The Close Of The Year.

THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR .

IF evidence were needed that the mission of British Freemasonry is in accord with the spirit of the hour—Peace on earth , good will to men—our present issue would supply it . In this , the closing number of the year , we are able to report

work in the cause of Masonic Benevolence in different parts of Britain , but we know our record of the good that is being done is far from complete ; indeed , were it possible to

gather particulars of all that has been done during the festive season now passed , or contemplated in the near future , our pages would have to be considerably extended to give even brief details . But we are able to record sufficient to show

that Freemasonry is alive to the fact that help is needed in many quarters , and is cheerfully given wherever possible . That the same spirit of Brotherhood and kindly sympathy may mark the future of Freemasonry is our earnest wish in these closing days of the year 1901 .

Lancashire Charity.

LANCASHIRE CHARITY .

A MEETING of the General Committee entrusted with the arrangement of the 53 rd Annual Festival and Ball in aid of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution ,

which takes place at the Town Hall , Liverpool , on Tuesd-iy , 14 th January , was held on the 20 th inst , at the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , the chair being occupied by Brother George A . Harradon P . P . G . Treas . The Secretary Brother

Baron H . Williams reported that satisfactory -progress was being made , and there was every prospect of a brilliant and successful gathering . No fewer than 106 Patrons had been secured , and there was a great likelihood of a very large number of Stewards .

The Festival will be held under the united banners of the Prince and Kirkdale Lodges , the Clarence Mark Lodge , and the St . John of Jerusalem Chapter . The Earl of Lathom Prov . G . M . has kindly given his patronage , as well as Bro . the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor , and Lady Mayoress ,

who will also be present . Special early morning train arrangements for residents on the Cheshire side and Southport line are nearly completed . Messrs . Gait and Capper will have the catering , and Bro . G . Eyton ' s band has been

engaged for the dance music . The jewels for Patrons and Stewards , which will' be presented by a prominent member of the Committee , are being specially manufactured by Messrs . Elkington and Co .

Isle Of Man Charity.

ISLE OF MAN CHARITY .

AT a meeting of Manx Freemasons , held under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . Brown , on < Thursday of last week , it was resolved to form

two funds , to be called the Heron Memorial Fund and the Taubman Memorial Fund , for the support of aged Freemasons , and of the orphan children of Masons respectively . A Committee was appointed to draw up the constitutions

for each Fund . All the insular Freemasons will be invited to contribute not less than half-a-crown annually to each Fund for membership , and Lodges will be asked to make collections and donations .

Irish Charity.

IRISH CHARITY .

THE " William Fleming Black" nomination to the Masonic Female Orphan School of Ireland has been filled by Bro . Thomas Falls , in whom the right during his life is vested , nominating Irene Ethel de Landre , fifth daughter of the late

Irish Charity.

Bro . Marcus H . R . de Landre , Lodge No . 5 , Waterford , and Lodge No . 143 , Dublin .

Freemasonry At Khartoum.

FREEMASONRY AT KHARTOUM .

ii-lE first Lodge to be established m the boudan was consecrated at Khartoum ,, on Thursday of last week , when the Sirdar , Sir Reginald Wingate Past J . G . W . installed Capt . W . E . Bailey as Worshipful Master .

Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT .

THE period of mourning ordered on the death of the

late Provincial Grand Master Bro . W . W . B . Beach will expire in February next , and it is expected his" successor . Sir Augustus Webster will be installed at an early date thereafter .

Monmouthshire.

MONMOUTHSHIRE .

AT a representative gathering of members of the Province of Monmouth , held at the Westgate Hotel , Newport , on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., it was stated that Brother Henry Martini Kennard , of London , and until recently a

resident in Monmouthshire , had been appointed by H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught to be Grand Master of Monmouthshire , in succession to the late Colonel Lyne . Bro . Kennard served as High Sheriff a few years since , and was the founder of the Kennard Lodge at Pontypool .

It was stated at the meeting that he had asked Colonel C . R . Lyne , son of the late Provincial Grand Master , to be his Deputy , and that the latter had accepted the Office . The question as to what shape the suggested memorial

to the late Prov . G . M . should take was discussed , and it was ultimately decided that it should take the form of a life presentation to the Royal Masonic Girls School . A Committee was formed to carry this decision into effect .

The Brother who has been appointed to this high Office is something besides an enthusiastic Speculative Freemason , he being a great bridge builder . It was he who constructed

and . erected the famous Crumlin Viaduct , during the construction of which we remember being made the victim of a boyish joke that might have cost us our life ; as it was we got off with a very severe fright , and a damaged finger .

Isle Of Man.

ISLE OF MAN .

THE Provincial Grand Master His Excellency Lord Henniker recently paid an official visit to the Spencer Walpole Lodge , Douglas—his first visit since his appointment as Masonic Ruler of the Island—and the opportunity was

taken advantage of to ask his lordship to unveil for the Lodge a handsome new Past Masters' picture frame . On his Excellency ' s arrival he was met by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . J . A . Brown P . M . P . Z .

Punctually at 7 o ' clock the Lodge stood to order to receive His Excellency and the other Provincial Officers , and on arrival the Worshipful Master Bro . E . Rowland welcomed His Excellency on behalf of himself and the Lodge , expressing the pleasure it gave him as the Master of the

Lodge to see the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master present , tie took it as a great honour to himself , and th Lodge , that through the raging storm of wind and rain His

Excellency had come to visit them . Fie expressed his gratitude and thanks for this mark of interest and sympathy , and was sure the Brethren would appreciate fully the sacrifice Lord Henniker had made in order to be nresent

with them . He then , on behalf of the Lodge , asked His Excellency to unveil the picture . In reply , Lord Henniker , who was accorded an enthusiastic reception said ; I thank you Worshipful Master for