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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MIDDLESEX. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY. Page 1 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY. Page 1 of 2 →
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.
There was another reason why they should heartily drink thc toast , and that was because the Prov . Grand Master had shown his interest in the province by initiating his own son in the Burdett Lodge . That lodge was started 21 years ago , when Sir Francis Burdett was installed as the first Master , and within 10 months he was thc Provincial Grand Master for the first time . Sir Francis was once more among them heartier and stronger than last year ,
still the good old English gentleman , and they trusted for many years to be presided over by him . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said that , after the eloquent address of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , he felt considerable difficulty in expressing his gratitude for the kind manner they had received thc toast . It was gratifying indeed to see such an assembly to support the Provincial
Grand Lodge in the manner it had been supported for a considerable number of years . During the time he had presided he had hardly had a single incident to make him regret his position , and it was gratif ying to find that at the present time he was no less esteemed than he was when installed as their Provincial Grand Master . It was , ol course , a source ol anxiety lor any
brother in the position he held to find he was surrounded by brethren able to criticise his conduct , but he had found he had been ably supported and kindly received by every member of the province . As far as his powers would admit they mi ght depend upon it that as long as he was able he would do what he could for thc province , and as long- as he lived he should be grateful for the kindness he had received . .
Bro . SMITH , 34 , replying for " The Visitors , " said it was owing to the fact that he represented No . 34 Lodge that he had been called upon to respond , and also perhaps because he was thc junior Mason present . In London they had no such important ceremony as they had witnessed that nig ht , and mig ht well take a lesson from thc province .
Bro . T . FENN , President Board of General Purposes , said he had the honour of proposing " Thc Provincial Grand Officers . " He recollected 21 years ago he was the S . W . on thc occasion of thc installation of the Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex and thc institution of the
Middlesex-Provincial Grand Lodge . There were few Masons who could claim that honour , and few who were present on that occasion were now living . He had taken a great interest in thc province since that time , and was a member of it , hailing ' from the Bard of Avon Lodge . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master was most proficient in the duties of his office , and he was sure they would all wish he might long continue in the office of which he had exercised great usefulness . With respect to the other Provincial Grand Officers , he
would select the name of Bro . Preecc to respond , that brother being a member of the Electric Lodge—a most appropriate name for a lodge which numbers the head of the Electrical Department of the Post Office . There was one provincial appointment which afforded him great satisfaction , and that was Bro . Kentish , whom he had known for several years as being a very enthusiastic member of thc Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and for some lime its Secretary .
Bro . W . H . PREECE , Prov . S . G . W ., in response , said he was sure he stated the feelings of every officer in thc province when he expressed to Bro . Fenn their grateful acknowledgments for thc kind terms in which he had proposed the toast , and he also expressed their gratitude to thc Prov . Grand Master for having selected them to the offices they filled . It was their lodges felt the honour rather than themselves . There was not a single lodge represented but every member in it felt that thc lodge had been rewarded bv being
selected to furnish a Prov . Grand Officer . Ihey all knew it was the hope of reward that sweetened labour , and the possession of reward that incited to labour , and there was nothing like thc possession of office in Masonry that created an appetite for furthering the interests of Masonry . The onl y regret they felt was that they had not been called upon sufficiently frequently to show their zeal and energy in the service , and thc result was that memory was apt to fail . The T yler ' s toast closed thc proceedings .
Under the direction of Bro . Wm . Wright , P . P . G . Org ., a selection of music was performed by Bros . Hugh Davies , James Bayne , Org . 1 S 97 ; Egbert Roberts , P . P . G . Org . Essex ; Sam . Wright , 1897 ; and Messrs . W . G . Churcher and Richard Evans .
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY .
A Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Mastcr Masons of thc Province of Middlesex and Surrey was held on the 29 th ult ., at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Qucen-strcct , W . C , when there was a good attendance . Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Provincial Grand Mastcr , was supported by the following : —
Bros . C . Hammerton , D . P . G . M . ; A . H . Bircham , P . S . G . W . ; J . C . Collier , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . H . F . Oliver , P . G . C . j L . G . Gordon Robbins , P . G . Treas . ; J . T . Briggs . P . G . Reg . j A . H . Bowles , P . J . G . O . ; Harry Tipper , P . S . G . D . ; H . Burgess , P . J . G . D . ; J . Callaway , P . G . I , of W . ; W . G . Brighten , P . G . Sec . ; J . Byfnrd , jun ., P . A . G . D . C . ; J . Skinner and J . Lancaster , P . G . Stewards ; J . Rhodes , P . P . G . Org . ; Charles Fitzgerald Matier , Past G . W ., Grand Secretary ; C . Passmore , J . W . 407 ; C . Slater , P . A . G . D . C ; A . W . Hobbs , P . M . 19 S ; W . F . Bates . W . M . 4 ;
J . Collins , W . M . 407 ; J . Handley , J . W . 284 ; Fgbert Roberts , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Yaxley , P . G . S . ; M . Christian , J . W . igy ; Capt . Newington Bridges , P . P . G . W . ; J . Stevens , P . P . G . J . O . ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . Reg . ; S . Hodgkinson , W . M . 224 ; R . Lawson , P . P . G . M . O . ; J . F . Rumball , P . P . G . J . O . ; Murray Hayes , Prov . Asst . G . Sec ; S . B . Wilson , P . M . 231 J ; C . W . Mapleton , S . D . igS ; C . Chauffourier , W . M . 23 S ; H . Goodwin , P . M . 251 ; Rev . J . Cater , G . Chap . ; J . W . Mash , I . P . M . 4 ; J . - Mather , P . G . Treas . ; H . Dickey , P . P . G . M . O . ; Frederick West , W . M . 19 S ; J . H . Cureton ; G . Gregory , P . G . S . ; C . Mordey ; G . H . Phillips , P . M . 139 ; E . J . Mills , P . M . 350 ; W . M . Stiles , P . M . 355 ; F . Pocock , W . M . 211 ; E . Storr , P . G . S . ; J- Tickle , W . W . Lee , and many others .
lhc Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , the P . G . M . saluted , and the minutes confirmed . Worn thc report of thc Committee of General Purposes , which was read md unanimousl y adopted , it appeared that thc lodges in thc province had heen increased by two , making a total of 37 , and that thc number of members was 822 , being an increase of 62 on thc previous ycai ' s total .
I he Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s account and the Auditors' report were received .
On the motion of the D . P . G . M ., tlie sum of 10 guineas was voted to the Mark Benevolent Fund , to be placed on thc list of Bro . Rev . J . Cater , P . G . ^ hap lain , who was appointed the Steward to represent thc Provincial Grand Lod ge . wo . L . GORDON ROBBINS , Prov . G . Treas ., said he felt it a high honour L ( ? he entrusted with the next motion . It was to recommend tothe M . W . ^ rand Master a brother for the office of Provincial Grand Master for the
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.
next three years . He need hardl y say he recommended for re-election their Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart . The way in which the nomination was received was sufficient to show how much they valued Sir Francis Burdett ' s services in the office , and that they looked forward to be presided over by him for many years with continued honour and prosperity to the province .
Bro . W . G . BRIGHTEN , P . G . I . of VV ., P . G . Sec , in seconding the recommendation , said it must riot be forgotten that the forthcoming-year was the 2 ist Sir Francis Burdett would reign over them . Under his beneficent sway they should at the end of the year attain their majority , and during his reign they had grown from three or four lodges to 37 , and had increased to 800 members , which was largely due to the manner he had conducted thc business .
The recommendation having been received with acclamation , the PROV . GRAND MASTER said he was extremely proud at the flattering manner in which his services had been appreciated . He should be much gratified to live to see the majority of the Provincial Grand Lodge which had flourished most
satisfactorily , and would , he was sure , continue to prosper in the future . The roll of lodges was called , when it was found that all were represented . On the proposition of the DEP . PROV . GRAND MASTER , seconded by Bro . HY . LOVEGROVE , P . P . S . G . W ., Bro . Gordon Robbins was re-elected unanimously as P . G . Treas .
The following Provincial Grand Officers were appointed and invested . Bro . Charles Hammerton ... .... ... Dep . Prov . G . M . ,, Rev . Viscount Molesworth ... Prov . S . G . W . ,, Col . C . H . Nevill ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, Frederick West ... ... ... Prov . " G . M . O . ,, William Mason Stiles ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O .
