The " Old Masonians."

THE " OLD MASONIANS . "

On Saturday last the above Association of ex-scholars of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys held its 14 th annual dinner at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C ., under the genial chairmanship of the Grand Treasurer elect , Bro . Harry Manfield , P . P . G . D . Norths and Hunts , who was supported by a number of brethren prominently connected with the School , including the Chairman of the Board of Management ( Bro . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ) ; the Secretary ( Bro . ] . Morrison McLeod , P . G . S . B ., P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire ) ; and the Head Master ( Bro . the Rev . H . Hebb , M . A ., P . P . G . C . Devonshire ) .

The company numbered over 50 , nearly all of whom were " Old Boys " of the Wood Green School , many being also members of the Old Masonians Lodge , who made this dinner their " Fourth Degree" for the evening . After a well-served repast , the usual loyal and other toasts , interspersed with music , followed .

As indications of the increased prosperity of the Association , reference was made to the very successful social arrangements of the past season , the many new members , the highest return hitherto of subscriptions , the further issue of the Old Masonians' Gazette , the vitality of the athletic clubs , and last , but not least , to the flourishing condition of the Benevolent and Grant Fund , which had been the means in a few instances of giving assistance to members .

Loud cheers greeted the announcement that about a score of ours were at the seat of war , and all had happily come through so far without mishap . The intimation that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught will , on May 12 th next , lay the foundation stone of the new School buildings at Bushey was duly noted , and it is expected that the "Old Boys" will be well represented .

The retiring President , Bro . Manfield , nominated as his successor Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , J . P ., P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Gloucs ., who for the past nine years has shown particular interest in the Association . The new Vice-Presidents are Mrs . George Allison , Bros . R . D . Cummings , R . Manuel , Alfred J . Thomas , and J . Fitzgerald , and Messrs . Booser and A . McLeod , The total amount subscribed during' the dinner amounted to close on £ 30 , the whole of which is devoted to the Benevolent Fund .

Ot the entertainment portion of the programme Bro . G . S . Cumming ' s finished rendering of " Fra Giacome " deserves especial praise . The following are the names of the members who were present : Bros . R . S . Chandler , Hon . Treas . ; Horace Lewis , Hon . Sec . ; C . O'Doherty , A . Allison , W . Parker , Whyatt , Barnes , Leyshon , W . M . 2357 , Pow , Bingham , Crew Stevenson , Watson , Crabtree , S . Roberts ( Neath ) , Cleo Jones ( New South Wales ) , and Gough ; Messrs . Lane ( Southsea ) , Walters Booser , H . Wilson , Barber , McKay , Jardine , Tanner , Lord ( Portsmouth ) , and Hayward .

The next important gathering is that taking place at Birmingham on Whit Monday , particulars of which are to be had of Mr . H . Lewis , Old Masonians ' Association , Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Industry Lodge , No . 48 . The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Gateshead , on Monday , the 26 th ult ., when there was a sp lendid muster of members and visitors . The retirire Master , Bro . John Armstrong , presided , and was supported by the following , amnnsst a numerous list of brethren present , viz ., Bros . M . Corbitt , P . M . ; Robert Wwffi P-M-: Wm . Brown , P . M ., D . C . ; W . J . Jobson , P . M Treas . ; T . R . u „ PM . I Wm . Dalrymple , P . M . ; A . Dobbs , P . M . ; Rev . Wm . Bowker , Chan •T Pragnell , S . W . ; Thos . Douglass , J . W . ; H . H . Pitt , Sec . ; W . E . l , nap ., J . - * - - •>„' .. n ' . w , w Nirhnlc anrl lnr . MnlTAl . Rlurrls . . I . P . irru

Tvlpr •R . Bra = on , W . Witherington , T . L . Hall , Jonathan Howe , W . M . 424 ; R . Stewart , PM 4-u ; I . Burrell , P . M . 424 ! W . F . Phillips , I . P . M . 424 ; S . Brown , VV . M . 2674 ; R Piumpton , P . M . 4 S 1 ; C . W . Hodgson , W . M . 659 ; R . Wilson . W . M . 1342 ; E . Bowman W . M . 1427 ; E . Hannay , W . M . 1664 ; F . Holmes , W . M . 25 GS ; A . Richardson , « , ™ G / Forsler , W . M . 2723 J W . E . Cooke , P . M . 515 . Malta ; Cornwall Smith , PM 4 S 1 ; W . M . Lyon , P . M . 406 ; Wm . Lyall , Org . 2 G 74 ; W . Howe , 424 ; J , Lawson , J . T . Thompson , Wm . Richardson , R . Dobson , J . Lightbown , J . A . Woodeson , RMarsonand others .

