At The Sign Of The Perfect Ashlar.

THE CROOK LJDGJC , NO . 201 c ; . The installation meeting of the Crook Lodge , No . 2019 ( Province of Durham ) , was a highly successful one , both as regards attendance and the interest evinced in the proceedings . The attendance was large and a goodly number of visitors were present , including several Provincial Grand Officers .

The more interesting features were the presentation to the lodge by the I . P . M ., Bro . Addison , of a portrait of himself , and the complimentary gift of a valuable Masonic jewel of special and symbolical design , and a silver match box

BKO . EDWARD MILHURN , I ' . JL-- ( Plmtn . I'lrirt , l-eiiri- Jlimm ) .

subscribed for b y a few of the members of the lodge to Bro . Edward Milburn , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., whose Masonic zeal generally and devoted services to the Crook Lodge in particular were the theme cf Bro . W . J . Anderson , P . M ., who made the presentations . In appropriate terms Bro . Milburn

acknowledged both the gifts and the fraternal sentiments which accompanied them , modestiy disclaiming any merit on his part but that of having done his duty to his lodge and the Craft . The presentation of a gold chain and Masonic pendent to the late Treasurer , Bro . W . Atkinson , followed , and a banquet afterwards took place .

LA LOCK L'ESTKSTK CORDIALE , No . 279 6 . From every point of view , whether considered from the stand-point of international or Masonic interests , the establishment of French lodges in London , or , more properl y speaking , lodges composed of Frenchmen resident in this country ,

should be encouraged and welcomed bv all English Freemasons . The success of " Loge La France" has been repeated by " La Loge L'Entente Cordiale , " which was consecrated in 1900 , and which held its installation meeting on the 3 rd December , when W . Bro . Edouard

Roehrich was inducted into the chair in the presence of a large number of Grand Officers ( three of whom are members of the lodge ) and brethren . To those cf us who are familiar with the language , nothing could be more pleasing than the rendering of our beautiful ritual in the milil ' . uor . s accents of our nearest neighbours , and the ceremonies on this occasion were of an exceptionally interesting character . There were two

candidates initiated , and one raised and these ceremonies , together with that of the installation , were admirably worked by the W . M ., equally with that of the raising , which was performed by Bro . Barlet , P . M ., and Preceptor of La France Lodge of Instruction . A Past Master ' s Jewel , in which the Rose of England and the Fleur de Lis of France were

entwined , with other symbols bearing on the name of the lodge , was presented to the retiring W . M . The toast of "The Queen " was most enthusiastically drunk , and Bro . Sir John Monckton , in reply , complimented the lodge on the smoothness and grace with which the ceremonies had been rendered , and caused much amusement bv finishing his speech ,

which he had commenced in French , in his best English . In reply to the to- 'st of " The Visitors , " Bro . Kxettlitz , Lodge Les Vrais amis de PUnion et du Progres , Brussels , in

an eloquent speech , while disclaiming any intention to talk politics , said that he hoped his English brethren would not forget that the persons in Belgium who were howling at the English and their great nation , represented but a small and noisy minority—the majority of his countrymen could never forget what they owed to England as a nation , and as far as

Masonry was concerned , the constitutions of the Grand Orient of Belgium were founded upon those of England . Their first Grand Master was Ambassador to the Court of St . James , and he instilled the principles of English Freemasonry into his own Grand Lodge . He earnestly invited English Masons to visit lodges in Belgium , promising them a cordial and hearty

welcome , and that they would see unmistakable evidences of a union which was so fully expressed in the name of " La Loge L'Entente Cordiale . "

THE KIRHY LODGE OE INSTRUCTION , No . 263 . The Kirby Lodge of Instruction , which deservedly holds a high position amongst its fellows in the metropolis , held its ninth annual festival at the Midland Grand Hotel on the 20 th November , and it was one of the most successful of its

gatherings . The first lecture was admirably worked with Bro . George Rankin , the Preceptor of the lodge , acting as Worshipful Master . At the subsequent proceedings , the advantages of lodges of instruction was the theme of every speaker . The Grand Treasurer , Bro . H . Manlield , occupied

the chair , and complimented the members on their excellent working , remarking that it was impossible to over estimate the advantages to be derived from lodges of instruction , especially in their influence on young men just joining the

Craft—in placing before them a high standard of excellence and encouraging uniformity of working and greater dignity and impressiveness in the ceremonies . He congratulated the lodge also on the zeal they had shown for the Charities , they having , a little more than a year ago , founded a Charitable Association , and in that short time raised 250 guineas .

Bro . J . M . McLeod , Secretary of the Boys' School ; Bro . R . C . Sudlow , Leader of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement ; Bro . George Rankin , the Preceptor ; and Bro . Pritchard , Secretary of the Bank of England Lodge , each spoke in a similar strain , the latter describing the Kirby

Lodge of Instruction as one of the largest in the metropolitan district . The musical programme was arranged by Bro . W . R . Bennett , and met with much appreciation .

The Theory of Water Finding is the subject of a formidable pamphlet of over 100 pages , whose author , Mr . B . Tompkins , W . F ., of Chippenham , appears to have no difficulty in proving that so far from the divining rod being a relic of the superstition and credulity of our father'sit is

, a very practical and certain instrument in the hands of an expert who is possessed of the highly nervous organisation necessary for its successful use . That it is not an acquired gift is demonstrated by the fact that considering the valuable results likely to accrue from following it as a profession , its devotees are few and far between . Mr . Tompkins cites some

quite remarkable evidences of his skill and success in finding both water and minerals in this ancient fashion , and the most sceptical can hardly fail to be convinced of the genuineness of his methods .