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has undergone during tbe present reign . Whether this be due to thc perfect freedom of thought and action we as Masons now enjoy , or whether , as is equally probable , it is in a large measure due to the wise and beneficent rule of that Sovereign who now occupies the throne of this kingdom , to the grcaf satisfaction of her subjects , is a matter 1 leave to an abler tongue than mine to determine , but

I have often thought that to fully appreciate the value of our present privileges it is advisable for us now and then to compare the reign of our p resent Queen with those of her Royal , and in some instances illustrious , predecessors . Take , for instance , Mary 'Tudor . She commenced her reign amidst the acclamations of the people , and every indication of a happy and prosperous career . But bow soon \ all bnow how that

were these expectations blighted ' . on in little more than a [ twelvemonth after her accession she married the Archduke of Spain , of whom it is recorded he was never seen to smile , except , perhaps , upon the coins of tlic period , where we behold him face to face , grimly smiling upon bis Royal consort , or , as it is recorded by Butler " in his "Hudibras : " — " Still amorous , fond , and billing ,

Like Phillip and Mary upon a shilling . " It can x . ell be imagined that this Prince bore no greater regard for the Craft than he did for the rest of his Royal partner ' s subjects . Time will not avail me , nor could you be interested to hear the melancholy details of the 277 victims of religious intolerance who were sacrificed in this reign , but who , nevertheless , " lit such a candle in England

as by God ' s grace will never again be put out , " until at last the Queen , worn out by the neglect of her husband , nnd the effects of her unhappy temper , died , it is said , of grief at thc loss of Calais , which , as the chief jewel of the English crown , had been held by tbe English since Edward 111 ., for a period of 210 years , and was the last yard of French soil this nation ever possessed . And how was

thc tidings of her death received by her subjects ? Instead of mourning and lamentations we find the sounds of joy and gladness—the citizens of London running into the streets of the city , and frantically throwing their caps into the air , and shouting " God be praised , the Queen is dead . " Let us thank T . G . A . O . T . U . that our lot was not cast in that reign . From that day her sister Elizabeth commenced

one of the most brilliant , and certainly the longest reign that it has ever fallen to thc lot of historians to record of any Queen of England . I shall not bore you with an account of the glorious achievements of her naval commanders , nor the unfortunate failures of her military generals , nor of her virtues ( which were many ) , nor her faults ( and they were not a few ) , respecting which latter it is difficult

to decide whether her vanity or her mendacity was thc more reprehensible . However , she looked for , and like our present Queen obtained , the unbounded affection of her faithful subjects . Passing over an interval of fourscore years and six , we find a descendant of the Stuarts seated upon the throne of this kingdom . I mean Mary II ., who with her husband and cousin , Prince William of Orange , jointly

reigned as William and Mary . Whether the King was a Freemason or no I am not prepared to say , but if he ' were , I dare vouch , without fear of contradiction , that lie never found the Craft to be a cloak for either Jacobite plot or political intrigue , which was so rife in this reign . The second Queen Mary having died without issue , we find , eight years afterwards , her sister Anne crowned as

Sovereign of thc realm , to the great satisfaction of the major portion of this nation . In this reign , as you are well aware , took place the Legislative Union of England and Scotland , and as that union has been productive ever since of greater solidity and good fellowship between the two nations , 1 trust I may venture to express the hope that even in this present reign we may live to see the day when English and Scottish

Freemasonry will be united under the G . Master of British Freemasons throughout the civilised world . Finally , brethren , we come to the fifth , and last , Queen which this kingdom has seen since thc Conquest , viz ., Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria , who forty-three years ago last Sunday ascended thc throne of this United Kingdom in the vigour of youth . The daughter of a Mason , and since

then the mother of three Masons , a patroness of our Order , a Queen of exemplary piety , and a Sovereign of matchless virtue ; I know not where to find her equal . But it is said by the poet ( I think Dryden or Pope ) that " Good actions crown themselves with lasting bays , Who well deserves needs not another's praise . " If this be so , I need not add one word more in her favour .

