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acting as J . W . ; E . Y . Jolliffe , P . M ., Treas . ; Cummings , Sec . ; Harding , S . D . ; Lord , J , D . ; Dixon , I . G . ; Garcia , D . C . ; and Haskins , Org . There vvas a very good programme of business , including one raising , two passings , and three initiations , and "de facto" all three ceremonies were worked , Bro . Webb being raised , Bro . Coke being passed to the Second Degree , and Messrs . VVm . Lawrence and

W . J . Payntor . being initiated . Apart from the manner in which the actual working of the ceremonies was done , which it- may at once be said vvas perfect , the manner in which the Master conducted the business of the evening was beyond praise . The visitors from other lodges included Bros . F . J . Potter , J . W . 1321 ; W . A . Scurrah , W . M . 1 C 7 , P . P . G . S .

of Wks . Middx . ; Thomas E . Taylor , W . M . 101 ; R . Pittam Stevens , I . P . M . 901 ; A . J . Bolton , P . M . 862 ; J G . Glover , J . D . 1677 ; J . R . Brown , 1364 ; B . G . Elliott , 2020 ; J . Fisher , 1184 ; J . H . Ross , J . W . 1964 ; and E . C . Massey . After the lodge meeting , the members entertained their guests at a sumptuous dinner , arranged and served in a

manner that must have been highly satisfactory to the lodge . The usual list of loyal and Masonic toasts was then proceeded vvith . In proposing the first toast , " The Queen and the Craft , " the Worshipful Master referring to the prestige the Craft

had gained by the number of the Royal Family who had become Freemasons said that the Craft had a right to look upon her Majesty as a mother of Freemasonry . In proposing "The Health of the Grand Master , " the Worshipful Master said the head of the Craft was noble in himself as being the Prince of Wales , and doubly so as

M . W . G . M . . Both toasts having been drunk with enthusiasm , and the toast to " 1 he Health of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " having been similarly well received , The Immediate Past Master rose and said that the next toast which it was his pleasure and pride to propose was that

of "The W . M . of the Derby Allcroft Lodge . " He was sure it vvould be received with the unanimous approval of all present . Those visitors vvho saw the working of the W . M . would agree vvith him in saying that everything he could do he did , and he did all things well . Those vvho vvere outside while he was working the ceremonies were to be pitied , for they lost a Masonic treat . He had had the

pleasure of knowing the W . M . before he became a joining member of that lodge , and he had never heard a Master , or a Past Master perform the ceremonies better than they had been performed that evening . Bro . Fitzgerald , in reply , said he thanked the I . P . M . very sincerely for the kind way in which he had proposed that toast , and thebiethren for the cordiality with vvhich

they had received it . He entertained his own opinion of the way in which the vvork should be done , and if there was anything vvhich had fallen from him that evening which indicated strictness , it was to be attributed to the sense he entertained of the high importance of the ceremonies . It was to be understood that his fellow workers , the officers of the lodge , entertained the highest opinion

of the solemnity of the work , and though that toast vvas appropriated to the W . M ., the proper working of the ceremonies depended upon the efficiency of the whole body of officers , and in that ceremony of the First Degree , if even the I . G ., the lowest officer in the lodge , blundered , the beauty of the ceremony vvas marerd . Although ,

therefore , the Master of the lodge took this toast to himself , he depended very much upon the way in which the officers did their duty . It would be his endeavour during the time he fulfilled the duties of that particular office to promote good vvork and uphold the dignity of the Master ' s chair .

