Craft Masonry.

Bro . W . II . Bullock , P . M ., D . C , proposed the toast of " The Pro G . Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and spoke in high terms of the Earl of Lathom , vvho is an Hon . Member , and vvho had frequently been at the lodge , and had done great good to the Craft . In his position of Pro Grand Master he had earned the good will and the devotion of the

Craft by the way he had discharged his duties . But he had done something more since they last came into the room they vvere then sitting in . H's Lordship had given ar instance of his concern for the Order by coming down from his high pedestal and becoming , like themselves , a working Mason , in taking the first Mastership of the Lancastrian Lodge .

Bros , the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg and Partridge responded . Bro . Wood , Treas ., gave " Ihe Prov . G . Master of the Northern Counties . " He was himself a Northern Mason , and it vvas only natural to say they thought themselves very superior to their brethren of the South . He did not wish to hurt the feelings of the brethren of the South , but there was no doubt No . 2128 owed a great deal to the Prov .

G . Masters of the Northern Counties , one of the most respected of these , Bro . Tew , was among the founders , and vvas at present a member of the lodge , but his health had compelled him to relinquish the post of Prov . G . Master for West Yorkshire . No better Mason graced the earth , it had been his ( Bro . Wood ' s ) pride to receive the Past Master's jewel of No . 212 S at the hands of the Earl

of Lathom , vvhich vvas a great thing to say . They had then present Bro . Henry Smith , D . P . G . M . for West Yorkshire , vvho was a Mason everybody might be proud of . Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Prov . G . Master for West Yorks ., also a member of the ledge , vvas present at the installation meeting of this lodge in 1 S 93 ; he had taken upon himself a great responsibility , and what they saw of him on that

occasion showed he vvas prepared to follovv in the steps of his predecessors . He ( Bro . Wood ) had purposely left Derbyshire to the last , but that vvas due to his inveterate modesty , and he was pleased to say that thr « e of the present officers of the ledge had the pleasure and privilege of belonging to Derbyshire . Bro . Henry Smith , D . P . G . M . W . Yorks ., responded . He felt very deeply the complimentary terms in vvhich Bro .

Wood had spoken of Bros . Tew and Jackson . The latter took the chair at the last Festival of the Boys' School , and West Yorkshire vvas very proud of him . For himself ( Bro . H . Smith ) he did not know that he had any qualifications except long service to stand up as D . P . G . M . to acknowledge the toast , but ivhen he came to tell the brethren the comprehensiveness of that toast they might

imagine now appalled he vvas when it was placed before him . It comprised Northumberland and Durham , Cumberland and Westmorland , Derby , Nottingham , Leicester , and East and West Yorkshire , as well as East and VVest Lancashire . West Lancashire had 105 lodges , and East Lancashire 105 . West Yorkshire had only 76 . It was no little labour to deal vvith these 7 ( 5 . How they did

vvith East and VVest Lancashire he did not know . There were 500 men in West Yorkshire well worthy of recognition , and only 30 collars to give them . He could only say he appreciated very highly the toast , and also the kind reception of Bro . Wood , and he hoped that this happy union might often be repeated , and that he might have the honour of being present , but that some other brother more able

might be called upon to respond . Bro . Cuthbert K . Lee , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " vvho , from the office of I . G . to that of S . VV ., Bro . Keates had always done his work faithfully and well . Now that he had been installed in the W . M . 's chair he would be a very excellent Master , and the brethren would do their utmost to make his year of office successful . They could not say of

him that he toiled not neither did he spin . Bro . R . P . Keates , W . M ., in reply , said he felt the responsibility of the office he filled . The position was a difficult one to fill , as the work previously had been so ably done . He would do his utmost for the lodge , and in a year ' s time he trusted the brethren would say he had not failed in what he had promised—to keep up the high

