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were also present Bros . D . Challis , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . I . Thorp , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Taylor , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; Rev . H . S . Biggs , J . J . Curtis , W . J . Withers , J . D . Horn , R . Curtis , J . Vickery , J . F . Boyd , J . H . Hancock , C . R . King , and many others . The visitors were Bros . S . S . Pridmore , W . M . 50 ; J . J . Hart , P . M . 5 60 ,

P . P . G . D . C . Norths and Hunts ; Rev . H . J . Mason , M . A ., P . M . 1146 ; T . S . H . Ashwell , W . M . 1391 ; S . Knight , P . M . 1391 ; E . Holmes , S . W . 279 ; C . W . Potter , VV . Tyler , W . Finn , J . W . Barker , and I-:. E . Birch , 279 ; A . Page , W . Walters , Thos . Smith , E . Lester , and A . Chambers , 1391 ; J . Spriggs , H . W . Dymock , and H . G . Marriott , 202 S ; A . Tacey , 20 S 1 ; and J . J . VV . Knowles ,

1007 . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of last meeting were read , approved , and confirmed , and a ballot taken for two joining members , which proved unanimous . Bros . VkkcTy , Boyd , Hancock , and King , being candidates for the Sublime Degree of a M . M ., were duly raised by the W . M ., assisted by Bros . Hart and Thorp , the work being performed in a most impressive manner . The election of

W . M . for the ensuing year was next proceeded with , the choice of the brethren falling unanimously upon the S . VV ., Bro . W . J . Curtis , who acknowledged the honour conferred upon him in suitable terms . Bro . G . Newsome , P . M ., was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Tauser reappointed Tyler . It was unanimously resolved that a Past Master ' s jewel be presented to the retiring W . M . at the

forthcoming annual festival . " Hearty good wishes " were given on behalf of the various visiting lodges , and the lodge was closed . The business being ended , a large number of brethren sat down to supper in the supper-room , which had been most tastefully decorated by Bro . W . H . Noble , 279 , and did full justice to the good fare set before them . The usual loyal toasts were given , and then the brethren

were entertained by Bro . F . G . Pierpoint , who exhibited some views of Windsor , the Thames , a few local scenes , and a representation of the great fire in Wood-street , by means of the oxyhydrogen lantern . "The Healths of the W . M . and W . M . elect" were given , and suitably acknowledged , whereupon Bro . S . S . Pridmore gave a specimen of his skill in manipulating a

pack of cards in such a manner as to mystify and amuse the brethren . The proceedings were further enlightened by music , in which Bros . Birch , McRobie , Page , and Biggs assisted , most ably accompanied by the W . M ., Bro . VV . H . Barrow . The pleasant evening was brought to a close by the Tyler ' s toast , and the recollection of it will linger in the memory of those who were present .

LINCOLN . Ermine Lodge ( No . 23 Si ) . —The first installation meeting of this lodge was held at the County Assembly Rooms , on Friday , the 22 nd inst ., when a large number of brethren assembled to congratulate the members on the success attained by the lodge in its first year . The Assembly Rooms were tastefully decorated for the occasion

by Bro . W . Mortimer , W . M . 13 S 6 ( one of _ the two sister lodges in Lincoln ) , and the interest evinced in the occasion by the brethren in the city was further shown by their presence in large numbers . The first W . M ., Bro . Henry E . Cousans , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., whose Masonic experience and untiring energy has in no small degree contributed to the success of the lodge , was supported by Bros . Colonel

Richard G . Ellison , D . L ., Exon of the Royal Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard , W . M . elect ; Major W . H . Smyth , D . L ., Prov . G . M . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . ; the Hon . Victor A . Pelham , S . W . ; Rev . T . Gregory , Chap . ; R . C . Carline , P . P . A . G . D . C , Treas . ; E . Percy Dalton , Sec ; Eustace A . Cousans , S . D . ; F . L . Thornton , LG . ; R . Witton , Stwd . ; the Hon . H . C . A . Pelham , W .

