Presentation To The R.W. Deputy Grand Master, The Earl Of Lathom.

a prominent place in the Masonic Hall , Liverpool , where it will form a lasting monument to the zeal , courtesy , and true Masonic spirit which have so strikingly marked your lordship's reign as P . G . VI . over this important and extensive province . While this record will long remain amongst the membrrs of the Craft in their usual place of meeting , we further desire that your lordship should possess tangible evidence of the warmth of Masonic admiration cherished for you by every member of the Fraternity . Under yni-ir lordshio's able , amiable , ann admirable direction , Freemasonry has greatly prospered in

West Lancashire , the working of our significant rites and ceremonies has greatly improved , and a broader and deeper spirit of genuine Masonic brotherhood has prevailed throughout the length and breadth of the province . Our united earnest prayer is that the Great Architect of the Universe may lone spare a life so valuable in order that the " genuine tenets and principles" of our noble Order may be further extended and consolidated , that the spirit of pure Charity may be more widely diffused , and that the peace

and concord , which are also bright jewels in our profession , may be still more widely pro moted in our lodges and our lives . On behalf of the numerous subscribers to your lord ship ' s testimonial portrait , we remain , yours very fraternally , J . B . MACKENZIE , Chairman . R . MARTIN , Secretary . G . BROADBRIDGE , Treasurer .

The Earl of LATHOM , who was received with loud cheers , said—Bro . Mr . Mayor , Bro . Mackenzie , brothers , and , may I add , sisters —( hear , hear)—for I see a good many here—I can assure you lhat I have never felt more deeply touched and moved than I do at this moment , not only by the great assemblage 1 see before me , but also by the touching words spoken , not only by Bro . Mr . Mayor , but by Bro . Mackenzie . Bro . Mackenzie , I thank you for the flattering words you have spoken—far too kind —( No ,

no)—but I assure you that I feel them deeply . They go to my heart . When some 13 years ago I accepted the rule over the great Province of West Lancashire , I felt what a heavy responsibility was falling ' upon my shoulders . I followed one who had been beloved by the whole province , and I felt I had to work hard to stand worthily in his shoes . Brothers , that ( pointing to the portrait ) is my answer . ( Cheers . ) You asked me to sit for my portrait . I did so with the greatest pleasure . It has shown me that

whatever little I have been able to do has been appreciated by my brethren . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , I thank you mo *; t heartily for this great mark of your satisfaction wilh vvhat 1 have been able to do in the province . Bro . Mackenzie has told you how the Charities of this province have greatly increased . I am afraid some of you must have wearied when I time after time preached charity to you . I think you will say that is my old sermon . I have alvvaj's preached it to you , and I heartily thank you for meeting my request . That

beautiful address , and the magnificent case that encloses it , will remain in my family as an heirloom —( hear , hear)— -as one of the proudest heirlooms that any man can ever possess . For what does it represent ? It represents the brotherly feeling and goodwill of over 5000 brethren . ( Hear , hear . ) Brethren , I see there are many testimonials given , but there are few testimonials that represent so large , so enormous a representation as that portrait . I thank you most heartily . This is not an occasion

on which to give a lecture on Freemasonry , or to tell you how the province has prospered . It has prospered , and I am glad of it . I hope it will prosper more and more , and I shall be pleased for one . But , at all events , as long as it shall please the Great Architect to spare me in health , so long will it be my privilege to do my duty in cultivating that feeling of brotherly love in this province which has so long existed . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , you see my portrait before you . It is not

for me to say much about it . But I will say one thing , I never spent a pleasanter lime than in silting for that portrait . Mr . Haynes Williams was most indulgent and most kind . I am afraid I was a troublesome sitter . I congratulate ( he brethren of this province on the possession of a real work of art . I thank you most heartily . I now have the very great pleasure ,

brethren , of asking the Chairman of the Masonic Hall Committee , Bro . Salter , to take charge of that picture , and to hang it in the grand lodge room in Hope-street . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , it docs not quite befit me to do this . I only wish some one else had to do it , but still , at the same time , I do it with very great pleasure , and I only hope the gift vvill be acceptable to the brethren . ( Cheers . )

