Consecration Of Striguil Lodge, No. 2186, At Chepstow.

The labours of the day being ended , the brethren adjourned to the Beaufort Arms Hotel , where a well-served banquet awaited them . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts vvere duly honoured , that of « Prosperity to the Striguil Lodge , " g iven by the PROV . GRAND MASTER , being received with enthusiastic applause . In the course of his remarks

he alluded to the fact that this vvas the seventh lodge constituted within the province in the 19 years during which he had been connected with it , and he expressed a hope that Striguil , though the youngest , would not be behind the other lodges in the exercise of all the objects , duties , and virtues of Masonry .

The enjoyment of the meeting was much enhanced by an excellent selection of songs , to the accompaniment of Bro . VV . B . Broad , by Bros . Capt . Homfray , Col . Perkins , C . Richards , G . F . Jakeway , and James Hug hes , also by an admirable recitation of " The crew of the Nancy Belle , " by Bro . Dix , W . M . 1429 . The Tyler ' s toast closed a very successful and enjoyable meeting . The whole of the furniture , collars , and jewels were manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , London .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF MIDDLESEX .

The thirteenth convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Middlesex was held at the Abercorn Hotel , Great Stanmore , on Saturday , the 14 th inst . Comp . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Prov . G . Supt ., presided , and was supported by the following Prov . Grand Officers : Comps . Raymond H .

Thrupp , Prov . G . 2 nd Principal ; Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , Prov . G . 3 rd Principal ; J . F . H . Woodward , Prov . G . S . E . ; J . T . Briggs , Prov . G . P . S . ; C . H . Webb , Prov . G . Swd . Br .: W . H . Lee , Prov . A . G . S . E . ; and J . S . Fraser , Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . E . There vvere also present

Comps . F . Sumner Knyvett , G . Swd . Br . ; A . W . Duret , P . Z . 3 S 2 ; G . E . Clark , jun ., Z . 1777 ; C . E . Keyser , P . Z . 404 , Z . 1549 ; G . J . Dunkley , P . Z . 1503 ; G . L . Wingate , M . E . Z . 1423 ; Jas . Ollerhead , M . E . Z . 94 6 ; J . J . Marsh , M . E . Z . 1326 ; C . Veal , P . Z . 1489 ; C . L . Smiles , P . P . G . R . 1503 ; W . Fooks , M . E . Z . 1691 , P . P . G . R . ; W . Taylor , P . Prov . G . J . ; W . A . Rogers , 1 549 ; B . Haynes , J . 1549 ; R . H . Blackford , P . Z . 1549 ;

G . Gregory , P . Z . 2048 ; J . Ferguson , P . Z . 1691 ; R . Pasco , 1549 ; J . C . Smith , 1507 ; T . E . Edmonds , S . N . 1507 ; A . H . Scurrah , 204 S ; J . K . R . Cama , 1503 ; E . G . Lewis , Z . 1237 ; W . M . Stiles , M . E . Z . 204 S ; H . Stiles , P . Z . 1507 ' ; G . Mordy , 1507 ; R . F . Hosken , 1503 ; W . W . Morgan , 141 ; D . R . Soanes , 1549 ; E . Cowley , 1549 ; J . Etherington , 619 ; E . Y . Jolliffe , J . 1194 ; and W . W . Lee , 1524 .

The Prov . G . Chapter having been opened , the roll of chapters in the province vvas called , and the minutes of the last convocation read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee , showing a balance in hand of j £ 34 6 s . gd ., vvas also read , and on the motion of Comp . SCURRAH was adopted .

The Prov . G . SUPERINTENDENT re-appointed Comp . Raymond H . Thrupp , as 2 nd Prov . G . Principal , and appointed and invested Comp . A . W . Duret , P . Z . 382 , as 3 rd Prov . G . Principal . Comp . H . Lovegrove was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer , but , being unavoidably absent , was not re-invested . The following officers were appointed and invested : —

Comp . j . F . H . Woodward ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . S . E . „ J . Ferguson , 1691 ... ,,. ... Prov . G . S . N . „ W . M . Stiles , Z . 2048 ... ... ... Prov . G . Prin . S „ C E . Keyser , Z . 1549 ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S „ G . L . Wingate , 1 423 ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 ndA . S „ C L . Smiles , 1503 ... ... ,,, Prov . G . Reg . „ G . Clark , jun ., 1777 ... ... ,,, Prov . G . Swd . Br „ J . Ollerhead , Z . 946 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br „ Dr . Rogers , 1549 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . J . Marsh , Z . 1326 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . H . Lee , P . P . G . Std . Br . ( re-appointed ) ... - Prov . A . G . S . E . „ G . J . Dunkley . P . S . 1503 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Gilbert ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

