Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

America were coming , he was anxious that this lodge should have the privilege of entertaining them . Unfortunately , he did not hear of their arrival in time to ask the XV . M . to ssue a circular apprising thc members that they would be honoured with the presence of these distinguished brethren . In years gone by he knew Bro . MacCalla as an earnest worker in America , and probably through Bros .

Whytehead and Hughan his name had been familiar for many years . In America although they had many distinct Grand Masters yet it was only for the sake of better administration that they were divided , and Bro . MacCalla ruled over a most important district . Fie had not had the p leasure of any communication with Bro . Horner , but he cordially welcomed him , and also Bro . Fleming . These

brethren were not present as strang-ers , but as belonging to the noble Order with which they all had the pleasure to be connected . They could extend to the brethren from the other side , the same fraternal feelings , and wish them a safe return to their native land . He trusted the visitors would go away satisfied that they had been received with that truly Masonic feeling which the members ought , as their

duty and pleasure , to extend . He was obliged to the W . M . for permitting him to say a few words , and had hoped that Bro . Whytehead would have been present and proposed the toast . If he had not conveyed all he could have wished , or that they had expected , he hoped the members would fill up the gap by the enthusiasm with which they received the toast .

Bro . Clifford McCalla , G . M . Pennsylvania , said he wished he could express , as they would desire , and as he also desired , the pleasure he had enjoyed in being present with them both at labour and refreshment . While he had been present they had , as Bro . Cumberland had sung , been " lifted on their way " as they progressed through England , indeed , unless he was much mistaken , they had been lifted

upon such a wave that the next night they would be landed in the United Grand Lodge of England . Why had they received this " send off , " and why were they treated so cordially in York ? He observed that they opened their lodge and received the visitors on the centre , and London was the centre of centres—the centre of Freemasonry , the centre of civilization , to the English-speaking people , and

the centre of religion , morals , science , and art . i his was the proudest moment of his life that he was privileged to meet brethren of the City of London . He esteemed it a great privilege to make the personal acquaintance in the flesh—eye to eye , hand to hand , and heart to heart—of those whom he had loved foryears , and with whom he had had fraternal correspondence—he alluded to Bros . Hughan and

Lane . He should never think of them in the future—those whom he hacl so long known and so highly appreciatedwithout associating them with this lodge . Those brethren were known in America as in England . The brethren of America were more and more largely becoming reading Freemasons , and enjoyed reading of the progress of English lodges . Why had his brethren from America and himself been received so well in York and here ? It was

not merely because he was born in Pennsylvania—that would not give him entrance—but it was because they were born in Freemasonry . Freemasonry knew no place , but was in every place where civilisation existed and where the one ever living and true God was recognised . Therefore he returned sincere thanks for the cordial welcome that he and his brethren had received that evening , and one of the

most precious recollections of his Masonic life would be the pleasure he had enjoyed in their company . Bro . J . T . Horner , P . G . M . Louisiana , observed that he could only endorse what had been said , and could add little . Deeds , they said in their beautiful English , were stronger than words , and he promised—an opportunity being afforded him—to respond in deeds . Their lodges in America were

very much like the English lodges , and their ceremonies very . much the same , and he thought that evening when he heard Bro . Cumberland give the lecture of the Second Degree , that he ( Bro . Horner ) could have repeated it word for word . The Americans got their work from the English , and all American Masonry was English Masonry , and he was almost going to say all Americans were Englishmen .

There was no reason , in God's Providence , why they should not grow up to be Englishmen , if they were not already . He wished he could live to see the English speaking people on the earth rule it , for it would come , and then there would be universal peace . What would materially assist in bringing that result about was Freemasonry . They preached peace and good will , and that gospel must prevail

and knit all in one universal Kingdom where goodwill , harmony , and love would ever rule . Bro . Fleming also responded , after which " The Officers " was given by the VV . M . Bro . VV . Masters , P . M ., Secretary , replied , and the Tyler ' s toast concluded a pleasant evening , the harmony oi which was considerably enhanced by Bros . J . Kift , F . Laughlin , Cumberland , Masters , and Fleming .

