Craft Masonry.

» M 1540 ; A . W . Burrell , 2033 ; M . C Gossett , P . M . 66 ; j „ d C . Gross , M . D ., W . M . 2033 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , the ballot—taken in favour of Bros . James Startin , M . R . C . S . Eng ., 2394 : and u 1 . Sharpe , M . R . C . S . Fog . ; and Messrs . Herbert William Nix , B . A ., M . B , B . C . Camb ., M . R . C . S . Eng ., , r P . Lonrl .: and lohn Roultedfe Boswnrth . M . R . CS .

Fng ., L . R . C . P . Edin . —proving unanimrus , Bros . H . H ' . gm nsop , and James Crooks , were past to the Second Degree , and Messrs . Nix and Bosworth were duly admitted and initiated , the W . M . even surpassing his usual masterly style in the performance of these ceremonies . The lodge voted 10 guineas to the Worshipful Master ' s list as Steward for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and two guineas for a poor medical brother . The W . M . announced that the

Grand Chapter had granted the petition , which bore 19 signatures , in favour of the / Esculapius Chapter . Letters and telegrams of apology for non-attendance were read from Brcs . Belg rave Ninnis , M . D ., l . P . M . ; G . Danford Thomas , M . D ., Treas . ; FrankOldfield , J . D . ; and Professor G . H . Philipson , M . D ., D . C . L ., & c , The lodge was then closed . The brethren afterwards dined together , and spent a p leasant social evening .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

DARWEN . Lodge of Harmony and Industry ( No . , gi ) . —Trie annual meeting ot this lodge , for the installation of W . M ., and to celebrate the Festival of St . John the Evangelist , was held at the Masonic Rooms , on Thursday , the Sth inst . There was a large and influential gathering ,

including a numerous attendance of Past Masters and of visitors from the neighbouring lodges . After the formal opening of the lodge , and the confirmation ot the minutes , the chair was taken by Bro . Franklin Thomas , 345 , P . P . G . Reg . Oxfordshire , and P . P . S . G . W . East Lines ., as Installing Master . The W . M- elect , Bro . Stubbs , was presented in due form , and , after the usual preliminaries , was

installed into the chair by Bro . Thomas , with all the formalities of the Craft , and proclaimed , after which the ceremony was completed . The W . M . then appointed his officers , and they were invested , with appropriate addresses , by Bro . Wardley , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C This is the 32 nd occasion upon which Bro . Franklin Thomas has , year by year , without intermission , installed the successive

Worshipful Masters . He is not a member of the lor ' ge , and among its own members there are Past Masters fully competent to perform the ceremony of installation in as efficient a manner as they manifest in the ceremonies of the Three Craft Decrees , and in the Royal Arch ; but they , and each of the Masters elect , year by year , express their unwillingness that a custom which has been observed for such an

unusual length of time , should be discontinued , and Bro . Franklin Thomas never hesitates to accept an invitation so cordially offered as that of the lodge . It is highly probable that this case is without a parallel in the Craft , and it is one which , perhaps , will interest a considerable number of the readers of the Freemason . In 1 S 92 the members of the lodge presented to Bro . Thomas a quarter-size poitrait

of himself , in full Masonic costume , as Provincial Senior Crand Warden , in recognition of his 30 years' services , and on the Sth inst . a replica of this portrait , in a smaller size , was placed upon the walls of their own lodge room , with a suitable inscription , recording in brief the interesting circumstance mentioned above , of which it is intended to be a memento .

MANCHESTER . Arthur Sullivan Lodge ( No . 2156 ) . —The regular meeting was held on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., at the Old Boar ' s Head . ' Bro . John Hulme , W . M , opened the lodge , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . . Bro . Wm . Booth , P . M ., P . P . G . D .

of C , at this stage , resumed the chair , and gave a prefect tieat to the brethren assembled by performing the ceremony of raising in a most effective and impressive manner , after which the lodge was closed by the W . M . The ceremonies are all conducted with full musical service , which is a great pleasure to listen to .

Palatine Lodge ( No . 2447 ) . — The regular meeting was held on Friday , the iCth inst ., at the Palatine Hotel , Bro . Hubert J . Owen , W . M ., presided . The minutes of the installation meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bro . G . F . Preece , which proved favourable . The ballot was taken for three gentlemen , all being favourabe they were initiated by the

W . M ., Bros . Fred . Broadsmith . P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., I . P . M ., and Harry Perry , P . M ., whilst Bro . George Graham , J . W ., gave the antient charge . " Hearty good wishes" were expressed by the visitors present , and the lodge was closed . The following brethren were present : Bros . Hubert J . Owen , W . M . ; Fred . BroadsmithP . P . G . R . l . P . M . ;

, , w . J . Fawcus , S . W . ; G . Graham , J . W . ; John Newton , ?« . ; Wm . Spencer , S . D . ; J . Sharpies , J . D . ; Thos . hll , I . G . ; G . Thornton , G . L . Mills , J . W . Cook , G . S . hmith , P . M ., P . G . O . ; J . Hardwicke-Marsh , P . M . ; Barry Perry , D . C ; George W . Owen , and Joseph Walker . Bro . G . E . Prince , 71 , was a visitor .

