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Officers from what was told them . Bro . Sutton sang a The Immediate Past Master then proposed " The Health of the VV . M ., " who presided , being the first time after his installation . His working was a credit to the lodge ; his conduct of affairs proved they had made a happy choice , and they would have a prosperous year . The Worshipful Master , in responding , thanked the

brethren for the proud position to which they had raised him . He should do his duty to the best of his ability , in doing which he must ask their support , for no lodge could prosper unless the brethren supported it by their subscriptions , and added new members . He wished for them to understand that only good and worthy men should be chosen , that they must not hold the admission into the Order too cheaply , that it were better for the candidate to

be made to understand that it was a greater favour to be admitted than a favour for him to giye his admission to it . He thanked them heartily for their kind expressions . "The Visitors" toast was the next . The VV . M . said that there were only four present . He thought the weather and the fact of the time being the " busy part of the year "

had deterred some from attending . The visitors responded . Bro . j . D . Smith considered it a great pleasure to be at the festive board . He had thoroughly enjoyed himself . The W . Master and he had started at the same time . They had attended instruction at the same place , and he hoped they would still go on for

many years . Bro . Walker made a few remarks . Bro . Peyton responded . He was happy to be amongst them by the kind invite of Bro . Sutton . He had seen the working of the lodge , and was pleased with the whole . He was sorry that no brother had offered to take up the Stewardship for one of the Charities , for if he had the brother would have had the same support from the Earl of

Latham Lodge of Instruction as it had given to Bro . C . Sims , P . M . He supposed that the Order was one of benevolence , and hoped that one of the members would be able to see his way clear to yet become a Steward representing the lodge . Bro . J . Hill then took up the theme , and gave praise to the VV . M . and officers . It was unfortunate that in some lodges the work was not done well and cleanly , but the Duke

of Connaught ought to be proud of their W . M . and the officers , for every one had fulfilled his duty ina very efficient manner . He was pleased to see Bro . Stokes in so high a position , for he had know him as a boy , a youth , arid a man , both in p hysical and Masonic growth ; He had known him as an initiate , an officer , a Provincial Grand Officer , and now at the head of a prosperous , well-conducted , thriving lodge . The VV . M . had worked the

Second Degree , but he hoped to see him do the Third Degree in quite as creditable a manner . "The Treasurer , Secretary , and Past Masters" came as the next toast . The brethren fully appreciated theui and their services . They carried out their duties in a very efficient manner . The anxieties attached to their officies were great , for the lodge could not be _ carried on without finances . The Secretary had done immense service to

them . He was delighted to see Bro . C . Sims , P . M . The I . P . M ., Bro . Smith , bore traces of the serious illness he had been through , and it was a great blessing that the Great Architect of the Universe had supported and succoured him . Bro . Muddiman sang " Hearts of Oak . " The Treasurer , Bro . T . Taylor , thanked them for their kind wishes , and would endeavour to uphold Masonry and

the VV . M . as far as lay in his power . The Secretary stated that he hardly worked so indefatigable as they would like him to do , but he did his work ' for iove to the lodge . The brethren should be conversant with the affairs of the lodge , and if they gave the necessary funds to the Treasurer the duty of the Secretary would be lightened . He was one of the first initiates , and mounted through every office , Treasurer for

three or four years , and have been two years as Secretary . The l . P . M . thanked the lodge as the I . P . M ., and if his health was spared he would help the W . M . and others in promoting the welfare of the lodge . He exhorted the officers to go on working well . " The Officers " toast was next proposed . The VV . M . said that this is the first time . He thanked them for assisting the lodge , and hoped that in the future they would

do so , for without them the work must go wrong . Bro . Hargrovessang " Alonzo , the brave . " Bro . S . W . responded , and said , I thank you for your kind expressions of health . As the next member likely to fill the chair , I shall hope to have good officers . Those who follow me will , I am sure , be as good officers as those who have gone before , and be useful Masters of the Duke of Connaught Lodge . The high encomiums given by the

visitors will only stimulate us to still go on doing our duty . I thank you for your kind expressions , and hope you will have a prosperous year and a happy Christmas . Bro . J . W . thanked them for their congratulations , and was proud to be the J . W . of the lodge , and he would support the W . M . throughout the year . The Treasurer and Secretary added a few remarks , when Bro . S . D . said it gives me great pleasure to be S . D .

