Provincial Meetings.

was the toast of the evening . He said that no words oi his could express the thanks of himself and the brethren for the great honour paid the lodge by the presence of the fcov . Grand Master , who had intimated his intention ol investing uro . Barnett , their esteemed W . AL , and Bro . Arthur Briscoe as Grand Officers of the province ,, and he urged the members to attend in stronsr force at the next

niecting of their Provincial Grand Lodge , to show the respect and esteem they had for their distinguished brother . This toast was drunk with acclamation , and Bro . Col . G . Noel Money , on rising to respond , had a great reception , fie thanked Bro . Phillips for his kind , but flattering , words of welcome , and the brethren for the warmth with which they had received him . It was now some months ago when

lie was struck with the great progress the lodge was making , which he was sine would continue . As to the collars that lie should invest the two members with , it was partly in consequence of the great efforts shown by their energetic Secretary , Bro . Phillips , for the lodge , which was , he was p leased to say , a useful one in the province . He had never

had a greater musical treat than that provided for them that night by Bro . Branscombe , and he hoped that when he came again it would be as pleasant an evening . He spoke at length and gave some good advice as to forming a Charity Committee of the province to advocate the claims of any case the province took in hand .

In eloquent terms Bro . Hriscoe gave "The Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . " lie said that he took that opportunity of thanking the Prov . Grand Master for the honour to be conferred upon him by appointing him Grand Organist of the province , and he coupled the name of Bro . H . E . Francis with the toast .

Bro . Francis , in reply , stated that when he joined the province—which was many years ago—things were then done very slovenly ; but now a change had come about and everything in the province was nearly perfect . He was proud to say that he had done a little to bring that happy change about . He strongly urged them to do their duty in Masonry , and they would some day have their reward .

When he visited the lodge he always went away with a happy feeling and full of music . Bro . Jolly , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . AL , " regretted that he was not present , but their best thanks were due to Bro . Phillips for his excellent working that night , and for his genial presence in the chair . Bro . Phillips replied in a happy speech , remarking that a better hearted Mason than their W . Al ., Bro . Barnett ,

never existed , and on his behalf he thanked Bro . Col . G . Noel Money for his kindness in giving him ( Bro . Barnett ) a collar in the Grand Lodge of the province . In giving the toast of " The Initiate , " Bro . H . J . Phillips stated , Bro . H . J . Salmon was an esteemed friend and had two brothers in the lodge . He would , he felt sure , be a credit to the lodge and the Craft . This made the iCth initiate and four joining members for the year , and there were more to follow .

Bro ; H . J . Salmon , in reply , said that it was an honour lo him to be received in the lodge which was favoured by having so many members who were known in the musical norld . In conclusion he specially thanked those of the brethren who had insisted on drinking his health more than once .

Bro . Phillips stated that Bro . H . J . Macfarlane was to be married on July 15 th , and the lodge had asked Bro . Col . G . Aloney ( and he had kindly consented ) to present to Bro . Alacfarlane a little offering from the members on that auspicious occasion . That was an elaborate spirit stand and bore the following inscription : " Presented to Bro . 11 . J . Macfarlane by the brethren of the Mozart Lodge , No . 1929 , on the occasion of his marriage as a token of

the respect and esteem in which he is held by them . " Bro . Col . G . Noel Money said he esteemed it an honour in having been asked to make the presentation , and addressing Bro . Alacfarlane stated that it showed the esteem he was held in the lodge , and he hoped the present be handed to him would always remind him of the goodwill the members had towards him , and that he and the lady

ivhu had honoured him by consenting to become his wife wu uld live long to enjoy it . Uro . Macfarlane said that he was so overcome by the unexpected event of that night that he was not able to express in words what he felt , but he thanked Bro . Colonel L . Noel Money for the honour he had paid him in making the presentation , and he heartily appreciated the kind and

