Provincial.

thanks for your address , and to assure you , on tho part of the Princess of AVales and myself , of the pleasure it affords us to visit a town so conspicuous in the pages of English history . It is most ^ ratifying to me to co-operate with you , gentlemen , in securinn- for your town tho benefits contemplated by the Royal founder ' of this ancient society . In extending to Reading and its county the advantage of a middle-class education you are providing an education whichif conducted on sound principles

, , must conduce to the welfare and happiness of all who desire to profit by it ; and that this result is anticipated is satisfactorily indicated by the amount of contributions already subscribed . For myself , I sincerely trust that the good work of wliich we are now assembled to lay the first stone may , under God's blessing , prosper and accomplish its purpose . It will at least prove to a succeeding generation that we on our part have striven with

all our hearts and with all our means to ripen the good seed sown by our fathers . " The address to the Princess which was not read , was in quite a novel form , being reduced by photography , and enclosed in a locket , appended to a fan . This fan is a most artistic and exquisite piece of work in the Louis XIV . style . In the centre of a canopy , supported by two angels , and surmounted with the Princess's coronet , is a silver shield , on which is the monogram

A . A . emblazoned in gold , and surrounded with summer flowers . On either side , painted in proper colours , are tho arms of his Royal Highness and of the borough of Reading ; whilst at each end are two beautifully executed views—that on the right , of the new school ; and on the left , the old gateway of the abbey . The mounting is of pearl , most delicately aud elaborately carved , and mounted with gold . Attached to the fan is a solid gold vinaigrettehaving on one side the Princess ' s coronet and

, monogram , enamelled in colours ; on the other , the following inscription most ingeniously inserted : — " Presented to H . R . H . the Princess of AVales , by the Mayor and Corporation of Reading , on her visit to that town with H . R . H . the Prince of AVales , on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of new school buildings for tho Reading school , 1 st July , 1870 . "

This beautiful little souvenir was executed by Alessrs . Alarcus AVard and Co . for Alessrs . Howell and James . The brethren bearing tbe vessels containing tho Com , AAlrie , aud Oil , together with the Alallet , having deposited the same on a pedestal placed for that purpose . Silence was proclaimed by the Grand Dir . of Cers , and the Mayor ( Bro . P . Spokes ) received from the Provincial Grand JIaster the Trowel , and presented the same to H . R .. H . the Prince of AA ales on behalf of the Masons of Reading , as a memento of their fraternal esteem , asked him to set the stone .

The Architect presented tiie plans of the buildings to His Royal Highness . Rev . Bro . Dr . AV . Fidler , Prov . Grand Chap , offered the following prayer : — PliATEIt . 0 Afost Alighty Lord God , ' Great Architect of the Universe and all that is therein . ' Wethe frail creatures of

ThProvi-, y dence , implore thee to pour down on this work begun in Thy Holy name , the dew of Thy blessing . AVithout Thee nothing is strong , nothing is Holy . Unless Thou bulkiest the House , their labour is but lost that build it . Prosper the labours of those who designed , and who may promote this undertaking , and make them to know that Charity blesses those who give as well as those that receive . 0 Gracious Preserver of the bodies as

well as tbe souls of men , protect we beseech , the workmen who shall be employed on this building and shield them from loss of life or bodil y hurt , and give them grace to do their duly in an honest and good heart . Let Thy heavenly benediction rest upon the institution about to be erected here . Alay those who shall be taught in this school bo brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and be instruments of ThGlory b

y y doing good in their generation , and may useful instruction and Godly learning ever flourish and abound within its walls . The Glorious Majesty of the Lord bo upon us . Prosper Thou the work of our hands upon us . 0 prosper Thou our handiwork , through Jesus Christ our Lord . —Amen .

The Prov . Grand Sec . read the inscription on the stone , and the Prov . G . Treas . deposited the vessel , hermetically scaled , containing the specimens of all the gold , silver , and copper coins of the present reign . The Town Clerk ( Bro . T . Rogers ) deposited the records .

