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his new vvork amongst us , and remain not only a credit to himself , but a credit to the lodge . Bro . Hobson , in response , said : I think I never felt in a position more embarras-in-r than in attempting to respond to the complimentary toast which my esteemed friend Bro . Green has proposed . I do not exactly know how you expect a man to say very much after going through the peculiar ordeal of the ceremony which I have experienced to-night . I may say that I undertook it vvith some little hesitation and anxiety not

knowing what you might have in store forme in that mysterious room , but my confidence was in some measure restored vvhen I remembered that at least a good many of you must be personal friends of my own , and I particul irly took comfort in the fact I here had with me my most excellent friend Supt . Knight and my equally excellent friend the Town Clerk . I reflected that they being officials of the Corporation vvould be in a way responsible for the unfortunate Mayor if disaster befel him . By way of preciution I did venture to say to my housekeeper ( you know I am a bachelor , and even here I am

not exempt from a little taunt , for I see in the Entered Apprentice song you have a verse for me ) " that if she did not see me down to breakfast in the morning she had better make enquiries of Superintendent Knight , " therefore , I felt a little relieved . Well , really , all I can say is that I have joined this Society of Brethren vvith very great pleasure absolutely voluntarily . The idea had been in my mind I scarcely dare say how long , but I should think it quite possible it may be for 40 years . Itfirst occurred to me as a very small boy on getting hold of an old book which vvas printed in those think

peculiar characters where al ! the "Ss" resemble "fs" and which , I , vvas called "The Revelations of Masonry , " or "Masonry unmasked , " or some such interesting title , and I managed to decipher some of those characters , from vvhich I imbibed some weird notions , and I thought I should very much like to have a chance some day to fathom the mysteries of Masonry . At last—though very late in the day—I have succeeded in putting my desire into execution . I feel exceedingly pleased and encouraged in the fact that you have received me with such great cordiality .

I suppose thtre are other ordeals to pass . I am still only an apprentice . I suppose that in three months I shall be absolutely a Master Mason , and fully-qualified member of your lodge . I will do my best to serve my apprenticeship well . I hope I shall in time acquire those qualifications vvhich make a perfect Master Mason . I draw—and it is very necessary for me to draw—a very clear distinction between my official capacity and my personality , Frederick George Hobson , an obscure bachelor . I come before you to-night , and 1 have been selected by you , in my private capacity , and vve meet as leisure to utilise

brethren j but if fitting opportunity occurs it will aff jrd me very great p the prestige of my office in the advancement of the Brotherhood vvhich I have had the honour this day to enter , and I think it would bi a very worthy way of using my official position . 1 can only once more say , W . M . and brethren , that I most thoroughly appreciate those comp liments you have bestowed upon me . It will be my endeavour to fully recognise the fraternal obligations into which 1 have entered . I am somewhat of an antiquarian in my tastes , and I naturally bear a strong regard to all the ancient associations of our land , and especially 1 have always felt a great interest in Freemasonry .

Whether you go back to the days of King Solomon is a debatable point , but that you are , at least , intimately associated with mediaeval times in England and elsewhere there can be no doubt j and these were the times when the great Constitutional class of our nation were being formed , and it is in a great degree owing to the growth and development of these ancient guilds that the freedom of Englishmen vvas constitutionally organised and established . Once more , W . M . and brethren , I cordially thank you for your kindness and good wishes and the cordial reception you have been pleased to accord me , and I sincerely reciprocate the fraternal feelings to which you have so kindly given expression .

Mirfield Lodge , No . 1102 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . T . GAUKROGER HOWELL . Centralisation has done much for Freemasonry undoubtedly , but the strength of the Order only partially lies in its organisation under one head , however admirable such organisation may be . It is in the individuality ot its lodges , in the personality of its members , that its great force is shown . This is , perhaps , most fully illustrated in what mav be called the smaller Masonic centres . Apart from the bustle of large towns , with

but limited intercourse with their neighbours , under their own roof , and comparatively removed from outside Masonic influences , we find many instances of lodges possessing strong individuality , together vvith characteristics essentially and entirely their own . Visitors to such lodges are at once impressed vvith this fact , and recognise that whilst the brethren carry out in fullest detail all the regulations of the Order , yet that there is a kind of originality about their proceedings which is lacking in larger centres . West Yorkshire possesses many such lodges , and of this class is the Mirfield Lodge . Quietly

and unassumingly it pursues the even tenour of its way , fulfilling its Masonic dutiss conscientiously , and sensible to the fullest extent of its Masonic responsibilties . It does not seek notoriety , yet it has a welcome for friends j it may b ; comparatively unknown , yet it gives according to its means largely , though quietly , to our Masonic Institutions . Once a year it , to some extent , departs from its ordinary routine . " It is a popr heart that never rejoices " j and the festival of St . John is an occasiin vvhich may justly be seized upon for special jubilation . The installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . T . G .

