Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

'The principal business of the lodge was to raise Bro . Farrer . TheW . M ., in ahighly-creditablemanner . pertormed the ceremony , eliciting a high encomium from experienced Past Masters for the able manner in which he performed this and other duties of the lodge . Some routine business

having been transacted , the lodge was closed . The brethren retired to spend a social hour , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . A very pleasant evening was enhanced by the pr ^ ence ot Bros , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , Colonel K . C . Malet de Carteret , who is also a P . M . of this lodge , ani James Terry , Secretary Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

STAR LODGE ( No . 1275 I . —On Saturday last Bro . H . B . Taylor , Sec . 1 . 531 , officiated as W . M . in the absence of Bro . Good , S . VV . S 71 . The initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Stockwell being the candidate . The First Section was worked by Bio . Waterman , P . M ., the Second by Bro . Walter Martin , Sec . The lodge was opened in the Second and Third Degrees , and closed down to the

First . Bro . Bellis , S . VV ., put the questions required to be answered by a candidate for joining twice round the lodge , for the benefit of an E . A ., who also answered them . The usual proposition was made that Bro . Bellis be W . M . next Saturday . Several names of brothers present were handed in to join a new benevolent Association about to be started in the place of the one just finished . The Iodge then closed in the usual form .

MERCHANT NAVY LODGE ( No . 781 ) . — This successful lodge met , as usual , on the 6 th inst ., at the Silver Tavern , Burdett-road , E . The officers appointed to preside , & c , not being present , Bro . G . H . Stephens was requested to discharge ' the duties of the chair , in which he was well and ablv supported by Bros Shadrake , S . VV . ; Austen , l . W . ; 1 . H . Pringle , Preceptor ; C . Breden ,

P . M ., Hon . Sec ; Gregory , S . D . ; Breden , J . D . ; Brown , I . G . ; Kiniple , Kennett ; and Bro . J . Smith , S 9 S , visitor . The lodge was opened in due form , an ! the minutes of the previous lodge meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was worked , Bro . Smith being the candidate . The Preceptor next gave a careful rendering of the ancient charrre to the initiate , which was listened to

with rapt attention by all present . Bro . Stephens concluded a capital and instructive night's work by working the First and Second Sections of the Lecture , the brethren assisting . Bro . ] . Smith , 89 S , was duly elected a member of the lodge , and Bro . Shadrake W . M . for the next Wednesday ' s evening ' s meeting , and a highly successful meeting was brought to a close .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

BURY . —Unanimity Chapter ( No . 42 ) . —An emergency meeting was held at the Derby Hotel , on Thursday , the 31 st ult ., for the purpose of installing the Principals and investing the officers of this old chapter , which ceremony had been postponed in consequence of the desire of the Principals elect , as well as the members , that it | should be performed by Comp . J . H . Sillitoe , P . Z . 645 , I 3 S 7 P . P . G . ist A . S ., who was unable to attend the

re-, gular meeting the previous week . In the absence of Comp . Jno . Smethurst , Z ., through serious illness , Comps . J . Halliwell , P . Z ., acting Z . ; J . Kenyon , P . Z ., acting H . ; and S . Bailey , 1 . opened the chapter at 5 p . m . There were also present Comps . VV . O . Walker , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . N . ; I . Randall Fletcher , P . P . G . Org . ; G . O'Niell , P . Z . ; VV . Balmer , P . Z ., S . E . ; Hopkinson , S . N . ; J . Barrett , P . S . ; HutchinsonPickering , Carter , Crompton , and

, Bates , Janitor . Visitors , Comps . J . H . Sillitoe , P . Z . ; N . Dumville , J . 204 ; and J . Kershaw , 266 . ... After the ordinary routine business Comp . Sillitoe installed Comps . J . Halliwell , P . Z ., as Z . ; S . Bayley , H . ; and Hopkinson , J . ; he also invested the following officers , viz ., Comps . Barrett , S . E . ; Hutchinson , S . N . ;

Pickering , ist A . S . ; J . Kenyon , P . Z ., Ireas . ; and Bates , Janitor , the P . S . elect being unavoidably absent . At the close of the ceremony a vote of thanks to the Installing Principal was most cordially passed , and the chapter was closed in solemn form . The companions assembled in the banquet room , where mine host added lustre to his well-earned reputation as a

caterer . Comp . Halliwell , M . E . Z ., presided , and on the removal of the cloth , proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured . Comp . Sillitoe , in proposing the toast of "The Newlyinstalled Principals , " prefaced his remarks by alluding to the absence of their highly esteemed Comp . Smethurst , P . Z ., and regretted , as he felt sure every one present did ,

the painful cause of his absence . He ( Comp . Sillitoe ) had heard that chapter referred to as one of the oldest in the province , and he thought he could give them some information on that point , for on reading over an old minute book of another chapter , he found that the latter was consecrated in 1793 , by the officers of the Unanimity Chapter , Bury , so that he had no doubt if the old records could be found it could be proved that they soon would , if they had

not already done so , attain their centenary . The toast was cordially received and responded to . Comp . Walker , at the request of the M . E . Z ., in very feeling terms , proposed a vote of sympathy with Comp . Smethurst , and expressed ( as Comp . Sillitoe had already done ) the regret of all present lor his absence , hoping he may soon be restored to perfect health , and be able to join them in their assemblies , which , he knew , was a pleasure

