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not only on the Anglo-American Lodge from whom he went , but also on the Covent Garden Lodge and the lodge of instruction . He should always strive to do his best in whatever position they might be pleased to place him , and he was sure that they all would continue to do their duty in the future as they had done in the past .

, Bro . Hewett , J . W ., said that after the eloquent speech .. of Bro . Reynolds , any words of his would be superfluous . He would only add that he thanked him very much for the . very kind way in which he had spoken of the officers . After a brief response from the junior officers , the Tyler's toast was given , which brought to a conclusion a most successful beginning of what promises to be a

brilliant session . The evening was enlivened with some excellent singing , by Bros . Solomon , Guilliford , and Jacobs , who also gave a recitation in a very effective manner .

STRAND LODGE ( No . 1987 ) . —On Thursday , the nth inst ., a meeting of this lodge was held at Spiers and Pond ' s Criterion Restaurant , for , amongst other purposes , the installation of a new W . M . Bro . J . Douglass , W . M ., presided , being supported by his officers , a strong muster of the other members of the lodge , and the following visitors : Bros . E . Perry , 1 744 ; T . Jefferies , 1 744 ;

H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 192 S ; George G . Daw > on , P . M . 1 S 53 ; John Esson , 15 S 9 ; J . Irvine , S . W . 862 ; B . Kauffmann , I . P . M . 1732 ; W . A . Scurrah , W . M . 167 ; T . C . Edmonds , W . M . 1 = 507 ; A . H . Cole , 1744 ; Edward Terry , P . M . 29 , P . G . S . ; Walter Wellman , P . M . 15 S 9 ; Edward Swanborough , P . M . 1319 ; R . M . P . Low , 1974 ; Hammond C . Chevalier , 141 ; J . H . Batty , P . M . 22 ; H .

Lundy , 1733 ; S . Jacobs , P . M . 205 ; and C . S . Jenkins , 860 . .: ' After the formal business of the lodge had been transacted in the opening of the lodge , the reading and confirmation of the minutes of 10 th March and ist October , and the reception of the report of the Audit Committee , Bro . Douglass initiated Messrs . John White and W . J . Mansell ,

and subsequently installed Bro . William Thomas Madge , S . W ., and W . M . elect , in the chair as Master of the lodge . The following brethren were appointed the lodge's officers for the year : Bros . J . Douglass , I . P . M . ; VV . M . Stiles , S . W . ; Dale , J . W . ; James Willing , jun ., P . M ., Treas . ; J . Stacey , P . M ., Sec ; Foster , S . D . ; Jackson , J . D . ; Taylor , I . G . ; Potter , D . C . ; Evans , A . D . C ; John Hare

and Buston , Stewards ; Mackway , Org . ; and Whiting , Tyler . Before the business of the lodge was concluded , the new W . M ., in the name and on behalf of the members of the lodge , presented the I . P . M . with an elegant 10 guinea Past Master's jewel , accompanying the presentation with some observations very flattering to Bro . Douglass on his conduct

in the chair . Bro . Douglass having suitably acknowledged the handsome gift and appropriate remarks , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , which the W . M . presided over , notwithstanding he was suffering from a severe cold . Bro . Willing , the Treasurer , was unfortunately absent through severe illness .

The Worshipful Master at the conclusion of the banquet proposed "The Queen and the Craft , " and Bro . Douglass proposed "The M . W . G . M . " The Worshipful Master asked the indulgence of the brethren for himself on account of his cold , and entrusted to Bro . Harris , P . M ., the duty of proposing "The Pro G . M ., the D . P . G . M ., and the Grand Officers , Present and

Past . " Bro . Harris , P . M ., having proposed this toast , the same was most cordially acknowledged . Bro . Douglass , I . P . M ., in proposing "The W . M ., " said he was sure Bro . Madge would arrive at the same distinction as other Masters of the Strand Lodge for excellence of working and punctuality of attendance . Bro .

