Provincial.

on behalf of tbe schools of that parish , as well as for their Masonic Charities , He knew thev bad in another placo already contributed £ 200 , but such a powerful body , with 33 Lodges and 1 , 447 members , must do more . He felt sure they ivould be true to themselves and true to their keystone . May each one present hold fist to the faith and win that crown that was laid up in store for the righteous . Ihe preacher then descended from the pulpit and returned to the altar .

The choir sang the hymn Pleasant are thy Courts above , In tbe land of light and love . A collection was made at the conclusion of tho service , and neaily £ 20 was procured , ivhich sum will be equally divided between the Dover St . Mary ' s School and the Masonic Charities . After church the procession was re-formed , and returned to

the Ledge , business being at once resumed . On the motion of A'iscount Holmesdale , a vote of thanks was passed to the Provincial Grand Chaplain for tho excellent and eloquent sermon he bad preached that morning . Lord Holmesdale proposed , and Brother Dobson , Deputy Proviucial Grand Master , seconded , a vote of thanks to tbe Rev . Canon Puckle for kindly granting tbe use of St . Mary's Church ; aud a vote of thanks was awarded to the President and Council

of the Dover College for the use of the Refectory . Brother Snow , P . M ., submitted a resolution to the effect that the thanks of the Provincial Grand Lodge be presented to Brother AA ' ates for bis valuable services as Provincial Grand Secretary during a period of eleven years . The proposer of the resolution passed a high compliment upon Brother AA ' ates for the excellent and valuable services he liad rendered to Freemasonry in Kent during tbe years mentioned , and expressed a hope that

the token of acknowledgment it was suggested he should receive should be accompanied by some more useful testimonial . The motion was seconded and carried unanimously . A grant of 50 guineas , projiosed by the R . W . D . Prov . G . M ., was given to the Boys' School , in ' ordcr to make the Deputy Graud Master of the Province a Vice-President , and a gift of £ Z 0 each to Bro . Norris , Tyler of Lodges 784 and 1 , 026 , and Bro . Knight , Tyler of Lodge 199 ( Dover ) , the former brother having been a Mason for 58 years , and the latter 59 years . The sum of £ 32 was voted towards the erection of a tablet to tho memory of the late Brother J . S . Keddell , P . M ., 158 . Tbe

original sum proposed for tbe tablet was £ 25 , but the estimate was £ 32 , and it was considered a greater mark of esteem tbat tbe Provincial Grand Lodge should pay the whole expense . Tbe business of the Lodge having terminated , it was closed in due form , and the brethren proceeded to the Royal Oak Hotel , at the Assembly Rooms of ivhich establishment tbe breakfast had been served in the morning to about ninety gentlemenand there the banquet now took lace . A'iscount

, p Holmesdale presided , and as many as 173 brethren were present . The banquet , we believe , was an elaborate one , and reflected the greatest credit upon Brother Philpott , whose arrangements were excellent , and were much praised by the guests . He was ably assisted by Brother George of the " Angel , " Charlton . Tlie first toast proposed from the chair was that of "The Queen and the Craft , " which was followed by " The Prince and

Princess of AA ' ales and the rest of the Royal Family . " These toasts , we need scarcely say , were duly honoured . A'iscount Holmesdale next gave the health of the Marquis of Ripon , the Most W orshipful the Grand Master of England , and adverted to the services rendered by him to the country , which had so recently led to tho Government conferring additional honours upon him . Tbe noble Marquis had not only , bis lordshiremarkeddone the Stete some servicebut had done great

p , , service to the Craft , hy whom lie was greatly esteemed and respected . The health of the Earl of Canarvon , Deputy Grand Master of England , was also given by thc Chairman , who said that his lordship had acted for the Marquis of Ripon at an important time , and had always shown a disposition to do whatever might be required of bim in the interests of Freemasonry . Brother Dobson , Provincial Grand Master , proposed the health

of the noble Chairman , Viscount Holmesdale . Lord Holmesdale , in reply , said that , much as he prized tbe hononr of filling the position he then occupied , he still thought that tbey might select some one who was far more capable for

the post than himself . However , so long as tbey continued to repose confidence in him , he should be only too pleased to do whatever was in his power to promote the interests of Freemasonry . He adverted lo the success of the meeting that day , and mado several complimentary references to the excellent arrangements of tho local committees , the suitability of the Refectory for their purposes , the large attendance of the Craft , and tlle satisfactory manner in which everything had gone off .

