Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

scientiously every duty he had undertaken . All those who were present after Bro . Dowling had been installed could say they rarely saw a W . M . for the first time he was in the chair forthwith thoroughly and regularly discharge his duty . He hoped that the initiate and the brethren in the higher grades would follow the W . M . 's example and not his ( Lord (' ,. Hamilton's ) . The lodge had been a great success , its

numbers had largely increased , and its financies were satisfactory . This was mainly due to the efforts of the four or live brethren who sat on his left , Bros . Everett , Gardner , and Lawrance . The brethren must remember that they could not rely on having those brethren always -with them . If they wanted to make a lodge thoroughly efficient , each brother must become efficient . Having such a brother in

the VV . M ., it was with the greatest pleasure he proposed his health . The W . M ., in replying , said he was indeed obliged to Lord George Hamilton for the very flattering manner in which he had referred to him , and to the brethren for their cordial reception of his lordship ' s remarks . Fie could only tell the brethren that during his year of office he should do

his very best to carry out the duties of the chair , his desire being at all times to give the brethren satisfaction , and to keep up the character of the Chiswick Lodge , which he considered at the present time one of the best of lodges . _ Surrounded as he was by such good Past Masters and officers ,

his duties would be a pleasure . The other toasts were given at a late hour . A selection of music was performed during the evening under the direction of Bro . Edward P . Delevanti , Organist of the lodge , by Miss Florence Hamilton , Miss Lizzie Flolmes , Bro . John Bartlett , and Mr . Fred Searle .

Richmond Lodge ( No . 2032 ) . — A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., at the Star and Garter , Kew Bridge . The usual meeting place is the Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , but the Lodge of Harmony which also meets at that hostelry has its regular meeting fixed for the Tuesday nearest to the full moon , which this year necessitated the Richmond Lodge holding

the meeting under notice elsewhere , a dispensation being obtained for the purpose of the temporary removal to Kew Bridge . There was a good attendance of members , the brethren present including Bros . Hy . Sapsworth , W . M . ; E . Dare , LP . M . ; . J . Marjason , S . W . ; A . Crew , J . VV . ; Forster Reynolds , P . M ., Treas . ; G . C . Rowland , Sec ; A . Aldin , S . D . ; T . Covill , J . D . ; A . H . Mussum , D . C ;

J . Aldridge , I . G . ; S . Abell and H . F . Nash , Stwds . ; B . " Blasby , P . M . ; and C . J . Digby , P . M . Visitors : Bros . VV . Carter , P . M . 141 ; VV . VV . Morgan , P . M . 211 ; T . Butler , 55 ; E . H . Downes , I . G . 1793 ; and W . VV . Lee , 1 S 97 . Lodge was formally opened , and the minutes of the December meeting read and confirmed . The popular

VV . Master then had an opportunity , which he used to advantage , of displaying his knowledge of the ritual , by raising Bros . Syrett , Amy , and Hopkins to the Third Degree , and initiating Messrs . Harry Laker and J . J . Ponting . The W . M ., being well supported by his officers , was enabled to perform the ceremonies with the care and impressiveness they deserved .

Ten guineas was voted from the Benevolent F und of the lodge to the widow of a deceased member , and a notice of motion having been given by the W . M . with reference to the joining fee , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a substantial meal . After dessert , the customary toasts _ received due notice , and were greeted with the usual heartiness .

In proposing "The Grand Officers , the W . M . said he hoped all the members of the Richmond Lodge in due time would reach the Wardens' chairs , and then be privileged to attend Grand Lodge , where they would be perfectly satislied with what they saw and heard . He bad listened on many occasions to the Pro G . M . and the Dep . G . M ., and could assure them the business was carried out in an

admirable manner . Bro . E . Dare , LP . M ., said the brethren , seeing the gavel once more placed in his hands , would know for what purpose . As he had remarked previously during the year , he only wished the toast he was about to propose was in better and abler hands . They knew it was " The Health of the W . M . " No words were necessary from him to

recommend the toast to them , for they knew how admirably the W . M . had worked the ceremonies during the year , and how heartily and genially he had presided over their festive board . No P . M . who had preceded Bro . Sapsworth in the chair of the Richmond Lodge had worked more admirably . Since their last meeting the W . M . had been jn difficulty , the lodge not being able to meet on that occasion at

Richmond as usual , but he had made excellent arrangements , and had met and entertained them in a fraternal spirit . If he ( the LP . M . ) was to talk to them all night he could not express his feelings towards the VV . M ., for they had been connected for many years . When he had the honour to install Bro . Sapsworth as VV . M . of that lodge , they knew what that brother had told them he would do during his

year , and he had kept his word on every occasion . Bro . H . Sapsworth , VV . M ., thanked the I . P . M . very sincerely for the kind manner in which the toast was proposed , but thought Bro . Dare had said a great deal more than he was worthy of in many ways . At his installation he did promise to do the work , and thought he was capable of performing it , and he had earnestly endeavoured to do it to the

best of his ability . He had other duties to perform during the day , ancl sometimes , like other brethren , got a little " rusty , " and missed a few words , but he did the best he could , and hoped it gave satisfaction to the brethren and the Fast Masters . Fie would endeavour to do his best to the end of his year of office , and had to thank them for receiving him so kindly .

