Ladies' Banquet Of The Albion Lodge, No. 9.

Lodge at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution . Freemasons had one other attribute , and that was integrity—trying to be true to each other , and to avoid speaking ill of a brother . He had some satisfaction in giving this toast , having been 30 years a Mason , and his strong exhortation was that every good man should be a Mason . " There's naught but what ' s good to be understood from a free and an accepted Mason . " They were honoured with the presence of one Grand Officer who was always welcome in No . 9 , Bro . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., whose name he would couple with the toast .

Bro . J AMES TERRY , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., who replied , said this was his third meeting that evening . Freemasonry was said to be the means of keeping in remembrance the most sublime truths in the m idst of the most innocent p leasures . It had been said that they were public diners out , but they could point to something more . They had not been specially constructed to do without dinner , but what was the result of their dining ? 275 boys , 265 girls , and 475 old Deople were cared for , at no less an expense than about . £ 55 , 000 a year . In conclusion , he hoped the list of Bro . Francis would be one of the best ever sent up in support of their Institution .

Bro . WALTER DENNIS , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and said the members wou d agree that Bro . Cain was an ideal Master . In fact no Iodge could have or wish for a better W . M ., for he had realised even more than was expected of him . The ladies that evening would join in their appreciation of the services of the W . M . The lavish way in which the W . M . had provided musical entertainments during his year would explain the possible late arrival home of the members from the lodge meetings during his reign . In drinking the W . M . ' s health they would join in wishing him a continuance of th * prosperity he had enjoyed during his term of office .

Bro . H . F . CAIN , W . M ., said that after the very flattering remarks of the I . P . M ., he had been looking for a way out of the difficulty of responding . It had occurred to him that as ladies now took a prominent part in the affairs of life , including public speaking , a W . M . ' s wife might very well on an occasion such as that come to her husband's assistance . As his wife , however , did not seem inclined to take the hint , he would express his warmest thanks for the cordial

manner in which the toast had been received . It was a great pleasure to his wife to accompany him , and that had been enhanced by the kindness extended to them . The responsibilities of his oillce had been made pleasant by the combined assistance of the officers and brethren during his year . No . 9 occupied a high position in the Craft , and it was an honour to be the W . M . of such an ancient lodge . It would be a great satisfaction to him to be able to hand over the warrant with its lustre untarnished .

" The M . E . Z . of the Albion Chapter" was next given . Comp . WICKENDEN , in reply , expressed his thanks . He thought that great credit was due to Bro . Harvey—who was S . E . of the chapter as well as Secretary of the lodge—for the work entailed by the arrangements for that festival , and he , therefore , proposed his health . Bro . HARVEY having replied , the pleasant proceedings terminated .

Bro . G . Pritchard , P . M ., Org ., was assisted in the musical programme by Miss Jessie Hotine , Miss Annie Layton , Bro . Albon Nash , and Messrs . J . Saunders and Noel . The company included Bro . and Mrs . Cain ; Bro . and Mrs . Francis ; Bro . and Mrs . F . B . Smith ; Bro . and Mrs . E . J . Wickenden and Miss Fairclough ; Bro . and Miss Friend ; Bros . W . L . Harvey , P . M . ; W . Dennis , P . M . ; Bro . and Mrs . Beardmore ; Bro . and Mrs . Gerrish ; Bros . Pritchard , P . M . ; W . A . Evans , S . D . ; R . H . Weber Biown , I . G . ; and Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Secretary R . M . B . I .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . An emergency meeting was held on Monday , the 19 th instant , at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , E . C . Present : Bros . H . N . Bennett , W . M . ; T . Briggs , l . P . M . Rupert Smyth , S . W . ; Ralph Langton , J . W . ; A . B . Hudson , P . M ., S . D . ; C . R . Leedham , J . D . j Jas . C . Hayes , I . G . ; George Rawlinson , P . M ., Steward ; Chas .

L . Plant , Tyler ; Septimus Croft , P . M . ; Horace F . Woodward , Dr . C . E . M . Hey , Thomas H . James , and J . Vaughan Sherrin . Visitors : The members of the Aldersgate Chapter . The lodge having been opened , a ballot was taken for Bro . J . Vaughan Sherrin , of the Pimlico Lodge , as a joining member , which proved unanimously in his favour , Bros . Woodward and James were raised to the Third Degree in an able manner by Bro . Thomas Briggs , l . P . M .

