Ladies' Night Of The Papyrus Lodge, No. 2562.

LADIES' NIGHT OF THE PAPYRUS LODGE , No . 2562 .

The inaugural ladies' night of this lodge , which is the recognised representative lodge of the paper trades , was held on Monday evening , the jjth inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , when there was a very large attendance of ladies , visitors , and brethren . Bro . Bertrand Grant , VV . M ., received and welcomed all the visitors

and brethren , among whom we noticed the following : Mrs . Grant ; Bro . Percy Day and Mrs . Day ; Bro . ChelTin and Mrs . Cheffin ; Bro . Holt and Mrs . Holt ; Bro . Nixon , Sec . ; Bro . A . Marshall ; Bro . M . Henry ; Bro . McMaster ; Bro . Toye , Mrs . Toye , and Miss Toye ; Bro . Maltby ; Bro . VVydell and Mrs . Wydell ; Bro . Phillips , S . W . ; Bro . Brathwaite ; Capt . Ford Mellowes ; Mr . Ruimer ; Miss Minn ; Bro . Haagborg ; Bro . During and Mrs . During ; and many others .

After the reception the company sat down to a very excellent banquet presided over by the W . M .. Bro . Grant , who was supported by Bros . Phillips , S . W . ; Maltby , J . W . ; and Holt , I . G . During the banquet au excellent band , under the leadership of Mr . Schilling , discoursed a very nice selection of music . Dinner being over , the toast of " The Oueen and the Craft" was proposed by the W . M .

This was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm , and a telegram was sent to H . R . H ., the Grand Master , asking him to convey to her Majesty the congratulations of the brethren and visitors assembled on her having attained the longest reign , and fervently expressing the hope that she may long be spared to occupy the Throne with the majesty , dignity , and grace she has always shown .

The toast of "The Ladies " was responded to by Bro . S . C . Piiu . i . ii ' . s , S . VV ., and that of " The Committee " by Bro . SIDN'KV Hoi . r , LG ., who said : I would much rather this toast had been left in other hands than mine , for I am sure it would have been more ably responded to . Nature has very unfortunatel y endued me with more than my share of modesty , and in the presence of such a pa ' axy of beauty , I really do not feel competent to reply to the toast in the manner

1 would like to . I can only say this—that it has afforded me very great pleasure to do anything I could to help to ensure the success of this evening , and any efforts you are good enough to think I have put forth have been really a labour of pleasure . 1 am very sorry that the year of office of our good and worthy brother ( Bro . Grant ) is so fast drawing to a close , and 1 hope that we shall have equally

as good a Master in the future , but I am sure we shall have to go a long way to find his rival . I thank you each and all for the splendid manner in which you have responded to our call to-night , and hope that we may all have the pleasure of meeting again for many years to come . The company present afterwards adjourned to the hall , where a most enjoy , able festival was kept up until the milk was being delivered next morning .

Annual Supper Of The Whittington Lodge Of Instruction, No. 862.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE WHITTINGTON LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 862 .

The members of the above well-known lodge of instruction dined together in their lodge room at the Red Lion , Poppin ' s Court , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , the 31 st ultimo , under the able presidency ot the W . M . of the mother lodge , Bro . Jarvis , who was supported by his Wardens , Bros . H . Kemp and W . C . Tyler , also by the following brethren , viz .: Bros . J , C . Tilt , P . M . 1962 , Sec ; A . V . H . Pauncefort , P . M . 802 , Preceptor ; Booker , P . M . 22 S ; Collis , P . M . S 62 ; Gotch ,

P . M . ; W . Wright , P . M ., S . W . 1962 ; Pate , P . M . 1590 ; Clarkson , S . D . 862 ; V . Wright , S . D . 1962 ; VV . Latham , J . D . 1962 ; Hartley , Lavington , Kobelt , Ridgway , Bond , II . Wright , Day , Palmer , and Watham . The usual toast list having been disposed of , Bro . J ARVIS proposed " Success to the Whittington Lodge of Instruction , " after which " The Healths of the Secretary and Preceptor " were proposed and heartily received by the brethren .

