Provincial.

brethren of the great services which this lodge had rendered to the Charities , for amongst those of Kent it stood the highest , Witness the many instances of shipwreck off this coast when Freemasons had been amply succoured ; and even at that time , as it was only two days since the Amazon , New York emigrant ship , was destroyed by fire off this coast , when such succour was needed ; and , in addition thereto , this loclge actually subscribed to every Masonic Charity , and was the life governor of

both schools . Bro . Boys then proceeded to distribute the jewels to the brethren present , according to rank and seniority , accompanying the delivery of each with appropriate remarks , and also to Bro . 0 . G . Phipps , P . Prov . S . G . AV , an honorary member of this lodge , in consideration of eminent services' " rendered to it hy him . In order to enable the brethren residing at a distance to return to their respective homes at an early hour , the lodge was closed , ancl the brethren . sat down to

THE BANQUET , At which T . Holmes Gore , the W . M ., presided , supported by Bro . Pat-ten on his right , and Bro . Boys on his left , ancl many of the Grand Officers in tho province . About 40 brethren sat down in full clothing , ancl the banquet provided was of the most recherche character . The toasts , as given the W . M ., were of the usual loyal character .

In proposing that of the M . AV . G . M . of England , the AV . M ., after alluding to the readiness with which tho warrant of dispensation to wear the centenary jewel had been granted hy the G . M ., observed that the brethren who wore that jewel would tlie more cordially drink to the health of a nobleman who had ruled the Craft with such eredit to himself and tho fraternity at large for so many as 19 successive years . Next followed tha toast of the Right Hon . the Earl De Grey

and Ripon , D . G . M ., and the officers of the Grand Lodge , including Bro . Patten , the esteemed honorary member then present ; and the AV . M . here forcibly alluded to the high ancl valuable services so long rendered by Bro . Patten to this lodge , and the cause of . charity . The AV . MASTEE then proposed " The health of Lord A iscount Holmesdale , Prov . G . M . " ( whose presence had been expected ) , and explained that every effort had been made to secure his lordship's attendance , and that only the most pressing occasion

had kept him from coming that evening . Bro . PATTEN then proposed " The D . Prov . G . M ., and rest of the Grand Officers of the Province , " and spoke in well doserved terms of eulogy of the Masonic services of Bro . Dobson , the D . Prov . G . M . Bro . SOLOMON , the Prov . S . G . AV ., returned thanks in a brief but feeling manner . The health of the W . M . presiding w < is then proposed bBro .

y BOYS , who alluded to his great services to this lodge , to his excellent and firm management , to his high character , both as a professional man and in private life ; which was received with loud applause , and followed by true Masonic fire . Bro . GOEE , the AA ' . M ., in returning thanks for the animated manner in which the toast had been received , observed that if he had given satisfaction to the lodge during the two years he

had occupied the chair , he could easily explain the circumstance , as whenever he was in doubt he always consulted with the P . M . 's , and they had always been most gracious iu affording to him their advice ancl he found , while following that , he was sure to be doing the right thing , ancl he felt very grateful to them for their counsel and advice , and concluded by giving "The P . M . ' s of the loclge , " accompanying it with the name of Bro . Boys , of whom he could speak in terms reciprocal to those which Bro . Boys had been pleased to use in respect to himself .

This was also given with Masonic fire , and Bro . Boys returned thanks . The W . MASTEE then proposed " Success to the recently consecrated Lodge of St . Augustine , Canterbury , " alluding to the solemn ceremony of consecration performed the previous week , at which most of the brethren then present had officiated , ancl hoping that it would have a long career of usefulness ancl honour ; and coupled with the toast he the name of Bro .

