Craft Masonry.

Lord Charles Beresford Lodge , No . 2404 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the aSth ult ., at the Sun Hotel , Chatham , and was attended by a large number of members and visitors . Amo'S the latter were Bros . Major-General Sir Charles Warren , G . C . M . G ., K . C . B ., Pa ' t Dist . G . M . Eastern Archipelago ; Wm . Russell , A . G . D . C . Eng ., Prov . G . Treas . ; and many other Prov . G . Officers .

Bro . Captain Francis Powell , P . M ., & c , was the Installing Mister , and performed the ceremony in a most satisfactory manner . The following are the officers for the year , viz .: Bros . I . W . Peart , W . M . ; W . A . Phipps , I . P . M . ; W . I . Beck , S . W . ; j . J . Young , J . W . ; S . E . Morgan , P . M ., Treas . ; Capt . Francis . Powell , P . M , Sec . ; A . G . Kay . S . D . ; F . Hawes , J . D . ; C Lane , I . G . ; A . F . King , D . C ; A . T . Sharman , Org . ; E . Rock and A . G . Struct , Stwds . ; and J . E . Pirkins , Tyler . Bro .

Capt Powell was re-elected Charity Representative . Votes of thanks were accorded to Bro . Sir C . Warren and other Grand Officers for their attendance , also to the Installing Master , which were carried by acclamation . A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Phipps , after which the lodge was closed . The brethren adjourned to the banquet room , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

Eccentric Lodge , No . 2488 . It does not often fall to the lot of one to be Worshipful Mister of two important Metropolitan lodges at one time , but this is the somewhat unique position of Bro . VV . Singleton Hooper who was installed in this well-known and ever-growing lodge at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , on Friday , tbe ist inst ., and he isalso Worshipful Master of the Strand Lodge , No . 19 S 7 . There were present Bros . I . A . Harrison , W . M . 1 Walter Clifford , I . P . M . ; W . S . Hooper , S . VV . and W . M . elect ; John FossJ . W .

, W . J . W . Beard . P . M ., Treas . ; L . W . Harris , S . D . ; W . Sergeant Lee , J . D . G . P . Hadley , I . G . ; J . R . Cleave , P . M ., D . C . ; Arthur Tite , Frank Parker , F . Fraser , and W . E . Garstin , Stwds . ; J . H . Hawkins , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . Surrey : F . Osmond Carr . P . M , P . P . J . G . W . Camhs . ; F . Dangerfield , P . M . ; J . Alec Atkin , J . E . Coulson , M . D ., R . Green , Max Clarke , S . VV . H . Dixon , J . W . Clark , A . J . Thomas , P . M . ; E . S . P . Ludlow , H . Recce , A . H . Collings , J . Weiner , F . W . Sears , A . Ellis , M . J . Shepherd , A . Romano , S . Jousiffe , C F . Matier , P . G . S . B . ;

C . A . Hooper , P . M . ; R . W . Whyte , W . H . Baylis , P . M . ; H . J . Horner , J . L . Kirby , C E . Liles , R . S . King , J . Kift , VV . J . Beard , H . T . Brickwell , and S . Ellis , P . M ., Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Sir J . C Dimsdale , P . G . Treas . ; J . D . Langton , P . D . G . D . C . ; R . Clowes , P . G . Std . Br . ; R . G . Hall , P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Montague Bates , P . G . Std . Br . ; Huirh Cumberland , P . S . G . W . ; Geo . Grant , P . G . Std . Br . ; C 0 . Burgess , P . P . S . G . D . Surrey ; E . J . Wood , 2466 ; A . Page , P . S . G . W . Notts ; W . T . Holloway , 1319 ; C L . Carson , LP . M . 2190 ; Courtice _ Pounds , 2190 ; J . C . Hunting , 19 S 7 ; E . W . Harris

