Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.

The first toast was " The Queen , " which was received in a thoroughly loyal manner , after which Miss Topiiffe gave " God save the Queen , " with capital effect . Thc second toast on the list was " H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master . " The Provincial Grand Master referred to the very gic . it interest which His Koyal Highness took in connection with the Craft , and he ( the speakcrl

regarded it as a great honour that in the midst of his numerous and varied engagements he consented to rule over the Craft . He hoped he might long be spared to rule over them , and when iu thc order oE Providence he should be placed at the head of this realm he bad no doubt he would be an honour to the country , and he hoped to the world at large .

After " God bless the Prince of Wales " had been sung , the Chairman proposed " H . R . H . the Princess of Wales and the rest of thc Royal Family . " He remarked that the Princess lived in lhc affections of the people , and , with thc exception of the Queen , she was thc most popular woman in the realm of Great Britain . He was quite ' satisfied that no other Royal Family could compare with the Royal Family

of England . They looked upon thc Siatc and upon the army and navy wilh pride , and with pride he would say that they would back their Royal Family against any other . They were the ornaments of the constitution , and as Freemasons they would siick to them as long as they lived . Bro . the Rev . Thomas Radley ( of Ashton ) , Past Provincial

Grand Chaplain , then proposed " The Right I lon . thc Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pin Grand Master ; the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The rev . gentleman said he proposed tlie toast with considerable pleasure , remembering as he did that upon the ability , industry , and care displayed by those who managed the business

depended the welfare of thc Craft . As it was with the Grand Lodge , so it was with every Craft lodge , ability and care would render their operations successful . A lodge might have a good Master , but it would be impossible for him to do everything f .-r hislodge unless he had good officers as Senior and Junior Wardens . When they found so many amongst them so efficiently performing the duties devolving upon them in the shape of the charges and lectures

connected with Masonry , and when he recollected that these men could work a lodge as well as the best Master in the room , their greatest thanks were due to the Grand Master for having appointed them . If all thc officers of every lodge and the Wardens of every lodge were as efficient as those named in the toast , every lodge would be as efficient as it would be possible for a lorlge to be . High though they be in social rank , he urged those present to take them as an example anil carry ont the work in the

same way . Bro . George Mcller , Mayor of Ashton , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , then proposed " The Health of Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . Provincial Grand Master . " He said he scarcely needed to sneak of the good qualities of the gentleman named , as they were well known to all present . If they were to search ihe whole of the Eastern

Division they could not find a gentleman more suitable for the position he occupied . I le was kind , courteous , and liberaf ; in fact , he could scaicely find words to express his and their appreciation of his good qualities . ( Cheers . ) Take him for all and all they would never see his like again , as they could nut find a brighter ornament in Freemasonry .

The toast was icceived wilh the greit . st enthusiasm . Thc Provincial Grand Master , in rUing to respond , was greeted with loud and prolonged cheer ' . He thanked thc brethren for the way in which the toast hail been received , but without any egotistical meaning being attached to it , he felt that he was placed in thc proud position of being over the largest number of lodges of any province in the

kingdom . ( Cheers . ) Each lodge was like an industrious hive , and was doing its best to benefit mankind . Naturally they had many and varied duties to perform , but so much good having been done came from their combined efforts , without which they would be nothing belter than a rotten rope , or as sand from the rca shore . It was the brethien present , not himself , who had nude Freemasonry what it

was . It was they who filled that large hall , and so ably conducted the business of Masons . It was a grand and ennobling spirit which was found in the bosom of every Mason in Lancishirc . They would leave a heritage which would not be di * perscd by the winds . He felt that he could not sufficiently ihank them for the able manner in which they carried on their businc .-s . They had

intricate business to be managed , but they hid a natural appreciation of business especially noticeable in Lancashire men . Brethren ( continued the speaker ) 1 am proud of you . I wouldn't change for any province in Ihe world . When We go into anything unitedly there ' s no province can beat us , and never will do . Wc have done it before , and are doing it now , aud will do it again , aud let the whole world

