Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE .
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire held its annual meeting on Thursday afternoon , the nth inst ., nt the Masonic Hall , Gower-street , and attracted an exceptionally large and influential gathering of brethren from all parts of the province . At half-past one o ' clock the W . M ., Bro . Thomas Smith , and officers of the Lodge of Repose , No . S 02 , opened the Craft lodge as usual , and at two o ' clock the Prov . G . Master and his officers . Present and Past , entered and
constituted the Provincial Grand Lodge . In the absence of Bro . the Marquis of Hartington , R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Haughton Charles Okeover , R . W . D . P . G . M ., P . G . W . Eng ., officiated as Prov . G . Master , and there wete present the following Provincial Grand Oflicers : Bros . Thomas Cox , Prov . G . Treas ., as D . P . G . M . ; John Smith , P . G . S . W .: W . Walters , as P . G . J . W . ; the Rev . C . T . Bromwich , P . G .
Chap . * , Wm . Naylor , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Sec . ; George Day , P . G . J . D . ; W . L . Ball , P . G . J . D . ; Broughton , P . G . Supt . of Works ; Percy Wallis , P . G . Director of Cers . ; W . H . Fisher , P . G . Swd . Br . ; H . Cupit , P . G . Standard Br . ; T . E . Jones , P . G . Standard Br . ; W . Lytle , P . P . G . Pursuivant ; R . G . Greenhough , P . G . Asst . Pursuivant ; and S . Robinson , W . Swire , J . H . Clarke , A . Woodiwiss , and John Walker , Prov . G . Slewards .
Amongst those present were Bros . Fredk . Binckes , P . G . Stwd ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; W . H . Marsden , P . P . G . S . W . ; Frank Campion , P . P . G . S . W . ; G . T . Wright , P . P . G . J . W . j Thomas Hall , P . P . G . J . W . ; the Rev . Thomas Orrell , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . H . Lawson , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Whitehead , P . P . G . D . of C . ; S . Steele , P . P . G . P . ; W . L . Dodd , P . P . G . O . ;
Edgar Home , P . P . G . O . ; John Chadwick , P . G . Sec . East Lancashire ; C . Webster , W . M . 731 ; C . D . Hart , VV . M . 1085 ; A . B . Plant , W . M . 353 ; T . E . Yeomans ; Thomas Roe , P . M . ; W . Silver Hall , P . M . ; J . Bland , P . M . 751 ; Vernon Greenhough , W . M . 1495 ; E * Belfield , P . M . 802 ; T . Horsley , jun ., P . M . 253 ; and many other officers and brethren from the Craft lodges of Derbyshire and neighbouring provinces .
The reports presented by the W . M . ' s of the various lodges were uniformly satisfactory , indicating a considerable increase of members , and continued activity in the distinguishing Masonic virtue of charity . Bro . J SMITH , P . G . S . W ., Chairman of the Masonic Hall Trustees , presented a favourable report ; whilst Bro . G . T . W RIGHT , Chairman of the Charity Committee , gave an interesting account of the year's operations in that important department , intimating that two local candidates—a boy and pirl—for the Charitable Institutions of the Order had been elected .
Bro . W . H . MARSDEN , on behalf of the Auditors , presented a satisfactory report , and the accounts were ordered to be printed and circulated . Bro . Thomas Cox was , for the twentieth time , re-elected as Treasurer
of the province , amidst the applause of the brethren , and Bro . G . T . Wright was again uanimously re-appointed Chairman of the Charities Committee . Both brethren suitably acknowledged the compliment . The Prov . Grand Master then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers for the ensuing year in the following order :
Bro . Wm . Walters ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ C . Maltby ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . C . T . Bromwich ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . .. E . Belfield ... ... ... •••Prov . G . Reg .
„ Wm . Naylor , P . P . S . G . W . ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . Crossley ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ J . Bland ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D .
„ W . Butterfield ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ Percy Wallis ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . D . of G . „ F . Bennett ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . of C . .. T . Parker ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst .
„ J . H . Richardson ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Sec . „ James Wright ... ... ... •••*\ " M * Attw ° od ... ... -. - f Prov . G . Stwds . „ j . Monck ... ... ... •¦•V „ * R . Slater ... ... ... ...
