Craft Masonry.

Masonic friends from Sheffield and elsewhere , who had assembled to do him honour . It was a gathering of which any W . M . might be proud . They , in Furnival Lodge , he confidently predicted , might look forward to a happy and successful year , and to the health , happiness , and success of their W . M . he bade them drink right heartily . The toast was received with great enthusiasm , increased as it was by Bro . Foxon ' s rendering of "Here ' s to his health in a song . "

The Worshipful Master , who , on rising , had quite an ovation , replied with characteristic brevity . He declared his inability to make a speech , thanked them with all his heart , and assured them that the interests of the Furnival Lodge should not suffer at his hands , but that he would devote whatever energy or ability he possessed to advancing its progress and insuring the comfort and happiness of its brethren . "The Installing Master " was proposed by Bro . Rev . G . Ford , and was drunk most heartily . , ,,, the

The other toasts were "The Past Masters , " proposed by S . W ., Bro . W . Sissons ; " The Sister Lodges and Visiting Brethren , " " The Masonic Charities , " and " The Officers of the Furnival Lodge . " The Charity Steward , Bro . Chas . Stokes , replied for " The Masonic Charities . " Bro . Stokes has for some time been an earnest and eloquent advocate of the cause , and made a strong appeal to the brethren for their support . The whole of the after-dinner proceedings , which we have only briefly summarised , were enlivened with music , both vocal and instrumental . Furnival , it should be explained ,

is a musical lodge , and contains both amateur and professional ability of a high order . Amongst its talented brethren we need only mention one name , that of Bro . Henry Coward , Mus . Doc , whose reputation , high before , has been lately increased by his bringing the chorus of the recent Sheffield Musical Festival to such a pitch of excellence by his training , that it was acknowledged to be the finest that has been heard anywhere . Bro . Wm . Foxon and Bro . Frank Foxon both sang charmingly , as also did Bros . J . Atkinson , S . Smith , E . Barkby , and C . Callum , whilst the cornet solos of Bro . R . C . Honey gave delight to all .

Bro . Walter Fearnehough has opened his year of office in a highly successful manner , and both he and his supporters in Furnival Lodge are to be congratulated . The lodge is evidently a popular one , and visitors would , indeed , be hard to please who failed to enjoy so hearty and hospitable an evening .

. dSscuIapius Lodge , No . 2410 . The installation meeting was held at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , on the nth inst . There was a large attendance of members and visitors . Bro . Surgeon-Lieut .-Col . H . W . Kiallmark , P . G . D ., the W . M ., occupied the chair . Bro . Captain Percy Probyn , R . A . M . C ., was admitted to the Second Degree , and Messrs . J . H . Bryant , M . D ., M . R . C . P . Lond ., T . G . Stevens , M . D ., M . R . C . P . Lond ., G . B . Smith , F . R . C . S . Eng ., and F . J . Steward , M . S . Lond ., F . R . C . S . Eng ., were admitted into Freemasonry .

Bro . Herbert G . Blackmore , L . D . S . R . CS . Eng ., was installed Master for the ensuing year , and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Montague Cheale , M . R . C . S . Eng ., S . W . ; Ernest Clarke , M . D . Lond ., F . R . C . S . Eng ., J . W . ; Rev . W . Harrison , M . A . Cantab , Chap . ; G . Danford Thomas , M . D . Brux ., Coroner for Central London . Treas . ; and Thomas Dutton , M . D . Durh ., M . R . C . P . Edin ., Sec . After the report of

the Audit Committee had been received , a Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Kiallmark , and the lodge was then closed . About 50 members and visitors afterwards dined together . The important event , after the usual Royal and Masonic toasts had been duly honoured , was the enthusiastic " send off" which Bro . Captain Probyn received on its becoming generally known that he had on that afternoon received orders to join a regiment for South Africa .

Weald Lodge , No . 2707 . The installation meeting of this new lodge , in the Province of Essex , was held at the Drill Hall , Brentwoodj ( by dispensation from the Prov . Grand Master ) , on Thursday , the 19 th inst . Bros . J . W . Armour , P . M . 1437 , P . P . G . S . B ., VV . M . ; and Arthur S . Gardiner , W . M . elect , P . P . G . Stwd ., S . W ., were present , with some officers of the lodge , Bros . John Hill , G . Brown , T . Mersham , H . W . Benton , J . B . Bell , C Prangley , and VV . Warren . Visitors : Bros . G . Davey , P . M . 1437 ; W . Salmon ,

