Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

brother whom I loved and revered . I must sincerely thank you for having thought of giving them to me . I feel quite unable to say more than I have , and I can only thank the W . M . and brethren most heartily for the way in which you have treated me . The W . M . said he considered this the

toast of the evening , but lhat was unfair to himself , and I hope you will regard the toast of the evening as the toast of the VV . M . I feel I am so inadequate to offer it properly , that it will be offered by a brother who is one of the great authorities in Freemasonry , and who we know is in perfect accord with Bro . Gould on all Masonic matters .

Bro . Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap ., in proposing "Ihe Health of the W . M ., " said the l . P . M . had concluded his most interesting speech with the remark that as the brethren were aware he was in accord with Bro . Gould , VV . M . If in certain subjects there were slight and minute differences , in one thing he was entireiy in accord with him , and that was that the lodge had done itself great honour in

selecting him as its W . M . There was nobrotherwho could have more fittingly presided over Ihe beginning of this lod >» e than their I . P . M ., and when the election for the second W . Master came round , they unanimously put into the chair a brother who by , his public work had done more to raise the intellectual character of Freemasonry in England and all over the world than probably any living brother . He

ventured to say that Bro . Gould's history was a brilliant example of literary work , for its lucidity , power , and lustre , and for the wonderful power displayed in marshalling facts . They had several Masonic writers amongst the members and Correspondence Circle , and they had a rising brother in their midst—Bro . Westcott . He ventured to say for Bro . Gould that he stood in the annals of archaeology of England

almost the first , if not the first , of living Masonic writers . Therefore this lodge , having so distinguished an historian of Masonry , felt justified in selecting him as the W . M . to preside over it . As he had mentioned , he augured very happy results in having a brother as VV . M . who was versed in the higher branches of Masonry . In the words Bro . Gould delivered in the lodge he heartily concurred , and he

trusted that their labours would lead to the subject of Masonic archaeoh gy becoming more popular in the Craft . He did not , however , take quite so disappointed a view as the W . M . had done of the present state of Masonic knowledge . He could remember the time when Masonic lectures were very infrequent and unpopular affairs , when a syllabus of lectures was a thing unknown . He thought they would

notice a change , and they of that ledge would be glad to think they had served to light up a torch which would extend not only Masonic libraries , but a taste for the intellectual culture of Masonry . To no abler hands could this task be delivered than to those of the VV . M ., for under his auspices their meetings would not be without interest , but would be productive of good . They would meet on the

level , and pait on the square , glad to be permitted to give humble assistance to the spread of Masonic intellectuality , and a better knowledge of our ancient and valuable Craft . He begged to propose the health of their VV . M . Bro . Gould , W . M ., in reply , said he was very much obliged for the kind manner in which the toast had been proposed and received ; but as he felt that his voice had

been so much heard he would not speak at any length . It had been a great gratification to him to have heard the kind works spoken by Bro . Woodford . They had their differences , but they were of a nature that usually occurred between husband and wife . Although they quarrelled between themselves , they would not allow anyone to come between them . But they were as good friends as it was

possible to be . He felt on some occasions that there were some brethren who had known him by reputation , but had not met him in the flesh . Before those he had to pass a somewhat formidable ordeal . It was said that his history was long and somewhat dry , and he was afraid that the summons to this meeting , stating he would read a lecture , had induced many brethren to keep away who would

otherwise have been present . He thanked them very much , and he felt that a brother who occupied the chair of a Iodge that laid down any particular course of action had a responsible time . As their W . M ., he felt there was little chance of going wrong while Bro . Speth was Secretary . He would now propose " The Visiting Brethren . " They were always glad to see visitors , and those brethren would

see that without them the lodge would be hardly pressed . There was a certain class of visitors present in whom he took special pride . He referred to the members of the Moira Lodge , to which he belonged , and he took it as a great compliment to him that ihey should be present . When the Quatuor Coronati Lodge was being inaugurated , it was necessary to have the petition recommended by

another lodge , and this was kindly done by the Moira Lodge . He was glad to see the W . M . of that Iodge , Bro . Shorter , present , whose name he should couple with the toast , as also that of Bro . George Kenning , the proprietor of the Freemason , but , as that brother had left , he would substitute the name of Bro . Lake , P . Prov . G . Registrar Cornwall , who was well known , and could not

be known too well . He wished to take this opportunity of thanking Bro . Lake for the valuable assistance he had rendered him in many stages of his Masonic career , and for the many ways in which he had served him he could not speak too warmly . Bro . Shorter , on behalf of the visitors , tendered sincere thanks for their hearty reception . The ceremony they had