The members of the lodge and chapter dined together under the genial presidency of Bro . Henry Nicholas Bennett , W . M . Bro . Kift presided over the musical arrangements .

Gallery Lodge , No . 1928 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C , on Saturday , the 10 th inst ., under the [ presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Samuel James . The attendance was large , and it included the following brethren : Bros . George Tairan , l . P . M . ; E . A . Peachey , S . W . ; Fred . VV . Brodie , J . W . ; Rev . J . Stephen Barrass , W . M . Duckworth , P . M ., Treas . ; H . L . Bell , ; acting Sec . ; L . F . Gowing , S . D . ; E . H . Ribbons , J . U . ; J . Hurdell , P . M ., D . C ; J . D . Irvine , A . D . C ;

H . E . Peacock , Org . ; A . E . Baines , R . G . Emery , John Martin , and J . E . C . Lane , Stwds . ; A . F . Robbins , Treasurer of the Benevolent Fund ; H . Massey , P . M . ; E . E . Peacock , P . M . ; Jchn C . Manning , P . M . ; Charles Lock , P . M . ; George E . Saunders , P . M . ; T . G . Scott , P . M . ; Percy VV . Husk , P . M . ; W . T . Perkins , P . M . ; W . G . Kirby , H . E . Fenn , J . F . Watson , R . S . Masson , J . B . Maxwell , A . Bettany , F . Jojce Barrett , Cornwallis H . Smith , Philip H . Heming , J . Bune , C . H . Dant , VV . Collins , Albert Douglas , John Bell , H . Trounce , Gordon Hunter ,

T . Artemus Jones , G . A . Jones , andT . MclJ . Rendle . Visitors : Bros . John Songhurst , P . M . 227 ; F . Soward , 2021 ; Harold Burke , W . M . 2190 , P . G . S . ; John Read , G . Std . Br . ; William Senior , 2190 ; J . H . Jenks , S . W . S ; W . H . Lock , 16 G ; H . J . Fishtr , late 192 S ; Henry Richardson , P . M . 140 ; Walter Coward , 2000 ; the Archdeacon of London ; Charles T . Kirton , W . M . 1261 ; Harold Johnson 1 , P . P . G . O . ; Dalgety Henderson , 2190 ; W . Grant ; 2231 ; J . Anskess , P . M . 2222 ; TemplerSaxe , 2100 ; Herbert J . Gardiner , P . M . 12 G 1 ; and Sydney H . Pardon , 1240 .

The W . M ., on presentation to him by Bro . Hurdell , D . C , of Bro . E . A , Peachey S . W . ( Oai ' y Nevis ) , installed Bro . Peachey as W . M . of the lodge for the ensuing year . Bro . James was invested as I . P . M ., and the following brethren received the other collars of office : Bros . F . W . Brodie , S . W . ; Lionel F . Coving , J . W . ; W . M . Duckworth , P . M ., Treas . ; G , Tarran , P . M ., Sec . ; G . H . Ribbons , S . D . ; H . L . Bell , J . D . ; J . Duguid Irvine , I . G . ; Rev . J . Stephen Barrass , Chap . ; H . E . Peacock ,

Org . ; J . Hurdell , P . M ., D . C ; VV . G . Kirby and A . E . Baines , Asst . D . Cs . ; Alfred V . Kobbins , Treas . Benevolent Fund ; R . G . Emery , John Martin , J . E . C . Lane , and A . Bettany , Stewards ; and G . A , Ball , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . S . James was presented with a handsome Past Master's jewel , and after this ceremony there was presented to Bro ' W . T . Perkins , P . M ., and late Secretary , a valuable travelling bag thoroughly furnished , and the following address , artistically illuminated on vellum , and framed and glazed :

' * To Bro . W . T . Perkins , Past Master of the Gallery Lodge , No . 192 S , of Free and Accepted Masons . " Dear Sir and Brother , "At a regular meeting of the Gallery Lodge , held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C , on Saturday , November the 5 th , 1 S 9 S , on the motion of Bro . E . E . Peacock , P . M . and P . ' / .., seconded by Bro . J . C . Manning , P . M . and P . Z ., it was resolved unanimously :

Craft Masonry.

