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OXFORD . Bertie Lodge ( No . 1515 ) . —This lodge attained its majority on Thursday , the ioth inst ., the occasion being littirgly maikcd by Ihe most successful festival it has ever held , [ here was a large and representative gathering of the Craft , including the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bros . Lord Valentia ; Emberlin , P . G . Treas . ; VV . L .

Morgan , P . G . Sec . ; Dr . Wilson , W . M . 557 ; W . S . Carver , W . M . 340 ; C . W . F . Clubb , W . M . 1399 ; Bartlett , P . M . 1703 , and several other Past Masters of the Albert and Bertie Lodges . Bro . James Hastings having bren elected Worshipful Master in " succession to Bro . VV . Harris , his installation was ably peformed by the Deputy Prov . G . Master , who , at thc subsequent proceedings , heartily

congratulated the lodge on iis high state of efficiency and enviable financial prsition , theTreasurer , Bro . Ford , having been able to show the substantial balance of £ 73 ns . Of this amount , it was decided to appropriate 30 guineas to the Three Masonic Charities in equal portions , the VV . M . expressing a hope that the lodge would eventually attain the position of Vice-Patron of each Institution . In recognition

of his services during the past year , it was unanimously resolved to present Bro . VV . Harris with a Past Master's jewel ; and on relinquishing his duties as Secretary , a vo ' e of thanks was accorded Bro . J . J . Collcutt , for the assiduity with which he had performed his onerous duties , and , in appreciation of the same , the lodge decided to present him with a jewel of his provincial rank . The VV . M .

appointed the following brethren his officers for the year : Bros . Waller Harris , 'P . G . Std . Br ., LP . AL ; Henry Maurice Turner , S . W . ; R . J . Verney , P . G . Slwd ., J . W . ; T . Ford , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., ' Treas . ; J . J . Collcutt , P . AL , P . P . J . G . W ., Sec ; G . M . R . Cockburn , S . D . ; John Rogers , J . D . ; Henry Porter , D . C ; R . Press Thomas , A . D . C ; H . Plumridge , Mus . Doc , P . AL , P . P . G . Org .,

Org . ; A . E . Davis , I . G . ; Edwin F . Greenwood , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., and Alfred E . Hunt , Stwds . ; and Geo . Norwood , P . P . G . Tyler , Tyler . A banquet followed which reflected the greatest credit on the Stewards , Bros . A . Hunt , and E . T . Greenwood to whose exertions the present satisfactory financial position of the lodge is in no small measure due .

SOUTHPORT . Unity Lodge ( No . 613 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 14 th inst ., at the Alasonic Rooms , Low-street , Bro . R . W . Thornton Hatch , W . AL , presiding , supported by all his ofiicers . The minutes of the previous meeting ( the installation ) were read and confirmed . The summons contained the names

of eight candidates to be balloted for for initiation and one joining member . All being favourable , five gentlemen were initiated by the W . M . in a most admirable manner , considering it was the first time he had occupied the chair since his installation . Bro . Sydney Bramwell , J . W ., presented the working tools and delivered the charge very impressively . The large assembly of biethren was without

precedence at an ordinary meeting , and we sincerely congratulate the W . M . upon the great success of the first meeting of his office , and trust it may continue . ) At the close of the business the brethren partook of refreshments , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to . The following brethren were present : Bros . R . W . T .

Hatch , W . M . ; James O . Platt , S . VV . ; Sydney Bramwell , J . W . ; Geo . Duxfield , P . AL , D . C ; T . Adams , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; J . VV . Gale , P . M ., Sec ; Rev . J . S . Gardner , P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; Geo . Harford , P . M . ; Miles Blundell , P . M . ; Thomas Haywood , P . M . ; Thomas T . Marsden , P . M . ; John Hatch , P . G . D . ; J . Joys Broome , LO . ; Ben . Burser ; Walter Wilkinson , Org . ; A . A . VV .

Pnillipps and Nicholas Shaw , Stesvards ; Geo . Rockliff * , Wm . Harling , F . Harling , P . M . ; John Hough , John VV . Munio , J . B . Bennett , VV . Rothwell , Thomas Brattin , G . Gwynne , E . . Pritchard , Andrew Brown , F . VV . Child , E . Walmsley , Fred . Holt , Fred . VV . Smith , John Walmsley , VVm . Derry , Jcseph Horrocks , G . W . Gill , Fred . Gilding ,

E . W . Scolt , Richard Brittain , R . Shuttleworth , J . Clegg , and William Wittle . Visitors : Bros . John S . Newton , Lucas Edleston . P . M . ; G . S . Smith , P . AL , P . G . Org . VV . Lares ., P . P . G . Org . E . Lanes ; S . AIossop , P . M . ; Fred . Wood , P . M . ; Sydney Fane , P . M . ; D . Alalley , Samuel Boyce , T . Arrowsmith , J . Butler , Ji . Ashworth , Ernest A . Frost , C . Marshall , and Fred . G . Moudy .