The W . M . then proceeded to propose "The Health of the Initiates . " The brethren , he was sure , would agree with him that it was the most important toast of the evening . Initiates vvere the nucleus of their prosperity . He recollected , when the lodge vvas constituted , that the Consecrating Officer recommended them not to fly after members , but to be particularly careful as to the quality of the

initiates they introduced . Up to now , the career of the lodge had been most satisfactory , and he vvas sure he might congratulate the brethren upon the introduction of Bro . Lawrence , vvho had impressed him very much by the way in which he studied every woid that was uttered either by the Master or his officers . As regarded Bro . Paynton , he vvas suffering from nervous anxiety , but he ( the

W . M . ) had been assured that Bro . Paynton had long been a Mason at heart , and this being the first opportunity of coming in contact vvith actual Freemasonry , he had been a good deal overcome . During a time of grief and despair , a Mason's hand should be extended to his fellow . He vvas

quite sure that no circumstance of the ceremony the brethren had witnessed vvould ever be obliterated from their memory . The brethren , he vvas sure , were ready and anxious to extend the right hand of fellowship to Bro . Paynton , and to make him as bright an ornament to the Craft as vvas to be found in the Derby Allcroft Lodge .

Bro . Lawrence said he hardly knew how to reply . He vvas quite unprepared for the flattering language which theW . M . had addressed to him . It was all so new and strange that he scarcely knew where he vvas at present . He had long wanted to be a Mason , and vvas glad he vvas one . He vvould try what he could do , and hoped they would receive what he did in the best spirit . He thanked them for the way in which he had been received .

Bro . Paynton said if he might be allowed to say a few words , he should be glad to do so . He had always thought Freemasonry a thing that a man should join , and he explained that though the nervous excitement of his manners had attracted the attention of the VV . M ., he ( Bro . Paynton ) vvas very much impressed with the solemnity of the

ceremony , there vvas no pait of it escaped him , and , although finely-strung nerves had played him a trick that day , he submitted that he was well qualified to be a Mason . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " which vvas heartily received , and was responded to by Bros . Scurrah , Bolton , Rev . Rose , and Harrison .

The Worshipful Master then introduced a new toast , " The Lay Members of the Lodge , " which vvas responded to by Bros . Wettenall and Bolton , after which , " The Health of the Officers of the Lodge" vvas disposed of , and tbe Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

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ARGONAUTS' LODGE ( No . 2243 ) . —A regular meeting of the lodge vvas held on the 13 th inst ., at the Cromwell Hall , Putney , S . W ., when there vvere present Bros . J . C . Radford , W . M . ; J . F . Savory , S . W . ; G . D . Lister , J . W . ; Gordon Smith , Sec ; T . W . Willis , S . D . ; E . T . Smith , J . D . ; J . P . Houghton , I . G . j C . VV . Mapleton , Stwd . ; Eugene Monteuuis , G . Swd . Br .,

I . P . M . ; VV . H . Brayshaw , F . E . Williams , C . VV . Hughes , H . J . Hill , F . Sturgeon , J . A . Drake Smith , and F . G . Mitchell , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . J . F . Stillwell , 1 S 7 J W . Cuming , W . M . 1593 ; Lieut .-Col . H . B . Adcock , 84 ; J . Maple , P . M . 144 ; J . Hastie , 1305 ; A . Thorn , 91 ; and G . Booth Heming , P . M . 256 . The lodge having been opened , the minutes vvere read and confirmed . Bro . Brayshaw was raised to the Third

Degree . The names of several candidates for initiation and joining vvere handed in . All business being ended the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner , where the usual toasts were duly honoured , the hearty congratulations of all being accorded to Bro . Monteuuis on his accession to the dignity of the purple as G . Swd . Br . Bros . Cuming , W . M . 1593 , and J . Hastie responded to "The Health of the Visitors . "

SOUTHEND . —Priory Lodge ( No . 1000 ) . —A meeting of this lodge vvas held on Thursday , the gth inst ., at Middleton Hotel , when there vvere present Bros . G . J . Glasscock , P . M . 1 S 17 , P . P . G . S . B ., W . M . ; W . E . Bridgland , P . M . 933 , S . W . ; J . F . Barrett , P . M ., P . P . G . R . as J . W . ; A . Lucking , P . M ., P . G . P ., Sec ; B . Thomas , S . D . ; A . Vandervord , J . D . ; Capt E . E .

