Craft Masonry.

to mourn in poverty had it not been for the benefaction of the Ancient and Honorable Institution of Freemasonry , of which we are all so justly proud . " Brethren of the City of Westminster Lodge , I address you more particularly . Doubtless an appeal to your charity in this form , and through this medium is a depar . ture from the custom -ry method of loosening your purse strings , but do not , I pray you , because of its originality in this respect , turn a deaf ear to its wail by refraining to uphold the traditional munificence of our lodge , for your duty on this , as on all such occasions , is obviously to maintain in their fullest splendour those truly Masonic ornaments—Benevolence and Charity . .

_ "In conclusion ! beg leave to iniimate that our able and indefatigable aecretary , Bro . S . E . Young , 12 S , Jerdingham-road , New Cross , London , S . E ., will have pleasure in receiving the names of any of the brethren who may desire to join me as Stewards on this occasion , or he will gratefully receive , acknowledge , and faithfully apply al I cheques or postal orders ( crossjd London Joint Stock Bank ) from any source whatever on my behalf for the purposes herein stated . Please do not hesitate to respond to this have for the of the

appeal with even small amounts , as we precedent acceptance ' Widow's Mite' in the sacred cause of Charity , an attribute to which is accorded the approbation of Heaven and earth , blessing , as it invariably does , the giver not less than the receiver * " Yours faithfully and fraternally , "JNO . BARRY-O'CALLAGHAN , " Worshipful Master . "

Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . The November meeting of this lodge , held at the Albion Tavern , Aldergate-street , on the iSth instant , was memorable for the addition of five new members—two , viz ., Bros . John Henry and William Marshall Candy , being joining members , and Messrs . Ernest Harward Barnaschoue , Sidney James Stiff , and Cyril Morton being initiates . There were present also Bros . Dr . C . E . Milnes Hey , W . M . ; Ralph Langton , l . P . M . ;

H . F . Woodward , S . W . ; T . Henry James , J . W . ; J . Vaughan stiernn , s . u . ; A . Clarke Williams , J . D . ; Henry Blennerhassett , I . G . ; Arthur B . Hudson , P . M ., D . C . ; George Rawlinson , P . M ., and A . Arthur Barnes , Stwds . ; Thomas Briggs , P . M . ; Rupert Smyth , P . M ., acting Sec . ; Jas . Chas . Hayes , P . M . C 19 and 1708 ; Major R . S . ElliSi P . M . 2242 ; nadC . Neal , Tyler ; and the following visitors , viz .: Bro \ George Clark , P . Prov . S . G . D . Middx . ; Cnarles Norrington , P . M . and Sec . 619 ; S . J . Cross , P . M . 2242 ; and W . S . Horlock , 92 . TL - iAj « a U * ..: n ^ I . A « n nn . n «^ and tht * minutes read , the W . M .. and Rro . Thos .

Briggs , P . M ., and other brethren made feeling references to the loss the lodge has sustained bv the death of Bro . George Kenning , a founder , Past Master , and the late Secretary of the lodge , and a resolution of sincere sympathy with the family was unanimously passed , and Bro . Smyth was desired to notify them of that fact . The W . M . then initiated the three candidates with considerable care and skill . Bro . Woodward , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M ., for the ensuing year , and the re-election of Bro . Samuel White as Treasurer v : as as enthusiastic as ever . The brethren subsequently dined together .

Sir Waiter Raleigh Lodge , No . 2432-INSTALLATION OF BRO . A . S . BENJAMIN . This tobacco trade lodge held its installation meeting on the 2 Sth ult ., at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields . Bro . Thomas Rayner , W . M ., presided , and there were also present : Bros . R . Clay Sudlow , P . A . G . D . C . ; Richard Clowes , P . G . Std . Br . ; Charles Ransford , l . P . M . ; A . S . Benjamin , S . W . ; Oscar C . Moore , l . W . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Bullock , P . M ., Sec ; Alex . Jones , i

