Norfolk.

NORFOLK .

ON Thursday , ist inst ., Norwich was visited by an unusually large number of Freemasons , who were attracted thither by two important installations , namely that of Comp . Sir Francis G . M . Boileau as Grand Superintendent , and that of Bro . Hamon le Strange P . G . D . as Provincial Grand Master of Norfolk . Perhaps no more fitting place

could be selected for such a ceremony than the Blackfriars ' Hall , surrounded as it is by many historic associations . The banners above the throne were charged with crape rosettes , and the Brethren also were in mourning , as was the furniture of Provincial Grand Lodge , by reason of the recent death of the Earl of Lathom Pro Grand Master of England .

Among the notabilities who took part in the ceremonies of the day were the Earl of Euston ( Installing Master ) , Bros . T . F . Halsey P . G . M . Herts , Rev . C . J . Martyn D . P . G . M . Suffolk , Colonel Cook P . G . D ., Sir Reginald

Hanson , Bart ., P . G . W ., E . Letchworth G . Sec , G . W . Speth P . A . G . D . C ., Colonel Caldwell P . G . M . Cambs ., and Frank Richardson , the acting D . C . for the Grand Lodge of England , who directed affairs throughout the day with conspicuous ability .

The first business to engage attention was the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter , which was held at half-past eleven . After the usual formalities had been complied with , Companion Sir Francis Boileau was duly

installed by the Earl of Euston , and suitably expressed his gratitude for the honour that had been conferred upon him . The Grand Superintendent subsequently appointed and invested the First and Second Principals , and also his other Officers .

Companion A . N . Mann was elected Prov . G . Treasurer , and the following Companions were appointed to serve on the Committee of General Purposes : —Sir Charles Oilman , J . B . Bridgman ,. H . J . .. Sparks , and G . W . Page . After two Auditors had been named the Chapter was closed according to -ancient form .

At half-past one the Present and Past Officers-of the P . G . Lodge and Chapter , also W . Ms , and Wardens of the Lodges , and Principals and Past First Principals of the Chapters in the Province , partook , of an invitation lunch at the Masonic Club , St . Giles ' s Street .

Blackfriars' Hall , which had been re-arranged , was again resorted to at half-past two . The banners of the different Lodges had been placed in position round the Hall , and under them the Brethren ranged themselves . Bro . Sir

Francis Boileau presided , and was supported by a considerable number of distinguished Brethren . After the Lodge had been opened , the Installing Master , with , the Grand Officers , entered . Bro . Sir Francis Boileau left the chair , and Lord Euston took control .

The valedictory address of Bro . Lord Suffield was read , in which he offered the Brethren his heartfelt thanks for the- unvarying kindness and loyalty they had displayed towards him during his long term of office . The Provincial' Grand Master-Designate Bro . Hamon le Strange was then brought in , and was subsequently installed as Provincial Grand Master in a most impressive manner by Lord Euston .

Before the investiture the Provincial Grand Master was asked to accept a full , set of dress and undress clothing , also a chain and jewel of office . He was also presented with an illuminated address , as follows :

Right Worshipful Brother HAMON LB STRANGE , Past Grand Deacon of England , Provincial Grand Master for Norfolk . Right Worshipful Sir and Brother ,

We , the Brethren of the Province of Norfolk , desire to offer to you our most hearty congratulations on the . distinguished honour which his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , has been . pleased to confer upon you by appointing you to the high office of Grand Master of our Province .

We . also beg to assure you that in making choice of yourself as the successor to our late esteemed Provincial Grand Master , Lord Suffield , his Royal Highness has not only given us sincere gratification , but has taken sure means to deepen our interest in and zeal for that Craft to which we are all so proud to belong .

During your term of office as Deputy Provincial Grand Master you have by your uniform kindness and courtesy gained the affectionate regard of us all ; while you have in addition shown an unwearied interest both in the current affairs of the Province and in its past history , as is demonstrated by your " History of Freemasonry in Norfolk " —a work which must prove of

increasing value as timo goes on , and which will be treasured by future generations of Freemasons both in and out of the Province as an enduring monument of patient research , combined with unflagging zeal and ability . Under your rule and governance the Province of Norfolk will , we doubt not , enter upon an era of renewed prosperity and usefulness . We ask your acceptance from us of tbe regalia of your office as a small token of our regard and esteem , and aa an earnest of our intention to give

Norfolk.

you our loyal and united support in tha discharge of your duties as our Provincial Clrand Master . Signed on behalf of the Province , FRANCIS G . M . BOILEAU , Deputy Provincial Grand Master . , GEO . W . G . BARNARD , Provincial Grand Secretary .

