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, anxious to display the foibles and weaknesses of 3 | h rs . This he maintained was real charity—not to lose " - > ht of the actual practical " giving , " but to look to f . , r aims and to work out thereat meaning of the word " charity" in > ts highest sense . Bro . C . G . Padel , S . W . 6 l j t proposed "The Visiting Brethren , " congratulating t ' l e rnt rnbcrs ° ^ tne ' 'S "P ™ constant numbers of

isitors whom they had the pleasure of so frequently entertaining' Bro - G - C- IJaskett ' S-W . 236 , and Bro . Hanly , S W . 205 i responded . The W . M . proposed " The Wardens nil Officers of the Lodge , " to which the Wardens responded . Bro Rowland , P . M ., proposed " Thc Masonic Charities " . happy tcrms i to which the W . M . responded . Bro . Rowland took occasion to state the large amount this very

voung lodge had already given in the way of sending up stewards with good lists , and rejoiced to know that a continuance in well doing was contemplated . Bro . T . D . Smith , J . D'i proposed "The Ladies , " and Bros . M . Varvill and A . T . B . Turner responded . The Tyler ' s toast then brought a very happy evening to a conclusion . The toast list was well worthy of notice as a work of lithographic art . selected from the

It bore a scries of appropriate mottos , ancient charges and regulations , and on the first page was a p hotograph of an ancient Masonic flagon , the property of the Eboracum Lodge , the original occupying a prominent position in front of the W . M ., and being used as a loving cup in the course of the banquet . Some capital songs varied the proceedings , contributed by Bros . Blagbro ,

Wilkinson , Dodd , Cheeseman , and Flint , Bro . G . H . Simpson , Organist , effectively presiding at the pianoforte . On Monday la-: t there was a large attendance of members of this lodge , when the W . M ., Bro . J . S . Cumberland , presided ; there were also present Bros . T . B . Whytehead , I . P . M . ; C . G . Padel , S . W . ; J . T . Seller , J . W . ; G . Balenford , P . M . Treas . ; J . Kay , Sec . ; T . Humphiics , Asst . Sec . ;

M . Millington , S . D . ; T . D . Smith , J . D . ; A . T . B . Turner , Asst . M . C ; J . Blenkin , I . G . ; Wm . Hill , Steward , and many other members . A successful ballot was taken for a candidate , and the lodge having been opened in the Third Degree , Bro . W . J . Girling was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason . The lodge having been lowered again , Bro . T . B . Whytehead presented to the lodge

a copy of the beautifully prepared memorial volume of the grand banquet given at Freemasons' Hall , by Bro . Geo . Kenning , to the American Pilgrims in July , and also a copy of Mackey ' s Lexicon of Freemasonry . He also said that he should like to suggest the formation , in connection with thc lodge , of a Masonic Literary and Archaeological Society . Such an association had been worked very successfully in

Thirsk by some of the members of the Falcon Lodge , who were fortunate in having as their Organist Bro . J . T . Wilkinson , the W . M . elect , at whose installation on Thursday , he ( Bro . Whytehead ) hoped to be present . But although they had no such able brother to lead them , he still thought that great good would result from the formation of an association . In York itself there was ample material

for a society of that kind to work upon for many a pleasant day in the fine weather . The W . M . highly approved of the suggestion , and thought that the movement would tend to the formation nf an additional pleasing bond of union between the members . Several other members

expressed approval , and a Committee was appointed to carry out the idea . The W . M . made a few remarks as to the importance of accuracy in working , and said he purposed calling a lodge of instruction together shortly . The Eboracum Lodge had already attained a celebrity for good work , and he hoped that good reputation would be maintained .

