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by him , and he trusted it would always be in the future . Was it likely an Order like theirs would be able to exist so long , successfully , and satisfactorily if it were not for the principles which underlie it ? A guiding principle of the Order was Charity . They were proud to be able from time to time to

put their hands in their pockets to assist the widow and orphan , and support them in the hour of trial . He next made allusion to the social part of Freemasonry , and spoke of the improvements made during the past century . To wish

Freemasonry to be more successful than at present was almost impossible ; he thought they had arrived at the zenith of their success . He hoped the Order might remain in the successful condition it was at the present time .

The loving cup was then passed round , together with the Charity box , a collection being taken in behalf of the Hampshire Benevolent Fund .

Bro . H . R . Pink , J . P ., proposed the Right Hon . the Prov . G . M . of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight . Bro . Beach was selected for the Office in 186 9 , and had reigned over them , therefore , for the last thirty-one years . They were now

celebrating the beginning of a new century , and the position in which they found themselves at the present moment was entirely owing to the work of Freemasons in the past century . No one worked so hard as their Prov . Grand Master . At a

time when most would think they ought to retire , Bro . Beach still did very considerably more work than anyone else in the Province . He was not only connected with ordinary Craft Masonry , but he held high Offices in other degrees as well . They all knew he was the father of the House of

Commons . They trusted he would be spared for many years to hold that position , and to reign over them in the Province . The toast was enthusiastically drunk , with musical honours . On rising to reply , the Chairman was warmly applauded , lie said it gave him great pleasure to come amongst them , on

that auspicious occasion . Allusion had been made to his ruling over the Province a little over thirty years . It was a longish time , and if during that period he had done anything to merit the approbation they had been good enough to accord him , it had been owing in a great degree to those

who kindly assisted him in transacting the business of the Province . The Prov . G . Master had important functions to discharge . He had to make himself acquainted with the manner in which the Brethren under him transacted the business in different Lodges , and to do his best to promote them

as seemed consistent witk the welfare of the Province . That he had done so to the full extent he could not believe , but he could assure them he had striven to do his best . He acknowledged the assistance he had received from various Brothers , and said he could only hope he might retain their confidence

in trying to carry out the duties of his hi gh position in the best possible way he could . If he could only enlist their support , and retain their confidence , it would be ample recompense , and a pleasure to him for any little trouble he might undergo . Pie wished all the Lod ges of Portsmouth and neighbourhood prosperity and success .

The Chairman then said he was grieved to say Bro . Capt . Giles Prov . G . Sec . was not able to come , in consequence of the illness of a child , and Bro . LeFeuvre Past Dep . Prov . G . M .

was also absent owing to indispositon . Dep . Prov . G . M . Goble proposed the Committee , to whom they were indebted for the manner in which they managed the arrangements for that evening ' s proceedings .

Bro . Edmonds suitably replied , and said it was a labour of love to the Committee to get up the entertainment , the only regret being that more Brothers were not present . The Chairman now left , and his place for the remainder of the evening was filled by Bro . H . R . Pink , J . P .

A most enjoyable concert was arranged by Bro . Fryer W . M . of Portsmouth Lodge , No . 487 . The proceedings terminated with the singing of the National Anthem . " Portsmouth Times . "

LANCASHIRE CHARITY . THE fifty-second annual ball in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution was held on Tuesday , 15 th , at the Town Hall , Liverpool . The function was , as usual , of a most enjoyable description , and was

honoured by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom . The arrangements of the ball were carried out by a Committee , of which Bro . T . E . Withington Prov . G . S . W . was Chairman , Bro . Alfred Shawfield 2837 Vice-Chairman , Bro . Douglas Greame 1380 Secretary , and Bro . J . Plumpton P . M . 1570 Treasurer .

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The guests , who numbered close upon 500 , were received by the Lord Mayor ( Mr . A . Crosthwaite ) , Bro . Lord Lathom , Bro . R . Wylie D . P . G . M ., Mrs . Withington , and Mrs . Shawfield . The Patrons numbered 120 , and a staff of 70 Stewards

was captained by Bro . Thos . Bush P . M ., and Bro . T . W Gornah as Sub-Captain . The duties of Master of Cere monies were discharged by Bro . E . R . Latham P . P . G . T .

and Bro . W . B . Sweetman P . P . G . D ., and a capital programme of music was provided by Bro . George Eyton ' s band . The supper was admirably catered by . bro . VV . J . Plolmes , of the Metropole , Church Street .

In their last report of the work of the Institution the Secretaries mention that 211 children were participants of its benefits at a cost of ^ 395 us id to the Educational Fund , £ 891 os 8 d to the Combined Fund , £ 110 to the Advancement Fund , and /" 120 16 s 8 d written off cost of

presentations to various London orphanages , making a grand total of ^ 1 , 517 8 s 5 d . With regard to the expense of administration the Committee felt a certain amount of pride in directing attention to the only item of expenditure in the Treasurer ' s balance sheet , namely , £ yo 9 s iod for

stationery , printing , and postage , which was £ 15 12 s iod less than that which appeared under the same heading in the previous year . During the year under review the Institution lost by death no fewer than seventeen Brethren who were either Vice-Presidents or Life Governors .

The thirteenth annual ball of the Newcastle Brethren proved as enjoyable as any of its predecessors , attracting a more numerous attendance to the Westgate Assembly Rooms , on Thursday night , 10 th inst ., than in previous years . There was an excellent band , a pleasing programme ,

and more than 160 dancers footed the floor until the small hours of the morning . The guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Newcastle . The M . C . s included Bros . J . G .

Cole P . M . P . P . G . Std . Bearer , who was Chairman of the Committee ; and J . Tate I . P . M . Vice-Chairman . Bro . W . F . Sykes , as Secretary , was responsible for the admirable arrangements .

The ball in connection with the Anchor Lodge , No . 1337 , has been fixed to be held in Northallerton Town Hall on Thursday , 14 th February , in aid of the Masonic Charities . The ball will be under the patronage of the Worshipful Master of the Anchor Lodge Brother James

Naylor , and its Past Masters and Brethren , who are requested to appear in full Masonic dress , while the wives , daughters , and sons of Masons are desired to wear a

Masonic blue scarf . Officers of the Army , Navy , and Volunteer Services are also requested to wear full dress uniform . It is over sixteen years since a Masonic ball was last held at Northallerton .

On Thursday of last week , in the St . Helens Town Hall , the annual Masonic ball was held , under the auspices of the St . Helens Lodge of Loyalty , No . 897 ; the Ionic Lodge , No . 240 5 ; the Prince of Wales Lodge of Mark Masons , No . 446 ; the Royal Arch Chapter of Loyalty ,

No . 897 ; and the William de la More Preceptory of Knights Templar , No . 49 . The ball was in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Masonic Charities , and was under the patronage of the leading Masons oi the town and district . There was a good attendance .

Under the auspices of the Lodge of Perseverance , No . 345 , Blackburn , a Masonic dance was held in the Exchange Assembly Rooms on Thursday , 10 th inst , between seventy and eighty being present . Brother J . T . Shield was an energetic Honorary Secretary . The proceeds of the ball will be devoted to Masonic Charities .

» » The annual ball for the benefit of the Masonic Charities , promoted by the two local Lodges , the Three Grand Principles and the St . John , took place in the Dewsbury Town Hall , on the nth inst .

On the nth inst . the members of the Wakefield Lodge , No . 495 , held their annual dance in the Music Saloon , ? nd very enjoyable did the event prove to be .