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strong muster of his own , and other Provincial Grand Lodge officers . The musical performances of the pleasant gathering were under the direction of Bro . Thomas Henry Kirk , P . G . Organist , who presided at the pianoforte , assisted by Bros . Edmondson , Stafford , Dumville , Cuzner ,

and Hamilton . After dinner , The Provincial Grand Master gave the toast "Her Most Gracious Majesty , " and in doing so said he would not waste precious time by enumerating the numerous public and private virtues displayed by the illustrious lady to whom the toast related . She ruled one of the freest

and happiest countries in the universe , and he called upon the brethren to drink the toast with enthusiasm . The call was cordially responded to , the Masonic version of the national anthem being sung as a so ' o , trio , and chorus . The next toast was " The W . M ., the Patron

ofthe Order , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and Earl of Chester , the Princess of Wales , and the Rest of the Royal Family . " It was never too early , his lordship said , to do a good thing , and thexelore , he must ask the brethren to drink the health of one who will do the greatest possible *

benefit to the Cratt , both as a man , a mason , and heir apparent to the throne of England . The toast was received enthusiastically . Solo and chorus , " God B ! e ? s the Prince of Wales , " ( solo by Bro . Dumville ) . The Provincial Grand Master said he knew the

brethren had drank the two previous toasts with all the loyalty , affection , and attachment to the throne and dynasty which was always manifested , but he now came to the throne and dynasty which more especially concerned them as Alasons . He gave the health of " The M . W . G . M .,

the Marquis of Ripon , and the other Officers of Grand Lodge . " The Marquis of Ripon now occupied the throne after a long array of G . M . ' s , but there was no doubt he would transmit it to posterity with , increased lustre . In modern times , at all events , very few had exceeded

their present Grand Master , in his public services to his country and the Craft , ( Hear , hear ) . As one of the most distinguished servants Jof the Crown , he has ever shown his willingness and ability to do his duty well and

mnnfull } ; and as the occupant of the chair of K . S ., he has proved himself one of the most zealous servants of the Craft . He ( the P . G . M . ) hatl manv oijportunities of meeting him , and never failed to be struck by the fidelity and zeal with which he fulfilled the work of his

distinguished office . With reference to the Officers of Grand Lodge he might state that when he was appointed to the office of Master of that Province , there was not a single Grand officer in the count } ' , but now he was happy to say they had two , Bro . Latham , and Bro . Cope , with whose name lie would couple the toast .

oong . " Oar Grand Master , Bro . Staii ' ord . Bru . Latham , hi responding to the toast , assured the brethren that he fell : ( jiiite as much oppressed as be was gratified , in being ce led ed to return ihanks for the G . M . of all England ar . d the Grand Officers , past and present . To have

to combine in his humble self , and take upon his incompetent shoulders such an amount ol Masonic ancl Craft wisdom almost overpowered him , but still he felt it his duty to reply to the toast . If the G . M . had been present that day , he would have been very much "ratified with the true

Masonic spirit displayed tiy tiic brethren . Despite of the elements , their ardour had not been damped , and and it had been shown that it would take something more than a shower of rain to put down Masonry . Other powers had tried to do so , but their noble Order had . survived all , and he

believed Masonry sll over England was now in a more flourishing condition than ever it was before . One-thing , hebelieved , which the G . M . would hav . tola ; t em , if lie had been present that day , was that they should remember the caution given them b y their P . G . M ., viz ., to think more of the quality than the quantity of their members . ( Cheers ) .

They should remember that when they made a Mason , they were not e nly making that individual a member , but also giving him a vt-te in the management of their lodge , and if he proved uiiA-oithy , he migl t be * the means <* r introduc ng other un . vorthy men . In addition fn what , the P . G . M . had said that dav , he , Bro .

