Provincial Grand Chapter Of Kent.

The companions afterwards sat down to a banquet , provided by Messrs-Parker , Dartnall , and Co ., in the Pump Room , the Right Hon . Earl Amherst presiding . Comp . Anscombe had very nicely decorated the room , and the arrangements were very complete . The usual loyal toasts having been duly honoured , including that of " The Most Excellent the Grand First Principal , H . R . H . the Prince of

Wales , the Second and Third Grand Principals , and the other Officers of Supreme Grand Chapter , Present and Past , " coupled with the names of Comps . WARD , G . Std . Br ., and SI-AULL , G . D . C , each of whom responded , Bro . S MITH EASTES rose and said he had the greatest possible pleasure in proposing a toast , for the special reason that he knew in every body of Masons in the Province of Kent it would be well received , for there was no toast ever received so heartily as that of the Grand Superintendent of Kent ,

the Most Excellent Companion the Earl Amherst . He knew that to be no idle sentiment ; it was the true feeling of their hearts . It was 16 years ago yesterday , said the speaker , when Earl Amherst was called to the chair as Grand Superintendent of Kent , and he was sure all were deli ghted to see him still occupying that position in robust health . That was a toast which needed no comment , therefore he gave " The Health of the Earl Amherst , " wishing him long life , health , and happiness .

Lord AMHERST , in response , said he thanked them very heartily for their kind recognition . It was very pleasant indeed for him it should be so . These meetings came in what he might call the autumnal period of Masonry ; that was to say , after the hard work was done and the harvest had been gathered in . At these meetings their work was comparatively small , but at the same time they were the most enjoyable . Of course , they could not expect that at these meetings ol the Royal Arch

the same large attendance as at meetings of the Craft , but at the same time he should like to see them a little stronger . They were , he was pleased to say , going on happily and prosperously in the province , and he hoped they would long continue to do so . The Royal Arch was , as they knew , the last Degree in Freemasonry , and he did not see why they should not ask their brethren whether they were inclined to go with them behind the veil . He did not think there was absolutely anything he need comment upon .

The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The Second and Third Principals of the Prov . Grand Chapter of Kent and the Officers of the Prov . Grand Chapter , Present and Past , " and in doing so said he was pleased to find in attendance Comp . Smith Eastes , whose services rendered to Masonry were well-known . His name was a household word in ever ) ' chapter ; in fact he did not know what the province would do without him . Personally , he should

feel particular ) ' uncomfortable without him , besides which he was such a genial man in addition to his administrative services that he was always g lad to meet him at the social board . Looking around at the seniors of those who had passed the chair , his eye fell upon Comp . Curteis , who was also a good Mason , and he should , therefore , couple both their names with that toast , and call upon them to respond .

Comp . EASTES said he had very great gratification in responding to that toast . He felt that the words uttered by his lordship were genuine and hearty , and the work he did as a sort of lieutenant to their Grand Superintendent , gave him very great pleasure . The companions might rest assured that the Principals in their several capacities would endeavour to do their duty as he hoped they had done in the past , and the appointments made

that day would , he fell certain , be found to be most suitable , the companions feeling a special honour had been conferred upon them . He could assure them that as long as he had health and strength and their Grand Superintendent maintained his confidence in him he should continue and strive to merit that confidence . There were , he could assure them , many difficulties and many stumbling blocks .

Comp . CURTEIS said they might judge of his feelings of surprise at having his name mentioned and referred to as the senior Past Grand Officer of the Provincial Grand Chapter when he saw so many who were more entitled to the appellation than himself . His lordship had been singularly merciful on the elderly members who were Past Grand Officers . His own connection was not unlike that of the individual who paid a visit to the

country , and , getting into conversation with a farmer , asked him what certain animals were . The farmer , with surprise , explained they were cows , and , in reply to a further question as to what some green stuff was , replied it was wheat . The individual explained he did not know much about the country , as his profession nearly always called him to London , upon which the farmer asked what his profession was . He was told that he was the editor of an agricultural paper . He ( the speaker ) said his ignorance of the

affairs of the Provincial Grand Chapter was somewhat like that of the agricultural editor . They had , however , the satisfaction' of knowing that the duties they had performed so efficiently in the past would be continued by even more efficient officers in the future in the person of their successors . He believed they all had their hearts in the right place , and he sincerel y wished success to the Provincial Grand Chapter , and especially their Grand Superintendent .

