Untitled Article

company simultaneously arose , and evinced , by their enthusiastic plaudits , many times repeated , the pleasurable impressions made by the eloquence of the reverend gentleman . . " The Prov . G . M . Col . C . J . K . Tynte , M . P . " ( Masonic honours ) . The Chairman said he had received a letter from Col . Tynte , regretting that , in consequence of illness , he was prevented having the pleasure of being present , but his heart and best wishes were with them ( cheers ) . Capt . Tynte returned thanks .

The gallant captain again rose , and said that the very pleasing duty and honour devolved upon him of proposing the health of the Bep . Prov , G . M ., their esteemed Chairman ( bursts of applause ) . He need scarcely say , that his proverbial hospitality , his kindness of manner to every one who had the valued privilege of his acquaintance , and his traits of honour and manly conduct , might well render him , as it did , a general favourite ( loud and prolonged cheering ) . The Chairman , on rising , was again greeted with the most animated applause . He said , he felt as he ought to feel at the extraordinary manifestation of their favour

and kind regards . He ( the Chairman ) did not pretend to eloquence or flowers of rhetoric , but as long as he lived he would * support Masonry , and do everything in his power to promote it ( deafening cheers ) . Before he resumed his seat , he would propose the health of the P . D . P . Grand Master , Bro . De Bernardy , a gentleman who was wont to cheer them with his eloquence , and enlighten them with his knowledge . The Chairman , in conclusion , read a letter from Bro . De Bernardy , explaining the cause of his absence on the present occasion , and pleasingly alluded to . his connection , during ten years , with the Prov . G . L . of Monmouth ( loud cheering followed the reading of the letter ) .

. " The Prov . G . Chaplain . "—In proposing this toast , the Chairman paid an animated tribute to the talents and worth of the rev . gentleman , whom all who knew him must love . The Bev . George Roberts , on rising to acknowledge the compliment , was hailed with the warmest expressions of the meeting . The rev . gentleman expressed his hearty thanks for the very cordial reception which he had experienced at the hands of the Brethren . To be greeted with enthusiasm and affection would compensate for any inconvenience either of engagements elsewhere ,

or of occupations interrupted ; and he rejoiced that he had been able to attend the meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge of Monmouthshire upon the present occasion ( cheers ) . Beside uniting the fraternal bond of good feeling and fellowship with numerous Brethren , and enlarging his Masonic acquaintance , to him this annual assemblage brought with it a more than usual amount of gratification , because it revived old associations and friendships ( loud cheers ) . Connected as he had been with the county for some years , it was delightful to him to be welcomed with the sunny smiles of well-known faces ; and again , after a lapse of time , to clasp the

same warm hands , and to find friendship undiminished by absence ( very animated applause ) . He could not find himself once more in Newport , without reverting to the history and progress of Masonry in that town ( hear , hear ) . He remembered being present when the first great step was taken in laying the foundation of that commercial prosperity in the neighbourhood , to which none might at this day assign a limit ( hear , hear , and cheers ) , he meant the opening of the docks ; some sneered at the dreams of future greatness which seemed to dawn , in the opinion of others , upon the young rising port ; many thought in their secret minds the speculation would be a failure , although their hopes and wishes were bound up in

its success . The Masonic body , then small , were present upon that most interesting event ( hear , hear ); but a short time before , Masonry was almost extinct in the county ; a few sparks lingered in the decayed Lodge at Monmouth ; at Abergavenny there was total darkness ; at Newport there was a light just perceptible . But wherever energy , industry , and active intelligence prevail , there the progress of Masonry is certain ( cheering ) , and so will be the rising fortunes of Newport . Masonry advanced with equal step , until it had embraced in its arms the many zealous , respectable , and influential Brethren , whom he saw around the table that day . But it should not be forgotten that the youthful Lodge at Newport owed much of its vitality to the energy and new life infused into the old