Grand Mark Masters Lodge Of Instruction.

ELLIOT LODGE ( No . 1567 ) . —The last meeting of this flourishing lodge , for the present season , was held on Saturday , the ist inst ., at the Railway Hotel , Feltham . Among those present were Bros . R . T . Fennell , W . M . elect ; Goodall , I . P . M . ; Mason , P . M ., Sec ; Pearson , P . M ., Treas . ; Bird , S . W . ; Isaac Dixon , J . W . ; Wadeson , S . D . ; Dillon , J . D . ; Brougham , Bevis , Ball , Bennett ,

Brown , Church , Cooper , Crombie , Dockrill , Dutson , Grimth , Millen , Mitchell , G . R . Nichols , Pearce , Parkes , Rogers , Sherlock , R . C . Smith , Skudder , Schreiber , Taylor , Tharle , Webster , and Potter , Tyler . Visitors : Bros , Cottebrune ; Seymour Smith ; G . Wallace , S . W . 907 ; J . Bailey , 1 S 05 ; McGowan , 593 ; Cutbush , 263 ; James Terry , R . M . Ben . Inst .: R . Wells , :. 3 o : I . Browning , 132 S ; Farmer , 1401 ;

Wigley , 1348 ; McLaren , 1805 ; Ballard , 137 ; White , P . M . 1437 ; Paul , 132 S ; Martell , 209 ; H . Nichols , 1894 ; and others . The popular W . M ., Bro . T . Duerdin Dutton , was again unable to be present consequent on serious indisposition , much to the disappointment of all the members . The chair was taken bv Bro . Goodall , who opened the lodge

and initiated Mr . Robert Parkes and raised Bro . Griffith . Bro . John Mason then took the chair , and installed as W . M . of the lodge Bro . R . T . Fennell , P . M . 1 S 05 . The W . M ., after having received the usual congratulations , then appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Dixon , S . W . ; Wadeson , J . W . ; Pearson , P . M ., Treas . ; John Mason . P . M ., Sec ; Dillon , S . D . ; Sherlock , J . D . ;

Millen , I . G . ; Bird , P . M . 1 S 97 . D . C ; Webster , Asst . D . C ; Cooper , W . S . ; Bevis , Asst . W . S . ; and Potter , Tyler . All business being completed , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren sat down to a good dinner well served . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured . Bro . Seymour Smith contributed materially to the enjoyment of the brethren with his "Musical Sketches ;"

among which a topical song , written for the occasion by Bro . John Mason , was received with enthusiasm . "The W . M ., " proposed by Bro . Goodall , was drunk most heartily and acknowledged in feeling terms . "The Installing Master" was given by the W . M ., and responded to by Bro . John Mason in an impromptu song which provoked peals of laughter and resulted in an encore , which we give

below . Bro . Terry responded for " The Masonic Institutions " in an eloquent speech , and Bro . Parkes ably replied for "The Initiate . " Bro . A . White , P . P . G . R . Essex , responded for "The Visitors , " eulogising the hospitality and good fellowship shown them by the members of the Elliot Lodge . " The Past Masters" were acknowledged by Bros . Pearson . Mason , and Goodall , and " The Officers " by Bro . Isaac Dixon , S . W . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close

a most enjoyable ^ meeting , the brethren leaving about ten o ' clock , the majority returning to London by Southwestern Railway , ample provision being made for them by the courteous station-master , Bro . Walter Martell . A novelty in the menu card was a number of quotations from the works of Charles Dickens , which is the first of the kind that has come under our notice . The card itself was designed and printed at the Freemason Office , and was much admired .

Air—" Men of Harlech . " Brethren , ' tis our Installation , And I am asked on this occasion For a song or recitation . This then is a fact—We are working Masons at your service , Whether on the base or cornice ,

We will always keep our promise On the square to act . So I pray attention , For I should like to mention We give good cheer to visitors here , At least it ' s our intention ; Wine that ' s good , and best of food ,

Well , if 'tis not it really should ; We would give them better if we could To ensure they'll come again . Our numbers now are quite sufficient , And we have officers efficient ; In the lodge they are proficient ,

At the banquet too . There ' s Dixon , who the Master faces , And Wadeson in his proper place is , And Deacons too , with measured paces , Have some work to do . I . G . the labours sharing ; The Sec . the Treasurer squaring .

The Stewards too will come to you To see how you are faring . This lodge shall securely stand While each brother , hand in hand , Form a true Masonic band

Which nothing can break through . Let each perform the vow he has taken , Nor from the centre e ' er be shaken ; Our Master will not be mistaken When he our work shall try .