Madge had been very regular in his attendance through his ( Bro . Douglass's ) year of office , and in every way had endeavoured to promote the welfare of the lodge and the comfort of the brethren . He wished him a very successful year of office . The W . M ., in reply , said there was one reason why he was anxious the toast should not be deferred . First of all the brethren were anxious to smoke , a privilege which he

was afraid he personally could not enjoy unless his brother on his right gave him absolution—his medical man , who had interdicted him from coming to the meeting . But having regard to the importance of the occasion , and the brethren having elected him , he insisted on coming , although he was told he should have to be in charge of a nurse . Being there , the brethren were all capable of

judging if he was really incapacitated . He appreciated the honour the brethren had done him in associating him with the Strand Lodge . Since its inception he belonged to it . He was one of five or six founders , and he thought he had been , as far as he could be , constant in his attendance , and although his business associations had not allowed him to give that close attention to learning the

ritual and studying the absolute work of the lodge , he had , so far as man could , identified himself closely with Freemasonry , in all its branches , in the working of the lodge , in the outside duties , and in a humble way following up its objects . He therefore felt he would be wanting in courtesy and in appreciation of the brethren ' s kindness if he failed to attend that night . However inefficient and incapable he

might be , there he was by the kindness of his brother officers , with their help , to get through the evening . It might be but a feeble imitation of what should be a happy evening , but they must take the will for the deed . Bro . Douglass had been very kind in proposing the Health of the W . M ., and wishing him a very happy and prosperous year of office . He had not the sli ghtest doubt

• that if he was , as he was sure he would be , cordially supported by the officers , the Strand Lodge would be as flourishing—at least , it would be his aim that it should be —at the end of his year of office as at the time he assumed the government of ihe lod ge . He had all the more confidence in taking the office because he was absolutely a Strand man ; his life commenced in the Strand ; his

business life , from 24 or 25 years since , had always been identified with the Strand ; and he thought their lodge should'have in its composition a resemblance to its name . By that he did not mean to say they were not to have brethren from all parts of the Metropolis ; but still there was an association which all Londoners—all men who looked on the Strand as one of the great centres of Londonreverenced , and which they liked to see kept up in the

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Strand Lodge . He felt it himself a great honour that , like one or two of his predecessors , they had a Strand man as Master of the Strand Lodge . His voice failed him to describe adequately his sense of gratification and pleasure—physically it did so , at any rate—but he thought he must content himself by assuring the brethren once more of his devotion to the Strand Lodge itself in

particular , as well as to Freemasonry in general . TheW . M . next proposed "The I . P . M . and Installing Master , and the Past Masters . " He thanked Bro . Douglass very sincerely for performing the ceremony of installation so beautifully . He regretted the absence through illness of Bro . Willing , who was essentially a Strand man . A better man could not be found for the

office of Treasurer . He had also been Master of the lodge for two years . Bro . Harris had also been an excellent W . M ., and had had a flourishing year of office . Bro . Douglass they all knew , and he also had had a very flourishing year of office . The same compliment must also be paid to Bro . Stacey , whose ability and accomplishments all the brethren were indebted to .

Bros . Douglass , Stacey , and Harris responded . The Worshipful Master , in proposing " The Initiates , " said they had that night recruits to the Strand Lodge who recommended themselves by their social and personal qualities . It was his earnest wish that what they had seen of Masonry would imbue them with its best views , and that ultimately these brethren would become what Masonry

taught Ihem to be , good and useful citizens , and an honour to the Order—when the time of adversity came , to lend a willing and sympathetic hand to distress from a thought which was not selfish . Masons wanted among them men who could truly embrace Masonry in its broadest and deepest aspects . He was glad to welcome those brethren among them . Although a few brethren had resigned the

lodge , they had two more to take their place . He was impressed with the idea that the lodge should be extensive in its bearings ; he looked upon Masonry as not only for members , but it should embrace character and a certain amount of good fellowship—that they should all feel on a par , and shake the hand and say , " This is a man and a brother ; such a one as I can recommend to my own fireside

and my own home . He had always felt this , and he was glad now to have an opportunity of expressing it . He hoped the two initiates of that evening would become earnest Masons and endeavour to make themselves useful to their brethren and exercise the good qualities taught by the ceremonies of the evening . Bros . White and Mansell replied , hoping that they would

not prove unworthy of the confidence the brethren had reposed in them by admitting them to the Order . To the toast of "The Visitors , " Bros . Wellsman , Dawson . Batty , Scurrah , Lowe , Irvine , and E . Swanborough having replied , Bro . the Rev . J , Arthur Evans , of Harbour Grace , Newfoundland , also responded , and in the course of his

observations , said he thought he could claim the brethren ' s sympathy on being called upon last , after the distinguished visitors , to respond , but he might , perhaps , have a word or so to say . It was only a month that day that he came to England , and during that very short time , this was the second occasion he had had the honour of being a guest at the Strand Lodge . On the last

occasion it was an emergency meeting , and he came down then to learn English Masonry , lt was then " what came ye out for to see ? " That night he came to the banquet , but although he did , that was one of the occasions when he learned a great deal . The colony in which he lived at present did not give banquets such as the one the brethren had just partaken of . A distinguished speaker at the

