Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

ROYAL GLOUCESTER LODGE , No . 130 .

SPHERE was a large gathering of brethren at the Masonio Hall , -L Southampton , on Thursday , the 10 th nit ., on tho occasion of a visit of the Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and tho Isle of Wi « ht , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., and the Provincial Grand Officers . The Provincial Grand Master waa accompanied by his

Dopnty , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre , and Bros , the Rov . Dr . Burton Prov Grand Chaplain , E . Goble Prov . Grand Secretary , J . Gieve Prov , Grand Treasurer , C . G . Beaumont Prov . Grand Registrar , G . Davies Prov . Grand Senior Deacon , Sharland ( W . M . 76 ) Prov . Grand A . P ., and J . D . Blackman Prov . Grand Steward , many Past Provincial

Officers being also in attendance . Tbe work of tho Lodge was conducted by the W . M ., Bro . J . Fewings , and included the first and second lectures , which wero well given by the W . M . and Bro . J . Cole Secretary . An excellent banquet was afterwards served by Bro . Biggs , one feature connected with which was a very quaint

programme worded in old English , printed in old-faced type . In respending for Grand Lodge Officer *? , Bro . E . Goble announced that Prov . Grand Chapter would meet in Southampton in February next . Tho health of the Prov . Grand Master was cordially drank , and , in responding , Bro . Beach justified the existence of tho Order on several

grounds , and referred to the rapid progress it was making , not only in England , but throughout all parts of the British Empire . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , in responding for Prov . Grand Officers , said the Province numbered nearly 50 Lodges . It had not added to ita number during the past year , but not much regret could

be felt at that , because there was hardly a place in the Province whioh had not a Lodge well within reach . Speaking of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , he reminded the brethren of the successful celebration of the Centenary in 1872 , under the old warrant . The Lodge possessed two warrants , the second being granted under the

modern Constitution in 1792 . He hinted it was within the minds of the Past Masters of the Lodge to arrange if possible to hold another centenary celebration in 1892 , and if it shonld be decided to hold it an endeavour would be made to secure the presence of

Maaona very high in office . The brethren would remember that in 1872 Lord Ripon , then Grand Master of England , and his Officers visited tho Lodge . The Rev . Dr . Burton Prov . Grand Chaplain also responded . The health of Bro . Fewings was proposed by the Prov . Graud Master , and cordially honoured . Several other toasts were given .

ROYAL CLARENCE LODGE , No . 273 .

THE Centenary Festival waa celebrated on the 18 th ult ., at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton . Tho ceremonies , which had been admirably arranged by the W . M . Bro . T . Billing and the Past Masters , were carried out with the greatest success . While the brethren ( not Grand or Provincial Grand Officers ) were assembling in the Music Room , introductory organ solos were rendered in able

style by Bro . Dr . A . King P . P . G . O . P . M ., and Bro . Dr . F . J . Sawyer Prov . Grand Organist . The Lodge was opened by W . M . Bro . T . Billing , who was supported by the following Officers , viz .: —Bros . F . C . Parsons S . W ., Rev . L . Dowdall J . W ., T . Wilkinson Treasurer , C . J . Corder Secretary , H . Balean S . D ., D . M . Ross J . D ., G .

Campbell D . C , C . A . Kendall I . G ., Riviere Steward , and H . Hnghes Tyler . The following Past Masters were also present , viz .: —Bros . W . Kuhe , C . J . Pocock , W . H . Hallett , Sir 0 . Raymond Bunch , Bart ., T . Wilkinson , T . C . Woodman , A . Kirg , J . Dennant , G . Campbell , and H . Langton . Tho hymn , " 0 God , onr help in ages past , "

having been sung , the Secretary , Bro . C . J . Corder , read the Centenary Warrant . The W . M ., in a few words , gave a hearty welcome to the assembled brethren . Bro . J . Dennant next read the history of the Lodge , which he had carefully prepared from the available minutes of the Lodge recorded dnring the past century . The history proved

highly interesting , and , among many other local events , referred to tho laying of the foundation stones of St . Peter ' s Church , tbe London-road Viaduct , Brighton , the Adelaide Wing , County Hospital , the Norfolk Bridge , Shoreham , with Masonio honours by the Royal Clarence Lodge . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Brother

