Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH LODGE ( No . 1259 ) . —There was a full meeting of the above flourishing lodge on Tuesday , the 1 st inst ., at Bro . W . Davis's , Cape of Good Hope Tavern , Limehouse . Bro . E . H . Rolfe , VV . M ., was supported by Bros . W . Buchan , P . M ., as S . W . ( in the regrettable absence through indisposition of Bro . I . Chariton , S . W . ); Esmond , J . W . ; E . Jex , C . C ., P . M .,

Treas . ; R . Bradbrook , P . M ., Sec . ; C . Wakefield , S . D . ; L . Ettling ( who we were pleased to see again in good health ) , ] . D . ; J . P . Moore , P . M ., I . G . ; W . Very , Tyler ; f . W . Gilling , l . P . M . ; VV . Hancock , Rowe , Atkins , and numerous brethren . Visitors : Bros . Ross and Collet . The work before the lodge was to raise Bro . Lardner and initiate Mr . Cole , who after a successful test

by ballot was impressively admitted into the Order . A very feeling allusion was made by Bro . A . Jex , C . C ., P . M ., to the death of the Duke of Albany , and a vote of condolence passed to H . R . H . the Grand Master . The subsequent proceedings , both in lodge and at the banquet , and to which we refer in another column , were conducted in a manner to accord with this melancholy and mournful

——event . FARRINGDON WITHOUT LODGE ( No . 745 ) - —This prosperous civic lodge met on the 31 st ult . at the Viaduct Hotel , Holborn . Among those present were Bros . Goodenough , VV . M . ; H . B . Marshall , C . C ., Grand Treasurer elect , S . W . ; Young , J . W . ; H . J . Lardner , Prov . G . O . Surrey , P . M ., Treas . ; W . II . Jackson , P . M .,

Sec . ; T . Simpson , S . D . ; Lister , I . G . ; Skelhorn , D . C . ; L . Lardner , W . S . ; Lott , P . P . G . W . Jersey , Hon . Org . ; J . Strugnell , l . P . M . ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middlesex , P . M . ; Ramsey , P . M . 192 , Hon . Member ; Potter , Wildash , Schultz , Codd , Parkinson , Tyler ; and others . The visitors were Bros . F . Blake , P . M . 945 ; Apthorpe , 442 ; and B . White , Gig . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Mr . Sherer was balloted for , and being in attendance was ably initiated into Craft mysteries by the

W . M . The election of W . M . for the year ensuing resulted unanimously in favour of Bro . Horace Brooks Marshall , who returned thanks in an able speech for the honour conferred . Bro . II . J . Lardner , P . M ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Parkinson re-elected 'Tyler . Bros . Schultz , Wildash , and Sherer were elected Auditors The following resolution was proposed , seconded , and

carried with acclamation : " That this lodge desires to convey to Bro . II . B . Marshall , W . M . elect , its hearty congratulations upon the distinguished honour recently conferred upon him by a large majority of the members of the Craft in electing him Grand Treasurer , and that a copy of this resolution shall be engrossed on vellum , and presented to Bro . Marshall . " The VV . M . elect having thanked the brethren

for this compliment , a Past Master ' s jewel was unanimously voted to Bro . Goodenough . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth the usual loyal toasts were proposed ; but in consequence of the recent death of Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , P . G . W ., they were received and drunk in solemn silence . ¦ —

ST . BOTOLPH'S LODGE ( No . 2020 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Monday , the 7 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Alderman J . Staples , W . M . ; P . Saillard , S . VV . ; T . Bcnskin , J . W . ; H . S . Legg , Treas . ; VV . Lake , Sec ; B . Norman , J . D . ; T . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; Dr . Grcatrcx , and others .

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed The Secretary read letters from Bros . Wells , S . D . ; G . M . Saylc , who was a candidate for passing ; and A . E . Stillwell , excusing themselves from attendance—the former two on account of ill-health , and the latter because of his departure for America on the previous day . There being

no further business , the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to banquet , under the presidency of the VV . M ., who , in proposing "The Queen , " alluded in very feeling and appropriate terms to the loss the Craft and the country had sustained by the death of H . R . H . the Dukeof Albany . Other toasts were given and responded to , and the brethren separated at an early hour .

BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No . 41 ) . — The usual monthly meeting was held at the Masonic flail on Thursday , the 3 rd inst . Among those present were Bros . J . Rubie , P . M ., W . M . ; E . J . B . Mercer , l . P . M . ; Ashley , P . M ., Treas . ; Radway , P . M ., Sec . ; F . Wilkinson , P . M ., D . C ; Ames , S . W . ; VV . Peach , J . W . ; T . E . Wilton , S . D . ; W . Baldwin , J . D . ; Gregory , I . G .

Foote , Org . ; with a good attendance of Past Masters and members , and many visitors . _ The lod ( jc having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , and those of the lodge of instruction were also read . The W . M . announced that he had received a letter from Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . M ., Sic , expressive of regret at his absence on account of

continued illness , which had for many weeks confined him to the house , and another from Bro . T . Wilton , P . M . ( Mayor of Bath ) , who was on public business in London . After these preliminaries , the W . M , sounded his gavel to attract the attention of the brethren , and observed that before commencing the business of the evening he felt it a duty to explain the unusual appearance of the room , in

which , assured of thesanction of the lodge , he had directed emblems of mourning to be displayed , in consequence of the sudden and lamented death of H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , Prov . Grand Master of the neighbouring Province of Oxfordshire , one who had endeared himself to all with whom he had been brought in contact , who , as a close imitator of the virtues of his illustrious father the late

Prince Albert , by his conduct and intelligence had raised high hopes of a most useful life , and who took the greatest interest in the well-being of that Craft of which they were all members . As Freemasons therefore they could not but most sincerely sympathise with the young widow , for by this unexpected bereavement they , too , had lost a friend and a brother .

The business of the evening was then proceeded with . Bro . Wm . Carey having most successfully passed a strict examination the lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and he was duly passed to the rank of F . C . ; the symbolism of the working tools was explained by Bro . T . Brown . The

lodge having been again brought down a somewhat interesting event occured . Every officer was in turn called to the Secretary ' s desk to sign his proxy for the Masonic Boys ' School for the first time . This privilege was obtained at the sesqui-centennial celebration last year by the presentation of 100 guineas to this excellent Institution , thus

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

endowing the chair of each officer as a vice-president . The many votes in perpetuity thus gained are of course a valuable addition to the voting powers of the province of Somerset . The Secretary read a report from a numerous committee appointed to consider the changes made in the new Book of Constitutions , under an impression that some alterations in the bye-laws of the lodge might be necessary .

In this report attention was chiefly directed to the fee for initiation , which is at present five guineas . It was unanimously recommended that this should in future be seven guineas , under a strong conviction that it is most desirable to raise the social status of Freemasonry generally , considering too that by such a course the lodge would most effectually be carrying out the wishes of the Grand Lodge

so clearly expressed . It was also proposed to change the joining fee from two to three guineas .. After some discussion it was determined that the matter should be placed on the agenda for the meeting in May with a view to its full consideration . Bro . Ashley then brought forward the subject of " Bro . Edmund White ' s gift , " particulars of which were fully

reported in the account of a meeting of the Royal Cumberland Lodge published in the Freemason of the 15 th ult . He remarked that while it was somewhat unusual for a bequest to be made to a lodge , it was still more so for any very considerable gift to be made by a brother in his lifetime . The present instance therefore only proved the great interest taken by Bro . White in the welfare of the

lodge , of which he had been a member during nearly half a century . After a few eulogistic remarks respecting the donor and his long active connection with the Masonic body , Bro . Ashley proposed the following resolution , which was seconded and carried unanimously , " That this lodge highly appreciates the generous gifts of Bro . Edmund White , P . M . 41 and P . P . G . S . W . Somerset , consisting of

i , 2 oo , his portrait , and a loving cup ; that the same be accepted , with the sincere thanks of the brethren to Bro . White for this fresh proof of the interest he continues to feel for the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , of which he had been a member for 49 years . " With the election of Trustees for the gift the proceedings of the evening terminated , and the lodge was closed soon after ten o ' clock . -

