The Craft Abroad.

F . W . Brett , 749 ; W . J . Chesterlield , 1766 ; C Duvall , 216 S ; T . Moore , jifiSj C . T . Smith , 1424 ; W . J . Cattermole ; T . Goodchild , 1743 ; T . E . Roberts , 1672 ; E . Burall , 2332 ; F . H . Johnson , 2278 ; F . Allen , W . M . 16 . SO ; J . Handley , 475 and 1743 ; F . Thorpe , 16 S 6 ; and A . Williams , 15 S 7 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the ! previous meeting having becn read and confirmed , the W . M ., who was suffering from a severe cold and was almost inaudible , vacated the chair in favour of Bro . A . Cox , I . P . M ., who carried out the agenda .

Mr . Ernest Henry Yexley , having been balloted for and accepted , was initiated into thc mysteries . The Treasurer ' s account for thc year , showing a satisfactory balance in hand , was unanimously adopted . Bro . John Arthur Blount , W . M . elect , was then duly installed in the chair of K S . by Bro . A . Cox , I . P . M ., and he appointed and invested the following as his ofiicers for the cnr . uing year , namely : Bros . E . I . Harrison ,

S . W . ; C Isler , J . W . ; S . Napper , P . M ., Treas . ( elected ); E . Blinkhorn , P . M .. VV . M . 227 S ( absent ) , Sec . ; C . Horst , S . D . ; W . Taylor , J . D . ; F . W . White , l . G . ; CM . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts , D . C ; G . E . Walker and J . Amand , Stwds . ; and G . Couchman , Tyler . The addresses having been given and the ceremony concluded , the lodge was closed . An excellent banquet followed .

The customary toasts were afterwards given , those of "TheW . M . " and "The I . P . M . "—the latter of whom was presented with the customary Past Master's jewelbeing received with the utmost enthusiasm , the heartiest of good wishes being expressed ihat the former would be successful in discharging the duties of the chair during the joining year , while the latter was congratulated with equal warmth on the able manner n which he had fulfilled them during the past year .

" The Health of the Initiate , Bro . E . II . Yexley , " was also received with the utmost favour , Bro . Yexley's brief reply being cheered to the echo . To the toast of " The Visitors , " which was proposed from the chair in vcrv complimentary terms , the names of Bros . G . Blizard Abbott , P . M . 13 S 5 , & c . j E . T . Clarke , W . M . 15 S 6 ; and N . Defries , P . M . 1 S 5 , were associated , and these having severally acknowledged the honour done them and thanked thc lodge for the hospitality of their reception , the few remaining toasts were drunk .

The Tyler's toast , and thc singing of " Auld Ling Syne " brought the proceedings to a close . The programme arranged by Bro . T . E . Newman afforded a very agreeable entertainment . Of the members of the lodge , Bros . Henning , Roberts , Goring , and Amand contributed songs , and of the visitors , Bro . F . H . Johnson was greatly applauded for his excellent singing , and Bro . F . Goodchild for some very amusing patter songs , Mr . E . J . Bury supplying the comic element . Bro . II . Stafford Trego , Mus . Bac . Oxon , F . R . C . O ., accompanied .

Sir Francis Burdett Lodge , No . 1503 . A meeting of this highly prosperous lodge was held at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on tbe ioth inst . Among lliose present were Bros . A . Macchi , W . M . ; A . Brown , S . W . ; the Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . M ., Prov . G . C . as J . W . ; | . T . Brings , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Treas . ; Major T . C Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W .. P . O . Std . Br ., Sec ; H . Bright , S . D . ; E . Tompsett , J . D . ; VV . Fisher , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; and G . Harrison , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Whitman and Brooking , of 2012 .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the by-laws were read . The Treasurer having reported that Bro . A . Toulmin , jun ., P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., & c . » had been very ill , a vote of sympathy was unanimously passed by the lodge , and the Secretary was directed to convey the same to Bro . Toulmin . Apologies for nonattendance were received from Bros . W . II . Saunders , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Perry , P . M . ; Dr . J . VV . Hinton , M . A ., P . P . G . O ., J . VV . ; II . H . Room , P . G . Std . Br ., P . G . Sec . ; and others .

The lodge having been closed , the brethren partook of one of those homely , yet excellent , dinners for which Host Green is famous . Bro . the Rev . S . T . II . Saunders responded on behalf of "The Provincial Grand Officers . " In the course of his remarks he called attention to the fact that No . 1503 possessed many members whose respective services to Masonry had been recognised by the conferring of distinguished positions in the Provincial Grand Lodge . He trusted that the Sir Francis Burdett Lodge would never lorget its traditions nor lose its reputation as a good working and thoroughly harmonious lodge .

