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closed and adjourned to Saturday , June 21 st , to meet at halfpast three o ' clock p . m . The usual good banquet was served , which reflected the greatest credit on Bro . Murphy , who personally superintended it . There were present during the afterooon and evening Bros . E . Gilbert , W . M . ; C . W . Fox , S . W . ; H . Gloster , J . W . 1351 , as Jj . W . ; F . Walters , P . G . J . D . Middx ., P . M , Sec ; J . B . Shackleton , W . M ., LD . ' : W . Stanton , as S . D . ; J . W . Baldwin , P . A . G . P .

Middx ., P . M ., I . G . ; G . Shott , D . C . ; H . Potter , P . M ., W . S . ; W . Hammond , P . P . G . D . Middx ., P . M ., and many others . The only visitor -was Bro . H . Murphy , 1512 . HAMPTON . —Era Lodge ( No . 1423 ) . —An emergency meeting of this prosperous provincial lodge was held on Saturday , the 12 th inst ., at Bro . Tagg ' s Island

Hotel , which is noted for its pictnresque position , and whose pleasant environs are also dear to all lovers of the piscatorial art . There were present Bros . J . T . Moss , P . P . G . R . of Middlesex , acting W . M . ; Sabine , P . P . G . S . B . of Middlesex , S . W . ; Dubois , P . M ., P . G . S . D . of Middlesex , Treas . ; Wolfe , acting J . W . ; B . Wright , Asst . Sec . ; Baldwin , P . M ., P . A . G . P . of Middlesex ; W . Hammond ,

P . P . G . D . of Midrtlesex ( hon . mem . ); Johnson , I . G . ; Faulkner , W . S . ; Gilbert , Tyler . The visitors were Bros . T . C . Walls , J . W . 1381 , and T . G . Tagg , Lebanon and Hemming . The meeting was convened to consider the following notice of motion— "That the Era Lodge be removed from the King ' s Arms Hotel , Hampton Court , to the Island Hotel , Hampton . " The matter having been

fully discussed by Bros . Dubois , Moss , Sabine , and others , it was finallv and unanimously resolved that the lodge should be removed as suggested . There being no other business before the lodge , it was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent cold collation , which reflected great credit upon the caterer , Bro . Tagg . Just before its conclusion Bro . Thiellay , P . G . S . B . of Middx ., the W . M .,

arrived , who stated that he had received a communication from the Secretary , Bro . F . Walters , P . G . J . D . of Middx ., explaining the urgent reasons tbat had prevented bim from attending the lodge meeting . The preliminary toasts having been disposed of , " The Health of the W . M . " was proposed in a very neat rpeech by Bro . Moss . Thc W . M ., in reply , briefly said that he was sorry that he had not

been present at the lodge meeting , because he was aware of the great impression that punctuality always created , especially amongst Freemasons . In conclusion , he staled that he was very pleased that the brethren had decided upon the removal of the lodge from its old quarters to the Island Hotel , because the locale of the latter place was bitter calculated to promote enjoyment and to secure

greater privacy in the carrying out of their Masonic work . " The Health of the Past Masters " followed , and drew from Bro ? . Moss , Baldwin , and Dubois some very excellent remarks . The brethren separated at an early hour , highly gratified with the whole proceedings . BLACKPOOL . —Blackpool Lodge ( No . 1476 ) . —The annual festival and installation of thc W . M . of the

Blackpool Lodge was held on the 15 th inst ., at the Clifton Arms Hotel , when Bro . Edward Gregson was installed as the W . M . by Bro . S P . Bidder , P . M ., of Manchester , who also invested the following as officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . R . W . Braithwaite . I . P . M . ; Henry Gardener , S . W . ; Adolph M . Vienrr , J . W . ; Thos . Blane , Treas . ; F . Patteson , Sec ; J . Carter , S . D . ; Thos . Watson , J . D . ; H . Johns ,

Dir . of Cer . -, J . Waddington , Org . ; Willan Lister , I . G . ; J . Butcher , Steward ; and Wade , Tyler . Amongst those present were several visiting brethren , including Bros . Aronsberg , P . M .. Manchester ; J . Bonny , Blackpool , and others . A capital banquet was provided , and after the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , " The Health of the Visiting Brethren " was given and duly honoured .

PRESENTATION to Bro . W . KUHE , P . G . O . BRIGHTON . —St . Cecilia Lodge ( No . 1636 ) . —At the regular monthly meeting of this young lodge , held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Tuesday , May 29 th , a gratifying presentation was made to the W . M ., Bro . W . Kuhe , P . G . O . It consisted of the full-dress clothing of a Past Grand Officer . The recently appointed Deputy Prov .

