Norfolk.

prominently in the public service , and one , Hamon Le Strange , on the death of Elizabeth , rode post haste to Edinburgh , and was the first to announce the fact to King James . The monarch for this service offered a baronetcy , which the gallant knight declined for himself , but accepted for his son .

Several of the Le Stranges have been authors , notably Roger Le Strange , who warmly espoused the cause of Charles I ., and " through a Life of Hazard and Adventure , " was also a voluminous writer ; he established a newspaper , and translated many useful works .

The baronetcy expired at the death of Sir Henry Le Strange , without issue , in 1760 , and the manor of Hunstanton devolved upon his elder sister , Armine , who carried it to her husband , Nicholas Styleman , of Snettisham . His second son was rector of Great Ringstead , and named

Armine after his mother ; when he inherited the property he was called "The Divine Squire . " His son , Henry Le Strange Styleman , born in 1815 , assumed in 1839 , by Royal

license , the surname of his ancestors . Of his son , Hamon , the present squire , there is no need to speak . His useful works in Freemasonry and otherwise , both in Norfolk and elsewhere , are well known to all .

A programme of choice music was greatly relished by the Brethren , and a collection after Bro . Waite ' s recital of "The Absent-Minded Beggar " yielded the sum of £ 3 12 s . — " Eastern Daily Press . "

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

_ ESSEX . * nnHE annual Provincial Grand Chapter of Essex was held J _ at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , on Tuesday , 28 th ult . Excellent arrangements for the occasion were made by a joint Committee of the five Chapters that hold their meetings at the Hotel , and the result was a brilliant gathering of the Companions .

His Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Superintendent presided , and he was well supported by Officers of the Province .

The minutes of the last annual Provincial Grand Chapter , held at Southend-on-Sea , having been read and confirmed , letters and telegrams were read from several Companions unavoidably prevented attending . The roll of Chapters was called , and all were found to be represented .

The report of the Board of General Purposes was presented by Comp . the Rev . Canon Quennell Prov . G . H ., who also moved its adoption . It stated that the thirteen Chapters of the Province showed a membership of 341 , as

against 355 last year , and that there had been during the year twenty exaltations and seven joining members , whilst the resignations had been twenty-five , the deaths seven , and exclusions nine .

Comp . George Corbie seconded the motion , which was put and carried unanimously . The next business was the election of three members to serve on the Board of General Purposes for the ensuing year ,

and as only the required number had been nominated , the Grand Superintendent declared them to be elected , as follow : —Comps . G . H . Einch P . Z . 2005 P . P . G . J ., John T . C . Turner P . Z . 51 P . P . G . J ., and W . E . Dring P . Z . 453 P . P . G . H .

The Grand Superintendent then addressed the Companions . He expressed himself as exceedingly glad to meet them once more at what might , in some walks of life , be called the annual stock-taking , and in others keeping their birthday , an event which , as individuals , was one of great

rejoicing whilst they were in youth , but the pleasure in which was somewhat sobered when they came to maturer years , on account of the regrets which were engendered by the remembrance of those that were gone . They commenced their meeting that day under the shadow of the breach which had

occurred amongst the Officers of the year in the lamented death of Comp . Bowmaker , and they also had to deplore the loss of a Companion who had been a member of the Board of General Purposes since its foundation , Comp . Francis White . This Companion had always taken a deep interest

in the Provincial Grand Chapter , and they should always have a memorial of the great work he had done in the Chapter that bore his name , and which , he believed , was the first Chapter he had consecrated after his appointment to preside over the Province . Whilst mourning the loss of these

Royal Arch.

Companions , he thought the best way in which their respect could be exhibited was by following the good and bright example they had left behind them . There was not much to be said on the results of the year's working , except that which was disclosed in the sober report of the Board of General

Purposes . The number of Chapters remained the same—the traditional thirteen—and they were all in a fairly flourishing condition , whilst it was satisfactory that nothing had arisen to cause him as their Grand Superintendent the least anxiety , the work having been carried on in perfect love and harmony .

It was true that , for the first time , he believed , their numbers showed a slight diminution—it worked out at practically one less per Chapter , but he did not think they need take that very seriously to heart , for they had in the Craft Lodges of the Province excellent recruiting grounds ,

for whilst they did not , as Masons , go out of their way to induce people to join the Craft , he could not see any harm in Companions pointing out to their Masonic friends the desirability of proceeding without delay to the degree of the H . R . A . Their finances were good , and he was glad that the

Board of General Purposes had been able to recommend a grant to one of the great Charities of the Order . In conclusion , the Grand Superintendent exhorted them to recollect that the true condition of healthy life was work—and honest

work would sooner or later bring its reward . He thanked them all for rendering his rule such a pleasant one , and whilst congratulating themselves upon what they had accomplished in the past , let them humbly look forward to further progress in the future .

The election of a Provincial Grand Treasurer then took place , and Comp . Andrew Durrant was unanimously re-elected for the seventeenth year , on the motion of Comp . J . S . Hammond , seconded by Comp . J . M . Knight . The Grand Superintendent then appointed his Officers for the ensuing year .

On the motion of the Provincial Grand Superintendent a vote of thanks was passed to the entertaining Chapters , for the excellent arrangements they had made for the meeting , and he having announced that the meeting next year would

be held at Colchester , the Chapter was closed . About fifty Companions afterwards dined together at the Hotel , under the genial presidency of the Provincial Grand Superintendent .

Hants And Isle Of Wight.

HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT .

THE Grand Chapter of the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will meet on Friday , 26 th January , at the Guildhall , Winchester , at 2 p . m ., when it is expected the Provincial Grand Superintendent will preside and appoint and invest the Officers for the ensuing year .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

IT is with mournful feelings indeed that we record the death of our dear old friend Bro . E . L . P . Valeriani , who was one of tbe most worthy among the many zealous Masons it has been our pleasure to become associated with . Our deceased Brother was for many years Secretary of the

Rothesay Lodge , No . 1687 , and guided that Lodge to such good purpose , especially in the matter of support to the Masonic Institutions , that even Grand Lodge recognised his services , and conferred upon him the distinction of a Past

Grand Standard Bearership of England . The remains of our respected Brother were interred at Norwood Cemetery , on the 29 th ult ., in the presence of a large number of his Masonic and other friends .

ON Friday afternoon , 1 st inst ., the mortal remains of Bro . S . S . Parsons P . P . G . Steward Suffolk were interred at Manningtree Cemetery , amid profound tokens of respect . The places of business were closed during the ceremony , and all the principal tradesmen attended to pay a tribute of respect

to departed merit . There was also a large number of sympathising friends at the church , where the first portion of the service was rendered by the Vicar , the Rev . E . A . Ley . A great many members of the Stour Lodge of Oddfellows and of the Mistley Lodge of Freemasons were also in attendance .

The deceased , who was in his 64 th year , was for many years Secretary to the Stour Lodge of Oddfellows , and during the last four years he had acted as Secretary to the Mistley

Freemasons Lodge . He was also Clerk to the Parish Council , as well as a sidesman at the church , and a manager of the National School . The Oddfellows' oration was delivered by Bro . J . S . Forsdick P . P . G . M . Stour Lodge .