Watkins , P . M . ; G . Parsons Torney , B . A . ; R . C . Hallowes , P . M . ; W . Scorer , P . M . 297 ; R . A . Stevens , C . P . Kemp , and W . Strangward , Tyler . The visitors included Bros . J . W . Woodall , P . G . Treas . Eng . ; Capt . D . Grant , J . VV . 232 S ; E . M . Money , P . G . Steward Eng . ; A . H . Moyes , D . P . G . M . Cambs . ; O . Papworth , P . P . G . D . C . Cambs .: ? . Clare , P . M . 5 S 8 : J . S . Vortley ,

J . W . 5 SS ; G . H . Gregory , W . W . 3 S 5 , P . P . G . Org . ; J . Constable , W . M . 14 S 2 ; W . Mortimer , P . P . G . S . B . ; C . Smyth , P . M . 58 S ; Col . H . V . Grantham , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . S . Lord , S . D . sSS ; C . E . Williams , 5 SS ; T . Brander J acobson , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; L . M . Chapman , 58 S ; H . S . Fawssett , 1304 ; J . E . Dickinson , D . C . 1386 ; VV . George , 297 ; J- J- Allott , P . P . G . D . ; G . S . Stephenson , S . D .

1294 ; E . Von Schulz , 10 S 6 ; C . F . Liversidge , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . G . Pearson , 10 ; Martin Cole , 13 S 6 ; F . W . Shaw , 297 ; W . R . Lilly , 297 ; W . Dixon , LP . M . 297 ; W . Dawson , 297 ; W . George , 2971 ; W . Fenn , 13 S 6 ; C . Smyth , 1600 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; C . Hartley , J . W . 13 S 6 ; H . B . Kirkby , I . G . 297 ; R . Slingsby , 297 ; G . Peck , 13 S 6 ; W . Steeper , 13 S 6 ; E . T . Foster , 297 ; P .

Colville Smith , W . M . 357 ; E . Dunkerton , 297 ; W . Harris , S . W . 13 SG ; and W . W . Lee , S . VV . 23 S 1 . Lodge was opened , and the minutes confirmed , and a dispensation from the Prov . Grand Master authorising the alteration of the date of meeting duly read . The Grand Officers and Prov . Grand Officers entered in procession , and were saluted . The Audit Committee ' s report was

received and adopted , after which Bros , the Hon . H . C A . Pelham and G . Parsons Torney , B . A ., were duly passed to the Second Degree by the W . M . The chair was then assumed by Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , who consecrated the lodge a y ^ ear ago , for the purpose of installing Bro . Colonel Richard G . Ellison , D . L ., Exon of the Royal Body Guard of the Yeoman of the

Guard , the W . M . elect , which ceremony was proceeded with and successfully accomplished . ¦ The VV . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . Capt . H . E . Cousans , P . P . G . W ., LP . M . ; Hon . Victor A . Pelham , S . VV . ; Eustace A . Cousans , J . W . ; Rev . T . Gregory , Chaplain ; R . C . Carline , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , Treas . ; E . Percy Dalton , Sec ; F . L . Thornton , S . D . ; H . Todd Ellison , J . D . ; R . C .

Hallowes , P . M ., D . C . ; C . P . Kemp , I . G . ; R . Whitton and Hon . H . C . A . Pelham , Stwds . ; and VV . Strangward , Tyler . The usual addresses were delivered by the Grand Secretary , to whom a cordial vote of thanks was passed , on the proposition of the LP . M ., for his kindness in attending

in the inSist of his numerous engagements , and in such unpropitious weather . The Grand Secretary thanked them for their fraternal reception and kind acknowledgment of his services . It was always a pleasure to attend a lodge which he had consecrated , but it was an especial pleasure hat day to install a very old personal friend , Bro . Colonel

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Ellison . Letters of apology for non-attendance were announced from Bros . Fowler , D . P . G . M . ; Capt . N . G . Philips ; T . W . Tew , P . G . M . West Yorkshire ; the Earl of Euston , P . G . M . Norths and Hunts ; the Dean of York , and others . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren subsequently partook of an excellent banquet at the White Hart Hotel .

