Provincial Meetings.

Crediton he could discover was in 1759 , in which year a lodge was founded at Meadway ' s Wine Vaults , " in the West Town of Crediton . " After working seven years , the place of meeting was changed to the Angel Inn , but the lodge did not seem to prosper , and it was finally erased February , 17 S 6 . Not having local knowledge , he could not tell if Meadway's Wine Vaults or the Angel Inn were still in existence . Masonry appears to have lain dormant for

some years , for it was not till 1 S 06 that the Craft was again practised in Crediton . In that year a lodge that seems to have led a very wandering life—the Lodge of Unityappears to have thought that Crediton was the spot to settle in . This Lodge of Unity was warranted in 175 S to meet at the White Hart , in the old town of Plymouth , and , in the course of the first 20 years of its existence , moved no less than three times . This frequent change of place

apparently caused some confusion at head-quarters , for on the 5 th February , 1777 , the lodge was , by mistake , erased from the Grand Lodge roll . On the iSth April , in the same year , the lodge was re-instated , but even then the brethren continued their migatory habits , for during the succeeding nine-and-twenty years no less than four moves were made , three being in the town of Plymouth , while the fourth was to Crediton , the place of

meeting selected being the Half Moon Inn . At Crediton the lodge worked for just about 21 years , and was erased in 1 S 27 . From this time till September , 1 S 70 , there was another pause in Masonic work at Crediton , when the present Unity Lodge , No . 1332 , was consecrated . This lodge had already lived longer than its predecessors , and from what he had seen that day , appeared to be in a most flourishing condition , possessing an advantage , which he

should like to see adopted more generally in the Craft , of meeting in its o # n hall . As a working Mason of some 23 years standing , he trusted that prosperity would ever attend the lodge , and that among a long line of Worshipful Masters , the brother who he had had the privilege of putting into the chair that day—and who was endeared to him by the double tie of blood and Craft—would take an

honoured place . In conclusion , the speaker said he had no doubt that a little effort on the part of the local brethren would unearth some relics of the former lodges that had worked at Crediton , and he counselled that whatever was discovered should be placed in the Masonic Hall for the benefit of the brethren generally , rather than be monopolised by individuals .

DIDSBURY . Doric Lodge ( No . 2359 ) . —The regular meeting was held on Saturday , the 9 th inst ., at the Didsbury Hotel . The work was very heavy , there being four initiations . The ceremonies were performed respectively by Bros . F . Stretch , W . M . j C E . Towel ! , l . P . M . ; and G . Smith , P . M . The working tools were presented by Bro . G . A . Myers , P . M ., S . W ., and the charge was delivered to all

the candidates by Bro . A . Is .. Boothroyd , J . VV ., in a manner very seldom surpassed . As usual there was a very large gathering of members and visitors . After the business had been duly attended to the lodge was closed , and subsequently the brethren had tea in the dining-room , which had been admirably served , and the tables beautifully decorated by Bro . and Mrs . F . Stretch . The usual toast fist followed , and selections ol

different kinds were contributed by several members , including Bros . VV . Sharpies , J . Ward , G . A . Myers , W . W . Wilkinson , N . R . Clegg , G . S . Smith , C . E . Towel ! , and F . Stretch . The following were present : Bros . F . Stretch , W . M . ; Clare Edgar Towell , l . P . M .: A . K . Boothroyd , J . W . ; J . M . Veal , Sec ; John Walker , S . D . ; F . Thomas , I . D . ; G . S . Smith , P . M ., D . of C ; J oseph Ward ,

I . G . ; James Sharpies , W . Sharpies , and F . Morgan , Stewards ; Harry Shuter , A . L . Boothroyd , F . J . Hatchford , W . VV . Wilkinson , J . J . Booth , R . J . H . Sayers , VV , H . Moss , N . R . Clegg , A . W . Moore , H . G . Ward , Jules Laurisch , Arthur R . Brett . Visitors : R . W . Martin , ll 34 > J ° h n Cliffe , P . M . 304 ; J . Hardwicke-Marsh , J . W . 1730 ; P . D . Langley and A . E . Grey , 1077 ; W , Lousby , J . D . 2231 ; and VV . H . Vaughan , P . P . G . Reg .

