Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Duke of Connaught Lodge , No . 1558 . The installation meeting of this lodge , held at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , on Thursday , the nth inst ., was of an exceptionally interesting nature . Bro . F . V . Catt , P . M ., Sec , who has rendered signal service to the lodge for some years past , had the pleasure of installing his son , Bro . Geo . B . Catt , as the W . M . of the lodge , Bro . Harry Lewis kindly vacating the chair for this purpose . Needless to say the ceremony was well conducted by such an experienced Past Master , and the newly-installed

W . M ., in the investiture of his officers , gave promise of following in his father's foot-• rteDS . Amongst the members present were Bros . Harry Lewis , W . M . ; Geo . B . Catt , SW . J R . Ball . J . W . ; Thos . Taylor , P . M ., Treas . ; Frank V . Catt , P . M ., Sec . ; A Blenkarn , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . Middx ., D . C . ; J . R . Smith , P . M . ; J . Shelton , P . M . ; J- H . Keene , H . Pink , W . Darnell , W . Taylor , H . J . Watts , W . D . Osborne , and [ many others . Visitors : Bros . R . Brown , P . M . 2593 ; T . Coombes , J . W . S 29 ; I . Templeman , 13 ; J . Phipps , 2501 ; H . J . Caswell , 1 S 05 ; H . E . Churchill , 172 ;

VV . F- Hughes , 206 G ; H . C . Parke , ISIJI ; I ' . Burney , 2332 ; J . Coote , P . M . , 259 ; W . J . Green , 1 S 05 ; T . Anderson Marks , S . W . 1977 ; W . A . Miles , 2411 ; VV . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others . After the confirmation of minutes Mr . C . A . Barden was initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . Frank V . Catt , P . M ., Treas ., then took the chair , and installed his son , Bro . Geo . B . Catt , as W . M . for the ensuing year . The officers invested were :

Bros . R- Ball , S . W . ; J . H . Keene . J . W . ; Thos . Ta . lor , P . M ., Treas . ; Frank V . Catt , P . M ., Sec ; A . Blenkarn , P . M ., D . C ; H . Pink , S . D . ; W . Darnell , J . D . ; H . J . Watts , I . G . ; Walter Taylor , Org . ; W . D . Osborne , C . R . Cockerill , and R . B . Brett , Stewards ; and H . Whiteman , Tyler . A Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . Harry Lewis , l . P . M ., and suitably acknowledged . * . Lodge was closed , and after banquet the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were heartily honoured .

Bro . Harry Lewis , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and referred to the newly-installed VV . M . as one who had risen from the ranks , and was very proud of the position he held . Bro . Catt , W . M ., had already given evidence of his ability in the lodge , which spoke well for his work in the coming year . It was therefore with great pleasure the brethren would drink his health , and wish him prosperity during his term of office . Bro . G . B . Catt , W . M ., first thanked the I . P . M . for his kindl y remarks . His wife had told him he was as proud as a peacock lately , and he certainly was proud of his

position as W . M . He was told he was the youngest man who had filled the chair of that lodge . He hoped to see the lodge progress and prosper , and also hoped to stick to itas long as he lived . His father was initiated in that lodge , and became its W . M ., and afterwards initiated him , and had installed him that day . He ( the W . M . ) had , therefore , every reason to wish well to the lodge . It was impossible for him to have a

prosperous year unless the brethren rallied round him and assisted him . He hoped they would attend regularly , for they were sometimes sparse in numbers . There appeared to be good prospects for the future , but he hoped to see a few initiates come in to strengthen their numbers . It was five years since he was initiated , and he desired to thank the Past Masters for their kind assistance during his progress . " The Initiate " was next honoured and duly replied to .

The VV . M . next proposed " The l . P . M . and the Installing Master . " Bro . Lewis , I . P . M ., had gone through his year , and had done his work thoroughly well , and deserved all the kindly things they could say of him . The l . P . M . would , doubtless , assist the W . M . during the coming year , and that assistance would be highly valued . It was exceptionally pleasing to speak of the Installing Master , for it was not every

boy who had the chance to be installed by his father . One or two brethren had whispered that his father had done the ceremony well , and he thought so too . Bro . H . Lewis , l . P . M ., expressed his thanks for their kind reception , and also for the handsome jewel presented to him for services rendered . He hoped the officers would support the W . M ., and make the coming year a successful one .

Bro . Frank V . Catt , P . M ., Sec , thanked the I . P . M . for allowing him the privilege of installing his son . This was one of the greatest pleasures a Mason could enjoy . It was unique in this respect that no other Master had installed his son in this lodge . He especially thanked Bro . Brown , P . M ., for attending , for that brother seconded the proposition for his son ' s initiation , and had made a point of being present that evening to show his sympalhy with father and son . He thanked them for their hearty reception , from which he had a right to assume they were satisfied with his performance of the ceremony .

