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Upon the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . "The Health of the W . M . " was given by the I . P . M . Thc W . M ., in reply , expressed his thanks to Bro . Lingley for the very flattering remarks he had made . It vvas his intention to make his year of office in every way successful . He could not hope to equal the working of

some of the old and distinguished members of the lodge who had passed the chair , but he had endeavoured , and would continue , to discharge all the duties appertaining to his office with care and zeal . "The Health of the Visitor" followed . Bro . Barnett , in reply , said that it was not his first visit to the lodge . On a former occason he had witnessed some

excellent working in the Iodge , and at the banquet had heard some beautiful singing - . He vvas pleased to say that on the present occasion he was equally as well pleased and entertained . Among their members they had two or three Past Masters who vvere personal friends of his , and vvere well and deservedly known in Masonic circles , notably Bros . George Everett and T . C . Walls . From what he had seen

and heard , he believed the Kennington Lodge to be the most prosperous lodge on the south of tbe Thames , and long might it continue to be . " The Past Masters , " coupled vvith the name of Bro . Lingley , came next in order . In proposing the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . congratulated Bro . Everett upon the success that

had attended his efforts as 1 reasurer . The I reasurer vvas a brother vvho at the banquet table was invariably on the alert ; he appeared always to be looking after the comfort of every one . In the councils of the lodge his opinion vvas valued most highly , and he was at all times ready to assist in its working . Bro . Stuart , the Secretary , had been very ill , hut he ( the W . M . ) was pleased to see him again at his

post discharging his duties in a manner that had won for him universal respect . This toast having been received vvith more than usual warmth , Bro . Everett , in his speech , touched kindly upon the merits of the absent Secretary , who had left early . Upon his own behalf he expressed himself modestly . He said

that his poor services had been sung so often in the lodge , not only by members , but by visitors , that he was at times quite at a loss to adequately express his thanks . His very good friend and brother , their sole visitor that night—Bro . Barnett—had said so many flattering things about him that he positively blushed . In conclusion , he would try to continue to deserve the encomiums that had been showered

upon him since he had held the office of Treasurer of No . 13 S 1 . The toast of " The Officers , " coupled vvith the name of the genial S . W ., Bro . Westley , terminated the proceedings . The enjoyment of thebrethren vvas considerably enhanced by the instrumental , vocal , and dramatic efforts of Bros . Burn , Burrows , Davis , Buxton , Everett , and Webb .

Royal Commemoration Lodge ( No . J 5 5 ) - —A meeting was held at the White Lion Hotel , Putney Bridge , on Wednesday , the 6 th instant . Present Bros . V . Wing , W . M . ; Harding , S . W . ; Sandalls , J . W . ; Watkins , Treas . ; Williams , I . P . M ., Sec . ; Oliver , S . D . * Coombes , J . D . ; Collings , P . M ., D . C ; Wright , I . G . ; Grundy and Payers , Stwds . ; Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; Gordon ,

Asst . Org . ; Walkley , 'l yler ; Pardoe , P . M . ; Collkk , P . M . ; and a good muster of members . The following visitors vvere also present : Bros . March , W . M . 1360 ; Lyon , 1 S 5 ; Spong , 2020 ; Tucker , J . W . 144 ; and Joyce , 1158 . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Saines was raised

to the 1 hird Degree , and Bros . Colverd , Lloyd , andMetherell were passed to the Degree of F . C . A ballot was taken for Messrs . A . Woodward , L . Nathan , R . Ambler , and W . I . Richardson , and they vvere initiated . A letter of apology was read from Bro . Robinson , P . M ., late Secretary , for his non-attendance ; also a letter of thanks from the widow of a late brother acknowledging receipt of relief from the

lodge . A letter vvas also read from Bro . Hatfield , P . M . 1360 , forwarding a copy of " Liber Musicus " for the use of the lodge , and begging its acceptance . It was unanimously decided to accept thc gift , and a hearty vote of thanks vvas accorded to the kind donor . On the motion of Bro . Pardoe , P . M ., seconded by Bro . Grundy , it was unanimously decided to present Bro . Robinson vvith a jewel to

mark the esteem of the brethren , and to commemorate his services as Secretary . There being no further business to transact , the lodge vvas closed . At the dinner table the W . M . proposed in brief , but befitting , terms the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were most heartily received .

