Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Adelphi Hotel last yveek , and cordially yvished him success in his neyv undertaking . The gathering was the largest musical , dramatic , and literary gathering ever seen in Liverpool ; and probably no place out of London could have shown such an assembly .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

LION AND LAMB CHAPTER ( No . 11 , 2 ) . — The companions of this young but rapidly increasing chapter ( not only in numbers but prosperity ) met at Can non-street Hotel , on January 17 th , 1877 . Present : — Comps . Geo . Neyvman , M . E . Z . ; F . D . Copestick , H . ; Henry Birdseye , J . ; George Kenning , P . Z ., Treas . ; Francis Fellows , S . E . ; Edward Jones , S . N . ; Charles

* > rkeil , P . S . ; T . C . Chapman , ist Asst . Soj . ; R . P . Hooton , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; Henry Muggeridge , P . G . S . B . ; Ed . King , P . Z . ; Thos . Cohu , W . E . Newton , G . Phythian , Geo . Potter , G . Bartholomew , Henry Cox . J . Curie , J . Greenway , J . Kent , and other companions . The ballot yvas taken for Bros . Medyvin and Brand . Afteryvards Bros . J . Lorkin , Grocott , Medwin , and Brand yvere exalted

to the Supreme Degree of H . R . A . M . A conclave of Installed Principals yvas then formed , and Comp . Henry Muggeridge , Past Grand Standard Bearer of the Grand Chapter of England , duly installed Comps . F . D . R . Copestick , M . E . Z . ; Henry Birdseye , H . ; T . C . Chapman , J . The conclave yvas then closed , and the following companions inducted into their different offices ' ¦ —Comps .

George Kenning , P . Z ., Treas . ; Francis Fellows , S . E . ; Charles Arkell , S . N . ; George Phythian , P . S . Comp . Geo . Phythian appointed Comps . R . P . Hooton and J . Copestick , 1 st and 2 nd Assistants . The visitors , as usual in this excellent chapter , mustered strong , viz .: Comps . F . G . White , 22 ; F . H . Wilson . P . Z . and S . E . 404 , D . G . S . E . Herts . ; Geo . Row , H . 118 ;; T . W . Carnell , 1 216 ; R . E .

Bright , J . C . H . Bailey , and J . G . Marsh , 954 ; G . Clarke , 177 . The installation ceremony yvas beautifully rendered by Comp . Henry Muggeridge . It is at all times very pleasing to be present at the yvorking of this great veteran in either Craft or Royal Arch Masonry , and this occasion was the more pleasing inasmuch that an impromptu present yvas given to the much respected old Mason ( arranged

in a feyv days by members of the chapter ) . The present consisted of a very handsome clock yvith suitable inscription . The M . E . Z ., Comp . Copestick , in presenting , spoke in a very able manner , referring to Comp . Henry Muggeridge ' s great services to the Lion and Lamb Chapter , not only in obtaining yvarrant but in yvorking so excellently for some years , and observed that thc present was small , from a few , and yvas given for special services to

thc chapter only , but he hoped that Comp . Muggeridge would receive at the hands of the Craft and Royal Arch Masons , including those hundreds that had been taught by him , some greater mark of their esteem for a lifetime devoted so purely to Masonry . The chapter after closing adjourned to the supper-room , yvhere a very happy evening yvas spent by the companions ; supper , songs , jokes , and fraternal exchanges of civilities all good .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

SOUTH MOLTON . —Fortescue Lodge ( No . y ) . —A meeting of this lodge yvas held at the Masonic Hall , on Monday , the 22 nd ult ., and in the unavoidable absence of the W . M ., Bro . Wood , Bro . J . T . Shapland , I . P . M . and P . G . J . W ., look the chair , assisted by the Wardens , Bros . J . Brewer , P . G . J . O ., and Wm . Cole , and the other officers of the lodge . Thc minutes of the last

lodge having been read and confirmed , the Treasurer then produced and read his last year ' s account , yvhich was very satisfactory . A very yvorth y brother having been proposed for advancement the lodge yvas closed in due form . This old lodge in ils working is second lo none in the province . It was established by our much respected P . G . Master , Lieut .-Col Tanner Davey , in 1857 , yvho has continued to support it ever since .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

MANCHESTER . — St . Joseph Encampment . —The annual meeting of this encampment was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Friday , 1 2 th ult . The encampment yvas opened at six o ' clock by the Deputy Provincial Grand Commander , Sir Knt . C . 11 . N . Besyvicke-Hoyds , in due form . Sir Knt . Besyvicke-Royds then installed as the Eminent Commander Sir Knt . Thos .