had the privilege of witnessing , and the paper they had heard read had proved most interesting to them , and they enjoyed it exceedingly . He had no doubt that a great many visitors had never before had the privilege of hearing so instructive a lecture as had been read . Representing the members of the Moira Lodge , he would say that they felt great pleasure in seeing Bro . Gould installed in the

chair , and they wished him a pleasant and successful year of office . Bro . Lake said he had no idea he should be called upon to respond , and expressed his regret that Bro . Kenning , the proprietor of the paper which he had the honour to conduct , was not present , having been obliged to leave . However , as that brother had left the room , he could do no other than thank the W . M . for the kind expressions he had

Used , but he felt that not one half of them was due to him . Bro . Gould had always expressed himself kindly for the few favours he had received . He should like to say that the idea of starting a series of lectures on elementary Masonic history was a very good one . . The Masonic world looked upon that lodge as a very learned body , and came to it heping to get information ; but on former occasions it had , unlortunately , reminded him of a bench . of bishops resolving some abstruse theological problems , on which occasions

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

he could only liken himself , and those on Ihe same level of Masonic erudition , to awe-struck and deeply perplexed laymen . He was quite sure , however , that the meetings would now be much more popular with Masons who desired to increase their knowledge o f Masonic history . The other toasts were "The Officers of the Lodje , " responded to by Bro . Speth , and " The Memory uf the Quatuor Coronati , " with which the name of Bro . Woodford was coupled .

DERBY ALCROFT LODGE ( No . 2168 ) . —The installation meeting of this successful lodge was held at the Athenaeum , Camden-road , on Thursday , the 10 th instant . The members present included Bros . J . D . Allcrott , P . G . Treas ., W . M . ; T . E . Gibb , S . W . ; J . P . Fitzgerald , P . M ., J . W . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , P . M ., Treas . ; R . D . Cummings , P . M ., Sec ; H . Halliday , S . D . ; J .

Corbett , P . M ., J . D . ; J . M . Smith , I . G . ; H . Povey , P . M ., D . C . ; Dr . J . Haskins , Org . ; J . F . Davey , Stwd . ; VV . T . Wetenhall , C . C . Michie , and VV . F . Ford . Visitors Bros . J . J . Knight , Stwd . 2005 , J . ; B . Lyons , P . M . 1227 ; J . Barratt , 2202 ; G . E . Fairchild , P . M . 1196 ; C . F . Quick , J . D . 1531 j J . Miles , VV . M . 1 S 0 ; T . A . Upton , 1243 ; R . Perkins , P . M ., Treas ., 34 ; C . VV . Read ,

l . P . M . 1743 ; VV . T . Perry , Sot ; W . Cook , P . M . 22 ; J . H . Dixon , W . M . 27 ; H . T . Conolly , W . M . 173 ; H . 0 . Gamble , P . M . S 57 ; P . Challis , P . M . 3 ; VV . Mackie , P . M . 2054 ; H . C . Soper , P . M . 704 ; S . Dyball , S . D . 905 ; W . H . Froom , P . M . 1657 ; T . Whiting , 22 ; G . Glover , 1677 ; E . W . Scatterwood , P . M . 753 ; K . Eve , G . Treas . ; W . R . Brooks , J . W . 22 ; C . Townley , VV .

Robinson , W . VV . Lee , 1 S 97 ; and others . Lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the last meeting confirmed , the Auditor's report was received and adopted . Bro . VV . F . Lord was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason by Bro . J . Corbett , P . M . Bro . T . E . Gibb , S . W ., having been presented as W . M . elect , and a board of Installed Masters having been

formed , he was duly installed into the chair as W . M . by Bro . J . P . Fitzgerald , P . M . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . J . P . Fitzgerald , P . M ., S . W . ; H . Halliday , J . W . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , P . M ., Treas . ; R . D , Cummings , P . M ., Sec ; J . Corbett , P . M ., S . D . ; J . M . Smith , J . D . ; VV . T . Charles , I . G . ; H . Povey , P . M ., D . D . ; Dr . J . Haskins , Org . ; J . F . Davey , and C . C . Mickie , Stwds . ; and Harman , Tyler . The addresses

were then effectively rendered by the Installing Master , Bro . J . P . Fitzgerald , P . M . Other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were afterwards duly honoured , "The Queen and the Craft , " and H . R . H . the Prince of Wales" being proposed by the VV . M . in felicitous terms , and received by the brethren in a hearty manner .

