Craft Masonry.

if they aspired to office at any time in the lodge . As fir as his humble abilities were concerned , nothing should be wanting on his part to do his duty as so many Masters present and past had done , particularly tbe Master who had presided over them that evening . He had taken the opportunity in the loi : re of congratulating the W . M ., but he did it again . He wished the W . M . and all the brethren another year of prosperity , and that they might enjoy health and prosperity for m \ ny years to conns . The toast of "The Treasurer , the Secretary , and the Joppa Benevolent Fund , " followed , and was responded to by Bro . B . Weigal , P . M .

Several brethren responded to the toast of "The Visitors , " principally Bros . Kauffmann , Terrell , and Dancyger . The Junior Warden replied to the toast of "The S . W . and J . W . " The toast of " The Officers " was then given and acknowledged , and the Tyler's toast finished the pleasures and duties of the day .

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . A meeting was held on the 5 th inst ., at Cannon-street Hotel , when there were present Bros . T . W . Fisher , W . M . ; K . Sarson , S . W . ; A . J . Holmes , J . W . ; Thos . Cohu , Treas . ; H . Legee , Sec . ; C . Garton , S . D . ; William Baker , J . D . ; R . Morley acting Tyler ; Goodes . P . M . ; Smith , P . M . ; Welch , Robeson , Martyn , Stokes , S . Rippin , A . J . Rippin , Peach , Doody , Scott , and Crawshaw . The lodge was opened , and the minutes were confirmed , after which Bro . Scott was raised and Bro . Doody passed . Seven candidates for initiation at the next meeting having been proposed and seconded , the lodge was closed , and the brethren partook of refreshments .

Unanimity Lodge , No . 287 . The installation meeting of this antient and reputable lodge was held on the 4 th inst ., at the White Lion Hotel , Stockport . There was a very large attendance of Prov . G . OtTcerscf high rank , no doubt on account of the very interesting function of a father installing his son . And assuredly there was a deep impression between the two , as also to all who witnessed the beautiful ceremony . Bro . J . Cookson was in capital form and fullv bore out the great reputation he has already gained in the exposition of

Freemasonry in the Province of Cheshire and of this lodge in particular . The lodge was opened by Bro . J . V . Hudson , W . M ., P . P . G . S ., and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Prov . Grand Officers were then admitted under the direction of Bro . Leigh , P . P . G . D . C ., and were duly saluted . The Treasurer ' s report was passed and found to be very favourable . Bro . James Cookson , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., Sec , assumed the chair for the purpose of installing his son , Bro . ) . A . Cookson , S . W ., W . M . elect . The W . M . appointed as Installing Officers Bros .

John Clayton , P . P . G . W ., as S . W . j C D . Cheetham , P . P . G . D . C , as J . W . j and W . Powell Jones , P . G . S . B ., as I . G . The W . M . elect was presented by Bro . Leigh , D . C , and after the usual formula , Bro . James Alfred Cookson ( in the chair ) was duly proclaimed and saluted in the three Degrees . The following brethren were appointed as officers for the ensuing year : Bro . J ervis T . Hudson , P . P . G . S ., I . P . M . ; Arthur Jas . Hewett , S . W . ; Joshua Preston , J . W . ; Rev . A . Symonds , P . M ., P . P . G . C , Chap . ; Charles Dawson , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., Sec . ; David Walmsley , S . D . ; Geo . W . Healey ,

I . D . } John Leieh . P . M ., P . P . G . P ., D . C ; Geo . McClelland , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Org . ; Wm . B . Blower , I . G . ; C Champion , George A . Eyre , J oseph Lee , jun ., and Joseph Lee , sen ., Stwds . ; John Clarke , Tyler ; and Charles Dawson , P . M ., Treas ., Charity Representative ; and they were addressed by Bro . James Cookson . The VV . M . was addressed by Bro . Lancaster , P . M ., the Wardens by Bro . James Hudson , I . P . M ., and the brethren by Bro . G . McClelland , P . M ., P . P . G . D . At the close of the installation , the ledge was conducted under the gavel of the W . M ., Bro . J . A . Cookson . VVe might

mention the fact—and it will give an idea of the popularity of the newly-installed W . M . —there were 33 Installed Masters present in the Board of Installed Masters . There were letters ot apology from Bros , the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M . ; the Hon . Alan De Tatton Egerton , P . G . W , ; and other distinguished brethren . A notice of motion was given by Bro . Hudson , P . M . — "That 10 guineas be given to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and five guineas to the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution . "

"Hearty good wishes " and congratulations to the W . M . were given , and the lodge was closed . Subsequently a banquet was partaken of under the presidency of Bro . J . A . Cookson , at which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . During the evening a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . J . T . Hudson , I . P . M ., from the brethren of the lodge . This was gracefully done by the W . M ., and duly acknowledged . A very enjoyable evening was spent .

