Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . Major Carrell , said he did it a . ijjg instance of the lodge and with the greatest pleasure , il anking him on behalf of the brethren for the admirable lannerln which he had conducted the affairs of the lodge ' lurin his year of office . Bro . Major Carrell expressed his atitude for the gift , and afterwards proceeded to say that ' ? reply to invitations to be present he had received apologies Grand Officers for to attend

from several inability , among whom were H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , .,. i was in York at a Masonic celebration , the Earl of Lathom , the Marquis of Hertford , and the Earl of Euston . The Iodge was then closed , and the Duke of Connaught , who had another engagement , left , expressing his regret that he was not able to preside at the banquet .

The brethren afterwards adjourned to Freemasons ' Tavern to the usual sumptuous repast , under the presidency of Bro . Col . Ward , Deputy W . M . The customary toasts followed . Bro . Col . Ward , in proposing "The Q ueen and the Cralt , " said that for upwards of half a century the numerous virtues of her Most Gracious Majesty had been proclaimed

from the Masonic chairs throughout the length and breadth of the land . During that long period kings had been dethroned , emperors had been conquered , but her Majesty , our Most Gracious Queen , had continued to rule this mighty Emp ire through the love and affection of her faithful people combined with the loyalty of the Masonic brethren . If anything could by any possibility endear her Majesty more

to the London Insh _ Rifles at the present moment it would be the fact of her being the mother of the illustrious Master of their lodge . In proposing the toast of "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " the gallant Colonel said that since the Prince of Wales became Grand Master of Masons thousands of men had flocked to the Masonic standard , and much

benefit had accrued to the Craft in consequence . His Royal Highness was a true and genuine Mason , desiring as he did that his son and heir should follow in his footsteps . Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . W ., responded to the toast which includes "The Grand Officers . " Major Carrell , I . P . M ., proposed "The Deputy W . M ., " and said he was sure that all the members of the lodge

valued very highly the honour the W . M . had paid them that evening in attending to be installed , and he hoped he would be able to pay them several visits during the lodge's existence . The toast , however , of the Deputy VV . M . was a very important one . From the very first day of their knowing Colonel Ward he had endeared himself to them by his many good qualities , and by his very good fellowship in the

corps . It would have been only fitting that the Colonel should have been the first Master of the lodge , but unfortunately he had not at that time occupied those necessary positions in Masonry which would warrant him holding that office . However , he had become the second Deputy VV . M ., and he , Major Carrell , and all the officers of the regiment and all the brethren of the lodge were rejoiced to see him

in the chair . The Colonel had made himself most dear to the regiment and the lodge by his sterling good nature , and his great kindness of heart . It was a great pleasure to him that he had had the honour of installing Colonel Ward , and lie hoped he would be spared to remain as Colonel of the regiment and Master of the lodge for many years . Colonel Ward , in reply , said he was sorry the Duke of

Connaught was not present to return thanks as Master . His Royal Highness had conferred a great honour on the lodge by _ attending , and he had put himself to inconvenience in doing so , as he had come up from Portsmouth for the purpose of being installed . For himself ( Col . Ward ) as his Royal Highness ' s Deputy , he really knew not how to thank the l . P . M ., who had proposed his

health in very flattering terms—too flattering . That was one of the proudest moments of his life to be installed as Deputy VV . M . of the London Irish Rifles Lodge . Twelve months ago the lodge scarcely existed , now it was getting on most satisfactorily . He again thanked the brethren . Bro . Griffin replied to the toast of " The Initiate . " ,. Bro . Col . Ward , in proposing "The I . P . M . and

Installing Master , " said that repeatedly it had been remarked that he was the originator of the London Irish Rifles Lodge , hut he wished to repudiate that to the utmost extent . The hrst intimation he had of an intention or idea of originating or forming the lodge was a letter he received from Major Larrell , asking him , as Commanding Officer of the regiment , to the formation of a lodge among the officers . IT- . — -. ~ .. v * u . . wu ^ umunj , U . V IMlll- ^ . O .

™ s repl y was that _ he would do all he could to assist . ^ They were indebted principally , if not quite exclusivel y , to Major Carrell , to whose breast they had only to look if they wanted to know what honour Masonry had conferred upon him . Major Carrell was well worthy of the Honours . _ They had seen how he had performed the initiation and the installation ceremonies that evening . Very few Masters

of lodges had an ppportunity of installing a son of ner Most Gracious Majesty , and Major Carrell was well ^ serving- of that honour . He had worked hard through most of his life for Masonry , and he had also worked hard to bring the Irish Rifles Lodge into the state in which it now was . Might the time not be far distant when Major u " '" 'g ht receive Grand Lodge honours . oro . Major Carrell , I . P . M ., in response , said he esteemed