NEWMARKET . Etheldreda Lodge ( No . 2107 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place at the White Hart Hotel on the 15 th inst ., when Bro . A . H . Ruston , W . M ., was succeeded in the chair of K . S . by Bro . the Rev . L . R . luttiett , Prov . G . Chap . The duties of Installing Master wre ably discharged by Bro . B . Chennell , P . P . S . G . W . lie attendance included Bro . J . H . Gray , Deputy Prov .

" ••« ., and other Provincial Grand Oliicers . Bro . L . R . luttiett , W . M ., afterwards appointed and invested the imicers for the year as follows : Bros . A . II . Ruston , ' ' -G . P ., l . P . M . ) . A . Dawson , P . P . G . P ., S . W . ; J . turner , P . P . G . Org ., ' J . W . ; W . Hutchinson , P . P . G . S . ° ! Wks ., Chap . ; Thomas | ennings , jun ., | P . P . J . G . W ., » reas . j B . Chennell , P . P . S . G . W ., Sec . ; J . G . Chennell , 11 r , A ° ' Mead , J . D . ; W . B . Sheppard , P . P . A . G . U rt ' , ' , > c ' - Al < irich > 0 r S- • A- V - ^ 'SSS . I . G . ; At H . '• Stwd > amI C' A > S'eame , Tyler . bam h t e c , osc of the lodge , the brethren adjourned to

Provincial Meetings.

WEST HAM . Hadrian Lodge ( No . 24 S 3 ) . — -The usual monthly meeting of this—the baby -lodge of Sussex , was held on Wednesday , the 14 th inst . Bro . Major E . Stillwell occupied the chair and opened the lodge . Bro . Nicholson was then passed . The W . M . then vacated the chair which was taken by the I . P . M ., Bro . W . E . Morrison , who

initiated Mr . E . R . Hookery into the mysteries of Freemasonry . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned for supper , where the usual toasts were proposed and duly honoured , that of "The Visitors" being resoonded to by Bro . J . Catford , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Devon . Before the lodge was closed two gentlemen were proposed for initiation and Bro . Catford as a joining member .

WYVENHOE . Cplne Lodge ( No . 2477 ) . —The fourth regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., at the headquarters of the lodge , the Greyhound Hotel , when there was a large attendance of brethren . These included Bros . Claude Egerton-Green , W . M . ; Gustavus Pratt , S . W . ; Turner Ennew , J . W . ; Cspt . Ham , S . W . ;

J . Turff , acting J . D . ; J . Harlow , I . G . ; and others . Among the visitors were Bros . T . J . Railing , Prov . Grand Sec ; Joseph Bowdell , W . M . ; and several members oi the Lodge of Hope , Brightlingsea , and others . The agenda was a very long one , viz ., 12 raisings , four passings , and four initiations , all of which were carried out in a very able manner by the W . M ., and although the

business began at five o clock , it was not concluded ( with hdf-an-hour ' s interval ) till 10 . 45 . Before the lodge was closed the W . M . said they had a brother present to whom they were all much indebted , as it was he who performed in so able a manner at a minute ' s notice the consecration ceremony of that lodge . At the dinner which followed that interesting meeting ,

Bro . Railing in sounding the gavel broke a sounding board , and he had now the pleasure of asking Bro . Rifling ' s acceptance of that sounding board , upon which they had placed an inscription . He trusted Bro . Railing would not iook upon the intrinsic value of that little gift , as it in no way conveyed the measure of the esteem in which they all held him , bnt he hoped it would be to him an interesting

memento of an interesting Masonic event in the province with the fortunes of which he had been so long identified . The W . M . then read the inscription , which is on a silver plate , as follows : " 'This sounding board was broken on the occasion of the consecration of the Colne Lodge , No . 2477 , at Wyvenhoe , 24 th October . 1 S 93 , by the Consecrating

Officer , W . Bro . Thos . J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec , and subsequently presented to him as a memento , by the lodge . " Bro . Railing in accepting the gift said he should value it very highly as an evidrnce of the good feeling towards himself of the members of the Colne Lodge , in the welfare of which he should always take a deep interest .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Urban Chapter ( No . 1196 ) . —A convocation of this chapter was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., when there were present , Comps . | Fred . Eckstein , M . E . Z . ; J . R . Roberts , H . ; F . R . Farrow , J . ; Robert Manuel , I . P . Z . ; J . Pearson , P . Z ., Treas . ; G . Nelson Watts , Pi / ,., S . E . ; T . Drew Bear , P . Z . ; and A . J . Turner , S . N . Visitors : Comps . B . E . Blasby , P . Z . . N ??; H .

