Craft Masonry.

The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . Bro . Podger having been passed to the Second Degree , a ballot was taken for Worshipful Master and Treasurer for the ensuing year , which was unanimous in favour of Bro . W . H . Hosegood , J . W ., and Bro . Dr . N . Goodchild , P . M . Bro . Whiting was re-elected

Tyler . It was proposed , and carried unanimously , that a Past Master ' s jewel of the usual value be presented to Bro . Dr . N . J . Goodchild , VV . M ., for the able manner in which he had presided over the lodge . Bro . Jordan ' s resignation having been accepted with regret , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner . The toasts which followed being enlivened by some excellent singing .

Tyssen-Amherst Lodge ( No . 2242 ) . —The installation meeting of this successful lodge was held at the Amherst Club , Rectory-road , Hackney , on Monday , the 5 th inst . Bro . Chas . C . Cheston , P . G . D ., VV . M ., was supported by Bros . E . G . Lewis , P . M ., S . W . ; S . J . Cross , S . D . j A . F . Lay , P . M ., J . D . j Jas . Godwin , P . P . A . G . D . C , Essex , Treas . ; Chas . Beaumont , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ,

Essex , Sec ; C C . Paine , I . G . j G . Allan , D . C . J and F . Goodbody , Stwd . Visitors : Bros . VV . W . Hay worth , j . D . 1361 ; I . P . Cohen , P . M . 205 ; I . W . Hobbs , P . M . 1579 ; E . Wright , P . M . 1364 j VV . Hicklin , W . M . 1261 j J . Kift , 1791 ; Howard H . Room , P . M ., Prov . G . Sec . Middx . ; C . E . Milner , P . M . 99 ; H . J . Walker , 373 j R . J . Cushing , P . M . 1607 j W . P . Earl , 1 S 72 j D . j . Reddall , l . P . M .

2148 ; G . Sawyer , 1415 ; W . Hughes , G . Std ., S . W . 99 ; W . Oldham Rew , S . W . 11 iS ; E . VV . Ball , J . D . 1704 ; J . Godwin , S . W . 1577 ; J . J . Reynolds , P . M . 534 j and VV . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . •Lodge was opened , the minutes confirmed , and the Audit Report received and adopted . Bro . E . G . Lewis was then presented as the W . M . elect , and duly installed into the

chair by the retiring Master , Bro . Cheston , P . G . D .. The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . S . J . Cross , S . W . ; A . F . Lay , P . M ., J . W . ; Jas . Godwin , P . P . A . G . D . C . Essex , Treas . ; Charles Beaumont , P . P . A . G . D . C . Essex , Sec . j C C Paine , S . D . j G . Allan , J . D . ; F . Goodbody , I . G . ; R . S . Ellis , D . C . ; H . J . Coard , VV . H . Thompson , and W . H . Turner , Stwds . ; and J . Very ,

Tyler . The addresses were rendered by the Installing Master , Bro . C . Cheston , P . G . D . Mr . Palmer Bryant was unanimously approved by ballot , and impressively initiated into Freemasonry by the W . M . Bro . Cheston , I . P . M ., was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel by the W . M ., on behalf of the members , in recognition of his services to the lodge , and as a mark of their esteem and

regard . The gift having been appropriately acknowledged and propositions received , the lodge was closed . An excellent banquet was followed by the usual toast list , and a selection of music was rendered by Bro . Kift , assisted by Bros . G . Allan , D . G . Reddall , P . M ., and S . J . Cross . In proposing "The Grand Officers , " the Worshipful Master said they had in their own lodge two very good

specimens of the Grand Officers , and , therefore , they could speak of them with greater confidence than lodges generally . They had their first Master , Bro . Amherst , and the I . P . M ., Bro . Cheston . There was also a visitor present that evening who was a member of Grand Lodge . Bro . W . Hughes , G . Stwd ., in reply , said that were it not that in an assembly of Freemasons it was the duty of