G . Master for Sussex , Bro . John H . Scotf , W . M . 271 , who is acting I . P . M . of the St . Cecilia Lodge , by the request of the brethren was the spokesman on this occasion , and addressing the W . M . said : W . M ., I have been requested by the brethren of the St . Cecilia Lodge to perform a most agreeable duty . It is to present you , W . M ., with a token of their friendship and esteem . I need hardly say how

willingly I have undertaken to do so , not only because it is very gratifying to me to be thc means of paying a welldeserved compliment to one of my oldest and dearest friends , but because the whole transaction appears to me to be thoroughly Masonic in all its beatings . For we do do not come to our lodges , brother , merely to go through a routine of ceremonies , but to foster and encourage those

kindly feelings towards each other which are apt to become blunted , and too often estranged , in the rough battle of life in which we are all compelled to engage , and so we look 011 our W . M ., not as a machine set to do certain work , but as an individual in whose welfare wc take ihe liveliest interest , and if during his year of office any event takes place of mure than ordinary occurrence , we gladly

hail thc opportunity of testifying towards him our goodwill and esteem . One such event has just occurred , viz ., the expiration of the period of three years , in which our W . M . has held office in Grand Lodge . To become a Grand Officer is the summit of the ambition of all aspiring Masons , but that honour is attained but by few . It is conferred , as in the case of our M . W . G . M ., and his Royal brothers , 011 Princes of the blood Royal ; it is conferred on

persons of high birth and position , such as thc Grand Wardens , thc Senior G . W . being usually selected fiom thc House nf Lords , and thc Junior G . W . from the House of Commons . Thc G . Deacons and oilier offices are reserved for brethren who distinguish themselves in Masonry , whilst in other instances personal gifts qualify certain individuals to fill such offices as the Grand Chaplain , the Grand Registrar , the Grand Sup . of Works , and the Grand

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Organist . The first must be held by a clergyman , the second by a brother connected with the law , the third by an architect , an engineer , or a contractor , and the fourth by a musician . But whether the privilege of being a Grand Officer is attained by gifts or acquirements the honour is the same , and those brethren to whom this honour belongs possess an influence and a status in Masonry

which is not enjoyed by those less favoured—so that when a Grand Officer comes amongst us he gives additional interest to our proceedings , and sheds the lustre of his own dignity on those with whom he associates . This is one of the reasons which make the members of the St . Cecilia grateful to you . You have not only devoted a large portion of your

valuable time to our service , you have not only performed a larger number of ceremonies in a short space of time than , 1 should imagine , have ever been done before , but you have lent us the prestige of your name , your rank , and your talents . Such services , brother , demand an acknowledgment , and it is the way in which we are about to acknowledge them that appears to me to be so thoroughly

Masonic . We might have waited till the close of his year of office , and then presented our W . M . with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , or a piece of plate , or a vellum illuminated with our thanks ; but there is more spontaneity , more heartiness , more friendliness , in the course we are about to adopt , and it will , I am sure , be more agreeable to our W . M . During the three years that he has filled

the office of Grand Organist he was entitled to wear the splendid paraphernalia of Grand Lodge , but now if he wishes to attend Giand Lodge , or take part in any Masonic ceremonial , he must provide himself with similar clothing . Now , Grand Lodge clothing is a costly and expensive business , and so many of us thought that a whip round of a few shillings each would enable us to do our

W . M . a friendly turn , pay him , as I have already said , a well deserved compliment , and save him considerable expense . I have , therefore , the greatest pleasure , Worshipful Master , in the name of the brethren of the St . Cecilia and a few other ? , who , having heard of our intention , wished to join us , in presenting you with the full dress clothing of a Past Grand Officer . May you live long to

wear it . May it ever remind you of the friendship of your brethren , and when we see you arrayed in this magnificent apparel wc shall not look upon it as so much purple and gold , as mere outside show , but as the appropriate adornment of a brother whose heart and conduct are actuated by the true and genuine principles of a Frcemas . m . The W . M ., who was heartily greeted , said he

could not plead the usual excuse that he was unaccustomed to public appearances , but he was quite unable to thank them as be could have wished to do ; he had not the eloquence of his friend Bro . Scott , besides which , their great kindness had quite overpowered him . All he could say was that some of the happiest hours of his life had been spent in Freemasonry , and he hoped he might live long to

enjoy the goodwill and friendship of his brethren . HAMPTON "WICK . — "Wolsey Lodge ( No . 16 5 6 ) . —An emergency meeeing of this new but prosperous lodge , and which was very numerously attended , was held at the White Hart Hotel , on Monday , the 14 th ult ., when there were present , amongst others , Bros . XV . Hammond , P . P . G . D . of Middlesex , W . M . ; B . Sharp , P . M . 84 , S . W . ;

