The Province Of Gloucestershire.

1851 . But in 18 44 a new lodge , under the old name of the Royal Lebanon , Avas founded in [ Gloucester , and in 1851 the Cotteswold Lodge Avas founded at Cirencester , so that at the restoration in 1856 the number on the roll Avas only one less than it Avas in 18 33 .

Under the rule of Lord Sherborne and his Deputy , Bro . NeAvmarch , Masonry nourished and lodges multiplied throughout the province , so that when the former resigned his office , after a reign of 23 years all but a few months , the number of lodges had increased to fourteen . This growth

Avas very largely due to the personal interest Avhich the Prov . Grand Master took in his province . Previous Prov . Grand Masters had hardly ever thought it necessary to attend and preside at ProvinciaHGrand Lodge . Lord Sherborne , on the

THE CLOISTERS OF GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL ( Till- ; XORTH WALK ) , RKKTOKKU IIY nil-: FKKHJIASOSS IX 1800

otherjhand , hardly ever missed a meeting . Xcr has there been any decline of interest shown by his successor , the Rt . Hon . Sir Michael Edward Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., the present Prov . Grand Master . On the contrary , not only has he presided regularly at the meetings of Provincial Grand

Lodge , but has kept himself informed of the well-being and good working of the lodges under his care by periodical visits of inspection . Under his wise direction Masonry in Gloucestershire has continued to flourish , and where it has been proved to his satisfaction that new lodges could be

established , with a reasonable prospect of a regular and even progress , there he has sanctioned and approved the founding of HCAV lodges , and has himself performed the ceremony of constitution in each case . For it is the proud boast of the province , that it is , in all matters . connected with the

ceremonies ot the Craft , self-contained and never has occasion UOAV to call in assistance from outside . But Avhat may be justly designated the distinguishing feature of the respective reigns of Lord Sherborne and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , is the manner in Avhich they- have impressed on the brethren of

the province the duty of maintaining those national monuments erected by our ancient brethren , the OperatiA-e Masons , and from time to time contributing to their restoration . In this way in 1873 the restoration of the reredos of Gloucester Cathedral was undertaken by the Freemasons of the province ,

AVIIO further ornamented and adorned it in accordance with the original design in 1889 . In 1879 the Chapter House of Tewkesbury Abbey ivas restored by them , and in 18 9 6 the brethren were again busy restoring the north walk of the

cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral , while they are at present engaged in rescuing from destruction , by the weather and decay , the cloister Avail at Tewkesbury Abbey . These are among some of the works of Operative Masonry undertaken by the brethren to maintain and beautify our ancient

national monuments . But in all this work they have not lost sight of their duty to the great Masonic Charities , and since T 875 , when the Charity Committee w-as established , under the fostering care of the late Bro . Col . Basevi , the present Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . R . V . Vassal- Smith , and the

present Charity Secretary , Bro . R . P . Sumner , the voting strength of the province has steadily increased until it stands at its present high figure of 7 . 5 votes per member throughout the province .