Annual Festival Of The Kirby Lodge Of Instruction, No. 263.

continued confidence in the Committee . The success of the lodge was certainly due in a very great measure to its close connection with the Emulation Lodge of Improvement and all of the Committee of the Kirby Lodge were regular and trusted workers in that high school . Though this was the eighth festival , they celebrated to-night their tenth year of work , and Bro . Baker had discharged the duties of Secretary during the whole of that time . They were all very grateful to him for his long and valuable services . They had in previous years been

honoured by having very distinguished Masons to preside over them , the last three being Bro . Ven . Archdeacon Sinclair , •Bro . Charles E . Keyser , and Bro . E . Letchworth , Grand Secretary , but this might be called a record night in the lodge , for the very distinguished Grand Officer in the chair was a regular mem ber and worker in the lodge . He tendered the warmest thanks of the Committee to those brethren who had acted as Stewards for this festival . lie concluded by giving a silent toast to "The memory of the first Preceptor , the late William Henrv Kirbv . " after whom the lodee is now named .

" The Bank of England Lodge , " under whose warrant Kirby Lodge works , was proposed by Bro . CHARLES LEWIS and responded to by Bro . ALBERT LEIGHTON , W . M . The proceedings terminated with the Tyler's toast .

Supper Of Tee Kintore Mark Lodge Of Instruction, No. 333.

SUPPER OF TEE KINTORE MARK LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 333 .

This very gratifying event took place at the Montpelier Hotel , Choumertroad , Peckham , S . E ., on Thursday , the pth instant , under the able presidency of Bro . J . A . Braik , W . M . 333 , supported by Bros . James Hill , P . M . and Sec 333 ; J . Mackway , P . M . 333 ; Wm . Dawson , P . M . 322 ; John Loader , W . M 322 ; Robt . Jackson , J . W . 333 ; L . J . de Whalley , I . G . 416 ; C . J . Hayes , S . O .

22 ; Thos . Grummant , J . W . 499 ; Hy . Cornford , J . W . 322 ; Hy . Hayward , I . G 333 ; R . J . Sobel , R . M . 322 ; F . E . Pow , R . M . 333 ; and A . V . Marshall , S . D 333 . The visitors were Bros . J . Readshaw , W . E . Kent , F . G . Messent , and C H . Stone .

After a capital and most enjoyable repast , provided and superintended by Uro . F . E . Pow , the worthy host , The PRESIDENT presented the toast of " Her Majesty the Queen " in most appropriate terms , specially mentioning her anxiety for her brave warriors in South Africa .

Bro . MACKWAY , P . M ., next rose , and said he was deputed to present the next toast , that of "The President . " First and foremost , all knew what he had done as Preceptor ofthe lodge of instruction ; he had been the moving spirit in ils resuscitation , had worked most assiduously , and brought it to its present state of

perfection . There was no Mark Mason who knew the work better and gave instruction with more kindness and perfect knowledge , coupled with that discipline which belonged to a soldier or a member of the army . Hc would ask the brethren to drink most heartily to the toast of the President , coupled with the lodge of instruction .

In reply , Bro . BRAIK thanked the worthy proposer for the very kind things said of him , and for their reception and kind wishes towards him . With respect to the lodge of instruction , he said although a small body , yet they had some capital meetings averaging about eight , which was highly creditable , considering there was not a large number of brethren to draw from . The work in the Matk was very pretty , and more dramatic and practical than in some of the other

Degrees in Freemasonry . His advice to the brethren was to con over their respective duties and be prepared to rehearse them in the lodge of instruction on every occasion that offered . That night was a red letter one with them , and he hoped that as the winter session advanced they would make more rapid strides , and especially as he was supported so ably by the Deputy Preceptor , Bro . Wm . Dawson .

Tbe PRESIDENT next proposed the toast of " The Secretary and Treasurer . " Of Bro . Hill , P . M ., Sec , whose heart and soul was in his work , he would say that but for him the lodge of instruction would not have been resuscitated . He had worked most strenuously in its re-formation , and attended as regularly as his health permitted . On behalf of the brethren he most heartily thanked him for

his great work . Bro . F . E . Pow , Treas ., also had shown the deepest interest in the welfare of the lodge of instruction , and had acquitted himself most ably in the several offices he had undertaken , which was an example to many younger brethren aspiring to office . The brethren , too , thanked him for his great kindness in catering for their comforts , which was a labour of love . Bros . HILL and Pow most cordially replied in exhaustive speeches .

