Craft Masonry.

The VV . M . next gave the toast of" The Visitors , " which he considered of special importance that evening , and said that there were present that evening several visitors who were distinguished Masons , and also others who were distinguished in different directions , especially in the City in which the meetings of the Bank of England Lodge were held . That lodge had been in existence over one hundred

years , and on searching through its records he could not find one instance in which the Chief Magistrate of the chief city of the chief empire of the world had honoured the lodge with his presence . On that occasion the lodge was doubly honoured , the civic authorities had deigned to come amongst its members , including Bro . the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , supported by Bro . Alderman and Sheriff

Dimsdale , and he , in conjunction with every member present , extended to them a most cordial welcome . The W . M . took that opportunity of referring to Bro . Dimsdale as a candidate for the office of Grand Treasurer of the United Grand Lodge of England , and asked all present to do everything in their power to assist his election . Bro . the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor thanked theW . M .,

Wardens , and members on behalf of himself and the other visitors for the very kind way in which the VV . M . had proposed the toast , and the kind and generous manner in which it had been received . He believed he was the youngest member of the Craft present , and felt a certain amount of diffidence in responding to the toast in the presence of so many members of the Craft who had tor years

obtained distinction in the difficult offices they had held , but especially thanked the W . M . and brethren for the hospitality and entertainment which had been provided , and Bro . Pritchard for having given him an invitation to such a very happy evening . Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Dimsdaie , in responding to the toast of "The Visitors , " alluded to the kind words

spoken by the W . M . respecting his nomination for the office of Grand Treasurer , and promised that if it was the wish of the brethren of the Craft in general that he should occupy that important office it would be his endeavour to so conduct himself as to maintain the dignity and position of one of the most important posts in the Craft , and trusted , if he was so fortunate as to enjoy the confidence of the

Craft by their returning him to that office , they would never regret their choice . Bro . Garner gave a most interesting response , during which he informed the brethren of the close kinship which existed between the wild tribes of Africa and Freemasonry ; and although the words , signs , and methods were different , still there was a likeness between them , and undoubtedly

the same spirit , which is the life of Freemasonry , existed , in a great decree , amongst the tribes which were generally considered wild and savage , and for whose customs he felt very great respect . The W . M ., in suitable terms , proposed the toast of "The Masonic Charities . " Bro . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . Boys , responded , and alluded

to the satisfactory returns which the three Institutions had received during the past year , and to the great pride felt by every brother of the Order that nine-tenths of the income was subscribed voluntarily to carry on the work which was admirably done in an efficient manner . When consideration was given to the large amounts dispensed in every form of Masonic benevolence , it was small wonder that the

Craft continued to grow in numbers and influence . After giving particulars of the work performed by each of the Institutions , Bro . McLeod laid stress on the greater advantages now given to the Boys at Wood Green , and particularly with regard to the different branches of technical education , which had been started , and already produced good results . Pointing out how essential it was to further

these branches , and acknowledging that the great City Companies had done a splendid work in endowing schools to that end , he ventured , in the presence of one or two of the "City Fathers , " to direct their attention to the fact that at the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys a progressive management was in existence , and might fairly claim consideration at the hands of those bodies whichthough

, not Masonic . knew no bounds in the liberality which prompted the disposal of their funds for the welfare of the community at large . He specially invited attention to the printing and bookbinding departments at the Institution , which under the practical and energetic supervision of Bro . Pritchard ( a zealous member of the Board of Management , and P . M . and Secretary of that lodge ) had been the means of

several boys gaining a good knowledge of these trades to the advantage of their after life . The toast of " The Officers , " was suitably responded to by Bro . Drysdale , S . D . During and after the banquet , an excellent band , under the able direction of Bro . J . A . Hamilton , performed some exquisite selections , assisted by Bros . A . Weston and E . I .

Wood as vocalists , and it was generally felt that too much praise could not be accorded Bro . Hamilton for the efficiency of the musical part of the programme . It was as follows : Song , "Tommy Atkins , " ( Porter ) , Bro . Arthur Weston ; Violin Solo , " Serenade , " ( Pierne ); Intermezzo ,

"Cavallena Rusticana , " ( Mascagni ); Song , "' Edunno where 'e are , " ( Elen ) , Bro . E . J . Wood ; Serenade for cello ' and flute ; Song , " Twilight Echoes , " ( Deacon ) , Bro . Arthur Weston ; Song , " My Old Dutch , " ( Chevalier ) , Bro . E . J . Wood ; and Czardas , "Ungarische , " ( Michiels ) . Accompanist , Bro . Turle Lee .

