Provincial.

lodged , and , doubtless , it would be completed when the promised millennium should be achieved , when the lion would lie down with the lamb . He was informed by some Brethren then present , who had been engaged in the recent conflict in the Crimea , that wounded Russians had made signs which had been acknowledged by French and English Masons , and instead of an enemy , they found a Brother ; and an English officer , who had been struck down on the attack of the Redan ,

showed his Masonic sign , and the Russians sword was withdrawn . Among the Turks , also , the Brotherhood was acknowledged . Such facts as these surely proved the beneficial aid the institution rendered towards the desired end of universal peace , and thus fulfilled the behest of him who spake as man never before spake : — " I command ye to love one another . " He congratulated the assembly on the attendance of their distinguished visitors , and asked for a cordial greeting for the toast of " Bro . Sir Lucius Curtis and the Grand Lodge of Hampshire . "

Sir Lucius Curtis , in reply , said he was satished the Prov . G . L . of Hampshire would join him in the expression of the pleasure they all felt in hearing from his distinguished friend and Bro . Fleming the advantages of Freemasonry , into which he had so fully entered . He had , during the former war , known many such cases as Bro . Fleming had mentioned . On one occasion , an officer of a French ship in the heat of battle showed the sign , and his life was saved ; and in the Peninsular war , a sergeant ' s knapsack , that had been captured , on being opened , and his

Masonic certificate being seen , it was again repacked , and returned perfect . When he ( Sir Lucius ) was in command at Malta , the Pope ' s bull against Freemasonry was promulgated ; it excommunicated all who joined the Order . Many of his subordinates were members of the Romish Church , and they applied to him , as their superior , to absolve them from their allegiance to a faith , the head of which condemned an institution so well deserving the support of all good men . He knew an English naval officer whose vessel was captured by the Algerines , and he , as well as his crew , was ordered to " walk the flag . '' Some females on

board were to be otherwise disposed of ; in his extremity he showed his sign , and the vessel and all were given up to him . His father ( Sir Roger ) was sent on an embassy to Morocco , and , in spite of his position , he found he could not proceed ; but , making himself known as a Mason , all difficulty was removed , and he was freely passed through the country . Before sitting down , he congratulated his Brethren on the attendance of the ladies ; he hoped that all the married might be happy , and the single soon married , and he especially recommended the latter to espouse Masons .

Bro . Hyde Pullen , the D . G . M ., said he was permitted to propose a toast which he was sure was deserving notice , and he was satisfied would be received with the pleasure he gave it . The Prov . G . M ., in calling his Lodge at Yentnor , had availed himself of the immediate vicinage to assemble them in this manner , and he had obtained the permission of Mr . Hambrough to freely use his grounds in

such a way as Masons knew how to enjoy . This kindness and generosity demanded an acknowledgment , and he proposed , " That the thanks of all present be given to Mr . Hambrough , and may he long live to enjoy these beautiful scenes ; and might those present at some future day again assemble here to greet him . " ( Enthusiastic cheers . )

Mr . Hambrough , in reply , said , that himself and Mrs . Hambrough were much gratified to find they had been the means of contributing to the happiness of the Order over which their relative so well presided ; they were themselves much pleased to greet their visitors . The Prov . G . M . next proposed " The Prov . G . Chaplain , the Rev . Bro . Maturin "

Bro . Maturin , in thanking them for the kind way in which his name had been received , said he was glad to be present on such a happy occasion ; all nature seemed to smile , and the pleasure of the lovely scenery around was especially enhanced by the presence of the ladies . After the very full manner in which the Prov . G . M " . had entered into the subject , there was little for him to dilate on , but , as their Chaplain , lie would toll them that Freemasonry was a science in itself , and its teaching ascended from nature up to nature ' s ( lod I and , as a proof