The Old Masonians.

his " Temperance Lecture . " Mr . Aubrey Wheeler throughout the evening acted as a most efficient accompanist . At the conclusion of the evening , Bro . R . S . CHANDI . SK . Treasurer , in the name of the company present , thanked Mr . Francis for presiding , and the artistes for their able entertainment . He also added that a meed of praise was due to the Secretary , Mr . H . Lewis , for his exertions in arranging the programme . A very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the National Anthem .

Unveiling Of A Masonic Monument To The Late Bro. W. H. Kirby, Jun.

UNVEILING OF A MASONIC MONUMENT TO THE LATE BRO . W . H . KIRBY , JUN .

On Saturday afternoon , the 6 th inst ., a Masonic monument , which has recently been erected in the Wycombe Cemetery in memory of the late Bro . W . H . Kirby , son of Mr . Kirby , of Castle-street , High Wycombe , who was fatally injured through a gas explosion at his residence , at Finsbury Park , about two years ago , was formally unveiled by the Grand Secretary . The monument , which weighs about io tons , is of a most interesting and unique character , being distinctly

Masonic . It was designed by Bro . Henry S . Wellcome , and has been carried out in a workmanlike manner by Mr . J . S . Farley , of Kensal Green , London . It is of Aberdeen granite , and is erected in three tiers ; the first being a plinth of what is known as scappled granite . The second tier is of rough-hewn granite , with polished panels , enriched with Masonic emblems ; while the top tier is of red granite , and upon this there is the following inscription :

To the memory of BRO . WILLIAM HENRY KIRBY , P . M ., P . G . Std ., Kent , M . E . Z . Errrted by Ihe Members of the Kirby Lodije of Instruction (« f which he was the first Preceptor ) and other Misonic Friends . A faithful husband—a tender father—a devoted son—a

taving brother—a good Mason—a true friend Born August 27 'h , 1858 . Died September lS h , 1 S 95 .

The monument is indeed a fitting memorial of one who was highly esteemed and respected , not only by members oi the Masonic Order , but by all with whom he came in contact . The Grand Secretary , who was accompanied by a number of Metropolitan subscribers and others , journeyed from Paddington by the 2 . ( 0 p . m . train and arrived at Wycombe about four o ' clock . At the Railway Station the

visiting brethren were met by the Mayor , Mr . P . J . Rutland , the W . M . of the Wycombe Lodge , Bro . Charles Batting , and others , end the pirty at once proceeded to the Cemetery , where , in delightful weather , the ceremony wis witnessed bv a Urge number of relatives and friends of the deceased , in addition to the representatives of the " mystic tie . " Among those present we noticed the widow and children of the deceased , Mr . and Mrs . W . If . Kirby ( father and mother ) , Mrs . Child ( sister ) , and Mr . Child ( brother-in-law ) .

Bro Batting , as W . M . of the Wycombe Lodge , formerly introduced the G . Secretary to perform the ceremony of unveiling the monument . Bro . Li- 'rcmvoKTH , addressing those present , said—We are met together this afternoon kr the purpose of paying a tribute of love and respect to a brother who during too short a life of usefulness had gained the love and respect of all who knew him . We Misons recognise in our Bro . Kirby a man animated by the truest Masonic principles , and one who ungrudgingly devoted the tim *; at his

disposal and his abilities to those important duties he wis good enough to undertake in connection with the Craft hc loved so well . Our Bro . Kirby at the time of his untimely death was not an old Mason . He had been initiated into M isonry , I believe , in the year 1886 . He was installed Master of his lodge in 18 91 , and from then until the time he was taken from us hc discharged the duties of Precept- r of a most important lodge of instruction—a lodge connected witn the Bank of England Lodge , which was formerly known by the name of the Clarence

Lodge , but has since borne his own honoured name . 'I her * : wis no need to raise a monument to keep the memory of our brother green in thc hearts of those who knew him , but it was thought right and fitting that those who cam *! after us might know how highly our late brother was respected , and ho-. v deeply his death was mourned by those who raised to his unfailing memory thc monument I have now the privilege to unveil . The monument was then unveiled , after which

Unveiling Of A Masonic Monument To The Late Bro. W. H. Kirby, Jun.

