Masonic Notes And Queries.

the Master , D . M ., J . W ., and Secretary being elected from the former , and the S . W . from the Operatives , according to the understanding existing between the members . There is an extensive benefit fund in connection with the lodge . Relative to the minimum age of a candidate for initiation , let me warn "Lex Scripta " against accepting any authority but the Constitutions , which in Ireland , as in England , fixes twenty-one ( save by

dispensation ) as the legal period , no word being said as to Lewises , though doubtless such would-be candidates , under age , might stand a better chance of obtaining the favour . The minimum age in Scotland is iS , which appears to me a pity , as the three Grand Lodges should adopt 21 , especially as it used to be 25 . 1 can assure my brother that in England , whatever the Historians , of the class of Dr . Oliver may say , no Lewis can claim to be

initiated at iS , neither can he in Ireland . Such a privilege is dependent on a dispensation being obtained , as in the case of non Lewises . " Kenning's Cyclopaedia " is quite correct as to this point . I hope English Fieemasonry will never be disfigured with the French ceremonies of Masonic Baptism and Adoption , & c . The enquiry is a curious one , but it is not likely to be settled , save as to the fact that Lewises have really no privileges beyond

being " made Masons before any one , however worthy , who is also acandidate for initiation during the same evening a case in point being cited in last week ' s Freemason . We sadly want anauthoiitative work on English Masonic jurisprudence , based upon the present Book of Constitutions , and the numerous decisions of the Board of General

Purposes . Cannot such a work be prepared by some competent brethren ? The need of it is obvious , and I feel assured that it ** circulation could not fail to be a large one , provided the author was conversant with the subject . Unless thoroughly well done , we had better be without the woik . CHISHOLM .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Jlasonrg .

PANMURE LODGE ( No . 720 ) . —A regular meeting of Ihis lodge was held at the Balham Hotel , Balham , on Monday , the iyth inst ., when tht-ie were present Bros . John Daniel Arnold , W . M . j A . Leonard , S . W . j F . Purkiss , J . W . ; G . Treves , l . P . M . j T . Poore , P . M ., Secretaryj Lewis Jones , S . D . j A . C . Wood , ! . D . j A . Barnett , I . G . j S . Ash , W . S . j G .

Allen , P . M . 144 , 'D . C . j lames Stevens , P . M . j E . Mitchell , P . M . ; G . Lilley , P . M . 1632 ; C . H . Richmond , G . Mulley , J . Finch , J . L . Ball , C . Thomas , Tyler ; and others . Visitors : Bros . G . S . Graham , P . M . 1851 , P . P . G . Org . j S . W . Bowen , 1 S 51 ; and VV . Powell , 1531 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , a letter from the Grand Secretary approving of the

desired alteration in number of meetings was read , and , in accordance with which , the future meetings of this lodge will be held on the third Mondays in the months of January , March , May ( installation ) , July , September , and November respectively . There being two candidates for initiation , Messrs . Samuel Bullen and George Goodge , they were balloted for , and approved of . The ceremony of

initiation was very ably performed by the VV . M ., who gave proofs in this , his first work as the presiding officer , of considerable ability . It was announced that the Treasurer of the lodge , invested at the previous meeting , was desirous of tendering his resignation of that office , and his resignation being unanimously accepted , the I . P . M ., Bro . G . Treves , was nominated for election , and received the favourable

votes of the brethren without exception . Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., referred to an unpleasant matter affecting the character of this lodge in the action of the late Treasurer , on two recent occasions , and which had been made the subject of public comment in the pages of one of the Masonic journals , and subsequent discussion by members of the Craft . He . expressed himself , as the

senior P . M . of the lodge , as above all things , jealous for its good repute , and the rellection upon it that it was in the slightest measure wanting in loyalty to the sovereign and the Grand Master of the Order was unendurable to the general body of its members as well as to himself . It was out of their power to undo what had been done , but they could mark their sense of strong disapproval of the behaviour

of the individual in question by refusing the usual close Masonic association with him until he had purged himself of his grave offence by an ample apology to the lodge . In the meanwhile , and lest the absolute ignoring of his disloyal action might be misconstrued into sympathy therewith , he suggested that the minutes of this meeting should bear a record of

