Craft Masonry

National Artillery Lodge , No . 257 S . The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , on the 20 th inst ., when there were present the following brethren : Bros . Mijor Vane Stow ; H . Lovegrove , G . S . B . ; Wailes , P . M . ; Capt . Postans , P . M . ; Capt . Turner Emery ; Capt . Wilson ; Capf . Nicholls , VV . M . 222 S : Lieut . J . G . W . James , P . M . ; Capt . Langman ; Major Lewis-Barned ; the Rev . Canon Whittington , P . M . ; tie Rev . Dawson Clarke , P . M . ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and rg 2 . S : Capt . Horncastle ; Col . Tully , P . M . ; Major J-H . Wrenn ; Col . Inglis ; Col . VV . B . Murley ; Capt . Cecil Wray , R . A . ; J . VV . T . Chapman , P . M . ; and James Horncastle .

There was a heavy list of business before the brethren , and Bro . Lieu 1 :. J . G . VV . James , P . M ., passed to the Second Degree Bros . Major J . H . Wren and Capt . Cecil Wray , R . A .. Adju ' ant H . A . C After that ceremony was completed , Bro . Capt . Postans , P . M ., raised to the Third Degree Bro . Capt . Horncistle . Bro . Henry Lovegrove , G S . B ., next installed Bro . Major H . Vane Stow as Master of the lodge for the ensuing 3 ear . Bro . Lieut .-Col . . J . T . Ritchie , P . D . G . S . B ., the first W . M . of ' the lodge was unable to be present to be invested as I . P . M ., and Bro . Capt . Postans . received the collar for him . The other officers for the year were Bros . Lieut .-Col . the Right Hon . the Earl

of Stradbroke , S . W . ; Capt . VV . Nicholls , VV . M . 222 S , f . VV . ; the Rev . Canon Whittington , M . A . Oxon , Chap . ; Capt . E . VV . Postans , P . M . 34 , I . P . M . 24 S 4 Treas . ; I ieut . J G . VV . James , P . M . 795 , I . P . M . 1002 , P . P . G . S . B . Berks . Sec . ; Capt . Turner Emery , S . D . ; Capt . H . C Wilson , J . D . ; Lieut . Rohson , I . P . M , 7 G 4 , I . G . ; Major II . B . Lewis-Barned , Org . ; MajorVV . Richardson , P . M . 561 , D . C . ; Capt . A . W . Langman , Steward ; and Charles Warren , T yler . The W . M . informed the brethren th : t Bro . Field-Marshal Lord Roberts , G . C . B ., & c , was unable to he present having that evening an important engagement in Belfast . Two gentlemen were

successfully balloted for as initiates , Major T . Stewart Inglis , late City of London V . Artillery , and Major Sidney Wishart , City of London V . Artillery , but their initiation was deferred . The W . M . announced that unless any other brother wished to take up a Stewardship for the Institutions he should be glad to stand for the Boys' School , and he hoped all the brethren would support him . The lodge was afterwards closed and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet . Bro . Henry Lovegrove , G . S . B ., in respondingto the toast of "The Grand Odicers , " said that a few days ago at Longton , in Staffordshire , no one but he had the honour of

carrying the sword of Gustavus Adolphus before the Prince of Wales , and on that occasion he was very pleased to hear the Grand Master speak as he did about Freemasonry amidst the huzzahs of those who were assembled . The brethren were all enthusiastic , notwithstanding the bad weather and that all had to walk through a quagmire . The work that night was under more favourable , circumstances , and he was g lad to be present to perform the work of installing the VV . M ., although he was afraid he had not done it satisfsctorily . He had had a great deal of work to do during the day , and that , perhaps , accounted for the badness of the way in which he worked in the lodge .

Speaking for the Grand Officers , he might say they all did their work with pleasure . A great many brethren in the Craft also did their work well , but they were not all noticed . He had himself done a great deal of work , and it had occupied much time , but he had met many friends , and he had also received his reward . He could assure the brethren that he would still continue to do the work , and should have done so if he had not received Grand Office . Freemasonry was a very grand Institution , and if for nothing else because of its noble Charities , which all Masons in this country appreciated . He saw around the board enthusiastic Masons , and he was sure they would go on with great

delight to attain the highest post they could . Capt . James he had known a long time , and he also knew his excellent career as aMison . The J . W ., Capt . Nicholls , he had known longer still , and he knew the great good he had done for Freemasonry . Bro . Massey was a very old friend of his , who , in his Masonic press career of 33 years had done as much good as any one in spreading information with regard to the great virtues cf Freemasonry , and yet who was always unobtrusive and quiet . Although among the company he saw some for the first time , he was jjlad to see them , a ^ d he was particularly glad to see Majir Vane Stow in the chair of the National

