Provincial Meetings.

The musical arrangements were as usual left in the practiced hands of Bro . W . L . Dodd , P . P . G . Org ., who was ably assisted by Bros . W . N . Marsden , P . M . 253 ; R . H . Richards , 10 S 5 ; B . W . Pike , P . M . 10 S 5 ; andJ . V . Woodward , 731 .

HAMPTON COURT . Hemming Lodge ( No . 1512 ) . —This lodge met at the Greyhound Hotel , on the 16 th inst . Amongst those present were Bros . J . Smith , W . M . ; J . W . Clarke , S . W . ; R . Eales , P . M ., Steward , P . A . G . P ., acting J . W . ; J . C . Jessett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Capt . Walls ,

P . M ., P . P . G . W ., Sec . ; Trotter , S . D . ; Hopkins , J . D . ; G . J . Tagg , I . G . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., D . C . ; P . Cronin , A . D . C ; C . Wheatley , Steward ; W . Spearing , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; E . Clark , P . M . ; A . F . Scholding . P . M . ; W . Fisher , P . M . ; W . Plimsaul , P . M . ; and J . Gilbert , P . G . T ., Tyler . Bros . Lodge and G . Ransford , jun ., were

visitors . T he minutesof the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Messrs . G . C Brooks and C . E . Page , and it being unanimous they were duly initiated . Bro . E . Morris was passed to the Second Degree . The I . P . M . then , by request of the W . M .,

assumed the chair , and impressively raised Bro . E . M . Jones to the Degree of M . M . A handsome sum of money was voted to the widow and family of a recently deceased member accidentally drowned . He was only raised to the Third Degree at the February meeting . Bros . H . Robinson , J . W . ; Fairer , Org . ; and others sent apologies for

absence . ' The lodge was then closed , and the brethren partook of an excellent banquet . Bro . R . Eales responded on behalf of "The Prov . Grand Officers . " "The W . M . " was given by Bro . W . Fisher , who , in the course of his speech , reminded the brethren that their W . M .

would represent the lodge at the Festival of the R . M . I , for Boys this year , Bros . Lodge and Ransford acknowledged the toast of "The Visitors . " Bros . W . Fisher and A . E . Scholding responded for "The Past Masters . " The latter brother mentioned the

circumstance that Bro . W . Fisher would be a candidate for the position of Prov . Grand Treasurer , which his long services to the cause of Freemasonry warranted him in aspiring to . The respective toasts of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " "The Masonic Charities , " and "The Officers" brought the proceedings to a conclusion .

KINGSTON-ON-THAMES . Dobie Lodge ( No . 8 S 9 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on the 15 th instant at the Griffin Hotel , when Bro . A . M . Levy , W . M ., assisted by all his officers , opened the lodge , and after the dispatch of ordinary business , proceeded with the installation of Bro . James Edgell into the chair of K . S ., who was prevented by illness from

attending the meeting in January , which is the usual time for that to be done . Bro . J . H . Joseph , P . M . 43 . P . P . J . G . D . Warwickshire , filled the S . W . ' schair ; Bro . Gobb , P . M . 902 , acted as J . W . ; and Bro . Alontgomery , W . M . 2444 , P . D . D . G . M . Malta , kindly acted as I . G . Bro . Chapman , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., was D . C , and Bro . Long , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , presented the W . M . elect to the

W . M , who followed the example of his five immediate predecessors by performing the ceremony of installation himself . There was a large attendance of visitors , 31 in all , and also a full complementjof the members of the lodge . The Brard of Installed Masters was composed of 23 , wearers of the Purple predominating . The ceremony ot installation was performed most ably throughout , and Bro . Levy

brought his year of office to a close with eclat , thus completel y justilying the presentation to him by the lodge of a Past Master s jewel for his efficient and able services during his period of Mastership . The new W . M . having been duly installed , he appointed his officers as follows : Bros . Levy , I . P . M . ; J . Bond , S . W . ; Tom Wilkinson , P . M . 1420 , J . W . ; J . Drewett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Drewett , P . M .,

