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myself . When I was first initiated into Freemasonry I well remember with what a large amount of respect , almost bordering on veneration , I looked upon the W . M . who so ably occupied thc chair at that time . I looked upon him as occupying a position that years of attention to the duties of the lodge and Masonry has amply compensated for ; and 1 feel that all the time and attention

I have devoted to the duties of the various ofhecs to which I have been from time to time appointed , even if that time was doubled—1 feel that it is more than compensated for by the hig h and honourable position I occupy at thc present time . Brethren , thc ambition to rise in the estimation of your fellow men by commendable and legitimate means is worthy ambition—in whatever state of society it

may occur it is something to be proud of ; but when that position is no less than to preside over a society of Freemasons , all brethren linked in the same bonds of brotherhood , how " much more proud ought he to feel for having such a high and distinguished honour conferred upon him . I hope and trust I shall be able to carry out all your expectations , and prove myself competent to discharge all

thc responsible duties appertaining- to the high office to which I have been elected and installed , and continue to the Shakespeare Lodge the success that has characterized thc past , more particularly thc last twelve months , which I may truly say , without offending any of its Past Masters , has been the mos , t successful year since its consecration In the first place , the past year has been almost

unprcccdcntly successful m its acquisition of new members , and when 1 say new members I don't merely allude to numbers , but also to the quality of our new brethren of thc past year . Again , the past year gave us an opportunity of showing our great esteem , in a practical and substantial way , to one of our worthiest and most respected brothers and his good lady , on each of them attaining

their 50 th birthday , which , by a remarkable coincidence , happened on this particular occasion on thc same day—I allude to the Dewhurst testimonial ; and , though last , not least , thc last year stands out prominent in the annals of the Shakespeare Lodge , from its very handsome donations to thc Masonic Charities , so liberally subscribed by thc Shakespeare brethren geneally . Brethren , if at the

termination of my year I am able to look back with the same assurance of success , 1 shall feci happy . I can assure you I will do my utmost , and with the co-operation of such an efficient staff of officers as I shall have the honour to work with , not forgetting thc most important of all , my immediate P . M ., Bro . Monckman , on whom 1 rely so much for assistance and support—I say with these advantages I don ' t

know why the next year should not be as successful and prosperous as any of the past . I have a great many reasons for feeling extremely grateful to the Shakespeare Lodge , reasons which it would be very much out of place to explain here , but 1 will try my utmost to prove my gratitude by paying every attention , and using all the administrative skill my capabilities will permit in efficiently

discharging all the duties required of mc as Master of the lodge . Other toasts followed ; and , with thc amount of professional talent present , we need scarcely add that the musical contributions to the enjoyment of the occasion were ample and of rare excellence . Bro . Di . Sparks played his own new composition , "Long Live the Prince , " Bros . Rogers and Leslie gave some favourite duets in their

own unrivalled style , while Bro . Billington appropriately favoured with a Yoikshirc song . Perhaps , however , the climax of success was capped when Bro . Robert Fraser , of Glasgow , gave an extempore ditty , in which the surroundings of the moment were caught up and capitalised on the spot with a facility and eke a felicity that literall y set the table in a roar . There was complete truth in the

remark of one , that the reception of Bro . Eraser ' s song was precisely thc reverse of its burden—the latter being , " In a quiet sort of way . " Altogether the occasion was a e / ompl .-te sicccts a result towards which his full share was contributed by liro . Dewhurst , who so kindly undertook an I -o successfully carried out the purveying of the ba iqi et .

'" IE { BY . — HARTINGTON LODGE ( NO . 1083 ) . — The UT nil ly meeting ol thin lodge was held at the Masonic H ; 11 , Derby , on Wednesday , the 5 th inst . Bro . Henry T . lie jar :, VV . M ., presided , and there were present , Bros . V . Ilifie , I . P . M . ; S . Pipes , S . VV . ; VV . Ikathcote , | . W . ; M . II . Bobart , P . M ., Treas . ; . ] . Worsnop , P . M ., ' Sec . ; Thco . Hills . S . D . ; T . Gadsby , J . D . ; G . Pipes , D . of

C . ; | . Heathcote , I . G . ; W . Stone , Tyler ; | . H . Biggs , W . B . Hextall , . * . V * . Russell , , j . O . Manton , Henry Mills . Richard Daniel , | as . Parkins , jun . Visitor : V . ' . II . Marsden , P . G . S . and VV . M . 233 . The lodge vas opened in the First Degree ; the minutes of the previo s me . 'ting were read and confirmed . Bros . Daniel and Parkins , who were candidates for passing , being in

attendance , were examined as to their proficiency in the former degree and entrusted , and having retired , the lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and Bros . Daniel and Parkins were passed to that degree by the W . M . The lodge was then closed in thc Second Degree . Nothing further being offered thc lodge was closed in ancient form and with solemn prayer .

