Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

Bro . J . Cruse , P . M . 1 ) 76 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ E . l- ' rye Wade , P . M . 291 ( re-elected ) ... Prov . G . Sec . „ A . ] . Hulbert , P . M . 772 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . * T . Shapland , P . M . 1733 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ H . J . Lye , P . M . 814 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W .

„ W . H . Wake , P . M . 261 ... ... Prov . G D . ol C „ A . B . Wickenden , P . M . 1 750 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C . „ Major C . H . Simpson , P . M . 379 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ E . 0 . Scallon , P . M . 437 ... ... 7 p p * „ S . P . G . Cox , P . M . 1190 ... ^ lrov . tr . S . d . brs . „ J . W . Styles , P . M . 283 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ T . Tyler , P . M . 1966 ... ... ... Piov . G . Purst . „ E . W . Loveless , P . M . 906 .. ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ T . Kehvay , P . M . 135 ¦•¦ •¦•... ^

„ J . Tyler , P . M . 291 ... ... ... („ r ~ , ;; j . R . Pauii , P . M . . 197 \' rov-G-Stwds-,, Agues Fedden , P . M . 1296 ... ... J „ A . J . Salter , Tyler 53 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ S . Bigwood , Tyler 41 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . A G . T yler .

Bro . ELSE , D . P . G . M ., next presented a very satisfactory report of the Charity Organisation Committee . The report was adopted , on the motion of Hro . GREGORY , seconded by Bro . ASHLEY , who expressed the indebtedness of the province to Bro . Else for the great amount of time and labour he had expended in connection with the work of the Masonic Charities in the province , and congratulated him on the success of his efforts . The motion was agreed to with acclamation .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER said he had next a rather painful task to perform , and that was to refer to the great loss the province had sustained by the death of two very much respected biethren—Bros . C . F . Marshall and Jelly—both of whom had rendered good service to the province , and he wished to propose lhat a vote of sympathy and condolence be entered outhe minutes of Prov . Grand Lodge , and forwarded to the relatives of the brethren whose loss they so much deplored .

Bro . ELSE , D . P . G . M ., seconded the proposition , remarking that he was sure they all deeply regretted the loss of such eminent , beloved , and distinguished brethren . He was sure , however , that the hearts of the brethren in Somerset were in the right place , and that they would never be found lacking in assistance of the right sort to enable them before long to make good the loss they had sustained by the decease of the breihren referred to .

A special anthem was then sung , during which a collection of alms was made , and these ( amounting to £ S ids . 6 d . ) were voted to the funds < jf the Royal United Hospital , on the proposition of Bro . Renin , seconded by Bio . H . C . HOPKINS . The National Anthem was next sung , and the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed . The customary banquet followed , under the presidency of Bro . Lord Dungatvan .

Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND .

INSTALLATION OF BRO . JAMES CREED MEREDITH , LL . D ., AS D . G . M . OF IRELAND .

The Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ireland was held in Dublin on Thursday , the 3 'd instant , when the peculiarl y interesting and necessarily rare ceremony of installation of a Deputy Grand Master took place in accordance with ancient usage . The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland having been duly convened by summons met at Freemasons' Hall , Dublin , at eight o ' clock p . m . and opened in form . Present :

Bros . Col . Pratt-Saunders , Prov . G . M . oi Wickioiv and Wexford , 011 the throne ; Sir Chas . A . Cameron , P . S . G . D ., as S . G . W . ; W . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D ., P . S . G . D ., as J . G . W . ; the Rev . 13 . Gibson , M . A ., G . Chip . ; Wm . Battersby , J . P ., S . G . D . ; William G . Huband , J . G . D . ; William Spence , C . E ., G . S . of Wks . ; William Coniyns , G . D . C . ; George Drury , G . Stwd . j James M . Lowry , G . S . B . ; Thos . R . G . Joze , Mus . Doc , G . Org . ; William McGee , J . P ., G . I . G . ; A . St . George , J . P ., D . G . S . ; H . E . Flavclle , A . G . Sec . ; and Frost and Bodell , G . Tylers .

