Provincial Meetings.

unable to make an adequate response , and he hoped the brethren would take the will for the deed . It was-one of the happiest moments of his life , and he fully appreciated the great honour which had been conferred upon him . It was no easy task , he said , to follow the worthy and brilliant Past Masters who had preceded him . but he would do his best to maintain the traditions of the lodge and the dignity of his high office . ,

Bro . G . De Pans n » xt proposed ' Th ° . Visitors . " to which Bros . VV . Goss , D . M . Ross . J . J . Clark , A . F . Lamette . and W . R . Masuire responded . The Worshiofu ! Alaster submitted " The Past Masters " and "The Officers of the Lodge . " Bros . J . Turton and G . T . Shaft responding for the

former , and Bros . Jos . Ewart and W . P . Hart for the latter . The Tyler's toast brought the enjoyable evening to a close . During th ^ evening songs were given in pleasing st \ Ie by Mi-s Ethel Welling , Miss Maud Bond , Bro . ' George Perran ( who met with a very cordial reception ) , Bros . Jas . Turton . and G . E . Barwell , the last-named carrying out the duties ol accompanist with great efficiency .

£ GHINGFORD . William ' .. Shurmur Lodge ( No . 2374 ) . — The installation meeting was held on the 19 th instant , at the Roval Forest Hotel , when over 200 brethren attended . Bro . II . Ffrench Bromhead , P . G . S . of W ., the W . M .. presided . The lodge having been opened , and the preliminary work disposed of . Bros . S . Lewis , E . R . Creagh , \ V . VV . Ives , and G . J . Stubbings were passed to the Degree ol

M . M ., and Bro . J . Jenkinson to that of F . C , after which Mr . Frederick Inch was initiated , the ceremonies being performed by the W . M . and Bro . Shurmur . Bro . Bromhead afterwards installed Bro . Nathaniel Fortescue , C . C , as W . M . Bro . Bromhead was invested as I . P . M ., and the following received the other collars of office : Bros . Richard Kershaw , S . W . ; James Speller , P . M ., P . G . D ., J . W . ; Ven . Archdeacon Dunbar , Chap . ; Wm . Shurmur , P . M .,

P . P . G . T ., Treas . ; James Pinder , P . M ., P . G . T ., Sec . ; S . J . Westfield , P . P . G . S . B ., Asst . Sec ; C . H . Bestow , S . D . ; S . C . Kaufman , P . M ., J . D . ; J . Holland , I . G . ; W . S . Wright , D . C ; W . Fortescue , A . D . C ; J . F . Haskins , P . P . G . O ., Org . ; C Horst , T . H . Lloyd , J . Clark , M . Seigenberg , J . King , S . Wildash , J . R . Carter , and M . Bleick , Stewards ; and J . Ives , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . MacColIa was elected as the lodge ' s representative on the Essex Charity Committee . When the time arrived for

electing a Steward for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , the Worshipful Master , while accepting the office of a Charity Steward , chose the Masonic Girls' School as the Institution for his Stewardship , and headed his list of subscriptions with a personal donation of ioo guineas . A donation of 100 guineas was also voted by the lodge . The Treasurer was then authorised to sign a cheque for another 100 guineas , the amount voted hy the lodge tor liro .

Bromhead ' s list for the Boys' School Festival of June aSth last . The brethren afterwards sat down to banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . After the toasts of " The Queen and the Craft , " " The Most Worshiofu ! Grand " vtaster , the Prince of Wales . " and "The Most Worshipful Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " had been disposed of , on the proposition of the Master ,

Bro . Buck , P . P . S . G . W ., was the first to reply to the toast of "The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Lord Brooke ; Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Philbrick , O . C , G . Reg . ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and he stated that it might not be out of place to mention that Essex would try and contest for the Grand Treasurership of the Grand Lodge of England in the person of Bro . Shurmur . It was some liltle time since that he

( Bro . Buck ) signed his name to his circular ; he thought it was last year , but Bro . Shurmur then gave way very graciously for another candidate . He now trusted that Essex would do its best this next year to show it had a member whom they considered worthy of the high office of Grand Treasurer of England . Bro . William Shurmur , Prov . Grand Treas ., also replied , saying he regretted exceedingly that their beloved Prov .

