Press Exchanges And Books Received.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MIDDLESEX .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex held its annual meeting at TAvickenham on Saturday last . By the kind permission of Lady Freake , AAdiose agent , Bro . J . K . Gwyn ( 1420 ) , had devoted considerable attention to preparing the building for the reception of the brethren , the Town Hall Avas placed at the service of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the occasion , Avhich in every respect Avas of a very

interesting character . The spacious assembly room Avas lavishly decorated Avith choice plants and a profusion of cut flowers , tastefully arranged in every " coign of ' vantage , " and Avhich had been generously supplied by Bro . AV . Poupart , of the Marsh Farm , who himself had superintended the arrangement most effectively . The Grand Lodge mot under the banner of the Royal Hanover Lodge ,

No . 1777 , Twickenham , and the reception of the brethren Avas extremely creditable to that nearly youngest lodge in the province . The Provincial Grand Master , the 11 . W . Colonel Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., P . G . Warden , fcc , kc , presided , and Avas supported by his Deputy . W . Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp , P . G . A . D . C , and during the meeting a large number of Grand Officers , members of lodges and visitors . A \ r ere present , amongst Avhom AVC observed , in addition to

those named in this report , W . Bros . T . Fenn . P . G . W . ; E . Letchworth . P . G . D . ; Glover , P . G . D . ; F . A . Phllbrick . Grand Registrar ; R . Bradley , P . G . S . B . ; J . F . II . Woodward , P . P . G . Sec .

Middx . ; txreenwood , P . P . G . bee . Surrey ; J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; & c , & c . The roll of lodges in the province having been called , and in all but one instance responded toby representatives , the minutes of the previous Provincial Grand Lodge meeting were read for verification , and the reports of the Audit and Charity Committees Avere received .

W . Bro . G . II . Carter . P . M . 1702 , AA'as elected treasurer , and the Master then appointed his Grand Officers for the Provincial Grand year , and invested the Avhole in the following order , viz . : —R . II . Thrupp , Deputy P . G . M .: Edmund Yates , G . S . W . ; Dr . Oswald . G . J . AV . ; Dr . Lingavd , G . S . D . ; Rev . E . . ( ones , and Rev . . 1 . Nugee , Chaplains ; G . H . Carter , Treas .: Howard P . Room , See .: U . S .

Buck , G . J . D . ; E . Rogers . G . J . D . ; E . Monson . Jun ., Grand Supt . Wks . ; J . LaAvrencc , G . D . C . ; C . Parsons . A . G . D . C . ; R . II . Dillon , Std . Br . ; T . Inglis , Std . Br . ; II . AV . Schartau . P . G . O . ; W . II . Lcc , Asst . G . Sec . ; F . Chandler . G . Purst .: J . AVeston . Asst . G . Purst . ; J . Gilbert , Tyler . On the proposition of the Provincial Grand Master , a sum of

£ 15 15 s . Avas A'oted to each of the three Masonic Charitable Institutions ; and a sum of £ 5 5 s . to St . John ' s Hospital , Twickenham . AV . Bro . AV . J . Spearing , P . Prov . Grand Treasurer , proposed ' that a portion of the balance at the bank be invested , " and it Avas unanimously resolved that £ 850 should be so applied . It Avas also agreed " that for the future the Masonic Calendar for Middlesex be

prepared and issued by the Provincial Grand Secretary at the primary cost of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and that all monies receiA'ed from the sale of copies shall be placed to the credit of the funds of ProA'incial Grand Lodge . " In the address of the Provincial Grand Master in support of this proposal , opportunity Avas taken to express the thanks of Provincial Grand Lodge to

AV . Bro . Henry Lovegrove , Past Prov . Grand Secretary , for his originating the publication of the Calendar , and for his past services in respect thereof ; and to Bro . Howard H . Room , Prov . Grand Secretary , and AV . H . Lee , Prov . Asst . G . Sec , for their present efforts in continuing its preparation and production . Thanks were A-oted to Lady Freake for the grant of the full use of the Town