The compliment was duly responded to by Bros . I II . T and PAUNCEFORT . Bro . BOOKKR next proposed "The Health of the W . M . in the Chair , " to whose work in the mother lodge he alluded in very graceful terms . Bro . J AUVIS , on rising to respond , was enthusiastically received , he being deservedly held in very high estimation by the members of the Whittington Lodge .

The speeches were commendably brief , the evening being given over to music , there being a goodly array of talent present . " The Health of the Host , Bro . Percy Day , " was drunk , too , and he was complimented on the excellent manner in which he had provided for , and studied the comforts of , the brethren . The meeting was voted a perfect success , and wishes were expressed that it should be repeated annually .

Jubilee Of St. Matthew's Lodge, No. 539.

JUBILEE OF ST . MATTHEW'S LODGE , No . 539 .

On Thursday , the ist instant , the jubilee of the above lodge was held at thc Dragon Hotel , Walsall , having been established in thc year 1 S 47 . It would be interesting to publish the list of members who have joined and passed through lodge since its inauguration , and many would be surprised at some of the names which have been inserted in the book of signatures , but space will not permit

the publication of the list . A great many have joined the great majority , whilst others are located in various parts of the United Kingdom , and some in remote parts of the world . There is one brother still in our midst who took part in the birth of the lodge , and an attempt was made to induce him to be pnsent at the jubilee , hut being full of years and in declining health , he could not be prevailed upon to come forward on this auspicious occasion .

The following is a list of the Past Master ; who have filled the chair since the lodge was brought into existence .- Bros . 1 . Kmpson , 1 S 47 ; II . James , 1848 ; W . James , 18 . ( 9 ; T . James , 1850 ; j . Burton , I S = ; I J . James , 1852 : J . R . Newsman , 1853 ; j . Wood , 185 . ) ; Frank- James , 1855 ; J . R . Robinson , 1856 " ; F . A . Kdwards , 1857 ; D . Peacock , 1 S 58 ; Rev . J . Downes , 1859 ; II . Stanley , iSn ' n ; J . Burton , 1861 ; II . K . Barnett , 1862 ; K . J . Cannell , 1 S 6 3 ; C . Bill , l 86 . |; T . Checklcy , 186 5 ; Joseph Newman , iSriCi ; T . W . Edwards , 1 SI 17 ; T . Sncvd , iS 08 ; William Baylis : ; , iSfVi ; VV . C . Thimw ., 1 S 70 ; 1 . Symons , 1871 ;

Jubilee Of St. Matthew's Lodge, No. 539.

B . Love , 1 S 72-73 ; W . J . Boys , 1 S 74 ; T . T . Fisher , 1 S 75 ; T . M . Humphries , 1876 ; J . Bowley , 1 S 77 ; B . G . Gale , 1 S 7 S ; William Bayliss , 1879 ; W . J . Boys , 18 S 0 ; J . H . Smith , 1 S 81 ; J . H . Rowbotham , 1 SS 2 ; J . Rowley , 1883 ; James Williams , 1 S 84 ; E . S . Hildick , 1885 j C . C . Cox , 18 S 6 ; F . E . F . Bailey , 1 S 8 7 ; John Tindall , 1 S 8 S ; S . B . Wheway , ¦• 1 S 89 ; F . W . Willmore , 18 90 ; F . W . Gribble , 1891 ; W . Hebblethwaite , 1 S 92 ; J . Moseley , 1 S 93 ; Alfred Dewsbury , 1 S 94 : J . E . Dolman , 1895 ; and F . Gnosill , 1896 .

The ceremony was particularly interesting , from the fact that one of the old Past Masters , Bro . Frank James , had been unanimously elected to fill the chair for the jubilee year , it being thought a most suitable occasion on which to acknwledge his yeoman service in connection with Freemasonry . It is understood that he is the oldest Mason in the Province of Staffordshire , he never having severed his connection with the Order since his initiation soon after the formation of St .