The CHAIRMAN said the chapter under whose banner they met was always a toast well received . The companions must be very much pleased with the arrangements made for their comfort . He thought the Holmesdale Chapter should be congratulated on having such a good set of rooms at their disposal , while at the same time they would not have been so comfortable unless the companions had taken some trouble to make them so . They

had found everything they wanted—the only thing they could have done with better was the weather , and that he feared was beyond even the reach of Royal Arch Masonry . Not even Comp . Abrey could rule that eccentric individual , the Clerk of the Weather . They had received that clay a most hearty welcome . He regretted very much that Comp . Tom Ryder , P . Z ., was not able to be present lo respond to that toast , and receive his collar in

the Provincial Grand Chapter . He was sorry also that Comp . Rufus Stevenson , M . E . Z ., was also unable to attend . He hoped both would speedil y recover from their illnesses . He now called upon the companions to drink to the toast of " The Principals , Past Principals , and Companions "f the Holmesdale Chapter , No . 874 , " to which toast he should call upon an ° W Grand Officer to respond . He referred to Comp . Abrey .

Comp . AUREY , in response , regretted the unavoidable absence of the Princi pals Present and Past , and especially the cause—illness . In the case of Comp . Ryder , that illness had been of a serious nature . He had been a '" ost zealous worker in the chapter , and was glad to find that Comp .

% der ' s services had been recognised . The chapter was very pleased to welcome the Grand Superintendent to Tunbiidge Wells , and they were "ighl y delig hted to hear that he was satisfied with the entertainment provided . The chapter was in a fairly nourishing condition , both as regards members and finances . He said he had just received a letter from Comp .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Kent.

Stevenson regretting his inability to be present in consequence of a swollen face , which was very painful , and was in fact altogether unpresentable . The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Visiting Companions , "Which

concluded the toast list . During the dinner some capital music , which was very much appreciated , was given under the direction of Comp . Fred . Bcvan , the artists including Mdlle . Isabel George , Miss Lizzie Jones , Comp . Bevan , and Bro . Edward Dalzcll .

Comp . Josiah Wilmot ably officiated as Steward , and Comp . J . Boulter , the Janitor of the Holmesdale Chapter was complimented on the way in which he carried out his duties .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Surrey.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SURREY .

The Provincial Grand Chapter of Surrey was held at St . Nicholas Parish Hall , Guildford , on Friday , the 21 st inst . Comp . Col . G . Noel Money , C . B ., G . Supt ., presided , and was supported by—Comps . H . J . P . Dumas ; Dr . H . J . Strong , P . G . S . B . ; C . Greenwood , Prov . G . S . E . ; Dr . C . C . Gibbs , Prov . G . Treas . ; H . M . Hobbs ; Abel Laurence , P . Z . T . Pennington , J . F . Sumner , T . H . R . Beck , F . A . S ., J . Edgell , W . Lane , T . and

Montague , John Mayo , of SS 9 ; W . A . Schofield , 410 ; S . Hewett , 1614 ; R . Piper , 6 43 ; A . F . Asher ; A . H . Salter , B . Baverstock , C . Cheel , T . Aitken , J . M . Dodge , and F . Dowse , of 777 ; E . S . Deild , 907 ; T . W . Richardson , M . E . Z . 1929 ; H . G . Crowdy , 370 ; E . F . Passmore , C . Pulman , and W . H . Brodie , of 2317 ; C . R . Ellis , 1851 ; F . S . Smyth , M . E . Z . 1339 ; D . A . Power , 259 ; G . Glanfield , 1149 ; H . Holmes ; H . D . Aslett , 1891 ; G . S . Horsnail , 2096 ; G . H . Chapman , 1556 ; and many others .

