Provincial Meetings.

Province of Staffordshire to the Masonic Charities . They now sent £ 600 per annum . Besides that they educated every child with a widowed mother not voted into those Institutions . Their charitable work in the province was now happily floating in peaceful waters . At the request of Bro . Taylor , Bro . G . W . Bradford added a few words before the toast was drunk . He said he

had the honour of being Steward from his mother lodge ( the Gordon ) last year , when the centenary of the Benevolent Institution was celebrated . The total amount realised for the Jubilee Festival of the Benevolent Institution last year was no less than ^ . 69 , 000 . Whenthe Masonicworld throughout England could guarantee a sum like that he thought it said a very great deal for the charitable feelings

of the members of the Craft . They in Staffordshire had done their share . They all knew the great interest Bro . Taylor had taken in the Masonic Charities . That their contributions were so large was in the main due to him . They had now a local fund for the relief of distress , and he hoped the brethren would subscribe liberally . Bro . Wilkes , asknowledtred the toast .

"The Worshipful Master of the Gordon Lodge , No . 2139 , Bro . W . j . ] . XV . Heath , " was felicitously proposed by Bro . John Bromley , P . P . S . G . W . The toast was drunk with musical honours . Bro . Heath , in his reply , said they were often asked why they were Masons . He generally replied— " Become a Mason and you will find out . " He also pointed to the good

and famous men who had been Masons . They were the best and most respected men in the county , and to his enquiring friends he could only say — " Follow their example . " The toast of "The Visitors " having been honoured , Bro . Heath proposed "The Immediate Past Master , " to which Bro . E . D . Boothman resnonded .

The other toasts were— " The Worshipful Bro . Bindley , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , of Staffordshire , Present and Past , " and " The Officers of Gordon Lodge , " responded to by Bros . Clare and Phillips . During the evening Bro . Taylor spoke of the mishap which occurred at Liverpool to Bro . Tunnicliffe . The

latter did not wish much to be said about it . He wished to avoid anything like a sensation , but there was no doubt that for some minutes his life was in danger . A strong current was running when he fell in the water , and they had great difficulty in getting him on board . He ( Bro .

Taylor ) passed a few minutes of awful suspense—they were the most awful minutes he had ever experienced . After his immersion Bro . Tunnicliffe , always cheery—said "All right , it will take ten times more than that to kill me . " The banquet was provided by Bro . Munro in his usually excellent manner .

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME . Sunderland Lodge of Unity ( No . 460 ) . —The usual monthly meeting was held on Friday , the 26 th ult ., at the Castle Hotel . There was a very large gathering of members and visitors . Bro . T . Edwards , W . M ., presided , and opened the lodge , when Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , D . P . G . M ., acting in charge of the province , was announced

as seeking admission . He then entered the lodge , accompanied b y the Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers , and was received with the usual customary honours by a very large gathering of the brethren present . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley gave an address to the brethren , and then asked the VV . M . to conduct the business of the meeting , which was to raise Bro . T . Johnson Salt to the Degree of M . M . A

Masonic paper— " Beauties and Sequences of the Masonic Ritual "—was read by Bro . E . V . Greatbach , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ., and listened to with much pleasure . The officers present were Bros . T . W . Eardley , l . P . M . j F . Skerrett , P . M ., S . W . ; T . C . A . Edgeworth , J . XV . and Chap . ; S . Hyslop , P . M ., P . S . G . D ., Treas . ; J . Green Ainsworth , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec . ; R . C . Downs , S . D . ; G .

