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in doing so said the pleasure he felt in attaining the highest position in the Lodge was to a small extent minimised by the knowledge of the groat responsibilities which the office involved , and a nervous feeling that he might possibly not be able to perform tho duties in so worthy a manner as his predecessor , whose Masonic knowledge had been most accurate , and who was in possession of considerable eloquence , two qualities which made it the

more difficult for him to follow . However , he hoped to be able to fulfil the duties to their satisfaction . Man was but mortal , and one could not do more than one's best ; but he assured them , from the bottom of his heart , that he never undertook a duty in his life in which he meant to succeed more than he did that as the Master of the Minerva Lodge . He had the satisfaction of knowing that the good ship Minerva was manned by a set of

Officers second to none , who would assist him , as skipper , right loyally in piloting her on a successful year ' s voyage . He believed he was correct in saying that he was the youngest Master , without exception , who had ever had the honour of presiding over the fortunes of that Lodge , and they might rely upon his best efforts being put forward for the good and welfare , peace and prosperity of the good old Minerva , which had given him his Masonio birth , and so soon raised him to the highest position of the Lodge .

Other toasts followed , the gathering being a most enjoyable one . Bro . Frederick Costello performed the duties of Director of Ceremonies to the entire satisfaction of his Brethren , says the " Eastern Morning News . "

o o o PRUDENCE LODGE , No . 388 . THE annual festival of this Lodge took place at tho Masonic Hall , Halesworth , on Monday , 24 th inst ., when Bro . T . Stevenson was installed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , and appointed and invested the Officers . The banquet took place at the Angel Hotel .

SUTHERLAND LODGE OF UNITY , No . 460 . THE annual picnic of this Lodge was held on Thursday , 20 th inst ., when Chester and Eaton Hall were visited . Tho party consisted of about eighty ladies and Brethren .

BANK-TERRACE LODGE , No . 462 . THE members held thoir annual picnic on Wednesday , 19 th inst ., the location chosen being Whitewell . Over forty ladies and Brethren started from the Hargreaves' Arms Hotel , in well-appointed four-in-hands . The first stop made was at the Whalley Arms , where friend " Willum " greeted them with a hearty welcome . After a small refresher an

adjournment was made to the Abbey grounds , where the party wore photographed . A fresh start was then made , and Ribchester Bridge reached about 11 o ' clock , where a most substantial breakfast was found awaiting , to which ample justice was done . Leaving Ribchester at 12 . 30 , the drive was delightful . King Sol gave the benefit of his most powerful rays , and the rain of the day

before had made the roads all that could be desired . Passing through Lpngridge and the private road to Whitewell , good old friend Coghill ' s establishment was reached at 3 o ' clock . The party had now about an hour

to explore the beauties of the neighbourhood before dinner . A most recherche dinner , which reflected every credit on mine host , was presided over by Bro . D . C . Dewhurst W . M ., the vice-chair being occupied by Bro . Jas . Walmsley S . W .

Loyal and other toasts were duly honoured . At 6 . 30 the return journey was commenced by way of Mytton , the Hargreaves' Arms being reached at 10 o'clock , where a jovial hour was spent . So ended one of the most enjoyable picnics the members of the Craft have yet held , says the " Accrington Gazette . "

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . THE regular meeting was held at the Gransmoor Hotel , Openshaw , on Wednesday , tho 19 th inst ., the following being present : —Bros . H . J . Harrison W . M ., Hy . B . Brown I . P . M ., Robt . Adshead S . D , Geo . H . Scott J . D ., J . Chadderton I . G ., J . C . Brown Treas ., J . M . Frost Sec ., Thos . Tyers

P . M ., Wm . Kay P . M ., Jas . Robinson P . M ., Jno . Greenup P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 ( FBEEMASON ' S CHEONICLE ) , Chas . H . Griffiths , J . T . Moorhouse , Wm . B . Gleave , W . H . Wagstaff , Walter Taylor , J . G . Hewson , Thos . Bibby , J . Hibbs , Joseph Harrison , Geo . E . Mellor , John W . Fry , and Dr . E . E . Jones .

