Consecration Of La France Chapter, No. 2060.

the proposed members both for joining and exaltation . There were so many visitors present , that he ( Comp . St . Clair ) begged to be excused from reading the names , but he asked them all , from the Grand Superintendents and Grand Officers to the ordinary companions , to accept the chapter ' s welcome , and assured them of the p leasure and pride vvhich the founders felt that so many distinguished Masons had given a token of their interest to the French chapters .

Comps . Gen . LAURIE ( Nova Scotia ) , WM . SUGG , WILKINSON , and H . DUMAS replied . As we have quoted so much French , we will finish with the Tyler ' s toast as g iven by Comp . Oberdoerffer , Tyler of Lodge La France : A tous les Macons pauvres et malheureux distribues sur la surface delaterre et de la mer , leur souhaitant un prompt secours dans leurs peines et un prochain retour dans leur patrie , s'ils le desirent .

The large furniture vvas kindl y lent by the Castle of Harmony Chapter , and the Rev . R . Milner , Z ., and Comp . W . C . Beaumont , P . G . S . B ., & c , S . E . of the chapter , were thanked for their kindness . The remainder was furnished by Comp . George Kenning . Comp . the Rev . E . C . d'Auquier presented the Bible , and Comp . F . Richardson the scroll of parchment , which was quite a work of art .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Devonshire was held at Tavistock , on the 23 rd ult ., under the banner of Lodge Russell , No . 23 . A meeting of the Provincial Committee vvas held first in the lodge room at the Abbey . There vvere present Bros . Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., ° , 35 , P . P . G . C , P . G . C . Eng ., and and P . S . G . W . in charge of the province ; J . Lane , P . G . O . Eng . ; F . Crouch , 383 , P . G . D . Eng . ; G . R . Barrett , 383 , P . J . G . W . ; J . T . Bond , 83 , P . G . Treas . ; E . Aitken-Davies , 96 , P . P . G . D . ; and H . Stocker 15 P . G . Sec . The accounts showed a

, , balance in hand of . £ 29 4 s . It was resolved to recommend the grant of £ 20 to the widow of a distinguished brother in very distressing circumstances , and to hold the rest ofthe balance to provide for any further expenses in connection with the memorial to be erected to the memory of the late Prov . Grand Master , Col . J . Tanner Davy , in Rose Ash Church . The Committee then adjourned to the Bedford Hotel , where the ball room had been tastefully fitted up as a lodge room . There was a large attendance of brethren .

Bro . the Rev . T . W . Lemon presided , supported by the following officers and acting officers for the year Bros . J . Lane , D . P . G . M ., pro tern . ; J . Stocker , 15 , P . S . G . W ., pro tern . ; G . R . Barrett , P . J . G . W . ; Capt . G . Strode-Lowe , 50 , D . P . G . M . O . ; G . Merrifield , 23 , P . P . S . G . O ., P . S . G . O ., pro tern . W . Allsford , 16 , P . P . J . G . O ., P . J . G . O ., pro tern . ; J . T . Bond , P . G . Treas . ; J . Drew , 23 , P . P . G . D . C : C . Hunt , 91 , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . H . Selleck , 50 , P . A . G . Sec ; J .

Gidley , 169 , P . G . T yler ; J . Bray , 16 ; H . W . Michelmore , 15 ; F . R . Thomas , 35 ; and W . M . Robins , 35 , P . G . Stwds . Among the brethren present were also Bros . J . Matthews , 23 , P . P . G . W . ; J . Du Pre , 50 , P . P . G . S . B . England ; J . R . Harris , 91 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; J . Moysey , 7 6 , P . P . G . I . of W . ; W . Hannaford , 76 , P . P . J . G . D . ; F . B . Westlake , 30 , 50 , P . P . G . R . ; D . ' Cross , 16 9 , P . P . G . S . B ., P . G . Stwd . Eng . ; J . B . Gover , 50 , 66 , Past Prov . G . M . O . ; A . Trout , 7 6 , 16 9 ,

