Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

siderahle pride in having ruled over this province now within a few days of ten years . It gratifieel him very much , and he believed it would gratify every brother present , to hear the progress the province had made . If it tiad n ° t been for the assistance of the officers of the province he should not have stood in the proud position he now JJJ . He had had great kindness shown to him by all ihe

brethren . He had not only the assistance of the brethren „ f Grand Lodge and the officers , but also the exertions of all the officers who presided over private lodge ' s , a-id it Wis to them they had to look for assistance in Grand Lodge . They presided so well over private lodges that they brought those lodges up to a high condition . When ( his was the case they might be certain that the lodges

would be creditable to the Craft in general . He was new getting an old Provincial Grand Master , and though some brethren might consider that he had ruled with a ro 1 of iron , his heart had been in his work , and he was hippy to say he had had no occasion to be severe . He had done his best to carry on his work in a gentle manner . He had found thc duties of all the officers had been performed

satisfactorily to everybody . He could not sit down without mentioning his pleasure at the kind reception given to Grand Lodge by the vicar of Great Stanmoie , and he would read a letter he had just received from that gentleman , who was not a Mason . " My dear sir , I am much flattered . by your invitation to join your banquet , especially as I understand it is not your rule to admit others than

Masons . It is unfortunately not in my power to leave home this evening at all , as I am very specially engaged , otherwise I need not say how gladly I should express to you all the pleasure with which I welcome so excellent a Craft to my church and parish . I havc to thank you f'ir the contribution of £ 3 17 s . to the use of our oafish schools . We are sadly in want of additional funds for two

additional desks , with one of which your liberality will provide me , and which shall be known as the Freemasons' desk . Wi 1 you be so good as to say for me that I hope it will not be thc last time that you will visit the place , when you will as long as I am here always find a hearty welcome . Forgive me if I am unable to give you your due litle . Yours , very truly , L . J . Bcniays . " That was a

veiy kind and flattering letter indeed from a gentleman who was not a Mason . Every brother must mve been grtlificd with what he had seea on visiting the parish church of Stanmore , and the vicar ' s house anel grounds . He thought after they had been so liberally treated by having tne church and the Metnoriil Hall pi reed at their disposal that Grand Treasurer might be authorised to add

two guineas to the amount collected in the church , which two guineas would go towards buying the other d sk . To this there was a general exclamation of " Buy b-th desks , " and the Provincial Grand Master concurring in the expression , it was resolved that both desks should be bought . Bro . H . A . Dubois , Prov . G . J . W ., in replying to the

toast of " Tr . e Provincial Grand Officers , " said those brethren had the interests of the province at heart , and it was their special interest to serve the Prov . Grand Master . I Ie believed they did good service to Masonry in general . He had done his little to serve Freemasonry , more particularly in that province , and he should stick to the ship as long as he lived , which he hoped would be for many years to come .

Ihe endurance of the provirce he trusted would be for long alter he was gone ; but while he was alive he should give his adherence to the province of Middlesex . He believed the other Grand Officers would do the same . Under the able rule of the present Piov . Grand Master he was sure the province would flourish . The Prov . G . Master , in giving the to ist of "Tne

Visitors , " coupled with the nimc of Col . Shadwell Gierke , s « d that that brother was an old friend of his , and had greatly assisted him ever since he had been in Masonry . There was no more able suiworter of the principles of Masonry than Col . Shadwell Gierke , or one better quilificil to conduct all the rituals . From the Entered Apprentice's Degree to the Thirty-Third , Col . Shadwell Gierke could

give them all with the greatest fluency aud impressiveness . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , P . G . D ., in reply , said , Col . Burde t had in the kindness of his heart spoken of him in connection with this toast in such very flattering terms , altogether undeserved by him , that he should feel quite unequal to returning lhank * , did he not remember there were many other distinguished Masons present , whom he was

deputed to represent . They all thanked the Prov . Grand Master very much lor . what he had said , and they also thanked the Grand Lotlge for the hearty reception they had hail . They agreed withall that had been said with regard to the merits of the province , especially with what Bro . Gidd y had said of the charming maimer in which Col . Burdett had presided over the Prov . G . Lodge . The

" rov . G . M . had pictured a very gloomy representation of his rule when he likened it to ruling with a rud of iron ; but the brethren must acknowledge he had covered the rod with a glove of silk . He must congratulate ™ i not only upon the success cf that elay , when the visitors hail been privileged to witiiess the continued success "j the province since it had been established ten

years ago . He had watched its progress with the greatest admiration , a "d muit congratulate the Prov . G . M . on the position * hicli the Prov . G . Lodge had trken . Tlie success of p ' lges in the province he attributed very much to the f' ° i . G . Master's ruling , lt seemed to him lhat the Prov . Y' Master went into every detailand he was not sure

, writ he had not found out that the clerk of the weather "as Mason , and had squared him , for after all the bad leather we have had lately he had secured a fine day for '" e meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . Binckes replied tothe toast of "The Charities , " "ottl y after which the brethren returned to town .

