Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

, ; in him in wishing prosperity aud success to the Institution , which was founded in 1797 , and had ffone on flourishing and increasing to the " resent time . They all hoped that it would go on flourishing and increasing for the future . His Lordship concluded by thanking the company for

listening to him . A vote of thanks was then accorded to the Chairman , on the motion of Capt . Wordsworth , and the whole party then adjourned to a d <; jeuner , at which Lord Donoughmore presided . A few toasts followed , among which were " The Queen , " "The Prince of Wales and the

Institution , " to which Capt . Wordsworth responded , " The Chairman , " " Dr . Morris , " and "Bro . Binckes , " the Secretary ; and Lord Donoughmore shortly afterwards left . Numerous outdoor amusements followed , the band playing some excellent selections , and dancing concluded the enjoyments of the day .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS .

The town of High Wycombe was visited for the first time on Monday last by the Provincial Grand Lodge embracing the adjoining counties of Berks and Bucks , and the assemblage numbered nearly 100 brethren , representing the

seventeen lodges which are flourishing in different parts of the important province , which is so ably presided over by Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., who has occupied that position for the past ten years . It had been rumoured thai the

proceedings would take place in the beautiful park of Lord Carington , and the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of the Order , was spoken of in some quarters as being more that probable , but these

reports lacked confirmation by those best acquainted with the nature of the arrangements , and hence the meeting had only an ordinary amount of significance , and the attendance was less than would have been seen under special

circumstances as those indicated , inasmuch as the members of the Order in the two counties number upwards of 700 . There were two subjects for regret on this occasion , one being the

resignation of the Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Brownrigg , and the other the retirement of the energetic Prov . Grand Secretary . Bro . Biggs , of Reading , who had held the office during the whole time of Sir Daniel Gooch ' s connection

with the province . The office of Deputy Prov . Grand Master has not been filled up at present , but Bro . Biggs will be succeeded in the office of P . G . Sec . by Bro . Robert Bradley , of Reading , who has long been a member of the Craft , and

is , therefore , thoroughly acquainted with the nature of the duties to be performed . The members reached High Wycombe by the mid-day trains , and soon after one o ' clock the Prov . Grand Lodge was openedin the Town

, Hall , which has just been adorned with a portrait of the Heir Apparent , attired as a Kni ght of the Garter . The painting was executed at a

cost of 1000 guineas , and presented to the town "y Lord Carington ; it hung on the wall in rear ° f Sir Daniel ' s Gooch's seat , and was much admired .

Ihe attendance of officers and brethren comprised the following , the majority of whom have "eld , or are holding positions of honour , either '" their respective lodges , or in the province •—ie ys . J . S . Brownriggand RobbinsO . J . Grace ,

, , '"d Riddle ; Major Charles Stephens , and Bros . 10 ^ cellor , R . C . Hurley , H . H . Hodges , l - % gs , A . Welch , R . Bradley , Martin , S . flradW , R > E- MoUDt ) A > M % Yetts , J . Blowers , \ t " i , ' . y > W- s- Cantrell , jun . ; J . Palmer , L .

' Wixon , W . Huckvale , H . Seward , Weston , "• Uarke , Tottle , Wade , G . Wheeler , Barnes , ^ kley , G . Hunt , C . Hunt , T . Williams , Red-J ™ n , Mason , Fuiler , Beal , Speechly , Bird , j " phnes , Davey . Cox , C . D . Hume , R .

