Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

condition of peas , potatoes , and strawberries testifies to the care bestowed upon them . Presently the visitors , whose feelings by this time reminded them that they were pilgrims in a dry and thirsty land , were gratified by the rattle of cups an'd saucers , and a summons to the big room to have a cup of tea . You may be sure that at the tables , presided over by Alts , and Aliss Terry , Mrs . Alason , and other zealous bodies , the remembrance of the dry and thirsty land

soon vanished , and that the hams and tongues quickly disappeared before the ready carvers of Bros . Terry , Raynham Stewart , & c . You may be equally sure that a meal where Bro . Terry sat at the head of the room was not partaken of with dumb show and in dead silence . After another stroll in the gardens , while the hall was being arranged for the evening ' s entertainment , during which stroll the fresh air of the neighbourhood was not

altogether uncontaminated with the smell of tobacco , first the inhabitants and then the visitors were assembled in the hall , and Bro . Seymour Smith appeared upon the dais , and afforded the most genuine enjoyment , both to the residents and their friends , * by his partly elocutionary and partly musical recital of " The Adventures of Mr . T heophilus White in search of quiet "—an excellent entertainment to which he gives the name of " Seaside J ottings . " Bro . Terry is not

above making a joke , but even he , practised as he is in the art , often looked surprised at the subtle ingenuity of a great many cf the jokes , and laughed as much as any one at the genuine fun of some of the imitiations . It is needless to say that creature comforts were not forgotten ; that the interval for refreshments between the two parts of the entertainment afforded the visitors the pleasure of waiting on and gossiping with the old folks whom they had come to see . Loud applause greeted the performer at the conclusion of

the entertainment . Bro . RAYNHAM STEWART then rose and said : We have met here to night , and I believe , looking at your joyful countenances , you have been pleased with the little entertainment that has been given for your comfort . This will be the last time that we shall meet in the hall in its present state , but I hope that when enlarged we shall meet oftener . The House Committee have but one desire , and that is for

the welfare of this Institution . That being so , how much are we indebted to a very active officer of the Institution . If it had not been for the active and energetic manner in which he carried out the work of the last festival it would not have been the success it proved ; and he is always willing to do anything to add to your happiness and make you feel that you are not forgotten by the old friends of your husbands . He is one of those men who can bring

their own kindliness into your lives , and is so intimately associated with the Institution , that after an old friend , Bro . Norris , the Warden , you must look upon him as a father . Bro . Terry is always wanting to do his utmost for you , and is always thinking of you , so that I hope you will not forget him , but will use the wine that is now in your glasses to drink " The Health of Bro . Terry , " and while ne is thinking what he shall say in reply , I will ask Airs .

Bonorandi to give us some music . The toast was of course drunk with enthusiasm , after which Airs . Bonorandi , one ot the inmates of the Institution , assisted by two fair ladies , sang " The Vacant Chair , " and the manner in which the refrain was taken up by others in the hall gave a pleasant indication that the monotony of their way of life is broken for these old folks by musical evenings in the big hall .

Bro . TERRY : Bro . Stewart , ladies , and gentlemen , you kave been very kind , but at all events , as representative of the House Committee , you rest ujion me the responsibility of getting up this little entertainment . Nothing has given me greater pleasure than to see the number of friends we have about us on this occasion , and when we consider that when we meet again in this hall we shall have doubled the present space at our command , I may confidently express

the hope that our future gatherings will be even larger than that of to-day . The Committee are perfectly well aware of the important fact that the Institution ' s welfare must rest upon a very sound basis . You must be at one with your supporters in every way you can ; you must secure their hearty goodwill . I venture to think that we have got that , and that it would be vcry hard indeed to turn your goodwill from this Institution . We are very much indebted to

