Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

R ETORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry 207 Instruction 20 S Royal Arch = 08 Red Crossof Constantino 209 Scotland 210 Masonic Tidings 211 Lodcc of Benevolence 211

Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ( Illustration ) 211 The Girls'School Festival 212 The Pope and the Freemasons 212 The " Scottish Freemasons'Magazine " 212 A Pleasant Scene 215 The Merry Month of May 213 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls—Stewards' List 211 C ORRESPONDENCE : — Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 214

The hathcrof Freemasons 214 The " Scottish Freemasons'Magazine " 214 The Installation Jewel 214 A Correction . ' . 214 The House Committee of the Girls' School 214 Masonic Notes and Queries 214 Reviews 214

Dtstrict Grand Lodge of Bengal 215 OBITUARY : — Hro . 1 . Holland 31 $ Bro . C T . Walmislcy 215 Bro . W . Robertson 215 Arrest of a Masonic Swindler 215 Lodge Meetings for next week 216 Advertisements i . ii . iii , iv . v . vi .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

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METROPOLITAN . HIGH CROSS LODGE ( NO . 734 ) . —Few lodges of Masons Occupy a more favourable position in a variety of respects than the Tottenham I Iigh Cross Ledge ( No . 754 ) does at this moment . Of late years its progress has been most marked . The brethren have largely increased in number , and such anxiety is displayed to enter the lodge that a

few months ago it was deemed advisable to add two or three guineas to the initiation fee . The meetings are held at the Seven Sisters' Tavern , Page-green , Tottenham ; and in order to provide the necessary accommodation for the augmented brotherhood of the lodge , and visitors—who always receive a very hearty welcome—Mr . Oddy , the universally respected host , recently built a

splendid hall , the advantage of which was fully demonstrated last Wednesday evening . The High Cross Lodge , noted as it is for its benevolence , loyalty , and enterprise in Masonic affairs , could not permit the occasion of the Installation of the Prince of Wales to pass without making a special effort to afford pleasure to its own members and to those of other lodges who were invited to

attend , liro . , | . Mailer , the present W . M ., is very popular in the Order , and being generally surrounded by such good men and true as Bros . D . Roberts , P . M . ; T . Cunningham , P . M . ; Jones , P . M . ; Wells , P . M . ; Linzell , P . M . ; Townshend , S . W . ; Barham , J . W . ; Cockscdgc , Farrin , Stephens , Burford , and others too numerous to mention , an opportunity to be present is rarely neglected . Last

Wednesday there were many visitors , including several from the Hertford Lodge ; Bros . Perry , Peace and Harmony ; Girling , Priory , Southend ; I Iarris , Albion ; Strong , Leopold ; Fisher , Perseverance ; Ord , I Iomsey ; Cackett , Macdonald ; Schlcifer , Montcfiore ; Trebeck and Driscoll , United Mariners . Altogether upwards of a hundred brethren were in attendance . Bro . Cunningham

presided when the lodge was opened . I he business was only of a formal character . Bro . Mailer was in his proper place at the head of the table at the banquet . The bill of fare was unusually attractive , and the dinner reflected the hig hest credit upon Bro . Oddy , the host , and also Bro . J oseph Smith , of Lower Tottenham , who shaved in the catering and general superintendence . With such able

commanders , success was certain . It is unnecessary to state that on such a day the toasts relating to Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales were received with the utmost enthusiasm ; and when reference was made by the W . M ., Bro . Cunningham , and others who had attended the Installation , to the magnificent spectacle they had witnessed at the Albert Hall , the brothers who had not

' . been fortunate enough to obtain tickets of admission sig hed with regret . They were told that they could form ¦ no idea of the grandeur of the scene ; and the privilege of Ibcing present at such a ceremony was held to be amply sufficient to inspire the younger members of the Craft to endeavour to attain a position which would entitle them to take part in a similar display , should it ever occur .

When the health of the Worshipful Master was given , the speaker dwelt upon the deservedly exalted position which Bro . Mailer held in the estimation of all the brethren of the lodge , and the advantage which the lodge derived from having such a head . liro . Mailer replied in suitable terms , expressing a hope that Ir . ' should continue to deserve the confidence which hail been reposed in him .

