Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT .

This lodge vvas held on Monday at Ventnor , thc place of meeting being the Assembly Rooms . The Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., was attended by the Dep . Prov . G . Master , Bro . W . Hickman , of . Southampton ; the Prov . Grand Treasurer , Secretary , and other Past and Present Grand Officers , to the number of between thirty and

forty , filling the dais , which had been very beautifully decorated by the Ventnor brethren with a choice collection of stove and greenhouse plants and flowers . The roll call was responded to by representatives of nearly every lodge in the province , numbering thiity-one , and extending from Bournemouth and Ringwood in the west , to Aldershot and Basingstoke in the north , and Petersfield in the south of the county . The Portsmouth

brethren , as was inevitable from their numbers and comparative proximity to Ventnor . were in considerable strength ; the Island , too , contributed a very respectable contigent , the total attendance probably numbering between three and four hun-lred , among whom we noticed the familiar tree ol Bro . Binckes . The Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s accounts formed the first business , and showed a balance in hand of X 274 14 s . on

the current year ' s transactions , exclusive of fees of honour . Two amounts of £ 20 each , one of £ 10 , and one of £ 3 , were voted to the widows and families of deceased brethren , and the accounts having been approved Bro . Mark Frost was unanimously re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer amidst very warm applause . Several committees having been appointed for the ensuing year , the Prov . G . M . •proceeded to appoint and

invest his Grand Officers , prefacing it by remarking that the province had now become so large and extensive as to embrace more than thirty lodges . As he had only about ten offices at his disposal , even according to that eminent authority Cocker ( a laugh ) , bethought the brethren would recognise that it would be impossible for him to confer

honours on every lodge . Under these circumstances be asked the brethren to allow him to assure them that if names were sometimes passed over it was rather because there was no possible place for them * han because of any indisposition to recognise their merits and labours in their respective lodges . In connection with this matter , he would remind the brethren thattheoffer of a Steward ' s collar was

by no means to be misunderstood j it was to be regarded rather as a reminder to brethren that they were not entirely forgotten than as implying any want of due recognition of their efforts in the respective spheres they occupied in Masonry ; and in fact , in so a large province the office of Steward would probably in the future more than in the past have ti be regarded as a stepping to higher honours as the opportunity offered . He then invested the Prov . Grand Orficers for the year as follows , special recognition

in their plaudits being paid by the brethren to those whose labours aie best know in the province : — Bro . W . Hickman , P . M . 130 ... I ' rov . D . G . M . „ F . Newman , P . M . 551 Prov . G . S . W . „ W . Parsons , P . M . 6 * 94 Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . C . G . Brown , P . M . 132 ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . II . E . M . Hughes , W . M . ICI Prov . G . Chap .

„ E . D . Godwin , P . M . 7 6 ...Prov . G . Reg . „ M . E . Frost , P . M . 487 Prov . G . Treas . „ J . E . Le Feuvre , P . M . 130 ... Prov . G . Sec . „ C . J . Phillips , P . M . 130 Prov . G . S . D . „ G . A . Green , P . M . 309 Prov . G . J . D . „ H . Threadingham , P . M . 487 ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ C . V . Helsdon , P . M . 1373 ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ A . Houston , W . M . 331 Prov . G . A . D . of C „ J . Johns , W . M . 1428 Prov . G . S . B . „ J . Wilton , 1428 Prov . G . Org . ,, J . Fricdeberg , P . M . 542 ... Prov . G . Purst .

Bros . [ . C Holliday , P . M . i *|_ ; R . B . *) Chiverton P . M . , ,, J-W Wi , / mott , W . M . 342 ; J . Clay , P . M . 804 ; ( and C . B . Whitcomb , W . M . 1703 ^ Bros . J . Biggs , 130 , and J . Exell , 487 Prov . G . Tylers . The Prov . Grand Lodge being closed , a few of the brethren sat down to a cold collation , which had been pro .

vided at the Literary Institute , but the majority , including the Grand Master , were compelled , by the exigencies of the train and boat services , to leave Ventnor within an hour of the termination of Prov . Grand Lodge business .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The General Committee of the Institution met on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Colonel J . Creaton in the chair . There were also present Bros . C . G . Dilley , J . M . Case , W . Clarke , J . H . Leggatt , J . G . Stevens , F . Newton , Wm . Stephens , Edgar Bowyer , George

