Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

Ross Seator , S . W . 17 S 7 ; S . Knight , W . M . 574 ; W . E . Beal , 1555 ; F . G . Bayliss , 1 ^ 55 ; A . B . Barker , 209 ; W J . Gou « -h , S 40 ; J . S . Holland , P . M . 74 S ; W . A . Hart , 771 ; ° R , C . Mount , 414 ; G . J . Cosburn , 574 ; J . VV . Dover , 5 . 1 ; R - Berry , S 55 ; R . C . Pnchctt , 1101 ; I Ashby , 771 ; E . T . Biggs , i 5 fi 5 ; W . Woodbndge , 1566 ; M . H . Trill , I 5 C 6 ; " J . Batling , 1501 ; and W . LakeP . M . 131 P . P . G . Reg . { Freemason ) .

, , _ 'The Prov . G . Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the last Prov . " G . Lodge were read by thc PROV . G . SECRETARY , who also reported that a new lodge , thc Greenfield , No . 17 S 7 , had been formed at Buckingham . The P . G . Sec . also read the Charity Fund account and thc general account for the province—both being satisf _ Lctorv » Upon the motion of the D EPUTY PROV . G . MASTER ,

seconded by Bro . H . H . HEDGES , the sum of £ 31 10 s . was voted from the Provincial Fund to thc Charity Fund ; and upon the proposition of the D . P . G . MASTER , seconded by the P . G . M ASTER , it was resolved to make the following - •rants from the Charity Fund : To the Etonian Lodge , No . " 09 , £ 1 ° i ° - > to t , ie Union , No - 4 M > £ ' ° - > to t ,, e Hope , No . 574 , £ 10 10 s . ; to thc Buckingham , No . 591 , Te is .: to the Windsor Castle , No . 771 , £ 21 ( for two

years ); to the Scientific , No . S 40 , £ 10 10 s . ; to the Greyfriars , No . 1101 , £ 5 5 s . ; to the St . Peter and St . Paul , No . 1410 , £ 5 5 s . ; to the Wycombe , No . 1501 , £ 3 5 s . ; to the Ellington , No . 15 GO , £ 10 10 s . ; and to thc Watlingstreet , No . 1639 , £ 5 5 s . The report of the lodges showed that there were , 2 b members in the province—if > 9 being Past Masters . There had been no regular lodges held during the year , and

nine lodges of emergency ; forty-one new members had been initiated , and there were fourteen joining members . The various lodges had disbursed £ 242 4 s . 5 d . in charity , leaving a balance of £ 5 S 4 4 s . 1 id . Bro . Charles Stephens was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer , the Prov . G . Master thanking him heartily for his past services in that capacity . The Prov . G . Master then invested the following

brethren with thc Charity jewel : Bros . Dick Radclyffe , S . D . 009 ; S . Knight , W . M . 574 ; S . G . Hunt , P . M . 574 ; E . L . [ Shepherd , P . M . < J 45 ; R- G . Barton , J . W . 77 t ; and C . VV . Cox , W . M . 156 G . The PROV . G . MASTER then called the attention of the brethren to the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund , which it was proposed shoulel be a sort of auxiliary Charity to the great existing Masonic Charities—the Girls' and

Boys' Schools—b y creating a fund which would enable the Committees of these Schools to assist thc children and fi r- mote Iheir welfare on their leaving the Schools . Bro . ) ick Radclyffe had , he said , been instrumental in bringing this matter forward , and he wished it might prove a great success , and hoped that the brethren of the province would sympathise with the movement , and aid it by subscriptions . The Prov . G . Master then referred to the progress of Masonry in the county , and announced that the next annual

Provincial Grand Lodge woulel be held at Aylesbury . Tbe Provincial Grand Master then appointed and invested the Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bro . J . O'Carter , P . M . 209 Prov . G . S . W . . J . Reeve , P . M . 1 O 39 , and 840 , Sec .

„ ifi . vj Prov . G . J . W . Rev . E . De Ewer , 15 G 0 " Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . A . J . Riddle , W . M . 17 S 7 ... Prov . G . J . Chap . „ Charles Stephens , 414 Prov . G . Treas .

„ C . Oadcs , P . M . 414 Prov . G . Reg . „ R . Bradley , P . M . 414 Prov . G . Sec . „ J . R . Wilmer , P . M . 1410 Prov . G . S . D . „ G . M . Knight , 'PM . 574 Prov . G . J . D .

„ J . E . Danks , W . M . 1101 Prov . G . S . of VV . „ W . Biggs Prov . A . G . D . C . „ C . VV . Cox . Prov . G . D . C . ,, John Tomkins , W . M . 945 Prov . G . A . D . C . „ T . W . Robinson , W . M . 591 ... Prov . G . Swd . B .

