Instruction.

The Lodge was advanced to tho second degree , when Bro . Martyn offered himself as a candidate for raising , that ceremony being duly rehearsed . The W . M . gave tho explanation of the Tracing Board , and then resumed the Lodge to the first degree . Bro . Mark , as a candidate for passing , was entrusted , and the ceremony was rehearsed . This was followed by the

ceremony of initiation , Bro . Collins acting as candidate . We cannot speak too highly of the excellent working of Bro . Darch , who , after having received the well earned compliments of every Brother present , closed the Lodge in due form . Bro . E . Almayo will occupy the chair on Wednesday next .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

v LODGE OF INTEGRITY , No . 163 . THE regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Wednesday , 23 rd ult ., Bro . Frederic Walmsley W . M . This occasion was Bro . Walmsley ' s first appearance in the principal ohair , and he signalised this fact by initiating Mr . Eustace Barton Beesley , Solicitor , Manchester , into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Mr . Kesheo Gokhalay , Engineer , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , was also initiated by Bro . R . Alf . Hepworth P . M . The working tools were presented and explained by Bro . H . R . Yates S . W ., the ancient charge being admirably rendered by Bro .

J . H . Studd J . W . Subsequently a successful ballot was taken for Bros . Thos . Ruddell Young and Arthur D . Pixton , the former of St . John's Lodge , 88 , Belfast , as a joining member , and the latter , formerly a member of this Lodge , as a rejoining member .

The festive board followed , the various toasts being pleasantly interspersed by songs , & c , contributed by Bros . Herbert A . Owles I . P . M ., B . Williams P . M ., Robt . Race Secy ., R . W . Nuttall J . D ., F . M . Whittle Org ., F . Simpson , E . B . Beesley , Councillor William Nuttall W . M . 934 , and Edwd Roberts P . M . 1459 .

In responding to the toast of the Past Masters , Bro . Owles , in a brief but telling speech , congratulated his sucoessor in the chair , to which the W . M . suitably responded .

INSTRUCTION LODGE , No . 581 . A MEETING was held at the Old Boar's Head , Withy Grove , Manchester , on Tuesday , 22 nd ult ., Bro . Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . Preceptor . The ceremony of raising was rehearsed , with tho following acting as Officers , Bros . H . E . Massie W . M . Thomas Hamnett S . W ., A . Hall J . W ., J . Ridgway S . D ., Geo . Rodgers J . D ., and Matthew Goth I . G ., tha candidate being Bro . Joseph Day . Bro . Rodgers presented and explained the working tools .

EGERTON LODGE , No . 1030 . THE regular meeting was held at the George Hotel , Heaton Norris , on Monday , 21 st ult ., Bro . A . E . Broome W . M ., the principal business being that of raising Bro . H . Edmund Travis to the sublime degree of M . M ., the ceremony being performed by the W . M .

Subsequently Bro . Abm . Pemberton P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Charity Representative proposed " That the sum of ten guineas be voted trom the Charity Fund of the Lodge to endow the J . W . ' s chair at the forthcoming Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , " which was successfully carried .

AVON LODGE , No . 1633 . A REGULAR meeting was held at the Mosley Hotel , Piccadilly , Manchester , on Wednesday , 23 rd ult ., the Lodge being opened by Bro . H . R . Box Worshipful Master , who , after the confirmation of the minutes of the previous regular meeting , took the ballot for Messrs . Frederick Walthew , Frederick Joseph Thomas Taylor , John Shackleton Bebbington , Walter Pendleton , and John Blain , which resulted in favour of the candidates .

Bro . Isaac Bell answered the usual questions before passing , put by Bro . Box , who , after entrusting tho candidate with the test of merit , opened the Lodge in the second degree , when Bro . Bell was regularly passed , Bro . H . B . Dresser S . W . presenting the working tools , after which the Lodge was closed in the second degree .

