Ar00200

earlier date of 1607 , though we are not yet convinced they apply with equal force to 1670-80 . Students will be aware that the " INIGO J ONES MS . " was acquired by Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD ( who has for so many years been one of the leading authorities in that department ) , and now adorns the Masonic Library of the Province of Worcester .

* * * , THE Masonic Exhibition at Plymouth is now numbered with The Plymouth , , .,, , , , , , . . , Masonic the past , but will long be remembered by those who were pri-Exhibition . vi | egef j t 0 v ; s [ t ; t for the several attractive features of the

Collection . Bro . HUGHAN has kindly promised to write an article on the exhibits , similar to the one he favoured us with for the Shanklin Exhibition of 1886 , and then those brethren who were unable to attend will be enabled to judge of the character and extent of the fifth of the series of Masonic Exhibitions . The catalogues of the five may still be obtained from their several editors—Bros . WHYTEHEAD , TAYLOR , GREENHAM , and HUGHAN .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

Ihe above Provincial Grand Lodge held its annual festival at Dartford , on Wednesday , the 6 th inst ., under the presidency of the R . W . Bro . the Earl Amherst , Prov . Grand Master , and right well did our Daitford brethren receive his lordship and their guests generally in their ancient and loyal town . The streets through which the brethren had to pass to arrive at the Bull Hotel , where the lodge was held , were literal ! } ' alive with

gailycoloured bunting ; while floral decorations and triumphal arches added a rare and picturesque charm most gratifying to the eye . There was a magnificent arch in Hylhe-street , having the arms of the Amherst family emblazoned on a crimson banner , and the mottoes " A Kentish Welcome to our Grand Master ; " "Loyalty , Charity , and Benevolence ; " and " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . " There was also a fine arch just

outside the railway station with the mo ' . to , " Dartford Greets Lord Amherst . The entertaining lodge was the Emulation , No . 299 , and the lodge-room decorations were exceedingly pretty and effective . It was newly carpeted , and displayed the handsome lodge banner over the Prov . G . Master ' s chair , while flags , flowers , and pretty devices fluttered from the walls in graceful folds or hung from corners in picturesque and graceful festoons .

Upon the arrival of the Prov . G . Master he was received by the Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers , and ushered to his seat on the dais , and after opening Grand Lodge he was saluted with the usual honours . Bro . James S . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., was also saluted with honours befitting his rank .

The minutes of the previous Provincial Grand Lodge meeting having been confirmed , Bro . B . K . THORPE , P . M . 709 , was unanimously re-elected Grand Treasurer , and returned thanks . After the roll had been called and acknowledged by the representatives ol the lodges present , various sums were voted to the Charity funds of several lodges in the province , and then VMS lordship appointed and invested his officers as SoUows . — Bro . Rev . Hayman Cummings , B . D ., F . H . S ., P . M .

1 S 37 •¦• ¦•• •¦• Prov . S . G . W . „ Henry Penfold , M . D ., P . M . 1174 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . Thos . S . Curteis , M . A ., P . M . 1414 ... Prov . S . G . Chap . „ Rev . C . E . Shirley Wooimer , M . A ., P . M . 1209 ... Prov . J . G . Chap . „ B . K . Thorpe , P . M . 709 , P . G . S . B . Eng . ... Prov . G . Ireas . '

„ Alfred Spencer , P . M . 1063 , P . G . S . B . Eng . ... Prov . G . Sec . ,, Henrv Harris Green , P . M . 709 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ John Brock , P . M . 299 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Armaud Wm . Duret , P . M . 1223 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Edward Monckton , P . M . 1678 ... ... Prov . J . G . D .

. „ George Frederick Carnell , P . M . 1414 ... Prov . J . G . D . ,, George Friend , P . M . 1725 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ George Barton , P . M . 1915 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Walter Downing , P . M . 20 ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ Henry Bond , P . M . 1314 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, Henry Chambers , P . M . 1096 ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br .

