Ladies' Banquet Of The Lennox Browne Lodge, No. 2318.

in an impressive manner , and Bro . G . Schloss , was unanimously elected a joining member . ' •'tf' resp 0 nse to a hearty vote of thanks accorded him , the proposition of the W . M ., for his attendance , rf Lord B ROOKE , Prov . Grand Master , expressed the i sure it afforded him to visit the lodge again . Some

r vears ago it was consecrated by him , when the T ° nders numbered 20 , but he was gratified to learn ' ?" , at ^ e present time the roll of members numbered ' pje comp limented the W . M . on the very excellent kin ? he had witnessed , and shared the regret of lhat brother that the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Philbrick , was pre-.. Lipd from attending .

I odge being closed , the brethren joined the ladies in th / drawing room , and tea having been partaken of , the members of the fair sex were escorted to the lodge m t 0 witness the scene of the labours which had Lt terminated . _ The company then adjourned to a spacious pavilion ,

vhkh had been tastefully decorated for the occasion , and where an excellent banquet was served in an admirable manner under the personal superintendence of the host Bro . A . C . Smith , the Woodford Orchestra play-: „«• meanwhile .

Justice having been done to the good fare provided , a full toast list was gone through , the speeches being interspersed with an admirable selection of music rendered by Madame Raymond , Madame Riechelmann , Miss Dora Schneider , and Bros . Henry Prenton and H .

Parkin . The preliminary toasts were honoured , and the W . M . proposed "The Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord Brooke , M . P ., " remarking that he would not expatiate upon Freemasonry , except to say that it taught them to admire in their every-day life that which they saw good

and honourable and praiseworthy in others , and to fight that which they saw was not becoming the character of an honourable Order . The Prov . Grand Master not two years ago placed his Masonic hand on that lodge , and it now numbered some 60 brethren , one and all true and honourable to the cause of Freemasonry . Lord

Brooke ' s name had always a large amount of fragrance , and cast lustre wherever it was mentioned , for he had identified himself with Freemasonry—particularly in Essex—and had endeared himself to them all , and it was no exaggeration to say they all loved him . The Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord BROOKE , M . P ., said he found it most difficult to return thanks in

adequate terms that evening for the kind , cordial , and fraternal manner in which the W . M . had proposed the toast , and the more than flattering words he had used It also became difficult that evening when he found himself obliged to return thanks in the presence of such a critical audience of ladies . They well knew there were

not many occasions on which they were at public dinners , and certainly Masonic occasions , and as his friend , the W . M ., had said , it might occur to some present that there might fall from the lips of some unguarded Mason an expression which mig ht be construed into a betrayal of secrecy . He was sure the ladies felt that although there were no occasions which they had

not in common with them but one , they were too kindl y disposed to wish to abstract that secret which they had foryears past kept within their Masonic breast , and if that night they had had some slight insight into what sometimes took place on these occasions of rest and refreshment , they would carry away nothing but a pleasant impression . They would believe him when he told them that before that festive occasion there were

serious moments in which they tried to realise to the fullest extent those noble principles founded on Charity which had for so long inspired their Order . Of course , Freemasonry dated back to early times , at least there were very early traditions , but he believed it was only about the beginning of the last century that tne

Masons of England became a solid and powerful bl ? dy , and principal members of the Royal Familythe Dukes of Kent and Sussex—were instrumental in bring ing together and uniting Freemasonry in this country about 1700 . He believed that at one time , before the Order was constituted in Scotland in the

manner now existing , one who was related to him by marriage—the head of the Sinclair or Rosslyn family was looked upon as the hereditary head of Masonry , , "J he could find no occasion on which ladies were ! n'tmted into Masonry . There vvas a tradition that an inquisitive lad y hid in a clock case , but she never

niged the secret , and there must be something very ^ rong ' m Freemasonry if it induced a woman to hold , , ' ° ngue . Freemasonry should be encouraged by ladies , for as they were well aware there was no so ° c u haritable Institution . He represented Essex me three years aero , and took part in the celebrated

the n the Girls' ° o 1 at the Albert Hal 1 ' when , Aj "ected £ 566 . He also remembered taking the revl ^ i Festival of the Girls' School when the total Ps ' \ thf i large sum of £ 15 , , and he believed th ex £ ontributed £ 1200 of that sum . Freemasonry __ "ghoul the world must take a crood deal nf its

