Installation Of Bro. Lord Euston As Provincial Grand Master Of Northants And Hunts.

greater encouragement and greater hope to go on , and knowing them a great deal better as he went on , he should esteem it a privilege to do all he could to advance the interests of the lodges . ( Cheers . ) General Brownrigg had said a great deal more than he deserved . ( Cries of " No , " and " We'll back you up . " ) They would back him up , he knew . ( Cheers . ) In military or civil life , when a man had anything to do , there was nothing

which gave him greater incentive to do what he had to do well and thoroughly than the knowledge thathe would be well backed up . ( Cheers . ) He could not tell them how pleased and happy he was to be amongst them . He should feel that wherever he went in Northamptonshire he should meet friends and brethren —( cheers)—and in them , whenever he had a cause to plead , he knew he should have a pretty strong following . ( Loud cheers . ) His

lordship then appealed to the brethren on behalf of the Infirmary Fund , and said he hoped they would show to those who were not Masons that Masonry was what they said it was—Charity from start to finish . ( Loud cheers . ) The collection would be taken as soon as he sat down . ( Laughterand cheers . ) Continuing , he said he meant to do all he could for the province .

He should go round to each of the lodges and try to know them all . He hoped they would get young Masons coming in and that other lodges would be raised . He again thanked them , and with them to back him up and help him they would find that heart and soul he was with them . ( Loud and prolonged cheering , again and again renewed . )

The collection was made , and £ 70 18 s . 6 d . was at once realised . But Prov . Grand Lodge , the CHAIRMAN said , would add to that £ 10 , and brethren had guaranteed on the morrow an additional sum of ^ 19 is . 6 d ., which would bring the sum assured up to £ 100 . ( Loud cheers . ) Towards this sum it may be added , the top table contributed £ 25 10 s .

Lord EUSTON next gave "The Health of Bro . Butler Wilkins , D . P . G . M ., " and highly eulogised the complete and thorough way in which he had discharged the duties of the office . ( Loud cheers . ) He felt that in taking the office of P . G . M . his work would be rendered light by the able assistance of Bro . Butler Wilkins , in whom , as second in command , he had

the most perfect confidence . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . BUTLER WILKINS , who was warmly cheered , briefly replied , and spoke of the harmony and usefulness in which Lord Euston would find the lodges of the province working . ( Cheers . ) Lord EUSTON next proposed " The Health " of General Brownrigg , " the founder of his own mother lodge —( cheers )—and to this the gallant GENERAL warmly and appropriately responded .

Lord EUSTON , in giving "The Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge . Present and Past , '' coupled with it the name of Bro . George Ellard , who had proved himself a most hardworking and zealous Mason , and whom he had , therefore , had great pleasure in placing in the position of P . S . G . W ., as a man who was peculiarly fitted for it . ( Loud cheers . )

Bro . ELLARD briefly replied , and paid a warm tribute to men like Bros . Buckle and Stanton , who , with the D . P . G . M ., had been the backbone of the province for years . He felt that the prophecy of Lord Euston as to the future of the province would be realised under his leadership ; and his lordship might rest assured that whatever he proposed for the good of the province would be gladly carried out by the brethren . ( Cheers . )

The other toasts were : — " The Masonic Charities , " proposed by Bro . BUCKLE , acknowledged by Bro . BINCKES ; " The Visiting Brethren from neighbouring Provinces , " for whom Bros . EDWARD DARELL and Captain Cos spoke ; and "The W . M . ' sof the various Lodges in the Province , " for whom Bro . SPENCER , W . M . 445 , and Bro . SIDDONS , W . M . 607 , replied .

During the banquet the platform and the Mayor ' s tribune were occupied by many lady friends . The brethren were warm in their encomiums of the various arrangements made for their comfoit by the Local Committee , which consisted of the following brethren : Bros . Butler Wilkins , J . U . Stanton , George Ellard , H . Brown , A . Cockerill , T . P . Dorman , A . Jones , T . Emery , H . Hodges , E . Fletcher , J . J . Hart , J . Kellett , T . Wetherell , and George Butcher ( Secretary ) .

LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NORTHAMPTON GENERAL INFIRMARY BY PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR .

this important Masonic ceremony , following as it did the installation of Lord Euston on the previous day , was the occasion of a large gathering of the brethren . Prince Albert Victor , who was the guest of Lord Spencer , arrived at Northampton about noon , and , after receiving addresses from the Inhabitants and from the Governors of the Infirmary , a procession was formed , of which the Masonic body formed a part , and proceeded to the site of the new building . The ceremony was performed in accordance tvith the Masonic ritual .

The following address , which was read by Lord ^ EusTON , was presented to his Royal Highness : — To his Roya ! Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales , K . G ., R . W . S . G . W . of England . May it please your Royal Highness , VVe , the R . W . P . G . Master , Wardens , and brethren of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Norths and Hunts , beg to approach your Royal Highness to offer to you our heartiest welcome to this ancient town .

We rejoice that your visit is on an occasion so much in harmony with the principles of our common Craft , the relief of distress and the spread of beneficence , and we trust that the presence of your Royal Highness this day in the sacred cause of Charity may give an impetus to the work which has been begun , and which , when completed , will be also the expression on the part of our province of our thankfulness at the Jubilee of her Most Gracious Majesty our Queen .

We recognise with pride the honour done to our ancient and honourable Fraternity by so many members of your Royal House , who have entered its lodges , and done excellent work as brethren of the mystic tie , and we trust that that connection , so intimate and so valued in the past , may have a long continuance in the future . More

especially we beg your Royal Highness to convey to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , our M . W . Grand Master , the assurance of our dutiful submission and obedience . Praying that the Great Architect of the Universe may have you in His hol y keeping , and preserve your life for many years of honour and usefulness , we beg to tender our assurance of unswerving and heartfelt loyalty to your House and person .

Signed on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held in Northampton , October 17 th , 18 S 7 , A . L . 5887 , EUSTON , P . G . M . BUTLER WILKINS , D . P . G . M . F . G . BUCKLE , P . G . Secretary .

This address was also received with loud cheering . Bro . Lord EUSTON added , I beg to say that last night we had a collec tion for the Infirmary , and I am pleased to lay on this stone 100 guineas ( Loud cheers . )

Installation Of Bro. Lord Euston As Provincial Grand Master Of Northants And Hunts.

His lordship then laid a purse of money on the stone . His Royal Highness Prince ALBERT VICTOR replied . He said : My Lord Euston and brother Masons—I thank you for your cordial address of welcome . You are well aware of the interest which my lather takes in the affairs of our ancient Order , and it is a matter of sincere pleasure to me to have been assisted in this ceremony by so numerous a body of the province of which you have just been installed Grand Master . ( Loud cheering . )

The choir then sang " God save the Queen , " in which the company joined , and the proceedings terminated . The Masons first left , and marched to the Masonic Hall to disrobe , and the Mayor and Corporation went to the Guildhall . The Prince remained in the building a short time , and then entered the Infirmary , where he inspected the wards , afterwards proceeding to the Guildhall to the banquet in his honour given by the Mayor .

Consecration Of The Cherwell Chapter Of Royal Arch Masons, No. 599, At Banbury.

CONSECRATION OF THE CHERWELL CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS , No . 599 , AT BANBURY .

It may interest many of our readers to learn that the Cherwell Lodge of Freemasons was constituted by warrant from the Grand Lodge of England so far back as the year 1852 , when the Rev . Charles Kegan Paul , Prov . G . Chaplain of Oxfordshire , and who , we believe , is the present head of the renowned publishing firm of the same name , was nominated as the first Worshipful Master .

The Consecration Ceremony was performed on the 23 rd February of the same year by the Rev . Chas . John Ridley , Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire , assisted b y Bro . Stephen Burstall , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and a large number of Oxford brethren ; since which time the lodge has been governed by a long array of Worshipful Masters ,

many of whom , from their great knowledge of , and skilful working in the Art , have received high honours , and have thus rendered themselves eminent in the Craft . Owing to the zeal , energy , and ability displayed by some of the members during the last few years , Freemasonry in Banbury has made rapid progress , so much so , that in 18 S 2 it was thought desirable that a permanent building should be established , a building which would not

only give greater comfort and convenience to the brethren , but one also which should at the same time be more worthy of the Great Architect of the Universe Himself , and of those moral precepts which are inculcated in all Masonic lodges . On the 17 th November , the Worshipful Master , officers , and brethren , had the high and distinguished privilege of receiving their Provincial Grand Master , H . R . H . the late Dukeof Albany , K . G ., who honoured them by laying the foundation-stone of their new Hall .