Bro . 1 . SALTER , after thanking Lord Lathom for his kindness in having given his time in sitting to enable his brethren to embellish their lodge room in Hope-street wilh his portrait and for his attendance that evening , said he had great pleasure in accepting the picture , vvhich would be highly prized by ihetn . The visits of brethren from other parts of the province would be rendered additionally interesting by the pleasure they would feel in looking upon the portrait of one who was so universally esteemed . ( Cheers . )

Bro . E . PIERPOINT , in proposing a vote of thanks to Bro . his VVorshi p the Mayor for presiding and granting the use of that chamber , said he hoped to see Mayors of Liverpool more frequently amongst them on occasions like that . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . R . A . DAVIES seconded , and Bro . Lord LATHOM supported the motion , ' and personally thanked his Worship most heartily for having so kindly presided and given the use of the hall . He also wished him many happy returns of the day—not as Mayor , for he did not think Alderman Radcliffe would wish it . ( Laughter and cheers . )

i he MAYOR having briefly replied , the interesting " ceremony . terminated . ' It may be added that the commission for the execution of the portrait was placed by the Committee , after mature consideration , in the hands of Mr . j . Haynes Williams , of London , who has fully justified their choice by the production of a magnificent likeness , executed with the artistic skill for which this artist is so justly celebrated . All those who have the privilege of

knowing his lordship will , on inspection of the painting , acknowledge that the resemblance is most striking , whilst the art critic will bear witness to its excellence as a masterpiece of modern painting . During the progress of the portrait the Earl manifested ihe greatest interest in its successlul result by placing himself at considerable inconvenience to give Mr . Haynes Williams frequent and lengthened sittings , and so pleased was he when it was comp leted that he desired the Countess and his son to make a special visit to

the artist ' s studio for its inspection , when they both declared themselves highly delighted with such a magnificent rendering of his lordshi p ' s features . As the painting is handed over by the Earl to be placed in the Masonic Temple , it was thought only right by the committee that he ought to be presented with a permanent and suitable record of the event in the shape of an address , which was ordered from Messrs . Elkington and Co .,

of Church-street , who , in conjunction with Mr . J . O . Marples , thc wellknown illuminator , have produced a work of art highly worthy of the acceptance of his lordship . This address has taken ihe shape of an elegant album , in the cover of which is p laced a beautifully-modelled plaque in oxidi-cd s-ilver , representing , in an allegorical form , Honour , Fame , and Charity , surrounding a circular shield on which is emblazoned the Lathom arms in heraldic colours enamelled on gold and silver . This plaque i-r

Presentation To The R.W. Deputy Grand Master, The Earl Of Lathom.

framed in Masonic blue corded silk , with red Russia leather , richly tooled in gold , outside . On opening the album , on one side is disclosed a faithful reproduction of the portrait , coloured by Mr . Haynes Williams , whilst the other carries a very magnificently illuminated address stating the

purposes of the presentation . The portrait be ^ rs the following inscription : — " Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of La'hom , D . G . M ., Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire . Subscribed by the brethren of the province in appreciation of his estimable qualities as a nobleman and Masonic chief . Painted by Haynes Williams , Esq ., A . D . 18 S 5—5885 , "

The address presented to Earl Lathom is in folio form . The first page is bordered up the left and right side with the acacia flower , growing "from vases on a light blue ground , powdered with silver ; the top and bottom of the page being ornamented in the Greek style of art . The Freemasons ' armorial bearings occupy the initial letter of the heading in the top left corner , and the jewel of his lordship ' s Masonic rank is introduced in the other . The second page consists of a reproduction of the full-length

portrait of his lordship in Masonic attire , with the coronet and monogram blazoned in the centre of a richly . ornamented panel up one side of the picture . The case is of crimson morocco . The arms of Lord Lathom are painted in enamel in the centre of a silver plaque of elaborate design , bordered with dark-blue silk , which forms the centre of the case . This work , which gave much satisfaction to the noble earl and the committee , was prepared by Bro . James Orr Marples , S . D . 1609 , of Liverpool and London Chambers , Exchange .

