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Lamb presenting the tools . The officers for the ensuing year were invested in the following order , and were addressed by Bro . J . Hancock , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B .: Bros . W . H . Southern , l . P . M . ; W . Craig Royle , S . W . ; T . W . McGill , J . W . ; J . Hancock , P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; J . W . Millward , P . M ., Sec . ; Thos . Southern , P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; T . M . Johnson , S . D . ; A . VV . Kearsley , J . D . j

W . Martin , I . G . ; J . Mumby , A . B . Wightman , and W . L . Clark , btewards ; and W . Riddell , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . Moore addressed the Wardens , and Bro . J . J . Meakin , P . P . J . G . W ., addressed the brethren . After " Hearty good wishes " had been expressed by the large number of visitors present , the lodge was closed by the W . M .

Subsequently a banquet was held , prepared by Bro . Oilier , P . M ., which , as usual , was of an unique description . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received , The pleasure of the evening was greatly enhanced by the delightful vocal music rendered by Bros . Charles Turner , P . M . ; Mark Stafford , P . M ., P . P . G . S . ; W . Dumville , P . M . ; and W . Booth , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C .

PENDLETON . Albert Victor Lodge ( No . 1773 ) . —The installation of Worshipful Master , in succession to Bro . John L . Smith , and Festival of St . John the Evangelist , were held at the Town Hall , on Friday , the iSth ult ., when there were present Bros . John L . Smith , W . M . ; E . Holland , l . P . M . ; Thos . Threlfall ,, S . W . ; Thos . T . Sefton , J . W . ; Saml . Statham , P . M ., P . P . G . T .,

Chap . ; R . H . Berry , Treas . ; Wm . Mosley , Sec ; Jas . Clough , S . D . ; Wm . Hardcastle , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; Thos . Wm . Brown , I . G . ; J . Lambert , W . T . Blease , and W . Allen Smith , Stwds . ; J . Harrop , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; R . Duxbury , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; F . Townson , C . Oldham , E . Winterbottom , 1 hos . Kay , S . Moore , E . Roberts , R . Hilton , P . M . ; R . Winstanley , P . M . ; Jno . Walker , P . M . ; J . Handley , P . M . ; W . H . Barrett , P . M . ; and

W . H . Laudless , P . M . Visitors : Bros . Jas . W . Abbott , P . M . 1030 , P . P . G . D . C ; T . Southern , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; Jno . B lack well , 852 ; E . Webb , 1134 ; H . Southern , 992 ; E . Meggitt , Chas . Turner , 1011 , 2156 ; J . Fletcher , 350 ; Jno . Ramsbottom , 325 ; Geo . S . Smith , 2359 ; J . VV . Almond , j 773 ; A . H . Duffin , 1134 ; J . H . Wells , 2109 ; Jas . Robinson , S . W . 1219 ; Robt . Johnson , 2156 ; J . A .

Mosley , 1012 ; J . West , 935 ; B . H . Merritt , 113 ; J . Williamson , 1077 ; Thos . Bradbury , 852 ; P . Jones , 2216 ; D . Galloway , 935 ; and Jas . Kitchen , 1773 . Bro . William Hardcastle , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . C , was the Installing Master , he being assisted by Bro . Jno . L . Smith , W . M ., who presented the W . M . elect ; Bro . C Oldham , P . M ., explained the working tools ; Bro . J .

Harrop , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., delivered the address to the Worshipful Master ; Bro . R . Duxbury , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., invested the officers ; Bro . Thomas Kay , P . M ., addressed the Wardens , and Bro . S . Statham , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., rendered the addresses to the brethren generally . At the close of the installation ceremony , in which , as will be seen , most of the prominent members of the lodge

seemed to have held a working partnership , the newlyappointed W . M ., in his turn , appointed the following officers , who were accordingly invested : Bros . J . L . Smith , l . P . M . ; T . T . Sefton , S . W . ; Wm . Mosley , J . W . ; S . Statham , Chap . ; R . H . Berry , Treas . ; J . Clough , Sec ; Wm . Hardcastle , D . C ; Jos . Clarkson , S . D . ; Thos . M . Brown , J . D . ; Wm . Lambert , I . G . ; Wm . Thos . Blease ,

Wm . Bransby , and Wm . Allen Smith , Stewards ; and E . Roberts , P . M ., Tyler . There was not a drawback in the whole ceremony , which was performed by the respective officers in such a masterly manner , as indicated very careful study on their part . The general business of the evening having been disposed of , and " Hearty good wishes" expressed by visiting brethren , Bro . Threlfall , W . M ., duly

closed the lodge . The moment Bro . Threlfall assumed the reins of his new position his actions proclaimed the latent grit within him , and the commendable promptitude with which he closed down , evinced to the brethren present that the Albert Victor Lodge possesses a Worshipful Master who is equal to any emergency , and who can , if needful , guide its members

carefully over any rough boulders which may intercept their Masonic progress . The dinner , which commenced the Festival of St . John , was held in one of the large rooms of the hall , after which the brethren adjourned to the lodge room , where the proceedings of the festive board were brightened by songs and sketches from the following , viz .: Bros . Charles Turner , P . M . ; E . Roberts , P . M . ; James Robinson ,

