Provincial Grand Lodge Of Nottinghamshire .

K . G . Henry Pelham Alexander , sixth Duke of Newcastle , succeeded to the position of Prov . Grand Master in 1 S 65 , and upon his jdeath the late Duke of St . Albans was , to the gratification oCall Nottinghamshire Masons , called upon to assume the appointment in the year 1 S 7 S . To the great regret of the members of the Craft , reasons of failing health necessitated the resignation in December last of the position of Prov . Grand Master

held by the Duke of St . Albans . The announcement , which unhappily had not been entirely unexpected , was made by bis Grace in person at a Prov . Grand Lodge meeting held at the Masonic Hall on the 9 th of that month The duke had up to that time held the office for a little over 19 years , and those whose privilege it was to hear the valedictory address will long preserve recollections of the deep impression which it created .

When a few months since it was announced that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had invited the Duke of Portland to fill the vacancy , and that his Grace had been pleased to comply with the request , it was felt that no more fitting choice could have been made . The duke has ever displayed the heartiest interest in matters appertaining to the Craft , and follows a distinguished line of predecessors in upholding its prestige in Nottinghamshire , as

throughout the country generally . His Grace was originally initiated into th e Craft as a member of the United Lodge , at the Freemasons' Hall , in L ondon . He is also a member of the Household Brigade Lodge , and of the Royal Alpha Lodge , of the latter of which he is at present S . W ., and of the Forest and Duke of Portland Lodges . His Grace has held office in Grand Lodge as Warden .

Not the least interesting circumstance in connection with yesterday ' s proceedings was that the installation ceremony was performed by Bro . Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck , M . P ., brother of the duke , and himself the Prov . G . Master of Cumberland and Westmoreland . Many Past and

Present Officers of the Grand Lodge of England were present , the majority of whom travelled with the Duke ol Portland by the nine o'clock train from Sf . Pancras , and were met upon their arrival at the Midland Station , Nottingham , by Bro . J . T . Spalding and others representing the brethren ol the province .

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at a quarter past \ z , at the Albert Hall , which had been admirably arranged for the purpose of the large gathering . At one end of the room a dais had been erected , which was occupied by the Installing Master , supported by officers of the Grand Lodge of England . The ground floor was reserved entirely for past and present officers of Provincial rank . The members of the lodges in order of seniority

were ranged under their respective banners alternately on the right and left of the dais . The order for mourning for the late Provincial Grand Master was suspended for the occasion . Bro . Lieut .-Col . Wm . Newton , as Deputy Prov . Grand Master , presided attheopeningofthelodge , the chair being afterwards taken by Bro . Lord Henry Bentinck as Installing Master . Among those present

were—Bro ? . the Right Hon . W . Lawies Jackson , M . P ., P . G . M . Yorks . ; the Marquis of Granby , P . G . W . Eng . ; Thomas Fenn , acting G . D . C ., P . G . W . ling . ; Robert Grey , P . G . W . ling , ; Henry Smith , P . D . P . G . M . W . Yorks ., P . G . D . Eng . ; Lieut .-Col . John Allen Bindley , P . D . P . G . M . Staffs ., P . G . D . Eng . j Lieut .-Col . William Newton , D . P . G . M . Notts ., P . G . D . Eng . ; John C . Malcolm , D . P . G . M . W . Yorks ., P . G . D . Eng . ; his Honour Judge Masterman , P . G . D . Eng . ; Ensor

Drury , Sheffield , P . G . D . Eng . ; W . H . Bailey , P . G . T . En « . ; E . Letchworth , G . Sec . Eng- ; Samuel Steads Partridge , D . P . G . M . Leicestershire , P . A . G . D . C Eng . ; George Beech , D . P . G . M . Warwickshire , P . G . S . B . Eng . ; Lieut .-Col . G W . Walker , D . P . G . M . Staffs ., P . G . S . B . Eng . ; G . C . Kent , Staffs ., P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; Thomas Cox , Derbyshire , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; Bcnj imin Vickers , Lincolnshire , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; H . J . Strong , Surrey , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; Win ,

Naylor , Derbyshire , P . G . S . B . Eng . ; J . M . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . B ., P . G . S . B . Eng . ; W . H . Marsden , N . and E . Yorks , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; Arthur Stubbs , G . Std . Br , Eng ., P . G . S . Notts . ; V . G . Ivey , W . M . 99 , P . G . Stwd . Eng . ; E . M . Kidd , P . P . S . G . W ., acting P . J . G . W ., in the absence of Bro . C . A . Bolton ; Rev . A . J . L . Dobbin , 402 , P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Chap . ; Rev . H . T . Hayman , 402 , P . P . G . C , Prov . G . Chap . ; George Atter , 1661 , Prov . G . Treas . ; F . W . Pox , 2017 , Prov . G . Reg . ; Thos . Fisher , 1852 , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Frank