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Latham , would remind the brethren that however brig htly the light of a new lodge might burn , it should never be li g hted when it puts out some more ancient lig ht which burns near it . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) As the quasi representative of the Grand Master he thanked the brethren for the cordial manner in which thev had received

the toast . Before sitting down he wished to g ive the health of " The Right Honourable Lorp de Tabley . " ( Loud cheers . ) Amongst all the duties the G . M . had to perform , the most responsible and most difficult was to appoint the Provincial Masters throughout the country ,

knowing he has to select men who will uphold the credit of the Craft , prudent and not rash , men who will give satisfaction to the provinces over which they rule . By the manner in which you have received this toast , you have shown

lhat the G . M . was right in his appointment in this case . ( Applause . ) If the province of Cheshire had to decide by plebiscite wdio should be its P . G . M ., it would unanimously fall upon him whom the Grand Master chose for them .

Lord de Tabley had often appeared amonsgt them when he mi g ht have been excused . It he consulted his own wishes , he would even that djy have shrank from appearing in public , but he fell it to be his duty to be amongst them , and therefore they ought to be all the more grateful

to him for leaving his seclusion . His Lordship attended their private lodges gave them his private ad \ ice , honoured them by his public countenance , and therefore he , Bro . Latham , thought the very best way in which they could show their gratitude would be to attend to the

very slightest hint he gave . The toast was received with genuine enthusiasm and Masonic honours . Ode , " Prosper the Art , " by the musical brethren . The R . W . P . G . M ., who , on rising , was greeted with tremendous cheering , said—Brethren , the

kindness and cordiality ot your reception of my name , is at all times so affectionate and loyal , that it puts it out of my power to return thanks in what I would conceive fitting terms . More especially do 1 feel touched by your kindness on the present occasion , after the remarks made by Bro .

Latham on the tender subjects upon which he has dilated . He has referred to the events ofthe past year , which have been fraught with weal and woe , more woe than weal ; but in the midst of all , I felt I had yonr sympathy and support through it all . ( Cheers ) . lam also

greatly comforted on this , my lirst public appearance , by the countenances of so many brethren of the Craft . I is one of the great comforts of Freemasonry that , when put out by the cares , troubles , and afflictions of this life , one has only to come to the lodge and open his heart , pretty sure to find

comfort . ( Applause ) . I count upon so many friends in the Pi > vincial ( irand Lodge , that I look upon it rs a pr ' -ate lodge . 1 have received so many pr > ofs of our kindness and confidence , I now look upon - 'on all ns personal friends in a gn . ' . - . t c ' e ^ ie * -- ; . ' Loud cheers : . The lirst thi ng you did when 1 jssamed the command ofthe

Province , wa . » to make me Vice-President ot tile charities , and to day have made me Vice Patron of the Masonic Institution , an honour which I take as a personal compliment . When I assumed the reins of office we had not a single child on the Institution , now we have ten ; we

had not l single vote on the charities , but now we have a most creditable influence on all the charities . Our numbers and lod ges in tlie Province are increasing , and with the exercise of due caution , I hope the Province will tr . ke and maintain the rank to which it is justly due . ! thank

you , brethren , lor tlie mar . y favours you havj conferred upon me , I thank you fur your constant support , and I know thatin the future , if it pleases th G . A . O . T . U . to spare me , I may always reckon upon your constant efforts in support of Masonry , and sympathy with myself . ( Loud and prolonged cheering ) .

The remaining toasts on the list were " Bro . George Cornwall Leigh , M . P ., R . W . D . P . G . M ., the P . G . Wardens , and other Provincial Grand Officers of Cheshire ; " " The R . W . and P . G . M . s ofthe nefg * ' jouring Provinces " " 'I'he Visiting P . G . Office * ; " the W . Masters of Lodges

Unity , 321 , and Four Cardinal Virtues , 079 " ; " The Visil ' - i'T Brethren . " "The I ' . G . Stew-mh "

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and " All Poor and Distressed Masons . " A pleasant evening terminated with the ever popular " Auld Lang Syne , " sung with the greatest heartiness .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

