Peovincial.

The principal business was that of passing Bro . John T . Ireland to tho degree of F . C , and raising Bros . J . Mcintosh Barrett and John Jackson to the sublime degree of M . M ., the former ceremony being undertaken by Bro . W . Mosley P . M ., and the latter by Bro . S . Statham P . M . P . P . G . Tr . Bro . W . Thos . Biease S . W . presented and explained the Working Tools in tho second degree , and tho W . M . those in the third degree .

At the festive board which followed , tho usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were introduced , tho harmony which relieved tho same being contributed by various Brethren . Bro . Thos . Threlfall P . M . P . P . S ., in proposing the health of the candidates , spoke of the third degree as one of the finest pieces of ritual ever produced . He also dilated upon the attributes of the Brethren included in his toast , adding that Bro . Barrett had been pioneered through by one of the oldest Past Masters connected with the Lodge .

ARROW LODGE , No . 2240 . THE sadness which prevailed amongst the members of this Lodge , owing to the death of Bro . H . Wishlade during his term of office as W . M ., vvas dispelled on Monday , 13 th ult ., by the installation of his successor . The Brethren had been without a chief during several months , and the loss of Bro . Wishlade ' s commanding and kindly presence was keenly lamented . But on Monday afternoon they manifested transition to joy in the sense of the

old French proclamation— " The king is dead ! long live the king 1 " Really , the Arrow Lodge , the youngest detachment of Freemasons in the Herefordshire Province , is the most flourishing of all of them , says the " Hereford Times , " the mother Lodge at Hereford scarcely excepted , and tho Brethren have been fortunate in a succession of most able and popular Masters . The one who is now advanced to King Solomon ' s chair is Bro . Eichard Atherstone Billiald , who has had experience in higher ranks in Masonry , and , as

one occasionally attending Grand Lodge , may be regarded as a connecting link between the Arrow and the metropolis . There are no fewer than eight members of the Lodge holding present or past Provincial rank . One of them is Bro . F . P . Young , the first initiate in this Lodge , and the first Secretary , an office he has filled ever since , except when he was W . M . and I . P . M ., and

it is to his genial personality that the progress of tho Lodge is in . a measure due . During the interregnum caused by tbe death of Bro . Wishlade the duties of W . M . have been carried out by Bro . Wellington Lloyd , who was appointed Provincial Grand Assistant Director of Ceremonies at the last Provincial Grand Lodge . He also acted as Installing Officer on this occasion , a ceremony which ho conducted in correct and admirable style .

Bro . Billiald , after acknowledging the honour of his preferment , appointed and invested his Officers for the ensuing year . At the conclusion of business , the Brethren adjourned to the Burton House Hotel for refreshment , when Bro . Lodge and his sisters provided a first-class banquet , which was highly appreciated . Bro . 0 . Wellington Lloyd , in proposing the Worshipful Master , made a

touching reference to the death of Bro . Wishlade , who , he said , was a pattern Master , who had worked extremely hard to make himself accomplished in hia duties . Alluding to his successor , Bro . Lloyd remarked that the Lodge was very fortunate . . in securing Bro . Billiald as W . M . Bro . Billiald had sought higher honours in Masonry than the Master's chair , and he was sure that he would fill that position with credit .

The W . M . thanked the Brethren for their extremely kind reception , and said he believed with Bro . Lloyd that if the Officers rallied round him he should be able to carry out the details of his work with satisfaction to himseli and everyone concerned . He admitted that he had been seeking higher honours without passing the chair , and had no doubt that it was better to leam the duties thoroughly by going through the different offices in the usual way . He could with justice praise the Brethren of this Lodge for the

accuracy of their knowledge , and thought that the way in which the ritual was observed at Grand Lodge left something to be desired in comparison with this and many other Provincial Lodges . He endorsed with all sincerity the reference which had been made to the late Bro . Wishlade . No one regretted Bro . Wishlade ' s death more than be . The late Brother was certainly an admirable Master , whose good work he hoped he should be able to continue . Bro . F . P . Young P . P . G . S . D ., who proposed the very important toast the

Masonic Charities , said the Brethren of the Lodge had eleven or twelve votes between them , all of which they gave to the Herefordshire Province to pay off a debt of votes for enabling them to get a boy into the Institution . This Masonic School was about to be removed to Bushey , as the present buildings were not large enough . The invested capital was , he believed , about £ 60 , 000 , which brought in an annual income of £ 1 , 700 , which certainly was not half enough . The Herefordshire Province had three boys in the school ,

costing the Institution about £ 140 a year . Therefore , the Institution certainly had a claim upon the Province for liberal help towards the funds . Bro . T . Smith , of tho Palladian Lodge , Hereford , had sent him a notice that he had been elected to act as Steward at the forthcoming Centenary in London , to bo held in July , and hoped the Arrow Lodge would give him a grant of not less that £ 10 to take up along with grants from other Lodges .

From what ho had heard , Bro . Young understood that the Most Worshipful Grand Master the Prince of Wales expected to raise £ 100 , 000 on that occasion , and he had not the slightest doubt but that His Eoyal Highness would manage it . Upwards of £ 11 , 000 was wanted to commence the new buildings , and he earnestly hoped this Lodge would consider the matter and send up a good sum of money .

