Provincial Meetings.

SEAFORTH . Skelmersdale Lodge ( No . 1380 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at Lathom Hall on Monday , 2 nd inst ., and in the course of the proceedings , a distinctive feature of which is the delivery of lectures , Bro . T . A . Bellew , F . S . S ., read a paper , which was exceedingly well received , on " Arkite Mytology : a Sideli g ht on Freemasonry . " Bro . Bellew dealt with the subject from a

purely archaiological point of view , and in his extensive reference to the mysteries of Isis in Egypt and Ceres in Greece , he laid it down that Freemasonry is a continuation of those mysteries of old time , and that its origin is not by any means to be looked for in Operative Masonry . In incidentally alluding to the Craft apron , Bro . Bellew said it had no more relation to bricks and mortar than had the bishop's apron , the Highlander ' s philibeg , or the scalp hanging to the belt of Sitting Bull .

SELBY . St . Germain ' s Lodge ( No . 566 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 20 th ult ., at the Masonic Rooms . Bro . G . W . Hudson , W . M ., opened the lodge , assisted by the following officers : Bros . M . Scott , P . J . G . W ., I . P . M . ; R . Hodgson , S . W . j Howitt Eggleshaw , J . W . j Rev . T . Cheese , Chaplain ;

W . N . Cheesman , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Townend , Sec . ; T . G . P . Barlow , D . C . j W . Staniland , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Lecturer ; J . F . Watson , S . D . j W . Wilkinson , J . D . j F . W . Sykes , Org . j J . J . Richardson , l . G . j S . M . Scott , Steward j and W . Rawling , P . P . G . O ., Tyler . Among the visitors were Bros . M . C . Peck , P . G . Std . Br . England , P . P . S . G . W ., and P . G . Sec . j J . Harling , P . P . S . G . D . j J .

J . Casson , 1 S 2 , U . S . A . j J . Constable , VV . M . 14 S 2 J 0 . VV Fretwell , I . P . M . 242 j T . B . Wilson , P . M . 1542 ; W . Brown , P . M . 1611 ; G . F . Carr , S . W . 1542 ; N . Shaw , W . M . 630 ; J . T . Emmott , J . W . 630 ; J . G . Loam , S . D . 630 j G . E . Cheesman , 2078 j F . W . Buckland , 242 ; W . Bradley , ] . VV . 57 ; G . H . Metcalfe , 250 ; R . Spencer , D . C . 1019 ; F . H . Vaughan , 1611 ; G . F . Wells , 250 ; A . McK .

Johnston , 250 ; and J . W . Purnell , S . W . 236 . ' The minutes of the last lodge and lodge of emergency were read and confirmed . The latter meeting had been called to pass the Treasurer's accounts , and it transpired in the minutes that the lodge was entirely free from the debt with which it had been encumbered for many years past , and that there was now a good balance in hand . The

Installing Master , Bro . M . Scott , P . M ., P . J . G . W ., took the chair , and applied himself to the ceremony of the day . Bro . H . Eggleshaw , J . W ., was presented as VV . M . elect . He subscribed to the customary obligation , and in due course a Board of Installed Masters was constituted , and the impressive rite was performed in a masterly manner , after which the W . M . proceeded to invest his

officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . G . VV . Hudson , I . P . M . ; Rev . T . Cheese , B . A ., S . W . ; J . F . Watson , J . W . ; VV . N . Cheesman , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Townend , Sec ; T . Stott , P . M ., D . C . ; Rev . A . G . Tweedie , M . A ., Chap . ; W . Wilkinson , S . D . ; I . J . Richardson , J . D . ; F . H . Mould , Org . ; F . W . Sykes , I . G . ; Rev . H . Greeves , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., S . M . Scott , andG . A . Buckingham ,

Stewards ; and W . Rawling , P . P . G . O ., Tyler . The customary addresses were then delivered by the Installing Master , whose rendering of the ceremony throughout secured the cordial approval of all assembled . " Hearty good wishes " were expressed by the visiting brethren on behalf of their respective lodges , and the lodge was closed .

