Three Days In Belfast.

by the visitors . The despatching and advertising rooms and offices are most commodious , as they must necessarily be to carry out the gigantic business of the firm . VISIT TO ULTONIA LODGE . At about seven o ' clock in the evening , during a heavy raia fall , the party adjourned to the Masonic Hall , Upper Arthur-street , where the meeting ; of

the members of the Ultonia Lodge are held . The visiting brethren were individually introduced to the W . M . and officers of the lodg ¦ .. who did their utmost to maki the English brethren comfortable . After the voting brethren had been duly tested , the lodge was opened in due form . Fjur candidates were then passed , the ceremony being most impress ' vely performed by the W . M . and other officers . The visitors were then entertained to supper .

After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been honoured , th > . Hast of " The English Brethren " was given by the W . M ., who said th it on beh . If of the officers and members of Ultonia Lodge , he wished to give the Eng lish brethren a right hearty welcome . The toast was enthusiastically teceived , and responded to by B .-o . A SKWITH and Bro . CHARLTON . . The meeting altogether was of a most kindly character .

An incident occurred at the lodge meeting which is worthy of record , as showing the sincerity of Irish Freemasons . A letter was read from a ma nber of the lodge , who stated that owing to his joining the Masonic Body , his friends—who were Roman Catholics—had outlawed him , and intended to put him off the farm he occupied if he did not change his ideas and give up Freemasonry . This he refused to do , and he was turned-out of his home , and he now applied to the lodge for assistance under the circumstances . The appeal was favourably commented on by some of the brethren .

The meeting was afterwards closed and the party adjourned to the hotel .

THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY . On Friday morning preparations were made for the return journey , all luggage was got ready , and securely tied up . Cars were soon at the door of the hotel , waitinc to convey the party and their luggage to the railway station , which was reached about 8 . 30 a . m . Half an hour later , and the train moved off for Larne , where the party shipped on board the packet boat

Princess May . When the steamer left the quay the weather was of a most inclement kind . The passage across was enjoyed by some members of the party , but was a little too rough for the majority , the steamer at times shipp ing some of the big waves ; indeed , the vessel battled with a bow seen right across the Channel . The arrival of the Princess May at Stranraer was hailed with pleasure by all . The party then adjourned to the sahon carriage , and ultimately reached home , via Carlisle and Newcastle , at half-past eight on Friday

evening . , , . , The trip was of a most successful description , and much credit is due to Bro . Charlton , who , at some inconvenience and cost , succeeded in arranging such an enjoyable and rare visit . The thanks of the party are also due to Bros . Happerand Hurst , of Belfast , who did their utmost to entertain the party in showing the many interesting sights that can be seen in Belfast .

William James Hughan.

WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN .

CONSTITUTIONS 1723-1896 . APPENDIX A . D . 1776 , & c The latest English mail brings me a book bound in Grand Ledge blue , bearing the above title , printed by the Publisher of the Freemason , Brother George Kenning , 16 , Great Queen-street , W . C , London . The value of this book , aside from being a reproduction of the

amendments to the early Constitutions and the principal transactions of the Grand Lodge of England relating thereto , consists in the compilation being the work of that distinguished authority on all matters Masonic , particularly of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons , our esteemed Friend and Brother , William James Hughan , of Dunscore , Torquay , England .

This work is handsomely embossed , and entitled Kenning ' s Archaeological Library , Vol . II ., and is companion volume to Anderson ' s Constitutions and the Wilson Manuscript , issued by the same Publisher , 1878 . No Masonic student can afford to be without this later work , and should have the first volume also . The cost prepaid is two dollars , which should be remitted to Brother Kenning .

In acdiiion to facsimiles of the Titlepages of all the Books of Constitutions , there are several Portraits of distinguished Craftsmen , not the least of which is one of William Preston , D . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge ( of Antiquity ) , well known as a distinguished writer on Masonic subjects in the past century .

Whin it is borne in mind that these earfy Constitutions and the amendments thcrelo form ihe basis of all Masonic law in the Grand Lodges , not only of the United States of America , but of the entire world of true Ancient Craft Masonry , the va ' ue of su . h a correct compilation may in a measure be estimated , and too much p-aise cmnot be awarded the writer , Brother

Wil . iam James Hughan . We commend the work to all readers of the American T yler ( Detroit ) . J CORSON SMITH , Past Grand Master , & c , & c . —American T yler , Sept . 15 th , 1 S 99 .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

