Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

particularly when they were assailed by a resolution which was to renovate or to disturb the working of those two lodges , "The Health of the Sister Lodge of Instruction , the Stability Lodge . " Col . Shadwell H . Clctke , P . G . D ., proposed "The Stewards . " It was the duty of every honest man to pay his debts , and he was quite sure that there was a debt the

brethren ought to pay before they left the room . The Emulation Lodge of Improvement had been holding its high festival , and the brethren , he was happy to say , had met together in very goodly numbers . They had been accommodated in the Temple with every comfort ; they had come into the banqueting room and been received at the hospitable board ; been placed with all regularity and

order , and enjoyed various good things . Some people might fancy that all this came of itself . The energetic Secretary of the lodge , Bro . Smallpeice , would enter a very strenuous protest against such a principle , for the truth was that all this was accomplished only by a very great deal of labour and trouble , and that labour and trouble were unselfishly and gratuitously given by the Stewards .

No one who was unaware of the internal work and organisation of such a meeting could have any idea of the immense amount of trouble entailed by the making of the arrangements which were requisite to bring such a meeting to a successful issue . They had only to look round and see the success of the evening to feel quite confident that the Stewards of this festival had done their duty ably

and well . Therefore , the debt was a debt of gratitude towards those estimable brethren who had worked so hard and untiringly for the gratification and comfort of the meeting . He would couple with thc toast the name of a highly esteemed brother , Bro . Richards , who was not only a Steward but also occupied a very highly responsible position on one of the permanent Committees of the lodge ,

a brother who was eminently fitted to be the mouthpiece of his brother Stewards . In thanking the Stewards for their kind services , he was sure he expressed the hopes of all the brethren that they might be submitted to their tender mercies on some future occasion . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) Bro . Richards acknowledged thc toast .

Lord Kensington , in conclusion , said : Brethren , I am going to ask you to drink a toast that , although it is not down on the list , you will respond to most cordially . And though I know you will in all heartiness respond to it , 1 fear that it is with a touch of sadness you will receive it . The name that I was going to submit to you is that of our Bro . Hervey . He has , as I have been informed this

evening , and as you well know , served several years as Treasurer of this lodge . He has also for many years discharged the duties of Secretary of Grand Lodge , and in both those positions he has discharged them , not only to the satisfaction of lodges antl brethren of those lodges , but also to the advantage of the lodges and brethren themselves . You all know the sad cause of his not being

present to-night . He is away on account of ill-health , and on account of that ill-health he has resigned the office he has so long undertaken . I am sure , in drinking his health , that you will all cordially wish it , antl offer a heartfelt prayer that the repose hc now seeks may be accompanied by a return to health and strength . It is but a very few months that I have had the pleasure of having Bro . Hervey ' s

acquaintance ; but during that time I have learned in some way to know his worth , anil I can fully appreciate the feelings of those who have known him so many more years than I have at his retirement from office . I will ask you to join with mc in drinking health , and I trust I may say , " Better Health to Bro . Hervey . " ( Applause . ) The toast having been heartily drunk was followed by the Tyler ' s toast , and the brethren separated .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

CTraft Jflasoni-jL FAITH LODGE . —( No . 141 ) . —This lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Tuesday , the 24 th ult . Among those in attendance werc Bros . G . Rumball , W . M . ; Morrison , S . W . ; Heaphy , J . W . ,- T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B . Middlesex , S . D . ; Clark , J . D . ; Carter , P . M ., Treasurer ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Secretary ; Charles Dairy , I . P . M . ; Whitby , W . S . ; E . Hopwood , P . P . G . S . Middlesex , P . M .

The mintes of the previous meeting having been reatl and confirmed , Bros . Bourlet and Daniel were duly passed to the Second Degree . At the request of the lodge , the W . M . then delivered thc lecture on the Tracing Board . Bro . Rumball's abilities are so well antl deservedly known in

the Metropolitan Lodges of Instruction , in connection with all ceremonies of Masonry , that it woultl be superfluous to dilate upon them in the present instance further than to state that his working was quite up to its usual standard of excellence . The lodge was then formally closed , and the brethren separated . There was no banquet .

