Reviews

perseverance , research , andfidelity ' , " as Bro . Hughan aptly describes it in his introduction to that remarkable v . lume . Bro . Lane , in the Freemason for March 19 . 1 SS 7 , favoured the Craft with " Notes on the Early Minute Book of the Premier Grand Lodgeof England , " which should be consulted to obtain a correct notion of the character and dates of the Li ** -ts in question . It seems quite certain that

the eneraved List in Grand Lodge , known as Bowen s , of 1723 , is not the first issued by authority of the Grand Lodge , because it contains , as Bro . Lane points out a lodge of 1724 . but be that as it may , it is the earlic-t known , and Masonically speaking * , is of priceless value . None of these wee Reeisters had any distinguishing numbers affixed to the lndees , neither were they arranged

in order of seniority , until 172 S 9 , when the engraved List by Pine appeared . The difficulty has been to trace the lodges to 1729 . so as to know for a certainty those which were continued down to this Register of 1729 ( which only came into the hands of Ihe Grand Lodje of late years through the most opportune gift of the R . W . Bro . E . T . LeithP . Prov . G . M . of Bombay ) . No Lists are known of

, 1726-S , though we presume they must have been duly puMished by the Grand Lodd-e . Bro . Gould in his " Four Old Lodges , succeeded in identifying a few of these lodges by an examination of the Registers of members preserved in Grand Lodge , but Bro . Lane has managed apparently to trace all in the 17 9 List which appear in the eailier issues ; hence he has been

able to add the numbers allotted in 172 S-9 , to his transcnpts of the 1723-5 Lists . This is a great boon for all Masonic students , and what has never been achieved hitherto by any brother who has made the LUts a special study . The numbers place us in t luch with the old lodges right back to 1723 . For example . No . 20 , Chatham , is 13 in 1729 List and was then held at the "Anchor , Dutchy-lane , Strand , "

London , and met at the same place back to 1723 . The " Emulation , " No . 21 , is traced in like manner , as also the existing oldir lodges , Nos . 2 , 4 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 16 . and iS . The Globe Lodge , No . 23 , had the same number , strange to say , on the 1729 Register , and was then domiciled at the Half Moon , Cheapside , where it was in 1723 , but in 1725 , in the three Lists given , it was located at the "Sun ,

Southside of St . Paul ' s . " There are , in fact , several new places of meeting fixed in consequence of these old lodges being traced . AH such points are curious , of interest and importance , and all the more so becausethey refer to very old lodges , which have not their ori g inal warrants now , nor their early records , hence the particulars will prove of great interest to their members especially . Prichard ' s List is in

all probability a copy of an engraved Register now missing . and gives 67 lodges in all , the numbers , however , being wrong from 29 , owing to a vacancy being filled in , and a similar blank was filled up at No . SI . Che MS . Roll of 17-51-2 is of great utility for students of old Reg i ster ** * , there being no engraved Lists for the years 1730 to 1733 . thiugh

there is a Register of Rawlinson ' s for 1733 , which virtually closes up one of the gaps . We hope soon that all the Lists from 1733 to 1740 will be reproduced of all kinds . We again express our great indebtedness to Bro . Lane for this most opportune supplement which is not only ably compiled , but printed in excellent style , and has added to his already well earned laurels .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( £ rafr jteonrg , RICHMOND-ON-THAMES . —Lily of Richmond Lodge ( No . 820 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , ihe 13 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , the Greyhound Hotel , which is an admirable assembling place in such hot weather as has prevai ' ed of late , being fifty and well ventilated . The VV . M ., Bro . R . Pye , opened the lodge , supported by all his officer . * . —Bros . H .

Seymour Clatke , S . VV . ; C . Robson , J . W . ; C . Hubbard , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Heath , Sec ; A . Coombes , S . D . ; Geo . Cooke , J . D . ; S . Wootton , acting as I . G . ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . The other ofiicers , whose ai-. l was also valuable in their respective spheres , were present , viz . * . Bros . W . F . Reynolds , P . M ., Stwd . ; G . C . Young , P . M ., Org . ; A . Oliver , D . C . ; and A . Copping , Asst . Stwd .

The Past Masters of the Iodge were represented by Bros . Gifford T . Salmon , I . P . M ., W . H . Myers , F . VV . Koch , C . Phillips , and F . C . Mouflet . There was not a large attendance of members beyond those named , but the presence of 14 visitors gave to the hall a well furnished appearance . These latter included Bros . A . Campbell , W . M . 720 ; C . Hunter , W . M . 1668 ; W . Chapman , W . M .

