Annual Ball Of The Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge, No. 2432.

their lodges their interest was to entertain the ladies as well as please themselves . Mrs . Emblin expressly asked him to wish them all a very enjoyable evening , and she would be delighted to hear that such a grand array had attended . He must tell them the credit for this splendid success was not all his own , Bro . Scholding , the Secretary , who unfortunately was unable to be present , had worked very hard to ensure success , and the best thanks

were due to him for the time and trouble he had taken to promote their enjoyment . He would not detain them long , as no doubt they were anxious to dance , but there were a large number of visitors present , and some were not Masons . The brethren of the Sir Walter Raleigh Lodge always held out the right hand of fellowship to brother visitors . Those who were not Masons they were sorry for , but gave them hearty welcome , and hoped they would come again . Bro . Buxton sang " The Admiral ' s Broom . "

Bro . CURRIE , 2331 , replying for "' The Visitors , " said he was ashamed to be a visitor , but he attended the first ladies' night of the lodge , and had attended every one since . They got better and better , and if he might invent a word , that was betterer . He never had missed one , and , health permitting , he never should miss one of them . Mrs . Currie was pleased with the souvenir , and they wished the

lodge every success . Bro . ALLEN also responded , twitting the W . M ., who he had known for many years , with having coupled his name with the toast as a non-Mason . He congratulated him upon the success of the entertainment , which they thoroughly appreciated . Bros . C . Ransford , Thos . Rayner , and W . H . Lowry were the M . Cs ., and dancing was kept up with much spirit till 4 . 30 a . m . ' The decorations and arrangements of Mr . Hamp , the popular manager of the restaurant , gave great satisfaction . The financial result wasalso very satisfactory .

Aldersgate Ball Of The Past Officers' Club.

ALDERSGATE BALL OF THE PAST OFFICERS' CLUB .

The Aldersgate Ball of the Past Officers' Club took place on Tuesday , the 12 th inst ., at the King's Hall of the Holborn Restaurant , under the most brilliant auspices , and was attended by nearly 400 of the leading inhabitants of Ihe Ward and their friends . The Lord Mayor , owing unfortunately to indisposition , was unable to be present , but the Lady Mayoress was present with her three sons . A large number of the gentlemen were attired in Court dress and military uniforms , whichladded g reatly to the ^ effect . The Hon . Artillery Company Band , under the leadership of W . W . Prayling , supplied the music .

A most recherche supper took place at midnight , under thc presidency of Bro . Thomas Murray Janes , the President , who was immediately supported by Mrs . Sheriff Hand and family , Bro . Sir Albert and Lady Altman , the Chief Commoner , Edward Lee , Esq ., and Mrs . Lee , Bro . and Mrs . Brookman , Mr . and Miss Day , Bro . and Mrs . Briggs , Bro . and Mrs . Howard , C . C ; Bro . Matthew R . Webb , J . P . ; and Major Rickard .

The toasts , conimendably few , were briefly proposed by Bros . Sir Albert Altman , A . Brookman , C . C , and the Chief Commoner , and were responded toby the President , the Hon . Sec , and Mr . J . H . Lile , C . C . Among the company present , in addition to the names mentioned above , were Bro . Deputy Goodinge and party , Bro . Baron de Bush , Sir Sherston Baker , Bro . W , T . Roberts , Vice-President , H . Milark , Bro . B . Norman , C . C . Welch , R . H . Abbott , A . C . Goodinge , T . lllman , J . James , W . L . Watson , F . Wright , Bro . C . S .

Houlder , H . L . Bedford , C . Ackland , Surgeon-Major Adams , R . H . Coad , F . Hollingworth , F . G . Howard , Bro . A . B . Hudson , C . C , A . VV . Lyne , W . H . Pitman , A . Barnes , G . Barnes , Bro . P . F . R . Saillard , T . W . Vine , Bro . Rev . T . Selby Henrey , H . F . Webb , T . P . Bedford , E . Bibra , Dr . Buncombe , jun ., R . H . Coad , W . T . Drake , Bro . H . Fell , N . R . Hart , Bro . F . V . Goddard , T . M . Lewin , J . H . Renals . J . B . Renals , and Jas . Mayhew , Hon . Sec , accompanied by lady friends . The Sheriffs were unable to be present , but were represented by their wives and families .

