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P . M . 1102 , taking the opportunity to compliment Bro . Macnab , W . M ., on the very excellent manner he had performed the ceremony of raising , and the lodge generally on the way it performed its ritual . The brethren then adjourned for refreshment .

KINGSTON-ON-THAMES . Dobie Lodge ( No . 889 ) . —On the 18 th inst ., the members were summoned together , after the summer recess , meeting , by dispensation , at the Kingston Hotel . Bro . Edgell , VV . AL , was supported by all his principal officers , and a goodly proportion of the lay members . Tre visitors were Bros . Percival Reed , P . M . 69 ; Geo . Gabb

P . M . and Treas . 902 ; H . C Minnitt , E . J . Packington , and E . G . Whitehead . Bro . J . C . Mortimer was balloted for and accepted as a joining member , and Dr . Cowen was elected a member . Bro . W . J . Wells having been passed to the Second Degree , the W . M . asked Bro . Levy , I . P . M ., to initiate Dr . Cowen , which he did very efficiently . Sanction was given to the

members of the lodge and other brethren who signed the petition to hold a lodge of instruction at the Norbiton Park Hotel , New Maldon , under the warrant of the Dobie Lodge , and notice of motion was given in prescribed form for the removal of the lodge to the Kingston Hotel . After transacting other business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren partook of supper , which was served

under the direction of Bro . H . A . Pe'tiffer , manager of the hotel , of which Bro . G . Gabb is proprietor . During the evening the W . M . took occasion to wish Godspeed to Bro . J . A . Kenneth Campbell , who was present in lodge after an absence of several years , and was setting off

in a few days for Egypt . The W . AI . was also congratulated upon being next in succession to the chair as Master of the Worshipful Company of Playing Card Makers , and the more so , because Bro . Tom Wilkinson , now J . W . of the lodge , will fill the chair of Junior Warden in the Guild while Bro . Edgell is Master .

LEEDS . Excelsior Lodge ( No . 1042 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Great George-street , the following brethren being present : Bros . J . W . Blackburn , W . M . ; LB . Mays , S . W . ; H . Banks , J . W . ; R . J . Smith , Sec . ; R . Waide , S . D . ; A . H . Dougill , J . D . ; E . Crosby , P . M .,

Org . ; J . E . Davenport , I . G . ; G . Tooley , Stwd . ; I . H . Newton , | Tyler ; H . Cowbrough , P . M ., Prov . J . G . D . ; W . Bingham , P . M . ; W . M . Tyers , P . M . ; A . Atkinson , V . R . Morley , F . C . NettletonJ . W . Dobson , J . A . Milne , W . Foster , J . J . W . Saville , J . W . Hargreaves , and C . Grosvenor . Visitors : Bros . W . D . Holies , P . M . 1311 , Prov . D . G . D . C ; W . Cockerlyne , 304 , Prov . G . Org . ;

C . L . Mason , P . AL 304 , P . P . G . Treas . ; W . Watson , P . M . 2 S 9 , P . P . G . S . of W . and Hon Librarian of West Yorks ; W . Smith , P . M . 1211 ; J . Ripley , W . M . elect 1542 ; T . A . Withey , P . M ., Prov . D . G . Reg . West Lanes . ; and W . E . TindaH , 1248 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the last regular meeting read and confirmed , salutations were eiven to the Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers ,

and to the Deputy Prov . G . Reg . of West Lancashire , and duly acknowledged . A lecture upon " Freemasonry in England down to 1 S 13 " was given by Bro . William Watson , P . M . 304 , P . Prov . G . S . of Works and Hon . Librarian of West Yorkshire , and for upwards of an hour the closest attention was given by the brethren as that distinguished brother traced the authentic history of the Craft

from the earliest known records , through its many vicissitudes during the reign of the rival Grand Lodgis down to the final establishment of the present United Grand Lodge of England , since which event the progress of the Cralt has been marked b y a steadily increasing volume of prosperity . The lecturer illustrated his remarks by fn quent allusions to and from various standard worksof reference , and exhibited many rare and curious books and engravings from

his own valuable collection and library . At the conclusion of the lecture a very cordial vote of thanks was tendered to Bro . Watson , to which he suitably responded . Bros . Hargreaves and Grosvenor signed and received their Grand Lodge certificates . Apologies for inability to be present were received from many distinguished brethren , and after the usual " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed .

MANCHESTER . St . George's Lodge ( No . 1170 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held at Frremasons ' Hall , Cooper-street , on Monday , the 16 th inst ., when lh « r ; was a very large assembly of brethren . Bro . Wm . Craig Royle , W . M ., presided . The minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed , and the lodge was closed when all business had been completed .

Palatine Lodge ( No . 2447 ) . —The regular meeting was held at the Palatine Hotel , on Friday , the 20 th inst ., when the following were present : Bros . Fred . Broadsmith , P . M ., P . P . G . R . Cheshire , W . M . ; H . J . Owen , S . W . ; W . P . J . Fawcus , J . W . ; J . Hardwicke-Marsh , W . M . 1730 , Sec . ; George . Graham , ; , S . D . ; George A . MyersP . M ., W . M . 2359 . P . G . D . C . W . Lanes ., J . D . ; G .

, S . Smith , P . M ., P . G . Org ., D . C ; John Newton , I . G . ; Wm . Spencer , Steward ; G . Metcalfe , H . Macbeth Locke , George W . Thornton , J . W . Cook , H . Perry , W . M . 106 ; J . Sharpies , and T . K . Hill . Visitors : Bros . Geo . "Mills , 1140 ; W . VV . Potter , 1140 ; E . Douglas , 3 i ( S . C ); F . W . Mee , 1 G 3 ; and John Kay , M . Milling , and J . Jardme , of 26 G . .. .

The lodge having been opened by the W . M ., he was informed that the newly-appointed Prov . G . D . of C . of West Lancashire , Bro . G . A . Myers , P . M ., W . M . 2359 , wished to be admitted . The W . M . then vacated the chair , which was taken by Bro . J . Hardwicke-Marsh , and retired from the lodge in order to introduce the Prov . G . D . C . of West Lancashire . On their admission to the lolge they were received with Grand honours by all the brciiuen present . The

W . M . then took the chair , and after the Secretary hid read the minutes , which were confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bro . George Alills as a joining member , and was declared unanimously in his favour . Bros . Cook and 1 hornton were raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . AL by the W . M ., who also presented the working tools . " Hearty good wishes" were expressed from the visiting brethren , and the lodge was closed . 1 . The brethren then adjourned to the social board , when

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the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and acknow ledged . The Tyler ' s toast concluded one of the most enjoyabl and successful meetings since its consecration . Duchess of York Lodge ( No . 2482 ) .-

This lodge held its first regular meeting on Monday , the ifjth inst ., at the Victoria Hotel , Bro . Archer Lowe , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., W . M ., presided . There were four candidates initiated , and , altogether , it was a most successful meeting . We wish them every success in future .

OLD TRAFFORD . Talbot Lodge ( No . 2231 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 20 th inst ., at the Stretford Local Boa ' d Office , which we had great pleasure in visiting , and we found it had lost none of its former lustre , with Bro . Stringleman at its head . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting

were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for two gentlemen , and both being favourable , they were initiated respectively by Bros . Stringleman , W . M ., and Fred . Batty , l . P . M . Both ceremonies were very impressively rendered . The working tools were presented and the charge delivered by Bro . Alackay , J . W ., and all the officers performed their respective duties in a most masterly manner . There were

present Bros . R . E . Stringleman , W . M . ; John Roberts , S . W . ; Charles Mackay , J . W . ; Edwin Faulkner . Sec . ; Wm . Lowsbv , S . D . ; Harold Nickson , J . D . ; Charles Martyne , P . M ., D . of C . ; W . G . Batey , Org . ; F . Green , I . G . ; W . Chesshyre , F . Batty , I . P . AL ; G . R . Lloyd , P . M ., P . G . Treas . ; H . Happold , Stwd . ; Evans ( Jackson , T . R . Peacock , Alfred Dawson , C H . Roberts , S . T . Silvester ,