„ Joseph Knott , P . M . 1242 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ William Carter . P . M . 1446 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Joseph Plant , P . M . 31 ( reappointed ) ... Prov . G . Org . „ Richard Pledge , P . M . 1426 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ W . Greig , W . M . 299 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ J . R . Behenna , P . M . 1531 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst .

„ John Charles Biggs , P . M . 77 ... ... | „ Frederick Wm . Underdown , P . M . 133 „ Thos . F . Solly , P . M . 784 ... ... ... . ~ ,, , „ William Wells Woodruff , P . M . 1206 ... ^ ProV > G" Stwds " „ Clement Cutbert Walter , P . M . 1208 ... „ George Kennedy , P . M . 1536 ... ... J „ Eastley ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

It was then unanimously resolved , on the motion of the PROV . GRAND MASTER , seconded by Bro . WM . RUSSELL , P . M . 77 , P . P . S . G . D . — "That the sum of one thousand guineas be subscribed by the lodges and brethren of the province for the purpose of purchasing a perpetual presentation to the Girls' School , no individual subscription to exceed one guinea ; and , further , that the sum of fifty guineas be given from the funds of Provincial Grand Lodge to the above fund , should it be necessary . "

The Prov . G . M ., D . P . G . M ., Prov . G . Sec , and Prov . G . Treas . were nominated trustees to the above fund , and the idea was enthusiasticall y received by all present . The lodge was then called off , and the brethren proceeded to the parish church , where the Prov . S . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . T . S . CURTEIS , preached a short sermon from the 4 th Chapter of Exodus , part of verse 21—" What mean these stones ?"

At the conclusion of the service a collection was made , amounting to £ 11 , which was divided between the Dartford National Schools and the Masonic Charities . On returning to Provincial Grand Lodge voles of thanks wre passed to the Rev . Watts , rector of Dartford , for the use of the church , and to Bro . Curteis for his sermon ; and then the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in ancient form .

. The banquet was held at the new Conservative Hall—kindly lent for the occasion—and was splendidly served by Mrs . Bray , proprietress of the Bull Hotel , upwards of 200 hundred brethren being present . Here , again , the

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

taste of the brethren decorators showed conspicuous ; a handsome bank of ferns and flowers sloped from the platform down to the body of the hall in many coloured undulations , the walls being hung with flags of all nations The front of the gallery was beautifully draped , and in it a stringed band '

who played selections during dinner . Directly the cloth was cleared , the band vacated the gallery , and it was SDOII filled by a number of elegantly dressed ladies , who appeared to take great interest in the proceedings , and certainly enjoyed them . Among the other brethren present

were—Bros . F . Binckes , Sec . R . M . I . B ., P . G . S . B . Eng . ; James Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I ., PR S . B . Eng . ; T . S . VVarne , P . P . S . G . W . ; Rev . R . Jamblin , M . A ., P . M . 1 S 37 , P PR Chap . ; G . L . Hart , P . M . 55 S , P . P . J . G . W . ; C . Coupland , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . A Pentold , P . M . 913 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Dr . ¦ •' . Spurrell , P . M . 1973 , P . P . J . G . W . ; H . Sadler P . M . 2148 ; C . l' \ Matier , P . G . S . U . ling . ; | . Langton , P . J . G . W . Surrey ; E . Terry ' P . M . 29 ; Capt . W . Weston , P . M . 1536 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Capt . G . SpinksP . M . 1516

, P . P . G . Std . Br . Kent ; E . Denton , P . M . 913 , P . P . J . G . D . Kent ; R . Atkins , P . G K G . Adamson , P . M . 1 99 , P . P . G . D . C ; S . Gore , P . M . S 2 g , j P . P . G . P . ; T . HastinpV P . M . S 29 , P . P . G . P . ; J . Parsons , P . M . S 29 , P . P . G . O . ; J . W . Ponton , P . M . 131 P P ' A . G . D . C ; H . Chandler , P . M . 1096 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; H . Black , P . M . ^ 73 , P . P . A G ' D . C ; J . R . Foord , P . M . 503 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; C . Gosby , P . M . 1436 , P . P . G . Std . Br E . Moncrief , P . M . 16 7 S , P . P . G . Stwd . ; E . Stewart , P . M . 299 , P . P . G . P . ; P . Montague '