Howell , and the celebiation of the annual festival , afforded this opportunity , and right good use was made of it by the Mirfield brethren . This was on Friday , the 9 th inst . The lodge was opened by Bro . John Barker , P . M ., Sec , in the presence of a large number of brethren and visitors . Here it should be explained that the W . M . for the year , Bro . A . C . Lister , has , through important business engagements , been compelled to absent himself , from the lodge meetings on many occasions . Bro . Barker and other P . Ms , have not . however , permitted the lodge tosuffer on this account , and theW . M . being

at that moment in St . Petersburg , it devolved upon Bro . Barker , who vvas also to act as Installing Master , to take the chair . The brethien of the lodge comprised , amongst others : Bros . John Barker , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; A . A . Stott , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . j Thos . Lang . P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C . ; W . Bailey , P . M ., P . P . G . O . j Joshua Milner , P . M . ; W . H . Wilson , P . M . J W . H . Wilkinson , P . M . j C E . Sutcliffe , P . M . ; T . G . Howell , S . W ., W . M . elect j M . M . Milner , H . Whitwam , G . V . Barker , F . Shaw , and L Walmslev . P . M . Amonest the visitors , who were very numerous , were : Bros . C Letch

Mason , P . M . 304 , and G . H . Parke , P . M ., 154 . P . P . G . Ws . ; W . Forrest , P . P . G . W . E . Lane . ; W . D . Shoebridge , P . M ., 448 , and V . G . S . Dearden , P . M . 2263 , Prov . CDs . ; J , H . Gration , J . P ., P . M . 1513 . P . P . G ., Treas . ; W . Gaukroger , J . P ., P . M . 61 . Wm . Blackburn , P . M . 30 G , Vice-Chairman of Charity Committee , W . E . Smithies , P . M . 1231 , C . Stokes , P . M . 1239 and 2558 , and Walker Dyson , P . M . 22 G 1 , P . P . G . Deacons ; T . Buckland , P . M . 1231 , P . P . G . Org . ; T . J . Pickles , P . M . 25 S , P . P . G . D . C ; Joseph Mathewman , P . M . 1019 , P . P . A . G . Sec ; H . Beaumont , P . M . 1301 , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; H . S . Holdsworth , P . M . 44 S , P . P . G . S . B . ; John Seed , P . M . 1302 , and E . Billington ,

P M . 1462 , P . P . G . Purst . ; also R . Gill , W . M ., B . Batley , S . W ., H . Heaton , J . W ., and J . Wharton , all of 25 S ; H . Barraclough , 306 ; W . J . Morris , P . M . 44 S and 1736 ; E , Hanson , S . D ., and 1 . Robertshaw , P . M . 44 S ; Joseph Browne , 750 ; C . P . Pickersgill , W . M . S 27 ; G . Hoyle , P M ., Joseph Rhodes , P . M ., S . A . Radcliffe , P . M ., A . W . Law , W . M ., John Brook , S . W ., J . S . Ackroyd , J . W ., and H . Rickard , of 1231 ; S . Smith and J . T . Thorpe , 12 S 3 ; Joe Sykes and W . A . Beevers , 1514 ; J . L . Parke , W . M ., and H . Shaw , 22 G 1 ; Wesley Petty , 20 G 9 and -26 95 ; and John Wilson and W . Forrest 2321 . _ _