J . B . Rawson , Wm . Grant , George Unsworth . W . A . Hammond , John Allen , and J . J . K . Fairclough . Visitors : Bros . Headley Jones , Wm . Sewers , John Travers , S . W . 137 S ; W . A . Doherty , J . G . Radford , P . M . ; E . Storer , H . H . Warburton , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . W . Bebbington , J . H . Bebbington , Albert Merry , P . M . ; G . Sam . Smith , P . M ., P . G . Org . ; J . H . Daglish , P . M . ; Emanuel E . Lever , and Frank Gladstone Bennett .

PORTISHEAD . Eldon Lodge ( No . 1755 ) . —The regular monthly meeting was held on Saturday , the 14 th instant , at the Royal Hotel , the following being present : Bros . A . J . Tonkin , W . M . ; G . Hazell , S . W . ; E . W . Harvey , J . W . ; J . R . Thebridge , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; W . T . Shapland , P . M ., Sec ; C . L . Thomas , P . M ., actingas

S . D . ; A . Jefferies , J . D . ; T . Turner , D . C . ; E . Davey , P . AL , Org . ; J . W . Hall , I G . ; F . Simpkins , Tyler ; W . Rice , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; W . R . Thomas , P . M ., P . G . S . of W . ; and W . G . Smith . Visitors : Bros . J . C . Bingham , P . AI . 13 SS ; C F . P . Smith , P . M . 138 S ; and T . Elliott , 103 . The ballot was taken for a candidate , and , proving

successful , the initiation ceremony was ably performed by the W . M . The Secretary , Bro . W . T . Shapland , P . M ., then said that the very painful duty devolved upon him of formally announcing the death of their esteemed Bro . Walter Minns , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., and if he did so briefly , and gave only the bare details of their departed brother's connection with the lodge , it must not be attributed to any

want of respect or desire to do honour to his memory , for he gave place to no one in his admiration of their brother ' s character , but to the fact tha ^ he knew he should be followed by a P . M . who could more eloquently do it justice . Bro . Walter Minns , then , was initiated into Freemasonry whilst in Australia , upon his return became one of the founders of that lodge , and at its consecration on

September 3 rd , 1 S 7 S , he was the first J . W . He became S . W . in September , 1 S 79 , and in 1 S 80 was installed in the chair of K . S . He was appointed P . G . P . at a Provincial Grand Lodge held at Burnham in July , 1 SS 2 . He was D . C . of the lodge in 18 S 3 , and in 18 S 4 was appointed Secretary , which office he continued to fill under successive Masters down to the date of his departure from Portishead for the

Isle of Wight in 1 SS 9 . On April 13 th , tSSg , he was presented by the _ lodge with a Past Master ' s jewel as some slight recognition of his services , and is referred to in the minutes of that day as "A faithful officer , a true brother , and a firm friend . " On October 6 th , 1 S 93 , they could assume with confidence their brother entered that Grand Lodge where the world ' s Great Architect lives and reigns

forever . Bro . W . Rice , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., regretted that the Worshipful Master's year of office should be opening under such sad circumstances . His heart was almost too full for words , whilst he felt that any attempt te praise their deceased brotherwould be an attempt to gild refined gold . His personal loss was a very great one , but every member of the lodge must mourn the loss of a brother so highly

respected as Bro . Minns had been . His character had been formed by the toolsof Masonry , all his actions were square , and as he worked with the tools of a perfect Mason so he became a perfect man . He proposed the following resolution : "[ That this lodgedesirestoexpress its deepestsympathy to Mrs . Walter Minns and her family in the hour of their great sorrow at being bereaved of so good and loving a

husband and father , and trusts that the G . A . O . T . U . will , in His mercy , endow them with fortitude to bear their heavy trial . It desires also to record its own grief and sorrow at the loss of so beloved a brother and eminent Past Master , whose memory will ever be revered in its midst alike for his ungrudging services and honourable qualities . " The

W . AL , in feefnr terms , seconded the resolution , which was carried amidst solemn silence . The lodge room was draped with mourning , and on closing , the Organist , Bro . E . Davey , P . M ., gave an impressive rendering of the Dead March in " Saul , " all the brethren reverently upstanding .