WESTBOURNE LODGE ( No . 733 ) . —The election meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , 20 th ult ., at Lord ' s Hotel , St . John's Wootl . The W . M ., Bro . Edward James Allen , presided , supported by the following brethren : —Bros . J . Welford , S . W . ; W . Hallett , J . W . ; H . A . Stacey , P . M ., Treas . ; John T . Woodstock , P . M ., Sec ; E . Arroivsmitli , J . D . ; E . Helsdon , P . M ., Past G . Purst . ' Middlesex , D . of C , Org . ; B . Kershaw , IG . ;

S . R . Walker , Steward ; C . Thomas , Tyler ; Lewis Ascott , P . M . ; B . Goodwin , P . M . ; James Long , P . M . ; H . Reed , P . M . ; Thos . W . Allen , P . M . ; E . Collins , P . M . ; P . Murfin , John Roberts , J . Crick , E . Stevens , C . J . Biorn , J . M-ittin , G . F . Hearn , W . G . Eaton , T . Thompson , T . Smith , W . Unwin , Fretl . Ridley , J . B . Bennett , T . Roebuck , A . Carlstrom , W . Bell , K . Mark , R . Rceder , J . Patterson , A . Bench , Jno . Murdoch , J . Patterson , C . H . Wickens ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

V . Franklin , George Lamb , jun ., J . R . Stuart , H . A . Spencer , John Murdock , W . Stone , B . C . Poppy , J . W . Curtis , G . Lambert , J . Cole , C . Barley , J . Garvith , James Beckham , R . Taylor , G . A . Bradley , and the following visitors -.--Bros . John Basilt , P . M . 218 , I . C ; F . W . Morrill , P . M . 704 ; G . Draper , P . M . 1305 ; J . G . Russell , 1602 ; J . J . Clarke , 1612 ; H . Taylor , 1642 ; James

Flood , 1642 ; and F . A . Kelly , 1524 ( Freemason ) . The lodge was opened in due form by the W . M ., when the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Ballot was then taken for five gentlemen , which proved unanimous in their favour . The business then proceeded wilh was the raising of Bros . Roberts and Crick , the passing of Bro . Price , and the initiation of Messrs . Wm .

Gil" ngs i James Curtis , and G . A . Bradley , tlie ceremonies being admirably rendered by the Worshipful Master , Bro . Edward James Allen , ably assisted by his officers . The election of W . M . for the ensuing year then took place , which resulted unanimously in favour of Bro . J . Welfoid , whose installation will take place on the 19 th of February next , when several distinguished brethren are expected

to be present . Bro . H . A . Stacey was unanimously reelected Treasurer , as was also the Tyler , Bro . C . Thomas . Bros . Biorn , Martin , and Ridley were afterwards elected as the Audit Committee . The following notices of motion were then submitted : —Bro . Reed proposed , seconded by Bro . H . Elsdon , that the usual £ 5 3 s . jewel should be presented to the W . M ., for the services he had rendered

during his year of office . To this the following amendment was proposed by Bro . Walker , seconded by Bro . E . Arrowsmith : — " That , considering the very efficient manner in which Bro . Edward James Allen had dispensed the duties of W . M . during his year of office , the value of the jewel should be £ 10 ios . instead of £ 5 5 s . " Bro . E . Arrowsmith , J . D ., submitted the following notice of motion : —

" That the fees of initiation should be raisetl from £ 10 ios . to £ 1 5 15 s . " This was seconded by Bro . Humfress . The W . M . then proposed , seconded by the S . W . and W . M . elect , Bro . J . Welford , " That a jewel of the value of £ 3 3 s . be presented to Bro . E . Hart , who had held and performed the office of Organist to thr- lotlge for sixteen years . " This was carried unanimously . The previous

motions stood over until the next meeting . After the proposition by that Bro . Ridley , Bro . Carter , of Lotlge , No . 704 , be elected as a joining member , and " Hearty good wishes" had been expressed from the various visitors present , the lodge was formally closed . The brethren shortly afterwards sat down to a banquet , which was all that could be desired , and reflected the highest praise

on Bto . Rceder , under whose immediate superindence the dinner was served . In proposing the toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " the W . M . said this toast was always most cordially received . Since he had been head of the Order , Freemasonry had flourished ; it hatl never been in a more flourishing state . In introducing the next toast , " Thc Right Hon . the Eail of

Carnarvon , M . W . Pro . M ., " the W . M . felt confident it would be received with as much enthusiasm , his lordship being so very popular , having , as he hatl , the respect anil admiration of every member ; with this toast he would include the names of the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale and the rest of the Granil Officers . The toast of "The Initiates " was next given , to vvhich Bros . Bradley , Gillings , antl

