Banquet To Sir Seymour King.

BANQUET TO SIR SEYMOUR KING .

THE Hull Masonio Club , Charlotte Street , of which Sir H . Seymour Kin ? , M . P ., is one of the most distinguished members , entertained the hem . gentleman at a banquet , on the 28 th ult . The space at disposal of the clnb was insufficient to meet the application for accommodation by the numerous Masonio brethren of the town , and by the kindness of the Worshipful Master of the Minerva Lodge , Dagger Lane ( Bro . J . T . Towler ) , the largo banqueting hall , with the

adjacent Lodge and other rooms , were placed at the disposal of the officials of tbe clnb . The banquet was provided by Mr . Jenkinson , and gave every satisfaction . Bro . M . 0 . Peck took the chair , and was supported by Bros . Sir Seymour King , K . O . I . E ., Kev . Canon MoOormiok , F . Blackburn , J . T . Towler , George Leigh , J . T . Linsley , James Matthews , H . Morrill ,

D . C . McNeill , T . Mioklethwaito , H . J . Oldroyd , A . E . Peasegood , A . E . C . Peacock , W . L . Robins , Jos . Strickland , J . R . Stringer , J . 0 . Savill , G . D . Storry , J . Southam , John Tapp , Riohard Toogood , J . Y , Torr , W . C . Whiteside , J . G . Wallis , J . Wildbore , J . W . Whitfield , D . White , G . T . Wilson , J . E . Walker , A . T . Peacock , E . Sohartman , W . G . Anfield , J . W . Burton , J . A . Brown , T . J . Bell , R . Barton ,

F . W . Bailey , S . Begg , L . Bosco , B . Barnett , James Charlesworth , R , Cason , J . L . Charter , John Clark , G . M . Dimbleby , E . Fillingham , J . Fox , J . H . Fox , H . Glassman , R . R . Hawley , T . A . Haigh , J . Hancock , F . J . Harper , Dr . T . Jaokson , Captain C . Judge , J . W . Webb , G . H . Panton , J . J . Adamson , A . King P . M ., E . C . Corris P . M ., F . F . Bladon , F . J . Heelas , J . Ramsey , T . Bough , R . Morton , J . de Meillhao , and

J . A . Hopper , & o . After the disposal of the nsual Loyal and Masonio toasts , the Chairman proceeded to the discharge of the principal duty of the evening , whioh was proposing the health of Sir Henry Seymour King , K . C . I . E ., M . P . In a comprehensive historical summary of the history of the Indian Empire , the Chairman mentioned the fact that Sir Seymour King was appointed a Commander in the Jubilee year

and he had also been recently created a Knight Commander . He hoped that Bro . Sir Seymour King would long live to enjoy his honours , and to advance the prosperity of the vast commercial enterprise with whioh he was connected . Bro . Peok then read the following address , whioh was beautifully illuminated and handsomely bound , and signed by a nnmber of the principal Officers and Members of the club : —

"To Sir Henry Seymour King , K . C . I . E ., M ! . P . On behalf of the Officers and Members of the Hull Masonic Club , we embrace the present opportunity of tendering you our hearty congratulations npon fche well merited , honour recently conferred on you by Her Majesty thc Queen and Empress of that vast dominion , with whioh you are BO specially oonneoted . Since you have been identified with our

ancient borough , your kindness of heart , yonr patriotism , and your npright and honourable character have gained the respect and esteem of all classes , and this has been cemented by the graceful courtesy and universal kindness of your amiable consort . "As members of this club , we are proud to enjoy tbe privilege of

claiming you as one of oar Vice-Presidents , and we trust that the fraternal bond now existing may be continued for many years to come . " We sincerely trust that the Great Architect of the Universe may endow yourself and Lady King with His richest gifts , and that your lives may be blessed with all happiness . ' . '

Bro . Sir Seymour King , on rising to reply , was received with loud and prolonged cheers . He said they would perhaps pardon him if for one moment he was a little overwhelmed with the kindness they had shown him , and the magnificent address whioh they bad presented to him . Tbey had been reminded , by the chairman , of India , and his connectioa with that Empire brought it in a very special

manner home to him that evening . He rejoiced to think that their chairman was so well informed on that great dependency—a dependency which it was difficult somewhat for Englishmen , as a rule , thoroughly to realise the fall meaning and significance of . He was in the fortunate position this week of receiving not only the testimony and tbe congratulations of those who agreed with him politically ,

but also those of very many friends with whom in regard to public matters he was often obliged to differ . In thafc room they forgot all political differences , and breathed the pure air of friendship and good fellowship , qualities which the grand institution of Masonry existed to promote the world over . He thought they would agree with him that the possibility of such gatherings as the one that night in which

