Royal Ark Mariners.

Scribe ; Dr . Muir , S . D . ; D . Atkinson , J . D . ; T . Mitchell , D . C ; D . H . Cook , Org . ; Geo . Starkey , Guardian ; W . Heathcote . Stwd . j and J . Casson , Warder . The following were also present : Bros . Thos . Mantle , 151 ; Thos . Atkinson , 151 ; 1 . O . Scott , 151 ; R . Browne , 151 ;

] os . Ramsay , W . H . Brockbank , and J . W . Thompson . Three candidates were presented with their Grand Council certificates , andja vote of thanks was passed to the Installing Master for his services , and " Hearty good wishes " were given from the Collin Lodge , No . 151 , Maryport , and the lodge was closed .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

NEPTUNE LODGE ( No . 22 ) . — A meeting was held on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Gauden Hotel , CJapham , when there were present Bros . Janau , W . M . ; King , S . W . ; Lavington , J . W . j Westley , Preceptor and Treas . ; Poole , acting as Sec . ; Evans , S . D . ; Hennell , l . D . ; Weeks , Tyler ; Woods , Cheese , Reeves , Rashleigh ,

Nettleship , Steele , Livett , Boulton , Williams , Cochrane , Laker , Letchford , Gilbert , Langdon , Morris , and Fox . Bro . A . West , 570 , was a visitor . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation being announced , and Bro . Langton having offered

himself as a candidate , was initiated , the W . M . giving the address . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the 1 st Section of the Lecture worked by Bro . Gilbert . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree , and the ist Section of the Lecture worked by Bro Westley .

The W . M . rose for the first time , and Bro . Archibald West , 570 , was elected a joining member of this lodge—carried unanimously . Bro . West returned thanks . Bro . King was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and returned thanks , and appointed his officers in rotation . The W . M . rose for the third time , and the lodge was closed .

ISLINGTON LODGE ( No . 1471 ) . —The usual weekly meeting was held on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , when there were present Bros . H . B . Harding , W . M . ; R . Loomes , S . W . ; J . Speller , J . W . ; W . Hancock , Preceptor ; C M . Coxon , Sec . ; J . Duncan , S . D . ; Milton Smith , J . D . ; C . G . Gray , I . G . ; E . H . Bury , T . E . Newman , and G . R . Carsberg .

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . Bury being the candidate . Bro . Carsberg answered the questions leading to the Second Degree , and was entrusted . The lodge was then opened in the Second Degree , and the chair

of W . M . taken by Bro . Speller . The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Carsberg being the candidate . The lodge was opened and closed in the Third Degree , and was then closed in the Second Degree . Bro . Carsberg was elected a member of the lodge . Bro . Loomes was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed the officers in rotation . The lodge was then closed .

CREATON LODGE ( No . 1791 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 26 th ultimo , at the Wheatsheaf Hotel , Goldhawk-road , Shepherd's Bush , W . There were present Bros . Hagen , W . M . ; Hillier , S . W . ; Catling , J . W . ; J . Davies , Preceptor ; Austin , Treas . j H . P . Gilbert , Sec . j Aslett , S . D . j Elkin , J . D . ; Woodard , l . G . ; R . Josey , P . M . ; Allman , P . M . ; Speigel , P . M . ; Brown , Cox , Williams , P . M . ; Jobson , F . Craggs , Cox ,

Jennings , Arnott , Oliver , Jane , Kingdom , Higginson , Cotton , and Richardson . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , and worked the 4 th Section of the Lecture . Bro . Jobson worked the 5 th Section , after which Bro . Hillier was elected W . M . for the next meeting , and the lodge was closed .

CHISWICK LODGE ( No . 2012 ) . —A meeting was held on Saturday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , Hammersmith , W ., when there were present Bros . F . Craggs , W . M . ; A . Williams , P . M ., S . W . ; F . A . Barth , J . W . J . Sims , P . M ., Deputy Preceptor ; H . Bright , Sec ; J . N . Baxter , S . D . ; VV . S . Whiteley , J . D . ; T . Barth , l . G . ; T . VV . Biggs , Stwd . ; J . Brown and T . Jobson .