Matthew's Lodge . The lodge was called for three o ' clock , and , in view of the large attendance , a dispensation was obtained to hold the lodge in the Parade Room of the Police Station , kindly lent for the purpose by the Watch Committee . The following members of the lodge were present : Bros . C . Taylor , S . W . ; S . Nicklin , J . W . ; F . W . Smyth , Sec . ; J . Williams , D . C . ; J . H . Sanders , J . D . ; W . A . Goold , I . G . ; F . W . Cross and J . Wright , Stewards ; D . Power , Org . ; H . H . Tucker ,

E . Wilkes , D . Watt , R . J . Smith , N . G . Harries , C . G . T . Bennett , H . H . McConnall , M . F . Harrison , H . J . Nicklin , W . W . Doughty , H . N . Grove , A . Thacker , S . D . ; E . S . Hildick , Treas . ; W . Oliver , W . W . Sherratt , D . Power , J . Griffin , ] . Newman , P . P . J . G . W . ; F . W . Willmore , P . P . J . G . W . ; S . B Wheway , P . P . G . S . B . ; f . E . Dolman , I . P . M . ; Frank James , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Moseley , P . P . S . G . D . ; F . E . F . Bailay , P . P . A . G . S . ; A . Dewsbury , P . G . D . C ; C . A . Loxton , P . M . 1520 ; W . Hebblethwhite , P . M . ; S . Gedge , M . P . ; C , Bayley , and A . R . Hoare .

The visitors included Bros . W . Perry , P . M . 564 ; G . Haynes , P . M . 1039 ; J . Addison , 247 . 1 ; R- Edwards , I . G . 2474 ; J . Carver , W . M . 2474 ; R . Garbett , 539 ; A . Baker , W . M . 418 ; F . VV . Lavender , Sec . 2474 ; E . Forrester , J . D . 2474 ; M . Barker , W . M . 526 ; T . Jones , P . M . 69 6 ; G . F . Pepper ; E . J . Parkes , 2474 ; W . Smith , P . M . 2474 ; T . M . Heape , 1520 ; H . Richardson , 2305 ; W . Hamblett , 347 ; T . Taylor , 466 ; J . T . Manson , 726 ; C . W . D . Johnson , 696 ; J . VV . Walton , 296 ; T . W . Walker , 526 ; W . lH . Jukes , 347 1

J . S . Pickering , 432 ; H . VV . C . Iver , 347 ; C . F . Marston , 794 ; T . J . Barnett , 52 ( 1 ; J . T . Harrison , 418 ; G . J . M . Waring , 347 ; A . Caddick , 662 ; F . Edge , 526 ; T . H . Spencer , 662 ; A . B . Forsyth , 1520 ; and J . T . Smith , W . M . 472 . The lodge having been opened and closed in the various Degrees , an Installing Lodge of Past Masters was opened , and the Installing Master , Bro . Gnosill , proceeded to install Bro . Frank James , which ceremony he performed in an admirable manner to the entire satisfaction of all those present . Bro . Frank

James invested his officers for the year as follows : Bros . F . Gosnill , I . P . M . ; C . Taylor , S . W . ; S . Nicklin , J . W .: E . S . Hildick , Treas . ; F . W . Smyth , Sec . ; A . Thacker , S . D . ; J . H . Sanders , J . D . ; D . Power , Org . ; F . W . Cross , H . M . Barrows , and J . Wright , Stewards ; and W . Davis , Tyler . At the conclusion of the ceremonies , thc I . P . M ., Bro . Gnosill , was presented with a full-length portrait of himself , in massive frame , the work of Mr . Draycott ,

together with a handsome illuminated address and an album containing the portraits of most of the members of the lodge . This presentation was the spontaneous outcome of the very general wish expressed by all members of the lodge to mark the very excellent way in which Bro . Gnosill had filled the ofiice during his Masonic year . The lodge during that time has increased in members , and is in a generally flourishing state . The words of the address , which had been very beautifully illuminated were as follows :

