Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

•v , r of a "History of Freemasonry in Wiltshire . " ? "Iters were read which had passed between the W . M . A the Board of General Purposes , arranging for the version of the lodge library to Grand Lodge of England h uld the lodge from any cause dwindle down to three mbers or be dissolved . Donations of 51 books to the TWve library from various brethren were acknowledged .

The Officers Committee aavisea tne looge to accept tne tender and estimate of Bro . George Kenning for a lodge edal of membership . The S . W . and Secretary were " nnointed a Committee to supervise the execution of the rk Bro * W . H . Rylands , Grand Steward , read an ¦ nteresting paper entitled " A word on the Legends of the Compagnonnage . " Having briefly reviewed former conand studies of this sub the

tributions to , ject , especially hapter devoted thereto in Gould's history , he added much ° f a very interesting character , gleaned from a hitherto unknown third edition of Perdiguier , and promised in a econd paper on the same subject to consider the evidence as a whole and invite criticism on the conclusions to which he had come . Bros . Speth and Gould made some general but reserved further criticism till

remarks on the paper , the second part should be before them , and a hearty vote of thinks was passed to the lecturer . Bro . Speth read a short paper describing two hitherto unknown versions of the "Old MS . Constitutions" lately discovered by him , viz . " The Philiipps , No . 3 , " in the possession of the Rev . Fenwick , of Cheltenham , described in the Freemason 0 f the 18 th and 25 th ult ., and of "The Parchment Roll of

1677 , " " The Stanley MS ., " belonging to Bro . F . Stanley , of Margate . This latter contains a curious and valuable postscript , full of political allusions , symbolically expressed . These Bro . Speth explained at some length , thereby fixing the date of the postscript as 1713-1714 , a matter of some moment , as it contains esoteric allusions which have hitherto not been met with before 1724 . The MS . in question , a roll ten feet long , as also the beautiful Woodford MS ., now thc property of the lodge , were exhibited and created

much interest . The lodge was closed , and the brethren dined together at Freemasons' Tavern .

UNITED NORTHERN COUNTIES LODGE ( No . 2128 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Inns of Court Hotel on Tuesday evening , when there was a good attendance of members and numerous visitors . The W . M ., Bro . VV . F . Smithson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . West Yorkshire , opened the lodge and

transacted some formal business , including the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the last regular meeting and those of an emergency meeting , the election of Bro . E . Evenden , P . M ., as Tyler , and received propositions for two candidates and a joining member . The W . M . then said that on the last

occasion he had to refer to the death of an esteemed

brother ( Bro . Woodford ) , and he now had the painful duty of officially announcing the death of one whose loss would be felt by every member of the lodge . Bro . Brunt was initiated on the Sth November , 18 S 7 , and was only raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . at the emergency meeting on the 17 th January last . Bro . Brunt met with a serious

accident while driving out with his brother-in-law ; the trap was overturned and Bro . Brunt was so seriously injured that he died shortly afterwards . By his death they had lost a brother for whom he personally had formed a very high regard ; he did not doubt that he would have been a very active member of the Iodge j he vvas a very highly

educated young man and of a most loveable disposition . The W . M . went on to say that on account of his absence in the north he was unable to attend the funeral himself , but the W . M . elect and many of the members of the lodge attended , and he had given instructions for a wreath to be purchased out of the lodge funds to be deposited on the

coffin . Smce that time he had taken the liberty to write , in the name of the lodge , a letter of sympathy to the widow , and expressing the esteem and regard in which the deceased was held by the lodge . The W . M . read a copy M the letter to the lodge . Bro . Masters , P . M ., S . W . and W . M . elect , in rising to propose that the letter should be

* r nter ™ on the minutes , said that the widow to whom he had had the mournful satisfaction of delivering it , was still very unwell from the shock of her husband ' s death , had not yet sent any reply . No doubt , however , she would do so , and "e proposed that her reply when received should also be entered on the minutes . The proposal was agreed to . Bro Smithson

. then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . J . b . Cumberland , P . P . J . G . W . N . and E . Yorkshire , one w the founders and first Master of the Iodge , in order that " might have the privilege of installing the W . M . elect , „ * Wm * Masters , P . M ., whom he presented for that purpose to the Installing Master . The ceremony of inctalUi * *»« i . « - ** iitig maoici , mc icicuiuny ui in-10

wwlv-,- * therefore performed by Bro . Cumberland , it iiP y as a workman is too well known to render nr « - ;? SSary , ° - say that ! t was Performed with the utmost At ¦ £ " , m an impressive manner . *« the dose of the ceremony the new W . M . invested Bro . and i ™ "J ^?" . P . P . G . D . West Yorkshire , as I . P . M ., ana invested his officer-- fnr th * v » - , c f „ ii „™ . n „„ 1 '