Peonl IJ ^ ° ' P ' ' " circumstances of the and * '" En * - ? land they believed in the Diety , their W cf an | mated vvith the most loyal feelings towards Parts ? Verc . 'S * S * 'ch might not be the case in other . ii ' ut ' England Freemasons were and would

gratui . J t yal su PP orters of the monarchy . He con-Thev ' ° dge on thes P Iend d meeting that night . 'helorj Vere ^ ° St Sf atefu - tothe ladies for having graced Very nf ^ their presence , and would carry away a vvoiil , j n £ recollection , and he trusted the ladies l-Yeon , carr y away pleasant recollections of Essex . rjmdsonry . P | - ovV ° )^ " De P uty Prov- G . M ., and the * wand Officers , Present and Past , " vvas given b y

Ladies' Banquet Of The Lennox Browne Lodge, No. 2318.

Bro . MCGOWAN , P . M ., and responded to by Bros . TURNER , Prov . S . G . W . ; SCARLETT , Prov . J . G . W . ; LENNOX BROWNE , P . P . S . G . W . ; SHURMUR , Prov . G . Treas . ; and SCORESBY -J ACKSON , Prov . S . G . D . In giving " The Health of the W . M ., " the PROV . GRAND MASTER said they who were the Master ' s guests

would drink the toast in a most sympathetic manner , and the officers and members being attached to him with the closest ties of Masonic brotherhood would drink it with great cordiality . They knew that at the head of that lodge there was one who took the deepest interest in Freemasonry , understood the working of the

Order , and who worked better almost than any Mason he knew in the room . - That meeting must have involved considerable preparation on the part of Bro . Bromhead , W . M ., who no doubt considered his office an important one , and one which it should be the aspiration of every Mason to attain . He wished the

W . M . every prosperity during his year , and would ask those present to receive the toast with the greatest cordiality . Bro . FFRENCH BROMHEAD , W . M ., in the course of his reply , said he would not be so hypocritical as to say he deserved none of the praise bestowed by the

Provincial Grand Master , neither should he relegate to himself that which belonged to others , but he would render unto Cresar the things that were Casar's . Their thanks were due in a great measure to the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and to Bro . Lennox Browne for that festive occasion . He believed they had added a

link that evening to the chain of Freemasonry which would never do Freemasonry harm , but a . vast amount of good . He thanked the Prov . Grand Master for the way in which he proposed the toast , and the rest of the company for the cordial manner in which they had received it . He could only sav that his ambition and

desire in getting up that gathering , assisted by his officers , had been to follow up the motto placed upon the invitation tickets—a motto of which he was proud , as it had been in the possession of his family for generations , and he could not do better by concluding with it and saying " Concordia Res Crescunt . " " The Ladies" was proposed in a humorous and

excellent speech by Bro . LENNOX BROWNE , P . Prov . S . G . W ., and thanks suitably returned by Bro . Col . LOCKWOOD , D . L ., J . P . Other toasts were given , the Tyler ' s toast terminating the proceedings , and it is not too much to say that those present will have pleasant recollections of the happy occasion for some time to come .

Leeds Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

LEEDS MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual meeting of this most valuable local Charity has just been held under the presidency of Bro . William Warren , when a most flourishing state of affairs was disclosed . Bro . C . L . Mason , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., was elected President , and Bros . Anderson and Cowbrough , Vice-Presidents . The annual report

vvas adopted unanimously , and of this interesting document we append a copy : " In presenting the Fourteenth Annual Report of the proceedings of this Institution , your Committee are again enabled to congratulate the Patrons , Governors , Subscribers , and friends on the continued success of the Institution and the undiminished interest manifested

therein . " During the year last past two Patrons paying £ 10 ios . each have been added to the list , viz .: — Bro . B . S . Bailey , of Lodge 206 9 , and Bro . James Stables , of Lodge 1311 . Three Patronesses of £$ 5 s . each , viz .: —The wife of Bro . David Wedderspoon , of

