Installation Of The Provincial Grand Master Of Essex.

, of his piovince that he was unable to attend the * ceting of that day . The Provincial Grand Master gave " The Health of the officers of the Province , " which was acknowledged by gro . Rev . F . Shepherd , P . M . 276 . j 3 ro . Verey proposed " The Masonic Charities , " which V .. replied to by Bro . J . Terry , Sec . Royal Masonic

Benevolent Institution . jV just compliment was paid by the Prov . Grand Master 1 the Committee of the Chelmsford Lodge who had been entrusted with the arrangements of the day , and on the VV . M . of the lodge being called upon to respond , he expressed the thanks of his lodge to those Prov . Grand

Officers who had assisted him . More especially he wished , thank Bro . Falling , the Prov . G . Sec , who , he said , bad been present at every meeting of the Committee . Bro . Speight acted as toastmaster . During the evening a selection of music was performed , u « der the direction of Bro . Wilhelm Ganz , by Bros . John Hodges , Faulkner Leigh , C . Beckett , and Thurley Beale .

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

The eleventh annual festival in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund , was held on Wednesday last , the 2 nd inst ., at the Alexandra Palace , on which occasion W . Bro . Lord Arthur Hill , P . M . 164 , P . G . S . W . Sussex , presided , supported by Baron de Ferrieres , Captain Hunter , and a whom BrosFDavison

numerous company , among were . . , H C . Levander , D . M . DevVar , J . H . Wynne , T . J . Pulley , | . H . Hale . W . Williams , E . W . Ansell , E . C . Milligan , T . Cubitt , G . W . Verry , Dr . Ace , E . Margrett , W . B . Date , 11 . Hopkinson , R . Berridge , \ V . Stephens , B . H . Swallow , Dr . Passavver , LL . D ., Rice , R . W . Philpott , J . L . C . Hunter Linle , F . Binckes , and Massey ( Freemason ) .

The musical arrangements were under the direction of Urn . Professor E . M . Lott , Grand Mark Organist , assisted by Bros . Hodges , Stedman , Egbert Roberts , and Bro . Sledman ' s choir boys . Filty-seven brethren and ladies sat down to dinner , which was admirably served by Bros . Bertram and Roberts , the lessees of the Palace . .

At the conclusion of the banquet the Chairman rose and said , Ladies and gentlemen , the first toast on the list is one which I know will be received in thc most hearty and most cordial manner . The health to which I refer is that of " The Queen and Mark Masonry . " Ever since Her Most Gracious Majesty has reigned over this country she

liai ruled it with a kind , a liberal , and a just hand ; she has been more kind , more amiable , to her subjects than I cm possibly find words to express , and she has especially extended that kindness to Mark Masonry . I give you with veiy great pleasure " The Health of the Queen and Mark Masonry . " The Chairman : Ladies and gentlemen , you must

excuse my hurrying on from one toast to another , and not mnking many remarks upon each , as our time is short , ami we have many toasts to consider . The next toast is "The Health ofthe M . W . Grand Mark Master , the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale . " I feel convinced that , to those who have the pleasure of Lord Skelmersdale ' s acquaintance , it is needless to say anything about the very

able way in which he carries rut the dunes of his very high position in Mark Masonry . Of those who have not the pleasure of knowing him there must be few among the present company who have not had the opportunity at some time or other of seeing him when he has been

called upon 10 preside , and they must be well aware of of the courtesy he exercises towards every one , and the perfect manner in which he carries on the duties of Grand Maik Master of England . I give you " The Health of the M . W . Grand Mark Master Mason , Lord Skelmersdale . "