Bro . Barnicoat , Entered Apprentice of Lodge No . 1 , 101 presented the cement to set the stone . A hymn was then sung by the members of the Reading Philharmonic Society , under the direction of Bro . AV . II . Strickland , P . Prov . Q . Org , set to a chorale composed by the late Prince Consort ( " Gotha" ) , during which the stone was lowered with three distinct stops , the Prince standing to the east of the stonewith the R . AV . Provincial Grand JIaster on

, his right hand , aud the Deputy Provincial Grand JIaster , bearing the square . He then received from the Provincial Grand Alaster the cornucopia and strewed the corn ; the Grand AVarden presented the ewers containing the wine and oil , which were poured out conformably with ancient custom , saying " May tho bountiful hand of Heaven ever supplthis country with abundance of corn

y , wine , and oil , and all the necessaries and comforts of life . " The Prince set tbe stone with all the honours usual on such occasions , saying , ' Alay the Great Architect of the Universe enable us successfully to carry on and finish the work of which we have now laid the principal stone , and every other undertaking which may tend to the advantage of tho borough of Reading and this neighbourhood , and may this school be long

preserved from peril and decay , diffusing light aud influence to generations yet unborn . " The brethren responded , " So mote it be . " Tho Treasurer to the schools , Bro . J . Simonds , then presented

the JIaster Builder a purse ot gold for the use of the workmen , saying that it was the desire of the Prince that those who had hewed the stones , and those who have laid them , and all who have assisted , should rejoice iu the light . The Bishop of Oxford offered up a prayer and pronounced the Benediction , the proceedings closing by the band playing and the choir singing the " Hallelujah Chorus . " The Prince and Prince and Princess of AVales and suitewith

, the visitors accompanying the Royal party , wero conducted by the JIayor and Town Clerk to their carriages , and proceeded to the Town Hall . The Prince and Princess of AA ales , with their suite , on arriving at the Town Hall , were conducted to thoir retiring rooms , returning from which their Royal Highnesses were received in the vestibule , when tho JIayor had the honour of escorting the

Princess , the Prince of AVales graciously condescending to lead the Mayoress to tlie dining hall , followed by the distinguished visitors . Grace before meat was said by the Rev , Lewin G . Maine , vicar of St . Lawrence ' s ; after meat by the bishop . During the luncheon the band ofthe Grenadier Guards played a selection of music . At the conclusion of the luncheon , by the gracious permission of his Royal Hihnessthe JI proposed

g , ayor tho toast of * ' The Queen . " " God save the Queen " was sung by the Reading Choral Union . The JIayor then proposed "The health of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of AA ales . " " God bless the Prince of AA ales " was then sung by the Choral Union .

Bro . I . Spencer acted as I oast Alaster . 'The Prince of AA ales then rose and said—For the hearty aud cordial manner in whieh this toast has been received , and for the extremely kind way in which you , Mr . JIayor , have proposed it , I beg , iu the name of tho Princess and ' myself , to offer my warmest thanks . I assure you it gives me tlie most unfeigned pleasure to have the opportunity of expressing to all present the great gratification whichit has afforded to the Princess and

-, my self to visit Reading upon this important occasion . lam glad also to be able to congratulate your JIayor , Corporation , and the inhabitants generally upon the marked success with which every detail ofthe proceedings has been carried out . Whether , in regard to the tasteful way in which all the houses and streets are decorated , the arrangements for laying the ceremonial sfone of the new schoolsor the preparation of this magnificent dejeuner

, , I am bound to say that everything could not have gone off better . And now let me say that I trust we shall , alter this day has passed , take an interest in the school that is to be . I speak of it as a school that is to be ; but it is an institution which has existed for a largo number of years , and was , as you are all probably aware , founded by my ancestor , Henry ATI , and a R > ya . l Charter was granted to it bQueen Elizabeth 1

y . trust , therefore , that the wishes expressed b y the JIayor concerning it will be fulfilled , aud that the town and county surrounding it will benefit from it , and that its success will in every way answer your expectations . Having said this , I will not detain you longer than to say , before sitting down , that it gives me the greatest pleasure to propose n toast which I know