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of proposing , "The Health of the W . M . " There were many around the table that evening who knew the W . M . much more intimately than he ( the speaker ) did , and who could speak of his good qualities outside the pale of Freemasonry . Unfortunately for him he knew him only as a Freemason . But iu that connection he could bear testimony to his honour , truth , his manliness of heart ,

his geniality of temper , and his skill in the Craft . ( Applause . ) Ever since Bio . Payne had come into the lodge in a state of darkness he had been a thorough Mason . He had gone through every ofiice with the greatest credit , and he ( the speaker ) thought thatfact alone spoke volumes for what the brethren ; mig ht expect of him in the chair . The toast having been heartily drunk Bro . Winn , who

was in excellent voice , delighted the company by singing the familiar song " Vanity let it be , " for which he was loudly encored . The W . M . in replying said when he was put into the chair of King Solomon that evening it was the most crucial point of his existence , but he thought it was equalled , if not excelled , by the position in which he was placed at that moment . To occupy the chair of King

Solomon by their suffrages , and those suffrages unanimous , was an event which he could not help thinking marked an epoch in his life . It showed him that his endeavours to do what was right and proper to gain their brotherly esteem had not been without its reward , and thankful and proud he was that he had been enabled to attain that very enviable position . But the acclamation with which the

brethren had received the toast of his health had rendered the task of responding an exceedingly embarrassing one , because he felt the obligations he had taken upon himself as their Master were of an exceedingly responsible nature . He could only say—and he thought it was the most grateful recognition of all thc kindness he had experienced at their hands , from the first moment that he entered the

lodge until the present occasion—that , God helping , him no effort of his would be wanting to fulfil his duties . He always held that whatever a man put his hand to that he should do with all his might ; and if he had felt that he could not occupy the position of presiding over them he would never have accepted it . ( Hear , hear . ) " The Visitors " having been proposed ancl drunk , the glee from

"Macbeth , " " When shall we three meet again ? " was admirably sung by Bros . Baxter , Carter , and Winn , after which Bros . Burnaby ; Burney , P . M . 1615 ; Peters , P . M . 1160 , J . G . W . Middlesex , and Letchworth , P . M . 1237 j replied in suitable terms . The W . M . next projiosed " The Past Masters , " in a few complimentary sentences , after which Bro . Baxter gave an

excellent rendering of " Norah , the Pride of Kildare . " In replying , Bro . Mount , I . P . M ., said he could not disguise the fact lhat he felt a little melancholy at the idea of passing away from the active work of the lodge—that the various offices he had filled should know him no more . But it was a satisfaction to feel that having passed through those offices , having finished his work , and having gained

such applause and approval as he had received that evening , he should now sit at his ease as a Past Master with the magnificent pendant which hung at his breast . He assured the brethren that he would do his utmost to promote the interests of the lodge , and concluded by thanking the brethren for the manner in which they had drunk the health of the Past Masters . In proposing " The Treasurer

and Secretary , " thc W . M . congratulated the brethren on having two such efficient officers as Bros . West and Thomas . Nothing was left undone by those brethren that could in any way further the affairs of the lodge . " The Pilgrim of Love " was then very ably sung by Bro . Carter ; and Bros . West and Thomas acknowledged the toast in a few appropriate remarks . "The Ofiicers"

having been drunk , aud replied to by thc S . W ., Bro . Rhode ' s " Mynheer van Dunk " was sung by Bros . Carter , Baxter , and Winn , and the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close . All thc arrangements for the banquet were most creditably carried out , Bro . A . Mount , who has always acted as W . S . at the installation banquet , leaving nothing undone to provide for the comfort of the brethren .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE ( No 1524 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Havelock Hotel , Albion-road , Dalston , on Thursday , the 30 th ult . The lodge was opened by Bro . Bernard Meyer , W . M ., who was supported by Bros . Neville Green , S . W . and W . M . elect ; H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Sec . ; W . H . Lee , P . M . Sec ; T . C . Chapman , P . M . ; C . W .

