Banquet And Ball Of The Skelmersdale Lodge, No. 1658.

BANQUET AND BALL OF THE SKELMERSDALE LODGE , No . 1658 .

A banquet and ball in connection with the above lodge took place on Thursday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell New-road , at which a large number of influential Masons , as well as many lady visitors , were present .

After the regular business of the lodge , which consisted of the initiation of Mr . Alfred Emary into Freemasonry ( the ceremony being performed by the W . Master , Bro . Humphrey Cohen , in his usual perfect manner ) and the admission of Bro . Joseph Evans , 1 9 01 , as a joining member , the company , which was by this time considerably augmented by the arrival of the ladies and other visitors to

considerably over 100 , adjourned to the large hall , where a sumptuous banquet was provided by Mr . Venables , and thoroughly appreciated by all the guests , who pronounced it a complete success . After the usual loyal toasts , " The Health of the VV . Master" was proposed in felicitous terms by Bro . J AMES HILL , P . M ., to which the

W . M . made a suitable reply . The W . M . then rose to propose the toast of the evening , viz .: "The Health of the Ladies , " and said they were all delighted and proud to welcome the ladies amongst them , and , seeing how beautiful and happy they all looked , it seemed almost a pity that Masonry was restricted to the sterner sex ; but perhaps , when ladies were admitted into

Parliament , they might at the same time be admitted into Freemasonry . He cited the case of a lady—the Hon . Miss St . Leger—as the only instance on record of a lady being initiated into Freemasonry ; it was owing to an inquisitive propensity on the lady ' s part , she having secreted herself in a cupboard of a large S-day grandfathers' clock , in a room in her father ' s house , when he was

performing the ceremony of initiation , being discovered through having sneezed , she was then and there initiated into the First Degree of Freemasonry . He also related some humorous anecdotes in connection with Masonry and the ladies . He was sure the ladies could not help entertaining a high and just opinion of t ' ne Craft when they reflected for a moment the great good it had done through the influence of its numerous Charities , and , although

Masons were sometimes accused of indulging a little too much in festivities , it could not be denied , even by their accusers , that they performed some real , good , and solid work , and countless orphans and aged people had had cause to bless the name of Freemasonry . In conclusion , he sincerely hoped that those who might succeed him in the ruling of the lodge would make that banquet and ball an institution , and thus give an opportunity for the members to welcome the ladies amongst them at least once a

year . After the banquet , the ladies and gentlemen betook themselves to dancing , and kept the ball rolling until long past 4 o ' clock a . m . Mr . Sargood provided a splendid band , and Bros . Arthur and Earl Douglas Side proved most efficient M . C . 's .

During the interval between the dances , several songs were excellently rendered by Messrs . Joseph Healey , R . B . Sadlier , F . W . Stephens , and Miss Mackway , whilst Master Joe and Miss Blanche Wellsbourne sang some very clever duets , and the W . Master recited with his usual ability and success .

Amongst the members and visitors present with their ladies were Bros . H . Cohen , W . M . ; E . A . Francis and E . Shrimpton , Wardens ; G . J . Earney , P . M . and Treas . j W . H . Boys , P . M . and Secj J . D . Smith , P . M . j J . Cox , P . M . j Jas . Hill , P . M . ; M . S . Larlham , P . M . j A . B . Norman , J . D . j R . Rowlands , Stwd . j J . Letchford , D . C ; C . J . Pigeon , S . Zucker , B . Cohen , S . F . Bygrave , A . O . Side , E . D . Side , W . Croxon , H . Line , S .

Evans , T . F . Mackway , A . Emary , L . Sigle , J . A . Routzen , J . Austin , G . Whittock , J . George , M . Syer , and C . Pinnock . Visitors : Bros . A . Doig , S . W . 1539 ; C . Taylor , P . M . 1624 ; J . W . Kay , W . M . 1624 j Jas . Smith , " 59 S ; W . J . Hingston , 2 3 2 j G . White , 975 ; J . Howard , 1692 j and F . Wells , 190 ; besides several other visitors , both ladies and gentlemen . It was unanimously agreed that the whole affair was a perfect success , and well worthy the high reputation in which the Skelmersdale Lodge is universally held .

The Annual Supper Of The Ranelagh Lodge Of Instruction, No. 834.

THE ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE RANELAGH LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 834 .

