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unpunctnality—a pattern whieh certainly ought to be avoided . ( A laugh . ) At the same time I must take this opportunity of assuring the brethren generally , ancl the members of Lodge No . 20 in particular , that my want of punctuality meant no disrespect towards them . ( Hear , hear . ) I beg you to believe that during the time it has been my good fortune to hold the oflice of Prov . Grand Master for Kent it has been my anxious desire to promote the well-being of Freemasonry ; ancl I trust I may

accept the large gathering of this clay as an omen that Masonry has not declined in tho province . ( Hear , hear . ) I have not yet recieved the actual statistics , but I believe that the Order has received an accession of no fewer than fifty members since our last annual festival . ( Cheers . ) I sincerely hope that Masonry will continue to increase as it has hitherto done , and to ensure that result it only needs that every brother should act as a shining light of Masonrydeveloping the principles and showing the

, advantages which it offers . ( Cheers . ) Having thanked you for the flattering manner in which you have received my health—a kindness which in future years I trust to merit—it is now rny qirivilege to submit a toast to your notice . In proposing the health of the Grand Master , 1 told you that he conic ! not work without lieutenants . I am in the same position , and is is my good fortune to possess a lieutenant who is really that pattern

of excellence which he wrongly described me to be . ( Cheers . ) Various other engagements frequently prevent me from discharging iu person the duties of my office , but Bro . Dobson , as Deputy Provincial Grancl Master , is always ready to stand in my place and perform those duties infinitely better than I could myself . Bro . Dohson is no stranger to you , arid whether it be to assist a Masonic charity , or to promote any object of public utility , he is sure to be found foremost amongst those leading

the way . ( Cheers . ) Those who have the good fortune to know him in private life require not mo to tell them how well he fulfils the duties of his position ; and as for his public career , I have but to appeal to the brethren from Gravesend f-ji- them to rise as one man to proclaim bis merits . ( Cheers . ) AVithout further preface I beg leave to give you " The D . Prov . Grand Master for Kent , Bro . Dobson . " ( Cheers . ) The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER returned thanks as follows : —It is a very pleasing duty to me to return thanks for

the kindness yon have shown me this evening , as well as upon "the occasions of my visits to the various lodges of the province . I have felt it my duty , ancl as part of the obligations of my office , to make myself personally acquainted with the position of ' Freemasonry in Kent , and with the exception of the new lodge at Tunbridge AVells , I believe I havo visited every lodge in the province . ( Hear , hear . ) There cannot be a doubt that Masonry is advancing in the estimation of the outer world :

the increase from 720 to 770 brethren this year hi over province 5 s sufficient proof of that fact . ( Hear , hear . ) And not only so here , but throughout the kingdom generally there h ? . s been a large increase . The cause , 1 believe , is simply owing to one reason—that now Masons generally act up to their professions . In olden times I remember not half the lodges were working lodges . It was so in my own lodge . There was plenty of eating and ¦ drinking and good fellowshipbut there was little demonstration

, to show the outer world what Masonry really was . Of late years a great change in this respect has been brought about . The masters of lodges , generally speaking , perform their duties with proficiency . We do not find that the work is done by one or two brethren , and that all tlie rest arc "dummies , " but it is generally considered a matter of duty that the lodge sho ild be worked well . ( Hear , hear . ) Beyond this , tlie principles of

Freemasonry , in their external hearing , are more fully developed . If one thing be an emblem of our order more than another , it is " Charity , " and see how nobly the three great Masonic charities are now supported . ( Hear , hear ) . I was exceedingly glad to act as Steward for Kent afc the last festival of the Boys' School , and I take this opportunity of thanking the lodges generally

, ancl many Masons individually , for the handsome sum which , through me , they contributed towards tlie support of that charity . In doing this , you are only acting up to the principles you profess , and showing to the outer world there is something ood in Freemasonry , that something being the exercise of true benevolence towards those who cannot help themselves . ( Cheers . ) Depend upon it that is the one cause why Freemasonry is

advancing—that is the reason why people of the middle and better classes are coming amongst you . They know that fortune is slippery , and that , however much they may at present be blessed with this world ' s goods , yet circumstances may hanpen in which