all , however humble , to obey the calls of the W . M ., he should have thought it presumptuous on his part to respond for that toast . Hewasa veryjuniormemberof Grand Lodge to return thanks on behalf of those , distinguished members of the Craft whose names were on the programme of the elegant entertainment given to them that evening . It mi g ht be that in calling upon him there was an idea of impressing

upon the initiate that his first duty was obedience . Every visitor must have been gratified at his reception and at the excellent way in which everything had been performed . Bro . C Cheston , P . G . D ., said he had only been one year a Grand Officer , the date of his appointment being identical with the commencement of his year as Master . He was confident that if the distinguished Grand Officers who

consecrated the lodge could see how well and worthily the working officers discharged their duties , it would be a satisfaction to them , and they would feel that if the W . M . who had just attained the chair was not so fortunate in getting the purple , he would show how deserving he was of it . Before resuming his seat he would propose the toast of the evening , and ask them to drink " The Health of their

excellent and worthy VV . M . " He took it that in a new lodge the choice of a Master was of more importance than in one which had a long list of Past Masters to guide the brethren in the way they should go . For his part , he felt that the year they were commencing would be marked by entire confidence in all work , and he was glad to see they had one initiate in hand and another in the bush . It was a srood

thing for a lodge like that to have as much work as possible . The good working had been brought about by the strong desire of all to learn the duties of all the offices . There was nothing so pleasant as for a Master to initiate his first Mason , for he felt they were giving back some reward for the benefit they had received in Masonry . The W . M . had that evening proved that he was a Past Master in every

sense of the word , and was the right man in the right place , and would carry on the work in a way that would leave nothing to be desired . He hoped that if Grand Lodge did not see its way to give Bro . Lewis the purple he deserved , the province with which he was connected would give him some recompense for his work . Bra . E . G . Lewis , P . M ., W . M ., said that after the kind

words in which the l . P . M . had proposed the toast he should be able to find but few words to reply . If he deserved a quarter of the I . P . M . 's remarks he should feel he had done something of his duty already , but that had to be proved in the forthcoming year . He should be glad to get as much work as possible , being fond of work , for he thought that a Master could not be happier than to have an initiate every

meeting as well as other ceremonies . He thanked them for the kind way they had received the toast of his health . He would next propose "The Health of the l . P . M . and Installing Master . " Those who had the pleasure of hearing the ceremony of installation that evening would remember with great gratification the treat they had had . No one could perform the ceremony better than Bro . Cheston ,

and the brethren would excuse him enumerating the I . P . M . 's virtues . Bro . Charles C . Cheston , P . G . D ., I . P . M ., said it was with great pleasure that he had to thank them , on leaving the chair of the lodge , for their kindness , not only that evening , but in the choice they made a year ago , and for their kindness during his year of office . It had been a great

Craft Masonry.

satisfaction to him to be the second W . M . of a lodge founded in the place with which he was so intimately associated , and in which he was born . It had been a great satisfaction to see the lodge grow up in the way it had with great promise , and he could say that of all his Masonic duties he had performed none with greater pleasure than those of that lodge , and especially in the installation of so

worthy a successor . He hoped that as years went by and as initiates came in , they would learn what was impressed in the installation ceremony , that Masonry was not a mere matter of ritual , nor a mere excuse for eating and drinking , but that it was a great beneficent Institution , and one of the best the world had ever known . Masonry had never been associated with disorder or factious opposition to properly

constituted authority . Masonry had never meddled in political or religious controversy , but had let men enjoy their own religious opinions or political creeds , and it had taken its stand in the great basis of humanity , and all disturbing elements were left outside its doors . There was a tie in Masonry like the touch of humanity that made all mankind kin , for it made all men brothers in more than

