Notices Of Meetings.

Masters , the W . M . compared some of the elder ones to opulent city merchants , who , after many vears ' close application , have reached the time when thev , fairly entitled to moi-e frequent ease and leisnre . drop in occasionally to see that the affairs of tho house are mannered with accustomed recrnlaritv , and its prestige is in no way dimin ' shed . Past Master Sidney , whoso name was coupled with this tonst , replied bv

expressing his sincere thanks for tho manner in which the ? i , imos o f the P . M . ' s had been proposed and received , and assured the brethren that although a variety of circumstances and business avoe-ifions prevented some of the Past Masters from attending their Lodge dntio * as frpqnently as they desired , still thev might rest satisfied they , the P . M . 's , had always their eye upon them , which is proved bv th" faef that whenever nnv question of intrinsic importance occurs , tho P . M . ' s

are frond nt their post , ready with snob , conns' *! nod novice as titer aro able to offer ; often disregarded , ij- is tnio , but frequently found to have been wise and just by tho ultimate result . The proceedings wero enlivened with some excellent son"s , by Bros . Child , Bilby . Bailev and tho W . M ., the latter causing groat merriment bv i mng composed by Bro . Constable , in which occur pithy allusions to interesting current events and individual references to conspicuous members of tho lodge .

Confidence Lodsje of Instruction , No . 193 . —While many Lodges of Instruction , founded under favourable auspices , die after a few years of precarious existence , and a variety of circumstances compel others to suspend work from time to time , this Lodge has held its ground without interruption since its establishment in 1856 . Tho founders wore men whoso names aro well known in the

Craft , viz . Robert Foofot , Jas . Jackson , Robt . Brewer , Win , Nownham , James Brett , Eobt . Johnson , Michael Haydon , John Allen , Rob . Maddison , and Ab . Loewenstark . In the conrse of its career it has been tho school in which a great number of eminent brethren have perfected themselves in their duties , and by their well-known abilities have secured for it a prestige verv few Lodges enjoy . Tho great

principles npon which Freemasonry rests have over boon kept steadily in view , and practically exemplified by the subscription of upwards of £ 150 to tho various Masonic institutions . At the last mooting , on Wednesday , tho 14 th inst ., held nt Bro . Chard ' s , AVhito Hart Tavern , Abchurch Lane , E C , Bro . T . Walker acted as W . M ., J . T . Miller S . W ., J . Blackall J . W ., W . C . Hollands S . D ., J . Berrv I . G ., E . Gottheil

Preceptor . John Constab ' oTreas ., nnd Pitt See . Thero were also present Bros . C . C . Tnvlor P . M . 141 , Hickman W . M . ISO , and a number of tho regular attendants . The second degree was rehearsed , the officers doing their work intelligently and proficiently . Several of tho sections wero worked , after which it was announced that the fifteen sections will bo worked in this Lodge on tho 12 th of May , commencing at half-past six p . m . Bro . Crawley P . M . 174 will preside

on that occasion . Bro . Gottheil , the Preceptor of tin ' s Lodge , is always at his post , and willing to assist the younger brethren who may bo anxious to acquire tho necessary knowledgo to qualify them for tho higher positions towards which they aspire ; and ho has a very able coadjutor in Bro . John Constable , who is ever ready with his invaluable services to aid any one who may desire them . " Seek and ye shall find . "

Strawberry Hill Lodge , No . 946 . —The installation meeting of this Lodge was held on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., at tho Grotto Hotel , Cross Deep , Twickenham . Bro . W . Waghorn W . M . in tho chair , supported by tho Wardens , Bro . J . II . Stcdwoll P . M . P . P . G . W . Middlesex Treasurer , W . Piatt P . M . Secretary , P . M . ' s Whitley , Mclllwham , Faithfull , Smith , W . Smeed , Kipling , aud a

numerous assemblage of brethren and visitors . The Lodgo was opened , and the minutes were confirmed , and Bro . W . II . Rohrs was raised to the third dogree , tho W . M . performing that ceremony impressively . A ballot was taken for tho admission of Bro . Woodman , Star Lodge , No . 1257 , which was unanimously iu his favour , and he was duly elected . A board oE installed masters was then

formed , and Bro . J . Hayvvard was presented to the members by Bro . W . Waghorn I . P . M ., and he was duly installed into the chair by W . Smoed P . M . On tho admission of tho brethren , the newly installed W . M . invested his officers , viz ., Bros . W . Waghorn I . P . M ., Johnson S . W ., Wolgemnth J . W ., J . R . Stedwcll P . M . Treasurer , W . Piatt P . M . Secretary , T . Price S . D ., Nicoll J . D ., J . M . Cooke I . G .,