The Chairman : The next toast is that of " The M . W . Past Grand Mark Master Mason , the Right Hor . Loid Leigh ; the Right . Hon . the Eail of Carnarvon ; 'he Viscount Holmesdale , M . P . ; W . W . B . Beach , Esq ., M . P . ; the Rev . George Raymond Portal , M . A . ; 'he Right Hon . the Earl Percy ; and the Right Hon . the Earl of Limerick , " and with that I shall

couple the toast of "The Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Mark Master Mason , the Ri ght Hon . the Earl "I Donoughmore , and the Grand Oftlceis , Past and I ' risent . " Really I don ' t think that any words are "ici'ssary from me to recommend this toa ^ t to your Mice . I think that all of us here have had the pleasure cf meeting one or the other of these brethren , and

there'Me I don ' t think it is necessary to say anything , but to ask Son to drink with great coidiality the health of the brethren whose names I havc just mentioned . Uro . F . Davison : Brethren and sisters , on behalf of the " ' rand Officers Past and Present , I beg to thank you for '" rr manner in which you have drunk their health . About [ ne I ' ast Masters I shall say little , because it is well known how

well they have done their woik ; but about the P'vstnt 1 beg to say that they all carry on the duties of htir respective offices with ability and zeal tu the best of "Kir powers ; and on b'rhalf of the Grand Officers , both Past nil Present , I beg to thank you . Our time is necessarily ' l > and I feel sure that the music is so far better than "Hiring I can say , that I shall sav no more on the ul . jict .

'he Chairman : The next toast on the list I think I ay call the toast of the evening . It is " Prosperity to 1 ' Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund and the Masonic ' ' 'uiions . " I think I may say a few words about the A in which lhc Mfiik Btntvolcnt Fund Ids prospered Milt , " , '' cft 5 Cl | i am ! It . ban certainly increased very con * i » ,, ' fr Ttlei fim . Wihlvetsaty took place . elevtn years *> i »! id the amount of centtlbutloiii that yeas' waa

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

£ 97 2 S . 8 d . ; that was in 1869 . That amount I am happy tc be able to tell you has increased year by year , until last year it amounted to £ 370 4 s . I am more pleased than I can express to be able to tell you that this year the subscriptions amount altogether to £ 526 . Since thc commencement of this Fund , thirty-six cases have been relieved in grants varying from £ 1

to £ 30 each . The amount of that was £ 433 . "Then £ iaaa is invested in Colonial Securities , £ 1000 is transferred to the Education Fund , an . 1 the expenses since 1 S 69 have only amounted to £ 39—about £ 3 ros . a year ; that left a credit at the bank of £ 106 . In December , 1878 , a vote was passed at Grand Ledge to this effect , that a portion of all sums paid to the Benevolent Fund shall go

to the Education Fund , of which the bye-laws are on the table now . This year one boy has been elected and sent to the Manchester Grammar School , at an annual expense of twelve guineas . This is a very important thing . The boy is sent to Manchester to school , and this Institution is kept advised as to how he is going on . A quarterly report is sert to us from the Head Master of the Grammar

School , giving the Crntt a report of the progress which the boy has made , as to his general behaviour , and as to the state of his health ; and this report is forwarded by the Court to the boy ' s parents , should he have any . I do not think that any thing else particularly calls for attention except the list of Stewards and the sums collected by

them on this occasion , which Bro . Dewar will read to you . I now have much pleasure in asking you to drink to " The prosperity to the Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund and the Masonic Institution . " The subscription list was then read by Bro . Dewar , and was as follows :- ^ -

£ s . d . Bro . W . S . Gillard , P . G . S ., P . M . Science Lodge , t 28 , Dorset ... ... ... 50 o o „ Rev . Danl . Ace , D . D .. G . Chap ., W . M . Hereward Lorlge , 277 , Lane . ... 16 i ( i o „ Baron de Ferrieres , Gloucestershire .. ; 34 r 2 o „ G . F . Lancaster , Isle of Wight , Hants 17 00 „ Walter Spencer , P . G . Asst . D . C , W . M . Bon Accord Lodge , T . I . .., ... jj 3 6

„ Charles Jacques , G . J . D ., P . M . Old Kent Lodge , T . I . ... ... ... 24 1 o „ Thomas Cooper , P . M . York Lodge , T . I . ,, T . D . Bolton , P . G . Steward , Carnarvon Lodge , No . 7 38 17 o

