Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertford.

stained glass window in the west of the nave of St . Alban's Cathedral , in memory of St . Alban , the first Mason of England , the cost of such window not to exceed £ 2000 . " Bro . Keyser said that he did not come forward prepared with . any particular scheme . He believed the matter had been brought forward bv lodges before , and he had hacl

some talk with some of thc Committee * appoint d m connection with the :-cheme . for restoring thc abbey , but without much n > ult . He believed Capt . Dick ' s idea was tn get subscriptions from thc 1 rovincial lodges for general repairs , but lhat his ( the speaker ' s ) idea was for thc Freemasons to confine their efforts to the restoration of some

particular portion of the building—he thoug ht one or more of the western porches . He said it was generally supposed that there were two of these porches , but in reality there had been three ;* that they had ' been cut in half , forming the present west front of the building , but on examination insitle might be seen two other porches equally beautiful , and he considered among the best examples of early English architecture . He thought it would be best lo confine

their attention to the restoration of this part of the building , and that if this resolution was carried the restoration should be of as conservative a character as possible . He estimated the cost for the porches at ab tut £ 6 " , oo ; that was , tvyo porches at £ 1000 each , and the other at . £ ' 2500 , besides which for repairing tbe gables another £ 2500 would be required . Bro . Lambert objected that Bro . Keyser was out of order , as the motion on the paper was for the erection of a window .

The R . W . P . G . M . said he thought it was competent for Prov . Grand Lodge to waive the objection , because tbe main question was a subscription for restorations , and Bro . Keyser vvas only subsliiuting a porch for a window . Bro . Keyser then proposed the motion , substituting " ihe restoration of one ofthe western porches , " for the words " erection of a stained glass window . "

In this form the motion , having been seconded , was put and carried . R . W . P . G . M . —Before going further in Ibis matter I should like to know whether there was any icsull from the last resolution of Prov . Grand Lodge on this subject . The P . G . Secretary said that the last resolu'iou was that the brethren of the province be invited to subscribe

as a body to the restoranon of St . Alban ' s Abbey , and that he had communicated with the lodges rf tho province on the subject , but that the majority if them did not reply , and of those that did one objected to it , and two did not see their way . It appeared , however , that the Hertford Lodge had voted £ 25 towards the obj : ct , which they were prepare ! to contribute . The Grand Treasurer slid that thc members of the

various lodges appeared to think that it was too general an object to be dealt with by the lodges of a single province , and one that ought to be taken up by the whole Craft . The P . G . M . reminded the brethren that there vvas .

great deal of trouble and labour attached to such a matter , and enquired whether there vvas any brother prepaid ! to une ' ertake such a weak . The Grancl Secretary proposed that a committee be appointed , arcl after some conversation it was resolved to appoint a committee consisting of Bros . Keyser , Captain Dick , Edwards , and Kemp ( with power to add to their

number ) to consider the subject , ancl to take such steps as they considered necessary for the collection of a fund , pro . vided always that no expense be incurred by Preiv . Grand Lodge in so doing . The Proy . Grand Secretary reported that the cost of the Provincial Calendar for the present ) car was £ 10 4 s . fid ., as compared with £ 21 19 s . fid . for the previous year , that

£ , 17 s . fid . had heen received for the sale of copies , and lhat therefere only X 2 7 s . had to be made up by Prov . Grand Lodge ; therefore he thought he might congratulate Grancl Lodge . For his part he was very desirous that the publication of the cab near should be continued , as it was a very useful work ; only two out ol thc provincial lodges had not taken any copies , but if all the lodges would take tin in

lie thought there would be nothing in future for I'rov . Grand Lodge to pay . He therefore : proposed lhat its publication l : e continued , and lhat thc committee be reappointed lo carry out the ebject . The motion having been seconded was put , .-mil carried unanimously . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in due

form and with solemn prayer , and tbe brethren adjourned to thc cm market , where the banquet had been prep ire d . This spielaus room e ; r hall was very tastefully decorated with trophies of banners round the walls , while the ends and tiles were enlivened with palms , ferns and other ornamental plants , arranged with great variety and taste , the tables being enlivened with an abundance of the

most beautiful summer flowers , while two huge pyramieis of ice in thc centre tendecl to keep the atmosphere at a pleasant temperature . Thc Lamiuet was sumptuous ami admirably served . When thc sub-tantial part of the banquet was disposed of and the company turned their attention to the dessert , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were propo < ed by the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lambert , F . S . A .

