Craft Masonry.

The Worshipful Master gave " The Visitors . He said they were alway welcome and the lodge was honoured with their presence . He associated with the toast the names of Bros . Mayo , W . M ., Marcus , and Whitehead , P . M . Bro . Mayo responded . He stated that he was pleased to be present at such a splendid gathering . The VV . M . was perfect and if the members followed in his footsteps they would become masters of the art of the ritual . The visitors had been entertained in a most lavish manner .

Bro . Whitehead , P . M ., said that it was his first visit to the lodge and he certainly hoped that it would not be his last . He congratulated the brethren on having such an excellent Master and the way he had invested his officers showed that he was able to carry out his duties . He felt he must refer to the Installing Master , Bro . Brander , who had performed the ceremony that evening in a very effective manner , and he thought they were all impressed with his good working . Suitable responses were also made by Bros . Marcus , T . Richards , Schwaz , Betherby , Doig , Bertha , Marks , and Wyatt .

The next toast was " The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary , " the Worshipful Master stating that the lodge had only a few Past Masters , but they were such as would carry the lodge through any difficulties , and in coupling the names of the Treasurer and Secretary with the toast , he made special mention of their great services . Bro . C . M . Brander , P . M ., Treas ., responded . He appreciated the kind remarks of the W . M . If anything lay in his power he would do it for the benefit of the lodge which had made great progress in the last three years . The lodge had been successful in giving to the Charities , which were never forgotten by the members .

Bro . W . C . Smith , P . M ., Sec , also replied . He was honoured by having been again appointed Secretary . He felt that the members had every confidence in him , and with that knowledge he would do in the future as in the past . The lodge now held a dignified position , and the members were responsible for t hat great reputation . He mentioned the large increase in the subscriptions they had received the last two or three years . The Treasurer had a big balance in hand , and the Benevolent Fund had £ 400

standing to its credit , and with such figures the lodge must prosper . Might he venture to say that he thought that he and the Treasurer were just a little responsible for the great success of the lodge . He referred to the proposed ball , and hoped that all the members would bring their ladies . The I . P . M ., Bro . Fonseca , was the Hon . Sec . of the ball . The members respected him , and he trusted they would mike it a success , and by so doing they would confirm the esteem they had for him , Bro . Fonseca .

The W . M . gave "The Officers , " stating that he thought the members would agree with him that those he had appointed were of the very best , and would render him every assistance . In referring to the Organist , Bro . Chaffer , he said they were very much indebted to him for the grand vocal entertainment they had had that evening . The toast was acknowledged in some good speeches from Bros . Martell , S . W . ; Taylor , J . W . ; Rutherford , I . G . j Horner , D . C . ; Burton , Stwd . ; Chaffer , Org . ; and Beach . A « st . Sec .

The W . M . proposed " The Masonic Press , coupled with the name of our representative , Bro . R . T . West , who responded . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a highly satisfactory and happy meeting , fot which the W . M . is to be congratulated . The musical entertainment was of superior quality , in which the following took part : Bros . J . Bartlett , A . Appleby , W . Bradford , H . Schartau , and Harry Verto , but a word of praise is due to the last-named for his great efforts . Bro . Chaffer , Org ., was Musical Director , and he gave every satisfaction .

The portrait of Bio . A . H . Marks , the W . M ., appears in our Pcrtrait Gallery of this issue .

United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 2128 . The attendance of brethren at the installation meeting of this important lodge , held at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln ' s Inn , W . C , on the 3 rd inst ., was a " best on record , " and in all other respects the meeting was a successful and enjoyable function . Trere was a tinge of sadness , however , in the fact that during the past year the lodge has lost four distinguished Past Masters , viz ., Bros . Tew , P . G . M . West Yorks ; Masters , P . G . Stwd . ; Bateman Fox ; and F . Wright . The Worshipful Master

elect , Bro . R . Davison , was installed in an able manner b y Bro . Porter Keats , the retiring Master , the ritual being interspersed with appropriate selections of music , rendered under the direction of Bro . Wood , Org . The brethren present included Bros . R . Porter Keates , W . M . ; R . Davison , S . W . ; VV . B . Hestall , ] . W . ; W . H . Bullock , P . M ., Sec . ; E . C R . Oxley , S . D . ; W . Porter , J . D . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . M ., D . G . S . B ., D . C ; F . B . Wood , Org . ; N . Haydon and T . VV . Chant , Stwds . ; Hy . Giller . P . M . ; C . R . Lee , P . M . ; H . Smith , P . G . D . ; and W . F . Smithson , P . G . D .

