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the greatest possible pleasure that the Grand Officers were present to welcome from across the broad Atlantic brethren from the other side , whose hearts were one with theirs , and to whom they were knit with the closest friendship and the strongest bonds of love . Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Reg ., also replied , and remarked that the W . M- had alluded to the great loss they

had sustained in the death of the Earl of Carnarvon . For years that name had been a household word as an accomplished scholar , a wise Statesman , a profound thinker , and an experienced and attached Mason . They would see him no more amongst them , but would miss his wise and kindly counsels , which were ever open to those who desired to avail themselves of them . They would miss that temperate mind

which brought the highest of all qualities to the discussion of the most difficult and most delicate subjects affecting Freemasonry . Above all , they would miss that unflagging interest he showed in all the concerns' of the Craft , but fortunate , indeed , it was for them as English Masons that they could see others still spared to bear the heat and burden of the day , to whom they must look in

future to supply the places of those gone before . Having said that in justice to the feelings of all , he ( Bro . Philbrick ) would say that it was not entirely to play the part of the skeleton of the Egyptian feast that he rose , but to thank them for recognising the Grand Officers . He would say how sincerely the Grand Officers rejoiced to see exemplified in Masonry , under the banner of the Grand Lodge of

England , that which attracted not merely English Masons , but their brethren from the other side ; how glad they were to see that which was a unique incident in English Masonry , viz ., an American citizen as an installed Master _ of a London lodge ; and above all to say how satisfactory it was to those who had some concern in the management of the Craft , that the rites and traditions of Masonry , all that was

best in their great Society and which bound them together , was so amply recognised and so effectively perpetuated in the Anglo-American Lodge . Bro . Brackstone Baker , P . M ., P . G . D ., in proposing " The Sister Grand Lodges of the United States of America and the Dominion of Canada , " said a part of the justification and indication of the establishment of their lodge was

to entertain Americans visiting this country . It was very rarely they entertained a Grand Master during his term of office , but that night they had present one ex-Grand Master and one present Grand Master . The Grand Master _ of Maryland had visited them and also a number of Philadelphians , and they had also received the Grand Master of Canada . What could they say when they had the existing

Grand Mister of the State of New York present ? lo paraphrase a namesake of Bro . the Rev . R . W . M . Pope , P . G . C ., one touch of Masonry made the whole world kin . Their Masonry was to collect the scattered stones of Masonic edifices abroad and construct an edifice which was perfect in its parts and honourable to its builder . In 17 S 2 the first Provincial Grand Lodge of New York was held , and nine

lodges were represented . In the last month at the annual meeting in New York there were 720 lodges represented . The history of Masonry in New York might be said to be coeval with the national history of that country . Out of the 56 signatories to the articles of independence , 52 were Masons , and could they wonder that that spirit of independence should thrive and make the State such a state as it

was now ? The Grand Master of New York present that evening , was the focus of all Masonry in that city , and they ought to record that visit in letters of gold in their minute book . Bro . the Hon . J . W . Vrooman , G . M . State of New York , U . S . A ., in reply , said that for the first time in his life he was greatly embarrassed in appearing before a Masonic

audience . Usually when he appeared before his brethren it was without the slightest degree of embarrassment , because he knew he was in the house of his friends . He was in the house of his friends that evening , but he appeared an humble American before a body of his English brethren . He was afraid that he should make a bull of it . He had resided here 10 days , and had become "Quite English , you

know , " but in the words of his eloquent friend near him , his starboard had the " shakes . " When he thought the name of their lodge was the Anglo-American Lodge , he also thought that if he should make a mistake he should charge it up to the American part , but if he did well he was with his English brethren . He was responding to the toast of the Sister Grand Lodges of the United States ,

numbering 50 , representing 10 , 000 lodges and 600 , 000 Masons . Would that he had more time to address them . One of his greatest disappointments was to have his friends say he must hurry , and as that was his first , and probably his last appearance , he thought he might take some hours to address them . With reference to his own Grand Lodge , which he had the distinguished honour of representing , Bro .

Baker had said that they were born in 17 S 2 , and one of the reasons why he loved England was that they were born as a Grand Lodge under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of England , the charter consigned to him bearing the signature of Atholl , Grand Master of England . One of the pleasures of the evening was that he looked round and saw in the Chaplain of the Anglo-American Lodn'e—Bro . Rev .