After dessert , the customary toasts were honoured , the first given from the chair being "The Oueen and the Craft " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' , M . W . G . M . " " The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was given by Bro . H . E . Cousans , I . P . M ., who said they were all particularly pleased to know that the late Deputy G . M ., their present

Pro G . M ., had obtained his well-earned promotion after so many years active service as a Mason , and H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . could not possibly have made a better or more popular choice . The Deputy G . M . was also an old Mason , and , as a Prov . G . M ., had done good suit and service in Masonry . Last year the brethren in Lincoln were honoured by the presence of a considerable number of Grand Officers

at the consecration of the Ermine Lodge . This year , through the alteration in the date , they had been disappointed by several Grand Officers , but they still had the pleasure to welcome a numerous list . Not to mention the esteemed Prov . G . M ., they had Bro . Woodall , P . G . Treas ., in whose election a few years ago country Masons took a great interest , and travelled to London to assist him in

obtaining the office of Grand Treasurer . It was unnecessary to say much respecting the Grand Secretary , for , as the Consecrating Officer last year and the Installing Master on the present occasion , they knew what work he could do , and what an excellent Mason he was . It was not every Mason who would travel from town to be present at the installation of a country lodge in such weather , and it showed what an enthusiastic Mason the Grand Secretary was . They had

also pleasure in welcoming an old Lincolnshire Mason , Bro . Moyes , D . P . G . M . Cambridgeshire , and also Bro . Capt . E . M . Money , P . G . Stwd ., who was a very hard-working Mason in London , and whom he had met on many occasions in different Masonic meetings there . Bro . J . W . Woodall , P . G . Treas ., in reply , said that if there was anything that could render the task of returning thanks on that occasion more difficult it was that he felt he

was in the presence of those who knew so much more of the Grand Officers than he did . With regard to the first two names , having had the pleasure of the acquaintance of one for some years , and having been the school and college triend of the other , he felt they would all endorse his remark when he said they were both anxious to do their duties satisfactorily . He begged to thank them for the honour

paid him in placing him in the position he had held for some years , and trusted he was always imbued with a sense of gratitude for the service rendered him . The other Grand Officers esteemed the honour a great one to be appointed , and would do their best to discharge their duties to the satisfaction of the Craft in general . Bro . Latham Cox next gave " The Prov . Grand Master ,

and Prov . Grand Officers , " and said it would be an impertinence to bring before them what Bro . Major Smyth , their Prov . Grand Master , had done for Masonry in Lincolnshire during the period of a quarter of a century he had bden at its head . He regretted that Bro . Fowler , the Dep . Prov . G . M ., was not present , but there were a large number of Prov . Grand Officers in attendance , including his great

friend , a member of that lodge , Bro . Cousans , P . P . G . W . Bro . Major VV . H . Smyth , D . L ., Prov . Grand Master , returned thanks for the kindly reception accorded that comprehensive toast . He had now been connected in office with that province for 26 years , and he told them last year of the great advance of Masonry in that time , and how it had increased from n to 24 lodges , and from about 300 or 400

Masons to over 1000 . They were indebted , as Bro . Cousans had said , to the Grand Officers for their presence , and to the visitors for their kindness in attending , and he thanked them most heartily on behalf of the province , and as it was an honour to that lodge for those distinguished Masons to come , it was also an honour to the province , which they appreciated as such . He had one little interesting

circumstance to tell them which they had discovered that day . They found that next year was the centenary of the first Provincial Grand Lodge in that province and , the brethren would take that fact to their respective lodges and consult what had better be done , as some notice ought to be taken of that great fact . It would be a satisfaction for the province to known that the Provincial Grand Lodge was 100

