Installation Of Lord Wantage, V.C, K.C.B., As Prov. Grand Master Of Berkshire.

out of his intentions of bombarding the city of Paris . What were those influences ? Prince Bismarck himself told them Freemasonry played a leading part among the influences which worked against him in secret , and were yet so powerful . Here was a matter of the highest importance , affecting all that civilization held dear , and the saving , not only of the lives of noncombatants , but of the monuments of architecture and the treasures of art

which adorn the great capital of France , and the destruction of which would be a world-wide calamity and a blot on our humanity and on modern civilization . ( Cheers . ) . He did not enter into the question of how this matter was to be regarded from the point of view of the statesman or the soldier , nor did he venture any opinion as to how far such intervention was justifiable or desirable . He only gave it as an instance of the vitality and power of

influence possessed by the brethren of the Craft , and of their desire to use that influence to mitigate the suffering and destruction that belonged to war . ( Cheers . ) It was well that in the stern arena of politics a reminder should sometimes be felt of the existence of forces that recognised in practice the / aw of universal brotherhood . ( Cheers . ) But the ordinary functions of Freemasonry did not deal with questions of such ma gnitude

They devoted themselves chiefly to endeavouring to carry . out their principles of brotherly love and good will by means of hospitals , schools , and such like benevolent Institutions , and in this sphere of work their Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , led the way by his indefatigable exertions in carrying out these objects of the Craft . ( Cheers . ) The brethren assembled in that room had fresh in their recollection the magnificent gathering which took

place in London in the month of June last , under ^ the presidency of the Prince of Wales , when over ^ 100 , 000 was raised for charitable objects connected with Freemasonry , Bro . Keyser , whom they were all happy to see among them that evening , contributing the noble sum of £ 5000 . ( Cheers . ) Lord Wantage went on to say that it did not become him in taking up his new duties , nor was he able to say much

about the work done by brother Masons , but among those present that evening was one who had borne the burden and heat of the day , and of whom he could not refrain from speaking . He alluded to Bro . Morland ( loud cheers ) , who in the interval that elapsed between the death of their late Grand Master , the Duke of Clarence , and his appointment filled the office of Deputy Grand Master , and whose admirable and judicious management of the province left nothing to be desired . ( Cheers . ) To his old

friend and comrade Lord Amherst , with whom he had served on less peaceful duties , he desired to express his sincere thanks for installing him into office that day , and for the handsome things he had been good enough to say with regard to himself . In conclusion , let him say it would be his pride and pleasure to do his best to serve them in the Province of Berkshire , with which he had so many friendly and even affectionate ties , as far as his health and strength would permit . ( Loud cheers . ) The insignia worn was manufactured by Bros . George Kenning and Son .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Hertfordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF HERTFORDSHIRE .

The annual convocation was held at the Four Swans Hotel , Waltham Cross , on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., under the presidency of Comp . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Grand Superintendent , there being a fairly good attendance of companions . The entertaining chapter was the James Terry , No . 2372 , which held its meeting for the installation of Principals and investiture oi officers earlier in the afternoon .

Provincial Grand Chapter having been opened , the roll of Provincial Grand Officers and Chapters was called , and Comp . F . Sumner Knyvett having been unanimously re-elected Prov . Grand Treasurer , the Grand Superintendent invested the following companions as his officers for the ensuing year , namely : Comp . Geo . E . Lake , P . Z . 404 ... ... Prov . G . H .

„ J . Brittain , P . Z . 1385 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Chas . Bullock , M . E . Z . 404 ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Wm . Metcalfe . P . Z . 2372 ... ... Prov . G . S . N .

„ F . Sumner Knyvett , P . Z . 404 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . D . Stuart Sim , P . Z . 404 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . H . Norris , P . Z . 403 ... ... Prov . Prin . Soj . „ G . Haynes , P . Z . 1479 ... ... Prov . ist A . S . „ W . P . Warren , M . E . Z . 2372 ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . S . „ E . D . Agnew , H . 400 ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ F . M . Bilby , P . Z . 2372 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ James Terry , P . Z . 13 S 5 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . A . Sproat , P . Z . ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Thos . Wright , Janitor 403 ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s statement of account for the past year , as audited in June last , was presented and adopted , and on the motion of Comp . KNYVETT the sum of £ 5 was voted from the funds of Provincial

Grand Chapter to the James Terry Chapter towards defraying the expenses of entertaining Provincial Grand Chapter . Provincial Grand Chapter having been closed , the companions dined together under the presidency of their respected Grand Superintendent .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Northumberland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF NORTHUMBERLAND .

The annual convocation of the above Provincial Grand Chapter took place on Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., in the Masonic Hall , North Shields , Comp . the Right Hon . Sit * Matthew White Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., Grand Superintendent , presiding . There was a large gathering of companions amongst whom were the following—Comps . Canon Walker , P . G . H . . J . A . Forbes , P . G . J . ; Thos . Purvis , P . G . S . E . ; T . R . ShortP . G . S . N . ; T . J . Armstrong , P . G . Reg . - Jas . ShawP . G . Std . Br . j

, , J . Straker Wilson , as P . G . D . C . ; Jacob Barker , P . G . S . B ., as P . G . Org . ; Chas . Pullman , P . A . G . D . C ; J . Cartmell Ridley , P . P . G . H . ; J . Gibson Youll , P . P . G . H . ; John Spearman , P . P . G . H . ; Thos . Blenkinsop , P . P . G . H . ; George Blair , P . P . G . S . N . ; A . T . Aitchison , P . P . G . S . N . ; John Calvert , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; M . I Cohen , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; and A . Mustart , P . P . A . G . S . ; also Comps . C . D . Hill Drury , P . P . G . H ., John T . Wilson , P . G . J ., R . H . Holme , P . G . S . N ., and D . Cameron , P . G . Reg ., of Durham .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Northumberland.

