Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Mr . Miles then sung "Cccur de Leon . " The Worshipful Master , in reply , said : Brethren , I acknowledge with gratitude the very kind and flattering expressions whicli have just fallen from my old and valued friend , and our esteemed brother , the / . P . M ., Bra . Fletcher . 1 feel it is due more to his generous nature than any merit of my own . A man in any new position , and especially if that position be one of responsibility , naturally feels

anxious , if not to some extent troubled . Anxious , in the first place , that he may not disappoint the kind expectations of his friends ; and troubled when becoming Master of his lodge that its interest might suffer somewhat through his inefficiency . On the other hand , nothing gives strength and confidence so surely as the knowledge that , judging by the kind expressions of the I . P . M ., I shall start with the sympathy , encouragement , and help , not only of

those who have preceded me , but of those who will , I trust , succeed me in the proud position I now occupy . I again thank you , Bro . Fletcher , for the flattering manner in which you have proposed my health , and you , brethren , for the very hearty way in which you drank it . The Worshipful Master then proposed " The Health of the I . P . M ., Bro . Fletcher , " and said : Brethren , if the labour and anxiety of the chair be great upon an

installation night , the pleasures and privileges undoubtedly counterpoise them . The greatest of my pleasures to-night is certainly thc proposition of this toast—the health of our I . P . M ., Bro . Fletcher . Brethren , this is not the place to give precedence to ths very natural feelings of regard for a personal friend , and I resist the temptation . My first duty to him , as representing the brotherhood of this lodge , is to express to him our unqualified appreciation of thc very

earnest and kindly manner in which he has performed the duties of thc ancient and honourable position of the Master of the St . James ' s Union Lodge . Brethren , you all know how ably hc has performed his duties as Master in the lodge , and how gracefully hc has presided over us at our social gatherings . Bro . Fletcher , I have great pleasure , on behalf of the breren , to present you with this jewel , which is the token and only the symbol of the high estimation in which you arc

held by . every member of the lodge Gifts are the beads in memory ' s rosary , and in thc hope that this gift may long hang on the chain of your memory , and ever link you with the traditions of the Craft and the still more sacred remembrance of the brethren of the St . James's Union Lodge . Brethren , 1 ask you to be upstanding and drink this toast with all the warmth and cordiality which is always accorded to popular members of the St . James ' s Union

Lodge . Miss Amy Ronayne here sang "The Lost Chord , " with great feeling . The Immediate Past Master in responding said , W . M . and brethren , for the first time in my life I feel utterly unable to reply as my heart dictates ; to you , Worshipful Sir , I tender my heartiest thanks for the very high eulogiums you have bcen pleased to

pass upon my labours of the preceding twelve months , and to you brethren ( I would I could do it individually ) for the generous way in which you received it . It is a source of great gratification to mc to mark thc progress we have made during the past year , not only in numbers and finances , but in that happy concord without which no lodge can be permanently successful . Brethren , as we are now once more fairly launched , 1 feel perfectly certain

that we shall continue our even passage for many years to come , and brethren I trust I may live long with you to verify the very pleasant prophecy of our Worshipful Master . W . M . and brethren , again I thank you . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Initiates , " as follows : Brethren , the next duty 1 have to perform is one which all Masters take great pleasure in doing , that is welcoming the Initiates . 1 am pleased to say we have two

to-night ( and one joining member ) , and it gives me additional pleasure to say , they are three personal friends of mine . Brethren , 1 call upon you to welcome the Initiates now with the social glass , and as I know them to be good fellows , may they prove equally good Masons , and I feelsure they will always look back with pleasure upon their introduction into Freemasonry . Brethren , I give you the toast of "The Initiates . "

Mr . Miles then gave the song "Gipsy John . " Bros . George and Nathaniel Hemsteds then suitably and in well chosen terms replied , as did also Bro . Smead , the joining member . In g iving the toast of " The Visitors , " the VV . M . said there is still another toast I have much pleasure in placing before you , and is ahvays a welcome one in the St . James's Union Lodge—the Visitors—we are always pleased to see them at the workinsr of our lodsre , and equally so to

meet them at our social board . We have to-nijj . it a very distinguished and numerous company of visitors , and having so many , I know they will excuse my not reading all their names , but with their permission , 1 will call upon Bros . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary ; Everett , P . M . ; and Sir Edward Lee to respond . Miss Amy Ronayne then sang " The Gates of the West . "

aro . Buss in replying for the Visitors stated it gave him much pleasure once more to visit the St . James's Union Lodge , and to endorse the remark of Col . Shadwell H . Gierke as to the working of thc lodge , and he specially wished to express his satisfaction and thanks to Bro . Wade , P . M ., for the very excellent way in which he completed the installation , and on behalf of the visitors generally for the sumptuous hospitality with which they

were received . Bro . Everett , P . M ., had great p leasure to bear testimony on behalf of the visitors and himself for the very pleasurable evening they had all experienced . Nothing could exceed the perfect way in which thc ceremonies had been performed , and he had the greater interest in witnessing the progress and general excellence of the St . James ' s Union Lodge , as it was exactly twenty-four years ago since he was raised in this lodge b y thc kindness of thc then W . M .