Sec ; C . Gardiner , S . D . ; A . E . White , J . D . ; Edgell Westmacott , I . G . ; F . Honeywell , P . M ., Org . ; W . H . Gaze , Director of Ceremonies ; A . Watkin , Steward ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . The three addresses were admirably delivered by the Installing Master , and when he received the presentation jewel at thehandsof the W . M . the plaudits which greeted him showed that he was considered well worthy of the honour . A proposition for joining and another for initiation having been made , and

" Hearty good wishes tendered , the lodge was closed . It should be added that Bro . Chapman , P . M ., who went up as Steward to the Festival of thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , reported that his list amounted to nearly £ 40 and that Bro . J . Drewett , P . M ., undertook to represent the lodge at the appproaching Festival of the Boys' School , upon which a vote of ten guineas was made to his list , being the second such sum for the Charities this

year . An excellent banquet was served by Bro . Herbert Clifford , at which the guests numbered 5 < j , the hospitality of the lodge being extended to live sister Institutions meeting near , while the W . M . and others invited visitors with a free hand . The menu and toast list was embellished with an excellent photograph of the W . M ., who had also contributed to the

interest of the card as a souvenir by affixing most appropriate quotations to all the toasts , taken from the works of Tennyson , and with scarcely an exception each extract formed a " peg " on which to hang proposal or reply . The speeches were short and to the point , and from every point of view the installation of Bro . I'dgell was the occasion of one of the most successful gatherings in the annals of the Dobie Lodge . The new W . M . was initiated

in May , iSSG , and has gone through most of the offices leading up to thc chair of his mother Indge . Bro . Edgell is Clerk to thc Kingston Board of Guardians and the authorities affiliated with it , Clerk to the Thames Ditton and West Molesey School Boards , a member of the Middlesex County Council and of the Local Board of Teddington , and is Senior Warden of thc Company of Playing Card Makers .

LEEDS . Excelsior Lodge ( No . 1042 ) . The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , on Thursday , the iGtli instant , when the following brethren were present : Bros . J . W . Blackburn , W . M . ; T . Thorp , I . P . M . ; J . B . Mays , S . W . ; H .

Provincial Meetings.

Banks , J . W . ; R . J . Smith , Sec ; W . Flockton , P . M ., D . C ; R . Waide , S . D . ; A . H . Dougill , J . I ) . ; J . E . Davenport , I . G . ; G . Tooley and H . Whitfield , Stwds . ; J . H . Newton , Tyler ; R . Thompson , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . M . Tyers , P . M . ; W . Bingham , P . M . ; H . Cowbrough , P . M . ; A . Atkinson , O . Hartley , F . Bagshaw , J . VV . Dobson , J . A . Milne , V . R . Morley , F . C Nettleton , J . H . Gash , E . R . C Marshall , and G . Tyers . Visitors : Bros . G . F . Carr , W . M . 1542 , P . P . G . Org . ;

W . M . Tate , W . M . 306 ; T . Batt , P . M . 306 ; C Middleton , P . M . 206 9 ; J . Cockerlyne . 304 ; A . M . Richardson , 1221 ; VV . Crosland , 1211 ; G . W . Pratt , 2069 ; and J . P . Carr , D . C . 232 S . The minutes of the last regular lodgs having been read and confirmed , Bros . Dobson and Milne were duly and impressively raised to the Sublime Degree , the former by the W . M ., and the latter by Bro . Thompson , the

concluding portion of the ceremony being taken by Bro . Bingham . Bros . Marshall , Nettleton , and Gash signed and received their Grand Lodge certificates . The Treasurer ' s Balance-sheet for 1 S 92 was presented and adopted . It was reported that the Prov . G . M .. Bro . T . W . Tew , had presented to the lodge a copy of Bro . William

Watson's transcription of the " Stanley Masonic MS ., " and it was resolved to tender the best thanks of the brethren to the Prov . G . M . for his valuable and interesting gift . The names of a joining member and a candidate for initiation were proposed . " Hearty good wishes" having been tendered by the visiting brethren , the lodge was closed .

