Consecration Of The Lennox Browne Lodge, No. 2318.

Colonies Exhibition—when no less than 40 Colonies and Dependencies of the British Empire where represented by guests . The S . W . being absent on foreign service , Bro . Lennox Browne was elected second W . M . of the Empire , forfeiting for the time the privilege of ruling his mother lodge ; and in consequence of the death of Sir William Hewitt , he filled the chair for a second year . In the meantime , however , he had been designated as first W . M . of a new lodge in Essex—the

Warner—named after one of his own initiates in the Empire , a prominent county gentleman and proprietor in the nei g hbourhood of Chingford . Such was the energy of our brother and his power of inspiring enthusiasm , that before his year of office was expired , his J . W ., Bro . Scoresby-Jackson , took steps to found a new lodge at Buckhurst Hill , a district full , as we understand , of Masonic material needing a home , and ready for development , and in asking Bro . Lennox Browne , as W . M . of

a neighbouring lodge , to support the petition , Bro . Jackson informed him of the unanimous wish of the Founders , that he would give the new lodge his name and act as I . P . M . Bro . Lennox Browne has also inaugurated a Royal Arch Chapter in connection with the Empire Lodge ; is a member of the Earl of Sussex Lodge , 2201 ; is a Founder and Overseer of the recently consecrated Egerton of Tatton Mark Lodge , and Ark Mariners Lodge ; and was elected to the 30 ° in May last . He was also one of the earliest to be inducted into the Secret

Monitors , of which Order he was one of the first Grand Officers , and is a Past G . R . Bro . Lennox Browne was elected last month , on his first application , as a member of the Board of General Purposes , being second on the list of W . M . ' s . He is also a member of the General Committee of the Grand Chapter and of the Colonial Board . Lastly , our brother has been a yearly liberal contributor to all our Charities , and has served four Stewardships ; he is a Vice-President of the Benevolent Institution .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Berks and Bucks was held in the Assembly Rooms , Reading , on Thursday , the nth inst ., under the presidency of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg ( in the unavoidable absence , through indisposition , of the Prov . G . M ., Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart . ) .

The brethren , numbering nearly 100 , assembled , and shortly afterwards Prov . G . Lodge was opened by the D . P . G . M ., assisted by Bro . John Tomkins , P . P . S . G . W ., the Prov . G . Ollicers , the Past Prov . G . Officers , and other brethren .

The D . P . G . M . expressed the great regret which he was sure was felt by all the brethren that their much esteemed P . G . M . ( Sir Daniel Gooch ) , was unable to preside on this occasion owing to the state of his health . Sir Daniel had not been well for some time , and it was undesirable he should overtax his strength by undertaking duties which involved a certain amount of toil as well as pleasure . They all entertained the hope that Sir Daniel ' s ailment was merely of a temporary character , and that when they next assembled they would have the advantage of Sir Daniel ' s presidency as usual .

The minutes of the last annual Provincial Grand Lodge held at High Wycombe on the 25 th of June , 1888 , having been printed and circulated , were taken as read , on the motion of Bro . TOMKINS , P . M ., seconded by Bro . MOUNT , P . M . The Provincial Grand Secretary ( Bro . ROBERT BRADLEY , P . G . Swd . Br . Eng . ) read letters he had received from distinguished Masons , including Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., P . G . M . Middx . ; Col . Shadwell Clerke , G . Sec . ; Bro . F . West , Dep . P . G . M . Surrey ; and others .

The P . G . SECRETARY then read over the list of the 25 lodges in the province , nearly the whole of which were represented . The roll of the Prov . Grand Officers appointed last year was also called . The financial statement of the Prov . Grand Treasurer ( Bro . Charles Stephens , P . M . ) , and the report of the Charity Committee were presented , and adopted , and various amounts were voted to the subscribing lodges in the province , to be applied to the Masonic Charities , as the respective lodges may decide .

A discussion ensued in reference to the working of the Charity Committee , and there were expressions of opinion from Berkshire and Buckinghamshire brethren alike , that , seeing the number and strength of the lodges in the two counties , the "lime had arrived when the province should be divided . The PROV . G . SECRETARY then read an interesting report upon the condition of the different lodges in the province , from which it appeared that there were 8 99

members and 221 Past Masters . During the past year 158 regular lodges and 12 lodges of emergency had been held , and during the same period there had been 33 joining members and 6 3 initiations . The increase in the membershi p during the 12 months had been about 70 . A new Iodge ( the George Gardner Lodge ) was consecrated at Datchet by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master on the 13 th May , the number of the lodge being 2309 .

The DEPUTY PROV * . GRAND MASTER congratulated the brethren upon the progress which Masonry had made in the province during the past year , as shown by the gratifying report just read by the Prov . Grand Secretary . The Dep . P . G . M . also alluded to the satisfactory state of the finances , and the valuable services of the Prov . Grand Treasurer , Bro . Charles Stephens , whose re-election he proposed with much pleasure .