Provincial Grand Chapter was opened , and the minutes confirmed . The roll of chapters was called , and all were found to be represented . The report of the Audit Committee , showing a balance in hand of £ 77 15 s - 2 d ., was unanimously adopted , on the motion of Comp . Dr . STRONG . Comp . Dr . C . C . Gibbs was unanimousl y re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer , and briefly returned thanks for the renewal of confidence .

The following Prov . Grand Officers were appointed and invested : Comp . Fred . West ... ... ... Prov . G . H . ,, Major F . A . Bowles , 1395 ... ... Prov . G . J . ,, C . Greenwood , 410 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ A . C . De Chapeaurouge , 410 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ W . P . Morrison , 11 49 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Dr . C . Gibbs ( re-elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ C . Pulman , 2 317 ... ... ... Prov . P . G . S . „ G . H . Chapman , 1556 ... ... Prov . 1 st A . G . S . „ T . Aitken , 777 ... ... ... p . 2 nd A . G . S . „ C . Rowland Ellis , 1851 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ,, H . Holmes , 2246 ... ,,. ,.. "\ „ J . B . S . Lancaster , 2317 ... ... [ Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ J . H . Crofts , 1395 ... ... ... ) „ H . Summers , 1149 ••• ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . Lane , SS 9 ... ... ... p rov . A . G . D . C . ,, J . O'Conncll , 1 S 51 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Robt . Potter ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . Provincial Grand Chapter was then closed .

Annual Festival Of The Mark Benevolent Fund.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .

1 he 25 th annual Festival of the Benevolent Fund attached to the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Tavern , when Bro . Col . Gerard Noel Money , C . B ., Prov . G . M . for Surrey , presided . A company of some 140 brethren and ladies attended , and the Chairman was supported by Bros , the Earl of Yarborough , the

Earl of Euston , Dr . R . Turtle Pigott , Major C . W . Carroll , Gordon Miller , A . R . Carter , Alfred Williams , Richard Clowes , Frederick Mead , W . J . Spratling , Samuel Green , Percy Clowes , P . Saillard , C . F . Hogard , W . I '' . Lamonby , W . Maple , Dr . J . Balfour Cockburn , C . F . Matier , G . Secretary , and others .

The dinner was of a choice description and was admirably served . At its conclusion the toasts were rapidly disposed of to make room for the concert , for which the following professionals were engaged ; Miss Ethel Winn , Miss Dews , Bros . Harper Kearton , Frederick Bevan , and Turle Lee .

Bro . Col . MONEY , in giving the toast of " The Queen and Mark Masonry , " said it was not permitted to the subject to canvass the character of the monarch , but he was sure he should not be transgressing the bounds of propriety when he said that history failed to afford us a parallel of a sovereign who had so many years reigned over such a vast territory , and

who had while reignmg established herself in the hearts and affections of her loving subjects . Bro . Col . MONEY , in giving "The M . W . G . M ., " said the Prince of

Wales was not by any means only an ornamental head of the Mark Degree . His care , judgment , and discretion showed themselves continu * ¦ ally , and Masons felt he was their Grand Master not onl y in name , but also in deed .

Bro . Col . MONEY proposed " Ihe M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , and the Past Grand Masters , the Ri ght Hon . Lord Leigh , the Right Hon . the Earl Amherst , W . W . B . Beach , Esq ., M . P ., the Right Hon . the Earl Percy , M . P ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Limerick , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , the Right Hon . the Lord

Hennikcr , the Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Kiniore , the Right Hon . the Lord Egcrton of Tallon , Most Hon . the Marquess of llerllord ; the Deputy Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Viscount Duogarvan ; and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Karl of Euston , was one who had made his mark not only in Mark Masonry , but . in every Degree of the Order . He was one who , whatever he took in hand ,