Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Jftasonrg *

LODGE OF FIDELITY ( No . 3 ) . —At the last meeting of this lodge , hel on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , a very interesting event occurred . One of the oldest members cf thc lodge , Bro . James Squire , P . M ., has fulfilled the post of Honorary Secretary of the lodge for nearly thirty years , and as the lodge is numerous , these duties are correspondingly heavy , and have been

performed with considerable tact and ability by the brother alluded to . Some of the older members of the lodge , who necessarily arc more fully acquainted with the labour attending the duties of the post , thought that an opportunity presented to recognise these services , and on consultation with thc Master and officers ofthe lodge , the matter > vas very warmly entered into by them , and on the lodge being taken into

confidence , a very substantial sum was subscribed , and in the result it was determined to present the Honorary Secretary with a gold watch and chain , which through the instrumentality of Bro . Peacock was purchased for presentation . At the before mentioned meeting the W . M . took an early opportunity of proposing "The Health of Bro . J . Squire , the Secretary , " and in doing so very deservedly

alluded to the excellent manner in which the duties of the office had at all times been perfo . med , not only ministerially but with great benefit to the well-doing and harmony of the lodge . He then in a formal manner made the presentation as from the members of the lodge to their old friend and brother , accompanied with their good wishes and hopes for his continued health and happiness for years to come . The

watch bore the follou-ingljinscription , " Presented to Bro . James Squire , P . M ., by the members of the Lodge of Fidelity , No . 3 , to record their high appreciation of the manner in which he had fulfilled the duty of Secretary of the lodge for a period of twenty-eight years . April 13 th , 1 SS 1 . " The W . M . then proceeded to say that the members of the lodge desired that their appreciation of the services

of the Secretary should be further recorded , and with that view requested the Secretary to convey this feeling to Mrs . Squire , and with it to ask her acceptance of a silver tea and coffee service , in order that his worth might be held in daily remembrance in his own household . Bro . Squire , in a very touching and feeling reply , accepted the preferred

gifts , and in doing so thanked the brethren , in the name of Airs . Squire and himself , for their substantial and brotherly recognition of his labours , and assured the lodge that the time and thought he had bestowed upon the work connected with thc lodge had been to him a pleasure , and not a task , the more so as at all times he met with the approval and support of the lodge .

VITRUVIAN LODGE ( No . S ) . —The regular meeting of this good old lodge was held at the White Hart Tavern , Belvedere-road , Lambeth , S . E ., on the 13 th inst . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Skirving , and his Wardens , Bros . Robinson , S . VV ., Jenaway , J . W . The reading of the minutes and their confirmation followed , and the VV . M . proceeded with the examination of Bro .

Coleman , and finding him worthy passed him a stage higher . The W . M . again resumed , and took successful ballot for the following gentlemen , Alessrs . Carter and Lynch , who , being present , were regularly initiated . The W . M . rose and made enquiries for thegood of Freemasonry . Bro . Stuart , P . M ., Secretary , informed the W . M . that he had received three letters from poor brothers , and no doubt worthy ,

to the fact of which vouchers were handed in . The brethren at once considered the applications , and on the proposition of the Treasurer , P . M . Whiting , who truly observed that it was belter they were all equally assisted than that one worthy brother should go away unrewarded , the best way would be to empty the charity box on their behalf , which goodly sum was divided

amongst them , the charity of this lodge to its indigent members and to the Masonic Institutions generall y being proverbial , they at the present time being Vice-patrons of of the Institutions for Widows and Aged Freemasons , also Vice-Presidents of the Boys' and Girls' Schools ( a good example to the Craft ) . The business being over the lodge was closed , and the

