Royal Arch.

. , Comps . the Rev . R . C Fillingham , B . A ., and T . O . Harding , M . A ., were visitors . The minutes of the previous convocation were read and firmed . Apologies for non-attendance were received ^! m Comps . J . Strugnell , P . Z . ; H . Herbert , S . N . ; and

ihets . The chapter was then closed , and tne companions diourned to dinner , the M . E . Z . presiding most ably . S In response to his health , which was fluently proposed by romp . G . Herbert . I . P . Z ., Comp . Prower stated that he , T tly regretted that for some time past no brethren had 'Yesented ' themselves for exaltation . The mother lodge was P nu merous and prosperous one , and should occasionally a j recruits . However , he must say that other chapters Whicli ne visited in the Metropolis and elsewhere appeared J be languishing for want of new members . The Royal

Arch was a beautiful and impressive Degree , and therefore ' t seemed to him incomprehensible why the Order was not better supported . In conclusion , he hoped that before he left the chair it would be his good foi tune to exalt at least one brother into the chapter . A tew other toasts followed , and the remainder of the evenin" was devoted to music . Comps . E . B . Lane , Mus . llac . J " - Young , P . Z ., and G . Herbert , P . Z ., being the principal contributors .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

NEPTUNE LODGE ( No . 22 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the 13 th ult ., at the Gauden Hotel , Clapham . Present : Bros . Gilbert , W . M . ; Warran , S . W . ; Janau , 1 \ V . ; J . Andrew ? , Sec ; Wyre , S . D . ; Rankin , J . D . ; Westley , I . G . ; Weeks , Tyler ; Cochrane , P . M . ; Folkard , P . iVI . ; Beaven , P . M . ; Shanam , and Cheese . Lodge was opened in the First Degree , and the minutes

of the last lodge read and confirmed . Lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and Bro . Andrews passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft . Bro . Rankin answered the question leading to the Third Degree , and was entrusted . Lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and Bro . Rankin ably raised to the Degree of a M . M . Lodge was resumed

to the Third Degree , and the W . M . rose for the first time , and dues were collected . The W . M . rose for the second time , and Bro . Warran was elected W . M . for the ensuing week . He thanked the brethren , and appointed his officers in rotation . The W . M . rose for the third time , and ihe lodge was closed .

HIGH CROSS LODGE ( No . 754 ) . —The usual weekly meeting was held on Thursday , the yth ult ., at the Coach and Horses , High-road , Tottenham , when the following brethren were present : Bros . J . L . Driscoll , W . M . ; Broughton , S . W . ; Dexter , J . W . ; Binnie , P . M ., Preceptor ; Garrod , P . M ., Treas . ; B . Stocker , Sec ; Everdell , P . M ., S . D . ; Reynolds , J . D . ; Wilkinson , I . G . ; Ruthven , Tegg , H . Murrell , Brown , Driscoll , P . M ., Stephensand Barnes .

, Ihe lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of Ihe last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Uro . Brown being the candidate . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . Ruthven being the candidate . The lodge was resumed to the First degree . Bro . Broughton was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . The lodge was then closed .

HYDE PARK LODGE ( No . 1425 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the 13 th ult ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , corner of Eastbourne-terrace and Bishop ' s-road , Paddington , W ., when there were present Bros . R . J . Kogers , VV . M . 733 . W . M . ; Major E . J . Reed , S . VV . ; •M . Rosenberg , J . W . ; G . Read , P . M . 511 , Treas . and I ' receibir ; W . J . Ferguson , P . M . 177 , Deputy Preceptor ;

H . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , Sec ; T . M . Lamblc , S . D . ; C . T . Browne , 733 , J . D . ; C . Godfrey , VV . M . 2021 , I . G . j G . Weaver , Stwd . ; D . F . Guellion , P . M . 142 , ; J . C . Conway , W . M . iSqi ; J . W . Curtis . P . M . 73 V . ' E . A . Boughton , f > P' - J- W . Ackland , J . T . Haley , H . Barnett , and H . Campbell . Visitors : Bros . VVm . Roberts , J . D . 733 , and C . T . Brown , S . D . 733 . Ihe lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes

of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Haley being the candidate . Bro . Ackland was instructed in his duties leading to the Second Degree , and retired . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Campbell being the candidate . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Read assisted

by the brethren , worked the 2 nd Section of the ucture . Bros . Roberts and Brown were re-elected memoes , and duly acknowledged the compliment . Bro . Read was elected W . M . for the next lodge meeting—officers in rotation . A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Campbell , to be entered on the minutes , for his present of a jiandtome curtain , who acknowledged the vote in suitable terms . After " Hearty good wishes " the lodge was closed .

