Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

half-past io o ' clock . Great interest will attach to the next meeting , when the I . P . M . ( Bro . Willings ) will raise his son and Bro . G . Jackson ( son of another P . M . ) to the Sublime Degree of M . M .

l _* aai $ » . & .

WILLIAM PRESTON CHAPTER ( No . 766 ) . —The companions of this chapter appeared in deep mourning at their meeting on the 30 th ult . at the Cannonstreet Hotel , Comp . Dr . William Alban Atwood , one of the members , \ having died suddenly at the Trafalgar Hotel , Ramsgate , on the 7 th April , since the last meeting . Notwithstanding the bright airay which is always an

attendant of a R . A . chapter , a gloom was cast over it by the black crape rosettes on thc badges which every companion of the chapter wore . D ' . Atwood was a highly respected companion , and the officers and . companions of the chapter felt they could not meet without pa 3 'ing this last sat ! tribute to his memory . Presided over by Comps . George Newman , Z ,

Aug . Braun , H ., and Dr . W . H . Kempster , J ., they directed a letter of the condolence to be written to Dr . Atwood ' s widow , expressing also the regret with which every companion heard of his death . The companions who were present at the meeting of the chapter were , besides the three Principals above named , Comps . Henry Garrod , Treasurer ; William Worrell , P . Z ., S E . ; W . E . Newton ,

S . N . ; John J . Gibson , ist . A . S . ; J . T . Pilditch , J . T . Hiscox , Jas . j . Joseph , Jas Sinclair , Thos . Barker , Wm Jewett Miller , H . J . Reissmann , P . L . Steinmann , J . R . Williams , Henry Francis Partridge , K . Wickwood , J . B . irns , Walter W . Young , Jonathan Taylor , Z . 933 ; S . D . Ewins , 192 ; H . E . Frances , P . G . D . C . 857 ; ' H . T Thompson , 1185 ; W . W . Morgan , 141 ; James Stevens ,

P . Z . 720 , 771 ; J . M . Klench , Z . 1339 ; and H . Massey , P . Z . 619 ( Freemason ) . The work of the chapter consisted of the exalting of Bro . Walter VV . Young , 1420 ; and as it was installation night , the election of the officers having becn confirmed , Comp . J . T . Garrod , H ., installed Comp . Aug . Braun as Z . ; Dr . Kempster , H . ; J . and T . Gibson , J . Comp . H . Garrod was installed as Treasurer ;

Comp . W . Worrell , S . E . ; Dr . Cutmore , S . N . ; f . T . Hiscox , P . S . ; J . J . Joseph , ist A . S . ; J . T . Pilditch , 2 nd A . S . ; and Comp . Grant , Jani or . The compani- is afterwards closed the chapter , and adjourned to a choice banquet in one of the spacious rooms of the hotel . All the arrangements for a pleasant e . T ^ i ing were perfect , and the companions when they had disposed of the repast , honoured the usual list of toasts .

The usual loyal and formal toasts having been given , Comp . George Kewman proposed "The M . E . Z . " In doing so he said that Comp . Brau n had been from the commencement of the chapter one of its officers , and he had worked step by step until he had attained the highest position in the chapter . He ( Comp Newman ) was very proud of it , anil he trusted that Comp . Brown woulel have

a very prosperous year of oflice . The William Preston Chapter did not wish to be very numerous , and they did not require it ; as far as his own experience went he founel a small chapter was belter than a large one ; a small chapter was the most enjoyable chapter ; and he trusted that the William Preston Chapter would always be , as it ha always been , a very happy and united family . He hoped

that nothing would ever occur to destroy the harmony which had existed hitherto in the chapter . It had never yet had one wry word or an angry retort in thc chapter ; and at the table the com panions had been characterised by the same feeling . He hoped it would always be so , and that no companion would ever think it worth his while to sow dissension among them . When anything like discussion once

began it was very difficult to see where it would end . In this chapter thc comjianions hail but one aim in view , to make themselves in the most extended sense happy by affording happiness to those around them . Long might they continue to be so actuated . Many of the companions had known Comp . Brawn for . several years . He ( Comp . Newman ) was one of those .