" The Initiates " was next given by the W . M ., who said he was proud to see two gentlemen come forward that evening to be initiated into Freemasonry , and from the attentive mani . er in which they listened to the initiation ceremony , and their evident appreciation of it , he was sure they would prove themselves worthy Masons in the future , Freemasonry being one of the foundations of all good things , lie hoped they would carry out its precepts as far as their

abilit y would allow . Bros . Laker and Ponting having replied , " Hie Visitors" were cordially welcomed by the VV . Master , each visiting brother expressing his appreciation of the hospitality received and of the excellent work witnessed . Other toasts were given , thc proceedings terminating with the 'T yler ' s toast .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BERKHAMPSTEAD . Berkhampstead Lodge ( No . 504 V—The installation meeting of this very prosperous lodge was held at the King's Arms Hotel , on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., when , in spite of the prevailing - epidemic which kept away several of the officers and members and not a few prominent Hertfordshire Masons who had been invited as guests , there was

a goodly attendance . Bro . T . Graham Robinson , P . G . Std ., l-CP . G . S . of Wks ., W . M ., occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . S . Rowland Timson , P . G . Asst . Sec , S . W ., and W . M . elect ; A . Prudamcs , P . G . Std ., J . W . ; Charles Bullock , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., P . G . Sec , Sec : A . XV . Vaisey , S . D . ; W . Lowndes , J . D . ; R . L . Batterbury , M . D ., I . G . ; | . T . Rowe , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., D . C ;

Rev . C . J . Langley , Org . ; W . FI . Hobson , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; H . j . Foster , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Members : Bros " . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., P . G . M . ; Rev . VV . Otiennell , P . G . Chap . ; R . H . Bookcy ; W . Lovell ; A . 1 ' . Marsh ; F . Dwight ; John E . Legge ; A . F . Clarke ; G . M . Storey ; FI . J . Burt , * Joseph Bunker ; and G . Austin , jun ., P . M . 1130 . Visitors : Bros . C . E . Keyser , VV . M . 2323 ,

P . P . S . G . W . ; Rev . A . C Cockrem , P . M . 1 S 02 ., P . P . G . Chap . Notts ; F . B . Minis , 435 ; A . Wood , 13 C 2 ; T . H . Ballam , S . VV . 743 ; G . B . Abbott , 13 S 5 ; J . A . Robinson , P . M . 13 S 6 ; T . R . Robinson , S . W . 1740 ; S . Martin , P . M . 400 , P . P . J . D . C ; M . Slaughter , P . M . 404 , P . P . J . G . W . ; Thos . M . Denne , P . M . 1 S 0 ; W . E . Robbins , 90 ; E . H . Wagstaffe , 94 S ; Rev . VV . Willcox , VV . M . 1479 , P . P . G .

Chap . ; C . E . Gilbert , 1 G 74 ; A . R . . Chamberlayne , Treas . 2255 ; and H . Stanley Smith , 1929 . Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the regular meeting on the nth September and of an emergency meeting in December last having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Messrs . H . Kemp and E . J . Layton , and as it proved unanimous in each , these gentlemen were

successively introduced and initiated into the mysteries of the First Degree , the ceremony being ably and impressively rendered by the W . M . Tbe report of the Audit Committee having been read , Bro . Robinson vacated the chair in favour of Bro . J . T . Rowe , P . M . ; and Bro . S . Rowlands Timson , W . M . elect , having" been presented in due form , a board of installed

Masters was formed , and he was installed as W . M . lor the ensuing- 12 months , Bro . Rowe acquitting himself with his wonted success in the character of installing Master . Bro . Timson having been proclaimed and elected appointed the following brethren as his officers for the year , namely : Bros . A . Prudames , S . W . ; A . W . Vaisey , J . VV . ; Rev . A . Johnson , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap . Herts and Oxon , Chap . ; F . Q . Lane ,

P . M ., P . P . G . S . of Wks . ( elected ) , Treas . ; Charles Bullock , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., P . G . Sec , Sec ; W . Lowndes , S . D . ; B . L . Batterbury , J . D . ; H . H . Cooper , I . G . ; J . T . Rowe , P . M ., D . C ; Rev . Charles J . Langley , Org . ; VV . H . Rowe , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Sen . Stwd . ; George Austin , VV . M . 1130 , P . G . S . of Wks . Leicester and Rutland , Jun . Stwd . ; and A . Pavitt , Tyler . In the case of Bro . F . Q . Lane and other absent officers the investiture was by

proxy . The W . M . then presented Bro . T . G . Robinson , I . P . M ., with the Past Master's jewel , which had been voted him at the last lodge in recognition of his services in the chair ; and the latter having gracefully acknowledged the gift , the rest of the business , which was mostl y formal , was dispatched , and the lodge was closed with the customary formalities .

