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his opinion promptly and decisively . He was trying , he hoped with success , to know more of the brethren , and he had been received everywhere more favourably than he could reasonably expect . The province was in a very nourishing condition . There was a large number of young brethren coming on , and his advice to these brethren was , gratefully to remember their predecessors and what they had done for their lodges , and ,

for the sake of past services , patiently to put up with whatever oddities the / seemed to display . They had done good service , and every consideration should be shown them . It was , concluded the Deputy , a great pleasure to visit his Sheffield brethren , and for their kindness and warm-hearted reception he deeply thanked them . On rising to leave the room Bro . Wilson experienced quite a demonstration .

The Tyler s toast followed . This is always welcomed , and as it is preliminary to the permission to smoke , is looked forward to somewhat eagerly . "A soldier's song , " by Mascheroni , was next contributed by Bro . VVm . Downing in a very pleasing style . And here let it be said that the music—vocal , by Bros . VV . Foxon , Downing , and Barker , and instrumental , by Bros . Rogers , C . Stokes , and Miner—formed a prominent and very delightful feature of the evening . On rising to propose " The Health of Bro . A . J . Forsdike , VV . M ., " Bro . VV . F .

Cole , I . P . M ., was heartily cheered . He said the duty which had devolved upon him was a great pleasure , because of the complete confidence with which he could put the toast before them . Bro . Forsdike and himself had entered the lodge about the same time , and he ( Bro . Cole ) knew how thoroughly their VV . M . had gone into the duties , how painstaking he had been in the various oflices he had filled , and how eminently qualified he was to fill the position in which they had placed him . Easy of address , steady and firm in principle , he would be a most capable W . M ., and if they gave to

Bro . Forsdike the same help , consideration , and sympathy which he had received at their hands , then would their W . M . ' s year be as happy and as gratifying as his own had been . Let them rise , then , and wish him health and God speedr The brethren showed great enthusiasm , which culminated with Bro . Foxon's spirited rendering of the song " Here ' s to his health . " The W . M ., Bro . A . J . Forsdike , attempted to reply , but was some time before he rniilr * obtain a henrinn-. Hp Raid he felt 0 reat diffirnlrv . after the kindness shown bv

Bro . Cole in proposing the toast , in finding suitable words in which to respond . He was sure that when he sat down he would instantly remember many things which he ought to have said , meant to have said , but which would probably remain unsaid . Let them not , however , think him ungrateful , for whatever he might omit to say in acknowledgment of the kindly goodwill shown to him , he felt it he could assure them . Briefly reviewing the 13 years which he had spent in the lodge , Bro . Forsdike called to mini his strange and at first by no means comfortable condition , his gradual settling down , his

first office , and his constant struggle to hold his own and advance . And now that they had placed him in the highest position , he hoped that his past conduct would entitle him to ask and receive from them , oflicers and brethren , all that any VV . M . might reasonably expect at their hands . He was , he assured them , deeply grateful forthe honour they had conferred upon him ; he trusted they would not too harshly judge his shortcomingshe was prepared to do his utmost in the interest of his lodge and for the

, benefit of the brethren , and he would venture to hope that when his term expired nothing would have taken place which should tend to interfere with the excellent feeling and harmony at present prevailing in the lodge , and he prayed that the day might be long distant ere such misfortune should fall upon them . He could only once more thank them and assure them that his best efforts were entirely at their disposal . Many other toasts followed .

To that of "Thc Sister Lodges and Visiting Brethren , " heartily proposed by the J . W ., Bro . T . Green , response was made by Bros . A . R . Fox , VV . M . 139 , and T . II . Black , P . M . 1170 . In a lodge like Wentworth , whose contributions to the Boys' School Centenary Festival exceeded those of any other Sheffield lodge , the toast of ' •The Masonic Charities" was sure to be honoured . It was proposed by Bro . J . P . Hewitt , and replied to by the newly-appointed Charity Steward , Bro . F . S . H . Wilson .

The Installing Master , the Past Masters , and the Oliicers were all recognised , in fact , it may certainly be said that the vVentworth Lodge did its duty all round . We can only add that the extraordinarily large numbers , coupled with the general enthusiasm , proved , without doubt , the goodwill of all towards the VVentworth Lodge , whilst the brethren of 1239 , from the W . M . downwards , left nothing undone which might contribute to the comfort of their guests . It was a happy gathering , and we congratulate Bro . Forsdike and his fellow members upon the excellent start which they have made in the Masonic year just commencing .

