St. David's Lodge, No. 1147.

daughter . The toast ; was loyally received , tho brethren joining in tho National Anthem . Toast No . 2 every Mason received with great joy , as it related to the Soverign Head of tho Craft . ) fis Royal Highness has proved himself a good and hearty Mason . Tho toast was heartily received , the brethren singing " God bless tho Prince of Wales . " Bro . S . W . had tho honour to propose the next toast ,

which ho said was one of tho most important , of the evening , the Earl of Carnavon is one of the great lights in Masonry . Tho toast was received with full honours . Tho W . M . rose to propose the health of the Depnty Grand Master Lord Skelmersdale and the Officers of Graud Lodgo past and present . He felt the Grand Lodge Officers did their duty in endeavouring to promote what was at onco the

grandest Institution , to us as Masons and humanity at largo . The toast was drunk with twenty-one gnus . The fifth toast on tho list was proposed by Bro . Williams , who said—The W . M . has entrusted me with the gavel to propose a toast which is justly esteemed iu this Province the great toast of the evening . To-night , especially , can we driuk it with more than ordinary enthusiasm . Through ortr Prov .

Graud Master , Ease Lancashire has greatly signalized herself m London , and , as a result , tho wholo Masonic world will know how deeply Col . Starkie is esteemed in his Provinco aud among the Craft in Englaud and Wales . Ifc is gratifying to know that our respected Provincial G . Master had brought into tho Ji . M . H . I , more monoy'by far than auy brother who has held a like position at anv

time . Not only on this occasion has tho Province responded to the urgent appeal of the great central Charities ; some years ago the Prov . G . Master made au appeal on behalf of the If . M . I . for Roys , aud East Lancashire answered with over one-third of Hie amount subscribed . They would do their Prov . G . Master a great , injustice if they did nofc drink most heartily to tho toast . Bro . Feci

proposed tho health of the Deputy Prov . G . Master , tho Prov . G , Officers of East Lancashire , and other Provinces past nnd present . In introducing this toast ho regretted that Bro . Mellor was prevented from beiug with them , yefc he was with their every efl ' orl iu the spirit of tho Craft . He was glad to have the presence of so many Prov . Officers , and pleased to seo Bro . Barker , who had always taken

much interest in the Sfc . David's Lodge . Bro . Hey wood was also well known to all , and highly appreciated for his many Masonic viriues , and his inseparable connexion with everything charitable . Bro . Harding , from West Lancashire , had been in the huhii , of coming amoug them , and who they were always pleased lo sec . Their wish was that West Lancashire might prosper in the future as

it had iu tho past . The toast was drunk with full Masonic honours Bro . Ehrenbach kindly favoured the brethren with an overture on the piano . Bro . E . Heywood , in response to the hist toast , said—II was with sincere gratitude he responded . It was apparent to him that thoy wore thoroughly acquainted with flic deep interest the Deputy Prov . G . Muster look in the Craft of the Province ;

it was gratifying to the Prov . G . Master anil Ins Deputy to know the high esteem in which they were held by the brethren . It was pleasing to him to announce that tho Province was increasing iu wealth . Bro . Harding also returned thanks . Ilo regretted there wero not more West Lancashire Prov . Officers present to witness the magnificent hospitality of the St . David's Lodge . Ho was proud of

being under the directorship of Lord Skelmersdale . Every East Lancashire Mason must feel proud of their chief , who as chairman I ' m tho R . M . B . I . surpassed all their expectations . It must be very gratifying to the brethren of East Lancashire to havo such au ablo Prov . G . Mastei " , and a very groat honour for any man to bo at tho head of so loyal a Province . He was very pleased to seo the ablo manner in

which the Installation Ceremony had been peiformed . Nothing could have been better done . He always liked to seo work in a Lodge , and ho congratulated the Past Masters who took part in the ceremony on their efficiency . Bro . T . Elliott I . P . M . considered ifc unfortunate that it fell to his lot to propose tho most important toast , of tho evening , the health of the Worshipful Master of St . David ' s Lodge , Bro . Ishmael