Bro . R . CLAY SUDLOW , P . G . S . B . Eng ., said : My heart is almost too full for words , and yet perhaps to be silent on this occasion might be to be misunderstood . We cannot add really to the words that are engraved on that stone . They speak to us as a record of the life history of him whom we do not cease to deplore . Not a few of us standing round this memorial to-day knew Bro . Kirby in all those relationships which are recorded in that brief sentence . In the early years those of us who knew him well call to mind the dutiful devotion that he

showed to those he left behind him at home when he took up business in London . We remember that , forgetting every selfish consideration , he would return week after week to show his devotion to his father , to his sister , and , above all , to his sainted mother . We know that she , the poor suffering one , used to look forward with the intensest pleasure to the visits of her boy . Later on when he entered into new ties , there was still the same loving devotion to his wife and to his children . We love to hear Mrs . Kirby tell us of his unceasing care and

watchfulness over her lile . On the hearts of the children he had such a hold that his memory will be carried by them to their dying day . Bro . Letchworth , who has been so good as to come amongst us to unveil this memorial which we have raised with loving hands , has told us of his virtues as a Mason . As M isons , we like to think that by the thoughtfulness of Bro . Wellcom *; the life record of Bro . Kirby has been engraven on a perfect ashUr , a symbol to Masons of a regular ,

wellspent life . I can speak of Bro . Kirby as a friend . For 20 years Bro . Kirby and 1 were in hourly intercourse , and the void created by his loss has never been , and probably never will be , filled up . If there has been sadness in my words or in my tone it is not because we grieve for him , because we know that he has passed to his great reward . The sadness is rather for ourselves , who are left still to fight tbe battle of the world , unchcered by his presence , unaided by his cousel and advice .

The Mayor , Mr . P . J . RUTLAND , siid : My position to-day is rather that of a representative ; but before assuming that rule I should like , if I may , to speak of tbe deceased as ore of mv friends , if not my oldest friend . Both of us were Wycombe boys . Both of us received our education in this town . Both of us alike started the battle of life here ; and both of us ultimately gravitated to the Metropolis—London . Here and thera I always had the greatest kindness and consideration shown to me by him to whose memory to-day we unveil this monument . But 1 want now to say as Mayor of this town how very pleased we are that one of our

sons should have gone to London and there fought his way to the front and tak in a conspicuous position as a man , as a citizen , and as a Mason , which the ceremony of to-day assures us he did . We in Wycombe are flittered to no mean degree by having this most magnificent , most speaking monument in our midst ; and I can assure all the London brethren that they have not misplaced it in this cemetery . It will be looked upon by many Wjcombe people in years to come , and they will feel those sentiment * at this grave which you would do could you be more regularly here .

The ceremony then concluded , and after leaving the cemetery the London brethren were entertained at the Mayor's residence , High-street priir to returning by train to town . We understand that the memorial has been formerly handed over to Mrs . W . H . Kirby by Bros . Charles Lewis , Preceptor , and William Biker , Sec . of thc Kirby Lodge of Instruction , as representatives of the Memorial Committee .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Scientific Lodge , No . 88 . The monthly meeting of this lodge , held at Cambridge , on the S ' . hinst ., wis attended w ' th more than usual interest , as , in addition to the passing of Bro . H . Whybro by the W . M ., Bro . W . Sindall , there was an initiation of a Lewis by his father . Bro . T . W . Allsop , VV . M . and I . P . M . 241 ) 2 , came over from Ealing and initiated his el lest sin , Mc '

Filmer T . K . Allsop , doing the work in excellent style . Bro . T . Nichols , P . M ., delivered the charge in a most impreFsive manner . There were 46 brethren present , and the proceedings throughout were of a mnst pleasing character . The visinn ? brethren , 13 in number , included Bros . G . W . A . Fletcher , P . M . 1 S 0 ; J . Stait , P . M . 1743 and W . M , 2492 ; G . F . Rogers , P . M . S 59 ; F . W . Potts , W . M . 441 ; F G . Rimill , 2492 ; A , Watne Browne , 9 ; T . Watts , P . G . Treas . ; G . R . Birnes , 441 ; and others .