name . "The Initiate" was next given , and duly responded to by Bro . Bryant . Bro . Howard H . Room , Prov . G . Sec . Middx ., replying for "The Visitors , " returned sincere thanks to the W . M . for having given him the opportunity of thanking Bro . Cheston for the privilege of enjoying what all the visitors

would agree was one of the pleasantest Masonic evenings they had spent . He thought that anyone who neglected to make comment upon the work that evening would be ungrateful for the honour of being present . Being one of those slaves to Masonry—a Prov . G . Sec . —and attending so many meetings , he heard the installation ceremony at least fifty times in the year , and he might , therefore , be

considered a judge , and without any attempt at flattery he could say he had never more appreciated that beautiful ritual than as performed by the l . P . M . It was a young lodge , but the officers performed their duties in a careful manner , and showed they were determined to do their best . Bro . J . Goodwin , P . P . A . G . D . C . Essex , P . M ., Treas ., on behalf of " The Officers , " said it afforded him immense

pleasure to see the lodge making such strides . He was associated with the worthy Secretary in its formation , and he was , therefore , proud to see it in its present state of prosperity , and from the character of the men in it it could not fail to be a very prosperous lodge . He felt proud to be a founder , and esteemed it an honour to be the Treasurer . So long as his life was spared , and he resided in the neighbourhood , he hoped to retain that post .

Bro . S . J . Cross , S . W ., also returned thanks , and said how much they all deplored the circumstances which led the VV . M . to appoint him to his present office . He was last year S . D ., but owing to the lamented illness of Bro . Cusworth he was appointed S . W . In Bro . Cusworth they had lost a most worthy member , and he had lost a sincere friend , and he hoped that their absent brother would be restored to health to return to them . The Tyler ' s toast closed a very enjoyable evening .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BRIGHTON . Earl of Sussex Lodge ( No . 2201 ) . —A large and influential gathering of Freemasons took place on Saturday , the 26 th ult ., in the Music Room , Royal Pavilion , on the occasion of the closing meeting of the year of the

lodge . The lodge was opened by Bro . R . Clowes , W . M ., P . S . G . W ., who was assisted by Bro . T . Billing , P . P . J . G . VV ., acting S . VV . j Bro . H . E . Price , P . P . J . G . W ., J . W . j and the following officers , viz .: Bros . Major-General Barnett Ford , P . Dist . G . D . Bengal , Treas . j Dr . A . King ,

P . P . G . O ., S . D . j C . VV . Hudson , P . P . J . G . W ., J . D . j C Bampfylde Warre , P . P . S . G . D ., D . C . J J . Knight , I . G . j J . P . Slingsby Roberts , Org . ; R . Percy Clowes , Stwd . j and H . H . Hughes , Tyler . The members of the lodge who were present also in eluded Bros . Sir VV . T . Marriott , O . C ., M . P ., D . P . G . M ., l . P . M . ; Lieut-General C . W . Randolph , P . M . ; Gerald Loder , M . P . ; Chapman Marshall , Montague

S . Pilcher , T . J . Cantrell , H . D . Pilcher , A . Scott , E . Letchworth , P . G . D . ; Lennox Browne , P . S . G . W . Essex ; P . Saillard , and S . Burrows , P . M ., P . J . G . D . ; and numerous visitors . After an initiation , the ceremony of which was performedby Bro . E . Letchworth , P . G . D ., the followingbrethren were raised by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , viz .: Bros . Gerald W . E . Loder , M . P ., Chapman Marshall ,

and Alfred Scott . It was proposed by the W . M ., seconded by Bro . VV . Seymour Burrows , and carried , that a vote of condolence should be sent to the widow and daughter of the late Bro . Crawford J . Pocock , Prov . S . G . W . It was also resolved that a letter , expressive of the sympathy of the lodge , shonld be written to the brethren of the Yarborough Lodq-e , No . Si 1 , of which Bro . Pocock was W . M .