P . M . 97 ; D . A . Cramphorn , 27 6 ; J . S . Creswell , S . D . 27 G ; F . H . Mansell , I . P . M . 2518 ; Geo . Paul ; Prof . F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . 45 ; J . Bilton , P . M . 1536 ; E . J . Glynn , W . M . 25 G 1 , P . G . Reg . Essex ; Arthur Roach , SG ; F . A . Stratford , W . M . 1437 j H . J . Hagan , 2 SG 2 ; W . Humphreys , 2342 ; VV . J . Russell , 715 ; and H . E . Gardiner , 2374 . The lodge was opened by the W . M . The Secretary read the dispensation from the P . G . M . to hold the meeting in the Drill Hall , Brentwood . The minutes of the last

meetmg were read and confirmed . The Auditors' report was received , adopted , and ordered to be entered on thc minutes . Bro . A . S . Gardiner , S . W ., VV . M . elect , was presented by Bio . Bilton to the W . M . for installation . The W . M . elect was obligated and entrusted . A Board of Installed Masters ( eight ) was opened . The W . M . installed the W . M . elect as W . M . The W . M . invested Bro . J . W . Armour as I . P . M . and appointed his officers as follows : Bros . A . T . G . Woods , P . P . G . Std ., S . W . ; S . Frazer , I . W ; Rev . Canon VV . Quennell , P . P . G . Chap ., Chaplain ( in absentid );

F . Landon , P . M . 214 , P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; E . Grove Johnson , Sec . ; J . Edwards , S . D . ; T . Piper , J . D . ; E . J . Holland , D . C ; R . Blunden , I . G . ; H . A . Harris , Stwd . ; and A . G . Watkinson , Tyler . The Installing Master gave the three addresses in an impressive manner . The Secretary read letters apologising for the absence of many brethren- A Charity Box was presented to the lodge by Bro . Thos . Humphreys . A vote of thanks for his present to the lodge was proposed and carried unanimously . It was proposed and carried that five guineas be added to the five guineas of Weald Lodge of Instruction , and be given to the Masonic Benevolent Institution . Bro . Armour was elected to serve on the Essex Masonic Charity Committee . The lodge was closed .

' 1 he brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet at the Lion and Lamb Hotel . The W . M . proposed the usual loyal toasts , " The Queen and the Craft , " and " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., " which received a hearty response from the brethren . Then followed "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl Amherst ; the R . W . Dep . G . M ., the Earl of Warwick : and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

The VV . M . then gave " The R . W . Prov . G . M ., the Earl of Warwick ; the V . W . Dep . Prov . G . M ., Col . Lockwood ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Armour , P . P . G . S . B . The I . P . M . replied on behalf of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Essex . He referred to the illness of the Countess of Warwick , and her present recovery ; he sp oke of her

welcome extended to the meeting of upwards of Soo members of the Province of Essex . The I . P . M . gave the toast of " The VV . M . " He said that Bro . Gardiner was the right man in the right place , that he had worked up to his pres-. nt high position through the different grades of office ; how he had endeared himself to all the brethren . In a word , the VV . M . was a man without fear , and , best of all , without reproach .

The W . M . replied . He tendered his thanks to the brethren for their kind wishes . He saw a great future for the Weald Lodge . He assured the brethren that he would maintain the honour and dignity of the lodge whilst it was under his direction . "The Army , the Navy , and thc Reseive Forces" was given as a toast , coupling with it the name of Bro . Capt . Stoyle .

Several brethren representing the different services replied . " The Health of the I . P . M . " was given in felicitous terms by the W . M ., who stated that Bro . Armour was undoubtedly the instigator of the foundation of ths lodge , as he had been of thc lodge of instruction , from which the lodge was born . A handsome Past Master ' s jewel ( Primus ) was then presented to the I . P . M . by the W . M .

'Ihe biethrcn thoroughly appreciated and endorsed by their applause the remarks of the W . M . Ihe I . P . M . most eloquently replied . " 1 he Visitors" followed . Bro . Stratford , VV . M . 1437 , and others replied . •' 1 he Treasurer and Secretary " was next given , and the Secretary was

complimented on thc work he had so ellicently peifurmed duiing the past year . The Secietary , in a few well-chosen words , tendered his grateful thanks to the brethren for their high appreciation of his services . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the evening . The brctlncn before separating , as is their usual loyal custom , j . ined in song and choius " God Save the ( lueen . " . ,