prestige . Bro . Lee had spoken of him as one of whom it could not be said he toiled not , neither did he spin j but it would not be a toil to him , but a pleasure . It was a pleasure to him to think they had all worked , and he was sure he should be backed up by his officers . He pledged his word that nothing should be wanting on his part to keep up the traditions of the lodge in doing the . work put into his hands

well and worthily . Bro . T . Bateman Fox , P . M ., proposed "The Masonic Charities , " and referred to the proposal put forward by the Benevolent Institution to create Patrons and Vice-Patrons , and to give a large number of votes to Subscribers holding those positions . Bro . W . F . Smithson , P . G . D ., responded , and took up

the same subject , calling upon the brethren to attend next day in Grand Lodge and oppose the proposition . All the Institutions vvere equally deserving of support . He hoped the motion would not be carried , because he believed it would be diametrically opposed to the interests of the two other Institutions . They ought to run on equal lines . The matter had come on the brethren as a surprise .

Several brethren responded to the toast of The Visitors , " which was proposed by the J . VV . Bro . R . Porter Keates , W . M ., proposed "The I . P . M . and Past Masters . " A great deal of the success of that meeting vvas due to Bro . Cuthbert Lee , and it must be a proud thing for him to know that the lodge had appreciated his work . What he had done had always been done by the Past Masters cf that lodge , vvho had at all times backed

up the W . M . The Past Masters constituted the backbone of any lodge , and any lodge might be proud of such Past Masters as the brothers who had gone through the chair of the United Northern Counties Lodge . Bros . Lee , Smithson , Masters , Bullock , and Bateman Fox responded . The toast of " The Ofiicers " vvas then given , and the Tyler ' s toast closed tbe evening .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BRUTON . Royal Clarence Lodge ( No . 976 ) . -The Installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Blue liall on Thursday , the Cth inst ., when Bro . A . E . J . Creed , S . VV ., vvas installed as VV . M ., the ceremony being performed by Bro . R . C . Else , D . P . G . M . On his assuming the chair , the P . S . G . W ., Bro . Bevvsey , vvas conducted to

Provincial Meetings.

the S . W . 's chair by the P . G . D . C , Bro . Buckley . Bro . E . R . Hayter , P . G . Reg ., was also present , and there was a goodly array of P . P . G . Officers . The W . M . invested the following as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . W . J . Clarke , I . P . M . ; E . King , S . W . ; J . VV . Pearce , J . W . ; E . G . Austin , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; H . Harrold , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; E . R . Hayter , P . M ., P . P . G .

Org ., P . G . Reg ., Sec . ; J . F . Lock , D . C . ; G . Porter , S . D . ; S . J . Martin , J . D . ; J . F . Jones , l . G . : R . T . A . Hughes , Org . ; F . White and H . W . White , Stewards ; and J . A . Swain , Tyler . Bro . Bennett , P . M ., vvho is representing the lodge as Steward at the ensuing Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in February next , announced that

mainly through the munificence of Bro . Jelley , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., the sum already subscribed by the lodge would be increased , making the total amount subscribed to the Roval Masonic Benevolent Institution 100 guineas . A vote of thanks vvas given to a number of the Past Masters of the lodge who have presented their portraits to hang in the lodge . This has been done mainly through the instrumentality of the Secretary , Bro . E . R . Hayter , P . M .,

P . G . Reg ., vvho has done his best to get a complete collection of all the Worshipful Masters since the consecration of the lodge . After thc completion of the business , the brethren adjourned to a banquet provided by Bro . Carhart of the Blue Ball Hotel ; the catering vvas of a high order , and such as is rarely seen in a provincial town . After the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts vvere duly honoured .

