Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

In response to "The Visiting Brethren , " Bro . M . Linfield , in a very happy manner , said , having been an old P . M . of the lodge , he hardly considered himself a visitor , but as long as health permitted , and he had the good fortune to reside near , he should always feel it a pleasure to attend any invitation cf his old lodge . He was an old Mason , but totally unaccustomed to respond for the visiting

brethren . Singular to say that during 30 years that was only the second occasion , the other was in Cornwall at the Prov . G . Lodge , when there wss 1500 present , and the only visitors were a parson and himse'f , and he was thankful to be able to say the parson as usual did the needful oratory . The W . M . then proposed "The Officers of the Lodge , " stating that he should have hesitated in accepting his

exalted office had he not been well assured that he would receive their prompt , cheerful , and entire support . But still he asked the Past Masters , who ought to be the backbone of the lodge , to show their appreciation and love for the Craft by attending on all occasions when summoned , no matter how trivial it might appear . Bro . AnsleS . VV ., in reply , said , in referring to the

, remarks of the W . M ., Bro . Jones , and ethers , he begged to assure the brethren that the officers of the lodge intended to support the VV . M . in every shape and form ; and that a great improvement must lately have been seen in the working of the Yarborough Lodge , which was due to the lodge of instruction recently formed , and which he was happy to

say was well attendee ! , and nearly all the officers appointed that evening were well up in the Ritual , and he thought that all would agree with him that they had made great progress . But they did not mean to rest contented with that , and intended by the time the W . M . retired from his position , to convince every brother who visited them , that as far as the Ritual was concerned they were second to none in the

province . Several songs by Bros . E . G . H . Wetherick , Trueman , Webbnr , and Swane , and recitations by Bro . F . Topham Jones , enlivened a most enjoyable evening , which was brought to a close shortly after 10 o'clock . NEW MILLS . —Peveril of the Peak Lodge ( No . 654 ) . —The installation of Bro . A . T . McGregor , J . VV ., took place and the St . John ' s Festival celebrated on Wednesday , December 21 st , 1887 , at the Crown Hotel . There was a large muster of brethren present , including Bros . J . F . Jackson , W . M . ; T . Owen-Arnfield , I . P . M . ; rt

A . T . McGregor , | . W . ( VV . M . elect ) ; J . . wyatt , Sec ; W . Campbell , S . D . ; H . Salisbury , J . D . ; J . T . Wyall , I . G . ; J . Wright , C . Slack , H . Barber , ) . H . Jackson , P M . ; John Hawthorne , J . Moult , J . Johnson , G . H . Fernley , F . Rowbottom , J . Dalton , C . K . Johnson , R . Thornley , R . Brown , G . H . Scott , G . Higginbottom , P . P . G . S . ; J . P . Hill ; A . W . Slack , J . VV . 16 SS . Visitors : J . G . Bromley , P . M . 1375 ; F . A . Bodger ,

1009 ; G . S . Smith , P . M . 1134 ; W . P . Stamper , 1952 j J . O . Stuart , 1345 ; F . Warburton , W . M . 1219 ; G , Makin , 1534 ; J . Smith , S . W . 323 ; J . W . Broadhurst , 19 62 ; W . Hall , I . P . M . 1387 ; Jos . Hadfield , 381 ; J . Tilton , W . M . 26 S ; R . H . Lomas , S . W . 1235 ; J . Whitehead , P . M . ; G . Kinder , 1150 ; J . St . Leger , 1952 : and G . A . Bowen , 2144 .

The lodge was opened and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . Bro . J . H . Jackson , P . M ., occupied the chair of K . S . for the purpose of installing the W . M . elect ( A . T . McGregor , J . W . ) who was presented to the installing Master by Bro . T . Owen-Arnfield , and after the customary formula he was inducted into the chair with all due ceremony . On

the re-admission of the brethren Bro . McGregor was proclaimed and saluted by them . The officers for the year were then invested as follows : Bros . J . F . Jackson , I . P . M . ; W . Campbell , S . W . ; H . Salisbury , J . W . ; J . Wyatt , Sec . ; J . H . Wyatt , S . D . ; F . Rowbottom , j . D . ; ] . Hawthorne , P . M ., D . of C ; S . Whitehead , Org . ; B . Thornley , I . G . ; C . M . Johnson and G . Fernley , Stewards ; and Thos . Hibbert , Tyler . The addresses

to the VV . M . were delivered by Bro . J . T . Wright , P . M . ; to the Wardens by Bro . J . Hawthorne , P . M . ; and to the brethren by Bro . J . H . Jackson , P . M . The installation ceremony being completed the lodge was closed , and subsequently the brethren celebrated the Festival of St . John with a banquet , when the usual loyal and Masonic toast list was gone through , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

