" The Craft And Greater Britain."

matter , interesting and to the point , relating to general intelligence of the Craft , and we cordially agree , with encomiums passed here and there upon the jurisdiction of the Order through it ' s respective District rulers . If Freemasonry fails in any particular , it is rather by reason of laxity in the interior economy of private lodges than in the administrative qualities of our brethren in hig h authority .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND .

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland and Westmorland held its annual meeting at Kirkby Lonsdale , on Friday , the Sth inst ., under the banner of the Underley Lodge , No . 1074 . This is the third visit of the province to the ancient and beautifully-situated little town on the binks of the Lune . The first was in 1 S 67 , when the late Earl of Bective was installed Provincial Grand Master by Lord de Tabley , Provincial Grand Master of

Cheshire , assisted by the Earl of Lathom ( then Lord Skelmersdale ) . All these eminent leaders of the Craft have passed away , and very few of the border Masons who were present on that memorable occasion are now left to tell the tale of its magnificence , thanks to the princely generosity extended to all by Lord Bective . Nine years later , the province once more

assembled at Kirkby Lonsdale , and again his lordship entertained his Masonic brethren at Underley Hall . This year Lord Bective's son-inlaw , Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck , M . P ., was the host on a similarly generous scale , and , as the weather turned out beautifully fine , some 300 brethren journeyed to Kirkby Lonsdale from all parts of the two counties , and from distant parts , in order to assist in the celebrations of the day .

Kirkby Lonsdale is a decidedly out-of-the-way place , a strong proof of which is the fact that many lodges had to leave home as early as 7 o ' clock , and could not return until close upon midnight . Members of the province out of the two counties , and visitors from other provinces—one in the far south—arrived the night before , and Kendal being a convenient halting place , those who chose had an opportunity of going by road , a distance of

13 miles , a most delightful journey through the best parts of the charming Vale of Lune country , now looking bright and exhilaratingly verdant , and therefore strongly in contrast to the burnt-up vegetation in the south of England . And , as showing the enthusiasm of Westmorland brethren , it is worthy of mention that a large party from Ambleside , for want of railway convenience , travelled over 50 miles out and home again .

The place of meeting was at the Institute , Kirkby Lonsdale , where about one o ' clock , Lord Henry Cavendish Bentinck opened Provincial Grand Lodge , supported on the dais by Bros . Colonel Sewell , P . G . D ., Deputy Prov . Grand Master ; W . F . Lamonby , P . A . G . D . C , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . Taylor , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . G . Gandy , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Paterson , P . P . J . G . W . ; C . Gowan , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . C . Thompson , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Mills , P . P . J . G . VV . ; T . Brackenridge , P . P . J . G . VV . ; J . Gardiner , P . P . J . G . VV . ; Rev . Joshua Tyson , P . G . Chap . ; and many others . In the absence of Bro . Spencer Broadbent , P . S . G . W ., his chair was filled by Bro . John Barr , P . P . S . G . W ., and Bro . J . Roper was in his place as P . J . G . W .

Amongst the visitors were Bros . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; J . Armstrong , P . P . J . G . W . Cheshire ; G . F . Lancaster , P . P . G . Reg . and P . A . G . Sec . Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ; j . W . Gieve , P . G . Treas . Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ; T . Taylor , P . P . G . D . C . Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ; and J . G . Simpkin , P . P . G . Std . Br . Leicestershire and Rutland .

Bro . T . Atkinson , P . P . J . G . W ., acted as P . G . D . C ., and it is an interesting coincidence that he also occupied that position in 1 S 76 , when the province visited Kirkby Lonsdale . The Prov . Grand Master and the Past Grand Officers of England present having been saluted , Bro . George Dalrympls , P . G . Std . Br ., P . G . Sec , called the roll of lodges , when it was found that all were represented , with a single exception , namely , Solway Lodge , No . 1220 , a telegram

having been received that the brethren had unfortunately missed their train . The minutes were read and confirmed , whereupon Bro . R . J . Nelson , P . G . Treas ., produced his balance sheet , showing a substantial balance in hand , which was subsequently adopted . Bro . LAMONBY moved , and Bro . PATERSON seconded , the re-election of Bro . Nelson as P . G . Treasurer , which was carried with applause , this being his 15 th election . The Prov . G . Officers for the year were next invested as follows :

Bro . G . White , W . M . 1532 ( Mayor of Carlisle ) ... Prov . S . G . W . „ R . Rivington , P . M . 2493 , P . G . Stwd . of Eng . Prov . J . G . W . 11 Rev . A . Warren , W . M . 2403 ... ... > D / - / -u ., Rev . D . Douglas , , 073 j Prov . G . Chaps .

