Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

of the building . At that time Bro . Dr . Lavies was in the chair and he ( the W . M . ) was the first initiate of the lodge . The present was a very proud evening for him to stand , however unworthily , as their W . M . He felt very deeply the great responsibilities placed upon him , and all must have been impressed that evening by the manner in which the I . P . M . performed the installation ceremony . However

imperfect he might be in his work , he would do his utmost to further the interests of the lodge and perform the ceremonies in a way creditable to it . If there was one thing more than another for which he was grateful it was the assistance he had received , and the truly fraternal feeling exhibited towards him by every member . He could only thank them one and all for the kind reception given him ,

and assure them that he would do his utmost to prove himself worthy of the reliance placed upon him in electing him to the chair . Bro . R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., replying for "The Visitors , " returned thanks for the cordial reception , which he assured the members they appreciated very sincerely . It was a great pleasure for any member of this great Society to

visit another lodge of which he was not a member . That evening they had met in large numbers , and as the visitors stood up they exceeded the number of the kind brethren who had invited them . He congratulated the W . M . upon the admirable manner in which , so far , he had performed his duty . It had been a great trial for the W . M ., for no sooner was he placed in the chair than he was called upon to

preside at an important function , and that he had done in a manner reflecting the greatest credit upon him and the lodge . He visited that lodge for the first time , but hoped it would not be the last . He saw a phalanx of Past Masters , and when the W . M . subsided into their ranks he could not only feel gratified , but the brethren would consider that the Past Masters had been materially added to . The

visitors had all thoroughly enjoyed themselves , for the W . M . had well said the lodge was harmonious . Bro . Glover , VV . M . 3 g 5 , also replied . Bro . A . Mitchell , I . P . M ., in responding for "The I . P . M . and Past Masters , " said he should content himself with thanking the W . M . and brethren for the kind reception given the toast .

Bro . E . H . Turner , P . M ., said that , having sunk to the lowest ebb of the sear and yellow leaf of a Past Master , he little expected to be called upon to reply . It gave him great pleasure to attend the lodge and welcome Bro . Rose in the chair of the lodge in which he was initiated . He felt he must again allude to the kindness shown him by Bro . Rose three years ago , when he allowed him ( the I . P . M . ) , a junior

member of the lodge , to pass him , and attain the chair earlier than he should . The able manner in which the VV . M . had filled the various offices had inspired the whole lodge with emulation to follow in his steps , and the officers would fully maintain the prestige of the lodge . Other toasts were given , the proceedings terminating with the Tyler ' s toast .

A charming programme of music was carried out during the evening ^ by numerous brethren , and included glees , part songs , and instrumental solos , the efforts of all being well received and several items being re-demanded . Chiswick Lodge ( No . 2012 ) . —Bro . William Adams Dowling , W . M ., presided at the installation meeting of this lodge , which was held on Monday evening * at the

Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , when about 100 brethren assembled , among whom were numerous visitors , including Bro . the Rev . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C ., and several Prov . Grand Officers of Bucks and Berks . The W . M . initiated in excellent style Mr . James Colbourne , and afterwards relinquished the chair in favour of Bro . Geo . Everett , P . M ., Grand Treasurer nominate , to enable him to install

Bro . John Brown , S . W ., the second initiate in the lodge . Bro . George Everett having installed Bro . Brown , the following investitures were performed : Bros . W . H . Wimpey , S . W . j F . W . Walden , J . W . j F . Lawrence , P . M ., Treas . j George Gardner , P . M ., Sec .: J . Rowling , S . D . j B . Kenyon , J . D . j W . C . Dickey , I . G . ; Louis Lee , Org . ; E . Wavell , D . fof C . j H . Clark and B . F . Hartzhorne , Stwds . ; and Charles Patrick , P . M ., Tyler .

Ten guineas were voted to Bro . George Gardner ' s list as Steward for the next Festival of the Benevolent Institution , and five guineas to the list of the VV . M . as Steward forthe Boys' School , and a vote of congratulation to Bro . George Everett on his being nominated , unopposed , for the office of Grand Treasurer . Bro . Everett was also unanimously nominated on the Committee of the Boys' School . Banquet followed the working of the lodge , and the toasts were proposed .

