Provincial Grand Lodge Of Dorsetshire.

nrovince arc also due to W . Bro . Montagu , D . Prov . rU who attended the festival as Steward from the Lodge f Friends in Council , & 3 S 3 , London , carrying in a list of "I nations and subscriptions amounting to £ 368 us . in ,, whole , whereof the sum of £ 194 _ ss . was from Dorset tributors , and the thanks of the province are rendered W him accordingly . " ., _ 5 J r :,, cci S . W .. seconded .

Bro . ' F . Binckes , Secretary of the Boys' Institution , peronall ' y , and on the part of the trustees , members , and S orn ,-nittec of that charity , expressed heartfelt thanks for the large amount of support those brethren had obtained

The motion was cordially adopted . Bro . Montagu , responding , stated that in 1864 , in the nrovince of Dorset , they only had 22 votes for the Girls ' Institution , and ro of them belonged to Bro . Vernon , who was not a member of this province , and now they had 216 „^ f « ( Annlause ) . For the Boys' Institution in 186 5 ,

Dorset had 42 votes , this year 90 ^ . ( Applause ) . In 1873 ihey had for the Benevolent Institution 181 votes , and now they were 224 . Good progress had been made , and he hoped they should go on till they were able to carry at each election an old man , a woman , a girl , and a boy . ( App lause ) . Bro . H . C . Burt also replied , and expressed thanks for

the support he received . The Prov . G . Master appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows . A dispensation had been received from the Grand Lodge for the appointment of Bro . Fane Bennet-Stanford , M . P ., as that gentleman resides out of the province . Verc Fane Bennet-Stanford , W . M . 472 , Prov . G . S . W . ¦

H . C . Burt , 622 Prov . G . W . Rev . W . J . E . Percy , P . G . 472 Prov . G . Chap . f . T . Davies , 1168 Prov . G . Reg . Cam Sykes , 477 Prov . G . Treas . R . Case , 417 Prov . G . Sec . T . Soppitt , P . M . 472 Prov . G . S . D C . Yearsley , P . M . 3 86 Prov . G . J . D .

T . B . Miles , 472 Prov . G . S . Wks . William Smith , P . M . 170 Prov . G . D . C . R . G . Gilman , 3 86 Prov . G . A . D . C . J . Tucker Gecn , 472 Prov . G . S . B . Whitehead Smith , P . M . 622 Prov . G . Organist . T . Hunter , 386 , as Prov . G . Purst . R . Hooper , j . Beer , sen ., 386 , W . C . Usher , J . Tanswcll , T . Imber ,

and J . Foot , 472 Prov . G . Stewards . John Lovelace , 417 Prov . G . Tyler . Prov . Grand lodge was then closed . The annual banquet took place in the Corn Exchange , and the Stewards , with Bro . Yearsley , the caterer , are to congratulated on the admirable arrangements made for the comfort of the party . The room was tastefully

decorated with Masonic emblems and mottnes and fern leaves . A cold collation was provided , and the waiting was all that could be desired . A waiter was provided for each eight persons , and to prevent mistake each chair was numbered and the staff of waiters wore badges indicating the number they had to serve . Thus arranged the dinner

passed off without a hitch and with comfort to all . After dinner , which was bountiful and excellent , a good dessert was placed on the tables , a contribution from the Pro . G . M . The usual loyal , craft , and complimentary toasts were given and responded to , and brought to a close a very succesful gathering .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Dorsetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF DORSETSHIRE .

The Provincial Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was held at the Masonic lla . ll , Dorchester , on Wednesday , istinst , M . E . Comp . J . Grundy , Prov . G . Supt . of Hridport , presiding , and there was a numerous attendance

of companions . The Prov . G . S . E . reported the province to be in a progressive state , Chapter St . Cuthberga , Wimborne , having made the most additions to its roll . The G . Supt . congratulated the companions on the position of Royal Arch Masonry in Dorset , arid offered some words of counsel to the chapter . The Treasurer ' s report showed

a balance to the credit of P . G . C . Chapter of £ 46 9 s . 7 d . The announcement of the resignation of the duties of Prov . G . Scr . by £ ,. Comp . T . Coombs elicited very hearty and unanimous demonstrations of fraternal sympathy and regard , and hopes were fervently expressed that he might soon return to that position in the chapter with renewed

health and brighter fortune . The Prov . G . Supt . appointed his officers for the year ensuing as follows : — . !• M . P . Montagu , ' P . Z . 170 and 707 ... Prov . G . H . Rev . W . M . Heath , ( m Prov . G . I . W . Chick , P . Z . 417 Prov . G . S . E . w - J . Fletcher , 622 Prov . G . S . N .