At the request of the P . G . MASTER , Bro . THOMAS HALL made a short statement in reference to the approaching centenary of the Tyrian Lodge , which , he pointed out , was also the centenary of Derbyshire Freemasonry . The Committee appointed for carrying out the arrangements were anxious to receive as many suggestions as they could obtain from the officers and brethren of other lodges , but at present they contemplated having a Provincial Grand Lodge ( at which the Marquis of Hartington would probably be present ) , a banquet , and in the evening a ball . These arrangements were , however , subject to improvement or , perchance , to enlargement .
Bro . J SMITH then presented to the lodge a set of handsome brass candlesticks , and also produced , encased in a suitable frame ( which he had provided ) , a stone taken from the ruins of the Temple of King Solomon by Bro . Charles Colvile .
Bro . Smith having been thanked for his gifts , the PROV . G . MASTER delivered a short address , in which he expressed his deep gratification atthe substantial progress made by the Order in the province . After the lodge had been closed , the brethren partook of a banquet in the Lower Hall .
Address At Worcester To H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales, M.W.G.M.
ADDRESS AT WORCESTER TO H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , M . W . G . M .
The opportunity was taken on Saturday last by the brethren of Worcestershire of thc brief sojourn of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of ; Wales with the Earl and Countess of Dudley at Witley Court , Stourport , and their return lo London viii Worcester , to present a loyal address of welcome to our M . W . Grand Master on the occasion of his
visiting the province . Accordingly , after their Royal Highnesses had received and acknowledged an address from the corporation of the ancient city , had inspected its Cathedral , and lhe Worcester Porcelain Works , the party drove to the railway station , where they were met by R . W . Bro . Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M . Worcestershire , and representatives of the
Address At Worcester To H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales, M.W.G.M.
12 lodges in the province , viz ., Bros . A . F . Godson , D . P . G . M . ; G . W . Grosvenor , P . G . S . W . ; W . B . Williamson , P . G . J . W . ; A . Brown , P . G . T . ; G . Taylor , P . G . S . ; R . P . Hill , P . G . J . W . ; Dixon Hartland , M . P . ; F . G . Russell , P . G . J . W . ; W . Haynes , P . G . O . ; " T . Vale , P . G . S . B . ; A . Carter , P . G . D . C ; Waldron , P . G . A . D . C ; J . E . Stone , P . G . J . D . ; Rev . J . B . Wilson , W . Holland , W . Dorsett , Garlick , VV . M . Roden , J . VV .
Consterdine , Chadwick , A . S . Thursfield , Everill , G . Green , Stringer , F . Boucher , G . Holdsworth , J . Elgood , Lees , G . H . Piper , J . Chambers , J . Watkins , W . C . Green , Threlfall , W . R . Higgs , C . Virgo , A . E . Davis , J . Stallard , Pinkett , C . F , Pidcock , Rowe , J . R . Buck , A . R . Quarterman , Yeates , Jones , J . Joseland , J . Gaunt , A . W . Pace , G . R . Walker , A . J . Beauchamp ,
E . A . Hicks , C . Mytton , F . H . Lingham , Oram , and others . The lodges represented were Harmonic ( Dudley ) , Worcester ( Worcester ) , Hope of Charity ( Kidderminster ) , Royal Standard ( Dudley ) , Semper Fidelis ( Worcester ) , Vernon ( Stourport ) , Stability ( Stourbridge ) , Perseverance ( Halesowen ) , St . Michael's ( Tenbury ) , Royds ( Malvern ) , Lechmere ( Kidderminster ) , and Masefield ( Moseley ) .
On the platform was stationed a strong guard of honour , composed of members of the 29 th Regiment stationed at Norton , under the command of Colonel Carr . As the Volunteer band outside the station gave the signal of the approach of Royalty by playing " God bless the Prince of Wales , " the voice of the commanding officer was heard calling out to his men " Attention , " followed by an instant clang of arms , and then
the privileged company who had obtained the requisite " entree " for the platform sent forth a loud and hearty cheer , during which the Royal party entered the station . The Prince raised his hat in acknowledgment of the enthusiastic reception , and then Sir Edmund Lechmere , as Provincial Grand Master , approached his Royal Highness , and handed to him the following address :
"To His Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , & c , & c . "Most Worshipful Grand Master , ' * We the Provincial Grand Master , Wardens , and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge and brethren of the Craft in the Province of Worcestershire , desire most respectfully to express our feelings of loyalty and regard towards your Royal
Highness , as well as to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , and to bid both your Royal Highnesses a hearty welcome to the Province of Worcester . ^ " We are deeply sensible of the benefits derived by our ancient Craft during the period that your Royal Highness , as most Worshipful Grand Master , has ruled over the Grand Lodge of England , and of the unceasing interest which your Royal Highness takes in the progress and prosperity of the Masonic fraternity .