J wT , ' _ - - - Di * ' J * ° - Carter > L - Bryett , J- vvhitehouse , R G Barton > F # Manley , J . R . « tain » r ; ' Wa , ter > H - D- Gooch , A . D'Al-J . Ban H ; , Clarke > s - A . Pocock , G . de Fraine , IV H „ * Ravenor , G . J . Cosburn { Freemason ) , * Kn - V erbert ' ' J' Westrope , C . P . Smith , * « sE 1 '„ ' - J ° > B ™ t ° n , Morgan , Phillips , Th 1 ¦ raz - ' e Provincial Grand Lodge was opened with

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

the usual ceremonies , after which the customar y business was proceeded with . The Provincial Grand Secretary ( Bro . Biggs , of Reading ) , read the roll of the lodges , after which the Provincial Grand Treasurer ( Bro . Chancellor , of Reading ) ,

presented the annual financial statement , from which it appeared there was a balance of gBi 4 i 17 s . 8 d . on the general account , and £ 6 9 12 s . 6 d . on the charity account . On the motion of the P . G . M . various sums were voted

out of the balance on the charity account to several of the lodges for disposal by them among the three great Masonic Charitable Institutionsthe Boys' School , the Girls' School , and the Benevolent Institution . The P . G . Secretary then read the reports

received from the different lodges in the province , which it was stated numbered nearl y 700 members , with 150 Past Masters . Upwards of 250 guineas had been disbursed in charity during the past year , and the balances in hand in the lodges

at the timethe accounts were compiled amounted to nearly ^ 9 80 . The P . G . AL proposed , and Bro . Dixon seconded the re-election of Bro . Geo . Chancellor as P . G . Tfeasurer .

The motion vvas unanimously adopted , and Bro . Chancellor returned thanks . The Provincial Grand Master then invested the following brethren with tin Charity jewel : Bro . John Bance , P . M . ^ 74 ; Bro . W . Kni ght , 574 ; W . S . Cantrell , P . M . 771 ; and Bro . Heber

Clarke , P . M . 945 . Bro . R . Bradley proposed a resolution of which he had given notice , providing for the attendance of the Secretary as well as the Worshi pful Master of each lodge at the meetings of the Charity Committee , held in London .

Bro . Cantrell seconded the motion , which was adopted nem . con . The P . G . M . spoke of the great and good work done by the Charity Committee , and assured the brethren who were ex-officio members that they would derive much instruction and benefit by

attending the meetings . The P . G . M . said he was _ sure the brethren would agree with him that it was a cause for much regret that Bro . Brownri gg had resigned the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , because he had always been an active and zealous

Mason in the Province , and although they would not continue to have the benefit of Bro . Brownrigg ' s services as Deputy Provincial Grand Master , he hoped they would not lose his assistance as a prominent Mason in this Province . He felt sure he was acting in accordance with the wishes of the brethren generally in requesting the

Secretary to place on the minutes a record , expressing the thanks of the Provincial Grand Lodge to Bro . Brownrigg , for his past services , and their regret at his resignation . Bro . Brownrigg briefly replied . The Provincial Grand Officers were then appointed and invested as follows : — J . Palmer , P . M . 1501 Prov . S . G . W .

W . H . Palmer , P . M . 771 ... Prov . J . G . W . Rev . R . A . Robins , 771 Prov . G . Chap . Rev . C . R . Honey , iroi ... Prov . A . G . Chap . G . Chancellor , P . M . 1101 ... Prov . G . Treas . H . Clarke , P . M . 945 Prov . G . Reg . II . Bradley , PM . 414 Prov . G . Sec . W . B . Herbert , P . M . 574 .. Prov . S . G . D .

w . fitclj , 1 . M . 1410 Prov . J . G . D . L . Bryett , P . M . 209 Prov . G . S . of W . J . Fuller , P . M . J 556 Prov . G . D . of C . A . M . Yetts , P . M . 414 Prov A . G . D . of C . J . T . Freeman , P . M . 1 tot ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . A . B . Weston , 1501 Prov . G . Org . G . De Fiaine , W . M . 591 ... Prov . G . Purs . C-Nowell , 771 Prov . A . G . Purs . W . H . Bingham , P . M . TJi ... H . D . Hume , W . M . 209 ; M . Rest , W . M . 948 , S . A .