„ 11 . Willis , W . M . 591 Prov . G . Org . „ A . Culverhouse , P . M . S 40 Prov . G . Purs . „ T . Taylor , W . M . 1410 ; J . W .-j Poulton , 591 ; S . VV . Slator , f „ n c . , . S 7 S Cough , S 40 ; Jowett ,\'rov G Stwds

-591 ; Dover , 591 ... J At the conclusion of the lodge business the brethren sat down to a recherche luncheon provided in thc Schoolroom by Mr . Tyler , of the Bear Hotel . The arrangements made by the Ellington Lodge for the reception of the Provincial Grand Lodge were deserving of

praise . SiK DANIEL GOOCH , Bart ., P . G . M ., occupied the chair , and at thc conclusion of the banquet the cloth was cleared , and the toast list commenced by "The Oueen and the Craft , " after which the P . G . M . gave "The Most Worship ful the G . M . of England , Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Healths of the Most Worshipful the Pro Grand Master of England , Lord Carnarvon , the Right Worshipful the D . G . M ., the Earl of

Lathom , and the Grand Officers of England , Present and Past , " and in doing se > expressed the pleasure the brethren experienced through the presence with them that day of the Grand Secretary of England , Bro . Shadwell Clerke . ( Applause . ) He also remarked that they were pleased to see with them Bro . Giddy , District Grand Master of Griqualand . Bros . GIDDY and Coi .. CLERKE responded , the latter obsi'rviii'j - that while this was the first occasion on which he

had had the pleasure of being present at a Masonic gathering in the Berks and Bucks Province , he hoped it would not be the last . ( Applause . ) This province shone most brilliantly among the other Masonic provinces of the country . The DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER in giving "Thc Health of the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , Sir D . Gooch , M . P ., " said that the energy

he threw into the work-, and the efficiency with which he carried out his office , was characteristic of him , and gratifying to them all . ( Applause . ) SIR DANIEL GOOCH , in responding to the toast , remarked upon the kindness always shown him by the brethren , and expressed the hope that he might long be soared

to meet them on similar occasions . Whatever effort he could exert on behalf of Freemasonry would always be at the disposal of the brcthicnof the province , and he trusted that they might meet in future years in as large numbers and under as auspicious circumstances as the present . ( Applause . )

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

"The Healths of the V . W . the D . P . G . Master , the P . D . P . Grand Masters , and the Past Grand Officers of the Province , " were then drunk with enthusiasm , and Thc DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER returned thanks , remarking that although he lived in Bucks he felt great interest in thc progress of Masemry in all parts of thc province , Berkshire included . ( Applause . )

" The Visiting Brethren " was next proposed by the P . G . MASTER , and Bro . FARR replied . Thc CHAIRMAN then proposed "The Masonic Charities . " These Charities always , he said , commended themselves to every true Mason w , ho was connected with them . There were present with them that day Bro . Binekes , thc hard working Secretary of the Boys' School , and Bro . Dick

Radclyffe , who was promoting the Royal Masonic Pupils ' AssistancejFund . ( Cheers . ) Bro . BINCKES , in reply , thanked them sincerely for the support the Charities received from the Berks and Bucks Province , and expressed a hope that they would extend their generosity to the Royal Masonic Pupils' Fund . He concluded by making a special appeal on behalf of thc

Boys School , which was more in need of support than the other Charities . He hoped the brethren of the province would attend the festival in its behalf in good numbers on the ist of July next . The P . G . M . then proposed "The Healths of thc P . G . Senior and Junior Wardens , which was suitably acknowledged .

Sir DANIEL GOOCH next gave "Thc Prov . Grand Treasurer anrfthe Prov . Grand Secretary , " Bro . CHARLES STEPHENS and Bro . ROBERT BRADLEY returning thanks , the latter of whom referred to the large amount contributed to the Masonic Charities by the Berks and Bucks Province , Bro . Radclyffe having , as Steward to the Charities , taken up lists representing £ 500 , and another brother in

Greyfnars Lodge £ 200 , besides the liberal sums collected by other Stewards . The remaining toasts included " The Health of the W . M ., Officers , and Brethren of the Ellington Lodge , " who were specially thanked for the reception given to thc Prov . Grand Lodge , and to this toast Bro . Cox , the W . M ., replied ; "The Health of thc P . G . Stewards , " proposed by the P . G . M ., and responded toby Bro . DICK RADCLYKFE ; and the Tyler's toast .

Conclave Of Knights Templar In Chicago.

CONCLAVE OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR IN CHICAGO .