889 ; J . Bruce , VV . M . 1421 ; and W . Drewett , S . W . S 89 . After formal business , Bro . Sibley was passed to the Degree of F . C . by Bro . Myers with markeJ ability . We must say _ a word as to the work devolving on the S . D ., which was carried in faultlessly correct " Emulation " style . Bro . Coombes set a bight example to all present who aspire to office , and he was warmly congratulated subsequently by his seniors in the Craft who have watched the ritual for

years . Business being ended , the brethren adjourned to the banquet which awaited them , and which was served in an excellent manner . The well-known hospitality of the Lil y was well sustained , and from the inexhaustible supply of a splendid old vintage of Dry Monopole , it would seem as if the lodge had monopolised the whole of that year ' s

product . It vvas really and truly a " gtande virt . " The toasts were few , but the visitors were entertained with a musical treat entirely su-tained by members of the lodge , assisted by one of the most accomplished lady pianists who ever sat down to accompany a singer . If a brother had no music with him , he was accompanied with such care and accuracy as astounded those who had not heard this lady's talent displayed btf jre—notably in the

case of" Drinking , " a song by no means easy to accompany without a note , which was sung in splendid voice by Bro . Marsden . The capable S . D . proved himself equally efficient as a vocalist , and not one of the company caught the early train as he intended . The fact was he could ' nt get away so long as Bro . Coombes was ready to oblige . Bro . Osman was also very " fetching , " and the sitting was prolonged later than usual in order to hear the grand music .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

BROMLEY . —Acacia Lodge ( No . 1314 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday last , at the Bell Hotel . The lodge was opened in due form , and Bro . W . Seaman , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , presented Bro . Thos . Finch to receive the benefits of installation , which ceremony was rendered by Bro . Bolton , W . M ., in a most perftct and impressive manner , seldom heard and

never surpassed , B o . Dilly presiding at the organ accompanying the Masonic anthems . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was of a must recherche character , the newly-elected W . M . presiding , and grace having been sung bv Bro . Cater and the vicars choral of St . Paul's , the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts .

In propos i ng " The health of the I . P . M .. Bro . Bolton , " the W . M . said it was a great pleasure , not only in proposing his health , but also in presenting him with a P . M . ' s jewel which he had so deservedly earned , also to present him with a silver inkstand , subscribed by the officers and a few brethren of the lodge , as a slight token of esteem and

regard , and in appreciation of the great services hs had rendered to this lodge and the Craft generally . The toast of " The Masonic Charities" was responded to in suitable terms by Bro . Cos * e , P . M . The Tyler ' s toast brought a most successful and enjoyable meeting to a close .

FELTHAM . —Lebanon Lodge ( No . 1326 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Railway Hotel on Saturday , the 16 th inst . Amongst the large number of members present were Bros . W . R . Vassila , P . P . G . Std . Br ., W . M . ; f . J . Marsh , P . P . G . Std . Br ., P . M . ; Jas . Laurence , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; E . A . Smith , I . W . ; S . Page , Treas . ; | . W . Baldwin , P . P . G . O .,

P . M ., Sec ; C . W . Baker , S . D . ; Wm . Walters , J . D . ; W . H . Walters , I . G . ; J . A . Wilson , D . C . ; S . Wheeler and F . Dunstan , Stewards ; and W . H . Lee , Prov . A . G . Sec . Middx . Visiters : Bros . F . T . C . Keeble , P . M . 1426 ; C . J . Fox , S . D . 1 743 ; J . H . Mayes , 1 S 97 ; J- Brand , 1984 ; Egbert Roberts , 1623 ; H . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , P . P . G D . Essex ; J . Sims , P . M . S 34 ; H . VV . Mayes , P . M .

1 S 97 , P . P . G . P . ; and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . Lodge having been opened in due lorm , the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee , showing the funds in a satisfactory condition , was received and adopted , and Bro . L . Schofield and Bro . J . H . Mayes , of 1 S 97 , were raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . The installation ceremony

was next proceeded wiih , and Bro . Jas . Laurence , S . W ., having been presented , was duly installed into the chair according to ancient custom . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . E . A . Smith , S . W . ; C . W . Baker , | . W . ; S . Page , Treas . ; J . VV . Baldwin , P . P . G . D ., Sec ; Wm . Walters , S . D . ; VV . H . Walters , J . D . ; J . A . Wilson , I . G . ; J . C . Goslin , D . C ; S .

Wheeler , A . D . C ; F . Dunstan , Org . ; G . H . Eaton , A . Lawton , J . R . Cox , and E . J . Wheeler , Stewards ; and J . Gilbert , lyler . The usual addresses were effectively rendered by the Installing Master , Bro . VV . K . Vassila , I . P . M . I'he W . M . said he had a pleasing duty to perform in presenting the I . P . M . with a token of the approbation of the lodge at his efficient services during the past year . Bio .

