Provincial Grand Lodge Of Nottinghamshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE .

On Thursday , the 3 rd inst ., the proceedings at Worksop and Welbeck will be ever memorable in the annals of Freemasonry in Nottinghamshire , and will add to the lustre of associations connected with the ducal house of Portland . The appointment of his Grace the Duke of Portland to the position of Grand Master of the county consequent upon ihe death of his Grace the Duke of St . Albans , gave rise to a desire on the part of the new Provincial Grand Master to celebrate the event at the earliest opportunity by

inviting the subscribing members of the various lodges and their lady friends to an al fresco entertainment in the grounds of the abbey . At one time it was intended to obtain a special dispensation to enable the Provincial Grand Lodge to hold its summer meeting in one of the large apartments of the Abbey , but the idea was abandoned , and Prov . Grand Lodge was held on the 3 rd inst . at the Town Hall , Worksop , under the banner of the Pelham Lodge , the Masters and Wardens ot which undertook , as they have

on many prefious occasions , the duty of providing tccommodation for a numerous attendance . It is some years since a meeting took place at Worksop , the previous meeting- being , we believe , on the appointment of the Rt . Wor . Bro . the Rev . F . Bussell to the position of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , a post in which he was succeeded , after a short tenure of office , by the late Lieutenant-Colonel Newton . The summer meetings are held in various parts of the county , invitations being sent and accepted alternately from Mansfield , Newark , Retford , "Worksop , & e .

The meeting was peculiarly significant and sympathetic , inasmuch as there were several appointments to be filled up in consequence of deaths of leading officials following closely upon the lamented death of the Duke of St . Albans . In the midst of rejoicings , therefore , on the appointment of the Duke of Portland , there was a revived note of lamentation at the loss the province has sustained by the deaths of the Dep . Prov . G . Master and the Prov . G . Secretary , and the important duty devolving upon Grand Lodge of appointing successors .

Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Portland , availing themselves of the presence of such a large gathering of members of Grand Lodge in the vicinity of their beautiful home , sent out invitations to a garden party at Welbeck Abbey in the afternoon , when the entertainment provided , in which lady friends of the brethren participated , largely tended to dispel the somewhat depressing surroundings of the morning's functions .

The Prov . G . Lodge was opened in due form by the Prov . G . Master , who was received with the ceremonial befitting his exalted rank . His Grace was supported right and left by a brilliant assemblage of Present and Past Prov . G . Officers , the most distinguished visitors being Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . Eng ., as the special representative of the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales j Bro . Lord Henry Bentinck , M . P ., Prov . G . Master of Westmoreland and Cumberland ; and Bro . Sir Frederick Milner , M . P .

The Prov . G . Officers present included Bros , his Honour Judge Wm . Masterman , P . G . D . Eng ., D . P . G . M . ; Captain W . H . Tomasson , P . S . G . W . ; Wm . Percy Payne , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . James Farmer , P . P . G . C , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . E . S . Morse , P . P . G . C . ; Rev . II . T , Hayman , P . P . G . C . ; R . T . Ingram , P . G . Treas . ; Geo . Marshall , P . G . Reg . ; J , Cooper James , P . S . G . D . ; C . W . Gowthorpe , P . J . G . D . ; Robert Evans , jun .,

P . G . S . of W . ; Dr . W . H . Wright , P . G . D . C . ; F . Alilthorp , P . A . G . D . C ; A Barlow , P . G . S . B . j G . W . Hooton , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . U . Smith , P . G . Org . ; Dr . A . W . C . Peskett , P . P . G . W . Somerset , P . A . G . Sec . ; Lisle Rockley , P . G . P . ; J . W . Woodward , P . A . G . P . ; Wm . Robinson , G . W . Humber , W . W . Holbrook , John Humble , and Dr . J . O . Littlewood , P . G . Stewards ; J . Moody , P . G . Tyler ; and W . Comery , P . A . G . Tyler .