Artillery Lodge . He ( Bro . Lovegrove ) was nevfr an artillery man , but he was once an officer under Lord Lathom in the Artists' Rifle Corps . Having afterwards a great deal of business on hand , when the time came for him to be promoted to a captain he had n . t the leisure to study for his qualification , and he gave it uo , although he was proud to serve under such a distinguished man as the Earl of Lathom . He hid got his son t ) take volunteering up . In the National Artillerv Lodge there were both regulars and Volunteers , and when those two services were j . ined in one lod ^ e he was no : at all surprised that it was a model lodge .

Bro . Henry Lovegrove , G . S . B ., next proposed "The W . M ., "a toast somewhat difficult for a stranger , but made easy by the knowledge that in that case Major Vane Stow had attained a high position as a military man . He hoped the W . M . would have a successful year . _ The brethren of the National Artillery Lodge knew him well , and were acquainted with his merits . They were all confident he would be a worthy successor to Colonel Ritchie , R . A ., P . M ., P . D . G . S . B ., in the well-ruling and governing of the lodge

Bro . Major H . Vane Stow , VV . M ., in responding to the toast , said it was with great pleasure he rose for the fi . st time to do so . He had not sought the position ; he had been put into it ; and he would endeavour to do his best for the lodge . There were varicus things one had a desire to do when in that position ; sometimes it was very difficult to know what to do . That night there had been much to do , but through the kindness of their would-be initiate , they had been sived some work , which , however , would be shortly done at an emergency meeting . Bro . Lovegrove had kindly attended to perform the installation ceremony , and had done i" with great efficiency ; his

apologies for his performance were quite unnecessary . Those brethren who had heard the ceremony performed from time to time would know Bro . Lovegrove performed it well , and that it was not to be ashamed of . As Bro . Lovegrove had mentioned one or two things , he ( the VV . M . ) would do the same . One subject Bro . Lovegrove mentioned was the presence of Bro . Massey , whom he said he was glad to see . He ( the VV . M . ) was very pleased to hear that mentioned ; he also was pleased at the presence of Bro . Massey , because he was an ancient amongst the Artillery Volunteers . There was one before who called himself "The Ancient" in the Volunteer Force , but he had

gone , and Bro . Massey was the Artillery Volunteers' Ancient at Shoeburyness . Bro . Massey had also for some years now brought down his son to S . hoeburyness , who was following in his father ' s footsteps to do the best he could for the National Artillery Association . It was exceedingly gratifying to him ( Major Vane Stow ) to see Bro . Massey at his installation that night and occupying the chair of J . W . during the ceremony . It was not , however pleasing to him that so many brother officers were absent , but it was an enforced absence . Lord Stradbroke , the S . W ., was but he had shown great interest in the lodge by attending little rehearsals of the

ceremonies . Then there was Lieut . Robson , I . G ., who had sent a letter expressing his great regret at being absent . Colonel Ritchie , I . P . M ., too , he was very busy on the reorganisation of the Royal Artillery ; the regiment was being split up and he was working hard . He hoped the re-organisation would go on in such a way as to justify Colonel Ritchie ' s absence . There was another absentee , Lord Roberts , he wrote a charming letter , apologising for his absence which was caused by his being compelled to be at a

large gathering in Belfast that night . Those letters showed that although the writers were absent in body they were present in spirit and they would like to know that this meeting went off well . This lodge would be the nucleus of ore which would grow to something like the magnitude of the mother lodge , the Ubique , which had a bad time at first , but was now doing very well . The National Artillery Lodge was not having a bad time ; it had a large field to recruit from if the brethren would only bring in their fiiends who were desirous to join the Older .

Bro . Col . Tully in responding to the toast of " The Visitors , " said he did not remember a led ge meeting where there were so many P . Ms , present . That showed the interest this Ici ' ge had excited in the members of other lodges . He was glad the lodge had so good a W . M . .