At this point the Lodge adjourned from labour to refreshment , and on business being resumed the chair of K . S . was occupied by Bro . C . Swinn P . M . Prov . G . J . D . D . C , who initiated Mr . Frederick Walthew into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Bro . Swinn vacated the chair , which was taken by Bro . W . Lyon P . M . who initiated Mr . Frederick Taylor according to custom . ' '

Bro . Lyon vacated the chair , and it was assumed by Bro . A . Jacobson P . M ., who initiated Mr . John Bebbington in due form . Bro . H . B . Dresser S . W . presented the working tools of the degree to the candidates , after which Bro . C . H . Arnold J . W . delivered the ancient charge .

Bro . Jacobson vacated the ohair , and it was re-occupied by Bro . Box W . M ., when Bro . George Maefarlane P . M . P . P . G . Supt . of Works Charity Representative gave notice of motion that at the next regular meeting he should propose " that the sum of twenty guineas be given from the funds of the Lodge , in connection with the forthcoming Centenary Festival of the Boys School . "

Bro . T . Turney proposed Mr . E . Adamson as a candidate for initiation , after which the Lodge was closed by the W . M . in the usual way . Labour being ended the Brethren repaired to the festive board , where the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were heartil y given and enthusiastically received .

In responding on behalf of the Prov . Grand Lodge of East Lancashire which was done at some length by Bro . Thomas Uttley P . M . Prov . S . G . D . ' that Brother spoke in highly commendatory terms of the Lodge working , gave Bro . C . H . Arnold J . W . great praise for the very admirable and exemplary way in which he had delivered the ancient charge , and concluded with a few observations on Lodge business generally , with special regard to the performance of ceremonies , pointing out the desirability of uniformity of working . Bro . John Allen then favoured the Brethren with his humorous song

Provincial.

entitled the " Parrot , " after which Bro . C . H . Clubb J . D . proposed the health of the initiates , who , after the singing of tho Entered Apprentice ' s song by Bro . W . Craven P . M . Prov . G . A . Sec , responded , eaoh concluding with an expression of pleasure for the beautiful lessons they had been taught that

evening-Bro . Box proposed the health of Bro . Bell , on the occasion of his passing , and he duly responded . Bro . A . F . Forrest P . M . proposed the health of the visiting Brethren , amongst whom was Bro . Fred Villiers , the celebrated War Artist and Traveller , who , after another song from Bro . John Allen , responded .

Bro . Swinn proposed the health of the Worshipful Master Bro . Box , who , after the song " Here's to his health , " responded , expressing his pleaiure foi the excellent way in which his Officers had done their work . Then came the Tyler ' s toast , which brought to a close what undoubtedly had been a successful and pleasant evening .

We append a full list of those present : —Bros . H . R . Box W . M ., H . B . Dresser S . W ., C . H . Arnold J . W ., J . W . Stratton S . D ., C . H . Clubb J . D ., E . Newmann I . G ., W . Craven P . M . P . G . A . Sec Treasurer , J . T . Kenworthy P . M . Secretary , C . Swinn P . M . P . G . J . D . D . C , G . Maefarlane P . M . P . P . G . Supt . of Works C . R ., T . B . Oavanah P . M ., W . F . Farrington P . M ., A . Jacobson P . M ., W . Lyon P . M ., W . Binns A . S ., John Maefarlane S . S ., Isaac Bell , and A . T . Forrest P . M .

Visitors : —Bros . Thomas Uttley P . M . 2464 Prov . S . G . D . East Lancashire , 0 . Kenworthy P . M . 2144 , F . G . Richardson P . M . 1045 , John Walker 37 and 2359 , James Walthew , S . Boswell , and Fred Villiers .

\ J KJ \ J THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THE regular meeting was recently held at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , Brother William Charlton , J . P ., Worshipful Master The ordinary business of the Lodge having been concluded , the Brethren adjourned for the purpose of meeting their lady and gentlemen friends , with whom they subsequently dined in the large banqueting hall of the institution ,

a splendid menu having been provided by Miss Brandon . Bros . W . E . Davies Secretary , F . J . Burt , P . i 3 . da Cunah , and Alfred Williams , who acted as Banquet Stewards ,. were indefatigable in their attentions , and helped materially to that happy consummation—a oomfortable and quickly served meal .