United Northern Counties Lodge , No . 2128 . This lodge , which is now 14 years old , held its installation meeting at the Inns of Court Hotel , London , on the 5 th inst ., under the Worshipful Mastership of Bro . VV . E . Porter , M . D . There were also present Bros . E . C . Rice Oxley , I . P . M . ; VV . Nicholson Haydon , J . W . j Robert Davison , Treas . ; VV . II . Bullock , P . M ., Sec . ; T . VV . Chant , S . D . ; Thomas Moyssy , J . D . ; VV . B . Hextall , P . M ., D . of C . ; C . J . WellerI . G , ; Maurice Aubrey , Org . ; Ralph Bullock and Henry Riley , Stwds . ; j .

, Halden , P . M . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . M . ; George F . Pringle , P . M . ; Alfred Robertshaw , P . M ., P . M . 44 S , P . P . G . D . VVest Yorkshire ; James Dryden , C . J . Ashton , Henry Happold , Charles S . Ayling , R . Cooper , R . Stephen Ayling , 1 ' . N . P . G . Newton , H . T . Town , C . Cutbush , Richard Vivian , T . Edwin Cooper , W . R . Hayden , Joseph Parkinson , F . Paul Williams , George B . Davis , J . T . Christian , J . Moverby Sharp , G . J . Hogg , Alfred H . Hall , G . H . Addy , Richard M . Walker , Herbert , Nield , VV . H . Bullock , jun ., Andrew Reid , and T . D . Jaiey . The visitors were Bros . Bedford Lemere ,

P . M . 1 G 24 ; John Cooper , P . M . 1222 ; George Wragge , P . M . 152 ; 1 ' . VV . Horn , P . M . 1599 ; P . J . Osman , 24 < "G ; C J . Thornton , 24 GG ; VV . R . Flint , 7 * 1 ; George R . Barclay , S . D . 757 ; James Weatherhead , P . M . 2 G 5 ; C . Knowles Rayson , 70 G ; H . Newland , P . M . 2 S ; Thomas Duke , J . D . 30 S ; R . Warde , P . M . 1042 ; J . Morrison , P . M . 24 GG ; Albert Model , 1275 ; Charles A . Harris , 1599 ; R . B . Campbell , 1000 ; Arthur E . Price , 2034 ; G . E . Bromley , P . M . 1 S 05 ; F . G . Mellows , P . M ,

210 S ; VV . Sabine , 22 G 4 ; H . Massey , P . M . G 19 and 192 S ; J . Davey , 2411 ; A . Daniel , 2 S ; C . Pope , S . W . 21 S 2 ; J . N . Stephens , VV . M . 171 S ; Alfred Caink , P . M . 105 G ; H . Carter Begg , 1909 ; VV . J . Fisk , 404 ; Thomas Fraser , 24 SS ; A . J . Anderson , J . VV . 24 GG ; F . B . Cameron , 12 G 0 ; William C . Hulbert , IOJ ; VV . B . Thomson , 2319 ; John J . Hamilton , 2319 ; L . W . Le Brunn , 1772 ; C . Hunt , P . M . 194 ; C . A . Reevr , SG 9 ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . L ; and Arthur Spicer , 221 S , P . P . G . Stwd .

The only business to be transacted was the installation ol the new W . M ., and when the minutes had been read and confirmed , and the balance-sheet adopted , Bro . Dr . Porter installed as W . M . for the ensuing year Bro . VV . Nicholson Haydon , J . VV . and VV . M . elect . The work was performed in lirst-class style , and Bro . Dr . Porter was invested as I . P . M . Bro . Thomas Whitemore Chant was invested as S . VV . ; Bros . T . Moysey , J . W . ; E . C . Rice Oxley , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . II . Bullock , P . M ., Secj C . J . Weller , S . D . ; H . Riley , J . D . ; VV . B . Hextall , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire , D .

ofC ; Ralph Bullock , I . G . ; M . Aubrey , Org . ; R . S . Ayling , A . G . Hall , and R . Walker , Stwds . ; and H . Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . A handsome jewel of a Past Master was presented to Bro . Dr . Porter , and five guineas were voted to the Lord Mayor's War Fund . The W . M . undertook the Stewardship of the lodge for the next Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and notice was given of amotion for next

meeting that 10 guineas out of the lodge funds be placed on his list . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren partook of an elegant banquet . The usual toasts followed , and were interspersed with some pleasant singing by Bros . H . T . Town , Ralph Bullock , Miss Maud Freystadt , Miss Cissie Dryden , llro . W . H . Berry , Mr . VV . J . Ingrey , and violin solos by Mr . James Nelson . Bro . Le Brunn also contributed some pianoforte selections .

Bro . VV . F . Smithson , P . G . D ., responded to the toast of " The Grand Oliicers , " and , in the course of his remarks , referred to the Transvaal War , in which he said many Masons were engaged . Of them we should think at the present time , and they never ought to be forgotten at a Freemasons' meeting . Freemasons were always loyal , and he ventured to say there was never greater loyalty to the Throne throughout the country than at the present time , and more especially among Freemasons . Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., also responded .

