Craft Masonry.

The minutes of the regular meeting ( December ioth ) and emergency meeting ( lanuary 14 th ) were read and confirmed . The Auditors presented their report , which snowed the lodge to be in a sound financial position . A ballot was taken for Messrs . E . Carmine , Oreste Davia , G . F . Dyer , and Wm . A . Sutch , and , proving unanimous , they were initiated by Bro . J . S . Targett , » W . M „ in an exemplary manner . Bro . J . D . Graham , P . M ., D . of C , next presented Bro . VV . Menninger , I . W ., W . M . elect , to Bro . Thomas Grummant , P . M ., to receive from him the benefit of installation , which reremony was performed in an impressive and perfect manner , to the delight of all the

brethren , and particularly the addresses to the Master , Wardens , and the brethren . A beautiful carved charity-box was presented tj the lodge by Bro . Thos . Grummant , P . M ., Sec Bro . Wilhelm Menninger , W . M ., invested the officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . E . Peroni , S . W . ; T . R . Busby , J . W . ; J . S . Targett , I . P . M ; E . H . Thieliay , P . M ., Treas . ; Thos . Grummant , P . M ., Sec ; A . Bonoldi , S . D . ; S . E . Firminger , T . D . ; A . Peria , I . G . ; J . Li Calsi , P . M ., Org . ; Carlo Grassi , P . M ., D . C ; J- D . Graham , P . M ., H . G . Walden , and Otto Wartmann , Stwds . ; and J . Whiteman , Tyler . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a recherche banquet , which was thoroughly appreciated after so much business .

The W . M . proposed the loyal and Masonic toasts in excellent style , which were loyally received . Also that of " The Pi 3 Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which was given in terms of high commendation . Bro . J . S . Targett , I . P . M ., rose , and in proposing the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " said that he considered the present year would be seeond to none in prosperity . He was confident that the W . M . would do his very best for the benefit of the New Cross Lodge , and he would ask the brethren to give the toa ^ t a most cocdial reception .

The W . M ., Bro . Menninger , most suitably replied that it would be his utmost endeavour to promcte the prosperity and uphold the prestige of the lodge . He'hada most pleasing duty to perform , and that was to present to the I . P . M * , Bro . J . S . Targett , the handsome Past Master ' s jewel which he so well deserved for his services rendered to the lodge for the past year , and the brethren had so unanimously voted him . He had the greatest pleasure in presenting it . with the hope that he wculd live many years to wear the same in the New Cross Lodge .

The toast of "The Initiates , " presented by the W . M ., received a most cordial welcome , and showed an increase of strength to the lodge . Bros . Carmine , Davia , Dyer , and Sutch very suitably replied . In presenting the toast of " The Visitors , " the W . M . said the lodge was honoured by many distinguished brethren , and they were all heartily welcomed . The long array was read out , but he would ask Bros . Hunt , Prov . A . G . D . C . Berks ; Rev . A . J ackson , P . Prov . G . Chap . Kent ; Heath , P . M . 1767 ; and G . S . Elliott , P . M . 740 , to respond .

Bro . Hunt replied with thanks on behalf of himself and visitors , for the very kind hospitality accorded them . It was peculiarly gratifying to him to see the W . M . in his exalted position , as they were very old friends . He was confident the W . M . would prove himself worthy and be a credit to the lodge . He congratulated the lodge upon their initial effort in the cause of charity , alluding to the Charity Box so kindly presented by the worthy Secretary , Bro . T . Grummant , P . M ., and which , on being handed round the lodge , was found to contain over £ 1 . That was extremely gratifying , and he also referred to the large accession of initiates to the lodge .

Bro . Rev . A . Jackson , P . Prov . G . Chap . Kent , said he could hardly tell them how pleased he was to be once more among the brethren of the New Cross Lodge . It was his privilege to visit many lodges throughout the Province of Kent , but that lodge was in another territory . He mentioned the great Exhibition of 1 S 51 , as being designed to bring into closer unicn all nationalities ; but he considered the New Cross Lodge was doing and realising the ideal of Universal Brotherhood on a smaller scale which the gnat world's friends of ' 51 did not do . He also expressed the wish that he often felt he

should like to visit those countries in which many of the brethren present , members of the New Cross Lodge , drew their first breath , but being unable he , however , instead of visiting the country had the pleasure of seeing many worthy brethren who were natives and that was nearly as great a pleasure . He concluded by wishing the W . M . a pleasant and prosperous year of office . Bio . Heath , P . M . 1767 , very kindly alluded to the great number of brethren of different nationalities in the lodge , all met together in perfect accord . That fact alone he said , was likely to enlarge the minds and multiply the ideas of the brethren , and he was glad to find all were sailing under the one time honoured flag—Charity . He

