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arjxii - ;? \ Qur \ r <\ TC '< T"TPDO'i ) X-i-liJ jjiXiOUJ- 'i J . ' sJ J-lii - ii' Lfv ^' ii . * V All commnr . ications to bo a , l . l ; v :. ; ot ! to 19 , SulUbnTv-strict , Straud , London , " iV . C .

Masonic Mems.

MASONIC MEMS .

FOUXDATIOS STOSE OB A i ^ EW C'lVRCli AT MAM 03 , SrilOI-K . —The following is a precis of these proceedings , a full report of which will be found in another column of our present issue : — " The interesting ceremony of , laying the foundation stone took place on Wednesday , 25 th nit ., in the presence of a very large ¦ concourse , including the clergy and gentry of the neighbourhood for many miles round , as well as the l ? ree and Accepted Masons

of the county , who attended in large numbers under the 1 ) . Prov . G-. M ., and with their costumes and * jewels presented a most . striking body in the processions and ceremonial . The silver ¦ trowel was handed hy C . Waiford , Esq ., of Foxborongh Hal ! , to Mrs . Packe , of Melton Lodge , by whom the mortar was duly . spread . The stone was tried and declared properly laid in tho

usual manner by the T > . Prov . G . M ., the Rev . E . J . Lockwood . The Prov . G . Chap ., Rev . A . Tiglie Gregory , offered up the grayer of benediction , and the stone was solemnly annointed with corn , wine , " and oil . The choir , accompanied by a first-rate harmonium , chanting between each office " Glory be to God on high , and ou earth peace , goodwill towards men . " An

impressive addrpss to the brethren from the D . Prov . G . M ., followed by the Old Hundredth Psalm in full chorus , terminated the proceedings , which inspired the liveliest interest in the -whole locality . " THE KOTAL FKEEJIASOXS' DOTS' SCHOOL—The offices of this institution are now removed to No . G , Freemasons' Hall . THE BOYAL FREEMASONS' Grots' SCHOOL . —The offices of Ahis institution are now removed to Xo . 5 , Freemasons' Hall .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

PEIKCE F-K EDEKICK WILLIAM : LODGE , j > fo . 753 . —A meeting of this influential lodge was held on the 26 th ult ., at theKnights of St . John ' s Hotel , St . John ' s Wood . Tho lodge was duly opened by the W . M ., Bro . Key Ilardey , assisted by Bros . AVuest , S . W . ; Mullens , J . W . pro tent ., and a goodly number of brethren , amongst whom Iwe noticed Bros . T . A . Adams , P . G . Purst . ; W . Watson , P . G . Stew . ; Baker , Coulcher , Lockhart , Syms , and Hume Williams , P . M . ' s ; Stacey , P . M . and Sec ;

J . S . Charlton , Bayley , Austin , Coles , Stiles , Donald King , Ac . The visitors were Bros . Little , "P . M . and Sec , 207 and 975 ; Steele and Houghton . The initiation of Mr . A . Reginald Phillips , brother of the celebrated dramatic author , Watts Phillips , was the only ceremony performed during tho evening , but from the faultless manner in which every officer carried out the duties devolving upon him in the first degree , a very strong conjecture—amounting almost to certainty— -may he

entertained that the work of Freemasonry is equally well executed in the superior degrees of the Craft . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to a magnificent banquet , comprising all the delicacies of the season , and we must really congratulate the Prince Frederick William Lodge on having so able a steward as our veteran Bro . Watson , whose attention to the comfort of the brethren , and more especially of the visitors was most marked and assiduous . After tho removal of tho

cloth , the W . M , in terse but forcible terms proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured by the ¦ brethren . Bro . Baker , P . M ., then , in a highly complimentary speech , caiied upon all present to join him in drinking the health of the W . M . J wdio , he said was beloved by all who knew him . A hearty response having been given to this toast , Bro . Ilardey , W . M ., thanked the brethren for their kindness , and then proposed " The health of the Initiate . " Bro . Phillips

Metropolitan.