A very pleasant social evening followed , the various speeches being enlivened by songs , & c , the W . M . being responsible for the principal toasts , which were proposed by him and most enthusiastically drunk by tha Brethren and guests , who numbered over sixty . Bro . A . C . K . Smith J . W . proposed the health of the Ladies , in hi » usual graceful style , to which Bro . W . J . Charlton responded .

Bro . W . A . Boyer S . W . humorously introduced" the name of the Worshipful Master , at the close of his remarks paying him a very high compliment by saying that he had made himself popular during his term of office , and hoping that he himself would duly be able to emulate his good example and be as successful .

Bro . Charlton W . M . responded , thanking the proposer for hig kind sentiments , and hoping in return that during the remainder of his Mastership he might justify the encomiums which had been poured upon him . Bro . F . J . Large J . D . proposed the visitors , the responses being in the hands of Bros . Geo . Lingard Vaughan P . M . 1030 Prov . G . Reg ., H . J . Cutter P . M . 44 P . P . G . S . D ., Robt . Thomson P . M . 44 , and Mr . Francis Smith , Registrar of the Salford County Court ( father of the J . W . ) , the latter delivering an excellent and characteristic speech .

The contributanes to the harmony of the evening were the Misses Charlton , who gave a brilliant pianoforte duet ; Miss Large , who entertained with a violin solo ; Mr . and Mrs . Duke , duet and songs ; Mrs . Nicholson , Miss Earp , and Miss Cutter , each with a song ; Messrs . Guilford and Yeardly , who played in an accomplished manner on th 9 mandoline and guitar respectively , the former also introducing the fairy bell 3 ; while Bro . 0 . Wroe rendered the Masonio song "Here ' s to his health ; " Bro . Burt supplying the recitations given during the evening .

A very novel yet pleasing innovation was caused by the introduction to the company of Mrs . Thorne , a member of tho Order of the Eastern Star ( comprised of lady Masons ) , of Guthrie , Oklahoma , United States of Amerioa , the lady being then on a visit to her parent ( Bro . Boyer S . W ) . Since compiling this report we learn that Mrs . Thorne has returned to America . Besides those previously mentioned there were present at this very interesting function : Bros . Thomas Plumpton I . P . M ., who was accompanied

by Mrs . and Miss Plumpton ; W . B . Akerman P . M . Dir . of Ceremonies , with Mrs . Akerman ; J . A . K . Haddad I . G ., only recently returned from Assyria ; Jno . Jordan , with Miss Jordan , and Mr . Charles Jordan ; W . H . Ashworth , and lady ; W . H . Crawford , with Mrs . and Miss Crawford ; H . A . Whaite I . G . 317 ; Mrs . A . 0 . K . Smith ; Mrs . Large and daughters ; Mrs . Burt ; Mrs . Da Cunah ; Mrs . Wroe ; Mrs . Vaughan ; Miss Pridgeon , & c . Altogether it may be recorded of the second Manchester Lodge social , that it was eminently a success .

WE are pleased to hear that the makers of the " Cleveland " Bicycles ( The Lozier-Brigham , Ltd . ) have received a very flattering testimonial from the Bicycle Polo Players , of which the following is a copy : Royal Aquarium , London , 29 th January 1898 .

GENTLEMEN , —On behalf of the Bicyole Polo Players at the Aquarium , they desire me to express their great satisfaction with the " Cleveland " Bicycles bought from you . Considering that the machines were not specially built for the purpose , it is really wonderful how they have withstood the enormous and undue strain . It speaks highly for tho strength and workmanship of the Cleveland machines .

Yours faithfully , R . H . WOOD , Manager , Bicycle Polo Team . With the advent of brighter weather we look for the return of interest in the splendid outdoor pastime of cycling , and as a good mount is a first requisite , we , from a personal knowledge , endorse the opinion expressed in the above letter , as to the fine qualities of the " Cleveland " cycles .

Parkhurst . —Next week " Sweet Nancy " is to be played at this comfortable North London playhouse , and we believe there is a prospect of good attendances to witness what will probably prove a most enjoyable series of performances .