Masonic Bibliography.

The Introduction is by Bro . William James Hughan , who has also supplied all the very valuable and deeply interesting Bibliographical notes respecting all the works needing either explanation or information as to their scope and character or particulars as to their value and rarity .

It is these notes that make the catalogue so exceedingly useful and help ful to all Craftsmen desirous of knowing somewhat about Masonic literature . The years of publication of old and little-known works , and what issues are required to make up complete sets of Books of Constitutions , Masonic magazines ,

Preston ' s " Illustrations , " Scott's " Pocket Companion , " Cole s Ancient Constitutions , " Ahiman Rezons , " Lodge histories , Gould ' s , Hughan's , Lane ' s , Mackey ' s , Morris ' , Newton ' s , Oliver ' s , Sadler ' s , Speth's , Watson ' s , Whymper ' s , and Woodford's works , and other treatises more or less known , but difficult to obtain

reliable information thereon . The collection began in part "' during the preparation of the Worcestershire Exhibition and Soiree , in August , 188 4 , under the auspices and by the joint invitation of the R . W . Bro . Sir Edmund A . H . Lechmere . Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M ., & c , and

his Worship the Mayor of the city , Bro . William B . Williamson , whose hospitality contributed in no small degree to the great success of the combined objects , " as Bro . Hughan truly remarks , the catalogue alone representing loans of books and curios from nearly 150 brethren .

The same brother states that " Bro . Taylor embraced every opportunity of purchasing articles of value prior to the Inauguration Day , and subsequently continued to acquire from all parts of the world so many scarce books and medals as to form a grand collection , the chief or principal part of which was

exhibited and described by him during the ' Masonic Week at Kidderminster / in March , 1886 , and the whole of which was , later on , acquired by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire , at cost price , from that indefatigable and enthusiastic Craftsman , who bore

all the heavy cost of collection himself , as well as subsequently making numerous and valuable presentations . " The Worcestershire brethren will be glad to see Bro . Taylor ' s portrait inserted in the work , especially as it is a very fair representation of that genial brother .

Bro . Hughan considers that " In not a few respects these MSS ., books , and medals cannot be equalled , " and assuredly the opinion of such an eminent Masonic specialist will be received without question , especially as his verdict is based upon an intimate knowledge of the vast collection . Of him Bro . Taylor , in

noting his portrait in one of the portfolios , thus observes : " W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . England , Masonic Historian and the fountain whence sprung the incentive for and information contained in this catalogue , Worcestershire , like all the Masonic world , will owe him a deep debt of gratitude . "

We hope ere long to again refer to this truly magnificent work , but that will not be until there has been time to become better acquainted with the invaluable treasures in this enormous Masonic storehouse . Bro . Taylor , the painstaking editor , has wisely furnished the

title pages of all the books in the Library , as well as full descriptions of the medals , their legends , metals , and other particulars , so that the Museum is thus brought home to every possessor of the grand catologue , copies of which may be

obtained from him , Bracebridge House , Kidderminster , or from the printer and publisher , Bro . George Kenning , at 16 and 16 a Great Queen Street , W . C . The edition is limited and should soon be exhausted , for it has only to be known to secure the rapid sale which its conspicuous merits deserve .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CHESHIRE .

MUNIFICENT OFFERS OF LORD EGERTON OF TATTON . The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Public Hall , Runcorn , on Wednesday , the 30 th ult . The Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M ., presided , supported by Bros , the Rev . C . Spencer Stanhope , P . G . C . England , as D . P . G . M . ( in the absence of Bro . Sir Horatio Lloyd ); J . Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I . ; J . M . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; Salmon , P . S . G . W . ; Clayton , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . R . Hodgson , P . G . C . ; J . Cookson ,

P . G . T . ; H . Finch , P . G . R . ; R . Newhouse , P . G . Sec . ; A . Lawley , P . A . G . Sec ; G . M'ClelUnd , P . J . G . W . ; W Dunn , P . G . S . of W . ; S . N . Brooks , P . D . G . D . C . ; G . H . Brown , P . G . D . C . ; T . Knowles , P . A . G . D . C . ; J . G . Adams , P . G . S . B . ; W . Abtle , P . G . P . ; James Needham , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . H . Bellyse , P . P . J . G . W . ; Alfred Parkes , P . P . G . S . of W . ; H . Holbrook , P . P . G . S . of W . Cheshire , and D . G . M . of British Columbia ; H . Jackson , P . P . G . P . ; Col . Wilkinson , P . P . S . G . W ., and others .

Every lodge in the province was represented , nearly 500 brethren being present . Among the other brethren in attendance were—Bros . W . Hargreaves W . M ., J . Hudson , S . W ., G . R . Brady , P . P . G . S . B ., P . M ., J . Worsnup , P . M ., N . D . Fairbrother , P . G . Stwd ., P . M ., and Sidney May , P . G . Stwd ., P . M ., of 322 ; J . D . Kain , W . M ., Francis Preston , P . P . G . W ., and George Gaskill , I . P . M ., of 104 ; Jervis T . Hudson , P . G . Stwd ., I . G ., John Wakefield , P . G . Stwd ., and W . Lancaster , W . M ., of 28 7 ; J . O . Wylde , W . M . 323 ; S . Lowe , P . M . 323 ; Henry Lomas , W . M . 1957 ; and C . Bickerton , 1957 .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

