Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

•ther in g iving this toast , as their Provincial Grand Master was so well known , ivell loved , and greatly respected . They were always glad to see him with s ? and rejoiced to see him in full enjoyment of health , and they all prayed ' , . A A . O . T . U . to spare him to the province for many years to come . Bro Col . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Bart ., Prov . G . Master , said that although he i ¦ d appeare 0 ' before the brethren in the same character for many years , every year

deared him more closely to the Province or Middlesex . He could , however , jlnve ' done nothing but for the support of the Prov . G . Officers , and also the W . M . ' s , nd officers , and the lodges . There had been some little difficulty sometimes , but ' r was always overcome , and his decisions bad been upheld by Grand Lodge , and generally he had had very few disputes he had been unable to settle . He did not k 'ish to preside over the Province as a strong , powerful authority , but he wished to I ive the good opinion of all the brethren around him , and although he could not

. . som e said—that he lived in the hearts of his constituents—he hoped to live m the good opinion of the brethren . If he had the misfortune to be obliged to retire for a certain time , he had a Deputy who would represent him , and look after the interests of the province as well as he could himself . He had now had the honour of presiding over the province for a considerable time . He had begun as young man , and went on as an old man , but lie hoped to have the honour of

nresiding over the province tor some considerable time , and to see it progress as it had done for the last 20 years . He could speak from experience for 20 years , for it was nearly that since he was installed in the chair of Prov . G . M . If he felt he was not able to do his duty in a way that was satisfactory , he should retire from service , but as long as he could hold together , and was able to perform those duties , depend upon it he should be at the service of the province as long as he lived .

He hoped they would all meet again for many years to come . The PROV . G . M . next said there was one duty he should be sorry to omit , and he now had a great deal of pleasure in asking the brethren to drink " The Health ut the Prov . G . Officers . " He hardly knew what to say in the present case as they had a Prov . S . G : W . such as they did not often come to . They all knew as well as he did what had been produced in literature by the Prov . S . G . W ., which every

brother was glad to read , and anything he could say would not increase the good feeling always exhibited towards him . Bro . EDMUND YATES , Prov . S . G . W ., in reply , said that night had been one of surprises to him . In the first place he was most agreeably surprised at hearing the kind mention of his name made by the Prov . G . M . of South Wales , and now his

deli g ht was increased on hearing what he had heard from their Prov . G . M . He assured them he felt the compliments paid him , and accepted them , not only on his own behalf , but also for the Prov , G . Officers , with the greatest satisfaction . Whatever he had done to promote his own success , he would do the same during his year of office .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER said they could not separate without drinking the health of those who had come amongst them—including Bros . Sir George Elliot and Sir John Monckton—the latter brother they all knew for the good he had done for the City at large , and Masonry in general . They ought not to forget those who assisted in the promotion of an agreeable evening , particularly Bros . Gwynn and Forge .

Bro . Sir J MONCKTON , P . G . W ., briefly returned thanks for the kind way in which the toast had been proposed and received , and for the pleasant evening they had spent in the Province of Middlesex . The Tyler ' s toast then closed a pleasant meeting . Bro . E . Dalzell , P . P . G . Org ., provided a capital selection of music , and was assisted b y Bros . Kift , Bevan , and Brown .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of South Wales.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH WALES .

Monday , June 24 th , was truly a "red letter day" in the annals of . Freemasonry in the Province of South Wales ( Eastern Division ) , when the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Cardiff Town Hall , under the united banners of the Glamorgan , the Bute , and the Tennant Lodges , and under the presidency of Bro . Sir George Elliot , Prov . Grand Master , at whose right hand was his able aide-de-camp , Bro . Marmaduke Tennant . >

The lodge was opened about one o ' clock , p . m ., at which time there was a large gathering of Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers , Masters and members of lodges , and visitors from adjoining provinces . There must have been upwards of 200 brethren present in the Assembl y Room , among whom we observed Bros . Sir George Elliot , M . P ., P . G . M . ; M . Tennant , D . P . G . M . ; George Homfray ; D . P . G . M .

