Craft Masonry.

Earl of Mornington Lodge , No . 2000 . The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Cafo Royal , Regent-„? VV on Friday , the 23 rd inst ., when , in the absence of the W . M ., Bro . William i ? „»' r iri'South Africa , Bro . R . S . Fairbank , I . P . M ., presided , who was supported by Turner , 1 T . . _ S-W- . A Dawsotl joneS ) T . W . w . A . Bowser , P . M ., Sec . ; T n . vidson . S . D . ; G . Budd , as J . D . ; and VV . W . Szlumper , I . G . There were also J' „ n Bros . J . Pollard , P . M . ; R . Lake , P . M . ; H . L . Sarson , R . J . Probyn-Williams , & A Bird , J . H . Dallas , F . A . H . Walsh , H . M . Allom , J . F . W . Silk , M . D . ; A . R . li ,:. AUr - „ Ue . H . F . Tod , I . Hamilton , E . Dickens , and T . Bowler , Tyler .

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 rd February having been read and confirmed , ,. Secretary reported that , in accordance with the resolution passed at the last meeting , he had sent letters of condolence to the widow and the brother of their late lamented hrother and P . M ., J . H . Lavies , and had also sent a wreath in name of the lodge . I etters from Mrs . Lavies and Bro . Harry B . Lavies , gratefully acknowledging the evmoatny shown by the lodge , were read . Bro . Hunter F . Tod , M . B ., was _ i . rf « I a joining member of the lodge , and , having been introduced ,

as heartily welcomed by the I . P . M . on behalf of the brethren . Bros . Hueh M . Allom and Algernon R . Woodbridge were then separately raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason by the I . P . M ., Bro . Fairbank , who also gave the traditional history and explanation of the working tools . The repeated ceremonies were performed in a most able and impressive manner . The sum of £ 10 10 s . was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , also £ 2 3 S . to the South African Masonic Relief Fund lecently started by Grand Lodge , and the members were invited which willdoubt

to supp lement these donations by personal subscriptions , an appeal , - less be responded to , as is customary in this lodge . Three brethren were proposed for election as joining members , and one gentleman was proposed for initiation . The Secretary , Bro . Bowser , P . M ., gave notice of his intention to propose an alteration in the by-laws ; and , after apologies for non-attendance had been read , and some other forma' business transacted , the lodge was closed . In consequence of the recent death of Bro . J . H . Lavies , P . M ., the usual banquet was postponed .

London County Council Lodge , No , 2603 . The installation meeting of this lodge , now four years old , was held on Wednesday evening at the Hotel Cecil , under the Worshipful Mastership of Bro . George S . Elliott . Nearly ioo brethren were present , and among them were : Bros . Edward White , P . M . 177 . S . W . ; H . Percy Harris , J . W . ; R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas . ; C . A . Cornwall , Sec ; T . H . VV . Idris , S . D . ; W . Haydon , P . M ., D . C ; James Kift , Org . ; Alfred Spencer , Stwd . ; Nathan Robinson , P . M . ; W . M . Dindin , Heneage , Legge ,

\ V . J . Stewart , J . R . Seager , T . A . W . Gait , F . Bryan , Ambrose Pomeroy , Richard Partridge , Goddard Clarke , R . N . Alexander , C . J . Stewart , H . A . Harben , F . L . Blakey , Morris Abrahams , W . J . Wettenhall , Urquhart , E . Riley , P . M ., T . E . K . Stansfield , and F . VV . Smith . The Grand Officers present were : Bros , the Earl of Onslow , Prov . G . M . Surrey ; George Everett , P . G . T . ; Sir George D . Harris , P . G . D . ; Harry Price , P . G . Std . Br . ; Rowland Plumbe , P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; H . L . Florence , G . Supt . of Wks . ; Richard Horton Smith , O . C ., P . G . Reg . ; Ralph Gooding , M . D .,

P . G . D . ; Henry Clarke , A . G . D . C ; II . S . button , J . G . D . ; N . M . Simmonds , P . P . G . Std . Br . Suffolk ; Geo . Richards , Dist . G . M . Transvaal ; Sir Joseph C Dimsdale , P . G . T . ; Lieut .-General Wimburn Laurie , Prov . G . Master South Wales ( W . D . ); H . W , Kiallmark , P . G . D . ; Lieut .-Col . Clifford Probyn , P . G . T . ; and R . J . Mure , P . G . D . The visitors were Bros . W . J . Ferguson , P . M . 177 ; Ernest Whitehead , 2146 ; James VV . Witson , W . M . 272 S ; Sydney Whitehead , 2146 ; Robert G . Robinson , W . M . 1531 ; G . A . Robinson , W . M . 55 ; William Elliott , 749 j Frederick Elliott , 743 j R .

