Consecration Of The St. Olave's Lodge, No. 2764.

present to see so capable a Mason and so genial a soul as Bro . O'Dea installed . He occupied the same position at the consecration of the Borough Lodge , which , he was glad to hear , was in a prosperous condition . He thought he might venture to predict that the St . Olave ' s Lodge , b ? gun under such favourable auspices , would also have a

prosperous career , and he sincerely trusted that the child born that day would grow to stalwart manhood . " The Consecrating Offi : ers " was next proposed by the W . M ., who said he could not possibly do justice to the toast . No brother had ever seen the ceremony performed with more grace and dignity , and , although it might probably be equalled , it could never be excelled .

Bro . E . LETCHWORTII . G . Secetary , said that as Bro . Schartau had prepared a most admirable musical programme , to which they were all looking forward , his remarks would be few . He wished in words as sincere as they were brief to tender on behalf of those privileged to take a part in the ceremony , their warmest thanks for the kind terms in which the W . M . had proposed the toast . He had often remarked that there was no more agreeable duty than that of starting into existence a new lodge , and that

pleasure was increased when they knew , as on the present occasion , that the new lodge had every prospect of success . A very great privilege devolved upon him in propos ng the health of the brother whom , not for the first time , he had had the pleasure of installing into the chair . It seemed but a short time since he installed Bro . O'Dea as W . M . of the Borough Lodge , and he was pleased indeed to hear that the prophecy he then made with regard to that lodge had been fulfilled . He asked them to join in drinking "The Health of the W . M ., " and wishing him a most prosperous and pleasant year of office .

Bro . J . O'DEA , P . M ., W . M ., in replying , said this was the most difficult loast to respond to , for if he talked of himself it would be said he was egotistical . It was true he had been installed in the Borough Lodge and also that he did his best in connection with it . He hoped it would not be thought that he desired the credit of first thinking of founding the St . Olave ' s Lodge . It emanated in the fertile brains of the J . W ., I . G ., and J . D . They were not , however , In tailed Masters , and did not think

themselves capable of starting the lodge . They , therefore , asked him to fill the Master ' s chair , and he could afterwards take credit for " licking it into shape . " The object of the lod ^ e arose from the fact that there were 32 old Olavians who were desirous of becoming Freemasons . He was not an 0 ! avian himself , although his son was educated at the school . In conclusion , he thanked the Grand Secretary for his complimentary remarks and the brethren for the patience with which they had listened to his disconnected story .

Bros . W . LLIAMS , P . P . G . D . Bi ; ks , and EEDLE , P . P . G . Supt . of Works Essex , replied for " The Visitors , " and "The Offi : ers" having been honoured , the proceedings termina'ed . Bro . H . Schartau , P . P . G . Org . Middx , was assisted in the excellent musical arrangements by Bros . F . Tebbutt , W . Fell , and Geo . Stubbs .

Three Days In Belfast.

THREE DAYS IN BELFAST .

MASONIC TRIP FROM BLYTH .

A number of brethren belonging to Blyth and district had a most enjoyable trip to Belfast last week , a cordial invitation having been accepted by Bro . Arthur A . Askwith , W . M . of the B / agdon Lodge , No . 659 , Blyth , from the W . M . of Ultonia Lodge , No . 29 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . Although this is the third visit of English brethren to the sister isle it lost none of its special features , the former visits having been to

Dublin . The visiting excursionists consisted of the following members of the Blagdon and other lodges : Bros . Arthur A . Askwith , W . M . ; Wm . Charlton , P . M ., P . P . G . A . S . ; Ed . Forster , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; John Tweedy , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Works . ; Robert T . Guthrie . P . M ., D . of C ; Wm . Soulsbv , Past S . W . ; Neils F . Arveschoue ,

S . D . ; . Wm . P . Straker , J . D . ; Allan M . Carswell , A . Craik , Donald F . Macbean , Elijah Brookes , Richard Nicholson , Henry Arnott , John Southern , John Bryson , John Parsons , W . Arkley , 1902 ; John Brown , 1902 ; Thos . Kerr , 1342 ; G . H . Heslop , P . M . 431 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Perkins , P . M . 431 , P . P . G . Std . Br . j and K . Clouston , 431 .