At the banquet , which was subsequentl y held at the Londesborough Hotel , the members and their visitors , to the number of nearly 50 , enjoyed themselves most heartily , under the presidency of their new VV . M ., who eloquently introduced the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " which was most loyally honoured .

In speaking of the second toast— 'The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " —Bro . Eggleshaw alluded to the active personal interest which his Royal Highness takes in the Craft . Bro . Peck , P . G . Std . Br ., P . G . Sec , whose remarks were frequently applauded , made a most eloquent reply .

Bro . M . Scott , P . M ., P . J . G . W ., in responding to the toast of " The Prov . Grand Lodge of North and East Yorkshire , " regretted the absence of the P . G . M . from the province , but added that they could all look with pride and satisfaction on the admirable manner in which he was discharging his duties in Ireland as Viceroy , and all were aware what a very able representative he had in the

province in the Hon . Orde-Powlett , the D . P . G . M ., whose interest and zeal in Freemasonry so eminently qualified him for his high office . Very shortly he would be consecrating a new lodge in Middlesbrough , to be called the "Orde-Powlett" Lodge , and he had reason to believe that very soon he would be called upon to consecrate another lodge in the province . Masonry was decidedly

spreading in N . and E . Yorkshire , and Bro . Scott earnestly pleaded tlat every Freemason should strictly observe in daily life the high moral obligations he had placed himself under—that the ancient Institution might win the highest res-pect of all good men outside Masonic ranks . Bro . Hudson , I . P . M ., gave the toast of the evening , "The Health of the Newly-installed Master . "

Bro . Eggleshaw , VV . M ., thanked the brethren for their extremely cordial reception . After reviewing his short career as a Mason , the W . M . expressed a hope that the entiling year would be a prosperous one to the lodge , and a pleasant one to the brethren . The toast of " The Retiring W . M . of the Lodge , " was proposed by Bro . T . G . P . Bailow , P . M ., and Bro . Hudson ,

I . P . M ., responded . Bro . Hudson expressed the pleasure he had while occupying the chair , and the extreme regret he felt in leaving it , concluding by wishing his successor as pleasant a year of office as he himself had had . Bro . Cheesman , P . M ., in proposing " The Health of the Installing Master , " thought all present would agree with him that the grand ceremony of installation had that day

been rendered in a manner befitting the occasion , and that the lodge ought to I e proud that it possessed such an able and accomplished brother as Bro . M . Scott , not only on account of his many and varied talents , but on account of the very great interest he took in everything which concerned the welfare of their dear old lodge . Bro . Scott , whose reception was most enthusiastic , stated that it gave him great pleasure to perforin the installation ceremony for the lirst time , especially as the VV . M . was

Provincial Meetings.

one whom he had proposed as a candidate for Freemasonry . The toast of "The Visiting Brethren" was proposed by Bro . R . Hodgson , who , in a very cordial and hearty manner , expressed the great pleasure it gave the brethren to see so many visitors assembled round the festive board . The toast was responded to by members of the various

lodges present . " Past Masters of No . 566 " was proposed by Bro . Townend , Sec , and Bro . Barlow , P . M ., suitably replied . " The Newly-appointed Officers " was proposed by Bro . Hudson , I . P . M ., and the officers present responded . " The Masonic Charities " was proposed by Bro . Cheesman , P . M ., who pointed out the duty of Freemasons to

practice that virtue which was so often impressed upon the brethren in the lodge , and called attention to the Educational Fund of the province , which was doing good work as an auxiliary to the larger Institutions . Bro . Stutt , P . M ., D . C , in responding , advocated the claims of the three great Institutions , and gave a detailed account of the annual expenditure , number of inmates , & c

of each Institution , also some account of the work done by the Board of Benevolence . Bro . Stott related his own experience as Charity Steward of Candour Lodge , No . 337 , during which period several grants were made to distressed Masons and widows both from the province and the Board of Benevolence , in addition to two aged Masons being placed on the Annuity Fund for X 40 per year .

