Craft Masonry.

to the lodge , and was installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro . Bowron , P . M . Doric Lodge , 933 , in a very impressive manner . The W . M . then invested his officers as follows : —Bros . H . Smith , S . W . ; AV . Simmons , J . W . ; L . R . Rogers , S . D . ; R . N . Field , J . D . ; J . Allen , I . G . ; Goshawk , W . S . ; Wieginton , Dir , of Cers ., S . W . Iron , I . P . M . ; T . Scotcher , P . M . 55 , See . Lodge being closed , the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . The toast of the

visitors was responded to by Bros . Atkins and Thomas—they were Bros . J . Bowron , P . M . 963 ; W . H . Caspar , 742 ; E . T . Reid , AV . M . 781 ; T . J . Barnes , P . M . 933 ; Francis , AV . M . 857 ; K . Green , 311 ; C . Lacey , W . M . 174 ; T . Smith , W . M . 829 ; Paget , P . M . 829 ; R . Atkins , AV . M . 55 ; J . Thomas , P . M . 507 ; Briscoe , P . M . 311 ; T . Mortlock , P . M . 18 G , & c . The evening passed very pleasantly , several capital songs being sung . The Tyler's toast concluded a very . agreeable evening , and the brethren separated early .

STAB LODGE ( NO . 1 , 275 ) . —On the 4 th inst ., the usual meeting of this flourishing young lodge took place at the Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , and was very well attended . Bro , Joseph Smith , P . G . Purst ., AV . M ., opened the lodge punctually at four o'clock , and alter the minutes ofthe former meeting had been read and confirmed , imparted the secrets of the third degree to Bros . T . Hobson and T . AVhiteman . He then communicated the mysteries ofthe second degree to Bro . A . Stevens ;

and ultimately initiated into the arcana of the order Mr . Thos . Robert Darke , of the Swan , AAlmbledon , and Mr . Beckett . The ceremonies were performed with that skill and ability for which Bro . Joseph Smith is famed . Bro . George Pymm , an excellent Masonic worker , and W . M . of 749 , was unanimously elected a joining member of the lodge , and two other brethren were proposed lor joining at next meeting . The lodwas then

ge closed , and the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , supplied by Bro . T . Hobson , and spent a most agreeable evening in each other ' s society . Bros . AV . Ough , G . Purst ., S . AA . ; C . J . Hogg ( AV . M . 58 ) , J . AV . ; F . AVaiters , P . M ., Sec . ; H . Keeble , S . D . ; G . Pymm ( AA . M . 7-19 ) , as J . D . ; H . Crabtree , I . G . ; E . Sisson . P . M . 101 and 901 ; E . Harper . I . G . 749 ; S . 0 . Lewin , S 71 ; and several others were present during the evening .

ROYAL STANDARD LODGE ( NO . 1 , 298 ) . The opening meeting and celebration of the festival of St . John the Evangelist in connection with this lodge ( which was consecrated a few days ago ) , was held at Bro . A \ . Jameson's the Marquess Tavern , Canonbm-y-street , Islington , on Tuesdav , the Sth inst . Bro . Major W . Wiggington , P . M . 902 , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . for Worcestershire , the neivjy-installed W . M ., occupied the chair of K . S . ; Bros . S . PoynterP . M . 902 S . AV . ;

, , E . Lee , AV . M . of the Confidence Lodge , J . W . ; J . F . Wilson , S . D . ; AV . J . AA oodman , J . D . ; S . Hill , Steward ; J . Morris , I . G . ; E . Lloyd , Div . of Cers . ; G . Motion , Steward ; It . Shaekell , P . Prov . G . Purst ., Hants , Hon . See . ; J . H . Younghusband , P . Prov . J . G . AV . AA ' est Lancashire , and numerous other brethren were present . The visitors were Bros . C . Roberts , P . M . Canonbury Lodgo 657 ; TnllettBedford 157 ; Fades 157 ; and Chas .

