Provincial.

and exemplary manner by Bro . Fraser , after which the W . M . appointed and invested his Officers . After the banquet , in proposing the toast of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , tho W . M . stated that there was one other Prince of Wales , afterwards King George IV ., who had witnessed the sixtieth year of his parent ' s reign . That

Princo of Wales had a title given him which , in a certain sense , might have been appropriate . But those who had lately read the account of Mr . Gladstone ' s funeral , and the touching incident of our Grand Master ' s behaviour on that occasion towards Mrs . Gladstone , would confess that to the present Prince of Wales , far better than to the former one , belonged the title of " The First Gentleman ol Europe . "

Bro . the Rev . W . T . Pratt proposed the toast of the evening , the W . M . Bro . the Rev . J . H . Pilkington . They had , he said , placed at their head a most excellent and enthusiastic Mason , one who would reflect honour on their choice , and he expressed the wish of the Lodge that the W . M . might have a happy and prosperous year of office .

The W . M ., in reply , thanked Bro . Pratt and the Brethren for the very kind way in which this toast had been proposed and received . He thought he could not do better in the responsible position into which he had that day been installed than to try aud follow the example set him by Bro . Pratt , and he trusted that with the help of the Officers of the Lodge , which he felt confident would be readily accorded him , the coming year would be a successful one .

Bro . E . W . Lynch submitted the toast of the I . P . M ., and stated that Bro . the Rev . W . T . Pratt had now handed on to his successor the cares and responsibilities of his high office , and he was sure that the Brethren would agree with him that during the past year Bro . Pratt had done his level best ; he had rendered excellent work , and had done all that he could to enhance tho reputation of the Fidelity Lodge , and uphold its high traditions . Bro . Lynch asked the Brethren to accord to this toast the reception which it so thoroughly deserved .

Bro . Pratt said he rose with some little diffidence to respond to the toast , which had been put in such eulogistic terms . He deprecated the praises bestowed upon himself , and attributed the success of the year in great measure to the generous support accorded to him by the Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge .

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . r'PHE regular meeting was held at tbe Gransmoor Hotel , Higher . Openshaw , I on Wednesday , 15 th inst ., Bro . Robert Adshead W . M . As there was no especial business to transact , the Lodge was not opened until a late hour , and an opportunity was afterwards given for a lengthy festive board , where a very pleasant evening was spent , the harmony which relieved the usual toasts being contributed by Bros . Chas . H . Griffiths J . W ., J . H . Smith P . M . P . D . G . S . Bombay , Arthur Mellor , J . T . Moorhouse , Matthew Goth , Wm . Nelson , and others .

DERBY LODGE ,. No . 724 . THE annual meeting was held on the 22 nd inst ., in the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , and was attended by nearly 100 members and visitors . Bro . R . Robertson was installed as W . M ., at the hands of Bro . W . Briscoe retiring Master , to whom a handsome Past Master ' s jewel and clothing were presented .

The Brethren afterwards dined under the presidency of the W . M ., and highly enjoyed a musical entertainment provided under the direction of Bro . W . Hudson .

o o o DORKING LODGE , No . 1149 . THE annual installation was held in the Lodge room at the Public Hall , Dorking , on Monday . Bro . James A . White was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being performed by Bro . E . Withers W . M . An adjournment was made to the White Horse Hotel , where the annual banquet was served , the chair being taken by Bro . E . Withers , in the absence , through family bereavement , of tbe newly appointed W . M .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . AN emergency meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Ohorlton-cum-Hardy , on Tuesday , 7 th inst . The principal business of the evening was that of raising Brother A . V . Sharratt to the sublime degree of M . M ., the ceremony being undertaken by Bro . J . R . E . Birkett W . M ., while Bro . H . W . Bloomer J . W . presented and explained tbe working tools to the candidate .

At the festive board which followed , songs and recitations were contributed by Bios . Hy . Nail P . M . P . P . G . T . Organist , C . H . Beever P . M , D . C , W . Rushton J . D ., W . Thos . Watts 2363 , and others .

u o o CONCORD LODGE , No , 1534 . THE regular meeting was held at Chester Bank , Prestwich , on Thursday , 16 th inst ., the principal business of the evening being that of balloting for and initiating Mr . Thomas Schofield , Buyer , Prestwich , into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Bro . H . B . Fawssett W . M . performed the ceremony , with the assistance of Bros . Dr . F . Stephenson S . W ., and Jas . Kershaw J . W ., the former rendering the ancient charge , and the latter presenting and explaining the working tools of the degree .

At the festive board which followed , songs and sketches were rendered by way of relieving the various toasts , several Brethren being put under contribution .

o o o ARLECDON LODGE , No . 1660 . ON Wednesday , lst inst ., the installation of Bro . William Hannah took place in the Freemasons' Hall , Prizington . The Lodge was opened by Bro . J . J . Little W-M ., and there was a good attendance of visitors from the various Lodges in the district . After the transaction of the ordinary business of the Lodge , Bro E Jackson I . P . M . presented Bro . Wm . Hannah S . W . for the benefit ' of installation , which was conferred in a most impressive manner .

A presentation of a beautiful Past Master ' s Jewel was made to Bro J J Little the retiring W . M ,, by Bro . H . Hartley P . M . P . P . G . St . B ., in very pleasing terms , and was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Little .

