Craft Masonry.

guineas were voted for the purpose from the lodge funds , the remainder of the cost being defrayed by the subscriptions of private members of the lodge . A notice of motion for the removal of the lodge from the Granby Tavern , New Cross , where it at present meets , to some other locality , was unanimously rejected . The lodge will , therefore , continue to meet there .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

KENT . ASEHIJET . —Stanhope Lodge ( No . 1 , 2 G 9 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Thicket Hotel , Anerley , on Tuesday , the 9 th inst . There were present Bros . H . AV . Hindus , W . M . ; James Keneh , J . AV . ; John Hart , Secretary ; J . C . King , I . G . ; Sanders , Thieke , H . Webster , Stevens , Norton , Lassam , Ellis , Marriott , Strange , H . AVood , and Linfield . Visitors : Bros . H . Massey , P . M . 619 , and A . Thieke , 53 S . The business

consisted of the initiation of Bro . H . Wood , the passing of Bro . Henry Ellis , and the raising of Bros . Linfield and Strange to the sublime degree of M . M . Bro . Keneh acted as S . W . in the absence of the S . W ., who was in the country ; Bro . Sanders acted as J . AV ., Bro . Hart as S . D ., and Bro . AV . J . Thieke as J-D . The whole of the ceremonies were performed by the W . M . in a manner which gave universal satisfaction to the brethren , who , after the lodge was closed , retired to a very pleasant banquet , which brought the evening to an agreeable conclusion .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . LANCASTEE . —Lodge of Fortitude ( No . 281 ) . —The regular meeting of tins lodge was held at the Masonic-rooms , Athenaram , on Wednesday , the 10 th inst . There were assembled a goodly number of members , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . John Hatch , who was supported by his officers , Past Masters , and members , as follows : —Bros . E . Storey , I . P . M . ; C . Hartley ,

S . AV . ; J . Barrow , J . AV . ; James Hatch , P . M . and Treasurer ; Edmund Simpson , P . M . and Secretary ; AV . Heald , S . D . ; 11 . Mills as J . D . ; William Hall , I . G . ; John Watson , Tyler ; Past Masters William \ A earing , Prov . G . Steward ; R . Stanton ; J . Daniel Moore , M . D ., Prov- G . S . of W . ; Bros . E . Jervis , J . Budd , M . M . Harrison , J . Beesley , J . Stanley , B . Taylor , J . Beelcy . Visitor : Bro . It . 11 . Hatbonitlnvaite , of the Eoyal Sussex Lodge ( No . 53 ) , Bath . The lodgo being opened , the

minutes read and confirmed , and other business transacted , a F . C . Lodgo was opened , and the AV . M ., in accordance with the summons convening the meeting , called upon Bro . Dr . Moore to deliver the lecture on the tracing board of the second degree , which duty was performed in such a manner as to elicit a special and unanimous vote of thanks from the brethren . Four

brethren of high standing in the Craft were proposed as joiningmembers of the lodge by Bros . J . Hatch , AA . M . ; James Hatch , P . M . ; E . Simpson , P . M . ; and Dr . Moore , P . M . The Secretary made some announcements , and amongst others stated that a brother who was making a short sojourn in the town desired to be allowed to attend the meetings of the lodge , and in lieu of subscription wished to give the sum of twenty shillings to one of the charities on behalf of the lodge . Three guineas

havingbeen previously voted by the lodge for the West Lancashire Educational Fund , the Secretary suggested the happy thought that , if twenty-two members would subscribe one shilling each , it would confer alifo governorship upon the W . M . of the lodge . This suggestion was quickly acted upon , aud the necessary sum subscribed . It was understood that at the next regular meeting of the lod ge a lecture oil the tracing-board of tho lirst degree would be delivered by Bro . Hall , AVJVI . 1 , 051 . There being no other business before the lodge , it was closed in due form .

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND . LEICESTER . —John of Gaunt Lodge ( No . 523 ) . —An Emergency Meeting of his Lodge was held at tho Freemasons' Hall , on Monday , the Sth inst ., aud the chief purpose of the meeting being the initiation of a native Syrian Christian from Bey rout , the attendance was numerous , nearlv forty brethren being present , amongst thesein addition to the WMBroBazzard

, .., . , were Bros . Kelley , P . G . M . ; Eev . John S pittal , W . S . Smith , Chas . Johnson , and George Toller , jun ., P . M . ' s ; AV . Sculthorpe , S . AA . ; Rev . Dr . Heyeroft ; J . AV . Haines , Secretary ; Partridge b . D . ; Richardson , J . D . Mace , I . G . ; Moor , El . -end , J . E . Hodges ' J . C . Clark , Spencer , Atkins , Sarguant , Uoss / Tliomson , Lotvlett ,

