Untitled Article

brightest ornaments . After the business was concluded , the Brethren adjourned to the George Inn , to partake of the annual banquet of the Lodge of Instruction , provided by Bro . Moore . The chair was occupied by Bro . Southgate , W . M . Bros . G . E . Sharland , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . T . Dobson . P . P . J . G . W . ; J . J . Nickoll and Gore , P . P . G . Stewards ; and about thirty of the Brethren sat round the festive

board . After the cloth was cleared , and the usual Loyal , Masonic , and Patriotic toasts had been given and responded to with great heartiness , the Chairman said , that the chief business of the evening was to do honour to a worthy Brother , whose Masonic worth and great ability had entitled him to the praise of the Craft ; and whose kindness and affability had won for him the regard of all the Brethren . In order to show their appreciation of such sterling Masonic worth , the members of

the two Gravesend Lodges had subscribed nearly thirty guineas , which had been expended in the purchase of a very handsome silver Tea Service , which , in the name of the assembled Brethren , he now presented to Bro . Moore , as a testimonial of their esteem and affection , and as a token of their sense of his services to Masonry at the Lodge of Instruction . Bro . Moore ' s health was then drank | f with hearty cheers . Bro . Moore acknowledged this distinguished compliment in 4 b very appropriate speech ; and after several other Masonic toasts had been given , the meeting separated .

Bound the lid and outer rim of the teapot belonging to the service presented to Bro . Moore , is engraved the following inscription - . —" Presented to Bro . Henry William Moore , P . M . No . 20 , and P . P . G . J . D . for the Province of Kent , by the members of the Lodge of Instruction of Lodges No . 91 and No . 709 , for his disinterested services . " ( This report was unfortunately received too late for the January number . )

Sheekness , —^ 4 dam ' s Lodge , No . 184 . —On Tuesday , January 9 th , the installation of the W . M . took place . The business of the evening commenced by the raising of Bro . G , M . Smith , Lieut . R . N . to the sublime Degree of M . M ., which ceremony was performed by Bro . Keddell , P . S . G . W ., Kent . The installation ceremony was ably conducted by Bro . J . Townsend , P . P . G . B ., P . P . G . S . W ., the able and active Secretary of the Lodge .

The W . M . for the ensuing year , although a young Mason , bids lair to be an active one , having evinced during the time he has been a member of the Lodge , such readiness in attaining that knowledge so requisite to fill the chair with honour to himself , and advantage to the Lodge , that he has fully convinced the Brethren their choice will prove a happy one ; indeed , the admirable manner in which he initiated two gentlemen into Masonry fully proved that Bro . J . Whitall , Paymaster , R . N ., has richly deserved the Gavel .

The following Brethren were then invested , Bros . Bigley , S . W . ; Capt . Jb orbes , R . A ., J . W . ; Courts , S . D . ; Kitt , J . D . ; L . Shrubsole , Tr . ; Townsend , S . ; Bates , I . G . ; and Wilkins , T . The Lodge having been closed , the Brethren , to the number of twenty-seven , sat down to an excellent banquet , arranged by their judicious Steward , Bro . Bigley , and nros / ided bv " mine host , " Bro . Davis of the Fountain . The usual toasts

were ably proposed by the W . M ., and cordially responded to by the Brethren , and a high fund of comic humour emanated from Bros . Swandale , Keddell , Sen . and Jun . . . The prospects of Masonry at Sheerness , are , at present , peculiarly promising , many initiations having taken place during the past year , and those of a character calculated to raise the Lodge to a high position in the Province , as well as to extend Masonry , inasmuch as several of the newly initiated are officers of the armv and navv . We are happv to state that three candidates for initiation were

proposed for the next Lodge night . Nor is this pleasing prospect confined to Craft Masonry ; the Chapter attached to the Lodge is also prospering , and we have no doubt that both Lodge and Chapter will bear the test of any visit in the summer season from our Metropolitan and Provincial Brethren . We have much pleasure in stating that the Lodge unanimously voted £ 5 , in aid of the Patriotic Pund , which was forwarded to London last month . TOL . I . *