The Annual Banquet And Ball Of The Kingsland Lodge, No. 1693.

great importance of it . For the first time in his life he had to propose a toast , and which he was sure he coti'd not do it that justice * . t really deserved—itivas that of "The Ladies . " It was one , he felt sure , would be heartily responded to b y all brethren present , who must admit that the great number of . ladies who graced the banquet table that evening was a sufficient proof

of the hig h respect in which the members of the lodge were held ; notwithstanding the terrible reports which at times had gone abroad about the dreadful ordeals the initiates had to go through before they were admitted to the full knowledge , of the secrets of Freemasonry . He ( the W . AL ) gave . 1 very humorous account of the various tortures , ordeals , and penitential

sufferings of an initiate , as was popularly believed to be the case , which elicited shouts of laughter , and the humour of his graphic account greatly amused all present . The toast itself , we need hardly say , was grandly responded to . Bro . E . C . WINDSOR was called upon to respond on behalf of the ladies , which he did by first decrying his

want of eloquence to do full justice to the response , but he hoped that he had the full assent of all the ladies in that he thanked the W . AL in their name for the very able and courteous manner he had proposed their health , also the brethren for the very hearty manner it had been received by them . He believed the ladies were under an obligation to the W . M . for the

information given respecting the various tortures , & c , a man had to go through before becoming a full y fledged Mason . The toast of "The W . M . " was , of course , indispensable , as Bro . H . J . HAZEL , the I . P . M . observed , who informed those present that the W . M . made up his mind to make that evening a success , and he must say

his efforts had been successful . In proposing his health , he remarked that he had filled the chair with dignity , and had discharged his duties in a most admirable manner , which had won for him the good opinion of every member of the lodge . The toast was drank with great cordiality , and was responded to by the W . M . in a short , but very telling ,

speech , in which he thanked Bro . Hazel for his Haltering remarks , and all those present for the very cordial way they had received the toast . That beinga red-letter day in the annals of the Kingsland Lodge , he had spared no pains or expense in endeavouring to make it a success , and thanked those who had so ably assisted him in attaining that object , which be was very proud

to see had crowned his wishes . The interest in the proceedings was full y kept up by each lady having a small bottle of Bviedenbach ' s scent placed beside her at the table . There was also a very liberal supply of Tom Smith ' s bon-bons , whicli contributed in a great measure towards the fun , which was kept going with great spirit by all present , and this was

greatly appreciated b y the ladies , who were loud in their praises of the W . AL and the Ball Committee for the excellent arrangements made for their comfort , who comprised the W . M ., Past Alasters , and officers of the lodge . Aftir an interval of half-an-hour , the dulcet strains of the band was heard , which announced that the ball

programme was about to be gone through . Couples flocked to the ball room , which was prettily decorated with flowers and various plants , and soon presented an animated scene . Programmes ( which were scented b y Rimmel ) were filled up with engagements ( some , we think , more serious than the waltz , or any other dance , if our eyes did not deceive us ) , but there , it is the same

tale o ' er again . Dancing was kept up with great spirit until a late hour , and when our reporter left they were still twirling on the " light fantastic . " Great credit i . s due to the Organist of the lodge , Bro . W . VVindsor , tor the excellent band provided for the occasion , and who , we may here add , lent additional charm to the banquet bv Dlavini / some beautiful tiiert > s

during its progress . Flowers there were also , posies for ladies , buttonholes for brethren . On the whole , we think the Kingsland Lodge has good cause to congratulate itself ou the great success <¦« their ladies' night in 18 93 , and we trust that still greater success may attend its future annuals . So mote it be !

Annual Banquet Of The West Smithtell Chapter, No. 1623.

ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE WEST SMITHTELL CHAPTER , No . 1623 .

lhe companions of the above chapter held their Annual Ladies' Banquet and Cinderella at Anderton ' s Th "'* - ' Fleet-street , E . G ., on Thursday , the 9 th inst . ne Committee considered that the meeting being someiiar

" 01 a tentative nature ( being the first of its kind ln connection with the chapter ) , it would be better to run it on independent lines and make it self-supporting , and right well the companions rallied round the Al . E . Z . •'" d brought their friends in numbers , that a grand

¦ " -cess was ensured , and which augured well for the "ture of the undertaking . A dispensation was obtained om Grand Chapter for the companions and brethren wear Masonic clothing . The Stewards were Comps . " ' * T . Hamilton , M . E . Z C . Patrick . H .. M . E . Z .

