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vince of England . There was certainly a narrow streak between Surrey and Middlesex ; but Surrey did not feel hurt at the success of Middlesex , but was very pleased at it . Surrey also had an excellent Grand Master . Provincial Grand Masters had great difficulty in the performance of their duties . Every one could not be a Grand Officer , and the Provincial Grand Masters found it difficult to make a selection . 'The selection , however , was made with great

care and after due deliberation , and he believed that the appointments gave satisfaction . Bro . William Stephens also replied . Bro . Baldwin , P . M ., proposed "TheW . M .. " The Worshipful Alaster , in reply , said that whatever he could do for the benefit of the Lebanon Lodge they might be sure he would do while he had health and strength , and the Almighty Architect was pleased that he should do it .

The Worshipful Master next proposed T . he Initiate , who responded . The Worshipful Master next proposed "The Charities . " In giving a history of what the Lebanon Lodge had done he said theW . M . for the time being in perpetuity was a Life Governor of all the Institutions . This all came out of the lodge funds , so that the lodge did not eat and drink all its money . The Secretary had the same honour ; the

Treasurer the same ; the Senior Warden in perpetuity was Life Governor of the Girls ' , and they intended to make him Life Governor of all the Institutions . It was also intended to do the same with every officer of the lodge . In addition to that they had among the members of the Lebanon Lodge 28 Life Governors , and many of them were representatives of the whole of the Institutions . Among those 28 they had 95 Life Governorships , which

meant from 2 S 0 to 300 votes , therefore the voting power of the lodge was very great . Bro . James Stevens , P . M . 720 , replied , but said although he had been 28 years a Alason he did not know that he had done anything conspicuous for the Institutions . He had , however , done something and had felt it a matter of duty to support all the Institutions . The W . M . had passed the greatest compliment he could pass upon him when he

associated his name with the toast of " The Charities . " He had been the first Master of a lodge which did a great deal for the Charities , for doing which he obtained the cognomen of " Bread and Cheese Stevens . " Although it was not always pleasant to have a cognomen , he was proud of this one , the reason for it being that the brethren agreed to forego a banquet and have bread and cheese . He should never be ashamed of the name he got , as it was

the means of taking of large sums to the Chanties . He was charitable to the extent of his power . ' Any man who did more did wrong to his family . If as Masons , they were not charitable , they were not Masons at all . Charity was one of the principles on which the Institution was founded . Of late years a vast number of associations had been founded by which a subscription of a shilling a week obtained large sums for the Institutions . Every one should belong to one of those , and if an

Initiate did this he would find by the time he got to the W . M . ' s chair he would be a Life Governor of all the Institutions . Notwithstanding commercial depression , the Institutions were getting £ 42 , 000 or £ 43 , 000 a year , and no other body of men than Freemasons could boast of such a result . The toasts of " 'The Visitors " and " 'The Masonic Press " were afterwards given , and the toast of " The Oflicers " and the 'Tyler ' s toast concluded a very pleasant evening .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE ( No . 1623 ) . — A meeting was held on the 17 th inst ., at the Freemasons ' Hall , Great Oueen-street , VV . C , when there were present Bros ; H . J . "Lardncr , W . M . ; G . H . Stephens , S . VV . ; J . J . Howes , J . VV . ; J . Howes , P . M ., Chap . ; Mallhouse , P . AL , Treas . ; Mallett , P . M ., Sec . ; Greenwood , S . D . ; King , J . D . ; Brickdale , I . G . ; Mackay and Rumball , Stwds . ; Roberts , Org . ; Smyth , Tyler ; VV . Pennefather ,