DONCASTER . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 242 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Nether Hall-road , on Friday , the 7 ' . h inst ., when there were present Bros . F . Webb , W . M . ; G . Newsum , S . W . ; W . Blake , J . W . ; G . Wilkie , P . M . ; H . T . Bellerby , P . M . ; F . D . Walker , P . P . G . D . ; C . Goldthorpe , P . M . ; F . Rand , P . P . G . D . ; H . White , Org . ; F . H . Buckland ,

I . G . ; J . Mason , Tyler ; F . VV . Turner , J . Rayner , VV . Goodair , J . II . Pawson , VV . H . Chambers , J . Denison , J . B . Gibson , C . Frood , and H . Foster . Visitors : Bros . G . William , 17 S 9 ; F . D . Sissons , 241 ; and J . Constable , 14 S 2 . Bro . C . Woodhouse having resigned office as S . D . from

inability to attend to the duties , the W . M . invested Bro . J . H . Pawson , late Org ., to that office . Bro . ) . Denison was duly passed to the Degree of E . C , the work being done by the W . M ., the S . W . explaining the tracing board . The brethren afterwards partook of supper in the anteroom .

HAMPTON COURT . Villiers Lodge ( No . 1194 ) . —There was a good attendance of brethren at thc installation meeting of this lodge , held at the Mitre Hotel , on the 1 st instant . The members present were Bros . R . T . Pearce , W . M . ; G . S . Peachey , S . W . ; E . J . Mills , J . VV . ; VV . Dodd , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec ; VV . Vincent , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; 11 . 1 . Pellatt , S . D . ; W . Vickery , P . G . Std . Br . Dorset

Stwd . ; G . Thomas , l . P . M . ; T . A . Woodbridge , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; E . Clark , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of VV . ; E . Monson , junior , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; ( . Adams , P . M . ; Philip Monson , P . M . ; VV . S . Plimsaul , P . M ., F . Ilewett , S . A . Francis , F . A . Clark , G . W . Cuthbertson , J . F . Collinson , A . Davis , A . Slatter , and others . Visitors : Bros . R . H . Blatchford , P . M . nyG ; A . Robertson , 2345 ; W . C . Taylor , W . M . 913 ; U . Nettlelield , P . M . GG ; Frank Manby , P . M . 1 S 1 S ; W . Eydmann , 7 S 0 ; R . H .

Wimpey , W . M . 1290 ; and VV . VV . Lee , W . M . 23 S 1 . Lodge was opened , and the minutes con firmed . Bro . George S . Peachey was then presented as W . M . elect , and duly installed into the chair by Bro . Thomas , P . M . The following officers were invested : Bros . Edward J . Mills , S . W . ; Hurry J . Pellatt . J . W . ; Richard T . Pearce , l . P . M . ; Wm . Vincent , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; W . Dodd , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Sec . ; Charles Dodd , S . D , ; VV . Vickery , P . G . S . B . Dorset , J . D . ; John F . Collinson , I . G . ;

Provincial Meetings.

Leon A . Francis , D . C . ; John G . Cuthbertson Bull , Stwd . ; a . id John Gilbert , P . G . Tyler , Tyler . The usual addresses were ably delivered by Bro . Adams , P . M . The W . M . presented a Past Master ' s jewel to « rn . R . T . Pearce , I . P . M ., in recognition of his services , and as a mark of esteem . Bro . Pearce , I . P . M ., in acknowledging the gift , said he should value the jewel , not for its intrinsic value , but for the badge of rank it conveyed , and the fact that it was presented as a mark of esteem and affection by the members .