Ihe lodge was opened in the First and Second Degrees , and the VV . M . rehearsed the ceremony of passing , Bro . J . Brown acting as candidate . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree , and the brethren assisted Bro . A . Williams , P . M ., to work the ist and 2 nd Sections of the First Lecture . Bio . T . Barth , S 65 , was unanimously elected a member .

STAR CHAPTER ( No . 1275 ) . - The usual weekly meeting of this chapter was held at the Stirling Castle , Camberwell , on Friday , the 27 th ult ., when there were present Comps . T . Grummant , P . Z . 1275 , M . E . Z . ; J . Hill , H . 1329 , H . ; North , J . 1275 , j . ; F . Hilton , P . Z ., Preceptor ; C . H . Stone , S . E . ; J . Osterstock ,

S . N . j Goodwin , P . S . ; Axford , P . Z . ; Benedetti , Z . 1275 ; Dobinson , Montgomery , H . Martin , Towers , and Hewett . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Hewett personating the candidate . Comp . W . J . Hewett ,

A . S . 1185 , was elected a member . It was decided that the third annual supper take place on April 17 th , at 7 p . m ., at the above address . Comp . Benedetti , M . E . Z . 1275 , assented to preside . Comp . J . Hill , H . 1329 , was elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting , and the chapter was closed .

Cryptic Masonry.

Cryptic Masonry .

Grand Masters' Council ( No . s ) . —This old council met on the 27 th ult ., at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Oueen-street . Among those present were Bros . H . J . Lardner , T . I . M . ; T . Poore , as P . D . M . ; Baron de Ferrieres , acting D . M . ; R . B . Bryant , G . L ., P . C W . ; G . Graveley , P . T . I . M ., Treas . j Capt . T . C Walls , P . D . G . M ., Recorder ; H . H . Shirley , M . A ., Marshal ; A . McDowall , N . Prower , M . A ., B . Stewart , G . Briggs , the Rev . Dr . W . Lemon , D . D ., P . G . Chap ., VV . F . Crook , H . E . Vickers , and others .

Cryptic Masonry.

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bros . Burgess , Wright , and Holland , and , it proving to be unanimous , they were impressively admitted , greeted , and received as M . E . M ., R . M ., S . M ., andS . E . M ., the working of the T . l . M . and the P . C . W . being almost faultless . Bro . Baron de Ferrleres was unanimously elected T . l . M . j Bro .

G . Graveley , Treasurer j and Bro . E . Mills , Outer Sentinel . A vote of thanks was passed with acclamation to the T . l . M . for the very excellent manner in which he had performed his duties during the past year . The resignation of Bro . W . W . Codd was received with regret . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . Major G . Lambert ,

F . S . A ., Capt . W . B . Williamson , J . P ., J . N . Frye , H . Carmen , Edwin Storr , J . J . Thomas , T . Cubitt , Dr . F . E . Pocock , R . Roy , M . A ., and others . The council was then closed in the Degree of Select Master , and the brethren dined together at the Hoiborn Restaurant , under the presidency of the T . l . M . The usual toasts followed .

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .

The greatest success yet reached by the annual meetings of this well-known lodge of improvement was attained on Friday , the 27 th ult ., when more than 400 brethren attended to witness the working of the First Lecture under the presidency of Bro . Thomas Fenn , President of the Board of General Purposes , the

Treasurer of the lodge . The meeting was held in the Temple , Freemasons ' Hall , which was lighted with gas , the electric light having totally failed in all parts of the building , and as candles had to be requisitioned in some portions , the brethren could not but have been reminded of the

difficulties under which 111 the early days of the lodge those brethren must have worked who have handed down to their successors the splendid work now carried on in private lodges and in lodges of instruction . Bro . Lord Cremore , P . S . G . W ., who presided at the supper which followed the work of the lodge , attended

immediately after the opening of the lodge , and witnessed the whole of the work , and among the Present and Past Grand Officers who supported him were : Bros . Rev . R . J . Simpson , Past G . Chap . ; A . Barfield , Past G . Treas . ; Thos . Fenn , President Board of General Purposes , P . G . D . ; R . Loveland Loveland ,