P . M . ; also Bros / Chatwin , C . J . Smith , Price , Watson , Higgins , P . H . Clisby , S . H . C . Rumball , Linnett , and Sutton . Visitors : Bros . W . Smeath , VVarren Lodge ; H . Morgan , 554 ; A . Brown , 1524 . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous lodge meei ing were read and confirmed . Bros . Watson , Chatwin , and A . Brown . 1524 , were passed . The election for VV . M .. Treas ,, and Tyler was then proceeded

with , Bro . G . H . Stephens , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . j Bro . H . J . Lardner , Treas . ; and Smyth , Tyler , The Auditors elected were Bros . Sutton , Linnett , and Price , A P . M . ' s jewel , value £ 10 ios ., was unanimously voted to Bro . H . J . Lardner , the retiring VV . AI . who , on rising to return thanks , received a hearty reception from his brethren , and in the course of a well delivered address begged to express his best thanks to the officers and

brethren for their hearty co-operation during his year ot office . It had always been a p leasure to meet them from time to time . He had had a fair share of Initiates , and he had great hopes from what he knew and saw of them that some , if not all , would one day occupy the honourable and proud position he then did . He thanked them very much for voting him a P . M . ' s jewel ; he would look upon and value it more than all his other Masonic distinctions , coming as it did from his mother lodge . He promised Bro . his of

Stephens all the support at his command during year office , and trusted he would have a prosperous year . Bro . Stephens thanked the W . M . for the encouraging words just offered to hira . He could assure him and the brethren generally that his ambition had all but been accomplished . He thanked them all for their unanimous vote , and trusted their confidence in him would be equal to their expectations . After the usual compliment to the VV . M ., the lodge was closed in due form .

GUELPH LODGE ( No . 1685 ) . —Thc installation meeting of this most successful lodge was held at the Town Hall , Leytonstone , Essex , on Saturday , the 12 th inst . The VV . M . elect being Bro . E . Brown , who is highly esteemed by every member of the Iodge , the brethren mustered in great force , a number of visitors also beinir present , amongst whom were the following : Bros .

Hurst , P . I ' . G . P . Middx ., Xc ; Kev . Hayman Cummins , P . P . Chap . Cornwall ; Boulton , P . AT . Victoria Lodge ; Graveley , VV . M . Temperance-in-the-East Lodge . ; 'Taylor , P . M . Langthorn Lodge ; Bro . Tapley , P . M . Capper Lodge ; C . J . K . Tijou , S . W . Coborn Lodge , and many other distinguished brethren . ,,,,,. The ceremony of initiation was performed by the W . AL , Bro . A . P . Little , Messrs . Webster and Enright being duly

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admitted into the Craft , after which Bro . E . Brown was duly installed by Bro . E . Bare , P . AL 159 S and 1 GS 5 , in his usually masterly manner . Bro . Bare is so well-known for his good working that it is only necessary to say he produced a great impression on the brethren assembled . The ceremony of installation being completed , the W . AI . invested his officers as follows , addressing each in a few kindly and

well-chosen words : Bros . C . Kawle , S . W . ; Carter , J . W . ; R . Vincent , Treas . ; E . Bare , Seo . ; Gould , S . D . ; Slade , J . D . ; Frewer , I . G . ; C . G . Cutchey , D . C ; T . F . Tyler , A . D . C . ; J . Brown , Stwd . ; Hunter . Asst . Stwd . ; VV . Graves , Org . ; and Thomas , Tyler . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the

banqueting hall , where a splendid repast had been provided , after which a most enjoyable evening was spent , which was enlivened by some excellent singing and instrumental music by Bro . Graves and others . In conclusion we wish Bro . F . Brown ( what we may safely predict he will have ) a most successful year of office .

RUNCORN .-Ellesmere Lodge ( No . 758 ) . —The annual installation meeting of the members of this lodge took place at the Alasonic Hall on Wednesday evening , the 16 th inst ., when there was a full attendance of brethren . The Iodge was opened by Bro . E . A'larwood , W . M ., in due form , and Bro . R . Oldbury , W . M . elect , was presented for installation . The ceremony of installation was most

impressively performed by Bro . G . Aloss , P . AL , assisted by Bro . Coxhill , P . AI . The following brethren were then appointed officers : Bros . E . Alarwood , I . P . AI . ; the Rev . J . Lockwood , S . VV . ; George Bell , j . W . ; 'Torkington , Treas . ; J . Salkeld , Sec ; J . Coxhill , P . AL , D . C . ; G . Summerfield , S . D . ; F . A . Lake , J . D . ; T . Wright , I . G . ; Cooper , Org . ; Rosenberg , S . S . ; Annett , j . S . ; Le Coutier , Almoner ; and XV . Houghton , Tyler . Thelodge

was then closed in due form . On Thursday the brethren had their annual picnic Llandudno was the place chosen for the day's pleasure , and the members were conveyed to their destination in two special saloon carriages by the S . 10 a . m . train from Runcorn . The visitors partook of an excellent banquet at the Prince of Wales Hotel , returning home in good time .

