Pkovincxal,

and other eminent Brethren , expressing their regret that they were unable to attend . The D . Prov . . G . M ., Bro . Kelly , in suitable terms , and in the name of the Brethren of the ^ Province , presented the following address of congratulation to the 3 SToble Prov . G . M . : — 11 To the Right Honourable the Earl Howe , G . O . H ., <& c ., < kc , & c ., Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for Leicestershire .

" May it please your Lordship , —We the Grand Officers , Past Grand Officers and Members of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Leicestershire , and others , being Brethren of the Ancient Order within the province , beg to offer to your lordship our heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as Prov . Grand Master , and to hail you with universal acclamations as our chief . The Most Worshipful the Grand Master , in filling up the vacancy caused by the lamented decease of your lordship ' s deeply revered predecessor , Sir Frederick Gustavus Fowke , baronet , has conferred upon us a high honour , and

laid us under a deep debt of gratitude in selecting so distinguished a nobleman as your lordship to preside over ns . But it is not your lordship ' s rank alone , illustrious as it is , and imperishably emblazoned as is the gallant name of Howe in the annals of our country , which is your chief boast ; it is rather to the virtues of the individual that we feel our homage and affection are due , and which constitute the brightest jewels of your lordship ' s coronet . Your lordship ' s open hand and generous heart" have ever made you foremost in promoting both in purse and person the cause of our local charities , and all philanthropic measures , for the good of the community . Your reverence for the Deity has made you—like the Freemasons

of old—the builder and restorer of the temples of God in the land . And what is still more rare in your exalted station , your genuine kindness of heart has made you the unostentatious visitor and friend of your poorer neighbours , thus doing good by stealth , soothing the bed of the afflicted , strengthening the palsied limbs of age , and making the widow ' s heart to ging for joy . By thus carrying into practice the beautiful precepts of Freemasonry ( no less than of religion ) , your lordship , during a close connection of nearly forty years , by a reflected light , has shed a lustre on the Order in the province , and rendered yourself respected and beloved by all men .

Long , very long may it be ere the motto of your lordship ' s house , Let Curzon holde what Curzon helde , " disappears from the banner of our province . May you be preserved in health and strength to be a blessing to your family and the county at large ; and when your course of usefulness in this world shall have been run , may you enter into the Grand Lodge above , to receive from the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe a crown of joy and rejoicing which shall never fade away , but continue when time is no more .

• Given at Leicester on the day of 3 our Lordship s Installation , this eighteenth day of November , A . L . 5856 . A . D . 1856 . " Signed William Kelly , D . Prov . G . M ., ( i And many other Grand Officers and Brethren . "

The noble earl , in a most eloquent and feeling manner , expressed his thanks to the Brethren , and assured them that so highly did he prize this affectionate and beautifully-executed mark of their esteem , that he should consider it as an heirloom in his family , so that his descendants in future generations might be able to see how he was honoured by the Freemasons of his native county . If is lordship having announced that he had re-appointed Bro . Kelly , J ) . Prov . G . M ., the patent of appointment was read , and that Brother was duly installed , proclaimed , and saluted .

The next business was the appointment of Grand Officers for the ensuing year as follows : —Bro . Crawford , Prov . S . G . W . ; J . Buck , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . T . Ratclifie , Prov . G . Chap . ; C . Morris , Prov . G . lleg . ; F . Goodyer , Prov . G . Sec . ; II . Gill , Prov . S . G . I ) . : W . B . Smith , Prov . J . G . D . ; W . Millican , Prov . G . Sup . of Works ; W . Weare , Prov . G . Dir . of Cor . ; 8 . Harris , Prov . G . Asst . ditto ; J . W . Goodwin , Prov , G . S . R . ; G . A . Lohr , Prov . G . Org . ; George Bankart ,