The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-16 00:00:00

ST. JAMES'S UNION LODGE, No. 211.

I Tho first regular meeting of this lodge, since the in-
stallation, took place on Tuesday last, at the Freemasons'
Tavern, an emergency meeting baying preceded it, on
Monday evening. The candidates on the list being more
numerous than c .uld be received on one evening, in
accordance with the masobic law ; it was also desirable,
on account of the very heavy business to be transacted
on the usual night. The candidates in attendance on
the first-named evening were—Mr. G. W. C. Deane,
Mr. Charles Jackson, Mr. Henry Hart, Mr. Edwin
Beck, and Mr. I. W. Rea, of New York—better known
as Rayner, one of the proprietors f the celebrate i
Christy s Minstrels—each being initiated into the order
by Bro. Crofton, W.M., who went through the cere-
mony, for the first time, in admirable style, quite in
keeping with the promise held forth by his attention to
the previous progressive offices. Lodge was then
adjourned until 5 o'clock on the following (Tuesday)
evening, when Bro. Crofton resumed the chair, a large
number of the brethren, as well as the officers, being in
attendance. Bros, Martin, Robinson, Frances, and
Duddridge were passed to the degree of Fellow Craft,
and Bros. Abraham, Dethier, Harrison, and Reader
were raised to the degree of M.M.; the whole
ceremonies being performed by the W.M. in quite
as perfect a manner as the initiations previously
alluded to. Other matters, only interesting to the lodge,
were then discussed ; after which the brethren partook
of refreshment, followed by the usual toasts, &o. Bro.
Jackson returned thanks for the initiates, expressing the
great pleasure they derired in being admitted into go
so excellent a society ; he hoped that they would be
found to have made progress during their apprenticeship
as to warrant their advancement in the noble science.
The "Health of the Visitors"—Bro. Tyrrell, P.M. 168 ;
Bro. Cumberland, and Bro. Harris, P.M. 7—was
acknowledged by the last-newel brother, who made
some allusions to the many years this lodge had existed ;
for he belonged to the lodge 31 years ago, when the
Lodge of Good Intent and the St. James's were amal-
gamated. The "Master's Health" was then proposed,
and responded to most felicitously by the new master,
who assured the brethren that, while he studied their
comforts at the festive board, he would exsct proper
attention to the lodge duties, and, by so doing,
carry
out the best principles of the order. Bro. Niustno (ot
Mitchell's Royal Library, Old Bond-street), in a very
humorous speech, proposed the "Health of the American
Brothers present.' The brothers alluded to wLe
lodge .
Pierce and Collins, of New York, who entered
late, accompanied by their newly-initiated companions
Bre. Rea.) The American brothers (of the e briet y,e
minstrels) responded, briefly in words, but more exten-
sively by singing some delightful melodies. Aple.asant
evening was passed, further enhanced by the singing of
Bros. E. Hart, Nimmo, J. Gurton, P.M. and treasurer,
and Miss Ada Taylor.

THE LATE Six llEsutv BISHOP.—We have great
pleasure in directing the attention of the admirers of the
compositions of this great musician to the fact that Mr.
E. T. Smith has placed the Alhambra Palace at the dis-
posal of the committee for the benefit of Sir H(nry
Bishop's family, for a concert, which will take place on
the 25th inst., under the patronage of the Lord Mayor
and Sheriffs.