CHELTENHAM . —Foundation Lodge ( No . S 2 ) . —A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Masonic Hall . There were present W . Bro . the Rev . H . Kynaston , D . D ., W . M . ; Bros . Rev . J . H . C . Baxter , S , W . ; C . S . Atkins , J . W . j VV . Bro . J . Walker , Treas . ; Bros . R . P . Smith , Sec . ; Rev . P . Hattersley Smith , S . D . ; E . L . Bayliss , J . D . ; W . Bro . J . Bubb , D . C ; Bro . VV . Simms Bull , I . G . ; VV . Bro . I . Walker , Stwd . ; H . Phillips

Tyler ; VV . L . Bain , P . M . ; R . Ticchurst , P . M . ; Rev . H . E . Bayly , P . M . ; VV . R . Porcher , P . M . ; VV . H . Gwinnett , P . M . ; J . Cottle , P . M . ; S . W . Brook Kay , J . Maier , W . Powell , J . Drew , and R . Smith . Visitors : W . Bros . H . P . Fernald , Kilbourn , 83 . U . S . A . ; and VV . L . Butler , 24 G . The minutes of the last lodge were read and confirmed , and the only other business on the agenda , namely , the raising of Bro . R . Rogers to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason , having been performed , the lodge was closed .

SHEERNESS . —Adam ' s Lodge ( No . 158 ) . — Under a dispensation from the Deputy Prov . Grand Master the annual installation meeting of this old and flourishing lodge was held at the Local Board of Health Room ( kindlylent for the occasion ) on Thursday , the 27 th ult . The VV . M ., Bro . E . Stutcly , opened the lodge , supported by the following members and visitors : Bros . A . Spears ,

P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; J . Hagshaw , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; W . T . Carpenter , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; J . R . Brett , P . M ., Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; T . Firminger , P . M . ; J . P . Watts , P . M . ; R . Dcrry , P . M . ; M . J . Sullivan . P . M . ; G . T . Green , P . M . ; C . Day , VV . M . ' 20 ; A . H . Nutt , VV . M . 1 S 4 ; T . H . Smith , VV . M . 10 S 9 ; G . Kenneday , VV . M . i . SiG ; J . Parkes , VV . M . 19 G 0 ; J . F . Lewis , P . M . 20 ; S .

Varrcn , P . M . 184 ; E . J . Penney , P . M . 10 S 9 ; C W . Moore , P . M . 358 ; H . Black , P . M . 176 3 ; R . J . E . Brown , VV . M . elect : H . Sole , R . H . Plattin , VV . S . Chambre , J . Black , V . H . Stallon , J . H . Lee , J . Auty , J . H . McLachlan , J . Bridges , T . Bridges , J . Hooker , J . J . Coleman , and several others . The VV . M . elect , Bro . R . J . E . Brown , having been

presented to the Installing Master , Bro . A . Spears , he was dul y placed in the chair of K . S . with the usual ceremonies , and then appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . C . W . Moore , S . W . ; H . Sole , J . W . ; J . Bagshaw , P . M ., Treas . ; R . Derry , P . M ., Sec . ; P . H . Plattin , S . D . ; VV . S . Chambre , J . D . ; T . Firminger , P . M ., D . C ; J . B . West , Org . ; J . Auty , I . G . ; A . S .

