Provincial.

the new erection would vie with any existing in Manchester , and said that he hoped that a building devoted exclusively to Masonic purposes , and fitted up ivith every convenience for the due performance of its rites and ceremonies , ivould stimulate the progress of the Craft . It would form a place of meeting for brethren visiting Manchester from the surrounding towns , and feelings of noble emulation and sincere friendship ivould be

generated . While he regretted the circumstances which prevented the presence of the Grand Master of all England , ho rejoiced that the chief part of that day ' s ceremony bad been performed by one so high in Masonic esteem as Bro . Blair , who had travelled several hundred miles to take part in the work . ( Cheers . ) The Provincial Grand Master thanked the Directors for their presence , and expressed his hope that the building about to be erected would be perfect in all its parts , and honourable alike to the citv and to the Craft .

Ihe stone ivas then lowered to its position , the band playing the Masonic hymn , " When the temple's first stone ivas slowly descending . " Tho mallet was then presented by Uro . Leresche , Prov . G . JReg ., in a . few appropriate words , and the Prov . G . M . ( after returning thanks for the expressions used in regard to himself and tho prospects of the building ) proceeded , after the position of the stone had been duly provedto declare the stone

pro-, perly laid , striking the stone at each side briskly with the mallet . The band meanwhile played the "Hallelujah Chorus . " The three W . M . ' s who carried tbe silver vessels then approached , and delivered the corn , Avine , and oil to the Prov . G . M ., who poured thorn on the stone with the allegorical illustrations peculiar to the observance . The R . W . Prov . G . M ., before finally returning the vessel of wineledged the entire assemblage

, p and drank their healths amidst great applause and laughter , that particular " point" not appearing in the programme . At this period the ceremony appeared to be terminating ,- and many of the brethren , both on the platform and in the area of the site , were preparing for resuming their places in the return procession . But the Sob-Committee of the Board of Directors , to whom had been entrusted the arrangements of the

day , had prepared for all a surprise as interesting and touching in itself as it was novel in conception , and perfect in . performance . An avenue was suddenly opened from that part of the platform which had been erected over Back Mosley-street , and from one of the windows , to which a flight of temporary steps gave access , came a most charming little procession . Fourteen little girls , all daughters of Freemasons , prettily

arrayed in white dresses with blue sashes , & c , and wearing elegant straw hats trimmed with forget-me-nots , and each carrying a basket of flowers , descended the steps , and amid the subdued expressions of astonishment , interest , and delight of the entire assemblage , as attention ivas hastily called to the incident , advanced with measured steps across the platform , wound up the opposite ascent , and made a circuit round the stone . In their progress they took from their baskets tho floral garniture each contained , and gracefully strewed the buds and leaflets upon aiid around the corner stone . At first all was breathless

surprise and admiration , but as the incident developed in its meaning and purpose , the interest found expression , and loud applause greeted the fair damsels in their work . The band struck up the " if aids of Merry England , " and there were many eyes that were moist ivith fresh and kindly emotion . As a curious contrast to this scene of youthful beauty and health , we coukl not but nKice another figure upon the platform , Close behind the children stood Bro . John Forsythan oll

Free-, . mason aud a Peninsular veteran , who , although 103 years old , had walked down to be present at the ceremony . He stood very upright , and enjoyed the incident also as much as anyone . It is almost needles : ; to add that he was an object of great interest . The Divine blessing having been implored by the Grand Chaplain , the procession reformed , and proceeded along Princes-street , Cross-streetand Corporatioii-streatto the new Exchange

, , . During the ceremony , as well as in the advancing " and returning processions , the band of the 1 st Manchester Rifle Volunteers , conducted by Bro . Ilinghain , discoursed most excellent music . At two periods of the ceremony , viz . the presentation of the Trowel and the appearance of the young ladies Bro . Silas Eastham took occasion to obtain photographic pictures of the respective scenes . They each form a beautiful and interesting

pictorial record of the great event of the day . THE BANQUET . A grand banquet , provided by Bro . Edward Halsey , of the Waterloo Hotel , was held in the Corn Exchange , at half-past

four o ' clock . Bro . W . R . Callender , jun ., Prov . G . S . W ., presided , and amongst the principal guests numbering about 570 , were Bros . Lord de Tabley , P . S . G . W . of England ; Hon . Wilbr . iham Egerton , M . P .-, R . T . Parker , the Guild Mayor of Preston , P . M . ; George Corneivall Legh , J 3 iT . JP ., J . G . Warden of England ; Mr . James A . Turner , Jlf . JP . ; tbe Mayor of Manchesterand Alderman Goadsbtbe ex-mayor ( non-masons ) ; N . II .

