Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northumberland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHUMBERLAND .

THE annual meeting of tho Prov . Grand Lodgo of Northumberland was held on tho 8 th inst . at Alnwick . The Lodgo met in tho Corn Exchange , under the banner of tho Alnwick Lodge 1167 , there beingpresent tho greatest number of brethren thathave ever assembled at any meotiug held in tho Province . To convey the brethren , a special train was run from Newcastle , and tho total number present

was about 700 . Tho proceedings throughout were most successful , and tho event for manv years to come will be looked bank upon by thoso present with feelings of unalloyed plpasnrp . The R . W . Prov . G . M . the Earl Percy , M . P ., occupied " the chair of K . S ., and there wero present the following officers : —Bros . L . M . Cockcroft D . P . G . M ., R . H . Holmps P . G . S . W ., W . J . Ward P . G . J . W . Rev . W . L . J . Cooloy ,

P . G . Chap ., Thos . Anderson P . G . Treas ., B . J . Thompson P . G . Sec , N . Mein P . G . S . D ., C . Hopper P . G . J . D ., J . C . Mowbray P . G . S . of W ., E . D . Davis P . G . D . of C , Richard Evnon P . G . Assist . D . of C . A . Guthrie P . G . S . B ., C . H . Shepherd P . G . Organist , Thos . Halliday P . G . P ., Charles Anderson P . G . Assist . P ., Joshua Cnrry P . G . Tyler . The R . W . P . G . M . was supported on the dais by a largo number of Past Provincial Grand Officers . The Lodgo was opened in duo form ,

and after transacting other business , tho R . W . P . G . M . invested his Officers for the year as follow : —Bros . Achm Robertson 1167 P . G . S . W ., John Ridsdalo 406 P . G . J . W ., Robinson 409 P . G . Chap .. Thomas Anderson W . M . 1712 P . G . Trens ., George Cockburn P . M . 24 P . G . Heg ., B . J . Thompson P . G . Sec , John Bolam W . M . 24 P . G . S . D ., J » hn Harcuss W . M . 431 P . G . J . D ., George Forbes 393 P . G . S . of W ., E . D . Davis P . G . D . of C , George Dean W . M . 541 P . G . Assist D . of 0 . ' J . G . Youll W . M . 685 P . G . S . B ., B . P . Ord W . M . 1427 P . G . Organist ,

R . J . Armstrong W . M . 406 P . G . Purs ., John Taylor W . M . 1676 P . G . Afs'st . Purs ., Joshua Curry Tyler . After the closing of the Lodge at tho Corn Exchange , thebrethren wendod theirwayto themagn'ficent seat of the Percy family—Alnwick Castle . The normal qnietude of tho old town for the while was disturbed , and the sight of so many strangers appeared to take the inhabitants by surprise . Arrived at

the courtyard , wbero a glimpse was obtained of the splendkl proportions of the historic keep , the Visitors were afc onco struck by the perfection of tho arrangements which had been made for their reception by tho noblo Earl , whose munificent hospitality will be Tegavded in the fnturo as one of the greatest events connected with Freemasonry in this part of the country . There was no confusion iu

the seating of such a large company , for each of the Lodges was guided by numbers and letters directing them to the tables allotted to them . The banquet was held in the Guest nail of Alnwick Castle , which for the occasion had to be enlarged , by the erection of a handsome marquee . Tho hall , which is one of the largest of the kind in the kingdom , had been splendidly fitted up for the banquet . Tho

Chairman , the Right Hon . the Earl Percy , M . P ., R . W . Prov . G . M ., and the leading Officers of the various Lodges , sat at a raised table facing the guests . Three very large tables rau the length of the room , whilst four wero erected in the marquee , which was arranged in such a manner that all had an excellent view of the proceedings , and were well able to hear the varions speeches . Covers wero laid for

over seven hundred . The admirablo manner iu which the viands were brought to the tables reflected the highest credit on Mr . Thorpe , the chef de cuisine of Alnwick Castle , and his able staff of assistants . The arrangements in the hall were nnder the personal supervision of Mr . Pantling , tho house steward , and gave the greatest satisfaction to all concerned . The floral decorations and the dessert wore arranged

by Mr . Ingram of Alnwick Castle Gardens . After tho arrival of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , who was accompanied in procession by tho Provincial Grand Officers , grace was sung by the boys of the Duke ' s Schools , forming the choir of St . Paul ' s Charity , Alnwick , under the conductorship of Mr . C . G . Moore , the Organist of tho Church , and this was repeated after dinner . Beforo dinner tho Duchess of