the indignation of all present that any one of their number could so far forget his obligations to the Craft . Bro . Steven ' s remarks were received with much earnestness , and were immediately followed by a unanimous vote in terms of the strongest condemnation of the offending brother ' s most disloyal act , and it was ordered that the same be recorded in the lodge minutes . A few matters of

routine business concluded the work of this meeting , and the lodge was then closed in due form . An excellent repast had been provided hy Bro . Lilley , P . M ., the worthy Host of the Balham Hotel , whom we were glad to see present , and nearly recovered from his Iat (* severe accident , and to this the brethren gave due attention .

Subsequently the usual toasts were given , that of " The Queen " being on this occasion unanimously honoured , and the singing of the National Anthem , most demonstratively joined in by all present . Bro . G . S . Graham presided at the pianoforte , and some excellent soncs and recitations were interspersed with the remaining toasts , the company separating at a reasonable hour , pleased with , and encouraged by , the entire proceedings of the evening .

STONEHOUSE . —Sincerity Lodge ( No . 18 9 ) . —The members of lh-s lod ^ e held their annual meeting on the 12 th inst ., at St . George ' s Hall . The W . M . elect , Bro . Chas . F . Dunsterville , was installed by Bros . C . Croydon and R . H . Rae , P . P . G . D ., 1 S 9 , with an efficient Board pf W . M . 's . The following officers were invested : Bros .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

E . Prout , l . P . M . j John Chapman , P . P . G . S . D ., S . VV . ; J . Ward , J . W . j the Rev . T . VV . Lemon , Chap . ; T . S . Bayly , Treas . j R . H . Rae , Sec . j Frank R . Thomas , S . D . j J . B . Moulder , J . D . j C . Croydon , D . Cj R . Pike , Org . j E . L . Maunsell , I . G . ; A . S . Hendry and

C . F . Hocking , Stwds . j and J . Gidley , Tyler . Bro . the Rev . T . W . Lemon has been appointed to represent the lodge at the Committee of Petitions , and Bro . R . H . Rae was chosen the Charity Steward . In the evening the brethren and visitors dined together at St . George ' s Hall . Bro . Bosworthick was the caterer .

MANCHESTER . — Yarborough Lodge ( No . 633 ) . —The installation of Bro . Fredk . H . Davidson took place , and the St . John ' s Festival was celebrated on Wednesday , the 14 th inst . Present : Bros . VVm Hughes , W . M . ; F . H . Davidson , S . W . j J . Lees Aspland , P . M ., P . G . Reg ., Treas . j VV . Cartwritrht , Sec . j ) . B . Broadbent , S . D . ; J . H . Andrews , J . D . j E . S . Titmas , I . G . j

J . Slv , Tyler j Geo . Smedley , I . K Station , E . Nathan , S . Witton , P . Williams , T . Dalziel , and T . Glover . Visitors : Bros . Thos . Watts , 539 , * E . Pike , P . M . 6 33 ; Wm . Lee , 1 G 3 j and R . R . Lisenden , VV . M . 317 . The lodge was opened , and after the minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed , the VV . M . elect was presented by Bro . Aspland , P . G . Reg ., to the

Installing Master , Bro . VV . Cattwright , and inducted with all due right and ceremony into the cfair of K . S ., bro . F . H . Davidson was subsequently proclaimed to and saluted by the M . M . ' s on their re-entry to the lodge . The following brethren were appointed officers for the ensuing year , and were invested , with one or two exception , by Bro . Aspland , P . M .: Bros . John Duncan , S . W . j S . B . Broadbent ,

