Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bros . Thos . Murphy , S . W . ; John Thompson , J . W . ; Rev . R . Clayton , P . P . G . C , Chap . ; John Booth , P . M ., Treas . ; H . L . Hinnell , Sec . ; Thos . Barnes , S . D . ; F . W . Brockbank , J . D . ; Jno . Hardcastle , P . M ., D . C . ; F . W . Briscoe , Org . ; F . W . Broadbent , I . G . ; F . W . Isherwood and Cooper , Stwds . ; and E . Greenhalgh and S . Rawsthorne , Tylers , and they were addressed by Bro .

Major John Booth , P . M ., the senior Past Master , in an able and impressive manner . The Master , Wardens , and brethren were addressed by the Installing Master . A Past Master ' s jewel , which was greatly admired , was presented to Bro . W . Forrest , P . S . G . D ., I . P . M ., for the great

services he had rendered to the lodge , more especially during the last year . The gift was graciously acknowledged by Bro . Forrest . " Hearty good wishes " were expressed from provincial and Craft lodges , and the lodge was closed . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

BOURNEMOUTH . Hengist Lodge ( No . 195 ) . —There was a large gathering of members and visitors on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., at the installation of Bro . W . Townsend as W . M . for the ensuing year . The following members were present : Bros . W . Dunn , W . M . ; C . W . Keep , I . P . M . ; W .

Townsend , S . W . ; A . Redfearn , J . W . ; J . Harvey , P . M . 634 , P . P . S . G . D ., Chap . ; W . Scott Evans , Treas . ; W . Woodhouse , Sec . ; W . H . Vye , S . D . ; W . H . Humphry , J . D . ; W . B . Rogers , D . C . ; H . J . Atkins , P . M . 1764 , P . P . S . G . W . Norths and Hunts ; E . W . Rebbeck , P . M .,

P . P . S . G . W . ; H . E . Gooch , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . ; J . H . Moore , P . M . ; R . Hodges , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . ; G . Fudge , R . S . Hiscock , J . J . Spark , J . A . Cocker , J . A . Crawshaw , N . Crossley , C . A . Reingpach , O . J . Pettitt , J . VV . Collins , W . Mattocks , W . E . Jones , and W . J . Holloway .

The installation ceremony was conducted by Bro . H . J . Atkins , P . M . 1764 , P . P . S . G . W . Norths and Hunts . Bro . Townsend afterwards appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . A . Redfearn , S . VV . ; VV . H . Vye , J . W . ; J . Harvey , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Chap . ; W . Scott Evans , Treas . ; W . Woodhouse , P . M ., P . J . G . D ., Sec . ; W . Humphry , S . D . ; F . Mapp , J . D . ; W . B . Rogers , P . M .,

P . P . G . R ., D . C ; C . J . Whitting , I . G . ; F . T . Cutler , Org . j W . Mattocks and R . S . Hiscock , Stwds . ; and W . J . Holloway , Tyler . A very handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . W . Dunn , the retiring W . M ., by Bro . Townsend , the new W . M ., on behalf of the members . The installation banquet took place at the Hotel Mont Dore . It was served in the spacious assembly room , and

as the elaborate decorations for the carnival on the previous night were still retained , the aspect of that portion of the hall which was set apart for the banquet was cheerful and very pretty . The repast , admirably served under Bro . Kneese ' s personal supervision , was an excellent one . The company numbered about 60 . The W . M . proposed as the first toast " The Queen and the Craft , " which was loyally drunk , and was followed by

those of "H . R . H . the r'rmce of Wales , M . W . G . M . /' and " The Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Pro G . M . ; the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , D . G . M , ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . Painter , in proposing "The Health of the P . G . M ., Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ; the D . P . G . M ., Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre ; and the rest of the P . G . Officers , Present and Past , " coupled with the toast the names of Bros . E . VV . Rebbeck and W . Woodhouse .

