The Festival Of Wednesday Next: Its Chairman And His Province.

of the province , namely : Royal Navy , No . 429 , Ramsgate , 1835 ; Sympathy , No . 4 S 3 , Gravesend , 1842 ; Belvidere , No . 503 , Maidstone , 1844 ; Temple , N 0 . 55 S , Folkestone , 1848 ; St . John and St . Paul ' s , No . 615 , Erith , 1853 ; Invicta Lodge of Ashford , No . 709 , Ashford , 1 S 57 and Wellington , No . 784 , Deal , 1859 . These make up the list of 17 lodges in existence when Lord Holmesdale became Provincial Grand Master , and the next

senior lodges are the Sydney Lodge , No . S 29 , Sidcup , consecrated 30 th November , i 860 , and the Holmesdale , No . 874 , Tunbridge Wells , of the year 1 S 61 . Since then , no less than 31 lodges have been added to the roll of the province , among them being three that were consecrated in 1 S 66 , three in 1867 , and two in 1868 ; three in 1872 , two in 18 73 , three in 1 S 77 , two in 1881 , and three last year . Twelve of these 31 have been warranted

since the Prince of Wales became Grand Master . As regards Royal Arch Masonry , Lord Holmesdale , as Provincial Grand Superintendent of that Degree , has under his authority some 15 or 16 chapters ; while in Mark Masonry , though his lordship is not the Provincial Grand Master , the Degree is flourishing , the number of lodges being 13 . But mere numbers alone show not the strong hold which Freemasonry has on this important

province . Let the reader who would judge of Kentish Masonry at its best turn to the published lists of our Institutions , and in them they will find that with hardly an exception—and then only in the case of those of latest creation—the lodges in the province are liberal supporters of our Charities . This is , indeed , to their credit , a credit in which not the least conspicuous part is borne by their able and respected chief .

The Forthcoming Visit Of The M.W. The Grand Master To York.

THE FORTHCOMING VISIT OF THE M . W . THE GRAND MASTER TO YORK .

The Masonic ceremonial of laying the memorial stone of the York Institute of Art , Science and Literature has been fixed for Wednesday , the 18 th July next . York during that week will be in a condition of great excitement , for a series of events will take place of great importance . The meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society , which will be held on the Knavesmire ( , the race course ) , will be a gigantic affair , in addition to which there will be an

important dog show , & c . The Grand Master of England will attend the show as the guest of Sir Geo . Wombwell , Bart ., and will stay in York for probably three days . Besides visiting the show his Royal Highness has promised to attend a gathering at the York Fine Art Exhibition which is being prepared for his reception in the most lavish manner . But the important day will be the one above mentioned , when the Prince has graciously consented to lay the memorial stone of the new Institute , now

being erected in Clifford-street , with Masonic honours . For this event great preparations are being made . The enclosure within which the ceremony will take place will be arranged to accommodate between 2000 and 3 persons , and will be roofed in wilh canvas , and the priceof reserved seats tor thegeneral public will be one guinea . The temporary structure will be designed to represent a mediajval castellated building and will present a most imposing aspect , and will be profusely garlanded and decorated .

As soon as the announcement was made of the intention of the Grand Master to lay the stone in his official Masonic capacity the Provincial Grand Master of North and East Yorkshire and his Deputy proceeded to nominate a local committee with a view to carrying out the necessary preliminary details . This committee is as follows : Bros . T . li . Whytehead , ( corresponding chairman ); M . C . Peck , Prov . Grand Sec . ; M . T . Collingwood , Prov . G . D . C ; R . H . Peacock , Prov . G . A . D . C . ; G . Kirby , VV . M .

236 ; M . Millington , W . M . 1611 ; E . J . de Salis , W . M . 1991 ; J . S . Rymer , P . M . 236 ( Sheriff of York ); J . Todd , P . M . 236 ; J . S . Cumberland , 1611 . The committee has proceeded actively with its work and the preparations are as forward as is possible . The York Assembly Rooms ^ have been secured for the meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge under the Earl of Zetland , and those who are acquainted with that beautilul structure , designed by the Earl of Burlington , will readily judge how admirably suited to the occasion is their classical style and elegance of adornment .

The Grand Lodge will be opened in the Guildhall , a noble old mediaeval apartment , lighted through stained glass windows , and rich in historic memories . The procession will have about a quarter-of-a-mile of streets to traverse , a distance that will be scarcely sufficient for the number of brethren whom we hear are likely to attend . The streets will be decorated in the most magnificent way , for the inhabitants of the ancient capital of the

north are resolved on sparing nothing to do honour to their Royal guest . After the ceremony and return of the procession to the Guildhall , Bro . the Lord Mayor of York will g ive a luncheon to a hundred of the most distinguished Masons in the State Room of the Mansion House , which is now being specially redecorated for the occasion . The State Room is a very beautiful and stately apartment , and contains many portraits of Royal personages who have visited York at various times and partaken of civic hospitality .