Smyth , Treas . ; E . Dignam , S . D . ; J . Payne , I . G . ; C . Brame , J . Symes , ] . Varney , T . Norman , G . Ferrar , R . l ' olak , F . Brasted , " W . H . Brand , A . Ferrar , E . W . Silk , R . George , A . R . Olley , C . Olley , W . Beasley , C . Lorkin , . /• Hill , J . Bell , A , Leoffeler , F . Bonner , E . A . Harding , H . Robinson , W . J . Watkins , and the following visitors : — J . Terry , P . G . J . W . Herts , Sec . Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution ; John Green , P . M . 27 ; Charles B . Payne , Grand Tyler , P . M . 27 ; R . A . Steel , P . M . 1194 ; Elias Somers , P . M . 1602 ; W . Fieldwick , S . W . 1364 ; T . Cross , J . D . 1194 ; J . Brown , 975 ; C . Barrow , 1424 . After the usual introductory business had been transacted , the chair was assumed by Bro . Lee , P . M ., who bad undertaken the duties of Installing Master , and Bro . Neville Green , S . W .

and W . M . elect , was presented by Bro . Chapman , P . M ., •l 1 r installation , and a Board consisting of ten Past Masters having been formed , he was duly installed , according to ancient custom . The following brethren were 'nvested as officers for the year : —Bros . W . H . Brand , S . W . ; F . Brasted , J . W . ; C . ' W . Smyth , Treas . ; W . H . « e , P . M ., Sec . ; E . Dignam , S . D . ; C . Lorkin , J . D . ; J .

Payne , I . G . ; A . Ferrar , D . C . ; R . Polak , Steward ; W . ^ "Christ , Tyler ; the whole of these appointments being highly satisfactory to all present . After the completion of 'he ceremony , some propositions for initiation were revived , and the lodge was closed in due form . An adjournment then took place to the banquet table , which was well supplied , under the superintendence of Bro . W .

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Ferrar . Ample justice having been done to the good things provided , Bro . Green , W . M ., proposed " Ihe Queen and the Craft , " which was loyally received and duly honoured , after which " God Save the Queen" was sung by the brethren . The W . M ., in proposing "The M . W . G . M ., " referred to the many valuable services bis Royal Highness had rendered to the Craft , and to

the great success it had attained under his rule . " God bless the Prince of Wales " was then sung by Bro . Cross . The W . M . then proposed "The Pro and Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , " with which he coupled the name of Bro . H . G . Buss , Asst . G . Secretary , and eulogized the efforts of Lord Carnarvon and Lord Skelmersdale in the cause of Masonry , expressing

the pleasure felt by all Freemasons in having such " good men ancl true " as Grand Officers , and the pleasure felt by the lodge in being honoured on this occasion by the presence of Bro . Buss , Asst . G . Secretary , who , they were all very glad to see , and hoped tbat he would come amongst them many times during the present year . Bro . Buss , Asst . Grand Secretary , returned thanks for the Grand

Officers and expressed his acknowledgments for the compliment paid to that distinguished body . Bro . Buss then proposed the toast of the evening , " The Health of the W . M .. " and expressed the pleasure he felt in having the opportunity of being present at the installation of Bro . Green . He had known the W . M . since the latter first came to London , and he could assure the brethren that in

Bro . Green they had a W . M . who was not afraid of work and who would spare no efforts to make his year of office a success . He congratulated the W . M . and thc brethren upon the thorough success which had attended the proceedings , which augured well for the future of the lodge , Bro . Green was well supported by thc Past Masters , who , he was sure , would render him every possible assistance .

This toast was received with great enthusiasm , clearly evincing the popularity of the newly-installed W . M . Bro . Green , W . M ., in a neat and appropriate speech acknowledged the toast , and thanked the brethren for the cordial manner in which it had been received , and assured them that he would do all in his power to promote the prosperity of the lodge . The W . M . then proposed

" The Visitors , " ancl said that he felt proud to be surrounded by the distinguished brethren who had favoured him by their presence . At that late hour he could not call upon them all to respond , and as he intended to reserve Bro . Terry for another toast , he would ask Bro . John Green to reply . Bro . John Green , P . M ., Egyptian Lodge , 27 , in reply , said he was sorry it had not fallen to

the lot of some more competent brother to respond to this important toast . He could only thank the W . M . for the genial terms with which he had welcomed the visitors , and the brethren of the Duke of Connaught Lodge for the hospitable manner with which they had been entertained . It had given them all very great pleasure to witness the cordiality and good feeling which had characterised the

proceedings of the evening , thc whole of which had given the greatest satisfaction and delight to the visitors . The W . M . then proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and stated that Bro . Chapman , P . M ., and himself had undertaken to represent the lodge at the ensuing festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and he hoped they would receive tbe hearty and substantial support of the brethren