Visitors : Bros . J . Hall , P . P . J . G . W . ; G . Bullen , P . P . A . G . D . C ; J . Hassall , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . W . Braund , 72 ; T . Jesson , P . M . 779 ; W . Pearson , 1 G 9 ; B . Beasley , jun ., S . D . 373 j C Fox , VV . M . 90 ; T . D . Jones , 1373 ; G . Maunds , 1297 ; H . Beckett , W . M . 779 ; W . Hearnley , 242 S ; J . Turner , P . M . 779 ; J . W . Curtis , P . M . 733 ; L . J . Powter , I . P . M . 1228 ; S . S . Walker , 12 ; A . Sparks , 19 S 7 ; C . Lewis , W . M . 250 S ; W . D . Church , P . M . I 3 fis ; Trefelyn David , 1929 ; J . G . Wynn , P . S . G . W . Victoria ; G . S . Creswick , P . M . IS 93 J H . R . Williams ; J . M . McLeod , P . P . S . G . W .

Derby , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., 1512 ; C . R . Spall , P . M . 802 ; C VV . R . Hayden , 153 S ; C . Cope , J . VV . 2192 ; J . Holden , P . M . 1009 ; G . Lavington , P . M . Ss ?; C . A . Gompertz , P . M . 869 ; A . Caink , P . M . 1051 I ; L . H . Coles , VV . M . 1305 ; T . Powell , 2182 ; | . N . Stephens , I . P . M . 24 G 6 ; F . G . Knight , W . M . 142 ; F . B . Cameton , 1260 ; G . G . Howitt , 2127 ; H . Carter Pegg , 1909 ; S . Jennings , P . M . 142 ; C . A . Reeve , S 69 ; J . L . Jones , P . M . 14 G 0 ; A . Gooding , SGy ; and W . W . Lee , P . M . 1 S 97 . The lodge was formally opened and the minutes confirmed . The principal business

of the evening was proceeded with , and Bro . R . Davison was duly installed as VV . M ., Bro . J . S . Cumberland , D . G . S . B ., acting as D . C . The following oflicers were appointed , and with the exception of one or two absentees , were invested : Bros . Wm . B , Hextall , P . M ., P . P . G . W . Derbyshire , S . W . ; E . C Rice Oxley , J . W . ; C R . Lee , P . M ., Treas , ; W . H . Bullock , P . M .. Sec ; W . R . PoVter , M . D ., S . D . j V . H . Wyatt Wingrave , M . D ., J . D . ; Geo . J . Wood , P . M ., P . P . G . P . Derbyshire , B . C .: W . Nicholson Haydon , I . G . ; F . B . Wood , F . C . O ., Organist ; T .

Whitemore Chant , T . Moysey , andC . J . Weller , Stwds . ; and H . Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . The usual addresses were delivered b y the I . P . M ., Bro . Lee , P . M ., Treas ., and Bro . J . S . Cumberland , P . M . Notices of motion were given by Bro . Cumberland , P . M ., to contribute loguineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and by the Secretary to contribute five guineas to the Henry Smith Testimonial Fund . The W . M . presented a handsome Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . Porter Keats , I . P . M ., which was appropriately acknowledged . Communications conveying fraternal greetings were announced from

tiros . Whitehead ( York ) , Taylor , Prov , G . Sec . Worcester , and W . J . Hughan . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . The customary toasts were subsequently honoured . Bro . J . S . Cumberland , D . G . S . B ., replying for "The Grand Officers , " said he esteemed it a compliment to do so . Having referred to the Pro G . M . and Deputy G . M ., lie said the general body of Grand Officers were immensely wise , and were selected for their wisdom . Some of their duties were very easy , and were almost a sinecure . They

supposed they were selected for eminent abilities , and that might be , or might not be , the case . The Grand Officers could rely upon those to whom they looked for guidance and advice , and the jurisprudence of Freemasonry . He need only mention Bros . Fenn , Loveland , Grey , Philbrick , Letchworth , and Richardson , to all of whom the Craft was "idebted for the work they were doing . He congratulated the W . M . on attaining the ehair of their lodge , which was endeavouring to carry out the tenets and principles of freemasonry . Bullock proposed "The ProvGrand Masters of the DunoiK 1 i ijiopoaeu i t iw ji- daicra ut tne

