Provincial Grand Lodge Of Dorsetshire.

The PROV . GRAND M ASTER then gave " The W . M . and Officers of the Entertaining Lodge , " and said that for a very long time they had not had so good a meeting as that day . They had been hospitably received , and everything had been done to make them as comfortable as possible . They could see the finger of the hand who had guided that success in the able W . M . of the All Souls' Lodge , Bro . Groves , the Prov . S . G . W . As long as Bro . Groves was at the- head of that lodge there was no doubt it would flourish , for he was hard-working and full of tact , and with his popularity

there was nothing he could not attain to . Bro . IT . C . GROVES , W . M . 170 , P . S . G . W ., replied , and expressed his pleasure at seeing the grand assembly . If the brethren had been pleased it was all they required . Theirs was the only lodge that could boast of two things , first , they could entertain the whole of Prov . Grand Lodge in their own lodge-room , and , secondly , of having a resident Prov . G . M . amongst them . He should be pleased to do what he could during the coming year to support the Prov . G . M . by visiting other lodges .

Bro . CRICKMAY submitted " The Visitors , " which was suitably responded to by Bro . ATKINS , and then gave " The Masonic Charities . " Bro . ZILLWOOD MILLEDGE , P . P . J . G . W ., in reply , said he was pleased that Bro . Dugdale should be asked to serve as Steward for the R . M . B . I ., as they had candidates coining on for election to that Institution . He claimed for Dorset that they were second to none in England . They had only 600 members , and could not expect to rank with the larger provinces ,

but if they only put their shoulders to the wheel they would be successful . Bro . Dugdale was well known in London at the elections . Those who were in a position to give should give liberally and cheerfully , for it was only a pleasure and privilege to be allowed to contribute to their great Charities . " The Mayor of Weymouth " having been heartily received , the proceedings terminated , and the brethren separated after one of the most successful gatherings ever held by this small , but prosperous Province of Dorset .

The proceedings were enlivened by several musical contributions rendered by Bros . Nelson , Bowes , A . Rayner , T . W . Board , J . E , Crickmay , and H . A . Hurdle , A . R . A . M .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF DEVONSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Prov . Grand Chapter was held on the 10 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Barnstaple . There was a small attendance , the Plymouth brethren turning up fairly well . The arrangements for the reception of the visitors—this being the first time the Prov . Grand Chapter had visited Barnstaple —gave every satisfaction . At the meeting Comp . Lord Ebrington , G . Supt ., sat on the throne , and was supported by—Comps . W . G . Rogers , P . Z . 112 , 444 , P . G . H . ; the Rev . T . W . Lemon , D . D ., P . Z .

189 , P . P . G . J ., as P . G . J .,- John Brewer , P . Z . 251 , P . P . G . S . E ., as P . G . S . E . ; C . Stevens , P . Z . 1138 , P . G . Treasurer ; Dr . Haydn , P . Z . 1125 , P . G . Registrar ; Courtenay Edmonds , P . Z . 444 , P . G . S . N . ; T . C Lewarn , P . Z . 223 , P . G . Prin . Soj . ; John B . Crabb , P . Z . 1125 , P . P . ist A . G . S ., as P . 1 st A . G . S . B : J . Fisher , P . Z . 444 , P . P . G . P . S ., as P . 2 nd A . G . S . ; J . Leonard , P . Z . 202 , as P . G . S . B . ; E . H . Littleton , P . Z . 230 , 3 s P . G . Std . Br . ; J . R . Lord , P . Z . 1247 P . P . G . Treas ., P . G . D . C ; C . Palk , P . Z . 1358 , P . A . G . D . C . ; R . Pike , P . Z . 230 as P . G . Org . ; and H . Shooter , 112 , P . G . Janitor .

The Prov . G . Treas ., Comp . A . J . TRUSCOTT , reported that the dues amounted to ^ 89 , and after payments to the Masonic Charities and the ordinary expenses therewas a balance in hand of £ 48 12 s ., although they began with a balance of £ 41 14 s . 3 d . On the proposition of Comp . the Rev . Dr . LEMON , seconded by Comp . J . LEONARD , the balance-sheet was adopted .

