Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

and Captain Peel Floyd . There were many members and visitors . Thc lodge haying been opened , the minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed , also thc minutes of thc lodge of instruction , and those of a meeting of the Permanent Committee , in reference to proposals from another lodge as to certain improvements in thc Masonic

Hall . A circular , respecting thc meeting - of Grand Lodge at Truro to lay the foundation stone of thc cathedral , was read , and several brethren intimated their desire to bc present . Mr . T . G . Brown and Mr . W . H . Reynolds , who had been previously admitted by ballot , were introduced , properly prepared , and were duly initiated by the W . M . On their subsequent retirement , the brethren were called

off for refreshment , when only two toasts were given , namely , "Thc Queen and thc Craft" and "Thc Ncwly-Initiatcd Members , " who briefly responded , and Bro . Mercer gave thc Entered Apprentice's song . Thc brethren having been called on again from refreshment to labour , thc W . M . completed the ceremony , requesting the J . D . to explain the symbolism of the working tools

and the S . S . to deliver the Lecture on the First 1 racing Board , each readily compl y ing , ancl performing thc duty in such a manner as to elicit hearty applause . The W . M . delivered thc usual charge pertaining to the First Degree . Several matters of only private interest were discussed , and when the W . M . had risen a second time to inquire if any brother had a proposition to make , he was requested to

retire by Bvo . Ashley , who , on his compliance , took- his chair . 'The acting W . M ., in the most brotherly and feeling terms , alluded to the sad bereavement that hacl fallen on the W . M ., Bro . Dr . Hopkins , by thc loss of his wife , ancl Bro . F . Wilton , P . M ., under considerable emotion , having spoken , a vote of condolence was duly passed , ancl a resolution to that effect ordered to bc sent to thc Worshipful Master , in

thc name of all thc brethren . The lodge was finally closctl at ten o'clock , and it may be fairly stated that the season before the summer vacation terminated with great eclat ; several features in the proceedings being unusual , unexpected , and evidently gratifying to those present , not the least of which was the very careful manner in which thc subordinate oflicers performed their duties .

DURHAM . —Marquis of Granby Lodge ( No . 124 ) . —At a meeting of this lodge , held in the Masonic Hall , Old Klvct , on the Gth inst ., a letter was read from John Fawcett , Esq ., thc Provincial Grand Master forthe Province of Durham , resigning that high and important appointment , whereupon thc following resolution was moved by Bro . William Brignal , P . M ., P . Z ., and P . P . G . R .,

and seconded by Bro . Thomas Bell , W . M .: "That the brethren of thc Marquis of Granb y Lodge of Freemasons , No . 124 , having just heard read the resignation of Bro . John Fawcett , Esq ., of this city , as thc Right Worshipful " Grand Master of the Province of Durham , hereby express their sympathy and regret for thc cause which has led the Right W . P . G . M . to decide on that step , but they cannot

thus sever thc connection between them without unanimously expressing their high appreciation of , and thanks for , thc unwearied zeal and devotion which be has manifested for thc good of Masonry in general , nnd of thc Province of Durham in particular , during the long period of upwards of a quarter of a century . In his retirement from active duties connected with thc Craft they most sincerely anel

heartily wish him health , happiness , and prosperity . The above resolution was carried by acclamation , and confirmed ( in Tuesday evening last , lt is worthy of remark that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of Freemasons in England , has appointed thc Most Noble the Marquis of Londonderry to act as successor to lira . Fawcett , ancl the brethren in general wish his lordship a long and prosperous career .