on behalf of the Institution to which he had referred . He would call on Bro . Terry to respond , and he hoped that every brother present would place his name on the list . Bro , Terry , Secretary , Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , replied in an eloquent and stirring speech setting forth the claims of the Masonic Charities in general , and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in particular ,

and he trusted that as the lodge would be represented by two Stewards at the approaching festival , the list would be creditable to the brethren , and that the name of every brother present would be found as a contributor , if even to a small amount . He could not , considering the state of the balance-sheet expect a grant this year from the lodge funds , but he was sure the brethren would ,

notwithstanding this drawback , send up a good list . This appeal was favourably responded to by the brethren , and a handsome sum was subscribed for the Charity . The W . M . then rose to propose " The Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge , " saying that he knew the brethren would receive and drink the toast with the same pleasure that he proposed it . He well knew that he should not rely

in vain on their assistance during his year of office , with this toast he should couple the names of Bros . Lee and Chapman . Bro . Lee , P . M ., in reply , thanked the W . M . for the flattering terms in which he had proposed the health of the Past Masters , and assured the brethren that Bro . Chapman and himself would use their utmost endeavours to promote a continuance of that cordiality and

good feeling which had been so prominently exhibited that evening . In proposing the toast of " The Officers , " the W . M . expressed the pleasure it gave him in doing it , as from the way the appointments were received by the brethren they evidently thought with himself that he had made a very good selection , and hoped that there would be plenty of opportunities of proving their proficiency . As

the hour was late he would call upon Bro . Brand , S . W ., to respond for the officers . Bro . Brand , S . W ., responded for the officers , and thanked the W . M . for the honour he had done them in appointing them to office , and promised him a cordial and hearty support . The Tyler ' s toast terminated

thc proceedings , which were highly satisfactory throughout . Bro . Cross presided , during the lodge business , at an American organ , kindly lent for the occasion by Bro . Lorkin , J . D ,, and at the pianoforte after the banquet . Thc proceedings were enlivened by some excellent singing by Bros . Brasted , Cross , Loikin , Olley , and others .

ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE ( No . 1585 ) . —This lodge held its first meeting this year on the sth inst . at the Fox and Hounds Hotel , Putney

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and in the unavoidable absence of the W . M . ( Bro . W . T . Morphew ) , the I . P . M ., Bro . Robinson , took the chair . Having opened the lodge in the Three Degrees , he resumed to the First , when the minutes of thc last meeting were read and confirmed . He then took the ballot for Messrs . Outram and Collick and also for Bro . Hulatt

which proved in each case unanimous . Bro . White having been examined and entrusted was passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . Marshall having also qualified himself , was duly raised to the M . M . Degree . P . M . Wright then kindly relieved Bro . Robinson , and initiated the foregoing candidates . The lodge was then closed and adjourned till February .

ROYAL KENSINGTON LODGE ( No . 1627 ) . —The first meeting of the lodge since Christmas was held at Freemason ' s Hall , on Friday the 7 th instant . Present : Bros . W . E . Gordon Leith , W . M . ; 13 . F . Cramer , S . W . ; H . M . Sydney , J . W . ; Hyde Pullen , Treas . j D . W . Dewar , Secretary ; J . B . Stevens , J . D . ; Joseph Steele , I . G . ; Chas . E . Soppet , I . P . M . ; Percy Leith , P . G . D . ; G . " J ' .

Robinson , Mark Beaufoy , D . W . Rees , G . W . Justin , Eugene Delacostcs , W . L . Harvey , John B . Ball and Chas . Waters . Visitors : Bros . Col . Randolph , W . M ., 1383 ; C . XV . E . Pines , P . M ., 257 ; G . Pigache , 12 ; II . S . Hansard , 197 ; E . S . Lintott , 16 S 7 and E . Valeriani , 1687 . The lodge having been opened and the minutes read and

confirmed , Bro . Pullen , at the request of the W . M ., raised Bro . Harvey to the Sublime Degree of a W . M . The W . M . having resumed the chair , passed Bros . Bill and Waters to the Degree of F . C . The rest of the business having been transacted , the lodge adjourned to refreshment and spent a very pleasant evening under the genia . presidency of the W . M .