" The Ladies " was proposed by Bro . Richardson , and Bro . W . A . Watson replied . A most pleasant evening was spent , with abundance of harmony . Songs , & c , were contributed by the W . M ., Bros . Wells , Barlow , Buckingham , Metcalfe , Loam , Rawling , Giddy , and the lodge glee party . Bros . Scott , P . M ., Cheesman , P . M ., and Johnson gave recitations in capital style .

SOUTHAMPTON . Southampton Lodge ( No . 394 ) . —The brethren of this lodge celebrated the Festival of St . John at the Masonic Hall , Albion-place , on Thursday , the 19 th ult ., when Bro . F . A . Dunsford , the S . W . of the past year , was installed into the chair as W M . for the ensuing year , the ceremonies being admirably performed by Bro . G . J .

Tilling , P . M . 394 and 1461 , P . P . G . S . of VV . In addition to the retiring W . M ., Bro . S . Dacombe , and the Installing Master , the Board ot Installed Masters included Bros . Le Feuvre , P . M . 130 , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Aslatt , H . Lashmore , J . D . Barford , E . Gayton , R . H . Brannon , and VV . Bowyer , all of the lodge j Harfield , W . M . 1112 j Hussey , 17 S 0 ; Jenvey and Aldis , of

359 ; and Warren , 17 S 0 . After the installation the new VV . M . invested the following brethren as officers for the year : Bros . Simeon Dacombe , I . P . M . ; A . Hewett , S . W . ; H . C Ashdown , J . W . ; J . Lemon , Treas . ; VV . Bowyer , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . Bates , S . D . ; W . Paul , J . D . ; R . R . Linthorne , l . G . ; E . Gayton , P . M ., D . C . j J . W . Barford , Org . j J . Hollis and A . F . Doggrell , Stwds . ; and W .

Vare , Tyler . The Installing Master was heartily thanked for his services , and a similar compliment was accorded the outgoing Master for the excellent manner in which he had conducted the work of the lodge during the past year . Bro . Barford was congratulated on his reappearance in the lodge after recovery from a severe illness . The installation banquet was afterwards served in

excellent style by Bro . Biggs , the new W . M . presiding , supported on his right by the D . P . G . M ., and on his left by the I . P . M . and the Past Masters of the lodge . The usual Masonic toasts were honoured , Bro . Le Feuvre responding for " Grand Lodge " and " Provincial Grand Lodge , " and " The Visitors" being acknowledged by Bros . Aldis , Harfield , Hussey , Ritchie , Burrows , Dunsford , T .

Tilling , Reader , and Purkis , all of whom tendered " Hearty good wishes" to the W . M . for a pleasant and successful year of office . The D . P . G . M . congratulated the lodge on the progress it was making , and in responding for " The Officers , " coupled also with the names of the Wardens , Bro . Bowyer , Secretary , gave some highly interesting extracts from the lodge minutes . A very pleasant evening was spent .

TEDDINGTON . Sir Charles Bright Lodge ( No . 1793 ) . — This lodge met at the Clarence Hotel , on the 26 th ult . Among those prestnt were Bros . A . J . R . Simmonds , W . M . ; J . R . Barns , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; Finch , P . M ., P . G . S . of VV ., acting J . W . ; J . Pillar , P . M ., Treas . ; R . VV . Forge , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Sec ; VV . Middleweek , S . D . ;

W . H . Windeatt , I . G . ; J . E . Ruffle , Org . ; Midler , D . C ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . P . G . W ., Stwd . ; C W . Warner , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . J . Porter , I . P . M . ; W . R . Plaford , J . Barns , T . Middleweek , Walter Smith , J . Hall , E . Hall , J . Baldwin , P . P . G . D . ( Hon . Member ) , and others . Among the visitors were Bros . Beard , P . P . A . G . D . C ; Squire , P . M . 3 ; Poupart , P . M . 9 j Harvey , P . M .