Bro . Williams , LP . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " to vvhich the W . M . replied . The toast of "The Initiates" was next proposed , and responded to . " The Health of the Visitors " followed , and each of them , in response , spoke in glowing terms of the excellent working of thc lodge , especially commenting on the rendering of the

Three Degrees by the W . M . that evening . The toasts of "The Past Masters , " "The Treasurer and Secretary , " " The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast concluded the evening ' s enjoyment . The singing of Hros . J . Colverd , Green and Lyon , the reciting of Bro . Joyce , and a pianoforte duet by the Misses Silcock , daughters of the host , added greatly tothe pleasure of those present .

Duke of Cornwall Lodge ( No . 1 S 39 ) . — A meeting was held on Saturday , tlie ( jth inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , W . C . Present : Bros . A . H . Jakins , W . M . ; C . H . Cox , S . VV . ; J . T . Williams , I . W . ; T . C . Come , P . M ., Treas . ; j . W . Dewsnap , " P . M ., Sec . ; J . Bladon , S . D . ; J . Culver , J . D . ; Trego , I . G . ; Foot , Stwd . ; Bowler , Tyler ; W . B . Marcus , I . P . M . j J . S . Perrins , W . T . Perrins , Davies , Ensvvorth ,

Simmonds , Wright , Heinekey , Dixie , Garrett , Davidson , and Bennett . Visitors : Hros . Hunter , W . M . 1 CS 5 ; Edmonds , Grand Stewards' Lodge ; Marden , 171 ; and Burdett , 1261 . Bro . W . T . Perrins was raised . The ballot for Mr . A . W . Humphreys proving unanimous , he vvas initiated . The matter of the annual ladies' banquet and dance , usually held in January , was discussed and decided upon , and a Committee appointed to carry out details . It being the

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evening of the Lord Mayor s Day , and the anniversary of H . R . H . the M . W . Grand Master's birthday , telegrams of congratulation vvere forwarded , the name of the lodge being one of H . R . H . ' s titles . Letters of apology vvere received from various brethren . The brethren afterwards dined in the drawing room of Freemasons' Tavern .

Gallery Lodge ( No . 1928 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the gth inst ., at the Brixton Hall , Acre-lane , Brixton . There vvere present Bros . Dr . Griffiths , W . M . ; J . C . Duckworth , I . P . M . ; Herbert VVright , S . W . j W . T . ' Perkins , J . W . j H . Massey , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Minstrell , P . M ., Sec . j Basil Cooke , J . D . ; E . E . Peacock , I . G . ; J . H . Thomas , P . M ., D . C . ; Percy

Wallace , Org . ; W . Macdonald , A . D . C ; F . W . Pattison , Stwd . ; H . " Bussey , P . M . ; J . C . Manning , J . Allan , H . J . Sanderson , S . James , R . S . Masson , L . F . Cowing , Jas . Walker , T . G . Scott , G . Wishart , and J . Robins . Visitors Bro . Wood and others . Bro . H . Wright , S . W ., vvas unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuingyear . Bro . Massey was re-elected Treasurer ,

and Bro . Very , lyler . Mr . Frank Whelan Boyle , vvho had been previously elected , was initiated , the ceremony being ably performed by Bro . Massey . The brethren afterwards enjoyed a substantial supper . The W . M . elect , in responding to the toast of his health , informed the brethren that he hoped to have the usual ball in January and the summer picnic in July , and trusted that

he should have the cordial support of the lodge during his year of office . The toast of "The Initiate" vvas duly proposed ancl responded to . "The Health of Bro . Macdonald , " who is about to leave England to join the Sydney press , vvas especially proposed , and drunk with great cordiality .

During the evening the W . M . and Wardens signed the petition to the Grand Master of the proposed Duke of Fife Lodge , to be held at Clapham , as the recommending lodge , the subject being introduced by Bro . Wood , the temporary Secretary . The petition vvas signed by the Duke of Fife , who has promised to be an honorary member of the new lodge .