David Nelson , and in doing so impressed on him thc importance of his attending Convent General and Grand Conclave whenever he could make it convenient , and especially when business of importance is to be considered so that the St . Joseph Encampment might not suffer by not being represented . The Eminent Commander appointed and invested his officers : —Sir Knts . Mestajer ,

I'irst Captain ; Moyvers , Second Captain ; Brooks , Reg . ; Warren , Treas . ; Pike , Expert ; Taylor , Captain of Lines . The fact that Convent General resolved on the 8 th December last to restore Past Hank and return to the old names and privileges enjoyed prior to 18 72 has given great and genual satisfaction iu this province , and yvas practically evinced in this encampment by the proposal of five companions for installation . The Eminent Commander having

received litany good wishes of visiting Knights from De Tabley , Province of Chesliiic ; Albeit , and Jerusalem , Province of Lancashire , the encampment yvas closed yvith solemn prayer , and the Knights adjourned to banquet , after yvhich the usual toasts were proposed and responded to , — " The Queen , Patron t . f our Order , " "The Prince of Wales , Cram ] Matter , " "The Princess of Wales , and the rest oi the linjal Family , " "The Right Hon . the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot , Very High and Eminent Grand

Knights Templar.

Commander of England and the Colonies , " " Very Eminent Sir Knt . Albert Hudson Royds , Grand Commander of Lancashire , " and "The Deputy Grand Commander , Sir Knt . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds , and the rest of the Officers of this Province . " Sir Knt . Ashyvorth , Prov . Chancellor , in responding , alluded to the serious indisposition of the Provincial Grand Commander , but yvas pleased

to find that his son and deputy yvas so ably walking in his footsteps—working hard , and making himself useful in every part of the province for the good of the Order . Sir Knt . Ashworth also alluded to his having so frequently asked those who had votes to attend the Convent General and Great Priory , and to the persistant opposition of several Very Eminent Knig hts to the propositions of Sir Knt .

Royds , yvhich were passed and made layv at the last Convent General . He knew tbe great inconvenience it yvas to the majority of Knights in the province to be called away from business , but hoped if any occasion required the whole 150 P . E . C ' s yvould make it a point of duty to attend and help the Grand Commander of this and other provinces in preserving the established constitutions and

landmarks of the Order . " The Eminent Commander St . Joseph ' s Encampment . " Sir Knt . Nelson , in responding to this toast , said he yvas very much pleased three months ago when they elected him the Preceptor ; but he yvas much more pleased now they had installed him as the Eminent Commander . He thanked the Deputy Grand Commander for having come from Lytham , a distance of

forty miles , to instal him , and hoped he should always be fi und at his post ready to answer the call of duty . "The Visitors" was responded to by Sir Knt . Sykes , E . C , and Sir Knt . Beresford , P . E . C . of De Tabley , and Sir Knt . Dr . Royle , of Jerusalem , each of yvhom expressed the pleasure he had in being present to witness the installation by Sir Knt . Beswicke-Royds . They rejoiced at his success at

last Convent General , and promised him support if he requires it in future , but hoped the Grand Master and the Grand Commander yvould not be again troubled by any one attempting to alter yvhat had just been done , or again takeaway rank that had been justly earned and conferred . "The P . E . C" Sir Knt . Bennett , in responding , expressed his regret at not being able to attend all the meetings , beine now resident in London . He was pleased at being

able to attend Convent General , and take pan in passing the propositions of the Provincial Grand Commander , and would at all times do what he could to benefit St . Joseph's Encampment . " The Officers " was responded to by the First Captain , Sir Knt . Mestajer , who preferred that title to being called Constable . The officers appointed yvould do all they could to support the E . C and to benefit the St . Joseph ' s Encampment .

Scotland.

Scotland .