Penn , James Brett , C . J . Hogard , T . Goode , W . Hilton , Jas . Terry , Secretary , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . The minutes of the meeting of the 9 th July were read and confirmed . The Secretary reported the deaths of four annuitants as having taken place since last meeting . The Secretary nad a list of the sums payable at this

term , and the Chairman was authorised to sign cheques for the same . Applications from Ihe widows of two deceased annuitants for the allowance of half their late husbands ' annuities were granttd ; and petitions from three female and one male candidates were received and examined , and the names ordered to be placed on the list of candidates for next election .

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF MIDDLESEX . —The names of Comps . H . Adams , M . E . Z ., and J . Linzell , J . of Enfield Chapter , were ( . milted from the list of those present in our report last week .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF KENT .

Ex . Comp . Viscount Holmesdale , Superintendent of the Kent Royal Arch Chapter , and a goodly concourse of Royal Arch Masons from all parts of the province , assembled at Plumstead on the 6 th inst ., for the business and pleasure of the annual meeting , the arrangements for

which were made by trie local chapter , the Pattison , No . 913 . As soon as they learnt that their invitation to Plumstead had been accepted by the province , the members of the Pattison set about their preparations , and the result was one on which they were warmly thanked and complimented by the visitors . The large covered building at the Skating Rink in Eglinton-road was engaged for the

purpose , and , being partitioned by curtains , served the purposes of reception room , lodge room , and banqueting hall , under one roof . At one p . m . the Grand Chapter was opened with the ancient ceremonies , and the busin ess proceeded . Among those present were the Grand Superintendent , the Right Hon . the Viscount Holmesdale , P . G . H . ; Comps .

the Rev . Thos . Robinson , M . A ., P . G . Treas . ; B . K . Thorpe , P . G . S . E . ; T . S . Warne , P . S . ; J . D . Person , P . G . 2 nd Asst . S . ; J . S . L . Ellerm , P . G . Reg . ; H . W . Moore , P . G . Org . ; E . Denton , P . P . G . P . S . ; C . Coupland , P . Z . 915 , P . P . G . Std . B . ; R . P . Atkins , P . Z . 829 , P . P . G . S ., F . S . A . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . Z , 77 ; Jas . Tason , P . Z . 199 ; H . C . Fuhr , P . Z . 784 ; G . Ker , P . Z . 50-j ; J . S . Holmes ,

P . Z . - 549 ; S . Smith , P . Z . 829 ; T . Hastings , P . Z . 829 ; T . Paget , P . Z . 829 ; W . Gamble , P . Z . 13 ; W . Bickcrslaff , P . Z . 13 ; A . Furr , P . Z . 784 ; Dr . Flaxraan Spurrell . P . Z . 829 ; A . Spears , P . Z . 158 ; S . Wilmot , P . Z . 874 ; H . Penfold , P . Z . 1174 ; A . Penfold , Z . 913 ; J . McDougall , P . Z . 913 ; H . Butter , H . 913 ; T . D . Hayes , J . 913 ; W . B . Lloyd , P . S . 913 ; W . J . Batchelor , P . S . 79 ; F . W . Edwards , J . 20 ;

H . Pryce , S . E . 913 ; H . D . Williams , S . E . 874 ; K . Croisdale , S . N . 913 ; Jas . Smythe , 1-, G . Kennedy , S . E . 13 ; W . A . Weston " , J . 13 ; H . Mason , A . S . 913 ; E . Du Rey , S . E . 199 ; J . Topp , 913 ; Eugene Sweny , J . A . S . 913 ; D . C . Capon , 913 ; T . Cartland , 913 ; W . H . Myers , 913 ; W . Muster , 913 ; J . F . Randall , 913 ; J . H . Letton , 913 ; S . Beaver , 913 ; E . Palmer , 913 ; H . Mabbett , 913 ; W . T .

