Meetings Next Week.

the popular hostess Mrs . Venables , who well desery . edtihe coinpliments paid'her by the ' W . M . and " Brethren later in the evening . During the repast a string band , under ' the direction of Mr . J . Carrihgton , played some excellent selections . Grace liaving'been said ' , the W . M . in a short , but elpquent . speech gave the toast of His Majesty the King , which was well received , Miss ' Nellie Beare " singing the National Anthem .

Bro . William Croxson I . P . M . and Treasurer of the Lodge , with his usual eloquent flow of'language , ' gave the toast of ' the Worshipful Master , and " said ' although Masonic clothing was prohibited at such gatherings as ; the present , the W . M . did not really want anything of the kind , to " make him look cheerful or dignified in the position he occupied . That Ladies night of their Lodge was ' a record in their

history . ' The ' organisation of such a gathering required time , and entailed considerable trouble for the W . M . and Steward ' s ; however , the ' W . iVL'h ' ad the pieasure ' of seeing so many . smiling faces around him that he was well rewarded for his endeavour . Bro . Gabell had been one of the hardest workers in the Lodge ; he had proved himself to be a man of integrity , and one of the most able members ; he had

discharged his duties during his year of Office to his own credit , and to the honour of the Skelmersdale Lodge ; he came third on the list during the past eig hteen years of those who had taken the lead in having initiated more members than their fellows ; and in the name of the Lodge he wished that continued success might attend him .

It was with the greatest regret they knew that Mrs . Gab . ell was absent on account of illness , but lie was pleased to hear she was progressing favourably , and he hoped the W . JVL- would kindly convey to his wife the great regret of all present at her enforced absence , and their sincere wishes for her speedy recovery .

Bro ' . Gabell , on rising , was most enthusiastically received . He said he did not know what to say , but he wished he could believe that alf that had" been said concerning him was true ; , the fact was that the whole of the credit of " arranging the present enjoyable gathering was due to Bro . Boys , their'Secretary ; nevertheless he hoped all were

enjoying themselves , and trusted it would be a long da ) ' before anyone occupying the chair of the Lodge declined to hold a Ladies night . He sincerely thanked Bro . Croxson for his very kind wishes concerning Mrs . Gabell , and in conclusion again thanked the Ladies , Gentlemen , nnH Rr ' ptlirpn . Hfi trusted thevinipditcontinueto" eriibv themselves . and Brethren . He trusted they toight continue to" enjoy themselves .

Bro . Humphrey Cohen P . M . ( professionally known as Harcpurt West ) in bis / pleasant' humorous' way proposed the ' health of the Ladies . The Ladies , he said , were usually quite " ready to speak for themselves , and ' on this occasion he cordially welcomed them . He was pleased to say he was one of the first to adyo . ca . te the

admission of ladies on' such occasions as the present and } re was happy to haye done so . That ' years gathering was ' ope of the most successful of the Ladies nights tliey had had ; ' it was a . pleasure to be in the " company of the ' ladies , who were not alone pretty a'riij loying , biit were' also proving themselves to be " clever : They had invaded

the medical profession , the legal profession in Francej and-many others . The wise King Solomon was uncqmmpnly fond of the ladies , which gave proof of his great wisdom . ' He was ' not sure if the Ladies ought not to be admitted to theV Order of ifreefnasdnry . He concluded by" wishing the Ladies a most enjoyable evening , and pr . qpbse . d the toast in their honour . " .- •'• -- ' -

Bro . Frank Lloyd responded . He said the ladies did not desire to thank the members so much for the feast , " as for the tro . uble they had taken in arranging such an enjoyable evening . The Ladies looked upon such gatherings as their right , especially once a year , and many were sorry they were not more frequent . In case some young misguided youth should rule the Lodge , and . should think of not

having a Ladies night , the speaker said he would be sorry to be . ' n his place . Indeed , the : Ladies had passed a resolution— -no Ladies night , no Skelmersdale Lodge ; the way they would proceed would be , not to allow their husband , their brother , or their sweetheart to attend the Lodge , and the unfortunate W . M . would have to initiate , pass and raise himself till he was tired of it , arid then perhaps he would drown himself . The Ladies were fully entitled to everyili'iig

which had been said in their favour by the proposer of the tqastj still , they were thankful for the attempt to do them justice , ' though really the speaker might have said a great deal more . It was the wish of the Ladies that he should tell the Brethren they were thoroughly enjoying themselves , and already looking forward to a merry trip on the boards ; in fact the Ladies were only waiting for the Worshipful Master to show a good example . On behalf of the Ladies he thanked them' sincerely .