Visitors : —Bros . Jas . Hy . Walker 361 , A . Walker 654 , Geo . R . Berry 1011 , and J . Bufcterworth 1155 . Bro . Fry , who was desirous of making further progress into Freemasonry , was regularly questioned as to proficiency , and duly passed into the degree of F . C . by the W . M ., with the assistance of Bro . Whittaker P . M .

Before the close of business , Bro . Griffiths S . S ., tfho had submitted a notice of motion to the effect that a picnic be held in connection with the Lodge , introduced the matter , which upon being put to the vote was carried . The place selected being Bolton Abbey and Woods , and the date Wednesday , 24 th July .

At the festive board Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , that of the candidate being proposed by the W . M ., who , in his remarks , explained that arduous duties connected with the passenger traffic at the Manchester Ship Canal had prevented Bro . Fry from appearing among them at an earlier date , but he hoped that at their meeting in September he would be enabled to find time to go through tbe final stage .

Bro . Fry , in response , said he thanked them for the patience they had shown towards him , and ho also felt grateful to them for the kind words which had been uttered on his behalf . Whatever inconvenience be had caused them in thc past would , he hoped , be redeemed by him in the future . Bro . H . B . Brown I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., to which Bro . Harrison replied .

Other toasts followed , which were relieved by songs from Bros . Hewson , Griffiths , Moorhouse , Mellor , and Roberts P . M .

DERBY LODGE , No . 724 . THE installation of Bro . John Parry as Master of this Lodge took place on Wednesday , 26 th inst ., in the Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , in the presence of about 100 members and visitors . The ceremony of installation was efficiently performed by Bro . Heath I . P . M ., and Brother Parry was presented by Bros . Thomas Chesworth and Beacon .

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An interesting feature of the proceedings at the banquet , which was supplied by Brother Casey , was the presentation to the I . P . M . of a Past Master's jewel , together with apron and collar .

ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 795 . ON Wednesday , 19 th inst ., au ordinary meeting was held at the Ray Mead Hotel , Maidenhead . Brethren resident in the metropolis were conveyed from Paddington Station to Taplow by a saloon starting at 10 35 At Maidenhead the company , which included Bros . G . W . Tucker W . M C Doaring P . M . P . P . G . Supt . Works Berks ., Edward Allen P . M . PG A s '

Berks ., F . Foxley P . M ., Fenton P . M . P . P . G . S . W ., J . Boulting , W . C . Page D . C , E . E . Niblett I . G ., Charles Townley , Herbert Sprake , and others boarded an electric launch , which convoyed them up the river past Bisham ! The party having lunched on board , returned to Maidenhead at four o ' clock in time for the duties of the Lodge . '

Bro . Walter Aldridge , of Highbury Lodge , 2192 , and Bro . Nicholson Wolsey Lodgo , 1656 , were admitted as joining members . Mr . George Hards ' of the Ray Mead Hotel , was initiated , the ceremony of initiation being admirably conducted by the Worshipful Master . At the dinner which followed , the usual toasts were proposed and heartily responded to .

The company left Taplow at half-past eight o'clock , and an hour later arrived at Paddington , the unanimous verdict being that the day had been most pleasantly and profitably spent . The members of the Lodge and their friends were much indebted to Bro . Fenton P . M . and Bro . Charles Dearing P . M . for tho admirable manner in which they conducted the arrangements .

DALHOUSIE LODGE , No . 865 . THE vitality and energy of this prosperous summer Lodge , which may justly be called the Kensington Out-of-town Lodge , was again evidenced , says the " Kensington News , " by the large attendance of members and distinguished visitors who , notwithstanding the Ascot races , assembled on the 19 th inst ., at the Town Hall , Hounslow , for the installation meeting .

