Provincial.

Bro . Mortimer , 918 , Prov . Grand Organist . Prov . Grand Sword Bearers . P . Prov . Grand Assistant Directors of Ceremonies . Bro . Dr . Holmes , P . AI . 771 , Assist . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . P . Prov . Grand Directors of Ceremonies . Bro . James Strange , P . AI . 209 , Prov . G . Director of Cers . P . Prov . Grand Superintendent of AA orks . Bro . A . L . Taylor , AV . AI . 591 , Prov . G . Supt . of AVorks , bearing

the trowel on a velvet cushion . P . Prov . Grand Deacons . P . Prov . Grand Secretaries . Grand Bro . AV . Biggs , P . AI . 1 , 101 Prov . G . Sec , Grand Steward . bearing the Book of Constitutions on Steward . a velvet cushion . P . Prov . Grand Registrars . Bro . II . II . Hodges , P . AI . 795 , Prov . Grand Registrar .

P . Prov . Grand Treasurers . Bro . C . Holden , P . M . 771 , G . Treas , bearing a phial containing the coins to be deposited in the stone . P . Prov . Grand Chaplains . P . Prov . Grand AVardens . Brethren of distinction . Past and Present Provincial Grand AIasters . The column of the Prov . J . G . AV , borne by the Alaster o f a lodge . Bro . J . Mcadley , P . AI . 948 , Prov . J . G . AV ., with a plumb rule . The column of the Prov . S . G . AV , borne by the Alaster of a lodge . Bro . H . D'Almaiue , P . AI . 945 , Prov . S . G . AV .. with f . lie level .

Bio . J . AA . Hounslow , AV . AI . 411 , Prov . J . G . D . Grand Ilro . the Rev . J . D . R . Fieller , P . AI . 591 , Grand Steward . Prov . G . Chap ., bearing the Volume of tho Steward . Sacred Law on a velvet cushion . The Rev . Sir J . AV . Hayes , Bart : ., I ) . Prov . G . AI , with tbe square Bro . J . Cross , P . AI . 209 , Prov . G . Sword Bearer . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., the R . AV . Prov . Grand Alaster . Bro . . 1 . AATlghtmau , AA ' . AJ . 1101 Prov . S . G . Deacon .

, , Two Prov . Grand Stewards . Prov . Grand Tyler . The band and stun' of tho Royal Berks Militia came next , followed by tho borough police and an officer carrying the civic banner , the Town AA ' ardens , members of the Town Council , School Trustees , Alace Bearer , the Mayor and his Chaplains , the I own Recorder , and the Town Clerk .

Then followed the carriages containing the Prince and Princess of Wales and their suite , escorted by a detachment of the Yeomanry calvalry , the High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant of the County , the Bishop of the Diocese , the Archdeacon of Berks , Alcmbois of Parliament and Justices of Peace , and the Mayors of other boroughs , the Yeomanry bringing up the rear . The Princebefore entering the tenthad assumed the

, , apron and insignia appropriate to the rank of Past Grand Alaster . State chairs had been placed for tbe Prince aud Princess on a raised dais at the east side of the stone , and when the Roval party entered the tent , the Mayor and Town Clerk approached fhe dais , and the Town Clerk read the following address : — "To his Royal Highness Albert Edward . Prince nf A \ , lo = .,,,. 1

Duke of Cornwall , K . G , & c . " May it please your Royal Highness , —AVe , the mayor , aldermen , aud burgesses of the borough of Beading , iu the ' comity of Berks , and the trustees of the Reading School de-ire most respectfully to express to your Royal Highness our deep sense of your courtesy and condescension in crnnin- amon-st us this day , for ( he purpose of laying the foundation ' stone f the

o > new school buddings , which we have undertaken to erect for th " benefit of the inhabitants of this town and of the county of Berks . AA e beg also to assure your Royal Hi ghness of the "Teat gratification and delight which all classes of this community experience from the kind consideration shot ™ towards us by her Royal Highness the Princess of AVales , in honouring ' ns with her presence on this most interesting occasion Iu invitiro

. - your Boyal Highness to lay the foundation stone of the new school buildings , we desire to state to your Royal Highness that a tree school or free grammar school was founded in this boroivh by King Henry tho Seventh , and that Queen Eliy .-. dicth uko manifested her Royal favour towards such school , and by a charter granted to the borough in the second year of her i-ch-li made provision for payment of an annual stipend of £ 10 to the muster of the school