In the body of the Prov . Grand Lodge the following brethren were seated , under the respective banners of their lodges : Bros . J . P . Marx , P . A . G . S ., P . P . G . D . C . ; G . Atter , 16 G 1 , P . P . G . T . ; A . Farrar , 1661 j R . N . Webster , 411 , 149 s , P . P . G . R . ; J . Crossley , I . P . M . 1661 ; T . W . Dophlin , W . M . 1661 , P . P . G . P . ; T . A . Watford , 1661 , P . G . S . of W . ; Rev . H . W . Wynne Ffoulkes , 1909 , P . P . G . C ; A . J . L . Dobbin , 402 , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Farranda , P . P . G . D . C . ; R . C . Wills , 1409 , P . P . I . G . W . ; J . Valpy Thomas , 1802

P . P . G . P . ; R . G . Hanson , 411 , P . P . J . G . W . ; G . S . Fish , 411 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . Wright , 1434 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; H . Saxton , 1493 , P . P . G . P . ; R . Pender , 1 . 493 , P . P . S . G . D . ; H . George , 1661 , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . M . Kidd , 411 , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . Page , 411 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . W . Barnes , 2302 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; the Rev . T . C . Ewbank , W . M . 47 , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . V . Holgate , 1435 , P . P . G . D . of C ; T . Pettinson , 939 ; S . Caudwell , I . G . 939 ; D . Hoult , 939 ; H . W . Fox , 939 ; M . Marks , 939 ; G . A . Oates , P . M . 939 ; A . Lewis , W . M . 1434 ; E . Prior , S . W .

1 794 ; A . Burden , I . G . 1794 ; G . S . Rorke , I . P . M . 1 794 ; G . Stevenson , W . M . 2412 ; P . J . Fenwick , J . W . 2412 ; T . Tickard , Org . 2412 ; G . W . Owen , 2412 ; R . Keely , 2412 ; J . G . Allsop , S . W . 2412 ; S . Watson , Forest ; F . W . Cooke , J . W . 2017 ; W . E . Hardy , W . M . 2017 ; J . Hempson , J . W . 2594 ; J . H . Williamson , I . G . 2594 ; R . I . Jackson , W . M . 2594 ; James Harrison , I . P . M . 2594 ; W . G . Emmett , S . W . 1909 ; A . Blasdale , W . M . 1909 ; R . H . Bewley , J . W , ' 9 ° 9 i R . Carlin , I . P . M . 1909 ; E . Bostock , W . M . 1493 ; S . Hind , P . M . 1493 ;

J . Farnsfoot , P . M . 1946 ; W . J . Price , I . P . M . 1493 ; J . Dooley , 1661 , P . P . G . T . ; F . N . Hobson , I . G . 2553 ; T . Rockley , P . S . P . ; T . Bell , J . W . 14931 D . Isaacs , 9391 T . H . Mallonder , gjc ); J . Craggs , 2302 ; G . H . Elliott , W . M . 2302 ; H . J . Bliss , D . of C 2302 ; W . Godfrey , 1852 ; F . B . Foottit , W . JL 1 S 92 ; G . W . Wood , S . W . 1802 ; A . Parker , W . M . 1852 ; W . J . Kent , 1852 ; J . W . Houfton , ' 852 ; A . Graham , J . W . 1852 ; W . F . Jolley , S . W . 1852 ; W . Cooper , P . M . lSf-1 . t ~> Tf A __ _ 1 _ . -0 _~ T A 117 . * il ... I 117 . / TiT . T 'P r »__ l . ll , . 52 Andrews 1852 \ 1661 1909

' *>; G . H . , ; J . A . Wittley , | . V . ; J . T . Spalding , and 1435 , P . S . G . W . ; T . Fisher , 1852 , P . S . G . W . ; R . Fitzhugh , 411 , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Allen , 939 , P . P . G . T . ; Jno . Appleton , 939 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; C . B . Nicholson , P . M . 939 ; W . J . Lazenby , 1802 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; A . Manchester , 1435 ; E . Hooten , J . W . 1435 ; N . Ashurst , W . M . 2553 , P . P . A . G . D . of C ; J . Wick , 47 ; r . Besceb y ; T . McNaught Davis , P . M ., P . G . P . ; II . Rowbottoin , P . M ., P . P . S . G . B , Derb yshire ; A . W . Clayton , 939 ; H . Vickers , Grcenhill , J . Severn , T . Southerns , Wells

