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but they must recollect that he was then 10 years younger , and had more " go" in him than at present . However , he could only tell them that he should endeavour to the best of his ability to carry out the duties of the office to their satisfaction , and if he did so he was sure it would be to his own gratification , because there was always a certain amount ot vanity in being able to do one ' s duty in a

way that should please his fellow man . It might be very well for a man to go through the ritual from the opening to the closing of a lodge , and to have his officers do the same , but unless the brethren themselves worked with that love and harmony which was always characteristic of the Lodge of Israel , success could not be attained . The great prosperity which had attended the lodge was due

mainly to the action of its members , and he looked to them to support him in his office by that brotherly love and good feeling which they had hitherto done . He would endeavour to maintain that proud and prosperous position which the members had obtained for this lodge , and hoped during his year of office he might give them an opportunity of saying they did not regret having placed

him in the position he now occupied . He then said he had a very important toast to propose , though in the Lodge of Israel it required very few words to evoke the enthusiasm which the brethren would give to it . He asked them to join with him in drinking to "The Healths of the Visitors . " They were honoured by a very numerous array of most distinguished brethren , and he was echoing

the sentiments of every member of the lodge when he said they were all happy and delighted to see them there . It had been the custom in this lodge to read out the names of those who honoured them with their presence ; but really this was such a formidable list—and as the visiting brethren

were here , at any rate , he hoped they were—he would not go through the whole list . He assured the visitors the members were glad to see them , and he would associate with the toast the names of Bros . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br .- , S . Boas , P . M . 194 ; Adams , P . P . G . C Lincolnshire ; Dewsnap , W . M . iSS ; and Valentine , W . M . 1019 .

Bro . Bowyer thanked the W . M . very heartily for the kind manner in which he had coupled his name with the toast of the visitors , and the company for the heartiness with which they had received it . He could assure them , for himself , that he had been so often amongst them during the last 10 years that he scarc-ly regarded himself as a visitor , for he saw so many familiar faces around him . He

thanked them for the bountiful hospitality they had placed before their guests , and if they had not enjoyed this pleasant gathering it was not the fault of the members of the Lodge of Israel . Bro . Boas said , being one of the rulers of a sister lodge , it was a great honour to be called upon to respond to this toast . As this was one of his first visits to the Lodge of Israelhe had been delighted with what he had seen , and

, should endeavour to come amongst them as often as possible . Bro . Dewsnap said he could add but little to what had been said by previous speakers . It had given him the greatest possible pleasure to see the working in the lodge , and also to partake of the hospitality that had followed . This was almost his first visit to this lodge ; but that was

not because he had not been invited many times before , for he had been asked often to come there , and had been prevented . He esteemed their W . M . as an old friend , and in selecting him as their Master they had displayed a wise choice . He heartily congratulated Bro . Henochsberg upon his promotion , for he had done a good deal for Freemasonry , and in the year to come he would do more if the brethren

would only give him plenty of work to do , Bros . Chapman , Adams , and Valentine also replied to the toast , as also did Bros . Casperd , W . M . of the Samson Lodge , and Isaac Davis , in response to calls from the brethren . The W . M . then rose and said if there was one toast more important than another it was that of "The Immediate

Past Master . " No doubt they had heard with a great amount of pleasure the beautiful manner in which Bro . Norden had rendered the installation ceremony that evening . During his Masonic career he had never seen it more admirably carried out . But this was only in keeping with the efficiency he had displayed during his Mastership , which , had they not known it before , would have led them to say

he was a splendid worker ot the ritual of Freemasonry . He was very pleased , in the position of Master of this lodge , to propose his good health . Their I . P . M . had given them a hint why he should have additional gratification in doing this , because they were schoolboys together . He assured the company that he had lost sight of their I . P . M ., and they of each other , for 22 or 23 years . But at length they met in a Masonic lodge , and when he told them that lodge

was the Lodge of Israel he spoke that which was a fact . They might depend upon it that it had afforded him great pleasure to be installed in the position he now occupied by Bro . Norden . He had shown an example to this lodge which was worthy of emulation , and he should try during his year of office to carry out the duties as Bro . Norden had done before him , to give satisfaction to all the members of the lodge , and he wished their I . P . M . long life and

pros-Ine I . P . M ., in responding , acknowledged the kind support he had received from all the brethren of the lodge , without which he should not have been able to go on with his work in a manner satisfactory to the lodge and gratifying to himself . It was to them he owed any credit he might have gained for good working . He expressed his unabated interest in the welfare of the lodge , and said he should

endeavour to do in the future as he had done in the past . The W . M ., in proposing " The Masonic Charities , " said he was sorry that Bro . J . Terry , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , had been obliged to leave , as he was in hopes that they would have heard from him a speech on the advantages of the Masonic Institutions . But if the brethren would only think of the obligations they

had entered into , they would understand that Charity was one of the first and peculiar principles of Freemasonry . They had heard a great deal during the past twelve months of the universal depression of trade in this country , and he dared say most of them had felt that depression in some way . Still he was happy to say that had touched almost

although the depression everybody from a commercial or mercantile point of view , the Masonic Charities had not suffered . On the contrary , they had received far more support in the past year than they had done for many years previously . That spoke a great deal for the great principles of Freemasonry . With respect to the Benevolent Fund of this lodge , he should ask its

