The Sun.
London, England, 1822-01-03 00:00:00

LANCASII IRE.

Mar CHE ST E R.—A Provincial Grand Lodge for this County
was held last Monday week, at the Bridgewater Arms Inn,
Manchester, and was numerously and very respectably at.
tended. Francis Duckinfield Astley, Esq., Proi,. Grand
Master for the County, presided, supported by his Provincial
Grand Officers.—After the business of the day,which was more
than usually important, the Members of the various Lodges as-
sembled, sat down to a sumptuous and elegant dinner, provided
by Brother Lacy.—After the cloth was removed, the following
toasts were given and drank with great enthusiasm :

The King, our Grand Patron.
His Royal Highness the Duke ofSussex, our illustrious Grand

Master.

his Royal Highness the Duke of York and the Royal
Family.
Lord Dundas, the Deputy Grand Master.
The Marquis Hastings, Grand Master of India.
The Mike of Athol.

The Dep. Prop. Grand Master then rose, and in a very
neat and complimentary speech, proposed the health of the
highly respected and esteemed Grand Master for the Province

. .
of Lancaster, " yrancis Astley, tsq." which was
drank with unanimous and enthusiastic applause. The Prov.
Grand Master then rose and returned thanks is the following
words, as nearly as we could collect :
" It is always with great pleasure that I rise to return my
thanks to this Provincial Grand Meeting, for the compliment
which their kindness pays to me; but it is with more than usual
gratification that I now rise to render to you my best thanks
fOr these most flattering proofs of your regard, because from the
very great support I have received from you in the very im-
portant business of this day, I feel convinced that the wishes for
my health which you have this moment expressed, are not
,the
mere expression of cold form and compliment, but that they
issue from the heart. After thanking you, which believe me I
do with the greatest sincerity, permit me with some serious-
ness, rendered necessary by recent circumstances, to impress
upon you the importance of those duties which particularly de-
volve upon you as Masons. They arc comprised in two words
—Brotherly love; and in these words is contained the whole of
that secret the world is so anxious to obtain. Every good man,
strictly speaking, is a mason ; and every mason who loses his
good fame, loses indeed the secret. May none of that descrip-
tion ever enter the Masonic Temple !—I have been this morn-
ing called upon so very fully to enter into the business of the
day, that it would only be trespassing, on your social moments
again to advert to it. Often may we meet in this festive hall,
and during our absence from each other, may unanimity bind
closer those ties of happiness which our ancient and noble art
is so capable of bestowing."

The Prov. Grand Master then gave—" SucCesS to the trade
of this flourishing country."
" Brother Admiral Murray, and a speedy termination to the
indisposition which deprives us this day of the 'Pleasure of his

company."

Brother DRINKWATER, a member of the Lodge of which
the gallant Admiral is Master, returned thanks in handsome

terms.
" Old England, and her wooden walls."
The Prov. G.M. then proposed, with every just compliment
to the zeal and ability which distinguish him—" The De-
puty Prov. Grand Master of Lancashire, Daniel Lynch, Esq."
which was received with every token of regard.—The D. Prov.
G. M replied at some length in a very impressive and appro-
priate speech—Brother Spence, in a strain of great feeling and
gallantry, then proposed the health of the amiable consort of
our Prow. G.M. Mr: Astley, and a long and happy life to her, to
which compliment the Prov. G.M. replied in terms of the high-
est acknowledgnient and gratitude, and observed, " Happy in-
deed was that day which joined her arms to mine," pointing to
the banner bearing the arms of the Prov. G.M. which hung over
his chair. Ile then proposed—" The Lancashire witches, espe-
daily the fair Inhabitants of this Town."—" Brother Spence,
Preston, and E. A. Linster," upon their appointment as Pro-
vincial Grand Officers, to which the Brethren respectively re-
turned appropriate thanks.—" Honour and Honesty, the pillars
of Masonry."—" The Lord Lieutenant of the County."--" A.
speedy relief to all distressed Brethren."—" The Borough-
reeves and Constables of Manchester and Salford."---" To the
Memory ^f the Bard that's far awa, Br. Robert Burns:"—
Song--" Adieu, a heart-warm, fond adieu."
" The Magistrates of the County."
The Prov. G.ll. ratirned thanks on behalf of his colleagues.
" May unanimity prevail throughout the Masonic World."
—" The Hand that gives, and the Heart that forgives."—
" The Stewards, with thanks to them foe their services."—
" To our next merry meeting, and may every succeeding one be
happier than the last."
Previous to the Prov: G.M. leaving the Chair, " God save the
King" was sung by the whole company, and was cheered at its
termination with four times four. The Members then sepa-
rated at a late hour, highly gratified with the sociability of the
evening.