Col . Inglis said he certainly expected to be initiated that night , and he had come a long distance for the purpose ; but he did not wish to spoil a good dinner by prolongirg the operations of the lodge . He shruld be very pleased to come up again , and he had no doubt he would get on very well with the brethren . He had had a great ambition for many years to be a Mason , but he had been a busy man and had not been able 1 ° 'pare the time . That night he had come 60 miles : to-morrow he should go So miles

Jor his next appointment . All his time had been occupied , except that small portions he had been able to devote to tie Volunteer Force . Now that his connections with the Volunteer Force had been se \ ered by age , he could spare time for his first love , •" reemasonry . His father had been a Mason , and all his ( Col . Inglis ) brothers were Masons . The other toasts were given and the brethren separated after spending a "lost delightful even i ng . The Benevolent box realised £ 3 17 s . fid .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Lion and Lamb Chapter , No . 192 . A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 20 th instant , at the Citv Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , E . C . Present : Comps . John Taylor , P . Z ., M . E . Z . ; T . E . Biddlecombe , II . ; VV . Haynes Dunn , J . ; George Kenning , P . Z ., Treas . ; F . D , Rees Copestick , P . Z ., S . E . ; Fredk . Hughes , S . N . ; Thos . VV . Fisher , P . S . ; Robt .

Sarson , 1 st A . S . ; Thos . Cohu , P . Z ., D . C . ; G . Cnuchman , Janitor ; S . M . Banker , P . Z . ; I . VV . Fisher , G . K . Durrant , II . Todd , F . V . Goddard , William Baker , T . G . Robe-son , C . G . Diamond . D . Ringrose , Walter Fisher , John Kent , and Frank Hamlet . Visitors : Comps . VV . S . Whitaker , P . Z . 1573 ; G . VV . Speth , 54 S ; VV . Worrell , P . Z , 7 66 ; H . E . Cooper , P . Z . 1446 ; and VV . Taylor , S 02 .

The minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed , as also the report of the Audit Committee . The ballot was then taken for Bros . Chas . Graham Diamond , Frank Hamlet , and Evan Philips , which proved in their favour , and the two first being present , they were duly exalted into Iljly Royal Arch Masonry by Comp . F . D . R . Copestick . The next business being the installation of Principals , thev were duly installed and invested as follows : Comps . T . E . Biddlccombe , M . E . Z . ; VV . H . Dunn , H . ; F . Hughes , J . ; F . D . Rees Copestick , P . Z ., S . E . ; J . W . Fisher , S . N . j George Kenning , P . Z ., Treas . ; R . Sarson , P . S . ; G . Grant , 1 st A . S . ; William Baker , 2 nd A . S . ; T . Cohu , D . C . and Steward ; and G . Couchman , Jani ' or .

There being no other business , the chapt » r was closed , and the companions dined under the gavel of Comp . Biddlecombe , the M . E . Z . The evening ' s entertainment was e . nlivened by the vocal abilities of Miss Amy Fletcher , the Misses Worrell , and Bro . Egbert Roberts .

Warrant Officers Chapter , No . 2346 . A meeting of the above chapter was held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , W . C , when there were present Comps . C A . Puph , M . E . Z . ; R . Jennings , P . Z . acting H . ; W . A . Greene , J . ; M . A . Mclnerny , Scribe E . ; A . J . Williamson , Scribe N . ; Howe , acting P . S . ; Betts , First A . S . ; Freeman , Janitor ; A . Molony , P . Z . ; Parton , McGill , Edis , and Bailey .

The chapter was duly opened and tire minutes read . Comp . A . Fraser , of Eurek Chapter , No . 1043 , Bangalore , was balloted for and accepted as a joiningcompanion . Bro . A . Copsey was balloted for and accepted as a candidate for exaltation and he being in attendance was duly exalted . The chapter was closed .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Porchester Lodge , No . 27 . The officers and brethren of this lodge assembled at the Temperance Hill , Newbury , on Thursday , the 21 st inst ., under the presidency of Bro . C . E . Keyser , VV . M . The principal business was the election of VV . M ., and the choice of the brethren unanimously fell upon the Senior Warden , Bro . E . Hill , who was prevented atten ling through ilhess . The Prov . Grand Mark Lodge , having accepted the invitatioi given to hold their annual

meeting under the banner of the Porchester Lodge in Newbury next sunnier , Bro . Keyser invited them to Aldermaston Park , where it would afford hin much pleasure to entertain them at dinner . Bio . Keyser ' s suggestion was fu'ly approved by th " . brethren present , and , on the motion of Bro . Coshurn , P . M ., seconded by Uro Knig ' it , P . VI ., 3 hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the VV . M . for his most liberal offer . The VV . M . was also supported bv Bros . Harrold , P . M . ; Belcher , P . M . ; ' "^ y , Stickland , Turner , J . Stradling , E . VV . Goddard , J . Legg , and others .