C . T ucker , Z . 707 Prov . G . P . S . . I . Jcsty , i 70 Prov . G . 1 st A . S . y- arsons , II . 417 Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . . I . Jacob , 170 Prov . G . Treas . "V . . Cockeram . J . 417 Prov . G . Reg . ••' •B ° ytJ 137 ProvGSwdB

. . . . . . •]•» •Cole , J . ,-0 Prov . G . Std . B . "m . Smith , P . Z . , o Prov . G . D . of Cers . •as . Srmth , 622 Prov . G . Org . •I ° hn Lovelace Prov . G . Jan . After the closing of the Prov . Chapter the companions

pupped together by invitation of E . Comp . H . Ling , Z . of iapter 4 i . Tne usual toasts were duly honoured , and " ? , rov - G - Supt ., taking a hint from E . Comp . Ling , , j would endeavour in turn to visit during the year vine Various cnapters and lodges throughout the prowii ? ° ' ? ' Ha ( lle y . P . A . G . D . C ., of the City Flour Mills , the -w . y sueceed Sir S . J . Gibbons as Alderman for * "e Ward of Castle Baynard .

Masonic And Genral Tidings.

Masonic and Genral Tidings .

A new lodge , and also a new chapter , arc talked of in Toxteth-park , Liverpool . The Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex will hold their next meeting in Brighton on the 3 0 th inst . The Burdett Coutts Lodge ( No . 1278 ) met on Thursday last , the 16 th inst . A full report will appear-injour next .

The Sixth anniversary Banquet of the Star Lodge of Instruction No . 1275 , will take place on the 5 th October Bro . Major John Tanner Davy of Rose Ash , South Molton , P . G . M . of Mark Masons of Devon , has been appointed a Justice of the Peace for the county of Devon .

The Earl of Leicester and Lord Waveney , two of the landowners asked by the labour league to sell them land , have written stating that they are ready to treat with the League for the sale of land , to be farmed by its members . The annual banquet of the Constitutional Lodge of I . istruction , No . 55 , will be held at the WheatsheaT Tavern , Hand-court , Holborn , on Tuesi ' ay the 28 th inst ., at seven o ' clock . Bro . Robertson , S . W . 55 , will preside .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting of Cheshire will be " held on the 23 rd inst ., at Hyde , near Manchester , and the annual gathering in connection with the Province of West Lancashire will take place at Preston , Oct . 6 th . Mr . Senior will represent the "Daily News" in India

during the Prince of Wales ' s visit to that country , and Mr . Gay the . " Daily Telegraph . " By the absence from England of Mr . Gay the editorship of the " Home News " will pass into other hands . The " Central News " will be represented by Mr . George Wheeler .

The volumes of the unpublished letters and documents belonging to Michael Angelo are to be exhibited at the approaching Centenary in Florence in glass cases . Our correspondent in the city has had a private view of the voluwes in question . There are nine in all , quarto size ; six contain letters addressed to Michael Angelo by

celebrated contemporaries , and the remaining three are his own letters to members of his family and friends . The first was written in 1497 , and the last 66 years afterwards , but the handwriting is throughout almost the same , there having been little change in it during Michael Angelo ' s life .

THE FREEMASONS AND THE POLICE . —At the great assembly of the Freemasons of England on April 28 th , at the Royal Albert Hall , for the installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of the Order , the force of Metropolitan police in attendance was under the command

of Mr . Superintendent Mott . Its duty was most efficiently performed to the convenience and satisfaction of the Freemasons , and as Mr . James Mott is one of their fraternity , the Grand Lodge has voted him a testimonial gift in the shape of a Steward's jewel , the pattern of which is shown in our engraving . — " Illustrated London News . "

The next meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire will be held at Sheffield , on Wednesday , October 20 th , 1875 , under the banner of the Wentworth Lodge , No . 11239 . There are now 61 lodges in West Yorkshire , in consequence of which the ' provincial meetings are numerously attended ; so with a view to insuring

comfort , the rooms of the famed Cutlers' Hall have been secured . The Wentworth Lodge will be ably supported by the two sister lodges , Britannia , No . 139 , and Royal Brunswick , No . 296 , also its immediate neighbour , Phoenix , No . 904 , ( Rotherham ) , so a most successful meeting is anticipated .

THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND . —A new edition is announced of " Cassell ' s History of England , " in monthly parts . This is the history of which Lord Brougham said , " The soundest principles are laid down in almost every instance . The interests of virtue , of liberty , and of peace —the best interests of mankind—are faithfully and ably

maintained throughout . " It will be illustrated with upwards of two thousand engravings , and a new portrait of Her Majesty the Queen , produced in the best form of art , and printed on imperial paper , 2 ft . 6 in . by 1 ft . 10 in ., will be issued as a presentation plate with the first monthly part , which will be published on September 27 th .

At Lathom House , Ormskirk , the first sale of shorthorns from the fashionable herd of Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , Dep . G . M ., P . G . M . W . L ., took place on Tuesday week . The sale was well attended , among those present being the Earl of Bectivc , Earl Clarendon , Lord Calthorpe , Marquis of Blandford , Lord Moreton , Colonel Gunter , Rev . J . Lomax

and Messrs . Sheldon , Bowley , Villiers , Beauford , Magniac , Holford , Longman , and others ; a number of American gentlemen , including Mr . J . H . Pickrell , President of the American Shorthorn Society ; also representatives from Canada , Australia , New Zealand , and the continent . After

luncheon , at which Lord Wimmarleigh presided , Mr . Thornton , the well-known and excellent auctioneer , was engaged for more than three hours in dispersing the herd catalogued for sale , and obtained famous prices , the total amount realised being nearly 5700 guineas for 40 head , or an average of over 140 guineas each .

