Especial Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

1 . Elliott , J . Cook , VV . J . Barnes , E . Price , J . T . Kenyon , E . Taylor , and others . The iooth Psalm , "All people that on earth do dwell , " having been sung , The MAYOR OK BIRKENHEAD , President of tbe VVirral Children ' s Hospital , on behalf of the Building Committee , asked the P . G . Master to lay the corner-stone . He said that on such an occasion as that it was his duty to show the

necessity of proceeding with the erection of a commodious building for the purposes of a children ' s hospital . The institution had already had an existence of some twelve or thirteen years . If they took a period extending over the last seven or eight years , the average number of patients treated during the first three of those years was about 70 , whereas in the last five years the average number was 100 , and in ii > Si it exceeded 130 . It should not be forgotten

that the benefits of the hospital were unrestricted . A very large number—some 1300 or 1 G 00—were treated every year as dispensary patients , and these were from the whole Hundred of VVirral . The Committee did not draw the line at the borough boundaries , and therefore appealed with confidence for the support of those who resided without as well as within the town . Questions had been raised as to whether the Committee had been premature in

undertaking so extensive and important a work , involving not only a very large expenditure for the erection of a building , but for the maintenance of the institution in a thoroughly efficient state . However , he thought the figures he had quoted proved that the necessity had been forced upon them ; and , moreover , he believed they were doing right in availing themselves of the zealous co-operation and support which had been extended to them . ( Hear , hear . )

That was , he understood , one of the largest gatherings of Freemasons that had ever been held in Cheshire to take part in a ceremony of that kind . ( Applause . ) He thought the occasion appropriate to glance briefly at the progress of the borough in which they were assembled . The inhabitants had from the very outset felt the necessity of keeping in advance of the time in all good and beneficent works . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) In proof of this he

would point to the excellent sanitary condition of the town , to its beautiful parks , its efficiently-worked ferry , its docks and quays , its borough hospital —( applause)—and many other institutions , of which even larger towns had not yet realised the advantage . Birkenhead had been one of the foremost places in promoting the education of the masses , and in addition to its efficient elementary schools , it possessed its theological college and schools of art and

science . ( Hear , hear . ) The borough had more than a dozen churches , and more than double that number of Nonconformist chapels . He was exceeding the mark in saying that the inhabitants of the area now occupied by the borough of Birkenhead numbered half a century ago 5000 , whereas in placing the population now at So , ooo he w . is very considerably under-stating it . The last twenty years had added 30 , 000 to the population , and there was no

reason why it should stand still . ( Hear , hear . ) They all believed in the future of Birkenhead , and therefore the inhabitants were doing all they could to keep themselves in the forefront in all good works . ( Applause . ) He thanked Lord de Tabley and the brethren for assisting in a ceremonial which hewas satisfied they would never regret having participated in . ( Loud applause . ) Alderman ROPER , vice-president of the institution , then

handed a silver trowel to the P . G . M ., expressing the hope that his lordship would be long spared to aid in works of beneficence such as they expected the Children ' s Hospital , would , _ by the blessing of God , prove to be . The trowel , whicli is made of the new standard silver , was the gift of Alderman Roper . It was designed by the architect of the building ( Mr . John Clarke ) . On the plate is engraved a prospective view of the hospital , most artistically

designed , and also Lord De Tabley ' s coat-of-arms . Several Masonic emblems are also embodied , and the end of the handle , which is of while ivory , is carved in the form of a coronet . The trowel bears the inscription , " Presented to the Right Hon . Lord De Tabley , R . W . P . G . M . of the Freemasons of Cheshire , on the occasion of his laying the corner-stone of the new VVirral Children ' s Hospital , ist July , 1 SS 2 . " Lord in acknowled thc iftsaid i in ine saia 1

DE TAHLKV , ging g , —I > u , u ua IAMLI-. I , iicKiicMVieaging girt , — accept with pride and pleasure this beautiful trowel which you have been good enough to present to me . Be assured it will always be treasured among my most precious deposits , and will be handed down as a memorial of this day ' s proceedings . VVhen I first received the proposition , which the mayor was good enough to make to mc on behalf of the Building Committee , that the corner-stone of this hospital should be laid with Masonic ceremonialI

cheer-, fully and gladly accepted the invitation , being convinced that it was most consonant with our duties as Freemason ' s to help in the raising of all stately edifices ; and moreover that it was more peculiarly our duty to aid an institution devoted to the promotion of that divine charity which we , as Freemasons , esteem it our pride and pleasure to profess . ( Applause . ) All hospitals and dispensaries are certainly most proper objects for a Freemason's encouragement ,

