Royal Masonic Educational In Stitutions—Visit To Salisbury And Stonehenge.

remedy was at hand for that and every other form of suffering , and such proved unmistakeabiy to be the case . Bro . Horatio "Ward , P . P . G . W . of Wilts ; with Bros . Griffin , W . M . ;

and Perham , S . W ., of the Elias de Dereham Lodge , were on the platform , by "whom the travellers were escorted to the residence of Bro . Ward , where lunch on a most liberal scale was

laid out at the expense of the members of the lodge , to which ample justice was done by young and ( comparatively ) old alike . Refreshed and invigorated , guests and hosts ,

ladies and gentlemen , and brethren of the locality , proceeded to Stonehenge . Boots it to say how in the present condition of the political world , tlie sight of old Sarum elicited remarks

on the past , and opinions favourable to the present ; how on nearing the famed old " Druid ' s Head , " recollections were evoked of notorious highwaymen who found retreat and shelter in

its quaint recesses , the contrast between past and present being again allowed to be in favour of the latter j how the occupants of the leading vehicles found themselves in bitterness and disappointment

whisked by "the Druid ' s " now hospitable door ; while those in their wake , having suffered from a derived suffocation of dust , laughingly drew a comparison between the " wise and

foolish , " and honestly and justifiabl y re-refreshed in a manner to which a ' •Good Templar" could scarcely object 5 how the far-stretching plain itself , apparently boundless , and free from

distinguishable landmarks , became an object of wonder to those , whose lines falling in more pleasant places , now surveyed it for the first time—a fitting prelude to the greater wonders which soon

met their astonished gaze ; these—with the unrestricted laugh , the innocent mirth—the harmless raillery , the sense of freedom inspired b y the temporary escape from the trammels' of the

conventional life of society—can all be imagined more easily than described . At length the mighty monument of antiquity was reachedthose massive , simple , stones , telling of an age

to which the memory of man runneth not , pregnant with traditions , and each one breathing in calm , eternal , silence , an unexpressed language , more eloquent than the word-painting of the

most gilted author . Whence came they ? By whom and b y what means brought and placed , to render by their grim and solemn magnificence , desolation more desolate ? What their

object ? What the purpose of the wondrous fabric of which they formed a part ? Let Messrs . Lillwood and Blake unfold their admirable diagrams , explain learnedly and lucidly

¦—discourse argamentatiwly ( as on this occasion they did most kindly , impressing their large auditory of friends , " strangers and pilgrims , " from various localities , such as

are ever found attracted to this shrine—with feelings of admiration , if not always of conviction ) the mind and imagination of each student beholder will persist in working out formulie of

its own , and in forming conclusions in accordance with the school of thought or theology in which he may have been trained , or of historical

investigation and archieological study , which he may have pursued and adopted . Whether in the giant monolith we see traces of the ancient universal worship , or in the mighty trilithon re-

Royal Masonic Educational In Stitutions—Visit To Salisbury And Stonehenge.

cognise symbols of a faith not then understood none of ordinarily observant character can fail to be awed by their isolated sublimity , and to be led into meditations on these seeming evidences

of an eternity of the past , not only painfully contrasting with his own ephemeral existence , but affording cheering consolation in the hope they inspire of an eternity in the future .

While indulging in these attractions , Mr . Lillwood has brought his lecture to a close , and assisted by his friend Mr . Blake , has carefully packed away the diagrams , and—proh pudor

—shall it be told , the remnants of—no matter what , by which the body has been sustained while the intellectual pabulum has been administered to the mind .

A drive through another route , most pleasantly diversified by wood and water , by sunny knoll and leafy grove—by p leasant villages with old churches , and fine quaint mansions , brings the

party in an hour and a half to Salisbury again , and to its symmetrical and beautiful cathedral . On this there is only time for a hurried gaze , with a few minutes for a hasty inspection of the

interior , much to the regret of all who would have well liked a lengthened sojourn , with a chance of their drinking in one half of the beauties unfolded at every step to their view .

Once more at the residence of Bro . Ward , ( who this time dispenses the private hospitality of Mrs . Ward and himself , instead of , as in the morning ,

acting vicariously ) and a liberal repast is again displayed , to the appetite for which the labours of the day have imparted an added zest .

