Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

t"nue to flourish in this province . He was striving in c ? i province to follow in the . " ontsteps of his predeceshlS ° 0 \ v their worthy Provincial Grand Master , whose S ° ' llent examp le was still producing good fruit in the e c"H hire province . From time to time philosophers had -ted to establish a svstem of universal fraternity and tor tne

and there had been religious movements purlovc ' f attaining that end , but he knew of no institution so P ° "j ? lculated " to accomplish the purpose as Freemasonry , / rheers . ) * f "' ey "> ' d but endeavour to maintain the nd princip les of their Order , and illustrate them in their ^" tions they would all become better men , and they would thus do niuch towards civilising and humanising the of the Masonic

¦ hole of mankind . Speaking symbols , Bro . Goldney reminded the brethren that not many centuries a" 0 men who advanced scientific truths became the objects of attack and persecution , as in the case of the creat Bacon , and it was only by signs and symbols that men could in those days safely communicate great scientific princip les to those who would appreciate and foster and therefore in had

and encourage them , Masonry they as it were the foundation of those great pursuits to which ' in these days the world owes so much . ( Cheers . ) " Thc Health of the Provincial Grand Wardens , and other Grand Officers , Past and Present" having been proposed , was responded to by Bro . Hodges , S . G . W . and Bro . Hurley , J . G . W . ' ' The P . G . M . gave "The Health of the Worshipful

Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the Reading Lodges , and other Lodges'in the Province , " for whom Bro . Yeates , W . M . Union Lodge , antl Bro . I- ' rown , P . M . Greyfriars Lod ^ e , responded . The P . G . M . thanked the Reading lodges for the arrangements they had made for the P . G . Lodge . Bro . Brown explained that the W . M . of the Grey friars Lodge ( Bro . Freeman ) had unexpectedly been called away on important business , which accounted for

his absence . The P . G . M . proposed "The Health of the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Biggs , " of whose indefatigable exertions in the cause of Masonry Sir Daniel spoke in the most eulogistic terms . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Biggs , P . G . S ., suitably responded , observing that fur nearly ' 2 ? years past it had been his good fortune to be

associated in Masonry with Sir Daniel . In Wiltshire he attained to the high position of Senior Grand Warden , Sir Daniel being Deputy Grand Master . They left Wiltshire about thc same period , and on coming into Berkshire lie found himself again in office under Sir Daniel . He accounted it ap honour oi which any Mason might well feel proud to have served under Sir Daniel as he had done ,

and to have enjoyed for so long a period the confidence of such a good-hearted , honest , and straightforward Masonic character as Sir Daniel was known to be . ( Hear , and cheers . ) Then followed the toasts of "Thc Masonic Charities , " "The Musical Brethren , " "The Stewards , " "Thc Master Masons" ( for whom Major Stevens responded ) , " Tho Press , " Ac 'The speeches were interspersed by vocal music , and the proceedings were prolonged until past eight o'clock .

New Masonic Hall At Galashiels.

NEW MASONIC HALL AT GALASHIELS .

l . AYINO OF FOUNDATIOX-STONI " . A Masonic ceremony of some interest to the brethren of the province was performed at Galashiels on Friday , 1 2 th inst ., the occasion being the laying of the foundation-stone of a new hall by the local lodge . with the countenance and

support of the Grand Lodge and their more immediately associated brethren of thc district . Since its institution in 1816 the Lodge No . 26 :, St . John ' s , Galashiels , has never , it should be explained , had rooms of its own , and for thc past year or two a favourite project with its officials and other active members has been thc erectiiin of a hall that

would adequately provide for the requirements of the increasingly popular society . This scheme having been in its more recent progress taken up by the W . M ., Bro . A . Thomson , reached a few months ago a stage which warranted thc procuring of building plans from Messrs . Hall ami Murray , Galashiels . These plans , which arc now Mug put into execution on a site at the corner of Templar

