Derbyshire.

DERBYSHIRE .

THIS year ' s gathering of the Grand Lodge of the Province of Derby is described as one of the most brilliant ever witnessed in the history of local

Freemasonry , the feature that gave it special interest being the presence of the Duke of Devonshire Provincial Grand Master , after an absence of many years from the meetings of the Province over which he has ruled since 1858 .

Owing to the large number of Brethren from all parts of the Province who were expected to be present , the Masonic Hall of the county town was recognised as far too small for the occasion , and the gathering accordingly

took place in the Derby Assembly Eooms , which presented a bright and attractive appearance when the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge were assembled under the presidency of their respected chief .

The Duke of Devonshire was supported by his Deputy , Bro . H . C . Okeover , together with a very large number of other leaders of Derbyshire , nearly all of the Present and Past Officers on the roll being present .

The Masters of the various Lodges presented their usual reports , which were regarded as eminently satisfactory ; and the charity , audit and other committees also submitted reports , which were adopted .

The office of Prov . Grand Treasurer was filled by the appointment of Bro . A . Grimwood Taylor ( Tyrian Lodge ) , who received his collar from the retiring P . G . Treasurer ( Bro . W . J . Piper , Lodge of Eepose ) . The Provincial Grand Master then appointed and invested his Officers for the ensuing year , as follow :

Bro , Victor Cavendish , M . P . - - Senior Warden T . 0 . Drabble .... Junior Warden Eev . W . P . Stamper - ) /~> Lnr , i „ - „ Eev . Dr . E . P . Hills - - - / Chaplains W . H . Bowden - Eegistrar W . Naylor Secretary

G . Cauldwell ... . Senior Deacon Dr . Moir Junior Deacon Dr . John Jones ... . Superintendent of Wrks . G . Tarver Director of Ceremonies H . V . Edwards - - - - Assistant ditto

G . Wild - Sword Bearer S . J . Sanders .... Standard Bearer G . Holderness .... Assistant ditto W . A . Glossop .... Organist J . Cutting ----- Assistant Secretary

W . 0 . Plownght - - - - Pursuivant T . Oldham Assistant ditto T . C . Eastwood - C . E . B . Eddowes- - - - . stewards S . Bennett J . Smith J T . Day Tyler .

Bro . W . H . Marsden was elected as representative of the Provincial . Grand Lodge at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution , to be held in February next . In addressing the members of his Grand Lodge , observes the " Nottingham Guardian , " the Duke of

Devonshire said : I beg to offer in a few words my congratulations to the Brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge upon the flourishing and prosperous condition in which , after I regret to say many years' absence , I find Masonry in this Province . Since I last had the honour of presiding over the Lodge I find that a considerable

number of Lodges have been added to our list , and at the same time the reports which have been received from old as well as new Lodges show that these additions have not in any degree impaired the prosperity or efficiency of the old ones . I observe that this time last year Bro . Okeover—to whom I am deeply indebted for

having so efficiently filled the place which had been almost completely resigned into his hands—that in commenting upon the great increase in Masonry Bro . Okeover impressed upon the members the necessity of

exercising some caution and discrimination in their introductions , and I see , too , by one of the reports that those hints appear to have been acted upon . 1 need not say that the aim which we must all desire is that the

numbers , wealth and prosperity of our Lodges should increase . Nevertheless it should be a more urgent object that the high position and reputation which the Freemasons had always held , should not only be upheld

but increased , though in saying that I should add that I have no reason whatever to believe that due care and attention in this respect is neglected by those responsible for the management of our Lodges . I need onl y , in

Derbyshire.

conclusion , to say one word to express the great satisfaction it gives me to see the increasing progress of Masonry in the Province , and the attention which is given to the Masonic Charities , which is one of the most important aims and objects of our Institution . You

have heard the report of the Charity Committee . I have not had sufficient time to study it or to make any observations in detail upon it , but the reports of the Worshipful Masters in individual Lodges show that this subject is regarded as of paramount importance , and has received the greatest attention from our Brethren

I need now only express the great satisfaction which I feel at being once more permitted to take the chair at your proceedings , and most heartily congratulate you on the state in which I find Freemasonry in the Province . The annual banquet was subsequently held in the Athenaeum Eooms , the Duke of Devonshire presiding . The customary toast list was gone through .

A short time ago Mr . Stevenson gave an account of how he wrote " Treasure Island , " - and related that when this vrork first appeared in a story paper " it figured in the ignoble midst without

woodcuts , and attracted not the least attention . " It may be interesting to recall the fact that no sooner was it issued by Messrs Cassell as a volume than it sprang into popularity at a bound , and has had a circulation larger than any other of his works .

o o o Commencing with the first number of the new year , the proprietors of " The Paris Mode " will give their subscribers the

benefit of a free insurance applicable to accidents of all kinds . It is worthy of note that the system of free patterns cut to measurement which this paper inaugurated a few weeks ago has already been more largely used in this country than in Prance .

o o o " THE Quiver" for January contains the first of a series of special articles giving the actual experiences of a lady journalist ,

Miss T . Sparrow , as " one of the Penniless Poor . " Among other contributors to this number are the Bishop of Winchester , Professor W . G . Blaikie , the organist of the Chapel Eoyal , the Eev . P . B . Power , M . A ., and L . T . Meade .

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