Mr . Seymour Smith for his exertions this evening , which have evidently been appreciated by all of us . I can personally tender him my very sincere thanks , because for our sake he put off a concert where he was going losing at the west end of London , and has come here instead to amuse you to-night . It is , I think , a grand thing for the friends of the inmatcr * here to come here along with others , who . though strangers to them , thus show that thev

also are tlieir friends , and show tbat those inmates are not forgotten by the Brotherhood outside . For this entertainment we are indebted _ to the Supreme Council , who give a five guinea prize to the Boys' School , and a five guinea prize to the Girls' ( School , and would give a five guinea prize to the Benevolent Institution , but that wc could not decide who was to have it , whether it should be the best looking old lady or the

best looking old man . So I suggested spending the five guineas in such a way that you could all have some enjoyment out of it . Knowing what your feeling in the matter would be I have privately and sincerely thanked them for their gift . I hope ere long , if I be spared , to see this room , when enlarged , without even one vacant chair in it . I must add my thanks to the representative of one of the sister Institutions for coming hereto-day and giving us the support of his

presence , and 1 shall always be happy , when the claims of the Institution under my special charge do not demand my voice in pleading for it , to do my best to obtain support for the others . I am more than pleased to say that our last Festival was a great success ; I trust that the next will be a greater success still . You know my feelings on the subject—that the Benevolent Institution has the first and strongest claim on the support of every Freemason . Thc Boys' School and the Girls' School may be number two

and number three , but both boys and girls will acknowledge that their fathers and mothers should be number one in all things . We feel perfectly sure that every one present was more than satisfied that the day ' s proceedings from beginning to end had been a great success ; assurances of the pleasure tbey had received were showered upon Bro . and Airs . Terry by the visitors , who at parting from each other seemed universally to reiterate the assurance , " what a very pleasant day they had had . "

Bro . Emra Holmes biograph y appears in ] thc June number of the " Biograph . "

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHANTS AND HUNTS .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting of the several loges in the above province was held at the Fidelity Lodge , 445 , Towcester , on Thursday , the gth inst . In the absence of the Prov . G . M ., His Grace the Duke of Manchester , Bro . Butler Wilkins , D . P . G . AI ., presided , and the following brethren attended : —Fidelity Lodge : Bros .

Greville , W . M . ; Evans , LP . AL ; Sheppard , S . W . ; VV . H . Linnell , J . VV . ; Rev . VV . A . Howes , Chap . ; George Osborn , Treas . ; J . Teeton , Sec ; H . Packer , S . D . ; Oldham , J . D . ; J . Tunnard , Steward ; J . Netvitt , I . G . ; E . Snedker , Tyler ; R . Howes , P . AL ; William Whitton , P . AL ; William Simmonds , P . AL ; James C . Jones , P . AL ; T . AL Percival , P . AL ; VV . AL Crowley , P . AL ; Thomas VV . Tustin , George Wilcox Smith , John H . Spencer ,

W . B . Newton , Henry Cooper , James Terry , F . G . Buckle , 442 , Prov . G . S . ; H . Pank , VV . M . 442 ; Edmund Roberts , 360 ; Edward Cox , P . AL 60 , P . G . Steward ; Rev . T . C . Beasley , 1764 ; Rev . SV . E . Hall , Assist . P . G . Chap . ; Edward Hale . P . AL 455 ; H . J . Atkins , P . G . J . D . ; Robert H . Giiffiin , P . P . G . S . W . ; John T . Roseblade , G 07 ; G . Ellard , W . AL 3 C 0 , P . G . A . D . C ; J . U . Stanton , P . AT . 360 , P . P . G . S . D . ; H . Brown , S . VV . 1764 ; John

Alarson , P .. M . 373 , P . P . G . S . Warden ; John Slinn , Al . VV . 737 ; John H . Hale , W . AL 455 . P . P . G . S . W . ; N . T . Hewens , P . AL 737 , P . G . S . Warden ; John Bingley , S . W . 360 ; Joseph Sadler , 3 G 0 ; J . VV . Linnett , 17 G 4 ; Alfred C . Pearson , 360 ; Samuel S . Campion , 1764 ; VV . Goldnev , 1764 ; J . C . Franklin , 17 G 4 ; F . J . Airs , 360 ; H . V . Tebbutt , 1764 ; Robert McClure , 3 60 ; H . Walker Todd , 360 ; VV . C . Lound , 442 , S . VV . ; VV . Dixey , 442