J . W . j I . L . Aspland , P . M ., P . G . Reg ., Treas . j VV . Cartwright , P . M ., Sec . j ] . H . Andrews , S . D . j Edgar Titmas , J . D . j VV . G . Watson , D . of Cers . ; T . R . Glover , I . G . j Jno . Saynon , Org . j J . Sly , Tyler . The addresses were subsequently given , and there being no further business , " Hearty good wishes" were expressed by the visitors , and the lodge was closed in peace and

harmony . The brethren afterwards celebrated the Festival of St . John by dining together . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts werc proposed by the W . M . and duly honoured by the brethren . "The Health of the VV . M . " was proposed by Bro . VV . Hughes , P . M ., in eulogistic terms , and drunk with evident

pleasure by all present . Bro . Davidson returned thanks in appropriate words . " The Health of the I . P . M . " was proposed by Bro . Davidson , who commented upon the satisfactory manner in which Bro . Hughes had fulfilled the various duties connected with his honourable position , and in the name of the members of the lodge presented him with a Past Master ' s

gold jewel , to mark their appreciation of his services . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , 47 , Bridge-street , and was much admired . Bro . Hughes afterwards returned thanks for the present . "The Masonic Charities" was proposed by Bro . Aspland , P . M ., P . G . Registrar , as well as sever jd other toasts during the remainder of the evening .

PRINCETOWN . —Lodge of Benevolence ( No . 6 G 6 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge was held on the 14 th inst ., and in the presence of a large Board of Installed Masters Bro . Joseph Adams was duly installed as the Master . The ceremony was well performed by Bro . VV . Holdstock , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., assisted by Bros . J . R . Lord , P . M . 1247 , P . P . G . S . B . ; I . B . Gover , P . M . 70 , P . P . G . A .

D . C . ; L . D . Westcott , P . M . 70 , P . P . G . S . of W . j G . A . Alexander , P . M . 66 G , P . P . G . O . j I . Delaney , l . P . M . j Captain O . VV . Every , P . M . j J . Stapleton , P . M . j J . Harris , P . M . j John H . Tonkin , P . M . 2 S 2 , P P . G . D . C . j George Roseveare , P . M . 970 and 1255 , P . P . G . S . of W . j W . D . Thomas , P . M . 159 j and Byron Elliott , P . M . 1247 . The officers invested were Bros . John Delaney , I . P . M . ;

W . Johns , S . W , ; E . Ellis , J . W . ; E . Alexander , Treas . j VV . Holdstock , Sec . j J . Geake , S . D . ; C . Whiter , J . D . ; J . H . Weekes , I . G . j and R . Baker , Tyler . Bro . G . E . Alexander was unanimously chosen as the representative on the Committee of Petitions . The brethren and visitors adjourned lo the Duchy Hotel for thc banquet . The W . M . presided , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured .

RUNCORN . —Ellesmere Lodge ( No . 758 ) . — The annual meeting for the installation of W . M . and officers for the year took place on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., at the lodge room , Devonshire-square . The retiring W . M ., Bro . George Bell , was supported by Past Masters Bros . VV . R . Wass , J . Coxhill , E . Marwood , and G . Moss ; Bros . Mellor , P . M ., P . G . J . D . j J . H . Salkeld , George

Summerfield , L . Rosenberg , the Rev . H . Edwards , T . H . Annelt , Cooper , Phillips , T . D . Timmins , LeCouteur , j . S . Davies , Peter Davies , James Littler , J . J . VVaterworth , J . Torkington , W . M . elect j and others . The visiting brethren were Bros .. Webster Williams , i 6 ooj J . Matthews , W . M . 1384 ; and J . Tunstali , I . P . M . 1035 . Bro . Torkington vvas presented by Bro . G . Bell , retiring VV . M ., and Bro . Coxhill , P . M ., and installed by Bro . Win

Mellor , assisted by Bro . J . Coxhill . The following officers were then invested by the new W . M . : Bros . Bell , I . P . M J . H . Salkeld , S . W . j George Summerfield , J . VV . j W . Mellor , Treasurer ; George Moss , Secretary ,- Rev . R . Edwards , Chaplain ; L . Rosenberg , S . D . j T . H . Annett , J . D . j Cooper , I . G . , * James Littler , Organist j j . Le

Couteur , Almoner ; and George Hayes , Tyler . During the evening Bro . Bell , I . P . M ., was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel , along with the Life-Governorshi p of the Cheshire Educational Institution . The brethren afterwards had the customary banquet , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasls were honoured .