Prudence Lodge ( No . 2069 ) . —Saturday , the 1 ith inst ., was a memorable day in the annals of this young but flourishing lodge , although the occasion was a sorrowful one , viz ., the parting with two eminent brethren , bDth of whom are leaving Leeds—Bros , the Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., P . G . C England , Prov . S . G . W ., and Tudor Trevor , Prov . G . D . C . There were present Bros . R . Abbott , W . M . ; Bullerworth , S . W . ; B . Syke Bailey , J . W . ; Rev . W .

Wilkinson , Chap . ; Edward Ellis , Sec . ; H . B . Abbott , S . D . ; J . T . Jones , J . D . ; J . Buckley , I . G . ; J . C . Kirk and R . Jones , Stewards ; Rev . T . C . Smyth , P . G . Chap . England , P . S . G . W . ; Edwin Woodhouse , P . P . G . W . ; C Letch Mason , P . P . G . Treas . ; Tudor Trevor , P . G . D . C ; A . Cooke , W . M . 2397 ; Charles Middleton , P . M . ; Tom Atkinson , P . M . ; F . G . Dimery , P . M . ; R . A . Smithson , Alfred Swann , M . D ., J . J . Wilkinson , W . R . Ingamells ,

W . Brown , S . J . F . Watson , B . W . Richardson , H . Appleyard , W . H . Mason , J . H . Newton , W . Masters , 212 S , G . Stwd . England ; ' T . W . Embleton , 1513 , P . P . S . G . W . ; John Barker , 1102 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . Laycock , IIOS , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; G . F . Carr , P . P . G . Org . ; J . Richardson , P . P . G . P . ; C . A . Phillips , P . A . G . D . C ; Search , P . G . Stwd ., D . R . Glover , P . P . G . D ., E . Wales Smith , P . M ., and C . A . Braime , W . M ., of 2 S 9 ; W . M . Tate , W . M ., Tom

Batt , P . M ., D . Thompson , P . M ., C . E . Brean , P . M ., J . Thrippleton , P . M ., and J . Blackburn Jovett , of 306 '; Jos . Richard , P . M . 304 ; G . J . Hawsworth , 304 ; C . Normanton , P . M . 304 ; J . W . Blackburn , W . M . 1042 ; H . Cowborough , P . M . 1042 ; Henry Marsh , W . M . 1221 ; J . VV . Teale , 1221 ; H . G . Blackburn , W . M . 1311 ; W . D . Hollis , P . M . 1311 ; Walter S . Blackburn , P . M . 1311 ; T . G . Milner , 57 ; J . T . Palmer , Sio ; R . J . Smith ,

1042 ; M . A . Bngg , 1311 ; J . W . Howarth , P . M . S 10 ; A . Wilson , P . M . 1542 ; and others . The lodge being opened , the Grand Officers , Provincial Grand Officers , and the Worshipful Masters of the Leeds lodges and other visiting Masters were saluted . The minutes of the previous lodge having been read and confirmed . Bro . Wm . Brown was raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . by Bro . the Rev . Dr . Smyth . The working

tools were explained b y Bro . I udor I revor . Bro . the Very Rev . the Dean of York , Dr . Purey Cust , P . G . Chap . Eng ., and Bro . T . B . Whytehead , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., entered the lodge , and were duly saluted . Bro . E . Woodhouse , P . P . G . W ., then presented Bro . the Rev . Dr . Smyth and Bro . 'Tudor Trevor each with a beautifullyilluminated address . In doing so he alluded in eloquent terms to the high estimation in which the two brethren

had always been held by their intimate associates in Lodge Prudence , and not only in Lodge Prudence , but both in the City of Leeds and the province generally . In leaving Leeds , he could well believe that their hearts would not be much heavier than those of the brethren whom they were leaving behind , for their residence amongst so many friends must needs have been a very pleasant one . The career of Dr . Smyth had been both varied and remarkable alike as

