o'clock, the Brethren, amounting to upwards of thirty, sat down to the sumptuous repast prepared for them. The table was laid in Masonic style, and all present were in full Masonic costume. The day was one of pure joy and happiness.

Some excitement has arisen in consequence of the Grand Director of Ceremonies, Brother Chilcott, having addressed a congratulatory letter to the Earl Howe, on his visiting Monmouth, to which the Earl returned a very kind reply. Some Brethren considered that the Lodge should have been convened for the especial purpose, but as it appears there was not time enough, Bro. Chilcott's zeal may be readily excused.

AxMINSTER, 4th Sept.-A Royal Arch Chapter was held this evening, at which E. C. W. Tucker exalted Bros H. A. Norris, 12th Regiment, Rev. J. Somerville Broderip, Rector of Cossington, Walter Buckland (brother of the Dean of Westminster), and J. Gillman (by dispensation) tyler of the Axminster Lodge.

Sept. 5.-Coryton Encampment. All the Companions yesterday exalted to the degree of Royal Arch (with the exception of Companion Gillman) were this day installed as Masonic Knights Templar, Knights of Malta, Rose Croix, and Ne plus ultra.*

The E. Commander of the Coryton Encampment, Sir Knight W. Tucker, has been appointed Provincial Grand Master of Knights Templars, by the Most Eminent Grand Master, Col. Tynte, who has expressed his intention of performing the ceremony of installation.

SHERBORNE, June 29.—The Lodge of Benevolence in this town, assembled for the purpose of receiving the newly-appointed Provincial Grand Master for Dorsetshire, William Tucker, Esq., of Coryton Park, in order that he may make the personal acquaintance of the Brethren. It is sufficient to observe that he was received in ancient form, and after addressing the Brethren, they were called from labour to refreshment, when the cup of friendship and good fellowship circulated. After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts, the Provincial Grand Master proposed the good health and happiness of his. predecessor, Bro. William Eliot, and of his Deputy P. G. M., Bro. E. T. Percy, who returned thanks. He then proposed the good health of the W. M. of the Lodge, Brother J. Y. Melmoth, who acknowledged the same. After the interchange of those friendly greetings peculiar to the Masonic body, and several addresses from the Brethren whose healths were given, the Lodge was closed, and the Brethren separated, delighted with the pleasures of the day. The Provincial Grand Master has been visiting at the mansion of Henry King, Esq., West Hall, near this town; from whence he proceeded to visit the Shaftesbury Lodge, the Bourton Lodge, the Dorchester Lodge, and the Weymouth Lodge. He has not yet announced his days for visiting the other Lodges in the province; we shall notice them as soon as we hear they are fixed.

WEYMOUTH, Aug. 21.-A Provincial Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was held yesterday at the Masonic Hall, at which the newlyelected Grand Superintendent of the Province, Comp. Wm. Tucker, Esq. presided, as Z.; G. Arden, H.; W. I. Percy, J. The Chapter was opened in due form, and the M. E. Z. appointed the different officers.

We should almost have doubted the possibility of this unusual activity, even in these piping times of railway speed, but our reporter is positive; we are, therefore, merely dumbfounded.

The business of the P. C. having concluded, the Provincial officers, by the command of the M. E. Z., resigned their seats to the officers of All Souls' Chapter, when Comp. J. Jacob, the M. E. Z., presided the remaining part of the evening, and after the ceremony of the exaltation, he rose and addressed his Companions in a very fervid and eloquent manner. The Companions then retired, with the exception of those who had the privilege of assisting at the installation of Principals, when Comps. Harper, H., and Hancock, J., of the All Souls' Chapter, and Comp. Tomkins, J., of Yeovil, were duly installed into their respective chairs. The Grand Superintendent in the course of the evening delivered an admirable address, congratulating the Companions of All Souls' Chapter on the efficient manner in which the various duties had been performed. The Chapter was then duly closed in ancient form at ten o'clock. So large an assemblage of Royal Arch Masons at a Chapter was never known in this province, there being about sixty present from different parts of the country. It had altogether a very imposing appearance.