Dennant for his excellent compilation . Bro . J . Puttick followed with a short address . A very impressive rendering of the anthem , " Behold how good and joyful , " waa given by Bros . J . A . Brown , E . A . Dalzell , Jamea Kift , and 0 . Ackerman . Bro . V . P . Freeman was unanimously elected an Honorary member of the Lodge . The

ceremony having concluded the Lodge waa duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Banqueting Room , where they sat down to au elegant banquet , supplied by Bro . D . Mutton , whose catering gave universal satisfaction . The W . M . presided . The postprandial proceedings were of an enthusiastic character . The W . M . opened

the toast list with the Queen and the Craft , briefly remarking that her Majesty had many virtues , and the Craft no vices . He next proposed tho Most W . Brother H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England . Freemasons , he said , were proud in having the Prince of Wales as their Grand Master , and were grateful to ° him

for devoting so much of his time to Freemasonry . Bro . 0 . J . Pocock then gave tho toast of the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . The Officers of Grand Lodge , he said , fully deserved their high preferment on account of their past services in the Craft . Their interest did not , however , cease on their appointment . They

still worked actively in Freemasonry . He gracefully alluded to the honour conferred upon the Lodge by tho attendance of Bro . Parkin , eon and other Grand Officers that day , and to the late Bros . J . H . Scott and Gerard Ford and other membera of the Royal Clarence ,

who had been promoted to Grand Lodge honours . Bro . J . Parkin , eon , in responding , said nothing waa moro interesting in the Craft than the celebration of Centenary Festivals . It had been a source of pleasure to him to find the Koyal Clarence Lodge prosperous

Notices Of Meetings.

amd strong , and to see that the brethren , amidst other interchanges of fraternal sentiments , upheld the traditions of the Craft and the dignity of their Lodgo . Bro . Trollopo also acknowledged the toast , and , congratulating the W . M . on the success of the afternoon and evening , alluded to the pleasure he had experienced in visiting the

late Bro . J . H . Scott . Thanking the Royal Clarence brethren for their hospitality , ho expressed tho hope that their Lodge would again do great and useful work in the next century . The W . M . proposed the Right W . Bro . the Duke of Connaught , Provincial Grand Master . Coming nearer home , ho said , all present knew full well the

interest the Duko of Connaught took in the Craft , and how well ho performed the ceremonies of hia high office . Unfortunately for the Province H . R . H . had been called away to India , where he took no less an interest in tho Craft in that great Empire . He had been two years away , and they all looked forward to the early part

of next year , when they hoped to see him once more amongst them . He had not only sent letters through hia Secretary , but had , himself , written to their late Depnty Provincial Grand Master , Brothor Ford , asking for information respecting the Sussex Province . Thoy also wished him health and happiness and a speedy return to hia

native land . Bro . G . Campbell P . M . proposed the W . Bro . the Right Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , M . P ., Q . C , P . S . G . W ., and the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past . It was pleasing , he said , to the brethren of the Royal Clarence Lodge to see present so large a gathering of distinguished Officers of Grand Lodge and

Provincial Grand Lodge . The Royal Clarence Lodge was closely identified with the Provincial Grand Lodge , for the offices of Provinoial Grand Master and Deputy Provincial Grand Master had been held by brethren of the Lodge . He especially eulogised the efforts of their late Bro . Gavin E . Pocock in Freemasonry , thafc brother

having done more than any other to resuscitate the Provincial Grand Lodge . By tho kindness of his esteemed son , Bro . C . J . Pocock , the Lodge had been presented with the Cup which had been presented to him ( Bro . Gavin E . Pocock ) by the brethren of the Province . In fitting and eloquent terms he referred to the eminent