men of extremely decided and opposite views were able to hold the kindest possible intercourse could only exist in communities where liberty of thought , speech , and action were secured by a system of government that was free . In autocratic governments Masonry could not escape the political tinge , as the defenders and assailers of an exclusive system could not lay aside tbeir differences , and sit

down together in harmony and goodwill . It was possible , he thought , in the future for Masonry to break down that rigid system of caste in India whioh existed to this day . That night brethren of all classes and different shades of politics had come together to offer him in a too flattering , too generous manner , congratulations on the honours whioh had been conferred on bim . He should be unworthy

of tbe kindness that was shown to him , of the marked and genial cordiality exhibited when in that room , if he did not feel most deeply the pleasnre and the honour of such a demonstration of good fellowship , coming from so many unexpected quarters . He had that night discovered that his brother Masons , wbo were Liberal politically , Would not throw him over as a Mason , and on the whole they seemed

to think ho was not such a bad fellow after all . He saw now tbat much tbat seemed to him to be severe in the attitude of opponents in the political arena was to be taken in the Pickwickian sense . Much of what he took to be vitriol was in reality only highly . scented eau de Cologne . They saw that , however some of them might differ from each other in politics , there were other subjects on which they Could agree on grounds of good fellowship and personal esteem .

Banquet To Sir Seymour King.

Concluding , he again thanked them for this splendid manifestation of goodwill nnd esteem . I Captain Judge proposed the Hull Masonio Club , and Bro . H . J . Oldroyd responded . Other toasts followed .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT .

MARK MASONRY . — : o : —

THE Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight was held at the Masonic Hall , Aldershot , on Monday tbe 31 st ult . Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . W . England , Provincial Grand Master , presided , amongst those present being the Provincial

Grand Master of Middlesex ( Colonel A . B . Cook ) . Brother W . W . B . Beach was nnanimously re-elected as Provincial Grand Master for the ensuing three years . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . R . Loveland Loveland ) having been appointed by the Grand Master H . R . H . the

Prince of Wales to the high position of President of the Board of General Purposes , resigned his office , and the Provincial Grand Master nominated Bro . Richard Eve Provincial Grand Master Overseer England as his deputy .

The Treasurer ( Bro . A . Dash wood ) was re-elected . The sum of £ 10 10 s was voted from the funds of the Lodge to the Mark Benevolent Fund . The following Officers were appointed for the ensuing year : —

Bro . Coleman Barr ... ... Senior Warden A . G . Curtis ... ... ... Junior Warden Dr . E . T . Crouoh ... ... M . O . J . B . Boucher ... ... S . O . A . Savill J . O . Rev . E . Crowley { Chaplaum Rev . A . Walker ... ... J r A . Dash wood ... ... ... Treasnrer C . W . Bevis ... ... ... Registrar of Marks D . 0 . Hobbs ... ... ... Secretary F . J . W . Savill ... ... Senior Deacon

A . Redfern ... ... ... Junior Deacon J . B . Chilcott ... ... Inspector of Works C . H . Lloyd ... ... ... Director of Ceremonies Thomas Attwood ... ... Assistant Dir . of Cers . E . Goodwin ... ... ... Sword Bearer F . Hazzard ... ... ... Standard Bearer W . Townsend ... ... Organist J . J . Kennett ... ... ... I . G . Thomas Barfetfc } St . wards H . H . Halhday ... ... ) J . Exell Tyler

Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Institution.

CHESHIRE MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

A MEETING of the Committee of Benevolence will be held afc Crewe , on tbe 30 th inst ., to submit a report of the Provincial Charity Council , and to inaugurate a Fund dnring the ensuing year of not less than £ 1 , 000 for tho purpose of providing two annuities for aged Freemasons and Widows belonging to the Province , preliminary to or pending tbeir election to tbe Royal Masonio

Benevolent Institutions in London . The Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Prov . Grand Master , has promised a very handsome donation , and there is no doubt whatever , with the active and able advocacy of Bro . Jas . Salmon P . P . G . S . W . Chairman , Bro . Jno . Clayton P . P . G . J . W . as Vice-Chairman , assisted by the Charity

Representatives , together with the indefatigable Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Robert Newhouse , that the Festival to be held in Cheshire about tbe middle of next year will fully justify the reputation Cheshire has enjoyed dnring the past , few years in being well to the front in all appertaining to the distinguishing characteristic of Maaonry , namely , charity .

At a meeting of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , held in Edinburgh , on tho 3 rd inst ., a message of congratulation was sent to tbe Marquess of Twceddale on his marvellous

escape m the Thirsk disaster . The following office bearers for next year were nominated : —Earl of Haddington Grand Master , Sir Charles Dalrymple Grand Master Depute , Lord Saltoun Substitute Grand Master .

Bro . George Roberts , Station Master Midland Railway , Stockport , was elected W . M , of the Unanimity Lodge , No . 287 , Cheshire , on the 2 nd inst . The installation takes placo on the 7 th December next .