, T eas . ' c *^ - '„ W * H * Bu ** ° ck , J . W . ; E . Carr , P . M ! , PPGW B * , BoIas > Sec * 5 J * S . Cumberland , P . M . S . D . r ^' rl ? d East Yorkshire , D . C . ; VV . Sidman Giller PM B ' fe > J'ai Frank Wright , I . G . ; H . J . and E K ? S "P ; G . P . Herts , and C . R . Lee , Stewards ; PWttt 1 t Z " ' -y u - > T * ' The W * * ' S next act "" s to accorded 1 ° ' S * 7 "th , son wi «* a P . M . ' s jewel which had been renlv R , *? •-V the unanimous vote of the Iodge . In -c . V ' CrO . Smithsnn sa , A h » * u ;„ M „ :. I .. J . 1 .. 1 . -.-I . — Ul ^ ficudicu ll-ai lUKCH

their rpa A 1 * "'^'' -J a . ated witi , S . , , ** gave him £ reat pleasure to be associates xll if L ? e , where he had made many acquainten < Wvo , VrJ ?! 5 *? . would P rove Iastin £ friends * He had "•ent a , " ™ ,, ™ his duty , and any defects in his governhy nccess-i ? ,, u wan . t of sym P a'h y with the lodtre , but w ° uld hal „ ? sence * He hoped that the present Master h's lot . R n- ?? y and successful a year as had fallen to . "Oiaritv p ** . ! * » , presented t 0 ^ e lodge a handsome VV * M ., on hi u' > h" -h was accepted with thanks by the The id lodge * with their l ! - V losed ' andthe brethren of the lodge f * Pt on of R ™ V ^ equently dined together , with the JeoVi . Dro * J * •= •Cumberland , who was compelled to

^ ° nic &* ° f the , banque ' the customary loyal and S ° ured bv IL e du , y P roPosed and enthusiastically Craft " ^& l 3 & UI £ j " QU € e " the

The Worshipful Master , in proposing * ' The Health of the M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , " referred to the fact that within a week from the present time the Prince vvould celebrate his 25 th wedding day , and he was so good a Mason that 500 guineas were proposed to be voted to the Princess of Wales as a present , through the Princess , to the Grand Master .

" lhe Health of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was proposed by the I . P . M ., who associated with it the name of Bro . Binckes , P . G . S . B ., Secretary of the Boys ' School . Bro . Binckes , after referring particularly to the Pro Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master , said when he came to the rest of the Grand Officers , he was in more

difficulty . The three Secretaries were there before the brethren , as perhaps very imperfect representatives of a very large and important body , 'lhey were by an accident appointed on a very special occasion , under very special circumstances , and they occupied the same rank in the Order , and he supposed they were all exceedingly grateful for the honour conferred on them . The

distinction however would make no difference in the discharge of their duties . He held that there was no higher responsibility attaching to olfice in Grand Lodge than attached to the most humble member of the Order , which was to promote the interests of their great Order . They would always hail with delight friends equally honoured , but he had no doubt that the great majority they addressed were

more worthy than themselves , but in the future they would endeavour to justify the exercise of the Grand Master ' s prerogative . " Success to the Masonic Charities" was proposed by the Worshipful Master , who said that the toast had been put earlier than usual in the list , not that he thought it more deserving of honour than others , but as Charity was

characteristic of Masonry , there was no reason why it should not occupy this prominent position . They were honoured by the presence of the Secretaries of the three Masonic Institutions , who , during the last 25 or 30 years had done great work for Freemasonry . During the last six years the Institutions had collected over £ 314 , , and beyond that the Lodge of Benevolence had distributed

£ 58 , 068 . These were facts of which all Masons might well be proud . This lodge , young as it was , had done something for the Charities , and before the year was out they hoped to do more . The next Festival was that of the Girls' School , and a supreme effort was being made to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of its existence , and he was sure that all would do their best to aid Bro . Hedges ,

whose name he should associate with this toast . In reply , Bro . Hedges said that he deemed it a very great honour to have been selected as the mouthpiece of the Masonic Charities ; he could have wished that the honour had devolved upon the far abler brother on his immediate left ( Bro . Terry ) . On the other had he assured them that he thanked them none the less on behalf of the Charities

and on behalf of the Secretaries for the very kind reception they had met with that evening . They were deeply grateful for the very liberal support which was accorded to them . Perhaps their gratitude partook of different sentiments . Bro . Terry was gratified that he had got through his anxieties for this year , and they all congratulated him on the Splendid success of the 29 th ult . As for Bro .

