Red Cross Of Constantine.

Great Queen-street . Among the Sir Kts . present were Rev . P . M . Holden , M . P . S . ; T . Kingston , V . E . ; Col . J . Peters , H . P . ; T . Cubitt , Treas . ; H . C . Levander , Rec . ; J . Nunn , P . G . V . ; George Kenning , l ' . S . ; 11 . A . Dubois , P . S . ; J . G . Marsh , P . S . ; E . H . Thiellay , O . ; H . 11 . Shirley , S . B . ; E . lclchwonh , \ V . S . Moses , J . M . Siidwell , and others . The minutes of the September meeting hav ing been read and

confirmed , the recorder stated that , in accordance with a resolution then passed , he had written a letter of ctindolence to the widow of the late Sir Kt . Robert Wentworth Little , P . G . V ., die . Healsoanounced that a committee , comprising members of various Orders of Freemasonry , had been formed for the purpose of perpetuating in a suitable manner the memory of our late lamented brother . It was then

proposed by Sir Kt . George Kennmg , P . S . ; seconded by Sir Kt . Holden , Jtf . P . S . ; and carried unanimously : That the sum of five guineas be given by the Conclave to the Wentworth Little fes ; imonial Fund . Several letters of apology for unavoidable absence wen- read ; after which

the conclave was closed , and the Sir Kts . adjourned to banquet and spent a very agreeable evening under the genial presidency of their M . P . S . We are happy to hear that the Premier Conclave is in a flourishing state , and trust it may long continue to enjoy the position it has hitherto held at the head of the Red Cross Order .

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .

The annual festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was held on the 29 th ult ., in the Ttniple . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D ., P . G . A . D . C , presided as W . M . ; Bro . C . A . Murton , P . G . D ., acted as S . W . ; and Bro . John A . Rucker , P . G . D ., as J . W . Bro . John Hervey , G . Sec ,

Treasurer of the lodge , and Bro . W . Smallpeice , P . M . 1395 , Secretary of the lodge , also attended . Bro . A . C . Spaull , J . W . 1768 , acted as S . D . ; Bro . G . C . Pulsford , S . D . 1595 , as J . D . ; Bro . W . A . Dawson , W . M . 1768 , as I . G . ; and Bro . Sadler , Tyler . Amongst other brethren present were the Right Hon . Lord Henniker , S . G . W . ; Bros . J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; Capt ,

N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; Lieut .-Col . Shadwell Clerke , S . G . D . ; W . Hyde Pullen , P . G . S . B . ; James Glaisher , P . G . D . ; H . C . Levander , Prov . G . Sec . Middlesex-, Col . II . S . Someriille Burncy ; II . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; W . T . Howe , G . P . ; Hcnniker-Major , of the United Lodge , No . 1629 ; W . G . Kentish , William Russell , C . Harrison , G E . Wainwright , G . Starey , Robert Fowler , P . M . and Sec . 104 ;

Josiah Boule , C . G . Lockyer Sandiiands , St . C . Blumming , Henri Butir , Carl Erhardt , Gilbert L . Bauer , W . J . Compton , John P . Probert , A . Waur , Henley B . Robinson , R . J . S . Beelon ,-Hie . Luck , J . P . Sowirby , J . P . Toilelinott , John D . Carter , J . R . Jones , W . Henry Thomas , George Mickley , H . H . Sirule , Rev . John Rolibins , D . D ., Hugh Mackintosh , T . H . Edmonds , William Ogle , S . I . Weston , P . M .