, Alter the minutes had been read and confirmed , the W . M . elect , Bro . T . G . Howell , was presented for installation by Bro . Walker Dyson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Bro . John Baikcr at once took up the duties of Installing Master . Before asking the brethren to retire , Bto . BaikerexpUinedthe circumstances vvhich led to his occupying his present position , expressed his regret ( in vvhich he was sure tbey all joined ) at the absence of Bro . Lister , who would have undertaken the ceremony could he have been present ; and , in order to show that their W . M . was with them in spirit at least , he would read a letter he had received only that afternoon from him . The letter was as

follows : — " Dear Bro . Barker , Moscow , Dec . 5 th , 1 S 9 S . " It is with the greatest regret I find I shall not be able to get back in time for Ihe Festival of St . John and the installation of our worthy Bro . Howell in the chair of King Solomon . I always welcome with pleasure this day in the year , and should have done so more especia'ly this time being W . M ., this position being one I ever looked

forward to with ambilbn . You will kindly thank every one of the brethren for the help and brotherly feeling they have extended to me at all times during my term as W . M . I especially thank those vvho have been in ofiice during the year j 1 very much appreciate the assistance they have given me , and I assure you , Bro . Barker , I feel proud to have been a W . M . of Mirfield Lodge . Our lodge is stronger now than it was a year ago and is only by getting new members and work to do that it can prosper . I hope the

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coming W . M . may have plenty to occupy him during his term . To fill this exalted position has heen I know his great desire and I feel sure he will fill it vvith credit both to himself and the lodge . Whatever he could do for the furtherance of Freemasonry in general and Mirfield Lodge in particular he has ever been willing and ready to do . In Brother Howell vve have one vvho has Masonry thoroughly at heart , and it will give me great pleasure to assist him in every way I can . " After thanking Bro . Barker and others by name for the help which they had so , freely given himthe absent W . M . concludes in these words :

, " Give my hearty good wishes to all the visitors , I should have liked to have seen their familiar faces again and heard their genial voices . The sincere wish of your W . M . is that the Mirfield Lodge , 1102 , may ever continue to grow and prosper and hold its position in West Yorkshire . ' Hearty good wishes to every one . " Believe me , dear Brother , " Fraternally yours , "A . C . LISTER . "

The reading of the letter was a surprise and a great pleasure to the brethren . It was dated 5 th December , and so admirably timed that it arrived at the commencement of the ceremony . Bro . Barker further announced that he had just received the following telegram : " Petersburg , 9 Dec . "To Barker , Masonic Hall , Mirfield ,

" Hearty good wishes to all , " LISTER . " Bro . Barker also read a letter from the Mayor of Halifax , Bro . J . T . Simpson , in vvhich he regretted being unable to be present , as he vvould , he said , have been pleased to testify his high appeciation of the truly Masonic spirit that has actuated Bro . Howell , and to offer warmest fraternal greetings . The brethren having retired , a Board of Installed Masters , 40 in number , vvas opened , and Bro . Howell was duly

installed . On re-admission , the usual salutes and proclamations were given , the working tools in the respective Degrees being presented and explained by Bros . Joshua Milner , P . M . ; W . H . Wilson , P . M . ; and Thomas Lang , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C Music accompanied the ceremony , and the solo , _ " Be _ thou faithful , " was beautifully sung by Bro . Buckland . The addresses were given , in his usual excellent way , by Bro . Barker . The W . M ., with appropriate words , invested his officers as follows 1 Bros . H . Whitwam , S . W . ; M . Marshall Milner , J . W . ; W . H . Wilson , P . M ., Treas .:

John Barker , P . M ., Sec ; George O . Barker , S . D . j F . Shaw , J . D . j A . A . Stott , P . M ., D . of Cj W . H . Wilkinson , I . G . ; and John Wood , Tyler . This done , the business of the agenda vvas promptly undertaken . Bro . Barker , who for 13 years had acted as Charity Member for the lodge , proposed as his successor Bro . Joshui Milner , as he thought it was now time that some other brother should take the matter in hand . Bro . Barker thanked the brethren for the support they had so persistently given to him ,

and hoped they vvould extend the same , or even larger help to Bro . Milner . Bro . Thos . Lang seconded , and it was carried item . con . Other routine business followed , after vvhich " Hearty congratulations and good wishes" were offered by the visitors and brethren , and the lodge was closed . A banquet in the dining hall followed , at which the W . M . presided . The floral decorations of the table vvere profuse and beautiful , and the dinner excellent . Ample justice having been done to the viands ,

The W . M . rose and said : Brethren , our first toast , of course , is that of " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . " At the age of 79 , and after a reign extending over a period of 61 years , our beloved Queen is still spared to us . Let us drink her continued good health , a still further length of years , and God bless her . In proposing the next toast , " The M . W . G . Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the Ollicers of the Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " the W . M . said : It is now 25 years since the Prince of VVales accepted the position of M . W . Grand Master of our Order , and 1 need only point to the marvellous progress Freemasonry has made durincr

that period to show how eminently fitted he has proved for the position and how ably he has discharged its many duties . I cannot let this opportunity pass without some reference to our late Pro G . Master , the Earl of Lathom . He was our chief ' s right hind , and in him the Craft loses an able counsellor and a staunch supporter . His death must have been a severe blow to our Grand Master , whilst to our Society it is nothing less than a calamity . The W . M . concluded by referring to the excellent way in which the Grand Officers discharged their duties . The toast vvas drunk very heartily .

