Craft Masonry.

They bad seen and heard thc very able way in which he had earned out the ceremony of initiation , which showed he was of tbe best quality and he was positive that nothing would be found wanting on his part to carry out the duties of his high office with every satisfaction to them all . He thought the W . M . was following in the footsteps of his very much respected father—one of the most efficient W . Ms , thc lodge had ever hadand he felt he was expressing the wish of all tbe members that the W . M . would be able to do as well , and if he did he would be one of the great successes in the annals of thc

The W . M ., Bro . Markland , on rising to respond , had an ovation . He stated that it gave him much pleasure to acknowledge the toast for the first time . It would be one of the delights of his life to do his official work as Master and to keep up the harmony of the lodge , and if he could have a year of ofiice and be the great success the ' . P . M ., Bro . Beauchamp , had been , he would be more than gratified . He appreciated the asters would look well

reference made to bis dear old dad , and be thought tbe Past M after him , out of the great respect and esteem they had for his deceasad father , who was a very old Past Master of the lodge . In proposing the toast of "The Initiate , " the W . M . stated that he had known hnn since he was a very small boy , and he hoped he would prove as good a Mason as he was a mate to him when they were at school together . said he

Bro . James Field , who was accorded a hearty reception , responded . He thanked them one and all for receiving him into their fold , and he wished he might live to be a good Mason , and to follow in thc footsteps of the VV . M ., his very old and dear friend and school-mate , and after his experience that evening , which he should never forget , might he spend many more happy evenings in the lodge . In giving "The Visitors , " the Worshipful Master remarked they were always welcomeand they were honoured with their presence . The lodge had ever taken a

, pride in entertaining their guests , and might it always be so . He read out their names , with a kind word for each , but making special reference to Bros . R . Kelsey , W . M . 1261 ; G . VVhite , W . M . 2030 ; W . Ham , W . M . iSyi ; J . VV . Facey , S . W . 1767 ; and R , Raymond , P . M . 1305 , whose names he coupled with tbe toast . Bro . R . Kelsev responded . He said he had spent a very pleasant evening , but it

was not his first visit , and he was very much impressed with the W . M . ' s beautiful working of the ritual . .... „ Bro . George VVhite , P . M ., stated at one time he thought of joining the St . Luke s Lodge . He was exceedingly pleased with the working of Bro . Thomas , the Installing Master , and the W . M . ' s working that evening was perfect . He had known Bro . Markland for many years , but he had no idea he should find him such an excellent worker of the ritual .

Bros . Win . Ham , j . VV . Facey , and R . Raymond , P . M ., also acknowledged thc

toast . The toast of •" 'The I . P . M ., Bro . Beauchamp , " followed , and was proposed in very eulogistic terms by the VV . M ., who observed that Bro . Beauchamp had worked through the various offices in the lodge in a most fraternal manner , and he had always had a kind word for them all . He was one of the best of fellows and a splendid Mason , but it was not necessary for him to dwell on his many virtues . The VV . M . then presented a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . Beauchamp as a small token in recognition of the ability with which he had discharged his duties , remarking that he hoped he would live long to honour the jewel and be with them for many years to come .

Bro . Harry Beauchamp , I . P . M ., on rising to respond , was received with great enthusiasm . He stated that many complimentary things had been said of him which he did not deserve , but he had done his level best during his term of office as Master , and if he had given satisfaction that was a sufficient return for his sma'l efforts . The W . M . proposed "The Installing Master , Bro . Thomas , " and said that those who had been present in tbe lodge had had a great treat in the working of liro . Thomas ,

and all the members endorsed eveiything that the visitors had said as to the installation ceremony , and , on behalf of thc lodge , he thanked Bro . 'Thomas for his great services that evening . Bro . F . Thomas , P . M ., who was enthusiastically received , stated that he appreciated the very kind way thc toast had been given and received . What be had done was to him a great pleasure ; but he felt that he had made his last effort , and he must rest and go on the shelf , where he was jjlaced 12 months ago .

In eloquent terms , the W . M . gave " The Past Masters , " remarking that they had a goodly an ay cf them , who were the foundation-stones of the lodge . Mc coupled thc name of Bro . A . Saunders , P . M . —who had kindly acted as D . C . that evening—whom he asked to respond . Bro . A . Saunders , P . M ., on rising lo respond , had a very hearty reception . lie

thanked the VV . M . for the high honour of associating his name with the toast , and he congratulated the I . P . M . on his grand year of office . He was proud of his great r-uccess , because Bro . Beauchamp was Protege . Then , as to the W . M ., the Past Alasters felt that he would be a great credit to the lodge , and would ever remind the members—not that it was necessary—of the great services rendered by his father , who had gone to the Grand Lodge above .