Comp . THRUPP then said that they had been working without bye-laws for many years , and as they had recently revised the by-laws of the Prov , G . Lodge , he proposed that a Committee consisting of Comps . Ferguson , Tickell , Scurrah , and Lee , should be appointed to frame bye-laws for the Prov . G . Chapter .

Comp . DURET having seconded this proposition , it was carried unanimously . Comp . THRUPP said most of the companions were aware that Comp . H . Lovegrove , Prov . G . Treas ., had taken a great deal of trouble in bringing out the Provincial Pocket Book . Most of the Secretaries had willingly given all the information they could , but he wished to impress upon the Secretaries and Scrires the desirability of giving the fullest particulars to Comp . Lovegrove , for the Pocket Book was a very great assistance to the Prov . G . Officers . He , therefore , asked all Secretaries and Scribes in the

province to aid Comp . Lovegrove in his labour of love , and reminded them that all profit on the work vvas generously handed over to the Masonic Charities . _ Comp . WOODWARD also pointed out the great inconvenience which arises from companions and brethren not giving the fullest particulars . There beine no further business the chanter was closed in due form .

The companions subsequently met at a substantial repast , after which the usual toasts were given and received with the usual heartiness . Comp . Col . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Bart ., Grand Supt ., having proposed " The Queen and R . A . Masonry , " said the next toast was one that would come to the hearts of all , for it was that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , First Grand Principal . " They all received him as one of themselves ,

cne manner in which he carries out the duties of his high position Jnders him deserving of the highest esteem . His Royal Highness was one the most distinguished members of the Order , and vvas always quite ad yto do what he could to advance its interest . It was , therefore , with sfeat pleasure that he asked them to drink to the health of their M . E . First ^ rand Prinr . inal .

Sa Ahe PROV . G . SUPERINTENDENT then gave "The Grand Officers , " and ju 'he toast included some of the most important members of Royal Arch int Sonr y * There were the three Grand Principals , who look after the tee ! i anc * advancement of the Order . They were looked up to and esmed by allfor thev were at all times Quite readv to nerform their duties

, vjj e ° est of their ability . He was sure he need not speak of them indi-Very 1 ° ^ er t 0 t ' ' P ersona ' excellences . He knew Comp . Lord Leigh e xceil an < ^ tlle ' nterest he takes in the Order , and he was aware that that raj ¦ en . t companion , in conjunction with many others , was instrumental in £ it to its present high position . He was happy to sav there was one

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

Grand Officer present whom he was certain they vvould all appreciate , for Comp . Knyvett , G . Swd . Br ., had rendered excellent service in many ways . He was very pleased to see Comp . Knyvett there , and it was with a great deal of pleasure he coupled his name with the toast . Comp . F . SUMNER KNYVETT , Grand Swd . Br ., said he rose with great diffidence and pleasure after the flattering speech of the Grand

Superintendent , to cordially return thanks for the hearty reception they had given him . It would be presumption on his part to respond for the Grand Principals , further than endorsing all the remarks that had been made concerning them . With regard to the other Grand Officers , he was quite sure they had but one object in view , and that vvas to promote the interest , and maintain the ancient landmarks of the Order . One of their greatest

pleasures and rewards was to merit the esteem of the members . The G . Superintendent had conferred a great honour upon him by coupling his name with the toast , for he saw on his left a distinguished Grand Officer . That companion had justly merited the esteem of all , and he could only say , as far as he was personally concerned , that it would be his study to maintain those ancient landmarks to the best of his ability , and he hoped in

years to come he should likewise merit their esteem . Comp . RAYMOND H . THRUPP , Second Prov . G . Principal , then said they had come to the toast of the evening , it was " The Health of their Prov . G . Superintendent , Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart . " They were all aware it would take him a very long time to do ample justice to the toast , but fortunately Sir Francis vvas well known to all present , so that it vvould require but

a few words from him to expatiate on his merits or his qualities as a man and a gentleman . Wherever he goes in the provinces , he is always received in the warmest manner , for they knew he was a good Mason , and that he gives the hand of fellowship to all , even to the youngest initiate . It vvas his increasing geniality and kindness that had made him the most popular

Prov . G . Master and Prov . Grand Superintendent in England . He vvould not say anything more concerning him , except that they were rejoiced to see him amongst them again , having recovered his strength , and they one and all trusted that the G . A . O . T . U . would bestow upon him good health , and spare him for many years to come .