ISLINGTON LODGE ( No . 1471 ) . —The usual weekly mec ' £ was held on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., at the I ... tavern , Highbury , when there were present Bros . •W . Clarke , W . M . ; R . Loomes , S . W . ; G . T . Lnretien , J . W . ; W . Hancock , Preceptor ; C M . jf " " . ! " ! J . Duncan , Secretaries ; E . G . Young , S . D . ; '' ¦ C . Ritchie . J . D . j R . Philip Uoton . I . G . ; I . M .

r"lett-P -P . CLW . Etsexj G . T . Peall , A . Oliver , S . Burdett A , lwater > C > Smith > C - lsl (; r > H 1 J Harding , of iK lodge was ° P en < = d in due form , and the minutrs cerem Prev ' i . meetin were read and ionfirme . Tie ( Cmony of initiation was then rehearsed Urn . Attivater

leau £ , , candldate - Hro- Attwater answered the questions openef •, the _ Second Degree , and retired . The lodge was rehear " in Second degree , and the ceremony of passing uurdi . it j Lcwisbeing the candidate . Bros . Attwater , Urn 1 l , rost were elected members of the lodge and ' a ,, n ° - , was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , closed . 1 S ° mcers in rotation . The lodge was then 'odM ^ 'l ' ?/ L 0 ° GE ( No . iG 77 ) .-A meeting of this a 4 ton A el i Frida y' the l 0 th ins t- » at the No , th-Uros . Wr' koswell-road , E . G ., when there were present iWi S ' Y ; y , Bladon , P . M ., S . W . ; A . J . '•' •w - ; W . J . Hunter , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Dimes ,

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Sec ; F . G . Scheit , S . D . ; C Hobbins , J . D . ; R . M . H . Griffiths , I . G . ; and others . The lodge was opened in the First and Second Degrees . The ceremony of passing was then rehearsed , Bro . A . VV . Humphreys acting as candidate . The lodge was then closed .

KENSINGTON LODGE ( No . 1767 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., atjthe Scarsdale Arms Hotel , Edwardes-square , Kensington , when there were present Bros . W . Hillier , W . M . ; E . M . Dennis , S . W . ; James W . Barker , P . M ., J . W . ; George Read , P . M ., Preceptor ; F . Craggs , P . M ., Sec ; F . A . Barth , S . D . ; W . Thwaites , J . D . ; J . J . Rumbal , I . G . j W . B . Neville , H . G . Danby , W . M . 10 , 6 ; Lewis Beale , and | . H . Neville .

The lodge was opened according to ancient custom , and the minutes having been read and confirmed , the lodge was opened in the Second Degree . Bro . Danby having offered himself as a candidate for raising , he was duly examined and entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and the ceremony rehearsed , inclusive of the traditional history . The lodge was closed in the Third and Second Degrees . Bro . Dennis was elected VV . M . for the next meeting . The lodge was then closed .

CHISWICK LODGE ( No . 2012 ) . —A meeting was held on Saturday , the nth inst ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , King-street , Hammersmith , W . Present : Bros . G . Gardner , P . M ., Treas ., W . M . ; Hillier , S . W . ; Dickey , J . W . ; A . Williams , P . M ., Preceptor ; M . Spiegel , P . M ., Sec ; Reid , S . D . ; Clarke , J . D . ; Whiteley , I . G . ; J . Sims , P . M . ; F . Craggs , P . M . ; McDermott , Edelstein ,

Wood , and Kirkham . Visitor : Bro . Larkman , 7 S 0 . This being the meeting for the officers of tne mother lodge , Bro . Gardner , P . M ., opened the lodge in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the Second and Third Degrees , and resumed to the Second Degree . Bro .

Larkman being a candidate for raising , was examined and entrusted . The lodge was resumed to the Third Degree , and the ceremony of raising rehearsed . The lodge was closed in the Third and Second Degrees . The VV . M . rose for the first and second times . Bro . Larkman was elected a joining member , and the lodge was closed .