TRURO . Fortitude Lodge ( No . 131 ) . —The installation meeting of the above lodge was held atthe Masonic Rooms on Tuesday , the 8 th inst ., when Bro . E . Benney , S . W ., was installed as VV . M . for the ensuing year , the impressive ceremony being ably conducted by Bro . T . C Mack , P . P . S . G . D , aisiMed by a'Board of Installed

Maslerscomprising Bros . VV II . Knight , J . 1 . Letcher , Prov . G . Stwd ., ( . Tonkin , P . A I' . G . Sec , VV . T . Hawking , P . P . G . D . C , li . tdwards , P . P . G . S . B ., Rev . R . F . Fraser-Frizell , P . P . G . Chap ., N . B . Bullen , P . P . G . Org ., and J . VV . Harri-- , all of thc ledge ; Ii . VV . Carus Wilson , W . M . 331 , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . A . Lean , 70 ; and C . Tyack , locG . Visitors : Bros . Rev . G . Clark Holman , . tofi , D . S . G . W . Barbadoes ;

Ii . Lawrcrce Carlyon , J . W . and VV . M . elect 331 ; T . VV . Griffiti s , 1550 ; R . J . Daniell , 331 ; and VV . Gibson , G 05 . At the close of the installation ceremony the W . M . invested lis officers as follows : Bros . VV . H . Knight , I . P . M . ; W . F . Clarke , S . VV . ; Dr . M . J . A 1 onk , J . W . ; R . Burrow , Chap . ; J . Tonkin , Treas . ; J . T . Letcher , Sec ; T . A . Cundy , Asst . Sec ; Rev . CF . Mermagen , S . D . ; F . VV

AlcCoskrie , J . D . ; W . Matthews , D . C ; G . King , Org . ; VV . J . J . Lean , I . G . ; T . J . Williams and F . Cock , Stwds . ; and j . Langdm , Tyler . The accounts showed that the lodge was financially in a highly satisfactory state , there being a balance to its credit ol £ 114 . At the close of the lodge business the brethren adjourned

to the Royal Hotel , where the banquet was held . The usual loyal and Mascnic toasts were varied by an excellent piogramme of songs , recitations , & c , contributed toby Bros . Bullen , Tonkin , Hocking , Griffiths , Burrow , and Cundy , Bro . Dr . M . J . Monk ably presiding , and a very er jojable evening was passed .

WESTHAM . Hadrian Lodge ( No . 2483 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Corporation Arms on Wednesday , the gth inst . The W . M ., Bro . II . J . Capon , tcok thc chair , and among others present wcr :

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Bros . Majir E . W . Stillwell , I . P . M . ; Richard Francis , S . W . ; VV . R . Griffin , J . W . ; F . Russell , S . D . ; F . C . Golden , J . D . ; Wm . Trigger , Sec ; Jas . Wood , I . G . ; Edgar Street , Org . ; Percy Boyles and Geo . Nicholson , Stwds . ; and a goodly number of members of the lodge . There were three visitors present , viz .: Bros . 1 . Creighton , P . M . and Sec mo . P . P . G . S . B . ; Geo . Fowler , P . M . mo ; and Boyce , J . W . 40 .

The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and the minutes and correspondence having been read , Bros . J . P . Goodwin , Rev . F . W . Pawson , and Chas . Breach were passed to the Second Degree by the W . M ., and Bro . Elom Pierce was raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . by Bi-o . Major E . W . Stillwell . All business being ended , the lodge was closed . At the supper which followed , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Lion and Lamb Chapter ( No . 192 ) . —A meeiing of this chapter was held on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street . Present : Comps . W . Hawes , M . E . Z . ; S . M . Banker , P . Z ., H . ; John Taylor , P . Z .. J . ; George Kenning , P . Z ., Treas . ; F . D . R . Copestick , P . Z ., acting S . E . ; W . H . Dunn , P . S . ; Thos . Cohu , P . Z ., D . C . ; T . E . Biddlecombe , the

Rev . T . Selby Henrey , VV . Baker , J . W . Clarke , H . Lotery , and J 6 hn Kent . Visitors : Comps . J . Brittain , P . Z . 13 S 5 ; E . Apelt , J . 1385 : J . H . Moggridge , ist A . S . 1321 ; C . H . Fisher , P . Z . 14 S 9 ; F . A . King , 1 4 S 9 ; Edwin George , P . Z . 1 4 S 9 ; and W . H . Hook , P . Z . 1901 . Comp . F . D . Rees Copestick , P . Z ., installed Comp . S . AL Banker , M . E . Z . ; J . Taylor , P . Z ., H . ; and T . E .