Lodge was closed , and a well-served banquet was followed by the usual toasts . Bro . E . Clark , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., in acknowledging "The Prov . Grand Officers , " said it was now some years ago since be assisted to form the province . They were all extremely sorry to lose Sir Francis Burdett , of whom they were very fond , but they had no doubt that in their new chief they would find a good Prov . Grand Master , for he was known to be a very able man and Mason .

Bro . R . T . Pearce , I . P . M ., then said the toast it was his privilege to propose was one that would be received , he felt certain , in a very hearty manner , it was that of "The Worshipful Master , " and they were extremely fortunate on that occasion in having such a W . M . Bro . Peachey was connected in his daily life with an institution they were all proud of , and the members of the Villiers Lodge always remembered that face . The W . M . had been a member of

their lodge for 11 years , and had served every office in the most satisfactory manner , and they had great expectations of him as far as his position in the chair was concerned . He was morever very energetic , and his ability as a worker was only equalled by his enthusiasm in Freemasonry . Bro . G . S . Peachey , W . M ., in response , thanked the l . P . M . and brethren for the kind and hearty manner in which the toast had been proposed and received . He

wished he deserved one half of the kindly remarks made by the I . P . M ., but could assure them that his efforts in Masonry had been a labour of love , and he had now reached the summit of a Mason ' s ambition—to obtain the chair of his mother lodge . If during his year of office there was any work , he should do his best to perform it as nearly approaching the excellence of his predecessor as his ability would allow .

"The Visitors" was next given in a hearty manner by the W . M . and duly responded to by several visiting brethren . The Worshipful Master proposed " The Installing and Past Masters , " and said all present must have been impressed with the excellent working of Bro . Thomas , P . M . He ( the W . M . ) expressed his great pleasure at the manner in which the ceremony was performed by Bro . Thomas , P . M ., and the addresses were delivered by Bro . Adams ,

P . M . Bro . G . J . 'Thomas , P . M . ; replied , and said that as the members were aware , he was always pleased to do anything for the lodge . Since he had been a member he had endeavoured to do his work in every office to the satisfaction of the W . M ., and if he had the appreciation of those for whom he had worked he was well repaid .

Bro . J . Adams , P . M ., also responded , after which the W . M . gave " The Treasurer and Secretary . " Bros . W . Vincent , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas ., and W . Dodd , P . M ., P . P G . D ., Sec , returned thanks , the former afterwards acknowledging in an appropriate manner the toast of " The Masonic Charities . " " The Officers " and the Tyler ' s toast closed a pleasant evening .

TUNBRIDGE WELLS . Pantiles Lodge ( No . 2200 ) . —There was an unusually large attendance of brethren at the Pump Room on Wednesday , the jth inst ., Bro . Nicholas Greenwell , W . M ., in the chair , including Bro . VV . C . Cripps , P . M ., P . S . G . W . ; Tom Ryder , l . P . M . ; Josiah Will . not , S . W . ; B . C . Colls , J . W . ; Rufus Stevenson , P . M ., Sec ; T . Potter , Treas . ; J . S . Fletcher , S . D . ; E . J . Gallard ,

J . D . ; T . Best , I . G . ; J . Lessels , D . C ; A . Burslem , A . D . C ; G . Grover , Stwd . ; T . Caseley , P . M . ; C . Braid , W . H . Downs , H . A . Burton , F . Tupper , W . Tupper , M . A . H . Edwardes , VV . Wiseman , E . Fenwick , R . J . Langley , Williams , E . Westbrook , D . Hoodley , G . Smith , T . J . Hudson , and others . The minutes of the last regular lodge and a lodge of emergency having been confirmed , Bro . Frank Tupper was

raised to the third Degree in a most efficient manner , by the W . M ., who was ably assisted by his officers . The brethren then proceeded to elect a W . M . for thc ensuing year , and their choice fell upon Bro . Josiah Willmot , who received the warm congratulations of all present . Bro . Potter was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Rufus Stevenson , Charity Representative ; Bro . Wiseman re-elected , and Bro . Fenwick were appointed Auditors , and Bro . Boulter