1314 ; and J . H . Hall , 2045 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed ,. Bro . Warner , who was assisted by Bros . Pillar , as S . W . ; Pinch , J . W . j Forge , D . C . j and Walls , I . G ., ably installed Bro . Barns , as VV . M . The officers appointed and invested were Bros . VV . Middleweek , S . vV . j Windeatt , J . W . j Pillar , Treas . ; Warner , Sec ; Miiller ,

S . D . j Ruffle , J . D . ; F . Chandler , l . G . ; J . Hall , Org . ; Playford , D . C . ; Capt . Walls and Walter bmith , Stwds . j and Gilbert , Tyler . A vote of thanks was passed to the Installing Officer . The I . P . M . was then presented with a Past Master ' s jewel , and a vote of thanks to him ordered to be recorded on tne minutes . A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Forge , the late Secretary j all the Past

Masters testifying to the great services that he had rendered to the lodge since he was first appointed to that onerous position . Ihe sum of £ 5 was voted to the newly-formed Benevolent Fund in connection with the lodge , Bro . Forge kindly augmenting the same by forwarding a donation of live guineas . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart .,

P . G . M . ; J . F . H . Woodward , P . G . S . B . ; H . H . Room , P . G . Sec . ; C . Stevens , P . P . G . Org . ; F . Chandler , P . M . ; and many others . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . The preliminary toasts having been duly honoured , Bro . Capt . Walls responded on behalf of "Ihe Provincial Grand Officers . "

Provincial Meetings.

In giving "The Health of the W . M ., " the I . P . M . said that although Bro . Barns had entered Masonry late in life , yet he had shown thus far an aptitude and interest in its affairs . He trusted that the W . M . ' s year would prove to be as happy and as successful as his own had been . The VV . M . having replied , gave " The Immediate Past Master . " He briefly said that Bro . Simmonds had done

well , not only in his rendering of the respective ceremonies , but by his personal liberality in increasing the enjoyment and comfort of the brethren at the banquet table . The toast was drunk with more than usual warmth . The Immediate Past Master having modestly replied , "The Health of the Visitors" followed . In reply to this toast Bros . Squire , Poupart , and Beard

spoke most highly of the lodge , both as regards its working and its hospitality . The last-mentioned brother especially touched upon the great services rendered to the lodge by Bro . Forge as a founder , Master , and Secretary . The next toast , that of " The Installing Master , Treasurer , and ex-Secretary , " gave Bros . Warner , Pillar , and Forge an opportunity of speaking of the past , present , and future

career of No . 1793 . Bro . Playford acknowledged the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " and Bro . W . Middleweek "The Health of the Officers . " The proceedings then terminated . During the evening an excellent programme of instrumental and vocal music was carried out by Bros . Ruffle , J . Hall , E . Hall , Poupart , T . Middleweek , and Master Floyd .

TREDEGAR . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 1098 ) . —The annual installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 12 th ult . The lodge was opened by the VV . M ., Bro . J . J . Williams , P . S . G . D ., who was supported by the following officers : Bros . J . P . Fowler , I . P . M . ; W . H . Richards , S . W . ; B . Phillips , J . W . ; Rev . Thos .

Theophilus , P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; T . Morgan , Sec . ; L . N . Willputte , S . D . ; D . L . Davis , J . D . ; J . North , I . G . ; Illtyre and J . Daird , Orgs . ; T . Davis , D . C . ; J . Johnson and J . L . Herbert , Stwds . j and E . Barnard , Tyler . The following brethren and visitors were also present : Bros . Capt . S . G . Homfray , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C . England , D . P . G . M . j John Lewis , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W .,- W . Davis ,

P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . j G . A . Brown , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; N . Bradley , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . j I . A . Shepard , "P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; J . J . Morgan , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; G . Golding , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; J . Green , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst . ; G . D . Burdett , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . South Wales ( Eastern Division ); D . VV . Harod , D . Hughes , Thomas Henry , S . T . Davies , R . H . Spencer , J . Turnbull , J . K .

