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ALL our readers will be very sorry to hear of the illness of our very esteemed Bro . Dr . Cox , P . G . C . They will also be pleased to learn that though " weak , " he is gradually improving . Few of us there are but are aware of his many excellent qualities of head and heart , and his long and faithful services to the Craft . All our and their good wishes will go with him .

* * A FRENCH savant , M . DE LAUNAY , _ has published a very "able and interesting brochure , " the Times points out to us , to prove the "intellectual inferiority of woman . " Well , we confess , having carefully studied the subject for years , especially in the condition of " mixed schools , " that we

do not believe him , despite his phrenological and other deductions . We think / too , that many of our married brethren can bear witness that , as far as " understanding things " is concerned , there are a great many of the gentler sex who are quite on " a par " with " the most erudite of the masculine species . Some women , in fact , see far too clearly as to things in general and particular , to please some of us .

* * ONE of the most recent evidences of " Boycotting in Ireland , " we are told on the authority of the Standard , is , that unless those interesting individuals in the prison at Kilmainham are speedily liberated , the " police" are lo be " Boycotted" all through the " Green Isle , " and no young woman is ,

on an )' account or pretext , to speak to a policeman . This , in thc abstract , is a most appalling look out ; in the concrete it is simply heartrending . Just let us try to realize to ourselves a similar state of things in our " little village . " One pauses , awe struck at thc contemplation of such unheard of cruelty , and its possible and probable results I

* * A NEW use for French Freemasonry has just been found , and very luckil y so , for it seems , as far as Masonic principles are concerned , to be on its "last legs . " A young French Freemason of one town , failing in love with a young lady of another town , employs the "Venerable" of the lodge of

that same town in which " dwelleth the ladyeof his love to make enquiries as to the object of his devoted admiration and disinterested affection . The W . M ., as we should call him , makes the enquiries promptly , and then returns his discoveries to the anxious admirer as prompt !}' . Wc are not told of the denouement . " Did he , or did he not ? " Is there no possibility

of English Freemasons " in love" thus utilizing English Freemasonry ? We fear that neither the Grand Secretary nor the Grand Registrar would deem that " such enquiries came within the provisions of the Book of Constitutions . " Wc are sincerely glad that the French Freemasons have found some use for Freemasonry .

* * WE commend to the attention of our readers the last " Masonic Magazine , " as containing a great deal that is both interesting Masonicall y and generally , both to peruse and think over .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CHESHIRE .

The annual meeting of the representatives of the various lodges within the Province of Cheshire , over which Bro . the Right Hon . Lord De Tabley , R . W . P . G . M ., rules with so much popularity and success , was held in the Drill Hall of the prettily situated and bustling town of Macclesfield , on the borders of Derbyshire and Cheshire , on Wednesday afternoon , the 2 ist ult . Though the meeting-place was situated on the confines of the province , which now embraces thirty-eight lodges , the vitality of Masonry in the division was

clearly shown by a very large and most influential gathering of thc brethren from eveiy part of Cheshire . The total attendance numbered upwards of 400 brethren , and every lodge was represented on the occasion , several of them sending nearly thirty representatives each . Thc town of Macclesfield itself put on thc gayest appearance in honour of the occasion , and thc

brethren who conducted thc arrangements deserve the highest credit for the fine decorations of flags , banners , evergreens , and mottoes of welcome which were observable at every point in the streets through which the procession had to pass to church . This meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire may fairly be recognised as the most successful which has been held for several years .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened 111 the Drill Hall shortl y after one o ' clock , when Bro . Lord de Tabley , P . G . M ., took his place on the dais , supported by a brilliant array of his Provincial Grand Oliicers . Amongst those presenL were : Bros , the Hon . VVilbrabam Epferton , M . P ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master ; G . W . Latham , l ' . G . S . YV . ; S . VV . Wilkinson , P . P . G . S . D . ; H . Hall , P . P . J . W . j Rev . C . K . S . Jones , P . P . G . C . ; S . F . Gosling-, P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Ba .-low , P . P . G . O . ;

Stanhope Bull , P . S . of VV . ; T . M . Lockwood , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; H . Holbrook , P . P . G . S . W . ; VV . J . Bates , P . D . G . M . British Columbia ; H . Finch , P . G . D . C . ; I . Birch , P . P . G . P . ; J . ' K . Diffses , P . G . A . D . C ; H . Jackson , P . G . P . ; R . Sykes , P . G . P . ; H . Collier , P . G ' . O . ; W . Matthews , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; T . Smith , P . P . G . J . D . ; F . A . Dickson , P . P . G . J . W . ; A . E . Cokayne , P . P . G . S . B . ; P . Wadsworth , P . P . A . D . C ; T . II . Kirk , P . P . G . O . ; J . Chadwick , P . G . Sec . E . L . ; J . Hibbert , P . G . R . ; G .

