Provincial.

Bro . Wm . Lambert W . M . replied , saying he sincerely thanked those who bad interested themselves in bringing the picnic to so satisfactory an issue . A large number of Lodge members were present , bufc still he must regret the absence of others who , through various causes , were unable to be wifch them , although judging by the goodly assemblage in front of him , Saturday afternoon seemed a convenient time for a picnic . Great credit for the admirable arrangements must be accorded to Bro . W . Allen Smith J . W ., who

had devoted a great amount of time and labour towards making their outing interesting and successful . In concluding his remarks Bro . Lambert reverted to the brilliant gathering of lady friends , and asked the gentlemen present to drink their health heartily and enthusiastically . Bro . Albert Thomas Mills , the Lodge's recent neophyte , responded on behalf of the ladies , saying that he had had imposed upon him an unexpected

honour . It was an onerous task to do justice to such an important toast , but when he looked around and saw such an assemblage , the inspiring spectacle enable him to pluck up courage and try to perform his duty to the best of his ability . The fact of having been honoured by the presence of _ so many ladies did one and all good , and as he saw that they were enjoying themselves , he could only hope they would continue to do so for the rest of the day .

An adjournment was afterwards made to the bowling green of the hotel , where the brethren indulged in this attractive game until summoned for the purpose of being photographed . The company having been arranged in the porohway of the building , the photographer proceeded to do his duty as well as he could , surrounded as he was by a hybrid congregation of townsfolk , who had been attracted by the novelty of the proceeding . Arriving by road from Macclesfield , the town of Congleton lies in a deep

hollow , and an intimation was given that the carriages were awaiting at a point so selected as to save tbe horses a heavy pull up a steep hill . A near approach was pointed out to the party , which was a borstal pathway , arrived at by moans of an apparently interminable flight of stone steps , no easy task to mount after the substantial meal recently partaken of . The drive back to Macclesfield was by way of Baton Church , Cheney

Gate , and Gawsworth . After viewing the old church here we paid a visit to the grave of " Maggoty Johnson , " who was interred by his own request in a small plantation of firs belonging to the Earl of Harrington . The term " maggoty " is a Cheshire provincialism for crotchety—there is a saying in Chester that " he had as many crotchets as there are maggots in a Cheshire cheese " —like the expression used in some parts " a bee in his bonnet . " The epitaph will explain itself .

" Under this Stone Rest bhe Remains oi Mr . Samuel Johnson , Afterwards ennobled with the Grander Title of Lord Flame , who , after being in his Life distinct from other Men By the Eccentricities of his Genius ,

Chose to retain the same Character after his Death , And was , afc his own desire , buried here , May 5 th A . D . 1773 , Aged 82 Years . Stay thou whom chance directs , or ease persuades To seek the Quiet of these Sylvan shades ; Here , undisturbed , and hid from vulgar Eyes , A Wit , Musician , Poet , Player , lies * ,

A Dancing Master , too , in Grace he shone , And all the Arts of Opera were his own . In Comedy , well skilled , he drew Lord Flame , Acted the Part , and Gained himself the name . Averse to strife , how oft he'd gravely say , These peaceful Groves should shade his breathless Clay , That , when he rose again , laid here alone ,

No friend and he should quarrel for a Bone , Thinking that were some old lame Gossip nigh , She possibly might take his Leg or Thigh . " The following corrective has been engraved on a stone , and placed side by side with the above : — " If chance has brought thee here , or curious eyes To see the spot where this poor Jester lies : —

A thoughtless jester even in his death , Uttering his jibes beyond his latest breath . O stranger pause I a moment , pause , and say , ' To-morrow , shouldst thou quit thy house of clay , Where wilt thou be , my soul ? in Paradise ? Or where the rich man lifted up his eyes ? ' Immortal spirit I wouldst fchou then be blest ,

Waiting thy perfect bliss on Abraham ' s breast ? Boast not of silly art , or wit , or fame , Be thou ambitious of a Christian ' s name . Seek not thy body's rest in peaceful grove ; Pray that thy soul may rest in Jesu ' s love . O speak not lightly of fchafc dreadful day ,