The ball , which was highly successful and most enjoyable , concluded shortly after 5 a . m . The entire anangements gave the greatest satisfaction . Messrs . Fradelle and Young , the photographers of Regent-street , attended , and were well patronised .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Fidelity Lodge ( No . 3 ) . —There was a good attendance of members and visitors at the installation meeting of this old-established lodge , held at Freemasons ' Hall on the 13 th inst ., when Bro . John Cooper was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . The members present included Bros . G . T . Cox , W . M . ; ] . Cooper , S . W . ; H . Imray , J . VV . ; G . Low , P . M ., Treas . ; Dr . S . R . Lovett , P . M ., Sec . ; H . G . Gregory , J . D .: F . G . Sheppard , I . G . ; Dr . A . G . Sandberg , P . M . ; S . Cochrane

P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; C . Challen , P . M . ; H . S . Wellcome , P . M . ; J . VV . Squire , P . M . ; T . Kayler ' , P . M . ; A . H . Larcome , P . M . ; F . McDougall , P . M . ; S . H . Kinsey , and many others . Visitors : Bros . R . M . Littler , Q . C , P . Dep . G . Reg . ; W . R . Hooper , 1323 ; the Rev . F . Lloyd , P . P . G . Chap . Essex ; T . Huntley ; A . G . Mason ; I . Britain ; J . R . Hope , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; Dr . W . H . Kempster , P . G . Stwd . ; S . Wales , S . W . 1 S 43 ; E . Beare , 172 ; A . K . Pumfrey , 1 S 6 ; W . H . Kirby , P . M . 1061 ;; R . F . Young ; I . Hart , P . M . 193 ; W . J . Little , 1541 ; J . Norden

8 79 ; K . S . Plowright , S . W . 193 ; C . Dadsweli , S . D . ijiy ; K . Cranston , S . W . 1385 ; C A . Hardwick , P . M . 1397 ; R . R . 1347 ! C . P . Dyke , P . G . S . B . Dorset ; J . Lusty , jun ., W . M . 1259 ; J . Probert ; F . Izard , 1017 ; T . G . Bolton , 16 S 7 ; G . Ridout , I . P . M . 12 S 7 ; G . Wallace , P . M . go 7 ; Percy Cox , J . D . 1 S 03 ; C . R . Ellis , P . M . 19 S 2 ; R . Greening , P . M . 1426 ; W . Baddeley , 1385 ; H . VV . Brookes , 21 ; H . Phillips , 2357 ; W . VV . Lee , W . M . 1897 ; and others .

Lodge was opened and ih ; minutes confirmed , after which Bro . Dr . Sandberg , P . M ., impressively initiated a candidate into Freemasonry . Bro . Sandberg then ably installed Bro . John Cooper as W . M ., and the following officers were invested ; Bros . G . T . Cox , I . P . M . ; H . Imray , S . W . ; H . J . Gregory , J . W . ; G . Low , P . M ., Treas . ; Dr . S . R . Lovett , P . M ., Sec . ; F . J . Sheppard , S . D . ; Dr . F . P . Wightwick , J . D . j A . W . G . Weeks , P . M ., D . C . ; G . S . Dixon , I . G . ; R . Sebastian Hart , Org . ; and R . F . Potter , P . M ., Tyler .

The lodge was then closed , and a banquet was afterwards . held at Freemasons ' Tavern . The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were afterwards honoured . Bro . R . M . Littler , Q . C , P . D . G . Reg ., in reply to the toast of the Grand Officers , said he felt considerably agrieved because Bro . Cochrane , who was his senior as a Grand Officer

had induced the W . M , tocouple his name with the toast . He could only say that he bad a happy year of office as Deputy G . Registrar for the one reason that Bro . Philbrick left him nothing to do . He had now retired on his laurels , and had been able to still do nothing and yet take credit as a Past Grand Officer . He would assure the brethren that what the W . M . had said was quite correct , for the Grand Officers did their best to enhance the credit of the Craft .

Bro . S . Cochrane , P . G . Treas ., said the P . D . G . Reg . had been too modest in his remarks , for , personally he knew the valuable assistance he had rendered , in conjunction with Bros . Philbrick and Pope , in the various quest inns coming before the Board of General Purposes . Speaking personally , he was one of their own Past Masters , and liked to see the officers do their duty . If the officers would only attend lodges of instruction , the old lodge would still do as well in the future as it had done in the past . Bro . G . T . Cox , I . P . M ., then said that , although he had b ; en relegated to the Past Masters , he still had possession of the gavel once during the evening to propose " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " It had been his pleasure to work with Bro . Cooper

Craft Masonry.