The young protect , assist the hoary , Then midst final auditory You shall gain a crown of glory In realms beyond the sky . Masonry professing , Let us each possessing

Gifts in trust from him who is just , To help some case distressing-. Perform our task while yet ' tis day Till we shall hear the Master say Put your working tools away For you I'll glorify .

HENRY LEVANDER LODGE ( No . 2048 ) . — An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at the Railway Hotel , Harrow Station , on Saturday last . Bro . H . Lovegrove , W . M ., wassupported by Bros . C . J . Axford , S . W .: W . A . Scurrah , J . W . ; C . P . McKay , Sec . ; F . W . Sillis ! as S . D . ; W . Medwin , P . M ., as J . D . ; J . Johnson , I . G . and G . Very , Tyler . Bro . J . Shilcock was also present as a visitor .

Bros . Surridge , Burgess , and Webb were raised ; Bros . Smith and Buefort were passed ; and Messrs . S . Reece , J . McLay , and Worrell were initiated into Freemasonry . This lodge determined to do something for the Masonic Charities , and the W . M . undertook to represent it at Bro . Terry's next Festival . At the dinner which followed the W . M . expressed his satisfaction at the progress of the lodge and the harmonv which prevailed .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

TRURO . —Loyal Cornubian Chapter ( No 331 ) . —The installation meeting was held at the Public Rooms , on Monday , the 27 th ult . The ceremony was ably performed by Comp . E . D . Anderton , P . Z . 331 , Z . 75 , P . P . G . P . S ., Prov . G . S . E ., who was assisted by Comps . W . H . Jenkins , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S . ; J . H . Ferris , P . Z . ; W . D . Rogers , Z ., Sic , the installed companions being Comps . Richard Carter , M . E . Z . ; Thomas Hicks , H . ; and W ,

Simmons , J . The following were afterwards invested as officers for the year , namely : Comps . W . D . Rogers , P . Z . ; Charles Bryant , S . E . ; E . F . Whitley , S . N . ; G . H . B . Reed , P . S . ; Norman Gray , A . S . ; J . H . Ferris , P . Z ., Treas . ; and W . Rooks , J . W . Supper followed in the ante-room , at which , in addition to the above , there were present Comps . VV . J . Johns , P . Z ., P . P . G . R . ; W . Tweedy , P . Z ., Prov . G . Treas . ; and J . J . Hawkin , P . Z . A very pleasant evening was spent .

LIVERPOOL . —Walton Chapter ( No . 1086 ) . — A meeting of this chapter was held at the Skelmersdale Masonic Hall , Kirkdale , on Friday , the 24 th ult ., [ when there were present Comps . John Lunt , Prov . G . S . B ., P . Z ., M . E . Z . ; C . Bargery , H . ; W . Wilkinson , J . ; Wm . Roberts , S . E . ; J . C . Lunt , P . Z ., as S . N . ; F . Ewart , Prin . Soi . ; l IG . T . Townsend , P . Z ., Treas . ; I . T . Savage ,

P . Z ., J . Croxton , J . Unsworth , C Kerr , and others . The minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed , Bro . John Milne , 1756 , was exalted to the degree of a Royal Arch Mason , the ceremony being exceedingly well performed . The chapter was closed in due form , and the companions adjourned to refreshments , supplied by Comp . Vines , Canton Hotel . The usual toasts followed .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

PRINCE OF WALES LODGE ( No . 4 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at Sa , Red Lion-square , on Monday , the 27 th ult ., when there were present Bros . H . Lovegrove , P . G . S . of W ., W . M . ; J . Shilcock , S . W . ; G . Edwards , J . W . ; W . Vincent , S . O . ; C . Pulmur , J . O ., Sec ; W . Heath , I . G . Visitors : Bros . J . Smith , L . J . Fountain , and J . S . Cumberland , G . J . O . l

Bros . w . IJ . Brighton , rrov . u . aec , ana _ . J . Axtord , were elected joining members . Bros . W . A . Scurrah , J . W . 204 S ; J . W . Mash , W . M . 73 ; and G . F . Bates , D . C . 1507 , were approved of by ballot and duly advanced . The W . M . then proceeded to complete the investment of officers which had been deferred , and the following received collars : Bros . W . Heath , Reg . of Mks . ; W . A .

Scurrah , S . D . ; C . J . Axford , J . D . ; R . H . Coulton , I . G . ; J . W . Mash , D . C . ; and G . F . Bates , Stwd . At the completion of the business the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where an excellent repast awaited them . Several propositions for advancement and joining were received .