The W . M . once more rose , and said he could not let the oppor tunity pass without thanking the Stewards for their excellent assist

ance . The party then repaired to the Pillar Hall , where an excellent concert was provided under the direction of Bro ! A . E . Kipps P . M . Organist of the Lodge , which was highly appreciated . Amongst the artistes were Miss Nellie Bearej Miss Clara Pierce , Bros . E . T . Walford , J . Graham Dickinson , and others .

After this the company adjourned to the Ball room , where an excellent band , under the direction of Mr . Carrington , played some lovely music . The Ball was opened by Bro . Gabell W . M . and Bro . William Croxson I . P . M . and Treasurer , their good example being followed by scores of couples . The party departed about 4 . 30 in the morning , expressing themselves delighted with the very happy and enjoyable hours thev had spent amongst the members of the Skelmersdale Lodge .

Great compliment is due to Bro . J . Thorneloe , who acted as Master of the Ceremonies , for the ability he displayed in securing partners for the ladies ; also to the Brethren who acted as Stewards arid Committee , viz . : Bros . H . Cohen P . M ., J . Letchford P . M ., R . Rowland P . M ., R . Buckeridge P . M ., E- Side P . M ., W . Croxson I . P . M . Treasurer , S . E . Rice , W . Bennett , J . Sandell , Frank Lloyd , E . Smyth , B . Cohen , E . Wass , W . 'J . Perrin , A . Logette , F * Marlow , F , Nilen .

Meetings Next Week.

Amongst the numerous company we had the pleasure of seeing were Bro . R . Gabell W . M . and Misses J . and F . Gabell , Bro . T . Rawlings W . M .-elect and Mrs . Rawlings , Bro . H . Buckeridge P . M . and daughter , Mr . Hopton , Mr . Corbold , Bro . and Mrs . Rose , Miss Grace Wood and sister , Bro . Frank Lloyd , Bro . E . Side P . M ., wife and daughtersMr . and Mrs . C . White , Mr . and Mrs . Ward , Bro .

, J . W . Sandell , wife . and daughters , Bro . and . Mrs . Stanton , Miss Foote , Bro . R . Rowland and wife , Bro . and Mrs . Pickering , Bro . and Mrs . Byles , Bro . Howes P . M . and wife , Mr . John Hickey , Bro . H . Boys P . M . Sec , wife and daughters , Bro . and Mrs . Hammerston , Bro . J . R . Papworth , Bros . F . Perrin , Smith , Byles , F . and P . Nilen , U Sisraan , Marlow , Evans , Bro . and Mrs . A . E . Wass , Bro . and Mrs .

W . H . Greenfield , Bro . and Mrs . Rugg , Bro . and Mrs . J . C . Davies , Bro . and Mrs . J . Shaw , Mr . and Misses J . Shinn , Bro . J . D . Hyman , Bro . and Mrs . T . Thorneloe , Bro . and Mrs . J . White P . M ., Bro . May and party , Bro . Gunton , Bro . J- Hibble and daughter , Bro . and Mrs . Levy , Bro . J . Farmer J . W . and Mrs . Farmer , Bro . Baldwin P . M . P . Z . and Mrs . Baldwin , Bro . and the Misses Young , Bro . F . Atkinson , Bro .

J . Atkinson , Bro . and Mrs . Ramsden , Bro . and Mrs . Coleman , Bro . John Sulley P . M . Sec 1 S 04 , Mr . and Mrs . Collins , Mr . and Mrs . Ringer , Bro . and Mrs . Harris , Bro . and Mrs . Danson , Bro . and Mrs . Mold , Bro . H . Cohen P . M ., wife and daughters , Bro . and Mrs . Gray , Bro . J . Wynman , & c The company numbered nearly 280 so that it is impossible to give a full list of those present .