WESTON . —Royal Albert Edward Lod ge ( No . 906 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held at the Crown and Anchor Inn , on Wednesday , the 14 th inst , to instal Bro . William Holland Young as W . M . for the ensuing year . There were present Bros . J . Knight , W . M VV . H . Young , S . W . j G . H . Bartlett , J . W . ; T . B ' Moutrie , P . M ., Treasurer , ';; Charles Beckett , P . M . Sec Robert Bull , S . D . ; W . H . Baker , J . D .,- J . H . Macfarlane , P . M ., Org j W , Gayner , Steward ; A . Wadoux ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

I . G- ; C . Pinkettand S . Bigwood , Tylers ; F . VV . Dingle , P . M . ; Lawson Howes , P . M . ; E . L . Hill , P . M . ; J . Stuckey , P . M .: W . A . Scott , P . M . ; and about iG members of the lodge ; and the following visitors were also present : Bros . A . C . Else , Dep . Prov . G . M . of Somerset , P . G . J . Deacon of England ; E . J . B . Mercer , P . M . 41 ; J . A . Timmins , VV . M . 53 ; Isaac Smirsion , P . M . 53 ;

William Rice , P . M . 1 755 ; J . Kendrick Pyne , 53 , P . P . G . Org . Somerset ; and T . E . Willon , S . VV . 41 . The lodge having been opened , the summons convening the meeting and the minutes of the last lodge were read and confirmed . The V . W . the D . P . G . M . and officers of Provincial Grand Lodge were announced and admitted . The V . W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . C . Else , having taken the

Eastern chitr , proceeded to install the W . M . elect , Bro VV . H . Young , into the chair of K . S . as W . M . for the ensuing year . After the VV . M . had been proclaimed and saluted according to ancient custom , he proceeded to appoint and invest thefollowing officers : Bros . Geo . H . Bartlett , S . W . ; R . Bull , J . VV . ; T . D . Moutrie , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Beckett , P . M ., Sec ; Walter H . Baker , S . D . ; A .

A . Wadoux , J . D . ; G . Strange , I . G . j J . H . Macfarlane , P . M ., Org . ; VV . Gayner and VV . H . Fisher , Stwds ., * C . Pinkttt and S . Bigwood , Tylers . Upon the motion of the VV . M ., a very cordial vote of thanks was accorded to the V . W . D . P . G . M . for his attendance and the very excellent manner in which he had carried out the work of Installing Master .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet which had been prepared , at which , in addition to the brethren already named , there were present Bros . VV . Peach , W . M . 41 j P . Braham , P . M . 41 ; C . Wilkinson , P . G . S . W . 41 j and F . Glover , P . M . 90 G . The usual toast list was ? . 'one through , and the pleasure of the evening was much enhanced by the musical entertainment contributed hy some of the members and visitors .

LIVERPOOL . —Royal Victoria Lodge ( No . 1013 ) . —A numerous company of Freemasons assembled at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , on Wednesday evening , the 7 th inst ., to do honour to the new VV . M ., Bro . VV . H . Cooke . Among the visitors were Bros . VV . Goodacre , P . G . Secj John Cobham , P . G . S . D . j Dr . A . Samuels , P . P . G . J . D . ; R . Martin , P . P . G . T . ; J . B . M'Kenzie ,

P . P . G . S . D . ; VV . C . Erwin , P . P . G . A . Secj G . Broadbridge , P . P . G . D . C . j R . Warriner , P . M . Liverpool Lodge j James Pendleton , P . M . Merchants Lodge ; J . M . King , P . M . Everton Lodge ; J . R . Tomlinson , P . M . Sandbach Lodge ; F . Ewart , VV . M . Walton Lodge j G . H . Taylor , S . W . Skelmersdale Lodge j J . Galley , W . M . elect Everton Lodge j J . B . Kirkland , S . VV . Duke of Edinburgh Lodge ;

VV . H . Edwards , S . D . Skelmersdale Lodge ; F . VV . Keen , ist Lodge of Light j Linaker , Royal Preston Lodge j and others . The W . M . elect was presented by Bros . W . Longbottom , P . P . G . A . P ., and Col . C . A . Whitney , P . M ., and was installed with full Masonic ritual by Bro . T . K . Hughes , P . M . The W . M . then invested his oflicers as follows : —