Lodge Quatuor Coronati ( No . 207 6 ) . — A meeting of this lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , on the Sth inst . Present : Bros . W . Simpson , R . I ., W . M ., in the chair ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., I . P . M . ; Lieut .-Col . S . C . Pratt , R . A ., S . W . ; W . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B ., I . W . ; Walter Besant , Treas . ; G . W . Speth , Sec . ; Dr . W . W . Westcott , l . D . ; Rev . C . J . Ball , I . G . ; E .

Macbean , Stwd . ; W . H . Rylands , P . G . Stwd . ; J . Finlay Finlayson , E . C . Castle , O . C . ; Dr . B . W . Richardson , W . M . Williams , C . Purdon Clarke , CLE . ; C . Kupferschmidt , and Sydney T . Klein , F . L . S . Also the following members of the Correspondence Circle : Bros . J . L . Brayshaw , T . H . Pattinson , S . Richardson , G . W . Taylor , C . IB . Barnes , C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . H . A .

Elliot , W . M . Graham , H . Iipper , Rev . Dr . R . Morns , R . A . Gowan , J . B . Mackey , J . Newton , F . R . A . S . ; Robert Roy , B . A . Smith , J . W . Mauley , E . T . Edwards , J . Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C ; and W . F . Sheppard . Also the following * visitors : Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; G . Powell , P . M . 142 ; B . VV . D . Montgomery , P . M . 10 , Belfast ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . M . 92 ; and W .

G . T . Gilbert , P . M . 257 . The following brethren were admitted to the membership of the lodge , viz . : Bro . Sydney Turner Klein , the Red House , Stanmore , Fellow of the Linnean Society , Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society , & c , & c ; initiated in the Watford Lodge , No . 404 , in iSSS ; author of "Thirty-six hours hunting among

the Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera of Middlesex , " " Appearance of Ephestia Kiihniella in London , and the remedy provided by Nature , " and other papers read before scientific societies ; and Bro . Benjamin Ward Richardson , 25 , Manchester-square , London , W ., M . A ., M . D ., LL . D ., Fellow of the Royal Society , Fellow of the Society of Arts , Fellow of the Roval College of Physicians , Member

of the Imperial Academy of Natural Sciences , Member of the Philosophical Society of America ; initiated in St . Andrew's Lodge , No . 231 , in 1 S 64 , W . M . in iSCS , joined Lodge of King Solomon , No . 2020 , in 1 SS 5 , W . M . in 1885 and 1 SS 6 ; author of " Hygeia , a Model City , " "Diseases of Modern Life , " "The Guild of Good Life , " "The Common Health , " and various biographical memoirs .

1 he following 34 candidates were elected members of the Correspondence Circle , viz .-. Kingston Lodge , 1010 , Hull ; Denison Lodge , 124 S , Scarborough ; Lodge of St . John , 22 S 0 , Sanger , India ; Bureau of Ethnology , Smithsonian Institution , Washington , U . S . A . ; Bros . Rev . E . Y . Dixon , P . M . 2113 , Mount Ayliff , East Griqualand ; A . H . Williams , P . M . 1 SS 6 , Kokstad , East Griqualand ; Rev . C . H . Maiden ,

District Grand Chap ., Madras ; Col . S . W . Brooke , 22 S 0 , Sanger , India ; J . C Budd , P . M . 1555 , Penang ; A . Hiittenbach , P . M . 1555 , Penang ; A . Gundersen , 609 , Christchurch , New Zealand ; \ V . F . Lamonby , 752 , Past G . W . of Victoria , Melbourne , Victoria ; R . J . Nunn , P . M . 15 , Savannah , Georgia , U . S . A . ; VV . F . Carnion , P . M . 4 S 1 , Ncwcastlc-on-Tyne ; I . A . S . Scott , 1427 ,

Newcastleon-Tyne ; H . T . Gardiner , P . M . 45 S , P . P . A . G . D . C . VVest Yorks , Goole , Yorks ; W . Forrest , 37 , Bolton , Lancashire ; F . W . Broadbent , 37 , Bolton , Lancashire ; Capt . J . Booth , P . M . 37 , P . A . G . Soj . East Lancashire , Bolton , Lancashire ; A . K . Cannington , 22 S 9 , Liverpool ; H . C . Reynolds , 22 S 9 , Liverpool ; H . B . Browne , P . M . 1350 , P . P . G . D . Cheshire , Egremont , Cheshire ; W . F . Sheppard , 859 , P . G . Stwd .