THE OUTWARD J OURNEY . The party left Blyth at 1 . 40 on Monday afternoon , the 17 th ult ., arriving at Newcastle in time to catch the train , which left the Central Station at 3 o ' clock . A comfortable saloon carriage was provided for ths excursionists , and although the weather was rather boisterous , with occasional heavy showers of rain , the " run " from Newcastle to Carlisle was thoroughly enjoyable , the splendid scenery of South Tynedale being much admired . The journey from Carlisle to Stranraer occupied about three hours .

CROSSING THE NORTH CHANNEL ; On the arrival of the party at Stranraer the passenger steamer Princess May was in readiness for the passage , and the holiday contingent was soon " on board the lugger . " The weather by this time had increased in forcea strong westerly wind prevailing—which caused the Channel to become quite stormy . In a few minutes the steamer's mooring * were let go , and

the passage across commenced . It was not long before the Princess May commenced to roll , and the unpleasant sensation of mal de mar seemed to have seized some of the passengers . The voyage to Larne , howeveralthough enjoyed by a few—was of a very rough description . The starboard deck could not be approached unless under the penalty of a " shower bath . " The packet arrived at Larne at about 11 o ' clock . The visitors

then crossed over to the Belfast railway station , and took their seats for another run of about 50 miles , arriving at Belfast a little after midnight . Cabs were awaiting at the station , and the party were then driven to their heac ' q carters during their stay at Belfast , viz ., Hotel Metropole , Collegesqiare , where every kindness and attention was shovn to them by the proprietor , Bro . Hicks , and his coloured assistant , " Sammy . "

FIRST DAY . —VISIT TO DUNVILLE S . On Tuesday morning , through the kindnes of Mr . Porter , ths courteous minager of the renowned distillery of Messrs . Danville and Co ., at Belfast , ihi sightseers were shown through the whole of the extensive works and offices . It was a sight worthy of a visit , the machinery biing of the latest

Three Days In Belfast.

construction , and the modus operandi of this great industry being perfection itself . Theoffi ; es , despatching rooms , and bottling department were viewed with much interest .

VISIT TO A LINEN FACTORY . Belfast is not . d for its " linen , " and after the visit to the distillery the party proceeded to Messrs . Robinson and Cleaver ' s extensive shops , warehousesand factorv . The whole of the machinerv was in mition . and trip

various departments were scanned with great astonishment . The weaving department attracted great attention , ihe old spinning wheel , driven by the treadle , turning out splendid work , but not at the pace of the modern machinery . The number of employees—principally females—is large , and the wages bill weekly amounts to several thousands of pounds .

DRIVE ROUND THE CITY . Jaunting cars were , on leaving the factory , in readiness , and the party was driven through the principal streets of the city . The drive was much appreciated—the various " Jarvies " describing the collossal shops and warehouses that were passed en route . One of the features that attract the

visitor at Belfast is the great length , breadth , and regularity of the streets , the Royal-avenue ( one of the principal streets of commerce in the city ) being several miles long , a part of which is said to have been erected on a bog , and when carts or trolleys are passing on the highway at certain points of the avenue , the vibration can be distinctly felt . A portion of the city had to be " piled " before any foundations could be got for the buildings .

VISIT TO PUCES OF AMUSEMENT . The drive round the city ended in the Northumbrian visitors being driven to their head-quarters in College-square , where tea was provided , the party afterwards visiting the theatre , music halls , and other places of amusement .