Bro . the Kev . J . S . Brownrigg , in replying to the toast of "The Grand Officers , " said he desired to pose among the brethren as a living dog rather than as a dead lion—not as a Past , but as a Present Grand Officer . It was a great pleasure to be present as a Deputy Provincial Grand Master of an adjoining province . It did the provinces good to see some of the brethren coining among them , and he hoped

that perhaps it did the London brethren good to see that theprovinceswere not behind them in trying to manage their affairs in true Masonic spirit , and with those few words he thanked the brethren for drinking the toast . Bro . W . A . Dowling , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " a . toast which on that occasion carried its own recommendation . Bro . Brown was initiated in that lodge within two

months of its consecration . From that time he ( Bro Dowling ) had had the pleasure of working with him side by side through the different offices of the lodge , and he had focnd him an excellent worker and a good friend . Many of the brethren were well acquainted with the attention and diligence of Bro . Brown , and from the manner in which his services had been rendered he thought the brethren would all agree that Bro . Brown had earned the evalred

position he now occupied , and that he would fill it with credit to himself and satisfaction to the brethren . Under his guidance the lodge would have a very prosperous year . At present there was evidence of plenty of work for the year . He congratulated the brethren of the Chiswick Lodge on having Bro . Brown as W . M . for the year , and he congratulated Bro . Brown on holding the high position of W . M . of the Chiswick Lodge .

Ihe W . M ., in response , said it was a pleasure to him to occupy that position . The lodge had now placed him in the highest position , and he should endeavour to do his best during his year , and the more work they gave him the better he should be pleased . He hoped that at the end of his year of office the brethren would say he had done his work well .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The W . M . then proposed " Ihe Initiate , and said the brethren were pleased to see the brother in that position . They had found a brother who would be an honour to the Craft . He had not had the pleasure of knowing Bro . Colbourne before that evening , but he was pleased to make his acquaintance , for he knew he would not have been introduced to the lodge if he had not been a good man

and true . Bro . Colbourne , in reply , said he had long desired to join the Order , but could not find anyone to introduce him . He hoped that having entered the Order he would do credit to the lodge , to which he considered it a great honour to belong . The VV . M . proposed "The Installing Master . " Everyone knew the interest Bro . Everett took in the lodge , and

they were very pleased to see him . He was the first Master of the lodge , the father of the lodge , who initiated him ( the W . M . ) in Masonry , and all the brethren would say he was one of the best Masons and workers the lodge could have . The way in which Bro . Everett had installed him that evening impressed him very deeply . Fortunately he was to be one of the Grand Officers , and

henceforward they would have to look upon him as one of that body . Bro . George Everett , Grand Treasurer nominate , in replying , said he was not up to his usual form that evening , as he had been confined to his bed since Saturday morning , and got out of it contrary to the advice of his doctor to come to that meeting . He had had great pleasure in coming there to install the second initiate in the lodge as VV . M .

It spoke well for the lodge that in the first seven years two of its initiates had been placed in the chair . The I . P . M . had performed his duties in an admirable manner , and he would have installed his successor but from circumstances over which he had no control preventing him having time to learn the ceremony . He ( Bro . Everett ) thanked the brethren for the resolution congratulating him on his

nomination for the Grand Treasurership unopposed . He was very proud it had fallen to his lot to be nominated unopposed to so distinguished an office . Bros . Gardner , Parkhouse , and Geo . Read , worked very hard for him . The lodge ought to be very proud in having already a Past Grand Warden and a coming Grand Treasurer among its Past Masters .

Bro . Andrew Pears , P . M . 2 og , in replying for "The Visitors , " said he did not know any lodge where the right hand of fellowship was more cordially held out than in the Chiswick Lodge . The visitors were always glad to come to it and always would be . Bro . Parkhouse also , in thanking the brethren for the toast , congratulated the lodge on the nomination of the

Grand Treasurer , in which he took an active part . It was one of the greatest honours for a lodge to have a member who was an elected Grand Officer . He had the honour of being a member of a lodge which had two Past Grand Treasurers members of it—Bros . Camaand Asher Barfieldfor both of whom he and Bro . George Read worked at their election , and two better Masons never existed than those two Grand Treasurers .

Bro . W . Adams Dowling , I . P . M ., replied to the toast of "The Past Masters . " Bros . Dr . Lawrence , P . M ., and George Gardner , P . M ., responded to the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " thelattermaking a strongappeal tothebrethrentoassist him as Steward for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Festival of February 25 th next . The toast of " The Officers " was given and responded to , and the Tyler ' s toast wound up thc evening .

Warrant Officers' Lodge ( No . 2346 ) . — A regular meeting of the above lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , December 19 th . The duties of S . W . were taken by Bro . J . Black , P . M . 706 , while Bros . Pugh , Sanders , and Scott acted as S . D ., J . D ., and I . G . respectively , in the absence of those officers . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed .

Messrs . Redhead , Mitchell , Crow , and Flanagan , candidates for initiation , were then balloted for , the same proving unanimous in each case . The ballot was also taken for Bro . Stephen Russell , 295 , R . I ., for affiliation , the same being favourable . Bro . F . R . Binskin was then passed to the Second Degree , after which the four candidates were initiated . Apologies were received from Bros . Gardiner , J . Hitchings , Frayling , De Morteillett , and

Russell , H . G . W ., from 706 , 39 S , 1 S 90 , 1604 , 106 S , and 1 G 24 . The new rule relating to the Benevolent Fund was carried with acclamation , and ordered to be sent to the Grand Secretary for approbation and registration . Two gentlemen were proposed as candidates , Messrs . Herbert Bagley Dickens and John Hudson Tillett The Worshipful Master having wished the brethren " A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year , " the lodge was closed .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

ACCRINGTON . Lodge Of Equality ( No . 1145 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Red Lion Hotel , on Thursday evening , the Sth inst ., to celebrate the Festival of St . John the Evangelist , and to install Bro . John Grimshaw , P . M ., as

W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . Knowles , P . M . 4 G 2 , officiated as Installing Master . The following officers were appointed : Bros . H . Ramsbottom , S . W . ; J . D . Lonsdale , J . W . j R . Lonsdale , Treas . ; J . H . Bury , P . M ., Sec ; VV . Parker , S . D . ; J . Hoyle , J . D . ; T . Hindle , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., D . C . j J . Lonsdale , Org . ; W . H . Dixon , I . G . j S . Edmonson , Tyler j P . Macfarlane , P . M .,

Almonerj R . Rushton , J . P ., P . M ., Charity Representativej and D . Tunks , J . P ., P . M ., I . P . M . The visiting brethren comprised Bros . P . Whittaker , 215 ; Peel , S . VV . 260 ; Jackson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . 274 ; Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . 2 S 6 ; Nuttall , P . M . 2 SG ; Ashworth , P . M ' . 2 S 6 J Goldstone , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . 345 ; France , S . D . 4 G 2 J Hargreaves , P . M . 1519 ; Bury , 1775 j and others .

DIDSBURY . Doric Lodge ( No . 2359 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the ioth instant , at the Didsbury Hotel . The lodge was opened by Bro . G . S . Smith , P . M ., W . M ., and the minutes of the previous

meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Mr . F . Morgan , and , proving favourable , he was initiated by the W . M . The working tools were explained by Bro . C . E . Towell , S . W . Bro . R . Fitton was raised to the ISublime Degree of a M . M . by the W . M ., the working tools being presented and explained by the S . VV . It was a most suc-

Provincial Meetings.

cessful meeting , and the officers were highly complimented upon the efficiency of the working generally . There was a large number of brethren present , amongst whom were the following : Bros . G . S . Smith , P . M ., W . M . j C . E . Towell , S . VV . ; John Fletcher , J . W . ; G . A . Myers , VV . M . 1730 , S . D . ; A . K . Boothroyd , J . D . j E . L . Littler , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Sec . ; J . M . Veal , l . G . ; J . Walkerand H . W . Jack , Stewards j P . D . Langley , J . Ward , A . VV .

Moore , J . Sharpies , R . Fitton , and F . Stretch , D . C . Ihe visitors were Bros . J . Bowers , S . W . 1730 ; J . E , Jack , 163 ; G . Langley , 163 ; A . H . Hammond , 2231 j J . Hancock , P . M ., P . G . S . B . j G . Finlow , 1140 J S . H . Owen , 1126 j and H . M . Antonie , 5 S 1 . Subsequently at the festive board the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and some capital songs and recitations were given by visitors and the members of the lodge .

COCKERMOUTH . Skiddaw Lodge ( No . 1002 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 6 th instant , at the Freemasons' Hall , when the following brethren and visitors were present : Bros . Richard Burns , W . M . j Thomas Atkinson , S . W ., W . M . elect j F . Smith , I . P . M ., Sec . j H . Peacock , P . M . j T . Mason , P . M . j J .

Fidler , P . M . j R . Robinson , P . M .,- F . A . Cooper , P . M . ; Dr . Forsyth , J . W . j A . Entwistle , H . Bowman , John Towers , J . Hewitson , Tyler , J . Dalrymple , W . M . S 72 , 1660 , P . P . S . G . W ., Installing Master ; J . Moffatt , P . M . S 72 ; D . Atkinson , S . W . S 72 ; J . Pattison , J . W . S 72 ; T . Brackenridge , P . M . S 72 , P . P . G . D . ; W . Ponton , P . M . 327 , P . P . G . S . ; W . A . Johnston , J . W . 327 ; J . C .

