Distribution Of Prizes At The Girls' School.

class you might travel by , and they could go at 60 miles an hour . In the days of his grandfather , when one had to come 150 miles from Monmouthshire to London , they had to come on the top of an old coach with a piece of straw to keep them warm , and they were lucky if they got to London without being stopped on Hounslow Heath by gentlemen who demanded their money or their life . Then he came to the electric telesrraph ,

and the progress made with that until a message could now be sent to any part of the world for a few shillings . There was also now the motor car , and last the great improvement in the system of education . There were people in the world who said that England had seen its best days and that it was going down in the world ; but he did not believe them . While there were such schools as the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , with such

instructors , as he had mentioned that day , l . ke Miss Redgrave , Miss Buck , and others , and a good and faithful Secretary like Bro . Hedges , there was not much to fear . The children were taught religion and love of their God , and if they tried to follow the example of our beloved Queen and to lead pure and unselfish lives as she had done , there would be ^ not much to fear . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) He hoped they would all have good health

and happiness , and asked them to value this beautiful School , and to follow up the labour of love in which they were taught . For the School he wished an unbroken career of continued prosperity , and he and Lady Llangattock and their daughter would look forward to coming down another year and see the acceptance of prizes by the girls as gracefully and perfectly as it had been that dav .

The party then proceeded to partake of tea and refreshment , and _ in the evening listened to the following selection of music —( pianoforte pieces on eight pianos ) : Part song , "Jubilee song , " C . Egerton Lowe ; duet , " March No . 3 , " Schubert ; trio , " Le secret" Gautier ; part song , " Chorus of fairies , " Mendelssohn ; solo , " Polonaise in C-sharp minor , " Chopin ; part song , " After the rain , " Pinsuti ; solo , " Impromptu , Op . 90 , No . 2 " Schubert ; duet , " Valses , Styriennes , " Kirchner ; partsongs , " Hill tops , " Horrocks . and "Spinning , " Abt ; duet , " Ungarische Tanze , " Brahms ; and solo , "Gade , " Greig .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

VISIT OF THE M . W . THE PRO GRAND MASTER . From the various reports of lodge consecrations and other events connected with Mark Masonry in West Yorkshire which have from time to time appeared in our columns , it must have been rendered clear that this Degree has been making steady and consistent progress in that province . Were other evidence needed , the numerously attended and successful meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of that body , which took place on the 4 th instant at Sheffield , will afford it . Sheffield , as the reports in the

Freemason will show , is in Masonic , as in other matters , practical , energetic , and earnest . When , therefore , it was known that the annual meeting of the province would be held in that city , and that efforts would be made to induce the Earl of Euston in his official capacity to pay West Yorkshire a visit , the Worshipful Master and brethren of Britannia Lodge at once put their shoulders to the wheel , and resolutely determined to give to the M . W . Pro Grand Master such a reception and such a welcome as the importance of the occasion demanded .

Of the 14 Mark lodges which the province comprises , Britannia claims to be one of the oldest . Its warrant bears date 1861 , which is 10 years before the Mark Province of West Yorkshire was constituted . Its fortunes have , of course , varied during its nearly 40 years of existence , many of its founders and earlier members having fallen away from it , yet it has always shown signs of vitality even when the Degree was by no means flourishing , and has been a steady and consistent supporter of the Mark Benevolent Fund since lhat useful Charity was established .

If Sheffield was enthusiastic in welcoming the Earl of Euston , equally so was the province . Every lodge was represented , and it is , perhaps , no exaggeration to say that the meeting of Mark Masons in the Masonic Hall on this occasion was the largest West Yorkshire has ever witnessed . The W . M ., Bro . Thos . Rowbotham , and the brethren of Britannia mustered at 4 . 15 p . m . At half-past the Prov . G . MasterBro . C . Letch

, Mason , entered and opened Provincial Grand Lodge . He was accompanied by his Deputy , Bro . John Barker , P . G . L of W ., and supported by a large body of Prov . G . Officers , present and past . Amongst these were the following : Bros . W . E . Smithies , P . M . 493 , who , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . the Right Hon . W . Lawies Jackson , M . P ., acted as Prov . S . G . W . ; G . H . Parke ,

P . G . S ., J . G . W . ; H . S . Holdsworth , P . G . Std , Br ., M . J . Dodworth , P . M . 53 , Chas . Woottons , P . M , no , J . W . Monckman , P . M . ( T . L ) , P . G . S ., J . H . Gration , J . P ., P . M . 127 , H . J . Garnett , P . M . S 3 , P . G . D ., and John Unwin , P . M . S 3 , P . G . Inner Guard , Past Provincial Grand Wardens ; W . ] . Morris , P . M ., 58 , Prov . G . M . O . ; Dr . Samuel Jacob , J . P ., as Prov . S G . O . ; G . Wragg , P . M . 53 , Prov . J . G . O . ; R . Hodgson , P . M . 58 , Thos . Norfolk , P . M . ( T . L ) , J . E .