Altera brief interval the brethren moved into the adjoining room , where a very elegant banquet had been provided by the host and hostess ( Bro . and Mrs . Kemp ) of the King ' s Arms . Bro . Timson , VV . M ., presided , having on his right the Prov . G . Master ancl Bros . Keyser , the Rev . F . Willcox , the Rev . O . F . Cockrem , the Rev . VV . Quennell , P . G . Chap ., and others , and on his left the I . P . M . ( Bro . Robinson ) ,

Bros . VV . H . Hodson , H . J . Foster , Charles Bullock , Prov . G . Secretary , and others . Grace having been sung , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , Bro . Halsey , P . G . M ., in returning thanks for that of " The Prov . G . M ., " expressing the pleasure which he had derived from his visit , and thanking the brethren for the kindness and cordiality of his reception .

Fie congratulated the lodge on the success of the day s proceedings , and remarked that he had the fullest confidence in the continued prosperity of the province , which since his accession to office had enlarged its roll from S to 19 lodges . Bros . Keyser and the Rev . VV . Quennell having severally replied for the toast of "The Deputy Prov . G . M ., and the

rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " Bro . Robinson , [ . P . M ., assumed the gavel , and proposed the health of their newly-installed VV . M ., Bro . Timson , who , he said he felt sure , would add greatly to the distinction he had already won in the lodge . The toast having been drunk amid general applause and duly acknowledged by the W . M ,, that of "The Initiates" was given , and responded to by

Bros . Kemp and Layton , and then Bro . Bullock , in a humorous speech , proposed " The Visitors , " , with which he associated the name of Bro . the Rev . 0 . C Cockrem ; and tlie usual compliment having been paid to " The Past Masters " and "The Officers , " the Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . VV . T . Graves , P . M .

1954 , P . Prov . G . S . B ., the musical arrangements were undertaken by Bro . the Rev . C J . Langley , the lodge Organist , under whose able direction the various songs sung by the Misses Jesse Griffin , and L . Distin and Bros . li . Bryant and Stanley Smith in the intervals between the speeches added greatly to the pleasure of the meeting . It should be added that the lodge met for the first time

on this occasion in its new lodge room , which , with a convenient room adjoining , has been erected at the back of the King ' s Arms , and for which a separate entrance has been provided . It is an apartment of very considerable dimensions , being upwards of 40 feet in length by some 20 feet wide , and of proportionate height , and when the walls are decorated and the various appointments completed , the

Berkhampstead will be able to congratulate itself on being one of the most comfortably located lodges in the province . I he old lodge jroom , which is separated by a partition only from the new one , will henceforth be used as a banquet room , and the brethren will thus have an entire suite of rooms on the same floor , and wholly secluded from the rest of the hotel .

Provincial Meetings.

BIRMINGHAM . Forward Lodge ( No . uSo ) . —This lodge , which is increasing in prosperity every year , met at the Masonic Hall , New-street , on the 6 th inst ., when there were present Bros . VV . F . Tolladay , P . D . G . D . C , W . M . ; VV . Winfield , I . P . M . ; VV . J . Meredith , S . VV . ; T . FI . Simpson , J . W . ; Rev . R . Rigden , Chap . ; E . A . Smith ,

Sec ; T . W . Sidiaway , S . D . ; T . J . Harcourt , J . D . j T . N . Bladon , Org . ; VV . Price , I . G . ; J . M . Daffarn ancl A . Norton , Stwds . ; W . Hillman , P . M . ; E . P . Cole , P . M . ; F . Flobday , P . M . ; and G . F . Bolton , P . M . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Rev . Mirams was raised to the Supreme Degree of a M . M . The next business was the

election of VV . M ., and Bro . 1 . FI . Simpson , J . VV ., was unanimously elected for that office , the S . VV . having expressed the desire not to go on . Bro . F . Flobday , P . M ., was then unanimously re-elected to the office of Treasurer . Bro . Hobday thanked the brethren for his election , and said his duties were very light , as the brethren paid their subscriptions so promptly , antl the Secretary ' s work was done

so efficiently . The Tyler and Audit Committee were then elected . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to receive the ladies , it being the occasion of the lodge ball . The VV . M ., Bro . VV . F . Tolladay , P . D . G . D . L ., Mrs . Tolladay , and Miss L . N . Tolladay received the visitors in

the Secretary's room , who were afterwards conducted to the banqueting room , where a most recherche repast had been provided by the Stewards . 'lhe VV . M ., in giving the toast of "The Queen , " said that he was sure her Alajesty had no more loyal subjects in her vast dominions than Freemasons and their wives .

