Provincial.

he was thereby far more rewarded , that they took a pleasure in something conferred on him as one of themselves , rather than gratified it had been conferred on himself . The R . W . G . M . now presiding over them had introduced him to Masonry thirty years ago , and he was proud to look up to him and see him apparently still so well in health , and if they would allow him to say so , still as young in looks as ever . ( Hearand laughter . ) They two had climbed the hill together

, , his right worshipful friend being the brighter star and more distinguished Mason , but in a humble manner he had followed in his steps and endeavoured heartily to second all the efforts he had made in the glorious cause of Masonry —( hear)—and be hoped he had been successful in healing differences and difficulties wliich would occasionally arise , as well as in the gentler walks of charity . He had gained much in the way of success

by his worthy friend ' s excellent example and kind assistance . He was proud and happy to see the honour of his present office conferred upon him , because in it he had succeeded his distinguished brother , who had filled it the previous year . Though a position of considerable importance , his brother had in this , as in all other Masonic matters , borne himself with all becoming

modesty , and he knew that he had often " done good by stealth , and blushed to find it fame . " ( Hear ) . He was convinced of this , that any Mason who hy his conduct and working was found worthy of distinction and promotion , would be sure to find it come upon him in good time ; and how much better and how much happier it must make a man when honour and reward came unsolicited and unexpected . ( Hear . ) Their R . W . acting Prov . Grand Master had received great distinctions

, and totally unexpected . It had been intimated to him ( Bro . S . ) some time ago that he should received some office of honour ; but he had answered that it was not yet his time , and though he had been offered the high office he now had the honour to fill , he had humbly begged to give it up . He did not approve of men being too ready for the greatest honours they could have ; he was not the most honoured who hastily took to all

distinctions that might be his . ( Hear . ) He meant to say that he had previously solicited to be allowed to be passed by as to the office he now held . He had done what he would advise others to do—not to be too anxious to accept honours , but to bide their

time , and then it was more honour for them to accept it— - ( hear ) —and they then appeared in redoubled splendour . There were but few appointments in the power of the authorities to grant , and it must be remembered that many must wait for a long series years . But rather would he work iu the honourable duty of benevolence . A man had better be an Entered Apprentice on to a Master Mason , and a good working Mason , than wear all the jewels that could be heaped on his breast . It had much

better be said of him , " See how well he fulfils his work , " rather than , " See how bright his jewels are . " ( Cheers . ) He gloried in his endeavours to carry out the living principles of Masonry , rather than in assuming the accidental honours he then wore . He was pure of having ever attempted to obtain an honour , but he had sought to do something for the good of Masonry , and he was reaping some of his reward that night . ( Hear . ) He begged to express his obligations for the toast so unanimously supported by Grand Lodge , in the name of the M . AV . G . M . the Earl of Zetland , the Earl De Grey and Ripon , the

D . G . M . ( importantly engaged m the duties of the State ) . But a man may be a Peer or a Queen's Minister , or in any other high capacity in the service , of his country , and yet be open to the tenderest feelings of charity , which ever pervaded all Masons'hearts ; and these and such were always available when anything was desirable to be done for Masonry , conspicuous in the person of their honoured brother and member of ParliamentBro . Beachwho sat next hima truly good and

honour-, , , able Mason in high position in the Craft . ( Hear . ) Alluding to late proceedings in tbe working of the Grand Lodge of England , Bro . Stebbing went on to speak of certain improvements , inferring that a phalanx of " young mon from the country" had been the instruments of doing a deal of good to the government of the Craft . The government having got a little lax , a few had set up " a great shout in Israel , " and said something

must be done to make things right . In this improvement something probably was to he picked up by the country party , and truly their voices had been heard . He had not found much to wish different in the R . AV . Grand Master ; he discovered more traces of evil in his surrounding influences than in the R . W . Grand Master himself . He was , however , inclined to think that the R . W . Grand Master might , with very good effect , be changed , say once in every three or four years . ( Some

one said " No , no . " ) He did not refer to the present Grand Master , so amiable and excellent a Mason , and because lie was truly loyal to his Sovereign in Masonry , but yet he would say that there might well he a change of their M . W . Grand Mas ter's once in three or four years . ( Hear , hear . ) He thanked that numerous and influential company , in behalf of the M . W . Grand Master , for the compliment which they had been pleased to pay to his lordship , to the Grand Lodge , and its officers .