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respected President , Bro . A . M . Cohen , P . M ., to respond , and , no doubt , he would , as in former times , ask them for some little assistance to augment that fund . Therefore , he would not encroach upon Bro . Cohen ' s ground . The Benevolent Fund had increased very much , and now amounted to those wonderful figures which Bro . Cohen had often spoken of with so much ambition . They had very nearly got into the four figures , and by the appeal which

he was about to make to them , no doubt they would send the President of the fund away with a buoyant and happy countenance , and in the most pleasant of moods . Bro . A . M . Cohen , P . M ., said a rather difficult task devolved upon him , and he regretted that many of the brethren bad left , inasmuch as he had a great desire to realise the "ambition " which had been alluded to by their W . M . Under no circumstances did they accept donations

from visitors , because it was a pride of the members of the Lodge of Israel that this fund should be devoted to themselves only , so that they could not , and would not accept any subscriptions from brethren who did not belong to the lodge . But he appealed to those who did belong to it , and especially the younger members , to give that assistance to the fund to which the W . M . had so fittingly alluded . Year by year they had increased this fund , until now they

had very nearly reached the proverbial four figures . He depended upon the brethren that night to make up the £ 3 or £ 14 still required to that end . It had been said of the wise King Solomon that he taught us : "Cast your bread upon the waters , and it shall be seen after many days ; " and nothing gave zest to his ( the speaker ' s ) appeal , so much as they knew that they were doing good to those who should come after them . He did not ask them even for the price of the banquet

they had enjoyed that night ; but he asked all , and especially those who had not been prompted to give to this fund at all , to assist him on this occasion . Then he should be able to leave that hall with the buoyancy and bon homie that had been depicted by the W . M . Let them hope this fund would never be required by any of those present , but what a satisfaction it would be to them and to the world at large who were Masons to know that to those who needed they could give without stint and without diffidence .

The appeal was then sent round , and later in the evening Bro . Hogard , Sectetary , announced that the magic figures they had had before them for so many years liad at last been attained . They had that night received one of the largest sums ever collected on an installation night , namely , a total of £ 15 17 s ., which exceeded by about £ 3 is . the figures aimed at by the President of the fund . The W . M ., in proposing the next toast , said the Past

Masters of the Lodge of Israel had made such a name for themselves that the toast needed no words from him to ensure for it an enthusaistic reception . That ni ght they had a glorious array of Past Masters , but that was not in consequence of the installation meeting , for at all the gatherings of the lodge the Past Masters met them in goodly numbers . He had never yet in his Masonic experience seen the principles of brotherly love more full

y extended than in his own cese , though he came as a comparative stranger amongst them . He was taken by the hand and assisted in every way , and he could not forget the kindness they had extended towards him . He coupled with the toast the names of Past Masters Letour and S . Harris , who suitably responded . The Worshipful Master then proposed " The Healths of the Treas . and Sec . " whose ability and efficiency had

been well tried and proved . Bro . Cohen , their Treasurer , had been connected with the lodge over 40 years , and although he had no official record before him , he believed their venerable brother had attended nearly every meeting of the lodge during that long period . While they had so zealous and efficient a Secretary as their esteemed P . M ., Bro . Hogard , the lodge could not but be a success . He paid a flattering compliment to both officers , and the toast

was received with much cordiality . Bro . A . M . Cohen responded as Treasurer , and hoped the lodge would continue to be as prosperous as it was at the present time , and had been for some years past , though he recollected the time , many years ago , when it was not so . The W . M . had alluded to the fact of his having been connected with the lodge over 40 years , and during the whole of that period he had never been absent

half-a-dozen times . In his younger days he came from all parts of the country to attend his lodge , and although he could not expect I . G . A . O . T . U . to spare him much longer at his advanced age , yet he hoped as long as he continued as their Treasurer he should not only receive , but deserve , the encomiums that had been showered upon him . Bro . Hogard having thanked the brethren for the manner in which the toast had been receivedsaid during

