brain, and the gradual obliteration of all nervous power. Bro Field became blind, next the senses of hearing, touch, taste, all vanished, and the last sigh of a dear friend was softly breathed into the ear of the angel of peace; the last moment told the secret of the heart. A widow and several children remain to lament the bereavement of an affectionate husband and father.

It is to be hoped that the commercial firm who, for thirty years, have benefited by the unceasing devotion to their interests of this faithful steward, may be induced to extend towards the family some aid; for the sake of humanity we trust this will be the case; seldom was a case presented more deserving, or more requiring sympathy.

Could such a man as Robert Field be other than a good Mason? He was the illustration of what a Mason should be; to be as he was, you must walk humbly hefore God, uprightly before man. Bro. Field was initiated in the Bank of England Lodge, served every office, up to the Chair, to which he was twice called, (and was P. Z. of the Royal Arch Chapter, No. 3;) acted as Secretary and Treasurer for many years, and only resigned the latter office last year. He was at the time of his decease the Father of the Lodge. The Lodge has been put into Masonic mourning, and the members mourn as Brothers.

Bro. Field was, as may be expected, among the early supporters of the Asylum for his aged Brethren, and on the retirement of Bro. Farnfield from the Secretaryship to that Institution, he eagarly sought and readily obtained the appointment; into this cause he threw the great powers of his intelligent mind; no difficulty presented itself that was not to be overcome; he took his post by the side of the Treasurer; received his instructions and obeyed them to the letter; any difference of opinion was conveyed with the kindness of a friend, and his own opinion was frequently yielded, when perhaps it might have been of greater advantage; but Bro. Field always supported the views and objects of his leader with readiness and grace.

Generous as to his means, being hopeful of the future, he liberally contributed to the cause, and carried on an extensive correspondence. As a secretary he was a pattern to imitate. His votes in Grand Lodge were always given on the side of Independence and Freemasonry, and his loss as a man of considerable reasoning powers will be felt; there are very few of his class of thinking well informed Masons. To consult Robert Field was to seek intelligence, to profit by it was a privilege. His resignation as Secretary was only tendered when he felt that to continue in office was altogether impossible, and then it was written with sincere regret a few months since; and the letter containing the resignation evidenced marks of great physical decay, it was probably the last he ever wrote. The Committee of the Asylum directed a vote of thanks for his valuable services to be presented to him, as a mark of their unfeigned affection and esteem. It was done; but, alas! vision was denied to the eye, and hearing to the ear, of him to whom honour was due. A Lewis of Bro. Field may probably live to witness in such testimony a record of his father's worthiness. All that now remains for the Mason is to condole with the widow and fatherless, imploring for them the protection of an All-powerful and merciful Father in Heaven.

Kind shade look with complacency on this feeble tribute to friendship, that commenced with our first introduction to each other, and ended but with thy last expiration! Sweet, in your case, must be the sleep of death.

PROVINCIAL.

THE GENERAL COMMITTEE OF THE ASYLUM FOR AGED AND DECAYED FREEMASONS most earnestly direct the attention of their Provincial Brethren to the state of the Funds of that excellent Institution, and trust, that by the aid of Lodges and private Contributions, the serious expenses to which the Charity has been subjected may be met by the kindness and liberality of the Craft.

Post Office Orders, Bank paper, or references on London Houses, will be thankfully acknowledged by the Bankers, MESSRS. PRESCOTT and Co., 62, Threadneedle Street, London; the Treasurer, DR. CRUCEFIX, Grove, Gravesend, Kent; or the Secretary, ad interim, MR. JOHN WHITMORE, 125, Oxford Street, London.

HYTHE, December 27.-The festival of St. John was celebrated by the Brethren of Prince Edwin's Lodge, No. 147, at which time Bro. W. H. Pullen was installed Worshipful Master for the year ensuing. The ceremony was performed by Bro. Watson, from London.

UXBRIDGE. ROYAL UNION CHAPTER, February 20. A Chapter of Emergency was held for the purpose of admitting the Rev. Bro. Cooke, of Hillingdon, and Bros. Lake, Pullen, and Bedborough, all of the Royal Union Lodge, No. 536. Hitherto the exaltations, since our resuscitation, have been chiefly of London Brethren; the present accession of strength from the province affords a pleasing indication of increased stability.

OXFORD. ALFRed Lodge, Dec. 27, 1845. The initiations during the last two or three years have far exceeded any former period, while the addition that has been made to the Masonic ranks has been such as to give increased stability to the Lodges, and additional weight and influence to Masonic principles. The election of Bro. W. Thompson to the chair is as creditable as it was unanimous. His father laboured for upwards of thirty years to place Freemasonry in that pre-eminence which it was his lot to witness before departing to "that bourne whence no traveller returns." For Senior Warden, we have Bro. Belcher, son of the late Mayor of Abingdon; Junior Warden, Bro. James Wyatt, jun., eldest son of Bro. Ald. James Wyatt, a veteran of the Craft; Senior Deacon, Bro. James Embling: Junior Deacon, Bro. E. Kent ; Inner Guard, Bro. J. Rose; Stewards, Bro. C. Hickman and Bro. H. Gibbs; Treasurer, Bro. H. Jebber; Secretary, Bro. J. Betteris.

