Knights Templar.

adjourned to the dining hall for refreshments , under the presidency of the E . P . Sir Knight T . M . Watson , and a truly enjoyable evening was the result . DARLINGTON . —St . Cuthbert ' s Preceptory ( No . 139 ) . —The above preceptory was opened in due form on the 1 Sth ult ., by the Eminent Preceptor , Sir Knt . John James Wilkes , assisted by his officers . The minutes of the last preceptory were read and confirmed . The Prov .

Priory having been appointed to meet under their banner , the very Eminent Prov . Prior , Sir Knt . C . J . Banister , with his Deputy , Sir Knt . Col . James Monks , and the Provincial Grand Officers and officers were received under an arch of steel and saluted . After the Prov . Prior and his Prov . Officers had retired , the preceptory was closed in due form , and the sir knights retired from the Masonic Hall , Archer-street , to the Kings ' Head Hotel , where the banquet was held .

Ireland.

Ireland .

CONSECRATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL , MOUNTMELLICK . A new Masonic Hall , the erection of which is due entirely to the energy and liberality of the brethren of Lodge 660 , Mountmellick , was consecrated with appropriate ceremonial on Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., by R . W . Bro . the Earl of Huntingdon , Prov . Grand Master of the Midland Counties ,

Ireland . About 200 members of the different lodges in the province were assembled on the occasion , and the Mountmellick brethren especially must have been highly gratified with the very successful manner in which the proceedings were carried out . Lodge 660 received its warrant of constitution in 17 S 6 , and has worked almost without intermission ever since . The members who took the chief part in the

preliminary labours , and contributed so largely to raising the necessary funds were Bros . Richard Rhodes , J . T . Bailey , W . Goff Pirn , J . Meredyth , and R . Middleton Smith , W . M . 139 . The new Hall is a commodious and well-appointed building , suitable in all respects for the purposes of the Craft . The principal apartment on the ground floor is intended for

banqueting , while the hall , oblong in character and suitably furnished and decorated , is on the floor above . The total cost of the Hall , with furniture and fittings , is but little short of jf 6 oo , and , thanks to the energy of the brethren named and others , there is needed less than £ 100 in order to complete that sum . Among those present at the consecration were Bros , the

Earl of Huntingdon , R . W . Prov . G . M . of the Midland Counties ; Capt . Robert Godolphin Cosby , R . W . Prov . D . G . M . ; A . K . Evans , P . G . S . VV . ; John Roe , P . G . J . W . ; Capt . A . Maxwell , P . G . Treas . ; the Rev . H . J . Gillespie , P . G . Sec ; VV . P . Lloyd-Vaughan , P . G . S . D . ; W . D . Whelan , P . G . J . D . ; J . Boyle and Dr . D . Jacobs , P . G , Stwds . ; G . Marshall , P . G . Org . ; Richard Rhodes , P . G .

Lodge Instructor ; Richard Goodbody , P . G . l . G . ; and a strong muster of the members of lodges Nos . 139 , 16 3 , 167 , 321 , 39 S , 402 , CGo , 215 , 76 S , 99 S , 250 , 156 , and others ; the letters of regret at being unable to attend being likewise very numerous . The brethren having assembled in the banqueting room , a procession was formed , and when it had reached the lodge room , and the members had taken their appointed places ,

P . G . Lodge was opened , and Bro . the Rev . W . H . Frazer having invoked the blessing of the G . A . O . T . U ., a hymn was sung , and the R . W . Prov . G . M . invited to consecrate the Hall . The preliminary steps to this end having been taken , the ceremony of consecration proceeded in

accordance with ancient Masonic usage , and the Hall was declared dedicated to the purposesof Freemasonry . In the evening a banquet was given by Lodges Nos . 139 and 660 , at which the visitors were most hospitably entertained , the chair being occupied by Bro . R . Middleton Smith , VV . M . of No . 139 , Mountmellick .

British Hairdressers' Benevolent Institution.

BRITISH HAIRDRESSERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The forty-eighth dinner of the British Hairdressers ' Benevolent Institution was held at St . James ' s Hall on the 4 th inst ., the President , Bro . Joseph Lichtenfeld , 205 , in the chair , when some 100 or more ladies and gentlemen sat down . After the toasts of "The Queen , " "The Army

and Navy and Reserve Forces , Bro . LICHTENFELD gave " Success to the British Hairdressers' Provident and Benevolent Institution , " and stated it was now nearly half a century old . Its progress had been slow , but steady , for in 1 S 66 the capital was but ^ 2000 , and in 1 SS 4 £ 4595 . ( Applause . ) Its objects were both benevolent and provident . One prominent feature , Bro .

