Craft Masonry.

Duke of Edinburgh Lodge , No . 1559 . The installation meeting of thc above lodge was held at the Eastern Hotel , Limehouse , on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., when there were present Bros . Frank Adams , W . M . j J . VV . Westmoreland , S . VV . ; J . Coote , J . VV . ; H . Warner , S . D . ; R . O . Hinderwell , l . D . ; Chandler , l . G . ; Wilson , D . C . ; Sweeting and Gower , Stwds . ; C . Wakefield , P . M ., Treas . ; Parrett , P . M ., Sec ; Atkins , P . M . ; Trappoits , P . M .,- Fielder , P . M . j Omer , P . M . ; and a large assemblage of the brethren and visitors . Bro .

James Terry , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Secretary Benevolent Institution , was the Installing Master for the 28 th time , with one exception through illness . Bro . J . M . McLeod , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B ., supported him . The lodge having been opened , Bro . Terry , P . M ., proceeded to instal Bro . J . VV . Westmoreland as VV . M . for the ensuing 12 months . After other business the lodge was closed and thebrethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where Bro . Chandler , the host of the Eastern Hotel , catered for the So brethren in a manner appreciated by them .

After the banquet the usual toasts were duly honoured . Bros . J . Terry and J . M . McLeod , in replying to the toast of "The Masonic Charities , " thanked the brethren for their assistance in the past towards the Charities and hoped for similar favours in the future . Bro . Westmoreland , the W . M ., having promised to serve the office of Steward to the Boys at the next festival , hoped that the brethren would respond to the appeal of Bro . McLeod to make his list as large as possible .

A pleasing feature of the lodge meeting was a vote of 10 guineas to purchase a present for Bro . Geo . Parrett , P . M ., Sec , also a private present by the outgoing W . M . to Bro . Parrett of a handsome diamond pin and stud . A fine selection of songs , Sic , was rendered during the evening by Miss Fielder , Miss Parsons , Mr . Grant , Bros . T . Taylor , Bennett , and Hall .

Lodge of Loyalty , No . 1607 . The 21 st installation of the above lodge attracted a large muster of brethren to the London Tavern on the 14 th inst ., when Bro . James Lawson , S . W ., was installed into thc chair of K . S . by Bro . G . E . Wilkinson , the outgoing VV . M ., in a manner which has never been excelled even in this lodge whose standard of excellence is' nothing short of perfection . A Board of not less than 25 Installed Masters was constituted and their hearty congratulations testified to the great populatity of the new W . M . After appointing and investing his officers as follows : Bros . G . E . Wilkinson , I . P . M . j W . L .

Barker , S . W . j M . W . Jameson , J . W . ; R . S . Gushing , P . M ., Treas . j C . H . Webb , P . M ., Sec . j G . Cunnington , S . D . ; R . C . Halford , J . D . j H . McLachlan , I . G . ; T . Cole , D . C ; E . Godfrey , Org . ; J . Hattersley , P . M ., and E . Hetherington , Stwds . j the VV . M ., as one of his first and most agreeable duties , presented to Bro . G . E . Wilkinson , I . P . M ., in the name and on behalf of the lodge a handsome Past Master's jewel as a token of their high appreciation of his services as VV . M . during the past 12 months . Bro . Wilkinson feelingly returned thanks and expressed his sense of the kindness and loyalty which the brethren had shown to him during his year of office and

of which the presentation was the crowning point . A less agreeable announcement followed in the shape of a communication from Bro . Very , the Tyler of the lodge since its consecration , placing his resignation in the hands of the lodge . We deeply regret to learn that this worthy brother has , through illness , been comoelled to relinquish all Masonic and other duties . The value of his services was testified to by many of the brethren present and a tangible expression of the regret of the brethren at losing so valuable and esteemed a servant was , upon the proposition of the Treasurer , unanimously agreed to . After the numerous visiting brethren had tendered their greetings

to the VV . M . the lodge was closed . Labour being ended the brethren adjourned to the noble banqueting hall , where Bro . Startjurnished a most excellent repast . The usual Masonic toasts having been duly honoured , the I . P . M . proposed in tender and graceful terms "The Health of the VV . M . " They had many of them watched with pride and interest the Masonic career of Bro . Lawson who by his earnest zeal on behalf of the noble Order of Freemasonry had most worthily reached that post , which was the highest honour the lodge could bestow , and there was no doubt that the important duties of the chair would be discharged in such a manner as would fully maintain the prestige of the lodge .