I | , ^* » » IH '» "COCA PllXi ! ^ iiicctiSful remedy for Wfl » WS'V'V .. a » ' » i * HlY-tyftt « i P « f Ho « i Hamax r , Jll « Ch * m 1 « ii tfi aioitinMuire ' , Xoftdsn ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS .

The annual Provincial Grand Lorlge for thc Province of Berks and Bucks , presided over by Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P .. was held at Abingdon , on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., as biiefly reported in our journal of last week , when the attendance vvas larger than might have been expecteel ,

the weather being unfavourable , and Abingdon being situated at one extremity of the province . As on the occasion of the last meeting of the Craft in this town , seven years since , Bro . E . J . Trendell , Past Master of the Abbey Lodge , kindly invited tbe brethren to his resilience , Abbey House , where luncheon was provided in elegant style , and the brethren afterwards enj iyed a stroll through

the grounds of their worthy host , which are laid cut with excellent taste . After spending an hour or so most agreeably as Bro . Trendell ' s guests , the brethren ! proceeded to the County Mall , and , at about two o'clock , Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form by the R . W . the Provincial Grand Master , who was supported by many of the Provincial Grand Officers , present and past .

The attendance numbered upwards of ion , and included Bros . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . ; James W . McHibhin , P . G . J . W . ; C . R . Honey , P . G . C . ; C . Stephens , P . G ^ l " . ; R . Bradley , P . G . Sec ; W . W . Bingham , P . G . S . D . ; VV . J . Cantrell , P . G . J . D . ; E . L . Shepherd , P . G . S . B . ; E . Revill , P . G . P . ; Dick Radclyffe , P . G . S . ; F . J . Ferguson , P . G . S . ; A . H . Simpson , P . G . S . ; H . G .

Layton , P . P . G . C . Gloucestershire ; G . W . Dixon , 20 9 . P . P . G . D . C ; H . F . Turner , W . M . 1556 , P . P . G . A . D . C ; W . B . Farr , P . G . D . S . W . Be . jgal ; J . VV . Tilly , 209 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Biggs , P . P . G . S . ; H . D'Almaine , P . G . S . W . ; J . Morland , P . M . 945 , P . P . G . R . ; W . Belcher , P . P . G . W . Oxon ; William King ; J . H . Clark , P . G . R . ; H . Poynter ; J . Blandy Jenkins , W . M . 1770 ; H . H . Hodges , P . P . G .

S . W . ; J . Weightman , P . P . G . J . W . ; Joseph Morris , J . P . Brown ; G . Morland , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . ; J . O . Carter , P . P . G . D . C ; E . Hopwood , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; H . D . Gooch , R . Roberts , W . M . Etonian , 209 ; ) . Ellis , B . W . Founteine , E . J . Shrewsbury , 156 O ; J . Wilson , W . H . Cummins , W . H . Trendell , J . Saxby , J . Tomkins , 94 ^ ; W . Hedges , T . Hyde , S . D . 94 s ; S . J . Baker , VV . M .

945 ; VV . Ballard , J . II . Daly , A . B . Buck , A . 'found , 1506 ; VV . Legge , 15 66 ; C . W . Cox , 1566 ; C . A . Vardy , 1 .. 66 ; W . G . Flanagan , W . M . 1101 ; H . H . Mason , 1501 ; W . Morris , 156 G ; S . Bradley , 414 ; M . CutTula , 209 ; E . J . Blackwell , not ; T . Westfield , 1501 ; A . Long , P . M . 209 ; W . Cordrey , 1101 ; li . Challoner , jun ., R . Silver , 1566 ; J . Stevens , 771 ; G . Blizard , 209 ; D . Webb , 414 ; J . J .

