Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Schultz , P . M . ; Dr . E . M . Lott , P . G . Org ., Hon . Org . ; and Dr . Hinton , M . A ., Asst . Org . Among the visitors were Bros . F . A . Philbrick , O . C ., G . Reg . ; R . Loveland Loveland , P . G . D . ; Mrjrly ( . C . C . ); and others . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bros . G . R . C . Stoddart and H . G . Hunt were passed to the Second Degree . The ballot was taken

on behalf of Messrs . A . VV . Smith , J . Shapcott , and G . Walter , and it being unanimous , two out of the three candidates were duly initiated , viz ., Messrs . Smith and Shapcott . Mr . George Waller , C . C , was unable to be present . The ballot was also taken as a joining member for Bro . C . Moore , C . C , W . M . 15 S 9 . Apologies for nonattendance were received from Bros . Nelson Prower , M . A .,

LP M . j W . H . Jackson , P . M ., Sec ; Jas . Strugnell , P . M . ; and others . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet . Bro . F . A . Philbrick , in responding on behalf of " * The Grand Officers , " made a most interesting and eloquent speech . In alluding to the lodge , he said that it was his first visit , and he had been exceedingly gratified with the warmth of his reception . He had been pleased , also , with

the work in the lodge , and with the hospitality displayed afterwards . Everything had passed off most agreeably , and he should remember the occasion , as it had been one of the most pleasant evenings he had spent for some time . Bro . H . 1 . Lardner gave " The W . M . " in a mostrordial and flattering manner . The W . M . having replied , gave " The Initiates , " who duly responded .

Bro . R . L . Loveland , P . G . D ., in responding for "The Visitors , " spoke most kindly of the lodge and its members . Bro . Merly replied in French . 'The Health of the Past Masters" gave the W . M . an opportunity of alluding to the LP . M ., whose absence abroad they must all deplore , as it prevented the lodge from hearing an interesting and eloquent speech from that

genial brother . However , Bro . Prower ' s place in the lodge had been most satisfactory filled by that excellent and talented Past Master , Bro . E . Schultz . He called upon Bros . H . J . Lardner , T . Simpson , J . Young , G . Herbert , and E . Schultz to respond to the toast , which those brethren most ably and exhaustively performed . Bros . N . P . Lardner , S . W ., and H . Herbert , J . W .,

acknowledged the toast of " The Oflicers . " The W . M . gave as a special toast " The Health of the Organists of the Lodge , " to which Bros . Dr . Lott and Dr . Hinton duly replied . These talented brethren , with the assistance of Bros . Herbert , P . M ., Schultz , P . M .: Young , P . M . ; N . P . Lardner , and others , considerably added to the enjoyment of the members by their musical abilities .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BEAMINSTER . Beaminster Manor Lodge ( No . 1367 ) . — A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the White Hart Hotel , on Tuesday , the 7 th instant . The brethren present included Bros . A . Hann , W . AL ; H . Maunster , acting LP . M . ; O . M . Beament , S . W . j VV . Oxley ,

J . W . ; Rev . E . G . Austen , P . P . G . Chap . Chaplain ; J . Andrews , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., Treas . j F . P . Kitson , Secj Rev . E . H . G , de Castro , J . D . j S . R . Baskett , P . AL , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., D . C . j C . G . Purkis , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., Org .,- G . Roberts , LG . j R . Toleman , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Stwd . j J . Keech , Tyler j J . S . Webb , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; and C . Hann , P . M . Visitors : Bros . S . Piles , 11 S 1 , and

J . Harding . After the lodge had been opened and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for Mr . Thomas Archibald Goodchild , and proving favourable , that gentleman was admitted and exalted in a very able manner by the W . M . The W . M . was well backed up by his officers , and the ceremony was performed throughout in a way which speaks well for the success ot the new W . M . ' s year of oflice . The charge to the initiate was

most impressively delivered b y Bro . J . S . VVebb . The ballot was also taken for a serving brother to be initiated by dispensation at the March meeting . "Hearty good wishes" having been interchanged , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned lor their customary refreshment , the tables for which were laid out in the Market Room . The toast of "The Queen and Craft , " and "The Initiate " were the only toasts of the evening .

BIRMINGHAM . Forward Lodge ( No . 1189 ) . —The installation meeting of this prosperous lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , New - street , on Monday , the Gth instant , when Bro . E . A . Smith , S . VV ., was installed into the chair of K . S . There were present a numerous attendance of the members of the lodge and a number of distinguished

visitors , including Bros . I ' . G . Swindon , P . P . G . D ., * E . T . Burton , P . P . G . D . ; J . Beattie , P . P . G . S . Staffordshire j W . J . Ginder , VV . M . 74 j M . Jones , W . M . 43 j J . Middleton , VV . M . 1016 j W . Jeyes , W . AI . 124 G ; J . IT . Simpson , P M . 1520 j T . Clulee , P . M . 5 G 4 ; C Bigwood , 419 j J . N . Lester , 419 j Brown , 1246 j Margrett , 739 j F . Mundy , 1551 ; and G . H . Thomas , 70 .