The toast of "The Visitors" was presented by Bro . BRAIK , who said that they were very pleased indeed to be assisted by their brotherly presence and good feeling , which helped greatly to their enjoyment . He hoped that they would become Mark Masons at no distant date . The toast was ably responded to by Bros . C . H . STONE , J . READSHAW , W . E . KENT , and F . G . MESSENT .

The toast of " The Dep . Preceptor , Bro . Wm . Dawson , " was next given by the PRESIDENT in words of eulogium . He was most regular in attendance , and perfect in the working , not only in Mark Masonry , but also in other Degrees . All knew his geniality and kindness , by which means he was enabled to keep the various lodges of instruction together . He asked the brethren to drink most cordially to the toast . Bro . WM . DAWSON most ably responded .

Bro . GRUMMANT announced that all being well on the 30 th instant he should ask the attendance of the brethren to drink to the health of Bro . Braik and his bride , and wish them long life , health , and happiness . Some capital harmony was given by Bros . Mackway , Marshall , Grummant ( reciter ) , Readshaw , Kent , Messent , and Stone . Bro . Readshaw ably accompanied .

The Kintcre Mark Lodge of Instruction meets the first and last Thursday in the month at the Montpelier Hotel , Choumert-road , Peckham , at 8 , 20 p . m . Bro . Braik is the Preceptor .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Cosmopolitan Lodge , No . 917 . On Tuesday , the nth inst ., this highly-successful and prosperous lodge met at L ' ar . mr-street Hotel , en the occasion of the annual installation , and was well attended by the members and hy vi : iting brethren . The work of the day consisted of passing ar . d raising , in the installati n ol a new W . M ., the investiture of his ollicers , and the passirg of Ihe Audit Committee ' s Report . Bro . K . C , Read , the outgoing Master , was compelled to be ibsent through very severe and serious illness , ind a - " . crural fieling of regret prevailed and was given expression to . In the

Craft Masonry.

absence of the respected W . M . his place was occupied by Bro . J . Ringer-Hewett ' I . P . M ., who was heartily supported by the Past Masters and officers of the lodge . There was a good attendance of members . Among the visitors were Bros . E . W . Stillwell , 15 W . H . Corney , S . D . 230 ; B . Nicholls , 212 ; Bagot Read , P . M . 1309 ; Thos . Berg , P . M . 1613 ; F . Islip , 127 S ; H . C . Pink , S . W . 1558 ,- F . Small , S . W . 2242 ; Dr . M . Best , 1717 ; C . Athow , S 7 ; W . Bills , 170 S ; C . F . Ouicke , 1531 , P . G . S . of W . Kent ; H . Rouch , 1620 ; H . Nettleship , P . M . 1641 ; G . Greig , P . M . 65 ; L . Steingrailee , 30 ; Egbert Roberts , P . M . 007 ; J . Gildersleeve , 134 S ; John Lowles ,

M . P . Haggerstone , 2467 ; H . Bowles , I . P . M . 2700 ; F . Rossiter , I . P . M . 907 ; W . H . Turner , I . P . M . 2242 ; W . Green ; and W . R . Griffin , P . M . 24 S 3 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , Bro . C . Cons was passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . W . E . B . Wanklin raised to the Third Degree . Bro . J . Ringer-Hewett then duly installed Bro . Francis Gildersleeve , S . W ., W . M . elect , in the chair of K . S ., Bro . A . Rusbv , P . M ., J . D ., acting as D . C . during the whole of these proceedings . The new W . M . invested the following brethren as officers for the ensuing year : Bros . G . V . McLellan , S . W . ; F . Robinson , I . W . ; E .