Bro . E . L . SHEPHERD , P . M ., P . J . G . W ., seconded the motion , which was unanimously agreed to . The D . P . G . M . then invested the following with the Provincial Charity jewel : Bros . John W . Martin , P . M . ; Maurice Wheeler , P . M . ; . Charles E , Belcher , P . M . ; Charles Stephens , P . M . ( with bars ); and M . J . Withers , P . M . ( with ribbon ) . The officers appointed by the Provincial Grand Master for the ensuing year were then invested with their insignia of office as follows :

Bro . E . Margrett , HOI ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ E . H . Cox , 16 39 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . R . Williams , 574 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Charles Stephens , 414 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ G . H . Charsley , 1 894 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . Bradley , 414 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ T . T . Fountaine , 948 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ J . W . H . Thompson , 2228 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . E . Sy denham , 20 43 ••• ••• Prov . G . S . of W „ W . Sherwood , 414 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ M . H . Palmer , 574 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ Raymond Tucker , 18 99 ... ... ... Pr 0 v . G . Swd . Br „ Maurice Wheeler , 945 ... ... ••¦ 'A r CI-A U " Chas . A . Bennett , 178 7 j Prov . G . Std . Brs „ G . F . Slade , 188 7 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec „ T . Page , 771 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ Chas . Slaughter , 1101 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst „ J . T . Dodd , 414 ... ... ... ... - ) „ B . W . Bennett , 2043 ¦•• ••• - ( -n r c * . A „ A . Turner , 18 94 ^ Prov . G . Stwds . „ Stubbington , 2043 ... ... ... J ,, W . Hemmings ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

This concluded the business on the agenda , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed . The banquet was served in a very satisfactory manner in the hall of the

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

Assembly Rooms , by Bro . Flanagan , P . M . The musical arrangements were carried out by Bros . E . Richardson , H . O . Crane , P . M ., and W . E . Knowles , under the direction of Bro . A . Rowley , P . M ., and their excellent performances contributed largely to the pleasure of the company . The first toast on the list , " The Queen and the Craft , " having been honoured The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER proposed "The Health of the Grand

Master of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " observing that the Prince was not merely a Grand Master in name , but also in deed , and there was no detai l con . nected with the hig h office of which his Royal Hi ghness was not cognizant . Indeed the Prince took a deep and active interest in everything that concerned the welfare of the Craft , and this was a circumstance which must be hi ghly gratifying and satisfactory to the whole body of Masons .

The next toast honoured was that of The Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , and the rest of the Grand Officers of England , Present and Past . " He had much pleasure in associating with this toast the name of the estimable Grand Secretary of this Province , Bro . Robert Bradley , Past G . S . B .

Bro . BRADLEY , in responding , said that to have his name associated with this toast was regarded by him not only as an honour to himself , but also to the province with which he had had the pleasure of being connected for so many years They all knew how much they , as Masons , owed to the Prince of Wales . Since his Royal Hig hness had held office as Grand Master there had been a vast increase in the number of Masonic lodges throughout the country . The Prince took a warm personal interest in the prosperity of Masonry , and there was no Mason who had

worked harder or more assiduously to promote the welfare of the Craft than did the Grand Master himself . As Masons they must all feel anxious that the interesting event in the Prince ' s family , which was soon about to take place , would prove a source of satisfaction and happiness to the Prince and Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family . Referring to the rest of the Grand Officers Bro . Bradley particularly spoke of the Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , who gave most thoughtful and careful attention to all matters affectino * the welfare of Masonry .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed " The Health of Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., Prov . Grand Master , " and expressed the regret which all the brethren must feel that Sir Daniel was not able to be present through indisposition . They entertained the hope , however , that Sir Daniel ' s illness was merely of a transitory character , and that when they next met Sir Daniel would be in his usual place . They all wished their Prov . Grand Master a speedy recovery .

Bro . TOMKINS , P . M ., in eulogistic terms , gave " The Health of the Dep . Prov . Grand Master , " who acknowledged the compliment , and proposed the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " to which Bro . Terry , the Secretary to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , suitably replied . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER proposed "The Health of the Prov . Grand Officers , " for whom the S . G . W ., Bro . MARGRETT , and the J . G . W ., Bro . Cox , severally responded .

The toast of " The W . M . ' s and the Officers of the Reading Lodges , " given by the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , was responded to b y Bros . SHERWOOD and SLAUGHTER .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in flattering terms , proposed "The Health of the Prov . Grand Treasurer and Prov . Grand Secretary , " and Bro . STEPHENS and Bro . BRADLEY respectively returned thanks , the latter announcing that the next Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at A ylesbury . " The Health of the Caterer , Bro . Flanagan , and the Stewards , " was drunk , and the Tyler ' s toast having been given , the company rose .