P . P . J . G . W ., acting D . puty G . M ., said : Brethren , 1 might begin with that most happy phrase that this is the proudest moment of my life ; hut that the priele of this moment is somewhat overcast because 1 fill this position by reason 1 f the illness of the Deputy Grant ; Master cf tbe province , whe se friendly acquaintance ! have been honoured with for a space of about twenty years . 1

miss his kindly presence , and regret that his illnc-s is the cau'C of my occupying this position to day . I have * the honour to introduce the t ast of " Tbe most excellent and Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . " ( Applause . ) There is no doubt that it is difficult to fulfil the dulics of that exalted position , ami there can likewise be no e ' oubt of the ability wilh i"bi-h they are fulfilled by our p . W . P .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hertford.

Grand Master . In his presence I will say no more because it might sound like fulsome adulation . I give vou " Tne * . Health of our Ri g ht Worshipful I ' rov . Grand Master , Bro . Halsey . " Bro . Ilalsev . —Brethren I thank you most heartily for tbe kind reception you have given me . o 1 this occasion , a reception which appears to me . to grow in warmth every

year that I come amo eg yon , which I think is more thin I deserve , but while I dou ' it meriting at your hands tbe reception which I have always had when I have come among you I think that I may fairly congratulate you upon tbe state of Masonry in this province . During the four years I have had the honour to preside over you there have been two new lolgcs working under dispensation that will

shortly be consecrated . I think that the province over which I have to preside should be considered in a prosperous condition , because of course vve cannot compare wilh such provinces as Lancashire and Yorkshire , ancl some of the great manufacturing districts , but I think that iu a county having no very large towns it is very creditable that in every place approaching the name of a town we

have a Masonic lodge . I think that is a condition of things some larger provinces might be unable to bo ist . We are redly a large fraternal union , and I trust thit this brotherly feeling will long continue . I have only to say in conclusion I hope that we may go on as well as wc have done Iritherto . But it must be rem- 'mb . red that th-ugh our numbers may increase , the number of

Grand Offices does ml increase , and it is not in my power to grant every brother grand honours . I believe it vvas at one time the case that all the brethren in the province were cither presenter past Grand Officers , but of course that , cannot be the case at present , beceu « e of the numbers , but it will -always he my endeavour to di tribute grand honours as impartially as I can . Iu making my

selection lt mast not i-c taken fur granted that th it selection will always fall on the W . M . of a lodge , because there may be some P . M . or other brother who has more claim to grand honours than ihe W . M . I shall al . vays , however , endeavour to make my di .-t'ibutiou so as to serve the best interests of the Craft . IV-rhap . ' , before I sit down it will be well to mention thai it is the desire of many brethren that

I sll . auld hold the next Provincial Gram ! Lodge under the banner of the Btrlcfi'iiiip'tcu ! Lodge-. 1 beg to think you for tbe very kind manner in which you have received this toast . "The Health of the Very Woisbipful the D . puty P . G . Master , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , pres-nt and past , " vvas then proposed from the chair , which was responded to by Bro :-. L . mbcrt and Copland , the

latter of whom look the opportunity to thank ihe brethren for their hearty response to a kindly suggestion made by Bro . Lambert in reference to tbe benevolent object which had occupied tbe attention of Prov . Grand Lodge , and he vvas happy to say that their liberality had placed him in possession ofau additional sum of over £ 12 for the benefit of those three poor women who had been left unprovided

for . " Success to the Masonic Charities" vvas responded to by Bro . Jas . Terry , P .. / . W . and Sec . of the Royal Masonic Ijeiuvoleiit Institution , after which " The Visitors" was duly honoured , and then the chairman proposed "The Loclgis of the Province" coupled with the name of the W . M . of the Watford Lodge , who returned thanks .

A final toast before separating , theTyler's , was proposed hy the assistant Grand Chaplain , by permission of the P . G . M ., a toast that was received with great applause . "The Health of Bro . Dr . Ile-s , P . G . Sec . " who iu repl ying seid that he was rather taken aback by Ibis unexpected toast ; he felt very deeply the honour conferred upon him . For four years he had endeavoured to peiform the duties of P . G . Sec ; during which time Masonry hacl made rapid

snides in the province . He had endeavoured to perform his duties without fear or favour , and by the kind manner in which he was received that evening he vvas sufficiently rewarded . The enjoyment ofthe brethren vvas greatly enhanced b y the vocal performances of Miss Annie Sinclair , Mr . Walter Bolton and Mr . Faulkner Leigh , Bro . II . T . Parker , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., presided at the pianoforte .