The lodge was succeeded by a meeting of the Hope Chapter , those present including Comps . C . E . Keyser , M . E . Z . ; R . Ravenor , H . ; Rev . VV . M . Hooe , 'J . j Stephen Knight , S . E . j VV . Id . Belcher , P . Soj . ; and others . At the conclusion of thc business , the brethren adjourned to the Queen's Hotel tc supper , at which Bro . Keyser presided . """

Cesarean Lodge , No . 74 . This old and very prosperous lodge met on emergency at thc Masonic Temple , Stopford-street , St . llelier ' s , Jersey , on Friday , the 27 th November , when there was a large number in attendance . The lodge was op-ned , when there were present Bros . E . Bre ? , P . J . G . D ., P . M . ; L . P . H . spiradoux , I . P . M . ; P . Bois , P . M . ; W . J . Pugsley ,

Treas . ; P . G . Hamilton , P . M ., Sic . ; Rev . S . S . Stitt , Chap . ; Capt . J . C Barrette , S . W . ; J . VV . Handing , J . W . ; Major F . J . Godfrey , M . O . ; Dr . Maxwell Le Cronier , S . O . ; A . W . Godfray , I ' . O . ; L . Boyson . S . D . ; C H . Wilson , J . D . ; T . B . Cummings , I . G . ; Thos . C Perkinson , H . G . B . Watson , Major C . G . Vatcher , J . U . Ha-per , H Wakely , J . 11 . Venn , S . Gilley , J . Amy , VV . Gosling , VV . H . Himbly , Tyler ; and others .

The Secretary having read the summons and stater ) the reasons of the emergency meeting , the ballot proved unanimous in favour for Capt . F . B . Blennerhisset , Astrea Lodge , No . 38 , Burmah , and , being in attendance , he was admitted in the usual manner . After this the following were balloted for advancement : Bros . Arthur Walker , W . Sharp , C Baker , VV . M ., A . B . Harden , S . D ., all of 244 ; D . Leidir , 124 S ; VV . Curtis , 245 ; j . Gould , 153 G ; VV . II . Burt , 244 ; and F . French . The ballot pr . iving unanimous in their favour , all with the exception ot Bros . H . VV . Burt and F . French , who were not in attendance , were then most ably and impressively

advanced to the honourable degree of a M . M . M . by the W . M ., Bro . Bice ; Bros . L . P . Hespiradoux , P . M ., and P . Bois , P . M ., obligating the candidates , assisted by a complement of most able officers . The ceremonies were gone through in such perfect manner and style on this occasion that everyone assisting enjoyed a mentil treat of no mean character . This work being completed , the Secretary having read letters of apology for non-attendance from the absent candidates and from the actual W . M ., Bro . J . H . Goldsmith , and " Hearty good wishes " for the welfare of the Cesarean Lodge having been expressed , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the festive board under Bro . Ilambly ' s special and excellent supervision .

The Worshipful Master , as usual , presided most genially , his speeches were to the point , but commendably b : ief . A most enjoyable evening was spent . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts being given and enthusiastically responded to . The conviviality of the evening was pleasingly diversified with music , songs , and recitations , and the Tyler ' s toast brought a very sociable and pleasant gathering to an end .

The working of the above lodge is according to the established ritual . and the execution of the ceremonies in every respect faultless . The amount of Masonic business transacted at this meeting was considered by the Past Masters present to be the largest on record .

St . Peter and St . Paul Lodge , No . 163 . By a special dispensation of Grand Lodge , Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Addington was duly installed Worshipful Master of the above lodge at Ne vport Pagnell on Tuesday evening , the 12 th inst . The ceremony of installation was performed in an excellent manner by Bro . C . F . Matier , Grand Secretary , who introduced , during the ritual , an appropriate allusion to the honour conferred by Grand Lodge upon Bro . Lord Addington . The VV . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros , the Rev . VV . L . Harnett , Dep . Master ; Sampson , S . W . and Treas . ; Hippsley , J . W . ; the Rev . V . P . Wyatt ,

Chap , and M . O . ; F . VV . Taylor , S . O . ; Pope , J . O . ; T . Taylor , Sec . ; S . E . Hipwell , S . I ) . ; W . VV . Carlile , M . P ., J . D . ; Simpson , I . G . ; VV . J . Levi , Org . ; and Dr . Wickham and Pearce , Stwd . After the ceremony , the brethren repaired to the S . van Hotel for the banquet , which was prepared in excellent style by Bro . Cannm . Bro . C . F . Matier acknowledged the toast of " The M . W . Pro Grand Mark Master , Bro . the Earl of Euston ; and the R . W . Deputy Grand Mark Master , Bro . Viscount Dungarvan , " and suitably apologised for the absence of the Earl of Euston .