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a long list of correspondence , in connection with which a letter of condolence was agreed to be forwarded to Bro . Rean , P . M ., who has just lost his mother , and one of fraternal regard to Bro . VV . G . Broad , on that brother leaving England for New Zealand . The services of Bro . Hegarty , W . M ., were next pleasantly recognised by a unanimous vote of a P . M . jewel , to be defrayed from the

lodge funds and presented at the next meeting of the lodge . The visiting brethren , Bros . Dutton , 1489 ; Norris ( Christchurch , New Zealand ); and Stephens , P . M . 1623 , offered " Hearty good wishes , " and the lodge was closed , accompanied with those musical observances which form so agreeable a feature at this lodge . A capitally served repast was then discussed , and at its

conclusion the W . M . gave the comprehensive toast , " Loyalty to the Throne , Prosperity to the Craft , and Obedience to our Masonic Rulers , " followed by the National Anthem . Bro . E . J . Anning , I . P . M ., then rose and said it was the last time he should have the honour to propose the time honoured toast ot "The Health of the W . M ., " and the

last time Bro . Hegarty would hear it during his tenure of office . He was sure all brethren would echo his sentiments of great satisfaction of the official character of the W . M . He had been rather fortunate in having had plenty of work to do and would have been unhappy otherwise , for he had Freemasonry at heart , and having communicated the light of Freemasonry to a good many he would have in his

retirement great pleasure to remember his year of office . The jewel which would at a latter occasion be presented him would remind him of the appreciation of the brethren of his management of the lodge in so social , cordial , and happy a way as he had . Bro . Leabon having given a humorous song , the W . M . said he could scarcely say how little he felt to merit the kind

manner in which the toast had been received . His heart was in Freemasonry and he had done his best , but they all knew there was a limit , and one finds oneself to go far short in performance of his aim and desire . He felt he was undertaking a great responsibility beyond his powers and had relied upon receiving assistance from those at his left hand , nor had he been disappointed . His 14 years

connection with the lodge had yielded him pleasant recollections , but certainly the most pleasing ones would be in connection with his 12 months of office . He could only reecho the the kind expressions , and hoped the same harmony would attend the lodge under the rule of his successor for many years to come . "The Initiate , " "The Past Masters , " and "The

Visitors " were also honoured , as also was a special toast of " The W . M . elect , Bro . G . J . Pope . " Capital music was furnished by Bro . Dr . Haskins , assisted by Bros . Leabon , Cashford , Richardson , and others ; and Bro . Anning , P . M , gave an amusing ' shooting " narrative , and a thoroughly happy evening was passed .

CHAUCER LODGE ( No . 1540 ) . —This lodge held its installation meeting at the Bridge House Hotel on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., when there were present Bros . A . J . Bailey , W . M . elect ; H . Faija , P . M ., Installing Master ; J . C . Mason , P . M . ; E . S . Stidolph , P . M . ; C . VV . Hudson , P . M . ; R . Crese Harrison , P . M . ; C Graham , P . M . ; W . Klingenstein , P . M . ; E . F . Pass , S . W . ;

H . Brine , S . D . ; A . H . Luckett , J . D . ; T . H . Brooke-Hitchin , I . G . ; A . Weil , Secretary ; S . Scharer , G . VV . Frodsham , L . Weil , and J . Terry . Hon . Member . Visitors Bros . Frederic Davison , 10 , P . G . S . D . ; C . F . Matier , 1910 , P . G . W . of Greece ; Green , W . M ., and H . Cuff , P . M . 715 ; T . Poore , P . M . 720 ; George Thomas , J . D . 1194 ; C . H . Robertson , 069 ; J . Greenwood , 1216 ; and

others . The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read , as also the report of the Audit Committee . The ceremony of installation was commenced by Bro . Faija , P . M ., and performed in a most impressive manner , the addresses being particularly well rendered . Bro . Bailey invested his officers , and the lodge having been closed , the brethren

retired to the banqueting room . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . The W . M . in response to the toast given by the I . P . M ., in very flattering terms , stated that it was less than three years since he was initiated , and his ambition was to fill the Master ' s chair , but he little thought that it would be his privilege and pleasure to gratify that ambition in so short

a time . He intended to do all the work that might have to be performed during his year of office , and hoped to have the support of all his officers and brethren of the lodge . Bro . Terry , in replying for "The Masonic Charities , " spoke of the coming year as an eventful one , it being the year of her Majesty ' s jubilee , and hoped while the sympathy and assistance of the brethren to raise such a sum as not only to keep up their present number of annuitants ,

but also to raise a special fund for those that may be termed jubilee annuitants . At the last election seventy widows were left out for want of funds , and by the next election another 25 would no doubt be added to those seeking election , and no vacancies for them . In conclusion he made an urgent appeal on behalf of the Masonic Benevolent Institution , who were at the present time supporting neaily 400 old people , and , although there were nearly 100 more applicants , there was not a single vacancy .

