Consecration Of The St. John-At-Hackney Chapter, No. 2511.

Comp . NEWTON apologised for the loss of his voice by a cold , wh ch had deprived him of the power of performing his portion of the ceremony as he should like to have perfo med it . Comp GEOKGE GRAVELEY also responded , and said what little he had dene hr d d m-i s <> well as he would have liked . The next time he took part in consecrating a chapter he hoped to he in better form .

Comp . LETCHWORTH next said it was his privilege to propose what was really the toast of the evening— " The Health of Ex . Comp . Gordon , " whom he had had the honour of placing in the chair of First Principal of the ot . Johnat-Hackney Chapter . In addressing the founders of the chapter , who were all members of the lodge to which it was attached , it was needless for him to descant on the merits of the companion to whom he referred ; at the same

time he did most distinctly congratulite lhe companions on having as . their First Principal one of such experience as Comp . Gordon had had in Masonry . He believed Comp . Gordon was initiated in Masonry many years ago in one of the English lodges—St . John ' s - at Montreal . He afterwards became a member of Lodge Temperance- in-the-East , the chair of which he filled io years ago , and therefore the St . John-at-Hackney was most fortunate

when , as a founder of the lodge , he acted as one of the Wardens two and a half years ago . The compianions knew how well Comp . Gordon di-charged the duties of Master of the lor ' ge , and under his very able guidance the chapter could not fail to have a year of the greatest possible success . That it might be a very successful ) ear to the chapter and to Comp . Gordon , and a very pleasant year as well to the companions was his most earnest wish , and the sincere wish of every companion present .

Comp . J . GORDON , M . E . Z ., acknowled ging the toast , which was most heartily received by the companions , said he was sure his behaviour that night could not raise him in the estimation of Comp . Letchworth for he felt he was out of sorts and had not done the work as he ought . He was well enough physically , but he did not seem * ' fit . " It was not nervousness ; that was not his rule ; but he had " got off the track . " He had never been

guilty of the sin of ingratitude ; he felt thankful and grateful for ths kind words said of him , but he felt he did not deserve them . It had always been his consistent line of conduct to endeavour to do his duty to the best of his ability . He might fail sometimes , but it was not for want of trying . He felt grateful to the companions for the kindness they had shown him ; he felt on the whole he had given them satisfaction . If he had been wanting that

nig ht , they must excuse him : he did not feel up to his work . He most sincerely thanked ihe Grand Officers , Comps . Letchworth , Brownrigg , Newton , and Graveley . With the last he had had many battles in the Lodge of Temperance in-the-East , but they had always separated well , and settled their differtnc s . He hoped they would have many more if only that they settle them as amicably . In conclusion , he should [ endeavour to do his duty to the best of his ability , and would keep the companions in order .

Comp . J . GORDON , M . E . Z ., next proposed ¦ ' The H . and J . "—Comps . Milton and Pinder of both ot whom he spoke in the highest terms for their ex < ellent work and for their zeal in Masonry . They were never tired of being called upon to do work . With such principal officers he was sure the chapter wou'd make a good start .

Comp . MILTON , H ., said he tried as much as he could to promote the prosperity of the St . John-at-Hackney Lodge , in which he felt great interest . He felt interested in Masonry in Hackney , and should do his best to assist in the promotion of the lodge and the chapter to which he belonged , as well as of Masonry in general . C <> " p PINDER . J also responded , and said that all the brethren of the

St . J > hn-at-Hac * n » y L « d »> e were coming into the chapter . He believed in chapters being attached to lodges , and objected to chapters holding under sanction of another lodge with which the brethren were not connected . Where the Scribe E of a chapter was Secretary of the lodge he knew better whrtt had been done by the different members . Where the members met both in the lodge and in the chapter they were all in a nutshell , and

consequently there was more harmony than if there were only a few members belonging to the lodge and the many came from other lodges . Comps . BROWN HODGES , and LAY responded to the toastof "The Visiu-rs . " the . first recommending attendance at chapters of instruction , where alone it w « s possible to learn the accurate performance of official

du'ies j the MCond *> aiti th-ir , as a pupil of Comp . Brown , he fully endorsed hiss niimeiKj nd ihe third congratulated Comp . Gordon on his being thi first M E . Z . ol ihe St . John-at-Hdckney Cnapter , as he ] ( Comp . Lay ) was • I ol Zetland Chapter . The to-ist of ' The Officers " followed , and Comp . IVES closed the proceedings by giving the Janitor's toast .

