Masonic Mems.

A large and representative gathering of members of the Masonic Order took place on the 15 th ult , at the drill-hall of the 5 th ( Ardwick ) Volunteer Battalion of the Manchester Regiment , upon the occasion of the consecration of the East Lancashire Centurion Lodge ( 2 , 322 ) . The new Lodge , which makes tlie one hundredth in the province of East Lancashire , is to be open to members of the

military , naval , or volunteer forces . The project has been in contemplation for some time , and the Provincial Grand Master , Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , has taken an active part in the formation of the Lodge , and himself accepted the office cf its first Master . The founders of the Lodge are composed for the most part of volunteer

officers in Manchester and the district , and it will commence with about thirty members . The ceremony was performed by Colonel Shadwell Clerke , and several other members of Grand Lodge were present .

* * Colonel Henry Lumsden , of Pitcaple , was installed on Saturday , 16 th inst ., as Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Aberdeenshire West , by the Grand Master , Sir Archibald C . Campbell , Bart . A deputation of Grand Lodge office-bearers assisted at the installation , including Bros . Sir Charles Dalrymple , Bart , the

Right Hon . Lord Saltoun , George Christie , of Stirlingshire , Major F . W . Allan , D . Murray Lyon , and John Graham , of Broadstone . Dinner was served at the close of the ceremony in the Imperial Hotel . The honor of replying for the Grand Lodge deputation fell to the Provincial Grand Lodge for Glasgow .

* * * Bro . John Tomlinson , of Littlewood , Croston , died suddenly , and was interred in Croston churchyard , on Monday , the 18 th ult ., with Masonic ceremony . Deceased was a man holding a high position in the esteem of his friends , and was a P . M . of the Croston Lodge . He was fifty-four years of age .

* * * The " Rose of Lancaster" Lodge ( 2 , 325 ) was on the 21 st ult . consecrated in accordance with ancient rites and ceremonies by the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., R . W . Prov . Grand Master , assisted by several Grand and Prov . Grand officers , and in the presence of a large assembly of members of the new Lodge and

visiting brethren . The ceremony of consecration was performed at the Masonic-buildings , Lord-street , where the brethren of the " Rose of Lancaster " Lodge will in future meet on the third Thursday of each month . The consecrating officers present were Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., Prov . G . M . West Lancashire , Presiding Officer ; Thomas

Clarke , Prov . G . R ., S . W . ; Rev . J . K . Turner , P . G . C ., Chaplain ; T . L . Murray , Director of Ceremonies ; and W . Goodacre , P . G . S B , Prov . G . Sec . The visitors included Bros . George Mellor , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M ., East Lancashire ; Rev . J . S . Gardner , P . P . G . Chap ., West Lancashire ; J . Sutt n , P . P . D ., G . D . C ; Herbert Kidson ,

P . G . S . ; J . N . Patterson , P . G . D . C . ; S . M . Harris , P . P . G . D . C ., Northumberland ; J . J . Lambert , P . P . G . R . ; D . Gaskin , P . P . G . T . ; J . T . Callow , P P . G . T . ; R . Foote , P . P . G . T . ; and J . C . Robinson , P . A . G . D . C . The Lodge having been duly constituted , the investiture of the ollicers was proceeded with . Bro . Wm . Piatt , P . M .,

was installed in the chair as the first Worshipful Master , Bros . W . J . Worden and C . Watson being appointed as Senior and Junior Wardens respectively . In the course of a brief address to the brethren , Lord Lathom said he believed there was a necessity for a new Masonic Lodge in Southport , and that the " Rose of Lancaster " Lodge would be very numerously attended .

