Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Masonic Hall At Havant.

insensible to the duties he was taking on himsalf . ( Hear , hear . ) He had shown himself a great friend to the Craft , a „ d during his recent journey in India he had lost no opportunity of attending a Masonic ceremony whenever il „ .. lS in his power to do so . It must be a source of joy and congratulation to them to find that during his journry throug hout that great empire he had not only endeared

himself to the hearts of their coui . trymcn there , but also cf the natives of that country . He was sure that though he had „ ot thrown aside pleasure , yet he had never neglected duty to pur :-uc it . ( Hear , hear . ) He had , he was quite sure , walked during bis tour in a wonderful manner . The enormous number of processions and ceremonies that he had attended required a very strong constitution to get

ihrou » h . But he had been enabled to surmount all , and he v . as sure that the manner in which he had conducted himself throughout the whole of that tour had redounded to the honour of England , and had shown that he who held the highest position , next to the Queen , in England , was able to conduct himself towards all those with whom he came in contact in a manner to rellrct honour ou thc

position he occupied . ( Applause ) He trusted that on his ntum to this country he would meet with a reception that would repay him in some measure for the labour he had undergone . ( Applause . ) The Prov . Grand Master said that however ready the Prince of Wales , their Grand Master , might be to attend Masonic ceremonies , yet it was quite impossible for him to

discharge those duties all over the country . The ennsequtiice was that it wa ; necessary to have a Pio Grand Master to represent him , and the Craft were fortunate in having a brother of such eminence and talertas the Earl of Carnarvon . ( Applause . ) He was very much associated with this county , although he held the office ol Provincial Grand Master of Somerset . But he hail shown

himself ready to take a great interest in Freemasonry in this province , and extremely zealous in discharging thc duties of Provincial Grand Master . He had also been a staunch supporter of their Masonic chaiities , and , in short , had reflected honour upon the cause of Freemasonry since he had been a member of their Order . ( Applause . ) He would couple with the toast "The Heal'h of Lord

Skelmersdale , the Deputy Grand Master , " who m Lancashire , in particular , was held in the very highest repute . Those who had the opportunity of meeting him , as he frequently had , on Masonic occasions , knew that the able mariner in which he perfonned his duties commended itscli to the hearts of all who came near him . He would coupe with the toast " The Health of a Past Grand Officer , "

whose name ordinarily would be coupled with another toast , but whom it would be convenient on this occasion to give an opportunity of saying a few words before he left—Bro . Wihiam Hickman . ( Applause . ) He gave ' The Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the Officers ef the Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " ( Applause . )

T he Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Hickman , m responding , said he could assure them that in the Earl-of Carnarvon the Grand Lodge of England had a nobleman who conducted the procccoings , in the absence of the Prince of Wales and on his behalf , in a most satisfactory manner . ( Hear hear . ) He need not lemind them of the manner in which the installation ceremony of the Prince ol

Wales—that glorious meeting of Masons throughout England—was conducted by his lordid . ip some twelve months ago . That was a day that would lest in the memory of all Masons in England for many , many years ti come , and even for generations . ( Hear hear . ) Lord Skelmersdale was only too pleased to second the exertions of the Pro Grand Master , and to do his duty as Deputy Grand

Master , and all the officers , present and past , of Grand Lodge were only too pleased to do what in them lay for the lurlheiance of Freemasonry . He only hoped that today's proceedings , although they might have been to some extent marred by the weather , over which they could have no control , would be remembered in Havant , they having laid the foundation of a lodge which he trusted would

last for many years , ar . d cement the . bonds of Freemasonry , particularly the support of their charitable institutions , and he hoped also that many lasting friendshii . s and kindly relations might exist in this lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) He expressed the thanks of the Provincial Grand Officers who had been summoned , and who had been so pleased to accompany the ir Provincial Grand Master on

this occasion , for the very kind manner in which they had been received . They would be only too pleased at a fufure time , when the building was completed , to come there and inaugurate the proceedings therein , and they trusted that this lodge mig ht exist for many years and be held in the new building , whbh would be a very handsome one , according to the plans they had seen that day , and that it

might be from generation to generation a rallying-point for Freemasonry in this district . ( Applause . ) Bro . Lintott briefly proposed "The R . W . Prov . G . M ., " who had come there that day from a long distance to be present , although , as they knew , he had many other important and arduous duties to pciform . ( Hear hear . ) The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm .

T he Prov . Grand Master , in responding , said he certainly could have wished that circumstances hail been more propitious . If the weather had been only favourable they should have had , no doubt , a large attendance , anxious to witness such an interesting ceremony . But as they were not so favoured they wcre obliged to put up with a comparativel y small attendance . But he might congratulate

their Worshi p ful Master that the brethren who were present were animated by a sincere desire to lake part in that interesting ceremony . It must be gratifying to any one to have a Masonic lodge constituted in a locality . Those brethren who had taken part in the formation of a lodge , and in its sustentation , must have been animated by a sincere desire to promote the welfare of Freemasonry , and they then set themselves to work to get a building proper to re-

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Masonic Hall At Havant.

ceive them . There was something , no dou ' jt , repugnant to the feelings of true Masons vvheM they met in a building not adapted to them and unworthy of holding them . ( Hear , hear . ) Ther-fore it reflected the more credit on them when they set to work and put their shoulders to the wheel , to erect a building which should be wo : thy of them . ( Hear , hear . ) Such , he trusted , would be the result of the

proceedings of to-day . What had they resolved to do ? To mpke a building for thc purposes ef Freemasonry . Was it an Order woithy of support , or a mere ignoble Order , which would flourish for a few years and then die away ? Freemasonry had existed for centuries , its votaries had been well aware that it was an Order which could not die , because its principles would ever keep it alive . Other

societies had died out , but Freemasonry still flourished and increased , because those who hid succeeded their forefathers had gone on , feeling that the lessons they had received were lessons which were well worthy of being acted up to and perpetuated . Amongst the lessons of Freemasonry there were some which could not but reflect credit upon those that devised them , as upon those who wcre

determined to act up to th = m . They had the lessons of benevolence and charity—charity , let him say , acted upon to its fullest extent , not that charity which lavishly gave away to the first comer , but that charity which had an influence upon the inner man , which led them to act honourably and benevolently to every one with whom they came in contact . That was the true charity which should

influence the human life , and could they see it acted up to throughout the outer world they would have fewer disputes and fewer disturbances , and they woul I have something more benevolent than had ever as yet existed in the worhf . But that was too much to expect . Let them , however , as Masons , resolve so to act , that however much the outer world might cavil at their principles , they would

be compelled to say— " We cannot but admit that they do not neglect them in their own lives . ( Hear , hear . ) That was a reflection which should induce all of them to act in an honourable and proper manner , so that others might say when they looked upon a Mason— " Hi has acted up to the principles which have been instilled into him . " ( Hear , hear . ) In presiding over that province , which he

nad had the honour to do for some years , he had taken the wannest interest in the progress of Freemasonry throughout its precincts . Impressed himself , at his first entrance into the Order , with a belief that Freemasonry would confer the greatest bemfits upon the human race , he had tried , far as in him lay , to support it , and he could only hope that he might have the pleasure of seeing

Freemasonry flourish , not only throughout the province , but throughout the country . ( Applause . ) He thanked the W . M . and brethren of thc Carnarvon Lodge for the very kind and hospitable icciption they had given them that diy , and he trusted , as their Deputy Grand Master had said , that on a future otcasiem he might have the opportunity of coming there and seeing the result of the

auspicious proceedings which had taken place that day . ( Applause . ) Bro . Lintott , W . M ., pre posed "Thc Provincial Officers , Pnsent and Past , " coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Henry Ford , P . G . S . VV . ( Applause . ) Bro . H . Foid , P . G . S . W ., in responding , said he was much obliged to them for having anoppoitunity of joining

in this festive occasion . lie came there , hoping that they might have a fine day and a large gathering . They had not either , but at least they had had the leaders of their Craft present among them , showing them they were still earnest in their attachment to the principles of their Order , and , although the weather was unpropitious , doing their duty to the best of their ability . He was quite sure that

all present must have derived some lessons of instruction and some lessons to guide them in thc future from the ceremony in which they had taken part . The ceremony was necessarily curtailed in consequence of their great enemy , the weather , but still enough had been performed to show they had laid the foundation of a building which , they believed , would take deep root , and , by the blessing

of the Great Architect of the Universe , bring forth fruit a hundred fold . They did not come there to take part in an empty or idle ceremony , or merely to grace a procession or show themselves in Masonic clothing to the ignorant multitude ; but they came there for the purpose cf strengthening the hands of a body of men in that town , who had done so much to cultivate Freemasonry and

establish its principles and precepts . ( Applause . ) Let them hope that the proceedings of that day would evenuate in Freemasonry being more firmly established than ever among them , and that the Carnarvon Lodge , which was about to have a habitation of its own , might continue to flourish . ( Applause . ) Following so closely after their excellent Right Worshipful Grand Master , it would be

affectation in him to detain them with a long speech . But he could not allow the opportunity to pass without expressing his deep sense of the obligations of Freemasonry , as he had often done in that town in days gone by . The name of a Freemason was not a mere empty word ; it had a meaning and significance which they ought never to forget . ( Hear , hear ) It imposed upon them self-restraint ,

which they ought to practise whenever the necessity for it arose . He could not help feeling sad for a moment , even although they had every appliance for festivity before them . He could not help remembering that the hand of Death had been among Freemasons , as well ? . s among other bodies , and that if it had not been for his inroads in the Order he ( Bro . Ford ) would not be occupying the

position he now filled . They misseel from among them on that occasion the face of a genial brother , who had recently been taken to , he hoped and believed , an abode of bliss ; a brother who had been wont to make them as happy as it was in his power to do , even at the sacrifice of his own personal comfort . Let them for a moment pause and reflect that the time might come—nay , must shortl y come—when they would have to follow htm