Phillips , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., Org . ; C . W . Cooke , I . G . J C . VV . Barnard and H . Cogill , Stwds . ; A . VV . Martin , Tyler ; C . Floyd , P . M . 1 S 17 , P . P . A . G . P . ; G . R . Dawson , P . P . G . D . ; J . A . Hobday , J . Pritchard , G . F . Vandervord , R . J . Smith , Dr . R . G . Demster , F . J . Cumine , and C . H . Bowmaker . Visitors : Bros . R . Cleghorn , 1747 ; G . Minett , S . VV . 1672 ; and John Morgan , Sec 1530 .

The minutes of the previous meeting vvere read and confirmed , and Bro . Robert John Smith was raised . The sum of two guineas was voted from the Benevolent Fund to the widow of a late member of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 1 S 17 . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

MIRFIELD . —Mirfield Lodge ( No . 1102 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge vvas held in the Masonic Hall , King-street , on Friday , the ioth inst . The lodge vvas opened in the presence of Bros . F . H . Hare , VV . M . j A . A . Stott , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., as S . W . ; J . H . Simpson , P . M ., as J . W . ; VV . Beaumont , Sec ; J oshua Milner , I . G . j W . Booth , Tyler ; John Barker , P . M ., P . P . G . S .

of W . ; T . B . Fairclough , P . M . ; James Womack , and H . M . Smith , 521 . After the minutes of the last regular meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . Barker read a short account of the " History of the Nelson of the Nile Lodge , No . 264 , Batley , " referring more particularly to its sojourn in

Mirfield from 1816 to 1831 ; which will be continued next lodge night . These extracts have been taken by the permission of the Nelson of the Nile Lodge , to whom the best thanks of the brethren of the Mirfield Lodge are due . After the Iodge had been closed , the brethren ( vvho vvere joined by several other members ) sat down to a slight refreshment , and spent a pleasant hour with each other .

SALFORD . —Newall Lodge ( No . 1134 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Adelphi House . The business was to confirm the minutes of the last regular meeting , to pass Bro . Geo . Ruscow , and to raise Bro . E . M . Williams . The Iodge was opened by Bro . S . Ayland , W . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting vvere read

and confirmed . The ceremony of passing vvas performed by the W . M ., and that of raising by Bro . John Barker , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., both ceremonies being rendered in an exceptionally precise and perfect manner , and vvere well supported by every officer . The two Degrees were full choral , and vvere given in a most capable manner vvith the valuable assistance of Bros . N . Dumville , W . Dumville , A .

Levvtas , and G . E . Hall , vvho were visitors on this occasion , and kindly consented to take part . After all business had been dispensed with , the lodge vvas closed . The following brethren vvere present : Bros . S . Ayland , W . M . ; J . Waring , I . P . M . ; T . McClelland , S . W . ; A . H . Duffin , J . W . ; J . Holroyd , P . M ., P . G . S . of VV ., Treas . ; j . Barker , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., Sec . ; G . S . Smith , P . M ., S . D .: E . Webb , J . D . j B . Eckersley , Org .: C Driver ,

I . G . ; J . B . Kirk , Tyler ; G . Ruscoe , A . K . Boothroyd , J . Green , W . Flett , J . Simpson , R . C . Gray , E . M . Williams , H . Waterhouse , K . VV . Martin , and J . Ogden . Visitors : Bros . A . Leivtas , JI . P . M . 15 SS ; W . Dumville , P . M . ion and 2156 ; N . Dumville , P . M . _ 152 and 2156 , Past Prov . Grand Steward ; E . Entwisle , 999 ; T . Sawyer , P . M . 204 ; J . Lees , 1345 ; T . Radford , 563 ( East Indies ); E . Holland , 1773 ; F . R . Bowley , 2216 ; and S . Statham , P . M . 1773 , P . P . G . Treas .