LIVERPOOL . —Everton Lodge ( No . 823 ) . — Amongst the numerous summer celebrations of the St , John Festival which take place in and around Liverpool at this season of the year , there are none which are so successful or so pleasant as that which occurs in connection with the annnal festive gathering of the " Evertonians . " The extreme popularity and prosperity of the Everton Lodge ,

No . 823 , is cordially recognised by all Alasons in the Division , and as the reward of good work many of its more prominent members have from time to time ( and even at the present period ) received the special distinctions which our highly esteemed R . W . P . G . M . ( Bro . the Earl of Lathom ) has in his power to bestow . These selections have invariably given universal satisfaction , and the fact

that out of the Everton members the brethren of the province have twice choosen the Prov . Grand Treasurer clearly demonstrates that the favour secured by the lodge is not confined to the P . G . Master himself but is likewise exhibited by the " rank and file " of the Alasonic Army which he leads so well . This year ' s installation ceremony in connection with the " Everton " possessed a special

interest , and this was clearly shown by one of the most numerous , as it certainly was thc most influential , gatherings of the year in this city . By the unanimous vote of the brethren , Bro . John M . King was elected to fill the high , honourable , and onerous post of W . AL , and the welldeserved esteem in which he is held by all who know him was evident by the very cordial spirit which animated the

la * rge assembly . Bro . King , it may be very justl y remarked , is as well known to the general public as he is deeply respected in Alasonic circles by reason of thc important post he holds under the Aleisey Docks and Harbour Boatd , as Master of the George's Landing Stage , Liverpool , a position which he has held with much credit to himself and satisfaction to the public using the stage for

many years past . No more popular brother was ever elected to the chair of the Everton Lodge than Bro . King , and he carries with him into his year ' s work the " heartiest of good wishes" from all who know him . Bro . King's Masonic career extends over ten years , he having been initiated in the lodge which has now conferred upon him the highest honour il is in its power to bestow , and that in

the most enthusiastic and unanimous manner . In several new lodges Bro . King has from time to time been offered office , but he has throughout been loyal to his mother lodge , always determined to push on to the chair of the lodge in which he was initiated . The official position which he holds at the landing-stage has from time to time enabled him to be of service in assisting the widows and

children of departed Masons across to America , in consideration of which he was some time ago honoured by being elected a member of the West Lancashire Alasonic Relief Committee—a Committee hitherto consisting only of Freemasons who had passed the chair , Bro . King being the only one beneath the rank of P . M . who has had that honour conferred upon him . Bro . King has also done

good work in tlie Everton Chapter , of which he was Principal Sojourner for twelve months . At the close of his year of office the companions of the chapter presented him with a handsome Past P . S . ' s jewel , as a mark of their esteem , and for superior working , this being the only one of the kind held in the province . The installation gathering took place at the Masonic

Hall , Hope-street , on Wednesday afternoon , the iGth inst ., when the chair was taken by Bro . W . Brassey , the retiring W . AL , who was supported by a full complementof officers , including Bros . J . Beesley , I . P . M . ; J . Houlding , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; Henry Ashmore , P . AL ; T . Webster , P . AL ; Joseph J . Boyle , P . M . ; T . H . Carefull , P . M . ; J . Al . King , S . VV . ; R . H . Webster , J . W . ; W . J . Lunt , ' P . AL

Ireas ., Prov . G . Ireas . ; J . Galley , Sec ; R . VV . Gow , S . D . ; W . Maddox , J . D . " ; A . B , Ewart , Org . ; R . S . Milne , I . G . j R . T . Britten , S . j and W . H . Ball , Tyler . The following were among the numerous visitors : Bros . H . S , Alpass , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec ; R . Brown , P . P . G . Treas . ; George Broadbridge , P . P . G . D . C , P . AI . 241 ; R .

