Laying The Foundation-Stone Of The Sutherland Institute By The M.W. Grand Master.

Warburton , P . P . A . G . P ; F . Brandon , P . P . G . Reg . ; John Fowler , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . Ashmall , P . P . J . G . D . ; Claverhouse Graham , P . P . S . G . W . ; S . Brigg , P . P . S . G . D . ; Wilmot Eardley , P . P . G . D . C ; Emund Jones , P . P . G . Stwd . ; F . Weston , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . L . Broad , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Godwin , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Tooth , P . P . G . Reg . ; R . Benton , P . P . G . S . B . ; Vincent Lichfield , P . P . G . Chap . ; B . H . Bough , P . P . G . S . of Wks . ; Wm . Vernon , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . G . Prince , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . F . Drury , P . P . G . Chap ; W . Grove , P . P . J . G . D . ; C . Oliver , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; and J . Pierpoint , P . P . G . Stwd .

Among the Present Provincial Grand Officers were—Bros . A . Caddick , P . S . G . W . ; Wm . Tunnicliff , P . J . G . W . ; A . E . Briscoe-O . ven P . G . Chap . ; A . Reeve , P . G . Reg . ; C . A . Newnham , P . G . Treas . ; A . Dews bury , P . G . D . C . ; A . D . Parker , P . G . Org . ; John Forster , P . A . G . Purst . ; Geo Haynes , P . G . Stwd . ; Thomas Cox , P . G . Stwd . ; W . Newby , P . G . Std . Br . J . M . WiUdig , P . G . S . B . ; W . J . J . W . Heath , P . J . G . D . ; A . P . Smith , P . S . G . D . and E . B . Devereux , P . A . G . D . C .

There were also present—Bros . H . R . Giles , P . S . G . W . Salop ; J . B . Crosbie Dawson , P . P . G . D . Warwickshire ; E . Furnivall , P . P . G . S . B . Cheshire ; E . Stockton , P . P . G S . B . Derby ; T . Salisbury , P . P . S . G . W . Notts ,- C . Oliver , P . G . Reg . Leicestershire and Rutland ; J . Littleton , P . P . G . Std . Br . Bristol ; J . Wright Wilson , P . P . G .. Chap . Leicestershire and Rutland ; W . Copping , of Parma , United States of America ; H . W . Davies , of Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada ; and many others .

At a quarter to one , 30 minutes after the appointed time , rounds of cheers by the crowds outside conveyed to the expectant throng in the marquee the intelligence that the Royal party was approaching . The party was received at the entrance by the Mayor and Corporation of Longton . The Duke of Sutherland , escorting H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , were the first to make their appearance , and their entrance was the signal for enthusiastic

rounds of applause , which were renewed again and again , the Princess remaining standing , and graciously bowing her acknowledgments . Her Royal Highness was attired in an ulster of black velvet , trimmed with marten-tail fur , with muff of the same fur , and black toque , and held in her hind a •magnificent bouquet . The Duchess of Sutherland , the Countess of Dartmouth , and other members of the Trentham House party followed , and took seats on the left of the stone . His Royal Highness the Prince of

Wales , accompanied by the Grand Officers , then entered , and the cheering was renewed . The order was as follows : Grand Tyler , Bro . H . Sadler . Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies , Bro . F . Richardson . Grand Director of . Ceremonies ,, Bro . Thos . Fenn . Three Masters of lodges , bearing the cornucopia and e ^ ers , with wine and oil , Bros . J . W . Bromlty , W . Brickel , and J . Harding .

The Grand Secretary , Bro . Ii Lelchworth , bearing a plate with an inscription for the foundation-stone . The Acting President of the Board of General Purposes , with mallet , Bro . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I for Boys . The Grand Registrar , bearing the great seal , Bro . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire .

The Grand Treasurer , bearing a phial containing coins , Bro . W . H . "Bailey . The Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Ven . Archdeacon Stevens , The Junior Grand Warden , with the plumb rule , Bro . W . E . M . Tomlinson , M . P . The Senior Grand Warden , with the level , Bro . Lieut .-Col . Lockwood , M . P .

The Deputy Grand Master , with the square , Bro . the Earl of Dartmouth , Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire , acting as Deputy . The Grand Sword Bearer , Bro . H . Lovegrove , The Most VVorshipful Grand Master , his Royal Highness the Prince of "Wales .