HAMPTON -WICK . —Wolsey Lodge ( No . 16 5 6 ) . —This prosperous provincial lodge held its regular meeting on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., when there were present a very considerable number of the brethren , amongst whom were Bros . S . W . Hammond , P . P . G . D . of Middlesex , & c , W . M . ; Bond , P . P . G . D . C . of Surrey , S . W . ; the Rev . F . J . C . de Crespigny P . P . G . C . of Middlesex , Chaplain , and

J . W . ; J . Hammond , P . G . S . of Middlesex , Hon . I . P . M . ; Baldwin , P . P . G . O . of Middlesex , Hon . P . M . ; Ockenden , Secretary ; Honeywell , Hon . Organist ; J . Hurst , J . D . ; T . Walls , P . P . G . O . of Middlesex , I . G . ; Gilbert , Prov . G . Tyler of Middlesex , Tyler . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Dtummond , was passed as a F . C , and Bros . Handel and Bonell , raised

to the degree of M . M . 1 he ceremonies were performed by the W . M . with his usual ability . The names of three candidates were on the agenda for initiation , but through unavoidable circumslances they were all prevented from attending . A notice of motion by Bro . Walls as to the advisability of altering the day of mi cling from the first to the second Monday was adjourned until the next regular meeting .

Bro . Ockenden was unanimously appointed as Steward , to represent the lodge at the next festival in connection with the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and the sum of ten guineas from the lodge funds will head his list . Several minor matters having been satisfactorily disposed of the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent collation . Thc visitors were Bros . Davey and

Chilcott , both of 1512 . Upon the removal of the cloth , the W . M . gave briefly , but most pertinently , the royal and Craft toasts which were duly honoured . Bro . Walls having responded on behalf of "The Provincial Grand Officers , " Brj . Baldwin in a few well chosen sentences proposed the health of " The W . M . " The W . M ., having briefly replied , gave in very happy terms " The Visitors , " which was

acknowledged in a humourous speech by Bro . Chilcoti . In giving "The Officers" the W . M . specially alluded to the services of Pro . T . W . Ocken . len , the Secretary , and F . Honeywell thc honorary Organist . The proceedings throughout were most eminently successful , and the brethren adjourned ut . til the first Monday in February next , highly pleased with the instruction and pleasing entertainment that had been provided for them .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

LIVERPOOL . —Kirkdale Lodge ( No . 17 . 156 ) —The members of this , the youngest lodge in the province of West Lancashire , consecrated on thc 8 th ult . with so much promise of a successful existence , fairly got to work on the evening of their day of meeting , the fourth Wednesday in the month , at the Skelmersdale Masonic Hall , Westminster-road , Kirkdale , Liverpool , where there was a

good muster of Masons , embracing several prominent visitors as well as members . The lodge was opened in ample form by Bro . Edward Johnston , the W . M ., who was supported and assisted by the following officers : —Bros . Charles Bromley , P . M . ; R . E . Milton , Treasurer ; William Gick , S . W , ; Hugh Ferguson , J . W . ; James Grierson , Secretary ; Charles Bargery , S . D . ; T . Hay , J . D . ; Henrv

Alexander , I . G . ; W . S . West , Henry Marshall , and Geo . Marsden , Stewards ; and Williamson , Tyler . The minutes of the consecration meeting , as well as those which had been held in connection with the formation of the lodge , were read and unanimously confirmed . After this part of the work had been concluded , twenty-eight brethren were elected , nem . con ., as joining members , and eight

candidates , unanimously elected as a result of the ballot , being all in attendance , were initiated into Freemasonry , a special dispensation having been obtained for this large number from Bro . the Rt . Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Dep . G . M . of Eng ., R . W . P . G . M . of West Lancashire . The ceremony of initiation was most ably and admirably performed by Bro . E . Johnston " , W . M ., who is well-known for his Masonic

zeal and ability , the assistant officers and Deacons alsc showing great proficiency in their several spheres . The byelaws of the lodge were afterwards considered and adopted , subject to the approval of the P . G . M ., and three new joining members were duly proposed during the evening . In reply to the W . M ., Bro . R . Milton , the Treasurer , stated that he was not at that moment in a position to give a list

of all the donations to the lodge , but he ( Bro . Milton ) was exceedingly proud to be able to say that , notwithstanding the great expense which had been incurred in connection with the consecration of the lodge , they were even , at that early period in their history , entirely free from debt . After this most gratifying and eminently creditable announcement , the lodge was closed in peace , and the members and

visitors adjourned , for refreshments , to the banquetingroom , where harmony prevailed to the greatest extent . The new lodge has thus had a most auspicious beginning , and there is no doubt it will fully maintain the high character which is possessed by so many Masonic bodies of a similar kind in Liverpool and throughout the extensive province of West Lancashire .