Comp . Col . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Bart ., Prov . G . Supt ., said that after the very kind and eulogistic manner in which Comp . Thrupp had proposed his health , they must feel with him that it was with considerable difficulty he could find words to return thanks . He assured them that on the present occasion when he saw such a large assembl y he could not adequately respond in a proper manner , for Comp . Thrupo had said so much in his

praise that he did not deserve . But Comp . Thrupp had not said more than he ( the P . G . Supt . ) wished to do for the advantage of the province , and the general welfare of the members . It always gave him the greatest pleasure , although he had not many opportunities , to meet the companions , and feel they were companions and brethren , as they ought to be all over the world . He had had the pleasure of hearing what had been done in the Stanmore Chapter , which had met immediatel y previous to the P . G . Chapter , and

could only regret that he was not present . But he had heard from those who were in attendance that they were very gratified at the way in which the work had been done , and he was sure there vvas scarcely a chapter in the province that would excel the working of the Stanmore Chapter . He sincerely thanked the companions present for their warm reception , and hoped to have the opportunity of meeting them on many future occasions , when he trusted they would enjoy themselves in the same manner they had that evening .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND SUPERINTENDENT then gave " The Provincial Grand Officers of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Middlesex , " and said he felt he could not say enough to thank them for the manner in which they had supported him . He had had various officers and energetic officers , but he could not say sufficient of those around him . Comps . Thrupp and Woodward were his most able supporters . All the companions were well aware of

their qualities , and how they exerted themselves for the interest of the province . He was sorry to say he vvas able to be amongst the companions always ; but he felt confident that he left the work in good hands , and had no doubt the duties would be carried out properly under their direction . Comp . Thrupp had for a length of time occupied the position he now held ,

and he hoped for many more years to have the benefit of his services , and the continuation of the kind assistance he had always rendered . He need not say anything more regarding him , for they all loved and respected him . As long as he had been associated with his province he had never had any more able supporter than Comp . Woodward . He had not only served him most ably , but had carried out his duties in a manner that had endeared him

to every companion and every brother . He was proud of him , and was proud of every one of his Provincial Grand Officers , for he felt they were ready and anxious to support him . Comp . RAYMOND H . THRUPP , Second Prov . G . Principal , in reply , said he was very glad Comp . Pasco had intervened with his song , for it vvas very applicable and a great assistance to him in responding to say something of

" Old Friends , " and he hoped he was an " Old Friend " in the province , and was certainly always received as such . He hoped the day would be far distant when he would be received as anything else . He considered it an honour and pleasure to serve under their Prov . Grand Superintendent , for with such a head over them they were bound to do everything they could to support him and promote the welfare of Royal Arch Masonry in the

province . He was sure he need not say anything about the Prov . Grand Officers , except that they would unite with him in furthering the interests of the province , and were grateful to the Grand Superintendent for appointing them . He could assure them it was the desire of the Grand Superintendent to know who were the most zealous , and although not constantly with them he always had the province in mind and was the guiding spirit of

everything connected with it . He hoped the Prov . Grand Officers who would be appointed in the Provincial Grand Lod ge would support him in carrying out his orders , whether they vvere distasteful or not , That was the only way in which the work could be carried out , and he hoped they would see the orders obeyed and acted on . He again thanked the companions for the reception accorded the toast .

Comp . H . STILES , P . Z . 1507 , in responding for " The Visitors , " said he was afraid the Prov . Grand Superintendent had made a poor selection in coupling his name with the toast . On behalf of the visiting companions he tendered sincere thanks , for the very enjoyable time they had spent , and was only echoing their sentiments when he said they hoped to have the

distinguished honour of visiting again . He wished to be permitted to say that the companions of the province ought to be very proud to have a nobleman , such as the Grand Superintendent , to preside over them . He hoped that on a future occasion he might be one of themselves , and again thanked them for their kindness .