During the evening a Tyler ' s sword and a square and compasses , in silver , were presented to the lodge by the brethren from I lcrtford , Bro . Metcalf being the principal spokesman on their behalf . He mentioned the invariable kindness evinced by the High Cross Lodge towards every

brother who visited it , and referred particularly to the unstinted hospitality which had been frequently shown to the members of the Hertford Lodge . It afforded great pleasure to mix with the Tottenham brethren , and they might rest assured that they would be most warmly 'Welcomed if they honoured the Hertford Lodge with a

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

visit . Bro . Mailer said he accepted the presents on behalf of the lodge , with a full appreciation of the sincerity with which they had been offered ; and he then buckled the sword on to the Tyler amidst loud cheers . Several additional toasts were proposed , and interesting remarks made by Bro . D . Roberts , and various other brethren , but want of space prevents our entering further into the matter on

the present occasion . The Host was specially toasted for his uniform liberality and desire to conduce to the comfort of Masons generally . VICTOUIA . LODGE ( No . 1056 ) . —The installation meeting of this very flourishing lodge took place at Anderton ' s Hotel on Thursday week , when , after the minutes had been read and confirmed , Bro . Alfred Henry

ICirton was raised by the W . M ., Bro . Joseph Morton , to the degree of Master Mason . The new Master , Bro . Joseph Slade Brown , was then duly installed as Master , the ceremony being very ably performed by Bros . Frederick York Latreille and Alfred Robbins , the last named brother giving the addresses . The Master then appointed and invested the following as his

officers : —Bros . William Pernn , S . W . ; Thomas William Skelton , J . W . ; William Wrenn , Treas . ; A . A . Pendlcbury , Sec . ; George M . Felton , S . D . ; William Gange Durrant , J . D . ; E . H . Williams , I . G . ; William Tonsett , Director of Ceremonies ; Henry Allen , W . S . ; and William Grant , Ty ler . Other business of the lodge having been disposed of , the brethren adjourned to the banquet .

On the cloth being removed , the first toast proposed was " TheQueen and the Craft , " which was responded to in the usual hearty manner amongst Freemasons and musical honours . That of " The M . W . Grand Master , His Royal Highness the Prince ofWales" was then received with great applause . The W . Master in proposing it , took occasion to speak of the Installation of H . R . Highness

at the Albert Hall , and the reception he had , a spectacle which will be impressed on the minds of those brethren who vt ere able to be present as long as they live . "God bless the Prince of Wales" was then sung . " The Health of the W . Master" was proposed by Bro . J . Morton , who , in the course of his remarks , congratulated the brethren on their choice of a brother , who would make such an excellent

Master ; one who would exert himself to the utmost of his power in furthering the interests of the lodge , and the happiness of its members . Bro . Morton regretted that indisposition had prevented his being in a position to instal his successor , a duty which would have afforded him so very much pleasure . The Master , in his reply , expressed his great desire and determination to emulate his predecessors

in the discharge of the duties of the high office to which the brethren had unanimously elected him , an honour of which he was very proud , and he trusted they would never have cause to regret the confidence they had placed in him . After a song by one of the brethren , " The Health of the I . P . M . " was proposed in very suitable terms , and , in doing so , the Master decorated Bro . Morton with a Past Master ' s

jewel , which the brethren had been pleased to vote to him as a slight mark of their appreciation of his valuable services , and the great esteem in which he is held by one and all of the members of his lodge . The Master , in concluding his very able speech , hoped the brother might long live to wear it , and be amongst the brethren of the lodge . Bro . Morton replied in a neat and suitable speech , in which he

expressed his grateful thanks to the brethren for the kindnesses he had ever received at their hands . On "The Health of the Visitors" being proposed , the Master coupled with it the name of one who replied for the whole—of whom there were about twenty-seven present , who on behalf of their respective lodges brought hearty good wishes—and expressed thanks for their cordial reception and the kind manner in

which the Master had spoken of them . " The Health of the Past Masters " was then proposed , and responded to with much favour . Whereupon one of them said , —W . Master and Brethren—I now rise with a great deal of pleasure , To say I feel , almost beyond measure , The kindness which you , this day , have all shown ,

And which proves you all good friends of our own . In receiving the toast of the very good health , Of the Past Masters , including myself , For which I return our thanks most sincere , And hope to do so again for many a year , Whenever we meet thus happy and free , As I trust will ever continue to be

1 he fate of a lodge we all so much prize , Whose success we laud up to the skies . Its glories increase to our great delight , As evinced by our labours here to-night , When we ' re now all assembled together , Without any thought of the rain or the weather . Our work being ended in lodge room above ,

We now enjoy ourselves in brotherly love , Sipping our wine in an affectionate way , Chattering over the affairs of the day ; Making long speeches almost without end , Extolling the virtues of brother or friend ; Singing old songs , or good tales reciting , Which always render our party inviting .