, P . M . 15 S ( I . C . ) ; W . H . White , 55 ; Frank Harper , W . M . 2120 ; A . Ewen , P . M . 475 ; F . A . Gordyn , 935 ; J . McMurdoc , 23 S 7 ; C . Rider Noble , 1764 ; F . Page , W . M . 1613 ; S . J . Spurling , 83 ; A . E . Humphreys , P . M . go ; B . J . Webster Grieve , 176 ; R . Spencer , 1347 ; W . Dennis , W . M . g ; Orlton Cooper , P . M . 211 ; W . Humphrey , W . M . 1305 ; G . S . Beeching , 1305 ; E . W . Mackney , P . M . 134 ; S . H . Baker , 2065 ; 1 . H . Wildasb , P . M . 1662 ; VV . J . Rowe , P . M . 2021 ; C . F ! Browne , P . P . G . S . B . Suffolk ; H . L . de Montmorency , 1 ; Templar Saxe 2190 ; JM .

, . Owens , 2466 ; H . O . Winter , 2432 ; J . P . Nelson , 25 S 1 ; J . W . Dimsdale , 2581 ; H . Bateman , P . M . 29 ; R . Davey , 176 ; F . W . Crookshank , 6 ; A . Bingham , 410 ; W . Churcher , 246 7 ; A . Strugnell , 2264 ; H . Emblyn , 134 S ; and R . T . West , 1744 . The lodge having been opened , a dispensation allowing the lodge to bi held at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , temporarily , was read , after which the minutes of the last lodge and emergency meetings were confirmed . The Auditors' report , showing a balance of nearly £ 400 on the right side , was adopted , and the following unanimously

elected joining members : Bros . H . T . Brickwell , 2455 ; Joseph Weiner , 19 S 7 ; F . W . Sears , 19 S 7 ; Auguste Oddeninn , 1614 ; Fredk . Dangerfield , 1260 ; Arthur H . Beard , 101 ; and Albert H . Collings , 211 . A dispensation allowing Bro . W . Singleton Hooper to be installed W . M . was read , and he was then presented by Bro . J . R . Cleave , P . M ., and installed into the chair by the outgoing Master , Bro . J . A . Harrison , in a most exemplary manner . During the ceremony the anthem , " Be thou faithful " was given by Bro . Courtice Pounds with marked effect , and was much appreciated by the brethren . The nt » wlv-tn « itftlle ( l W . M .. in un tmnrpQciu * manner unnnlntaJ * ... 4

with the exception of Bro . Will E . Chapman , P . A . G . D . C ., who is in South Africainvested the following as his officers : Bros . John Foss , S , W . ; L . VV . Harris , J . W . Walter J . W . Beard , P . M ., Treas . ; Will E . Chapman , Sec . j W . Sergeant Lee , S . D . ; G . P . Hadley , J . D . ; T . Fraser , I . G . ; J . R . Cleave , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Kift Org . j A . Tite , Frank Parker , W . E . Garston , and R . S . King , Stwds . ; and S . Ellis , P . M ., Tyler . The delivery of the customary addresses was very abl y rendered by Bro . J . A . Harrison , and he is to be congratulated on the efficient manner in which he carried

out the installation ceremony , and he closed his career as ruler of the lodge with eclat . It was unanimously resolved to removi the lo dge from the Criterion to the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , and it will now be held at the Cafe Royal , where the lodge was consecrated . The next duty of the W . M . was , as he remarked , a very pleasing one—to present to Bro . J . A . Harrison , I . P . M , a Past Master ' s jewel , as a very small pledge of the great esteem the members had towards him , and as a slight return for his great services to the lodge , which would never be forgotten . Bro . J . A . Harrison , I . P . M ., in a few appropriate words , acknowledged the jewel , which bore the following inscription ;

Presented to W . Bro . J . A . Harrison , P . M ., by the brethren of the Eccentric Lodge , No . 2488 , in appreciation of his efficient services as W . M . during his year of office—1 S 96—97 . Octr ., 1 S 97 . " Bro . WaUer J . W . Beard , P . M ., Treas ., reported that out of the large balance in hand he had purchased stock for a substantial amount . Letters were read from the following , regretting their inability to attend : Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; Thos . Fenn , Robt . Grey , Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap . ; Vaughan Morgan , G . Treas . ; Sir John B , Monckton , and Sheriff Green .

