The Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX .

During the past few years the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex has been for the most part held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , no doubt because the accommodation in that hall is ampler , and the facilities for reaching Brighton by road or rail greater . But this year the gathering was held in

the Town Hall , Eastbourne , under the banner of the Tyrian Lodge , No . 1110 . Bro . SirW . T . MARRIOTT , Q . C ., M . P ., Deputy Prov . G . M ., presided , in the absence from England of the Duke of CONNAUGHT , Prov . G . M , and the attendance was on a numerous scale , there being quite 200 brethren present at the

banquet which followed . Great preparations had been made for the reception of members , and the utmost credit is due to the Tyrian Lodge , and especially to its I . P . M ., Bro . HOWARD , for the completeness of the arrangements . The reports were very favourable , the returns of the Provincial Grand Secretary

showing that the number of subscribing members was 1275 , or 75 in excess of what it was the preceding year . As this was the first occasion on which the Provincial Grand Lodge has met in this popular watering place , Bro . Alderman MORRISON , Prov . J . G . W ., Mayor of Eastbourne , must be delighted that the

invitation to Provincial Grand Lodge , which was forwarded at his suggestion , had been accepted , and that everything passed off so satisfactorily . We heartily congratulate our Sussex brethren on the successful manner in which they carry out their duties , and the excellent spirit which always prevails among them at these important meetings .

Bro. Tew's Address At Halifax.

BRO . TEW'S ADDRESS AT HALIFAX .

The addresses which our respected Bro . TEW , Prov . G . 1 VI . of West Yorkshire , is in the habit of delivering at the meetings of his Provincial Grand Lodge are invariably as interesting to read as they are to listen to , and that with which he favoured the brethren at the Provincial gathering on the 15 th ult . proved no

exception to the rule . On this occasion it took the form of a review of recent events , and will enable our readers to form some idea of the manner in which the affairs of Freemasonry

are managed in West Yorkshire , while at the same time it will enable them to understand how and why it is the Craft prospers so abundantly in that province . The subjects to which he had occasion to refer were numerous and varied in their

character . Thus , the contemplated erection of new lodge quarters at Batley , Hebden Bridge , and Castleford afforded him the opportunity of congratulating the brethren on their preference for private rooms or halls in which to hold their lodges and chapters over the hotel or tavern . Laxity on the part of

some lodges in the observance of a particular law furnished him with a justification for impressing on them the necessity for a strict observance of the Book of Constitutions , while the presence at the meeting of Bro . J . M . MCLEOD , the new Secretary of the Boys' School , enabled him not only to congratulate that brother

on the success of his candidature for the office and bid him heartily welcome to West Yorkshire , but also to congratulate the province on the prominent part it had taken in securing that success and enabling him to extend that welcome . Then followed references to the Girls' School and its Centenary Hall as well as

to the Boys' School and its re-organisation , the latter subject giving him the opportunity of extolling the services rendered by Bro . W . F . SiMITHSON , J . G . D . of England , both as Chairman of the West Yorkshire Charity Committee and as a member of the Provisional Management Committee of the Boys' School . Other

matters were likewise referred to , the gift of carpenters' benches and tools to the Boys' School , so that the pupils may receive manual as well as mental instruction ; the forthcoming Festival of the same Charity , and the necessity the province was under of responding generously to Bro . MCLEOD ' appeal for donations and subscriptions on that occasion ; and > last ,

Bro. Tew's Address At Halifax.

but not least important of all , the lamented death of the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of CARNARVON , to whose high qualities as a Statesman and man of letters and to whose services as a Mason Bro . TEW paid a just tribute of respect . These were the principal matters to which Bro . TEW had occasion to refer in

this particular address , and we think those who have read the report in our issue of the ist inst . of the meeting at which it was delivered , will agree with us that they were all dealt with by Bro . TEW in a just and proper manner . It is almost needless to add that the tenour of the proceedings harmonised well with the tone of his speech .

The Provincial Grand Master Of Oxfordshire.

THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF OXFORDSHIRE .

The presence of Bro . the Earl of J ERSEY , Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire , at the recent annual meeting , at Oxford , of his Provincial Grand Lodge afforded the brethren of that . prosperous and well-regulated Province the opportunity—of which , it is needless to say , they were most prompt to avail

themselves—of congratulating his lordship on his appointment to the important office of Governor of New South Wales , and at the same time wishing him " GOD speed" on his departure from this country to enter upon his government . It is some six years since the noble Earl was installed Provincial Grand Master in

succession to the late lamented Duke of ALBANY , and during that period the bonds which in Masonry invariably unite the ruler and his subjects , and make them one , has been growing stronger and stronger , so that there is no doubt whatever that at the present time there is no Province in England in which the

relations between the Provincial Grand Master and his lodges are on a firmer or more friendly footing . His lordship has at all times exhibited the deepest interest in whatever was calculated to promote the welfare of Freemasonry , both in Oxfordshire and generally , while the brethren on their part have shown their

appreciation of his efforts in this direction by loyally seconding them on all occasions , and to the utmost of their ability . Thus the greeting which Bro . Lord JERSEY received both in Provincial Grand Lodge and at the festive board was of the most enthusiastic character , and the brethren may consider themselves

fortunate in having had so able and eloquent an interpreter of their feelings towards their respected chief as Bro . the Rev . H . A . PlCKARD , Past Grand Chaplain of England , to whom was entrusted the agreeable duty of proposing his lordship ' s health at

the Provincial banquet . We trust the state of the Countess of JERSEY'S health will enable his lordship to make an early start for Australia ; that during the period of his service as Governor he will administer the affairs of New South Wales with the

success which has characterised the government of the distinguished brother who has immediately preceded him and is now on his way to England ; and that on his re-appearance in the

Provincial Grand Lodge of Oxfordshire five years hence the ; welcome he will receive will equal , if it does not exceed , in heartiness that which he experienced in Oxford at its most recent meeting .

A Masonic Gem.

A MASONIC GEM .

Bro . Speth , Secretary of the "Quatuor Coronati" Lod ge , has lately issued the most remarkable book of the series he has so ably edited , and as there are only 60 copies for sale , at a guinea and a half each , the number being nearly all subscribed

for before publication , I fear many brethren will have to be disappointed . " First come , first served , " is a well-known motto , and it will be found true enough in relation to this souvenir of the days of yore .

The wee booklet is an exact facsimile of the noted and invaluable "Cooke" Manuscript , or "Additional MS ., 23 , 198 , " even to the illuminated or rubricated initial letters , and done on vellum , as the original .