Merchant Navy Lodge ( No . 781 ) . —The opening meeting of the present year of the above wellknown lodge , was held at the Town Hall , Limehouse , on Tuesday , the 9 th inst . The previous meetings had been held on Wednesdays , at the Silver Tavern , Burdett-road , for many years past , so that a new departure was made in two respects . The chair was occupied by Bro . W . E .

Turriff , W . M . ; Bros . A . If . Shepherd , P . M . ; F . R . H . Gooch , P . M . ; F . Robinson , P . M . ; Geo . Palmer , P . M . ; Somerset W . Simson , P . M . ; J . H . Pringle , P . M . ; and Pasfield , P . M ., supporting . The officers were : Bros . G . J . Anderson , S . W . ; G . H . Seage , J . W . ; T . B . Daniell , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Breden , P . M ., Sec ; T . D . Burges , S . D . ; 1 . Lancetl , J . D . ; S . VV . Bull , D . C . ; A . Bebrouth , I . G . ; G .

E . Morrow , Stwd . ; and C . L . Nelson , Asst . Sec . The members included Bros . A . 'Timson , J . VV . Hockley , II . Ives , J . Spurgeon , sen ., VV . H . Mitchell , jun ., VV . P . Griffiths , J . McLean Carvell , J . G . W . Chapman , J . IL Cook , VV . II . Thrift , D . G . Thompson , T . C Richards , H . W . Ranee C J . Carr , F . W . Rendall , J . Salter , J . W . Shaw , E . Martin , H . Halford , R . T . Reader , J . R . Bullen , A . Jacobs , J . R . Reedman , T . H . Cooper , J . Hussey , H . J . Jacobs , F . H . Hughes , G . F . Hughes , J . E . Spurgeon ,

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jun ., T . Howells , T . Huett , jun ., k . 1 . knight , Gardiner , Robertson , Mills and Thompson . Among the visitors were Bros . J . Smith , 71 G ; B . Loader , 1259 ; H . H . Wood , S 9 S ; J . Mills , 17 ( 15 ; T . Hallett , 1 S 16 ; J . Falconer , 379 ; and others . The lodge heing duly opened , the minutes were read and confirmed . Bro . Shuttleworth was passed . Bro . C . L . Nelson then read and presented the VV . M . with a petition

signed by some considerable number of the brethren asking him to appoint a meeting when the expediency of the removal of the lodge may be discussed . The W . M . having agreed to this , other Masonic business was transacted , and the lodge closed , After which the brethren adjourned to the London Tavern where an admirable banquet awaited them . Having duly honoured this interesting part of the evening ' s work , the

brethren acknowledged the loyal toasts and those of " The Grand Officers" with Masonic enthusiasm . Bro . Gooch , I P . M ., in proposing "The W . M ., " took occasion to congratulate him on the initiative taken by him that evening . It marked a step in advance in the progress and success of the lodge . The Worshipful Master having briefly responded , he gave the toast of " The Visitors , " to which Bro . Smith

Loader , Hallett , and others replied . Responding for " The Past Masters , " Bro . A . H . Shepherd , while expressing his personal approval of the change proposed , hoped it would , on fair consideration , be accepted by the brethren as a permanent one . Bro . Pringle thought the VV . M . had , by acting as he had done , earned the gratitude of the brethren . Bro . Daniell felt sure it could but meet with the

satisfaction of the lodge generally . Bros . Palmer , Breden , and Timson enlarged on the same topic from a similar point of view . For " The Masonic Charities , " Bro . Daniell felt proud to have his name thus connected with them . He had from the time he became a Freemason subscribed to the Charities and worked for them . They deserved their best support ; all could contribute according to their means . To maintain

such noble Charities a large amount of money was required . Bros , Anderson , Seage , and the remainder of the officers present took occasion to say a few words , approving of the change proposed . During the intervals Bros . Chapman , Anderson , Nelson , Hallett , and Shepherd contributed to the vocal part , and Bro . Grout to the instrumental , until the Tyler's toast closed the proceedings .

Islington Lodge ( No . 1471 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 1 ith irist ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , presided over by Bro . C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . G . D . Herts , VV . M ., who was supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros . R . Loomes , S . W . ; A . Cox , J . W . ; E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., Sec . ; H . B . Harding , I . P . M . ; S . Napper , P . M . ; J . M . Scarlett , P . M ., P . P . G . W . Essex ; C . Horst , acting J . D .: C .