He thanked Bro . Fletcher for giving him this opportunity of again coming amongstt hem . Bro . Sir Edward Lee , on behalf of himself and visitors , thanked the W . M . and brethren for thegreat Masonic treat accorded them , and assured them all it would long afford him happy reminiscences . I he Worshipful Master , in giving the next toast— " The j ast Masters "—linked with it the Treasurer and Secretary . In speaking of them hc said : We as members know how much we owe the Past Masters of this lodge for the great C f « _ *" " ' ^ attention they always devote to the interests « l the lodge ; and I am sure there is no section of the lodge

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so much valued and respected as the Past Masters . I am sorry Bro . Wade , P . M ., has bcen obliged to leave , as I wished to express to him my sincere thanks for all his many kindnesses , more especially for installing mc . Our Treasurer , Bro . Miles , you all know and we all highly esteem . We c ? . n always rely upon him ; and he informs mc he has a larger sum in hand than he has had before ; and ,

brethren , wc know hc is the man to guard it jealously . Long life to him . Our Secretary's absence must be a source of regret to us all . The efficiency with which lie performs the duties of his office is patent to all , and I would hc had bcen able to be present with us at our banquet ; and now , brethren , I ask you to be upstanding and drink to the health , long life , and prosperity of thc Past Masters ; and I couple

with the toast the names of Bros . Farwig and Miles . Bro . Bateman ( visitor ) then sang one of his extremely humorous songs , much to the amusement of the brethren . Bro . Farwig , in response , assured the brethren of the continued interest felt by the Past Masters of thc St . James' Union Lodge , and thanked thc VV . M . and brethren for their kind expressions ; and he felt confident the future

would warrant a continuance of their interest . Bro . . Miles characteristically responded for himself and Secretary . The W . M . next gave " The Officers of St . James' Union Lodge . " He felt himself in a very proud position , for were they not all qualified not only to fill their present position , but

also that of the Master ' s chair ? Hc would only urge them to continued diligence ; and , inviting each officer to respond , he asked thc brethren to drink with all heartiness to the officers of the lodge . Bro . Matthews again greatly interested thc brethren by singing " Little brown jug , " and , as an encore , " Is it possible . " v

the Officers severally having appropriately responded , the Tyler ' s toast brought to a close one of the most pleasant evenings experienced by the members of thc St . James ' Union Lodge . DALHOUSIE LODGE ( No . S 6 o ) . —This hi ghly successful lodge held its meeting on Thursday evening , the iith inst ., at Anderton's Hotel . There was a goodly

number of members and visitors present , the especial attraction of the evening being a soiree dansante instead of the banquet which usually follows Masonic lodge meetings . The ladies also mustered in strong force . The lodge having been opened—all the officers were in attendance—Bros . Hall and Poole were raised to the Sublime Degree and Mr . Geo . Heritage received the benefit of

initiation at the hands of the W . M . All business of the lodge being ended , the brethren then retired with the ladies and visiting brethren to a room especially set apart for their reception for the purposes of music and dancing . The musical entertainment was commenced by a song from Bro . Taylor , entitled " Queen of thc night . " He also afterwards sang in a duet with a Miss Bartram , entitled

" lo the woods . " Bro . Seymour Smith ( Organist of the lodge ) was in his usujil form , and gave "Lord Mayor ' s Day " and "The evening party . " After this , "Auntie " was given by a Miss Coulthard . At this time an interval occurred for supper , about ioo being present . Supper being ended , Bro . Robert Burleton , W . M ., proposed "The Health of

the Queen , " and with this toast he coupled " The Craft , " whicli was heartily responded to . Bro . Burleton , in proposing "The Ladies , " said that he thought this was really the toast of the evening , for without the ladies the entertainment then in progress would have been a failure . He also stated that he was glad to see so many present , and was sure that when they had finished

the evening they would no longer think that Masons were such selfish persons as sometimes they were thought to be . But this was an innovation upon Freemasonry , wliich , if it should prove a success , would doubtless be carried out by other lodges . He begged to couple with this toast the name of Bro . Walter Johnson . Bro . Johnson responded for the ladies in an able manner ,

