Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

, . ,,, i"T * M ASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry 317 Scotland - " . •" ulceration of tlie Alcxamlra Park Lotlge 31 S ,- r . H'l " v' * " * ' - '"' ( - 'e Uencvolcnt Festival 320 Vile I . etlicalioii ol'Surrey Masonic Hall 322 i-... 1 .-t Hnllelin of thn (' rand Orient of France 322

¦ I lie Insl . -illadon of the Prince of Wales 322 ¦' io I ' ov ' s School 3 "_ ij Svvi- Wn ' s 323 ( •„ R !! ESrH .. ___ CE : — | io \ v Masons are maile 323 unvsScliool Festival 324

Oration by the Rev . A . 1- * . A . Woodford 324 ,, vincial GrantI Lotlge of Snll ' olk continued 325 provincial GrantI Lodge of Kent 326 - \ lns 011 ic Tidings 32 7 " actinic Mouings tor next week 3 * 7 ' . jvcrliscm . nts >• ii- " > " 'v .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

- Craft Uto & nxfi .

METROPOLITAN . LODGE OF UNITED STRENGTH ( No . 228 ) . —The sunin : cr festival of this truly united lodge was held under thc happ iest circumstances of weather and place , on Tuesday last . The house selected was Bro . Stone ' s , thc Ship Hotel , Shcppcrton , in tlie midst of thc most charming scenery . The 1 Kllucn flocked down by rail , road , and river , and made

jn all a party a third larger than was looked for , but the embarrassment of the W . M ., Bro . While , at having so striking a proof of his popularity was speedily relieved by limling that Bro . Host was equal to the occasion with an aniple banquet for all , though one room was not large iiiuug h for the dinner party . Bios . P . M . James Terry , and Daniel Tallerman ( known among his familiars as " the

Ijuoii" ) exerted themselves in every way to provide the company with amusement , and this was mostly found on ihe river by the brethren and the ladies in boating and fishing . At the dinner the W . M' presided , supported by j ' ast Masters Crump ( Sec ) , Winsland ( Treas . ) , James Terry , Boltrill , Davies , Senior Warden Griggs , junior Warden J . Hill , the other oilicers being Halford ,

Pearcy , and Flaws . Thc usual toasts were given , and the warm acknowledgments of the party were made tothe W . M ., thc P . M . ' s , and to thc officers for the happy day at this quiet limit of the world . With the J . W . ' s greeting , ending with " Happy meet again , " thc party separated to find their various ways to London . It should be mentioned that a large party started in thc morning from the

Oltl Gate , at Cleikenwell ( St . John of Jerusalem ) , and Bro . Gay provided an excellent luncheon for his brethren and their friends , and told them that supper would await them if they arrived within hours . LODGEOF FRIENDSHIP ( No . 206 . )—The members nf this lodge celebrated their annual summer outing 011 Thursday last , the 8 th inst . They were accompanied

on this occasion hy thc companions of thc Mount Lebanon Chapter ( the chapter attached to the lodge ) . It was confidently expected that Bro . Captain Boyton , who is an I ' ntcrcd Apprentice in thc lotlge , would be present , but , unfortunately , an engagement in the provinces in connection with his life-saving dress prevented him from joining . However , he was not unmindful of thc brethren , he having

telegraphed to the Father of the lodge , Bro . William lluinscy , expressing his ( Bro . Captain Boyton ' s ) regret that his engagements prevented his attendance . Thc following amongst others were present : —Bros . John Witcrs , W . M . ; ' Allen R . Rumsey , S . W . -, Thomas Taylor , J . W . ; J . Jewitt Stephens , S . D . ; W . II . Godol-1 'liin , I . G . ; Grant , Tyler ; William Rumsey , P . M . and

Tn-as . ; John Rumsey , P . M . and Sec . ; Samuel Gamman , l . l ' . M . ; William Coubro , P . M . ; Alfred Harris , P . M . ; F . -. Harrison , P . M . ; Frederick Wiggins , P . M . ; E . B . Barinnl , P . M . ; II . M . Collier , P . M . ; John Stewart , P . M . ; -Imrlcs T . Parsons , 'I homas G . Scat-urn , T . G . Steel , John liurrell , anti Watson ( many of the above are companions il > " ) . Also Comps . C . G . Sniithers and Moore . Amongst