When all must rise in joy or in dismay ; When spirits , pure in body , glorified , With Christ in heavenly mansions shall abide : While wicked souls shall hear the Judge ' s doom , — ' Go YE ACCURSED ! into endless doom . ' Look on tbat stone , and this , and ponder well , Then choose 'tvvixt Life and Death , 'twixt Heaven and Hell . "

A sharp drive of eight miles brought us back to Macclesfield , often termed by way of reproach " Treacletown . " Not a drop of rain fell during the whole journey , although Old Sol had been endeavouring to solemnly shroud himself in dark clouds , which threatened to furnish us with a striking contrast to those bright and pleasant rays which had wantoned over glorious hills in the distance , and amongst the enchanting meadow land through which we had passed .

Macclesfield , anciently Maxfield , once noted for its extensive forest , is in the parish of Prestbury , and situated upon the river Bollin . It was first made a free Borough by Edward as first Earl of Chester , son of King Henry III . ( afterwards Edward I . ) who , whilst ; Prince of Wales , granted fche first Charter dated 29 th May , in the forty-fifth year of his father's reign ( 1261 ) , which was afterwards confirmed by Edward the Third in the eighth year of

his reign . It is now principally known for its manufacture of silks , although it formerl y did a very extensive business in buttons , both silk and mohair . About the middle of the eighteenth century a Mr . Charles Roe built a large mill , and commenced business as a silk throwster , the builder and its owner giving the names to two important streets in the town , those of Mill Street and Roe Street . At the beginning of the present century Macclesfield only contained 12 , 000 inhabitants : ifc now boasts of three times that number .

Provincial.

The return journey was commenced shortly after nine o clock , fche tram being due in Manchester about ten . Besides those previously mentioned , we noticed the presence of Bros . J Harrop P M . P . P . G . D ., Councillor Thos . Kay P . M ., F . Townson P . M . Char . T ? ' ~ n nwham P . M .. Thos . T . Seiton P . M .. J . Oloash P . M .. William T .

Blease S . W ., P . B . Hayden S . D ., Tom Bradbury I . G ., J . Horricks Org ., Jas . Stewart , S . J . Handley , J . Hudson , J . Hart , J . T . Ireland . Visitors : —Bros . Ainsworth 325 , Jno . W . Hallam P . M . 1055 , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 ( F REEMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) , and others , most of the brethren being nonnmnnnind hv their wives or other ladv friends .

To say that the picnic was a successful one is only to emphasise the words of praise uttered of the W . M . by Bro . Threlfall , and by the former of Bro . Smith J . W ., with both of which comments we are in perfect accord . There is , however , one point upon which we must raise our voice in earnest protest , namely the congested traffic and indiscriminate packing of passengers in stuffy carriages , besides the careless disregard for that exclusiveness or comfort which each picnic party might desire . We think it was Ruskin

who said with regard to the progress of railways that a passenger would ultimately become a mere parcel , to be thrown in and sorted according to the caprice of the official . And this seems Co be the tendency of the local L . and N . W . administration . They appear either to be unable to cope with the increasing number of holiday seekers ( to the importance of whom as dividend providers fchey , Sancho Panza like , dreamily shut their eyes ) , or they are wilfully sacrificing the comfort of this section of the public to ordinary passengers .

Lodge Meetings Next Week.

LODGE MEETINGS NEXT WEEK .

Puller particulars as to place oi meeting ol tlie undermentioned Lodges are given in the Jj ' reernasons' Calendar and Pocket Book ( published by Grand Lodge for the benefit of the Charity l ? und ) .

Monday . 720 Panmure , Balham 77 Freedom , Gravesend 236 York , York 248 True Love & Unity , Brixham 412 . Lion , Whitby

962 Sun . and Sector , Workington llMO Sykes , Driffield iOtib Walton , Liverpool 1129 St . Chad , Kocudale 1136 ( Jarew , Torpoint IZIZ & lmx , 6 tulie Dainerei

359 Peace & Harmony , South pton 382 Royal Union , Uxbridge 421 Borough , Gateshead 840 Scientific , Wolverton 872 Lewis , Whitehaven 949 Williamson , Monkwearmouth

loOl BngUouse , Brigliouse Io 64 JNorman , UUXLULLU 1300 . UUJit ; ol Lancaster , Lancaster 1511 Alexandra , Hornsey 1634 a « u \ kie , Ramsbottom 1638 Browm-msr , K tiston-on-Thames