At five o'clock the inauguration dinner took place in the banquet-room of the Masonic Hall. The Worshipful Master, Bro. Thompson, presided, and gave, in appropriate terms, the usual loyal and Masonic toasts.

The CHAIRMAN said he had infinite pleasure in proposing the health of a body of Masons who had conferred great benefit on this Lodge and Freemasonry generally. He alluded to the Past Masters, to whom they were so much indebted (cheers); and although he had no wish to be invidious, by speaking of one more than another, he could not forbear mentioning the name of one, Bro. P. M. Musgrove (loud cheers), who had been a true and staunch friend to the Lodge, and who had

filled its highest office no less than six times (cheers), which was the best testimony of the high estimation in which he was held by the Brethren. Nor could he overlook the great services rendered by the W. M. of the past year, Bro. Jubber, who had done all in his power to promote the best interests of the Lodge. There was a circumstance, too, on which P. M. Jubber might pride himself, that during his year of office, he had initiated more Brethren than any previous Master. (Cheers). P. M. MUSGROVE acknowledged the toast.

P. M. JUBBER begged to propose the health of the Worshipful Master, and felt that it was unnecessary that he should dwell on his merits; the Lodge could not but feel highly gratified that they had elected a Brother so high in character and firm in principle to fulfil the duties of Worshipful Master for the year ensuing (loud cheers).

THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER replied at some length, and concluded by stating that he would endeavour to discharge the duties uprightly and with a due regard to the character and dignity of the Lodge, so that when he had completed his year of office he might be able to return the badge of honour as pure and unsullied as he had received it from his predecessor, P. M. Jubber. (The W. M. sat down amid much cheering.) The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of the Senior Warden and the Officers for the year.

Bro. BELCHER, S. W., acknowledged the toast.

The CHAIRMAN begged to propose prosperity to their Sister Lodge, the Apollo; and afterwards gave the "Stewards," and expressed the great satisfaction which they had given in all they had undertaken. Bro. Hickman, P. M., acknowledged the toast.

Among the many toasts that followed were-"Success to the Masonic Charities," "The Officers of the past year, ," "The Mayor and Corporation," ," "The Vice-Chancellor and prosperity to the University," "The City Members," "The County Members," ""The Ladies," "Our next merry meeting," &c.

Feb. 18.-There was a large attendance of the Brethren of the City and University Lodges. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, the P. G. M. congratulated the Brethren on the progress which Masonry had made in the province since they were last assembled. After paying a tribute of respect to the memory and virtues of a deeply lamented Brother (Bro. E. Standen of this city), who had been snatched from them since their last Provincial Meeting, he stated that had it pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to spare his life it was his intention to have conferred upon him the highest honour which as P. G. M. he had in his power to bestow, as a mark of the esteem which he entertained for him. The P. G. M. then appointed the following to be his officers for the year. The appointments which have been made from both Lodges, have given the greatest satisfaction to all.

Senior Grand Warden, Bro. T. Walker; Junior Grand Warden, Bro. Rev. C. J. Meredith, Linc. Coll.; Grand Chaplain, Bro. J. T. B. Landon, Magd. Coll.; Grand Registrar, Bro. W. Thompson; Grand Secretary, Bro. Rev. G. T. Thomas, Worc. Coll.; Assistant Secretary, Bro. J. G. Betteris; Senior Grand Deacon, Bro H. Jubber; Junior Grand Deacon, Bro. S. Burstall, Univ. Coll.; Grand Superintendant of Works, Bro. G. Saunders, Wor. Coll.; Grand Sword Bearer, A. C. Masters, Univ. Coll. ; Grand Director of Ceremonies, Bro. R. J. Spiers; Grand Organist,

VOL. IV.

N

Bro. B. Sharp; Grand Pursuivant, Bro. J. Bossom; Grand Stewards, Bros. H. Gibbs, J. Wyatt, R. Cattley, Wor. Coll., Rev. W. Bousfield, Linc. Coll., H. E. C. Stapylton, Univ. Coll., and T. Randall. The P. G. M. having thanked the Brethern for their attendance, the Lodge was closed in due form and order.

In the afternoon of the same day the Brethren of the Apollo Lodge gave their anniversary dinner in the banquet room at the Masonic Hall. The Master of the Apollo Lodge, Bro. the Rev. C. J. Meredith, presided; supported by the Provincial Grand Master, Bro. the Rev. C. J. Ridley; a Past Master of the Apollo Lodge, Bro. J. Boyd, and the present W. M. of the Alfred, Bro. W. Thompson, and the Officers and Brethren of the two Lodges, amounting to about fifty, and Bro. Greenbank, the distinguished Professor of Elocution. The usual preliminary toasts were given, after which the Chairman gave the "Provincial Grand Master, the Rev. Bro. C. J. Ridley" (loud cheers), and he proposed his health in a double capacity, as a Member of the Apollo Lodge, over which he had presided with so much success and so much ability (cheers), and as Provincial Grand Master.