Mon . ; Pickford , P . M ., all Past Officers of the Grand Lodge of England ; Rev . T . Walters , P . M . ; Rev . W . Williams , P . M . ; Walter Whittington , George Jones , E . Roberts , S . Phillips ; H . N . Davies , P . M . ; H . S . Davies , W . M . ; J . F . M'CIune ; Edward Dawson , W . M . ; T . Matthews , P . M . ; S . Cooper , P . M . ; W . C . Peace , [* ; J . Munday , P . M . ; J . Harris , P . M . ; W . H . Davies , P . M . ; A . H . Roberts , £ -W . ; J . C . Coatb . W . M . ; John Hemming , P . P . G . Reg . ; Wm . Jenkins , P . G . Purst ¦

* a . Boucher , S . W . ; J . Harris , P . P . G . S . ; John Jones , P . P . G . Sec ; Wm . Young , ' ¦ M- ; J . M . Smith , P . M . ; J . Loveluck , W . M . ; D . E . Jones , P . M . ; . H . Hayden , b -W . ; H . F . Clarke , P . M . ; L . Jenkins , J . R . Davies , G . D . Burdett , and others . Lod ge having been opened , the minutes and the accounts of the Provincial v- ! . -Treasurer were passed ; the accounts of the Treasurer of the Masonic . icational Institution and Victoria Widows ' Fund were aso accepted ; and

like' wise the report of the Prov . G . Lodge Committee was adopted , f 11 •' ^ S Jones , P . M . 364 , was elected Prov . Grand Treasurer , and then the "' lowing officers received at the hands of Sir Geo . Elliot their badges of office as ^ cis lor me

•— un , ensuing year : Kro . W . C . Peace , P . M . 9 60 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . « Henry N . Davies , P . M . 1570 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . » Rev . T . Walters , P . M . 1573 ... ... ... ) p f . ,-., ¦ ' £ «* . W . Williams , P . M . 1807 ... j Prov . G . Chaps . " George Jones , P . M . 3 64 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . " John Tudor , P . M . 651 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . " W Whittington , P . M . 364 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . •>Mn Williams , W . M . 237 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . " P- LI- Davies , P . M . 3 64 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . " J-Buckley Wilson , P . M . 1323 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . " Thomas Evans , W . M . 1992 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . " £ •D - Churchill , W . M . 1754 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . " C Carey Thomas , W . M . g 6 o ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . " i ; H - Taylor , W . M . 1 573 ... ... ... )„ n - ., n " I homas Rees , P . M 1807 ... ¦ " ) Prov- G' Std Brs ' " f- M . Harm , P . M . 6 79 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . " A „ Davies P-M . no ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . " 7- H . Roberts , W . M . 36 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . ;•Joseph . Davies , P . J . D . 157 8 ) _ ,- *• Coleman , J . W . 36 ... ... ¦••( t > r cf j " Th omas p ayne J l 822 J ^ Prov . G . Stwds . " ohn Herdman 1753 ... ... ... ) » George Bullerwell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

' "stitutio f '" £ sums were t * vote ( I- ^ tne Masonic Charities-. Masonic Widows 1 p . Girls , 4 ° guineas ; Provincial Education Fund , 25 guineas ; Victoria unci , 25 guineas ; aged brother , five guineas .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of South Wales.

A collection was then made in the lodge for local Charities , and the amount handed over to the local Masters for distribution . Then came one of the most interesting events of the gathering , namely , a presentation to Bro . M . Tennant , on the occasion of his silver wedding . The testimonial consisted of a purse of gold , amounting to 200 guineas , and a beautifully bound album , which contained the list of subscribers .

Bro . Sir GEORGE ELLIOT , on rising to make the presentation , was received with warm applause . His remarks were not very audible , but the following is a summary of his speech . He said that he had himself been the reci p ient of a testimonial amounting to £ 2500 , and among the subscribers were many noblemen and persons of nearly every rank , but among these were scores who subscribed small amounts . He remembered in his address , in reply , that he expressed himself more

gratified with the lesser sums than the larger amounts , because he knew that the g ivers of the former could not afford to give more . It was , therefore , with pleasure that he learnt that all names irrespective of the amounts given had been put at the foot of the address which he would ask the Secretary to read . No doubt this event would be recorded in the annals of the lodge , and it was one of that kind which would be treasured by the family of the recipient on account of its kindly nature . Bro . Sir GEORGE ELLIOT then called on the Secretary , Bro . WALTER

WHITTINGTON , to read the address , which was couched in very suitable terms . It stated that the sum of 200 guineas had been subscribed as a sli ght token of appreciation of Bro . Tennant ' s valuable services during the time he had held the position of Deputy Prov . Grand Master—a period of 13 years . Throughout that time the zeal he had displayed , and the uniform courtesy shown by him to all connected with the Craft , had long been a household word . His labours as Charity Steward , and as founder of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Fund , and his work in connection with the Provincial Education Fund were severally and gracefully acknowledged .