STAR CHAPTER ( No . 1275 ) . — The us"al weekly meeting was held at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Church-street , Camberwell , on Friday , the ioth inst ., when there were present Comps . G . L . Moore , M . E . Z . j S . Mel . North , H . j J . Loader , J . j F . Hilton , P . Z ., Preceptor ,- C . H . Stone , S . E . ; C Plant , S . N . ; W . Dawson , P . S . ; Hill , Bannister , Phillips , H . G . Martin , Salmon , Benedetti

Grummant , Powell , Addington , and Lewis . The chapter was regularly opened by the Principals and Past Princ pals . Comp . Hill installed Comp . North into the chair of J . The minutes of the previous weekly meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was reheaised , Comp . Salmon personating the candidate . Comp . North , II ., was elected M . E . Z . for next meeting , when an installation ceremony will be rehearsed .

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

Red Cross of Rome and Constantine .

Original or Premier Conclave . — This conclave met at Mark Ma ons' Hall , on the Oth instant . Amongst those oresent we noticed ijir Knights C E . Keyser , J . P ., G . C , M . P . S . ; Purrott , Sen . Gen . ; Heard , P . ALP . S ., G . S ., Acting Jun . Gen . ; H . II . Shirley , M . A ., G . C , P . M . P . S ., Acting Treas . ; Captain T . C . Walls . P . M . P . S ., P . G . Gen ., Acting Recorder ; G .

Graveley , Prelate ; J . J . Pakes ; the Rev . R . C Fillingham , B . A . ; George Powell , P . G . Gen ., P . M . P . S . ; Dr . Mickley , P . G . Gen ., P . M . P . S . ; H . J . Lardner , G . C , P . M . P . S . ; Nelson Prower , M . A , P . M . P . S . ; and others . The minutes of the previous conclave having been read and confirmed , Sir Knight Purrott was unanimousl y elected M . P . S . ; Sir Knight T . G . Robinson , V . E . ; Sir

Knight H . H . Shirley , M . A ., P . M . P . S ., Treas . ; and Frater F . Reinhardt , Sentinel . A Past So / ereign ' s jewel was voted to E . Sir Knight C . E . Keyser in recognition of his services . E . Sir Knight lliomas Cubitt , P . G . Gen ., P . M . P . S ., having resigned the Treasurership and active membership of the conclave in consequence of ill-health , he was unanimously elected an honorary member . The report of the Audit Committee was adjourned till the next

meeting . Communications from absent members were read , viz ., from Sir Knights John Mason , P . P . Gen ., P . M . P . S . Recorder ; W . Lake , P . M . P . S . ; L . Steele , VV . A . Scurrah , and T . G . Robinson . The conclave was then closed . The members then repaired to the Grand Conclave , and subsequently dined at the Freemasons' Tavern under the distinguished preMdency of Sir Knight the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , Grand Sov .

Ladies' Banquet Of The Confidence Lodge, No.193.

LADIES' BANQUET OF THE CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 .

Last year this old lodge for the first time in its career , tried the experiment of a ladies' banquet , which proved such a decided success that a repetition this season was inevitable . Bro . Joseph Hart , LP . M ., during

whose Mastership the innovation was inaugurated , presided at the banquet which followed the usual lodge business on the 13 th inst ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleetstreet , E . C . The company numbered 146 , and a dispensation having been obtained for the brethren to wear Masonic clothing , the banquet room presented a very animated appearance .

After dessert Bro . J . HART , I . P . M ., briefly proposed " The Queen and the Craft , " " H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., " and "The Grand Officers . " " The Health of the Worshi pful Master " was given by the I . P . M ., who said it was only the natural bashfulness of Bro . Belchamber , W . M ., that prevented him from taking the chair that night . The W . M . commended himself to every member of the lodge and

Ladies' Banquet Of The Confidence Lodge, No.193.

was a very excellent Mason , for he bad devoted a large portion of his time to the good side of Masonry . The distinctions worn by the W . M . had not been thrust upon him , but were the result of hard laborious work in Masonic Charity . The Confidence Lodge rejoiced in a Master who bad distinguished himself in all the Charities connected with Masonry and was thoroughly

sincere . Bro . W . BELCHAMBER , W . M ., thanked the I . P . M . for his kind remarks , and said he should always endeavour to do his duty as a Mason . Bro . J . HART , LP . M ., then said : I now have the pleasure of proposing the toast of the evening , and I can assure you I could truly have wished it had fallen

into abler hands than mine . The toast I have the pleasure to propose you will see by your list is " The Ladies . " It is always a very pleasing duty to propose the toast of the ladies , for to them we owe the bri ghtest side of our life , and , speaking Masonically , I have no doubt of the fact that being Masons , sometimes takes us out of their pleasant society , only to return with