Curtis replied . In proposing the toast of " The Visitors , " the W . M . expressed the very great pleasure they all experienced at seeing them ; he had certainly expected many more , but presumed their absence was owing to the weather , which had been bad indeed that ni ght . With this toast' he would couple the names of Bros . Draper , Flood , Taylor , and Kelly . These brethren having replied ,

Bro . Goodwin , I . P . M ., proposed , in complimentary terms , " The Health of the W . M . " Bro . Allen , in reply , said he had a disagreeable duty to perform , that was , to speak of himself . He had always the welfare of the lodge at heart , and his incessant endeavours had always been to promote good feeling among the members . He felt very grateful for the kind manner in which his health had been proposed , aud for what trouble he had had he was sufficiently

repaid by the very cordial manner in which the brethren had responded to his health . Several other toasts werc proposed and duly responded to . The pleasures of the evening were much enlivened by some capital singing by several members of the lodge , those worthy of special mention being Bro . Hallett , for the way in which he sang " The Freemason—tell me the sign , John , " Bros . E . Arrowsmith and Unwin for two very amusing songs , the latter brother ' s being his own composition .

WILLIAM PRESTON LODGE ( No . 766 ) . — The annual installation meeting of this old banner lodge took place at the Cannon-street Hotel on Thursday week , the 27 th ult . The lodge was opened by- thc W . M ., Bio . Dr . C . R . Cutmore , assisted by Bros . E . Kidman , S . W . ; W . Diake , J . W . ; Capt . G . J . Kain , P . M ., Treas . ; W . F . Smart , J . D . ; W . J . Collens , I . G . ; W . Manfield Newton

W . M . elect ; George Newman , P . M . ; W . Jcrrett Miller , P . M . ; John Pringle , P . M . ; A . Braun , P . M . ; Geo . Hutchison , G . W . Hutchinson , J . H . Brookes , C . W . Lenox Hall , E . W . Broomhall , A . Wortham , R . Sutcliff , P . Steinmann , F . G . Barns , L . S . Burt , W . J . Heath , Dr . D . M . Forbts , Henry Brown , D . G . Hewit , A . Le Grand , W . Johnston , and the following visiting brethren : —Bros . W . H . Baker

( late of the Abbey Lotlge , No . 945 , Abingdon ) , P . G . D . of C . Berks ; W . Rickwood , S . W . 192 ; G . " Lambert , J . 720 ; O . Moore , 176 ; G . J . Dawson , 749 ; W . W . Morgan , 1385 ; H , Jarmah , 1541 ; and V . A . Kelly , 1524 ( Freemason ) . Lodge was openetl in due form antl with

solemn prayer , when the minutes of thc previous meeting were read antl confirmed . Bros . George Hutchison and C . W . Lenox Hall , candidates for the F . C , were then introduced , and received from the hands of the W . M . their Second Degree . Lodge was then resumed in thc First Degree , when three gentlemen , Messrs . Brown , Hewit , and

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Dr . D . M . Forbes , were impressively initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . The brethren below the chair having retired , the ceremony of installation was proceeded with . Bro . Cutmore having vacatetl the chair in favour of Bro . W . Jerrett Miller , P . M ., that brother in a very impressive manner installed Bro . W . Manfield Newton into the chair of K . S ., Bro . Miller also delivered the

lectures at the close of the ceremony . The brethren being admitted , the newly-installed W . M . was saluted with all the honours , who then proceeded to invest the following officers : —Bros . Kidman , SiW . ; W . Drake , J . W . ; Capt . G . | . Kain , P . M ., Treas . ; Wm . Worrell ( who was , owing to School Board engagements , unavoidably absent ) , P . M ., Sec . ; Roberts , S . D . ; W . F . Smart , J . D . ; W . J . Collens ,

