Grand Masonic Demonstration And Con Cert In Liverpool.

GRAND MASONIC DEMONSTRATION AND CON CERT IN LIVERPOOL .

In the annals of Freemasonry in West Lancashire , there probably was never a more striking gathering than that which took place on Tuesday evening , the 23 rd November , at the Philharmonic Hall , Liverpool , where a grand Masonic testimonial concert was given to Bro . Joseph

Skeaf , P . M . 216 , Prov . Grand Organist , in recognition of his many services in connection with the Craft and other orders in Masonry . The compliment was honestly earned by Bro . Skeaf , who during many years past lias devoted much time and his talents to help in every way the high standing and progress of Masonry . The spontaneous nature of the manner in which the concert was organised and

carried out was reciprocated by the brethren , and the result was eminently creditable to all concerned , as well as most honouring to the brother for whose interests it was intended . The Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool is fairly considered the finest of its kind in the kingdom , and the sight it presented on this occasion was the most picturesque and striking ever witnessed within its walls .

Every corner of the vast hall was crowded , and even then there were many who failed to gain admission . It is not very often that Freemasons make a show oftheir "finery , " but on this occasion a dispensation enabled them to wear the clothing , insignia , and jewels of the various orders to which they belonged , thus making the compliment to Bro . Skeaf all the more valuable and interesting . This

privilege was taken advantage of to the full extent , and in the boxes and stalls nearly every order of Freemasonry was represented . The Craft , of course , predominated , but there were also represented the Royal Arch , Mark Masonry , Red Cross of Constantine , Rose Croix , and Knight Templars , The concert enjoyed the patronage of Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . D . G . M . and R . W . Prov . Grand

Master ; Bro . the Hon . A . F . Stanley , M . P ., R . W . Dep Prov . G . M . ; Bro . Sir James Ramsden , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Bro . W . C . Deeley , Prov . G . S . W . ; and officers of Provincial Grand Lodge ; officers and brethren in West Lancashire and the adjoining provinces . The chairman of committee was Bro . H . S . Alpass , Prov . G . Sec . ; the Treasurer , Bro . Dr . J . Kellctt Smith , P . M . 249 , and P . Prov . G .

Reg . ; and vice-chairman , Bro . Richard Washington , P . M . 1 or ) 4 . There were no fewer than 60 names on the committee , and the arrangements in connection with the concertcould hardly have been better carried out . This satisfactory result is due in a large measure to the excellent working of the committee , special praise being due to Bro . R . Brown , W . M . 241 , one of the Secretaries , who was assisted by Bro .

Dr . Kisch , 216 . Bro . II . E . Hime also deserves favourable recognition in connection with the concert . A helping hand was also given by Bro . W . S . Vines , P . M . 220 , who generously gave the profits of the " refreshmenting" to the concert fund . The artistes included Madame Liebhait , MissM . Severn , Mr . If . Guj * , Bro . Seymour Smith , Mr . and Mrs . R . Blagrove , Bro . and Mrs . Skeaf , and the Liverpool

Vocalists' Union , under the direction of Bro . Queen . The performances of the " Union " were certainly the most interesting in the programme ; and their rendering cf the several pieces was marked by all the delicacy and fine vocal effect which have made the members' names so popular . Anew setting of "The Wreck of the Hesperus , " by Bro . Skeaf , was highly artistic and effective , leading to an

encore , when " Comrades in Arms' was rendered with the musical colouring for which the " Union" is famous . Madame Liebhart's most successful effort was in Allen's "Little Bird , " which was so crisply and naively rendered as to secure another encore . Miss Severn apparently had a cold , and therefore her efforts were not quite up to the mark . Mrs . Skeaf always sings naturallv and without

pretence , and her vocal efforts last evening were highly appreciated . Mr . H . Guy sang very artistically , and Mr . and Mrs . Blagrove contributed in no small degree to the success of the concert . Bro . Seymour Smith not only accompanied with fine taste , but gave two buffo songs with an effect which showed he possesses rare talent . His operatic reminiscences displayed much talent , and his

imitations of the perturbed father , the silly lovers , and the peculiar orchestral surroundings of the opera showed he has a true sense and appreciation of the ridiculous . In his " Dinner Party " Bro . S . Smith also displayed talents of a high order . Bro . Skeaf , who received quite an ovation , plaj-ed his fantasia , " The Fisherman , " with the finest effect , and was recalled to the platform at its conclusion .