The newly-installed Prov . Grand Master then addressed the Brethren , remarking that his first duty was to express his deep thanks to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales for the extreme honour paid him in selecting him to rule over the Province in which he himself resided . His second duty was to offer to the Brethren his deep gratitude for the splendid reception that had been given him on that occasion , and

more especially for the practical form which their good will had assumed in the presentation of jewels and clothing . He was deeply touched by such kindness . The gifts would ever remind him of that eventful day . He had appointed to co-operate with him in the discharge of his duties Bro . Sir Francis Boileau as D . P . G . M . of the Province , a choice which , he had the satisfaction of knowing , met with the heartiest approval of the entire Province .

Bro . Sir Francis Boileau was then obligated and invested , and returned thanks in well chosen terms , promising his , undivided support to the P . G . M ., and his interest in all that concerned the welfare of the Province . The Prov . G . M . then explained the absence of Bro . Lord Suffield , who felt unable to be present , and in a formal manner take leave of the Province . The illuminated address

and Past Master s . jewel , which had been subscribed for by those who had been promoted to Provincial rank during Lord Suffield's Mastership , would be placed in his lordship ' s hands as speedily as possible . The text of the address was as follows : —

To the : Right Hon . Lord Suffield , K . C . B ., Right Worshipful Past Provincial Grand Master of Norfolk . We , the Brethren of the Province of Norfolk , who have been honoured by you with the distinction of serving as your Provincial Grand Officers during your tenure of the Provincial Grand Mastership , on your retirement

from that high office express to you a hearty appreciation of the genial and kindly spirit which has ever characterised your rule ; and at the same time we ask your acceptance of the accompanying Jewel of a Past Provincial Grand Master , which we hope you will be spared for many years to wear on all Masonio occasions , and especially at those at which we earnestly look forward to have ; the pleasure of welcoming you amongst us .

Signed on hehalf of the Provincial Grand Officers of Norfolk , Present and Past , HAMON LE STRANGE , Prov . G . M . FRANCIS G . M . BOILEAU , D . Prov . G . M . HAROLD CHAMBBRLIN , Prov . S . G . W . 0 . WINLOVE SMITH , Prov . J . G . W . GEO . W . G . BARNARD , Prov . G . Sec .

Norwich , 1 st December 1898 . The P . G . M . moved a vote of thanks to the Earl of Euston , who had so willingly and efficiently performed the novel duty of installing the two principal Officers of the Province . He felt certain no better exponent of the ritual could have been secured .

Bro . Sir Francis Boileau , in seconding the proposition , referred to the remarkable ability and extreme courtesy exhibited by his lordship in the earlier ceremony of the day . In reply , Lord Euston thanked those present for the kind vote . His attendance had given him great pleasure , and he was glad his work had given the Brethren satisfaction . He , however , felt that he was being thanked for merely doing his duty .

Special thanks , were also accorded to the Prov . Grand Secretary , whose labours in connection with the arrangements for the gathering had been very arduous , and who was to be congratulated on the success achieved . The P . G . M . announced that , in consonance with the

wish of the Dean , the collection at the Cathedral would be devoted to the Reparation Fund ; also that the next meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at Wymondham . The Provincial Lodge was then closed in due form .

The illuminated addresses were executed by Bro . W . R . Weyer , and are fine specimens of this gentleman ' s artistic skill . That of the Prov . Grand Master has a border of rich and elaborate design . On the left are the arms of Le Strange impaling Austin—Mrs . Le Strange ' s family blazonings—with the motto , " Mihi parta pueri , " and below the arms of the Order of Freemasons , with the motto , " Audi , vide , tace . " On one is the Grand

Deacon ' s jewel ( Bro . Hamon le Strange is P . G . D . of England ) , with the dove and olive branch , and on the right is the jewel of the Provincial Grand Master of Norfolk . In the address to Lord Suffield a prominent feature is made of his lordship ' s family blazonings , Harbord quarterly with Morden , with the motto , " _ 3 quanimiter . " At the foot is the Provincial Grand Master ' s jewel , and the whole is surrounded by a highly floriated border in rich conventional scroll work .

At five o'clock a special service , attended by a large number of Brethren , was held at the Cathedral . The