Provincial Meetings.

C . Downs , J . W . ; S . Hyslop , Treas .-, J . Green-Ainssvorth , Sec ; L . C . A . Edgesvorth , Chap . ; G . Rushforth , S . D . ; J . Gilbert Hosvson , J . D . ; H . Robinson , Org . ; T . Wright , I . G . j J . Ingamells , D . C . ; and John P . Hosvson , Thomas Byrne , and Hayden Alercer , Stsvds . The usual business svas then transacted , but sve may mention that on this occasion the nesvly-elected Worshipful Alaster , on behalf of the lodge , presented Past Master ' s jewels to Bros . W . H .

Nesvby , T . W . Fardley , and T . Edwards . Among the distinguished brethren present svere : Bros . T . 'Taylor , P . P . G . S . W .-, R . Dain , P . M . qS , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . Tunnicliff , P . M . 41 S , P . P . G . Supr ..-of Wks . ; David Jones , I . P . M . 41 S , 24 S 7 J Wm . Smith , Gregory Lodge , 2139 , Cairns , Australiaj R- Tooth , P . AL G 37 , 2214 , P . P . G . R . j R . Wilkinson , 9 S ; James Taylor Hosvson , P . M . 451 , S . W . 41 S , P . G . S . B . ; J . Webberley , P . AL 546 , P . P . G . R . ; John

Forster , W . M . 11942 ; J . E . Hodson , VV . AL 54 6 ; James Wearing , W . AL 2064 ; H . VV . Critchlow , gS ; H . Ruskin Hancock , I . P . M . 451 ' I- W . Norris , VV . AL 451 : W . H . Hosvson , 2064 , P . P . G . S . " !? ., P . S . G . D . ; H . C . Vaughan , 41 S ; T . W . Eardley , P . M . 460 ; VV . Edwards , Org . 41 S ; Arthur Bolton , VV . M . 9 S . I . W . 451 ; C J . Wain , Hayden Alercer , F . J . Hawley , H . Stone , Edsvin Harrison , J . Al . Adlington , 20 G 4 , J . A . Whittingham , W . E . Pattison , and

D . H . Oxen . At the conclusion of the business the company sat dosvn to a banquet , under the presidency of the nesv Alaster . Aftersvards the usual loyal toasts svere honoured . Bro . J . Tsvist Snape , P . AL , proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Alaster . " Having had a personal acquaintance of over 30 years , he felt , he said , in a position to express an opinion as to his ability . He assured the

members that they had in the chair of their lodge a most zealous and capable officer , as those who sasv him when he svas appointed Alaster in the Jubilee year of the lodge could svell testify . In reply , the W . AL tendered his most sincere thanks . He trusted he might have the health and strength to go through his du'ies during the year , and hoped at the close of his term of ofiice to have svon the esteem in svhich they

now held him . The next toast svas that of "The Installing Master . " The W . M . said he felt those present had seen by his predecessor ' s presidency during the year how capable the outgoing Master was . His svorking had been a real Alasonic treat , and had made the ceremonies especially effective .

He had been a tho'oughly good Alaster to the lodge during the year , and they must all hope he would be long spared to enjoy the esteem he had svon in their midst . The toast of " The Visitors" was heartily honoured , the responses coming from several of the brethren present . "The Ofiicers" and the Tyler ' s toast closed an enjoyable evening-.

SHEFFIELD . Ivanhoe Lodge ( No . 1779 ) . —The regular meeting svas held at the Alasonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 30 th ult . Present : Bros . W . J . Bedford , VV . AL ; E . C Bedells , S . W . j W . Tyzack , J . VV . ; R . Smith , Treas . ; W . J . Allen , Sec . j W . Chadburn , J . D . j W . Beardshasv , D . C . ; S . Suckley , Org . ; J . Wort ' ley , l . G . ; John Utley and G . F . Buchanan , Stewards ; T . Leighton , Tyler ; H .

J . Garnett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Allen , P . AL ; A . Macreadie , P . AL , P . G . D . ; G . Franklin , P . AL ; J . B . Beardshasv , P . AL ; J . Brailsford , P . AL , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; S . Burridge , A . J . Halcomb , J . H . Brosvn , Rev . E . Bonfellow , R . Carr , J . Barton , E . J . Alarples , and F . S . Parr . Visitors : Bros . H . Schnetzler , 1239 ; and J . Hunt , P . AL 139 , W . M . 2491 , P . P . G . D . The minutes of the last meeting svere read and confirmed . Air . VV . A . Colley was initiated . Grand Lodge certificates

were presented to Bros . Rev . E . Bonfellow , J . II . Brosvn , and R . Carr . Bro . E . C . Bedells , S . W ., svas unanimously elected VV . AI . for the ensuing yearj Bro . R . Smith was re-elected Treasurer j and Bro . T . Leighton , re-elected Tyler . AU Masonic business being ended , the lodge svas closed . The brethren then adjourned to supper , svhen a very pleasant evening svas spent . The installation takes place on Tuesday , the 27 th instant .

