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especially as they were honoured by the presence of one of thit august body , in the person of their esteemed Bro . Martin . With that distinguished brother he would couple the toast and ask him to give them a few words in response . Bro . Martin , who is immensely popular , amongst London Masons especially , met with a hearty reception when he rose to respond . He said he was more than gratified at the enthusiastic reception of the toast and the honour paid him by coupling his name with it . Having been selected by his Royal Highness , their beloved Grand Master , to

fill an office in Grand Lodge he felt it more than ever incumbent on him to do all in his power to promote Masonry in its highest attributes , and he could assure them that every officer of Grand Lodge was actuated by the same sentiment , and did everything in his power to promote the happiness of the brethren , . the prosperity of the Order , and the extension of its benefit- ; to every deserving brother , within its circle . It was all very well to say "Oh ! all the Grand Officers have to do is to go to Grand Lodge and look nice in their

places , there was work to be done , and for the benefit of Masonry , and it was the love of that work and their zeal for it that brought them there and sustained them in the discharge of their important and onerous duties . He would not detain them longer than to congratulate the lodge upon having at its head one who was respected both inside and outside the lodge . He congratulated the lodge upon the excellent working of ifs Installing Officer that day , and heartily trusted the good old Capper Lodge would continue to be , as it was now , one of the bulwarks of Freemasonry under the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . He then resumed his seat amidst a storm of cheers .

Bro . Oates then proposed the toast of " The W . M ., " saying that they all knew the steadfast manner in which for many years Bro . Higgins had devoted himse'f to the welfare of the lodge over which he that day had the honour to preside . He and Bro Higgins joined the Iodge together and took office together , and as he happened to be the senior , Bro . Higgins insisted that he should take precedence in offi : e , and thit was how he ( Bro . Oates ) came to be in the chair the first of the twain . They all knew that Bro . Higgins was capable of carrying out the duties of his high and important office , and they would find in him a typical Master , one of the sort they had been looking after for many years , and he asked them to drink the toast in bumpers .

Bro . Higgins , in reply , thanked Bro . Oates for his kind remarks and the brethren for their hearty reception of his name . All he could say was thit he should always endeavour to do the work to their satisfaction , and to those visitors who might honour him by their attendance during his year of office . The minner in which his predecessor had done his work made him ( Bro . Higgins ) afraid that he should not be able to come up to that brother's mark in that respect , but he would try and emulate his splendid example , so that at the end of his year of office he might have the heirty good wishes of every brother of the lodge .

The next toast was that of "The Installing Officer , " and the W . M ., in putting it , said they had heard and seen the way in which Bro . Oates had performed the ceremony that day , which he felt was a real Masonic treat . They knew also how he and Bro . Oates scratched one another ' s backs . He had the pleasure of knowing Bro . Oates for the last 14 years , and during that time they had rowed in the same boat . Bro . Oites had tried to make him , Bro . Higgins , efficient in his work , and would , no doubt , during the coming year , help him to carry out the duties of his office . For his splendid work as

Installing Officer that day , he asked them to drink his health enthusiastically . Bro . Oates , in response to a hearty greeting , said he was very grateful to the W . M . and brethren for their kindness to him that day , but he must say that in installing his successor he had only done his duty . There was one thing he should like to say , and that was that for the last 25 years every outgoing Master of that lodge had installed his successor . ( Abrother—27 years ' . ) . No ; 25 ; therefore every Past Mister of the lodge

present had helped to make a record for that lodge ; that was unique in any lodge in the kingdom . He , himself , by his work that day hid added one more unit to that number , and he trusted their W . M . would add another to that grand record . The fact was and would be a stimulus for their present W . M . and succeeding W . M . to persevere and fulfil the duties of Installing Officer , and so increase the record and prestige of the dear old Capper Lodge . Bro . Turvey briefly responded for " The Visitors , " and

Bro . Jolly , in his remarks , spoke with pleasure of the fact that for the list five-andtwenty years he had only missed about two or three installation meetings , and then only on account of illness . Bro . Alderman Whittingham said he came from the wilds of Essex , and would go back pleased and proud to have been present to enjoy their good working , their excellent hospitality , and also their splendid musical treat . Bro . Downing also spoke to the toast .