. •v f y high dignity to have had the distinguished honour intJ" u ^ Uuke of Connaught in the chair that even-Cm •had kad a most mortal fr 'g nt lest some Grand nip j might P ° rm the office . He was , however , much hadi that ! t had not bee " taken out of his hands - He the \ e i" VEry " 1 Uch gratified at being allowed to perform In ,. i ° i ' 't had also given him extreme gratification to i 4 \ e taken na .-flr . LU .. : „„ . „ n „ 4 .: — „ c ID r > i t ur- ., __ niauuwiiuu ui uiu uiunei

Uennl w s . <_ vvaraas a In i W- " ' He had a great idea some months ago that Mas - reSlment like the L ° ndon I"sh Rifles should have a sui , n ? , T ° , S > and in 'hat idea he was most substantially PPorted b y the other officers of the regiment . He was a led v that il was an absolute fact that they had Deru , t \ he was very proud to have been the first luty W . M . of that hid ™ . While he was snrrv thai nn >

was " " Members who served with some distinction in Egypt •nake * ° k £ P resent > he sincerely hoped they would most , m ° st distinguished lodge , and that they would give i- n ? . ty support to the Charities of the Order . He would i lnsinua ted at the consecration of the Iodge that they The ] , i Very staunch supporters of the various Charities , 'ast iv ? - , osome extent carried that out , because at the Verycror , ir 1 °£ the Girls' ° o 1 Br ° - CoL Ward took U P IV . jf „ f , MewasespeciallypleasedtobethefirstDeputy because 1 . ge that sincerely worked for the Charities , t , le y COIIU belleved the Masonic Institutions were the best u 'a support . For the cordial reception the brethren

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

had given to his name he thanked them sincerely , and he hoped he should be spared for very many years to have his name coupled with the toast of the Past Masters . That was a lodge among other lodges he belonged to in which he took a very special interest . He thought they had a grand future before them . He was not a very old Mason , but he had tried to render service to the Charities . He

desired that every brother would do his utmost in that direction , and bring that young lodge to the front in the Masonic world . Bro . Henry Sutton , 4 , in replying to the toast of " The Visitors , " said it was a very great pleasure to him to be present , because he regarded the evening as a distinguished one for the lodge , as the Deputy W . M . had had the great

honour of installing H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . It was also a great pleasure to him , as a friend of the Deputy W . M ., to see the rapid strides the lodge had made atso early a period of its career , and having his own son as one of the officers of the regiment , it was also a great pleasure to him to see the great progress of the lodge . As to the working , every brother must be agreed that it had been admirable , and it

augured well for the future . Everybody connected with the lodge must be encouraged to feel that -the London Irish Rifles Lodge would make a mark in Masonry . _ As to the banquet it had also been admirably managed , and it reflected the g . eatest credit on the originators of the lodge and on

the management generally . Several other brethren likewise responded , and the other toasts followed . A charming selection of music was performed , under the direction of Bro . Alfred Moore , by Bros . Lester , Sidney Tower , and Alfred Moore , with Bro . Sidney Hill at the

piano . SCOtS Lodge ( No . 2319 ) . —The Burns anniversary meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 22 nd inst ., at the Scottish Corporation Hall , Crane Court , Bro . John Whitehead , W . M ., presiding . The other officers present were Bros . J . Page , S . W . ; D . F . Gellion , J . W . ; J . ThomsonSec . ; T . Grant , S . D . ; Joseph Whitehead ,

, J . D . ; Dr . Forbes , I . G . ; Peter Greig , Stwd . ; D . R . Duncan , Org . ; and E . Johnston Gordon , A . D . C . The I . P . M ., Lord Euston , was unable to be present owing- to illness , from which he is rapidly recovering . A S pecial message was sent by Bro . Faithfull Begg from the Scots Lodge , Canongate Kilwinning , Edinburgh , wishing the Scots Lodge , London , very " Hearty good wishes . "

Among the visitors present were Bros . J . W . Thomas , P . M . 1641 , P . P . G . S . B . Staffordshire ; Wm . Dodd , 1194 , P . G . D . Middx . ; J . Gibson , P . M . 2030 ; J . W . Gaze , P . M . 176 S ; P . P . Frazers , 2011 ; T . VV . Buitcliffe , S . D . 2331 ; D . Forbes , P . M . 65 ; R . A . Gowan , S . W .- 2029 ; J . P . Pointer , 2202 ; Wm . T . Massey , 160 and 1928 ; J . La Feuillade , W . M . elect 13 S 1 ; J . F . Quarterley , P . M . 22 S ;

A . Robertson , 2345 ; H . Lynn , VV . M . 217 ; Frank Wood , 2206 ; and W . McConnell Wood , 1 ( S . C ) . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last regular meeting and of the emergency meeting of December 27 th last were read and confirmed . The following brethren were elected joining members of the lodge : Bros . Sir Patrick McChombiach de Colquhoun , LL . D ., O . C . P . M .