LIVERPOOL . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 673 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge , the largest and most prosperous in the province , was held at tlie Masonic Hall , Hope-street , on 'Tuesday , the 4 th inst ., at six p . m . There were present Bros . Win . Brackenbury , W . M . ; David Jackson , I . P . M . ; 'Thos . Roberts , P . M . ; II . Burrows , i ' . M . ; — Hocking , P . M . ; L . Hcrdman , S . W . ;

'Thos . Smyth , J . W . ; Thos . Clark , P . M ., P . G . S . of W ., Treas . ; W . T . May , P . M ., Sec ; J . T . Callow , P . M ., P . G . 'Treas ., M . C ; " C . Marsh , J . D . ; Richard Whitehead , acting S . D . ; G . Leitch , S . ; G . " Godfrey , S . ; W . II . Ball , Tyler ; Joseph Ball ( I . C ); j . Rallie , W . P . McDonald , W . R . Reeve , C . Harold , C . Cockbain , John Morgan , J . Bebington , W . A . Lacke , S . W . II . Halse , II . J . Hughes ,

I * * . Schi'in , D . J . Parry , 11 . Hawlcy , D . Jones , R . Mayson , J . W . Gaundless , James Orme , John Roberts , Robt . 11 ulme , * ) . Knox , W . Br .-iithw . ait , I' ! . Tomes , J . II . Stilling * , Dr . iUiller , J . C . Noble , 11 . Weathcrill , ancl others . Visitors Bros , Capt . T . Berry , P . M . 155 . II . S . Alpass , P . M . 1 **• - * , P . G . Sec ; R . Weak * , 249 ; R . Foote , S . W . 1505 ; l ' i . Taubman , P . M . 1075 ; P . M . Larsen , P . M . 594 ; T . J .

Walker , 120 . 8 ; John Butler , 203 ; 'I . P . Chapman , 1325 ; and John C . Robinson , P . M . 249 . 'The lodge was opened at six p . m . by Ihe W . M . When the minutes of tlie previous meeting hael been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Messrs . T . 1 * . Parry and 1- " . G . Middleton , both of whom being in attendance , together with Dr . T . Clarke , who had been balloted for at

a previous meeting , were duly initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry by the W . M . The lodge was then opened in thc Second Degree , and Bros . Morgan , Orme , and Harold having expressed a desire to go forward , were tested as to their proficiency , and retired . 'Tlie lodge was then opened in tlie 'Third Degree , when the above named brethren were raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . ' s by

the W . M . in a very impressive manner . I he lodge ivathen closed down to the First Degree , when Bro . Callow , P . M ., proposed that the sum of fifty guineas be voted from the funds of the lodge for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and in a very able speech advocated the cause of the noble Institution . Bro . T . Clark , P . M ., seconded the resolution . Bro . Dr . Miller rose and moved

as an amendment that the sum of twenty-five guineas be voted . He stated that , whilst fully recognising the great claims of the Royal Masonic Institution for BOYS , they ought not to overlook the claims of the widows and orphans in the Province of West Lancashire-. The amendment

having been seconded , Bro . Alpass , P . G . S ., in supporting the resolution , spoke of the efforts being made b y other province's , and ( .-ailed the attention ofthe brethren to tables published in the Freemason of the first ult ., in which this province stands near the bottom of the list . He hoped that alter the large number of initiations during thc W . M . ' s

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

year of office they would pass the resolution , as the greater portion of the initiation fees ought to bc devoted to the Masonic Charities , and the subscriptions only for the working expenses of tlie Lodge . He concluded by making a forcible appeal to thc brethren to support the R . W . P . Grand Master , Earl Lathom , on the occasion of his presiding at thc festival . Bro . Hocking , P . M ., and Bro . Hcrdman also spoke in favour of the resolution , which ,

upon being put to the lodge , was declared carried . After various sums had been voted in aid of families of Freemasons , thc lodge was closed , and thc brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , presided over by thc W . M ., after which thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The W . M . announced that it was thc intention of

Bro . Callow , P . G . I ., and himself to represent thc lodge at the festival in June , and that they would have great pleasure in taking up any sums that the brethren might feel disposed to forward to them . After a very pleasant evening hacl been spent , enlivened by some excellent singing from several of the brethren , they separated at an early hour .

COCKERMOUTH . —Skiddaw Lodge ( No . 1002 ) , Thc monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday evening , the 4 th inst . Present : Bros . T . Bird , W . M . ; Capt . Sewell , I . P . M . ; R . W . Robinson , Sec . as S . W . ; H . Peacock , J . W . ; Dr . Dodgson , P . M . ; W . Shilton , P . M . ; W . H . " Lewthwaite , P . M . ' andOrg . ; J . Black , P . M . ; T . Mason , S . D . ; J . Hewson , Tyler ; H . Carruthers , S . Thwaite , S . Ferguson , l' \ Smith " , W . l' \ Lamonby , P . M . ( FrecnfTison ) , and others .