Bros . Brown , P . M ., Hughes , Coote , P . M ., and others acknowledged " The Visitors , " after which "The P . Ms . " and "The Officers" concluded a pleasant evening . Bro . Walter Taylcr , Org ., wis in charge of the musical arrangements , and was assisted . by Miss Alice Taylor , Bro . Harry Pink , and Messrs . Phil Payne , Colston Regan , and Geo . Renn .

Lodge of Perseverance , No . 1743 . The rrgular Octcbef meeting of this lodge for the annual installation of a new Woisbipful Master was held last Saturday , the 13 th instant , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . Bro . W . B . Cossham , W . M ., presided , and there were also present Bros Richard Perry , S . W . ; ) ohn Handley , J . W . ; Thos . Lavell , P . M ., Treas . ; G . J . Tollett , Sec ; J . Dormer , J . D . ; VV . Farrant , l . G . ; J . Millman , D . of C ; James Cunnington , Asst . D . of C . ; II . Hawkins , Stwd ; Liuis A . Leins , P . M . ; Henry C .

Lonsdale , ; P . M . ; 1 . F . O Bnen , P . M . ; Frederick Kerney , P . M . ; Harry Watts P . M . ; C . E . Feiry , P . M . ; W . J . Squire , P . M . ; D . Rogers , Bernard Ferry , II . H . M , Hanrrck , C . Poller , G . Hall , H . Camp , C . Radford , C . Alfred Sach , R . F . Sharp 1 " . G . Hannann , W . Tcaile , G . Millard , Charles Diniel , P . M . 05 , J . E . Lyons , J ^ Honten , G . VV . C . White , James limmins , W . Thompson , Lc * is Septimus Dickie / , and VV . Lane , Tjler . 'Ihe visitors were Bros . Williams , P . M . 15 S 0 , P . P . G . P . Herts ; J , Dirmcr Fred Smith

, jun ., 2757 ; . G . , 2717 ; J . Walton , 13 G 0 ; J . K . lohnson , 2757 , P . P . G . D . Essex ; VV . hlackhurn , I'M . ijrt , - ; C . J . Dorey , 7 s 0 ; li . li . Bfasf , / , P . M . 7 S 0 , Alderman of Richmond ; Willey K . Pullen , 2601 ; Joseph Lowe , 1 S 16 R . B . Hopkins . S . W . 13 S 1 ; F . O . e"r , W . M . 13 O 5 ; VV . E . Piper , 1050 ; II . Massey , ' P . M . Oiy and 102 S ; T . Menitt , i

Bro . Alfred Sach was passed to the Second Degree , after which Bro . H . C Lonsdale took the Master ' s chair by rtquest . and installed Bro . Richard Perry , S . W . the W . M . elect , as Master of the lodge for the year ensuing . The ceremony wis most admirably performed . Bro . VV . li . Cossham was invested as l . P . M ., and a handsome I ast Master ' s jewel was pinned to his collar . The following brethren became officers or the year : Bros . John Handley , S . W . ; J . H . T . Bridgman , | . VV . ; Thos . Lovell , P . M ., Treas . ; G . J . Tollett , Sec ; J . T . Djrmer , P . M ., S . D . ; Walter Farrant

.. p . ; J . K . Millman , l . G . ; John Cunnington , D . C . ; H . Hawkins , A . D . C . ; S . L . linton and G . W . (' . White , Stewards : G . J . Tollett , Org . ; and VV . Lane , Tyler , fire . I nomas Lovell , P . M ., acted as D . C . during the installation , and presented Bro . Kichard Perry to Ihe Installing Master . After the addresses had been delivered by "ro . Lonsdale , Bro . L . A . Leins , P . VI ., took the opportunity of thanking the brethren on behalf of himself and his wife for the handbome present made to them last April . He assured the brethren that both he and his wite were deeply touched by the gift . It

was totally unexpected by them , but it would ever be cherished . Whenever his wife J"td the gilt which was made to her she remembered th <; brethren , and as far as the r n !? . '" ummaled address to him was concerned it was beyond price . On the rrotion 11 ri Lcvt " ' ' ' ' seconded by Bro . C . E . Ferry , P . M ., whoweresupportedby P . Ms , 11 . U Lonsdale , and Harry Walts , and the Worshipful Master , it was resolved that a letter of condolence be sent to -Mrs . Park , the widow of Past Master Park , on the bereavement she and her family of 11 children hid sustained . The brethren also