THE ANNUAL MASONIC BALL . 'Ihe unusual interest attaching to the presentation proceedings in the Council Chamber conduced to an attendance at the annual Masonic Ball in the Town last evening which was both numerous and thoroughly representative . The festival gathering was the thirty-sixth of the series given in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , justly recognised as a pattern charity , even in Masonic circles , and there is little

doubt that the financial results will be such as to satisfy and gratify every one who cherishes feelings of admiration and care for the growth and usefulness of the institution . Started with very modest aims some 35 years ago , the charity has been supported by brethren in the province with an amount of enthusiasm which has rendered it famous for its far-reaching beneficence in the annals of the Order ; and now that the scheme of its

philanthropy has been broadened so as to embrace not merel y the education of the little ones brought under its benign influences , but also the entire maintenance , clothing , and education of a certain number of elected candidates , there is little doubt that the brethren will esteem it a privilege to give increased support to an enlarged plan which does credit to those who devised and carried it out .

The arrangements for Friday night ' s assembl y were placed in the hands of a large Committee , of which Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., Prov . G . M . West Lancashire , was President ; Bro . the Hon . F . A . Stanley , M . P ., P . D . G . M ., Vice-President ; Bro . Councillor T . W . ' Oakshott , Chairman ; Bro . T . Whitehead , P . M . 249 , Vice-Chairman ; Bro . J . Beesley , P . G . S ., P . M . S 23 , Treasurer ; and Bro . Simon Jude , Sec . 241 , ' the Hon . Secretary . The patronage given to the ' 85 assembly included the

names of his Worship the Mayor ( Bro . Alderman D . Radcliffe ) and the Mayoress , the Countess of Carnarvon , the Countess of Derby , the Countess of Bective , the Countess of Lathom , the Countess of Dalhousie , Lady Claud j . Hamilton , Lady Greenall , Lady Constance Stanley , the Earl of Derby , the Earl of Harrowby , Bros , the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M . ; the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., P . G . M . ; Col . StarkieP . G . M . East

, Lancashire ; Lord de Tabley , P . G . M . Cheshire ; Col . Stanley , P . D . G . M . ; Lord Bective , P . G . M . Cumberland and Westmorland ; Lord Dalhousie ; Sir W . VV . Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M . Shropshire and North VVales ; Sir Gilbert Greenall , Past G . S . W . ; Dr . G . H . Evans , P . G . S . W . ; the city and county Members , Mr . W . Rathbone , M . P ., Sir A . B . Walker , and others .

The attendance on Friday evening was the largest which has been present at any Masonic Hall for several years , it being estimated that there were about 700 present . Dancing commenced about half-past nine o ' clock immediately on the completion of the presentation of portrait proceedings ,

and during the evening Bro . the Earl of Lathom , accompanied by his Worship the Mayor , passed through the rooms . A band of nearly 200 Stewards capitally captained by Bro . H . H . Smith , P . M . 1505 , performed active and useful services in the direction of carry ing out to a satisfactory termination this most successful Masonic reunion .

The music for the various dances was provided by Bro . J . Martin ' s band . Bro . H . VV . Molyneux , W . M . 155 , entrusted with duties he has so popularly and pleasantly carried out for many years , was aerain found a

Master of Ceremonies of the most efficient order . Messrs . Gait and Capper Lord-street , had charge of the catering , and the exceedingly satisfactory manner in which they performed their important contract , under the

personal supervision of Bro . R . Capper , elicited universal commendation . The bulk of the heavy preliminary work rested on the shoulders of Bro . Simon jude , the honorary Secretary ; and , while he merits the most " honourable

mention in connection with the zeal and ability vvhich characterised his work , it is to be hoped he will find a good balance as a reward , in addition to the thanks he has justly secured from the brethren of the province .

The artistic jewels worn b y the Stewards on this occasion were designed and manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , of 2 , Monument-place ,

Liverpool , and were the gifts of Bro . Richard Ri pley , P . M . 1547 , P . G . A . D . of C , and the result of his generosity will be a substantial addition to thc funds ol the "VVest Lancashire . "