was re-elected Tyler . Bro . Ryder , P . M ., gave notice that at the next lodge meeting he should propose that a jewel be presented to the retiring W . M ., Bro . Greenwell . Other necessary business having been transacted , the brethren adjourned to the Wellington Hotel , where the worthy host , Bro . Braly , had provided one of those capital suppers for which this hotel is so noted . Supper over the usual Masonic toasts were given from

the chair , and the W . M . in giving "The Prov . Grand Master , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupled with the toast the name of the Prov . S . G . W ., Bro . VV . C . Cripps , who was wished a very prosperous year of office . They as a lodge were very proud of the honour conferred upon him as it reflected credit on the Pantiles Lodge , of which he was first W . M . Bro . Cripps , in response , said the Prov . Grand Master

was one of whom every Mason might be thoroughly proud . Every one present knew with what unquestioned loyalty every brother in the province looked up to Earl Amherst , who was deeply interested in the wellare of Masonry in general and the Province of Kent in particular . His lordship was well supported by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Smith Eastes , and he knew the deep regret all felt at his not being able to be present at the banquet last year in this town , more especially the

causedomestic allliction . 'The references that were then made to him must have been extremely gratifying to Lord Amherst . Coming to the more personal part ot ihe toast , Bro . Cripps assured them he felt very deeply the very kind words which had been used by the W . M . in speaking of him , and he desired to say at the outset that it was to the Pantiles Lodge he owed the position which Lord Amherst had been good enough to bestow upon him this year . He felt the position was an honour , not so much to the humble individual upon whom it had been bestowed as to the

Provincial Meetings.

lodge over which Lord Amherst presided at its consecration and watched its progress with great interest . Having been its first W . M ., and one of its founders , and having initiated many worthy brethren into the mysteries of Masonry thev could well understand the deep interest he should always take in the Pantiles Lodge . They might think that interest had been flagging because they had not seen him very often amongst them of late , but he , had had one or tJL

years' hard work in the Holmesdale and Pantiles Lod ges and he felt that he needed a little rest . When he had attained the position which every Mason hoped to attain he was bound to perform those duties appertaining ; to the office , and not the least of those duties was that of being present at the gatherings of the particular lodge to which he owed his promotion . He desired to impress upon all brethren that in Masonry they were all equal

and every member of the lodge had the same opportunities of gaining honours in the Province of Kent . Looking at the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , they would find that the selections had been made not by reason of rank or fortune ; they had been taken from every round of the wheel , and no one , whatever his position in life may be need despair of the honour of wearing the purple of the Craft . He was glad to find that the Pantiles Lodge was in

a thoroughly flourishing state . There was now only one of the founders who had not passed through the chair , and he hoped soon to see that brother their W . M . He thanked them heartily for the kindness with which they had received him on this and all occasions , which he hoped and trusted would be continued in the future .

Other toasts of a complimentary character , such as " The W . M . Elect , " "The W . M ., " " The Officers , " and "The Visitors" ( to the latter of which Bro . C . Broid responded ) were given , and a most enjoyable evening was spent , several capital songs being given by Bros . Howis , Williams , Downs , Burslem , Broid ( who also accompanied throughout ) , the W . M ., and others .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Gallery Chapter ( No . 1928 ) . —The October meeting of this Royal Arch chapter was held at Anderton ' s on Saturday , the 9 th inst ., when the chapter was opened by Comps . H . Massey , Z . ; Herbert Wright , H . ; E . E . Peacock , J . j Home , P . Z ., 7 ; and C . H . Webb , P . Z . 174 . Other Companions present were R . J . Albey , Treas . ; J . C . Manning , S . E . , * C . K . Moore , P . S . ; P .

