Provincial Grand Lodge Of Mon Mouthshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MON MOUTHSHIRE .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Monmouthshire held their annual tzathrring on Thursday at Tredegar , under the banner of the St . George ' s Lodge , No . 10 9 8 . The brethren arrived by special train , and business commenced at high noon , the opening ceremony being performed by the Ri ^ ht Worshipful P . G . M ., Bro . Colonel Cnarles Lyne ,

in the presence of the Very Worshipful Deputy P . G . M ., Bro . Captain S . G . Homfray . At the conclusion the P . G , BI . appointed and invested the following brethren as his ofiicers for the ensuing year , viz .: Bro . H . | . Gratte ... " Prov . G . S . W . ,, R . Bond Prov . G . J . W . . ' . W . Pickford Prov . G . Treas .

„ Rev . E . Jones Prov . G . Chap . „ C . Rowe Prov . G . Sec . „ W . Dovey Prov . G . Reg . Joseph Coates Prov . G . S . Deacon

James Horner ... ... ... Prov . G . J . Deacon „ L . P . Gravenor Prov . G . D . of C „ G . G . Golding Prov . G . Org . „ C . H . Olive , jun . Prov . G . Swd . Br

„ T . Harrhy Prov . G . Purst . „ T . Preece Prov . G . Tyler . The business being completed , the brethren formed a procession , and , to the strains of the famous band of the 1 ith Monmouth Rifle Volunteers , led by Mr . T . Hardy , marched to St . George ' s Church , to attend Divine service .

The sermon , a most stirring one , was preached by the newly-appointed Prov . G . Chaplain ( Rev . E . Jones , vicar ) . The choir vvas stronger than usual , and the music was specially selected for the occasion . The Psalms , Magnificat , and Nunc Dimittis were sung to Gregorian tones , the anthem being "Judge me , O God" ( Mendelssohn ) . The vicar arranged the service , and had a few hundred copies printed for the use of the congregation , thus obviating the use of any bonks . The organist of the church , Mr . Caird ,

presided at the organ during the singing of the anthem and •tyvice , and Bro . Giles Golding , in his capacity as Provincial Grand Organist , also lendered assistance . In the -anthem the organ was supplemented by a select patty of instrumentalists , conducted by Mr . Hanly , bandmaster , nnd the effect vvas most striking . After the singing of the Hundredth Psalm ( old version ) , the procession was again formed , ami , led by the band , the brethren marched back to the Masonic 1 lall , when the lodge vvas closed in due form .

An adjournment then took place to the Town Uall , which vvas lilted up in elegant style , for the banquet , which was prepared in such a way as to sustain to the fullest extent the well-earned reputation of Bro . Walter Taylor , of the Castle Hotel . The banquet was to have been held at the hotel , but thc death of Bro . Taylor ' s only chiM , which took place on Monday , necessitated the change ,

at , d ihe use of the Town Hall vvas kindly conceded by Mr . Colquhoun , of tiedwcllty Park . The tables were laid out most artistically , and , what with pictorial and floral decorations , the old hall vvas completely metamorphosed , thc presence of Captain George Homfray carrying one back to far brighter times than now prevail . After dinner the usual Masonic toast list was gone through .

Masonic Music.

MASONIC MUSIC .

A very interesting and instructive lecture on this subject was given by Bro . L * r . Spark , of Leeds , P . P . G . O ., P . M . 289 , to the brethren and visitors of the Lodge of St . Germain , Selby , on Friday evening , the 8 st inst ., under the auspices of Bro . T . M . Weddall , P . P . G . S . D . The lecture

was divided into two parts—the first consisting of music adapted for the various ceremonies of the Craft , and the second of that used at Masonic festive gatherings . The illustrations , which were most efficiently given by Bros . Blagboro anel Doelels ( of Leeds ) , and Rawling ( of Selby ) , wcret . ikin from the " Masonic Liber Musicus , " edited by Dr . Spark , who also took part in the vocal examples , and

played the necessary piano accompaniments . Mendelssohn's " Like as a father pitieth his children , " Mozart's "Guide us , oh , Thou Great Jehovah , " and the lamented Henry Smart's "I will wash my hands in innocency , " were niuch appreciated amongst the adapted music of the first division of the lecture ; whilst of the music specially composcd for Masonic ceremonies , a quartette , ' -Now the

evening shadows , " by Dr . Spark , and a Sanctus vvith a tenor solo and a soft responsive chorus by the same composer , were greatly admired , the solo in the latter piece being beautifully given hy Bro . Blagboro . In the second ¦ liv ' iMnn of the lecture , " H-. it ! Masonry divine , " an inspiriting composition specially written by the lecturer for Je ceremony of installation of the Marquis of Ripon as uraud

