Craft Masonry.

Bro . Layton A . Richardson , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said that what the brethren had seen of Bro . Dyne in the working of the lodge that evening , and frcm what he had heard through brethren of other lodges , Ihe new W . M . would be able to carry out his duties perfectly . That was saying a great deal for a brother who went into the chair . Bro . Dyne had undertaken the office of W . M . with a feeling not only cf brolherly love , but of hearty interest in the Bedtoid Lodge , with a desire to improve it . by adding to its members , and correcting certain impelfections which had prown with time , and from which he ( Bro Richardson ) , as I . P . M ., had been the lightest

and least sufferer . A number of small expenses , which were unnecessary , in the course of the year made a considerable amount , and if the W . M . struck out the line of reducing them , and making other improvements , the result would be that from a small lodge the Bedford would be raised to a large one , and have more members than it ever had had during the whole of its existence . Surely that was better than dying of inanition . Bro . Dyne had opened his year of office very auspiciously , and he asked the brethren to drink " Health and Prosperity and a Successful Year of Office to Bro . Dyne , W . M . " Bro . H . W . Dyne , W . M ., acknowledged the warmth and cordiality of Bro .

Richardson and the brethrer , and said he was exceedingly pleased the brethren had reposed their confidence in him . He was delighted with their reception of him that evening . He was sure they were confident in him . Nothing would be wanting on his part to bring his year to a successful issue . He was very glad his cousin was about to be initiated , but was sorry that illness had prevented his coming up that evening . Bro . Main , P . M ., had that night proposed another gentleman , and he ( Bro . Dyne ) was very anxious and eager to perform the ceremony , having a perfect knowledge of the ritual . Bro . Richardson had mentioned a few little alterations in the lodge which were in

contemplation , and without specifying what they were , the brethren should understand that the Bedford was an antiquated lodge , and when young blood camein it did not always concur with the old . He , however , was always anxious to glean information from the elder members , and if he was likely to go in a wrong course he would be glad if they would direct him in the way he should go . What alterations he proposed were what his conscience dictated were for the benefit of the led ? e . As times now were , the lodge could not go on in the same style which had been adopted ; the old ones hung on to their old traditions , and when they went off there was no one to work them . He should

be very sorry if such a calamity occurred in the Bedford Lodge . He had the interests of the Bedford Lodge at heart , and nothing should be wanting on his part to do the best for its benefit , knowing as he did that he had the brethren ' s confidence . Bro . H . W . Dyne , W . M ., in proposing "The f . P . M ., Bro . Layton A . Richardson , " said there was applicable to the I . P . M . Shakespeare ' s line in " As You Like It " <« You have deserved high commendation , true applause , and love "—he would be one of the best—he did not say the best—the Bedford Lodge had had during his ( Bro . Dyne ' s ) connection with it . Nothing had been wanting in the shape of activity and

energy on Bro . Richardson s part for the benefit of the lodge and the comfort of the brethren . It was impossible for him ( Bro . Dyne ) to sit there and carry out the musical programme in a manner it should be carried out , and as it was carried out by Bro . Richardson . Everything he had done for the Bedford Lodge was excellent . What Bro . Richardson had done that evening he ( Bro . Dyne ) had never seen before—the gracious act by which he recognised the services of the Tyler : it was a unique thing according to his experience , fie could see a reason for Bro . Richardson doing it : it was because Bro . Mallett was elected Tyler during Bro . Richardson's year of office . It

was a very handsome present , and he hoped all the brethren had examined it . All these things which he had done for the Bedford Lodge must have required a great deal of thought ; it was something to be considered , and was very good and grand . It showed that even in respect to small details Bro . Richardson had not been neglectful of the happiness and comfort of the brethren . Bro . L . A . Richardson , I . P . M ., replying , said it was with a true pang he left the chair just as he was getting capable of filling it , but he thought the brethren had got some one better in his place . He thanked the brethren for the handsome Past Master's

jewel they had presented to him , and also for the unexpected presentation in addition , contributed to by individual brethren , of the Past Master ' s collar and particularly handsome jewel . He really did not know what he had done to deserve such kindness . Still , he was especially proud of it , and all these jewels , collar , apron , & r ., would be on view on Monday , the 13 th instant , at his house , when he would celebrate his silver wedding . 1 le must again thank one and all for the very kind expressions of sympathy proposed in open lodge and placed upon the minutes in the spring , when he had to do some work while he was in very great trouble thinking that the life of his wife would not be spared . These hearty sentiments tf sympathy he shculd never forget , neither would his wife ;