The W . M . intimated that he would go up as Steward at the forthcoming Festival for the Old People , and a gentleman having been proposed for initiation at the next meeting , the lodge was closed . A superb banquet followed , which was well served under the personal superintendence of the manager , Bro . O jdenino . The W . M ., Bro . W . Singleton Hooper , on rising to propose the lirst toist , was received with much enthusiasm .

The W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , in brief but eloquent term ; . In submitting the toast of "The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . stated that they were honoured that evening with the attendance of several Grand Officers , who had taken a great interest in the Eccentric Lodge , and the members appreciated the compliment of Grand Oflicers so often coming there , an J he associated the name of Sir J . C Dimsdale , P . G . Treas ., with the toast . Bro . Sir J . C Dimsdale , P . G . Treas ., respord d . He said he felt with his colleagues

present who wished him to convey on their behilf their hearty thanks for the way th ; toast had been given and received . Misonry was not the so-cilled fourth digreeas some supposed it was . They worked for greater ends and while the good feeling existed between the Craft and Grand Lodge , Freemasonry would continue to ( burish . That evening was more than an ordinary pleasure to acknowledge thc toast because it had

been given by a W . M . who would be able to do everything asked of him in the ritual , in a manner that it should be done . He had an idea tint the W . M . considered it a great honour to preside over such an important lodge , and so well he migh 1- . He appreciated the kind remarks of the W . M . as to the absence of the Secretary , Bro , Will E . Chapman , P . A . G . D . C , who was in South Africa , but , although he was so far away , he was not forgotten by the members of that lodge and the Empress Lodge .

Bro . J . A . Harrison , I . P . M ., on rising to propose "Tne Worshipful Mister , Bro . W . Singleton Hooper , " was received with much warmth . He said it was his pleasing duty and privilege to propose the most important toast of the evening . Bro . Hooper was in the happy position of being W . M . of two London lodges . Those outside Masonry knew him to be one of the best in the world—1 good fellow and a true friend . To those who knew him in Misonry he was everything good , and hs hid been a great success as W . M . of the Strand Lodge . They were all delighted to see him in the ch air of the Eccentric Lodge , and wished him a splendid year of office .

Bro . VV . Singleton Hooper , W . M ., on rising to respond , had an ovation . He slid blushes mantled on his maiden brow , us he never knew what a g > od mm he wis until lie heard it from the I . P . M . that evening . The Treasurer had told them of the great balance standing to their credit , and it was a great honour and pleasure to him to hold the position of Mister of such a II jurishing and important lodge , of which he was one of

Craft Masonry.

the founders and had filled all the offices . The lodge was only a young one , but he would do his utmost to maintain the great reputation it had . The VV . M , then gave " The Installing Mister , Bro . J . A . Harrison , " and said they would all agree with him that Bro . Harrison was one of the very best Masters the lodge had ever had . In the Eccentric Club and in the lodge he wis a tower of strength , and the great success of the lodge wis due entirely to his efforts . He could speik at length as to his many virtues and abilities , but it was needless to do so , as he was so well-known to them all .

Bro . J . A . Harrison , I . P . M ., who was again received with enthusiasm , responded . He said the little he had done for the lodge wis a greitp'eisure to hi-n . The Eccentric Club and the lodge would go hand and hand together to do everything that was good . He left the chair with much regret , but nvght he say he had given sitisfactioT to tH-. m as Master ? He felt he was more cipable of then conducting thc aff lirs of the lodge than he was 12 months ago ; but he was succeeded by a very old friend in Bro . Hooper , one able to do everything in the ritual and well able to hold his own in Masonry and other spheres , and the members had done the right thing in electing him W . M ., as it would have been impossible to have made a better choice .

The W . M . stated that the lodge , amongst its many eccentricities , hid an eccentric Charity fund , and one Master tried to outdo his predecessor in increasing the amount of that fund . The Charity-box would be passed round , and he hoped the members would give freely . This having been done , the VV . M ., who nude an up-to-date auctioneer , then put up the contents of the box for sale , remarking that it was too heavy for him to hold up , and , after spirited bidding , he knocked it down at £ 25 , amidst much applause , to Bro . B . Grieve , 176 .