CARDIFF . —Bute Lodge ( No . 9 60 ) . —The annual festival of the above lodge was held on Tuesday , the 20 th inst ., in the Masonic Hall , Working-street , when Bro ; J . Radley was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year . Present : Bros . J . Munday , P . G . R ., W . M . ; John Hussey , I . P . M . ; James Radley , S . W . ; C . Carey Thomas , J . W . ; W . C . Peace , P . M ., Treas . ; D . S .

Varzopoleo , Sec ; W . H . Martin , P . M ., D . C ; John Dutton , Org . ; Thomas Evans , S . D . ; Thomas James , J . D . ; and W . P . Phillips , Stwd . P . M . 's Bros . W . E . Shackell , T . Matthews , P . P . S . G . W . ; Henry White , P . P . G . T . ; A . P . Fabian , P . P . S . G . W . Herts ; Benjamin Arthur , P . P . S . G . D . ; and W . D . John , P . P . G . D . C . Bros . W . B . Ferrier , P . T . Riley , W . Hellier , P . L .

Thomas , A . M . Parsons , H . Elliott , F . H . Simpson , John Williams , Elliott , H . Goldman , John Rees , John Robson , Evan Williams , A . Taubmann , W . A . Baker , D . J . Morgan , W . J . Peace , J . Wills , C . E . Gibbon , E . J . C . Smith , H . Sweeting , W . Coates , W . Richards , J . Rate , A . VV Dovey , T . F . Harris , Thomas , John Williams , W . S . Prestage , Henry Tainsh , W . T . Jones , S . O . Williams , C .

H . Owen , Hugh Brown , A . C . BottenlI , ° C . E . Dovey , and R . Price . Visitors : Bros . A . H . Howard , W . M . 1578 ; John John , 1578 ; T . King , 1578 ; Stephen Lewis , I . P . M . 1578 ; A . Delguerra , 1992 ; C . M . Vinzie , 36 ; John James , 202 ; C W . Page , W . M . 36 ; H . F . Clarke , ' W . M . 833 ; W . Page Wood , 1039 ; J . David , 1 754 ; J . H . Taylor , J . D . 1573 ; J . W . Hall , J . W . 1882 ; G . F .

Harris , W . M . no ; S . G . Homfray , D . P . G . M . Mon ., P . A . G . D . C ; A . Taylor , P . M . 1429 , P . G . S . Mon . ; A . ] . St . Clair , P . M . 1429 ; R . Cullen , S . W . 1429 ; S . Cooper , P . M . 36 , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . E . Donovan , 36 ; F . G . Hodges , W . M . 1754 ; F . P . Adey , P . M . 1754 ; W . Hilditch , 1754 ; T . H . Belcher , S . W . 1 754 , P . G , Stwd . ;

F . Clarke , 51 ; L . W . Paynter , W . M . 471 ; J . H . Beale Lewis , 36 ; and Walter Nichol , 36 . The installation ceremony was performed by Bro . John Munday in a manner that evoked the highest praise from the brethren present . The following brethren were then invested as officers for the ensuing year : Bros . John Mun-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

day , P . G . R ., I . P . M . ; C . C . Thomas , S . W . ; D . S . Varzopollo , J . W . ; VV . C . Peace , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., Treas . ; Thomas Evans , S " ec . ; J . H . Hussey , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . of C ; R . Elliott , Org . ; John Dutton , S . D . ; Thomas James , J . D . ; John Rees , I . G . ; W . F . Marwood and W . B . Ferrier , Stewards ; and A . Jenkins , Tyler . Bros . W . C Peace , P . M ., and J . Hussey , P . M .,

were appointed to serve on the Provincial Grand Lodge Committee , and Bros . Dovey and Champneys-Smith were elected to setve on the Finance and Standing Committee . At the close of the installation ceremony Bro . Homfray , D . P . G . M . for Monmouthshire , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Sir George Elliot , P . G . M ., and Bro . M . Tennant , D . P . G . M ., presented Bro . John Munday , the retiring

W . M ., with a P . M . 's jewel , and at the same time complimented him on the manner in which he had that day performed the installation ceremony . The jewel was of a special design , with the arms of the town , and was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

In the evening a banquet was held at the Royal Hotel , presided over by Bro . James Radley , W . M ., and supported by the distinguished visitors and brethren above mentioned . The musical arrangements were undertaken by the brethren , assisted by the gentlemen of the Llandaff Cathedral choir .