Warrant Officers Lodge ( No . 2346 ) . — This lodge held an emergency meeting on Saturday , the 16 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall . Bros . J . Hitchings , Coombes , and Green acted as S . D ., J . D ., and I . G ., respectively , in the absence of those officers , who were away at the seaside , spending their well-earned holidays . The lodge having been opened , Bros . Sorgatz and de Mortillet

were passed and Bro . Wem raised . 'The report of the death of the late Earl of Carnarvon was received with profound regret , and a minute to that effect was duly recorded . "Hearty good wishes" were tendered to the VV . M . from Lodges Nos . 394 , 730 , 1 C 04 , and 10 OS , and the Bulmer Lodge of Cairo , from which there were several eminent brethren present as visitors .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

PORTSMOUTH . Duke of Connaught Lodge ( No . 18 34 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., at tne Masonic Hall , Commercial-road , Landport . There were present Bros . H . Cawte , P . P . J . G . W ., acting VV . M . ; Geo . MasonP . M ., acting

, S . W . ; A . Howell , Sec . ; VV . B . Fogden , I . G .,- J . Kent and E . Bramble , Stwds . ; D . T . Rule , P . M . ; William Baker , W . Francis , J . Chipper , R . Jefferies , R . J . Case , W . H . Futcher , H . H . Keeping , J . J . Suter , and others . The visitors included Bros . J . VV . Gieve , Prov . G . Treas . ; G . F . Lancaster , Asst . Prov . G . Sec ; T . W . Haydon , W . M . 309 ; VV . E . Leamy , VV . M . 342 ; S . E . Spriggings ,

Provincial Meetings.

W . M . S 04 ; J . Hathaway , W . M . 903 ; B . H . Mumby ; W . M . 10 O 9 ; William Miller , W . M . 142 S ; G . K . Smith-W . M . 1705 ; W . F . Westerman , W . M . 1776 ; E . Austin , W . M . 1903 ; P . H . Emanuel , VV . M . 206 S ; J . S . Wickens , W . M . 2074 ; J . D . Morant , J . Peters , ancl S . Peters , 10 C 9 , J . F . Proctor , C . Townsend , Campbell , George Ellis ( Ex-Mayor of Portsmouth ) , and others .

The lodge was opened , and after the usual routine was gone through , Bro . T . D . Rule occupied the chair of K . S ., ancl Bro . Cawte introduced Bro . John Wesley Gardner as VV . M . elect , who , after answering the usual questions , was duly installed into the chair in a most impressive and deliberate style , such as is but seldom heard . The W . M . then invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros .

Lieut . T . Cowd , R . N ., I . P . M . ; J . J . Suter , S . W . ; A . Howell , J . W . j C . W . Bevis , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Bramble , Sec ; W . Bacon Fogden , S . D . ; J . Kent , J D . ; W . H . Futcher , D . C . ; R . J . Waterman , I . G . ; W . Baker and R . J . Case , Stwds . The remaining portion of the ceremony being concluded , the W . M . proposeel a vote of thanks to Bro . Rule for the way he hacl performed the

ritual . Bro . Cawte , P . M ., seconded , and it was carried unanimously , when Bro . Rule briefly returned thanks . "Hearty good wishes" being recorded the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards sat down to a most ' recherche banquet , remarkably well catered by Bro . Pearce , Steward

of the Masonic Club . The toast of " The Oueen and the Craft , " ancl also "The M . W . G . M ., H . RTH . the Prince of Wales , " were ably given by the VV . M ., and Bro . George Mason proposed " The Deputy Grand Master and Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . "

Bro . J . D . Morant proposed " Tbe Prov . Grand Master , Bro . VV . W . B . Beach , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and said that he was afraid he would not be able to do that justice to such a toast as it so well merited . The Prov . Grand Master and his Deputy were true Masons in every sense of the word , and the

former was held in the highest esteem by the Grand Lodge of England where he often presided as Grand Master . It had been his pleasure to hear Bro . Le Feuvre do the installation at the Portsmouth Lodge , and there , if there was wanted any proof , he showed how effectively he performed the ritual . In Bro . G . F . Lancaster , the Asst . Prov . Grand Sec , they had a brother deserving of the highest

commendations and the Provincial officers altogether were chosen for their ability . Bro . J . VV . Gieve , P . M ., P . G . Treas ., responded , and apologised for the absence of the Prov . and Deputy Prov . G . Masters . He congratulated the brethren of the lodge on their having Bro . Gardner to preside over them . He was

their first initiate in the lodge . The members were also fortunate in having some good working Past Masters . It often happened that after one had passed the chair they lacked interest in the working and did not come forward to assist those who followed , but in the Duke of Connaught Lodge it was a matter of congratulation that they had Past Masters who were not afraid of work . The

Installing Master , Bro . 1 . D . Rule , had displayed great taste in his delivery of the ritual that evening . He had given it feelingly , impressively , and as though he meant all he said . Keferring again to the Prov . Grand Master , he ( Bro . Gieve ) was in hopes that ere long that

Bro . Beach would be appointed to the high office in Grand Lodge of Deputy Grand Master of England . Bro . Gieve also took that evening as the first opportunity since the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting of thanking the brethren for their confidence in him in re-electing him as the Prov . Treasurer .

