most enjoyable evening .

Offi „ oa 5 ts ol " The Treasurer and Committee " and also " The Past Masters and "rncers were placed before the meeting in eulogistic terms by the W . M ., and duly responded to . H Hi cxce " programme of music was arranged under the directorship of Bro . Tiln F . ' Pon which he is to be congratulated . The artistes were Miss Annie 1 nomas , Mrs . Lepper , Mrs . John Phillipsand Bros . R . B . Hopkins ( silver bells ) H .

, , l , n , A encor . loudly ) , F . VV . Stephens ( encored ) , J . Davidson , H . H . Lepper ( encored ) , and J . Phillips , Mr . Carl A . Kast ( violin solo ) , and J . Tammadge ( reciter ) . Th u 1 " very ab 'y accom P anMon Bro 111 a " fiements reflects the highest credit on the Committee , and especially exertions Hands , P . M ., the worthy Secretary , who was most indefatigable in his

Waltham Abbey Lodge , No . 2750 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . H . A . BAXTER . Pnabled ' th "' 1 ra ' Se ob J ' ons t 0 belonging to a lodge oul of London , but when one is similar to th ^/ ' ^ ? btain sucn a change of air and environment as is afforded by a lodge he too H « T ifl i ' lnain Abbey for instance , there are many busy men who would only members i i ' ° bclon S' Thursday , the 2 Sth ult ., was installation day , and those hour in h ¦ nUv J s , tors arriving by the 2 . 15 train from Liverpool-street , spent a pleasant HotelI wh ! fu ° ? Y ound the Abt" : y under the guidance of Bro . Ward , of the Cock of EnelaruV t Ke meets - He sho , ved us all the points of interest in this old relic "Id metnoria ? o rmer m ° nastic days and interested his hearers by an explanation of the ais , & c - > still remaining , such as the rose window depicting the days of the

Craft Masonry.

creation , of which there are only four in England , the stocks and whipping post , and an old pulpit sounding board now utilised in the Vestry as a table , to siy nothing of the mosaic ceiling by Poynter , an exact copy of the one in Peterboro' Cathedral , and last , not least , the Lady's Chapel , in which the lodge was consecrated in 1 S 90 . After lodge , when letters of regret from the R . W . Dap . G . M , the Earl of

Warwick ; the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Colonel Lockwood ; and others were read , Bro . H . A . Baxter was installed as W . M . for the forthcoming year by B ^ o . James Graham , I . P . M ., and in which every part of the ceremonies was worked as smoothly as well-balanced machinery , a very excellent dinner , provided by Schmidl , of Enfield , was partaken of in an adjacent hall .

The time for toasts having arrived , the W . M ., in rising to oropose "His Mijesty the King , " commented on the loss we all deplored of her lite Mijesty the Qaeen , and said the King had always had the true interests of Masonry at heart . In proposing "The M . W . G . M . elect , the Duke of Connaught , " the W . M . then said that in him succeeding his Royal brother at the head of the Craft we had one who would assist us in our work , was so well known and had so often occupied the chair in furtherance of the Masonic Charities , and has thereby commanded a love in our hearts .

The toast of " The M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl Amherst ; the R . W . Dep . G . M ., the Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " followed , the W . M . remarking they were worthy of the high positions they held , by the manner in which they always performed their work as all those who were at Grand Lodge recently could testify . In proposing a personal toast of " The Earl of Warwick as Prov . G . M ., " who is so popular , the W . M . reminded his guests how fresh it was in their memory how delighted the R . W . Earl was when the lodge was consecrated by him in the adjacent

Lady Chapel of the Abbey , and mentioned that his ancestors 300 or 400 years ago had been connected with the place . Essex was responsible for . the second largest amount taken up at the Festival . The W . M ., in proposing " The Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Col . Lockwood , " said that all our Present and Past Grand Officers threw their heart into their work , and , of course , Col . Lockwood was not behind them in that respect , and there were oresent tint evening amongst them Bro . Geo . Corbie , P . G . D . Essex , and Bro . Eedle , P . G . S . of W ., also their own Treasurer , Bro . T . P . Trounce , P . P . G . Treas . Essex , and their first W . M ., Bro . James Speller , P . P . G . D ., whose names he coupled with that toist .

Bro . Corbie then very briefly replied , saying he left speechmaking to others , as all he wanted to be was an Essex Mason . Bro . Eedle , in thanking the VV . M ., said it gave him unbounded delight to be present , and to think there was such an Order as Freemasonry capable of cementing one with another ; and since he had been . made Prov . G . Supt . of Works there was not a Mason in Essex who did not come to him , although , as a matter of fact , there was nothing to superintend .

Bro . James Graham , I . P . M ., then rose and proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " who , he said , in the investiture of his officers and in providing the musical part of the programme out of his own pocket , had shown them what he could do . He had also expressed his intention of going up as Steward for the Girls' School . He was the essence of Charity , and when they saw a man spontaneously doing those things , they knew he was the right man in the right place . There was not a more respected brother than Bro . Baxter—one who could be regarded both as a friend and brother .

The W . M ., in response , said how great a pleasure he felt at the way he had been received by all present , especially as he had originally come among them as a stranger . He would strive to uphold the dignity of the lodge , to maintain its harmony and old traditions , and to foster all the charitable instincts that characterised the Craft . He felt that one thing that the lodge required was a banner , and that they would accept one

from him . He thanked Bro . Speller for all he had done—he had done all he could do j Bro . Trounce for arranging for them to have the hall they occupied that evening ; Bro . Graham for his valuable and ready assistance ; Bro . Richford , who , unfortunately , was unable to be present , for the flowers he had so kindly provided ; and Bros . Marshall and Kickard , who had also assisted greatly .

