Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

Bros . Rev . A . Newman , P . G . C ; T . C . Lewarn , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Mathews , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; Capt . W . H . Ivimy , P . P . J . G . W . ; C . G . Barnet , P . P . G . R . ; J . Moysey , P . P . S . G . D . ; T . Chapman , P . P . A . G . D . C ; H . L . Friend , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . J . Daw , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Gidley and J . Osborn , P . G . Stwds . ; W . R . Northvvay , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . M . Hifley , P . P . A . G . D . C ; B . Richards , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . F . Westcott , P . J . G . D . ; R . B . Towser , P . P . G . T . ; Rev . H . G . Morse , P . G . C . of England ; ' Dr . W . Langley Pope , P . P . G . C . ; J . Stapleton , P . G . S . B . ; W . Taylor , P . P . G . D . C ;

H . Marley , P . P . G . Stwd . ; J . M . McLeod , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; J . Sampson , P . I . G . D . ; W . H . G . Churchill , P . G . Stwd . ; F . Pollard , P . P . G . D . C ; T . Ford , P . P . S . G . D . ; John Olver , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . W . Pitcher , P . P . G . P . j B . S . Johns , P . G S . B . ; R . Pike , P . P . G . O . ( who officiated as Organist ); P . G . L . Pearce , P . S . G . D . ; H . J . Kitt , P . A . G . P . ; } . Kinton Bond , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Bassett , P . S . G . D . ; P . B . Clement , P . P . G . O . ; W . Bond , P . G . Stwd . ; H . Down , P . P . G . Supt . of Works Cornwall ; Capt . G . S . Stroude-Lowe , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Lavers , P . P . G . P . j and others .

The P . G . Sec , Bro . Major G . C . DAVIE , reported that at the close of 1890 there were 3062 members in the province , an increase of 132 over the previous year ; 219 candidates had been initiated , a decrease of 26 ; 477 were returned in arrears , an increase of 95 ; 12 lodges were desirous of obtaining-Life-Governorships this year—202 , 22 3 , 282 , 444 , 1855 ; in the Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons ; 39 , 70 , 1125 , 1254 , 1284 , 1402

in the Institution for Boys ; 39 also in the Institution for Girls . The Treasurer , Bro . W . POWELL , reported a balance in hand of ^ 249 . On that amount there would be the following claims : £ 105 to meet the moieties to the ten lodges whose applications were recommended to be granted , £ So to meet the grants recommended by the Committee of Petitions , 31 guineas due to the Devon Educational Fund , and about ^" 27 due on other claims .

The Secretary of the Fortescue Annuity Fund , Bro . F . POLLARD , reported that there were now six annuitants on that Charity . The TREASURER of that fund reported an increased investment of ^ 38 in the Devon and Exeter Bank , ^ 44 in hand , and all the annuitants and other liabilities paid ; total funds invested , ^ 2634 . Whenever a single vacancy arose there are always many duly qualified applicants for the annuity . An increase , therefore , in the number of annuitants is advisable ,

which is not practicable with the income at present available . As each lodge has now a direct voting power pro rata with its contributions to the fund , it is hoped that in apportioning lodge funds to charitable purposes more consideration will be given to the requirements of this local Charity . These reports and that of the Committee of Petitions were adopted . Bro . J . B . Crabb , 1125 , was elected P . G . Treasurer . Bros . J . Templeton , 1332 , and J . Stocker , 39 , were elected Auditors . The officers invested for the ensuing year

were—Bro . W . G . Rogers ... ... ... D . P . G . M . „ Rev . H . G . Morse , 489 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Major J . S . Swann , 847 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . " ? " A ' W H " ' IU ] Prov . G . Chaps . „ Rev . A . M . Hare , 1358 ... ... ... j r ,, J . B . Crabb , 1125 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . W . W . Mathew , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . ,, Major G . C . Davie ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . " K w Q T dWardS ' ^ 1 Prov . S . G . D ' s . „ Dr . W . S . Jervis , 2189 ... ... ... ) „ J . Gaydon , 1135 ... ... ... ") p T n ryq „ W . Bond , 1486 ... ... _ j 1 rov . J . UD s . „ I . Roskelly , 282 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . Osborn , 954 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . .. H . Martin . in 8 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C .