After the minutes of the last regular lodge had been confirmed , Bro . Smith was presented to the W . M ., Bro . Harcourt , for the ceremony of installation . This was rendered in a most solemn and impressive manner that gave pleasure to all present . The newly-installed Master then appointed and invested the following officers , making appropriate remarks to each on their duties , & c .: Bros . R . G . Stephens ,

S . W . ; H . A . Clulee , J . W . j E . P . Cole , P . P . G . P ., Treas . ; F . Holday , P . M ., Charity Stwd ; J . C . Grinsell , Secj E . W . Hitching , S . D . j VV . II . Cooper , J . D . j VV . Hillman , P . P . G . P ., D . C . j T . N . Bladon , P . P . G . O . Org . ; A . N . Butcher , I . G . j G . Smith and C A . Smith , Stwds . j S . Brown , S . B . and I . G . j and T ' cevit , Tyler . The next business was to present a Past Master's jewel to the retirinrr

Master , Uro . Harcourt , and the W . M . said it gave him very great pleasure , on behalf of the lodge , to present this token as a small acknowledgment of their esteem , and ol their appreciation of the manner in which he had filled the Master ' s chair during the past year . He trusted it would

always prove a pleasing memento of the time he had occupied the chair of K . S ., and would only add that it would be impossible to present a jewel to one more worthy of wearing it than Bro . Harcourt . The retiring Master thanked the brethren most heartily for their kindness , and said he should value the jewel most highly . It would

Provincial Meetings.

always remind him of many happy hours , and of the loyal co-operation he had received from one and all . The ceremony was then proceeded with , the I . P . M . giving the addresses to the Master , Wardens , and brethren in a splendid and telling manner . The brethren then adjourned to the banqueting room , where a recherche repast had been provided . The toasts of " Her M * . j-sty the Queen " and " H . R . H .

the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . ' were proposed by the W . M ., who said that amongst all her Majesty's subjects none were more loyal than Freemasons , and they had every reason to be so for her Majesty had set an example of pure living that all , from the highest to the lowest might well copy . They were proud to honour the toast of the M . W . G . M ., for he had endeared himself to the heart of every Freemas n by his geniality and true English

brotherhood , and there was no doubt that during the time his Royal Highness had been Grand Master of England , Freemasonry had progressed by leaps and bounds . The toast of " The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was next proposed and received by the brethren with the heartiest enthusiasm .

The VVorshipful Master then proposed the toast of " The Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Leigh , " and spoke of the great regret they all felt at not being honoured more frequently by his presence at their meetings , but although his numerous engagements prevented this he had ever their interest at heart , and was in every way a type of a right worthy English nobleman and a brother of whom they might well be proud .

"The Health of Bro . J . T . Collins , D . P . G . M ., and the Officers Present and Past of Provincial Grand Lodge , " was then proposed by the W . M . In the course of his remarks he said that Bro ; Collins had by his time and frequent presence among them evinced the very deep interest he took in Warwickshire Masonry , and every scheme for their welfare had his most hearty support . The W . M . had around him numerous Past Officers , several

belonging to their own lodge , who by their splendid work and untiring efforts on behalf of Masonry had set them an example well worthy of imitation . The toast was received with every enthusiasm , and replied toby Bros . Burton , P . P . G . D . j Hillman , P . P . G . P . j and Beattie , P . P . G . S . Staffordshire . Bro . R . G . Stephens , S . W ., then gave the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " which he referred to as being the

toast of the evening . He congratulated the W . M , on his installation , and could assure him of the loyalty and cooperation of all the officers . They were sure that in their VV . M . they had one who would worthily carry out the traditions of the Forward Lodge . The Worshipful Master , in reply , thanked the brethren most heartily for electing him to such a high position , and said that that evening would be one he could never forget .

He earnestly would impress on all the younger Masons the necessity of taking a zealous and hearty interest in Masonry as it would fully repay them , and at any time they might be called upon they would be able to take their part in their grand ritual . The toast of "The Visitors " was next proposed by the W . M ., who said it was a great pleasure to see so many present , and he assured them of a very hearty welcome .

This was replied to by Bros . Jones , Middleton , Chulec , Jeyes , and Thomas , who all spoke of the very great pleasure and gratification they had felt in the manner the Installing Master had done his work . They also congratulated the lodge on their new Master , and as many of them had seen him in the several offices , they were assured that the lodge had elected a Master who would be a worthy successor to those who had preceded him .