KIRKBURTON . —Beaumont Lodge ( No . 2035 ) . —The annual meeting of the members of this lodge took place on Saturday , the 17 th inst ., at the George Inn . Bro . John VVilliam Cocking was installed W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . VVm . Schofield ( the first Master of the lodge ) in an impressive manner , the working tools of a

Fellow Craft were explained and presented by Bro . Fitton , P . M ., and those of an Entered Apprentice by Bro . Brierley , P . M . The following officers were invested by the W . M . : Bros . Charles Hargreaves , S . W . ; H . Calverley , J . W . ; G . A . Schofield , Reg . ; Rev . R . Collins , Chap . ; 0 . Drummond , Secretary ; Fitton , Treas . ; J . W . Senior , D . C ; Galloway , A . D . C ; J . W . Bedford , S . D . ;

Groves , J . D . ; A . Gledhill , I . G . ; J . Kenye , B . H . Moxon , and Menzies , Stwds . ; and B . Denton , Tyler . Bro . Wm . Schofield was elected to serve on the Provincial Charity Committee . Bros . Stocks and Cook were appointed Auditors . The visitors included Bros . Thos . Ruddock , P . M ., P . P . G . T . ; Col . Day , P . M . 275 ; W . Riley , 25 S ; Joe Calverley , 1514 ; Geo . Hirst , 1514 ; J . Hopkinson ,

East Gnnstead ; R . H . Armitage , 275 ; Ruddock , 357 ; H . Shaw , 521 ; and Geo . Sykes , 290 . Lodge was then closed . The brethren afterwards sat down to an excellent banquet , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . During the evening the following brethren enlivened the proceedings by singing—Bros . VVm . Riley , J . Calverley ,

R . H . Armitage , Fitton , and Ruddock . It was mentioned during the evening that a company was in the course of formation for the purpose of building a new Masonic Hall for the lodge , and that a large amount had already been subscribed . The want of a properly constructed room very much impedes the progress of this lodge .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1614 ) . —The usual weekly meeting of this lodge of instruction was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , S . W ., on the zsnd inst ., when there were present Bros . E . Nice . ' W . M . j W . Hancock , S . W . ; A . Clark , J . W . ; E . C . Mulvev , S . D . ; F . Kedge , J . D . ; W . Cursons , I . G . ; W . C . Smith ! Preceptor ; G . Reynolds , Treas . and Sec . ; T . E . Weeks , Tyler ; T . C . Seary , W . Brindley , H . C . Chevalier , E . L . Campbell , V . Smith , J . Rowe , H . G . Marsden , and F . M . Noakes .

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . E . C . Mulvey worked the ist , and Bro . VV . Brindley worked the and Section of the First Lecture . Lodge opened in the Second Degree . Bro . W . Brindley having offered himself as a candidate to be raised to the Third Degree , was duly questioned , entrusted , and retired . Lodge opened in the Third Degree . The W . M . rehearsed the Degree of M . M .

Bro . W . C . Smith worked the and , and Bro . W . Brindley worked the 3 rd Section of the Third Lecture . Lodge resumed to the First Degree . On rising for the second time , Bio . \ V . C . Smith proposed that Bro . W . Hancock be elected W . M . for the ensuing week—seconded by the J . W ., and carried unanimously . The W . M . elect appointed his officers in rotation . On rising for the third time , nothing further olVering for the good of Freemasonry , the lodge was closed .

