Burdett Coutts' Lodge, No. 1278.

BURDETT COUTTS' LODGE , No . 1278 .

PRESENTATION OF CHAIRS , BY THE BARONESS BURDETT COUTTS .

ON Thursday afternoon the members of the Bardett Obutts Lodge , with a large attendance of ladies , met at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , for the purpose of having presented to the Lodge , by the Baroness Burdett Coutts , three splended carved oak chairs , to be used by tho W . M . and Wardens of the Lodge which bears her ladyship ' s name . The time fixed for the interesting

proceedings was five o'clock , and punctually to that hour the Baroness—who was accompanied by Mrs . Brown , the Countess Beanchamp , Lady Augusta Paulett , Lady Charles Wellesley , Miss Wellesley , Mr . and Mrs . Otway , the Hon . H . Ryder , Mr . J . K . Aston , Professor Tennant , Mr . W . H . Wills , and Mr . G . C . Silk—arrived at

the Hall . The room at Freemasons' Hall selected for the presentation of the three chairs was the Zetland Room , wherein hangs the beautiful painting of Sir Christopher Wren , and this room was laid out for the occasion with the greatest care by Mr . C . B . Payne , the Grand Tyler of England . The three gift chairs were in their places ,

and were splendid specimens of carving . They were formed of the best English oak , surmounted each by a silver plate , with an inscrip . tion denoting the giver and the date of presentation , beneath which were the Baroness ' s arms , and the particular Masonic emblems signifying the place of the chairs in the Lodge .

So soon as the distinguished visitors had taken their places , Bro . Jas . Terry , who was the first W . M . of the Burdett Coutts Lodge , and who presided on the present interesting occasion , briefly announced the business they were assembled upon , and the programme was commenced by the singing of the hymn , " Bear ye one another ' s burdens . "

The Baroness then formally presented the chairs to the Lodge , saying she trusted they would be occupied by brethren as distinguished in Freemasonry as those who had gone before them . She noticed , with satisfaction , on the Master's pedestal , the volume of the sacred law which she had presented to the Lodge six years ago . Bro . Jas . Terry ,

in the name of the Lodge , accepted the gift of the chairs at her hands , and reiterated her wish that they might be filled by brethren who would be an ornament to the Order . Then taking possession of

the Worshipful Master ' s chair himself , he called on the Senior and Junior Wardens , Bros . Crutch and Toye , to be seated in the other two . This done , the Secretary , Bro . G . W . Verry , read the following address of thanks : —

To THE BARONESS BURDETX-COUTTS . MADAM , —The Worshipful Master , Wardens , and Brethren of the Burdett Coutts Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons desire to express their thanks for the interest which your Ladyship takes in the Lodge , and the patronage which you have extended to it .

We thoroughly appreciate your goodness in having conferred upon us a splendid and costly copy of " The Law of the Lord , " which is " light to our feet , and a lantern to our way . " We also gratefully acknowledge your more recent benefaction of three beautiful Chairs , for the official use of the principal officers of

the Lodge . To your Ladyship acts of benevolence are customary and constant , and we trust that you will never have cause for regret for this new direction which you have given them .

It affords this worshipful Lodge tho highest satisfaction to find that a lady of your rank and intelligence is able to set aside the prejudices which so many entertain towards a Society the most powerful and benevolent , as well as the most honorable and ancient , in the world .

We desire to express the hope that the example that yonr Ladyship has set in this respect will be followed by other good and kind ladies , as it has in so many other particulars been happily imitated . As the Bible always remains open in a Freemason ' s Lodge , we shall be reminded of you by the most sacred associations ; and as our officers

fill those Chairs , and ensure law and order , we shall naturally remember how much yon have done to harmonise all classes of the people with lawfully constituted authority , and in peaceful social fellowship .

We sincerely pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may bnild up for you great happiness here and hereafter , and that He . Who is " Light , " may illumine your path , and conduct you to thb World where the Sun of His Glory never sets . Signed on behalf of the Lodge , this 29 th day of July 1875 .

The Deacons of the Lodge , Bros . Lloyd and Crouch , then handed the address to the Baroness . It was handsomely engrossed , and was enclosed in an album case . The presentation was most graciously

received , and her ladyship made the following reply : — Worshipful Master , Wardens and Brethren , —In tendering you my sincere and hearty thanks for the address you have just read , 1 » uri avail mjaelf of the opportunity offered , to express the gratef ul

Burdett Coutts' Lodge, No. 1278.

pleasure I feel , as the daughter of a Mason , that iu the Lodge which you wished should bear my name , there will remain embodied the memory of my loyal , true-hearted , single-minded father , so long tho representative of tho liberties of the City of Westminster . In receiving the Bible for the table of your Lodge , and in the chairs which I

now present for the use of the Officers , you have also conferred a favour upon me , though , like skilled Craftsmen in the art of kindliness , yon have made the recipient appear the donor , and the courtesy and hospitality you extend to me and my friends to-day is one more of the many illustrations of that law of kindness which rules

your beneficent and ancient Society . I earnestly reciprocate your wishes for myself , and that we may all rest in Him who is " Shadow as well as Light , " for the Lord God is a Sun and Shield : The Lord will give grace and glory , and no good thing will He with * hold from them that walk uprightly .

