Christmas Social Party Of The Blair Lodge, No. 815, Hulme.

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL PARTY OF THE BLAIR LODGE , No . 815 , HULME .

This aptly-named social party came off once again at the Hulme Town llall , on Friday , the gth inst ., and was successful so far as numbers were concerned and value given for money , but somehow we fancy the phrase "Christmas Social Party " might have been on this occasion altered to

" The Blair Lodge Ball , " because it was a ball pure and simp le . Our recollection brings back a Christmas social party in Bro , Sowter ' s year , when the dancing was diversified wilh " Punch and Judy , " " Legerdemain , " & c , which made an agreeable variation to those who were unwilling to dance every dance . To lovers of the Tcrpsichorean art , however , nothing could have been more agreeable than the

abundant programme Iprovided , which embraced over 24 dances , all of which were capitally played by artistes engaged by Bro . Binns . Prior to dancing commencing , the lodge was opened , when the following officers were present : Bros . J . F . Anderson , VV . M . ; J . Sheldrick , I . P . M . ; J . St . Patrick Riley , S . VV . ; W . Fell , J . W . ; D . Maclennoii , acting S . D . ;

0 . Salomouski , J . D . ; VV . J . Herring , I . G . ; VV . R . Sowter , P . M ., Treas . ; 11 . VV . Riley , Sec ; H . L . Rocca , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D ., D . C ; and VV . Perrey , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Reuss , 13 S 7 ; and Board , I . P . M . 1 79 S . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Mr . Thomas Walsh was ballotted for and elected a member of the lodge . He was afterwards

initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry , and there being no further business the lodge ivas closed in peace and harmony at 7 . 30 . At S . 30 several of the ladies put in an appearance , and dancing soon afterwards commenced . At 11 o ' clock there was an interval for supper , and the greater portion of the company repaired to the supper room , whilst the remainder stayed in the

ballroom , and beguiled the time by dancing some extra dances . Subsequently the whole of the company were together again in the spacious ball-room , and dancing was resumed , and kept up with spirit until 4 o ' clock . Every one we came across expressed themselves thoroughly satisfied with the entertainment provided , and considering the low price of the tickets , which included a supper , no reasonable

complaint could possibly be made . The Stewards were Bros . Anderson , W . M . ; St . Patrick Riley . S . VV . ; Fell , J . W . ; and Priestna ' , who apparently had spared no pains to make every one comfortable . At the same time we would suggest on another occasion that at least two Masters of Ceremonies should be instructed to keep promenaders in the centre or inner circle , so as to allow the dancers plenty of

room without fear of colliding . The following were present : Bro . Cardwell and Mrs . Cardwell ; Bro . Robert Davies , P . M . 13 S 7 , P . G . Swd . Br ., and Mrs . Davies ; Bro . Challender , 1055 , and Mrs . Challender ; Bro . Sheldrick , I . P . M . S 15 , and Mrs . Sheldrick ; Bro . J . F . Anderson , W . M . Si 5 , and Mrs . Anderson ; Bro . Fell , J . W . 815 , and Mrs . Fell ; Bro . Reuss , 13 S 7 , and lady ; Bro . Herring , 8 i 5 ,

Mrs . Herring and Misses Johnson and Winterbottom ; Bro . H . VV . Riley and Mrs . Riley ; Miss Owen , Misses Raynor ; Bro . Sergt . Knight ( 5 th Dragoons ) , VV . M . 570 , and Mrs . Knight ; Bro . Sergt . Saul ( sth Dragoons ) and Mrs . Saul ; Bro . Sergt .-Major Woodward ( 5 th Dragoons ) and Mrs . Woodward ; Bro . Sergt . Fowler ( 5 th Dragoons ) and lady ; Bro . Sergt . Kendal ( 5 th Dragoons ) and lady j

Bro . Sergt . Donovan ( 5 th Dragoons ) and lady ; Bro . Howard , Mrs . Howard , and Miss Battey ; Bro . Summersfield and the Misses Summersfield ; Bro . H . L . Rocca , P . M . S 15 , P . P . G . J . D . ; Bro . J . M . Sinclair , P . M . 163 , and Mrs . Sinclair ; Bro . Partington , 625 , and Mrs . Partington ; Bro . VV . R . Sowter , P . M . and Treas . 815 , and Miss Lowe ; Bro . Priestna ! , 815 ; Bro . Salamouski , Sis ; Bro . St .