P . P . G . D . C ; H . R . Langmead , 16 , P . P . G . Purst . ; J . Holland , 76 , 16 9 , P . P . G . I . of Wks . ; F . Sharpe , 16 9 , P . P . J . G . D . ; S . T . Nicholls , 23 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Leonard , 16 , P . P . G . D . C . ; R . M . W . Webb , 23 , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . J . Knight , 16 , P . P . G . S . B . ; A . Maddock , 91 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Lewarn , 7 6 , P . P . J . G . D . ; B . Richards , 23 , P . P . S . G . W . ; I . Roskilly , 23 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Sampson , 15 , P . P . G . O . ; J . H . Blacker , P . M . 96 ; W . Lavers , 91 , P . P . G . Purst ; J . Alwain , W . M . 362 ; J . Chapman , P . M . 35 , 319 ; J . Taylor , Chap . 319 ; T . Worledge , W . M . 48 ; C

laylor , Chap . 16 A . H . Bates , W . M . 23 ; G . E . Wilson , W . M . 16 9 ; W . Routledge , M . O . 91 ; M . Durbin , S . W . 91 ; H . C Escott , Sec . 23 ; W . H . Comer , P . M . 91 ; W . R . Velvin , P . M . 50 ; Cf . W . Hancock , J . O . 16 ; M . Axworthy , S . O . 16 ; C . Coombes , S . W . 64 ; E . Coppin , P . M . 50 ; F . Henwood , P . M . 100 ; J . J . Tracey , I . P . M . 16 9 ; G . Gurney , S . W . 16 9 ; W . Stenlake , W . M . 76 ; W . T . Hocking , I . P . M . 50 ; W . H . Dillon , S . W . 50 , J . W . 7 6 ; W . Powe , I . G . 15 ; W . Blight , 35 ; and W . H . Tucker . 16 .

Bro . H . STOCKER , P . G . Sec , reported that the present membership was 471 , against 455 of last year—an increase of 16 . _ The Treasurer ' s report accorded the same balance as arrived at by the Committee . Those reports and that of the Provincial Committee were adopted .

The election for the recommendation of a brother to the M . W . the Grand Master of England for the office of Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire for the ensuing three years then took place . A strong desire was expressed for Bro . Lemon to allow himself to be nominated , but he firmly declined the office , having alread y much Masonic work on hand .

Bros . H . M . Imbert-Terry , 15 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., and Capt . G . S . Strode-Lowe were nominated .

From the general preference expressed for the latter , the nomination of Bro . Imbert-Terry was withdrawn , and Bro . Strode-Lowe elected . Bro . John Leonard was elected Prov . Grand Treasurer . The officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested by Bro . Lemon , the acting P . G . M ., as follows :

Bro . E . Aitken-Davies , 96 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ J . Chapman , 35 ... ... ... ... prov . G . M . O . „ E . C . Coppin , 66 ... ... ... ... prov . S . G . O . » B - Knight , 319 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . G . T . Warner , 215 ... ... ... In r . r ., „ Rev . H . P . L . Maurice , -172 ... ... .. i Prov * G * Cha

Ps-» J- Leonard , 16 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . i , H . Stocker , 1 5 ... ... ... ... p . G . Sec . > , J . Bray , 16 ... ... ... ... p . G . Reg . „ W . R . Velvin , 100 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . Stenlake , 76 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . n J . H . Blacker , g 6 ... ... ... ... p v . G . I . of W . ., A . H . Bates , 23 ... ... ... ... p v . G . D . G . wi

» vv .. Kobms , 35 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . " I ' d' Facey ' g •¦• - - — Prov - G - - - „ WT . Hocking , 50 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . . 1 H . Holman , 16 ... ... ... ... prov . G . Org . .. W . H . Dillon , 9 6 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . .. U Coombes , 64 ... ... ... ... p . G . I . G . u M . Durbin , 91 ... ... ... .,. - \ 1 X 7 " r > 1 I 1