There was a full attendance of Grand Officers , except the M . W . G . M , and the Grand Wardens , who were absent from Ireland on Parliamentary and other duties . Their places were supplied by the Senior Past Grand Officers , Bros . Sir Charles Cameron , M . D ., and Chetwode Crawley , LL . D .

Representatives from the Grand Lodges of Indiana , Wisconsin , Maryland , South Australia , Hayti , Spain , Sweden , Tasmania , Hamburg , North Dakota , and Virginia ; Bros . Dr . O . Donoghue , Mus . Doc , P . G . O . ; Rev . R . S . Campbell , D . D ., P . G . Chap . South Connaught ; and many otheis .

The minutes of the proceedings of the March communication were read , confirmed , and signed in due course . The G . D . C . announced that the M . W . his Grace the Grand Master had appointed Bro . J . Creed Meredith , LL . D ., as his Deputy in place of Bro . Shekleton , O . C , resigned , and that that brother was in attendance for thc purpese of being installed .

The PRESIDING OFFICER having intimated his willingness lo perfoim thc ceremony of installation , the Grand'Ollieers not engaged in the active work of Grand Lodge retired and subsequently conducted Bto . Meredith to the throne in the following order : Bros . Battersb y and Huband , G . Deacons ; the Rev . B . Gibson , G . Chap . ; William Spence , G . S . of Wks , ; William Comyns , G . D . C . ; George Drury , G . Stwd . ; James IM . Lowry , G . S . B . ; Archd . St . George , D . G . Sec . ; James Creed Meredith , LL . D . ; representatives from foreign Grand Lodges ; and Prov . G . Officers .

The G . D . C . presented the newly-appointed D . G . M . to the Presiding Officer , and his patent of appointment was read an follows : " I , James Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master of thc Grand Lodge of tree and Accepted Masons of Ireland , hereby nominate , constitute , and appoint R . W . James Creed Meredith , LL . D ., Grand Treasurer of Grand Lodge as my Deputy , with full power to act for me in all matters connected with the Craft in Ireland . " ( Signed ) AIIKRUOUN , G . M . " Hampden House , London , W ., May 20 , 1807 . "

Grand Lodge Of Ireland.

The following letter was read from Bro . Shekleton , Q . C , thc retiring Deputy Grand Maslei : •~" Dear Brethren , I had hoped to he able lo attend Grand Lodge this evening to instal my successor but my medical attendant has positively forbidden me to undertake the duty .

Ihe recent accident I met with has so aggravated the ellects of a former one which occurred three years ago in ( Belfast that I felt myself unable to continue to discharge the duties of the office of D . G . M . I therefore placed my resignrtion in the hands of the Grand Master who most unwillingly accepted it . ff I had been able to preside to-night I should have completed 2 S years of service as D . G . M during which period several most important Masonic duties fell to my lot to discharge .

1 can assure you , my brethren , I always endeavoured to discharge my duties faithfully and impartially , and with the view of maintaining the landmarks of the Order and the dignity of the Crafl in Ireland . If during my long services 1 offended any member of the Order , I did so most unwittingly , and while 1 made many friends , I am not conscious of having made an enemy . I bespeak for my worthy successor the same cordial support of the brethren that was always accorded to me , and I most heartily wish him all success in what I cannot but feel is a most responsible post , especially having regard to the position of the Order in Ireland .

Accept , my dear brethren , my sincere good wishes for thc prosperity of each of you , and I now bid you all farewell . Yours most fraternally , ROUT . W . SMEKLKTON - 31 , Fitzwiiliam-square , 3 rd tune , 1897 .

The new D . G . M . having expressed his readiness to take the customary obligation of office it was administered by the Presiding Officer and he waa then placed in the chair amidst the enthusiastic acclamations of the brethren , and saluted according to ancient custom . He briefly thanked the brethren for the cordial reception he had received . He spoke hopefully of the future of the Order in Ireland and dwrlt particularly on the fact that even those who regarded the Fraternity with disfavour were learningto recognise that its general tendency is in the direction of benevolence and goodwill .