see what Lancashire can do . The county has produced the best people and the most charming Indies in the world . I have been born on the sod , have been made a Mason on the sod , and I'll stick to thc soil as long as I live . Thc times may not be so prosperous for Masonry as they have been , but let us keep up our charities , of which we are proud . I thank you for the success you have hitherto

achieved with regard to Masonic charities , and 1 hope you Will do your best to maintain them , and if your funds increase you will have something to draw from . Masonry differs from every benefit society , where a man puts his money in to draw it out again for his own benefit . You Put your money in and then vote ( or the most deserving

case of universal charity . Before I sit down let me rhank you for the very great exertions you have made . I see these tables most beautifully adorned , we have had most excellent -music , and we shall have more . Let us continue to have confidence in each other , and when we are called away may we leave a name behind us that we lived 'or thc benefit of God ' s greatest creatures , mankind .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.

Bro . Dr . Roylc proposed " Thc Health of George Mellor , Esq ., Worshipful Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and thc Prov . Grand officers , Present and Past . " He said in their Deputy Provincial Grand Mastrr they had a brother who possessed the kindly feeling which they so much loved . The longer they had known him the loi-ger they had appreciated and admired his truly Masonic qualities . With

regard to their meeting that day , he could only say it had been a great day for Bury . A great responsibility had that day been imposed upon Bury . They had showered honours and distinctions that day upon Bury , and they looked upon it with the greatest satisfaction ( Jand highly e .-teemed those brethren who had had honours " and distinctions conferred upon them . .- -. "

The Deputy Grand Master ( the Mayor of Ashton ) responded . He thanked the brethren on behalf of the Principal Officers , Pa-t anrl Present , for thc way in which the toast hail been received , and remarked that nothing gave him greater pleasure than being surrounded by his Masonic brethren . ( Hear , hear . ) It gave him great pleasure to be connected with the lodge , and he hoped it would be the

desire of every one to attain the position he occupied . They must remember that it was a long time since he became a Mason , 36 years —( Cheers)—and they could not expect everything at once . He hoped , however , they would attaij ) the position he then held , if it was possible . The Chaiiman then proposed "Thc Worshipful Masters of thc Bury Lodges . " He considered this the

toast of thc evening , and when he called their attention to the five Bury lodges , he could assure the Masters of those lodges , that the impression upon his mind , as well as upon the mind of every Mason present , was that they had not laboured in vain . He hoped they would accept the thanks of himself and other brethren and visitors for the admirable manner in which they had arranged for the present

meeting . Bury had for a long time held a high position in Masonry in the provinces . It had one of the oldest lodges in this province , and it was the nucleus oi Masonry for much larger towns . He felt a great attachment to Bury , as it was in this town where he was firr-t made a Provincial Grand Officer of West Lancashire , and early impressions lasted longer than those gained in old age .

He felt certain that when he carne there everything would be done that possibly could be done , but his most sanguine hopes had been far surpassed . Ho hoped that tha true Masonic spirit which the five Worshipful Masters manifested might be honoured by those who succeeded them . He took this opportunity of thanking the five Masters for the kindness and courtesy which they had displayed .

Bro . Carter , W . M . of the oldest lodge in Bury , responded to the toast . lie was yery pleased that lie had given satisfaction , especially when they did their best in what provision they made . Bro . J . L . Hine , P . P . S . W . ( Manchester ) , proposed "The Masonic Charities , " to which Bro . Jac . Terry , Secretary of the Royal Masonic BeircvolcntI nstitution , ably responded .

Bro . W . O . Walker , J . P ., Bury , then proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " to all of whom he wished health , wealth , and long life . The toast was coupled with the name of Bro . Evans , of Liverpool , one of thc Past Masters , to which that gentleman briefly replied . Bro . Chorlton ( Manchester ) propose ! "The Army , Navy , and Volunteers , " to which the Chairman and Bro . G . A .

O Neil , Lieutenant of the Sth L . R . V ., icspondcd . Bro . Smethurst proposed " The Ladies , " to which Bro . W . Barritt responded , the latter hoping that thc next time the Grand Lodge was held in Bury he would not be in thc position of having to respond to the same toast . A vote of thanks to the singers was proposed by Bro . Hargreaves , of Haslingdcn , and responded to by Bro . S .

