"Our Veteran General. "

" OUR VETERAN GENERAL . "

The 13 th annual report of the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois ( U . S . A . ) is now being circulated among the favoured ones of the earth , whose names are enrolled , either as honorary ( 104 ) or subscribing members ( 347 ) of that'famous organisation . I call this issue the Royal Number , as it contains a fine portrait of our beloved Q ueen ( with facsimile of autograph ) being a reproduction of the latest and one of the best photographs ever taken of her Majesty .

There is likewise another of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of the Knig hts of Malta , and Sovereign of the United Order for Great-Britain and Ireland ; " which cannot be . excelled , and also a really good portrait of "General H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., " who is attired as Pcov . G . M . of Sussex ; but noted as " M . E . Grand Master , Great Priory of Ireland , " with autograph of H . R . H .

There are numerous others , which will be highly valued , such as M . E . Reuben Hedley Lloyd , Grand Master of Knights Templars , U . S . A . ; M . E . Warran La Rue Thomas , P . G . M . ( U . S . A . ); the Earl of Euston , G . C . T ., Supreme G . M . of England and Wales ( K . T . ); M . E . Daniel F . MacWatt , Grand Master Sov . Great Priory of Canada ; with the Grand Chancellors ( or Vice G . C . ) of each Body , viz ., Bros . William H . Mayo ( U . S . A . ) ; C . Fitzgerald Matier ( Englandl ; Lieut .-Col . A . V . Davoren ( Ireland ) ; and William H . Whyte , Past G . M . ( Canada ) .

The Grand Master of the Chapter-General of Scotland , the Marquis of Breadalbane , K . G ., also sent his Portrait to the General , with autograph , and Bro . Lindsay Mackersy , W . S ., the well-known Grand Chancellor of K . T . for that country , is also represented , standing before an elaboratelydedicated altar .

The numerous illustrations else make up a gorgeous number , and in elude some special views of Torquay , the Masonic Hall of No . 328 , the summons of No . 1402 , a handsome little certificate of A » . 1807 from Brixham , which is in Bro . John Lane ' s Library , the old print of ' A Mason made of a

Mason ' s Working Tools , " sent by Bro . W . J . Hughan ( of A . D . 1754 ) , a " Carrick-Fergus Diploma of 17— " with an able article thereon by Dr . Chetwode Crawley , who gives excellent reasons for dating the curious Certificate 17 S 0 , circa ; "Copy of first Charter ever issued by a Grand Lodge for a constituent Lodge" ( 1731 , Ireland—of course ) , Jtc , S : c .

I have overlooked two portraits , even now , that should be mentioned , viz ., the lamented Hon . De Witt Clinton , P . G . M ., who was the first Venerable Chief of Illinois ; and "Lt .-General Sir Charles Warren , Founder and first W . M . Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , London . " These choice plates are mainly in illustration of our General ' s " Wandering Steps " through Europe , 1 S 9 S ; the account of which is of a most

interesting character , and contains so many good points that it sets at defiance any attempt to reproduce portions , as 1 had hoped to do . General John Corson Smith , Past G . M . of Illinois , is at home in all such literary labour ; and the Firm of Messrs . Rogers and Smith Co . have done their best , which means success , to present in typographical and artistic form these entertaining sketches of visits to notable spots .

"The 13 th Annual Meeting" at Smith ' s Inn ( i . e . Mansion ) was a great treat for all who participated ; the hospitalities of 65 , Sibley-street , Chicago , being well-known and most warmly appreciated . W . J . HUGHAN .

First Ladies' Night Of The Alfred Newton Lodge, No. 2686.

FIRST LADIES' NIGHT OF THE ALFRED NEWTON LODGE , No . 2686 .

Although the Alfred Newton Lodge has barely completed its first year of existence , on the testimony of the members it is generally conceded that it has more than justified its existence . The principal idea of its conception was to unite , under the genial bond of Masonry , the heads of departments and others

connected with Harrod's Stores , Limited . The members are loud in their praise of the good work already accomplished , and look forward hopefully to its continuance in the future . A step in the right direction was taken on Saturday , the nth inst , when the lodge entertained lady friends and gentlemen who are non-Masons at a banquet and concert at the Empress Rooms , Royal Palace Hotel ,

Kensington . Bro . Alderman A . J . Newton , W . M ., presided with his usual geniality , whilst the energetic Secretary , Bro . W . B . Abbott , P . M . —to whom every credit is due for the completeness of the arrangements made—was well supported in his endeavour to make the guests comfortable and happy by Bros . J . J . Thomas , P . G . S . B . ; H . K . Newton , H . J . Thwaites , I . G . j T . G . Neighbour , A . E . Catchpole , H . Burbidge , J . Naughton , M . J . Jessop , P . M . ; and others .

