Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

and believed that that might be taken as an augury that he would prove a worthy successor to the late P . G . M . ( Cheers . ) The toast was received with the utmost enthusiasm and full Masonic honours , led by Bro . G . Broadbridge , D . C .

Lord Skelmersdale , in rising to respond , was most enthusiastically received . He said it was extremely difficult for him to respond to the toast which they had drunk in such a hearty manner , and which had been proposed in far too flattering terms by Bro . Starkie . ( JSTO , no . ) He

only hoped that he might live to show that he would at least endeavour to fulfil their expectations ; but he assured them that when he walked into the large room of the Town Hall , and saw there assembled thc crowded mass of brethren , he , for the first time , felt the heavy responsibility

which lie had taken upon himself—felt how much would devolve upon him to advance Freemasonry in that province . ( Hear , hear . ) He felt what different elements existed in the body throughout the province , and how much would rest upon him in the endeavour to fuse those

elements into thorough and complete Fraternity . ( Cheers . ) As far as lay in his power , he intended to do his duty ; and though in this large province he might not be able to visit the lodges as regularly as hc might wish , he hoped in a short time to enter upon a course of visits to every

lodge in thc province . ( Cheers . ) He intended to go through them one by one , find out their working , and look for brethren who would be most able to support him in his high oflice . ( Loud applause . ) He hoped his election of officers would give satisfaction , and concluded by

thanking the brethren most heartily for the kind reception they had given to him , assuring them that he had been deeply moved by it , and lhat he should always look hack upon that day as one of the most trying and touching he had ever passed through . ( Cheers . )

Bro . Capt . Mott , in giving " The Health of the D . P . G . M . ( the Hon . F . Stanley , ) and the P . G . Wardens ( Lord Lindsay and Major Wilson ) , " said , they could not be surprised that in thc county of Lancashire the name of Stanley

should be received with honour , because it had everywhere attained a high place in public estimation . In Lord Lindsay they had also one of the the Craw fords of Balcarres—a name long known in Masonry—and known for years in Scotland . ( Loud cheers . )

The Mon . F . Stanley and Lord Lindsay replied , the latter remarking that it was always their desire in Scotland to be in the most hearty fellowship with their Knglish brethren , and he was certain that at some future time there would he a grand fusion of the Masonic bodies in the three countries . ( Loud cheers . )

Lord Skelmersdale proposed " The Health of the Installing Master , Hro . Lc Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . P . G . M ., East Lancashire . "' observing that it would be many long years before thc name of Starkie died out from Masonry , or from the remembrance of its connection with

many other good works in this country . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Starkie in responding , said his father was installed P . G . M . of East Lancashire in 1 S 27 . and continued to reign until 186 5 . ( Cheers . ) Having referred to his own Masonic training in

West Lancashire , and to the fact that Lodge 32 had the proud distinction of having given three Provincial Grand Masters to the Craft , hc concluded li ) ' thanking them for the manner in which thev had received the toast .

Ihe P . G . M . next gave "The Health of Lord dc Tabley . P . G . M ., Cheshire , " to which his lordship replied , enlarging upon thc charitable nature 01 " the < irder . Pro . Starkie proposed the health of " His Worship the Mayor of Liverpool , liro . Kdward

Samuelson . P . Prov . J . G . I ) ., Cheshire , " eulogising thc manner in which his worshi p had dispensed his hospitality to them on this occasion in his capacity as thc highest civic Magistrate of that great and wealthy town . This ' he continued ,

had been a very auspicious day , and the quadruple ' * S ** ' which formed part of the device on the chains which the Grand Masters wore round their necks was a happy augury of success . There were Bros . Samuelson . Skelmersdale ,

Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

P . G . M . for AVest Lancashire ; Stanley , D . G . M . ; and Starkie , P . G . M . of Cheshire . He looked upon this as an auspicious combination and as being propitious for the manner in which the duties of the office of P . G . M . would be performed hy the newly-installed brother . ( Cheers . )