Comp . W . ALLSFORD moved that . £ 10 ios . bc voted to thc Devon Educational Fund .

Comp . J . LEONARD seconded . The P . G . MASTER said he was under the impression that some years ago the Prov . Grand Chapter passed a resolution to give £ _ 5 s . annua !! -, to thc Devon Masonic Educational Fund , and no more . The P . G . S . said the vote of five guineas to the two funds had to be paid

in any event . Comp . W . G . ROGERS then proposed that a similar contribution be paid to the Devon Fortescue Annuity Fund . Comp . LORD seconded , and it was carried with acclamation . Comp . LORD nominated Comp . Allsford , 202 , as P . G . Treas ., remarking that he had been an Arch Mason for over 28 years , and had done

yeoman . Comps . GREGORY , BREWER , and CRABB supported . The nomination was accepted with cnthu-iasm . On thc proposition of Comp . F . R . THOMAS , Comps . L . R . Lord and J . VV . Cornish , of Plymouth , were appointed Auditors . The Prov . Grand Superintendent then invested his officers as follows :

Comp . W . G . Rogers , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . H . ,, G . Strode Lowe , 156 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . ,, G . C . Davie , 251 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . ,, Major Mortimer , 444 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N .

,, W . Allsford , 202 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ,, T . Sanders , 1234 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ A . S . Hendry , 189 ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ H . Ascott , 252 ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . „ C . S . Withell , 2025 ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . ,, J . G . Kevern , 70 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ J . Wills , 106 ... ... ... **) „ | . Algar , 112 ... ... ... £ Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ C . J . Firks , 1247 ... ... ... ) ,, J . Nussel Lord , 1247 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . D . Ford , 10 5 ... ... .., "* ) „ j . Leonard , 202 ... ... ... C Prov . A . G . D . Cs . „ I . Wallis , 12 55 - .- .. J

„ N . Pike , 230 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, R . Harper , 201 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . ,, IT . Shooter , 112 ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

Votes of thanks having been given to the companions of No . 251 for receiving thc visiting companions , thc Prov . Grand Chapter was closed .

The "Old Charges."

THE "OLD CHARGES . "

Bro . William Watson , of Leeds , has again edited another copy of the " Old Charges , " which has lately been presented to the West Yorkshire Masonic Library and Museum . This makes the seventh which he has so ably edited , thus raising the series to the perfect number of MSS . These are all in this famous collection , and represent the largest number in any library

in the world ,, excepting thc British Museum , where , if the " Regius MS . be added , there are really eight . Bro . Watson has written a short historical sketch of thc donor , Bro . Thomas W . Embleton , P . M . 1513 , P . P . S . G . W . of West Yorkshire , and likewise inserted the portrait of this respected Craftsman , who , though aged , is but a young Freemason , but most earnest and enthusiastic .

This copy of the " Old Charges has been known as the " Watson MS . " from its publication by Bro . W . J . Hughan in the Freemason . in 188 9 , but the Iate ' owner , Bro . T . M . Watson , of Sunderland , was so favourable to Bro . William Watson ' s opinion that the roll would be better in the custody of the celebrated West Yorkshire collection , that arrangements were soon made by that ever active brother for its transfer accordingly .

Bro . Hughan has written a speciai Introduction for this re-issue , pointing out the main features and peculiarities of the MS ., as few , if any else , could do , besides giving several interesting particulars as to the "Apprentice Charges , " which is the special value of this important roll .

The following is a list of the MSS . referred to , all of which have been published at the expense of the esteemed Past Prov . Grand Master of West Yorkshire , the R . W . Bro . Thomas W . Tew , J . P ., whose services in this respect—as in many others—are gratefully remembered and warmly appreciated : —

Stanley MS of the year 1677 . Thomas W . Tew MS . ... ,, 1680 circa . Thomas W . Embleton MS . ,, 16 S 0 circa . William Watson MS . ... „ 1687 .