Comp . Smethurst highly prized . The vote was cordially and unanimously concurred in ; and Comp . Balmer undertook to convey the fraternal expressions of the meeting to Comp . Smethurst . Comp . Hutchinson proposed the toast of "The P . Z . 's , " which was responded to by Comp . Baln . er .

Comp . Kenyon , P . Z ., pioposed "The Health of Comp . Sillitoe , the Installing Principal , " and spoke in eulogistic terms of the manner in which the ceremony had been performed , and he hoped that for many years to come they should have the able assistance of Comp . Sillitoe . The toast was most enthusiastically drunk , and , in replying .

Royal Arch.

Comp . Sillitoe said that he had , in the first place , to thank the members of the chapter for postponing their meeting to suit his engagement . This was the fourth year he had installed the Principals in that chapter , and , although he could not go so far as Comp . Kenyon in wishing that he may do so for many years , because he hoped soon to see their own members performing the ceremony , still he hoped that he should be present on those occasions for a long time to come . He again thanked the companions for

their cordial reception of the toast ; and as his train was timed to leave Bury in a few minutes , he wished them all good night . On leaving Comp . Sillitoe was greeted with loud applause . " The Visitors" and other toasts were proposed and suitably honoured . During the evening some excellent glees and songs were rendered by Comps . Bayley , Dumville , Kershaw , and Lamb ; Comp . Fletcher presiding at the pianoforte with his accustomed skill .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

WORKINGTON . —Derwent Lodge ( No . 282 ) . —The annual installation meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 31 st ult ., for the purpose of installing Bro . J . J . Coverdale as VV . M . forthe ensuingyear . There was a good muster ; Bro . T . Dixon , W . M ., P . G . S' . O ., having only been in a delicate state of health for some time was unable to bepresent , when Bro . G . Dalrymple , P . M . 216 , P . G . Sec , occupied the chair , supported by the following

officers , members , and visitors , tiros . Rev . E . M . Rice , S . W ., P . P . G . Chap . ; J . Salkeld , M . O . ; E . Burrows , S . O . ; F . VV . Paul , J . O . ; VV . Carlyle , Treas . ; J . Thompson , Sec . and Reg . Ms . ; H . Peacock , S . W . 229 , P . G . Std . B ., as S . D . ; S . VV . Bradbury , J . D . ; Jas . Cooper , Org ., P . G . D . C . ; J . Evening , I . G . ; J . Lewthwaite Stewart VV . Wagg , Tyler ; J . Nicholson , P . M . 151 , P . P . G . S . W . J . Gardiner , P . M . 151 , P . G . Treas . ; J . Haswell , P . M . 60 ;

E . Sutherst , J . O . 213 , P . P . G . J . D ., and others . On the confirmation of the minutes , Bro . J . H . Hartley was unanimously accepted as a candidate for advancement from L odge 9 62 , and being in attendance , was advanced to the Honourable Degree of Mark Master . Bro . Jas . Gardiner then assumed the chair , when Bro . Coverdale was presented for installation , proclaimed , and saluted , according to ancient custom , and afterwards appointed and

invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . Salkeld , S . W . ; J . Thompson , J . W . ; E . Burrows , M . O . ; F . VV . Paul , S . O . ; S . W . Bradbury , J . O . ; Rev . E . M . Rice , Chap . ; W . Carlyle , Treas . ; J . Little , Reg . of M . ; ] . H . Hartley , Sec ; J . Lewthwaite , S . D . ; J . Harding , * J . D . ; VV . A . Smith , D . C . ; Jas . Cooper , Org . ; I . Evening , I . G . ; and W . Wagg , Tyler . The customary addresses to the VV . M ., officers , and members were delivered by Bro . Dalrymple , after which " Hearty good wishes" were given from

Lodges 60 , 151 , 213 , 216 , and 229 , and the lodge was closed in good harmony . The brethren , at the invitation of the W . M ., adjourned to refreshment , when the loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a very pleasant evening spent . The luture prospects of this lodge—the "infant" of the province—are very hopeful ; from the admiration the members have for the Degree , and the good harmony that prevails , success alone can " mark" its course .