, 370 , P . P . G . R . Surrey ; lames Ramsay MacArthur , J . P ., 50 S ; John Fyfe . 190 ( S . C ; ; and Duncan Davidson , 1995 . Messrs . James Stewart and Dr . James E . Sinclair were then initiated , and after Bro . Duff had been passed , the lodge was closed . The brethren then partook of a Scotch banquet . The toasts of "The Queen and the Craft , " "The

M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., Duke of Rothesay and Lord of the Isles , " and "The R . W . the Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Officers " were proposed and duly honoured , as was that of " The Worshipful Master , " proposed by the S . W ., Bro . Page , and ably responded to by the VV . M . The next toast was that of "The Grand Lodge of

Scotland , and the Immortal Memory of Bro . Robert burns . " Bro . Faithfull Begg gave a very eloquent oration of Robert Burns . He said he thought it was a happy idea which suggested that the meetings of the Scots Lodge in London should be held upon days associated with great national events , and that in that manner they should keep alight the fire of their national patriotismand keep

, themselves in touch with their brethren the other side of the border . There was no occasion which was more calculated to produce that fire than the occasion on which they were assembled that evening , for it was in that month of January , 132 years ago , that there was born in a little cottage , and of humble parents , aman whose genius kindled anew the fire of Scotch sentiment . Bro . Begg then referred

at length to the life of Burns , the love he bore to his country and his patriotism , and read several extracts from his works . In referring to Burns' connection with Freemasonry , Bro . Begg said he had ascertained several facts which he believed were strictly accurate . In 17 S 4 he found Burns was elected Deputy Masterof St . James' Lodge , Tarbolton , a lodge which he " oft honoured with supreme command ,

and presided o ' er the sons of light . " In 1786 , after his removal to Mossgiel , he was affiliated to the Kilwinning Lodge , Kilmarnock , and there it was that he sung " Ye sons of aul' Killie . " On the 27 th January , 17 SS , he became affiliated to the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , Dumfries . In 17 SO there were records ^ of his presence at various Edinburgh lodges , and it was interesting to note that it appeared to

have been at those meetings that he made the acquaintance of many noblemen and gentlemen of position who afterwards befriended him . On a memorable occasion in 17 S 7 at the meeting of the Scots Lodge , Kilwinning Canongate , now known as the St . Andrew , No . 48 , the whole of the Grand Lodge of Scotland being present , the toast of " Caledonia and Caledonia ' s poet , Bro . Burns , " was given

with "multiplied honours and repeated acclamation , " and responded to by the poet in fitting terms . His appointment as Laureate Canongate Kilwinning Lodge is the subject of a painting by Bro . Stewart Watson , which was well known to Scotsmen , as it was in Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh . Burns held that office during his lifetime , after which it fell into abeyance until it was revived in 1 S 35 in the person of Bro . las .

Hogg , the " Ettrick Shepherd . " There was a lodge known as the Cannongate Kilwinning , No . 2 , Burns Lodge , but that was merely , he thought , so called in honour of the poet . The toasts of "The Initiates , " "The Visitors , " " The Treasurer , Secretary , and Trustee , " and "The Officers" were drunk enthusiastically , and the proceedings closed with the Tyler ' s toast .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Duke of Fife Lodge ( No . 2345 ) . —At the usual meeting of this lodge on Wednesday , the 2 ist inst ., at the Alexandra Hotel , Clapham , there were present Bros . S . Cochrane , P . M ., W M . ; Geo . Everett , I . P . M . ; VV . W . Westley , P . M ., S . W . ; Folkard , ( . VV . ; Steele , Treas . ; Charlie Woods , Sec . ; Andrews , S . D . ; Harvey , I . D . ; Langdon , D . C ; Beaven , I . G . ; Lyell , Steward ;

Patrick , P . M ., Tyler ; Wyer , P . M . ; Gilbert , Robertson , Hadley , Lavender , Lawrence , Shannaw , Daoust , Roberts , Balcombe , Bloomlield , and Rashleigh . Visitors : Bros . Davis , 13 S 1 ; Lane ; Follett , 901 ; and Barton . The lodge being opened , the minutes of the last meeting were confirmed . Ballot was taken for Messrs . Cordner and Bloomfield , and the latter , being present , was initiated . The

Secretary was instructed to write and congratulate Bro . G . Everett on the fact of his nomination without opposition to the position of Grand Treasurer . Two names of gentlemen were given as candidates for the next meeting . Apology for absence of Bro . Winny , Org ., was received . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been honoured , Bro . G . Everett , I . P . M ., proposed the toast of "The

VV . M ., " mentioning how beautifully he had worked the initiation ceremony . For himself , he heartily thanked the brethren for their good wishes regarding the Grand Treasurership . Bro . Cochrane , VV . M ., responded , and related to the brethren the enthusiasm with which Bro . Everett ' s name was received at the last communication of Grand Lodge .