, H . Heath , E . P . BartletX A . Parker W . M . ; W . F . jolley , S . W . ; R . F . Vallance , P . P . G . D . of C ; J . W . Harrop-White , P . P . G . R . ; F . A . Robinson ; Jno . Linney , P . P . A . G . P . ; E . Clayton , P . M . 215 , Ireland ; W . Godfrey , Tyler ; 1 . W . Robinson , 47 , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Bostock , W . M . 1493 ; H . M . Dryden , S . D , ¦» ' «? S . Hind , P . M . 1493 : W . Selby , W . M . 47 ; W . Robinson , P . G . S . ; W . II . ^ rury , S . D . 939 ; J . Lockton , S . D . 939 ; E . Day , 415 ; G . Watson , 1852 ; I , Hanby , , Essex . T > E < jjiffe , 2412 ; J . T . Shardlow , g ^ g and 1028 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Wilford

J . , P . JL 47 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; and ] . II . Moody , P . G . Tyler . Irayer having been said by Bro . the Rev . J AMES FARMER , I he PROV . G . M . said , as this was the first time the members of the Prov . Grand Lodge had met since the deaths of the Deputy Provincial ^ rand Master ( Lieutenant-Colonel Newton ) and the Provincial Grand secretary ( Bro . A . Stubbs ) , it was fitting and right that they should have . ° Pportunity of expressing their great regret and sincere sorrow at the " ¦ reparable loss which their families , in common with their brother Freemasons , had sustained . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Newton for many years filled the

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Nottinghamshire.

responsible office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master of that province , and in that capacity gained the love and respect of all with whom he came in contact . They had lost not only a most able and wise assistant in Masonry , but also a true , a sincere , and a valued friend . ( Hear , hear . ) With regard to Bro . Stubbs , he could rightly say that during the many

years he filled the responsible office of Prov . G . Secretary he was always found conscientious in his work , and zealous in the welfare of the Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) By the deaths of these two brethren coming within such a short interval of time , the Craft and the province had sustained a heavy blow . It would be a long time before the Masons of the province ceased to mourn the loss of Bros . Newton and Stubbs . He therefore moved " That this

Provincial Grand Lodge of Nottinghamshire Freemasons desires to record its appreciation of the long and valuable services of Bro . Lieut .-Col . Newton and Bro . A . Stubbs , late Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Grand Secretary of this province , and sincerely regrets the loss of these respected brethren . " ( Hear , hear . ) His Honor Bro . Judge MASTERMAN said it was a mournful satisfaction

to him to second the resolution so feelingly proposed by the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master . The loss of two such Masons as these were could not but be deeply felt by their province . They had left an example lor their successors which he was sure it would be their earnest desire to imitate , and he was afraid they could but imperfectly supply the places they had left . They as Freemasons were taught how to act in such

cases as these—to look beyond the grave , to believe that there was a grand lodge above to which they hoped their departed friends had ascended , and though not with them in body they believed they were with them in the spirit . He seconded the resolution , which was agreed to . The R . W . Prov . G . M . then appointed and invested his Honour Judge Masterman Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the lodge ratified its appreciation by Masonic honours .

The R . W . DEI \ PROV . G . M . returned thanks for the kind reception given to him on his appointment to that important position . Brc . Dr . A . W . C . Peskett , P . P . G . W . Somerset , Asst . Sec , was then appointed and invested to the office of Prov . G . Sec , the R . W . PROV . G . M . remarking that he was much obliged to Bro . Peskett for coming forward to fill the office at such an important crisis as that which had recently occurred .