Sec ; B . Tebbutt , 442 ; A . Cockerill , 360 ; VV . Ellis , E . Hay , 3 G 0 ; Arthur Weston , 360 ; William Ellis , Grcnville Lodge , Bucks ; J . Ackroyd , 737 ; H . Spoor , 360 ; Thomas P . Dorman , 17 G 4 ; Alfred Jones , 17 G 4 ; John James Hart , S . D . 3 G 0 ; Thos . Chapman , G 07 ; IT . Rose , G 07 ; IT . Standlcy , P . AL 455 ; and Thos . Emery , 17 G 4 . The following brethren were duly installed as officers of the province : —

Bro . James Terry , 445 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . ,, Rev . ] . G . Hodgson , G 07 ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . VV . E . Hall , 737 Prov . G . Chap . ,, Rev . T . C . Beasley , 17 G 4 ... Prov . G . A . Chap . „ Richard Howes , 445 ( by election ) Prov . G . Treas . ,, Slinn , 4 v > ' Prov . G . Reg .

„ F . G . Buckle , 442 Prov . G . Sec „ Dixey , 442 ... Prov . G . S . D . „ John Bingley , 370 Prov . G . J . D . „ j . C . Lound , 442 Prov . G . S . of W . „ R . IT . Grillin , 442 Prov . G . D . of C . „ George Ellard , 3 G 0 Prov . G . A . D . C . „ F . G . Airs , 3 G 0 Prov . G . Sd . Br .

„ F . J . Sheppard , 445 Prov . G . Puis . „ Acktoyd , 737 Prov . G . Org . „ J . T . Roseblade , G 07 Prov . G . Std . Br . Various grants were made to distressed brethren ; twenty guineas were voted to the Aged and Decayed Institution ; ten guineas to the Boys' School , and £ 5 to the Hervey Alemorial .

It was understood that Bro . J . U . Stanton would publish a provincial calendar , the profits to go to the Benevolent Institutions . Thc D . P . G . M . referred to the death of Bro . Cox , and said , when it occurred , he took it upon himself , in conjunction with the P . G . S ., to write a letter of condolence to the widow and family of Bro . Cox . The letter was read and confirmed . The D . P . G . AI . said he and several of the

brethren from different parts attended the funeral to show the high esteem in which Bro . Cox was held . The next meeting , •it was stated , would be held at Stamford . The lodge was then closed in due form . The banquet , which was held subsequently in the large room at the Pomfret , was excellently served . The D . P . G . AL , Bro . Butler Wilkins , occupied the chair , the

vicechairs being filled by the Prov . Grand Senior Warden , Bro . James Terry , and the Prov . Grand Junior Warden , Bro . the Rev . F . G . Hodgson . "The Queen and the Craft" having been duly honoured , The CHAIRMAN gave " Thc Al . VV . the Grand Alaster of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., " whose position as head of the Craft added lustre to the Order . The CHAIRMAN next gave " The Al . VV . Pro Grand

AIaster of England , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon ; the Deputy Grand Alaster , the Earl of Lathom ; and the Officers of Grand Lodge . " Bro . Cox , P . G . Steward , responded . Bro . the Rev . W . E . HALL gave "The R . W . the Prov . Grand Master , the Duke of Alanchestcr , and the W . Dep . Prov . Grand Alaster , Bro . Butler Wilkins , " in an amusing speech . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND AIASTER , who was most

cordially received , alluded to the circumstance that on the last occasion that they met at Towcester they had the presence of the late Bro . Inns , who then occupied the chair of Deputy Prov . Grand Master . He referred to the death of Bro . Cox , who so successfully worked on behalf of the Charities of the Order . He had had the pleasure that day of installing in ollice as Prov . Grand Senior Warden a brother whom their late Bro . Cox was anxious should occupy

the same position with regard to this province as he himself held . ( Applause . ) They owed thanks to Bro . Stanton , the Provincial Steward , for the high position in whicii he had placed the province in relation to their Charitable Institutions , ln conclusion , he tendered his thanks to the members of the Lodge of Fidelity for the kind way in which they bad received the brethren of the province that day . ( Applause . ) Bro . Cox wished to acknowledge the kind references

whicii had been made to his late father . His father lived a Alason and died a Alason , and when he died it was with his family and friends around him , his last words being " Lord , lettest now Thy servant depart in jieace . " Bro . G . ELLARD , as . the W . AI . of the senior lodge of the province , gave "The Provincial Grand Treasurer , the Provincial Grand Secretary , and the Grand Officers of the