and callfor his warmest and most heartfelt endeavours . That being so , surely a hospital and dispensary for those helpless little ones , who from no sin of their own share in thc sufferings of human nature , more peculiarly claim our care and attention . ( Applause . ) The Mayor has spoken of the foremost place which Birkenhead takes in all good works . It needs not the Mayor ' s eloquent words to remind us of that . All England is aware of its present state of

commercial prosperity and activity . His Worship has referred to Birkenhead fifty years ago . I remember it a much longer time than that . I can remember being sent with my nurse to pick up shells and seaweeds on the shore now covered with glorious docks and quays . ( A pplause . ) Let us hope with the Mayor that the prosperity and commercial greatness of Birkenhead [ nay continue to increase , and that it may by the

messing ot the Divine Architect of the Universe reap the reward which the zeal and energy of her citizens so richly merit . ( Loud applause . ) It is gratifying to me , and I an "* sure to us all , to assist in so interesting a ceremonial , and I am pleased that it takes place under the auspices of one _ whose name is so indissolubly connected with the

prosperity of Birkenhead . ( Loud applause . ) His lordship C ° l ? - u e ^ w '" a k"e ^ a < Jdress in an cient Masonic form , in tj ! ? PP P ' at ; c reference was made to the object of the Kathenng , and a prayer was expressed that the Almighty 'Architect of the Universe would prosper the handiwork of 'he brethren . A special prayer having been offered by the Prov . G .

Especial Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

Chaplain , the upper stone was raised , and the Prov . G . Treasurer , Secretary , and Superintendent of Works advanced to it . The Prov . G . Secretary , by command of the Prov . G . M ., announced the contents of the phial to be p laced in the cavity of the stone , and read copies of the records to be deposited therein . An illuminated scroll , of which the following is a copy , was presented to his lordship : " The VVirral Hospital and Dispensary for Sick Children

was founded in the year 1 S 69 , for the relief of little children in the hundred of VVirral who might unhappily be suffering from disease or injury . The manner ot working in this cause has been by giving surgical and medical aid at tlie hospital daily to children who have come there from their homes , and by receiving those who had the greatest needs into the house , and there nursing them and healing them so far as might be done . This surgical and medical

work has been freely and graciously done by skilful surgeons and doctors of medicine , without any reward save those of the good deeds themselves ; and the expenses have been provided for by many persons concerned for the welfare of sick children . Thc work has from the first prospered , and the benefits of it have year by year greatly extended , so that from time to time an increase in the means of doing it has become needful . At the end of the year

1 S 72 a house in the Oxton-road was bought , and the hospital was removed thither from the small house in Wilkinson-street , holding six beds , where it first began ; and , again , since the beginning of the year 1 SS 1 a small house in Barton-street has been hired and used as an addition to that in Oxton-road , and has been worked with it . But even

so , the need of a larger and better house has become so great that at last it was resolved that such a house should be built . And now , on this Ist day of July , A . D . 1 SS 2 , through the charity and generosity of many persons dwelling in VVirral and in neighbouring places , a commencement of this building has been made , in the sure hope that when safely completed it will nobly serve a great and good work .

( Signed ) " W ILLIAM LAIRD , J . P ., President . "J AMES ROPEK , J . P ., Vice-President . " J CLARKE , C . E ., F . R . I . B . A ., Architect . " The cement having been placed by the workmen on the upper face of the lower stone , the P . G . Master , with the Deputy P . G . M ., the Wardens , and Deacons , advanced to the stone , and the Right VVorshipful Master spread the cement . By command of the P . G . M ,, the upper stone was

then lowered with three distinct stops , during which the ode " Great Architect of earth and heaven " was sung . 'The P . G . M . adjusted the stone on its bed , striking it on the four corners with the setting maul , which was handed to him by the Grand Senior Deacon . He then directed his Wardens and the Deputy P . G . M . to prove the just position and form of the stone by the plumb , rule , level , and square . Being satisfied in these particulars , the P . G . M .,

in the usual Masonic form , declared the stone to have been well and truly laid in accordance with the ancient rules of architecture . This announcement was greeted with a flourish of trumpets . The P . G . Superintendent of Works and the Architect ( Mr . J . Clarke ) of the building then advanced to the stone , the former presenting the plans for the inspection of the P . G . M ., who , having approved of them , delivered them to thc Architect for his guidance in

carrying out the work . The vessels containing the sacred emblems , corn , wine , oil , and salt , were afterwards carried round the stone four times by the Wardens and Deacons , passages of Scripture being read by the Chaplain during each circuit . The emblems were presented by the Deputy P . G . M . to the P . G . M ., who scattered them on the stone , the choir , after each dedication , singing " Glory be to God on high . " Prayer was offered by the P . G . Chaplain , some

money was placed on the stone for the workmen by the P . G . Treasurer ; the officiating brethren resumed their seats , and the imposing ceremonial terminated . The working tools used during the ceremony were presented by the Architect , Mr . J . Clarke , and were specially manufactured by Bro . H . t'irth , . P . M . 6 G 7 , Liverpool . Each of the articles bore the following inscription : " Presented to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire by lohn

