Consecration Of The Ecclesburne Lodge, No. 2425, At Duffield.

Richard Waite , P . M ., P . P . G . Superintendent of Works , Treasurer ; Walter Shoobert , Secretary ; W . H . Wheeldon , S . D . ; the Hon . C . W . Trollope , P . M ., J . D . ; John Walker , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Director of Ceremonies ; Edgar Home , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Organist ; and Thomas Hug hes , I . G . It may be added that Bro . William Heathcote has consented to act as I . P . M .

The consecration ceremony makes many demands upon the musical brethren , but these were adequately met by Bro . Dodd , P . P . G . Organist , assisted by Bros . Melrose , W . N . Toft , Burdette , and others . No fewer than 76 of the brethren dined together at the White Hart Hotel , where an excellent banquet was served . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and heartily received , the most cordial wishes being expressed for the well-being and prosperity of the new lodge .

It may be added that the establishment of " The Ecclesburne " has engaged the attention of a few resident Masons in Duffield and nei ghbourhood for some time past . The sanction of the Grand Lodge was readily granted to the undertaking , and , as we have pointed out , a start has been made under the most auspicious circumstances . It is very seldom that a Masonic ceremony conducted in a village succeeds in attracting * more than

120 brethren , of whom more than half were Past Masters . The number of Masons at present attached to the lodge necessarily includes few inhabitants of Duffield , but if we may judge from the long list of proposals which were submitted , " The Ecclesburne" will soon boast of a considerable number of local supporters . In short , everything points to the likelihood of its enjoying a useful and prosperous career . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Minerva Lodge, No. 2433, At Birkenhead.

CONSECRATION OF THE MINERVA LODGE , No . 2433 , AT BIRKENHEAD .

The consecration of the above lodge took place at the Masonic Chambers , Birkenhead , on Wednesday , the 7 th inst . The ceremony was performed by Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M ., assisted by Bros . James Salmon , P . P . S . G . W ., acting as D . P . G . M . ; John Clayton , P . P .

J . G . W ., acting as P . S . G . W . ; F . R . B . Lindsell , P . J . G . W . ; the Rev . T . Sturges , P . G . C . ; Richard Newhouse , P . G . Sec . ; and George H . Browne , P . G . D . C . The following Prov . Grand Officers signed the attendance book : Bros . H . E . Heywood , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; T . H . Annett , P . G . Treas . ; Hy .

Matthews , P . S . G . W . ; John Morris , P . G . S . B . ; J . Camlin , P . G . D . ; A . T . Phipps , P . G . D . ; Lilly Ellis , P . G . D . ; T . C . Thorborn , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . S . Burgess and J . E . Jolly , P . G . Stewards ; J . R . Simm , P . P . G . Treas . ; S . Jones , P . P . G . D . ; and a large number of brethren attended .

His LORDSHIP duly consecrated and constituted the lodge , and thanked the brethren for their large attendance , and congratulated the members of the new lodge , and wished them success . The following brethren signed the petition as founders * . Bros . Squire Chapman , P . P . G . D . ; Arthur Samuels , P . P . G . D . ; Henry Buxton Browne , P . P . G . D .: P . Sword , P . M . ; W . F . Robinson . W . M . 1112-. 7 . Amistmmr .

P . M . ; and R . McCee , P . M . Bro . George Browne , P . G . D . C , assisted by Bro . Lindsell , installed Bro . Squire Chapman as W . M ., who appointed and invested Bros . Dr . Samuels , as S . VV . ; H . Buxton Browne , J . W . ; and P . Sword , Sec . There were 37 brethren proposed as joining members , and two candidates for initiation .

Visit Of Irish Freemasons To Newcastle.

VISIT OF IRISH FREEMASONS TO NEWCASTLE .

The Northern Metropolis has been noted for some time for that truly Masonic spirit which finds vent in the frequent interchange of fraternal visits amongst the lodges of the City and surrounding district . About 15 months ago , Bro . W . Churlton , Junr ., the then W . M . of St . Nicholas

Lodge ( No . 1676 ) , with some 26 other members , paid a visit to the Lodge of Israel in Dublin , and that fraternal courtesy has now been returned by members of the latter lodge , numbering n , who are accompanied b y 19 other brethren , who are now experiencing the hospitality of their English confreres .

