Provincial Lodges.

prh'ato life the principles AA'hich he inculcated in the Lodge , had won the respect and regard of every member in the province—( Cheers ) . Ha felt assured that they would all join Avith him in sincerely congratulating Br . Bosvyer in having received that reward , the appointment of P . G . M . of Oxfordshire , which the Earl of Zetland had bestOAved upon him , and which he had so deservedly Avon —( Cheers ) . It was not an office which he sought for or had acquired by interest , but it was conferred upon him

simply because his fame and his character as a man and a Mason had reached the ears of the G . M . of England —( Cheers ) . Ho sincerely hoped , and felt that all the brethren AVOUUI concur in it , that he might long continue to rule over this province , and to afford to Ihe Craft for many years to come his bright example as a man and a Mason —( Much cheering ) . Br . Bowyer returned thanks , and said that it would be the utmost vanity on his jiart to imagine that he had attained that hih standard which the lata W . M . and the

g brethren had given him credit for , nor could he hope to attain it , hoAvever desirous he might be of doing so . He . had , however , one most grateful reflection , and that AA'as , that he had enjoyed to the fullest extent the kind co-operation and support of the Masons of Oxfordshire ever since he had come among them . It Avas no merit of his own AA'hich had gained for him so much regard and esteem , and Avhich had procured for him the highest honour which could be conferred upon him ; and , highly as ho valued tho distinction of P . G . M . for Oxfordshireit AA'ould haA'e no A'alue in his

, eyes if he did not believe that it emanated from the kind feeling and expressed wish of the brethren—( Cheers ) . Although he had long been connected with the Craft , and had many personal friends AA'ho held high positions in the Order , he had studiously abstained from putting forward any pretensions to the office , and consequently he valued the honour the more on account of the noble and eenerous manner in

which it had been conferred upon him . On the brethren of the province , through whose instrumentality he had received tiie appointment , the responsibility devolved ; but he could assure them that every talent and energy which he could command should be devoted to their service , and he sincerely hoped that a still closer connection with them might be lasting , and tend to their mutual benefit— - ( Cheers ) . In conclusion , ho Avould only add , that whenever he surrendered that office , whether by the Avill of the Groat Architect of the Universe , or through any other cause , he

desired no better epitaph or memorial than this , that he had at least endeavoured to do his duty —( Much cheering ) . The W . M . proposed "Tho health of the Past Masters of the Cherwell Lodge , " and coupled AA'ith the toast the name of the late AVM ., Br . Blake , Avhose services , he said , would long be borne in grateful remembrance , for he had fulfilled all the duties of tho chair in n solemn and impressive manner , and in a way which became his sacred character as well as the real dignity of Freemasonry —( Cheers ) .

Br . Blako , in returning thanks , said , that although it was well knoAvn that one of the chief tenets and peculiar characteristics of this Order AA'as good will , yet he felt that on the present occasion the AA . M . and brethren had carried it to a greater extent than he deserved , ami the terms in Avhich they had spoken of him proceeded not so much from any merit of his own as from their general good feeling towards him personally , and from that excellent spirit which pervaded eA'ery true Mason —( Cheers ) . The W . M . then proposed "The healths of the newlinitiated bretlirenBrs .

y , Faulkner and Lampitt , " after which Br . Spiers sang , with excellent effect , "The Entered Apprentice ' s song . " Br . Faulkner briefly returned thanks . The W . M . proposed "The healths of the Past Masters of tho Alfred Lodge , ( Brs . AVyatt and Thompson ) , the officers and brethren of that Lodge , and success to it , " and adverted to the admirable Avorking which had made it so distinguished in the Craft—( Cheers ) .

Br . James AVyatt responded to the toast , and expressed his regret that the AV . M ., Br . J . Thorp , was too ill to be present . He assured them that it afforded the brethren of the Alfred Lodge great pleasure to Avitness the continued prosperity of Masonry in this part of the county ; and he congratulated them on having Masters to preside over them , and officers Avho could not be surpassed for zeal , energy , and ability—( Cheers )