The gathering was the most substantial compliment which has been paid to a Liverpool Mason for a long time , and Bro . Skeaf well deserved it . The next Masonic festival meeting of interest in Liverpool will be the annual Masonic ball , at the Town Hall , on the nth January , in aid of the West Lancashire Educational Institution , when , it is expected , the Mayor and Mayoress of Liverpool will be present .

BOMUAY DOCKS . —The Government of Bombay have accepted , on the recommendation of the Bombay Port Trust , the tender of Messrs . Glover and ; Co ., well known in India as successful contractors , for the construction of the Elphinstonc Wet Dock , being the most important of the magnificent series of works in that harbour which have been in progress during the last seventeen

years . I he present contract for the masonry and dams will amount to about £ 30 , 000 , but the other portions of the work , including gates and excavations , & c , will probably involve a further expenditure of about half a million sterling . The presence in Bombay of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales has been availed of for laying the

foundation stone with full Masonic honours . This took place on the nth ult ., and is the most important event in the history of the " Craft" in India . The spectacle on this occasion was one of singular magnificence , not the least striking part of it being the great assemblage of Parsee , Hindoo , and Mahomedan brethren , testifying to the bond of brotherhood between the East and the West .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

The Grand Lodge of Texas held its annual session ir June ; all dues arc paid in gold and silver . Four hundred and eighty lodges repotted , with a membership of seventeen thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine . The Grand Lodge is rapidly paying off the debt contracted in building a Masonic Hall at Houston .

The sixty-second annual conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of New York was opened in ample form at ten o ' clock a . m ., on Oct . 12 , in Rochester . There was an unusually large number of officers and representatives present . At the afternoon session the annual elections were held , Past Grand Commander H . Clay Preston presiding .

The Masonic World wih be gratified to learn that om Imperial Brother the Prince Rhodocanakis of Scio , was unanimously elected Grand Master of the Freemasons ol Greece , for three years ( 187 ^ to 1878 ) , and was installed as such at Athens , on the 26 th of October . Greece is to be

congratulated in having a Grand Lodge presided over by a Prince whose liberality is so well known , and who , a ; regards ancestry , is second to none in Europe . We may add that the Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge ol Greece , Major Spoirdion Karaiskaces , is the present Minister of war of Greece .

The Royal Arch Chapter "Stuart , " 340 , will be consecrated at Bedford on Tuesday , Dec . 14 th , at 5 p . m ., by Comp . R . Wentworth Little . The first M . E . Z . will be Comp . Colonel William Stuart , of Tempsford Hall , High Sheriff of Bedfordshire .

MADAME TUSSAUD AND SONS' EXHIBITION * . —Last week the Princess of Wales and the Queen of Denmark , accompanied by the Hon . Mrs . Stoner , honoured this establishment with a visit . The death is announced of the Dowager Countess ol

Limerick , which took place in Upper Brook-street on the 25 th ult . Her ladyship was the daughter of Captain Nicholas Horslej * , late 9 6 th Regiment , and married in 1842 , William Henry Tennison Percy , second Earl of Limerick , who died in 1866 , leaving issue six sons and one daughter .

At Gibraltar His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught , attended by Mayor Pickard and other oflicers , returned the visit of bis Excellency Major-General Gabriel de Torres Jurads , Governor of Algeciras , on the 17 th . The Duke and party proceeded to Algeciras in her Majesty ' s gunboat Express . On ariving there they were received by Captain

Baldassano Y . Tnpete , commanding the naval forces . The Duke afterwards landed , and was saluted from the fort and from the Guard of Honour of the Guardia Civil . On the arrival at the Governor's house , the Duke was saluted by a section of cavalry , and by a guard of a regiment of reserve , and on entering the Governor ' s house was received

by Major-General Torres , and conducted to the saloon , the royal standard of England being hoisted on the balcony . The Duke of Connaught paid a visit on the 22 nd to Captain Adolph Nolting on board the Austro-Hungarian corvette Graf Dandolo , which vessel called here on her way

to the Brazils . The Duke afterwards embarked on board his yacht Vega , for Tarifa , on a shooting excursion , and thence proceeds to Tangiers to join in boat hunts arranged by the British Minister Plenipotentiary , Sir John Drummond Hay .

