Provincial Grand Lodge Of Bristol.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BRISTOL .

\ N open Provincial Grand Lodgo of tho Freemasons of tho Bristol - jtV Province was hold on Friday evening , 30 th ult ., at tho Masonic Hall , Park-street . Thero was a largo attendance of the members of tho Craft , and the Hall presented a most brilliant appearance . The Provincial Grand Lodgo was opened iu form by tho Deputy Prov . Grand Master Bro . AV . A . F . Powell , and thoro wero present Bros .

S . E . Taylor P . G . Treas ., John F . Norris P . G . Reg ., R , M . AYorlock P . G . Sec , John Morgan P . G . S . D ., Daniel AVilliams P . G . D . C ., Robert Burnett P . G . S . B ., E . C . Howell P . G . S . AV . aud numerous Past Prov . Grand Officers , together with several members of private Lodges . The A ery AVorshipful D . P . G . M . having conducted tho ordinary business of Prov . Grand Lodgo , proceeded to fill tho chairs of office . Bro .

Samuel Ed . Taylor was proposed by tho V . W . P . G . M . as P . G . Treaa ., which office he had held during tho past twenty-four years . The proposition waa seconded by Bro . Bryant , and carried amidst tho acclamations of tho brethren . The following brethren woro then appointed : — AVm . Barnes ( Sussex ) P . G . S . AV ., Montagno AVorlock ( Canynges ) P . G . J . AV ., Pearson ( Beaufort ) P . G . R ., AV . Hodges ( Jerusalem ) P . G .

Sec , John Card ( Clarence ) P . G . A . Sec . Bond ( Colston ) P . G . S . D ., David Bell ( Beaufort ) P . G . J . D ., AVm . Munro ( Moira ) P . G . S . W ., Daniel AVilliams ( Canynges ) P . G . D . C , AVilliam Hazard ( Beaufort ) P . G . A . D . C , Bennett ( Sussex ) P . G . S . B ., J . AV . Lawson ( Beaufort ) P . G . O ., AVilliam Maby ( Clarence ) P . G . A . O ., Joseph Bingham ( Canynges ) P . G . P . ; Bros . Stoato and Pearce were re-elected P . G . Tylers , and Bros . Anseldo , Halford , Alexander , T . Bamfiold , Patterson , Randall , Cope and Anson

wero nominated Stewards to P . G . L . After tho appointments were made , Bro . S . Bryant , in a most telling speech , wherein he referred to the lengthened services to the Craft rendered by tho V . AV . Bro . AV . A . F . Powell , stated that tho brethren had caused to bo painted a portrait of their esteemed Deputy , which should'occupy a place within that beautiful Hall , which ho ( Bro . Powell ) had been mainly instrumental in procuring for the uso of tho brethren . He then called upon tho P . G . R . Bro . John Norris to read the following address : —

To the Very AVorshipful William Augustus Frederick Powell , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Bristol . A ery AVorshipful Sir and Brother , —Afc a Provincial Grand Lodgo meeting , held at Freemasons' Hall , Bristol , on tho 31 st day of January , A . L . 5878 , A . D . 1878 , it was proposed by tho AVorshipful Brother Samuel Bryant P . P . Senior Grand Warden , and seconded

by the AVorshipful Brother Taylor P . P . S . G . AV . Provincial Grand Treasurer , and carried unanimously— " That ifc is desirable thafc a portrait of the AVorshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master Brother AVilliam Augustus Frederick Powell should be painted and hung in tho Freemasons' Hall , with those of other eminent Masons of tho Province ,

and thafc the Provincial Senior and Junior Grand AVardens for the year , with tho AVorshipful Masters of the various Lodges , he requested to act aa a committee ( with power to add to their number ) to make the necessary arrangements for the carrying out of this resolution . "

The above resolution was , in due course , brought before the Lodges of the Province , and great gratification and pleasure were expressed by all the brethren that , after thirty-seven years' connection with the Province , during five and twenty of which you have held tho distinguished position of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , an opportunity was afforded them of testifying their high

appreciation of tho generous and valuable services yon havo so constantly rendered to tho Craft in general , and tho Province under your govern - ment in particular . Tho portrait which has to-night been uncovered will serve to remind ns of ono to whom tho whole province owes a deep debt of gratitude . 'Ibis address , of which wo hog your

acceptance , will , wc trust , preserve to you the memory of the brethren with whom you have been associated in kindly , cordial , and fraternal relations . Humbly beseeching the Great Architect of tho Universe to grant you many years of health and strength , and to have you at all times in His holy keeping .