but at once ask you to join me in drinking with the utmost loyalty "The Health of the Ouecn and thc Craft . " Thc remaining toasts were interspersed with high-class songs by Bros . T . B . Laxton , R . Taylor , P . M . ; ' J . If . Hale , P . M . ; and Dr . Johnson ; also instrumental selections from " II . M . S . Pinafore , " & c , expressly arranged for this

occasion bv Bro . T . A . Wvkes , P . M ., for oboe ( by Bro . Rowlett , P . M . ) , bassoon " ( Bro . Wykes , P . M . ) , and pianoforte ( Bro . If . B . Ellis , P . G . Org . ) The proceedings were harmoniously brought to a close by the Tyler ' s toast at eleven o ' clock , and the brethren separated after a most enjoyable evening , "Happy to meet , sorry to part , and happy to meet again . "

PLUMSTEAD . —Pattison Lodge ( No . 913 ) . — The installation meeting of the above lodge took place on Thursday , the 1 st inst ., at tbe Lord Raglan , Raglan-road , when Bro . James Chapman , W . M . elect , was installed in the chair of the lodge as Master for the ensuing twelve months . The lodge was opened at two p . m . punctually by Bro .

Lloyd , W . M ., and after thc minutes of the last meeting had been confirmed Bro . J . Hosegood was passed to the Second Degree . This , the last official work of Bro . Lloyd , was rendered with that perfection that has characterised every effort of his since his installation . We may here mention that at a lodge of emergency , held on the previous evening , Bro . Lloyd initiated Mr . H . Malings in the mysteries and privileges of the Craft , and raised his own

son , Bro . VV . G . Lloyd , to the Supreme Degree . Bro . Chapman was presented to the Installing Officer , Bro . H . Butter , P . M . ( who for the last three years has held that important office in the lodge ) , and with the usual honours was placed in the chair of K . S . 'The salutes having been accorded , Bro . Chapman invested his officers as follows : Bro . R . I . Cook , S . W . ; II . Mason , J . W . ; R . Edmonds , S . D . ; H . Pryce " , J . D . ; C . Coupland , P . M . and P . P . G . J . D . Kent ; E . Denton , P . M . and P . P . G . P . Kent , Sec ; J , , m s Reed ' '• - > ' W . Rees , D . C ; C Cooke , Org . ; W . T . Vincent , P . M ., W . S . ; C . W . Russell , Asst . W . S . ;

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and H . Mabbett , Tyler . Bro . Butter then gave tbe charges eloquently , and the ceremony came to an end . Grand honours were then accorded to Bros . Butferand W . Weston , thc former of whom was invested with thc collar of Grand Registrar of Kent , and the latter as Grand Sword Bearer , by Lord Amherst at the recent Grand Lodge meeting at Margate , and those brethren acknowledged the honour in suitable terms . 'The W . M . then , in thc name of the lodp-e ,

presented Bro . Lloyd , I . P . M ., with a Past Master's jewel of the nominal value of ten guineas . He said it was with no little pleasure that he proceeded to the first duty that devolved uponj him as Master of ti : e lodge , to present their I . P . M ., Bro . Lloyd , with the very handsome jewel that had been unanimously voted to him by tbe lodge , for services rendered during his year of office , and also to mark their esteem and regard for him in the position he bad so well and worthily

occupied . He could well remember when Bro . P . M . Lloyd took the chair of that lodge he pledged himself to carry out its high and important duties to the best of bis abilities , and to fairly and impartially rule and govern the lodge . To that pledge he had nobly adhered , and there was not a brother in the lodge that could not Iojk back with pleasure to the past year as one of perfect peace and harmony ; and , above all , good and excellent work done . Were

he to say more , he should only be trespassing upon the time of the lodge ; but , as he now decorated their good brother ' s breaft with that jewel , he knew that he was only repeating the wish of every brother of thc lodge , when be wished Bro . Lloyd many years of happiness among them to wear that jewel , and to take the place which he had so well earned among the Past Masters of the Pattison Lodge . P . M . Lloyd returned thanks for the testimonial , and the