In giving "The Grand Officers , " the W . M . said that both the Provincial Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master were well known for their public work , and also in reference to Charity , which was part oE Masonic work . In addition to that , the brethren knew the other Grand Officers to be men who were chosen for their hearty and energetic Masonry . He was pleased to say that on the

present occasion they were honored with the presence of Bro . Richard Eve , G . Treasurer , and their esteemed l . P . M . Bro . Derby Allcroft , P . G . Treasurer . As it would be his pleasure on a later period to couple the name of the latter with a toast , he should ask Bro . Eve to reply for the Grand Officers . Bro . Richard Eve , G . Treasurer , said he felt he was

scarcely the brother to respond for the noble and distinguished who had been named as part of this toast . Their services in Masonry were so well known , and he felt they were conscious they enjoyed the confidence of the Craft . The toast the brethren had just drank was therefore their due . As one of the Grand Officers , he considered it a privilege to respond for the way in which the toast had been

mentioned by the W . M . and received by all present . He felt that speaking as the Grand Treasurer , he stood in a peculiarly honourable position . He felt that that post was considerably honoured by having a brother on his left who had distinguished himself in the capacity of G . Treasurer , and who now simply stood aside to let the present rank take precedence of the past . In a few months however ,

Bro . Allcroft would be standing far above him on the roll of P . G . Treasurers . That distinguished brother was the oldest G . Treasurer , and had honoured this Lodge by giving his name to it . The members might well consider that a privilege , and he felt it a great honor in having to stand below him , as he should in the course of a few months . As long as Bro . Allcroft lived ( and he hoped it

would be for many years ) , his name would always stand well in the estimation of the brethren . The Grand Treasurership was an office he held dear , for it was in the hands of the " Craft . H . R . H . the G . M . was the first elective officer , and the G . Treasurer was the second . H . R . H had powers of appointing a number of distinguished brethren to honors in the Craft , and the brethren were

delighted at the choice he had made , those selected comprised men of social position in life , and men who had taken the highest distinctions in the administration of the country . When they found that such men had been chosen , they felt the Craft had been honored , and the brethren themselves had also been honored by being so selected . They felt that the honor was still of such a

character as not to be lightly given away . A number of brethren had been selected in the past year , for promotions in the Order . They comprised men who had distinguished themselves in literature , science and divinity , and men of legal attainments . The honors given to those brethren were well deserved , but the P . G . Treasurer and himself felt that their own honours were peculiar , as they came from the

great body of the Craft , and could not be conferred by any single individual . They now numbered 5 , and next year when the G . Treasurer was elected , they would be 6 . They hoped the number would be enlarged year by year , and would not be deminished . He had the greatest love for Masonry , for in it there was much for good . In fact there was so muchin it that sometimes he felt it was not only a social life in itself , but was also a religious life . Masonry

was so great and good that it embraced all creeds and denominations , and knew of no separation and differences . They recognised the great Author of all things , theG . A . O . T . U ., and so long as every brother recognised that , so long would he be honoured . He would not dilate further , but he felt it an honour to stand as the representative of the Grand Officers , and trusted to be with them again on some future occasion . The brethren would join him in hoping the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

l . P . M . Bro . Allcroft would be the oldest P . M . of their Lodge for many years to come . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . Derby Allcroft , I . P . M ., who expressed the pleasure it afforded him to give the toast . One of the advantages of Masonry , was , the opportunity afforded for making friends . They knew those friends would lie good and true , and

would be those with whom they could associate , and in whom they would feel confidence . He rose with those feelings to propose the health of their VV . M ., Bro . Eccleston Gibb . Short as the history of their Lodge has been , they had found in it good men and true , well versed in the duties connected with the offices they held . To their friend , Bro . Gibb , who had gone into the chair that evening

they had to offer good wishes for a successful year of office . They also hoped that those who would be under his rule , would benefit by his presidency . They trusted he would rule over a united and harmonious lodge , and that the members would feel they were ably guided under his auspices . With those feelings , which were the sentiments of every member , he had great pleasure in asking them to drink heartily and with good wishes for the health of the

W . M . Bro . T . Eccleston Gibb , VV . M ., thanked the l . P . M . for the manner in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for the kindly reception accorded it . It was a great honour to occupy the chair of that lodge , being so young in Masonry , for he knew a friend who , after 19 years ' Masonic experience , had only recently attained the position .