The toasts of "The W . M ., " "The Visitors , " "The Past Masters , " and "The Treasurer and Secretary " quickly followed , and were briefly acknowledged .

Hemming Lodge , No . 1512 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Hampton Court , on the 28 th ult . Among those present were Bro ? . G . | . Tagg , W . M . ; VV . Hopkins , S . W ., Master elect ; P . Cronin , | . VV . ; J . C . Jessett , P . M ., Treas . ; Mai . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; C . Wheatley , S . D . ; C . F . Davis , I . G . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . Middx ., D . C ; H . Wheatley , P . M .. P . P . A . G . D . C , H . Webster , W . Hill , C . H . H . Boyce , A . Macchi , and H . Bright , Stwds . ; VV .

Spearing , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; J . VV . Clarke , P . M ., P . A . G . P . Middx . ; E . II . Trotter , P . M . ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler Among the visitors were Bro . J . T . Briggs , P . M . 1503 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . A . Harvey , P . M . 1314 : VV . F . Calthrow , P . M . 1733 ; A . Tucker , P . M . 1733 ; S . Fisk , P . M . 1733 ; F . J . Brook , S . W . 254 S ; H . Price , J . VV . 1614 ; and J . Andrews , J . D . 1110 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . F . Fan ant was passed to the Third Degree by Bro . Clarke , P . M ., the ceremony being well performed . The ballot was then taken on behalf of Messrs . T . M . Sadler J . T . Croxon

, , A . Barber , and John Collins , who were duly initiated , with the exception of the last named , into Cralt Masonry , by Iiro . E . H . Trotter , P . M ., assisted by Bro . H . Wheatley , P . M . Bro . W . H . Hopkins , S . W ., having been presented , was effectively installed by Bro . Clarke , P . M . The officers appointed and invested were Bros . P . Cronin , S . W . ; C . Wheatley , J . W . ; J . C Jessett , P . M ., Treas . ; Maj . T . C Walls , P . M ., Sec ; H . Gale , S . D . ; C F . Davis , j . D . ; H . Webster , I . G . j G . Ransford , P . M ., D . C ; H . Wheatley , P . M ., VV . Hill , C . Boyce , A . Macchi , H . Bright , and A . Z . Schulze ,

Stwds . ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . The audit report was received and adopted . A vote of thanks was passed to the Installing Officer . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . R . H . Thrupp , D . P . G . M . Middx . ; II . H . Room , P . G . Sec , P . G Std . Br . ; G . Read , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . Fisher , P . P . G . Treas . ; and others . The lodge was then closed . A banquet followed .

Bro . J . T . Briggs responded on behalf of "The Provincial Grand Ofiicers . " In speaking of the Prov . Grand Master he particularly called attention to the fact of his lordship ' s occupancy of the chair at the last festival in connection with ths Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution when so large a sum was collected . He also spoke in flattering terms of Bros . R . H . Thrupp and H . H . Room , whose absence that day from their lodge was caused , he regretted to say , by indisposition .

The I . P . M . proposed "The Health of the W . M . " In the course of his remarkshe mentioned the circumstance that Bro . W . Hopkins was an initiate of the ledge and had filled all the minor offices with credit . He ( the speaker ) had every reason to believe that the lodge under the W . M . ' s new lule would be an exceptionally prosperous one . The names of several candidates were proposed that evening and he hoped that others would follow later on . The W . M . having replied , then gave "The Visitors , " which toast was warmly received and acknowledged .

"The Health of the Installing Master" followed . The W . M . spoke in high terms of Bro . Clarke ' s energy and ability . There were other Past Masters of the lodge , he Said , who were willing and capable of doing the work equally as well , but had not that time to spare which an early attendance at the lodge necessitated when there were several ceremonies to perform . After proposing " The Health of the Past Masters , " the W . M . called upon the Treasurer to present Bro . G . J . Tagg with a Past Master's jewel and collar . This was done in a pleasant and effective way by the brother named .

The I . P . M ., in reply , expressed his acknowledgments in a speech of an emotional nature . The toast of "The Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers " followed , and was briefly acknowledged by Bros . J . C . Jessett , T . C Walls , and H . Wheatley . During the proceedings thc brethren were most agreeably entertained by the instrumental and vocal effoits of Madames W . Spelling , R . Spearing , and B . Spearing , and Messrs . A . Humphries and G . VV . Edmonds . Miss Rose Spearing ' s violin solo , "Allegro Brilliant , " by VV . Ten Have , displayed gieat skill , hcr touch and express-inn being remarkably clever in one to young . As an encore she gave IL Wieniawski ' s " Kuya-

The Craft Abroad.

wiak , " in which she displayed even greater ability . Hcr sister , Miss Blanche Spearing , also created a furore by her selections on the 'cello , a most difficult instrument for a lady to play . If these talented young ladies elect to enter the profession they will doubtless achieve a good position in the musical world . Madame VV . Spearing was an effective and able accompanist . At thc conclusion of thc proceedings , a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the ladies , and was acknowledged by Bro . VV . Spearing , P . M ., in a neat speech , in which he expressed his pride that the sei vices of his family had been so kindly and highly appreciated by the members of his mother lodge and their guests .