Bro . J . S . Palmer was unanimously re-elected W . M ., and on the 12 th November , 1883 , m tne presence of a brilliant gathering of Masons , formally opened and performed the first ceremonies in the Hall which had been commenced under such happy auspices .

The Cherwell Lodge , which has always held a high reputation in the province , continues its onward progress , and is at the present moment one of the most prosperous lodges in Oxfordshire . We think , therefore , that the members have acted wisely in founding a Royal Arch Chapter for the working of a more advanced portion of the Order . A petition was signed and forsvarded to the Grand Chapter of England by the following

companions : Comps . the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , Prov . G . M ., P . G . W . of England ; Reginald Bird , M . A ., Deputy Prov- G . M ., P . G . Soj . of England ; Right Hon . Viscount Valentia , Prov . J . G . W ., P . G . W . of England ; John S . Palmer , P . P . G . W ., M . E . Z . designate ; John Potts , P . P . G . W ., H . designate ; Edward Prescott , P . P . G . W ., J . designate ; Edward J . Bruton , P . P . G . W ., P . P . G . H . ; Thomas Eley , P . P . G . R ., P . P . G . S . ; H . Robins , P . P . G . W ., P . P . G . Std . Br .

A charter having been obtained , the consecration of the Cherwell Chapter took place in the Masonic Hall on Monday , the loth inst . In the absence , through illness , of Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Scribe E . of England , who had kindly undertaken the duty , the beautiful ceremony was performed in a most impressive manner by Comp . the Rev . H . Adair Pickard , the M . E . Grand Superintendent , assisted by Comps E . Bruton , Rev . R . W . M . Pope , and T . Eley .

The chapter having been formally opened , the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT addressed the companions on the nature of the meeting , intimating that they were assembled to establish a new chapter , which he had every reason to believe would have a bright and prosperous career . The companions having signified their approval of the officers named in the charter , the Presiding Officer proceeded to constitute the companions into a regular chapter in ancient lorm .

A very able oration on the nature and principles of the Institution having been delivered by Comp . Rev . R . VV . M . POPE , the ceremony was continued , and ably rendered throughout in that solemn manner to which the beautiful ritual of the Craft so readily lends itself . The installation of Principals was undertaken by Comp . Eley , who in a masterly manner installed Comps . J . S . Palmer , as M . E . Z . ; John Potts , asH . ; and Edward Prescott , as j . Comps . Bruton , Eley , Drinkwater , and Robins kindly accepted office pro tern ., and were duly invested by the M . E . Z .

Many brethren having been proposed for exaltation , and a Committee having been appointed to frame the by-laws , the new chapter was closed in due lorm . The musical arrangements were most effectually carried out by Comp . W . R . Bowden , P . P . G . Org ., assisted by Comp . J . Varley Roberts , Mus . Doc , Organist of Magdalen College , Oxford .

An excellent banquet was provided by Bro . A . Johnson at the Red Lion Hotel , at the conclusion of which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , the speeches throughout the evening being of an unusually able character . Comp . J . S . Palmer , M . E . Z ., who presided , was supported by Comps . J Potts , H . ; Edward Prescott , J . j the M . E . the Grand Superintendent ot OxfordshireP . G . S . Eng . ; Right Hon . Earl of JerseyProvincial Grand

, , Master ; Reginald Bird , M . A ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master , P- ^ j 3-Eng . ; Rev . R . W . M . Pope , P . P . G . S . N . ; E . G . Bruton , P . P . G . H . J T . Eley , P . P . G . S . ; and other distinguished guests . ( T , The toasts were— "The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry ; " " ¦" Grand Principals ol the Order , and the Officers of the Grand Cn fPi . f g Present and Past , " coupled with the name of Comp . Reginald Bird ;