years old and they ought to commemorate the fact . He was obliged to them for their kindness and trusted to pay many pleasant visits of this kind to the Ermine Lodge . Bro . Col . R . G . Ellison , W . M ., then proposed "The Installing Master , " and said that nothing could have impressed them more with the beauties of Freemasonry than the nice way in which the Grand Secretary performed his

duties . He had known Bro . Col . Clerke for many years , but had never been more impressed with the performance of his duties than that evening . He hoped to see the Grand Secretary with them on many future occasions . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., Grand Secretary , said he was grateful to the VV . M . for his kind and fraternal proposition of the toast . It was a great pleasure to him to

be the recipient of such a feeling on the part of provincial Masons . He was , as they were aware , their Grand Secretary , and had been so for nearly 12 years , and it had always been his utmost endeavour to do what he could to further the interests and good of the Order and meet the wishes of Worshipful Masters and brethren , whether in London or the country . When last year he was asked to consecrate the

Ermine Lodge at which they were present that day , he felt it a great and high honour . It was a duty falling to the privilege of the Prov . Grand Master , but Bro . Major Smyth in a very kind manner waived that and asked him to perform the ceremony , and therefore he need scarcely say he met the wishes of the brethren with a great deal of pleasure . He came down to their county and went back

carrying very pleasing reminiscences of the day he spent there . On the present occasion he had been honoured again by being asked to install his old friend , and fortunately , though he was a busy man , he was able to devote that particular day to that service . He had enjoyed his visit despite the bad weather , and should go back with a

most pleasing recollection . 1 he Prov . Grand Master had told them that the province was coming on to its hundredth year , having been founded in 1792 , and he might mention one little fact about its formation which might interest them . The first Provincial Grand Master held a most curious and unique position in Masonry . He was a Rev .

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William Peters , and it was somewhat a curious fact that although a clergyman of the Church of England , he was also a Royal Academician and was clever at portrait painting . He painted several pictures for Grand Lodge which were unfortunately burnt in 1 S 83 , when the fire at the Hall took place . His talent was so great that the G rand Master of the day took counsel as to what could be done to

honour him , and the result was that a novel appointment was made and he was appointed Grand Portrait Painter He was the first and the last , so that any talented brethren need not apply for the post . He ( the Grand Secretary ) thought he would mention that , and hoped the brethren would fall in with the ideas of the Provincial Grand Master and celebrate the centenary in some manner worthy

of the occasion , and he hoped he might have the opportunity of coming down on that occasion . Passing on , he would like to go to a pleasanter toast which he had been allowed , by the kindness of the LP . M ., to have the privilege of proposing , " The Health of the Worshi pful Master in the chair . " The W . M . had referred to their own friendship in what he might term a somewhat effeminate

speech . He said he did not know how long they had known each other . It was 36 years ago since he first had the pleasure of knowing the W . M ., Bro . Col . Ellison , who was then on the staff of one of the most gallant and most distinguished generals—Sir John Pennyfather , —who was also an old and distinguished Freemason . Just about that time the VV . M . was initiated in a lodge in Malta that he belonged toand '

, he was also initiated about the same time . They therefore began their Masonic career together , but the VV . M . as years passed on had various other avocations to follow , and was by the course of circumstances carried away from Masonic work , and was unable to follow it up until recently when the opportunity offered . When this lodge was proposed , it was suggested that Col . Ellison should join , and

he readily fell in with the idea , but with his usual modesty objected to being put into office , but after persuasion he became the Junior Warden . Unfortunate circumstances preventing the S . W . going on for the moment , Col . Ellison had _ arrived at the chair , and the brethren now had a distinguished soldier who had attained high position and who was an old Mason as their W . M . He thought the members

were to be congratulated upon having such a W . M ., and when Col . Ellison became accustomed to the situation , he would be as efficient as they could wish ancl desire him to be , and at the end of his year he would hand over the chair to the S . W ., after having done his duty well , zealously , and efficiently . He would ask the brethren to join him in drinking the health of their W . M ., honing he