Bro . Rebbeck , in responding , made reference to the interesting presentation which was made the other day to the P . G . M . by the Duke of Connaught , on behalf of the brethren of the province . Bro . Woodhouse , who likewise replied , said it afforded

him very great pleasure ro respond for the first time in his life as a member of the Provincial Grand Lod ge . Reverting to the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting which was held in that hall during last summer , he expressed a hope that not many years would elapse before a similar Masonic gathering would be held in Bournemouth .

Bro . I . Druitt submitted as the next toast "The Health of the VV . M . of Hengist Lodge , " and incidentally observed that the Hengist Lodge was not only one of the oldest , but also one of the best worked lodges in the kingdom . In acknowledging the toast , Bro . Townsend said it

afforded him a great amount of pleasure to see on that occasion so large a gathering of the members of the lodge and visiting brethren . It would be his aim , as it was his most earnest desire , to worthily occupy the honourable position to which they had elected him as W . M . of the grand old mother lodge of Bournemouth .

Bro . W . Scott Evans proposed " The Health of the I . P . M ., Bro . Dunn , and the Past Masters of the Lodge . " They all knew , he said , how thoroughly and efficiently Bro . Dunn had presided over the lodge during his year of office , and how assiduous and punctual , and thoroughly devoted

he had been in the discharge of his duties . Bro . Dunn , in acknowledging the toast , said the year during which he had presided over the lodge would ever be remembered by him as one of the happiest of his life . Bro . W . B . Rogers responded on behalf of himself and brother Past Alasters .

Bro . E . W . Cross gave the toast of "The Installing Officer , Bro . H . J . Atkins , " which was very heartily drunk , and Bro . Atkins replied . Bro . C . T . Miles proposed "The Health of the Visiting Brethren , " which was responded to by Bros . J . Webber and Morse , as representing the Ringwood Lodge ; Banks , 521 ; and Hogarth .

The toast of "The Masonic Charities" was proposed by Bro . R . Hodges , and acknowledged by Bro . II . 1 . Atkins . J "The Sister Lodges , " proposed by Bro . Miles , was responded to by Bro . J . J . Brazier , on behalf of the Boscombe and Horsa Lodges , The W . M ., in proposing "The Health of the Wardens and Officers of the Lodge , " said he felt sure that during

the coming year he should receive their loyal and cordial Support . Bros . Vye , J . VV ., and C . J . Whitting , I . G ., responded . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the toast list . Vocal and instrumental music was contributed by various brethren in the course of the evening , the cornet solos by Bro . Hogarth ( and more especially that of " The Better Land " ) being most enjoyable .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

CHACEWATER . BOSCawen Lodge ( No . 699 ) . —This lodge celebrated the Festival of St . John on Monday , the I ith inst ., at the Masonic Hall . Bro . S . Rogers was installed W . M . by Bro . Estlick , assisted by Bros . Rev . R . F . Frazer-Frizell , Hall , and Retallack , the Board of Installed Masters including Bros . J . R . Mills , T . Mitchell , W . A . Bennett , C .

Rapson , S . Kinsman , and Hugo . The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . Cover , S . W . ; F . Frizell , J . W . ; W . A . Bennett , Treas . ; Rapson , Sec . ; M . Ball , S . D . ; Mitchell , J . D . ; Richards and Hambly , Stwds . ; and J . Paull , Tyler . £ 2 was voted to the Cornwall Annuity and Benevolent Fund , £ 2 2 s . to the Cornwall Charity

Association , and £ 2 to the Boscawen Charity Association . The first drawing of the Boscawen Charity Association took place in open lodge , and Bro . Estlick drew a Life-Governorship in the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The banquet was served by Mr . Saundry , of the Britannia Hotel .

