Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodge o £ Benevolence was held on VVednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . James Brett , Senior Vice-President , occupied the President ' s chair ; Bro . Charles Atkins , Junior Vice-President , took Senior Vice-President's chair ; and Bro . C . A Cottebrune , P . G . P ., occupied the chair of Junior Vice-President .

There were also present Bros . H . G . Buss , Assist . Grand Sec ; A . A . Pendlebury , W . Dodd , Henry Garrod , J . H . Matthews , E . F . Storr , Charles Dairy , Frank Richardson , William Stephens , A . G . P . ; H . VV . Hemsworth , P . M . 1197 ; Elias Standin , W . M . 1360 ; E . W . Devereux , P . M . and Sec . 1423 ; M . J . Wrangham , P . M . 619 ; Arthur E . Gladwell , P . M . 172 . Charles John Perceval , P . M . 1607 ;

Hy . M . Harris , P . M . and W . M . 205 ; George Read , P . M . Si 1 ; Capt . A . Nicols , W . M . 1974 ; George A . Littleivood , P . M . 7 S 0 ; William Ball , W . M . 45 ; Robt . P . Notley , P . M . 256 ; A . J . Vanderlyn , P . M . 1991 ; Thos . Edmonston , P . M . 1658 j J . H . Taylor , W . M . 1767 ; Stephen Crane , W . M . 933 ; G . H . Gilham , P . M . 1632 ; Courtenay Wynne , W . M . 25 ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M .

1928 ( Freemason ) . The PRESIDENT announced that eleven letters had been received thanking the brethren for giants made at the last meeting - . The brethren first confirmed recommendations of grants to the amount of £ 265 made at the May meeting , and afterwards proceeded with the new list . This contained

the large number of 40 cases . One of these was deferred through the non-attendance of the visitor . The rest were relieved with a total of £ 885 . This was composed of one grant of £ 100 ( £ 100 ) , two grants of £ 50 each ( £ 100 ) , two of £ 40 each ( £ So ) , five of £ 2 , 0 each ( £ 150 ) , six of £ 25 each ( £ 150 ) , seven of £ 20 each ( £ 140 ) , four of £ 15 each ( £ 60 ) , nine of £ 10 each ( £ 90 ) , and three of £ 5 each ( £ 15 ) . The lodge sat four hours and a half .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks. And Bucks.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS . AND BUCKS .

On Monday last there was an unusually large gathering of the Masonic fraternity in the royil borough of Windsor on the occasion of the annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Berks , and Bucks , which is held alternately in the principal towns of the two counties . The excellent attendance may

be accounted for by the fact that two flourishing lodges exist in this neighbourhood , viz ., the Etonian Lodge and the Windsor Castle Lodge , and also that Windsor is more readily accessible from different points of the province than most places at which these annual gatherings take place . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened shortly after two o'clock in the large room of the Albert Institute in

Sheet-street , under the presidency of the Provincial Grand Master , Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., with whom was the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , Past Grand Chaplain , and a good number of Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past . The names of the lodges in the province being called over by the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Robert

Bradley , it was found that the whole of them were represented . The Provincial Grand Lodge Officers' names were then called , and the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge held on the 19 th June , 1 SS 2 , were ordered to be printed and circulated throughout the province . A letter was read from the Comptroller to the household of H . R . H . the Duke of Albany , expressing the thanks of

H . R . H . for the invitation to visit the Provincial Grand Lodge , and regretting that prior engagements prevented his attendance . The Prov . Grand Secretary also read letters of apology for non-attendance from Bros . General Brownrigg , Prov . Grand Master for Surrey , from Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , the Grand Secretary and others , regretting their inability to be present . The balance sheet

read showed a balance in hand of £ 211 9 s . Sd . lhe Secretary further reported that the lodges of the province were in a financially satisfactory condition ; there were 165 Past Masters and S 24 ordinary members . Bro . BRADLEY , the P . G . Sec , next presented the charity account , and it was agreed on the proposal of Brp . Sir DANIEL GOOCH , P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . the Rev . J S .