S . W . ; P . Jones , R . H . Merritt , Mark , I hos . Bradbury , and others . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been disposed of , the first personal toast of the evening was that of "The Worshipful Master , " proposed b y Bro . J . L . Smith , l . P . M ., who , in terse , but appropriate , terms , said : Provincial officers and brethren , during my Mastership ,

amongst the several pleasing duties which 1 have had to perform , none have been more pleasing or gratifying to myself than the one I am honoured and privileged to perform at its close . Since my coming amongst you there has sprung up a strong , and , I trust and believe , a lasting friendship between the W . M . and myself , and it affords me unspeakable pleasure to see him this evening numbered

amongst the rulers of the Craft . Our friendship dates from the lodge picnic to Chester , since which time I have been the recipient of very many disinterested acts of kindness at the hands of our W . M . During the year that is past I have felt somewhat like an usurper in the chair , our worthy brother , whom we have just installed , being my senior ; but this feeling is now removed , and we meet on

one level as Installed Masters . We all know how well our W . M . has attended to his Masonic duties in the past , and should the Great Architect grant him health and strength , things point unmistakably to a prosperous and harmonious year . I would say much more in praise of our W . M . had I the eloquence of a Salisbury or Gladstone , but , lacking this , 1 shall conclude by calling upon you to drink right heartily "The Health of Bro . Threlfall , our W . M . "

Bro . Thos . Threlfall , W . M ., in replying , thanked the l . P . M . for his good wishes and brotherly feelings , and also the brethren present for the way in which they had accepted Bro . Smith ' s remarks . He felt proud of the position which he had that evening attained , which he was justified in considering a very laudable feeling , for had he been deemed unworthy to occupy the chair of K . S ., the ceremony of that day , so far as he was concerned , would not have taken place , and to justify their choice and confidence in him he

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would endeavour to maintain the reputation of his position . The lodge possessed many brethren whom he characterised as worthy examples to follow , and he enumerated several , amongst others being Bro . Kitchen , who had proposed him ; Bro . Moore , who had initiated him ; Bro . Winterbottom , who had performed the ceremony of passing ; Bro . Harrop , who had raised him ; and many Past Masters

who had taken part in the ceremony . So impressed was he at these early periods of his Masonic history that he often regretted he had not joined the Craft before . It was only latterly that he had had any ambition to occupy the position of W . M ., fearing that its duties would too surely test his abilities , but once having put his foot upon the rung ot the ladder of office he had steadily advanced , and

rapidly acquired sufficient confidence to venture in that direction . Bro . Threlfall highly complimented the officers by whom he was supported , and said that he had not the least doubt they would be equal to any calls made upon them , and when they came to the final stage of their career , would carry out the traditions of Freemasonry with satisfaction to the lodge and with credit to themselves .

The W . M . had very . little time to consider his next remarks , for almost immediately after the rendering of a song , which generally fills the lacuna between two speeches , he was called upon to propose "The Health of the Immediate Past Master . " Bro . Threlfall said that the toast he was about to propose might be considered the important one of the evening , inasmuch as it was a sort of thankoffering

for services rendered in a most efficient and satisfactory manner , for Bro . Smith had filled the chair so creditably , and the officers and brethren had such confidence in him , that the lodge meetings were eagerly looked forward to . Bro . Smith was also popular at the festive board , the conviviality of which he always enhanced . He remembered Bro . Smith to have made a remark whilst performing for

Bro . Holland , P . M ., the corresponding duty which now devolved upon himself . It was to the effect that he ( Bro . Smith ) was the youngest W . M . who had up to that time been appointed in the lodge , and Bro . Threlfall pointed out the fact that in their late W . M . the brethren had now the youngest Past Master connected with the Albert Victor Lodge . After reverting in eloquent terms to the manner in

which Bro . Smith had performed his various duties , Bro . Threlfall , on behalf of the lodge , presented him with a Past Master's jewel . Bro . Smith , I . P . M ., in responding , thanked them for their gift , and expressed himself as satisfied that he had yielded up his office , remarking that a great responsibility had been removed from his shoulders . The toast of " The Installing Master " was very

irracefully proposed by Bro . E . Holland , P . M ., who paid an excellent tribute to Bro . Hardcastle , and characterised his work of that day as having been beautifully done . Bro . Hardcastle , in reply , rather deprecated his own efforts , and said that he felt he had not done justice to the work allotted to him , although at the same time no brother present had been more eager , more anxious , and more

wishful than himself that all should be done well . He reverted to the brilliant assembly which had witnessed the installation , and hoped the coming year might be as brilliant , successful , and bright a > the W . M . could desire . Bro . F . Townson , P . M ., proposed the toast of " The Masonic Charities . " He said that he was proud to be the

Charity Representative of a lodge which , though comparatively small in numbers , was large in generosity , as was evinced by the brethren of the Albert Victor Lodge during the past year . Beneficence and benevolence were words often heard in a Masonic lodge , but whilst one signified " feeling , " the other meant " giving . " Beneficence and benevolence must go hand in hand .