Mansion House a few months ago said , with regard to Newfoundland inhabitants , that they lived in a land of fog , they lived upon cod , and lived on a particular species of dog . He did not think that was true . However , the inhabitants of the colony were not responsible tor their climate and their surroundings ; but as members of the Craft , they were as warm as the Masons

of England . The members of lodges travelled many miles under difficult circumstancs to attend the meetings ; not as in England , where they could travel to the lodge at an early hour and back at a late hour in every comfort ; not having the grand banquet like that of that night , but a banquet consisting of boiled cod and tea ; but the good fellowship was quite equal to that of that night ; and he should take back with him , in a fortnight ' s

time , many reminiscences of the old country , which he should be able to give the brethren in their own vernacular , in which he should be able to say a good deal about the reception given 10 him , and the grand workings and doings of the Craft in the mother country . The remaining toasts were afterwards duly given and responded to , and the brethren brought to a close a most enjoyable evening .

THE ABBEY LODGE ( No . 2030 ) . —This well , known Westminster lodge met on Monday , the Stli inst ., at the Town Hall , Caxton-street , the VV . M ., Bro . James Gibson , P . M . 1624 , presiding over a very full attendance of members and visitors , among the latter being Bros . Flattely , Badderley , and Dotterill , of 1624 ; J . Maidment and R . Kirk , of 16 S 1 ; D . Haslett , 145 ; H . Robinson ,

27 ; B . C . Blasby , 2032 ; T . Bailey , 174 ; J . C Botton , 73 ; James F . Roberts ( Semper hidelis ); William Holmes , 1604 ; James Ashton ( Socrates ); Johnson , S . W . 1608 ; L . A . Harrison , S . D . 1766 ; and George E . Saunders , 1257 . Many of the visiting brethren held high Masonic rank in their respective lodges . Included in the list of Abbey members present we noticed Bros , the Rev .

Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain of England ; W . H . Baker , P . M ., Treas . ; John E . Shand , P . M ., Sec ; Thomas Bull , D . de Pinna , J . Montague , J . Grafton , Joseph Foster , A . G . Thomson , Thomas hankin , W . Rogers , F . W . Smith , W . W . Power , J . A . Richards , T . Butler , W . Barnett , A . Cowley , T . Rintoul , T . J . Cocks , C . C . Morgan , Frank Morgan , T . W . Vaughan , lohn

Irving , U . btroud , A . i \ Jeffery , Henry E . Poole , H . Cloots , W . Kalchin , H . O . Hamborg , George White , John Kent , George Musson , J . J . Geisel , W . Gilson Holland , J . M . Birch , George Clark , G . Dexter , John A . Yapp , R . Baughan , J . Chivers Irving , G . Bartlett , lames

Pain , A . Hambling , D . C . ; Hayler , Stwd . ; C . C . Piper , S . D . ; H . Mainwanng-Dunstan , J . D . ; R . Goffin , S . W . ; J . Bartlett , Org . ; and others . 'The lodge ceremonies were worked in the customary perfect manner , Bro . Gibson , W . M ., initiating Messrs . Louis Le Blanc , Frank Delay , and Car ! F . Bennewitz , and

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raising Bro . George Bartlett . Bro . Arthur Cowley \ vas passed to the Second Degree by Bro . Baker , P . M ., wng took the chair to temporarily relieve Bro . Gibson . At the conclusion of the lodge business , the brethren , to the number of about 70 , adjourned to the banquetingchamber , where a recherche dinner was served in a manner worthy of the highest commendation , under the personal supervision of the caterer , Bro . Cloots , of the Victoria

Mansions Restaurant . The wines were choice and well selected , and Bro . Cloots was congratulated on the success which he had achieved at very short notice . The post prandial proceedings were commenced by the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , proposed from the chair . The Worshipful Master likewise , in a few well chosen sentences , gave the toast of " The Present and Past Grand Officers , " associating it with the name of the Past Grand Chaplain , who has been a honorary member of the lodge since its consecration .