S . G . D . ; Frank Richardson , P . S . G . D . ; Samel Pope , Q . C , P . S . G . D . ; George Cooper , P . S . G . D . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; Henry J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; Jos . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; Ralph Clutton , P . G . D . ; G . B Brodie , M . D ., P . G . D . ; Hy . Smith , P . G . D . ; Rudolph G . Glover , P . G . D . ; Charles Belton , P . D . G . D . of C . ;

J . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . of C ; W . G . Lemon , Asst . G . D . of C . ; Lieut .-Col . Arthur Bott Cook , Past G . D . of C . ; Col . Charles Harding , Past G . D . of C . ; John Laurence Mather , Past G . D . of C ; Wm . H , Spaull , Past G . D . of C ; Col . Jas . Peters , P . G . S . B . ; Charles Hammerton , P . G . S . B . ; Frederick Mead .

P . G . S . B . ; Herbert Jordan Adams , P . G . S . B . ; Eugene Monteuuis , P . G . S . B . ; Richard Joynes , Emmerson , Grand Std . Br . ; Robert Clay Sudlow , Grand Std . Br . ; Charles Fitzgerald Matier , Past G . Std . Br . ; Chas . F . Hogard , Past G . Std . Br . ; Henri Bue , Past G . Std . Br . ; Wm . Alex . Barrett , Past G . Org . ; David Dixon Mercer , Grand Purst . ; Henry Garrod , Past G . Purst . ;

Walter Hopekirk , Past G . Purst . ; Thomas Webb Whitmarsh , Past G . Purst . ; Col . Gerard Noel Money , C . B ., J . M . McLeod , Secretary R . M . I . B . ; Le Strange , Deputy Prov . G . M . Norfolk ; A . A . Richards , Past G , Stwd . ; and othets . The First Lecture was worked ( Bro . Fenn putting the questions ) by the following brethren :

ist Section by Bro . J . C . Mortimer , 1044 . 2 nd „ „ W . II . Kirby , S . W . 1965 . 3 rd „ „ J . Pullmann , W . M . 8 . 4 th „ „ W . P . Reynolds , W . M . 7 . 5 'h „ „ J . J . Black , P . M ., Sec . 1564 . 6 th „ „ T . C . Martin , S . D . 1768 . 7 * „ „ C . W . A . Trollope , P . M . 1826 .

On the motion of Lord CREMORNE , a hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to the working brethren , and Bro . FENN having announced the terms of membership of the lodge ( 2 s . 6 d . on election and is , every night of attendance , all the money being devoted to Masonic Charities after the small expenses of the

lodge had been deducted ) , a very large number of names were handed in , proposed and seconded , for election at the next weekly meeting . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to supper at Freemasons' Tavern , where , on account of the large hall not affording sufficient space

for the great gathering , a supplemental supper had to be provided under the Chairmanship of Bro . R . CLAY SUDI . OW , G . Std . Br ., in the drawing room . After supper and grace , Lord CREMOKNE proposed the first toast , " The Queen and the Craft , " and said the brethren would hail it with the loyal enthusiasm which

was so universal among Masons , and which he believed was one of the fundamental principles of the Order . The interest which her Majesty the Queen had shown in it was so well known that it was quite needless for him to dilate upon it , but they could never forget that her Majesty had all her life long been a model to her

subjects , both as a woman , a wife , a mother , and a Sovereign , and they were sorry that they could not also add one thing , that of being a model Mason . Lord CREMORNE , in giving " The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " said that toast was one which claimed the loyalty of the brethren , perhaps not in the same way but none the less heartily . The Prince of Wales had

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

been elected and re-elected Grand Master of the Order and no doubt the circumstance had been of great advantage to the Order , but it was impossible for him amidst all the multitudinous and multifarious calls on his time , to be always amongst the brethren ; still ,. whenever peculiar circumstances called for his presence he was very likely to put in an appearance , and when he

did so it was known he did it most effectually . Those who knew most of him knew and could testify to the care with which he watched over the interests of the Order , and the desire he at all times had to forward its welfaie . They could but regret whenev . er the Prince was not among them , but that was no reason why they should not drink his health with enthusiastic zeal all the same .