ABBEY LODGE ( . No . 2030 ) . —A mseting was held on . Friday , 23 rd inst ., at the King ' s Arms , Buckingham Palace-road , S . W . Present : Bros . Coleman , W . M . ; Glover , S . W . ; Evans , J . W . ; Boulton , P . M ., Preceptor ; Gibson , P . M ., Treas . ; Coughlan , P . M ., Sec . ; Roberts , S . D . ; Hume , J . D . ; Piper , I . G . ; Harvey , Hobbs , and Holland . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and conlirmed . Bro . Hobbs , a candidate to be passed to thc Second Degree , answered the usual questions , and

was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Hobbs being the candidate . Bro . Hume , a candidate to be raised to the Third Degree , answered the usual questions , and was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Hume being the candidate . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree , Bro . Holland , 1624 , was unanimously elected a joining member , and Bro . Glover was unanimously elected VV . M . for the 6 th prox ., to-night ( Friday ) being devoted to the mother lodge . Nothing further offering , the lodge was closed .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

INSTRUCTION , HORNSEY CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT ( No . 890 ) . —A convocation was held on Friday , the 23 rd inst ., at the Porchester Hotel , Leinster-place , Cleveland-square , Paddington , W ., when there were present Comps . J . Davies , 733 , M . E . Z . ; M . Speigel , 834 , H .: 1 . Sims , J . 834 , J . ; H . Dehane , H . 890 , ist A . S . 862 , S . E . ; G . ' N . Watts , Z . no ' 6 , S . N . ; W . H . Chalfont , P . S . 9 JS , P . S . ; J . J . Cantle , 180 , ist A . S . ; VV . H . Dean , P . Z . } j , 417 ,

P . P . G . R . Dorset ; S . Cochrane , 3 ; and J . Smith , 890 . The chapter was declared open , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Cochrane being candidate . A cordial vote of thanks , to be recorded on the minutes , was unanimously passed to Comp . Davies for the able manner in which he had rehearsed the duties of First Principal for the first time . After " Hearty good wishes , " the chapter was closed .

At the last regular meeting of the Skiddaw Lodge , No . K 02 , Cockermouth , Bro . A . Cooper , S . W ., was elected W . M . by a unanimous vote .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

FRIZINGTON . —Henry Lodge ( No . 216 ) . — The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 21 st inst . Bro . Chas . Gowan , VV . M ., presided , supported as follows : Bros . Jas . Routledge , S . W . ; Dr . Jas . I . Lace , J . VV . ; Geo . Dalrymple , M . O . and Reg . of Marks ; B . Craig , S . O . ; George Lowden , J . O . ; Jas . Harper , I . G . ; John Gordon , Tylec ; and others .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , when the list was read over of those eligible for election to the chair , and Bro . Dr . Jas . I . Lace , P . J G . D ., was elected by a unanimous vote ; Bro . Jas . Harper , P . M ., P . J . G . W ., Treas . ; and Bro . J . Gordon , Tyler . Three candidates were proposed for advancement , and , with other general business , and " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed .

Laying The Foundation Stone Of The New Grammar School, Cheltenham.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL , CHELTENHAM .

The ceremony of lajing the foundation stone of the new Grammar School at Cheltenham , with Masonic honours , was performed on Wednesday , the 14 th inst . The R . W .

Prov . G . M ., Sir Michael Hicks Beach , Bart ., opened the Provincial Grand Lodge at the Masonic Hall , and a pleasing feature in the business transacted was the conferring of Past Prov . Grand rank as Jubilee honours on two of the brethren of the province , those selected by the R . W . P . G . M . for this distinction being Bro . Henry Jeffs , who received the rank of ( P . P . S . G . W ., and Bro . Sir Brook Kay , Bart ., that of

P . P . G . Reg . The following signed the Tyler's book : Bros . T . Nelson Foster , P . G . T . ; E . T . Chipp , VV . M . 1005 , P . J . G . D . ; J . Shaw Carleton , P . G . D . C ; W . Hayward , P . G . S . B . ; H . Phillips , P . G . Tyler ; J . Winterbotham , P . P . G . R . ; R . Chandler , P . P . S . G . D . ; E . Hulbett , 702 , P . P . G . D . C . ; H . Jeffs , 1005 , P . P . J . G . W . ; H . G . Roberts :, 1005 , P . P . J .

G . W . ; G . Tomes , 1005 , P . P-I . G . W . ; J . S . Gee , 1005 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Bruton , S 39 , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . C . Heane , P . P . G . R . ; R . V . Vassar-Smith , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . L . Bretheiton , W . M . 839 ; E . C . Sewell , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . H . Turner , P . P . G . S . B . ; F . Ferriver , J . W . Royal Union ; W . T . Byett , J . P ., Zetland , P . G . S . ; A . E . 'Green , P . M . Bedford ; T . Hatters ' ly-Smith , S . VV . Foundation ; G .

