The Province Of Essex.

of respect to the memory of his predecessor , who , though the time he had held office was but little more than two years , had endeared himself to all his brethren in the province by the considerate manner in which he had discharged his duties and the success that had attended his efforts on behalf of the lodges under his authority . Had Lord Tenterden ' s life been prolonged there is no doubt this feeling of regard would have become stronger , but it

has pleased the G . A . O . T . U . to will it should be otherwise , and it affords some alleviation of the general sorrow felt at his unexpected death that his place should be filled by so worth y a brother . The province itself is not a large one , though if its limits coincided with those of the county it would undoubtedly take a hi gh and influential position among the territorial districts into which the Craft in England is subdivided .

Its numerical strength however , is respectable . It has exactly 20 lodges , four of which date their origin from before the union of 1813 , and of tliese two have been honoured with centenary warrants , namely , the Angel Lodge , No . 51 , Colchester , 'which was constituted in 1735 , and the Lodge of True Friendship , No . 160 , founded in the year 1766 . The Lodge of Good Fellowship , No . 276 , dates from 1789 , while Hope and Unity Lodge , No . 214 ,

Brentwood , though higher on the roll of Grand Lodge , was constituted by the Ancients a few years later , in 1795 . Next in order of seniority come Hope Lodge , No . 433 , belonging totheyear 1 S 36 , and the ChigweIl | Lodge , No . 453 , Chingford , the last which had the honour of receiving Lord Tenterden as Provincial Grand Master , created in 1 S 3 S . Star in the East Lodge , No . 650 , Harwich , is the first of twelve lodges established during the Prov . Grand

Mastership of the late Bro . Bagshaw who ruled the province from iS 54 to 1879 , its date of origin being 1 S 55 , the junior Colchester Lodge , No . 6 97 of the year 1857 being next in order . The rest of the ] odges are located at Booking ( No . 1312 ) , Buckhurst Hill ( No . 1457 ) , Dunmow ( No . 1543 ) , Gray ' s ( No . 1343 ) , Maldon ( Nos . 1024 , 1977 ) , the latter receiving its warrant last year ; Rayleigh ( No . 1734 ) , Romford ( No . 1437 ) , Saffron Walden ( No . 12 S 0 ) , Shoeburyness ( No . 1817 ) , dating from 1870 ; Southend

( No . 1000 ) , and Walton-on-the-Naze ( No . 1799 ) . Four of these , namely , Nos . 51 , 214 , 276 , and 1000 , have Royal Arch Chapters attached , so that it is just possible that we may hear shortly of Essex being able to boast , as in the days of Bro . Bagshaw , of a Prov . Grand Superintendent as well as of a Prov . Grand Master . At all events Masonry in Essex is active and flourishing and will doubtless become still more so when its new chief has had time to settle himself down to his duties . With this brief introduction

let us pass to the business which more immediately concerns us and describe the proceedings of Friday last at Colchester . The Duke , accompanied by a large number of Grand Officers , travelled from London by special train on the Great Eastern Railway , arriving at Colchester at half-past eleven . His Royal Hi ghness was met at the Station b y Major-General White , commanding the Eastern District , and staff , as well as by members of the reception committee . On the

platform was drawn up a guard of honour composed of the Colchester Volunteers , under the command of Captain Howard . The railway company had tastefull y adorned the station buildings with plants and coloured drapery , and outside their efforts had been warmly taken up by the inhabitants of the borough , who had in like manner decorated their houses . The installation ceremony was fixed to take place at noon at the new Soldiers' Home , and on his journey thither the Duke of Albany was escorted by a squadron of the 7 th Hussars , commanded by Major Peel .

Lodge was opened in the Lecture Hall , Soldiers' Home , by His Royal Highness at high twelve , and the roll being called , it was found that every lodge in the province was represented , some of them very largely . His ROYAL HIGHNESS then announced that the office of Provincial Grand Master of Essex having become vacant by the lamented death of Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Tenterden , K . C . B ., the Most Worshipful Grand Master had been pleased to appoint Lord Brooke Provincial Grand Master ,

and it was for that purpose that they were met there that day . The following seven Past Grand Wardens then proceeded as a deputation to introduce the R . W . P . G . M . designate into the lodge room : —W . Bros . Samuel Chaplin , P . M . 51 ( Deputy-Mayorof Colchester ); John Coppin , P . M . 51 ; D . M . B . Wheeler , P . M . 276 ; G . Corbie , P . M . and Sec . 453 ; A . C . Veley , P . M ., P . P . G . W . ; W . Humpherys , P . M . 1024 ; and Vero W . Taylor , P . M . 1312 .