Darling , P . M . S 3 , and Henry Beaumont , P . M . 14 , P . P . G . Os . ; the Rev . J . M . Walton , 501 , who acted as Prov . G . Chap ., and the Rev . G . H . Stock , 398 , P . P . G . Chap . ; Thomas Robertshaw , P . M . 58 , Prov . G . Treas . ; W . W . Clayton , P . G . Treas ., who acted as Prov . G . Reg . ; W . Langbridge , P . M . 398 , and J . P . Hewitt , P . M . S 3 , P . P . G . Registrars ; Joseph Matthewman , P . M . no , Prov . G . Sec . ; F . Bateman , P . M . 352 , Piov . S . G . D . ; W . C . Fox , $ 3 , Prov . Junior

Grand Deacon : T . Uttley , P . M . 14 , Simeon Whiteley , P . M . ( T . L ) , and J . J . Martin , P . M . no , P . P . G . Deacons ; G . H . demons , P . M . 374 , Prov . G . L of W . ; F . D . Harrison , P . M . ( T . L ) , Prov . G . D . C . ; A , Leach , P . M . no , P . P . G . D . C . ; John Shaw , P . M . 53 , P . P . G . D ., who acted as Prov . G . S . B . ; W . Cockcroft , W . M . soi , as Prov . G . Std . Br . ; J . Dunnill , no , Prov . G . Org . ; E . J . Crow , Mus . Doc , 352 , P . G . O . ; G . Carbert , no , P . P . G . O . ; T . H . Pattinson , P . M . ( T . L ) , as Prov . G . I . G . ; J . T . Last , P . M . ( T . L ) , J . W . Smith , 374 , J . Reed ,

P . M . 398 , and T . G . Howell , P . M . 137 , W . M . 493 , Prov . G . Stewards ; J . H . Newton , in , Prov . G . Tyler ; G . Martin , W . M . ( T . I . ) ; Gledhill Hallas , P . M . 14 ; T . Rowbotham , W . M . 53 , who was supported by a large body of his brethren ; W . S . Milligan , W . M . 58 ; W . Ash , no ; J . B . Mays , W . M . in ; Jas . Wood , P . M ., and F . C . Browne , P . M ., 127 ; T . G . Howell , P . M . 137 ; W . Postlethwiite , W . M ., and H . G . Blackburn , P . M ., 374 ; R . Bridge , W . M ., J . H . Pawson , P . M ., and S . Pegler , P . M ., 39 8 ; C . A . Phillips , P . M . 457 ; W . W . Law , 493 ; W .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

Cockcroft , W . M . 501 ; and many more . Of former members of Britannia Lodge may be mentioned Bros . W . H . Brittain , J . P ., and Ensor Drury , both P . G . Wardens in the Craft , and both distinguished citizens of Sheffield . Letters of regret at inability to be present were produced by the Prov . G . Secretary from Bros , the Earl of Yarborough , Lord Bjlton , Col . Cooke , Col . Starkie , E . Milligan , R . B . Reed , Judge Misterman , Col . Smith , T . B . Whytehead , W . H . Cowper , M . J . Peck , and numerous others , as well as apologies from Prov . G . Ollicers both Present and Past .

After the minutes had been confirmed , and other routine business had been got through , it was announced that the M . W . Pro G . Master and other officers of Grand Lodge awaited admission . Ths Grand Officers present comprising Bros . H . J . Garnett and John Unwin , 53 ; H . S .

Holdsworth , 58 ; J . H . Gration , 127 ; J . W . Monckman ( T . L ) ; G . F . Crow , 352 ; and G . H . Parke , no , retired to escort the Pro G . Master , who entered accompanied by Bros . Major Woadall Woodall , P . P . G . M . N . and E . Yorks ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec . ; Chas . Belton , P . G . Overseer ; Lieut .-Col . Clifford Probyn , G . Treas . ; Percy Wallis , P . G . Treas .,

