Eoyal Arch.

were all indebted for the decorations of Grand Chapter . If snch a vote was to be passed it shonld be to Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , who had devoted much time to searching the records of Grand Chapter to discover the correct form

for the furniture . The Companions saw before them the result of Comp . Gierke ' s efforts , and the Committee , while renouncing all claim for producing the work , were anxious to accord all the honour to Grand Scribo E . Comp . J . S .

Cumberland followed . He could but feel there was great force in the remarks of Comp . Hogard . The labours of the Committee , without the assistance of the Grand S . E . would have effected nothing , as everything that had been

done was clue to the assistance rendered by Comp . Gierke . It was the practice in Masonry to thank those who actually did the work and gave the information rather than those

who carried it out . He therefore begged to endorse the opinion of Comp . Hogard . It was ultimately resolved that the vote of thanks should be to the Committee of General

Purposes and to the Grand S . E ., " for tho able manner in which they had carried out the resolution of Grand Chapter of the 5 th August , for providing appropriate

fittings for the meetings of Grand Chapter in the Great Hall . " This resolution having been carried , Grand Chapter was closed .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

— : o : — PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT

THE Mark Masters of this Province assembled in Provincial Grand Lodge on Friday , the 30 th ult ., at Canterbury . The Provincial Grand Master , the Rev . Brother

Thomas Robinson , M . A ., presided , and was supported by a goodly array of Provincial and Grand Lodge Officers . The brethren having saluted Bro . Robinson on his re-appointmcnt as Provincial Grand Master , the minutes of the last

meeting , held at Woolwich , were confirmed , and then the report of the Provincial Grand Treasurer was considered . This was passed , and Bro . G . Page was re-elected as Treasurer . The Provincial Grand Master announced , in

appropriate terms , the resignation of his Deputy , Bro . Podevin , who he was pleased to say would continue to do service foi the Province in another way , —as Provincial Grand Secretary . The position of Deputy Provincial Grand M . M . M .

had heen offered to the Rev . Hayrnan Cummings , P . G . Chaplain of England , and then Senior Warden of the Province of Kent . Tlie Provincial Grand Master was p leased to say the offer had been accepted , an announcement he was sure the brethren would receive with satisfaction .

Bro . Cummings having been invested as Deputy Grand Master of the Province , the following brethren were appointed as the other Officers for the year : — Bro . H . Ward P . M . 262 - - - Senior Warden W . A . Weston P . M . 226 - - Junior Warden

P . Wood 309 - - M . O . Dr . Walter W . M . elect 152 - - S . O . Creighton Walker P . M . 69 - - J . O . Rev . B . Harrison W . M . 129 - - Chaplain Geo . Page P . M . 129 - - Treasurer VV . Kipps W . M . 332 - - Reg . of Marks J . C . Podevin P . P . D . G . M . P . M . 152 - Secretary Edwin Beer P . M . 262 - . Assistant Secretary

A . T . Simpson W . M . 267 - - Senior Deacon J . Bush P . M . 69 - - Junior Deacon J . Kennett S . W . 266 - - Director of Ceremonies F . Nicholls R . M . 237 - - Sword Bearer W . H . Popplestone J . D . 226 - Standard Bearer F . G . Nichols M . O . 44 - - Organist Samnel II . White S . D . 266 - . Inner Gnard K . T . Kolfe Tyler 129 - - Tyler

Other matters of business were then disposed of ; these included the voting a sum of fifteen guineas from the funds of the Province to the Mark Benevolent Fund , the amount

to be placed on the list of tlio Deputy Provincial Grand Master , who will represent Kent at the next Festival of the Fund . Provincial Grand Loclo-e was then closed and the

brethren repaired to the Eoyn ! Fountain Hotel , where a banquet was provided by Bro . II . Waul S . G . W . In due course the toasts were honoured , Bros . Binckes and J . S . Eastes responding for the Grand Officers of England . The

teast of the Provincial Grand Mark Master of Kent was proposed by Rev . Bro . IT . Cummings , who referred to the long services of Bro . Robinson to Masonry , and the many claims he had on the esteem , and regard of the brethren of

Mark Masonry.