Farrands , 1405 and 259 . ) , Prov . G . D . C . ; N . Ashurst , 1435 and 2553 , Prov A . G . D . C ; II . Kiddier , 1435 , Prov . G . S . B . ; H . Blandy , 411 , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; S . E . Berrey , 1493 , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; A . R . Watson , 47 , Prov . G . Org . ; J . P . W . Marx , 1509 , P . P . G . D . C , Prov . A . G . Sec ; T . J . Haytcr , 1794 , Prov . G Purst . ; C . B . Beccroft , 2 4 12 , Prov . A . G . Purst . ; John Moody , acting Prov . G . Tyler ; Arthur Barlow , 1434 , E . F . Milthurpe , 1661 , Geo . Thompson , 1802 , G W . Hooton , 1909 , Lisle Rookley , 2302 , and Dr . W . H . Wright , 251 ) 4 , Prov . G . Stwds . ; together with Past Prov . G . Ollicers , members of lodges , and others .

Bro . Lord HENRY BENTINCK , in the course of an inaugural address , relcrred to the progress the province had made under the benign rule of the late Grand Master , the Duke ol St . Albans . He remembered the occasion when the duke delivered his farewell address to the Provincial Grand Lodge , and was profoundly touched by the evidence of the esteem and affection in which the duke was held . He need not say anything with regard to the

Duke of Portland , whom he knew probably better than anyone else present . Perhaps , however , he should not be saying too much when he ventured to prophesy that his Grace would prove , in his capacity as Prcvincial Grand Mas : er , one who was possessed of all the virtues which he had so well displayed in the past , and which had endeared the duke to him ( Lord Hy . Bentinck ) and to the whole of his family .

Siven Masters of the Province , in the order of seniority of lodges , were then deputed to introduce the Provincial Grand Master elect to the lodge , these included Bros . Mason , 47 I H . G . Ashwell , 402 ; F . H . Fish , 411 ; il , \; , ? P eddin ff ' 539 i li- W . Wells , 1405 ; M . I . Preston , 1435 ; and W . Wheatley , 140 s .

Bro . F . W . Fox , Prov . G . Reg ., read the pa ' . enl ol appointment , which wassigned by H . R . H . the Prince ol Wales , as Grand Master ; Earl Amherst , Deputy G . M . ; and Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . Ihe ceiemony of installation having been performed , r A M Ukeoi FoRTLAN " a'd he desired to thank the Most Worshipful Orand Master of England for having appointed him his representative for uie I roymce of Notts , with which county he ( the duke ) was associated by so ¦ inendly ties

any . He accepted with pleasure the honour which his Royal mginess had conferred upon him , arid did not forget the responsibilities diuciimg jo the position . He was certain he was expressing the feeling of every Diotlier present when he said how deeply they regretted the death of tic ate 1 rovn . cial ( hand Master , ihe Duke ot Si . Albans , who took so H ? ? " , mfc , ebt '" ll * Ctalt . » "d u'ldi r whose wise and genial rule Masonry n ., u „ r i > ' 1 , P ' ov , nct ' - He ci . ly bored that dining the time he ( the "UKeol l ortland ) had the honour and pr . v . le ^ of occupying his present

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Nottinghamshire .

position , he might be thoroughly successful in obtaining the support and esteem of the brethren , and be enabled to sustain the prosperity of their valuable Institutions . He should endeavour to thoroughly realise and carry out the aims of the Craft and improve its position in the province , and he

trusted that all the brethren would support him in his ' endeavour . He had great pleasure in announcing as his deputy , Lieut .-Col . Wm . Newton , an excellent member of the Order , who would , he was sure , carry out the duties with the same assuidity which he had displayed under the late Grand Master of the province .

The PROV . GRAND REGISTRAR read the patent relating to Bro . Col . Newton ' s appointment , and the latter was duly invested . This terminated the business of Prov . Grand Lodge , and the ' members were aftei wards formed in procession in order of prescedence , and marched to the hospital for the purpose of the foundation-stone laying .

