Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

& raft Jlajsonrg * COVENTRY . —Trinity Lodge ( No . 254 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , 2 nd inst ., at the Crewe Arms Hotel . Present : Bros . AI . J . Davies , W . M . ; L . Aviss , S . W . ; T . J . Curtis , J . W . j R . Croydon , Sec . ; G . H . Hayward , S . D . ; H . Holland , J . D . ; J . - Anslow , I . G . ; W . Collins , Stewd . ; T . Hartley , Tyler ; T . Richard , P . M . ; VV . Treaddell , P . AL ; W .

H . Gardner , C . Slingsby , ] . I . Bates , T . | . Roitwell , R . CoIiis , and T . S . Harvey . Visitors : Bros . S . Lynes , 725 ; T , Barker , 725 ; and Jas . Baylis , 573 . Being no business before the lodge , an explanation of the' Tracing Board of the First Degree was given by P ; M . Bro . Croydon , after which the lodge was duly closed at eight o ' clock p . m .

MANCHESTER . —Lodge of Affability ( No . 317 ) . —This lodge held its usual monthly meeting at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , on Thursday , the 2 nd irist ; There were present Bros . Mark Vickers , W . AL ; William Nicholl , S . W . ; Harry Walmsley , J . W . ; John Smethurst , P . AI . i Treas . ; Robt . Tomlins , Sec . ; John Church , S . D . ; lames Wilson , LD . ; P . Holmes , LG . ;

John Bladen , P : M , D . of C . j J . Dawson , P . AI ., Reg . ; J . ' W . Edwards , Ludwig Oppenheimer , Stwds . ; VV . J . Cunliffe , Org . ; J . Sly , Tyler , J . G . Elderton , Jas . Gooden , VV . Hughes , Jas . Cummins , Sydney Henson , PiM . ; R . B . Harper , Abraham Wild , and R . R . Lisenden { Freemason ) . Visitors : Bros . W . Sowtcr , S . VV . 815 ; W . Peak , S . W . 993 ; Geo . Howe , S . D . 993 ; A . Simonson ,

1239 ; John Bollard , P . M . 126 , D . C . 1 504 ; and Matthew Owen , 163 . The lodge was openeel shortly after six , and when the minutes of previous meeting had been read and confirmed , Mr . Edward Smith , who had been balloted and elected at the previous meeting , was duly initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry by the W . M . At the conclusion of this

ceremony , Bro . W . Nicholl rose and proposed that , in place of Bro . J . H . Sillitoe , P . AI ., resigned „ Bro . J . Howarth Clark , P . AI ., be appointed representative of the lodge on the Charity Committee connected with the East Lancashire Systematic Alasonic Educational Benevolent Institution . This was seconded by the W . M . Bro . J . Dawson , P . AL , moved an amendment that Bro . VV . Nicholl , S . VV ., be

chosen as the representative , and m an able speech set forth Bro . Nicholl's ability for the post , and despite the strong protestations on Bro . Nicholl ' s part as to his unwillingness to accept the post , the amendment was seconded by Bro . R . R . Lisenden , and on a show of hands , was carried against the original motion . A vote of thanks was proposed , and seconded , to Bro . W . Nicholl , for his services

to the lodge as Steward at thc Boys' Festival in London . The proposition was carried with acclamation . Bro . Nicholl returned thanks . A vote of thanks was also proposed , seconded , and unanimously carried to Bro . J . H . Sillitoe , P . M ., for his long , faithful , and highly appreciated services to the lodge during the last ten years , while acting as

Steward for the various Alasonic Institutions . Bro . Sillitoe was spoken of in the highest terms of praise , and it is beyond a doubt that all the members of the lodge fully recognise his merit and ability . " Hearty good wishes " were afterwards expressed by the visitors , and the lodge was closed in peace and harmony at S . 15 .

CROYDON . — -East Surrey Lodge of Concord ( No . 4 63 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel on Wednesday , the ist inst . —the night of meeting having been altered from Thursday to Wednesday . There were present Bros . R . VV . Price , W . AL ; A . C . Elliott , P . M . ; I . Close , P . AL ; T . P . Dickin , P . M . ; Geo . Yaxley , P . AL ; C . H . Woodward , P . AL

S . W . ; J . Hooke , J . W .,- Geo . Price , P . AL , Treas . ; H . R . B . Podmore , P . M ., Sec . ; H . Saxelby , J . D . ; VV . J . Nicholls , I . G . ; A . Long , S . T . Silvester , A . G . Randall , 1333 ; W . P . Robinson , Sec . 1790 ; and C . Thomas , Tyler . Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , after which