S . D . ; E . Grahnert , J . D . ; George Kmblin , r . M ., u . u . ; w . u . wgnttoor , . u . ; lames Parkins . I . L . Van Gelder , S . Maier , and IC . Asser , Stwds . ; D . Phillips , P . M . j W . Klingenstein . P . M . ; A . Pringle , P . M . ; W . C . Foyle , VV . R . Daniel ; O . H . Beattv . lohn Taylor , John Bessie , Samuel Phillips , P . Phillips , Samuel Cohen , I . H . Custince , P . M . j J . W . D . ake , W . H . Oades , T . H . G . Francott , D . Pappaclia , H . Alberge , J . C . Metcalfe , E . Van Raalte , L . Weenen , James Moore , F . Smith , and H . W . Carr . The visitors , besides the two Grand Officers , were : Bros . R . G . Kellett ,

1312 , P . P . G . S . B . Essex ; G . H . Pizey , W . M . 2374 ; A . Rubury , 22 S ; A . L . Lazarus , 218 ; W . R . Williams , P . M . 975 ; Rev . F . Spero , Chap . 205 ; E . C . Porter , P . M . 1612 ; H . Wheatley , P . M . 1512 ; Charles Wheatley , P . M . 1512 and 2540 ; J . Leather , 538 ; F . S . Benjamin , 2119 ; W . Hammond , 813 ; Arthur Bayman , 45 ; Humphrey J . Phillips , P . M ., Sec . 205 ; Samuel E . Southgate , P . M . 700 ; George S . Benjamin , 79 6 ; F . Dunstan , P . M . 1326 ; George Smith , J . W . 901 ; T . Bowles , 12011 Robert C . Rell . 33 s 5 H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; M . Beedle , W . M .

619 ; J . T . Dunk , 1687 ; W . Parsons , 753 ; W . Mymann , Treas . 780 ; W . I . Walls . 2421 ; H . Cooper , 754 ; and J . Malmsburv . The W . M . raised Bro . Samuel Phillips to the Third Degree , and afterwards requested Bro . George Emblin , P . M ., D . C , to perform the ceremony of installation . Bio . Emblin then took the chair , and installed Bro . Arthur Solomon Benj ' amin , S . W ., W M elect . Bro . Thomas Rayner was invested as l . P . M ., and the other brethren invested were Bros . O . C . Moore S . W . ; A . F . Jones , l . W . ; Geo . Ransford , P . M .,

, P . PGS B . Middx ., Treas . ; W . H . Bullock , P . M ., Sec . ; E . G . Grahnert S . D . ; W . C . " Lightfoot , J . D . ; S . Maier , I . G . ; G . Emblin , P . M ., D . C ; Jas . Parkins , Org . ; H . O . Winter , I . L . VanGelder . E . Asser . and Harry Alberge , Stwd . ; andS . T . Hill . P . M , Tyler . The new W . M . then iniiia ' . ed Mr . Israel Zeegen , Mr . Hy . Rollings , and Mr . Hy . Drake . Later in the evening Bro . Benjamin , W . vl ., announced that he would stand as Steward for the lodge at the next Festival of ths Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

Bro . Charles Ransfoid , P . M ., elicited from the W . M . that the ball would take place next February . It was not held last February on account of the late Queen ' s death . _ The closing of the lodge was followed by a choice banquet , and under the direction of Bro . Maurice Aubrey , Miss Charlotte Dickens , medallist , R . A . M . ; Bros . Franklin Head , Witt Edwards , Mallet , and Maurice Aubrey gave vocal performa nces , along with the Rev . E . Spero . _ , , ,. „

Bros . Sudlow and Clowes responded to the toast which included "The Grand B ' ro . Thomas Rayner , l . P . M ., proposed " The W . M ., " whom all the brethren congratulated on attaining the position of'W . M . He expressed their sincere wish that ro . Benjamin would have a happy and successful year . It would be the effort of every one of them to make it very pleasant and enjoyable for the W . M . and the brethren . From what they had seen that night of the working of the W . M ., he believed they had a Masonic tieat in stor ; fjr them .

