Untitled Article

The minutes of the last G . L . were read and confirmed , as were also the minutes of the proceedings of the ceremonial of laying the foundation-stone of the Corn Exchange at Watford , on the 18 th of June . The report of the Audit Committee , which stated that the result of the receipts and disbursements showed a balance of 121 . 4 s . 4 d . in the hands of the Treasurer , besides a sum of 791 . 2 s . lid . invested in the Three per Cent . Consols , was received and confirmed .

The Prov . G . M . then directed the members of the G . L . to elect a Treasurer , and the ballot showed that Bro . Rogers was unanimously re-elected . The Prov . G . M . next appointed and invested , as the Officers for the year ensuing , the following Brethren : —Bros . Thomas Abel Ward , Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Alington , No . 657 , Prov . G . S . W . ; Fillieul , No . 657 , Prov . G . J . W . ; F . B . Harvey , No . 742 , Prov . G . Chap . ; J . Sedgwick , No . 580 , Prov . G . Sec ; H . C . Ward , No . 580 , Prov . G . Reg . ; Nash , No . 657 , Prov . G . Sup . Wks . ; C . H . Law , No . 742 , Prov . G . S . D * . ; Waller , W . M ., No . 657 y Prov . G . J . D . ; J . How , Prov , G . D . Cer . : Thearle , No . 742 , Prov . G . S . B . : Pritchett , No . 592 , G . Purs . : Thomas ,

No . 742 , was re-elected Prov . G . Tyler . . The Prov . G . L . was then duly closed , and the Brethren retired to a banquet , laid out in the spacious assembly-room , to which about thirty of the Brethren sat down : the Prov . G . M . being supported on his right by Bros . Ward , Rogers , How , Sugars , Law ; and on his left , by Bros . Francis , Burchell-Herne , Waller , Tootell , Sedgwick , & c . ; the Wardens and other Officers filling their respective places .

The banquet was plentiful and elegant , a buck being always provided by the Grand Lodge , and the venison was in excellent condition ; in fact , so excellent was the provision , that we but regret that the worthy landlord , Mr . Hill , is not , as he ought to be , a member of the order . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were disposed of and duly honoured , Bro . Burchell-Herne called on the Brethren to fill a bumper to the health of their highly esteemed Prov . G . M ., whose character as a Mason , and a gentleman resident in the province , alike demanded a cordial greeting whenever he appeared among them , whose constant attention to the interests of the Fraternity , and

liberal support to its institutions , were themes for better elocutionists than himself . The toast was received with enthusiasm .-The Right W . Bro . the Prov . G . M ., in acknowledgment , assured the Brethren that no day in the year afforded him such unalloyed pleasure as the annual meeting in Hertfordshire , —that his best efforts bad been , and would continue to be , directed to the prosperity of Masonry , and the well-being of the Lodges under his control .

Bro . Francis , Dep . Prov . G . M . of Surrey , having permission of the R . W . the Prov . G . M ., requested the Brethren to join him in wishing long life to Bro . Ward , their worthy Dep . G . M ., as a Brother able and ready to carry out all the good wishes of their G . M . This toast was most warmly received , and Bro . Ward , in brief but heartfelt terms , acknowledged . The Prov . G . M . proposed the Wardens and other Officers , which was acknowledged by Bro . Alington . The W . M . of the Cecil Lodge , Bro . Waller , was proposed , and the efforts of the Lodge , as one of the most successful in the Province , were highly eulogised , for which Bro . Waller thanked the G . M .

The Prov . G . M . then proposed the healths of his two excellent friends and Officers , the Prov . G . Treas . and G . Sec , who he hoped for many years would continue their support . Bro . Rogers assured the Brethren that he hoped for many years yet to assist the great cause of Freemasonry ; he had never regretted his entrance into the Order , and he gave the best proof of his good opinion by introducing his son as early as it was possible into the Order . Bro . Ward , the Dep . G . M ., next proposed to the Brethren to give a cordial reception to Bro . How , the newly appointed Dir . of Cers . whom their Prov . G . M . considered worthy to fill the place so long held by their lamented Bro . Lawrence Thomson . Bro . How said it afforded , him great pleasure to find his services and efforts so kindly received : he considered the office with which he was honoured a * most