Bond , P . M . ; Dobre , J . W . ; Rev . De Crespigny , P . P . G . C . of Middlesex , Chap . ; J . Hammond , P . M . ; Jordan , W . M . elect 1512 , acting I . P . M . ; F . Walters , P . J . G . D . of Middlesex , and Baldwin , P . G . A . P . of Middlesex ( honorary members ); T . W . Ockenden , I . G . 1512 , Sec ; Aston , S . D . ; Hurst , W . M . 1512 , J . D . ; T . C Walls , J . W . 1381 , & c , I . G . The visitors , of which there was a

goodly number , comprised Bros . Bowes , P . G . J . W . of Cumberland and Westmoreland , & c . ; Raw , P . M . 926 ; Kraeutler , S . W . 1303 ; Griffiths , J . W . 1641 ; Martin , 201 ; Hiscox and Murphy , 1512 . The' W . M . ' s agenda of business presented a very formidab ' re appearance , there being no less than three initiations , five passings , and four raisings . The gentlemen initiated were Messrs .

Masters , Malcolm , and Piller ; Bros . Pinto , Jackson , E , Andrews , Forge , and Taylor were passed ; and Bros . Marvin , Scott , Richer , and Featherstone were raised . There being two minor offices unfilled , the W . M . appointed and subsequently invested Bros . Marvin as D . C , and Scott as W . S ., both of which appointments gave general

satisfaction . A proposition for initiation at the next meeting having been taken , the W . M . ' s labours , which had extended to a period of time of nearly five hours , terminated at the closing of the lodge at eleven . There was no banquet . The next regular meeting of the lodge will beheld on the first Monday in October .

INS PRUCTION . VICTORIA METROPOLITAN LODGE . — An exceedingly large muster of the brethren assembled at the Portugal Tavern , Fleet-street , on the 1 st inst ., to hear that piece of hard work , the Fifteen Sections . The lodge was opened by Bro . Dwarber , and then Bro . C A . Woods , of the Prudent Brethren , whose dilatory train had

prevented his attending the few minutes earner necessary to make him perfectly punctual , took the chair , and the officers of his lodge were Bros . Stacey , P . M . ; Farwig , S . W . ; Giblen , J . W . ; Dwarber , S . D . ; Larlham , J . D . ; Vincent , I . G . The woikers were Bros . Still , P . M . 1293 ; Creak , S . W . 157 ; Cowan , S . W . 1572 ; Dwarber , P . AI . 55 ar . d 1589 ; Snelling , 180 ; J . R . Stacey , P . M . 180 ;

Ebbs , S . D . 733 ; Abell , J . W . 1599 ; Gibhn , 860 ; Whitaker , W . M . ' 1572 ; Farwig , S . D . 180 ; Goulston , P . M . 382 ; Tate , 282 ; Gush , 1541 ; and Webb , 1388 ; I . G . each working the Section in the order here given . It was an entire agreement that a more perfect working was never heard , and Bvo . C . A . Woods was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lodge .

MARQUESS OF RIPON LODGE ( No . 1489 ) . The usual weekly meeting of the above lodge was held on Monday , at the Pembury Tavern , Hackney . Bro ,

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Jacob , W . M . ; Driver , S . W . ; Grist , J . W . ; W . Stephens Preceptor ; Defriez , S . D . ; High , J . D . ; and Mann , J . Q J At the conclusion of labour it was proposed to adjourn during the summer months ; this matter was , however deferred ( for the consideration of the members ) until the ' last Monday in June , upon which occasion the ceremony of installation will be worked .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

• WILLIAM PRESTON CHAPTER ( No . 766 ) . — The installation night of this flourishing chapter was held on tl . e 24 th ult ., at the Cannon-street Hotel . Poor Dr . Whitcman was a year ago installed as the M . E . Z , but , as our readers know , h . Ml not served half a year before he was summoned by the Supreme to the Grand Chapter above . P . Z . Captn . Kain , at the request of the

companions , kindly undertook to discharge the duties of the position , and at the meeting of which we speak he held the chair of M . E . Z ., Comp . Newman being H . ; and Comp . Braun , as J . P . Z . Comp . Garrod was Scribe E ., in the temporary absence if P . Z . Worrall , who had taken a short holiday to visit , it was not questioned , the bosom of his family ; for the happy marriage , recorded as having

occurred last August , in our columns , had , on the day before the meeting , brought forth its fruit , in " pain-bought happiness , " in the thape of a daughter . The other officers at the opening of the chapter were Comps . Dr . Kempster , Scribe N . ; Newton , P . S . -, and Cutmore and Gibson , as A . S . The companions present included Comps . J . Taylor , of the Doric ; P . A . Nairne , of the Caveac ; J . Pringle , of