'It-visitor - were Bros . R . G . Seaborn , 1 G . 217 ; Robert Brown , St . Peter's , Montrose ; George L . Mustoph , 134 ; -ml A , Mclli h , 188 . There were , too , Bros . Toole , Mibt-tt , Miles , Parsons , and Spicer . Thc majority of thc l '_ tlir-ii were conveyed in a private coach and break , 'Iriwii respect . vely hy four handsome gre-s and a pair . ' ' lie former were splendidly driven by their owner , and the 'itter bv one of his servants . Sonic went in their own

private carriages or by rail . The coach and break left lu vii at half-past ten . At this hour the sky threatened a v "' lut the weather soon cleared up , and the rain fortu-¦ utel y kept off for the remainder ot the day . Thc route j ; : ko-i lay through all those pleasant and picturesque vil' ¦ ' 'i'cs in the cistern suburbs , known and appreciated so '' Ma sively . Thc first stoppage was made at Bro . Barl

' " . \ thc Rett Lion , Leytonstone . From thence tlie brethren 1 ' ' tea- ietl to Walthamstow , and then on to Ihe Robin IIood H . ii : igl . U ; n . _ t this stage thc company , being ficedforthe ^"' -from the ie > lr lints of City business ancl professional , l , ! ' i an I being well into thc country in the bargain , saw "" I ' cjson why they snuuld not employ cveiy innocent '"'¦• iii : ; . omiiiir in their wav to make ( he outing as pleaas At

^• "l possible . this place , then fore , a man having ' . * ' "I Hie paraphernalia connected with liic game of l "" . " . '" g on a Lille hit of green hard by , where he was M'uii'ay siiijujr waiting lor cutlonurs , a considerable j , . y . " ' ls ni ide , la give some of the brethren an opportunity . '•'" phyinjr tlieir proficiency in this game . And an un-! lU

•*' . ' - 'd b ' t of luc'i thc proprietor had for once . How is ^ ' at ci . cksh ying the nuts perched a top of the baskets ' ^ ! i ' ,: ch a pertinacity < f falling anywhere but in the tt . u . , ur'' , l ' - ' pliiycr lias a right of claiming them ? One j ,,, ' , '" . ' " think that there must be a sort of understand-- tvvj .-n t ' . u uuti au 1 th .-ir owner that they are not

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

to part company . This idea is strengthened by thc fact that the man is always willing to give a coin , and a silver one , too , for the nut when a customer has succeeded in obtaining it , rather than let it go . The Robin Hood must be a favourite centre with holiday-folk . There were crow . ls of them about the neighbourhood . There , too , iras the usual compliment of donkeys , each bearing on his back a

gentleman ' s and a lady ' s saddle comprised in one . Talk about the obstinacy of thc ass , there was as . determined an old fellow in front of thc tavern as one would wish to sec ; he could not be got to move on either by blows , kicks , or coaxing . The desperate attempts made to get him away , and the persistent obstinacy of the brute in remaining , created roars of laughter amongst

thc by-standers . At last one of thc brethren bethought him of a plan . He procured a biscuit and held it out temptingly to the animal . This proved too strong an inducement , anti he was thus allured away . One doubts whether a donkey ' s sense of feeling is as acute as that generally obtaining in other animals , for let the blows be laid on his shaggy hide ever so

repeatedly and severely he still preserves that usual stolid demeanour and dry , comic expression cf countenance so characteristic of the animal . If he kicks he docs so , it woultl appear , more from a sense of feeling an insult has been offered than from an experience of pain . On th « vehiclcs went again through thc lovely roads and lanes skirting Epping Forest . Now and then a gipsy ' s caravan

( perhaps tlieTnost picturesque and primitive sight that can be seen ) is observed pitched on the ground between the trees , and as the brethren pass out come the gipsy boys and girls indiscriminately , bodies unwashed , hair dishevelled , ragged and shoeless , dexterously throwing themselves head over heels , at the same time scampering after the brethren as thc horses go on at a good round trot . A

great hulk of an adult gipsy with a tiny gipsy baby in his arms , struggles hard to keep up , pitcously begging for coppers . Honest labour would not be half such hard work . One feels reluctant to assist such bare-faced vagrancy , but the children persist , compassion in thc onlooker ensues , and out go the coppers , the donor consoling himself with the determination

that never again will he bestow alms on such folk . One does it , however , again and again , under thc like circumstances , for do not thc gipsy and his caravan form by no means an insignificant part in thc make up cf thc rural scene around . Here and there along the route , and in thc distance , the forest vvas dotted with small and select pic-nic parties , and as the conveyances passed greetings were

exchanged between these little knots of people and the brethren , each party in dumb show ( for they were too far off to be spoken to ) conveying to thc other the wish that a pleasant day would be experienced and enjoyed . Whilst passing through thc beautifully undulating country , thickly wooded as it is with all kinds of trees and shrubs , one cannot but feel grateful for thc successful attempts

