West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.

WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

A MOST SATISFACTORY ANNUAL REPORT . A numerously-attended meeting of the General Committee of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution was held on Friday evening , the ist inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , under the presidency of Bro . Henry A . Tobias , P . P . G . S . of VV .

It was resolved to commend the Court of Governors to grant the sum of £ 32 for the education and advancement in life of several children of deceased Freemasons . Bro . R . MARTIN , one of the honorary Secretaries of the Charity , stated that he had recently been successful in making arrangements with the Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls in London for the maintenance , clothing , and education of any girls who might be sent

from the Province of West Lancashire on an annual payment of £ 50 each . He added that he hoped to have like success in connection with similar proposed arrangements with the Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Bro . R . BROWN , P . M . 241 , said that the brethren in West Lancashire were much indebted to Bro . Alartin for the promptitude , tact , and zeal which he had shown in this

important matter . A hearty vote of thanks was given to Bro . Martin for his services . Bro . J . T . CALLOW , the Treasurer of the West Lancashire Alasonic Educational Institution , submitted his annual financial statement , which showed that the balance as per last year ' s account was JCISII 12 s . iod . ; £ 119 4 s . oil . had been realised from the ball in 1 SS 3 ; the 2

interest on dock bonds amounted to ^ 511 s . 7 d . ; interest on mortgages , £ 130 19 s . 7 d . ; £ 105 was voted for the Charity from the funds of the Prov . G . Lodge ; and no less than £ 1355 2 s . od . had been received during the year as donations and subscriptions from lodges , brethren , & c During the past year the sum of £ 1159 19 s . iod . had been paid for the education , clothing , and advancement in life of iGS children , and there was a balance in bank and in

hand of £ 1847 iGs . Sd . The total invested capital of the Charity now stands at £ 17 , 876 3 s . Sd . The report was received . with much satisfaction by the meeting , and general congratulations were conveyed to the esteemed Treasurer , Bro . Callow , P . P . G . 'Treas . Bro . R . MATRIN then read a draft report for the Court of Governors , to be issued with the annual accounts , in which it was stated that the Committee had to record a

period of financial prosperity and extended usefulness unequalled in the annals of the Charity . The large increase of £ 535 13 s . 2 d . in the amount of the contributions by the lodges and the brethren was the icsutt , it was believed , of a desire on the part of both to meet the claims that will be made on the funds under the law recently passed empowering the Committee to send children to schools where they will be not only educated , but clothed and maintained .

Another reason was the growing love for their noble West Lancashire Institution , and a spirit of honourable rivalry among the lodges as to which should head the yearl y list of contributions . 'The Committee have the greatest pleasure in announcing this year the largest individual donation ( 100 guineas ) since the foundation of the Charity , b y Bro . John Cobham , P . M . 241 and 13 S 0 , to constitute his wife the first Vice-Patroness of the Institution , thus entitling her to 200

votes during her life . For this splendid gift the Sccrctanes had sent a suitable letter of thanks . The brethren were reminded that under a bye-law recently passed payments made by or on behalf of ladies obtained double the number of votes as compared with other donors . The Committee referred with satisfaction to the decrease in the number of lodges from which no returns were received , and expressed a hope that there would be a further diminution in these

next year . Since the last report 31 children , being applicants dul y qualified , had been elected on the foundation of the Chanty , and there were now 146 children receiving the benefits of the Institution . The sum of £ 1159 19 s . iod . had been expended during the year in the education , clothing , and advancement in life of 16 S children . The whole of this sum had been carefully and wisely

administered , and at a cost for working which the Committee ventured to assert had no parallel among charitable institutions . The report , on the motion of the CHAIRMAN , seconded by Bro . H . II . SMITH , was unanimously adopted , and the proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to Bro . 'Tobias for presiding .

The Recent Visit Of American Knights Templar To York.

THE RECENT VISIT OF AMERICAN KNIGHTS TEMPLAR TO YORK .

The Registrar of the Ancient Ebor Preceptory at York has received the following official document from the Recorder of Apollo Commandery , U . S .: " To the Eminent Preceptor , Officers , and Sir Knights of Ancient Ebor Preceptory , United Religious and

