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pose of exalting the Eight Worshipful the Prov . G . M . Sir Edward Sherlock Gboch , Bart ., M . P . A large muster of Companions from this and the adjoining Provinces assembled to do honour to their noble Chief ; amongst them we observed : — Comps . R . Martin , Esq ., Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Rev . F . W . Freeman ; Rev . W . W . Aldrich , Doric Chap . ; W . Elliston , Esq . ; W . L . Fox , Esq . ; J . Pitcher , Esq . ; W . P . Mills , Esq . ; S . Freeman , Esq . ; & c . & c . The Chapter was summoned for

4 p . m ., at which hour upwards of forty Comps . were present . The tout ensemble of the room was most beautiful . The ceremony was ably performed by Comp . John Head , P . Z ., as Z . ; Comp . James Franks , P . Z ., as H . ; Comp . Stephen B . King , J . ; and Comp . Charles T . Townsend , P . Z ., as P . S ; the worthy Baronet making a most capital candidate , and the impressive and excellent manner throughout the whole business reflected the highest possible credit upon the Companions .

A sumptuous banquet was prepared on the occasion , and at 7 P . M . thirty Brethren sat down to all the delicacies of the season . After the cloth was removed , grace was said by Comp . Rev . F . W . Freeman . The Chairman , Comp . Head , then proposed " The Health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , " after which the National Anthem was sung by Comps . Pettit , Dorling , and Gower . Next followed " The Health of Prince Albert , the

Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " and " The Army and Navy . " Comp . Sir E . S . Gooch returned thanks on behalf of the Army , and stated that although he had left the service for many years , he hoped to see his son , the heir of Benacre , soon enter the profession which his forefathers so nobly cared for . At the battle of Blenheim , one of his ancestors fought and bled for his country ; and at a still later date , at Waterloo , he was proud to say the Goochs and Stradbrooks were foremost in the fight .

Comp . Capt . Charles Wing begged to return thanks for the Navy . He , like their noble Chief , had left the service for many years , yet was proud to say , under Lord Exmouth , at Algiers , he held His Majesty ' s commission ; and although a stray shot had left an ugly mark in his skull , he would ever drink success to the Navy of his country . —Song , Comp . W . Townsend . " The First Grand Principal the Earl of Zetland ; " " The Earl of Yarborough and the Grand Chapter . "—Song , Comp . W . L . Fox .

The M . E . Z . then proposed " The Prov . G . M . Comp . Sir E . S . Gooch , " who had always shown an earnest desire to further the interests of the Order , by promoting its charities and uniting the Brethren of his Province by his presence in that bond of amity which should ever distinguish Freemasonry . —The toast was received with the greatest enthusiasm , and drunk with the highest honours . Comp . Sir E . Gooch considered it a greater honour to wear the ribbon he had that evening been invested with , than to become a Companion of the Bath , and

felt indeed proud to have been selected by the M . N . the G . M . to preside over such a Province as that of Suffolk ; and he was happy to say that since that honour had been conferred upon him , the Order had flourished and increased more than he could have anticipated . The M . E . Z . then proposed " The Healths of the Founders of the Chapter . " Comp . Plan tin returned thanks . —Song , Comp . Fox . Comp . Sir E . S . Gooch proposed " The Health of their M . E . Z . "

Comp . Head immediately rose , and acknowledged the toast . He could only repeat tnat he should consider this as one of the " red-letter" days of his life , and in his usual hearty and impressive manner enjoined the junior members to persevere ; he could assure them that by such a course they would ultimately hold the exalted position he then filled . Before sitting down , he would propose " The Healths of the P . Z . ' s of the Chapter " ( eleven of whom were then present ) , coupling with it the name of Comp . J . Pitcher .

Comp . Pitcher , in a humorous speech , replied . —Song , Comp . Dorling . The M . E . Z . then gave " The Healths of Comp . Fitzgerald and the Doric Chapter , Comp . Tracy and the St . Luke ' s Chapter , and Comp . Wade and the North Essex Chapter ; " all of whom acknowledged the toast . —Song , Comp . Pitcher . "The Visiting Companions . " Comp . Fox acknowledged the compliment , and regretted that his Province