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Lion and Lamb Chapter , No . 192 . A meeting of this chapter was held on Wednesday , the iSih inst ., at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , E . C , when there were present Comps . F . Hughes , M . E . Z . ; W . Haynes Dunn , P . Z ., as H . ; William Baker , J . ; F . D . Rees Copestick , P . Z ., S . E . ; David Ringrose , S . N . ; J . G . Robeson , P . S . ; Thos . Cohu , P . Z ., ' D . C . ; W . A . Dingle , P . Z . ; S . M . Banker , P . Z . ; J . Collins , Frank Hamlett , Walter T . Fisher , A . Fergusson , J . J . Baszett , C . G . Diamond , J . Miller , J . M . Barclay , George K . Durrant , John Kent , and G . Couchman , lanitor . Visitors : Comos . Brough . n ± :

John bonghurst , P . Z . 7 ; and Wilkinson , P . Z . S 19 . The chapter was opened and the minutes of the last convocation read and confirmed . The only business down on the agenda paper being the election of officers for the ensuing year , it was at once proceeded with and resulted as follows : Comps . T . Cohu , P . Z ., M . E . Z . ; William Baker , H . ; John G . Robeson , J . ; F . D . R . Copestick , P . Z ., S . E . ; D . Ringrose , S . N . ; George Kenning , P . Z ., Treas . ; W . T . Fisher , P . S . ; C G . Diamond , ist A . S . ; F . Hamlett , 2 nd A . S . ; George Wetton , D . C . ; J . J . Bassett , Stwd . ; and G . Couchman , Janitor . It was proposed that the sum of 10 guineas be taken from the funds ot the chapter towards the Lord Mayor ' s Fund for the

relief of the Transvaal Refugees , but it being found that by the by-laws a notice of motion was required for this purpose , a whip round was made amongst the companions resulting in the above named sum being raised . _ There being no further business , the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to dinner under the able presidency of the M . E . Z . The following carefully prepared paper by Comp . Cohu was read by him during the evening and was greatly appreciated by the companions , who tendered him a hearty vote of thanks for the great trouble he had taken in writing it out :

As our chapter has been on such close and friendly terms for many years with the Gresham Lodge ; in fact , at one time it was mainly dependent upon that lodge for members , I thought the following particulars would be acceptable to the companions . Comp . Copestick very kindly presented me , a short time since , with a copy of the " History of Freemasonry in Hertfordshire , " by Bro . G . Blizard Abbott , and upon perusal I found an interesting account of the Gresham Lodge . This lodge was founded in 1861 , having the number 1171 , which was changed to 86 9 its present numberin 1 SG 3 the year

, , , of the lastclosing-up and re-numbering of lodges ; thus in two years they had the tiresome business of altering the number on their furniture , stationery , & c . Their first home was the Four Swans Hotel , Waltham Cross ; but in 1 S 75 they removed , through the kindness of the late Bro . the Rev . C . E . Mayo , to Cheshunt Great House—a former palace of Cardinal Wolsey—where the lodge still meets , and enjoys good English fare in the old banqueting hall , which contains many relics of the olden times—suits of armour , cross bows , and banners—while the walls are hung with portraits of Cardinal

Wolsey , Sir Hugh Middleton , and many other noted personages , also many of our Kings and Queens—Mary , Elizabeth , Charles 1 ., Charles II ., James II ., William III ., Queen Anne , & c—in all some 50 paintings , some by Vandyke , Sir Peter Lely , and other artists of note . These particulars are from a "History of Cheshunt Great House , " written byiComp . Copestick about 15 years ago . Handsomely bound copies were presented to the Queen , the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., and the P . G . M . of Herts . The founders , of whom there were seven , came from various London lodges , one each

from the Victoria Rifles , Jordan , Unity , United Strengh , and Old Concord , while the good old Lion and Lamb contributed two , viz ., Bros . Joseph Angell Hatch and Henry J . Thompson . I do not remember to have heard of either of these brethren before , but find from our lodge history that Bro . Thompson was W . M . of our lodge in 1862 . This Bro . Thompson was evidently not related to the Bro . Peter Thomson , as there is a difference in the spelling of the names . Bro . Hatch was the first S . W . of the Gresham Lodge , and in due time was installed as W . M . bv Bro . Henrv Mueeeridge in 1862 . Brn .