TIVERTON . —ST . Pinr-ii ' s LODGE ( NO . 1123 ) . —Wc extract the following from thc Tiverton Gazette of ' the 4 th inst .: — " In honour of the Installation of I l . R . I I . the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of the Freemasons of England on Wednesday last , the band of the 14 th D . R . V . met at the Town Hall about 3 o ' clock , the hour at which the ceremony was performed , and marched through thc streets

of the town playing " God bless the Prince of Wales , " anil other airs . A halt was made opposite the house of Bro . T . Parkhouse , the W . M . of St . Peter's Lodge , and also before liro . Heed's , in St . Peter " tact , where a banner was displayed . Besides Bio . Parkhouse , the members of the local ledge who were present at the Albert Hall , Kensington , where lhe ceremony was performed , wire liro . T . B . ' Put e . son , I . P . M . ; J . Mills , P . M ., P . G . O . ; J . Sharland ,

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P . M ., P . P . G . T . ; II . Davey , P . M . ; F . A . Payne , M . M . and C . A . W . Troytc , S . W . " NEWTON ABBOT . —DEVON LODGE ( NO . 1138 ) .-Thc regular meeting was held on thc 20 th ult ., present W . R . King , W . M . ; 1 * . D . Bcwcs , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; J . S Saunders , j . W . ; R . L . Lloyd , Treas . ; . ) . Oliver , Sec . ; W Harris , S . D . ; E . Huxtable , J . D . ; R . Crookc , I . G . ; G . II

Hcardcr , Org * . * , F . J . Pratt and C . Stevens . Stewards W . L . Pope , D . D ., P . P . G . C . ; Richard Ilosking , J . Hazwood , R . E . Surges , L . E . Beanie , P . Symons , Herbert Martin , Henry Voysey . Visitors : T . B . Purncll and J . Chappie , of Morning Star Lodge No . 139 ( 1 . The lodge being opened , and the minutes of last meeting confirmed , Bros . H . Martin and R . E . Burges proved their proficiency as

E . A . ' s . Thc lodge was then opened 111 the second degree , and Bros . H . Martin and R . E . Burges passed to thc degree of Fellow Craft in a most able manner by thc VV . M . The lodge was then resumed to thc first degree , and Mr . Fitz-Martin , who had been regularly proposed and ; seconded , at seven days' notice , was balloted for , and , being unanimously elected , was initiated

into thc mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . The W . M . then informed the lodge that one ticket only had been received for a M . M . to attend the Installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales on thc 28 th April , and suggested that it be given to Bro . Banfill , he being au early applicant , and such was agreed to . The lodge was then closed in due and ancient form .

PORTMADOC—MADOC LODGE ( NO . 1309 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge , the youngest in the Province of North Wales and Shropshire , was held on thc 13 th ult ., at the Queen's Hotel . The lodge having been opened in lorm , and the minutes of the previous meeting confirmed , thc I . P . M ., in thc ' abscncc through severe illness of the W . M ., Bro . Edward Brccsc , P . G . Reg . of

Herefordshire , initiated into Freemasonry Messrs . Jones , Campbell , and Wm . Jones , and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason Bros . Ignatius Williams , David Williams , S . P . Owen , and W . M . Griffith . Thc lodge having been closed to the First Degree , Bro . Thos . Casson , S . W . and Organist , intimated that he was about to leave Portmadoc for Liverpool , and would therefore have to sever his

connection as an officer with the lodge . 1 he brethren expressed themselves sorry to hear of Bro . Casson ' s departure , and resolved that a banquet be held and a souvenir presented to him , and accordingly on Friday , thc 30 th ult ., a large number of the members met at the Sportsman I lotel , to a banquet which reflected great credit on the host , under the presidency of Bro . , | . VV . Wallace , I . P . M .,

the west and south being filled by Bros . Sept . Davies , J . W ., and Dr . Jones Morris , Sec . The tables having been cleared , the toast of " Thc Queen" was given by the chairman , who , in the course of his remarks , said that as a Queen , as a mother , as a woman , our Queen was incomparable , and he was sure thc toast would be received with applause by the brethren , who were as patriotic as any in