VV . M . headed the brethren to the banqueting hall , where a most excellent and well served repast was in waiting , doing great credit to Bro . Carrington , the proprietor , as a caterer , and under his own superintendence was all that could be desired . The W . M . rose and intimated to the brethren that he intended to do honour to all the Masonic toasts . So much had been said in all lodges as to their just merits ,

and they all knew the usual deference that was paid to their exalted rulers and Royal Patron , in all of which he fully concurred , that he was sure the brethren of the Vitruvian Lodge would join with him in doing honour to the toast of " Queen and Craft , " which he now proposed to them , and the brethren would echo his words by a good fire . The same was heartily responded to . Then followed lhat of the " Royal Grand Master , Prov . G . M .. D . G . M ., Grand

Lodge Ollieers , Past and Present , " all of them being fully demonstrated to by all present . The W . M . next proposed the toast of " The Initiates , " and observed that the newlyadmitted ones that evening , by their great attention to the ceremony , inspired him with strong hopes for their future progress , and he could assure them if they only remained true to Freemasonry they would find it true to them , and he called on the brethren to drink their healths . 'I'he toast

received true Masonic reception . Ihe initiates made suitable replies . The . VV . M . next proposed " The Visitors ; " they had several among them that evening , consisting of P . M . ' s , W . M . 's , andothers . He feltthchigliest gratification at there being present brethren who had borne the heat and Durden of office in its varying progress from D . C . to P . M ., and they were certainly worthy of their noticeand he

, hoped to have visitors on all occasions during his year of office . He would , therefore , call on the Vitruvians for a good fire , which was most heartily responded to . The visitors severally returned thanks , stating the great enjoyment they all felt at the very excellent working they had witnessed in the lodge , and the happy welcome

accorded them by all , and wen' sure if the W . M . was provided with plenty of labour he would prove his efficiency in discharging any Masonic duties they weie likely to require of liiin , ; iml for lhe wry flattering reception they had received begged to hope for health , and prosperit y to the members of the Vitruvian

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Lodge . Ihe toast of " lhe P . M . of the Lodge and those present" came next , to which Bro . Whiting , P . M ., replied , thanking the assemblage that evening for again showing their respect towards them . He would like to say he felt very gratified at thc friendly criticism of their visitors , more especially to that part referring to their working ; he only hoped that those who were in office , and

those who were looking forward for appointments , would pay visits to the lodge of Instruction , and learn—and perfect what they did learn—as their W . M . had done . Those who had spoken so well of his working knew something of Masonry , and would agree with him in what he had said . It was highly satisfactory to his feelings to know that the little assistance he had rendered had helped to produce

such excellent fruit , and thanked the brethren for thc cordial manner the toast had been received . Other toasts were given and acknowledged . To that of "The Officers" several replied . Thc S . W ., speaking for himself , said he felt equally with the P . M . the high compliment paid by the visitors to thc W . M ., and he was doing his best to fit himself for similar acknowledgments . He was

unable to attend their lodge of instruction , owing to distance , but he was regular in his attendance at another one , close to him . The W . S . replied with a few remarks , and hoped to fit himself for higher office next installation . This officer worked very hard for the comfort of all present . Bro . Lee having' given thc Tyler's toast , the remainder of thc evening was spent in sociality and mirth . The W . M . was supported by Bros . Robertson , S . W . ;

Jenaway , I . W . ; Nott , I . P . M . ; Hopkins , P . M . ; Ross , P . M . ; " Timothy , P . M . ; Jolly , P . M . ; Stuart , P . M ., Secretary ; Knight , S . D . ; Ball , l . D . ; Davis , I . G . ; Minstrel , D . C ; and Birch , W . S . Visitors : Bros . Paton , Organist Israel Lodge ; Black , 115 S ; Sibley , 201 ; and others . Amongst the lay members were Bros . Knowles , Warlercr , Wallerton , Goodall , Chamberlain , lssac , Lambourne , Lovelock , Wooliffe , Watson , and others , in all about fifty being present .

COSMOP 9 LITAN LODGE ( No . 917 ) . —A most successful meeting of this lodge was held at Cannon-street Ilotel , on Tuesday week , under the presidentship of Bro . J . F . Van Raalte , W . M . In addition to the above named there were present Bros . W . Rowley , S . VV . ; F . VV . Jones , P . M ., Treas . ; L . Stean , P . M ., Sec ; Lovell Keays , P . M . ; G . M . Taylor , P . M . ; T . VV . Jones , P . AL ; G .