The toast was received with Masonic honours . The Mayor , said he considered that no one was more fitted to occupy the honourable position of chief magistrate than a Free and Accepted Mason . He did not say this in a spirit of egotism , but he was satisfied that through the

tenets of Freemasonry , if carried out to the fullest extent , the Mayor of Liverpool ought to be a good man . Hc was not aware whether it was by accident or design that the Grand Lodge bad been held in Liverpool that day , but it had been called to his remembrance that that was

the anniversary of that great day when England poured out its thanksgiving to Almighty God for restoring to health the Past Grand Master of England , the Prince of Wales . ( Cheers . ) Such being the case , he felt that it was the duty of the Chief Magistrate of Liverpool to offer every

facility in his power in order that these proceedings might be conducted in a spirit worthy of the occasion , because it was his duty not to appear in them as a brother Mason , but as representing the entire community of Liverpool . ( Cheers . )

Bro . Pearson ( ex-Mayor of Liverpool ) , 111 answer to repeated calls , expressed thc pleasure he had in being present on that occasion , and complimented the Mayor for his thoughtfulness in giving his assistance towards making the

installation of the P . G . M . successful . Bro . W . Romaine Callender proposed "The Provincial Grand Oflicers , past and present , " which was acknowledged by liro . Alpass . P . G . Sec .

Hro . the Rev . II . Vernon , P . P . G . C . gave "The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , " which was coupled with the name of Bro . R . Wilson , the treasurer , who stated that the actual value of the institution was now

about „ -Ao . 70 o . Bro . Captain Mott said , he did not intend to say anything in connection with that toast , but he felt bound to acknowledge the spontaneous generosity of the two brethren from London .

Bro . 1 ' . Binckes , Secretary of the Boys Institution , had just handed him the sum of five guineas to constitute himself a Life Governor ; and Pro . George Kenning , proprietor of 7 lie Freemason , had now subscribed ten guineas for the same purpose . ( Loud cheers . )

Bro . J . beesley , W . M . 216 , replied to the toast of the W . M . ' s of the " Lodges in the Province , " and Bro . Cooke proposed "Thc Ladies , " which was responded to by Pro . S . AVhite .

During the evening an admirable selection of music was given by Mrs . Skeaf , Miss Barret , Pros . Busfield , T . J . Hughes , Haswell , and D . Jones , under the direction of Bro . Skeaf , who presided at the pianoforte .

Annual Festival Of The Glasgow Thistle And Rose Lodge, ( No. 73)

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE GLASGOW THISTLE AND ROSE LODGE , ( No . 73 )

This lodge celebrated its onc hundredth and seventeenth anniversary on Thursday , February the 27 th , at the Waverly Hotel , the large Ilali of which was tastefully decorated with lings and banners , kindly lent by several Masonic bodies . At 8 o ' clock about

fifty brethren , most of them accompanied by their wives or sweethearts , sat down to an excellent and substantial repast . liro . (' .. McDonald . R . W . M . presiding , ancl liro . W . Walton , Treasurer , in the absence of ihe S . W ., acting as Croupier . After the cloth had been cleared , the Chairman -. ¦ i vi- ' * The

Oueen and the Craft , " "The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Koyal Family , " "The Army . Navv and Volunteers . " Bro . J . Stewart , P . AI . replied in a humourous speech descriptive of the hardships endured by the Volunteers when reviewed in Edinburgh by the Oueen , arid in their camping expedition

at Pnlloeh . at the same time expressing his conviction that il" ever called on they would be as read y for real service . The Chairman then gave "The Three Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , " and called on liro . j . Johnson , of 73 H , E . C , who thanked the brethren for the kind wishes expressed towards the three Grand Bodies .

