Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

BERKS AND BUCKS . INSTALLATION OF BRO . SIE D . GOOCH , BAET ., M . P ., AS GEAND MASTEE . Friday , the 21 sfc inst ., was a day of much interest to the Freemasons of Berks and Backs , and indeed to brethren in other provinces—Sir Daniel GoochBart . M . P . of Glower Parkfor a

, , , , considerable period D . P . G . M . of Wilts , being installed as G . M of Berks and Bucks , an office which was held by the late Marquis of Downshire , upon whose retirement it was temporarily filled by Bro . Mclntyrc , tho Grand Registrar . The Provincial Grand Lodge was held in tho National School Rooms , Windsor , the use of which had been kindly granted by the vicar , neither the Etonian or Castle Lodges being sufficiently

spacious to accommodate the brethren who assembled to do honour to the worthy baronet . The lodge was opened soon after one o'clock by Bro . Hervey , the G . Sec , and having been raised from the first to the third degree , the G . Sec . stated the chief object for which the lodge bad been summoned . A deputation having retired to an ante-room , and returned to the lodge in procession , escorting Sir Darnel , who was received with much enthusiasm , the installation ceremony proceeded ,

being admirably performed by the G . See ., who , with several other Grand and Prov . Grand Officers , heartily congratulated Sir Daniel upon his accession to the high office . The Prov . G . M . said it afforded him sincere pleasure to appoint Bro . the Rev . Sir John Hayes , Bart ., G . Chap , of England , D . G . M . of the Province , and Sir John was invested amidst general applause , The appointment aud investment of the Prov . G . Officers was

then continued as follows : — Bros . G . Botley , 4-14 , S . W . ; II . Gibbons , 209 , J . W , ; R , Simpson , 771 , Chap . ; T . Holden , 771 , Treas . ; W . H . Cave , 574 , Reg . ; W . Biggs , 1 , 101 , Sec ; J . T . Moiiand , 745 , S . D . ; J . S . Pulleii , £ 09 , J . D . ; R . C . Hurley , 1 , 101 , Supt . of Works ; A . Lloyd Taylor , 591 , Dir . of Cers . ; Strange , 209 , Assist . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Blowers , 414 , Sword Bearer ; F . Marriott 209 Org . J . Bradley 414 Puvst . G . Stewards - —

, , ; , , . Brown , 1 , 101 ; J . T . Stransom , 1 , 101 ; P . Spokes , 414 ; G . Bowyer , 574 ; John Cross . 209 ; Croydon , 770 . Bro . J . T . Morland , P . M . of the Abbey Lodge , Abingdon , having served as Steward to both the Charities , was presented with the jewel to ivhich he hud thus become entitled , and which , as the Prov . G-M . observed , ho has well earned .

Tbe Prov . G . Master , in a feeling speech , expressed his sense of the honour that had been conferred upon him , and thanked tbe brethren for their attendance . He was fully determined to do his duty to the Craft , so far as was in his power , and he hoped that the province would hereafter occupy a still higher position than that which it now held among the provinces of this land . The Prov . G . M . subsequently spoke in favour of a more systematic plan being adopted for assisting tbe Masonic Charities ,

for which purpose proper steps will be taken . The Prov . G . Treas . reported that the balance in hand amounted to £ 139 14 s . Tho by-law requiring fees from Prov . G . Steward , was rescinded . A vote of thanks to the vicar , for the use of the schoolroom , was cordially adopted , and the lodge voted five guineas towards the funds being raised to restore the parish church .

The thanks of the lodge were also accorded to the Mayor for the use of the Town Hall for the banquet . At about three o ' clock the lodge was closed iu due form . Tbe brethren who attended were . —The RW . tho Prov . G . M . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., 3 T . P . ; the V . W . the Dep . Prov . G . M ., the Rev . Sir J . W . Hayes , Bart . ; the V . W . tho Dep . Prov . G . M ., S . Wittey , Wilts ; the V . W . the Dep . Prov .

G . M ., R . J . Spiers , Oxford ; the R . W . tbe P . Prov . G . M ., A . W . Adair , Somerset ; tbe R . W . P . Prov . G-M ., W . T . Mercer , China ; John Hervey , G . Sec . of England ; W . Smith , C . E ., P . G . S . ; C . H . U ' yndhain , P . Prov . G . Keg ., Wilts ; E . A . Moore , G . Reg ., Wilts ; R . C . Hurley , W . M ., GreytVi .-. rs , Reading ; J . T . Morland , P . M ., Abbey , Abingdon ; Blaudv Jenkins , AV . M ., Abbey , Abhigdmi ; C . d Ridout-, " W . M ., No . 209 ; Blowers , W . M ., 414 ; J . S . Toiler , W . M . ; Col . Richardson-Gardner , 771 ; J . '