Rushforth , J . D . ; J . Ingamells , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., D . C ; J . G . Howson , I . G . j 1 . Wright , Stwd . ; and VV . H . Robinson , Dep . Org . The Secretary read communications from the G . S . and the D . P . G . M . and his replies thereto . "Hearty good wishes " having been expressed hythe

visiting brethren , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting chamber , where a sumptuous repast had been prepared by the hostess , Mrs . Hunt , and under the genial Chairmanship of Bro . V . Edwards , who was supported on his right by Bros . Lieut .-Col . Brindley , D . P . G . M ., in charge of the province , and T . Taylor , P . P . S . G . W .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and responded to with heartiness and enthusiasm , and the lodge glee party made their debut in this occasion . Songs were given by several of the brethren , and a very pleasant evening was spent . Among the other brethren present were Bros . VV . H . Howson , LP . M . 20 G 4 , P . G . S . B . ; J . Allerton , S . D . 41 S ; J . Bromley , P . M . 418 , P . P . S . G . W . ; I . Stevenson , P . M .

1942 , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . V . Greatbach , P . M 418 , P . P . G . S . of VV .: E . Duncan Boothman , I . P . M . 2149 , P . P . G . C ; D . Jones , W . M . 41 S ; J . Smith , P . M . 460 ; H . R . Strange , P . M . 1942 ; h . B . Devereaux , LP . M . 41 S ; Wm . Edwards , Org . 41 S ; Fred . VV . Pepper , Stwd . G 37 ; E . Turner , 4 G 0 ; Tom Masters , S . D ., E . Harding , J . D ., W . I-L Eaton , S . Lake , and W . Harding , all of 637 ; W . C . Vaughan , 41 S ; Arthur Baines , LG ., and G . W .

Bradford , P . M . 2149 ; E . Penn , I . P . M . G 37 ; W . Jackson , 418 ; J . White , W . M . 2214 ; E . W . Wain , E . Timmins , G . Smith , P . M ., G . Wilkes , and J . Adams , all of 20 G 4 ; T . Unwin , P . M . G 37 . P . P . G . P . ; J . White , VV . M . 2214 ; Edwin Harrison , W . H . Oxen , T . Johnson Salt , T . Wright , Haydn Mercer , T . J . Hawley , Joseph Griffith , W . H . Newby , P . M ., R . H . Dickson , C J . Wain , H . Newland , Geo . Taylor , and Joseph Forster , ail of the lodge .

WALTON-ON-NA ' / . E . Arnold Lodge ( No . 1799 ) . —The anniversary festival of this lodge was held at the Marine Hotel , on Tuesday , the 30 th ult ., when there were present Bros . W . E . Sutton , W . M . ; John Harman , S . VV . ; Alfred Purvis , J . W . ; E . Osmond , Treas . ; R . H . Scott , P . M ., P . P . A .

G . Sec , Secretary ; C . W . Randall , S . D . ; A . R . Chamberlayne , P . M ., J . D . ; J . M . Scarlett , P . M ., P . P . J G . W ., D . C ; E . Dorling , P . M ., P . P . G . Sec , I . G . ; H . Cutter , Tyle ; H . Wilkinson , P . M . ; Pengelley , Loomes , R . Scarlett , W . Wright , Dunn , Wright , ond others . Visitors : Bros . T . J . Railing , P . G . Sec . Essex , P . A . G . D . C ,

Provincial Meetings.

Eng . ; Alf . Buck , P . M . 433 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Boulton , W . M . 2442 ; H . Hills , W . M . 2154 ; W . F . Reed , I . P . M ; 2063 ,-Penny , J . W . 1637 ; Mackenzie , Sec . 2063 ; C . E . Garrard , Sec . 2339 ; Brown , S . D . 2063 ; Sparling , S . W . 2063 ; Starling , W . M . 2063 : Mann , LG . 2063 ; Gane , Franks , Dowsett , 20 G 3 ; Jacobs , P . P . G . P . Middx . ; and Amend !* .

