Provincial.

emphatically the toast of the evening : — " Prosperity and Per petuity to the Palladian Loclge . " ( Loud cheers . ) Brethren , I acknowledge and most profoiAndly feel my inability to do justice to this toast . Nor , indeed , are the thoughts which the Centenary Commemoration suggests to 1113- mind , at all adapted for use in an after-dinner speech . ( Cheers . ) I cannot approach in a spirit of post-prandial and convivial fellowship the venerable shades of those Masonic fathers who one hundred years ago

founded this Lodge , many of whom have sat in this chair , and ivho are now , for ought I know to the contrary , looking down from the dim unknown upon this memorable gathering of their Masonic children , to see ivhether Ave have learnt any neAV lessons of obligation to our Great Master ; Avhether our lives are an illustration of our Masonic principles , and what we have clone since their departure , to promote tbe ijreat end of Masonrywhich is the intellectualmoraland

, , , social developement of our race . ( Immense applause ) . There seems to me nothing extravagant , but on the contrary , much tbat is singularly interesting and encouraging in this conception ; for as memory is fche power of the intellect , and as the intellect in a future state is unspeakably invigorated , expanded , and refined , the present state cannot be blotted out hereafter from the mind , and consequent all tbe beneficient ministry

commenced by the founders of this lodge and their immediate successors , must now be quickened to a higher life , and carried on with an energy unknown to us by those who are privileged to be joint-workers with the Universal Father in accomplishing his great work of spreading virtue and happiness . ( Applause ) . I tberefore do not deem tbe Patriarchs of the Palladian Lodge as having died to us ; death has not cancelled the paternal bond , and they speak to us to night across the gulf of one

hundred years , to ask how much richer tbe Palladian Lodge is in good works since they quitted it for a far better and more enduring lodge : what pledges you , its living members , have given of nobler acquirements , how far you are holding fast to truth aud duty , and what you have done which may entitle you to claim a fellowship in God ' s philanthrophy . ( Cheeis . ) I said that our ancient brethren spoke to us across the gulph of one hundred years—I say more—I affirm thafc they are potentially

present to-night in the person of their representative , the apostle of one of our Masonic Charities , Bro . Frederick Binckes , who , in the course of the evening , will appeal to every high and generous feeling in your bosoms , and in language far more eloquent than I can use , urge you to hallow and dignify your centenary , by contributing to tbat excellent charity the Boys ' School , of which he is more especially the representative , and ivhich ranks amongst the noblest in our land . ( Great applause . )

If by the education given in that valuable Institution you but awaken in the mind of one of these poor children an idea of love ancl goodness , a strength of will to resist temptation , if you arm him with good principles for the life-battle , and unfold the powers wrapped up in his endless being , you ivill exercise the noblest influeuce on earth , for that boy will communicate his good principles to others , who in their turn will transmit tbem to coming ages . ( Cheers . ) I trustthereforethat you ivill

, , answer tbe appeal Avhich Bro . Binckes Avill presently make to you with no languid purpose , with no failing heart , but will contribute liberally , remembering that it is moire blessed to give than to receive , that benevolence is the beginning and end of Masonry , and that the good work performed by you to-night will follow you into the presence of your Great Mastsr , advance the snblimest purpose of His goodness , and survive the material universe ! ( Cheers . )

There needs not the praise of the love-written record , Our names and our epitaphs graved on the stone ; The things we have lived for , —let tbem tell the story , We ourselves but remember by what we have done . Not ourselves , but the truths that in life we have spoken , Not ourselves , but the seed that in life we have sown . Shall pass on to ages ; all about us forgotten , Save the truths we have spoken , the things we have done .

( Cheers . ) Brethren , with this toast 1 beg to couple " The Health of the W . M ., Bro . Lacy . " ( Cheers . ) Bro . LACY , in reply , said , —Brethren , feel scarcely able to respond to the toast which has just been given with such eloquence by the Grand Master of the province ; but it is with a great deal of pleasure that I assure him that such kindness is full appreciated by every brother around this festive board . ( Hear , hear . ) I sincerely hope tbat , as our valued friend Dr . Bowles has so well said , we shall not be behindhand in aiding

those Masonic charities to wnich be has alluded , in doing ' which we shall only be carrying out the principles of those distinguished predecessors whose names we find in the earlier minutes of this loclge . ( Hear , hear . ) I have within these few days examined several interesting records connected with it , and amongst others many Avhich bear testimony to their liberal and beneficent actions . The first account we find of the Palladian Lodge is dated October , 1702 , when it was held at the White Hart .