The annual supper of the above lodge of instruction was held at the Six Bells Hotel , Queen-street , Hammersmith , on Friday , the 23 rd ult ., under the presidency of Bro . James Sims , P . M . and Preceptor of the lodge , faced by Bro . D . S . Long , as Vice . President . Altera repast , prepared by the worthy host , Mr . Dorey ,

and fully enjoyed by the brethren , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and heartily responded to . The toast of " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was given , coupled with the name of Bro . R . H . Williams , P . M ., and P . P . J . G . D . Middx ., which was duly honoured in true Masonic fashion . Bro . R . H . WILLIAMS replied that it had taken him

somewhat by surprise that his name had been placed in company with such distinguished ornaments of the Craft y as the Grand Officers , but whilst he felt the honour which had been conferred upon him to be more than he deserved , he could only thank the President in the simplest way possible , and hoped the time would come when many of those around him would have similar honours .

Bro , H . PURDUE , P . M ., then proposed "The continued prosperity of the Ranelagh Lodge of Instruction , combined with the Health of its Preceptor , Bro . Sims , " under whose kind care and instruction the lodge was enabled to continue its career in the prosperous manner it had done for many years , and maintain its prestige . The toast was drunk enthusiastically .

Bro . SlMS replied briefly that , having been for a long time a member , he was very ptoud of the honour confeired u Pon him by his election as Preceptor , and , feeling that it became his duty as well as his pleasure to carry out those Principles of the Craft with regard to instruction , he hoped to continue to deserve the confidence of the members in the future as in the past .

The Annual Supper Of The Ranelagh Lodge Of Instruction, No. 834.

The PRESIDENT proposed " The Health of the Past Preceptors of the Lodge" in a very feeling manner , stating how muchShe was indebted to them for the advance he had made in his knowledge of Freemasonry , and he felt that the example they had shown him had made such an impression on his mind , that he could not sufficiently express the admiration and gratitude due from him to them .

Bro . GEO . READ , P . M ., and J ESSE COLLINGS , P . M ., replied that it had afforded them much pleasure to be present , and they viewed with delight the progress the lodge had made under the guidance of its present Preceptor , having thereby practical knowledge that the care bestowed by them during their respective terms of office had produced such a good pupil as Bro . Sims .

" The Pious Memory of the Late Bro . Andrew , the Early Preceptor of the Lodge , " was proposed , and drunk in silence . The toast of "The Visitors" was proposed , and responded to by Bro . J . J . CANTLE , P . M . " The P . M . ' s of the Ranelagh Lodge " was proposed , and replied to by Bro . PURDUE .

"The Health of the Treasurer and Secretary " was proposed , and responded to by Bro . LONG , on behalf of himself and Bro . A . Williams , who was unavoidably absent . Other toasts followed , and were replied to by various brethren in rotation . The meeting was enlivened by musical and other entertainments by several brethren .

Presentation Of Provincial Grand Lodge Clothing To Bro. Henry Axley, P.M. No.495

PRESENTATION OF PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE CLOTHING TO BRO . HENRY AXLEY , P . M . No . 495

An unusual number of brethren of the Wakefieie Lodge ( No . 495 ) , together with many visitors from Sheffield , Leeds , Bradford , Halifax , Pontefract , & c , assembled in the Masonic Hall , Wakefield recently , to take part in the presentation of Provincial Grand Lodge clothing and jewel to Bro . Henry Axley , P . M ., in recognition of his b Grand Lod of VVest Yorkshire

appointment y Prov . ge as Treasurer of the province . Prior to the presentation , the ceremony of raising Bro J . VV . Whitaker to the Sublime Degree was admirably performed by Bros . B . F . Glover , P . M ., and A . Goldthorpe , P . M ., the musical part being effectively rendered by the Organist and several brethren .

Bro . T . Hargreaves was unanimously elected VV . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . R . Bowman was chosen as Treasurer of the lodge . Bro . E . PICKERSGILL , W . M ., then , on behalf of the brethren , made the presentation to Bro . Axley , and spoke in high terms of his services not only to the lodge but to the Craft in general .

Bro . B . F . GLOVER referred to the great honour that had been conferred on Bro . Axley by the province , which was regarded by the brethren also as an honour to their lodge . Bro . AXLEY having suitably responded , Bros . J . W .

MONKMAN , P . Prov . G . D . of C . j G . BUCKLEY , P . Prov . G . D . of C . j W . WATSON , W . M . 2069 , Prov . Lib . j H . G . E . GREEN , Prov . G . Secj A . GOLDTHORPE , P . M ., and several other brethren took the opportunity of expressing their appreciation of Bro . Axley ' s valuable services and their satisfaction at such a pleasing recognition of them .