In early days , before he ( Comp . Newman ) knew Masonry , it was a great pleasure and delight for hi . n to meet Comp , Braun , and from that time to the present they hal been , ashe hoped theyalways would be , dear and esteemed friends . The other companions hc was sure were of the same way of thinking , especially those of thc Earl Spencer Lodge , who were coming into this chapter in force . Comp . Braun , in

replying to | the toast proposed by Comp . Newman , said hc had arrived at the summit of his Masonic ambition . When he entered Masonry he maele up his mind to rise to the chair in the blue , and now hc hail taken thc chair in the R . A . He eliel not know how it was ; certainly it was not by merit . He was exalted just fnur years ago , on the 28 th May , 1874 . Among old Masons it was considered

the greatest honour that coulel be conferral upon them to be installed as M . E . Z . of a chapter , and hc was no exception to the rule . Comp . Newman rose to say a few words with regard to the election of Secretary tothe Girls' School , anil said that their Comp . W . Worrell was a candidate for the office . He asked the companions to support Comp . Worrell , if they were not already pledged . Comp Worrell knew what

the duties of such an office were , and he would be able to plead the cause of the Girls' School with tact and energy . All the companions , knew how essential this was , because they were aware that if Comps . Terry anel Binckes were not such earnest advocates as they were , the Institutions they represented would not secure the large amount of subscriptions they received . The M . E . Z . next gave "The Health

of the Exaltee , " Comp . W . W . Young ; and Comp . Young , in _ replying , said he was extremely giatified at being admitted to this degree . He was going to say something about the Earl Spencer Lodge , but Comp . Kempster told him he had better not . Nevertheless , he felt there was so mething about the Earl Spencer that hail brought forth th e officeis of the WiUiam Preston Chapter , and ashe had

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

been admitted to that chapter he should follow in the footsteps of the Earl Spencers . If they were good men and true , and he presumed they had proved themselves to be such by getting into the positions they now held , he hoped he should be a good man and true , and able to work in the chapter in the way the other companionshad done . He would like to add that he was much gratified at being admitted into

achapter like this , where he found the working was something surpassingly smooth . Of course he had never seen any chapter working before , but he could judge of the working by the working' of the lodge . He was accustomed to good working in the Earl Spencer Lodge , and he had seen working in other lodges . Hc had , however , found that no working surpassed that of the Earl Spencer Lodge . The

working in the William Preston Chapter was beyond what he had expected to find it . It was impressive , as every ceremony in Freemasonry should be . The working very much affected a candidate on his entering into the Order , either in lodge or chapter , and he thought that the companions could not do better than get officers of a chapter to wotk up and perform the duties as the officers of the William

Preston Chapter had performed them that evening . Comp . Jonathan Taylor , Z . 933 , icplying for the visitors , said there was no chapter he visited with greater pleasure than the William Preston Chapter ; the companions of that chapter had always given their visitors such a hearty fraternal reception that it was an inducement for the visitors to come again and again . Comp . James Stevens also replied , but

confined his remarks almost exclusively to the subject of the candidature of Comp . Worrell for the Secretaryship of the Girls' School , which he heartily supported . Comp . H . T . Thompson said he would delay his reply to the next occasion when he visited the chapter . Comp . H . E . Frances also replied . Comp . Worrell replied for the P . Z . 's , and in reference to his candidature above adverted to by Comps .

Newman and Stevens , said he should continue to be a candielate , and he was happy to say that there was a perfectly friendly feeling between himself and the other candidates . He meant to work very hard ; he should do all he could to succeed ; and if he did not succeed it should not be his fault . The M . E . Z . gave " The Health of the Installing Principal , Comp . H . G . urod , " who in reply said he

had had the honour for the fourth year of installing the Principals in ' this chapter , and he had always performed his duties with a great deal of pleasure—on . no occasion more than he had that evening , knowing that the companiems installed were so well fitted for the duties that devolved upon them . He felt confident that while the William Preston Chapter elected such companions its success was secured .