The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of last meeting read and confirmed . Tho Auditor ' s report was received ' and adopted . The ballot was taken for Mr . Albert J . Clayton , and proving unanimous in his favour , Bro . W . J . Gardener W . M . initiated him and Mr . David Liddle into Freemasonry . Bro . J . Cox the W . M .-elect was then presented and installed in a highly praiseworthy manner by Bro . Gardener .

Bro . C . G . Hatt P . M . stated he had undertaken to represent tho Lodgo as its Steward at the annual festival in aid of the funds of the R . M . B . I . for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , to be held on 26 th February

1896 , and asked for a grant from the Benevolent Fund ot the Lodge , when the very handsome sum of 25 guineas was voted for that purpose , which the W . M . and four other Brothers immediately augmented by promising five guineas each .

The W . M . presented the I . P . M . with a P . M . 's jewel , in appreciation of services rendered during the year as Master . After other routine business the Lodge was closed , when tho Brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was served in the Town Hall in a most admirable manner by Mr . Zissell , of Hounslow .

The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and responded to in a truly Masonio spirit . o o o

RICHMOND LODGE , No . 1011 . A CUSTOM which , within our knowledge , is not observed by any other Lodge in Manchester or in the districts surrounding it , but which is nevertheless very popular in the Richmond Lodge , is the meeting of the

Brethren at an early hour of the morning to instal the Worshipful Master lor the following year , occupying the remainder of the day by a picnic . This was done on Thursday , the 20 th inst ., when the Brethren assembled at the Old Boar's Head , Withy Grove , shortly after 10 a . m ., and the Lodge was duly opened .

Bro . James Standnng W . M . occupied the principal chair as Installing Master , being supported in tho other chairs by Bros . Geo . T . Lenard W . M . 1077 as S . W ., and S . Bamford P . M . as J . W . The services of several Past Masters were brought into requisition , Bros . Robert Caldwell P . P . G . Swd . Br ., John Williams , Thos . Mottcrshead , and S . Bamford rendering the various addresses , while thc Working Tools of the three degrees were presented and

explained by Bro . Mottershead , Bro . Charles Turner P . P . G . A . D . C . being responsible for the various proclamations . The work of addressing and investing the Officers for the ensuing financial year was also divided among the above quintette of Past Masters , and if the audience had gone to the Lodge expecting monotony in the proceedings , they were agreeably disappointed , for the rapid change of action all through the ceremony left one in bewilderment as to what new surprise was in store and to follow .

Altogether Bro . Geo . A . Crighton the in-going W . M . may congratulate himself upon the fact that the ceremony of his induction into the chair of K . S . was performed in a most satisfactory manner , all interested in tho work , from Bro . Caldwell ( the doyen of the Lodge ) downwards , being

thoroughly in earnest m what they did . The new Officers are as follows : — Bros . Wm . Thompson S . W ., F . T . Hair J . W ., Kinder Treas ., Henry Jones Sec , Robert Caldwell P . M . D . C , Alfred Hall S . D ., Herbert Johnson J . D , Holyoak Org ., George Pettinger I . G ., Dyson Broadbent , Robert Hall and Walmsley Stewards .

Before the Lodge was closed , Bro . Turner introduced a notice of motion , which was seconded by Bro . Caldwell , that £ 10 be given from the funds of the Lodge to thc East Lancashire Benevolent Institution . This was carried unanimously . Lunch succeeded , the same being supplied in an admirable manner by

Mrs . Stopford , of the Hotel , after which the Brethren proceeded to the Central Station , where they took train for Urmston . Arriving there the party were submitted to the photographic process , being afterwards conveyed in wagonettes to the neighbourhood of the Ship Canal , by way of Stickens Island and the locks at Barton , returning to Urmston via Carrington and Davyhulme .

Bio . John Walton P . M . had provided one of those very excellent dinners for which the management of the Victoria Hotel is justly noted . This was succeeded by the festive board , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , these being alternated by musical contributions from several Brethren .

The health of the newly-installed Worshipful Master was submitted by Bro . Caldwell , and received a suitable response . Advantage was taken of the occasion to present to Bro . Jos . Standring