* " •» ; R . H . Goddard , J . ; R . F . Brickdale , P . Z ., W 1 ! ., * CC Hirsch , S . E . ; W . F . Bruty , S . N . ; J- Barnes , P . S . ; W . F . Buxton , ist Asst . Soj . ; RnK ra , ll V nd Asst * S ° i- i Neil Mackay , W . S . ; F . E . A a " ,, ' * - ° S' - * J' Whiteman , G . Bailey , and E .

Bro '' , £ f tlle visitors from the mother lodge were Mrs rxu' i- J' Howes , P . M . and Treas . ; Bro and * " " x .. W . Fink , Bro . and Mrs . P . D . Cotroni , and

Annual Banquet Of The West Smithtell Chapter, No. 1623.

others , also Comp . and Mrs . E . H . Done , of the Jubilee Chapter ; Bro . and Mrs . VV . Sutton , of 2264 ; Bro . and Mrs .. H . Kemp , besides many other ladies and gentlemen . The banquet was held in the chapter room of the hotel , and after ample justice was done to the very excellent repast that was so well served in every particular an adjournment was made to the Alasonic

room , where a selection of up to date music was played by a very efficient orchestra , and a programme of 13 dances interspersed by several songs , by Bros . Sam . Wright and H . Kemp , jun ., was performed . The unanimous opinion was that as the meeting had been conducted and carried out with such enjoyment to all present , and the hours spent so pleasantly and sociably , an extension of the time at the next Ladies' Banquet would be most desirable .

Ireland.

Ireland .

BELFAST . Falls Lodge ( No . 226 ) . —The members of this lodge held their installation dinner on Friday , the 17 th inst ., in the Castle Restaurant , Donegall-place , at which their lady friends and a number of visitors were present , amongst whom were Bros . Slanlield , P . S . G . D . ; W . J . Morton , P . P . G . S . ; Henry Valentine , Dr . T . A . Davidson , T . Henderson , T . Murdock , J . Pink . j . Stewart , A . Nixon ,

J . AIcLklland , J . Alack , J . McLaughlin , and manyothers . After a sumptuous dinner had been partaken of , the W . AL , Bro . VV . S . Turner , took the chair , and , on ri-ing , gave a hearty welcome to all present , and informed them that this was the first social meeting at which they fud the pleasure of having their lady friends present , and , from the apparent success of this meeting , he thought they would

have many such social gatherings . Bro . Turner then proposed , in felicitous terms , "The Health of the Oueen , " and this was duly honoured , the company singing the National Anthem . A varied programme of songs , & c ., was well rendered by Airs . Stanfield , Aliss Alurray , and Aliss Turner ; also by Bros . Stanfield , Davidson , Turner , McKeown , Andrews , Williamson , and Kirkwood . Bro . I . Stewart played the

accompaniments very efficiently . Dunng the evening the W . AL spoke as to the success which had attended their efforts on behalf of the lodge , and the hearty co-operation ol the Past Alasters and ollicers served at all times to make the lodge one of the first in the province , bearing as it did an ancient and honourable hisioiy . T he health of several of the old members was drunk

with enthusiasm , and appropriately responded to by Bros . A . Alartin , Aicken , Kirkwood , Moore , and Andrews . The W . M . then gave "The Health of the Visitors , " which was received in the heartiest manner , and expressed rtgret at Bro . Henry Valentine ( son of the esteemed Dep . P . G . AI . ) having to leave early , as he had his name specially coupled with this sentiment . Bros . Stanfield , Alorton . and Davidson responded .