kind expressions of regard that accompanied it . If lie had done anything worthy of their approval , the pleasure of being surrounded by them was ample reward for him , and fully repaid him for any trouble be had taken . It was a great satisfaction to him to know that in their opinion he had done his duty , and he should wear that jewel with great pleasure , not because of tbe intrinsic value , but because it was given by the unanimous vote of the brethren in a full

lodge ; and they might depend upon it , that he should always support tbe interests of tbe lodge to the best of bis ability . Thc W . M . then proposed that a vote of thanks be presented to Bro . Butter for his services as Installing Officer that day , and that that vote should be inscribed iipon the minutes of the lodge . Bro . I . P . M . Lloyd seconded , and the resolution was carried by acclamation . Bro . Butter in replv , said the W . M . had very kindly spoken of the manner

in which be bad performed the ceremony of installation , but he felt that he had not done better than those who had preceded him . He then proceeded to speak of their Grand Master , Lord Amherst , who had nearly served three apprenticeships as Grand Master of the Province of Kent , and of thc testimonial it was intended to present him with to commemorate the long and valuable services he had rendered the province . He felt quite sure that when the

proper moment came they would give liberally towards that testimonial . He spoke of the many services and of the manner in which his lordship performed the duties of his high office most eu ' ogistically , and concluded by assuring them that lie had in a manner served three apprenticeships to the Pattison Lodge , for that was the third time be bad performed the ceremony of installation ; and , if they should require him yet again—and yet again—he should

only be happy to serve them in any way . " Hearty good wishes "were then tendered , and the lodge was closed in due form . The banquet took place at Bro . Bray ' s famous old hostelry , tbe Bull , at Dartford ; and , accustomed as wc are to see Masonic and other banquets well provided , we certainly never saw any to surpass the present—it was simply superb . Besides tbe brethren above mentioned were Bros . C . A .

Ellis Fermor , P . M . ; VV . Tongue , P . M . and P . P . G . J . W . Kent ; A . Penfold , P . M . ; VV . T . Vincent , P . M . ; | T . D , Hayes , P . M ., all of the Pattison Lodge ; Dr . FJaxman Spurrell , P . M . 015 , W . M . S 29 , and P . P . G . J . W . Kent ; J . T . Hutton , W . M . 13 ; J . Warren , W . M . 700 ; W . Hecley , W . M . 299 ; W . Applebce , P . M . 13 ; A . J . Woodley , P . M . 700 ; A . Knox , P . M . io 7 d ; S . Clarke , P . M . and Treasurer 706 ; C . Tapp , P . M . 706 ; F . A .

White , P . M . 907 ; H . G . Picken , P . M . 153 d ; N . Brown , W . M . elect 13 ; J . Wilkins , W . M . elect 700 ; I-:. B . Hobson , J . W . 700 ; G . Beaver , S . D . 700 ; J . IT . Roberts , J . D . 700 ; W . Hollcyman , S . D . 1536 ; W . A . Watkins , J . D . 153 d ; J . Holland , 15 S 5 ; j . Chapman , 942 ; VV . Harris , doo ; A . Cantz , 13 S ; J . Leech ; F . VV . Skinner , S 29 ; R . VV . Billy , 19 ; IT . Ou ' gli , 1150 ; J . Kisch , 706 ; K . Ugland , 7 od ; R . S . Garrett , 209 ; VV . Beard , S . W .

lot ; R . L . Wilson , 1366 ; C Jolly , 913 ( Freemason ); and others . After dinner the toasts of " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , " "The Craft , " and that of "The Royal and Grand Dignitaries of tbe Order , " were drank with honours . "The Health of Lord Amherst , P . G . M . of Kent , " was drunk with that warmth that is always evinced whenever Kentish Masons meet to enjoy themselves . 'That of