* * * M . E . Comp . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Superintendent , presided on Thursday evening , the 21 st ult ., at the annual Provincial Grand Chapter at Romford , and there was a large attendance of Companions . Letters were read from Lord Brooke , M . P ., and others , regretting their inability to attend . The roll of

members showed a substantial increase , and the auditor ' s report showed a balance of over ^ 20 . The Grand Superintendent said real progress had been made in the past year , and , having been connected with the Province since its commencement , he was

proud to preside over such a community . The Provincial Grand officers were appointed as under : —P . G . H ., ex-Comp . Rev . T . Cochrane , Z . 1 , 437 , P-G . Soj ., Eng . ; P . G . J ., G . H . Finch , H . 2 , 005 ; P . G . S . E ., Thomas J . Railing , P . Z 51 , P . G . Sw . B . Eng ., P . G . S . E . ( sixth year ); P . G . S . N ., F . B . Page , Z . 214 ; P . G . Reg ., A . Mead ,

2 , 276 ; P . G . Soj ., G . Harrison , LP . 251 ; P . G . 1 st Asst . Soj ., R . J . Warren , H . 1 , 437 ; P . G . 2 nd Asst . Soj ., G . R . Dawson , H . 1 , 000 ; P . G . Sw . B ., T . G . Mills , 251 ; P . G . Std . B ., R . G . Kellett , J . 276 ; P . G . D . C ., A . Lucking , P . Z . and S . E . 1 , 000 ; P . G . Org ., R . Jennings , 1 , 437 ; P . G . Janitor , Comp . A . W . Martin . Comp . Andrew Durrant was re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer . The customary banquet followed at the Golden Lion Hotel .

* * * On the afternoon of the 26 th ult , a new Lodge was consecrated in York under the title of the Albert Victor Lodge ( 2 , 328 ) . The ceremony took place in the Freemasons' Hall , St . Saviourgate , York , in the presence of a large assemblage of bretliren . We understand that H . R . H . Prince Albert Victor gave special permission for the naming of the Lodge , signed the petition to the Grand Master for the warrantand has since consented to be enrolled as

an honorary member of it . The ceremony of consecration was performed by the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , Dep . Prov . G . M . * * -it-Early last month Dr . Thomas Jackson held an inquiry at the Freemasons' Asylum , Croydon , into the circumstances attending the death of John Hole , aged 92 years , one of the inmates of the

institution , who committed suicide . It appeared that the deceased was walking about in the grounds at seven o ' clock , being then in his usual health . Some three hours later , however , a female inmate named Jones entered his room and found the old man hanging by the neck to a rope which was fastened to a hook behind the door .

The act was a most determined one . Hole having placed a board across two jam jars on the floor , and , having adjusted the noose , kicked away the platform , and so strangled himself . He had been in the asylum for upwards of twenty-seven years . The jury returned a verdict of temporary insanity .

* * * Early last month the Masons of Hertfordshire attended in full force at "The Hall , " Bushey , to assist at the formation of anew Lodge , which was consecrated under favorable auspices by the Grand Master of the Province of Hertfordshire , Mr . Thomas F .

Halsey , M . P . for the Watford Division of the county . " The Hall , " Bushey , formerly belonged to the Marjoribanks family , but came into the market a few years back , when the noble building and a considerable portion of the estate passed into the hands of some capitalists connected with the Stock Exchange , who turned it into

an attractive health resort , which is much frequented at all seasons of the year . It is not quite clear why such an establishment should be selected as the home for a Freemasons' Lodge , seeing that the visitors must of necessity be more or less of a migratory character ; but considerable interest was evidently taken in

the proceedings , evidenced by the presence of several distinguished Grand Officers of England and an array of Provincial Grand Officers , actual and past , from all parts of the county of Hertfordshire . The Grand Officers of England were represented by Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., the Grand Registrar ;

Thomas Fenn , the President of the Board of General Purposes ; Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , the Grand Secretary ; F . Sumner Knyvett , Past Grand Deacon , John E . Dawson , C . E ., Past Grand Sword Bearer ; and C . Fitzgerald Matier , Past Grand Standard

Bearer . * * * The Lodge having been duly formed , the Master was " installed " by the recently appointed Deputy of the Province , Bro . George E . Lake , who for several years most efficiently performed the duties of Provincial Grand Secretary . The whole of the Lodge

furniture and regalia , which was one of the most costly description , was presented to the Lodge by Bro . James Renton , of the