., K . J . Nelson , P . M . 129 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . I , A . J . Livesey , P . M . 327 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . ,, G . Dalrymple , P . G . Std . Br . ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ G . S . Tatham , P . M . 1074 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . 11 G . Wtbster , W . M . 1074 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ W . Pogson , P . M . 310 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W » i R . Monkhouse , P . M . 37 : ... ... Prov . G . D . C . .. W . Lumley , P . M . 119 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . . 1 J . E . Dowie , P . M . 327 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . 11 J . E . Singleton , P . M . 872 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br

. 1 J . Kassell , P . M . 1074 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . 11 E . Lindop , P . M . 327 , Mus . Uac . Durham ... Prov . G . Org . . 1 A . Horrax , P . M . 2217 ... ,,. ... Prov . G . Purst . . < W . Hannah , P . M . 1660 ... ,,. Prov . A . G . Purst 11 J . Gray , W . M . 310 ... ,,. ... "" I

11 \ V . J . Scott , W . M . 9 G 2 11 F-Treeby , P . M . 1073 ... .,, ... D ,. , , » . W . Tull y , W . M . 1220 ... ... ... f Prov' ° ' Stwdsw E . Grif'fen , P . M . 1390 ... n J . Noble , P . M . 22 S 5 n VV . Garnett , W . M . 1267 ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . It may be explained Bro . White was prevented from being present for investiture by reason of himself , the Aldermen , and Councillors of the city

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

of Carlisle receiving the Duchess of Devonshire that day , on the occasion of her Grace laying the foundation-stone of a new church . The Lord Bishop of Barrow , P . G . C , was also absent from the same cause . The Hon . Treasurer and Secretary of the Provincial Educational and Benevolent Fund were re-elected , as also five members of the Managing Committee , after which the report of the Charity Committee , recommending four grants , was presented and agreed to .

At this stage of the proceedings , the Provincial Grand Lodge would , as for many years gone by , have proceeded to church ; but , on account of the invitation banquet in Underley Park , a new arrangement had to be made to save time , and accordingly Bro . the Rev . Joshua Tyson , P . P . G . C , instead delivered an appropriate and most eloquent address , founded on the text" Faith , Hope , and Charity ; but the greatest of these is Charity . "

A collection having been made in behalf of the Charities , amounting to over ^ 13 , Prov . G . Lodge was closed . The brethren were then formed in procession , headed by the town band , and marched to Underley , about a mile and a half distant , through the old churchyard , and past the grave of their former and much-revered chief , Bro . the Earl of Bective . The beautiful park of the demesne was soon

reached , and presently Underley Hall burst on the view , truly one of the " Stately Homes of England , " immortalised in Mrs . Hemans' poem . A large marquee having been erected on the lawn in front of the terrace , on which Lady Henry Cavendish Bentinck welcomed the large party , the guests were speedily seated . The R . W . Prov . G . Master presided , supported right and left by the distinguished brethren present , and a short toast list was gone through . It goes without saying that the health of the

popular and noble host evoked ringing cheers , supplemented by a special round or more for Lady Henry Bentinck . The banquet over , the large company spent a pleasant hour roaming round the charming grounds , which presented a wonderful wealth of floral colouring . Lord Henry Bentinck also kindly conducted his visitors through the hall , and eventually a most delightful day came to an end all too soon . In other words , it was a day never to be forgotten by the brethren of the province and visitors from other provinces alike .

Consecration Of The Ambleside Lodge, No. 2745.

CONSECRATION OF THE AMBLESIDE LODGE , No . 2745 .