CONSECRATION OF Tin" ALUF . RT EIIWAHD LODGE , P 01 .-MADIE , RicNFitEyvsitniE , ( No . 592 ) . —The consecration of a new lodge at Polmadie , named Albert Edward , took place on Thursday , 23 th January . Previous to the consecration ceremony the Provincial Grand Master of Renfrcyvshire East , Bro . Colonel Campbell of Blythsyvood , thc office-bearers of the P . G . Lodge , and a number of other

brethren , yvere entertained at dinner at Eastfield House by Bro . Robert Nisbet , the W . M . of the neyv lodge . The Albert Edward Lodge hall is situated at Polmadie-street , Polmadie , and is newly constructed . On the present occasion it was elaborately and tastefully decorated yvith evergreens , bannerets , etc . Shortly before six o ' clock in thc evening the lodge was opened in the E . A . Degree , and

immediately raised to the Sublime Degree under the presidency of the VV . M ., Bro . Nisbet . The VV . M . having requested the P . G . Master to consecrate the lodge , the latter took the chair . The solemn and impressive ceremony of consecration yvas then gone through , the brethren heartily joining in the responses , a choir of the brethren sustaining with considerable ability the musical portions . In the course

of the proceedings the P . G . Secretary read thc charter of constitution , and thc folloyving office-bearers of the Albert Edward Lodge were installed by the P . G . "Master : Bros . Robert Nisbet , W . M . ; Thos . White , D . M . ; Wm . Claik , S . M . ; A . C . Killock , S . W . ; Jas . Grieg , J . W . ; J . C . Shand , Treas . ; Robert Wash , Sec . ; Walter Gunn , S . D . ; Geo . Catto , J . D . ; Robt . M'Millan , S . S . ; Wm . Gourlay ,

S . B . ; Geo . Stein , I . G . ; Geo . Reid , Iyler . At the conclusion of the consecration ceremony , the P . G . Master delivered an eloquent oration , in yvhich he pointed out the beauties of Masonry , and particularly the brotherly love that yvas engendered amongst all those yvho were initiated

into its mysteries . The proceedings were closed by the brethren giving grand honours , and the P . G . Chaplain pronouncing the benediction . The P . G . Master having vacated the chair , thc W . M . again presided , and the neyvly consecrated lodge yvas placed under the charge of the J . VV ., the brethren being hospitably entertained by the

W . M . PAISLEY . —Lodge St . Mirrens ( No . 129 ) . — The meeting of this lodge for the election of office bearers took place on Monday , the 18 th ult ., in the Masonic Hall , 5 , Moss-street . The oflice bearers picsent yvere Bros , H . S . Edmonds , W . M . ; T . Bustard , D . M . ; A . McLeod , I . P . M . ; W . Gemmell , S . W ; G .

Fisher , J . VV . ; P . Blair , Treas . ; A . McPherson , Sec . ; B , McLeod , S . D . ; H . Baxter , J . D . ; W . Craig , I . G ., and others , The attendance of brethren yvas the largest that ever assembled in this lodge—over 160 having signed the Sedurant Book . After the lodge had been opened , and the minutes read and adopted , the Auditors appointed at

last meeting read their report , yvhich showed the funds of thc lodge to be in a very satisfactory condition , there being a balance this year of £ 37 to the credit . The election of office bearers for the ensuing year yvas then proceeded with , and resulted as follows : —ii . Fisher , W . M . ; H . S . Edmonds , I . P . M . ; T . Bustard , D . M . ; T . J . Bustard , S . W . ;

Scotland.

B . C . McLeod , J . W . ; P . Blair , Treas . ; B . C . Kilgour . Sec ; Rev . W . F . Mills , Chap . ; P . Moir , S . D . ; W . Russell , J . D . ; A . Morrison , S . S . ; W . Wotherspoon , J . S . ; J . Barnet , S . S . B . ; A . Moffatt , J . S . B . ; W . Scott , Jeweller ; W Robin , Architect ; C . A . Bardie , D . of M . ; VV . Craig , I . G . ; W . Alexander , Tyler . The installation of the newlyelected office bearers yvas thereafter proceeded yvith ,

Bro . Edmonds , P . M ., officiating . The lodge voted unanimously a sum of £ 10 to the retiring Secretary , Bro . McPherson , in recognition of his highly appreciated services whilst holding that office . Some business of minor importance having been transacted , the lodge was closed . GLASGOW . —Lodge Athole ( No . 413 ) . —The

bi-month ' y meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , 23 rd January , in St . Mark ' s Hall , Buchanan-street . The VV . M ., Bro . Walter Neilson , presided , the other officebearers present being Bros , James Louttit , P . M . ; Andrew Holms , S . M . ; George Bennett , S . W . ; William O'Brien , J . W . ; Peter Agnew , Treas . ; George Struthers , Sec . ; and David Hodge , S . D . There yvas a very fair attendance of