K ° tlfi to su Pl , ort lne candidature of any of the orphins if it was desired that they should be got into the Schools . Bro . Thomas Lovell , P . M ., proposed , and Bro . H . C . Lonsdal e , P . M ., seconded , the gift of £ 1 to the Free Home for the Dying , in answer to TK ' ; {'• ' * - apf- Poitiock-liadscn appealing / or a renewal of the lodge subscription , ine Worshipful Master announced that he was going to sland as the lodge ' s Steward IAU £ " 1 Ann « al Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution next February , f , u pcd the bcetnren would support him . Bro . Cossham , l . P . M ., thereupon proth K i " ' ' snoul < l vote live guineas to Bro . Perry's list , but Bro . Lovell , P . At ., "iou £ ht that if the motion were poslpomd until the November or January meeting it

Craft Masonry.

might be found possible to vote 10 guineas to this object . The brethren took this vie v of the subject , and adjourned consideration . In the course of the evening the balancesheet and Auditors' report , which were very favourable , were adopted . The brethren closed the business part of the day ' s proceedings , and then adjourned to a choice banquet , afterwards honouring the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . A very plentiful programme of music was provided , in which Bro . R . B . Hopkins , with his silver bells , Miss Annie Hopkins , Miss Annie Wilson , and Bros . Frederick H . Cozens and Wingrove Ives took part .

Bro . Cossham , I . P . M ., in proposing "The W . M ., " said Bro . Perry was a very old and esteemed friend of his and he was pleased that he had succeeded him in th ~ chair . He would prove a much more efficient W . M . than he ( Bro . Cossham ) , alth > ugh he > i 11 done his best , notwithstanding the disadvantage he suffered of being ill for a p irti in > f his time . It was not every one who was gifted with a memory for Masonry , but for

himself he could claim that in spite of this defect on his part he took a diep interest in Masonry . During iS years that he had been a member of the lodge he had been absent only twice , and he adduced this fact as a proof of the interest he took in the Order . In Bro . Perry the brethren would have a Master well versed in Masonry , but if he v tn - ' any assistance he would readily obtain it from the Past Misters .

Bro . R . Perry , W . M ., in reply , said when he occupied the J . W . and S VV c . he thought the W . M . ' s chair was unattainable ; nevertheless he hid • -O ' ¦ i •; Having done so , he promised the brethren he would work to mike hisyei , ¦ ¦ » . ! -1 --, a ' . If initiates came in he would do the work ; he would try to augment the nu n'i rs 11 ' n ; had the chance . He was much elated to-night , and grateful to the brethren for i-h -ir support . Although timid on his first appearance in the chair he found there was no thin i

to be afraid of . With the assistance of the Treasurer he should try , with a due regard to economy , to make the brethren comfortable at the banquet table . He next proposed "The Health of the I . P . M . " The brethren knew how patient Bro . Cossham had been , and what difficulties he had had to undergo . However , he had managed to get through his year , and it had been successful ; they had initiated several members and had had good banquets .

Bro . Cossham , I . P . M ., after referring to the family loss in the death of Bro . Park , P . M ., and the circumstances in which the widow and children had been left , solicited tne brethren's assistance for the bereft ones . He concluded by thanking the bretnren for their support and for the great kindness with which they had always received him . He likewise thanked the brethren for the Past Master ' s jewel they had voted him ; he should cherish it as a valuable memento of his connection with the Lodge of Perseverance .

Bro . R . Perry , W . M ., next proposed " The Installing Master , Bro . H . C . Lonsdale , P . M . " He and Bro . Lonsdale had been acquainted many years , and he had never known Bro . Lonsdale to be anything but just , right , and regular . At his ( the W . M . ' s ) invitation , Bro . Lonsdale consented to install him , and the brethren had seen how efficiently he had done the work . He ( the W . M . ) had heard the ceremony at several lodges , and he could truly say that it could not be rendered better than it had been that night . He personally thanked him most heartily for doing him that great favour .

Bro . H . C . Lonsdale , P . M ., acknowledged the compliment , which was very flattering , and he thanked the brethren for their reception . He never received anything but courtesy and kindness in this lodge , and he would be ungrateful if he did not render some assistance . What little he did in the lodge he did to the best of his ability , and with the greatest willingness . He loved Masonry ; it was to him equal or next to the Church . If a person was a good Mason he could not be a bad man ; he would try and improve his condition in life . He trusted the W . M . would have a successful year , and

tl at the brethren would rally round him . When the W . M . went up as Steward for the Old People he would receive that kind and hearty support which he ( Bro . Lonsdale ) had had . None of the P . Ms , had gone up empty-handed . The Lodge of Perseverance stood far in advance of any other lodge of the same numbers in the City of London . The initiate had promised five guineas ; he hoped every one would say ditto . If the W . M . should require assistance during his year of office he ( Bro . Lonsdale ) would be hippy to givt it .

