Consecration Of The Commercial Travellers' Lodge, No. 2631.

Bros . T . W . Rice , P . P . S . G . W ., acting as S . W . ; G . Harradon , P . P . G . Treas ., acting as J . W . ; the Rev . T . H . Leeson , P . G . C , acting as Chaplain ; Thomas Vernon , P . P . G . D . C , acting as D . C . ; W . Goodacre , P . G . S B ., P . G . SJC , acting as Secretary ; W . Savage , P . P . G . Treas ., acting as I . G . ; J . Armstrong , P . P . G .

Sup t . Wks . Cheshire ; J . C Robinson , P . P . G . D . C . ; H . Heard , P . M . 1609 ; J , Scott , P . G . S . ; J . Roby , S . W . 2619 ; C . Trevitt , P . M . 2316 ; John M'Carthy . P . P . D . G . R . ; J . Bell , P . P . G . D . ; T . J . Jarman , P . P . D . G . D . C ; W . M'Lachlan , RM . 241 ; G . B . Kirkland ; P . M . 1182 ; Lewis Peake , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; and A . E . Coveney , P . G . D . Cheshire .

The ceremony of consecration was impressively performed by the Dep , G . M-i most efficiently assisted by the P . G . CHAPLAIN , who delivered an interesting oration on the principles and practice of Freemasonry . Bro . Thomas Salter , P . M . 241 , P . P . G . D ., was installed Worshipful Master by Bro . W . Foulk ? s , P . P . A . G . S ., and the other appointments were

as follows : Bros . J . T . Bramley , S . W . ; F . J . Birford , J W . ; Simon Jude , P . M . 241 , Treas . ; Amos Alcock , Stc . ; J . L . H . Woods , S . D . ; Thomas Hughes , jun ., J . D . ; William Fouikes , P . P . A . G . S .. D . C . and Charity Representative ; James Shirley , I . G . ; T . T . Jones , Org . ; and W . J . Dorari , Tyler .

After the business , an excel ent banquet was supplied by Bro . H . Heard , and in the course of the evening , during which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed , a musical programme was given by Bros . D , J . Davies , W . Swettman , Ben Roberts , 1 \ Tuson , J . Sc > tt , and T . T . Jones , Organist .

Consecration Of The Military Chapter, No. 2621.

CONSECRATION OF THE MILITARY CHAPTER , No . 2621 .

This chapter was consecrated on Saturday , the 16 th inst ., at the T rocadero Restaurant , Piccadilly , W . The Consecrating Officer was Comp . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Scribe E ., who had as his assistants Comps . Viscount Dungarvan , P . G . S . N ., as H . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , G . Supt . Bucks , as J . ; C . F . Matier , P . D . G . D . C , as Scribe N . ; and Frank Richardson ,

P . A . G . Soj ., G . D . C , as D . C ; whilst the musical arrangements were under the direction of Comp . Frederick Bevan . Amongst the companions present were : Comps . Captain George Hearn , P . K . S 83 ( I . C . ) , H . designate ; Lieutenant R . Marshall , I . P . Z . 1216 , J . ; Francis Carter , P . Z . 7 ; J . Maitland , P . K . 107 ( I . C . ); Major C . W . Carrell , P . Z . 22 , P . G . S . B . ; Lieut .-Col . G . Lambert , P . Z . 7 ,

P . G . D . C . ; Capt . C . de M . Franklyn , R . E ., P . D . G . D . C . Gibraltar ; Capt . Gates , 311 ; and Rev . C . E . Wright , 236 ; who had signed the petition for the warrant ) and the following distinguished visitors : Comps . Major G . H . N . Bridges , P . Z ., S . E . 1216 ; Colonel T . P . Powell , P . Z ., S . E . 5 ; H . Sadler , Grand Janitor ; J . H . Richardson , P . S . 1216 ; A . England , 1 st Asst . Soj . 1216 ; W . V . Chubb , 1706 ; W . F . Frydell , 916 ; and J . Coope , P . Z . 1604 . Janitor .

The chapter having been opened and the companions admitted , Comp . EDWARD LETCHWORTH announced that the M . E . Z . designate , Comp . Col . the Earl of Portarlington , P . Z . 117 , was unfortunately absent through illness . The CONSECRATING OFFICER then addressed ihe companions on the nature of the me < ting , and observed that it was but a few months previousl y he had had the pleasure of consecrating the Military Lodge , No . 2621 , and

that he considered it a very favourable sign and proof of strong vitality that the Military Lodge had so soon been able to found a chapter in connection with itself . He trusted that the new chapter might prove equally useful to the class for which it was intended , viz ., members of her Majesty ' s Regular and Auxiliary Forces , and might be instrumental in advancing the best interests of Royal Arch Masonry .

An oration upon the special objects of the chapter was then delivered by Bro . Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , H ., in which he pointed out that the occupation by British soldiers of any new territory was always £ ccompanied by the spread of Freemasonry , and that whilst the profession of a soldier taught habits of discipline , so also did Freemasonry teich obedience and order .