Patrick Riley , S . VV . S 15 ; Bro . Hicks and lady ; Mr . and Mrs . Tait ; Mr . and Miss Porter ; Mr . and Mrs . Coope ; Mrs . Wrigley and Miss Ball ; Mrs . Stringer ; Mr . Brownrigg ; Mr . and Mrs . Peel ; Mr . and Mrs . Greenwood ; Mr . G . H . Barratt and Miss Barratt ; Mrs . and Miss Tatton ;

Mr . and Mrs . Trackanan ; Mr . Marsland and Miss Adams ; Bro . and Mrs . Williams j Mr . Mainwaring and Miss Wilson ; Mr . Arthur Bennett ; Mrs . and Miss Twigges ; Miss Winterbottom ; Mr . Caldwell and daughter ; Bro . R , R . Lisenden , S . W . 317 { Freemason ) , Mrs . Lisenden , and Miss Lizzie Robertson .

Mr. Gladstone And Prince Albert Victor Of Wales.

MR . GLADSTONE AND PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR OF WALES .

It has seldom been our lot to read so admirable a com position as the Premier ' s letter of congratulation to Prince Albert Victor of VVales on the attainment of his majority . Mr . Gladstone is a man of the very highest culture as well as an English gentleman . It is not surprising , therefore , that he should have done well what he has done . But it is

not so easy a task as it seems to write such a letter . One man ' s compliments too nearly resemble fulsome flattery , another ' s arc too constrained to be thought acceptable . I he hearty good wishes of this writer have too much gush about them to seem genuine , while in the case of that , they are too formal , have too much of the stereotyped

Jr ' ? , cler about them to be aught else than so many words . 11 , . ' ' stone nas sa 'd i ust what a man in his position should say to the grandson of the Sovereign he has served so long , so faithfully , and with such exceptional ability . rr i ' ' ''• ' * as ' personal friend as well as her ollicial adviser . Moreover , the dav is fast .

nnnrnarhinowhen Mr . Gladstone will pass for ever from the scene of nis arduous labours and brilliant triumphs ; the young r ™ " j"st entering on his career . Therefore , the weighty utterances of the aged and experienced counsellor are the more appropriate , and will have the greater effect ' J ncoura S : ing Prince Albert Victor to do his duty loyally ana manfull y , in that exalted position in which ithas pleased x , , . Architect of the Universe to place him . , „„„_ . „ . nm wiiiyciai / iu JJIU . L . I ; 1 J 1 JJJ .

hni * ° f " a " our friends have read Mr . Gladstone's letter , "t it is too worthy in every way of admiration to be omitted rom these columns . We append it , therefore , as a slight ' ' ™ ? ' "ie great writer as well as of the auspicious vent it refers to—an event in which wc and all our readers , loV-ffv ] ects oi t , le Queen * ' » s grandmother , as well as Prmr . , ° rs l , vin T under the benign rule of the young interest * have neccssar 'l y ta , £ en the greatest possible

Mr. Gladstone And Prince Albert Victor Of Wales.