lhe toast was received with great enthusiasm , and the VV . M ., in reply , regretted that the surprising warmth of the reception which had been accorded to him had entirely banished all his carefully chosen sentences which he , admittedly , had prepared for the occasion . He could only now thank them from the bottom of his heart for their kindness and for the honour which had been conferred upon him . He should do

everything in his power to worthily follow the roll of distinguished brethren who had preceded him in the office of Master of that lodge . He was not unmindful of the responsibility which devolved upon him , and he pledged himself to maintain and uphold to the utmost of his ability the honour and dignity of the lodge ; above all , he trusted that the spirit of kindly good feeling which had always been the keynote of their meetings might never be distuibed , but might remain with them for all time .

In proposing the toast of * ' The Visitors , " the W . M . extended them the heartiest welcome of the lodge . ¦ He thought it spoke well for the lodge that they saw so many old faces amongst their visitors , for it showed that when brethren had once come to them they were net chary of repeating their visits . He thanked them for their attendance , and for the interest they had taken in the lodge . Replying , Bro . E . J . Morgan , P . M . 1571 , stated that he had been present at the last meeting of the lodge , when the W . M . had been unanimously elected for the ensuing year , and it afforded him great pleasure to be present to witness his installation .

After a faithful apprenticeship of several years , he ( the W . M . ) was rewarded for his services with the highest honour to which Freemasons could aspire—he had obtained the blue ribbon of the Craft . He ( the speaker ) was quite certain , from past experience , that the W . M . would worthily maintain the best traditions of thelodge for the excellence of its working . He would have liked to have seen the ceremony ot initiation that evening , but there was a time to sow and a time to reap ; the harvest would come by-and-bye .

The lodge was not developing with a mushroom growth , which was well , for after all a lodge of Freemasons was not to be judged by thc number of its members , but above all by the exercise of that great virtue which they had been taught was the distinguishing characteristic of the Craft . In that the Loyalty brethren had always excelled . He wished the ledge continued prosperity and many happy returns of the day . Several other brethren also responded to the toast .

In response to the toast of "lhe l . l ' . M ., " Bro . Wilkinson briefly returned thanks for all the kindness of the brethren , which had " gone so far to make his year of office a delightful one . With the duties of the chair Freemasonry had presented new pleasures , and he would carry with him thc wannest recollections of a very happy time . If the brethren had been pleased with him he was amply rewarded . The toast of " The Masonic Charities " was next given , the W . M . remarking that the Institutions of which they were all so proud were undoubtedly the chief ornaments of the Craft . There had recently been held elections to the Masonic Schools , and it was an education to be present at such functions . There were to be seen earnest , devoted

men high up in the Craft as in society , giving time and trouble without stint in furtherance of the success of cases in which they could have no personal interest other than the memory of some departed brother whom they lud cherished . And these were not men of leisure to whom such duties as these came as a relief to the dullness of otherwise uncoloured lives . These Wire men who were in the very forefront of the world ' s great business enterprise , men to whom time , indeed , wis money . What was the secret of this ? From what sacred altar had the lire come which had touched these men ' s hearts ? It was that they had learned lhe lesson which Freemasonry was teaching all over the kingdom ; that the Divine essence of the great truth of brotherly love as the great principle of our Order was , indeed , something more than a name .

Bro . Arthur J . Clark , P . M ., as Secretary to the Benevolent Association , gracefully replied to the toast . In response to the toast of " The Past Masters , " Bro . W . Gayton , P . M ., said that after-dinner speeches were certainly the most dillicult ot speeches , because a nun was expected to talk for seme time about nothing . Medical men generally contented themselves with stammering a few sentences , making holes in the table-cloth and breaking a few glasses . He must , nevertheless , be allowed to congratulate the W . M . and express the hope of all the Past Masters that the moral and social virtues might be maintained through his year of office . The toast of "The Oflicers" was duly honoured and responded to , and tht Tyler's toast brought a very happy evening to a conclusion .

An excellent programme oi music was performed during the evening under the direction of Bro . Fred . VV . Stephens , P . M . 134 S . A new feature of thc entertainment was the introduction of a lady artiste , Madame Alice L'jvenez , who delighted her audience by her rendering of " The Moorish Maid " and "Carita . " Needless to say , Bro . Stephens was a host in himself .

Craft Masonry.

Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . A meeting was held on Monday the 16 th inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgat street , when there were present Bros . Septimus Croft , W . M . j James Shotter I PM '' W . R . 13 . B . istoe , S . VV . ; Thomas Briggs , J . W . ; Samuel White , P . M . ' , TW' I George Kenning , P . M ., Sec ; H . N . Bennett . S . D . j Rupert Smyth , C R R * Hopper , I . G . j H . Thomas , Tyler ; Arthur B . Hudson , P . M . j George Rawlinson P . M . j Ralph Langton , and S . George C . Sansom . Visitors : Bros . Dr . Newlincr ' Sgo ; C A . Hooper , i ( 3 i 3 j J . G . Vigo , 167 IJ James C Hayes , 619 j and William Candy , 10 .

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Mr . S . George C Samson was initiated . Bro . Thomas Briggs was elected W . M . for the ensuing year and Bro . Samuel White , P . M ., was elected Treasurer for the ensuing year . Bros ' Sansom , Smyth , and Bennett were elected Auditors . The following resolution was pro ! posed , seconded , and carried unanimously—" -The brethren " . oi the Alderssrate Inj ™ .

No . 16 57 , deeply regret that circumstances will prevent Bro . S . W ., VV . R . B . Briscoe ' from accepting the office of W . M . of this lodge after having so admirably filled the junior offices , and wish to congratulate him upon his appointment in Egypt , and beg to assure him that their goodwill and brotherly love will follow him wherever he may be . " Notice of motion was given by the Treasurer for an alteration of one of the b y-laws . The brethren dined together under the gavel of the W . M ., Bro . Septimus Croft

Grays Valley Lodge , No . 2147 . The installation meetingof this flourishing provincial lodge ( Kent ) was held at the Schools , St . Marv Cray , on Wednesday , the nth inst . Present : Bros . R . I . Puffh VV . M . ; J . T . Cookson , S . W ., W . M . elect ; F . Stanger , J . W . ; H . Tyre * -, P . M ' Treas . ; G . H . Miles , acting Sec .: W . E . Bailey , S . D . ; A . E . Oxley , J . D . ; £ '

Pugh , acting l . G . ; G . Harlow , jun ., P . M . ; J . Pollard , P . M . ; A . M . Mitchell G . Harlow , sen ., W . Bratt , F . Lewis , A . Taylor , W . Beer , G . Tyrer , and W . Tapsell ' Tyler . The visitors were Bros . G . T . A . Ward , 1504 ; E . Griffiths . 299 ; G . Martin ' W . M . S 29 ; W . R . Ashley , 1531 ; R . J . Voisey , P . M . 1329 ; j . G . Twist , 700 ; C W . Stone , S . D . 507 ; and C H . Stone , P . M . 507 , S . D . 1461 .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . A ballot wis taken for Mr . Walter Beer , which proving unanimous , he was initiated in a commendable manner by the VV . M . The report of the Auditors was received and adopted , which showed the lodge to be in a sound position . Bro . J . T . Cookson , S . W ., WM . elect , was next presented to the W . M . by Bro . G . Harlow , jun ., P . M ., to receive the benefit of installation , which ceremony was performed by the W . M . in a very impressive and perfect manner . The new W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . R . J . Pujh I . P . M . ; Frank Stanger , S . W . ; W . E . Bailey , J . W . j Hy . Tyrer , P . M ., Treat .- ' R . J . Pugh , P . M ., Sec . ; Geo . Harlow , P . M ., D . C . ; A . E . Oxley , S . D . j S . Gale ,

J . D . j L . Pugh , I . G . j A . Taylor and G . Miles , Stwds . j and Wm . Tapsell , Tyler . I'he addresses to the Master and Wardens were ably rendered by the Installing Master , Bro . Pugh . Letters for non-attendance were read from several influential brethren unable to attend to do honour to the W . M . The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to the Five Bells Hotel , St . Mary Cray ( by dispensation ) , to a capital repast , which was much appreciated . The W . M . gave the loval and Misonic toasts in forcible and eloquent terms , as also that of "The ProG . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Offi : ers , Present and Past , " which were duly received .