Cambridge , Trinity College , Cambridge ; A . Hope , 39 , Exeter ; VV . Mason , P . M . 44 6 , P . P . G . D . Cornwall , St . Austell , Cornwall ; T . H . Lukes , P . M . 49 6 , St . Austell , Cornwall ; W . Nettle , P . M . 510 , Liskeard , Cornwall ; R . Carter , P . M . 75 , Falmouth , Cornwall ; W . Cock , P . M . 1597 , & c , P . G . Stwd . Middx ., Peckham , S . E . ; A . B . Alexander , 2029 , Welbeck-street ; G . A . Wilson , 5 , Stockport , South

Australia ; I . J . C . Hantke , Asst . G . Soj . South Australia , Adelaide ; S . G . Jones , 32 , Adelaide ; and Dr . Danford Thomas , Paddington . This brings the list up to 751 , and shows that 305 new members joined the Correspondence Circle during Bro . Simpson's year of office . The W . M . elect , Bro . Lieut .-Col . S . C . Pratt , R . A ., vvas

then presented for installation by Bro . VValter Besant , P . M ., Treasurer , after which the ceremony of his induction into the chair vvas carried out by Bro . R . F . Gould , P . G . D . The ofiicers appointed and invested for the ensuing year are Bros . VV . Simpson , R . I ., I . P . M . ; W . M . Bywater , S . W . ; Prof . T . H . Lewis , R . I . B . A ., I . W . ( in whose unavoidable

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absence the duties of the office were performed b y Bro Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C . ); Walter Besant , Treas . ; G . \ v " Speth , Sec . ; Dr . W . W . Westcott , S . D . ; Rev . ] . C . Ball ' J . D . ; E . Macbean , LG . ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., D . C ; \ v ! M . Williams , Steward ; and J . W . Freeman , Tyler . The W . M . delivered an excellent inaugural address , reviewing

the work of the lodge during the past year , and suggesting the development of which it is still capable . The record of the literary labours of its members in both Circles since the accession of his predecessor was a remarkable one , showing no less than 19 publications of varying importance , but all of solid merit .

Ihe paper of the evening was by Bro . W . H . R ylands on the picture of " Night , " by Bro . Hogarth . Bro . R ylands vvas , unfortunately , only able to read extracts of this hi ghly interesting paper owing to the lateness of the hour , a cause which also prevented any serious discussion . This is of less importance than it might otherwise be , as the members of the lodge and Correspondence Circle vvill have the benefit of

receiving it printed in full in " Ars Ouatuor Coronatorum " Part 111 ., for 1889 . Bro . Williams exhibited a ticket for a series of nine Masonic concerts in 17 S 3 at Freemasons' Hall , designed by Bartolozzi , and engraved by Cipriani . This will also be reproduced fac simile in the "Transactions . " At the subsequent banquet , after the usual loyal and

Masonic toasts , ^ f Bro . Simpson said : It is novv my duty , and a very pleasant oTTeTto propose to you the toast of the eveningthat of ;* Our W . M ., Bro . Lieut .-Col . S-CPratt . " In doing this , I shall followTKe custom wliicKhas already found acceptance with us , and give you , not a biography exactly , but a short account of some of those things which our VV . M

has accomplished . It is at no time a very pleasant matter to listen to a history of your own doings , and I know that our W . M . is sensitive on this point ; but he must on this occasion consent to suffer , as the relation will be of interest to all of us , and it is important that thebrethren of the lodge , as well as those of the Correspondence Circle , should know something of the merits of the brother vvho is to rule us

for the time being . Our W . M . is a soldier , a Lieut .-Colonel in a high and honourable profession ; he comes of a family of soldiers ; his father held staff appointments , as well as a military command in time of war ; he vvas also a Mason . Thus our brother comes to us , bringing with him associations of our Craft , descending from father to son , in many respects , a good soldier should be a good Mason . This idea vvas