In proposing "The Health of Bro . B . Grieve , " the W . M . observed that it wis a great compliment to the lodge that Bro . Grieve should attend there as a visitor and purchase the contents of the box for the benefit of Charity . In presenting the toast ot "The Visitors" the W . M . stated that they were honoured that evening with the presence of many eminent and distinguished Masons—in all about

50—and on behalf of the lodge he gave them all a very hearty welcome , remarking thit no better compliment could be paid to a lodge by the quality and quintity of its guests . Time would not permit for all of them to respond , but he hoped to see them again during his year of office , and , concluding , he associated with the toast the names of Bros , W . Dennis , W . M . o ; and F . Page , W . M . 1613 .

Bro . W . Dennis , W . M . 9 , responded . He slid thit all the visitors would gladly come as often as they were given the opportunity . The w irking of the lodge wis more than enough to get plenty ot visitors and the hospitality of the members wis lavish . Hi agreed that it would have been impossible for the lodge to have found a better W . M . and he had no hesitation in stating that the lodge would be a great success under Bro . Hooper ' s ruling . Bro . F . Page , W . M . 1613 , also acknowledged the handsome way the visitors had been received and entertained . The Working of tbe I . P . M . was excellent . He congratulated the lodge on being one of the finest in the West , and it hid an excellent W . M . in Bro . Hooper .

Bro . E . W . Harris , P . M . ( 1 S 5 I . C ) , said it afforded him much pleasure to be a visitor at that distinguished lodge , and he agreed with everything thit hid been Slid as to the working of the I . P . M ., Bro . Harrison , and the hospitality of the m jmbers . The W . M . in proposing "The Officers , " said it was a very important toast and he considered himself exceedingly fortunate in hiving such a good stall . H ; mentioned each by name stating at length their many good qualities and h ; felt thsy would giv ;

him every assistance during his term of office . Bro . John Foss , S . W ., whose name was associated with the toist , responded . Hs said that he and his colleagues would do everything to keep up the great reputation of the lodge . Bro . Walter J . VV . Beard , P . M ., Treas ., whose nam ; wis also j lined with the toast of "The Officers , " also responded , remarking that all he did wis a work of love , and he was only happy when doing something for the Iod je .

The Tyler's toast terminated a very pleasmt and happy evening , and one tha . will long be remembered . An excellent entertainment wis cirried out under th : able direction of Bro . Jm : s Kift , in which the following took part : Bros . Arthur Strugnell , Walter Churcher , who received a well-deserved encore ; W . Sergeant Lee ( recitation ); Herbert Emlyn ; the veteran E . W . Mickney—encored ; and Templir Sixe sing " Love ' s Prisoner , " composed by Augustus Bingham , which was introduced in the production of a new

comic opera last season , entitled " The Merry Monk . " The Eccentric Lodge commenced the fifth year of its existence on the ist inst ., and its great success has been quite exceptional in the history of new lodges . We have no doubt that under the reign of the W . M ., with the assistance of Bro . Walter J . W , Beard , P . M ., the genial and indefatigable Treasurer , who is also acting as Secretary in the absence of Bro . Will E . Chapman , P . A . G . D . C , the lodge will still go to the front , and in conclusion we beg to tender our hearty congratulations to Bro . W . Singleton Hooper on the high position he holds in the lodge .

St . Luke's Lodge , No . 144 . One of the most successful gatherings of this very old-established lodge—which was consecrated in 1765 in the Parish of St . Luke's , Chelsea—took place at Anderton ' s Hotel , on the 4 th inst ., thc occasion being the installation of Bro . T . A . Markland , a highly-esteemed member of the lodge , and , if any evidence was required as to his popularity , it was afforded by the enthusiastic reception he had on being installed . There was a good muster of members and nearly 30 visitors . There were present Bros .