Independence was to be found in office , as well as oiit of office , and he should take good care that he did not lose his independence now he had risen higher in distinction , so that they shonld always be able to say—though Bro . Stebbing has got nearer the throne , he has not lost his independence ; indeed , without that life would be valueless , and he should be ashamed to look his brethren in the face again . ( Loud and long-continued cheering . )

The G . MASTER then proposed the toast of "The R . AV . Provincial Grand Master , Admiral Sir Lucius Curtius , Bart ., K . C . B ., " whose absence on the present occasion they must all deeply regret . ( Hear . ) He would not then occupy their time with reference to Masonic subjects , but he was sure the announcement of the toast would be most acceptable . The Provincial Grand Master might well be compared with a honest and industrious labourer , contemplating an abundant harvest

They had experienced in his life an illustration of the practical utility and the true spirit of Masonry , and he feared when the worthy admiral was gone they would not see his like again . ( Hear . ) May the Great Architect of tbe Universe blesa him , and allow them to see him amongst them yet on many occasions . Glee , by the choir— "The Last Rose of Summer , " rapturously encored .

Bro . J . NAISH , P . Prov . G . AV ., said he had no doubt the brethren would feel as much pleasure in receiving the next toast as he did in proposing it . It was tbe health of a gentleman they all well knew— "The R . W . Provincial Grand Master of the Isle of AVig-ht , Bro . T . AV . Fleming , M . P . " ( Cheers . ) He was much pleased to give the toast , though he was sorry it had not been placed in better hands , as there were many brethren present with abilities superior to his own . It was with

considerable pleasure , no doubt , they recognised the attainment of a honour by their honourable brother of late , and the gratification of a prevailing wish of his heart . They could well congratulate him on his return to Parliament , though they were not allowed to mix up politics with their proceedings in lodge hours . Long may he live to preside over the Isle of Wight province , and also to meet them here on many occasions . ( Cheers . )

Song , Bro . Snary—¦ " The meeting of the waters . " Bro . T . AV . FLEMING-, M . P ., returned his sincere thanks forthe compliment paid to the province of the Isle of AVight by drinking the health of its Grand Master in so cordial a manner . He always looked forward with pleasant anticipations of these meetings . Bro . Naish had spoken of a certain degree of rank that had lately accrued to him ( Bro . Fleming ) ; but while his friend was liable to be called to order for alluding to such a

subject , he would still venture to say this , that he trusted , whether in victory or defeat in his political career , always to endeavour to show himself a thorough Mason ; and should there be opposition , he would never utter a word with the intention of hurting the feelings of an opponent . ( Hear , hear . ) It was certainly a drawback to the lodge to expeiieuce the absence of their R . W . Prov . Grand Master ; but probably the gallant old

admiral who had stood so many stout battles in days gone past had merely gone up harbour , to return next year refreshed and restored , and to be again with them . Many of the brethren had before visited him in the Isle of Wight , at their out-door meeting , and his brother-in-law at Bonchurch used to lend his garden for their reception . Illness in the family , leading to a death , had this year made it necessary to put the affair off , but

he hoped to meet them soon , in about a month , at Yentnor . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . W . AV . BEACH , M . P ., proposed the next toast . He said he had to perforin a most gratifying task , namely to give the health of one who was regarded with such esteem and affection , that it wai most easy and agreeable to mention his name—the-Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Hants , Bro . Deacon . ( Hoar ,

and cheers . ) He was sure that everywhere throughout that province his name would be received with marks of satisfaction and approval ; the object of their love and respect had been many , many years a Mason , and one of great excellence , few