Amongst those present were , in addition to those already mentioned , Bros . H . J . Carrington , P . M . ; W . Shepherd , P . M . ; T . Thorneley , P . M ., P . G . S . ; G . Roberts , P . M ., P . P . G . S . ; W . M . Lancaster , P . M . ; and T . E . Rigbv , P . M . Visitors : Bros . K . Newhouse , P . G . Sec ; Col . Wilkinson , P . P . S . G . W . ; F . May , P . G . R . ; John Clayton , P . P . G . W . ; T . Lcckett , P . G . W . ; C D . Cheetham , P . P . G . D . C ; G . S . Smith , P . P . G . Org . E . and W . Lanes . ; J . Arnott , P . G . W . W . Lanes . ; J . Slack , P . P . G . D . ; H . Powell Jones . P . G . S . B . ; J . M . Crowther , P . M . ; J . F . Lomas , W . M . 104 ; J . Gould , P . M . ; W . Walmsley , W . M . ; J . Penny , W . Hull , P . D . Hayes , W . H . Harrison . P . M . ; H . Newton , D . Armstrong , P . P . G . S . of W . ; and others .

Alfred Lodge , No . 306 . The several interesting events of the centenary year of the above lodge have been duly recorded in our columns , and we are not surprised to find that its _ genial and popular Worshipful Master has been chosen to fill the chair for a second time . Bro . Wm . Blackburn , believing on the assurance of the Past Masters that his acceptance of Ihe office would undoubtedly be to the interest of the lodge , reluctantly consented , and on Friday , the 6 th inst ., was re-installed . The Alfred Lodge , for reasons which need

not here be gone into , has removed from Great George-street to the masonic Hall , Carlton Hill , Leeds , and it was in these , its new quarters , that its annual festival was kept . Notwithstanding that four other West Yorkshire installations were actually taking place that evening , the Alfred gathering was numerously and influentially attended . The members of 306 who supported their W . M . on the occasion were : Bros . I . C . Malcolm , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; J . Dyson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C . ; D . Wedder-:-poon , P . M ., Sec . ; W . M . Tate , P . M ., Prov . G . Std . Br . ; S . E . Seanor , P . M .,

I . G . ; VV . C Ellisdon , P . M ., C . S . ; the Rev . C . A . Lambert , P . P . G . Chap . ; A . Redmayne , D . of C ; J . H . Johnson , H . Hunt , J . Flockton , C . H . Wilson , J . H . Barraclough , J . Hiley , II . Kitchen , K . A . Blackburn , R . H . Blackburn , W . Horsfall , I . A . Boorman , A . McLarmick , A . Neill , A . Millard , G . Darley , G . W . Longfield , R . H . Crowther , G . Wright , J . W . Holmes , D . Mclver , E . Scholield . D . J . Miller , J . Wake , J . Bowers , E . C . Shackleton , J . P . Dyson , ] . A . Compton , J . F . Towers , S . Peckover , Org ., and J . H . Newton , Tyler . Amongst the visitors were ; Bros . Henry Smith ,

Dep . Prov . G . M . ; W . F . Smithson , P . M ., P . G . D . ; R . Kingston , P . M . 1221 , P . P . G . D .: T . Winn , P . M . 1211 , P . P . G . S . of Wks . ; Joseph Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; J . P . Mann , W . M . 2 S 9 ; S . H . Cliff , W . M . 1221 ; W . S . Varley , W . M . 265 ; J . Clough , W . M . 603 ; R . Thompson , P . M . 1042 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . H . VV . Nettleship , W . M . 1311 ; A . Boocock , P . M . 9 ( U . S . A . ); G . Suddick , I . P . M . 304 ; A . Turner , P . M . 2285 ; J . R . Barton , P . M . 42 ; H . Child , P . M . I 22 r ; H . Banks , W . M . 1042 ; T . Woods , P . M . 448 ; M . Ambler , 265 ; R . J . Bateman , G 03 ; W .

II . Turner , S . W . rcoi ; VV . Warren , 1211 ; H . Cowbrough , Treas , 1042 ; W . McOuat , 1211 ; G . Chadwick , Sec . 1211 ; P . Simmerton , 1083 ; R . Turton , 1211 ; W . Tjockerlyne , S . W . 304 ; T . H . Cockerlyne , 304 ; J- Boyle , 1211 ; C . H . Freeman , 1211 ; Vickers , 20 C 9 ; and M . Hall , 1019 . The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the last regular meeting and a lodge of emergency confirmed , the Worshipful Master called upon his retiring officers to give up their collars . To these , most , if not all , of whom were Past Masters , Bro .