Button , P . M . 15 ( 16 ; E . Ayres , Crystal Palace , 7 ^ 2 ; E . | . Biggs , Henley , II . Tombs , P . G . D ., P . P . G . S . W . and Prov . Grand Sec . ( Wilts ;; H . Plumridge , 1399 ; E . Diveys , 1566 ; J . Rutland , 1566 ; W . Hemmings , J . Watts , R . Ravenor , P . M . 574 ; J . Walter Graham , . 1174 ; S ., Knight , 574 ; M . Wheeler , 1 J 70 ; W . Jackson , 1770 ; W . Jackson , 1770 ; E . G . Bruton . P . M . 340 ; J . Terry , Secretary Royal

Masonic Benevolent Institution ; J . Elmes , W . M . 163 9 ; J . Tombs . 1770 ; J . Thickens , 1770 ; J . Adams , P . M . 591 ; J . W . Dover , 391 ; G . Adams , 1770 ; G . French , 591 ; G . Wade , 1770 ; E . Baker , P . M . 414 ; E . Margrett , P . M . 1011 ; W . Raveiiscfoft , 1101 ; H . A . Smith , is 6 l >; M . J . Withers ,

414 ; K . Nicholson , 156 ( 1 ; C . V . Hnzartl , P . M . 205 ; S . B . Merriman , VV . M . ( 131 ; R . lUsley , C . P . Smith , W . " Hinckley , A . C . Hewitt , 1366 ; W . Crowhurst , 209 ; C Whc-ler , C . E . Belcher , 1770 ; W . J . Bacon , 1770 ; Herbert Reece , 1770 ; G . Fairant , 1770 ; It . Pullick , 820 ; W . Ballard ; G . J . Ccsburn , 574 ( Freemason ) , and others .

The minutes ol the previous P . G . Lodge having been confirmed , the P . G . Secretary ( Bro . Robert Bradley , of Heading ) read the various reports , and mentioned the cons crat ' un tf anew lodge ( the Vale of White Horse Lodge " , held at the Savings' Bank , Faringdon . The general accouirt showed a balance in hand of £ 151 * 11 s . 2 d , which was in excess of that of last year .

1 he Charity Fund account was also read . The P . G . Master referred to the reports read as showing Masonry to have made satisfactory progress in this province during the past year . The only matter for regret was that there were still some lodges that did not suppoit the Charity Fund . He hoped the lodges alluded to would consider the question , and join the other lodges in

exhibiting a hearty zeal in . ihe cause of the seveial Charities of the Order . In all ether respects matters were satisfactory , and he hoped that each succeeding year would find Masonry in Berks and Bucks flourishing more than in the previous one . ( Applause . ) Their next annual meeting would be held at about this time of thc year at Maidenhead , which was a central place , and would , he thought , be found convenient for all the brethren . They had a

strong muster that day considering that . Abingdon was at the extreme end qf the province , and he hoped that at Maidenhead they would have a still larger gathering . The brethren then proceeded to the election of the Prov . Grand Treas ., when , on the motion of the P . G . Master , seconded by Bro . E . J . Trendell ; P . M ., Bro . Chas . Stephens , banker , of Reading , was unanimously re-appointed to fill that office .

I he I ' . G . Master then invested the following brethren with the Prov . Charity jewel 1—Bros . Robert Roberts , W . M . 209 ; Robert Bradley , P . M . 414 , Prov . Grand Secretary ; and W . J . Goeldard , 771 . The following brethren having been appointed Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year , were severally invested by Sir Daniel with the regalia of their respective offices 1—

Bro . J . Blandy Jenkins , P . M . 945 , and W . M . 1770 Prov . G . S . W . „ I ) , Poynter , P . M , 948 ... ,, ' .- Prov . G . J , W . , i ' Keve C ; Kt Honey , ijoi ,, ; Prdv , Gt Chapi j , KcV . E , Ds Ewsr , 156 O , „ Prov , ' GiA , Clwj ) , 1 , Criarlln Stephens . ii ui Prirv , Oi Treas .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

„ J . J . Britton , P . M . 1566 ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . Bradley Prov . G . Sec . „ Jabez Adams , W . M . 591 ... Prov . G . S . D . „ Robert Boberts , W . M . 209 ... Prov . G . J . D . „ Edwd . Baker , P . M . 414 ... Prov . G . S . of Wk-. „ R . Ravenor , P . M . 374 ' Prov . G . D . of C . „ Joseph Elms , P . M . 16 39 , and

W . Biggs , P . M Prov . G . A . Ds . ofC „ J . Baker , W . M . 945 Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ James Rutland , 1566 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ VV . Flanagan , 1101 ... ... Prov . G . Purs . „ C . Novvell Prov . G . A . Purs . „ C . W . Cox , 1566 Prov . G . S . St . vvd . „ W . J . Leg « e , i = f > f » , « . Illsley , ^

