Provincial.

exceeding him in zeal for the cause ; but his had been truly an eventful career , and he had filled so many offices well and worthily that the R . AA . Grand JIaster had appointed him to his present honourable position . The Prov . Grand Master not having been able to attend himself , it was peculiarly fortunate that he could find such an efficient deputy . Tho Prov . Grand Master had been their ruler for so many years , and become so popularand had exercised his important functions in such a

, truly Masonic manner , that he had earned the deepest love and affection of all the brethren over whom he had been placed . To govern a province a Master must possess a considerable amount of tact and ability , and these valuable qualities were wonderfully united in the worthy brother then presiding over them . ( Cheers . ) The Master must be well acquainted with the ritual of their Order , and be able to give a ready opinion in deciding

all cases of difference , and to sooth difficulties by means of the mild influence of his affectionate character . True it was , a kind and feeling heart may be born with a man , but they thought Masonry may tend to produce in him the finer feelings of his nature , and soften the asperities , to which he was liable . Most truly , fully , and Masonically did this kind heart beat in the bosom of their DeputProvincial Grand Master . He would not

y now allude to some past occasions when their worthy Deputy Master was not amongst them ; for it was so very evident that whether in health or sickness the sympathies of the whole of his brethren in Masonry were very largely extended to him , and where he was present there could be no mistaking the kindness of the Masonic hearts which gathered around him . ( Cheers . ) The toast was received and honoured with the most

enthusiastic demonstrations . Glee , by the choir— " Auld Lang Syne . " The D . PnoA . G . MASTER said he rose naturally with feelings of pride and gratitude to acknowledge the too flattering manner in which his respected brother had proposed the toast , and to thank the numerous brethren around him who had so kindly and handsomely responded to it . For nearly a quarter of a century he had now been permitted by the Great Architect of the Universe to enjoy the great blessing which Freemasonry afforded them , but he did not feel that lie deserved all the kind

expressions which Bro . Beach had delivered himself of in proposing the toast . He asked no other verdict at their hands than that they believed that during the long period of his holding the various offices which ho had had the honour of filling , he had properly discharged the duties devolving upon him , because he had been animated throughout by the best intentions and the worthiest of motives . ( Hear . ) During some period of his life his conscience told him that he had iven more

g attention , devotion , and zeal to the cause of Masonry than he had given to graver and weightier subjects—his spiritual and temporal affairs . It had been his constant desire to carry out sincerely and truthfully the glorious principles upon which Masonry was founded . A good Mason was not only a good man , but the outer world must see that he is a good man , and one whom they saw and knew did his duty . From the hihest to

g the lowest , the richest and the poorest , they all descended from the same common parent , and were all wending their way to the same common end . Certain and sure as they would find it , Masonry taught them to show love to their brethren , to honour all men , and to fear God , the great Creator of all . AVhat could they do better than make each other happy ? AVhat was the spirit which united them ? It was something inspired to

them by the spirit of philanthropy which created tho world . Their hearts were made by the Almighty to yearn for those who might be in troujble , ond inspired them to use all means for each other's happiness , and those means especially which Masonry afforded them . They must not take up this Masonry as a , flower , to be thrown down and forgotten — they were not to make it a only of social enjoyment .

Brepurpose thren who thought to do so knew not what Freemasonry was . ( Hear . ) He would appeal to any brother who did really carry out his Masonic principles , whether it did not really soften the asperities of life ; ho was sure that Masonry did give that comfort and that consolation so desirable . It was compounded of that universal love and that universal charity which must , perforceconquer and destroy the most overpowering feelings of

, dislike , dissatisfaction , and prejudice , and infuse into all its magic and delightful influence . ( Hear . ) He asked them all to remember and bear in mind those solemn and important lessons which the ritual of Masonry conveyed to them , and to exercise on all occasions those principles they had solemnly declared to carry into effect by their conduct as Freemasons . ( Hear . )

Bodily ailments had prevented him on many occasions from joining his brethren , but though he mig ht not have been amongst them , he knew how much he had their sympathy by communications and personal assurances . He might yet be with them for a long or a short period , and iu any good work which might be contemplated , lie should at all times be glad to assist and co-operate in carrying it into eft'ect . May their unity and harincrease in the same proportion as their prosperity ; he

mony should never forget tho kindness he had received at their hands that day and for many years past . It would be a comfort to him so long as he existed to have such a remembrance , and he should ever entertain the deepest gratitude to them for tho kindness and consideration they had shown him since he had helm connected with their glorious institution . ( Immense cheering . )

Bro . A . SMITH , P . M . 76 , Prov . G . Reg ., said he had listened with great interest , much instruction , and inestimable gratification to the past speeches . He was sure , after such displays of eloquence and Masonic feeling , that he should best consult his own capacity and the taste of the company by simply proposing in the briefest terms the toast of the gallant defenders of their country—the Army , Navy , and Yolunteers ( hear , hear ); and he would ask that they should drink to it upstanding . ( Drunk with loud applause . ) Choir , glee from " Faust" — " Glory and Love to the Men of

Old . " Bro . Col . MEEHAIT , P . M . 319 , briefly responded , in the course of his observations saying they might believe him the British Army was never in a higher state of discipline , or more aspiring for their country ' s fame than at the present time . Bro . Col . FORD said , as he was the senior Volunteer officer present , he thankfully acknowledged the compliment paid to the force . He could onl how glad they were at all times

y say to receive tho encouraging approbation of their fellow men . He trusted their conduct and bearing would prove that the money spent on them by the Government had not been wasted . The Government had hitherto treated them liberally ( ' ¦ oh 1 " ) and he hoped soon to find that liberality much increased . ( Hear , hear . ) They would do as much as they could for the money given them , and he hoped they would he found fully able to perform

any duty required by the country . Bro . the Rev . G . BRADSHAW proposed the toast of "The Masonic Charities . " Glee , by choir— " By Celia's Arbour . " Bro . BiKCEiiS , Secretary to the Masonic Boys' School , spoke fluently at some length in response to the toast . He said that if he consulted himself he should confine his observations to a few simple wordsbut he feared that his silence would then be

, attributed to motives which did not actuate him . He never rose to respond under circumstances of greater difficulty . He must not withhold his tribute of praise to the great liberality of the province of Hampshire . He would ask their pardon for alibis past sins of commission , and he promised never to inflict

upon them again a speech of so much length as to cause complaint . In ' , 110 province was there less occasion to press on the brethren for assistance to the Charities , as they were thoroughly imbued with a spirit coinciding with the claims of the institutions of the Order , and it was only necessary to appeal at all except when some special claim arose , lie must repeat his warmest thanks for the support they had contributed , not only to the Boys' School , with which he was particularly

connected , but to the other Chaiities . The province of Hants had cheerfully borne the burden of those who were unable to aid themselves , and they had never flinched from supporting those institutions when properly called upon for their assistance . He would only refer to those members who had sustained the duties of Stewards for the Charities . He had received the names of two brethren who had consented to serve as Stewards of the Boys' School next year- —one was Bro .

Hubbert , of Basingstoke , and well known at AA'inchester , and the other Bro . Eve , of tho Lodge at Alverstoke . He , therefore , knew that the interests of bis school would not be neglected in 1865 . ( Hear . ) He should say that the school he was connected with was just now in special need of support from a special want . He could furnish important statistics as to the course taken with their finances . Tho Girls' School was in a very flattering position ; the building had been enlarged , and they

could now accommodate one hundred children , and their subscriptions were increasing from year to year , and then there was £ 1 , 000 in funded property . The Aged Freemasons and their Widows Institution was also well situated , peculiarly speaking .