"The R . W . Prov . G . Master , the W . Deputy Prov . G . Master , and the Provincial Officers , Present and Past , " vvas entrusted to Bro . Joshua Milner , P . M ., who ably per « formed his task . For the Present Ofiicers Bros . W . D . Shoebridge , Prov . G . Deacon , and Henry Beaumont , Prov . G . Std . Br ., responded ; and for the Past Officers Bro . C . Letch Mason .

" The Health of the Worshipful Master , Bro . T . G . Howell , " vvas warmly proposed by Bro . John Barker . In doing this he sketched Bro . Howell ' s career , particulars of which , together with a portrait , appear in another place in our columns , pointing out the steady and consistent course of Masonic conduct which Bro . Howell had pursued , and especially emphasising the generous support vvhich he had for years extended to the Masonic Charitable Institutions . Bro . Howell had nobly earned , and would fully maintain the position in which they had that day placed him , and he called upon them

to show by the hearty way in which they pledged his health how fully they endorsed the opinion which he ( Bro . Barker ) had expressed . The toast vvas drunk vvith great enthusiasm , the brethren singing , " He is a jolly good Mason , " and afterwards joining in the Installation Ode , written by Bro . G . G . Poolt . The W . M ., on rising to respond , received a genuine Yorkshire greeting , cheers being repeatedly given . After silence was obtained he said : Brethren , I am very

grateful to you for the honour you have conferred upon me to-night , and I am also very proud that the toast of my health , so very kindly proposed by my good friend and brother , John Barker , should be so cordially received . It shall be my earnest endeavour —in vvhich I trust you , my brethren , will all help to promote the interest of t-ie Mirfisld Lodge , to increase its membership and to add to its general prosperity . This I may say has been to me a most eventful Masonic year , and contains three very important incidents which I am not likely soon to forget . The first was my visit to London to witness

the presentation of prizes to our boys by H . R . H . the Princess of Wales . The second vvas my being present at the Albert Hall when our M . W . G . M . presided at the Centenary Festival of the R . M . I , for Boys . The third , and most important of all , is my installation into the chair of the Mirfield Lodge this night . I trust I may always merit your confidence as you will ever deserve my thanks . My word ; are perhaps weak , brethren , but I can assure you my feelings are deep . I cannot say more and could not say less , and I trust these words may be allowed to suffice .

"The Installing Master , the I . P . M ., and the Past Masters" was given to the S . W ., Bro . II . Whitwam , to propose . This he did very eloquently and feelingly . Bro . Barker replied . " Ihe Visitors" were toasted on the proposition of Bro . W . Wilsin , who acquitted himself with exceptional ability . Bro . C . Stokes , P . M ., and others responded .

"The Masonic Charities" came next . In recommending this for approval Bro . J . Barker went into details at some length , showing what the Mirfield Lodge had done in the past and what it vvas contemplating for the future . From Bro . Barker ' s statement it was clear that Mirfield Lodge , small though it was , had not failed in its duties towards the Charities .

The toast was exceedingly well received . The Vice-Chairman of the Charity Committee , Bro . W . Blackburn , in an able speech , acknowledged the work done by the lodge , and thanked the brethren , in tha name of the London Institutions as well as in that of West Yorkshire . After " Ihe Mirfield Lodge and its Officers , " followed the Tyler ' s toist , which ended the proceedings .

It must be mentioned that numerous songs were sung during thc evening , Bros . Rickard , Buckland , E . Hanson , and others delighting the brethren with their eff jrts . The proceedings throughout were most hearty and were thoroughly enjoyed . The order of ceremonial as well as the menus and toast lists were works of art , and , in addition to portraits of the W . M . and his officers , contained photographic views of the lodgeboth

, interior and exterior . The quotations interspersed between the courses and toasts ware extracts from Chaucer , Prior , Burns , Anderson , & c , and Old English Ballads of the 15 th century had even been requisitioned for this purpose . Altogether it vvas a fuiction which both the brethren and visitors may look back upon with feelings of gen . Tii satisfaction .