Ireland.

reverence which were due from the creature to the Creator . They had been taught also to reverence and revere their Sovereign who reigned over them , and he was quite sure that all Masons , wherever dispersed throughout the globe , revered , respected , and venerated the illustrious Sovereign of the United Kingdom . ( " Hear , hear , " and cheers . ) They as Masons had been taught further their duty to their fellow-men and to themselves . To

their fellow-men they had been taught to be tolerant of the opinions of those who differed from them , and that they were not to allow anything political to interfere with the love , peace , and harmony which are the true jewels of Masonry . As individuals they were entitled to entertain their political opinions as strongly as ever they pleased , but the Masonic body knew no politics , and welcomed into its ranks those who differed widely in such

matters . They only stipulated that none should come amongst them save those who believed in the existence of the great God , and who respected and venerated their Sovereign . To every one of the brethren was entrusted the honour of the Masonic Order , and if any of them took part in anything that disturbed peace , harmony , and that friendship which ought to exist between man and man , he thereby committed an offence against Masonry itself . He

hoped and trusted there would not be anything in the proceedings of any of the brethren in that part of the country that would interfere in the smallest degree with the duty of all of them as members of the Masonic Order . They all knew that that day week her Majesty arrived in Ireland , and he did not think they would like that that vast assemblage should separate

without their asking God Almighty to bless the Sovereign whom He had allowed to reign over them for so many years . ( " Hear , hear , " and cheers . ) The National Anthem was then enthusiastically sung by the brethren and onlookers , while a contingent of well-wishers belonging to the Orange Institution , whose hall is hard by , honoured the occasion with an artillery salute .

The closing benediction having been pronounced , the procession reformed and returned to the lodge-room , where the Provincial Grand Lodge was called on and closed . Luncheon was afterwards served in the Town Hall , Bro . Wm . E . Scott , D . L ., Prov . G . Master of Derry and Donegal , presiding . Among those present , in addition to the chairman and Deputy Grand Master , were :

Bros . Dr . Thomas M'Laughlin , D . P . G . M . ; Wm . Gault , P . J . G . W . ; Joseph Deane , P . G . T . ; J . Roden , P . G . S . ; Rev . Michael Shea , P . J . G . C . ; J . M . Parkinson , P . S . G . D . ; David Wray , P . S . G . W . ; J . Steele Hanna , P . G . D . C . ; F . J . Simmons , P . J . G . S . ; John A . Long , P . G . S . B . ; and Jas . Barr , P . G . I . Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were received from Bros . F . H . Miller , P . S . G . W . ; Rev . Robert Smyth , P . S . G . C ; C . S .

Caldwell , P . J . G . D . ; W . J . Threlfall , P . S . G . S . ; George Taylor , P . G . Org . ; JohnS . Hamilton , P . G . I . G . ; and William Colhoun , P . P . J . G . D . After luncheon , the CHAIRMAN , in proposing " The Q ueen , " said that at the present moment they could feel nothing but admiration for her conduct in enduring the fatigue of coming over to Ireland , in spite of her years , in order to show her great sympathy with the widows and orphans of those

who have fought so nobly for Great Britain . ( Cheers ) . The toast having been loyally honoured and the National Anthem sung . The CHAIRMAN submitted the toast of " The Grand Lodge of Ireland and the Grand Masters in Fraternal Communication with it . " He coupled with the toast the name of the Deputy Grand Master , to whose kindly services and eloquent words he paid a high tribute .

Bro . Sir J . C . MEREDITH , in reply to the toast , which had been cordially received , said it had been the greatest pleasure to him to have the privilege of taking part in what he hoped and believed would prove a most important epoch in the history of Masonry in that town . He had been deepl y touched by the too kind reception extended to him . He was himself an Irishman from the South , but he knew that in the North the hearts of

Irishmen beat as warmly and truly , and the hearts of Irish Masons beat as loyally and fraternally as those of any people on the face of the globe . ( Applause . ) He regretted very much that the function which had fallen to his lot had not been performed by the Grand Master , his Grace the Duke of Abercorn—( applause )— who had written to him expressing his disappointment at inability to attend owing to the shortness of his visit to Ireland .

