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Bro . William Stuart , Prov . G . M . ; Thomas Abel Ward , D . Prov . G . M . ; William Stuart , jun ., S . G . W ., as Prov . S . G . W , ; Alfred Lyons Bellinger , Prov . J . G . W . ; — Rogers , Prov . G . Treas . ; Rev . 0 . F . Owen , as Prov . G . Chap . ; John Sedgwick , Prov . G . Sec . ; C . H . Law , S . G . D . ; Jeremiah How , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; J . M . Thearle , Prov . G . S . B . ; H . Burchell-Herne , P . Prov . G . S . W ., and many more P . Prov . G . Officers . Br . Kent , Prov . G . M . of S . Australia ; W . H .

White , G . Sec . ; George Francis , D . Prov . G . M . of Surrey ; Hyde Pullen , D . Prov . G . M . Isle of Wight ; B . Frith , P . Prov . G . Supt . Works , Bengal ; William Masterman , John Anderson , and several other visiting Brethren . Also were present , Mr . Alderman Copeland , Bucknell Estcourt , Robert and T . Clutterbuck , T . Eellowes , and William Sedgwick , Esqrs ., the Rev . Lee James , the vicar of Watford , and many other gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood , and the members of the Fraternity of the Province .

The customary loyal and public toasts having been disposed of , the Deputy Chairman ( Thomas Ward ) , in neat terms , proposed the toast , " Bro . Owen , who had that day discharged the duties of G . Chap ., with thanks for his services and sermon ; and also the "Vicar and the Curate of Bushey . " Bro . Owen , in acknowledgment , pointed out the great vice of the age—selfishness—to which Freemasonry opposed itself ; and therefore , as an antagonist to this depravity , was entitled to be considered an ameliorator of the human

race . Mr . James , the vicar , although not a Mason , was pleased to learn for the first time the principles that governed the Fraternity—according as they did with so much that was desirable in a Christian .

Mr . Bucknell Estcourt , in replying to the toast , " The Directors of the Corn Exchange Company , " said that he and others engaged in the undertaking , considering that a public mart where producer , factor , and consumer could all alike meet , was necessarily a project that would by its openness be the best security for a faithful return of prices of corn , as by those the prices of everything elsewages and rents—were regulated . They could honestly say that the scheme was

undertaken in no sordid spirit , but sincerely as a great public good . Mr . Estcourt expressed his extreme gratification with all he had seen and heard that day of Freemasonry . Mr . Estcourt concluded by proposing " The Chairman—a gentleman truly deserving the esteem and respect of all classes ; whose career in life had been honourable , useful , charitable , and liberal ; and whose support was alone a sufficient guarantee that the project would benefit the town and neighbourhood . " The toast was greeted with loud cheers .

The Chairman , after thanking his Brethren and the company for the compliment , said that he hoped Mr . Estcourt would allow him to let him see a little more of Freemasonry , by sanctioning him to propose his name at the next meeting of the Watford Lodge . Bro . Burchell-Herne , P . Prov . G . S . W ., proposed " Bro . Sedgwick , the G . Sec , and also the secretary of the Corn Exchange Company , the promoter of the day ' s meeting ; " and Bro . Sedgwick acknowledged himself highly rewarded by the attendance of the Brethren and other well-wishers of the undertaking .

The Chairman next proposed " Bro . How and the rest of the Brethren who had taken part in the day ' s ceremonial . " Bro . How said that to Bro . Sedgwick their thanks were alone required ; he and the others had simply obeyed the call for assistance—a demand which Masons readily answered : this was a principle of the Order . He sketched , for the information of non-Masons , the leading features that governed the Fraternity , and more especially their Charities ; he dispelled the false notions the world entertained of the Order , and showed that following out the precepts they enforced would tend to make men not only wiser but better .

Mr . Alderman Copeland having to propose " Bro . Francis , the D . G . M . of Surrey , and the Visiting Brethren / ' said he was so much gratified with all he had learned of Freemasonry on that day , that he was almost disposed to say he regretted he was not a Mason . Many other toasts of local interest were received with due honours ; and after the Prov . G . M . Stuart had vacated the chair , it was successively filled by Bros .