at the time of his death , and the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 271 , of which he was an old and valued P . M . A letter was read from the Prov . G . Secretary announcing that the Deputy Prov . G . M . had been pleased to appoint the VV . M . of the lodge , Bro . Richard Clowes , P . P . S . G . W . Essex , to be Prov . S . G . W . in succession to the late Bro . Pocock . A portrait of the late Bro . Gavin Eliot Pocock , P . G . S . B ., and

Prov . Grand Secretary for many years , was presented to the lodge by Mrs . Pocock , and the W . M . supplemented it with one of the late Bro . Crawford J . Pocock . The portraits were received with pleasure , and special thanks to Mrs . Pocock and the VV . Master carried by acclamation . A letter was read from Mrs . Gerard Ford enclosing a cheque for 50 guineas , to include the amount left by her

late husband as a donation to endow the chair of the lodge . The legacy , after the duty was deducted , was £ 45 , so she had herself made up the difference , and sent the amount required . It was resolved "That the best thanks of the lodge be given to Mrs . Gerard Ford for her generosity , and that she be informed that the brethren have decided to give the amount to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and to place it on the list of Bro . Richard Percy Clowes , who

had undertaken to represent the lodge at the next Festival . " Another letter was received from Mrs . Gerard Ford enclosing for the acceptance of the lodge a copy of the Masonic addresses given in the province by ner late husband , with a brief history of his career as a Mason . It was resolved " That the brethren of the lodge are much obliged to Mrs . Gerard Ford for her kind memorial of the late Dep . Prov . Grand Master , of whom the Craft was so justly proud , and whose association with the Earl of Sussex Lodge was of such

Provincial Meetings.

an intimate character . " The lodge jewel was then pre sented to Bro . Philbrick , G . Reg ., an honorary member of the lodge , in appreciation of services rendered to the lodge and Masonry in general . A ballot was taken for a W . M . for the ensuing year , when the S . W ., the Very Rev . E . K . Currie , Dean of Battle , P . M . 11 S 4 , Prov . Grand Chaplain , who was absent through ill-health , was unanimously elected . Bro . Major-General Barnett Ford was re-elected Treasurer .

The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where they sat down to an elegant banquet , served up in faultless style by Bro . D . Mutton . The W . M ., Bro . R . Clowes , Prov . S . G . W ., presided , and was supported by the Grand Officers and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , in responding for " The Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " bore testimony to the active interest taken in the Craft by the Earl of Carnarvon and the Earl of Lathom . Those present , and all Sussex Freemasons would , he said , be pleased to hear that on Wednesday next , Bro . the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , Dean of Battle , and Prov . G . Chap .,

would be appointed Grand Chaplain of England , and that one of the guests of the lodge that evening , Bro . Lord Alfred Churchill , would be installed J . G . W . The W . M . proposed "The Prov . Grand Master of Sussex , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . " The Duke , he said , was on his way home , and , on his arrival , would doubtless embrace the earliest possible opportunity of

visiting the province , where he would receive that cordial welcome which he so richly deserved . Bro . E . Letchworth , P . G . D ., next submitted the toast of " The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . Sir VV . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., P . G . Steward , and P . M . of the Earl of Sussex Lodge , and the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " He said the pleasure he felt in proposing the

toast was tinged with regret , for there was one subject uppermost in the minds of all present—the loss the province had recently sustained by the death of their late Senior Grand Warden , Bro . Crawford Pocock . He ventured to think that Bro . Pocock would live long in the memory and affection of the brethren of the province . He offered his congratulations to Bro . Clowes on his appointment as

