Provincial Grand Chapter Of Midllesex.

Comp . J . F . H . Woodward ( re-appointed ) ... Scribe E . J . Ferguson 1691 ... ... ... Scribe N . W . M . Stiles Z . 2048 ... ... Prin . Soj . C . E . Keyser Z . 1549 ... ... 1 st Assfc . Soj . G . L . Wingate 1423 ... ... 2 nd Asst . Soj .

C . L . Smiles 1503 ... ... ... Begistrar G . Clark jun . 1777 ... ... Sword Bearer J . OHerhead Z . 946 ... ... Standard Bearer Dr . Rogers 1549 ... ... ... Director of Cera .

J . J . Marsb Z . 1326 ... ... Assist Dir . of Cers . W . H . Lee P . P . G . Sfcd . Br . ( re-appointed ) Assist . G . Scribe E . G . J . Dunkley P . S . 1503 ... ... Organist J . Gilbert ... ... ... Janitor

On the motion of Comp . Thrupp , seconded by Comp . Duret , a Committee , consisting of Comps . Ferguson , Tickell , Scurrah and Lee , was appointed to frame a code

of bye-laws for the Provincial Grand Chapter . Reference was then made to the Calendar which had been so ably compiled by Comp . H . Lovegrove , Provincial Grand Treasurer , a work that involved considerable trouble ,

and Companion Thrupp observed that a majority ol the Secretaries had willingly given Comp . Lovegrove all tbe information they could . He wished , however , to impress upon the Secretaries and Scribes tbe desirableness of

furnishing the fullest particulars , as the Pocket Book was a very great assistance to tbe Prov . G . Officers and the Companions generally . At the same time he reminded them

it was a labour of love on tbe part of Companion Lovegrove , and that all profit on the work was generously devoted to the Masonic Charities . These

observationswere endorsed by Companion Woodward , who also pointed out the great inconvenience which often arose from Companions and Brethren not supplying the fullest details as to their respective Chapters and Lodges . Prov . Grand

Chapter was then closed in the usual way , and the Companions subsequently partook of an excellent banquet , when the customary Loyal and Royal Arch toasts were honoured . In proposing His Royal Highness the Prince

of Wales , First Grand Principal , the Prov . Grand Supt . said it was a toast which would come to the hearts of all . They regarded him as one of themselves , and the manner in which he carried out the duties of his high position won for him the most profound admiration . His Royal

Highness was one of the most distinguished members of the Order , and was always ready to advance the true interests of Freemasonry . He then gave the Grand Officers , and in doing so said they included some of the

most distinguished members of Royal Arch Masonry ; tbe three Grand Principals , who look after the well-being of the Order , were looked up to and esteemed by all ; they were ever ready to discharge their duties to the

very best of their ability . Having referred to the way in which Comp . Lord Leigh and the other Grand Officers performed their duties , and how instrumental they had been in raising the Order to its present high position , he

expressed the pleasure it afforded him to see present to-day Comp . Knyvett , Grand Sword Bearer , who had rendered valuable service in many ways , and he would associate the name of that excellent Companion with the toast .

Comp . Knyvett , after acknowledging the complimentary manner in which the toast had been proposed , endorsed all that had been said with regard to the Grand Principals . As to the other Grand Officers , they had but one object in

view , and that was to promote the interests and to maintain the ancient landmarks of the Order . Their greatest reward was to merit the approbation and esteem of the members . Comp . Raymond H . Thrupp then proposed the toast of

the evening , their Provincial Grand Superintendent , Colonel Sir Francis Burd'rtt , Bart . It would be a difficult task to do ample justic *; to the toast , but , fortunately , Sir Francis was woll-known to all present , and therefore it

would require but few -wf-rds from him to expatiate upon bis merits , or his qualify' s as a Mason and a gentleman . Whenever ho appe Ted ir ~ , he Province he was always most cordially received , or h ; vas universally recognised as a ¦ ¦

good Mason ; he .. ave ' > hand of fellowship to all , even to the youngest viitfak By his geniality and kindness he bad mr ! e hi self one of the most popular Provincial Grand Mastj ; . and Provincial Grand