UasKett , Stwd . ; and ) . Akhurst , lyler . the various charges were then delivered by Bro . R . Derry , and the ceremony brought to a conclusion . The retiring Master , Bro . E . Stutel y , was presented with a handsome Past Master's jewel . Bro . J . Bagshaw was unanimously re-elected lodge representative on the Provincial Charity Committee for the ensuing year . Votes of thanks having been passed

to the Installing Masters and the Local Board of Health for granting the use of the room , the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the Assembly Room , Victoria Buildings , where they partook of an excellent banquet . The tables were elegantly arranged with tropical plants and a profusion of beautiful exotic bouquets , and the walls of the room were tastefully decorated with a large

quantity of bunting , relieved with various artistic allegorical and mystical designs and emblems , under the superintendence of Bros . Lieut . W . S . Chambre , R . N ., R . H . Plattin , and H . Sole . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured . Bro . W . T . Carpenter proposed the toast of " The Prov . Grand Master , Lord Holmesdale . " His lordship was always to the front in promoting the best interests of the

Order , and through his agency it was that the province of Kent held its present proud position in the Craft . In response to the toast of " The Prov . Grand Officers , " Bro . J . R . Brett , G . Supt . of Wks ., replied in a few well chosen remarks . Bro . Stutely , I . P . M ., at some length proposed "The

Health of the W . M ., " and said he felt sure that the manner in which Bro . Brown had always carried out the duties of the other offices in the lodge , and also the way in which he had that day commenced as W . M ., augured well for the successful working of the lodge during his Mastership , and he felt assured that Bro . Brown would fill the position in which he had that day been placed with credit to himself and honour to the lodge .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bro . Brown in acknowledging the toast expressed the gratification that he felt upon being installed into the chair of "Old Adam's , " and his constant aim would be to discharge the duties of the important office in such a manner as to merit the approbation of the brethren , and increase the prosperity of the lodge . The Worshipful Master in giving "The Installing

Master" alluded to the many years that Bro . A . Spears had taken an active part in the working of the lodge . Bro . A . Spears having suitably replied , "The Past Masters " were next toasted . Bro . T . ' Firminger in proposing "The Visitors , " expressed the pleasure it gave the members of the lodge in seeing so many present , and he coupled the names of Bros .

VV . J . Blakey , P . M . and P . P . G . D . C . andH . Black , P . M ., with the toast . Bro . Blakey responded . " The Masonic Charities " was given by Bro . J . P . Watts , and responded to by Bro . J . Bagshaw , whogavesome very interesting statistics respecting the various charities , together with a graphic description of the working of the Provincial Charity Committee . " The Officers of the Lodge " having been duly toasted

and acknowledged by Bro . C . VV . Moore , S . W ., the proceedings terminated with the Tyler ' s toast . Too much praise cannot be assigned to Bro . T . Firminger , D . C , for the excellent manner in which he discharged his duties , both in the lodge and at the banquet . The musical arrangements were under the able guidance of Bro . J . B . West , Org ., and some capital songs were rendered by Bros . Green , Black , Butler , Lee , and Purdey .

LIVERPOOL . — Liverpool Dramatic Lodge ( No . 1 G 09 ) . —The members of this lodge assembled for the transaction of business at the Masonic Hall , Hope-st ., on Tuesday afternoon , the 25 th ult ., when there was a very numerous attendance of the fraternity , a large proportion hailing from other lodges . The lodge was opened by Bro . J . L . Shrapnell , VV . M ., and he was officially supported by

Bros . VV . Savage , l . P . M . ; W . W . Sandbrook , P . M ., M . C . ; R . Burgess , S . W . ; J . M . Boyd , J . W . ; J . B . Mackenzie , P . M ., P . G . S . D ., Treas . ; Josef Cantor , Sec . ; O . VV . Sanderson , S . D . ; J . Orr Marples , I . G . ; J . J . Monk , Org . ; H . Round , S . S . ; C Buchanan , J . S . ; E . H . Allen , O . S . ; and W . H . Ball , Tyler . The members present included Bros . D . Fleming , E . Graham , Tudor Rogers , T . H . Wilde , J . H . Light , I . Knott . J . G . Spiers ,

Ben Brown , C . Callaghan , Brown , Newland , Wallace , Fred Cairns , J . F . Ainscow , I . Jacobs , Jos . Fineberg , Harris Fineberg , VV . Briscoll , C A . Gianocopulo , J , Bramham , C Mawson , J . M . Macpherson , J . B . Macpherson , A . Hines , L . Hughes , E . Brammall , T . O . Pughe , R . M . Anderson , J . Rawsthorne , W . Coates , J . S . Bramley , B . Hughes , J . Cobham , P . M . 241 and 13 S 0 ; G . VV . Harris , F . 1 . Stimson , Owen Dacroy , and P . Buck .