The ceremony of installing Lord Brooke was then most ably performed by His Royal Highness , and his lordshi p was duly proclaimed and saluted . The first official act of his lordship was to appoint and invest as his Deputy , W . Bro . Fred . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., P . G . D . ( Recorder of Colchester ) , who had held the same office under the late Lord Tenterden since Christmas , 1 SS 0 . The appointment was received with great applause .

W . Bro . VKRO W . TAYLOR , P . M ., then proposed the re-election as Grand Treasurer of W . Bro . A . Durrani , P . M . 276 , which , being seconded by W . Bro . A . C . VKLBY , P . M ., was carried by acclamation . His Lordship then formall y re-appointed the Provincial Grand Officers invested at the last annual meeting , as follows : —

Bro . Alfred Buck , I . P . M . 453 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ E . B . Florence , P . M . 214 ... ... Prov . G . I . VV . „ the Rev . Julius H . Rowley , 1343 ... ... Prov . G . ' Chap . „ Andrew Durrant , P . M . 276 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . F . Barrett , P . M . 1000 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Thos . J . Railing , P . M . and Sec . 51 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ H . E . Dehane , W . M . 1 543 ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ A . J . Manning , P . M . 1437 ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ V . C . Smith , P . M . 1457 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ A . Lucking , P . M . 160 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ C . Hempson , W . M . 1799 ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ Henry Bowles , Org . 276 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . M . Farr , P . M . iSr 7 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ D . J . Wright , I . P . M . 1024 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, W . Soman , W . M . 51 ... ... ,,.- > „ R . Clowes , W . M . 650 ... ... ... „ E . Shedd , I . P . M . 276 ... ... ... J- Prov . G . Stwds . „ T . G . Mills , W . M . 6 97 ... ... ... j „ Arthur Mead , S . W . 276 ... ... ... J „ T . S . Sarcl , 276 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . On the motion of W . Bro . FRED . A . PINLHRICK , D . P . G . M ., seconded

by W . Bro . H . E . DKIIANE , W . M . 1543 , P . G . S . D ., the bye-laws at present in use in the province were confirmed . Lord BROOKE : Brethren , a most pleasing duty now devolves upon me . It is to move that the hearty thanks of this Provincial Grand Lodge be accorded to Bro . His Royal Hi ghness the Duke of Albany , Iv . G ., for the honour he has conferred upon the province by visiting this lodge and installing myself as Provincial Grand Master this day . ( Applause . ) It will be unnecessary for me to detain you long with a speech upon this subject , but I

The Province Of Essex.

am perfectl y certain that we all of us with the greatest enthusiasm and heartiness welcome his Royal Highness among us to-day . ( Much applause . ) We know well enough the various useful works which his Royal Highness has been gopd enough to perform in the interests of Freemasonry . ( Hear , hear . ) There are many and varied duties which occupy the time and attention of their Royal Highnesses , the members of the Royal Family , but we know well

enough that those members who belong to our Order are always most zealous in their endeavour to carry out the best interests of the Craft—( applause)—and personall y I have to thank his Royal Highness for his very great act of kindness towards me to-day—an honour which I shall always esteem , an honour deeply valuable from the wav in which it has been conferred . ( Renewed applause . ) Brethren , I wilfdetain you no longer but I will move the following resolution :

That the hearty thanks of this Provincial Grand Lodge be accorded to Bro . his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany , K . G ., for the honour he has conferred upon the province by his visiting the lodge and installing the Prov . Grand Master this day . Bro . F . A . PHILISRICK , D . P . G . M ., said : Most Worshi pful Grand Master , I beg to second that proposition , which really needs no seconder . It is unfortunate that the outside elements have put , I fear , our Bro . His Royal Highness to some inconvenience , as they have other brethren who have met

together on this occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) I trust that we Masons of Essex are heartily sensible of the distinguished honour conferred upon us —( applause )—and that we shall make up by the warmth of our reception and the enthusiastic loyalty and devotion with which we hail his Royal Hi ghness the Duke of Albany for the unpropitious elements outside the lodge . ( Loud lause is

app . ) Auspicious as the reign which has been thus commenced , we feel and shall always remember that it is in no sli ght degree owing to his Royal Highness ' s hearty co-operation that we now rejoice in being again formed into a province under the headship of our Most Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . ( Loud cheers . ) The motion having been enthusiastically carried ,

His Royal Highness , the Duke of ALBANY , who was received with great cheering , said : Brethren , I will in the fewest words express to you my hearty thanks tor the vote which you have just accorded to me , and particularly to Bros . Lord Brooke and Philbrick for the way in which they proposed and seconded it . I can only say it has given me very great pleasure not only to perform the ceremony for my friend your Provincial Grand Master , but to visit Colchester and the county of Essex , where I have never been before .