Mr . Barwell , host of the Greyhound , was introduced , and underwent the ceremony of initiation , which was most impressively performed b y the W . M ., who afterwards received the congratulations of the lodge for the able manner in which he had discharged his duty , this being his first attempt at working an initiation ceremony . A most pleasing feature in the evening ' s proceedings was the

presentation of a handsome gold watch and appendages to Bro . C . H . Woodward , who for fourteen years had filled thc post of Secretary to the lodge , which he had felt it necessary to resign . The W . M ., in presenting thc testimonial , said that seventeen years ago Bro . Woodward occupied the chair which it was now his privilege to occupy . Fourteen years ago Bro . Woodward was appointed to the nost of

Secretary , which had absorbed a vast amount of time and attention . In addition to this , Bro . Woodward had always been ready to occupy any position temporarily vacated by the unforeseen absence of the W . AL or any other officer of the lodge , and they all knew how admirably he had discharged his duties in that respect . Year after year Bro . Woodward had installed the various Alasters , and he ( Bro .

Price ) had personally to thank him for his installation . The clear and impressive manner in which Bro . Woodward delivered the various charges showed that his was no ordinary mind , and that he was eminently fitted for Alasonic pursuits . Under these circumstances it was not surprising , when Bro . Woodward resigned his position as Secretary to the lodge , that a desire was evinced to present him with

some tangible acknowledgment of the valuable services he had rendered . An appeal to the members of the lodge met with a prompt and generous response , and through the energy of Bro . Podmore , the present Secretary , Bro . G . Price , Treasurer , and other officers , a sum of £ 21 was collected . Bro . Woodward was then consulted as to the form

which the testimonial should assume , and he , with good taste , selected a watch , the inner case of which bore the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . C . H . Woodward , P . AL , by the brethren of East Surrey Lodge of Concord , No . 4 ( 13 , in recognition of his valuable services to the lodge , as Secretary , for a period of fourteen years . " Addressing Bro . Woodward , the W . AL , said : I hope that this watch , which I now have the pleasure of handing to

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

you , will beat as true and keep as well up to time as you have done . May you live long to look upon it as a slight memento of the esteem in which you are held by the officers and brethren of this lodge , and when the time comes—as come it must some day—for you to leave it behind , may your family cherish it as a testimony of the affection and regard entertained for you . Bro . Woodward said that if

his mother tongue enabled him to thank them in the most eloquent terms for what they had done , his feelings at the present moment would prevent him from giving adequate utterance to his thoughts . He had long felt that the warm reception always accorded to the mention of his name in lodge was an evidence of respect and esteem entertained for him ; but he hardly expected it would develope itself

into the handsome testimonial which they had been good enough , through the VV . AI ., to present him with that evening—a testimonial which he should value more than anything else they could have given him . During the fourteen years in which he had held the post of Secretary he had never been absent on a single occasion . He did not mention this in a spirit of egotism , but simply to show that he had

taken a great interest in thelodge , and had allowed nothing to interfere with the performance of his duties , in which he had always striven to give satisfaction , and it was gratifying to find that he had not been unsuccessful . Not only would this handsome watch and chain ever remind him of the feelings of affection and love which had prompted the gift , but the time would come when others , near and dear

to him , would chensh that memento more than anything else that could possibly have been bestowed . When he looked upon that watch he could but feel a pang of regret at withdrawing from a position he had so long occupied . It was not his intention , ' however , to withdraw from the lodge . He should pass into the rank of Past Alaster , and whenever his services were required he should be happy to place them at the disposal of the lodge or of the Master in

the chair . He could only express a hope that the G . A . O . T . U . would bless them with every happiness that they could wish for , and , moreover , that He would grant to them all the blessings of health and prosperity . The W . AL having risen for the first , second , and third times , " Hearty good wishes" were expressed by the two visiting brethren , after which the lodge was closed in due form , and several members spent an hour in social intercourse with Bro . Yaxley , who is about to leave England for America .

COCKERMOUTH . — SkirMaw Lodge ( No . 1002 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in thc Masonic Hall , Station-street , on Tuesday evening , the 7 th inst . There were present Bros . T " Bird , W . M . ; R . Robinson , P . AI . and Treas . ; W . H . Lewthwaite , P . AI . and Org . ; VV . F . Lamonby , P . AL ; R . VV . Robinson , Sec , as S . W . ; H . Peacock , J . VV . ; T . Alason , J . D . ; R . Harrison , as I . G . ; J . Hewson , Tyler ;

J . Borrowscale and H . Carruthers , Stewards ; J . Towers , and others . The minutes having'been read and confirmed , and there being no business , the proclamations were put , when Bro . Lamonby , P . M ., gave notice of motion "That the installation festival be celebrated by an evening party , and that the usual banquet be on that occasion dispensed with . " The lodge was then closed in form .