The iron monster of the age soon gives note that the time for departure is at hand . Thanks are offered , good-byes are interchanged , amongst which it is pleasant to record au revoir is not

forgotten , kindly wishes are expressed , the escort of the morming resumes its duty , the station is reached , seats are taken , and " that word that must be and hath been—farewell" is spoken . thc

living freight moves on , in due course arrives at Waterloo . Night has fallen , the " moon is up , by heaven a lovel y eve ! " the companions of the day separate , and the witching hour of twelve

booms forth from innumerable steeples , and a delightfully happy day is clone ! To the founder and originator of the treat , Bro . Flead , to Mr . and Mrs . Ward , to the brethren of

the Elias de Dereham Lodge , notably to the W . M . and S . W ., Bros . Griffin and l ' erham , the utmost acknowledgments are due , and doubtless

their best reward was found in the hearty enjoyment so unquestionably manifested by the various recipients of their kindness and generosity .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT .

On Tuesday , the jth inst ., the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight met , and a new lodge was consecrated . At noon , the hour fixed for the

latter ceremony , there was a large attendance of the brethien at the Masonic Hall , St . Mary ' sstreet , Portsmouth , where the now lodge" United Service Lodge , " No . , 14 : 18—is to be held .

I he brethren marched in procession from the ante-room to the lodge-room , where the chair was taken by the R . W . Bro . W . W . Beach , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of Hants and

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

the Isle of Wight , who was supported by V . W . Bro . J . R . Stebbing , D . P . G . M ., and several of the Provincial Grand Officers . The Presiding Officer having appointed Bros . H . M . Emanuel , P . M ., and F . Pineo , P . M ., to act as Wardens

pro . tern ., the impressive ceremony was proceeded with in due Masonic form . The R . W . Prov . G . Master briefly addressed the brethren , expressing a hope that the new lodge would tend to the advancement of the

princip les of their Order , and , ranging as it did among so many other lodges of eminent character in the neighbourhood , that it vvould be enabled to take example by them , and propagate the principles of their glorious Order . From the character of its members he had no doubt

the lodge would be started under the most favourable auspices , and he trusted they would make it their especial duty to see that those who for the future joined it were animated by the same laudable wish as themselves to spread the the benefits of the Order . When , before long ,

many of them had , as he trusted they would have , an opportunity of visiting the lodge , he hoped they might find that it was conducted in the same excellent , zealous manner that so many other lodges were in the province over which he

had the supreme honour to rule . The Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . thc Rev . E . Nepean , having offered a suitable prayer , the brethren of the new lodge were arranged in order in front of the R . W . Prov . G . Master , and

the Acting Secretary , Bro . John R . Wilson , P . M ., read the petition and warrant for the new Iodge , which is to meet on the second Friday iu every month , after which the members signified their approval of the officers named in the petition and warrant in Masonic form .

An oration on the nature and principles of the institution was to have been delivered by the P . G . Chaplain , but at the last moment the V . W . Bro . J . R . Stebbing , D . P . G . M ., was called upon to perform that duty , which he kindly did and with his usual ability . The nature and principles

of Freemasonry were , he said , to love one another . Its great characteristics where brotherly love , relief , and truth . Masonry was universal . The nations , the peoples , the tribes who , from the earlist days to the present , had been associated in Masonry had been associated in one universal brotherhood , and the man was not a Mason ,

although he might have taken the obligations , although he might have associated with his brethren in lodges , although he might have given strong proofs of Masonic lore , until he had learnt the great lesson " love one another . " Masonry did not consist of this lodge , this province , or this country ; Masonry covers the whole earth , as the waters cover the sea , indeed

Its roots run under every sea , It blooms on every shore . Masonry was of no creed , or language , or people of no sect , of no politics , and had , or ought not , to have any prejudices . Man to man , toot to foot , hand to hand , should be the pledge of

brotherhood , and the heart should be attuned to the most genuine principles taught by the Creator , and cultivated in the breast of everyone who bowed down in adoration to the Great First Cause . To do good to his fellow creatures , to be kind to those who despitefully used him , to defend a

brother in his absence as you would do in his presence , should be the universal characteristics of Masons , for looking beyond the divisions which separated one country from another , and people of one language or origin from those of

another , they had in view the universal purpose which adorned and hallowed thc brethren of the mystic tie and could well exclaim Ten thousand , thousand are our tongues , But all our joys are one . He wed not enunciate these sentiments beforo

a lodge of the character of that now constituted , because he learned from its title that it was a lodge of the united services ; it embrace J men who had fought for their country , defended the land of their birth , had been forward in support of liberty in every part of the globe , and from

whom would go forth other men to do the great work of civilisation , and who would be better calculated to doit if within their hearts they had the principles of brotherly love , the grei't teaching of Masonry , and the practice of charity , the glorious cement of their institution , as it had