"Hawarden Castle , Jan . 7 , 1 SS 5 . * ' Sir , —As the oldest amongst the confidential servants of her Majesty , I cannot allow the anniversary to pass without notice which will to-morrow bring your Royal Highness to full age , and thus mark an important epoch in your life . " The hopes and intentions of those whose lives lie , like mine , in the past , are of little moment , but they have

seen much , and what they have seen suggests much for the future . " There lies before your Royal Highness in prospect the occupation , I trust at a distant dale , of a throne which to me at least appears the most illustrious in the world , from its history and associations , from its legal basis , from the weight of the cares it brings , from the loyal love of the people , and from the unparalleled opportunities it gives , in

so many ways and in so many regions , of doing good to the almost countless nutrtbers whom the Almighty has placed beneath the sceptre of England . " I fervently desire and pray—and there CJnnot be a more animating prayer—that your Royal Highness may ever grow in the principles of conduct , and may be adorned with all the qualities which correspond with this great and noble vocation .

" And , Sir , if Sovereignty has been relieved by our modern institutions of jome of its burdens , it still , I believe , remains true that there has been no period of the world ' s history at which successors to the Monarchy cou'd more efficaciously contribute to the stability of a great historic system , dependent even more upon love than upon strength , by devotion to their duties , and by a bright example to the country . This result we have happily been permitted to

see , and other generations w 11 , I trust , witness it anew . " Heartily desiring that , in the life of your Royal Highness , every private and personal may be joined with every public blessing , I have the honour to remain , Sir , your Royal Highness ' s most dutiful and faithful servant , " W . E . GLADSTONE . " H . R . H . the Prince Albert Victor , & c . " VVe append also the Prince ' s reply , which has since

been published . * ' Sandringham , Norfolk , Friday , Jan . 9 , 1 SS 5 . " Dear Mr . Gladstone—I wish I were better able to answer you very kind letter , conveying as it does not only the best of good wish s , but carrying with them reflections on the past , and advice for the . future , for which I wish to thank you . I assure you the letter shall have that attention

which words from yourself must deserve . It admirably describes much which demands my most earnest thought , on this perhaps the most important birthday of my life . " Believe me , I am very grateful for your remembrance of me this day , and that amongst the many offerings which have reached me , I prize nothing more than the letter you have so kindly written , for which pray accept my most sincere thanks .

" I am glad to believe that your health is restored , and I trust your many friends will have no cause for renewed anxiety on your behalf . " With my most kind remembrances to Mrs . Gladstone , believe me , yours very sincerely , ( Signed ) ALBERT VICTOR .

First Annual Ball Of The Elliot Lodge, No: 1567.

FIRST ANNUAL BALL OF THE ELLIOT LODGE , No : 1567 .

This flourishing Middlesex lodge held its first ball at Freemasons' Tavern , on Thursday , the Sth inst . Very careful preparation had been made for the comfort and enjoyment of the brethren and ladies by a large and influential Board of Stewards , under the presidency of the

popular W . M ., Bro . R . T . Fennell , with Bro . R . H . Dillon , as Hon . Treasurer , and Bro . T . I . Bird , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Middlesex , as Hon . Secretary . The services of Messrs . Coote and Tinney's band having been secured , was a guarantee that the musical arrangements would be as nearly perfect as it is possible to be . Bro . S . J . Ball was the able and courteous M . C , and

was well supported by Bros . J . Webster and F . Wadison . Among those present were Bro . John Mason , P . M . ; Bro . J . H . Pearson , P . M . ; Bro . and Mrs . Bellamy , Bro ., Mrs ., and Miss Pardoe , Bro . and Mrs . Paul , Bro . and Mrs . Wilson , Bro , and Mrs . Tharle , Bro . and Mrs . Isaac Dixon , Bro . and Mrs . Webster , Bro . and Mrs . E . T . Taylor , Bro . and Mrs . Gardner , Bro . and Mrs . Gaskin ,

Bro . John Osborn , W . M . 1 S 97 ; Mrs . Ball , and the Misses Ball , Mrs . bird , the Misses Bird , Mrs . Carne , Miss McLeod , Mr . Chailes Bird , Mr . Bovill , Bro . and Mrs . Millin , Bro . Carter , Mr . and Mrs . Lionel Littlewood , Bro . C . C . Lalcaca , Bro . and Mrs . Prentice , and many others . A dispensation having been granted , the brethren appeared in Masonic clothing and jewels . There were a

goodly number in provincial purple and gold , and several in Knights Templar dress , as well as many in the blue , which , combined with the elegant dresses of the ladies , gave a brightness and charm to the whole ball which will be remembered with pleasure by all . Dancing commenced at nine o'clock , and was continued with great spirit till the interval in which the company partook of an elegantbut