Bro . Holliday , in responding for " The Past Masters , " said it gave him a great deal of pleasure to be present . It was a meeting that he always regarded with the greatest pleasure , because it brought together so many good old Masonic friends that , perhaps , they did not meet all the rest of the year . He and Bros . Dorton and Brien were all initiated the same year in that lodge , and he was proud to see them well and hearty by his side that night . Bro . Brien said he had unfortunately not been able to attend the lodge much lately , yet his heart was with them , and he heard how they were going on from his old friends

—Bros . Holliday and Dorton . He was pleased to see such a goodly muster of the brethren , and wished the W . M . a happy and prosperous year of office . Bro , Sayers also spoke to the toast . " The Officers " and Tyler ' s toast concluded the pleasures of the evening , which were enhanced materially by the splendid singing and playing of Miss Constance Greenwood , Miss Hannah Hotten , Madame Alice Lovenez , Bros . H . Wardle and E . C . Wormold , and Mr . B . Back . Bro . H . C . Wormold directed .

Aldersgate Lodge , 1657-A rneeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 15 th inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , E . C . Present : Bros . Thomas Briggs , W . M . ; Septimus Croft , I . P . M . ; H . N . Bennett , S . W . ; Rupert Smyth , J . W . ; George Kenning , P . M ., Sec . ; C . R . R . Hopper , S . D . ; Arthur B . Hudson , P . M ., J . D .: Edward Anderton , P . M ., D . C . ; George Rawlinson , P . M ., Stwd . ; H . Thomas , Tyler ; James Shotter , P . M . ; C . R . Leedham , Ralph Langton , and James C . Hayes . Visitors : Bros .

George Briggs , P . M . 1572 ; T . Brooke Hitchings , P . M . 1540 ; and J . Tickle , P . M . 1196 , P . P . G . Reg . Middx . Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Henry Nicholas Bennett was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . Samuel White , P . M ., was unanimously elected Treasurer for the ensuing year ; Bros . C . R . Leedham , Langton , and Hayes were elected on the Finance Committee ; and Bro . Leedham was raised to the Third Degree by the W . M . The brethren afterwards dined together .

Grays Valley Lodge , No . 2147 . The installation meeting of this well-known provincial lodge was held at the School , High-street , St . Mary Cray , on Wednesday , the ioth instant . Present : Bros . J . T . Cookson , W . M . ; Frank Stanger , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; VVm . E . Bailey , J . W . ; R . J . Pugh , P . M ., Sec ; A . Oxley , S . D . ; S . Gale , J . D . ; L . Pugh , I . G . ; F . Lewis , Org . ; G . H . Miles , Steward ; Wm . Tapsell , Tyler ; A . M . Mitchell , W . Bier , T . Knight , P . P . G . O . ; and G . Harlow , sen . Visitors : Bros . S . A . Stanger , P . M . 12 ; N . J . Stanger , P . M . 171 ; J . G . Twist , 700 ; C . A . Berrall , 1 S 37 ; and C . H . Stone , P . M . 507 , S . D . 1 G 41 .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . R . J . Pugh , P . M ., Sec , read the correspondence respecting the Masonic Service to be held at St . Paul ' s Cathedral lo commemorate the 200 th anniversary . Bro . R . J . Pugh assumed the chair of W . M ., and Bro . Frank Stanger , VV . M . elect , was presented by Bro . J . T . Cookson , I . P . M ., to receive the benefits of installation , which ceremony was performed ih a highly complimentary manner by Bro . Pugh . The new W . M ., Bro . F . Stanger , very ably invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . J . T . Cookson ,

I . P . M . ; Wm . E . Bailey , S . W . ; A . Oxley , J . W . ; II . Tyrer , P . M ., Treas . ; U . J . Pugh , P . M ., Sec ; S . Gale . S . D . ; L . Pugh , J . D . ; G . Harlow , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., D . C ; F . Lewis , Org . ; G . Miles , I . G . ; F . Lewis and A . Mitchell , Stewards ; and Wm . Tapsell , Tyler . The customary addresses were most ably rendered by the Installing Master , Bio . R . J . Pugh , P . M ., for which he received special thanks . The Auditors presented the balance-sheet , which was received and adopted , showing a capital balance in the Benevolent Fund . About 350 guineas had been paid from the lodge of instruction IO the various Charities . The VV . M ., Bro . Frank Stanger , rose and said that it gave

