Provincial.

in particular . ( Cheers . ) We were not unmindful of the fact that when you became Grand Master of this province only one lodge , the Palladian , could be said to exist in this county ; that you have assisted us repeatedly , and assisted us by your counsels ; and thafc under your auspices you have resuscitated this and seen other lodges spring again into existence , which , indeed , had sunk into oblivion . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) I am sure you will bear with me when I say that we most sincerely wished ,

indeed could have desired , that that little jewel ivhich I hold in my hand were more worthy of your acceptance ; that instead of gold and silver , it were set in rubies and diamonds—the rubies of ivisdom and the diamonds of science—precious emblems of those principles ivhich have so nobly shone forth in that most eloquent , that beautiful , and that touching address wejtave heard from you this day . ( Immense and prolonged cheering . ) Right Worshiful SirI will not attempt to enter own

p , upon my feelings upon an occasion-that gives me so much satisfaction , so much real pleasure , as the present really does . ( Applause . ) I proceed to offer to you this little jewel , a token of the high respect borne by the Palladian Lodge to that high office which you now bear , and at the same time of their regard , their sincere affection , for you personally and individually . Before I sit down permit me to propose a toast ivhich you will , I am sure , receive

with fche acclamation and delight due from you , when I submit "The health of the Right Worshipful tbe Provincial Grand Master of the Province , Dr . Bowles . " ( Prolonged cheers . ) The R . W . PROV . G . MASTER said : —Right AVorshipful Sir and Dear Brother , —The speech you have just made , and the magnificent gift by which it is accompanied , have called up emotions ivhich no words can embody or express , —but even if I could thank you , sir , ancl the brethren of the Palladian Lodge

with greater fluency , most assuredly I could not do so with deeper gratitude . Brethren of the Palladian Lodge , I am glad that you have chosen for your Centenary Jewel so beautiful ancl suggestive an emblem ivhich teaches of eternal order and harmony , and the yearning of the human soul for that light of which the star is the symbol . ( Cheers . ) Symbolism was first called to minister instruction afc the gate of Paradise , ivhere God himself was pleased to appoint the tree in the midst of the garden as the symbol and instrument of moral government .

Symbolism ivas indeed a part of the Divine plan—Avitness the mercy seat , which Avas the symbolic throne of Jehovah , and many other symbols which were , to the instructed mind , types or prefiguvations of good things to come . ( Cheers . ) The primeval Masons , surrounded with a world of things emblematic of thoughts , raised material objects to Masonic emblems , and made them the media of revealing and enforcing tbe great principles by ivhich Masonry was originated and sustained .

You will perceive then that your beautiful star is , like all our symbols , suggestive of a truth beyond itself—representing one thing to tbe eye , and another thing to the understanding ; it may also remind you of that mystic star in the East , by ivhich God spake to the ancient magicians two thousand years ago , and which guided them to Bethlehem , thus symbolically drawing them nearer to God . ( Immense cheers . ) May tbis star , your much valued and never-to-be-forgotten giftspeak with its

, unsyllabled voice to you and to me , and draw us nearer to Him ivho guides the stars in their courses . May those ever-speaking symbols which are used in our lodges , and which have been transmitted to us from generation to generation proclaim , as they were meant to do , the blended justice and grace of God ; may they tend to keep alive in each Mason's breast the emotions of penitence for the past and hope for the future , and may ive all so fulfil our Masonic duties that when our Great

Ruler shall break the long silence of the centuries , unlock the prison of the grave , and dash in pieces the power of death , we may all arise from tbe tomb of transgression to shine as the stars for ever and ever . ( Great cheering . ) The R . AV . the D . PEOV . G . M . again rose , and said : Having already occupied so considerable a portion of your time this evening , it would be unjust to those brethren who have to address you if I were now to say more than that this renewed

proof of your kindness has made a deep impression upon me , and that no effort shall be wanting on my part to promote , however humbly and imperfectly , the progress of Masonry in this province . Permit me briefly to propose a toast which is always and most deservedly popular amongst Herefordshire Freemasons—the health of my dear-friend and Masonic coadjutor , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . ( Enthusiastic cheers , ) It affords me great pleasure thus publicly to acknowledge my deep ob ligations to him for the assistance ivhich he has given