The toast was received with Masonic honours and cheering. On its subsiding

The P. G. M. (who was prevented by a sudden attack of sciatica from dining, but who joined the party on the removal of the cloth) said, he felt the greatest pleasure in meeting the Brethren on the present occasion, and regretted it had been diminished by a circumstance which prevented his joining the festive board at an earlier moment. He had come from London expressly to hold a Provincial Grand Lodge. concluded an admirable address by observing, that the Masonic principle would work its way, whether it was in our own country or in far distant lands-be it Northern climes where wintry storms prevail, or in the sunny South, to use the poet's words,

"Where showers fall as though they weep,

And winds breathe as a child asleep."

He

The P.G. M. again rose and said, he begged to propose the health of one who was deserving of all praise and all commendation, the W. M. of the Apollo Lodge, Bro. Meredith (loud and continued cheering). If any thing afforded him (the P. G. M.) additional pleasure in attending this meeting, it was the knowledge that he had the privilege of proposing the health of one who was so highly esteemed, and who so justly deserved their approbation, not only for his zeal in Masonry, but for the way in which he carried out its principles (loud cheers).

The W. M. said, if in proposing to their consideration the health of the P. G.M. who was so worthy of their approbation, he felt a degree of diffidence, how much more so must he feel at the present moment in rising to acknowledge those encomiums and compliments which had been made in his behalf. He wished he was deserving of but half of what had been kindly said of him, but his endeavour had been in the discharge of his duty not to sink the Apollo Lodge in estimation if he could not raise it. In conclusion, he begged to propose the health of his predecessor, Past Master Boyd, and the Past Masters of the Apollo Lodge (much cheering).

Bro. BOYD, P. M., acknowledged the compliment.

The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the Worshipful Master, the Officers and Brethren of the Alfred Lodge, and remarked that in that

Lodge he was initiated into Masonry. He rejoiced to see such unanimity prevailing between the sister Lodges, and trusted that nothing would ever occur to disturb it (cheers).

Bro. THOMPSON returned, on behalf of himself and the Alfred Lodge, their unfeigned thanks for the kind and flattering manner in which the toast had been proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by the Brethren.

The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the Visiting Brethren.
Professor GREENBANK acknowledged the toast.

The CHAIRMAN then gave, in complimentary terms, the Officers of the Apollo Lodge.

The Senior Warden, Bro. Rev. BOUSFIELD, responded.

The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of "The Stewards," and the newly initiated Brethren, after which the entered Apprentices' song was, given with good effect by Bro. Bossom.

Some excellent songs were sung during the evening by various Brethren, and considerable pleasure was afforded by Professor Greenbank, who gave, at the request of the company, a recitation of Hood's celebrated composition-the "Song of the Shirt."

March. The Apollo and Alfred Lodges have held their meetings, at which several addresses were delivered with much good taste, in particular those by Bros. Haskings and Spiers, as well as by the Rev. Bro. Dixon, a visitor from Carlow.

BIRMINGHAM, Jan. 15.-The Grand Lodge of the Province of Warwickshire met at Bro. Dee's, Royal Hotel, Birmingham, by command of the Deputy Grand Master of England and Grand Master of the Province, the Right Hon. the Earl Howe. The usual business of the Lodge having been disposed of his Lordship proceeded to appoint the undermentioned Brethren officers of the Lodge for the ensuing year, viz. Bros. Bell Fletcher, M.D., (Lodge of Light, 689) Deputy P. G. Master; James Motteram (St. Paul's, 51), P. G. S. W.; William Greatwood (ditto), P. G. J. W.; William Lloyd (Lodge of Light, 689), Past S. G. W., P. G. Treasurer; William Broomhead (ditto), P. G. Registrar; G. I. Kain (Shakespear Lodge, 356), P. G. Secretary; H. Louis, P. G. S. D.; Wyley (Trinity Lodge) P. G. J. D.; Empson (St. Paul's Lodge) P. G. Superintendant of Works; Adams (Guy's Lodge), P. G. D. C.; Dee (Lodge of Light), P. G. Sword Bearer; Cohen (St. Paul's), G. Organist; L. Sharpe (Shakespear), P. G. Pursuivant; Morris Banks (Lodge of Light); and P. W. Banwell, P. G. Stewards; Thomas Hewett, P. G. Tyler.

A procession was formed in order; embracing, first, two Tylers, with drawn swords, music, Committee of Council, Officers, Students, and Medical Officers of the Queen's College-The authorities of the town-Masons, not members of any Lodge, two and two-the Lodges according to their numbers, juniors preceding-The Provincial Grand Lodge in full cortege.

On arriving at St. Peter's Church, the Brethren opened to the right and left-facing inwards-when the P. G. Master passed up the centre. Divine service was read by the Rev. C. Craven, and a most eloquent discourse was delivered by the Worshipful Brother, H. R. Slade, D. D., D.G. M., pro tem., and Grand Chaplain of the Staffordshire Grand Lodge. A collection in aid of the funds of the Queen's Hospital was subscribed by the Brethren present.