The following resolution was proposed by Bro . Sir CHAS . CAMERON , acting S . G . W ., seconded by Bro . VV . J . CHETWODE CRAWLEY , LL . D ., acting J . G . W ., and passed unanimously : " That Grand Lodge , bearing in mind thc invaluable services of the late D . G . M ., R . W . Bro . Robt . W . Shekleton , Q . C , during a period of

more than 28 years as Deputy to three successive Grand Masters , desires to give formal expression to its grateful recognition of those services , and , therefore , entrusts to the R . W . D . G . M . and such brethren as he may associate with him the preparation of a suitable resolution and valedictory address , to be laid before Grand Lodge for approval at its next Communication . "

The D . G . M . referred to the great loss sustained by the Maionic Order , the Church , and the country at large , since the last meetingof Grand Lodge , by the death of the senior Grand Chaplain , His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin , and mentioned that a letter of sympathy had been sent to the family by His Grace the Grand Master , on behalf of Grand Lodge , to which the following reply was received : My Dear Duke ,

On my own behalf and that of the other members of my family , I thank your Grace , and through you , the Grand Lodge , and Masons generally in Ireland , for your message of sympathy . —Believe me , faithfully and fraternally yours . ( Signed ) PLUNK KT . Old Connaught House , Bray , Co . WicWow .

The Grand Lodge cordially approved of the action of the M . W . G M ., and directed that votes of condolence and sympathy should be recorded on the minutes . The report was received from Special Committee as to the prrceedings to be taken in order to suitably celebrate the completion of the sixtieth year of the reign of her Most Gracious Majesty the Oueen . The address submitted by the Committee was adopted .

The reports of the Board of General Purposes , and of the Committee of Charity and Inspection were then dealt with , and the ordinary business of Grand Lodge transacted . The Grand Lodge , in accordance with the oldworld phrase still in use by the Irish brethren , then closed in peace , love , and harmony . The popularity of thc incoming Deputy Grand Master was testified by

the large attendance of brethren from the provinces as well as from the metropolitan lodges . Between 300 and ' 100 breihren were present in the Grand Lodge Room , all of whom showed most hearty approbation of the choice made by the M . W . G . M . It was an additional source of fraternal pleasure that thc retiring Deputy was still spared to assist , by advice and counsel , the Grand Lodge over whose communications he had so long and so worthily presided .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS

The monthly meeting of thc Council of Lile Governor :, was held at Freemasons' Hall , Queen-street , W . C , on Friday , thc : ' . Sth ult ., and proved of more than usual interest , there being over 100 brethren present , presided over b y Hro . Richard Eve , Patron and Trustee . Amonyst those attending were Bros , Chas . E , Keyser , Thomas Fenn , J . H . Matthews , E . Terry , J . \ V . Woodall , E . Letchworth , G . Sec ., Frank Richardson . O ,

Philippe , Stanley J . Attenborough , George Everett , Lefeuvre , Cummings , John Strachan , Q . C .. W . F . Lamonby , W . S . Emden , J . W . Burgess , Jas . Stephens . Col . Clifford I'robyn , J . Lewis Thomas , Rowland Plumbe , W . Vincent , W . A . Scurrah , Or . Geo . Mickley , A . J . Thomas , Richard Luck , William Thomas , E . M . Money , j . S , Cumberland , Major Bridges , G . Blixird Abbott , S . R . Baskett , ar . d others .

Ten petitions were accepted for the October election and one rejected the case being ineligible on account of short subscription o ( father . The business which had evidently attracted so large an attendance was the extraordinary election of a member to serve on the Board of Management . Two candidates were proposed , and on a show of hands , 57 voted for Bro . John Strachan , Q . C , and 37 for Bro . H . Thomas Lyon , the former being declared dul y elected .