Waistell MS „ 1693 . Clapham MS „ 1700 circa . Hughan MS . ,, 1700 circa . Bro . Watson has also edited and published reprints of the " Hope " and " Probity " MSS . under the same auspices , so that his valuable labours in this department have been of an extensive and important character . It is quite possible that even now he is preparing more surprises for us .

History Of No. 291, Highbridge.

HISTORY OF No . 291 , HIGHBRIDGE .

Bro . T . F . Norris , P . M . and Sec . of the Rural Philanthropic Lodge , No . 2 < jr , of Highbridge , has written the history of that centenary organisation , and , though the materials for the purpose are neither numerous nor valuable , hc has done exceedingly well under the circumstances and published an interesting and attractive little volume , which cannot fail to be much appreciated by the members , and thc still larger brotherhood of Masonic students .

The warrant was granted on January 21 st , 1793 , by the R . W . Bro . Thomas Dunckerley , but signed on his behalf by his Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . John Dunning , as well as by the Prov . Grand Sec , Bro . Charles Mines . It was to meet at the Highbridge Inn , in the parish of Huntspill , Somerset , Bro . John Jennings being the first W . M . The frontispiece reproduces the head-stone erected over the grave of this old worthy ( who died in 1805 ) , and is remarkable for an inscription in what is known as thc " Mark Cypher . "

The first registered meeting of thc lodge was on Sunday , 3 rd February , 1793 , when the AIaster was installed , but the consecration took place likely some two or three years earlier . The brethren met as many times as six in that month , but such extraordinary activity and zeal could not last . Thc Senior Warden " passed the Chair , " which was , no doubt , to qualify for the

Royal Arch , which degree was started in the same nei ghbourhood in 1793 , under " Modern " auspices . On 26 th May , 1795 , it is noted that since the previous meeting four brethren had been married , and during this evening two had presented each member with a pair of white gloves . Let us hope that the other two benedicts did not neglect their duty later on .

The brethren attended church on June 22 nd , 1 S 03 , and , by dispensation , indulged in a procession . The remainder of the day was " spent in harmony , " but , owing to such heavy work , the installation ol the officers was postponed to thc next lodge ! The minutes run on to 3 rd May , i 8 rr , and then break off , no records being available at thc present until so late as January 2 nd , 1857 . There is no lack of evidence , however , of the continuity of the lodge in the interim , only a mere recital of payments would not make thc history very pleasing reading .

Bro . Henry Bridges . . D . Prov . G . M . Somerset for some years , joined this lodgeMay 4 th , 1850 , and was W . M . five years . The present beloved D . P . G . M . ( Bro . R . C . Else , P . G . D . of England ) was initiated in this lodge April 23 rd , 1858 , was W . M . in 1865 and 1877 , and once again in the centenary year . The members are very proud of their distinguished Master , and rightly so , for there is not a more devoted , intelligent and zealous

Deputy Prov . Grand Master in any Province connected with this Couniry . His services as Prov . Grand Secretary under the lamented Colonel Adair and the Earl of Carnarvon , Prov . Grand Masters , are still gratefully remembered , as well as the able manner in which he has discharged the duties of Deputy Prov . Grand Master from 1875 , Grand Superintendent from iSSy , and Prov . Grand Mark Master from 1881 .

I he old warrant and the by-laws of 1793 are reproduced , besides a list of Masters from 1793 as far as possible . Bro . Norris still needs particulars during 1812-1843 . The signatures of the early members are given in facsimile , and are both curious and interesting . Many of them contain the Masonic marks of thc brethren , the three pages being most suggestive and confirmatory of Mark customs .

My brief introduction refers to the earl y history of the Province , and likewise of Royal Arch Masonry . The volume is in quarto , nicely bound , and sold at half-a-crown per copy { postage threepence additional ) , and , as there are only 150 printed , those who desire one or two should write at once to the author , Hig hbridge , Somerset . W . J . HUGHAN .