His Grace came of a Masonic family , the first Duke of Abercorn , when Lord Lieutenant of Ireland , having been installed Grand Master . ( Applause . ) In the present day it was their proud privilege to have included in that toast the name of one who in the future—they all prayed it might not be the too near future—would be called upon to rule the destinies of this mighty empire . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) He thought he could not say more

than that to assure those who were not members of the Order of the loyalty and true manhood of Masons . ( Hear , hear . ) That toast referred not merely to the United Kingdom or the vaster dominions constituting the British Empire , but included the representatives of all the great nations , at any rate , of the North of Europe , and he was not quite sure that even far beyond the bounds of Europe itself there were not to be found Grand

Lodges working in unison with their own Grand Lodge . ( Applause . ) Before resuming his seat , the speaker mentioned that he had received from Bro . R . B . Andrews , of belfast , a letter expressing his deep regret at inability to attend , and conveying his fraternal greetings and wishes for a successful ceremony . ( Applause . ) Bro . Sir THOMAS LECKY then proposed , in very cordial terms , " The

Health of the Provincial Grand Master of Derry and Donegal , " which was cordially received by the brethren . The CHAIRMAN suitably replied , mentioning the steady progress of Masonry in the province , and then proposed " The Provincial Grand Lodges of Ireland , and all the subordinate lodges , " Bros . PARKINSON , WRAY , HANNA , and BARR responded .

Bro . SAMUEL BELL , J . P ., then toasted " The St . Alban ' s Lodge , No . 719 . Limavady . " This was acknowledged be Bros . Rev . GEOROE W . HAMILL , G . G . MORIARTY , Dr . WATSON , and H . HENRY , the last-named gentleman mentioning that his Grace the Duke of Abercorn intended , if possible , to open the new hall next autumn . ( Applause . ) The proceedings concluded with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne . "

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Shropshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SHROPSHIRE .

On Thursday , the 5 th instant , an especial communication of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Music Hall Buildings , Shrewsbury , by Bro . Sir OHley VVakeman , Bart ., IVov . Grand Master , and at which there was a good attendance of brethren representing the various lodges in the province .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Shropshire.

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , before commencing the routine of business , referred , in feeling terms , to the attempt on the life of the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and expressed , on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge , gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe on so fortunate an escape . It was agreed that a contribution of 25 guineas be made from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge towards the South African War Masonic Fund .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Florence Nightingale Lodge , No . 44 . The installation meeting- of the above excellent lodge took place on Monday , the gth mst ., at its habitat , the Royal Mortar Hotel , Beresford-square , Woolwich , and was a roost successful and pleasant affair . Bro . John Oliver Cook W . M ., opened the lodge , and , after the usual business upon such occasions , proceeded to install his successor—Bro . George R . Nichols , S . W ., W . M . elect . It was a fine piece of work , absolutely fault ' ess , the subsequent addresses being eloquently and impressively delivered . The following were invested as officers : Bros . I . O . Cook , I . P . M .: S . Horton . S . W .: Dr .

J . Clarke , M . D ., J . W . j B . Hammond , M . O . ; W . Busbridge , S . O . ; Capt . George Fishenden , J . O . ; W . Campbell-Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; F . G . Nichols , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Sec . ; A . W . Orwin , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., R . of M . ; C . Kitley , J . D . ; the Right Hon . Lord Pirbright ( by proxy ) , D . C . j G . W . Mitchell , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Steward ; and J . Lackland , Tyler . Bro . j . O . Cook was presented with a handsome and suitably-inscribed Past Master ' s jewel , and a vote of thanks for bis services that day as Installing Officer , for which he thanked the brethren , and , after other lodge business had been transcated , the lodge was closed .

The banquet was one of Bro . George Hall ' s best efforts—it was simply delightful and thoroughly enjoyed . Among the other brethren present were Bros . W . Sanders , R . J . Cook ( Unattached ) : I . Turton , P . M . 309 , P . P . G . I . of W . j C . Jolly , P . M . 226 , P . P . J . G . D . ; C . H . Canning , W . M . 226 ; J , D . Brooks , W . M . 309 ; J . H . Roberts , P . M . 226 , P . P . G . Org . ; W . Crowdey , S . W ., J . Sanderson , W . Lawson , and G . Hall , of 226 ; W . Moulds ( Unattached ) , and others .

The usual loyal toasts were honoured , and drunk with that hearty enthusiasm that they deserve . Bro . Cook , I . P . M ., then , in his own witty and expressive . manner , proposed the toast of "The W . M . " There is not an ounce of rotundity about Bro . Cook—we do not mean in his personality , which there is—but in his q raint and at the same time genial manner of going straight for his object . He had no hesitation in stating that their W . M ., Bro . George Nichols , was not only an excellent and distinguished Mason , who had achieved distinction in the Province of Middlesex , and had , at the hands of its