MALVERN . —Royd ' s Lodge ( No . 1204 ) . —The festival of St . John vvas celebrated by this Iodge on Thursday , the 9 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall . The W . M ., Bro . H . E . Dixey , M . D ., after initiating Mr . R . N . Tovey , F . R . C . S ., installed his successor , Bro . H . Wilson , M . A ., P . M ., in the chair of K . S . The Board of Installed Masters

numbered 18 , including Bros . J . Bodenham , Past A . G . D . C . Eng . ; G . H . Piper , Dep . Prov . G . M . Herefordshire ; R , P . Hill , P . M ., VV . Barkley , P . M ., and R . C . S . Carington , P . M ., of 280 ; J . Mossop , P . M . 377 ; G . J . Westbury , P . M ., and W . B . Williamson , P . M ., of 529 ; VV . J . Grant , W . M . 571 ; Thomas , W . M . 2034 ; and H . E . Dixey , M . D ., P . M ., T . Pike , M . D ., P . M ., S . L . Haynes

M . D ., P . M ., T . E . Lucy , P . M ., F . G . Russell , P . M ., W . Ottley , P . M ., W . M . Ward , P . M ., of 1204 . Bro . E . J . Chambers , Prov . G . Charity Sec , vvas also present . The VV . M . then appointed his officers as follows : Bros . A . O . Fraser , S . VV . ; C P . Green , J . W . ; VV . Ottley , Treas . ;

W . M . Ward , Sec ; J . H . L . Thompson , S . D . ; S . L . Haynes , J . D . ; A . E . Baker , I . G . ; T . E . Lucy , D . C ; F . G . Russell , Stwd ., * G . H . T . Foster , Org . j and W . J . Gwynn , Tyler . The brethren , to the number of 30 , afterwards partook of a banquet , under the presidency of the VV . M .

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TORQUAY . —Jordan Lodge ( No . 1402 ) . —Tho regular monthly meeting of this lodge vvas held in the Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., when there vvere present amongst other brethren Bros . T . Morgan , VV . M . - T . Prust , I . P . M . ; T . H . Wills , S . VV . ; J . McKellar ' J . VV . ; John Taylor , J . D ., as S . D . ; S . Wills . I . G .-Fred . Hex , P . M ., Sec ; J . Dodge , P . M ., P . P . G . T .

Treas . ; Jno . Chapman , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; Jno . Lane , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; VV . J . Hughan , P . G . D . Eng . ) Edward Macbean , of Lodge , 3 bis ( S . C ) , and 2076 ( E . C ) , VV . Winget and Geo . West , Stwds . ; W . Hersey , D . C . C . A . Snow , VV . Hill , and V . Lawzell . The lodge vvas opened and the minutes of the last regular lodge and an emergency lodge vvere read and

confirmed . The VV . M . vacated the chair , which was occupied by Bro . John Lane , P . Prov . G . Reg ., vvho proceeded to raise Bro . C . A . Snow to the sublime degree of M . M ., the whole of the ceremony being performed with that faultless accuracy and impressiveness vvhich particularly characterises any work our esteemed Bro . Lane undertakes . Bro . Hughan then introduced to

the W . M . and brethren his friend and brother Edward Macbean , noted for his lectures and researches on Scottish Freemasonry . A cordial reception greeted that brother upon his rising to express the pleasure he had in being present that evening , to see the efficient working of the lodge , and at the rapid progress the lodge was making as shown by the reports he had read in the Freemason from

time to time . On the motion of Bro . Lane , seconded by the Treasurer , the lodge unanimously voted a guinea to the " Gould Testimonial Fund . " The VV . M . then brought up the report of the Library Committee , whose recommendation that a suitable cupboard , at once an ornament to the room and a credit to the lodge , be forthwith erected ,

vvas approved of . It was intimated that at the next regular meeting ot the lodge a lecture would be given " On some ancient Masonic obligations and modes of recognition" ( esoteric ) , by Bro . Jno . Lane , author of "Masonic Records , 171710 1 S 86 . " Apologies vvere then tendered on behalf of several brethren vvho vvere unable to be present , and the Iodge vvas closed .