PROPOSED COMPLIMENT TO A WORTHY BROTHER . —An influential committee was appointed on Friday last at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , for the purpose of

Masonic And Genral Tidings.

organising and carrying out a complimentary concert to Bro . J . Skeaf , P . M . 216 , P . G . Organist West Lancashire , which will take place in the course of the year . Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , was appointed Chairman of the committee . No compliment has been more worthily earned than that which is intended to pay to Bro . Skeaf , as he has for a long scries of years not only been ready to lend a helping hand in the working of Masonry , but he lias been

especially ready to give hearty aid in connection with any and every true work of charity , Masonic and otherwise , even at considerable sacrifice to his own personal interests . I lis fame as a musician is known in all the lodges , and it is to be hoped the brethren of West Lancashire ( as well as neighbouring provinces ) will show their appreciation of his services and talents by making the forthcoming concert a complete success and a substantial gain .

AF INTERESTING PRESENTATION . —Bro . Yelland , W . M . of the Temple Lodge , No . 1094 , very recently had an addition to his family , and following the example of municipal bodies in reference to their mayors under similar circumstances , the members of the lodge determined to present him , if not with a silver cradle , at least with some token of their esteem on the interesting occasion . The

presentation took place at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , on Wednesday , the 8 th inst ., at the ordinary meeting of the lodge , when Bro . Washington , I . P . M ., in the name of the members , handed to Bro . Yelland a very handsome case containing solid silver knife , fork , and spoon for the little stranger . In doing so , he conveyed

the heartiest wishes of the members for the prosperity and welfare of parents and little one . The W . M ., in acknowledging the present , said he had never been more surprised in his life than by this unexpected presentation , and he thanked the brethren very cordially for their handsome gift .

MASONRY IN EAST LANCASHIRE . —Those "brethren of the mystic tie" who are resident in Ramsbottom and the immediate neighbourhood labour under the disadvantage of being located about four miles from any lodgethe nearest meeting places being Bury on the one hand and Haslingden on the other—and with a view to remove this difficulty a meeting was held at the Railway Hotel

on Tuesday evening , under the presidency of Bro . S . Porritt , S . W ., of Lodge 215 , ( Haslingden ) , when it was unanimously resolved , on the motion of Mr . Peak , P . M ., seconded by Mr . John Schofield , that a petition be drawn up praying the Provincial Grand Master ( Colonel Le Gendre Starkie ) to issue a warrant for the holding of a

lodge at the Railway Hotel . It is not improbable that the new lodge will be named " The Cheeryble Brothers " —the late Mr . John Grant of Ramsbottom , one of the bro . thers made famous in Dicken ' s " Nicholas Nickleby , " having been a member of the Masonic Order . — " Bury Times , " Sept . nth .

THE MARQUIS OF HARTINCTON AT PRESTEIGN . —A branch railway connecting Presteign , the county town of Radnorshire , with the Leominster and Kington , and the Cardisley and Kington lines , and by them with the Shrewsbury and Hereford , and the Herefordshire and Brecon Railways , was opened recently with great rejoicings . A procession , headed by a regimental band , with waggons

filled with oxen , sheep , bread , and coal , was marched from the town to the station , the articles being distributed to the poor . A luncheon was afterwards held , over which the High Sheriff of the county presided . There were athletic sports , and at night a brilliant display of fireworks . At the luncheon , the Marquis of Hartington , responding to the toast of " The Borough Member , " after

referring to the importance to the district of the new railway , said the celebration had offered him one of those opportunities which he had of coming among them in some other than a political capacity . It gave him great pleasure to see his Radnorshire friends in a non-political way . His visits to them had on former occasions been almost exclusively connected with politics , and they must come to

look upon him as a man who could talk on no other subject . He had had no opportunities of forming an opinion of the borough except during a contested election , therefore he was very glad to see , by what had transpired that day , that there were other subjects and other interests which could occupy their minds , and on which they could meet without differing so widely as they had on former occasions

when he had been among them . He should follow the example of Mr . Wash ( who had preceded him ) in avoiding political subjects . He was aware that he had friends in the borough who were anxious to testify their kind feelings with regard to him , arid wished to take the opportunity of hearing from him a political speech ; but he would rather postpone that to future opportunities in the desire

that politics should be excluded from what took place that day . There was another reason why he was unwilling to make a political speech . It was not long since the termination of the session . There might be difference of opinion about the work of the session , but whether they thought that much was done or little was done , and whether they thought it was well done , there could be no doubt

that with the Government and the opposition it had been an arduous session , and they were now engaged in a rest . Up to the present time very few political speeches had been made in thecountrysinceParliamentadjourned , and he should be sorry prematurely to excite political discussion , and to begin a new political campaign . They would , no doubt ,

soon be engaged in a new political campaign ; but he was enjoying his holiday when he could , and wished to protract it as long as he could , therefore he hoped his friends would abstain from asking him to give them any account of the proceedings of the past session . The noble Marquis subsequently gave the toast of the evening , "Success to the Presteign Railway . "