I have been a member eight years , and am therefore pleased the visitors give us praise . Bro . l . G . responded for himself , and could say little after so much had been said . He had done his duty , and looked at the chair , in the expression so much used of late "in the dim distance . "

Bro . W . Steward thanked the W . M ., officers , and brethren . It was a pleasure to do his duty , for the brethren so much appreciated any small service rendered to them . The Tyler ' s toast having been given , the lodge parted with many expressions of " Merry Christmas and Happy New Year . "

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1 G 14 ) . —At the meeting of this lodge , held on the Sth inst ., there were present Bros . John ) acobs , VV . M . ; Harry Kedgley , S . W . ; T . A . Dickson , J . W . ; C . Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; VV . Bourne , P . M ., Sec . j I ? . Solomons , S . D . ; S . Hewitt , acting as I . D . ; G . Reynolds , l . G . ; C . Potter , Tyler ; G . Coleman , ' I . P . M . ; C . Kedgley , P . M . ; Foan , C . Ralph , VV . F . Thorpe ; Frank Gulliford , G . II . Reynolds , C . Cousins , C . Bond , L . Isaacs , and others ; also several

visitors . . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . L . Cohen and | . Potter were raised to the Degree of M . M . Bros . C . W . Lodge and A , R ,

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Temple were passed to the Degree of F . C . A ballot having been taken on behalf of Mr . Henry J . Willis , and proving unanimous , that gentleman was initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . The whole work was done by the W . M . in the most praiseworthy manner . The bye-laws were read , and Bro . Harry Kedgley was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . E . Jacobs , P . M .,

and Bro . C . Potter , P . M ., were re-elected Treasurer and Tyler . A Past Master's jewel was unanimously voted to Bro . John Jacobs , in recognition of his services during his year of office , the same being proposed by Bro . VV . Bourne , P . M ., and seconded by Bro . G . Coleman , l . G . The lodge was then adjourned to the second Tuesday in January ,

when the installation of Bro . Harry Kedgley , S . W ., as W . M ., will take place . ¦ The brethren were introduced into the new lodge room by Bro . Bertini , manager of the Criterion . The room was lighted by electricity , and reached by a well-arranged lift from the ground floor .

GALLERY LODGE ( No . 1928 ) . — The installation meeting of this flourishing Press lodge was held on Saturday , the 12 th inst ., at Brixton Hall , Acre-lane , Brixton . There were present Bros . VV . M . Duckworth , W . M . j T . Minstrell , l . P . M . ; Chas . F . Pardon , S . W . and VV . M . elect ; O . Goldsmith , J . W . ; R . J . Albery , Sec . ; H . Massey , P . M ., Treas . ; J . " C . Duckworth , S . D . ; Dr .

Griffiths , J . D . ; H . Wright , l . G . ; R . Hancock , D . C . ; J . Moore and VV . Perkins , Wine Stewards ; and a large number of members . The visitors were Bros . A . M . Broadley , P . D . District Grand Master of Malta ; H . F . Farncombe , P . M . 311 ( Mayor of Lewes ); Fred . Cundy , of the Sleaford Lodge , Sydney ; Pardon , 1541 ; Frank Hall , P . M . 403 ; Fred . Bennett , 33 ; Chas . Nightingale , l . P . M . 13 G 2 ; James

Nightingale , P . M . 1362 ; R . A . Steel , P . M . 1194 ; S . G . Brealey , 105 G ; H . Carus , 1929 ; C . A . Barrington Brown , 354 ; Chas . E . Robinson , 114 G ; Crighton Saunders , 1362 ; VV . E . White , S . W . 777 ; A . F . Asher , S . W . 1395 ; Augustus Harris , 2127 ( of Drury Lane Theatre ); J . Hecksher ( Hamburg Lodge ); and H . C . Mann , 164 . The lodge having been duly opened , Bro . Massey , P . M .,

installed Bro . Chas . Pardon , the W . M . elect , in a manner which elicited the general admiration of the brethren , Bro . Minstrell , P . M ., delivering the charge to the Wardens , and Bro . VV . Duckworth , I . P . M ., the charge to the brethren . The newly-installed W . M . then appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . O . Goldsmith , S . W . ; J . C . Duckworth , J . W . ; Albery , Sec . ; Massey , P . M ., Treas . ;

Griffiths , S . D . ; H . Wright , J . D . ; Thomas , P . M ., D . C ; R . Hancock , Deputy D . C . ; W . T . Perkins , l . G . ; Basil Cooke and Peacock , Stewards ; Peachey , Org . ; and Very , Tyler . The W . M . next passed Bro . M'Neill to the Second Degree , his work being admirable . The Audit Committee presented a most satisfactory report as to the financial position of the lodge , which was accepted by the brethren

item . con . The Permanent Committee , to whom the management of the lodge Benevolent Fund is entrusted , reported that they had voted ten guineas to the fund being raised for the benefit of the widow and orphans of the late Bro . T . B . Whitefoot . The brethren were invited to subscribe individually to this fund . The VV . M . presented the l . P . M . with the Past Master ' s jewel voted by the lodge .