impressed upon me at the installation of our M . W . G . M . It is now a number of years since that took place , but I have never forgotten the impression produced . The capacious Albert Hall vvas filled vvith a great concourse of people vvho had never met before , but though unknown to each other during the ceremony , the vvhole body acted as one person , and moved in conjunction with the accuracy of

a crack regiment . It then dawned on me that vve are a drilled body , obeying orders , and moving at the word of command . Moreover , obedience in other matters is early instilled in us , and unhesitating obedience is the motto of a good soldier . I then formed the opinion that a good soldier should be a good Mason , and that a capable officer must make a good W . M . Novv in Bro . Pratt we have the

good soldier and the capable officer , a good augury for the future of the lodge under his guidance . It is curious that our rulers thus far have been soldiers . Bro . Woodford , our lamented lirst I . P . M ., began life in the Coldstream Guards . Our first Master vvas Sir C . Warren ; then came Bro . Gould , late of the 31 st Regiment ; and although I vvas never a soldier , I have , as a war correspondent , shared in

many of the military campaigns , beginning with the Crimean war . We have now Col . Pratt at our head , the fifth in order , and there were just five soldiers in the nine martyrs who composed the Ouatuor Coronati . Our W . M . belongs to the artillery , vvhich has always been considered one of the educated branches of the service , but our brother stands still higher , for he has occupied the position of

teacher in this higher branch . He has served in that capacity on the educational staff both at Sandhurst and Woolwich . To this must be added that he is the author of works connected with military education . One of these , entitled "Military Law , " has gone through no less than five editions , a proof it vvas fitted for its purpose , and when I add that it vvas favourably reviewed in the

Saturday Review , you vvill appreciate its merits . Another work , on " Field Artillery , " our W . M . ' s own branch of the service , vvas reviewed at great length in the Times , and has gone through a number of editions j but perhaps the highest compliment it has received has been its acceptance as a text book at VVest Point Military Academy on the Hudson River . We may safely assume some "grit" in a book when the Americans have adopted its teaching . Our W . M . has also

written a precis of the Franco-German War , besides a variety of papers and notes on subjects connected vvith military history and art , and he has also acted as one of the Government examiners . These details of literary work will justify our W . M . 's right to take his place in the ranks of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge . But his services have not heen all of this peaceful character . The smell of powder has been familiar to him on the fields of battle as well as on the

practice ground . He has served in India , and took part in an expedition into Bhotan in 1 S 6 4-65 , a rather tough p iece of work . Bhotan is in the Himalayas , to the east of Darjeeling , a country of mountains covered with dense forests , where it vvas difficult for troops to move , and still more foi artillery . Such a region gave the enemy , vvho vvere mountaineers , great advantage , one being the opportunity offered

for surprises and night attacks , of which they availed themselves on more than one occasion . The campaign vvas n ° child ' s play , but one of great danger , entailing heavy marching and a great deal of hard fighting . But there was another and more terrible anxiety . The Deb Rajah , o ' divine king , vvho ruled the Bhotanese , sent a letter to t | ie brigadier commanding the B itish forces , warning him as

to vvhat vvould happen if he continued the attack . Am ° o other threats the missive contained the following : '' 1 s " £ send the divine force of twelve gods , as per margin , vvn ^ are very ferocious ghosts . " Tie Rajah must have had somi * Baboo in his pay vvho had been a regimental clerk in ol j service , the phrase " as per margin" betrays this , became quite a stock form among the Baboos , vvho at 01 ww \ . u ... u ., u .. u . . .. but ... 1 U 111 , UIIIUII Q 111 V t ^ t * ..... ' .-, --- , -L introducin

time scarcely ever wrote a letter without g A story is told of a Baboo vvho wrote to his command-no officer that he could not come to his work one day ' ' r to a large boil , as per margin , " vvhich vvas on a cer part of his body . In the face of all difficulties , and vw ^ the very gods of the locality against them , the force pu ^ on . The fort of Dalimcote vvas perched on a hig h alii .