"The D . G . M ., Bro . hastes , and the rest of thc P . G . Officers , Present and Past , " was coupled with the names of Bros . Butter , Weston , 'Tongue , Coupland , Spurrell , and Denton . Bro . Butter , in reply , felt that he had no right to respond to such an important toast in the presence of such good old Provincial Officers as Bros . Coupland , Spurrell , and 'Tongue , but seeing that be was the present Senior Provincial Officer , be supposed that it was his duty to do so , and he very

cheerfully submitted . Having to respond to the toast put him in mind of the old Egyptian feasts at which a coffin was always hung up to remind the guests that after all they were only mortal , and also to remind them of those who were absent , and so in like manner he had to respond for those who were absent in the flesh , but with them in spirit . That was the first time that lie had had the honour of responding to such a toast . When he accepted the

position , he accepted it not so much for his own honour as for the honour of the lodge . It was intended to be an honour to the lodge , and as such he looked upon and wore it . He was , nevertheless , proud of tbe honour of being enrolled among the Grand Officers of Kent , and he should never do anything to disgrace it . As long as he lived be should do all in his power to be worthy of the position of the lodge

with which the honour was inseparably connected . Bro . Lloyd then proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " saying they bad bad a very fair sample that day of what they might expect from him during the corning year . He hoped and trusted that the same kindness would be extended to Bro . Chapman that he had received during the past year , and then they would have another happy and successful

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ycarof such pleasant and Masonic brolheihood as they bad had in thc past . Bro . Chapman , in reply , said it was impossible for him to express liis thanks sufficientl y for their great kindness to him , not only upon this but upon all occasions . Their P . M ., Bro . Lloyd , had been kind enough to wish him . the same amount of prosperity that had attended him in his year of office . As yet he was but a fledgling in

thc office , but he trusted that as the strength of his Alasonic wings grew be should be enabled to take a flight to thc same heights that had been so easily alt lined by bis predecessors . They were taught three grand principles in their lodges—Faith , Hope , and Charity . In faith he entered on his duties : with hope he looked forward to a perfect fulfilment of those duties ; and from tlicni ( his

brethren of tbe lodge ) be looked for that charity that would cover a multitude of Masinic sins—more , however , of omifsion than commission . 'They all knew and had looked over his shortcomings in thc past , and he trusted thc same kindness would be shown him in the future . He then referred to those of the brethren who bad passed away from among them during t' > e pist year , and concluded an

excellent speech Dv saying that , stimulated by their support , he should go on with the duties of his office , and endeavour to make bis year as happy and successful as that just gone through by his predecessor , Bro . Lloyd . Bros . Lloyd and Ellis responded for "The Past Masters , " the latter eloquently advocating thc presence of the ladies at their annual banquets . Bros . Spurrell , Hulton , Warren , and Leech responded for "'The Visitors , " and Bro . Cook for

"Ihe Officers . " Bro . Mabbett then gave thc 'T yler ' s toast , and "God save the Queen" finished a memorable day . " 'The musical arrangements were entrusted to Bro . VV . Sallenger , who , with Mrs . Sallcnger and Mr . and Mrs . E . Cocke !! , sang selections during the evening in a manner much to the gratification of those present . Mr . H . Roberts presided at the piano .

RIVERHEAD . —Amherst Lodge ( No . 1223 ) . — This little village , adjoining Sevenoaks , now boasts of a Masonic lodge , which , from iSdS , tbe year it was consecrated , up to the present year , has hitherto held its meetings at Westerham , but its local interest there having abated , and fresh members having connected themselves with the lodge , most of them from London or the suburbs ,

it was thought advisable , with the sanction of Grand Lodge , to remove to a more convenient locality ; it was , therefore , decided to remove to tbe Amherst Arms , Riverhead . 'The lodge , held on Saturday , the 10 th inst ., was well attended—all the officers being present and nearly all the members , besides several visitors . 'The lodge was opened in due form , and , after the minutes were read and

confirmed , two gentlemen were admitted to the secrets and mysteries of ancient Freemasonry in the First Degree . The lodge was then opened in the Second and Third Degrees , and , in the latter , Bro . Wm . Rowbottom , S . D . of the Royal Alfred Lodge , No . 102 S , delivered an oration on "The Origin of Masonic Ritual and Traditions as manifested by tbe Geometric Design and Symbolism of the