Norman , P . P . G . R . ; C . Penly , 855 , P . P . G . D . C ; G . Perris , P . G . S . of W . ; W . P . Want , 761 , P . P . J . G . W . ; H . J . Small , P . M . St . John , P . P . J . G . D . ; F . Millman , P . M . Sympathy , P . P . G . S . B . ; S . Bloodworth , S . VV . St . John ; J . A . Matthews , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; A . C . Wheeler , 839 ; R . Worlock , Sympathy ; T . J . Cottle , P . M . 82 , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . W . Brereton , 82 ; J . Drew ,

82 ; E . Baylis , J . W . 82 ; and W . Porcher , So , P . P . G . R . Visitors : Bros . D . Chandler , S . Newman , E . Teakel , M . Hodges , T . Hanman , C . Roberts , A . Barrett , G . H . Goold , J . Coombes , W . Heath , Surgeon-General Ringer , R . J . Weston , B . London , E . Lea , H . Godwin Chance , R . Blizard , H . Tovey , J . F . Nicholls , F . Evans , R . Proud Smith , B . Kay , E . A . Dunn , J . Ryland , E . Dering , W . C Ferris , H .

Fernald , J . Walker , J . Bryan , G . Newmarcb , J . Greenfield , G . C . P . Pike , J . C . Hill , S . Bland , A . W . Woodward , J . H . Goold , E . Grossman , VV . Renwick , W . Jenkins , F . W . Fisher , R . F . Pomeroy , J . Butler , W . Felton , P . Moore , J . H . C . Baxter , J . A . Fisher , R . Rogers , C . Wilson , A . Parker , G . Woods , H . Tuthill , T . Steel , G . VV . Capel , W . Powell , and others .

After leaving the lodge room the Masonic brethren adjourned to the class-room of the school , and robed there , and the Prov . G . M ., with the Mayor and Corporation , in their robes , and other distinguished guests having been received by the Governors of the school , a procession was then formed to the site of the stone . The Cheltenham Company of the Gloucestershire

Engineers formed a guard of honour , and spaces were reserved for the Corporation , the Grammar School boys , and the general public . On arrival at the stone , the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master was received by the Governors of the Grammar School , and the Chairman , Bro . W . H . Gwinnett , J . P ., having presented the Mayor , the Head Master , the

head boy of the school , and the captain of the football club to the Provincial Grand Master , requested him to Jay the foundation-stone . The Provincial Grand Master then took up his position , the vessels of corn , wine , and oil being deposited on a table placed for their reception . The upper ston e ^ having been raised ,

Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH said : Brother Masons , Ladies , and Gentlemen , —I askyou to listen to a few words from me before we proceed with the interesting and impor < tant ceremony to-day . I have been invited , as Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of Gloucestershire , to take a leading part in laying the foundation-stone of the new buildings of your Grammar School at Cheltenham ,

and I readily accepted that invitation because 1 felt the importance of the event , not only to Cheltenham , but also , I hope , to the whole of Gloucestershire . 1 his is an ancient school . More than 300 years ago it was founded , and now we hope it is about to commence afresh and wider career of usefulness among those for whose benefit it was intended by the founder . 1 need not dwell here upon the benefits that

may be conferred upon this town and county by the education which we hope will be obtained in the buildings which we are now met to begin . I would rather remind you , speaking as I am to brother Masons , but also to those who are not so fortunate as to belong to our Order , of the old connection of Freemasonry with some of the most splendid buildings of Europe and England , and the fitting tradition which

comes down to us , through which we are called to take part in ceremonies such as the one in which we are engaged . We are not operative but speculative Masons nowadays , and in the whole of our Masonic system , in every item of the ceremony which I am about to perform , you will find nothing of what may be strictly called an operative nature , but you will find it throughout a tissue ,

if I may so speak , of moral symbolism . We lay this stone on the square , because with us the square is an emblem of that morality which , we trust , will always be inculcated in the Cheltenham Grammar School . We test it with a level , fitting symbol of that equality which in no part of our life removes from us so completely the adventitious circumstances of rank and fortune as it does when we are all