Master , was very effective . A very quaint old English lenor song , " The pretty flowers , " composer unknown , was much applauded , and was given with that warming sweetness and purity of tone for which Bro . Blagboro is so justly celebrated . For obvious reasons we cati-* ictc _ I _ rgi- upon the subject of the lecture , applying as it did to ceremonies known only to the imlUta-ri . But this we

may say without violating any Masonic secret , that the Worth y Doctor was , as ma-lit be anticipated , a strong advocate lor the alliance of good anti appropiiate music with le beautiful ritual of Freemasonry , as we believe is the case in Cerniany , The first patt of the lecture was of e- 'mrst- au sericux , but iu the second part the lecturer found

Ti ' " r " liit nurnour which seems so natural to him . ^ 'e literary merits of the lecture were considerable , and •j ^ n-ed l " ° e thoroughly appreciated by the brethren prent , whose enjoyment vvas further enhanced by a capital ful " M' ' rovi ' * . tlle generous hospitality of the Worshipmaster , at the Londesborough Arms , after which harn V again was in the ascendant . If all lectures had

Masonic Music.

such conclusions , the lecture-going public would , we imagine , be very largely increased . —Scll-y News , Augus 9 th , 1879 ,

New Masonig Hall, Club, And Lodge At Portsmouth.

NEW MASONIG HALL , CLUB , AND LODGE AT PORTSMOUTH .

The shareholders of "The Borough of Pottsmouth Freemasons' Hall and Club Company , " of which the Mayor ( Bro . W . D . King ) is Chairman , Bro . Councillor G . T . Cunningham , Vice-Chairman , and Bro . E . S . Main , Secretary , held an extraordinary meeting at the offices of the

Portsca Island Gas Company , Commercial-road , Landport , on Saturday morning , the 9 th inst ., and after the business had been transacted an adjournment was made to the eligible site between the gas offices and the Theatre Royal , on which the Freemasons' Hall and Club is to be erected . The directors and a number of shareholders and other Freemasons , with several ladies , were present , and the Prov .

Grand Lodge was represented bv the R . W . the Prov . G . M ., Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ; ' the V . W . Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . W . Hickman ; the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre , and others . The building will be in the plain Italian style of architecture , andUhe front , which will have a gable , with terra cotta terminals on either side , is to be constructed of red

bricks with Bath and Portland stone dressings , with ornamental tile panels . On the upper floor there will be a bay window projecting * on an ornamental corbel , and , in a circular panel immediately over the centre plate , will be engraved a Masonic emblem . The building will have a frontage of 20 ft ., with a depth of 63 ft ., and its height to the extreme point of the gable will be 54 ft . The ground

floor is to be let off as offices , and the room on the first floor , 30 ft . tiin . long by 18 ft . wide , will be appropriated to the Chamber of Commerce , while the upper storey will have a Masonic club-room of equal dimensions , together vvith an ante-room 22 ft . by 14 ft . At the rear of the building are the Roman Catholic Schools , which , having been included

in the purchase , will be converted into a banquetingroom and a lodge room , with the requisite ante-rooms . The foundation stone , vvas of Portland , and bore thc following inscription : — " This foundation stone was laid by his Worship thc Mayor of Portsmouth ( Mr . Alderman W . D . King , J . P . ) , Chairman of the Company , August 9 th , 1879 . E . J . Smi : h , architect . W . D . Lewis , contractor .

Thc trowel used for the occasion was of silver , elaborately chased , with an ornamental ivory handle , and had inscribed upon it " Borough of Pottsmouth Freemasons ' Hall and Club Company . Presented to his Worship the Mayor ( Mr . Alderman W . D . King , J . P . ) on his laying thc foundation stone of the Club House , Commericial-road . W . D . Lewis , contractor . Emanuel J . Smith , architect .

