Notices Of Meetings.

Willoughby and Menhenniok acknowledged the compliment . Other toasts followed . During the evening recitations were given by Bros . Kinfcon Bond and Reynolds , and songs by Bros . Buchan ( who was in good voice ) , Rendle , Rail , Brooks , Botterell , Menhenniok , and Bird . Bro . Willoughby , Mus . Bao . Oxon ., Organist of the Lodge , accompanied on the piano with his usual ability .

Lodge Of Instruction , No . 581 . —The Festival of St . John in connection with this popular Lodge of Instruction was held at the Old Boar's Head Hotel , Manchester , on 12 th January . The business of the Lodge , which was not very heavy , consisted of the submitting and confirming of minutes j reading of letters of apology for nonattendance from Bros . Godfrev Higham P . M . 10 S 3 , and W . W .

Lofthouse 1052 ; balloting for a « 4 joining member of Bro . E . A . Ritson ; the proposing as futnro members of Bros . Ratolilf e , and Sam Lnke ; and a notioe of motion by Bro . A . Hebden that £ 5 be given from the funds of the Lodge to the East Lancashire Systematic Ma « onio Eduoational and Benevolent Institution , which was passed unanimously . The Lodge closed at 5 ' 50 , the whole of the above business

having occupied only twenty minutes . The principal Officers on this occasion were Bros . Fred Hilton acting W . M ., George Parker acting S . W ., ond S . Bamford acting J . W . Nearly fifty brethren sat down to the banquet , which passed off very successfully . Amongst those present were : —Bros . H . H . Warbnrton P . M . P . P . G . S . D . Preceptor , G . T . Lenard Treasurer , Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . Seoretary ,

Fred Hilton P . M ., George Parker W . M . elect 1033 , S . Bamford P . M ., James W . Abbott P . M . P . P . G . D . O , John Stndd P . M . P . Prov . Grand Direotor of Ceremonies , Robert Ling . ird , James Wainwright P . M ., E . M . Shepherd J . W ., James Robertshaw , E . Lobell , H . J . Harrison , George Taylor , Adshead , H . H . Wilson , Joseph Lever , W . Dyson Fryer P . M ., GeorKe Ash worth , J . R . Lee , G . T . Lee , A . B . Taylor ,

William Bee P . M . P . P . G . S ., W . H . Worsley , Joase Nield , T . H . Sohofield W . M . elect , Edward Eutwisle , Edward Roberta P . M . ( FREE - MASON ' S CHRONICLE ) , and others . Visitors—Brothers James Newton P . M . Prov . Grand Assistaut Secretary , J . Parker P . M ., and Cnthbert Howard . At the festive board which followed , Brother Warburton occupied the Worshipfnl Master ' s chair , being assisted by Brothers

Barnes ( Faith Lodge , No . 581 ) as S . W ., and J . Selby ( Townley Parker , No . 1083 ) as J . W . Almost at the commencement of tho proceedings , Brother Selby proposed the health of the Proceptor , and very feelingly paid a high tribute to the merits of Bro . Warbnrton . He adverted to his recent ill health , and complimented him upon the fact that despite physical disadvantageF , he had manfully made the

duties of the Instruction Lodge his paramonnt du'y . Brother Selby concluded by hoping that his illness would be of short duration . Brother Warburton , in his reply , gave a short history ' of ( he inception and progress of tbe Lodge , and stited that now it was tho largest of its kind in the Province of East Lancashire . It was also successful , because the Officers had learned from past experience how to be

economical . He mentioned that over 20 year * ago there wan a sort of opposition society , which met on the morning sncceeding the Lodge meotinc , and which had adopted as its nom de niijwe the title St . Mary ' Brother Warburton was very earnest in his wigh that if a similar society existed in connection with any other Lodge , it woalcl come to a most ignominious end . Their * bip had often been

tempest-tossed , but an indomitable determination on the p > u-t of several Past Masters from the Faith , Townley Parker , and Truth Lodges had guided her through the tronbled waters . Lodges of Instruction were beneficial in more ways than one , and amongst other uses they became places for practice , where aspiring Officers conld gain confidence . Brother Warburton said that there

were many reminiscences connected with his twenty year ' s membership , some of them comioal , some of them sad , and many of the aotors had joined th » Grand Lodge above . A decade ago it was quite customary for members to trot out their Very elementary pronunciations . Architect was more often pronounced as if it spelled ar-che-tecfc , space was used instead of pace ,

and the word purged sometimes did duty when spsaking of a wilfnlly perjured , & o . Brother Warburton told an immensel y funny story of an enthusiastic member who , although burdened with mental opaquity , was nevertheless desirous of rehearsing a ceremony , or at least some portion of one . For obvious reasons I cannot give the incident with the comp ! eteness "^ vith which Bro . Warburton narrated it , and I am