SOUTHEND . Priory Lodge ( No . iooo ) . —A meeting was held on the 19 th instant , at the' Middleton . Hotel , when there were present Bros . A . Vandervord , Prov . G . Stwd ., VV . AL ; C VV . Barnard , Prov . G . S ., S . W . ; F . j . Cumine , J . W . ; A . Lucking , P . G . P ., Sec . ; E . J . Bowmaker , S . D . ; C . H . Bowmaker , I . G . ; G . R . Dawson

P . AL , P . P . G . D ., D . C ; V . Mason , Org . ; W . Elam , Steward ; A . W . Martin , Prov . G . T ., Tyler ; C . ( Floyd , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P . ; G . J . Glasscock , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . T . Hood , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; J . Goddard , J . G . Jarvis , J . Pritchard , F . J . Wood , E . II . Taylor , H . 0 . Grenfell , and P . J . Burdett . Visitors : Bros . F . Goodenham , W . M ., J . Leancy , and J . Berry , of 1817 ; and J . E . Forbes , 917 .

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The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read and confirmed . Bro . P . J . Burdett was elected a joining member , and £ 5 5 s . having been voted to the widow of a deceased member , Bro . C Floyd , P . M ., was invested as Secretary , in place of Bro . A . Lucking , resigned , to whom a vote of thanks was accorded for past services . A candidate for initiation and a joining member were proposed . The lodge wasthen closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

SUNDERLAND . Palatine Lodge ( No . 97 ) . —The last regular meeting was of more than usual interest , on the 12 th inst ., through Bro . J . Rob = on Pattison . P . AL , having been appointed as P . S . G . W . Bro . A . Grundy , W . M ., presided , and there were also present Bros . W . Birch , l . P . M . ; W . C . Readhead , S . W . ; R . Lee , J . W . ; J . R . Cutter , Treas . ; T . Robinson , Sec . ; J . W . Hopper , S . D . ; W . J .

Robinson , J . D . ; R . Singleton , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., D . C . ; T . Shimmins , I . G . ; A . H . Paris and J . W . Hodgson , Stewards ; E . G . Watson , P . M . ; J . R . Pattison , P . M ., P . S . G . W . ; John G . Marshall , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; T . M . Watson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . H . Leech , P . M . ; G . C . Watson , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; Walter Beattie , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; T . Grieve , P . M ., Tyler ; T . Raine , John

Nicholls , Wm . Pain , J . B . Pimshon , Wm . Crisp , H . Lee , W . M . Render , H . Friend , and H . G . Fryer . Visitors : Bros . S . W . Rackley , 80 , P . G . S . ; R . F . Smith , 949 ; H . Gibson , 2039 ; T . Sadler , So ; J . Lee , W . M . 2039 ; T . Atkinson , So , P . P . A . G . D . C ; J . M . Hall , So ; A . Gray , 949 ; W . J . Todd , W . M . 80 ; E . Sutherst , P . M . 94 ; H . Havelock , 2039 ; F . W . Ingram , J . W . 949 ; R . W .

Halfnight , W . AI . 949 , P . P . G . Treas . ; H . Campbell , P . M . 13 S 9 , P . J . G . D . ; J . R . Smart , P . M . 94 ; F . Walkington , S . D . 94 ; W . Scott , S . D . 2039 ; J . G . Wilford , 1230 ; and T . S . Cowper , P . M . 2039 , P . G . S . of W . In the course of the regular business Bro . John G . Marshall , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., moved that it be entered on

the records of the lodge that Bro . J . Robson Pattison , a Past Alaster of this lodge had been appointed Provincial Senior Grand Warden of the Province of Durham . While joining in congratulating him upon the honour conferred upon him , and in which he was sure all the members of the lodge would heartily join , he would point out that history was repeating itself in a most unique manner . Exactly 100