Bro . VV . H . . P . M .. Sec . . oro . w . n . , . n ., JCC , ^ u « - . u . auu ' Northern Counties , " and said they were all closely identified with the lodge . The Pro Grand Master was a member ol it , and took a deep interest in it . Bro . W , L . Jackson , " rov . Grand Master West Yorkshire , was a subscribing member , and they had hoped to see him present that evening . The Earl of Zetland , Prov . Grand Master North and East Yorkshire , was also a subscribing member , and presented the lodge with a

handsome box of tools . Bro . H . Smith , P . G . D ., in reply , said he could only say how deeply grateful the rov . Grand Masters would have been had they been present . He regretted the absence Sf his own Prov . Grand Master , who some time ago charmed them with his remarks . r he Earl of Zetland was a good man of business , and always made himself agreeable Jnd pleasant . On their behalf he returned thanks for the reception accorded the toast . Bro , Porter Keats , I . P . M ., then gave "The Worshipful Master , " and said it was a Measure as well as a duty to propose the toast . Many of the brethren had seen Bro .

Craft Masonry.

Davison work his way up through all the offices of the lodge in a most satisfactory manner , and the way he bad started on the final round would re / lect credit on himself and the lodge . They understood that Bro . Davison had the work at his fingers' ends , and they might congratulate themselves in having a W . M . who would keep up the prestige of the lodge in the highest possible manner . Bro . R . Davison , W . M ., in response , said that , having asked that the speeches should be brief , he would not be the first ; to break the rule . He could promise them that the work of the lodge should have all his care and attention , and hoped that at the end of his vear he should retain the confidence of the brethren .

Bro . J . S . Cumberland , D . G . S . B ., proposed "The Installing Master and Past Masters , " and said the brethren nominated him as the first Master of the lodge , and that was an honour he should never forget as long as he lived . The Installing Master , Bro . Porter Keats , I . P . M ., had done credit to himself and justice to the lodge . He had the pleasure of initiating the I . P . M . into Freemasonry , and had also derived pleasure from seeing him go through the office of Master with advantage to the lodge . They all of that

were opinion he had done his duty , and deserved well of them . He was pleased to find that all the Masters retiring from the chair installed their successors , for it was their bounden duty to do . He did not believe in a lodge that had a perpetual Installing Master . The Past Masters would do all they could to assist the younger members in their endeavours to perfect themselves in the ritual . He was proud to think that the younger members whom he had introduced to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement had amply repaid him for it .

Bro . Porter Keats , I . P . M ., assured the brethren of his great interest in the lodge , and said he should feel proud to wear the Past Master ' s jewel . Although his year had been a very happy one , it had been tempered with a great deal of sorrow . In the early part of the year they lost several men of high position in the lodge and the Craft . During his term of office more new members joined than in any corresponding period , and those he felt sure would reflect honour on their choice . He thanked the brethren for the hearty way in which they had received the toast , proposed in such kind words by a brother who was his father in Freemasonry . "The Masonic Charities" was next given by Bro . VV . Bullock , P . M ., Sec .

Bro . J . M . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . B ., in response , said that in connection with their provinces were many organisations doing good work in supporting the aged and the orphans , and it would be beyond his task to sum up the total of Masonic Charity . They had the three great organisations—the Girls' School , in its loSth year ; the Boys ' , in its gSthyear ; and the Benevolent Institution , in its 54 th year—dispensing assistance to those deeply requiring it . This lodge had well maintained the great traditions by subscribing largely to the Institutions . They were each working beyond their financial

power and had to appeal to the voluntary aid of the brethren for the necessary means to carry on the work . Particularly did this apply to the Boys'School , and he thanked the brethren fcr their liberal support in enabling them to increase the invested capital , although it was sti'I the poorest of the three Institutions . He had special reasons to plead to them that night . The next festival would be presided over by one of the grandest men in the Craft , and that lodge would not be lacking in its support vih' . n the Prov . G . Master of Derbyshire—the Duke of Devonshire—presided . The S . W . was a P . P .

S . G . W . of that province and there were many members connected with that province . A little bird had whispered to him that the W . M . would support the Boys ' School and the brethren would assist him when he found it necessary to appeal to them . They were zealously helped on the Board of Management by the late Bro . Masters , and a nobler worker in Masonic Charity they never had . He was glad to find the S . I ) , was the medical officer of the Institution to whom they owed , in a great measure , the

immunity from serious illness which prevailed in the neighbourhood . Bro . Hextall , P . P . S . G . W ., S . W .. in an able speech proposed " The Visitors . " He offered them a cordial welcome and said the members could not ignore the fact that the attendance of visitors brought an accession to their numbers . He had great pleasure in coupling with theloast the names of two Provincial Grand Oflicers from his own Province of Derbyshire , and there were also a large number of brethren from the Province of Leicestershire .

