Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF MIDDLESEX .

INSTALLATION OF COMP . THE RIGHT HON . LORD GEORGE HAMILTON , M . P ., AS GRAND SUPERINTENDENT .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Chapter was held at the Town Hall , Twickenham , on Saturday , the ioth inst ., when Comp . Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., was installed as Grand Superintendent in succession to the late Comp . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , in the presence of the largest gathering of Royal Arch Masons ever assembled under the banner of this successful province . The installation was performed by Comp .

W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., P . G . J ., assisted by Comps . Col . G . Noel Money , G . Supt ., as Prov . G . H ., and Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , as Prov . G-J . With Comp . Frank Richardson occupying the important post of D . C . it is scarcely necessary to add that the ceremony was carried out with . ' solemnity , smoothness and dignity , and the impressive function was heattily enjoyed by all the companions present .

Provincial Grand Chapter was opened , the minutes read and confirmed , and the Audit report accepted . Comp . W . W . B . BEACH , Grand J ., having taken the chair , said Ihe meeting had been summoned for the purpose of installing the Grand

Superintendent designate to the presidency of the province . He was glad to see so many assembled on this interesting occasion , and from the new Grand Superintendent ' s well-known skill and ability he trusted his appointment would be productive of good results to Royal Arch Masonry .

The Grand Superintendent designate was announced , ard having been introduced by a deputation of six Principals , headed by the D . C , was obligated , invested , proclaimed , and saluted . The Grand Superintendent appointed and obligated Comp . Raymond H . Thrupp , P . G . S . B .. as Prov . Grand H ., and Comp . Mead , as Prov . Grand J .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT then addressed the companions . He said that as the solemn ceremony of installation had been concluded , and as the result he had been installed as the Grand Superintendent of the Province of Middlesex , they would , perhaps , allow him , in a few words , to express his feelings on this occasion . When it was intimated to him that there was

an intention in high quarters to recommend him to this high post in Masonry , the highest to which it was possible to attain in the province , he felt some reluctance in having his name associated with the office , for which he felt he was scarcely qualified by previous experience or knowledge . He had the greatest reluctance in any way undertaking , or bring associated with

duties he was unable to perform , as he disliked being a mere figure head in any society or meeting , but he reflected that kindliness and sympathy were one of the characteristics of the Order , and felt confident that whatever his experience or shortcomings might be , he could rely upon the experience ard knowledge of those with whom he would be associated . In investing

the Prov . G . H . and Prov . G . J ., he abstained from describing their duties in any way , as he felt that in the positions they occupied , it was far more probable that at the outset he should lean upon them . The Installing Principal , in the weighty words he addressed to him , spoke from long experience as an administrator of the Order . He would bear in mind the words in

which he impressed upon him , that amongst the duties he had to discharge was , not too lightly to pass on for sanction any application for new chapters . In the solemn words of the ceremony they had gone through , they undertook their duties to advance the tone and interest of Royal Arch Masonry . Let him sincerely hope that the investiture which had taken place might

promote the best interests of Royal Arch Masonry , and that in years to come he might be able to asscciate his tenure of office with an increase both of members and efficiency of Rojal Arch Masons of the Province of Middlesex . On the proposition of Comp . BII . BY , Comp . Oliver was unanimousl y elected Prov . Grand Treasurer , and the following officers were appointed

and invested : f - ' omp . W . ' H . Lee ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Dr . Matthew ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Oliver ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ) , Cil > nn Smith ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

., Hakim ... ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . n Trehearne ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . » Holt ... ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . ii Marvin ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . .. Barnes ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

II Hislop ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . . 1 R . Poore ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . II Monger ( re-appoir . ted ) ... ... Prov .. G . Org . II Gilbert ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . The Audit Committee was appointed , and a vote of thanks passed to ° mp .. G . R . Langley for his services as Prov . Grand Treasurer .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

A vote of thanks was also accorded the Strawberry Hill and Sir Charles Bright Chapters for the use of furniture , and especially to Comp . R . W . Forge , to whose energy and assistance , a large measure of the success of the meeting was due . The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , in moving a hearty vote of thanks to the

Third Grand Principal for his attendance , said the manner in which he discharged the duties that day had given great satisfaction to every companion present . Comp . Beach had attained the highest ranks in Masonry , and there were few who had a greater knowledge of the working of the Craft and Royal Arch Masonry .