Military Order of the 1 cmple and of St . John of Jerusalem , Palestine , Rhodes , and Malta . "Esteemed Fratres , —At the 943 rd stated Conclave of Apollo Commandery , No . 1 , Knights Templar , stationed at Chicago , Illinois , U . S . of A ., held Tuesday evening , October iGth , A . D . 1 S 83 , A . o . 765 , the annexed preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted . Witness my

hand and the seal of Apollo Commandery the day and year first above written . —Courteously and fraternally , "SAMUEL M . HENDERSON , Recorder . " Whereas during the late pilgrimage of Apollo Com . mandery , No . 1 , Knights Templar , to Europe and return they were received at the city of York , England , by the Ancient Ebor Preceptory in the most knightly and generous

manner ; and " Whereas their stay in that ancient city was made so pleasurable and instructive in consequence of the very great courtesy of the knights of said preceptory ; and " Whereas they had the privilege of seeing an exemplification of the Templar ritual by said preceptory ; and " Whereas by the courtesy of the Very Eminent

Provincial Prior and Ebor Preceptory they had the distinguished honour of being received by the Great Provincial Priory of North and South Yorkshire ; and " Whereas said Ebor Preceptory did all things which could be done in every way for the comfort and pleasure of Apollo Commandery during their stay at York , even to conferring the added honour of a banquet at the Guildhall , over which the Lord Mayor of York presided . Therefore be it

The Recent Visit Of American Knights Templar To York.

" Resolved that the thanks of Apollo Commandery are due to Ancient Ebor Preceptory and to E . Sir T . B . Whytchead , who made our visit possible , and to Eminent Sirs J . S . Cumberland and S . Middleton , who exerted themselves to make our visit pleasurable , with the expressions of a vote that we may have the pleasure of meeting them all some time at our home in Chicago , U . S . of A ., and be it further

" Resolved that Apollo Commandery hereby asks Ebor Preceptory to convey to V . E . Provincial Prior and V . E . Sir T . VV . Tew , who represented him when the Provincial Priory opened in the asylum of Ebor Preceptory in the city of York , their cordial thanks for the distinguished courtesies received at their hands . "

Masonic Balls.

MASONIC BALLS .

PRESTON . The ball organised by the brethren of Preston in aid of the Masonic Charities was held in the new Public Hall on Wednesday evening , the 23 rd ult . The entire suite of rooms had been engaged and chastely decorated . To give a warm tone to the profusion of foliage and plants , the standards of three of the local lodges were displayed—the Concord , No .

343 , banner in the centre , and the Unanimity , No . 113 , and Royal Preston , No . 333 , bannerettes on cither side . The Lodge of Peace and Unity , No . 314 , was depicted by a neat shield bearing a monogram , and surmounted by a trophy of flags , similar shields belonging to the other lodges appearing in the interspaces . Non-Masons were privileged to attend the ball , and a representative list of patrons and stewards had been obtained , including noblemen , Members

of Parliament , officers of the line , militia , and volunteers , and private and professional gentlemen from the ranks of our Order and their friends . Bro . T . Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., 30 ° , was President , and the Vice-Presidents and the Committee consisted exclusively of Masons . None of the titled patrons could make it convenient to attend , but many others were present . Dancing commenced at 9 o ' clock , and soon the spectacle became brilliant , though the

attendance , 300 , was about a third less than might have been reasonably expected . As the night wore on , the scene changed rapidly and pleasantly in colour . During the first fivedances ( there were 20 on the programme ) Craft clothing was worn , but the military uniforms cf some of the brethren , together with the pretty and many-hued dresses of the ladies , lent a wealth of light and shade even at this early period . When the Poyal Arch clothing was donned by brethren of

that exalted degree , the animation before observable increased , and , seven dances later , on the Knights Templar in their ample white cloaks joining the throng , the room presented so beauteous a sight that everyone who felt the slightest fatigue ceased dancing for a while and repaired to the balcony , looking down from which there was more to charm the eye than had been seen since the magnificent fancy costume ball at the last Guild . 'There was much to

charm the car , too , for Bro . I . Norwood s band ( himself wielding the baton ) here struck up the original music to the " Lancers , " known as " Knights Templar , " and the dancers , now for the most part very richly and variously attired , threaded the mazes with elegance and precision . From first to last the orchestra proved very proficient , but particularl y enjoyable was theskilful plaj ingot the quadrille " Masonic , " composed primarily by Bro . Norwood for the pianoforte ,

and , on this occasion , specially scored for the band . At 3 a . m . the music ceased , after expressing Masonic loyalty in " God save the Queen , " All had passed off very enjoyably , the preliminary arrangements having been judiciously made , chiefly by the exertions of the honorary secretaries Bro . T . R . Jolly and Bro . John Hayhurst . The Masters of Ceremonies were Bro . C . Fryer , Bro . Dr . J . Christison , and Bro . E . Barber , who in conjuntion with twenty-four stewards materially assisted the success of the gathering .