NEW CROSS LODGE ( No . 1559 ) . — -The first meeting of the session of this progressive lodge took place on the Sth inst ., at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , when there were present Bros . G . P . Bertini , W . M . ; Rev . Jas . W . A . Sturdec , I . P . M . ; C Grassi , S . VV . ; F . W . Cash , j . W . ; Ernest E . Smith , Sec ; J . D . Graham , S . D . ; H . Wild , I . D . j W . H . Meyers , l . G . ; VV . Cowley , P . M .,

W . S . ; T . Grammant , P . M ., D . C . ; G . W . Kowe , lyler ; Ardning , G . Mannel , James Rowe , H . \ V . Markham , VV . I . Pegram , C . N . N . North , VV . Avunell , C . Guffanti , R . Pratti , C . Howard , J . Neville , H . Walker , E . Fry , G . F . Mounter , J . Faulkner , Henry Woodham , li . Rouard , and others , Visitors : Bros . VV . Brindley , P . M . lOa ] , and G . Reynolds , S . D . 1614 . the minutes

'Ihe lodge having been opened in due form , of last meeting were read and confirmed , after which Bros . G . Manuel , Walter Avenell , and W . I . Pegram were raised to the Degree of M . M . JBros . C . Howard , R . Pratti , and C . Guffanti were next passed to the Degree of F . C 1 he W . M . having received the " Heaity good wishes" of the visitors , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned

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o refreshment after labour ; Bro . the Rev . J . VV . A . Sturdee in the chair . The W . M ., Bro . G . P . Bertini , had to retire from the lodge after he had performed a portion of the work , having to go to London on business . In his absence his duties were undertaken by the I . P . M . and Bro . I * . Grummant , P . M . The work of the lodge was very ably performed by the W . M . and P . M . ' s .

After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been duly honoured , Bro . VV . Cowley , P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and , in doing so , said all would miss him from the banquet table , and feel sorry that he was compelled to go to London on account of business . His earnest working had been shown by the way in which he had raised a brother to the Third Degree . The I . P . M ., the Rev . J . W . A .

Sturdee , and Bro . T . Grammant , P . M ., had come to the rescue , and so finished the work connected with the lodge in an admirable manner . It was a long time since he had had the gavel in his hand to propose the health of the W . M . ; but he knew that the brethren would give him a bumper , and with the toast he coupled that of their worthy I . P . M ., Bro . the Rev . J . VV . A . Sturdee . The I . P . M ., in thanking the brethren for the kind

manner in which the VV . AI . ' s health and his own had been proposed and drunk , said he was sorry that Bro . G . P . Bertini had to leave them early in the evening through press of business . They all knew the great interest he took in the lodge , and also the way in which he did his work , which was admirable . He thanked them all for the great kindness shown towards the W . M . and himself . It had been a long time since they had met , but he was pleased to see

their faces again , and he trusted that the W . M . would have a good year of ofiice . The I . P . M . next proposed "The Health of the Visitors , " and said the New Cross Lodge was always pleased to see them at their board . Although there were only two , they were as welcome as if there had been more . He had heard both were good working Masons . He might say this was an off-night , but he trusted they had enjoyed themselves .

It quite proved the interest they took in Masonry to travel down and see their working , and hoped they had not been disappointed . Bro . VV . Brindley , P . M . 1604 , in reply , said he thanked them all for the hearty manner in which Bro . G . Reynolds and his own health had been drunk . He could speak highly of Bro . G . P . Bertini ' s working , as he often met him in the Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , in which Bro .

Bertini took a great deal of interest . His work was admirable , and he was also much pleased with the working of the I . P . M . and P . M . Grummant . He was delighted to see his old friend Bro . G . Reynolds amongst them . As Secretary to the Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction Bro . G . Reynolds helped many brethren forivard in their work , and he himself hoped to see many of the faces round him at the Criterion on Thursday evenings , where they would be

ably instructed and receive support from their worthy W . M ., Bro . Bertini , who had done all he could to encourage the brethren to work well . Bro . G . Reynolds , S . D . 1614 , thanked the brethren heartily for the kind manner in which the health of Bro . Brindley and himself had been drunk , and also for the kind expressions which had fallen from the lips of Bro . VV . Brindley , P . M ., with respect to the lodge of instruction of

