Staffordshire Grand Lodge.

1060 responded . The following toasts wero also drunk : —The Masonic Charities , proposed by Bro . Barker P . G . J . W . ; the Prov . Grand Stewards , proposed by Bro . Cartwright iu highly complimentary terms , and suitably acknowledged by Bros . T . E . Fowke and Bagnall ; tho Ladies , proposed by Bro . Cartwright ; and the

host , proposed by Bro . Fowko , and acknowledged by Bro . Nutt . The proceedings wero enlivened by tho excellent singing of a glee party . Much credit is duo for the complete success of the meeting to tho activity of tho Provincial Grand Stewards , and the admirable arrangements which thoy mado .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSET .

THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge waa held at the Town-hall , Bridgwater , on 29 th ult ., under the banner of the Lodge of Perpetual Friendship , No . 135 , Brother E . 0 . Else R . W . D . P . G . M . presiding , in unavoidable absence of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master Earl of Carnarvon , from whom a letter waa read , expresaing his lordship ' s regret : he had been advised , through ill-health ,

to spend the winter abroad . About 150 brethren were present , including a large muster of P . G . Lodge Officers . AU tho twenty-two Lodges in the diatrict were represented . The P . G . Chaplain ( Bro . F . S . P . Seale ) opened the Lodge with prayer . The P . G . Treaa . ( Bro . E . Turner Payne ) read the statement of the accounts , and stated that the brethren in the Provinco now numbered as nearly as possible

one thousand . The following were appointed Officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . J . C . Small 135 S . W ., G . Collins 53 J . W ., Rev . Prebendary Knowling , Wellington , and H . Saunderson 379 P . G . Chaplains , E . Turner Payne , Bath , P . G . Treas ., Dr . Wybrants 437 P . G . Regis ., J . 0 . Hunt 135 P . G . Sec , R . Cripps , Bushington , P . G . S . D ., J . Tompsett 814 P . G . S . D ., A . Hills 285 P . G . Superintendent of Works , W . Adams 261 P . G . D . C , L . Howes 906 P . G . Assist .-D . C , J . Hughes

1197 P . G . Sword Bearer , P . Barham 41 P . G . Organiat , H . J . Taylor 772 P . G . Pursuivant , Albert Huntley 976 P . G . Assist .-Pursuivant , W . Woodward 291 Tyler , Salter 53 Assist .-Tyler . P . G . Stewards—L . Wheatley 1755 , Edgar Thatcher 1199 , E . Howell 329 , G . R . Wilson 973 , Mark Gibbons 1833 , Dr . Kemmis 291 . The customary banquet was afterwards held at the Royal Clarence Hotel . — Western Daily Mercury .

Order Of The Red Cross Of Constantine

ORDER OF THE RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE

THE annual assembly of the General Grand Conclave of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine for Scotland was held in Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 27 th ult . In the unavoidable absence of the Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign , the Earl of Kintore , the throne was occupied by the Most Eminent Grand Viceroy Captain Charles Hunter , and there was a good

attendance of Knight Companions . The minutes of last annual assembly and meetings of Grand Senate and Executive Committee were adopted , as was also their report for last year , which showed satisfactory progress in the Order . The following 111 . Sir Knights were appointed members of the Grand Council , and were elected to fill the undermentioned offices for next year : —Capt . Hunter Viceroy ,

John Crombie , Aberdeen , Senior General , James Criohton , Edinburgh , Junior General , Rev . T . N . Wannop High Prelate , Dr . George Dickson High Chancellor , Dr . James Carmichael Treasurer , R . S . Brown Recorder , Wm . Edwards High Almoner , J . H . Balfour W . S . Marshal , Colonel Robeson Sword Bearer , J . Dalrymple Duncan Standard Bearer , and J . Todd Stewart . Chamberlain . Sir Knights

D . Henderson , Edinburgh , and Dr . Thomas Milne , Alloa , were elected members of Grand Senate . J . Melville , A . M . Bruce , and George Barrie , members of Grand H . Almoner's Fund Committee . Letters of apology for absence , from the Earl of Kintore , M . I 11 . Grand Sov ., Colonel Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Past Grand Sov ., the Eev . T . N . Wannop , G . H . Prelate , J . H . Balfour