T he National Anthem was very nicely rendered by Mrs . E . A . Smith , Bros . E . A . Smith , T . H . Simpson , and A . J . Norton . The toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., the Princess of Wales , and the Royal Family " was . received very heartily . " God bless the Prince of Wales " was splendidly sting

by Bro . G . N . Millward . In proposing "The Health of the Ladies , " the VV . M . said " Those that I love , those that love me , and those that love those that I love . " Fie felt sure that every brother would join him in giving- a very hearty welcome to the ladies , because it was most becoming in every Mason to love and honour them , and the brethren of the Forward

Lodge felt it a duty and privilege to invite the ladies once a year . A lady once asked him , "If women are not good enough to belong to Masonry , will you tell me why ? " His reply was , " My dear , that is the very trouble—you are too good ; the necessity for your membership does not exist . Masonry was founded to make men better , and the Lord knows they need it . " But seriously , the brethren were

delighted with their presence , and he concluded with this sentiment , " May the future bring us as sisters and brothers closer than the past , and may the present remind us how pleasant it is to dwell together in unity . " The toast was received with great enthusiasm . Bro . E . A . Smith then gave a very pleasant rendering of the song " The first sweet love . " Bro the Rev . T . Mirams responded to the toast on

behalf of the ladies . Fie said in his opinion it was the greatest desire of every lady to become a F ' reemason s wife . Bro . T . H . Simpson , J . VV ., ancl W . M . elect , proposed " The Health of the VV . M ., " and spoke in very high terms of the way in which he had acted as VV . M . of the lodge , and that the peculiar honour and reverence that were given to every VV . M . were intensified to a great degree by the brethren of the Forward Lodge towards their present

VV . M . Bro . VV . F . Tolladay , in reply , expressed the very great pleasure it gave him to preside over such a large and distinguished company , and that his health , together with that of his dear wife , had been drunk so heartil y . Flc would take the opportunity of wishing them one and all a

" Happy New Vear . " The company then adjourned to the ball room , and spent a very pleasant and enjoyable time . The whole of the arrangements were very efficiently carried out by the officers of the lodge . Bro . T . J . Harcourt , J . D ., acted as M . C . in the ball room . BOOKING .

Lodge of St . Mary ( No . 1312 ) . —A special interest attached to the montnly meeting of this lodge on Monday evening , the Cth inst ., it having been announced on the summons that there was to be a presentation of a jewel to the Secretary . As soon as the regular business was concluded , the VV . M ., Bro . R . G . Kellett , P . P . G . S . B .,

said it had occurred to himself and other members of the lodge , that the time had arrived when the } ' ought to recognise in some tangible way the great services which their Secretary ( Bro . tvlalyn , P . M . ) had rendered to St . Mary ' s Lodge . He , the W . M . might , he was sure , be excused a little pardonable pride that it was himself who , in 1 S 83 , had first appointed Bro . Malyn to the office of Secretary .

They were in considerable difficulties at that time , and the way that Bro . Malyn had got them through those difficulties and brought the affairs of the lodge to their present efficient state had earned the lasting gratitude of the members . Amidst much applause , the \ V . A 1 . then pinned on the breast of Bro . Malyn a handsome P . M . ' s jewel , suitably inscribed , remarking that under it beat a heart in unison

with all theirs , and expressing - a hope tnat their worthy Secretary might live long to wear it . The W . M . also handed to Bro . Malyn a Handsome liquor stand , and as a present for Mrs . Malyn a lish carver and fork . Bro . Malyn in acknowledging the gifts , said he should value them most highly , not only on account of their intrinsic value , but for the kind feeling they embodied . Whatever he had done for the lodge had been to him a great pleasure ,

and he trusted that as long as he held the office of Secretary he should be always found doing his very best to forward its interests . At the supper whicli followed , the health of Bro . Malyn was heartily drunk . Among those present on the interesting occasion was the Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . Ralling , P . A . G . D . C ; Bros . Kellett , Inman , P . M . : Fuller , P . M ; Lake , P . M . ; Letch , J . VV . ; Davey , S . D . ; Johnstone , J . D . ; Piggin , I . C ; Suckling , Ifolliott , Moore , Clayden , Fluntly , and others .