Thompson was , in 1 S 65 , while acting as Secretary , elected to the chair of the Gresham Lodge , and installed accordingly . He was so very successful in steering the lodge out of difficulties , in which it had unfortunately fallen , that he was presented with a silver loving cup by the members of his lodge , and in August , 1 S 63 , he was appointed Prov . S . G W . of Herts . In iSGS troubles arose again , all the ori ginal founders and most of the initiates had left , when our esteemed Bro . Copestick , with his brother Joseph , Bro . Gompertz , and a few more took matters in hand , held meetings at their own houses .

invited the officers , turned their drawing-rooms into lodges of instruction , and succeeded in putting the lodge into the happy state it has continued in to the present time . Bro . Copestick filled the important position of W . M . in 1 S 73 , and was Treasurer from 1874 until about three ^ rears ago . This chapter was consecrated in January , 1872 . The only founder left is Comp . George Kenning , but , I am pleased to say , we have two exaltees of that year , viz ., Comps . Copestick and John Kent . I have one other

circumstance to relate . At the first regular meeting of the Gresham Lodge , on the 10 th of August , ISGI , Bro . O . F . Vallentin , VV . M . of the Prosperity Lodge , and one other were elected joining members . Bro . Vallentin was at once elected Treasurer , an office which he filled until the election of Bro . Copestick in 1 S 74 . These short notes are quite sufficient , I think , to show that our friendly connection with the Gresham Lodge is of many years' standing , and our members will , I am sure , join me in the hope that this friendship will last long into the future .

Nicholson Chapter , No . 371 . A meeting of this chapter was held on Wednesday night , the iSth instant , at Freemasons'Hall , Eaglesfield-street , Mary port . Present ! Comps . James Gardiner , M . E . Z . ; James Dickinson , H . ; Thos . Atkinson , J . ; Jos . Abbott , P . S . ; Richard Monkhousc , S . E . ; John Messenger , Janitor ; and others . Visitors : Comps . John Barr , P . Z . 119 , P . P . G . H . ; Chas . Gowan , P . Z . 119 ; John Brown , 119 ; and John Bouch , H . 9 G 2 .

1 he chapter was opened , and the minutes of the previous convocation read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Bro . Thomas Milburn , VV . M . 371 , and proved unanimous in his favour . The ballot was also taken for Bro . George Johnson , P . M . 371 , and proved unanimous in his favour . Bro . T . Milburn was unavoidably absent . The M . E . Z . vacated the chair in favour of Comp . Barr , P . Z ., P . P . G . H ., who , in his usual able manner , exalted Bro . George Johnson , P . M ., as a companion of the Order . The duties of Principal Sojourner were undertaken by Comp . C Gowan , who did the work with effect and finish .

1 here beir . gno further business , the chapter was closed , and thecompanionsadjourned l 2 »? J ? tes 4 ? ent room ' and s P ent a verv enjoyable evening under the presidency of the M . E . Z . The happy impression left , on the minds of all privileged to be present at this meeting augurs well for the future working and success of the chapter .

Era Chapter , No . 1423 . The installation meeting of this chapter was held at the Albany Hotel , Twicken . ham , on the 30 th ult . Among those present were Comps . R . Poore , M . E . Z .: B , Grant , M . E . Z . elect , H . ; F . Foulger , H . elect , J . ; Maj . T . C Walls , P . Z .. P . D G . D . C , S . E . ; J . Masters , J . elect , S . N . ; E . H . Thiellay , P . Z ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . : S . Holt , ist Asst . Soj . ; W . Fisher , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S . ; H . Higgins , P . Z ., P . P G . D . C ; and C . H . Kichler , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . B . '

The minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bros . J . T . Pitcairn , 2021 , and VV . Hiy Fielding , 1949 , and it being unanimous , they were both impressively exalted by the M . E . Z . The S . E . then installed Comp . B . Grant as First Principal , Comp . Grant installed Comp . Foulger as Second Principal , and Comp . Fisher installed Comp . J . Masters as Third Principal . Among the officers invested were Comps . Major Walls , S . E . ; C II . Thiellay , P . Z ., Treas .: S . Holt . P . Soi .: and I . nilhorr lanitnr

Ihe l . P . Z . was the recipient , on behalf of his wife , of a handsome gold bracelet inscribed , "From the Era Chapter to Mrs . R . Poore , 18 99 . " Apologies for nonattendance were received from Comps . W . H . Matthews , P . Z . ; G . L . Wingate , P . Z . ; F . W . Robinson , P . / .. ; A . Collins , S . N . ; A . Macchi , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; and others . Ihe chapter was then closed . A banquet followed . Comp . VV . Fisher , A . G . D . C ., responded on behalf of " The Grand Officers , " and subsequently for "The Provincial Grand Officers . " The toast of "The M . E . Z . " was fluently proposed by the l . P . Z . The M . E . Z ., in reply , expressed himself as being delighted with the honour conferred upon him . The Era Chapter was one of the most harmonious and pleasant