„ Alfred W . Hillier ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . ,, Rev . Henry F " . Oliver ... ... ... ) .. " ... „ Rev . Richard Wood Samuel ... ... ] Prov ' G < Cha P - ,, L . G . Gordon Robbins ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ John W . Mash ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . G . Brighten ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec .
,, L . P . Conbro ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . ,, John T . Skinner ... ... ... Prov . J . G ' . T ) . ,, A . J . Hone-Goldney ... ... ... Prov . ' G . L of W . ,, Robert A . Marshall ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ John T . R . Cresswell ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, Major-General A . H . W . Williams ... Prov . G . S . B . „ Philip H . Clisby ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .
,, Charles F . Passmore ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Murray Haynes ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ W . R . Arnold ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Dr . H . W . Kiallmark ... ... ... ~ \ ,, John Webb ... ... ... ... „ r c < , „ Dr . R . D . R . Sweeting ... ... ... \ Prov - G ' Stwds - ,, Chauffourier ... ... ... ... J ,, John Gilbert ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .
On the proposition of the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY , seconded by Bro . J . . BRIGGS , a vote of thanks was accorded the Prov . Grand Treasurer for his services during the past year , and was suitably acknowledged . The following were selected for nomination of Grand Stewards : —Era , Euston , West Smithfield , and Menatschim Lodges .
The Committee of General Purposes was re-elected , and several letters of apology for non-attendance having been announced , Prov . Grand Lodge was closed .
A large number of brethren subsequently partook of banquet at Freemasons' Tavern , and the usual toasts were afterwards given . In giving " The Grand Officers , " the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said the Marquess of Hertford , Pro Grand Master , was a Mark Mason at heart , and always came forward to do what he could in the interests of Mark
Masonry . The Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Euston , they knew to be a very enthusiastic Mason , who had been taken in hand by the greater part of thc Masonic world . The Grand Officers were constantly among them , and performed their duties satisfactorily . There was one present whom he would call upon to respond—Bro . Matier—who would give them any information they required regarding Mark Masonry .
Bro . C . F . MATIER , P . G . W ., Grand Secretary , said that while he must acknowledge the pride he felt in being called upon to respond for those who had since 1856 to the present time been sources of light and leading in the Mark Degree , he could have wished very much that the Pro Grand Mastcr or the Deputy Grand Master could have been present to have responded for the manner the toast had been proposed and
received . He should like to call to the recollection of Bro . Sir ¦ Francis Burdett the state of thc Mark Degree over 20 years ago , when he was appointed to rule over the province , and Sir Francis would no doubt remember that they had something like 100 lodges , and a total aggregate of something like 10 , 000 connected with the Order . They had at the present moment nearly 450 lodges , and over 30 , 000 brethren connected
with the Order . They had , in addition , laid the foundation-stone of a Benevolent Fund , which he was certain would bring forth far greater fruits in the future . They had endeavoured in every way to promote the honour of thc Order and the prosperity of the Mark Degree , and the brethren , meeting as they did that night in the hall of the Mark Masons next door , could not
tail to bc struck with the large amount of interest taken b y brethren in the Order in years gone by . He thanked them on behalf of the Grand Officers , and hoped they would all pay such respect to the Order and such devotion to the Mark Degree as would entitle them to bc numbered amongst the Grand Officers as rulers of the Order .
Bro . C . HAMMERTON , D . P . G . M ., next proposed " The Provincial Grand Master , " and said that few words were needed on his part , as the Provincial Grand Master was so well known to every Mason present . As a Mason Sir Francis Burdett had taken interest in every Degree for many years past , and in the Mark Degree in that province for 21 years , and the progress made since his appointment had been very great indeed .
Bro . Colonel Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Bart ., P . G . M ., in response , said it was a great many years since he was first connected with the province , and he had never found so much goodwill and kindly feeling as exhibited by a large body of his constituents at the present day . He had endeavoured as
far as he was able to carry out the wishes of the brethren in conducting thc work of the province , and he felt satisfied they had not been very much disappointed in his exertions . He was gratified to sec the advance the province had made during thc time he had been connected wilh it , and though others might follow him and improve and do what they could , no Provincial Grand
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.
