Craft Masonry.

stand aside to let others go ahead . The W . M . now had his reward , and he hoped he would have health and strength to discharge his arduous duties . The W . M . was their own election . They had always welcomed him in the Ubique Lodge with hearty unanimity , and would give him a cordial greeting- on this occasion . Bro . Sergt .-Maj . W . H . Russell Prewer , W . M ., briefly returned thanks . He felt in a strange position , but in the words of the song they had just heard he was in " Good Company . " He hoped to be as near perfection as possible when he vacated the chair , and hoped to carry out his duties in an efficient manner . He hoped to have plenty of work , and that his year would be a successful one .

The W . M ., in giving " The I . P . M ., " said that Bro . Major Murdoch , I . P . M ., had been one of their most successful Masters , had had plenty of work , and had done it well . The I . P . M . was not only seeking well-earned retirement in the lodge , but was leaving the regiment of which they were all so proud . They wished him many years of good health , to enjoy his rest . Bro . Major R . H . Murdoch , I . P . M ., said the position of W . M . was one of the most

covetable posts , because of the unanimity amongst the oflicers . It was comparatively easy because of the efliciency of the Past Masters . The officers were all conscientious , as became the corps to which they belonged . For five vears they had no losses through death , although numbering nearly 200 , hut very recently they had lost two brothers—Major-Gen . Sir las . Alleyne and Capt . W . Weston .

The W . M . briefly proposed "The Installing Master , " who had been obliged to leave , and then gave " The Past Masters of the Lodge , " coupling the names of Bros . Maj . Hansard , Capt . Wishart , ard Quarter-Master Sergt . Shackleton . Bros . Hansard , P . M ., and Capt . Wishart , P . M ., responded , the latter referring to Ihe future separation of ihe corps , said this ledge would be the only link binding them together .

Bro . Q .-M . Sergt . Shackleton , P . M ., also responded , urging the necessity cf the members ail < ndirg the lodge of instruction at the R . A . Institute at Woolwich . Bro . Major Boileau , D . G . P . M . Nova Scotia , in reply , said the same courtesy was always bestowed upen P . Ms ., viz ., that cf making a speech . He congratulated the W . M . on his selection of officers , and particularly of Ihe S . VV . Having been recently in Quettah , he delighted the brethren with seme cf his Masonic experiences in that district .

"The Initiates and Joining Members" was replied to by Bros . Lt . Overton , Lt . Cantle , ard Capt . Tyndall Biscce , ar . d Bros . Burne , Hill , and Dyer acknowledged "The Visitors . " Other toasts were given , and the Tyler ' s ( cast closed a most enjoyable gathering . A capital selection of music included items by Bros . T . Ji ( terson Nell and Vivian Bennett .

Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 . The lodge met at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the 5 th inst ., at 5 o'clock . Preser . t : Bres . C . Purdon Clarke , CLE ., W . M . j T . B . Whytehead , P . G . S . B ., S . VV . ; F . H . Goldney , P . G . D ., as J . VV . ; G . VV . Speth , P . A . G . D . C , Sec ; G . Greiner , S . D . ; E . I . Castle , O . C ., J . D . -, REV . J . W . Horsley and G . L . Shackles ,

Stwds . ; C . Kupferschmidt , A . G . S . G . C . ; E . Macbean , W . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; Dr . Belgrave Ninnis , P . G . Std . Br . ; E . Armitage , and the Rev . C . H . Maiden . Also gS members of the Correspondence Circle and 22 visitors . Apologies for inability to attend were received from Bros . E . Conder , jun ., J . W . ; Admiral Markham , P . Dist . G . M . Malta , I . G . ; and S . T . Klein , I . P . M .

The Secretary announced t kat at the recent Grand Festival several members of the Correspondence Circle had teen appointed to Grand Rank , v z ., Bros . G . VV . G . Barnard ; A . G . D . C . ; E . Robe ts , Dep . G . S . B . ; W . W right , G . Purst . ; Rev . R . Peek , P . G . Chap . ; VV . F . Lamonby , P . A . G . D . C . ; C . F . Mau ' er , P . A . G . D . C ; and James Newton , P . G . S . B . He was dincttd to cenvry the congratulations tf the lodge to each of these brethren .