Redding , S . D . ; J . Field , J . D . j George Edwards , VV . M . 1 S 1 G , I . G . ; A . G . Winsor , D . of C . ; C . F . Goodenough , Steward ; ( . Alarsh , Tyler ; J . King , Thomas Burdett , VV . Nash , R . ' Prime , L . James , ' VV . T . Yates , J . Blonde ! , R . Abbott , N . Sprule , and the following visitors : Bros . S . P . Labouchcre , of the Frederick Royal Lodge , Rotterdam ; G . Allison , 129 S ; R . I lowland , 13 GG ; R . Newman , 1 445 ;

R . B . Greenwood , 1 G 23 ; aid 1 ' . A . Kelly , 1524 ( I'rccm a son ) . Lodge was opened at six o ' clock , when the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The next business was the balloting for two candidates , Alessrs . Jules Blondel and Alfred Sprules , for initiation . This being declared in their favour , they were duly prepared and

subsequently initiated into tbe mysteries of the Order , the ceremony being performed in a very creditable manner by the W . AL , Bro . Van Raalte . After a few matters of minor importance , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned tn an excellent banquet , provided by Bro . Rand , and genially presided over by the W . AL At the conclusion of banquet , grace was given from

the chair , and the customary toasts followed . lhe first toast , that of "The Queen , '' the W . AI . said was loyally received in all companies of Englishmen , and never more heartily than by foreign gentlemen residing in England . Thc same remarks applied to the next toast , that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " whose good qualities , both as a Royal Prince , and as Grand Alaster of

the Masonic Fraternity , endeared him to all . The next toast was that of " The Iiarl of Carnarvon , AI . W . Pro Grand Alaster , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " This having been duly honoured , the toast that followed was lhat of "The W . AL , " in introducing which Bro . Kcyes said , that such a toast , like good wine , needed no bush . He had had the pleasure of

initiating Bro . Van Raalte , and naturally felt great pleasure in seeing him in the position he now occupied . The VV . AI . in returning thanks , acknowledged that it was with pride he remembered that to Bro . Kcyes he was indebted for Alasonic light . At that time he felt it impossible ever to reach the chair , but having succeeded his aim was to fulfil his duties in a proper

manner , so that at the expiration of Ins year he would retain the same good opinion of the brethren as bethought he at present possessed . The next toast was that of "Thc Initiates , " whicli , after being acknowledged by those newly-enlightened brethren , was followed by "The Visitors , " the W . AL wishing them a hearty welcome , and expressing a sincere hope lhat they would visit

the lodge again . Among the visitors , the VV . M . continued , was a member of the Grand Lodge of Rotterdam , lie could not he called a foreigner , as there was no such distinction known in the Cosmopolitan Lodge . Bros . Labouchcre , Allison , and others having replied , the VV . M . next gave in able terms "The Alasonic Charities , " coupled with the name of llro . Kcyes , who made an eloquent speech in

reply . To the toast of " The Past Alasters , " Bros . Stein , Taylor , Kcyes , and Jones replied ; the first named , in the course of an interesting speech , said that , as the oldest founder living , having been connected with the lodge since 1 SG 2 , he could , with some authority , speak as to the career of the lodge , which , he could truly say , had been somewhat chequered . Hut a brighter career was now before it .