Davies . Ho congratulated tbo members of the Lodgo on the very happy selection they had mado in the appointment of this worthy Brother to the important position he had attained that day . It sometimes occurred that Masters were selected to preside over a Lodgo through private partiality or personal influence , but in the appointment of Bro . Davies to the exalted post , thoy had unanimously

eudeavoured to recognise integrity , ability , aud Masonic Mai . Their W . M . was initiated under the banner of the Red Dragou , and ho believed he was correct , in saying that almost from his earliest days in the Craft he had held Office , discharging his duties with assiduity and punctuality , until he had attained the high distinction of holding the most important Office in a Craft Lodge . Their W . M .

understood the responsibility devolving upon him in his high capacity , and it was most consoling that they had perfect confidence thafc tho samo : ability and zeal which characterized him iu the minor Offices would j be brought into requisition in the government of tho Lodge . With theso assurances of Bro , Davies' eminent qualifications it was but i natural to anticipate a most enjoyable and prosperous year . These

remarks were frequently applauded , and the toast was drunk with i enthusiasm and full Masonic honours . Bro . Ellis Jones kindl y favoured the brethren with a Welsh song , which was highly appro- j cialed . Tho Worshipful Master suitably acknowledged the kind J way in which tho toast had been proposed and received . To bo 1 elected to the exalted position of W . M . in a Masonic Lodge , he con- j

sulercd an honour not to be lightly esteemed , but to be appointed to the ! high Office by tho members of the St . David ' s Lodge , was au honour j that could not bo exaggerated . The able aud highly respected founders of St . David ' s Lodge , most of whom he rejoiced to see among them thafc night , chose a name held in deep veneration b y ¦ Welshmen to designate it—a name synonymous with devotion , zeal , !

virtue , and unbounded benevolence . They were taught that the good St . David lived for the happiness and weal of humanity , aud died to live for ever as the patron Saint of Wales . Their Lodgo , bearing iu view tho noble virtues of one so pre-eminent , aud the universal aspect of the Order , is debarred from ever entertaining a sectional or clauist principle in its adraiuistration . As a highly Cosmopolitan

Lodge Ihey greeted all Nationalities in tho Craffc , and in Lodge as hrethren in the truest , senso of the word . It was very satisfactory to know that the Lod ^ o was highly prosperous , that the Officers were in perfect accord with tho brethren , and thai , tho members have every confidence in their Officers . Tho Lodge may be justly termed now , as it always has been , u happy family . The prominent position

that the Si . David ' s Lodgo has attained among the Lodges of this City of Manchester , is characteristic of its motto , ;/ Ihlrniglorh Vdyry hijchwijn , or , in moro familiar language , "The Hod Dragon leads iho Van . " lip trusted the prosperity of the prist would be a guarantee for the future , and hoped that the brethren would continue , in thoso excellent . Masonic traits which were the power of the Fraternity , and

which could not fail to ensure tho admiration of tho outside world . Again ho thanked them heartily , and trusted lhn . 1 his form of Office would prove satisfactory fo tho brethren , conduce , lo each others happiness and the prosperity of the Lodgo . By request of tho D . C . the brethren adjourned , for coffee . On the W . M . resuming the chair , Bro . Past Master Gibson proposed the sister Lodges of Wu ' os . Rro .

Gibson regretted he had not a move intimate knowledge of tho working of the Welsh Lodges , but if all the Lodges wero founded and their affairs managed ns ably as the St . David's , there was reason for congratulation . Bro . Gibson boro out Iho remarks of tho W . M . with roforenee to Iho Cosmopolitan nature of his Lodge , ho being an initiate in that Lodge as woll n . i P . M . lie regretted

that , there was no representative from North or South Wales present , but . he was sure the toast would lip cordially drunk . At . this stage a part song was given in Welsh , " Pennilliou to Lili-lon , " bv the W . M ., and Bros . Ellis Jones P . M ., , T . W . Jones P . M ., T . If . Williams P . M ., J . 0 . Eyans Sec , Bro . J . W . Jones P . M . had a great amount of pleasure in responding lo ( he lusf tout , / , Ho knew the Masonic