Edwirds , P . M ., Treas . ; A . Hamilton , P . M ., Sec . ; A . Rusby , P . M ., S . D . ; R . C . Goodwin , J . D . ; J . Ringer-Hewett , P . M ., D . C ; L . M . F . Pittet , I . G . ; J . Bott , P . M ., W . T . Wicks , W . S . Standerwick . and J . Swatland , Stwds . ; J . F . Haskins , P . P . G . O . Org . ; and J . Bailey , Tyler . The final portion of the ceremony of installation having been given in a very impressive manner by the Installing Master , the Auditors' report was adopted , and ordered to be printed on the next summons . Bro . J . Ringer-Hewett then feelingly referred to the illness of Bro . R . C . Read , I . P . M ., and , agreeing with the suggestion of Bro . A . Hamilton , P . M ., Sec , that a telegram of sympathy should be sent , this was unanimously adopted . Bro . J . J . Page , in a very

effective speech , proposed that the sum of five guineas from the funds of the Iodge , together with the amount to be collected in the Chari ' y box during the evening , should be sent as a donation to the fund being raised in aid of the " Soldiers' Wives , Widows , and Orphans , " and this was unanimously carried . It was resolved on the motion of Bco . A . Hamilton that a vote of thanks be recorded to Bro . J . Ringer-Hewett , and inscribed on the minutes of the lodge , for his very valuable services that day as Installing Officer . Bro . J . Ringer-Hewett having suitably returned thanks , Bros . H . C . Rouch and W . Green were proposed as joining members , and after " Hearty good wishes " the lodge was closed .

The banquet held in the Pillar Hall was , as it always is at these lodge festivals , an excellent and well-served one . An excellent musical programme under the direction of Bro . Egbert Roberts , P . M ., assisted by the following artistes : Miss Amy Fletcher , soprano ; Miss Winifred Grant , contralto ; Mr . J . H . Gallan , tenor ; and Bro . Charles F . Frood , humorist ; and was carried out in conjunction with the toast list . Bro . Gildersleeve , -V . M ., in proposing "The Queen and the Craft , " said the brethren could not but sympathise with her Majesty in the circumstance that the closing years of her reign should be clouded by the war thas was now raging .

URO . J . RINGER-HEWETT , P . M ., INSTALLING MASTER .

After the other loyal toast had bc : n honoured , Bro . J . Ringer-Hewett , P . M ., proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " and then expressing his regret at Bro . Read's absence , hc said that it afforded him much pleasure to propose the health of so worthy a brother as the one now occupying the chair . Bro . Gildersleeve was known to ev ; ry member of the lodge as being true and trusty , able and willing to take charge of the work and perform the important duties which he had that night undertaken . Hs trusted

he would have a useful , happy and prosperous year , and that all the officers and members would give him that support which he so richly deserved . Bro . Gildersleeve , in the course of his acknowledgment of the toast , thanked Bro . J . Ringer-Hewett for the very kind remarks that he had bestowed upon him , he would however , endeavour to do his best , and with the co-operation of the officers he felt sure that he should have a successful yeas of office . He intimated that it was his intention to arrange for a ladies' night , which he hoped the brethren would assist him in making a success .

Bro . Gildersleeve then proposed "The Installing Master , " and spoke in very complimentary terms of his abilities , and felt sure the lodge owed a debt of gratitude to Bro . Ringer-Hewett for undertaking the duties of that day at so short a notice . Bro . J . Ringer-Hewett , in responding to the toast , thanked the W . M . for his kind words . It had given him much pleasure that evening in installing Bro . Gildersleeve , but he was sure the lodge was under no obligation to himself , as he had only carried out the duties of his office . It was a great disappointment to him that Bro . Read hid not been present to perform those duties , and he was sure that although he was not with them in body , he was in mind .

"The Treasurer and Secretary" were next honoured , and in reply Bro . A . Hamilton , P . M . and Sec , acknowledged the thanks of the W . M ., and said that although it was with considerable difficulty he performed the duties of his office ( living at so great a distance ) as Secretary to the lodge , it was a labour of love , and one that he should be sorry to give up ; he would do his best to perform those duties in the future as hc had in the past .

Sevtral brethren replied to the toast of "The Visitors . " Bro . Stillwell , who said that it gave him particular satisfaction to be present , as when he was a small boy he had frcqurntly heard his father speak of the Cosmopolitan Lodge , and that night , on looking at the charter , he had the satisfaction of seeing his father ' s name inscribed upon it as the first J . W . of the lodge . He had also thought it might interest the brethren if he brought with him a silver cup which was in his possession , and bearing as inscription setting forth that it was presented to his father by the