It was , he might say , in the right groove , and with careful management would prosper . It was his sincere wish to be spared long enough to see each . Master of the lodge a Vice-President of each of the Institutions , a wish he lind every hope of seeing fulfilled . I he Treasurer , Bro . F . W . Jones , also replied , giving some interesting facts as to the prosperous condition of the lodge fundi . The next toast was that uf " The Alasonic Press , "

which tlie VV . M . proposed in eulogistic terms , acknowledging that to the Press he was indebted for most of tlie Masonic learning he possessed . He was exceedingly pleased to see the l ' reemason represented , nnd he would call upon the brethren to drink to the ( oast in bumpers . This being done , and our representative having acknowledged the compliment , the remqiiiing toast :, were given and duly responded to .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

STANHOPE LODGE ( No . 1269 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 12 th inst ., at the Thicket Hotel , Anerlcj' , when there were present Bros . S . T . Kington , W . AL ; A . S . Harrison , S . W . ; J . A . Smith , J . W . ; J . "" C . Ring , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Wood , P . AL , Sec . ; D . M . Alurrow , S . D . ; W . C . Page , J . D . ; VV . C . Canton , P . AL , D . C ; B . G . Frampton , I . G . ; ' A . 13 . Church , Tyler ;

] . VV . Lassam , A . VV . J . Wellington , R . Thorn , r . Lassam , H . H . Marten , T . Swan , W . B . ' Salter , S . Digby , and R . Ludgate . Lodge having been opened in due form , and thc minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , Bros . Alarten , Thorn , and Swan were passed to the Degree of l' \ C , and

the lecture on the second tracing board delivered by Bro . Wood , P . AI . and Sec . The lodge was closed . There was no banquet , but all the brethren , except Bro . Page , remained for a plain dinner , and spent thc evening enlivened by harmony from several brcthren , > 'ho separated in perfect accord .

ERA LODGE ( No . 1423 ) . — The installation meeting of this flourishing lodge was held at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham , on Saturday week , the 9 th inst . The brethren present were : Bros . Augustus F . Loos , W . AL ; E . W . Devereux , I . P . AI . ; J . T . Aloss , P . M . ; John Faulkner , S . W ., VV . AI . elect ; J . W . Baldwin , P . AL , Treas . ; Ii . II . Thiellay , P . AL , Sec . ; 1 . Beresford Rylev ,

ALD ., S . D . ; li . F . Henman , I . G . ; George L . Wingate , D . of C . ; Wm . Lane , Tyler ; John Fixter , C . IT . Glover , L . W . Alitchell , and the following visitors : Bros . R . J . Smith , W . AL 34 ; T . W . Ockenden , W . AI . 1512 ; D . Haslett , P . AL 145 ; Thomas Kingston , P . AI . S 62 , 1 G 12 ; VV . A . Simmons , P . AI . 1559 ; Frank Elmore , 12 ; j . VV . Long , 569 ; J . Robinson , 7 S 4 ; George Jcnkinson , 1329 ;

Charles Hornby , 155 6 ; G . A . Williams , 1642 ; F . A . Smith , 1 GG 9 ; and F . A . Kelly , 1524 ( Freemason ) . The lodge having been regularly opened in the various Degrees , Bro . J . VV . Baldwin , the Installing Officer , assumed the chair , when Bro . John Faulkner , W . AL elect , was presented , and having given assent to thc Ancient Charges , all brethren below the chair retired . The

installation ceremony was then performed by Bro . Baldwin in a most efficient and impressive manner , eliciting high praise from those fairly entitled to judge of good working . The brethren having been re-admitted the VV . AI . was proclaimed , and saluted in regular form . The following-brethren received the honour of office : Bros . Dr . ] . Beresford Ryley , S . VV . ; G . S . Elliott , P . AL , J . W . ; J . W . Baldwin , P . M ., Treas . ;

E . II . Thiellay , P . AL , Sec ; E . T . Henman , S . D . ; G . L . Wingate , J . D . ; R . Chipperfield , I . G . ; V . P . Jenkins , D . C ; VV . A . Simms , W . S . ; and C . I-I . Glover , Org . At the conclusion of the installation ceremony , ' "Hearty good wishes" were expressed by the visiting brethren , and the lodge was closed , the brethren reasscnv bling together , after a brief interval at the banquet table .