, substantial , supper , provided by Messrs . Spiers and Pond in their best style , under the personal supervision of Bro . Dawkins . In the unavoidable absence of the W . M ., Bro . John Mason , the senior Past Master , occupied the chair , and Bro . T . I . Bird the vice-chair . The toasts were but three , and the speeches short .

The CHAIRMAN proposed " Her Majesty the Queen and the M . W . Grand Master "—honoured , as it always is , with enthusiasm—and briefly referred to the fact that the first ball of the Elliot Lodge was being held on the day our Grand Master ' s eldest son attained his majority . Bro . T . I . BIRD proposed "The Elliot Lodge , its W . M ., and Success to the Elliott Ball , " and augured from the

vitality the infant first had exhibited that ni ght it would , like H . R . H . in due time attain its majority . This seemed tbe unanimous opinion of all present . The third and last toast was " TJie Ladies , " responded to by Bro . VV . A . BROWN , who pledged the ladies to

support thc next and every succeeding Elliot Ball as one man . Dancing was then resumed and continued to the end of the programme , and so thoroughly was the music appreciated that no less than 13 sets danced the last quadrille , immediately after which a galop brought to an end one of the most successful and enjoyable balls of the present season .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

LIVERPOOL . —West Lancashire Lodge ( No . 65 ) . —A regular meeting of the above lodj . e was held on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., at the Adelphi Hotel , when there were present Bros . Wm . Brackenbury , VV . M . ; Jos . Jenaway , I . P . M . ; Daniel Davies , S . VV . ; D . Cangley , J . W . ; Thomas Clark , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; I . L . Houghton , Sec ; H . B . Browne , M . O . ; E . K . Ellison ,

S . O . ; J . VV . Ballard , J . O . ; J . C . Spurr , Reg . of Mks . ; ] . Keet , ] . D . j J . C . Robinson , Stwd . { Freemason ); John Hayes , P . M . ; VV . M . Scouller , E . Griffiths , R . VV . Browne , R . H . Webster , Jos . Gertrey , E . Sandford , J . B . Parker , John Molloy , Jas . Martin , Thos . Howell , James Jones , J . Pittaway , Harry Bunt , E . Routledge , C . Robeson , R . Owen , J . Stillings , VV . Hewson , R . Shacklady , H . J . PyeJ . WhiteVV . Davis , fj . Shrapley , P . W .

, , Judson , and VV . Ormsby . Visitors : Bros . Capt . T . H . Tibbs and H . Burrows . * The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for nine brethren , who were declared duly elected . Bros . R . R . Morris , C . Cnckbain , and T . Wilkinson being in attendance , were admitted and

advanced to the honourable Degree of Marl : Master Mason , the ceremony being well worked throughout . After the transaction of the usual routine business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , a capital repast being provided by the manager of the hotel , Bro . Ludlow . The usual toasts were given and responded to , and a happy and harmonious evening was spent .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

LANCASTER . —Red Rose Conclave ( No . 12 ) . —The installation meeting of the members ot this conclave was held on Monday evening , the 5 th inst ., in the Masonic Rooms , Athenroum , amongst those present being Km . and Per . Sir Knight Hannah , Em . Sir Knight C . H . Garnett , V . E ., M . P . S . elect ; and Past Sovereigns Em . and Per . Sir Knights H . Longman , R . 'Stanton , and J . Aldous . Thc conclave having heen formed , and the usual routine

business transacted , the chair was taken by Em . and Per . Sir Knight Stanton , who duly installed Em . Sir Knight Garnett as M . P . S . for the ensuing year , the rite being gone through in an efficient and impressive manner . Sir Knight E . Arrnitage was afterwards inducted into the chair of V . E ., and both were duly saluted according to ancient

custom . 1 he newly-enthroned Sovereign invested his officers for the year as follows : Em . Sir Knight Arrnitage , V . E . ; Em . and Per . Sir Knights Hannah , P . M . P . S . ; H . Longman , Treas . ; R . Stanton , Recorder ; and A . K . Allinson , Sentinel . Votes of thanks having been passed to the Installing Officer and to the Treasurer , the conclave was closed in accordance with the usual formalities .