There was another reason why they should heartily drink thc toast , and that was because the Prov . Grand Master had shown his interest in the province by initiating his own son in the Burdett Lodge . That lodge was started 21 years ago , when Sir Francis Burdett was installed as the first Master , and within 10 months he was thc Provincial Grand Master for the first time . Sir Francis was once more among them heartier and stronger than last year ,
still the good old English gentleman , and they trusted for many years to be presided over by him . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said that , after the eloquent address of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , he felt considerable difficulty in expressing his gratitude for the kind manner they had received thc toast . It was gratifying indeed to see such an assembly to support the Provincial
Grand Lodge in the manner it had been supported for a considerable number of years . During the time he had presided he had hardly had a single incident to make him regret his position , and it was gratif ying to find that at the present time he was no less esteemed than he was when installed as their Provincial Grand Master . It was , ol course , a source ol anxiety lor any
brother in the position he held to find he was surrounded by brethren able to criticise his conduct , but he had found he had been ably supported and kindly received by every member of the province . As far as his powers would admit they mi ght depend upon it that as long as he was able he would do what he could for thc province , and as long- as he lived he should be grateful for the kindness he had received . .
Bro . SMITH , 34 , replying for " The Visitors , " said it was owing to the fact that he represented No . 34 Lodge that he had been called upon to respond , and also perhaps because he was thc junior Mason present . In London they had no such important ceremony as they had witnessed that nig ht , and mig ht well take a lesson from thc province .
Bro . T . FENN , President Board of General Purposes , said he had the honour of proposing " Thc Provincial Grand Officers . " He recollected 21 years ago he was the S . W . on thc occasion of thc installation of the Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex and thc institution of the
Middlesex-Provincial Grand Lodge . There were few Masons who could claim that honour , and few who were present on that occasion were now living . He had taken a great interest in thc province since that time , and was a member of it , hailing ' from the Bard of Avon Lodge . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master was most proficient in the duties of his office , and he was sure they would all wish he might long continue in the office of which he had exercised great usefulness . With respect to the other Provincial Grand Officers , he
would select the name of Bro . Preecc to respond , that brother being a member of the Electric Lodge—a most appropriate name for a lodge which numbers the head of the Electrical Department of the Post Office . There was one provincial appointment which afforded him great satisfaction , and that was Bro . Kentish , whom he had known for several years as being a very enthusiastic member of thc Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and for some lime its Secretary .
Bro . W . H . PREECE , Prov . S . G . W ., in response , said he was sure he stated the feelings of every officer in thc province when he expressed to Bro . Fenn their grateful acknowledgments for thc kind terms in which he had proposed the toast , and he also expressed their gratitude to thc Prov . Grand Master for having selected them to the offices they filled . It was their lodges felt the honour rather than themselves . There was not a single lodge represented but every member in it felt that thc lodge had been rewarded bv being
selected to furnish a Prov . Grand Officer . Ihey all knew it was the hope of reward that sweetened labour , and the possession of reward that incited to labour , and there was nothing like thc possession of office in Masonry that created an appetite for furthering the interests of Masonry . The onl y regret they felt was that they had not been called upon sufficiently frequently to show their zeal and energy in the service , and thc result was that memory was apt to fail . The T yler ' s toast closed thc proceedings .
Under the direction of Bro . Wm . Wright , P . P . G . Org ., a selection of music was performed by Bros . Hugh Davies , James Bayne , Org . 1 S 97 ; Egbert Roberts , P . P . G . Org . Essex ; Sam . Wright , 1897 ; and Messrs . W . G . Churcher and Richard Evans .
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY .
A Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Mastcr Masons of thc Province of Middlesex and Surrey was held on the 29 th ult ., at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Qucen-strcct , W . C , when there was a good attendance . Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Provincial Grand Mastcr , was supported by the following : —
Bros . C . Hammerton , D . P . G . M . ; A . H . Bircham , P . S . G . W . ; J . C . Collier , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . H . F . Oliver , P . G . C . j L . G . Gordon Robbins , P . G . Treas . ; J . T . Briggs . P . G . Reg . j A . H . Bowles , P . J . G . O . ; Harry Tipper , P . S . G . D . ; H . Burgess , P . J . G . D . ; J . Callaway , P . G . I , of W . ; W . G . Brighten , P . G . Sec . ; J . Byfnrd , jun ., P . A . G . D . C . ; J . Skinner and J . Lancaster , P . G . Stewards ; J . Rhodes , P . P . G . Org . ; Charles Fitzgerald Matier , Past G . W ., Grand Secretary ; C . Passmore , J . W . 407 ; C . Slater , P . A . G . D . C ; A . W . Hobbs , P . M . 19 S ; W . F . Bates . W . M . 4 ;
J . Collins , W . M . 407 ; J . Handley , J . W . 284 ; Fgbert Roberts , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Yaxley , P . G . S . ; M . Christian , J . W . igy ; Capt . Newington Bridges , P . P . G . W . ; J . Stevens , P . P . G . J . O . ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . Reg . ; S . Hodgkinson , W . M . 224 ; R . Lawson , P . P . G . M . O . ; J . F . Rumball , P . P . G . J . O . ; Murray Hayes , Prov . Asst . G . Sec ; S . B . Wilson , P . M . 231 J ; C . W . Mapleton , S . D . igS ; C . Chauffourier , W . M . 23 S ; H . Goodwin , P . M . 251 ; Rev . J . Cater , G . Chap . ; J . W . Mash , I . P . M . 4 ; J . - Mather , P . G . Treas . ; H . Dickey , P . P . G . M . O . ; Frederick West , W . M . 19 S ; J . H . Cureton ; G . Gregory , P . G . S . ; C . Mordey ; G . H . Phillips , P . M . 139 ; E . J . Mills , P . M . 350 ; W . M . Stiles , P . M . 355 ; F . Pocock , W . M . 211 ; E . Storr , P . G . S . ; J- Tickle , W . W . Lee , and many others .
lhc Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , the P . G . M . saluted , and the minutes confirmed . Worn thc report of thc Committee of General Purposes , which was read md unanimousl y adopted , it appeared that thc lodges in thc province had heen increased by two , making a total of 37 , and that thc number of members was 822 , being an increase of 62 on thc previous ycai ' s total .
I he Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s account and the Auditors' report were received .
On the motion of the D . P . G . M ., tlie sum of 10 guineas was voted to the Mark Benevolent Fund , to be placed on thc list of Bro . Rev . J . Cater , P . G . ^ hap lain , who was appointed the Steward to represent thc Provincial Grand Lod ge . wo . L . GORDON ROBBINS , Prov . G . Treas ., said he felt it a high honour L ( ? he entrusted with the next motion . It was to recommend tothe M . W . ^ rand Master a brother for the office of Provincial Grand Master for the
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.
next three years . He need hardl y say he recommended for re-election their Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart . The way in which the nomination was received was sufficient to show how much they valued Sir Francis Burdett ' s services in the office , and that they looked forward to be presided over by him for many years with continued honour and prosperity to the province .
Bro . W . G . BRIGHTEN , P . G . I . of VV ., P . G . Sec , in seconding the recommendation , said it must riot be forgotten that the forthcoming-year was the 2 ist Sir Francis Burdett would reign over them . Under his beneficent sway they should at the end of the year attain their majority , and during his reign they had grown from three or four lodges to 37 , and had increased to 800 members , which was largely due to the manner he had conducted thc business .
The recommendation having been received with acclamation , the PROV . GRAND MASTER said he was extremely proud at the flattering manner in which his services had been appreciated . He should be much gratified to live to see the majority of the Provincial Grand Lodge which had flourished most
satisfactorily , and would , he was sure , continue to prosper in the future . The roll of lodges was called , when it was found that all were represented . On the proposition of the DEP . PROV . GRAND MASTER , seconded by Bro . HY . LOVEGROVE , P . P . S . G . W ., Bro . Gordon Robbins was re-elected unanimously as P . G . Treas .
The following Provincial Grand Officers were appointed and invested . Bro . Charles Hammerton ... .... ... Dep . Prov . G . M . ,, Rev . Viscount Molesworth ... Prov . S . G . W . ,, Col . C . H . Nevill ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, Frederick West ... ... ... Prov . " G . M . O . ,, William Mason Stiles ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O .
