Oxfordshire.

present . " They knew the D . G . M . devoted himself to Freemasonry to the utmost limit of his leisure , and that , notwithstanding all his duties connected with the State , he was frequently at bis post in Grand Lodge . H owever , their interest in this toast principally rested in its connexion with this province , and they had had a most excellent Prov . G . M . in the person of Bro . Spiers , who was P . G . S . B . They had also among them that evening their excellent and worthy brother , the Rev .

Sir John Hayes , P . G . Chap ., whom they all delighted to see ; also Bro . Gumbleton , P . G . D ., Bro . the Rev . Charles Martyn , G . Chap ., and other brethren who had held office in Grand Lodge . Bro . the Rev . C . Martyn expressed the great gratification he felt in re-visiting Oxford , every building in which brought back to his mind most vividly and forcibly the happy days he spent there . When he returned and attended a Masonic gathering , it seemed but yesterday when he took part in the business of one

of the Oxford lodges . He well remembered all the kind things that the D . Prov . G . M . said of him 11 years ago , when he ( Bro . Martyn ) occupied the position now filled by Bro . S . P . Spiers , and bow the Prov . G . M . prophesied for him a happy and brilliant career iu Freemasonry . He considered that he should attain the height of his ambition if he filled the post of G . Chap ., to which he had been appointed , but he must say his position was quite insignificant when be compared it with what lie had

seen that day : he , of course , referred to the installation of Bro . Spiers as AV . M . of the Alfred Lodge by his worthy father , the D . Prov . G . M . Eleven years ago the P . G . M . spoke in flattering terms of Bro . Martyn and his bride , and now he stood before them as the happy father of two sons aod he would not say of how many daughters . The eldest boy was constantly declaring that he would be a Freemason and a clergyman , and he ( Bro . Martyn ) hoped he miht be spared to instal him as Bro . Siers

g p had his son , and that he in his turn might initiate his brother , who , however , was now but 14 months old . He heartily trusted their P . G . M . might be spared for many years to preside over this province . The Prov . . G . M . in eulogistic terms , next called on the brethren to drink " The health of Bros . Sir J . AV . Hayes , Murray , Col . Adair , and Talbot , " ( the latter of whom had taken his departure ) . The toast was cordially received .

Bro . the Rev . Sir J . W . Hayes , Bart ., in returning thanks , acknowledged the great assistance the Proviuce of Berks and Bucks always derived from the Masons of Oxfordshire , and he rejoiced that the Province of which lie hud the honour of being D . Prov . G . M . was in such close affinity to them . Most sincerely did he wish prosperity to the Province of Oxford . The G . M . of China responded , and said lie hoped that within 12 months from the present date he should be presiding over a

Prov . G . Lodge in Hong Kong , when nothing he could say would evoke their enthusiasm more than the knowledge that the Masons assembling at this ancient seat of learning , remembered their brethren in the Chinese Empire . He had always regarded Oxford as a most important nursery for Freemasonry , as many of tbe brethren who were initiated there , spread the good principles of the Order throughout all parts of the world . His immediate predecessor was one of themselves , and it was owing to

the good Masonic principles which he took so much trouble to disseminate aud the organisation he introduced , that he ( Bro . Murray ) , had been able to canyon tho work of the lodge and hold the position which entitled him to return thanks as the representative of the Grand Lodge of China . He trusted the great Architect of the Universe wuuld continue to vouchsafe to them peace i » nd happiness . Co ) . AdairP . Prov . G . M . ( Somerset ) also respondedand

, , , assured his Oxfordshire brethren , that whenever they came so far westward as Somerset , they would always receive a hearty welcome . He was succeeded in the office of Prov . G . M . by a member of the Apollo Lodge , Lord Carnarvon , who took much interest in everything connected with Freemasonry . He felt much pleased to see his worthy Bro . Col . Bowyer , in the chair ; and it afforded him gratification to meet his mother lodge aud other lodges of tbe Province . He congratulated tho Alfred

Lodge on their new AV . M . who had that day been installed in the chair of K . S ., and he might truly say that a worthy father had been succeeded by a worthy son . He saw another son of their excellent D . Prov . G . M . receive tho secrets of Freemasonry and what he had that day witnessed was altogether sufficient to move tbe hearts of them all . In conclusion be thanked his Oxford brethren very heartily for their kindness and hospitality . The Prov . G . M . said he now ro-e to propose a toast most interesting to the Province and Provincial Grand Lodge , it was