Bailey . At this stage of the proceedings the Provincial Grand Master was compelled to retire , and in doing so he was greeted with enthusiastic cheers . Bro . Neil having taken the chair , Bro . W . O . Walker , Prov . G . J . W ., proposed "The Health of the Committee , " to which Bros . 1 lalliwell and

Probert re-ponded in appropriate speeches , the latter , who had been Hon . Secretary to thc Committee , remarking that if what he had done had given satisfaction , he was amply repaid , and he hoped they would not allow twelve years to elapse before the Provincial Grand Lodge paid another visit to Bury . The meeting after a few more toasts was brought to a close .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cheshire And North Wales.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF CHESHIRE AND NORTH WALES .

By command of thc Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Mark Master of Cheshire and North Wales , the Hon . W . Graham Egerton , M . P ., a Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held at the Masonic Chambers , Argyle-street , Birkenhead , on Monday afternoon , the 20 th

May , for the transaction of the annual business of the province . The officers of thc Provincial Lodge present were Bro . the Hon . Wilbraham Egerton , M . P ., R . W . P . G . M . M . ; Bros . George Higgins , P . G . S . W . ; W . Matthews , P . G . J . W . ; F . K . Stevenson , P . M . M . O . ; C . H . Hinde , P . G . S . O . ; J . W . Newell Tanner , P . G . C ; Charles H . Coates , P . G . T . ; Richard Newhouse , P . G . Sec . ; lames

Salmon , P . G . R . ; F . T . Motherwill , P . G . S . of Works ; R . Baker , P . G . D . of C ; Thomas Coxhead , P . G . A . D . C . ; John Corbett , P . G . S . B . ; M . Tovvnshend , P . G . S . B . ; Da ' intry Hollins , P . G . J . D . ; J . W . Burgess , P . G . P . ; John R . Ross , Silvester Mattison , and Arthur Harrison , P . G . Stewards ;

J . P . Plait , R . W . P . G . M . M . and P . G . D . England ; J . R . Goepel , P . G . S . O . England ; John Dunning , P . P . G . M . C ; R . J . Vanderkiste , P . P . G . R . iG s . W . S . Stanton , 165 , John Worthington , P . G . T . 48 , and others . The members of the Joppa Lodge present were Bros . R Gracie , W . M . M . ; Geo . Morgan , I . P . M . M . ; S . Mattison '

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cheshire And North Wales.

P . M . M . ; Thomas A . nbler , P . M . M . ; John Pemberton , P . P . G . J . D . ; F . K . Stevenson , P . M . M . ; P . J . Parson , Sec . ; J . W . Burgess , M . O . ; John Dutton , J . O . ; R . Thomas , J . D . ; John Jones , I . G . ; Thomas Gray , R . ; J . H . Holtaway , T . ; Thos . J . Thorburn , VV . Bennett , J . Sillitoe , L . Ellis , and others . Also the following visiting brethren : Bros . James Salmon , P . M . iqrt ; John Corbett , 19 6 ; D . Hollins , St .

David ; Edward Kind , P . P . G . D . of C ; Wm . Warren , St . David ; Donald Fraser , S . W . 19 6 ; R . C . Griffiths , 196 J . R . Goepel , P . M . 63 , P . G . S . O . ; J . F . Rounthwaite , 196 ; J . R . Ross , 16 5 ; S . Jones , 11 ; R . Preece , 1651 ; W . Gibson , Stainfor , 148 ; E . S . Stanton , 163 ; F . L . Bolton , P . P . J . G . D . ; H . I . Lloyd , 19 6 ; A . H . Gilbody , 148 ; John Wilson Paten , W . M . 16 3 ; Joseph Wood , 63 , P . P . G . S . B . West

Lancashire { Freemason ) . The Mark Masters' Lodge was opened at 2 . 15 by thc brethren of the Joppa ( No . 11 ) , under whose auspices the Prov . G . Lodge met , Bro . George Morgan , P . M ., in the chair , Bro . Pemberton S . W ., and Bro . Sillitoe J . W . The Provincial Grand Officers having entered the lodge and been received in the usual manner , the Provincial

