Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

Bro . E . E . Vinen , 7 SS ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . H . Lee , 1897 , P . P . G . D . ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . W . Clarke , 1512 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ E . H . Trotter , 1512 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purs * . „ Douglas H . Gordon , J . P ., 1 O 91 ... ... "" ] „ G . Salusbury Williams , I 4 < j 4 ... ...

„ V . Orchard , 12 93 ... ... ., I ., _ .. . , „ H . P . Hay , 1460 - j-Prov . G . Stwds . „ F . R . G . H . Robinson , 946 ... ... | „ C . Murray , 7 SS ... ... ... J „ J . Gilbert ... ... ... ... prov . G . Tyler .

On the motion of the PROV . G . MASTER a sum of 15 guineas was voted to each of the three Masonic Institutions . The roll of lodges was called and a hearty vote of thanks g iven to the Herga Lodge for use of furniture , and especially to Bros . E . and A . Fisher for their services in connection with the arrangements for the day . The Provincial Grand Lodge was closed and abanquet was subsequently held at the King ' s Head Hotel , at which the Prov Grand Master presided . The first toasts afterwards given by the P . G . M . in eulogistic terms were "The Q ueen and the Craft " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . "

In giving " The Grand Officers , " the P . G . M . said that if the Craft had become a great effective society it was due to the central organisation , None could have taken part in Grand Lodge without being struck with the singular aptitude with which the Pro Grand Master performed his duties , and also the mastery of detail with which the Deputy Grand Master

conducted the business allotted to him . Proud as they were of the Institution , it was only fair they should give some significance to that pride by welcoming any who participated in the central organisation . They had that night a distinguished brother—Loveland—who was the President of the Board of General Purposes .

Bro . LOVELAND LOVELAND , Pres . B . of G . P ., thanked the Provincial Grand Master for the privilege afforded him of being present to meet such a very large assembly of Masons of Middlesex , and the brethren for so kindly drinking the toast . The Provincial Grand Master had kindly told them that Lord Lathom was the distinguished Pro Grand Master of the Order , because the M . W . G . M ., owing to his heavy engagements , could not

be present in Grand Lodge and lead them . He could go further and say that Lord Lathom very often took the chair at the Committee meetings which were held for the purpose of telling the M . W . G . M . what was going on , and of asking his wishes with regard to certain matters . The Deputy Grand Master was a business man , and always did his work admirably , quickly , and to the point . With regard to the other

Grand Officers , he could only say they were always willing to assist the lodges and individual brethren whenever they could . He saw some present Grand Officers at the table , and they would endorse that sentiment . The members of the Board of General Purposes took particular care and trouble over the various matters . They had assistance from the

Grand Registrar and Deputy Grand Registrar , and so long as Bro . Fenn was within hail , they could get his opinion , and then could not go far wrong , With such members of Grand Lodge , they would , as far as they could , through the representatives of the brethren , do all they could to bring recommendations before Grand Lodge for their acceptance , which were proper for the well-being of the Craft in general .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER said they had arrived at the toast of the evening , which it was his privilege and pleasure to propose . It was " The Health of their R . W . Provincial Grand Master . " In proposing the M . W . G . M ., the Prov . G . M . said they were proud of his Royal Highness , and he ( Bro . Thrupp ) was sure the brethren of Middlesex were proud of their Prov . G . M . They were proud to have as their reigning Master a

Statesman who had done so much for the good of the country , and especially as Secretary of State for India . The year 1897 would , he was sure , long be remembered by the Prov . G . M ., for , first , there was famine in India , then plague , fire , and riots . This would have worn out most men , but Bro . Lord George Hamilton had risen to the occasion , and every man in England was proud of the way in which he had endeavoured to overcome all those difficulties . With regard to the province , he ( the Deputy ) was only

echoing the sentiments of the lodges that they should be very glad to see him more often amongst them , but after what he had told them with regard to India , none could expect him to go out of his way to visit their lodges . The Prov . G . M . had a superior duty to perform , and had performed it to the satisfaction of Englishmen . The Prov . G . M . always attended their Prov . Grand Lodge , and was always most kindly and friendly in his manner , ai . d they would therefore drink his health ana wish him long life to preside over the Province of Middlesex .