The party left Dublin on Sunday night at seven o ' clock , crossing the channel per mail steamer , and , after a beautiful passage which relieved all from the terrors of mal de mer , reached Hol yhead at half-past twelve a . m . on Monday , being three-quarters of an hour late , the delay having been caused by the transler ot an abnormally heavy American mail , which

amounted to some 700 bags . The connection at Warrington to Car / isle was missed , but the North-Western Railway Company supplied two special saloon carriages for the party , and such was the high rate of speed attained during the run from Warrington to Carlisle that although they started nearl y an hour behind the ordinary mail , they finished almost up to time at Larlisle Station , the run of 18 miles from Penrith to Carlisle being

accomplished in 14 minutes—a rate of speed that electrified thc voyagers . Thus they were landed at Carlisle b y 6 . 20 a . m ., in time to catch the lirst Northeastern train to Newcastle , which was ultimately reached at nine a . m . Bro . K . H . Holme , W . M . of St . Nicholas Lodge , accompanied by officers and fethren of various lodges , met the party , who were the recipients of the ^ artiest fraternal welcome and greeting from the local brethren , who Mustered about 40 strong . The following is a list of the

brethren—? l ° w W * Davies , P . M ., Treas ., J . J . Irwin , P . M ., George Metcalfe , P . M ., E . ' "" hps , P . M ., Sec , S . S . C . Joyce , J . W ., Rev . J . Dryden Smylie , Chaplain , Saml . ^ rdon , Thomas CaddeU , E . W . Warren , J . T . Wood Latimer , and W . J . Dollar , ™ 126 ; William J . Chetwode-Crawley , LL . D ., D . C . L ., G . D . of C ; Harry , ** ges , Secretary Grand Lodge of Instruction ; Oliver Fry , P . M . 50 ; Wm . A . 'cUonald , W . M . 75 ; Samuel Smalldridge , J . P ., P . M . 269 ; Alex . H . Williams , , ; * 2 . 9 i H . B . Montgomery , P . M ., Sec , 269 ; Justyn MacCarthy , P . M ., Treas . Rrh * * - ames Croizer , V . S ., P . M ., Sec . 500 ; W . Y . Magee , P . M . 245 ; Wm . W . o ^ inson , S . W . 158 ; "Francis Hall , S . D . 666 : Stephen Adams . 206 ; Thomas

D , ' 45 > ' Thomas Ross , 100 ; Win . J . Alwright , 4 ; Alfred Norman , LL . M ., 33 ; UOtl * t V . Lidwill , J . P ., P . M . 100 ; ana Benjamin B . Tuke , P . M . 100 . P \} intimated that Bros . John G . Talbot , W . M . ; Morris Harris , Who ? P , ^* G'P *; Samuel G . Reeves , L . D . S . I ., of Lodge of Israel , Pan '" tended being in the party , were unavoidably prevented , The tv was conducted to Miss Robson ' s , Crown Hotel , where arrangements

Visit Of Irish Freemasons To Newcastle.

had been made by a large local Committee of Newcastle brethren , to secure the comfort of the visitors during the three days' residence in the city . After breakfast , a retinue of three open carriages , supplemented by a fourin-hand , was at the service of the party to pay a round visit through the city and its suburbs . The route commenced at the Crown Hotel and proceeded past the Central Station , whose stately proportions attracted notice ,

and amongst prominent objects pointed out were the Stephenson Monument , St . Nicholas' Cathedral , with its elegant spire , the Black Gate , the old Castle , Stephenson ' s No . 1 Engine on the High Level , and the High Level itself—a lasting monument of thc engineering skill of George Stephenson , as is the hydraulic [ Swing Bridge below a testimony to the genius of Armstrong and Co . On either side of the passage across the

bridge the noble expanse of Father Tyne flowing majestically below was an object of interest . On through Gateshead to Askcw-road , the procession at a gentle pace proceeded to Redheugh Bridge , which was crossed , and a halt made at the Maple-street Masonic Hall , whose interior was viewed with evident delight . Elswick Park and the Lough-Noble Models occupied a quarter of an hour ' s inspection ; thence the drive was

resumed via Bentinck , Brighton Grove , on to thc noble expanse of the Town Moor , the old grand stand and the racecourse being noticed , and variety to the drive given by the inspection of several batteries of the Royal Artillery , whose thundering guns tended somewhat to alarm the carriage horses . Skirting the Moor , the North-road was soon reached , and passing through the pretty village of Gosforth , a halt was finally made

in the demesne of Gosforth Park , whose noble and picturesque dimensions evoked a comparision with the still vaster Phcenix Park . Here a halt was made for a light luncheon , and , dispensing with any oratorical outcome , a move was made to the front of the stand , where two photographs of the group were taken by Mr . George Permain , of North Shields . lt so happened that Mr . Chas . Perkins had brought a team of thoroughbreds from

Gallowhill to the park , and the party had the pleasure of seeing a trial between a brace of two year olds , with a brother to the mighty Chitabob telling the tale . It so happened that the finish between the youngsters was a desperately near one , and the excitement of the Celtic character , which is not indifferent to a bit of sport , was not at all suppressed , the finish being so close indeed that Mr . Perkins , who was for the nonce " the man in the

box , " could onl y have separated the juveniles b }* an eye-brow . Gosforth Park and its old mansion strongly impressed all , but not more so than Jesmond Dene , which was next visited . At the request of the Worshipful Master of St . Nicholas Lodge , Bro . J . B . Radcliffe explained to the party that the Dene , which was unsurpassed for its sylvan beauty , was the noble gift , " free and for ever , " to the inhabitants of Newcastle , of its

noblest and most enlightened citizen , Lord Armstrong , who in many other ways had been a liberal benefactor to Newcastle , and through whose enterprise and genius the great arsenal at Elswick had risen to its present colossal proportions . A stroll through the dene revealed an inexhaustible series of Sylvan scenes , the old water mill , the grotto , thc wealth of foliage , of shrubs , ( lowers , and mosses bringing forth unstinted notes of admiration .