The Old Masonians.

THE OLD MASONIANS .

The above association of old scholars of our Wood Green School , held last Friday , the nth inst ., another of their many gatherings at the head-quarters of the clun , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . On this occasion the members assembled for the purpose of discussing that most difficult of subjects—the " Darwinian Theory ot the Descent of Man . " The chair was occupied by Mr . R . S . Chandler ( Treasure- ) , and notwithstanding the dry nature of the subject to be debated , a very fair number of members attended . Mr . A . GLEICHEN—who , by the way , we understand will commence practice in

January as A barrister—opened the debate in a lengthy and eloquent speech , supporting Darwin's theory , that man is part of the grand scheme of evolution . Mr . Gleichen pointed out how after years of close study , D , irwin had found that there existed a great similarity between man and animal—in structure ; process of reproduction ; rudimentary organs , i . e ., skin muscles , hair , & c . ; diseases common to buth ; senses , passions , pain , happiness , & c . The opener also explained Darwin ' s theory of the survival of the fittest , how a class of animals possessing qualities greater than others would eventually gain the ascendency , and that this process going on through long aces had at last resulted in the production of man .

A heated discussion followed , the company not separating till a late hour . At the close of the debate , Mr . CHANDLEK briefly summed up , after which a vote of thanks was passed to both opener and Chairman . Amongst the members present were Bros . R . E . Uarnes , C . Patrick O'Doherty and R . Harold Williams ; Messrs . H . F . Aspinall , W . M . Andrews , C . W .

Barber , S . Baylis , G . Cox , G . L . Gallott , J . H . Hewett , H . Lewis , M . B . Lumsden , J . T . Scarfe , G . Wilson , A . S . West , J . E . Walters , H . S . Wilson , F . M . Watkins , G . Cross Willeit ( Sec ) , A . Gleichen , and R . S . Chandler . Messrs . E . R . Bingham and J , A . Coupland also looked in , but had to leave early , the former to return to Brighton and the latter to Wood Green .

It is gratilying to notice that our " Old Boys " appear to take increased interest in '' debates " as there is no doubt that this force of recreation is very beneficial in enlarging their views and giving them that necessary confidence for speaking in public .

Interesting Entertainment At The Merchant Taylors' Hall.

INTERESTING ENTERTAINMENT AT THE MERCHANT TAYLORS' HALL .

Bro . Major-General E . C . Sim , R . E , finding himself at once Worshipful Master of the very celebrated and illustrious Company of Merchant Taylors and Deputy Master of the Euston Mark Lodge , conceived the felicitous idea of entertaining his lodge and the leading brethren of the Mark Degree within the palatial rooms of his Company , Threadneedle-street , and this he carried into effect on Saturday night , the 5 th instant , with a success which must have gratified the genial and generous host .

The list of guests reads almost like an enumeration of Grand Mark Lodge Ofiicers . Bro .. Lord Euston , in consequence ofthe serious condition ofthe Dukeof Grafton , was unable to attend , but his place was ably filled by Bro . Lord Dungarvan . The other guests were Bros . Lord Skelmersdale , Col . A . B . Cook , Sir Reginald Hanson , the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Capt . Philips , Admiral Markham , Sir John B . Monckton , Sir Geo . Harris , Frank Richardson , W . E . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., R .