J . S . Brownrigg—a great grandson of Bro . Brownrigg , J . G . W ., whose name was on the Commission of the Grand Lodge of New York , and so it was that New York and the Anglo-American Lodge were closely identified . He could give them many reasons why he loved England as a Mason . When the English army evacuated New York they left the warrant on the altar of the Masonic temple , where itwas found

by the American Masons . He wished to acknowledge , on behalf of his distinguished brethren , the many courtesies extended to them from the moment they left the good ship to the present time , for they had been showered with favours from the brethren of England . Why should not they be proud of their great Institution , which he believed to be a conservator of peace , for no other

Society—save that of the living Church of God—did so much for the cause of humanity ? As Masons they were taught to be loyal to the Government , and to promote harmony and unity , and was it not therefore an Institution they should be proud of ? After-dinner speeches were supposed to partake of pleasantry , but that evening , as he was some 3000 miles from the dear little cottage on the other side , he

could not but help thinking that he was surrounded by strangers whose faces he bad never seen before , although they were his friends , and he loved their Institution more than ever before in his life . It was an Institution worthy of their best efforts , as it taught men to be better ; it taught them that Freemasonry led men to God , not from Him ; it led them to the Holy Bible , not away from it ; and so in

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their living , as in their dying , let them remember their obligations and their teachings . From the moment they took their first obligation they were representative individuals . The Masons of England did not represent themselves , but the largest and greatest body of Masons on top of the earth . Therefore they should see that in their lives and daily conversation they never reflected discredit on that glorious Grand Lodge . Let them invoke a blessing from Almighty

God upon all their endeavours , so that as they lived here they might look each other in the face as friends , and when in a day or two he wished them good-bye , it might not be good-bye to him or to them , but rather let them say goodnight on this earth preparatory to bidding each other goodmorning in Eternity . Bro . Gen . Laurie , P . G . M . Nova Scotia , also responded ,

and said he did not wish to say anything that would detract from the effect of the eloquent speech they had heard . In Canada each had to follow his own ideas to support those coming down in the fight of life , but it was working out the same ideas of Masonry—relief and truth . Whilst they were working under the English and American flags , they were working generally for the benefit o £ mankind in

general , and for the greatest benefit of the greatest number . Bro . F . Kedge , I . P . M ., then said it fell to his lot to propose "The Health of the W . M ., " and he trusted the W . M . would not measure the respect and esteem which he felt for him by the shortness of his observations , for as they had observed he was suffering with a severe cold , and it was

painful to make himself heard . No doubt the brethren had observed that that was the first occasion on which the W . M . had presided over their lodge , and they had had a most successful meeting , which had been brought about in a great measure by the great pains taken by Bro . Tilton to bring together such a distinguished assemblage of visitors . He was sure they would all unite in wishing their W . M . a most

prosperous year of office , and join in heartily drinking his health . Bro . Theodore H . Tilton , P . D . G . M . New York City , W . M ., returned sincere thanks for the kind manner in which he had been received , and also for their kindness in elevating him to the position of W . M . They had placed an American citizen and an American-made Mason in the

chair , which was an event , as Bro . Saunders told them at the last meeting , which had not been heard of before in English Freemasonry . He would simply thank them sincerely for all their kind and hearty wishes , and trusted during his year to be able to carry out all the principles and precepts of Masonry as they had listened to them that night from the M . W . G . M . of New York . He had sat under Bro . Vrooman ' s teachings for . many years , and had known

him as a friend for nearly 20 years . The G . M . of New York had been a member of that Grand Lodge for 21 years . Bro . Vrooman was therefore a Mason of full age . He again thanked them , and hoped they would have many more such meetings , that they might receive many more Grand Masters . Other toasts were given , the proceedings being terminated in the usual manner by the Tyler ' s toast .