NORTH WOOLWICH . —Henley Lodge ( No 1472 ) . —The last meeting previous to the vacation of the above lodge took place on the 7 th inst ., at the Three Crowns Hotel . Bro . C H . Canning , W . M ., occupied the chair , supported by the following officers and others : Bros . E . VVest , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts ; C Lewis , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Essex ; A . T . Ives , P . M . ; J . SavageP . M . ;

, Dr . W . Vance , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Jolly , P . M ., Sec ; C . VVood , S . W . ; A . Knight , J . W . ; C . Towling , S . D . ; B . Curtis , J . D . j J . Glading , I . G . j J . Delo , D . C ; and a number of the brethren of the lodge . Among the visitors were Bros . J . Aillud , P . M . 615 , P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; G . J . Westfield , W . M . 2184 ; C . Tijou , P . M . 1804 ; J . McHugh , 2184 ; H . Allen , 1804 ; W . Shoebridge 13 ; 1 * . Cheshire ,

, 13 ; G . W . Ttickey , 336 ; and others . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting confirmed , Bros . Barwick , Howe , and Robbins , of the lodge , and Bro . Allen , 1804 , were passed . It vvas then decided that a summer outing , or ladies' day , should be held at Brighton , and a Committee was appointed to arrange matters .

Then occurred one of the most interesting episodes of the year , no less than a presentation to Bro . Savage , the I . P . M ., of a handsomely framed and mounted address , beautifully illuminated , with the photographs of the Past Masters and officers , for the admirable manner in which he had in March last installed hissuccessor . It was presented by the W . M ., vvho , in so doing , assured Bro . Savage that

with it went the best wishes of every member of the lodge for his future health and happiness . Of the many Past Masters who had been presented vvith installation testimonials in that lodge none had been more worthy of it than he ( Bro . Savage ) had . He wished Bro . Savage many years of life , and when he got to be old that he might always remember with pride and satisfaction his connection vvith the Henley Lodge .

Bro . aavage , vvho is exceedingly popular in the lodge , briefly replied , and , in so doing , assured the VV . M . and brethren that he should look upon the presentation that night with a life long pleasure . He trusted to be spared to be with them and assist in promoting the best interests of the lodge and the brethren for many years to come . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren dined , and afterwards drank the usual loyal and Masonic toasts vvith enthusiasm .

Some good singing and reciting vvere enjoyed during thc proceedings .

PLUMSTEAD—United Military Lodge ( No . 1536 ) . —Bro . Lieut . T . Cooper , R . A ., the popular W . M . of the above lodge , met vvith a very hearty and cordial reception when he assumed the chair on Friday , the ioth inst ., at the new Masonic Hall , there being a goodly array of the brethren to welcome him from his present station , Preston ,

in Lancashire , a long cable tow to be well within reach of . He vvas assisted by the following officers and brethren : Bros . Capt . G . Spinks , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Kent ; W . Moulds , P . M . ; R . Gooding , P . M . ; C Jolly , P . M . ( Hon . ); VV . Seager , J . VV . ; VV . Gee , Treas . ; A . Ware , Sec ; W . Sayle , D . C ; VV . Wheeler , I . G . j and VV . Whiteheart and Quartermaster Rankin , Stwds . Among the visitors were Bros . A . H . Standlev , P . M . 1062 : G .

Hutchinson , OS ; J . Gannon , 147 ; A . White , 1331 ; G . Browne , 700 ; J . Howell , 1307 ; and T . Scot , 730 . The only business before the lodge was the raising of a brother , which the W . M . and his officers carried out with all due impressiveness and solemnity , and then the lodge vvas closed , and around the social board the brethren spent a few hours in toast and song , the usual loyal , Grand Lodge , provincial , and personal toasts being drunk with enthusiasm .

CATERHAM VALLEY . — Caterham Lodge ( No . 2095 ) . —The annual installation meeting of this very flourishing little lodge vvas held on Saturday last , in the Masonic Hall , and was a highly successful function . In the absence , through indisposition , of the W . M ., Bro . J . E . Street , the Master ' s chair was filled by Bro . Hug h D .

Sandeman , who ably installed Bro . F . A . Guimaraens , P . M . 416 , P . P . S . G . W ., into the chair . The W . M . afterwards invested his officers as follows : Bros . C W . C . Webb , S . W . ; F . W . Mansell , J . W . ; H . EStenning , Treas . ; Hugh D , Sandeman , Sec ; P . Hall ,