Dehane , P . Z . S 90 , & c .. ; W . Eckstein , 95 ; R . E . H . Coffin , P . Z . 1572 ; J . Stephens , P . Z . S 90 ; and S . Wells , P . Z . Adelaide No . 1 ., South Australia . The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the last convocation ' were read by Comp . G . N . Watts , S . E ., confirmed by the companions , and signed hy the M . E . Z . The M . E . Z . announced that Uro . Charles Butler . P . M .

119 O , was that evening a candidate for exaltation into Royal Arch Masonry . The ballot was then taken for Bro . C . Butler , and proved to be unanimously in his favour . The M . E . Z . then requested Comp . Robert Manuel to act as First Principal , and to exalt Bro . Charles Butler to the Supreme Degree of Royal Arch Mason . The historical , symbolical , and mystical portions of the Degree were

respectively rendered by Comps . F . R . Farrow , J . ; and J . R . Roberts , H ., the M . E . Z . in the chair . Thereon Comp . Fred . Eckstein resumed the First Principal ' s chair , and the chapter was closed . The companions then adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern for refreshment , after which the genial M . E . Z ., Comp . Fred . Eckstein , humorously proposed the usual loyal and

Royal Arch toasts , which were duly honoured . Comp . Charles Butler in responding to the toast of "The Exaltee , " expressed his sense of the beauty of the ritual , and assured the companions how much he had been impressed by the ceremony . All the visitors responded to the toast of their health , they bore eloquent testimony to the excellence of the work done

n the chapter itself , and to the fact , also , that the rites of hospitality at the festive board had been worthily sustained . Songs were given by Comps . Fred . Ecksttin , M . E . Z . ; G . Nelson Watts , P . Z ., S . E . ; Robert Manuel , I . P . Z . ; and J . Stephens , P . Z . S 90 . The companions separated after a convocation that was loyal to the best traditions alike of loyal working and bright and cheery social intercourse .

Star Chapter ( No . 1275 ) . —The installation meeting of the above chapter was held at the Guildhall Tavern , on Tuesday , the 23 rd ult ., when there were present , Comps . C . N . Mclnt ) re North , M . E . Z . ; C . Meierhoff , H . ; F . Hilton , P . Z ., acting J . ; T . Giummant , P . Z ., acting S . N . ; C H . Stone , acting P . S . ; W . H . Smith , 1 st A . S . ; Edwards , 2 nd A . S . ; C . W . Williams , S . E . ; J .

Addington , P . Z . ; C . Fleck , P . Z . ; W . F . Crooke , P . Z ; G . Berccletti . ^ P . Z . ; Makehain , Fry , Targett , and Barr . Visitors : Comps . William Cock , P . Z . 1297 , - ' 005 , M . E . Z . 22 7 2 , P . G . S . N . Essex ; Dewsnap , P . Z . iSS , S 37 ; and Kipps , P . Z . 79 . The minutes of the previous convocation were read and

confirmed , Bro . Urbane Lindsey , 92 , was approved and elected as a candidate , and Bro . George Wyatt , 1559 , was exalted . Comp . C N . Mclntyre North , the outgoing M . E . Z ., installed as his successor Comp . C . Meierhoff in the chair of '/ .., who , in his turn , installed and invested the following : Comps . C . H . Stone , j . ; T . Grummant , P . Z ., Treas . ; C . W . Williams , P . Z ., S . E . ; W . II . Smith , P . S . ;

Royal Arch.

] . H . Edwards , 1 st A . S . ; and J . Stuart Targett , 2 nd A . S . The investiture of Comp . G . H . Martin , fl . elect , being absent on the Continent , and Comp . W . Eckersall , S . N . elecr ., on account of illness , tvere deferred . Oa the motion of Comp . Carl Fleck a jewel was presented to the I . P . Z . for his services during tbe pist year . 'The M . E . Z . in placing it on his breast said it needed no remarks on his part to remind the companions of the perfect manner in which the I . P . Z . had worked the cercm mics and sustained

the reputation of the cnpt : r ; the jewel was a fitting acknowledgment of the close of the most successful year the companions had witnessed for a very long time . The S . E . having announced a most satisfactory result of the audit , the report , on the motion of Comp . F . Hilton , P . Z ., and C Fleck , P . Z , was entered in the minutes . The chapter was closed , and tlii brethren adjourned for their well-earned refreshment .