Viator Lodge ( No . 2308 ) . — -The first installation meeting' of this lodg-e was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on Saturday , the 19 th inst ., when the report of the year's work was received and found to be eminently satisfactory in all respects . In addition to materially increasing" the number of members , the lodge has , under the able management of Bro . Harry N . Price , paid off the initial

expenses , leaving a substantial balance in the hands of the Treasurer , and has also had the satisfaction of being represented at the recent Boys' Festival with the handsome sum of £ 107 5 s . The lodge was opened by Bro . H . N . Price , W . M ., supported by Bros . E . A . G . Smith , S . W ., W . M . elect ; W . Ferguson , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Morris , Sec . ; T . H . Hobbs ,

S . D . ; J . Stephens , P . M ., J . D . ; J . J . Higgs , I . G . ; A . Kay , D . C . ; F . Smith and A . Banks , Stewards ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . James Terry , P . G . S . B . ; A . B . Bennett , P . P . S . G . D . East Lane . ; R . Harvey , I . P . M . 177 ; J . F . Buckley , 2033 ; R . T . Redfern , I . G . 753 ; F . J . Laughlin , Org . 1365 ; E . Hall , 1793 ; F . Hitchins , S . W . 77 ; T . J . Willcox , W . M . 975 ; A . B . Hearn , 20 ; G . H

Lovewell Blake , 313 ; Sadler Wood , P . G . Stwd . Middx . ; W . Bailey , S . W . 1732 ; T . N . Morris , 177 ; G . Everett , P . M . 177 ; G . Emblin , P . M . 147 ; F . E . Bennett , P . M . 773 ; W . H . Coade , 507 ; and W . W . Lee , J . D . 1 S 97 . The minutes having been confirmed , Bros . R . A . B . Lodge and E . W . Hobbs were raised to the Third Degree . Bro . E . A . G . Smith was then presented as W . M . elect ,

and duly installed into the chair by Bro . Price , l . P . M . Ihe officers were appointed , and , with the exception of Bro . Buxton , S . W ., unavoidably absent through illness , were invested , viz .: Bros . W . Buxton , S . W . ; T . H . Hobbs , J . W . ; W . Ferguson , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Morris , Sec ; J . Stephens , P . M ., S . D . ; J . J . Higgs , J . D . ; A . Kay , I . G . ; and F . Smith and A . Banks , Stewards . The

Installing Master , Bro . Price , then delivered the usual addresses with the ability which marks all his Masonic work . The Worshipful Master had an early opportunity of proving his efficiency—and of which he fully availed himself—by impressively initiating Messrs . H . W . Hall , W . Mills , and W . Stevens . The l . P . M . was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , in acknowledging which he said that

the work during the past year had been to him a labour of love , and was but an earnest of what he would continue to do in the future . The lodge , which was tastefully and appropriately draped in mourning , designed and presented to the lodge by Bro . Price , l . P . M ,, in conjunction with Bro . Smith , W . M ., was then closed , and the brethren enjoyed a banquet served in

Bro . Clemow s best style . "The Queen and the Craft" and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales 7 M ; W . G . M ,, " having been given by the W . M ., "The Grand Officers" was proposed by Bro . Ferguson , P . M ., Treas ., who said he introduced the toast with much pleasure , although qualified with a certain amount of grief , that they had lost one of the most brilliant Pro Grand Masters they had had for many years . The late Earl of

Carnarvon performed his duties with devotion to the work of the Craft and with an affection for the working . Of the rest of the Grand Officers , they could not have a finer specimen than they had in Bro . James Terry , for the interest taken by him in the working of every part of Freemasonry could not be surpassed . Bro . Terry was willing at all times to act as Installing Officer in lodge or chapter , a more hearty and genial brother could not be found , whilst it would be impossible to find a more earnest advocate on

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behalf of the requirements of the old men , old women , and the boys and girls . Bro . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., in reply , referred to the late Pro Grand Master as one of the most brilliant men the age has seen , and one who in his recent travels had done that which no other man living had yet done—the federation of the English , Irish , and Scotch Masons in one harmonious

whole in the three districts of Australia . It had long been the dream of many that such a scheme should be carried out , but it was left for the late Earl of Carnarvon to be able to accomplish it . When he ( Bro . Terry ) first sat at the ight of the W . M . he never , in his wildest dreams , thought he should ever be called upon to respond for the Grand Officers . He hoped the day would come when others round

the table might be similarl y honoured . It was a distinguished position to gain , for it was one a man might well feel proud of having gained , and he hoped that before many years had passed the Viator Lodge would have a brother amongst its members who would always respond to the toast . Bro . H . N . Price , l . P . M ., then said he rose to propose a

toast which he was certain would require few words to recommend it to their most cordial reception—being " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " There was no doubt that in Bro . Ernest Smith , the W . M ., the members had made a wise choice , for they had that evening seen the able manner in which he had carried out the ceremony of initiation . They would all agree that to perform that

