Consecration Of Lodge La France. No. 2060.

No . It , and Bro . Finnis W . M . of the St . Andrew No . 231 . Thi- * was seconded by Bro . Montenuis , and carried nnanimonsly . The Secrefarv then read a list of applicants for joining and initiation , after which Lodge was closed nntil tho 3 rd Monday in November . Tho brethren , forty-four in number , adjourned to banquet . Tho first toast whic'i the W . M . had the honour to propose was that of Her

Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , with which he coupled Prosperity to tho Craft . The next was that of JT . R . FT . tho Prince of Wales M . W . Grand Master . Unfortnna * -elr , h « had not the eloquence adequately to dwell on snch an illustrious nam" , bnt he could assort , that H . R . H . gloriously reisrned , not only in every Englishman's heart , but also in everv rit'ht thinkinsr French-Min's breast The toast ho desired them

to drink was Fl . R . H . the Prince of Wales , tho Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . The next toast he had also great hononr in proposing—Our Country , La France—with it coup'inor tho namo of i \ i » President Monsieur Grevy . He trusted that the Union Jack nnd Tricolour as there presented misiht ever bo entwined with the closest bonds of hononr nnd intimate Brotherly love .

Tho Pro Grand Muster , tho Deputy Grand Master , ancl tho Grand Officers Present and Past , was next given , the name of the V . W . Bro . Ambrose Hnll Past G . Chaplain being coupled with it . That brother , in an eloquent speech , replied . There were many Grand Officers present , hut he felt that no one of them could say with greater sincerity that he wished the Lodge every success . He

considered the meeting an auspicious one in Freemasonry—leading to the banners of the two great countries , England and France , being blended in snch peace and harmony as then prevailed . On behalf of the Grand Officers ho thanked tho brethren for the honour conferred on them , and wished the Locige prosperity in all it undertook . The W . M . next proposed the toast of the Consecrating

Officer . It was superfluous for him to appeal for appreciation of such an imposing ceremony as they had that day witnessed , for he was convinced that every one present fully recognised its solemnity and impressive dignity . They owed a debt of gratitude to the distinguished brethren who had attended and consecrated their Lodge , nnd conld now express it bv honouring the toast proposed on

their behalf . The Grand Secretary replied . He had had great pleasure iu undertaking the work which had fallen to his lot , and as no I . P . M . had been appointed would take npon himself to propose tho health of the Worshipful Master . The Founders of the Lodge had selected a brother to fill the chair who was in every way capable of performing the duties required of him . Bro . Thiellay had been

known to the speaker for many years , and he was pleased to see him in the position of first Master of this Lodge , over whose destinies he was quite competent to preside . His ruling could but prove an advantage to the brethren . The W . M . replied , thanking the brethren most heartily for the honour bestowed npon him that day . He trusted that his appointment would inaugurate a perpetual and

uninterruped existence of brotherly love and prosperity to La Franco Lodge . A toasfc was then proposed , and duly honoured , on behalf of tho Worshipful Masters of the Tuscan and Sfc . Andrew Lodges , to both of which Lodgo La France was deeply indebted . Bro . Jervis W . M . 14 had great pleasure in responding to this toast , on behalf of the Tuscan Lodge ; as also had Bro . Finnis W . M . 222 on behalf of the St . Andrew . The Visitors was

then given from the chair , tho W . M . coupling the names of brother Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar of England , and Bro . Hopkinson Pasfc M : ster of the Tuscan Lodge , with fche toast . These two brethren having responded , the toast of the Officers was given . The W . M . hoped to see his S . W ., Bro . Montennis in the East when his time came round , so thafc the Lodge might have the benefit

of his Masonic abilities . TheJ . W ., Bro . Bue , was a constant attendant at the Lodge of Emulation , and might be expected to closely scrutinize what was done , while his knowledge of the ritnal must be of benefit to the Lodge . The Secretary had been most attentive to the affairs of the Lodge , and most assiduous in his efforts to seonre the success of their opening meeting . The Deacons were equally

worthy of their retrard . Bro . Cadiofc , J . P ., w . * m fcho originator of the Society Nationalo Frnrijaise . in London , with a roll of 1400 members , and from which Society only , according to bye-laws , they anticipated to receive aspirants to Lodsre La France membership . There was also Bros . Coiffier , whom the W . M . hoped to invest as Treasurer at tbe next meeting . He concluded by asking the brethren to respond

enthusiastically to the toast , because the brethren comprised in it represented the actual and future vitality of La France Lodge . The toast of the Charities followed . The proposal of this always made a benevolent Mason ' s heart glow with delight , especially when , as in the present instance , they had onr of fche well-known representatives of the great Masonic JnstitmHions present to replv . He had great

pleasure in calling on Bro . Binckes to acknowledge the toast . He was respected by all who knew him , and , ns tho indefatigable Secretary of the Boys' School , was known throughout the country . Bro . Binckes replied in his usual forcible manner , after which the Masonic Press was toasted . They had roprepen to lives present of tho FREEMASON ' S CHEONICI - , the Freemason , ancl tho Ohaine d'Unir . n of Paris—to these publications the Masonic world was gteatly indebted for the

protection of Masonic tiuths , as well as for the dissemination of its mysterious lore . Bro . Levy , responding , was pleased to be associated with the toast . It had always been his endeavour to give a proper report of the proceedings of the Lodges he visited . The Masonic Prosa always kept the great cause of Charity to the front , and , if supported , would continue to do so . The musical programme was under the direction of Bro . Fred . H . Cozens , who was assisted by Bros . Ashton , Coates , and Bevan . A most enjoyable evening was spent .