Province , Present and Past , " to which Bro . R . HOWES , P . G . Treasurer for ten ycars , and Bro . F . G . BUCKLE P . G . Secretary , humorously responded . Bro . GEORGE OSBORN , P . AL , gave "The Alasonic Charities , " remarking that Charity was the foundation of Alasonry . He was glad to sec present that day the grandson of Bro . Thomas Phipps , who initiated him into the Pomfet Lodge in February , 1837 . ( Cheers . )

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

Bro . J AMES TERRY , Secretary R . AI . B . L , said the Alasonic Charities showed the outer world what was the outcome of Freemasonry . When they could point to three magnificent Institutions where they were supporting 750 persons , without any aid from the outside world , if was something of which they might be proud . During 1 SS 0 they had subscribed to these Institutions within £ 250 of the magnificent total of £ 50 , 000 . ( Applause . ) Other

chanties had suffered during the last three years through the depression of trade , but it had been quite the reverse with the Alasonic Charities . A larger sum had been subscribed than at any previous time . ' The Girls' School had a most successful festival last month , and one of the largest amounts they had ever had was collected on that occasion . Last year they took on twenty-five additional girls , and they had been able to place there a daughter of a

deceased member of the Lodge of Fidelity . They had also had a most successful festival of the Benevolent Institution , and ] the highest sum ever collected was brought in , namely , £ 14 , 367 . ( Applause . ) There were two candidates from the province , and one had been successful . He thanked the brethren for their munificent gifts to the Charities . ( Applause . ) Bro . Rev . W . A . HOWES gave " The Masters ol the

Lodges , " for whom Bro . A . F . GREVILLE responded . " The Ladies" wis given by Bro . VV . WHITTON in most humorous terms , and acknowledged with equal humoui by Bro . THOMAS PHIPPS DORMAN , and the Tyler's toast concluded the programme . The harmony of the evening was contributed to by several of the brethren , Bro . Simmonds presiding at the pianoforte .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS .

There was a large gathering of Ihe brethren of the various lodges in the Province of Berks and Bucks , at the annual Provincial Grand Lodge held at Aylesbury , on Alonday last . The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand AIaster ( Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P . ) , presided , the

brethren present including the Very Worshipful the Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster , Bro . the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg ; Bro . Ratvson , Past District Grand Master of China , and the Provincial Grantl Officers ; Bros . J . O . Carter , S . G . W . ; J . Reeve , J . G . W . ; C . Oades , G . Reg . ; R . Bradley , G . Sec ; J . R . Wilmer , S . G . D . ; G . M . Knight , J . G . D . ; I . E . Danks , G . S . Works . ; C . VV . Cox ,

G . D . of C ; 1 . Tomkins , A . G . D . C ; T . VV . Robinson , G . S . B . ; H . Willis , G . O . ; C . Nowell and A . Culverhouse , GPursts . ; T . Taylor , H . Jowett , J . R . Slator , W . J . Gough , and L . Poulton , Grand Stewards , Sic There were also present Bros . VV . Biggs , P . P . G . Sec ; IT . H . Hodges , P . P . G . SW . ; IT . D'Almaine , P . P . G . S . W . ; Rev . O . G . Grace , P . P . G . Chap . ; R . B . Bateman , P . P . G . Org . ; J .