Bro . Sir GEORGE ELLIOT then resumed his speech , and said he had gre . it pleasure in presenting in the name of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and the several subscribers , the testimonial to Bro . M . Tennant . After listening to the beautiful words contained in the address , and which had evidentl y been prepared with great care , he could not be expected to add many words . It was an address which was not open to much comment on the ground of exaggerated terms ; but on the con .

trary , it must be accepted as a faithful record and recognition of the great services of their beloved Dep . Prov . G . M . He did not think that any words of his could add force to the expressions so forcibly and appropriately put into that address . He ( . Sir George ) had been connected in Masonic work with his Deputy for 13 years , and must confess that the main burden had fallen upon his hi ghlyesteemed Bro . Tennant . During the time he had named , there had not been one

word of misunderstanding ; the good temper of his Deputy , his appreciation of what was due to others as well as to himself , and his kind and unostentatious manner , had caused him to be very much beloved by the Masons of this province . He ( Sir George ) felt , therefore , that he had been most fortunate in selecting Bro . Tennant for the office which he had filled with such great ability . It was a great thing that they should have worked together for a number of years developing the

Institution and increasing their position and unity . For these results they were much indebted to the D . P . G . M . This presentation was associated with another touching event—a silver wedding—which brought to mind affectionate and endearing associations apart from the other reasons which prompted this testimonial . He hoped that the recipient would express from him to his family the pleasure he felt in presiding on such an occasion , and the hope that they would enjoy many years of future happiness .

Bro . Tennant , on rising , was greeted with a fresh outburst of applause , and it was plain from his subsequent utterances that he was deeply touched with the warmth of feeling conveyed in the address , and re-echoed by the Fraternity present . Bro . TENNANT said that although he had had occasion many times during the past 12 years to stand before them in connection with his duties and to address

them on various matters connected with Freemasonry , he had never before found the same difficulty as he did that day in addressing them . It was not easy to find words adequate to express his thanks for their great kindness in subscribing to , and presenting him , with that testimonial . The feeling which naturally arose in his mind was what had induced them to give that testimonial , and what had he done to deserve it ? If he had to supply the answer he would have very great difficulty

in doing so . Sir George Elliot had unintentionally found a reply to the question in the concluding words of the address . In that address , he ( the speaker ) found that his services as Charity Steward and founder of the Provincial Education Institution had been referred to ; and he had had occasion at former gatherings , when his services were alluded to , to say that if he had pleased them in what he had done , he was amply repaid . He had now to repeat those words . He must

confess that , had he known 13 years ago , when he accepted the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , that the duties would have involved such an amount of time and trouble , he would have hesitated before assenting . But when offered the position by Sir George Elliot , they were personally unknown to each other ; but Sir George Elliot must have heard of him in connection with Masonry . Further ^ he was urged by many influential Masons in various parts of the province to accep t

the preferred office . Having complied he felt it incumbent to perform the duties o that office to the best of hisskillandability , andif hehad fulfilled thedutiestothesatisfaction of the brethren hecould only repeat what he hadjust said , and on former occasions , that he was amply repaid . In the same spirit as Sir George had expressed , he appreciated the amounts , irrespective of their monetary value ; and that he thought he had shown in the desire to have the whole of the names of the

subscribers , irrespective of amount , appended to the address . He could not help referring to one brother whose name appeared on that address—that of Bro . Homfray , as showing the good feeling which had existed between this province and the Province of Monmouth . He hoped that that good feeling would long continue . As to the form in which the testimanial was to be disposed of , he thought many of them knew already to what purpose he intended devoting it .

Owing to his increasing duties , he had long felt great difficulty in getting his annual holiday , as he did . years ago . The brethren at Cardiff could enjoy the breezes on the heights of Penarth , and in passing through Breconshire , he had selected a spot on its breezy hills to erect a house where he mig ht make brief sojourn . The money he had that day been presented with would be used in building a wing to his new house , and the address would be placed in a room in that abode . He thanked one and all most sincerely for the great kindness

they had displayed towards him , and he hoped that it would be an additional incentive to him to perform his duties with more assiduity than in the past . Sir George Elliot , in making the presentation , had alluded to the particular time chosen in making it—his silver wedding . Those who had not reached their silver wedding he hoped might do so , and that those who had not yet married would , he hoped , soon become Benedicts . But he counselled them to be careful ; to follow his example in making a good selection , and endeavour to gain such an excellent partner in life as he had done .

Bro . Rev . THOMAS W ALTERS proposed a vote of thanks to Sir George for making the presentation , which was carried with applause . Prov . G . Lodge was then closed . After the visiting brethren had been most hospitably entertained at luncheon by the united lodges of Cardiff , the brethren returned to the lodge room to witness the installation of Bro . A . H . Roberts as Master of the Glamorgan Lodge for the

ensuing year . In the evening about 150 of the brethren dined at the Lower Park Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . Sir George Elliot .