C . A . Vartly , 156 G . E . Davey , f D _ _ . 1 ; oG , a , id E . J . Shrewsbury , C Prov' G' S , CW ! U '' 1566 ; „ W . Hemmings ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The Provincial Grand Master said the next duty he ha I to perform was one of a very pleasing nature , namely , t <

present on behalf of the brethren of this province a testimonial to tbeir late Secretary , Bro . Biggs , in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered . ( Applause . ) He wished , however , that the ta k had devolved upon some one more capable than himself of expressing the deep debt of gratitude they owed to Bro . Biggs . When he ( Sir Daniel ) had the honour of first being appointed to

preside over the province , which had not had a Provincial Grand Master for some time previously , he found the province in a slate of disorganisation and confusion . Bro . Biggs , however , took office as Provincial Grand Secretary at the commencement , and he ( Sir Daniel ) need not point out the excellent organisation and position of Masonry in this province at the present time . To Bro .

Biggs' energy and tact he mainly attributed the success that hael been achieved . He ( Sir Daniel ) did not claim any credit himself , as the labour fell upon Bro . Biggs , he ( Sir Daniel ) being the nominal instrument for carrying out the work which Bro . Biggs laid out for him to tlo , aud for which they were really indebted to him . He could never forget the debt of gratitude he owed to Bro . Biggs ,

and he hoped God would be pleased to spare him for many years to give them his assistance , and also to enjoy the use of what they had now ttie pleasure of presenting to him as a slight recognition of his services . ( Applause . ) The testimonial , which had been subscribed for by the Provincial Grand Lodge , the different lodges in the province , and also by individual members , consisted of a

purse containing a cheque for one hundred guineas , the purse itself being lettered as follows : — "To Bro . VV . Biggs , P . M ., P . Z ., Sec , Sec . containing IOO guineas , by the brethren of Berks and Bucks , on his retirement from the ofiice of Grand Secretary , with their fraternal regards . June 26 th , 18 79 . " A handsome timepiece , with plate affixed , bearing the

following inscription : — " Presented to Bro . William Biggs , P . M ., P . Z ., P . Prov . S . G . W ., Wilts , & c , by the brethren of the Province of Berks and Bucks , together with a . purse of 100 guineas , in recognition erf his valuable services as Provhcial Grand Secretary from 186 9 to 1877 . This presentation was made by Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., Provincial Grand

Master , 26 th June , 1 S 79 . " Alsoasilver snuff-box , beautifully engraveil with theemblems of the principal offices Bro . Biggs had held in the provinces of Wilts and Berks and Bucks , the following being inscribed in the centre : — " Presented to Bro . W . Biggs , P . M ., P . Z ., Sec , by the brethren of thc province of Berks andBucks , together with a purse of 100 guineas ,

on his retirement from the ofiice of Prov . Grand Sec , 26 th June , 1879 . " Bro . Biggs , in reply , said that no worels he could utter could sufficiently express his gratitude to the brethren for their handsome presentation , or his sense of the kindness and courtesy he had always received from Sir Daniel , and the ready access to him which it ha I been his privilege

to enjoy at all times during the period he held the important office of Provincial Grand Secretary . That it was an important office he did not for one moment deny , and he felt much gratified in having received this testimonial from the hands of Sir Daniel , and in knowing that during the time he held the office he had discharged its duties in a manner that had met with Ins approval . He desired to

fulfil the duties satisfactorily from the first moment he took office until his resignation , and this testimonial gave proof that he had succeeded iii doing so to the satisfaction of the brethren at large . ( Hear , hear . ) He thanked them all most sincerely for this very great mark of their esteem . He never , in the slightest degiee , anticipated any such result as this . He took the office , having known Sir

Daniel for so many years previously in the adjoining province of Wilts , and being desirous of helping him as much as he possibly could . He thanked the brethren of the province generally for the able assistance they had invariably given him in carrying out his duties . They could all appreciate the high position vvhich this province now occupied . From the date it was first formed , in 179 , —

eighly-hve years ago—it had only had six Prov . Grand Masters to preside over it , hut never during the whole of that period had Masonry flourished or been in such favour as at the present time . ( A pplause . ) It vvas certainly a niost fortunate selection when Sir Dinicl was placed at the head of affairs in this province , and he was sure they all entertained an earnest hope that their worthy Grand

Muster might be spareel many years to ' preside over them . ( Hear , and applause . ) When he came into office the number of Masons in the province was not over 400 , but that day they had heard that the number vvas 751 , or nearly double , while the number of lodges at the present time wan seventeen , as against ten when he took office . ( Ap « plaum ; . ) Tl > os « facta showed that what Sir Dan si had ilon « had been thoroughly apprjrsiatvd , und nut with ihtj Approval of ths bJcthicni and that many bad been ii' . riwA ,