which he had the honour of being Secretary . They met every Thursday evening all the year round , and worked with a good will . All brethren who wished for instruction would be made welcome . In the room he saw many faces who were constant attendants at instruction , and it was gratifying to him to see how well the W . M . wassupported by

his officers , three of whom were most regular in theirattendanceat the Criterion on Thursday evenings . They not only did ceremonial , but also sectional work , which was a most beautiful part of Freemasonry . He , like Bro . VV . Brindley , had spent a most enjoyable evening , and thanked them all for the hearty reception recorded to Bro . VV . Brindley and himself , and wished the New Cross Lodge every

success . The Immediate Past Master , in proposing " The Health of Bro . C . Howard , " said he had been initiated some time ago in a lodge of emergency . Bro . C . Howard , in reply , thanked the brethren for their kind remembrance of him . Sorry he had been so long away , but hoped in future he would be able to give more time to the lodge , and be with them , and become a worthy

member . The Immediate Past Master , in proposing "The Health of the P . M . ' s , " spoke in the highest terms of them all , and said that evening he was sure all were pleased to see Bro . Cowley , P . M ., amongst them , who made himself so very useful to them . Bro . VV . Cowley , P . M ., in replying on behalf of the P . M . ' s , said it was gratifying to hear such kind words as had fallen from the lips of their worthy I . P . M ., Bro . the

Rev . W . A . Sturdee . Past Masters as a rule were a gojd body and useful body to a lodge , and the brethren of the New Cross Lodge might rest assured that their P . M . ' s were always willing to do all they could . for the good and the prosperity of the lodge . It seemed to be the opinion of many that had gone through the chair that they were like retired tradesmen , done with work , but itwasnotso with them ; they worked still hard and encouraged all they could the work of the lodge by assisting brethren to attain that position which they themselves once had the honour of

occupying . Bro . Ernest E . Smith , P . M . and Sec , in acknowledging the kindness of the brethren , assured them that as a P . M . he was always willing to do all he could for the welfare of the lodge , and to assist the officers and brethren . That night was a proof of what P . M . ' s were willing and able to do . Their wotthy W . M . had been compelled to leave them , but the work had been ; finished by two P . M . ' s in his

absence , showing hoiv necessary it waster P . M . s to be well up in their work . He was pleased to tell them that the New Cross Lodge was prospering under the Mastership of Bro . Bertini , and glad to say several gentlemen were waiting to be initiated . Although that was a bye night , it was most gratifying to see so many members present , clearly proving the interest they took in the lodge . He would

now propose "The Health of their I . P . M ., Bro . the Rev . J . VV . A . Sturdee , " and thank him for undertaking the duties partly in the lodge and at the table , which be knew had been satisfactory and pleasing to all . The I . P . M ., in thanking the brethren for their kindness , said that he appreciated much all that had been said . He was sorry that Bro . Bertini had to leave them so early ; his

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working and his perseverance were much to be admired , and was an example to all . He was delighted to hear from their Bro . Secretary that the lodge was prospering , and he hoped it would continue to do so . " The Health of the Officers" was next propossd , to

which Bro . C Grassi replied . The Tyler ' s toast brought this pleasant evening to a close , to which Bros . N . North , C . Grassi , E . Fry , W . J . Pegram , Ernest Smith , and others , added much to the enjoyment of the brethren by their vocal abilities .

ST . DUNSTAN'S LODGE ( No . 1589 ) . —This representative lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 27 th ult . Among those in attendance were Bros . W . E . Farrington , W . M . ; Benningfield , S . W . ; Bramber , J . W . ; the Rev . W . Martin , Chap . ; Alfred Tisley , P . G . S ., P . M ., Sic , Sec ; Skelton , S . D . ; VV . Farrington , l . G . ; White , Org . ; H . Clemow , I . P . M . ; J . C

Divarber , P . M . ; J . H . Dodson , P . M . ; G . Manners , C . C ., P . M . ; A . Dickinson , CC . ; Longman , Edwards , R . Clemow , Gilbert , Tyler ; and others . Bros . T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., and Clemow , 72 , were visitors . The minutes ot the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Mr . Dyas , who had been duly balloted for ,

was ably initiated into Craft mysteries by the W . M . The lodge was then formally closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . The usual toasts were briefly given from the chair and heartily responded to . Bros . White , Tisley , Dickinson and others , instrumentally and vocally , entertained the brethren .

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1614 ) . — The first meeting of the session of this popular lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , W ., on the 12 th inst ., when there were present Bros . H . W . Kedgley , W . M . ; J . Jacobs , I . P . M . ; T . A . Dickson , S . VV . ; B . Solomon , J . W . ; E . Jacobs , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . Bourne , P . M ., Sec ; G . Reynolds , S . D . ; C . Ralph , acting as ) . D . ; S .