HULL . Kingston Lodge ( No . 1010 ) . —The installation of Bro . Robert Carson , C . E ., as the W . M . of the above lodge took place on the sth instant in the Masonic Hall , Kingston-square . Brc . H . Woodhouse , LL . D ., P . M ., Prov . Grand Registrar , performed the ceremony of installation , vvhich was attended by a large number of

members of the lodge and visiting brethren . The following officers were invested for the ensuing year : Bros . J . Wright Mason , M . B ., I . P . M . j Charles Judge , S . W . j F . Bentley , B . M . Oxon ., J . W . ; Rev . F . H . Duggins , M . A ., Chap . ; F . Fullerton , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Treas . j J . Carlile Savill , Sec . ; J . C . Smithson , P . M ., Lecture Master ; Col II . F . Pudsey , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Charity Representative

J . Mackaill , P . M ., P . P . G S . B ., Almoner ; Walter F . Harris , S . D . j Thomas Pearce , J . D . j H . S . Tadman , D . C ; L W . Mavver . Org . ; T . Thomas Locking , l . G . ; J . French Thompson , Librarian ,- George J . Cole , Alfred H . Gibbins , and Capt . F . P . Gurney , Stwds . j and F . J . Lambert , P . G . T ., Tyler . The usual banquet followed .

Installed Masters' Lodge ( No . 2494 ) . — The regular meeting of the above lodge vvas held at Freemasons' Hall , Osborne-street , on Friday , the 7 th inst ., when the Worshipful Master , Bro . M . C . Peck , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec , presided , and was supported by Bros . VV . Tesseyman , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., S . W . ; G . L . Shackles , P . P . G . D , J . W . j E . Corris , P . P . G . Reg .,

Treas . ; T . B . Redfearn , P . A . G . S ., Sec ; J . Bilson , S . D . ; Thompson Foley , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., J . D . j J . R . Ansdell , P . P . G . S . B ., D . Cj A . E . Kessen , Org . j A . King , P . P . G . D ., I . G . j R . Beevers , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., Stwd . ; H . Preston , P . P . G . D ., Tyler ; S . Rutter , P . P . G . D . ; George Leigh , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . MacRail ) , P . P . G . S . B . j L . P . Brekke j W . Brook j J . T . Beit ,

W . M . 2134 , and others . The lodge having been opened and the minutes read , successful ballots were taken for three joining members , including the Prov . Grand Master . The Secretary having read the by-laws relating thereto , thejbrethren proceeded to the election of Worshipful Master and Treasurer for the ensuing year , when Bro . VV . Tesseyman , S . W ., was unanimously

elected VV . M ., land Bro . E . Corris vvas re-alected Treasurer . Two auditors vvere elected , and the worthy Tyler , re-elected . The Secretary then read a valuable and interesting paper on "The Legend of the Third Degree , " reviewing that most striking feature of Masonic ritual in its historical , allegorical , astronomical , and symbolic features . An interesting communication on the subject of the paper was read from Bro .

W . J . Hughan , P . G . D ., whose opinions arealways received with the greatest pleesure . A vote of thanks was moved by Bro . Wollaster , who referred to the origin of the traditional history , and to the Holy Temple and its ichnographyj the vote vvas seconded by the Senior Warden , who stated that his son-in-law ( a missionary in Africa ) had communicated interesting details upon the existence of a species

of Freemasonry amongst the natives of South Africa . The Treasurer mentioned the North American Indians as possessing similar orders , and the Worshipful Master alluded to thc pseudo-Masonic rites of the Druses , the Chinese and the Turks . The vote of thanks vvas carried unanimously . Two Past Masters vvere proposed as joining members and the lodge vvas closed . The Worshipful Master subsequently entertained the

brethren at supper when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The healths of " The Worshipful Master elect" and of " The Worshipful Master " were enthusiastically received , and responded to by those brethren , the latter of whom gave a brief resume ot the year's work of the lodge , which had fully maintained its raison d ' etre . During the evening , as usual in this lodge , several Masonic curiosities vvere exhibited .

