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afforded him greater pleasure than receiving this gift at the hands of his Brethren of this Lodge ; it was a compliment he could not have expected , and therefore the more highly prized . If he had gained a high position in the Craft , he felt that it was not so much through his own merits as from the kindness of his Brethren . He had loved Masonry from the first moment he had entered into it , and his experience induced him to love it more and more . He felt that he owed much to

the Brethren of this Lodge , not only on account of the Masonic knowledge he had gained from those Masters who had preceded him , and in whose footsteps he had endeavoured to walk , but from the unvarying kindness of the Brethren towards him . He should prize this salver as highly as anything he possessed , and should hand it down to his children to be preserved by them as one of the most , esteemed gifts he ever received . The salver bore the following inscription :-

—" Presented to Bro . Henry Atkins Bowyer , Prov . Grand Master for Oxfordshire , by his Brethren of the Lodge of Harmony , No * 317 , as a token of esteem and regard . " The names of the subscribers to the testimonial were engraved round the inscription . The interest of the proceedings of the day was added to by the presentation of a valuable snuff-box to Bro . Col . Macdonald , one of the oldest and most esteemed members of the Lodge .

The W . M . in presenting it said , " As Master of this Lodge , the pleasing duty devolves on me of presenting you , on behalf of the Brethren , with this snuffbox , as a memento of their esteem and in remembrance of the many services rendered by you to the Lodge . I am sure that you will receive it with the same spirit in which it is given , as a token of brotherly love and respect , and not on account of any intrinsic value it may possess . I trust you may long be spared to make use of it , and that it may occasionally bring to your mind those amongst whom , I trust I may say , you have spent many social hours . "

Col . Macdonald said , that never having filled any office in the Lodge , and therefore not having contributed to its good name by working , as most of his Brethren had done , although he had endeavoured to serve it in other ways , and the Brethren were so kind as to say he had done so , he could not have anticipated receiving such a compliment as had that day been paid him , and which he could never forget . He had been a member of the Lodge since it first pitched its tent at Bichmond , and had seen it through its various phases , until it had arrived at its

present state of prosperity and renown . He regretted that he no longer sawmany of the old familiar faces he remembered among the members , but some had been removed by death , others by increasing years ; yet still he saw the same spirit in the Lodge which had always characterized it . He rejoiced , however , to see one old member present , Bro . the Bev . T . T . Haverfield , the father of the Lodge , to whom they were all indebted in so many ways , and who had handed down and preserved in this Lodge the genuine working as practised by Bro . Dr . Hemming , and former great lights in Masonry .

The snuff-box , which was of silver gilt , inlaid with gold , and of chaste and elegant design , bore the following inscription : — " Presented by the Master , Officers , and Brethren of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 317 , Bichmond Surrey , to Col . Alexander Macdonald , as a mark of high personal esteem entertained for him by the members , and an acknowledgment of the many advantages derived from his exertions in promoting the interests of his mother Lodge . "

The Brethren then adjourned to the banquet , which was served with the taste and liberality for which the landlord , Bro . Furze , is so celebrated in connection with this Lodge . We have never been present at a more pleasant meeting , or one in which the whole business was conducted in a more satisfactory manner ; and we earnestly recommend any of our readers who may have an opportunity afforded them of visiting this Lodge , to avail themselves of it , assuring them it will not be a day TOL . I . 3 X