and hoped that the gathering that had taken place under the auspices of Bro . Burleton , VV . M ., might induce other Masters as they succeeded to the chair to carry out the excellent example hc had set them . Dancing was then resumed . Shortly after this Bro . Howard Reynolds arrived and enlivened the company with a solo on the cornet , entitled " The exile ' s lament , "

which was rendered in that masterly manner so well known to all musicians , and despite the Stewards' endeavours to restore silence ( encores being wished to be avoided ) he obtained an encore , replying to which he gave " The last rose of summer . " Several other songs were given during the evening-, and Bro . Reynolds gave a selection from " La Sonnambula" and gained another encore , to which he

responded with " Home sweet home " as the small hours of the morning were rapidly approaching . Shorly after this thc brethren and their friends retired having spent an enjoyable evening . Bro . Henry Tinney's band officiated during thc evening , and the enjoyment of the visitors was carefully looked after by Bro . Clemow , the proprietor .

CITY OF LONDON LODGE ( No . 901 ) . — Thc annual installation meeting of this progressive lodge was held on Monday , the 15 th inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern . Amongst those present were Bios . G . A . Cundy , VV . M . ; Jno . Hughes , W . M . elect ; Beaumont , I . P . M . ; A . Ginger , P . M . ; W . Lewis , P . M . ; Darcy , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Hughes , J . VV . ; T . M . Lelland , S . D . ; E . T . P . Harris .

J . D . ; K . Clinch , D . C ; H . Hat-bras , I . G . ; E . Hand , Org . ; R . Gillard , D . W . Hughes , J . E . Finister . 'A . Bisley , R . Stevens . H . Smith , J . Watkins , j . Vale , A . W . Prince , R . Diamond , G . Lawson , G . VV . Frost , VV . Havclock , J , Newman , C . Bates , G . Chivers , II . Gooch , G . Cundy , A . J . Sheffield , R . Fletcher , VV . Little , G . Brittain , C . Huisch , F . Eade , II . Barwill , J . lloskin , H . VV . Taylor , A . Parker , W . Dance , F . Barnes , VV . Waller , T . James , T . Hosking , J .

Hardwick , P . J . Walker , P . C . Rogers , and Woodstock , 'Tyler . Amongst the numerous brethren who had accepted the kind hospitality of the lodge and its members were Bros . A . II . Hickman , VV . M . 22 S ; II . Price , S . D . 177 ; B . J . Woolfc , 720 ; R . Jeffs , W . M . 435 ; J . O . Thomas , 1 S 53 ; E . A . Pracher , 17 G 4 ; E . Wood , 829 ; F . J . Henty , S . Hurdle , W . M . 1 744 ; J . VV . Hiscox , W . M . 1512 ; J . Cooper , P . M . 55 ; F . Hurdle , A . D . C . 54 S ; W . H . Chalfond , S . VV . 1425 ; J . W . Cooper , P . M . 538 ; G . Bassett , 9 G 9 ; E . Gill , IOJ ? ; J . Eldridge , P . M . 16 7 ; J . Ball , W . M . 1567 : H .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Wills , 1 S 53 ; S . Ethcrington , W . M . 1305 ; J . Barter , VV . M , 933 . H . Champncss , l . G . iS ; H . F . Green , SG ; H . Garrett , 173 ; V . Borg , 515 ; W . Woodward , 172 S ; C W . Cox , iSS ; R . W . Herring ; 144 ; E . Kroz , 554 ; and G . Symons , 45 . After the minutes of the last lodge meeting had bcen read and conlirmed . thc W . M . proceeded to pass Bro . Watkins to the Degree of F . C . The installation of the S . VV .,

llro . Jno . Hughes , was next performed , and that in a most faultless and efficient manner , by Bro . Cundy . His manner of giving the charges to the W . M . and explaining the working tools of each Degree cannot but have had a most lasting effect on the whole lodge , including thc visitors , many of whom we are sure had not seen the ceremony worked before without hitch or nervousness . We heard

the Installing Master say to a brother later on that he had felt every word he said , and they came from the bottom of his heart , and impressed him as much as the other brethren . The Worshipful Master having been regularly saluted in each degree by the brethren , proceeded to appoint and invest his officers , who were led to the dais by Bro . Cundy . The following arc the new officers : Bros . Hughes , S . VV . ;