It will be as well for us to mention that no brother will under any circumstances be permitted within the enclosure to view the ceremony without a ticket . These tickets will be sold at 5 s . for the benefit of the Institution of Art , Science , and Literature , and we shall announce their issue as soon as they are offered for sale . The whole arrangements are of course in the hands of the Grand Secretary , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , and the Grand Director of Ceremonies , Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) , with whom the local committee are in correspondence .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norths And Hunts.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHS AND HUNTS .

The annual meeting was held at St . Peter ' s College , Peterborough , under the banner of St . Peter's Lodge , 442 , Peterborough , on the 7 th inst . The Provincial Grand Master , his Grace the Duke of Manchester , not having attended Provincial Grand Lodge for the last six years , it was hoped that he would have been present on this occasion , but at the last moment , to the general regret and disappointment , his Grace was unfortunately prevented attending . His place was most efficiently taken by the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . Butler Wilkins .

The Board of Benevolence and Charity Organisation Committee met at the College at 12 o ' clock , where the usual business was transacted , and several grants m . ade to the Masonic Charities and to brethren of the province . Bro . T . M . Percival , P . M . 445 , was appointed Provincial Trustee in the place of the late Bro . R . Howes .

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form , the acting Prov . G . M being supported b y Bro . Jno . Marson as acting Deputy Prov . G . M . ; Bro E . Vergette , P . M . 442 , filled the chair of Prov . G . S . W . temporarily ; Bro

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norths And Hunts.

Henry Brown , P . M . 1764 , occupying the chair as Prov . G . J . W . The attendance was smaller than usual ( not more than 80 being present ) , owing , no doubt , in a great measure to the absence of the Prov . Grand Master . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER having expressed the regrets of the Duke of Manchester at his inability to be present , the usual business of Provincial Grand Lodge was transacted , and the following brethren were duly invested as officers of Provincial Grand Lodge for the ensuing year : Bro . H . Pank , P . M . 442 ... ... ... Pmv . G S . W .

„ F . Marlow , W . M . 455 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . A . H . Cole-Hamilton , 1911 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . . „ Rev . J . T . Hayes , 607 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Chap . „ 1 . U . Stanton , P . M . 360 ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ b . 'I . Dufty , 360 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ F . G . Buckle , P . M . 442 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . Wood Ingram , VV . M . 377 ... ... p . G . S . D . „ VV . House Linnell , W . M . 45 s ... ... Prov . G . J . D . ,, VV . H . Simpson . 607 ... Pm ,. «; * „ f wru ^

„ Geo . Ellard , P . M . 360 ... ... ... p . G . D . C . „ J . T . Smith , 442 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ H . Spoor , 1764 ... ... ... p . G . Swd . B . ,, VV . Renshaw , 7 . 17 ... ... Pmv CPi .

rcf-, „ Brook Sampson , 1911 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ H . Watson , 466 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . B . „ H . A . Robinson , 360 ... ... ... " * ) „ G . Wadsley , 373 ... ... * . ' . ' G . C . CastorA 11 I

, „ G . E . Moyes , 466 ' . ' . ' . "' . " * r * Prov . G . Stwds . „ A . E . Parsons , 607 „ T . P . Dorman , 1764

Various questions concerning the Craft having been dealt with , the resignation ot Bro . Griffin as Director of Ceremonies was referred to . A vote of thanks was accorded him for the efficiency with which he had discharged the duties of that oflice for several years ; and ereat appreciation was expressed of his assiduity and success in working " for the Masonic Charitable Institutions . The thanks of the lodge was also given to Bro . the Rev . C . Daymond , for the use of the Collegiate buildings for the meeting .

Bro . the Rev . C . DAYMOND in reply said theirthanksweredue to the College Committee , who very readily acceded to the application . ' ] hey had not , he said , forgotten that the foundation-stone of those buildings was laid by the Prov . Grand Master for that time .

Bro . H . J . ATKINS , P . M . 1764 , who had been appointed Prov . Grand Steward for the year for the Masonic Charities , thanked the lodge for the handsome grant made towards a nucleus for the fund of the province—Benevolent Institution , 20 guineas , - Boys' School , 30 guineas ; Girls ' , five guineas . He referred to the liberal contributions iven to his predecessors

g in their Stewardships for the Aged and Decayed Institution , and trusted the brethren would rally round him , and enable him to carry up such a list as would be a credit to the province and substantially useful to the institutions . He hoped to visit the various lod ges during the year and lay the claims of the charity before them .

Bro . PANK , with the permission of the acting P . G . M ., brought before Grand Lodge the Peterborough Cathedral Restoration Fund , and gave notice that at the next annual meeting he would propose that a sum be voted from the Provincial Grand Lodge towards the fund . The D . G . M . having stated that the Grand Master had appointed the next annual meeting to be held at Northampton , under the banner of the Eleanor Cross Lodge , and other business having been transacted the lodge was closed in due lorm .