'" That in recognition of the invaluable services rendered by Bro . W . T . Perkins , P . M ., as Secretary to the lodge during a period of nearly five years , he be presented with a Testimonial , and an engrossed Resolution of Thanks . ' " In giving effect to the foregoing Resolution , and in furtherance of the unanimous wish of the brethren with whom you have been so long and so loyally associated , it affords me the greatest pleasure , on behalf of the Gallery Lodge , to place on record how highlv the brethren appreciate and value the splendid services you have rendered to the Lodge , not only during your Secretaryship , but continually since your initiation in 1 SS 1 , and during your year of office as Worshipful Master in 1 S 91-92 .

" During the whole of this period the brethren have noted with what rare Masonic skill , personal assiduity , and at all times genial and sympathetic tact and ability , those services have been performed by you ; while , with special regard to the Secretaryship , Officers and Brethren . alike bear testimony to the conspicuous capacity displayed by you in consolidating the affairs of the Lodge on a sound business basis . " It is the hope of the brethren , in now thanking you sincerely for the excellent work you have done on behalf of the Lodge , that although you have found it necessary to resign the arduous and exacting duties of the Secretaryship , you will still give the

Lodge the benefit of your Masonic experience in advice and assistance . " That you may long be spared to do this is the fraternal prayer of every member of the Lodge , and that your wife and family , with yourself , may continue to realise all earthly happiness and prosperity to the end , is the sincere wish of us all . " Signed on behalf of the brethren , "ERNEST A . PEACHEY , W . M .

"London , December 10 th , 189 S . " Bro . Perkins returned a feeling reply to the W . M . ' s admirable speech in making the presentation , and assured the brethren of his undying interest jn the lodge , and of the pleasure it had afforded him to work arduously on its behalf in the office of Secretary , which he had resigned after nearly five years' service . The brethren , after the closing of the lodge , adjourned to an elegant banquet , and later in the evening honoured a long list of toasts .

Bros . Dalgety Henderson , Templer Saxe , Herbert Grover , F . H . Cheesewnght , Richard Green , Mel . B . Spurr , W . H . Churcher , and John Le Hay gave a splendid musical and variety entertainment . Bro . Archdeacon Sinclair , P . G . Chap ., in replying to the toast which included " The Grand Officers , " said he was a very near neighbour of the lodge , living in St . Paul ' s Churchyard , and it gave him very great pleasure to be once more a guest of the Gallery

Lodge , and he thanked the brethren forthe kind terms in which he had been honoured by the W . M ., and the warmth with which the brethren had received them . Grand Lodge was always extremely interested in what lodges did . Lodges had grown enormously during the last 25 years , but he believed there was no more loyal lodge , or one in which the work was more faithfully performed , than the Gallery Lodge . The brethren had heard that night how it was performed . Bro . John Read , G . Std . Br ., also replied .

Bro . S . James , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M . " In Bro . Peachey the brethren had a VV . M . who had the interests and welfare of the Iodge thoroughly at heart , and who would maintain the traditions of the chair with conspicuous ability . Since its consecration in 1 SS 1 the Gallery Lodge had pursued a course of great prosperity , and usefulness , and the course would be successfully continued during the Mastership of Bro . Peachey , The manner in which he had acquitted himself in the various offices which it had been his privilege and pleasure to hold in the lodge augured well tor the success of his year of office on which he had just entered . From his intimate acquaintance

with Bro . Peachey he was sure that the cause of Charity , which was dear to the heart of every one of then , would not suffer at his hands , and he had not the slightest doubt that 12 months hence , when it became his duty to give an account of his eiljrts in that great cause , he would be able to lay before the brethren a report which would give them great satisfaction . He could assure Bro . Peachey that in every step he might think it necessary to take in the interests of the lodge , he would receive the loyal co-operation of every brother , for they would do their utmost to make his year of office as successful as any ot his predecessors had been .