members and visiting brethren . The lodge having been duly opened , and the minutes of last meeting read and passed , thc subject of the ensuing annual festival of the lodge yvas brought up and thc question as to yvhether it should take the form of a supper or soiree discussed . Ultimately , it yvas resolved upon that it should be the formcr . and that ladies should be eligible to be present . A committee

having been appointed to make the necessary arrangements , the lodge proceeded to discuss some private business , after yvhich it yvas closed in due and ancient form . SCOTLAND . — St . Andrew ' s Chapter ( No . 69 ) . —A meeting of the Royal Ark Mariners' Lodge attached to this chapter yvas held on Monday , 15 th ult . The lodge yvas opened by T . M . Campbell , F . N . ; J . Mclnnes ,

J . ; R . Brand , S . Comp . William H . Stark received the Degree . A Council of Red Cross Knights yvas opened afteryvards , when Comps . John H . Fash , John Mclnnes , Wm . H . Stark , Robert Brand , Thomas Cowan , and William Pascoe yvere duly received and dubbed as Knights of the Sword , Knights of the East , or Princes of Jerusalem , and Knights of the East and West , by Thomas M . Campbell ,

King , C . and D ., and M . E . C , assisted by Sir Knt . James O . Park . The ceremonies of the several degrees were performed in a very efficient and instructive manner , the Most Excellent Chief being more impressive ( if possible ) than we have seen him on former occasions . He yvas kindly granted a dispensation for the Knights by thc

Depute Grand Principal Z ., Harry Inglis of Torsonce , for the purpose of resuscitating this degree . This chapter has noyv fixed four regular meetings in the year for working the above degrees , viz ., last Fridays in January , April , July , and October . Their first regular meeting will be held in the Masonic Hall , 25 , Robertson-street , on 26 th inst ., at 7 . 30 p . m ., for the election of office-bearers .

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Masonic Hall At Bournemouth.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A MASONIC HALL AT BOURNEMOUTH .

The Order of Free and Accepted Masons , if not " as old as the hills , " is , at all events , so ancient that we have no authentic account of the time when it yvas first instituted ; indeed , in a treaties on Alasonry , published in 1792 , by William Preston , Master of the Lodge of Antiquity , it

is traced from the creation : " Ever since symmetry began , and harmony displayed her charms , " says he , " our Order has had a being . " By other accounts the history of Masonry is only carried up to the building of Solomon ' s Temple . Be this as it may , Freemasonry ranks amongst things most ancient and venerable ; and it maybe interesting to some of our readers to know that its

introduction to this country has been fixed at the year 074 ; though the most ancient lodge in England—the Grand Lodge of Masons at York—dates its foundation in 62 O ; and by virtue of a charter granted by King Athelstane , all the Masons in the kingdom were convened at a general assembly in [ that city , where they established their government ; and umil yvith the last century no

general meetings yvere held anywhere else . Masonry has suffered many vicissitudes since then , but in those days , and for many centuries after , Masonry really meant masonry , and its monuments are to be found in the old Cathedrals of Canteibury , Rochester , St . Paul ' s and many others * , in the re-building of Westminster Abbey in the eleventh century ; in the Toyver of London , the

Palace of Westminster , London Bridge , and a host of other buildings comprising our national architecture . Working Masons banded themselves together in lodges , presided over by the greatest architects of the day , patronised by kings and princes , and making their mark upon every age , in grand old piles which we of the nineteenth century love to gaze upon and never tire of admiring . Then

Masonry , as we all know , includes the pleasing featurefirst proposed by the Duke of Buccleugh , yvho in 1723 succeeded the Duke of Wharton as Grand Master—of raising a general fund for distressed Masons ; and although the profound secresy in yvhich its proceedings are studiously wrapped , prevents the particularising of its uses , the society undoubtedly promotes philanthropy , friendship

and morality . Its signs to serve as a kind and universal language , so that by means of them most distant nations may become acquainted and enter into friendship with each other . And as Masonry may thus be said to be one of the oldest institutions in the country , and indeed in the world , so yve

ran claim that it is one of the oldest institution 111 Bournemouth . Lodge Hengist , No . 195 was founded Nov . 23 rd , 1770 , at lhe ancient borough-toyvn Christchuich , under a warrant from the Grand Lodge of England , on the petition of Henry . Dagg , Thomas Jeans , and another . On the 9 th of May , 18 51 , the lodge yvas removed to Bournemouth , and prosperity has characterised it ever since . The