I . G . ; George Newman , P . M ., Stewartl ; Broomhall , D . of C . ; antl W . Grant , Tyler . Bro . Capt . Kain , in the absence of the Secretary , Bro . Worrell , then read a very satisfactory report , in a financial sense , from the Audit Committee . In the course of his remarks , Bro . Kain , referring to the absence of the Secretary , said he was in receipt of a letter from Bro . Worrell apologising for his absence , which was

ciusetl by pressing engagements in School Board matters . Bro . Worrell concluded by stating that as it was but the secontl time he had been absent since his appointment he trusted his absence would be overlooked . Bro . Kain also read a letter from Mrs . W . E . Newton , couched in graceful terms , acknowledging her grateful thanks for the letter of condolence which she had received . Bro . George Newman

having consented to represent the lodge at the festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Bro . W . J . Collens , I . G ., proposed , and Bro . Pringle , P . M ., seconded , that the lodge should place the sum of £ 10 ios . upon his list , which was carried unanimously . Bro . George Newman then announced to the brethren that , owing to the great pressure of business at their last meeting , it was

inadvertently omitted to propose the usual Past Master ' s jewel to the outgoing Master ; this omission , he was sure , Bro . Cutmore would excuse under the circumstances . Bro . Newman then formally proposed , seconded by Bro . Miller , that a jewel should be presented to the I . P . M ., which was carried unanimously . Bro . Captain Kain then rose and said that , feeling sure the vote would be unanimous , he had ordered

the jewel , and was happy to say it was in thc possession of Bro . Newton , who would present it at a later period . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to tfie large hall , where a choice banquet awaited them . The first toast the W . M . proposed was that of "The Queen and the Craft , " followed by that of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " The W . M ., in proposing the latter ,

stud it vvas well known what a thorough good Mason H . R . H . was , and it was a fact that he was as well able to initiate or perform any of the ceremonies as the best of them . The W . AI . paitl the customary compliments in proposing "The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Lord Skelmersdale , antl the rest of the Grantl Officers , Ptesent and Past , " which toast was received with

loud cheering . To the toast of " The Initiates , " Bros . Brown , Hewit , and Forbes replied ; thc former remarking that everything he had recently passed through , so strange and solemn , had made a strong impression upon him . He was much gratified at the hearty welcome antl kindness extended towartls him , and he was sure he should never forget his initiation . Bro . Hewit would always

strive to dn his best for Freemasonry , and to become a credit to the lodge . Bro . Doctor Forbes would like to express his thanks for the very friendly manner in which the initiates were received . It could not be wondered at that they were a little nervous after passing through so impressive a ceremony . He hoped they would not regret having received them into their lodge . He , with his brother

initiates , would endeavour to prove an honour to thc lodge . Bro . Cutmore then proposed " The W . M ., " which toast he considered the " cream" of the evening . Bro . Newton lost the office , when he resigned in favour of his father , a worthy action on the part of a son . He had great pleasure in congratulating Bro . Newton on at last seeing him in the chair . Bro . W . Manfield Newton , W . M ., returned

thanks for the kind manner Bro . Cutmore , I . P . M ., had spoken of him , and said that since his connection with the lodge he had received nothing but kindness . He felt deeply grateful to the members of the lodge for unanimously electing him , after three years' absence , to the chair . It was rarely such a thing was done , which caused him a considerable amount of pleasure . He would endeavour

to the utmost of his ability to carry out , in its truest sense , his duty , and hoped to meet at thc end of his year of office with the approbation of the whole lodge . In introducing the toast of" The Visitors , " the W . M . remarked that one of the best features in Freemasonry was that of hospitality . They were always glad to welcome visitors . He was happy to say he recognised several faces who

favouretl the lotlge with their presence on previous occasions . This hc was glad to think was a proof that they were well treated . He was always glad to see brethren wearing the purple ; it was , therefore , with extra pleasure he coupled with the toast the name of Bro . W . H . Baker , P . G . D . of C . Berks and Bucks , and hoped it would not be the last occasion upon which he would visit them . Bro .

Baker , in returning thanks , expressed the very great pleasure he had experienced in visiting the William Preston Lodge . He had taken a very great interest in Freemamasony ever since his initiation , which dated as far back as ' 1836 . During his forty-three years' experience there was no company of gentlemen he enjoyed more than those hc met in Masonry . Go where you mi ght , in

whatever part of the country , in thc lotlge you were always receivetl and treated as a brother . Bro . Rickwootl antl other brethren also returned thanks . The W . M ., in giving thc next toast , that of "The Past Masters , " said : At all times , no mailer what society it might be , it was customary to honour old servants . The Past Masters had to bear the heat and burthen of the day , always making the work they had to do a labour of love . It was with great