Notices Of Meetings.

ladies contributed to promote the harmony of the evening by songs and recitations . Tho W . M . 's garden party at Osborne House , Clayton , on Saturday , tho 9 th inst ., was well attended by the brethren and ladies , who spent a very enjoyable afternoon $ the host and hostese spared no paicB to promote the pleasure and comfort of their guests . s i i !

EAST LANCASHIRE CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 .

AN emergency meeting of this Lodge was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , tbe 3 rd inst . The Lodge was duly opened by Bro . Major John Heap W . M ., who called upon the Secretary to read for the information of brethren present the minutes of ft former emergency meeting , held 17 th April . The principal business of the evening was the initiation of Mr . James Nasmyth Sidebotham , Second Lieutenant 3 rd V . B . Ghoshiva

Regiment , which ceremony , after the nsual ballot had taken place , was psrformed by the W . M . Brother Cilonel Eaton had given notice of motion , " That 10 gu is be subscribed to the funds of the Royal Masonio Educational and lienevolei fc Institution , " whiob , upon being pat to the meeting , was unanimously assented to . At the festive board which followed , songs were givon by various brethren , nnd > ' ' ' * '

Loyal and Masonic toasts submitted , a very pleasant evening being spent . There were present—Bros . Major John Heap W . M ., Colonel John Eaton I . P . M . P . P . G . S . of Works Provincial Grand Treasurer , Captain D . P . Sohloss S . W ., John Challenor Chaplain , 2 nd V . B ., Capt . Fred Pratt Secretary , Cap * . Walter Hughes J . D ., Major W . U . ' ' » '

Hopkins P . M . P . P . G . D . of C , Colonel Honry L . Rocca P . M . P . P . G . J . D ., Captain Henry Thomas P . P . G . J . D ., Capt . Geo . Kershaw , Capt . A . W . Galloway , Captain Peter Nightingale , Captain T . W . Ash worth . Visitors—Bros . Dr . H . Leslie-Jones P . M . 62 , late 2 nd V . B ., Charles S . Wilson I . P . M . 1253 , Edward Roberts P . M . Prov . G . D . T . ( FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE ) , and others . •> •»

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . THE regular meeting of the nbovo Lodge was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , the 26 th nit ., Brother F . W . WollBston W . M . This was the last meeting prior to the recess , and as there was very little business to be transacted , the W . M . contented himself by opening and closing in the three degrees . At tha festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonio toasts were submitted nnd

duly responded to , after which Bros . H . W . Brookbauk and Martin Thomas P . M . P . P . G . D . Dir . of Cers ., the former having just returned from Colombo , and the latter having paid a recent visit to America , were called upon to recount their experiences . We had not the pleasure of hearing Brother Brockbank , bnt was informed that his remarks were of an exceedingly interesting character . Bro . Thomas ,

who spoke for upwardB of an honr , gavB a very complete and vivid description of his visit to Washington , Chicago , and other places of interest in the land of the stars and stripes , and , as an admirable raconteur proved at least that his progress had not been barred by mere desultory sight-seeing or easy dilettantism , but that he possessed the faculty of quick receptivity , combined with that of a

prolific working tonnst . He left ManoheBt ? r shortly before Whitsuntide , and although tho intervening time seemed short , yet he considered that ho had not been icactive . Upon arrival he was pleased to find that Freemasonry had gained a healthy hold upon American communities , and that it was a popular theme , the ladi-s particularly being great admirers of it . Nearly every city had its

Masonio teuiplo , the first whioh Bro . Thomas visited being the one at Washington . Unfortunately , be bad not an opportunity of seeinn any work performed in that city , but he interested himself in the building instead . He gained an introduction to Bro . W . R . Singleton Grand Secretary Dominion of Columbia , who could boast that ho had taken tbe 33 degrees of Mnsonry . Bro . Singleton was good enough

to accept him upon bia bare word , and generously dispensed with any test . He acted as guide through tho building , and pointed out the objects of interest , amongst others being the library and offices , from the former of which it appears that the members of the Craft and their families , under certain conditions , derive tbe privilege of being enabled to borrow books . He paid a visit to tho magnifioent Lodge

rooms for various degrees , which be described , explaining also the many remarkable innovations by which they differed from English Lodges . From hence , Brother Thomas went to Chicago by train whioh i 8 of course one of the American " big things "; touched lightly upon the World's Fair , the present attraction ; but preferring to add to our knowledge of Craft lore , he described the wonderful

Masonio Temple , whioh is , perhaps , after the exhibition , the chief Bight of the place . It is said to be the highest building in America , Standing as it does 21 floors high , and streams of people may be seen passing in and out during the whole of the day . Bro . Thomas was cordially received by Brother Bernard Grand Secretary for State of Illinois , who evinoed an extreme willingness to supply him with

information . It oppears that two Lodges wore being held in this building , viz ., tbe Covenant and Oriental Lodges , the former beiug the larger , containing upwards of 600 members . The Lodge room which enjoys the unique distinction of beiug at the greatest altitude of any in the world , is of that superb nnd brilliant character which defios description . It is lit by electric jets , of which there are several hundreds . Bro . Thomas described tbe Blue Lodge room

whioh is also lit by eleotricity , and is almost as magnificent as the other ; the banqnetting and drawing rooms ; Consistory Court , and tbe numerous ofBceB . At the Covenant Lodge , held upon the evening of his visit , our narrator was introduced to tho W . M ., who received him heortily , and he became a willing spectator of the ceremonial , the name being of a very interesting character , which , however , we are precluded from describing here . A certain well-known North of England entertainer whom , for the purpose of our story we will call

Notices Of Meetings.