AlcCubbin , P . P . G . J . W . ; 1 . Williams , P . P . G . S . W . B . F . Fountain , P . P . G . S . ; IT . King , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . F De Fraine , P . P . A . D . C . ; J . Lawson , P . P . S . D . ; H . D Gooch , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . Adams , P . P . G . S . D . ; VV . S Cantrell , P . P . G . D . ; J . Rutland , P . P . G . O . ; H . D . Hay , E Carr , C . Terry , VV . II . Bull , A . J . Coates , | . D . Coates , J Line , J . Parrott , 11 . Cox , J . Wilson , J . Sutcliffe , W . Fergu

son , F . D . Bull , S . VV . Thorpe , J . Cheeseman , J . Goodwin , VV . Carter , VV . Smith , J . Alartin , A . C . Hewitt , F . Coates , VV . ] . Brain , A . Cook , VV . F . Large , E . Davey , D . Webb , C . V . Childs , L . Cooper , A . S . Bailey , J . E . Sydenham , VV . H . Pike , !• :. C . Knight , J . Penn , Rev . N . T . Garry , A . AIcDowall , J . Alartin , T . Thomas , IT . IT . Alason , VV . W . Alorgan , T . C . Hudson , R . VV . Munday , E . Hewitt , 1 .

Christmas , S . Johnson , J . A . Fraser , S . Knight , H . G . Layton , JL . A . Simms , G . Charubin , L . Smeathman , VV . Clarke , G . 1 . Cosburn , VV . T . Toms , R . Puttick , Walter Graham , VV . Alorris , L . AL Nixon , E . Alargrett , E . J . Blackwell , R . Dowsett , E . J . Saunders , J . E . Reynolds , C . E . Belcher , R . Pocock , G . Stratton , M . Wheeler , I .

Belcher , VV . Jackson , J . P . Terry , J . Fowler , F . B . Parrott , VV . A . Hill , J . Batting , J . R . Dickson , VV . Alackey , S . IT . Page , S . Hales , H . Edgington , IT . Alartin , E . Keevil , and others . The Provincial Grand Alaster opened the lodge , which was held in the Corn Exchange , soon after three o ' clock ,

when The P . G . SEC . called the roll of lodges and Provincial Grand Ollicers . He then reported that on the 14 th February last the St . Hilda Lodge , Wallingford , was opened by the Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster ; and , on the 25 th April , tlie Welleslcy Lodge , at Sandhurst , was consecrated by the same officer . The provincial statement of accounts showed that the

receipts for the past year were £ 176 10 s . id . The disbursements , including a contribution of 30 guineas to the Charity Fund , left a balance in hand of ^ , 92 lGs . Gil . The Charity Fund account exhibited receipts amounting to £ 159 12 s . Gd ., out of which , after various contributions to the different lodges in the province for charitable purjioscs , there was still a balance of £ 59 17 s . Gd . available .

On thc motion of thc PROV . GRAND MASTER , seconded by the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND AIASTER , it was unanimously agreed to grant to the lodges , for the Alasonic Institutions , the sums of £ 10 10 s . and £ 5 5 s . respectively , as recommended by the Charity Committee . THE PROVINCIAL GRAND AIASTER referred to the death of Bro . Hervey , who had for many years filled the

post of Grand Secretary to the Order with great efficiency , remarking that Alasonry had by his death lost a most valuable and excellent officer . ( Applause . ) The members of the Craft were making an effort to raise a fund for a most descrvin-jobject , that of assisting those who failed in securing their election to the Benevolent Institution , but a special interest would be felt in it because they aimed to do honour to one

who was fully entitled to some memorial of the services he had rendered to the Craft . ( Ajiplause . ) He therefore felt the greatest pleasure in proposinjr that £ 5 5 s . be granted to the " Hervey" Testimonial Fund by the Province of Berks and Bucks . ( Applause . ) This was agreed to item . con . THE PROV . GRAND AIASTER , in proposing the re-election

of the Prov . Grand treasurer ( Bro . Stephens ) , regretted that a prior engagement had deprived them of the pleasure of the company of one who had been so regular in his attendance at that lodge . ( Applause . ) The motion was seconded by the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , and adopted . Bro . Hemmings , the Prov . Grand Tyler , was re-elected by the customary show of hands .