recently made , especially by the City Corporation , to preserve the really lovely Forest of Epping from the hands of the selfish encroachcr so that it may he enjoyed as a recreation ground by the present generation , and handed down as a precious gift to future posterity . Onward the brethren went , beautiful scenery on either side . And thc ferns . Oh what ferns ! Beds of ferns planted and nursed by nature

and growing in wild luxuriance , almost as thickly as blades of grass upon a well-kept lawn , covered many of the open spaces in the copse . It is on occasions and amidst scenes like these that one experiences more forcibly that gratitude due to to the Supreme Being for the bounties existing in nature , a gratitude to be felt and not expressed . At last Theydon Bois

vvas reached , and then over thc railway and down a long lane , with hayficlds and cornfields on this side , and hayficlds ami cornfields on that ; cosy farmhouses peeping out from behind the shubbcrics ; lots of tall trees bordering the road , with their boughs overhanging and so near thc ground as to compel a constant watch so that one might dotlge at the right moment to save one's hat ,

and may be one ' s head to . Such fun ! Away they go over the little rivulet and all at once draw up in fine style in front of the White I lart at Abridge . All are welcome here , for nearly every one is more or less personally acquainted with the warm-hearted host and his family . Here too a pleasing incident takes place . The same thing occurred last | year and the year before too , for this route is a favourite one v \ ith

the lodge , and il seems now they arc never likely to change it . There i . s a poor but honest oltl man in the village known to and respected by all the inhabitants ; he is lame and can do very little work , perhaps none , lie knows the day and almost the hour the brethren arc expected to call , for as the vehicles turn thc corner of the White I lart , there the ohl man is leaning against the wall , apparently in the

same position as when he was left this very dav- last year . It would seem as if the old man had not butlged from the spot since . There he is , all expectancy , his good-tempered old face radiant with delight . Presently the hat goes round , and every one puts in a coin ; the Jiuni collected is handed tothe old gentleman and it docs one's heart good to see how he receives it . I le plants his crutches into the earth

as an extra support , pokes himself more stillly up against thc wall , thrusts his two hard palms forth , and thc load of coppers , _ cc , ( for there is a stray bit of silver amongst the copper ) , is emptied into them . Look at his watery eyes and the tears as they come trickling down his worn cheeks . These must express his thanks , and so they do eloquently , for he feels apples in his throat and he can give utterance to

never a word . Never mind , the brethren will sec him again next year , on thc same day , and pretty nearly thc same hour , if all be well . But it i . ; high time they were starting for the King ' s I lead , Chigwell . All mount to their seats , room is found for a much resp ;_ ted member of the lotlge , the I . P . M ., Iiro . Samuel G . im : ii . ) u , vvh . ) , at that particular moment unexpectedly turns up , somehow from somewhere , and quite accidentally of course . Farewell is

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bidden the host and his family , and away they go to the goal at a spanking speed . The fine old hostelry is soon reached . A first class banquet is provided . The whole affair is divested of as much formality as possible ; consequently , after the banquet only two or three of the principal toasts arc proposed by Bro . John Waters , W . M ., and Comp . Alfred Harris , M . E . Z . After thc dinner the

brethren dispersed themselves over the prettily laitl out gardens attached to the house , and in the adjoining meadows . Some indulged in a game of cricket , others amused themselves in playing at quoits , whilst the more robust took to skittles , the older members sitting or leisurely strolling about here and there , watching the games of the younger , and all enjoying to thc utmost thc balmy

sweetness of thc refreshing and fragrant air , and the soft influences of thc lovely summer evening . Twilight at last set in . Tea anti coffee were served . All reckonings were soon made and paid , and the horses put to , and after giving thc host a parting cheer at starting , in recognition of his services and geniality , thc brethren were soon well on a third of their way

to town . As it was now dusk , and they had some lonely lanes and roads to pass through , they unanimoisly concluding that a song or two , with some good choruses in which all could join would not be indecorous , enlivened this part of th _ outing in thot way , and after one or two stoppages at old landmarks in thc shape of halfway houses , the brethren arrived safely in town without having to book one mishap to mar the pleasantness of thc day .

METROPOLITAN LODGE ( No . 1507 ) . —This young and successful lodge held its first summer festival under thc presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Jas . Willing , jun ., at the Rye House , on Fridaj , the 9 th inst ., when , in spite of thc most inclement weather , about fifty sat down to a most excellent banquet . Present , including ofiicers , Stewards , & c .: —W . M ., and thc Misses Willing ; Bro .