The officers and brethren present included the following : Bros . Rev . J , Studholme Brow . irigg , Dep . P . G . M ., acting as P . G . M . ; E . L . Shepherd , J . G . W . ; R . Williams , Asst . P . G . Chap . , * C . Stephens , P . G . Treas . ; R . Bradley , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . G . Sec , ; Sydney Payne , P . S . G . D . ; C . H . Tench , P . J . G . D . ; J . Finch , P . G . S . of W . ; Geo . Fisk , P . G . S . B . ; C . G . Hawkes and Geo . J . Cosburn , P . G .

Pursts . ; f . Page , J . W . H . Thompson , and Cyril B . Tubbs , P . G . Stwds . ; S . Wheeler , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . Ferguson , P . P . J . G . D ., * Charles E . Belcher , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . S . Cantrell , P . P . J . G . D . ; M . J . Withers , P . P . J . G . D . ; F . R . Harnett , P . P . G . Chap . ; H . Lewis , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . Tomkins , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . H . Bull , P . P . J . G . W . ; Charles Terry , P . P . S . G . W . ; C . W . Smith , P . P . G . S . of W .: I . C . Tirbutt . P . P . G . Or !? . : C . D . Hume . P . G . D . C T I . mvsnn . G . S . of W . ; J . C . TirbuttP . P . G . Org . ; C . D . HumeP . G . D . C JLawson

, , ; . , P . P . S . G . D . ; I . W . Martin , P . P . G . Reg . ; A . Parry , P . P . G . S . ; G . H . Charsley , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . C Mount , P . S . G . W . ; R . Nicholson , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; S . Knig ht , P . P . G . D . C ; F . J . Ferguson , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . H . Hawkes , P . P . A . G . S . ; E . Margrett , P . P . G . S . B . ; Arthur Welch , P . P . G . R . ; A . Sellar , P . P . J . G D . W . AV . Ridley , P . P . G . . ; E . H . Cox , P . G . S . ; E . Baxter , P . G . S . ; T . J . Pulley , P . P .

G . D . C . Surrey ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; A . Rowley , P . P . S . G . W . Oxon ; H . 0 . Crane , P . P . S . G . D . Oxon ; J . Bliss , B . Fountaine , T . T . Fountaine , M . Wheeler , T . F . Lane , G . F . Slade , W . L . Harnett , W . Hickie , A . H . Simpson , W . Treverton , C . Slaughter , H . R . Partridge , J . Sparrow , W . B . Biddies , R . E . Holder , H . Gilligan , George Gardner , J . Marshall , J . T . Dodd , C . A . Bennett , G . S . Gait ,

E . W . Ridley , G . H . Stubington , R . L . Reed , J . E . Sydenham , A . Turner , E . 0 . Jackson , J . Chapman , W . Sherwool , Rev . W . Miles Myers , W . Sevenoaks , B . Bennett , H . Sherwin , j . Greenaway , E . P . Silver , W . R . Palmer , W . G . Millar , W . Holcombe , H . King , W . W . Morgan , W . E . Knowles , W . G . Flanagan , A . Turner , J . Baker , Raymond Tucker , Enoch Richardson , Wm . R . Nicholas , and others .

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN . — -The well-kown American statesman , who was also , as our readers know , emphatically a self-made man , and as such deserves the commendation of all who value and believe the upward and onward movement of human self-elevation . He was born at Boston in 1706 , anddied in Philadelphia in 1790 . We need not follow the course here of his social struggles or his political career , as they are beside and beyond our work . As a Freemason

he was a zealous and devoted member of our great Order . When he was made a Mason is not quite clear ; indeed , there seems some little confusion , at any rate uncertainty , as to the exact position of early American Freemasonry , especially in Pennsylvania . It does clearly appear that at the time when Price received his patent from England , about which questions have been raised by Bro . Jacob Norton , a Masonic lodge existed at Philadelp hia *

A lodge was working in Philadel phia in 1730 . Franklin himself is said by som to have been made a Freemason in England , but we are not aware that any evidence of the fact has so far turned up . Whether Franklin set up the lodge in Philadelpl >' on the authority of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts organised b y Price , or on the authority of some other existing body , is not to us quite clear , though it is said that he was appointed its first Master on a petition in lune . I 7 * u . bv the Grand

Lodge of Massachusetts . But in November , 1734 , Franklin calls himself Grand Master of Pennsylvania , and applies to Price for friendl y recognition . Franklin was clearly , according to Bro . C . P . McCalla , Master or member of a lodge at Philadelpl * ' before 1 734 . When in France , as Ambassador of the United States , he became affilia to the famous " Loge des Neuf Sceurs , " and during his stay at Paris he was present

at the reception of Voltaire , February 7 th , 1778 , and acted as Warder in t " Funeral Lodge of November 30 th , for the new brother only admitted in February and who died in May that same year . The Lodge of the "Nine Sister Muses ' also received Franklin in a Lodge of Adoption at Auteuil , in the House of Si *** Helvetius , which was made the occasion , Besuchet tells us , of a brilliant fete , y are g lad to think that Franklin belonged to our Order . He reprinted the Engl ' ' Constitution of 1723 in 1734 . —Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry . 1