Metropolitan.

better beloved , and even more appreciated , than he is to-day . Brethren , I will give you the toast of "The W . M ., " andI ask you to drink it in bumpers . The toast was received with the utmost enthusiasm and Masonic honours . In reply , the W . M . said : I . must candidly confess , brethren ,

I rise , under great difficulty , because I feel I cannot do sufficient justice to the honour you have done me . As to my present position , I must tell you that I am very proud of it , and all the more , that it has been given me with thorough good will , without a single dissentient , and with

the assurance that every one has placed me here with hearty good feeling . I assure you I appreciate the office , not only because it is a distinguished one , but because 1 was one of the first five initiated in this lodge , and the only officer amongst those five . I have gradually worked my

way up , and gained my present position by an honest endeavour , at all times , to do my duty ; and , therefore , while 1 feel proud of the ' honour conferred upon me , I shall endeavour to requite your kindness by faithfully discharging every duty appertaining to the office of the Master of

this lodge . I must also thank the P . M . ' s for their advice and assistance , which have been of the greatest value to me . Brethren , I again thank you for the honour conferred upon me , and for the manner in which the toast was received . The W . M . next gave "The Installing

Master , " referring to Bro . Woods as a worthy mason , and one who needed no eulogy . Bro . Woods , in acknowledging the toast , which was very cordially received , said it was a great honour to have the esteem ami appreciation of so many brethren , from whom he had received nothing

but favours since the formation ofthe lodge . He believed that he was the first , with Bros . Bales and Thornton , proposed the formation of that lodge , and when they looked back ami witnessed the success which had attended it they must each feel the greatest satisfaction at the

result of their efforts . The lodge had commenced with very few members , but during the first two years there had been the greatest number ol initiations . When he was elected W . M . ofthe lodge his idea was that there would be nothing to do except to get into the chair , but he quickly

found his mistake . He worked diligently and with all the ability he possessed , and happily he fonnd his efforts crowned by the approbation ol his brethren . With regard to the installation ceremony , he had worked late and earl y to master it , and if he had satisfied them lie was amply repaid . "The Past Masters" ( proposed by the W . M . )

was acknowledged by Bro . Thorn , I . P . M ., who thanked the brethren for the cordiality with which the toast had been received . The Worshi p ful Master , in giving the toast of " The Oflicers ofthe Lodge , " he said he hoped no one would rind fault with the selection he had made because , he had done his best to create no

illfeeling . He had great confidence in the brethren he had chosen , and no W . AL ought to feel greater pride in his olficers than he did . The toast was suitably acknowledged bv Bro . Williams , S . W . Bro . Woods proposed ' " The AVest Lancashire Alasonic Educational

Institution" yvhich yvas responded to b y Bro . Ii . Perason , P . AL 249 . " The Visiting Brethren , " given in happy terms by Bro . Thorn , was acknowledged by Bros . Foz / . ard , P . AI . 103-7 , Callow , W . AL 673 ; Ing , W . AL 594 ; and Syre ' d , No . 14 S . The "Tyler ' s toast" brought a most enjoyable entertainment to a close . Excellent

songs were contributed b y Bros . Parry , lidington , Washington , Jacobs , Alyers , and Collings . Bro . Veale not onl y played the accompaniments , but at the installation ceremonial did gootl service by his musical ability .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

DEVONSHIRE . EXMOUTH . — . Sun Chapter . ( No . 106 ) . —l'he annual meetingfor tiud installation of Principals took place on Alonday , the mjhinst . The companions

met according to summons at high twelve . 111 . ) chapter was opened in due form bv the Principal . The companions were then admitted , and officers were ballotted for . Subsequently a conclave of Past First Principals was formed , when

Royal Arch.