Northumberland appeared in tho gallery of the Guest Hall , which was elaborately decorated with shrubs and plants . The presence of tho Duchess was observed by Bro . E . D . Davis , tho able Director of Ceremonies , and in response to his call , rounds of enthusiastic cheering , which tho Duchess gracefnlly acknowledged , were givon in her honour . Tho banquet was one of a most sumptuous description ,

noid the system observed by tho staff of waiters connected with the Castle , augmented by a staff of waiters from London , was admirable . After dinner , Earl Percy occupied the chair , and proposed Her Majesty the Qneen , which was loyally responded to . He next proposed His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the M . W . G . M . of England , followed by the M . W . Prov . G . M . tho Earl of Carnarvon , the

E . W . D . G . M . Lord Skelmersdale , and tho Officers of the Grand Lod <* e . Tho V . W . D . P . G . M . Ero . L . M . Cockcroft gave The R . W . Prov . Grand Master of Northumberland , tho Hon ., Earl Percy , M . P ., which was received with enthusiasm . Tho R . W . Prov . G . M . ably responded . Bro . G . Selby Thompson proposed Tho V . W . D . Prov . Grand Master L . M . Cockcroft , Esq ., and tho R . W . Prov . G . M . gave The

Officers , past and presnt , of the Prov . Grand Lodge , to which the Prov . G . S . W . Bro . Adam Robertson replied . Bro . B . J . Thompson Prov . Grand Sec . proposed the W . M . and Members of the Alnwick Lodge No . 1167 , to which the W . M . Bro . Geo . Simpson responded . Bro . E . D . Davis proposed The Masonic Charities , and tho Rev . W . L . J . Cooloy P . P . G . C ., in tho absence of Bro . Hubert Laws ,

responded . Bro . W . H . Holmes P . P . S . G . W ., next proposed The health of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and the Countess Percy , a toast which was acknowledged with rounds of cheering , repeated again and again . Earl Percy briefly replied on behalf of the Duchess of Northumberland and Lady Percy , and with regard to the

Dnke said that , although not a Mason , he was willing at all times to lend his means and influence to every good work , as also were the Duchess and Lady Percy . The company then separated , after havino enjoyed a princely repast , the whole proceedings having been of the most harmonious description . With reference to the gathering , which will doubtless be ever memorable in the annals of Masonry in

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northumberland.

the North of England , we may state that there are now 18 Lodges ia tho Province , and the total nnmberof contributing members is 1555 . Tho oldest Lodge is No . 24 , Newcastle , and the youngest is also a Newcastle Lodge , St . John ' s 1712 . Up to between 11 or 12 years ago , Freemasonry was at a very low ebb in the old town of Alnwick . There was at that timo no Lodge , but some two or three brethren took

the matter in hand , and chiefly with the assistance of the Morpeth Lodges , a sufficient number of Masons wero mado to form a Lodge . Tho Alnwick Lodgo was consecrated in 1867 , tho meeting place then being the Freemasons' Tavern , Market place , and tho first W . M . being Bro . Thos . Braithwaite , then of Morpeth , but now of Alnwick . Very great interest was taken in the affairs pertaining to the Craft by

tho members of tho young Lodge , and the numbers havo gone on increasing , until now the number of contributing mombers is 95 , whilst the brethren now possess a comfortablo Lodgo room in Clayport Street . Tho present W . M . is Bro . Geo . Simpson . Tho present R . W . P . G . M . of Northumberland , Bro . the Earl Percy , M . P ., was initiated at Oxford , and was installed in his present office

in September 1869 . The ceremony of installing his Lorc ' ship took place at the Assemblv Rooms , Newcastle , the installing master being the oldest Provincial Grand Master in England , —Bro . John Fawcett , RW . P . G . M . of Durham . There were present on the occasion an unusually large numbor of brethren , and the attendance at the annual banquet was , with tho exception of yesterday , the largest which has ever boen known in the province . —Newcastle Daily Journal .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