Annual Festival Of The Glasgow Thistle And Rose Lodge, ( No. 73)

and to him as a very humble member of the Englisl Constitution , by honouring him by intrusting hin with the priviledge of replying on behalf of whal he would characterize as the three greatest bodies in the world . The Chairman then gave a brief address on the present position of thc lodge , ane

expressed the great pleasure it had been to him , 1 comparatively young Mason , to have had the honoui for the third time to be elected to preside over sc old and influential a Lodge as No . i ^ , and to preside at this its one hundred and seventeenth anniversary , he then called on Bro . G . AV . Wheeler to give some lines he had composed expressly for the

. Bro . J . Banncrman gave the next toast , "The Prov . Grand Lodge of Glasgow , " highly eulogising its officers for their attention to their duties , and their efforts in the cause of benevolence . Bro . J . Balfour 332 , P . G . D . C . replied , thanking

the brethren for the kind manner in which they had received the toast , and the flattering way in which they had also received him as the representative of the P . G . L ., it was true they had done something to uphold the honour of Masonry in thc province , and had also laboured in the cause of benevolence , but

he hoped to see a deal more done in this way , he hoped to see their charities placed on a firm basis like those of their sister kingdoms , England and Ireland , and in that object he knew hc should have the sympathies nnd support of Lodge 73 .

Bro . A . II . Alackay , D . M ., then in a very humourous speech proposed "The Health of the Lord Provost , Magistrates , and Town Council of Glasgow . " Thc Croupier gave "Absent lirethren and Freemasons all over the World . "

Ihe Chairman Deputations from Sister Lodges . Bro . Sinclair . R . W . M . of St . " Mungo , 27 , replied , expressing the pleasure it had given them as visitors to be present al the one hundred and seventeenth anniversary of the " Thistle and Rose , " his

conviction of the good accruing to Alasonry in general from the keeping up of this fraternal spirit amongst thc lodges , and his hope that all present would visit St . AI ungo , and partake of their hospitality in return for this kind reception of him .

The next toast , lhat of "The Ladies , " was given by liro . J . S . Ampleford , who hatl taken it at a few minutes' notice in consequence of tlie absence of the brother to whom it had been entrusted , but he proved quite equal to the occasion . While liro . J . F . Hanbridge , the Secretary , in replying on behalf of the

ladies , proved that he hatl been deeply cmbiiccl with their spirit , as his speech throughout was witty and eloquent . Bro . T . Stewart , P . M ., gave what might be considered the toast of the evening , " Prosperity to the Thistle and Rose Lodge , No . 7 ^ . " In so doing , he

brielly sketched the history of thc lodge , stating that it first obtained a charter ns the St . Paul ' s Lodge , but in 1761 they obtained permission to call it by its present name , since then it had had a course of almost unexampled prosperity , and still exhibited no . symptoms of old age or decay .

Ino . Walton , Croupier , in replying said , that he as Treasurer could at any rate speak of its success financially since the funds hatl conic into his possession , and if any onc doubted its present prosperity let them look at its members with their happy faces , in their fine new clothing , and he must

say that they should return their thanks to Bro . Kenning for making them all look so fine . He had sent their clothing not only up to thc sample but even handsomer , and in order that the ladies may properly admire their new clothing , thc material proof of their prosperity by looking at it during the

ball , he would close his speech and then get to the ball . The Chairman gave the " Strangers present , " coupling with it Air . Liskard , a gentleman , who that evening had contributed so much to their amusement , through thc kind permissions of Iiros .

Owens and Adamson , at whose music hall hc was engaged . Air . J . Liskard in reply said , hc had only one regret and that was lhat he could not address them as brothers , and in return for their friendly greeting give them back the Alasonic grip , but this was a loss that hc meant to remedy , he had

often thought of joining the body , and his reception that night had determined him to delay no longer he then concluded with one of his favourite songs that he had sung before the Prince and Princess of Wales at Marlborough House .

1 he Final Toast was then given horn lhe Chair and concluded this part of the programme which had been interspersed with songs from Bro . Pratt and Adamson , a Poem liy ( J . W . Wheeler , and a Musical entertainment by the celebrated J . Liskard , thc Musical Mumns .

Ihe Hall was then prepared for thc dancers , about forty couple entered in the Grand March , the rich crimson aprons and sashes of the brethren contrasting finely with their black coats and afterwards in the mazes of the dances , blending finely with the lighter dresses of their fair partners , Altogether a very pleasant evening was spent by the brethren and friends of " old 73 . "