Grand Master , Lord Brooke , and his equally beloved Deputy , Bro . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg ., were not present , lie was sure those distinguished brethren would have been delighted with the manner in which the toast had been proposed and received . He had in his possession two autograph letters from those brethren . The purportof Lord Brooke ' s was that by reason of the illness of his father , it was necessary that he should go to Warwick Castle . The

brethren would all sympathise with their Provincial Grand Master , and hope that the Earl of Warwick would speedily recover from his illness . The best testimony there could be of the esteem in which Lord Brooke was held in the Craft was when his lordship presided as Chairman of the last festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , a sum of considerably over £ 21 , 0 ) 0 was subscribed to the funds of that Institution , and £ 2000 of that amount came from

the Province of Essex . He did not know how to express himself with regard to the Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster , Hrj . Philbrick . 'They knew how devoted the learned brother was to the Craft , more especially in Essex , and his services ought to be recorded in letters of gold . Certainly so long as Masinry continued -and long might it c intinus —so long would Bro . Phihrick ' s honoured name b : regarded with respect , esteem , and affection . Bro . Pnilbrick ,

Recorder , wis engaged at tne Quarter bess 0 is , Co ' chestt r , but he desired the hearty goo 1 wishes and kindest remembrances to the brethren . He ( Bro . Shur . nur ) must now be a little personal . He was one ot the Past Provincial Grand Ollicers of Essex , and he should always remember with most p leasant feelings his jear of office as Provincial Grand Treasurer . Tne duties of the offic : Wi c \/^ ry light for him , as they were principally performedby thoexceltent

Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Kalhng . liro . Rallingdid the work , and he ( Bro . Shurimir ) shared the kuil is . Well , he also recollected that his cnnm-clion with the Province as Grand Officer . vasby n asonof the votes of the brethren . He knew that th ^ re were many frienOsarounJ him who , atgieai personal inconvenience , attended at Walton-on llu-Naze in order that he might be elided as Grand'Treasurer ihne

years ago . He thanked them very sincerely for securing his election by such an overwhelming majority , lb re was one "Utter he would like to refer to—that of the Ch irily Committee . This time last year their much-beIovi . < l and resp ' . i . ted Bm . Peter Allen was invested with the collar ol * Deacon . It was his ( Bro . Shurmur's ) privilege to initiate him into I ' reemasonry in the Warner Lodge in the absence of its W . M . Bro . Allan was a thoroughly good man and Mason .

Provincial Meetings.

Well , they determined to get his son into the Masonic Boy's School , and had succeeded owing to the Essex Charity Committee , with some 400 or 500 votes in excess ; but , as he had explained to the brethren of the Charity Committee , those votes were put in his hands for a specific purpose , and he could not conscientiously give them to any other case , even though there was a probability that they would not be required . He could not thank" the brethren too

much for the zeal which they had thrown into Ihe case , and he was sure they would all be delighted to hear that their departed brother's son was duly elected . Bro . Fortescue , W . M ., in acknowledging the toast of "The W . M ., " which was proposed by Bro . Bromhead , and most cordiall y honoured , said he had to thank the brethren for all their kindness , not only at the banquet table , but in the lodge . He thanked the Provincial Grand

Superintendent of VVorks for the way he had installed him . His heart was so full that he could not get tho words out fast enough , but he had to thank them most heartily for the way they had received him . 'The installation was done to every one ' s satisfaction , and he had a great deal to be proud of in his brother on his left . He next proposed "Ihe Health of the Past Masters , " and concluded by presenting liro . Bromhead with a handsome Past Master's

jewel . Bro . Bromhead , I . P . M ., in reply , said it was usual to receive a Past Master ' s jewel . It was not , however , the jewel itself , but the way it was presented , and he received it and should value it as long as he lived as a reminder of his happy association with the lodge . Bro . William Shurmur , P . M ., Treas ., also responded . He said it was well known in that lodge that there existed between the W . M . and himself a friendship of more than