The W . M ., then gave the l . P . M . and Installing Mister , Bro . Jamjs Graham , P . M ., and in presenting the Past Master ' s jewel to that worthy brother remarked that never was a jewel more deserved , as he had put in a great amount of work , and tr usted he would be spared for many years to come . With regard to Bro . Speller , their first W . M ., nothing gave him too much trouble , or was too expensivs , fur the bjnefit of the lodge , and they were indebted to him for the valuable album of views , & c , he presented , and for which the P . G . M . wrote thanking him . He accorded his thanks to Bro . Trounce , P . M ., for all he had done , and Bro . Richards , P . M ., for the very

efficient way he discharged the duties of D . C ; Bro . Metcalf , P . M . ( whose name is a household word in this lodge , and well-known to the Charities ); and Bro . Monk , P . M ., whom he was very pleased to see that evening . The l . P . M . then thanked the members for the handsome jewel and collar they had made him the recipient of , and said the W . M . had spoken truly v . 'hen he had said they could never forget the noble consecration of their lodge , the onl / one , he believed , which had been consecrated in a sacred edifice . It was to be regretted that Prov . Grand Lodge , which had been invited down , had not been able to come .

In reply to "The Visitors , " Bros . Dobb , May , and Rev . W . H . Casely , P . P . G . C , felicitously responded , the last-mentioned saying that he had been a Masan 32 years , and took his Third Degree the day of his marriage . The Treasurer , in acknowledging his toast , expressed his pleasu re at the conduct of the new W . M . in the chair , and said the balance in hand was most satisfactory ; and Bro . Speller , for ' - 'The Founders , " was happy to see the progress the lodge had made , considering it has only just entered on its third year , and felt more than rewarded by the way his services had been alluded to .

The following members and guests were present : Bros . II . A . Baxter , VV . M . ; James Graham , P . A . G . D . C , l . P . M . and Sec ; James Speller , P . P . G . D . ; J . H . Kirby , S . W . ; Harry Palmer , J . W . ; Thos . Plomer I ' rounce , P . P . G . Treas . Essex , Treas . ; John Page , S . D . ; W . Corbett Gauld'ng , J . D . ; Win . B . Rutherford , I . G . j Geo . Richards ; Arthur E . Caiger , Org . ; Austin Marshall and G . J . Betts ,

Stwds . ; the Rev . W . H . Caseley , P . P . G . Chap . Herts . ; Geo . Corbie . P . M . 1309 , P . G . D . Essex ; F . J . Eadle , W . M . 179 , P . D . G . Supt . of Works Essex ; W . H . Latham , W . M . 1062 ; H . Ii . May , P . M . 1237 ; J . Clark , P . M . 2574 ,- J . H . Tauranac , P . M . 554 ; W . A . Willis , W . M . 2077 ; Hy . W . Dobb , W . M . 1579 ; Percy Whillosk , VV . M . 11 . SS ; Mann , P . M . ; A . C Kauimann , 174 ; and others . Including the Tyler , there were 21 Past Masters present .

Bro . Col . Colvin , one of the founders , who has recently returned fro . n his command in South Africa ( and where his two brothers are ) , was during the course of the banquet specially toasted toy the W . M . The toast having been heartily received , Bro . Col . Colvin , in reply , thanked the company for the most unexpected way in which he had been received ; he did not deserve it ; he simply went out to take a

command , and only did what others had to do . Bro . Woodhouse , who was present at the consecration , went out inthe Duke of Cambridge ' s Own , and was taken prisoner to Neugedacht , and he ( Bro . Colvin ) released him at Lindburg . Again he was captured ; but , making himself known as a Mason to his captors , a noise ana 11 juduiici was ulf sred him , and refused on account of his companions in misfortune . He hoped now he was back to be able to do more for the lodge .

Bro . Colonel Colvin , of the Rough Riders ( 20 th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry ) , left England on April 14 th , 1 9 , on board the s . s . Canada , on which he had command of all the troops ; by June he , with his battalion , reached Bloemfontein , and on 13 th July , Pretoria . After Bronkhorstspruit they marched into Pretoria and were reviewed by Lord Roberts . His time was fully occupied after this in various relief expeditions until January 20 th , 1901 , when lie handed his command over to an officer of the Guards ' Brigade , and returned home by the Idaho shortly after .

Extract from the Weekly Telegraph for Waltham Abbey , 22 nd February , 1901 : " Waltham was en fete for a few hours on Monday afternoon in honour of its gallant townsman , Captain Colvin , returning after many months of useful service in South Africa . Flags and banners were hung out from nearly every house and shop along the route from the station home . Amid the display ot bunting that on Mr . Corbie ' s

gateway , " Welcome Home , " was to be noticed . As the train glided into tne suti . in i : exploded 31 detonators—a full salute—placed on the line oy tne station staff . Lusty cheers greeted the sunburnt warrior , and an address was presented oy tne 3 ; . Liwrenca Company of the Church Lads Brigade , and the Coloiel addressed the lads in a fed short words of thanks . At Bro . Corbie ' s a gun salute was fired , and the carriage stopped an instant whilst Mrs . Corbie presented a bouquet of rare flowers , "