Provincial.

" there is no knoAvledge , Avisdom , or device there , " to wliich we are all hastening . He conducted with a powerful appeal to all to Avork while it is called to-day , and whatsoever their hands found to do , to do it with their might . A liberal collection was made at the doors on behalf of the Masonic , and tAvo other schools in the locality . At the special request we believe of the Prov . Grand Master , the discourse , Avhich made a profound impression upon the audience , will be published .

THE BANQUET . At four o ' clock , one hundred and tAvelve brethren re-assembled in the noble Assembly Room , but not , alas . ' to dine . After an hour ' s delay , dinner was announced , the brethren took their seats , and grace AA-as said ; a feAV dishes made their appearance here and there , but only a few brethren Avere so fortunate as to procure the much required refreshment after the labours of the day . Three waiters were all that made their to attend this Jarge partand sixtor

appearance upon y upon y seventy ladies for whom refreshment was nominally provided in an adjoining apartment . Meantime the band , Avith a most praiseAVorthy perseverance , were doing their utmost to console the famishiug brethren by banging away with redoubled energy whenever cries of discontent became audible . At length , the band having been Avith much difficulty silenced , The Prov . Grand Master indignantly said , that he saw very clearly

that many brethren would have to leave that room half starved . He was not only their Prov . Grand Master , but he was also an equity lawyer , and he Avould be happy to tell any brother who might wish it Avhat Iris remedy was . The waiters had confessed to him that preparation had been made only for fifty guests , although the hotel keeper had been guaranteed one hundred to dinner . Fantasia by the baudfollowed ba long during which hopes

, y pause , of any dinner appeared to vanish entirely from the minds of the brethren , Avho bore their sufferings with great good humour . The Prov . Grand Master said—Brethren , remembering the excellent sermon which we have this day heard , Ave ought to bo satisfied with our morsel , however small it may'be . I was therefore about to ask the Prov . Grand Chaplain to say grace , but I have just heard that there is a

possibility of our having something else for dinner besides music . I would , however , recommend the brethren to give up their tickets to Bro . Gardiner himself instead of to the stewards , and take the opportunity of making a few Masonic observations to him upon tho entertainment lie has provided for us . Towards the close of this singularly ill-managed banquet , Bro . Gardiner , the hotel keeper , made his appearance , ancl requested permission to explainwhich having been grantedBroGardiner observed that at this

, , . season of the year it was very difficult to provide for so large a party , or to get waiters . What further observations ho made wero drowned in the ironical cheers and laughter of the brethren . One brother in a , stentorian voice proposed Bro . Gardiner ' s good health , which was drunk out of empty glasses , with the exception of here and there one who had by favour of the three Avaiters , or by stratagem , secured a glass of Avater . The Prov . Grand Master then said—Brethren , I have lived among you for several

years , and through my knowledge of you I have been led still more highly to appreciate the virtues of Masonry . For more than six years no cloud has intervened to darken the sunshine of the Craft in this province . I am delighted that you have had no dinner—I rejoice that you have had no Avine—and I will tell you why . Life is chequered ; even our enjoyments must be chequered and frequently curtailed ; ancl I am glad to find that the Masons of Kentin taking their share this

, day of the rough with the . smooth , have exhibited the Masonic virtues of patience and temperance in so exemplary a manner . Our reverend brother , the Prov . Grand Chaplain , will now say grace . I do not think this exactly a . fitting opportunit y to call for "Noil nobis ; " but T trust that m the religious sense of the words wc may all say , that the smallest donations have been thankfully received .

the Rev . Bro . Batehelor , Prov . G . Chaplain , observed that it had been truly written , that "thy bread shall be given thee , tmdthy water shall be sure , " and having these , it behoved them to be therewith content . But—to pass from the jest of the moment—let them return thanks for all the mercies vouchsafed to them , and pray that the wants of the necessitous all over the world might find willing hands to relieve them . The three waiters having with much ado removed the cloth , another long ensuedterminated by the ProvGrand Master calling for

pause , . the National Anthem , Avhich having been sung , aud half a dozen bottles of wine having made their appearance , The Prov . Grand Master said that on the present occasion everything appeared to go by the rule of contraries—they had just had the National Anthem , they would now ( as far as they were able ) drink the health of her Majesty . He would tell them a Masonic anecdote of the Queen . Before her Majesty ' s marriage , in leap year , she courted Prince Albert , Avho after a little ht to

difficulty thougproper accept her . On consulting her ministers upon the subject , they informed her that they held themselves responsible for her Majesty ' s acts ; but as for the young man , they could not be answerable for what ho might do , or might leave undone . The Queen said she wished that her Albert should be made a freemason ; but her uncle , the late M . AA . Grand Master , the Duke of bussex objected , on the ground that , as a royal husband , tho Prince was bound to have no secrets whatever from the Queen . Her Majesty naying urged the point in vain , as tho old duke was inflexible—replied

that as her husband could not be made a Mason , her first son SIAOAAUI be one . He gave them " The health of the Queen and the Prince of Wales . " The toast was received Avith loud cheers and the Kentish fire , though few brethren had any Avine to drink . Previous to the toast the ladies returned from their meagre collation in the ante-room ; of course the proceedings of tho evening were carried on without any Masonic ceremonial Avhatever . The Provincial Grand Master said—When men can get no dinner

they are recommended to swallow clay , ancl as Ave cannot conveniently obtain this latter article , we Avill try ancl swallow some music . I shall propose the health of the M . AV . Grand Master . I make no speech , because I do not think you are in a sufficiently equable state of mind to be bored . As soon as you have received tho toast you shall have a song , which I hope will have the desired effect . ' ¦ ' The health of the Right Hon . the Earl of Zetland , M . AV . G . M . " made