Festival Of The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

FESTIVAL OF THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

The annual festival of St , Andrew's was celebrated , on the 30 th ult ., by the Freemasons of Scotland in the Freemasons' Hall , Edinburgh . At 4 o'clock the election took place of the Grand Officers who had been nominated at last Quarterly Communication .

Bro . F . E . VILLIERS , Prov . Grand Master of Dumfriesshire , who acted as Grand Master , in a sentence expressed the gratification of the brethren that Sir Archibald Campbell had seen his way to again occupy the throne . While there were great honours attached to the position , yet , he added , there were great responsibilities resting upon the head of the Grand Master of Scottish Freemasonry .

Sir ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL having returned thanks , the following office-bearers took the customary obligation : Bro . Sir Michael R . Shaw-Stewart , Bart ., Greenock and Blackball Past G . M .

„ The Earl of Haddington Depute G . M . „ Sir Charles Dalrymple of New Hailes , Bart ., M . P Substitute G . M . „ James T . S . Elliott of Wolfelee S . G . W . „ The Right Hon . Lord Saltoun ... J . G . W . „ D . Murray Lyon G . Sec . „ David Kinnear G . Cashier . „ Rev . Robert Henderson , M . A . ... r r . „ Rev . Thomas Somerville ju . unaps .

„ James Dalrymple Duncan ... S . G . D . „ Lieut .-Col . John Campbell ... J . G . D . ,, James M'lntyre Henry G . Architect . ¦ ,, James Crichton ... ... ... G . Jeweller . .. David Reid G . Bible Bearer .

„ John B . M'Naught G . D . of C . „ John Wilson G . Bard . „ James Carmichael , M . D ., ... G . Swd . Br . „ Emile Berger G . D . of Music . „ Robert Davidson G . Org . ,, George Christie G . Marshal .

„ Colin Galletly G . I . G . ,, Andrew Landells G . Tyler .

The brethren then adjourned to the great hall , where the banquet was spread . Over 150 brethren sat down . After dinner , Grand Lodge was reopened , and the usual loyal toasts were given from the chair . The Rev . Dr . STORY gave " The Navy and Army and Reserve Forces . " The toast was responded to by Bro . Sir J . BUCHANAN for the navy , Bro . R . T . SHAW-STEWART for the army , and Bro . Col . LUMSDEN , commanding the London

Scottish , for the reserve forces . Bro . Sir CHARLES DALRYMPLE , M . P ., next proposed the toast of " The Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of Scotland , " and in doing so expressed gratification that his

Festival Of The Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

health had now been restored , that he had been able to appear in his place in Grand Lodge during the present year , and that with the assistance of that singularly gracious and distinguished lady who adorned his home he had been able to fulfil manifold private and public duties during the last few months . The GRAND MASTER , in returning thanks for the kind

manner in which they had received the toast of his health , and of Grand Lodge , regretted nothing more than that last year he was unable to take the chair , but he was thankful to God that he was able to do so on this occasion . Since they had last met on a St . Andrew ' s Festival , they had lest from their midst one of their Past Grand Masters , the late Earl of Mar and Kellie . They had in Grand Lodge

passed a resolution which was forwarded to his family , and he had every reason to know that their condolence had been received with due appreciation . Referring in friendly terms to the Past G . Master , the Earl of Rosslyn , he said he was sure Grand Lodge would be glad to see Lord Rosslyn there again , and receive from him those sallies of wit which he was accustomed to give , and the services for which he

was renowned . He was sorry Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart was not present . There was no Grand Master who had served Grand Lodge so well as Sir Michael . During the year they had to look back upon , Grand Lodge had been able to do a very considerable amount of work . The entrants numbered 45 S 4 , and the income had been £ 4543 . Not only that , but nine new lodges had been added to the roll .