„ A . Marley , 1138 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, H . R . Langmead , 202 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, W . Churchill , 106 ... ... ¦¦ 7 u n eu r > T r' -ji „ . ^ ( Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ J . Gidley , 2025 ... ... ... j „ F . J . W . Crowe , 2187 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . B . W . C . James , 248 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ H . S . Kitt , 105 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ S . Panter , 1099 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . ,, J . Parkhouse , 156 ... ... ... " A „ R . Blight , 223 ... ... ... ] .. E . H . Littleton , 230 ... ... ' iProv G Stewards „ W . B . Berry , 1332 ... ... j-l rov . U . stewards . „ W . Southwood , 1443 ... ... ... I „ T . J . R . Chalice , 1855 ... ... ... J „ H . Shooter , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

On the motion of Bro . Major N . TRACY , hearty congratulations on the restoration of the P . G . M . to health were voted , and wishes expressed that he would long continue to preside over the Province of Devonshire . Bro . Viscount EBRINGTON expressed his thanks . In the evening nearly 100 of the brethren dined together at Bro . Squire ' s Bedford Hotel .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , who presided , expressed his great gratification at the progress which was being made by Masonry throughout the country . When he assumed his present office the junior lodge was numbered about 1700 , now the numbers were over 2200 . The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was mentioned in toasting the Grand Lodge Officers , and wishes for the happiness of the marriage about to be celebrated in his family were heartily expressed .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Shropshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SHROPSHIRE .

On Thursday , the 17 th ult ., a meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Town Hall , Ludlow , convened by Bro . Sir Offiey Wakeman , Bart ., Prov . G . M ., and Bro . Rowland Geo . Venables , P . A . G . D . of C , ¦ Dep . Prov . G . M . A Committee of the Charity Association was held at twelve o'clock . The members of Prov . Grand Lodge met at 2 . 30 p . m . for the following

business : to read and confirm the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge held at Shrewsbury , to read letters of apology for absence , to call over names of officers , to read roll-call of lodges , to appoint and invest officers for the

ensuing year , and to read reports of children in the Royal Masonic Institutions , & c . The following lodges were represented , viz . : Salopian , Salopian Charity , St . John , The Marches , St . Milburga , St . Oswald , Fitzalan , Clive , Castle , Audley , Brownlow , and St . Alkmund . The stage and windows were

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Shropshire.

adorned with cypress , fuchsia , cyclamens . crotons , geraniums , maidenhair ferns , and fancy grasses in pots , the whole being tastefully arranged by Mr . F . Cal ver , florist , Bull Ring . The council chamber was arranged as a robing room for the Prov . Grand Master and the Prov . Grand Officers , the anteroom being the Provincial Grand Tyler ' s room . The large room was arranged for the holding of the various meetings in connection with the Provincial Grand Lodge . There were present :

Bros . Sir Offiey Wakeman , Bart ., Prov . G . M . ; Rowland George Venables , Deputy Prov . G . M . ; Salter , 2131 , P . S . G . W . ; Thos . Whitefoot , jun ., P . J . G . W . ; V . C . L Crump , 117 , 2311 , P . G . Treas . ; W . H . Spaull , P . G . Sec . ; Tom Machin , P . G . D . of C . T . J . Barnett , P . G . Std . Br . ; Alfred S . Trevor , 1621 , P . G . Std . Br . ; P . M . Berkeley 1120 , P . A . G . Sec ; W . E . Sharp , 611 , P . P . G . Purst . ; A . E . Lloyd Oswell , P . M . 262 , P . A . G . P . ; Rev . A . Kurd , William Adams , Arthur Exham , H . R . Giles , and Robert McBean , P . G . Stwds . ; William Belton , P . P . G . D . ; Alfred Spaull , P . P . G . Ree .