He wished to make one remark with respect to Comp . Worrell's canelidature . Having seen some very flattering testimonials , Comp . Worrell had received Irom very eminent men , not only Masons but non-Masons—the Marquis of Hertford , Lord Chamberlain , Mr . William Morley , and an

eminent Queen ' s Counsel—he might say that he was spoken of in the highest terms as thc Secretary of the Royal Albert Orphan Asylum . Comps . Kempster and Gibson replied to the toast of " H . and J . " Comp . Hiscox for " The Officers , " and the toast given by the Jaiitor concluded a most enjoyable evening .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

The annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Berks and Bucks will be held at Windsor on Thursday , the 4 th proximo . The " IP est London Express , " conducted by Miss Emily F _ ithful , has been enlarged by 4 pages .

A small branch railway Irom Andernach to Nidcrmendig has been opened . Rhine tourists will henceforth be ab'e to visit the Laacher See without the discomfort with which the journey ihittier was hitherto attended . Mr . R . Belt of Wilton-place , has taken a cast of the features of the late Ea < l Russidl .

KEEPING TIME . —Ihe annual report of the As ronomer Royal was read at the meeting of the Board of Visitors at Greenwich on Saturday . Sir George Airy gave an account of the arrangements for disseminating time signals throughout the country , and stated with regard to the Westminster clock that since it was started on October 1 ith , after being cleaned , the error on the greater

number of days had been under one second , and it had never exceeded three seconds . The annual installation meeting of the Neptune Lodge , No . 1264 , was held at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , last Monday afternoon , the 3 rd ult . A full report of the proceedings will appear in due course . The formal opening of the new Printing Works

of Messrs Haz . d , Watson anel Viney at Aylesbury , was celebrated on Saturday last by a soiree , given by the firm to their workpeople and to which a number of guests of the town and neighbourhod were invited . Amongst those present were , The Ven . Archdeacon , Lady Emma , and Miss Cust ; Rev . F . and Mrs . Young , and Miss Chapman ; Rev . A . T . Lloyd , Rev . VV . Le Pla and Mrs . Lc Pia , Rev .

J . Nicholson and Mrs . Nicholson , Mr . W . Hazel , sen ., Mr . J . E . Viney , Mr . E . Viney , Mr . D _ dds , Mr . J . Drew , and Mrs . Drew , Mr . R . Hodder and Mrs . Hodder , Mr . C . Hooper and Mrs . Hooper , Mr . 11 . Gunn and Miss Eustace , Mr . and Mrs . J . Turner , Mr . R . Gibbs and the Misses Gibbs , Mr .

and Mrs . W . Page , Mr . 1 . Field , sen ., Mr . and Mrs . G . T . DJ Fraine , Mr . and Mrs . Jowett , and others . A very pleasant evening was s , ent . Messrs Hazel , Watson and Viney were the printers of Kenning ' s Masonic Cyclopaedia , and now print the " Masonic Magazine , " and the Masonic Archeological Library .

The name of Bro . Col . Francis Burdett was omitted from our report of the House Committee last week .

Notes On Art, &C.

NOTES ON ART , & c .

Martineau and Smith ' s Hardware Trade Circular announce .- that a handsome iron-work gateway has recently been erected in the churchyard at Hawarden , as a memorial to the late Lord Lyttelton . Over the main portion is a Gothic arch carrying the words , " Enter into His gates with thanksgiving . "

A Renter s telegram , dated Dover , May 31 , says : — " The twinship Calais-Douvres , while coming from Calais to D'Jver to-day with 310 passengers , burst two cylinders of her engines in addition to the one which burst the previous day , and when rvithin a short distance of the Admiralty Pier the steering gear gave way , causing

the ship to run into the pier . She stove in two of her bow plates . On Thursday evening , the 30 th , ult ., Mr . W . Simpson , F . R . G . S ., aitistof the Illustrated Londin News , whose sketches of Dr . Schliemann ' s Excavations in Troad and at M ) cenas and of Mr . Wood's at Ephesus , have been deservedly admired , read a paper on the subject before the

Society of Arts , in its theatre , John-street , Adelphi . A general account was given of the chief objects of interest to be seen on each of the three sites . \ discussion followed , in which the chairman ( the Rev . Sir George Cox ) , Mr . Jones , the Hon . R . Cust , and Mr . Wood , the explorer of Ephesus , took part , and Mr . Simpson , having replied , was cordially thanked for his paper .