Covent Garden Lodge , No . 1614 . A large number ol brethren attended the installation meeting of this eminently successful lodge , held at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , on the pth infant . Bro . C . O . Burgess , P . P . G . D . Surrey , the retiring Master , is well known in Masonic circles , both as an energetic and genial Mason and as an excellent exponent of the ritual , and in the latter capacity he fairly excelled himself when installing his successor on the occasion under notice . Bro . John Mayo , who was installed as VV . M ., is widely known as the courteous host of the Castle Hotel , Molesey , where he has lately built a Masonic temple of useful proportions and ornamentat design , and he is also a founder and member of several lodges .

The VV . M ., Bro . C . O . Burgess , P . P . G . D . Surrey , was supported by Bros . John Mayo , S . W . ; Homer Price , J . VV . ; G . Coleman , P . AL , Ireas . ; G . Reynolds , P . M ., Sec ; H . Walker , S . D . ; II . J . Keen , J . D . ; T . Middleweek , l . G . ; G . H . Foan , P . M ., D . C ; C Morrell , l . G . ; W . j . Ihrussell , Org . ; L . Bullen , P . M . ; S Hewett , P . M . ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . A . Coghliati , W . M . 1550 ; I . C Jessett , 1512 ; H . Wheatley , VV . M . 2540 ; C . Wheatley , J . VV . 15 . 2 ; H . J . Brook ,

S . VV . 2540 ; II . J . Mayo ; J . Pritchard , 2222 ; ) . T . Mayo , W . M . 2222 ; E . f . Packington , P . M . 244 J ; J . Chilcott , 610 ; J . T . Taylor , 2410 ; | . R . Cleave , I . P . M . 2473 , Prov . S . G . D . ; W . Kedge , P . M . 749 ; R . P . Upton , I . P . M . 132 S ; I . Skinner , I . P . M . 2 iyt ; W . Dennis , VV . M . 9 ; E . A . Hubbard , S 79 ; E . L . Berry , W . M . 2473 , Prov . G . Stwd . Surrey ; J . Rowe , 2191 ; C . G . Sherwood , J . W . 2473 ; C . W . Paive , 175 C ; F . ( ackson , VV . M . 2191 ; E . J . Churchill , 172 ; W . J . Harvey , 2101 j H . Grainer ; j . H . Price , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; G . Moorman , P . M . ; and others .

1 he minutes were confirmed and the audit report ad jptej , after which Bros . A . F . Sarsons and P . R . Bisher were passed to the Second Degree . Bro . G . H . Foan , P . M ., D . C , then presented Bro . John Mayo for installation as VV . M ., and he was duly installed into the chair by Bro . Burgess . The ceremony was exceptionally well rendered and it is not too much to say that for correctness of detail and excellence of style the rendering has seldom been equalled but nevir excelled . The W . M . ably invested the following officers : Bros . Charles O . Burgess , P . M ., P . S . G D . Surrey , I . P . M . j Homer Price , S . VV . ; Henry Walker , J . W . j Rev . P . M . Holden , P . M ., Chap . j George Coleman , P . M ., Treas . ; George Reynolds , P . M ., Sec

Henry J . Keen , S . D . ; Thomas Middleweek , J . D . ; George H . Foan , P . M ., D . C . ; Charles Morrell , l . G . ; Walter J . Thrussell , Org . ; Gsorge C . Bond , StwJ . ; Jamss A . M . Kellaway and Charles Clark , Asst . Stwds . J and Robert F . Potter , Tyler . A handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to the I . P . M ., in a few well-chosen words by the VV . M ., and Bro . Burgess , in returning thanks , slid the gift would rank as one of his most treasured possessions , and as a souvenir of a very happy year of office . On the proposition of Bro . Coleman , P . M ., Treas ., a sumof live guineas was voted tothe Indian Famine Fund , and a similar amount to the Hospital Fund being raised in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of her Majesty . " Hearty good wishes " were given , and the lodge was closed .