The chapter was then formally dedicated , consecrated , and constituted , and the following officers having been ehcted by the companions were invested by Comp . E . Letchworth , in the absence of the M . E . Z . designate , Comp . the Earl of Portarlington : Comps . Lieut .-Col . G . Lambert , V . D ., P . Z ., P . G . D . C , as I . P . Z . ; Captan Hearn , P . K . 8 S 3 , as H . ; Lieut . R . A . Marshall , I . P . Z . 1216 as J . ; Francis Carter , P . Z . 7 , as Scribe E . ; Major Carrell . V . D ., P . G . S . B ., as Treas . ; Captain C . de M . Franklyn , P . D .

G . D . C Gibraltar , as S . N . ; J . Maitland . P . K . 107 , as D . C . ; Rev . C . E . Wright , 236 , as Principal Soj .: Lieut . W . P . Schreiner , 859 , as 1 st Asst . Soj . ; Captain W . Gates , 311 , as 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; and Lieut . Malet de Carteret , 244 , as Stwd . i Votes ol thanks were passed to Comp . E . Letchworth and the other Consecrating Officers , and they were unanimously elected as honorary membeis of the chapter .

After the election of a Committee to frame the by-laws , and the proposition of several joining members and candidates for exaltation , the chapter was closed .

The companions afterwards partook of a most excellent banquet , at which the usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The arrangement of the chapter in the magnificent ball room and at the table , were the subject of universal approval from the companions present .

Ladies' Night Of The Strong Man Lodge, No. 45.

LADIES' NIGHT OF THE STRONG MAN LODGE , No . 45 .

The ladies' night of the Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 , was held on the 7 th inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , when the following brethren and ladies were present : Bro . W . G . Mills , W . M . ; Bro . D . A . Langdon , I . P . M ., and Miss Langdon ; Bro . G . G . Symons , P . M ., Treas ., and Miss Symons ; Bro . J . Cuer , S . W ., and Mrs . Cuer ; Bro . Tom Taylor , J . W ., and Mrs . Taylor ; Bro . T . Ockleford , S . D ., and Mrs . Ockleford ; Bro . T . J . Burgess , Sec , and Mrs . Burgess ; Bro . J . Jenkinson , Stwd ., and Mrs . Jenkinson ; Bro . L . S . Fountaine , P . M ., Stwd . ; Bro . T . L . Dennett , Org . ; Bro . C . J . l ' ond-Jones , Stwd . ; Bro . J . J . Berry and

Ladies' Night Of The Strong Man Lodge, No. 45.

Mrs . Berry ; Bro . C . J . Brown and Mrs . Brown ; Bro . A . Preager and Mrs Preager ; Bro . J . W . Reading and Mrs . Reading ; Bro . E . J . Vidler and Mrs Vidler , and Miss Barnett ; Bro . M . Weiss and Mrs . Weiss ; Bro . Geo . Smith and Mrs . Smith ; Bro . Arthur Hall and Mrs . Hall , and Bro . E . M . Hall ; Bro . J . H . Selmesand Mrs . Selmes ; Bro . F . Bristow and Mrs . Bristow ; Bro . A . Davies and Miss Taylor ; Bro . S . Armfield and Mrs . Armfield ; Mrs . Armfield

sen ., and Miss Armfield ; Bro . J . H . Grove and Mrs . Grove ; Bro . H . Vallis and Mrs . Cooper ; Bro . P . Sharpe , P . M . S 69 and Mrs . Sharpe ; Mr . Samuel J . Griggs and Mrs . Griggs ; Bro . C . J . R . Tijou , P . A . G . P . Eng ., & c , and Mrs . Tijou ; Bro . Sutton Abbott , P . P . A . G . S . Essex , and Miss Abbott ; Mrs . Sydney Russell , Mr . Edward Ardley , and Miss Kemp ; Bro . Frank Kennard and Mrs , Kennard ; Bro . W . J . Flint and Mrs . Flint ; Mr . S . Archibald Vasey , Mr . F . P .

Vasey ; Bro . Geo . Robins and Madame Rich ; Bro . Aitken Smith and Mrs . Smith ; Bro . Willie Wright , P . M ., Mrs . Emerson and Mrs . Palmer ; Bros . Thomas , F . Gehringer , H . Ballard , J . R . Morrison , A . G . Peckham , A . Bytord , C . Yates , and E . Schneitter , Mr . A . L . Guittard , and Bro . Victor Medcalf . All the arrangements were admirably carried out and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