ijenerous feeling of the brethren towards him . He would indeed be glad to hand the handsome present to the other t'trty , who he felt sure would take great care of it . „ ' 0 ; Phillips gave the toast of " I he Visitors , " to which "to . Gaskin replied in suitable terms . Uro . Nightingale also responded . He congratula t ed Bro . Wood , the W . Al . elect , on his election , and observed that

he | ot ] ge WOUJJ | ose none 0 f ; ts j uslre wnen ( , c went into 'le chair . He suggested that the lodge with the great musical talent of its members should get up a splendid concert for the benefit of the Charities , which lie felt sure Wuuld be a great success . Jiro . Phillips gave "The VV . M . elect . " He said great f ? P Were ant ' cipated of him , and he would prove worthy ul the confidence the brethren had reposed in him .

u , [" f ' kiod , in reply , stated that when he was installed }•«! . he would do his utmost to keep up the great rcputa-»» n of the lodge . l ' re ° " '' Anhuv 1 ! rlECOe » avc tnc toast ot " * Masonic u 3 . ° upled with the name of our representative , Bro . *• 1 . West , who responded . tliatT ' . f , ' 1 " , 11 ' ' ' giving "The Joining Member , " said „ " acl always been welcome as a visitor , and he was in I , m ? lnuer of the lodge , to which Bro . Lecquire replied n s itable — . —

-1—, .. « terms ; I'hilll neXt toast was " Tbe Working Oliicers , " Bro . them remar l < ing that they were efficient , and several of credit ^ "u alreat 1 ) ' qualified to fill the chair , and it was a con , I 1 , Mfethat they had such good workers . He asK ,, i i na "ieof Bro . Taylor , J . VV ., who replied in a ¦ r | "' .. ?" -lu'iucnt speech . Katlierii , toast urou K '' t to a close a most enjoyable aPUjr !¦ i i 1 , untcrtainiiicnt was very good , and was highly (¦ ' Lt- 'JtCli bv II-,.. u ... r .. ., 1 1 —I ..:,-:...-.. ¦ ttlH ui leiiiueia

Cat in- ' , " - aiioy " anu vjsuoia . uut the n C 1 S due to ih' ° - Uranscombe , Org ., who carried 1 'ait .- fjp Ccs f Ty arrangements . 'The following also took v < - ' i ' nun 1 ii' ' seoe > Stanley Smith , Weschu , Pownall , **& > Hopkins ( solo on bells ) , and Marriott .

Provincial Meetings.

> y . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 242 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 7 th inst ., in the Alasonic Rooms , Nether Hall-road , when there were present Bros . E . Newsum , VV . AL ; F . Webb , LP M ; C . Woodhouse , S . VV . ; T . Anelay , J . W . ; F . A .

Buck-£ &„ - ' 'k ^ -J-l ' orth , Sec ; T . W . Turner , I . G . ; II . C . White , Org . ; J . F . Hanson and J . Denison , Stwds ; G . Brookes , P . P . G . W . ; F . Rand , P . P . G . D . ; ] . Fitzgerald , A . VV . Fretwell , G . G . Wilkie , F . Duff , H . Gunby , H . H . Burnett , VV . H . Chambers , A . McCall . II . Pawson , and P . Jenner . Bro . J . Constable , 2259 , P . G . Std . Br ., was a visitor .

Bro . McCall-was duly passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . Burnett was raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . by the VV . AL , the charges being delivered by Bro . Woodhouse , S . W . The brethren afterwards supped together in the anteroom .

HALIFAX . St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 1736 ) . —The Festival of St . John the Evangelist was celebrated in this lodge on Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., by the members and a ' large number of visitors , amongst the latter were Bros . VV . F . Smithson , P . G . D . of England ; W . J . Waugh , 1545 , Prov . G . Reg . ; T . Bateman Fox , President Charity Committee ; J . Mattbeivroan , 101 9 , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; I . VV .