principle was ably carried out in all Lodges m Wales , as they recognised no sort , no politics , no illegitimate exclnsivenesson national grounds . Taking this Lodgo , an instituted by Welshmen , it was only fair to deduce I hat everything was carried on very satisfactorily , or the brethren wonld not be so harmonious and po much in accord . Tho proposer of tho toast undoubtedly felt the high honour of being

initialed in this Lodge , nnd becoming in due course ono of its Past Masters . As a Past Master of the Lodge Im waa very proud , and believed the Welsh hrethren esteemed tho honour of belonging to the Craft as much ns any could . He was glad to say that ( Masonry in Wales was progressive , and wns very happy to infirm fhem it was doing its work in breaking d . isvn many hirriers , and Wending in sure

brotherhood bodies of the community which iniglu otherwise , be estranged . Bro . ¥ ,, Williams wns entrusted with t ho gavel to propose Ihe health of the Visitors , which ho did very ably , nnd extended a cordial welcome to all . both in Iho Lodge and round the festive board . Ifc , as well as the other members of Iho Lodge , wns sorely disappoinled in receiving tho announcement , at the last hour of tho

inability of W . Pro . [ iulkoley Hughes , Deputy rVov . G . M . of North Wales and Shropshire , lo attend , lie was w fl > ( hem last year . They also IVIt the . absence of Bros . Snaull , , f . Sides , Davies , an I Thomas , of Oswestry . lie united with the toast , the names of their rospeeled Bro . Barker and Bro . Heywood , and wonld ho glad to hoar from any Brother who would kindly respond , ns he c 11 . 1 not , know all

the Visitors who had honoured the Lodge with their presence that day . The toast was drunk with Masonic honours . Bro . T . Elliott kindly favoured with a song . Bro . Atkinson returned thanks . He bore testimony to the bounteous hospitality of the St . David ' s Lodge , and expressed tho great pleasure he had derived from being present and seeing tUe able working of the Officers , /{••ns . Harding and

Heywood spoke lo the same purport , after which Bro . Jouos proposed the Masouic , Charities , and with great , ability urged their claims on all present . He coupled with I he toast the name of Bro . 0 . Heywood , which was heartily received . Bro . llownrdine kindly favoured with a song , and Bro . Heywood replied to Iho last , toast , in a most exhaustive manner , bnt we regret we have not . spire lo report his

speech . The W . M . proposed the health of the Past Masters in very complimentary terms , and said at , all times ihey attended their duties in Lodgo . Bro . Elliott , again favoured tho brethren with a song , after which he , as the junior Past . Master , returned thanks . As the timo was quickl y drawing on which woidd compel many to leave , Bros . E . Williams and Gibson briefl y replied , and thanked the

brethren Cor the hononv done . Rro . Wi'hams proposed ( he Masonic Press , and united Bro . Davies * name , in emneetion with THE FHEI ; . MASON ' CHRONICLE . Bro . Davies returned thanks . l ! ro . Ellis Jones , in proposing tho health of the Officers of the Lodge , said his warmest feelings were centred in this toast , ns upon the Officers of tho Lodge a deal depended . He advocated giving merit its just reward , and

would not extol or promote unless deserving , fn a splendid manner he propounded the glorious principles ol' the Graft , and mado each and all feel the deep responsibility of being Masons , and especially Officera in a Masonic Lodge . The toast was cheerfully drunk . Tho S . W . contented himself with stating he wonld do his duty , and waa followed by Bros . J . W . and Sen . Bro . Ehrenbach Org . felt confident that a good Mason required no incentive , to do his duty ; as regarded

himself , it was a pleasure for him to do his . He felt pleased to be among the brethren ; they were especially happy . Ifc was a source of pleasure for him to see Bro . Davies present , as the representative of the Press , which meanfc freedom , liberty , and was an indication of a Nation ' s greatness . He wished all Nations and Communities would follow the light that England held up to them . The Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a termination .

We must ask our correspondent " U . vfd . V JACK" and others to excuse fchoir communications being lield over , the pressure on our space lately has precluded our publishing their letters . We have also several reports of Lodge meet , ings avhich we are unable to insert this week ,