Provincial.

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . THE regular meeting took placo at the Town Hall , Pendleton , on Friday , 17 th inst . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bro . Albert Thomas Mills was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Bro . Wm . Lambert W . M . The ceremony was well done , and the W . M . received many encomiums from speakers at the festive board which followed , the careful Deaconing of Bros . P . B . Hayden and John Harwood being also referred to in terms of praise .

Bro . J . Harrop P . M . P . P . G . D . proposed the health of the candidate , which was duly acknowledged by Bro . Mills , who said he had been trying to collect his thoughts together so as to say a few words in answer to Brother Harrop . It was difficult to imagine that the social and moral virtues could be impressed upon one more forcibly than by such a ceremony as the one through which he had just passed . He sincerely hoped he would be able to do his duty in his humble way , aijd add to the traditions of the Lodge . Other toasts followed , the musical element being of a humorous and attractive character .

v w . V TENNANT LODGE , No . 1992 . THE annual pic-nic took place at Dunraven Castle , on Wednesday , 22 nd inst ., in delightful weather . The party consisted of a large number of ladies and gentlemen , who thoroughly enjoyed the varied entertainments provided for the day . The Worshipful Master of tho Lodge Bro . Richard Mumford extended a hearty welcome to the guests , and at the

luncheon was toasted with great enthusiasm . The M . C . 's were Bros . J . H . Ruddock Secretary , and Pred Richards S . D ., and the Secretary of the pic-nic was Bro . George H . Walters . Bro . J . H . Taylor Prov . Grand Senior Warden was given a place of honour at the table . During the afternoon Miss Jenkins was presented with two gold bracelets , on the occasion of her approaching marriage .

SHURMUR LODGE , No . 2374 . A MEETING was held on the 16 th inst ., at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , under the presidency of the Worshipful Master Bro . S . C . Kaufman . There was a large attendance of Brethren , including several Visitors . The business included the raising of Bros . W . M . Beck , H . C Gardiner , Max Croner , Moss Moseley , and Simon Moseley , tha passing of Bro . H . Keys , and the initiation of Messrs . 0 . Cox , A . Moseley , J . Moseley , and H . Eustace .

Bro . Holland S . W . was elected W . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . Wm . Shurmur P . G . St . B . England was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Ives re-elected Tyler . On the conclusion of the business the Brethren adjourned to an excellently served banquet , Bro . Kaufman presiding .

Bro . W . Shurmur replied to the toast of the Grand Officers , and made special reference to the magnificent demonstration of Masonic loyalty at the Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and the record subscription of £ 134 , 000 . Bro . W . Gower Provincial Grand Treasurer of Essex replied for the Provincial Officers , and in the course of a happy little speech said his duties had chiefly consisted of signing cheques for charities . Every step he had taken in Masonry had been through their dear Brother Shurmur .

The toast of the Worshipful Master was proposed by Bro . Shurmur m most appreciative terms , and Bro . Kaufman suitably replied . The remaining toasts included tbe Immediate Past Master and Past Masters , replied to by Past Masters Bestowe , Speller , and Shurmur , and the Officers—Bro . Speller in proposing this toast paying a high tribute to the services of Bro . Shurmur Treasurer and Bro . James Clark Secretary .

The musical programme included songs by Bros . Gurney Russell , Darling , and others , and a most pleasant evening was spent . It is well worthy of special mention that the Lodge sent up to the Boys Centenary Festival , by special Stewards two hundred guineas , and another £ 300 by Stewards unattached .

s s yj DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE regular meeting was held at the Palatine Hotel , Hunt's Bank , Manchester , on Thursday , 9 th inst . In the absence of the W . M . Bro . Thos . T . Hardicker P . M . P . P . G . Std . Br . took the principal chair , and raised Bro . T . W . Lewin to the sublime degree of M . M . There was a very good attendance of members , the visitors being Bros . Walter Cassidy 1011 , and E . L . Barritt 1052 .

The Holyday Season.

THE HOLYDAY SEASON .

rriHE Great Western Railway Company announce their usual series of I excursions for the summer season , and tourists to the many famous places of recreation on this Company ' s line will find their requirements fully provided for . There are two express services each day to the Channel Islands , via

Weymouth , the quickest and best route , with the shortest sea passage , tho day express leaving Paddington ( Sundays excepted ) at 8-50 a . m ., and the night express ( Sundays also excepted ) at 9-45 p . m . In the one case Guernsey is reached about 5 p . m ., in the o & her at 6-30 a . m ., and Jersey about 7 p . m . and 9 a . m . respectively . Excursion tickets are issued every Saturday by these trains , at a fare of 24 s 6 d return , available for a fortnight

or less . There are also regular excursions starting on Wednesdays , Thursdays , Fridays , or Saturdays , to the chief West of England Stations , the tickets being available for a week , a fortnight , or less , further particulars of which will be found in our advertisement columns from time to time during the season .

Different parts of ( Ireland may be visited for a fortnight by excursions arranged for at frequent intervals during the summer , while cheap tickets are issued daily for trips to the favourite riverside resorts , to Burnham Beeches , & c . Fuller particulars in regard to the different trips may be had at the Company ' s Stations , at the usual Receiving Offices , or will be forwarded on application to the chief offices at Paddington .

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