Lodge 306 , and the wife and daughter of Bro , B . S . Bailey , of Lodge 2069 . Four Life-Governors of £ 5 5 s . each , viz .: —Bro . William Watson , of Lodge 206 9 , and Bros . William Crossland , Richard Boston , and T . C . Sumner , of Lodge 1211 . The following brethren have paid £ 1 is . each on account of their

Life-Governorship under Rule 14 , viz . : —Bros . Benjamin Pounder , George Darley , W . P . Hakansson , William Towers , J . F . Towers , and Charles Brownridge , of Lodge 306 ; Bros . George Suddick and Robert Chorley , of Lodge 304 ; and Bros . A . H . Doughill , E . Darnbrough , and H . Cowbrough , jun ., of Lodge 1042 . Bro .

J . A . Prince , also of Lodge 1042 , has paid £ 2 2 s . on the same account . A donation of 5 s . has been received from Mr . Herbert Armstrong , and £ 2 from the Steward ' s box , Lodge 1042 . The funds have also been benefited by the proceeds of an entertainment given at the Town

Hall on the 22 nd inst ., consisting of an amateur representation of Gilbert and Sullivan ' s opera , ' H . M . S . Pinafore , ' by the members of the Leeds Operatic and Dramatic Society , which realised the sum of £ 62 7 s . 3 d . " There has also been carried to the credit of capital a sum of ^ 150 , transfer from revenue account .

" The capital therefore now stands at ^ 193 6 18 s . 4 d ., and is invested as follows , viz .: —^ 1000 Leeds Corporation Four per Cent , stock , cost ^ 1036 us . 8 d ., and £ 450 Leeds Corporation Three-and-a-Half per Cent , stock , at a cost of £ 454 18 s . 1 id . ; the balance being in the Birmingham and Midland Bank , Leeds and County Branch .

" The revenue account includes , brought over from last year , £ 188 173 . 3 d . ; interest to 1 st January , 1891 , from investments in Leeds Corporation , £ 54 7 s . 2 d . ; bank interest , £ 6 9 s . ; subscriptions , ^ 70 6 s . 6 d ., making together the sum of ^ " 319 19 s . nd . The payments for education , & c , amount to . £ 8 9 16 s . 2 d . ; incidental expenses , ^ 17 os . gd ., leaving a balance of ^ 213 3 s . Out of this amount it is proposed to transfer to capital

Leeds Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

account * £ i , 50 , as previously mentioned , leaving to carry over to next year £ 6 3 3 s . " There have been during the year on the funds of the Institution nine children , three of whom , however , have ceased to be chargeable , leaving now under our care two boys of the respective ages of 12 and 13 , and

four girls of the ages of 8 , 11 , 12 , and 13 . " Your Committee regret that they have to report the death of two of their number , in the persons of their much respected brethren , Dr . A . F . McGill and Alfred Williamson , whose loss is very deeply deplored by them , as also by the brotherhood and friends . "

Benefit At Bolton For The Masonic Charities.

BENEFIT AT BOLTON FOR THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

On Thursday , the 5 th inst ., the Theatre Royal , Bolton , was filled with a fashionable and enthusiastic audience , the occasion being a benefit for the Masonic Charities , which was under the patronage of Bros . Lord Lathom , D . G . M . ; Col . Starkie , Prov . G . M . East Lancashire ; M . Fielding ( Mayor of Bolton ) , W . M . 1723 , and many other local brethren .

The curtain rose punctually at 7 p . m ., when the National Anthem was sung by Bro . Williamson , the audience heartily joining in the chorus . Mrs . H . M . Richardson then read a prologue , composed for the occasion by Bros . Skelton and Partington , which was repeatedly cheered . She afterwards recited two pieces , which were remarkably well performed , and for which she received well-deserved applause .

