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the business of the lodge . But they can enjoy the hospitality so generously extended to them , and I am sure that I am speaking the sentiments of all the Grand Officers , Past ard Presrnt , when I assure you that they will always bs glad to accept the invitation ot thc VV . M . and brethren of the Moira Lodge . 1 he Archdeacon of London also responded . The toast of the evening— " The Memory of E * irl Moira , the Patron of the Lodge " —was then proposed by the Treasurer vvith all the eloquence and force which for 13 succpssive years have characterised his delivery of this oration .

Next followed " The Health of the W . M ., " vvhich was introduced by Bro . J . M . Mitchell , I . P . M ., vvho said : That "Our wisdom is not of yesterday can be said of us as well as of the Greeks . It vvas not given to the men of old time only to recognise the iirp rlance of choosing a leader for his merit and abilities . We , too , feel and practice it . S me 5 ears ago in the far East the ruins of a city were discovered ; further investigalii n proved the site to be lhat of the oldest city in the world , the City of Ackad , menli mt d in Genesis . Explorat ' oi hid bare what proved to be the remains of a vast library

written on terra cotta in ancient characters . There vvere treatises on medicine , on art , on magic , and military matters . Among the last was found a work on " Choosing a leader or Master ; " he must be great in battle , a renowned hunter , of sound judgment , pnd ccurteous to all men . Times have changed since that book was written , upwards of 5000 years ago , but wc Freemasons at any rate have not so greatly changed . VVe , too , still choose our leader , feeling that to his qualities are to be attributed our prosperity and success . The ceremonv that we have seen to-night impresses this fact on us over

and over again . We have no doubt that Bro . Maurice Tvveedie , the Master vve have chesen , has a'l the qualities required of him , for although we ' . have not so far proved him " great in battle , " we feel that it is not to be doubted that should occasion arise he , as the direct descendant of the " Black Tweedies of Drumellzier , " famed in Scottish history and sto y , who many a time have harried the Northern Border , would lead us to victory . The VVorshipful Master replied , as follows : When a man is of age he is usually supposed to be able to answer for himself , but that ( at any rate , on the present Decifor

sion ) , is a mere supposition , for 1 feel the same difficulty in answering myself now as 1 should have done had 1 not been of age , and my difficulty is increased when I find that 1 have to respond to sentiments which have been expressed towards me , to vvhich I am not entit ' ed and to which I cannot lay claim . I can , therefore , only trust that at the end of my year of office I may have proved myself in some degree worthy of them , and if I succeed in so doing it vvill bs because 1 have taken advantage of the example set by those vvho have gone before me ; if I fail , however , it shall not be for the want of

trying . I am fully conscious of the great confidence you arc placing in me by electing me to the chair of K . S . to preside over you during the coming year , and sincerely trust that at the end of that period you vvill not find that your confidence has been misplaced . The se of the brethren who have already passed the chair are now in the happy position of being able to look back upon a glorious past , and 1 trust that I may consider myself in the equally enviable position of being ab ' e to look forward to a promising future .

'The toast of " The Visitors , " vvhich was very cordially received , was acknowledged fi * st of all by Bro . Eve , P . G . Treas ., who spoke of the great pleasure vvith vvhich he had listened to the eloquent address of Bro . Wilkinson , and expressed a sanguine hope that ths new VV . M . would uphold the high prestige of the lodge so deservedly held in the past and present .

Bro . Rev . E . G . Houndlc next responded , and lastly , Bro . G . VV . Speth , Secretary of the Qaatucr Coronati Lod < e , vv ' , in the'name of that now most fl lurishing association , thinked the brethren of the M lira Lodge for having originally recommended the petition for a warrant of constitution , vvhich had been submitted 11 years _ previously by the founders of No . 207 C , for the favourable consideration of the M . W . G . M .

In proposing " The Past Masters , " the VV . M . said : There are a few names of brethren , who have long ceased to bs with us , of which 1 should like to remind youthere vvas Bro . Henry Phillips , a Masonic scholar , far in advance of his age , who published the Harleian Manuscript , No . 1042 , one of the most remarkable versions of the old operative Constitutions , in 1 S 36 . Then there vvas Bro . John Bigg , for many years the foremost orator in the parliament of the English Craft , and Bro . G . W . Potter , P . G . D ., Secondary of the City of London , whose memory is one of the choicest

traditions of our lodge . These brethren , indeed , have passed away , but the lodge is not deficient in living Past Masters , whose services to Masonry are deserving of the highest praise ; yet , as 1 am told I shall best study their wishes by not enlarging on this topic j let me conclude by referring to one vvho has but recently gained the distinction of being a P . M . of the Moira Lodge—I allude to Bro . Mitchell , whose term of office his been

marked vvith success , and it has not been a barren year , for h : has conferred the first two Degrees , and , I know , vvas prepared with thc third had occasion called upon him , and he has worked them not only vvith credit to himself , but as an example to the lodge , and I should like to congratulate him on the success he has attained and ask him to consider that those congratulations carry vvith them the best thanks of the lodge for the way in vvhich he has presided over us during the past year .