The American Masonic Pilgrims.

THE AMERICAN MASONIC PILGRIMS .

The paity of American Freemr . snns , whose intended coming we announced i . i our last i-sue , arrived in York via Leeds on Wednesday evening week , and on Thursday were formally icceivcd and wele-umeil by their brethren ed this city . Ever since their landing in Ireland on the 15 th ult . this "Pilgrims' Progress" has been of an almost

triumphal chaiact-. r , Ihe Masons everywhere greeting them in suc-h a maikeil manner as to show the true fraternal spirit which animates Ihe minds of the brethren of the mystic tie . At Londonderry they were welcomed by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Londonderry ancl Donegal , uii'lir the presidency of Sir Wm . Miller , ancl were entertained at supper . A number of ladies were present , who

presented each guest with a bouquet of flowers , to which was attached a card bearing the Derry arms and the words " eead millefailthe . " Belfast and Dublin accorded equally hearty welcomes , and when Scotland was reached the brethren of Glasgow ancl Edinburgh held out the right hand cf fellowship in a similar manner . In Freemasons ' Kali , at Edinburgh , on the 23 rd ult ., they were received by tbe Deputy Grind MaMcr and a mini Iter of the uHie-ers

of tbe Giand Lodge if . votUiul , including the Grand Secretary , Bro . 1 ) . Murray I . yon , Col . Itobisoii , U . S . consul , and many othirs . A number cf Masters and Pa-t Masters of lodges were also present . Tbe Amrrican victors were warmly welcomed , the D . Grand Master individually greeting each brother . After the closing of the lo Ige , refreshments were served . The toast of the evening , given from the chair , was "The Mary Commandery of Knights Templar , " of which body most of the

The American Masonic Pilgrims.

Pilgrims arc members . Bro . C . E . Meyer , P . E . C , ( "" raved Recorder of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania , in responding , sale ] it was the first time * , to his knowledge , that a Grancl Lodge of Free ancl Accepted Masons had recognised a C'immanclery of Knights Templar , comprised altogether of Freemasons though it was . Ti : e ratty left

E liuburgh for Abbots ' orel the following morning , and arrived in L-.-eds on Wednesd ly afternoon , where they were met by a o .-irty of York brethren , and alter di'ir . er at the Qjccn ' s Motel , the whole parly resumed thc j' urney to York in saloon carriages , which had been specially despatched for their use by Bro . H ' elburn , of York . On Thursday tbe principal objec's of interest in York were visited ,

including the Walls , the Museum Gardens , and the Minster , where by direction of Bro . Dr . Monk they listened to an organ recital by Mr . M . Monk , with which they were much gratified . At the Freemasons' Hall the party were received by Bro . the Rev . Wm . Valentine , W . M . of thc York Lodge , 236 , who had caused to be laid out for inspection the many interesting ancient Masonic MSS ., minute books ,

& c , of which this lolge is the fortunate possessor . Bro . J . Todrl , P . M . 236 , vas iir-sent and exhibited the various curiosities . From tbe Minster carriages were taken to tbe Merchants' Hall , widen was at one period the . meeting place of Freemasons , and thence ihe : party were driecn through Walmgate Bar , pastille Castle and to the ( "Wen ' s Hotel , Mi ' -klcgate , where they were received by the W . M .

and brcl ' ircn ofthe Eboracum Lodge , 1611 . The lodge was opened in the First Degree for the purpose of giving a masonic welcome to the Transatlantic Masons , and the W . M ., Bro . T . B . Whytehead , expressed in a lew words the great pleasure it gave the Masons of York to see amongst tbem the guests nf the day . Bro . Meyer responded briefly , and the ceremonies being brought to a . close the whole

party sat down to . 1 champagne luncheon . Am . ng .-t the specially invited guests We re Bro . Wm . Yak-ruin-, W . M . 236 ; Bro . J . W . Woodall . P . M . Si-arbro j anel Hro . S . B . fcliis , P . M . Sheffield . Here was exhibited tlie old black letter Bible and Loving Cup , formerly ihe property of thc Grand Lodge e . f All Eiiglai . d at York , ar . d a lery curious and giganlic old Masonic flagon . Alter luncheon tbe lady