Isler , acting I . G . ; W . C . Hiller and E . J . Harrison , Stwds . ; H . S . Trego , Org . ; G . Couchman , Tyler ; G . A . Hopkins , F . Simmonds , VV . J . Barnes , VV . Taylor , W . Pannell , Geo . Yexley , D . C . Attwater , F . Meyer , C . Weber , J . Amand , T . E . Newman , T . W . Brown , T . Hunt , VV . Jarvis , and H . Dore . The visitors present were Bros . Arthur Hart , P . M . S 14 , P . P . G . S . of W . Somerset ; H . J . Kimbell , 234 S ; John Hatch , 153 S ; J . T . Frost ,

157 ; John Petch , P . M . and Treas . 2278 , P . P . G . S . B . Herts ; A . B . Salmen , 1017 ; H . T . Nell , VV . M . 227 S , Prov . G . Stwd . Herts ; and T . H . Lloyd , 2374 . The minutes having been read and confirmed , Bros . Geo . Yexley and G . A . Hopkins were raised to the Degree of M . M . Bro . R . Loomes was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . A . C . Halestrap , P . M ., was reelected Treasurer ( he to the great regret of the brethren

being absent through illness ); and Bro . G . Couchman was re-elected Tyler . A candidate for initiation was then proposed , and an application for assistance from a former member of the lodge was discussed and decided upon . A Past Master's jewel was unanimously voted to the W . M . in recognition of his services during the past year , and after "Hearty good wishes" from the visitors , the lodge was closed .

An excellent dinner was then partaken of , after which the W . M . proposed the customary toasts . Bro . Harding , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M . " in very kindly terms , and it having been cordially received by the brethren , The VV . M . said that he thanked the brethren for the loyal support they had given him during his year of office . He had done all in his power to promote the welfare of the

lodge , and to economise its funds so far as was consistent with the desire to make their meetings attractive and enjoyable . He had endeavoured not to weary them by much speaking . Of course , in proposing the customary toasts there must always be a strong family likeness in the series of speeches a VV . M . has to make . It was hardly possible for anyone to be always harping upon the same string without repeatedly producing the same note . If he had

sometimes bored them it had not been by the repetition of phrases . He had endeavoured to impress them with the idea that they had been listening to remarks which had , at least , the appearance of being new . He hoped to be spared to enjoy the pleasure of meeting them , and to see many of them then present fill the chair he had then so soon to vacate . "The Health of the W . M . Elect" was proposed by Bro .

Blinkhorn , P . M ., who initiated him , and was replied to by Bro . Loomes , who promised to do his best to emulate his predecessors , and to do his duty faithfully in the position to which they had that evening elected him . In reply to the toast of " The Visitors , " Bros . H . T . Nell , Prov . G . Stwd . Herts , J . T . Frost , and J . Petch , P . P . G . S . B . Herts , made brief but excellent speeches in acknowledgment of the cordiality of the welcome they had

received . A very good programme of music had been arranged by Bro . T . E . Newman . Bro . Bury gave "Three Sailor Boys ; " Bro . Isler , "Santa Lucca , " and " Oh ! Oh ! Hear the Wild Winds Blow ; " Bro . Attwater , " Thy Foe , " " Lovely Spring , " and an encore ; Bro . Newman , " The

Lost Key ; " Bro . Nell , "Dear Homeland ; " Bro . Lloyd , " The Admiral ' s Broom , " and an encore ; and Bro . Yexley recited "Love in a Balloon . " Bro . H . S . Trego accompanied . 'The musical arrangements of the lodge have become a most attractive feature , and afford very great pleasure to the brethren and visitors . The proceedings terminated with the Tyler ' s toast and " Auld Lang Syne . "

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Leopold Lodge ( No . 1571 ) . —The installation meeting of this prosperous lodge was held at the Bridge House Hotel , on Monday , the Sth inst . Bro . H . CoIIey , W . M ., occupied the chair . There were also present Bros . Walter T . Johns , S . W . ; A . Watts , J . W . ; H . Bartlett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Carey , P . M ., Sec . ; C . M . Morris , acting S . D . ; J . Hampson , J . D . ; T . Duffield , P . M ., D . of C . ; W . F . Packer , P . M ., Org . ; H . T . Meadows ,

I . G . ; G . Horwill , Steward ; Edmund J . Morgan , ( . P . M . ; J . T . Dormer , P . M . ; J . Penney , P . M . ; C . W . Kent , P . M . ; Pummell , Clarke , Martin , Leach , Speck , Low , Davy , Mand , Copper , Truckell , McKenzie , Gilbert , Hall , Barnes , Lyon , Gee , Tucker , and Preslind . Visitors : Bros . C . H . Hnlford , P . M . 1607 ; Frank Rose , l . P . M . 1607 ; Ingleton , 1625 ; Pitt , P . M . 463 ; Bradley , 1209 i Cantle , W . M . 1 . S . 3 S ; Grais , 112 ; Poole , 1001 ; Weeks , 15 S 5 ;

Ford , 171 ; Clarke , 30 ; Reekie , 511 ; Jones , P . M . 239 S ; and Ward , 134 S . The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , and other business transacted , Bro . Walter T . Johns , S . W ., was then presented as VV . M . elect , and duly installed into the chair of K . S ., the ceremony of installation with the usual addresses being rendered by Bro . Colley , P . M ., in a very able and impressive manner . Bro .