Comp . D . Mackenzie , was installed Z ., Comp . John Way , Ii . and Comp . Walter Keyworth , J . by P . Z . N . Bickford , assisted by LP . Z . Maynard . On the return of the companions to thechapter , the following were appointed officers for

the year ;— -Comp . Dr . Atkins , Scribe , E .: Comp . W . K . Stone , Scribe , N . ; Comp . Proctor Sherwin , P . S ., Comp . Maynard , P . Z ., Treasurer , Comp . Bickfield , P . Z ., Registrar ; Comp . Carter , Secretary ; Comps . Bastin and

Lacey , A . S . ; Comp . Dr . Hodge , P . Z ., D . C . ; Comp . Alelhuish , Janitor . After thc investiture ofthe officers , the newly installed Z . proceeded to exalt ISros . Robertson and Loran to the sublime degree , performing his duties most satisfactorily .

The lectures were delivered respectively by Comps . AVtiy , Bickford , P . Z , and Hodge , P . Z ., 33 ° . The First Principal then proposed a resolution expressive of sympathy with the widow and family of the late Comp . li . B . Bastin , P . Z .

Treasurer , & c . The chapter also voted a sum of money for a memorial tablet over the remains of the late Comp ., W . Shrimpton , S . E . The chapter having been closed by the Principal in due and ancient form , thc Companions adjourned

to a banquet , which was presided over by the ' / ,., at which between 20 and 30 Companions were present . The banquet reflected great credit on Airs . Bastin . Tbe usual loyal and

masonic toasts were duly honoured , and the Companions , most of whom resitle a long distance from the chapter , separated at an early hour .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST . ) Lv \ i Asri-tK Rowley Chapter ( No . 1 , 031 ) . — The regular meeting of the chapter was held at the Alasonic rooms , Lancaster , on the 19 th inst ., when there were present Comp . Hall , Al . E . Z . ;

Dr . Aloore . Grand Standard Bearer , P . / . ; Simpson , Ii . ; Whymper , J . ; j . AI . Aloore , Scribe E . ; Heald N . ; Ayrie , P . S .: Saul and Taylor as A . S . Watson , Jan . A vote of thanks was proposed by Comp . Aloore , P . Z ., seconded by Comp . Simpson ,

Ii ., lo thc Al . E . Z ., for the present to the chapter of a handsome kneeling stool , and the same was carried unanimously . There was a candidate for exaltation , but he was unable to be present . The

companions , however , worked the ceremony , Comp . Dr . Aloore kindly taking the arduous duties of preceptor , which he tilled with his wellknown ability .

Funeral Of Bro. Sir T. G. Fermorhesketh.

FUNERAL OF BRO . SIR T . G . FERMORHESKETH .

Ihe last sad offices towards the late Provincial Grand Alaster of West Lancashire , were performed on Friday , the 2 , 3 rd inst ., when his remains , without worldly show , ami with becoming solemnity , were interred in the family vault underneath the chancel at the west end of St .

Alary s Church , m the quaint village oi Rullord . Alany of the brethren in the province desired to attend the funeral , to show their respect for their departed chief ; but at the request of the deceased baronet , and by the desire of the family ,

the obsetpiies were made as private as possible , the attendance being eonlined to the family and friends , the tenantry of Rulford , ami only a limited number of Freemasons in the immediate neighbourhood . The Alasonic brethren , without wearing any distinctive clothing , except that of mourning , lined the road from Rudbrd Hall

to the church , and there was , besides , a large gathering of the general public , all anxious to do respect to their late landlord , patron , ami parliamentary- representative . Aluch respect was shown for deceased by the villagers , who made it a day of mourning , the blinds of all the houses beinsr drawn down until after the funeral .

Ihe " sad array , " which consisted of a hearse , four mourning coaches , and several private carriages , left Rulford Hall , the Lancashire seat of the late Prov . G . AL , shortly after eleven o ' clock ,

and proceeded to the church in the following order : •—The school children , the boys wearing black rosettes ; the tenantry residing in Rullord , numbering about fifty . The hearse followed , and the mourning coaches were occupied as fol-

Funeral Of Bro. Sir T. G. Fermorhesketh.

lows : —The first contained Mr . T . G . Fermor-Hesketh , the deceased baronet ' s second son , and heir to the Fermor estates in Northamptonshire ; Mr . Lawrence Rawstorne , of Pcnwortham , who married Aliss Hesketh ; Sir Lawrence Palk , Bart ., and Lieut .-Colonel Mansergh , relatives .

