Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Hants And Isle Of Wight.

Bro . j . R . Rastrick , 62 ... ... ,.. Prov . G . Treas . „ J . Taylor , 54 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M , „ J . G . Tilling , Gs ... ... •• Prov . G . Sec . „ W . H . C . St . Clair , 2 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D .

„ R . W . Lees , 63 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ A . W . Painter , 125 ... ... ... Prov . G . L of VV . ,, Durrant , 320 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . ,, F . Sanders , 2 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . ,, C . Reynolds , 54 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br ,

„ Jenkins , 62 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br , ,, Pigeon , jun ., 320 ... ... ... Piov . G . Org . „ H . E . Loader , 17 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . ,, Lakeman , 54 ... ... ... ... ¦) „ H . Manners , 140 ... ... ... > Prov . G . Stwds . „ Col . Mead , 349 ... ... ... ) „ J . Exell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

Bro . LOVELAND LOVELAND said that Mark Masonry during the past year had made some wonderful progress , and now that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had been installed Mark Grand Master he was sure it would flourish still more . During the past twelve months 1461 certificates had been issued , making the total number of Mark Master Masons to 21 , 657 Eleven new Mark lodges had been constituted , and a new province—Hertfordshire—added .

No other business being brought forward , the Prov . G . Lodge was closed in due form . About twenty-four of the brethren then adjourned to the Drill Hall adjoining the lodge , and partook of a cold repast , to which ample justice was done .

" The Queen and Mark Masonry being duly honoured , Bro . LOVELAND L OVELAND proposed "The Health of the M . W . Grand Mark Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " which was received with great enthusiasm , as was that of " The R . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Kintore , and the D . G . M ., Lord Egerton of Tatton , and Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

Bro . LE FEUVRE , P . G . M . O ., responded , and said that all who heard Lord Kintore address the Prince of Wales at the installation were impressed lhat he had wonderful ability and the clear resume of the past and present of the Mark Degree was such as one would never forget , and must have impressed the G . M . M . with a very high opinion of the Mark Degree . ^ It was to the Earl of Kintore they owed the allegiance of England and Scotland together . The present Grand Officers would do for the Degree what those of the past had done in promoting the interest of the Order in the highest possible manner .

Bro . LOVELAND LOVELAND said he was about to propose a toast that brought them nearer home , he meant that of "The M . W . Prov . Grand Mark Master , Bro . Canon Portal . " ( Applause . ) In an assembly like the present it was hardly necessary for him to say much about the worthy brother , as he was in the heart of every good Mark Mason . ( Applause . )

He was ever ready to do any Masonic duties , and was a pattern Prov . G . M . M . to any in England . He ( Bro . Loveland ) regretted the Prov . G . M . M . was absent that day under circumstances which they were all sorry for . He hoped soon to have him amongst them again , and that time , the healer of all things , would soon allow him to forget the affliction . ( Applause . )

"The Healths of the Dep . P . G . M ., and Prov . Grand Officers , Past and Present , " and " The W . M . of the Wyndham Lodge " concluded the toast list .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Berks And Oxon.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF BERKS AND OXON .

The annual gathering of the Mark Masons of this province was held under the banner of the Porchester Lodge , at Newbury , on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., under auspicious circumstances , the weather being delightful , and the programme including a visit to Highclere Castle , the picturesque and beautifully wooded seat , of the Earl of Carnarvon , Past Grand Master , who manifested an unusual amount of interest in connection with the event . Nothwithstanding the fact of some London brethren missing the train at Paddington through an alteration in the train service ,

there was a good attendance , numbering about sixty . The Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Jersey , presided , supported by the Deputy Prov . G . Master , Bro . Charles Stephens ; Bro . Thomas J . Pulley , P . G . Secretary ; and other Prov . Grand Officers . The lodge business commenced shortly before one o ' clock , and included the reception of the usual reports , whicii were of a satisfactory character . Bro . E . J . Trendell , who had held the office of Provincial Grand Treasurer for several years , liaving resigned in consequence of age , Bro . Tomkins was unanimously appointed to succeed him .