The lodge was closed in perfect harmony , and the brethren subsequently sat down to a substantial repast . The usual first three toasts having been duly drunk with all honours , Bro . Duckworth , I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the VV . M . " He said that in Bro . Pardon they had a Master who was an accomplished Mason , a distinguished Pressman , and a genial companion , and in whose hands they

could safely leave the prosperity and well ordering of the lodge , Bro . Pardon was one of their first members , and had always taken a great interest in its welfare . The W . M . thanked the brethren for the cordial way in which they had received the toast , and promised to do his best to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors , who had all done credit to themselves and the lodge while they were

occupants of that chair . He had to propose "The Health oE the l . P . M . ( Bro . Duckworth ) , the Installing Master ( Bro . Massey ) , and the other Past Masters of the Lodge . " In proposing Bro . Duckworth ' s health , it gave him great pleasure to hand to him a gold bracelet for Mrs . Duckworth , with the good wishes of the brethren who had subscribed for it amongst themselves as a special mark of

esteem to their l . P . M . With regard to Bro . Massey , the Installing Master , he had been the mainstay of the lodge since its commencement . Bro . Duckworth , I . P . M ., in responding , said that he very much appreciated the kind gift he had just received on behalf of Mrs . Duckworth , and he thanked them most sincerely for the handsome jewel which had been presented

to him in lodge . As W . M . of the lodge he had endeavoured to lessen the " aggregate of human misery and suffering , " by making short speeches , and he trusted that in that matter at least he had deserved the gratitude of the brethren . He was much indebted to Past Masters Massey and Minstrell , as well as to the officers of the lodge , for the assistance they had given him during his year of office ,

which he was thankful to say had been a prosperous one . Bros . Massey and Minstrell also responded . In responding for the toast of "The Officers , " Bro . J . C . Duckworth , J . W ., said that the lodge ball on the 7 th January promised to be a great success , and the only difficulty the Ball Committee had was to prevent the ball-room being overcrowded . They had had the large hall carefully

measured , and found that there was only room for 180 people , and the supper room would only accommodate 175 . They had applications for close upon 200 people , but the issue of tickets would have to be strictly limited to 180 . Bro . Farncombe , the Mayor of Lewes , on behalf of " The Visitors , " said that as a newspaper man himself he was much gratified with all he had seen in the Gallery

Lodge . Other visitors also responded , Bros . Asher and Crichton Saunders promising a guinea each towards the Whitefoot fund . The VV . M . in proposing "The Masonic Charities , " said he should go up as Steward for the Girls' School , especially

in the interest of a little girl of nine years left to their care by their late Bro . Whitefoot . He thought the lodge ought to father that child and do their best to get her into the Masonic School for Girls , and to generally look after her future welfare . As to the lodge Benevolent Fund , which amounted to some £ 50 or £ Co , he was of opinion that it should receive a larger proportion of the revenue of the

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lodge than it did at present , and he should on another occasion bring before the lodge a proposal in that direction . During the evening Bros . Cundy , Macdonald , and others contributed to the harmony , and Bro . Sydney Pardon gave a recitation with exceedingly good taste . The Tyler ' s toast brought ' a most pleasant evening to a close .

CHISWICK LODGE ( No . 2012 ) . —The election meeting of the above lodge took place at its new home , Star and Garter , Kew Bridge , on Monday , the 14 th inst ., Bro . George Everett officiating , in the absence of the VV . M ., the ceremonies of raising and initiation being performed with his well-known ability . The election of VV . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler was proceeded with , and Bro . George Gardner , S . W ., was elected unanimously to fill the chair of K . S . for the ensuing 12 months ; Bro . Dr . Laurence was

also re-elected Treasurer . The Audit Committee having been appointed , the W . M . rose for the first time , and the S . W . handed in the names of five candidates for initiation , and proposed for application the Right Honourable Lord George Hamilton . On the third rising " Hearty good wishes " were tendered , and the lodge was closed in perfect love and harmony . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet , which was servedinBro . Brill ' susual style , afterwhich songs , & c ., werc indulged in , and a very pleasant evening spent .