The PROV . G . SEC . having returned thanks , The R . W . PROV . G . M . appointed and invested amid applause Bro . J . P . Marx Asst . Prov . G . Sec . His Grace then announced that he had had the honour of a visit from Lord Kitchener of Khartoum , who was very anxious to be present and take part in the proceedings of the lodge , but was

unfortunately obliged to leave Welbeck on the Wednesday night to pay a long-promised v ' sit to Ireland , as he had to return shortly to carry out his arduous work and glorious duties in the Soudan , but he had asked him to convey to the lodge his extreme regret that he was unable to come , and the hope that Freemasonry might long continue to flourish in Nottinghamshire . to

Prov . G . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren ^ proceeded luncheon , at which Bro . Judge MASTERMAN presided . In proposing " The Health of the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , " he said it would have given his Grace much pleasure to have been present , but he

was so desirous personally to inspect the arrangements to be made for their comfort that afternoon that he felt he would be better fulfilling his Masonic duty by going home to look after them than in staying there . They all knew what an excellent man and Mason Bro . the Duke of Portland was , and it was with the greatest confidence he submitted the toast of his health .

Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , G . Sec , gave " The Health of the R . W . Dep . Prov . Grand Master , " and recalled the fact that a few short years ago he ( the G . Secretary ) was present as- the humble representative of the Grand Master to invest Bro . Lieut .-Col . Newton as Dep . Prov . G . Master of Notts . It afforded him great pleasure in being present at the investiture into the chair as successor to Bro . Lieut .-Col . Newton of a very old and valund friend .

I he DEI-. PROV . G . MASTER responded , and the toast of " The Health of the W . M . of the Pelham Lodge " concluded the proceedings .

THE GARDEN PARTY .

Princely as are the records of the Portland hospitality , the garden party in the splendid demesne of the Abbey , at which their Graces entertained the members of the province and their friends , must surely be allowed to to fill a unique page in the annals of Welbeck . Functions of this kind are apt , as a rule , to prove wearisome and to pall upon those taking part in them by reason of the strict formality and starchiness which are too

frequently allowed to characterise them , and it was in this respect that the garden party at Welbeck on the 3 rd instant differed so happily from the majority of kindred social entertainments . The considerate forethought of the Prov . G . M . in intimating beforehand to his guests that the wearing of the frock coat and silk hat of conventional usage need not be a matter of compulsion—in other words , that his Grace wished to see those who were

accepting his hospitality attired simply in accordance with the dictates of comfort—was a pleasing indication of the spirit that was to permeate the proceedings of the afternoon . The complete absence of uncomfortable conventionality and stiffness was a decidedly important factor in the success and enjoyableness of the occasion . Their Graces of Portland are ideal hosts , and from the moment that the guests , as they drove up in

batches to the Abbey from Worksop and Cresswell , had been introduced to the Duke and Duchess and cordially welcomed , everyone felt perfectly at home . The occasion offered a rare opportunity for the leisurely inspection of the wealth of historical objects and works of art in which the magnificently-appointed rooms of the ducal residence abound , for the visitors were permitted to roam at will , practically without reserve , through the Abbey

and those lovely grounds , which are probably unequalled among all the stately homes of England . The party was on a large scale ; and , as the function coincided with the holding of the annual Welbeck Employees ' Athletic Sports , there must have been quite 2000 people present . The number of invitations sent out was 861 , and in reply 554 acceptances were received . But it is difficult to estimate from this the number of guests taking part in the garden party , as each invitation carried with it the right

to bring two lady friends . This privilege was , of course , largely availed of , and the pretty summer costumes of the ladies gave the necessary dash of colour to a scene of remarkable animation . Refreshments were provided in marquees placed on the wide sweep of lawn on the south side of the Abbey , and pleasant music was discoursed by the band of the Coldstream Guards and by Herr Gottlieb's Viennese Band . The comfort and convenience of the guests were studied at every turn , and the occasion was indeed worthy of the hospitable traditions of Wtlbeck ,