The Provincial Grand Master re-appointed Bro . Charles Stephens as Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and Bro . STEPHENS briefly acknowledged the compliment . Bro . VV . MOKKIS , on behalf of the Worshipful Master , Officers , and brethren of the Jersey Lodge , invited the Provincial Grand Lodge to assemble next year at Maidenhead , and the PROV . GKAND MASTED , speaking on behalf of tbe brethren generally , said hc accepted the invitation with great pleasure . The Provincial Grand Master then appointed and invested the Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year as follows : —

Bro . S . Knight , 27 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ F . J . Ferguson , 235 ... ... ,., ... Prov . G . J . W . „ R . E . Baynes , 55 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ E . J . Shrewsbury , 257 ,,, ... ... Prov . G . S . O . „ M . Wheeler , 32 5 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . J . Atkins , M . A ., 27 .,, ... ... Prov . G . Chap . ,, Rev . ' Manley Power , 235 ... .., ... Prov . G . Chap .

„ E . Home , 247 ... ,., ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . „ T . J . Pulley , 2 35 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . VV . Lindars , 235 ... .., ... ... Prov . G . A . Sec . „ W . T . Toms , 27 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ C . A . Bacon , 247 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D .

„ J . E . Loveland , 55 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . T . Nundy , 27 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ C . B . Tubbs , 235 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . ,, R . Puttick , 257 ... .., ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br .

„ H . Arrowsmith , 257 .., ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . Newbery , 27 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ A . Burns , 27 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ B . W . Bennett , 235 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Stwd . „ W . Hemmings , 235 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Stwd . ,, G . Norwood , 55 ... ... ,,, ,., Prov . G , Tyler .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Berks And Oxon.

The Provincial Grand Lodge was closed shortly afterwards , and the brethren on the invitation of the Prov . Grand Senior Warden , Bro . Stephen Knight , who is also W . M . of the Porchester Lodge , partook of light refreshments served in a recherche style in the ante-rooms . The brethren were subsequently driven in a number of pair horse breaks lo Highclere Park , where a circuitous route was taken through the lovelv grounds skirting the expansive lake , the Castle being reached , after a ' most delightful drive ,

about half-past three . On ali ghting at the principal entrance to the stalel y pile , the visitors werc received in a very hearty and cordial manner by Lord Carnarvon , who was accompanied by the Countess and Lad y Margaret Herbert . The noble Earl led the way through the various apartments , describing the chief of the valuable paintings and other works of art ; after whicii there was an adjournment to the velvet-like lawn , where Bro . Hamlen , of the Queen ' s Hotel , Newbury , had prepared luncheon in a very creditable manner . The Earl of Jersey presided , and , on

his lordship s invitation , the Countes of Carnarvon and Lady Margaret Herbert honoured the brethren with their presence at luncheon . There were also present the Earl of Carnarvon and the Rev . Canon Portal , Past Grand Masters of the Mark Masons ; the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Stephens ; the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens , Bros . Stephen Knight and Francis J . Ferguson ; thu Provincial Grand Chaplains , Bros , the Re , s . J . Atkins and Manley Power ; the

Provincial Grand I reasurer , Bro . Tomkins ; the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Pulley ; Bros . Shepherd , Morris , Margrett , Glasspool , D'Almaine , Simpson , Wheeler , Nicholson , Hall , Cosburn , Boyer , Hidley , Ravenscroft , Home , Tom--, Tubbs , Nundy , Newbery , Burns , Harrold , G . M . Knight , Shepherd , VV . Knight , E . Head , Graham , Maychurch , Palmer , Dodd , Canning , Nicholson , Arrowsmith , Adker , King , Jenkin , Thompson , Lewis , Creed , James , Strausom , Hickie , Hemmings , Legg , and others .

Grace before luncheon was said by the Rev . J . Atkins , and after by the Rev . Manley Power . Dessert having been introduced , the PROV . G . MASTER ably proposed the first toast , " The Queen and Mark Masonry . " The brethren , led by Bro . Newbery , sang the National Anthem . The P . G . M ., in proposing " The Health of the M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " said this was undoubtedly a most eventful year in the annals of Mark Masonry ' . After some years of difficulty , not to sav oonnsition . the M .-irk

Masons had this year the honour of having as their G . M . H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales —( cheers)—whicii they might regard as the crowning point of the edifice . ( Cheers . ) They now looked forward with feelings of pride and satisfaction to Mark Masonry holding its own , not rivalling , but progressing , side by side , with Craft Masonry , and doing all that was possible in the promotion of good works . ( Cheers . ) The toast was drank with loyal enthusiasm , and Bro . Pulley sang " God bless the Prince of Wales . " h

The P . G . MASTER next proposed " The Health of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and having borne testimony to the great ability and zeal shown by Lord Kintore during his term of office , referred to the presence on this auspicious occasion of two Past Grand Masters—Lord Carnarvon and Canon Portal—dwelling on the eminent services they had rendered to Mark Masonry , and acknowledging the great kindness and courtesy which Lord Carnarvon had extended towards the brethren of Berks ancl Oxon by receiving them at the Castle and conducting them throusrh it . (" Cheers-I