The I . P . M . replied in the following terms : As the Immediate Past Master ol the Moira Lodge , 1 have listened vvith peculiar interest to the remarks of Bros . Eve and Speth on the past history of our lodge , lt has been well said that " To know our duty and to do it successfully , in this little formula lies the past history of England . " Hrethren , 1 feel strongly that to duty recognised and successfully done is alone due the position that our lodge now occupies . I am sure that the Past Masters , of whom I am now proud to form one , have acted on this principle from the foundation of the lodge .

As for myself , I have personally to thank the VVorshipful Master for the way in which he has spoken of my services to the lodge during ths past year , and 1 would remind those of my brt thren who are still to occupy the chair , and in their turn become Past Masters , that ihe office which has been conferred upan me to-night has given a phrase to the English language , and that to be a ' * Past Master" in anything denotes that perfection to which I think wc all endeavour to attain . Brethren , in the nam 3 of the Past Masters , I thank you .

Other toasts followed , that of " Thc Officers " being acknowledged in a humorous speech by Bro . the Rev . R . 1 . Woodhouse , S . W . ; and Bros . Wilkinson and Gould severally replied for * ' The Treasurer and Secretary . " The musical entertainment was a very choice one , and reflected the utmost credit nptn Bio . 1 Iermann Heydrich , under whose direction it vvas provided . The vocalists were Miss Miric Hooton , Mdlle . Oita Brony , and Mr . Arthur Walcnn ; and the instrumental ! . ts , Bro . Hermann Heydrich ( pianoforte ) , and Miss Winifred Jones ( violin ) .

Piccadilly Lodge , No . 2550 . I he imt illation meeting of this lodge vvas held at the Cafe Monicr , Regent-circus , Piccadilly , on the jth instant , when there were present Broa . Fred . Arnold , P . M ., W . M . ; VV . F . Bates , P . M ., S . W . ; | . Russell , P . M ., J . W . ; C Arnold , Treas . ; A . W . Bec ' eham , Sec ; VV . C . Clark , S . U . ; T . B . Tipton , J . D . ; A . A . Jordan , I . G . ; T . H . Parry , D . C ; | . Leigh , Org . ; J . Strange and G . J . Charlton , Stwds . ; A . J . Bignold , P . M . ; C . " P . Wyatt , F . Penn , R . L . Cooke , W . Brooman , G . W . Hayward , G . J . Anderson , P . M . ; W . Gibbs , W . G . Weller , J . Claxton , and H ,

Evenden , P . M ., lyler . Visitors : Bros . I * . Duke , 1 S 42 ; G . B . Spicer , 1891 ; L . Potts , P . M . 171 O ; G . Holland , P . M . lOa *; ) . Langdon , W . M . ; H . K . Cheese , W . M . 145 ; F . Butler , 17 lG ; II . J . Grace , P . M . 2028 ; A . J . Hardwick , P . M . 2409 ; T . Davies , 13 S 1 ; | . T . O ^ croft , 902 ; F . Larner , P . M . 2054 ; F . Buxton , P . M . 2054 , W . M . 24 C 0 ; E . Weston , 1 O 24 ; R . A . K n „'» bury , P . M . idfii ; J . G . Fisher , 2054 ; S . Raven , P . M . 1257 ; F . Goodchild ; L . Brandt , SOo ; G . W . Deer , 171 O ; C . F . II nncvitz , W . M . 1 G 27 ; F . II . Scroggie , 1441 ; W . A . Tapper , lyoj Belhomme , 174 .. : and R . T . VVest , 1744 .

After the usual routine business , Ihe VV . M . raised Brjs . Cooke , Brooman , and Hayward to the Third Degree , and afterwards passed Bros . Weller and Clayton . Bro . Fied Arnold's working of the ritual was performed in a manner that it would be impossib ' c to equal . The VV . M . elect , Bro . W . F . Bates , P . M ., wis then presented , and installed in ' o the chair by Bro . Fred Arnold in a in jst impressive manner . Thc following brethren vvere appointed ofiicers , and , wilh the exception of one absentee , were invested : B . os . I . Russell , P . M ., S . W . ; A . J . Bigno'd , P . M ., J . W . ; C Arnold , Treas . ; A .