194 ; Albert Evcdly , A . Maroni , H . Carter , P . Herbage , Howard W . G . Vaughan George Brown , E . Culver , C . Stewart . T . J . Ballon , W . W . Lcndon . Robeit P . Notlcy , J . P . Edkins , John W . Jones , I ' . L \ Godwin , 70 ; A . E . Barrett , 107 ; F . W . Mitchell , W . A . S . Humphries , James Win . Lambert , Augustus II . Spronge , W . H . Mullcr , J . P . Manchester , W . G . Sams , 180 ; George Powell , Edwin

Marsh , Daviel Harrison , George W . dates , C Laydon Davics , W . G . Weber , A . V . Haines , John C Green , T . A . Greene , George Boulton , Dick Radelyffe , Thomas Greene . J . P . Walker , Jno . Ray , G . W . Cooper , G . W . Armstrong , Frederick Thomas llastelow , J . A . Farnfield , Ernest H . Blake , T . II . Siuimoiids , W . Uollingwuith , W . Acklanel , James Kcenc , W . M . 16 35 ; W . Sliiinlon Meises , 1415 ;

William F . Vandcrwell , ( 13 ; Charles Hunt , 194 ; K . Feiinei ; 1150 ; Henry Conolly , 173 ; James S . Edtiicston , 1 O 12 ; W . Deamer , M . D ., P . M . 609 ; T . Ilemy Peiice , 211 ; E . K . Kendall , 10 ; F . Schoficlt , M . I ) . ; Edmund lloutlcdge , 1635 ; H . W . Hiiiiyinan , 59 ; J . Hail , 59 ; II . W . I loniann , J . Russell , 8 ; F . S . Sadolph , P . M . 1 : 80 , George II . Savage , W . M . . |< V , Ua : i : I ' . i Idle , f 1 ^ ;

James Paddle , P . M . 715 ; ChaiksJ . P . ivcv . il , 531 ; A . Green , W . M . 211 j R . W . Nager , 141 ft ; Walter Maxsleel , 180 ; G . W . Dixon , 2011 , P . P . G D . C . Beiks and Bucks ; Usher Bach , 211 ; Richard Sennet , 15 ; George B . 1 leming , 25 ft ; W . J . Colleus , 76 ft ; W . ' il . Lee- , P . M . 973 : Edwin B . Holleiway , 108 ; R dierl Bach , 263 ; Janies Edmeston , 1635 ; Francis E . C Byng , 16 ?;; Chas .

Armfield , 120 ]; George Arnilield , 1201 ; Jules Sprengel , 1633 ; David Hodges , 33 ; John Oldis , 1288 ; Charles Adams , I 2 i > 8 ; Geo . French , 391 ; II . Brett , 1436 ; J . L . Claypolc , Chas . Clapromonge , 1 ( 12 ; John C . Biggs , J . D . 77 ; William H . Hedges , 77 ; Fred . B . Biddle , S . W . 193 ; G . Falcoi . tr , 873 ; II . Ilajcoek , 1343 : li . W . Brown 179 ; Wm . Wallis , 1 : 93 ; Joseph John Cr . ieke-, 111 ! ; li .

Goeiilehilel , 534 ; Artliur llviii iS . tr , 1 ( 121 ); O . S . li-iaru-111 , 111 , 299 ; VY . II . Cli .-i-r , Miiiopolii . in Ledge-, N . Y . ; VV . K . Moiinian , 1 ft 24 ; I ' .. King , 1624 ; F . G . Gibson , 3 ; George : Summers , 1491 ; F . G . Loughborough , 1 . ( 0 ; George W . Enimett , 16 35 ; Janies Chapman , 194 ; II . J . Vialls , W . M . Stuart , 540 ; John C . Walker , 14 ; W . Chapman , 59 ; Walter Burncy , B . Bogg , R . Walker , 1044 ; W .