Ihe second carriage contained Colonel Ogilvye , Bro . Captain F . A . Stanley , Al . P . ; Mr . R . Townley Parker , Cuerden Hall ; and Mr . Edmundson , Grcsgarth Hall . The third carriage contained Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , P . D . G . J . W ., Latham House ; Colonel Wilson Patten , ALP . ;

and Rev . W . Seymour , Whatford vicarage , Rugby . The fourth carriage was occupied by Sir Henry Edwards , Bart . ; Air . E . Wilson , deputy high sheriff and solicitor to the family ; Dr . Hammond , of Preston , Sir Thomas ' s medical adviser ; and Air . Williams , solicitor , London .

l'he ltirivate carriages ofthe following gentlemen followed in the procession : —Mr . L . Rawstorne , Lord Skelmersdale , and Mr . R . T . Parker . Alajor Goodair and Captain Redder , of the 6 th Administrative Battalion of Rifle Volunteers , Preston District , as well as some non-commissioned officers , were in the procession .

At the entrance to the churchyard the funeral cortege was met by Bro . the Rev . J . F . Goggin , P . P . G . C , W . L ., rector ofthe parish , and the Rev . R . Falls , curate . As the body was borne along the pathway the opening sentences of the Burial Service were read with great

impressiveness by Bro . Goggin . The church was filled with villagers , and the rector having read the service appointed b y the Church , the body was conveyed to the entrance of the vault below , where the service yvas continued , The coffin was then placed upon a carriage . , conveyed to

the interior , and placed beside that which contains the remains of Lad y Arabella , the deceased baronet ' s wife , who died about a couple of years ago , and the service was then concluded in the presence of the mourners . The outer coffin , which was of oak , with brass panels , and covered

with flowers , bore the foi . owing simple inscription on the shield : — " Lieutenant-Colonel Sit Thomas George Fermor Hesketh , Bart ., M . P . died August 20 , 1872 , agetl 47 years . " The funeral arrangements yvere carried out by Alessrs . Bannister and Son . of Preston .

The Masonic brethren present at the funeral , subsequently dined at the Hesketh Arms Hotel , Rulford . They afterwards adjourned to an upper room , where Bro . Lambert , P . AI . Nos . 613 , 29 6 , and -jSo . and P . G . D ., of East Lancashire , presided . Addressing the Brethren , he . said : —

We have assembled ourselves , together not only as Freemasons , but as persons warmly attached to him whom we have deposited in the silent grave . We have now assembled in out usual numbers , in consequence of a telegram received yesterday , although the lodge at Croston

did not receive notice- —otherwise there would have been at least 400 present . Our motive for appearing to-day was in general unison with the principles of the craft . It has alwttys been customary from time immemorial amongst the Society of Free and Accepted Alasons , on the

death of a deceased brother , but especially for one distinguished and well beloved amongst the brethren , to assemble together to accompany his remains to the tomb , and there to inter him with the usual solemnities . 1 will give you a history of the deceased as a brother Alason , as he was a

Provincial Grand Officer of his province . Lie was initiated in No . 32 Lodge ( Adelphi ) , Liverpool , and I had the honour to assist at his installation with Bro . Kil pin , who was then the Worshipful Alaster . lie was -appointed Deputy ( Irand -Master of the Province , and in 1 S 79 , he

was raised to the superior degree of Prov . ( LAI . of West Lancashire . I need not name to the brethren here the kind and noble manner in yvhich he has performed the duties , and his friendl y feeling to the brethren tit large . 'The

great Architect 01 the Universe haying been pleased out of his mercy to remove our brother Irom the cares and troubles of this transitory life , to a state of eternal duration , and thereby weaken the chains by whicli we tire united

man to man , nitty we who survive him anticipate our approaching end ; and may we be more strongly cemented in the ties of union and friendship , and mutually promote the friendship and happiness of each other . Our deceased bro-