Mr . Andrew Mein and the Rev . M . J . Birks were unanimously elected , and subsequently duly initiated , and Bros . Brown , Newland , and Wallace , and Bro . Wilde were passed to the second degree . The brethren banqueted at the close of business , and a choice musical programme was afterwards furnished b y Bros . C . A . Gianocopulo , J . B . Macpherson , Fred . Cairns , W . Savage , Wallace , Ben Brown , Dacroy , and Burgess , the accompaniments being played by Bro . Cantor . ———

BOLTON . —St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 1723 ) . — The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 26 th ult ., at the Commercial Hotel , Town Hallsquare , when there were present Bros . Robert Latham , VV . M . ; W . Court , l . P . M . ; John Barrett , S . W . ; E . E . Harwood , J . W . 5 G . Ferguson , Treas . ; N . Nicholson , Sec ; A . Cosgrave , S . D , ; T . B . Tong , J . D . ; I . W .

Taylor , D . or C . ; T . E . Smith , Org . ; VV . E . Bardsley , I . G . 5 J . VV . Roiley , Tyler ; G . P . Tlrockbank , P . M ., G . Stwd . Scotland ; Thomas Morris , P . M . ; J . Richardson , P . M . ; Higson , P . M . ; J . Heywood , P . M . ; Job H . Grecnhalgh , P . M . ; Collins , Whcwell , Fogg , Morris , Bolton , Kershaw , Hawksworth , Parkinson , Nayior , Forbes , Pendlcbury , Goulborn , Dcrham , and Owden .

The minutes of the preceding meeting having been confirmed , Bro . William Broughton , 221 , was balloted for as a joining member , and unanimousl y elected . It being the customary period for election of W . M ., Bro . Barrett , S . W ., rose and in graceful terms expressed his wish that the brethren would not consider him in any way in making a choice of a Master for the ensuing year , and suggested that the

Junior Warden , Bro . E . G . Harwood , who was now fulfilling his second year of office as ; Mayor of Bolton , should be elected by the brethren to preside over them . Bro . Harwood was the first initiate who had qualified for election as W . M . in the lodge since its formation , and from his popularity in the borough and his earnest and thoroughgoing character as a working member of the lodge , he

considered his appointment would be a compliment fitting to his municipal office , and a reward for his zeal as a Mason . The junior Warden in expressing his high appreciation of the favour proposed to be conferred upon him , disclaimed any wish to be unduly promoted at the expense of a worthy Mason and elder brother , as , having worked his way from the door of the lodge to his present position ,

personally he would greatly have preferred to continue in the usual course , so as to have the gratification of saying hereafter that he had filled every ordinary office — from a Steward to a Mastership—in his mother lodge ; but , yielding to the strongly expressed views of the S . VV ., to whose kindly , courteous , and fraternal conduct , he paid an earnest and graceful acknowledgment , supplemented as it

was by the solicitations of the brethren , he would , if unanimousl y elected , accept the position , and discharge its duties in such a manner as he hoped would give every brother satisfaction , and leave no cause to regret the confidence reposed in him . The ballot proved unanimous in favour of Bro . Harwood . Bro . George Ferguson , P . P . G . S . of W ., was unanimously elected Treasurer . Bros . J . Collins and J . Hawksworth were

appointed Auditors of the Treasurer ' s accounts for the past year . The thanks of the brethren were voted to the VV . M ., Bro . Lathom , for the able , efficient , and courteous manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office for the past year , and a Past Master ' s jewel was awarded to him , to be presented on the occasion of the installation of tiro

his successor , ine a . w ., , uarrett , was highly comp limented for the prompt and spontaneous manner in which he first suggested the propriety of offering to waive his claim to the chair in favour of the Mayor , and by his kindly pressing the matter , and succeeding in removingany objections in acceding to his wishes . Lodge was closed in eace and harmony .