Instruction.

qn . C . S . Hind , J . D . ; J . Horstead , I . G . ; J . Birks , P . M . ; . C . Nicole , H . J . n ' unaway , H . ] . May , E . P . Fischer , J . T . Perrins , A . E . Turner , R . E . Mas kali , G . Mortlock , H . R . Bower , J . R . White , and A . Noel . The lodge was opened , and the minutes read and confirmed . The investiture of officers was rehearsed . The ceremony of raising was then rehearsed , Bro . Dunaway

being the candidate . The accounts having been audited , the balance sheet was read , and it was announced that a ballot for a Life Subscribership will take place at the next meeting . The Preceptor , Treasurer , and Secretary were re-elected un-mimously . Bro . Lucas was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . The lodge was then closed .

PROSPERITY LODGE , No . 05 . . A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 3 rd inst ., at the Whittington , 5 and 7 , Moor-lane , E . C , when there were present Bros . W . G . Read , W . M . j McDonald , cW . j J- Huckell , J . W . ; Jas . Smith . P . M ., Treas . j H . T . Meadows , P . M ., Sec . j % F . Roche , S . D . j W . J . Lockett , J . D . ; V . Smith , I . G . ; D . Harlow , P . M ., Preceptor ; William Baker , P . M ., Asst . Preceptor , acting as Organist ; Jas . Brown , PM . ; J- G- Robeson , P . M . ; W . H . Hillman , P . M . ; T . Stokes . " W . M . 192 ; B . T . Mills , H . J . Adlard , W . J . Fishleigh , W . G . Flatman , O . W . Rix , J . J . M / wlau 1 . Gemmell . Bnw " ten . and W . O . Flatman elected a ioinin ? member .

The lodge was opened , and after the singing of the opening hymn , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Rix acting as candidate , Bro . Stokes giving the charge . The W . M . vacated the ctew in favour of Bco . Stokes , who opened in the Second Degree and passed Bro . W . G . Read , who had already answered the usual questions . Bro . Read then resumed the chair and opened in the Third Degree , the brethren rehearsed the Masonic drill and the lodge was cosed down in the Three Degrees , the closing hymn sung , an-1 the meeting adjourned . Bro , McDonald was elected to occupy the chair next Wednesday .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE , No . 1623 . INAUGURATION SUPPER OI- * THE WINTER SESSION . The above supper in connection with this Iodge of instruction to *> k place on the 36 th ult . at the City Scotch Stares , 27 , Knightrider-street , there being 30 brethren p-esent . The Iodge opened at C . 30 p . m . in the Three Degrees , Bro . J . Ord , of the Prince of Wales' Lodge , Brisbane , No . 90 S , having been unanimously el-cted a pining member .

The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the dining salojn , where the tables were not only laid out so ornamentally as to be a credit to the hjit . Bra J . R . L . Daish , but the various dishes were so well served and si delict > us th it tij . pi-ii e * * if the brethren could not be otherwise but unanimous . Bro . Chas . J . Pratt , I . P . M . 1623 , presided in his usual merry style , while Bro . J . Hoffmann , J . D . 1623 , Hon . SJC . of the lodge of instruction , occupied the vice-chair .

Amongst the brethren we may mention Bros . F . P . Weinel , P . M 182 S and J . W . 174 ; , who is one of the pillars of the lodge , being the uitirini ? and genial Preceptor , which qualities have endeared him so much to the brethren . Tnere were a \ so present the newly-appointed W . M . 1623 , Bro . C . A . Barter , a regular supporter ; Bros . | . Gordon , M . D ., P . M . 176 9 and 1924 ; J . M . Murphy and W . R . Witt , bjth P . M * . 1 745 ; J . Thomas Powell , Etherington Smith , Chas . Strong , and Horace Reynolds , wno are respectively S . W ., J . VV ., S . D ., and J . D . of 21 S 2 , perhaps better known as the

" Lyric" Vcc il Quartette , who contributed considerably to the enj *> ym ; nt of the evening by their excellent rendering of many charming solos , duets , an 1 ghei . Bro . T . Powell was responsible for the duties of musical director , for whici hi is fmou * . Bro . Stanley Galpin keot the brethren in roars of laughter by his capital sketches " In the Suburbs" and "Who' that a ' calling" ? while Bros . Patt , Daish , and others also assisted in solos . Bro . A . Milne proved an acquisition at the piano , and the supper having also turned out a financial success , thu VVest Smithfi-dl Lodge of Instruction can only be congratulated on their steady progress and go > i wirk .