THORNE . St . Nicholas Lodge ( No . 2259 ) . —The usua meeting of this lodge svas held in the Masonic Hall , on VVednesday , the 24 th ult ., svhen there svere present . Bros , J . Constable , LP . AL j A . L . Peace , VV . AL ; VV . Alertin , S . W . ; T . Barber . S . D . ,- B . Alaskill , Treas . ; VV . P . Robotham , Sec ; E . Simpson , Org . ; G . Eland , I . G . ; E ,

Hirst and VV . T . Chambers , Stsvds . ; and F . Pine , Tyler . Bro . E . Shillito , 14 S 2 , was a visitor . A ballot was taken for Bro . Shillito as a joining member , svhich proved unanimous . Mr . T . J . Smith svas duly proposed and seconded for initiation , and he svill be balloted for at next lodge . Nothing further offering the lodge jsvas closed .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Prudence Chapter ( No . 12 ) . —A meeting was held at the Ship and 1 tittle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , on the 22 nd ult ., svhen there svere present : Comps . A . C . Durrant , M . E . Z . ; F . P . Collins , P . Z ., acting H . j A . J . Laurence , P . Z ., acting J . ; K . B . Hollosvay , P . Z ., Treas . j F . VV . Prior , P . Z ., S . E . ; E . B . Holloway , P . Z . acting S . N . ; C J . Powell , P . S . ; A . L . Reynolds , ist Asst . S . ; J . J . Marsh ,

P . Z . 152 G , Janitor ; Dudley Rolls , P . Z . ; R . Coombs , P . Z . ; Horace Ouare , and R . M . N . Kerr . Visitors : Comps . Dehane , f . P . Z . S 62 , P . Z . S 90 , 27 G j E . Durrant , P . S . 1704 ; William Giles , P . Z . 12 ( hon . member ); and C . I . St . Alphonse . The chapter svas opened , and the minutes of the last convocation svere read anil confirmed . Comp . VV . H . Giamshasv , P . Z . G and Id . 27 , svas elected a member , and

Bro . R . AL N . Kerr , P . AL and Sec 13 G , svas exalted . The ofiicers for the ensuing year svere elected as follows : Comps . T . P . Colliver , P . Z ., ALE . Z . ; A . J . Lasvrence , T . Z ., II . ; A . L . Reynolds , ( . ; F . VV , Prior , P . Z ., S . li . j 11 . Ouare , S . N . ; Ii . B . Holloway , P . Z ., Treas . ; C J . Powell , P . S " . ; VV .

Green , 1 st Asst . S . j VV . TL Gramshasv , 2 nd Asst . S . j and J . Marsh , Janitor . A committee for the general purposes of the chapter was also elected as follows : Comps . C . J . Posvell , 11 . VV . Green , 11 . Ouare , and R . Kerr . 'The chapter jesvel was voted to Com )) . A . C . Durrant svho presented the chapter with a handsome Charity bag and received a vote of thanks .

Royal Arch.

" Hearty good ' wishes" were accorded , and the chapter closed . The companions adjourned to the comfortable dining room to a banquet , after svhich the usual loyal and Grand Chapter toasts svere duly honoured . Comp . Collier , I . P . Z ., in proposing "The Health of Comp . A . Durrant , AI . E . Z ., " remarked that it afforded him a great deal of pleasure , arid he felt sssce they all

regretted that he svas about to vacate the office in svhich he had set a splendid example to those coming on , as they had seen the svork done as it ought to be during the svhole of his year of office , and also from 1 st A . S . to his present proud position , and trusted , although going out of the chair , he would be spared many years to come among them and render such assistance that might be required . Comp . Durrant replied in a most feeling speech , and

svas glad they had been kind enough to overlook his faults , and as he had given them satisfaction , he svas amply repaid . VVhen he joined the chapter there svere but few members , svhich had gradually increased until they had now become a happy family , all svell knosvn to each other . This being the last time he should address them as their ALE . Z ., he took the opportunity of thanking them one and all for the assistance and great kindness he had alsvays