Bro . VV . H . Bullock , P . M ., Sec , proposed " The Provincial Grand Masters of the Northern Counties , " and said that the toast had a sad side as well as a pleasant one , for some of those Provincial Grand Masters who had been memoers of the lodge and took a great interest in it had gone to the Grand Lodge Above . Among them were the late Bro . Thomas W . Tew , who acted as I . P . M . the first year of the lodge . Another was the late Earl of Lathom , who , when he heard that hc ( Bro . Bullock ) a Liverpool

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Mason was going to be installed as Master of this lodge , intimated his intention to be present , and he did attend . The Marquis of Zetland , who was still alive , was another who helped the lodge , and the W . M . ' s gavel was his present and bore his lordship's name , Bro . Henry Smith , who happily was still alive , was another who took a great interest in this lodge , and so was Lord Bolton . He hoped this association would long continue .

Bro . Halden responded , and said that in his admirable speech , Bro . Bullock had referred to brethren who had departed this life . There was another , Bro . Masters , who was the lodge ' s first J . W . He ( Bro . Halden ) , for two years was a joining member , and then he left ; he had , however , seen the error of his ways , and he had joined again ; he hoped at every annual meeting and- "ery other meeting to be present . During last summer there was a meeting at Old Trafford , Manchester , between Lancashire and Yorkshire brethren ; They liked in Lancashire to have Yorkshire Relish , and they

relished the meeting with Yorkshire brethren , it was in the cause of Charity . In Lancashire , he was glad to say they had two young Provincial Grand Masters of great promise . He was on the Committee which was appointed to look after Lord Stanley at his installation , and he was able to say his lordship was an honour to the Craft . The northern spirit of Masonry existed very strongly in the Metropolis ; there was a Lancastrian lodge in London , and he hoped many more would arise from the ranks of northern members , and that the United Northern Counties Lodge would put on its list the names of Lord Lathom and Lord Stanley .

The VV . M . here announced that the Charity Box had yielded £ 7 3 s . 6 d . It would be handed to the Daily Telegraph Shilling Fund . Bro . Dr . Porter , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The W . M ., " said the lodge had had many excellent VV . VIs ., but none more excellent than Bro . Haydon . There was no more popular brother in the lodge . Personally , he wished him—and all the brethren with him would join in wishing him—1 very happy and successful year of office . They had had during the past year a quiet and uneventful year , and he was sorry he had not had more work to do . But he could not help that , and he looked forward with something of envy to the glorious time they were going to have .

Bro . VV . Nicholson Haydon , W . M ., in replying , said his connection with the lol / e was of some years' standing ; he was sorry it was not so lonec as some thought . Ths present was a proud moment for him , as he was now Master of his mother lodge . With so many well-known faces round him to do him honour , he could not find words sufficient to express his feelings . He hoped to have plenty of work ; he was surprised to find he was going to have so much , for initiates were the backbone of a lodge . The Grand Lodge Above had claimed a great many members of the United Northern

Counties Lodge during its existence , and no one knew what the next seven years would bring forth . If the initiates were the right sort—and those proposed that evening were the right sort—the backbone of the looge would be strengthened . When hc was initiated he sat near the W . M ., and he envied that brother his position , lie hoped some of the younger members envied him now . He knew some did . During the year he should do his best , with the assistance of his officers , for the lodge , the honour of which would be safe in their hands .

Bro . W . ii . Haydon , W . M ., in proposing " The Visitors , specially referred to Bro . Ralph Bullock , of whom , he said , the lodge was proud , for not only was he the first initiate in the lodge , but he had had a distinguished career as a saviour of life at sea with great peril to himself . He possessed the Board of Trade bronze medal , the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane's Society ' s silver medal , the Board of Trade silver medal , the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane's Society ' s clasp to the mi . dal formerly awarded , a pair of binocular glasses ,

and two framed votes of thanks from thc Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society . The foregoing were given for rescue , when Bro . Bullock jumped overboard in South American and West Indian waters , which were swarming with sharks . In each case Bro . Bullock brought his drowning shipmates back in safety . Again , in July , 1897 , when he was Commander of the West India and Pacific Company ' s steamer " Floridian , " he fell in with the disabled Cunarder , " Cephalonia , " in mid-Atlantic , with 520 souls on board , and brought her safely into Qaeenstown . For this he was awarded £ 300 by the Admiralty Court . ( Cheers . )

The replies of the visitors having been given , the other toasts followed , and the brethren separated .