Again we beg to invite those who are anxious t > make themselves perfect in the rituals and tenets of the Craft to pav a visit to thi < lodge , where they will b : well received ; the meeting-night is on Wednesdays , at 27 , Knigntrider s'reet , at seven p . m . prompt .

STRAND LODGE , No . 19 S 7 . INAUGURAL DINNER . For some time past a desire has been expressed among the members of the Strand Lodge that a lodge of instruction should be formed in connection therewith , an t on the 2 nd instant the first meeting was held , and the lodge successfully inaugurated . Convenient and extremely comfortable quarters have been piovided at the Salisbury , 91 ,

Strand , and the lodge , which is open to visitors , will be held every Tuesday evening from seven p . m . to nine p . m . At the inaugural dinner Bro . Jackson , P . M ., occupied the chair , and in proposing the principal toast , " The Strand Lodge of Instruction , " stated that Bro . Rapley had kindly undertaken to act as Preceptor pro tem ., and he felt sure that he and the Secretary , Bro . Chas . E . B . Kibblewhite , would have the hearty support of all the Past Masters and members of the Strand Lodge .

In replying to the toast of " The Secretary , " Bro . Chas . E . B . Kibblewhite stated that no effort wculd be wanting on his part to make the Strand Lod *» e of Instruction a 8 teat success , and a place of meeting not only for the members of the Strand Lodge but for the Masons of London . * " The Health of the Visitors " and that of " The Chairman " concluded the toast list , which was varied by an excellent musical programme .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Rothesay Lodge , No , 1687 . Installation meetings come and go , bringing varying fortunes in their train , but there are a few lodges which seem to pursue the even tenour of their way in unclouded prosperity . The Rothesay Lodge appears to be one in the latter categjry , for at the meeting held at the Frascati Restaurant , tn the 3 rd instant , a very satisfactory report was , as usual , submitted . The membership remains a strong one , the funds are plenblul , and last , but not least , the work ot Charity is carried out with no niggardly hand .

The members present included Bros . G . H . Burns , W . M . ; L . Verdier , P . P . G . ftwd . Jersey , W . M . elect ; E . J . Mills , J . W . ; Walter Adams , P . M ., Treas . ; T . J . ""' ton , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . H . Butler , S . D . ; G . W . Duck , J . D . , * A . H . Burns , I . G . , * Wm . Shaw , P . M ., D . Cj J . H . Catten , P . M . ; W . C . Parsons , P . M . ; W . Maskell , > v - A . Bond , M . D ., and many others . Visitors : Bros . Amos Birley , 1273 ; W . inning , 1423 ; H . Saunion , P . M . 1423 : S . Sidders , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; Barclay gammon , Org . 254- ); C . F . Ouicke . P . P . G . S . of W . Kent : H . J . Cathie , 704 i W . sullen

, 2 ( ioi ; K . AL H . Griffith , 1677 ; G . Glover , P . M . 16 77 ; J . K . Colwell , 19 G 4 ; , 7 * "eeman , 206 ; E . S . Harrison , 1502 ; J . Featherstone , P . M . 1 G 5 G ; S . W . -- " uttson , sS ; M . Garrett , 1 G 71 ; and W . W . Lee , P . M . 2381 . Lodge _ was opened and the minutes were confirmed . Bros . Enos Howes , P . M . 599 , and H . Williams Mellor , S . W . 1599 , were elected Honorary Members . Bros . '" ver , Bioomhead , and Stratton were raised to the Third Digree . Bro . Louis Verdier in t ? , * nted as Master elect by Bro . Shaw , P . M ., D . C , and received the benefits of aitA ? at the handi * of Bro . G . Herbert Burns , I . P . M ., who was heartily congratuc J ?? on ™ the ability he disolaved . The cfiicers aooointed were Bros . U . I . Mills ,