Bro . G . F . Brown , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., also responded . Bro . Lieutenant T . Cowd , R . N ., I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " remarked there was no toast after the loyal ones to equal that of the VV . M . He congratulated Bro . Gardner upon his being placed in the chair of K . S . Bro . Gardner , who was an old Warden of the lodge , should feel happy , and he ( Bro . Cowd ) was

quite sure he would do ample justice for the benefit of Freemasonry in general , and of that lodge in particular . Bro . Gardner , VV . M ., who was loudly applauded , sincerely thanked Bro . Cowd for his generous remarks , and also the brethren for their kind and generous reception He claimed a certain amount of native modesty , and naturally he could not say all that he felt in his heart . He

assured them he would do his best to be worthy of the confidence reposed in him , and in conjunction with his officers he hoped to have a most successful year of office . Before sitting down he proposed "The Health of the I . P . M ., " Bro . Lieutenant Cowd , R . N ., who , he said , had evinced great interest in the welfare of the lodge , and although he held an important position in the borough , had still done

justice to the lodge , and had done it right well . He was an honour to Masonry , ancl was worthy of the best respect they could pay him . Bro . Cowd said he returned thanks with the feelings no man could personally describe at retiring from the chair in such a happy year of office . The brethren of the lodge had afforded him every support ,

and he thanked them heartily and trusted they would support their present W . M . equally as well . He especially thanked Bros . H . Cawte , P . M ., D . T . Rule , I . P . M ., and A . Howell , Sec , for their services rendered . He promised to assist the W . M . as tar as he possibly could . Freemasonry was a glorious institution , and he hoped it would flourish in the province , as also wishing prosperity

to attend the Duke of Connaught Lodge . Bro . Gardner , W . M ., said he had heard the installation ceremony performed many times in a style like A , B , C , but that evening he had heard it as he had never heard it before . Bro . Rule had knocked off a deal of excrescences from the rough stone , and in fact he had chipped it to advantage all over . He delivered the ritual ,

not as though he had studied it , but as coming from his heart . He concluded by proposing Bro . Rule ' s health . Bro . Rule expressed his thanks for the kind remarks . He had been connected with the lodge for many years . Freemasonry was to him like a sweetheart , the more he saw and knew of it the greater his love for the institution .

Bro . Geo . Ellis ( Ex-Mayor of Portsmouth ) , who had travelled from Richmond expressly to be present that evening , said it afforded him the greatest pleasure to see his old and esteemed friend Bro . Gardner in the chair . He proposed " The Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge , " and pointed out how essential it was they should render all the assistance they could to the chair .

Provincial Meetings.

Bro . H . Cawte , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., replied . Bro . S . R . Ellis , P . M ., in proposing "The Charities , " pointed out that they were the basis of Freemasonry . In King Solomon ' s time Masonry was one large trades union . It was a grand thing to be able to look at the Masonic Charitable Institutions ancl see the amount of good they did . He specially drew attention to the Provincial

Educational and Benevolent Institution which Bro . G . Lancaster had brought into existence . Bro . G . F . Lancaster , P . M ., Prov . Asst . Grand Sec , and Secretary of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , returned thanks , and pointed out that the provincial Institution was in no way whatever antagonistic to the great central Charities

which did an immense amount of good . He made a most urgent appeal on behalf of the Charities , and pointed out that that province had a number of children being brought up by those Institutions , and also widows and old Masons were looked after . They received more benefits than they gave , and he stimulated the brethren to support those Institutions . Referring to the provincial Institutions ,

he appealed for a Steward or Stewards from the lodge for the forthcoming festival in December . That Charity now assisted six children in a most satisfactory manner . They were educated and partly clothed by them , and they had a case before them at the present time of another child from Winchester . He hoped that lodge would not fail to give their usual support , as it stood in an unparalleled

condition in regard to the Charities considering its age . They had 28 votes in the Boys ' , 19 in the Girls ' , 22 in the aged , 24 in the Widows , ' and 43 in the Provincial Institution . The remaining toasts were "The VVorshipful Masters of Neighbouring Lodges and Visitors , " proposed by Bro . G . F . Brown , P . M ., and responded to by Bros . Haydon , VV . M . 309 ; P . H . Emanuel , W . M . 2 o 6 Sj and Bro . Campbell j

Bro . Leamy proposed " The Officers of the Lodge , " to which Bro . J . J . Suter , S . VV ., responded j and the Tylers ' toast concluded a most pleasant evening . Bros . G . F . Lancaster . P . M . j VV . Leamy , P . Mj T . D . Rule , P . M . j Haydon , P . M . ; and J . Peters , contributed several songs during the evening , and Bro . P . H . Emanuel , P . M ., gave a short ventriloquial sketch .