LIVERPOOL . —Dramatic Lodge ( No . 1609 ) . — An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Friday afternoon , the 3 rd inst ., at thc Alasonic Hall , Hope-street , for the special purpose of initiating no fewer than fourmembers of thc celebrated orchestra connected with the Carl Rosa Opera Company . Bro . J . B . AlacKenzie , W . AL , was in his place at half-past two o ' clock , and he was officially supported by Bros . L . Courtenay , LP . M . ; XV . XV

Sandbrook , S . W . ; John Atkinson , J . W . ; A . Woolrich , Treas . ; F . Wilkinson , Sec ; ] . Pver , J . D . ; II . P . Squire , S . S . ; W . R . Burgess , Org . ; and VV . H . Ball , Tyler . Amongst the members and visitors present were Bros . Ballard , Greenwood , Campion , J . E . Jackson , P . P .

G . S . ofW . ; H . Williams , Rimmer , Waterson , Keet , Heap , Hildyard , and others . Alessrs . Jacobus I' \ Rudersdorff , J acob Levie Goodhart , Ernest A . Carrodus , and Henry Wm . Vokins were unanimously elected , and being in attendance , were dul y admitted into the Order by thc W . AL , who was most efficiently aided by his Wardens .

OKEHAMPTON . —Lodge of Obedience ( No . 1 753 )'—On the 30 th ult ., the installation meeting of this lodge was held at the White Hart Hotel . The following brethren were present : Bros . VV . H . Boon , W . AL ; VV . Brodie , LP . M ., P . P . G . D .-, Rev . C . VV . Hunt Holley , S . VV ., P . G . C ; Gould , J . W . ; J . Bale , Secretary ; Burd , S . D . ; Yeo , J . D . ; Ward , I . G . ; Coombe , Tvlcr ; and

several others . The lodge having been duly opened and the minutes confirmed , Bro . Brodie , I . P . M ., took the chair . The W . M . elect , Bro . C . W . Hunt Holley , S . VV ., was presented for installation . The Installing Alaster appointed Bro . Pidsley , P . AI . of Semper Fidelis Lodge , to thc S . W . ' s chair , and Bro . Wellsman , P . AL 8 5 8 and 15 S 9 , to thc l . VV . ' s chair . A Board of Installed Alasters was then

formed , and Bro . Holley was duly installed in the chair of K . S ., according to ancient custom . The VV . AI . then invested his officers- Bros . Boon , I . P . M . ; Gould , S . VV . ; Ball , J . VV . ; Burd , Sec ; Yeo , S . D . ; Taverner , J . D . ; Trelevcn , I . G . ; and Coombs , Tyler . The charges to the Alaster and Wardens were given by Bro . Pidsley , and that to the lodge generally by Bro . Wellsman . Thc whole

ceremony of installation was admirably performed by Bro . Brodie . The visiting brethren were Bros . J . Clifford , 1254 ; VV . Gregory , J . D . 12 ^ 4 ; T . J . Smith , P . AL 1255 ; W . L . Sampson , 2 S 2 ; VV . Wellsman , 8 , P . M . 858 and 15 S 9 and P . Z . 15 S 9 ; G . Pitt Lewis , P . G . J . W ., W . AL 444 ; Edward Tozer , P . AL 112 ; J . D . Barker , J . D . 70 ; K . T . Fulford , W . M . 1254 ; L . J . Hudd , 1426 ; and many

others . The lodge having been closed in due form , thc brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , served in a highly creditable manner by Bro . Ball . The W . M . presided and proposed "The Queen and Craft . " Bro . Brodie then gave " The Prov . and Deputy Grand Masters and thc rest of the Grand Ofiicers , " "The Health of the P . G . AI . ( Lord

Ebrington ) and P . G . Officers , " to which Bro . Pitt Lewis , P . G . J . W ., responded in a highly interesting and eloquent speech . Other Alasonic toasts followed , and the proceedings were brought to a close with the toast of "The Visitors . " Bro . Wellsman responded , expressing the great delight all had felt in the proceedings of the day , both with the excellent working and the hearty welcome they had received

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

CROYDON . —Old England Lodge ( No . 1790 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., " in the Masonic Hall , New Thornton-heath . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . B . Buckworth ( through domestic affliction ) , ' Bro : W . Foulsham , I . P . M . and Treasurer , assumed the chair of K . S . There were also present Bros . H . Harland , S . W . ; F . C . Pascall , J . W . ; W . P . Robinson , Sec ; E . Whittaker ,