At the May examinations in connection with the Science and Art I Department of South Kensington , it will be remembered the pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys gained G 2 certificates . The gra ' . ifying announcement is now made that one of the boys-C . W . Bowsher—has been awarded a Queen ' s Prize for Freehand Drawing . This distinction is very rarel y gained , and shows a hi gh standard of excellence .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 . The first meeting of the above lodge this season was held on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Holborn Restaurant , when there were present Bros . T . C . Taylor , W . M . ; Thos . Ockelford , S . W . ; Thos . J . Burgess , J . W . ; W . G . Mills , P . M ., Sec . ; E . J . Vidler , S . D . ; Jchn BtiggF , M . A ., D . of C . ; T . W . Heaton , Org . ; F . Bristow , KG . ; H . Duvrell , Stwd . ; Wm . Briggs , M . A ., LL . M .. I . P . M . ; Professor F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . ; D . A . Langdon , P . M . ; J . I . Berry , Arthur Hall , Dr . Chas . Helby ,

J . G . Powell , Arthur Bayman , R . Lockyer . J . L . Leslie , Arthur Davies , A . G . Peckham , las . King , Chas . Yates , E . Schneitter , A . L . Guittard , and Thos . Williams , Tyler . Bio . A . Sheppard , W . M . 1613 , was avisitor . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the regular meeting of lit May and the emergency meeting of the 1 st June were read and confirmed . Bros . Dr . Helby and Lockyer were then examined and entrusted , and were afterwards raised by the I . P . M ., Bro . W . Briggs . The ballot was taken for Mr . E . E . Salt , and it

proved unanimous in his favour . A proposition was considered for an additional meeting place for the lodge of instruction , and it was decided that a meeting on alternate weeks should be held at the Green Man Hotel , Upton Park , Forest Gate , N . Mr . E : E . Salt was then initiated by theW . M . This was his first initiation , and the ceremonv was ablv rendered . The election of a Tvler in nlace of the late Bro . Mallett

was then held . Bro . Thos . Williams was chosen by the brethren and appointed by the W . M . The W . M . rose for the first and second times . Letters regretting inability to attend were read by the Secretary , also a communication from Bro . McLeod re Festival of the Boys' School next June . The lodge was then closed . After the banquet the loyal toasts ot " The Queen and the Craft" and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " were given by ' the W . M .

" The Health of the W . M . " was given by the I . P . M . He spoke of the improved state of health of the W . M . ; what a satisfaction it was to the brethren and himself . He also alluded to the efficient way in which the W . M . had discharged the duties of the chair that evening . The W . M . was well-known , and his worth appreciated by all the brethren . The W . M . replied briefly . He said he had the interest of the Strong Man greatly at heart , that the brethren might rest assured that he would always be found ready to discharge the important duties of his trust . The W . M . gave the toast of "The Initiate . "

The initiate , Bro . E . E . Salt , replied , thanking the brethren and trusting he would prove a worthy member of the lodge . The W . M . gave " The Past Masters ot the Lodge , " coupling with it ths nimjs of the I . P . M ., and Bro . Driver . The . I . P . M ., in reply , alluded to the loss the lodge had sustained by the death of Bro . Mallett , the late esteemed Tyler , and how well he had performed the duties of his office . He spoke , also , of the chapter which had lately been founded under the auspices of the mother lodge , and trusted that many of the brethren would become members .

Bro . Driver followed on the same lines , not only endorsing what Bro . Wm . Briggs had said of the late Tyler , but spoke of his persoml knowlslgi of Bro . Millett , ani how highly he esteemed him . He trusted that many of the brethren woull join the Strong Man Chapter , and reminded them that in the Royal Arch was foutd the full completion of the Third Degree in the Craft . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the evening .

Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 .

VISIT OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER . Since its consecration in 1 S 76 the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 on the register of the Grand Lodge of England , formed for the convenience of histrionic , musical , medical , and literary brethren , has held a very conspicuous position in the Province of West Lancashire , the largest in England ; and its name and fame were very greatly emphasised on the 26 th ult . by the circumstances attending the annual installation meeting at the Masonic HallHope-street . For the first time since his

, installation as chief of the division a few months ago , Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Prov . _ G . Master , honoured the " Dramatic" by his presence—a singular compliment , which was welcome and significant . The attendance at the interesting function was numerous and representative , the whole of the proceedings being eminently successful . The chair at the opening of the lodge was occupied by Bro . Eustace Baxter , the retiring W . M ., and he was supported by a full complement of officers and other prominent members of the lodffe . the latter including- Broslosenh Bell .