The Preston Guild.

THE PRESTON GUILD .

The great event of the Guild week took place on Wednesday , when the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom laid , with Masonic honours , the foundation stone of the proposed , Harris Free Public Library and Museum , in the presence of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and a numerous and brilliant company . In the midst of all the festivities and celebrations inseparable from the holding of

the Guild Merchants of Preston , there has very frequently been some great and useful institution inaugurated , or some step taken to improve the condition of the middle and lower classes . The Guild Merchants have been , as it were , starting points of great movements . Thus after the Guild Merchant of 1702 the Bluecoat School was established ; after that of 1742 the fire engine was first

introduced , and the waterworks commenced , as well as another school founded ; after 1 S 02 the Theatre Royal was built and the Ribble Navigation Act obtained ; after that of 1 S 22 several churches and chapels were erected , together with the Corn Exchange , which has just been altered to modern requirements . So one might continue down to the last Guild in 1 S 62 , when the foundation stoneof the present

handsome Town-hall , vying as it does with the civic palaces of Belgium , was laid by Mr . Townley Parker , the Guild Mayor ; while yesterday another chapter was added to this long story . The magnificent pile to be raised on the east side of the Market-place is from designs by Mr . Jas . Hibbert , architect , of this town , and the foundation stone was laid in the north-western corner of the site granted by

the Corporation . It was decerned that the ceremony should be completely Masonic when H . R . H . the Duke of Albany expressed his determination to visit Preston , and even when , through the unexpected ind sposition of his Royal Highness , he notified that he would be unable to fulfil his word , it was unanimously agreed that at least this part of the programmeshould be adhered to . Accordingly ,

Wednesday morning Craft Masons from all parts of Lancashire and elsewhere met at Christ Church Schools , Bow-lane . Lodges all over England were represented , and not less than 2000 Craft Masons could have been in attendance , which is 1200 more than assembled at the laying of the foundation stone of the Town-halt in 1 S 62 . As was predicted some few weeks ago , taken as a whole ,

this has been one of the largest assemblies of Freemasons that has ever taken place in the North of England . Shortly before twelve o ' clock the Craft Masons formed their procession , all of them walking four abreast , the junior lodges coming first and the senior branches last . They all wore

their aprons , collars , and gauntlets , many of them having in addition various decorations . They were preceded by the headquarters band of the 5 th Lancashire Artillery Volunteers , and by Bros . Major Whitehead , Dr . Christison , and T . R . Jolly , who had charge of the arrangements and the marshalling of the procession , which extended the

The Preston Guild.

whole length of Fishergatc , and was watched by a large concourse of spectators . The brethren doubled at the corner of Lancaster-road , and returned down Fishergate , to journey by way of Lune-street and Friargate to the site of the Free Library . The rear of the procession , however , was joined by the especial Provincial Grand Lodge , which met at the Town-hall at noon . 'The Provincial Grand Lodge marched in the following order : Provincial Grand

Officers of other provinces , according to their rank ; Architect with the plans ; Assistant Prov . G . Tyler , with drawn sword ; cornucopia , with corn , borne by a Master of a lodge , two ewers , with wine and oil , borne by Masters of lodges ; Past Grand Stewards ; Past Prov . G . Pursuivants ; Prov . Grand Pursuivant ; Prov . Grand Organist ; trowel , borne by a Past Master ; mallet , borne by a Past Master ; Past Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; Past Prov . G . Assistant

Director of Ceremonies ; Past Prov . G . Director of Ceremonies ; Past Prov . G . Assistant Director of Ceremonies ; Past Prov . G . Superintendent of Works ; Prov . Grand Superintendent of Works , bearing a plate with the inscription for the foundation stone ; Past Prov . G . Deacons ; Prov . G . Secretary , with Books of Constitution ; Past Prov . Grand Registrars ; Prov . Grand Registrar , with bag ; Past Prov . Grand Treasurers ; Provincial Grand

Ireasurer , bearing a phial containing the coins to be deposited in the stone ; Past Prov . Grand Chaplains ; P . Prov . G . Wardens ; the Corinthian Light , borne by the Master of a lodge ; column of the Prov . G . J . W ., borne by the Master of a Lodge ; Provincial Junior Grand Warden , with the plumb-rule ; the Doric Light , borne by the Master of a lodge ; column of the Prov . G . S . W , borne by the Master of a Lodge ; the Provincial Senior Grand Warden ,

with the level ; Prov . J . G . Deacons ; the Sacred Law , borne by four Master Masons' sons , and opened at the ioth chapter of Numbers ; Prov . G . Chaplain ; Grand Officers of England , according to their rank , juniors fint ; Prov . G . Masters of other Provinces ; The Ionic Light , borne by the Master of a lodge ; The Dep . Prov . G . Master , with the square ; Standard of the Prov . G . Master ; Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; the Rt . Worshipful the Provincial Grand