they weie conveyed from him to her , and were recorded on the minutes of the lodge . He thanked the brethren again most heartily , and he also had to thank the Great Architect of the Universe for sparirg his dear wife to him through his year of office , and leaving the Master ' s chair , having her spared , he had the pleasant and proud position of thanking the brethren that he was a Past Master of the lodge , and that he had the brethren's sympathies . Although he had been disappointed of one or two initiates , one of them he knew would come forward later on , and he had one or two others in his eye who might possibly come during Bro . Dyne's year . He assured the brethren , in conclusion , that as long as he lived he should devo ' e his attention to the happiness and benefit of the Bedford Lodge .

Bros . Bruton and Main responded to the toast of "The Installing Master , " whom the W . M . described as having performed the ceremony most impressively , and in grand style , and Bro . Bruton having / aid that his part was not pel formed to his own satisfaction , and that he had made mistakes , although he was P . Prov . G . D . cf C . of Essex , Bro . Main said he failed to see the mistakes . He and Bro . Bruton had always worked together well for years , and he hoped the younger members of the lodge would copy the example of Bro . Bruton . It was a great advantage to a lodge to have in it brethren who could perform the ceremonies at any moment . He ( Bro . Main ) was not quite

satisfied with his performance , but , like Bro . Bruton , he of late had had a good deal ot worry . The duties of Secretary he had undertaken had entailed on him an immense amount of attention , and thought , and work . It had been suggested that some one not a member of the lodge should do the installation , but that would not do for the Bedford Lodge . They respected any brother who was willing to assist , but as long as members of the lodge would perform the ceremony , they would retain the honour . He could assuie the W . M . that the part he ( Bro . Main ) had taken was done with the greatest amount of pleasure , and so with any du'its he had to perform for the

ruuge . Bio . Turner , P . M ., replied to the toast of " The Past Masters , " and Bro . Craggs and Brown to that of "Ihe Visitors , " and Bro . Main , responding to the toast of " . rhe Treasurer , Secretary , ard Officers , " said that the W . M . might reckon on his doing his best as Secretary . It was no novel thing to him , because he was Secretary to his mother lodge lS months , when the lodge was a divided lodge : he left it a united lodge , and sank his own feelings over a certain subUct . He followed bv takinn the

lreasurershi p , still being below the cluir . He found the lodge in debt ; in two years he left it with a balance of £ 12 ios . He had entered on the Secretaryship of the Bedford Lodge , hoping to see a great future for the lodge . The Secretary was a sort of standing counsel to the W . M . of a lodge , because when a W . M . first went into the chair he was getting an education ; when he went out he was just beginning to know something about the subjects he had to deal with . It was the duty of the Secretary , it he had the knowledge , to instru t and coach the Master . ,,. , " , - Hill , Cox , and Larner aLo replied , and the proceedings closed with the Ijler ' stoast .

Lodge of Honour and Generosity , No . 165 . th V * f l , ec ' ? ' f raergency meeting of this lodge was called on Monday , the 30 th ult ., at ufni , ( - ourt Hotel . Among those present were Bros . G . Wainwright , acting nn , w llenr l , Tirncs : ' - :, - -i J- Baggallay , S . W . ; F . T . Rushton , acting J . W . ; u . D . West , acting S . D . ; Alfred P . Crabb , J . D . ; Dale Hart , P . M . ; W . G . Leman , n , ' , ldrid B ' - M- w - C Hulbert , Godfrey Sykes , and others . tV , he . ee was duly opened by Bro . G . E . Wainwii ^ ht , and the special business of Mr & tl '"^ o asat oncc Proceeded with- The billot proving unanimous in favour of J . Albert Spencer Ellam and Captain Thomas Sauiderson Angus , these gentlemen , be'ng ¦ , attendance were initiated .

, ar .,. 11 tJgc was tllen dosed , and the brethren adjourned to a dinner , excellently ariangedb y Bro . Frank Blackley , the manager of the Inns ot Court Hotel . Initial i ' i . . an en | crgency meeting , the speeches were confined to that of " The thatof "Th A \ vasclcqucnlly responded to by B . os . Ellam and Captain Angus , and I PM 1 C '"' B W . M ., " pioposed in an amusing manner by Bro . Henry Times , duties of W M ^ " 11611 t 0 ver y eloquently by Bro . Wainwright , who had undertaken the of Hr „ 1 n ; ^ ver y snort notice , owing to the unavoidable absence on the Continent 01 « o . j . R . jj rake > the Mabtel . ti , clo j „

Craft Masonry.