. , „ . „ „ ...... After the preliminary business the W . M . elect , Bro . J . T . Pragnell , S . W ., was presented by Bro . R . Whitfield , P . M ., to Bro . John Armstrong , Installing Master , for installation , which ceremony was duly performed smoothly and gracefully . Bro . Armstrong also delivered the ancient charges in capital style . The officers weie appointed , viz Bros . J . Armstrong , I . P . M . ; Thos . Douglass , S . W . ; H . H . Pitt , J . W . ; the Rev ' W . Bowker , Chap . ; W . J . jobfon , P . M ., Treas . ; W . E . Peacock , Sec ; R . 1 = «) . r ; .-lf . S . D .: T . H . Armstrong , I . D . J Wm . Brown , P . M ., D . C . ; Tom Smith ,

Asst Sec ; R . Ferry , Org . j G . T . Bootes , I . G . ; W . W . Nichols , Joe Moffat , W . Blythe and T . W . Hilton , Stwds . ; and J . Curry , Tyler . Notices of motion were afterwards given for the dispensing of Charities , and the new W . M . received a perfect shoal of congratulations from the visitors , after which the proceedings closed . The annual festival followed , when about 1 S 0 brethren dined at the Royal Hotel , under the guidance of Bro . J . T . Pragnell , the new W . M . A pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent in harmony and speeches ofa Masonic nature .

Honor and Generosity Lodge , No . 165 . The election meeting of this vcry old established and distinguished lodge was held nl iV , p Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln ' s-Inn Fields , on Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., when there were n " sent Bros . F . Howard Rosher , W . M . ; John Woodhouse , S . W . ; J . W . Howard Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; Henry Times , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . de B . Herbert , l Alfred Crabb

sn . w Marcus Thompson , J . D . ; Henry Bearman , acting . G . ; P . , 1 PM -Richard Eve , P . M ., P . O . Treas . ; J . R . Drake , P . M . ; Alfred W . Bush , PM - " W . Clarkson , Org . ; J . Harris Stone , Wm . C , Burt , Frank S . Gaylor , Havw ' ird I Strudwick , Bertram 15 . Van Praagh , Chas . J . Andrews , and John A . DuDdale Visitors : Bros . Edward Terry , P . G . Treas . ; E . N . Beningfield , S . VV . 2278 ; ReginaldiGroome , 2620 ; Templer Saxe , 2 , yo ; H . Wharton Wells , P . P . G . Org . ; and Sir William MurrayBart ., 1257 .

, After the customary opening formalities and the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting , the W . M . passed liro . John Harris Stone to the Second Degree . Bro Woodhouse was elected Master for the ensuing year , Bro . J . W . Howard Thompson was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . R . II . Goddard was again appointed Tyler . It was nronosed by the Treasurer and seconded hy the Secretary , that a sum be taken the of Past Master ' jewel to be presented to the

from the lodge funds for purchase a s W M Bro Howard Rosher , as a token in recognition of his services and of his excellent working of the ritual . Th-s resolution was carried unanimously . Sir William Murrav was proposed as a joining member of the lodge . A gentleman was proposed for initiation at the next meeting , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . The customary loyal toasts were given by the W . M . in brief terms , and were duly

h ° ° The toast of "The Grand Ofiicers" was responded to by Bro . Edward Terry , D , ct r . rind Treasurer , who met with a splendid reception on rising to return thanks . liro Richard l ive , P . M ., proposed "The Health of the VV . M . " in a long and elotjuen sjj *^^ ., | , responded in suitable terms , regretting that that was the last nrrasion tfat he would have the pleasure of pitsiding over ire ledge . He could , however rnlv hope that his successor would have as happy a year of ofiice as hehad enjcWar . d wished him cordially every success .