P . P . G . D . ; J . B . Mackenzie , P . P . G . D . ; W . W . Sandbrook , P . P . G . D . ; J oseph Fineberg , P . J . G . D . ; A . E . Workman , P . P . G . O . ; W . Savage , P . P . G ., Treas . ; and H . Round , P . P . G . D . Besides the P . G . M . ( Lord Lathom ) there were also present Bros . W . Goodacre , P . GS . B ., Prov . G . Sec ; Rev . Dr . Porter , P . G . Chap . ; F . Salisbury , P . P . G . D . Shropshire ; Dr . R . P . White , P . G . Treas . ; T . Browne , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; J . R . Bottomley , P . P . G . D . C ; lohn Scott . P P . G . Sunt , of Works : R .

Rawlinson , P . P . G . D . ; E . R . Latham , P . P . G . Treas . ; G . Barclay . P . S . G . D . ; John Worthy , P . A . G . D . C ; W . W . Webster , P . G . S . B . ; J . Utting , P . P . G . D . ; E . Pritchard , P . P . IJ . G . D . C ; E . Collister Jones , P . A . G . D . C ; R . E . Stringleman , P . G . Supt . of Works ; R . R . Rawlinson , P . S . G . D . ; C . H . Barker , P . P . G . Org . ; Thomas Vernon . P . P . G . D . C . ; H . F . Burrows , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Griffiths , P . P . S . G . D . ; and numerous W . Ms ., P . Ms ., officers , and brethren from various lodges in Liverpool and district .

Ihe lodge was opened and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . Bro . Arthur George Goodwin , S . W ., was installed W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . E . Baxter , who performed the impressive ceremonv in a manner which elicited the heartiest comrr . endution of all who were present . The following officers were afterwards invested : Bros . E . Baxter , I . P . M . ; W . H . Dutton , S . W . ; T . W . Armstrong , J . W . ; Rev . Dr . Hardern , Chap . ; W . Savage , P . P . G . T ., Treas . ; T . R . Robertson , Sec . ; H . Round , P . P . S . G . D .. D . C . ; W . G . Harerave . S . D .: H . C . Arnold . I . n . -

C . Aspinall , Org . ; Creswick Boydell , I . G . ; J . J . Hewson , James Brown , G . F . Thompson , VV . J . Saunderson , and A . T . Parr , Stwds . ; and J . Wiatt , Tyler . Bro . Lewis Peeke , P . P . A . G . D C , was re-elected Charity Representative . A pleasant break in the business of the proceedings of ( he afternoon took place , when the Provincial Grand Master , in a few cordial sentences , expressed the pleasure he felt in connection with his visit to the Liverpool Dramatic

Lodge , ot which he spoke in high terms , at the same time paying a high tribute to the masterly manner in which Bro . Baxter had performed the installation ceremony . In response to cordial congratulations on his appointment to the chief position in Ihe important province , his lordship said that in the course of time he hoped to visit all the Craft lodges in the province , so as to become acquainted with the brethren in the division .

At the close of business , an excellent banquet was served by Messrs . Gait and Capper . Theusual loyal and Masonic toasts were afterwards proposed , and in the course of the evening Hro . Baxter was the recipient of a Past Master ' s jewel and gold watch as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by the brethren . A musical programme was furnished by the " Minster " Quartet ( Bros . Aspinall , Barlow , Fairhurat , and Owens ) , Bros . A . Weber , Patterson , J . Greenwood , D . Wicks , and others .

AT THE DINNER given at the Mansion House on Michaelmas Day by the Lord Mayor ( Bro . Alderman Sir J . V . Moore ) and the Lady Mayoress to the Lord Mayor-Elect ( Bro . Alderman Newton ) and Mrs . Newton , and the members of the Court of Aldermen , there were present , among others , Bro . Aldermin Sir Henry E . Knight and Lady Knight , Bro . Alderman Sir Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., and Ladv Ellis , Bro . Alderman Sir David Evans and Ladv Evans . Bro . Alderman Sir In « . nh Ronnie

Bart ., and Lady Renals , Bro . Alderman Sir | Walter Wilkin and Lady Wilkin , Bro . Alderman Frank Green and Mrs . Green , Bro . Alderman Alliston and Mrs . Alliston , Bro . Alderman Sir Joseph C . Dimsdale , Bro . E . A . Baylis , Bro . Sir Forrest Fultoi , O . C ., Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Trcloar and \ irs . Treloar , Bro . Aldermin Vaughan Morgan , Bro . Colonel and Ex-Sheriff Probyn , L . C . C ., J . P ., and Mrs . Probyn , Bro . Sheriff Bevan and Miss Bevan , Bro . the Archdeacon of London , Bro . Undsr-Sherili Langton and Mrs . Langton , and Bro . W . J . Soulsby , C . B .