The procession left the Albert Hall at 1 . 30 and proceeded byway of Wellington-terrace , East Cathedral-street , Park-row , and Postern-street to the hospital . On arriving at the site , Sir CHARLES SEELV , addressing the Duke of Portland , said that it was his pleasant task to ask his Grace to be good enoug ' i to lay lhat stone , and he had to thank him and that great assembly

c ( their great and ancient Order for the kindness they had done them and the honour they had conferred upon them by coming there that day . That wing , of which that was the memorial stone , was primarily intended for the benefit of those who needed surgical and medical assistance , and who were not able to procure it themselves . But it was also intended as a memorial of the 6 o ' . h year of the illustrious reign of the Oueen ,

The Duke of PORTLAND having had a silver trowel presented to him by Sir Charles Seely , said : Men and brethren here assembled to behold this ceremony , be it known unto you that we be the lawful Masons , true and f tiihful to the laws of our country , and engaged by solemn obligations to erect handsome buildings to be serviceable to the brethren , and to fear God , the Great Architect of the Universe . We have among us , concealed from

the eyes of all men , secrets which may not be revealed , and which no man has discovered , but these secrets are lawful and honourable , and not repugnant to the laws of God or man . They were entrusted in peace and honour to Masons of ancient times , and having been faithfully transmitted to us , it is our duty to convey them unimpaired to the latest posterity . Unless our Craft were good and our calling honourable , we should not have

lasted for so many centuries , nor should we have had so many illustrious brothers in our Order , ready to promote our laws and further our interests . 1 am very glad that , coming direct from my installation as Prov . Grand Master of Nottinghamshire , the first official duty I have to discharge is to lay the foundation-stone of an important addition to the hospital of the county town as commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of our Patron her

Majesty the Queen . The new building will contribute largely to the alleviation of suffering , and administer to the wants of the sick and distressed amongst us , and I heartily hope that the undertaking may be crowned with success for the beneficent purposes for which it is designed . We are assembled here to-day , in the presence of you all to erect this building to

the honour and glory of the Most High , which we pray God may prosper as it seems good to Him , and as the first duty of Masons in an undertaking is to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe on their wotk , I call upon you to unite with our Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace .

Prayer having been offered b y the Prov . G . Chap ., Bro , the Rev . H . T . HAYMAN , the upper stone was raised and the lower one adjusted , the Duke of PORTLAND saying— " I now declare it to be my will and pleasure lhat the corner-stone of this building be laid . "

By direction of his Grace , the G . SECRETARY read the inscription on the plate , which was as follows : " This foundation-stone of the extension of the Nottingham General Hospital , and in commemoration of the 6 o : h year of her Majesty Oueen Victoria , was laid on the 7 th day of July , 1898 , by his Grace the Duke of Portland , G . C . V . O ., P . C . "

It was announced that the words " Provincial Grand Master of Notts , with Masonic ceremony , " would be added . The G . Treasurer afterwards deposited coins of the realm and the following other articles in the cavity , in accordance with time-honoured custom : The day's issue of the nines , the Nottingham Daily Guardian , tie Nottingham Daily Express , a . copy ol the 115 th annual report of the

s ate of the General Hospital , from March , 1 S 96 , to March , 1897 , with a list of the annual subscribers and benefactors , and an extract from the rules , a list of the names of the Extension Committee , official programmes of the installation of his Grace the Duke of Portland as Prov . Grand Master of Not s , and of the ceremony of the laying of the memorial stone of the new Jubilee wing , together with one each of the current coins of the realm .

The G . Secretary placed the plate on the lower stone , on the upper face cf which the cement was spread , and the Duke of Portland adjusted the same with the trowel handed to him for the purpose , after which the upper stone was slowly lowered , with three distinct stops . A vocal quartette , consisting of Bros . H . Stubbs , G . Stubbs , and E . Marriott ( St . Paul ' s Cathedral ) , and T . J . Haytcr rendered an appropriate sentence at each of the three intervals .

' the Duke of Portland , having proved the stone by the level and the square , struck it three times with the mallet , and then scattere d corn , poured out wine , and sprinkled oil upon Ihe stone . Mr . P . Waterhouse was then presented to the Duke of Portland , who , having inspected the p lans , returned them to Mr . Waterhouse , together with the several tools used in proving the position of the stone .

The Prov . S . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . A . I .. DODIIIN , pronounced the blessing , and the ceremony concluded with the National Anthem and cheers lor the Queen . The procession returned to the Albert Hall in reverse order , and the Prov . Grand Lodge was closed .

hollowing upon the closing of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the officers and brethren of the Craft repaired to the Victoria Hall , Upper Talbotstretl , to partake of a banquet , over which the newly-installed Prov . Grand Master presided . At the conclusion of the banquet , the toast of " The Oueen and the Craft" having been drunk with enthusiasm upon the proposal of the Duke

of PORTLAND , his Grace , in proposing " The Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " said the next toast which I have the honour to propose to you , like that which you have just pledged , does not depend on the words of the speaker to cause it to bi received with the greatest loyalty and pleasure . In such an assembly as this it is needless for me to dilate on the manifold benefit ; which have accrued to the Craft from