Tho toast having been drunk Avith Kentish fire , an attempt was by the professionals present to execute a glee , but the three waiters here broke out into such a paroxysm of glass jingliug and . other clattering that it AVUS impossible to hear a note , and the singers declined to proceed . The Avaiters took no notice whatever of the loud ancl angry calls of the brethren to " get out , " ancl at length , ( not Avithout considerable resistance ) summarilejected This incident occasioned

were y . great laughter and restored the wavering good humour of the brethren , wliich by this time had been tried to the utmost . The Prov . Grand Master gave "Tho health of Lord Panmure , R . AV . D . G . M ., ancl the rest of the Grand Officers . " He was sorry that his lordship Avas not present , as he had the reputation of being a most gallant man , aud it needed all their efforts in that way to reconcile their fair visitors to the disagreeable contretemsoi the day . The next most gallant

person whom he knew Avas Bro . Stephen Barton AAllson , upon whom he would call to return thanks for the toast . ( Kentish fire ) . Bro . S . B . AVilson , P . S . G . D ., said , —RightAVorshipful Prov . GrantUIaster , as the only Grand Officer present , it devolves upon me to return thanks for tho honour conferred by the brethren upon that body , by the very flattering manner in wliich they have received the last toast . AVhile I much regret that this duty has not fallen into much abler hands , I have great pleasure iii assuring you that Lord Panmure is in every Avay

Avorthy of your regard . His kindness ancl affability are ever conspicuous , ancl were he with us upon the present occasion he would do his utmost to make you even more enjoy each other ' s society than you appear to clo , notwithstanding the shortcomings of your entertainment ; he would even make you satisfied with your dinner , bad as it has been . In the compliment which he has paid to Lord Panmure , the li . VY . Prov . G . M . has undeservedly left himself in the back ground , for , liotAvithstanding his modestit is well known in the province that he is pre-eminently a

y , ladies' man . To pass to another subject , the health of the humble individual who now addresses you , I have to return you my most heartfelt thanks . Some of you may not be aware that I have held iu the course of my Masonic career , the office of Provincial Grand Superintendent of AVorks in Kent . That honour I highly prized , and deeply feeling the friendship Avith which lam greeted here , permit me to assure of determination to do at all times whatever may be in my

you my power to promote the prosperity of this province . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Harvey Boys , D . Prov . G . M ., in a most eloquent address proposed the health of the R-. AV . Prov . Grand Master . After alluding briefly and forcibly to the private Avorth of that dignitary , Bro . Boys continued—Bro . Purton Cooper has superintended tbe affairs of this province for upwards of seven years ; he came among us in the first instance as a stranger , but soon became our trusted and respected friend ; and year his

by year have we seen how the Craft has prospered under management . I will not further allude to his distinguished literary talents , to his social and domestic virtues , or to his Masonic standing—they are known to you all . I trust that he may be long spared to rule this province

with that firmness and also Avith that suavity Avhich has so conspicuously marked his conduct of our public affairs . 1 am unable to express either my own feelings or yours in language befitting the theme . In your reception of this toast I trust you will render to your estimable Provincial Grand 31 aster your sincere thanks , expressed not only by your Kentish fire , but deeply felt in the heart of every one of you , giving due regard to his paternal and affectionate care of the Craft in this province . ( Tremendous cheering )

. The R . AV . Prov . Grand Master—Brethren , I should almost be overwhelmed with this testimony of your regard , Avere it not for the gratifying fact that I have in a measure become accustomed to it from its frequent repetition . Often as I have addressed you , it has not Aveakeued my impression that it is worth a princess ' s dowry to have the applause of a hundred Kentish men , or men of Kent . If faithful service to you for the last eight years can give me any claim to the title , you Kentish and 1

will allow mo to express my pride in being a man ; may inform you that I expect from day to day to . find myself the grandfather of a Kentish man . I trust , to the best of my ability , to continue to perform the duties of the high office with wliich I have been entrusted , to tbe satisfaction of my brethren and to the furtherance of the dignity and welfare of the Order . During the seven years for Avhich I have presided over you , nothing disagreeable has ever occurred either to you or to mc in Masonic matters . Every brother know-s that I am always accessible to smooth the path of Masons in any difficulty . I drink all your good healths , married and unmarried , and the health of your wives ancl sweethearts , ( Great cheering ) .