Grand Lodge Of Mark Masters.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTERS .

The annual festival , in aid of the Benevolent Fund attached to the Mark degree , was celebrated at the Talbot Hotel , Richmond , on Wednesday last , great enconiums being expressed upon the

manner with which the proprietor of the hotel had prepared a most recherche banquet . The tables were decorated with the choicest flowers , the wines and dessert were of first class

merit , and reflected great credit upon the caterer . The meeting altogether presented a favourable appearance , being graced with the presence of the sisterhood .

Bro . Col . Burdett presided over the meeting , and there were also present , Bros . F . Binckes , G . S . and P . C . J . W . ; Captain Burgess , G . Reg . ;

Rev . B . W . Church , G . C . ; Lieut . Col . Birchall , P . G . J . W . ; G . Neale , G . Sup . Works ; J . H . Wynne , Esq ., P . G . I . G . ; J . Read , G . Reg . ; A . Williams , 104 , G . S . ; S . Funkenztein , 22 , G . S . ; H . W . Binckes , G . S . ; H . Massey , P . G . S . ; W .

Roebuck , & c , Kent ; I . rorshaw , 11 , 5 . The musical engagements were under the direction of Bro . John Read , P . G . Org ., and who was ably assisted by Madame Wells , ( Soprano ) ;

Bros . De Lacey , of St . Paul ' s Cathedral ; Hodges , Gent , of the Chapel Royal ; C . S . Jekyll , of of Westminster Abbey . The following were among the several vocal renderings , Grace ,

" Deum Laudate , " "The Queen , "' "Esmeralda , " " Will o' the Wis ] i , " past song , " How merrily welive , " " Sing , sweet Bird , '' charmingly sung by Madame Wells , " The Lass o' Richmond Hill , "

thepopular "Mynheer Van Dunk , "Sally Sally , by Mr . Hodges , with other selections . After the first toast "The Queen , " whish was received with its accustomed pleasureand loyalty ,

the presiding brother said that the next toast was that of the " Prince and Princess of Wales . " It was evident that throughout the English nation he was beloved , even a recent demonstration exhi

bited much loyalty and feeling towards his Royal Highness , who , in God ' s providence had been preserved through a great and serious illness , and he doubted not but that the toast would be drank

with fervour and enthusiasm . ( Cheers . ) The toast of the " Grand Officers " was coupled with the names of Bros . Col . Birchall , Binckes , sen ., Binckes , jun ., Rosenthal , Church ,

and Burgess , who although standing hig h in social life had not neglected their duties . Regret was expressed at the absence of Lord Limerick , all being aware of the manner in

whichhe attended to the duties of Mark Masonry . Bro . Col . Birchall acknowledged with feeling the allusion made to himself and Bros ., and unaffectedly thanked the brethren , and regretted the

absence of the noble earl who was at the head of the toast . It was not a proper occasion to enlarge upon the merits of the charities connected with Mark Masonry : as " charity vaunteth not itself . '

Bro . Rosenthal made humorous allusions to the chairman coming " overfrom Ireland , " but now inMasonic business you might see him everywhere ; he was the right man in the right place ,

and could never have secured the various honours he had , . if they had not been merited , lie had no desire for flattering any brother , but was pleased to propose the health of Bro . Col . Burdett . The presiding brother stated that unaccustomed

Grand Lodge Of Mark Masters.

as he was to . speak , it was a great happiness to be supported on either side by one of the fairer sex , but he regretted the P . G . M . designate of

Devonshire was incapacitated attending , owing to the severe weather . As to the present meeting it was for the consideration of the funds for the

" Aged and Distressed Mark Masons , the Boys , Girls ' , and other Institutions . " After speaking upon their individual merits , he was glad to add that a good fund already existed . These charities were not onlv for Mark Masters , but for the

benefit of their wives and families , and who are , through this , united in one bond . He should therefore propose "Success to the funds of Benevolence in connection with the Mark Masters' Degree .

The Grand Sec , Bro . Binckes , made someallnsion to the charities in connection with this

special degree , he was pleased to state the liberality of Lord and Bro . Bective , who had liberally subscribed , through letter to him , for the Benevolent fund the handsome sum of s £ io , which

together with other liberal donations , was now a total of £ 163 ? s . Great regret was manifested at the unavoidable absence of Rev . Bro . J . R . Portal , P . G . M ., who

always evinced every feeling of kindness . Thanks were expressed to the singers . The toast of "The Press" was acknowledged by

Bro . Henry Massey , ' Era and Bro . E . I . Barling , Fre mason . The toast of " The Ladies , " terminated a most agreeable meeting .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft UTasoiU'ir . DORSETSHIRE .