The annual dinner of the Urban Club will be held on Friday , the 10 th of December , when Bro . Sir John Bennett will preside . Bro . Sir Frederick Perkins , M . P ., has gone to Italy for the benefit of his health , taking Florence , Venice , Rome , and Naples in his tour .

We are requested to state that the funeral of the late Professor Key will take place at Highgate Cemetery on Monday next , the 6 th instant , at twelve o'clock . Bro . D . H . Stone , Grand Junior Warden , has joined the " Hanover-square Club . "

I A National Great Priory of the United Religious and Military Orders of the Temple will be held at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , on Friday , the 10 th inst . Prince Lcopeld has presented to the Liverpool Free Public Library two copies of " Romeo and Juliet , " edited by P . A . Daniel .

The Hon . W . T . Orde Powlett , will be the first M . P . S . of the De La Pole Conclave , No . 132 , Hull , and it is believed that his brother-in-law , the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , will be one of the first Knights installed .

The Fifteen Sections will be worked in the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge of Instruction , at the Harp Tavern , Jcrmynstrect , by Bro . Govan Macdona'd , assisted by fifteen members of the Star cf Instruction , on the 15 th December . The Masonic Magazine for this month ( December ) contains a portrait of Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary .

WIPE YOUR FEET . —The best Cocoa Nut Mats and Matting are made by Treloar & Sons , 69 Ludeate Hill . j

Masonic And General Tidings.

We regret to learn that her Grace the Duchess of Man Chester met with a serious accident on Wednesday last . Her Grace was returning from Lord Fitzhardinge's decoy pools in a Whitechapel dog-cart , drawn by a pony driven

by Miss Chetwynd , when within half a mile of Berkeley Castle they came into collision with a four-wheel conveyance . Miss Chetwynd and her Grace were thrown out of the trap . The former escaped with a dislocated thumb , but her Grace received a severe fracture of her left arm .

The annual festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement took place on Friday , the 26 th ult ., a report of which unavoidably stands over in consequence of the pressure on our columns . The meetings of the Beacontree Lodge of Instrution , No . 1228 , are now held every Tuesday evening at 8 p . m .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings For The Week Ending Friday, December 10, 1875.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS For the Week ending Friday , December 10 , 1875 .

SATURDAY , DECEMBER 4 . General Committee , Boys' School , at 4 . Lodge 142 , St . Thomas's , City Terminus Ho ., Cannon-st . Chap . 97 ; , Rose of Denmark , Star and Garter , Kew Bdg .

INSTRUCTION . Manchester , 77 , London-St ., Fitzroy-square . Lily , Greyhound , Richmond . Star , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road . Sinai Chapter Union Tav ., Air-street , Regent-street .

MONDAY , DECEMBER 6 . Lodge 12 , Fortitude & Old Cumberland , Ship & Turtle . „ 25 , Robert Burns , F . M . H . „ 6 9 , Unity , London Tav ., Bishopsgate-st . „ 72 , Royal Jubilee , Anderton ' s Hot , Fleet-st . „ 82 , UnitedL . of Prudence , Albion H ., Aldersgate-at .

„ 144 , St . Luke's , M . H ., Mason ' s Avenue . „ 188 , Joppa , Albion Tav ., Aldersgate-st . „ 25 O , Unions , F . M . H . „ 1319 , Asaph , F . M . H . Chap . 91 , Regularity , F . M . II . „ 1056 , Victoria , M . H ., Masons' Avenue .