usual strength and cordiality , and they would readily understand the intense gratification and pleasure it afforded him when Bro . Fortescue was unanimously elected to preside over the lodge . All the brethren would join in congratulating him upan having attained to the honourable degree of an Installed Master—a position which he would carry out faithfully and well , and in a manner which would not only gain an increase of their respect , esteem , and regard

but also be calculated to promote a continuance of that phenonemal prosperity which had hitherto attended the lodge . He had acted on the brethren ' s authority , and written a cheque for 100 gunieas , but Bro . AIcLeod bad gone , and he could not hand it to him . He would , however , post it to him to morrow . That made a sum of 200 guineas which the lodge had paid to the Alasonic Institution for Boys , constituting it vice-patron and entitling it to 30 votes

in perpetuity . Altogether , during the lodge's short career of not quite three years , it had paid Goo guineas to the Masonic Eleemosynary Institutions . It wasvice-patron of the Boys' School , entitled to 30 votes at each election ; and patron of the Masonic Benevolent Institution , entitled to Goo votes in perpetuity . This is very gratifying . They had not forgotten their friends ; they had tried to entertain them in the best manner they could ; but their great idea had

been the Masonic Charities . He thought if they were to exclude the cost of entertaining 2 S 5 visitors on the consecration night , the amount they had given to the Masonic Charities about equalled that which they had paid for their banquets , which was very gratifying and satisfactory . The W . M . had referred to his ( Bro . Shurmur ' s ) candidature for the office of Grand Treasurer . There was no doubt that that was the blue ribbon of the Order . He was rather

pleased that the W . M . should have referred to the subject , because it gave him ( liro . Shurmur ) an opportunity of contradicting a report that he had retired in favour ot his rival candidate . It was so reported , and he wished to contradict the report . It was not for him to retire or to go on . He was entireiy in the hands of his Committee , and whatever they said—whether "retire" or "go on" —he should loyally carry out . lie should always remember the zeal and

earnestness of his Committee , and he confidently believed that by their exertions at this time next year he should be the Grand Treasurer of England . 'The other toasts followed . There was an excellent programme of music , under the direction of Bros . Dr . J . F . Haskins and T . 11 . Lloyd , assisted by Signor Alsepti , Madame Charlton Kelly , Aliss Montague Conyers , and liro . Will Edwards . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

EASTBOURNE . Anderida Lodge ( No . 2434 ) . — The first anniversary meeting was held at the Queen ' s Hotel , on Wednesday , the iSth instant . Bro . 11 . Sutton was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being exceedingl y well performed by Bro . VV . E . Morris in , the retiring W . AI . The following officers were appointed : Bros . W . E . Morrison , l . P . M . ; C II . Haine , S . W . ; I . H . Ewart , J . W . ; T . W . Dean , Treas . ; I . II . Wright .

Sec ; F . Lawson Lewis , S . D . ; VV . F . Trydell , J . D . ; J . Creighton , D . C ; John Easter , Org . ; J . II . Maine , I . G . ; i <\ E . Young and Joseph Senior , Stewards ; E . Goldring , Tyler ; and A . j . Howard , Charity Steward . With regard to trie W .. VI ., it is noticeable that , although Bro . H . Sutton has been an active member and worker of the Craft for many years , this was the first occasion of his being appointed Alaster of a lodge . There was also the unusual circumstance that he had two sons present on the

. Subsequently a banquet took place , when the newlyinstalled W . AI ., who presided , was supported by the following visitors and brethren of the lodge : Bros . Dr . Trollope , P . G . D . ; Berridge , P . G . D . ; R . Clowes , P . G . D . ; II , Langton , P . G . W . ; J . P . Slingsby Roberts , P . G . W . ; A , P . Sherwood , W . AI . 91 G ; VV . Fowler , W . AI . uio ; W . vViight , W . M . 1303 ; J . J . Clark , W . AI . 1947 ; Lamttte ,