W . Husk , 1 st A . S . ; H . E . F . Bussey , J . Hurdell , and J . Laidlaw Cross . Comp . Herbert Wright was installed asM . E . Z . by Comp . C . H . Webb , and afterwards Bros . H . L . Bell and T . G . Scott , members of the Gallery Lodge were exalted . Comp . Peacock was elected H ., and Comp . Brassey , J ., and a vote of condolence with Mrs . Griffiths on the death of her husband , Comp . R . J . Griffiths , LL . D ., the H . elect , was unanimously passed , on the motion of Comp . Herbert

Wright , seconded by Comp . Peacock . Comp . Webb was elected an honorary member of the chapter , and a cordial vote of thanks was passed to him for his kindness in installing the M . E . Z ., at considerable inconvenience to himself , as he had to supply a locum tenens in Lodge No . 1 G 07 , ol which he is Secretary , and which met on the same evening . The work of the chapter was followed by one of Anderton »

very choice banquets , and the pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by the reading of an autograph letter from Comp . J . Henwood Thomas , the first M . E . 2 . of the chapter , to the Scribe E ., announcing the great improvement there was in his health , and the hope he entertained of soon again joining the companions in chapter , after an illness of two years and a half .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

ST . JOHN'S LODGE ( No . 1 G 7 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the Gth inst ., at the Court House , Harlesden . Present : Bros . J . Bartlett , W . M . ; J . Haley , S . W . ; C Penny , J . W . ; W . Hillier , Preceptor ; Arthur Jones , iiec . ; S . Hussey , S . D . ; F . S . Priest , J . D . ; W . H . Armlield , I . G . ; R . H . Williams , P . M ., A . W . Lane , W . M . 107 ; Dean , Ginder , Hatton , sen ., Memory , Plaford , Rose , and

Tebbitt . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Ihe lodge was opened in the Second Degree , Bro . A . VV . Lane having offered himself as the candidate to be raised , the usual questions were put , answered , and the candidate was entrusted and retired . 'The lodge was opened in the I hi ™ The

Degree , and the ceremony of raising rehearsed . lodge was resumed to the First Degree , and the 1 at and 2 nd Sections of the Lecture were worked by the Precep tor , assisted by the brethren . On the W . M . rising for the second time , the Preceptor stated that Bro . S . Hussey had already been elected W . M . for the next meeting . Bros . »• Hussey , C . Penny , F . S . Priest , and D . R . Soames were elected Stewards of the lodge , which was then closed .

BLACKHEATH LODGE ( No . 1320 ) . —The : _ usual weekly meeting was held at the Milkwood ' V '' Milkwood-road , Loughborough Junction , on Monday , tne 10 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Niblett , VV . si . / Turner , S . W . ; Salmon , J . W . ; C . H . Stone , Sec ., Chabot , S . D . ; Pack , J . D . ; Barr , I . G . ; Rice , Assl ' Sec ; Kimpton , Reilly , Telling , Pike , Porter , Derham ,

Hill , Dawson , and Sly . . j The minutes of the previous meeting were read confirmed . Bro . Derham having offered himselt as a c didate for passing , answered the usual questions , was trusted , and retired . The lodge was opened in the S < - . ^ Degree , and Bro . Derham was passed in due form . , lodge was resumed in the First Degree , and t hecel Mj Kw initiation was rehearsed by Bro . Derham , Bro . Reilly , the candidate . The 1 st Section of the Lecture was wor lilt ; lauuiudic , 1 lie i & i oeeuou ui IIIC i ^ uuiv \ K \

o . by Bro . Salmon , J . W ., assisted by the brethren . . turner , S . W ., was elected W . M . for the first M 01 * ° J ro . November . " Hearty good wishes " were g iven Iroi ^ Cass , 'Treas ., and a hearty vote of thanks was accor ^ Bro . Niblett for so excellently rehearsing the cerem V eeI 1 W . M . for the first time , it was announced that the 1 ^ Sections would be rehearsed at the next meeting , at / f ' a , Bro . Hilton , as W . M . ; Bro . R . j . Voisey , S . W . i anu T . Grummant , J . W . The lodge was then closed .