The ceremony of consecration will be rehearsed by Bro . H . E . Frances P . G . D . C . Surrey , on Monday next , the 27 th inst ., at the St . Ambrose Lodge of Instruction , Baron ' s Conrt Hotel , West Kensington . Bro . the Rev . Ambrose Hall P . G . Chaplain has kindly promised to attend and assist . A supper will afterwards be supplied .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OP LANCASHIRE .

^ HE Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Lancashire was - * - held at the Town Hall , Chorley , on Wednesday , the 15 th instant . The Provincial Grand Master the Earl of Lathom Past Grand M . M . M . presided . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the

Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master proceeded to consecrate the Lawrence Mark Lodge , No 313 , which was clone with due solemnity . The Rev . T . B . Spencer ( owing to the unavoidable absence of the Rev . S . T . B . Bradshaw Provincial Grand Chaplain ) , was unexpectedly

called upon to act as Grand Chaplain , and after the first part of the proceesional anthem he delivered an oration . In the conrse of an earnest address he rejoiced in the spread of Mark Masonry , and said he believed that in a proper observance of Masonic principles would be found

the best means of maintaining its success and vitality , lne anthem was then concluded , and the consecration prayer followed , the Provincial Grand Master subsequently pouring out the emblems -according to the ancient Masonic ritual , and dedicating and constituting the Lodge .

The following were appointed the first Officers of the new Lodge : —Bros . J . Lawrence W . M ., J . Corbitt S . W ., J . M . Kerr J . W ., J . Heald M . O ., R . Irving S . O ., A . Hall J . O ., T . F . Jackson S . D ., J . Bradshaw J . D ., L . Eccles Secretary , J . Hopkinson I . G ., and J . B . Whitnell Tyler .

Upon the conclusion of the ceremony , the business ot tne Provincial Grand Lodge was proceeded with . The roll of Lodges having been called , it was found that five were unrepresented . The following brethren were appointed and invested as Officers for the ensning year : —

Bro . J . T . Milnes 123 ... ... Prov . G . Senior Warden P . M . Hunter 268 ... ... Prov . G . Jnnior Warden J . E . Hannah 146 ... ... Prov . G . Master Overseer Joseph Jenaway 65 ... ... Prov . G . Senior Overseer Warwick Wood 136 ... ... Prov . G . Jnnior Overseer

The Rev . T . B . Spencer 143 ... Prov . G . Chaplain J . B . Cardwell 313 ... ... Prov . G . Treasurer J . B . Ragdale 142 ... ... Prov . G . Registrar John Chadwick 156 ... ... Prov . G . Secretary J . C . Hunter 36 ... ... Prov . G . Senior Deacon

James Hall 113 ... ... Prov . G . Jnnior Deacon T . Milner 158 ... ... Prov . G . Inspector of Works W . W . Cotfcam 143 ... ... Prov . G . Director of Cers . James Corbitt 313 ... ... 1 ' rov . G . Assist . D . of Cers ,

James Sutcliffe 182 ... ... Prov . G . Sword Bearer John Boland 189 ... ... Prov . G . Standard Bearer A . G . Leigh 313 ... ... Prov . G . Organist W . Ed wards 171 ... ... Prov . G . Pursuivant

John Bradshaw ... ... Thomas Sharpies ... ... £ Prov . G . Stewards T . J . Jackson 313 ... ... J James Sly .., ... ... Prov . G . Tyler It was proposed and resolved that the following sums be

granted : £ 10 10 s to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution ; £ 10 10 s East Lancashire Masonic Benevolent Institution ; and £ 5 5 s fco the "Dewar" Fund . Bro . H . G . Bell W . M . said he was authorised , on behalf of Lodge 143 , to extend to the Provincial Grand Lodge a

cordial invitation to visit Preston next year . Bro . A . Beattie , in supporting , assured the Provincial Grand Master that if Preston was chosen a warm welcome would be extended . The decision rests with Lord Lathom , and will not be made known for some months .

Earl Lathom having been thanked for consecrating the Lawrence Lodge , the Provincial Grand Locige was closed , after the Provincial Grand Master had stated that , acting on the advice of his physician , he should be compelled to return home before evening , and therefore must deprive himself of the pleasure of dining with the brethren .

The banquet was well served to about seventy brethren at Ftansfield's Hotel , the chair being occupied by Brother Hargreaves , of Accrington , acting Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master .

ALFRED LODGE , No . 247 . rnHE festival and installation of this Lodge was held ia fche J- Masonic Hall , Alfred Street , Oxford , on Wednesday , the 15 th . inst ., when the W . M . elect , Brother J . M . Dormor P . P * G . A . Sec , was installed to the government of the Lodge for the coming year . The ceremony was carefully rendered by Bro . Christopher Park P . P . G . W ., the other chairs being filled by Bros . Rev . J . H . Jukes