ceremony on the night of being installed was a very arduous and difficult task , but their W . M . had come through with a very great amount of credit , and there were very few brethren in the room who had heard it done better by older Masons . He was certain that under Bro . Smith ' s guidance the lodge would be well ruled , and having began with three initiates , would carry out the working well . All he could

say in the W . M . 's favour would be simply telling them what they already knew , and he would , therefore , simply say he was the right man in the right place , and ask them to drink to a successful and prosperous year . Bro . Ernest A . G . Smith , W . M ., thanked them most heartily and sincerely for the kind manner in which the toast had been proposed and received . The position in

which they had placed him he felt most particularly , and could assure them that no words of his could express the gratitude he felt towards them . If he were to talk for a week he could not have the interest of the lodge deeper at heart . He would do his best to look after the lodge in the future as it had been looked after in the past , and he trusted his efforts would be attended with success .

"The Initiates" having been duly honoured , the W . M . gave "The Visitors , " to whom he extended a very cordial greeting . Bro . Geo . Everett , P . M ., Treas . 177 , in response , said that the custom which obtained amongst them of visiting other Iodg-es had been one of the most pleasant phases in Freemasonry there was no denying , and that in a large assembly such as the present the brother who replied first

had the best of the running there was likewise no denying . The other visitors would be gratified to hear he should say but little . He esteemed it a great privilege and honour in having his name coupled in connection with so many distinguished visitors . They had met to enjoy themselves , and they had been able to do that right royally on account of the hospitality extended by that young lodge . He had

had an open invite , and might consider himself one of those to whom the free list was never suspended . He was sure it was so from the fact that the members who started the Viator Lodge graduated from a lodge in which he had held a prominent position , and they might therefore almost consider it an offshoot from that old and important lodge . He congratulated the Viator

Lodge very much with regard to the manner in which the first Master had gone through his year and the great result arrived at through his management . He was told that the lodge already numbered 39 , and therefore they should congratulate the first Master on his success . From what he knew of the present W . M ., and the great energy he had always displayed , he thought it augured well for another

good year . They had seen excellent working , and with regard to the hospitality nothing more could be desired . Bros . Egerton Bennett , P . M . 773 , T . Willcox , W . M . 975 , and Sadler Wood , Prov . G . Stwd . Middx ., also returned thanks . In giving "The Installing Master , " the W . M . said they were al well aware that it was to Bro . Price's idea that the

lodge started , and under his able direction during the last 12 months it had prospered . As the l . P . M . had performed the installation ceremony that evening , he ( the W . M . ) felt proud to be in the position to propose the toast , being Bro . Price ' s first initiate in the Domatic Lodge . Bro . Harry N . Price , I . P . M ., in acknowledging the kindness with which the toast had been proposed and

received , said he was afraid the W . M . had used terms far too flattering , but still he could assure them it was a great gratification to him to hear those words expressed from so high an authority as the W . M . of the lodge , for he knew that his efforts during the past year to efficiently carry out the duties , and also in the closing scene that night ,

had been appreciated . It had been a great pleasure to him to preside over so kind and nice a body of brethren during the past year , for everything had worked harmoniously and everyone had done the best he could to assist the W-M . in the well ruling and governing of the lodge . As far as he was concerned he had retired to the rank

of the first I . P . M ., and he could assure them that anything that lay in his power would be gladly done to conduce to the benefit and prosperity of the lodge . He felt proud of the success at which the lodge had [ arrived . He must give great credit to the Treasurer that in the first year , | after paying all expenses , they had the very handsome balance of A 3 S . He might perhaps mention

that he had the pleasure of attending as Steward at the Festival of the R . M . I , for Boys on behalf of the lodge , and by the munificent manner in which the members contributed he took up the handsomesum of £ 107 5 s . That alone would show that the lodge had made its mark in its first year in the annals of Freemasonry , and under the guidance of the W . M . that prosperity would be carried ' on in the future .

He again thanked them for the manner in which the toast had been proposed and the kindly reception accorded it . Bro . J . Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I ., replied for "The Masonic Charities , " and after congratulating the lodge on the statement made by the W . M ., that a Steward would be sent up next year for theR . M . B . L , said it was a simple rule of three sum that if £ 107 5 s . could be raised in five months , how much could be raised between now and the next Festival ?