Superintendents in the rTingdoria . They all rejoiced exceedingly to see Sir Francia amongst them again , with recovered strength , and tbey all trusted that tbe Great Architect of the Universe would bestow upon him good health and

spare him for many years to come . The toast was most warmly received , and Comp . Col . Sir Francis Burdett said he found it somewhat difficult to find words to return i thanks for the kind and eulogistic manner in which the ]

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Midllesex.

toast of his health had been proposed by Comp . Thrupp . When he saw such a large assembly he assured them he could not adequately thank them for the reception they had given him . Comp . Thrupp had said much in his praise that he did not deserve , but not more than he wished to do

for the advantage of the Province , and the general welfare of the members . It always afforded him the greatest pleasure , although he had not many opportunities , to meet the Companions , and feel they were companions and

brethren , as they ought to be all over the world . He had heard with gratification what had been done in the Stanmore Chapter , which had met immediately previous to the Provincial Grand Chapter , and could only regret that

he was not present . Bat he had been informed by those who were in attendance that they were very gratified at the way in which the work had been done , and he was sure there was scarcely a Chapter in the Province that would

excel the working of the Stanmore . He sincerely thanked the Companions present for their hearty reception , and hoped to have the opportunity of meeting them on many future occasions . He then proposed the Provincial

Grand Officers of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Middlesex , warmly thanking them for the manner in which they had supported him . He had always found energetic Officers , but he could not say sufficient of those by whom he

was at present surrounded . Oomp = ) . Thrupp and Woodward were his most able supporters ; all tbe brethren were aware of their good qualities , and how they exerted themselves for the general well-being of the Province . It was a matter of

regret to him that he was not able to be amongst the Companions more often , but he was confident that the work was left in good hands , and that the duties would be efficiently carried out under their direction . Comp .

Thrupp , whom tbey all loved and respected , bad for a length of time occupied tbe position he now held , and he hoped for many years to have the benefit of his services , and the continuation of the kind assistance he had always

rendered . As long as he had been associated with thia Province he had never had any more able supporter than Comp . Woodward . He had not only served most ably , but had carried out his duties in a manner that had endeared

him to every Companion and every Brother . He was proud of him , and was proud of every one of his Provincial Grand Officers , for he felt they were ready and anxious to support him . Comp . Thrupp , in the course of his response , said he

considered it an honour and pleasure to serve under their Provincial Grand ] Superintendent , for with such a head over them they were bound to do everything they could to support him and to promote the welfare of

Royal Arch Masonry in the Province . The Provincial Grand Officers would , he was sure , unite with him in upholding the interests of the Province , and they were grateful to the Provincial Grand Superintendent for

having appointed them . He assured them it was the desire of the Prov . Grand Superintendent to know who were the most zealous , and although not constantly with

them he had always the Province in mind , and was the guiding spirit in everything that concerned its welfare . A cordial welcome was extended to the Visitors , and in

responding Companion H . Stiles , P . Z . 1507 , tendered sincere thanks for the very enjoyable time they bad spent , and said he was only echoing the sentiments of the visiting Companions when he said they hoped to have the distinguished honour of meeting them again . The

Companions of the Province ought to be very proud of having a gentleman such as their Provincial Grand Superintendent to preside over them . He hoped that on a future occasion he might be one of them , and again

thanked them for tho kind reception they had given to the Visitors . The Prov . Grand Superintendent , in proposing the Principals of the Stanmore Chapter , said he was sure the toast would meet with an enthusiastic reception .

That Chapter had not beon long established , but it had existed long enough to make itself well known , and his only regret was that he was not present earlier in the day to see its working . He felt convinced the Province would

he proud of such a Chapter ; he had heard that Companion Keyser had carried out the work in a manner that bad r /\ ven the utmost satisfaction to all . He sincerely trusted the Chapter would maintain its position for many years to

come . Companion Keyser said the members of the Stanmore Chapter felt deeply grateful for the kind remarks of the Provincial Grand Superintendent . They certainly did their best , but he did not know they deserved all the praise bestowed . They would have been exceedingly