, , , , E . Thomson , J . W . 1 , 158 and 177 . The lodge was opened punctually at the time stated on the summons , and lhe business transacted , although it varied a little with the London system of " working , " and partook more of the provincial ( from where most of the brethren came ) still it was excellently done , and spoke well for the conduct of the lodgo in the future , liro . AViggington is to he congratulated on having such good and

efficient officers under him . The gentlemen initiated into the mysteries aud privileges of ancient free aud accepted Masonry , aud with the high importance and solemnity of which they seemed properly impressed , were : —Lieut . Ferdinand Mirabita , Messrs . \ A illiam Dennett Evans , Edmund Gatewood Modridge , and AVillium Edwin Collins . These gentlemen seemed highly delighted at the honour

conferred upon them , and paid great attention to Bro . AVigginton's really painstaking and careful delivery . Some propositions for the next meeting having been made , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , to which about 30 sat down . Grace having been said , the cloth was drawn . The AA . M . said the first toast among Masons , as the Bro . Initiates would find out , was always that of " The Queen , " and among different classes there were none more loyal than Freemasons , but iu order to render the toast a Alasonic one he would couple it the Craft . He therefore gave them "The Queen and the Craft . "

Craft Masonry.

In proposing " Most AVorshipful Grand Master , " the AA . M said it was probably the last time his name would be men tiono iu connection with that high and important office , but h e fel sure the Right Hon . tho Earl of Zetland would carry with him in his retirement the good wishes of the entire Craft . The toast was followed hy the usual Masonic fire . The next toast was that of "Bro . H . R . H the Prince of AVales , P . G . Master" whoBro . AViinton saidhad been invited to

, , gg , attend the consecration of the lodge , and had his numerous engagements permitted him to have done so , the ceremony would have taken place at Myddelton Hall , and a large number of " volunteer brethren would have attended , and formed a guard of honour for the occasion . The Duke of St . Albans kindly took the matter in hand , and urged His Royal Highness to be present , and perhaps it would be better for him ( Bro . AAlgginton ) to

read the letter which had been received from Colonel Knollys , writing for His Royal Highness . The letter was as follows : — " Gunton Park , Norwich , ¦¦ ' Jan . 25 th , 1870 .

" To Major AVigginton , County Chambers , Cornhill . Sir , —In reply to your application forwarded by the Duke of St . Albans , I am directed by the Prince of AVales to express his regret that it will not bo in his power to be present on the occasion in question . His Royal Highness would have much pleasure in complying with yonr request had not his numerous engagements made it impossible . " I amSiryour very ohedt . servant

, , , "AV . Knollys . " The AA . M . said he also received a letter which he had unfortunately left behind him , from the Duke of St . Albans , expressive of his regret at not being able to be present . The W . M . then proposed " The Health of the Right Hon . ' . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , M . AA . Grand Master elect , Deputy-Grand Masterand the jest of the Grand Officers" and

the-, , manner in which it was received was good evidence of the esteem the brethren hud for him . In the course of an interesting speech he stated that the Earl de Grey had discharged his onerous duties , as well with kindness as with assiduity . He sincerely hoped his reign , of whatever duration it might be , would be a happy ancl a prosperous one . For his own part he would limit it to a period of seven years , and during which he

should be glad if the Craft increased as much while he was M . AA . G . M . as it has done during the period he was D . G . M . "Army , Navy , and British A olunteers" followed , conpled with the names of Bros . Capt . Adams and Lieut . Middleton , of the Tower Hamlets Artillery ; after which Bro . Poynter sang anappropriate song . Bro . Captain Adams responded for the toast , and said that during his military career he had gone through very severe service , and he trusted he had , as every Englishman ought to do

—done his duty . Bro . Lieut . Middleton also replied . The AA . M . proposed "The Health of the Newly-initiated Brethren , whom he trusted and believed , from the attention they had paid to the ceremonies , would become good and true Masons , although they would be a long time before they would ' thoroughly understand it . He lid much pleasure in welcoming them to the lodge .

A brother replied , and said they were honoured by having been made members of so honourable and ancient an institution . A high eulogium was passed by the W . M . in referring to Bro . Younghusb . ind , the Consecrating Mascer of the lodge . He admitted ho had never witnessed the ceremony of consecration so ably and so solemnly performed as it hud been by him . They were very proud and happy to welcome him amongst them JID all times , lie hoped he would honour them with his presence

on many occasions to come . Bro . Younghusband made a felicitous speech in returning thanks . He said he had consecrated many lodges , but none with more pleasure than be had the Royal Standard Lodge , which he said could not be excelled for the quality , respectability and weight of its members . He urged upon the members at all times to stand by their W . AI ., for they had got one of whom

tiiey might justly be proud , but , above all . be united amongst themselves . In doing this they would carry out the great principl - S of the Order , otherwise it would be but sounding brass and tingling cymbals . He asked them never to forget the Charities , and mentioned , as a good example , that a lodge in his neighbourhood had put £ 1 Is . aside out of every initiation . And what was the result ? The money was not missed at the time and they now had a large fund with which to relieve the poor