Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

toast of " The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , " and in doing so referred to the many blessings conferred by that charity . Bro . Broadbridge proposed "The W . M ., " which was acknowledged by Bro . Ibbs . Bro . P . M .

Turner gave " The Consecrating Officer and Installing Master , " which was responded to by Bro . Alpass . The W . M . proposed " The Musical Brethren , " acknowledged by Bro . Skeaf ; and the remaining toasts were "The

Ofiicers , " also given by the W . M ., which was responded to by Bro . PI . Wyatt , S . W , ; Bro . J . W . Turley , J . W . ; Bro . T . D . Pierce , Sec . ; ancl J . P . M'Arthur , Treasurer . The toast , "The Visitors , " given by the W . M ., was acknowledged by Bro . Captain G . Turner ;

and "The Ladies , ' "Press , and Tyler ' s toast , brought the list to a close . During the evening excellent songs were given by Bros . Busfield , H . Ashmore , Dr . Willis , Glover , Patterson , Veale , Robert Roberts . — The Liverpool Mercury .

A grand Masonic ceremonial took place yesterday in the Town-hall , Merton-road , Bootle . The occasion was the consecration of the Bootle Lodge No . r , 473 , and it was attended by an unusually numerous muster of the brethren from

various parts of the province . Bro . Sir James Ramsden , W . P . G . S . W . had been appointed by the Rig ht Worshipful the Provincial Grand Alaster to perform the ceremony , but as he was unable to attend , his place was taken by Bro . J .

S . Alpass , P . G . Secretary . The new lodge , for which a warrant was recently obtained from the Grand Lodge of England , already numbers about fifty members , and its inauguration was most auspicious . The brethren assembled in the hall

at half-past one o ' clock , and shortly afterwards Bro . Alpass took the chair , and appointed Bro . William Doyle as Senior Warden and Bro . J . M . J . Fowler as Junior Warden pro lent . The brethren of the new lodge having been

arranged in order on the rig ht of the chair , the lodge was opened on the first and raised to the third degree , and after a preliminary prayer and the performance of a solemn piece of music , the presiding-officer addressed the biethren on the

nature of the proceedings . Bro . R . Wylie , acting P . G . Secretary , then read the petition for the formation of the lodge , which had been forwarded to the Grand Lodge by several brethren resident in the district belonging to other lodges ,

and the warrant for the consecration , signed by Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Deputy Grand Master of England . The members of the lodge then formally signified their approval of the officers named in the petition and warrant as

given above . Bro . the Rev . J . F . Goggin , P . G . C , then delivered an eloquent oration on the principles of the Order and thc lessons to be drawn from that day ' s ceremonial . It was an admirable

enforcement of the great truths by which the members of the Masonic fraternity arc guided in the discharge of their daily avocations , as well as within the hallowed precincts of a lodge . An anthem composed by Bro . Skeaf was sung by

the choir ; and , after the consecration prayer , chant , and invocation , the lodge was uncovered , and three Past Masters carried the cornucopia , wine , and oil , three times round the lodge , strewing and pouring portions , as they went , upon the mosaic pavement . A halt being made

in the east , the censer was carried three times round the lodge by the P . G . Chaplain , amidst the performance of sacred music . After some additional ceremonial and more music , the presiding officer dedicated and constituted the lodge , and this was succeeded by a closing prayer and anthem .

Bro . Alpass then installed the Worshipful Master designate , Bro . Samuel Ellis Ibbs , P . M . 594 and 1 , 3-56 . Thc chair was then taken b y Bro . Hamer , P . G . Treasurer , as Installing Master , and the following officers were appointed

for the ensuing year : —Bros . Harold Wyatt ; S . W . ; J . W . Turley , J . W . ; J . P . M'Arthur , Treasurer ; T . D . Pierce , Sec . ; R . Roberts , S . D . ; Dr . T . M . Wills , J . D . ; W . S . Barker , I . G . ; W . H . Clemmey , Sen . Steward ; W . Hughes , Jim Steward and Blake , Tyler .

Freemasonry In West Lancashire.

Votes of thanks were passed to Bro . Alpass ( the presiding officer ) , Bro . Hamer ( the installing Officer ) , Bro . Goggin , and the other Provincial grand officers , and to Bro . Skeaf and the musical brethren , whose performances had added so much to the beauty and harmony of the

proceedings . A grand banquet was served in the hall shortly after five o ' clock . Covers were laid for upwards of 100 brethren . Bro . Samuel E . Ibbs , W . M ., presided , supported on the right by Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Secretary-. ; and on the left by Bro .

the Rev . J . F . Goggin , 'P . G . Chaplain , and Bro . the Rev . W . H . Vernon / p . P . G . C Bro . Harold Wyatt , S . W ., and Bro . j \ W . Turley , J . W ., were in their respective placfts . A sumptuous repast was purveyed by Brotheh Milbourne , of St . Anne-street , and after the removal of the

cloth the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to with Masonic honours . The programme embraced " The Marquess of Ripon and Grand Officers , " "The Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . P . G . M . ; the Hon . F .