afraid that my readers may fail to see the joke in this necessarily truncated edition . The brother iu question had blundered on to a certain portion of tho ceremony when he received an unexpected interrogatory from the Preceptor , which provoked this answer , viz ., that the G . A . O . T . U . stood outside the Lodge armed , & c , & c . With the advance of education , however , the necessity for these blunders had

disappeared . Brother Warburton , in conclusion , said tbat tho highest honour he had ever received was that of being appointed Proceptor to the Lodge of Instruction , and he would always endeavour to retain the esteem and regard of its members . Brother Barnes , in proposing tbe toast of the Visiting Brethren , said that those present who came under tbat denomination vvero as welcome at the Lod ^ e

of Instruction as at private Lodges . Ho intimated that they hsd that evening Visitors from Provinoial Lodge , and particularised them , adding that one of them , viz ., the Assistant Provincial Secretary ( Brother J . Newton ) was too well known to need any remarks from him . Brother Hallatt responded for the Provinoial Officers and expressed his pleasure thnt the Lodge of Instruction was making such rapid strides . Brother Warburton gave the toast of the Masonic

Charities , and coupled with it the name of Bro . J . Newton . Ho mentioned that the amount of £ 5 voted in the earlier portion of the evening , coupled with a former amount of £ 15 would gain for the Lodge 20 votes . Bro . Newton iu response said that the members of that Lodge ought to f « el proud of the fact that they conld out of their surplus funds devoto something to Charity . Bro . Newton gave a list p t monies paid in Charity during the year just ended . He stated

Notices Of Meetings.

that many of the brethren then present were subscribers , and expressed a hope that they would still give to objects so deserving as their Masonio Charities . Bro . Worsley , in submitting the toast of the Treasurer ( Brother Lenard ) , said that he must term him the Chancellor of the Exchequer . He had been present when Brother Lenard had performed ceremonies , and could testify to the fact that

though modest he was decidedly earnest . This latter quality was observable in bis capacity of Treasurer , and as success depended not only upon work , but also upon finances , here was the Officer who conld show a balance in hand of £ 15 10 s 6 d . Brother Lenard in response said that he rose with pleasure , although he conld scarcely find words in whioh to express his thanks to Brother Worsley and to

them . He wished all a happy new year , spoke of the favourable balance sheet , and hoped that at the next meeting of this kind it would be even better . Brother John Studd proposed the toast of the Seoretary in admirably chosen terms . After reverting to Bro . Hebden ' s phenominal success as a leader , he said that it must be a proud moment for the Preceptor to preside at such a meeting and

know that in his Secretary , he had such a tower of strength . Brother Hebden had passed through many important offices , he had been an earnest and enthusiastio Provinoial Offiop' -, and now he was Seoretary of tbe Lodge of Instruction . As sue >> i » hoped he would continue to act for many years to come , IM other Hebden , in responding , said that he was now entering upon his eighth year as

Secretary . When he began he felt very dubious as to acoepting office , knowing that he had to follow a predecessor like Brother Past Matter Abbott . The question was often addressed to htm , " How is it yon stick to the Lodge of Instruction ? " His answer was because he liked it . Of coarse its dutits entailed a lot of work , but he managed to get through it somehow . Brother

Hebden considered that this Lodge had been a great boon to Manchester , and surrounding Lodges , and Brother Parker ( whose installation he intended shortly to witness ) , was one of those good workers and illustrious brethren , who , with others were indebted to the Lodge of Instruction for success . The toast of tbe absent friends , proposed by Bro . Warbnrton , was responded to by Bro . Abbott , who

said that it was a very awkward position to be placed in , viz ., tbat of responding on behalf of brethren who were not present . Brother Abbott reverted to the raeetiags of old , held at the Royal Arohor ( a celebrated Manchester hostlerie ) , and also spoke regretfully of those who had passed over to the great majority . He further mentioned Brother Godfrey Higham P . M ., who was then laid up with aiokness ,

and spoke in strong terms of praise of the work which the latter brother had done in connection with the Lodgo of Instruction . Brother Abbott promised to perform any necessary duty whenever called upon to do so . The following members and visitors rendered numerous songs , sketches , Ac , viz ., Bros . Hebden , Studd , Hilton , Lee , WorBley , and Roberts . Tho next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday , the 31 st inst .

Ad00702

ROYAL AQUARIUM , WESTMINSTER . REFRESHI ? DEPARTMENT , TABLE D'HOTE DINNERS AT SEPARATE TABLES . DINNERS A LA CARTE . Luncheons , Dinners , and Suppers from the G-rill and Joint . Dining Room in the Gallery luith Tables , having a view of the Stage . PRIVATE DINING ROOMS WITH BALCONIES , IN FULL VIEW OF THE STAGE , May be engaged by Private Parties without extra charge . SPECIAL TERMS FOR SCHOOLS AND LARGE PARTIES . CONTRACTORS : — SPIERS & POND , LIMITED .