Vincent , 913 ; F . Lyons , 913 ; J . H . Roberts , 913 ; W . Rees , 913 ; D . Deeves , 13 ; H . Orchard , 13 ; J . Scott Mutch , 13 ; H . Dc Gray , 13 ; J . Warren , 13 ; J . Rowland , 13 ; H . J . Thompson , J . 229 ; G . White , n 74 ; F . Penny , H . 158 ; J . B . Docker , 77 ; R . Pidcock , 92 ; J . Wilken , 459 ; S . W . Iron , 591 ; J . Skulley , 5 82 ; F . Carpenter , 829 ; W . Hinks , 829 ; R . French , 829 ; G .

Tedder , 554 ; W . Piper , 503 ; and C . Jolly , 913 ( Freemason ) . The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and confirmed , and the roll of chapters in the province called . The report of the Audit Committee was then read and passed . In it was a recommendation that the second seven chapters on the list be granted ten guineas each for

Life Governorships in the Boys' School . Ex . Capt . Thorpe was then unanimously re-elected Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year . The Grand Superintendent then appointed and invested the following Grand Officers for the ensuing year : — Comp . J . Smith Eastes , P . Z . 503 , 507 Prov . G . H . „ Alex . Fred . Sam . Bird , P . Z . 784 Prov . G . J .

„ Thos . Sam . Warne , P . Z . 20 Prov . G . S . E . „ Henry Penfold , P . Z . 1174 ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Everett Denton , P . Z . 913 ... Prov . G . P . S . „ Edward Wickens Fry , P . Z . 199 Prov . G . ist Ast . S . „ Robert Collins Burfield , P . Z . 20 Prov . G . 2 nd Ast . S . „ Benj . Kelly Thorpe , H . 709 .... Prov . G . Treas . „ Benj . Sidney Wilmot , P . Z . 874 Prov . G . Registrar .

„ George Ker , P . Z . 503 Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ John McDougall , P . Z . 913 ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Thos . Matthew Paget , P . Z . 829 Prov . G . D . C . „ Heinrich Carl Fuhr , P . Z . 784 Prov . G . Org . „ John Cooke , 709 Prov . G . Janitor .

That being the whole of the business , the Prov . Grand Chapter was closed in solemn form , and the companions repaired to the banquet , which was elegantly served by Bro . Wain , of the Pier Hotel , Erith , the tables , which were arranged in the shape of a trident , and well decorated with flowers , having an admirable appearance . Upwards of a hundred guests sat down , and the pleasures of the

feast were enhanced by the sweet music discoursed by a selected orchestra of the Royal Artillery Band , led by Bro . Quartermaster Sergt . Smith . The Masons dined " in clothing , " which is to say that they wore their sashes , aprons , and jewels , thereby heightening the picturesque effect of the scene , but the guard upon the doors had terminated with the conclusion of the secret conclave , thus

affording an opportunity for introducing as spectators a number of ladies in one of the galleries . There the scene and the music for the enjoyment of the wives and daughters of the members , while the members themselves discussed the more solid enjoyments at the tables below ; and although towards the end of the banquet there were

ample supplies of wine and fruit sent to the galleries , the somewhat late attention hardly compensated for the first hour ' s neglect , for the fairer and the sweeter sex are but human , with appetites , perhaps , as keen as coarser man , and they must have been angels indeed if they did not employ that awkward hour in scrutinising and criticising , with mental notes for future service , the exhibition beneath

them . However , they had the advantage of seeing a good specimen of a public dinner , and of becoming acquainted with the style in which the gentlemen enjoy themselves on such occasions , and let us hope that they will exercise the knowledge mercifully .

When the cloth was removed , a number of loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed from the chair , as follows : The Chairman : Companions , before submitting to your notice any of the toasts upon this list , I must remind you that as the presence of ladies in the gallery renders this

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Kent.

portion of the day ' s proceedings not purely Masonic , it will be necessary to dispense with the usual Masonic forms in doing honour to these toasts . Premising this , I shall propose the first toast without comment , and ask you to drink " The Queen and Royal Arch Freemasonry . " The toast was heartily received , and a few verses of tbe National Anthem were sung , the solos being rendered by

