Kent.

Grand Secretary in the particular matter which had received special attention in Kent for some time past , and he felt the Ladies , and the Brethren also , for matter

of that , could not take a better example than Lady Amherst in Masonic matters . Might she live long and have many years of health and happiness among them was the universal wish of the Masons of Kent .

Earl Amherst , in reply , thought it was rather unkind of Bro . Eastes to remind him of the great years he had come to , but men were not like Ladies in that respect , and the statement had really given him the opportunity of curtailing his remarks , for after having

worked so heartily together for thirty-four years it might be imagined he had nothing new to say in response to this toast , indeed it would only be in consequence of something being wrong if he departed from the old story of the past . He thanked them for their kindly references

to his wife , who should be informed as to the heartiness of the recognition accorded her . It was of course impossible to enlist the services of the Provincial Grand Secretary in the matter of a testimonial to himself , and

as there was a mass of correspondence to conduct it was difficult to know who to apply to to fill the vacancy . Lady Amherst had stepped into the breach , and the Brethren of Kent were able to say how she had carried

out the duties she had undertaken . They had not yet got to the advanced stage of America , and intioduced a

section of Freemasonry for Ladies , but he was sure that whenever that reform did take place in England Lady Amherst would be one of the first members .

The chairman next proposed the health of his Deputy . Bro . Eastes had served in that capacity for 20

years , he thought very much to the satisfaction of the Brethren , as he knew it was to his own . Considering the lateness of the hour and the special event in store for them that evening he should leave any remarks in

regard to Bro . Eastes until next year , when he might have something special to say . Bro . Eastes replied , thanking them very heartily for the way in which they had received the toast just proposed by the Provincial Grand Master . He fully recognised the wisdom of the brief remarks of their chief , because they fully understood each other , and no

detriment could come if they curtailed the usual complimentary utterances . He was gratified to think good feeling was general among the Masons of Kent , and so long as it continued he should be pleased to do his share to add to the general prosperity .

Earl Amherst proposed the health of the Provincial Grand Officers present and past . They were grateful to

the past Officers for what they had done , and looked forward with satisfaction to what those appointed that day would do . Let them hope those in power would

follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and show their interest in the work of the Province . Bro . Tassell Senior Warden of the year responded

for the first part of the toast , feeling great responsibility was thrown upon him . He hoped the new Officers all appreciated the honour conferred on them as much as he did , and would show by their actions how much

they valued their appointments . The Senior Warden of last year responded for the past Officers . He considered it no small honour to be

an Officer of their important Province . He had never witnessed such an imposing Masonic ceremony as he had taken part in that day , and could hardly hope to see such another , yet they must all hope to have

opportunities in the future of taking part in such gatherings . He was sure the past Officers of the Province of Kent would strive their utmost to attend its meetings , and do what they could to advance its welfare .

Earl Amherst next rose to introduce the event that would most specially distinguish that evening . For twenty-one years Bro . Spencer had discharged the duties of Provincial Grand Secretary in such a way as to win universal regard , as was known to eveiy Mason of the district . The duties of Provincial Grand Secretary

involved no small amount of work , for even in the best regulated societies there were those who would not understand the most abundantly plainly written laws .

The pains Bro . Spencer bad taken to smooth the work of the Province stamped him as one of those men marked out by nature for such a post . Thus when the time came round for him to celebrate his majority the question

Kent.

naturally arose of showing him some appreciation of what he had done . A committee was formed , small in numbers it was true , but sufficiently representative , and they put their shoulders to the wheel at a time , if he might say it , when there was no necessity to do so , for

the wheel was quite ready to go of its own accord , with the most satisfactory of results , as they might see by the articles he had before him for presentation to Bro . Spencer . The matter of selection having been left to him it was naturally an important question as to whether

the testimonial he had chosen met the approval of the Masons of Kent who had provided it . Naturally he bad had to consult Bro . Spencer as to the form ho desired the testimonial to take , and he , like the good Mason he was , had desired that the principal part should

be given to his wife , with a piece of antique silver for himself . The first was soon decided upon , the diamond tiara being considered a fitting present for Mrs . Spencer , and he hoped that lady would live long to wear it , but

although they weie told that in the clays of Solomon silver was held of no account , he very soon found it was not so at the present day , and the funds at his command could have been expended and left nothing but two or three small old candlesticks to show for it . He had

accordingly departed from the original intention and looked for articles of a later date , with the result that was now befoie them . There were article ' s likely to be of constant use to Bro . Spencer—a bowl in which he could provide for the entertainment of his guests , other

articles of equal utility , and the customary salver which was so necessary , as providing the means of recording the wishes of the donors in the form of an inscription . Having been left with the duty of composing this inscription he had endeavoured to sum up the

expressions they had desired to offer to Bro . Spencer , and now concluded with the hope that both he and Mrs . Spencer would look back with pleasure on the event of that

evening , and would long live to enjoy the gift the Freemasons of Kent had made that day . Earl Amherst stated that an album was being prepared containing a list of the subscribers to the testimonial , and read the inscription to which he had referred , and which was as follows :

Presented , with other pieces of plate and a diamond tiara , to BliO . ALFUED Sl'ENCER , Provincial Grand Secretary of Kent , by the Brethren of the Province , in grateful recognition of the

ability , assiduity and courtesy with which during twenty-one years he has discharged the important duties of * his office . 4 th July 1894 . Bro ; Spencer acknowledged the toast and the presentation . There were times when one felt some difficulty

iu expressing one ' s feelings in words , and there wero times when one might be excused for being unduly elated . He desired to return his thanks to Earl Amherst for the kind way in which he had expressed himself in presenting the testimonial , and to the Brethren at large

for the handsome way m which they had expressed their esteem and regard , two matters that he hoped had been growing year by year while he had had the honour of holding the office of Provincial Grand Secretary . He felt he by no means deserved the very kind words that had

fallen from the Provincial Grand Master , although it was perfectly true he had striven to advance the true interests of Freemasonry in the Province of Kent , and was pleased to think the tone of the Order had been considerably raised in the district since he had known it . More care

and trouble was now devoted to the working of the different Lodges ; the Provincial Grand Charity Committee now exercised great power and influence in the county ; but above all this was the fact that so many of the Lodges now had handsome temples of their own iu

which to carry on the work of Freemasonry in Kent . He was that day the recipient of a handsome testimonial at their hands , but its intrinsic value was as nothing compared with the fact that it represented the feelings of tho Province towards him , and he assured the Brethren that so long as he lived and had the opportunity of looking

upon it he should remember the many pleasant opportunities he had had of enjoying the association of those who had subscribed for it . He had also to express the thanks of his wife , and hoped Earl Amherst would