A new chapter , named after the / ate G . Superintendent of Northumberland , Comp . Col . Addison Potter , was consecrated by the Grand Superintendent , assisted by Comps . Rev . Canon Walker , P . G . H . ; J . A . Forbes , P . G . J , j T . Purvis , P . G . S . E . ; J . S . Wilson , P . P . G . H ., as D . C . ; and J . Barker , P . G . S . B ., Musical Director .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , in the course of his address to the companions , expressed his regret at the retirement from active service of Comp . George Spain , P . P . G . H ., who had served the offices of President of the Fund Committee and-P . G . D . C . for 11 years , and then congratulated the members of Prov . Grand Chapter on the continued growth of Royal Arch Masonry , as was shown by an increase of something like 36 members during

the year . There had been , so far as he was aware , no discordant element throughout the province during the past year , which was a matter of great satisfaction . He was glad that the first chapter he had had the privilege of consecrating had been named after so eminent a Mason as the late Comp . Addison Potter , who rendered great service to the Province of Northumberland .

Comp . G . E . Macarthy , P . P . G . H ., was re-elected Prov . Grand Treasurer . The Grand Superintendent appointed and invested the following Prov . Grand Officers :

Comps . H . Gibson ... ... ... Prov . G . H » „ R . Weddell ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Thomas Purvis ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ J . G . Cole ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ G . E . Macarthy ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . J . Armstrong ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . Calvert ... ... _ .. ... Prov . G . P . S . „ M . T . Cohen ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S .

„ J . R . D . Lynn ... ... ... Prov . G . and A . S . „ John Watson ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ T . Appleby ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . Straker Wilson ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ C . H . Reay ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Thos . Pickering ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . A . Stelling ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ J . Curry ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

The following were appointed officers of the new chapter : Comps . G . Blair , M . E . Z . ; F . W . Sykes , H . ; A . P . Farthing , J . ; G . Foster , S . E . ; H . Forster , S . N . ; J . Reed , P . S . ; A . Scott , ist A . S . ; J . G . Wadland , 2 nd A . S . ; and J . Hammond , P . Z ., Treas . The next annual convocation was fixed to be held at Wallsend , and the principals of the Tyne Chapter were charged with making the necessary arrangements . The annual banquet was held in the Masonic Hall in the evening .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons Of Middlesex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF MIDDLESEX .

The annual meeting was held at the London Tavern , E . C , on the 14 th inst . Bro . Col . A . B . Cook , Prov . G . M ., was supported by Bro . W . M . Stiles , G . T ., Prov . G . T ., as Dep . P . G . M . ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . W ., as Prov . S . G . W . ; Geo . Graveley , Prov . J . G . W . ; R . A . B . Preston , P . G . O . j A . Stewart Brown , Prov . G . Sec . ; Rev . W . Russell Finlay , Prov . G . Chap . ; Frank Sheffield , Prov . G . S . B . ; Capt . C . J . Knightley , Prov .

G . D . C ; Geo . Thomas , P . P . G . S . B . ; Millner Jutsum , P . P . G . Reg . ; A . H . Scurrah , P . G . Stwd . j M . Christian P . S . G . D . ; Dr . H . W . Roberts , P . G . S . ; C Wilkinson , P . P . G . S . ; Lt .-Gen . Astley Terry , W . M . 44 S ; L . Mieville , A . Clark , S . W . 448 ; Spencer Morris , P . M . 3 ; J . C . F . Tower , S . W . ; B . A . Smith , P . M . 19 ; F . G . Ivey , W . M . 3 ; E . Nash , M . O . 504 ; Jas . Irvine , J . W . 469 ; A . Collins , S . W . ; J . Taylor , S . W . ; L . Danielson , J . O . 485 ; and many others .

Prov . G . Lodge was opened , and the minutes confirmed . The report of the Committee of General Purposes was adopted , showing that the number of members in the province had been maintained , and that there was a good balance in the hands of the Treasurer , notwithstanding a donation of 25 guineas to the Mark Benevolent Fund . Bro . W . M . Stiles was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer , and the roll of lodges was called , there being two unrepresented . The following Prov . G . Officers were appointed :

Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., M . P ., 504 , P . G . W . D . P . G . M . „ H . R . Graham , M . P ., 494 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Spencer W . Morris , 3 ... ... ... , Prov . J . G . W . „ W . Bradford , 284 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ Cuthbert Wilkinson , 357 ... ... Prov . G . S . O . „ Major F . Sheffield , 284 ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . W . Russell Finlay , 448 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ W . M . Stiles , G . T ., 494 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Edward Nash , 504 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Alex . Stewart Brown , 448 , P . G . D . ... Prov . G . Sec .

„ John iaylor , 1 73 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ F . G . Ivey , 3 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ Henry Longman , 494 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of Wks . „ Capt . C J . Knightley , 284 , P . G . S . B . ... Prov . G . D . C . . 1 W . Bigg , 350 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Major-Gen . Astley Terry , 448 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ L . Mieville , 504 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . Bayne , 485 — ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ F . G . Webster , 350 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Mitchell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

Bro . Dr . STEWART BROWN , Prov . G . Sec , in proposing that the present Prov . G . M . be recommended to Mark Grand Lodge for re-appointment , said that Bro . Cot . Cook had done good and true service not only to the province but to Mark Masonry in general , by taking the chair at the Mark Benevolent Fund Festival and exceeding the amount previously collected . The Province of Middlesex should consider itself exceedingl y fortunate and happy in having a Prov . G . Master who took such a deep interest in Mark Masonry .

Bro . W . M . STILES , Prov . G . Treas ., seconded the proposition which was unanimously carried .