Saint , 193 ; G . H . Long , W . M . 43 ; John I leaky , P . M . 39 ; H . J . Bertram , 1426 ; C B . Payne , G . T . and H . Massey , P . M . ftiy ( Freemason . ) The Stewards of the festival weic Bios . W . C Bacon , P . M . 222 ; W . Beattie , W . M . 142 ; G . Brooke , P . M . 0 ?; R . R . Davis , P . M . 216 ; W . A . Dai-son , W . M . 17 OS ; H , J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; Montague Gossett , P . M . 66 ; » . Gicv , P . G . D . ; J . Hervey , Gram ! Sec ,

Treas . ; E . Hornblower , S . D . 1654 ; W . S . Lee , | . W . 1201 ; E . Lcgg , W M . 1 107 ; P . Uc I .. Long , P . G . D , ; ' K . March , P . M . Granel Stewards' Lodge ; C . A . Murton , P . G . I ) . ; J . Muzio , P . M . 1150 ; T . W . < Vki-nden , J . . 1 ^ 12 ; Hide Pullen , P . G . S . B . ; G . C . Pulsf . r . l , S . D . ' 139 , -, ; ' Dick Radcljffe , J . W . 742 ; A . D . Rnishaw , S . D . 194 ' ; A . A . liichanls , P . G . S ., P . M . 8 olid 86 3 , P . Prov . G . J . W . Middlesex ; J . A . Rurkrr , P . G . D . ; W . A . Smallpeicc , P . M . 1 395 , Secretary . A . C . Spaull , J . W . 17 ns ; F . R . Sp . ull , S . W . \ - ( , S ; K . G . ;

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

Taltershall , 16 5 ; Erasmus Wilson , S . G . D . ; S . B . Wilson , P . M . 59 . The members of Ihe Committee were Bros . T . r-enn , P . G . D . ; John Hervey , Grand Secretary , Treasurer ; C . A . Muuun , ' [' . G . D . ; A . D . Reushaw , S . D- 194 ; and W . Smalipeice , P . M . 1363 , Secretary . After the lodge had been opened in the Three Degrees the First Lecture was worked as follows : —

1 st Section Bro . A . C . Spaull , J . W . 1 7 68 . 2 nd „ ,, G . C . Pulsford , S . D . 1593 . 3 id ,, ... ... ,, A . D . Renshaw , S . D . 194 . 4 U 1 ,, ... ... „ E . Hornblower , S . D . 1604 . 3 th ,, ... ... ,, E . G . Tattershall , 16 ; . 6 th „ F . R . Spaull , S . W . 1768 . 71 I 1 , „ W . A . Dawson , W . M . 1768

The whole of this work was done in a style which fully supported the reputation of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . Before the lodge was closed , Bro . Fenn announced that that was the time for proposing new members . The fee for membership was half-a-crown , which constituted a brother a member for liie without further subscription .

The money so subscribed was , with the exception of a few working expenses , entirely devoted to Masonic charity , and in the course of the last two yeais £ 170 had been paid to the three Masonic Charitable Institutions . After Bio . Fenn had risen for the third time Lorel Henniker took the chair , and closed down in the Three Degrees , executing his work in capital style . The brethren then

adjourned to the Freemasons' Tavern , where a substantial supper was provided by Bro . Alfred Best . Lord Henniker presided . The toast of " The Queen and the Craft" having been duly proposed and honoured after supper , the Chairman , in proposing that of " The M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , " said he had not a very hard task to perform , for he

remembered the last time he was in that room the reception the Grand Master had from the numerous brethren who were assembled on that occasion was very enthusiastic , which was a proof that in any assemblage of Freemasons 110 words were needed to recommend the t ^ ast . He had had the privilege of knowing the Grand Mas . cr personally for many years , and thought theie was no one more filled

lor the position' of Grand Master , 01 account of his kindly nature , Ins s } iii , ) , ilh y , his character , anil his kind hcartedncss . lie was glad to have to leniember the Prince of Wales in the position to which his Royal Highness had been pleased to place him this year . Although , unluckily , the Grand Master's many oilier engagements , and numerous calls upon his time , prevented his coming among

the brethren as often as he desired , and as often as the brethren desired to see him among them ; yet they might be sure of this , that whenever the Prince of Wales did join them he would always meet with the most cordial and hearty reception . The brethren present , and all Masons in England , wished that H . R . H . might live many years , and hold the distinguished position he now occupied , as