986 Hesketh , Croston 1146 De Moulham , Swanage 1199 Ariculture , Yatton 1265 Dundas , Plymouth 1337 Anchor , Northallerton 1443 Salem , Dawlish

19 ( 3 Saye & SSeie , Belvedere ' A ' A 06 Farnburougli & , N . G ., Farnboro ' 2268 West . Dist . U . S ., K Stonehouw a 4 do Border , Block water Thursday .

1631 St . Andrew , Gorleston 1814 Worsley , Worsley 2069 Prudence , Leeds 2074 St . Clare , Landport 2208 Horsa , Bournemouth 2425 Ecclesburae , Duflield

House Committee , Girls fcjchool , 4 . 30 . 813 New Concord , Guildhall Tavern 16 ii 3 West Sinitniieid , Freemaions ' -h . 57 Humber , Hull 93 St . Martin , Burslein

Tuesday . Board of General Purposes , F . M . H . afc 5 . 73 Mount Lebanon , Southwark 857 Sb . Mark , Camberwell

203 Ancient Union , Liverpool 230 Fidelity , Devonport ii 45 Mechanics , Jersey 267 Unity , Macclesfield 286 Samaritan , Bacup 343 Concord , Preston

1805 Bromley St .. Leonard , Bromley 2191 Anglo-American , Criterion 223 Charity , Plymouth 418 Menturia , Hanley c ~ cn A l . l : Ti 1

iAo Perseverance , rsiaoKDum 367 Probity & . Freedom , Rochdale 6 U 0 Harniony , Bradford 659 Blagdon , Blyth ' Ibti iiUlesmere , Runcorn

UVII . ^ , xUt Ol ^ AJUl 681 Scarsdale , Gkesterfield 830 Endeavour , Dukinfield 958 St . Aubin , Jersey 1006 Tregullow , St . Day 1225 Hindpool , Barrow-in-Furness 1424 Brownrigg of Unity , Old B ' pton 1570 Prince Arthur , Liverpool 1787 Grenville , Buckingham 1893 Lumley , Skegness 1903 Pr . Ed . Saxe Weimar , P'tsm'th .

802 Repose , Derby 940 Philanthropy , Stockton 1011 Richmond , Manchester 1037 Portland , Portland 1042 Excelsior , Leeds 1184 Abbey , Battle 1327 King Harold , Walthain Cross 1332 Unity , Crediton 1386 St . Hugh , Lincoln 13 a 3 Hamer , Liverpool 1464 Erasmus Wilson , Gravenend

Wednesday . Committee Grand Chapter at 4 . Board of Benevolence , F . M . H ., 5 . 619 Beadon , Upper Norwood 700 NelsonPlumstead

1662 Homfray , Risca 1594 Cedewain , Newtown , Mont . 1776 Landport , Landport 2268 Hallamshire , Sheffield 2305 Stour , Ashford , Jicur , 2352 Universities , Durham

. 1278 Burdett Coutts , London Tavern 2140 Hughenot , Criterion 32 St . Geo . Harmony , Liverpool 121 Mount Sinai , Penzance

2374 Shurmur , Chingford 2390 Exmoor , Minehead 2430 Runnymede , Wraysbury 2523 Roll Call , Hounslow 2555 England Centre . Weedon

137 Amity , Poole 200 Old Globe , Scarborough 311 South Saxon , Lewe * 325 St . John , Salford 342 Royal Sussex , Landport

Friday . 1777 Royal Hanover , Twickenham 1297 West Kent , Crystal Palace

376 Perfect i nendship , Ipsvnch 591 Buckingham , Aylesbury 610 Colston , Bristol 726 Staffordshire Knot , Stafford 795 St . John , Maidenhead 823 Everton , Liverpool 865 Daihousie , Hounslow

Saturday . 1293 Burdett , Hampton Court 1531 Chislehurst , Chislehurst 1851 Ewell , Kingston 1982 Greenwood , Sutton 2048 Henry Levander , Harrow S't ' n .