P . M . 743 ; W . Kipps , P . M . 153 [ , P . P . G . Org . ; E . Hire , P . M . 125 , P . P . G . S . B . ; I Wyer , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . Watson , P . M . 1050 , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; C . Burlev P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; W . H . Hodgkin , P . W . S 74 , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Elers , P . M . 871 P . P . J . G . D . ; T . Simmons , P . M . 1107 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Michael , P . M . 1107 , PP G . P . ; R . Derry , P . M . 15 S , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; E . Penny , P . M . l 089 , P . P . A . G . S .- l ' Jewell , P . M . 1223 , P . P . G . Org . ; H . Mason , P . M . 913 ; E . Allen , W . M . 7 S 4 ; T

Walker , P . M . 4 S 3 ; R . Duttrell , P . M . 1223 ; W . Moulds , P . M . 15303 ; 1 Birch , W . M . 1223 ; E . Tomkins , P . M . 299 ; W . Newbold , P . M . 406 . C . C . Potter , P . M . 299 ; H . Doughtely , P . M . 4 S 3 ; G . Baker , W . M * 503 ; J . VV . Court , P . M . 1096 ; G . Friend , P . M . 1725 ; J . Abrey P . M . 167 S ; R . Stevenson , P . M . 2200 ; VV . Hammond , W . M . S 74 ; C Walter , P . M * 120 S ; F . Nicholls , P . M . 1050 ; C Craig . 1223 ;® H . Baldry , VV . M . t 6 q 2 ; VV . Ife '

P . M . 166 ; VV . Carter , P . M . 2 SS ; J . S . Lovett , P . M . 709 ; W . B . Kennett , W . M 1436 ; G . W . Mitchell , P . M . 615 ; G . Chapman , P . M . 27 ; F . Heman , VV . M . IOSO- ' A . Petts , P . M . 55 S ; A . Crane , W . M . 57 S ; Dr . J . EUiott , W . M . 1973 ; A . H . Bateman , P . M . 1973 ; E . H . Rolfe , W . M . 2147 ; L . Crawford , VV . M . 217 ; J . Waddell W . M . 1537 ; VV . Roupell , P . M . 14 G 4 ; W . Wise , P . M . 1063 ; J . Cavell , W . M . 1341 ' G . R . Bolton , VV . M . 1314 ; G . Green , P . M . 138 ; J . Knott , P . M . 1424 ; j . Ranger

W . M . 184 ; P . Jones , P . M . 1837 ; G . Barton , P . M . 1915 ; E . Strange , P . M . 2200 ; T . Anty , W . M . 15 S ; A . Briggs , P . M . 1050 ; G . Smith , S . W . 2041 ; VV . Sparrowhawk , S . W . 1223 ; G . Bussey , S . W . 199 ; J . King , S . W . 1692 ; C . Mears , S . W . 1076 ; T . Finch , S . W . 1314 ; VV . T . Hunt , S . W . 1-531 ; W . Perry , S . W . 1436 ; W . Doddrell , S . W . 615 ; G . Goble , S . W . 1273 ; A . Rjnildson , S . W . 4 S 3 ; W . Willis , J . W . 293 ; F . F . Baker , J . W . 503 ; W . Holl . s , J . W . 1531 ; H . Morris , J . W . 1273 ; T . Knight

, J . W . S 29 ; VV . Hayward , J . W . 4 S 3 ; T . Heaps , Secretary 1973 ; E . Elverston , S . D . 1314 ; C Powling , D . C . 1472 ; W . Harper , D . C . 554 ; F . Bush , S . D . 1 S 37 ; L . Ledger , j . D . 1343 ; F . Barton , j . D . 299 ; F . Mitchell , D . C . 77 ; G . Stevenson , S . D . 214 S ; R . Dare , 299 ; W . Allen , 7 S 4 ; VV . Pascoe , Org . 1223 ; F . Carter , 14 ; S . Vanor , 184 ; C . R . Wind , 2046 ; J . Bussey , 199 ; A . Bovey , 3 S 7 ; E . White 31 ;