After a well-served banquet had been enjoyed , four toasts were given before the concert was proceeded with . The first two were " The Queen " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " Bro . ] . J . THOMAS , P . G . S . B ., then had the pleasing duty of proposing " The Ladies . " That was one of those pleasant gatherings which Masonry had taken to

heart during the last few years . Formerly they were an exclusive body , and the ladies thought they were selfish , but since the ladies had graced their Masonic festivals and these annual gatherings , he for one could say that his wife looked upon his absence more pleasantly . If he spoke for half an hour he co uid not tell them more than that they heartily greeted the ladies , whom they were pleased

to see . Bro . H . K . NKWTON briefly replied , after which Bro . A . J . NAUGHTO . V , S . W ., proposed "The President . " He said that that lodge , although scarcely a year old , had done wonderful things , one of which was

to have such a magnificent gathering that night . The lodge started with 23 founders connected with Harrod ' s Stores , and the Chairman , Uro . Alderman Newton , was the first Master . They had done well for the Charities , the W . M . when he acted as Steward for the Boys' School , standing 12 th amongst all the lodges of England and fifth amongst the lodges in London .

Bro . Alderman A . J . Nuivroj * , W . M ., in responding , said the S . W . had very appropriately referred to the great Institution with which most of them were connected . That Institution had established a reputation for promptitude , for despatch , and for doing its business in a business-like way , and , in a minor degree , this lodge claimed to be in the same categpry . He ventured to say that their experience of that evening was a satisfactory one in respect of prompt , smart , and sharp speeches . They had not been wearied in listening to p latitudes , or in

First Ladies' Night Of The Alfred Newton Lodge, No. 2686.

wishing that a speaker would finish , for they all wished to listen to music . He had endeavoured to strike the keynote of brevity , and had been amply seconded , and would not , therefore , break the rule . He regarded with satisfaction the very handsome way in which the S . W . had referred , and t . hey had endorsed , that reference to himself . It would be idle to affect for one moment that he was not

extremely proud of this lodge of Freemasons . They had done him a very great honour in naming it after him , and he fully appreciated that honour , and hoped in the course of time to fully merit it . They would now have an opportunity of listening to a programme of music after the ladies had accorded them a brief interval of ten minutes .

During the bacquet a selection of music was played by Miss F . Tipper ( piano ) , Miss G . Tipper ( violin ) , Mr . Masters ( cornet ) , and Mr . Tipper ( double bass ) . The concert afterwards included items by Miss Greta Williams , Miss Eleanor Jones , Madame Lytton , Mr . Emlyn Davies , Bro . W . E . Buchanan , Mr . Thomas Crook , Master Bernard Crook , Mr . Carrington Willis , Bros . W . Windsor , Org ., and H . Tipper , P . A . G . P .

First Annual Supper Of The Brondesbury Lodge Of Instruction, No. 2698.

FIRST ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE BRONDESBURY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 2698 .

The first annual supper in connection with this flourishing lodge was held at the Earl Derby Hotel , High-road , Kilburn , on the 13 th inst . About 45 brethren attended to support the esteemed Preceptor , Bro . A . F . Hardyment , W . M . elect 26 9 8 , J . W . 1500 , and S . D . 1489 , who presided . Bros . A . H . Oldrey , P . M ., and Harry Willsmer , Hon . Sec , faced in the Vice-Chairs . Amongst the brethren were Bros . Aylett , Battrum , R . J . Campbell , P . M ., Treasurer of the lodge of

instruction ; Geo . Coxen , Treasurer mother lodge ; Wm . Geo . Coxen , H . J . Crook , F . Crook , P . Davis , G . D . Fraser , J . M . Goodwin , J . Gawthrop , W . M . ; A . E . Horstead , Org . ; Hammerton , Leavers , Levin , P . M . ; Line , Marks , Pearce , M . Symonds , Palmer , W . J . Smith , P . M . ; M . Strang , G . P . H . Stringer , Wheeler , Walker , Piatt , Schomberg , A . Hawes , Chappell , Lamer , Fleming , Keizer , and others .

An excellent supper was provided by the host , Bro . Wm . G . Coxen , which reflected great credit on the cuisine department of the hotel . The toasts were few and the speeches short . The toast of " The Brondesbury Lodge of Instruction" was proposed by the CHAIRMAN- .