Bro . Benjamin , VV . M ., replied . The present was one of the proudest moments of his life . He had been a Mason many , many years , and he had always aspired to the high office he now held . He ccu'd assure the brethren that during his year of office he should do everything he possibly could to maintain the dignity of that office to the fullest extent . He would like to mention the subject of the ball . Bro . Bullock , the Secretary of tie lodge , had kindly consented to act this year as in former years in the

capacity of Secretary to the Ba'l Committee . The ball would take place in February , 1902 , and the tickets would be sent out before Christmas next . He hoped the brethren would support the entertainment , and he would ask each member of the lodge , and especially Bro . Custance to serve on the Committee . He might also mention that he hi A received seveial telegrams of congratulation on his being installed , and among them was one from the Royal Warrant Holders Lodge , which he had replied to , reciprocating their hearty greetings . # . to the toast proposed in their honour

The initiates severally responded . Bro . Benjamin , W . M ., proposed "The Charities , " and askeJ ths support of the brethren so that he might go up as Steward for the Boys' School with a list worthy of the Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge . . , .. Bro . W . Klingenstein , P . M ., replied . He was glad that even on a very busy evening the W . M . had not forgotten the Masonic Chanties . He thought those Institutions were the main pillars of the Masonic Order . The outer world might say what Ihey liked about Freemasonry , but the Institutions of the Craft were second to none , doin

institutions . He was proud to see so manv members of the general community sup . poiting the benevolent fund which the W . M . and his predecessors supported , and had carried home to the hearts of the brethren . He congratulated the W . M . on reaching the chair , and was sure his stewardship would meet with the encouragement it deserved . Bro . Charles Ransford , P . M ., without asking brethren for support , took up 70 guineas . Duiing the present W . M . ' s year he hoped the benevolent fund would become an estabfished fact , and form the nucleus of a charity to support any brother who might under , take the duties of Steward ,

Craft Masonry.

Bros . Pizey , Beedle , Phillips , Spero , and Bowles replied to the toast of " The Visitors . " Bro . Benjamin , W . M ., proposed " The I . P . M ., the Installing Master , and the Past Masters , " and presented Bro . Rayner with a handsome jewel of a Past Master . He was sure if he did his work during his year as well as Bro . Rayner had performed his duties in the past year , that the brethren would be satisfied . The brethren must also be proud that they had a Past Master who could perform the ceremony of installation as Bro . Emblin had oerformed it that evening .

Bro . Rayner , l . P . M .. having thanked the brethren for the jewel , said the past year had been to him a very important year of his life , serving , as he had , the office of Master of the Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge . He had done his best , and if it had not met with the brethren ' s approval he believed they would not have bestowed on him the jewel . Bro . G . Emblin , P . M ., also replied . Bros . G . Ransford , P . M ., Treas ., and W . H . Bullock , P . M ., Sec , replied to the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " Bro . A . F . Jones , J . W ., acknowledged the toast of" The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast closed an exceedingly pleasant evening .

The December Magazines.

The December Magazines .

The Captain contains the continuation of the serials " In Deep Water , " and " A Cavalier Maid , " and the conclusion of " The Autobiography of a Dog , " as well as several very interesting complete tales . There is an article on the art of Louis Wain , illustrated from photographs and sketches by the artist . " His Majesty " is the title of an episode in the life of the Kins ; , in which two anarchists mistook a " double" of his Majesty for King Edward himself . " Drysdale-Naturalisr , " the athletic and stamp corners are also worthy of spseial mention .

Cas sell ' s Magazine , Christmas Number , is accompanied by a very handsome photogravure plate entitled " The Pirate ' s Prize . " The number commences with the opening chapters of what bids fair to be a most exciting tale of Italian society , entitled " The Unnamed , " by Wm . Le Queux . Some interesting particulars are given of children , who act in pantomimes , and there are several

complete tales appropriate for Christmas , also verse , and the illustrations are most artistic . J . S . Street gives a clever satirical sketch entitled " Extracts from a Diary of a Millionaire , " and Harry Furniss contributes amusing anecdotes of Parliamentary Funny men , past and present , " The Buonapartes , " " Icebergs , " " London a hundred years ago , " and " Bygone Dances , " supply the subjects for other papers .

Chambers' Journal , extra Christmas number , contains several interesting complete tales , also papers on various subjects of which special mention may be made of those on "Old Journal Days , " by G . Manville Fenn ; "A Leinster Highwayman , " " The Cost of Living , " " A Fortune May Await You , " "Peculiarities of Leading Politicians , " "Sundials in our Churches , " and " Memories of Millais . " The extra portion of the number comprises five complete stories of exceptional interest .

