The Provinces Of Norfolk And Wilts.

THE PROVINCES OF NORFOLK AND WILTS .

I 1 ST the week that ends this day there have occurred two events of more than passing interest in tho history of English Craft Freemasonry . We allude to tho Grand Master ' s visit to Norwich , for the purpose of installing Lord Suffield as Provincial Grand Master of Norfolk , and

the presence of his brother Prince Leopold at the meeting at Warminster , on Wednesday , of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire , under tho presidency of its respected chief , Lord Methuen . As regards the former , everything

passed most successfully—but for the unfortunate weather , we should have been able to say , brilliantly . The rain , however , was not permitted to damp the ardour of the worthy citizens of Norwich and their thousands of visitors from all

parts of the old Saxon kingdom of East Anglia . Special trains ran into Norwich at frequent intervals in the forenoon . Flags and banners , and streamers , lofty Venetian masts , and the other trappings which English cities are wont to assume on high days and holidays , had been

erected in the principal streets of the city . The Thorpe Eailway Station had been decorated as well as circumstances and its native ugliness would permit . The Mayor

and Corporation , in all the brilliance of civic splendour , assembled at the station to greet his Eoyal Highness ancl the Princess his wife , and deliver the inevitable address of welcome . In the St . Andrew ' s Hall were assembled

a strong muster of county magnates and worthy burghers with their wives and daughters ; for here was to bo held one of the two meetings at which his Royal Hi ghness had promised to be present , the object being to raise funds enough to enlarge the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital .

On the arrival here of tho visitors , the guard of honour furnished by the Norwich Artillery Volunteer Corps presented arms , and the Earl of Leicester , Lord Lieutenant of the county , accompaniedby Lady Leicester , stepped forward to receive the Prince and Princess . The party , on

advancing into the Hall , was received with every manifestation of loyalty and respect . Lord Leicester presided , having on his right the Prince and Princess of Wales ; and among the personages on the platform were Lord and Lady Stafford , Lord Waveney , Lord Sondes , the High Sheriff of

Norfolk—Sir W . Ffolkes , the Bishop of Norwich and Mrs . and Miss Pelham , tho Dean of Norwich and Mrs . Goulburn , Sir R . and Lady Buxton , tho Mayor of Norwich and Mrs . Coller , the Sheriff of Norwich , and many other notabilities connected with the county and city .

The proceedings commenced with the presentation of an address to His Royal Highness . The Earl of Leicester having then risen and briefly stated the objects of the meeting , Sir W . Ffolkes proposed the first , resolution , to the effect that the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital was in

every way worthy of the support and sympathy of the inhabitants of the city and county . The Bishop of Norwich eloquently supported the resolution , which was carried unanimously . The second resolution , having for its object tlie raising of £ 35 , 000 , to enable the hospital authorities

to extend their sphere of usefulness , was moved by the Prince of Wales , who spoke at some length of the services the Institution had rendered , since its establishment close upon a hundred years since , ancl the professional eminence to

which many of its physicians ancl surgeons had attained . He also alluded in special terms to his interest , as a lauded proprietor of Norfolk , in everything of moment connected with the county , and concluded his speech by earnestly

The Provinces Of Norfolk And Wilts.

pressing upon his audience the necessity of coming forward and liberally supporting tho motion . This was seconded by Lord Stafford , and carried . A vote of thanks to His Royal Highness , for his presence at the meeting , was next proposed by the Mayor of Norwich , and , having been

seconded by Lord Waveney , was carried by acclamation . The Prince having gracefully acknowledged the vote , thanks to the Lord Lieutenant for presiding , and for tho warm interest ho displays in tho institutions of the county and city , were voted ; his Lordship in response saving , ho

would contribute £ 13 , 000 out of the £ 35 , 000 required , as soon as tho other £ 22 , 000 had been promised . The announcement of subscriptions to the amount of over £ 12 , 000 , and including one of 200 guineas from tho Prince of Wales , brought the proceeding : ; to a

close . The Prince and Princess then drove to the Bishop ' s Palace , where lunch was pnrtaken of , and the Prince then started for the Volunteer Drill Hall , where was to be held the Masonic ceremony of the day . The Hall was well filled in every part , tho preparations for receiving and

seating tho brethren being carried out to perfection . Tho D . P . G . M . designate , Bro . Major Penrice , had opened tho Provincial Grand Lodge some time previous to the Grand Master ' s arrival , and on tho Prince entering the Hall ami occupying the chair , the brethren greeted him most

enthusiastically . There were present on the da'is in support of His Royal Highness Lord Skelmersdale D . G . M . England , Lord Waveney P . G . M . Suffolk , and other distinguished Craftsmen . The G . M . having addressed a few kindly words , proceeded to invest Lord Suffield in tho usual

manner . Thereupon his Lordship , having acknowledged the honour conferred upon him , and expressed his determination to spare no effort in promoting and protecting the intei'ests of the Craft , appointed ancl invested his officers and Grand Locle-e was closed . The Grand Master

then returned to the Bishop s Palace for the Princess , ancl shortly afterwards the Royal Visitors left Norwich for Gunton Park , the seat of Lord Suffield . Thus ended one of the most auspicious Masonic events of the year . We offer Lord Suffield our warmest

congratulations on his appointment to so important an office , and trust his lordship may have before him a long and prosperous career , so that he may be enabled to strengthen ancl confirm the Craft in the affections of our Norfolk brethren . Nor in congratulating Lord Suffield must wo

quite forget the mnny virtues of his lamented predecessor . This very month of last year Lord Skelmersdale , ns representing the G . M ., installed in office as Grand Master of this Province , our late worthy Bro . tho Hon . F . Walpolo M . P . The latter ' s tenure of the Provincial Grand

Mastership was very brief , but his many years' services , as Deputy Provincial Grand Master , had endeared him to all Craftsmen . We are certain Lord Suffield ' s services will bo equally appreciated , ancl we hope ho may long bo spared to render them .

The visit of Prince Leopold to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire was undertaken with no official purpose . It may be described as a purely friendly one , but it cannot fail to enhance , if that be possible at least , the respect and affection which all Masons entertain towards his Roval

Highness . Lord Methuen , who has held tho office of Prov . Grand Master of Wilts for over three and twenty years , presided , and in addition to the Prince there were present

Bro . G . Goldney M . P ., D . P . G . M . Wilts , Lord H . Thynno M . P ., P . G . W . England , Sir W . W . Wynn M . P ., P . G . M . North Wales ancl Shropshire , Sir D . Gooch P . G . M . Berks and Bucks , and a strong muster of P . G . officers , present