Lichenfeld explained , was the economy with which it was managed , every possible penny subscribed going for the purpose for which it was intended . They had now seven pensioners , and £ 250 was expended annually , £ 150 being received from annual subscribers . He quite upheld dispensing the charity of the Institution without the publicity which caused pain , and hurt the feelings of the recipient , and concluded by

making an appeal , which resulted in upwards of £ 60 being collected . The retiring President , Mr . John Carter , was then presented by the Chairman with a handsome illuminated vote of thanks , which was duly acknowledged . Bro . LICHTENFELD responded to the toast of " The President " in a few and well-chosen words .

I'lie other toasts were "The Trustees , " to which Bros . Truefit and Hopekirk replied ; "Kindred Societies ;" "The Ladies , " proposed in an amusing speech by Bro . Rimmel ; "The Visitors and Artistes , " to which Mr . B . Thomas and Mr . Alliston replied , the latter remarking he attended the first dinner of the Charity at White Conduit House , VVigmore-street , and was pleased to say he was one

of the pioneers ; and "The Press , " which was acknowledged by Messrs . Crcer and Wise . We noticed the musical arrangements added to the enjoyment of all . Mr . Lehmeyer was the accompanist , and Mr . S . Lichtenfeld ' s violin solo was greatly appreciated . The following brethren were among those present : Bros . Rev . M . Haines , II . J . Phillips , R . Hovenden , C F . Hogard , H . E . Dehane , H . M . Levy , J . A . Gartley , W . T . Allen , and H . Brovvniner .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The regular monthly meeting of this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Saturday last , the 6 th inst . Bro . Joyce Murray , Vice-Patron , presided , and there were present Bros . John L . Mather , Raynham VV . Stewart , P . G . D . ; William Roebuck , P . G . Std . ; James Moon ,

F . W . Ramsay , M . D ., R . Berridge , Henry W . Hunt , A . F . Godson , Richard Morris , M . A ., LL . D . ( Head Master ) , Alfred Withers , F . Adlard , H . Hacker , Richard Eve , John J . Berry , C . F . Hogard , VV . A . Scurrah , Geo . P . Gillard , Alfred Williams , T . Hastings Miller , VV . Maple , Henry Vernon , and F . Binckes , Secretary . The minutes having been read and confirmed , nine petitions were

submitted , of which SIX were accepted and three deferred . Of five applications made for an outfit by ex-pupils , four were granted and one was deferred . £ 500 was invested on account of the General Fund , and a sum of £ 20 a year towards maintenance and education was granted in the

case of a boy whose health did not allow of his being housed , & c , at the school . Regretful reference was made to the death of Bro . Lieut .-Col . Creaton , a Patron and one of the Trustees of the Institution ; shortly after which the meeting separated with the usual compliment of thanks to the Chairman for having presided .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The monthly meeting of the Committee of Management of this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 10 th inst . Bro . Raynham VV . Stewart , P . G . D ., occupied the chair , and among those present were Bros . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; C .

A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; F . Adlard , John Bulmer , James Brett , P . G . P . ; VV . Hilton , J . A . Farnfield , Charles Lacey , Chas . Belton , Z . B . Daniel ) , Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; D . V . Cama , C . H . Webb , Charles Daniel , Charles Dairy , VV . March , C . F . Hogard , and James Terry , Sec . After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , the SECRETARY reported the death of Bro .

Lieut .-Col . Creaton , Past G . Treas ., and one of the Trustees of the Institution ; and it was directed that a letter of condolence with Mrs . Creaton should be written . The deaths of four male and two female annuitants were reported , as well as of one of the widows in receipt of half her late husband ' s annuity . The Wardens' report was read , and the Chairman

authorised to sign cheques . Bro . J ABEZ HOGG ' S motion , "That , in consideration of the eminent service rendered to the Institution by Bro . G . Blizard Abbott , in having written the History of the Institution , he be elected an Honorary Life Governor , with all the privileges appertaining thereto , " was carried unanimously . Ten new petitions , and one deferred , were then succesively

considered and dealt with , the result being that the latter was rejected , while of the new ones seven were accepted and three deferred . An application from the widow of Bro . Spratt , a deceased annuitant , for the half of his annuity for the usual period was deferred for further consideration . A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

GRAND COM . MANDERY ( KNIGHTS TEMPLAR ) NEW YORK . The annual conclave was held in Buffalo City on the 14 th and 15 th ult ., under the presidency of Sir Knight C . Aikman . Nearly all the commanderies in the jurisdiction were represented , and the proceedings appear to have passed off most successfully . Sir Knight David F . Day , of