for the past three or four years , and , from his observations of his conduct , he would say he would make a good Master , and the brethren would have no reason to regret his election to the post . Bro . J . Cooper , W . M ., briefly replied , and thanked the I . P . M . and brethren . Me would not detain them with a long speech , but would simply thank them heartily for the kind manner in which they had received the toast , and the I . P . M . for his too flattering remarks . n

• L J W # M - tnen Proceeded to propose " The Installing Master , " and said he only wished he could get through his year of office with as much credit as Bro . Sandberg carried with him in every duty he undertook . Bro . Sandberg was generous in taking any office in the lodge , from I . G . to Installing Master , and , in fact , in filling up any gap . j ? ° ' ? ' , ' * " * ' SantJnerlr > P . M ., who was cordially received , said that anythirg he had done had been a labour of love . As they must be tired of hearing his voice , he would simply thank them from the bottom of his heart for the kind expressions with which they had received this toast .

" The Initiate " was next given and duly acknowledged . Bro . Rev . F . Lloyd , P . P . G . Chap . Essex , replying on behalf of " The Visitors , " said that this lodge was noted for its hospitality which they had all enjoyed that evening . He wished the W . M . a year of unanimity and happiness , and trusted the Great Architect would give him health and strength to dispense the hospitality the visitors had enjoyed that night . Other visitors replied , after which the Worshipful Master proposed "The Immediate

Past Master , " and said the l . P . M . 's year of office was over , and they had seen how he conducted his year , and it was not possible to have a better Master . He was equally happy at the banquet table , and they would not forget the happy day they had up the river last year . Thel . P . M . kept them at rehearsals , and saw they were well up in their work . He was glad to have Bro . Cox on his left to render assistance , and had great pleasure in presenting him with a Past Master ' s jewel from the officers of the lodge , hoping he would be spared many years to wear it .

The I . P . M ., in reply , said it had given him great pleasure to perform his duties , and was much indebted to the officers for their kind assistince . He had done his best according to his ability , and hoped his labour had not been altogether in vain . He had only to thank them for the jewel which he much appreciated , and which he should treasure as a pleasing remembrance of the termination of his year of office . "The Past Masters , " and other toasts were given before the Tyler's toast concluded the enjoyable proceedings . The musical programme was carried out by Bros . R . J . Ward , E . Boyant , and Egbert Roberts , and Mr . Frank Peskett .

St . Michael ' s Lodge ( No . 2 H ) . —This ancient and prosperous lodge —which will complete the centenary of its existence in September next—held its installation meeting at the Albion , Aldersgate-street , on Tuesday , the 12 th inst . The newlyinstalled VV . M ., Bro . George Cockrell , was initiated in the lodge about nine years ago , and , having served several offices with conspicuous success , was elected at the last meeting to fill the chair during the centenary year . Although suffering from severe indisposition , Bro . Cockrell invested his officers , and afterwards initiated a candidate in a very able manner , but the weak state of his voice prevented him from proposing all ( he

subsequent toasts . The W . M . in his capacity as Steward for the Girls' School , has already realised his desire of collecting as many guineas as the lodge has been in existence years . Bro . W . J . Dyer , W . AL , opened the lodge , and was supported by Bros . George Cockrell , S . W . ; G . Copley , J . W . ; A . Green , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Radcliffe , P . M ., Sec ; Spawforth , S . D . ; Mount , J . D . ; Orlton Cooper , P . M ., D . C ; H . l . indlield , P . M ., Stwd . ; E . Kirkland , P . M . ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . S . Cochrane , P . G . Treas . ; Nathaniel Bennett , P . P . A . G . D . C . North Wales : G . E .

Hugginson , P . M . 1791 ; A . T . Foreman , P . M . 1201 ; H . Cockrell , P . M . 225 ; A . Bunnell , P . M . 406 ; W . George , P . M . 101 ; Samuel Webb , P . M . 12 S 7 ; G . P . Hodgson , P . M . 1613 ; VV . Lewis , 120 ; N . Pratt , 12 S 4 ; A . H . Hentish , 1610 ; G . Rust , 2331 ; E . Austen , 1 794 ; C . C . Barber , 1585 ; R . N . Larter , 1791 ; VV . Evans , 172 ; G . Horwell , 1571 ; W . J . Nash , 321 ; F . Reynolds , CO 3 ; C . B . Gilson , 1420 ; G . A . Sturgess , 53 S ; Howland Roberts , 2302 ; VV . Pallant , 1421 ; and W . VV . Lee , W . M . 1 S 07 , P . M . 23 S 1 . After the confirmation of the minutes , Bro . Cockrell was presented as

W . M . elect , and duly installed into the chair , the ceremony being performed by liro . VV . J . Dyer , I . P . M ., assisted by Bro . Orlton Cooper , P . M ., D . C . The following officers were invested : Bros . G . Copley , S . W . ; Spawforth , J . VV . ; Alfred Green , P . M ., Treas . ; Wm . Radcliffe , P . M ., Hon . Sec . ; Mount , S . D . ; A . H . Collings , J . D . ; P . ] . King , jun ., I . G . j Orlton Cooper , P . M ., D . C ; E . C Collings , Org . ; H . Lindlield , P . M ., Mwd . ; and Barnes , Tyler . Bro . A . Usher was elected a joining member , and Mr . G . F , Johnson was impressively initiated into Freemasonry .