, the time he had been a member of this lodge he had endeavoured to fulfil the various duties that had devolved upon him to the best of his ability . They were probably aware that the duties of the Secretary did not begin or end with entering the portals of the lodge . There were many things which occurred when they were not meeting , and it had been his pleasure as well as his duty to attend to every detail connected with the lod ge . He was proud to

see the high position which the lodge had now attained , and with a list of five candidates for initiation at the next meeting , he felt sure that the lodge would go on and prosper—at all events , under the presidency of their present W . M . The lodge had not only a large benevolent fund of its own , but it year by year supported the great Masonic Charities of which they were all so proud . It had been said that times were bad , but , with one exception , last

year realised the largest subscription ever given to the Masonic Charities , which , including the amounts given by the Board of Benevolence , reached the enormous total of over £ 54 , 000 . The brethren aie certainly numerous , but for any body of men to have done such work in one single year spoke volumes for the way in which the brethren supported the various Charities connected with the Order . He was sure that the Masonic virtue inculcated in their hearts at their

initiation , namely Charity , received at the hands of Masons generally a large and significant support . He reminded the brethren that he was a Steward for the Boys' School at the next Festival , and he hoped at their next meeting to say something on that subject . But at this late hour he would merely content himself by again returning his sincere and hearty thanks for the manner in which they had received the toast ot his health , and for the confidence the W . M . had reposed in him by again appointing him Secretary of the good old lodge of Israel . The officers of the lodge having severally responded to

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the compliments paid them , the proceedings were closed with the Tyler ' s toast . During the evening a choice selection of music was given by Miss Annie Matthews , Miss Alice Bocquet , and Mr . Joseph Hay , Bro . Warren Tear , presiding ably at the pianoforte .

FRIENDSHIP LODGE ( No . 206 ) . —The anniversary festival of the above old centenary lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , E . C . A splendid room was temporarily used , the extensive alterations , and which include a handsome Masonic temple , not being yet completed . Bro . J . Lothian Anderson , W . M ., was well and unanimously supported by the P . M . ' s ,

officers , and brethren , and there was an attendance of about 20 visitors . Bro . Anderson , after usual formalities , conferred the Second Degree upon Bro . R . W . Goldie in capital style , and Bro . E . Squirrell , P . M ., next undertook the onerous duty of Installing Master , and proceeded to install Bro . Wm . Gowland , S . W ., W . M . elect , into the chair of K . S ., most impressively and well . On the

admission of the brethren the new W . M . was saluted in due form with customary honours , and prooeeded to invest the officers for the ensuing year . In this duty , Bro . Gowland displayed an amount of ability seldom seen in a newlyinstalled W . M ., the whole of the addresses being rendered ably and with finish . Appointments : Bros . Wm . H . Arber , S . W . ; I . M . Rooney , J . W . ; I . L . Anderson ,

I . P . M ., Treas . ; A . R . Rumsey , P . M ., Sec ; Amos Britton , S . D . ; Wm . Steel , J . D . ; Samuel Gammon , P . M ., D . C . ; Ernest Marquis , I . G . ; E . Squirrell , P . M ., W . S . ; A . W . Tobin , A . W . S . ; and Gullock , Tyler . A masterly rendering of the three charges brought P . M . Bro . Squirrell ' s labours to a successful close , whereupon the W . M . presented Bro . J . L . Anderson , I . P . M ., in the name of the

lodge , with a P . M . ' s jewel , which was intended to mark the high appreciation which the brethren entertain , of his services as W . M . during the past 12 months . Bro . Anderson acknowledged the mark of esteem and promised his best endeavours in the future for the continued prosperity of the Friendship Lodge , which had conferred upon him the additional honour of electing him as its Treasurer .

Among the P . M . s present were Bros . H . M . Collier , F . Wiggins , C T . Scrivenor , J . Waters , and others . The visitors who signed were Bros . A . H . Coleon , P . G . S ., P . M . sS ; H . W . Kedgley , W . M . 1614 ; J . D . Simmonds , 72 ; J . D . Tannahill , S . W . 171 ; H .. Oldham , S . W . 1165 ; C E . Smith , P . G . S ., P . M . 5 S ; Edward Linging , W . M . 1563 ; G . T . H . Seddon , P . M . 174 ; S . J . Pitt , S 90 ; W . T . Christian , P . M . 1662 ; A . Lambert , S . D . 1156 ;

A . Mellish , iSS ; J . J . Coningham , 173 ; VV . Fleming , P . M . 15 S ; R . H . Barton , 3 ; J . G . Deacon , 39 ; and G . H . Stephens , P . M . 1623 . Masonic labour having ended , a splendid banquet was served in one of the new dining saloons , and , under the courteous superintendence of Bro . Ashby , fully maintained

the high character which the Ship and Turtle enjoys . After the banquet the usual toasts were loyally and heartily honoured , and a fine selection of music was given , under the direction of Bro . Heney , by Bros . Sexton , Heney , and Bell , and a happy and pleasant evening was passed , auguring well for the continued prosperity of 206 .