LANCASTER . A Masonic ball in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution—and the first , wc have reason to believe , ever held in Lancaster—took place on the evening of the 31 st ult ., in the Mess-room of the 3 rd and 4 th Battalions King's Own ( Royal Lancaster ) Regiment , Dalton Square , under the auspices of the three Lancaster Lodges—the Fortitude , 2 S 1 ; Rowley , 1051 ; and

Duke of Lancaster , 1353 . 1 he ball was held under the Batronage of the Countesses of Carnarvon , Lathom , and ectivc , and Lady Constance Stanley ; Miss Garnctt and Mrs . Fcnton ; Bros , the Earls of Carnarvon , Lathom , and Bective ; Lord Hartington , Colonel Starkic , Colonel Stanley , Capt . Garnett , & c . Bro . Longman was Chairman of the local committee , and Bro . Stanton , Hon . Sec . 'The M . C was Bro . S . Satteithwaite , the following

brethren officiating as stewards : Bros . J . Atkinson , P . M . 2 Su A . McRaith , J . VV . 2 S 1 ; J . Cutts , I . P . M . 1051 j C . J . VV , Stork , J . VV . 1353 ; J . H . Irvin , VV . M . 1051 ; J . R . Nuttall , J . S . 1353 . The room was tastefully decorated with Masonic emblems , under the direction of Bro . Nuttall , who had utilised to a considerable extent the banners and regalia belonging to the Red Rose Conclave and the Rowley Royal Arch Chapter , the latter being the

gift of Bro . Col . the Right Hon . I * . A . Stanley , and presented to the chapter as a memento of his occupancy of the P . Z . ' s chair in 18 S 0 . Bro . F . Vetters's band , of Manchester , supplied the music . Bro . Satterthwaite was most assiduous and courteous in the discharge of his duties , and carried them out to the satisfaction of every one present . At the commencement of the ball the brethren appeared in Craft clothing , and those holding office wore their collars

and jewels ; but towards midnight those belonging to the higher Degrees changed to Mark , Royal Arch , Rose Croix , and Knights 'Templar respectively . The clothing of the brethren was much admired , and formed a pleasing contrast to the evening dress of the other gentlemen present . 'The costumes worn by some of the ladies were of a very charming character , and in two or three instances natural ivy and snowdrops had been used for trimming with very pretty

effect . At a meeting of the committee held on the following Monday evening it was stated that a sum of £ 13 is . Gd . was left in hand after payment of all expenses . Of this amount it was unanimously decided that £ 10 10 s . should be handed over to the funds of the above institution in the names of the two lady patronesses , who were present at the

ball—Mrs . Fenton ( wife of Bro . Fenton , ex-mayor ) , and Miss Garnett , of Wyrcside , and which will constitute them life governors , with five votes each in elections of candidates . The balance will be carried forward to next year , the committee , we believe , intending to make the ball an annual affair .

Reoprts Of Masonic Meetings.

REOPRTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Jttasonrg .

PYTHAGOREAN LODGE ( No . 79 )—The annual installation meeting of the members of this lodge took place on Alonday evening , the 2 SU 1 ult ., at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , when the VV . M . elect , Bro . VV . A . Dupere , was very ably installed by the Master , Bro . James Dawkins ] the occasion being honoured by a strong muster of members and some 13 distinguished visitors . In the course of the

evening , after the usual charity box had passed round , Bro . H . Roberts , P . M ., Sec , appealed to the brethren assembled on behalf of the widows and children left destitute by the loss of the lifeboat-men Cross and Cattcrmole , who were drowned while proceeding in the "Albert Edward " ( the Freemason ' s life-boat stationed at Clacton-on-Sea , on the Essex coast , ) during the furious gale on the 23 rd ult ., to the rescue of the crew of a vessel shewing signs of

distress . Cross had assisted in saving the lives of 116 persons and Cattermole 33 . One leaves a widow and six children and the other a widow and three children . In answer to this appeal the brethren assembled , including the visitors , subscribed the sum of £ 5 , which will be sent to Bro . VV . Wrench Towse , Clacton-on-Sea , who is trying to collect subscriptions for this very deserving case , and which we trust will be very generously responded to . The M . W . Grand Master has contributed £ 5 to the fuud .

FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —This old lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , on the 29 th ult . Among those in attendance were Bros . VV . Clarke , VV . M . ; Jordan , S . VV . ; Fromholtz . J . W . ; Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; Coopc , S . D . ; Mc . Mullcn , I . G . ; Hudson , W . S . ; Hakim , A . W . S . ; Stcng , M . C ; T . C Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., I . P . M . j Green , P . M . ; Thcmans , P . M . ; C .