Frederick Cox , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . H . Parsons , P . P . A . G . S . ; J . Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C . England , P . P . S . G . W . ; Roff King , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Jewell , J . E . Brooks , A . S . Townsend , j . H . Cooksey , R . Brayne , P . P . A . G . Sec ; W . L . Southwell , V 621 , P . P . G . W . ; G . Williams Freeman , P . S . G . W . of National Grand Lodge of Egypt ; J . M . McLeod , P . S . G . W . Derby , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; J . Mason , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Middx . ; John D . Allcroft , P . G . Treas . ; K . G . Salter , P . S . G . W . ; T . I . Salvvey , J . W . ; S . H . Valentine ; C . W . Wicksted , W . M . ; Thomas

Allen , W . M . ; Thomas Bromwich , W . M . ; William T . Smith , S . W . ; C . E . Baddeley , W . M . ; R . Williams , J . W . ; Thomas Everall , 1 . P . Cranstoun , Charles R . Valentine , H . de Courcy Peele , R . K . E . Roberts , F . Salisbury , Alexander Graham , Sidney Smith , C . B . Cranstoun , E . Stanley Lloyd , G . A . Shackel , E . H . Richards , A . Lacey , Edward J . Robinson , F . W . Smith , J . Henry Lockbart , W . Chirm , C . F . Keysell , T . O . Horton , Charles Edwards , Robert Cross , John Prince , George W . Roberts , Henry Edwards , Godfrey E . Cooper , and John Valentine , 454 .

The following officers were appointed and invested ; Bro . C . W . Wicksted ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Sir Charles Soame , Bart . ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . B . Ashdown j Prov . G . Chaplains . „ Rev . H . Dunkm ... ... ... ) r „ V . C . L . Crump ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ H . R . Giles ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ W . H . Spaull ... ... ... Prov . ( i . Sec . „ R . Berkeley ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ J . H . Parsons ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ Lloyd Oswald ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ Tom Machin ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . Adams ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ F . Bird ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ C Lewis ... ... ... - ] Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ W . Exham ... ... ... ... ) „ Dr . Bratton ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ R . McBean ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ A . Nelson ... ... ... ... Prov . Asst . G . Purst . „ B . Blower ... ... ... ... 1

„ W . Deedes ... „ V . Allen ... ... ... ... V Prov . G . Stwds . „ Bromwich ... ... ... ... „ T . R . Badderley ... ... ... J

After the conclusion of the ceremonial work of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the brethren adjourned to the basement of the building , where a banquet took place , Bro . Sir Offley Wakeman , Bart ., Prov . Grand Master , in the chair . The following toasts were proposed and duly honoured : " The Queen and the Craft , " "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " "The

Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom ; the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past ; " " The Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Sir Offley Wakeman , Bart ; " " The D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . G . Venables , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " " The Worshipful Masters of the Lodges of the Province , " " The Masonic Charities , " and the Tyler ' s toast .

The day ' s proceedings fitly concluded with a Masonic ball , in aid of the funds of the Royal Masonic Charities , and was held in the New Town Hall , which was decorated with flags suspended from the gasiliers , the windows having in each a stand of choice plants , and the stage being profusely adorned with evergreens and flowers .

Dancing , which was announced to commence at nine , began about halfpast , and was kept up with great spirit until the programme was exhausted , and about four a . m . the last of the guests departed . The ball itself was admitted to be most enjoyable , and , as is always the case with Masonic festivities of this kind , it attracted a very large and fashionable company .

The room at all times , and especially by gaslight , presents an attractive appearance , but filled as it was on this occasion with a large assembly ol handsomely-dressed ladies and the Masons in full Masonic dress , the scene was brilliant in the extreme . The arrangements , which were entrusted to a special Ball Committee , were admirably carried out in every detail .

The Shropshire Yeomanry Band was engaged for the occasion , and maintained its well-known reputation under the leadership of Mr . Hudson Davies . The supper , which as well as the luncheon was provided by H . Carter , of the Castle Restaurant , was served in good style , and gave general satisfaction .

Sir Walter Scott And Freemasonry.

SIR WALTER SCOTT AND FREEMASONRY .

It is difficult to imagine that if Sir Walter Scott had , like his great contemporary Robert Burns , been a Freemason , such a fact would not have been known in the Masonic world , and yet there is intrinsic evidence scattered through the Waverley novels that Scott was not altogether ignorant ol Masonic customs and tiaditions . It is ju'st possible that such a lover ot

books and antiquities of all kinds may have stumbled across some old books bearing more or less upon Freemasonry , and if so , judging by the frequent allusions to the customs of the Masonic bod }' , a profound impression must have been made upon his mind . Some of the references are such as might easily occur in the writings of the uninitiated , but there are others which seem to imply a deeper knowledge than the outside world is usually suppo scci to possess .