CHESTER . Clarence Lodge ( No . 2386 ) . —The festival of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 7 th instant , at the Masonic Hall , the W . M . Bro . W . H . Finchett , in the chair , supported by Bros . T . Litherland , S . W . ; Capt . Cooper , J . W . ; T . Hart Davies , Treas . ; Major Randle Ford , Sec . ; and R . Cam ' s , J . D . There was a good attendance of

brethren , and among the visitors were Bros . Annett , P . G . Treas . ; J . C . Robinson , P . P . A . G . D . C . West Lanes . ; I . M . 'Jones , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Dennis , P . P . G . S . B . ; T . E . Young , P . M ., P . S . G . W . of Wales ; G . Rush . P . M . 721 ; W . Peers , J . W . 731 ; G . F . Adams , J . W . 721 ; F . Tait , P . M . 425 ; S . Roberts , P . M . ; T .-S . Adams , P . M . ; Jas . Salmon , P . P . S . G . W . ; and T . Knowles , P . M . 721 .

Letters ot apology were read from Bros . Lord Egerton , Sir Horatio Lloyd , C . W . Spencer Stanhope , the Hon . Holbrook , E . Brassey , and others . The lodge having been opened , Bro . Litherland was introduced by Bros . 1 . M . Jones , P . M ., and Felix Thomas , P . M ., and was duly installed W . M . by the retiring Master , Bro . W . H . Finchett . The W . M . invested his officers as

follows : Bros . Capt . Cooper , S . W . ; Major Randle Ford , J . W . ; T . Hart Davies , Treas . ; R . MacKay , Sec . ; R . i ^ ariss , S . D . ; I . P . Cameron , J . D . ; J . Thomas , I . G . j Evason and A . C . H . Davies , Stwds . ; F . Fox , Org . ; Col . Spence , D . C . ; and S . Smith , Tyler . After the ceremony the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet .

The usual loyal toasts were given from the chair . The Worshipful Master , in appropriate terms , also gave th * toast of " Bro . Lord Egerton , Prov . G . M . ; Bro . Sir Horatio Lloyd , D . P . G . M . ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . " which was responded to by Bros . J . Salmon and Annett . The toast of " The Worshipful Master " was proposed by

Bro . Finchett , and enthusiastically received . The Worshipful Master , after responding to the toast , submitted "The Health of the Installing Master , Bro . Finchett , " which was received with loud applause . In the course of his speech , the W . M . said it was thought by the members of the lodge that some recognition of Bro . Finchett ' s services should be made by making him a small

presentation . The members had responded heartily to the call made upon them , and every member had subscribed . The presentation consisted of the portraits of Bro . Finchett and his wife , capitally executed . Bro . Cooper also , on behalf of the military members of the lodge , presented Bro . Finchett with a Past Master's jewel . Ren Hin (> MaH in fninbinff fnA tMAmt-iarC fevr fhair Irinil

presentation , said : It is hard for me to express my feelings at a moment when I am so overwhelmed with your kindness . When Bro . Litherland asked me to sit for the portraits I had no idea you would make me such a magnificent present . It was far from my wish that you should have gone to such an expense , and I shall owe a debt of gratitude to you all my life . I must also thank the military members

of the lodge for the handsome jewel they have presented to me . It was the last idea 1 had in my mind that any little work that I had done bears any comparison to the value of the presents you have made to me . It has been a labour of love , and for my part I shall always think of the soldiers of the Clarence Lodge with the utmost gratitude . The honour of founding the lodge was due to the military head-quarter

staff and certain members of the other lodges in the city . I will always look upon these [ portraits as a memento of intrinsic value , and shall hand them down as heirlooms to my family . 1 can assure you that 1 will endeavour to do my duty to you in the future as I have done in the past . I am also proud to acknowledge the assistance tendered to me by the officers of the lodge ; £ ' 103 iSs . od . has been

expended in Chanty . Such a sum as that expended in Charity is a noble one . We have also a balance to be carried forward to this year ' s account of between £ 40 and £ 50 . That augurs well for the future of the Clarence Lodge , and I intend to ask at the next lodge night that the sum of £ 21 he given to the Benevolent Fund , and £ 5 5 s . to the Educational Fund . I again thank you on my behalf and that of my wife sincerely , and especially for the kind

presents you have made me to-night . Bro . Ford afterwards proposed / 'The Visitors , " which was suitably responded to . The other toasts included "The Officers , " " The Masonic Charities , " " The Ladies , " and the Tyler ' s toast . The following brethren contributed to the harmony of the evening : Bros . Webster , Williams , Curnow , Bamford , and Holmes , Bro . J . R . Curnow presiding at the piano .