Portsmouth Temperance Lodge ( No . 2068 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 16 th ult , at the Soldiers' Institute , Highstreet , when there was a very large assembly of brethren , including Bros . P . H . Emanuel , VV . M . ; G . Miller , I . P . M . j G . Williams , S . VV . ; E . R . Fisher , J . W . ; J . Palmer , P . M ., P . P . G- Stwd ., Treas . ; G . Boyd , Sec . ; VV .

Porter , S . D . ; J . Making , J . D . ; VV . Merrifield , Org . ; T . H . Biggs , I . G . ; H . Boyce and A . Guy , Stwds . ; T . Tufnell , P . M ., P . A . G . P . ; Captain E . Haldane , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . Monmouthshire ; J . H . Windrum , P . D . G . Reg . Hong Kong and South China ; T . Batchelor , P . M . ; J . Gouldsworth , P . M . ; J . Chandler , W . J . Over , H . King , A . H . Conway , W . R . Freake , A . D . Miller , C . Lacey , G . Payment , A . Grigsby , W . Morgan , R . G . Pither , W . V .

Lane , b . Kycroft , H . sheppard , C . H . Hooper , J . E . Allen , T . H . Brown , G . > V . Biles , VV . VV . Cook , G . Reading , W . Coote , J . H . Martin , T . Langmaid , H . Stanton , J . Guy , J . Prior , G . S . Woodthorpe , VV . Robinson , G . C . Williams , T . Hyom , G . H . Freake , C . Morris , G . Woollett , G . Cronin , VV . F . Andrews , G . Grossmith , W . E . Green , and C . Fontaine , and others . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last

regular meeting were read and confirmed . A letter was read from Miss Robinson , Honorary Superintendent of the Soldiers' Institute , intimating that the rooms occupied by the lodge would be required , and asking them to leave at Christmas , or before the end of September if possible . After a lengthened discussion a notice of motion was given by Bro . Windrum , P . M ., and seconded by Bro . H .

Sheppard— " In accordance with Rule 167 , Book of Constitutions , and signed by eight members , to the effect that the VVorshipful Master should convene a special meeting relative to the removal of the lodge to other suitable premises , " the VVorshipful Master promised to call a meeting the following" week , and a Committee was formed to visit other buildings in the borough , and report at the special

meeting the most desirous place for the lodge to be held . A circular was read from Bro . G . F . Lancaster , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Prov . A . G . Sec , Hon . Secretary of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution , announcing that the annual festival would take place in December , and asking for a Steward to be appointed . On the proposition of Bro . Haldane ,

P . M ., seconded by Bro . E . R . Fisher , J . W ., the VV . M . was elected to represent the lodge on that occasion . The VVorshipful Master said he was very pleased to see such a gathering that evening , and he felt sure that Bro . Tufnell would also appreciate the attendance as they had ; he took it that they had come to bid him God-speed upon his leaving the town . Bro . Tufnell , who was the original founder of

the lodge , had done a great deal for its prosperity , and , in fact , he was one of the mainstays to it . Bro . 'Tufnell was about to leave them , not in spirit , he felt quite sure , but in person , and he ( the VV . M . ) proposed that the following address be signed by the W . M ., Senior and Junior Wardens , Treasurer , and Secretary , engrossed , and presented to Bro . Tufnell , and that the same be

entered upon the minutes : "To Wor . Bro . T . Tufnell , P . M ., Prov . Asst . Grand Pursuivant : —Dear Sir and Brother , — VVe , the officers and members of the Portsmouth Temperance Lodge , No . 2068 , having learnt that you are about to leave the ancient town of Portsmouth , desire to express our high appreciation of the valuable services which you have rendered to Freemasonry as founder of this lodge ,

and by the unvarying and generous support which you have accorded it . We feel that the prosperity of the lodge has been materially promoted by you . While we shall regret to lose you from our midst , we trust that the change which you are about to make will prove advantageous to you , and that the blessing of T . G . A . O . T . U . will rest upon you and your family . —Yours faithfully and Fraternally . " ( Here

follow the signatures ) . Bro . Miller , I . P . M ., seconded , ancl it was carried amidst applause . Bro . Tufnell expressed his thanks to the Worshipful Master and brethren , and assured them he would always take an interest in what he considered his child . He hoped it would continue to be

prosperous and be an ornament to the Craft and the province in particular . There candidates were proposeel for initiation , "Hearty good wishes" being accorded from the visitors , and the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the Lecture Hall , where Bro . Tufnell entertained them at a banquet prior to his