Prov . G . Master , received Provincial honours , and had served with distinction as the W . M . of one of their own lodges in the Craft Degree ( the Nelson ) , but in his private capacity was as popular as he was good looking . ( Cheers and laughter . ) He ( Bro . Cook ) and Bro . Jolly were the acknowledged ' * Poets Laureate " of the district , and he had been trying to bring in a rhyme to the W . M . 's name , but the nearest he could get to it was " pickles "—that would not do . However , he felt sure their W . M . would prove worthy of their appreciation , and discharge the duties of his important office to

their satisfaction and to the credit and honour of the Florence Nightingale Lodge ; The toast was drunk with honours , and in rising to respond , the W . M . was greeted with hearty cheering . He said : Past Masters , Officers , Bro . Visitors , and Brethren , I thank you most heartily for your kind reception of the toast of my health , and I thank Bro . Cook for his rather too flittering remarks about myself . I am sure that I shall not be able to do the work so well as he has done it , but I will endeavour to carry out the duties of the office to which you have elected me , so that at the end of my ' year of

office you may say of me , as you have of my immediate predecessor , you have " marked well . ( Applause . ) Bro . Cook , in response to a hearty and , indeed , enthusiastic reception of his health and toast as " The Installing Officer , " spoke for him in rather a serious strain . Hs believed in outgoing Masters installing their successors ; he looked upon it as their duty to do so . He did not clai TI any ' * kudos " for having simply done his duty . He knew that it had been the custom for many years past for their old and esteem : d Past Master Fred Nichols to perform the ceremony of installationbutas he hid expressed

, , his opinion \ a open lodge as to the responsibilities of th : W . M ., so he now repeated it , that , as retiring from the chair , it was his duty to instal his successor . If he had p ; rformed that service to their satisfaction , he was amply repaid for any effort he had made , and he thanked them most heartily for their kind reception of the toast . The solemnity with which dear Bro . Cook " elocuted" made not the slightest impression on the brethren , as he did not finish with the accustomed anecdote that he generally winds up his speeches with . Otcntbora ! 0 mores !

The W . M . then proposed the toast of " Ihe Past Masters , " and it was delightful to hear Bro . Fred Nichols say that so well was their W . M . known and respected in the district , that the brethren of the Florence Nightingale Lodge ought to congratulate themselves upon having such an esteemed and popular Mason for their Master . Their W . M . might depend upon the continued support and assistince of the Pas : Misters , as had been rendered to his predecessor . Bro . F . Nichols , who is not only a splendid Mason , a splendid musician , and a

fairly good speaker , quite blushed at the applime thit fill mil his g » i wards . Then Bro . Will Campbell-Taylor had his say , and spoke highly of the assistance that had been rendered him by the Past Masters when he wis W . M . Hi congratulated the lodge on hiving Bro . G . Nichols as its W . M ., spoke , as Treasurer , of the excellent position the lodge had held , not only numerically , bjt financially , among . the lodges of the Province of Kent ; and felt sure thit in the year coming , undjr the ruls of Bro . George Nichols , the prestige and influence of the lodge would be materially increased

. Bro . George Mitchell said but very little , but said it well . He is an earnest and good brother , a Vice-President of all the Charities , and his few remarks were to the purpose . Bro . Canning , W . M . 226 , had the honour of his mm 5 being first coupled with thi toast of " The Visitors . " He is a good honest speaker , an 1 his a good delivery . He expressed the pleasure it had afforded him to be pres : nt that night amongst his brethren of the Florence Ni ° ? htifle r al > : Lodtre . Ir was verv irrah'fuino' to him at rtfistrr nf ( hi .

Excelsior Lodge to ' ( mark well" that there were no less than nine numbers of his lodge present that night , while he also remermered with pleasure thit at the recent meeting of his lodge some seven mtm ' iecs ot the Florence Nightingale Lodgi were there . He made admirable reference to the fact that ths Excelsior Lodge of Instruction had for its Preceptors two distinguished brethren of th : Florence Nightingale anl Saye and Sele Lodges in the persons of Bros . J . O . Cook and Brooks , and concluded an admirable speech by saying he was proud and delightedat the harrmnv and erood feeline

that existed between the Mark lodges above named . Then Bro . Brooks explained the difficulty he felt in suitably responding , as it was his first visit to the lodge . He asked the W . M . to visit the Siye and Sele Lodge , where he promised him some good working and a hearty welcome . Bro . R . J . Cook was pleased to notice that there was not a note of discord amongst th . in , and congratulated them upon the harmony and unanimity that united that and the Excelsior and Saye and Sele Lodges , in one bond of brotherhood and good

fellowship with the Florence Nightingale Lodge . The other toasts were " The Officers , " " The Masonic and Locil Press , " the latter coupled with the name of Bro . Jolly , and the Tyler's toast . Bro . Fredk . Nichols presided at the piano , and sang one or two pretty ballads . The wonderful vole "! of Bro . Capt . George Fishenden , of the ' * Marguerite / ' in a sea song was greatly admired . Bros . Saunders and J . O . Cook also wirbled , and Bro , Jolly recited , and so , with brotherly love and harmony , th : happy hours sped on their way . Ah ili mi III "

I ' RINCKSS VICTOKIA oi' WALKS , who was accompanied by Sir Richard and Lady Musgravc , left Euston on Satu . day morning U « for EJinhall , Lingwathby , Cumberland , where her Royal Highness will stay for a wsek or 10 days .