After the banquet a few toasts only were given . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in proposing the toast of " The Queen , " said it is usual amongst Freemasons , as with all true Englishmen , to place the toast of the Queen at the head of their toast lists , and I am confident that it is the wish of all present that no exception to this rule should be made this evening , but I

am sure that the toast of the Queen , which I am now about to propose , will meet with the same cordial reception it always receives in the Strong Man Lodge . We are privileged to live in the longest reign , under the best of monarchs , and one who has by high personal qualities endeared herself to all her subjects . And with the wish that it may please the G . A . O . T . U . long to spare Victoria to reign over us , I give you the toast of her Most Gracious Majesty the Oueen .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER later gave " The Ladies . " He said 1 I rise to propose the toast of the ladies . During the 164 years the Strong Man Lodge has been in existence , it has been the privilege of Masters to ask the acceptance of toasts upon many high occasions , but I am confident no Master has lelt greater pleasure in the proposing of any toast than I do of the lady visitors to our banquet this evening . Ladies generally may , or may not , wish to join our ancient Institution , but several around me are anxious to give their names in for initiation , for they tell

me as one of their sex once obtained secrets by the unpleasant experience of concealing herself in a clock , and afterwards did not give them any information , they will for ever try to obtain particulars of the institution by proper means , continuing in the meantime to give Freemasons that sympathetic support which the unique character of the Craft has always received at their hands . I now propose the toast of the ladies , and have much pleasure in asking Bro . Symons , Treasurer , and the oldest Past Master of the lodge to respond .

Bro . G . G . SYMONS , in reply , said . The W . M . having asked me to respond on behalf of the ladies , I therefore thank him for the evident desire on his part that they should enjoy themselves , and which I hope and believe they have . I am sure the ladies have recognised the very excellent banquet the W . M . has provided for them , and the musical programme was such that I believe they would have a pleasant evening . Speaking as the oldest member of the lodge present , I can

assure the ladies it is always the happiest evening of the year . Unfortunately , we had no ladies' meeting last year , it was a year of sorrow , through tha loss of one of our oldest and most respected brethren , but yet I am proud to say we have succeeded on the first application in placing his daughter at the head of the poll for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . I am sure the ladies are very pleased to be amongst us this evening , as , indeed , they are always ready to assist

us in everything that is for the good of our Benevolent Institutions . Envious persons sometimes say we do not permit ladies to join our lodges , and , therefore , we must have some strong motive for not doing so . Well , our Scottish Poet , Robert Burns , said : " The wisest man the world ere knew , he dearly lo ' ed the lasses . " King Solomon was accounted one of the wisest men , and he founded our Order from amongst the greatest and most scientific men of his time . These were the architects , builders , or Masons , there did not happen to be any ladies

of that profession so he had only men to choose from . There was no new woman , no lady County Councillors and the national dress had never been heard of . Our W . M . has told us that one lady was made a Mason , however , I am proud to think that no other lady has endeavoured to imitate or follow the means by which she procured admission into the Craft . On behalf of the ladies I thank you , W . M ., for the very pretty souvenir you have given them and the brethren all for drinking their health and I hope we may all meet again for many years to

come . Bro . D . A . LANGDON , I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the W . M ., said : I am sure no apology is needed for briefly interrupting the harmonious proceedings of the evening , when I tell you the toast I am about to propose is that ot our W . M ., Bro . Mills , to borrow the words ol one ol our modem poets , he is a man you don ' t meet every day . The members of the lodge knew how well he tried to study their comfort , and advance their interests , and the present occasion was

another example of his kindness in providing such a grand musical treat . I have had the honour of knowing Bro . Mills intirnatel y . and those , who also have had that pleasure would agree that he was not contented with being in himself happy , but he delighted in that grand design of communicating happiness to others . To see him you think he is a jolly good fellow , but to know him you are certain of it . I ask you to be upstanding and drink his health in a bumper . The toast was enthusiastically received with musical honours .

The W . M . replied as follows : Ladies and brethren , I scarcely know how to adequately thank you for the kind reception you have been good enough to give to the toast of my health . As you know , we are | supposed to be guardians of principles we have had handed to us from the earliest times , and which we hope to pass down to posterity ; doubtless some of the principles Bro . Langdon , I . P . M . will

impart for the benefit of others , will be his grand Irish qualification of being well able to nicely > tate any good qualities he may see in a brother . Every member of the lodge has striven to make this meeting a success , and having as you assure us achieved this object , we are more than repaid for any trouble we have taken to give all a pleasant evening .

The W . M . in giving the coast of " The Visitors , " said , we have yet another toast , and one which is very popular amongst us ; it is that of the visiting brethren , I am glad to see so many brethren of distinction amongst us , but I could wish the number of visitors had been much greater ; however , we fully appreciate the company of all we have and trust that our treatment of them has been such as to justify their coming amongst us again . With the toast I couple the name of Bro . Tijou , P . M ., P . A . G . P . Eng .

Bro . iijou , replying , expressed the great pleasure it gave them to visit the Strong Man Lodge , the treatment was such that he was sure they all hoped to

come again . A capital musical entertainment was given by Madame Rich , Miss Edith Yorke , Bro . Tom Taylor , Mr . Sidney Russell , Bro . Frank Kennard , Mr . Edward Ardley , Bro . George Robins , Bro . Tom Burgess , and Bro . J . J . Berry , with Bro . W . Wright at the piano .