The Acting Senior Grand . Deacons , Bros . J . Bodenham and Dr . Newnham . The ceremony proceeded on the usual lines . The M . W . G . M . having taken up his position in readiness to lay the stone , was presented by Alderman Edwards with a trowel and mallet . The blade of the trowel is embellished on the panel at the left side with emblems

of the industries of Longton , viz ., potting and mining , these applying also to the technical work of the Institute . The panel on the other side shows emblems of education , science , and learning generally , viz .: "The owl of wisdom , " " Lamp of learning , " " Globe , " " Crucible , " kc . Beneath are two circular compartments with monogram "A . E . " ( Albert Edward ) , and the year of the ceremony ( 1 S 97 ) in rich enamel . The plume of feathers and

coronet of his Royal Highness is boldly displayed , carved out ot the solid and richly chased , these being further supported by the Red Rose of England , in enamel . On either side of plume are emblems of trade and industry , viz .: Caducus Staff , & c , with flowing riband bearing the words" Sutherland Institute , Longton . " In the centre Is engraved the following inscription .- " Presented to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K G .,

kc , kc , & c , kc , on his laying ihe foundation-stone , Sutherland Institute , Longton , January 7 th , 1897 . " The handle is of solid ivory , decorated with the Royal Arms on one side , and the Longton Arms on the reverse side , enamelled in proper heraldic colours , and enriched with four shields bearing monograms—S . L ( Sutherland Institute ) , L . ( Longton ) , A . E . ( Aaron Edwards ) , and 1 S 07 .

The mallet is of solid ivory , enriched and mounted with silver traceries and ornamentations . The head bears in front on one side a full representation of the Royal Arms , richly treated in fine enamel and proper heraldic colours and supported by the plume of feathers and motto . On the other

side the full coat-of-arms of Longton , with supporters , crest and motto , also in fine enamel , the two coats-of-arms being connected by an ornamental band running round the head and bearing a conventional treatment of the English Rose . The handle is enriched with four shields to match th : se on trowel . '

Vessels of corn , wine , and oil wcre next deposited on the pedestal prepared for their reception , and thc upper stone was raised and the lower one adjusted . At this juncture the GRAND MASTER addressed the assembly . Speaking ¦ n a loud and distinct voice , his Royal Highness said : Men and brethren here assembled , be it known unto you that we are lawful Masons , true and

faithful to the laws of our country , and engaged by solemn obligations to erect handsome buildings to be serviceable to the brethren and to fear God , the Great Architect of the Universe . VVe have amongst us concealed from the eyes of all men secrets which may not be revealed and which no man has discovered . These secrtts are lawlul and honourable , and not repugnant to the laws of God or man . They were entrusted in peace and honour to

Laying The Foundation-Stone Of The Sutherland Institute By The M.W. Grand Master.

Masons of ancient times , and , having been faithfully transmitted to us , it is our duty to convey them unimpaired to the latest posterity . Unless our Craft were good and our calling honourable we should not have lasted for so many centuries , nor should we have had so many illustrious brothers in our Order ready to promote our laws and further our interests . VVe are

assembled here to-day in the presence of you all to erect this building to the honour and glory of the Most High , which we pray God may prosper as it seems good to Him , and as the lirst duty of Masons in any undertaking is to invoke the blessing of God , Architect of the Universe , on their work , I call upon you lo unite with our Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace .

Ihe Grand Chaplain ( Bro . the Ven . Archdeacon STEVENS ) offered up prayer , after which The GRAND MASTER said : 1 now declare it to be my will and pleasure that the corner-stone of this Institute be laid . Brother Grand Secretary , you will read the inscription plate . lhis was done by the Grand Secretary ( Bro . E . Letchworth ) . The inscription was in the following terms : " BOROUGH OF LONGTON .

SUTHERLAND INSTITUTE . This stone was laid by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., Sec , kc . kc , Most Worshipful Grand Master of Ancient and Accepted Freemasons of England , with Misonic Ceremonial , on the 7 th diy of January , 18 97 . The site for this Institute was the gift of his Grace the Duke of Sutherland .