years ago , in 1793 , a member of the Palatine Lodge was appointed P . S . G . W —he referred to Bro . Dr . Tipping Brown—whose portrait adorned the walls of the lodge . This was a matter , he thought , which might be entered on the minutes . They all knew from the work Bro . Pattison had done in the interests of the Craft , as P . A . G . Sec , that he would carry out the duties of his new position with the same credit and ability , and , although it was a great credit

to Bro . Pattison , it was also an honour to the lodge of which he was such a worthy Past Master . Bro . Pattison responded , and said he felt very keenly the honour that had been conferred upon him , and that he would , as in the past , continue to do his best for the interests of Masonry in general , and of the province and his lodge in particular . There has been general satisfaction ^ expressed in the lodges at Bro . Pattison's deserved promotion to the high and important office of P . S . G . W . of Durham .

SUTTON . Lome Lodge ( No . 1347 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , on Saturday , the 14 th inst ., when Bro . H . T . Byard was installed W . M . for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed by Bro . T . A . Hill , P . AL , P . P . G . Org ., in a manner which won the admiration of all present . Prior to

the installation Bro . C . A . Hardwick , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C , raised his own brother , A . Fuller Hardwick , to the Degree of M . AL , winning the high approbation of the brethren by the manner in which the ceremony was carried out . After the installation the W . M . appointed and invested the following brethren officers for the ensuing year : Bros C . A . Gibbs , S . W . ; A . Stribling , J . W . ; Rev . H . VV .

Turner , P . AL , P . P . G . Chap ., Treas . and Chap . ; C . A . Hardwick , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C , Sec ; Hugh Taylor . S . D . ; T . S . Cookes , J . D . ; E . D . Frost , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., D . C ; T . A . Hill , P . M ., P . P . G . O , Org . ; Harold Griffiths , I . G . ; J . H . Asman , W . A . Forster , and H . VV . Lofts , Stwds . The retiring W . AL , Bro . J . Hosking , was presented with a handsome Past Master's jewel as a mack

of the esteem in which he was held by the brethren of the lodge . A banquet was afterwards served at the Greyhound Hotel , Bro . Thorn catering to the entire satisfaction of the Party . Among the visitors present were Bros . West , Deputy rov . G . M . ; T . H . Roberts , T . Smith , J . Andrews , C . P . Lovelock , 1 . Wilson , W . G . Poole , and others . "The Health of the Outgoing W . M ., Bro . J . Hosking , "

was proposed by Bro . the Rev . H . VI . Turner , who referred in very feeling terms to the great loss Bro . Hosking had recently sustained by the death of his daughter , and to the exemplary manner in which he had carried out the duties of his office notwithstanding . Bros . Roberts and Poole responded to the toast of "The Visitors , " both speaking of the many qualities fitting the

W . M . for the exalted position that he now occupies . The musical " arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Hill , who was assisted bv Bros . Burry , Stribling , Detmar , Asman , Lofts , and Cockes . During the evening the sum of £ 8 was collected to be sent to the Worthing Lodge of Friendship , No . 851 , for the fund being raised by that lodge for the relief of the distress caused by the recent epidemic .

TOWCESTER . Fidelity Lodge ( No . 445 ) . —A good gathering of brethren assembled on Friday afternoon , the 20 th inst ., at the Conservative Club , to witness the installation of Bro . Dr . W . T . Knight , P . P . G . S . B ., S . W ., to the chair of the lodge , in succession to Bro . Mark HesIoD . who so worthily

filled the office of W . M . during the past year . The usual lodge room is at the Pomfret Hotel , and a special dispensation was granted by the Provincial Grand Master , Earl Euston , to hold the lodge at the Club . Bro . Mark Heslopi W . M ., presided over the gathering , and there were present Bros . A . P . Kingcombe , l . P . M . ; Dr . VV . T . Knig ht ,

S . W . ; H . W . Giles , J . W . ; H . Packer , jun ., Secretary-G . Osborn , P . M ., Treasurer ; H . T . Bradley , J . D . ; Simmonds , P . AL , Org . ; H . Duffett , I . G . ; E . Snedker , Tyler ; and a large number of members and visitors .