Grand Sword Bearer , and W . Maclean Grand Assistant Marshal , were read . After the transaction of the ordinary business , the Knights adjourned to the Waterloo Hotel , where they dined together , the Most Eminent Viceroy , Captain Charles Hunter , in the chair , with V . I 11 . Sir Knight J . Crombie , Grand Sen . Genl ., as Croupier , and the company

being augmented by a large number of Knights , some of them from a distance . The Chairman was supported by W . Mann S . S . C Treas . General of Supreme Council for Scotland A . and A . Eite , Major Eintoul , 16 th Lancers ; Lindsay Mackersy W . S . Eegistrar and Treasurer of Chapter General of the Order of the Temple , Dalrymple Duncan and Colonel J . Todd Stewart , Glasgow ; E . S . Brown , J .

Crichton , D . Murray Lyon Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge of Scot , land , and W . Hay Grand Architect , & c . Dinner over , the Chairman proposed the usual Loyal and introductory toasts , which , were heartily drank , the Navy being replied for by Dr . Byrne , of Elshieshiolds : the Army by Major Eintoul , and the Auxiliary Forces by Colonel Stewart . The next toast was that of the Most Illustrious

Grand Sovereign the Right Hon . the Earl of Kintore , which was proposed by the Chairman . He explained that unforeseen circumstances had prevented the Earl of Kintore from being present . The Earl , he said , was genial and kind , and he had suffered from the loss of an amiable and kind father . Under such circumstances , one and all of them must feel for him , and consider that at present it might not be easy for his Lordship to come amongst them . There

was no one who had the interests and welfare of the Order more at heart ; and they should join cordially in drinking to his Lordship's health . The toast was received with enthusiasm . The other toasts comprised—the Most Eminent Grand Viceroy Captain Charles Hunter , by the Croupier ; the Grand Lodge of Scotland , by the Chairman , and acknowledged by R . W . Bro . W . Mann Past Senior Grand Warden ; the Chapter General of the Religious and Military Order of the Temple , by the Chairman , and responded for by Lindsay

Order Of The Red Cross Of Constantine

Mackersy ; the Past and Present Members of tho Grand Council , coupled with the name of J . Dalrymple Duncan , J . Crombie Sen . Gen ., and G . Chamberlain ; tho Representatives of Sister Grand Councils , proposed by J . Crichton ; the Sovereigns and Viceroys of Conclaves , by R . S . Brown ; and the Grand Eecorder , by the Chairman . Several songs were given by several of the Knights , and a very pleasant evening was passed .

Festivities In Liverpool.

FESTIVITIES IN LIVERPOOL .

THEEE was a large and brilliant gathering of ladies and gentlemen at the Freemasons' Hall , Hope-street , on Wednesday night , 27 th October , on the occasion of the completion of the decorations of the grand banquetting hall , whioh had been closed for some time in order that the embellishments might be carried out ou a proper scale . The decorations , whioh have been designed and executed by Bro . Francis Smith Past Master 201 P . G . S .

of W . P . P . G . J . Cheshire , are most ornate and elaborate , the object being to illustrate some of the great principles of Freemasonry . The hall is 52 feet long by 30 wide , and is 25 feet high , with a spacious ladies' gallery . The room has a cove roof , tastefully set out , and in the centre of the ceiling is placed a richly-designed centre flower , from which is suspended a magnificent chandelier of brass work . The

panels on the walls are on a blue ground , with massive gold framing , and embellished with the Grand Master ' s jewel , & o . The dado connecting the pilasters is of deep Sienna marble , with a band on the top composed of Masonic emblems . The panels in the ceiling are filled with original designs , illustrative of the symbols of the Craft and the duties of its principal Officers . This grand banquetting hall thus

completed on a scale of splendour unequalled in the Provinces is really a fitting place for the purposes of the Craft , and the decorations have cost about £ 1 , 000 . It may be mentioned that the carpeting has been furnished by Messrs . Purdey and Son , Church-street . The formal opening of the splendid chamber was signalised by a grand dramatic , literary , musical , and scientific soiree , conversazione , and

