Provincial.

over them , for he assured them that some of the happiest days of his life had been spent among the Masons of Hertfordshire , " and from the bottom of my heart , Brethren , I thank you ! " ( Cheers . ) The Prov . G . M . then gave u The Bep . G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers that day appointed , " which was responded to by Bro . Ward , who said that in so good a cause as furthering the interests and increase of Masonry in the province ,, himself and the other officers could not fail being ever ready and willing to aid

the work of their esteemed superior . The Rev . Bro . Harvey , the G . Chap ., rose and said he was commanded by the G . M . to perform a most agreeable duty , in proposing the health of the visitors who had that day honoured Hertfordshire with their presence . The interchange of hospitality was one of the peculiar features of Masonry , which embodied a system of morality embracing all the cardinal virtues ; and hence , as a member

of the Church , he was sure it was well entitled to be called , what it had often before been asserted to be , " the handmaid of Christianity . " Without a man is possessed of all those great principles that are enforced as essential to constitute a good Mason , how can he be expected to become a good Christian ? Among the visitors ' . he particularly noticed that worthy and excellent Mason , the indefatigable Secretary of the Girls' School , and he therefore proposed " Bro . Crew and the Rest of the Visitors . "

Bro . Crew said , it afforded him very great pleasure to meet the Masons of Hertfordshire , as he was one of the first to assist in forming a Lodge in that Province , and among others , he had the honour of initiating the Marquis of Salisbury . The small plant then fixed had since become a noble tree , and he saw with much gratification the great interest taken by persons of consideration in Hertfordshire . The Rev . Chaplain had eloquently painted the beautiful principles of the Fraternity , and it was most pleasing to hear him , as one of the Holy Brotherhood , urging its claims on society . 'Tis the happiness of Masonry to teach all that is

good , its tendency is at ail times to soften differences and smooth difficulties . But for Masonry , how should he have been ahle to make the many acquaintances throughout the land , and by that means aid the cause of that noble institution , the Freemasons' Girls' School , of which he was the Secretary , an institution that the Order might well be proud of ? He did not hesitate saying , that the system there adopted fitted the scholars for any station in life . He was warmed to speak of all the Masonic institutions , by which we support the aged , feed the hungry , and instruct the young . He could not avoid remarking that it was on these

festive occasions that opportunity was afforded of making more widely known the benefits that result from the support of those admirable charities ; and hence these moments of enjoyment tend to disseminate a knowledge of their usefulness among the Brethren . The children they had protected and nurtured would be prospered by the education afforded them . Heartily grateful for the bounty conferred on them , their prayers and praises would ascend to the Grand Lodge

above , and testify the glorious service rendered to man s happiness by the fulfilment of the great principles of our Order . ( Loud cheers followed Bro . Crew ' s address . ) " The Health of Bro . Capt , Stuart ., Prov . S . G . W . of England , " was proposed by Bro . Francis . The Prov . G . M . regretted that an important engagement prevented his son being present ; he thanked the Brethren for the notice of his name . Bro . Burchell Heme , at the request of the Prov . G . M ., asked the Brethren to join in a kindly greeting to a Brother who had so well and ably conducted the proceedings , and who , by his connection with the press , was well known as being

untiring in the cause of Masonry in general , and he might say m Hertfordshire especially , —" Bro . How , the Director of Ceremonies . " The reception the toast had met , Bro . How said , was so much above his merits as to be almost beyond his gratitude , if it was to be measured hy words . He was sufficiently rewarded for his exertions by finding that they were so kindly received , and he hoped he might ever continue to be deserving of such acknowledgments . The Grand Lodge now broke up , all being much pleased with the day ' s proceedings , the enjoyment of which was not a little enhanced by the vocal abilities of Bros . Shoubridge , Lawler , and Young .