Bro . A . WELCH , P . M . 51 , then moved the following resolution : „„ . ~ i ! leslncere "' anksof this Provincial Grand Lodge be given to Major-Genera ! White , C . B ., commanding Eastern District , Brigade Major Morrison , and the officers and military of the Garrison for their services in escorting his Royal Highness and keeping the streets on this occasion ; to George H . Errington , Esq ., High * Steward of the Borough , Mrs . George Round , Mrs . Henry Green , and Major-General White , C . B ., for putting their carriages at the disposal of the Committee ; to Miss Daniel ! , proprietress tne

or soiqiers" Home , tor the use of the same , and especially to Miss Campbell , the lady superintendent , for placing her apartments at the service of his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany , K .. G ., and the R . W . P . G . Master ; and finally to the officTals of » . ™ at haster , „ Ka , h y , ay Company , and particularly the District Superintendent , Mr . Flower , and Mr . Blatch , the Station Master at Colchester , for the ready and effectual aid they have afforded to the proceedings of the day . Although ( remarked Bro . Welch ) the duties of preparation had been of a

somewhat arduous character , owing to the limited time at the disposal of the Committee , those duties had been rendered much more light and agreeable by the ready aid and hearty co-operation from all parties . There had been on all sides an honourable rivalry to minister to the feelings of loyalty and affection felt towards her Majesty and the members of the Royal family . Bro . HENNEMEYER , P . M . 51 , seconded the proposition , which was carried . Bro . the Rev . C . J . MARTYN , Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Suffolk , said : Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , I have been deputed by Lord Provincial

Waveney , Grand Master of Suffolk , whose absence I exceedingly regret , to express to you in the name of the province its sincerest congratulations at your appointment to-day , and I take the liberty as Deputy Provincial Grand Master of expressing to you in my own name and in the name of a large number of the Suffolk brethren our hearty wishes that you may have long life and prosperity in your new office , and that closely associated as we are geographically we may ever observe that kindly , friendly , and fraternal feeling which has so long subsisted between the Provinces of Essex and Suffolk . ( Loud applause . )

1 he greeting of the various visiting lodges then took place , his ROYAL HIGHNESS offering the hearty congratulations of the Province of Oxfordshire , in which he said Lord Brooke was initiated . •The music was most efficientl y rendered by Bros . Osmond and Cowers . The apron , chain , collar and jewel with which Lord Brooke was invested was manufactured by Bro . George Kennin" -. Provincial Grand Lod ge having been closed the brethren at once

adjourned to the luncheon , which took place at the Corn Exchange . During the luncheon the band of the 7 th Hussars , under the direction of Bro . Carli Zoeller , played a capital selection of music , while the speeches were interspersed with some choice vocal music by the following artistes from St . Paul's Cathedral : Bros . H . J . Dutton , T . W . Hanson , and Edward Wharton , Bro . Charles Osmond , J . W . 51 , P . P . G . O ., being the conductor and accompanist . Grace having been sung ,

Lord BROOKE , who on rising to propose the first toast , was received with loud cheers said : The first toast that falls to my lot to propose is one of exceptional importance , especially on an occasion of this sort , for [ know of no more loyal body than a bod y of Freemasons—( applause )—and amongst the great and extensive bod y of Freemasons I am sure there are none more loyal to Her Majesty the Queen than the Freemasons of Essex .

( Applause . ) Therefore brethren I have great pleasure as Provincial Grand Master of this Province in proposing to you this most important toast of "Her Majesty the Queen and the Craft . " ( Applause . ) Brethren , 1 will not go into the mysteries of the Craft , for those mysteries arc locked up in our bosoms , but 1 give you with the greatest enthusiasm this toast , which is always honoured and well received . ( Loud applause . ) This toast was duly honoured .

Lord BROOKE then rose and said : The next toast is one which is always precious to us for the sake of the important position which His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales occupies as Prince of Wales , and also the position heoccupicsas head of our Order . ( Hear , hear . ) I think that His Royal Highness , ever since he has been connected with the Craft , has shown himself most worthy of his position in the wav in which he has entered into

the duties connected with every undertaking that has been carried out under the auspices of the Craft . I can onl y say myself , that my feelings towards His Royal Highness are those of extreme gratitude for having placed me in the proud position I occupy to-day , and therefore , I myself drink "The Health of the Prince of Wales , our Grand Master . " with the greatest cordiality and enthusiasm . ( Applause . ) The toast was warmly received .