August 21.-Weymouth was again exceedingly gay, there being a large influx of fashionable visitors to witness the proceedings of the Free and Accepted Masons, this day being appointed for the august ceremony of the Installation of the Right Worshipful Brother William Tucker, Esq., of Coryton Park, as Grand Master of the Province of Dorset. A large number of the Brethren, including many distinguished Masons, arrived from the Lodges of Dorchester, Sherborne, Poole, Yeovil, Taunton, Axminster, Bristol, the Isle of Wight, and other places; and our beautiful marine retreat, which had just been honoured by a royal visit, was very full on the occasion. The weather was most auspicious during the day, and thousands promenaded on the Esplanade. The Brethren of the Dorset Grand Lodge, with the visiting Brethren, assembled in the morning, in the handsome Masonic Hall, which was opened in the first degree, and close tyled. The P. G. M. Wm. Tucker, Esq., presided, supported by C. J. K. Tynte, Esq., P. G. M. for Monmouth, W. Eliot, Esq., P. P. G. M. for Dorset, Herbert Williams, Esq., D. P. G. M., and about 150 of the Masonic Brethren of the province, as also a considerable muster of visiting Brethren from other provinces. The preliminary business having been gone through, the procession was formed according to the usual custom. The town band was in front, and played Masonic and other airs, the procession altogether being one of the most splendid and imposing of the kind ever witnessed here. The new Provincial Grand Master, in his superb orders and decorations, was a most prominent object of interest: his noble stature (6 feet 3 inches) gave him the advantage of his Brethren, and his fine English features, combining dignity with good-nature, could hardly fail of inducing a feeling of respect for the man, as well as for the high position in which he was placed; so that we shall not run any risk of the charge of flattery, when we say that Bro. Williain Tucker looked "every inch a fit and worthy Ruler of the ancient and honourable Craft. He was supported, on either side, by Brother C. J. K. Tynte, Esq., P. G. M. for Monmouth, and that highly-respected gentleman and Mason, Bro. W. Eliot, Esq., P. P. G. M. for Dorset. The Brethren moved on in order. The procession went round the statue of George III. and down St. Thomas-street, to St. Mary's church, there being a vast crowd of spectators. The service for the day was read in a very impressive manner

VOL. IV.

X X

by the incumbent, the Rev. S. Robins; and the musical services, including a beautiful Anthem from Chron. xxix., a Masonic Ode, and the grand Hallelujah Chorus, were admirably performed and sung, by the Organist and Choir.

The Sermon was preached by the Rev. Bro. Percy, Grand Chaplain, from Num. xxvii. 22, 23, “And Moses did as the Lord commanded him and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar, the priest, and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses." It was a learned, instructive, and most appropriate discourse, in which the preacher, by numerous references to the Holy Scriptures, pointed out the connexion between Freemasonry and true religion, under the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations.

After Divine service, the Brethren returned to the Hall, in the same order as before named. On arriving at the King's statue, the band played "God save the Queen," and a salute was fired, the Brethren being uncovered, which had an excellent effect. The Brethren assembled in Lodge, which was close tyled, when Brother Eliot read the P. G. M.'s patent of office, after which the remaining Masonic ceremonies of installation were duly performed, but which can be known only to the initiated. We are enabled, however, to publish the excellent address of the newly-installed Provincial Grand Master, who spoke as follows:My Brethren,-I must beg your indulgence while I address a few words to you on this occasion. And, in the first place, I must beg to return you all my most sincere and fraternal thanks, for your attendance here this day to witness my installation, as one of the Rulers of this ancient and honourable society. Believe me, my Brethren, it shall ever be my endeavour, by all means in my power, to prove myself somewhat worthy of the high position in the Craft, to which the Most Worshipful the Grand Master has been pleased to call me; and I trust you will ever find in me not only an upright Master, but also a sincere and zealous friend. Our society is on the rapid increase-Masonry is flourishing throughout the globe. To us, indeed, great must be the joy that it is so-that its pure principles, unfettered either by the trammels of political or religious differences, are spreading their benign influence among mankind in general. The Grand Lodge of England, indeed, holds the most prominent situation in Masonry-she may justly be said to be the Masonic mistress of the universe. Go where you will, from north to south, from east to west, you will find warrants of constitution everywhere emanating from her. I have in my hand a most flattering proof of the high position which Masonry holds in our own colonies; a Barbadoes paper, wherein, in the almanack for the month, is published the days of meeting of two Freemasons' Lodges. Time was when Masonry has been, to a certain extent, thrown in the shade, when its principles have been the subject of satire and ridicule, its professors the object of unworthy and uncharitable remark. Not so now: the pure and bright rays of light which emanate from the ever-blazing central star, have dissipated the darkness of prejudice in which we were once enveloped, and have caused us to hold our present exalted position-the envy and admiration of the whole uninitiated world. To one Brother in particular are we, as Masons, most especially indebted. I allude to our learned Brother, the Rev. Dr. Oliver, who, by well-timed and judicious papers and books, which have continually flowed from his pen, has at