Subjoined is a list of the brethren present : St . Peter ' s Udge , 442-Bros . VV . Dixey , VV . M . ; John Wheeler , S . W . ; Stephen Bamber , J . W . ; H .. Pank , Treas . ; Edward Crisp , Sec . ; Thomas Harrison , S . D . ; John 1 . Smith , J . D . ; Thos . Rutherford , D . C ; Samuel Willett , I . G . ; J . W . Kirby , Org . ; p - p ^ w * Wl ^* J ; ™ , c >« J . P-M ., KP . J . G . VV . J Edward Vergette , sen . P . P . G . S . W . ; John B . Vergette , J . M . Cook , George C . Castor , John H . Green , R . Payhng , H . J . lodd , Henry Kempton , A . M . Pentney , John Simpson , and others . Pomfret Lodge , 360—Bros . Butler Wilkins , P . M . D . P . G . M . ; TUStantonPM

, . . , .., DSV ^' ^/ e ? , ? rd , P . M ., P . G . D . C ., Sec . 1764 ; Frederick J . Airs , W . M . P . P . G . S . B . ; I-redenck J . Dufty , J . W . ; John James Hart , S . W ., P . P . G . P . ) Alfred Cockerill , Prov . Steward ; A . C . Pearson , H . A . Robinson , E . Roberts , and Wm . Kirby . Socrates Lodge , 378—Bros . John Marson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; I . Wood Ingram , W . M . ; George Hawley , P . M . ; W . H . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; George E . Wadsley , I . G . ; James Hawtin , P . G . S . W . ; and Arthur Bunting , S . VV . Fidelity Lodge , 445—Bros . Thomas M . Percival , P . M ., P . P . G . I . D .: VV . H . Linnell . W . M . - H

Packer , P . G . S . B . ; and S . Snedker . Perseverance Lodge , 455—Bro . F . Marlow , W . M . Merit Lodge , 4 6 G—Bros . Hy Morton , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . ; Wm . H . Watson , P . G . S . ; " ° " Wright , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . ; G . E Moyes , SS and 4 G 6 ; W . Ward , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Bentham . P . PG . P . ; James Etchells , P . P . G . O . ; and Alfred Coulson ! Chichel Lodge , 607—Bros . A . Eames Parsons , W . M . and Treas . ; Geo . Siddons , jun ., J . D . ; Key . J . 1 . Hayes , and Henry Rose . Wentworth Lodge , 7-17—Bros . Wm . Renshaw , W . M . ; John Slinn , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; and Luke Knight , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . Eleanor Lod

Cross ge , 1764—Bros . Henry Hill , W . M ., P . P . G . O . ; Hv . 1 . Atkins PM ' P . P . G . D . ; Hy . Brown I . P . M ., P . G . J . W . ; ' Henry ' Spoor , S . W . ; T . P * . Dorman , and S . S . Campion . De la Pre Lodge , 1911—Bros . Rev . S . Wathen Wigg , W . M ., P . P . G . C . of Norths , Hunts , Leicester , and Rutland ; Rev . A . H . Cole-Hamilton , A . P . G . C , ? w , V S ? . ° *? iV , ' Sec *> ° £ * I 7 4 * The visitors included Bros . Speedily , W . M . 350 , S . C . ; Alfred Hamson , I . P . M . 469 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; VV . H . Sampson , W . M 236 ; Chas . Downall , Dublin ; E . L . Shelton , P . M . 1366 , Highgate ; and others .

I he banquet was held at the Angel Hotel , when a recherche repast was served by Bro . J . Clilton . The room was most tastefully decorated . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master occupied the chair , and was supported on his right by Bro . E . Vergette , sen ., P . P . S . G . W ., on his left b y Bro . J . U . Stanton , Prov . Grand Treas ., and by the principal Provincial Grand Officers .

"Ihe Queen and the Craft" and " The M . W . the Grand Master of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., " were loyally honoured " The M . W . the Pro Grand Master of England , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon ; the D . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; and the Officers of Grand Lodge , " having been given from the chair , Bro . F . G . BUCKLE gave "The R . VV . the Provincial Grand Master , his grace the Duke of Manchester , and the Deputy Provincial Grand

Master , Bro . Butler Wilkins . " ( Applause . ) Referring to the duke ' s regrettable absence , he said a man in his position had so many calls upon his time that it was extremely difficult for him to get to Grand Lodge ; and no doubt his grace felt that his presence was not so essential on account of the vitality of the lodges and the able service of his excellent Deputy . His grace had been most happy in his choice of a Deputy . ( Alause . )

pp The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in responding , said that the cause of the Grand Master ' s absence was a pressing business engagement , which rendered it impossible to get down at the last moment . Had his grace been