Clarke , Esq ., Architect of the VVirral Children ' s Hospital , on the occasion of laying the corner stone , July ist , 1 SS 2 . " The articles were made of solid ebony , the handle of the gavel and the eyelets of the level and plumb rule being of white ivory . The working tools were executed with artistic taste , and were greatly admired . Mr . J . R . WALSH moved a vote of thanks to Lord De Tablev and the Provincial Grand Lodge . In doing so , he

said that the Building Committee had received contributions and promises amounting to about £ 6000 . On the other hand , the cost of completing the building would not be less than £ 6900 , and to this must be added a considerable sum for furnishing . Moreover , the priceof the land was £ 1930 , whereas the value of the present land and building remaining to be realised was only £ 1300 in 1 S 72 . The Committee , therefore , still needed help . ( Hear , hear . ) Speaking of

the ceremony which had just been concluded , he observed that its solemnity was such that he could not conceive anything tending more to give a religious and proper tone to the proceedings . Mr . T . H . ISMAY , in seconding the motion , said he was unfortunately not a member of thc Craft , but he knew that one of the chief objects of Freemasonry was the relief of suffering humanity in every corner of the world , and

irrespective of creed or country . ( Applause . ) He did not think that thc brethren of Cheshire could be better employed , therefore , than in assisting the good work connected with the VVirral Children ' s Hospital , for nothing in life called for their sympathy so much as suffering childhood . ( Hear , hear . ) The vote having been accorded unanimously , Bro . Lord DE TAULEV responded on behalf of the Prov . Grand Lodge , expressing the hope that thc work would

be carried to a successful issue . Thc Masonic version of the National Anthem was then sung , and the proceedings at the site terminated . On returning to the music hall in reversed processional order , a cordial vote of thanks , on the motion of the Prov . G . M ., seconded by the D . P . G . M ., was accorded to Mr . Clarke , for his handsome presentation of mallet , level , and

plumb rule to the Prov . Grand Lodge , and also for the active services lie had rendered in connection with the day ' s ceremony . On the motion of the Prov . Grand See , seconded by the D . P . G . C , a similar compliment was passed to Bro . Marquis for his presentation of a bearing barrow for the Volume of the Sacred Law , and wands for thc Director of Ceremonies and Assistant .

Especial Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

Bro . MARQUIS having briefly acknowledged the vote , Prov . Grand Lodge was ' closed in Masonic form , and the brethren then dispersed .

Scotland.

Scotland .

THE INTER-MASONIC SHOOTING TROPHY . The regular meeting of Lodge St . John , No . 3 , Bis , w ; as held in the Hall , 213 , Buchanan-street , Glasgow , on 'Tuesday evening , the 4 th inst ., when a goodly number of brethren were present . The R . W . M ., Bro . Jas . Menzies , occupied the chair , and was supported by several Past Masters of the lodge , while Bros . Wm . BrownS . VV . and

, , John Anderson , J . W ., filled their respective places . After conferring the E . A . Degree on two candidates , thc R . W . M . stated that he had much pleasure in informing those present that he should now call the lodge from labour to refreshment . His object in so doing was to afford an opportunity to Bro . Lumsden , P . M . ( from Edinburgh ) , to hand over the Inter-Masonic Trophy which the " Lambs " of Glasgow , St . John , No . 3 Bis , had succeeded in

carrying off atthe recent shooting competition atCoivglen . I his Trophy , which is an exceedingly chaste and valuable piece of silver work , is subscribed for by the Masonic Body in Scotland , and is shot for annuall y by teams of six shooting men , either volunteers or brethren , the winning team holding the Trophy for the current twelve months . Each member of the winning team is presented

with a handsome gold charm , and the members of the second team each with a silver charm , which they are entitled to wear for all time coming . The Trophy , which has now been in existence five years , is engraved : " Inter-Masonic Shooting Trophy , subscribed for by lodges and members of the Craft in Scotland . To be competed for annually by teams from lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of Scotland .