Great Pyramid . " It is a pleasure to find that among the Masons of the present day there are to be found many who are not merely satisfied to belong to the Craft , but are studiously seeking to probe to its depths the meaning of the science and its earliest dcvelopcment ; among those we find our worthy Bro . Rowbottom , who , though but comparatively a young member , has done much ' to enlighten

the brethren as to the early association of the mystic symbols used by the Craft and their interpretation . Although the difficulty of interpretation of allegory is acknowledged to be great , we have many brethren of late who have gone deeply into the subject , and have brought to light much that is useful and instructive , Bro . Rowbottom has hitherto confined his researches principally to the Masonic

connections with thc ancient land of the Pharoahs , and by the aid of a model and large diagram of the celebrated Pyramid , has enlightened the brethren of this lodge and several others by his interesting description of the various symbols and their association with this wonderful structure . The oration was listened to with marked attention , and at its close Bro . Duret , P . M ., moved , and Bro . Banks , P . M .,

seconded , a vote of thanks to the lecturer , which was carried unanimously , and was ordered to be recorded on the minutes . 'The lodge was then resumed in the First Degree , and four gentlemen were proposed and seconded for initiation at the next meeting . 'The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned

to the banquet room , where a very excellent repast was provided by Host Waller , and to which the brethren did full justice . The pleasures of the evening were much enhanced by the excellent singing and recitals of Bros . S . Smith , Baker , Jewell , Weldon , and others , and the meeting altogether was a most enjoyable one .

LIVERPOOL . —Fermor Hesketh Lodge ( No . ' 35 ° ) - —The brct ,, - ' -n < -. ' f , above lodge , a flourishing young offshoot of Masonry , met on Monday , the . 12 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , to instal " the W . M . elect , and the gathering was a very influential and select one . Bros . T . F . Cooper , W . M ., was supported by the following P . M . ' s and officers : Bros . W . P . Evans , I . P . M . ; I .

Higson Johnston , P . M . ; Richard Collinson , P . M . ; T . K . Hughes , P . M . ; T . A . Collinson , P . M . ; C . Titherlcy , S . W . ; R . Carruthers , J . W . ; N . VV . Gordon , Secretary ; and others . The W . M . elect , Bro . C . P . Titherlcy , S . W ., was presented by Bro . Higson Johnston , P . M ., and Bro . R . Collinson , P . M ., Bro . J . F . Williams , P . P . G . S . D . Cheshire , being the Installing Officer .

T here were thirty Installed Masters present , among tbe visitors being Bros . H . Bulley , P . G . S . B . Eng ; J . T . Callow , P . G . Treas . ; H . Newman , P . G . R . ; R . H . Exton , W . M . 13 S 0 ; H . A . Tobias , W . M . i = ; 02 ; A . Tunnicliff , W . M . 293 ; T . Bigley , P . M . ( Belfast ); Wallace Smith , W . M . 1713 ; R . Gill , I . P . M . 2 id ; Dr . F . J . Bailey , P . i \ L 7 S 4 ; T . E . Gibson , P . M . 979 : T . E . Skidmore , P . M . 42 S ; R . Martin , jun ., P . M . 11 S 2 ; Geo . Musker , W . M .

11 S 2 ; A . Wylie , W . M . i 2 d ; F . K . Stevenson , P . P . G . S . B . ( Cheshire ); T . T . Webster , W . M . S 23 ; Walter C . Erwin , W . M . 1393 ; and others . The usual honours were paid , and the officers appointed and invested , viz .: Bros . J . F . Cooper , I . P . M . ; R . Carruthers , S . W .: George Gordon , J . W . ; ] , A . Collinson , P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; Charks Lcighton , Sec ; Edwd . G . Grundy , S . D . ; H . B . Browne , J . D . ; VV . Halsall , I . G . ; Rev . C . F . Mermagen , Chap . ; John Hodgson , Org . ; J . T . Stowell and P . Ashcroft , Senior Stewards ; F . A .