Mcllor , P . G . D . E . Lane ; E . Friend , P . P . G . J . D . ; J . A . Birch , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Beresford , P . P . G . S . D . ; VV . Greaterox , P . P . G . P . ; T . Marwood , P . P . G . J . W . ; J . Salmon . P . P . S . G . D . ; VV . Melloi , P . G . S . ; T . Chesworth , P . P . G . D . C ; W . Lyon , P . G . S . ; Rev . j . C . Macdona , P . P . G . C . ; R . Riffby , P . P . G . J . D . ; T . D . Simcock , P . P . G . S . D . ; T . Brookes , P . G . S . ; F . Jackson , jun ., P . G . Treas . ; E . H . Griffiths , P . G . Sec ; C . Dutton , P . P . G . S . W . ; 11 . Bulley , P . G . S . B . of Eng ., P . P . G . J . W . ; and others .

The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge meetings , held at Runcorn in September last and at Frodsham last month , when the Cholmondeley Lodge was consecrated , were read by the P . G . Sec , Bro . E . H . GRIFFITHS , and adopted unanimously . The Right Worshipful PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER , who was received

with pronounced enthusiasm , said that it was only three short months ago since he thought that he should not be present in Grand Lodge again ; and he now desired to express his gratitude to the Great Architect of thc Universe for his restoration to comparative health , and for having permitted him once more to meet so many of his brethren—not for the last time , he

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

hoped . ( Applause . ) Speaking of the position of Masonry generally , his lordship said he was happy to inform the brethren that he never remembered a time when its history was so unmarked by any jarring event ; and with reference to the condition cf the Order within the Province of Cheshire , he was glad to state that during the past year there had been nothing of a startling nature to disturb the tranquillity of their several lodges , and not a

single complaint had been made lo the . Provincial Grand Lodge—a fact which could only be accounted for by the increased goodwill and brotherl y feeling which prevailed amongst the brethren as the distinguishing characteristic of their Order . He was also glad to state that he found the minute books of thc various lodg-es kept with much greater care than in previous years , as he found that the errors were comparatively trifling . These were

principall y with respect to emergency meetings , in connection with which the cause of their being held was not clearly stated . He ( Lord De Tabley ) must call the attention of the officers to the necessity of this being done , and also to certain irregularities in the election of Treasurer , which must be by ballot . With respect to admission of foreign , Scotch , and Irish Masons , his lordshi p reminded them that they should first ascertain if they were

affiliated with a lodge under the Grand Lodge of Kngland . He had heard of three cases in which this had not been done , and he hoped the brethren would be more careful in future on this point . The P . G . M ., continuing , said that with regard to the general aspects of Freemasonry , it was refreshing and consoling to them as Masons to turn from the tormenting events

which were now taking place in the outside world , and lo find themselves within the calm atmosphere of an Order whose peculiar object was charity . ( Hear , hear . ) While they had nothing to mar their quietude , there were many things disturbing the outside world most grievously . He need onl y allude to the most terrible event across thc Atlantic , which has sent a thrill

of horror through the civilized world , and which he knew would be shared in by every loyal Freemason . ( Hear , hear . ) They sympathised with their brethren in the United States in having lost a most distinguished and most honest man ; and they most sincerel y sympathised with his widow and family in their aflliction . ( Applause . ) His lordship , in conclusion ,

expressed the great pleasure he experienced on again finding himself in Provincial Grand Lodge at Macclesfield . They had not met there since 1868 , and he need onl y tell the brethren of the town that they had given him even a more heart } - welcome on that occasion than they had done at the last visit . ( Hear , hear , and applause . )