a distinguished servant of her Maiesty the Queen in India , as a distinguished member and clergyman ot the Church of England , and as a distinguished Mason . The position he had attained was one of honour and esteem . Lodge Prudence was especiall y indebted to him for the great care he had taken in imparting instruction to the brethren , and for the good work he had done in the lodge . Indeed , the very name of Dr . Smyth had . become synonymous with

that of good work . In alluding to the painful circumstances connected with his recent domestic affliction , Bro . Woodhouse assured Bro . Dr . Smyth of his personal feeling of regret , and said that he spoke the feeling of every member of the lodge and of every Mason when he said that their hearts beat in deepest sympathy with him . Bro . Dr . Smyth , in accepting the address , thanked the brethren in earnest , feeling terms for their kindness . Referring to his

return to Freemasonry after a somewhat long interval , as S . W . of Lodge Prudence on its formation , he said that since that time honours had been showered upon him with a profusion that was almost bewildering . While appreciating and enjoying these honours , he had always felt that his greatest happiness was in the close and friendly intercourso with the brethren of his lodge . His regret at being obliged to leave them were many , but he could not help feeling

some gratification in looking forward to serving the cause of Freemasonry in the East Riding along with such distinguished brethren as Bro . the V . Rev . the Dean of York and Bro . Whytehead , P . M . Bro . Woodhouse , in presenting a similar address to Bro . Tudor Trevor , alluded to the important part that Bro . Trevor had taken in the founding of the lodge , its formation being mainly due to his

indefatigable efforts , and its subsequent success being largely due to his constant attendance and activejzcalous work . 1 Ieasked Bro . Trevor to accept the address as some slight proof of the esteem in which he was held by the brethren of the lodge , concluding with a humorous reference to the aristocratic air of Cheltenham to which he was going . Bro . Woodhouse said he trusted that Bro . Trevor would not forget in that fashionable resort his humble brethren in West

Provincial Meetings.

Yorkshire , but would ever reserve for them a warm remembrance . In accepting the address , Bro . Trevor said they could easily imagine how full his heart was ; but , nevertheless , that heart should speak out of its fulness , and he prayed them to accept its feeble utterances . He accepted the very beautiful address with much pride and satisfaction , because he regarded it as a genuine token of their esteem and

affection , and he assured them it should occupy a very prominent position in his new house . He said he felt that he had been credited with more than he deserved with regard to the foundation of the lodge , and he must give the honour where it was most justly due . F ' or had he not been so fortunate as to make the acquaintance of Bro . Charles Letch Mason , P . M . —an acquaintance which had

ripened , he was glad to feel , into a much prized , and he trusted a life long friendship—Lodge Prudence in so far as his solitary efforts were concerned would never have had an existence , because Bro . Mason possessed influence in the town and Craft whilst he was a complete stranger , and Bro . Mason also had the knowledge requisite for the occasion , whilst he was quite ignorant of it , so he

ascribe to him the chief share of the successful initiation of the lodge and its subsequent prosperous career was also much indebted to his guiding hand . Bro . Trevor said he was deeply' moved , both at the object and nature of that large and ever to be remembered assembly . For when he saw gathered before them so many , of his friends and brethren of Lodge Prudence , and also such

distinguished brethren from the other lodges , and last of all he was honoured with the presence of so distinguished a brother as the Dean of York , the highly valued friend of his dear deceased father , and , also of his old schoolfellow , Bro . Whitehead , he could not help feeling greatly impressed and deeply moved at these manifestations of affection and regard towards him . Bro .

Woodhouse most truly observed in the kind remarks he had addressed to him , that his life in Leeds had been a happy one . He could truly say that that was the case , and that a large share of that happiness had been due to his connection with Freemasonry , and consequently his associations with the brethren would ever be amongst the pleasantest memories of his life . He trusted he had made no enemies ,

and he asked pardon from all he had offended . He rejoiced he had made a large number of friends , whose friendship he trusted he should retain till the end of his life . Bro . the V . Rev . the Dean of York then delivered a short address , touching on the pleasure it gave him to be present to see the high estimation in which his friends , Bros . Dr . Smyth and Trevor , were held . He passed on to speak of the

satisfaction to be gained from a close and intimate study of Freemasonry , and his wish that an ever-increasing number of the clergy might join the Order , and derive the same benefit as he himself had done from his connection with Freemasonry . " Hearty good wishes" having been expressed , the lodge was closed .