Confidence Lodge , No . 193 . I here was a good attendance of brethren at the installation meeting of this lodge , held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 13 th inst ., when Bro . F . ' S . Plowrightwho is also a founder and Secretary of the Barnet Lodge—was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . The members present included Bros . F . Haines , W . M . ; F . S . Plow-right , W . M . elect ; T . Kington , J . W . ; R . D . Kershaw , P . M ., Treas . ; E . J . Davey , P . M . ; G . P . Nightingale , P . M ., D . C ; J . E . Fells , P . M ., Stwd . ; S . W . I'ells ; VV . Belchamber , P . M . ; S . SmitherP . M . and others .

, , After the opening of the lodge and the confirmation of the minutes , Mr . J . Mendozi was initiated into Freemasonry . The W . M . elect , Bro . Plowright , was then installed into the chair by Bro . Belchamber , P . M ., the Preceptor of the Confidence Lodge of Instruction . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . Francis Haines , P . M ., I . P . M . ; T . Kington , S . W . ; E . Pennock , J . W . ; B . D . Kershaw , P . M ., Treas . ; E . J . Davey , P . M ., Sec . ; G . Spice , S . D . ; J . W . Simeons , J . D . ; VV . Cutting , I . G . ; G . P . Nightingale , P . M ., D . C ; J . E . Fells , P . M ., and M . Bailie

Stwds . ; E . H . Lough , Org . ; S . W . Fells , A . D . C ; and Reinhardt , Tyler . The W . M ., in a very able manner , passed Bro . D . S . Morris to the Second Degree . Bro . Fells , P . M ., Stwd ., consented to serve as Steward for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and Bro . Spice , S . D ., also agreed to serve in the same capacity for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Other business was transacted , including the consideration of deserving appeals for assistance , and the lodge was closed . After banquet the customary toasts were given .

Bro . F . Haines , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and said he was sure it would be received with the enthusiasm it deserved . Bro . Plowright was a goodtempered and genial Mason and a good worker , and would conduce to the good working and prosperity of the lodge . Having had the pleasure of working with the W . M . for some years , he could say he had always found him an excellent worker , so that the brethren might rest assured the office would be in good hands during the ensuing year .

Bro . _ F . S . Plowright , W . M ., said the manner in which his health had been proposed and received was very gratifying to him , but the subject was unfortunately one he was unable to say much about . All he knew about himself was very creditable indeed , but was very confidential . The I . P . M . had been pleased to say some complimentary things about him , but he ( the W . M . ) would not tell them what he knew about himself , but simply thank them for the cordial reception given him .

The W . M . then proceeded to give "The I . P . M ., " remarking that Bro . Haines , I . P . M ., had conducted himself well during the last year , and had shown himself a genial , hearty brother . They all knew the l . P . M . ' s character for uprightness , straightforwardness , and generous feeling , and it would be impossible to express one half they thought of him . He had great pleasure in presenting the I . P . M ., in the name of the lodge , with a Past Master ' s jewel as an evidence of the sincere good feeling that existed in the lodge towards him , and trusted he would live many years to wear it . Bro . F . Haines , I . P . M ., acknowledged the kindly remarks of the W . M . He did

not deserve one half of the W . M . ' s praise , although he had , during his year of office , tried to do his duty to the best of his ability , and he was sure he had had a year of happiness . That happiness had been conduced to by the generous support given him by the whole of the lodge and every individual member . He was elected by the unanimous vote , and felt some regret in vacating the chair . Anything he could do as a Past Master it would be his love and duty to do . The crowning point of his happiness and pride was the presentation of the handsome jewel , which he hoped to wear for many years in their dear old lodge .

"The Initiate" was next given , Bro . Mendoza , in reply , asserting that it would ever be Ms ambition through life to be a credit to the lodge and the Craft . Bro . J . Mason , P . P . G . D . Middx ., acknowledged "The Visitors , " and said he had known the lodge for a great number of years , and there was only one Past Master present whom he used to meet years ago , and that was their dear old Treasurer , Bro . Kershaw , P . M . When he was invited he would have thrown up any other engagement , because he knew they did not meet only for their own comfort round the festive board