W . Beckham , Sec . ; W . C . Clark , S . D . ; T . B . Tipton , J . D . ; A . A . Jordan , I . G . ; T . II . Parry , D . C ; R . Bearcroft , J . Strange , and G . J . Charlton , Stewards ; J . Leigh , Org . ; and II . Evenden , P . M ., Tjler . The usual addresses were very ably rendered by Bro . Fred Arnold , who closed his career as ruler of the lodge with eclat . The next duty ol Ihe new W . M . was as he observed , a very important and pleasing one , it being to present to Uro . Fred Arnold a Past Master ' s jewel . No one had worked harder for that inw lodge , and it was not often that a new lodge could boast of having a balance on the lit ht side at the lirst vcar 0 / ils existence , but it was so with them , and Bro . Arnold was

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the cause of that happy " state of affairs , and his great services would never be forgotten . In acknowledging the jewel , Bro . Arnold thanked the W . M . for his kind , but flittering , remarks . It was a great satisfaction to him that his effort ; were appreciated , and his earnest thanks were due to his officers and the members for all the kindnesses he had received at their hands during the happy time he vvas Master of the Piccadilly Lodge . After other business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a superb banquet . At tbe close of the repast , the VV . M . gave "The Oueen and the Craft , " remarking

that she was Queen of an Empire on vvhich the sun never set and where Freemasonry vvas universal . " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " having been honaured , Bro . Fred Arnold I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master . " He said that it vvas his privilege to submit the toast , vvhich was not only important but the one of the evening . In Bro . Bates they had one perfect in the ritual . He was Preceptor ol several very impirtant lodges of instru : tion in Lindm , and it vvas needless for him to state that he would be able to do everything asked of him , and would keep the lodge well to the front .

The toast was received with much enthusiasm , and Bro . Bates , W . M ., on rising to respond , had a hearty reception . He stated that after the way he had been toasted , it vvas difficult for him to adequately respond . Nothing gave him greater pleasure thin to do anything in Masonry . The I . P . M . had referred to what he had done in lodgesof instruction , but that vvas a labour of love , and he would be very willing to render instruction to any who might bs in need of it . He had often attended six and sometimes

seven lodges of instruction in one week . They must pardon him for harping on the subject , but unless they attended lodges of instruction they could not aspire to the chair , and it should bs thc ambition of all to attain that high position . He was proud of his position as Master of the lodge , vvhich 12 months ago vvas not known , and he hoped the great success it had met vvith would be continued and recognised , and that the membsrs would turn out some of the best in thc Craft and make the lodge well known , as he thought it deserved to bs .

The W . M . gave " The Immediate Past Master and Installing Master , Bro . Fred . Arnold . " He said the installation ceremony was performed in a most masterly manner , and he thought that all present appreciated the perfect working . The toast vvas drunk vvith acclamation . Bro . Fred . Arnold , I . P . M ., in reply , said he was deeply gratified with the way they had received him . 'Ihe position was unique , as he was the senior and junior Past

Master . He was the first Master , and he was proud to retire with a balance , which , he understood , vvas somewhat rare for a new lodge , after 12 months ' existence , to have money in hand , and although he vvas going on the shelf , it would not take away the great interest he had in the lodge , but he should continue to work hard to promote its interests . He vvas succeeded by a veteran in Masonry , and the lodge was quite safe in his experienced hands .

In submitting" The Charities , " the VV . M . stated that it was a toast that should always be given at every Masonic gathering . In eloquent terms he urged the members to give liberally—they would never miss it—and in the absence of Bro . McLeod , Sec . of the Boys' Institution , he coupled the name of Bro . Fred . Arnold with the toast . Bro . Fred . Arnold , I . P . M ., responded . He said that it was his intention to go up as Steward for the Boys . The members had supported him in the past and he hoped they would do so in the future . It wou'd be the first time the lodge would be represented at the Boys' Festival and he earnestly trusted they would send him up with a list

very large in amount and one that would redound to their new lodge . The Worshipful Master subsequently stated that Bro . Tipton , J . D ., hid started the 1 . P . M . ' s list vvith a subscription of five guineas . In giving the toastof " The Visitors , " the Worshipful Master remarked that they vvere always glad to receive and entertain their guests . They had a large and grand array that evening and they were honoured with their presence . He associated with the toast the names of Bros . J . G . Fisher , H . J . Grace , P . M . ; F . Buxton , P . M ., W . M . ; W . A . Tapper , W . M . ; and Poynter . In response , Bro . J . G . Fisher said that the working was superb and could not be

better . Bro . H . J . Grace , P . M ., stated that he did not expect to have been called upon to respond , but he appreciated the honour . He vvas delighted with the working of the I . P . M ., which vvas admirable . In his Province , Leicestershire , they were proud of their working , but it did not come up to what he had witnessed that evening . He had thoroughly enjoyed himself and should ever remember that happy evening . Bro . F . Buxton , P . M . and W . M . 2460 , slid that he was pleased to have seen the