Sl * * i „ w . H . Butler , J . W . ; VV . Adams , P . M ., Treas . ; T . J . Bolton , P . M ., M « i n ; ^ Duck * ' - i A - Herbert Burns , J . D . ; W . Shaw , P . M ., D . C ; W . and \ w A ! C * W * HoImes - A . D . C ; Cavaliere Tito Mattel , Org . ; H . Baldry obtair / f ?" ' M , D *> Stwds . ; and J . Bailey , Tyler . In pursuance of a custom qual fi * ? - '" ls lod S » •* «>• Schultz , P . M ., was presented with a Charity jewel , having inemh « J' durin U the past year . Bro . Adams , P . M ., announced that his son , a in man ? u lodge ' *" absent with the F - Telegraph in South Africa , had been » re lonL- g 1 corners and P Iaces but had passed through all successfully . The members iwKing forward to giye Bro , Ad ^ ms a , hearty and fraternal welcome on his return .

Craft Masonry.

The balance-sheet showed a balance in hand of ^ 445 , and the expenditure included 10 guineas to each ot the Charitable Institutions . A similar grant was proposed to the three Institutions , and unanimously carried , and Bros . Verdier W . M ., Butler , and MascaU undertook the duties of Steward for the Benevolent Institution , Girls' School , and Boys' School respectively . Three propositions for initiation were received , several letters of regret were announced , a charitable grant was made to a deserving case , and the lodge was closed .

After the banquet the usual loyal toasts were first honoured , H . R . H . the M . W G . M . being especially referred to as th" ; Duke of Rothesay . Bro . G . Herbert Burns , I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M " in genial terms , and said that few words were needed to commend this toast to their hearty acceptance , because Bro . Verdier had taken the deepest interest for years past in everything concerning Masonry . Although Bro . Verdier did not belong to this country , his heart and soul , interest , and thoughts were all in favour of Masonry . He ( the LP . M . )

therefore recommended this toast to their notice with the sincerest feelings of thankfulness and gratitude that the lodge possessed such a Master . Bro . L . Verdier , P . P . G . Stwd . Jersey , W . M ., on rising to reply , met with a hearty reception . He said he did not know how to acknowledge their kindly greetings . A few years ago he came amongst them unknown and he was now their W . M . They had heard the complimentary remarks of the I . P . M . He had certainly done his best in passing through the various office--, for Masonry was his religion and he knew no other .

1 here was one true Brotherhood and they found it in Masonry , and particularly in the Rothesay Lodge . On his installation night he was glad they had not forgotten the watchword of Charity . Masonry was a grand institution for' it knew no distinction of colour or race . Only this week he found a coin , struck to commemorate the abolition of slavery , bearing the figure of a slave in chains aid the words "Am I not a brother ? " England had done great things , but Masonry was trying to bring the brethren of every country together , and he hoped the day would come when they would all be united and peace and harmony would reign . He wished to prove his worth during his

year , and if they gave him time he hoped to show that the words of the I . P . M . were justified , and that he had maintained the fame and reputation of their highly successful lodge . The next toast he had to propose was " The I . P . M ., " who had discharged his duty as well as any predecessor . The I . P . M . had commanded the lodge and his offhers as ably as a general in the field , making the task easy for the coming year for his successor . It was a pleasing duty to present Bro . Burns , LP . M ., with a Past Master ' s jewel " for his valuable services and devotion to the lodge , " and the meaibers hop ; d he would be long spared to wear it .

Bro . G . Herbert Burns , I . P . M ., expressed his deep gratitude for the great hontur conferred upon him . While life lasted he would treasure the jewel , and be deeply grateful to them . Some of his predecessors who had received the jewel had shown much more ability than he could ever boast of , and he felt quite unworthy . Their lodge was one to be proud of , for no other lodge could compare with it in contributions to the Cha . ities . He should cherish the memory of his year of office as the happiest and mjst delightful period of his existence . It was announced that the W . M . ' s list for the Benevolent Institution had reached a total of £ 7 8 4 s . 6 d .

For ' * me Visitors , " Bros . Featherstone , Quicke , Saunion , P . M ., and Glover , P . M ., expressed thanks tor the hospitality shown and high appreciation of the working witnessed . " The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary" was next given , Bro . Adams , P . M ., Treas ., receiving hearty congratulations upan his birthday . In reply , Bro . Adams expressed his thanks , and said it was exactly 20 years since he was initiated in the lodge .