" 'Tis not enough that we with so- row sigh , That we in sympathy with sufferers feel ; Nor hear a grief without a wish to heal ; But seeks the duty , nay , prevents the need . Her utmost aid to every ill applies , And plants relief for coming distress . "

Bro . Townson mentioned several of the Masonic Charities which had been so generously provided by the Craft , reverting more parth ularly to that of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . This Institution , he said , appealed to him most strongly , because it applied to the time when the applicants for the Charity had passed

" The noon of life , when shadows lengthen , When wasting age , and wearying strife , Ha / e sapped the leaning walls of life ; When the last tottering pillars fall , And darkness gathers over all . "

Bro . Townson said that Freemasonry was a great and a glorious institution , and would stand the test of time , not because Princes have been promoters of the Art ; not because of the large numbers under its banner ; or because its branches were spread over the four quarters of the globe ; but because the Craft had made mankind its business . Bro . S . Statham , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., proposed the toast of

" The Visiting Brethren " in a speech of extraordinary ability and force , the following being an abstract of the same . He said that he was extremely thankful to be present on another of these interesting occasions , and sincerely joined in all the hearty congratulations of the brethren to their newly-installed W . M . ( whom all so much loved and esteemed ) , and also the newly-invested officers . He

confidently wished they might have a happy and prosperous year , and it they exceeded in ability their predecessors , then the Albert Victor Lodge would indeed have good reason to be proud . of them . It was exceedingly gratifying to know that there was such an excellent Masonic feeling pervading the lodge , each brother seeming to entertain the warmest fraternal regard and esteem for his brethren

around . He congratulated the W . M . on being honoured with such a numerous and brilliant company of worthy and distinguished visitors , and , in complimentary terms , assured them a hearty welcome and fraternal good wishes from every member . In concluding a lengthy and interesting speech , Bro . Statham said : We cannot too highly value the virtues of our noble Craft ; the three grand principles upon which the glorious institution of Masonry is founded

arebrotherly love , relief , and truth ; a blessed Fraternity , consecrated by faith , supported by hope , and cemented by Charity . These principles are immutableand eternal as the Great Architect Himself . 'These are the brilliants that lustre her coronet and adorn her with an imperial beauty . In the past they have been her safeguard , in the present they are her strength , and in the future they will be her glory . And what , I would ask , is the aim of Freemasonry ,

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but to give these principles a practical embodiment ? They are to be incarnated in every brother of the Craft . Do not our noble Masonic Charities recognise this ? Are they not making these principles into influential living powers ? Brethren , —The Shibbleth of Masonry to-day is not so much words , words , words ; but deeds , deeds , deedsliving , noble , and eternal deeds ! Then let us strive to

practise thes 5 principles , worthily wear the symbols we have received , and hand them down to posterity , bright and untarnished . But , if we would do this , we must feed the hungry , clothe the naked , visit the sick , and at all points strictly adhere to the holy teachings of Masonry . Let every brother lift his eyes to the bright morning star , the emblem of peace , and the source of light . Let him so

live as to secure for himself a residence in " Those blessed and immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates . " Speak gently , act humanely , commiserate the destitute , Hing wide the doors of hospitality , waft around you the soft , balmy breezes of charity , for they may fan some burning brow , they may ease some aching heart , they may lift the sombre cloud away from some dark home , they may

save some poor brother from being shipwrecked on the treacherous sands of difficulty , or the bleak rocks of misfortune and despair , they may dry up some scalding tears , and bind up some bleeding spirit that shall rise up to call you blessed when the monumental stone shall cover your mouldering dust . And having performed our allotted tasks with fidelity and obedience , when the last summons

shall have come , when" The signs in the west shall bid us prepare To gather up our working tools , and be tried upon the square , " and when we shall stand before the Grand Master of the Lodge Omega , then brethren we may hope to hear Him say to us , " Well done thou good and faithful servants I "

The remaining toasts were " The Past Masters of the Albert Victor Lodge , " proposed by Bro . T . T . Sefton , S . W ., and responded to by Bro . E . Winterbottom , P . M . ; " The Newly-Invested Officers , " proposed by the W . M ., and responded to by Bro . Blease ; " Prosperity to the Albert Victor Lodge , " proposed by Bro . B . H . Berry , and

responded to by Bro . Thos . Kay , P . M . The latter said that he had the prosperity of the lodge at heart , and would give place to no brother in regularity of attendance , he not having missed two meetings since its formation . " The Senior Warden ' s " and Tyler's toasts brought a very enjoyable evening to a close .