Bro . R . Perry , W . M ., in proposing " The Visitors , " said that Captain John Barlow , who was one of the candidates for the Grand Treasurership , and who had accepted the invitation of the lodge to be present , had sent a telegram to say that his train had broken down . Bros . Alderman Blasby ( Richmond ) , Burns , and Johnson responded to the toast . Bros . C . E . Ferry , Squires , and Watts replied to the toast of" The Past Masters ; " Bros . T . Lovell , P . M ., and Tollett to that of "The Treasurer and Secretary : " and Bro . Handley , S . W ., to that of " The Officers . " The very pleasant proceedings closed with the Tyler ' s toast .

Lewisham Lodge , No . 2579-The members of this lodge held their installation meeting , by dispensation , at the Holborn Restaurant on the 13 th inst . There was a goodly attendance of visitors , and a very enjoyable evening resulted . The members present included Bro . C . Lamb , P . M ., W . M . —who occupied the chair for the second time ; H . LewisP . M . W . M . elect :

, , W . C . Tyler , P . M ., S . W . ; H . Cole , J . W . ; Dr . Harman Visger , P . M ., Treas . ; E , Hall , P . M ., Sec . ; John Coote , P . M . ; J . A . Shelton , P . M . ; W . T . Felden , H . T , Bridges , P . M ., D . C . ; A . Reichenheim , J . T . Wise , and many others . The visitors included Bros . Hart , Piatt , Metcalfe , Stone , Davis , Taylor , Pitcher , Gerson , Lever , Toller , Morris , Ward , and others .

Lodge was opened , minutes confirmed , and the Audit report adopted . Bro . Chas . Lamb then impressively installed Bro . H . Lewis as VV . M . The investiture of officers was as follows : Bros . W . C . Tyler , P . M ., S . W . ; H . Cole , J . W . ; Rev . W . J . Salt , M . A ., Chap . ; Dr . Harman Visger , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Coote , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . T . Felden , S . D . ; A . Reichenheim , J . D . ; VV . Clark , l . G . ; H . T . BridgesP . M . D . C . ;

, , and J . 1 . Wise and U . K . Broom in , Stewards . A gold bar , containing a diiimni and bearing a suitable inscription , was added to Bro . Lamb ' s Past Master ' s jewel , and presented to him as a souvenir of his second year of office . Bro . C . Lamb , I . P . M ., briefly and sincerely returned thanks . Lodge was closed , and banquet was followed by the customary toasts .

In proposing " Ihe Worshipful Master , " Bro . C . Lamb , I . P . M ., said the W . M . reminded him of a vessel which by untoward circumstances had been prevented from entering its port of destination for some little time . That night , however , Bro . Lewis had been placed in the Master ' s chair , and all present congratulated him , and ' wished him a successful year . Their ship was seriously undermanned , and they wanted mure members to make the the

up proper crew . He ( I . P . M . ) appealed to the members to introduce" A . B ' s . " in the shape of joining members , and alsj apprentices , without whom it was impossible to go on . As regards the W . M . himself , he was quite up to the work in the ritual , and it would be a regret to him if he was not kept fully employed . The members wished the W . M . a successful year of office , and also a prosperous one for the lodpe .

Bro . Harry Lewis , W . M ., said it gave him exceedingly great pleasure to respond to this toast so kindly and ably proposed by the l . P . M . Most of the brethren knew he was suffering from some domestic trouble , so that he should have to leave them early . The proceedings of that evening must be very gratifying to every msrnoor of tne lodge . It was his inli . 'ntion , with the co-operation of the officers , to do his utmost for the prosperity of the lodge , and to make the members a happy and united Urorhernood

He would at once propose the next toast , which was " Tne l . P . M . and Installing Master . " Bro . Lamb , l . P . M ., had come from a bed of sickness to p ^ rtirm his duty from kindly feelings and had rendered the installation ceremony with gieat credit to himself and satisfaction to the brethren . He thanked the I . P . M . for putting himself to some inconvenience to instal him . They were all anxious that their lodge snould hecome an influential one in the South of London , united in brotherly and kindly feelings towards each other , and one that any Mason would be proud to join .

Bro . C . Lamb , I . P . M ., said he received the bar on his jewel as an expression of the goodwill and appreciation of the members , and it afforded him great pleasure to say so . So long as fraternity and good feeling remained in ihe lod ge they could count upon his support . "The Visitors" were next heartily welcomed , and amongst those who replied was Bro . Sergt . Pitcher , who went through the trials of the siege of MateKin ^ , .. nd i * aOojto return to South Africa shortly . Bros . Piatt , Metcalfe , Stone , and Hirt als > replied . " 1 he Treasuier and Secretary " and other toasts were cordially non , uicd .

During the evening Bro . VV . C . Tyler , P . M ., S . W ., gave an intcrcsti .,. ' laru ru lecture , illustrating the holiday adventures of three brethren to the Rnine . bro . vVaitti Taylor directed the musical arrangements , receiving asaisunce from Miss „ iafi rterac and Messrs . Walter Hengler , Colston Regan , and Geo . Renn .