Master ; Prov . G . Senior Deacons ; Prov . G . Tyler , with drawn sword ; and two Heralds . When the precession arrived at the site of the intended building the brethren divided to the ri ght and left , and faced inwards , forming an avenue through which the members of the Grand Lodge passed , preceded by the Heralds , the Standard Bearer , and the P . G . Sword Bearer , and followed by the Master of a Iodge bearing the Ionic Light . Ihe Prov . G . Masterthe

, Deputy Prov . G . Master , the Grand Officers of England , and the Prov . G . Officers followed in succession from the rear so as to invert the order of the procession . The arrival of the Earl of Lathom at the site was announced by a flourish of trumpets , and the procession entered the marquee . ' 1 he officiating brethren took positions in the east ( dais ) , west , north , and south assigned to them by the Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies and his assistantsand deposited

, the silver vessels borne in the procession on pedestals placed for their reception . The Mayor and some distinguished guests had previously arrived , and the latter took up their position on a dais on the north-west corner . The Guild Mayor , who had returned to the Town-hall , made his appearance , directly accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambrid ge and many other noblemen and titled ladies . Cheer after cheer rent the air when all the

illustrious personages had entered the I rge marquee containing the grand stand , and in wnich the interesting ceremony was to take place . The scene was truly imposing , and all those who were so fortunate as to have a good view of the brilliant spectacle will not soon forget it . The conspicuous group was , of course , congregated near to the stone , which lay in a boarded cavity , the descent to which was made by several steps . On the south sidethe

, Earl of Lathom , the Provincial Grand Master , sat enthroned , the Right Hon . Col . F . A . Stanley , M . P ., his Deputy Grand aster , being upon his ri ght , and Past Grand Master Le Gendre Starkie on his left . Bro . Al pass , the Grand Provincial Secretary , and other eminent officers of the Grand Lodge , occupied state chairs on the other three sides of the stone . The Guild Mayor was esconced near to Lord Lathom . Right opposite , on a Dlatfnrm

draped with crimson cloth , the cynosure of all eyes , was the venerable Duke of Cambridge , surrounded by as brilliant a company as ever met in Preston , including Lord Derby and his Countess , the Countess of Lathom , Lord Skelmersdale , the Hon . Misses Wilbraham , the Lady Mayoress , Lady . Margaret Cecil , Lord Sefton , Lord and Lady Clarendon , Lady Edith Drummond , General Cameron , C . B ., General Tyrwh ' ut , Col . Stevens , Col .

Cotton , the High Sheriff , Col . McCorquodale , and Mrs . McCorquodale , the Bishop of Manchester and Mrs . Fraser , the Bishop of Carlisle , Sir U . J . Kay-Shuttleworth , the Right Hon . H . C . Raikes , M . P ., Mr . W . F . Ecroyd , M . P ., Major-General Feilden , M . P ., K . C . M . G ., and others . The noble Duke repeatedly bowed in response to the hearty cheers which welcomed him . The members of the Corporation occupied that portion

of the grand stand opposite to His Royal Highness , while between stood the choir of St . James ' s Church , their white robes being the means of producing a pleasing contrast in colour against the resplendent uniforms of the band of the Royal Marines , who stood behind . These white and red habiliments came boldly out against the sombre suits of the Masons , with their blue and wh * te and many-tinted regalia , the whole scene being bright and captivating . The

Craft Masons and a few other aristocratic personages filled the remaining space . Bro . Hibbert , in his Mason ' s apron , with the pUns under his arm , stood on the wtst of the stone . All heads were bared , and after a blast from the Masonic heralds , the vast assembly , led by St . James ' s cboir , conducted by Mr . C . J . Yates , and accompanied by the band of the Royal Marines , sang a beautiful hymn , entitled " The Spacious Fiimament on Hi gh , " the music

for which has been arranged by Bro . Skeaf , P . Prov . G . O . Another flourish from the trumpeters , and the well-known face and figure of Mr . C . R . Jacson , J . P ., D . L ., so prominent at the last Guild , stood to the fore as lepresenting the Harris Trustees , for the purpose of presenting the Earl of Lathom with a chaste silver trowel . In doing so , he took occasion to offer some remarks thoroughly characteristic of

him . They were appropriate , and in a short space of time His Royal Highness was well informed of the nature of the bequests of Mr . Harris and of the history of the Harris family , more particularly of the rev . gentleman who for sixty-live years was the curate and incumbent of St . George's in this town , and to whose memory the free library is dedicated , concluding his address by a happy