COCKERMOUTH . Skiddaw Lodge ( No . 1002 ) . —The members of this lodge celebrated the Festival of St . John the Evangelist on Tuesday evening , the 5 th inst ., in the Masonic Hall . There was only a moderate attendance , both of members and visitors , "La Grippe" being responsible therefore . Bro . T . Atkinson , P . G . Stwd ., W . M ., presided , supported by the following members and visitors :

Bros . VV . II . Lewthwaite , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . ; W . F . Lamonby , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., P . S . G . W . Victoria ; H . Peacock , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; T . C . Burn , P . M . ; F . A . Cooper , P . M . ; J . Fidler , P . M ., Treas . ; Jos . Hewson , S . VV ., W . M . elect , P . P . G . T . ; J . C . Thompson , W . M . 2285 , P . P . G . R . ; J . Thompson , P . M . 22 S 5 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; E . Loach , W . M . 9 G 2 , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Gardiner , P . M . 371 , P . P . G . R . ; C . Gowan , P . M . lySy , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Reed , W . M . 371 ; and others .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The minutes having being read and confirmed , the W . M . installed his successor in the most perfect manner , this being the first instance of the kind for a period of 10 years or more . The Board of Installed Masters being closed , the remainder of the ceremony was performed by Bro . Lamonby , P . M . The following officers were invested : Bros . T . Atkinson , I . P . M . ; Dr . Forsyth , S . W . ; A . Entwistle , J . W .: J .

Fidler , P . M ., Treas . ( re-elected ); H . Bowman , Sec . ( reappointed ); J . P . Bennett , S . D . ; and J . Burns , J . D . A telegram was read from Bro . Geo . Dalrymple , P . M . S 72 and 1660 , P . P . S . G . W ., P . A . G . Sec , regretting his inability to be present , and subsequently that brother was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lodge in recognition of his services as Installing Master during a period of eight

years . Bro . Lamonby , P . M ., rose and said that the hand of death had fallen heavily on their grand old Craft . A noble pillar of the Order had been cleft in twain . A chivalrous soldier , a courteous gentleman , and a true and devoted Mason had been called to his long rest . He ( the speaker ) need scarcely say that he referred to the death of Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand

Secretary of England . For himself , he could hardly realise the sad and sudden call . It was barely a month since he sat with their departed brother at the festive board in London , when he did him the honour to propose his health on his return from Australia . For many years Bro . Clerke had served his Queen and country , leading a storming party up the heights of the Redan , fearless of

Russian shot and shell , and for many years he had laboured well and faithfully in the peaceful held of Masonry , the last 12 sears by the favour of their Royal Grand Master as his chief executive adviser . During that period the roll of Grand Lodge was increased by more than 500 lodges , and nearly the whole of those in the London district were inaugurated by the departed Grand Secretary ; indeed , at his

death he was the Master of a lodge bearing his own honoured name . Those ot the brethren who had had becasion to correspond with the late Grand Secretary , could not but have been struck with his prompt and businesslike responses to their queries , while he was always accessible , kind , and cordial to a degree to all who called on him at Freemasons' Hall . In short , iBro . Clerke was a mm

and a Mason of a thousand , and , to use Tennyson's words , "He bore , without abuse , the grand old name of gentleman . " He ( Bro . Lamonby ) was not aware that any other lodge in the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland had moved in this matter ; but he was confident that every member of Skiddaw Lodge would cordially , sympathetically , and fraternally approve of

the resolution which he then had the honour to move as follows : " That the brethren of Skiddaw Lodge , No . 1002 , in annual festival assembled , hereby desire to express their deep sense of the great and irreparable loss that has befallen English Freemasonry through the lamented death of Very Worshipful Bro . Colonel Shadwell Henry Clerke , Grand