In that way they saw that Masonry in Scotland was going on and prospering . If the daughter lodges went on thus Grand Lodge must also prosper . To the office-bearers of Grand Lodge he must return thanks , as they had assisted him to uphold the dignity and honour of the Craft . Referring to the formation of a new Grand Lodge in New South VVales , Grand Master said it was not altogether

unfortunate that Grand Lodge would lose her daughter lodges there . He hardly wondered at it , for the new Grand Master , Lord Carrington , his brother-in-law , was a thorough good Mason . Next referring to the new scheme of extended benevolence , Sir Archibald suggested that if they had an organisation throughout Scotland by which the required sum of ^ 10 , 000 would easily be raised j if they tried , if every province were to furnish a stall in a bazaar

next year , that money would easily be raised . That idea , he desired , should be taken home by all , and probably would be considered at next Quarterly Communication . Bro . Lord SALIOUN next proposed "The Grand Master Depute , " to which Lord HADDINGTON replied . A toast to "The Health of Lady Campbell" was given by Lord HADDINGTON , and responded to by the GRAND MASTER .

Bro . Colonel STIRLING , of Kippendavie , next proposed "The Grand Wardens and Office-bearers , " and after referring to them in detail , he said he had reserved for the last the name of their most excellent Grand Secretary , Bro . Murray Lyon . He was b y no means the least in the work he had done to promote the cause of Masonry , not only in Scotland , but throughout the Colonies . He could assure them that Bro . Lyon did far more work than many of the brethren had the least idea of .

Bros . Lord SALTOUN and Rev . THOS . SOMERVILLE replied . Bro . the Rev . J . HENDERSON proposed "The Visitors , " and Bro . J OHNSTONE DOUGLAS , Lockerbie , replied . The toast of "The Provincial and District Grand Lodges " was proposed by Bro . DALRYMPLE DUNCAN , Glasgow , and responded to b y Bro . J . M . MARTIN , of Auchendennan .

Bro . VILLIERS then proposed "The Grand Committee and Standing Committees , " and in doing so said that he would desire that the Benevolent Fund Board should be more representative than that of Grand Committee , to whom had been given the power of administering the fund by last Quarterly Communication . Bro . MANN replied for the Grand Committee j Bro . CALDWELL for the Finance Committee j and Bro . OFFICER for the Foreign and Colonial Committee .

The GRAND MASTER proposed the toast of " Prosperity to the Daughter Lodges" who were represented , and replieswere made by the brother heading each deputation . The deputations present were as follows , and were headed for the most part by the Masters of the lodges , as under : No . 1 , Edinburgh Mary ' s Chapel , R . W . M ., Bro . VVebster j No . 2 ,

Canongate Kilwinning , R . W . M ., Bro . Drummond ; No . 5 , Canongate and Leith , R . W . M ., Bro . Clarkj No . S , Journeyman , R . W . M ., Bro . Douglas ; No . 60 , St . John , Inverkeithing , R . W . M ., Bro . Hall Grigorj No . 87 , Thistle , Glasgow , R . W . M ., Bro . Kean ; No . 97 , Edinburgh St . James , K . W . M ., Bro . A . Roden Hogg ; No . 327 , St . Serf , Kinross , R . W . M ., Bro . Beggj No . 393

, Caledonian , Edinburgh , P . M ., Bro . Roberts j No . 405 , Lodge Rifle , Edinburgh , P . M ., Bro . James Thomson ; No . 553 , St . Vincent , Glasgow , R . W . M ., Bro . Kennedy ; No , 606 , Rosslyn St . Clair , Rosslyn , R . W . M ., Bro . Simpson ; No . G 17 , Sir George Cathcart , J . W ., Bro . M'Glashan ; No . 757 , Dramatic and Arts , R . W . M ., Bro . Stevenson , A . R . S . A .

A telegram was at this stage read from Bro . Sheriff Thomas , intimating that he was detained in the north by a snowstorm ; and his health was proposed from the chair and heartily drunk . Lord SALTOUN proposed "Prosperity to the New Grand Lodge of New South Wales , " remarking that on account of the prosperity of the Colony it was only natural that they should form themselves into a Grand Lodge under

the Mastership of Lord Carrington . Of the 130 lodges of Freemasons in New South VVales no fewer than 57 held of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . He would desire , with leave of Grand Lodge , that Bro . Murray Lyon be requested to forward a telegram to the new Grand Lodge of New South Wales , congratulating them upon the foundation of their lodge , andexpressing the kindl y feelings held respecting them by their brethren in Scotland . The suggestion was at once agreed to .

The GRAND MASTER next proposed a toast to " The Health of Bro . Murray Lyon , " and passed a high eulo- ' giuni on him for the manner in which he discharges the duties of his office , and expressed a hope that , notwithstanding the extra duties now imposed on him in connection with the new scheme of benevolence , he would be found in good health at next St . Andrew ' s . The toast was heartily received , and Bro . MURRAY LYON briefly acknowledged it .