Untitled Article

the Brethren adjourned to a very elegant dinner , to which the Prov . G . Officers were invited by the W . M . and Brethren of the Alfred Lodge ; and the entertainment of the evening was not a little added to by a supply of very excellent champagne and claret , presented to the Lodge by the R . W . Prov . G . M . and Bros . Amherst and Jubbers . The W . M . of the Alfred Lodge ( Bro . J . T , Hester ) , presided with considerable tact and judgment , and was supported by the Prov . G . M ., the Dep . Prov . G . M ,, the Prov . G . M . for Worcestershire ( Bro . Vernon ); the P . Prov . G . M . for Bengal

( Bro . Col . Burlton ) ; Bro . H . G . Warren , Grand Steward ; the Mayor of Abingdon ( Bro . Belcher ); the W . M . of the Apollo Lodge ( Bro . Pickard ) ; P . Ms . Beach , Warren , Havers , Walker , Thompson , Dudley , Wyatt , Symonds , Sidebotham , Venn , Randall , Tagart ; the S . and J . Ws . of the Apollo Lodge ; all the officers of the Alfred Lodge ; Bros . Sir Michael Beach , Dr . Elvey , Amherst , Tyssen , Kennard , Rev . Sedgwick ; Ransford , G . Org . ; Hutton , Strother , Finch , Martyn , Clayton , Bond , Blacker , Rev . Wood , Rev . Russell , Holmes , Round , John Hester , Park , Cartwright , Rev . Pearse , Cottrell , Dormer , Druce , Rev . Walsh , Rev . Bowyer ^ & c . & c .

After the cloth had been removed , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been drunk , Bro . Spiers , P . G . S . B ., replying on behalf of B . W . D . G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers of England , Bro . Hester , W . M ., stated he had now to propose what he considered the toast of the evening , — "The health of the R . W . Brother who ruled over them so well , and whom they all loved and revered . " He was sure that had the sense of the Brethren of the Province been taken , the choice would have fallen on the

very Brother selected for so important an appointment as that of Prov . G . M . of Oxfordshire by M . W . G . M . of England . He knew that he need not detain them at any length in proposing the toast , as they all fully appreciated the talents and kindness of R . W . G . M ., whose health he now begged to propose , wishing him long life and happiness . The toast having been most heartily drunk , The B . W . Prov . G . M ., who was loudly cheered , thanked the Brethren for the

very kind and cordi a l manner in which they had responded to the last toast proposed , as it had been in much too flattering terms . He knew that great responsibilities devolved upon him , and he would endeavour to make up by zeal and energy for his deficiencies in Masonic knowledge . He felt great pride in presiding over so important a Province , and in observing the zeal and ability which was brought to bear in supporting their noble institution ; and he could assure them that he never felt any labour for the promotion of Freemasonry too heavy , it

being always to him a labour of love . He had observed with pleasure the true Masonic feeling and brotherly love existing in the Province , for since he had presided over it he had known of no difference existing amongst them . He again thanked them for their kindness , and begged to assure them that in whatever position he might be placed , it would be always his most earnest endeavour to promote the best interests of the Order and the Province .

The W . M . next gave the health of two distinguished visitors , the Prov . G . M . for Worcestershire , and the P . Prov . G . M . for Bengal , who mutually returned thanks , and expressed the great satisfaction they felt at being present on so interesting an occasion . The Prov . G . M . proposed the next toast , — "The health of the W . M of the Alfred Lodge , Bro . Hester / 7 who so ably and efficiently presided over them . It gave him the greatest pleasure to give that toast , having had the gratification of seeing with what talent and zeal he managed the affairs of the Lodge ; and he congratulated himself on having had the opportunity of investing so excellent a man and a Mason as Prov . G . S . W .

The W . M . acknowledged the compliment , and returned thanks to the R . W . G . M . and the Brethren for the uniform kindness and support which had been accorded him since he had had the honour to preside over the Lodge . The " Visitors " ( not includedin previous toasts ) having been drunk and responded to , the W . M . gave the " Sister Lodges of the Province , " which was responded to by Bros . Codrington , J . W . of the Apollo ; Sidebottom , W . M ., of the Churchill ,, and Havers , Treas ., of the Cherwell . No . 10 ( though a London Lodge ) , having VOL . TT . 2 Z