Webb , L . R . Rogers , J . D . Sullivan , J . Samuel , J . Burnett , E . Davis , H . Harris , A . Taylor , P . M . 1429 , P . G . Sec . ; W . L . Marks , J . W . 2226 ; R . A . Forsyth , P . M 0 S 3 , P . G . D . C . ; Fred . C . Williams , J . D . 2226 , P . G . Stwd . ; J . Aish , 2226 ; O . E . Briant , 13 SS ; D . Mackdonald , J . W . no ; and G . H . Brown , 26 S ( I . C . ) . The lodge was opened and the minutes read and confirmed .

The W . M . elect , Bro . W . H . Richards , was then presented to the W . M ., and a Board of Installed Masters was formed . The ceremony of installation was then enacted by Bro . Captain S . G . Homfray , D . P . G . M ., in a most impressive manner . Bro . Richards then appointed the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year , and invested them with the insignia of their offices with appropriate words : Bros . ] . J .

Williams , I . P . M . ; B . Phillips , S . VV . ; T . Morgan , J . W . ; T . Theophilus , Chap . ; C Widdowson , P . M ., Treas . ; N . L . Willputte , Sec . ; D . L . Davis , S . D . ; W . North , J . D . ; J . J . David , l . G . ; S . T . Davis , S . of W . ; | . Johnston , D . C ; R . H . Spencer and J . L . Davis , Stwds . ; and E . Barnard , Tyler . At the close of the installation ceremony the Deputy Provincial Grand Master presented Bro . J . | .

Williams , I . P . M ., with a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel as a token of esteem and regard , expressing in the name of the brethren of the lodge their entire satisfaction and appreciation of the eminently good business performed by him generally during his year of office . Bro . Williams thanked the brethren for this unexpected token of regard , and said he was pleased to find that the humble services

rendered by him to the lodge during his year of office had given satisfaction , and he further hoped in the future ( if he was spared ) he would be able to give every assistance in carrying out the duties of the lodge . This was all the lodge business , and the whole of the brethren repaired to the Freemasons' Arms Hotel , where an excellent banquet was served . The usual loyal toasts

were proposed , and were received with all Masonic honour , after which those of " The W . M ., " "The Visitors , " " The Past Masters , " " The Officers , " and several others were duly given , and suitably responded to . A capital programme of music was ably carried out during ' the evening , after which the Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings .

YORK . Albert Victor Lodge ( No . 2328 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held at Freemasons ' Hall , St . Saviourgate , on Tuesday , the 24 th ult . In the absence of the W . M . ( Bro . T . B . Whytehead ) , the chair was taken by Bro . C G . Padel , P . M ., there being also

present Bros . H . L . Swift , S . W . ; C E . Wright , asj . VV . i A . H . Russell , J . E . Jones , F . Shaun . and others . Visitors : Bros . C . M . Forbes , P . M . 236 , and P . Pearson , 1611 . The business consisted in the initiation of Captain ' Linberg and the raising of Bro . T . P . Carr , the latter ceremony being performed by Bro . Forbes . The brethren , » s usual , dined together before lodge .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Mount Sinai Chapter ( No . 19 ) . —A convocation of this chapter was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleetstreet , on Tuesday , the 17 th ult ., the Principal ' s chair being taken by Comp . Ernest Collard , C . C ., M . EX ; Comp . S . E . Cooper , H . ; and Comp . G . Read , as J ' After the chapter was opened , the minutes of the last

convocation were read and confirmed . The companions present were Comps . E . Collard , M . E . Z . ; E . C Cooper , H- i G . Read , P . Z ., as J . ; J . Charles , P . Z . ; Asher Barfield ; P . G . T ., Treas . ; R . Clipperton , S . E . ; F . Cambridge , S . N . ; M . C . Gossett , P . S . j C Bassam , ist A . S . ; J / W . Heath , 2 nd A . S . ; T . H . Baker , E . Hopwood , G . VV . A . Corderoy , R . Clowes , W . F . Stauffer , W . Carter , Pounds , P . Z . ; and Sneath . Visitors : W . E . Coffin , ?•'"