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them with his presence that evening , and he felt much p leasure in coupling Bro . Bradley ' s name with the toast . The Prov . G . Secretary said that on the part of the Prov . Grand Officers he thanked the brethren most heartily for the kind way in which the toast had been proposed and received . He wished the Provincial Grand Maeter could have been present , but , unfortunately , the state of his

health prevented him visiting the different lodges so frequently as he might desire . They all knew that the Deputy Prov , Grand Master was a most enthusiastic Mason , and it was from no lack of will that he was not with them that evening . He thanked the W . M . for the flattering terms in which he had alluded to him personally . He always met with a hearty welcome in Newbury , and

was glad to visit that lodge whenever he possibly could . He was indeed pleased with the work he had seen in thelodge . The ceremonies of initiation and installation were both admirably worked . He felt that the Lodgeof Hope might congratulate itself on the W . M . who now presided over it . He had had considerable communication with Bro . Hanington in past years , when he acted as Secretary to the

lodge , and was forcibly impressed with the excellent way in which he always performed the duties of that office , which was a good augury that he would render valuable service to the lodge in the capacity of W . M . With regard to the Queen ' s Jubilee , nothing had been decided as yet in connection with that province , but he had not the slightest doubt that something more than usual would be

done at the next Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , which would be held at about the time fixed for the Jubilee celebration , and it would take place in the Royal Borough of Windsor . He hoped something would be arranged to bring together a large body of Masons on that occasion , and perhaps one of the Royal Princes would be induced to take part in the proceedings . He had no doubt the Lodge

of Hope would be well represented on the occasion . Bro . Bradley went on to speak of the organisation for supporting the Masonic Charities , which had existed for some years in the province , and which had been found to work well in conserving the votes of the lodge , and also those of the individual brethren , and , in conclusion , he wished prosperity to the Lodge of Hope and a successful year to the

newlyinstalled W . M . Bro . Montagu Palmer , the I . P . M ., then proposed in complimentary language "The Health of the W . M ., " and alluded to the energetic services Bro . Hanington had rendered to the Volunteer Fire Brigade , and also to the able manner in which he had filled the various offices in the Lodgeof Hope . He heartily congratulated the W . M . on

the high position to which he had now attained , and wished him a happy and successful year , and long life and prosperity . The Worshipful Master , who was much applauded , expressed his warmest thanks for the kind words with which Bro . Palmer had proposed his health , and also for the cordial manner in which the toast had been received . He

assured the brethren he should do his best to perform the work of the lodge in a satisfactory manner , and he hoped that at the end of his year of office no regret would be felt that they had elected him to such a distinguished position . Bro . Murdoch , M . P ., who was much cheered , eloquently proposed the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " remarking that those Charities included instititutions that enabled those who , through no fault

of their own , but through some misadventure in life , had fallen into reduced circumstances , to come for assistance to their wealthier brethren . There were three great Institutions connected with Masonry which specially commended themselves to the sympathy and support of all true Masons—namely , the Benevolent Fund for aged and infirm Masons and their widows ; next , the Girls' School , and

third , the Boys school , one and all being most deserving of support . Although at first sight it might seem that the amount collected year by year for those three Institutions was very large—and he understood from Bro . Bradley it averaged £ 50 , 000—yet the necessitous cases were ever increasing , and the funds raised , although large , never seemed sufficient to adequately meet the many calls made upon

them . The coming year was one that should indeed stir them to the exercise of benevolence . It was a year that , however long they might live , they would ever remember as a year that came to the lives of very few indeed . It was a year to remember , inasmuch as they would celebrate the Jubilee of perhaps the best Sovereign that had ever occupied the throne of England , and should not that

be a reason why the Masonic brethren should bestir themselves to make the Masonic year a memorable one by the amount contributed to the Charitable Institutions of the Order ? He earnestly appealed to them not to forget , while celebrating the Queen ' s Jubilee , the special claims which the Masonic Charities had upon their generosity . Charity was one of the first things they

were taught as Masons . They were taught many things . They were taught to be loyal and honest and true , and they were also exhorted not to forget their poorer and weaker brethren . Masonry was ever growing , and he felt thankful it was so . He was a full believer in the benefits of the Institution , and he had no doubt that as the world went on Masonry would continue to extend and

increase , and he trusted that each year would prove to the outside world that _ Masons did not forget their poorer brethren , but that in times of joy and prosperity they had endeavoured to help those who , as fellow Craftsmen , were deserving of help and charity . He thanked the Newbury brethren for having bidden him to this gathering , and he felt that he was'singularly fortunate in having the privilege

of being present . The brethren could , however , make the occasion doubly happy to him if they would strive to do their utmost for the Masonic Charities . Past Master Bance , whose name was coupled with the toast , suitably responded . Past Master Belcher appropriately gave the toast of "The Visitors" associating with it the name of Bro .