"Walsall , April , 1 , A . n . 1897 , A . L . 5897 . "To Worshipful Brother Frederick Gnosill , Immediate Past Master ot St . Matthew ' s Lodge , No . 539 , on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England . —We , the W . M ., Past Masters , Wardens , and brethren of St . Matthew ' s Lodge , No . 539 , in open lodge assembled , in presenting your portrait for the joint acceptance of yourself and Mrs . Gnosill , are animated by feelings towards you of very warm and brotherly regard . We recognise with gratitude and admiration your successful

year of office , which we desire thus to commemorate . We think that theauspicious occasion of the celebration of our J ubilee year to day a fitting opportunity , likewise a happy one , to place on record our appreciation of the truly Masonic spirit which has guided you in all your actions during the term of your occupancy of the chair of King Solomon . Traditionally , you have demonstrated to us that the chief corner-stone of the Masonic Temple handed down to us from time immemorial is brotherly love , relief , and truth . You hand down the charter of

the lodge on this , its 50 th year ( one who has been long and justly honoured by the brethren of the Province of Staffordshire ) , not only unsullied , but with an added lustre . The good work done by you , surrounded by pleasant recollections , will live long in the memory of those whose names are appended . With the prayer that the Great Architect of the Universe will bestow on you and your family every blessing for many years to come . —We are , dear Sir and W . Bro ., Yours fraternally ,

"Frank James , P . M ., P . D . P . G . M . ; Joseph Newman , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; William Bayliss , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Edmund S . Hildick , P . M ., P . P . G . Std Br . ; Jas . Williams , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; F . E . F . Bailey , P . M ., P . P . A . G . Sec ; Jno Tindall , P . M . ; S . B . Wheway , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; F . W . Willmore , P . M ., P . P J . G . W . ; Walter Hebblethwaite , P . M . ; Jno . Moseley , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; Alf Dewsbuiy , P . M ., P . G . D . C . ; J . E . Dolman , P . M . ; Christopher Taylor , P . M .

ST W ., P . P . J . G . W . ; Jno . Griffin ; Jno . Wright ; Ernest Wilkes ; Wm . Oliver ; Sidney Nicklin , J . W . ; A . Thacker , S . D . ; J . H . Sanders , J . D . ; F . W . Smyth , Sec ; F . W . Cross ; H . M . Barrows ; W . A . Goold , I . G . ; David Power , Organist ; W . W .-Sherratt ; M . F . Harrison j W . W . Doughty ; Duncan Watt ; Edwin Hurst ; Cornelius Bayley ; Herbert J . Nicklin ; C . H . Roberts ; Rowland J . Smith ; C . G . T . Bennett ; A . Reginald Hoare ; Nelson S . Harries ; Jno . Butler ; and H . H . Tucker . "

After the lodge was closed the members adjourned to the Dragon Assembly Room , which was very strikingly and handsomely decorated , and about 80 brethren sat down to a recherche banquet .

Presentation To Comp. Sam. Gamman, Of The Mount Lebanon Chapter, No. 435.

PRESENTATION TO COMP . SAM . GAMMAN , OF THE MOUNT LEBANON CHAPTER , No . 435 .

An interesting incident occurred at the last convocation of the above chapter , held at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , on Wednesday , the 31 st ultimo . Comp . Sam . Gamman , who was exalted in this chapter in January , 1874 , and has held the ofiice of M . E . Z . three times , viz ., 1880 , 1880 " , and 1896 , and is now Treasurer and " fathe ^ " of the chapter , was presented by Comp . A . S . Halchett Jones , M . E , / .., on behalf of the chapter , with his portrait , painted lifesize in oils , as a mark of esteem .

The portrait , a work of art , was beautifully execuled by Comp . II . E . Prances , a compai . ion of the chapter , who also presented the chapter with an album containing sketch portraits of thc Past Principals ,