Washington , P . P . G . S . D ., P . AL 1094 ; Alaurice Hart , P . G . D . D . C . ; Dr . J . Kellett-Smith , P . P . G . R . ; Thos . Salter , P . P . G . J . D ., P . AI . 241 ; Hugh Williams , P . P . G . A . D . C ; Sylvester Mattison , 1 G 09 , P . P . G S . ; J . T . Callow , P . M . 673 , P . P . G . Treas . ; Thos . M'Wean , P . M . 1035 ; R . R . Martin , P . AI . 1094 ; J , Smith , 724 ; J . Pendleton , P , M .

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724 ; Samuel Haynes , 1547 , P . AI . S 23 ; Peter Ball , 249 S . W . H . Halse , P . AI . G 73 ; H . H . Hughes , S . D . 1356 ; E . Johnston , P . AI . 203 and 1756 ; Evan J . Callow , W . M . 1094 ; A . D . Hesketh , P . AL 11 S 2 ; J . H . Jones , I . P . M . 127 G ; C . Bargery , W . AL 1756 ; David Jackson , P . AI . G 73 ; John O . Rea , W . AI . 11 S 2 ; George Godfrey , LP . AL G 73 ; VV . II . Cooke , J . VV . 1013 ; Dr . Clarke , S . VV . 673 ; D Cumming , 1 G 09 ; | . S . Warden , I . P . M . 12 G 4 ; Geo .

Alorgan , P . AI . 155 and 1035 ; J . R . Bottomley , P . M . and Ireas . 1 G 75 ; Major TI . Nicholls , J . D . 2042 ; VV . VVhite , I . G . 1325 ; J . Barnes , VV . AI . 157 G ; J . Shapley , 724 ; J . Bailey , S . VV . G 6 7 ; George Ledder , 1013 ; Wm . Olver , W . AL 220 ; H . AL Molyneux , W . M . 155 ; R . Bethel ) , S . W . 1094 ; AI . Callaghan , W . M . 1393 ; H . Alarshall , S . W . 175 G ; E . Cattral , W . AI . 203 ; Thomas Baird , J . D . 1570 ; R . C . Asbury , I . P . AI . 1 G 20 ; Thos . Pierrepoint , S . VV . 1 G 93 ; Dr . H . Y . Pitts , P . M . 1 G 20 ; Squire Chapman

, l . P . AL 1013 ; VV . II . Jewitt , I . P . M . 1393 ; XV . Lewis , 2042 and 203 ; andotheis . The attendance of visitors , it will be seen , was unusually large , and so numerous an assemblage of Installed Masters , of whom there were present over 40 , has hardly , if ever , been witnessed at a Alasonic installation in Liverpool . The usually preliminary business having been , transacted , the VV . M . elect was presented for installation by Bros . 1 .

Houlding aud VV . J . Lunt , after which Bro . King was duly installed into the chair of the lodge , the first part of the ceremony being performed by the retiring W . M ., Bro . Brassey , Bros . j . Houlding and J . Beesley completing thc work . Subsequently the newly-installed W . AL , who received hearty congratulations on all sides on his promotion to the chair , invested his officers for the year as follows : Bros . Wm . Brassey , LP . AL ; Robt . H . Webster , S . W . ; ¦

John Galley , J . VV . ; VV . J . Lunt , P . AL , Treas . ; R . W . Gow , Sec . ; iThos . Walton , Chap . ; Wm . Maddox , S . D . ; R . S . Milne , J . D . ; R . T . Britten , I . G . ; Chas . H . Ashton , S . S . ; John Alantle , J . S . ; J . Gerirey , A . S . ; David Jones , A . S . ; A . B . Ewert , Org . ; Thomas H . Carefull , P . M ., D . C . ; and VV . II . Ball , Tyler . Bro . King auspiciously started his year , of office by initiating seven candidates into the mysteries of the First