• ' lhe Health ot the Ladies wasihen given , and happily responded toby Bro . Mcoillin , after whicti a very enjoyable meeting was brought to a close , everyone being well pleased with tlie evening's entertainment .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

BERMUDA . St . George Lodge ( No . 200 , S . C . ) . —The installation ot tne oIlice-Leartrs for the above lodge took place in their lodge room on Wednesday , Ut-csinbt-r 2 *> th . A goodly assembly of brethien and visitors were present . The installation ceremony was ably conducted Bro . C Al . AlcCallan , LP . AL liro . V . U . Brown having been installed .

thanked the brethren for the trust and rcsponsibil . ty intrusted in him , and informed the brethren that during his tenure of oflice , and with such an ellicient staff of olhcers as had been chosen by the brethren , he hoped to sustain the reputation of the lodge , wjiich had been working so harmoniously in the old town of . St . George ' s for nearly a century . The following were appointed as ollicers for the ensiling

year : Bros . G . Farrow , S . W . J K . Swainson , J . W . ; G . Boyle , Treasurer ; G . D . Boyle , Treasurer ; Rev . F . J . F . Lightboune , Chaplain ; R . Clifford , S . U . ; VV . Grantham , J . D . ; G . Hatgis , I . G . ; W . li . Meyer and T . W . Foster , Stewards ; and G . Gieen , Tyler . 0 . \ ing tothe death of tne Provincial Grand Alaster , Bro . W . C . J . Hyland , and Thomas 'Puddings , Treasurer , the

annual banquet was deferred . The lodge lias , indsed , met with the loss of two good and loyal Alasons , but we feel sure and confident that they bolh have joined the Alasonic circle above . The regular meetings of the lodge take pi ice the lirst 'Tuesday alter the full moon , and bretnrcu ol sister lodges , especially sea-laring brethren , are . cordially invited .

ST . HELENA . St . Helena Lodge ( No . 488 ) . —The brethren of this lodge celebrated their 47 th annual festival on Tuesday , the 27 th ultimo . They assembled at thtir hall in Napoleon-street , and , after installing the Worshipful Master and ollicers for the ensuing year , went , with many members of the Old Rock Lodge , 1 N 0 . 912 , and others of

the Craft , in Masonic procession , headed by the St . Helena Band , to St . James' Chuicn for Divine service , which was conducted by the Rev . E . Hughes , Vicar of St . James '; the sermon was preached by Bio . the Rev . J . C Hands . The discourse was a moat eloquent ana appropriate one to the occasion , pointing out the many amiable virtues which should always cliiracteiise Freemasons . The service being over , the procession returned

in the same order to the lodge . A unanimous vote of thanks was recorded to lire , tlie Rev . J . C Hands for his services during the day . The following is a list of tlie ollicers for the ensuing 12 months : Uros . Richard Dowling , P . AL , W . AL ; the Hon . R . de Villamil , S . W . ; J . F . Smith , J . W . ; B . II . Knipe , Treas . ; A . S . Brady , P . AL , Sec ; F . E . Welby , S . D . ; VV . E . Thorpe , J . U . ; Ed . Thomas , D . C ; R . A . Clarke , P . M ., Stwd . ; ' J . Ander-

The Craft Abroad.

son , LG . ; and Thomas Carr , P . AL , Tyler . Special thanks were tendered to Bro . R . A . Clarke , P . M ., and those kind ladies who assisted him in the tasteful manner in which the lodge room and banquet hall were decorated with Hags , flowers , and evergreens . In the evening the brethren before-named , with Bros .

the Tion . Major de V l'lanul , Major Garnet , Douglas Reid , James Woods , antl 1 * . Coulton , in addition , sat down in the banquet hall to an excellent dinner provided for the lotlge by the Steward , Bro . R . A . Clarke , P . AL , when all seemed to have enjoyed themselves . After a most pleasant and enjoyable evening the party broke up .

EGYPT . Bulwen Lodge ( No . 1068 , E . C . ) . —The annual installation meeting of this lodge took place at the new Alasonic Hall , Cairo , on Saturday , the 4 th inst ., Bro . J . A . Agar-Hamilt ^ n , W . AL , in the chair , supported by Bro . Alajor Wengate , W . AL Grecia Lodge ( E . C . ); Hubert J . Scott , LP . AL io 6 \ S ; J . Houston Charman , P . AL 10 GS ;

W . Hayward , P . AI . 355 ( S . C ) ; and some 60 members ol the lodge and visitors . The minutes having" been read and confirmed , Bro . J . Houston Charman , P . AL loos , presented Bro . W . E . Bailey , S . VV ., to the W . AL to be installed , and the ceremony of installation was most impressively carried out by the W . AI . The newly-installed W . AL then installed his

ollicers as follows : Bros . J . Alacdonald , S . VV . ; ( . Walker , J . W . j W . T . Heddick , Sec ; Hoyes , S . D . ; J . Alitchinson , J . D . ; Spoffprth , LG . ; Baine , D . C . ; and Hasted , Tyler . * ' Hearty good wishes " were expressed by Bros . T . Hopkins , 32 , San Francisco , U . S . A . ; Crozien , 1 G 56 ; Serjeant , 1 G 93 ; J . Langley , 2359 ; and others .