'The minutes having been read and confirmed , Bro . F . Smith gave evidence of his proficiency , and was duly raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . On the lodge being closed down , Bro . Lamonhy ' s notice of motion , relative to an alteration in the date of the installation festival , was allowed to stand over for a month . Intimation was given that . Miss M . A . Hartncss , daughter of the late Bro . W . J . Hartness , of this lodge , had recently gained a prize for drawing , at the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Last year she also took a prize for machine work .

MANCHESTER . —Shakespeare Lodge ( No . 1009 ) . —Tlie installation meeting and St . John ' s Festival was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , em Monday , thc 3 rd inst . 'The following brethren were present : Bros . F . R . Hollins , W . M . ; Geo . F . Smith , I . P . M . ; Geo . Wilson Wilson , S . W . ; R . Hardley , J . W . ; G . Yates , J . I ) . ; J . C . Kenyon , I . G . ; C . E . Austin , 'Treas . ; Saml . Statham , P . M ., Sec ; Rev . S . Y . B . Bradshaw , Chap . ; R . L .

Mestayer , P . M . ; R . Marshall , P . M .: H . T . Robberds , P . M ., Org ., P . G . Org . ; George Hant , V . A . Huet , R . J . Walker , J . Radford , Geo . Macbeth , ancl Henry Heap , 'Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Francis II . Wright , P . M . 331 ; J . Kidson Taylor , 1 G 3 ; Thos . Robert Peel , P . M . 1147 ; Kobt . Elliott , P . M . 1147 ; Ellis Jones , P . M . 1147 ; J . H . Chappie , 152 ; G . V . Blaikie , S . D . 152 ; W . M . " ( affray , W . M . 152 ; Hudson Lister , P . M . 1011 ; N .. Dumville , P . M . 1011 ; J . " II .

Pearson , 1438 ; Mark Vickers , W . M . 317 ; D . Aslwith , ' 773 S J * Seel , 1147 , 1730 ; Joseph Cla / tcm , P . M . 277 ; John Owen Giles , 1147 ; and R . R . Lisenden , 317 ( Freemason ) . The lodge was opened at four o ' clock with prayer , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The lodge was afterwards raised to the Second Degree ;

Bro . G . W . Wilson , W . M . elect , was presented to the Installing . Master , Bro . R . L . Mestayer , P . M ., and , after the usual preliminaries , was , with all due rite and ceremony , inducted into the chair of K . S . When the brethren below the rank of Installed Master had been re-admitted , the usual proclamation was made by Bro . C . E . Austin , P . M . ( who , at this point , assumed thc directorship ) , and the brethren formally saluted their new W . M . in tlie customary

manner . Bro . the Rev . S . Y . B . Bradshaw tlun invested the newlyappointed oflicers as follows : Bros . Frank Hull , S . W . ; R . J . Walker , J . W . ; — Carter , S . D . ; J . C . Kenyon , J . D . ; George Hunt , Sec . ; Rev . S . V . B . Bradshaw , Chap , ( invested by Bro . C . E . Austin , P . M . ); II . T . Robberds , P . G . Org ., Org . ; R . L . Mestayer , 1 ) . of C . ( by deputy ); and Henry Heap , 'T yler .