visitors of the American paity were escoited to tbe Minster service , whilst the members of the Mary Commandery of Knights Templar proceeded to Freemasons' I lall , win re the Ancient Eb . r Preceptory cf Knights Tempi ir , of which body Bro . VV . Valentine is tbe present ri \ c \ plor , held a meeting for the special purpose of greeting the Ameti-an Knights . There vvas a large muster , and the visitors

appeared in full Amencan I emplar costume . Tbe Ceremonies of the order wcie worked by Bro . ' (' . 11 . Whytehead , P . E . P ., assisted by Bros . J . W . Woodall , P . E . P ., W . Lawton , P . E . P ., Thos . Cooper , P . E . P . ; T . B . Prissick , J . S . Cumberland , G . Simpson , P . H . Rowland , J . G . Croft , G . II . Simpson , and oilier members of the order ; and at the conclusion Bro . Sutter , P . E . P . ofthe Maiy Commandery , presented ,

in the name of Bro . John Dornan , to the Ancient Ebor Preceptery a very beautiful and valuable sword , formerly thc propeity of one of the earliest of American Ki . i ghls Templar . At the conclusion of the ceremonies the whole party returned to the New Station Hotel , where a banquet had been prepared in tbe large dining-room , under the banners of the Ancient Ebor Preceptory and Priory of

Malta , the members of these hoc . iis then entertaining the whole of the American knights and their ladies . Thc room had been tastelully decorated by Bro . Hartley , the English and American flags appearing in close conjunction , whilst ihe banners of the Preceptory and Priory ancl those of the knights , together wilh emblems and incite csof thc Order , ancl a trophy of Templars' swords , adorned the

walls and mirrors . I he dinner was of a most excellent character , supplied by Bro . Duret , manager cf Ihe hotel . As the processiem moved in to dinner the band of the 4 th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards , who were preent by kind permission of Bro . Major 'I ' . B . Shaw-Hcllier , played a Grand March , founded on "' lleil Columbia , " and arranged by the bandmaster , Bro . VV . S . Smith , and during dinner

performed a beautiful selection cf music . The chair was occupied by Bro . the Rev . W . Valentine , P . P ., and thc vice-chairs by Bros . Major Prissick and J . S . Cumberland , Bro . T . li . Whjtehe-ad , P . E . P ., acting as Director cf Ceremonies , i'he toasts of "The liuccn , the lai'ivncssef English Masonry , " and " I'he Prince of Walts , Grand Master cf the Temple , " having been gracefully niven from the

chair ancl warmly received , Bro . J . VV . Woodall , P . G . Constable of N . ancl E . Yoiksbire , gave " Tbe Great Prior ot England , Lord Skelmersdale ' , the Sub-Prior , and the Great Ofiic .-rs and Officers , " which was responded to by Bro . ' !' . I ! . Whytehead , G . Captain of Guard , England . Bro . T . B . Pii ^ sck , Constable of the Ancient Ebor , then gave " i'he Provincial Prior , Lord Londesborough , thc

Sub-Prior , and tbe P . G . Oflicers ancl Officers , " which , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . J . F . Holden , Sub-Prior , was responded to by Bro . J . W . Wex elall . Bro . T . B . Whytehead then gave the toast ef the evening , "Thc members of the Mary Comman . ' ery , No . 3 ( 1 , Pmla'lelphia , ancl the rest of the American Visitors , " a toast which vvas received with the greatest enthusiasm , an I replied to by

Bro . C . E . Meyer , P . E . C , who in return proposed "The Ancient Ebor Preceptory , No . 101 , Yoik . " As instancing the extent and strength of the Order in the Unileel States , Bro . Meyer mentioned that in Philadel phia thc re were seven Commanderies , and tbat thc one b- icpreseiited numbered over 450 members . He at tbe same time , in tbe name of the Mary Commandery , presented ihe Ancient Ebor Preceptory with a magnificent silk banner , richly embroidered

with got , and exquisitely fini-hed This toast vvas suitably replied to by Bin . W . Valentine , E . P ., and llro . P . W . Rowland tben gave ' -Tbe English Visiter ; , " who were very numerous , and l < ro . Ellis , E . P . t-f tbe D .: Furnival I ' r . ceptory , Sheffield , replied . " Pn sperity lo the City of York" teas given by Uro . D . Sutler , P . E . C , and responded to by the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of York , Bro . Wm . Varey , who in ttturn proposed " Prosperity to the City of