Bro . W . W . Robinson , who responded in the absence of Bro . E . Williams , said he was on the Committee of the Herefordshire Masonic Charities Association , and , speaking for the Palladian Lodge , he knew there was a strong desire to do all that possibly could be done for the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys at the forthcoming Centenary . At the last monthly gathering of the Palladian he made a proposition first that they should give Bro . Smith a sum of twenty guineas as the grant from the Palladian Lodge towards the

huilding fund . Bro . Smith , who seconded the motion , said he only regretted that the proposer did not mention a larger sum . Thereupon he turned round to the W . M . Bro . Beddoe , who was Treasurer , asking him if he would allow him to propose a larger sum . Bro . Beddoe said there were plenty of funds , and he would pay whatever was voted . Accordingly he proposed forty guineas , and this motion , on being put to the meeting , was carried unanimously . „ Bro . Smith , on hearing he was coming to Kington , said he

hoped he would urge the Arrow Lodge to subscribe liberally so that he might take a handsome amount from the Province . Bro . Smith must personally pay ten guineas to the Masonic Charities and two guineas as a Steward , so that he would pay twelve guineas , for which he would receive two votes . He had mentioned this matter to Bro . Billiald , who informed him that he thought of going to the centennial meeting himself , and taking whatever money he could from the Lodge . He would therefore ask tbe Lodge to do their best in the matter , so that Bro . Billiald might well represent them . If

Peovincial.

they voted twenty guineas they would receive a permanent vote for life . In fact , they would , by subscribing now , got an accumulation of votes which they would not get hy subscribing a similar amount a year hence . It would take the Province about five years to pay off the debt of votes which they had borrowed . Besides the three boys whom they had now in the Institution , two others had just passed through and been placed out in the world . To the cost of those the Province had not contributed more than a fifth or a sixth , so that they ought , in justice , to do their very utmost on this occasion .

The W . M . said 'that , as Bro . Eobinson had remarked , he thought of attending tho Centenary meeting himself , but if he did not go he should certainly send the grant of the Lodge by Bro . Smith . Bro . C . Moordaff proposed the Founders of the Lodge , humourously remarking that he had not been told whether it was the Founders of the

Arrow Lodge started in 1791 , or the Arrow Lodge which now existed . He was afraid he could not call upon the Founders of the old Arrow Lodge to respond , though perhaps they raight consider thoy were with them in spirit . Bros . F . E . Tidd-Pratt and A . Parker , two of the surviving Founders of the present Arrow Lodge , responded , ably following up the witticisms of Bro . Moordaff .

Bro . Col . Moutray Eead , in proposing the Wardens and the Officers of the Lodge , mentioned some researches in history on the subject of Freemasonry , and the origin of the name . In the reign of Henry III . alone more than 150 abbeys , priories , and religious houses were built . The European Masons became numerous and powerful bodies , and several privileges were granted them by tho Popes , such as the right of fixing their prices , taking apprentices , and admitting " accepted" Masons into their Corporations , Hence they styled themselves " Free Masons . "

LOYAL HAY LODGE , No . 2382 . r ? " ! HE festival of St . John was celebrated by the members at the Masonic JL Hall , Hay , on Monday , 13 th ult . The Lodge was not quite so well attended as usual , but thoso who were present took the greatest interest in the proceedings , and wore very hearty in their good wishes for a very

prosperous year of office for the new Worshipful Master Bro . J . H . Edwards . Bro . Edwards is one of the founders of the Lodge , and has always taken tho greatest interest in Masonry , and discharged all his duties with such efficiency that bis Brethren felt that he was justly entitled to be advanced to the chair of King Solomon .

After the Lodge had been duly opened , Bro . J . H . Edwards was installed , the ceremony being efficiently and impressively performed by Bro . Eev . C . D . Pagden , an earnest and accomplished Craftsman . During the investiture the W . M . delivered a suitable charge to the Officers , and impressed upon each one the necessity of faithfully discharging the duties pertaining to his office .

After the Lodge was closed the Brethren adjourned to the Crown Hotel , where a lirst-rate banquet was prepared by Bro . Thomas Stokoe , which was highly appreciated , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THE regular meeting took place at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , on Friday , 10 th ult ., Bro . William Charlton , J . P ., Worshipful Master . Four ceremonies , which included an initiation , were announced for

performance , but a passing and two raisings only were taken . The W . M . passed Bro . Alfred William Bentham into the degree of F . C , whilst Bros . Edwd . Webb P . M ., and Buckley Carr P . M . P . P . G . D . C , raised Bros . William Johnson Charlton , and William Henry Crawford respectively , to the sublime degree of Master Mason .

At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , the same being varied by songs , etc . The candidates , in reply to the toast of their health , were unanimous in expressing the satisfaction which they had derived from the ceremonial . Bro . Wm . B . Akerman P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., in his characteristically happy manner , and the latter replied , proposing in turn the health of the Past Masters , the response being in the capable hands of Bro . Thomas Plumpton P . M .

Ad00902

f lIMPORTANT—Please note that A . JUGLA'S Trade mark is as under : — G 0 U ) MED ' ] p | k ^— - — % / ALFRED JUGLA —( a candidate ) . A well-known electioneering agent writes as follows : — "A . JUGLA heads the poll a long way as the best man in London for perfectly fitting genuine Kid Gloves , and my wife declares that his black gloves are the only really black gloves to be had in London ; the others are black and white , or so badly dyed that they stain the hand like ink . HIGHLY FINISHED PERFECT FITTING SHIRTS made to measure or ready made . GLOVES TO MEASURE OR FROM STOCK , if by the doz . or : } doz . subject to a discount of 6 / - per dozen . A . JUGLA , 24 Coventry St ., London , W . O . ^^^ mmzr ^ HENNIG BROS ., J ^ Sm ^^ f ^ BILLIARD TABLE MAKERS , W *~ W * tall « wj || Manufacturers of the Git . biisi . ed , 86 a . PATENT LOW FROST-PROOF CUSHIONS . 29 HIGH STREET , LONDON , W . C .