- out of estates by that charter granledby hor . Majest y to the mayor , aldermen , and burgesses of the borom-h . Ihe school thus established was from the lime of its foundation up to a very recent period conducted under the direction of the

mayor , aldermen , and burgesses of this borough , and at some periods with much success , and many persons who attained distinction in tho Church and in the State received their school education thereat . AVe regret , however , to state that in late years the school , from the want of suitable school buildings and other causes , graduall y decayed , and during the last three years has ceased to be carried on , to the great detriment of the inhabitants of this borough and tho adjacent neihbourhood Under

g . these circumstances we have of late made strenuous efforts to revive and extend the ancient school , and with this view wo obtained from parliament the act intituled ' The Reading School Act , 1867 , ' under which we are now endeavouring to establish a school which may supply the educational want so much felt within the borough , and in the Royal county of Berks . Wo beg to inform your Royal Hi ghness that , in pursuance of this aim , we have succeeded in purchasing a site containing ten acres of land

, upon which we propose to erect adequate school buildings and masters' residences , and for this purpose we have raised by voluntary donations within the town of Reading , and from persons more immediatel y connected therewith , a sum exceeding £ 9 , 000 . AVe trust successfull y to accomplish the work we have undertaken , and that whilst the proposed new school will be of material advantage to the inhabitants of tho borough of Reading it will also be the means of providing a thoroughl " useful middle "

y class education for the sons of the inhabitants of the county of Berks generally , and thus supply a want which has long been deeply felt in the Royal county . AVe acknowledge with gratitude tho interest which your Royal Hi ghuess ' s family have always evinced iu undertakings having for their object the promotion of education , and we rejoice to believe that the ready compliance of your Royal Highness with our request to lay the tonndation-stone of new school buildings in our town this day

maybe icgarded as an evidence of your Royal Hi ghness ' s desire toaid in the promotion of this and kindred works . AVe humbl y oiler through your Royal Hi ghness to her Alost Gracious Majesty , our beloved Queen , the renewed assurance of our devoted affection and loyalty . AVe desire , in conclusion , to tender to your Royal Highness , and to her Royal Highness the Princess of AVales , our heartfelt wishes for your continued and increasing happiness , an ! wo sincerel y pray that your Royal Highness may be long spared to fulfil , under God ' s blessing , the duties of your exalted station .

'Given under the seal of the Corporation this 1 st dav of July , 1870 . ' " Peter Spokes , Mayor , and Chairman of Trustees . ' ¦ Thomas Rogers , Town Clerk . " Tlie address was bound in a handsome volume , quarto size , illuminated ou every page with glowing colours and gold , in the style of the sixteenth century . The binding , which is of crimson Levant morocco , is raisedcushion shapedhaving panel in

, , a relief of a . peculiar form , with a sunken centre , irf which is cmblazoned the arms of the borough of Reading , and encircling the shield the legend , -j- S'Commimi talis Radiiujie , in gold letter ' s on a white ground ; the insides ot the boards are lined with pale blue watered silk . The first page of tho book is the title , and contains within an elaborate border the words " To his Royal Highness the Prince of AA alcsK . G & c" At the head of the is

, , . page a view of the new Grammar School , painted from the drawing ofthe architect ( Air . A . AA atei-honse ) , at each side of which is a shield , one bearing the inscription " Reading Abbey , founded by Henry I . A . D . 1 , 121 , dissolved b y Henry AT II . ' . D . 1 , 539 ; Hugh Farrington , last Abbott ; " the other Shield , " School founded by order of Henry VII . A . D . 1 ,-lSO ; John Thorne , Abbot of the Monastery of Reading . " In the large illuminated initial is inserted the of the old

anus abbey , and interspersed in the illumination of the borders , the names of donors and eminent men who have been connected with the school since its foundation . Next follows the text of the address , which is continued over three pages , illuminated in the same exquisite style , the last pa ^ e having opposite the autograph signature of the Mayor and Town Clerk " the veritable was . seal of the corporation inserted in the thick loaf of the book ; next follow the names of the committee on ' a

separate page . The weather was somewhat stormy during tho reading of the address , and the noise from the flapping canvass almost prevented a word of the address being heard . Some fears were entertained for the security of the temporary structure , but fortunately the cords held on .

The Prince ' s reply to the address presented to him was as follows : —¦ "Air . Mayor and Gentlemen , —I desire to return my cordial