Miss Jei-sie Royd . The Chairman -. I have now to ask you to drink " The Health of the Most Excellent the Grand First Principal , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the Most Excellent the Pro Grand First Principal , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon . " The Prince o'JWales , as you are well aware is a most earnest Freemason , and is devoted to the interests

not only of the Craft but also of Arch Masonry . I miy say the same thing of the Most Excellent Pro . Grand First Principal , the Earl of Carnarvon , who is second only to the Prince of Wales in the position he holds among us ; he devotes a great deal of attention to our interests , and we are grateful to him ' or the time he gives to Arch Masonry . This toast also was enthusiastically received , and " God

bless the Prince of Wales " was sung by the company , after which Arne ' s fine song " The Soldier tired " was sung by Miss Jessie Royd . The Ch lirman : Brethren and companions , I now ask you to drink "The Health of the Second and Third Principals , the Most Excellent Lord Skelmersdale and Lord de Tabley , and the other Officers of Supreme Grand

Chapter . " The remarks I made about the First Principal will in a smaller degree apply to those most excellent companions named in this toast . They all perform the duties devolving upon them with the greatest ability and interest ; and I am sure that this toast to their health will be received with the honour that it well deserves . I give you " The Health of Lord Skelmersdale , and the- other Officers of

Grand Chapter . " After this toast Bro . Stedman sang " Mary of Argyle ' very effectively . Comp . Robinson : I have the honour to be permitted to propose the next toast , which is the toast of the day , and I hasten to do it before more companions have left the room . The toast which I now present to your notice is " The

Health of the Grand Superintendent for Kent , the Most Excellent Viscount Holmesdale , M . P . " No language 1 can use would be too strong to express our sense of the admirable manner in which he performs the duties of his high office or of the advantages wc enjoy under his rule . Arch Masonry iu this province proceeds with increasing prosperity under his superintendence , and we hope and trust that he

may continue to rule over us for a long period . Two years ago Lord Holmesdale kindly consented to accept the superintendence of this province , and by doing so he gave an impetus to Arch Masonry in the district—the various chapters obtained the privileges and happiness of meeting together on occasions like the present , and each received an impetus to endeavour to make theirs the best chapter in

the province . I am sure , companions , I need not add any more words in presenting this toast . I give you " The Health of the Most Excellent Viscount Holmesdale , our Noble Chief ; " may prosperity and happiness attend him as long as he lives , and may he be spared many long years to preside over us . This toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm .

When the applause subsided Miss Kate Leipold sang "Amor Misterioso , " from Carmen . The Chairman : It has always been my good fortune when I have come amongst you on such occasions as the present to hear my health proposed in very flattering- terms , and to note the kindly response it has always met with at your hands . It has been so proposed and received on the

present occasion ; and I can only say that as years go on I am heartily glad to sec that that least has not lost its popularity . It is evident that interest in Royal Arch Masonry is increasing in the province , and I trust that it will go on prospering and to prosper ; and I think we may say that the progress made in the last few years is remarkable . We , of course , aspire to very much larger numbers ,

but wc may nevertheless think that these meetings are not the less pleasant , because , though considerable , they are not overcrowded . If it should go on increasing and prospering , all I can say is , companions , I think we should have reason to be proud of the hold modern Arch Masmry had taken upon the Craft , and should not consider the lessened personal comfort of these meetings , pleasant as they

are . When we consider what our principles are ( I am not going to till the ladies in the gallery what those principles are ) we shall make the further extension and further development of those principles the first consideration . The Chairman : I have now , companions , to ask you to drink " The Health of the Second and Third Principals of the Provincial Grand Chapter , " " sweet and low . " We

all know that sweetness is connected with all that is Masonic . I think we should not separate without honouring the health of the Second and Third Principals . The working of the chapter devolves a good deal upon the second of the Principals ; his work is of a very important nature , and I think we should not let this occasion pass without drinking his health . I shall couple this toast with the name of

Comp . Eastes , whose appointment for the ensuing year I am sure cannot fail to give satisfaction . I call upon you to honour the toast to the Second and Third Principals of Provincial Grand Chapter . Song . " Sweet and Low . " Comp . Easles : Most excellent companions , I return you the very sincere and heartfelt thanks of the Third Principal

and myself for the toast that has been proposed by our Grand Superintendent , and I thank you for the heartiness with which you have been pleased to receive it . Companions , His Excellency has been pleased to appoint me to the honour of Second Principal , and has been very kind in the remarks he has made in connection with that appointment . It is true that I have endeavoured , and shall endeavour , to perform my duties satisfactorily , and if I