INSTRUCTION . UNION WATERLOO LODGE ( No . 13 ) . — The annual banquet of thc above prosperous lodge took place on Friday evening , the Oth inst ., at the Lord Raglan , Burrage-road , Plumstead , some sixty-five brethren assembling round the hospitable and elegantly served board . Bro . G . Davis , P . M . 1 J , one of the Preceptors , filled the

chair , supported by Bros . Macdonald , P . M ., and co-Preceptor with Bro . Davis ; Bros . Hutton , S . W . 13 ; N . Brown , J . W . n ; H . Syer , Sec . 13 ; G . Deans , I . G . 13 ; W . Lloyd , S . W . 913 ; H . Wetherilt , * P . M . i 66 ( I . C . ) ; R . Hodgkisson , P . M . 13 ; G . Beaver , I . G . 700 ; C . Jolly , 913 { Freemason ); and others . The following lodges were well represented : Union Waterloo , Pattison , United Military , Nelson , and

Henley . Bro . Rowley , 16 3 6 , was placed in the East , and Bro . T . Hassell in the Soutti . The W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . He then rose to give thit which he called the toast of the evening , " Success and Prosperity to the Union Lodge of Instruction , " and said that during the four years of its existence , it had been the means of teaching Masonry in its fullest sense to a great

many old Masons , who thought they knew all about it , and to a number of young Masons , who heard there , in the Lectures and Sections , what they , perhaps , might never hear in their regular lodges , and many of them could do the work in a manner that was highly creditable both to themselves and the lodge . He felt that a great good must arise , from a perfect

knowledge , not only of the ritual , that was to say , the simple text of it , but thc meaning of it as well . In their Lodge of Instruction the whole of the beautiful symbolism of the Craft was illustrated , and made plain to them , so that they could not only see thc working of a lodge carried out , but could understand what they heard and saw , and that he considered to be the best foundation for all Masonic

knowledge , truth , and fidelity . During the last year there had been 549 attendances , at forty-eight meetings , giving an average of a little over twelve at each meeting . That , he thought , was something to congratulate themselves upon . Then they were in a sound financial position , and had qualified the lodge as a Life Governor to the Masonic Benevolent Institution , and he hoped some

day to have to announce that the lodge was a Life Governor of all the Masonic Charitable Institutions . He hoped those brethren present who were not members , and had not seen the working of the lodge , would soon join it , as he felt sure they would never regret the step they had taken . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Macdonald , their first and most respected Preceptor . Bro . Macdonald , in

response , thanked them for the honour done him , and rejoiced with them in the prosperity of the lodge . He regretted , however , that his health had not permitted of his attending their meetings so often , during the past year , as he should have liked to have done , on account of a serious illness that had overtaken him , and the effects of whicn he felt for some time afteiwards , and he was afraid

that he could not promise them too much in the coming year , as he had removed from Peckhim to Brixton , and they could readily appreciate the difficulties of travelling from there to Woolwich and back . However , they might depend upon him for any important event , such , for instance , as a gathering like the present , where the Fourth Degree had been so admirably worked by

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

them all . He was pleased to see so many new faces present , and to hear from their W . M . how prosperously thc lodge was going on . He considered that it ought even to do better , for Woolwich was a veritable hotbed of Freemasonry . At his lodge , the night previous , the Star Lodge of Instruction , he was able to announce an average attendance for the last year of 2 i £ , and a very old Mason

told htm that that was a great average for a London lodge . He was pleased to see so good an attendance that night , and felt sure that under the able guidance of their good Preceptor , Bro . Davis , they would go ^ n and prosper . All they wanted was a little more money , and a little more attendance , and then they would take their proper position among the lodges of instruction of the metropolis . Bro .

Macdonald concluded by proposing " The Health of their W . M ., Bro . Davis , " and soon after left the room amid honours . Bro . Davis returned thanks , and assured them of his intention to carry out his duties in the future as in the past . " The Visitors " were then toasted , and the toast acknowledged . Bro . Cleal , theSecretary for the ensuing year , was then complimented , and Bro . Hassell foi his efforts in the past . A warm reception of Bro . Serjeant-Major

Rowley ' s nime , of the United Military Lodge , followed the mention of it , as their S . W . that night , and for the services rendered by him in the lodge , and that brother briefly returned thanks . * ' The Masonic Press " was coupled with the name of our representative , who returned thanks , and after Bro . Tucker had been complimented upon his efforts for the comfort of the brethren , a verse of " God Save the Queen " concluded a pleasant evening .

