PETERSFIELD.
FREEMASONRY.— LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP (No 928).— At the usual monthly meeting of this lodge, held at the Lodge-room, Dolphin Hotel, Br. H. Dollery, W.M., presided, and there was a full lodge. Amongst the visitors were Brs. J. Naish. P. Prov. G., lsle of Wight; George Oakshott. P.M. 90; M. E. Frost, P.M.,1487 and W.M., 1069, Provincial Grand Treasurer, Hants; H. M. Emanuel, P.M. 342, P. Prov. S.G.W., Hants; E. B. Fawcett, 271; E. M. Wells, P.M. 487. P. Prov. S.G.D. , and others.—A ballot was taken on behalf of four candidates for initiation into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry.—Br. John C. Airs, having evinced the requisite proficiency, was duly passed a Fellow Craft; the concluding business of the lodge being the initiation Mr. John Bonham Carter, M.P. for the City of Winchester, which ceremony was ably and impressively performed by Br. W. W. B. Beach, M.P. for North Hants.—The brethren then adjourned to the Red Lion Hotel, where a banquet awaited them under the able chairmanship of Br. Dollery, W.M., who, on the removal of the cloth, proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in appropriate terms, that of the Provincial Grand Master and Officers of the province being acknowledged by Br. Frost, who expressed the pleasure the Prov. G.M. always felt at the hearty manner in which his name is invariably received amongst Masons. —The W.M. then gave the health of their newly initiated brother, Br. John Bonham Carter, and congratulated the lodge on having amongst them one whose liberality of sentiment and high talent would enable him to rise in the Craft, whilst his high position in the district and extended means gave him increased power to give practical effect to the great principles of their Order.—Br. Carter, in returning thanks for the compliment paid him by the W.M. and brethren, begged all would excuse any irregularities of expression in a brother of only an hour’s standing, and proceeded to express the pleasure felt in belonging to so ancient and honourable a society. He saw in it a wide sphere of usefulness, and he, for one, felt there was not so much good done in the world that such an organisation could be spared. He had been accustomed through life to broad and comprehensive views of society, and every thing that tended to cement together for a general purpose, even in small matters, was in itself good. The step he had that day taken was not a sudden one; he had long intended to join their Order, but had, until now, been unable to carry his wishes into effect. He might have joined the lodge to which his brother on the left belonged (Br. Oakshott, Lodge of Economy, 90, Winchester), but being intimately associated politically with the city of Winchester, he preferred to wait until an opportunity occurred, such as the present, of being initiated amongst friends and neighbours, when and where no possible political motive could be imputed to him. He certainly was surprised to find his friend Br. Beach had come over to perform the ceremony; he had known him for years, and met him in county matters, and he had the reputation of being the most amiable man in the county. Though they differed on many political questions, he felt sure his friendship would be increased and strengthened now that he might call him a brother. Having been so recently initiated, he would not trust himself to say much; his public duties would, he feared, prevent his devoting himself so entirely to Masonry as he could wish, and consequently preclude his taking a high position, but his ambition would always be to use his best endeavours in the more humble walks of the Order.— The health of the visiting brethren, proposed by the Chairman, was responded to by Br. George Oakshott. —The health of the W.M. was proposed by Br. Emery, Br. Dollery replying in an effective speech.— Several toasts and songs followed, ‟The Entered Apprentice” being well rendered by Br. Goodeve, and a most enjoyable evening concluded this, one of the most interesting meetings of the lodge.