The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read and confirmed , and Bro . Pengelly was raised , the ceremony being most impressively rendered by the W . M . The Auditor ' s report was received and adopted . The W . M . elect , Bro . John Harman , S . W ., was presented to the Installing Master , Bro . W . E . Sutton , P . M ., and a Board of Installed Masters being formed , Bro . lohn Harman was

inducted into the chair of K . S ., and heartily congratulated . The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . VV . E . Sutton , I . P . M . ; A . Purvis , S . W . ; C W . Randall , J . W . ; E . Osmond , Treas . ; R . H . Scott , P . M ., P . P . A . G . Sec , Secretary ; R . Scarlett , Org . ; A . R . Chamberlayne , S . D . W . Wright , J . D . ; H . Finer , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P ., D . Cj W . H . Pengelly , LG . ; and H . Cutter , Tyler . Bro . W ,

E . button , P . IVI ., was unanimously elected Charity Representative . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . VV . E . Sutton , Installing Master , for his very able rendering of the installation ceremony ( which we have rarely seen done in better form ) , supplemented by a Past Master's jewel , subscribed by the members of the lodge , and Bro . Sutton having suitably responded , the labours of the day ended , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , at the

invitation of the W . M . Great credit is due to the new host of the Marine Hotel , Bro . T . Bolton , for his excellent catering . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were admirably given by the VV . M . The musical arrangements were under the able management of Miss Etta Wright , Mrs . and Bro . H . Wilkinson , and several brethren of the lodge , whose efforts to please were hi g hly appreciated . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

WO OTON-UNDER-EDGE . Sympathy Lodge ( No . 855 ) . —The installation festival of this lodge was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday , the 30 th ult ., when Bro . F . Millman , P . P . J . G . W ., was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the Installing Officer being Bro . Vassar Smith , S . G . D ., D . P . G . M . The following officers of the lodge were present

Bros . R . M . Worlock , the retiring W . M . ; F . Millman , S . W . ; CM . Penly , J . W . ; Rev . P . Upstone , Chap . ; VV . T . Adams , S . D . ; J . Jotcham , I . G . j and W . Window , P . G . T . There were also present Bros . J . Sumsion , P . M . VV . F . Gould , P . M . j E . H . Henly , P . H . Perrin , H . Perrett , W . Heath , A . B . Harris , G . Ricketts , G . Hooper , and A . Poach . The lodge was visited by Bros . Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Prov . G . M . j T . Barnfield , 326 , P . S . G . D . j

E . J . Grubb , GS , P . P . S . G . D . ; T . Nelson Foster , 839 , P . G . T . ; and R . T . Summer , LP . M . 839 . The W . M . chose the following as officers of the lodge for the ensuing year : Bros . R . M . Worlock , LP . M . ; C . M . Penly , S . W ;; G . H . Perrin , J . VV . j Rev . P . Upstone , Chap , j A . Perrett , Treas . j W . T . Adams , Sec : W .

Heath , D . C ; A . S . Mackenzie , S . D . j J . Jotcham , J . D . j H . O . Lansdown , Org . ; G . Ricketts , I . G . j A . Roach , Stwd . j and W . Window , Tyler . The brethren afterwards attended a banquet , which was served at the Swan Hotel . The lodge was handsomely decorated by Messrs . Penly and Adams .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

Orpheus Chapter ( No . 79 ) . — Bro . Henry Cross , A . R . C . M ., the well-known baritone of S . Andrew's , Wells-street and Westminster Abbey , was installed into the chair of the above chapter on the 17 th ultimo at the Masonic Hall , Golden-square , W „ by Bro . Edwin Moss , P . M . W . S ., the Recorder . On the the same occasion Bros . Vivian Bennetts , St . Andrew's , Wells-street , and H . C . Borradaile were admitted into the mysteries of the Order .

1 he members of the Orpheus Chapter are composed mainly of professional vocalists , and among those who took part in the elaborate musical ceremony and afterwards at the banquet at the Criterion were Bios . R . de Lacy , E . Beckett , E . Moss , H . Cross , E . Branscombe , H . Schartau , E . Collins , V . Bennets , J . Kift , and others . Bros . Dr . Griffith , 31 ° ; W . H . R . Stewart , P . M . W . S ., * E . B . Florence , and W . H . Gramshaw were also present at both functions .

