Prov. Grand Lodge Of Oxford Shire, & Alfred Lodge, 340.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF OXFORD SHIRE , & ALFRED LODGE , 340 .

[ F ROM OUR S PECIAL REPORTER . ] The installation of the W . M ., " Alfred " Lodge , Oxford , took p lace on Monday , and was succeeded by the annual Provincial Grand Lodge , both meetings being held , by permission of the " Apollo " -Lodge , iu the university Masonic Hall , Cornmarketstreet . We do not remember to have witnessed , in

connection with Freemasonry , a more interesting spectacle , than that presented by the " Alfred " X . od <* e on this occasion ; the much esteemed D . P . G . M . of Oxfordshire ( Bro . R . J . Spiers , P . G . S . B ., of the Grand Lodge of England , ) having undertaken the p leasing duty of installing his son ( Bro S . Patey Spiers , P . P . Supt . of Works , ) as W . M ., who , in his

turn , initiated a younger brother ( Mr . Frank E . Spiers , ) into the ancient mysteries of the order . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , between 5 and 6 o ' clock , when the reports from the different lodges were read , and the P . G . M ., congratulated the bretheu upon the satisfactory position of the Province . He also expressed his deep obligations , to the

D . P . G . M . ( Bro . R . J . Spiers , ) and the Prov . Grand -Officers , for the valuble assistance they had rendered him . The lodge voted £ 10 10 s . to the Masonic charities ; the usual sum to the local charities ; £ 10 10 s . to the Zetland Testimonial Fund ; and £ 5 5 s . towards the expenses incurred by the recent visit to Oxford of the children of the Girls School .

A letter from the children was read , m which they stated the pleasure they experienced , and thauked Bro . Thompson , Bro . Spiers , and other brethren who made special efforts in connection with this treat to their young ' * sisters . " In addition to the Prov . G . M . aud the Dep . Prov . G . M . there were present : —Bros . Rev . C . J . Martyn ,

Grand Chaplain of England ; T . M . Talbot , Prov . G . Master , South Wales , H . Murray , District G . Master , China ; W . E . Gumbletou , P . Grand Deacon of England ; Col . A . W . Adair , P . Prov . G . M ., Somerset ; Rev . Sir John Hayes , Bart , P . G . Chap ., D . P . G . M ., Berks and Bucks ; J . Blaudy-Jenkins . P . Prov . G . W ., Berks and Bucks , W . M ., 9-15 ; Capt .

Lamest , P . G . St ., Prov . S . G . W ., Oxon ., W . M . 357 ; S . P . Spiers , Prov . J . G . W ., Oxon , W . M . 310 ; G . Gumbleton , P . Prov . G . D ., W . M . 378 ; D . W . Horloch , Prov . G . Reg ., W . M . 103 G . Past Masters : J . T . Morland , P . Prov . G . D ., Berks and Bucks , Rev . W . F . Short , T . F . Dillan , Dr . Owen , H . Houghton , E . G . Bruton , A . S . Hnrford , VV . W . Harrison ,

H . D'Almaine , J . B Looker , R . Havers , Dr . Griffin , A . B . Rye , E . J . Hartley , H . Harley . Bros . Rev . S . E . Hodgson , Rev . G . C . Nottley , Rev . J . N . Palmer , W . C . Borlnse , F . H . M'Cahnoiit , F . B . Howell , Dr . Spencer , C . V . Lockwood , E . M . Wakeman , A . V . Moorsom , E . Conolly W . R . Hobbs , G .

Moor , C . Churchill , A . S . Churchill , J . Saunders , B . de M . Dowson , P . Irving , Cosburn , J . Juggins , W . Emberlin , 0 . L . Pemberton , D . Faulkner , It . Williams , P . Williams , J . Bue , V . de Tivoli , W . Gardiner , Walter Thompson , P . S . Spiers , W . Welshman , C . V . Trotter , J . W . Paine . & c , & c . The Provincial G . M . invested Bro . Rev . W . F .