Binckes and himself , though not unmindful of the past , they had the anxieties of the immediate future , and they were very grateful to this Iodge and to the W . M . for the very kind support that had been promised . The Craft loved its Charities too well to let them suffer , though at some times one particular Charity might be the recipient of its larger bounty ; but when the Craft selected one it

was to show they gave the more to that , and not the less to the others ; and that when June came round he hoped that Bro . Binckes would have to thank them too . After the publicity which the Girls' School Centenary had given to it , he was glad to have an opportunity of acknowledging the very liberal support with which the brethren had come forward ; they had already some S 73 Stewards , so that he

had good reason to be deeply gratified . Bro . Hedges said he had hoped to be able to lay before the brethren some further details , but in the meantime he must do what he could to announce the name of the Chairman , and the date of the Festival , after which there would be r . o hitch , but the arrangements which had been well thought out would then be completed . Bro . Hedges concluded by

thanking them once more for their kind reception of the Secretaries . Bro . Terry also responded . " The Health of the VV . M . " was proposed by the I . P . M ., Bro . Smithson . In reply , Bro . Masters said he thanked the brethren for the very kind manner in which the toast had been received ,

and Bro . Smithson for the handsome terms in which it had been proposed . It gave him very great pleasure to occupy that chair , having taken a very great interest in thelodge even before it was formed , when it vvas thought that a lodge of that kind in London vvould be a means of gathering together many who belonged to the Northern counties , and creating among Masons a union which of all things vvas to be

desired . During the two years of its existence its success had been very great . The way in which Bro . Smithson had spoken of him was very flattering ; he could not hope to do so well as his predecessors , but he hoped the brethren of the lodge would grant him their indulgence and Charity . He did not profess to be a good ritualist , but he was sure there were Past Masters in the Iodge on whom he might

rely for support . The propositions made in lodge gave them a good beginning of work for the year . He could only thank them for the way in which they had received the toast , and the kind remarks Bro . Smithson had made about Mrs . Masters , who bad worked their banner , and who had a thoroughly Masonic heart . She was the daughter of a Mason , and every one of her brothers were Masons also .

In proposing the Health of "The Past Masters , " the W . M . said that last year the wife of the I . P . M . presented him vvith a Jubilee baby , and lie had now to ask Bro . Smithson to accept from the brethren of the Iodge a small silver drinking cup , which had been subscribed for by every member of the lodge , and not from the lodge funds , and he trusted that the baby would live to wear it out . He

thought that the son would prize it in years to come as an evidence of the regard in which his father was held . The cup bore the following inscription— " The brethren of the United Northern Counties Lodge presented this Cup to Reginald Fourness Smithson , to commemorate his birth during his father ' s year of Mastership and the Jubilee year of Queen Victoria ' s reign , March 6 th , 1 S 88 . "

Bro . Smithson , in responding for the Past Masters , thanked the brethren for their gilt to his son and for their good wishes , in vvhich Mrs . Smithson also vvas included . Several other toasts , including " TheVisiting Brethren , " "The Officers of the Lodge , " and "Absent Members of the Lodge " were proposed and duly honoured before the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . The following were among the visitors : Bros . Binckes

, P . G . S . B . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B . ; Hedges , P . G . S . B . ; Llewellyn Jones , P . P . J . G . D . Middx . ; VV . G . Stott , 667 ; A . H . Boys , 1775 ; H . S . Garvey , P . M . 1294 ; E . St . Clair , W . M . 2060 ; R . Townsend , W . M . 19 S 4 ; Ernest Flint , 33 ; H . G . Denby , I . G . 1056 ; Neville Green , P . M . 1962 ; T . Owen , P . M . 12 S 7 ; W . Soden , 12 S 7 ; H . T . Bailey , 1719 ; Harry Nicholls , J . D . 2127 ; S . Jennings , 142 ; and E . C . Massey .

NOTTINGHAM . —Newstead Lodge ( No . 47 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall . Present : Bros . T . E . Roberts , W . M . ; Wilson , S . W . ; Clarke , J . W . ; D . Sibley , Sec ; Dennis , S . D . ; Chapman , J . D . ; Adie , I . G . j Cockrem , Org . ; Benham , Tyler ; Baxter , P . M . ; Gee , P . M . ; Vickers , P . M . ; Taylor , P . M . ; and about 25

members . Bro . John Read , W . M . 2105 , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., was a visitor . The lodge vvas opened in ample form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . Storer , Cooley , and De Ville were duly passed to the Second Degree , the work being done in an able manner ; the charge and lecture on the tracing board also being

given . Bro . H . Vickers , P . M ., proposed , and Bro . Rogers seconded the motion , that consequent upon the great loss sustained by the Iodge by the death of Bro . John George Woodward on the ist inst ., and also in consideration of the high esteem in vvhich he was held by the members , that a letter of sympathy and condolence be addressed by

the Secretary to Bro . Woodward's widow . Carried unanimously . The Iodge was afterwards closed , and the proceedings brought to an appropriate conclusion by the solemn strains of the " Dead March in Saul , " admirably performed by the Organist .