G . Young , 2416 ; H . Massey , P . M . Gig and 192 S ; Nicholas Hanhart , 240 S ; Henry Northcrofr , 33 and 40 ; James Boyton , VV . M . 1426 , John Williams , P . M . 1791 ; A . E . Oswald , P . M . 24 G 9 ; B . A . Smith , P . M . 523 ; \ V . W . Walkley , 1 G 22 ; Baron D . Barnett , P . M . 1 GG 3 ; Alfred H . Larcome , 3 ; George Scott Miller , 2264 ; Robart H . Head , W . M . 1305 ; Frank Laurens , VV . M . 15 6 G ; W . R . Maxwell , 15 S 4 ; F . T . Davies , Sec . 2771 ; Charles Challen , 3 : A . Saxon Snell , 33 ; H . T . Dudman , 2150

A . Craddock , W . M . 2150 ; Walter Dennis , P . M . 2473 ; D . J . Ross , P . M . SG 2 ; Henry Potter , W . M . 1622 ; VV . R . McConnell , P . M . 1610 ; George B . Crook , 1305 ; R . VV . Walker , 1107 ; William Curry , I . P . M . 435 ; T . H . Brooke Hitching , P . M . 1540 ; Charles C . Critchett , W . M . G j H . R . S . Pulman , P . M . 3 ; W . H . Quayle Jones , VV . M . 1871 ; George R . II . Stringer , 269 S ; J . Thomley , 704 ; and Albert Southall , 1359 .

The work of the evening consisted of raising Bro . Dr . Frederick Bryan to the Third Degree , and installing Bro . Edward White , S . W ., W . M . elect , as Worshipful Master . Both these ceremonies were performed by Bro . Giorge S . Elliott , W . M ., and after Bro . White had been placed in tbe chair , Bro . George S . Elliott was invested as I . P . M . The other brethren invested were Bros . H . P . Harris , P . M ., as S . W . ; T . H .

\ V . Idris , J . W . ; R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas . ; Goddard Clarke , Sec . ; W . Haydon , P . M ., S . D . j A . Spencer , J . D . ; VV . J . Dibdin , I . G . ; T . A . Organ , D . C . ; James Kift , Org . ; and R . W . Edgley , P . M ., Tyler . After the Auditors' report had been adopted , 10 guineas were voted to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' s South African Masonic Relief Fund , and this concluded the business of the evening .

An excellent banquet followed , and the usual toasts wire honoured with true Masonic heartiness . The speeches introducing them , and the replies to the toa sts , were interspersed with some capital vocal music , under the direction of Bro . James Kift , by Miss Emily I'oxcroft , and Bros . VV . R . Maxwell and Arthur Strugnell . Bro . Lieut .-Col . J . Wimburn Laurie , having responded for the toast of " The Grand Officers , "

Bro . _ George Richards , Dist . G . Master of the Transvaal , was loudly called for In replying to the toast he said it was now some three years ago , on his previous visit to this country , he was fortunate enough , through the kindness of Sir George Harris , who was then installed as Master of the London County Council Lodge , to be a guest oi the lodge . It was an additional charm to him now to find his name had not been allowed to slip altogether from the brethren ' s memory , and that Sir George Harris had given him another opportunity to be among the members of the London County