Lord J ERSEY regretted they had not had time to see all the beauties of Highclere , but expressed his hope that they would have the opportunity- of doing so 011 some future occasion . ( Loud cheers and laughter . ) The noble ' Earl associated with the toast the names of Past Grand Masters Lord Carnarvon and Canon Portal . ( Cheers . )

Lord CARNARVON , in the course of an eloquent and interesting reply of some length , remarked that his first connection with Mark Masonry dated many years ago , more years , indeed , than he liked to count up , but when " he looked back on the progress of Mark Masonry during the interval , he felt that the retrospect was a very satisfactory one . ( Cheers . ) When he had the honour of holding office in 1 S 63 , Mark Masonry was prosperous and flourishing , and they thought themselves fortunate in the possession of 40 lodges ; now , however , his Royal Highness tho Prince of Wales had under his rule no less than 3 S 0 lodges . ( Cheers , ) Thev also possessed a Benevolent Fund , an Annuity Fund , and an Education Fund , and

these were in fact , the pillars and columns upon which their Order ought to rest . ( Cheers . ) There had been prosperity in the past , and there was progress in the present , and they had a very good augury for the future of Mark Masonry in the acceptance by the Prince of Wales of the ofiice of Grand Master . ( Cheers . ) His Lordship went on to speak of the great debt which Mark Masons owed to Past Grand Master Canon Portal , to whose energy , vigour , and ability the success that had attended Mark Masonry \ v ; vs largely due . ( Cheers ) .

Many years had rolled by since the time when Bro . Portal and himself commenced Masonry together , when , in fact , Bro . Portal taught him his Masonic duties , Bro . Portal being Master , and he ( Lord Carnarvon ) an undergraduate , at Oxford . ( Cheers . ) He assured the brethren that they were most heartily welcomed at Highclere , and he felt that Highclere had been honoured by this gathering . He accepted the half promise made by Lord Jersey that they would visit Highclere again on some future occasion . ( Cheers . ) Masonry and Highclere were not

altogether strange and foreign words . There once lived in that very pile of buildings—Highclere Castle—one of the most illustrious Masons that the history of English Masonry , or English history generally , bore record of . For a certain time thc Great William of Wykeham lived within those walls . He was one of an illustrious band of men who built for the service of God and the use of man those great and magnificent buildings which subsist to this day —( cheers)—whose venerable faces spoke to them of the faith in God , and the reverence that dictated their

erection . ( Cheers . ) We in our day were not called upon to erect such stately edifices , they were the work of a by-gone generation , and we were no longer Operative Masons in that sense ; but , on the other hand , they had works of Charity to carry out —( cheers)—and whether they met as Craft Masons or Mark Masons they always recognised that the fundamental rule and practice of tlieir Order consisted of the fulfilment of the great Masonic duty of Charily . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Canon PORTAL , Past Grand Master , also replied in an able speech .

Lord CARNARVON , in eulogistic terms , proposed "The Health of Lord Jersev , P . G . M ., " who brielly responded . The remaining toasts included "The Health of the Dep . Piov . Grand Master , Bro . Stephens ; " "The Provincial Grand Ofiicers , " for whom the P . G . Treasurer , Bro . TOMKINS , responded ; "The W . M ., Wardens , and Brethren of the Porchester Lodge , " replied to by Bro . STEPHEN K . VIGHT , W . M ., P . G . S . W . ; "Then / ark Benevolent Fund , " proposed by Rev . Canon POSTAL , nnd replied to bv Bro . PULLEV , P . G . Secretary ; "The Visiting Brethren , " tor whom Bro . the Rev . A . H . ETTV , P . P . G . Chaplain of Bengal , replied .

Loud and repeated cheers having been given for " Lord and Lady Carnarvon , Lord Porchester , and other niembers ' of their family , " the noble Earl expressed his warmest thanks , and added his best wishes for the continued prosperity of the Porches'er Lodge . The visitors then took leave of the noble Earl and Lady Carnarvon , and amidst

loud cheers , thc return journey to Newbury was commenced at seven o ' c ' . ock , Newbury being reached shortly before eight . The brethren of the Porchestct Lodge were heartily thanked for the great hospitality and kindness they had shown , and warmly congratulated on the unqualified success that had attended the excellent arrangements , one and all confessing that this had proved the most enjoyable day spent in connection with this Prov . Grand Mark Lodge .