Consecration Of A New Lodge At Blackpool.

ably served under the superintendence of the manager . Bro . Laudless , W . M ., presided during the banquet , but as s . x n as dessert had been placed on the table he left the room for the purpose of proceeding to Manchester , where his son was lying seikmsly iil , the whole of the

brethren expressing their most cordial sympathy for him in his afllictioa and anxiety . In his absence the chair was taken by Bro . IT . S . Alpass , P . G . Secret ; ry , who completed an admirable day ' s work by fulfilling the duties of the chair in a most satisfactory manner .

Bro . Alpass . in giving the toast of " The Queen , " ssid her Majesty as far as a lady could , took a deep interest in the prosperity and welfare of Masonry . National anthem , solo b y Bro . Busfield . Bro . Alpass then save " Bro . H . RH . the

Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the royal Family . " This toast he said Mas becoming year by year more interesting to Masons . They had known the Prince of Wales for several years , and during that tim-j he had taken the liveliest interest in the Craft . Whilst in other countries the reigning monarch and

family might look down with suspicion upon Masonry , and to the best of their ability strive to prohibit : its existence , yet in this free country of ours they always had , when the . proper age hnd been reached , some ir ember of the reigning family identifying himself with their ancient and honourable Order . During the years the Prince of Wales had been a member of their

Order he had given frequent and abundant proofs of his zeal for the cause of Freemasonry , and within the last month or two they had had another member t f the royal Family initiated into their body , who , he was quite sure , would find among the members of the fraternity some

of the most loyal supporters of the throne . Although they had amongst them persons of different religions and political opinions , yet as regarded the throne the } ' were unanimous in their unflinching sentiments of devoted loyalty . Bro . Jones . " God Bless the Prince of Wales . "

tiro Alpass : the next toast , brethren , is the ruler of our Order , "The Right Hon . the Marquess of Ripon , M . W . G . M . " 1 shall not waste your time nor patience by expatiating on his many merits as a Mason . Ileitis received his present high position b y the unanimous vote of the Grand Lodge of England for some four or

live years , and that he lakes a very deep interest in the prosperity of our Order I very well know . I couple with that toast "The Health of the Right Hon . the Earl of Cam rvon , " an equally enthusiastic Mason , who is always ready to assist to the utmost of his power , and the rest of the Grand Lodge Officers .

Song and Chorus , " When 1 am on the Sea , " Bro . D . Saunders . Bro . Alpass , in proposing "The Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . P . G . M ., West Lancashire , " said . no one had a better opportunity of observing the zeal and interest of his lordshi p ,

and the thorough conscientiousness with which he discharged his various duties . His anxious wish was to do his very be .-t for Masonry in this Province In : i Province like West Lancashire , which included bi tween sixtv and seventy lodges , it must happen that brethren would

have to wait some little time before they obtained P . G . Lodge honours , and he would recommend the brethren to entertain the same modest anticipations which he ( Bro . Alpass ) held when a very young Mason , and that was , that some day or other modest merit would be

repaid . For a long time he had served the office of the P . G . Steward—many more years than was now the custom—and , at last , he obtained a very subordinate office ; but as time rolled on , he obtained oflice of distinction . Lord

Skelmersdale , he could assure them , was too anxious for the welfare of the Province , to pass over any worth y brother when brought under his notice . Glee , " Prosper the Art , " with solo , by Bro . Busfield . ;

Bro . J . Prt-scott , P . J . G . W ., in responding to the toast , said that any one who came into contact with his lordshi p in his Masonic capacity , must at once feel admiration for his many talents , an . l be convinced that he was the right man in the right place . No one , he was sure

Consecration Of A New Lodge At Blackpool.

would be more sorry than his lordship at his inability to be present at the interesting ceremony that day . Pie ( Bro . Prescott ) asked to be permitted to congratulate the W . M . and Officers of the . Blackpool Lodge , upon the very perfect maimer in which everything had been got up

and done that day . Bro . Alpass then gave " The Hon . F . Stanley , R . W . D . P . G . M ., W . L ., and the rest of the P . G . Officers . " Song , " When shall I see you ? " b y Bro . Busfield

Bro . T . Birchall , P . Prov . G . J . W . responded to the toast . Bro . Alpass then gave "Bro . Major Le Gcndre N . Starkie , R . W . P . G . M ., East Lancashire , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers . "

Glee , " Mynheer Van Dunck . " Bro . Bidder acknowledged the toast . Bro . A . M . Viner , M . C ., proposed " The Consecrating and Installing Officer , " which was acknowledged by Bro . Alpass . Bro . 11 . Wylie , then gave the health of " Bro .

Laudless , the W . M . of the Blackpool Lodge , " of whom he spoke in the highest terms . The other toasts were '' The Officers of the Lodge , " given by Bro . Birchall , and acknowledged by Bro . H . Johns , S . W . ; " The Visiting Brethren" given by Bro . Eccleston , and

responded to by Bro . Nevitt ; " The Masonic Charities , " proposed by Bro . Bird , and acknowledged by Bro . Alpass ; and the " Tyler ' s Toast . The singing of Bros . Saunders and Bucklield , with the assistance of the other musical brethren was greatly admired , and Bro . Skeaf , P . G . O ., ably presided at the harmonium .

Consecration Of The Marquess Of Ripon Lodge (No. 1489.)