SHKKISOKM ; . — Lodge of Benevolence ( No . 1 168 ) . —The installation of the W . M ., Bro . the Rev . George Thompson , M . A ., took place On Monday last . The ceremony was performed by Bro . F . H . Woodforde , Esq ., M . D ., P . M . Lodge 261 , and P . P . G . S . W . Somerset , after which the

W . M . invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : —Bros . W . S . Gibbard , P . M . ; R . G . Long , S . W . ; John Cole , J . W . ; Rev . E . W . Gooden . Chaplain ; S . W . Woodward , Treas . ; George F . Stokes , Sec . ; J . Rumse )' , Org . ; C . E . Benthall , Dir . of Cers . ; T . D . Davis , S . D . ;

B . King , J . D . ; T . W . Robinson , l . G . ; S . G . ; Smith , W . Croad , Stewards ; J . Hiinbury , Tyler . The brethren afterwards attended a banquet at the Digby Hotel , which was served up in excellent style by the manager , Mr . A . W . B . Clarke , and was presided over by the respected W . M .,

who was supported by the principal officers of the lodge , and several visiting brethren from the Yeovil , Shaftesbury , Blandford , and other lodges . Some excellent songs were sung by Bros . Stokes , Lang , Robinson , and Cross , and a very pleasant afternoon was spent .

DURHAM .

ANNUAL PIC-NIC OK TIIK FRKHMASON . S or SUXDEKLANI ) . —The Freemasons of Sunderland had their iiflh annual pic-nic on Thursday the 18 th , the place this year being Dnncombe Park , Helmsley , in the North Riding of Yorkshire . A special train containing nearl y 300 passer ; 'ers left Sunderland at half-past six o ' clock h the

morning , aim arrived at Helmsley shortly uter ten o ' clock . After leaving the main line < , ' the North Eastern Railway at Pilmoor Junction the line traverses some ot the finest scenery in England . On leaving the railway station at llc . msley the tower of the old castle , surroundc 1 by hanging woods , is the first object that att acts

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

attention . Ryedale , in which the little markettown of Helmsley is situated , is a pretty and well-wooded valley , and the town itself seems almost buried amongst trees . Small though Helmsley is , it can boast of a handsome monument erected to the memory of the late Earl of

Feversham , a spacious market-place , and a beautiful church . Two miles distant are the ruins of RieVaulx Abbey . Running due north and south , and overlooking the ruins at an elevation of some hundred feet , is a fine natural terrace half a mile in length , with a temple at each end ,

the one at the northern extremity having a finely painted ceiling . From this terrace seven valleys can be counted , all converging at the foot in the valley in which the abbey stands . Descending the hill by a circuitous route we reach the abbey , the ruins of which are extensive and in a ffood

state of preservation . Wending our way along a romantic valley towards Helmsley , we pass through the park , and near the residence of the liarl of Feversham . From the " Home Terrace , " in front of the mansion , some lovely bits of sylvan scenery open out to the eye . The park extends to the town , and just within the entrance are the

ruins of Helmsley castle , once the residence of the famous Duke of Buckingham , who played such a conspicuous part at the court of the Second Charles . At mid-day the whole partysat down to a very excellent and substantial lunch ( provided by the genial host of the Black Swan , at Helmsley , Mr . Wright ) , in a tent within the ruins of the old castle . The chair

was occupied by the Chairman of the Pic-nic Committee , Bro . J . H . Coates , W . M . of the Williamson Lodge , No . 941 , and the vice-chairs by Bros . ] . ] . Clay , W . M . 97 , J . Wilson , W . M . 80 , and G . ' Wand ' less , W . M . 949 . Very little time was spent in toast giving , all being anxious

to see more of the beauties of nature , or trip the light fantastic toe on the green sward . Dancing was led oft' by the ever courteous M . C ., Bro . W . H . Crookes , Prov . G . Sec . ( Durham ) , and Mrs . Coates , and was kept up with great spirit until it was time to make a move homewards .

A very enjoyable day was spent by every one . The Earl of Feversham handsomel y threw open his grounds , and his agent , Bro . Maclaughlin , did everything he could to gratify the visitors . The luncheon and tea provided by Mr . Wright , of the Black Swan , Hotel-street , Helmsley , were both excellent and substantial , and deserve

great praise ; and now that the locomotive has opened out this charming spot to general visitors , doubtless large numbers will , as its beauties become more known , visit this romantic little place . We are certain every one will find themselves amply repaid for turning out of the beaten track into the pleasant little valley of the Rye .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST ) . LIVERI ' ,. —Summer Fete of the Ne [) tunc Lodge ( No . 1264 ) . —On Wednesday , the 17 th inst ., the brethren of the Neptune Lodge , No . 126 4 , with their fair friends , held their annual summer festival , which proved in every respect a truly social gathering . The morning looked

black and thundery , but gloomy looks did not prevent a large contingent of the party from starting from Lime-street station about ten o ' clock for the Victoria Gardens , Thatto Heath , where they were met by the band of the Engineer Corps , St . Helen ' s , which furnished the

whole of the music during the day . A second portion of the pic-nicers started shortly before one o ' clock , and they , in turn , were also met on their arrival b y the band , and marched to the scene of the day ' s festivities amidst the general wonderment of the natives , who turned out in

great force . The village was en Jele , and the gardens gay with flags of all sorts and sizes , numbering upwards of 100 , including a full set of Marryatt ' s s ignals , kindly lent by Bros . Captains P . S . Wilson , 126 4 ; and K . T . Jones , of the Dublin Stem Packet Company . The scene

was ot the Iivelest description , and as the W . M ., P . M . ' s , officer ... and brethren of the Neptune spared no elfor > to make every one happy , and acted with the greatest courtesy and disinterested kindness towar , 1 s every one , there was nothing whatever to detract from the full enjoyment of the