Only in a comparative degree did the beauties of Heaton Park , which was subsequently visited , arrest favourable comment . The carriages were now rejoined , and the route taken homeward was across the Armstrong Bridge , along the Jesmond-road , down Northumberland and Grey-streets on to Collingwood-street , and final ) } ' the Crown Hotel was reached at half-past three o ' clock with appetites keenly edged for an admirable luncheon . On

the invitation of Bro . Marshall Moore , the acting manager of Bro . Sir Augustus Harris , the brethren had the pleasure of visiting the elaborate interior and stage arrangements , with the marvellous lighting apparatus , of the Tnye Theatre—one of the largest and best equipped temples of the drama out of London . At the request of the W . M ., Bro . Radcliffe recited from the stage "The Charge of the Light Brigade" in various dialects , and

Bro . Saul sang a humorous Irish song . St . Nicholas Lodge met in the evening at the Masonic Hall , Graingerstreet , and the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland also mustered in large numbers to receive their Irish brethren , Bro . R . H . Holme , VV . M . St . Nicholas , being in the chair , supported by his officers . The D . P . G . M . ( Brother R . H . Holmes ) , who was unavoidably absent , was represented by Bro . Bell , and amongst other prominent Masons present

were— 1 Bros . J . Page , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . Cooper , P . P . G . D . ; H . Spittle , P . P . A . G . D . C . T . Dinning , P . P . A . G . D . C ; J . R . Forster , P . P . G . D . ; Hudson , P . G . Sec . Durham ; E . Turnbull , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . W . Matthews , P . P . G . S . B . ; Aitchison P . P . G . R . ; j . Cooke , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . Scott , P . P . G . S . B . ; S . F . Bates , P . P . G . D .

J . T . Schollar , P . P . G . S . B . ; McLaren , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . Hepburn , P . P . G . D . ; J . B . Garland , P . P . G . S . B . ; F . Corder , P . G . Sec . ; T . B . Nicholl , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Carmichael , P . P . G . S . B . ; C . Roope , P . P . G . O . ; F . W . Sykes , P . P . G . S . ; G . Elphic , P . P . G . S . ; T . E . Smith , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Duckitt , P . P . G . D . ; Isaac Watson , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; and G . Parsons , P . P . G . D . Bro . W . Cummings was Director of the Ceremonies .

After the duties of the lodge , there was an adjournment to the Emmerson banqueting-room , where a social gathering , at which all thc leading Masons of the city were present , was held , the proceedings throughout being of the most harmonious character , and the hearty welcome of the antecedent programme emphasised in a pronounced manner . The arrangements of Bro . Joseph Donkin were of the most complete description , and were effectively carried out . The programme of the next two days of the visit is a very full one , and will be recorded in our next issue .

DEUCHAR CHARTERS . —So called from a Scottish brother of the name of Alexr . Deuchar , who was initiated in the Lodge of St . David in 1801 , and became Worshiplul Master in the Lodge of Edinburgh , 1803 . He was made a Knight Templar in 1803 , apparently in an encampment which had been formed in 1798 , under the Early Grand Encampment of Ireland . He visited the Lodge " Mary ' s Chapel " in January , 1807 , as Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Assembly of High Knight Temolars in Edinburgh , No . 31 . In 1810 the body issued a

scheme for establishing a " Supreme Court ot the Order in Scotland , " and , in 1811 , Alexr . Deuchar was made Grand Master for life , under a warrant of the Duke of Kent , then Grand Master of the Templars in England of the " Conclave of the Knights of the Holy Temple and Sepulchre of St . John of Jerusalem , H . R . D . M ., K . D . S . H . " Hence the name of "Deuchar Charters " as signed by him . He resigned the Grand Mastership in 1835 , in favour of

Admiral Sir David Milne , K . C ' . B . In 1837 most of these warrants were forfeited , and the encampments erased Irom the roll of the Grand Conclave , on account of not making the required returns . In 18 73 there were only four encampments working in Scotland under the Grand Priory , and about 12 or 15 early Grand Encampments . We are indebted to Bro . D . Murray Lyon for this clear statement and many other valuable suggestions . —Kenning's Cyclopcedia of Freemasonry .