'Trace and the new street which it is intended shall run through part of Gala Park , are of a character that will , besides admitting of the erection of a thoroughly suitable hall , enable the Masonic brethren to provide themselves with this luxury at very little real expense . With an object of this kind in view , the architects have designed * commodious block of buildings , containing , in addition to

the requisite lodge accommodation , so placed as not materiall y to add to the expense of the whole , workmen ' s dwelling-houses sufficient for ten families , with shop premises on thc ground floor . Externally the elevation , showing in style an adaptation of thc Scottish baronial , is wo storeys in height , with a large attic flat , and in its tast and north fronts ( which measure in length

respectivel y 6 5 and 72 feet ) has somewhat of a pronounced character . On the East side , that ' "' S the Free Church recently erected , there is placed at thc part most removed from Templar Terrace the cn-, [^ to 'h = hall , and in order to characterise the building Me has been here introduced the principal feature of the mr iv door is arched , and finished with handsome ouiumg , while from a corbel , run in about six feet from the j .. " . 11 . * Luiuti , IUII 111 duuuL & IA ICCL irom

o- > c ground , the wall is projected fully six inches , and carc rr „ i 'pwa !¦ 1 '" the form of a broad ff ablc ' broken with a date " wmdow and three panels—the first bearing the letter 1 V second with " Masonic Hall , " in raised eimlll v tWrd showing the Masonic emblems . Orithe adrfV r ° P 0 Sed t 0 fl ,, ish th 's part of the design by heiehtw- t Scotch haronial tower of considerable this hi . I' " 1 r mea ; lt'me , thc plans do not provide for and lar / neT .. , l , he con > P' <* wn of the gabel by moulded Japped skews , " with a thistle'in the centre . Interven .

New Masonic Hall At Galashiels.

ing between this and the gable which , at the other end of thc building , forms its counterpart ( with , however , none of its more distinctive characteristics ) , the elevation is a plain one , pierced on the first and second fiats by the doors and windows of the dwelling-houses , and on the attic floor by large circular dormer windows , and broken immediately above thc ground floor by a " string course , " which is

carried round to the north front . With thc projection of a second gable above some shop premises the" design for the east side is completed , and the block then runs to the north for the distance already specified with an outline very much the same as already described , though altogether more of" a secondary character . The hall itself is situated on the second floor , but being thrown back and lighted entirely from the roof , no trace of it except the

entrance is visible from the exterior . Although thus occupying no very pretentious place , it is , however , a thoroughly suitable one , being 42 feet by 24 feet 6 inches , and 19 feet in height , and having attached to it a series of commodious ante-rooms . The total cost of the work without the tower is estimated at ^ ooo , of which a considerable sum has already been expended in excavating the site , this having run into the side of a hillock , and being a costly

one to make use of . The ceremony of Friday was favoured by everything that could contribute to its success—the weather being fine , the assemblage of Freemasons large , and the interest taker , in Jhe proceedings by the public very marked . After assembling at the Public Hall , the brethren of St . John ' s and those forming deputations from the sister lodges in

the province were marshalled in processional order by Bro . Bryce , of the Grand Lodge , at one o ' clock , and thereafter marched , with music supplied by two bands , through the principal streets of the town , on their way towards what was to be the scene of the ceremony . In all , this procession comprised upwards of 200 Masons , the lodges being disposed of in the following order : —No . 482 ,

Kirkliston ( number of deputation , 10 ) ; No . 405 , Rifle , Edinburgh ( 12 ); No . 3 60 , Munro ( 3 ); No . 291 , Celtic , Edinburgh ( 8 ); No . 262 , St . John's , Galashiels ( do ); No . 261 , Tweed , Kelso ( 7 ); No . 223 , Trafalgar , Edinburgh and Lcith ( 4 ); No . 21 C , Stow , ( 9 ); No . 178 , Scotia , Glasgow Cl ) ; No . 132 , St . Luke ' s , Lauder ( iOi No . 111 , St . John ' s , Hawick ( 2 : ); No .

70 , St . Abb , Eyemouth ( 10 ); No . 32 , St . John ' s , Selkiik ( 16 ); No . 24 , Kilwinning , Peebles ( 6 , carrying thc working tools ); No . 10 , Dalkeith ( 6 ) ; No . 8 , Journeymen , Edinburgh ( 32 ); the Provincial Grand Lodge , headed by Bros . Inglis , of Torsonce , Provincial Grand Master of Peeblesshirejand Selkirkshire ( who had been requested to lay the foundation-stone ) ; A . Thomson , S . P .