Capper Lodge , No . 1076 . The installation meeting of the above grand old and progressive lodge , took place on Thursday , the nth inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , City , when Bro . C . R . Higgins , S . W ,, and VV . M . elect , was installed as W . M . for the ensuing 12 months , The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . J . F . Oites , who having passed a candidate lo the Second Degree , proceeded to his onerous , yet honourable task as Installing Offirer . At this juncture Bro . Walter Martin , A . G . Purst . Eng ., was announced , and

received with grand honours . Bro . H . Tapley , P . M ., for many years the courteous D . C . of the lodge , presented the W . M . el-ct to the Installing Oificsr to receive at his hands the benelits of installation , and in due course Bro . Higgins was installed in the presence of a Board of some 25 Installed Masters , and duly saluted . Hi appointed his officers as follows : Bro . J . E . Oates , LP . M . j T . H . Miple , S . W . ; J . J . Roberts , J . VV . ; J . Dorton , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Ware , P . M ., Sec ; T . S . Green , S . D . ; VV . Vinev , J . D ; D . Ringrose , I . G . ; T . E . Whittaker , D . C . ; A . Cooper and E . W . Wormold , Stwd- * . ; M . H . Sherwin , Org . ; and A . K . Tuberrose , LG . Bro . Oates

then gave the addresses and so finished a ceremony , for the excellence of which he wa = eulogised on all sides . He was accorded a hearty vote of thinks , tn : smi to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge , and it was unanimously resolved that a copy of the same be emblazoned on parchment , handsomely mounted and framed , and presented to him at the next lodge meeting . He was also presented with a handsome and valuable Past Master's j -wel , as a mark of the esteem of the brethren , and for valuable services rendered the lodge during his year of office , for which he returned his heartiest thanks .

B-o . H . B . Holliday , P . M ., was re-elected President of the Benevolent Association connected with the ludge—an office he has held for the last 20 years—and then the lodge was closed . Among r-ther brethren present were Bros . F . Brien , P . M . ; W . Watkins , P . M . ; C . J . De Only Mears , P . M . ; A . T . Dale , P . M . ; J . Tytheridge , P . M . ; L . Crow , P . M . ; F . C . Ward , P . M . ,- C . R . Sayers , P . M . ; S . Time , H . C . W . ntmld , A . | . Cooper , T . U . Piner , E . V . Crute , J . T . Simpson , Capt . Spencer , C . L . Visey , C . VV . Buffery , W . G . Wright , R . VV . Magab , G . Hiller , W . Brown , H . W . Lee , J . W . Cooke ,

VV . Stockviss , and H . Carpenter , all of the lolge . Visitors : Bros . W . Mucin , A . G . P . Eng . ; W . Downing , P . M . 20 , P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; W . Turvey , W . M ., J . Palmer , S . W ., andT . I-ait , j . W ., of 1472 ; J . Rose , I . P . M . 2 S ; C . Fowling , P . M . 1472 ; J . D . Thomas , W . M . yS ; W . B . Wittingham , J . W . 2256 ; R , W . Barber , S . VV . 1 S 9 ; W . Arter , S . VV . 189 ; G . Wales , 1 G 02 ; A . J . Day , 1 SS 3 ; A . Eads , 2332 ; W . Holliday , 2417 ; C . Wilkinson , 12 S 7 ; J . Drace , 99 ; A . Penchents , 1974 ; F . Tagg , 957 ; H . Wardju , 22 G 4 ; R . Taylor , 2411 ; J . Wheatley , 2264 ; W . Wills , 1901 ; P . Machin , 2 S ; C . Jolly , P . M ., Sec . 1472 and 2184 ; and others .

The banquet , which was in every way worthy of the lodge and the hotel management , having been duly discussed , The VV . M . gave the toasts of "The Queen and the Craft " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " briefly , yet to the point . Both toasts were enthusiastically honoured , a verse of the Nationil Anthem following the lirst , and " God bless the Prince of Wales " the latter .

The next toast was that of "The M . W . P . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; the R . W . the D . G . M ., the Earl Amherst ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and in putting it the W . M . slid that m 1 st of them hid a knowledge of th ; cipa ' oUitUs of their Gr ^ nd Oflicers , and it was with great pleasure he gave the .-n the tus :, mire