Rosicrucian Society.

Rosicrucian Society .

METROPOLITAN COLLEGE . —The quarterly convocation was held at the Masonic Hall , Sa , Red Lionsquare , on Thursday , the Sth inst . There were present M . VV . Fra . Dr . VV . K . Woodman , cf , as M . of the T . ; R . VV . Fra . W . J . Ferguson , S ° , Past M . of the T . ; R . W . Fra . J . R . Foulger , S ° , Dep . M . of the T . ; R . VV . Fra . Dr . Wynn Westcott , S ° , Secretary ; also Fratr . s E . H . Thiellay , Thomas Coffin , R . Roy , T . C . Walls , John

Collinson , F . Holland , Hon S ; J . J . Thomas , and many others . Letters of regret for absence was received fr . im Fratres Macartney , Colonel Burdett , Hughan , Irwin , Cubitt , Lewis Thomas , and Harrison . The Al . C . was duly formed , and the minutes of the meeting held on October gth were read and confirmed . A letter was read from R . W . Fra . George Lambert , M . elect of the T ., expressing regret at his absence , and his inability to attend for installation . A

proposal that the future meetings of the college be held at Freemasons' Tavern was carried unanimously . V . W . Fra . J . R . Foulger was installed Dep . M . of the Temple . The resignation of Major Penrose Dunbar was accepbd with regret . The recent death of the late lamented M . VV . Frater H . C . Levander , if . Senior Substitute Magus of the Order , was the subject of an eloquent tribute 10 his memory from the lips of the Supreme Magus , who specially attended

for this purpose . A discussion as to whether grants of money should be made to the authors of Rosicrucian essays , read before the Society , for the purpose of having them printed and circulated among the members , was adjourned to the next meeting . An essay on "The Occult Origin , and Meaning of the Signs of the Zodiac , " by R . VV . Fra . Dr . Wynn Westcott , M . B ., was then read , and was

listened to with the deepest interest . Fra . F . Holland , of Bournemouth , added some remarks elucidatory of this subject . A cordial vote of thanks to the author was passed unanimously . The M . C . was then dissolved , and the Fratres adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant for refreshment , which was as usual rendered [ deeply interesting by the conversation on occult topics of Rosicrucian lore , with which it was interspersed .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

SUPREME COUNCIL OF FRANCE . The following are the Grand Officers of the Supreme Council , A . and A . Scottish Rite , for France and its dependencies—namely , Bro . Louis Proa ) , Sovereign G . Commander , G . Master ; Bro . Emmanuel Arage , Lieut . G . Commander ; Bro . Eugene Berard , G- Chancellor and Keeper of the Seals ; Bro . Bagary , G . Secretary-General ; Bro . Goudchaux , G . Treasurer ; Bro . J . Gere , G . Orator ;

Bro . Nelonchelle , G . Master of the < eremonies and Captain of the Guard ; Bro . Heade , G . Standard Bearer . It will be noted from this list that the Secretarial-General of the Supreme Council has been re-organized ; the office of Secretary-General , witn Bro . Bagary as its occupant , having been re-established , while the title of " Chief of the Secretariat" has been suppressed . Hence , all communications should in future be addressed to Bro . Bagary , Grand Secretary General , 46 , Rue de la Victoire , Paris .

Bro . Sir li . Watkin , Bart ., M . P ., opened the new Board Schools at Folkestone on Wednesday , lhc ; lh instant .