SALFORD . Newall Lodge ( No 1134 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., at Adelphi House . There were present : Bros . E . Webb , W . M . ; B . Eckersley , S . W . ; C Driver , J . W . ; J . Holroyd , P . M ., P . P . G . S ., Treas . ; John Waring , P . M ., Sec ; G . S . Smith , P . M . ; H . Waterhouse , S . D . ; I .

Ogden , J . D . ; A . H . Duffin , P . M . ; R . W . Martin , Jas . Green , J . P . Grant , Atkinson , Brown , and A . K . Boothroyd . There was no business before the lodge , but Bro . E . Webb , W . M ., gave an exposition of opening and closing in the Three Degrees , which was a great success , and splendidly done .

STOCKPORT . Unanimity Lodge ( No . 287 ) . —The installation meeting was held at the White Lion Hotel on Wednesday , the 7 th inst . Bro . Henry Smith , W . M ., presided , and opened the lodge , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The hallot was taken for Mr . H . Ainsworth , which proving favourable , he was initiated by the W . M . At the termination of the ceremony ,

by the request of the W . M ., Bro . W . Lancaster , P . M ., took the chair as Installing Master , and appointed as his Installing Officers Bros . G . McClelland , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., as S . W ., and R . C . Blakehurst , P . M ., as J . W . Bro . Geo . Roberts , S . W ., W . M ., was presented b y Bro . Leigh , P . M ., P . G . P ., and he was duly installed into the chair of K . S . in a most masterly manner . Bro . James Cookson , P . P . G . T .,

presented the working tools in the respective Degrees in a most Mowing and eloquent manner . Bro . Chas . Dawson also took part in the proceedings . The following brethren were invested as officers for the ensuing year : Bros . Geo . Roberts , W . M . ; Henry Smith , P . P . G . D ., l . P . M . ; Rev . Arthur Symonds , P . P . G . Chap ., S . W . ; J . W . Howard , J . W . ; Chas . Booth , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; lames

Cookson , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., Sec ; J . T . Hudson , P . P . G . S ., S . D . ; Frank G . Brooke , J . D .,- John Leigh , P . M ., P . G . P ., D . C ; Chas . Dawson , P . M ., Org . ; Jas . Alfred Cookson , I . G ; and A . J . Hewett , L . J agger , and J oshua Preston , Stewards . Bro . T . E . Rigby , P . M ., was elected Charity Representative . The sum of two guineas was voted from the funds of the lodge towards expenses of

election of a brother to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . A very valuable and handsome Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . Hy . Smith , I . P . M ., in token of the esteem in which he was held by the brethren . Upon the motion of Bro . T . E . Rigoy , P . M ., the zealous Charity Representative , 10 guineas was voted to the proposed new institution , to be named the Cheshire Masonic Benevolent

Institution . In the course of the evening it was announced by Bro . Rigby that the amount subscribed to the above institution from members of the lodge was considerably over 100 guineas . With such enormous efforts being made by the Cheshire lodges , the success of the proposed institution must be assured . Subsequently a banquet was held , under the gavel of the

W . M . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and replied to . liro . Edmondson presided at the organ , and acted as accompanist , and songs were contributed by Bros . J . E . Rigby , P . M . ; H . Smith , P . M . ; J . Ellis , and Herbert Finch , P . P . G . Reg . Letters of apology were received from Bros . Lord

Egerton , John Chadwick , P . G . Sec , C . R . Cresswell , G . Wild , and J . T . Thorpe . Among those present were Bros . Henry Smith , W . M . ; Geo . Roberts , P . P . G . S ., S . W . ; Arthur Symonds , P . P . G . C ., J . W . ; James Cookson , P . M ., P . P . G . I ' ., Sec . ; J . H . Howard , S . D . ; James T . Hudson , P . P . G . S ., J . D . ;

John Leigh , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., D . C ; T . G . Brooke , I . G . ; John Clarke , Tyler ; W . W . Lancaster , I . P . M . ; Thos . E . Rigby , P . M ., Charity Representative ; G . McClelUnd , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; Chas . Dawson , P . M . ; R . Blakehurst , P . M . ; L . Jagger , J . Preston , J . A . Cookson , A . J . Hewett , J . llazledine , and H . Ainsworth . Visitors : Bros . R . Newhouse , P . G . Sec ; IT . Finch , P . G . Reg . ; II . G .