Hewitt , I . G . ; G . Coleman , P . M ., W . S . ; F . Gulliford , D . C ; J . Potter , Tyler ; Simeon Jacobs , P . M . ; G . Foan , R . Potter , J . Potter , J . Pullen , D . Mordecai , J . Peart , C A . Shannon , G . H . Reynolds , E . Mills , E . J . Citron , W . Belsham , E . J . Carter , C Tomlinson , T . Scheltems , and others . Visitors : Bros . W . T . Moody , P . M . 1580 ; F . Lockett , 163 S ; J . E . Palmer , 1321 ; W . Roots , 1273 ; S .

Renaut , J . D . 1623 ; Z . Mordecai , 1348 ; R . J . Peart , 15 S 0 ; and R . A . Kirkaldy , W . M . 1521 . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . J . Pullen and R . M . Potter were raised to the Degree of M . M ., after which Bio . J . Citron was passed to the Second Degree . Candidates for initiation at the next meeting having been

proposed , the W . M . received the "Hearty good wishes " of the visitors , and the lodge was closed , the brethren afterwards retiring to the banqueting room , where a capital repast was served under the personal superintendence of Bro . G . P . Bertini . After the usual Masonic toasts had been duly honoured in a truly Masonic manner ,

Bro . Simeon Jacobs , P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said that he was pleased to have the gavel in his hand for the purpose of proposing the health of their worthy W . M . It was some time since he ( Bro . S . Jacobs ) had been with them , but he could assure the W . M . it gave him great pleasure to be beside him that evening , as he had done his duty so well . All had been pleased with his

working , and he would ask them to be upstanding and drink the toast with a bumper . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said he appreciated much the hearty manner in which his health had been received and drunk , and also for the kind words which had fallen from the lips of Bro . Simeon Jacobs , P . M . He was pleased to see him amongst them . He was most amusing

and a capital brother , for by his fun he kept the lodge alive . He assured the brethren he had the interest of the Covent Garden Lodge at heart , and would do all in his power for the welfare of the same . He hoped he had given satisfaction to the brethren while he had been in the chair . He had worked hard to conquer the ritual , butoncc a Mason always a Mason . He had passed many happy

hours in the lodge , and when his lime came to be amongst the Past Masters he would still endeavour to have the same interest in the lodge as heretofore . He had now a most pleasant duty to perform , and that was to propose "The Health of the Visitors . " The Covent Garden Lodge always gave them a hearty welcome . They could not come too often , and he hoped they had enjoyed the evening . He

would call upon Bro . Kirkaldy , W . M . 1521 , to respond . Bro . Kirkaldy , in reply , said he felt it a great honour to respond for the visitors . He had to thank a brother for the invitation that evening , and to prove to him how much he had enjoyed himself in every way , that brother had only to send any amount of invitations and he would immediately be with them . He knew the other visitors would agree

with him that the working was good , and the cheefulness and good nature of the brethren much to be appreciated . The Covent Garden Lodge did all in their power to make the visitors happy , and he could assure the W . M . and the brethren all had spent a most enjoyable evening . The Worshipful Master , in proposing " The Health of the Past Masters , Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers , " spoke most highly of them , and said it was entirely due to

them for the excellent way in which the work of lodge was carried out , to which toast Bros . Edward Jacobs , Treasurer , William Browne , Secretary , and T . A . Dickson , S . W ., responded . The Tyler ' s toast brought a pleasant evening to a close , to which Bros . Simeon Jacobs , S . Renaut , R . A . Kirkaldy , Wilkie Jones , C . Ralph , Frank Gulliford , and others , added much by their musical and vocal abilities .

ECCLESTON LODGE ( No . 1624 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge attracted a large gathering of brethren at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Wednesday , the 20 th inst . The chair was taken b y Bro . T . Coulthard , W . M ., supported by Bros . A . A . Johnston , S . W . ; W . E . Moorman , J . W , ; Isaac Isaacs , Treas . ; A . W . Beckham

Sec ; J . W . Ray , S . D . ; E . G . Hooper . J . D . ; W . Weston , l . G . ; G . R . Egerton , Org . ; C . Lee , D . C ; A . Bignold , Stwd . ; R . Bottle , P . M . ; W . Vincent , P . M . ; A . lones , P . M . ; C . Powell , P . M . ; C Taylor , P . M . ; J . G . Fisher , P . M . ; H . A . Hunt , P . M . ; J . C . Flattery , P . M . ; and a numerous attendance of the members . Ihe visitors included Bros . R . Kempster , W . M . 1728 ; T . W . Faulkner