BROWNRIGG , D . P . G . M ., that the following sums be disbursed towards supporting the three great Masonic Charities out of the Charity Fund , the subscribing lodges only obtaining grants , viz ., Etonian , £ 10 ios . ; Union , £ 5 5 s . ; Hope , £ 5 5 s . ; Buckingham , , & io ios . ; Windsor Castle , £ 10 ios . ; Scientific , £ 10 ios . ; Abbey , £ 5 55 . ; Greyfriars , £ 10 ios .: S . S . Peter and Paul , £ 5 5 s . ; Wycombe ,

£ 555 . ; Ellington , £ 10 ios . ; Watling Street , £ 5 5 s . ; Vale of White Horse , £ 5 5 s . ; Herschel , £ 5 ss . ; and Grenville , £ 5 5 s . The PROV . GRAND MASTER in adverting to the reports read by the Prov . Grand Secretary said they were quite as satisfactory as they could have wished , and spoke for themselves of the progress made in the province during the

year . On the motion of the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , seconded by Bro . the Rev . R . P . BENT , Past Grand Chap ., the sum of £ 5 5 s . was voted towards the fund for the relief of brethren who had suffered from the disastrous fire in Jamaica . Bro . CHARLES STEPHENS was then re-elected Prov .

Grand Treasurer , and having thanked the brethren for the honour done him , spoke of the pleasure it afforded him to discharge his duties . Bro . W . H . Belcher , of the Lodge of Hope , Newbury , was next invested by the Prov . Grand Master with the Provincial Charity jewel , in recognition of his having served the office of Steward at the Charity Institutions' Festivals , after which the Prov . Grand Ollieers were appointed and

invested for the ensuing year as under : Bro . R . G . Barton Prov . G . S . W . „ W . H . Bull , 16 39 Prov . G . J . W . ,, Rev . A . Fearon , 1566 7 D . r / - _ ,, „ , „ Rev . F . G . Kiddle , 17 S 7 j Prov < G > Cha P „ C . Stephens , 414 Prov . G . Treas „ Major Cooper King , 1899 ... Prov . G . Reg .

,, K . Bradley , 414 Prov . G . Sec . ,, F . J . Ferguson , 414 Prov . G . S . D . ,, R . Dowsett , 1101 Prov . G . J . D . ,, A . J . Coales , 1410 Prov . G . S . of W ; : ^ G &' ::: ::: ::: }< . D . C , „ C A . Barrett , 945 Prov . G . A . D . C .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks. And Bucks.

„ Capt . Trollope , 1 SS 7 Prov . G . Swd . B „ J . C . B . Tirbutt , 414 Prov . G . Org . „ 1 £ . C . Knight , 94 8 Prov . G . Purst . Bros . C . ^ H . Hunt , 1501 ; Ruckley , " ) 1501 ; S . Wheeler , jun ., 414 ; C . VV . [ D „ ,. r . c . , Seymour , 771 ; Volckman , 209 ; and \ Prov- G' Stwds - Arnold , 209 ... ... J Bro . VV . Hemmings Prov . G . Tyler .

The Provincial Grand Master havingstated that the next Prov . Grand Lodge , at which the newly-appointed officers would officiate , would be held at High Wycombe , and the usual lodge business being concluded , the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where a banquet was provided in good style , the menu being of an unusually first-class character . Bros . Ashby and Turner very kindly furnished a choice collection of flowers for the decoration of the tables and hall . The Prov . Grand Master took the chair .

The Toasts ot " The Queen and the Craft , " " The M . W . the G . M . of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " having been proposed and honoured , The CHAIRMAN , in giving "The M . W . the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon ; the R . W . the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom ; and the Grand Officers of England , present and past , " associated with it the names of Bros , the Rev . I . Hills , and J . S . Brownrigg , Past Grand Chaplains of Engfand .