Woodman D . C ., Riley Tyler . The appointment of those brethren who had been assigned to fill the various offices gave great satisfaction . The veteran Bro . Riley , on being invested as Tyler , gave the usual sword exercise . A communication was received from Bro . Col . F . Bnrdett P . G . M . Middlesex regretting that other engagements prevented him being present . Bro . W . Smeed moved , and it was

carried , that a dinner should take place on the occasion of H . R . H . being installed as M . W . G . M . ; and it was proposed that a vote of condolence shonld be sent to the widow of tho late Bro . Seekings . The nowly installed W . M . then presented Bro . W . Waghorn with a very elegant gold Past Master ' s jewel , for the able manner he had conducted the duties of his office , and as a mark of the esteem lie is

held in by every brother in the Lodge ; ho hoped he might be spared to wear it , aud render his valuable services to the brethren . The Lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat down to a very excellent banquet , provided by Bro . Powell . After the cloth had been removed , the W . M . gave tho usual Loyal and Masonic Toasts . He alluded to the illustrious Brother who was to be installed M . W . G . M ., and who would bo the future King of England . Tho W . M . then rose

and proposed the toast of the R . W . tho P . G . M . of Middlesex , and regretted his absence . Bro . Whitley P . M . and P . P . G . S . returned thanks for the toast . Bro . Waghorn , in very eloquent terms , proponed the toast of the W . M ,, who ho said was one only to bo known to be respected . The W . M . iu responding , said , a few yeirs ago he never expected to occupy the chair , but , during his occupation of that important office , his great aim would be to do all he could for the benefit of the Lodge . The toast of the visitors was next given ,

Notices Of Meetings.

The W . M . in proposing the toast of the Past Masters paid them a very jnst compliment for their working , and also for the admirable manner in which Bro . Smeed had performed the ceremony of installation . Bro . W . Waghorn I . P . M . returned thanks for tho toast . The toast of the Treasurer a"d Secretary was responded to by Bros . J . R . ^ tedwell P . M ., and W . Piatt . Tho toasts of tho Wardens and the

TYler conclnrled a very ngreenWe evenmg . During tho evening Bros . Arnold , Frost , Dr . , T . Pope , Dod ^ on , & e . contributed to tho hnrmonv . Tho visitors were Bros . G . Arnold 1326 . G . Simnson 93 , H . Frost . 501 , S . Hoskins 212 , W . Sheard 1366 , R . Turner P . M . 795 , . 1 . 1 ? . G .-i ! lant 813 , ft . W . LUfle P . G . S . Middlesex , Secretary Girls ' School , II . M . Levy P . M . 188 , W . Dobson 72 , T . S . Darke P . M . 1275 , F . Hampon P . M . 27 .

Era Lod ° "e , No . 1423 . —This rapidly increasing Lodge met on Satnrday , tho 10 th inst ., at the King ' s Arms Hotel , Hampton Court . Bros . J . W . Baldwin W . M .. E . II . Thiellav S . W ., J . Baxter Lnngley J . W ., F . Walters P . G . P . ( Middl-sex ) P . M . Secretary , E . W Deverenx S . D ., S . Woolf , T D ., A . F . Loos I . G ., B . Wright D . C ., W . A . Simmons W . S ., and II . Dubois P . G A . D . C . ( Middlesex ) , & o . The Lodge having been opened , Bros . Chartross and J . Brogdon 1326 wore

raised to tho 3 rd degree , and J . A . Moore was passed to tho 2 nd degree . The W . M . then initiated Mr . Arthur Rumbelow . Bro . F . Walters P . M . then occupied the chair—by the courtesy of tho W . M . — and initiated Mr . W . Eagle . Tho working of the various degrees was admirably rendered . The W . M . then resumed tho chair , and the Lodge was closed . Refreshments followed . The visitors were Bros . W . Hammond P . G . S . ( Middlesex ) and W . M . 1326 , H . Keeblo P . M . 1275 , E . J . Drew 1269 , and J . Brogdeu 1326 .