, W . Carter , 1449 ; A . Hiscock , 1343 ; H . Sharpe , 1223 ; L . Levey , 1766 ; W . Roots , 1273 ; J . Cowm , 37 6 ; W . Bage , 1837 ; R . Easdey , 1 S 4 ; R . Thompson , 1050 ; A . Smith , 503 ; G . W . Knight , G . Cock , 15 S ; H . R . Gibbins , 793 ; J . Hills , E . Law = on , 1915 ; G . Ham , 972 ; J . Cooke , 709 ; S . Brice , 1050 ; \ V . Walden , 49 ; C . Jolly , P . M . 913 ; and others .

The first toast was that of " The Queen and the Craft , " and in giving it , the PROV . G . MASTER said that as loyal Englishmen and loyal Masons , he did not think it was more than necessary to bring it to their notice !; therefore , without a word of preface , he should ask them to do honour to it . The toast was drunk heartily with cheers , the brethren singing the chorus of the National Anthem heartily .

The toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England , " followed . The PROV . G . MASTER said H . R . H . was so deservedl y popular , and had done so much for the Craft , that it was impossible lor any gathering of Masons to assemble without receiving his name with all the honour , love , and respect that it was entitled lo . He wished that all those and every Mason in England could have been present at the recent magnificent

gathering at the Albert Hall and heard God Save the Queen" sung in one grand chorus ; they would have been moved at the loyalty and deep leeling shown by every one , not only to his Royal Highness , but to their beloved Sovereign also . There was a good array of Kentish Masons there on that occasion , as there were on the present , and he telt sure that not one in that room would do otherwise than drink the health of his Royal Highness most heartily .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed the toast of " The M . W . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master ; the R . W . Bro . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M . ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " He said they always drank that toast with a great deal of pleasure and cordiality in the Province of Kent . There were four Grand Officers present , and he should ask the two Kentish brethren to respond , reserving an opportunity for the two London brethren to speak later on . His Royal

Highness , their Grand Master , had , as most of them were aware , lately conlerred past rank upon a number of good Masons , and he was glad to say among that number were two good Kentish Masons . ( Loud and continued cheering . ) He never was better pleased in his life than when he heard that those two brethren were nominated for Grand honours , for he felt that it was no undeserved reward for good and valuable services . As they were no doubt aware to whom he alluded , he should couple their names with the toast—Bros . Thorpe and Spencer . ( Great cheering . )

Bro . SPENCER , in responding , said that as that was the first time he had to respond lor such an important toast , he trusted they would excuse him if he did not do justice to it . He looked upon it as a very great honour to occupy such an honourable position , but certainly did not look , upon it as a reward for his poor services , or for any especial good that he had done , tut as a desire on the part of the Grand Master to do honour through him to

the Province of Kent . ( No , no . ) It was kind of them to say so , but it was their own Grand Master who had placed him in the official office he held in the province . And he could not help thinking that it was meant as an honour to the province more than to himself , and especially as some defference to their beloved Prov . Grand Master . ( Loud cheers . ) He felt that there was a reciprocity of feeling between him and the brethren of the province , and trusted it might long continue . For those Grand Masons and eminent

men with whom his name had been associated , Bros . Lords Carnarvon and Lathom , all he could say was that they , by their devotion to the best interests of Freemasonry , had won the warmest regard ot every Mason under the English Constitution , and he knew that there was not a brother in the province tfiat did not have lor them the warmest attachment and the most devoted loyalty . For himself , he heartily thanked them for their kind reception ol the toast .

Bro . T HORPE said their brother Secretary had responded so eloquently for the toast that it left him nothing to say . He was indebted to their kindness for the position he held , for if they had not elected him so many times to the office of Prov . Grand Treasurer his Royal Highness would most