DERBY . —Duke of Connaught Lodge ( No . 246 ) . —The anniversary festival took place at the Masonic Hall on the 21 st ult . Present : Bros . G . T . Wright , W . M . ; W . L . Ball , I . P . M . ; J . H . Lawson , S . W . ; J . O . Manton , J . W . ; E . C . Milligan , P . M ., Treas . ; C . G . Busby , M . O . ; W . Boughen , S . O . ; Edgar Home , S . D . ; A . Oran , J . D . ; W . S . Hall , I . G . ; P . Le Gros ,

P . M . ; J . E . Harrison , J . Bland , Sec ; R . B . Banath . Visitors : Bros . W . Kelly , Prov . G . M . M . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W . ; Percy Wallis , W . M . 302 ; T . Cox , P . M . 302 ; J . Chadwick , Prov . G . Sec . Lancashire ; H . George , P . M . 265 ; C . Webster , S . O . 302 ; and others . Lodge having been opened , Bro . C . F . Matier took the chair , and Bro . J . N . Lawson having been presented was

most ably installed by Bro . Matier , and appointed his officers as follows : Bros . G . T . Wright , I . P . M . ; J . O . Manton , S . W . ; C . G . Busby , J . W . ; W . Boughen , M . O . ; J . Bland , S . O . ; Edgar Home , J . O . ; S . Smedley , Sec . ; E . C . Milligan , Treas . ; W . Whittaker , Reg . of Mks . ; A . Oran , S . D . ; J . E . Harrison , J . D . ; G . R . Dalton , I . G . , * and W . Stone , Tyler . Three candidates for advancement were proposed . Bro .

W . S . HaU resigned , and many letters regretting absence from various brethren were read . _ Two notices were given with respect to the future meetings of the lodge , which now meets twice a year at Derby , once at Chesterfield , and once at Buxton . "Hearty good wishes" having been tendered by the visitors , lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet in the Lower Hall , after which the usual toasts

were given . Bro . Matier , P . G . W ., most eloquently proposed the toast of "The Prov . G . M . M ., W . Kelly , and Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge . " This learned brother in replying gave a recital of the progress of Mark Masonry in the Midlands , referring especially to his advancement in the Newstead ( T . I . ) Lodge , Nottingham , and tracing the gradual extension of the degree , and the formation of the

various lodges under his rule . Bro . Kelly afterwards proposed the toast of his " Prov . Grand Officers , " to which Bro . P . Wallis , W . M . 302 , replied . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . G . T . Wright , I . P . M . Bro . Lawson , in responding , asked for the earnest help and regular attendance of all the officers and Past Masters , assuring them he would try his best to do the work well . The toast of "The Installing- Master" was proposed bv

Bro . E . C . Milligan , P . M ., and was most heartily received , and in reply Bro . Matier alluded to the time when he with others came to consecrate the lodge , and expressed regret at not having been able to attend since . He congratulated the W . M . on the flourishing state of the lodge , and was pleased to hear the lodge would send a Steward to the next festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund . Other toasts followed , and it seemed evident Mark Masonry was flourishing rapidly in Derbyshire .

The annual festival of the Cheesemongers ' Benevolent Association was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , on Thursday , the 30 th ult . Bro . the Lord Mayor occupied the chair , and was well supported by the friends of the Association . In the course of the evening subscriptions and donations to the amout of £ 2200 were announced .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . THE MAROUIS OF LONDONDERRY , PROV . G . M . FOR DURHAM . We deeply regret to announce that at the moment ot going to press we have received the intelligence of the death of Bro . the Marquis of Londonderry . The sad event took place at his seat , Plas Machyulleth , Montgomeryshire , on

Wednesday night . The telegram adds that his lordship passed away without pain . The deceased nobleman was born on April 26 th , 1821 . His loss will be deeply deplored by the province over wh ich he ruled and by tho Masonic body generally . Of his services to Masonry we cannot in this short notice speak , but they were many , and will not soon be forgotten .

The Late Bro. Joseph Skeaf, P.P.G.O. West Lancashire.

THE LATE BRO . JOSEPH SKEAF , P . P . G . O . WEST LANCASHIRE .