Loveland Loveland , Balfour Cockburn , Raymond Thrupp , Ralph Clutton , Sir Terence O'Brien , Sir Charles Turner , Sir F . Middleton , Col . Turner , C . B ., Col . McCulIagh , R . E ., Col . Filgate , R . E ., Ernest Flower , M . P ., C . F . Matier , Alfred Cooper , F . Jlead , C . Godson , M . D ., F . S . Hanson , Col . Lockwood , M . P ., K . R . Murchison , Gordon Miller , F . Graves , Fitzroy Tower , Dr . A . Orwin , ] EdwardNash , F . W . Sims , and others .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Moira Lodge , No . 92-The installation meeting of this old and distinguished lodge was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Thursday , the 3 rd inst . Present : Bros . M . A . Tweedie , W . M . j Rev . R . I . Woodhouse , S . W . ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . M ., P . D . G . R .. Treas . ; R . F . Gould , P . M ., P . G . D ., Sec . ; J . Webb , S . D . ; C . E . Russell . J . D . ; J . W . Smith , I . G . ; Sir Norman Pringle Bart ., P . M . ; G . C . Andrew , P . M . ; G . Greiner , P . M . ; E . Greiner , P . M . ; Charles Calkoen , and Russell Ardagh . The visitors were Bros . G . W . Speth , P . A . G . D . C . ; H . W . Turner , P . M . 1347 ; C . Kupferschmidt , A . G . Sec . for

German Correspondence , W . M . 2076 ; H . Whitney , 861 ; R . Austen , 1591 ; J . Norwood , 3157 j J . P . Richards , 15 S 2 ; J . J . Hamilton , P . M . 1506 ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; W . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; S . T . Klein , J . W . 2076 ; Col . L . G . Dundas , P . G . D . ; F . Hallows , P . M . 861 ; Thomas Fenn , P . G . W . j H . Noakes , P . M . 10 S ; Rev . J . H . Smith , P . M . 279 ; Luke Hansard , P . M . 1506 ; C . W . Skinner , ( 2000 ; T . H . Gardiner , P . A . G . D . C ; E . H . Fones , and C . W . Kingzett , 1691 . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirm sd . Bro . C . Calkoen was passed to the Second Degree , after which Bro . the Rev . R . I . Woodhouse , S . W .,

W . M . elect , was duly presented , and installed by Bro . R . F . Gould , P . M ., as Master for the ensuing year , the following Grand Ofiicers filling the various stations in the lodge during the ceremony : Bros . Fenn , I . P . M . ; Bywater , S . W . ; Speth , J . W . ; Frank Richardson , D . of C . ; and Kupferschmidt , I . G . The following are the officers for iS 9 6-97-Bros . W . F . Noakes , S . W . ; John Webb , J . W . ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . M ., Treas . ; R . F . Gould , P . M ., Sec ; C . E . Russell , S . D . ; j . W . Smith , J . D . ; Russell Ardagh , I . G . ; Wickham Noakes , P . M ., Stwd . ; and George Couchman , Tyler . The lodee having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the large hall , where an

excellent banquet had been provided . The customary toasts followed , and in proposing "The Queen and the Craft , " the Worshipful Master said the reign of her Majesty has not only been the longest , but a ' sa the most illustrious in the annals of English history . In this lodge to-night , we began under the sway of a W . M . who represented the law , and the gavel has since passed into the hands of one of the clergybut the spirit of loyalty and devotion to the throne , we

, may rest assured , will be re-echoed from year to year under all sorts and conditions of VVorshipful Masters in our Moira Lodge . In proposing " The Prince of Wales , M . W . G M ., " theW . M . slid the Heir Apparent is the King of our English Craft , and wherever a British flag flies , or British Masons reside , there fitting homage is paid to to that most worthy representative of King Solomon , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales .

The Worshipful Master then said : I rise to propose - the health of those brethren whom we may teim " The Knights of the Round Table . " lhey all bear titles , they are all " grand , " both in insignia and deeds . Their jurisdiction stretches over "The round table land of the globe , " and they control the woiking of Masonry in all parts of the world . The Earl of Lathom , Pro G . M ., and Eatl Amherst , Deputy G . M .. stand worthily at their head , and among the kindly knights who have donned their uniforms for the purpose of being with us to-night , are Bros . Fenn , P . G . W . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Colonel Dundas , P . G . D . j T . H . Gardiner , P . A . G . D . C ; G . W . Speth , P . A . G . D . C ; W . M . BywaterP . G . S . B . ; and C KupferschmidtAsst . G . Sec . for German

Corres-, , pondence ; to one and all of whom we tender a most hearty welcome , while we particularly congratulate ourselves on always having with us , as two of our Past Masters , Bros . Wilkinson and Gould , whose health I shall also ask you to drink , together with that of the other Grand Oilicers who are visitors on this occasion . Bros . Fenn , Richardson , and Gardiner having responded , The toast of the evening , " The Memory of Earl Moira , the Patron of the Lodge , " was proposed by the Treasurer , Bro . T . L . Wilkinson , P . M ., with all the eloquence of previous years , and in a manner that made a deep impression on all present . The toast having been drunk in solem silence ,

Bro . M . A . Tweedie , I . P . M ., sp ' oke as follows : If there is one thing more than another which may be looked upon as forming a crown to the termination of our year of office , and which renders palatable the yielding up of the reins of government , it is the pleasure of proposing the toast of" Our Successor . " We in the Moira Lodge have known our W . M ., Bro . Woodhouse , from his very infancy in Freemasonry . Fromhisinitiationwe have seen him go through the other Degrees of the Craft . _ He has undertaken the duties of the various offices , going up step by step , until this evening we hive ssen him installed with all due solemnity in the chair of K . S . I cannot help recalling to mind the occasion

of my own installation last year , when Bro . Mitchell , who was then I . P . M ., in proposing my health ( which he did inmost eloquent terms ) , enumerated some of the qiulificitions ior a Master of a lodge , aad amongst others , he quoted from some ancient writer on Freemasonry ( I forget his name , but Bro . Mitchell , 1 think , gave chapter and verse to substantiate his quotation ) , and that quotation was— "That he must be strong and mighty in war . " Now , brethren , I have often thought since , that I could not agree with that ancient writer , as his dictum seemed to be in such strong antagonism to the accepted

tenets of Freemasonry , which are not "war , " but " peace and harmony . " However , whether thatancient writer was right or wrong , the man who might have been strong and mighty in war is now out of the chair , and his place has bjen taken by our W . M ., Bro . Woodhouse , our Chaplain , and a man of peace . Worshipful Master , we look forward to your year of office with pleasurable expectations , that it may be one of success to yourself , of success to the lodge , and a continuation of that love and harmony which has ever existed in the Moira Lodgeand which we trust will never b ; broken .

, The W . M . having replied in a few well-chosen words , the toist of " The Visitors followed , and was acknowledged by Bros , the Rev . J . Henry Smith , P . M . 279 ; Richard F . Austin , 1581 ; and J . J . Hamilton , P . M . 1506 . In responding for the next toast— " The Past Mastsrs , " whic ' i met with a very hearty reception , Bro . M . A . Tweedie said : As it is the usuil duty of an I . P . M . to resnnnrf in the toast of the P . Ms . of a lodire . that dutv devolves upon me , and it is one of

pride and pleasure . " Pleasure , " brethren , because it is the first time that I find myself counted in theranksof the P . Ms , of the Moira Lodge , and "Pride , " because itismyduy to respond for my bttters . Worshipful Mister and brethren : I feel I need hardly assure you how deeply sensible the P . Ms , are of the very kind reference which has been made to them , and it is also almoit unnecessary to siy that it will ever be their aim and pleasure to do all in their power to maintain and support the very high