"We regard with the greatest pride and satisfaction the numerous instances in which your Royal Highness has connected the ceremonies and historical associations of the Craft with the erection of buildings and the foundation of institutions destined to the worship of the Most High , the relief of the sick and injured , and the study of the liberal arts and sciences .
" VVe trust that Masonry , based as it is upon religious truth , and upon the principles of loyalty and universal charity , may long continue to flourish within these realms , and that the brethren of the Craft may do their utmost to prove themselves worthy of their Ancient Order , and of the long line of Royal Patrons , of which your Royal Highness is so illustrious an example . " Signed on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire : "EDMUND A . H . LECHMERE , Provincial Grand Master .
" AUGUSTUS FREDK . GODSON , Deputy Prov . Grand Master . " GEORGE W . GROSVENOR , Prov . Senior Grand Warden . " VV . B . WILLIAMSON , Prov . Junior Grand Warden . "HENRY WILSON , Provincial Grand Registrar . " GEORGE TAVLOR , Prov . Grand Secretary . " December , 20 , A . L . 5884 . "A . D . 1 S 84 . "
The Prince graciously accepted the address , and handed to Sir Edmund Lechmere the following reply : " Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and Brethren , —We receive with great pleasure your fraternal address of welcome to your county , and the Princess joins with me in thanking you most sincerely for the kind sentiments of loyalty and devotion to the Throne and
the institutions of the country which it contains . As Grand Master of the Craft in England , it has always been my object to promote , as far as possible lies in my power , everything that can contribute to the prosperity and extension of our Order , being convinced that its continued success is mainly due to the fact , that you so justly notice , that it is founded on the principles of religion , of loyalty , and of universal and enlightened charity . "
Sir Edmund Lechmere also presented to the Prince a specially bound copy of the catalogue of the Masonic Exhibition recently held in the cityedited by Bro . Geo . Taylor , Provincial Grand Secretary—which his Royal Highness graciously accepted , and assured the Provincial Grand Master that he should study its contents with great delight . The Freemasons gave three hear . ty cheers for the Prince and Princess , and the military band within the enclosure played " God bless the Prince of Wales , " the roll of the
kettledrums having a very fine effect . The farewells were of a very cordial description . The Royal visitors and suite then entered the train , and at 2 . 42 Mr . Holmes gave the word " Right" to the officials in charge of the train , which slowly moved out of the station amid the loud hurrahs of the spectators and the strains of the two bands of music . In a moment afterwards the Earl and Countess of Dudley turned to leave the station , the noble earl acknowledging the cordial cheers which were given in honour of the dislinp-uished visitors .
The Freemasons then proceeded to the Great Western Hotel , where Sir E . Lechmere read the address he had received at the railway station , together with that presented to the Prince . Cheers were subsequently given for Sir Edmund , and also for Bro . A . F . Godson ,- Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Sir E . LECHMERE , M . P ., returned thanks , and said he should be sorry if , before they parted , he neglected to thank them also for the kind
manner in which they had supported him and the Provincial Grand Officers who had assembled that day to do honour to the occasion . The day had been a very memorable one for the fraternity in this province , and one which they would often look back upon with gratification . He was much indebted to those brethren who , at much inconvenience , had attended . The address and the reply of the Prince of Wales would , no doubt , be widely published through the Press . They would be placed in the minutes hear
of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the province . ( Hear , ) . He was indebted to those brethren who had assisted in the various arrangements , and who had so satisfactorily completed them in so short a time , and particularly to Bro . G . Taylor , Provincial Grand Secretary . He was also personally much obliged to the Grand Junior Warden , Bro . W . B . Williamson , who had been most kind in his assistance in the preparations . The address , which was a work of art , was , he rejoiced to say , the handiwork of a local artist , and the binding connected with it was also done in Worcester .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE .
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Derbyshire held its annual meeting on Thursday afternoon , the nth inst ., nt the Masonic Hall , Gower-street , and attracted an exceptionally large and influential gathering of brethren from all parts of the province . At half-past one o ' clock the W . M ., Bro . Thomas Smith , and officers of the Lodge of Repose , No . S 02 , opened the Craft lodge as usual , and at two o ' clock the Prov . G . Master and his officers . Present and Past , entered and
constituted the Provincial Grand Lodge . In the absence of Bro . the Marquis of Hartington , R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Haughton Charles Okeover , R . W . D . P . G . M ., P . G . W . Eng ., officiated as Prov . G . Master , and there wete present the following Provincial Grand Oflicers : Bros . Thomas Cox , Prov . G . Treas ., as D . P . G . M . ; John Smith , P . G . S . W .: W . Walters , as P . G . J . W . ; the Rev . C . T . Bromwich , P . G .
Chap . * , Wm . Naylor , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Sec . ; George Day , P . G . J . D . ; W . L . Ball , P . G . J . D . ; Broughton , P . G . Supt . of Works ; Percy Wallis , P . G . Director of Cers . ; W . H . Fisher , P . G . Swd . Br . ; H . Cupit , P . G . Standard Br . ; T . E . Jones , P . G . Standard Br . ; W . Lytle , P . P . G . Pursuivant ; R . G . Greenhough , P . G . Asst . Pursuivant ; and S . Robinson , W . Swire , J . H . Clarke , A . Woodiwiss , and John Walker , Prov . G . Slewards .
Amongst those present were Bros . Fredk . Binckes , P . G . Stwd ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; W . H . Marsden , P . P . G . S . W . ; Frank Campion , P . P . G . S . W . ; G . T . Wright , P . P . G . J . W . j Thomas Hall , P . P . G . J . W . ; the Rev . Thomas Orrell , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . H . Lawson , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Whitehead , P . P . G . D . of C . ; S . Steele , P . P . G . P . ; W . L . Dodd , P . P . G . O . ;
Edgar Home , P . P . G . O . ; John Chadwick , P . G . Sec . East Lancashire ; C . Webster , W . M . 731 ; C . D . Hart , VV . M . 1085 ; A . B . Plant , W . M . 353 ; T . E . Yeomans ; Thomas Roe , P . M . ; W . Silver Hall , P . M . ; J . Bland , P . M . 751 ; Vernon Greenhough , W . M . 1495 ; E * Belfield , P . M . 802 ; T . Horsley , jun ., P . M . 253 ; and many other officers and brethren from the Craft lodges of Derbyshire and neighbouring provinces .
The reports presented by the W . M . ' s of the various lodges were uniformly satisfactory , indicating a considerable increase of members , and continued activity in the distinguishing Masonic virtue of charity . Bro . J SMITH , P . G . S . W ., Chairman of the Masonic Hall Trustees , presented a favourable report ; whilst Bro . G . T . W RIGHT , Chairman of the Charity Committee , gave an interesting account of the year's operations in that important department , intimating that two local candidates—a boy and pirl—for the Charitable Institutions of the Order had been elected .
Bro . W . H . MARSDEN , on behalf of the Auditors , presented a satisfactory report , and the accounts were ordered to be printed and circulated . Bro . Thomas Cox was , for the twentieth time , re-elected as Treasurer
of the province , amidst the applause of the brethren , and Bro . G . T . Wright was again uanimously re-appointed Chairman of the Charities Committee . Both brethren suitably acknowledged the compliment . The Prov . Grand Master then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers for the ensuing year in the following order :
Bro . Wm . Walters ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ C . Maltby ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . C . T . Bromwich ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . .. E . Belfield ... ... ... •••Prov . G . Reg .
„ Wm . Naylor , P . P . S . G . W . ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . Crossley ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ J . Bland ... ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D .
„ W . Butterfield ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ Percy Wallis ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . D . of G . „ F . Bennett ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . of C . .. T . Parker ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst .
„ J . H . Richardson ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Sec . „ James Wright ... ... ... •••*\ " M * Attw ° od ... ... -. - f Prov . G . Stwds . „ j . Monck ... ... ... •¦•V „ * R . Slater ... ... ... ...