The PROV . G . MASTER , who met with an enthusiastic reception , said he thanked them most heartily for the manner in which they had received the toast . He was appointed somewhat unexpectedly some three years ago to the post he now occupied . He was then—in the language of a distinguished man—in a position of greater freedom and less responsibility than was attached to official life , and if he had thought he was likely to be

immediately brought into the thick of political controversy he should have hesitated in accepting the ofiice of Prov . Grand Master , because he had a strong conviction that no man ought to accept any duties which he had not adequate time to perform . One of the first duties of a Provincial Grand Master was to visit seriatim every one of the lodges , in order to make himself acquainted with the manner and method

by which they were carrying on their work . Almost from the date of his appointment he had other duties which he could not forego , and he hoped they would accept his apology that it was not a sense of indifference or desire to ignore individual lodges that he had not been able to pay that attention he should have done . He was now getting towards the termination of a public career , and the conclusion he had anived at was that it was

physically impossible to be in two places at once , and that it was morally and intellectuall y wrong to try and undertake the work of different duties at the same time . He believed that one of the essentials of Freemasonry was that all the ceremonials and functions should be performed in a dignified manner , and that tiulh was coming home to the public , not only in

connection with Masonic , but public , ceremonies , and he had always been reluctant lo rush in to see a lodge and rush away , thus disturbing the ordinary sequence by intruding for a few minutes . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master had said that 1 S 97 would not be forgotten by him , and he did not think it would . He was told that not for 40 years had there been such a succession of dillicult iiueslions upon which a prompt

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.

decision had to be given . Therefore they would accept his apology for not attending those lodges where he had been so generously invited . There were two great principles laid down in the Craft . The first was the conditional acceptance of office . Nobody should accept any duty which they could not perform , and the second obligation was compulsory that whatever duties were undertaken should be performed to the best of their power . In accordance with these two ideas he had endeavoured to conduct himself . He

had not been able lo give the time and he could only hope—he would not say that a certain Institution to which he belonged should be broken upbut on the contrary he hoped that Institution would so far prosper that his duties would become lighter when he would utilise every opportunity of making himself personally acquainted with each individual lodge and of witnessing the fraternal reception of his name which had always been accepted whenever presented in a Freemason ' s lodge .

In giving "The Visitors , " the PROV . G . MASTER gladly welcomed the representatives of Bucks and Essex in the persons of the Prov . G . Secretaries , viz .: Bros . J . K . Bowen , P . A . G . D . C , and T . Railing , P . A . G . D . C , the latter of whom he asked to respond . Bro . T . RALLING , P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec . Essex , having briefly returned thanks ,

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER proposed " The Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Provincial Grand Officers , " and said the brethren knew better than he the merits of Bro . Thrupp , Dep . Prov . G . M ., as a Freemason . He thought a great deal of tbe public life in this country and of the superlative merits attached to it , but there were a large number of men of ability who gave up their best intellect and a great portion of their

time to the advancement and development of certain institutions and principles . Bro . Thrupp had done this for many years past in connection with Masonry , and there was no higher authority upon questions of the ceremonials and Orders of the Craft . Bro . Thrupp was of a kindly disposition , but having a high ideal , he endeavoured to impress upon all the same hi gh standard , and was singularly successful . They were glad to see the Deputy

in such good health and spirits , and they hoped the cordiality of his greeting that day and the knowledge of the value of his services would infuse into him for many years the same good health and spirits . There was another brother he wished to associate with the toast , Bro . Littler , Q . C , a distinguished man in many capacities , being the head of a great administrative body , discharging judicial duties , and was the head of the Parliamentary Bar .