The exhibits of an aicriL-okgical nature which always form so interesting a feature of the prcceedingscf the lodge were rr . ore than usually numerous . The following had been recently acquired for the lodge museum : A collar jewel of a Prov . G . W ., inscribed " British Masons in China , " which is a most unusual style ; a carved wood snuflbox , inlaid with tortoise-shell , and enriched with Masonic emblems , exquisitely executed , and probably of French manufacture : and an old silver verge watch with a Masonic dial in colours ; and two curious jewels . Bro . Walshaw , of Scarborough , had sent a

curious silver jewel of unusual design , which will be figured in the next part of the Transactions , and Bro . Tarrant , of Witney , an old horn mug , silver-mounted , also enriched with Masonic devices . Bro . Kupferschmidt exhibited a set of quaint German colcured engravings depicting the interior of a lodge , the figures in which were unmislakably copied from Picart's celebrated plate , and Bro . Shackles , of Hull , had brought with him two handsome Masonic aprons , a small engraved and hand-coloured one and a huge hand-painted one .

Fcur lodges and 77 brethren were admitted to the membership of the Correspondence Circle as follows : Holmesdale Lodge of Instruction , Tunbridge Wells ; Boscombe Lodge , No . 215 S , Boscombe , Hants ; St . Paul's Lodge , No . 2277 , Limassol , Cyprus ; Foster Gcugh Lodge , No . 27 c . fi , Stratford ; Bros . H . V . Widdowson , G . Keg . ; A . C . Houllett , G . Jan . ; and — Skug , P . M . 104 S , all of Christchurch , New Zealand ; VV . G . Paterson , 2670 ; II . Shepherd , 2670 ; and Dr . G . W . F . Paul , P . M . S 03 ( S . C ) , all of Sandgate , Queensland ; J . VV . H . Ellis , iSji . Sarikere , India ;

C . W . Black , G . S . B ., Mosstl Bay , Cape Colony ; F . Chapman , Vv . C . Pick , G . T . Powis , of Gcede Hoope Lodge , and J . J . B . Proctor , 193 S , all of Cape Town ; VV . Stokes , 24 < iS , Johannesburg , S . A . R . ; J . H . Duffill , 730 ( S . C ) , Durban , Natal ; in the U . S . A ., A . Barto , P . G . M ., St . Claud , Minnesota ; J . F . Holmes , I ., Augusta , Georgia ; C . H . Hejzer , P . M . 271 , New York ; E . H . Stevens , Louisville , Kentucky ; and VV . Y . Tilcornb , 443 , Anniston , Alabama ; J . Lcckwood , iy 2 C , Malta ; in Ireland , the Rev . A . S . Fuller , Dublin ; Prof . P . G . Sandford , W . M . 13 , Galway ; J . Percival , Dep .

Pr . G . M . Wexfcrd ; and R . J . Sheppaid , P . M . 1 C 3 , Parsonstown ; in Scotland , P . R , Macarthur , Glasgow ; H . B . Fzard , Edinburgh ; VV . J . C ^ Russack and J . Jamieson , St . Andrews ; in the Provinces , J . R . Nuttall , P . M . 1051 , Lancaster ; R . Wilson , Sio , Skipton ; H . Bean , 2134 , Hull ; W . Dyson , P . M . 290 , Huddersfield ; VV . Vernon , P . M . 45 G , Stoke-on-Trent ; VV . R . Blair , P . M . 54 '" , Uttoxeter ; J . H . Evans , P . M . 1546 , Warrington ; W . Severs , 1565 , Wilmslow ; G . F . Roundell , 357 , Nantwich ; F . T . French , 1703 , and VV . S . Miller , P . M . 1703 , Witney ; M . Irving , 357 , Oxford ; T . E . Key , 930 , Aldeburgh ; W . G . Aspland , 113 S , Newton Abbott ; E . R , Hoblyn ,

39 , Plymouth ; A . G . Thomas , 32 S , and J . G . Turle , VV . M . 402 , Torquay ; G . Darlington , W . M . 2421 , Amersham ; J . Martin , 1056 , Woodford ; A . Burslem , P . M . 22 to , Tunbridge Wells ; W . J . Rayner and VV . H . Ruby , 13 O 2 , Reigate ; D . Hills , P . M . 1 S 5 , Beckenham ; and in London and neighbourhood , G . Haysom , 1 . S 1 C ; G . E . Wilkinson , P . M . 1607 ; C . \ V . Cole , W . M . 2105 ; A . B . Calvert , 212 ; D . McMillan