SOUTHEND . Priory Lodge ( No . 1000 ) . —A meeting was held on Thursday , the 16 th inst ., at the Middleton Hotel , when there were present Bros . A . Vandewood , W . M . ; C . VV . Barnard , S . W . ; F . J . Cumine , J . W . ; Rev . T . W . Herbert , P . P . G . C , Chap . ; A . Lucking , P . M ., P . G . P ., Sec ; E . J . Bowmaker , S . D . ; G . R . Dawson , P . M .,

P . P . S . G . W ., as J . D . ; C . H . Bowmaker , I . G . J J . A . Hobday , S . W . 1 G 0 , Steward ; A . W . Martin , Prov . G . T ., Tyler ; B . Thomas , I . P . M . ; C Floyd , P . M . 1 S 17 , P . P . A . G . P . ; G . J . Glasscock , P . M . 1 S 17 , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . II . Taylor , J . C . Cresswell , F . J . Wood , W . Trigg , B .

Fearnside , J . Lindsell , T . A . Browning , and J . G . Jarvis . Visitor : Bro . C Snowball , 2032 . The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read and confirmed , after which Bro . J . G . Jarvis was passed . The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

SURBITON . Surbiton Lodge ( No . 2146 ) . —This lodge met at the Maple Hall on the 21 st inst ., when the W . M ., Bro . T . H . R . Beck , P . S . G . D ., was supported by all his working officers and a good muster of brethren . Bro . J . M . Chapman , S . W . 19 S 1 , was a visitor . There was a good array of work before the W . M . Mr . George Agars Sowerby was

balloted for and initiated , the ceremony being excellently performed . Bros . Masters and Thomas were then passed , the work being also carried out in a manner very gratifying to the lodge and its officers . The W . M . having been chosen to represent the lodge at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , it was decided to grant 20 guineas from the lodge and Charity funds to start his list .

Bro . Masters , of the Guildhall School of Music , received the hearty congratulations of the lodge on having been elected to a very good position in the musical world , and he made suitable reply . In the refreshment interval "The Health of the Initiate , Bro . Sowerby , " was toasted with good fire , and llro . Sowerby acknowledged the compliment with really wellchosen words .

URMSTON . Urmstqn Lodge ( No . 1730 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 13 th inst ., at the Victoria Hotel , when there were present Bros . J > Hardwicke-Marsh , W . M . ; W . H . lolliffe , S . W . ; Fred . Stretch , W . M . 2359 , J . W . ; E . L . Littler , P . M ., P . PG . P ., Treas . ; George R . Lloyd , P . M ., Sec ; John

Walton , jun ., S . D . ; Walter Bowers , J . D . ; G . A . Myers , P . M ., D . C . ; G . G . Mends , Org . ; James Ormrod , I . G- J G . Stott , T . French , W . Hallard , and J . Plowman , Stwds . ; N . Jones , Tyler ; Peter Heaton , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . i John Bowers , P . M . ; H . H . Jones , A . Hawkins , and W . Kirk . Visitors : Bros . F . Stevens , G 33 ; K . fleyman > 13 S 7 ; J . Sharpies , W . Jepson , and Worstencroft , of 235 'J ; 01

the lodgewas opened by the W . M ., and the minutes the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . lJr 0 ' Kirk was passed to the Degree of F . C . by the W . M ., the S . W . delivering the working tools . Bro . Arthur Hawkins was then raised to thc Sublime Degree of M . M . by Bro . K . Swindells . I . P . M .. in a mastcrlv and imnressivc manner )

the working tools being delivered by Bro . W . II . J " ! , S . W . " Hearty good wishes" were tendered on behalf o > the Prov . Grand Lodge and the following lodges : Nos . <> . '> 3 > 13 S 7 , 3 , 2359 , and 2447 . ,. The lodge was then closed , and the brethren idjourncui refreshment . jj The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and w received by all the brethren .