In giving " The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . spoke in feeling terms of the great loss the Treasurer had sustained by losing his eldest daughter . The Secretary did his work as it should be done , thoroughly , and his ardent services were appreciated by the members . Bro . K . Witts , P . M ., See ., responded , lie was sorry to have to acknowlege the toast in tbe absence ol Bro . Unite , who was second to none as a 'Treasurer in London . He had had the honour of being the Secretary for many years , and when he found that he could not do the work to his satisfaction , he would hand it over to someone else .

The Worshipful Master proposed "The Officers of the Lodge , " and since he could not speak too well of them , and if Bro . Austin , S . W ., the Secretary of the Entertainment Committee , would give him the same assistance as he had done to his predecessor , he would be grateful . Suitable ' responses were made by Bros . S . C M . Austin , S . VV . ; A . Marriott-Matthews , J . W . ; T . J . Nicholls , A . D . C ; and G . H . Wetherall , Org ., acknowledging the honour done them , and the great pleasure in serving the W . M . and the lodge to the best of their ability .

The Tyler ' s toast closed a most happy and successful meeting . An excellent programme was provided , the artistes being Bros . A . Ziegler , S . C . M . Austin , Percy Cooper ( Prestidigitation ) , and G . 11 . Wetherall , but a word of praise is due to Bros . Ziegler and Percy Cooper for their great efforts . Bro . Arthur Briscoe , P . P . G . Org . Surrey , acted as Organist in the lodge , and presided at the pianoforte with his well-known ability .

The W . M ., Bro . T . A . Markland , was initiated in thc St . Luke ' s Lodge in April , 1 S 113 , by Bro . A . Saunders , P . M ., and was appointed I . G . at the first installation meeting after his initiation , and has since served as S . D ., J . W ., and S . W . lie is a very young man , very enthusiastic , and must have worked very hard to have attained , as he has , a perfect mastery of the ritual , and under his vigorous rule the St . Luke's Lodge should continue to prosper .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Gallery Chapter , No . 1928 . A meeting ol the above chapter was held on Saturday , the yth inst ., at Aiiderlon ' i Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C , when the following companions were present : Comps . J , Hurdell , M . E . Z . ; J . Read , P . G . Org ., II . ; P . VV . Husk , J . ; Peacock , P . Z ., Treas . ; Herbert Wright , P . Z ., S . E . ; J . J . Fretwell , S . N . ; Orlton Cooper , P . S . j Bell , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; Shepherd , Janitor ; Massey , P . Z . ; Manning , P . Z . ; Gjwinjr ,, and Peacock . Comp . John Songhurst , M . E . Z . 7 _ ' 0 , was a visitor .

Thc chapter was opened , the companions admitted , and the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed . This being the annua ! period for installation of Principals , a conclave of Installed First Principals was formed , and Comp . J . Read , P . Z .. ) 41 , 7 . 10 , P . G . Org ., was duly installed as M . E . Z ., by Comp . J . Hurdell . 'This conclave being closed , a conclave of Installed Srcond Principals was formed , anil Comp . I' . Husk was installed by Ccmp . John Read , M . E . Z . into the chair of II . A conclave of Third Principals being opened , Comp J . J . Fretwell was installed by Comp . John Read , M . E . Z ., into the chair of 1 . On the re-admission of the companions , thc M . E . Z . invested Comps . E . E . Peacock , P . Z ,, as Treas . ; II . Wright , P . Z ., as S . K . ; Orlton Cooper , as S . N . ; J . Manning , P . Z ., as D . C ; II . Peacock , as Stwd ; and Shepherd , as Janitor . The

Royal Arch.