Annual Supper Of The Brownrigg Lodge Of Instruction.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE BROWNRIGG LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .

The annual supper to mark the close of the season of this lodge was held on the 29 th ult ., at the Alexandra Hotel , Kingston-hill , where it has met now for several years with varied success but with undoubted success to those who have attended the meetings . Bro . W . Drewett ,

P . M ., S 89 and 1 G 38 , P . P . G . S . B ., was " put" into the chair , with Bro . J . H . Sumner opposite , and the company present included Bros . Jas . Edgell , W . M . 8 S 9 ; A . Levy , LP . M . SSoj Abel Laurence , P . M . 1638 , Preceptor ; W . H . Willis , W . M . 1 G 38 , Sec ; T . Montague , P . M . 163 S ; H . A . Pettipter , A . Watkin , Stwd . SSg ; Pennington , S . W . 163 S ; W . Lane , P . M . 1 G 38 ; and others .

An excellent repast was provided by Bros . Curtis and Willis , and that over a few toasts were proposed . In giving " Success to the Brownrigg Lodgeof Instruction , the CHAIRMAN sketched its history , reminding the brethren that it was formed in 18 79 , three years after the constitution of the parent lodge , and carried on for some time by the late Bro . Buckland . After a period of slumber

and a removal elsewhere , the " school "found its home at the Alexandra Hotel , where , by Bro . Matthews , the late proprietor , and for some years now by Bros . Curtis and Willis , every kindness had been shown in the way of accommodation on the very best of terms as to tenancy . As to the usefulness of the lodge of instruction , Bro . Drewett mentioned the names of many who had passed the chair in the

Dobie and in the Brownrigg with the greatest credit , and who had gained much of their knowledge of the ritual by attendance at the Brownrigg Lodge of Instruction , and testified to the help he had received there in by-gone years . Eulogistic reference was then made to the long-continued labours of Bro . Laurence , of whom it was that , whenever two or three were gathered together , he was to be found in

Annual Supper Of The Brownrigg Lodge Of Instruction.

the midst of them ; and an expression of appreciation services was also given in respect of Bro . Willis 1 ?' acted as Secretary and Treasurer . ' " Bro . ABEL LAURENCE responded , and said he amply repaid in watching his pupils—as they were pfea' ^ to call themselves , though he did not claim to be a p ceptor proper—fill various offices in the lodges near , and " ' *" long as the * meetings were held he should be pleased ? continue to do as he had done , so long , at least , as hewa !' able . * " * * *

Bro . WILLIS also responded , and after referring to th benefit he had received under Bro . Laurence ' s tuition }\ said there was another feature in connection with the Brown rigg Lodge of Instruction which had escaped the Chairman 's notice . It was this—that during the last eight or n ' rae years a sum of over £ Soo hal been sent up to the thiee great charitable Insiitutions of the Order by the agency of the Benevolent Fund worked in conjunction with the Brn-m ,

rigg Lodge of Instruction . He thought that was something to be proud of , and , as he had worked out the third scheme for obtaining Life Governorships in an easy way , he was anxious to start another for the benefit of younger brethren . Among the other toasts was one in honour of ^ Bros . Curtis and Willis , the proprietors of the hotel , of " whose great kindness all who have attended the meetings kw » i well .

Bro . CURTIS said he was pleased to see the brethren at their house , and so was his partner ; and the Brownrigg Lodge of Instruction should never want a home while ft was conducted as it had been , and the Alexandra was in the same hands .