Secretary of the Order . The resolution was seconded by Bro . Atkinson , I . P . M ., supported by Bro . Burn , P . M ., and carried unanimously . The lodge was then closed . Subsequently the brethren adjourned to the Globe Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet was awaiting them . Bro . Hewson , W . M ., presided , and the customary toast list was duly honoured .

DERBY . Arboretum Lodge ( No . 731 ) . —The regular monthly meetingof this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Gower-street , on the 13 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Geo . Sutherland , W . M . j J . Walker , P . P . S . G . D .,

I . P . M . ; W . H . Wright , S . W . ; John Jones , J . W . j Rev . T . Orrell , Chap . ; W . Whittaker , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Treas . j G . H . Ward , Sec . j A . Smith , S . D . ; W . W . Haywood , J . D . ; Geo . Copestick , D . of C . ; T . Tinkler , I . G . ; A . Butterworth and B . Toft , Stwds . ; T . Day , Tyler j T . R . Gee , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; J . Bland , P . M .,

P . P . J . G . D . ; C . Webster , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; A . Woodiwiss , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . W . Brigg , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; Thos . Yeomans , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; W . H . Roberts , P . M . , - D . Ottwell , J . W . Cowlishan , H . Burdett , W . Forman , T . I . Beck , A . Smith , W . Wright , A . Frazer , T . J ordan , and others . Visitors : Bros . Luther Russell , S . W ., W . M . elect 10 S 5 ; and H . Slater , Sec . 802 .

The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , Bro . Frazer was raised in a most impressive manner b y the W . M ., who also presented the working tools , and explained the tracing board . Bro . W . Whittaker , P . M ., was elected to represent the lodge on the Provincial Charity Committee . Bro . A . Woodiwiss , P . M ., in a very able speech , drew the attention of the brethren to the urgent

claims of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , explaining the advantages offered this Jubilee year in the shape of increased voting papers . On his proposition , seconded by Bro . C . Webster , P . M ., 25 guineas was voted from the lodge funds , to be placed on the list of Bro . W . H . Wright , S . W ., who will represent the lodge at the Festival in February . Two candidates for initiation were proposed .

" Hearty good wishes " having been given by the visitors , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed by the W . M ., who feelingly alluded to the serious illness of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , Prov . Grand Master of Berkshire , and hoped he might be speedily restored—a wish heartily echoed by the brethren .

The toast of "The P . G . M ., the D . P . G . M ., and the rest of the P . G . Officers , Present and Past , " was then proposed by the W . M ., allusion being made to the oldest Past Master present , Bro . T . R . Gee , Prov . G . Treas ., who that day completed his 25 years' membership of the Arboretum Lodge , and who was in December last elected Prov . Grand Treasurer .

Bro . Gee , who was heartily greeted on rising to respond , spoke feelingly of the many happy years he had spend amongst the brethren , and said that of the large number on the roll only two were older members than himself , and one of them—Bro . G . T . Wright , P . P . S . G . W . —they would not expect to again sec amongst them , owing to his severe illness . He trusted he himself might long be spared to come to his lodge , and support whoever should be W . M .

The toast of "Ihe W . M . " was given by the S . W ., which was heartily received , and humorously responded to-Bro . A . Smith , S . D ., proposed "The Visitors , " and it was remarked as somewhat singular that only one was present—Bro . L . Russell , S . W ., W . M . elect 10 S 5—who regretted more were not present , but had no doubt many had gone to the Scarsdale installation at Chesterfield . Hci however , trusted that all who could attend would be present at his installation on February 3 rd .