The Grand Master At Work.

THE GRAND MASTER AT WORK .

WE do not think it was generally known that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , who had undertaken to lay the foundation stone of the new buildings for Christ ' s Hospital , on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen , would perform that ceremony with full Masonic honours , yet such was the case on Saturday last , and , as usual on such occasions , considerable interest was displayed by those

who were privileged to be present . The new site is situate at Horsham , and some 2 , 000 persons assembled there to take part in the interesting proceedings , among

them being the Duke of Cambridge , the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress , and several persons of distinction in the civic and Masonic world . The Prince met a hearty reception and wore the full regalia of the Craft while

officiating . Pressure on our space this week precludes our giving anything like a detailed report of the proceedings ; we must therefore content ourselves with the following "Masonic" portion of the " Daily Chronicle ' s" account of the ceremony :

Watchful eyes followed the picturesque Masonic ceremonial duly ordained and appointed for such occasions by King Solomon , the builder of the Temple . Still more eager ears ( especially among the women and boys ) were strained towards the words of these great mysteries that haply one might become

a Mason unawares . The Grand Master did , indeed , call attention in solemn tones to the secrets of the Craft . The prescribed ritual proclaims the obligation of all Brethren to erect handsome buildings " serviceable to the Brethren * , and to God , the Great Architect of the Universe . " " We have among

us secrets , " he went on , " which may not be revealed and no man has discovered . These secrets are lawful and honourable , and not repugnant to God or man . " After formal dedication to the Most High , Dean Hole followed with the beautiful dedicatory

prayer , his clear , resonant voice being well heard throughout the great marquee . The Acting Grand Secretary then read aloud the inscription cut upon the stone , and also cut on a brass plate over the cavity between the two slabs .

This done , the Grand Treasurer approached with a crystal vessel containing the usual coins , newspaper , stamps , and other souvenirs of the day of dedication . The Prince of Wales then spread the cement over the under slab with the trowel of his grand uncle , Frederick Duke of York , which had performed a

similiar duty for Christ ' s Hospital seventy-two years ago , and the stone being reluctantly lowered to its place , he , with plumbrule , level , and square " proved the just position and form of the stone" which he followed by three taps with the mallet . The three deputed Masters of Lodges next brought up in rotation

the cornucopia , the ewer of wine , and the ewer of oil . From each of these golden vessels he distributed a portion upon the stone , with the words , "I scatter corn on this stone , emblem of plenty and happiness . I pour wine upon this stone , emblem of joy and greatness . I sprinkle oil upon this stone , emblem of peace and unity . "

The architects were then presented to his Eoyal Highness , submitting the plan , and receiving the usual injunctions thereupon . The Headmaster ( Eev . B . Lee ) read a special prayer commemorative of the day and of the pious benefactors of

the school , and the Bishop of Chichester , in plentiful robes , pronounced the Benediction . The Masonic Brethren then ceremonially made procession round the stone thus well and truly laid .

Monmouthshire.

MONMOUTHSHIRE .

*~ 1 iHE Provincial Grand Lodge met under the banner of JL the Philanthropic Lodge , No . 818 , at Abergavenny , on Thursday , 21 st inst ., where there was a good attendance , including Col . Lyne Provincial Grand Master , Bro . C . R . Lyne Deputy , Bro . J . T . Firbank , M . P ., Grand Junior Deacon of England , & c . The Provincial Grand Master appointed the following as Officers for the ensuing year :

Bro . J . O . Marsb 818 - - - - Senior Warden Dr . Mulligan 1258 - Junior Warden Rev . J . W . Osman 818 - - ) riv , «„ i . > ,- „ = Rev . R . W . B . Sanderson 1258 - - j P lam 3 Charles Cullum 1429 ... Treasurer

W . L . Moore 471 - Registrar J . C . Brook 1429 - - - - Secretary Stanley Callaghan 2186 - - - Senior Deacon M . J . S . Lyons 2556 - - - Junior Deacon Lewis J . Morgan 818 ... Superintendent of Works J . S . Mends 1258 .... Director of Ceremonies

Walter Hunter 683 - - - Assistant Dir . of Cers . J . F . R . Rainforth 1429 - - - Sword Bearer JoknRa ° na alf 2 T 226 : ' - ' - ' - [ Standard Bearers

T . H . Tompkins 818 - - - Organist James Johnston 1098 ... Assistant Secretary Tom Davies 1562 .... Pursuivant George Lamb Scott 471 - - - \ W . Morgan 1098 - - - - CMillard 1258

. - - - - „ . , Tom Rosser 1562 .... V Shards Charles Henry Clarke 2186 Stephen T . Davies 2556 - - - / E . W . Evans 1429 - - - - Tyler .

At the close of the business Bro . Marsh Prov . G . S . W . presented the Provincial Master with an address and silver goblet , and a dress ring for his wife Mrs . Lyne , the present year being the Jubilee of Colonel Lyne ' s connection with Freemasonry , and also the jubilee of his wedding . Brother Marsh laid stress upon the fact that for upwards of a quarter of a century Colonel Lyne had ruled over the Province in

such a way as never to have caused ill-will on the part of any of the Brethren , and had become beloved and honoured by all . The address and gifts were suitably acknowledged by the recipient , who said his wife would be delighted by what he himself cousidered was a token of affection aud esteem . Subsequently a banquet , which was largely attended , took place at the Angel Hotel . — "South Wales Daily News . "

Staffordshire.

STAFFORDSHIRE .

A MEETING of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Central Hall , Hanley , on Thursday , 21 st inst ., and was presided over by the Provincial chief the Earl of Dartmouth , who was supported by Lieut .-Col . Bindley D . P . G . M . P . G . D ., and a full complement of Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , together with many others notable

in the Craft , to the number of about 250 . The occasion for this gathering was the unveiling by Lord Dartmouth of a reredos in Shelton Church , to which Freemasons had largely contributed , and which had been designed by Mr . George Tinworth , and carried out in terra-cotta by Messrs . Doulton , of Lambeth .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in proper form , was immediately adjourned , and a procession formed in the usual order , the Lewises carrying the Bible being R . B . Brickel ( Longton ) , G . H . Frewer ( Stone ) , J . H . Carter ( Stoke ) , R . S . Read , G . Pardoe and W . R . Schofield ( Hanley ) , and F . Mason ( Longport ) . The service was a special one , and included Psalm xlv . , and the Te Deum . Immediately before the sermon the