Capital songs were given by some of the brethren , and recitations by others , the vocalists having efficient help at the piano from Bro . Packington .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . MAJOR A . E . BLACK . The sudden death of Bro . Major A . E . Black was announced in the Glasgow Herald of the 5 th instant and came upon the brethren like " a bolt from the blue . " Although not a young man , his enthusiasm was only fired through coming in contact , in comparativel y recent years with Bro . Major F . W . Allan , and since

then few men have made more rapid strides in coming to the front . About a dozen years ago he was initiated in St . John ' s , 3 bis ; subsequently he affiliated in Lodge Princes , No . 607 , and at the time of bis death was S . W . of that lodge , and also Scribe E . of Princes Chapter , No . 189 . On the occasion of Major F . VV . Allan being raised to the rank of M . E . Supt . over the

Lower Ward of Lanarkshire , he appointed him Prov . G . H ., having served as Prov . G . J . He was also a member of the Supreme Grand Committee , G . Steward of Grand Lodge , a member of the Glasgow Priory of Knights Templar , the Royal Order , and proceeded to the 30 in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite . Bro . Black was the only child of the Rev . Dr . Black , of

Wellington Church , ex-Moderator of the U . P . Synod , and leaves a young widow and family , for whom the brethren have the deepest sympathy in this , their sad bereavement . The brethren would gladly have paid their last tribute of respect to the departed brother at his graveside had it not been for the wishes of the bereaved and sorrowing relatives , who desired an

unostentatious burial . Probably no Mason will feel his sudden removal from our midst in the same degree as Bro . Major Allan , who has lost in him a constant friend and a most devoted colleague . By all who knew him he was greatly beloved , for his friendship was firm , and he was generous to a fault , always walking in quiet paths , faithfully and unobtrusively serving his brethren , or any society with which he was connected .

Table D'Hote Dinners In Railway Trains.

TABLE D'HOTE DINNERS IN RAILWAY TRAINS .

MORE LUXURIES FOR SCOTCH PASSENGERS . The Midland Railway Company ' s announcement in Apn last that the Third Class Dining Carriages ( which they had for some time contemplated introducing ) would be a fun accompli from the commencement of July , has been followed within the last few weeks by notices of a kindred nature

issued by the other large English railway companies . In the case of the Midland trains , we are now in a position to announce some further important particulars , which will be of special interest to travellers between London and other English commercial centres , and Glasgow . Commencing on Monday , July 3 rd , the Midland Company , in conjunction with the Glasgow and South-Western Co ., will place on

Scotch service additional afternoon expresses , whicn *•* ¦¦¦ run between London ( St . Pancras ) and Glasgow ( MEnoch ) , starting from each end at 1 . 30 p . m ., and serving Leicester , Nottingham , Sheffield , Leeds , and other towns en route , and giving connections with some of the P ""? ' '' centres in the West of England , Lancashire , & c 'I 0 **?* trains will be attached soeciallv constructed Uining

Carriages , one of which will be for the use of First Class , and the other for Third Class passengers . Luncheons , dinners , teas , and other refreshments will be served route in the best style at moderate charges : from ' ¦¦ l 0 -j 2 . 30 p . m ., First Class luncheon , 2 s . Gd . ; _ Third C ' * ! i j . luncheon , 2 s . ( inclusive charges ); also a lis carte at ' land Buffet charces as ner dailv bill of fate . From 4 ; J ¦

to G . o p . m . afternoon teas will be served at Gd ., to in *' . a pot of tea and roll and butter , other viands being o **" able at the usual buffet tariff . The Table d' Hote Uinr * will be served in the Down train on leaving Hellifield ' „ in the Up train on leaving Leeds , at about G . 30 p- " ^ Mrh raw . af n rhartri . nt 1 c (\ A In Fircf Class and 2 S . ,

to Third Class passengers . To p leasure-travellers a ^ tourists between Scotland and England , the P ? . j witli the new privileges shortly to be enjoyed will be haw ^ satisfaction , whilst to the commercial man whose p j , engagements deny him an opportunity of taking "is jt before the trains leave , the fact that he can eat his ¦» leisure and in comfort en route will be an immense