He did try to do his duty as Master , and he trusted the lodge would always be well conducted , well managed , and successful . In proposing "The Initiate , " Bro . Cochrane said he would find that if he were true to the tenets of Masonry he would never regret becoming a Mason , but would regret that he had not become one sooner .

Bro . Bloom / ield , in reply , said that he had been deeply impressed by all he saw that evening . He would try to be an honour to Masonry . The VV . M . then proposed "The Visitors . " In reply , Bro . Davis eulogised the working of the lodge , and said how delighted he was with the way the W . M . delivered the charge .

Bro . Follett was sorry he had missed the working , but had enjoyed the hospitality of the lodge . Bro . Lane was much impressed by what he had seen , and trusted to again visit the lodge . The W . M ., in proposing "The Officers , " pointed out that he had the VV . M . of the Stockwell Lodge and the W . M . of the Old Concord Lodge as officers of his lodge .

He was sure he could honestly say his officers were second to those of no other lodge . In reply , Bro . Westley , S . W ., thanked the brethren for the way the toast was received . He felt that the Craft had gained much when Bro . Cochrane came into the district . Bro . Folkard , J . W ., related his experience of his first visit to Grand Lodge .

Bro . Steele , Treas ., said his office was a pleasant one , and he trusted it would always remain so . Bro . Woods , Sec , made a special appeal to the brethren who had votes to give them to the boy Maidment , the child of a deceased Mason well known in the district . I'he case was a most deserving one .

Bro . Harvey , J . D ., also supported the case mentioned by the Secretary . The Tyler ' s toast closed a pleasant evening , to the harmony of which the following brethren had contributed—Bros . Everett , Lavender , Barton , Davies , Lyell , Andrews , and Follett .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BRISTOL . Royal Clarence Lodge ( No . 68 ) . —The installation meeting of this , the oldest Iodge in the province , the date of the warrant being 175 S , was held at the Masonic Hall , Park-street , on St . John's Day , December 27 th , according to an ancient custom , and Bro . Webley was installed VV . M . by Bro . Hatton , P . M . The W . M .

appointed and invested his officers : Bros . Jennings , l . P . M . ; Grubb , S . W . ; H . B . Southwell , J . W . ; J . Gard , P . M ., Treas . ; Machon , Sec . ; H . Stokes , S . D . ; Fulford , J . D . ; Rogerson , I . G . ; and Jones , Stwd . The lodge was then closed . The installation banquet was held on Thursday , the 1 jth inst ., in the new and handsome dining hall recently added to the Masonic Hall , Park-street , and was served in the

most excellent manner by Messrs . Hatton and Son , of Unionstreet , and attended by 63 brethren , amongst whom were the following visitors : Bros . Rivington , P . M . S 77 ; Harold Lewis , W . M . SS 6 ; Milligan , VV . M . 610 ; Harry Price , P . M . 177 ; A . G . Britt , W . M . 13 SS ; C . Pfeiffer , S . W . 1 S 33 ; G . Dando , P . M . 1755 ; F . Luxton , 39 ; Chandler , 2257 ; G . Will , 1750 ; Thomas , P . M . 1755 ; and Bramwell ,

P . A . G . D . C , D . P . G . M . The W . M . proposed " The Health of the Queen and Prosperity to the Craft . " The next toast proposed by the W . M . was "The Health of the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

Bro . Bramwell , P . A . G . D . C , D . P . G . M ., in replying , said that it was not the first time his name had been associated with the toast of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , but the VV . M . had made an innovation , to him a very pleasing one , in including in the toast the health of so illustrious a lady as H . R . H . the Princess of Wales . The M . W . G . M . 's work and his interest in Freemasonry were so well known to every

member of the Craft that it was unnecessary to particularise , except to say that his great interest was shown in his appointment of his eldest son , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , G . M . of the province of Berks , and further by his attendance to perform the ceremony of installation . He also hoped that there would be some more Grand Lodge Officers in the Bristol province . The toast of "The P . G . M ., the D . P . G . M ., and

the P . G . Officers , Present and Past , was given by the VV . M ., and responded to by Bros . Bramwell , D . P . G . M . ; Hatton , P . G . S . B . ; and Wilkinson , P . J . G . D . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , in proposing " The Health of the W . M ., " said the office of VV . M . was of the greatest importance in the Craft ; it is to the W . M . 's that the P . G . M . has to look for the well ruling and governing the lodge of which they are the head , and unless a brother is qualified for W . M . he should not be placed in that