Bro . T . J . Bolton , P . M ., Sec , in the course of his remarks said that over £ 800 had been contributed from the lodge funds to the Charitable Institution , * . He hoped to be able to plaie before them on a future occasion the total amount subscribed by the members and their friends upon the various Stewards' lists . Bros . Mills , S . W . ; Butler , J . W . ; Burns , J . D . ; and MascaU , LG . j answered for " The Officers . " The proceedings then closed .

During the evening Bro . Gammon contributed several excellent humorous songs , Mr . Duelon-Doris two baritone songs , Bro . Freeman a very clever mandoline solo , and Bro . Anning a couple ol capital recitations , Bro . L . Verdier , the newly-installed W . M ., was initiated in Jersey in the Cesarde Lodge , working in French , and he is a P . P . G . Std . of Jersey . He is also a member of La Cesaree Chapter and Mark Lodge , Mount Lebanon Chapter , Palestine Rose Croix , Rose and Lily Allied Degrees , P . M . and Sec . of La Fiance Mark Lodge , and Prince of Wales Ark Mariners' Lodge , No . 4 .

Caxton Lodge , No . 1853 . A meeling of this lodge was held on fhe ist instant at Freemasons' Hall , when there were present Bros . Edwin P . Luke , W . M . ; R . J . Day , S . W . ; Thos . Baker , J . W . j W . J . Brewer , S . D . ; A . Woods , J . D . ; E . Rice . I . G . ; Cole , P . M ., Treas . ; Jehring , P . M ., Sec , J . Lackland , Tyler ; Dawson , P . M . ; Beck , P . M . ; Wynne , P . M ?; Moody , P . M . j Hearnden , P . M . ; Lulman , P . M ., and a number of other brethren . 1 he lodge was opened , and the minutes of the installation meeting in April last were read and confirmed . _ Mr . Williain Woods was then initiated , after which a discussion took place concerning lodge business .

At the conclusion of the dinner which followed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . In proposing "The Health of the Initiate , " the W . M . took occasion to mention the fact that the new recruit was certain to receive a hearty welcome in the Caxton Lodge by reason cf his relationship to one of the late founders , and tJ 'he highlyesteemed J . D ., in addition to the fact that he belonged to a calling with which so many of thebrethren . vere ideniili-d .

Bros . Sandland , 239 S . and J . R . Wilkes , 394 ( Montreal ) , responded to the taast of "The Visitors , " while Bro . G . J . Dawson , P . M ., replied for " The Past Masters . " The Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close . The musical arrangements of the evening were conducted by Bro . Thrussell , Org ., who was ably assisted by Bros . Wilkes , Denman , Windsor , and others .

Aldermaston Lodge , No . 2760 . On the 26 th ult . the last meeting of the present session of the Aldermaston ( Summer ) Lodge took place in lhe lodge room at the Hind ' s Head Hotel , Aldermaston . To make thc proceedings more festive the members had been invited to bring ladies with them , and a goodly number availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting the village and the park , where Bro . C . E . Keyser , one ot the founders of the lodpe and it «

LP . M ., very kindly entertained the party to afternoon tea . The party from Reading drove to Aldermaston , arriving there about four o ' clock , and whilst the Iodge was being held , the ladies were courteously entertained at the park . In the evening the whole party dined together at the Hind ' s Head , a very pleasant evening being spent . The meeting having proved such a great success , a hope was expressed that the ladies would be invited again next year at the close of the summer session .

General Smith Honoured.

GENERAL SMITH HONOURED .

The Supreme Council , 33 , ol America , Northern Jurisdiction , on Wednesday , September 19 th , re-elected Bro . Henry L . Palmer as S . Grand Commander , General Samuel C . Laurence being continued as Lieut .-Grand Commander . The next elective officer was General John C . Smith ( Past G . M . of Illinois ) , so well known and respected by the Fraternity in Great

Britain and Ireland , who has been raised to the dignity of Grand Minister of State . " Our General" is the Representative of the Grand Lodge of England at the Grand Lodge of Illinois , and has a world-wide reputation as a zealous and efficient Craftsman , so the compliment thus paid him at Boston , U . S . A ., by the " Ancient and Accepted Rite" will be much appreciated by his host of friends . His portrait is given in the Boston Herald announcing the honour thus conferred ,