Biddlecombe , J . The M . E . Z . invested Comp . George Kenning , P . Z . Treas . ; W . H . Dunn , S . N . ; T . Cohu , P . Z ., D . C , and J . W . Clarke , Stwd . ; and Couchman , Janitor . Comp . F . D . Rees Copestick , P . Z ., kindly undertook the important office of S . E . pro tern ., owing to the death of Comp . C . Arkell . The report of the audit meeting was taken , the balance sheet showing the chapter to be In a flourishing condition . The members of the chapter appeared in mourning for the late S . E ., Comp . Charles Arkell .

Dukeof Connaught Chapter ( No . 1524 ) . —A regular convocation of this chapter was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , the gth instant . Present : Comps . Hodges , P . Z ., Treas ., as M . E . Z . ; Lee , H . ; Van Os , J ., - Green , P . Z ., 5 . E . ; Beasley , P . Z . ; Payne , P . Z . ; Reed , S . N . ; Cottrell , ist A . S . ; Burgess , Gale , and Cook .

Chapter having been opened , Comp . Van Os was duly installed as J . by Comp . W . VV . Lee , H . Ballot was taken for Bro . Cook , Villiers Lodge , and he was afterwards duly exalted into R . A . Alasonry . Chapter was closed , and a pleasant evening was afterwards spent under the genial sway of Comp . Hodges , P . Z . Treas .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

Mount Calvary Encampment ( D ) . —The installation meeting of this encampment was held at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincotn's-inn ( Fields , on Friday , the nth inst . Among those present were : Sir Knights C . Slater , I . P . E . C , as E . C . ( in the absence abroad of Sir

Knight Nelson Prower , M . A . ) ; W . Maple ist Capt ., E . C . elect ; Lieut .-Col . F . J . Stohwarser , P . G . S . B ., P . E . C , Treas . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . G . C . of Gds ., P . E . C , Reg . B . Johnson , C . of Gds . ; F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . E . C . ; W . J . Lardner , P . E . C . ; B . Stewart , and H . Ffrench Bromhead .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Sir Knight VV . Slater ably installed Sir Knight W . Maple as Eminent Commander . Among the officers invested were Sir Knights B . Johnson , 2 nd Cant . ; Lieut .-Col . F . J . Stohwasser , 'Treas . ; Capt . T . C Walls , Reg . ; Basil Stewart , C of Gds . ; H . F . Bromhead , Hjrald ; and Frater Rawles was re-elected Equery . A vote of thanks

was passed to the Installing Officer . The report of the Audit Committee was rtcived and adopted . The presentation of a Past Commander ' s jewel to Sir Knight Nelson Prower was necessarily postponed till the next meeting . Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Sir Knights F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , P . G . C . ; E . Gravely , P . E . C ; L . Steele , P . E . C ; Rev . R . C Fillingham , M . A ., ist Capt . ; Harris Hills , Expert ; Egbi rt Roberts , Org ., and others .

The encampment was then closed , and the Sir Knights adjourned to a well-served banquet . Sir Knight Lieut .-Col Stevenson responded on behalf of " The Officers of Great Priory " in a fluent speech ; Sir Knights Slater and Lardner for "The Past Commanders , " and Sir Knights Stewart and Bromhead for " The Ofiicers . " During the evening , Sir Knight F . W . Driver contributed several original selections in prose and verse , and Sir Knight H . J . Lardner gave Lover ' s witty song "Father Molloy . ''

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

Red Cross of Rome and Constantine .

Premier Conclave . A meeting of this old conclave was held at the Mark Mason ' s Hall , Great Queenstreet , on the 7 th inst ., when there were present among others Sir Knights T . G . Kobinsan , M . P . S . ; J . J . Pakes , V . E . ; Capt . T . C Walls , P . G . G ., P . M . P . S . ; Dr . Mickley , P . G . C , P . M . P . S . ; C Keyser , P . G . G .,

P . M . P . S . ; and H . J . Lardner , P . G . C ., P . M . P . S . The minutes of the previous conclave having been read and confirmed , apologies for non-attendance were read from Sir Knights J . Mason , P . G . G . Recorder ; H . H . Shirley , M . A ., G . C , Sic , Treas . ; G . Graveley , S . G . ; L . Steele , and others . The conclave was then closed . A banquet lollowed .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The Quarterly Court of Subscribers and Governors of this Institution was held on the I ith inst . in the Board Room , Freemasons' Hall , London , Bro . Richard Eve , Past Grand Treasurer , Patron and Trustee , Chairman of the Board of Management , presiding . There were also present Bros . J . J . Thomas , S . H . Parkhouse , J . S . Eastes , C . E . Keyser , James Stephens ,