MANCHESTER . —Lodge of Integrity ( No . 163 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , on Wednesday , the 29 th ult . Present : Bros . John Studd , W . M . j D . D . Macpherson , S . W . j G . M . Kershaw , J . W . j J . M . Sinclair , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., Treas . ; Joseph Wildgoose , P . P . J . G . D ., Sec ; J . P . Bedson , S . D . ; Wm . Lee , J . D . j J . W . P .

Salmon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; R . L . McMillan , I . G . ; J . Kirk , Tyler ; VV . W . Warburton , P . M . ; J . E . Williams , P . M . ; B . Williams , P . M . ; Livesey , P . M . ; J . S . Pixton , H . A . Owles , C . E . Towell , J . Blarney , J . Stott , J . B . Sumner , S . Davies , C . Hobbins , C Pike , and others . The visitors were Bros , Godfrey Higham , P . D . G . D . C . ; Robt . Williamson , P . M . 1045 , P . G . Purst . ; Thos . Schofield , T .

Rostron , H . Small , and J . E . Samuels , of 1140 ; T . R . Peel , P . M . 1147 , P . P . G . D . ; and R . R . Lisenden , P . M . 317 , P . G . Stwd . The lodge was opened , and after the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , the ballot vvas taken for Bro . P . Sagrandi , 1375 , who was declared elected a joining member . Messrs . John Bolton , Charles Schunk , Samuel Gaskell , and F . Walmsley were severally balloted

for and elected . The W . M ., Bro . John Studd , who presided for the first time since his installation , initiated Messrs . Bolton , Schunk , and Gaskell , and Bro . Livesey , P . M ., initiated Mr . Walmsley . The working tools were presented to the four initiates by the W . M ., Bro . J . M . Kershaw , J . W ., delivering the charge . Ths whole of the

work was exceedingly well done , and fully sustained the prestige this lodge enjoys . There being no further business , the lodge was closed , and a very enjoyable evening was spent at the social board , where the usual toasts were honoured , including "The Initiates , " who severally replied .

STONEHOUSE . —Sincerity Lodge ( No . 189 . — The annual banquet of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 22 nd ult ., at Bro . Routly's Farley Hotel . A magnificent repast was admirably served up under the direction of Bro . John Ward , W . M . The vice-chairs were filled by Bros . Frank R . Thomas , S . W ., and VV . M . Robins , S . D ., as J . W . pro tem . Amongst those present were Bros . C .

Dunsterville , P . M . ; T . S . Bayly , P . M . and Treas ., P . P . G . T . ; Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., P . M ., P . P . G . C ; George Jackson , P . M . ; George Hawken , P . M . ; J . White , P . M . 1138 j Hendry , P . M . and Secj J . W . Cornish , P . M . 223 ; J . Hifley , P . M . 223 , P . P . G . D . C . ; N . Radmore , P . M . 159 ; R . Blight , P . M . 223 ; J . Leonard , VV . M . 202 , W . Addiscott , P . M . 1347 ; Dr . Harrison , Snell , Geach ,

Dr . O'Grady , Captain Dick , J . Gidley , P . M . aoss / I ' yleriSg j G . Dunstecville , 711 j C . Haly , 2025 ; D . C . Herbert , I 2 i 2 j VV . J . Pengelly , J . D . 2025 ; VV . Addiscott , 1341 ; and C . Hunt , 1071 . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were received and duly responded to . Bro . D . C Herbert sang two good songs vvith his usual

ability . Although it would be a loss locally , it is a matter of regret that Bro . Herbert , possessing such a magnificent voice , does not adopt the musical profession . Bro . Leonard amused the company by his serio-comic songs , and Bros . C . Haly , R . Blight , J . Ward , T . VV . Lemon , G . Hawken , and Kobins rendered excellent music . Bro . G . Hawken gave two recitations capitally . A very pleasant evening was spent by all present .

LIVERPOOL . —Manners Lodge ( No . 249 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the ist inst ., at the Masonic Hall , 22 , Hopestreet , when there were present Bros . H . J . Pye , W . M . j J . C Robinson , P . M . ; R . G . Bradley , P . M . ; Morris Davis , P . M . ; D . W . Cangley , P . M . ; John Hayes , P . M ., Treas . ; John C . Spurr , S . W . ; Wm . Hewson ,

j . W . ; D . C . Davidson , S . D . ; R . Shacklady , I . G . ; A . B . Ewart , Org . ; T . Bush and H . Brown , Stewards ; W . ti . Ball , Tyler ; and upwards of 60 members and visitors . After the lodge had been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . W . Ost , who was declared duly elected , and , being in attendance , was initiated , after which Bros . Williams , Bell , Bradshaw , Webster , and Watson were raised to the Sublime Degree