KIRKDALE . Kirkdale Lodge ( No . 1756 ) . —The annual meeting vvas held on Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., at the Skelmersdale Hall , Westminster-road . There was a very numerous attendance of members and visitors . Bro . Dr . J . Ricketts was installed VV . M . by Bro . J . Macaulay , the retiring Master , whose year of office has been most

successful , over £ . 300 having been contributed to Charity , still leaving the lodge in a thriving condition . The following officers were invested : Bros . J . Macaulay , I . P . M . ; C . F . Reid , S . W . ; E . C . Gaskill , J . W . j Rev . Dr . Hyde , Chap . ; C Johnson , P . M ., Treas . ( re-elected ); T .

Hillman , S . D . ; J . O . Ellams , J . D . ; J . A . Gee , I . G . ; Dr . H . B . Powell , J . W . Nelson , H . Williams , T . H . Bellis , G . Rankin , C . A . Clarke , and N . G . A . Brooke , Stewards ; J . Macaulay , P . M ., D . C ; and E . Watson , Tyler ( re-elected ) . During the evening a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , accompanied by a beautiful case of cutlery and plate , was presented to the retiring W . M .

Provincial Meetings.

OLD ELVET . Marquisof Granby Lodge ( No . 124 ) . —A meeting of the above lodge vvas held at the Freemasons ' Hall on Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., when Bro . IT . Brown , H . M . Inspector of Schools , vvas elected W . M . for the ensuing year . Bros . Matthev Fowler , M . P ., was re-elected Treas . and W . Grabham , Tyler . After the election , the festival of St . John the Evangelist

vvas held , when about 40 brethren sat down to an excellent recast provided by Mr . Thompson , of the Dun Cow Inn , amongst those present being Col . Rowlandson and Mr . J . G . Wilson , Under Sheriff of the County . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drunk , and a most enjoyable evening was spent . The installation of officers takes place the first Wednesday in January .

OSWESTRY . St . Oswald Lodge ( No . 1124 ) . —On the 3 rd inst ., this lodge held its John ' s Festival , when Bro . Dr . W . Aylmer Lewis was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , The ceremony vvas performed by Bro . G . Owen , P . M ., and the following officers were invested for the ensuing year : Bros . C . K . Benson , I . P . M . j Col . 1 . M . Maltby , S . W .

A . Aslett , J . W . ; the Rev . R . T . Owen , Chap , j W . F . Rogers , Treas . ; W . H . Spaull , Sec . ( for the 28 th year ); Dr . C . T . Reynolds , S . D . ; J . W . Edwards , J . D . ; G . Owen , D . C . ; Capt . G . H . H . Hayhurst France , I . G .,- VV . F Rogers , Stwd . j and G . Bonner , Tyler . The audit was held previously to the lodge , which showed a good balance in the hands of the Treasurer . The Secretary announced

that volunteers as Stewards to attend the three great Masonic Chariti es next year were requested—for the aged people in February , for the girls in May , and the boys in June . After the labours of the lodge were concluded , the brethren sat down to a banquet , served in Bro . Drew ' s usually good style , and the usual patriotic and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

PADSTOW . St . PetrOC Lodge ( No . 1785 ) . —The annual festival of St . John was celebrated on Tuesday , the 4 th inst . There was a good muster of members of the lodge , with Bro . W . A . Sandoe , S . W . 330 , as visitor . A large number ol apologies vvere received from members of neighbouring lodges , it being the night for holding parish meetings . The installation was ably performed by Bro . J . B .

Williams , P . M ., assisted by Bros . F . Bray , P . G . D . C , and W . H . Pope , P . P . A . G . Sec , and supported by Bros . W . H . Martyn , VV . H . Roberts , P . P . G . D . C . j J . Stribley , R . S . Langford , P . P . G . Stwd . ; P . Blake , and John Hawken . The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . W .

Williams , I . P . M . j G . B . Stribley , S . W . j Brown , J . VV . Hawken , Chap , j F . Bray , Treas . j VV . H . Pope , Sec ; W . Derrick , S . D . ; F . Sleeman , J . D . ; F . Harvey , D . C . ; W . Hutchings , l . G . ; A . Roach , Org . ; J . N . Clemow , M . C Langford and R . F . Clemow , Stwds . j and J . D . Lobb , Tyler . An excellent dinner was served at Bro . R . Lobb ' s Commercial Hotel .