At the request of the P . G . MASTER , Bro . THOMAS HALL made a short statement in reference to the approaching centenary of the Tyrian Lodge , which , he pointed out , was also the centenary of Derbyshire Freemasonry . The Committee appointed for carrying out the arrangements were anxious to receive as many suggestions as they could obtain from the officers and brethren of other lodges , but at present they contemplated having a Provincial Grand Lodge ( at which the Marquis of Hartington would probably be present ) , a banquet , and in the evening a ball . These arrangements were , however , subject to improvement or , perchance , to enlargement .
Bro . J SMITH then presented to the lodge a set of handsome brass candlesticks , and also produced , encased in a suitable frame ( which he had provided ) , a stone taken from the ruins of the Temple of King Solomon by Bro . Charles Colvile .
Bro . Smith having been thanked for his gifts , the PROV . G . MASTER delivered a short address , in which he expressed his deep gratification atthe substantial progress made by the Order in the province . After the lodge had been closed , the brethren partook of a banquet in the Lower Hall .
Address At Worcester To H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales, M.W.G.M.
ADDRESS AT WORCESTER TO H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , M . W . G . M .
The opportunity was taken on Saturday last by the brethren of Worcestershire of thc brief sojourn of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of ; Wales with the Earl and Countess of Dudley at Witley Court , Stourport , and their return lo London viii Worcester , to present a loyal address of welcome to our M . W . Grand Master on the occasion of his
visiting the province . Accordingly , after their Royal Highnesses had received and acknowledged an address from the corporation of the ancient city , had inspected its Cathedral , and lhe Worcester Porcelain Works , the party drove to the railway station , where they were met by R . W . Bro . Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M . Worcestershire , and representatives of the
Address At Worcester To H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales, M.W.G.M.
12 lodges in the province , viz ., Bros . A . F . Godson , D . P . G . M . ; G . W . Grosvenor , P . G . S . W . ; W . B . Williamson , P . G . J . W . ; A . Brown , P . G . T . ; G . Taylor , P . G . S . ; R . P . Hill , P . G . J . W . ; Dixon Hartland , M . P . ; F . G . Russell , P . G . J . W . ; W . Haynes , P . G . O . ; " T . Vale , P . G . S . B . ; A . Carter , P . G . D . C ; Waldron , P . G . A . D . C ; J . E . Stone , P . G . J . D . ; Rev . J . B . Wilson , W . Holland , W . Dorsett , Garlick , VV . M . Roden , J . VV .
Consterdine , Chadwick , A . S . Thursfield , Everill , G . Green , Stringer , F . Boucher , G . Holdsworth , J . Elgood , Lees , G . H . Piper , J . Chambers , J . Watkins , W . C . Green , Threlfall , W . R . Higgs , C . Virgo , A . E . Davis , J . Stallard , Pinkett , C . F , Pidcock , Rowe , J . R . Buck , A . R . Quarterman , Yeates , Jones , J . Joseland , J . Gaunt , A . W . Pace , G . R . Walker , A . J . Beauchamp ,
E . A . Hicks , C . Mytton , F . H . Lingham , Oram , and others . The lodges represented were Harmonic ( Dudley ) , Worcester ( Worcester ) , Hope of Charity ( Kidderminster ) , Royal Standard ( Dudley ) , Semper Fidelis ( Worcester ) , Vernon ( Stourport ) , Stability ( Stourbridge ) , Perseverance ( Halesowen ) , St . Michael's ( Tenbury ) , Royds ( Malvern ) , Lechmere ( Kidderminster ) , and Masefield ( Moseley ) .
On the platform was stationed a strong guard of honour , composed of members of the 29 th Regiment stationed at Norton , under the command of Colonel Carr . As the Volunteer band outside the station gave the signal of the approach of Royalty by playing " God bless the Prince of Wales , " the voice of the commanding officer was heard calling out to his men " Attention , " followed by an instant clang of arms , and then
the privileged company who had obtained the requisite " entree " for the platform sent forth a loud and hearty cheer , during which the Royal party entered the station . The Prince raised his hat in acknowledgment of the enthusiastic reception , and then Sir Edmund Lechmere , as Provincial Grand Master , approached his Royal Highness , and handed to him the following address :
"To His Royal Highness Albert Edward Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , & c , & c . "Most Worshipful Grand Master , ' * We the Provincial Grand Master , Wardens , and members of the Provincial Grand Lodge and brethren of the Craft in the Province of Worcestershire , desire most respectfully to express our feelings of loyalty and regard towards your Royal
Highness , as well as to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , and to bid both your Royal Highnesses a hearty welcome to the Province of Worcester . ^ " We are deeply sensible of the benefits derived by our ancient Craft during the period that your Royal Highness , as most Worshipful Grand Master , has ruled over the Grand Lodge of England , and of the unceasing interest which your Royal Highness takes in the progress and prosperity of the Masonic fraternity .