He coucluded by proposing the health of tbo Provincial Grand Officers . Brother Colonel AVard responded , The health of Brother Dobson , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , was given in very complimentary terms by Viscount Holmesdale . Brother Dobson responded in a characteristic speech . At this stage of the proceedings Viscount Holmesdale left the

room , having to leave Dover by tho seven o'clock train . His lordship was escorted to the siation by Brother Dobson , Brother AA'ilson , AV . M ,, aud Brother T . A . Terson , tho Assistant Secretary . Brother Dr . Marshall , Past Provincial Grand Senior AVarden , was unanimously voted to thc Chair on the departure of Viscount Holmesdale , and under his presidency the proceedings were continued .

" The Visitors , " proposed by the Chairman , was responded to by Brother Stock , of Folkestone ; and the "Masonic . Charities , '' by Brother Binckes , Secretary ofthe Masonic Boys School , and who in the course of an eloquent speech , referred to what had . been done in the past , described tbe present position of the three charities with whicli they were concerned , and advocated their claims to support . The Chairman then gave the health of Bro . AVilson , the

AVorshipful Master of Lodge 199 ( Dover ) . Dr . Marshall observed that Bro . AVilson had attained his present high position in the Order in consequence of the confidence which the members of the Lodge reposed in him . In every office be had held

Brother-AA'ilson had given that strict attention to his duties which had led to his elevation , and which set so good an example to every memher of tbe Craft . Bro . Wilson having briefly responded , Bro . Coram , P . M ., proposed the health of tbe Assistant Secretary , Bro . T . A . Terson , and said that all who had observed the energy with with that gentleman had performed the arduous duties of his position , had the very highest opinion ot his future

prospects in the Craft , and were convinced that his efforts had contributed in a large measure to the success ofthe day . " The Ladies , " proposed by the Chairman , and responded to by Bro . Richie , met with a favourable reception . The health of Dr . Marshall was proposed by Bro . AVilson , AA ' . M ., who said that he had the pleasure of serving with Dr . Marshall in various offices , and had always found him animated ba thorough Masonic spiritand his being selected as Senior

y , Grand Warden at the last Provincial gathering , was evidence of the attention he had paid to his Masonic duties , Dr . Marshall having responded , Bro . the Rev . T . B . AV . Briggs gave the "Host and Hostess , " and made a very eloquent speech with reference to the events of thc day . Miss Palmer , Mr . George Pen-en , and Mr . Ralph Wilkinson sang at intervals during the banquet , which came to a close

about ten o ' clock . The arrangements and decorations of the Refectory Hall reflect the greatest credit on the Committee who undertook this important duty . The musical arrangements for the church and banquet were entrusted to the cure of Bro . H . S . Royton and Bro . J . O . Rees . Tbe comfort of the Brethren at the Banquet was cared for by several B _ iU . i'en of Ledge 199 , who very kindly acted as

_ Stewards . The accomplished vocalist , Miss Palmer , ivho travelled from Bristol to sing at this Festival , was unfortunately detained on her journey , and did not arrive until several of the brethren had left the banquet .

ESSEX . ROCMOBE . —Lodge of True Friendship ( No . 160 ) . —Saturday , June 24 th ., ( being St . John's Day ) , iu accordance with ancient usage , the annual Festival of this Lodge was held at Rochford , when Bro . John AVright Carr , the Grand Secretary o i