ball , which was attended by between five and six hundred of the local Masonio brethren and their friends—a thoroughly representative gathering . The Committee-rooms , corridors , & c , were richly adorned with plants , ornamental vases , and marble columns , lent re . spectively by Bros . R . H . Exton , Messrs . Bennett and Sons , and Bro . John Jackson . Amongst the attractions of the evening was an art

exhibition , specially superintended by Bros . Edward Gnndley and Washington ; and some scientific deposits were presided over by Bro . H . A . Tobias . The pictures were contributed by well-knowm mem . bers of the Craft , aud included some of the best works of the late Wm . Daniels and other celebrated artists . Amongst the contributors to the scientific and antiquarian departments were Bros . Tobias ,

G . G . Walmsley , J . Sewill , F . Smith , Richard Brown , Mr . H . Ellis , Mrs . Buoknall , Bro . E . Carter , and Mr . A . H . Mason . Noticeable in the exhibits was a pack of silver playing cards , four hundred years old , lent by Bro . Tueski . The lower portions of the building were brilliantly illuminated by Japanese and Chinese lamps , supplied by Mr . H . Firth . Shortly after eight o ' clock the festivities commenced

by a dramatic performance in the new Lodge-room , the entertainment consisting of the petite comedy " A Kiss in the Dark , " the dramatis persona being composed of Bros . Frank Emery , Lindo Courtenay , Miss Florence Courtenay , and Miss Marie Weiss . It is unnecessary to add that with such a cast the comedy went without a hitch and was thoroughly enjoyed . The musical arrangements were by Bro .

R . Burgess Organist Lodge 1609 . At nine o'clock there was a miscellaneous concert , under the direction of Bro . J . Skeaf , the artistes being Mrs . Skeaf , Madame Parkes , Miss Florence Hayes and Bros . Webster Williams , W . Quayle , T . Foulkes , & c . The banquetting . hall was thrown open for supper shortly after ten , the caterers being Messrs . Gait and Capper , Lord-street . The decorative plate was lent

by Bro . J . G . Jacobs , Church-street , and Messrs . Elkington and Co . The brethren present were attired in full Masonic clothing , with the insignia of their rank and office , and the scene was picturesque when they were all assembled in the banquetting-hall . At eleven o ' clock Bro . Brammall presented his mirth-provoking sketch , " The Showman , " after which an amateur dramatic performance was given

by some of the brethren , the piece being " The Rosebud of Stinging Nettle Farm , " by H . J . Byron . The stage management was kindl y undertaken by Mr . E . 0 . Osborne . A little before midnight the proceedings were wound up by a ball , which took place in the new Lodge-room and in the Chapter-room , the music being supplied by Bro . G . A . Wielcpolski Phillips , and Bro . H . M . Molyneux being Master of the Ceremonies . The whole of the arrangements were well

carried out by a Committee , of which Bros . H . S . Alpass was the President , W . J . L . Lunt the Vice-President , J . T . Callow Treasurer , and Richard Brown and A . C Wylie the Secretaries . They were ably assisted by the Sub-Committees , of which the Chairmen were : — Dramatic—Bro . L . Courtenay . Art and Literature Committee—Bro , Dr . Kellet Smith . Music Committee—Bro . Joseph Skeaf . Ball Committee—Bro . H . M . Molyneaux . Refreshment Committee—Bro . John Houlding , aided by J . Beesley and others .

Answers To Correspondents.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS .

P . M . —We will forward your communication to "DISCIPLE , " who will , of course , exercise his own discretion in replying to it . We cannot see what good it will do you if "DISCIPLE " should think proper to enlighten you , nor do we like to suggest that your anxiety for information as to the original of the picture

photographed by our correspondent reminds us of the old saying about " the cap fitting , " & o . Yet it looks very mnch as though you were one of the unlearned array of Preceptors of whom " DISCIPLE " so justly complains . As to resigning your appointment , consult your friends first .