The VV . M . next proposed " The Installing Master and Past Masters of the Forward Lodge . " He remarked that it gave him great pleasure to give that toast . They haJ all heard and seen tfte manner in which Bro . Harcourt had conducted the ceremony of installation , and it was a grand finish to his splendid work throughout the year . This had always been the same , and it would be the present Master's ambition to emulate the example of the I . P . M . To the

Past Masters he gave his earnest thanks for the kind and ready manner they had assisted him with their counsel and support , and no VV . M . could enter on his year of office under more favourable auspices than he had . The toast was responded to by the I . P . M ., and Past Masters Hellman , Holday , Bladon , and Winfield . Bro . Harcourt thanked the VV . M . for his kind remarks , and said it was through the earnestness and splendid work of those who had preceded him that had brought the lodge to

its present position , and he and the Past Alasters could assure the W . AI . of their hearty support and co-operation . Owing to the lateness of the hour , the W . vl . very brielly gave the toast of " The Officers , " and said it was a matter of great congratulation for him to feel he had such a splendid band of well tried officers to work with him during the year . This was replied to by Bros . Chulee , J . W . j and Brown , LG . An excellent musical programme was given by Bros . Simpson , Myers , Warne , Leverett , and Groves .

BRADFORD . Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) . —A regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Alasonic Hall , Darleystreet ,, on Thursday , the 22 nd inst . The W . M ., Bro . John Niven , was supported by Bros . Sam . A . Auty , as I . P . M . j John Thornton , S . W . j John T . Last , Treas , as J . W . j C . IT . i * His , S . D . j S . Robinson , J . D . ; John Morton , I . G . j Henry Holmes , Tyler j J . B . Fearnley , Sec . j *>¦ . Althorp ,

P . M ., P . P . G . P . j I . Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ; S . A . Bailey , P . M . ; IL S . Heard , A . E . Harris , J . Harland , li . Harland , T . P . Sykes , R . J . Graysdalc , J . J . Whitaker , Visitors : Bro . Wm . Smith , 47 ; Jas . Tilley , 600 ; Thos . Cantrill , P . M ., Sec . 1214 ; John I *" . Bromley , S . W . 1214 ; and Harold Nicholson , J . D . 2231 . 'The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last regular lodge were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Hro . Albert Gwaine , Org . 3 S 7 , who was duly

elected and admitted a joining member of the lodge . Bros . Graysdale and Whittaker were passed to the Second Degree , the former by the W . AL , and the latter by Bro . Bailey , P . M . ; the charge was delivered to the candidates by the VV . M ., and the working tools explained by Bro . Last , acting J . W . References were made to the widow of a deceased member , also to a brother wno was lying very dangerously ill . Apologies were tendered for the unavoidable absence of several brethren , and after " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed .

Provincial Meetings.

DIDSBURY . Doric Lodge ( No . 2359 ) . —The regular monthl y meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the nth inst ., at the Didsbury Hotel , when there were over 40 brethren present . Bro . F . Stretch , W . M ., opened the lodge , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . There were four candidates to be raised , which ceremony

was performed by the W . M . and Bro . Geo . S . Smith , P . AL , respectively . At the termination of the business and " Hearty good wishes" had been expressed by the numerous visitors present , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a most sumptuous repast , which was delightfully served by Mrs . Stretch . At the festive board the usual loyal and Masonic toasts

were given and responded to in a most hearty manner . The harmony of the evening was greatly enhanced by the contributions of many talented artistes . Songs were given by Bros . J oseph Ward , Joseph Smith , C . Worstencroft , James Willcox , W . M . 1140 , and G . S . Smith ; recitations by Bros . C H . Beever , W . M . 1375 , and Fred . Morgan ; thought-reading by Bro . A . R . Brett ; and a capital entertainment by Bro . Thos . Hamnett ' s ventriloquism .

ECCLES . Victoria Lodge ( No . 1345 ) - —The annual installation meeting of this lodge took place on Thursday , the 16 th inst ., at the Cross Keys . There was a very large assembly present when Bro . Tom Wood , W . M ., opened the lodge . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Mr . John Corner

and proved favourable . T he T reasurer ' s accounts were passed . A notice of motion was proposed by Bro . Wood , and seconded by Bro . William Corner , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ., Sec , "That a sum of 20 guineas be paid from the Charity Fund to the Koyal Masonic Institution for Girls . " This was unanimously passed . This prosperous lodge is always to the fore as regards the Masonic and other Charities , as ,

in addition to the above , they have contributed Go guineas previously this year , making a grand total of So guineas ; indeed , the members of this lodge seemed to be endued with Charitable intentions , as it is only a few months ago that Bro . Joe Lees , P . AL , Treas ., presented a banner , one of the most beautiful that ever ornamented a lodge . On the present occasion the newly-installed Master , Bro .