received from them , and it svould alsvays be pleasant as years go past to refer to the many pleasant meetings he had been present at . The ALE . Z ., in proposing "The Exaltee , " said he was a companion after their own hearts and of their svay of feeling , and svould become an ornament to their chapter . Comp . Kerr expressed his thanks , and said hosv much he had been impressed svith the svhole ceremony , and svas

pleased tblat tbe J . VV . of his lodge had proposed him . In proposing "The Visitors , " the M . E . Z . said in the absence of their H ., he asked Comp . Dehane if he svould assist , he immediately said with pleasure , Alost Excellent , and the companions had had a Alasonic treat . He svas from his knosvledge of him a true Alason , ever ready and svilling to svork or instruct , and he should couple svith the toast Comps . Dehane and Durrant , svho both expressed their thanks for

the splendid hospitality extended to them , and the extreme pleasure they had derived at svitnessing the grand working during the evening . The toast of "The S . E ., Comp . Prior , and Treasurer , Comp . Hollosvay , " svas svell received , svho , in replying , stated they felt that the chapter was now progressing , the prosperity of svhich svas their greatest svish . "The P . Z . s' " toast follosved , Comp . Durrant paying a

marked tribute to each . Comp . Colliver , I . P . Z ., thanked the AI . E . Z . for the kind things tie had been pleased to say of them all . Comp . Laurence also responded . "The Other Officers" follosved , and the Janitor's toast closed the proceedings . The follosving companions added to the harmony of the evening by songs , recitations , & c .: Comps . Coombs , E . Durrant , D . Rolls , and Hollosvay .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

CONSECRATION OF THE C 1 IVDDERG 1 IAT CONCLAVE , No . 21 . On the 28 th December last , R . W . Bro . W . T . Nesvitt , P . G . V ., 30 , & c , & c , of Aladras , visited Hyderabad for the purpose of consecrating this conclave , of svhich Bro . Ardaseer R . Pilcher ss-as chosen as thc first

Supreme Ruler , to be follosved at the next meeting by Bro . J . D . B . Gribble , G . W . Grand Scottish Lodge , Bombay , svho takes up the active svork of the conclave . Both these brethren are members of the Damon and Pythias Conclave , No . 14 , Aladras , and for a long time they have desired to found a conclave of the Order

among the brethren in the Deccan . Bro . Alf . H . Stevens , having been induced by dispensation , svas duly installed as the First Guide . Althongh 19 brethren were inducted into the Order , among them being the brother of our svell-knosvn Past Grand Treasuicr in the Craft , Bro . D . P . Cama , Past

Grand Guide , R . Y , ' . Bro . K . R . Cama , of Bombay . The meeting passed off in a most enjoyable manner , and the brethren separated , congratulating themselves upon the foundation , under pleasant and able auspices of a conclave likely to play a prominent as well as a useful part in knitting together kindred sou ' s in our Indian dominions .

A Masonic Library For Hanley.

A MASONIC LIBRARY FOR HANLEY .

The quarterly meeting of the members of the Gordon Lodge , No . 2141 ) , on the 24 th ult ., was the occasion ot an interesting ceremony . Bro . James Charlesworth , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Staffordshire , has collected a very interesting and valuable Masonic library , which he has

presented to the Gordon Lodge for the use of all Alasons using the Masonic Hall , Hanley . The inauguration of the library , which consists of about 90 volumes , svas performed by Bro . A . H . Heath , of the Apollo University L ; dge , Oxford . It was Bro . A . H . Heath ' s lirst visit to the Gordon Lodge , and he met

svith a very hearty svelcome , a large number of members and visitors being present . After the ordinary business of the lodge , which included tsvo initiations , svas concluded , the brief inauguration ceremony took place . The W . AL , Bro . W . J . J . VV . HKATII , welcomed Bro . A . TI . Heath , and explained the circumstances under

which the library had been presented , and Tiro . CiiAiti . KsvveiKTU said he heaped the library svould prove the foundation of a much larger collection , to which all Alasons in the district would have access . Bro . A . II . HKATII , in declaring the library open , unlocked the glass door of the bookcase and took down a book that proved to be a svork by Bro . E . V . Great-

A Masonic Library For Hanley.

batch , entitled " Black For , White Against . " He remarked upon the happy coincidence that the first book to be taken from the library svas by such an old and valued Mason as Bro . Greatbatch . The company then adjourned to supper . When the loyal toasts had been duly honoured , the W . M . proposed " The Health of Bro . Charlesworth , "

svho , he said , svas knosvn not only as a true and loyal Mason , but as one of the foremost citizens of the county borough of Hanley . He was one of the founders of the Gordon Lodge , and had spared no time or trouble in promoting its success . The library svhich they had just seen inaugurated was another proof ot Bro . Charlesworth ' s zeal for Masonry and

great interest in the prosperity of the Gordon Lodge . Bro . Charles worth had been at great trouble and expense in collecting those books , and he asked his brother Masons to share svith him the pleasure of their perusal . Among the svorks was a copy of the original by-laws of the Craft published in 1723—a most interesting work .