names of Bios , thc Rev . J . Stephen Barrass and Alfred F . Robins and E . A . Peachey —proposed by Comp . E . E . Peacock , P . Z ., Treas ., and seconded by Comp . H . Wright , P . ' / ., S . E ., having been accepted on the ballot , these brethren were regularly exalted to the Degree of Royal Arch Masonry . Nothing further offering , the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to banquet , under the presidency of the M . E . Z ., thus bringing a successful evening to an agreeable close .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Britannia Lodge , No . 53 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . A . J . FORSDIKE . The anniversary festival and installation ceremony of the above lodge took place on Thursday , the 7 th instant , and was celebrated with the usual heartiness and enthusiasm . Britannia Lodge has taken for many years a prominent position amongst West Yorkshire Mark lodges , and it is very evident that it intends to maintain that advantage . It has had its years diversified , of course , sometimes very prosperous , now and then indifferently so , much depending upon the calibre of the W . M . to whom its destinies have been entrusted . During the year just closed under the capable hands of the retiring

W . M ., Bro . 1 . Rowbotham , it has regained all the energy which it had temporarily lost , and promises , as the report of the proceedings will show , under the equally able guidance of its new Master , Bro . A . J . Forsdike , to keep pace with the marked advance which Mark Masonry has of late years been showing in West Yorkshire . It is a delightful task to put on record events which have pleasurable associations , and no visitor to Lodge 53 on the night in question could fail to be impressed with the quiet , businesslike tone of the meeting , the wonderful mastery of ceremonial detail which was shown , and last , but not least , the distinctly Yorkshire welcome which was extended to all guests .

The lodge was opened by thc W . M ., Bro . Rowbotham , and , after the confirmation of the minutes and a unanimous ballot for a candidate for advancement , it was announced that tbe P . G . M ., attended by his Deputy and other P . G . Officers , sought admission . The members of Provincial Grand Lodge comprised : Bros . C Letch Mason , P . G . M . ; J . Barker , P . G . L of Wks ., D . P . G . M . ; G . H . Parke , P . P . G . W ., G . Treas . ; H . J . Garnett , P . P . G . W ., P . G . D . ; John Unwin , P . P . G . W ., P . G . S . ; M . J . Dodworth , P . P . G . W . ; G . Wragg , P . P . G . O . ; A . E . Kirkham , P . P . G . R . ; J . P . Hewitt , P . P . G . R . ; Joseph Matthewman , Prov . G . Sec ; and VV . C . Fox , P . P . G . D .

The oliicers and brethren of the lodge were Bros . Thomas Rowbotham , P . G . S ., W . M . ; A . J . Forsdike , S . W . ; Geo . Edwards , J . W . ; W . C . Fox , M . O . ; J . T . Thomjison , S . O .: C . Stokes , J . O . ; J . Barton , R . of M . ; VVm . Johnson , Sec . ; VV . Walker , S . D . ; VV . Fearnehough . J . D . ; J . Hastings and E . G . Whiteley . D . of Cs . ; J . A . Rogers , E . Rowbotham , W . D . Forsdike , G . T . Dickinson , 11 . G . Bamethy , G . W . Wilkinson , J . Stringer , A . j . Birks , G . Nodder , W . Sissons , F . S . II . Nelson , W . Slater , W . L . Lindlar , J . Robertshaw , and W . Foxon . There were many visitors , amongst whom may be mentioned Bros . J . T . Allingham , P . P . G . O . Devon ; Ensor Drury , an old P . M . and founder of Britannia ; Wm . Gadsby , P . P . G . Org . Derby ; A . R . Fox , and W . H . Peasegood .

After the Prov . Grand Master and the Prov . G . Oflicers had been saluted and other business of a routine character completed , Bro . H . J . Girnett , P . M ., presented Bro . A . J . Foisdike for installation . The ceremony throughout was conducted by the retiring Master , Bro . Thomas Rowbotham , and was an earnest and conscientious rendering of what is one of the most beautiful offices in Freemasonry . Bro . Rowbotham fills the post of W . M . of the Wentworth Lodge ( Craft ) , No . 1239 , and has won for himself a well-deserved reputation as an able exponent of Masonic ritual , and all agreed that on this occasion he maintained that reputation to thc full . The Board comprised 14

Past Masters , and the working tools were explained by Bro . II . J . Girnett . On the readmission the investiture of officers took place , to each of whom the newly-installed Master addressed suitable and appropriate remarks . It was evident from his first utterance that the mantle of Bro . Rowbotham had fallen upon worthy shoulders , and that the best traditions of Britannia were being upheld by Bro . Forsdike . It is somewhat unusual perhaps , but speaks strongly as to the regularity in attendance , that every brother to whom ofiice was offered , accepted ; in fact , the promotion was simply one step for all concerned . The officers were Bros . G . Edwards , S . W . ; W . C . Fox

