Grand Masonic Gathering At Plymouth.

sume you refer to our Provincial Grand Masonic Gathering . Relative to the alleged unmasonic treatment of the numerous and respectable non-commissioned officers , who are' members of Lodges in Plymouth and neighbourhood , I can only say , '

as one of the Committee , we had no option , but to require the brethren to assemble and take part in the procession , clothedacdording to the usual custom ^ thereby naturally prohibiting any from appearing in regimentals . We were told on authority we could not question , and by one who

had done his best to get the . Regulation relaxed in this case , that the orders were peremptory and that we should be running counter to the military laws , if we aided in our brethren appearing in uniform ; hence though we regretted the fact ,, we felt compelled to adhere to our

printed programme , any who attended as soldiers , doing it on their own responsibility . I confess as to being in ignorance of such a regulation before , and have annually been in the habit of welcoming our military brethren , in our processions , and if the law is altered , I shall be

delighted to continue to do so . Bro . Col . Elliott , also a member of the Committee ' , explained our position . toe the members of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Devon-, at a meeting reported in last week ' s Freemason , but which I presumb you had

not read , when you noted your agreement with the "Soldier Freemason . " We all desire tlie law was otherwise , and if the law has been incorrectly explained , please let us know . Yours fraternally , W . J . HUGHAN . P . G . S . D .

Masonic Pic-Nic At- Liverpool.

MASONIC PIC-NIC AT- LIVERPOOL .

No lodge in the province i of West Lancashire enjoys a greater popularity than the Alliance Lodge , No . 667 , which numbers amongst its members some of the best known and most respected brethren in this part of the country . What was familiarly called " Our ¦ Second

Annual Pic-nic , " which took place-on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., at the Stanley Amis Hotel , Roby , about four or five miles from Liverpool , got up by a number or the leading spirits of . the lodge , was one of the most pleasant character , and fully maintained the "happy family" characteristics

of the lodge . The weather , it is true , was the very reverse of pleasant , rain fell almost continuously until a late hour in the afternoon , but as unpleasant untoward circumstances 'had little effect upon the " outers" there was no lagging in the enjoyment of the select party . IA

company of about 50 ladies and brethren started from Lime-street Railway Station , on the London and North-Western service , about a quarter to 3 o ' clock , by special saloon and first-class carriages , and were quickly whisked away to the scene of the afternoon ' s amusements and

recreation . Amongst those present were Bros . W . Dayle , P . J . G . D . j A . Bucknall , who fulfilled the duties of Secretary with considerable tact ; Bros . Gregory , Carter , Learning , Firth , Douglas , Morrison , Maswell , Hikins , Lloyd , Brittain , Jacobs , and others , besides several visiting

friends and brethren , the whole company comprising a party upon pleasure bent . On arrival at the " Stanley Arms" the large hall attached to the hotel was at once made use of , as the rain continued to come down with provoking persistency , and dancing was at once commenced to

the strains of Mr . Martin ' s quadrille band . This was carried on with the greatest zest until about five o ' clock , when a capital " knife-and-fork" tea was provided ,. to which ample justice was done . Afterwards recreation was again found in dancing , bowls , music , & c , and time sped very pleasantly

with all who were present , until the train time arrived , when all returned to Liverpool , highly delighted with " our second annual pic-nic . " The arrangements were most satisfactory and the committee therefore deserve much praise for their capital generalship .

Masonic Excursion At Birkenhead.

MASONIC EXCURSION AT BIRKENHEAD .

One of the most pleasant and successful excursions of the season took place on Wednesday ,

Masonic Excursion At Birkenhead.

12 th inst ., when the members of the JMersey Lodge , No . 1477 , held . their first excursion and pic-nic , the place selected being Overton Hills , near Frodsham . There was a pretty good muster of members and friends , the party numbering about 00 . ladies and gentlemen , and

the weather being all that could be desired , th greatest enjoyment was experienced from firs to last . The party left Monk ' s Ferry by the regular train at 10 a . m ., arriving at Frodsham in aboute an hour , and thence made their way past Overtont

village , to the" top " of the hills beyond . Here they dispersed in various directions in , quest of recreation . To some bowls , to . others ' croquet , dancing , and gymnastic exercises , while to a great many the splendid landscape which can be viewed from the summit of the hills , was a

great attraction , the panorama being one of the finest in the country , having a wide sweep from Derbyshire and Delamers Forest , by Halton Castle , the rivet- Weaver , Runcorn and Garston , the broad estuary of the Mersey , bounded b y Oxton and Bidston Hill and the Irish Channel , and thence to the blue mountains of Flint and

Denbigh . Dinner was presided over by Bro . R . Gracie , W-M ., and amongst the other officers present were Bros . D . Fraser , S . W . ; T . Dixon , J . W . ; J . M . Ratclifte , Treasurer and P . M . 605 5 Pulford , S . D . ; John Griffiths , I . P . M . ; J . P . Piatt , P . P . J . G . W . Thornton , kc . Dancing and other amusements were the order of the

day . After tea , on the motion of Bro . Piatt , a vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Gracie , and to Bro . I'Vaser , who had been the chief promoters of the excursion , for the trouble they had taken , and the party returned by the regular train , arriving at Alonk ' s Ferry about ten . o ' clock .. The balance in hand , after paying expenses , will be devoted to the funds of the Cheshire Alasonic Educational Institution , for the education of orphans of deceased members of the Order .

Masonic Pic-Nic At Bootle.