complimented-the array of musical talent , and his thanks were due to the J . W ., who had so cordially invited him to the lodge . Bro . G . S . Elliott , P . M . 749 , mentioned his previous visits to the New Cross Lodge and the pleasure it always gave him to be present . He highly complimented Bro . Targett , I . P . M ., in whom had been realised all that was predicted of him a year ago . He also eu ' ogised the previous speakers upon the capable speeches . The W . M . next proposed the toast ot "The Past Masters , " in terms of high praise and that they were a capable body to emulate .

Bro . Targett , I . P . M ., in response , thanked the brethren for the beautiful jewel , which he said he should always wear with feelings of pride , and regard with affection . He wished the W . M . long life and happiness and a prosperous and successful year of olhce .

Bro . Thieliay , P . M ., Treas ., thanked the W . M . for the very kind manner he had proposed the toast and also for the very kind reception by the brethren . Also he stated how proud he was of the honour bestowed upon him in electing him treasurer and he could not refrain from mentioning how faithlully the funds had been guarded for so many years by Bro . Wm . Cowley , P . M ., whom all regretted that he was unable to remain the Treasurer , through indisposition . He assured the brethren that nothing should prevent him from efficiently carrying out the duties of Treasurer in the luture , as they had been in the past , and he hoped the lodge would still continue to

Bro . Thos . Grummant , P . M ., Sec , remarked that he was somewhat glad that he nan to respond somewhat late in the evening , from the fact that he and the Treasurer were ot such a retiring and modest disposition and there were not so many brethren present to listen to their humble replies . He was pleased to say it was the 10 th Master ne tiad acted as Secretary to in the New Cross Lodge , and from the first year of his foip S f Whcn 'H were 36 members the number had now increased to over 100 , therenecessity Secretarial duties had also greatlincreasedBut long he — w ^ «»» ., £ iaiijiii ^ catv uui lung lie

sn b ^! n . . ¦ y . so as was cft K : „ J | . ., , , ........... uu .. .... ..... , . . u . w as was W « K ? t ? ated by the brethren and such a bond of brotherhood existed in the lodge , tn ih rl - '" s were at their disPOsal . He thanked the members for their liberal support be th har t , tles ' and s P ° ke of the Centenary Festival of the Boys . twhich was likely to thi . M m successful and promised to produce the largest subscription list to any of at thaf f . C . harltles - He h ° P ed the New Gross Lodge , which was being represented savimr \ Vlri d not be very far down u P ° n the list « and concluded his remarks by

cordudly thanked ' th silently E ' ' wouId one day be openly Proclaimed . He most to bv t h Ps rt ° " J ! < ? m ';? , " , was ably Presented by the W . M ., and duly responded Th T ? f Junior Wardens . An y f V teiminated a most cordial and happy meeting . G . Onr K ? P B , mine of music was arranged by Bro . F . Swinford Smith , P . P . CLkstu n l ' ^ by Bros . A . Court , G . May , and Fred . Stephens , ran * a . smith ably presided at the piano .

St . Clement ' s Lodge , No . 2442 . Hotel , UkViSln s . " meet j"K ° f 'his young , but flourishing , lodge was held at the Bell W . M . ¦ S F ™ ; , ! i e S . . , urda , y » the , 2 th '" St . There were present Bros . H . Barrow , A - J- Ray Sec ¦ A *' » " ^ ' , J , G > Mllls ' J - ' p - P - Rarauz > lreas - Martm , P G T' " ' - ' ; V J- B "" ' ck and E . P . Ray , Stewards ; A . w ! 9 ' a" «^ Vfcp' 6 s ^ r i 7 f ,- ^ 1 S % ^ - -C - E « Bland , ' p . G . Sec ; G . J . l

* nomas , P P a ft n ., ;•' ,, ' ' " •< - ' - - ; w . n . unageianci , IMMJ . S . B . ; u . E-J . Cumine ; P ' . M , ? pfcs . ' ^ V ^* ¦?* ; \ A' J' Marden " P-A-G . D . C ; "owmaker , W . M {« L \ i 4 H < C \ # i 7 ada ,, e ' - > KKG - Std - Br - - H - Berry , W . M is ' iV- U ' J < bp . ? » , ' .. ' ' 437 ; W , H . Judd , W . M . 1734 ; J . l ' - Cheesman , P M ' Sen ^ 'r " ' * ' ¥ " Treas - M J 5 H . B . Uickins , ' W . M . 234 O ; VV . The minutes of ' tht 3 " > ° ' ' many Lonflon brethren . candidates were ballr 1 £ tf ' ! T etlnff were read and confirmed , and the following E - G . Carmen and W t « *? afte . ™ ards initiatcd : M ** rs . G . Egerton W . Motion , " ¦ embers : Bros A 1 AMI ?" . ' , } he foll ° wing were balloted for and elected joining ros- A . J . Arthy , P . M . 1 G 0 : H . B . Dickins , W . M . 234 6 ; and J . T . Robey ,

Craft Masonry.