Bros . Hassall , P . P . S . G . W . ; Hall , P . P . J . G . W . ; Jesson , P . M . 779 ; and Bullen , P . P . A . G . D . C . replied to the toast . " The Officers " was given , after which the Tyler ' s toast concluded a very enjoyable evening . Bro . Wood , Org ., was assisted in the musical arrangements by Bros . Powell , Trefelyn David , F . Stephens , and others .

Cordwainer Ward Lodge , No . 2241 . A meeting of this lodge was held at the Cannon-street Hotel on the 20 th ult . Bro , C . J . Wilkinson-Pimbury , W . M ., presided , and wasassisted by his officers , Bros . Mason and Sjper , Wardens ; Bro . H . j . Adams , P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; and Bro . II . Lovegrove , Sec Messrs . A . T . Walmisley , R . E . Ferry , R . A . Lowe , and C . Johnson , having been proposed at the previous meeting , were elected and initiated .

A banquet followed , the musical arrangements being under the direction of Bro . Dr Haskins , whose daughter and Miss Hermione Hamilton gave some excellent som » s .

Acacia Lodge , No . 2321 , The first regular meeting of this lodge , under the presidency of the recently , installed W . M ., took place on Thursday the 7 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Rawsonsquare , Bradford ; there was a fairly good attendance . Bro . Samuel Robinson , W . M ., being supported by Bros . C . H . Ellis , I . P . M . ; J . B . Fearnley , S . VV . ; R . S . Hird , J . VV . ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Last , P . M ., Sec . ; Alfred Stephenson ,

P . M ., Prov . S . G . D ., D . C . ; John Niven , P . M . ; John Mortonas , S . D . ; John Bland , J . D . ; John Harland , I . G . ; H . Holmes , Tyler ; T . VV . Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., Org . ; Wm . Docksey , Asst . Org . ; J . S . Hedley , Asst . Sec . ; Charles Wood , C J . Paul , J . S . Marsland , R . H . Markham , T . P . Sykes , and others . Visitors : Bros . John Akam , W . M . 1034 ; John Haley , P . M . 1034 ; A . Graham , Goo ; W . Foster , Goo ; and Thos . Walker , Got .

After the lodge had been opened the minutes ol the previous lodge were confirmed . Mr . Jas . R . l ' eate was initiated into the Craft by Bro . Niven , P . M ., the charge being ? iven by Bro . Fearnley , S . W ., and the working tools were explained by Bro . Hird , . VV . The Treasurer submitted his budget of estimated expenditure for the year , after which a sum was voted for lodge expenses for the ensuing year . The visitors having tendered " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed and the brethren dined together .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been duly honoured , "The Health of the Initiate " was proposed by Bro . Last , P . M ., Sec , who stated that from his previous acquaintance with Bro . Peate | he was satisfied that a member had that evening been admitted to the lodge who would reflect credit upon the Craft . Bro . Peate , the initiate , in responding , thanked the brethren for admitting him to membership of the lodge . He had long desired to be a Freemason , although it was only that his wish had taken

recently practical shape ; he had friends in all the lodges in the town , but he considered the special lines upon which Lodge Acacia was conducted were , so far as he could judge , more consonant with his own views ; he had previously held a high opinion of Freemasonry but the ceremony in the lodge had had the effect of raising his estimation of the Craft even still higher . He trusted that no action of his would ever reflect discredit either upon himself or the Craft , or that the brethren would ever have any cause whatever to regret having received him into the lodge .

In proposing the toast of " The Visitors , " the W . M . expressed the pleasure it gave him to entertain among the visitors two such comrades in arms as Bros . ) ohn Haley and John Akam of the Eccleshill Lodge—his mother lodge . He gave all the visitors a very cordial welcome .

Bro . John Akam , VV . M . 1034 , in responding , stated that he had been a frequent visitor to the lodge because he always enjoyed himself when he came , he bore his testimony to the very creditable manner the work in the lodge had been performed . Bros . Graham , Goo , and Walker , 603 , also responded . "The Worshipful Master " was proposed by Bro . Akam , W . M . 1034 , who stated that he had known Bro . Robinson as a former member of the Eccleshill Lodge for several years , and he was delighted to see him in the chair .

Bio . S . Robinson , W . M ., replied , and thanked the brethren for the cordial manner the toast had been received .

' The Health of Bro . C II . Ellis , I . P . M ., was proposed by Bro : S . A . Bailey P . M ., Treas ., and on behalf of the brethren he wished him God speed and a safe return regarding his contemplated visit to New Zealand .