AVe remain , on behalf of the subscribers and ourselves , " Yours very truly and fraternally , " J . F . Noiuns P . G . R . " R . MONTAGUE WORLOCK . P . G . Sec . " Tho address , which was beautifully illuminated by Bro . P . A . Kent , of Swansea , and was mounted with a handsome gold frame , was then

presented to Bro . Powell , and the portrait unveiled amidst tho applause of tho brethren . The picture , which is a three-quarter portrait , of life size , is excellently executed in oil by MODS . A . Dnrant of Clifton , and harmonises capitally with the other portraits which adorn the Lodge . Tho V . AV . D . P . G . M . returned his acknowledgments

to tho brethren in an admirable speech . The Deputy P . G . M . in explaining the absence of the Provincial Grand Master the Earl of Limerick , stated thafc he was on his estates in Ireland , using his endeavours to mitigate the suffering which prevails there . A sum of ten guineas waa then voted to the Duchess of Marlborough's fund , and a similar sum each to the Boys' and Girls' Schools .

Cryptic Degrees.

CRYPTIC DEGREES .

Grand Master ' s Council , No . 1 . —A meeting was held on Friday , 29 th January , at the Masonic Rooms , 2 Red Lion-sqnare . Present—Bros . C AValls R . J . D . M ., Thos . Poore as Principal Cond . of AVorks , H . R . Cooper Smith as Captain of Guard , Donald M . Dewar Recorder , Col . Burdett , Frederick Davison , Jas . Stevens , Thos . Cubitt , Robert Roy , Rev . W . Stainton Moses , II . C Levander , J . E . Anderson ,

Thos . Meggy , S . C . Dibdin , and many other brethren . Business—Bros . Geo . Cooper , Thor-i . J . Pulley , Geo . Graveley and E . Pussawer were duly admitted as Mori , Excellent , Royal , Select and Snper-Excellont Muster , the ceremonies being most ably performed by Bro . AValls , tho Deputy Master , assisted by Bros . Poore , Cooper-Smith aud Dewar . Tlie Cryptic Degree ? . ; are now highly valued ,

Mark Masonry In Reading.

MARK MASONRY IN READING .

AT the Masonio Hall , Greyfriars ' -road , Reading , on Monday , 26 th nit ., the V . AV . Bro . Charles Stephens , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Mark Masons for tho Province of Berks and Oxon , was installed as Worshi pfnl Master of the Leopold Lodge , No . 235 , in tho presence of about fifty Officera and brethren of tho Order . The Lodgo was opened afc half-past three o ' clock , under the presidency of tho VV . M . Bro . Edward Margretfc G . S . Prov . G . J . AY ., when Bro . H . H .

Hodges P . M . Ellington Lodge , No . 1566 , Maidenhead , Bro . AV . Morris 1566 , Bro . R . Nicholson 1566 , and Bro . Geo . J . Cosburu Loyal Berkshire Lodgo of Hope , No . 574 , Newbury , were several balloted for and advanced . The AVorshipful Master proposed the Earl of Jersey , Provincial Grand Master , as an honorary member of tho Lodge , and tho motion being seconded by the AV . M . Elect , waa unanimously adopted .