Prov . G . Sec . for Derbyshire ; and William Vincent , P . Asst . G . D . C . To martial strains on the beautiful organ the visitors were led to the dais and there received by the Prov . G . Master . After the usual salutes , the R . W . Prov . G . Master , Bro . C . LETCH MASON , addressed the meeting . He said : Brethren , my first words to-day shall be words of welcome to our illustrious visitor , the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , and also to the distinguished members of Grand Lodge who accompany him . This is the second time that Lord Euston has favoured West Yorkshire with

a visit , the former one being two years ago , when we had the pleasure of giving his lordship a warm reception at Leeds . It must be a great tax upon the time of our M . W . Pro Grand Master to make such visits as this , yet I can assure him that it is not labour lost , for it tends greatly to weld us all more closely together , and thus it promotes the welfare and prosperity of the Order which is so dear to all of us . Also would I give

a ready welcome to R . W . Bro . C . F . Matier , the Grand Secretary ; to R . W . Bro . Woodall Woodall , for some time Prov . Grand Master of the adjoining Province of North and East Yorkshire ; to V . W . Bro . Chas . Belton , P . G . Overseer ; to V . W . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Clifford Probyn , Grand Treasurer , from whom , we trust , further honours are not far away ; to V . W . Bro . Percy Wallis , P . G . Treasurer and Secretary of the adjoining province of

Derbyshire , and to W . Bro . W . Vincent , whose recent accession to Craft Grand honours we all rejoiced to hear of . In your name , my brethren of West Yorkshire , I give them a hearty and sincere reception . It is also a great pleasure to me to see amongst us some old members of Britannia Lodge , members who in days long past have been active workers , but who , on account of pressing and important public duties , have not been connected

with our Order in recent years . I do not wish to particularise , but I cannot refrain from mentioning Bro . Ensor Drury , one of the founders of Britannia , and Bro . W . H . Brittain , who held the office of Senior Warden of the lodge , both of whom occupy high and distinguished positions in the Craft and other Degrees of Freemasonry . From the Registrar's statement , which you have iust heard read , you will find that our province is

steadily advancing , and that we have on our roll at present 14 lodges with a total of 459 subscribing members . Caldene , 501 , situated at Hebden Bridge , the most recent , has been consecrated since the last annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge . Although young , it yet shows vigorous growth , and possesses all the elements of a successful working lodge , and I have every confidence that it will prove a valuable acquisition to our roll .

During the year , in addition to those named at our last meeting , we have lost by death four other active Masons , viz .: Bros . Waterhouse , 457 ; Milner , 137 ; and Benj . Smith , 127 , a Past Prov . Officer , an active , useful member , and one the loss of whom the brethren of Portal Lodge will deeply feel . Also Bro . W . C . Wilson , who , as Secretary of Britannia gained his brethren's high esteem . This is evidenced by the fact that on the minutes of that lodge we find a record of a special vote of thanks to

Bro . Wilson for the indefatigable manner in which , whilst suffering from great physical pain , he yet discharged the duties of his office—a testimony worthy equally of the brother and the lodge . May we humbly hope that when these brethren present their life-work to the Great Overseer of the Universe for inspection " they may receive the wages due to patient industry and merit . " At our annual meeting last year you were asked to support your

Prov . G . Master in his presidency at trie Festival oi the Mark Benevolent Fund . To that appeal you responded most liberally , and I would again thank you most sincerely for the very noble assistance you rendered on that memorable occasion . This year the chair will be occupied by Bro . Colonel Cooke , Prov . G . Master for Middlesex . I feel sure , brethren , that thc interest awakened in our Benevolent Fund will not be allowed to

wane , and that you will give generously in its support this year also . For the first time in the history of Freemasonry in West Yorkshire , the collar of the Grand Treasurer has come to this province . It must be gratifying to us Mark Masons to think that it is in the Mark Degree that this honour has first fallen upon us , and we are all very pleased to know that the fortunate recipient is our worthy , worshipful , and highly esteemed Bro . G . H . Parke . Bro . Parke

has been a generous supporter of all our Masonic Charities , and I feel I am only echoing your sentiments when I offer to him the hearty congratulations of his brethren of West Yorkshire . He , you will remember , has attained that distinction without a contest . May he long live to enjoy it ! Brethren , I will not detain you further . I thank you for your kind salutation , and I will only add that in this year of general rejoicing , this year , when we all

unite in heartiest good wishes for the we'fare of our gracious Sovereign , we , meeting in this our annual assembly , can also thoroughly rejoice in the prosperity of Mark Masonry in this province . May the peace and harmony which now exist amongst us long continue , and may those grand principles which underlie our ceremonies influence more and more the lives and actions of our members , and tend more fully to promote those feelings of brotherly love , goodwill , and Charity , which are the beginning and the end of our who e Masonic Institution !

The M . W . the Pro Grand Master , Lord EUSTON , then rose : He said : Brethren , your Prov . Grand Master has asked me , in your name , to perform an action which I think would have been better left in his own hands , that is , to make the presentation to Bro . Parke of the regalia and

jewel appertaining to the office of Grand Treasurer , to which he has recently been elected . I have much pleasurein djihgthisand I congratulate you , Bro . Parke , upon the way youcime forward and upon your un-contested election . Moreover , you cannot , I am sure , be insensible to this further honour which the brethren have conferred upon you in recognition of your promotion . I am