, Mount , M . P . Bro . Mount , M . P ., who was greeted with enthusiastic applause , expressed his most sincere thanks for the kind and gratifying manner in which the last toast had been proposed and received . If he might for a moment allude to himself he would say this , that he hardly felt comfortable

on being called a visitor in the good town of Newbury . He was always taught , and the longer he lived the more he appreciated the truth of what he was taught , that he was to look upon Newbury as part of his home , and particularly must that be the case in a gathering presided over by one whom we had the pleasure of knowing for many years , and whose family had long been known in Newbury and

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deservingly held in high esteem , and surrounded as he was by so many whom he could call his friends . He feft that he was only a drone in the great Masonic hive , but he occupied that position not from any want of sympathy with the Craft or the objects of Masonry , because he agreed with all that had been said as to the great benefits associated with the Masonic Order , but rather from his inability to carry out more work than he had already on his hands .

He fully recognised the Craft as a great Brotherhood which was seeking to carry out principles of Charity and goodfellowship . In conclusion , Bro . Mount expressed the gratification which the visitors felt in being present , and wished success to the Worshipful Master , and the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope . Bro . Stradling proposed "The Health of the Installing Master , Bro . Stephen Knight , P . M ., " of whose able and devoted services to the lodge he spoke in befitting

terms . Bro . Stephen Knight , P . M ., feelingly responded , and , in alluding to the W . M ., said he had been intimately associated with him in connection with various institutions in the town , and could say that never in the whole course of his life had he known a more upright and straightforward man than Bro . Hanington , and he heartily wished him a happy

and prosperous year of office . The Worshipful Master proposed " The Health of the Initiate , Bro . Cottrell , " who returned thanks . Bro . the Rev . A . H . Etty gave "The Health of the I . P . M . and other P . M . 's of the Lodge , " for whom Bro . Toms , P . M ., replied . Bro . Ravenor , P . M ., proposed " The Health of the

Treasurer and Secretary . " Bro . Belcher , P . M ., in responding , gave a satisfactory account of the lodge funds . Bro . Stephen Knight , P . M ., Sec , also replied . The Worshipful Master gave "The Health of the Wardens and Officers of the Lodge . " Bros . Nundy , Hawkins , and Newbery acknowledged the

toast . Bro . Ravenor , P . M ., " proposed the toast of " The Press , " coupled with the name of Bro . Cosburn , who responded . " The Health of the Host and Hostess , Bro . and Mrs . Hamlen , " was proposed by Bro . Wm . Knight , and duly acknowledged .

The Tyler ' s toast—given by Bro . Legg—concluded the list , and the brethren separated . The pleasure of the company was greatly enhanced by the clever musical performances of Bro . G . S . Graham , the popular tenor and buffo vocalist , which elicited much applause . Excellent songs were also well rendered by Bros . Belcher , Hawkins , Atkins , Legg , and others , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

LOSTWITHIEL . —Restormel Lodge ( No . 856 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., in the old Duchy Palace , when Bro . T . W . Perry , W . M . elect , was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being impressively carried out by Bro . J . H . Hoit , I . P . M ., assisted by aboard of Installed Masters . After the installation the W . M . appointed the following

officers for the ensuing year : Bros . J . H . Hoit , I . P . M . ; W . R . Toms , S . W . ; H . Rowse , J . W . ; J . Hugill , P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; J . Bassett , P . G . S . of Wks ., Sec . ; W . W . Beckerleg , S . D . ; J . H . Collins , J . D . ; A . H . Cossentine , I . G . ; T . H . Gibbons , P . P . G . S ., Org . ; T . Willcock and H . Blewett , Stwds . ; and C . E . Brown , P . P . G . T ., Tyler . The banquet was held at the Royal Talbot Hotel , The W . M . presided .