ALDERSGATE LODGE ( No . 1657 ) . —The installation meeting of the above lodge was held on Monday , Feb . ioth , at the Castle and Falcon Hotel . Brethren present : —The Rev . Dr . P . H . E . Brette , W . M . ; Hyde Pullen , acting S . W . ; A . J . Altman , J . W . ; George Kenning , Treasurer ; Thomas Jones , Secretary ; Rev . R . Lee , Dr . H . Alder Smith , E . V . Jolliffe , S . White , Thomas

Benskin , Alfred Brookman , Dr . S . Benton , John Jackson , and II . C . Levander . Visitors : —Bros . Henry Legge , W . M . 192 ; T . J . Thomas , W . M . 28 ; J . H . Sillitoe , 317 , P . G . D . C . East Lancashire ; N . B . Headon . 1426 ; Edwd . Humphrey , 538 ; John H . Southwood , W . M . 12 C 0 ; E . J . Altman , 101 ; E . Marncr , 16 73 ; G . Dd Lucca , 101 ; G . S . Snellgrovc , 12 ; J . A . West , 76 ; Bertram Noakes ,

92 ; Geo . Watson , 21 ; E . J . Jai . au , 1641 ; A . J . Protheroe , 22 ; H . S . Legg , 171 ; Dr . Great Rex , 22 ; Walter Lumley , 4 ; anil Ellis Jones , 28 . Thc minutes of thc last meeting were read . Bro . Rev . Dr . P . H .- E . Brette then installed Bro . A . J . Altman into the chair in a most able manner . Bro . Altman after investing Bro . Rev . Dr . Brette as his I . P . M ., appointed his officers as follows : —Bros . George

Kenning , S . W . ; Dr . II . Alder Smith , J . W . ; Rev . Richard Lee , Chaplain ; J . D . Allcroft , M . P ., P . M ., Treasurer ; Thomas Jones , Secretary ; W . S . Chapman , S . D . ; Alfred Brookman , J . D . ; Dr . S . Benton , I . G . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , D . C . ; S . White , Steward ; John Jackson , Steward ; Thcs . Benskin , W . S . ; W . Steedman , Tyler . A very handsome gold jewel , set with a large diamond ,

was presented to Bro . Rev . Dr . P . II . E . Brette as a mark of respect and affection entertained by all the brethren towards him as a wise , generous , and well instructed Master , discharging his duties with true Masonic precision , upholding the high standard of charity as thc end of all Masonry , and as a brilliant expert in the theory and practice of our most ancient rites anil ceremonies . It was

proposed , seconded , and carried by acclamation that the best thanks of the lodge be given to Bro . J . D . Allcroft , M . P ., P . M ., for his gift to the lorlge , qualifying it as Vice-President of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Ordered to be entered on the minutes . It was proposed by the W . M ., and seconded by the I . P . M ., that ten guineas be given from the funds of the lodge to the Wentworth

Little Testimonial Fund , which was carried unanimously . At the conclusion of the preceding business , the brethren adjourned to banquet , under the charge of thc newly elected W . M ., A . J . Altman { one ot the founders of the lodge ) . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given with great effect by the presiding and retiring W . Ms , and responded to by various brethren , Bros . Hyde Pullen ,

Brette , Legge , White , Alder Smith , and others . The brethren of the Aldersgate Lodge regard Bro . A . J . Altman with much affection , knowing , that the prestige of tiie lodge will be maintained , and its usefulness continued under his prudent management . Bro . the Rev . Dr . P . H . E . Brette attended the festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution as Steward for this lodge the amount of £ 106 ns . 6 d . being contributed .

ALL SAINTS LODGE ( No . 1716 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held [ at the Town Hall , LVewbyplace , Poplar , on Friday evening , the 7 th inst ., there being present Bros . ] . Dennis , W . M . ; J . K . Coleman , S . W . ; Leonard Potts , J . W . ; W . H . Farnfield , I . P . M . ; J . S . Turner , S . D . ; T . Bates , I . G . ; J . House , D . C . ; J . Grout , Org ., and several other brethren , members of the lodge ,

also the following visitors : —Bros . II . May , P . M . 212 ; T . Burne , 162 ; T . Brown , 1362 ; and E . Martin , 879 . The work consisted of two raisings , two passings , and two initiations , Bros . Rundell and Pittam being raised , Bros , the Rev . J . H . C . McGill and H . W . Fenner passed , and Messrs . Robinson and Day admitted to the mysteries

and privileges of ancient I ' reemasonry . I he-whole of the Degrees were worked by the W . M . in his own inimitable style , the officers ably supporting him . Bro . the Rev . McGill was then invested Chaplain by the W . M ., who said it gave him great pleasure to make the appointment , as the presence of such an officer greatly added to the ( Continued on page 72 ) .