Province Of Middlesex.

PROVINCE OF MIDDLESEX .

THE annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of the Province ot Middlesex was held on Saturday , 6 th inst ., at the Railway Hotel , Foltham . The R . W . Prov . G . Master . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Past Senior Grand Warden England , presided , and there was a very large attendance of brethren , among whom we may mention Bros . E . W . Bright Prov . J . G . W ., H . G . Buss Prov . G . Treas ., J . Tickle Prov . G . Reg ., H . Lovegrove Prov . G . S . of Works , G . Titcombe Prov . Grand

Sword Bearer , G . J . Dunkeley Prov . G . Org ., John Hurst Prov . G . Purs ., Frederick Davison P . P . S . G . W ., D . W . Penn P . P . G . R ., Hickson Briggs P . P . G . R ., Tnomas Nash P . P . G . S ., H . A . Dubois P . P . G . W ., E . Humber P . P . G . D . of C , C . G . Rushworth P . P . G . R ., W . F . Laxton P . P . S . G . D ., J . Mason P . P . G . S . D ,, William Stephens P . P . G . D . of C , W . Coombes P . P . G . S . B ., J . W . Baldwin P . P . G . P ., F . W . Ramsay , M . D ., P . P . G . S . W ., & c , & o . The first business before the Provincial

Grand Lodge was the confirmation of the minutes , which done , the reports of the audit and Charity Committees were read and confirmed . Bro . H . G . Buss , whose eminent services to the Province were gracefully and complimentarily alluded to by the Provincial Grand Master , was re-elected to the office of Prov . Grand Treasurer , and together with the following brethren , was duly invested with the collar and jewel of office : —

Bro . Sir Charles T . Bright - - Deputy Prov . Grand Master R . H . Thrupp - - - Prov . Grand Senior Warden E . Simpson-Baikie - - „ Junior Warden Rev . J . Hawes ... „ Chaplain Rev . J . Kilduff ... „ , " , W . F . Laxton ... „ Registrar

H . G . Buss . ... „ Treasurer H . C . Levander .. . „ Secretary C . Harding .... „ Senior Deacon H . M . Gordon ... „ Junior Deacon K . A . Fraser ... „ Supt . of Works T . Nash ... . ., Dir . of Ceremonies

E . Lonsdale .... „ Assist . Dir . of Cer . Goodall .. .. „ Sword Bearer J . Dixon .... „ Pursuivant Somers „ Assist . Pursuivant

Inglis „ Steward T . W . Ockenden ... „ „ Pearson .... „ „ G . W . Dixon .... „ „ Bird ..... ———

- „ ,, Buss .... . „ „ J . Gilbert .... „ Tyler

The RightWor . Prov . Grand Master then brought forward the motion of which he had given notice , to tho effect that sums of ten guineas be given to each of tho three Masonic Institutions , and five guineas to the " John Hervey Memorial Fund , " all of which monies were in dne course voted , —from the Fund of Benevolence of the Province . In the course of the meeting it was announced that tbe total of the

funds standing to the credit of the Province was £ 367 18 s 6 d . Provincial Grand Lodge was then formally closed , and the brethren proceeded to the parish church , where service -was conducted , and a sermon preached , by permission of the rector , by Bro . Hawes , P . G . C . The banquet was served by host Harris in capital style . Grace'' For these and all thy mercies" —was sung by Bros . Graham , Taylor ,

White , and Weige , and on removal of the cloth , Sir Francis Burdett proceeded with the toasts . In speaking of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Prov . Grand Master referred to the satisfactory way in which she conducted tbe duties of her exalted station , and to the interest she displays in the every clay course of events , No sovereign could be more popular . With the toast he would

associate the sentiment—Prosperity to the Craft . After the National Anthem had been given by the musical brethren , the Prov . Grand Master proposed the next toast on the list—the Most Worshipful the Grand Master the Prince of Wales , K . G . Notwithstanding His Royal Highness's many engagements , the personal interest he took iu Masonic matters would prove his devotion to the welfare

of the Craft . No more popular Grand Master could be found . The remarks of Sir Francis were readily endorsed by those present , who drank the toast with full honours , and all heartily joined Bro . Weige in singing " God Bless the Prince of Wales . " With tbe next toast The Right Worshipful Pro Grand Master tho Earl of Carnarvon , E . G ., tho Eight Worshipfnl Deputy Grand Master Earl Lathom , and

tho Grand Officers Past and Present , was associated the name of Col Shadwell H . Gierke Grand Secretary . Every member of Grand Lodge recognised the ability and zeal with which the Pro Grand Master carried onfc his duties . The Earl of Lathom likewise was noted for his devotion to Freemasonry . The Grand Officers were popular , and spared no effort to uphold the dignity of the Craft , nofc only

in this country , bufc all over fcho world . After a song by Brother G . S . Graham , the Graud Secretary responded . He was both pleased and charmed at being present to witness the happy relationship that existed throughout the Province , and heartily congratulated the Grand Master and brethren on this satisfactory consummation . To Bro . Davison P . P . G . Warden was entrusted the next toast , the health

of the Right Worshipful the Grand Master of the Province ^ Colonul Sir Francis Burdett , Bart . Our esteemed brother , in tho course of his remarks , made happy allusion to Bro . Graham's song— " Give me the man of honest heart "—which song appeared to have been thoroughly appreciated by the meeting . Their Prov . Grand Master was unquestionably a man of honest heart , and the interest he

took in all Masonic matters brought under his notice rendered him eminently popular . It was with every confidence he offered the toast for the acceptance of the brethren . In replying to the toast , Sir Francis heartily thanked Brother Davison for hif kind remarks , and expressed his indebtedness to tbe member .--for the way they had endorsed them . He was happy to know that a spirit of prosperity existed amongst the Lodges , and ho had every