JJ »» . xrvwe , 5 ... . r 11 F . J . Prize , 48 ... '" f Prov - G - Stwds . J . C G . Withell , 38 3 ... ... „ ' . ' . ' . ' . ' ) » J . Gidley , 16 9 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . fam-1 VOt t ° condo , ence was accorded and directed to be sent to the widow and ^ muy of the late much respected Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . C . Spence

pYfl ? ' STRODE -LOWE returned thanks for his recommendation to the office of offi and said li a PP ointed he would do his best to carry out the duties of that RPV'VK !^ "'"*? the brethren d ' ned together at the Bedford Hotel . Bro . the cv - - W . Lemon presided .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SUSSEX .

A meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge vvas held on Wednesday , the 23 rd ult ., at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Charles J . Smith , presided , and vvas supported by the following officers : Bros . Rev . W . A . Tooth , Prov . G . Chap . ; H . W . G . Abell , Prov . G . M . O . ; S . R . Legg , Prov . G , Treas . ; J . C . Buckwell , Prov . G . Reg . of Marks ; J . P . Slingsby Roberts , Prov . G . Sec ; J . Belcher , Prov . G . D . of C ; J . J . Abell , Prov . Asst . G . D . of C . ;

C . H . Haine , Prov . G . I . G . ; J . Adames , W . E . Morrison , and J . T . Musson , Prov . G . Stewards ; and H . H . Hughes , Prov . G . Ty ler . The following were also present : Bros . C . F . Matier , G . Sec . ; R . Berridge , G . Dir . of Cers . ; T . Trollope , P . P . G . M . ; R . Pidcock , P . P . G . R . ; Seymour Burrows , P . P . G . Sec . ; A . F . Lamette , R . Willard , C . Lewis , W . Welling , G . Cole , G . Holman , J . Ridge , C . F .. Goode , Tomes , Wrig ht , Wickham , Fitch , and Bullock .

On the motion of Bro . T . TROLLOPE , P . P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . C . J . SMITH , D . P . G . M ., it was resolved that a letter of condolence should be sent to the widow of the late Bro . Gerard Ford . Bro . H . W . G . ABEL , Prov . G . M . O ., nominated H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught to the post of Prov . G . M ., and the proposition was received with acclamation .

On behalf of the brethren , Bro . T . TROLLOPE presented Bro . C . J . Smith ( who , but for the lamented death of Bro . Gerard Ford , would . . have retired from office ) with a handsome gold jewel , in appreciation of the admirable manner in which he had carried out the duties of Deputy Provincial Grand Master during

the last six years . The jewel bore the following inscription ; " Presented , with fraternal good wishes , to Bro . Charles John Smith , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , 1883-1889 , by brethren in Sussex . " Bro . Trollope bore testimony to the energy with which Bro . Smith had presided over the province in the absence of Bro . Lord Arthur Hill , M . P ., Prov . G . M .

Bro . C . J . SMITH made a suitable response , thanking the brethren for their mark of confidence . A jewel had also been subscribed for by the brethren for presentation to Bro . Lord Arthur Hill . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to Bro . E . Booth ' s restaurant , East-street , and in the private dining-room , admirably adapted to the purpose , sat down to an excellent banquet , under the presidency of Bro . C J . Smith , D . P . G . M . The customary loyal toasts having been duly honoured ,

The CHAIRMAN proposed " The P . G . Mark Masters and the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " The Past Grand Officers , he said , fully merited the gratitude and encomiums of all Mark Master Masons . He expressed the pleasure he felt that the gathering was honoured by the presence of the Grand Secretary and the Grand Director of Ceremonies , and eulogised those brethren for the energetic and zealous manner in which they had promulgated the principles of Mark Masonry .