Before leaving the chair , the AV . M . expressed hia thanka to the brethren of tho Lodge for their co-operation and support during the past year , and moved a special vote of thanks to Bro . T . J . Pulley , tho energetic Secretary , for his assiduous labours for the Lodge . The proposal was carried by acclamation , and Bro . Pulley replied , observing that his motto was , " Deeds , not words . " Tho installation of Bro . Stephens

aa AV . M . for tho ensuing year was then proceeded with , tho ceremony being impressively performed by Bro , Margrett , after which the AV . M appoiuted and invested the Officers of the Lodge for tho ensuing year aa follows :-Bro . Arthur AVelch S . AV ., Bro . G . AVestall J . AV , Bros . J . Egginton M . O ., AV . G . Flanagan S . O ., S . Bradley J . O ., Bro . tho Rev . C . R . Honey Chaplain ; Bro . J . T . Stransom Treasurer ; Bro . Henry

Ayrcs Secretary ; Bro . John Long R . M ., Bro . H . Brett S . D ., Bro . W . 0 . Moffatt J . D ., Bro . H . W . Howmann D . C , Bro . W . Hickio Organist , Bro . R . Glasspool I . G ., Bro . F . AVhite Steward , Bros . F . Ferguson and C . J . Butler Assistant Stewards , and Bro . Hemmings Tylor . Tho AV . M ., in the name of tho brethren of tho Lodge , then presented a handsome Past Master ' s jewel to tho I . P . M ., Bro . Margrett , in recognition of his zealous services during the past year . Bro . Margrett

feelingly returned thanks , and after ono or two matters of business had been transacted , the Lodge was closed in duo form afc six o ' clock . A banquet was subsequently served by Bro . Bailey at tho Upper Ship Hotel , when the usual Masonic toasts wore honoured . Tho AV . M . presided , and in addition to tho brethren already mentioned , there wero present M . W . Bro . tho Rev . G . It . Portal Past Grand Master of Mark Masons and Provincial Grand Master of Mark Masons for Hants and tho Islo of AVight , AV . Bro . Farr P . P . G . AV . Bengal , Bros . It . Eve

P . M . 54 G . M . O ., F . Binckos P . M . 54 Grand Sec , H . Hacker J . AV 54 P . P . G . J . AV , F . AV . Ansell AV . M . 247 P . P . J . O ., J . Lamb P . M . 37 ,

D . M . Dewar P . M . Grand Assist . Sec , T . Benham W . M . 54 , P . G . D ., C . Park S . AV . 247 P . G . S . D ., Cordrcy , Ravonscroft , Dormer , & c . AVe hear thafc arrangements aro in progress for resuscitating the " Porchestcr" Lodgo of Mark Masons , No . 27 , at Newbury .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . We cannot undertake to rciuru rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name ani address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , bub as a guarantee of good faith .

LYNCOMBE HOUSE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR Silt AND BROTHER , —If your correspondent "HERSCHEL" dosires nofc to raise a further discussion on thia subject , he should refrain from attributing to the opposition motivea for which there does not exist the slightest foundation . "Malicious vindictiveness" may

have served its purpose as a party cry , but ifc is scarcely the suggestion to be expected from ono who professes to advocate courtesy in discussion . "HERSCHEL" does nofc correctly represent tho ground of Bro . Edward Cox's opposition when he confines ib to " the price given , " for

the property . Bro . Cox , in proposing hia amendment , ably argued against—1 . The policy of tho scheme ; 2 . The form of proceeding ; and 3 . Tho extravagant waste of funds . A reference to the report of the discussion in your columns will clearly show this . Tho questions propounded by "HERSCHEL" refer to tho legality of

tho expenditure . As you have already published tho professional opinions of most eminent counsel , —Mr . C Locock AVebb , Q . C , on tho ono side , and Mr . Horace Davy , Q . C , and Mr . Hollis on the other , —I venture to doubt , with all respect to your correspondent , whether any of your readers are now likely to bo influenced either by the contention of " HERSCHEL , " or by a reply in opposition from , Yours truly and fraternally , H . 3 rd February 1880 .

Tho great Handel Festival , which will be held afc the Crystal Palace this summer , under the joint auspices of the Crystal Palace Company and tho Sacred Harmonic Society , has been fixed for Friday 18 th , Monday 21 st , AVednesday 23 rd , and Friday 25 th June . Ifc has been decided by tho members of the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction to have a banquet on Tuesday , 2 nd of March , at the

Moorgate Station Rastauraut . St . Michael ' s Lodge , No . 211 . —The audit meeting of this Lod «» o was held on Wednesday , afc the Moorgate Station Restaurant . The financial result of tho year ' s work is most satisfactory . The brethren afterwards partook of supper together , which was served in Rio , Kent ' s usual good form .