Bro . the Kev . 1 . HlLLS , in reply , bore testimony to the value of Freemasonry , confidently recommending it , and referring to it as a source ot great comfort and satisfaction . He hoped to be able to promote it in every way to the end of his earthly pilgrimage . Bro . the Kev . J . S . BROWNRIGG also returned thanks and on concluding proposed "The Health of the bight Worshipful , the Prov . Grand Master , Sir Daniel Gooch . " As the mouthpiece of every Mason in the province he ( Bro .

the Kev . J . S . Brownrigg ) offered Sir Daniel their very best thanks for the ability with which he had presided over the province for so lengthened a period , to the great advantage of Masonry in this part of the country . ( Applause ) . Pleased as they always were to have SirDaniel among them , they lelt it to be a special pleasure to meet him near his own home , and where he was so well known , and so highly respected both as a man and as a Mason . ( Applause ) . It

was a matter of gratification to them to know that they never had a Prov . Grand Lodge which was better attended than that one at Windsor , where every detail was so well carried out , and where too , they numbered among their residents the members of the Royal Family and their esteemed Prov . G . M . ( Applause ) . The Prov . G . MASTER was heartily cheered as he rose to respond to Bro . Brownrigg ; for the kind manner in

which he had proposed his health , he tendered his thanks . He further thanked the brethren for the cordial reception given him on all occasions of this kind . The progressive character of Masonry in this province was a source of great satisfaction to him . He was also thankful that there was nutning occuring about which any anxiety need be felt , all the lodges in province working prosperously and harmoniously . ( Applause ) , lheir numbers were , he was pleased

to find , increasing ; still they did not so much desire to see a large increase of membership , as to see only such men admitted into the lodges as would reflect credit upon the Craft . ( Applause . ) To impress that point upon the lodges had always been his endeavour , and that principle had he was glad to say been very well carried out . ( Applause . ) The large attendance of brethren was gratifying to him , and he regretted that his house was not

nearer to Windsor , so that he could have received them there . ( Applause . ) In conclusion the P . G . M . proposed " The Health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , " speaking of his great zeal and ability in furthering the interests of Masonry . With the toast he associated " The Health of the Past Deputy Provincial Grand Masters and Past Grand Officers of the Province . " ( Applause . ) The DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER responded

in suitable terms , concluding by proposing " I he Visiting Brethren , " associating with the toast the name of Bro . the Rev . Collins , of Antigua . Bro . the Kev . Collins responded , thanking them for the cordial reception they had given him . ( Applause . ) For 21 years he had been a Mason , and although he was 4000 miles from home he could assure those present that the Masons of Antigua were as true , as enthusiastic , and as

good Masons as any to be found in England . ( Applause . ) He was able to testify to the good Masonry had done in that part of the world , and he was glad to find it extending so rapidly throughout the world . ( A pplause . ) The "Masonic Charities" was then proposed by the CHAIRMAN , who spoke of their duty towards the three great Masonic Charities . He hoped the province would never be behind hand in assisting them . ( Applause . )

With the toast he coupled the name of Bro . James Terry , P . P . G . S . W . Northamptonshire and Hunts , the energetic Secretary of the Benevolent Institution . ( Applause ) . Bvo . J AMES TERKY , who replied at some length , said that the toast of theMasonic Charities , so well proposed by the worthy Prov . G . M ., required but very few words from him in response . Thc numerous attendance of the Berks and Bucks brethren at the festivals of the Charity

Institutions clearly proved they were fully alive to their duties in the cause of charity . He approved of the charity scheme adopted in this province , being he considered advantageous both to the lodges and to the Charities . He remarked that it was many years since the Berks and Bucks province had not been represented at the Charity Festivals . The festivals held this year were , he was pleased to say , highly successful . The first held in