Council Lodge . It had been both an instructive and a pleasant evening ; instructive because he had been able to witness the installation ceremony very well performed , and pleasant in that there had been exhibited that true spirit of Iraternal union which existed between the Freemasons of England , anc the brethren of the Colonies . He trusted he might be allowed in that interesting connection to give a statement of the position and progress of Freemasonry in that part of her Majestv ' s dominions—fhear . hear . )—South Africa , where . 2 . 3 years ago he first

saw the light of Masonry , and where all his Masonic honours were gained . There were four distinct constitutions in South Africa , English , Scotch , Irish , and Dutch . 'The Dutch raised the banner of Freemasonry there 120 or 130 years ago . In Caps Town they NI their ( irst ' odge The Dutch had , S lod S es under the Grand Lodge of the Netherlands . The English had five District Grand Lodges in South Africa , one in the Central Division , one in the Eastern Division , and one in the Western Division , one in th » ' one ln " Transvazi . The Western Division was under the presidency of the Rev . Charles William Barnett Clarke , and had its head quarters at Cape Town ,

wun some 15 lodges . It covered a very large and wide area . To these 15 lodges brethren had very often to travel many miles of wild country . Their days of meetiig were fixed at or near the full moon , showing that our brethren were mindful of the j ™ . | ° ntual , and had great dependence on that light which is from above . The A 1 tlf" ° '" " . ^ ' African District stood second to none in loyalty to the Crown , ana their one desire was to preserve pure and unsullied the ancient institutions of h H £ ' '" the course of the even « ig the G . M . ' s South African Masonic Relief Fund nad been spoken of , and his Royal I lighness ' s message thereupon mentioned , he must

Craft Masonry.

acknowledge the most excellent support it had had , and he could assure the brethren that Charity was no idea ! thing in Masonry . There was also no better appeal to the Charity of the Craft than on behalf of the loyal and distressed brethren in South Africa . Take his own district , the Transvaal with its 25 lodges with some 2000 brethren ; he was well within the truth when he said that four-fifths of them were loyal to the Queen and the Craft . Now , those brethren who had been in a decent condition , living with their wives and families , and able to earn their bread and keep their homes in

comfort and educate and bring up their children properly , were suddenly and without a word of warning hounded and thrust out of their country , unable to take anything but what they stood up in , and leaving their houses , homes , and everything that could make life pleasant , and were subject to every indignity and insult enough to make one's blood run cold ; afterwards having to live on the charity of their brethren . The fund started for their relief was a subject dear to his heart . It was kind of the Grand Master to send a message to Grand Lodge , and Grand Lodge made a magnificent response , and the cheerful assistance of the brethren of lodges and provinces was

coming in every day . It showed that there was one chain which bound the brethren together , and he knew he should not look in vain for support . The question was what amount would be required . That depended on circumstances . He hoped it would not be long before peace was restored , and happiness , concord and prosperity established . 1 f more was required from Grand Lodge than it had already granted it could be appealed to again . He thought some 3000 brethren would require relief ; but he could assure the brethren that whatever individuals , lodges , or provinces gave would be thankfully received and faithfully applied .

Bro . G . S . Elliott , I . P . M ., proposed " The W . M ., " who , he said , was the right man in the right place . Bro . White had acted as Secretary of the lodge since its foundation , and a better Secretary it could not have had . He had been unanimously elected to the chair , and he would make as good a Master as he had made a Secretary .

Bro . E . White , VV . M ., replying , said that ivhen he was for the first time in his life elected Master of a lodge he thought it the proudest moment of his life , but he thought that night was the proudest he had ever experienced . He was proud to occupy any office ; but he was prouder to be Master of the Londo . i County Council Lodge , the establishment of which showed that , however the members of the Council might differ from each other , their differences never followed them into Freemasonry .

Bro . Elliott , I . P . M ., responding to the toast of " The Past Masters , " and acknowledging the gift of a Past Master ' s jewel which was presented to him , expressed the pride he felt at having been the W . M . of that lodge . He had tried to fulfil the obligations he took 12 months ago—to carry out impartially and to the best of his ability the duties he then took upon himself . He was glad that the brethren were satisfied with the way in which he had occupied the high office of W . M . Bros . Reginald Mure , Potter , and Critchett replied to the toast . of " The Visitors . " The other toasts followed .