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him the greatest possible pleasure , and also he felt honoured , in p-esenting Bro . J . T . Cookson , I . P . M ., with the handsome Past Mister ' s jewel awarded him by the brethren for able services rendered during the past year . They were all actuated by one desire , to show their appreciation of a good Master , and it was their earnest hope that he might live many years to wear the same , not only to his own honour , but also the honour of the lodge . The jewel bore the following inscription : "Presented to Bro . J . T . Cookson , W . M . 2147 , 1 S 9 G-7 , by the brethren , as a token of esteem . " Bro . Cookson , LP . M ., replied in grateful and fully appreciative terms . Bro . R . J . Pugh , P . M ., was elected Charity representative of the lodge .

The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to the Library , St . Mary Cray , where a most enjoyable banquet was provided , which was highly appreciated . The tables and Hall were splendidly decorated with chrysanthemums , & c , from the W . M . ' s greenhouses , who takes a deep interest in their culture , and possesses some very fine specimens . The banquet ended , the W . M . presented the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " and remarked she was Patron of of all their noble Institutions , and , as ruler , was revered and adored by her loyal subjects .

In proposing the toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " the W . M . said he was a gentleman in word and deed and a model to every English gentleman . Whatever duty devolved upon him he was most faithful in discharging , and none could be more zealous in the cause of Freemasonry than his Royal Highness . It was a great honour to hope to see him as Chairman in presiding over the Centenarv Festival of tbe Boys'Institution in the coming year , and the VV . M . hoped that the M . W . G . M . would receive the support of the brethren as he and the Institution deserved .

The W . M ., Bro . Frank Stanger , then proposed the toast of " The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " in worthy terms , and remarked specially of the Pro G . M . whenever he presided he always gained admiration and respect , and none more so than when acting as Chairmin to a Masonic Institution , when it was most noticeable the splendid results which II iwed from the Province of West Lancashire , of which the Pro G . M ., Bro . the Earl of Lathom , was Provincial Grand Master .

The VV . M . next proposed the toast of " The Prov . G . M ., Earl Amherst ; the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Eastes ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Oflicers , " and said they took the deepest interest in all thit concerned the province , and were most assiduous in their duties . The Crays Valley Lodge had several Prov . Grand Officers anting its members , but , from different causes , only Bro . Knight wis present , which give the brethren a very great pleasure , as he was highly esteemed , and he had greit delight in coupling his name with the toist .

Bro . I'hos . Knight , P . P . G . Org ., expressed thanks for the flattering remarks of the W . M ., and regretted the absence ot his brother Grand Officers that evening . Too much praise could not be accorded the W . M . and his officers for their admirable work , and he could assure them that provincial honours were within the reach of all who deserved the same , and their deeds were not lost sight of by the Prov . G . M . and his worthy

Deputy , Bro . Eastes , who performed their duties in an exemolary manner . On behalf of the Prov . Grand Officers , he tendered his best thinks . He , however , tou : hed upon one other subject , and could not sit down without expressing his admiration of the beautiful decorations supplied by their esteemed W . M ., and to siy he had never seen the tables and hall so tastefully decorated before . The whole surroundings shed a gleam of sunshine and augured well for the lodge .

Bro . Cookson , I . P . M ., next presented the toist of " The W . M . " in very becoming terms and said it was a great privilege indeed to do so . Although he hid only retired among the Past Masters of the Crays Valley Lodge a few hours , yet he felt eqiil to thit task . He and the W . M . had been running a neck and neck race for the chiir and now that he was installed he , the I . P . M ., was assured the W . M . would bring credit and honour to the lodge and Freemasonry in general , and would prove one of the best Worshipful Masters the lodge had ever had . The toast was drunk most cordially .