Bro . R . H . THRUI' 1 ' , Dep . Prov . G . M ., in reply , said he was pleased that at the recent Boys' School Festival Middlesex made a good third , and was sure that when the M . W . G . M . took the chair next year the province would be again well represented . Bro . R . D . M . LITTLER , Q . C , Prov . S G . W ., said he was proud to be an officer of Grand Lodge and more proud to be an officer of Middlesex . He was sure that such gatherings as the present must add greatly to their

strength in the province , and he could only trust that those invested would feel thoroughly imbued with the principles of the Craft and with the principles laid down by the Provincial Grand Master in carrying on their work . The PROV . G . TVLER then gave the concluding toast . Bro . F . Swinford Smith , P . P . G . Organist , directed a capital musical programme , and was ably supported by Bros . H . Schartau , P . P . G . Org . ; Wm . Fell , and Wingrove Ives .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Hinevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro , James Henry Matthews , President of the Board , occupied the President ' s chair ; Bro . D . D . Mercer , Senior Vice-President , and Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , junior Vice-President , were in their usual places . The other brethren who attended were Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , W . Dodd , G . S . Recknell , and Henry Sadler , Grand Tyler , representing the Grand

Secretary ' s department ; and Bros , T . W . Whitmarsh , Henry Garrod , James Boulton , George Graveley , William Vincent , Geo . B . Chapman , W . Fisher , S . Vallentine , Charles J . R . Tijou , S . H . Goldschmidt , Ii . W . Nightingale , W . Kipps , Walter Martin , James Bunker , Robert A . Gowan , George R . Langley , J . Harrison , Geo . Powell , Henry Baldwin , H . Massey , J . Barry , John Hampson , John Hills , J . J . Howes , W . Mansfield , William Smith , Edwin Francis , Charles Garton , and T . Goodman .

Ihe Board first conhrmed the amounts which the Grand Master had approved on the recommendation of the Board's last meeting in June , to the extent of £ 410 . The new list contained the names of 20 petitioners , whose qualifications were through lodges in the London district , and at Fuivey , St . John ' s ( Antigua ) , Smyrna , Whitehaven , Great Torrington , Scunthorpe , Torquay , Cape Coast

Castle , Exeter , and Jullundur . The total amount voted was , 6465 , which was composed of one recommendation to Grand Lodge for £ 60 , four to the Grand Master of £ 40 each , four of £ 30 each , and one of £ 25 , and two immediate grants of £ 20 each , two of C 15 each , and three of ilio each . Three cises were deferred .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Aldersgate Chapter , No . 1657 . The installation meeting was held on Monday , the irjih inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-strest . Present ; Comps . Geo . Rawlinson , M . E . Z . j Jas . Sho ' . ter , H . ; C . Garton , P . S . : R . Smyth , ist A . S . ; G . Couchman , [ anitor ; Arthur B . Hudson , P . Z . ; and W . S . Whitaker , P . Z . 1471 , 1572 , 2147 , P . P . G . Reg . Kent . Visitors : Comps . Henry Lovegrove , P . G . Std . Br ., and Dr . Myers . minute

The ;; of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Comp . W . S . Whitaker installed Comp . James Shotter into the chair of M . E . Z . ; Comp . A . B . Hudson , P . Z ., was inducted into the chair of H . ; and Comp . Charles Garton installed into the chair of J . The companions dined together under the gavel of Comp . James Shotter , M . E . Z . A programme of music was performed by the following students of the Guildhall School of Music : Miss Jessie Bradford , A . G . S . M . ; Miss Maud Elliott , Mr . Charles Hinchliff , Bro . George H . Dawson , and Miss Augusta J . Foster , A . G . S . M . ( Pianist ) . ? THU KING 01 ' Si AM , with a suite of abcut 31 > persons , will anivc at Taplow Court on a visit to Bro . W . 11 . Grcnicll , Mayor of Maidenhead , on Monday , the 20 th inst .