Bros . S . Howard , l . P . M . j T . VV . Edwards , S . W . j VV F . M'Donnell , J . VV . ; VV . H . Thornton , S . D . j VV . M'VVilliam , J . D . ; J . VV . Napton , I . G . ; VV . Longbottom . P . M ., P . P . G . A . P ., Treas . j F . Evans , Sec . j T . K . Hughes , P . M ., D . C ; VV . Warburton , J . VV . Glendinning , and G . Broadbent , Stwds . ; J . Jones , Org . ; and P . Ball , Tyler . The brethren subsequently partook of a sumptuous

banquet , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . In presenting , on behalf of thc lodge , to the retiring VV . M ., Bro . S . Howard , a massive P . M . jewel set with large diamonds , the W . M . evoked much enthusiasm by references to his predecessor ' s amiable and genial conduct both in the chair and in all his intercourse with the brethren . In numerous speeches delivered during the

evening congratulations were offered to the lodge on the era of increased prosperity which is likely to follow Bro . Cook's advent to the chair . He has evinced abilities of a high order in the positions he has already filled , and perfect knowledge of the ritual , combined with his well-known

elocutionary attainments , justify the expectation of an attractive and successful year for the Royal Victoria Lodge , A capital selection of music was rendered during the evening by the Victoria Quartette ( Bros . Stephen , Broadbent , Howard , and Jaci"f ) , Bros . Edwards , T . P . Bethell , VV . F . M'Donnell , Jones , and Cockerton .

PLYMOUTH . —Huyshe Lodge ( No . 1 099 ) . — The annual installation banquet was held on the Gth inst . at the Newmarket Hotel , Cc / rnwall-street . This was the 21 st annual banquet of the lodge , and the proprietor of thc hotel , Bro . H . Rogers , is the 21 st installed Master . Large and handsome assembly rooms have just been added to the accommodation of this hotel , and in the principal of these

rooms the banquet was held . A capital menu was supplied . Bro . Rogers presided , and among those present were also Bros . Wm . Derry , P . P . G . S . W . ; A . R . Lethbridge , P . P . G . D . j L . D . Westcott , P . P . G . S . of Wks . j E . Aitken Davies . P . P . G . S . of Wks . j John Du Pre , P . P . G . D . C . j F . B . Cover , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; S . Willoughby , P . P . G . S . B . j Joseph Austin , P . P . G . O . j W . H . Gillman , P . P . G . A . D . C .: J . R . Lord , P . P . G . S . B . j E . J . Knight , P . P . G . Purst . j J .

H . Blackell , W . I . Walter , T . S . May , W . J . Stanbury , T . May , E . Roseveare , and T . Panter , P . M . ' s 1099 ; J , Elliott , W . M . 1212 ; J . Elliott , VV . M . 1247 j B . Elliott , P . M . 1247 ; R . P . Culley , P . M . 70 ; O . Knowles , P . M . 159 ; VV . H . W . Macey , W . M . 1 S 47 ; J . Y . Avery , P . M . 15 G and 1550 ; A . S . Hendry , P . M . iSg ; J . Sercombe , W . M . 70 j A . Tout , P . M . 70 ; VV . Lavers , P . M . 1255 ; A . White , P . M . 1136 j R . C . Uglow , 1247 j and J . Holland .

1205 . Duung the dinner Bro . Miller ' s band , which numbered a dozen performers , played in the vestibule . After thc cloth was removed the further music supplied by the band , together with Bro . EJ ford ' s performance on the cornet , Bro . Roseveare ' s ventriloquism , and songs and recitations by various brethren , afforded an excellent entertainment between and after the usual round of loyal and Masonic toasts , which were given and warmly drank .

FELTHAM . —Lebanon Lodge ( No . 1326 ) . — The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , thc 17 th inst ., at the Railway Hotel . The chair was taken by Bro . J . J . Marsh , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Middx ., who was supported by the following : Bros . Colonel Sii Francis Burdett , P . G . W ., P . G . M . Middx . ; W . R . Vassila , Prov . G . Std . Br . Middx ., S . W . j J . Laurence , J . W .