CONSECRATION OF THE MARQUESS OF RIPON LODGE ( No . 1489 . )

This new lodge was consecrated on Wednesday last , nt the hall of Bowles ' s Metropolitan Benefit Society ' s Asylum . Balls Pond-road , Dalston . The ceremony was performed by tiro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , who was assisted

by Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., who took the S . W . chair . Bro . IT . G . Buss , G . Treasurer for Middlesex , who took the post of Inner Guard , and Bro . R . Wentworth Little , Prov . G . Sec , Middlesex , acted as Director of Ceremonies . The Rev . P . M . Holden was Chaplain on the

occsaion , and Bro . Jones , P . Prov ., G . D . C ., Herts , acted as Secretary . The musical portion of the ceremony was under the direction of Bro . Limpus , Prov . G . Organist of Middlesex , who was assisted by Bros . Hubbard and McDavitt . Like the other portions of the ceremony , this

was most ably performed . An oration on Freemasonry was delivered , with excellent effect , by Bro . Little . The Iodge was fully attended , and there was every prospect of this new addition to the roll of Grand Lodge becoming very prosperous . At the conclusion

of the ceremony of consecration and dedication . Bro . W . Stephen was installed W . M ., who then proceeded to invest as his officers the following brethren—El ias Somers , S . W . : W . J . Murlis , J . W . ; J . C . Walford , Treas . ; Jones , Sec ; T . E . | essitt , S . D . ; E . 1 ' . Sim , E . G . ; Dr . Somers ,

D . C ; Ellen , Steward ; and Gilchrist , Tyler . The address to the W . M . was delivered by Bro . Hervey , and those to the Wardens and brethren b y Bro . James Brett . Bros . Hervey , Brett , and Little were elected honorary members of the lodge , and a vote of thanks to them , and Bros .

Buss , Holden , Cnbitt , Payne , and the musical brethren was ordered to be entered on the minutes for their kindness in taking part in the consecration of the lodge . Bros . Hervey , Brett , and Little , acknowledged the thanks of the brethren , and then Bro . Jones

reail out a long list of names of proposed joining members and initiates , after which the lodge was closed till Friday next , and the brethren adjourned to London , where , at the restaurant of the Broad-stveet terminusof the North London

Railway , they partook of an elegant banquet , provided with the greatest taste and skill by W . Higgs , the refreshment contractor at that place , At the conclusion of the banquet , the W . M , proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . Bro . T , Cubitt responded to the toast of the

Consecration Of The Marquess Of Ripon Lodge (No. 1489.)

" Past Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , the Earl of Carnarvon , and the rest of the Grand Officers , " and in doing so said that the whole of the Grand Officers were always in their places when any work was to be done at Grand Lodge . He trusted that this would be case on

Wednesday next , when there were some important questions to come btfore the brethren . Bro John Hervey proposed " Success to the Marquess of Ripon Lodge . " He was satisfied that everyone would drink it with pleasure . For himself , although it was not at all times given to us to do what we liked , on this occasion it had been accorded to him to do so . The brother

whom they had chosen for their W . M ., a choice which had been sealed by the Grand Master , was one whom he ( Bro . Hervey ) had long known as a worthy brother . Good v / ine needed no

bush , and the W . M . was so well-known that it was needless to make a long speech to inform them of his merits . He would therefore simply offer this toast to the brethren , feeling confident that it would be well received .

The W . M . in reply said that the new lodge was started on a sound basis , and that its future would meet with the approbation of the Grand Master . He felt assured of its success , and that it would be one of the best lodges in the metropolis .

The W . M . next gave " The Consecrating Officers , " Bros . Hervey , Brett , Cubitt , Little , Buss , and Holden . In speaking of the last brother , he said he was an old acquaintance of his , for a few years since he was in the habit of attending church every Sunday where he used

to officiate . He had lost si ght of him for some time , but when he did come across him again he told him they were going to establish a lodge at Dalston , and requested him to be the Chaplain . He knew he would be a valuable acquisition to the lodge , and that he would be greatly respected in it . He remembered that when the reverend

brother left the neighbourhood where he used to minister he had a handsome testimonial presented to him as a mark of respect and love in which he was held , to which testimonial he ( the W . M . ) , had great pleasure in contributing his mite . Of the other Consecrating Officers , they

were all so well known that it would save him the trouble of saying much about tlietn ; but he could not propose their health without acknowledging their kindness in performing the ceremonies of fhe day , more especially when he knew that it was at great inconvenience to

themselves that they have attended . He was sure the lodge wou'd be successful , for they had good officers . He himself had never proposed more than four initiates , and he was happy to say that three of those were officers under him that evening . They were brethren for whom

he had the most cordial and fraternal regard , and he knew they woulc assist him to the utmost in well ruling and governing the lodge . They had all much to thank Bro . Hervey for , as among other kindnesses he had exerted himself very much in obtaining the warrant for the

lodge . Bro . Hervey said he had thought that when he proposed " Success to the Marquess of Ripon Lodge" no toast would meet with such a cordial reception as that ; but he was mistaken , as the toast just proposed had not fallen short of it in

the favour with which it was accepted . It had given him very great pleasure to participate that day in the good work of consecrating the lodge and in enjoying the hospitality which the brethren had provided . If in addition to being Consecrating Master he also became the boie of the

evening by obtruding himself upon them so frequently , it was really not his fault but that of somebody else , he would not say who , but the W . M . had given him great praise for consecrating the lodge . Now , ho had not , it must be remembered , done it single-handed , but he had

been assisted by those with whom he had acted times before , Bro . Brett and Bro . Little , and with whom he should have much pleasure in acting again . Whether Bros . Brett , Buss , or Little should be consecrating officer he should

always have pleasure in taking the Senior or J unior Warden ' s chair for them ; and it should be borne in mind , that all of them as well as himself were at all times disposed to assist each other in carrying out that good feeling , which should