Provincial.

CONCORD LODGE , No . 1534 . ri ^ HE regular meetin" was held at Chester Bank , Prestwich , on X Thursday , 15 th ult ., Bro . \ V \ H . Norton W . M . There were also present - . —Bros . Win . B . Midglev S . W ., E . S . Done J . W ., J . W . Thompson P . M . P . P . G . St . B . Treas ., John Wardle P . M . Sec , H . B . Fawssett J . D ., R . Hothersall P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C ., Edward Roberts P . M . Asst . Prov . G . T . ( FRRF . MASOS ' CHRONICLE ) , S . F . Simons P . M ., Edward Hilton P . M ., Alexander Allan .

Tbe minutes of the last regular meeting having been read and confirmed , the Lodge was opened and closed in the various degrees . At the festive board which succeeded , Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted , these being varied by songs , recitations , etc . from Bros . Simons , Fawssett and Roberts .

Bro . Norton W . M . proposed the health of Bro . Allan , who had just returned to England after a lengthy tour on tho continent , taken on account of failing health . The speaker congratulated Bro . Allan upon his restoration to strength , and gave him a very hearty welcome to the Lodge . Bro . Allan responded , and took the

opportunity of giving a very interesting description of his journey . Bro . Hothersall proposed the health of Bro . Simons , who had just qualified himself as a Life Patron of one of the Masonic Institutions . Bro . Simons in a very humorous speech adduced his reasons for desiring such a qualification as that indicated by Bro . Hothersall . Other toasts followed .

0 0 o ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . THE regular meeting was held at the Town Hall , Pendleton , on the 16 th ult ., Bro . Thos . T . Sefton W . M . Some minor business having been disposed of the Lodgo was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to supper . At the festive board , Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted and responded to , the same being pleasantly varied by the efforts of

the following : Bro . Kirkland , who sang " The Old Brigade , " Bro . Harwood , who gave a " Yankee way oi getting a wife , " Bro . Roberts , who related the story of " Saint Patrick and the Serpent , " and Bros . Bradley and Clough , the former of whom sang " The Postillion , " and the latter " The Miner ' s dream of home . " Bro . Clarksoh officiated at the piano .

The W . M . proposed the health of the Past Masters , saying that they had a formidable array present that evening . One of them ( Bro . Hardcastle ) , who had taken a prominent part in all matters connected with the Lodge , was obliged through ill-health , to undertake a long journey , and he sincerely hoped it would be of the greatest benefit to him . The P . M . s responded .

Bro . Hilton proposed the health of the W . M ., and said that it was impossible to speak too eulogistically of him , for now that he had attained the chair he went through his duties with just the same zeal as he had displayed in his progress through the minor offices . In conclusion he hoped he would be long spared to be ' connected with tbe Lodge , and evince the same amount of activity as heretofore . Bro . Softon replied . o o o

CROOK LODGE , No . 2019 . IN the presence of a numerous assembly , Bro . Myles Taylor S . W . was on Thursday of last week installed as W . M . by Bro . Samuel Houldsworth P . M . 124 and 2019 . The retiring Master , Bro . A . Y . Talbot , was presented with a beautiful Past Master ' s jewel , and the Officers of the Lodge were regularly invested . The annual banquet was served up by Bro . T . A . Brown , of the King ' s Head Inn , Hope Street , Crook . o o o

ARDWICK LODGE , No . 2185 . A REMARKABLE epoch in the history of this Lodge occurred on Monday , the 12 th ult ., its place of meeting having been changed from Ardwick to the well-appointed and commodious quarters of Bro . Braun , the Clarence Hotel , Piccadilly , Manchester . The Lodge , established in 1866 , had for some time been in a languishing condition , but a supremo effort has recently been displayed by the Past Masters and Brethren generally , with the best of results .

On the present occasion , as might have been expected , a large number of Brethren were in attendance to assist at the opening ceremony in the new quarters . As there was a considerable amount of business to transact , the proceedings commenced at the early hour of 2 * 30 . Bro . James Hayes W . M . being in the chair .

After the minutes of the last meeting had been confirmed , Messrs . Charles William Dove and William Thomas Higginbotham were balloted for and approved , and being in attendance were dul y initiated , the former by Bro . Hayes W . M ., and the latter by Bro . Hoyland P . M . Both ceremonies were admirably rendered , and made an evident impression upon the candidates .

The installation ceremony was performed by Bro . J . T . Richardson P . M ., who inducted Bro . J . W . Atkinson S . W . into the chair in a very creditable manner . The following Officers were appointed and invested : —Bros . R . W . Atkinson S . W ., W . Goodman J . W ., W . Rostron Treasurer , W . J . Melling P . M . Sec , W . Hoyland P . M . P . G . P . D . of C , T . C . Lilley S . D ., W . Hyde J . D .. T . B . Dodd Org ., C . Paine I . G ., J . K . Farrar S . S ., H . G . Walker J . S ., J . E . Chapman 3 rd S ., Oscar Katz 4 th S .

The Master was now addressed by Bro . Hoyland , whilst Bro . W . J . Melling performed a similar duty with regard to the Wardens and Brethren , after which the Lodge was given into the charge of the W . M . The latter , on behalf of the Lodge , presented to Bro .