W . M . 21 S 7 ; 'Thornton , W . M . 2450 ; Alajor Snliwcll , W . AI . 2403 ; VV . E . . Morrison , P . P . G . W . ; Jos . Earnc , mbe , P . P . G . W . ; Dale Hart , P . M . ; E . VV . Adimson , P . A . G . D . C ; A . J . Howard , P . G . S . of W . ; C W . Tomes , P . G . S . of W . ; C H . Maine , P . A . G . D . C ; T . W . Dean , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . 11 . Wright , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Pidcock , P . P . G . R . ; Dr . AlacOueen , P . G . Steward ; J . H . Ewart , P . AL ; J . H . Creighion , P . M . ; F . J . Cox ,

P . M . ; J . C . Eoran , F . B . Sutton , K . 11 . Sutton , V Lawson Lewis , II . Elliott , J . II . Haine , W . F . Trydell , F . Is . Young , J . Senior , K . Caapbell , H . J . Capon , R . h ' rancis , V . G . Dive , F . Pike , and S . G . R . Coles , the Utter accompanying on the piano the various musical contributions to the pleasure of the evening . The customary toasts were proposed , great pleasure being expressed at liro . II . Sutton having assumed ihe chair of the lodge . The excellent catering of Mr . Steinle gave unqualified satisfaction .

Provincial Meetings.

FROME . Royal Somerset Lodge ( No . 973 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 17 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , when Bro . Gough was installed W . M . The ceremony was performed by Bro . R . C Else , Deputy P . G . M ., and there was also a good number of local brethren present , others including Bro . Jabez Turner , and representatives from Portishead

, Shepton Alallett , & c The following was the list of officers : Bros . R . S . Gough , W . M . ; R . E . Dickinson , S . W . ; J . A . LeGros , J . W . ; Rev . H . E . Polehampton , Chap . ; W . Mason , Treas . ; VV . H . Frankham , Sec ; Dr . Bell , S . D . ; W . Iggulden , J . D . ; A . J . Rozea , D . C ; E . Palmer , Org . ; C E . Richards , I . G . ; J . Gradidge and S . Hoddinott , Stwds . ; and H . Haley , Tyler . Subsequently , a banquet was held at the George Hotel

, when a recherche repast was provided . The following toasts were given : " The Oueen and the Craft ; " "The M . W . Grand Master H . RTtl . the Prince of Wales ; " "The M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Lathom , the R . W . Deputy G . M ., the Earl of Alount Edgcumbe , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past ; " "The R . W . the Prov . G . M ., the Viscount Dungarvan , the

V . W . the Deputy P . G . M ., Bro . R . C . Else , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past ; " "The VV . AL , Bro . Robert Sloper Gough ; " "The Installing Officer , Bro . R . C . Else ; " "The I . P . AL and Past Alasters of the Lodge ; " "The Visiting Brethren ; " "The Officers of the Lodge ; " "The Masonic Charities ; " and the Tyler ' s toast .

HAMPTON COURT . Hemming Lodge ( No . 1512 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at the Greyhound 1 lotel , on the iijth inst . Among those present were Bros . John Stewart , W . M . ; J . W . Clarke , S . W . ; II . Robinson , J . W . ; J . C Jessett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Capt . T . C Wall ' s , P . AL , P . P . G . W ., G . Stwd ., Sec ; Trotter , S . D . ; Hopkins , J . D . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., D . C ; P . Cronin , A . D . C ;

R . Eales , P . G . P ., and C . Wheatley , Stwds . ; W . Fisher , I . P . AL , P . G . Treas ; II . Jones , P . AL , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . Spearing , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . Clark , P . AI . ; II . Wheatley , P . AL , P . P . A . G . D . C ; A . F . Scholding , P . AL ; and J . Gilbert , P . G . T ., Tyler . The visitors were Bros . J . T . Briggs , P . M . 1503 , P . P . G . D . ; A . Tucker * , P . M . ' 1733 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; T . Neal , 134 S ; J . Mill , 1572 ; E . Glover , 1733 ; and F . Bridge , 1733 .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Alessrs . II . Whetton , jun ., and G . J . Dixson , and it being favourable , they were duly initiated into Craft mysteries . Bros . G . C . Brookes and C . E . Page were then passed to the Second Degree . It having been reported that since the last meeting Bros . VV . S . PJimsaul , P . AL , and 'I . Fairer , Org ., had died , a relolution of condolence to their respected widows was passed . Apologies for inability to attend were received