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tne hand of benevolence may be necessary to assist those now dependent upon them , ( Hear , hear . ) Seeing your Boys ' School , your Girls' School , your Old Men and AA omens' Asylums —finding that you carry out the principles you profess—the outer world says to itself , " There must something good in Freemasonry ; " and so it is that our Order , year by year , increases in strength . ( Hear , hear . ) I have said it over and over again , and it cannot be too often repeated , that there is no society of men , whether combined for political , social , religious , or moral purposes , who do so much practical good as the Freemasons . ( Hear , hear . ) No less than £ 10 , 000 a year is presented at the annual festivals in donations to the three institutions I have

already referred to , irrespective of the annual subscriptions to numerous local charities and- of those various acts of benevolence which Freemasons , as members of general society , are continually called upon to perform . ( Hear , hear . ) It is a fact which no one can gainsay , that those three charities are entirely supported by Masons and by Masons alone , for I do not believe that £ 100 a-year is received hy them from persons outside the order . AA'hile we thus act up to our professionspeople may

, laugh and scoff at us as they please , and say that our proceedings of to-day are all nonsense . AVe began by seeking the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe , without which we can do nothing , and the better thinking part of the community will respect our motives when they see our professions followed up by actions . ( Cheers ) . As far as I am individually concernedI have made a great number of friends amongst the

, brethren of the province , and my visits to the lodges are always matters of pleasure . I never object personally to setting my feet under the mahogany in good company , ancl therefore , generally speaking , it becomes a matter of pleasure rather than a matter of duty to obey the summons of the Master of any lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) The various avocations of the Prov . G . M ., as his lordship has already

told yon , prevent him from making himself personally acquainted with the various lodges , and as I told you last year , the selection of grand officers is made by him acting principally upon my recommendation . If there is any blame , ifc attaches to me ; and for credit I do not seek , because I invariably select those persons whom I consider most fit for the office to which they are appointed . ( Hear , hear . ) So long as I am satisfied that I have clone my duly uprightly ancl conscientiously , I can

bear censure as well as anybody—I have borne it in various capacities , and I have not grown very thin upon it . ( Laughter . ) Of one thing I am quite certain , which is , that Froemasons will not pass an unjust censure , and that they will put the best

construction upon my actions , for in this , as in all otln > r matters , I try to do unto others as I would wish to be clone unto myself . { Loud cheers . ) The PROV . G . M . next gave " The Past Grancl Officers of Kent . " Among the Past Grand Officers was to be found a galaxy of Masonic worth and talent , of ivhich the province might well be proud ; and he would take that opportunity of thanking the Prov . Grand AAlirdens and the other officers who

had just retired , for the very efficient manner in which they had performed the duties of their respective offices . ( Hear , hear . ) amongst the Past Grancl Officers present few were hold in higher estimation than , or surpassed in worth of character , by their much-respected brother , Bro . Ashley , who , he believed , he should not be far wrong in calling the oldest Mason in the province . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Ashley hacl passed through the various Masonic offices until he had arrived at the highest grade

butone ; and while his services had proved advantageous to Masonry ancl given satisfaction to the members of the Order , it was to be hoped that their venerable brother hacl likewise found the occupation not injurious to his health . ( Cheers . ) As regarded the exertions Bro . Ashley had made in connection with his own lodge , he could not speak too highly . Many were those whom he had brought within tho pale of Freemasonry , ancl he ( the Grand Master ) was perfectly certain that whoever might have

been their Masonic godfathers none hacl iiad a worthier than those who were initiated into the secrets of the Order by Bro . Ashley . ( Cheers . ) Just now lie thought he overheard Bro . Ashley say that he should probably never live to see the Grand Lodge again entertained by Lodge No . 20 , but though thirteen years was a Ion g interval , still they might hope yet again to see Bro . Ashley amongst them at that board undiminished' in health ancl strength , as he would certainly not be diminished in the love and respect of all Freemasons . ( Loud cheers . ) The toasfc was most cordially drunk . Bro . ASIILEX , P . PROV . D . G . M ., returned his most sincere