Monckman , 101 S , f . f . G . U . C . ; John Marshall , 64 , P . P . G . P . j Wm . Cockroft , 307 , P . P . G . P . ; Wm . Asquith , 1302 , P . P . G . S . B . ; VVm . Shackleton , 2 SS , Prov . G . S . Ii . East Lanes . ; T . E . Rigby , P . AL 2 S 7 and 1055 J VV . D . Forsdike , 1239 1 A . Barrett , 2 S 9 ; tbe W . Ms , of Lodges 61 , 219 , 2 SS , 974 , and 1302 , viz .: Bros . Riley , Patchett , Frank Saville , James Bulcock , Walter Beverley , and W . Bailey , and other brethren .

The lodge was opened by the VV . M ., Bro . Gl Howarth , who raised Bro . Daniels , and initiated Air . Jas . Edgar Dates . Apologies from invited guests for inability to be present were received from about 30 brethren of Bradford , Leeds , Todmordcn , Blackpool , Liverpool , Slaithwaite , London , Sheffield , & c . Bro . J . 11 . Bolton , P . AL , then took the chair , and Bro . John Hitchin , P . AL , presented Bro . Newton Brooke , S . W . and VV . M . elect , for installation .

The ceremony was performed b y Bro . Bolton in such an impressive and correct manner as to elicit the hearty commendations of all the brethren , and ive need not be surprised at the efficiency of the officers of this lodge , seeing they have such an excellent tutor as Bro . Bolton . Bro . Newton Brooke then invested the following as his officers , viz .: Bros . W . j . Morris , S . VV . ; Henry Jenkinson , J . W .- C . E . Law , P . AL , Treas . ; A . E . Dalzell . Sec

O . I . Sunderland , Charity Representative ; F . Bancroft , £ ' 'V ; H- S y ^ s , J . D . j J . P . Roberts , D . of C ; C . Hack , I . G . j C . A . Wilson , Organist ; N . J . Ginnian , D . Mitchell , VV . Grassland , John Booth , and J . Firth , Stewards ; and Thomas Hodgson , Tyler . Before the closing of the lodge , the Secretary read a letter from the newly-installed W . AL , Bro . Newton Brooke , asking the brethren to accept from him the endowment of the VV . AL ' s chair to one of the Masonic Charities . 1 new

, American organ , 12 new collars and jewels for the officers , and a plate specially designed and engraved for lodge summonses . This information was received with applause , and acknowledged as an expression of the good feeling existing between Bro . Brooke and the brethren of bis lodge . The brethren to the number of 75 then adjourned to the White Swan Hotel , where a banquet was admirably served

. The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were duly honoured , Bro . VV . J , Waugh replying in a very characteristic manner to the toast of " The Prov . Grand Officers . " "The Health of the Right Hon . VV . L . Jackson , M . P ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . AI . designate , " was proposed by Bro . G . Howarth , and was received by the brethren in a very cordial

manner . Bro . T . E . Rigby responded , amongst others , for "Tbe Visitors , " and in eloquent terms referred to the valuable donations made that day by the VV . AL to the lodge . " The Prosperity of St . John ' s Lodge " was proposed by Bro . John Alarshall , who indicated some of those principles which had enabled their Order to " Survive the wreck of

mighty empires , and resist the destroying hand of time , " and considered the St . John ' s Lodge possessed these features in a marked degree . The brethren separated , after a very enjoyable meeting , with good reasons long to remember this festival , both for the hospitality and the generous donations of Bro . Newton Brooke .

The next morning , lhursduy , a goodly gathering of the brethren , with their wives , sweethearts , and guests , among whom were many high and distinguished brethren from various parts of England , making a total of 72 , left Halifax at S . 27 a . m . in four saloon carriages , and travelled by the L . and Y . and L . and N . W . Railways , via . Manchesterand VVarringtpn , to Chester , arriving there at 10 . 50 a . m . The whole party then visited the places of interest named