Kent , as one who , in military language , ever carried the Kentish colours to the front in every Masonic engagement , and with the other noble and distinguished rulers caused the name of their Province to be received in Masonic

gatherings with enthusiastic welcome . His work , interest , and example was well known to them all . He trusted the Grand Architect of tho Universe would long spare their Provincial Grand Master for hira to give them the benefit

of his rich stores of trne and genuine Masonic knowledge ; that the Province might long rejoice under his rule , and that he might have the gratification of seeing Mark

Masonry flourish in Kent with an ever-increasing progress . The Provincial Grand Mark Master in reply , said it was always a pleasure to him to be received in the happy way the brethren did receive him . Whether he was visitinsr a

private Lodge or presiding over his Provincial meeting , the same happy note of welcome sounded for him . He was their own appointment ; three times for the usual term they had elected him as their ruler , and for six years he had

done his best for tho Province and Mark Masonry , and the result they saw that day . He hoped to see it progress still more , if he was spared for the next three years . Referring to the bestowal of Provincial Grand honours , he concluded with some verv excellent counsel and advice . He then

proposed the health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master and Provincial Grand Officers . He alluded to the magnificent success which had attended the Mark Benevolent Festival in July , when the efforts of the now

Deputy Grand Master of Kent placed him in the front of all the Provinces . Being in the front rank , there Kent must stay , and he trusted the brethren would give the new D . P . G . M . the welcome he deserved , and support him in all

his efforts to enhance the reputation of the Province . Among the Officei's were some who had done good service to the Province ; Brother Ward was known as a mainstay of Masonry , and the late Deputy was still going to give his

most valued aid and ability as Secretary . With such lieutenants Mark Masonry must prosper ancl flourish . The Deputy , Senior Warden , and Secretary returned thanks in

suitable terms , while Brother Farren responded on behalf of the Visitors , and the Worshipful Master of 262 to that of the Receiving- Lodge .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Bedfordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BEDFORDSHIRE .

THE following is a list of the Officers appointed at the meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge on the 29 fch ult ., which we reported in our last issue : —

Bros . Col . Robert Henry Lindsell P . M . 803 - Deputy Grand Master John Cumberland P . M . 475 - - Senior Warden Frederick Gotto P . M . 1057 - - Junior- Warden Kev . Charles Bm-eton P . J . W . 540 - Chaplain James Fisher P . M . 510 - - Treasurer Mark Whyley P . M . 540 - - Registrar Charles Edward Prior P . M . 540 - Secretary

Frederick Howell P . M . 1470 - - Senior Deacon A . J . Hills P . M . 803 - - - Junior Deacon William R . Phillips P . M . 475 - - Supt . of Works Alfred Cookson P . M . 540 - - Dir . of Ceremonies John W . Green P . M . 475 - - Sword Bearer Edward F . Green P . M . 475 - - Pursuivant

Edmond R . Green P . M . 540 - - ** ) "> - Arthur Knox Lindsell P . M . 803 - / „ . Alexander Grafton P . M . 1087 - - C btewarcls James GladwellP . M . 1470 . . ) Charles Weston - - . Tyler

Bro . Matthias Levy , Secretary of tho Montefiore Lodge No . 1017 , is preparing for publication " Shorthand Notes , and the practice relating to them . " This work contains

a collection of the Cases on the above subject , wifch Introductory Chapter and arable Index . Price f > s . Subscribers names received by the author . 5 Mitre Court , Fleet Street , London .

Bro . James Stevens P . M . P . Z . has accepted an invitation from the W . M . of the Lodge of Union , No . 414 , Reading , to deliver his Lecture , " Knobs ancl Excrescences , "

explanatory of tbe Ritual and Ceremonies of the First Degree , at the next regular meeting of that Lodge , at the Masonic Hall , Reading , on Tuesday , the 17 th instant . The Lodge will be opened at 6 p . m .