and read from Bros . R . II . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , D . P . G . AI . ; H . II . Room , P . G . Sec ; and G . J . Tagg , I . G . The resignation of liro . C J . Sanders was received with regret . Ihe lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was well served . Bro . W . Fisher , P . G . Treas ., responded on behalf of "The Provincial Grand Officers " in an effective speech . "Th * Health of the VV . AL" followed , and was warmly received .

In his reply , the W . AI . thanked them particularly for the assistance they had rendered him as Steward to the recent Boys' School Festival . I le said that he felt proud of being the Master of a lodge that always supported the great Charities of the Order . " The Initiates" followed , and Bros . Whetton , jun ., and Dixson responded Hucntlv , and as if to the manner born . In replying to the toast of " The Visitors , " Bro . J .

I ippin Briggs spoke at great length . He said that No . 1512 should be very proud that year in consequence of one ot its members being unanimously elected as Prov . Grand Treasurer . It made the honour greater , because the newlyinstalled Prov . Grand Master , Lord George Hamilton , had personally congratulated Bro . Fisher upon the preferment , lie would say that the province had chosen a good man and a worthy Mason . The work of the VV . AL that day

had been very creditably done . Residents in provinccshad not the same facilities for gleaning instruction as London brethren have , therefore liro . Smith ' s efforts were all the more commendable . It was by no means his lirst visit to No . 1512 , and he should look forward to the next with the most lively satisfaction . Bro . Neal also replied . Bros . Jones and SJiolding acknowledged the toast of

Ihe last Alasters , the latter ' s remarks being quaint and humorous . liro . George Ransford , P . AL , replied to the toast o ( "The Alasonic Charities " in exhaustive details . The Worshipful Alaster , in proposing the toast of " The Ollicers , " spoke in very high terms of the Treasurer , Uro .

Jessett , P . AL , whose geniality , good-nature , and thorough earnestness in his work could nut be too highly commended . This toast having been enthusiastically drunk , Bros . Jessett , J . W . Jlarke , and II . Robinson briefly replied . The proceedings , which throughout had been most successful , then tcrini lated .

HARROGATE . Harrogate and Claro Lodge ( No . IOOIJ , — Ihe regular monthly meeting of this 1 idge was held on Fiday , the 13 th inst ., at the Alisonic Mall . Amongst those in attendance weie liro . J . A . Alacnah , W . AI , ; W . Davey , S . W . ; A . li . Booty , J . W . ; R . G . Howson , P . M ., Chap . ; G . Thompson , P . AI . ' , Treas . ; VV . P . Bell , Sec . ; A . J . Spinks , S . D . ; T . Luikskill , J . D . ; VV . II . Turner , I . G . ;

E . Seaborne , Org . ; J . Wood and C . C I run , Stwds . ; F . D . Guss , D . C ; W . U . iul , lyler ; II , Bungay , Asst . Tyler ; K . H . Walteis , l . P . M . ; 1 . A . Marsh , P . M . ; T . Lawrence , P . AL ; A . | . liodinan , P . M . ; and J . T . Walker , P . AI . Visitors : Bros . | . Barker , P . AL 1102 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . P . L-iwren ' te , ( 73 ; Win . Weegmaiin , P . AI . 110 S ; W . II . Rendell , 1794 ; li . VV .

Rijhardson , 20 . 9 ; and W . J . Raye , ALA ,, f .. \\ . 1522 . The loilge having been opened , ihe minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed , alter which the ordinary business of the lodge was proceeded with , Bro . Coxon being raised to the Sublime Degree of a AI . M . by liro . Alacnab , VV . AL , Bro . Davey , S . W ., rendering the charge . At the conclusion of the business , " Hearty good wishes" were expressed , Bro . John Barker , P . P . G . S . of VV .,