MASONIC PIC-NIC AT BOOTLE .

The spirit of emulation and independence b y which the inhabitants of the neighbouring borough of Bootle are actuated extended a short time ago to the formation of a Alasonic Lodge ( No . 2473 ) , holding its meetings on the first Thursday of the month at the Alolyneux Assembly-rooms ,

Merton-road . The lodge was fortunate in having for it ' s promoters some of the most efficient and zealous members of the Craft , thus assuring its prosperity , which has exceeded the expectations of its founders , the lodge already numbering nearly seventy members .

Unfortunately for the ladies , the rules of Freemasonry not only preclude their being initiated into its mysteries , but the performance of Masonic duties frequently deprives them of the society of their husbands and sweethearts . As a small solatium for this exclusion and deprivation , it has recently

become the custom ( at all events with the majority of local lodges ) to hold an annual picnic , at which both brethren and their friends of the gentler sex can attend , without infringing any of the regulations of the honourable and ancient fraternity . In observance of this

muchhonoured custom , the members of the Bootle Lodge held their first excursion and picnic on Wednesday , 19 th inst ., and a most enjoyable one it proved to be . The party , which consisted of about thirty brethren and as many ladies , left Lime-street Station in saloon carriages by the

10 . 45 a , m - express train for Chester , the ultimate destination being the Rope Ferry Pleasuregrounds , near Easton , which , after an exceedingly pleasant row up the picturesque river Dee , were reached shortly after one o ' clock . The services of Bro . Bolland , of Chester , had been secured as caterer , which is a sufficient guarantee that

the creature comforts were well provided for . A substantial if not sumptuous dinner having been satisfactorily disposed of ( the appetites of the guests being apparently unimpaired by the journey ) , the chairman , Bro . S . E . Ibbs , W . M ., proposed in felicitous terms tlu toasts of " The Queen" and " The Ladies , " which having been dul y honoured , the party dispersed for further

Masonic Pic-Nic At Bootle.

enjoyment . Some strolled about the grounds and along the banks of the river , enjoying the beautiful scenery , ' whilst others became votaries of the terpsichorean art , or engaged in the usual out-door pastimes . Owing to the celebration of Lord Grosvenor ' s majority at Easton Hill , the

grounds were closed to the public ; but there . was no , lack of enjoyment on that account , as the time of the pleasure-seekers was fully occupied in other amusements . Ted was served at five o ' clock , in the open air on the river bank , and at six the party embarked' for the return

journey , arriving safely home about nine o ' clock , all much pleased with the day ' s " oiiting , " and anxious for a repetition of it . Too much credit cannot be given to Bro . Ibbs , W . M ., - and his coadjutors , Bro . Wyatt , S . W , ; Bro . Surley , J . W . j and Bro . M'Arthur , Treasurer , for the efficient

and courteous manner in which the arrangewere carried out , the whole proceedings passing off without a single hitch : Bro . Burrows was in attendance with his photographic apparatus , and secured the " shadows" of several very effective groups , which will , no doubt , be iri great request as pleasing mementos of the occasion .

Memorial To The Late Rev R. J. F. Thomas.

MEMORIAL TO THE LATE REV R . J . F . THOMAS .

The late Rev . R . J . F . Thomas , vicar of Yeovil , was one of the most valued members of the Yeovil Lodge of Freemasons , He successively filled the principal offices , and was beloved and esteemed by every member . His death was deeply regretted by the members , in

common with the whole of the inhabitants , and it was determined to raise a lasting memorial expressive of their feelings towards him . Bro , Shout , architect , of Yeovil and Wincanton , gratuitously prepared a design for an altar tomb to be erected , over the vault in the cemetery , and

the work was entrusted to Mr . Swatridge , marble inason , of Yeovil . The brethren , also resolved to fix a monumental brass , appropriatel y ' inscribed , in St . John ' s Church , and Messrs Petter and Edgar , ironfounders , of Yeovil , were

commissioned to carry out this portion of the work . Saturday was appointed for the unveiling of tlie tomb , and the Committee deputed to carry out the arrangements invited the past and present officers of the lodge to witness the ceremony .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . JOHN MEEARS . The funeral of the late Alayor of Woodstock ( Bro . John Meears ) , who died suddenly on the 19 th inst ., took place at Woodstock , with Masonic ceremonies , the deceased having been Treasurer of , the Marlborough Lodge of Freemasons . At % o ' clock . the Masons from Oxford

assembled in the town-hall , where they were met by the brethren of deceased ' s lodge , and at about half-past 3 they proceeded in procession , in their aprons and badges , to the residence of the deceased , where the members of the Volunteer Fire Brigade , and several representatives

from the Foresters , of which body the deceased also was a member , had already arrived . A choir , principally composed of the singing men of New College , under the direction of Bro . Haliwell , was also present . The streets were thronged with spectators from dillerent parts of

the country , the deceased , who was 6 4 years old , and who had been twice Mayor of Woodstock , being highly respected , while the funeral was the first that had taken place in the province with full Alasonic ceremonies . At the church adjoining the cemetery the Rev . AL Yuell , the

curate of Woodstock , commenced , the impressive service . On the termination of the Burial Service the brethren formed in a circle around the grave , and P . M . Brown , who conducted the Alasonic arrangements , read the Burial Service

generally used by Alasons on the death of a deceased brother . At its conclusion the brethren , who each carried flowers and slips of acacia , dropped them on the coffin . The whole of the service was choral .