her dominions . 1 le therefore gave the Queen , thc daughter of a Mason and mother cf Masons . The next toast , that of " The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " was given by the chairman , who gave a description of thc magnificent spectacle at thc Albert Hall on Wednesday , and only wished he was eloquent enough to give them a correct description of thc ceremony ; but if he used all thc words

in the dictionary they would be inadequate to convey to them the reception of the Prince by that enthusiastic gathering of over Sooo Masons . He was proud thc Prince had accepted the honoured position of M . W . G . M ., more especially at the present time , when thc anathemas of thc Pope , the bulls of the Vatican , and the doctrines of cardinals were so freely used against Freemasonry ; but in vain ,

our future King heeded them not , but manfully came forward and repelled their attacks with " Dieu ct Mon Droit . " He was assured it would greatly enhance his popularity if such was needed , as he believed there was not a mere popular Prince , lie was also glad to find the Duke ol Connaught and Prince Leopold following in thc footsteps ol their illustrious brother . The next toast , that of " Thc

Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , and the rest of the Oflicers of thc Grand Lodge " was given by the chairman , who remarked that the Earl of Carnarvon was a most practical statesman , and one who knew the secrets of almost every country with regard to diplomatic matters , and in connection with such had made his name one to be honoured by posterity ; but still he found tile time , and

had the inclination to devote himself most assiduously to the affairs of 'freemasonry . Thc next toast was that of " Sir Watkin Williams Wynn , R . W . Prov . Grand Master , and the Officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge . " In proposing it , the chairman said they had toasted the Prince of Wales , now they were going to drink the health of the Prince in Wales . As a Provincial Grand Master Sir Watkin was

equal to none ; he took very great interest in the affairs of the province , always attended the consecration of every lolgeinthe pro . ince , and when money was wanted for the good of Freemasonry he put his hand in his pocket , and he assured them it did not come out empty . He was a Freemason in every sense of thc word , and acted up to the principles of the Craft , and so reflected credit upon

himself and the Craft , in which he had made such a signal mark . "Thc W . M . " was then proposed by the chairman , who very much regretted that he was obliged 13 fill that chair that evening through the inability of the W . M . lo be present , especially as it arose from illness , and he was sure his absence would causca pang in many hearts . It had pleased the G . A . O . T . U .

to alihct him , but he hoped he would soon be able to be amongst them . They could not drink tha . lealth of a kinder , worthier , more gentle mnii than the ' r VV . M . Since he had known Bro . Breese he had found him ,-il'vavs a man , something more than ; enin ' . y ... ne . He h ' d done his duty nobly in comicctic \ , ii . i IM lodge , by his advice , his example , and his benevolence , l . e wished him a speedy recovery . Bro . Dr . Roberts , fa . D ., in reply

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thanked them on behalf of his brother-in-law , the W . M and was glad to tell them he was slowly recovering . He had seen him that evening , and had wished him to announce how sorry he was not to be with them , but if not present in body his heart and soul were with them , and also to express his regret at thc departure of Major Casson . Thc Chairman then called upon them to fill their glasses

a bumper to the next toast on the list , which was , he mig ht say , the toast of the evening , viz ., " The Health of Bro . Casson , S . W . ; " and in proposing it said it gave him pleasure , though mingled with pain , to perform the duty , and was sorry it had not fallen into abler hands . They all had known him longer than he had , which was for about two years , and he had at first only known him as a

gentleman of enlightened mind , doing his duty to all and by all , forward in every good cause , always ready to assist in any act of charity , for which his name was a household word in the district , and having formed a good opinion of him , and having esteemed him as such , it gave him greater pleasure to learn that he was a brother Mason , but before knowing that he was sure he was one in heart .