After the closing of the lodge , an excellent banquet was followed by the usual loyal and Masnnic toasts .

Bro . S . Cochrane , P . G . Treas ., returned thanks for "The Grand Officers , " and said they did their best in the interest of the Craft , and especially on the Board of General Purposes , where all cases of difficulty wcre referred . So long as the present good feeling existed between the Grand Officers and the rank and file , so long would Masonry progress . There was no other society in the world where such feeling existed , for in a lodge every brother was their friend for weal or woe . Bro . W . J . Dyer , I . P . M ., in proposing ' ; The Health of the VV . M ., " said that all the memb ; rs and most of the visitors knew their W . M . and knew what a good fellow he

was . If any man was fitted for the position of the chair , it was their present W . M . They were sorry Bro . Cockrell was in such bad health , having come from a bed of sickness to be installed , which showed that he possessed that one great feature dear to all Englishmen—pluck . The W . M . had moreover done his work that night as well as any newly-installed Master in the history of Freemasonry . As that must necessarily be a trying evening , he ( the I . P . M . ) would simply ask them to drink with the utmost enthusiasm the health of the VV . M . of St . Michael's Lodge . Bro . G . Cockrell , VV . M ., in replying , said : I thank the I . P . M . for the kind way in

which he has proposed my health , and the brethren present for the way they hive received the toast . I shall trouble you with but few words , although I wish to siy much . I a'n sure you all know I feel very proud of the position you | iave placed me in in thc centenary year of the lodge . I have done my best in the past , and hive apparently given srtis ' a- - tion in the offices I have filled . I know I have had the appreciation of the brethren , and I shall do my level best during my year for the progress of Freemasonry in this lodge , and the success and benefit of Freemasonry in general . I hope , by so doing , to have

the assistance of the Past Masters of this good old lodge . As you have already heard , I propose going up as Steward for the Girls' School . I am rather proud of my list , for when I was elected , I had the audacity to say I hoped tj take up to that Institution as many guineas as the lodge was years old . By the kindness of friends in the Benevolent Association of the lodge of instruction , I am able to fulfil my wish , and several guineas beyond . I know the brethren will be proud to think I am going up with such a good list . I again thank you / or the kind manner in which the toast has been proposed

and received . Bro . W . Kirkland , P . M ., proposed "Thel . P . M . " and said Bro . Dyer had fulfilled his duties to the satisfaction of every member . Those who were not present on several occasions missed a Masonic treat , for the I . P . M . not only performed the ordinary duties of the various Degrees , bu . beyond that gave them one or two of those old charges which they in that lodge were not accustomed to her . Brn . Dyer had carried out the duties of the chair with dignity and credit , and had sailed the eld ship , St . Michael ' s , into calm waters .

The Worshipful Master then presented the I . P . M . with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , and expressed the hope that the Great Architect would give him health and strength to remain with them for many years . Bro . W . j . D > er , I . P . M ., in response , said he bad to thank the officers and brethren for an extremely happy year of office . Whatever he might have done , his eff jrts would have been futile if it had not been for the great help given him . Bro . Kirkland should not forget that he left the lodge in such perfect condition and splendid order , that it was impossible for him ( the I . P . M . ) to put it out of order , lie hoped for many years to be associated with the lodge and render any service in his power .

Bro . G . F . Johnson , replying for the toast of " The Initiate , " said that being an infant , his observations were necessarily limited , but whatever duties he was called upon to perforin , he would accept with every feeling of pride and pleasure . If his words had failed to convey the sincerity of his appreciation of Masonry , there was something beating within him which might prove more eloquent . Bro . H . Cockrell , P . M . 225 , acknowledged "The Visitors , " proposed in cordial terms by Bro . Radcliffe , P . M ., Sec , and said this was his first visit to a London lodpe . They had installed his brother in the flesh as their VV . M ., and it was naturally a grca ; pleasure to witness that ceremony .