Bro . MATIER , in responding , thanked Bro . Smith for the kind and eloquent terms in which he had proposed the toast . The duties of the Grand Officers were , he said , onerous and honourable . They all worked with one thought—the consolidation of the Order and the success of Mark Masonry . Under the Duke of Connaught the province would , he believed , make great and prosperous . strides in Mark Masonry .

Bro . BERRIDGE also responded , remarking that for 14 years he had assisted Bro . Matier in the consecration of lodges , and was pleased to say that all the Grand Officers worked harmoniously together . Bro . MATIER then proposed "The Prov . G . M ., Bro . Lord Arthur Hill ; the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . C . J . Smith ; and the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " All present knew , he said , as much about Bro . Lord Arthur Hill as he did . He asked them to drink a bumper to their Chairman ,

Bro . C . J . Smith , vvho had combined the suaviter in motto with the fortiter in re in carrying out the duties of his office , and had proved himself the best Deputy P . G . M . they had ever had . With the Duke of Connaught ' s acceptance of the post of Prov . G . M ., he believed the province would receive such an impetus that Mark Masonry vvould be sure to advance . Bro . Smith had , for many years , been prominent in the Craft and other degrees , but his achievements in Mark Masonry had transcended his work in those .

Bro . C . J . SMITH , in acknowledging the toast , said that Bro . Lord Arthur Hill had been prevented by his many duties from being often present with them . They all felt his absence , but not more keenly than did the Prov . G . M himself . His influence had , however , effected much good in the province . Speaking for himself , he said his work was a labour of love . He had had much to do , but he

always endeavoured to rise to the requirements of his position . He felt grateful to the brethren for the manner in which they had appreciated his services , and hoped that his ruling had not been unpleasant . He had been assisted by earnest officers , and they mig ht all congratulate themselves upon the success of Mark Masonry in the province . He thanked them for the jewel , and especially for the kind sympathy they had shown to him during the recent illness of his son .

Bro . R . PIDCOCK proposed " The W . Masters and Past Masters of the Province of Sussex . " They had , he said , worked zealously , and he was desirous of paying honour where honour was due .

Bro . C . J . BUCKWELL responded , and spoke in eulogistic terms of the eminent services rendered to Mark Masonry by Bro . H . W . G . Abell . He was glad to see the Order flourishing , and believed a brig hter future was in store for it . Bro . H . W . G . ABELL also acknowledged the toast , and . remarked that he was always pleased to further the interests of the Mark Degree . He had had the honour of nominating H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught as Prov . G . M ., and felt assured that if such a popular Grand Master presided over the province Mark Masonry in Sussex would largely increase in prosperity .

Bro . S . R . LEGG likewise responded , and expressed his belief that the province would achieve every prosperity possible . The CHAIRMAN begged to interpolate a toast . He said it was possibly the last occasion on which he should officially address them , and he wished to propose "The Healths of Bros . H . W . G . Abell , J . C Buckwell , A . F . Lamette , ancl J . Slingsby Roberts , " for the great support they had given him , and the energetic manner in which they had worked in the revival of Mark Masonry in Sussex . After responses from these brethren ,

Bro . J . BELCHER gave " The Visitors , " to which Bros . G . COLE and MATIER responded . The latter asked the brethren to send a Steward for the Mark Masters ' Benevolent Fund . Bro . J . C SMITH readily accepted the office , and received several promises of substantial support from the brethren .

Bros . J . C . BUCKWELL and H . W . G . ABELL said the Sussex lodges had been greatly assisted by the fund when applications vvere made on behalf of deserving cases , and the Benevolent Fund was one which deserved their cordial support . The Tyler ' s toast completed a very enjoyable evening .

+ The Bishop of Oxford on Wednesday opened the new chancel aisle ancl vestry of Winslow Parish Church . In the evening a presentation of a silver tea and breakfast service was made by the churchwardens and parishioners to the vicar , the Kev . H . A . Douglas-Hamilton , vvho has accepted the living of Latimer , in the gift of Lord Chesham ,