Bro . CHARLESSS'ORTH , in acknowledging the toast , gave some interesting particulars concerning some books in the library . He had heard some brother designate him as a " book-maker . " He was not that , but he believed he was somesvhat of a bookworm . Speaking generally , he found that in the older Masonic books there was a good deal of repetition and copying

from one another . The nesv books seemed much more correct . He had discovered that Masonry as it existed at the present time svas not so old as they had been led to believe . It did not date further back than 1753 . But Masonry had existed in some form from the earliest times . There svas in one of the books a record of hosv Athelstane brought Alasonry to York in the fifth

century . It was well known that Alasonry emanated from the north and travelled to the south . What form it took in those early centuries they did not knowprobably it was a trade guild . One of the most interesting works in the library was the letter of Colonel Foster Gough to the Province of Staffordshire on the subject of a uniform ritual . He would have

liked to have obtained an original copy of the by-lasvs as published in 1723 , but the svork was very expensive , and he had had to put up with an American reproduction of the svork . He had learned many interesting things from the books in the library , particularly about Masonry in North Staffordshire . He had learned that the Alenturia svas not the first Iodge in Hanley . nor the

Portland the first at Stoke , nor the Josiah Wedgwood the lirst at Etruria . In conclusion , he referred to the valuable little pamphlet by Bro . E . V . Greatbatch . Bro . the Rev . E . D . BOOTHMAN proposed " The Health of Bro . A . H . Heath , " svhom , he said , they were so p leased to see among them , and whom they knesv as a thorough Englishman and a hearty good fellow , a

patron and exponent of manly sport , and the representative of great industrial enterprise . Bro . A . H . HEATH , in responding , said he felt that the Gordon Lodge had conferred a great honour upon him by selecting him to inaugurate their new library and b y receiving him with such heartiness . The brethren of the Gordon Lodge were responsible for

bringing one lost sheep back to the fold . He should not like to say hosv long it had been since he last put his apron on , but it had certainly been a long time . His feelings upon entering the lodge that evening werc certainly leelings he had not often experienced . He was almost dumbfounded at the magnificence and splendour of the lodge and the gorgeous apparel of

some of the brethren who represented it . He could assure them that it svas very like old times , indeed , to witness the cucmony of initiation of their friends Turner and Pardoe . Hc could assure them , also , it had quite inspired him svith an enthusiasm for the Craft

which he had neglected all those years . The remaining toasts were " The Visitors , " proposed by Bro . J . CI . AKK , S . W ., and responded to by Bros . EDMUND JONES ( W . M . Menturia Lodge ) , BEAUMONT PIKKCEY , and Dr . POLK UK ; " The W . AL of the Gordon Lodge : " " The Initiates ; " and the Tyler ' s toast .

Scotland.

Scotland .

ROYAL ARCH . BELLSHILL . Robert Burns Chapter ( No . 143 ) . — This chapter held its annual festival in the Lesser Masonic Hall on Saturday , the 27 th ult . There was a fair attendance of companions present , including four Past First Principals , viz ., Comps . AlcMurdo , Laird , Lilley , and Smith .

A supper , svhich included the inevitable Haggis , svas purveyed in Comp . Al . E . Lilley ' s usual style . The loyal and patriotic toasts were honoured . Comps . Round and McMurdo , as retired volunteers , replied ior " The Reserve Forces . " " Freemasonry around the Globe" and •' Supreme Chapter " having been attended to and remarked upon ,

The toast of " I he Provincial Grand Chapter of LanarKshire , Al . VV ., " svas given , and replied to by Comp . McAlurdo , P . G . S . E ., who spoke of thc condition of Royal Arch Masonry in the province now as compared with 20 years ago , shosving that at the latter time scarcely a Royal Arch Alason in tlie province , nosv there were something like 500 , though up to only two or three years ago there

were only tsvo svorking chapters in the province . I " number of chapters svere now live , all in good svorking order and svell equipped , so that his hopes tor thc future of Royal Arch Masonry in the Aliddle Ward svere of the most positive kind . He also informed them that thc Provincial Grand Superintendent would in a few sveeks be svith them in his official capacity , and hoped they would have their house in order in anticipation of that visit .