Hall ; to the Royal Hanover Lodge , for the use of its furniture an the general reception of the brethren ; to Bro . Porter , of the Sir C . Bright Lodge , for the uss of the harmonium , and for musical assistance ; to Bros . J . K . Gwyn ( Lady Freake ' s agent ) , W . Poupart and R . AV . Forge for their liberal services in the preparation and decoration of the hall ; and , in anticipation , to the vicar , organist

and choir in connection with divine service at the parish church , to which , on the Provincial Grand Lodge being closed , the brethren proceeded . The sermon was preached by the AV . Bro . the Rev . EA an Jones , Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Vicar , AVIIO took his text from Romans xii . v . 1— " I beseech you therefore , brethren , by the mercies of God , that ye present your bodies a living" sacrifice , holy .

acceptable unto God , Avhich is your reasonable service . " The offertory Avas applied in aid of the funds of the St . John ' s Hospital . The banquet was served at the Town Hall , by Bro . J . B . Mella , of the Greyhound Hotel , Hamilton Court , and gave general satisfaction . After the cloth had been cleared and the customary loyal toasts had been honoured , that of "the Pro . Grand Master , the

Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Officers present and past " Avas suitably introduced by the Prov . Grand Master , Avho presided , and receiA-ed a response from the R . AV . Bro . Sir George Elliot , Bart ., M . P . Provincial Grand Master for the Eastern Division of South AVales . The health of the R . W . Bro . Col . Burdett Avas drank with much enthusiasm , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( Bro . Thrupp )

haA ing spoken of the eminent seiwices to the I roAince m particular , and to masonry generally , Avhich had been rendered by the Pro-A'incial Grand Master , and notably in regard to the great increase in the number of lodges Avhich had placed themselves under his beneficent sway . On rising to respond the Provincial Grand Master Avas enthusiastically receiA od , and it Avas some time before he could

offer his acknowledgments . These were earnestly and sincerely expressed to the brethren , whom he thanked for their good opinion , which he trusted he might at all times retain . He had proA'ed the pleasure Avhich attended the loving goodness of the members of the lodges in his Province , and the lesson taught in Freemasonry that " to reicn sovereign in the hearts and affection of men must be far

more grateful to a generous and bemwolent mmd than to rule OA er their lives and fortunes . " Twenty years ago he had been installed as their Provincial Grand Master , and Avhiist he had strength and energy to continue the efficient discharge of the duties of the appointment , he hoped to do so . " The Provincial Grand Officers " Avas the next toast proposed , the Prov . Grand Master stating that their elevation to Grand rank was in each case Avell merited by the

performance of good masonic Avork . and coupled the toast with AV . Bro . Edmund Yates , Prov . G . S . Warden . Avhose efforts in the cause of literature had conduced to popularity in masonic and other circles . In brief but effective terms Bro . Yates responded on behalf of all his colleagues , and as to himself , remarked that Avhatever talent he possessed conducive as it had been to his own interests in

the past , should be at the service of his brethren in his future connection Avith Freemasonry . To " The A isitors . " Avith Avhich toast W . Bros . Sir John Monckton . P . P . B . G . P ., J . K . Gwyn , AV . Poupart . and R . Forge Avere specially named . Bro . Monckton made one of his customary effective replies , and then " The Tyler ' s" toast brought the pleasant day ' s proceedings to a close .

Ale should not fail to mention th : it the musical portion of the entertainment under the direction of Bro . Edward Dalzcll , P . M ., 1510 , P . Prov . G . Org . ( who took the solo portion of the anthem at the church service ) was more than usually excellent . AVith the assistance of Bros . James Brown . Frederick Bevan ( who was in capital A'oice ) , and J . Kift , the selection of glees and songs was

carried out in performance Avhich left nothing to be desired . ' Nor should Ave n-jgleat a short reference to the genial endeavours of the PrOA-. G . Sec . Bro . Room , and of his assistant Bro . Lee , in personally supervising and arranging for the comfort and enjoyment of all AVIIO had the satisfaction of sharing in ' refreshment after labour . " and assisting in making this year ' s meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex the most notcAvorthy yet recorded .

THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTIONS .

"he annual distribution of prizes to the successful pupils of the Boys' School took place at the Institution , at Wood Green , on Thursday last . A ' . W . Bro . Richard Eve . P . G . Treas .. presided over the proceedings of the day . Avhich under existing circumstances Avere not so enlivening as hithert > . It could scarcely be expected they should be , having regard to the p » tssibil i ties of the future in connection with m . 'Miagement ; jind n postponement—but that it is customary

to ha \ e the entertainment just prior to the festival , and that the boys leave school Avithin a few days after—might have been advisable . However , the best was done that could lie to make the occasion agreeable to all interested and present . The official programme Avas a lengthy one , and AVC regret Avant of space for its reproduction in our pages . The presentations . Avith intervals for music , having terminated , the boys gave a very creditable exhibition of athletic sports before the oompairy separated .

The General Committee of the Girls' School at its meeting on Thursday last , under the presidency of Bro . J . IL Matthews , received and adopted a report of the Joint Committee of the House , Finance and Audit Committees in the following terms : — 1 . That the Audit and Finance Committee bo resolved into a Finance Committee only , and meet monthly , or oftener , if necessary : and that their number be increased to twelve : thre i to form

a quorum . 2 . That in future the accounts be audited , and the annual balance-sheets prepared by a firm of chartered accountants . 3 . That the cheques for all payments ordered by the General Committee be signed by two members of the House Committee and countersigned by the Secretary ; that the signatures be given to the bankers . Avho are instructed accordingly .

The several alterations in the laAvs , rendered necessary by these recommendations , will be submitted to the next quarterly General Court for approval . Meanwhile , Messrs . Schroder and Chappelow , Chartered Accountants , are instructed to open a new set of books , from 1 st January , 1880 , and prepare the balance-sheet to the end of the past year . EloA'en petitions were approved at this meeting , making in all 50 candidates for nine vacancies in October next .

PROVINCIAL .

LANCASHIRE . — LA . VCASTEK —FOUTITVDI : LODGE , ' SO . 2 S 1 , — This Lodge celebrated the anniA'ersary of St . John the Baptist by dining together at Bro . Longmire ' s , the King ' s Arms Hotel , Morecambe . Advantage Avas also taken of the gathering to present a sih'er salver to Bro . . Tames Hatch , P . M ., as some recognition of his services as treasurer to the Ledge during the period of 2 . 'i years .

Bro . J . B . Shaw , AV . M ., presided at the dinner , and after the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been honoured , jiroceedtd to make the presentation . His address to the recipient was expressive of the sentiments of brotherly regard felt for Bro . Hatch by the members of his Lodge , and in 'appreciation of the zealous , faithful and impartial manner in Avhich he had

performed the duties of his office for nearly a quarter-of-a-century . Bro . Hatjh acknowledged the gift and the honour it conferred hi most appropriate language , and after descanting on matters of priviite interest to the lodge and to its younger members , said that he h-. id selected a piece of plate rather than any other form of

testimonial , that it might descend to his children and his children ' s children as a memento and an illustration of Avhat masonry did towards him in 1880 . The salver bears a suitable inscription , and together with the oak box in which it Avas enclosed Avas supplied ItA" Air . Robert Atkinson , of Market Street . Lancaster .

AORTIIANTS A \ D HUNTS—Hr . VTINCDON . —On Thursday last a meeting of the lodge Avas held at the Town Hull . Huntingdon . The Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , B . L .. R . W . P . G . M .. presided , and was supported by Bro . Butler Wilkins , W . D . P . G . AL , P . G . S . B . About 80 members and visitors were present , including Bros . H . S .

Smith . AV . M ., P . G . S . AV . ; J . Marson . P . M ., P . P . G . S . AV . ; B . Allen , P . M .. P . P . G . S . W . ( hon . sec ); John Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; J . AV Ingram . P . M .. A . G . D . C . ; AV . H . Smith . P . M .. P . P . G . R . ; G . Hawley . P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; J . G . Green , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . ; J . G . Ifankin , P . M . P . G . S . AV . ; A , . Binding , P . M .. P . P . G . S . W . ; . C . B , Margetts . S . AV . ;