THE ABBEY LODGE ( No . 2030 ) . —An ordinary meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 14 th inst ,, at the Town Hall , Westminster , when there was a large attendance of members and visitors ; and Bro . Baker , the VV . M ., had before him a full agenda paper , involving the working of the ceremonies in the three Degrees . Bros . Salway , Hankin , and Shrives were raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . Bro . Thos . H . Gammon was passed to the

Degree of F . C . ; and Mr . David de Pinna , Mr . John Jacob Geisell , and Mr . Auguste Hoffman were initiated as Entered Apprentices . The work was very well done by the VV . M ., who was ably seconded by his principal officers , and by Deacons who thoroughly understood their duties . After the above-mentioned ceremonies had been completed , Bro . Bull , P . M ., brought forward a motion of which he had given notice , for raising the initiation fee to

fifteen guineas , and the joining fee to ten guineas ; and supported his proposal by the argument that the lodge was becoming very numerous , and expressing his opinion that very large lodges were not desirable . Bro . Sugg , S . W ., reminded the brethren that the Abbey Lodge was , in fact , a resuscitation of a lodge which was held for six hundred years in the chapter-house at Westminster , and he thought , therefore , that under the

circumstances they ought to be careful in doing anything which might prevent Westminster men from entering the lodge . They had ninety-six members in all , which he did not consider at all excessive , for he himself belonged to one which numbered one hundred and thirty members ( the Domatic ) , in which no inconvenience was experienced on that account , as the members who actually attended fell very far short of the number on the roll .

Bro . Burdett-Coutts , I . P . M ., said he should like to say a word or two on this proposition . Not only the Master , but all the brethren , would , he was sure , understand that nobody , whatever his fidelity to Freemasonry or his love to that lodge , could have the interest oE the lodge more deeply at heart than himself . He confessed that , in view of the circumstances under which the lodge was founded , and the position it now held ,

he did not recognise the advantage of restricting it to a small number of members . His own view was that it should become a great and representative lodge of the Freemasons in Westminster . He felt a personal interest in the lodge , and so far as his personal influence went , it would be directed towards such a fulfilment of the future of the lodge that it should become large and representative ; because , on account of its neighbourhood and

surroundings , there was a dignity attached to it which took it out of the ordinary category of the lodges of the metropolis . As Westminster was a peculiar part of the metropolis , he thought the Abbey Lodge should be a peculiar lodge , and he did not know how its peculiar position could be better maintained than by making it very large and very representative . For these reasons he should be inclined to give his voice against the proposition thathad iust been broueht

forward . He did not doubt that the promoters sincerely thought that what they proposed would be for the welfare of the lodge ; but he thought it rather premature , though it might be necessary at some future period . If any alteration were to be made , he thought it should not be by making initiation more expensive , but rather b y laying a somewhat heavier tax upon those members of other lodges who wished to avail themselves of the privileges of the Abbey

Lodge . Bro . Bull said possibly his motion had been a little premature , however inevitable it might be at some time in the future ; and after the expression of the opinion of the brethren which the proposal had elicited , he would , with the W . M . ' s permission , withdraw the motion . A proposal by Bro . Shand , Secretary , for raising the visiting fee to a guinea on installation nights , and 15 s . on

other nights , was agreed to . Before the closing of the lodge , Bro . Baker , VV . M ., informed the brethren that he had consented to accept a Stewardship for the next Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and , upon the motion of the I . P . M ., a sum of 10 guineas was voted from the lodge funds in aid of that Institution . After the dinner which followed the closing of the lodge a

number of loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed from the cross-table . In proposing " The Health of the M . W . the Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , " Bro . Baker , W . M ., reminded the brethren that the 14 th of December was an eventful day in the Royal Family , because it was on that day of the year that the father of their illustrious Grand Master died ; it was on that day of the year that he lost his sister , the Princess Alice , and it was also on that

day of the year that occurred the turning point in his own severe illness , which occasioned such acute , such intense anxiety to the whole body of the English people . After referring to the rest of the Grand Officers , which had been associated with this toast , Bro . Baker said that they were represented on that occasion by Bro . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , who he would ask to respond for them . In replying , Bro . Simpson said that the W . M . had referred to the fact that their I , P . M ., Bro . Burdett-Coutts .