After banquet , grace was said by the W . AL , who subsequently proposed the usual loyal and Alasonic toasts , which , owing lo the lateness of the hour , were creditably brief . To the toast of "The R . VV . G . M . of Middlesex , Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., " Bro . J . T . Aloss replied , and in doing so said that it was a matter of great regret to the brethren that the gallant colonel was not present

among them , and he was sure something of great importance had kept him away , as he had promised to attend . It was extiemely gratifying to see with what unanimity the Grand Oflicers of Aliddlesex worked together , and the kindly welcome they always received from the many lodges in the province . "The Health of the W . AL , " proposed in felicitous terms by Bro . Moss , was duly acknowledged by

Bro . Faulkner , who next gave , in happy terms , the toast of " The Visitors , " coupling with thc same the names of Bros . T . VV . Long and Kelly , who , with others , replied . The next toast was that of " Thc Installing Alaster , " in proposing which Bro . Faulkner paid just tribute to Bro . Baldwin ' s efficiency in that office . The toast having been

heartily received , Bro . Baldwin briefly replied , expressing thc great pleasure he experienced at installing llro . Faulkner , whom he had had the honour of knowing for many years , and who he felt sure would fill the chair with credit both to himself and the lodge . Several other toasts were proposed and duly acknowledged .

DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE ( No . 1 S 39 ) . — This lodge met for the dispatch of business on Saturday , the yth inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , when the following biethren were present : Bros . T . C . Corpe , W . AI . ; J . VV . Brooke , I . P . AI . ; Dr . VV . G . Bolt , S . VV . ; A . Stokes , S . D ., acting J . VV . ; J . VV . Dewsnap , Treas . ; Dr . J . C . Wilkins , J . . ; " Capt . VV . Furse , W . S . ; Rowe , Tyler ; VV . B .

Marcus , C . 11 . Cox , ll . Cattermole , F . Gent , 11 . S . Trego , J . DaSilva , ] . R . II . Aliller , II . Jakins , F . Qiioadt , A . T . Baschinski , and VV . Gaspey . Visitors : Bros . II . AI . Levy , P . M . iSS ; Payne , 192 ; j . Cattermole , and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . 11 . S . Trego , F . Cent , and ] . Da Silva were passed to the Degree of F . C , after which a ballot was

taken for Air . Albert Thomas Ji . isrlnnski , a candidate for initiation , which proving unanimous , aiid | lielieing in attendance , be was duly initiated . The next business on the agenda was the election of the following officer .- , for the . ensuing year , the VV . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler , with the following result : Bro . Dr . VV . (' , . Bolt . S . W ., W . M . elect ; Bro . J . VV . Dewsnap , Treasurer ; and Bro . R . VV . Goddard ,

P . M ., Tyler , the election in each case being unanimous . An Audit Committee was next appointed consisting of the following brethren : Bros . II . Cattermole , W . II . Marcus , and F . Quoadt . A Past Alaster ' s jewel of the value of ten guineas ~ was unanimously voted to the outgoing W . M . on the proposition of Bro . Dr . Bott , VV . M . elect . A candidate , Mr . Aii'mstus Sidney Pnssmorc , was proposed for initiation

at an emergency meeting to be called 111 the month of Alay . llro . | . VV . Brooke , LP . Si ., announced , by permission of the VV . M ., that it was his intention to form a Royal Arch chapter in connection wilh the lodge , and formally requested permission for the title the " Duke of Cornwall " to be used by the R . A . chapter , which on the motion of the W . M . was unanimously granted . All Alasonic business being ended , the lo ( l ; e was closed in due form .

MANCHESTER . —Lodge of Affability ( No , 317 ) . — 'The members of ihis lodge held their regular meet , ing at Ihe Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , 011 Thursday , the 7 th inst . Amongst those present wen- Bros . VV . Nicholl , W . M . ; Alark Vickers , I . P . M . ; II . Walm-I ' ' )' . S . VV . ; Robert Tomlins , J . VV . ; John Smethurst , l \ M- >