He felt that he was having greatness thrust upon him by being installed in his present position . Very good things had been said of him , but he could promise that he would do his best during the forthcoming year for the lodge , and endeavour toreflect credit on the name it bears . The VV . M . then gave what he termed the toast of the evening— "The I . P . M ., Bro . John Derby Allcroft , P . G .

Treas . "—It was , he remarked , the health ol the brother who gave his name to the lodge . Every brother present knew something of their l . P . M ,, either for many years past in connection with that district , or as one of the merchant princes of the City of London . They had known him not only as a Mason , but also as amongst those who knew how to disburse charity in their great city . They had known

him in several distinguished positions , and they honoured him that evening as having become the first l . P . M . of their lodge . It would be like gilding refined gold to dilate on his merits , for they all knew him so well , and it would therefore be an impertinence on his part to endeavour to extol them . If he thought they were not aware of the facts , he could tell them many things which would reflect credit and

honour on him as a man with a large , true Masonic heart . Before he asked them to drink the toast , he had to fulfil a very pleasing office . It was to present the l . P . M . with a P . M . 's jewel , trusting he would be spared for many years to wear it . The jewel bears the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . John Derby Allcroft , P . G . Treas ., with sincere and Hearty good wishes , by the brethren of lodge

No . 216 S , in warm appreciation of his valuable services as their first VV . M . " Bro . J . Derby Allcroft , P . G . Treas ., P . M ., said they had done him a great honour , not only in what had been said but in what had been done , and he had therefore a double duty to perform in response . Firstly he thanked them for what had been said , and trusted he might live to feel that

he deserved the encomiums they had paid him . The W . M . had been good enough to see the best side of his character , and he thought this might sometimes be a dangerous feeling , lest he should be led away by the praise bestowed . Coupling those kind words with that reservation , he sincerely thanked the W . M . It was the second lodge in which he had been the first VV . M . Neither was

his own seeking , and that remark would also apply to the office of Grand Treasurer he had held . He was selected for that post and had the honour of being the first elected under the new regime . He did not think that the positions he had held in Masonry was due to any great Masonic virtue . They were , however , so far at an end , and he thanked them for their very great kindness to him in any

little time and labour he had been able to give . His labours are many , not for himself now , but for others . He had so many calls upon him that it was difficult to apportion his time . He thanked them for the way in which they had accepted any slight services he had rendered . He left the chair in the hope that he would be followed by a line of eminent men who would maintain and extend the

influence of this lodge for many years . With that feeling and belief he could always look with pleasure on his connection with the lodge , and should look forward to bo amongst them as often as possible . For the very beautiful and chaste jewel he begged to thank them again . It would be a remembrance of very friendly gatherings , and as a mark of the good feelings they had always evinced

towards him . "The Installing Master" was next proposed by the VV . M ., who said that Bro . Fitzgerald , P . M ., had been the life of the lodge . It was owing to his energy that the lodge existed , and the hearty manner in which he worked for its benefit was exemplified by his able rendering of the installation ceremony that evening .

Bro . J . P . Fitzgerald , P . M ., tendered his sincere thanks for the way in which the toast had been given and received . It had been an immense amount of pleasure to him to install the present VV . M . Anything he could do in the future in lodge work he should be happy to do to the best of his ability . " The Visitors" having been given by the W . M ., it was responded to by Bros . Conolly , VV . M . 173 ; Perkins , P . M . 34 ; Dixon , W . M . 27 ; and Fairchild , P . M . 119 Q .

Bros . E . Y . Jolliffe , P . M ., Treas ., and R . D . Cummings , P . M ., Sec , replied for "The Treasurer and Secretary . " "The Officers" having been given , the Tyler's toast closed a successful meeting . During the evening an excellent programme of music was given under the direction of Bros . J . F . Haskins and J . Kift , assisted by Bros . A . Lester , A . Thompson , and R . Hilton .

HASTINGS—Dervvent Lodge ( No . 40 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the 14 th inst ., at the Castle Hotel , when there were present Bros . T . VV . Markwick , VV . M . ; S . Chandler , S . W . ; F . Duke , J . W . ; F . Rossiter , P . P . J . G . D , Treas . ; J . Pearce , P . M ., Sec ; G . Handle , acting S . D . ; VV . S . Allen , J . D . ; F . C . Edwards , I . G . ; VV . Leslie , Tyler ; E . VV . J . Hennah , P . P . G . D . C , P . M ., & c ; C . E . Botley , P . M . ; W . H . Russell , P . A . G . D . C , P . M . ; P . Robinson , P . M .: C J . Ticehurst