I ' ebruary on behalt ofthe Benevolent Institution yielded a a total of £ 13 , 300 . Eight or ten years ago , when Sir Daniel took the chair , only £ 2 , 800 was realised , but this year the subscription as he stated amounted to £ 13 , 000 . ( Applause . ) Only two or three months alter wards the siim of £ 10 , 500 was announced at the Festival of the Girls' School — ( applause ) — and it was believed that at the festival to be held on Wednesday for the Boys' School all previous efforts would be eclipsed , it being

stated that a sum of between £ 20 , 000 and £ 21 , 000 would be announced as having been subscribed , ( applause . ) If so , that would show a grand total of £ 43 , 000 brought in on three evenings for the support of their three Institutions , a result that did great credit to the Stewards at the respective festivals . If the result on Wednesday was as they anticipated , they would see established at once a preparatory school in connection with the existing Boys' lichool , and instead of being able to elect but a small proportion of the applicants , they hoped to be able to place the whole number

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks. And Bucks.

Hi , " th V ? " of the Institution immediately . ( Applause . ) He hoped that the same unanimity , good feeling , and ettorts in the cause of charity which had prevailed in the province for many years past would continue to distinguish it jor a very long time to come . ( Cheers . ) lhe Health of the Prov . Grand Senior and Junior Wardens and the Prov . Grand Officers" appointed that day was then proposed bthe DEPUTY PROVGRAND

y . MASTER , who bore testimony personally to the Masonic ability and energy shown b y the brethren appointed to the Wardens' chairs . ( Cheers . ) The brethren named having responded , _ . u A . HA'R MAN Proposed "The W . M . and Officers of the Etonian Lodge and Windsor Castle Lod " speaking

ge , in terms of praise of the ^ arrangements and magnificent hospitality . ( Applause . ) / w ?/ - ^ " ^ if dyffe ( W . M . Etonian ) and J . Goddard ( W . M . Windsor Castle ) returned thanks , the former speaking in praise of the floral decorations of Bros . Ashby and i urner .

., I ™ healths of the P-G Treasurer ( Bro . Stephens ) and D % -v , Secretary ( Br ° - R- Bradley ) was proposed by the P . lj . M ., the toast being honoured with a special ' * fire . " The brethren named responded in suitable terms . The "Provincial Grand Stewards" and the Tyler ' s toasts were suitably proposed , bringing the list to a very successful completion .

1 he musical arrangements , under Bro . Summer ' s direction , were admirable , and it should also be remarked that the reception accorded to the Prov . Grand Lodge by the oflicers and brethren of the Etonian and Windsor Castle Lodges was all that could be desired .

Inauguration Of The Provincial Grand Chapter Of Oxfordshire.

INAUGURATION OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF OXFORDSHIRE .

On Tuesday , the 12 th inst ., the first meeting of the Royal Arch Chapter of this province was held . H . R . H . the Duke of Albany having been selected by the Grand Z . as the first Superintendent , advantage was taken of the visit of H . R . H . to Oxford to formally install and

invest the officer < s . designate of the province . The ceremony took place at the University Masonic Hall , where the Provincial Grand Chapter was opened shortly before one o ' clock by E Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E ., as Z . ; E . Comp . Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . N ., as H . ; E . Comp . the Rev . C . XV . Arnold , P . G . S ., as J . ; and E . Comp . Frank Richardson , P . G . S .. actimras D . C

The following companions , in addition to those above mentioned , were also present : E . Comps . Sir John B . Alonckton , P . G . S ., President Board of General Purposes ; the Rev . Dr . Cox , P . G . S . ; Edgar Bowyer , G . Std . Br . ; G . Elms , 340 ; J . T mkins , J . 340 , Z . 945 ; E . L . Shepherd , P . Z . 945 and 340 ; H . D'Almaine , P . Z . 340 and 04 ? , P . Prov . P . S . Berks and Bucks ; VV . BallardP . Z . 945

, and 340 ; T . Randall , 340 ; E . Purcot , J . T . Morland , P . Z . 340 and 945 , P . Prov . G . S . N . Berks and Bucks ; E . G . Bruton , P . Z . 340 ; S . J . Biker , H . 945 ; R . E . Bavnes , 357 ; W . S . Loder , 357 ; J . H . Jukes , M . E . Z . 357 / P . Z . 120 , P . Prov . G . Z . Hereford ; F . W . Ansell , P . Z . 340 ; A . F . Rose , 340 j C . T . Hawkins , P . Z . 340 ; Rev . L . Coleman , 32 , 1 S 1 , Penn ., U . S . A . ; H . Elliott 357 H .