Michael , Mr . and Mrs . II . Listen ; Bro . and Mrs . John Douglass ; Bro ., Mrs . and Miss Williams ; Mr . and Mrs . Richard Douglass ; Bro . and Miss Child ; Bro . and Mrs . Kingham ; Bros . Scales , J . Tims , Rapkin , and Easy , Bro . Shand and Mrs . Shand ; Bro . Hatton ; Bro . Page and Mrs . Page ; Bro . Brumell and Mrs . Brumell ; Bro . Gilbert and Mrs . Gilbert ; Bros . Ralph , Erwood , Levy , and

M . II . Levy . After the health of thc Queen had been drunk , thc W . M ., in proposing thc Grand Master's health , alluded to thc intended visit of H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales to India , and hoped it would be the means of uniting the two countries in still more friendly fraternal intercourse , and be the ' means of enabling each more fully to comprehend and trust the other . Bro . Michael proposed " The Health of the

W . M ., " which was enthusiastically received . He said Bro . Willing belonging ^ to several lodges and chapters , had a deal of his time occupied by Freemasonry , but had paii such attention to the Metropolitan Lodge that it had ? - arrived close upon thc termination of the first year entirely free from debt , and over £ 10 paid to the Grand Lodge . Thc other toasts were " The Ofiicers , " responded to by

Bros . Tims and Michael ; " "Thc Stewards , " by Bros . John Douglass and Williams ; " " The Visitors , " by Bro . Ralph and Richard Douglass . In proposing " The . Health of the Lidies , " the W . M . thanked them very sincerely for their kindness in being present in such unpropitious weather , but hoped to see them next year under more favourable auspices . The youngest bachelor , Bro . II . W .

Levy , replied in a very humorous speech , and the company adjourned to the conservatory , where dancing was kept up until ten o ' clock . LIVERPOOL . —FERMOR HESKKTII ( No . 1350 ) . —The installation of thc M . W . elect of this lodge took place at ths Masonic Temple , Hope-street , Liverpool , on Thursday week . There was a numerous attendance of brethren .

among whom were Bros , the Rev . ) . F . Goggin , P . Prov . G . C , and W . M . of thc Liverpool Lodge ; J . P . Piatt , P . Prov . G . J . W ., Cheshire ; Dr . A . Stephen ' s , P . Prov . G . J . D . ; T . K . Hughes , P . M . ; J . Iligson Johnston , P . M . ; Dr . Arthur Samuels , P . M . ; Edward Harhird , P . M . ; F . Day , W . M . ion ; T . A . Collinson , W . M . ; the Rev . — Bluck , P . G . C ; Dr . Crawford , W . M . Sefton Lodge , and P . M .

1350 ; Dr . J . M . Bennett , S . W . ; Dr . Pierce , D . of C . ; the Rev . Samuel Topham , P . C ; thc Rev . C . F . Merniagan , Chaplain ; R . Collinson , | . W . ; W . II . Cooper , Sec ; Dr . Carter , Thos . Piatt , P . P . G . J . D ., Cheshire ; II . Gilmore , I . G ., and others . At thc commencement of the proceedings Bro . T . A . Collinson , W . M ., took the chair , and the lodge having been opened iu solemn form , Bro . J . M . Bennett

the W . M . elect , was presented to the retiring Master . I he ceremony of installation was performed by Bros . Johnston and Hughes . The W . M . elect appointed the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . R . Collinson , S . W . ; W . H . Cooper , J . W . ; T . A . Collinson , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Samuels , Sec ; Johnston , P . M ., D . of C ; Dr . Pierce , S . D . ; Evans , J . D . ; Cooper , I . G . ; Dr . Carter , S ., and the Rev . C . F . Mcrmngan , Chaplain . The

W . M . then initiated a candidate into Freemasonry , discharging that duty in an able and impressive manner . The brethren subsequently mixed together , a first class banquet being provided by Russell , of Bold-street . In the course of the evening a very handsome P . M . ' s jewel was presented to Bro . T . A . Collinson , in recognition of lis valuable services in thc chair , and several Masonic and other toasts were duly honoured .

BURDETT COUTTS LOIIUI : NO . 127 ? . —Thc Baroness Burdett Coutts has appointed Thursday next , the 29 th inst ., at 3 o ' clock , to present to the members of the lodge three chairs for its principal officers , upon which occasion , by special permission granted , thc brethren will meet at

Freemasons' 1 lall , Great Queen-street , in full Masonic Craft costume . Immediately after the presentation a dej : uner will take place to which the Baroness has consented to remain . The memb-rs will be accompanied by their ladies .