P . M . 1 S 04 . Bro . F . England , S . W ., W . M . elect , was then presented to Bro . H . Barrow to receive from him the benefit of installation , which ceremony was performed in a Board of 14 Installed Masters in an exemplary manner . Bro . F . England invested Bro . H . Barrow as I . P . M ., and the officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . G . Mills , S . W . ; J . H . Johnson , J . W . ; Rev . R . Stuart King , M . A ., Chap . ; F . F . Ramuz , Treas . ; A . J . Ray , Sec ; A . R . Ray , S . D .: T . A . Bundock , J . D . ; E . P . Ray , I . G . ; C . Spence . D . C . ; VV . H . Stevenson , Org . ; E . H . Larchin and Dr . Vernon , Stwds .,- and A . VV . Martin , P . G . T ., Tyler .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Middleton Hotel , Southend , for the banquet , which was served in excellent style by the host , Bro . W . T . Buxton , and expressions of satisfaction were in evidence by those who partook of the

same . The W . M ., in giving the loyal and Masonic toasts , said that her Majesty Wis a model Queen , a model wife , and a model mother ; that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was a most worthy Grand Master , who was beloved by all Masons ; and that the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and all the Grand Officers were excellent Masons . Bro . H . Barrow . I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The W . M ., " said it was a most

pleasurable duty . They had all watched Bro . England's zealous work in the lod £ e for years past , which had led up to his present position of W . M . He had been most punctual in his attendances , and had given the brethren entire satisfaction in his admirable working . He had a glorious year before him , as he had proposed five candidates for his first initiation ceremony , which augured well for St . Clement's , and when the brethren drank that toast , he was sure they all wished him a happy and successful year of office .

In reply , Bro . F . England , W . M ., said he rose with great diffidence to reply to the toast , so very kindly submitted by Bro . H . Barrow . I . P . M . He could not have at that , the beginning of things , so flattering a reception as had been accorded to the esteemed I . P . M ., Bro . H . Barrow , who really had excelled himself ; but his endeavour would be to uphold the prestige and dignity of St . Clement ' s Lodge . He should be pleased to have plenty of work , with the infusion of good new blood into the lodge , so that his year of office would be marked with success , and at its close he hoped to receive the approbation of all the brethren .

The W . M . proposed the toast of "The Visitors , " which , he said , was always accorded a cordial reception , it being one of the specialities in St . Clement ' s Lodge . There was a goodly array of worthy and distinguished Masons present . Bros . Bowmaker , Spencer , and Berry , most ably responded , all congratulating the lodge on its excellent working , and especially on the installation , so ably performed by the Installing Master , Bro . H . Barrow , I . P . M . The W . M . then proposed the toast of "Bro . H . Barrow , the Installing Master , " who had performed his duties in a magnificent manner , thus adding much force , vigour , and earnestness in his work , and was an example well worthy of being copied .

In reply , Bro . H . Barrow thanked the W . M . for such flittering remarks , and for such a hearty reception from the brethren . Such remarks had taken the wind entirely , out of his sails . He had done his level best to perform his duties , and he thanked the officers of the lodge for their ungrudging support , so cheerfully given him during the year . His position as W . M . of the lodge was unique , it being the Diamond Jubilee of her Majesty , and he heartily thanked the brethren for the handsome jewel the W . M . had pinned on his breast that evening .

The toasts of "The Prov . Grand Officers" and "The Past Masters" were given and responded to in a very hearty manner . They had always a deep interest in the lodge and its officers , but never a deeper than at the ptesent time . The W . M . next proposed the toast of " The O . ficersof the Lodge . " Bros . G . Mills , as S . W . ; F . F . Ramuz , as Treas . ; A . J . Ray , as Sec ; and A . R . Ray , as S . D ., most appropriately replied . The Tyler ' s toast closed a very happy and eventful msjting .