Manchester Lodge , No . 2554 . The regular meeting of this ine reasing and popular lodge was held at the Freemasons ' Hall , Cooper-street , on Friday , the Sth inst . Among the brethren present were Bros . Arthur A . E . K . Smith , VV . M . ; A . B . Smith , S . VV . ; VV . E . Davies , J . W . ; W . F . Large , Sec ; F . J . Burt , S . D . ; P . / .. da Cunha , J . D . j W . B . Akerman , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , as D . C ; C . Jordan , Org . ; J . Jordan , I . G . ; W . J . Charlton , VV . H . Crawford , and A . VV . Bentham , Stwds . ; E . Roberts , P . M ., Prov . G . Tyler , as Tyler ; VV . A . Boyer , Prov . D . G . R ., I . P . M . ; Arthur H . Jefferies , P . M ..

P . P . G . W . ; J . Charlton , P . M . ; Richard Brew , VV . M . 222 ( I . C ); W . Gibbons , M . F . VV . Karge , and A . J . Hoyland . Visitors : Bros . J . Newton , P . M ., P . G . S . B . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec ; C . D . Cheetham , P . M ., P . P . G . W . ; F . J . Hooper , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; H . Perry , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; A . Middleton , P . M ., P . P . G . D . '; j . II . Marsh , P . M ., P . P . G . D . VV . Lanes . ; F . C . Cooper , P . M ., Prov . S . G . D . ; A . Pickford , P . M . 1375 ; John M . Crone , W . M . 1375 ; F . VV . Jordan , S . W ., Master elect 2109 ; J . VV . Berra , P . M . 2109 ; G . V . Blaikie , P . M . 152 ; Webbe , P . M . 1134 j and several brethren .

The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . A . E . K . Smith , and after the minutes had been read and confirmed , Bro . Gibbons was advanced to the Second Degree by the W . M . The brethren then adjourned for tea . After tea there was a great increase of brethren—this being a red-letter day in the annals of the lodge , as Mr . Charles Neufeld ( the late Khalifa's prisoner ) was to be proposed , and if elected to be initiated into Freemasonry . The ballot was then taken for Charles Neufeld , and the W . M . declared it was unanimously in his favour . The initiation ceremony was performed by Bro . W . B . Akerman , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , in a very masterly and impressive manner .

The lodge was closed by thc W . M ., and thc brethren adjourned to the social board . " The Health of the Queen " was given with musical honours . 'the other Masonic toasts were duly given and honoured in truly Masonic fashion . Bro . Neufeld , in response to his health , spoke of his love for England , and especially Manchester , as he was born in Manchester , and his daughter was educated in

Manchester , and now he had received the light of Freemasonry in Manchester in the Manchester Lodge . He thanked thebrethren for their kindness in admitting him amongst them , and if the VV . M . would allow him to propose a toast he would be pleased . ( Ine VV . M . smilingly consented . ) He proposed " The Health of W . Bro . Lord Kitchnsr ( the Sirdar ) , P . J . G . W . England , and W . Bro . Col . Sir F . Wingate . " The toast was most enthusiastically received .

The VV . M . requested the Secretary to write to Bros . Lord Kitchener and Sir F . Wingate informing them that Bro . Charles Neufeld ( who had that evening been admitted to Freemasonry ) proposed their health and hearty good wishes , which were given by the brethren and visitors of the Manchester Lodge , No . 255 ; , held at the Freemasons ' Hall , Manchester . Bro . Neufeld , at the rcuuest of the W . M ., gave a short sketch of his canture . im .

prisonment , and torture he had to undergo while a prisoner of the late Khalifa , and his happy release by Genera' ( now Lord ) Kitchener . It was , indeed , most affecting to think that a man who had gone through such trouble , torture , and privations , should b ; standing before you . Some of the brethren had small lumps come suddenly in their throats and had to have recourse to their pockethandkerchiets , one Past Prov . O . ficer fairly broke down , tears rolling down his cheeks . Bro . Neufeld proposed " I'he British Soldiers now in the Transvaal , " which was received most cordially . The S . VV . gave the Tyler ' s toast " To all poor and distressed Freemasons , " which concluded a most pleasant evening .

IN OKUI'K to cope with the pressure of the conveyance of Christmas presents , &< :., the Great Central Railway Company are making very complete arrangements in London for frequent collections by means of a special service of vans and carts , & c . for prompt dispatch by their service of express passenger trains from Marylebone Terminus . During the week ending the 23 rd inst . parcels will also be conveyed to the Midlands and the North by a special parcels express leaving Marylebone at 2 . 30 a . m . Cheap through rates aie in operation by the new route , and no charge is made for collection and delivery of parcels within the usual limit by the Great Central Railway .