but for the purpose of doing good to those who needed their help . He was delighted to hear the outspoken words of those brethren in the lodge who spoke of a case needing immediate assistance , and was delighted to find the lodge kept up its old traditions . That was true of Freemasonry . It was not liking to see their names as holding some office in the lodge , or as doing some wonderful work by initiating a large number of brethren , but it was having their heart and hand ready to help a brother in times of need . He said that for the benefit of the initiate , who

might think he was above needing help , but he could tell him of those in far higher circles who had had to knock at the door of Masonry for assistance . He had never known a single instance where such assistance was not given . He was delighted that Bro . Fells , P . M ., had consented to serve as Steward . He was also delighted to find the W . M . reigning over a happy and prosperous lodge , and hoped to be spared to see the initiate occupying that position . His object in visiting the lodge was to ask the brethren to help the Old People . Bro . Lord George Hamilton would take the chair in February ,

and they were pleased at the prospects , but however good they might be , they would have to shut out nearly 100 poor applicants . Each year the number of applicants seemed to increase , and each year they seemed to take on an extra number to try to meet the requirements . Unless they had a better Festival this year than they had had for the last four or five years it would be impossible to take an extra annuitant on . Last year Bro . Simeon took up £ 70 from that lodge , and he should like their friend , Bro . Fells , P . M ., to exceed that amount . Bros . Rev . C Gardner , Gabb , W . M . 1612 ; J . K . Pill , P . M . ; Jordan , W . M . 1172 ; and Bussey , P . M . 192 S , also replied .

Other toasts were given before a successful evening terminated . In a long musical programme the following brethren assisted—Bros . Wingrove Ives , R . Hopkins ( who was encored foe splendid selections on the silver bells ) , E . J . Davey , C . Farris , R . Gilmore , Frank Silvester , and others .

Zetland Lod ,

P . M ., as I . G . The latter presented Bro . A . VV . Sidebottom , S . W ., W . M . elect , who was duly inducted into the chair , and proclaimed and saluted in each Degree . Bro . Blackwell , P . M ., presented the tools in the Third Degree , and Bro . Woolley , P . M ., in the Second and First . Bro . Pike , P . M ., addressed the W . M . and brethren generally , and Bro . Woolley the Wardens . The following were invested by the W . M ., and addressed by Bro . Wheeler , P . M . : Bros . W . Hulme . S . W .: VV . Ison , l . W .: 1 . Thornlev . Chan :

J . I ' ulford , P . M ., Treas . ; J . D . Walley , Sec ; J . A . Timer , S . D . ; J . VV . Boom , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Laycock , Org . ; J . Bradbury , I . G . ; J . Ingram , J . J . shawcross , A . Downes , J . Ingle , and Page , Stwds . ; and the W . M ,, Bro . A . W . Sidebottom , wis elected Charity Representative . During the evening a magnificent iS-carat gold jewel was presented to the retiring Master for his valuable services during the last 12 months , which was duly acknowledged by him in a short speech .

The lodge was closed , and subsequently the brethren partook of a banquet , where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and the pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by songs , recitations , & c , contributed by several wellknown brethren . The following were present : Bros . R B . Robinson , W . M . ; J . Willis , I . P . M . ; T . Hulme , J . W . ; J . Bradbury , Sec . ; VV . Ison , S . D . ; T . A . Turner , J . D . ; C . Ilackin , I . G . ; J . R . Neale , 1 . Prke , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Blackwell , P . M . ; I .

VV . Booth , P . M . ; J . Beardmore , P . M . ; J . Ingle , Arthur Rawlinson , T . Williams , J . Cooper , J . Thornley , J . D . Walley , J . Metcalf , J . J . Shawcross , J . Laycock , E . Uen ' on , G . Sidebottom , VV . 'Thompson , vV . Ingram , E . Peat , F . S . Leigh , C Garner , J . S null , A . Birch , J . VV . Porter , H . Gee , S . W . Watson , and R . Sorrell . Visitors : Bros . VV . Richardson , W . M . 935 ; James Newton , P . A . G . Sec , Sec . East Lancashire Systematic Educational and benevolent Institution ; | . Clou ^ h , W . M . ; A . Hibbert , W . M . 325 ; VV . Martin , W . M . 90 j ; G . S . Smith , P . f ' . G . O . East and West Lanes ; W . l ' aylor , S . W . i 3 i J- VV . McCullough , and J . Ilipon , S . W . y . ;; .

PKINCE HENKV UI- B . vrriiNUEUG , who isserving on the stall of the expedition to Ashantee , and had advanced with the headquarters , has been attacked by malarial fever , and it has been found nccssary to convey him to Cape Coast Castle .