Coniidence Loci go , No . 133 . WE were present at the weekly meeting of this Lodge at the Hercules Tavern , Leadenhall Street , on Wednesday , 20 th ult ., and

were pleased to see Bro . Metcalfe Baillie in the chair , and to listen to liis ' admirable working . His Umcers were j . Done S . W ., E . G . Bygfaye J . W ., W " . Hattersley" S . D ., J . Scoones J . D ., M . Chittock LU ., J . K-: Pitt Secretary , J . W . Simeons I . P . M . acting Preceptor , Goovearfs" Treasurer .

The ceremony of initiation was . rehearsed , Bro . Bu . shell being candidate . Bro . Green , as a candidate for passing , answered the questions in a satisfactory manner . Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the ceremony of passing was carefully and fully

rehearsed by the W . M . Bro . Hobday P . M ., as a candidate for raising , '" was " entrusted . Lodge was opened in the third degree and the ceremony of raising was beautifully , smoothly , and solemnly rendered Joy the * $ ' . &/! .., affording instruction and happiness to the numerous Brethren .

On the ' motion of Bro . Simeons a letter of sincere sympathy was directed to i ? . e sent to Bro . Preceptor Spice , hoping his indisposition might speedily terminate .

ON the 27 th ult ., Bro . Done , having been elected to the position of Worshipful Master the previous' week , opened the . Lodge with commendable punctuality , ably supported by Bro . Bygrave S . W ., Hattersley J . W ., Lough S . D ., Chittock J . D ., Goodchild . I . G ., J . K . Pitt Secretary , Metcalfe Baillie Assistant Sec , Goovearts Treasurer , Spice P . M . Preceptor , Simeons I . P . M ,. , Plowright P . M ., Mears P . M ., and many other Brethren .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed by the W . M ., Bro . W . H . Johns being candidate . Lodge was opened in the second degree , when the W . M . gave way to Bro . Bushell J . W . of the Mother Lodge , who was desirous of working the ceremony of raising . Bro . Simeons P . M . proved his proficiency as the candidate

and was entrusted . Lodge was opened in the third degree when Bro . Bushell rehearsed for the first time the ceremony of raising , in a manner which showed that when in the course of time he will attain to the exalted rank in the . ' . cast , the grand workings for which the Mother Lodge is so well known will be fully maintained .

Emulation Lodge , No . 25 . 6 . THE annual festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement which , founded in 1 S 23 , is by many regarded as the Grand Lodge of Instruction , was held at Freemasons' Hall on Friday , 1 st inst ., the Earl of Warwick Deputy Grand Master of England and rrovincial Grand Master of Essex presiding .

Lodge was ojjened at 6 o clock , with Bro . R . Clay Sudlow P . G . Standard Bearer officiating as W . M ., and the Sections of the first degree were worked by the following Brethren : Bros . G . R . H . Clark W . M . 1965 , J . F . Roberts W . M . 76 , M . V . Cassal 1415 , J . H . Jenks P . M . 8 P . G . Stwd . ; T . W . Allsop P . M . 8 S P . P . G . D . C . Bucks , J .

Collett Smith 19 6 5 , W . R . Bennett P . M . 1965 . The large Hall was completely filled by members and visitors , and the sections were worked absolutely perfectly . The Earl of Warwick in the course of his remarks specially commended Lodge No . 1965 , which had sent up three such eloquent section workers . Afterwards the Brethren , to the number of about 600 , adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern , where the annual banquet took place .

yVestbourrto Lodgre , No . 733 , PRESENTATIONS TO PRECEPTOR AND SECRETARY . ON the , 19 th ult ., Bros . C . E . Lilly W . M . 733 W . M . W Hallett P . M . 733 S . W ., H . H . Bagnall J . W ., G . Weaver P . M . 731 Treas ., H . E . Dehane P . M . 1543 P . P . G . S . D . Essex Preceptor , G . D . Mogford P . M . 2362 Sec , E . Thomas S . D ., F . Busby J . D ., E . J . Potter I . G ., T . Mogford P . M ., R . Knight P . M ., W . H . Handover I . x . M . 1642 , R ~ Barnes , G . Goddard , A . H . Tapling , W . Weiffenbach , F . Chidley , F . J . Middleton , G . A . Newman .

After the Lodge had been opened and the ceremony of Installation rehearsed , the W . M . rose and said he had to discharge a singularly pleasant task , a pleasure which could be shared by even

INSTRUCTION . « * *