The lodge having been closed , the brethren adiouined to Santi Restaurant , where the annual banquet was held , Bro . VV . E . Bailey , W . AL , in the chair . The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were duly proposed and honoured , and the toasts of " The W . AL" and " LP . AL" were received in a truly Masonic manner .

MARK MASONRY . EGYPT . Egypt Lodge ( No . 311 ) . —The annual installation ceremony of this lodge took place on Saturday , the 14 th ult ., at the New Alasonic Hall , No . 43 Street , Cairo , when Bro . VV . Hayes was installed as W . AI . for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed by Bro . G . Houston Charman , Deputy Grand Secretary North Africa , after which

the ollicers were invested as follows : Bros . Box , S . W . ; Phillips , J . W . ; Hayes , Al . O . ; Crozier , S . O . ; J . Langley , J . O . ; Charman , 'Treas . ; Spofforth , Sec . ; Black , S . D . ; Shallaby , J . D . ; Adams , I . G . ; and Hasted , Tyler . After the ceremony the brethren sat down to a bounteous banquet , and alter full justice was done to all the good things , the usual Alasonic toasts were fully honoured , and with the Tyler ' s toast terminated a mast enjoyable evening .

Scotland.

Scotland .

THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OP AllERIIEEN CITY . The installation of Bro . James Hampton Forshaw as Right Worship fnl Prov . ( . irand Master took place in the Alasonic Hill , on Saturday , the 1 ith inst ., at 3 p . m . A deputation from thc Grand Lodge , consisting of Bros . Col . the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Haddington , M . W .

Grand Alaster Alason of Scotland ; John Graham of Broadstone , Acting G . M . Depute ; Sir Allan Mackenzie , Acting Sub . G . M . ; D . Alurray Lynn , G . Sec ; David Reid . G . Cashier ; Rev . W . S . llilrlesley , Acting G . Chip . ; D . Falconer , Acting S . G . D . ; R . J . Jamieson , Acting J . G . D . ; George Christie , Acting G . Dir . ni Cers . ; Geo . Dobie , G . Bard ; VV . Falconer ,

Acting G . S . B . ; and George Hay , Grand Tyler , were intimated . The Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened in the First Degree , the deputation was received with the honours suitab ' e to their rank . The Prov . Grand Master elect addressing the Grand Alaster in a . few chosen sentences , handed him the insignia of office ,

and invited him to take tlie chair . On assuming the chair he proceeded with the installing ceremony , which wns of a most solemn , impressive , and high character . In calling upon the Grand Secretary to read thc minutes , he expressed the sincere pleasure it afforded him in examining and finding the lodge books in such a high state of efficiency , and paid

the Prov . Gr . ind Secretary a high tribute for the carrying out of the Grand Lodge ' s laws and regulations in the minutest details . The minutest more than confirmed the high eulogium passed b y the Grand Alaster . 'The ceremonial being concluded , a banquet was given in tbe Imperial Hotel , the Prov . Grand Alaster

presiding , supported by Bros . Col . the Right Hon . the Earl ot * Haddington , Sir Allan Mackenzie , Bart ., John Graham of Broadstone , 1 . ) . Alurray Lyon , Grand Sec ; David Reid , Grand Cashier ; G . Dobie , Grand Bard ; R . J . Jamieson , W . Falconer , Rev . C . C . Alacdonald , Prov . G . Chap . ; and olhers . The guests were Bros . IT . Burnham , T . R . Richards , Whytehead , Rev . W . S .

Hildesley , and others . Covers were laid for 8 5 , but the number present far exceeded it . The orcnestr . i , under thu leadership of Bro . G . VV . Morgan ( R . B . Bateman , conductor ) , supplied the music during the evening at thu banquet , as also at the installation ceremony . The banquet , as well as the installation , will be a red-letter day in thu province .

The Duke of Vork has consented to become a Vice-Patron of the Koyal Naval Benevolent Society , Adamstreet , Adelphi , of whicti the Oueen is Patron , and the Prince of Wales Vice-Patron .