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1614 ) . — The installation meeting of this popular lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on the 12 th inst ., when there were present a large number of brethren , under the presidency of Bro . John Jacobs , W . M . He was supported by Bros . W . H . Kedgley , S . W . ; T . A . Dickson , J . W . ; E . Jacobs , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Bourne , P . M ., Sec . ; G . Stacey , P . M .,

Org . ; B . Solomons , S . D . ; G . Reynolds , I . G . ; W . F . Thorpe , D . C ; R . F . Potter , P . M ., Tyler ; G . Coleman , I . P . M . ; C . Kedgley , P . M . ; S . J acobs , P . M . ; A . Bryan , G . H . Foan , S . Isaacs , G . W . Holditch , L . Isaacs , C . A . Ralph , A . Jacobs , L . Goldsmid , T . Skinner , VV . L / nwin , S . Hewitt , C W . Lodge , W . A . Dowling , J . Woodward , L . Cohen , A . Bush , A . Temple , J . Potter , G . C . Bond , W .

W . Cousins , J . Napper , b . Mills , G . H . Reynolds , Frank Gulliford , W . T . Jay , J . VV . Belcham , A . Freeman , and others . Visitors : Bos . H . Higgins , P . M . 13 S 1 ; A . Clark , P . M . 1227 ; J . Cox , P . M . 190 ; G . H . Walker , P . M . 733 ; A . J . Clausen , 1348 ; J . R . dimming , S . W . 890 ; R . Depriez , 1663 j T . Fisher , J . D . 192 ; E . G . Mansell , 870 ;

S . Renaut , J . D . 1623 ; C . R . Williams , S . W . 72 ; H . Marks , 1349 ; T Redman , 72 ; D . Moss , W . M . 1275 ; W . Roots , S . W . 1273 ; W . Steele , 206 ; F . C . Nicholts , S . D . 706 ; J . Osmond , 134 S ; F . J . Steele , P . M . 1273 ; J ' Skinner , P . M . 538 ; B . Costa , D . C . 1349 ; J . Levine , 1349 ; W . Fowles , S . D . 134 S ; J . Madell , 1201 ; VV . C . Smith , S . W . S 563 ; H . W . Price , W . M . 177 ; C . Godfrey .

204 ; H . Hyams , 134 S ; C . Wise , P . M . 115 S ; H . Robinson , 16 S 1 ; J . Bond , SS 9 , P . M ., P . P . G . P . Surrey ; Frank Locksett , 163 S ; D . Uowler , 511 ; R . Kirk , 1681 ; C . Solomon , 158 ; T . Hanken , 2030 ; G . T . Taylor , 1567 ; G . W . Watts , P . M . 194 ; W . Jones , S . D . 890 ; J . Kowe , 1559 ; VV . Kipps , P . M . 1273 ; L . A . Costa , J . D . 1349 ; and several others .

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . H . W . Kedgley , S . W ., being introduced by Bro . E . Jacobs , P . M . and Treas ., as the W . M . elect , was duly obligated and installed by Bro . John Jacobs , W . M ,, in a very impressive manner . The newly-installed Master then invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . T . A . Dickson , S . W . ;

B . Solomon , J . W . ; Rev . P . M . Holden , Chap , ( who was unavoidably absent ); E . Jacobs , P . M ., Treasurer ; VV . Bourne , P . M ., Secretary ; J . Jacobs , I . P . M . ; G . Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; G . Reynolds , S . D . ; W . F . Thorpe , J . D . ; S . Hewitt , l . G . ; G . Coleman , P . M ., W . S . ; F . Gutfiford , D . C ; C . A . Ralph , A . W . S . ; and R . F . Potter , P . M ., Tyler . The I . P . M ., Bro . J . Jacobs , then delivered the

charges to the Master , Wardens , and brethren in an eloquent and forcible manner . Bro . G . C . Bond read the Auditors' ( Bros . S . Hewitt , C A . Ralph , and G . C Bond ) report , which showed a good balance , proving the lodge to be in a prosperous condition . The new W . M ., in a few well-chosen words , presented Bro . J . Jacobs with a P . M ' s .

jewel , observing that he had not been absent from his duties for one evening . The name of one gentleman was given in as an initiate by the W . M . for the next meeting . The lodge was closed , the W . M . receiving the " Hearty good wishes" of the visitors . The brethren expressed themselves much delighted with the perfect manner in which Bro . J . Jacobs had performed the ceremony of installation that evening .