Province Of Middlesex.

reason to be satisfied with the state of Freemasonry in tho Province . He regretted other calls upon him did nofc permit of his making as many visits to the several Lodges as he could desire , bufc he could assure one and all he felt a deep interest in tbe doings of the brethren . He had been associated with them now for ten or eleven years , and he was fully alive to the substantial recognition made of his services by their presentation last year of a service of plate . Ifc

was to him indeed a pleasure to know he had such a Province to pre . side over , and he trusted their present happy relationship might long continue . The remaining toasts comprised the Visitors , the Officers of the Province , & o . Replies were made by Bros . Fenn , Thrnpp , and others . In due course , the Tyler was called on , and the brethren separated , gratified at the result of a most pleasant meeting , the entire arrangements of which were ably carried out by those to whom they had been entrusted .

Province Of Essex.

PROVINCE OF ESSEX .

THE members of this Province assembled , on Tuesday , under their respective banners , at the Public Hall , Southend-on-Sea . There was a strong attendance , each of the nineteen Lodges which make up the roll being well represented . Lord Tenterden was supported by his Deputy Grand Master Worshipful Bro . Fred A . Philbrick , Q . C ., P . G . D ., and a strong body of Prov . Grand Officers present and paafc , while many of the neighbouring Provinces were likewise represented .

The Great Eastern and the Tilbury and Southend Railway Companies had made special arrangements for the convenience of brethren who were desirous of attending , and it was satisfactory to know that these arrangements were appreciated . Prov . Grand Lodge was opened at two o'clock , under the presidency of the Prov . Grand Master the Righfc Hon . the Lord Tenderden , K C . B . After the Prov . Grand Master had

been saluted , the Pror . Grand Secretary Bro . T . J . Railing read the minutes of last Prov . Grand Lodge , which were duly confirmed . Letters expressing ; regret ab inability to attend were read from Lord Waveney Prov . Grand Master Suffolk , the Rev . Charles J . Martyn D . G . M . Suffolk , Bro . Matthew Clark , the Viscount Holmesdale Prov . Grand Master Kent , Bro . Rev . C . J . Arnold Deputy Prov . Grand

Master Surrey , & c . The roll of Lodges was then called over , aud the amount of contributions and number of subscribers in each was announced . This gave a total membership of 896 against 873 at the corresponding period last year—thus showing an increase of twenty-three for the twelve months . A preliminary meeting for the purpose of auditing the Treasurer ' s accounts had been held previous

to the assembling of Grand Lodge ; ifc therefore now became necessary for the auditors to make their report . This showed the monetary condition of the Province was on a sound basis , with a balance of close on a hundred pounds in hand . The motion that tbe report be received and adopted was thereupon carried « em con . The Prov . Grand Master , in addressing the brethreu , remarked thafc as he

should , later on , have an opportunity of addressing them , he would not now take up much of their time . It had been well said that happy is the country which has no history . This might be applied to a Masonio Province . He was gratified afc recognising the happy and harmonious feeling that existed in the Province . He alluded , in complimentary terms , to the energy displayed in the exercise of

his official duties by their late respected Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the Eev . Spencer R . Wigram P . G . C . Bro . Wigram , the Prov . G . Master stated , had removed from tbe Province , and , feeling thafc the distance of his sojourn would militate against an adequate fulfilment of his duties , had tendered his resignation as Deputy Prov . Grand Master . He ( Lord Tenterden ) , however , could congratulate

the members of the Province that there had been no thorough break of continuity . No man could have attended better to his dutiesand to this the members would readily testify—than did Bro . Wigram , bufc he felt he could not take barren honours . However , though one Deputy Provincial Grand Master had left them , he bad been able to secure the services of another . Lord Tenterden then spoke in

eloquent terms of praise of the zeal displayed by Bro . Philbrick . It did nofc require much to be said in his favour ; he was well known , and the more he was known the more he was respected . Bro . Philbrick had already received his appointment . An occasion having arisen where he had had an opportunity of being formally recognised as the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and where he had

been installed by his immediate predecessor , Bro . Wigram , wbo kindly undertook the duty in his ( Lord Tenterden's ) enforced absence . The noble lord closed his remarks by calling on the brethren to salute fcbeir Depnty Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Philbrick , in responding , stated he felt the great honour thafc had been conferred upon him , and expressed his acknowledgments for the

kind remarks of Lord Tenterden . It was with great diffidence he accepted the office when it was proffered him ; however , he assured the brethren of the Province he would do all ho conld to fulfil the duties so satisfactorily carried out by his predecessor , and he trusted his efforts would be appreciated at their true value . The next

business was the selection of a Prov . Grand Treasurer , and for this important oSice Bro . Andrew Durrant was by unanimous consent reelected . After Bro . Durrant had expressed his appreciation of the honour conferred npon bim , the Prov . Grand Master appointed and •invested the following brethren : —

0 . F . Jones I . P . M . 1000 - - Prov . Grand Senior Warden V . J . Wiseman P . M . 160 - - „ Junior Warden Rev . H . Hayes W . M . 1734 - - „ Chaplain \ . Durrant P . M . 276 ... „ Treasurer f . H . Crowther W . M . 1457 - - „ Registrar T . J . Railing P . M . 51 - „ Secretary

It . M . irtio I . P . M . 4 » 3 ... „ Senior Deacon T . Jennings W . M . 650 ... „ Junior Deacon I . P . Lewin W . M . 276 - - - „ Supt . of Works i A .. Lucking P . M . 160 ... „ Dir . of Ceremonies i J . Godwin P . M . 1343 ... „ Assist . Dir . of Oer .