We areglad to find that needless and mischievous piece of harness , the bearing-rein , is being discarded by the best drivers . Nearly half the teams paraded by the Coaching Club at the recent meeting were free of this merciless instrument , although the Four-in-Hand Club does not evince the same amount of intelligence . It is satisfactory to find that the ascertained facts and general

considerations urged in deprecation of the use of the bearing-rein are beginning to be recognised ; and , whether on grounds of policy or humanity , a system wbich has been conclusively shown to be injurious , and to produce an ungainly , exhausting , and unsafe carnage ofthe head in the horse , is likely to be abandoned . —Lancet . Tourists in the Austrian Tyrol are likelv in

future to meet with a considerable increase of couttesy from hotel-keepers and guides , as the Viennese Alpine Society , " Alpenberger , " anxious to prevent travellers from being imposed upon , have instituted an annual money-prize to be awarded to the paiticular Tyrolese . who , during the year , may have most aided strangers by his or her information

courteousness , anil counsel . A sugar cane disease in Porto Rico , produced by a certain woim , has spread so rapidly , that a Royal Order has been issued for an investigation into its cause and character and the means of prevention . The disease thus far appears to be confined to Porlo Rico . —Medical Examiner .

The better lighting of cities is attracting as much attention across the Atlantic as the utilisition of the electric light in Paris . An inhabitant of Pittsburg now proposes to illuminate the town t . y means of three lighthouses erected upon the surrounding hills , which would emit such a flood of light over the wl . ole neighbourhood

that a pin could be seen lying on the pavement in any of the streets in thc very darkest night . The Piltsburgers , however , object to their night being so turned into day , fearing that they would lose their ordinary night's rest . The Dailif News understands that it is the intention of Dr . Hooker to retire at the close of thc present year from the presidency of the Royal Society .

The Prince of Wales ( says the Sheffield Telegraph ) has expressed a desire that the Mayor of that town should select a number of Sheffield workmen to proceed to Paris and examine and report upon certain exhibits with which they have technical knowledge . The Mayor ( Alderman F . T . Mappin ) will accordingly , artimr with the Master Cutler , decide upon a number of representative

artisans to discharge this duty . The chief priest ofthe fire-worshippers at Yezd , in Persia , the principal seat of the sect , died recently , and the priest Hormunga Mori Azmida , who is only twentyeight years old , was elected his successor . The fire-worshippers enjoy now in Persia perfect liberty of worship . It has been decided to established a museum

of decorative art in the Pavilion de Flore at the Tuileries , on the model of South Kensi . igton . At Paris on Thursday week M . Sardou , the eminent dramatist , was received into the Academy . Thc Duke of Aosta and the Archelukes of Austria were among the ptivileged guests . Alcxanelre Dumas was in the chair .

On Friday week the Tay Bridge was opened in the presence of a distinguished company . A train conveying upwards of 1500 persons passed over the bridge , anel when it reached the Dundee side of the Tay thc bridge was declared open . Afterwards a etimpany of 600 gentlemen lunched together in Albert Hill , Dundee , when the freedom of Dundee was conferred upon Mr . John

Stirling , chairman of the North British Railway Company , and Mr . Thomas Bouch , engineer of the Tay Bridge . The proceedings were characteriseel by great cordiality and enthusiasm . The bridge is now open for the regular traffic of passengers and goods . At the last meeting ofthe Royal Irish Academy ,

on the 27 th ult ., Cunningham Golel Meelals were presented to Dr . Aquila Smith , for his ieeiuirie s into Irish numismatics ; to Dr . Casey , for his mathematical discoveries ; to Professor E . Dowden , for his literary works , especially in the field of Shakespearian criticism ; and to Dr . G . J . Allman for his researches into the natural history of the hydrozoa . — Academy .