J . H . Beauchamp , W . M . ; F . Thomas , I . P . M . ; T . A . Markland , S . W . and W . M . elect ; S . C . M . Austin , J . W . ; E . Witts , P . M ., Sec . ; A . Marriott-Matthews , S . D . ; W . H . Royle , J . D . ; E . J . Winsbonow , I . G . ; W . T . Morley and J . Weller , Stwds . ; W . Murdock , A . D . C ; W . J . Forscutt , P . M . ; A . Saunders , P . M . ; F . Stutfield , P . M . ; B . Bridgeman , P . M . ; R . S . Illing , F . Pulling , P . M . ; C . Mallous , G . E . Murrell , A . W . Thompson , T . J . Nicholls , G . Westron . F . J . Ingram , H . Hiyward , II . A . Place , C . Ebborn , A . Dupree , J . Fletcher , G . S . Ellis , H . E . Sleep , C . L . Wright , F . H . Harmin , W . Bowles , G . Danson , C . W . Jordan , C S . James , G . H . Weatherall , J . Field , and T . Bowler , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . A . Briscoe , P . M . 1929 , P . P . G . O . Surrey ;

R . Kelsey , W . M . 1261 ; Wm . Ham , VV . M . 1 S 91 ; Geo . White , VV . M . 2030 ; T . Middleweek , S . W- 1793 , J . D . 1 C 14 ; D . A . Ross , 2319 ; A . Ziegler , 1929 ; E . J , Green , J . W . S 65 ; J . W . Robinson , P . M . 15 S 5 ; R . Raymond , P . M . 1305 ; J . W . Facey , S . W . 1707 ,- A . J . Dalton , 12 S 4 ; E . Harwell , 1694 ; R . Cawley , J . D . 172 ; A . Carlstrom , 733 ; A . J . Anderson , S . D . 24 GC ; J . P . Cash , 134 S ; A . Grace , D . C . 2521 ; Percy Cooper , I . G . 1 C 94 : G . C . Brooke , 2400 ; J . J . Mackay , P . M . 1767 , 2310 ) W . J . Wall , P . M . 1743 ; VV . Lowe , P . M . 226 4 ; V . Cox , P . M . 1585 ; A . B , Stutfield , 1920 : J . E . Lyndall , 11 S 5 ; and R . T . West , 17 . 14 .

The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting having been read and the Auditors' report adopted , the W . M ., Bro . Hirry Beauchimp , raised Bro . C . S . James to the Third Degree . Bro . Fred Thomas , I . P . M ., then occupied the chair , and Bro . A . Saunders , P . M ., presented Bro . Thomas A . Markland , thc W . M . elect , and he was installed in a masterly manner . The new W . VL then appointed and invested the following as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . S . C M . Aus : in , S . W . ; A . M irriott-Matthews , J . W . ; J . G . Unite , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Witts , P . M ., Sec . ; W . H .

Royle , S . D . ; E . J . Winsborrow , J . D . j W . T . Morley , I . G . ; Jarvis Miples , P . M ., and W . Murdock , Stwds . ; T . J . Nicholls , A . D . C ; and T . Bowler , Tyler . The delivery of the usual addresses was very ably and impressively rendered by Bro . Fred . Thomas , P . M . Afterwards the W . M ., Bro . T . A . Markland—who is only 26 years of age—has gained a thorough mastery of the ritual , and his working of tha initiation ceremony was performed in a manner which proved beyond doubt that he is a Master of

the art . Bro . G . II . Wctherall , 2 4 , was unanim ju > Iy . elected as a joining number , Bro . Wetherall stated that he considered it to be a great honour of hiving been elected , and he hoped never to disgrace the lodge . Bro . E . Witts , P . M , Sec , referred to the absence of the Treasurer , Bro . J . G . Unite , P . M ., which , he stated , was in consequence of the death of his eldest daughter , and it was unanimously resolved that a letter of condolence should be sent to him .

Other business followed , after whicn the lodge was closed . The brethren adj lurned to an excellent banquet , which fully maintained the reputation of the establishment . The Worshipful Master gave the usuil loyal and Miso . nic toasts with com ncndable brevity . Bro . Harry Beauchamp , I . P . M ., proposed "TheW . M ., Bro . T . A . Mirklind . " He said that it fell to his hippy lot to propose the most important toist of the evening ,.