the Crystal Palace Chapter ; W . M . Goss , of ihe Caveac ; C F . Hogard , P . Z ; Turquand , of 1339 » " Williams , While ( Freemason ) , and others . The bye-laws were discussed at the opening of the chapter , and agreed to , and Bro . A . Le Grand , of the William Preston Lodge , was duly exalted in a full convocation . The installation then proceeded , and Comp . Newman , who had been duly elected M . E . Z ., was

then installed into his high position ; Comp . Augustus Braun , who had been duly elected , was installed into the Second Chair ; and Comp . Dr . Kempster , whose high meiits had been recognised by his election to the J . Chair , was placed in thc position of thc Great Ruler among the children of men . P . Z . Worrall again received his collar ot office , as did P . Z .

Garrod , amid cheers . The other officers received a step in advance , and Comp . Manfred Newton was nominated to the post of A . S . At the banquet , which was very excellently served , the usual congratulatory speeches on the advance of the chapter , and of the high meiit of its officers , were made , and thc visitors expressed themselves as highly pleased with the work and hospitality of the chapter .

Ccmp . Kempster , in responding to the toast of his health , referred to the discoveiies by Captn . Warren at Jerusalem , and , pointing to the corroboration given by those discoveiies to the traditional histcry of Freemasonry , said that herein was a proof that the system of the Ciaft is no modern invention , but is really and truly an ancient Order .

WHITTINGTON CHAPTER ( No . 862 ) . —A regular meeting of this flourishing chapter was held on the 1 st inst . at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . The chapter was opened by Comp . William Stephens , M . E . Z ., Thos . Kingston , H ., and W . A . Tinney , J . The minutes of the last regular convocation and Chapter of Emergency were then read and confirmed . Bro . J . Smout , sen ., of

Lodges 148 9 and 1642 , and Bro . J . Collinson , of the mother lodge , were then exalted to the Sublime Degree of R . A . Masons by the M . E . Z ., which was rendered most impressive by the excellent working of the whole of the officers . The election of officers for the ensuing year then took place , the result being as follows -. Comp . Kingston , M . E . Z . ; Tinney , H . ; and W . J . Murlis , J . ; William

Stephens , Treas . ; Jas . Weaver , Scribe E ; John High , Scribe N . ; and Wm . Norman , P . Soj . A Past Principal ' s jewel was unanimously voted to the retiring M . E . Z . Several brethren were then proposed for exaltation , which will necessitate another emergency meeting during the next month . Business ended the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to banquet , when the usual

toasts were proposed and duly honoured . Comp . Wright , P . Z . 22 , and a companion of the G . Chapter of Ireland were the only visitors present . The former flatteringly replied on their behalf . PRIORY CHAPTER ( No . 1000 )—The installation meeting of this chapter was held at the Middleton Hotel , Southend , on Wednesday , the 16 th

ult . There were present , amongst others , Comps . E . E . Phillips , M . E . Z . ; A . Lucking , H . ; J . A . Wardell , J . ; H . Muggeridge , P . G . Std . Br . ; S . J . Weston , Treas . ; J . C . Johnstone , P . Z . 20 ( I . C ) , Scribe E . ; W . Pissey , Scribe N . ; Jas . Willing , jun ., P . Soj . ; Rev . H . J . Hatch , jst Asst . Soj . ; T . Williams , E . Judd , F . Wood , J . R . Hemmann , G . F . Jones , F . Canton , F . Bernard . After the usual

preliminary business , the Principals were installed by Comp . Muggeiidge with his customary ability , viz ., Comps . A . Lucking , M . E Z . ; J . A . Wardell , H . ; Jas . Willing , jun ., J . The officers invested were Comps . S . J . Weston , Treas . ; J . C Johnstone , Scribe E . ; Rev . H . J . Hatch , Scribe N . ; W . Pissey , Prin Soj .-, E . Judd , ist . Asst . ; J . R . Hemmann , 2 nd Asst . ; Mountain , Janitor . The ballot having

proved unanimous in the favour of Bros . S . W . Fisher , M . D ., Lodge of Honour , 379 , and H . Luker , Piiory Lodge , 1000 , and Bro . H . Luker ' being in attendance , he was duly exalted . Comp . H . Muggeiidge was elected an honorary member of the chapter , and a cordial vote of thanks waa

unanimously passed to him f ir his kindness in attending to instal the Principals . The convocation was then closed , and the companions adjourned to an excellent banquet . The usual loyal and R . A . toasts were g iven ana heartily responded to . Comp . Muggeridge replied for tti . Grand Chapter . A handsome P . Z . jewel was presenter