' 1 S 7 S—won by Lodge St . Anthony , 154 , Inverurie " lS 79 » ¦> „ Union and Crown , 307 , Barrhead . ' „ ?^ ° " " " Caledonian , 592 , Edinburgh . 1 SS 1 „ „ „ Caledonian , 592 , Edinburgh . 12 St

SS ,, „ „ . John , 3 Bis , Glasgow . " This year the contest was very close , and clearly proved the eagerness of the several competing lodges co become possessors of the honour , the scores at thc close of the competition being : 3 29 , St . John , Glasgow . 323 , Thorntree , Tliornliebank . 316 , Ancient , Stirling .

310 , Rose and Crown , Barrhead . Bro . Lumsden then presented the following six brethren with their gold charms : Quarter-Master McLoy , Lieut . Brown , Capt . Stewart , Capt . Menzies , Capt . Easton , and Sergt . AI'Gibbon . He remarked how ? lad he was to see the Trophy in such good hands , as he believed it would be an additional incentive to shooting-men in the West of Scotland to join thc Masonic ranks .

After a few remarks had been passed by other visitors , congratulating the brethren on their success , the lodge was called from refrerhment to labour , when Bro . Lumsden , P . M ., received honorary affiliation . 'The lodge was then closed in due and ancient form , and the brethren separated , after having spent a very agreeable evening . The following is a full description of the Trophy .-The general form of the 'Trophy is square , relieved at thc

centra of each side by a projecting Gothic arch , in front ot which are placed four Scotch lions rampant , supporting shields engraved with Masonic emblems . At each of the corners stand fluted pillars , terminating in antique Gothic capitals , on which are placed full-length models of notable characters taken from the " Lay of the Last Minstrel . " Respectively they represent , " Deloraine , " the " Lady of Buccleuch , " the " Monk , " and the " Minstrel . "

l ' ollowingout thc ] general lines of Gothic Architecture of the fifteenth century , the upper portion of the design has been supported on rounded arches , which tend to lighten the solid effect of asquare base . In the spaces thus formed have been placed eight chased masks of individuals alluded to in the " Lay of thc Last Minstrel . " The central column of the Trophy is an exact model of the Prentice Pillar in Roslin Chapel . It is enclosed in a

Gothic canopy , which represents on each of the four sides a peaked arch surmounted by a cross—a marked characteristic of that style of ornament—and supported by four pillars resting on the base . The capital of the central column is extended so as to form a plinth , which supports a figure of St . Andrew , the patron Saint of Scotland . The prevalence in many cathedrals and abbeys in this country of the style of ornament adopted and the faithfulness

displayed in carrying it out , in the present design have given the Trophy—viewed as a whole—rather an ecclesiastical appearance , while it lacks that solid and massive appearance which renders its adoption so difficult for other than ecclesiastical purposes for which it was originally designed , and hitherto almost exclusivel y used . Many of the details of the Trophy , such as the capitals of the pillars , the waterspouts surmounting them , and thc pierced railing enclosin"

the base of the central pillar , are reproduction on a small scale of similar ornaments in Melrose Abbey and Roslin Chapel . Thc Trophy rises to a hei ght of nearly thirty inches , weighs upwards of 200 ounces of standard silver , and is placed upon an ebonised plinth . On one side of the latter is placed a shield , bearing the following inscription : — " Inter-Masonic Shooting Trophy , subscribed for

oy lodges and members of the Craft in Scotland , to be competed for annually by teams from lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of Scotland , " while on thc sides of the base there is cast in relief the inscription , " Inter-Masonic Irophy , 1 S 77 . Instituted in Lodge Caledonian , Edinburgh , No . 392 . R . Lee Bryce , Chairman ; R . Lumsden . Sec . and Treasurer . " The credit of the design , and its execution , belong to Messrs . Marshall and Sons , S 7 , George-street , Edinburgh .

IIOI . IOWAV s Pius . —Notliinn ni-rsmes thc health so well as these alterative Fills in changeable weather , or when our ncnous systems are irritable . They act ndmirablv on the stomach , liver ' ami kidney * , aud so thoroughly purify the ' blood , that thev arc tlio most clhciciit remedy for warding oil * derangements of the stomach , fever , diarrhu-a , dysentery , and other maladies , andgiving tone and energy to enervated valetudinarians . All who have the natural awl laudable desire of maintaining their own and their family's health cannot do better tlian trust to llollowav's I'ills , which cool ' regulate , and strengthen . These purifying Hills are suitable foral ' l ages , seasons , climates , ai d constitutions , when all other means tail , and are thc female's lie friend . —[ Auvr . J