Buffalo , read an address of welcome , which was appropriately acknowledged by Sir Knight John W . Simmons , Past G . C . and P . G . M . of the G . Encampment , U . S . A ., after which the G . C . delivered a long and elaborate address , describing fully anp faithfully the chief events of the year . In the afternoon of the first day a grand parade took place in the streets of the city , there being about as many bands

of music as there were commanderies , the whole making a most resplendent show , and eliciting loud applause from the dense crowds of spectators assembled , A reception followed in the evening , consisting of a concert ,. a ball , and a collation , the gorgeous uniforms of the Sir Knights , the exquisite toilettes of the ladies , and the decorations of the room harmonising together most splendidly . In fact , the

account we have read—which extends over 10 columns of the Freemasons' Journal ot New York—is enough to take one ' s breath away , there being only one thing needed to render it acceptable , and that is—a slight dash of Masonry . However , our American brethren appear to delight in this kind of thing , and we outsidsrs have no right to criticise if it pleases those principally concerned . We may add that

the following are the Grand Officers for the new year : Sir Knights A . A . Crosby , G . C . ; Peter Forrester , D . G . C ; J . K . Johnson , G . C ; A . Goodall , G . C . G . ; Rev . J . G . Webster , G . P . ; T . G . Haslehurst , G . S . W . ; A . C . Wood , G . J . W . ; R . C . Christian , G . Treas . ; R . Macov , G . Rec ; F . N . Mabee , G . Std . B . ; G . McGovan , G . Swd . B . ; G . M . Loder , G . W . ; and W . D . May , G . C . of G .

GRAND LODGE OV PENNSYLVANIA . _ The Keystone contains particulars of a series of visitations made on the 13 th , 14 th , and 15 th October respectively , to certain Lodjes and districts in the jurisdictions by Bro . Conrad B . Day , G . Master , who was accompanied by Bros , Joseph Eishbaum , G . S . W . ; Clifford P . MacCalla , G . J . W ; Thomas R . Pattan , G . Treas . ; Michael Nisbet , G . Sec .

Hon . Richard Vause , Past G . M . ; George W . Wood , G . Marshal ; Louis M . Chasteau , G . Swd . Br . ; John Slingluff , as G . S . D . ; Edward Matthews , as G . J . D . j Will J . Kelly , as G . Purst . ; and Will A . Sinn , G . Tyler . The first visitation was made to Harrisburg , the lodge selected

for the honour being the Perseverance , No . 21 , there being thirty-three other lodges represented . The following day Lewistown was reached , and the Lewistown Lodge , No . 203 , visited fourteen neighbouring lodges , sending brethren to reprssent them . On the 15 th October , the travellers proceeded to Bellefonte and visited the Bellefonte Lodge , No . 260 , twelve other lodges being represented . At each

The Craft Abroad.

of the visitations instruction was given in one or other of the three three degrees of Craft Masonry . The lodges were found to be in a most prosperous condition , and the addresses delivered by Bros . Day , G . M . ; Vaux , P . G . M . ; and his principal officers , were very respectfully welcomed , the visitors being most hospitably entertained in each locality . Other visitations followed .

Obituary.

Obituary .

THE LATE BRO . H . C . LEVANDER , P . G . D . The brief notice we were enabled to give last week of our late respected Bro . H . C . Levander will give but a very poor account of the important services he had rendered to the Craft in the course of a career extending over thirty years . Indeed , even the full details as to the lodges , chapters , & e , with which he had been or was at the time of his death connected , though it would present a

formidable array of names and titles , would but indifferently testify to his great merits in every branch of Freemasonry . As we stated iast week , Bro . Levander was initiated in the Lodge of Economy , No . 76—then No . 90—Winchester . Two years later he was advanced to the Mark Degree in the Albany Lodge , Isle of Wight , and exalted to the R . A . in the Economy Chapter , No . 7 6 . He was a Psst Master of St . Thomas's Lodge , No . 142 , of the Concord , No . 632 ,

Trowbridge , of No . 9 61 , of the Campbell Lodge , No . 1415 , a P . P . G . S . B . and P . P . G . S . D . of Wiltshire , Prov . G . Secretary Middlesex , and P . G . D . England . He was a P . Z . of St . Thomas ' s Chapter , No . 142 , Panmure Chapter , No . 720 , and the Burdett Chapter , No . 1293 , P . P . G . H . Middlesex , Prov . G . Scribe E . ditto , and P . G . Swd . Br . England . He was a P . M . Grosvenor Mark Lodge , and G . Registrar of Marks in the Mark G . Lodge . He was a 0