The banquet was served under thc personal supervision of Bro . Mantell , thc manager , and at its conclusion the customary toasts followed . The W . M . prefaced his remarks with the wish that brevity would b : thc order of the evening , and then proposed "The Oueen and the Craft , " " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and "The Grand Officers . " Bro . C . O . Burgess , P . P . G . D ., I . P . M ., said the possession of the gavel would show the object of his rising and the nature of the toast he was about to propose . It was a toast always received with respect and affection in that lodge , thc toast of the evening

— " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " His old friend—then for the first time Worshipful Bro . John Mayo—had set an example of short speeches , which should be properly imitated by all , but it was impossible to do justice to that toast without a few comments . He mentioned the title of the Worshipful Master because certain irreverent remarks had reached him , such as " Honest John " and other endearing titles , which showed his popularity , but were not consistent with the dignity of his rank . Bro . Mayo had done good for Freemasonry in various Orders , and was a founder of five or six lodges and a subscribing member of all . Many brethren present who visited the W . M . ' s

house to carry out their Masonic work could testify to his excellence as a host and to the fraternal and Masonic feeling with which he always welcomed them . It was only his natural modesty which had prevented Bro . Mayo from having been installed as VV . M . before , but he had reserve 3 for the Covent Garden Lodge the honour of becoming its Master on that occasion , b ; ciuse he regarded it as the one to which he owed chief allegiance , and for which he had the greatest affection . They , therefore , welcomed very much the fact that he had overcome his scruples and had risen to the chair , because for a long time he was daubtful about accepting it , and , in the words of

Dr . Watts— "He long stood quivering on the brink , fearing to take the leap . " Although modesty was a virtue commended to thc Cratt , it ought not to prevent any brother who had other qualifications from aspiring to take his proper place . Hi ( the I . P . M . ) merely mentioned in passing that there were one or two brethren who had risen to very high rank in the Craft short of VV . M ., but , in consequence of too large a share of diffidence , had retired j but he was sure the example of the W . M . in overcoming that diffidence would be followed by other brethren who would take heart of grace , and who would receive every possible honour and loyalty , and be most

heartily welcomed by their lodges . He did not hesitate to say that their Worshipful Master was esteemed and beloved by the whole of the members and his friends . They valued him more for what he was than for what hc did , and if Bro . Mayo ' s time did not enable him to master every intricacy of the ritual and perform every ceremony , he would be most amply assisted by a number of Past Masters , whose shining talents were rusting for want of using and who would be only too glad to step in and perform the work . He knew the Past Masters would be rather pleased to deputise for the VV . M ., and would do so with credit and dignity .

There were present two sons of the W . M ., both Installed Masters , and it was perhaps the example of those youthful brethren that had stimulated their parent to come to the front . 'they owed a certain amount of thanks to those two brethren for setting the example , because they had long had their eye upon the parent as the VV . M . of that lodge , and , notwithstanding the fact tbat he had given way on more than one occasion , yet now they had him in the chair he would receive from all the brethren a most hearty

greeting . fhey would observe that nothing disturbed the serenity of the W . M ,, not even the floods in the Thames Valley , the water in his cellar , or the appalling prospect of having to deliver a number of speeches , for he possessed that amiability which was one of his best characteristics . In the name of the Covent Garden Lodge , they wished their W . M . every possible happiness , health , and strength during his year and for many years to come , and with that wish he ( the I . P . M . ) asked them to be upstanding to drink " The Health of the Worshipful Master . "

Bro . John Mayo , VV . M ., whose rising was the signal for a very hearty greeting , in reply , said : I hardly know how to respond to a toast I have never responded to before , for I feel as 1 did many years ago—a baby—but I am nevertheless very proud to be in a position to do so . When I look back about 16 years to the time when my father in Masonry , our worthy Secretary , proposed me as a candidate , I little dreamt 1 should occupy this most honourable and important position in the lodge . As the I . P . M . has told you , I take a great interest in Masonry , for 1 loved it from the moment I entered this lodge to be initiated . My initiation made such an impression upon me that I thought what a glorious and happy thing it was to be a Mason , and 1 also thought that

1 should never occupy the chair of W . M . I still struggled on , with no intention of tilling the chair , but with the hope that my sons would become Alasons , and my ideas and thoughts have bcen carried out in this respect . I have often thought that although I have not occupied the chair , I have probably felt prouder than any Past Master to see my two sons pass through thc chair and receive Provincial Grand honours . I am now in this position , and why ? Through the good feeling and fraternal love that each of the members of this lodge felt for him . 1 do not know how to thank them sufficiently . As you have that confidence in me and have placed me in this high position , 1 will endeavour to the best of my ability to fulfil that oflice with respect and credit to the lodge . To-night I shall pray to the Great Architect to give me strength and assist me to carry through