Bro . the Rev . Simpson said he should ill repay the kind compliment paid to Grand Lodge by inflicting on the company a long speech . He hoped that The Abbey Lodge would send many , many Grand Officers into its Masonic Parliament who would illustrate its annals as well as did their Bro . Burdett-Coutts , P . M ., who had been so good a Mason in that lodge , and so thoroughly deserved the

position he held in Grand Lodge . He ( Bro . Simpson ) trusted that when the time came to elect a Grand Treasurer of England , as it was the turn of London this time instead of the provinces , The Abbey Lodge through its officers , who had the power to vote , would return a good and upright Mason , who would be an ornament to the Craft , so that

not only might the deserving be promoted by the Prince their M . W . G . M ., but that thegreatbody of Masons mi ght be represented by a Grand Treasurer—which was the only officer they could elect—by one who was a worthy man and true . In conclusion , he expressed his thanks for the honour they had done him in associating his name with the toast .

Bro . VV . H . Baker , P . M ., said he knew that the next toast , which it was his pleasing duty to propose , would be received with the greatest enthusiasm , because it was that of "The Health of the W . M . " Bro . Gibson was a good Mason and a thorough good worker . They had seen the masterly manner in which he had worked two of the Degrees of Craft Masonry that evening , and if it had not

been for the state of his health he would also have worked the ceremony of which he ( Bro . Baker ) relieved him . They knew too how well Bro . Gibson had served them in their various Charities , and the deep and sympathetic interest he took in any orphan , widow , or poor deserving man . They all wished the W . M . better health , and trusted that during his year of office he would be able to

conduct the work to his own satisfaction , because that was equivalent to siying that it would be done to the satisfaction and admiration of every brother and member of the lodge . The toast was received with very marked cordiality , and Bro . Gibson , in the course of a brief response , said he hoped he should continue to discharge the duties of his

important office , as Bro . Baker had said , to the satisfaction ot the lodge generally . Bro . the Rev . Simpson said the W . M . had been kind enough to place the gavel in his hands for a few momenta to propose what was in one sense especially the toast of the evening—he meant "The Health of the Initiates . " Every one of them had passed through the process to which those

brethren they desired to honour had that night submitted , and he did not suppose that anyone had forgotten his position the moment he was received into Freemasonry . It was pleasant to recall that time , and he was glad to be able to have the pleasure of asking the Great Architect ' s blessing on the three brethren who had that night been initiated . He was quite sure that all three were very much

impressed by the beautiful ceremony through which they passed , and that as they made progress they would leant more to appreciate the beautiful sentiments and useful lessons which Freemasonry taught , so that if they lived to be his age , they would not repent joining such a glorious , old , and noble Order . They would soon know , in the words of the good old

song" There ' s naught but what ' s good , To be understood By a free and accepted Mason . " And though they must not at the same time expect they had come into an infallible Order , for there were of course Masons who erred as well as those who upheld the obligations they professed , he trusted that they would be amongst

the number of those who sought to carry out the principles they were impressed with , and finally that they would have that reward which was held out to the good man and Freemason , by finding everlasting joy in that Grand Lodge above , where the world ' s Great Architect lived and reigned for ever . The Initiates severally responded , and Bro . Goffin , S . W ., then proposed the toast of " The Visitors , " of whom there

were 16 . The Worshipful Master coupled the toast of " The Past Masters" with the names of Bros . Baker and Shand , respectively Treasurer and Secretary , and also with the name of Bro . Thomas Bull , a Past Master of other lodges and one who had rendered great service to The Abbey Lodge .

Bro . VV . H . Baker , P . M ., said he felt it a great honour to be able to say that he was the Second Master of the lodge , and he would , without egotism , state that he had done the very best he could for the lodge since its foundation . At that moment they had over 100 members , and their funds were in a very satisfactory state . He hoped that they would never be in a worse position , and there was

certainly no prospect of it , for the coming officers were men of mark in Westminster , and would do as much credit to the lodge as those who had gone before ; their Bro . Goffin , S . W ., was a Past Master of another lodge , and a most able worker , and the assiduity with which Bro . C . C Piper , S . D ., made himself proficient in every succeeding office , augured well for the future . In concluding his speech , Bro . Baker referred to the unavoidable absence ot

their Past Masters , Bros . Burdett-Coutts and Seager Hunt , both members of Parliament , the calls on their time being of a very heavy character . . . The esteemed Secretary of the lodge , Bro . Shand , « n the course of his reply , facetiously alluded to the absence os complaint from anyone who had been called to pay his d " = twice over , although sometimes he was obliged to send » second financial notice before the subject received " > e attention which its importance merited , and business-UK