V. P. Freeman : as this ever-to-be-remembered spectacle of

eight thousand Freemasons assembled in the Albert Hall is still fresh in the memory of many of us, it wiU be needless to say more than is found in the very lucid and entertaining speech of Bro. Scott, when returning thanks at the Prov. G. Lodge meeting on the 30th September, when he and his fellow Steward were presented each with a jewel struck by command of the M.W. Grand Master in commemoration of that event.
"E.W. Prov. Grand Master in the Chair, and Brethren : — I thank you for the vote you have just passed, and Bros. TroUope, Wood, and ChaUen for the kind and flattering manner in which they have spoken of me. I had some hesitation in placing this notice of motion on the agenda, first of all because it had reference to myself, and next because Bro. Freeman and I would have been quite content with the honor of having been appointed to act as Stewards for this Province on the occasion of the Installation of H.RH. the Prince of Wales, and with being permitted to wear the Commemoration Jewel But when I found from many quarters, that there was a very general desire that the jewel should be presented to us, that the same thing had been done in other Provinces, and also in several of the London Lodges, I no longer had any scruples about the matter. And now, brethren, I assure you that the pride and pleasure with which I shall always wear this pretty jewel will be greatly
56 FEEEMASONRY IN THE
enhanced by your generosity. I shall always wear this jewel with prider because it commemmorates an event which, humanly speaking, can happen but once in a lifetime, — an event unparalleled in the annals of Preemasonry for its significance, for the striking impression of the scene itself, andfor^e complete success which attended all the arrangements.,' Beyond parallel in its significance, for the demonstrslition made by the Freemasons of England, at the installation of H.E.H. the Prince of Wales as M.W.G.M..; was not only an evidence of their loyalty, but 'the most effectual protest which they could have matde against, the slur and stigma sought to be cast on the Qrder by the arrogance and intolerance of a domineerii^g priest- hood ; unparalleled in the striking impiess^siodi of the scene itself, for I venture to say that hot oiae of the many thousands who were present will ever' forget that day; or the effect produced by that Kii'rveUous flutter of white-gloved hands rising and falling in salutation; whil,st the arrangements "v^ere so admirably conceived and carried out, that not a single hitch occurred to mar the beauty of the Spectacle. Proud, then, am I of having taken a part, however humble, on so remarkable an occasion, and proud shall I be of the jewel which bears witness that I did so. But I shall also wear it with pleasure because of the generosity of feeling which prompted you, brethren, to give it to me. Out of the 700 Masons of Sussex, I suppose there are not two who would not willingly have changed places with Brother Freeman and myself on the Installation Day, and, therefore, the feeling might very naturally have arisen, if we were to have the glory it would only be fair that we should bear the expense of any privileges which might accrue to us from having acted as Stewards. But no such
TEOVrNCE OF SUSSEX. 5Y
feeling has found a place amongst you. You knew you could not all be Stewards. That 700 individuals could not he sq[ueezed into two. And, instead of being envious of those who were appointed, or indulging in anything of the ' dog in the manger ' spirit, with trtie Masonic impulse you have heartily ' evinced your approval of the choice our Dep. Prov. G. Master made in the selection of Stewards to act for the Province of Sussex; and, moreover, you have further shown your good-will towards us by deter- mining that we, who represented, or acted for you on that memorable day, should not be put to the expense even of the jewel, which will be to us, as long as we live, a mark of honour and distinction." At this meeting of the Prov. G. Lodge the acting Prov. G.M. Bro. Turner, made a befitting allusion to the late Bro. Pocock, and the same was recorded on the minutes ; and to still further mark their respect of the late Prov. Gr. Secretary, the sum of fifty guineas was voted to the Eoyal Masonic School for Girls, to be registered in the books of that Institution as the " Pocock Memorial."
In 1876 the Prov. G. Lodge was held as usual in the rooms of the Eoyal Pavilion, the D. Prov. G. Master presiding, when the sum of fifty guiueas was voted to the funds of the Masonic School for Boys.
On December 16th, 1876, Bro. E. J. Furner sent in his resignation to Lord Pelham, the pkov. g. master, of the office of Deputy Prov. G.M. He was induced to do so from no other reason than that the duties of the office having increased with the growth of Freemasonry in the Province, he felt they encroached too much on the time his own profession demanded of him. In consequence of Bro. Furner's resignation. Lord Pelham, not feeling equal to resuming the direction of the affairs of the Province, tendered his own resignation as Prov. G.M. to the
58 FEEEMASONBY IN THE
M.W.G.M., which was accepted. The M.W.G.M. then issued his patent appointing Bro. Sir W. W. Burrell, BAET., M.P., to the of&ce of Provincial Grand Master of Sussex ; and on the second of June, 1877, Bro. J. Hervey, GRAifD SEC. attended a Prov. G. Lodge meeting at Brighton, for the purpose of installing the Prov. G.M. nominate, nearly two hundred brethren attending the ceremony.
A deputation, consisting of Bros. C. Sandeman, J. M. Kidd, C. Moren, and T. S. Byass, PKOV. G. stewards, Bro. Dixon, P.G.D. OF c. and the Masters of the Lodges present, escorted Sir "Walter into the Lodge. Bro. Hervey congrat- ulated him on his appointment to such an important office, and proceeded to instal him in the Chair, adding, " that he had great pleasure in delegating to him the trust which the G.M. had reposed in him." The usual salute was thereupon given, and the Prov. G.M. then requested his patent of appointment of Bro, John Henderson Scott as his Dep. Prov. G.M., to be read, and he was forthwith obligated, invested and installed.
The Prov. G.M. said, addressing Bro. Scott, " that he felt it would be useless to say much with regard to the duties of D.P.G.M. to so old a Mason, and one who was so particularly looked up to by the brethren of the Province. All the brethren would agree that in choosing Bro. Scott to be his deputy, he had selected the right man, and put . him in the right place." (Cheers.)
All offices being vacant the Prov. G. Master appointed and invested Bro. Vincent P. Freeman, p. peov. s.g.w. to the office of Prov. G. Sec, and the following brethren were re- appointed for the remainder of the provincial year : — T. Trollope, 40, peov. s.g.w. ; C. J. Pocock, peov. j.g.w. ; Eev. E. Walker, 811, peov. g. chaplain ; C. A.Woolley, 311, peov. G. EEG. ; G. Tatham, peov. g. tebas. ; B. H. Thorpe, 1184, PEOV. S.G.D.; E. Bramwell, 271, peov. j.g.d.j C. Tomes, 1110, PEOV, G.s. of w.; J. Dixon, 271, peov. g.d, of c. ; T. H.
PROVINCE OF SUSSEX. ^9
Cole, 40, PEOV. G.A.D. OF c. ; W. Smith, 732, peot. g,s.b. ;
A. King, 271, peov. g. oeo. ; J. EberaU, 315, peot. g. puest. ;