PORIISHEAD . Eldon Lodge ( No . I 75 S ) - —A pleasing incident occurred at the last regular meeting of the above lodge , vvhich was held at the Masonic Rooms of the Royal Hotel , on Saturday , the Sth inst . The brethren being desirous to recognise the arduous and untiring work of their P . M . and Sec , Bro . W . T . Shapland , occasion vvas taken to present

him vvith a handsome Past Master ' s jewel . The presentation vvas made on behalf of the lodge by the W . M . Bro . W . H . Rice , P . P . G . D ., vvho assured the recipient that the jewel was accompanied by the " Hearty good wishes" of the brethren , who were ever mindful of the thorough way in vvhich he ( Bro . Shapland ) carried out every Masonic duty , and of the skill and ability shown , especially in the chair of

K . S . and as Secretary . In pinning the jewel on the breast of their worthy brother , the W . M . trusted he may live long to wear it vvith pleasurable pride and honour . On the toj ) bars of the jewel vvere the words " Eldon Lodge , N 0 . 1755 , ' in blue on gold , and on the reverse side this inscription : ' * Presented to Wor . Bro . W . T . Shapland , P . M ., Secretary , by the Eldon Lodge , as a Mark of affection and esteem . December Sth , 1894 . " Bro . Shapland , feelingly and suitably , and in terms of surprise , thanked the W . M . for his kind words , and the lodge for their beautiful gift , and gave his assurance that if he had not deserved it in the past it would be his constant endeavour to do so in the future . The W . M . was well supported by his officers and brethren , and in the course of the afternoon an official visit was paid by the VV . M . ( Bro . Hayman ) and the officers and brethren of the Coleridge Lodge , No . 1750 , who were cordially received and entertained , as also some brethren from Bath and Weston-super-Mare .

SOUTHAMPTON . Albert Edward Lodge ( No . i 7 8 o ) .-The regular meeting of this lodge was held atthe Masonic Hall on Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., when there were present Bros . J . G . Jordan , W . M . j C . Alexander , S . W . j G . Watson , J . W . ; G . Heathcote , Treas . j T . Holmes , Sec . j J . Burrow , S . D . ; R . Prowse , J . D . j H . Hussey , P . M ., D . C . J W . J-

Groundsel ! , Org . j E . W . Drysdall , I . G . ; T . King ana R . W . Dennis , Stewards j W . Berry , P . M . j T . Walton , P . M . j C . Furner , P . M . j E . Warren , P . M . ; S . Sinopysky , J . Stevens , and others . Visitors : Bros . B . Harfield , W . M-130 ; A . Ritchie , W . M . I 1461 ; E . Kingman , W . M . 35 ' ) > J . E . Aldis , 339 . P . G . S . of W . j E . Long , J . W . 359 i }' Dacombe , P . M . 359 j F . Kimber , 1461 ; R . W . Rid" »

14 C 1 ; A . McDonald , 1991 J A . Lidiard , 1963 j H . Rowthorne , 35 'J J R- Jones , 40 j and J . W . Lightfoot , 200 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes ot im last meeting read and confirmed , Bro . Sinopysky was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason , and Mr . Thomas Griffin vvas initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . . Warren , P . M ., was then presented , on behalf of tne hrrthm nf thp . Induewith the reealia of his provincial

, office as P . G . S . B . in a very neat speech by the W . M ., «™ ° wished Bro . Warren long life , health , and happiness ro wear it , and vvas pleased to see the respect in vvhich he wa held in the lodge . Bro . Warren , P . M ., thanked the W . M- > officers , and brethren for the kindness he had received n their hands , and said he would always do his best for tn advancement of Freemasonry . The W . M . proposed W » five guineas be sent to the family of the late Bro . Weavu j this making 15 guineas in all .