Laying The Foundation Stone Of A Masonic Hall At Havant.

to that bourne whence no traveller returned . He knew their excellent Brother Forbes between forty anil fifty years , and he always found him to be a good friend and a sincere and trustworthy man ; and , as a Mason , his heart was enshrined in the principles of their Order . Let them follow in his footsteps , although all could not grin the position he

rccupied , and strive to emulate his example . While on this melancholy topic he could not help iemerabering that they had formerly a brother among them who , on occasions like this , was the life and soul of their proceedings—he referred to their late excellent Bro . Stebbing , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . They always missed his genial countenance whenever anything was to be done for the

good of Freemasonry . " Let them strive to emulate the example of those who ha 1 gone before them . They were apt to forget what the meaning of Freemasonry was . It was not merely the practice of one of the social virtues . Brotherly love , relief , and truth were its three cardinal points . Me urged the brethren ejf the Carnarvon Lodge to continue to live together in brotherly love . If that

principle had not been acted upon they could never have gained the predominance they h . td in this town , or have been in a position to go through that day'a proceedings . ( Applause . ) The Prov . Grand Master referred to the presence amongst them of an Irish Mason , and proposed " The Grand Lodge of Ireland , " which was responded to by Bro .

Charles IT . Bamber , Sphinx Lodge , 263 . The Prov . Grand Master said he rose to propose a toast which he was sure would be received with the greatest enthusiasm— " The health of their Worshipful Master . " It would have been much more pleasing to have proposed this toast could he have congratulated him upon all the proceedings of to-day having gone off in the most

favourable manner , but was sure he might congratulate him thit as far as he ( the W . M . ) was concerned everything had gone off in the most admirable manner . They must thank him for the arrangements which had been made and for the manner in which fee had conducted them . The Worshipful Master had important duties to perform . He hail to rely upon the support of the brethren of neighbouring lodges assisting him upon any occasion when they

might be called upon to do so . He was sure the Worshipful Master of the Carnarvon Lodge might rely upon the support of the brethren of his nei ghbouring lodges . ( Hear , hear . ) They wouli therefore drink his health , and wish that the remaining part of his year of office might be most prosperous . ( Louei applause . ) The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm , and Bro . Lintott briefly responded , and proposed " The Visitors . "

Bro . Eve , P . P . G . S . W ., in responding , said nothing could be a greater source of enjoyment to all true Masons than to assemble on the occasion of laying the foundation-stone of a Masonic Hall . They all felt that if Masons could possibly get funds sufficient to have a place cf their own it was their duty to do so . For a small locality , as Havant was , compared with Portsmouth and other towns , they had

shown a great deal of pluck in getting a building of their own , anel he was sure would receive the congratulations of all the brethren of the province . The visitors could only regret that they had not been better favoured in respect to the weather , and he trusted that next time they had occasion to have a meeting of that kind they would take the opportunity of coming in still larger numbers than they had that day , for the purpose of expressing their feelings

towards them , for the manner in which they had conducted Masonry in this town . When they saw what a small body had done , it brought a number of larger towns rather into disrepute . ( Hear , hear . ) Other towns ought to emulate the example which they had set , and he hoped it would be followed . ( Hear , hear . ) He proposed , " Success to the Carnarvon Lodge . ( Applause . ) Bro . Gjod , P . M ., briefly responded , and promised a donation of £ 10 towards the building fund . ( Applause ) .

Inaugural Ball At The Surrey Masonic Hall .

INAUGURAL BALL AT THE SURREY MASONIC HALL .

_ Owing to the large increase of members , and of necessity , lodges , a want has long been felt in the southern part of London for a building in which the solemn rites of the Order can be performed , without having resort to establishments but poorly suited to the requirements of the

Masonic fraternity . The Surrey Masonic Hall , which has been in course of erection now very nearly two years , was formally opened on Wednesday , the 19 th inst ., by an Inaugural Ball . The foundation-stone was laid as far back as the 29 th of May , 1874 , by Colonel Francis Burdett , J . P ., Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , in the presence of a large numbct of distinguished brethren , and many

ladies . The dedication of the hall took place on the same day as the consecration of the new lodge , No . 1539 , which was nam . 'd after the hall . The Rt . Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master for West Lancashire , formally dedicated the new hall to Freemasonry on Wednesday , July 13 , 1875 . The hall , as its name implies , was built for the special accommodation of Masonic

lodges , and the portion of the premises more especially devoted to this purpose ha > been in use several months , a number of loelges , chapters , and instruction lodges having already taken up their qyiarters within the building . In addition to this portion , however , the building also comprises a iarge public hall 95 feet long , 40 wide , and 3 S m U i anil this hav ng now approached completion , was

inaugurated , as we have already stated , by the ball , and in order to identify the opening of this hall with one of the three great principles of Freemasonry , the proceeds will be given to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Of the boon which this hall will prove to the neighbourhood there is little need to speak . Bro . M . S , Larlham , a director of the Surrev Masonic Hall