Among the many popular demonstrations of which Chicago will be the centre this summer , that surrounding and attend ing the Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United Slates will be the most extensive and imposing . The National Republican

Convention will draw crowds of people and unquestionably provoke great popular enthusiasm , whoever the nominee may be , Washburne , Blaine , Grant , or the- " dark horse . " There will be some boomingof cannon , some blare of music , some flights of the eagle , great crowds and great excitements , crowded hotels and streets , and an endless torrent of talk in lobbies , and street corners , but there will be nothing

to catch the eye—no procession , no gay sights , no imposing turn outs , no pageantry . There is nothing of the decorative in politics . The wires which are pulled are secret . The machines which arc set in motion run in the privacy of committee-rooms . The Exposition Building will be filled with a crowd of scheming , plotting politicians , working for their favourite candidates , but public enthusiasm will not

culminate until some one of the candidates wins the prize . There will be a day's enthusiasm , and then the next morning or that night the multitude will seek their homes . The Masonic conclave , on thc other hand , will be in the nature of a pageant , for which preparations have been going on more than a year , with that gorgeous disregard of

expense that always characterises Knights Templary . The Grand Encampment , composed of the supreme legislative body , numbering about five hundred , which meets here on Monday , August lfith , for business , and continues in session one week , will be the nucleus of this pageant , and around it will gather not far from 30 , 000 Knights , who will escort the Encampment to its head-quarters on the Lake-Front .

The Exposition Budding , gorgeously decorated , has been secured , and thc entire Lake-Front from that building to Park Row will be dotted with the handsome tents of the Knights . They will represent every part of the United States and Canada , and many visitors from abroad will also be in attendance . On the 17 th the parade will take place , and will eclipse anything ever seen before in this country in

extent , brilliancy , and military precision and display , as the various commaneleries pride themselves upon their drill , in which respect there has always been a very lively competition among them . It is calculated that the line will be over five miles in length , accompanieel by 120 bands of music , embracing the finest musical organisations in the country . Elegant entertainments have also been provided for the

visitors in the way of banquets , excursions , and social festivities . It may be said literally that every hall , theatre , and hotel has been secured for ( hat week , in aeldltion to all of which a ball will be g iven at the Exposition Building that will eclipse anything of the kind ever known before in this country . The entire building will be thrown open , carpeted , and decorated in the most gorgeous manner , so that when

filled with gaily caparisoned Knights and ladies the sight will be a dazzling one . It is fortunate that this monster gathering is to beheld in Chicago , for two reasons : first , with her unrivalled facilities in the way of housing and entertaining people , she can easily accommodate them all ; and , second , her citizens have that spirit of pride and enterprise which would not rest

contented until all previous affairs of this kind had been set in the shade . She will extend a hearty and hospitable welcome to the thousands who will go there . She will meet them on the level and deal with them on the square . The great and universally acknowledged most attractive place of summer resort in this country will leave nothing undone to make their visit an occasion long to be remembered .

MASONIC SONGS . —A selection of Masonic Songs , set to popular airs , written by Bro . E . P . Philpots , M . D ., F . R . G . S ., is now rcad \ f , forming a handsome volume bound in cloth , with gilt edges , 3 s . Sent post free from the office of this paper on receipt of stamps or P . O . O . value 3 s . 2 d . — [ A DVT . ]

The Lord Mayor And Truro Cathedral.

THE LORD MAYOR AND TRURO CATHEDRAL .

On Monday a deputation waited upon the Lord Mayor , at the Mansion House , for the purpose of asking the cooperation e > f his lordship in the work of completing Truro Cathedral . There were present , amongst others , the Earl of Meuint-Edgcumbc ( Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall ) , the

Earl of Devon , the Earl of St . Germans , Lord Falmouth , Lord Molesworth , the Bishop of Truro , and Sir M . Smith . Lord Mount-Edgcumbe first of all read letters of regret from the Bishop of Exeter , the Mayor of Truro , Lord Clinton , Lord Robartes , Sir J . M'Garel-Hogg , M . P ., and Mr . Borlase , M . P ., that they were preventccrattending the meeting . It was pointed out by the deputation that the

estimated cost of the cathedral , which was the first erected in England since the Reformation , was £ 100 , 000 ; that £ 4 o , 0 < x > had already been subscribed , out of which , however , £ 10 , 000 had been expended in clearing the site ; and that a sum of £ 70 , 000 was yet required . The whole , or greater part of this money had been collected in Cornwall . This was exclusive ofthesum subscribed to found the

bishopric , towards which Lady Rolle gave the magnificent sum of £ 40 , 000 . The LORD MAYOR , in reply to the deputation , said : I need hardly say that 1 take a very deep interest in this movement ; no doubt owing to the fact that I was born at Truro and that all my relations and connections are Cornish people . My attention was drawn to this matter two or three

years ago , but as 1 was about becoming chief magistrate of this City I took no steps with reference ' to it , thinking that I should appeal with more effect to the citizens of London and others as Lord Mayor ; for I believe now , as I did then , that when the wants of the diocese of Truro were fully made known to thc wealthy and benevolent and to the rich and liberal City Companies , there would be no

difficulty whatever in raising the whole amount required . Therefore , I shall have very great pleasure in opening a fund at the Mansion House for the object you have in view . ( Cheers . ) I told you when 1 attended the ceremony in connection with the foundation of the cathedral at Truro , that

1 believed that in the City of London would be found a mine of wealth and a vein of gold untouched , which would yield abundantly to the efforts you were making to raise the money required . I most heartily grant your request , and trust that my expectations will be fully realised . ( Cheers . ) The deputation thanked his lordship and withdrew .