240 S ; C . 1 " . Cramp , t ' 71 ; W . A . Horton , 1472 ; H . Schmieder , 22 S ; J . Almond , J . Eisenmann , P . M . 1 S 5 ; Dr . C . VV . Cooke , 2361 ; J . M . Small , P . M . 70 S ; J . F . Childs , P . M . sio ; ' C B . R . Maltby , VV . M . 2562 ; M . N . Fuller , 2562 ; A . A . Hardy , W . M . 2103 ; K . A . lirangwin , W . M . 507 ; T . II . Hobbs , VV . M . 177 ; R . W . Bowers , P . M . 15 ; W . J . Ham-Smith , 209 G ; J . Hands , iSS ; Dr . A . S . Achard , 2045 ; VV . Constant , 735 ; and 11 . A . Ilarbcn , 2 . 10 S .

Bro . II . P . FilzGerald Marnott read a paper on " The I ii ') al Secret Societies of West Africa , " g iving a complete catalogue of these Societies , detailing th ir objects , their modes of initiation , number of degrees , and producing examples of their costumes , fetiches , implements , and masks . He pointed out wherein they seemed to po . 's ; ss something analogous to Masonry , without , however , in anyway suggesting any connection . The paper , which was largely the result of his own investigations on the spjr , was very interesting and evoked high commendation from several speakers . The discussion

which followed was rendered even more to the point than usual by the recital of the personal experience of liro , J . M . Harris , an old resident ol the West Coast , who had himself been initiated in some of these societies . It is not oiten that such knowledge can be obtained first hand . Uro . Speth reviewed the whole question from the purely Masonic point 1 f view , ami Bro . Horsley added some very eloquent remarks on the

possibility of utilising these societies in the aid of civilisatun , instead of contemning them as so much barbarism , a point which bad already been made by the lecturer from a political aspect . In reply to a hearty vote of thanks , Bro . Marriott added further interesting particulars which he had omitted in reading his paper , fearing that lime would not allow it or that the interest of the brethren might Dig , an anticipa ion which was far from being justified .

The brethren subsequently dined at the Holborn Restaurant , as uiual , where they were joined by liro . Gen . J . C . Smith , P . G . M . ol Illinois , who had only just arrived in London and could not get to the lodge earlier .

Craft Masonry.

Foster Gough Lodge , No . 2706-A meeting of the above lodge , so-named in merrory of the late Prov . G . Master was held by dispensation at the Town Hall , Stoke-on-Trent , on the 29 th ult . A unique feature of this lodge is that all its members are or have been Masters of lodges , Its membership extends over the whole of the lodges in the province , and it serves to bring the leaders in Masonic opinion and work in ' . the province closer together than was possible before its formation . In all about 70 brethren were present , including a few visitors

The W . M . ( Bro . John Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ) presided , supported by Bro Lieut .-Col . Bindley , ' V . D ., P . M ., P . D . P . G . M ., P . G . D . Ens-. ; and in 'he-Wardens ' chairs were Bros . J . F . Pepper , P . M . 4 S 2 , P . P . S . G . W ., S . W ., and T . B . Cull , P . M 15 S 7 , P . P . S . G . W ., J . VV . ; the other officers present being Bro ? . the Rev . K . D . Boothman , M . A ., P . M . 2149 , P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; JamesT . Marson , P . M . 726 , P . S . G VV Sec ; A . Caddick , P . M . ( to and 25 S 2 , P . P . S . G . W ., S . D . ; Major Harding , P . M ' 24 « 7 > D . of C . ; Dr . F . W . Willmore , P . M . 539 and 2474 , P . P . J . G . W ., Org . ; VV . T * G vier , P . M . 96 ( 1 , I . G . ; and W . A . Wood , P . M . 1039 , P . P . J . G . W , and Arthur

Boulton , P . M . 98 and 451 , Stwds . Among other brethren present were Bros . G VV Speth , P . M . 1 S 3 , Sec 2076 , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; G . C Kent , P . M . ^ 4 6 , P . A . G . D . C * Eng . ; J . Dunbar Steen , P . G . Sec ; Thos . Taylor , P . M . 2149 , P . P . S . G . W ., President Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association ; J . B . Ashwell , P . M . ( 137 , P . P . S . G . W ., Vice-President Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Associati ) n ; and H . ' Percy Smith , Sec . Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association ; and others . Apologies had been received Irom Bros , the Earl of Dartmouth , P . G . M . ; Lieut . " - Col . Walker , Dep . P . G . M . ; and many others .