It was then moved , seconded , and unanimously carried , that the reply should be recorded on the minutes of the Lodge , and after the hymn , " 0 Lord how joyful ' tis to see , " the ceremony of presentation was concluded , and the whole party adjourned to an elegant dejeuner , at which the Baroness ' s health was proposed in glowing terms by Bro .

Terry , and drunk with great heartiness . Shortly after , the Barrne 8 and her friends left , under the conduct of the Chairman and Stenar Is . Ou their return , Bro . Terry stated that he bad been commv ^ ovied to say , on behalf of Lady Burdett Coutts , that she had nwer spent a more pleasant evening , and that her ladyship had

invited the members of the Lodge aud their ladi' 0 to her orarden party at Holly Lodge next Monday , and that he and the worthy Secretary , Bro . G . W . Verry , would be pleased to receive the names of those brethren who might desire to accept this kind and gracious invitation . The remainder of the evening was spent in a moat enjovable manner , and the company separated greatly pleased with the day ' s proceedings .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertfordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HERTFORDSHIRE .

THE annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hertford " shire was held at the Town Hall , St . Albans , on Wednesday last , under the Banner of the Halsey Lodge , No . 1479 . T . F . Halsey , Esq ., M . P ., Provincial Grand Master , presided , and there were present tho following Provincial Grand Officers , W . Bros . H . 0 . Finch P . G . Kegistrar , W . Wilson P . G .. J . W ., F . H . Wilson lies P . G .

Sec , A . J . Copeland P . G . Treas ., The Rev . Lewis Dee & es P . G . Chap ., T . S . Carter P . G . S . D ., E . Lacey P . G . J . D ., W . Cntbush P . G . Sapb . Works , J . P . Cocks P . P . G . J . W ., S . Austin P . P . G . S . B ., J . Terry P . G . D . C , M . Heywood P . G . Org ., W . H . Rowe P . P . G . Supt . Worka , R . A . Wright P . P . G . S . D ., and many other brethren .

The Minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge were read and confirmed . The Report of the Committee as to the Bye Laws was read , and the Bye Laws were carefully considered and adopted . The following brethren were appointed Prov . Grand Officers for the year ensuing : —

Bros . J . Sedgwick P . M . 404 D . P . G . M . ( reappointed ) . J . Lowthin P . M . 1385 and 1479 P . G . S . W . J . Copestick W . M . 869 P . G . J . W . H . C . Finch P . M . 404 P . G . Reg . ( reappointed ) . F . H . Wilson lies P . M . 404 P . G . Sec . ( reappointed ) .

The Revs . Burchell Heme P . M . 404 ") ~ ~ _ , , . and C . C . Mayo 869 j ' - Chaplains . E . Palin W . M . 404 P . G . S . D . J . W . J . Gifford W . M . 409 P . G . J . D . Hayward Edwards W . M . 1385 P . G . Supt . Works . J . Terry P . M . P . G . D . C . ( reappointed ) . Young 1327 P . G . A . D . C . J . G . Yolland 1385 P . G . S . B .

Laxton W . M . 504 P . G . Pur . A . Godson S . W . 11-79 , I . N . Edwards J . W . 1479 , Blenkiusop S . W . 404 , Foster 504 , Sheldon 1327 aud Gilbert 1327 P . G . Stewards , Thomas 404 , T . Wright 403 P . G . Tylers ( reappointed ) . £ 20 was voted to the Boys' School , £ 10 to the Restora'ion of St .

Albans Abbey , £ 5 each to Bros . Wilson Ties P . G . Sec . and T . S . Carter W . M . 403 to purchase the Steward ' s Jewel , in commemoration of tho Grand Master ' s Installation , they having served tho Office of Steward for the Province , and £ 5 5 s to purchase a jewel for Bro . W . Wilson P . M . 501 for his services for several years as P . G . D . C .

Inauguration Of The Mauritius Lodge Of Harmony.

INAUGURATION OF THE MAURITIUS LODGE OF HARMONY .

THE inauguration of this new Lodge , No . 1535 , under theconatitutiou if the Grand Locl ^ e of England , took place in tho Temple of tho Logo La Triple Esperancy , when the installation of Bro . Col . O'Brien md subsequent investiture of Officers was held . In the

unavoidable absence of the Sen . P . M . in the Colony , the W . Bro . Geo . Loviaon I . P . M . Lodgo of Friendshi p and the W . Bro . J . Melville Mason presented the W . M . to the Lodge , who received the honour of installation at the hands of Bro . Bewgher W , M . of the British . Lodge ,