August < jth , 18 79 . " The Mayor , in declaring the stone well ami truly laid , alluded with satisfaction to the presence of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., and described the negotiations which hatl led to the purchase of the site . A few energetic Masons had recognised the necessity of establishing what had long been wanted in the borough , a central meeting place for

the purpose of carrying out the principles of Masonry . They at once set to work , and the brethren generally cordially co-operated with them , with thc result that they would shortly have a decent building , in whicli pleasure and instruction might be advantageously blended . If they were assembled that day merely as speculative Masons , his position could not have been more fitly

occupied by Bro . Beach ; but they were there as operative Masons , and he could not , therefore , refuse to take part in the erection of a building which would be a credit to the borough , and reflect honour upon its designer and thc contractor . ( Hear , hear . ) From his knowledge of the Directors he hatl very little doubt that a few months hence they would again met t to celebrate the opening of the

club , and they would then readily accord to one and all who had been associated vvith the erection of the building that meed of praise to which they were fairly entitled . ( Hear , hear . ) It was in contemplation to open another Masonic lodge , and those outside the Craft would be glad to learn tbat Masonry was fast spreading in the borough , so that its principles were taking a firm hold upon those

who came together to help each other not only while they were in health but , what was far more material , when they were in sickness . He vvas much obliged to the R . W . Prov . G . M . for his presence , and hoped to have the pleasure of again seeing him at no distant day to celebrate the opening of that building and the consecration of an appropriate room .

The constitution of the Uuke of Connaught Lodge , No . 1834 , for which a warrant has been granted under the signature of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England , took place in the handsome Assembly Room at Cawte ' s Hotel , Southsea , on Saturday alternoon , the 9 th inst ., in the presence of a large number of members of the Craft , including a strong muster of

Past and Present Prov . Grand Officers and Worshipful Masters arid Past Masters . . The ceremony was impressively performed , and the Prov . G . M . expressed the great pleasure which he experienced in taking part in the constitution of the new loelge , as it showed the extent to which Freemasonry was spreading in the province , and particularly iu that locality . It was by no means satisfactory to found a new lodge when

there were grave doubts as to its success . In this instance , however , they need not entertain any such apprehension , but they might rest perfectly certain that under the auspices of the present Worshipful Master ( Bro . Henry Cawte ) who had had so much experience in Freemasonry , and others who would assist him , the lodge would attain a very good position in the Craft . After referring to the impetus which i new lodge often gave to Freemasonry , the P . G . M . said it was very gratifying to him to see , the way in which

New Masonig Hall, Club, And Lodge At Portsmouth.

Freemasonry was thriving . He reminded the W . M . and the brethren of the new lodge that considerable responsibility rested upon them , and it was for them to show that they were worthy of the confidence which was placed in them , and that they were determined to make the lodge worthy of the locality , . of the province , and of the Craft . No doubt , actuated by

these sentiments , they would achieve success , and that when he had the pleasure of attending the lodge again h , e should find not only his anticipations realised but exceeded . The musical portion of the ceremony was ably performed . Bro . F . Wilton presided at the harmonium , and the vocalists consisted of Bros . G . Pearman , 487 ; G . Grant ; S . W . 1705 ; J . W . Stroud , J . W . 1701 - ; Batchelor , 1705

Prov . G . Org . ; and G . F . Lancaster , Prov . G . Deacon and P . M . 903 . An appropriate oration was delivered by the Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . S . Scott . The plate used in the consecration of the lodge was lent by Bros . H . M . Emanuel and Sons . The W . M . designate ( Bro . H . Cawte ) was installed by the P . G . M ., who referred tothe deep interest whieh he had for many years taken in Freemasonry . The W . M . appointed his officers as follows : —

Bros . Thomas Good , S . W . ; George Mason , J . W .: S . R . Ellis , Treas . ; W . D . Parkhouse , Sec . ; G . F . Brown , S . D . ; Geo . Banning , J . D . ; J . W . Willmott , Dir . of Cer . j T . Larcom , I . G . ; Trivess , Steward . A cold collation was afterwards served in the corridor adjoining the Assembly Room , the Mayor presiding , supported by the P . G . M . and the Present and Past Provincial Officers .