Grand Lodge was opened in due form . On the roll being called , all the lodges answered , and letters of apology were received from several brethren . The minutes of last lorlge were then read and confirmed , and the usual business transacted in Grand Lodge proceeded with after which thc Provincial ^ Grand Master appointed the following brethren as officers for the ensuing year : —

Rev . Spencer Stanhope , D . Prov . G . M . George Higgins , Prov . G . S . W . F . K . Stephenson , Prov . G . J . W . It . Banks Prov . G . M . O . S . Mattison , Pro / . G . S . O . R . W . Townshend Prov . G . J . O . G . II . Coates Prov . G . Treas .

R . Newhouse , , Prov . G . Sec . D . Fraser Prov . G . Reg . F . Motterhill , Prov . G . S . D . J . R . Ross Prov . G . J . D . R . Baker Prov . G . D . C . H . Williams , Prov . G . A . D . C . A . Gillbody , Prov . G . S . B .

H . Griffiths , , Prov . G . Std . Br . J . Harrison , Prov . G . S . of W . J . Dutton Prov . G . S . A . Cattanach , Prov . G . S . G . Wnrren Prov . G . I . G . J . Worthington , Prov . G . Tyler . 7 } The sum of ten guineas was voted to the Mark fund o

benevolence ; and the other business of the Prov . G . Lodge being finished , the P . G . M . M . congratulated the brethren present on the success which had attended the introduction of Mark Masonry into Cheshire and the Principality . He intimated that before thc next provincial meeting he hoped to be called upon to consecrate one or more new lodges in the province , and that , owing to the increase of his public

duties , he was unable to visit the different lodges so often as he could wish ; still he hoped he should find time to be with them when his presence was necessary , and he hoped that the brethren would always bear in mind that the fundamental principle of the Order was charity . The Provincial and Mark lodges being closed , the

brethren sat dowu to dinner in the building , the Hon . W . Egerton , P . G . M . M ., in the chair , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly responded to . Se \ cral appropriate songs were sung during the : evening by a number of the brethren . The next Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was fixed for Llandudno , under the auspices of the St . David's M . L .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . WM . BRASIER . It is with the most profound regret that we announce the sudden death of one of the most highly respected tradesmen of Margate , which melancholy event occurred on Thursday morning the 23 rd inst . Bro . Braiser was suddenly struck down with apoplexy , at a Masonic banquet on Monday , and although Dr . Treeves was

present and rendered immediate assistance , and remained in almost constant attendance , doing all that medical skill could suggest to relieve the sufferer , Bro . Braiser never regained consciousness . He was an amiable and kindhearted man , loved by all who knew him , and looked up to with the greatest respect by all his Masonic brethren in the town ( to whom his sudden death has been a great

shock ) , as well as in the whole province . His whole lifo has been one of continued useful and active benevolence . He was Secretary of the Alexandra Homes and of the Penny Savings' Banks , the duties of which offices he discharged with conspicuous ability . As a Mason , his benevolence knew no bounds , his ear was never deaf to thc cry of distress , and he was ever exerting

himself to help brethien in misfortune , and to obtain succour for the widows and orphans of those who had passed away . His was in truth a loveable , noble nature , and the writer of this article always looked up to him with the most profound respect , as his father in Masonry , and as in every sense of the word a model Mason . Bro . Brasier had attained to high distinction in the Craft , he was a Past

Master of the Union Lodge of Margate , of which for many years previous to his death , he was Treasurer . He was also Provincial ; Grand Sword Bearer , and a P . Z . His death can hardly be regarded as other than premature , for he had only attained the fifty-ninth year of his age ,

and those who loved and looked up to him , fondly hoped he had many years of usefulness and benevolence in store for him . That he may rest in peace will be the heartfelt prayer of all who had the privilege of knowing him . He leaves a large family , for whom the deepest sympathy is felt in their sudden and irreparable loss .