Granel . duster of English Freemasons . The Chairman next gave " The Pro and Deputy Grand Ma-tcr , and the rest of the Grand Officers , " both of whom he characterised as having the interests of Freemasonry at heart , and as discharging the duties of their respective positions in the Order with zeal , tact , and judgment . Speaking with reference to Lord Skelmersdale , he said that

Ins lorelstnp constantly gave up other engagements to visit lodges in the provinces , and remarked that he had noticed in his ( the Chairman ' s ) own province of Suffolk , and in the neighbouring province of Norfolk , the great fillip it gave to Masonry 111 the provinces when rulers in the Craft went among the brethren there . This was the case when Lord Skelmersdale visited the province , and wherever he went he was liked .

Colonel Shadwell Cletke , G . S . D ., responded , and said he felt gre . it diffidence in doing so , because , lie lelt that the loa > l comprised so it , inv illustrious names in Masonry that it was almost presumptuous for him to respond for them , biniciel y he would have liked that the Earl of Carnarvon or Lord Skclmcisdale had been there to respond , but in llieir absence the other Grand Officers must anil did

feel highly gialilieil at the kind way in which their names were always ice . ivcd , and fur the brolhcrly acknowledgment of those services , which , from time to time , it was their eluty to render to the Craft . The Grand Officers , in common with ether brethren , felt great pride and gratification at being present at the meetings of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , a lodge which cast such lustre on

English Fieeui . is niry , an I which was such a guide to the footsteps of rice masons . Bro . John IJcuy , G . Sec , Ticasuier of ( he lodge , proposed " Tliv-. Health of the Chairman . " He was sure the bulhicii Here si pleased with Loid Heuniker ' s presidency that evening that they would be very glad indeed to sec him again . Lord Henniker had come up from the far cast

solely to attend this loelge , and had taken a long jjurncy for the puiposc . Having engagements in Suffolk he would have to leave at nine o ' clock next morning to keep them . When a brother puts himself to so much inconvenience to gratify other * , they owed him a great debt of gratitude , which they would naturally be anxious to pay . They all knew that Lord Henniker , was an honoured Mason , and

he was at the present moment the first Master of the lodge in Suffolk , to the chair of which he had just been elected , for the second year . He was Senior Grand Warden of England , and the brethren had seen that evening that he coulel not only preside at the banquet table , but could work in a lodge and do his eluty there . He could say a great

d-nl more of Lord IleiiniLer , if his lordship Were neit present ; but being present lie would not put him to the blush , hut would simply say that the brethren were anxious tu thank him lor so kindly coming to preside over this meeting . The brethren would feel that Lord Henniker had eoiifeircd not onl y pleasure and gratification on the lodge , bill had laid on il a debt of grai ' mi '' c which they

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

would not feel it easy to liquidate . He therefore calln ! on the brethren to drink his lordship ' s health . The Chairman , in reply , said he was afraid he haidl y deserved all the praise Bro . Hcrvey had given him ; at the same time he could assure the brethren thai it was lie who had had great pleasure in being present that evening—a pleasure which he should not easily forgel . This was his

first visit to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and it was true that he had come up from Suffolk to attend it , and would have to go back again early in the morning to attend one or two important meetings before he go ; home late in the evening . However , he had been amplyrepaid for any trouble he had had by the kind reception the brethren had given him , and by the great treat he had

had in the working of the lodge . That had given him . so much pleasure that he haidly knew how to express i \ Like most people who had many publicand private engagements , as well as Masonry to , attend to he got a lilile rusty ; but he could assure the brethren be felt the greatest pleasure in seeing the brethren working a lodge so well as they had workeel the