Hayes ( the retiring Master ) , a handsome P . Ms ' , jewel as a token of esteem for services rendered during his year of office , the gift being subsequently acknowledged in fitting terms . The Lodge was then closed in peace and haimony , and the . Brethren adjourned to the Banqueting Hall , which had been

Provincial.

admirably decorated for the occasion . It is only necessary to say at this juncture that the dinucr was served in a manner which gave unqualified satisfaction to all who wore present . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted and honoured , th it of the W . M . b ,-ing propose . ! in well-chosen words by Bro . Hayes I . P . M . Bro . Atkinson responded .

Bro . Melling proposed tho health of tho Visitors , adding that it was a toast which was in true accord with the spirit of Masonry , because the Brethren were bound together by the ties of such a nature that no closer union could possibly exist between men , although they were separated into Lodges and Provinces ; that , however , was only a matter of convenience , for they could not all meet

together in ono place . On the present occasion they had come together , and they offered to each othor a kindly welcome , which he ventured to say was the true way of showing Brotherly Love and friendship . Ho hoped that the members of the Ardwick Lodge , and indeed of every other Lodge , would long practise and carry out these Grand Principles , for they were not only the cement of

society , but they were the true teaching ot an Institution that was certainly not surpassed , even if it was i quailed in tho world ; and as members of the great and glorous Fraternity , they would be unworthy the name of Mason if they acted otherwise . He also thought that it was their experience ( it was certainly his ) , that whenever they visited each other , whether in the Provinces of East or West

Lancashire , they were very warmly received , and he was suro that their visitors of that night would give him credit for being sincere when he assured them that tho Brethren of the Ardwick Lodge were delighted with their presence . Was there not something great in the universality of our Institution , seeing that it was established over the whole of the civilised world , and embraced men

of every tongue and of every nation ? It possessed ties that could not be found in any other society , and it was not only in that room where its influence was felt , but in all parts of the world . Its teachings were the teachings of Christianity . ; its doctrines tho doctrines of patriotism and Brotherly Love ; its sentiments the sentiments of exalted morality . All that was kind , good , and

charitable , Freemasonry encouraged ; all that was vicious , cruel , and oppressive it reprobated , and wherever the wandering steps of civilised man had trod—whether north , south , east , or west—its temples had been reared , and many of the wisest and best of men had ranged themselves under its banners . In conclusion , Bro .

Melling said that the Brethren of the Ardwick Lodge were delighted to have the association of so many able and distinguished Masons , many of whom had worked hard for the interests of our noble Institution and its members , thus earning the regard and affection of their Brethren .

The toast was responded to by the Visitors , who expressed the pleasure which they had derived from being present , and acknowledged that their reception had been ot a most princely character . The W . M . proposed the health of Bro . Hayes I . P . M ., and the latter , in response , said that he was grateful to the Officers and Brethren for the courtesy displayed towards him while in the chair . He complimented his successor upon the bright prospect which was before him , anticipating that he would have a successful year .

Bro . Atkinson proposed the healths of the Installing Master and Past Masters , extolling the services which they had rendered to the Lodge . Bros . Richardson , Hoyland , and Melling replied . The health of the host ( Bro . Braun ) was next proposed by Bro . Melling , who said ho might venture to ard that from the many eloquent speeches , together with the humorous songs , and excellent

music they had been treated to , they had spent a most enjoyable evening ; but there was something more than this which had contributed to their comfort , and that was the splendid dinner . Everything had been of the best quality , well-cooked , and served in first class style , and must have more than satisfied the most fastidious amongst them . There were many philanthropists in the world ,

but to his mind , one of the greatest benefactors of mankind was he who provided good , palatable , well-cooked food . It was said that " music had charms to soothe the savage breast , " but to his mind it would require a great deal of music of an exceedingly fine character to soothe the savage breast of any Brother in that room who had just dined off burnt meat , half cooked potatoes , sour bread ,

heavy cake , and flabby pie . As the physical part of man ' s nature had much to do with his happiness and comfort , he thought they would agree with him , that he who prepared food capable of satisfying and pleasing the physical nature of man , was philanthropist of the very first order . Too much praise therefore , could not be bestowed upon Bro . Braun , for the able and successful manner in which he had attended to their requirements that evening .

The toast was enthusiastically drunk , and responded to by Bro . Braun , who said that if he had pleased the Brethren he was more than satisfied , and he thanked them for the confidence which they had reposed in him , which he assured them should not be abused . Other toasts followed . o o o

IONIC LODGE , No . 2405 . ON Thursday of last week Bro . J . 0 . Swift was installed as Worshipful Master , at the Masonic Rooms , St . Helens . The installation was performed by Bro . J . S . White in the presence of about 30 members of the Lodge . The Officers were invested .

After the installation a banquet was held at the Fleece Hotel , when the company sat down to an excellent spread , Mr . and Mrs . Bennett excelling upon the occasion . This was succeeded by the usual Lo \ al and Masonic toasts .

o o o NEPTUNE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 22 . AT the Gauden Hotel , Clapham Station . The ceremany of Initiation was rehearsed with Bro . King as candidate . Other parts of the ritual were gone through , and Bro . Cheese was elected W . M . for next meeting .