in tbe carefully-prepared and splendid programme , which included the Cathedral , Castle , Water Tower and King Charles Tower on the walls , Palace of the . Stanleys , and God's Providence House . At 1 . 30 the party went aboard the new twin screw s earner Ormonde , and proceeded up the river to Eaton Hall , where they were received by the officials of the Marquis of Westminster , who showed the interior of this palatial residence

to the party . Returning back to Chester by the Ormonde , dinner was served at the Albion 1 lotel at 5 . 30 p . m . " The Health of the W . M . " was again honoured with enthusiasm . 'I he return journey was commenced at 7 . 33 p . m ., arriving at Halifax at 10 . 30 p . m . The whole of the proceedings were enlivened with vocal

and instrumental music of a high order , and all carried out under the indefatigable attentions of the W . AL , Bro . Newton Brooke , and bis officers , particularly Bros . Dalzell , Daniels , Grassland , Bojth , Hack , Firth , and Maxwell , and this picnic will long live in the memory of those whose pleasure and privilege it was to be present .

HAMPTON COURT . Crescent Lodge ( No . 70 ' s ) . —The usual monthly meeting was held at the Alitrc Hotel , on the 27 th ult ., and by the number oi brethren present it indicated very plainly that the lodge bad made up its mi . id to attain the good position it formerly held in the province . The proceedings throughout were of that excellent Masonic

Provincial Meetings.

character for which the Crescent Lodge in years past was especially noted . The members present were Bros . C . Gooding , W . M . ; J . J . Robinson , I . P . AL ; C . Moses , S . VV . ; J . M . Stedwell . P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; S . Larcomb , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C , Sec . ; E . E . Vinen , Org . ; J . Beeten , P . M ., Prov . G . S . B . ; J . Alears , I . G . j H . Green , H . J . Forbes , and Edwin Lee . Visitors : Bros . E . Ames , P . M . S 6 o ; W . H .

Toye , S . W . 127 S ; B . T . Whitehead , A . D . C . 1327 ; H . Barton , S . VV . 94 6 ; F . VV . Bate , 72 ; and C . IT . Rosher , 1777-1 he lodge having been duly opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and conlirmed , when the business on the agenda was proceeded with , Bro . H . Green being raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . in a very efficient manner . The W . AL then vacated the chair in favour of

Bro . J . J . Robinson , I . P . AL , who performed the ceremony of passing Bro . C . 11 . Rosher , 1777 , to the Degree of F . C . Bro . C . Gooding , W . AL , occupied the chair again , and initiated Air . Kdwin Lee in a very impressive manner . On other business being disposed of , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where Bro . Sadler , the worthy host , fully carried out the duties of

his particular degree . The VV . AL then proceeded with a toast list , the speeches being interspersed with items of ^ music , under the direction of Bro . E . E . Vinen , F . C . O ., Org . After the usual Joya ! and Alasonic toasts , which were cordially received and replied to by the Grand Officers present , Bros . J . AL Stedwell , P . P . S . G . W ., and J . Beeton ,

P . G . S . B ., Bro . J . J . Robinson , LP . M ., proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Alaster" in very flattering terms , to which the W . AL briefly replied , thanking the brethren very sincerely for the kind manner in which they had received the toast . The W . AL , in proposing the toast of "The LP . M ., " stated that the brethren had had a proof of the usefulness

of that valuable body , the Past Alasters , they being always ready to assist in the working of the lodge , as had been shown by the very able manner in which Bro . Robinson had performed the ceremony of passing , at the request of the W . AL , the work being carried out in that excellent style for which Bro . Robinson was noted during his year of office . He therefore bad much pleasure in proposing the toast of "The Health of Bro . J . J . Robinson , I . P . AL "

The toast was cordially received , and suitably responded to by Bro . Robinson . The Worshipful Alaster next proposed the toast of "The Initiate , Bro . Edwin Lee . " He stated it was always a great pleasure for a W . AL to have that toast to propose , being really the toast of the evening . He had known Bro .