having retuv-. ied his acknowledgments in a feeling speec-i : —t"D V , ' . ? , ! . ° -. n : ieunc .-d ,: Trie health of tho Visitors / ' and U \ doing so oxv-atiatod in flattering terms upon the Masonic , career of Bro . Little , P . M . < . j 7 "> , with whose name the W . M . coupled the toast . A truly p ; vr . ti ' . ' y iv , g reception having been accorded ^ to tins announcement . ' Bro . Little , in reply , thanked the W . M . and brethren for their irenial hospitality and expressed himself . extremel leased with what he had seen of tbePrince

y p _ Frederick Lodge—both with reference to their working aud tho admirable arrangements of the social board . " Tho health of the Past Masters" followed , eliciting in return a moist quaint and humourous speech from Bro . Hume Williams , P . M ., who literally set the table in a roar by the amazing fertility of his ideas and the sparkle of his wit . Bro . Mullens , J . W ., pro teui ., also made a capital speech on behalf of the officers , of the

and the Tyler ' s toast concluded tho proceedings evening , and we need only add that Bro . Donald King , P . M ., charmed the brethren by singing several choice ballad effusions in his usual masterly style .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

CHESHIRE . CHESTER . — Lodge of Independence ( So . 721 ) . —Tuosday last was the first monthly meeting after the summer vacation . The lodge was opened at six p . m . hy Bro . XV . U . Cambridge the W . M ., assisted by Bros . V . Williams , S . W . ; W . Brown , J . W . ; H . Allsop , S . D . ; W . B . A . Bainbridge , I . G . ; W . Brisland , Tyler ; the following members being present , Bros . X Gerrarcl , P . BL and TreasJSellersMDAJBreretonW . EllisT .

. ; . , .. ; . . , , Davies , M . D . j G . Holt , XV . Green , J . Davis , F . Musgrove , C . C . Tibbitts , J . Thorton , W . Richmond , and E . Tasker . _ The W . M . wasalsohououvedwitbtbepvesence of the following visitors , Bros . J . P . Piatt , P . M ., Zetland Lodge , and P . Prov . G . J . D . ; J . Hignett , P . M ., 537 , and P . Prov . G . J . D . ; J . Crook , 216 ; II . Vinson , P . M . G 33 ; A . Seath , 014 , Jamaica ; P . Jeffery , 261 , Scotland The WM . announced to the lod that he had

. . ge attended Provincial Grand Lodge at Stockport , and was happy to inform the brethren that the Bight Hon . Lord de Tabley signified that should he be spared he would hold the next Provincial Grand Lodge in the ancient city of Chester ; this announcement gave much gratification . Bro . J . P . Piatt then informed the brethren that a committee had been formed for the getting of an amateur dramatic performance at

Birkenup head in aid of tho funds of the Cheshire Educational Institute , three members of the Lodge of Independence were on the committee , and he had no doubt but that they would receive the hearty co-operation of the brethren for so good a cause , and stated that this lodge was the first in the province to send in subscriptions when the institution was founded . It was then

proposed and carried that £ 5 worth of Tickets be taken by the lodge . Two members added their names for £ 2 worth . _ The sum of £ 2 2 s . was also given towards a fund for the relief of a child of a deceased brother of Lancashire , who is too young for admission into tho institution . Pro . Richmond being a candidate for the second degree , and having proved his proficiency was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . Bro . G . Holt also proved himself proficient in the Fellow Craft degree

, and was raised to the degree of M . M . Several candidates having been proposed for admission , the'lodge was closed according to ancient custom , and the brethren to the number of twenty-six , adjourned to refreshment . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been given , Bro . Holt asked permission of the W . M . to propose the next toast , he had much pleasure in proposing "The health of BroBainbrid their much respected

. ge , Worshipful Master , " since he became a member of the lodge he had paid strict attention to the W . M . ' s admirable instructions , he also thought the lecture given by L'ro . Hignett was most eloquent , and calculated to make any brother a better man , so Jong- as lie lived , he would try and attend to those instiuctions ; in proposing the toast of the W . M . he would couple the name of BroJGerrardPMand Treas The W . M . expressed

. . , .. . himself gratified at the mark of respect , thanked the brethren and stated that it was his intention of always discharging the duties of his ofhee to the best of his ability . Bro . Gerrard also returned thanks and endorsed all that had been said of the W . M ., fcr a more indefatigable Master never held the chair or had done so much for the prosperity of the Lodge of Independence than he had . Bro . B . Tasker was highly complimented