Lord CREMORNE then said in that large and representative gathering it was only fitting there should be a large number of Grand Officers present . It would be a great pity if it were otherwise ; but as it was he was sure the brethren would g ladly greet them , and that most heartily , and moreover there was not only

quantity but quality also , for he saw around him many who , as far as his own knowledge went , were distinguished in Masonry , and he was sure the same might be said of all of them , even though he did not individuall y know it , for there were very few who attained the rank of Grand Officer who had not at some time or other

shown their zeal and ability in forwarding the great interests of the Order . Bro . the Rev . R . J . SIMPSON , P . G . Chap ., replying , said he felt it a very great honour to have to return thanks for that toast , more especially as he was surrounded by so many distinguished Grand Officers ,

brethren who were better fitted from their former services as well as their ability to speak to return thanks . The only virtue he should show would be that he should make a very short speech indeed , because he felt that the appearance there of the Grand Officers showed their sympathy with the working of Masonry in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , as well as

their admiration of the manner in which the ceremonies were conducted . He had ever looked up to it personally as one of the greatest Masonic advantages to be present , and he was sure he was joined by his brethren , the Grand Officers , in feeling edified , and he might add , instructed , by the working of that evening .

The working had been spoken to by the Right Worshipful President in the lodge , and therefore he should not dilate further on it than to say that there was no faculty apparently in their nature which had not been drawn out by the circumstances of that evening ; the religious faculty , the mental faculty , the moral faculty , and the

social faculty ; and let him simply say before he sat down that he trusted that the number of new members —105 , he believed—who had been added to the roll of the Emulation Lodge that nig ht would be able to produce from their number men who would be as competent and who would be able to go through their work

as well as those who they had just had the pleasure of hearing . They were Masons , free , it was true , and he hoped would be for ever free , both as Masons and as Englishmen ; but whatever mig ht be the turns of fortune he hoped they might never forget that those things were free vows to which they were bound by their most

solemn obligations , bound by their interest as Englishmen and as Masons to keep to their God , their country , and their laws . Bro . S . POPE , Q . C , P . G . D ., in proposing "The R . W . Brother in the Chair , " said he did not know whether to congratulate Lord Cremorne or the

brethren most . He congratulated Lord Cremorne because he presided over the largest , the most remarkable meeting which had distinguished that remarkable lodge . And he congratulated the brethren that they had in their Chairman a man who was not

content merely with an exercise of the ornamental functions of Masonry , but who himself was an earnest worker in the ritual of the Craft . He ( Bro . Pope ) had had the privilege for several years of attending that annual festival . He had seen it grow to dimensions which threatened to exceed the accommodation which

the Board of General Purposes had at its disposal to provide for . It was encouraging to find that there existed among the great body of Masons an inclination and determination to follow the ritual of the Craft to a perfection which alone could make it worthy of the objects which it professed to serve . He had

learnedand never more than now—to look with a feeling approaching veneration upon Bro . Fenn and his staff , and he hardly withheld his meed of admiration of those brethren who with an accuracy cf memory , with a power of diction , with a propriety of elocution , which gave dignity to -the ritual , had taught them how it

ought to be performed . He sometimes had had the privilege of meeting Lord Cremorne in other assemblies , and he would say that there was no member of the House of Commons who sat in discharge of his duties as a legislator who appeared to be more imbued with the true principles of Masonry , became more

determined honestly , fairly , justly to do his duty as between the interests involved than Lord Cremorne when he sat on Committees of the House of Commons . Ihe brethren "had in their Chairman , therefore , a man who was not merely devoted to Masonry as a science , but who had imbibed its true principles , and endeavoured to carry them out because he endeavoured to do justice

between man and man , and recognised the brotherhoou which furmed the gte . it basis of Masonic union . There fore , bearing in mind that they had had a long , interesting , but somewhat exhaustive ceremony before they came into the supper room , and that they all desired to reach their homes before the early hours of tn morning , he confined himself , although the subject w