Degree , after which the Iodge was closed down , the "brethren , to the number of about 150 , adjourning to the banqueting room upstairs , where an excellent dinner was provided by Bro . Casey , the house steward . After dinner the W . M ., Bro . J . AI . King , gave "The Queen , " and in doing so he said , Brethren , the first toa- > t which I have to propose is the usual one , that of the distinguished lady who rules over the destinies of that vast

empire on which we as Englishmen are proud to boast that the sun never sets . For now nearly half a century Queen Victoria has reigned gloriously over a happy and monarchial-loving people , and each succeeding year of her reign seems to strengthen the feeling of loyalty and affection with which she'is regarded by all her faithful subjects . It there be one trait in the Royal character more than another which endears the Queen to her people it is

that sympathetic feeling she has with sorrow and suffering . No sooner does the melancholy news reach her of some sad calamity to some of her subjects , than the sorrowing hearts receive a message of sympathy and solace from their Queen . Distinction of class is unknown to her when suffering and sorrow prevail . The mill operative and thc miner in our manufacturing districts and the nobles of the land are alike recipients of Royal sympathy . Alany

are the proofs of this . The widow and sister of those struck down by the Land League assassins experienced this sympathy . Those poor ladies rescued from the wreck of the Kinmore Castle received comfort and sympathy after their miraculous escape from a watery grave lrom England ' s Queen , 'i ' he bereaved families by the mill chimney accident at Biadford were not too poor to be comforted by their Uueen , and but recently

England ' s great Queen laid aside the dignity of State to become a mourner at the grave of a humble soldier—one of the Guards of her castle at Windsor . lt is such acts as these , brethren , which strengthen the loyalty of her subjects , and teach the people to look up to her with affection and reverence . Brethren , our loyalty as Freemasons is undoubted ; but of all classes and combinations we seem to owe a double debt of gratitude to our beloved Oueen , who

has not only stamped our Order with her Royafpatronage , but has lived to see and encourage three of her Royal children to become membersof the Craft , and who , in doing so , have not thought it derogatory to their dignity to exchange the sceptre for the trowel , have not only patronised our mysteries , but have taken their places as leaders in our assemblies . Brethren , there is no further necessity , I know , to hold up the excellent qualities of our Queen to rouse your

feelings of loyalty . I shall therefore ask you to rise and join with me in drinking the health of her Alost Gracious Majesty the Queen . 'The toast was received with immense enthusiasm . lnproposing"Our . M . W . G . M . Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of thc Royal Family , " the VV . AI . said—It would be useless for me , brethren , to attempt to recapitulate , all the many good qualities of our Royal brother . His character as a man ,

and as a gentleman , is well known throughout the length and breadth of this Empire . The part he has taken in the advancement of all good work , more especially in those intended to benefit the poor , have secured for him universal admiration and gratitude . But it is as the Grand Master of our noble Order which we , as Freemasons , have most to do with him . The dignity with which he has filled that high and important office now for a number of years has

tended to elevate Masonry in the estimation of the whole civilised world , with but one exception , and that exception has been taken but very recently . You all know , brethren , to what 1 allude . It seems to me simply preposterous that any sane person could be found to believe , much less to promulgate , such lying statements . Would the Queen stamp with her Royal patronage any combination ot disloyal men ? Would her eldest son , the heir apparent , not only give his countenance to , but preside over , a body of ¦

men whose object was to distroy social order . - Would his late Royal Highness the Dukeof Albany taken such a deep interest in Alasonry if its chief characteristics were infidelity , immorality , 'and vice ? No , brethren ; the insinuation was a huge lie , and we can safely leave the answer to our supreme Rulers . Brethren , without further comment 1 ask you to join with me in drinking the health of our M . W . Grand Alaster , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Piincess of VVales and the rest of the Royal Family . Bro . John Houlding , P . M . 823 , P . P . G . Reg ., in highly complimentary terms , proposed "The Health of the