Provincial.

whom no Mason could be better fitted for the office ) already placed in the position of Deputy Provincial Grand Master by the Grand Registrar , in whose care the province had been during the interregnum . As soon as Brother Hallowes learned this ho wrote to his lordship requesting him to think no more of the conversation which had passed between them , adding that he considered Brother Dobson eminently qualified for the position he held . To this his lordshiwas leased to return a

p p most gracious reply , thanking him for relieving him from an embarrassing position . In 1860 , the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master conferred upon Brother Hallowes the rank of Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master , which the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , refused to sanction , reserving to himself the privilege of conferring honours upon brethren for past services . It has

been a matter of sincere regret to the brethren of the province that our brother should thus have been deprived of that rank of which the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master considered him worthy . Our excellent Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Brother Dobson , was desirous of vacating his position for a year in his favour , but to this our departed brother ivould not consent , on the ground that a change in the Deputy Grand Master miht be detrimental to the interests of

g Freemasonry in the province . Brother Hallowes was an earnest advocate for the discontinuance of public processions at our provincial festivals , considering them injurious to the interests of an order desirous of receiving candidates from the educated classes . Brethren , the merits of our departed brother are a pleasing theme to me , and I do not know that we

can say too much for him ; but it will suffice to add that he was a liberal subscriber to the different Charities , of which as a Mason he felt justly proud , more especially as regards the position of the lodges in Kent in connection with them . That ho loved our Order cannot be better proved than by his introducing three of his sons to the Light , two of whom , as you are aware , are at the present moment members of our lodge . Whether , then , we regard him as a Mason , a friend , or

citizen , ive have reason to be proud of him , for he was earnest in Masonry , sincere in friendship , and a truer-hearted Englishman never breathed . Aud now , Brethren , he whom we have loved is no more . His time of probation , through which he passed so honourably , so conscientiously , is ended , and much shall we miss his well-known form at our lodge , meetings . He has , however , left behind him a name which must long be associated with Freemasonry in its essence . So long as the

Invicta Lodge shall last , his example must be handed down as a pattern for imitation , and in what manner shall we best do honour fo his memory ? By endeavouring to follow in his footsteps , by working diligently and earnestly together for the good of the Craft generally and the welfare of this lodge , and by using our utmost exertions in aid of those Charities of which he was one of the ablest supporters , for so would he have us do . He died at Tonbridge on the 6 th clay of February 1864 and

, , had it been permitted a largo number of those brethren , ivith whom he had so often associated in Masonry , would havo attended on the day on which his body was consigned to the grave , to have paid the last sad tribute of respect to his worth , for of no brother could it be more truly affirmed , " He lived respected and died regretted . "

SOMERSETSHIRE . BATH . —A union of the Bath lodges was held on Thursday evening , March 3 rd , at tho Masonic Hall , Corridor Rooms , for the purpose of presenting addresses of congratulation from the Royal Cumberland , the Royal Sussex , the Lodge of Honour , the Royal Albert ( Keynsham ) , and the Royal Somerset ( Frome ) Lodges , to Bro . Captain Alexander William Adair , of

Heatherton Park , on his appointment as Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Somerset , aud who had kindly consented to receive the addresses personally in open lodge . There was a very large attendance of brethren , among whom were many Past Masters . The W . M . ' s chair was filled by Bro . Mann , W . M . of the Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No . 41 ) , the Senior Wardens' by Bro . BennettW . M . of the Royal Sussex Lodge ( No . 53 ) and the

, , Junior Wardens' by Bro . Captain Muttlebury , W . M . of the Lodge of Honour . The various addresses were presented in due Masonic form , and in returning thanks , the Provincial Grand Master expressed the pleasure he felt at being called to preside over a province in which Masonry was so flourishing , and worked so harmoniously . He also alluded to some special circumstances

Provincial.