SOUTHEND . —Priory Lodge ( No . iooo ) .-On Thursday , the 6 th inst ., the installation and annual festival of this lodge was held at the Middleton Hotel . The chair was occupied by ihe W . M ., Bro . G . R . Dawson , Prov . G . S ., and the attendance book was signed by the following brethren : Bros . J . F . Harrington , S . W . ; C Floyd , J . W . j F . Wood , Treas . ; A . Lucking , , G . P ., Sec . ; L . Warren ,

jun ., S . D . ; F . Woosnam , J . D . ; Rev . H . J . Hatch , l . G . ; A . Martin , Tyler ; G . Berry , P . M . ; A . Vandervord , W . M . Peacey , B . Thomas , G . J . Glasscock , W . Gregson , J . Hutchons , T . Hood , W . M . Burton , R . Dempster , and J . Taylor , jun ., P . M . 1817 , P . P . G . S . B . Visitors : Bros . W . Roebuck , G . S . B ., & c . j B . Brown , P . M . 1 , P . G . S . ; C . C . Potter , W . M . 1343 ; F . R . Hales , P . M . 650 ; W . J .

Light , P . M . 299 ; W . H . Butt , 511 ; G . J . E . Marsh , I . P . M . 1586 ; A . J . Dudgeon , I . P . M . 2006 , P . S . G . D . ; A . J . Arthy , A . L . Harrington , A . Gordon , W . Bishop , F . Partridge , and T . Walker , all of 160 . Lodge having been opened in due form , the report of the Audit Committee , which showed the lodge to be in a sound financial position , was received and adopted , upon

the motion of the Treasurer , Bro . F . Wood , and the installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . J . F . Harrington , P . M . 160 . P . P . G . P ., was then proceeded with , the ceremony being perfectly performed by Bro . A . Lucking , G . P ., Prov . G . D . of C , who was subsequently accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his services . The newly-installed W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . C Floyd , P . M .

1817 , P . P . A . G . P . ; Rev . H . J . Hatch , P . M . 160 , P . P . G . Chap ., J . W . ; F . Wood , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; A . Lucking , P . M ., G . P ., Prov . G . D . of C , Sec . ; G . I , Glasscock , W . M . 1317 , P . P . G . Swd . Br ., S . D . ; W . E , Bridgeland , P . M . 933 , J . D . j R . G . Dempster , I . G . j T , F . Barrett , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., D . of Cj T . Hood , Org . ; B , Thomas and A . Vandervord , Stwds . ; and A . W . Martin

, Tyler . The Worshipful Master proposed , Bro . C . Floyd seconded , and it was unanimously agreed to re-elect Bro . F . Wood as the lodge ' s representative on the Provincial Charity Committee . Some time ago the lodge voted 25 guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons ; and Bro . A . Lucking , P . M ., Sec , now moved that , to commemorate the Jubilee

of her Most Gracious Majesty ' s reign , 75 guineas be voted out of the funds of the lodge , that amount being the balance required to constitute the lodge a Vice-President of the Institution . Bro . F . Wood , Treas ., seconded the motion . Bro . W . Gregson , whilst not opposing the resolution , reminded the brethren that there was to be a local memorial of her Majesty's Jubilee , and asked whether this

—a local lodge—would be in a position to contribute to the local memorial after voting this large sum ? Bro . Lucking and Bro . F . Wood having replied in the affirmative , the resolution was carried unanimously amidst applause ; and t was also agreed to place the amount on the list of Bro . W . D . Merritt , P . P . A . G . D . C , who will represent the lodge as Steward at the forthcoming festival , Votes of thanki

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having been passed to the Auditors , Bros . Hood and Cooke , several candidates were proposed for initiation , and " Hearty good wishes " having been tendered to the W . M ., the lodge was closed in due form . After the conclusion of the lodge business , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where , under the genial presidency of the W . M ., the annual banquet was

excellently served by the new host and hostess , Mr . and Mrs . Pritchard . The Worshipful Master , who was cordially received , subsequently proposed , in fitting terms , the usual loyal and Masonic toast , which were drunk with the customary fire . Bro . Roebuck , G . Swd . Br . of England , in responding for "The Grand Officers , " said they were ever ready and

willing to perform their duties , and they needed no other instance of that than that which was afforded by Bro . Lucking , the Grand Pursuivant , who was always willing to do whatever he could for the prosperity of that lodge or any other lodge in the province . Bro . G . F . Jones , on behalf of "The Prov . G . Officers , " thanked the brethren for the cordiality with which they had

drunk their healths ; and as the W . M . had alluded to the frequency with which those officers attended lodge , he urged the younger Masons to follow that example . Bro . G . R . Dawson , [ . P . M ., in giving the toast of "The W . M ., " said they could not have a more efficient W . M . than Bro . John Harrington , who had passed the chair at Rochford , and whom they knew to be a zealous and expert Craftsman .