On the conclusion of the repast , the Mayor gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In proposing " The R . W . the P . G . M . of Hants and the Isle of Wight , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , Constituting and Installing Officer ; the V . W . the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Hickman ; and the Officers of the P . G . Lodge , Present and Past , " the Mayor thanked the P . G . M . for his presence at the laying of the foundation

stone of the hall and club , thus showing his desire for the success of the undertaking . He spoke in eulogistic terms cf thc services rendered to Freemasonry by Bros . Hickman and Le Feuvre , and other officers of the Grand Lodge . The P . G . M ., in responding , referred to his devotion to Freemasonry , and to the gratification which he experienced in opening ne . v lodges , and mentioned that in the ensuing

week hc should be called upon to instal the Prov . G . M . elect of Devonshire . He had been asked to attend the laying the foundation stone of a new hall and club . That was a work in which Freemasons must take a warm interest . They were in the present day speculative Freemasons , but they could not be insensible to the fact that tlieir ancestors who laid the foundations of the Order were

operative Freemasons , and as such won fame , and handed down that fame to future ages . He could not , therefoie , but take thc warmest interest in the wcrk of operative Freemasonry , and he was pleased to stand by and see the Mayor performing the work he was called upon to do . It was not surprising that the directors of the new company , which would conduce to thc prosperity of Portsmouth ,

inasmuch as it would afford accommodation for some of its inhabitants , should ask the chief magistrate to lay the foundation stone , and he had pleasure in being present to afford him the sanction wbich the head of the Freemasons of this province could afford to the good work . He proposed "The Chairman of the Freemasons' Hall and Club Company , the Worshipful the Mayor of

Portsmouth , Bro . W . D . King , J . P ., the Directors , and Success to the undertaking . " The toast was received with great enthusiasm , and the Mayor , in reply , referred to the successful manner in which the preliminaries connected with the company had been carried out , and predicted that the undertaking would

prove remunerative to the shareholders and give an impetus to Freemasonry in the neighbourhood . The other toasts were " The W . M ., Bro . Henry Cawte , P . P . G . W ., and Success to the Duke of Connaught Lodge , " "The W . M . ' s and Representatives of neighbouring Lodges , " " The Visitors , " and " The Officers of the Lodge . "

Arrival Of Distinguished Canadians.

ARRIVAL OF DISTINGUISHED CANADIANS .

Among the passengers by the Allan steamship Sarmatian , which arrived in the Mersey at nine o ' clock on Monday , the 4 th inst ., after a very rapid passage from Quebec , were Sir John Macdonald , the Canadian Premier , and Lieut-Col . Sir A T . Gait , K . C . M . G ., D . C . L . Sir J . A .

Macdonald , though not very old , has performed great services for Canada , and won a distinguished place among Dominion celebrities . His father was a Sutherlandshire man , who migrated to Canada , and settled at Kingston , Ontario , where the Sir John was born on the nth January , 1815 . He studied for law , was called to the bar in . 1836 , and was made a & . C . ten years later , and is head of the

extensive law firm of Macdonald , Macdonald , and Marsh , Toronto . He is the Grand Representative in Canada , of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of . England , and now is a P . G . J . W . ofthe Freemasons of Canada . For more than thirty years he has occupied a prominent place among Dominion politicians , and in various ministries filled such posts as Receiver-General , Commissionei

ol Crown Lands , Attorney-General , Minister of Militia Affairs , Minister of Justice , and Prime Minister . The Premiership was offered to him as far back as 1865 , but he then waived his claim . In 18 73 he was unanimously appointed leader of the Canadian Liberal-Conservative Opposition , and last year he became Premier and Minister

of the Interior . Lieut .-Col . Gait is the youngtst son of the late Mr . Gait , a well-known wiiter of fiction , and for some years a Commissioner of the Canada Land Company . Lieut .-Col . Gait was born at Chelsea ,, ia England ., and educated in this country ; but has served Ca . na . da in many ways , and at present fulfils duties in connection with several public bodies in the Dominion .