which enhanced the pleasure ofthe present meeting . The Royal Cumberland Lodge was the oldest lodge in the province , and he therefore received its homage with special interest , and in the brethren of the Royal Sussex he recognised many Masonic personal friends and Past Masters who had in former years given him their counsel and assistance in Masonic work . In the Lodge of Honour he had filled the Master ' s chair , and its present ; W . M . ivas not only an old Masonic friend , but a comrade

in arms , with whom he had seen service abroad and at home ; whilst in the Royal Albert and Royal Somerset Lodges , the youngest lodges in the province , he hailed the extension of Masonry in new districts . In conclusion , he assured the brethren , one and all , that his best efforts should ever be devoted to the interest and well-being of the noble brotherhood to which they belonged , and the cultivation and expansion of its principles . Addresses were also presentedaccompanied with

, appropriate remarks , from the above mentioned lodges to Bro . Bridges , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the province , expressive of the warm and grateful sense entertained by the brethren of the admirable manner in which he had discharged the onerous and difficult duties of his office during the last three years since the death of the late Provincial Grand Master , Col . Tynteand also of their gratification at his ro-appointment to

, his honourable post by the Prov . G . M . elect . Bro . Bridges , in returning thanks , said that from tho manner in which they had received the worthy Prov . G . M ., he felt assured that the Bath lodges would feel gratified by the announcement he was authorised to make , that the Prov . U . M . intended to hold his Installation Provincial Grand Lodge in Bath , in the month of May next . This announcement was received with loud cheers ,

and the Prov . G . M . remarked that he felt very sure the preeminent claims of the Bath Lodges to this honour , both in regard to their influence and numbers , would be acknowledged by every other lodgo in the province . The lodge was then closed in due form . The installation of the Provincial Grand Master , and its accompanying banquet , will in all probability bo the grandest Masonic gathering that has ever been held in Bath , or indeed in the province , and will in ail probability be attended by Masonic magnates from all parts of the kingdom .

Knights Templar.

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

METROPOLITAN . The anniversary of the martyrdom of Jaqties do Molay was celebrated by the Mount Calvary Encampment , or Early Grand Encampment of England of Masonic Knights Templar , at the new Masonic Hall , Bedford-row , on Friday , March 11 th , at three o'clock , Sir Knt . F . Binckes , E . G ., presiding ; there being present Sir Knts , William Stuart , M . E . and S . G . M . ; Elliott , P . E . C ; J . PurelyP . E . C ; Charles SwanP . E . CRev . J . H .

, , ; Grice , 1 st Capt . ; William Paas , 2 nd Cant . ; W . S . Wallace , Expert ; L . Lemanski , P . E . C , Treas . and G . S . B . ; II . J . Thompson , P . E . C , Reg . ; J . Smith , P . E . C , as Prelate ; M . H . Slmfcfcleworth , P . E . C , G . V . C ., and Almoner . The encampment was opened in due form . A ballot was taken for the installation of Comps . XV . Nesbitt , J . W . Clayton , and J . G . Chancellor , who were unanimously elected , ancl Comp .

Chancellor being in attendance , was installed a Knight Companion of the Order of the Temple . The Knights then retired to partake of some refreshment prior to tho re-opening of tho encampment to commemorate the 551 st anniversary of the martyrdom of Jaques de Molay , Grand Master of tho Order of the ' Tcmple , 11 th March , 1 S 13 . Invitations had been issued bSir Knt . Binckes to the

Comy manders and Knights Companion of the London and most of the provincial encampments , and Sir Knts . J . Tulloch , M . D ., 1 st G . Capt . and P . E . C . Observance Encampment ; H . W . Spratt , P . G . 1 st Capt . aud P . E . C . Observance Encampment ; XV . J . Meymott , G . Dir . of Cers . and P . E . C Encampment of Faith and Fidelity ; Brackstoiie Baker , P . G . S . B . and P . E . C . Encampment of Faith and Fidelity ; Colonel Goddard , E . G . St .

George ' s Encampment ; John Barker , P . G . 1 st Capt . St . George's Encampment ; It . Spencer , P . G . S . B . and P . E . C . St . George ' s Encampment ; Charles Beaumont , P . G . Herald Encampment of Faith and Fidelity ; J . G . Irwin , E . G . Aldershot Encampment ; Rev . J . Somes , as Prelate , Aldershot Encampment ; Lieutenant C . H . Cox , 1 st Capt . ; with many Knights Companion of various encampments , took part in the procession and ceremony . During the last few weeks , the oak st alls and canopies , and