From thafc period downwards I find them not only associated together for beneficent purposes , but as a body they have been intimately connected with the erection of the principal buildings in and about Hereford . The foundation stone of the Infirmary was laid with Masonic honours in 1780 ; the first stone of the City Arms Hotel ( which was built by his Grace , Charles , Duke of Norfolk ) , and that of the Nelson column in the Castle Green in 1806 . ( Alause . ) They ivere not unmindful of their

depp ceased brethren , as in 1763 we find the funeral of the first deceased brother ( Ross ) was attended by the brethren of the Palladian Lodge in torchlight procession . After quoting many interesting extracts from fche minutes of that date , the AA' . M . referred to the death of that estimable Mason , the D . Prov . G . M . Underwood , who was initiated a member of tbe Palladian Lodge at the Swan and Falcon , in 1789 , and was Master of that lodge five in successionand was followed be Bro . Taylorof

years , , Tillington , Ailio presented the lodge with the formidable tveapon Avith with which the doors tvere now kept . The first Grand Lodge in Herefordshire Avas held at the Bowling Green in 1792 , on which occasion the brethren attended St . Peter's Church . In that year Bro . Underwood was made D . Prov . G . M ., and shortly after the Royal Edward Lodge consecrated at fche Reel Lion inn , afc Leominster . After urging upon the brethren to regard the visit of Bro . Binckes with true Masonic feelingthe

, AV . M . drew attention to tbe fact , that there were additional reasons why they should do so in the fact that there was now " a candidate from this province who had failed on two previous occasions , but who , through the generous assistance of this and adjoining provinces , he trusted would now succeed . ( Applause . ) The R . AV . PEOV . G . M . then gave in appropriate terms the health of Lord Zetland , the Grand Blaster of England , of the

Earl de Grey ancl Ripon , the Deputy Grand Master of England . ( Cheers . ) The B . AV . D . PEOV . G . MASTER then rose amidst the greatest applause ancl said : The plaudits with which you have been pleased to gieet me on my standing up to address you upon tbis occasion are well deserved , for I know they are directed to the Right AVorshipful the Grand Master of the Province , whose health 1 am about , by his own permission , to propose—at least

when I say by his oivn permission , I mean you to infer tbat he has granted me permission to speak upon this occasion . ( Cheers . ) The AVorshipful Master of tbis Lodge has requested me as a Past Master of ifc to become tbe mouth-piece of himself ancl the members of the Palladian Lodge upon the present most interesting occasion . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , it was quite impossible that we could permit this high and solemn festival to pass by when ive have gained the sanction of the Riht Worshipful the Grand

g Master of England to wear upon our breasts a memorial of tbis our centenary celebration—it was , I say , quite impossible for us to assemble together in acknowledgment of that advantage without feeling most anxious and most desirous that the Right AVorshipful the Grand Master of this Province should , if he kindly consented to wear it , be decorated with a jewel similar to thafc worn by the members of the Lodge in honour of this day . ( Loud cheers . ) AA ifch this view it was that upon our last

assemblage in lodge it was unanimously voted that a cenfcenary jewel , executed in the very best manner possible , and bearing a suitable inscription , should be prepared and offered for the acceptance of the Grand Master this day . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , I have the honour of bearing in my hand that pleasing , and I am sure it will not be thought inelegant testimony of the gratitude and respect borne to the Grand Master of this Province . ( Cheers . ) To you , most AVorshipful Sir , when I

turn and see you bearing the decorations which you so well deserve for the progress made by you in Masonry , in the higher branches of science , and the high position you occupy amongst the literary characters of your country , aud when I hand you this testimony I feel , simple as it is , you will value it not for its intrinsic merits , but for tbe sake of those who present it to you . ( Cheers . ) That they do it in remembrance of the deep gratitude they feel for the many advantages -which you have conferred upon Masonry in general , the Palladian Lodge