Mr . Jackson , was in the habit of vaunting that he was a Freemason , , and sometimes managed to imposo upon young members of tho Craft who did net know bis failing . On one occasion he was boasting in the usual way , when one of the company , who waB a veritable . wag , said he would put an important test question to him , and his belief in tho genuineness or otherwise of the pretentions of

Mr . Jackson would depend npon the mannor in which he answered . With perfect imperturbobility he inquired "in what portion of the Lodge the Worshipful Master hung his hat ? " and received the answer , given with equal gravity , " on th 9 baok of that Officer ' s ohair . " The questioner admitted ironically " that Mr . Jackson had * indeed proved himsolf to be a Freemason . " Wo were forcibly reminded

of this story during the progress of Bro . Thomas ' s graphic description , 9 and the fact suggested itself to ns that Mr . Jackson had got hold of 3 some American joker , who had discovered his weakness , and who 3 had taken advantage of the same to extract a little fun out of him . 8 Bro . Thomas reverted to a very praiseworthy feature in connection i with the American ' s method of proving his philanthrophy . A brother ,

who was a foreigner and an entire stranger , had met with an accident , whioh fact came to the knowledge of tbe W . M ., who ordered ( with the acquiescence of the Lodge ) that the medical and other expenses should be paid out of the Lodge funds , the W . M . further stating that should tho accident prove fatal , ho would feel it to be his doty to attend tbe funeral . Another caso of a similar kind

also received prompt nttontion . "Indeed , " said Bro . Thomas , " their Institutions are purely charitable , nnd as a means to this end , they dispense entirely with the festive board except at the time of installation . " The above , whioh is a portion of a very attractive descriptive tour , induced a hearty vote of thanks on behalf of the brethren , who had listened with rapt attention . Bro . Thomas

responded in suitable terms . There were present : —Bros . F . W . Wollaston W . M ., W . A . Brabnsr S . W ., C . H . Beever J . W ., C . Harrop Treasurer , Fred Hilton P . M . P . G . D . C , M . Thomas P . M . P . P . G . D . D . of C ., G . R . Ward S . D ., Samuel Luke , Thos . Hamnett , W . W . Hitching , R . Brown , Herbert W . Brockbank , J . W . Lloyd P . M . Visitors—Bros . Wm . H . Ballard P . M . 350 , Wm . Sharpies 2359 , Ed . Roberts P . M . P . G . D . T . ( FKEEMASON ' CHKONICIE ) .

Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction . —Held at the Moor . ' gate , 15 Finebnry Pavement , on Monday , the 17 th inst . Present : — \ Bros . A . Scurrnh W . M ., W . Scurrah S . W ., Ellenger J . W ., W . M . Stiles Preceptor , Lewes Deputy Preceptor , Johnson Assist . Secretary , Millet S . D ., Elliot J . D ., Moss I . G . ; P . M . ' s Bros . Edmonds , Gregory , Hose , Whiting , Flemming , D . Smith ; Bros . Price , Smith , Price , and

Lake . The Lodge was opened and the minutes were read and confirmed . Bro . Edmonds answered the questions leading to the second degreo and was entrusted . Lodge was opened in the second degree , and tho ceremony of raising rehearsed , Bro . Edmonds acting candidate . Lodge was opened in the third degree , and resumed to the second . Bro . Esmonds was presented to tbe W . M . as Worshipful

Master elect to receive the benefit of installation and was obligated in duo form . Lodsro was resumed in tho third degree . Tbe W . M . then installed Bro . Edmonds in very impressive and painstaking style , delivering tho addresses in an oarnest nnd perfect manner , gaining tho approval and approbation of the many brethron present . Bro . W . Scurrah as Director of Ceremonies gavo valuabio assistance .

Bros . Cooper , Whattor , and Day wero elected joining members . Bro . Stiles proposod that Bro . W . Scurrah S . W . should be elected W . M . fur the ensuing week ; Bro . Ellengor socondod tho proposition , which was carried unanimously . In returning thanks to the brethren for olecting him W . M . for tho onsuing week , Bro . W . Scurrah said it was a great honour and pleasure to bo W . M . of that popular Lodge

of Instruction . There wero n great numbar of tbe regular attendants who were very excellent workers in their beautiful ceremonies , and if tho brethreu would come and support him next Monday he would , he hoped , by perseverance and sturiy , bo able to discharge the dnlies of tbe chair to tho satisfaction of the brethren . A letter from

BIP . Saunders the Secretary was read , stating his gradual improvement , though it would be some time before he could be amongst them again . The greatest pleasure was expressed by the brethren on Bro . Saunder ' s recovery , hoping they would soon have the pleasure of his genial company and valuable services . All business being ended Lodge was closed in duo form .

Masonic Sonnets.—No. 61.

MASONIC SONNETS . —No . 61 .

BY BUO . CHAS . P . POKSHAW , LL . D .

— : o : — DUE EXAMINATION .

Let not a stranger pass your well-kept door , Until ye'vo proved his knowledge of the Square ; L ' e must give freely all the Craftsman ' s lore , Beforo ho can our Ancient Mysterie 3 sharo . Ready at all times he should ever bo

When rightly called for Duo Examination ; And they indeed are foes to Masonry Who ennnot answer with facilitation . Caution should ever whisper iu our ear ,

Bidding us test him thoroughly and well ; If ho be true , he'il have uo cause for fear , But gladly will the signs and pass words tell , Giv'ii him iu Lodge , Just , Perfect , Regular , Which will tbe firmest of our gates unbar . Winder House , Bradford . 10 th July 1803 .