Short , P . Prov . S . G . W ., and Bro . F . 11 . McCnlmont , Grand Registrar , with the Charity Jewel , in acknowledgement of their services as stewards to the Masonic charities , and , in the name of the province , thanked them for their zeal and interest in behalf of those charities .

The Provincial G . M . then appointed his olheers for the year , as follows : — I 5 ro . Capt , G . F . Laurent , W . W ., 3 ") " Prov . S . G . Warden . „ Samuel PateySjiicrs , W . M ., 810 „ J G . Warden . „ ltev . S . E . Hodgson .. .. „ G . Chaplain . „ Kew C . II . Norwood .. .. „ G . Chaplain .

„ 1 . Randall .. .. .. ,, O . treasurer . „ 1 ) . W . Iloiloch , W . M ., 1030 .. „ G . Registrar . „ \ V . C . ltorlase .. .. .. „ G . Secretary . . „ F . 1 $ . Howell .. .. .. ,, S . G . Deacon .

„ C . v . Lockwood .. .. „ J . O . Deacon . „ E . M . Wakeman .. .. „ G . Spt . ofWr B . „ A . A . Jfoorsom .. .. .. „ U Dirctr . ofC . „ E . Conolly 6 . Dirctr . ofC . „ W . H . llobbs „ G . Swil . nearcr . „ W . II . Arkwright .. .. „ G . Organist .

„ G . . Moor .. .. .. „ C Pursuivant . . „ II . Demi .. .. .. „ Ast . G . I'rsivnt . „ V . Churchill .. .. " \ „ T . Saunders .. .. I

„ B . do Jl . DJWSUII .. I ,. a . . „ A . S . Churchill .. ( " <**•*• " !» . „ J . Cooko .. .. I „ P . Irving .. .. J „ W . Stephens .. .. .. „ Tyler .

Immediately the lodge bnsiness hud concluded 'the brethren , numbering nearly ninety , adjourned to a . banquet , served in the assembly rooms of the Clarendon Hotel . The chair was occupied hy the 11 . W . Bro . Colonel II . Atkins Bowyer , P . G . M ., and the company included , Bros . Talhot , the P . G . M . of

South Wales ; Murray , District Grand Master of China ; Colonel Adair , P . P . G . M ., Somerset ; Spiers , P . G . S . B ., and D . P . G . M . of Oxford ; the Kev . Sir J . Warren Hayes , P . G . C , and D . P . G . M . of Berks and Bucks ; S . P . Spiers , P . J . G . W ., W . M . "Alfred "

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Oxford Shire, & Alfred Lodge, 340.

Lodge ; the Rev . C . " Martyn , G . C . ; Capt . Lnmert , W . M . " Apollo ; " Short , P . M ., 357 ; Blandy-Jenkins , W . M . " Abbey " Lodge , Abingdon ; Horlock , W . M ., "Bowyer" Lodge ; Gumbleton , W . M ., " Churchill " Lodge ; Looker , P . M ., " Cherwell " Lodge ; the Rev . Hodgson , Prov . G . Chaplain ; and Bros . Hobbs , Havers , Griffin , Hartley , Lockwood , Faulkner , J . T .

Morland , E . Morland , H . D'Almaine , Juggins , Emberlin , Borlaise , McCalmont , Houghton , Marsh , Arkwright , Harrison , Bruton , Randell , Cosburn , Smith , F . Spiers , Williams , Hurford , Pye , & e . "Non vobis doniine" was sung by several brethren , who subsequently favoured the company with some excellent glees , & c .

The banquet was all that could be desired , and at its conclusion , " The P . G . M ., in proposing the first toast , that ofthe "the Queen and the Craft , " said he felt it required no words of his to ensure for it a loyal and cordial reception . He prayed that Her Most Gracious Majesty

might'long reign over them , and that this kingdom might continue as happy and prosperous as at the present time . ( Cheers . ) The P . G . M . next proposed , " The health of the Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " ( Cheers . ) The heir-apparent was so well-known to

them when at Oxford , and so much beloved that he need say little respecting His Royal Highness , but he mig ht mention that the Prince now belonged to their Order , and as a Brother deserved their best wishes . ( Cheers . ) His Royal Highness had lost no opportunity of qualifying himself for the high position which

