History Of Freemasonry In Worcestershire.

be favoured with his visits as often as his convenience Would admit . It seems rather singular that the reply of this brother should contain au intimation that he had held the appointment for eighteen years , and it is not with astonishment- we read that his

reply contains some reservation as to his appreciation of the compliment . Bro . Thompson is said to have been writing master to the Prince of AVales , and to this fact may be traced his appointment as D . Prov . G . M .

He appears to have joined the lodge in 1799 , and to have been at once elected as W . M ., which appointment he held for seven years afterwards , again he appears as AV . M . in 1809 and 1810 . In 1811 , he desires his name to be erased from the

lodge , expresses his desire to benefit the lodge either individually or in his capacity of D . Prov . G . M ., in 1814 , 1815 , 1816 and 1817 , he is again recorded as W . M . AVhile , but agaiu , in 1820 , he appears to have attended the lodge as a visitor . In December of the same year , he is proposed as an honorary member , but at the next meeting ,

although heispresent , and the minutes are confirmed no reference is made to the result of the ballot . On the 27 th , the letter to the G . Sec . before referred to is ordered to be sent , and the appointment of Bro . Thompson made known , but he

never appears afterwards to have been present at the lodge , either as visitor or member , and is only once after referred to as P . D . Prov . G . M ., in tbe appointment of officers by Bro . Dods , as D . Prov . G . M ., at a meeting in 1822 . Neither is there any

record of his retirement or death . On the 2 nd Sept . 1822 , Bro . Dods as D . Prov . G . M ., at a meeting of AVorcester Lodge , Bro . Ballard iu the chair of AV . M ., gave notice that he would call a meeting of Prov . Grancl Lodge , and

he issued the following circular to the W . Masters of the lodges at Worcester , Kidderminster , and Eversham .

"AVorcester , Sept . 18 , 1822 . " Worshipful Sir and Brother , " Our Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Dr . Dods , has commanded me to inform you that he will hold a Provincial Grand Meeting , at the

Rein Deer Inn , AVorcester , on Wednesday , the 2 nd of October next , at 12 o ' clock , when your company is particularly requested , with as many of the brethren of your lodge as can make it convenient to attend , for the purpose of nominating and appointing the different Grand Officers , for

establishing a Provincial Grand Fund , & c . The favour of an answer before Saturday , the 22 nd inst ., stating the number of brethren that are likely to attend , will oblige . " I am , AA orshipful Sir and Brother ,

" Yours fraternally , . " S . SWAN , " Provincial Grand Secretary . "N . B . —Dinner on the table at half-past three o'clock . "

The names of the brethren attending the Prov . G . Lodge are given , numbering 28 . The Prov . G . Lodge was opened to the first degree , and the Ancient Charges were read , as likewise the by-laws in the Book of Constitutions

relating to the office of Prov . G . Master . The brethren were unanimous in their wish that a Prov . G . Lodge for the County of Worcester should be regularly and duly established . The D . Prov . G . M , nominated and appointed the following

officers : — Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Thomson . Prov . Sen . Grand AA arden , Bro . Ballard , W . M ., Worcester Lodge .

Prov . Jun . Grand AVarden , Bro . Gibson , W . M .,. Kidderminster Lodge . Prov . Sen . Grand Deacon , Bro . Workman , AV . M ., Eversham Lodge . Prov . Jun . Grand Deacon , Bro . Burrow , P . S-W .,. AVorcester Lodge .

PEOVINCIAL GRAND STEWARDS . Bro . Shemmons , P . M ., Kidderminster Lodge ,, „ Phelps , P . S . AV ., Eversham Lodge . „ Haliburton , P . S . W ., Worcester Lodge .

„ AV . Mills , „ Duncan , P . M ., Kidderminster Lodge . „ Holland , of the Eversham Lodge . Treasurer , Bro . Hughes , Worcester Lodge . Secretary , Bro . Swan , Worcester Lodge .

Director of the Ceremonies , Bro . Dent , Worcester Lodge . Sword Bearer or Inner Guard , Bro . Hobbs , Worcester Lodge . f Bro . Heath , AVorcester Lodge .

Tylers - { „ Javeus , Kidderminster Lodge . l _ „ Redman , Eversham Lodge . The D . Prov . G . M . proposed the establishment of a Provincial Grand Fund , which was approved by the officers and brethren . A subscription by the three lodges to purchase Prov . G . clothing for the D . G . M . and officers of