WANDSWORTH LODGE ( No . 1044 ) . —A meeting of this lodge of instruction was held at the Spread Eagle Hotel , Wandsworth , on Wednesday , the nth inst ., when Bro . F . Reed , presided as W . M . ; Bro . J . Frost , as S . W . ; and Bro . J . J . Holland as J . W . There was only a small attendance of brethren , many of them being present at a committee formed for the purpose of giving a gratuitous dinner to 200 poor women and children on Christmas Day .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

St . J AMES'S CHAPTER ( No . 2)—This , the first English Chapter , held its first meeting of the season on Monday week last . It was well attended , and some very excellent work was gone through by its M . E . Z ., Erasmus Wilson , assisted by his officers E . Comps . Brodie and Middleton , and P . S . Comp . Letchworth . Among the

companions present we noticed Comps . Lt .-Col . Stuart , Creaton , Stephen Pearce , Wood , Woodford , Whipcord , Gover , Captain Davis , Hewett , Romieu , Rivington , and Muggeridge . Some routine business having been disposed of , the meeting adjourned to the social circle , when a most enjoyable evening was passed . The companions separated at an early hour .

DOMATIC CHAPTER ( No . 177 ) . —This old and prosperous chapter held its last convocation at Anderton's Hotel on the 28 th ult . There were present , amongst other companions , Comps . J . Weaver , M . E . Z . ; Hill , H . ; T . Adams , P . Z ., Acting J . ; Bolton , P . Z . ; Cubitt , P . Z . ; Payne , P . Z . ; Cottebrune , P . Z ., S . E . ; Lawrence , S . N . ; Harrison , P . S . ; Briggs , 1 st . Asst . ; G . Everett , Ambrose ,

Bolton , Fountain , rord , and others . 1 he visitors were Comps . T . C Walls , P . G . O . of Middlesex ( Freemason ) ; and Collier , S . N . 749 . Thc minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bro . J . Jones , 177 , and having been declared unanimous , he was duly exalted to the Sublime Degree of the Royal Arch . The ceremony was performed with that attention to detail and correctness of ritual which has

always characterised the " working" of this chapter . Upon the motion of Comp . Cubitt , P . Z ., which was duly seconded , and carried with acclamation , the sum of five pounds was voted to the fund for the proposed Wentworth Little Memorial , which good object , however , is not progressing so rapidly as many of the admirers and friends of the late deservedly popular Mason could wish . The

Chapter having been closed , the companions adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth , the M . E . Z . vacated his seat in favour of Comp . Cottebrune , who ably presided during the remainder of the proceedings . The long , but necessary , array of formal toasts having been briefly proposed and responded to , ' Thc Health of the Exaltee " was warmly given by the acting First

Principal , in which he congratulated Comp . Jones upon having entered the mysterious portals of the Royal Arch Degree , and from the profound attention which he had manifested throughout the ceremonial he ( the acting First Principal ) believed that this new step in Masonry had created an impression which he hoped would never be effaced from his memory . This toast having been warmly received , Comp .

Jones , in reply , briefly said that he esteemed it a very great honour in having been exalted in the chapter attached to his mother lodge , and he hoped that he should always continue to be thought worthy of the great honour that they bad accorded him , by exalting him to this ancient and most interesting degree . " The Visitors " followed , and was duly acknowledged by Comps . Collier and Walls .

" The Second and Third Principals " came next , and was replied to by Comp . Hill , in the absence of his colleague . In giving "The Past Principals , " the acting M . E . Z . warmly eulogised the great services rendered by those distinguished companions , some of whom held very high

positions in the Royal Arch Degree . He felt sorry that several of the oldest Past Principals were absent , but as some of them were advanced in years , it was not to be expected that they could be present on all occasions . This toast having been received with excellent " fire , " Comp . Cubitt responded . " The Treasurer and Scribe E ., " and