Halsey Lodge , No . 1479 . —Tho installation meeting of this Lodgo was held at tho Town Hill , St . Albans , on Wednesday , 14 th April , when a largo attendance of members assembled . Tho W . M ., Rio . John Lowthin , presided , and was supported by his offieers : —H . Edwards S . W ., G . Askew J . W ., Arthur Godson S . T )! , & c . The Lodge was opened , and tho minutes wero read and confirmed . A board of

installed Masters was then formed , and tho W . M . elect , Bro . George Askew , was introduced , and duly installed by tho retiring W . M ., Bro . J . Lowthin . At the conclusion of tho ceremony , and on tho admission of tho brethren , tho new W . M . was sainted according to ancient custom . Ho then invested his officers as follow : Bro . Arthur Godson S . W ., I . N . Edwards J . W ., John Pnrrott S . D ., Kent

¦ T . D ., J . Reynolds D . C ., Robert Blakey W . S ., W . Marks T . G ., Debenham Secretary , Palin Treasurer , and Kirby Tyler . A P . M . ' s jewel was presented to tho retiring W . M . for the able and efficient mnnncr in which ho had conducted the duties of his office . The Lodge was then closed , and tho brethren adjourned to the Peahen , whore a most recherche" banquet was supplied by Bro . Marks , and

which was done ample justice to by those assembled . After tho cloth had been removed , tho usnal lovnl and Masonic toasts wero given and responded to , and tho 7 > rooeerlings wero enlivened by some excellent songs , which wore capitally rendered by Bros . J . Reynolds , Lowthin , J . Garrett , Marks , & o . Amongst the visitors wero Bros . T . S . Carter W . M . 403 , B . Turner W . M . 183 , J . Garrett P . M . 183 , Kellor , W . Brown , & o . «

Francis Burdett Lodge , No . 1503 . —The meeting of this rapidly increasing Lodge—being its sixth meeting since its consecration—took place on tho 14 th inst ., aud was held at tho King ' s Arms , Hampton Hill . Bro . Col . Wiggington , the first Master , being in the chair ; Bro . Saunders S . W ., Bro . C . ITorslcy P . G . R . ( Middlesex ) as J . W ., Bro . Dr . Nnggs Secretary . The Lodge was opened and , tho

minutes wero confirmed . Tho work consisted of one passing , and ono raising . These ceremonies were perfectly rendorod by tho W . M . It was then carried unanimonsly that the Lodgo ho removed to the AlbanyltotoI . Twickcnham , the consent of the R . W . G . M . Bro . CoI . Burdott P . G . M . Middlesex , having been obtained . Bro . C . Ilors'ey P . M . then proposed that the oldest initiated member of the Lodge should bo the

representative at tho installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and Bro . Dr . Naggs was elected to be present on rhc occasion . It was then announced that Bro . Chalmers I . Paton , of Edinburgh , had most kindly presented the Lodge with a number of works , to form the nucleus of a lending library for the bcuofit of the Lodge ; this gave great satisfaction to every member present ; it was also announced that permission for a Lodge of Instruction , hailing from the Parent

Lodge , shonld bo applied for , to bo held at the Albany Hotel , Twickenham . Tho Lodgo was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the hospitable mansion of Col . Wiggington , where a very satnptous repast awaited them . Bro . Charles Horsley , during the evening , embodied tho sentiments of those who had had the honour aud plo . isnre of roceivinginvitations , by proposing the health of their host and that of his family , which having boon duly responded to , the brethren separated , after enjoying a very deli ghtful evening .

CKRIOSITV . —It is a very general opinion among Masons that a candidate shonld not bo actuated by curiosity in seeking admission into the Order . But , in fact , there is no regulation nor landmark on tho subject . An idle curiosity is , it is true , the characteristic of a weak mind . But to bo influenced by a laudable curiosity to penet' -ate the mysteries of an Institution venerable for its antiquity and its

universality , is to bo controlled by a motive which is not reprehensible . There are , indeed , in legends of the high degrees , some instances where curiosity is condemned ; but llio curiosity , in these instances , led to an intrusion into forbidden places , and is very different from the curiosity or desire fur knowled ge which lends a profane to seek fairly aud openly an acquaintance with mysteries which he has already learned to respect , Maclcey .