Craft Masonry.

in proposing "The Visitors , " the W . M . stated the following brethren had expressed regret at their inability to attend that meeting : Bros . Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . W . ; the Archdeacon of London , P . G . C ; the Grand Secretary ; Charles Belton , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C ; Henry Neville , P . A . G . D . C ; and several distinguished Grand Officers . The Secretary having read out a list of those who had favoured the lodge with their presence on that evening , the W . M . joined with the toast the names of Bros . Sir W . Murrav and E . N . Beningfield , W . M . elect 227 S .

Bro . Sir Wm . Murray responded . He hoped that that would be the last opportunity he would have of returning thanks for the visitors in the lodge , as he looked forward to being elected a member at the next meeting in May . He also trusted that his eldest son ( elected a member of the Iodge at the last meeting ) would soon be back from the front in South Africa , and that he would see him go through his ceremony of initiation in that lodge before the close of the present year .

Bro . E . N . Beningfield apologised for being too late to see any of the working in the lodge . He had , however , received an invitation to see his friend , the Master elect , installed in May , and on that occasion he intended to be more punctual . Bro . Howard Thompson , Treas . and Bro . W . M . responded in very appropriate terms to the toast of " The Ofiicers cf the Lodge . " The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close an enjoyable and instructive evening .

During the evening Bros . Templer Saxe and Reginald Groome sang , Bro . H . Wharton Wells , F . C . O ., played accompaniments , while Bro . Edward Terry told some amusing stories , whicii were thoroughly appreciated by a large and enthusiastic assembly cf brethren .

Three Grand Principles Lodge , No . 441 . Bro . Sultan Mahommed Khan , of Christ ' s College , was present at the meeting of this lodge at Cambridge on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., and met with a cordial reception . In responding to the toast of "The Visitors , " he said that the flattering remarks of Bro . J . Catling , P . M ., ought to make him blush , but he feared he was beyond the age to blush . Bro . Catling had invited him to express his opinion of England and Freemasonry in England , and also to give them some

information respecting his own country , Afghanistan . As to the latter , he gave examples of its great antiquity , remarking that Bactra was the first city with a university mentioned by historians . If there was one institution in the world which more than any other taught a common brotherhood of man it was Freemasonry . Christians , Buddhists , Mohamedans , Hindoos , Parsees , and the rest , taught that their respective adherents were the only people to go Paradise . How much more embracing were the teachings of Freemasonry ? Our Empire embraced the largest number of

Mohamedans and Hindoos , and yet all enjoyed the liberty which Britons enjoyed under the sceptre of that noble lady Queen Victoria . In no other country did equality prevail to a greater extent than in England . The importance of his own country , with its 300 , 000 fighting men , as a buffer state between India and Russia could not be over estimated . Russia , notwithstanding her huge army , dare not take aggressive action for fear of internal dangers . He believed Napoleon said that England had one mystery , she had never been defeated . The more she was beaten , the better she fought . Now

she had all her colonies fighting on her side . Notwithstanding the large army they had sent to the Transvaal they did not appear to miss them ; there seemed just as many people in the country as before . He would remind his hearers that the present Ameer of Afghanistan was taken out of a Russian prison and placed on the throne by England , who also subsidised the country . That the Afghans would not forget , for the impression made on the king was the impression engraved on the hearts of his people . In conclusion ^ he referred again to the uniting influences of Freemasonry .