Bro . H . Wir . r . SMKR , Hon . Sec , responded , and referred to the success that had attended their efforts in promoting the lodge , and the support accorded them by prominent members of the mother lodge , which had done much to attain that end . Having held but 25 meetings , the attendances have averaged over 20 at each meeting , and now they had a membeiship of 100 . A Charities' Association was formed only in July last , and to the end of January nine sums of £ 5 5 s . each had been contributed to one or other of the Masonic Institutions . The membership now was 40 .

The toast of " The Chairman " was in the hands of that past master of the art—the first W . M . of the mother lodge and Treasurer of the lodge of instruction ( Bro . R . J . Campbell , P . M . )—who referred in feeling terms to the long friendship that had existed between the Chairman and himself , stating that he was looking forward to a very happy time under Bro . Hardyment ' s ruling as the W . M . of No . 269 S .

A capital musical evening followed , under the direction of Bro . Arthur E . Horstead , with Mr . A . Horstead at the piano . Bro . James Gawthrop , W . M . 1706 , and a well-known singer , contributed four songs during the evening , which much delighted the company , who insisted upon encores . Bros . Fleming , Chappell , Campbell , Hardyment , and Strang , and Messrs . Foxall and Griffin , also assisted . The menu card had an original design by Bro . the Hon . Secretary , in which was enclosed the photograph of the Chairman , Bro . Hardyment .

Ladies' Night Of The Crichton Lodge, No. 1641.

LADIES' NIGHT OF THE CRICHTON LODGE , No . 1641 .

This happy event took place on Friday , the 10 th instant , at Frascati's Restaurant , Oxford-street , W ., and , undoubtedly , proved an unqualified success , marking an epoch in the history of the lodge . It was decided by the Committee that it should take place on an evening which did not interfere with the duties of the lodge , and so heartily was it supported by the brethren that about no were present . At six o ' clock a reception was held by the W . M ., Bro .

Vincent Thomas Murche , and Mrs . Murche , at which were present Bro . Gill , I . P . M ., Mrs . Gill , and friends ; . Bro . G . M . E . Hamilton , Treas ., Mrs . G . Hamilton , and friends ; Bro . Geo . King , Sec , and Mrs . King ; Bro . C . H . Stone , S . W ., Mrs . Stone , and the Misses Marian and Laura Rushbrook ; Mr . E . Rushbrook ; Bro . R . J . Pugh , P . M ., and Mrs . Pugh ; Bro . Frank Stanger , P . M ., and Mrs . F . Stanger ; Bro . Wm . Briant , P . M . ; Bro . Petley and Mrs . Petley ; Bro . Ball , Mrs

Ball , and friends ; Bro . W . Y . Andrews , P . M ., and Mrs . Andrews ; Mr . and Mrs . Fredk . Andrews ; Bro . Alf Andrews and Mrs . Andrews ; Bro . R . Liebman and Mrs . Liebman ; Bro . Castle , Mrs . Castle , and Mr . J . Brown ; Bro . J . J . Elliott and Mrs . Elliott ; Bro . Stevens and Miss Stevens ; Bro . Robert Elgar and Mrs Elgar ; Mr . Thos . Murchr ; and Mrs . Murchu ; Messrs . Vincent , Harry , Arthur , and Percy Murche ; Miss Murchu j Miss Lackington ; Mr . and Mrs . Hichisson

Mr . and Mrs . Albert Hichisson ; Mr . H . Hichisson ; Bro . Randell and Mrs , Randell ; Bro . Bailey , Mrs . Bailey , and friends ; Bro . Valentine Hill , Mrs . Hill , and friends ; Bro . H . A . Stunt , P . M . ; Bro . Kendall , Mrs . Kendall , and friends ; Bro . Henley and Mrs . Henley ; Bro . Flux , Miss Flux , and friends ; Bros . Barratt and Moore ; Bro . Morgan and Mrs . Morgan ; Bro . Robert Davis , Mrs . Davis , and

Mr . Frank Davis ; Bro . J . J . White ; Bro . George Rankin and friend ; Bro . John Tom Evans and Mrs . Evans ; Bro . J . W . Melton ; Bro . D . Greville and Mrs . Greville ; Bro . E . West and Mrs . West ; Bro . Hy . Knibbs and Miss Knibbs ; Bro . E . E . Vinen ; Bro . G . Harrison , Tyler ; Bro . Goffin and Mrs . Golfin ; Bro Tom Organ ; Bro . Harvey and Mrs . Harvey ; and others .

The reception ended , the company adjourned to ths banqueting hall to participate in a ncherche banquet personally superintended by Bro . Caller , the Manager , and with which all present were delighted . On the removal of the cloth , the W . M . rose and presented the toast of "The Queen , " dear to the heart of the nation and to none more than Freemasons , also ot " H . R . H . M . W . G . M ., " our King in Freemasonry , which was loyally received .