THE Freemasons of North and East Yorkshire held their annual Grand Lodge on Thnrsday , at ) Beverley . Tho gathering trok place at Richmond-last year , and now Beverley has been honoured . The event proved a red letter day in the history of the town , which is in overy way appropriate for the assembling of an historical fraternity . Although tho business of tho Grand Lodgo did not commence until two o'clock in the afternoon , all tho early trains

brought up Masonic visitors , who occupied themselves for a few hours by inspecting the Minster and St . Mary ' s Church , as well as other objects of antiquarian interest . The Minster was tho chief attraction , more especially asBro . Stephenson , of tho Beverley Lodgo , well known for his antiquarian researches , had acceded to a request to give a verbal description of tho leading features of the building . Increased

interest was given to the morning s proceedings by a recital on . tho organ , given by Bro . Camidge , Organist of the Minster . Tho organ is a grand old instrument , by tho famous builder Snetsler , and it waa heard to great advantage on tho occasion , tho organist having mado a delightfnl selection of music , which was highly appreciated by all who were fortunate enough to be present . All tho selections were of

a contemplative character . Handel s overture to " Samson being the first number . The next was ono of Batiste ' s quiet Andantes , the one in E minor . This was played in fino tasto , showing a judicious blending of the stops . No . 3 was Mendelssohn ' s " Cornelius' March , " a fine sparkling theme , bringing out tho More prominent stops of tho instrument . The next number was au Andante movement by Smart ,

whoso namo is a snfficienfc guarantee for gracefnl melody and pnvo harmony . Tho organist led up to this movement by a pretty extemporaneous passage or two . Tho two next selections weiv specially interesting . Tho first comprised tho movements moderate and allegro from Corolli , adapted no doubt from the instrumental writings of this famous composer , who died in 1713 . The other

number was Schumann's " Ich Crolle Nicht . A selection from Mendelssohn ' s " Hymn of Praise" was the next number on the programme , but at the last moment the organist changed ifc for Haydn ' s representation of " Chaos . " The concluding piece was Bach ' s Prelude and Fugue in D , and with this tho visit of tho Freemasons to the Minster terminated , and the fraternity wended their way to

the Assembly Rooms to hold their Grand Lodge . The entire suite of rooms was engaged . The principal rooms wero decorated with flowers , plants , and Masonic flags and emblems . Every Lodgo in the province was well represented . Prior to opening the Grand Lodgo the Board of Benevolence held a long sitting , and considered several applications for assistance , from widows of Freemasons and necessitous

brethren . Sevoral grants wero passed and the claims of candidates —boys and girls—for admission to the Schools were carefully investigated , and resolutions to support the most deserving passed . Bro . the Right Hon . tho Earl of Zetland , the Provincial Grand Master , presided over the Grand Lodge , and was supported by the Deputv Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . Pearson Bell , M . D ., J . P . ;

Bros . Hon . W . T . Ordo Powlctt , Major Woodall , & c . Tho following brethren wevo installed Grand Officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . Sir Charles Legard , Bart ., W . M . Deuison 1248 , S . G . Warden ; Charles Norman P . M . Lennox 123 J . G . W ., Rev . L . Heath , M . A ., Kingston 1010 P . G . Chaplain , R . W . Hollou P . M . York 236 and Eboracum 1611 P . G . Treasurer , J . Todd P . M . York 236 P . G . Reg . M . C ., Peck P . M .

Sykes 1040 P . G . Sec , J . H . Ernes P . M . Minerva 250 S . G . D ., J . T . Atkinson W . M . St . Jermain ' s 566 J . G . D ., A . W . Ansell P . M . Humber 57 P . S . Sup . Wks ., T . B . Whytehead W . M . Eboracum 1 G 11 P . G . D . C ., B . L . Wells P . M . Alexandra 1511 P . G . Sword Bearer , J . Camidge Constitutional 294 P . G . Organist , J . Ward York 236 P . G . Pursuivant , T . Crier Humber 57 P . G . Tyler . A committee was appointed for the purpose of increasing tho support given to tho several Masonic

Charities in the Province , and it was announced by tho Grand Master that the Provincial Lodgo next year would bo held in York , on the invitation of the Eboracum Lodge No . 1611 . About ! 120 brethren afterwards sat down to a banquet , under the presidency of the Provincial Grand Master , who in tho course of the proceedings thanked the officers and brethren of the Constitutional Lodge , Beverley , for the handsome hospitality with which tho Graud Lodge had been received .