Bro . C E . Austin , P . M ., delivered the addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren , and , after Bro . the Rev . Bradshaw had offered up a prayer , the ceremony of installation terminated . We may add that the working * tools were presented and explained to the W . M . by Bro . Saml . Statham , P . M ., and that all the brethren who took part in the ceremony performed their parts most satisfactorily , ancl left nothing * to lie desired . " Hearty good wishes" having

been expressed by tlie visiting brethren , the lodge was closed in peace and harmony at 5 . 55 . 'Tlie brethren afterwards celebrated thc festival of St . John in the spacious banqueting ball . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been proposed and duly honoured , Bro . F . R . Hollins , I . P . M ., rose to propose "The Health of the W . M ., Bro . G . W . Wilson . " In the course of his remarks , Bro . F . Hollins said it fell to his lot

once again to perform a pleasant duty . A thought had struck him a moment or so ago of the proverb , "The King is dead I Long live the King ! " Thc same proverb might with truth be applied to W . M . ' s of lodges , as , in reality , they always lived . Some four years ago it was his privilegeto Deacon a gentleman who was being initiated into their loelge , and , in doing so , he had said to himself , this gentleman will be W . M . of the Shakc-sneare Lodge , and . be was

happy to say , his prediction had been verified , as that same gentleman now sat in the chair of K . S . I le had not been di . appointed with their W . M . during his upward career , and lie had all along felt sure that whatever Bro . Wilson undertook to do he would do well , lie now felt equally certain that the members of No . 1009 woulel not be disappointed with the W . M . they had chosen . Bro . 1 lollins further remarked that , for ihe second time in his life , he found

himself an I . P . M ., and , in the present instance , he could fulfil that office with satisfaction , as he thought in tliatcapacity there would be very little for him to do in assisting so efficient a W . M . as Bro . Wilson , who , if well supported by his officers , would add to thc lustre of thc Shakespeare Lodge ; and he concluded by asking the brethren to

drink their W . M . ' s health . Bro . G . W . Wilson returned thanks to Bro . Hollins for his kind remarks , anel to the brethren for so cordially responding to the toast . Several other toasts were proposed and responded to , among them being thc toast of "The Immortal . Memory of Shakespeare , " proposed by thc Rev , Chaplain of thc lodge

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

( Bro . S . Y . B . Bradshaw , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap . East Lancashire and Northumberland ) , who said it was a custom amongst thc ancients to meet together on the anniversaries of the days upon which those they loved had gone over to thc majority , and , after partaking of a solemn banquet of commemoration , to pour upon the earth full libations of ruddy wine , as offerings of loving remembrance to the

names of the dead , whose spirits , refreshed by the generous fragance and cheered by thought of those they loved , again wended their way in peace into the silent land . We on some day as near as conveniently may be to the day of St . George , Grand Patron of England , honour , in our yearly festival , the undying memory of the great poet of England , under whose name and banner we carry on the

great Masonic work . With singular propriety does an assembly of Craftsmen respect and reverence the poet . 'The craftsman with the working tools of his calling brings rude matter into shape , makes things of beauty to be joys for ever , or things of service for the use of man . The speculative Masonic Craftsman , with his intellectual powers , shapes surrounding circumstance into eternal

verities of truth , wisdom , and beauty . What does the poet but this ? Is not he the true maker—that is , craftsman—who , catching the fleeting thoughts and feelings of his day , pours them into thc glowing mould of genius and imagination , and turns out the creations of his intellect for an eternal possession of mankind ? The poet is the maker ; the ideal of poesy is the real of mankind . By a true

paradox the ideal is more real than the materially existing or even the actual past . Men and things pass and fade , ' but the poet ' s dreams are the bright inheritance of humanity . Who amongst us lias not met with Dogberry and Verges ? Who has not in his time forgathered with Mr . Justice Shallow , and enjoyed his cakes and ale with Falstaff ?—perhaps , going further afield , met Touchstone and Audrey in

the woods of Arden , or dropped a tear over Juliet ' s tomb . Statistics and geography may tell mc that Bohemia owns no seaport , registers no ships of entry . Well , so much thc worse for Bohemia , for , in our heart of hearts , we believe that on its barren shores beauteous Perdita found a wintry welcome , and that genial vagabond Antolycus— " name not yet put in the Book of Virtue "—still frequents Bohemia , sheepshcaring , " and doesn ' t leave a purse alive in thc

whole army . " Yes , no jewel , no perfect stone of nobler substance and truer die can bc p laced before thc Craftsmen of this lodge for their meditation and imitation than thc work and fame of him whose name they bear . Shakespeare , the true Englishman—the immortal poet—a great instance of the union of the practical and imaginative—on the boards a useful actor—in the streets nf his native town . i

