Untitled Article

tions and long services in the catise of Masonry , by presenting hinl with the piecte of plate before them , on which was inscribed" Presented , by the Freemasons of the Province of Oxford , to Bro . W . Thompson , P . M ., P . Prov . S . W . Oxon , and P . Z ., in grateful acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by him to the cause of Preemasonry during a long series of years , May 8 th , 1855 . "

Bro . Thompson said , that if on any ordinary occasion he had felt at a loss to convey his acknowledgments , how much more must he feel on this , when he found himself in the presence of so many distinguished Masons , from various parts of the kingdom and abroad , assembled to do honour to their newly appointed Prov . G . M . There were times when the heart was overcharged , and the tongue could not give utterance to its emotions ; and he was in that position at the present moment , in having to acknowledge one of the most gratifying testimonials that

could have been presented to him . For a quarter of a century he had been a Mason ; and to it he had been indebted for much happiness , and for many valuable friendships which he had formed . He thanked the Brethren , and Bro . Beach in particular , for their kind expressions ; and while he should ever retain a grateful recollection of this occasion , he trusted that he never should do anything to forfeit their good opinion , or to lose that confidence which they had been pleased to repose in him .

Bro . Col . Yernon proposed " The health of our gallant Allies , " and remarked that the Emperor of the French was a Mason . He expressed a hope that they should for a long series of years be bound in bonds of union with that most warlike and gallant nation , and that the recent visit of the Emperor and the Empress would serve to cement that union . Bro . Monsieur Beaume responded to the toast , and remarked that it must be a proud reflection to both countries to see England and Prance taking part , side by

side , in the war of civilization against barbarism . England was renowned as a commercial nation ; but when the great principles of freedom were endangered , there was no nation who threw aside the scabbard more readily , or wielded the sword more nobly . England and France were now united in that common object of protecting the weak against the strong , and to such a union Bussia must succumb ; for both countries were prepared to shed their best blood , and to spend their treasures , in defence of those principles of liberty upon which they had taken their stand , and which they were bent upon carrying out .

The Prov . G . M . then proposed " The Visitors who had that day honoured him with their presence , " which was responded to by Bro . Dawes , P . G . S . W ., of Lancashire . Several other toasts of local interest were given ; and as the " small hours " were commencing , Bro . Bandall proposed " Success to the Masonic Charities , " and strongly urged the Brethren to give the best practical illustration of Masonry , by affording them all the support in their power .

The Brethren then withdrew to tea and coffee , which were served in the Council-chamber ; after which the proceedings were brought to a close . The Prov . G . M . ' s Paraphernalia , which is exceedingly rich , was much admired , and does much credit to Bro . C . Bobinson , the manufacturer . The Alfred Chapter ( No . 425 ) met on May the 7 th , and after the business was transacted a large party of Masons assembled at the house of Bro . Spiers , D . P . G . M ., whose reception realized the hospitality for which he is so universally

distinguished . Amongst other beautiful specimens of plate one was exhibited as belonging to the Mayors of Oxford , through whom it had successively descended from the time when their civic predecessor held the office of cup-bearer to Charles II ., who bestowed this gift upon the town as a small token of gratitude to a place which had sacrificed its citizens' lives and riches freely for his father . The carving of the cup would have been more generally noticed had not a few Brethren exhibited so much eagerness to appropriate its contents , as to be " glued" to it , like flies to treacle , so long as a drop remained ! Nunbham . —Churchill Lodge ( No . 702 ) . —The members assembled on Moik ? vy , May 7 , at their Lodge Boom , at the Harcourt Anna , in Nuneham , when Bro .