INSTRUCTION . Prince Leopold , Lord Stanley Tav ., Kingsland . Strong Man , Crown Tav ., Clerkenwell Green . Sincerity , Railway Tav ., Fenchurch-street Station , Camden , Stanhope Arms , Up . James-st ., Camden To , Eastern , Royal Hot ., Mile-end-road .

St . James ' s Union , Union Tav ., Air-st ., Regent-st . Wellington , White Swan , Deptford . West Kent , St . Saviour ' s College , Forest-hill Perfect Ashlar , VictoriaTav ., Lower-rd ., Rotherhithc . Sydney , White Hart Ho ., Church-rd ., UpptrNorwood . Metropolitan , Coach and Horses Hot ., 3 x 3 , Strand .

TUESDAY , DECEMBER 7 . Lodge 7 , Royal York of Perseverance , F . M . H . „ 18 , Old Dundee , London Tavern , Bishopsgate-st , „ joi , Temple , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . ,, 172 , Old Concord , Freemasons' Hall . „ 217 , Stability , Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . „ 7 6 5 , St . James's , Bridge House Hotel . „ 5257 , Grosvenor , Caledonian Hot ., Fleet-st .

„ 1259 , Duke of Edinburgh , C . of G . Hope Tav ., E . ,, 1261 , Golden Rule , Regent M . H ., Air-st ., Piccadilly . „ 3 298 , R . Standard , Wellington Club , Upper-st , N . „ 1381 , Kcnnington , Surrey Tav ., Kennington Oval . » 1 383 , Friends in Council , 33 , Golden-square . „ J 472 , Henley , Three Crowns Hot ., W oolwich . Chap- 145 , Prudent Brethren , F . M . H . „ 16 9 , Temperance , White Swan , High-st ., Deptford .

INSTRUCTION . Yarbotough , Green Dragon , Stepney . Domatic , Surrey M . H ., Camberwell New-road . Faith , 2 , Westminster Chambers . Victoria-st . ' . ' rince Fredk . Wm ., Lord ' s Hot ., St . John ' s Wood . Dalhousie , King Edward , Triangle , Hackney .

Prosperity , Gladstone Tav ., Bishopsgate-st . Within , St . Marylebone , British Stores Tav ., St . John ' s Wood , Constitutional , Wheatsheaf Ho ., Hand-court , Holborn .. Percy , Grapes Tav ., Little Windmill-street , W . Israel , Rising Sun Tav ., Globe-road . Royal Arthur , Prince ' s Head , York-road , BftMerseitu Metropolitan Chapter , St . Michael ' s Alley , Cssnhttt ;

WEDNESDAY , DECEMBER fk Committee , R . M . Boys' School , at 3 . Lodge 3 , Fidelity , F . M . H . „ . ) , Albion , Regent Masonic Hall , Regent-street .. „ 11 , Enoch , F . M . H . „ 13 , Union Waterloo , M . H ., William-st ., Woolwich .-„ 15 , Kent , F . M . H . „ 87 , Vitruvian , White Hart , Collcgc-st ., Lambeth .

„ 147 , Justice , White Swan , High-street , Deptford . „ 238 . Pilgrim , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . „ 781 , Merchant Navy , Silver Tav ., Limehouse . „ 1017 , Montefiiire , F , M , H . „ 1260 , Hervej ' , F . M . H . ,, J 305 , St . Marylebone , Eyre Arms , St . John's Wood . „ 1306 , St . John of Wapping , Gun Hot ., Wapping . „ 1503 , Francis Burdett , Albany Hot ., Twickenham Rose Croix , Grand Metropolitan , * n , Golden-square .

INSTRUCTION . Mt . Lebanon , Windsor Cas . Tav ., Southwark-bd .-rd . Pythagoiean , Prince of Orange , Greenwich . New Concord , Rosemary Branch Tav ., Hoxton . Royal Union , Horse and Groom , Winslcy-st ., Oxford-sl .

Confidence , White Hart Tav ., Abchurch-lane , Peckham , Maismore Arms , Park-road , Peckham . Stanhope , Thicket Hot ., Anerley . Finsbury Park , Finsb jry Pk . Tav ., Seven Sisters ' -rd . Southwark , Southwark Park Tav ., Southwark Park .