Johns , VV . M ., then appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Henry Colley , I . P . M . ; Arthur Watts , S . W . ; H . T . Meadows , J . W .,- H . Bartlett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Carey , P . M ., Sec ; J . Hampson , S . D . ; F . P . Langford , J . D . ; C E . Martin , I . G . ; W . F . Packer , P . M ., Org . ; T . Duffield , P . M ., D . C ; W . T . Marshall , A . D . C . ; C . M . Morris and George Bull , Stewards ;

and Young , Tyler . The W . M . having signified his intention of representing the lodge at the forthcoming Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , the sum of 10 guineas was unanimously voted to Bro . Johns out of the lodge funds . Intimation having been given that a " Ladies ' Night" would shortly be held in connection with the lodge , the W . M . trusted that the brethren would assemble in

large numbers at the February meeting , when arrangements would be completed . After receiving the hearty congratulations of the assembled brethren , the W . M . closed the lodge , inviting an adjournment to the banqueting room , where a sumptuous repast was served by Bro . J . Pearce in a manner eliciting general satisfaction . The toasts of " The Oueen and the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and "The Grand

Officers , Present and Past , " having been appropriately given and heartily received , The I . P . M ., Bro . H . Colley , rose and very feelingly proposed the toast of the evening— " The Worshipful Master , " congratulating Bro . Johns on his attainment to the chair of the lodge , after a faithful service of nine years , during which he had held many and varied offices , in all of which he had given every satisfaction , and also on the able manner

in which he had invested his officers that evening , which proved that the trust of the lodge in electing him as W . M . was fully merited . Bro . Colley , on behalf of the assembled brethren , trusted that there was before Bro . Johns a happy and prosperous year of office , with plenty of Masonic work , promising in the name of the members of the lodge and his own name all the support that could be rendered . The toast was enthusiastically received .

Bro . Johns , W . M ., in reply , thanked Bro . Colley for the very kind words he had given expression to in submitting "The Worshipful Master , " and the hearty manner in which the brethren had received the toast . He was fully conscious ot the onerous position to which he had aspired , being the highest honour a lodge could confer upon any of its members ; but trusting to the kind assistance of the brethren of the lodge which had served him in such good

stead in the past , he would endeavour to promote the prosperity of the lodge during his year of office to the best of his ability , sincerely trusting that when he should leave the chair of the Leopold Lodge he might carry with him the best wishes of all its members . In submitting the toast of " The Immediate Past Master and Installing Master , Bro . Colley , " the W . M . referred to the valuable services rendered to the Leopold Lodge , its lodge of instruction , and affiliated Charitable Associatioi . for

several years past by their I . P . M . Bro . Colley had been a zealous and faithful member of the lodge since 1884 , and had done much to bring the lodge to its present flourishing condition . The installation ceremony had also been rendered in an admirable manner , and in presenting to Bro . Colley the Past Master ' s jewel of the lodge he expressed the sentiments of all the brethren in hoping that he might long be spared to wear it , and to continue his valuable services to the Leopold Lodge .

In response , Bro . Colley sincerely thanked the brethren of the lodge for the handsome jewel which had just been presented in their name by the W . M . as a token of their appreciation of his services during his year of office , and which he would ever look upon as a memento of very pleasant times spent in the Leopold Lodge . Although not an initiate of No . 1571 , he had , as a joining member , thrown in his lot with the lodge , and had done all in his

power to promote its efficiency and usefulness , and he was glad to find that the brethren of the lodge appreciated his services , which would ever be at their disposal . Believing as he did in Freemasonry , he looked forward to the time when his sons would be members of the Craft and probably of the Leopold Lodge , and assured the brethren that nothing should be wanting on his part , although a Past Master , to promote the best interests and prosperity of the

lodge . The toast of "The Visitors" was next given by the W . M ., who referred to the presence of many highly esteemed brethren who had done good suit and service to the Craft . In reply , Bro . F . W , Rose warmly congratulated the W . M . on his elevation to the honourable position , a position , which though it brought many reponsibilities and

duties , brought also many of the greatest pleasures which a Freemason cherished . He trusted that the Leopold Lodge might long flourish , and that the grand principle of the Order might ever shine forth from her banner . Freemasons made no claim to the monopoly of the virtues which were supposed to characterise their Order , but at any rate they

made a greater profession of them , and therefore there was all the more need that they should show to the world that such profession was something more than an idle boast . Bros . Ingleton , Jones , and Ford also responded . "The Masonic Institutions " next claimed the attention of the brethren . The Worshipful Master regretted the absence of Bro . James Terry , Sec . R . M . B . L , through