Untitled Article

The Prov . G . M . then appointed the following Brethren to their respective offices : — Bros . S . J . Surridge , S . G . W . ; P . Matthews , J . G . W . ; the Revs . H . Berwick and E . H . Gray , G . Chaps . ; Thiselton , G . Reg . ; Jos . Burton , G . Sec . ; Devonshire ^ S . D . ; Arthur Stone , J . D . ; Brough , G . Sup . of Works ; Capt . Robert Honeywood , G . S . B . ; W . M . Wiseman , G . Dir . of Cers . ; Lt . Crow , Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; J . Dace , Organist ; George Addison , G . Purs . ; James Marion , Tyler ; Cunnington , Moore , and four others , G . Stewards . The Report of the Finance Committee was read and approved .

The M . W . Prov . G . M . was gratified to find on this , his visit , there was a general increase in the Province , and mentioned that the Lodge of Confidence , No . 662 , having made no return for three years , the Prov . G . Sec . had taken some steps relative to that Lodge , which he desired Bro . Barton should make known , whereupon the G . Sec . stated he had obtained from the landlord of the house , at Castle-Hedingham , at which the Lodge meetings were held , the Warrant and the Jewels of the Lodge , he / the G . Sec , paying a debt alleged to be owing by the members of the Lodge .

Bros . Cardinal and Surridge , S . G . W ., as subscribers to the Lodge , Nor-6 #% - stated that the claim made by the landlord was disputed by the members as unjust , and the former protested against the right or power of the Prov . G . Sec . obtaining thus the property of the Lodge , and also further stated that it was the desire of the members to remove the Lodge to Halsted , its original station . The Prov . G . M . said he was most happy to learn that there was a prospect of the Lodge being reinstated , and that he would cheerfully lend his aid to assist the members . The M . W . the Prov . G . M . then called on the Brethren to unite

with him in thanking the R . W . the Earl of Yarborough , the Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the G . Officers for their attendance on that day , which was carried by acclamation . He next desired them to tender their united thanks to the R . W . Bro . Rowland Alston , whose ill-health had caused him to resign the ofEce of Prov . G . M ., which having been duly seconded , was also carried . The Prov . G-. L . was then closed in solemn form .

THE BANQUET . * The great room of the Shire Hall was prepared for the occasion , and about one hundred Brethren took their seats at the tables , which were substantially provided , the Prov . G . M . kindly furnishing an ample supply of champagne . As soon as the dinner was cleared , nearly two hundred of the fair ladies of the neighbourhood were admitted into the room to seats prepared for them . " The health of her most gracious Majesty the Queen , " was drunk , also success to " The Army and Navy , " with which was coupled the name of Major Skinner ., who in the last war had seen active service as an artillery officer .

After " The Earl of Zetland , the M . W . G . M ., " the Prov . G . M ., called on the Brethren to give a hearty response to " The health of the Earl of Yarborough /' who said that he felt most deeply the marked manner in which his name had been proposed and received ; he was always ready and willing to perform his duty as a Mason , by carrying out to the fullest extent all our principles . As the meeting was graced by the presence of ladies , he could tell them that on the preceding evening , at the festival of the girls' school , the appearance of sixty-six daughters

of Masons , who had fallen to decay , was such as would be sure to recommend that noble institution . He could also assure the ladies that our chief object in meeting together is not for our own personal gratification , but to aid in all good deeds , and , as in the case alluded to , promote the education of the rising generation . The large assemblage of the fair sex was such an one as he had seldom before witnessed , and he hoped that however they might view the way in which Masons set about their plans , the ladies would give them credit for good intentions ( cheers ) .

Bro . Skinner , Dep . G . M ., then , in complimentary terms to the Officers of the G . L . of England present , proposed "The Masonic Chanties , " uniting with them " Bro , the Rev . J . E . Cox , G . Chap ., " who observed in respect of the charities , that since the foundation of the Girls' School , in 1788 , not ono of its pupils had ever brought disgrace on the institution by bad conduct in after-life . He hoped that ere lon £ we should be enabled to house the boys' also . We have also an