renewed appreciation of it . This lodge to-night , and every gentleman heie is , I am sure , very much indebted to , and should be very proud of , the brilliant assemblage of ladies who have honoured us with their presence . I must take it as a personal compliment , and I am certain the W . M . regards it as even a greater compliment . We are quite young and inexperienced in

inviting ladies to our banquets , and any shortcomings I hope will be very favourably overlooked . We are not here to make speeches ; but still there is one thing I should like to say . Speaking as a Mason to the ladies who are here to-night , and whose husbands are Masons , I would ask them not to think their husbands are always assembled at the festive board when spending a few

hours out of their society , We are hoping by our unity and our wisdom to deal with those who are distressed and in need of our assistance , and I am quite sure no lady here but would take it as a pleasure and pride to know that some portion of her husband ' s time was devoted to the good work of Charity . We sometimes get rather hard knocks from the ladies . Some time

ago I felt very proud in walking home from my last nig ht in the chair , having received the gold jewel voted by my mother lodge . My wife asked what it was , and I said " It is a Past Master ' s jewel . " She said "Oh , I thought it was the first prize for staying out late at night . " To those ladies whose husbands are Masons I would say deal generously with us . To those ladies

whose husbands are not Masons , or are about to be , I would say " Let them be Masons as soon as possible . Bro . SIBNKV W . FKI . I . S briefl y replied , after which the I . P . M . proposed "The Visitors , " which was acknowledged by Bro . PITT , P . P . G . S . B . Surrey . Bro . W . WOOD , P . M ., Sec , proposed " The LP . M ., Officers , and Stewards , " who had all so ably assisted in

carrying out the work of that evening . The claims of the I . P . Al . had alread y been spoken to at some length . Last year was the first occasion on which ladies' nights had been held in the lodge , and on that occasion Bro . Hart was the W . M . Thisyear was even a greater success than last , and he hoped tnat next year they would be obliged to hold their ladies' banquet at a larger

establishment . I he officers were efficient in their duties , and , together , with the Stewards , had rendered great assistance to the arrangements for the evening . Bro . J . HART , I . P . M ., having returned thanks , said his year in the chair had been spoken of as a success , and he could only tell them how sorry he was to vacate it . During that time he had the good feeling of

every member of the lodge , and the success was mainl y due to the great assistance he received from such excellent officers . He intended breaking the record of the 101 Masters who had preceded him in the lodge , and with the assistance and co-operation of the members , he was p leased to say he had . That would always be his great pride to look back upon . Bro . Wood was

the most indefatigable Secretary that ever lived , and was in fact a heaven-born Secretary , who seemed peculiarly fitted for the office . The Stewards had also worked hard , and if the success of the evening had afforded the ladies and other visitors any pleasure , those brethren were amply repaid . If it was their pleasure that the ladies should be present again next

year , those officers would again be ready to give them a hearty welcome , and the affair would , no doubt , be as successtul as it had been th * t night . The speeches were interspersed with items from an excellent musical programme , under the direction of Bro . J . C . Searle , Hon . Org ., assisted by Miss Florence Bethell , Miss H . Hotten , and Bros . Edgar Barnes , R . Grice , and Mr . C . Greville . Bro . 14 . B . Hopkins again

delighted all present with charming solos on the silver bells , each being heartily encored . The company adjourned to the ball-room , where Bros . J . C . Turner , C . E . H . Audain , and A . Jay courteously officiated as M . C . ' s , and under whose management dancing was indulged in until the first streaks of dawn warned all present that the time had arrived for a most enjoyable entertainment to terminate .

The officers present were Bros . W . Belchamber , W . M . ; J . Hart , I . P . M . ; C . E . H . Audain , S . W . ; F . Haines , J . VV . ; B . D . Kershaw , P . M ., Treas . ; Walter Wood , P . M ., Sec . ; F . S . Plowri ght , S . D . ; T . Kington , J . D . ; and A . D . Rae , I . G .

The Stewards for the evening were Bros . M . Baillie , G . F . Bushell , W . Cuthing , E . j . Davey , P . M . ; D . Elvin , J . E . Fells , P . M . ; Sidney Fells , A . J ay , H . King , E . Magness , G . P . Nightingale , P . M . ; E . Pennock , A . D . C ; G . Spice , E . J . Talbot , J . C . Turner , T . Thorogood , and J . Westley .