CUMBERLAND . CARLISLE . —Cumberland Lodge ( No . 60 ) . —A meeting of emergency of this prosperous lodge , was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Carlisle , on the evening of Friday , the 20 th ult ., fo ** the purpose of advancing Bro . John Whitwell , M . P ., D . P . G . M . for Cumberland and

Westmoreland . The ceremony of advancement was well worked by Bros . G . G . Hayward P . M ., P . G . J . G ., as W . M . ; W . Coast , S . W . ; W . Pratchitt , J . W . ; T . G . Herder . J . O . 90 , S . W . 125 , M . O . ; W . Murro , P . M . 60 , as S . O . ; T .

Blacklock , P . M . as J . O . ; F . W . Hayward , P . M . as S . D ., and other brethren . This being the whole of the business of the lodge of emer- » gency , the lodge was duly closed at 9 . 30 , and the brethren adjourned to the house of Bro . F . W . Hayward , whero they spent a very p leasant evening .

DEVONSHIRE

SOUTII MOLTON . —Fortescue Lodge ( No . 9 . ) —The regular monthly meeting of this old and ¦ flourishing lodge was held ? t the Masonic Hall , on Monday last ; Bro . Edwin Furze , W . M ., in the chair , supported b y Bro . E . J . Galliford as S . W . ; and Bro . J . T . Shapland as J . W . Bros .

Arden , A . Shapland , and Thomas Grove , of the Constitutional Lodge , No . 55 , were ballotted for , unanimously elected , and advanced to the degree of Mark Masters . The business of the lodge being ended , all the brethren present supped with the W . M . at his private residence , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

EANCASHIRE

BOLTON . —Consecration of the Rose and Thistle Lodge ( No . i . - ; 8 ) . —In the year 18 . 56 a warrant was obtained from the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland for establishing a lodge to be named the St . John ' s Lodge of Mark Masters , to meet at Bolton , the first Master being Bro . , George

Barker Brockbank . Since , this time the lodge hts been prosperous to such an extent as its most sanguine promoters could never have anticipated , and now numbers nearly 100 members . As is well known thc divided jurisdictions in the Mark degree have , until lately , prevented it from being

worked in Lancashire , to the same extent that would otherwise have been the case , but fortunately there is now a prospect in the future , of a great success for this degree , in consequence of the fusion between the lodges holding under the Grand Chapter of Scotland , and these

holding under the Grand Lodge of . Mark Masters of England and W aies , and fhe dependencies of thc ihe British Crown . Amongst those who have anxiously and -. 'ealoucly worked to accomplish this fusion is Bro . George P . Brockbank , upon

whom tne distinguished rank of Past Grand Warden has been conferred by the Alark Grand Lodge , and under whose auspices , us lirst W . M ., a warrant for the Rose and Thistle Lodge , ( so named to commemorate the fusion above referred

to ) has been obtained . The meetings are to be held in Freemasons' Hall , Church Institute . Bolton , on tin ; fir . t Thursday in the calendai month , and the lodge was consecrated on Monday , September 23 rd , by the the R . W . Prov . Grand Master of Lancashire , Bro . W . Romaine

Callender , who was attended by the following Grand , and Provincial Grand Officers ; Bros . Thomas Entwistle , Prov . G . Supt . of Works , Lancashire ; Lieut . Col . Thomas Birchall , Past G . W . ; Capt . W . O . Walter , ; Prov . G . M . O . , J . R . Goepel , Prov . G . S . O . ; John Tunnah , P . Prov . G . O . ; Will iam Roberts , " A . Prov . G . O . ;

John Duffield , Prov . G . Treasurer ; William Ashworth ; Prov . J . G . Deacon ; Richard Seed , i ' rov . G . Organist . The brethren having assembled in the loelge room , received the R . W . Prov . G . M . and ollicers by whom the ceremony of consecration was performed , Bro . Roberts officiating as Director of Ceremonies . Thr installation of Master and investiture cf