The Century Magazine , Christmas number , opens with a reprint of Milton's L'Allegro beautifully illustrated with coloured pictures , as also are other poems published in this number . There are several complete stories , and thjt opening chapters of a new serial entitled " The Rescue . " The article on the

settlement of the Western States of America is continued . Other interesting papers are those on " Thackeray in the Uui' . ed States , '» " The Appeal of the Book-plate , Antiquarian and Artistic , " also those on impressions of the late President McKinley , which has especial reference to his opinions on reciprocity : and the personality of President Roosevelt .

The Cornhill Magazine for December contains the first instalment of some hitherto unpublished reminiscences of Thackeray ' s two lecturing tours in the United States , contributed by General James Grant Wilson . The article includes reproductions of two water-colour sketches and several text illustrations from the brush and pen ot the great novelist . Mr . Stanley Weyman brings " Count Hannibal" to its conclusion , and Dr . Fitchett . completes " The Tale of

the Great Mutiny . " Mr . Austin Dobson describes the once popular "O . nbres Chinoises . " Mr . Andrew Lang , in collaboration with " a working man , " discusses " The Reading Public . " The " Londoner ' s Log Book" runs its course , and Mr . Laird Clowes writes on "Old Naval Families . " Mr . C . J . Cornish contrasts " The Old and the New Prodigal , " while Mrs . Clarence Paget gives her experiences of a journey to the Burma Ruby Mines .

Maomillan ' s Magazine opens with the continuation of the serial " Princess Puck , " and has also , besides one or two complete tales , some capital articles , including those on " Dr . Johnson among the Poets , " " The Art of Friendship , " and " The Ethnographic Survey of India . " There is a peculiarly appreciative paper on Australian verse , containing some of the best examples of the poetry of the new Commonwealth .

The Fall Mall Magazine Christmas Number , which is beautifully illustrated throughout , opens with an account of the literary friendship of Mr . A . A . Swinburne and Mr . Watts-Dunton . "The Grey Wig" is the title of a pathetic story by I . Zangwill , which is followed by several other complete stories .

Lieut .-Col . Newnham-Davis contributes an . article on " Good Form , " and there is a review of Mr . Gerald Balfour ' s book on R . L . Stevenson , by VV . E . He . iley which is calculated to create considerable controversy . The Duke of Argyle communicates a remarkable vision of a phantom army , and there is an instructive paper on the rebuilding of London . The illustrations include six exquisite inset plates .

The Playgoer opens with an interesting article based on conversations with Sir Henry Irving , illustrated with 14 special illustrations . Mr . John Hoilingshead contributes a very thoughtful article on the rights and duties of play , goers , and some reminiscences of the old Adelphi Theatre are illustrated with many old prints and photographs . There is a biographical sketch of Miss Lottie Collins , with 10 illustrations , Notes on Music , The Stage of To-day , Dress at the Theatre , French Drama , & c , also portraits , in or out of character , of several familiar stage faces .

The Smart Set contains 44 signed articles , stories and poems , yet it is not so much for quantity as quality that the number is notable . The leading feature is a novelette entitled " How Chopin Came to Rem .-en , " which is fairly hilarious in its depiction of a prosaic lawyer who becomes suddenl y seized with the spirit and genius of the immortal composer . The second contribution of length is a story in play form , entitled "The Castle-Builder . " The Infanta Eulalie writes for the number a very interesting opinion of" The American Girl , "

whom she studied on the occasion of her memorable visit to the United States . As a companion article , Mrs . M . E . W . Sherwood discusses " L'Americainc " as she is found abroad , particularly in Paris . One of the most brilliant of Edgar Saltus ' s series of Essays in " The Smart Set " is the present contribution , " The Seventh Devil of Our Lady . " Stories that must command attention are " An Opal Ring , " "The Pathos of Being Good , " " LordCammarlei gh ' s Secret , " " Art for Love's Sake , " "The Problem Play , " " Extension Souls , " and "The Heart qf the World , " There are also several excellent poems .