Blackbum tendered warm thanks for the help and support they had given him during the r » ntrnary jfar . To Bro . D . Wedderspoon , P . M ., the Sec , his gratitude , he declared , was especially due , as a better Secretary no man could have . His labours , though heavy , I ad been most cheerfully borne , and he feared that the demands upon his time , which lie faiihlul record of their proceedings , together with the aitention to the minute details r > t rrrsrisation and anargrment which the peculiar circumstances of the festive year I « d i ntailfd , were almost more than be was reasonably tntitlrd to exact , lie hoped Liro . Wedderspcon would accept at his hands a Past Matter ' s collar and asilver tankard

Craft Masonry.

as a slight recognition on the part of himself of the able manner in which he had discharged his arduous duties . Placing the collar round his neck , the W . M . wished him long years to wear it , and , handingf him the tankard , health to participate in all the reasonable pleasures and enjiymen's of life . Bro . Wedderspoon acknowledged the serious responsibility which he undertook when he accepted the office ot Secretary for the centeniry year of the Alfred Lodge . He had done his duty to the best of his ability , and if his heavy" labours ( for they were heavy ) had contributed in any decree to the success which certainly had attended their

celebration , and if in the discharge of his duty he had given satisfaction to the W . M . and his brethren , he was more than repaid . He accepted with much pleasure the collar he had so kindly presented , and should wear it with pride . As to the silver pint , Bro . Wedderspoon humorously remarked that hid it come at the commencement of the year as a suggestion that sustenanc ; to support him in his work was recommended , he could have understood it , but he assured them that should his life be long as the W . M . so genially wished , he would each time he used the tankard think kindly of the donor , and he trusted he might be soared for many a year to drink therefrom success to the Alfred Lodge and health to all its members .

The business of the meeting was then proceeded with , and Bro . VVm . Blackburn was presented for installation by the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . Henry Smith . Bro . Wedderspoon took the ceremony in a most impressive manner . Being already an Installed Master , it was unnecessary to go through the entire routine in Bro . Blackburn ' s case . Bro . Wedderspoon , in handing over the care of the two warrants—the original and the centenary charter—ciiled attention to the fact that with a view to its more careful safe-keeping he had caused the latter to be framed . The material , he explained , was bog oak ; oak which had been found by Messrs . Tetley and Sons when sinking a

well in Hunslet . It was in a wonderful state of preservation , although for aught he knew it might have Iain hundreds of years in the strata in which it was embedded . He offered it as a trifling acknowledgment for the many acts of kindness he had received at the hands of the W . M . and the brethren . The installation ceremony in Leeds is usually attended with music , and in this instance the anthem " Be thou faithful" was very beautifully given by Bro . Tom Child , principal tenor of the Leeds Parish Church . Bro . Blackburn invested his officers in the following order , and addressed to each words suitable to the occasion : Bros . Alf . Redmayne , S . VV . ; J . A . Compston , J . W . ; Rev . C .

A . Lambert , P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; John Dyson , P . M ., Treas . ; C H . Wilson , Sec ; J . A . Boorman , S . D . ; R . H . Crowther , J . D . ; J . H . Johnson , I . G . } S . E . Seanor , P . M ., D . C ; Joseph Flockton , Org . ; R- A . Blackburn and Jas . Bowers , Stwds . ; and Joseph Smith , Tyler . Bro . Wm . Chas . Ellisdon , P . M ., was unanimously elected Charity Steward for the lodge . In complimenting him upon his re-election , the VV . M . expressed the hope that the successful result of his last year ' s labours—the unprecedented sum of 500 guineas—might be repeated in the coming one . Bro . Ellisdon returned thanks , and was of opinion that great as the flow of Charity had been in the past it was by no means exhausted , and declared that he was hopeful for the future .

Before closing the lodge there was one further incident . It will be remembered that on the 4 th October last the brethren of the Alfred Lodge presented a massive silver dessert service , an illuminated address , and a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . Wm . Blackburn , as a mark of the high appreciation in which he was personally held , and of the handsome manner in which he had maintained the dignity and prestige of the lodge on all occasions during the year . As Bro . Wm . Blackburn was not then a Past Master , the jewel was kept back .