G . M . ; Scott , P . G . S . W . ; Donaldson , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . A . J . Murray , Eddlestone , P . G . . Chaplain ; R . Sanderson , P . G . Sec . ; Kyle , P . G . Deacon ; Nisbet , P . G . Steward ; Scott , P . G . Steward ; Waldie , P . G . Bible-Bearer ; 'Thomson , P . G . Bard ; 11 . Brown , I ' . G . Master of Ceremonies ; : ind the Grand I . odjre , n'pivcented by Bro . A . II ly , Giand Jeweller ; Bro . W . Officer ( P . M . ol JSo . 1 ) ; and Bro . W .

Hay , Grand Deacon . On the site of the new building a large piece of ground had been railed off , within which a platform was erected for the accommodation of ladies who wished to see the ceremonial , and thc space necessary for marshalling thc Masons taking part in the proceedings was furnished Outside the barriers a large crowd of the trwnspeople

gathered , all anxious to be spectators of what was taking place . At two o ' clock , by which time all outsiders had got into position , the procession arrived at thc enclosure , and immediately after the Provincial Grand Master had been conducted to a small platform erected for his use , the ceremony was then commenced . Prayer was first offered by the Rev . Bro . Murray , after which

Bro . Thomson , S . P . G . M ., said that previous to the foundation-stone of the new hall being laid he wished , in name of the Lodge St . John , to present Bro . Inglis with a silver trowel . ( Cheers . ) This presentation was , he said , made to their brother as an acknowledgment cf the valuable services he had rendered as Provincial Grand Master —( Cheers)—was made , too , because Bro . Inglis was a

Border man , and highly appreciated everything connected with the Borders—( Cheers . ) and as an acknowledgment of his high literary attainments , gentlemanly bearing , and above all , of those high Masonic principles the possession of which endeared him to every brother in Scotland . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Inglis , in acknowledging thc presentation , said he

accepted with gratitude and pleasure the handsome trowel that had been put into his hands . The Substitute-Grand Master had spoken of biim ( Bro . Inglis ) as a Border man , and there was no mistake that he was right , and in his family they held a charter from Robert Bruce of certain lands near Hawick—the lands of Branxholm , which now belonged to the noble family of Buccleuch . but in regard

to which the noble Duke was always ready to admit that this . ( Bro . Inglis's ) family preceded his house in the Borders ( Cheers ) . The Duke ' s sept was a strong one , quite able to take the cattle of the English , and to keep them —( laughter and cheers ) — while his clan was a smaller one , though very obstinate—( laughter)—and when they found themselves opposed to the

whole force of the English Borders were obli ged to change their possession of Branxholm for certain other lands . ( Cheers . ) With full Masonic rites the foundation-stone was then laid , the officials more prominently taking part in thc proceedings being thc Provincial Grand Master , the Substitute Grand Master , Bro . Sanderson , P . G . Secretary , Bro . Scott ,

P . G . S . W ., and Bro . Donaldson , P . G . J . W . Thc ceremony having been completed , Bro . Inglis addressed the brethren . At the outset he alluded at considerable length to the last occasion when he appeared in public in Galashiels in connection with the celebration of the Scott Centenary , and spoke of that demonstration as the result of unbiassed , generous , and en-

New Masonic Hall At Galashiels.

lightened enthusiasm on the part of the townspeople . Referring to thc occasion that had brought them together , he congratulated the Lodge St . John on thc work that had just been begun , stating that they were the first lodge who , during his period of office at least , had thought fit to erect a temple of their , own . ' ( Cheers . ) Churches they had of all denominations , devoted exclusively to

Christian worship ; was it too much , then , he asked , that they who professed the great Christian principles of love of virtue , and of charity , should have a place of assemblage for themselves ? ( Cheers . ) He said " No "—( cheers)—and how entirely the brethren of St . John ' s agreed with him had already been shown . ( Renewed cheers . ) He trusted , he said in conclusion , that the brethren of the town would

meet together in the new hall on the level and square for many a year to come . ( Cheers . ) Bro . 'Thomson , in conveying the thanks of St . John ' s Lodge to Bro . Inglis for his services , remarked that , if he did not mistake the temper of the Freemasons of the South of Scotland , their Provincial Grand Master would soon be

put in a position in thc Grand Lodge itself in which he might enjoy the throne for a season . ( Cheers . ) The spetch-making being concluded , the procession was re-formed , and marched back , in inverted order , to the Public Hall , where the day ' s festivities were wound up with a Masonic banquet , over which Bro . Inglis presided .