Comp . W . W . B . BEACH , G . J ., returned thanks , and expressed his pleasure at being present . He was always glad to discharge any duty in Freemasonry in his power if he could conduce in the slightest to the promotion of the Order . He was glad that day to be engaged in a ceremony

which , he felt sure , would be productive in the future of consequences of a most beneficial nature for the Province of Middlesex . He could only wish a . most happy and prosperous reign to the Grand Superintendent he had had the privilege of placing in the chair .

The Prov . Grand Chapter was , closed , and a banquet , provided by Bro . Barton , of the King ' s Arms , was subsequently enjoyed . In giving "The Queen and the Craft" the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT expressed the hope that it might be many years befor-: the people of England had to deplore the close of a beneficent and -ilmjst unprecedented reign of over 57 years of peace and prosperity .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT -hm o'o-. osod " H . R . H . th » Prince of Wales , M . E . Z ., " and said that one of fie p i n u-v fn-v : o is of M is > nrv was to give relief and con-. nl . uion t > ih i- « in rl . f .-s-. ol ! -n H . R . H , received word that the hus'iand of his sister-in-I i v wis m < In- i •¦ > i- - n i . t iliiih .

he hastened at once , notwithstanding his muhilartous eng igem uts , to I ml by his presence ome consoUtion to those afflicted . Let then nope fiat the Order would always be blessed with one as the head who would be associated so successfully with the work , and with that sentiment he asked them to drink the toast he had proposed .

" Th > i Grand Officers was next submitted by the Grand Superintendent , who said that a few minutes ago he should have b 'en able to couple the name of Comp . Beach , but unfortunately that companion hid been compelled to leave for a different part of the country . He was sure the companions appreciated Comp . Beach coming up from his country resident lo

be present that day . He always felt that one of the charms f Fieemis mry in its lowest and highest branches was the sense of jollity which always prevailed after dinner , and that induced one to speak in more colloquial language than one possessed before . Comp . Bi'ach was a really good companion and a very remarkable man . As a Member of Parliament his tenure of office

had been less contested than almost any other . A chairman of Quarter Sessions , an excellent master of hounds , and when a young man was the fastest sprint runner of the day . As a Mason he was always in the fire front , and every companion was acquainted with his work . Looking round for a companion to reply in Comp . Beach ' s place , he had come to the conclusion

that Comp . Richardson was the best suited to respond . He had been a most successful D . C . that day . All people , young or old in life , always liked their tutors to conduct their affairs . He could not express praise in Comp . Richardson ' s presence , but he wa ? quite right in associating his name with the toast for he came of the same category , and those were an honour to Freemasonry .

Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON , G . D . C , said he only wished he was endowed with the speaking qualities of their Grand Superintendent , to be able to return thanks in an equally good manner for the way in which he proposed the toast . On the part of the Grand Officers ha could only express their pleasure at having been present at the ceremony which had taken place ,

and for the second time having seen Lord George Hamilton installed at the head of this province in Masonry . It was a great pleasure to see Comp . Beach present , for he was a great favourite in Freemasonry as in other walks of life . On the part of the Grand Officers he thanked them most sincerely . Comp . Col . G . NOEL MONEY , C . B ., G . Supt . Surrey , said he felt it a

great privilege to be called upon to propose the next toast . He had been taken quite unawares , for this toast should have been proposed by Comp . Beach , whom they regretted had been obliged to leave . He could not but feel it a great privilege to propose " The Health of the Grand

Superintendent . " He had the great privilege of being present on the occasion of his installation as Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex , and it gave him great pleasure to see him installed , as he had been , as the Grand Superintendent in the Royal Arch . He must give his short word of acknowledgment and praise of the way that installation was performed by Comp . Beach ,, and he