It was now produced , and the Deputy , Bro . Henry Smith , whilst attaching it to the breast of the W . M ., gave utterance to the pleasure he felt in being allowed to do so . He had , he said , come back from London that day on purpose to visit Alfred Lodge , to see old friends , and he trusted to make new ones . He expressed the fervent hope and belief that the respect and esteem which Bro . Blackburn had gained amid his brethren

would be sustained and even increased as time rolled on . Bro . Blackburn , in a few heartfelt words , thanked the Deputy for his kind remarks . They of the Alfred Lodge had not always given entire satisfaction to Bro . H . Smith ; but , notwithstanding the chastisement they bad received at his hands—a chastisement which , he was sure , they deserved—he was of opinion that a worthier Deputy than Bro . Henry Smith it would be impossible to find .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren ad journed to dinner , which was served in the spacious banqueting-room below . About 70 sat down . There was a rather lengthy toast list , interspersed with music . Bros . Tom Child and Wm . Ccckerljr . e were the principal vocalists , and won hearty applause by their efforts . The accompanist was Bro . Cockerlyne , jun ., who also most creditably acquitted himself . After the toasts of "The Oueen" and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the Officers of Giand Lodge" had been put from the chair , and duly honoured ,

The W . M . proposed "The Health of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P . ; the W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and the rest ot the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . Blackburn spoke in eulogistic terms of Bro . Jackson as a Mason and as a citizen . H J was , he said , that day Mayor of the City of Leeds , a Mayor of whom they were all proud . They were equally proud of their Deputy , Bro . Henry Smith , and there was no Mason in the province whom he ( the W . M . ) admired more .

Bro . W . M . Tate , P . G . Std . Br . ( in the absence of Bro . Henry Smith ) , replied to to the toast . He said that if there was one thing more characteristic of Freemasonry than another it was the honour they paid to those in positions of trust . He believed that applied to the inhabitants of these isles generally , who through obedience learned to command . He then spoke of the respect and esteem in whicn Bro . Henry Smith was universally held , and the general regret at his retirement . If at trm ; s the Deputy had appeared dissatisfied , they might depend upon it there was good reason for it . Bro . Henry Smith knew how matters should be conducted , and was only anxious in their own

interest . He thanked them for coupling his name with the toast . Bro , Joseph Matthewman , P . A . G . Sec , also replied , alter whom Bro . Thomas Winn , P . P . G . S . of W ., was called upon . After congratulating Bro . Blackburn upon his election for the second time to the chair , Bro . Winn said how glad he was to hear the W . M . speak so well of their Prov . Grand Master . Tne name ol " Jackson " was a household word in Leeds , and as one who had been largely concerned in bringing him publicly forward , he ( Bro . Winn ) was delighted to see Bro . Jackson

occupying the position of Mayor of Leeds . As to Bro . Henry Smith , he ( the speaker ) joined in the regret which his departure would cause . He cared little what Bro . Smith ' s faults might be , he always looked to the good a man did , and he was certain no Mason could deny that the interests of the Craft were near to the heart of the retiring Deputy . He was glad to know that the recognition of his services was likely to assume the torrn which Bro . Henry Smith would most appreciate . They all knew that he siught no personal reward , and his disinterestedness in that particular wis alike , cummtndible and

characteristic . . . , , Bro . John Dyson , P . P . G . D . C , proposed "The Health ofthe W . M ., Bro . Blackburn . " He said he could unhesitatingly bear testimony to Bro . Blackburn ' s good qualities . The Alfred Lodge had never had a better Master , and alter all the trials of the year just passed , it was not surprising that when the Past Masters asked him to assume the government of the lodge a second time he should steadfastly decline . After great pressure , and the assurance that in their then condition it became a matter ot duty , Bro . Blackburn was induced to accede . He ( Bro . Dyson ) believed he was the right man

in the right place , and that under his guidance the lodge would continue to prosper . The Worshipful Master , whose rising was greeted with an outburst of applause , was not allowed to proceed for some time . When silence was at length obtained , he said : Brethren , —! tender to you my sincere thanks tor the manner in which you have responded to the toast of my health so kindly proposed by my old friend , Bro . Dyson . It is now some 23 or 24 years since lirst we met in the Allied Lodge . During the whole of that time Bro . Dyson has steadily worked lor the good and interest ot the lodge , whilst I for a large portion of that period have been a delinquent . In consequence of

the representations of Bros . Dyson and Wedderspocn 1 was induced to return and 1 did so to save the honour and reputation of the ledge by supporting one of the oldest and best Past Masters it ever had . I mean Bro . Malcolm . When told it was my duty , even my wife added her persuasion , and 1 have never regretted the course I then took , was thus led on lo take more interest in Freemasonry , but 1 never for a moment dreamed that I should be W . M . of mv lodce durinir its centenary year , still less that I should a tor

second time be elected to the chair . Brethren , I can't honestly say that I thank you placing me in this position -. it is a little hard upon me considering how tar away I I've '• but as I did not shirk what vas declared to be my duty in the first instance , I have noi done so in this . 1 have tu-mijlit appointed officers ot whom the lodge will , I am sure , be proud , and as 1 enter uj . on my uccr . d jcar ' s Mastership it is tome satistaction to me to be told as I was at Bradloid the other n'ght , thru the rei utation of the Alfred V < o ^