services of tho late Bros . Sir W . W . Burrell , J . H . Scott , and Gerard Ford . He regretted that Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott had been called away from their gathering , and coupled the toast with tho name of Bro . V . P . Freeman . The latter , in responding , said thafc the Officers , deprived of their leading directors , would all unite in

promoting the interests of the Province . Bro .. Edmund Yates was cordially received on rising to propose the Worshipful Master . He said all present would realise his feelings when he said how happy ho felfc after the week's heavy work and labour to gain a little rest , and his pleasure in gliding from the stormy seas of controversy to

tho peaceful haven of the Royal Clarence Lodge . Leaving the public platform and diversities of opinion behind , he stood before them confident thafc there would bo no divergence from his own opinions . No one would ask him pressing questions as to why he left his house , or whether he lived in the top room of a club . The term

" boy' could not bo adapted to him , aud all present would see that tho hair on his head was visible . He had great pleasure , he said , in heartily proposing the Worshipful Master . He had known Brother Billing for many years , and , alluding to the past services of tho late Bro . J . H . Scott , said no more fitting successor to thafc

distinguished brother could be found than their W . M . Brothor Billing was a hard-working Mason , and in no point waa he deficient . He was . a jolly good fellow , perfectly sound aud sensible , with no fads , one of the most courteous of men , and always accessible . They had all seen how admirably ho had discharged hia duties that day ,

and he felfc that the brethren of the Lodge were honoured in having him as their Worshipful Master . Bro . T . Billing , in rising to respond , was enthusiastically received . He said " out of the heart tho month Bpoaketh , " but their kind reception had almost taken all words from him . He thanked Bro . Yates for tho kind and flattering

manner in which he had spoken of him , and the brethren for tho cordial reception they had given to the toast . He deeply felt tho honour of being their W . M . for the second time . The hononr had nofc arisen from any self-seeking on his part , and he felt grateful to the brethren for their confidence in him . The Royal Clarence Lodge

was one of the oldest and . moat influential in the Province , and ho felt additional pride in following such worthy Masons as those alluded to by Bro . Campbell . He gracefully alluded to the zeal and efficiency of their late Bro . Gerard Ford . His recent loss would remind them all that " Man proposes , but the Great Architect of tho

Universe disposes . Concluding his response , ho said he should strive . earnestly to carry out his duties to the satisfaction of tho brethren , thafc when weighed in the balance he trusted he should not be found wanting . Bro . W . Kuhe , in his enstomary facetious manner , proposed tho Visitors . Bros . W . 0 . Morrison and W . Sendall

responded , each speaking in high terms of the hospitality extended to them by tho Royal Clarence Lodge . Bro . Parkinson proposed Success to the Royal Clarence Lodge . Bro . T . Billing W . M . responded , and thanked those present for assisting in the celebration of the Lodge Centenary , for 27 years the Grand Lodgo of

Sussex , he said , had lapsed , and the Royal Clarence Lodge was called upon to undertake its duties . It was mainly owing to their lato Bro . Gavin E . Pocock that the Provincial Grand Lodge was revived . The cup presented to that distinguished brother had recently been presented to the Lodgo by his son , Bro . C . J . Pocock ,

as a loving cup . With so large a gathering before him the cup could not then be passed round , bub ho himself would drink to them all a hearty welcome to the Royal Clarence . He trusted the Lodge wonld continue to prosper , that ifc would be happy in tho choice of it members , and ever uphold its present high standard of

hononr and efficiency . The W . M . proposed the Worshipful Masters of the Province of Sussex , to which Bro . E . S . Medcalf responded . Bro . L . Dowdall gave Past Masters , which Bro . C J . Corder acknowledged , with allusions to his own connection with the Lodge for a

third of a century , and referred to tho work of the late Bros . Gavin , E . Pocock and J . H . Scott . The W . M . proposed the Officers , to which Bros . F . C . Parson S . W ., and C . A . Kendall I . G . replied . The Tyler's toasfc completed the very successful and enjoyable evening