The Masonic ceremonies and their enjoyable accompaniments at Kirkby Lonsdale were followed the next day by another important function , namely , the consecration of a new Iodge at Ambleside , for which many of the brethren from a distance remained in the county , with the object of combining Masonry with an exploration of the beauties of this part of the Lake District . The new lodge is styled the Ambleside Lodge , No . 2745 , and its

headquarters are the Queen ' s Hotel , whilst the first W . M . is Bro . Thomas Taylor , P . M . Prince of Wales ' s Lodge , No . 1705 , Gosport , P . P . G . D . C . of Hampshire of the Isle of Wight , so that the lodge starts on its career under very premising auspices as regards its first ruler . Bro . Taylor , while being a prominent business man in Hampshire , has also another important business at Ambleside . With the addition of this new lodge the roll of the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland now reaches 22 lodges , five of them being in the latter county .

On the arrival of the Provincial Grand Master , who had driven over from Underley Hall , shortly after 12 o ' clock , the ceremonies commenced . The large coffee-room of the Queen ' s Hotel had been transformed into a lodge room for the occasion , and very soon it was completely filled . A Craft lodge was first opened by Bro . W . F . Lamonby , P . A . G . D . C ,

assisted by Bros . J . Paterson , P . P . J . G . W ., and G . F . Lancaster , P . Asst . G . Sec . Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , acting as Wardens . Tne other acting officers were : Bros . G . Dalrymple , P . G . Std . Br ., P . G . Sec , as Sec . ; Rev . Joshua Tyson , P . P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; and J . Kassell , P , Asst . G . Sec , as D . of C .

The Provincial Grand Master then entered the lodge room , attended by Bros . Colonel Sewell , P . G . D ., Dap . Prov . G . M . ; Right . Rev . Dr . Ware , Lord Bishop of Barrow , P . G . Chap . ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; and H . Cook , P . P . S . G . W . After the usual preliminaries the Ambleside Lodge was dul y and regularly consecrated and dedicated to Masonry by the Prov . G . M ., assisted by the brethren already named .

The incidental music was under the able direction of the Organist of Underley Lodge , No . 107 ^ , Kirkby Lonsdale . The second business was the installation of the W . M . designate , Bro . T . Taylor , by Bro . Dalrymple , P . G . Sec . The officers were iA vested by Bro . W . VV . Sewell , P . P . G . R ., as follow : Bros . R . P . Hunter , P . M . 2217 , P . P .

G . D . C , acting I . P . M . ; J . Tolson , P . M . 2217 , P . P . S . G . D ., S . W . ; J Tyson , J . W . ; H . Redmayne , Treas . ; A . Horrax , P . M . 2217 , P . G . P ., Sec ; J . Cowperthwute , W . M . 2217 , S . D . ; W . L . Marson , J . D . ; J . G . Simpkins , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Leicester and Rutland , D . C . ; H . W . Baron , Org . ; G . Walker , I . G . ; and C . G . Mison , G . Middleton , and A . Huddlestone , Stewards .

The first and second addresses were delivered by Bro . Paterson , and the third by Bro . Lamonby . The Prov . Grand Master , his Deputy , and the other brethren who had taken part in the ceremonies , were elected honorary members of the new lodge .

On the propositions coming up , six candidates and five joining members were proposed , to which may be added the fact that the founders of the new lodge numbered 14 . Finally the lodge was closed with a running fire of " Hearty good wishes " from the many visiting brethren .

1 he proceedings ol the day were brought to a close bv a sumptuous banquet , at which about 100 guests participated . The W . M . presided , supported on his right by Bros . Lord Henry Cavendish Bentinck , the Lord Bishop of Barrow , W . F . Lamonby , J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B ., and G . Dalrymple ; and on his left by Bros . Colonel Sewell , the Rev . J , Tyson , J . Paterson , J . G . Simpkins , and H . Cook .

A lengthy toast list was gone through , interspersed with some capital singing , and it was past eight o'clock ere the happy company separated . It is pleasing to add that Bro . Taylor , the W . M . of the new lodge , and Bro . Hunter , his acting I . P . M ., will go up as Stewards at the next Festival of the Boys' School .