Bro . b . J ACKSON , P . G . Treas ., read the annual statement of accounts , from which it appeared that the amount now in the bank to the credit of the P . G . Lodge was £ 165 , and the money invested was still in the bank . The sum of 100 guineas had been paid to the Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution from the funds of the P . G . Lodge Fund of Benevolence , and there remained in hand a sum of £ 165 or £ 170 . On the motion of the D . P . G . M ., the accounts were passed ; and Bro . F . Jackson , on the motion of the P . G . M ., was unanimously re-elected P . G . Treasurer . The R . W . P . G . M . then proceeded to invest his officers as follows : —

Bro . Hon . W . Lgerton , M . P ., 321 ( re-appointed ) - Prov . D . G . M . „ G . W . Latham , 321 ( re-appointed ) - - Prov . G . S . W . „ J . H . Bellyse , 293 .... p . G . J . W . ,, Rev . R . H . Hodgson , 1045 ( re-appointed ) - Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . J . F . Rounihwaite , 42 S . . . Prov . G . Chap .

,, I ' . Jackson , jun ., 295 ( re-elected ) ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . Hibbert , 1166 ( re-appointed ) . .. Prov . G . Reg . ,, E . H . Griffiths , 293 ( re-appointed ) - - Prov . G . Sec . „ T . Lockitt , 295 - - - - - Prov . G . S . D . „ R . Wood , 267 Prov . G . I . D .

„ J . J . Cunnah , 721 ... . Prov . G . S . of W . ,, H . Finch , 104 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . Siddeley , 1045 - - - Prov . G . A . D . ofC . „ J . Dutton , 477 - - - Prov . G . Sd . Br .

„ Collier , 104 ( re-appointed ) - - - Prov . G . Org . „ J . H . Hartley , 1126 - - - - Prov . G . Purs . ,, j . H . Holtaway , 12 S 9 ( re-elected ) - - Prov . G . T yler . „ J . H . Brooks , 295 , S . Orme , 295 , R . Brown , 295 1 ,, VV . Harrison , 267 , G . H . J . Gundry , 267 , andC . A . [ Prov . G . Stwds . Hordern , 267 . . . - )

Ihe W . D . P . G . M ., G . Wardens , and other officers having been saluted , Bro . J . P . Piatt , P . G . J . D ., was re-appointed Chairman of the Fund of Benevolence , thc P . G . M . referring to the valuable services which he ( Bro . Plait ) had rendered during the time he had held that office .

Bros . J . B . Deakin , J . Hamilton , and Captain Gilbody were invested with charity jewels in recognition of their services as Stewards at the charity festivals ; and Bros . T . Marwood , T . Chesworth , and H . Bulley received bars to add to thc jewels which they already possessed , in recognition of further services in the same direction .

Bro . G . \ V . LATHAM , P . G . S . W . moved that the sum of 100 guineas be voted from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge in aid of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and that the money should be invested in the name of the P . G . Lodge . The education nnd maintenance of the candidates elected from the province at present cost the sum of £ 120 annually , and he thought thc brethren would show their appreciation of this fact b y unanimously voting the sum he had named . An annual outlay of about

£ 600 was necessary to support the candidates from the province in the three charities , and therefore , he asked for confirmation of his proposition not merely as an act of charity , but also as an act of justice . ( Hear , hear . ) The motion was carried by acclamation . The P . G . M . said he heartily endorsed al ! that had been said on the subject , and congratulated the brethren generall y on the proud position which the Province of Cheshire now held with regard to the Masonic Charities .

Bro . II . BULLEY , Past G . D ., then moved that the salary of Bro . E , H ; Griffiths , P . G . Secretary , be increased from £ 80 to £ 100 per annum , the increase to date from last September . He had not asked any brother to second the proposition , but he was sure that the matter need only be mentioned lo meet with the heartiest approval . When Bro . Griffiths was appointed there were only seventeen lodges in the province , bu t now there were thirty-ei ght , so that it would at once be apparent the amount of extra work he had to perform , and performed so well . ( Hear , hear . )

The motion was seconded and carried unanimously ; and in announcing the result to Bro . Griffiths , the P . G . M ., Bro . Lord DE TABLEY , said he scarcely ever performed a more grateful or more satisfactory duty than he did on that occasion in seconding the terms of the vote to their worthy P . G . Secretary . He knew the work of Bro . Griffiths , and thc admirable manner in which he did his duty , and he ( his lordship ) considered he was fully entitled to the compliment which had been paid to him . ( Hear , hear . )