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flying of a very humble bird —( laughter)—though those who had heard him might more justly liken it to the upward soaring of a noble eagle , into the very sun of Masonry . He very sincerely trusted that the blessing of the Most High would rest on their work of that day , which , he hoped , would bear the fruits which had been so eloquently wished and foretold ( applause ) . It was a long time since his appointment to preside over the Province . Many then present in the room were not born at that period . A new birth had been required for Masonry in

Monmouthshire ; for it had almost become a dead letter in the Province , He had felt this , and had consulted his royal master , the late Duke of Sussex , whose words he should never forget . " Let Masonry have its course , " the royal duke observed— - " attempt not to force it . The time would come when Masonry would be in a position of which its members would be proud . It might appear to die ; but it would be gloriously resuscitated . " Masonry was not dead in Monmouthshire . It here stood as high as in any Province in the Masonic world . Proud , indeed , was he , that he had had the high honour of presiding over the important proceedings

of that day , which marked so distinguished an era in the history of the Order in Monmouthshire ( cheers ) . It had been a source of regret to him , that he had not always been able to be with them . The business of the Provinces , however , had constantly been well carried on by Bro . Bolls , his deputy , and he took some credit to himself for having selected such a gentleman to nil the office . While his office had been almost a sinecure , that of Bro . Bolls had been a laborious and onerous

one . All the officers of the Province , also , had carried out their duties efficiently and zealously , and few Lodges were in a better state than the Silurian and the Monmouth . Having acknowledged the toast , he said the silver trowel that day presented to him would be esteemed more than the most magnificent presentation of plate , and would be handed down to his son ( who was present ) as the proudest heir-loom in the family of a Mason . The worthy President resumed his seat amidst loud and repeated cheering .

Bro . Rolls said it gave him the greatest pleasure to propose to them the health of one of the oldest and best Masons in England , and who was looked up to with the greatest reverence . It was " The health of Col . Tynte , the Prov . G . M . for Somerset , " the father of their chairman , and grandfather of Capt . Tynte , another of their officers , and who , amongst other good things that might be said of him

had contributed two whole bucks for their banquet . Bro . Dr . Kent rose , and , in eloquent terms , eulogised Bro . Thomas ( architect ) , whom he had known in Australia , where he had received him into the Lodge over which he had presided for two years . He was proud to witness the progress of Bro . Thomas , and the high estimation in which he was held by his Brother Masons .

The President said that as the time was fast flying , he would unite the names of the four Prov . G . M . ' s of Hereford , Oxford , Australia , and Bengal , in one toast , and call on the company to pledge them heartily . Bro . Dr . Bowles acknowledged the toast on behalf of himself and the other Prov . G . M . s ; and referred to the proceedings of that day as a special solemnity , which would be long , pleasingly , and usefully remembered by all who witnessed it .

Bro . Lyne proposed the health of the Prov . G . Chaplain — the Rev . Bro . Roberts—to whose eloquence in the pulpit that day , his general efforts for the promotion for the welfare of the Order , and the success which had attended those efforts , the Lodges in this Province were so very greatly indebted . The Rev . Chaplain said , the kindness with which they had received the toast connected with his name showed that the old feeling of Monmouthshire still remained , flourishing as ever , and that nothing in the world could possibly

destroy that feeling of good fellowship which had been established ; and though time and space might have separated them , still the good old feeling remained , and he could not forget old friends . Reminiscences and associations of those bonds which bound them together in the bond of charity and by the tie of love prompted him to make an effort to be present on that occasion ; and he-felt it would be well to visit his Brethren , especially when he heard what preparations were being made , lie resolved to give himself up to them that day , whatever voii , i , < L o