Emulation Lodge o : Improvement . He hoped he might have the pleasure at some future time , ii the brethren would allow him , of visiting this lodge again . As the brethren had already heard a good deal of his voice , he should content himself with thanking them most heartily . He was certain they would believe him when he saiel he was not a show Mason , but was anxious really to be of

use to the Craft . He should be happy at all times to be of use to the Craft in general , anil to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement in particular , where he had spent such a happy evening . The Chairman nexfproposcd "Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " He need not tell the brethren that he did it most heartily . It was not an empty phrase , for

he did it with great pleasure and satisfaction . The Emulation Lodge of Improvement supplied one of the rreal wants in this country , and he was glad to s ; e rising Masons every year look more and more to it as an authority in Craft Masonry , and from what he had seen , that ni gbi he thought it would . He wished it were possible in a great many of the provinces to have something of the same

kin J ; but of course it was impossible : to have it every where , or anything approaching to it so good . Still , depend upon it , every year as people visited the Emulation Lodge ol Improvement it would become more influential , and more of an authority in every province in the country . Emulation was a word which Masons ought to have always belore them , whether in the workiug of lodges , or in

trying to support the charities , or in promoting kindly feeling among the Craft , Emulation ought to be a word ever present to them ; but one thing he was quile certain of , I hat it would be almost impossible to carry out the true sense of the word as rcgareicd the brother with whom he wished to couple this toast—he meant Bro . Hcrvey . As long as they had Bro . Hervey holding office , as he hael in

this loelge for more than thirty-one years as Treasurer , there need be no fear of the lodge going back or taking a second place . He ventured to say , in Bro . Hervcy's presence that though many oi the Grand Officers , past and present , and he ( the Chairman ) himself were very anxious to fulfil their duties as well as they could , however much tlicy might try they would not find il very easy at . 1

distance very respectfully to follow Bro . Hervey in the way in which he carried out his duties as Granel Secretary of Gran . 1 Lodge of England . It gave him ( the Chairman ) personal pleasure to couple tile name of Bro . Hervey with this toast , for he had known him now some time , and in every communication he had with him ol all kinds and sorts , and on various topics connected wilh Masonry ,

he had always found him so courteous , good humoured , good tempered , forbearing , and long tuiftiing in every way , that it gave him great pleasure lo bear this testimony to his qualities . He was very much pleased to count Bro . Hervey amongst his personal friends , and he was gla . l now to propose his healln , along with " Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , " of which Bro . Hcrvey was

one of the most valuable members . Bro . Hervey , in reply , said that when a man found himself in difficulties the best course he could adopt was to face them at once and get out of them in the besl way he might . Lord Henniker had just placed him in a difficulty by the kind manner in which he had proposed Ibis toast , ami the flattering terms in which he had recommended it to the brethren . He could assure the brethren that no one

had the success of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement more at heart than he had . In former times certainly he did , and he might as well avow it , work very hard for the success of this loelge . For the last three e r four years his health had not been so good as il used to be , and it hael nut been in his power CM devute the same .. ' . Vvini ., 11 lo the lodge as he did in former years . But his lordship would

see , and the brethren round the table would know , th it the lodge had not fallen off from any want of attention 011 his pan , because it had been well looked after by some of his friends both right and left of him—by one whom he mi g ht specially name that night , whose working , he thought , was next to perfect , Bro . Fenn—so that his ( Bro . Ilci vej's . ) absence was now of little moment , and lie might 11 JW take

that rest and repose which his old age and long service might entitle him to . While the loelgc was looked nfte r as it was now by members who took the work and attended to the well-being of the lodge one night alter another the Lodge of Emulation could not do othirvvise than prosper . He woulel not say more about the working of the lodge ,

because his lordship would speak about it presently , but he woulel add , that he thanked ii is lordship he . uliiy for lln ' compliment lie hael paid him , and the brethren tor liie li illering reception he hael had . It was not always lb it a man maintained his popularity alter thirty-one \ i-irs of service ; whether it hail been deserved or not was ar . oiii'T question ; but still he felt he was almost Ion mii ' -li appn ' - ciated . ( To he continued . )