St . Nicholas Lodge , No . 2259 . The bi-monthly meeting of tlis lodge was held on Wednesday , the 21 st inst Present : Bros . E . Hirst , W . M . ; G . Eland , I . P . M . ; E . Simpson , S . W . ; T . J . Smith , J . W . ; E . Donkin , Treas . ; J . Constable , Sec ; E . Maskill , S . D . ; Theo Barb-r , P . M ., D . of C . ; J . Acaster , I . G . ; F . Pine , Tyler ; H . A . Fenton , P . M . ; C . F . Budds , and T . R . S . Marsdin .

Lodge being opened . Bro . Constable read the circular from Grand Lodge , and from Bro . Richards , Dist . G . Master of the Transvaal , as well as the touching and appropriate article from the Ficemason on the distress prevailing in South Africa amongst the brethren suffering from the effects of the terrible war . Although only a small lodge , not situated in the midst of wealth and affluence , still the very commendable sum of £ 10 15 s was collected among the members present , to be supplemented by subscriptions trom the absentees . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the club room , where a convivial hour was spent .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 211 . The installation meeting of this highly successful lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , E . C , on the 2 Sth ult ., and was well attended . Among those present were Bros . J . Rossdale , W . M . ; F . N . Hardinge , J . W ., Master elect ; Wales , M . O . ; Strutt , S . O . ; VVillshire , J . O . ; J . N . Frye , P . M ., Treas . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Sec ; R . Shaw , P . G . S ., I . G . ; P . Beard , D . C . ; Barton and lohnstone , Stwds . ; P . Mason , P . M . ; J . Huish , P . M . ; Larter , P . M . ; and E .

Beard , I . P . M . Bros . S . Pollitzer , P . M . ; E . J . Day , P . M . ; and S . V . Abrahams were visitors . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Hardinge having been presented was installed by Bro . J . Rossdale in a most admirable manner . The officers appointed and invested were Bros . Wales , S . W . ; Strutt , J . W . ; WiUshtre , M . O . ; Baragownethy , S . O . ; Douse , J . O . ; J . N . Frye , P . M ., Treas . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., Sec . ; R . Shaw , P . M ., S . D . ; P . Beard , J . D . ; Barton , I . G . j Johnstone , D . C . ; P . Gayer , H . Warmington , and C . J . Burt , Stwds . ; and C .

Patrick , Tyler . A vote of thanks was passed to the Installing Master , and he was presented with a Past Master's jewel . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . F . C . Frye , P . M . ; S . Parkhouse , P . M . ; Surgeon-Lieut .-Col . Kiallmark , P . M ., P . G . S . ; and others . The lodge was then closed . A banquet followed . Bro . R . Shaw responded on behalf of " The Grand Officers . "

" The Health of the W . M . " was given by Bro . E . Beard , acting I . P . M . He said that from what he had seen of the W . M . 's working in the minor offices of the lodge he had no doubt that the more important work of the chair would be well performed . The lodge , as shown by the balance sheet that night , was in a sound financial and prosperous condition . He wished the W . M . every success . The W . M ., in reply , said that in the persons of the proposer of the toast and the

I . P . M ., Bro . Rossdale , the lodge had had two good Masters . If he could only equal their excellent efforts he should consider himself a fortunate man . He regretted that the last named had been compelled to leave in consequence of a family bereavement , as otherwise he should have liked personally to thank him for so ably installing him . He felt proud of being the Master of No . 211 , and no effort on his part would be wanting to render his occupancy of the chair an agreeable one to the brethren .

The toast ot "The Visitors" followed , and was briefly responded to by Bros Pollifzer , Day , and Abrahams .

" 1 he Past Masters " was coupled with the names of Bros . Beard and Larter , In giving " The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . was very laudatory in his remarks . He said that Bro . J . N . Frye's management of the funds could not be too highly praised , apart from which he was a most genial man and an excellent Mason . Bro . Frye having replied in a humorous vein , "The Health of the Officers" terminated the proceedings .

The W . M . had generously provided an admirably-arranged musical entertainment . The numerous items were greatly appreciated and . in every instance the artistes were asked for encores .

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" . AMONG THE LEADING BRANDS OP / rail Blankenhorn ' s "SPORTSMAN" E ? , ST ^^ MJ li ENJOYS A REPUTATION" OP A QUARTER-OF-A-CENTURY . , L ^ = ^ , 4 ;^ J London Offices-is , CULLUM STREET LONDON , E . C