Vassila had ably discharged his duty both in and out of the lodge , and it was only right that he should be voted a handsome jewel in consideration of his services . He , as the mouthpiece of the brethren , had great pleasure in making the presentation to Bro . Vassila , am he asked that brother to accept the jewel as a token of respect and'appreciation from the lodge . There was another duty he was

lequested to discharge , which was on behalf of several members of the Iodge to ask Bro . Vassila to accept a P . M . 's collar and jewel . He hoped their I . P . M . would be spare ! for many years to be with them and wear the collar and jewel . Bro . Vassila , P . M ., briefly expressed his gratitude , thanking the brethren for the handsome jewel and P . M . 's collar , and expressed the hope that he might be permitted

to be among them for many years to come . Several letters of regiet for non-attendance having been read , and a petition recommended to the Board of Benevolence , the lodge was closed in due form and adjourned . The brethren subsequently partook of a sumptuous banquet , that reflected the highest : credit on the worthy ho .-t . The usual list of loyal and Masonic toasts were alterwards duly honoured , and received in the customary hearty

manner . In giving the toast of "The R . W . the Prov . G . Master , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , " the VV . M . said there were many present that evening who would remember that Sir Francis Burdett was often with them in days gone by . The extra cares of lie , and the increased number of lodges in the province , now made it impossible for him to

attend as many meetings as he would wish . He had , however , done the best thing he could by appointing a Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Raymond Thrupp , of whom they could all speak with admiration . He was a Deputy Prov . Grand Master who ably performed the duties that fell to him , and who speedily corrected them if they did wrong . He regretted that the two distinguished brethren he had

mentioned were unabe to be present ; but there were several Provincial Grand Officers present at the table who would no doubt respond . Bro . W . H . Lee , Prov . Asst . G . Sec . Middx ., in reply , said the toast with which his name had been coupled was a very comprehensive one , for it was that of the Prov G . M . and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , lt was a matter of

regret that both the Prov . G . M . and the Deputy Prov . G . M . were unable to be present , for he thought it had been usual for some years past for one or the other to be present . He assumed the brethren that it was always a source of pleasure to visit the lodges in the province , but there was no Iodge where the Prov . Grand Officers met with a more cordial welcome than in the L-banon Lodge . He

was convinced that if the Prov . G . M . or Deputy Prov . G . M . had been present they would have joined with him in congratulating the I . P . M . on the excellent manner in which he had carried out the installation ceremony . The admirable working of that ceremony must have afforded sincere gratification lo the members . It was always a

pleasure to see a brother instal his successor , for it was notgiven to every brother to have the time necessary to master the ritual , but when a brother had the time and succeeeJed in rendering the ceremony in an effective manner , it reflected credit on the member and on the lodge . He begged to be allowed to thank them for the kind manner in vvhich the toast had been received , and assure them on his own behalf

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

that his visit had afforded him sincere satisfaction , and that he looked forward to an opportunity in the future of again visiting them . Bro . Vassila , I . P . M ., in giving the next toast , said it was the first time he had had the opportunity of proposing * "The Health of the W . M . " He was sure that in electing Bro . Laurence to the chair they could not have elected a brother who would carry out the duties in a more successful manner . There vvas not a brother in the lodge who was

more proficient in the ceremonies , or vvho had a betteracquaintance vvith the Book of Constitutions , than their present W . M . He was undoubtedly the right man in the right place , and the brethren were one and all pleased to see him attain the dignity of the chair . He wished Bro . Laurence , W . M ., a successful year of office , and trusted that all the brethren present would be spared to see him ins ' al his successor .

Bro . Jas . Laurence , W . M ., in response , thanked the brethren for the kind manner in which they had received the toast of his health . He had been many years a member of the lodge , and was pleased to have at last reached the chair . The I . P . M . had made some very kind remarks , but all he could say was that he hoped at the conclusion of his year of office the brethren would say that

they vvere not altogether disappointed in him . " The Health of the I . P . M . " vvas then proposed by the W . M ., who remarked that Bro . Vassila had done his work well , and the members had acknowledged and shown thei r appreciation of that work by the handsome jewel they had that day presented to him . Several of the members had also thought fit to-present him with a Past Master ' s collar ,

and he ( the W . M . ) could assure them that the I . P . M . was mire worthy of their " Hearty good wishes " than the incoming W . M . Bro . Vassila had nobly done his work in the lodge , and , what was more to his credit , outside the lodge also ; and it was by examples of this sort that good service might be done to the Craft . He could not find words sufficiently strong enough to impress upon them the

good deeds of their I . P . M . Suffice it to say that his merits had been recognised by his appointment as Prov . G . Std . Br . before he reached the chair of the lodge . His selection to fill that office proved that his good work had been appreciated . He ( the W . M . ) felt strong in his position , knowing

he would have near him one who would ably assist him , would lead him in the paths of lectitude , and would aid him in doing that vvhich vvas right . Bro . Vassila was deserving of their best wishes , and he would therefore ask them to drink with all heartiness to the prosperity and long life of their I . P . M .