he would one day be called upon to fill . ( Cheers . ) The P . G . M . next gave "Thehealthofthe M . W . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland . " ( Cheers . ) Those who ns Masons had for some years served under the reign of Lord Zetland , must known how faithfully he had discharged the duties of his high office , mid how

completely he had devoted himself and Ins wealth to the interests of Freemasonry . They knew , also , how he had assisted the charities , and how generously the Craft had responded to his appeals . ( Cheers . ) He called upon the brethren to drink most cordially to the health of their G . M ., who he trusted , would be spared

for many years , to serve the Order as he had done m the past . ( Cheers . ) Bro . SriEiis , the D . P . G . M ., rose and said he was fortunate in having the high privilege of proposing the next toast , because he need only mention the subject of it to arouse general enthusiasm—it was , " The

health of the R . W . Prov . G . Master , Colonel Bowyer . ( Loud and prolonged cheers . ) It was quite impossible for him to say in the presence of their worthy P . G . M . all that he and they felt respecting him , but on no occasion had they had so much reason to drink to tho good health of their P . G . M . as on the present . ' ( Hear ,

hear . ) Their P . G . M . had , as most ofthe brethren were aware , heensunering from serious indisposition , and having partially regained his strength , he hud come among them to show how deeply he felt the pleasure of visiting them , and being , as he had for the last fifteen years , one of them themselves . His

kindness was well-known to them all , anil also the personal regard he entertained for every Brother in the Province . They knew , likewise , how liberally their P . G . M . supported theMasonicchnritics . ( Cheers . ) But if he ( Bro . Spiers ) were to continue speaking for

half an hour he could not do justice to the qualities of the beloved Brother who presided over this Province . ( Hear , hear . ) They all liup ^ -d Col . Bowyer might long bc spared to occupy the position he now so c . liciently filled . ( Cheers . )

Ihe P . G . M ., who was enthusiastically greeted on rising , remarked that he need not assure ' the brethren , he deeply felt the kind manner iu which his health was proposed , and the most cordial way , in which it had been received . It reminded him of the ninny kindnesses he had received at their hands ever since

lie had had thepleasure of pivsidingovur the Provincehe might say , " reigned" over the Province , but the fact was , no reigning at all was required , as the brethren generall y had most readily helped him , in guiding this Provmcein the true path of Freemasonry , and had given no pain or trouble . Therefore it had

ullorded him the greatest happiness to preside over them . ( Cheers . ) He was sorry that of late his health had rendered him inadequate to do not what they required of him hut what he considered was due to such a Province as this , —( Cries of No , no . ) He would not say with poor Macbeth , " I havo lived long

enough , "—cries of Xo , no—but he was advancing in years , and it was for Mm , earnestly to seek for one who would preside over them . ( Cries of No , no . He felt extremel y sorry to enter upon this subject , as he always derived the greatest possible p leasure in observing the hearty way , in which the brethren ofthe Province had striven to promote the interest of

r recmasonry . iheir faithfulness and cordiality had , ho would not say enabled him to perform his duty , hut made up for his shortcomings , and when he retired from the position ho now had the pleasure to occupy , —( cries of " No , no , " )—he should do so with a deep sense of grateful satisfaction and fraternal regard and afl ' cction for them . There had been an absence of everything like uncomfortable feeling , and the

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Oxford Shire, & Alfred Lodge, 340.

Province had attained a position in the Craft most honourable to itself , and by ho means unworthy of Masonry at large . He thanked the brethren most sincerely for their kindness , and for the honour they had done him , and hoped for them health and happiness . ( Loud cheers . )

The P . G . M . again rose , and said he had next the pleasure of proposing a toast most interesting to the Craft in general , because they were extremely indebted to the subject of it . He called upon them to drink the health of the R . W . D . G . M . Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the Grand Officers past and present .