Joyful are we when our meeting draws nigh , Especially when Dear Billey Wrenn , Does not think it wrong to give us a song , And to remind us of days gone by , When lie at music was not quite so shy , But was pleased , without much persuasion , To give us a treat on many occasion .

And then , ir a most generous manner , Out with his notes and so stop our clamour ; Warble that story about " dear little Sally , " That girl , we ' re told , who lived in our alley ; Or another that always pleased us the same , Whom folks do name " My pretty Jane . " Wh y dear Billy Wrenn sings not as of yore

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

I cannot tell you , I am perfectly sure , Unless it be that in days gone by To practice his pipes he'd frequently try j And when not inclined for a roam Out of doors he sat quietly at home , Making a noise , being almost alone ; And so practise the art %

By singing his part , Till he made his throat smart , Or was quite perfect in " Home , sweet home . " At that time music was more in his line—As some of you know , his singing was fine ; And gave us delight in the West and the South , Whenever he pleased to open his mouth .

His chicks in those days were little and young , And in the musical line had scarcely begun ; But now a fair daughter whose music so sweet , Has put dear Billy quite out of conceit ; For as she improves in age , size and ability , He finds he can't warble with that facility , And practise at home as once was his pleasure ,

Before she grew up to be such a treasure ; For when she was only a wee little mite , To instruct her was his greatest delight . But now father Time has changed all this , And listening to her affords Wrenn more bliss , Than singing to us here every lodge night , And giving his brethren that great delight ,

Which they used to hail with very much pleasure When a few years ago they all met together . Having referred to the lodge in times long gone by , To say something about it I'll now endeavour to try : Ten years are gone since our first Master was installed , In which time he has grown very grc ) , if not at all bald .

Of founders of the lodge not many now remain , But of those I am sure you will never complain ; For all are Past Masters , and when they began Their labours , they all worked hard and well to a man •, And do now what they did then— whatever they can , To promote the prosperity of the lodge and each member , A circumstance I am certain you'll ever remember . But as most of you have joined since those happy times ,

Perhaps it will not be amiss to say a few lines i And give you the history of Lodge Victoria ' s birth , Though in my poor attempt I may cause you some mirth By the queer way I shall do it , Not yet being much of a poet j For you'll find each little line Won ' t appear exactly in rhyme i But no matter for that

If you don't find it flat , Or think it a bit of a bore , To listen to anything more Than I've already said on a subject of worth , As a lodge is to a Mason who dwells on the earth , I will do what I can to tell you the story Of the first days of Lodge we now call Victory .

So not to create any further debate , I will at once make a start before it grows late . Of the founders but few now remain Who can carry back their mem ' ries again To the birth of this lodge , when A few of us then , very young men , With a knowledge of Masonry so exceedingly smalt

That it really might be considered nothing at all , After a little palaver and plenty of fuss Had the good luck tc meet with the favourite , Buss , Who , endowed with the wisdom of several meh , Put it into the head of our sweet Jenny Wrenn To petition at once , without further remark , For a lodge to be opened near Victoria Park .

It was very soon done , as some of you know , At least Bro . George Roberts and Bro . George Snow , Who with dear Billy Wrenn , myself , and a few Friends on the spot , who were asked what they could do To assist with their names to get the Petition in What might be considered quite a very good trim j And who kindly lent us their good wishes and aid ,

I hat wc might have success and be amply repaid For our labours in forming a lodge of our own , Not far from our dwellings , to keep us near home . The Petition when ready was sent in a crack , And a letter to strengthen it made fast to its back . Some short time elapsed , when , to our great delight , Bro . W . Gray Clarke told us the thing was all right .

We then set to work without further delay To get everything ready for the opening day . The fees they were paid and the warrant obtained , So the principal thing in the matter was gained ; The furniture ready and in the room placed , Only wanted ourselves to be thoroughly graced . In opening the lodge the Grand Master lent us a bridge ,

When he appointed to consecrate it Brother Muggeridge , Who very kindly came down on the day , And found us assemblcdjn splendid array . I should have much rejoiced to have seen him to-day , A pleasure which seldom now falls in our way , For wc are all delighted to see his round , jovial face

Whenever he finds convenient our table to grace . The lodge being consecrated in a masterly style , Which in order to sec brethren travelled many a mile , The next thing to be done was to instal the First Master , And thereby enable us to get on a bit faster , Which Muggeridge did well when

lie placed in the chair sweet Jenny Wrenn , Who , with a twinkle in his eye exceedingly merry , Invested as Senior Warden his friend Pendlebury ; Then the Junior Warden—a brother when living , We admired for the instruction he gained and was giving , Who was well known , beloved , and respected by all , And it ivakes me feel sad when to memory I call