A . Arrowsmith , W . H . Saunders , C . Pulman , David Jacobs , J . E . Fairchild , and J . Morrison McLeod , Secretary . The CHAIRMAN moved : " That in consideration of the eminent services rendered to the Institution by W . Bro . Fentiman Smithson , P . G . D ., Vice-President of the Institution , and in recognition of his exertions

in assisting to bring about so good a result from the Province of West Yorkshire at the recent Festival , the rank of Honorary Vice-Patron be conferred upon him , under Law 15 . " He said it was necessary that he should then make that motion , inasmuch as at the

Quarterly Court in October , 1894 , having brought forward the motion ( which was carried ) , it was found that proper notice had not been previously given according to the rules of the Institution . He then gave notice of the motion for the present Court , and he now renewed it .

Bro . J . S . EASTES . 'P . G . D ., D . Prov . G . M . Kent , seconded the motion . He had seen so much of Bro . Smithson and recognised his services . No one , perhaps , had seen more than he of Bro . Smithson , who had done very valuable service to the Boys' School , and he thought they would all rejoice in seeing ^ those services rewarded .

Bro . W . HARRIS SAUNUBRS endorsed ( the previous expressions , and was glad the Institution had such an able supporter as Bro . Smithson . Bro . JAMES STEPHENS wished to echo what had been already said . Bro . C . E . KEYSER , P . G . D ., said that Bro . Smithson ' s services and exertions were highly satisfactory

He went down to West Yorkshire when the Provincial Grand Master was installed , and at that time West Lancashire had announced . £ 3500 in support of their Chairman of a former Festival ( the Earl of Lathom ) . Just for fun he had a little bet of a new hat with Bro . Smithson that West Yorkshire would not send up so much as West Lancashire . Well , Bro . Smithson won

his hat , which cost 25 s . —a large amount—but in spite of that large financial loss to himself ( Bro . Keyser ) , he was pleased for the Institution ' s sake that the event turned out differentl y to what he prognosticated , *•' •' ¦'' The CHAIRMAN said he had not enlarged on the virtues of Bro . Smithson because he had said what he had to say at the last Court , when it was found

necessary to give notice of the motion for to-day . The motion was put and carried . Bro . KEYSER moved that 23 boys be elected at the Quarterly Court of April jg , out of an approved list of 47 candidates . Bro . W . HARRIS SAUNDERS seconded . •But he had a great deal of pain in looking over the list and seeing

so many last cases . Last time three last cases were removed from the list who were unsuccessful . Five would be removed if unsuccessful at the next election . The brethren would remember how earnestl y he fought when the rules were being revised for the Council ' s attention being drawn to the last cases . Last cases ought to be first cases ; it should be looked into first

whether they ought to be brought forward at all . When he found that five had only one chance more , he would ask the Court to consider , or the Council to consider whether something could not be done to enquire into the merits of cases . The CHAIRMAN said the motion was beforethe Court the observations of Bro . Saunders might be very

proper , but he did not see that this Court or the Council could do anything . The cases were before the brethren who had votes to give . The Council merely wei ghed the cases which came before them . Each case stood on its own merits , and on the exerti . . ns of the brethren . If the cases answered all the requirements of the laws of the Institution they had to go on the list .

Bro . KEYSER said he had been on the Petitions Committee many years . Every case was well considered . There were some which the Committee were obliged to accept , and others which they did not think fit . They could not hel p it . Very likely some lew cases might come on the list which ought not to have come on at all . With regard to the five cases

mentioned by Bro . Saunders , one of them was a very good case , and he thought it would be carried . Every effort would be made to do so . He could assure the brethren that the greatest care was taken , and if there was disqualification it was most carefull y gone into . It was not the fault of the Committee , or of the Council , or any one , if the cases were not successful . It was instanced in every Charity .

T he motion was carried . Notices were then given of motions for conferring the rank of honorary Vice-Patron on Bros . Thomas Fenn , Jabez Hogg , and Wharton Hood . The SECRETARY said the amount of income for 18 94

was , £ 24 , 186 16 s . 8 d ., or . £ 5000 more than the amount announced at the Festival . Lord Egerton , of Tatton , Prov . G . M . for Cheshire , would preside at the next Festival , but the date had not yet been fixed . A vote of thanks to Bro . Richard Eve for presiding closed the proceedings .