and is always ready to give me in tbe Masonic government of the Province . Therefore his friendshi p in the sanctuary of your heart , and I most cordially propose , and I know that you will most cordially honour the health of the Right Worshipful the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Herefordshire . ( Protracted cheering . ) The R . W . the D . PROV . G . M . who ivas again received ivith great warmthsaid : It is not necessary I hope for me to

ex-, press my thanks in the ordinary way for the extremely cordial manner iu which you have received the toast so kindly proposed by the Grand Master of the Province . I have so often , as I hope to do on many future occassions , occupied a position in this lodge , and received those kindnesses for which I am deeply thankful , that I need not occupy your time in repeating my thanks . " Time and tide ( we used to say ) wait for no man ;" now it is time and train wait not for those who desire to take

advantage of them . I see several brethren present who , doubtless , are turning their thoughts towards home . I shall , therefore , with all due respect to you request Bro . Binckes to propose the next toast . ( Cheers . ) The Grand Master has requested tne to name to you that be has received several apologies from brethren who would have been present had nofc circumstances , which we most deeply regret , prevented them . Bro . BINCKES rose to propose the next toastand in doing so

, confessed that he felt some hesitation in following the eloquent speakers that had preceded him , though that was a feeling that did not often affect him . He eulogised the masterly addresses that had been delivered and pointed out the sublime trains of thought which they could not have failed to awaken in every Masonic breast . ( Cheers . ) Referring him to the mission thafc brought him to Hereford—to advocate the cause of Masonic

charity on behalf of the Boys' School—he very eloquently laid the case before the brethren , and observed that so kind and flattering had been his reception that he should no longer regard himself in the light of a stranger to the county , but a participator of these fraternal amenities which are characteristic of our ancient , estimable , and venerated order , of which the outer world must remain ignorant . ( Cheers . ) The cause of the Masonic Charities was then very eloquently advocated , and many

of the distinguishing features of the Craft dwelt upon , after ivhich Bro . Binckes alluded to the generous and brotherly treatment he had received from tbe brethren of the Vitruvian ( Ross ) Lodge , and the readiness with ivhich Bro . Hoskyns and tbe Venerable the D . G . M . had consented to become stewards of the next Masonic Festival in aid of the Metropolitan Schools for the children of deceased Freemasons . Bro . Binckes concluded by proposing the toast of " The AVorshipful Masters and Wardens of the Palladian Lodge , " whose courtesy , brotherly

demeanour , and skilful management he complimented most highly . ( The toast was warmly received . ) Bro . JOHN GARDINER said he had been most unexpectedly called upon , in the absence of his senior officers , to acknowledge the toast ; and bad he been aware that he should have been asked to respond , he should have regarded ifc as a duty to have thought over , ancl couched in Masonic language , a reply on so importantand to all Masons very interestingoccasion ( Cheers )

, , . . However , under the circumstances , he felt sure the brethren would be content to receive from him the simple assurance on the part of himself and on the part of the officers of the Palladian Lodge , who he knew fully shared in those sentiments , that they felt exceedingly grateful to Bro . Binckes for the masterl y way in ivhich he hacl proposed the toast , and trusted that they should carry out all those great principles that had been so ably dilated Cheers

upon . ( . ) Bro . COSSENS said his duty ivas to propose " The Health of the Provincial Grand Warden . " In discharging this duty he adverted tvith much eloquence upon the sublime principles of Masonry , and upon the important duties of individual officers in a lodge , pointing out in how great a degree the ends and aims of Masonry are furthered by a recognition of these claims . Bro . PEYTON , in replying to the toast , regretted the absence

of their excellent brother and Prov . G . W ., Chandos AVren Hoskyns , especially as it was caused by domestic sorrow . ( Hear , hear . ) The occasion upon ivhich they had met ivas one in Avhich every Mason must feel deep interest—the' Centenary Festival of the Palladian Lodge , on Avhich occasion he was delighted to find the chair occupied by the Grand Master of the Province . ( Cheers . ) It would be wrong in him to dwell upon the topics which naturally suggested themselves to every reflective mind upon such an occasion ; bufc ifc required no stretch of the fche imagination to coincide with the venerable Grand