Metham Lodge , No . 1205 . The installation banquet of the above lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth , on the 27 th ult . The W . M ., Bro . J . Baynard James , presided , and amongst those present were Bros . Colonel J . Elliott , C . B ., C . M . G ., Past Dist . Grand Master ol Barbadoes ; F . B . Westlake , P . D . G . D . C . Eng ., P . S . G . W . ; Major J . G . Shanks , K . M . ; Colonel Edyvcan , VV . M . 2655 ; J . E . Bone , J . W . 1550 ; and the following officers of the lodge : Bros . R . Stoneman , I . P . M . ; John Perry , S . W . ; J . H . Sowden , J . W . ; R . Dickson , Chap . ; Captain W . Powell , Treas . ; P . J . Dunn , Sec . ; C . Harrison , S . D . ; W . H . Ford , J . W . ; W . J . Waldron , I . G . ; W . T . Davie , Org . ; J . Pritchard , D . C . ; J . F . Richards , A . D . C . ; W . Fowler , G . Trout , A . H . C . Thorne , and VV . H . Stanbury , Stwds . ; J . Gidley , Tyler ; Capt . Powell , Representative on Committee of Petitions ; J . J . Facey , Charity Stwd . ; H . E . Sitters , P . M . ; VV . J . Pearce , P . M . ; J . Perring , P . M . ; Maunder , P . M . ; W . H . Ambrose , P . M . ; G . Perkins , P . M . ; and Maddock , P . M .

In giving the toast of "The Queen , " the W . M . said her womanly and gracious sympathy with her soldiers had been a bright example to the whole world . ( Applause . ) Bro . Dunn brought the colonial forces into the usual service toast . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Edyvean , W . M . 2 G 55 , replied . He thought the short service system had been justified in the present war—their young soldiers had fulfilled the highest traditions of the British Army .

Bro . Powell proposed" H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England , and Grand Lodge . " He congratulated them on having two members of Grand Lodge present . One of them was one of the principal founders and the first Master of Metham Lodge ; he alluded to Bro . Col . Elliott . He ( Bro . Powell ) was initiated in Metham Lodge the first night of Colonel Elliott's Mastership , and they all hoped the Great Architect of the Universe would long preserve their brother to them .

Bro . Col . Elliott , in reply , said there could be no doubt of the progress of Freemasonry during the past quarter ot a century , not only in numbers , but in the manner of its government . As to their lodge , he remained among them to install seven of his successors in the chair , the last being Lord Charles Beresford , and he ( Col . Elliott ) was in the chair for a great portion of those years , because each Master was removed by the service . He could never forget the interest he took in Metham Lodge then—an interest which had never waned , nor could he ever forget the confidence placed in him and the support he received from the brethren .

Bro . Westlake , whose name was also coupled with the toast , said the great increase in their numbers caused some anxiety , and he urged them to be very cautious whom they admitted into Freemasonry . Bro . Facey proposed "The Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Grand Lodge . " Bros . Westlake and Shanks responded .

" The Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall " was proposed by Bro . Perkins in eloquent terms , and as thc present VV . M ., Bro . James , was a Cornishman , he asked them to receive the toast with especial enthusiasm . Bro . Col . Edyvean responded . " The Health of the VV . M ., Bro . James , " was proposed hy Bro . Stonehman , thc I . P . M ., who said that they knew they had in Bro . James one very capable of filling the chair of their lodge .

The VV . M . responded , and asked the support of the members to make the coming year memorable to the lodge and to Freemasonry in connection with it , and trusted that at the end of the year the confidence they had reposed in him would be fully justified . ( Applause . ) Bro . Dickson proposed "The I . P . M ., " which was cordially received . The other toasts usual on such occasions followed , the most notable being " The Treasurer , " which was proposed by Bro . Perring , who feelingly alluded to the retirem ; nt of Bro . Cross . Bro . Powell , the new Treasurer , responded .

Ivy Lodge , No . 1441 . The annus ! installation meeting of this well-known South London lodge was held at the Surrey Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 27 th ult . .. and passed off with so great a success as to constitute a record forthe lodge . Bro . R . Carey , VV . M ., presided for the last time during his year of oltice , and was supported hy ihe following ollicers : Bros . Arthur Henry Rimbault , VV . M . elect , S . VV . ; Hugh James , J . VV . ; liurcham Cooper , P . M ., P . / .., Treas . ; Greenwood Hartley , Sec . ; T . R . Chilcott , S . D . ; J . T . Whitehead , J . D . j J . Peters , Org . ; H . E . Lane , I . G . j C . S . Andersw , Stwd . ; with Bro . J . Hills as I . P . M ,, and a full attendance of Past Masters and brethren , including Bros .