gave Cooley , Prov . J . G . AV , who , after having served tbe office of AA . M . in two other lodges in this province , was now the respected ancl successful founder of tlie St . Augustine's Lodge , and its first chosen AA . M . Bro . COOLEY returned thanks , and expressed a hope that his new lod ge would survive to attain its centenary too ; and though

he could scarcely anticipate that any of the brethren then present would live to see it , he would yet invite them to be present . Bro . BOYS , P . M ., in proposing " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities , " alluded to Bro . Patten ' s long-continued and various services to them , and also to this lodge , whenever the cause of charity to the aged , the widow , or the orphan was to he advanced . The toast having been given with Masonic fire ,

Bro . PATTEN rose to return thanks , and in an eloquent addressgave a most lucid description of the Masonic Charities and thestate of their funds at this time , and concluded by urging the brethren individually to become subscribing members ; hut acknowledging that Kent had done as much , if not more , than any other province in England for them , and , after descanting at large upon the various claims of each , he concluded hy makinga strong claim on behalf of the Girls' School .

" The A isitors , " proposed by Bro . PHIPPS , P . M ., was responded ' to by Bro . GUENEY , S . AV . of the Old King's Arras Lodge-( No . ' 30 ) . The AA . MASTER proposed "The Health of the AV . M . ' s and Brethren of the Faversham , Ramsgate , and Deal Lodges , for that day honouring this loclge by a visit . " "The Officers of the Union Lodge" were proposed by Bro . FINCH , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers ., ancl responded to in appropriate

terms by Bro . DIXON , the J . AV . - " The Health of the Secretai-y " was proposed by Bro . FEAKINS , P . M ., and his remarks elicited a very warm feeling among the brethren . He alluded to the manner in which the duties of Secretary had been performed during the last two years , and also reminded the brethren that the subject of the centenary jewel had originated with the Secretary , and that the thanks of the lodge were duo to him for his indefatigable exertions in that

matter , as well as for his conduct of the business of the lodge under the direction of the AA . M . Bro . BOYS felt that before the toast was given he must mention one circumstance greatly redounding to the credit of the Secretary and to the welfare of the lod ^ e , and that was that not one penny was then owing by any member to the lodge . The AA . MASTEE also desired to testify , by his personal thanks

to the Secretary , to the efficient help he had always afforded him . The SECEETAEY , in returning thanks , stated that the merit was more due to the AV . M . ( whom he had consulted and obeyed in all things ) , and to the high intellectual character of the P . M . 's , which this loclge was so peculiarly fortunate in possessing , than to himself , who had merely performed his duty . "The Health of Bro . Osborne , the host , " with due praise for the splendid banquet provided by him , was given and responded to .

The enjoyment of the brethren was continued until ten o ' clock , at which hour the meeting separated . [ Since the foregoing report was forwarded to the press , we find that the appeal of Bro . Patten at the Centenary Festival , on behalf of tlie Masonic Charities , has borne good fruit . This is another evidence of the vast impulse given by

Masonic gatherings to the advancement of Masonic objects , and more particularly to the development of that virtue , " ever lovely in itself , which is one of the brightest gems that adorn our Masonic profession . " AA e give Bro . T . H . Grove Snowden's letter on this subject , asking his pardon for publishing that which is alike an honour to his head and heart . ] " Ramsgate , November 9 th , 1863 . "Dear Sir and Brother , —

"Your eloquent and feeling advocacy at the Union Lodge Festival , on Saturday , in behalf of the Charities , has determinedmeto delay no longer discharging along contemplated duty that of adding my mite to their funds ; accordingly I have the pleasure to enclose three cheques , one for ten guineas , payable to yourself , for the Girls' School ; another for ten guineas , payable to Bro . Binckes , for the Boys' School ; and third for £ 10 , payable to Bro . Farnfield , being £ 5 for the Male

Annuity Fund , and £ i > for the Widow ' s Fund . " Will you kindly do mo the favour to hand the second cheque to Bro . Binckes , ancl the third to Bro . Farnfield , and assist my desire to be constituted a Life Governor of each of the Institutions I have named . " Permit me to assure you that I derived great pleasure and satisfaction in the opportunity afforded ine by the Union Lodge Centenary Festival of meeting and making the acquaintance of