, y , Beazley , of Preston , Dr . Feamley , tbe mayor of Dewsbury , and D . Prov . G . M . of West Yorkshire ; Captain Cope , Prov . J . W . of Cheshire ; W . C . Cruttenden , Prov . G . C . of Cheshire ; J . H . P . Leresche , Prov . G . Reg . ; Dr . J . Chadwiek Peatson , Prov . G . S . ; Bleackly , P . M . ; Affleck , Prov . J . G . D . ; T . G . Gibbons , Prov . G . D . of ceremonies ; Ton- ; Wolfenden ( ex-mayor of Bolton ); Hine , Secretary of the Manchester Masonic- Relief

Committee , P . M . 317 ; J . W . Petty , P . M . 204 ; L . Newall , P . Pro v . S . G . W . East Lancashire ; J . Gamble , Pi-ov . S . G . W . Derbyshire ; Billinge , P . Prov . J . G . W . West Lancashire ; Thos . Wylie , Prov . G . Sec . ; W . Lancr ; F . Binckes , Sec . to the Freemasons Boys School , London ; H . T . Baldwin , P . M . 204 ; H . Bodding . ton ; William Martin , City Treasurer ; Malcolm JRoss , ; T . D . Nelson , Prov . G . Sec . AVest Yorkshire ; Tunnah , Prov . G . Sec .

East Lancashire ; Wright , Prov . G . J . W . East Lancashire ; T . Ii . Williams , P . M . ; Councillor Marsden , Councillor Hampson ; Councillor Pellet Brett , Town Clerk of Salford ; John Bradley , P . M . ; S . Percy , P . M ., & c . The majority of these gentlemen were present at tho ceremony . During the dinner tho band of the 1 st Manchester Volunteers , under tiie leadership of Bro . Hihandthe band master , again ,

g , played choice operatic selections in a m-inner that caused the guests two or three times to lay down their knives and forks to applaud . Aftijr dinner the orchestra ivas occupied by glee singers , including Bro . Wrigley , under the superintendence of Bro . Richard Seed ; ami several Masonic and other musical pieces were very charmingly rendered . " Non Nobis" having been

sung , liro . S . PEKCV ( Sec . ) road letters of apology for non-attendance and sympathy with the undertaking , from the Earl of Zetland , G . M . ; Earl de Grey and Ripon , D . G . M . ; the Duke of Newcastle , the Duke ot Devonshire , the Marquis of Hartington , Earl Derby , Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot , Earl of Carnarvon , Earl Wilton , Ear ! Sefton , Viscount Combermere , Lord Egerton of TattonLord LeihLord StanleyLord Grey de WiltonSir

, g , , , Philip Grey Egerton , Bart ., Sir Thomas George Hesketh , Bart ., Hon . Algernon Egerton , If . P ., Hon . W . Cotton , Lieut .-Colonel Edwards ( M . P . for Beverley ) , Mr . Thomas Bazley , M . P ., and others . The toasts of " The Queen , " " Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " and " The Earl of Zetland , " were iven from the chair .

g Bro . Hon . WIMRAHAH EGERTON proposed " The Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the Grand Officers . " Bro . G . CORSAA - . LEGH , M . P ., J . G . W ., in responding , said that , although it was true that this neiv hall was intended more especially for the brethren of Lancashire , in promoting Masonry in this county they were promoting Masonry throughout the whole country . Connected as he was by property and

relationship with Lancashire , he felt himself thoroughly a Lancashire Mason . ( Cheers . ) Although , therefore , he belonged to a lodge in Cheshire , be was interested in whatever promoted good Masonry iu Manchester . ( Cheers . ) Having no geographical distinctions , they could not do too much to promote the union of the Craft in every place , and the more this was done the better it would be for the country , and the better citizens

and men we should have . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Ii . TOIVNLEV PARKER , in proposing the health of the Prov . G . M ., said he had been greatly pleased with the ceremony of that morning , more particularly ivith the sig ht of the fourteen young ladies who scattered flowers upon the stone , and ivith the presence at the celebration of a veteran ivho had fought the battles of England , and who now came among them a Mason aged 103 years . With respect to the Grand Master , whom they all so ' highly esteemed , there was no man living more illustrious for honour and virtue . The toast was drunk

with Masonic honours . Bro . STEPHEN BLAIR , Prov . G . M ., acknowledged the compliment paid by the Guild Mayor of Preston , and remarked that bo could not but gratefully thank the 200 members in the Eastern Division of Lancashire for the unvarying support they had given to him during his term of office . When appointed , he received his position ivith much diffidence , following , as he did , the late Earl of Ellesmere , whose value as Prov . G . M .