Bro . W . R . Vassila , P . P . G . Std . Br ., I . P . M ., after thanking the brethren for their reception of the toast , observed that in anything he had done for the lodge , he had but been performing the work he undertook to do when he assumed the position of the chair . With respect to the Installati m Ceremony , he regarded it as the duty of the I . P . M to instal his successor . The VV . M . had been pleased to refer to his work outside the lodge , but he

hoped that every member would assist the Charities as far as he possibly could . The Province of Middlesex had , during the past year , sent up about ^ , ' 1200 to the Charities , out of which their loJge had contributed £ 200 , or onesixth of the total . Those figures spoke well for their lodge , and he earnestly hoped the W . M . would also have a successful year as far as the Charities were concerned . He again thanked the lodge for the jewel presented to him and those brethren who had so generously given him the

P . M . 's collar . "The Charities" having been given in appropriate terms and cordially received by the brethren , the W . M . gave " The Visitors , " to whom he offered a hearty and cordial welcome . Bro . H . Dehane , P . P . G . D . Essex , on behalf of the visiting brethren , returned thanks for the kind welcome

and profuse hospitality shown them . He had known the W . M . for a number of years , and he had never known ill of him . Bro . Lawrence , VV . M . has b * ien a memb-r of a benevolent association far six years , which vvas ut itself a good example to the brethren . In tact , the W . M . was thoroughly qualified in every respect for his important position , and he vvas pleased to be present to testify to his

capabilities . The figures quoted by the I . P . M . were a credit to the lodge , and he hoped that as the VV . M . was going up as Steward for one of the Institutions the members would heartily support him and enable him to take up a good list . "The Past Masters" and "The Officers" having been given , the Tyler's toast brought the proceedings to a close . > - >

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

JUSTICE LODGE ( So . 147 .. —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., at the Brown Bear , High-street , Deptford , when there were present Bros . Faulkner , VV .. V 1 . ; Dandridge , S . W . ; Vatcky , J . VV . ; S . R . Speight , P . M ., Sec . ; Penrose , S . D . ; Turpin , J . O . j Priest , I . G . ; Hutchings , P . M ., Preceptor ; Hick , Balsdon , VVright , and limblin . I'he lodge was opened in the First Degree , and the minutes of the previous meeting having been . read and cohlirmedthe ceremony

. of initiation vvas rehearsed , Bro . Hick personating the candidate . The lodge was called off , and , on resuming , the usual questions vvere answered by Bro . Balsdon . The lodge vvas opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing vvas rehearsed , after which the lodge was resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Wright , 8 7 vvas elected a member , and Bro . Dandridge , S . VV ., was elected VV . M . forthe ensuing week , and appointed the ollicers in rotation . All business being ended , the lodge vvas closed .

HIGHGATE LODGE ( No . 1366 ) . —A meeting was held at the Bull and Gate , Kentish Town , un Thursday , the 14 th inst , when the following brethren vvere present : Bros . Ouicke , VV . M . ; Nash , S . VV . ; Hahn , J . VV . ; Hill , S . D . Homan , "| , D . ; Hongers , I . G . J Frost , P . M ., f receptor ; Scattergood , Sec . ; ' Giddings , Mulvey , and Garratt . The loJge vvas opened in due form , and the minutes of the last

meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation . was most ably rehearsed , Bro . Mulvey candidate . Bro . Garratt , having offered himself as candidate for passing , answered the usual questions . Lodge opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing ably rehearsed . Lodge resnmtd to the First Degree , and it vvas proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously th . it the S . VV . be W . M . fur the ensuing week . All Masjnic busine s being ended , the lodge was closed .

HYDE PARK LODGE ( No . 1425 ) . —A meetine vvas held on Monday , the iSth insr ., at the Porchester Horel . ' Leinster-p Ia **** . Cleveland-scjuare , Porchester-terrace , Paddington , VV . Present : Bros . C . S . Mote , VV . M . ; O . VV . Bittlev , S . VV . ; VV . | . Ma- * " * J . VV . ; H . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , Sec ; \ V . Death , S . D . ; I '' * , ' " Vowler , P . M . 16113 , J . D . j J . Smith , i . G . ; VV . T . Potts , Stwd . ; VV . H . Chalfont , P . M . 1435 ; M . Rosenberg , VV . Chappie , and Jos . Bailey . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes o { the ! ast