Thompson , 22 S 5 , P . P . G . R . ; A . Taylor , P . M . 310 ; Rev . J . Anderson , J . W . 119 , P . P . G . Chap . j J . Patterson , P . M . 9 62 , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Reed , P . M . 9 62 , P . P . G . I . G . ; J . G . Little , J . W . 9 62 ; J . Gardiner , P . M . 371 , P . P . G . R . ; J . Abbott , " P . M . 371 , P . P . G . S . j S . Bettoney , 371 J JHodgson , 371 j R . Fisher , 371 j J . Messenger , 371 j and J . Howieson , 1532 .

After the lodge had been opened , Bro . R . Burns presented the W . M . elect to the Installing Master , Bro . G . Dalrymple , who installed Bro . T . Atkinson in the chair of K . S . in a fine , impressive , and brilliant manner , in fact we have never heard Bro . Dalrymple in such good form as on this occas on , which is somewhat remarkable seeing that our worthy brother had been curling all day , and was one of

the winning team for the Caledonian Curling Shield . Bro . Atkinson having been duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the following brethren were appointed and invested as his officers : Bros . J . Hawson , S . W . j Towers , J . W . ; J . Fidler , Treas . ; H . Bowman , Sec . ; A . Entwistle , S . D . ; Sinclair , J . D . ; J . Burns , I . G . j and T . Mason , Tyler . Bro . J . Paterson then gave the addresses to the W . M . and

Wardens in a very effective manner . "Hearty good wishes " were then given from all the visitors present , also a few by telegram , before the lodge was duly closed . Afterwards 30 of the brethren adjourned to Bro . Peacock's large dining hall , and partook of a splendid banquet , served up in his usual masterly style . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and duly

honoured . The toast of "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master , " having been honoured , that of " The Provincial Grand Master , Earl Bective ; the Deputy P . G . M ., Bro . L . F . M . B . Dykes ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was suitably responded to by Bro . J . C . Thompson , P . P . G . Reg . The Installing Master , Bro . J . Dalrymple , having to leave

to get a train , the toast of his health was responded to by Bro . J . Gardiner , P . P . G . R ., who spoke of the especially fine manner in which Bro . Dalrymple got through his duties that evening . The toasts of "The Newly-installed W . M ., " "The I . P . M ., " and "The Visiting Brethren" were also duly honoured . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant ' and enjoyable evening to a close .

LEICESTER . St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 279 ) . —INAUGURATION OF THE SECOND CENTURY . —This old lodge , which was established in 1790 , and held its centenary festival last year , inaugurated the commencement of the second century of its existence on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., by an installation meeting , at which Bro . J . Herbert Marshall ,

P . M . 1007 , P . S . G . W ., was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , which meeting was followed by an installation banquet and festival , to which ladies were invited . The gathering was a very large one , some two hundred brethren and ladies taking part in the festive portion of the proceedings . The lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , and was opened by the W . iM ., Bro . Kelly , P . M ., P . P . G . M ., and was largely

attended . The following gentlemen were , upon ballot , approved as candidates for initiation : Messrs . Samuel Perkins Pick , Wm . Everitt Keites , Fredk . William Lewitt , and William Ingram ; and , after other formal business had been disposed of , Bro . J . Herbert Marshall , P . M . 1007 , Prov . S . G . W ., the VV . M . elect , was formally installed in the chair of K . S ., the installation ceremony being performed

by Bro . Wm Kelly , P . M ., P . P . G . M ., and Bro . Williams . VVhen the ceremony had been concluded , the W . M . proceeded to invest his officers as follows : Bros . William Kelly , P . P . G . M ., I . P . M . ; Edward Holmes , S . W . ; C . Bennion , Prov . G . Stwd ., J . W . ; Rev . F . H . Smith , B . A ., P . M ., Chap . ; Robert Michie , P . M ., Treas . ; Henry Pickering , Sec . ; Walter D . Grant , S . D . ; Charles Lakin ,

J . D . ; John Clifton , D . C . ; W . Richter , Org . ; Wm . H , Noble , I . G . ; John Butcher and Marshall H . Pearson , Stewards ; and Jos . Tauser , Tyler . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren proceeded to the County Assembly Rooms , where preparations had been made for the evening's entertainment . For the information of those who do not know the County

Assembly Kooms at Leicester it may be well to say here that they are admirably fitted for such a gathering as that under notice , having on the ground floor cloak rooms , drawing room , smoke room , & c , opening from a good entrance hall , whence you ascend a handsome staircase—which on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., was draped with crimson cloth and

lined with a profusion of palms , ferns , and the like—to the spacious ball room on the upper floor . This is a lofty oblong room of grand proportions , on whose walls hang the counterfeit presentments of sundry noble magnates of the county . On Wednesday it was decorated with great taste and presented a charming scene . The table arrangements were excellent . The Master ' s table occupied tbe entire