S . D . ; C . Daiiell , P . M . ( officiating as J . D . ); H . Baber ( officiating as I . G . ); Bavin , Tyler , H . Gates , C . White , V . J . Abraham , and others . The lodge having been opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read , Air . Peter Thomas Shonfeld was introduced , and underwent the ceremony of initiation , after wlvch he was invested with the badge of an E . A ., and fraternally welcomed . Bro . H . Gates having

answered the usual interrogatories prior to passing , was entrusted and retired . On his re-admission he underwent the ceremony of passing , and was invested by the S . W . with the distinguishing badge of a F . C . AI . Bro . C . White was then examined , prior to being raised to the Sublime Degree , and was entrusted for preparation , and on his readmission Bro . White underwent the solemn ceremony of raising , which was performed in his usual impressive

manner by Bro . Foulsham . Several business matters were then discussed , after which the lodge was closed in due form . Old England Lodge bids fair to occupy a proud position amongst the lodges of the neighbourhood . During the year which expired in July last twenty members had been initiated , and in the two months of its second year three more have been added ; and there is every probability that the number will be considerably augmented during the remaining ten months .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

PREMIER CONCLAVE . —A meeting of this old conclave was held at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street , on Monday , the 30 th ult ., when there were present , among others , Sir Knights Peek , P . S . Cambridge University , acting M . P . S . ; Massa , S . G ., acting V . E . ; T . C . Walls , acting S . G . ; E . Thiellay , I . G . ; Levander , P . S ., Recorder ; " the Rev . P . Holden , P . S . ; Robinson , acting Herald ; and Gilbert and Harrison , Sentinels . The

minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed , letters of apology for non-attendance were read from Sir Knights Colonel F . Burdett , G . S . ; Lt .-Colonel Peters , M . W . S . ; Kingston , I . P . S . ; George Kenning , P . S . ; H . A . Dubois , P . S ., and others . Several communications having been read , and some minor financial matters disposed of , the conclave was closed , and the Sir Knights adjourned to the banquet , which was ably presided over by Sir Knight Levander . There were no toasts .

Literary, Art, And Antiquarian Notes.

Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes .

The Athenteum states that Herr Hans von Biilow has just composed a new Bavarian National Hymn , with words by Herr Oechner . The death is announced at Stuttgart of Herr Edward Hallberger , thc svell known publisher of various illustrated worksand periodicals . We have also to record the lamented death of Air . Benjamin Terry , F . S . A ., the eminent architect .

Mr . Charles Warner , it is said , is about to secede from Air . Gooch ' s Princess ' s Theatre Company , and after performing for a limited number of nights in " The Fool's Revenge , ' ' ' at Sadler ' s Wells , will proceed on a starring tour in America .

A Welsh National weekly Journal , Cyfatll Yr Achoyd , or the Friend of the Hearth , is to be brought out at Llanelly in October . The new publication will contain stories , reviews , and essays , and notes on literary , artistic , and musical subjects . The Berlin Salon opened on Sunday . Besides native exhibitors , English and American artists have largely

contributed to the present collection , which contains over a thousand paintings and pieces of sculpture , and will remain open for two months . Mr . Barry ' s awards in the Glasgow Municipal Building Plans Competition were announced yesterday . The first prize , £ 75 ° . > awarded to Mr . George Corson , Leeds ; the second , £ 500 , to Messrs . Coe and Robinson ,

London ; and the third , £ 250 , to Air . Ueorge Clark , London . The world of art and a very large circle of personal friends at home and abroad will receive with deep regret intelligence of thc death , at the comparatively early age of 47 , of Elijah Walton , which occurred on August 25 , _ at his residence on Bromsgrove Lickcy , near the home of his early days .

A volume of views illustrative of "Ancient Chester and its Neighbourhood " is announced as ready . The letterpress has been written by Mr . Thomas Hughes , F . S . A ., and the plates wercdrawn and etched by G . andW . Batenham and John Alusgrave between the years 1 S 14 and 1 S 17 . The issue is limited to 300 copies .

The work on the Desert Plants of Egypt drawn and described by Sir Gardner Wilkinson is sufficiently advanced to warrant the expectation that it will appear early next year . These drawings were made during Ins explorations from 1 S 23 to 1 S 30 . Lady Wilkinson and Mr . VV . Carruthers , F . R . S ., are acting as editors of the book , which will include ali the plant references to be found in his MSS .

THE DEPARTING SWALLOWS . —German newspapers remark that migratory birds have this year com menced their journey southward earlier than usual . An old German proverb assigns the Sth of September for the beginningof the swallows * exit— " Maria Gcburt sichendtc Srhwalben fort . " But already bv August 10 it was observed

all over North-Wcstern Germany that those of the houseswallows whose broods were fully fledged were visibly preparing for their flight ; most of the other swallows had already preceded them . On August 24 a large flock of storks coming from the north-west arrived in Berlin , visibly tired by a long flight , and continued their journey towards the south-cast .