AARON EDWARDS , Mayor . " The Grand Treasurer ( Bro . W . H . Bailey ) was next called upon to deposit a phial containing a specimen of all the current coins of the realm in a cavity , and the Grand Secretary placed the plate on the lower stone . Two attendants advanced with a tray ol mortar . This they spread on the upper face of the lower stone and the Grand Master adjusted the same with the trowel , after which the upper stone was slowly lowered , three

distinct stoppages being made in the descent . The Grand Master proceeded to prove the just position and form of the stone by the plumb , rule , level , and square , successively delivered to him by the Junior Grand Warden , the Senior Grand Warden and the Deputy Grand Master , and expressed his satisfaction in the following terms .- " I find this stone to be plumb , level , and square , and I declare it to be duly prepared and truly laid and that the craftsmen have worked well . "

The GRAND MASTER next gave the stone three knocks with the mallet . Then taking the cornucopia containing the corn his Royal Hghness emptied the grain upon the stone , saying : ** I scatter corn on the stone as an emblem of plenty and abundance . May the blessings of morality and virtue flourish within this building , producing fruit an hundred fold . " Next

taking the ewer containing the wine , the Grand Master said -. " I pour out wine upon this stone , an emblem of joy and gladness , " and acting in a similar way with the ewer containing oil , said , " I sprinkle oil upon this stone , an emblem of peace and unanimity . May prosperity , happiness , and goodwill , ever prevail amongst those who will assemble within this institute , to the glory of the Most High , until time shall be no more . "

Masonic Calendars.

MASONIC CALENDARS .

The Calendar Season is now onward , Masonically , as well as generally and , first of all , as most important and valuable , I begin with the Grand Lodge Calendar . This most useful Annual , indispensable to English Freemasons , has been edited on similar lines to those immediately proceeding the 1 S 97 issue , and

is as complete and accurate as usual . I have not detected any new arrangements , but hope , ere long , to note that the proper dates have bee 1 ap pen de 1 to many of the existing "Atholl , " or "Ancient" Lodges . At all events , the years of the first and the later , or latest Warrants might be given , so as to indicate the true state of matters .

The Register , or Roll of Lodges , ends with No . 26 32 , and as that for 1896 concluded with No . 2590 , there are 42 new Lodges added since the former publication . The following Provinces have been enlarged : Cheshire , from 46 to 48 Lodges ; Derbyshire , 26 to 27 ; Devonshire , 52 to 53 ; West Lancashire , 112 to 115 ; Norfolk , 17 to 18 ; Nottingham , 17 to 18 , South Wales , E . D ., 21 to 22 ; Sussex , 301031 ; Yorkshire , N . and E „ 33 10 34 ; and West Yorkshire , 77 to 78 Lodges . The District Grand Lodges have also increased in about the same proportion .

There are now { i . e . December , 18 9 6 ) , 439 London Lodges , 12 S 9 Cou 'try Lodges , and 462 Colonial ancl Foreign , making a net total of 2190 , as stated at page 245 . The separate totals for each division require revision at pages 214 , 21 S , 220 , and 240 . There arc no less than 212 Centenary Lodges , with the letter c attached , one of the letters hiving apparentl / slipped out before No . 29 , and under Montreal , p . 211 , three Lodges ; N j . 640 , has also disappeared , though provided for .

The London Chapters number 176 , the Country , 517 , and the Colonial and Foreign , 132 , making a grand total of S 25 , as compared with 810 in the year preceding ; there are 20 Chapters that have secure ! the coveted Centenary Jewel . Royal Arch Masonry holds its own , but . hit more , and though the minimum fee has been reduced , owing to ' the expense of the clothing , and the rules respecting Principals of Chapters , the Degree dors not make the progiess it should . The Calendar is ably edited and arranged .

The Manual for Kent . This welcome publication , always early and most accurate , is edited for 1897 by Bro . Fra ; . k _ Hitchens , who was associated previously with the lamented Bro . T . S . Warne , the ( originator and ) editor to his decease . lt is now in its 20 th year of publication , and runs to considcably over 2 x >

pages . The style was adopted from mine for Cirnwall 1870 , kc , with us ful additions as the years have rolled onward . There art : 62 lodges in Kent , with 4010 members , being the largest return yet made , the totals for 18 93-4 and 5 being 3650 , 3690 , and 3871 respectively . The R . A . chapters nmtibic 27 , the Mark lodges 20 , the K . T . preceptories 3 , the Red Cross 4 , and the