Toomer , P . Prov . G . S . D ., Wilts ; W . Biggs , P . Prov . G . S . W-, Wilts , and a number of past and present Grand Officers and . other brethren , mimbeiing nithor more than one hundred , and included Bros . Holden , Beale , W . II . Cave , Gibbons , Turner ,

"Whyley , Ritehins , Boyer , Wigginton , Powell , Layton , Martin , Pnlien , Fuller , Dempster , Case , Stacey , Pennicott , Briggs , Palmer , G . Boyer , Claydon , Geo . J . Cosirarii , J . Smith , Shepperd , T . Chandler , Stransom , Body , Lovegrove . Bradley , Smith , Roid , . T . T . Brown , J . W . Hounslow , Rapson , D'Almaine , E . Morland , J . T . Morland , J . Cave , Tilley , Scott , Saunders , Cair , Fountain , Farrer , Ford , J . Wheeler , Pitt , Driffield , Wale , J . A . Scott , Rogers , Snlley , Moxhay , Weodon , Jameson , Taylor , Portsmouth , Whitehouse , C . J . Cave , Scriveu , Desborougli , Gray , Maskell , & c .

THE BANQUET was served at four o ' clock , in the Town Hall , by Mr . Johnson , of tho White Hart Hotel , whose catering afforded thorough satisfaction . The banquet was not only a success as regards the catering , but also on account of the numerous company , every seat being occupied , and the whole arrangement reflected credit on tbe Stewards . The Prov . G . M . presidedand was supported by the

, principal officers . Tho vocalists were Bros . Marriott and Briggs , St . George ' s Chapel , Windsor ; Whitehouse , Westminster Abbey and Kerr Gedge , St . Paul's , whose efficient services were highly appreciated . By the kind permission of Colonel Duncan Baillie , the splendid band of the Royal Horse Guards ( Blue ) performed a choice selection of music during the banquet , Mr . Charles Godfrey

conducting . In proposing the first toast , that of " the Queen , and tho Craft , " the Prov . G . M . said he felt sure that meeting as they did in tbe royal borough of Windsor , and under the walls ofthe magnificent palace of tho Queen , they would drink this toast with special pleasure , although , as Masons , they were ever true to her Majesty . The Prov . G . M . said the next toast be bad the' leasure of

p asking them to drink was the health of " the Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , " If he talked for half an hour , which he had not time to do , lie could not say more than tell the fact , that the Grand Master had been installed on no less than twenty-six occasions . After such a display of affection on the part of tbe Craft , he should only weaken the toast if ho added any words of his own . The Prov . G . M . then proposed the health of "the Right Hon .

the Earl de Grey and Ripon , Dep . G . M ., and the rest of tho Grand Officers , past and present , " coupling with it tbe name of Bro . Simpson , G . Chap , of England . Bro . the Rev . R . I . Simpson said he might say , unaffectedly ,

that he felt great diffidence in returning thanks m the presence of the oldest P . G . Chap ., Bro . Sir John Hayes , and of the Grand Sec , Bro . Hervey , who had on this occasion so distinguished himself as Installing Master . Nevertheless , he felt pleased to return sincere thanks on behalf of the Grand Officers . He thought that Grand Lodge was as well furnished in respect of itsGrand 011 icersas . it had been for many years past . Earl Percy and Lord Leihwho were both good Masonshad desired

g , , him to say they were sorry they-could not be present to do themselves the honour of supporting tbe new Prov . Grand Master in the chair , but they hoped to be able , on an early occasion , to pay a visit to the Masons of this province . He did not consider long speeches desirable , but he would remark that tbe Grand Lodge was congenial in its character with our own constitution , for they had , so to speak , their Lords and

Commons . They had in Grand Lodge not only some of the lirst men of the day ( among them being the President of the Privy Council ) , but also some of tbe best and truest Masons who bad been promoted to office in Grand Lodge . The more thoroughly the various lodges in the country were worked , the more would the cream come to the top , and the more woidd Grand Lodge be filled with worth and happiness . Bro . Herveythe G . Secthen roseand said he bad no doubt

, , , the brethren would readily guess the purport to which he should devote the permission of the Prov . G . M . to give the next toast . He bad that day enjoyed tho distinguished honour of placing their R . W . Bro ., Sir Daniel Gooch , in the chair of the province , mid ho could assure them it had afforded him unfeigned pleasure to have that privilege . He bad had the honour of enjoying- the intimate friendship of their Prov . G . M . for the past twenty years , and when Sir Daniel asked him to instal him in tbe chair ,

they could readily understand that he most cordially , most willingly , and most gratefully consented . They had now a brother to preside over them whom they would all admit to be the right man iu the right place . Sir Daniel had everything to-