He said they were met together that evening * as Masons , and he called upon any brothers to supplement his remarks who from their longer acquaintance were better enabled to speak of his good qualities ; but before sitting down he had great pleasure , on behalf of his brethren of thc Madoc Lodge , to present him with a silver kettle as a mark of their fraternal regard and esteem . The silver

kettle , by Elkington and Co . of Regent-street , London , was one of that celebrated linn's newest designs in solid silver , and had the inscription on one side , " Presented to Bro . Major Casson , first S . W . and O ., by thc brethren of Madoc Lodge 1309 , as a souvenir of their fraternal regard and esteem , on his departure from Portmadoc , April 30 th , 1873 , " and on the reverse the Major ' s crest . Bro . Dr . Roberts said he was

sorry to part with Bro . Casson , not only as an oflicer of the lodge , but as a kind neighbour , always willing to do anything he could in a good cause . He had often in' the course of his professional life occasion to see his charity displayed in ministering to the wants of the poor , and relieving their necessities in times of sickness . Bro . Davies , J . W ., expressed his regret at the departure of Bro . Casson

and hoped he would be blessed in his new sphere of action . Bro . Cledwyn Owen , as a native of Parlliell , remarked that they there joined with them in Portmadoc in regretting the departure of Bro . Casson , and spoke of his usefulness , especially in the volunteer cause . liro . Casson , in response , thanked them all for their beautiful testimonial , and said he felt proud to receive it , as he was sure it was

a mark of their regard and esteem , but that he was wholly undeserving of it lor anything he had done in connection with thc lodge ; he had merely done his duty as far as lay in him , and he thought every one who accepted any oflice should do that . It would always remind him of them , and if any of them came to Liverpool he would be happy to sec them , to test its " brewing " powers . " The Visiting

Brethren " was responded to by Bro . Anwyl Owen , of Jersey , who hoped to have the pleasure of seeing their work in lodge at their next meeting . " Thc Recently Initiated " was proposed by the vice-chairman , who remarked he was glad to sec so many present that evening , and assured them the more they saw the more would they appreciate thc privileges of having been admitted members of the ancient aud

honourable craft . It was responded to by Bros . Wheeler Campbell , Isaac Cledwyn Owen , and Wm . Jones . Bro . Davies , J . VV ., then proposed " The Immediate Past Master , Bro . Wallace , their Chairman , " and said it did not require any remarks from him , as they all knew how anxious Bro . Wallace was at all times to do his utmost for thc good of thc lodge , by assisting at its ceremonies and

in every way he could . Bro . Wallace suitably responded . Bro . Dr . Shclton Jones proposed "The Health of the Oflicers of the Lodge , " whom he said did their work very well , and , having had some experience as an officer in a lodge , to do that they must attend lodges of instruction often , as it was there the real work was done , and coupled with thc toast the name of Bro . Dr . Jones Morris , the

Secretary , who had been so instrumental 111 getting up the lodge , and had worked zealousl y in connection with it since . Bro . Dr . Jones Morris , iu reply , said that six months ago Sir Watkin was present to consecrate their lodge , and he , assisted b y others , were present at its birth on that occasion , and he was happy to say the infant was now able to walk alone , and was sure that Bro . Dr . Roberts would

bear him out it was quite an infant prodigy , V . y whicli he meant that the lodge , numbering nearly eighty members , was now , after paying over £ 200 , perfectly free from debt , and could snap its fingers at any one , and he hoped before long it would be able to hold its own with any of the crack lodges in the provinces with regard to their subscription to the charities , for they intended to devote their

surplus funds to them . I le was very sorry to part with Bro . Casson , and his departure called upon all the officers to redoubled energy , and he was sure they would , and hoped the members of the lodge would do their utmost to assist them , so that when thc present officers retired others and he hoped abler brethren would fill their p ' aces . " The

Charities , " " Bro . VV . G . Casson , Treasurer , " and "The Tyler ' s" toast followed , and the brethren separated after a most enjoyable evening , the speeches being interspersed with songs b y Bros . Campbell , Wallace , Williams , and Dr . J ones Mon is ; Bro . 11 . II . Williams ably acting as accompanyisl .

INSTRUCTION . VITUUVIAN L'iixiK ( No . 84 ) . —A strong gathering of t ' ne brethren too ' : place at the White Hart Tavern , Collegestreet , Lambeth , an the 29 th ult .. to witness the working of the Filli - cu Se ie . ns . Bro . Landlicld , P . M ., St . John ' s ,

Essex , mo .-t . ' ; eivaided , assisted b y that veteran of the Crat , llr ... . \ :: ; : ' . V . M , 8 7 ; and Bros . Stuarl , P . M . 14 I 1 & c , fi ..., J . W . -it , J . J ) . -, ; , J . VV . ; Bond , P . M . 8 ; , Sec ; Wails , I . C . 1503 , eVe ., I . G . The First Lecture was worked by BJOS . Xott / llumbald , Ball , Stuart , Jolly , Wing-