" The health of the V . AV . D . Prov . G . Master , and the Prov . G . Officers , Past and Present . " They could do very little in the Province , without the zealous assistance of the Prov . G . Officers . He assured the brethren it was quite impossible for him to express in any adequate terms what he felt with regard to the DProv . G . Master , and he would not attempt to say much in his presence . Indeed no remarks of his were necessar \ , as Bro . Spiers had for some quarter of a century lost no opportunity of

advancing the interests of Freemasonry , but had devoted himself to the Craft in a manner which one could scarcely conceive possible seeing that he had many other duties to perform . Having referred to the great good Bro , Spiers had done as a Mason , the Prov . G . M . complimented the other officers in the Province for the efficient way in which they had promoted the welfare of the Order in this Province .

Bro . Spiers , the D . Prov . G . M ., ahly returned thanks , and spoke of the pleasure he felt iu installing his son as AV . M . of the Alfred Lodge , and in seeing his third son initiated . AVhenever the Masons of this province thought he could do anything to promote the interests of the Craft they might rely upon his services , as that object was one of the greatest he had in , view .

Bro . Capt . Lamert , AV . M . of the Apollo Lodge , also responded , and was followed by Bro . S . P . Spiers , AV . M . of the Alfred Lodge , expressed the feelings of pride realised by the brethren of that lodge in entertaining the Prov . G . Lodge , and assured the brethren in different parts of the province that they would always meet a hearty welcome in the lodge over which he now had the honour to preside . Speaking on behalf of himself , Bro . Spiers said he had received so much kindness and good feeling from every one present that he scarcely knew how to express his thanks . Suffice

it to say , he had always endeavoured to do his duty both as a man and as a Mason , and for anything he had done he had been amply repaid by tbe honour conferred upon him that day . They could well understand how much his pleasure had been enhanced by the fact that he had been installed by his father . It had also been a source of much gratification to him to initiate his younger brother into Freemasonry . In conclusion he again thanked the Prov . G . M . and brethren for the honour they bad

done him . Bro . Gumbleton , AV . M ., Churchill Lodge , Bro . Looker , P . M ., Cherwell Lodge , and Bro . Horlock , AV . M ., Bowyer Lodge , severally responded . The Prov . G . M . then proposed the health of the visitors , associating with it the name of Bro . George J . Cosburn , Sec . ^ Lodge of Hope , Newbury , who returned thanks . Bro . S . P . Spiers gave the health of the entered apprentices

and the D . Prov . G . M . admirably rendered the Entered Apprentice's song , after which , Bro . Frank Spiers and Bro . Richard AVilliams ( Paymaster in the Royal Navy ) duly returned thanks . " The Masonic Charities" anil other toasts were honoured , and this most agreedblo gathering of Masons broke up about midnight . The Prov . G . M . entrusted the banquet to the charge of the Alfred Lodge , and the whole of the arrangements were

excellent . AVe may add that the R . W . P . G . M . of Berks and Bucks ( Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., MP ., ) was prevented attending by Parliamentary duties . Visitors to the Oxford Commemoration Festivities next week will have the opportunity of attending the Masonic fete , which promises to be a most enjoyable affair , not only for the brethren of the province , but also for their lady friends , who will doubtless grace the meeting in considerable numbers .

OXFORD . —Alfred Lodge ( No . 340 ) . —The annual festival of this lodge was held , prior to the meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge , at the University Masonic Hall ( by permission of tbe Apollo University Lodge ) , Bro . Alfred Spiers , D . Prov . G . M ., in the unavoidable absence of the AV . M ., took the chair , and installed , in a most admirable maimer , his sou , Bro . Samuel P . Spiers , as AV . M . Ou the conclusion of the ceremony the W . M . appointed bis officers as follows : —BrosJJugginsSWAV . G .

Embef-. . , .. ; lin , J . A \ . ; Rev . T . G . Mortimer , Chap . ; H . Houghton , P . M ., Treas . ; W . R . Hobbs , Sec ; Wultor Thompson , S . Deacon ; G . T . Prior , J . D . ; AV . Boiling and J . Saunders , Dirs . of Cers . ; D . Spencer , I . G . ; J . Chapman , Org . ; AA . J . Thurland , Steward ; AV . Stephens , Tyler ; and G . Norwood . The AV . M . then initiated his brother , Mr . F . E . Spiers and Mr . R . AVilliams into Freemasonry . The lodge was closed in due form .