The sketch Bardell v . Pickwick " was next performed by the brethren , and was as good as a p tntomime in itself . Judge Booth preserved a judicial decorum , which was altogether unshaken by the ebullition of Pickwick ( Bro . Long ) , writhing under the withering oratory of Buzfuz ( Bro . Elliston ) . Horsey

Sam Weller ( Bro . Johnson ) and stammering Nat Winkle ( Bro . Gowanlock ) did their best to rescue their friend , but all to no use , for the jury found for the fascinating Widow Bardell . Miss Claremont , as the Hibernian Mrs . Cluppin , was an "illigant" witness , and Sergeant Snubbins ( Bro . M . Thompson ) had to retire beaten on all points . The Crier ( Bro . Townsend )

vvas a capital make-up , and did his utmost to maintain disorder , and Sam Weller , sen . ( Bro . Peake ) was a noisy interrupter of disorder . The sketch was well performed , and did great credit to all who were connected with it . An abridged edition of the pantomime " Cinderella " then followed , which is acknowledged to be the best pantomime ever witnessed in Bolton , and bids fair to excel its Manchester rivals .

The brethren appeared in Masonic clothing , and the view from the front of the stage when all were seated vvas truly magnificent . Such was the demand for tickets that by the Saturday previous it was impossible to get one at any price . The net result has not yet been ascertained , but we understand it will be £ 60 , which will , as before stated , be handed over to the Masonic Charities .

New Freemasons' Hall At Wadebridge.

NEW FREEMASONS' HALL AT WADEBRIDGE .

The brethren of Wadebrid ge and district held a festival on Monday , the and inst ., on the occasion of laying the foundation-stone of a Masonic Hall in connection with Molesworth Lodge , No . 1954 , Wadebridge . It was only in 1882 that Bro . R . Jones and half-dozen more energetic Masons decided on getting a Masonic

lodge founded at Wadebridge , and their labours were rewarded in February of the following year by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , the P . G . M ., consecrating Molesworth Lodge in the presence of a large number of visiting brethren . From the first the lod ge has been most

successful , and now has a muster roll of 60 . The lodge meetings have hitherto been held in a room attached to the Commercial Hotel , and the result is that a new hall is to be built , the foundation-stone of which vvas laid on the 2 nd inst .

Previous to the foundation-stone laying an ordinary lodge meeting was held in the lod ge room . Bro . N . Robins , S . W ., was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being most ably performed by Bro Bernard F . Edyvean , P . M . 330 , P . G . S ., assisted by a large Board of Installed Masters . The W . M . invested

the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . John Goodfellovv , I . P . M . ; Sholto H Hare S . W . ; W . Phillips , J . W . ; B . N . Crook , Chap . ; R . J . ' E . Symons , P . M ., Treas . ; H . Lander , P . M ., Sec . ; T . H . Sherstone , S . D . ; G . Anderson , J . D . ; M Thomas I . G . ; J . H . Hewitt , D . C ; N . Bray and H . B . Crabb '

Stewards ; G . H . Harris , Org . ; and R . George , Tyler . In addition to those named there were present Bros Peter Blake , S . W . 1785 ; John Hawker , J . W . 1785 ; w ! A . Sandoe , S . D . 330 ; G . B . Treverton , J . D . 330 ' ¦ G . Garland , 333 ; Walter Mear , 39 ; Rev . John Core Chap ., 1785 ; G . B . Stribley , I . G . 1705 ; W . McLean ! J . W . 856 ; li . Rickard , J . W . 1529 ; William J . Adams

Sec . 330 ; P . H . Crapp , 1529 ; W . Smale , 330 ; J . Matthews , G . H . Harris , William Lucy , A . Fishwick Mark Symons , John Bate , J . W . Coombes , T . Abbett ' and Sydney Stephens , all of 1954 . A procession vvas then formed , and , preceded b y the band of the 3 rd D . C . L . I ., marched to the site of the newbuilding , where the stone vvas laid in due form

The annual banquet was afterwards held , Bro . R . Bonney , of the Commercial Hotel , serving up a capital spread . The W . M ., Bro . N . Robins , presided .