Bro . E . A . Peachey , W . M ., in acknowledging the t 03 st , said obviously the first duty which was imposed upon him was to express his gratitude to the brethren for the exceedingly kind manner in which they had been good enough to receive that toast , and also to express to Bro . James his keen appreciation of the spirit in which he had submitted it to the brethren . He shuddered when he entered into the vein of prophecy , because he thought upon what were the traditions of the Gallery Lodge ; but knowing the loyal co-operation of every brother of the lodge , he had no doubt that some how or other he should struggle through the coming year , and at the end of it

he hoped the brethren might be able to endorse a tithe ot the good things Bro . James had said of him . After all , when they came to think of it , when a man who sat for the first time like himself in the chair of the Gallery Lodge he had an exceptionally onerous duty . The W . M . of the only Press lodge in the world had an honour which any one of their calling might be grateful to fill . He was extremely grateful after iS years in the lodge to follow Bro . James in the chair , any brother who had the advantage of presiding over such a body for 12 months should thank his lucky stars that he joined the Gallery Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) They were to-night celebrating the entrance upon a

new year ; they were also celebrating the close of an old year . They hailed the new ; they acclaimed the old year , and when he asked the brethren to join with him in drinking the health , long life and happiness of their I . P . M ., he thought he should raise the loudest applause they had had that evening . Bro . James had succeeded 12 months ago to a chair which enjoyed the highest traditions ; Bro . James had left the chair with that tradition more than maintained . Bro . James when he was installed found it a strong , healthy , cohesive lodge ; he had left them stronger , healthier , and more united than they had ever been ; there was not a ceremony he had touched

that he had not adorned ; and when he ( Bro . Peachey ) appealed to the admirable manner in which he was installed—he was almost going to say the semi-clerical manner —Bro . James performed the ceremony , then he should give that sentiment which was warmest in the Iodge , because he was appealing to a sentiment which every brotner of the lodge had desired to express . Bro . James had done yeoman service , and personally he ( Bro . Peachey ) was sorry Bro . James had had to go ont of office in the lodge ; but he had the assurance that during his year of office Bro . James would assist him as far as he could if during that year he had to make calls on his kindness . -Bro . James had

conducted his year of office with a self-abnegation which had seldom been eqmlled , but never excelled in this character . They had had the Centenary of the Bjys' School ; it might have been—it , possibly , should have been—Bro . Rabbins would forgive himbut it certainly might have been the privilege of Bro . Jam ; s to take up that migmficant subscription which Bro . Robbins had | worked for with the good will of every member of the lodge . Bro . James was the lirst to offer Bro . Kobbins the opportunity to wear the Centenary jewel of that Charity , and Bro . James had helped Bro . Rabbins to win it .

( Cheers . ) During the coming year he ( Bro . Peachey ) hoped to have the privilege of going up to the Girls' School ; he could not expect the brethren to give him so large a sum as they gave Bro . Robbins , but he hoped they wauld help him to maintain the reputation of the lodge , which fn 18 years had obtained a larger number of Charity votes than any other lodge in London of the same age . They worked for Charity , and for Charity's sake he asked them to join with him in wishing " The long life , health , and prosperity of the l . P . M . "

Bro . S . James , I . P . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he was afraid he must start his observations with a confession . He must confess he hardly knew how to reply to the kind and generous observations of the W . M . on his humble efforts of the year . He could truthfully say in the past year he had done his utmost to promote the interests of the lodge and the happiness of its members . The year had been one of the most successful the lodge had ever had ; he believed it had been a record year . 1 'hey had within that period been able to welcome among them no less than 10 new members—six

initiates and four Master Masons . I hey had also had the privilege—the proud privilege —of increasing the lodge's subscription to the Charities Go per cent ., and also to increase the donations to the Benevolent Fund , which was dear to every one of them , by something like 50 per cent . In his humble opinion that was an achievement of which they might be proud . He was happy to be able to say that this great success had been due , not solely to his own efforts , but to the magnificent way he had been supported by members of the lodge . For that support , and for the many acts of kindness the brethren had extended to him , he desired , in conclusion , to express his most grateful thanks .

I he conjoined toast of " I he Savage Club Lodge and the Visitors " was responded toby Bros . Harold Burke , W . M . 2190 , P . G . S . ; Dalgety Henderson , 2190 ; and vV . Senior , 2190 ; and the toasts of" The P . Ms ., " and " lhe Treasurer , Secretary , and Oaicers" . having been given and lesponded to , the Tyler ' s toast closed the pro . ceedings .