Charlesworth , and others . Among the visitors were Bros . E . M . Turner , of the Maybury Lodge , 9 C 5 ; M . 0 . Suffield , P . M ., 925 ; J . J . F . Scott , 1 , 007 ; ancl Stanley , W . M . ; Haltord , Gosling , Thorpe , Smith , Palmer , AViddowson , Blankley , and Gurden of 279 . The lodge having been opened , Bros . Charlesworth and Hewlett were examined in the 1 st degree , when they retired . A ballot was then taken for the candidate—a most intelligent and gentlemanly young man- who speaks six

languages , and who visited Leicester expressly for the purpose of being initiated into masonry , in accordance with an arrangement made in the East some months ago between him and Bro . J . E . Hoges of this lodge . His name , rendered into English , is Iskander , or Alexander Howard , that being the nearest approach to the sound of the name in Arabic . The election was unanimous in his favour . Tiie lodge having been opened in the 2 nd degree , Bros . Rowlett and Charlesworth were duly

passed , and the lodge having been lowered to the 1 st degree , Mr . Howard was introduced and regularly initiated , Bro . Charles-Johnson presiding at the organ , and , with the assistance of the musical brethren , giving the cuants of the degree . On the conclusion of the ceremony , which was most efficiently performed , by the AV . M . ( who presided for the first time since his installation ) . The lecture on the tracing board was given by the I . P . M ., Bro . Toller , and the charge by the P . G . M . Two

candidates having been proposed , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . In responding to the toast of his health , the newly elected brother thanked the brethren , first in Arabic and afterwards in English , for the honour they had done him in initiating him into an order for which he had long entertained the highest respect , and of which he was proud to be a member . He then gave the brethren some curious particulars respecting a system very similar to Masonry amongst the Arabs of the Dessert . The brethren finally separated after a very pleasant evening .

MIDDLESEX . WEST BARNET . —Acacia Lodge ( No . 1 , 309 ) . — -This lodge was held on Wednesday at the Sebright Arms , Alstone-rond , West Barnet . The whole of the officers , with one exception , wore present . Bro . Frederick AA alton , W . AI ., presided , and conferred the second degree on Bro . Kirby , and raised to the third Bros .

Corson and Hilliard . There being no further Masonic business before the lodge , the brethren proceeded to elect a AVorshipful Master , Treasurer , and Tyler for the ensuing year , with the following result , the election in each case being unanimous : —Bro . G . J . Loe , S . AV , to be AV . M . ; Bro . E . Sillifant , P . M ., Treasurer ; and Bro . J . Bavin , P . M . 147 , Tyler . Five guineas were unanimously voted from the lodge funds for the purpose of presenting Bro . Walters with a Past Master ' s jewel . This lodge onl

y meeting during the summer , Bro . Loe will not be installed in the chair until May next . A banquet was served . There were present , as visitors , Bro . H . G . Buss , Prov . G . Treasurer of Middlesex ; J . Henderson , P . M . ; M . Ohren , AV . M . 452 ; Knight , S . AV . 1 , 107 ; W . B . Tustin , 1 , 275 , aud others .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . POXTYPOOL . — Kennard Lodge ( No . 1 , 258 ) . — The usual monthly meeting took place on Monday , the 14 th inst-, iu the Lodge room at the Clarence Hotel , Pontypool , and was very well attended . The hi ghly respected AV . Bt . Bro . H . Martyn Kennard was in the chair . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot took place , when the

Rev . John Rees Jenkins , Vicar of Llanvrcehvia Upper , was unanimously admitted . Bro , Ezra Riley , of Capper Lodge , 1 , 076 , and Bro . John Williams , of the Saint James Lodge , 4 S 2 , were also unanimously admitted as subscribing members . Bro . Edward Kennard , of Blaenavon , and Bro . Frederick Lawrence , of Cwmbran , being iu attendance , were examined iu open lodge as to the progress each had made as E . A . Freemasons , and their answers proving satisfactory , they retired , when the lodge was

opened in the 2 nd degree , aud these brothers were then passed to the degree of Fellow Craft Freemasons , the ceremony being most correctly rendered by the AV . M . The lodge was then closed in tho 2 nd degree , aud the Rev . John Rees Jenkins — described as above—was initiated into masonry . This ceremony being most ably and correctly performed b y the AV . M . The S . AA " . having apologised for the absence of tho S . D ., who is ill , and for the J . D ., who had recently lost his wife , the brethren agreed to an address of condolence to the hitter brother , liro . AV . H . Lloyd aud the S . A \ . and Secretary were directo