Dairy , P . M . ; Rumball , P . M . ; Morrison , P . M . ; Hcaphy , P . M . ; and Longstaffe , Tyler . The visitors were Bros . Brook , 975 ; and Turcan , 40 S ( U . S . ) The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bros . Cocks and Stone were raised to the Degree of M . M . by the I . P . M ., and Bro . Wetzlcr was passed to the Second Degree by the VV . M . 'The notice of

motion given by Bro . Holland " that the initiation fee be reduced to eight guineas" was full y discussed , and upon formal proposition being made was lost by a large majority . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth the usual toasts followed . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by the I . P . M ., and having been warmly received .

the VV . AI . replied . " The Health of Bro . Wetzlcr , " who had been initiated at the previous meeting , was then drunk . Bro . Wetzlcr having made an effective reply , the toast of " 'The Visitors " was proposed . Bros . Brook and Turcan responded . In the course of their respective replies they complimented the lodge upon its efficient

working . " 1 he Past Alastcrs" followed , and was replied to by Bro . Walls . "The Treasurer and Secretary" came next in order , and was acknowledged by Bro . Stuart , the Secretary , on behalf of himself and colleagues . The toast of " 'The Officers , " coupled with the name of Bro . Jordan , S . W ., terminated the proceedings .

ST . THOMAS'S LODGE ( No . 142 ) . —On Saturday , the 2 nd inst ., the installation meeting of this old and distinguished lodge was held at the Cannon-street Hotel , when Bro . S . VV . Yockney was installed VV . M ., the ceremony being ably performed by Uro . A . V . Haines , the outgoing Master , who was greeted with hearty applause on the completion of his term of office . 'The newly-installed

Alaster men appointed and invested the following members as his officers : Bros . A . V . Haines , I . P . M . ; Ncwstcad , S . VV . ; TatlockJ . W . ; Moses , Chap . ; W . Battyc , Treas . ; H . C . Lcvandcr , Sec ; H . G . Hobson , S . D . ; Dunbar , J . D . ; lames Lewis-Thomas , D . C ; Reid , l . C ; and Bailey , Stwd . A report of the Audit Committee was read by the Secretary . A jewel was presented to Bro . A . V .

Haines , I . P . M ., who reciprocated the compliment by presenting to the lodge a very handsome album to contain the portraits of the members of the lodge , the members having availed themselves of the very liberal offer made in our advertising columns by the London Stereoscopic Company , thus forming a very interesting lodge souvenir . Business being ended , the lodge closed , the brethren

adjourning to banquet , at the conclusion of which the VV . M . gave the usual toasts in a manner which further evinced to the brethren that the reputation of the lodge will be fully maintained during his year of office . Bro . the Rev . Ambrose Hall , P . G . C , replied for " The Grand Officers , " and Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , for "The Visitors , " amongst whom , in addition to the two just named , were Bros . Edgar Bowyer , G . Std . Br . ;

Laybourne , P . P . G . S . W . Monmouthshire ; George Kenning , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; Hogard , P . P . G . S . of W . Essex ; Colls , No . 1 ; Freshwater , 34 ; Marsh , GS 3 , and others . The fact of the banquet being at the Cannon-street Hotel is sufficient guarantee of its being very well served , under the able superintendence of Bro . Rand . The music was under the direction of Bro . Sidney Tower , who was assisted by Bros . Henry Ashton , James Kift , and II . Horscroft . A very enjoyable evening was spent .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE ( No . 1524 ) . —The installation meeting of this nourishing lodge was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 31 st ult ., when a large number of brethren assembled to do honour to the occasion , including Bros . C . Lorkin , VV . M . ; C . W . Smyth , S . VV ., VV . AI . elect ; VV . H . Brand , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . H . Lee , P . M ., Sec . ; F . Brasted , P . M . ; E . Dignam , P . M . ; T . C . Chapman , P . M ., P . P . G . Sunt , of

Works Herts ; A . Ferrar , S . D . ; R . Polak , J . D . ; G . Ferrar , l . C ; A . R . Olley , Stwd . ; H . O'Donnell , I . Robinson , VV . H . Dodd , G . T . Stokes , J . H . Rich , C . Geer , J . Varney , VV . Alstrom , E . Winch , J . T . Larter , H . G . Moon , J . Rhodes , C . Busbridge , F . Bannister , S . East , F . A . Caperoe , A . Leoffeler , A . Langman , D . Munro , VV . Wright , VV . Beasley , J . Symes , W . Simpson , E . Collier , E . Harding , W . I . Ford , R . Fisher , R . Dallas , and the following visitors : Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; VV . B . Trick , VV . M . 1366 ; V . Cave , W . M . 1 G 07 ; F . Walters .