length completely succeeded in overthrowing the huge mass of absurd attack which formerly used to be levelled against us. All his works I most strongly recommend to your perusal, as well as those of Preston, Hutchinson, Ashe, Calcott, and Smith, the whole of which are in the course of publication, edited by Dr. Oliver. The study of Masonry is that which I have ever found most interesting and instructive, and I feel convinced that every one who has pursued it will agree with me in this opinion. Our Lodge ceremonies are most beautiful and impressive; but still, if a Brother lacks that Masonic lore which is necessary thoroughly to understand them, they soon become tedious and irksome. A course of study is necessary to the attainment of every science, and can any one suppose that "that science which contains all others" is to be arrived at without study, and, as it were, by a miracle? No, my Brethren, be not deceived; without study you will never be perfect masters-Masons, indeed, you will be, as being initiated into our order; but that order you all virtually despise who do not give it so much of your attention and time as to grasp its hidden beauties, and to work out its secret mysteries. It is also most desirable that you should be all well and thoroughly acquainted with the Book of Constitutions-every one ought to be well versed in the laws of the society to which he belongs; indeed to us it ought to be a double pleasure to be well versed in those Masonic laws, as we must never forget that they were originally framed in this province, and published under the sanction of the Grand Lodge of England, by the Provincial Grand Master of Dorset, Brother W. Williams-a Brother whose memory must ever be dear to all who love the Craft, and whose son I am truly and justly proud to have sitting in the Deputy's chair; and I feel glad in having this opportunity of publicly thanking him for the service he has done me and the Craft at large in kindly accepting office. I have been particularly gratified in the visits which I have paid to the various Lodges in the province, in finding the great order and decorum which generally prevails, and I am glad now to be able to thank all my Brethren for the very kind attention which they have paid me. No province in England can excel this in the practical working of Masonry-few can vie with it. Let us all strive to continue to hold this high character; let us show that we act up to our principles, that we are Masons in heart, Masons in action. I very much regret that the Lodges at Blandford and at Poole, should be, as it were, in a dormant state- let the Brethren of those Lodges rouse themselves-let them make a pull, "a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether," and their Lodges will again spring into existence with a renewed vigour, which will cause astonishment even in the minds of those who have been most active and anxious in their resuscitation. The Lodge at Blandford, I find, has never been summoned under the new warrant obtained in 1842. My Brethren at Blandford, do not throw away your high privileges; be active, be unanimous; all difficulties will be overcome, and your Lodge will at once burst forth a meridian splendour which will not more surprise than delight the province. I know of nothing that will give me greater pleasure than the Masonic duty which will devolve on me, in consecrating the Blandford Lodge-may the Great Architect of the Universe grant that I may be shortly called to perform it. It is a source of great regret to me that there should be no Masonic Lodge at Bridport. Masonry has flourished there heretofore-may it do so again. Let the Masons of Bridport rekindle their Masonic fire; I will promise every aid in my power to promote so

excellent an object. I know there are good and worthy Masons resident in that town: I entreat them to come forth and act, thus convincing the world at large that they are Masons not merely by name, but in deed also. Brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge, I am very anxious to establish a code of by-laws for our government and guidance-I have had such a code drawn up as I think may meet the approval of you all. The Provincial Grand Secretary will give each of you a copy, which I will thank you carefully to read, and be prepared to give your opinion on at our next meeting. The scale of fees there proposed is almost nominal; indeed I have endeavoured to fix them so low, that they may not be irksome or inconvenient to any Brother on his being appointed to office. I do trust that you, my Brethren, will agree with me in this point. I believe I may appeal to my Brother Provincial Grand Master present, and say it is the universal custom throughout England, commenced in and sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of England itself. I will now, having again thanked you for the very kind attention which you have paid me, proceed to the investiture of officers. I should here observe, it is my intention to appoint the full compliment of officers, as laid down in the Book of Constitutions, and for this purpose I have had all the wanting Jewels made in London-I now beg to present them to the Province of Dorset. My Brethren, I must now beg your forbearance. I have used the best judgment which I possess. I have consulted the most able and experienced Masons of the province; and I do trust, believe, and hope, the selection of Brethren which I have made will do honour to Masonry in general, and this province in particular. (The address was received by all the Brethren with the most profound respect and reverence.)

The Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset were duly invested.

THE BANQUET

took place at Luce's Hotel. The festive board was graced by a profusion of venison, a fine buck having been given by the P. G. M. for the occasion.

The Provincial Grand Master, Brother WILLIAM TUCKER, presided with much ability and courtesy. He was supported, on his right, by Brother Eliot, P. P. G. M.; on his left, by Bro. C. J. K. Tynte, P.G. M. for Monmouth. The Vice-Chair was filled by Bro. Highmore, of Sherborne, P. P. G. S. W. About a hundred of the Brethren were present on this auspicious occasion, and the religious duties of the table were performed by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, Rev. Brother Percy. The cloth being removed,

The PROV. GRAND MASTER gave-" Her Most Gracious Majesty, the Queen." (Drunk with full Masonic honours.) "Prince Albert and

the rest of the Royal Family." (Three times three.)

The P. G. M. said he would give the health of a nobleman, and an excellent Brother, "The Earl of Zetland, Grand Master, and the Grand Lodge of England." (Nine times nine.)

The P. G. M. gave "The Right Worshipful the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of England, Lord Worsley." (Due honours.)

The P. G. M. proposed "The Duke of Leinster, and Lord Glenlyon, and the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland," with which he desired to couple the name of a much-respected Brother present, Capt. Hamilton Burgoyne, of Dorchester. (Three times three.)

Capt. BURGOYNE, in a brief but eloquent speech, expressed the high