Bro . F . Stanger , W . M ., on rising to respond , received quite an ovition . Although not prepared with a speech he thanked the brethren most sincerely for such a cordial reception . He regretted that the true spirit of Misonry had not been fully exemplified in some of their brethren , but his sincere belief was that those remnning were true and would do their very utmost to practice and carry out its tenets . He could not speak

too highly of Bros . Cookson and R . J . Pugh , the former having ably conducted the affairs of the lodge through a most trying time and Bro . Pujh most ably supporting him . The W . M . was pleased he was able to fall back upon two such worthy and capable brethren should he require it , and also to have the assistance of two such able Wardens , and he looked forward to a most successful year of office .

Bro . W . E . Bailey , S . VV ., proposed the toast of "The Installing Mister , Bro . Pugh , " and remarked he was a most worthy and capable brother , having filled all the offices in the lodge , and the duties of Installing Master had never been better carried out . He had the greatest possible pleasure in giving the toast . In reply , Bro . R . J . Pugh , P . M ., brielly thanked the brethren but none the less sincerely . Bro . Cookson , the I . P . M ., had been so very busy of late and hid written to him to perform the ceremony of installation , to which he acceded most cheerfully . H

was highly gratified and pleased he had given satisfaction . He had filled every office in the lodge and was now its Secretary , and would assure the brethren thit he would do all he possibly could for the benefit of the lodge . Bro . S . Gale , S . D ., proposed the toist of "The Visitors , " which wis aliviys cordially received and welcomed by the brethren of the Crays Valley Lodge . The number was not large , but those present were worthy and capable , and could rest assured they would always be most hospitably received , and the dignity of the lodge be raised by their

presence . The toast was replied to most forcibly and cordially by Bros . C . H . Stone , P . M . ; A . Stanger , P . M . ; N . J . Stanger , P . M . ; C . A . Berrall , and J . G . Twist . Bro . A . Oxley , J . W ., said he was honoured in presenting the toast of " The Past Masters , " who had done good and suitable service . Their number present was small ,

but those present had the esteem of eveiy brother in the lodge . Bro . Pugh replied gratefully on behalf of the P . Ms ., some of whom had been removed by death to the Grand Lodge above , but who had done their duty to the lodge . Those left would do their utmost and support the brethren in whatever was required of them to thc benefit of thc lodge . Bro . Cookson also ably responded .

The toast of " The Officers" was proposed by Bro . Beer , who said they were an able and worthy body , and the brethren would assist them in their various offices This was most appropriately replied to by the S . W ., J . W ., S . D ., J . D ., I . G ., Stwd ., and Organist . The Tyler's toast closed a most hippy and successful meeting . A capital programme of music was arranged by Bro . Fred . Lewis , Org ., assisted by Bros . A . Stanger , Oxley ( reciter ) , Twist , Harlow , sen ., Cookson , and C . H . Stone . Mr . Lilivall was the able accompanist upon the piano .

Albany Lodge , No . 2652 . The last meeting for the year of this newly-formed lodge was held at the Albany Club , Kingston-on- I ' hames , on the and ult ., and a good amount of work was set down for the W . M ., Bro . Goodmin . Unforeseen circu nstances , however , prevented the candidates for the Third Degree from coming up , so that the Second only was witnessed . Bro . S . G . Wheatley ( son of Bro . G . F . Wheatley , P . P . G . D . C . Dorset , and Sec . 2652 ) , and Bro Sharpus being passed . The VV . M . followed up an excellent display of

correct work by giving the lecture on the second tracing board in lluent language and striking emphasis . Several names were given in , either for joining or diction , and before the last rising of the VV . M ., the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Tyler , addressed the lodge . He said it have given him much pleasure to listen to the admirable working , and see also the intimate acquaintance which the Wardens and Deac ons had with their duties . He felt sure that the Albany Lodge would rank with the best working lodges in the province , and he should have the pleasant duty of making a favourable report to the Prov . G . M . after his visit .

Lodge being closed , the brethren dined together and thoroughly appreciated the excellent catering of thc club culinary staff . It was regretted that the Prov . G . Sec . could not stay for the social gathering , the pleasure of which was enhanced by the charnvng music givsn under the direction of Bro . S . Hoult Horton , P . W ., who had enlisted the services of Miss Miry Hutton , Miss Marion Gordon , and Mr . Noel Johnson , the last mined a superb performer on the ' cello . Bro . Horton alsj displayed his vocal powers , w ' . iic * i are of a high ordsr .