Lee for many years , and considered it an honour both to the lodge and himself in having the opportunity of introducing into Alasonry a man of the sterling qualities of Bro . Lee . He was sure the more they knew him the more they would like him , and was convinced he would make a good and worthy Alason . He asked them to be upstanding and drink with that earnestness it deserved , the toast of the

initiate . Replying to the toast , Bro . K . Lee , in a very neat speech , expressed the great pleasure it had afforded him of being admitted a member of the Craft . He had long looked forward to the present occasion . He was greatly impressed with the solemnity of the ceremony , and had no idea it was of such abeautilul character . He thanked the brethren most heartily for their goodwill towards him , also for the

manner in which they had received the toast , and assured them he should make it his earnest endeavour to be all that a Alason should be , and worthy of the honour they had conferred upon him in admitting him a member of the Crescent Lodge , The toast of " The Visitors " was next proposed by the W . AL , which was received in the enthusiastic manner it

always deserves , ana was very ably responded to by Bros . Ames , Toye , Whitehead , and Barton . The remaining toast of " l'he Treasurer , Secretary , and Other Officers , " was given by the VV . AL in a few wellchosen words , and responded to by Bros . S . Larcomb , Secretary , and E . E . Vinen , Organist . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a most enjoyable evening .

HIGHBR 1 DGE . Rural Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 291 ) . — The annual meeting of this lodge was recently held at the Railway Hotel , when Bro . John Tyler , S . VV ., was installed W . Al . for the ensuing year , as successor to the D . P . G . M . ( Bro . K . C . Else ) , who conducted the ceremony . The VV . AL appointed and invested the following officers for the ensuing year ; Bros . A . E . Burnett , S . W . ; J . H . Sharp ,

J . W . ; the Rev . E . A . Sandford , Chap . ; J . Burnett , P . AL , Treas . ; T . Floyd Norris , P . AL , Sec ; Dr . Kcmmis , D . C ; II . VV . Chapman , S . D . j T . C . Brice , J . D . j \ V . Brewer , Org . ; Chas . S . Leech , LG . ; J . Wall and W . Stiling , Stwds . ; and Ashwell , Tyler . The D . P . G . M . ( Bio . lihe ) was presented on his retirement from the office of W . Al . with an album , containing tbe photographs of the lodge brethren , by Bro . Dr . Kemmis , as a marlc of esteem on the part of the brethren and of

appreciation of the services he had rendered the lodge . A vote of condolence to Airs . Lucettc and the meml-. ers of her family on the death of Bro . Chas . Lucettc , P . M ., was unanimously adopted on the motion of Bro . J . T . Durnford , seconded by Bro . Dr . Peskett . 'l'he customary banquet afterwards took place under the presidency of Lire W . AL The visiting brethren included Bro . VVhite , stated to be the oldest brother in the province of Somerset .

LEIGH . St . Clement ' s Lodge ( No . 2442 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the ist inst . at the Bell Hotel . Present : Bros . James Boulton , P . M . aS , 1056 , 2291 , VV . M . ; John % 1 ' ord , P . AL SyS , LP . M . and Treas . ; W . Staley , S . W . ; C . A . Hales , J . VV . ; VV . Beecroft , S . D . ; /( . Barrow , J . D . j !•' . England , I . G . j J . S . Metcalfe , D . C . and acting Sec ; ALUs , Barrow ,

Churchyard , Johnson , lomlin , Urine , Kay , and A . VV . Alaitin , P . G . 1 ' yler . Visitors : Bros . Hart , 2272 ; Reed , 1000 ; Taplay , P . AL 1070 ; Ramuz , loon ; Kemp , 1 C 0 ; Scrutton , 2291 ; Stone , j . -yi j Aherii , S . D . Jjij j Williams , S . VV . Sy .-i ; Cregar , J . W . 1072 ; J . P . Harvey , 1734 ; and W . Harvey , 1734 . The ballot was taken for Bro . Ernest Taylor , 1000 , as a joining member , also for Air . Thomas Alfred Bundock and the Rev . Robert Stuart King , who were duly elected . Bros .