shrewd and thriving man of business—in the closet thc lorel of universal nature , before whose fine frenzy of imagination all compact bounds of time and space give way , while his magic pen g ives airy nothings a local habitation and a name—an English poet for Englishmen , men in whom is found the most prosaic practical , joined with the most enthusiastic , ideality . Our poet is the poet of men , and

therefore he is a dramatic poet . The dramatic instinct is natural to every heart , and finds expression in every life , from the clay when thc precocious child beats his little stool in mimicry ofthe pedagogue to whose school lie , satchel on back , crawls so unwillingly , playing at horses and soldiers , until the days of later life , when , spectacle on nose , he listens to some aptly told and dramatically-enacted tale of

heroism or melancholy love . The dramatic poet is not of common occurrence ; he usually makes his entrance on the world stage at some time when national life beats high and the life current runs briskly through some nascent state . Thcdrama for its noblest effort requires a high civilisation nnd intense intellectual life . It rose upon our world in the days when Sophocles fought in the Grecian ranks at Marathon ;

the fauy-likc wonders of Mexican and Peruvian discoveries fired the hearts of Spain , when Lope de Vega was pouring forth his flood of dramatic poesy ; while the glories of the Fourteenth Louis were dazzling France , Racine was dignif y ing her stage , ancl Molicre creating her finest comedy . So when England ' s pulse was beating strong in thc noble days of Queen Bess , and a fresh world was opening to her arms and

commerce , strong with the new life of a free reformation , our native Shakespeare warbled his wood notes wild , and catching the very form and pressure of the time , handed down to us his lofty creations , winning the honour which "bates Time ' s keen scythe , and makes him heir of all eternity . " Rightly do wc , I think , meditate on him to-day . He is the poet of us all . Like the Arabian enchanter who

was wont to dive into the souls of men , and search out and confound them with their inmost thoughts , so Shakespeare pictures us as we arc , at home with us all , with the crown burdened King on his uneasy throne ; with thc clown munching his chestnuts by the winter lire ; with tricksy Ariel ; and with moody Jacques . The chords he strikes find in our bosoms responsive echoes , because he depicts the passion of men , and shews how we arc all driven along in life b

y thc subtle play and influence of passion . , Passion , rightly ruled and well-disposed , becomes the very energy of virtue -, ill-rcgulatcd , and left to its own fierce will , the cause of ruin and moral shipwreck . All this too done with truest sympathy for the unfortunate or the victim . Even from a murderous Macbeth wc cannot withold the pity of a fellow humanity . But this festive occasion demands more joyous

ideas . Gaze for a time on Shakespeare , the pourtrayer of life ' s noblest passion , love . ( 'The speaker here gave various illustrations of this point , taking Marc Antony as the type of disastrous , passionate , ill-regulated love ; the one for whom the world was well lost for love ; whose fiery passion like a fierce volranodestroys with the outcast of its internal flames all that is near it , and ends b y destroying itself ; whose wild words

"Let Rome in Tybcr melt , and the wide arch of thc Ranged empire fall . Here is my space" —express its terrible surrender of all to a fatal passion . Again , Posthumiis , the type of true , honest , conjugal love , " 'The loyal ' st husband that did ' ere plight troth— " whose love tlie tender Imogen characterised " as sweet as balm , as soft as air , as gentle "—a love which had its rough trialsbut

, came right at last , and leaves us with every promise of lifelong happiness . " See Posthumus anchors upon Imogen . " ) May every brother of the mystic tie ill "holy love of faithful wife" find the strength of his heart , the wisdom of his life , and the beauty 01 his home . Again , for type of

the easily-swayed , uneasy , tintrustful , thunderous passion of an ill-governed mind , see him who loved not wisely , but too _ well—Othello , Cyprus ' s most unfortunate Governor . Again , for type ofthe modern young Englishman , swell or dandy , not wearing his heart on his sleeve , hotter in heart than in word , taking tlie world easy , " with quip and jest , and pointed repartee , " good honest stuff , with veneer