In the course of the proceedings in lodge , eight new members were balloted fir , and were unanimously elected as joining members . These were Bros . Herbert Manley , West Bromwich ; T . Buxton , t ' azeley ; ] . Newton , Wolstanton ; G . Bennett , S : oke T . H . Spencer , VVest Bromwich ; J . N . Lester , Wolverhampton ; VV . Hamblett , Wolverhampton ; and W . G . Lowe , Burton-on-Trent . Bro . Bodenham proposed that Byelaw No . 6 be amended as follows : "The Master , Wardens , Past Masters , Treasurer , Secretary , and four other m embers of the lodge , to be elected at the regular meeting in January each year , shall be a Committee of Managementandmake

arrangements for the meetings . " He explained that in the original bye-law only the I . P . M . was on tt-e Committee with the Master and Wardens , and it had been thought desirable ' that the Past Masters , as well as the Secretary and Treasurer , should be added . The motion was unanimously agreed to . The principal feature of the meeting was an address by Bio . Speth on "The Development of the Masonic Ritual . " in whirh h *

gave an interesting sketch of the progress of Freemasonry from early times down tc the present day . On the motion of the VV . M ., seconded by the S . VV ., Bro . Speth was cordially thanked for his able address , and was unanimously elected an hon . member oi the lodge . In the evening a banquet was held at the North Stafford Hotel , the W . M . pre siding .

Alter dinner , the toast " The Queen and the Craft" was given from the chairand duly honoured . Bro . VV . Vernon proposed " The Health of the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Earl Amherst , the Earl of Warwick , and the Officers of Grand Lodge Piesentand Past , " the toast being coupled with the name of Bro . Col . Bindley to whose work on behalf of Masonry in the Province cf Staffordshire Bro . Vernon bore very cordial testimony .

Bro . Col . Bindley was very warmly received on rising to reply , which he did briefly , expressing deep regret at the loss of Lord Lathom , who on several occasions did good service to that province , and a hope that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales would continue for many years the chief ruler of the Craft . Bro . Major Harding proposed " the Health of the Earl of Dartmouth , Lieut .-Col . Walker

, and the Officers of P . G . Lodge , Present and Past . " He referred to the valuable services rendered by Lord Dartmouth , and to the confident hope entertained that Col . Walker * ould follow in thefcotsteps of his predecessor , and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . J . T . Marson , the Secretary of the lodge , whom he congratulated upon having worthily attained to the position of Senior ( irand Warden in Prov Grand Lodge .

Bro . Marson having responded , and expressed his high sense of the honour done him , The W . M . proposed "The Honorary Members ofthe Foster Gough Lodge " coupled with the name of Bro . Speth , mentioning that next day was their distinguished brother s birthday , and wishing him many happy returns of the day and many haoov returns to Staffordshire . vrJ

Bro . Speth , in responding , said in what he had told them that day he did not intend to advocate a dead uniformity of Masonic working throughout England , because there were peculiarities to be found in certain lodges which were of very old standing and whieh formed links wilh the past , and unless such usages ' . were subversive of their principles , he should be sorry to discard them . But he would ask them to remember that a Masonic generation was only some 30 years , so that seme little custom soon became immemorial usage in the eyes of the present generation . He had tried to make

them realise that there was a standard , that that standard was bised on good authority and that they could not do better than follow it as nearly as they were able . ( Applause ) " I he Health of the VV . M . " was proposed by Bro . Pepper , who recalled the valuable services rendered by Bro . Bodenham for many years as President of the Masonic Charitable Association and his good , sterling work fo ; Masonry generally . The toast was drunk with musical honours , and the W . M .. in r « nn « J .