Provincial Senior Grand Warden , and to the brethren of the province in possessing in Bro . Clowes one who had done so much to advance the interests of Freemasonry . No words , he said , were needed in praise of Bro . Marriott , for all knew how ably he carried out the duties of his office . Bro . Sir VV . T . Marriott , in responding , said his Masonic work in the lodge had been lightened by the admirable

manner in which the distinguished brethren of the Grand Lodge had come to his assistance ; in fact , he had not been tried . If he required further assistance he was sure Bro . Loder , who was two or three years younger than himself , and was loyal to the core , would help him . Concluding a humorous speech , he proposed the next toast , "The Worshipful Master of the Lodge . " It was not possible , he

said , for the lodge to have a better W . M . than Bro . Clowes , whose heart and soul were in Masonry , and who would prove a worthy successor to Bro . Pocock . He himself deeply lamented the death of Bro . Pocock . Their late brother had done all he could to assist him , and had displayed the genuine principles of Freemasonry . In appointing Bro . Clowes Prov . Senior Grand Warden he ( Bro .

Marriott ) felt he had selected a truly worthy brother to succeed Bro . Pocock . It was a great thing , he said , to know people at home ; and it could be truly said of Bro . Clowes that all his brethren in Essex were delighted to come down to Brighton to do him honour . Bro . Philbrick had often told them how much their W . M . had been appreciated in Essex , and Sussex Freemasons now realised their good fortune in having Bro . Clowes amongst them .

Bro . R . Clowes , on rising to respond , was received with enthusiastic applause , again and again renewed . That evening was , he remarked , the last occasion on which he should respond as their W . M ., and he thanked them for the hearty manner in which they had received the toast . When he was installed last October he made up his mind to do his best to further the interests of the lodge , and he

hoped he had given satisfaction . During his tenure of office live initiates and seven joining members had been introduced to the lodge . He took the opportunity of thanking the Secretary for his assiduity and zeal , and the remaining officers for the great assistance they had given him . He regarded his appointment as Prov . S . G . W . as a great honour , though he deeply felt the loss of tiro . Pocock . He

would endeavour to carry out what he knew Bro . Pocock wished to do , and trusted to be able to secure the approbation of the brethren of the province . The Worshipful Master next proposed "The Initiate , " to which Bro . Pilcher responded and " The Visitors , " which was briefly acknowledged by Bros . Lord Alfred Churchill and Shurmur .

" the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institutions , " given by the Worshipful Master , was responded to by Bro . J . Terry , Bros . Major-General Barnett Ford and H . E . Price acknowledged " The Officers of the Lodge . " The Tyler ' s toast completed the list . During the evening a choice selection of vocal music was

sustained in admirable style by Miss Edith Welling , Miss Minnie Freeman , Miss Edith Hands , Miss Darlington , Miss Maud Bond , and Bro . J . P . Slingsby Roberts , Organist of the lodge ; the last named deserving a word of praise for his excellent arrangements . The duties of accompanist were in the safe hands of Bro . W . N . Roe , P . P . G . O .

GRANTHAM . Doric Lodge ( No . 362 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the ist inst ., additional interest being imparted to the proceedings by the presence of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Jas . Fowler . Present : Bros . Porter , P . M . 117 S ; Dann , 1405 ; A . G . Gamble , P . P . S . G . W . ; C . Elsmere , P . P . G . C ; E . T . Wigelsworth ,

P . S . G . D . ; J . Scarborough , P . P . J . G D . ; S . G . Gumble , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . C Basker , P . P . A . G . D . of C . ; Capt . Russell , P . P . A . G . D . of C . ; H . P . Dickenson , P . P . G . O . j R . Collingwood , P . P . G . S . j B . Beeson , S . W . j R . W . Anderson , J . W . ; F . J . Lyne , S . D . ; F . VV . Robinson , J . D . j R . F . Lee , I . G . ; T . JacksonTyler ;

, J . R . Bailey , T . A . Palmer , B . K . Morton , VV . H . Lincoln , G . A . Buckle , P . M . ; Capt . White , T . Vincent , F . C . Southwell , J . Bothamley , S . Sparkes , W . Padget , W . Filhngham , J . Harmston , J . Seager , and J . Mossop . The minutes having been read and confirmed , Bro . J . Seager was raised to the Third Degree , the ceremony being