A capital programme of music , under the direction of Bro . W . H . Stevenson , was ably rendered by Miss Dickins , Bro . W . F . Cheesman , P . M ., Mr . Whiteman Bros . Judd , Stevenson , Cumine , and E . H . " Stevens ( clarionet ) .

Hugh Owen Lodge , No . 2593 . A meeting of this prosperous Poor Law Service lodge was held at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford-street , on the 14 th ultimo , when the W . M ., Bro . H . G . Holland , P . M ., presided , assisted by the following officers and brethren : Bros . R . H . Nicholls , S . W . ; J . W . Hunt , J . W . ; the Rev . F . G . Greenwood , Chap . ; Dr . VV . C . Griggs , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Roberts , Sec . ; J . II . Rutherglen , I . P . M . ; H . Ramsbottom , S . D . ; C . J . Ridgway , J . D . ; J . D . Edward A . Frith , I . G ; T . Willis , A . D . C ; J . B . Schrader , Org . ; A . E . Lee , Stwd . ; W . B . Neville , P . M . ; T . B . Warwick , J .

G . Swinton , T . Badcock , Alf . A . Burden , F . Wilmott , E . Burge s , VV . M . Ball , Robt . Brown , James Barnett , H . Spencer , H . T . Kobelt , Chas . Spencer , T . A . Marsh , J . Lamb , M . F . Cadman , and A . A . Hunt . Visitors : Bros , the Rev . J . F . Downes , P . P . G . Chap . Herts ; and G . L . Litmell , 1531 . It being the last meeting of the season , a large amount of wack had to be accomplished , which was carried through with tact and ability . The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the last meeting confirmed , the W . M ., in a clear and impressive manner , duly raised Bro . F . Wilmott to the J 3 egree of a M . M . and invested

him as such , and also passed Bro . W . M . Ball to the Second Degree . Bro . Edwin Candy , of the Bangaloss Lodge , was unanimously elected a joining member . The byelaws of the lodge having been read , the election of the administrative for the ensuing year was proceeded with , the proclamation of the ballot being unanimous in favour ot Bro . R . H . Nicholls , who was received with very great pleasure . The much respected and highly appreciated Bro . Dr Griggs , P . M ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer ; Bro . Jno . Lee was elected Tyler , and an Audit and General Purposes Committee were elected .

All Masonic business being ended and the lodge closed , the brethren adjourned to a banquet , which was duly appreciated . Alter the banquet , the usual toasts were proceeded with . " Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria and the Craft " was received and drunk with loyal and patriotic fervour , as also was that of " The Most Worshipful Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " The other toasts were all duly honoured . <

Bro . J . H . Rutherglen , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " stated how proud he was at the able manner in which the W . M . had performed the duties devolving upon the office of Master during the year and at the manner in which hs had occupied the chair ; this being the last time , he was most gratified to say , he had presided at the close as he had at the start , with skill , ability , and consideration ; he had been informed by the W . M . that he had had two previous experiences of leaving the Master's chair

but he never left it with greater regret than he should that time ; he thanked the brethren for the resolution to present their W . M . with a jewel , as it not only went to demonstrate that he had succeeded in his endeavours to discharge his duties and at the same time retained their affection ; he was bound to say it was a proud decoration , and being worn , as is the rule at every Masonic meeting , proved to the brotherhood the estimation in which the owner was held .

The W . M ., in responding , thanked the brethren for the kind manner in which they had received the toast of his health . It was not new , it had been the same thewhole period of his Mastership , they had not only been loyal to him but he had experienced a large amount of affection , which only enhanced ths regret with which he should leave the chair . He had ever endeavoured to strengthen the bond of fraternity and equality ; he did not believe that any association built on the one man principle ever prospered ,

they were all members , and he was pleased to say that it was each one s pleasure to make each other happy , from Master to initiate , and that all joined in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness to others . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Health of Bro . R . H . Nicholls , S . W ., the Master elect , " he eulogised him not only as to his Masonic knowledge but also as to his generous nature , and trusted that he would have a very prosperous year of office . Bro . Nicholls replied in a few concise and well selected remarks .

The next toast was that of " The Visitors , " in reply to which Bro . Rev . J . F . Downes , P . P . G . C Herts , stated that it gave him peculiar pleasure , inasmuch as for many years he had been associated with the W . M . in the province of which he was a past officer , and also that the Treasurer was a W . M . of his mother lodge . He was bound to admit as a poor law officer that he always apprehended that the lodge would have the taint of shop , which was one thing to be deplored , but he had learned to know , like many more , that he had reckoned without his host ; what he had seen that evening had dispelled any such notion . The working and musical portions of the ceiemony were .