Untitled Article

been present to rise on behalf of the navy ; in whose absence , however , he would observe , the reason the other hranch of the service had earned the greater portion of the honour in the present war , was , perhaps , owing to the fact that the enemy was afraid to show himself from secluded harbours and covering fortresses . The English navy , it should also be recollected , was formed to protect our shores and

our commerce . Now , however , the fleets of England assailed the enemy on all assailable coasts ; while it was well known that our commerce , and that of our allies , France , Turkey , and Sardinia , was as open now as ever , except in trading with Russia . The English navy , then , had done its duty ; and if the Buss should show his face on the seas beyond his granite walls , no doubt the English navy would prove that it could earn glory and renown as the army had done . Captain Tynte proposed " The Bishop and Clergy of the diocese . "

The Rev . Mr . Williams , curate of St . Paul's , Newport , said he was not desirous of surperseding the speech of the Rev . Mr . Roberts , whom he much desired to hear ; but he would with pleasure return thanks for the toast which had just been pledged . He was very happy to have enjoyed so delightful a day ; and he trusted that though the clergy of the diocese were so feebly represented on that occasion , not many months would elapse ere several of them would be enrolled in the honourable order of Masonry . The Rev . George Roberts , impelled by reminiscences of the period when he was a resident in this diocese , also spoke to the toast .

The President proposed the health of the Great Chief of Masonry , "The Earl of Zetland . " The toast was rapturously received , and with Masonic honours . Bro . Rev . Dr . Bowles rose and said , that as the next senior member of the G . L . of England , he begged to return thanks for the . G . M ., the Earl of Zetland . He had now the duty of returning thanks to the Silurian Lodge , for the second gratifying reception with which he had been honoured by them . His flights of eloquence were like those of a goose—no sooner on the wing , than down he fell again . But there was something in the proceedings of that day , like the magnetic

power in iron—giving to the heart ideas , and to the tongue utterance , not before possessed . Their banquet , with its sociality , its wines , and fruits of other climes , tended to smooth the asperities of life , and to cultivate those fraternal attachments , with their gratifying results , which were so delightful in themselves , so pure , so lasting , and giving consolation even in the hour of death . They had met that day to assist in laying the foundation-stone of a building to be dedicated to the cultivation of moral , social , and religious Masonry . Their Prov . G . M . had

that day laid tiie chief cornerstone of a structure which would be set apart for intellectual enjoyments , and the promotion of charity ; which would become a temple where liberality of soul would be encouraged—where they would revere the rights of conscience—promote human progress—seek , and he trusted , receive , the unity of spirit in the bond of peace—seek and find filial communion with the High and Holy One that inhabiteth eternity . While others sought to shut up God in creeds and denominations , and strove to fetter man in the bonds of intolerance and persecution , they would be bound together , not in

the bonds of creeds , but of charity—the noblest of all bonds—in which he trusted they would ever be united . He now found that he had been entrusted with the toast of the evening , and which , he regretted , was not placed in hands that could do it justice . Much might be said upon the subject of his toast . He thought , however , it might justly be considered a waste of words to do more than to mention the name of one who had presided over the Monmouthshire Province for

thirty years ,, and whose worth was highly appreciated therein—Prov . G . M . Tynte . Addressing Colonel Tynte , in conclusion , the learned Doctor said : " May the staff of God ' s promises help you on your way , so that when that time comes which comes to all of us , the lamp of God ' s love may light you through the dark valley , and guide you in safety to the golden land . And I am sure that , in the ancient language of our Craft , all will say , So mote it be . "

The Prov . G . M . said , if he had some difficulty that morning , in assembled Lodge , in thanking his Brothers , how much greater must be the difficulty to respond to his health , after the eloquent , kind , and feeling speech of his excellent friend , Dr . Bowles , who , most modestly likened the opening of his speech to the