Exhibition Of Civic Plate.

EXHIBITION OF CIVIC PLATE .

On Friday evening , the 1 illi inst ., on thc invitation of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress , nearly 1500 guests attended a conversiisioiic at the Mansion House , at which a remarkable collection of the gold and silver plate possessed by the Corporation of the City of London and the ancient Citv guilds was exhibited , together with

various charters , records , and other documents of public interest . The plate collection included nearly 400 specimens , all of which were of ancient date , as attested not only by the hall-marks in each case , but , in many instances , by the ejuaint and curious inscriptions and devices upon them . This interesting exhibition gave some idea of the traditional wealth of the City companies , but the plate

shown was not a tithe of that possessed b y the various guilds , the articles exhibited having merely been selected from the much larger collection of modern or less ancient plate stored in their halls . Nearly all the guilds , with ready courtesy , placed their collections on loan at the disposal , for the evening , of the Chief Magistrate , only bespeaking that all necessary precautions against fire or

robbery should betaken . The companies represented were the Armourers and Braziers , the Barber-Surgeons , the Blacksmiths , Brodcrers , Butchers , Carpenters , Clockmakers , Clothworkers , Coachmakers , Cooks , Coopers , Cordwainers , Cutlers , Distillers , Drapers , Fanmakers , Goldsmiths , Grocers , Haberdashers , Innholders , Ironmongers , Joiners , Leatherscllers , Mercers ,

Merchant-Taylors , Neeefle-makers , Painter-stainers , Pewterers , Saddlers , Salters , Shipwrights , Skinners . Spectaclc-makers , Stationers , Tallow-chandlers , Tilers and Bricklayers , Vintners and Weavers . The Fishmongers' Company were the only prominent guild unrepresented . The articles comprised magnificent loving cups , punch-bowls , tankards , epergnes , flagons , ladles , rose-water dishes , salt-cellars , coffee-pots ,

ewers , snuffboxes , apostle spoons , and beadles staves . Among the more conspicuous exhibits were a grace-cup and cover presented to the Barber-Surgeons' Company by Henry VIII . in 1523 , and the Royal Oak Cup given to the same guild in 1575 by King Charles 11 . ; a large mazerbowl ( ball-marked 157 S ) belonging to the Armourers ' Company ; a magnificent cup and cover of Nuremberg

work exhibited by the Brodcrers Company ; a large and tastefully-worked cup and cover given to the Clothworkers ' Company by Samuel Pepys in 11 I 77 ; acup presented by W . Lambardi to the Drapers' Company in 157 H ; a helmetshaped ewer and great salver made by Paul Lamerie in 1741 for tbe Goldsmiths' Company ; a silver-gilt standing cup , embossed with three scenes from the "Book of Tobit , "

anil belonging' to the Haberdashers' Company ; a pair of mazer-bowls ( 15 th century ) belonging to the Ironmongers ' Company ; a grace-cup and cover given by Sir T . Legh to the Mercers' Company in 1499 ; a cocoanut cup , presented to the Saddlers'Company in 1 C 27 by T . Laybourne ; two Cokayne loving-cups bequeathed to the Skinners' Company in i 5 oq ; and three silver fish slices ( shaped like

bricklayers' trowels ) , exhibited by the Tilers and Bricklayers ' Company . Among other quaint exhibits were four silver garlands or hats formerly worn by the Master and Wardens of the Carpenters' Company ; the grant of arms to the Brodcrers' Company , dated 155 S ; acase of ancient watches contributed by the Clothmakers' Company ; some interesting specimens of work in iron , lent by the Blacksmiths '

Company ; ^ a golel lunette , or breast ornament , found on the Drapers Company ' s estate in Ireland ; the original ordinances of Dean Colet for St . Paul ' s School , lent by thc Mercers' Company ; two touch-plates of the Pewter Pilanufacturers , exhibited by the Pewterers' Company ; the ballot-box , marked 1 G 19 , in use by the Saddlers' Company ;

a bill of fare of the Salters' Company in 150 O ; a bog yew chair , lent by the Skinners' Company ; a grant of arms to the Tallow-chandlers' Company in 1446 ; a " Breeches" Bible and chained Bible , lent by the Tilers ' Company ; some ancient tapestry , lent by the Vintners' Company ; and the Weavers' Company ' s charter , attested by Thomas k . Becket , In addition to the companies' plate and