Bro . T . GIBSON , P . P . G . T ., one of the Auditors , moved that the Auditors ' report and Provincial Grand Treasurer ' s statement be adopted , which was agreed to , and a vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Cookson , P . G . T ., and the Auditors for their services . The annual report of the Committee of Benevolence , which was somewhat of a lengthy character , was also adopted , and the members thanked for their services .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER , in his address , thanked the members of the lodges in the province for their attendance , and considering the town was not , perhaps , the most convenient to get to , there was a goodly number present . He thought it was very satisfactory to find that larger and more increased support was being given to Masonry since the } ' last visited Runcorn , 11 years ago . Three new lodges had been consecrated during

the past year . He was glad to see they were well and numerously represented there that day , and he hoped they would have the effect of making-Masonry permanently flourish in Middlewich , Hoylake , and Chester . There was also an increase in members on the previous year from 1737 to 1836 , showing that they were steadily gaining ground in the province . He was sure the best way to secure that steady increase was to see that Masonry

was improved and consolidated in every way . while he did not know to what extent the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution might be amalgamated with the Committee of Benevolence , he thought it would be a very great improvement for the practical working of the Charities of the province that they should , if possible , work together on the same lines . He thought the work of the past year had given an additional stimulus to

all the Charities in the province . They had also bestowed a great deal of trouble and pains upon the by-laws , which seemed very carefully drawn up indeed . The report of the Committee of Benevolence mentioned the very satisfactory way in which the candidate for the Boys' School was carried , and this was mainly due to the Worshipful Master and subscribers sending their votes to the Provincial Grand Secretary at once instead of to the

Secretary of the lodge . It added greatly to the voting strength of the province , and he hoped would be continued in the future . It was a subject for congratulation that at the Boys' School Festival the Stewards raised 1000 guineas , thus adding nearly 240 votes , and giving on the whole nearly 1000 votes to the province in the election of boys . Next year would be the Jubilee of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and they offered special

advantages to donors . For instance , every donor of five guineas received three votes instead of two , ten guineas received eight votes instead of four , and so on . He hoped that during the year they would endeavour to get the 240 votes which were given to subscribers of 100 guineas . He should be most happy to head the list with 50 guineas . He trusted the province would at least find the other half , if not more , and so secure a large number of votes

permanently for the benefit of the province . Mention had also been made in the report of the suggestion to start an additional fund for the province in order to provide assistance for aged Masons and their widows in cases when they were unable to obtain the advantages and benefits of the London Institution , and it had been suggested in the report that a local fund of £ 1000 would enable an annuity to be given to one old Mason and

one aged widow of £ 10 and ^ 16 respectively until they could be elected on the funds of the central Institution . If the Committee of Benevolence , which he hoped would continue their labours during the present year , would endeavour to raise a fund of that description , in addition to the other he should be happy to give 50 guineas to that also . He did so because it was a want in the province that there should be a fund from which aged Masons

and their widows should be assisted . He was glad to find the books so well kept , and they were a credit to the Masters in the province . They had to regret during the year the death of Bro . Piatt , who was one of the founders of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution , and who was a constant and energetic supporter of the Charities connected with the Order . In conclusion , his lordship asked not only for the support , but also the

forbearance of the brethren . He was a busy man , and had had many public duties thrust upon him , especially in connection with the great undertaking which the ) ' now saw being carried on in that town , and it was not for want of zeal , but time and strength would not permit . He was glad , however , to have excellent reports from the Prov . Grand Secretary of the different lodges in the province . The election of the Provincial Grand Treasurer followed .

Bro . H . FINCH , P . G . R ., proposed the re-election of Bro . Cookson , P . G . T ., which was seconded by Bro . MCCLELLAND . Bro . T . IT . Annctt was also proposed and seconded , and ultimately his election was carried . Bro . ANNETT responded , and expressed a hope that his election would not be productive of the inconvenience which had been predicted . The auditors were re-appointed , and Bro . PRESTON responded . Lord Egerton invested the following brethren as Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year :

Bro . His Honour Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd ... D . P . G . M . „ William Robinson ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Frederick R . B . Lindsell ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, Rev . R . Hodgson ... ... ... ) „ „ n , „ Rev . Thomas W . Sturges j Prov . G . Chaps . ,, Herbert Finch ... .. . ... Prov . G . Reg . ,, Thomas H . Annett ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ,, Richard Newhouse ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . ,, M . Longridge ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec .

„ IT . J ackson ... ... ... ... ") „ „ William Henry Finchett ... J Prov . S . G . D s . ,, James Gamlin ... ... ••¦) o T n rv „ John Stainforth ... ... J Prov . J . G . D s . „ Henry Mathews ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ John Lewis ... ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ Arthur C . Meir ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ John Morris ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ F . Norman ... ... ... ... ) r > r ~ c ^ t D „ Charles G . Brooke ... ... j Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ Alex . J . Phipps ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . H . Collier ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ Seth Flitcroft ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst .

,, 1 nomas Litherland ... .. " J „ T . W . Markland ... ... ... | ,, James S . Jolly ... ... \ ,. „ „ , „ Thomas Hadden ... f Prov . G . Stewards . „ C . W . Phillips ... ... ... ! „ Thomas S . Burgess ... ... ... J