Stanley , W . D . P . G . M . ; and thc Provincial Officers of West Lancashire , " "The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , " " The Worshipful Master , " " The Installing Master , " " The Musical Brethren , " "The Visitors , " and "Tn nil Poor and Distressed Freemasons and

speedy relief . " The toasts were alternated with glees and songs , and the meeting was brought to a close at a suitable hour , after such a pleasant evening had been passed as only " brethren of the mystic tie" can possibly enjoy . The musical

party , consisting of Bros . Skeaf , P . G . O . ; Haswell , 203 ; Busfield , 276 ; T . Welch , 241 ; D . Jones , 155 ; and H . Ashmore , J . W . 1325 ; contributed greatly to this result . The scene at the consecration was one of the

most impressive which we have ever witnessed , even amidst the always sublime mysteries ofthe Masonic Craft . The hnll itself is a lofty , spacious and pretty one , and the insignia and paraphernalia of the order were at once so perfect and so artisticallv arranged as to constitute a striking

picture . Amongst the articles displayed were the following donations from brethren who take an interest in the lodge , viz ., a tripod from Bro . Donkin , ashlars from Bro . T . D . Pierce , a ballot box from Bro . Barker , columns for the Senior and Junior Wardens from Bro . Wyatt , working

tools from Bro . M'Arthur , swords from Bro . J . Johnson , floorcloth from Bro . Clemmey , emblems from Bro . Dr . Wills , a bust of the late Earl of Zetland , for many years Grand Master of England , by Bro . Hough , and a Bible and a cushion by Bro . Ibbs . All the presents named , as well

as the other tasteful furniture of the lodge , were supplied by Bro . George Kenning , of London , and Monument-place , Liverpool , publisher of the Freemason , who is represented here by Bro . Joseph Wood . As an example of the interest taken in the new lodge , and the influential nature

of the attendance , we may mention that no fewer than forty-three Past Masters were present at the installation of Bro . Ibbs , when the Master Masons had to retire to the adjacent apartments . This attendance of advanced members of the fraternity is almost unprecedented . —Liverpool Daily Courier .

Grand Masonic Ball At Greenock

GRAND MASONIC BALL AT GREENOCK

A Grand Masonic Ball took place at the Town Hall , on the 13 th February , under the auspices of the Greenock Kilwinning Lodge , No . 12 , and proved to be in every respect superior to any ball ever given in Greenock ; everything connected with it being of the most excellent

character and leaving nothing to be desired , for no point that could ensure success was overlooked . Tho magnificent Town Hall required little in the way of decoration to be added to it save something to { mark distincrly the peculiat

nature of the festive gathering ; therefore , beyond the graceful grouping of a few national flags , scarcely anything in the way of adornment was attempted ; but the splendid tracing boards —themselves a fine ornament to any roomlately presented to the lodge by Bro . Captain

Grand Masonic Ball At Greenock

Shanks , K . M ., Royal Marines Li ght Infantry , were placed on the front edge of the band platform , and excited the curiosity of all present , who were not acquainted with the sublime mysteries of Freemasonry ; over the central picture was placed a five pointed star , and

underneath the three there was a scroll with the Masonic injunction , "Audi , Vide , Tace , " also triple taus , etc ., upon it . All these words and emblems were most exquisitely made with silver and white paper rosettes on a blue ground , and were the work of the wife of the honorary

Secretary . These devices , with a few squares and compasses , completed the Masonic portion of the decorations , and were simply perfection . The hall never looked so well , and the greatest credit is due to all those who had the management in their hands .

The ball was under the most influential patronage , including the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , the Prov . Grand Master of East and West Renfrewshire , and others , and the working committee consisted of : —Bros . D . Cunningham , W . M . ; J . B , Tarbct , J . W . ; J . D . Walton ,

J . Agnew , H . King , W . B . Rodger , R . Rennie , [ . M . Buchanan , and G . Shanks , Hon . Secretary and Treasurer ; who all helped most materially to make the affair pass oft * well , but the lion ' s share of praise is due to Bro . Shanks , who would not be satisfied unless everything was perfect ,

and was most indefatigable in his efforts to ensure complete success ; the satisfactory result , however , amply rewarded all who had any snare in the arrangements . The fine supper room was well provided with the choicest viands and wines , and drew forth

the unlimited praise that is always given to such liberal preparations . The brethren in their various and rich Masonic clothing , the military and naval uniforms of the officers in H . M . service , together with the elegant dresses of the ladies , made the scene such

an one as is rarely equalled and never surpassed , and it will not readily be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to witness it . We would remark , en passant , that we only noticed two ladies with the blue sash which it is comme . i / Jaut to wear at all Masonic balls ; these were

supplied b y Bro . George Kenning , of Glasgow , London , and Liverpool . One of the most pleasant novelties at this ball was a vase of Eau-de-Cologne which was kept constantl y filled during the whole night and was found

very refreshing by the ladies ; for this idea the dancers were indebted to the thoughtfulness of Bro . Shanks , who originated it , and carried it out at his own cost , and we regret to hear that in doing so he had a handsome and rare Japanese vase broken .

Dancing was kept up with unabated spirit until four a . m ., then , with universal regret that so good a ball was terminated , and many a wish that it might soon be repeated , the votaries of Terpsichore wended their way homeward . The Stewards were distinguished by very beautiful badges which were designed , made , and kindly presented to them by Mrs . Shanks .

"BURNS AS A FREEMASON" ( page 750 ) . — The life of Burns as a Freemason was written by Bro . William Hunter , R : W . Master of the Lodge Journeymen , Edinburgh , No . 8 S . C and published nearly ten years ago by Bro . W . Paterson , Bookseller , Edinburgh . It is now out of print . CHALMERS I . PATON .

1-IOI . I . OWAV ' Pu . i . s . —The stomach is the scat and centre of universal sympathy throughout the human system , upon the full peiformance of its functions , strength , energy , and tone depend , whereon life itself rests . Theso invaluable pills exert a greater and more beneficial influence over digestive disorders than any other medicines . Their mode of action i . s thoroughly consonant with reason .

f hey completely purify the blood , purify both head and stomacli of all faulty functions , anil expel all oppressive accumulations from the bowels . With the blood purified and all poisons purged from tlie system , regularity must prevail throughout the body , aches and pains must cease , healthful euergy must supplant weariness , and the shaky nerves must regain their wholesome tone . — ADVT .