"We regard with the greatest pride and satisfaction the numerous instances in which your Royal Highness has connected the ceremonies and historical associations of the Craft with the erection of buildings and the foundation of institutions destined to the worship of the Most High , the relief of the sick and injured , and the study of the liberal arts and sciences .
" VVe trust that Masonry , based as it is upon religious truth , and upon the principles of loyalty and universal charity , may long continue to flourish within these realms , and that the brethren of the Craft may do their utmost to prove themselves worthy of their Ancient Order , and of the long line of Royal Patrons , of which your Royal Highness is so illustrious an example . " Signed on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire : "EDMUND A . H . LECHMERE , Provincial Grand Master .
" AUGUSTUS FREDK . GODSON , Deputy Prov . Grand Master . " GEORGE W . GROSVENOR , Prov . Senior Grand Warden . " VV . B . WILLIAMSON , Prov . Junior Grand Warden . "HENRY WILSON , Provincial Grand Registrar . " GEORGE TAVLOR , Prov . Grand Secretary . " December , 20 , A . L . 5884 . "A . D . 1 S 84 . "
The Prince graciously accepted the address , and handed to Sir Edmund Lechmere the following reply : " Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and Brethren , —We receive with great pleasure your fraternal address of welcome to your county , and the Princess joins with me in thanking you most sincerely for the kind sentiments of loyalty and devotion to the Throne and
the institutions of the country which it contains . As Grand Master of the Craft in England , it has always been my object to promote , as far as possible lies in my power , everything that can contribute to the prosperity and extension of our Order , being convinced that its continued success is mainly due to the fact , that you so justly notice , that it is founded on the principles of religion , of loyalty , and of universal and enlightened charity . "
Sir Edmund Lechmere also presented to the Prince a specially bound copy of the catalogue of the Masonic Exhibition recently held in the cityedited by Bro . Geo . Taylor , Provincial Grand Secretary—which his Royal Highness graciously accepted , and assured the Provincial Grand Master that he should study its contents with great delight . The Freemasons gave three hear . ty cheers for the Prince and Princess , and the military band within the enclosure played " God bless the Prince of Wales , " the roll of the
kettledrums having a very fine effect . The farewells were of a very cordial description . The Royal visitors and suite then entered the train , and at 2 . 42 Mr . Holmes gave the word " Right" to the officials in charge of the train , which slowly moved out of the station amid the loud hurrahs of the spectators and the strains of the two bands of music . In a moment afterwards the Earl and Countess of Dudley turned to leave the station , the noble earl acknowledging the cordial cheers which were given in honour of the dislinp-uished visitors .
The Freemasons then proceeded to the Great Western Hotel , where Sir E . Lechmere read the address he had received at the railway station , together with that presented to the Prince . Cheers were subsequently given for Sir Edmund , and also for Bro . A . F . Godson ,- Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Sir E . LECHMERE , M . P ., returned thanks , and said he should be sorry if , before they parted , he neglected to thank them also for the kind
manner in which they had supported him and the Provincial Grand Officers who had assembled that day to do honour to the occasion . The day had been a very memorable one for the fraternity in this province , and one which they would often look back upon with gratification . He was much indebted to those brethren who , at much inconvenience , had attended . The address and the reply of the Prince of Wales would , no doubt , be widely published through the Press . They would be placed in the minutes hear
of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the province . ( Hear , ) . He was indebted to those brethren who had assisted in the various arrangements , and who had so satisfactorily completed them in so short a time , and particularly to Bro . G . Taylor , Provincial Grand Secretary . He was also personally much obliged to the Grand Junior Warden , Bro . W . B . Williamson , who had been most kind in his assistance in the preparations . The address , which was a work of art , was , he rejoiced to say , the handiwork of a local artist , and the binding connected with it was also done in Worcester .