, ; Eldred , 340 ; A . Rowley , 340 ; H . R . C . Smith , P . Z .: H . H . Kiach , R . T . Hodge , J . Potts , 340 ; H . G . VV . Drinkwater , 340 ; J . A . Acock , 340 ; G . W . Dominy , 340 ; Rev . F . H . Penny , 357 ; E . Home , 340 ; T . Elcy , S . N . 340 ; A . Winkficld , P . G . Sec . 5 C . L . Norris , 357 ; W . Seeley , 340 ; H . Plumbridge , 340 ; J . A . Lloyd , I . 357 ; A . S . Hurford , P . Z . 340 ; R . Bird . P . Z . t <_ 7 : T .

li . Withington , 357 ; W . G . Emberlin , 350 ; W . Thompson , 340 ; J . Bue , 357 J E . L . Hawkin , H . 357 ; Rev . M . Pope , 357 ; J . Payne , D . C . L . 1399 ; H . Robbins , 340 , S . N . 1 399 ; S . P . Spiers , P . Z . 340 ; H . N . Lawrence , 340 ; G . T . Prior , P . Z . 340 ; James Jenkin , M . E . Z . 340 ; Rev . H . A . Pickard , P . Z . 340 and 357 , P . G . P . S . ; G . Fitzwilliam , A . R . Badcock , G . H ,

Usmond , J . R . B . Prior , C . R . Peake , 340 ; W . Rowbottom , 353 and 340 ; VV . H . White , 340 ; F . R . Hall , H . 340 ; VV . R . Bowden , 340 ; H . O . Wakeman , 357 ; C . Park , C . VV . Park , 340 ; S . Fisher , 340 ; W . L . Morgan , 340 and 47 S ; G . Norwood , P . G . Janitor ; W . Biggs , Janitor 340 ; and others . Upon the arrival of His Royal Highness a deputation of

the following companions were nominated to receive him 1 Comps . H . A . Picard , P . G . S . ; R . Bird , P . A . G . S . ; E . G . Bruton , 340 ; C . T . Hawkins , 340 ; H . D'Almaine , 240 ; andS . P . Spiers , 340 ; and after the patent had been read he was duly obligated and installed in a most impressive manner by the G . S . E . His Royal Highness then nominated E . Comp . Reginald Bird , M . A ., to be the Prov .

G . H ., and b . Comp . the Rev . H . A . Picard , M . A ., to be the ist J ., and they were also duly obligated and installed by the G . S . E . After the Grand Superintendent and the other Principals had been proclaimed b y the D . C , and saluted by all the companions present , His Royal Highness appointed and duly invested the remaining officers for the ensuing year as follows :

Comp . Emberlin Prov . Treas . „ A . Winkfield Prov . G . S . E . „ Bruton Prov . G . S . N . „ H . O . Wakeham Prov . G . P . S . „ S . P . Spiers Prov . G . A . S . „ W . Thompson Prov . G . A . S . „ W . L . Morgan Prov . G . Reg .

„ H . R . Cooper Smith Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . T . T . Bu < 5 Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Rev . R . VV . M . Pope Prov . G . D . Cers . „ Harrigon ... __ Prov . G . S . „ G . Norwood Prov . G . Jan . After the ordinary business of the chapter had been transacted , the P . G . Chapter was duly closed by H . R . H .

1 he Grand Officers were afierwards entertained at lunch by E . Comp . Reginald Bird , in his rooms at Magdalene College , and in the evening attended the Masonic ball which was held at the new Examination Rooms , and was kept up to a late hour in the morning , the Duke and Duchess of Albany and a number of distinguished guests , to the number of 600 , attending it .

The Metropolitan Board of Works have decided upon obtaining a translation of the regulations of the Municipal Council of St . Petersburg relative to the construction and maintenance of Russian theatres .