( Cheers . ) They knew the D . G . M devoted himself to Freemasonry to the utmost limit of his leisure , and that notwithstanding all his duties connected with the State he was frequently at his post in Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . ) However , their interest in this toast principally rested on its connexion with this province , and they had had a most excellent Deputy Grand

Master in the person of Brother Spiers , who was Past Grand Sword Bearer . ( Cheers . ) They had also among them " this evening their excellent and worthy brother , the Rev . Sir John Hayes , Past Grand Chaplain , whom they all delighted to see ; also Bro . Gumbleton , P . G . W . ; Bro . the Rev Charles Martyn , G . C , and other brethren who had held office in Grand Lodge . ( Cheers . )

Bro . the Rev . C . MARTYN expressed the great gratification he felt in re-visiting Oxford , every building in which brought back to his mind most vividly and forcibly the happy days he spent there . When he returned and attended a Masonic gathering , it seemed but yesterday when he took part in the

business of one of the Oxford lodges . He well remembered all the kind things that the D . P . G . M . said of him eleven years ago , when he ( Bro . Martyn ) occupied the position now filled by Bro . S . P . Spiers ; and now the P . G . M . prophesied for him a happy and brilliant career in Freemasonry . He

considered that he should attain the height of his ambition if he filled the post of Grand Chaplain , to which he had been appointed , but he must say his position was quite insignificant when he compared it with what he had seen this day ; he of course referred to the installation of Bro . Spiers as W . M . of

the Alfred Lodge , by his worthy father , the D . P . G . M . ( Cheers . ) Eleven years ago , the P . G . M . spoke in flittering terms of Bro . Martyn and his bride , and now he stood before them as the happy father of two sons —( laughter )—and he would not say how many daughters . ( Renewed laughter . ) The eldest boy was

constantly declaring that he would he a Freemason and a clergyman , and he ( Bro . Martyn ) hoped he might be spared to instal him as Bro . S piers had his son , and that he in his turn might initiate his brother , who , however , was now but fourteen months old . ( Laughter . ) Ho heartily trusted tha . r P . G . M . might

be spared tor many years to preside over this province . ( Hear , hear . ) The P . G . M ., in eulogistic terms , next called on the brethren to drink the health of Bro . Sir J . W . Hayes , Bro . Murray , Bro . Col . Adair , and Bro . Talbot , the latter of whom had taken his departure .

The toast was cordially received , and Bro . the Rev . Sir J . W . HAYES , Bart ., returned thanks , acknowledging the great assistance the Province of Berks nnd Bucks always derived from the Masons of Oxfordshire , and he rejoiced that the province of which he had the honour of being

D . P . G . M . was to such close affinity to them . Most sincerely did he wish prosperity to the Province of Oxford . ( Cheers . ) The G . M . of China said he hoped that within 1 * 2 months from the present date he should be presiding over a Prov . Grand Lodge in I long

Kong—( Cheers . )—when nothing he could say , would evoke their entlmsiani more than the knowledge that Masons assembled at this ancient seat of learning remembered their brethren iu the Chinese Empire . 'Cheers . ) He had always regarded Oxford as a most important nursery for Freemasonry , ns iniinv of the

brethren who were initiated there , spread the good principles of the Order throughout all parts of the world . ( Hear , hear . ) His immediate predecessor was one of themselves , and it was owing to the good Masonic principles , which he took so much trouble to

disseminate and the organization he introduced , that he ( Bro . Murray . ) had been able to carry on the work of the lodge , nnd hold the position which entitled him to return thanks , as the representative of the Grand Lodge of China . ( Cheers . ) He trusted the Great Architect of the Universe would continue to

vouchsafe to them peace and happiness . ( Cheers . ) P . P . G . M . Colonel ADAIII ( Somerset ) , also responded , iinl assured his Oxfordshire brethren that whenever they came so fiir westward ns Somerset they would always receive a hearty welcome . ( Cheers . ) He was succeeded in the office of P . G . M . by n

member of the Apollo Lodge—Lord Carnarvon , who took much interest , in everything connected with Freemasonry . ( Cheers . ) Ho felt much pleased to sec his worthy brother , Colonel Bowyer , in the chair , nnd it afforded him gratification to meet his mother lodge and the other lodges of the province . He congratulated the Alfred Lodge on their new W . M ., who