J . M . Lelland , J . W . ; E . T . P . Harris , S . D . ; H . Harbras , J . D . ; Darcy , P . M . Treas . ; J . Beaumont , P . M ., Sec ; D . W . Hughes , I . G . ; E . Hand , Org . ; R . Clinch , Dir . of Cers . ; K . Stevens , W . S . ; Woodstock , Tyler . To each ollicer the W . M . addressed the usual words and added something appropriate to each office . Bro . Candy , I . P . M ., proposed "That two Assistant

Stewards be appointed to help the Secretary , Wine Steward , and D . C , as the lodge is now so large , and the duties of these ofiicers consequently heavy . 'This having bcen agreed to , thc W . M . called Bros . Gillard and Werner before him and appointed them Assistant Stewards . Bro . Candy proposed a vote of thanks should be placed

on the minutes ot the lodge to Bro . Darcy , the late Secretary , for the very efficient manner in which be had performed the duties for two years , and regretted that hc had been obliged to resign owing to ill health . Ballot was taken for Afr . Richard Fletcher , proposed by Bro . Vale , and seconded by Bro . D . Hughes , wliich proved unanimous , and Mr . Fletcher being in attendance , was

then initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Ancient Freemasonry . After the Installing Master's working ; , wc anticipated a reduction in the efficiency of the working , but not so . Bro . Cundy ' s mantle seems to have fallen upon Bro . J . Hughes . The W . M . initiated the candidate in a style which augurs well for the year 1 SS 3 , and shows to the brethren that none of the traditions of the lodge shall be lost while

in his hands . After hearty good wishes from thc numerous brethren the lodge was closed and the brethren proceeded to the banqueting room , when justice was done to thc good things prepared for them . After grace had been said , the Worshipful Master gave the toast of " The Queen , " remarking that the highest

lady in thc land recognised and supports the Craft . The National Anthem was then sung . The Worshipful Master next gave "The M . W . thc Grand Master , " and said he is the first gentleman in the land , and of all the things he takes an interest in , be did not know of any he took a greater interest than in Masonry .

A trio , " Hail to thc Prince of Wales , " was here sung by Bro . Hand and Messrs . Sandford and Murton . In giving "The Pro and Deputy Grand Masters ( the Earl of Carnarvon and the Earl of Lathom ) , and thc rest of the Grand Officers , " the Worshipful Master said he did not purpose to take up their time then with speeches , as they had a long programme to get through .

A solo on the pianoforte by Mr . F . Laughlin , " Lurline , " followed . The Immediate Past Master then took up the gavel , and said : Brethren , once more you are compelled to listen to me , though during the last twelve months ' you have had too much of me . I am going to ask you to drink " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " He is , I feel sure , an honour

to any lodge , but specially to the City of London Lodge . " The peasant ' s morning song , " a trio , was here interspersed . The Worshipful Master , who was received with deafening cheers , in response said : 1 am sure 1 thank you heartily for your kindness . When I entered this lodge , four years ago , I did not think I should so soon occupy this proud position . If I have given you satisfaction in the past , 1 hope to do so

still more now . The Worshipful Master again rose to take the gavel into his own hand , and gave " Thc Health of thc Initiate , Bro . Fletcher . " Hc said : I did not think I should have any work to do when installed , but fortunately an initiate turned up . I give you his health . A glee , " Banish , oh maiden , " was here sung , and met with loud applause . Bro . Fletcher returned thanks , and expressed a hope that

they would not regret having made him a member of their lodge . l'he Worshipful Master said the next toast I have to submit is that of "The Installing and Immediate Past Master , " Bro . G . A . Cundy , very little is needed from me to enhance him in your opinions ; throughout his year of office everything he has clone he has done for the good of the lodge , and before he took office he was an efficient member of the

lodge . I have much pleasure in affixing this Past Master ' s jewel to his breast , 1 am sure you will agree with me , never did jewel adorn a more worthy breast . Bro . Cundy , said in reply : W . M ., Past Masters , Wardens , and brethren , believe me , as you know I have stood up many times during my year of office yet I have never felt greater diffidence than now ; you will excuse me

if I cannot give expression to my feelings . 1 have been treated with so much kindness tbat I have much diffidence in responding . This jewel will be worn with pride and pleasure . I feel it is by the unanimous vote of the lodge I receive it . I shall always wear it with the good feeling of thc lodge . Brethren , 1 thank you most sincerely . Thc Worshipful Master next gave "The Health of the

Visitors , the reading of whose names occupied several minutes , and called on Bros . Jeffs , Chalfont and Thomas to reply . Bro . Jeffs said it was the first time he had been to this lodge , and he would always entertain a happy reminiscence of it . Bro . Thomas said it was not thc first time he had been a visitor here ; thc installation ceremony had been to him an