„ Alfred W . Hillier ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . ,, Rev . Henry F " . Oliver ... ... ... ) .. " ... „ Rev . Richard Wood Samuel ... ... ] Prov ' G < Cha P - ,, L . G . Gordon Robbins ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ John W . Mash ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . G . Brighten ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec .
,, L . P . Conbro ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . ,, John T . Skinner ... ... ... Prov . J . G ' . T ) . ,, A . J . Hone-Goldney ... ... ... Prov . ' G . L of W . ,, Robert A . Marshall ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ John T . R . Cresswell ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, Major-General A . H . W . Williams ... Prov . G . S . B . „ Philip H . Clisby ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .
,, Charles F . Passmore ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Murray Haynes ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ W . R . Arnold ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Dr . H . W . Kiallmark ... ... ... ~ \ ,, John Webb ... ... ... ... „ r c < , „ Dr . R . D . R . Sweeting ... ... ... \ Prov - G ' Stwds - ,, Chauffourier ... ... ... ... J ,, John Gilbert ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .
On the proposition of the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY , seconded by Bro . J . . BRIGGS , a vote of thanks was accorded the Prov . Grand Treasurer for his services during the past year , and was suitably acknowledged . The following were selected for nomination of Grand Stewards : —Era , Euston , West Smithfield , and Menatschim Lodges .
The Committee of General Purposes was re-elected , and several letters of apology for non-attendance having been announced , Prov . Grand Lodge was closed .
A large number of brethren subsequently partook of banquet at Freemasons' Tavern , and the usual toasts were afterwards given . In giving " The Grand Officers , " the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER said the Marquess of Hertford , Pro Grand Master , was a Mark Mason at heart , and always came forward to do what he could in the interests of Mark
Masonry . The Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Euston , they knew to be a very enthusiastic Mason , who had been taken in hand by the greater part of thc Masonic world . The Grand Officers were constantly among them , and performed their duties satisfactorily . There was one present whom he would call upon to respond—Bro . Matier—who would give them any information they required regarding Mark Masonry .
Bro . C . F . MATIER , P . G . W ., Grand Secretary , said that while he must acknowledge the pride he felt in being called upon to respond for those who had since 1856 to the present time been sources of light and leading in the Mark Degree , he could have wished very much that the Pro Grand Mastcr or the Deputy Grand Master could have been present to have responded for the manner the toast had been proposed and
received . He should like to call to the recollection of Bro . Sir ¦ Francis Burdett the state of thc Mark Degree over 20 years ago , when he was appointed to rule over the province , and Sir Francis would no doubt remember that they had something like 100 lodges , and a total aggregate of something like 10 , 000 connected with the Order . They had at the present moment nearly 450 lodges , and over 30 , 000 brethren connected
with the Order . They had , in addition , laid the foundation-stone of a Benevolent Fund , which he was certain would bring forth far greater fruits in the future . They had endeavoured in every way to promote the honour of thc Order and the prosperity of the Mark Degree , and the brethren , meeting as they did that night in the hall of the Mark Masons next door , could not
tail to bc struck with the large amount of interest taken b y brethren in the Order in years gone by . He thanked them on behalf of the Grand Officers , and hoped they would all pay such respect to the Order and such devotion to the Mark Degree as would entitle them to bc numbered amongst the Grand Officers as rulers of the Order .
Bro . C . HAMMERTON , D . P . G . M ., next proposed " The Provincial Grand Master , " and said that few words were needed on his part , as the Provincial Grand Master was so well known to every Mason present . As a Mason Sir Francis Burdett had taken interest in every Degree for many years past , and in the Mark Degree in that province for 21 years , and the progress made since his appointment had been very great indeed .
Bro . Colonel Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Bart ., P . G . M ., in response , said it was a great many years since he was first connected with the province , and he had never found so much goodwill and kindly feeling as exhibited by a large body of his constituents at the present day . He had endeavoured as
far as he was able to carry out the wishes of the brethren in conducting thc work of the province , and he felt satisfied they had not been very much disappointed in his exertions . He was gratified to sec the advance the province had made during thc time he had been connected wilh it , and though others might follow him and improve and do what they could , no Provincial Grand