P . M . W . S . Palestine Chapter , Rose Croix , and 32 in the A . and A . S . Rite , P . P . G . Swd . Br . Temple , a Knight of Malta , Recorder of the Premier Conclave , Red Cross , from 187 S-1 SS 2 , Grand Treasurer and P . G . S . G . of the Grand Imperial Council , Treasurer General of the K . H . S . and St . John the Evangelist Patriarchal Council , a member of the Royal Order of Scotland , a Royal and Seleet Master , and of the Allied Degrees , Senior S . S . in the High

Council of the Rosicrucian Society , one of the Grand Masters Royal Ark Mariners Council , and had been or was Secretary or Treasurer of sundry lodges and chapters . He had been Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes , and was a member of the Audit Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Lastly , he was a Vice-President of all three Institutions , and had acted as Festival Steward four times for the Girls'School , five times

for the Boys' School , and five times for the Benevolent Institution . To parallel a record of service such as this would be a task of great difficulty . It was not , however , only in Freemasonry that our late Bro . Lavender won for himself so great a name . He started well in his career , having graduated in mathematical honours at Oxford , of which University he was M . A . He was Fellow or Member of many learned Societies , such as the

Royal Astronomical , the Philological , Cambridge Philological , Ballad , and Early English Text , as well as those of the Biblical Archaeology and for the promotion of Hellenic Studies . He was likewise a great linguist , and was particularly known for his familiar acquaintance with , among other languages , French and Sanskrit . Thus both within and outside the Craft Bro . Levander stood deservedly high by reason of his great abilities and

profound learning , and , above all things , by the hearty zeal with which he prosecuted any duty or business he set his mind to . His funeral took place at the West Hampstead Cemetery on Saturday last , when his remains were followed to their last resting place by the members of his family and by a large gathering , both of Masons and non-Masons , whose love and esteem he had won for himself , and who were thus desirous of paying their last tribute of

respect to him when dead . The masters and pupils of University College School attended , and a large number of the personal friends of the deceased . The following brethren were also present : Bros . E . Letchworth , G . J . D . ; H . G . Buss , G . Asst . Sec , Prov . G . Treas . ; J . L . Thomas , P . G . A . D . C ; T . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; James Terry , Secretary Benevolent Institution ; R . W . Hedges , Secretary Girls ' School ; Inglis , P . P . G . W . ; J . Mason , P . P . G . D . ; T . J .

Bird , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Hammond , P . P . G . D . ; W . Hammond , P . P . G . D . ; J . J . Marsh , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; H . W . Mayes , Prov . G . P . ; D . P . Cama , Prov . G . S . B . ; W . H . Lee , Prov . G . Asst . Sec ; A . A . Pendlebury , P . M . ; J . Osborn , W . M . 1 S 97 ; G . Powell , P . M . 142 ; J . W . Lambert , Prov . G . R . ; John Gilbert , Prov . G . Tyler , and others . The Aldersgate Lodge was represented by the Worshipful Master Bro . Samuel White , and Past Masters the Rev , Dr . P . H . Ernest Brette and George Kenning .

BRO . HENRY S . COOPER . We have to record the death of Bro . Henry S . Cooper , ot the United Strength Lodge , No . 228 , which took place at his residence , in Holyrood-street , Newport , Isle of Wight , on the 28 th ult . He had attained the advanced age of 76 years , and was an energetic worker in Freemasonry ; but for the last few years had been prevented taking that active part in it which he had previously done , owing to

his suffering from a chronic form of bronchitis , of which complaint he died . He was a founder and member of the Zetland Lodge , No . 511 ; the South Middlesex Lodge , No . 858 ; and the Industry Lodge , No . 1 S 6 ; also a companion of the Mount Sinai , Jerusalem , Lily of Richmond , and Albany Chapters ; and a Mark Master of the Thistle Lodge . He was interred in the Newport Cemetery on the 4 th inst ., and had that respect shown to his memory by his brethren

in Masonry which he had received and merited during his life . The funeral was attended by Mr . Henry Blackwell , Head Constable of the borough of Newport ( son-in-law ); Henry Cooper Blackwell ( grandson ); and Messrs . F . and S . Sarel ( cousins ) of the deceased ; also by the W . M . and many members of the Albany Lodge , No . 151 , Newport . We are sure all old friends of our late brother will hear of his death with regret .

The Fifteen Sections will be worked in the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , 1507 , meeting at 15 , Finsbury-pavement , E . C , on Monday next , the 15 th . The proceedings will commence at G . 30 p . m ., precisely . £ SO to £ 600 . —Tobacconists . —A pamphlet ( So pages ) How to commence from ^ 20 ; three stamps . H . Myers & Co ., 109 , liuston-rd ., London . Sample cigars 6 , 5 , 4 , —1 / ., 14 stamps . [ ADVT . ]