Bro . G . Harlow , jun ., P . M ., next presented the toast of " The P .-ov . G . Mister , Earl Amherst , " which he did with a great deal of pleasure , and felt it an honour , for no one residing in Kent could help being struck at the excellent manner he performed his duties as Prov . G . M ., and he was undeniably one of the ablest workers in Freemasonry . He ( Bro . Harlow ) should never forget his consecrating the Grays Valley Lodge , and starting it upon its successful career ( then Lord Holmesdale ) , since which limine hal

consecrated the Grays Valley Chapter ( which was an excellent one ) , in each case was it performed in a most exemplary manner . He was , too , ably supported by Bro . Eastes , Dep . Prov . G . M ., one of the best of Masons , who had endeared himself to all who cams in contact with him . He would ask the brethren to drink to the toast in bumpers , wishing them long life and health . He also stated that he had received a letter from Bro . Eastes , saying he was improving in health , which was , indeed , very gratifying . The toast was received with acclamation .

Bro . R . J . Pugh , I . P . M ., next presented the toast of " The Worshipful Master , " which he designated as the toast of the evening . All wished to do him honour and congratulate him upon attaining that position in his mother lodge . He was the ioth Master , and able to continue the good work of his predecessors in the chair , and maintain the efficiency of the lodge second to none in the province . The W . M . had removed from their midst , and was now resident ki London , but , nevertheless , his duties towards the lodge would not be relaxed upon that account . What was required was the introduction of good men and true to the lodge , and theW . M . would show his thorough capabilities .

Bro . Cookson , W . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren for such a cordial greeting . He trusted the G . A . O . T . U . would give him health and strength to enable him to do his duty to the utmost . He hoped to rely upon the hearty co-operation and support of the brethren , and he was confident of the able guidance of one , Bro . Pugh , the esteemeJ I . P . M ., who had done so much for the lodjje , which seemed to be taking a fresh lease of prosperity . He trusted to steer the same course so wisely mapped out by Bro . Pugh ,

and with their able assistance to raise the lodge to its former prestige and continue one of the best in the province . The lodge had voted a jewel to the I . P . M . for ablejservices rendered to the lodge and to mark their high apprecation of him , and it gave him great pleasure to present it , with thc earnest hope that he might live many years to wear the same and remind him of the esteem he was held in by the brethren of the Grays Valley Lodae .

Bro . Tyrer , P . M ., Treas ., proposed the toast of "The Installing Master" in eulogistic terms , which was most cordially received . In reply , Bro . Pugh , Installing Master , said he was extremely obliged for such kind expressions of Bro . Tyrer , who seconded him for initiation in the Iodge . He had attended all the meetings of the lodge since its consecration with one or two exceptions , and when installed into the chair had promised to do his utmost for the lodge , and follow his able

predecessors who had done the same . He could not refrain from thanking the officers for their loyal services during the past year , and trusted thesam : would be meted out to their W . M ., Bro . Cookson . To attain any degree of proficiency an amount of selfdenial was requisite , and he hoped the officers and brethren of the lodge would attend thc lodge of instruction held weekly , and he would promise them that the assistance which had been given so cheerfully in the past would be extended to them in the future to enable them to fulfil their duties with loyalty to the W . M ,

The toast of " The Initiate " was next proposed by the W . M . in very cordial terms . He said that Bro . Beer was the thorough type of a man to be a Freemason and the brethren cf the lodge greeted him well . He hoped that they should enjoy his company for many years to come and that more of his calibre would be introduced to the lodge . The Initiate , in reply , thanked the W . M . for the honour done him and trusted he should carry out its principles to the very fullest .

The toast of "The Past Masters" wis presented by Bro . Stanger , S . W ., in very commendable terms , paying a high eulogium to Bro . Pugh , LP . M ., who had conducted the affairs of the lodge during ths past year to the gratification of all the brethren . He had spared no pains in instructing the officers , and , for himself , he would say they one and all were greatly indebted to him for his great kindness j also of Bro . Harlow , it was always a very great pleasure to see him among the brethren . He had removed from the district , as also had Bro . Tyrer , but the thanks of the lodge were due to them for the great services they hxd rendered , and v / en also willing to bestow , whenever called upon .

In reply , Bro . Harlow , jun ., said , on behalf of the Past Masters , he heartily thanked the brethren . The lodge was progressing very favourably , and he hoped that the same success would attehd it as hitherto . It was to be deeply regretted that during the last year or so two of the Past Misters had passed away , but those who were spared would ever be ready to assist in the well-ruling of the loige when required . He wished the W . M . a successful year , and thanked Bro . Stanger , S . VV ., tor his very cordial expressions towards him . Bro . 1 ' yrer also very gratefully replied .

The toast of " The Visitors " was presented by Bro . W . E . Bailey , J . W ., in appropriate terms . The toast was exhaustively responded to by Bros . G . Martin , W . M . 829 , and C . H . Stone , P . M . 507 .