William Broughton , presented to them a very large and handsome polished oak case with noble plate glass front for the reception of the above banner , which when unveiled by the W . M . brought forth unbounded applause . The Installing Master , Bro . Tom Wood , appointed as his officers Bros . E . O . Stuart , P . M ., as S . VV . ; Hugh Rowland , P . M ., as I . W . j and Joe Lees , P . M ., as I . G .

Bro . William Broughton , S . VV ., VV . M . elect , was presented to the Installing Master by Bro . Lees , and installed into the chair of K . S . Bro . Tom Wood proved himself to be a Past Master in the art by the beautiful and effective manner in which he conducted the ceremony . We heartily congratulate him upon the great success . The working tools were delivered by Bro . Stuart , the address to the

W . M . was given by Bro . IT . Rowlands , P . M ., by Bro . Joseph Lees to the Wardens , whilst the brethren were addressed by the Installing Master . The following oflicers were invested by the W . M . . * Bro . Tom Wood , I . P . M . j William Pearson , S . W . j J . Ambler , J . W . j J . Lees , P . M ., Treas . j VV . Corner , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Secj Francis Mather , S . D . ; W . H . Jackson , J . D . j VV .

J . Beebee , Org . j W . M . Hamilton , LG . ; and Chas . Cartwright , J . J . Martindale , and J . Tommas , Stwds ., their duties being explained by Bro . Wm . Corner . Subsequently a banquet was held to celebrate thc Festival of St . John . The toast list comprised the loyal and Masonic toasts . Both the proposing and the responding were all of the highest order , more especially that of " The Charities , " by Bro . C VV . Bayley , which was a

masterpiece of thought and elocution , and it was ably responded to by Bro . Corner . Bro . Tom . Wood , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the VV . M . " in glowing terms , speaking to the high character of the Master they had chosen , and under his guidance he was quite certain thc good ship Victoria would be left in good hands . lhe VV . M . proposed "The Health of Bro . Tom . Wood ,

LP . M ., ' using very endearing terms , which were mamlestly touching to him . He could not say sufficient in praise of their I . P . M ., he had so many good qualities , but thanked him very much for installing him into that chair in such an able manner . And to show the esteem in which he was held by the brethren , he begged him to accept a very handsome Past Master's jewel , and he trusted he might live

lung to wear it , and hoped it would always remind him of thc affection of every brother in the Victoria Lodge . Bro . VVood responded in a most graceful little speech . A most enjoyable evening was spent . Amongst those present we * e the following : Bros . VV . Pearson , J . Ambler , W . H . Jackson , J . VV . Ogden , F . Mather , J . Wormby , W . IT . Budgen , J . Tommas , W .

Hamilton , C . E . Cartwright , and W . K . Beebee . Visitors * . Bros . J . Collin , S . W . 1213 J G . vicFarlain , P . M . j F Hilton , P . M . ; J . Archdalej VV . T . Allitt , P . M . j T . Lawlor , P . M . j W . Hattersleyj A . 11 . Duffin , P . M . j G . S . Smith , P . M . j ) . Hardwicke-Marsh , W . M . j J . Walton , P . M . j S . jacobson ; J . T . Mills , W . M . j J . II . Ashton ; T . Ball , P . M ., * IT . Tomlinson , P . M . j J . Smithj and I . Andrews ,

P . P . G . D . The jewel and banner were manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

LEEDS . Excelsior Lodge ( No . 1042 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , on Thursday , the iGth instant , when there were present Bros . J . W . Blackburn , W . M . j T . Thorp , LP . AL ; | . B . Mays , S . W . j IT . Banks , J . W . j R . J . Smith , Sec ; R . Waide , S . D . j A . IT . Dougill , J . D . j E . Crosby , P . M ., Org . j W . Flockson , P . M ., D . of C . j

J . J . W . Saville , as I . G . ; G . Tooley and H . Whitfield , Stwds . ; J . IT . Newton , Tyler ; W . Bingham , P . M . ; «• Cowbrough , P . AL ; W . M . Tyers , P . M . ; VV . T . Carter , P . M . ; A . Atkinson , IC . R . C . Marshall , O . R . Morley , . !¦ H . Gash , F . Bagshaw , G . Tyers , J . W . Dobson , and j . A . Milne . Visitors : Bros . H . Marsft , W . M . 1221 ; J . lhnppleton , P . M . 30 G ; and J . j . Hayhurst , 32 ( U . S . A . ) . . The minutes of the last regular lodge having been read and confirmed , Bros . Dobson and Milne were passed to the