SECOND DAY . —VISIT TO THE GIANT ' CAUSEWAY . One of the greatest treats in the neighbourhood of the important city of Belfast is a visit to the Giant ' s Causeway , and at about . nine o ' clock in the morning preparations were made by the party for an expedition to that extraordinary spectacle . The weather was very rough , a strong westerly sale prevailing . The iournevwas a bie one for such a momintr— = ; o miles

by rail and eight miles in a jaunting car—along the romantic and wild shores on the Antrim coast , passing the dangerous Skerry Rocks , the ruins of Dunlouse Castle , the many dangerous precipices caused by the angry waves from the Atlantic dashing against that rock-bound part of the coast . In spite of the adverse state of the weather , the party took train at Belfast , and , after a run of a couple of hours , duly arrived at Port Rush ,

where the cars were ready waiting for the drive to the Causeway . Guides were then engaged , and the inspection commenced . The Causeway is truly a wonderful sight , and the weather was of such a description that it was seen in its "loveliest verdure . " The guides , in describing this extraordinary and extensive assemblage of polygonal basaltic columns , said they were situated between Bengore Head and Port Rush . The Causeway is divided

into three parts , and comprises a multitude of columns consisting of prisms of equal dimensions throughout their whole height , which ranges from 15 feet to 36 feet , with a diameter of 15 to 28 inches , and varying in their number of sides from three to nine , although the greater number of sides are pentagons and hexagons . Each of the pillars is perfectly distinct , and they almost invariably differ in size , number of sides and points of articulation from the adjacent columns , to which , however , it is so

close that water cannot pass between them . Almost every column is composed of several pieces , the points of which are articulated with the greatest exactness , and in a strictly horizontal direction . Ganerally the upper part of the section is concave and the lower convex , but this arrangement is sometimes reversed . The basalt of which they are composed is of a very dark colour , approaching to black . The Giant ' s Cave—so interesting to the eye of the visitor—was a magnificent sight , the foam from the rolling . trfltrOC « iKl /» Vl tltnra fl JChlnff nflfflin . l 11 . a ** . r . \ rr . I ^ o . nn . i \ f i «•» *• . *¦• # . ** . ! t . nnfl vovwj nvi \ ^ uiii ^ auuk III * IUI . M & IIIE

. . TIIIUII . ua ag U UL «* ^ Jjuiuiaillll . auu spectacular kind . Tne guides gave a very good description of the cave , and offered to carry the timid visitor across the " velvet beds of foam . " The Causeway is truly a wonderful sight , and has been visited by tourists from all parts of the world . The return journey to Port Rush was very rough , the wind still blowing strong , with heavy showers of rain falling . The party , however , arrived at Belfast at about five o ' clock , and , after partaking of tea at the headquarters , preparations were made for a

VISIT TO ST . J ' LODGE , No . S 3 . In the evening a visit was made to St . John ' s Lodge , No . 88 , in the Central Masonic Hall . The English brethren were most kindly received by the W . M ., the various officers , and members present , and entertained to refreshments afterward ; . The toast of " Ths English Brethren " was most enthusiastically received , a most enjoyable evening bs ' tng spent .

THIRD DAY . —VISIT TO BELFAST ROPE WORKS . Through the kindness of the managers of the Belfast Rope Company and the influence of Bro . Dr . Brown , City Councillor , the party visited these extensive rope work ' . This industry is , indeed , one of the sights m the city . The works cover an area of about 40 acres . O / er 1000 hands

are daily employed , and the weekly wages bill amounts to a cjnsiderable sum . The machinery is almost beyond description . Articles from the tiniest shop thread to a ship ' s tow line are manufactured , and goods arc despatched to all parts of the world . One of the managing directors is Mr . J . Smiles , son of the well-known author of "Self-Help " and similar works .

THE CORPORATION FIRE BRIGADE . By the generous permission of the Superintendent , the visitors were shown one of the best eq lipped fire brigades in the United Kingdom . A practice was gone through for the edification of the party , and on the sound of the alarm " fire , " the brigade was fully ready for action in the short space of 14 seconds .

GALLAGHER S TOHACCO FACTORY . O . ie of the largest tobacco manufactories in the world ( Gallagher ' s ) was next visited by the brethren . In the warehouses there were thousands of barrels of tobacco , weighing about two tons each , in its raw state , as imported from America . An adjournment was then made to the factory , where thousands of employees were busily engaged in the manufacture of the tobacco . It was a most interesting sight , and will not readily bs forgot