J . W . ; J . T . Thompson , M . O . ; C . Stokes , S . O . ; J . Barton , J . O . ; W . Johnson , Reg . of M . ; W . Walker , Sec . ; W . Fearnehough , S . D . ; J . Hastings , J . D . ; J . P . Hewitt and E . G . Whiteley , D . Cs . ; J . A . Rogers , Org . ; E . Rowbotham , I . G . ; VV . D . Forsdike and G . T . Dickinson , Stwds . ; T . Leighton , Tyler ; and G . VV . Wilkinson , Assistant Tyler . This done , Bro . Rowbotham gave the addresses to Wardens , Overseers , and brethren , and thus completed the interesting ceremony of installation . The selection of a representative on the VVest Yorkshire Charity Committee was next

proceeded with . On the motion of the I . P . M ., Bro . F . Cleeves was re-elected unanimously , his proposer declaring that as an able , distinguished , and active officer his services were invaluable . Congratulations were tendered by the Prov . G . Master , the Grand Treasurer of England , Bro . G . Id . Parke , by Bro . Ensor Drury , who was Mister in 1863 , and by Bro . Allingham in the name of the Province of Devon . After apologies , verbal or written , had been offered , and regrets for absence expressed by Bros . John Shaw , J . E . Darling , T . H . Vernon , and Fred Cleeves , the lodge was closed , and the brethren went down to refreshment .

Dinner was served in the hall , and the well-known reputation for culinary excellence , rapid ministration , and floral decoration , for which the Surrey-street minagement his been distinguished , was fully maintained , under the new Hall Steward . Music , it is needless to say , formed rio small portion of the after proceedings , and an earnest of what might be expected in that direction was given by the excellent rendering of the " Grace " by Bros . Foxon , Edwards , Rodgers , and Gadsby . In proposing "The Health of her Most Gracious Majesty , " Bro . Forsdike mide reference to the Queen's recent visit to Sheffield , and the enthusiasm it evoked .

The toast was received with all loyalty , and the National Anthem was sung , Bro " Foxon taking the solo . In submitting the toast of " His Royal Highness , the M . W . G . M ., " the W . M . referred to his visit to the Albert Hall , at the Jubilee Celebration , and the masterly and admirable manner in which the Prince conducted the proceedings . In all the various dbties which he was called upon to perform , the son fully upheld all the dignity , and displayed all the gracious courtesy of his august mother . As Grand Master , they owed him service , and he was quite sure his brethren would join with him in loyally drinking to his very good health .

This the brethren did right heartily , joining lustily in the chorus to "Gjd bless the Prince of Wales , " sung by Bro . Wm . Gadsbv . The next toast was " 'The Most Worshipful the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Euston ; the Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Master , Lord Dungarvan ; and the rest of the Grand Officeis , Present and Past . " With the mention of Lord Euston , the VV . M ., declared that they seemed to be coming nearer home . His lordship had paid Sheffield a visit in his official capacity so recent ' y as May last , and the amount of interest that had called forth was shown by the magnificent and fully attended assemblage of brethren from all parts of tbe province to do him honour . From reports he had

received at home , and information given to him whilst in London at the Mark Benevolent Festival , the W . M . was assured that the reception given to the M . W , Pro Grand Master and his officers had produced the greatest satisfaction . This wis gratifying to the province and lo Sheffield . Amongst the oflicers included in this toast , they in Britannia might claim several , but on this occasion he asked them specially to honour the Grand Treasurer . Bro . Parke was an enthusiastic Mason , and though he had miny important engagements , one he believed in London , for that evening , he had decided in fulfilment of a promise to jiay them a visit . I le proposed , therefore , they should especially accord honour to him as the spokesman of the Grand Oflicers , whose healths they so heartily drunk .

Bro . G . H . Parke , P . M . no , P . P . G . < ¥ . Lines , and W . Vorks ., G . Treas . Eng ., said it was an onerous task to undertake a reply to a toast so ably and warmly proposed by the VV . M ., llro . Forsdike . ' Personally , he felt it a great honour to be elected Grand Treasurer of England . His gratification was increased as he believed was the satisfaction of the Pro Grand Master by the fact that , his appointment wis mide without a contest which virtually amounted to a unanimous selection . Bro . Parke went on to show that , emulating the example Lord Euston had set , they , the Grand Officers , would be delighted to visit the provinces and do anything to stimulate , encourage or strengthe n the Order of Mark Masonry . After reference to the Charities connected with the Mark ,