Pocock , W . M . 414 ; R . Roberts , SW . 309 ; and F . Manley , S . D . 771 Prov . G . Stwds . W . Hemmins , 1101 and 414 Prov . G . T yler . The Provincial Grand Master then said it

now devolved upon him to discharge a duty which gave him both pleasure and sorrow . He regretted to say that Bro . Biggs had retiied from the office of Prov . Grand Secretary , which he had ably filled for the past nine or ten years , during which time they had been greatly in-

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

debted for the excellent manner in which h had conducted the business of the province . H J had no doubt Bro . Bradley would do his best to continue the admirable system in which Bro . Biggs had discharged the numerous duties associated with the office of Secretary . Having said

this much he was going to ask the brethren to do something more than pass a mere compliment upon Bro . Biggs , and make a substantial recognition of his valuable services . He would propose that the sum' of twenty-five guineas be voted out of the Provincial Grand Lodge funds

which he hoped would be amply added toby the lodges throughout the province , for the purpose of making a presentation to Bro . Biggs that would be worthy of his acceptance , and worthy also of such a large and important province as

Berks , and Bucks . He also proposed that a committee , consisting of the Masters ot the lodges , be formed for the purpose of carrying out the object in view , aud he hoped that all who joined in the undertaking would throw their whole heart into it .

Bro . Dixon seconded the motion , which was unanimously adopted . It was further resolved , that the thanks of the Provincial Grand Lodge to Bro . Biggs for his past services , and the regret felt by the brethren

of the province on his retirement be recorded upon the minutes . These resolutions were proposed and agreed to during the absence of Bro . Biggs from the lodge for a few minutes .

In concluding the business the Provincial Grand Master congratulated the brethren upon the prosperity attending Masonry in this Province , and expressed his hope that when the

brethren again met the reports from the lod ges would be as satisfactory as those which they had heard read on this occasion . The P . G . M . stated that he believed the next Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at Windsor .

The banquet was held at the Red Lion Ilotel , and reflected great credit upon the cuisine of Mr , Puttiek . The P . G . M . presided , and the P . G . S . W . and P . G . J . W . respectively officiated as Vice-Chairmen .

lhe P . G . M . having proposed "The Queen and the Craft , " which was loyally responded to , the company drank the health of the M . W . the G . M . of England , Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and also that ofthe M . W . the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , the R . W . the Deputy Grand Master , Lord Skelmersdale , and

the Grand Officers of England , past and present . Bro . Biggs , P . P . G . Sec , then rose and said , that in the absence ofthe D . P . G . M ., he had the great privilege and pride of giving what he thought was regarded by all the brethren as the toast of the evening , namely , "The health ofthe

Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bt ., M . P . " ( loud cheers ) . In this toast they were asked to do honour to a distinguished Mason , who had raised this province from a slough of despond to a position of importance among the Provincial Grand Lodges

of England ( cheers ) . When he looked back to the time Sir Daniel took the office of Grand Master of this province , and when he remembered the miserable procession of 23 Masons from Maidenhead to Boyn Hill Church , and contrasted the condition of affairs with the present

condition of Masonry in Berks and Bucks , they saw how fortunate they had been in having Sir Daniel at their head , and they saw how much they were indebted to him ( cheers ) . The occasion he alluded to presented a great contrast to the present , when they saw such a large

attendance , and knew of the good feeling which existed among the Masons of Berks and Bucks . He ventured to say without fear of contradiction that the annals of Freemasony scarcely presented an instance of a lodge of recent standing assuming such proportions as the Wycombe Lodge .

Not only had the lodge supported the Charities , but its present Master ( Bro . Cantrell ) had himself given 100 guineas to each of the Masonic Institutions ( cheers ) . The same brother had also served the various offices in the province ,

and the P . G . M ., in making his appointments , had endeavoured to give them to such brethren as had done suit and service for the Craft ( cheers ) . Sir Daniel was fully entitled to all the honour they could accord him , and he ( Bro-