West Lancashire has lost another brother whom she delighted to honour . Only a few since we had to record the death of Bro . H . S . Alpass , Prov . Grand Secretary , now we have the melancholy task of announcing that Bro . Joseph Skeaf , P . P . G . O . for 15 years , has joined the " great majority , " after a most painful illness of 10 months ,

borne with remarkable fortitude and resignation . The sad event took place last Saturday at his residence , 63 , Grovestreet , Liverpool , and Masonic residents in the city received the news with profound regret . Our deceased brother , who was 47 years of age , was justly esteemed and admired in the musical profession with which he was most particularly identified , and his active services in connection with Freemasonry within an unusually

long period have been of a value which can hardly be over-estimated . Bro . Skeaf , who was born in Liverpool , was first employed as a clerk in the establishment of Messrs . Allsopp ; but finding music more congenial to his tastes , he soon gave up commercial pursuits and became a pupil of the late Bro . George Holden , whose professional ability is still warmly remembered . After studying with Bro . Holden for several years , Bro . Skeaf commenced

musical tuition in Liverpool , and during the long period he has pursued his profession he has proved himself eminently qualified for the work he undertook . Several of his pupils have secured prominent honours and much popularity in the world of music , and Bra . Skeaf was naturally proud of the results of his efforts . He also added to his deservedly high reputation as a musician by the numerous vocal and instrumental compositions he wrote during his professional

career . Among the best known of the latter are his fantasias "Sabbath Evening Chimes , " "The Fisherman , " "The March of the Men of Harlech , " "The Battle of Trafalgar , " " The Rustic Wedding , " and " Jenny Jones ; " and one of his song productions entitled "Somebody , " was recently sold by him to an eminent London publisher for a substantial sum . Bro . Skeaf , whose bardic title was " Pencerdd Le ' rpwl , " was prominently identified with

Welsh National Eisteddfod gatherings for many years , and his name was almost as familiar throughout the whole of the Principality as it was in the " metropolis of Wales . " He invariably officiated as one of the adjudicators , and was almost always to be found acting as accompanist , in connection with rhe musical competitions . He took a special in the success of the Eisteddfod recently held in Liverpool , and his appearance there was almost the last which he made

in public . Along with tiro . 1 . Armstrong and Mr . John Evans , he was one of the oldest members of the Liverpool Apollo Glee Club , whose first existence dates nearly a century ago , and it was here that he acquired that intimate knowledge of glee singing which he possessed in a preeminent degree . He was initiated in the Harmonic Lodge , No . 216 , about twenty years ago , and in due course he occupied the distinguished position of

Worshipful Master in his mother lodge , and also held the post of Organist until the last . He was also an honorary member of the Alliance Lodge , 667 ; St . John's Lodge , 6 73 ; Emulation Lodge , 1505 ; Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , 1609 , and several others , occupying the office of honorary Organist in connection with several of these . Bro . Skeaf , in recognition of faithful and willingly-given Masonic services , was appointed Prov . Grand Organist for West

Lancashire in the year 1 S 6 7 , and held that position for a period of about 15 years , frequently assisting at consecration , installation , and other Masonic ceremonials , for which he invariably provided the musical service and voices . Bro . Skeaf , while holding the office of Prov . Grand Organist , composed several special pieces for Masonic purposes , the best known of these being his admirably-written anthem , " Behold , how good and how joyful . " which is verv

frequently sung at meetings of the Fraternity . A song entitled " Masonry , Friendship , and Brotherly Love , " was likewise written by him for Masonic gatherings . It was long an anxious desire with Bro . Skeaf to see the establishment of a lodge in Liverpool in which musical brethren would be the leading spirits , and he lived to witness this idea carried out in the formation and consecration of the Apollo Lodge , 2042 , a few months ago . He was appointed

the first Worshipful Master , and at the inaugural ceremony he showed much of the old Masonic spirit which so largely characterised his connection with the Craft . Some ten years ago the brethren of the province organised and carried out to a most successful issue a grand complimentary concert to Bro . Skeaf at the Philharmonic Hall , where the brethren appeared in full Masonic clothing . This proved one of the most brilliant , as it was one of the most

successful concerts held in the hall for many years . On his retirement from the office of Prov . Grand Organist a handsome sum was voted to Bro . Skeaf as an evidence of the value placed upon his long and faithful musical services to the provinces . He was one of the Past Principals of the Sacred Delta Chapter , P . G . O . of the Prov . Grand Chapter , Past Sovereign of the Red Cross Order , Past Eminent Commander of the Knights ( Templar , and was also a member of the Rose Croix Degree . It may be

added that no Mason was ever more ready to give his professional services in the cause of charity than Bro . Skeaf , and this willingness to help the needy in every way extended beyond the Masonic sphere in which he did so much benevolent work . His mortal remains were interred in Smithdown Cemetery on Wednesday morning at eleven o ' clock , the cortege left Grove-street half an hour previousl y . The funeral took place on Wednesday , and was attended by an immense concourse of people , the Masonic body being numerously and infiuentially represented , there being upwards of 200 brethren present .