1 he usual loyal and Royal Arch toasts having been given and received in the usual enthusiastic manner , Comp . Mclntyre North , I . P . Z ., rose to propose " The Health of the M . E . Z ., " and said the future of the chapter was well assure-d under the rule of a companion noted for his good qualities , tact , and siivoirfaire . During the last year he ( the I . P . Z . ) had been fortunate in exalting three excellent candidates , and he was pleased to know

that , owing to the genial influence of the M . E . Z ., more candidates were coming forward . He trusted that the year to come would be even more successful than the one that was past , and he wished their M . E . Z . a very prosperous year . Comp . Meierhoff , M . E . Z ., in briefl y replying , said he little knew hov many good qualities had lain dormant in his breast until he heard the long list enumerated by the I . P . Z . He would now try and cultivate them , he hoped for and looked

forward to plenty of work and a happy year of office . The M . E . Z . then proposed the most important toast of the evening , "The Health of the Eialtee . " He felt sure he was the right sort , and would do . credit to the recommendation of those who proposed him . His friend , Bro . Lindsey , who had that evening been elected , wis prevented by his engagements from biing in time , but he would be ready for the next meeting .

The exaltee , Comp . G . Wyatt , thanked the M . E . Z . and the companions for their heirty welcome to the Royal Arch , and Comp . North , who some 12 months ago raised him in his mother lodge , and that evening hid exalted him in the chapter . He trusted he would do credit to the principles of the Order , and would do all he could to further the interests of the chapter . The " Health of the Visitors , " was then given by the M . E . Z . Comp . Kipps , P . Z . 79 , said hecould hardly be considered as a visitor . As an honorary member , he always made a point of attending the installation banquets , and he wis pleased to see , after years of inaction , cindidites exilte 1 at that and the previous installation . Comp . D . \ William Cock , P . O . S . N . Essex , said he was almost afraid that they had coapled the wrong man with the toast ; it was one of his weaknesses that he was unable to

make a speech . He had been almost afraid that he would not have been in time to be present at the excellent working of which he had heard so much , and he was very glad he was early enough to hear the whole of the R . A . ritual worked inthechapter . Itwasa great treat to visit different chapters and see the different workings , and the rendering of the ritual given that evening by Comp . North ably sustained

the great reputation of the Scar Chapter . The M . E . Z . was the new central star of the chapter , and he congratulated him on being encircled by so many other bright stars , who , like Comps . Grummant , Stone , Hilton , and Mclntyre North were each a Masonic world in themselves . The refreshment , like the labour , was excellent , and he hoped his friend , Comp . Grummant , would not forget him in the future .

Comp . Dewsnap , P . Z ., in returning thanks , said all had heard of the good working of the Star Chapter . He had not been disappointed , but had been more than satisfied , and he trusted that I he companions would have plenty of work , a go > d year , and every prosperity . The M . E . Z ., in proposing " The Health of H . and J ., " said that Comp . Martin was unfortunately away on the Continent , but his heart , no doubt , was with Comp . Stone .

I he J . was well-known as having done more work than anyone else in the chapter . He was one of those useful members who were in Jispensable to the good working of a chapter , and now he was off the shelf the chapter would benefit by his more extended sphere of action . Comp . C . II . Stone , J ., in response , said it was to him a proud portion to return thanks as J . in his mother chapter , after waiting nearly six years . Two months ajo he had a

serious illness , from which he had recovered , through the mercy of the G . A . O . T . U ., and he took the opportunity of publicly thanking the many companions and brethren fbrthc giatifjing expressions of sjmpaihy he had received on all hands , and hoped he would be spired for years to come as a member of that chapter . In response to the toast of "The Past Principals , " Comp . F . Hilton returned thanks . He slid that owing to

the unfortunate location the chapter had no work to do for some years , although good work had been done by its memoers in the Old Concord , Rose , and other chapters , but during the live meetings they lud held in their new place , they had live exaltees of excellent quality , who , if they attended the chapter of instruction , of which he was the Preceptor , would speedily become qualified to fill the most important positions .

Comp . I . Grummant , P . Z ., as Treasurer , was in a happy and an unhappy position . The M . E . Z . had called him the grasping Treasurer , but he had , as a rule , nothmgtograsp . That was the unhappy position he had hitherto occupied ; now he was in a happy puiition , for while at the last audit there was a normal deficiency of some £ 3 , that year he had a nice little balance in hand , and there was the certainty of his being able to grasp something more in the future if he

could only moderate the desires ot the S . E . Comp . Williams , S . E ., thanked the companions very heartily , as the oldest P . Z . and S . E . from the commencement of the chapter , and he hoped he would be spaied lor many years to benefit the chapter by filling the proud position he still occupied , to help with advice and

encouragement , and by doing everything he could to promote the prosperity of the companions . "Tne Health of the Officers" was then given . Comp . W . H . Smith , f . S ., said he would endeavour to say a few words in response to a toast he had not expected to reply to , as he relied on Comp . W . Eckersall