Thanksgiving For The Prince Of Wales's Safe Return.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES'S SAFE RETURN .

Bro . thc Rev . R . J . Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain , will move the following resolutions at Grand Lodge or . the 7 th June : — Resolved , r . That this Grand Lodge desires to record its humble

and hearty thanks to Almighty God for the preservation and safe return of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master of English Freemasons , and that , with a view to testifying to this loyal and devout feeling in a more united , public , and solemn manner , this Grand Lodge resolves ( with the approval of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master and the kind permission of

the proper authorities ) to hold , on some convenient day , a service of praise and thanksgiving in St . Paul ' s Cathedral . 2 . That as a thank ofiering on this occasion this Grand Lodge votes from its Fund thc sum of £ 1000 , which , together with thc offerings made at the service in St . Paul ' s , shall be devoted to the benefit of such charitable object in India as may be recommended by thc Most

Worshipful Grand Master . In the event of thc above resolutions being passed , Resolved , 3 . That the following brethren constitute a special com mittec to carry out this resolution , viz .: — R . W . Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . R . W . Bro . Earl of Donoughmore , G . S . W .

R . W . Urn . Ho ,,. W . W . Vernon , G . J . W . V . W . Bro . yEneas J . Mclntyre ( Q . C . 1 , G . R . R . W . Bro . ) . Havers , I ' . G . J . W . V . W . Bro . J . B . Monckton , P . G . D . R . W . Bro . | . Clabon , Pres . B . G . P . R . W . Bro . Sir A . Woods , G . D . C .

V . W . Bro . J . Hervey , G . Sec . V . W . Bro . S . J . Wigram , G . Chap . Bro . Dr . Erasmus Wilson , W . M . No . 2 . Bro . Standish Grady . Bro . Major General Clerk . V . W . Bro . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

'The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . The quaiterly meeting of the Board of Masters was previousl y held , at which the paper of business for Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication was settled . Even for the meeting of the Board of Masters , which is always

numerously attended , the number of brethren who were present was very large—100 brethren attended . Bro . John M . Clabon , P . G . D . President , presided ; Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice President , was in thc Senior Vice President's chair ; and Bro . S . Rawson , Past District G . M . of China , was in the chair of thc Junior Vice President . The Grand Senior Warden of the year , the Earl of Donoughmore ,

was among the numerous brethren who took part in the proceedings . There were also present Bros . S . Foxall , W , ' F . Nettlcship , Percy Leith , J . M . Case , Benj . Head , H . Marsh , E Watts , John Bingemann , W . Fourdrinier , H . Bartlett , Samuel May , W . H . Hemsworth , John Green , W . Clifton Crick , C . J . Morgan , James Pinder , John Constable , William Dodd , W . II . Lee , John

Wright , P . G . P . ; Jos . Smith , P . G . P . ; Cotterbrune , P . G . P . ; Dr . Hogg , W . Stephens , W . J . Murlis , Hbgard , Griffiths Smith , W . H . Myers , B . II . Swallow , Rev . J . M . Vaughan , S . Poynter , J . Hervey , II . G . Buss , A . A . Pendlebury , W . T . Howe , and F . Binckes .

The Lodge of Benevolence sat for four hours , and in thc course of the evening voted a total of £ 653 , which was made up of three sums of £ 50 each , one of £ 40 , four of £ 30 , nine of £ 20 , five of £ 15 , eight of £ 10 , one of £ 5 , and one of £ 3 . Lodge was then closed and adjourned .

HOLLOWAY ' S OiXTMEvr AXD PILLS . —Safely and Securely . —When the severities of winter have ) k-lded to the genial spring , invalids should make a determined cil ' ort to regain their lost health , when , through confinement indoors , want ot * appetite , and disturbed sleep , the entire system has been weakened and the spirits have been broken down . Holloway's remedies are equal to the occasion . The ointment rubbed over the regions of the stomach and liver , aided by the internal administration of his pills , will rectify the digestion , regulate the blie , and purify the bloodthree sanitary actions which will speedily confer renewed vigour , brace up the failing nerves , confirm the flaccid muscles , and restore to the ailing , cheerfulness , that great charm of existence , — AUVT ,