The W . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren for the honour they had conferred upon him , and asked them to support him with their attendance . He then proposed " The I . P . M ., " whose work , he said , had been done exceptionally well ; and , as a mark of the respect in which he was held by the brethren , he , in the name of the lodge , presented Bro . Dawson with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel .

_ Bro . G . R . Dawson , in acknowledging the presentation , said he felt very proud at having gone through his year of office with such success . He loved Freemasonry , and his heart was in the work , and he hoped his successor would have as good a year as he had had . Bro . Bradshaw Brown , whosu name was coupled with the toast of " The Visitors , " said the Tilbury Lodge intended

to invite Provincial Grand Lodge to Tilbury in 1888 . In responding for the visitors , he could not help referring with emphasis to the prosperity of the Priory Lodge . It was only in 1864 that the lodge was established , but that afternoon the members had done that which he believed to be unique in the annals of the Craft—voted 75 guineas in a lump sum to the Benevolent Institution . That , he believed

would be accepted by older lodges as a good example for the Jubilee year , and would probably be the means of adding not only 75 , but 75 , 000 guineas to the Masonic Charities . It showed , too , that in Masonry there was something more than sentiment . With that handsome donation , and

the general prosperity of the lodge in view , the visitors must congratulate the members of the Priory upon their most successful position with respect to those tenets which they , as Masons , believed to be for the benefit of their fellow creatures , and which they sought to promulgate and substantiate around the social board .

Bro . G . Berry having responded for "The Past Masters , " Bro . F . Wood proposed " The Charities , " and , in making an appeal for donations towards the £ 40 , 000 annually required to maintain the Institutions , as " the father of the lodge , " he urged the brethren to be just to their families , and then generous to the Masonic Charities Bro . Roebuck ( who is a Vice-President of the Boys' and

Girls' Schools and a member of the Board of Benevolence ) said there were now 250 boys and about the same number of girls in the Masonic Schools . Last year the incomes of the three Institutions were between £ 6000 and £ 7000 less than in the previous year . Taking the commercial depression into consideration , he thought they were well supported , but , of course , they were anxious to keep up the

subscriptions . Bro . Barrett said that , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Merritt through domestic affliction , he had been deputed by Bro . Merritt—who would represent the lodge at the Benevolent Institution ' s Festival—to solicit donations for his list . Bro . Merritt had headed it with 10 guineas , and Mrs . Merritt had followed with five guineas . Tin

answer to this appeal , Bro . Barrett announced later in the evening that he had received contributions , paid or promised , which would bring up the amount to £ 25 8 s . ] The Worshipful Master , in proposing "The Treasurer and Secretary , " said it was impossible to find two more

hard-working officers than Bros . Wood and Lucking . Bro . Bradshaw Brown incidentally remarked that the jate Treasurer of the Grand Master ' s Lodge , of which he is a Past Master , had been a member of that lodge for 61 years , and for 55 years he had the collar put round his neck as Treasurer .

Bro . Wood said he could not boast of such a record as that , but he was proud to say that he had been the Treasurer of the Priory Lodge for 22 years . Many thousands of pounds had been sent up by the Priory to the Masonic Institutions , and he believed it contributed more than any other lodge in Essex . Bro . Albert Lucking said the cordial reception given the

toast showed that the efforts of himself and Bro . Wood were appreciated . The lodge ' s receipts last year were something like £ jo more than in the previous year , and whereas five years' ago they had a debit of £ 32 they now had ^ 130 in hand . That showed that they could afford to contribute 75 guineas to the Benevolent Institution , and , if their prosperity continued , in two years' time they would

have recouped that amount . The only regret he had experienced in his connection with Freemasonry was that he had been called upon to perform the ceremony of installation about 30 times . He should like to see outgoing Masters instal their successors in the chair . In conclusion he assured the brethren that under the able guidance of the present Masters the work of the Secretary became a

pleasure . Bro . C . Floyd responded for "The Officers " in a neatlyturned speech , and Bro . G . F . Jones then announced that Bro . Thomas Hood had just handed him a cheque for £ 10 ios . towards

the Southend General Hospital , and Bro . Bradshaw Brown had promised him a cheque for a like amount . The Tyler ' s toast having been drunk with the customary formalities , the interesting proceedings were brought to a close by a vote of thanks being passed to Mr . and Mrs . Pritchard for the admirable manner in which the banquet had been served .