Untitled Article

comply with their desires , although , at the same time , unless work was to be done , he had rather processions be dispensed with . Bro . Emanuel , in a most eloquent address , proposed , " That a Committee be appointed to decide on a Testimonial to be presented to Bro . Slade , who had for ten years faithfully discharged the duties of Prov . G . Treasurer ; " which proposition was unanimously agreed on . The Brethren then proceeded to the election of Prov . G . Treas ., and Bro . Alfred Heather was unanimously elected .

The Prov . G . M . then appointed and invested his Officers for the year ensuing . Bros . Charles Ewens Deacon , D . G . M . ; H . M . Emanuel , No . 428 , S . G . W . ; Edwin Low , No . 319 , J . G . W . ; T . T . Haverfield , B . D ., No . 555 , G . Chap . ; Alfred Heather , No . 319 , G . Treas . ; Jarvis S . Tibbetts , No . 717 , G . Reg . ; J . Rankin Stebbing , No . 155 , and T . N . Finnin , No . 152 , G . Sees . ; J . J .

Gait , No . 717 , S . G . D . ; George Martin , No . 555 , J . G . D . ; H . Abraham , No . 152 , Supt . of Works ; Thomas Slade , No . 428 , Dir . of Cer . ; Thos . Batchelor , No . 717 , Assist . Dir . of Cer . ; Everitt , No . 90 , G . Sw . B . ; Hilds , No . 717 , Organist ; James Stening , No . 387 , G . Purs . ; Thomas Webb , No . 152 , St . Bear . ; Pearce , No . 152 , Woolven , No . 319 , Swayne , No . 387 , Totterdell , No . 428 , Drysdale , No . 555 , and Rake , No . 717 , Stewards .

The Prov . G . L . was then closed in ancient form and solemn prayer . The Brethren then adjourned to THE BANQUET , which was laid in the audit-room * of the Corporation , the use of which had been granted by his Worship the Mayor ; about sixty Brethren were present . The cloth having been removed , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts duly honoured , the R . W . Prov . G . M . gave the health of their honoured guest , Bro . Fleming , K . W . Prov . G . M . of the Isle of Wight , who , as the representative of an ancient family so long seated in the county , was well known to them all . He included also in the toast the deputy of the Isle , Bro . Pullen .

Bro . Fleming , in acknowledgment , said , it afforded him the greatest pleasure to attend the annual meeting of the province ; besides , that the many years ' friendship between himself and Sir Lucius Curtis afforded him additional gratification in being present on this occasion in Southampton . The vast advances in prosperity the town had made were unexampled ; and from its port were transmitted the enormous supplies of men and material for the great contest in the Crimea . He concluded by giving , by desire of the Prov . G . M ., " The Allied Forces in the East . "

Bro . Pullen said , the kindness with which he had been received , and the intellectual entertainment of their Lodge meeting , made him proud of being a member of the Order , in which the best of feelings of man towards his fellows were brought into action , and men of all creeds were assembled in brotherly

union . The health of the Prov . G . M , was given by Bro . Dr . Clarke , and was greeted moat enthusiastically . 8 Jr Lucius , in reply , assured them his heart was devoted to Masonry ; it afforded him much pleasure to be among them , as the more he saw of Freemasonry and its members , the more satisfied and gratified he was . He then called on the Brethren to give a hearty reception to Bro . Deacon , his invaluable Deputy , who for so many years had ^ filled that office , to the perfect satisfaction of every member iti the Province .

Bro . Deacon tendered his most grateful thanks for the warm greeting his name had received ; the Brethren were always so pleased with his services , that the fifteen years he had held the appointment seemed but a day . The only return he could make for the confidence reposed in him was , by being ever ready to aid the cause , and to urge among its members the great point of Masonry—charity , in its ^ - ^ ... ... - ¦ — ... H i ll l . — l . l-l . l I ¦ ¦*—¦¦ - «¦¦ . . M-ll . ¦ ¦' ¦ " ¦ ' ' ¦ * In this nohle apartment is preserved , in a handsome frame , the original deed by which Edward the Black Prince granted to Thomas De Beauchamp , Earl of Warwick , the custody of the town of Southampton . It is dated at Kennington . voj , . i . 4 Tsr