„ B . H . Swallow , S . W . Thistle Lodge , No . 8 ... 20 o o „ E . B . Bright , I . G . Hiram Lodge , No . 13 18 18 o „ E . C . Milligan , P . M . St . Andrews Lodge , No . 34 ... .,. ... 30 S o

„ Capt . C . Hunter , P . G . S . Br ., P . M . St . D . vvid ' s Lodge , No , 3 8 18 17 o „ T . J . Pulley , G . Stwd ., P . M . Aldershot Military Lodge , No . 54 . 15 15 o

„ E . Diggle , G . I . G ., P . M . Temperance Lodge , No . 5 6 ... ... ... S 5 ° ,, Bro . R . L . Loveland , St . Andrews Lodge , No . 63 .., o 19 6

„ W . T . Clarke , Prov . G . Sec . Sussex , Royal Sussex Lodge , No . 75 ... 30 19 o „ Robt . Berridge , G . Dir . Cer ., P . M . Macdonald Lodge , 10 4 ... 21 o o „ G . M . Lowe , M . D ., P . M . Remigius Lodge , 117

„ R . W . Philpott , Dever-Cinque , Ports Lodge , 1 5 2 10 10 o „ A . Hopkinson , County Palatine Lodge , 156 " > S 'S o

„ Rev . C R . Davy , Prov . Grand Master Gloucestershire ... ... ... 5 3 a „ R . Boggett , P . M . Humber Lodge , 182 10 10 o „ J . L . C . Hunter Little , P . M . St . John ' s Lodge , 314 17 n 6

; , Geo . Dalrymple , W . M . Henry Lodge , 216 ... ... ... ... ... 20 4 0 „ W . Ballard , W . M . Abbey Lodge , 225 „ E . Margrett , G . Steward , W . M .

Leopold Lodge , 135 ... 15 15 o „ W . Stephens , W . SI . Clapton Lodge , 236 „ Capt . Geo . Wattson , P . G . J . D ., W . M . St . Andrew ' s , 237 ... ... ...

„ T . F . Halsey , M . P ., P . G . J . W ., W . M . Watford , 241 ... .. ... 7 7 ° „ Dr . E . Passawer , W . M . Trinity College Lodge , 244 15 14 6 „ J . H . Halet W . M . Simon de Liz Lodge , 2 4 S 1000

„ F . W . Ansell , W . M . Alfred Lodge , 247 17 11 o „ J . Clark , Britannia Lodge . 53 ... J 50 „ John Spencer , Britannia Lodge , CJ ... 5 s o

„ S . B . Ellis , Britannia Lodge , 53 ... 5 & ° £ 528 16 o The toast was responded to by Bro . Binckes , the Grand Mark Secretary , who remaiked that the Fund had received a very large amount of support , which was increasing every year of its existence ; and as regards the Masonic

Institutions generally this had been the case , the three great Masonic Charities having this year secured the large sum of £ 38 , 000 amongst them—the largest sum that had ever been collected in any one year . He said that he looked with confidence to see a steady and large increase in the Mark Benevolent Fund , and reminded the company that it was ntl many years ago lhat tbe Boys' School Festival realised only ; a similar su . nl to that which" hid been announced to them tills trvenlngi

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

Bro . Binckes then proceeded to propose the next toast , viz ., " The Health of the Chairman , the W . Bro . Lord Arthur Hill , " a nobleman young in the Order perhaps , but entirely imbued with an admiration for Freemasonry , and an ardent lover of Mark Masonry , and who would , no doubt , shortly be placed in a high position in the chief

council of the Order . He trusted that whatever distinguished honours might await his lordship in years to come he would look back to this evening , not only without regret but with a large amount of gratification , as the evening of the most successful festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund .

The Chairman : Ladies and brethren , I am sure I do not know how to respond to Bro . Binckes ' s most liberal and most kind remarks . I am afraid that Bro . Binckes rather exaggerated . ( " No , no . " ) Really it is very kind of you to say " no , no . " I assure you that it is no trouble for me to come here , and I give way to none in the interest in Mark Masonry , and il , therefore , gives me pleasure to

come here . And I can only say that as 1 have presided over you on the occasion of your having had—up to the present time—your most satisfactory festival , as far as the amounts are concerned , so do I hope that my successor , next year , will be presiding at a still more successful festival than this has been . I thank you all very much for the manner in which the toast , proposed by Bro . Binckes

was responded to . Bro . Davison : In assuming the President ' s chair , I am sure I am expressing the sentiments of all present in saying that we regret that Lord Arthur Hill has been obliged to leave us . Ladies and brethren , the toast that I have to offer to your notice now is " The Health of the Board of Stewards . " I am sure , from the account we have heard of their Stewardship , we owe them a great deal of

gratitude for their exertions . You have heard that from very small beginnings we have arrived at a considerable amount , and , as our Grand Secretary has told us some facts about the eaily stages of a similarly constituted institution , there is no knowing what may happen in the future . But I am sure that a debt of gratitude and our best thanks are due to that Board of Stewards , and , if you vvill allow me , I will couple with that toast the name of Bro . Baron de Ferrieres .

Bar : > n de Ferrieres : Mr . Chairman , ladies , and brethren , I feel bound to respond to the call of our esteemed Chairman , although I feel that there are many brethren who have served as Stewards many times and ought to have been called upon in preference to myself . It must be most gratifying to us all as members of thc large body of Craft Masonry to hear of the large sum of £ r ) 8 , ooo collected in

a single year by the three great Masonic Charities , and I think as members of the small body of Mark Masons , it is equally gratifying to have heard of the collection of such an amount as has been announced this evening . I think that the educational feature of this Institution—that plan of sending boys to grammar schools near their own homes —is one deserving of the attention of the larger

institutions with a view to its adoption by themselves . There is no doubt that , beyond a certain point , it is not desirable to associate children together in one body , and it might be considered with advantage , whether what is done by this Institution might not be adopted by the other Charities . It must be gratifying to us to feel that our labours have not been thrown away , but I think it is hardly fair to

appraise a Steward's services by the amount he brings up . I feel that in many instances a brother who brings up a small sum has worked harder than some who have laboured in more favourable districts . I beg to thank you for the manner in which you have received this toast . Bro . Binckes explained that when the fund , which resulted in the establishment of the Boys' School , was first

instituted , and before they possessed a building , the boys were put out to school ; and the results were unsatisfactory , and besides the Mark Masons' Educational Scheme was not exactly similar to the Boys' School . It was not an institution for boys who were orphans , or whose surviving parent was unable to educate him at all ; it was rather intended as a sort of " grant in aid " to brethren who from

the largeness of their family , or from other circumstances required some assistance in educating their children . Bro . Capt . Hunter : Mr . Chairman and brethren , I am about to ask you to drink to " The Health of the Ladies , " who have graced this social gathering with their presence . It is the duty , as I am sure it is the pleasure , of Freemasons throughout the country , nay throughout the world ;

to look in the first place to their wives and families . The brethren meet in social gatherings , and they probably , as we certainly do , have very festive evenings , but on every occasion I am sure the feeling is of the homes of the brethren , for Freemasonry is a great charity . It is useless for me to do more than ask you to drink the health of the ladies who have graced our table this evening . I am sure

you will do so sincerely . I trust they have not passed an unpleasant evening , though it is to be regretted that the ungenial weather has prevented their visiting the beautiful grounds of the palace as they might desire . I can only thank the ladies very much for their presence , and assure them that thc opportunity of meeting the brethren ' s gentler belongings tends to make brethren think better of each

other . I will couple this toast with the name of Bro . Rushworth , that he may return thanks on their behalf . Bro . Rushworth having briefly responded , Thc Chairman said , Brethren and Ladies , I am sure that the music we have had this evening has been eminently satisfactory , and I feel personally veiy much obliged

to Bro . Lott , the Grand Organist , for giving us such music , and I think I cannot do better than propose his health , together with the health of those gentlemen who assisted him , and the members of the choin liror Lott having said u , few Words fitiklrtoWedgnUnij the comptttW separaiitai