ing , contrasted the small beginnings of the Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association 27 years ago with the vigorous infancy of the Foster Gough Lodge , which he hoped would prove a most auspicious event in the history of Freemasonry in Staffordshire ( Applause . ) He concluded by proposing the toast of "The Portland Lodge" and lhanking the VV . M . and members for the assistance which they had given in holding that meeting at Stoke . fi

Bro . VV . T . Copeland responded . Bro . Spierpoint , P . G . Sd . Br . Warwickshire , responded for " The Visitors " and several other toasts were honoured , including " The Masonic Charities , " proposed bv Bro . Wood , and responded to by Bro . T . Taylor , President of the Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association . During the evening selections , Sic , were given by the Apollo Glee Singers

Richmond Lodge , No . 2032 . ! 11 Jr '"^ a ' ''? " ™ ij ? £ ° ^ Masonic I lall , Greyhound Ilotel , Richmond , on the 3 rd inst ., and was well attended both bv members and visitors , the latter numbering 34 . There were present Bros . F . H Gieev X ^ 'i * / ; Roblnso " . - - *«•<' •> £ S . W . ; R . A . Brooking , J . W . W . M elert " G C . Rowland , Sec ; T . Keyes , P . M ., acting S . D . ; H . E . lfernby acting J |> ; Dr . James Johnstone , I . G . ; Harry Sapsworth . P . M ., DC ; F . Frampton OrP Chas , J IJigby , P . M . ; EG Partridge , G . K . Whetman , | . A . Aston ?! RaU &* . Pnichard , P . M . ; Carl G . Grrmhold , B . Gcdbold . I . K . *¦ , „ ¦ „„ . !„'„ . Aml ™ .

J . J . Ponting , II . Goodchild , 11 . I * . Warner , J . Billett , A . H . Seal , las Ireland VV Fairley , F . C . Moullet , P . M . ; 11 . Mackay , G . B . ' Syrett , F . \ V . DimblebyK * Messum , R . H . Smith , Geo . Holland , E . Downs , P . M . ; 1 . Tinkler O G V , , rar 1 . VV . 11 . A . Axten , P . L . Whittet , A . Walker , L . R . Rusiell II P . Stuar ' t , To . Hatton , I ; . G . Latham b Dare , P . M . ; and V . G Mitcl ., 11 , Tyler . Vis tors Bros W , . V . ' * - ? - ¦ - - » ¦ ' ¦ 56 ' ' , L - Jamcs ' ' - ' 5 ' G . Bickerton , P . M . 9 ; G . H . P . Hertsle , , G ( 5 ; W Crowhurst , .. S 94 ; W . H . lillis , 7 S 0 ; H . li ' . Gomme , 946 ; VV . GPerring 1042 Woodward | 6 Stokes '

. , ; VV . G . , 5 G ; II . , S . D . S 34 ; WmG West , ? ' I W ' ' ,. ft Wtartbn Wells , P . M . 94 * ; Maj r VV . J . Bosworth W . M 2 ( 199 ; ' <¦ W . Rice , P . M . ir . yi ; A . J . lurner , P . M . ; Col . G . T . Guyon PM 1 N 72 ; kde Grout , 94 < W F . C . le , . ' jO ; W . Parsons , J . li . Shrubsole , 503 ; ' D . Bolt , ib 2 y ; N . Cowlander , 2722 ; \ V . Wainwright , , 0 . 56 ; J . p . Simpson , P . M . 176 ; K . Lucas , , \;| ; VV . L . Iggulden , VV . J . G-een , P . M . ; W . G . Peirce 1711 ; Charles Rob-nson , P . G . S . ; G . W . Street , P . AL 172 ; and R . T . West 1744 lhejodge having been ouened , the minutes of the last lodiie mee ' timr were read

3 « , » , ¦' , ' . * . , tbe Au- , " submitted their report on the balance sheet . The Me- u , ' u » w V . GtC '' ' . M ini , iattd Mr - Frederick Garrett in an able manner . With the W . M . ' s permission Bro . Chas . J . Digby , P . M ., occupied the chair to initiate Mr . George Berkeley l-. llis—a very old friend of his-and he performed the ceremony in a manner that it was impossible to excel It is seldom that it has fallen to our lot to hear the ritual given in such an eloquent and impressive style , and which was followed by marked attention from ( he large gathering . The W . M . elect , Bro . R . A . Brooking , was then presented by Bro . Harry Sapsworth , P . M ., and installed into the