would have a pleasant year of office , that his health would remain good duringthat time , and that he would always have pleasing reminiscences of his services in the chair of the Ermine Lodge . Bro . Col . R . G . Ellison , W . M ., in response , said he was sure he should have a pleasant year , as unanimity and good feeling always prevailed in the lodge . He was afraid that in selecting him for the chair they would have but a very

indifferent Master , but he would try his best to carry on the work as well as their late W . M . had done . "The Visitors" was given by Bro . Watkins , P . M ., and duly responded to by Bros . P . Colville Smith , VV . M . 357 ; Capt . E . M . Money , P . G . Stwd . Eng . ; and Capt . Donald Grant , J . W . 232 S . The Provincial Grand Master then said he would interpolate a toast that was always drank on these

occasionsthat of "The LP . M ., " and no brother could deserve it more than Bro . Cousans , LP . M ., who was the founder and first Master of the lodge . Before founding that lodge the LP . M . had done excellent service as a Mason , and had been their Charity Steward several times . When he gave Bro . Cousans Provincial honours he felt the l . P . M . was honouring the office more than the office was honouring

him . They knew what an energetic man the LP . M . was in everything he undertook , and would be sorry if the evening were to pass without his health being drunk . Bro . H . E . Cousans , P . P . G . W ., l . P . M ., expressed his thanks to the Prov . G . M . and brethren for the proposition and reception of the toast . Any work he had been able to do for Lincolnshire and Masonry had been done with great pleasure , and anything he could do in the future to fonvard

Masonry in their good old city of Lincoln would be more than a pleasure . He should be pleased to help the present Master during his year and make it a successful one , and his efforts in that direction would be given with the greatest cordiality and good feeling . By permission of the W . M ., he would give "The Sister Lodges in Lincoln . " Ihey had received the greatest amount of assistance from those lodges , and last year at the consecration they provided an

excellent choir . Bros . Scorer and Ramage acknowledged the toast , after which Bro . Hallowes , P . M ., D . C , proposed "The Masonic Charities , " for which Bro . Vickers , Prov . G . Sec , rep lied . Bro . the Hon . Victor A . Pelham , S . W ., returned thanks for "The Officers , " which was proposed by Bro . H . £ ¦¦ Cousans , I . P . M ., and the Tyler ' s toast then closed a successful and pleasant meeting . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

SURBITON . Surbiton Lodge ( No . 2146 ) . —On the iyjh inst . the installation meeting of this lodge was held at tn Maple Hall , at which a good number of members ana visitors attended , though the prevailing sickness kept seve y away . Important business took the W . M ., Bro . ]¦ \ Allen from England soon after his installation , an

, away an extended tour in America and our colonies has kept hi a traveller ever since , and though neither poor nor distrcsse : , yetdesirous of returning to his native land . In his absence lodge has been well governed by Bro . F . P . Hill , ' •; •' ^ whose services have been acknowledged by the acldition ^^ a claso , suitably engraved , to the ribbon of the jewel jp v

him on leaving the chair . During the past year the 10 s has been materially strengthened in numbers , and so officers have been kept well employed , the result ueu b > owing also to their regular attendance at the lodge 0 _ struction , perfect acquaintance with the ritual in the re ' ^ tive Degrees . All the officers being in their p laces , VV . M . proceeded with the installation ceremony , na- " first- rpm . psfprl Rrn < = VV Hr-PuioH- P M .. and G . Moornw i

P . M ., to fill the Wardens' chairs . Bro . Wilson , V .- > then presented Bro . S . Hewett , P . M . 1614 , to the Insta ^ t , Master , and in due form he was placed > the c ^ K . S . The new W . M . is well skilled in the Craft ,, a *¦ brethren of the Covent Garden Lodge know , so c " in . prestige of No . 2146 for correct working is s ^? . ° teJ as tained . In this ceremony Bro . Wilson , P . Mv a