W . M ., one of his oldest friends in Masonry , installed into the chair , and he had run him neck for neck in the Craft . He congratulated the members in hiving in Bro . Fred . Arnold one of the best I . P . Ms , in the whole of the metropolis . J Bros . Tapper , W . M . 190 ; C . F . Bennewitz , VV . M . 1627 ; G . Holland , P . M . 1634 ; and Poynter also acknowledged the toast in some excellent speeches , testifying to the good working and the minner in which the visitors had been welcomed and entertained .

The W . M . gave " The Treasurer and Secretary . " He said they deserved every praise for their very great services , both before and since the consecration of the lodge , which vvas a big success , and that was a good answer for their strenuous efforts . The Treasurer had done everything asked of him , and it vvas appreciated by the members . Then , as to the Secretary , very few knew the work a Secretary had to do before a new lodge was formed and to get it into working order . Their Secretary had done all that , and they could not sufficiently thank him for his great labours .

Bro . C . Arnold , Treas ., responded in happy terms , observing that he thought the lodge would not be backward in supporting the Charities . Bro . A . VV . Beckham , Sec , stated thit so long as he held his office he would do his utmost . He had had a lot of work in the past , but if the lodge prospered he would be amply repaid for vvhat he had dons . If the lodge would liberally support the Charities he would be delighted , and if the lodge continued in its prosperity they ought to give hundreds to the three Institutions , because he knew the greit things the Charities had done .

" The Masonic Press " was next given by the Worshipful Master , coupled with the name of Bro . R . T . West , who responded . The Worshi p ful Master gave " The Officers . " He said that he wis honoured and well-supported with an excellent staff , and when they went forward to higher ofiice they would be found perfect . He joined with the toast the nimes of Bros . J . Russell , P . M ., S . W ., and A . J . Bignold , P . M . and J . W ., who both responded in appropriate terms . The Tyler ' s toast brought to an end a grand gathering , which vvas highly satisfactory in every detail .

The musical entertainment was of the very best , and was carried out under the direction of Bro . J . Leigh , Org ., assisted by Bros . G . J . Anderson , Davies , T . Best-Folkes , and Mr . W . J . Morrell , but special mention should be made of Bro . Best-Folkes .

Kennington Lodge , No . 1381 . This lodge met at the Horns Tavern , Kennington Park , on the 3 rd instant . Among those attending were Bros . Dr . Millsom , W . M . j Colwell , S . W . j Barry , J . W . j G . Everett , P . M ., P . G . Treas ., Treas . j Hearn , P . M ., acting Sec . j Davis , J . D . ; Chishoim , I . G . ; H . Higgins , P . M . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; C . H . Kohler , P . M . ; R . Li Feuillade , P . M . j W . VV . Westley , P . M . j J . La Feuillade , P . M ., * Dennis , P . M . ; and Reinardt , Tyler . Among the visitors was Bro . II . J . Lardner , P . M . 1715 , G . Steward .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Two brethren were passed to the Second Degree , and two gentlemen vvere initiated , both ceremonies being well performed . Bro . Colwell was then unanimously elected W . M . j Bro . Li Feuillade was elected Treasurer j and Bro . Reinardt , T y ier . The Audit Committee having been elected to audit the accounts on the third Tuesday in January , a Past Master ' s jewel was voted with acclamation to the W . M . Previously to the lodge being closed , the W . M . stated that it was his intention to embody a resolution on the next summons thanking Bro . George Everett , P . M ., for themanner in which he had

discharged the duties of Treasurer to the lodge for so many years with credit to himself and to the undoubted advantage of its members . He personally regretted that , solely on the ground of ill-health , Bro . Everett had resigned that position . The lodge was then closed . At thc banquet the W . M . presided in a most happy and genial manner . "The Health of the Grand Officers" was coupled with the name of Bro . IL J < Lardner , G . Steward , who responded in a neit speech . Other toasts followed . 'The proceedings , whir . ' a w ; r « very enjoyable , terminated at an early hour .